AN: Hello Trials and Tribulations faithful! I'm glad for those of you that have come back to this story and I welcome all newcomers. In the chapter we continue Zaaron's journey throughout the Old Republic. Also take note the story's title will be altered slightly too simply Trials and Tribulations. So don't freak out when you tune in next time and start yelling at me. Well let's get started with our next installment and don't forget to leave a review!
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Trials and Tribulations; Chapter 13: Trial of Courage
Several days after Zaaron's first trial he was brought to the Jedi Trial Chambers of Illum to begin his second of the five. The Trial of Courage was not one Zaaron worried over, for he had faced knights and even more advanced partners in his training, but now as he stood at the door way into the chambers his heart pounded in his ears. In every way Master Tao Kahn was correct in saying, "Training is only half the battle. If the mind is not equally as prepared as the body you will surely fail." Swallowing the lump in his throat Zaaron stepped through the giant double doors into the Trial chambers.
Unlike the dueling ring in which Zaaron conducted his first trial the chamber was an endlessly long hallway that was dimly lit, the only illumination was given to the statues on either side of the wall. All intricately designed to represent whomever it showcased. All of them held variations of the lightsaber representing their status as a Jedi knight. Some held the very first force swords forged on Tython during the first Great Schism, while later down on he saw others holding lightsaber pikes and light whips in their hands.
After walking down the long aisle for what seemed like hours Zaaron was transported into the Jungles of his home world: Dxun. Although they were not as he remembered as he saw the jungle brush burning in large and deadly flames creating what seemed to be a path. Surveying his surroundings Zaaron realized where the paths of fire lead, to his home! With fear for his people instilled in his being Zaaron sprinted for the compound using the force to shield him from the raging fire.
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Following the path of destruction Zaaron saw countless Mandalorian warriors lying dead steadily being consumed by the fires rage. Everybody he saw lying dead tore at Zaaron's heart, many of these people he had grown up with, all of them proud of their culture. Taking a moments rest Zaaron saw he was wearing the full body Beskar, Mandalorian Armor of his people, but without any weapons. The black armor glistened in the fires light as Zaaron scavenged weapons from the dead as he anticipated the upcoming battle. Equipped with a heavy blaster, two blaster pistols, and two vibro-blades Zaaron headed to his old home with a renewed vigor to defeat this enemy.
After miles of burning Jungle and dead bodies Zaaron came upon the blow entrance into the compound, which had five Imperial soldiers standing guard at its smoldering entrance. Drawing the heavy blaster Zaaron unleashed an onslaught of blaster fire upon them taking out two of five. As the Imperial soldiers returned fire Zaaron slowly stalked them taking them down one by one.
With barely a scratch on his armor Zaaron continued into the compound to see his people repelling the invaders haphazardly trying to defend their homes. Some warriors wore only segments of their armor while others wore none all attacking the enemy with righteous rage. Even the children big enough to hold a blaster were fighting for their homes. As Zaaron made his way to the compounds center where the fighting seemed the fiercest, he would kill every Imperial in his path saving other Mandalorians to aide him in the process.
By the time Zaaron reached the compounds center Zaaron was on the last clip of his two blasters coming up behind the enemy Zaaron saw Imperial soldiers attacking a barricade that held many mandalorian warriors behind its line, all of them firing in sync to repel the invader, but it seemed there shots were for naught as many were blocked by the swirl of a blood red light saber.
Zaaron and the other Mandalorian warriors' unleashed fire upon the Imperials backs dwindling their forces as the scattered Imperials changed their tactics to handle the new onslaught of Mandalorian warriors. As Zaaron's last clips expired he drew his blades and charged into the fray of Imperial soldiers, executing every foe that crossed the path of his blade.
It seemed not to matter how many Imperials Zaaron slayed however, for every Mandoa' there was at least five Imperials. As Zaaron continued his onslaught behind enemy lines he no longer saw the twirl of a lightsaber deflecting the shots fired by his fellow warriors. As his current adversary fell Zaaron saw a sight that chilled him to his very core.
Clad in the armor of the Sith Zaaron saw Master Tao Kahn wielding a blood red saber dueling his mother who wore Echani armor wielding a silver double bladed lightsaber! With a rush of adrenaline Zaaron charged at Master Kahn seeking to save his mother. Within mere feet of Master Kahn Zaaron tackled the now Sith lord to the ground. Standing up the two faced off, Teraja was about join her son when several Imperials attacked her drawing her attention away.
"Why are you doing this Master Kahn, why would you betray the Republic? Why would you betray me?" Zaaron yelled over the sounds of battle with tears running down his face.
"It's simple; the Republic is a dying Kath Hound barely maintaining its control over the pack. As is the course of nature the young and eager pup shall rise up and seize control. The Jedi are practically extinct excluding you and your mother, and the Republic is on the verge of collapse. All who do not comply with the new order shall be put down. That means the mandalorian clans not allied with the Empire must die! Master Kahn yelled back as he swung his saber at Zaaron.
Forming his blades to an x Zaaron parried the strike brining his hands around his head he aimed both blades for his former master's neck. Missing his target Zaaron and Master Kahn began a duel to the death riddled with unbridled rage for each other. While the now Sith Kahn used his passion to aide him, Zaaron fought to control his emotions. As the bodies of Imperial and Mandalorians fell alike Zaaron and Kahn continued their duel with savage intent in their strikes. Master Kahn had forced Zaaron to his knees with his blades crossed over his head. Strike after strike Kahn delivered not giving Zaaron any chance to regain his footing. Suddenly as Kahn was about to deliver another strike he was forced back several yards by a powerful force push. Once Master Kahn was pushed back Zaaron was helped up by his mother as he took her hand and stood up Zaaron saw the blood red saber kill her as it penetrated her heart. Catching his mother's limp body Zaaron didn't notice the saber fly back into the hands of his former master.
Zaaron began to break down as he held his mother's lifeless body, he saw the Imperials dwindle, he saw his father shooting down all within his path, he saw his sister under cover taking precise shots eliminating every target, and he saw Cander ripping the throats of fallen enemies, but yet for all their gains in this battle Zaaron was intently focused on his mother's body. Zaaron felt Master Kahn stand behind him and poise to strike Zaaron down. With tightly closed eyes Zaaron took his mother's lightsaber and cut through Master Kahn's body cutting him in half. As this action occurred Zaaron was brought out of his trance like state when he met with the end of the hallway. Facing the giant double doors Zaaron walked through ready to be rid of the memory, but had no such luck when he saw Master Kahn on the other side with a smile on his face. Extending his hand to congratulate Zaaron master Kahn was shocked to find his apprentice look at him with unbridled hatred and stalk pass him as if he was invisible. Looking at Zaaron's retreating form, Master Kahn had a growing sense of dread.
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AN: What'd you guys think? I hope it wasn't too much but I sought to create an event where Zaaron would experience fear and overcome it, but I'm open to critiques. So tell me what you all thought of the chapter in your reviews, and keep waiting for the next installment of Trials and Tribulations.-KXR