New Light in the Stars

Chapter 1

This one is more of just an imagined AU I dreamt up after watching the Clone Wars, most of the movies, and after playing the various games associated with Star Wars. I know this has been done plenty of times but I wanted to write my own story in the galaxy far, far away. And not one mixed with MHA since I already did that. Something I forgot about, if you see something in bold it's usually used as a flashback or memory sequence within the story. So let the credits roll.

(MC POV)

Gotta admit this is one of the strangest ways to wake up in a new reality. I'd just been in a really nasty car crash…. At least that's my last memory. About the only thing I did was…. Protect my little girl. As we were rolling, I grabbed her and held her close to my body. I know I died, but I overheard the officers saying she was gonna make it. I can, well kind of, live with that.

But I opened my eyes and I'm a kid again. And not in any place I recognized. "Joris? Joris Den. Were you asleep during your meditations?" I hear as I look up and see an older woman in robes. Ones similar to my own. Okay, this is weird.

"I'm not sure…. I feel like. I don't even know how to describe it ma'am." I say in response. A few memories associated with the person I am now come in. It's a bit hazy but I know who Joris is now. He was a youngling, a student of the Jedi temple. And the woman talking to me was Madam Jocasta Nu, the head librarian of the archives.

I shake my head a bit as the memories come more into focus. Joris was originally from the Mid Rim world of Jiaan. Just another human with dark hair and skin (darker than my own pigment) from those regions where the Republic had it's foothold. Only thing special about him was that he was force sensitive.

While at the temple he Joris never stood out much and had yet to show any type of talent. But I think most of that was just due to how young he is. These guys really do expect a lot of things way too young after all.

I try to stand but I feel a bit light headed. A side effect from the weird rebirth? "Easy young one. Something may have happened while you were meditating. Let's get you to the healing center." Jocasta says while catching my arm.

I had no reason to reject so I nodded and let her lead the way. Once there the few healing specialists examined me and let me rest for a while. "A little weak kneed from meditating too long, are you? Hmm?"

Hearing that voice I look to the side and down and see the Grand Master of the Jedi himself. Master Yoda. "Uh no master I just….. I don't think I can understand it all. It's…. it's like I suddenly have strange memories I know I don't have. And I have no idea how it could have happened."

Yoda hummed for a moment before asking me describe more of what I meant. I didn't tell him everything, but I went with some short notes. About living once and having a family, and then dying. The old master never once interrupted or stopped me.

"Understand I do, the conflicting thoughts you may be having. Unsure you are that this life you are living now is really your own. All I can say is this: the Force acts in strange ways. We learn to be a part of it, and it can change us in ways we do not understand. Do not fight or push back the memories of what may be another life or may have been something else entirely. Learn from them. And grow further from them."

A little odd and cryptic but I think I see what he means. And I think it was meant for both versions of me. Because he's right. Whether I'm Joris or my old self or maybe even a combination of the two. I can't change what has happened and its not like I can go back. But maybe I can make the best or most of this situation. Somehow.

(No POV)

Joris had been enjoying the new lease on life he had after he awakened the memories of his past self. Using the bit of knowledge and understanding he had from the older insights, he could talk through quite a few problems and even help with some cases that those like Master Sinube focused on.

His talent and skill in the force grew as well. While some of that was due to short cuts in the understanding his old and new self had, it still impressed a fair number of his teachers and mentors.

In his spare time he would practice and have a bit of fun with his fellow younglings and initiates where they could. Even once tricking an older more rigid master into joining in on a game of hide and seek. Telling him it was a test of their ability to sense one another.

"I still can't believe he bought that," a Twi'lek girl named Mona said with a laugh. She had a red hue to her skin and was usually a bit more upbeat. Beside her was a Tholothian boy named Arcan who had a red skullcap and was generally more aloof. "I've heard he even started suggesting it for some of the master to do after Joris snuck up on him twice."

"It was still risky and disrespectful. You better be careful," the Cosian and oldest of their group Elna said with a look back to the young human. Joris just shrugged and wondered what they were being called in by Master Yoda for.

The Ongee Yex Lon mentioned in his own language that it must be important. The Vurk girl Kiet just said, "hopefully it's some good news. Ooh! Do you think it's the Gathering?" Joris raised his eyebrows at that as he raised his arms over his head.

They were all roughly 10 in terms of their experience, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. Though some wondered if Joris would be expelled due to his questioning of a few of the matters involving the code and the Jedi as a whole. Especially the role the Jedi had as peacekeepers.

"It's not like we're police or others who actively search for criminals or try to break up slave rings. Sure, some of us are. But can you really call it peacekeeping?" Joris asked of his teachers as they were talking about the role the Jedi had over the last thousand years.

While most of the masters saw this as disrespect, Yoda and Terra Sinube saw what the youngling had been getting at when he posed that question. Noting his insight had merit and was a fair estimation of the Jedi's role.

"It is not wrong to say that the Jedi have grown complacent and perhaps lax due to the lack of our greater enemy the Sith. And he is not wrong that we do not truly help in the day-to-day safety of the people. We should not dismiss what he says simply because he is younger or wishing to change or fight the dangers of the galaxy."

It didn't keep some like Madam Jocasta from thinking the boy was trouble. But the points Joris brought up that day and at other sessions made a few masters question things. Including asking if they were really talking to a boy.

"I'm not surprised that Master Sinube agreed with you. He has been one who investigates the crime on Coruscant after all." Yex notes in his native language. When they all arrive at the hanger, they are surprised to see a somewhat famous padawan. Obi-Wan Kenobi.

He was eighteen and smiled as he looked over the younglings. "Hello there. It is good to see all of you." Obi-Wan said as the younglings approached. Master Yoda stepped forward and asked if all of them were ready.

"For what Master Yoda?" Mona asked while peeking her head around Elna. The ancient master smiled before saying, "For the Gathering young ones." He and Obi-Wan then turned to the ship and gestured for the children to follow them aboard the Crucible.

And the younglings did with an air of excitement about them. Even with the warnings by Yoda and Obi-Wan about the difficulty involved in what would await them, all of the young Jedi were excited for their chance to create their own Lightsabers

After riding to the frozen planet of Illum, all of the members were dressed and ready for the task of finding their kyber crystals. Obi-Wan led the way with Yoda floating behind in his hover chair. Joris shivered as he stepped off the ship into the blowing snow.

"You okay Elna? Kiet? Yex?" Joris asked as they followed the elder Jedi. Elna grumbled a bit at him before saying, "just because we're reptilian like or similar doesn't mean we are cold blodded. And I'm the one who should be checking on you." Joris raised his hands in slight surrender and moved on.

Mona though seemed to be shivering the most and Aran put an arm around her with Joris. "Thanks guys. I'll be okay once we get out of the wind." Mona said as Obi-Wan told the children to keep up.

After walking for a time, the group came upon a massive wall of ice. With Obi-Wan checking below to make sure they were in the right place. "Younglings. We must work together to clear the way. Reach out and harness the force with me."

Yoda meanwhile stayed to the side and nodded at the Padawan for bringing them together. All of the young Jedi stretched out their hands and connected with the Force. As they did, the rocks and ice collapsed to reveal the entrance to the crystal temple. Illuminated by the rising sun behind them.

As they walked, or floated, in the youngest members of the group were awestruck at the scope of the temple around them. Yoda then landed and took his seat at the center of the temple atop some ice.

With a nod to the younglings, he spoke. "The Force in physical form and substance, we Jedi are. With this power, do we harm others?" With a no from the children, Yoda nodded and smiled at them. When Mona said they protect the peace and the people, Yoda posed a different question.

"And how is it we protect others? Hm?" the ancient master said before adjusting the folds of his robes. And lifted out his lightsaber with the Force. He ignited it and told them all that they would build their own lightsabers. "And first step is, that you must harvest your own crystals."

While the children were murmuring about what they would do, Master Yoda reached out and open a section of the temple to allow sunlight though. And then adjusted the massive crystal above to focus a beam of light to reveal the path for the younglings.

He then advises them on how they should proceed with the task ahead. By trusting themselves, each other, and the Force. "And succeed you will." Yoda say with a gesture to the cavern.

Joris was awed at the whole situation, but he felt a foreboding about the cavern in front of him. Which was only compounded by Obi-Wan telling the group that they had until the sunset to complete the task. "As the sun wanes in the sky, the path will freeze shut. And you will be trapped. So do not tarry when you have found your crystal. May the Force be with you younglings."

As they started in, Joris's sense of foreboding grew. "I know this is one of the holiest places to the Order. But….. I've got an unsettling feeling." Joris says while looking around the icy cavern. "Don't say that! What Obi-Wan said was scary enough!" Mona says while gripping Joris's arm.

Each of the children look around to try and feel where their crystals might be. When they arrive at a junction and still haven't found anything, Kiet suggest they take their best guesses. "If the crystals and the Force are guiding us then… shouldn't that point our way?"

Each youngling agrees and closes their eyes. Upon pointing, Elna and Joris were going left. Kiet, Yex, and Arcan were going right. While Mona was the only one pointing straight ahead.

She looked between her clanmates with some fear in her eyes. Arcan is about to change his mind and go the with her, when Elna and then Joris stop him. "The Force pointed her that way. And you in a different direction. You have to make your own way."

"She's right. It's probably part of the whole trial. I know you want to help her, but you can't always and there will be times we are all pulled away. Trust yourself Arc." Joris says with a firm look. The young Tholothian looked between Mona and the eldest two. He gripped his hands tight because he wanted to disagree.

But inside he knew they were right. As did Mona as she gulped and started toward her path. With the trio who went right, Yex could sense his crystal deeper in. But he wasn't sure how far. Keit though could feel her own a different direction as they went further in.

Arcan meanwhile was stuck between his instincts and his wish to protect Mona. And it manifested when all three had split up and gone down different paths. He found himself going through tunnel after tunnel. Even doubling back a few times. Feeling more frustrated and worried as the trial went on.

Keit meanwhile could finally see what she thought was her crystal. But it was high above her. Almost dangling on a precipice. "Of course, it would be like that. I am one of the weakest of our group when it comes to strengthening myself with the force. Well. Nothing to it but to climb I guess."

Yex kept going down the tunnel, but he seemed to never get closer to what he felt. Starting to feel as though it was a pointless task and that he should turn back. Mona meanwhile was shivering more as she walked through the tunnel. But it wasn't because of the cold.

She felt as though something was watching her from somewhere. But she couldn't tell what. Upon hearing a clatter, she yelped before asking who was there. She turned and saw nothing but a broken stalactite.

With Elna and Joris though, the latter felt he could cut the tension between them with the ice around them. He pushed it out of his mind as he tried to sense what was out there. "I know I can feel something. Wait. There it is! I see something strange that way. I guess this where I go next. Good luck Elna."

When Joris left, the Cosian gripped her hand tightly. "Well, isn't that nice. The sudden prodigy found his first. But I'll still be the one to get out before him." Elna said while going toward what she thought was her crystal. Only to be stopped by a half-frozen pool of water.

She is tempted to leap up to grab her crystal. But she realizes two things. One, there was a good chance she could slip and fall right into the freezing pool. And two, this was a specific test for her. Her and her impatience to prove she was better or the most experienced.

As time goes on within the frigid cavern, each of the younglings come to terms and grips with their challenges. Arcan finally stops trying to help Mona and remembers his task. Keit and Yax find their will and determination to reach their crystals. And Mona faces her fears around and within.

With Joris though he has come upon a different and new problem. In front of him are two crystals that are glowing. He isn't sure why and even reaches out with the Force to move each. He can feel it pulsing from both the items and was questioning why there were two crystals.

"Because you are not just one person anymore are you?" Joris hears around him. His arms tighten up and he can hear new voices. Some asking if he was the boy of this universe far, far away. Others questioning if he was the man who died in another world and had been guiding and pushing his actions and some ideas.

Joris covered his ears as the voices got louder and louder. Both of his senses of self clashed once more. Within the realm of his own mind, they each saw… well not just themselves. But what they had accomplished together and with the benefit each other's knowledge.

They looked around at their memories and then to each other once more. The young boy smiled first before saying, "you had the experience and insights that only come from living a normal life. Those help me to see many of the contradictions that come with our order and way of life."

"While you had a further reaching perspective than I. Not to mention more of a will to do more for others." The two come together with their hands outstretched and within the realms of the force, the two became one more effectively than before.

Joris quieted the storm of thoughts in his mind and pushed away all distractions. Rather than reach for one or the other crystal, he was able to pull on both and call them to his hands. He opened his eyes once he felt them both settle into his palm and smiled.

He then made his way back to the entrance, being one of the last ones to arrive. And with all six younglings passing, the first part of the Gathering is concluded.

They all head back to the Crucible for the next part of their path. Constructing a lightsaber from the pieces aboard the ship. This is when the ancient architect droid, Professor Huyang, was introduced and asked that the younglings place their crystals on the table.

Each does and they are all shocked when Joris places two crystals down. "Now that is fascinating! I have help Jedi construct their lightsabers for over a thousand years! But this is something even I haven't seen. A youngling who could connect with two crystals!"

Joris rubs the back of his head in embarrassment while the others look at him in awe. Or a bit of jealousy in Elna's case. The droid then notes that as much as the crystal is important, how they build it is something just as unique as each of them are.

"The grip, the metal, perhaps a double blade will call to you eventually. But it is not something that can be decided just by your thoughts. You must reach out with the Force and feel it as it will exist in your hand. Come forward young Cosian. Let us see where the force guides you."

Elna steps forward and puts her hand in the droid's. She starts to imagine a variety of appearances and the grip of the hilt. But she stops not long after she started talking. "That's not the point. You said to feel it. Right professor?"

"Indeed. You first tried to imagine the blade. But you stopped and realized the point. Now what does it feel like in your hand?" Huyang asked while Elna took a breath and closed her eyes.

She could feel the cool metal of the hilt. But not a standard one, no. Something longer. Something to make up for the fact that she was the shortest and would continue to be as they all aged. Something that could help her counter her likely aging and needing support like Master Sinube.

"A staff…. No. A pike. Just the one blade though." Elna says before realizing that would be difficult given it was supposed to be a standard blade. But even though he could not show emotion, she could hear it in the old droid's voice when he said, "and who said I didn't have the materials to make a pike? Hm? Now lets see here, where is that phrik and cortosis weave?"

He then constructs the base hilt projector before noting his purpose while they were on the ship and what they would eventually do with their crystals and the materials provided. "So. Let us get to work younglings."

Over the next few days, each of the student practice building their weapons and trying to form them in their minds and hands. Mona was one of the first to finish and her green blade shone bright when she activated it.

Elna took a bit longer due to the complexity of her own weapon, but she eventually made what she envisioned. With the blue blade shining as she practiced with it. Yex used metals from Manaan as well as the bones of a Firaxen shark to build his blue blade.

Arcan and Keit both had green blades. Keit's having pointed pommel and rose metal appearance. Arcan's was closer to that of Obi-Wan's as he built the hilt. Joris though was stuck as he tried to build his blade.

"How is it you are having trouble with this?" Arcan asked after each of them had been practicing and building their own. Joris leaned back and groaned before admitting that it wasn't hard to build the lightsaber. "But every time I put it together and hold it in my hand… it doesn't feel right. No matter what way I try to form it. Even saberstaffs don't feel right."

Huyang and Yoda hum before asking Joris to show them what he means. The young Jedi rolls his eyes before lifting up both crystals and all of the pieces to form both hilts. He closes his eyes and starts twisting and adjusting them together and forming both into proper lightsabers.

When he finishes he hands the two to Huyang to inspect. "My word! Perfectly balanced, power pack is situated properly. I must say, I have never seen a youngling form a lightsaber so perfectly! And you did it with two at once. I fail to see the problem."

Joris holds out his hands to take them and show some of what he meant. He puts on the visor before starting up the drone. He ignites the sabers showing that they had a color not seen for the Jedi in a long time. Both blades are orange.

He takes a breath before starting practice with the drone. He deflects the first few shots well enough, but he eventually gets hit multiple times by the stinger shots. He stops the training before turning off the sabers. "You see what I mean?"

"Indeed, I do. I know you have exceptional skills. And dual wielding has proven little challenge for you before. So why are you having trouble now?" Obi-Wan asks while scratching his chin. Yoda and Huyang share a look before excusing themselves.

"A suspicion you have Professor?" Yoda asked while in a different section of the ship. The droid nodded before noting that this had happened before. "It is from before my time, but there has been an incident before of a Jedi not being able to use the materials that others could."

Yoda hummed as Huyang brought up the image of the item in question. The Darksaber. A lightsaber formed by the first Mandalorian accepted into the Jedi order. The droid mentioned that the Jedi in question had to find his own materials and built the hilt themselves based on their culture.

"It could be that young Joris's blade cannot be made with what I have here. But I do not think it would be fair to say that he has failed the trial or his training." Huyang says with some trepidation. Yoda thinks on the matter and agrees with the droid who taught even him to forge his blade.

When they both return, they advise Joris to keep his crystals in the lightsabers he made for now. "I'm afraid I cannot help you as I wish I could. You may need to look elsewhere to form your saber young man."

Joris looks down sadly as a few of the others try to bring up his spirits. As the Crucible returns to Coruscant, the young Jedi keeps thinking about what it was that was missing from his blades. While the rest show their lightsabers to their fellow younglings, Joris doesn't and excuses himself.

For the next few weeks, he keeps trying to feel what was wrong with the blades. He even spends time looking back at the histories and records of the weapons of past Jedi. All the while rumors abound about the strange contradictions that occurred with the young Jedi.

One day while looking at the accounts of the ancient Force alchemic blades, Joris was grumbling to himself. "Even they forged their own blades. I know how to use the Force well enough, and I know the style that feels right. But maybe that is part of the problem."

"Perhaps. Niman has a funny way of reflecting that in its users." Joris hears behind him. He slips a bit and looks up to see who was talking. It was the current Battlemaster of Jedi, Cin Drallig.

Joris says hello to the older master before asking what he was doing there. "Just checking in on a student that impressed both myself and my old master. I've heard the rumors about you not being able to make your lightsaber." Joris grumbles at this before leaning back.

He admits to the blades not feeling right when he wielded them. "It just doesn't flow right. I don't have a way to describe it other than that." Joris vents while looking at the two blades. He mentioned how he made them identical, different, one standard one shoto, even double-bladed sabers.

"But nothing feels right! I don't know. Maybe….. maybe I'm not cut out for this," the young Jedi says while looking down at the blades. Cin hums for a moment before asking the youngling to come with him.

He brings the young Jedi to a quieter training area. The master sets down his lightsaber and asks Joris to do the same. When the boy does, the Battlemaster tosses him a pair of wooden swords. He takes a ready stance and Joris matches the master.

The two let the Force flow and move their blades in the sparring session. Joris impressing the old master once again. Especially when he uses the throw of one blade to distract the older fighter and use it to get close. Before pulling the wooden blade back.

Cin leaps out of the way of the returning weapon, but Joris deftly catches the wooden blade by the hilt as it is coming at him. Using the force of the return to add momentum to his own and strike at the master.

The Battlemaster has to adjust his stance to a Djem So form to brace against the young Jedi. "Well done. Exceptional in your handling and creativity of your strikes. You have what it takes to learn and master Niman. But you can't do it with those blades." Cin compliments before looking to the weapons in question.

Joris looks down again before asking what he could do. "I might have a few ideas. I'll speak with Master Yoda about them. In the meantime, return to your studies." Cin says with a nod. Joris thanks the master before picking up his interim weapons.

After a week or so, Cin meets with Joris as the rest of the younglings were going over force studies. "Pardon me Master. But I need young Joris for a matter. Do you mind?" The master shrugs before excusing Joris to speak with Master Drallig.

After exiting, Cin tells Joris to pack up a few things for a trip. "And of course, bring your sabers. I'm going to take you to a few places that are at the root of our order. With some luck, you'll find your sabers." Joris is wide eyed and thanks the master before going to pack.

While he was doing that, Cin spoke with Master Yoda once more before going the Eta-class shuttle. "Hopefully this helps him. I see great potential in that boy." Cin says. Yoda nods before noting the strength he gained as a result of a ripple in the Force.

"A mixing he is, of two lights beyond what we or he knows or can perceive. Insight he has gained, of life outside of what we know. Closer perhaps he is to those Jedi of the past." Yoda waxes while leaning on his cane. Cin nods while considering where to start first. But his musing are cut short when the young Jedi arrives.

Cin smiles at the boy before asking if he was ready. "Yes master. I am." Joris says with excitement and hope in his eyes. Cin then tells the boy to settle in as they explore some of the stars. To find the link that Joris was missing in his sabers.

I do intend to continue with this story, and I'll probably have the next chapter out soon. And we'll get to the meat of how the OC grows into his own. Please review! And maybe check out my other works if you are interested!