Chapter 10: Crystal and Acceptance

Ilum

Both vessels reached the sacred ice planet of Ilum. After the formation of the Empire, Ilum was quickly taken over by the Empire to mine for the coveted kyber crystals. A year later, an invasion was planned by Commander Rex, Ahsoka and Supreme Commander Cody to take the planet back in their control. Newly formed Rancisis Battalion of the Jedi Guard was appointed the vanguard of the invasion. In a surprise attack, the invasion destroyed all Imperial presence on the world and even captured a few scientists belonging to the Advanced Weapons Research Division. Leaving a Venator-III Star Destroyer as well as three Venator-IIs, Ilum is well protected under Rancisis Battalion.

As both vessels landed, they were greeted by a Clone Officer in Jedi Guard colours. His helmet had the symbol of the Jedi Order etched on the front of his Phase II helmet.

"Commander Odin, we have received your request. Commander Kestis can join the cadre of cadets we have here."

Cal nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Cere pulled him aside for a small talk and held out her lightsaber, "Cal…You will be tested. Every Jedi faces the dark side. And it's very easy to fail."

Cal looked at Cere, "You are still struggling with the dark side. Even after cutting yourself off from the Force."

"We will always struggle but that is the test. It's the choice to keep fighting that makes us who we are."

"Guess it's time I find out who I really am." With that, Cal took Cere's lightsaber and left the vessel, following the clone officer to the temple. As he walked, he saw numerous Jedi Guard troopers having a lightsaber and DC-15A Carbines. As the two entered the temple, he saw a line of Jedi Guard troopers lining both side of the wall with a DC-15 Blaster Rifles by their side. As he got to the main hub, there was a group of clone cadets, wearing red and light blue winter jackets, all looking up to another clone officer.

"Cadets! You are all gathered here to initiate the final trial, The Gathering. But remember! You are first and foremost, brothers! Sometimes we quarrel but together, we are united! This trial, you must undertake by yourself. You must each find a crystal to call your own and from there, build your own lightsaber. Enter the caves, cadets! And may the Force be with you!"

The group walked through the entrance of the caves where the ice has been melted. As the cadets entered, Cal and his escort approached the officer that gave the Gathering speech.

"Sir! Commander Kestis is here to get his crystal to repair his lightsaber."

The officer looked at Cal and approached him.

"I'm Captain Boot of Rancisis Battalion. You may enter the temple caves but know this. You will be tested. I have no doubt that you know this so all I'll say is good luck."

Boot stepped off the podium and walked to the side of the wall. Cal ventured into the caves, seeing the various cadets going into different parts of the cave systems. As he walked downwards, hearing the call of his crystal, he saw a cadet heading back. The cadet gingerly held a crystal in the palm of his hands and bowed to Cal before continuing to walk back to the entrance. As Cal walked further, more and more cadets came out with their crystals. Just as he got to the entrance of the cave, where his crystal lied, the ice cracked and plunged him into the freezing water. He swam through the water and saw an opening. Just as he got to the opening, he saw himself. Only younger. The young Cal reached out to him and offered his hand. Cal took it and was able to get himself out of the icy water. Shivering, he walked slowly towards his crystal and took it. He smiled, knowing that he succeeded. Until the crystal split into two. Cal despaired and slid down the cave's icy walls. Wallowing in despair, he didn't notice BD-1 approaching him. The little droid nudged him to see if he was alright.

"It's over, BD…it's over"

BD turned away from Cal and showed a hologram recording of Eno Cordova. Cordova was preparing to encrypt BD's memory but not before saying an important message.

'Only with a trusted connection will your memories be restored'

Cal realised that BD-1 chose him as his new master. With this realisation, he got up with renewed vigour. Seeing a flat rock, he set about combining both his and Cere's lightsabers. With both combined, he was able to create a new lightsaber that had the ability to split into two. Testing this out, he ignited it. Blue saber shot out from both ends. After giving a few test swings, he set off back to the entrance where he was greeted by the Officer in charge of the cadets.

"Well done, Sir. You have reconnected with yourself and found balance within yourself. The question is now what will you do with your new balance?"

Cal pondered on the question for a bit.

"I'll continue to fight for freedom. For my master and the galaxy."

Boot nodded and led his cadre away to the entrance of the temple with Cal following behind them. By then, the weather has settled down. The storm has subsided to reveal the Jedi Guard patrolling in their winter gear with red markings and numerous cadets meditating under the sun or doing lightsaber drills. Cal made his way back to the ship and was greeted by Fiver.

"Well? Did you get your crystal, Sir?"

Cal nodded and revealed his new lightsaber.

"I can't explain it but I feel lighter than before. Not burdened. I think I'm ready to head back to Dathomir."

Fiver nodded and commed Odin.

"Sir, he's ready to go back."

"Very well."

Both ships took off and quickly left the planet, heading back to Dathomir.

Dathomir

Both ships landed on the same landing area with the Jedi Guard coming out first. They discovered that most of the undead Nightsisters cleared out with only a few blocking the original pathway back to the temple. Cal moved forward with Odin and Fiver by his side. They pushed through, eliminating the undead as well as a few Nightbrothers. Reaching the entrance to the temple, Cal moved forward through the entrance and meditated. Facing his master again in a vision, he accepted his master's death and vowed to never forget his teachings. Having passed his trial, Cal signalled the rest of the platoon to enter. Seeing the tight gap, Odin ordered a small explosive to widen the gap. One clone moved forward and placed two sticky thermal detonators before moving back and aiming his carbine at one of them. The blast widened the gap considerably and the group moved through one at a time. Cal was the last to follow through and at that moment, a voice rang out.

"You chose to return. Brave…but not wise"

Merrin appeared before Cal and the Guards raised their blasters at her. Cal signalled them to hold fire.

"Maybe. Merrin, right? I'm Cal Kestis. What you were told about the Jedi was not true."

"So you say…Cal. Malicos said many things too."

"Taron Malicos might have been part of my Order but what he is now, I…we have no idea…All I do know is having a lightsaber isn't what makes you a Jedi."

He unclips his lightsaber and tossed it to Merrin much to the shock of the clones. Merrin catches it and asks.

"Then, what does?"

"We were peace keepers. We were betrayed by those we protected. Most of us escaped the betrayal with the help of the clones but…there are so few of us left now."

Merrin looked at his lightsaber and activated it, startling the clones who raised their blasters in case she used it against them.

"I was only a child when they attacked. An armoured warrior brandishing this…And cut down my people. My sisters. Until I was left alone with the dead. Then, Malicos came and promised me revenge if I shared our secrets with him in return."

Odin spoke up, putting Gungnir away.

"That would General Grievous. He led Separatist droids on your people under Count Dooku's orders. We discovered this when Commandos raided his palace on Serrenno. While I can't claim to understand the loss that you feel but Commander Cal here knows what it's like to lose everything and yet, he moves forward. Carrying the hopes and dreams of a better future."

Cal nodded.

"Malicos was wrong to use you. We don't have to be enemies."

Merrin thought on this and extinguished the lightsaber, tossing it back to Cal. The clones lowered their blasters.

"You'll need this."

Merrin disappeared, leaving green wisps of particles.

Cal moved and spoke with Odin.

"With Malicos, what do you think? Should we arrest him?"

Odin pondered on this for a full minute.

"We could stun him and arrest him. But if he's as skilled as the Jedi Archives suggests he is, then the alternative is to kill him. We'll offer him a way off this planet. If he resists, we will try to stun him and place him in our vessel but I'm not optimistic. If what the Nightsister said is true, then he will not leave willingly."

Cal pondered on this. He knew one thing was clear. Malicos would not leave willingly and would resist. He was drawn too much into the Dark Side. Making a decision, Cal turned to Odin.

"We will give him a chance. If he resists, we will have to take him down."

Odin nodded in approval. As the group walked towards Malicos and the Atrium, Merrin was watching closely and lifted a few stones for them to walk to an arena like platform where Malicos was waiting.

"Cal Kestis? And…friends…Here to begin your training?...What in these ruins tempts you so much to risk death?"

Cal stood before him while the clones formed a circle around the two. Fiver stood next to Cal with his finger on the trigger guard. Merrin teleported to a nearby rock to watch the conversation.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"There is power there. Beyond Jedi understanding. Power I control. I would offer you and your friends the same thing."

Cal started walking around Malicos with Fiver following closely.

"Don't you understand? We are not interested in power. We are here to restore the Order. There are still survivors out there. We would like to offer you the choice to come with us."

"Restore the Jedi Order? Oh, you poor fool…It's over! Jedi fell long before the Purge. Stifled by tradition. Deafened by our past glories. Blinded by endless war…Those still alive are desperate to cling onto the past."

"Maybe…But it's never over, Malicos. We stand here now with a chance to learn. To rebuild from our mistakes and loosen the traditions."

"Jedi learn? There is no future for them. How can you all not see that?"

The clones readied their blasters as Malicos grew more angry. Tightening their grips on their blaster.

"It's time for something new. You and me…We could build something different. Something better."

"No."

At that response, Malicos then put out his arms to summon his dual lightsabers with the Force.

"Then, Dathomir will be your grave."

Cal ignited his lightsaber and did a downward slash at Malicos. The clones raised their blasters, waiting for an opportunity to shoot. Cal and Malicos duelled with Malicos making heavy attacks and Cal using his new split sabers to block and jab at him. Malicos then did a jump to slash at him but Cal dodged it. Using that opportunity, the clones began firing at Malicos who then, deflected most of the lasers down to the ground or up in the air. He then, did a massive Force push that pushed most of the clones out of the platform. They fell downwards but were teleported with a green flash to the other side. Merrin used her magick to transport the clones away from their deaths. The only clones on the platform were Odin and Fiver, the two finding difficulty in finding a spot to shoot at Malicos. Until Malicos pushed Cal away and Force lifted him up. Odin fired Gungnir at Malicos who was forced to defend himself with one saber. Fiver then, charged into him. Tackling him into the ground. Cal fell on his back with Odin helping him up. Fiver and Malicos started to fight with their fists. However Malicos proved to be a better fighter. He punched Fiver in the stomach and the chest several times before Force pushing him off the platform.

Cal horrified at this, ran to the edge to catch him with the Force.

"No!"

But as he was about to catch Fiver, Fiver disappeared in a green flash and he saw his old friend at the other side.

"You have no right to Dathomir. No right to our magick! Don't worry about your comrades, Cal Kestis. Focus on Malicos."

Cal nodded and ignited his lightsaber. Odin walked to Cal's side and brought out his dual pistols. Malicos ignited his lightsabers and charged at Cal who blocked his one saber while the other was blocking shots from the clones and Odin's blasters. However, that proved to be his undoing as he was struggling to concentrate on fighting Cal and fending off blaster bolts. Odin's blasters hid Malicos' lightsaber while Cal disarmed his other one. Left defenceless, he fell to his knew and was restrained by green whisps of magick.

"What is this?"

Merrin restrained him and further dragged Malicos into ground.

"It is as you said, Malicos, Dathomir will be your grave!"

Malicos yelled out in agony and fear as the ground enveloped him. The clones from the other side went onto the platform and looked at the ground. Odin picked up the former Jedi's lightsabers and gave them to one of his men.

"Let him lie in the darkness with his secrets. Until death takes him."

Odin nodded to that and turned to Cal.

"Sir, we should get the Astrium and get back to the ship."

Cal nodded and turned to Merrin.

"Do you want to come with us? You don't need to be alone anymore. I was alone…alone with just Fiver. Until a good friend of mine told me to go out and find my place in the galaxy. I found my place. Maybe you can find yours among us."

Merrin mulled over his words and turned to Cal.

"I will join you. I would like to forge a path forward. I've spent years…awaiting for a chance to avenge my sisters. I'm finished waiting. I wish to fight by yours and your comrades' side."

Cal nodded and turned to Odin.

"Radio Cere. We are about to have company."

Odin nodded. While he radioed them about Merrin, Cal went and retrieved the Atrium. The group went back to the ships and set off for once more for Bogano.

Author's note:

I'm so sorry that I have been MIA! Had a lot going on in my personal life! I wanted to write more but decided that another chapter should close the first Episode up. I won't spoil much on what happens but let's just say that events will be very different to that of the game in the next chapter. I will start to write the next chapter this weekend and hopefully upload it by the end of the week if not earlier.

I have started to write another Grand Rebellion entry, which is a spin off, it will be called the Grand Rebellion chronicles. It takes place during the beginning of the Empire. The GANR is just starting to take shape but are already undertaking missions to harass the Empire in small scale attacks. The chronicles will feature events from the Bad Batch series with a lot of deviation of course.

If anyone would like to contribute to the story, feel free to message me or put in the reviews. And once again, I ask for constructive reviews please.