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THE PLANET OF CITIES bristled with energy. Speeders shot past each other in hundreds of lanes that lay below and next to one another, their headlights describing their very own dance like constellations in the darkening sky.

The sun began to set and the high buildings of Coruscant casted such long shadows, it was already dark in the streets and alleys below while the last sunrays still lit up the top floors.

In one of those buildings, the High Council was gathered.

The eleven Jedi Masters sat in a circle in the highest room of the southwestern tower of the Jedi Temple, but not all were physically there. Holograms of several Masters sat in the red chairs, the light of the setting sun falling right through them while the silhouette of the others fell on the floor. The twelfth Jedi Master --- Obi-Wan Kenobi --- stood in the middle of the circle as he addressed the council.

This morning he had arrived back at Coruscant and while R4 brought the encrypted plans of the Separatists to the Archives, Obi-Wan had taken some rest to recover from his encounter with the magna guards. However, now it was time to inform the council about his mission on Dylkogh.

'. . . the improvised firewall of the Separatists was tough, but Arfour managed to get through it; stealing the plans the firewall was supposed to protect.' Obi-Wan paused for a moment, his eyes traveling over the Masters, but before he could continue, the door behind him opened unexpectedly.

As one organism, all the Masters turned their head to look at the young padawan who stormed inside. His dark hair was a mess and in his eyes they could read astonishment as well as anguish.

'Kai Ryder,' Freia hissed to her padawan in a warning while she entered the room too.

'But master . . !' Kai started, 'they must know!'

'It can wait, you do not interrupt a council meeting. My apologies, Masters,' she said to the council, grabbing Kai's arm and dragging him back to the door. 'It will not happen again.'

Mace Windu crossed eyes with Grand Master Yoda and after a small nod from him, Windu folded his hands together and leaned a bit forward.

'Wait, Alathfire. We would like to hear what the padawan has to say.'

Freia let go of Kai and bowed. Even if she was surprised, she didn't let it show and kept a straight face. She always kept etiquette in mind, unlike her young padawan.

Obi-Wan returned to his seat as Kai took his place in the middle of the circle. Now that he had everyone's attention, he glanced a bit insecure at his master.

'Speak, boy,' Windu encouraged him, but his voice was stern and Kai quickly looked at him.

'Yes, sorry, Master,' he said with almost no pause between the words. He took a deep breath and continued more calmly. 'I was in the Archives, deciphering the plans as instructed. I was most grateful for that mission, by the way. Much better than battling droids on far away planets, if you ask me ---,'

'Kai. . .' Freia warned him again, and a smile tugged at Obi-Wan's lip. Granted, the boy was easily distracted but great with technology and robotics. In some ways even superior to the mathematical droids itself, and the reason why the council had tasked him with this assignment.

'Right, sorry,' he apologized again. 'The reason why I'm here is because I have cracked the plans, and, Masters, it's not good news. It is in fact very, very bad.'

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GOLDIE EMBER stood in the Crystal Cave of Ilum, her eyes closed as she listened to her surrounding and attuned herself with the Force. Her warm breath created small clouds in the cold air and for once, her bubbly personality was far in the background.

Years ago, when she was still a youngling, she had stood at the exact same spot during the Gathering. It felt ages ago when she had constructed her first lightsaber and now she had to create another one as she had lost it during a confrontation with the Separatists. Ventress had cut it in half and her green Kyber crystal was sadly beyond saving.

This time it was easier, though, she faced her fears head-on --- much more confident than when she had been a youngling --- and in the distance she could hear the music and harmony of her next Kyber crystal.

With a smile, she opened her eyes and breathed in her cold hands. The cave was freezing, just like the rest of the planet, but she was dressed occasionally and stylish: grasping the opportunity with both hands to dress in something else than her Jedi clothes.

Goldie's footsteps echoed against the walls of the cave, the frozen pebbles crackling beneath her brown boots as she made her way through the labyrinth. She let the Force guide her deeper and deeper into the cave, but she did not worry. The melodic hum of the crystal grew in strength and the sound made her feel warm; the midi-chlorians inside her body already in total union with the Kyber.

She halted in her pace when she noticed the illuminating crystal several feet in front of her. There it was, her next Kyber crystal. While only barely containing her excitement, she sprinted towards it and reached for it. It was almost the same size as her hand and as her graceful fingers curled around the still colourless crystal, the light started to change in hue.

Her breath hitched in her throat. It was most beautiful and she couldn't keep her eyes off of it.

Pink. Her next lightsaber would be pink.

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A/N:

whoo! first chapter! I hope you're as excited as I am, lol.

and please, I encourage everyone who hasn't completed their form yet to do it asap! it would be a shame if some don't have a master or no padawan :(

don't forget to tell me your thoughts so far, and see you all next chapter!

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characters introduced this chapter:

Padawan Kai Ryder by noorderster
Jedi Knight Freia Alathfire by Rebel_Born
and
Jedi Knight Goldie Ember by  xXAlaskaJonesXx

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