Ethnos glanced from side to side, his eyes keeping all of the droids in his sight.

This test to determine whether or not he was ready to advance to the status of Padawan was probably the most tedious of all of them so far. He was to defeat all the droids as fast as possible without getting hit. So far he had reduced several to scrap metal, but there was still plenty more.

He gripped his lightsabers harder, the black, abyssal blades humming with each movement. He was holding one of them backhand to act as defence, while the other did most of the work. Five droids advanced on him from all sides.

Time for a little surprise.

He slammed the hilts of his lightsabers together, creating one dual ended weapon. He began spinning it at a feverish speed, blocking the many hooked blows the droids were aiming at him. Several well placed spinning blows, and they were all sparking and collapsing to the ground. He seperated the two weapons and replaced them on his belt. He bowed to the examiners and left. The moment he left, Alvya jogged up to meet him.

"That was some fancy saberwork you pulled back there. Why wait on using the saberstaff?"

Ethnos gave a slight smile.

"I had to keep some things a secret didn't I?"

Alvya grinned and slapped her friend on the shoulder.

"Could you help me with practice? My trials are tomorrow and I could use the workout."

Ethnos nodded.

"One blade, or two?"

"One. More fun when it's even."

The two proceded to an unused sparring hall and took up their positions. Ethnos' black weapon hummed to life, moving fluidly through the air. Alvya ignited her own lightsaber, the blue blade slicing through the air in a few strokes to intimidate her opponent. The two slowly circled each other, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Then they charged.

spin, overhead slash, side cut, stab, block, block, block, backflip, spinning slash, slash, slash, cross cut, loop over head.

The fight lasted for about half an hour before they called it a draw. They'd been sparring with each other for as long as they could remember and knew exactly how the other fought. Whenever they were challenged to a two on two duel, no one could best them.

Ethnos gave his goodbyes and left to see his results. Alvya waited anxiously for him to walk out and tell her the results. After about five minutes he walked out.

"I've passed! I've been assigned to Master Evor Se!"

Alvya hurried to congratulate her friend. He was one step closer to become a Jedi. Master Evor Se was an aged human Jedi who had taught Padawans for years. He was an accomplished swordsman and had won many battles throughout the course of the Clone Wars. His greatest accomplishment in the war was personally defeating fifteen Magnaguards personally, and almost defeated General Grievous, before he escaped by detonating charges set on the platform they were dueling on.

Evor Se was waiting for him in the main foyer. His piercing green eyes studying his new Padawan carefully. Ethnos stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings youngling, or should I call you Padawan now. As you know, I am Master Evor Se, and I am the one who shall complete your training as a Jedi."

"My name is Ethnos, master. I am honored to continue my training with a Jedi as powerful as yourself."

Evor Se laughed.

"Good manners, lad! You'll make a great Jedi one day!"

Evor and Ethnos spent the remainder of the day discussing what Ethnos would be learning from Ethnos.

"By this point, what your really obtaining from me is experience. Your going to learn about the wide world with me and learn how to use the knowledge you gain from it to good effect."

Ethnos merely bowed.

"I look forward to it master."

It is now the next day and Alvya is undertaking the test to graduate to the title of Padawan. She is nearing the end and is about to complete the trial of arms.

Alvya had her feet planted firmly on the ground. Sweat beaded her brow. She clutched her lightsaber in front of her as the last droid closed in. She leapt into the air and flipped, cleaving the droid's head clean in half. She landed gracefully and shut off her lightsaber. She bowed to the examiners and left.

She knew that Ethnos would not be able to see her after her trials due to the fact that he and his new master were aboard a Star Destroyer en route to Felucia. There were reports of an increase in dark side activity there.

A few minutes later, she was summoned to the examiners.

"We have decided that you are worthy to graduate to the title of Padawan. You will be assigned to master Marahl. She will meet you in the Foyer."

True to their word, master Marahl was waiting by the fountain in the foyer.

"Greetings padawan. I am master Marahl. I am looking forward to completing your training."

"Well met master. I am honored."

Marahl smiled at her new Padawan. She had a good feeling about her.

Ethnos stood on the bridge of the Star Destroyer overlooking Felucia. The planet that was normally so colourful was scarred by the battle on the surface. Even now, the momentary flashes of the artillary cannons firing dotted the view.

"Well, my young padawan, looks like we're diving straight into the action today."

Ethnos looked up at master Evor Se, nodding in acknowledgement. They were being deployed to assist Aayla Secura capture a separtist base on the planet surface and gain a foothold on Felucia.

"Get geared up and meet me in the hanger. I'll be waiting."

Ethnos left the bridge and pulled on his combat armor. It was light and flexible, allowing for quick movement and fast attacking, yet not sacrificing in defence. He clipped his lightsabers to his utility belt and quickly made his way through the Star Destroyer to the hanger. Master Evor Se was waiting for him beside a semi new star ship made to hold a crew of ten crew members and one droid. There was a group of eight elite clone troopers waiting for him as well as an R4 unit.

"Get ready bubs, we're going dirtside!"

The one who called out that comment was obviously the commander. He had the shoulder armor that indicated that as well as there air of a man who had lead others into battle for a long time. The rest of the troopers immediately snapped to attention.

"Sir yes sir!"

The leader gave a small groan and muttered something about sudden formality the moment Jedi showed up. Evor Se just subtly smirked.

"I'm sure you've figured out what's going on here right?" Evor Se whispered to Ethnos.

"Of course master." Ethnos responded with a tone that suggested amusement.

Half an hour later, they were on the surface and darting at wicked speeds through the jungles of Felucia. Ethnos was working with the scouts while Evor Se was bringing up the rear. Finally they reached the battle site. A small platoon of b-1s were marching by.

"Okay kid, lets see what you've got!" The lead trooper called to Ethnos.

Just watch me. Ethnos thought to himself as he unclipped his lightsabers. Evor Se brought his hand down to initiate the attack.

Ethnos leapt into the air and hurtled downward towards the center of the platoon. The moment he hit the ground, he ignited his lightsabers and threw them in an orbit around him. The moment they returned to his hands, he began to whirl through the droids, cutting them down with the force of a maelstrom.

While Ethnos was busy fighting like a one man army, Evor Se and the clones had joined the fight, taking out the droids that didn't get obliterated by Ethnos' blades. Within minutes, the platoon was a pile of scrap metal.

"Well done boy. I've never seen anyone fight the way you did."

Ethnos smiled at his master's praise. The clone leader slapped him on the back.

"Well kid, I've seen some interesting things in my time, but that fighting you just did takes the cake."

Ethnos merely nodded in response.

"Not very talkative?"

"Nah, just focused."

The leader laughed.

"Don't think we've been properly introduced. The name's Sharpshot."

"Mine's Ethnos. Now less talking and more scrapping."

Sharpshot laughed.

"I like your attitude! Well then, start scrapping!"

The next few hours were a blur of motion as the small group decimated every droid in their path. After the fourth hour, the droids began retreating. After some time, they were gone. The group returned to the base, where they met up with Aayla Secura.

"Thank you for you assistance master Se. We have them on the run. Now we have to follow them to where they're running to and we're one step closer to winning the battle for Felucia."

Evor Se nodded his head.

"Indeed."

Aayla turned to thank the troops and noticed Ethnos.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce my new padawan. Master Secura, meet Ethnos. He was assigned to me a few days ago."

Aayla extended her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, padawan."

Ethnos shook her hand.

"It's an honor master Secura."

Aayla turned back to Evor Se.

"We need to move now. We can't give the droids time to regroup."

She turned to the clone commander next to her.

"Bly, get the men ready. We're moving out."

The clone trooper immediately left and began barking out orders to the other clones. Within the hour, they were on the move. Ethnos was hitching a ride on top of an AT-TE walker with Evor and Aayla. Aayla was busy contacting the bridge of a Star Destroyer to request reinforcments to assist in the seige. Finally, she got an answer.

"The Jedi Council has just informed us that they are sending more troops as well as two Jedi to assist in the fight. They'll be at your location within a day."

Aayla signed off and began to discuss strategy with Evor. Meanwhile, Ethnos was in a limbo between conciousness and meditation. He was absentmindedly levitating his ball of wood again. Evor and Aayla took notice of this and watched for some time. When Ethbos returned to reality, they decided to ask about it.

"Why do you have that ball with you. A keepsake, or trophy of some kind?" Aayla asked.

"Something to remind me of home, wherever it is." Ethnos replied, looking up at the stars. Evor noticed something in his voice. Mixed emotions. Sadness, curiousity, and more.

"You don't remember your old home?"

Ethnos shook his head.

"I was taken to the temple at around two years old if what I was told is true. I've frequently asked the council about it, but they just gave me the ball and said that the wood it's made of is from a tree that only grows on that planet."

Evor took a closer look at the wood. It wasn't anything special, nothing to indicate how it was unique.

"Maybe your travels as a Jedi will help you find your home." Aayla pointed out. Ethnos' fingers closed around the ball.

"I figure that too. But there's also something that bothers me. Why would the council want to withhold that knowledge from me? Is it so that it doesn't interfere with my training, or is there some dark secret behind it?"

The Jedi masters went silent. Ethnos was making a valid point. Why was the council restricting that knowledge from him?

Ethnos stretched his arms over his head and began shifting to a more comfortable position before he stopped dead in his tracks. He began to look around quickly, as if searching for something. His hand dropped to one of his lightsabers and finally spotted what he was looking for.

"Incoming!"

A squad of vulture droids was racing towards them, followed by a small pack of hyena bombers. Aayla reacted instantly.

"All troops and walkers, incoming enemy fighters! concentrate all fire on the bombers!"

The AT-TEs all began to shift their cannons to the oncoming threat. A hail of cannonfire erupted as both parties unleashed their first volleys of ammunition. Ethnos immediately began looking for some way to attack. His eyes came to rest on a trooper with a bag of magnetic charges.

"Give me some charges!" He yelled. The trooper tossed him two charges, which he then hurled through the air towards the vulture droids, using the Force to add extra accuracy and power. Both charges hit their marks and two vulture droids hit the dirt. Catching on to his strategy, the clones and the two Jedi began to throw the charges with deadly results. The combined power of the AT-TE walkers' cannons and the charges had left the enemy fighters in a massive scrap heap. Aayla marveled at the boy's creativity.

"Ingenious. I never would have thought to use the charges in that manner."

Ethnos merely bowed and began scanning the skies for more vulture droids. He had a feeling they were not out of this yet.

Alvya looked around the dropship was was crammed into, the red light casting eerie shadows along the wall. Master Marahl stood beside her, holding onto the supports on the ceiling of the drop ship. The ship rocked as cannon fire streaked past it. The Seperatists had known they were coming.

"I guess the Separtists have reserve artillary!" Marahl shouted. Alvya cursed under her breath. The Separtists alway had some sort of trick up their sleeve. For once, she wished that it was the other way around.

"We'll be on the ground in five seconds! Get ready to run!" The commander yelled. Alvya mentally counted down.

5...4...3...2...1...Go!

The doors slid back and the troopers rushed out. Alvya and Marahl jumped out and ignited their lightsabers, spinning them in a whirlwind of motion to deflect the fire from droid snipers.

"Commander, get those artillary cannons offline!" Marahl shouted to the clone commander.

"You heard the general! Move move move!"

The clones charged forward, gunning down the droids with deadly precision. Marahl and Alvya ran on either side of the group, deflecting blaster fire with ease. Once they were nearing the first line, Alvya leapt into the air, performed a somersault, and landed atop a B-2 battle droid. She wasted no time cutting off both it's arms and leaping into the fray, cutting down droids left and right.

On the other side of the clones, Marahl was locked in a duel with three Magnaguards. She spun her saber at a feverish pace, keeping the electrostaffs at a distance. Finally, she managed to decapicate one of them, yanked it's staff from it's hands, and hurled it straight through the chest of the second guard. She whirled around and blocked an overhead blow with a horizontal block, trying to push it off balance. Suddenly, a blue blade emerged from the droid's chest, and withdrew. the droid collapsed with Alvya in it's place.

"Get clear!"

Both Jedi turned a he sound of the clone commander's bellow as he leapt clear of several artillary cannons, short seconds before they were transformed into fireballs. Alvya covered her eyes as the cannons were reduced to bits of molten metal.

Marahl carefully uncovered her eyes and smiled. The artillary cannons and the ground troops were destroyed. She turned to her padawan.

"Well done."

Alvya smiled at the praise, then noticed something off in the distance.

"Look!"

The troopers turned and saw the contigent of Republic troops they had been sent to back up approaching. Alvya grinned. Standing atop one of the cannons of the walkers was Ethnos.

Ethnos stood balanced atop the cannon, patiently waiting for them to stop and let their reinforcements aboard. Alvya did a massive leap aboard the walker that Aayla, Evor Se and Ethnos were currently situated upon and was quickly joined by Marahl.

"Glad to see you and your men survived master Marahl. We'll be needing you and them before long."

Marahl bowed.

"Glad to be of service master Secura. You to master Se."

The three Jedi began to give details on the forces that they had at their disposal. In the meantime, Ethnos and Alvya were busy catching up with eachother.

"Sorry I couldn't be there for the trials, but well... you know." Ethnos motioned to the massive force behind them.

"It's cool. Seems you and master Se are getting along."

"It's certainly been interesting."

The two talked for a while, then Ethnos climbed back to where he had been when they had met up. He sat down and gazed off into the distance. Alvya noted something. His eyes seemed to be focused on something that wasn't there. It worried her. It usually meant something was troubling him, and the more focused he was, then the more troubled he was.

Ethnos closed his eyes, trying to figure out what that image he had seen was. It terrifying. A solid black metal mask that was practically bathed in the dark side. He saw a flash of red and the Jedi temple burning. He could see the fear on the younglings' faces as their home burned and as blaster fire killed their friends and mentors

What does it mean? He asked himself. As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, he had a grim feeling that he was going to find out soon.