Good day all,

The past couple of weeks have been filled with challenges and obstacles – I have finally started a job in my field after months of coming up empty, and it's a tad overwhelming. To sort my mind a bit I've been writing, so I hope that the next installment will come quickly enough.

Please enjoy this chapter, folks.

Happy Writing,

Eliana

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The next time Eddy would see his long-lost friend, he was walking through the morning mist before the sun had risen. The doctor had found that sleep evaded him and little Kachina was having nothing to do with sleeping – she had been up most of the night fussing over the aches that the healing sores on her body produced, going quiet only when Bones (the reserved, seemingly angry Charger medic who was actually a stuffed bear in disguise) decided that she would be his new partner and carried her around the tent with him. All the clones seemed to know better than to tease him and it gave Eddy the excuse to finally disengage for a little bit, finding himself ambling through the surprisingly empty campground with his mind buzzing with unprocessed information.

The majority of the Chargers were outside of the campgrounds and in the gully of a hill. He moved to join those observing from on top of a ledge, finding that he wasn't alone in his desire to watch the goings-on.

"Good morning, gentlemen," he greeted Rex, Sam, and Campion, all of whom returned the sentiment.

"Come to watch maneuvers, representative?"

"Maneuvers?" he heard himself as he sat next to them on the ledge, taking in the sight of the group below them arranging what looked to be an obstacle course. Barriers, jumps, ledges, and odd poles arranged in a line were being moved around by the Chargers below them – and it piqued his interest, "And it's Eddy, Praetorian Sam."

"If we are to address by familiarities, I request you simply refer to me as 'Sam', sir."

He agreed and chose not to mention the 'sir' that Ahsoka had warned him about. Sam gestured around to the numerous clones that were seated around them and along the ridgeline, all of them seemingly bickering and cajoling each other about an upcoming event.

"The general has ordered maneuvers for this morning. We are setting the course for the commander to go first; we will go after and start rank training later."

That caught his attention as his eyes finally spotted Tombur below them, observing as he instructed the clones on where to set each obstacle and seeming to practice reiterating to himself which one came in what order. He desperately wanted to meet this man – if he had the burning desire to get to know someone, it was him. He had a direct hand in the events that were going on here…and more to the point, he had taken his young friend and molded him from the terrified youngling he remembered into the young man he saw yesterday. He couldn't mold his brain around the change.

"Where is the commander?" Rex questioned next, breath misting slightly in the air where he sat.

"Field runs probably," was the answer from Campion, then it was changed to: "Nevermind, he's over there."

They followed his pointing finger to the figure in the distance who was calmly walking amongst the Chargers who greeted him, the morning fog obscuring the sweat that had beaded on the exposed skin of his arms from the run he and Tombur had finished not long ago. Eddy found it hard to peel his eyes away from him: he had become a completely different person since they had last seen each other, and some deep wound inside of him mended more by the second as he took him in. He almost leapt out of his skin when Sam called to him.

"You seem concerned, Eddy. If you have concern over an attack sir you can be at ease, patrols are running a klik and a half around us. They'd be straight fools to attack us out here."

He was quick to dismiss the notion.

"No – oh no, not at all. It's just that the last time I saw Djibourdi he was," he paused as he raised a hand to hover next to him, gesturing at a spot midway up his ribcage, "About this tall, nothing but bones. He couldn't hold himself upright for more than a minute at a time and now… well, just…"

He gestured to the teenager in the distance with a slightly shaking hand, eyes still disbelieving what he was seeing. Djibourdi had grown to be only about a foot shorter than himself and moved so easily – his skin had taken to a deep, blood red color and he was certainly fit and healthy. He looked happy, he was openly picking at the clones who all turned to chat to him on his way by… and the last Eddy could remember, he had been nothing but a skeleton and clicking in terror at every person that walked by.

"With all due respect, sir," Campion called his attention, arms reaching to rest on his knees, "To our ranks, his name is Big Red. He earned that name – just like we all did. You'll see what I mean soon enough so just….enjoy the show."

He wanted to ask him to clarify, to make whatever point he was trying to make perfectly clear, but just like the three clones he sat between his head turned as the chattering of the troops near him grew louder. They were clear markers as to where exactly Djibourdi was among them, walking in the short trench that lined the ridge behind them… and just hearing the bits that he could decipher brought a warm smile to Eddy's face.

"- set you up a good one today, there Red!"

He couldn't hear what the padawan spoke in return, but the men all gave a chattering chuckle among themselves at whatever he had said.

"This is an awful lotta work for such a little guy," one who joined the ranks from where he had been setting up the course lightly shot out, a mock tone of annoyance marking his voice, "Workin in this bright sun might make us go blind."

Djibourdi's voice was as soft as the breeze that tickled all their skin as began to pass behind them.

"'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'"

"What's that, boss?" Sam called down to him, and those warm golden eyes fixed on him as he spared a smile.

"Erasmus, Sam. That's Erasmus," he spoke with a mick-incredulous tone.

"Ohhhhh Erasmus," the clone called out to his brothers, all of them laughing among each other before the voices altered into well-wishing shouts.

Eddy watched him disappear behind the ledge they sat on, still on the other side of the rock wall and out of view of the course. He apparently was waiting for Tombur who, after giving the final nod to the preparation of the obstacles that were now assembled, ordered the clones off the field and into the large circle of men who had created a wall of seated bodies. They were all excited to watch this, Eddy realized: and now, so was he. Tombur strode beneath them to where Djibourdi was out of sight, whatever he spoke to the teenager drowned out by the murmuring of clones around the older Togruta who tried to listen in.

Whatever he was expecting to see certainly wasn't what came next. The field now empty of men the two Jedi headed back out – with an exception. Djibourdi, a cloth wound tight over his eyes, wandered next to his master as they approached the head of the course. He walked normally, as odd as that was… no hand out to feel around him for obstacles, no listing in one direction, not even bothering to reach to his teacher for guidance. Tombur was calm, frosty hair tossing about in the slight breeze.

"Sam, markers please," he beckoned softly as they passed below them, Sam's affirmative marking the rumble of low-pitch sound waves through the air. Those waves came from the small devices mounted to each of the obstacles around the course, all crowded together to form a blurry wall of low frequency waves.

Eddy jumped at the sudden change, goosebumps raising on his skin in response to the stimuli that none of the humans around him could sense. His eyes never moved, trained on the padawan and knight who now had reached the top of the course. Two quiet orders of "stand" (Djibourdi stopped where he stood, head tilted a bit as he listened), and "fifteen seconds" was all that was spoken before the Echani tossed his hair up into a ponytail and retrieved a small cylinder from his pocket. It was switched on, adding a slightly higher pitch to the cacophony of sound that shook the air.

"Five credits say he beats his old record."

"You're on."

"Nah, I'm bettin twenty he trips up," Rex whispered as a retort to Sam, "no way you all are for real."

Their soft bickering was echoed around the circle of men – a circle that grew immediately silent when Tombur raised one hand, closing it to a fist in Sam's direction. The clone clicked the control on his wrist again, shutting down the devices around the course. The only thing giving off any vibrations was what Tombur held in his hand, and then a soft rumbling that shook Djibourdi's lungs.

"Steady," was the only word the knight offered to his padawan before he started to pace out onto the field. Reaching a point fifteen strides ahead he rotated the humming cylinder in his hand, turned his head back to look to the blindfolded teenager who had eagerly shifted his stance, and then gave a short, "Okay!"

Just like that Eddy couldn't understand what he was seeing – mainly because what he was seeing shouldn't have been, and realistically could not be, what he was witnessing. But reality dictated that he was seeing this happen in real time. A child he had once cradled into himself, one that he had been sure that he would witness leave this life while supported in his arms, one that he had never heard speak until yesterday – that child was flying through this obstacle course, completely blind without so much as a half-step of hesitation.

Tombur was only a guide, Eddy understood from watching them, and the cylinder in his hand dictated what direction the padawan should approach the obstacle by which hand it was held in. It went by in a blitz.

Jump left.

Over a barrier.

Weave through those electric poles.

Another jump.

Then another.

Tight turn.

Over a long catwalk.

Then, a jump that was almost up to his chest with a trench that he somehow knew was there, landing softly on the other side to the cheers of the observing clones. A quick half-whistle had him slowing the pace he moved until he finally stopped, his master undoing the blindfold and letting him blink the irritation out of his eyes as he spoke to him – certainly Eddy assumed it was positive reinforcement. And he was glad it was the echani who was speaking, because he himself felt lost for words as the clones in front of him bickered away.

"Alright, hand it over boys," Sam addressed the other two with beckoning hands held to them, accepting their credits and scowls with tenacity, "Pleasure doing business with you both."

Eddy just felt oddly numb, one palm wrapped in front of his face to hide his expression long after Tombur and Djibourdi headed off to their next bit of training away from the crowd of clones who began to organize into their training groups. He had never seen anything like that and all he could think to say was:

"Kriffin hell."

Sam offered him a wry smile when it was just the two of them, fiddling with the boots he wore to assure they were tightened properly.

"Our commander earned his name," he reiterated Campion's earlier words, then seemed to lose himself to thought, "He's quite the fighter, quite the runner…. To be honest, he's a hell of a leader, too. Kid's got senses like nothin' I've ever read about or seen. But all of that only matters when he can focus and… not all of his senses are his allies."

That gained him an incredibly confused look.

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"You will," was the answer back before Sam was off, calling to the Chargers who waited for him a few yards away.

Sam was many things, the doctor mused, but he most certainly wasn't a liar. It wasn't a half standard hour later that he watched the small cluster of Chargers sprint below him in the valley, the knight and padawan leading the way over the small juts of hills and grooves. They moved so smoothly, like birds he thought to himself, their quick reactions allowing them to turn and pivot without any hesitation in the direction they were to head.

Until Tombur turned them to the shallow part of the river. The instant Djibourdi reached the bank he went from flat-out charge to dead stop with notable force, the gravel and rocks beneath him sliding into the water as he screamed out an alarm call from his montrals. That kind of sound would stop any Togruta in their tracks – the troopers heard it and pushed on as Sam raised a hand in indication that he would now lead, Tombur immediately turning back to where his padawan panicked on the other side of the water.

This was pure, unfiltered, unrelenting panic that Eddy witnessed below him, and he almost shouted a warning to the Echani who approached the skiddish teenager. Djibourdi was darting this way and that, soft growls mixed with high pitched whines mixing in the air as he fought with himself inside his own mind. The logical side of his brain demanded that he be calm, that there was no reason for this while the incensed part of his mind screamed at him to run – or fight – whatever it was that stood in his way. This reaction was feral, it was dangerous – and the flashes of sharp teeth that marked the ricochet between the wild of his people and the reservation of the Jedi was a clear warning to anything in his path.

At this exact moment what stood in his way was his master, the one Eddy held concern for, who had stopped a few feet away. He was saying something, the younger's body language showing that it was clearly having an effect. When Tombur would speak Djibourdi would slow and approach, only to dart back a second later – until finally he wore himself to a halt. Chest heaving with exertion Djibourdi allowed his master to slowly reach out a hand to touch his shoulder.

That quickly he was calm. The logical side of his brain finally won over…or so Eddy thought. When Tombur took a step back into the shallow, flowing water and called his padawan to do the same the doctor watched the younger hesitate. He could hear the nervous grumbles and fearful whines Djibourdi gave and saw his full faith that he had in Tombur as he took a trembling step into the water. It was agonizingly slow progress as they finally got across the shallow water. When they finally reached the other side the Togruta was about ready to leap out of it again as though it burned his skin, trying his best to not look visibly shaken and retain whatever composure he had left.

"Some scars run deep," Anakin's voice sounded next to him as the Jedi leaned forward on the railing. There was a shadow in his eyes as he watched the pair in the distance walk into the treeline in the path that their group had gone, "It should never have happened."

Ahsoka was quiet when she walked to Eddy's other side, lost in some deep contemplation. This was so very unlike the spitfire-spirited teenager he knew… but her compassionate side shined through when she began to walk out to where their companions emerged from the trees on the temporary bridge that had been built. She was quick to join Djibourdi who left his master to sit silently on a small boulder in the field, Tombur heading up the path to join the other two men on the outcrop. He appeared to set a timer on the wrist-mounted gauntlet that he wore.

At first none of them said a word, all eyes looking to the padawans who were existing within each other's space, and then Anakin prompted the Echani without shifting his gaze:

"Would you like me to call Ahsoka?"

"Oh no," was the reply, Tombur resting his weight back against the railing behind him with a sigh, "She's fine. It might do him some good to have someone else around."

Eddy didn't know when the attention shifted to him, but suddenly he found himself in the general's gaze.

"May I say something bold, Eddy?"

The sudden question had him off balance and he wore a blank look, thinking through how to respond to the man that he hadn't gotten the chance to speak to yet. He managed to nod.

"Of course."

Those soft silver eyes looked right into his with a light of wisdom, a gentle expression worn on the porcelain face.

"You know, from the moment you came up that hill with Ahsoka I knew who you were… even though you and I haven't met before now."

The face studying him tilted and Tombur gave a steady blink.

"I assure you that Anakin," he gestured to the other Jedi, "didn't tell me a thing – and clearly we haven't had the chance to speak before now. I could have gone off of the name badge in that tent over there or the data pads you brought with you, or even researched who could potentially be who Ahsoka chose to bring. I didn't need to do any of that to know who you were… because I saw your eyes."

The doctor tried to hide the bewildered look on his face but must have clearly failed because the Jedi sought to calm the momentary confusion with a kind smile.

"Djibourdi has described you to me so well that I knew you before you even got to hear my name."

He didn't know what to say. Tombur pulled in a slow breath.

"In the weeks and months after he became my padawan, I couldn't get him to tell me a thing. He wouldn't tell me when he struggled with homework, wouldn't tell me when he didn't feel well, wouldn't tell me about the scars on his back. His neck. Quiet as a mute mouse."

He rubbed the fingers of his right hand together as he thought back, the memories bringing him peaceful joy.

"But I never had to nudge him at all to get him to tell me about you. You became his favorite subject."

Both Jedi seemed to find amusement in the darkening of the lines on his lekku at that.

"I had hoped that the Force would cross our paths one day so that I could tell you: you have become a powerful spirit in his life. And for that, I thank you."

Eddy was confused when the Jedi reached out his right hand and held it there. After a long moment, he reached out to accept the handshake.

"My name is Tombur. I am Djibourdi's master."

"It's an honor," the Togruta told him fondly, gesturing to the two teenagers who sat in the distance, "I can't believe that…. I mean, he doesn't seem like the same person. Neither of them do."

"They both have come a long way, but they both still have a long way to go," Anakin informed him, his tone even.

"They both have their unique challenges. Truth be told, Red was making wonderful progress until we lost his Grandmaster… losing that steady influence hasn't helped things."

The Togruta suddenly wore a sad look.

"I heard about your master…my condolences."

"I appreciate that, thank you – but I assure you, he is with us still. I only hope that Djibourdi can come to see that as well and move past it."

The three of them all turned to look to where Ahsoka and Djibourdi lingered, relieved to see the tension having melted away from the once-tense shoulders as his friend spoke to him about something he found intriguing. Anakin wasn't entirely sure what his padawan had chosen as the subject, but her ability to redirect her friend gave him a note of pride.

"Does Dji know how…" Eddy trailed off, knowing that he didn't need to finish the question.

"He was there," Tombur returned quietly, a slight nod confirming the Togruta's horrified look to him, "He's the only one that knows what really happened that night. He's done well keeping his head thus far with everything and carrying out the assignments I've given him, but I fear that devils of the past are scheming on how to return him to his old ways now that Warren isn't around to help me guide him."

The others knew exactly who that devil was. Anakin's hands clenched into his biceps a bit harder where he crossed his arms and, for all their sakes, Tombur chose not to comment. Eddy recalled the night he had been sure he had fractured Kailem Zimerek's skull when he had intervened in the man's attempt to drown the boy… and even with that sickeningly satisfying sound of cracking bone still echoing in his memory, he had no regrets. He remembered that Anakin shared his darkened opinion of the other human… so he was in good company.

"I wish I knew the things that happened to him," the doctor thought aloud, "So I could understand how to help him."

He caught Anakin's nod from the corner of his eye but turned around at the call of his name from the Echani who stood behind him. The steel-colored irises bounced between the blue ones of the men who stood in front of him as he contemplated what he was going to say.

"I believe the three of us can refer to ourselves as friends, yes?"

They both fixed him with an odd look but nodded anyway.

"Then allow me to tell you something – as your friend. Understand that I don't mean any offense nor am I gatekeeping anything that I am allowed to share. You both wish to understand my padawan's plight so that you can help him in this fight… that is noble, and I thank you for that. But as your friend, I need you to try to understand something. When you say that you wish to know what happened to him… what was said, the things that were done, I need you to try to trust me."

Suddenly those kind eyes turned dark, and when they stared into Eddy's he almost backed away. The three words that left the porcelain lips left him speechless.

"No you don't."

Neither offered a retort.

"You don't want to know. Not because it would change your views on him or make you question where you lie – if anything, it would only make you stand more firmly by his side. You don't want to know because suddenly you will find that you must question every line of engagement you have ever set for yourself. If you are any lesser of a man than you think you are, you won't hesitate to use those gifted abilities of your people to rid the name of that kriffin skug from the archives of history."

The words left his lips softly, yet they were wrapped in barbed wire. Just as suddenly as that emotion came up it was gone again, replaced by the serene expression that the Echani normally wore. The white head nodded in the direction of the two padawans.

"That darkness had him in a tailspin for a while. It took me a few weeks to finally understand how to truly speak to the light in him that wanted to win out… he just needed to remember how to feel free again. Being timid and cautious is not who he really is – his true self is wild and reckless, much like I believe Ahsoka to be."

He grinned at Anakin's snort.

"I am fortunate that I found a way to remind him of who he is."

The doctor turned to face him again.

"How do you do that?"

The timer on the Echani's arm began to beep, drawing the knight to click it off with a satisfied grin. He offered no words in explanation, only that humored smile – and as he turned to walk back toward the forest, he let out a short whistle and a word in his native language just loud enough for his two companions to hear. The sound traveled to Djibourdi who perked his head, turning to whisper his goodbyes to Ahsoka before he was quickly moved to his master's side with a quick sprint and a jump. Whatever hesitation had been present before was clearly gone now.

Not long later the three that they had left near the camp understood exactly what Tombur had meant, watching master and apprentice sweep through the Echani Firedancer Disciple steps in tandem wielding nothing but weighted weapons. Tombur had found a way through rhythm and discipline to give his padawan an outlet, and Djibourdi followed his lead. He had accelerated at a rate that brought his master a note of pride and confidence, building the Togruta's familiarity with all manner of weaponry other than his lightsabers.

The dance that they shared was mesmerizing, their partners altering from staff to sword to blade to hands, and only when they had finished a long while later and Anakin met those golden eyes did he truly understand. Irises that had been blinded by fear earlier that day seemed to pierce right through him – looked past him with an air that almost asked the knight who the kriff he was looking at. Finally, he understood Tombur's words:

He had found a way. And it was incredible.

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The reactions in our own minds need outlets, and I have found Red's. I hope to do all of these folks a justice in coming chapters – stay tuned for out next adventure.

Happy Writing,

Eliana