A.N.
You'll see what the title is about soon enough.
Enjoy!
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Chapter 2- Homecoming
Mandalore, the planet named after Mandalore the First, the first leader of the Mandalorians, enjoyed a very fruitful harvest season this year.
A planet made up of farmers, farmers who believe that the greatest honor is earned through battle. Mandalorians also believe that men should be raised strong, and the women even stronger. For it is the woman who takes up the job of the men once they go to war, and it is also her job to defend their home planet, in case of an attack. But, the one thing Kim Fett did not approve of, was the fact she could not take up the job of her father while he's away, because she is a woman.
Standing on a hill, overlooking the lush farm lands of Mandalore, Kim stroked her hand through her auburn hair and took in a deep breath of the morning breeze.
Things were wild all month with nobody leading the tribes. This week alone saw some nasty fights among the families, whether it was over food, or false rumors from the war, or even fights between the kids. Anything got them heated up into arguments. Perhaps it was part of the anxiousness that their husbands and sons are fighting, honor in battle or not, they still loved them and any word of their wellbeing was welcomed with great anticipation.
Kim sighed with great distaste, no matter how much her father tried, there were some things in Mandalorian culture she could never understand.
Several objects moved across the atmosphere, the setting sun created a bright aura around the incoming ships, setting the perfect backdrop for the thrilling moment. Kim smiled and ran back towards the village.
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After everything got packed and the ship is almost ready to take off, Jarren felt a surge in the force, a small one. Its source came from his master, Corran Jinn, he had called him.
Jarren walked through the durasteel doors on to the balcony and found his master, who was quietly watching the sunset. He stood beside him and did the same. He had been looking for him all day, but his master was no where to be found. There's a reason he called him, Jarren only hoped it was good news.
"You've been looking for me." Corran Jinn began. Jarren noted it wasn't a question.
"I wanted to inform you that I've decided to visit Mandalore." Jarren kept a straight face, just as his master did. But, he wasn't sure if he was doing it to impress him, or just because he had adapted it from him.
"I see I have no say in this." Jinn pointed out.
"Master, if we ever wish to understand…"
"Oh, I agree." Corran interrupted, "Although what's more important to me, Jarren, is to see you pass the final trial."
He turned to face Jarren, who's blue hair blew with the wind, and both their robes flapped against it.
"This could be the most important task you may ever face. For the trial of a Jedi not only determines his fate, but sometimes the fate of the entire galaxy may also lie on the choice he makes."
Jarren looked into his master's eyes. And he saw trouble; he felt the disturbance in his heart.
"Is something troubling you, master?"
"I cannot hide it from you, Jarren. I feel I must warn you," his master leaned on to the rail and looked down to the footpath below, "I've been having…visions."
"What do you see in them?"
"I see you." He said, plainly, "I see two of you."
"And?" Jarren managed to maintain his composure, a trick his master taught him well. It may prove to be useful in his trial.
"The first one is dressed in traditional Jedi clothing, like the one you have on now. The second is dressed in Mandalorian armor, without the helmet. That one had red hair."
"Red hair?" Jarren lost his composure then. He still has much to learn.
"The two of you were standing face to face, holding hands and spinning in circles, both your faces showed struggle."
"That's a strange vision." Jarren wondered, "Do you know what it means?"
"Things will get clearer in time. Trust me." Corran placed a hand on his padawan's shoulder, "until then, my good friend. I bid you farewell on your task. Remember, the force can be a Jedi's greatest ally, or worst enemy."
"Yes, Master. I will not forget." He smiled and bowed, "May the force be with you."
He returned the bow, "May the force guide you too, my padawan."
Jarren turned and walked away, leaving his master to enjoy the wondrous terrain of Dantooine and its sunset once again while leaning against the rail. His mind fell into nostalgia, of the days gone by as he instructed his gifted student. A small freighter lifted from the dock below, hovering on Corran's level. He watched it as it turned and disappeared into the atmosphere and beyond.
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Kim stood among the crowds of women and old men, awaiting the landing pad to finally settle so that the travelers may step off the ship and greet their families. Her wide smile fooled the others into thinking she was excited to meet her father, but it was someone else she was anticipating more. A close friend of hers, one she's known for more years than her father.
Engine coolants and hydraulics gas ejected from various parts of the ship as the pad finally settled. The heroes came pacing down the ramp wearing wide smiles and new scars. To the families, the latter was a greater honor to see. As for Kim, that's a different story.
She looked feverishly, trying to make out familiar faces, but with no avail.
Once the first batch rushed off to meet their loved ones, a new wave came down the ramp, except in this one she recognized the buff man marching pompously in between the bunch, dressed in his signature navy blue armor, helmet to match, streaked with yellow lines on each arm and leg and across his forehead, Mandalore waved to the crowds. Kim just shook her head in aversion.
Beside Mandalore came her brother, Jim Fett. Dressed in red armor, decorated with grey triangles on each limb, and his brown hair cut short, he bared several new scars. His popularity will only increase, making him an even better choice to carry the mantle of Mandalore.
But there, just behind Mandalore, a little to the left, was the one she was looking for. A young man, the same age as she is, dressed in a green, streaked in yellow armor, with blonde hair and a freckled face, her best friend, Ron Fett.
Jumping with joy, she waved zealously to her hero, trying to catch his attention, but he seemed to be shying away from the crowd…silly fool, he should be proud of himself, this was his first battle!
As the group marched heroically to the middle of the crowd Kim grabbed Ron's arm and tugged him away to the clearing.
"Hello hero!" Kim's voice did not hide her excitement to see him again, at last.
Ron's surprise also came out clearly with his cheesy smile, "Kim!"
They hugged tightly and laughed.
Pulling away, Kim nudged him on his shoulder, "So, what was it like? Did you bring any scars?"
Ron grimaced a little at that question, but recovered with a forced smile and a false laugh, "Well, you see…about that. I didn't actually…"
"Just kidding, Ron!" Kim interrupted with a laugh, "I'm just happy to see you've made it back alright."
Ron sighed with relief and scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. He wasn't sure if it was the humiliation of not coming back baring marks of battle, or the fact his best friend showed some affection that made his cheeks turn crimson.
"I just wish your father would agree."
"Step-father, Ron!" Kim scowled.
"Oh, right sorry."
"Don't mind it." They both began to walk further away from the crowd, they spent a lot of their time away from the rest of the village, something her step-father never approved of, but Kim and Ron never really got along with Mandalorian culture very well, although since they were both adopted into it when they were young, they have picked up some habits, "I know he must've been tough on you during the fighting."
"Kim, he's always tough on me, during or not during fighting!"
Kim chuckled again, her friend always made sure her time here was never dull. If only her brothers were this way.
"Hey," Kim stopped and turned back to look at the crowd, "where's Tim? I haven't seen him coming in!"
Ron's visage twisted into a grimace, "Uh Kim, about Tim. I think I should tell you…"
"What, Ron." Kim grabbed him by the shoulders, hoping it's nothing bad he was trying to say to her "tell me what?"
Ever since losing her real parents, Kim had taken up protecting her brothers. Once they got adopted, Mandalore treated the twins like they were his own sons, which Kim never approved of. She on the other hand, was treated with little care. It was clear, from the beginning, he was going to pick one of them to take up his mantle and continue the legacy of the Madnalorians. Almost a decade past, Mandalore was due to decide soon if not already.
Ron looked into Kim's skeptical eyes, "Tim…deserted." She wasn't sure whether she should be happy or disappointed by this. This is most bizarre news to take in.
She slowly let go of his shoulders and dazed off to space, "Deserted…where?"
"We don't know. It happened so quickly during the fighting."
One thing was for sure though. Kim felt a sudden gap in her heart. Like a mother that lost her child, she needed to know he is safe. She needs to know if he's out there. She looked back and watched the crowd again, where her so called father stood shaking hands with his comrades.
Again she shook her head in disgust, a habit she picked up from here, one she hasn't dropped since it began; the day she was adopted.
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A.N.
I'm sure you've all got a vague picture of the adopted children's backgrounds. It'll all be cleared once our Jedi friend appears. Don't worry!
And don't let that vision mess with your heads too much, follow Corran's advice, give it some time.
More to come soon…