Disclaimer: not mine

Got Sora to level 99 in KH3! Trying to get the stuff to get Ultima Keyblade, but really struggling to get the high scores for all the flans. Esp the jump from flan to flan one.

Which lightsabre form do you think best suits Sora if his fighting his influenced by his past life as a Keyblade wielder? Should he dual wield eventually?

Thanks to Jostanos for the lightsabre colour ideas for Sora and Riku

Other fics use Ka'ra for the Mando word for the Force so I'm using it.

Sora's vision last chapter was of the Final World, the second voice was Chirithy. The first was Kairi.

Chapter 6

Mace made his way towards the training salles where Dragon Clan was training with their brand-new lightsabres. He'd been hearing the whispers for several days now and was giving into curiosity. Lightsabre colour indicated neither relation nor a future Padawanship. But the idea that someone else had a purple crystal was intriguing enough to have him heading to see the Initiate who wielded it. He moved into the observation area, watching the children as they practised their katas for Shii-Cho. Some were obviously unsuited for the style already, the Initiate he had come to see among them.

He had heard the whispers about the young Hapan ever since he had begun sabre training, that he was too good at it for a good jedi, whispers and rumours that he remembered from when he was an Initiate and even older. He didn't see any reason for the rumours though, the boy was energetic, yes, but there was no aggression or anger in his moves. There was…freedom, a joy of movement, but no desire to actually have to fight or kill. The child was likely just as good at the more athletic aspects of training but that didn't get the attention sabre skills did.

His blade colour was unique, it was a dark violet colour but every now and then a flash of cyan seemed to run through the blade. His crystal must be very interesting looking. As skilled as the boy appeared to be, Mace was not looking for a new Padawan, though the boy was young to be taken as one. Perhaps when the time came, he would be ready, but they had a few years to see.

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Riku hit the floor hard, rolling awkwardly back to his feet. He shook his hands out and retook his ready stance, it didn't feel at all natural to him. He was used to blasters and vibroblades, not jetii'kad…lightsabres, they were a jetii weapon. It was just a training one, so it wasn't powerful enough to actually do damage, it just stung. Every muscle ached but he had to keep going, Master Dooku was a very demanding teacher.

Riku was expected to take so many lessons, it was overwhelming even after two years staying with him. He wanted Buir, missed him so much, but Master Dooku said he was dead, had brought his body back for a pyre. But…there was just something in him that refused to believe it. He wanted to go home to Manda'yaim, to his aliit, but he had no way to do it.

Master Dooku said the Sith weren't the same as the jetii but they seemed the same to him. He'd never realised what his being able to move things without touching them or feeling things was the Ka'ra…the Force. He didn't like having to use basic all the time either, but when he forgot Master Dooku would get that weird frown and Riku didn't like it, it didn't feel nice. Buir had worked for him though, had left Riku there while doing so, that meant he trusted Master Dooku, right? So, if he said that Buir would want him to fight the jetii then he must be right.

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Anakin watched the Initiate as he sparred with a Padawan almost twice his height. He was good, really good. And…he kind of looked familiar. Then again, he'd been at the Temple a while now, so people should look familiar, even ones he just passed in the halls.

He shook it off and left the room, heading back to their quarters to shower. He was going to the Senate today to see the Chancellor; he'd invited him to come see some new laws pass and while he wasn't really interested in politics, the man was nice and paid attention to him.

He missed his friends on Tatooine, even if they hadn't understood his abilities. He wasn't as close to anyone in the Temple and he missed it, he had sort of friends, they had classes together and talked, but none of them really understood him. They'd all grown up safe in the Temple, they didn't know what it was like to be a slave, to live in a place where you never knew if there'd be enough water, if you'd get to shelter when a sandstorm was coming…

He got back to the apartment and jumped in the shower, changing into clean robes before rushing off, not wanting to be late.

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She watched the boy as he sat in the grass, smiling at something…ah, a few of the smaller animals were sitting with him, letting him pet them. She nodded to herself and then slowly approached the Initiate who looked up, blinking, before scrambling to his feet to bow. "You like the animals?" she asked, and he nodded.

"They're nice and quiet," he admitted.

"And they like you," she smiled at him, and he flushed in embarrassment. "Hmmm, walk with me young one."

"Yes Master." He moved to walk beside her, he was already taller than her even though short compared to the others in his clan, his build slight.

He would never be a physical powerhouse, but he had the right build to be very fast and flexible. She had read his file; his grades were average in academics though he did very well in languages.

"Tell me Initiate Sora, what kind of Jedi do you wish to be?"

He seemed surprised she knew who he was, understandable given the number of Initiatives within the Temple. But he stayed quiet, thinking it over.

"I'm not sure, Master," he said after a while. "I don't think I'd be a very good healer though."

She chuckled. "Not many do, it is a harder road than many. You are young yet and have time to find your path, and I would like to help you along the road."

"Master?" he looked at her in confusion.

She stopped, turning to look up at him, and then he knelt down so that he was looking up at her. "Initiate Sora, will you do me the honour of being my Padawan?" she asked formally, watching blue eyes widen.

"Master Yaddle?" he asked in shock. "I'm…I'm not old enough."

"Hmph, it is a Master's discretion when to approach an Initiate. And so, I have approached you."

"You mean it? You really want me as your Padawan? But you're a Councillor."

"I have stepped back from the Council young one, the perfect time to take on a new Padawan, yes?"

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Sora stayed kneeling before Master Yaddle, struggling to believe it. She…she wanted him as her Padawan? He was only nine! And there were a lot of classes he wasn't very good at. But she'd asked him. In four years, he'd age out but most humans and near-humans weren't chosen till they were eleven at least. And a Council, or ex-Council, member wanted to teach him?

"I would be honoured, Master," he whispered, and she smiled at him.

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Yoda leant forward as Yaddle entered the Council chamber, a young Initiate slightly behind her. Ah, young Sora. The boy had grown since last he had seen him, though he was still shortish. The tuft of hair that would one day become a braid had begun being grown out in anticipation of being taken as a Padawan in a few years.

He had been sad when she stepped down from the Council, he liked their verbal spars as the two oldest. And now to appear with an Initiate?

"Master Yaddle," Master Windu greeted respectfully.

"Master Windu, Council Members," she returned. "I have come to inform you I have taken a Padawan," she announced, shocking them.

Sora shifted slightly behind her, looking nervous. The Council could deny them after all but that was something that only very rarely happened.

Yoda looked to his console as the records appeared, not that he really needed to see them since he had kept a distant eye on the boy. He was saddened to not have him within his own lineage but Yaddle was a good option. She would help him with his skills beyond the sabre though he had improved in those since that amusing lesson. He indicated his acceptance of the pairing, offering a smile to the nervous boy.

"The Council approves," Mace eventually announced as everyone responded.

"Thank you," she murmured, and Sora bowed to them.

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Sabé kept her head down as she moved through the dusty town, hand never far from her blaster. She had two members of their security forces with her as protection but Tatooine was not a place to assume she was safe. Padme had asked her to investigate the slavery practices on the planet and she would do her best. She also had local currency, enough to free one Shmi Skywalker once she reached Mos Espa.

Seeing so many people in poverty and slavery made her feel sick. She knew how lucky they had been to dodge such a fate under the Trade Federation. She hated that there was nothing she could do for them, not yet at least. Tatooine was part of the Republic, no matter how happy they were to ignore the planet. It was not part of Hutt space but it was close enough they had taken the control without the Republic doing anything to stop them. After so long under Hutt control no one questioned it. Still, technically the Hutts were illegally occupying and controlling a Republic planet. If they could raise awareness then maybe political pressure could be applied to at least improve conditions.

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Obi-Wan was surprised to hear that Master Yaddle had not only stepped down from the Council but had taken a Padawan, and one younger than normal at that. She had always loved teaching though; he'd been in one of her classes as an Initiate. She was younger than Master Yoda so maybe it shouldn't be so surprising that she'd take on another Padawan. Of course, news of her actions was all over the Temple. Jedi really were terrible gossips, something he hadn't really realised as an Initiate. He'd definitely become aware of it as a Padawan though, thanks to Bandomeer and Melida/Daan. Hopefully this Padawan would have a less eventful time than Obi-Wan had.

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Padmé smiled politely for the crowds, glad that this was the last time she would have to don the covering make up. The ceremonial handing over of the title of Queen to her replacement was a relief. They had tried to change the constitution to enable her to have a third term but she had fought the idea. She had served her two terms as Queen and was quite happy to be stepping down for Réillata. She curtsied to the new Queen, ending the ceremony, allowing her to step back from centre stage, her handmaidens around her.

Finally, it was all over and she retreated to her quarters to change out of the heavy formal gown and makeup. Finally, she could just be Padmé again rather than Amidala. She smiled as she listened to the others giggle and gossip, most of them returning to private life now. They could thanks to how heavily disguised they had all been during her reign.

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Riku looked at his reflection, taking in the new tattoo. Master Dooku had agreed to allow him to continue with the practice, not wanting him to stand out among his species by not having enough. It was unfair that he was allowed to connect to the society of his birth but not the one that had saved and adopted him. He still practiced the language in private but he longed to speak with someone, anyone, in Mando'a. He had just under four years before he was meant to undergo his Verd'goten would he be allowed to do so? Or was Master going insist on only Sith rights of passage?

He…he didn't like Sith training. Fighting was fine but the training hurt and it made him feel funny. He was never good enough, no matter how much he tried. And no matter what he wore, he always felt cold.

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Sabé wasn't sure how to feel, her secondary mission was a failure. She had tracked down Watto only to find he had sold Shmi and even with the offer of money he wouldn't tell her who to. Even when she was pretending to be Padmé who he had met before and had been among those who had freed Anakin. It might take Anakin's presence to get that information from the Toydarian but would the Jedi allow that?

It was time for her to leave, she no longer had any authority behind her with Padmé no longer Queen. But the idea of a civilian life was not one she wanted. Her Queen had agreed to serve as Senator, perhaps she would still need Sabé's services.

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Sora sat at his desk, working on his assignments. His living arrangements weren't entirely normal for a Padawan but he liked it. He had what was basically a small apartment linked to his Master's. Apparently, the same setup was where Master Yoda's quarters were as well and for other Masters who had very specialised needs like Master Koon. So, they could keep their Padawan's close without making anyone uncomfortable.

Master Yaddle's apartment was basically a swamp, not good for near-humans long term, but the environmental systems of the Temple kept his room quite comfortable. It was basically one large room with a bed, study area, couch and small kitchenette along with a fresher. He could make his own meals if he didn't want to eat in the refectory, not that he knew how to cook much.

So far, being Master Yaddle's Padawan wasn't much different to being an Initiate since he still took classes with his old clan. He'd had two classes added that all Padawans took and didn't need any prior knowledge from an Initiate level since most Padawan classes were aimed at those older than he was. And training was more one-on-one than it had been. Master Yaddle decided what he would learn and he was moving on from Shii-Cho. She had him learning katas for every form to see which would suit him best. And depending on how his body developed as he got older that might change in time so it was good to have a grounding in all the styles. His Master used Ataru and Soresu and she was amazing to watch but he wasn't sure if those styles were for him. But she promised there was plenty of time for him to find the right style.

Since he'd become a Padawan so young, they wouldn't start doing off world missions for a few years. Well, they might go to a diplomatic party or something, but nothing dangerous.

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Riku silently followed his Master from the ship and towards the temple, keeping the hood of his cloak up to protect himself from the sand as the wind whistled through the rocks. He'd always thought deserts were hot but this one was cold. He glanced around as they walked, taking in the Holy City, quiet with the oncoming freezing cold night.

The Force felt clearer and stronger than normal, Master said the planet was a Vergence. Riku could make out ancient buildings and toppled statues, imagining how grand they must have looked centuries ago. They were heading for the Temple of the Kyber so that he could find his crystal for his own lightsabre. That was a bit exciting he supposed. He was getting used to using a training sabre, it was different to using a beskad since the only weight was in the hilt.

Traditionally, Jedi went to Ilum and the Sith often used synthetic crystals to save time. But Master wanted him to have a true kyber crystal so they had come to Jedha. Master Dooku said that he would have to Bleed his crystal until it was corrupted and aligned to the Dark Side. That felt…wrong.

No one stopped them as they entered the Temple but Riku could feel eyes on them as Master led him to a room and then left him there. Riku took a deep breath and stared at the entrance across from him…the entrance to the tunnels beneath the Temple. He would have to rely completely on the Force or risk becoming lost forever.

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Anakin lent back in his seat exhausted. So much for thinking a mission to an archaeological site would be an easy one! But they had succeeded and soon the holocron would be safely in the Temple where it belonged. And he was very glad to be off that planet. Dallenor was a little too similar to Tatooine for his liking. He hated sand. Though the planet did have some forests, they just hadn't spent much time in any. Maybe one day they'd get a mission to somewhere nice, like Alderaan or Naboo. He would love to go back to Naboo.

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He waited for his Apprentice, wondering if he would pass whatever test the Force set for him. Riku was an adequate student but still reluctant to touch the Dark. If he hadn't grown out of that in a few years, more drastic measures would need to be taken. For now, it was good enough that he learned the general skills utilised by both Sith and Jedi. He was only just nine after all, still younger than the average age of choosing as a Padawan.

Almost a day later the boy staggered out with a kyber crystal clutched in one hand.

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Shmi smiled as she spoke her vows to the man opposite her. She had never imagined she would be a free woman or ever marry. There had been offers before, but they had only ever offered to buy her freedom and not Anakin's. She knew Cliegg would have freed them both if Ani hadn't gone to the Jedi. He hadn't even insisted on marriage when he bought her from Watto and brought her to the farm. Within weeks of that she had been a free woman and she had remained with the Lars family, helping with the farm, getting to know them, and now she was marrying Cliegg.

She had thought that after Ani left, she would live out her life alone, but she was happy that she had been wrong. Cliegg was a good man, honest and hard working. It was not an easy life on a moisture farm but it was an honest living. She only wished Anakin could be there as well.

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Sora stood with his Master, watching the funeral pyre in silence. Master Yarael Poof was dead, killed by terrorists though he didn't know anything else. He thought his Master did but she had been on the Council for a long time. Would she be asked back with another Councillor dead? Or would someone else be chosen to replace him?

"Master Poof sacrificed himself not only to preserve billions of lives, but so the Republic itself would live on. I can think of no more fitting tribute than this: He gave his life for a cause he believed in," Master Windu spoke as the body was consumed by the flames.

They waited until the fire burned out and then they slowly dispersed, most to meditation.

TBC….