Lightsaber Construction
The younglings were gathered in the Kinnaran temple. They were excited. For today was the day they would build their lightsabers. It was something they'd been looking forward to since the very start of their training. They awaited the arrival of their masters who would bring everything they needed.
As they waited they talked amongst themselves about what it would be like to finally have their own. All the while they reflected on what their masters had told them almost two weeks prior.
Flashback
The younglings had been brought back to the Kinnaran temple after completing the Gathering where their masters discussed the next step.
"Alright younglings gather around," Hiccup said. They gathered before their teachers and gave them their full attention. "It's time to get your lightsabers. But first, you all need to determine what your lightsaber will be."
"A lightsaber is a Jedi's constant companion. They are something you will carry with you for the rest of your life. They will be unique, just like you all are," Elsa explained.
"Wrath," Hiccup said to the Zabrak teen.
"Yes Master?"
"Come forward," Hiccup said as he motioned for him to approach. The Zabrak teen obeyed as he came forward to stand before the knight. Hiccup lowered his hand. "Give me your hand Wrath."
Wrath arched a brow in question but did so. He raised a hand up as Hiccup took it. "Now Wrath. Tell me what you see your lightsaber to be."
"Uhhh...well...I don't know Master," Wrath replied unsure. "I guess I imagine it'd-"
"No Wrath," Hiccup interjected. "Not what you imagine it to be. What do you feel? In your hand?" Hiccup asked.
He would see Wrath was struggling to comprehend, so he decided to aid him. "Close your eyes," he said. Wrath did so. "Now concentrate. What do you feel in your hand? What will give you both courage and humility on your journeys?"
Wrath kept his eyes closed and focused. He curled his fingers as he began to feel something. He felt something familiar in his hand. Something he knew. Something he'd been taught to use since he was a child.
On instinct he brought his other hand up. Hiccup let go of him and took a step back. He smiled and knew Wrath was on the right track.
Wrath brought his left hand up and placed it just below his right. He stood there as he tried to discern what he felt. He shifted his hands a bit. Their positions felt right. His left hand below his right and his right just below where a guard should be.
"What do you feel Wrath?" Hiccup asked.
Wrath was silent for a moment as he came to understand what he was feeling. "A vibroblade," he finally answered. He opened his eyes and looked up to meet his Master's eye.
"Ahhhhh," Hiccup said curiously. "A Zabrak Vibroblade. Something familiar and comfortable."
"Yes Master," Wrath said with a nod.
"Alright," Hiccup said in understanding. He looked to the younglings. "I want you all to do this yourselves. We'll gather and fabricate the parts necessary for you all to build your lightsabers. In the meantime keep your krystals with you at all times. Meditate with them. Practice with them. Let the connection between it and you strengthen."
"You'll be given a week to reflect and tell us what you want," Elsa added.
The younglings nodded in understanding before being dismissed.
As their masters had instructed for the next week they would reflect on what they wanted. All while keeping their crystals on their persons. As they divined the specifications of their lightsabers they would call Hiccup. In the cases they could reach him they'd pass their ideas on to Elsa or Rapunzel who in turn would pass them onto the knight.
Soon they'd all submitted their specifications to their masters. They were told that they'd have to wait a week so the parts could be gathered or made. Until finally the day had come.
"Gather 'round younglings," Elsa said as he and Rapunzel entered the temple. The younglings came and their excitement spiked as they saw the Jedi were carrying with them numerous black containers.
They rushed up excitedly and waited as the Jedi passed each of them a container. They explained that everything they'd need was inside their respective containers. Now all they had to do was build them.
Elsa pulled out the holocron and opened it to display the basic diagram of a lightsaber. She gave a brief explanation of how the parts fit together and how to use the Force to build them.
"You have everything you need. The rest is up to you. All you have to do is concentrate. Picture the diagram in your mind and trust that all the components are meant to fit together," Elsa said as she finished her explanation.
The younglings all picked spots and sat on the ground. They opened their containers and emptied the contents, setting them up in front of them. Then they all took a moment to inspect the displayed diagram. Then with steadying breaths they closed their eyes and began to meditate.
The younglings sat as they focused on the components. They pored their concentration on each and every piece, picturing in their minds what their lightsabers would be and holding the image.
Elsa and Rapunzel watched on silently, there to lend a hand with advice and make sure the components were put together correctly. For if they weren't there was a potential for injury.
The knight and Padawan walked around the younglings until one by one their respective components began to rise and hover before them. The parts began moving into place and aligned themselves. The younglings controlled the components, some moving their arms while some let their arms remain at their sides.
Then one by one the lightsabers began to build themselves. The pieces locked into place, bound together by the Force channeled by the respective wielders. Soon enough fully formed lightsabers were hanging in the air.
The Jedi smiled proudly as the younglings opened their eyes and claimed their weapons.
"Good work younglings," Rapunzel said in pride.
They all looked at her and smiled.
"Now, ignite your blades. Show us you've truly completed them," Elsa encouraged.
Lan Wu raised her saber. Hers was a metal casing that had been fit into a wooden Gungan atlatl. It had been the one her father had gifted her during his visit. She'd showed it to Hiccup, asking if it could be made the hilt of her lightsaber. After a brief inspection Hiccup told her he was confident he could. He'd hollowed it out to make room for the saber's casing and cut small holes for an activation stud, energy dial, and blade adjuster.
She ignited her weapon and a blade of purple plasma sprang out. She smiled proudly as she held her weapon that was a reminder of her people and their warrior culture.
Beside her Nemo raised his lightsaber up. His was rather simple in design. It was a sleek silver with thin ridged grips running vertically down the length of the hilt. The emitter had a ring of small bumps typical to the Mon Calamari design seen in their architecture and starship, giving it a somewhat organic feel.
He'd opted for a sliding switch which he had put closer to the emitter while the power adjuster and blade length adjustment knob were placed at the base on the opposite side.
He pressed the sliding switch and a deep blue blade sprang out with a hiss.
Claire raised her lightsaber up next. The hilt was a shimmering metallic green. Her lightsaber featured a tapered grip, with the diameter of the hilt decreasing near its midsection before flaring out to its original diameter. The smaller diameter allowed the wielder to hold it easier. A silver ignition switch rested just above where the diameter began to shrink with the power and blade adjuster dial being located on the opposite side.
Surrounding the blade emitter was an ornate emitter shroud. It surrounded the emitter and had six prongs that were curled back like flower petals.
She hit the switch and an orange plasma blade sprang out. She smiled proudly at her weapon which held both danger and beauty.
Much like herself.
Next went Havolian. He raised up his faded black lightsaber which looked more like a blaster. The hilt was curved and reminiscent of a blaster's grip. It even had a trigger. Havo placed his finger on the trigger and squeezed. His spring green blade ignited.
Havo's lightsaber was unique. A curved hilt lightsaber that was ideal for dueling. It's design capitalized on Havo's familiarity with blasters and made the most of his lightsaber skills. Its blade and power adjustment knob were placed opposite the trigger and just below the blade emitter.
Ella raised her saber up next. The hilt of her weapon was composed of bronsium, a bronze
colored material. The hilt was thin with an almost skeletal design. The emitter was attached to a thin rod that extended from the hilt. Attached to the pommel cap was the fang of the jungle king gifted to her by the Kinnarans. The grip of the hilt was knurled.
Her lightsaber had an activation plate just below the knurled grip while its power and blade adjuster dials were located on either side of the plate.
An electric blue blade sprang out as she pressed the plate.
Nuna held up her lightsaber. Her lightsaber was silver with several black grooves located on the hilt. There were three angled black finger grooves just below the ignition stud that was located closer to the emitter. Opposite and located near the base was the blade's power adjuster and length adjustment knob. The pommel cap was angled and slightly curved. Her saber had an emitter shroud with two prongs.
She pressed down on the ignition stud and a white blade sprang out. She looked at it proudly, a smile on her heart.
Wally raised up his lightsaber. His lightsaber had been fitted into a bone sleeve of a krayt dragon. Wrapped around the hilt was bantha leather. A portion of the lightsaber that protruded from the bone casing contained an ignition stud with the blade power and length adjustment knobs being located on the opposite side.
He pressed on the ignition stud and a sky blue blade of plasma came out.
Lastly Emma raised both her hands. Each one held a lightsaber hilt. Unlike her classmates Emma had procured two crystals, thus she'd fashioned two sabers. Her sabers' hilts were a silvery white metal. The hilts were mirrors of each other and the hilts each had a series of intersecting grooves as a grip. Commonly known as a grenade grips. Each had an emitter shroud.
Both sabers had a metal ignition stud located above the grip sections with the blade power and length adjustment knobs located at the base 60 degrees apart from each other.
She pressed the ignition studs and an icy blue and cyan colored blade came out. Emma smiled as she gave both saber a twirl. Her sabers had a hidden secret only she and her masters knew about. She'd let it be a surprise for now.
"Excellent. Truly excellent work to all of you," Elsa said proudly as she looked to each and every lightsaber.
Rapunzel smiled beside her. Her eyes trailing over every youngling. This was starting to look like a proper Jedi Order. Different species that had all come together, bringing with it their own experiences and uniqueness. Just like their lightsabers.
"We are very proud of you youngling," Elsa said to all of them. "From now on keep them with you at all times. They are your life. Do not lose them," she said, giving one last token of wisdom.
The youngling all nodded in understanding. The Jedi left the room, giving the youngling the rest of the day to themselves.
The youngling gathered together and talked. They started to admire, compare, and compliment each other's weapons.
"I can't wait to see Wrath's," Havo said.
The other murmured in agreement. The Zabrak teen was absent. He was with Hiccup, on his way back to his colony to get his tattoos. They talked, wondering what his lightsaber would look like.
Meanwhile, traveling through hyperspace a rebel starship carried both Hiccup and Wrath. Wrath's parents had deemed it was time for him to receive his facial tattoos and requested he come back to their colony.
Hiccup joined him, giving him his lightsaber's components so he could construct it on the way. The rebels had provided him and Hiccup a private room. Wrath sat cross legged on the ground, his hands on his lap and his eyes closed in concentration.
Hiccup was to his side . In front of Wrath was his astromech which was displaying a holographic image of a lightsaber schematic. Hiccup spoke in a low hushed tone, giving Wrath advice and guiding him along the process.
"Just relax. Let the Force guide and bind the components together. You have all you need," the Jedi knight said.
Wrath's crystal and lightsaber components were floating before him. The aligned themselves and the crystal moved itself into the proper place. With a final breath the components came together and completed the weapon.
Wrath opened his eyes to see his weapons floating before him, slowly rotating in mid air. He reached out and grabbed it before standing up. He looked to his teacher for approval.
Hiccup stepped toward him and held out his hand. Wrath gave it to him. Hiccup turned it over for one final inspection. He held it in both hands and gave a slight tug. The lightsaber felt secure. With no loose components.
With a nod he handed it back to the Zabrak teen.
"Go head. Fire it up," Hiccup prompted.
Wrath nodded. He looked to his weapon and swallowed down a nervous lump in his throat. The hilt of his lightsaber was gold in color. It had a black ridged grip that wrapped around the hilt with enough space for both his hands. His lightsaber had a guard, typically seen on Zabrak style vibroblades. And curiously to him there were two holes on the sides, just below the blade emitter.
The ignition stud was just below the guard, with the blade length and power adjustment knobs located at the base on the pommel cap. He pressed the ignition stud and three forest green plasma blades sprang out.
"Woah," Wrath said in surprise. He'd never seen a lightsaber like this. The two blades coming out of the side had him shocked.
"It's a crossguard lightsaber," Hiccup chimed in. Wrath looked to him for an explanation. "It's a bit of an older design. But I thought you'd like the surprise."
"It's cool," Wrath said with a nod.
Hiccup gave a brief explanation of the additional components. Explained that the guard was two emitter shrouds to protect his hands. That the vents on the side were called quillons. He also warned that using this style of lightsaber could be tricky, as he had to watch out for the position of the additional blades.
"But I think you're up for the challenge," Hiccup finished with a wink.
Wrath smiled and nodded. With one last chuckle Wrath deactivated his lightsaber before clipping it to his belt. Hiccup placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You and your classmates have done very well Wrath. Rapunzel, Elsa, and I are proud of you."
"Thank you Master," Wrath said with a nod.
There came a knock on the door.
"Hiccup. We're coming out of hyperspace," came the voice of a rebel.
"Thank you," Hiccup said loud. "Looks like it's time. You ready?"
Wrath nodded as Hiccup dismissed him.
Soon the transport landed and Wrath was standing on his colony world. He smiled and breathed in the familiar air. He let out a sigh. There was nothing quite like being back home.
"So this is your home Wrath?" came a voice behind him.
Wrath turned with a smile. "Sure is," he said happily.
His guest walked up to him, tugging at her clothing. She stopped before him before looking at him. "How do I look?" she asked.
"You look fine Saphine," he assured.
She hummed as she looked herself over. Saphine was wearing a green tube top with loose turquoise harem pants. She felt strange in them, her people generally only wearing sashes, loin cloths, or generally foregoing clothing all together.
When his parent had called him back to the colony he'd asked if he could bring Saphine. With his parents' permission he'd brought it up to his girlfriend. She'd immediately asked her queen if it would be acceptable. Her queen said it'd be fine. Then she asked her mother, who had concurred with the queen. Then they'd asked the Jedi and rebels. After receiving their permission Saphine had been allowed to come with Wrath. She'd longed to finally travel off world. Plus she'd get to meet Wrath's family and be with him on such an important day of his life.
"Why did I have to wear these?" she asked.
"Well Saphine...you technically are naked all the time. It might be a bit weird for my people," he explained with a blush.
"That never seemed to bother you before," she pointed out with a cocked head.
He blushed harder and sputtered. But he had no retort. He muttered some excuse before offering his arms. She linked arms with him as he began leading them through the colony.
"So we're going to see your parents first?" Saphine asked.
"Yes."
"Will you sister be there?"
"Probably."
Saphine hummed. She was nervous and excited to meet Wrath's parents. She hoped to get their approval. Wrath assured her they'd love her.
As they walked Saphine looked around, taking it all in. The people. The building. Even the sky. All of it was so different.
"I can't believe I'm on another planet," she said in wonder.
Wrath chuckled. He didn't find his home that amazing. But for someone who'd never left their home planet like Saphine the novelty was probably astounding to her.
"Yeah. It can be pretty mind blowing the first time," Wrath said in understanding. He remembered how he felt when he'd arrived on Punjam Hy Loo.
"HEY WRATH!" a shou cut in. Wrath stopped and glanced left in the direction the voice had come to see his old peers along with Draag, his old nemesis.
His peers all had their faces tattooed. They looked much the same as they did last time he'd come home. There were three of them in total. Two of them stood behind Draag. Draag stood in front, glaring with hatred.
Wrath sighed in annoyance. "Hey guys," he said flatly. "Draag," he added to the older taller Zabrak. Saphine was silent as she held his arm and watched the interaction.
"Wrath you cheater! Fight me!" Draag demanded loudly.
"Cheater?" Wrath said with furrowed brows. "How did I cheat?"
"You used your Jedi mind powers to make me lose," Draag accused hotly.
"No I didn't. We fought fair and square and I won," Wrath insisted.
"Liar! There's no way a crappy fighter like you could beat me!"
Wrath felt Saphine tense beside him. He glanced toward her to see the feather on her chest and shoulders starting to ruffle. It meant she was getting angry. He could feel her anger rising.
"Look Draag, I didn't mind trick you or anything. We fought. I won. That's it. I've got nothing to prove," Wrath responded firmly.
Draag was about to retort when he finally took notice of Saphine. He looked her up and down before taking note of their linked arms.
"Is this your girlfriend Wrath?" Draag asked.
"As a matter of fact she is," Wrath said proudly.
Draag was silent for a moment before he began to sneer. Then he laughed out loud. "This is your girlfriend? Some sort of bird thing?" he cackled spitefully.
"Bird thing?" Saphine growled lowly. Her wings began to do fast flutters signaling agitation.
"Let's go Saphine," Wrath said as he began to lead them away. There was no point in continuing this. He decided to let Draag stew and make a fool of himself.
Saphine glared at Draag before allowing Wrath to turn them away. Draag laughed louder, being as obnoxious as possible.
"Isn't this funny guys?" Draag asked as he turned to look to his two cronies. They weren't laughing. To be honest they'd begun to get sick of Draag and his behaviour. Ever since he'd lost he'd obsessed over Wrath. Going on about how Wrath cheated. How it was impossible for him to have lost to the Zabrak who he'd defeated countless times in the past.
In the past they'd joined in and laughed. But now it all seemed so childish. It's like he refused to grow up.
"Laugh," he demanded with a whisper. The other two exchanged a glance before chuckling. But it was forced, their hearts weren't in it.
"You're a joke Wrath!" Draag shouted in an attempt to rile the youngling up.
"Aren't you going to do anything? He's insulting you," Saphine said angrily.
"I'm a Jedi Saphine. We don't fight just because someone says something mean to us," he said as he continued to lead them away.
"Just like your girlfriend!"
At that Saphine stopped. Before Wrath could do anything she flared her wings open. They began flapping at high speed as she turned and shot toward Draag with fire in her eyes.
Draag stopped mid chuckle, eyes widening as Saphine came at him in a blur of blue. He didn't have time to react as Saphine reached him and spun, catching him in the side of the head with a kick.
Draag staggered to the side in pain and shock he fell against a building. But he didn't have time to dawdle as Saphine was on him. Kinnarans, while generally an amicable people, didn't take kindly unwarranted insults.
Wrath sighed as he began to approach. Watching as Saphine beat up the teen who was at least full head taller than her. But Saphine was fast and she'd been trained to fight her whole life.
Draag was on guard after taking a series of blows from Saphine. He'd drawn his vibroblade while Saphine produced a dagger even Wrath hadn't known about. Draag attacked with a yell and Saphine parried. Sparks flew and metal clanged against metal as they exchanged strikes.
She ducked under a high swing before jumping and hovering above a low swing at her leg. While in the air she let loose a few fast kicks to Draag's face. Draag staggered back again, nose bleeding and several bruises on his face.
Draag took a wild swing at her right. Saphine spun, batting the blade away with her dagger's blade. Before he could ready himself for another strike Saphine stepped closer and had her knife pressed to his throat.
"Drop your weapon," she hissed venomously.
Draag was stiff as he let his weapon fall from his hand. Saphine glared into his eyes. Her wings were still fluttering with fury. All she could feel was white hot rage. How dare he insult her! How dare he insult Wrath! How dare he insult his skills with a sword and insinuate he would ever cheat!
"Ok, that's enough," Wrath said as he finally reached them. He grabbed Saphine's wrist, causing her to look at him. "Lets go. My parents are expecting us."
Saphine frowned, eyes flicking between Draag and her boyfriend. Wrath was starting get worried when he felt tension in her wrist loosen. She lowered her dagger and dropped her arms before taking a step back. Draag slumped down to the ground as his legs gave out.
"Ok," Saphine said to her boyfriend with a bright smile, her warrior spirit switching to the loving girlfriend excited to meet her boyfriend's parents for the first time.
Wrath smiled and glanced down at Draag. "Good seeing you Draag. Now if you'll excuse us," he said as he made to lead Saphine away.
They took a step before Saphine stopped. Everyone watched as she stooped down to pick up Draag's sword.
Draag's eyes widened as he raised a hand out. "Hey that my sw-" he began to protest.
He went silent as Saphine turned and pointed the tip of the vibroblade in his face, a few mere centimeters from his nose. "This is my sword now," she said firmly.
Draag blinked and opened his mouth to get out a weak, "But-"
"I said, this is my sword now," she repeated with eyes narrowed in challenge.
Draag blinked before lowering his hand in defeat.
Saphine turned away, taking her trophy with her. Draag's friends raised their empty hands up before taking a step back, not wanting to get involved in the least. The couple stepped passed the other two Zabraks and made to leave.
"Wrath," one of them suddenly said. Wrath stopped and looked to the one who'd spoken. "Sorry bout...everything," he said. His companion nodded in agreement.
Wrath blinked, hardly believing he was getting an apology. But he accepted with a simple nod before continuing on.
The three Zabraks watched them go as Draag picked himself up. He looked to his companions and was about to attempt to put on a bravado to save his pride when one of them looked to him and said, "Draag, man. Grow up."
With that his companions left him, walking away. He stared, now alone and left with only himself.
Later on Saphine met Wrath's parents. They immediately took a liking to the girl, after overcoming their surprise as she'd been exactly as described by their daughter. After the short greeting Wrath was taken to see the colony's elders.
They reiterated the purpose of their peoples' facial tattoos. It was a rite of passage in their culture. The markings held mean that only Zabraks would discern. They could illustrate place of birth, lineage, occupations, skill or talents. They could simply reflect Wrath's individual personality.
He was told to contemplate what he wanted to portray through them.
Wrath thought long and hard, arms crossed and eyes closed in thought.
But he soon came to a decision. He opened his eyes and looked to the elders.
"Have you decided Wrath? Do you know what you want your tattoos to mean?" one of the elders asked.
He gave a nod before answering.
"Protector."
Back on Punjam Hy Loo the younglings had spent most of the day sparring with their lightsabers, getting a feel for their new weapons. They sparred with each other or even the younger Kinnarans. They took turns, observing and waiting patiently for their respective match.
As they were watching Emma glanced over at two sparring Kinnarans. She watched curiously as one Kinnaran held their sword the standard way, while another held her differently.
She held her sword in a way that pointed the blade end in the opposite direction of her thumb. She found it odd as she observed their match. She made her way over to Thrush, who'd been overseeing all the matches to make sure no one got seriously injured.
"Thrush?"
"Yes Emma?" the black Kinnaran responded as she kept her gaze toward the various sparring adolescents.
"Why is she holding her sword like that?" Emma asked as she pointed to the object of her curiosity.
Thrush glanced over to see who the girl was pointing at. "She's using a ''reverse" or ''dagger" grip style," she said.
"Why?"
"It's how she prefers it," Thrush responded casually.
Emma cocked her head inquisitialy as she continued to watch. The fight went on as the Kinnaran girl fought with her strange style. Emma looked down to her lightsaber before grabbing one. She held it normally at first before reversing her grip to mimic the Kinnaran girl.
It felt odd. Different from what she was used to and had been taught.
But maybe with a bit of practice…
She decided she wasn't ready to try it just yet. For now she'd watch and observe. Maybe she'd even ask Thrush for some pointers.
The younglings continued to practice throughout the day and into the night. With each swing and thrust the bond between them and their weapon deepened, becoming like extensions of their own bodies. They grew to appreciate the weapons crafted for and by them, and they swore to respect what they represented.
For as their teachers had said they would likely carry it with them for the rest of their lives. They would use it to fight and kill, but hopefully more so to save and protect.
For that is what it meant to be a Jedi.
End
