Yoda's Journey - WIP

The Temple

          The light of the sunrise bounced off the stained windows of the High Council room. The rounded chairs sorted in the iconic half-circle of authority. A small, green life-form approached the center of the room.

"Young padawan, it is time." Says Master Randell
"You must take your first steps to becoming a Jedi Knight; you must travel to Ilum. There you will journey through the ice caves and come face-to-face with your greatest triumphs and worst fears. Are you ready for this task, young one?"

"Ready, I think not. But this is necessary." Yoda replied

"Wait a minute." a light grey-skinned Zabrak interrupted "Did you just call him 'young one'?"
Master Cornay was always one for making light of things. "Isn't Yoda already a hundred years old?"

"Age matters not." Master Randell answered the rhetorical question

"Agreed." Another voice added. Master Luma Padalo, a rare pink Twilek, was a dear friend of Cornay but even she could wear a bit thin of his countless sarcasms. "The caves of Ilum do not care how long you have been apart of the Jedi Order" she continued, "they care only to test your resolve." Now speaking directly to Yoda "This is a very important moment for you, little one. The moment a padawan captures their Kyber crystal is the moment, the real moment, they truly become a Jedi. Not because we have a laser sword, but because the trials are meant to challenge your connection to the force. The caves will determine whether you are meant to be a Jedi...or not. This is the true test of courage for a padawan. I have no doubt you are more than up to the challenge." a small smile escaped her lips. This comforted the young padawan.

The council dismissed and the young, green student made his way to the temple hangar. This was the moment Yoda had been waiting for, training for. Still though, he feared he was not ready. He had heard the tales of the caves of Ilum. How they could warp a Jedi's mind and put their physical and mental limits to the test. He stared out the massive window at the passing speeders and cargo freights and wondered to himself.
Was he truly ready for such a journey?

Yoda, now visibly nervous, continued his journey to the hangar. With every lantern he passed, it seemed the hallway got longer, darker. The small creature began to sweat, a function he didn't know he had. A cold breeze hit the back of his neck out of nowhere and the padawan spun around furiously and without thinking, planted his feet into a defensive formation, ready for an enemy to emerge from the shadows. But...Nothing. No one was there. This was a sign of true unease. Yoda knew he wasn't ready but the council insisted none of them were, either. He took a small bit of comfort in that; he was afraid, yes, but he was not alone.

He shook his head and changed his course for the latrine. The sliding doors opened and fellow padawan, Stayvar Genten exited the wash room.
"Hey, Yoda!" The young human was nearly bursting with excitement. "I heard you're getting your crystal today! I wish you the best my friend."

"Thank you, Stayvar." Yoda replied "This will be a challenge."

"You're going to do great!" The human boy continued whilst running his skinny fingers through his thick black bush he called hair. "I have to go clean the target droids but I'll see you when you get back okay? And I want to see that new saber once it's complete okay? See ya!" Stayvar left his friend, still waving goodbye, as he made his way into the droid repair bay.

Yoda took a deep breath, exhaled it, and entered the wash room, still filled with anxiety. He knew he would be okay but for some reason his fear of this challenge was nearly overwhelming. He figured splashing some cold water on his wrinkled face would do some good. It didn't. Though, young Stayvar's words of confidence did provide a small moment of comfort. This would have to do.

Yoda exited the letrine with a plan beginning to form in the back of his mind.

No matter what occurs in the caves I must keep my feelings aside and focus on the light. The Light is Life and the Light is with me.

His mind was made up. Think happy thoughts.

Finally, he reached the hangar where he was greeted by a rickety droid, which was so old it had probably seen Master Revan in action.

"Greetings, young one!" The droid had a bit of fire in his mechanical spirit. "I am Huyang! Architect and Lightsaber designer. I have helped thousands of Jedi on their journey to craft their sabers. I shall now assist you." Yoda's fear subsided for wonder, just for a moment. "But first, padawan, you must retrieve your crystal." Yoda let his anxieties slip right back in.

"So he shall." A dark haired human woman entered the hangar. "Greetings padawan Yoda, I am Master Sae Toon. I will be your guide." Her dark robes blowing in Coruscant's wind as the hangar doors smoothly, but loudly, opened. "I am here not to show you the way, but to assist you in finding the correct path."

Suddenly Yoda felt much better. He gazed at his new teacher. Focusing mostly on her bright green tabards. He liked to think she had worn them to match him. He knew his new travel companions couldn't journey into the caves with him, but it mattered not. For a short time, Yoda had company.