STAR WARS JEDI: THE DARK TIMES

Chapter 24. Child of the Force

Months Earlier...On Ilum...

   Padawan Clodd finds himself meditating in front of the entrance to the Cave where he found his own Kyber Crystal several years before. Here, Master Yoda walks up to him and says "Out of focus you are." Clodd opens his eyes, and Yoda continues. "Speak your mind, Padawan. Listen I will."

   With a sad look on his face, Clodd hesitates before saying "Just...uh...thinking about when I came here the first time. Coming back after all these years...it hits different."

   Yoda nods. "Agreed. Fitting this is as your time as a Padawan draws to a close."

   "Yeah. I had a lot of passion back in the day, yet so much weakness." Clodd takes a breath. "I made a lot of mistakes over the course of this war. Now the passion is gone and the weakness still remains. I feel like...I-I don't see how I coulda gotten this far without help, Master."

   Yoda seems visibly concerned and saddened about this. "Hmm. Fear I sense within you, Clodd. A Path to the Dark-Side fear Is..."

   Sounding sad, Clodd says "I know."

   "Yet so too is passion and ambition," the Jedi Master continues. "Already conquered your ambitions you have. In due time...fear you will conquer as well."

   Clodd is surprised to hear this. "You really think I can do it?" the boy asks. Yoda nods in response, but the boy is skeptical. "Even after all that effort I put in...seeking the truth..trying to improve the Senate's outlook on the Jedi Order...it still wasn't enough to change their minds. Do I truly deserve the honor of being a Jedi Knight knowing that I failed?"

   Yoda shakes his head. "Not your failure is the opinion of the Senate. The longer this war goes on, the deeper the corruption of the Republic appears to run I feel. Forces at work hoping to shift the balance of power in the galaxy there are. Nothing to be ashamed of you have. The rank of Jedi Knight...you will receive very soon."

   The boy Clodd is surprised again to hear this. "Huh. Well...thanks, I guess." He scratches the back of his head. "Hey uh...forgive me, Master. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm just a bit confused about the council's change in tune towards me as of late."

   Yoda lets out a breath. "Hmm. Much has changed...since a youngling you were. When you first became a Padawan clouded was your future. Concerned we were about your uncle. Seemed problematic his guidance and your attachment to him."

   The boy nods. "Yeah. I figured as much."

   "To our surprise, however, a far better Jedi than anticipated you turned out to be. While your uncle's familial bond remains, at the very least a very capable Jedi you have become."

   Suddenly, Clodd and Yoda sense something through the force as they look back towards the cave. "You feel that, Master?" asks the Padawan. "Somebody made it back in record time."

   Yoda nods. "Hmm. The child...yes. Faster than expected," the Jedi Master comments.

   The Padawan smirks. "Not surprising to me." Then Clodd remembers something. "Hey, remember that vision I told you about?"

   "Hmm...Yes, I do. Speak to him you should."

   Soon, a white floating pod can be seen exiting the Cave of Crystals. Clodd gets up and runs toward the floating pod. He presses a button at the front of the pod, and it opens revealing a child of Yoda's people. With a big smile on his face, Clodd says "Huh. Shoulda known you would be the first one out of there. Did you find the crystal?" The child holds out his little green hand revealing a Kyber Crystal in his palm. "Looks authentic," says the boy. "Nice work, Grogu." Clodd looks back at Yoda and says "Hey, Master. I'm gonna get this one back to the ship. Don't want him to get sick or anything."

   Yoda nods and says "Do as you must, Padawan. Wait here for the others I will."

   The Padawan Clodd looks over at the Child. "Alright. Lets go, Little one." Clodd exits the area, and heads back towards the nearby ship with the Child's pod following close behind him.

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Outside...Moments Later...

   Grogu and the Padawan continue on their way. "You've made alot of progress these past few weeks," Clodd comments. "It's incredible. Bet Anakin Skywalker himself would be impressed." The child coos. "Yeah, I met him before. One of the best Jedi out there. You'll probably be as good as him someday."

   After a short pause, Padawan Clodd says "Speaking of which...I've been having visions recently about the distant future...your future." A curious look appears on the Child's face. "The visions themselves haven't been all that clear, but from what I did see...you'll be traveling far and wide to various different parts of the galaxy. I expect many adventures in your future. Large and Small."

   Grogu lets out a worried coo, and a sad expression appears on Clodd's face when he says "It's an unfortunate thing, Grogu...but yes. You'll probably outlive most of us. While most would view that as a blessing, it's also a burden. That's the longevity of your kind...of Yoda's kind." The boy's expression lightens up. "But that's enough grim talk for one rotation. You already got your crystal in hand, so...let's talk about building sabers...hm?"

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A Week Later...on Coruscant...

   Padawan Clodd finds himself in a Lightsaber Spar with Master Cann. By now it appears that the boy himself has gained the upper-hand in this duel. "You're skills have failed you, Master," the boy says. "The Fight is Over."

   "So it seems," says Cann as he deactivates his saber. "But if this was a real fight, it would've ended differently." Clodd deactivates his saber, and his uncle continues talking. "Even in your current state, your force abilities are still no match for Count Dooku. After your promotion, you are to stay far from him."

   "As if it wasn't obvious already," says the voice of Bakkou as he enters the room with a cold look on his face.

   Master Cann greets Bakkou with a bow of his head. "Padawan Bakkou."

   Bakkou bows as well. He then looks over at Clodd and says "Yeah. With all due respect...'Brother'...you wouldn't last two minutes in a one-on-one fight against the Count or Maul for that matter. Hell, personally I don't think you're ready for the rank of Jedi Knight. You're far too weak for it."

   As Clodd stares down Bakkou, Master Cann defends his nephew by saying "We all have our limits, Bakkou. Clodd may not be strong enough to face Maul on his own, but the Council made a decision. It takes more than pure strength to be a Proper Jedi."

   "The Council isn't always right, Master." says Bakkou. "You know that as well as I do." He pauses briefly. "You saw what happened. The Galactic Senate let Barriss off without a hitch, and the Jedi Council did nothing to stop it."

   "There was nothing to be done," says Clodd shaking his head. "Going against the Senate was not a risk worth taking, Bakkou. I-I'm sorry."

   With a stern tone of voice, Bakkou replies "No...you're not. But when Barriss decides to frame somebody else for her misdeeds, you just might."