I watched as Ashoka was practicing her lightsaber skills and watching her got me all fired up I quickly leapt off the temple ledge where I was sitting and jumped down. Ashoka nearly cut my head off as I landed in front of reverse backhand swing. "Whoa Zarik be careful I nearly killed you." I just smiled and dismissed her caring/annoyed attitude about what just occurred. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine see not a scratch on me." "That's besides the point Zarik! What are you doing here anyway?" "I had some time to kill so I was like hey, why not see what my favorite togruta is up to. Besides you looking real good with that sweat glistening off your beautiful skin.
I saw Ashoka blush slightly but she quickly recomposed herself. "So what you wanted to ask me on a date? You know Jedi are forbidden from attachments." "I may have taken the oath to become a Jedi but I'm not one to fear my emotions besides my people are a species raised off of emotion, seduction, and combat. We get our jollies off of pleasure of others or combat sometimes both. But you've got to remember. Your feelings won't hold you back from doing the right thing or communing with the force." "What do you mean?" "Feelings are a gate way to communicating with the force. The force is our ally in both combat and out of combat. But if you can't let the force and your instincts and training combine together you become unbalanced and fall for being either too complacent or too headstrong." "I never thought about it like that." "Ashoka, you're a gem but sometimes you take what the masters taught us too literal and it blinds you."
"Like you know better than the masters." "I may not be well versed in the force itself but I can tell you this. I take what I learn and incorporate my own philosophy in it." "What do you mean by that Zarik?" "A code I'm trying to establish and live by. On my own merits I haven't found the right phrasings yet." Ashoka stayed quiet for the first time actually thinking about what I just dumped on her. "Hey, look don't think about it too much. You won't get it on the first day. But how about this; me and you duel if I win. I take you on a date..."
"And if I win?" Ashoka interrupted me. "If you win... I'll help you with your next get away from my master missions." "Okay deal." "All out? Or point based?" "All out. The sepies won't give us an inch nor a quarter so why should we." "Alright, if you say so." I activated my orange lightsaber and Ashoka activated her green lightsaber and we both charged at eachother we clashed sabers both of us locked in a saber lock. Ashoka began to overpower me just by a little until I force pushed her away sending her reeling across the training grounds and into a pillar "Ashoka!" I exclaimed as I ran over to her aide. The other Jedi trainees were on looking as I knelt down next to Ashoka I began to check her for injuries as I asked her if she was alright. She mumbled something under her breathe but I couldn't hear it quite well so I knelt closer and asked her what did she say that's when she sprung up and kicked me into a training droid and proceeded to follow up her attack I was ready to send a barrage of rocks her way when the training droid trapped me in it's arms.
I began to have flashbacks to the separatist Droid army attacking my home murdering my mom and dad as they tried to protect me I began to hyperventilate as the memory got worse. I quickly communed with the force and sent a giant force shockwave out in all directions as I did Ashoka was sent flying again followed with some younglings and trainees and even two Jedi master's as the training droid holding me began to melt. As it arms and upper body began to melt I fell to the ground slightly fatigued. I began to catch my breath I looked around and saw not only parts of temple support beams slightly cracked I could see steam coming from the ground where I was once held captive. Medical droids and Jedi healers began to run out of the temple and check on any wounded that's when Masters Skywalker and Mace Windu come out of the temple Anakin ran over to Ashoka's side checking her through the force as Mace Windu stood by my side. "ZARIK! COME HERE NOW!" Anakin shouted at me.
I was scared still trying to grasp the situation at hand. That's when Master Windu put a comforting and reassuring hand on my shoulder I looked up at him. "It's okay Zarik go see what he wants then go back to your quarters I'll come get you later." "Yes Master." I ran over to Anakin. Mace Windu looked at the epicenter of the blast and the droid then over at the pillars. (Hmm, Strange it seems as if Zarik has the force ability of being able to control either the elements or the weather itself. But that's unheard of in the force. I must discuss this with Master Yoda and the rest of the council immediately.) Mace Windu walked away and headed for Jedi council meeting room.
Three hours later...
I heard a knock on my door I opened it to see three masters staring down at me they were Master Windu, Master Kenobi, and Master Mundi. "Is Ashoka alright? What about the younglings and the others..." Master Windu put a hand up to silence my rambling. "Come with us." Master Mundi said. "Yes, my Masters." I quickly put on my boots and followed the Masters outside of my quarters I couldn't help but feel anxious as Master Windu led from the front Master Kenobi from the back and Master Mundi from the side. I've only seen them do this formation once and that was when they brought in extremely dangerous criminals or bounty hunters but normally they'd have a clone escort with them and have me in cuffs. (So maybe I'm not being detained maybe I'm being reassigned or reasessed or something it could be anything.) We stopped at a room and Master Windu opened the door and we walked inside once inside I was quickly blinded by bright white lights as my eyes adjusted all I could see was two lines of clone troopers but in platinum and silver armor standing at attention. "What's going on Masters?" I asked still puzzled. They just stayed quiet that's When Masters Skywalker and Yoda appeared on the big holonet screen in the room. "Jedi Padawan Zarik proven yourself you have. Through the harshest of trails to today's incident we faced. But do not fear young one for we have not brought you here to scold you but to reward you in your final trail yes?"
"As of today the Jedi Council hereby grants Zarik the rank of Jedi Master and as a gift the republic and the chancellor has deemed him worthy of having his own clone legion aswell as his own starfighter and Capital Ship." Master Skywalker finished the speech. "Wait, what?" "Bu-But how and why?" "I'll tell you about it all later." Master Windu whispered to me.
Two hours later...
"So I hear you're in the big leagues now huh." I turned to see Ashoka standing at my doorway I ran over to her and hugged her. "Ashoka, oh thank the force you're okay. I am so sorry for what I did to you I don't know what happened I just..." Ashoka put a hand on my lip and smiled. "It's okay Zarik I know you didn't mean it. Plus it was partially my fault I made that accident happen." "So where are you off to now?" I asked. "Me and Master Skywalker are heading to the planet Balmoora I just came to see you before I left Master Zarik." "No need to be so formal Ashoka you can still call me Zarik." "Well okay Zarik be careful."
Ashoka gave me a hug then left. I went back to my bed and lied down I soon fell asleep. "Zarik, wake up." A voiced called out to me but I could not find the source. I looked around and began to listen closely to the voice I recognized it as Master Windu's voice and I quickly shot up hitting my head on the bed above me. "ow." I groaned as I rubbed my forehead. Mace Windu chuckled as he asked if I was alright. That was the first time I actually saw any expression on his face other than his permanent scowl. "Are you alright Master?" "Yes, I'm fine Zarik." "But, you never laugh Master." "This may be true. But regardless I am happy none the less. Now down to business young pad...I mean Master Zarik."
I couldn't help but smile a little hearing that from my Master. "You will go to hanger bay C-36 there you will find your clone battalion commander and he will be your second in command. Once there he will take you to your capital ship known as BlackDawn and you will head to your first mission on Ord-Mantell." "I understand master." "Zarik..." "Yes Master?" "May the force be with you." "And may it be with you aswell Master."