(A/N Ok so I know last chapter was really fucking bad. I'm absolutely sorry about that, I was just really having a hard time deciding what to do, and I just really wanted to write and it was a mess.

Thankfully, this chapter is a bit better, if on the smaller side. But now that the prologues are over... Now it's time the story to begin!

After this chapter of course. From here on out, expect chapters to be around 4 to 5K words. They'll take longer to come out, but I'll try for one a week. The chapters now will basically focus on Icier and Metai getting closer, as well as having them fight off various threats through the galaxy.

Finally, the planet near the end of the chapter is, afaik, my own creation. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!)

In the end, Dagobah was a good choice. It had a cave, Metai remembered, that was teeming with the Dark Side. It was powerful enough to hide Icier for sure. Hell, it could hide five of him. It was not the best place for a child to grow up alone... But he wasn't alone, was he? After all, he had his mother by his side.

The first things she taught him were both meditation and the bare basics of Shii-Cho, the first form. The meditation would help to clear his mind, and though she couldn't do it for long anymore, she was able to teach him how to do it himself. As for the lightsaber techniques... He graduated from Shii-Cho around the same time he turned eight. Granted, it was the most simple form avaliable, and everyone trained with a lightsaber knew how to do it, but still...

It was impressive. He could have continued onward with it, learned the inner workings and became a master at it, but it didn't feel like a good fit for him. The basics were fine, and for the most part he could now handle a lightsaber. He could move on to whatever style he wanted.

She did however, tell him he had to pick two. Preferably two different types of fighting styles, that way, he could cover his weaknesses. She explained the forms (excluding one and seven) and in the end, he decided on Makashi and Soresu. Forms two and three, respectively. She was pleased. Form two was better suited to one-on-one duels, while Soresu was built for speed and defense. Even better, unlike other forms, by training with these two styles that only usually had the user one hand their saber, if he so desired later on, she could teach him the basics of Jar'Kai; Wielding two lightsabers at once.

For now though, it was imperative for him to learn how to fight expertly. And to also utilize The Force. He had trouble using basic abilities early on, and instead was attuned to the more... Stealthy sides of The Force. Mind manipulation; tricking someone to do your bidding, or making them see what you want them to. That was usually 'unbecoming ways to use The Force', but whatever he was talented in, she would teach him.

Guide him, in the ways that he was meant to learn.

When he was fourteen, he finally started to get the hang of standard Force powers. Telekinesis, Body Enhancments, the usual powers of a Jedi. Or Sith. His lightsaber skills were also becoming quite formidable. He was learning Makashi and Soresu so well that he was starting to switch between the two of them near effortlessly; Soresu when he needed to back off or use his speed, and Makashi when he had to press the advantage. Metai was... She was truly proud of her son.

His Force powers and his lightsaber techniques, after almost nine years, rivaled that of most of the Jedi (and Sith) she had cut down over the years.

She was, however, reluctant to move to forward. He was almost fifteen, and although his already considerable connection to The Force had gotten stronger... He wanted to learn form seven, Vaapad. She tried to convince him to learn Ataru or even Niman, but he was adamant. It became something of a point of contention between them, and finally, she caved. When he turned fifteen, she started to teach him Vaapad.

And she'd hope he'd never use it.

(...)

"Vaapad. It is the seventh and final form that Jedi invented." Metai says, and then tilts her head slightly. "Although I suppose it is a bit more accurate to call it a state of mind rather than a form." Icier raised his hand, and Metai nodded.

"If it's a mental state, then why call it a form?" He asks, and Metai continues to pace in front of him as she answers his question. "There has been a few 'styles' that some Jedi or Sith have practiced while using Vaapad, but generally speaking, you let The Force wash over you. Let it be your entire being, your guide." She says, only slightly disdainfully at the thought of allowing The Force that much control of her or her son.

Icier frowns. "How do you do that? I know that Ataru also has The Force flow throughout your body, but that's more of a general thing." Metai agrees. "Yes, it's different. For Ataru, you allow The Force inside your body at all times to allow for quick, precise movements. While Vaapad utilizes The Force in more than just your body. You... Give yourself to it. Mind, body and soul." She says, and sighs heavily.

"This is done by using extreme emotion. Whether you're happy or angry, it doesn't matter. All that you need is to feel a powerful emotion, and then fight while keeping your mind on those thoughts. If done correctly, The Force will help you. Your strikes will hit not only harder and faster, but also exactly where they need to hit." Icier nods his head slowly, seemingly allowing the information to sink in. It's at this point though, that Metai walks over to Icier and lays a hand on his shoulder.

If she gripped it a little too tightly, it only helped to serve her point.

"Icier. The problem with Vaapad, and the reason most Jedi do not use it, is because any emotion can easily become corrupt. Happiness can turn to sorrow, love can turn to hate. These emotions, when paired with The Force flowing unrestricted inside you, controlling you... It can open a path for the Dark Side." Icier, if he's hurting from her grip, doesn't say anything. Instead, he shakily nods his head.

"Ok... Ok, I understand. Be very careful with Vaapad." Metai nods in agreement, and then releases her grip. She then offers said hand to Icier. "Now, come along. We're almost out of food and I will not resort to eating the creatures in this horrid swamp ever again." Icier seems confused for a moment, but takes her hand anyway.

"How is a supply run going to help with Vaapad?" He asks as she pulls him up. She's still surprised that he's so small. Or maybe she's just tall. She gives a small chuckle as they walk away from the swamps and towards their home. "Well, your connection to The Force is powerful enough to allow you to use Vaapad. Though your emotional control could use some work. Which is why we won't have the heat on as we're flying." Icier pales.

"But Mo - Master! Space is freezing!" Metai laughs now. (To most it would be chilling. To Icier, she knows it's not.) "Yes, I am well aware. At least during the trip, you can learn to keep yourself calm and hopefully collected." The young teen pouts and grumbles as he walks behind Metai.

The trip won't take long, she really has no idea why he's complaining.

(...)

Well... She has been wrong before. It was only a matter of time before she was wrong again. Icier let out a breath of air next to her. It was extremely visible in the cold vessel.

"Why the hell is both the warp drive and the heater busted?" He asks, his voice shivering as he hugs himself tightly. Metai simply frowns. "There's a planet not that far away - maybe a few hours. We can stop there and hope that we can find the tools to fix the Selsis." Metai says. Icier groans, though there's little energy behind it.

"I don't think I can last that long." He says, and Metai scoffs. "You should have gotten a better jacket then. One with sleeves." She says, and Icier chuckles as he pulls his hood up. "I thought the silver would go good with the black pants." Metai turns her head over towards him, a look of disbelief on her face.

"Fuction over form, Icier. I've taught you this before." At those words, Icier's eyes met her own. "Is that why you still wear that Sith cloak a lot?" He asks, still shivering. She nods. "Yes indeed. The cloak is insulated well. Keeps me warm or cool as necessary." Icier just stares at her for a moment, a question on the tip of his tongue before he turns back to face the expanse of space before them. She can see the planet nearby; Vu Turfda.

It was a startling dark brown, with small cracks and fissures around it. It was registered in the systems as a 'medium tech, low population planet' that seemingly was in bad shape. Something about the local government or whatever. She didn't really care right now. What she did care about, was landing there, getting the Selsis fixed up and then getting back on track to their usual spots for supplies. As she's staring at the planet, Icier sneezes.

"Don't get sick. You're a horrible patient." She says off-handedly. Instead of a witty retort, Icier simply turns his head to look at her. "Can... Can we share the cloak?" He asks, and at first she was about to tell him no.

(She had let him a few times when he was young. When he had nightmares, or when he was sick, she'd wrap him up with her and they'd stay still, reading or watching the stars.)

But the look on his face makes her hesitant. After a few moments of thought, she raises her hand, and watches as he leaps from his seat and quickly - yet carefully - sits on her lap. She lets the cloak fall back around the two of them. Icier really was freezing. She stops her own teeth from chattering and begrudgingly accepts it when Icier hugs her tightly.

At least she'll get warm faster now.

"Physical affection is unbecoming of you Icier. You're fifteen now." She says, and Icier just shrugs as he lays his head down on her shoulder. "What can I say? You're just a good hugger." She highly doubts that. She was never one for hugs and kisses growing up. Even less so after... After. Still, after raising Icier and dealing with the boy's own unsatiable need for physical contact, she's found that she doesn't necessarily hate it.