Every Star Needs A Blade [Doug/Crystal Caves]

[Josh Dragovalor]

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

Voss did not hold any crystal caves to speak of - to bring ones Padawans to in order to have them construct their first lightsaber. It was a shame really, but Josh knew that he was going to have to bring his Padawan to the planet of Tython. If it was at present being occupied by a faction or even another Jedi Order? To be quite honest, he didn't give a damn. If it was occupied by a Jedi Order and they tried to stop them, then they were just being anything but Jedi if they were seriously trying to stop Padawans from constructing their lightsabers, and they would be dealt with as such.

Either way, Josh's Padawan, Douglas Starwind had done his part in proving just why he deserved to hold a weapon of this importance. A lightsaber was part of a Jedi's identity to most... And it was part of the Jedi, it really was. It would be a weapon they would likely spend most of their lives wielding. And after all this time using training sabers and being trained how to use them, and even having a mission or two under their belt, Josh felt that the Padawan finally deserved to come to the caves and construct their first lightsaber.

And so, Josh walked into the crystal caves on Tython, with Padawan Starwind behind him. He would look around first, then look toward his Padawan.

"This is where you shall take the lead" He would instruct. "If you face down a beast, you will make your own way around it... I will only lend aid if it becomes necessary. This is your own trial to face, navigating these caves... This as much a test as it is a reward. Be ready for it. And good luck."

 

[Douglas Starwind]

The moment had arrived. Doug knew it was coming soon, but the time where he would forego using the training saber was upon him. He couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as well as a little excited, but he kept himself in check. He and Josh had traveled from the Jedi Temple to another planet called Tython, which housed the location they needed for the task at hand. The planet had apparently been the sight of many journeys of the past to get the crystals needed in the building of lightsabers. This wasn't going to be as simple as walking in, building the lightsaber, and then leaving it would seem.

When he and Josh walked into the crystal caves, his master Josh revealed that he was going to have to take the lead and navigate through this unfamiliar territory. He not only had to find where they needed to go, but apparently they might even run into some "company" during the little adventure. The idea of dealing with a beast unnerved him slightly, but he reminded himself that there was no need for alarm. He had been training for this. If Josh brought him here, he clearly was ready to handle whatever they would find.

Doug took a deep breath and stepped forward once Josh was finished explaining what he had to do. He looked around the cavernous area himself. He thought to himself a simple phrase, "The Force is with me..." He then began to walk forward with a hand rested on his training saber in case they ran into any trouble, beginning the journey into the cave.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Douglas Starwind.

It had been more than two years since he had picked this kid up on an off-the-map planet in the Outer Rim... The kid had been dumb enough to sneak aboard, stow away onto a slaver ship because they had plucked his parents from Tatooine... Brave, but stupid. Had Josh not been there, Starwind would have died. But the kid had guts... A lot of guts. And a lot of courage. He admired him for that... Even if he had his issues.

All Josh could do was hope to temper out the issues, and improve even further on his strengths... He knew he would be a great Jedi one day... He still knew that. Now, Doug had earned the right to wield the Jedi's sacred weapon... A lightsaber. He was proud... Very proud. But the journey between them wasn't over just yet. Doug was still a bit wet behind the ears, but... He was getting there.

Doug had little combat experience before settling in with the Jedi, but he hoped the training he had given him would prove useful here. Once Josh had given his explanation though, he slowed his step, and gave his Padawan a light nod to indicate it was now time for him to take the lead lead. He would allow for Doug to explore the caves... Josh would journey with him, but a few paces behind. This was his path... His journey. His test. If he was to find a crystal... He should find it of his own merits... And choose on his own.

This was his adventure.

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

What had only been around four years felt like ages to Doug. This bizarre adventure of sorts began when he was around 17 and he was now 21 years old... Some of the last memorable events had happened around two years ago now. He certainly was feeling the fruits of his labor. His connection with the Force felt stronger, his combat experience improved a fair bit but still not quite perfect, his knowledge on some things such as weaponry had improved, and he had at least gotten chances to be a bit more outgoing with others... That wasn't saying much given his nature, but... He appreciated it nonetheless. His younger self likely would be in awe at where he was now... To think one admittedly horrifying event would send him on such a journey. He had something more now and he wanted to help however he could.

He wasn't quite sure why he was reminiscing about the past exactly, but he just felt kinda... Proud or happy. He was hoping he wouldn't disappoint Josh as this expedition was part of a culmination of his training up to this point.

He glanced around the cave more. It was certainly a different sort of setting than what he had generally experienced and he had to explore it until he found what they were here for... The crystal that was a cornerstone in creating a lightsaber. It is possible that they would run into multiple colors of crystals, but there was a specific color he had in mind... He would have to actually find it, though. Finding any kind of crystal at all wouldn't be a mere walk in the park, though, so he had to keep his wits about him.

With a nod from his Master after he stepped forward, Doug began to set off deeper into the cave, still with one of his hands hovering over his training saber. His eyes would dart around occasionally as he wanted to be cautious. Brave, but also careful. He didn't know what to expect beyond the admittedly vague beasts that Josh had mentioned.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh had used the current to hide himself from vision and sense, to give Doug the impression that he truly was on his own in this state. But he would follow along nonetheless. He would stay just a ways behind him in case things got far too dicey for Doug. Here was here to be tested and to train and to learn... No to be killed. Josh was not the cruel type, and would intervene when it was clear that Starwind was in trouble.

Either way, it was more than color that made a Jedi’s blade. A color could be changed with a coloring crystal easily... But the force crystal within the saber, that was a part of you, tied to you, tied to your very being, your essence, your soul, your very connection to the Force as you knew it.

But speaking of trouble... Doug would find it coming to him soon enough.

Rumbling would begin to sound throughout the cave, letting them know something was coming their way... And it sounded big. Very big.

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

As the Padawan continued deeper into the depths of the cave, he was definitely getting a sort of isolated feeling. With Josh hanging in the back and even seeming to disappear into the background, Doug did get a sense that he was on his own. It unnerved him slightly to say the least, but he took a few deep breaths. He had the abilities to defend himself... The training saber was not a useless weapon and he had the Force. He had to continue keeping that in mind.

As he continued to walk along, things seemed relatively serene at first, but then he began to hear a rumbling sound. Not just hear it, but feel it as well. He quickly pulled his Training Saber out and activated it as it looked like he might be in for a fight against some large sounding creature. He hoped that he would be able to take it down without having to get too lethal with his tactics given he wasn't exactly here for a fight, but he had nowhere to really hide at this point so he had to brace himself. He stepped back a little and got his footing in check.

If Doug could attack whatever is coming carefully and get a good grip with the Force, he felt that he should be fine... If all else failed, he could probably just try to get away.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Some kind of monster, a good 15 feet tall, would stomp into the area, and Josh would take a deep breath as he stared up at it. It was on all fours, scaly, and had horns sticking out from not just it's head but it's entire back in a straight line of spiked horns. The thing didn't look happy that it had been disturbed, so it was likely that Starwind would have to fight. As the monster would see Starwind, it would wind up and begin to charge at him on all fours at full speed...

Josh was ready, of course, to step in if it was necessary. For now, this would be an adequate test of what Doug had learned during his time with Josh the last few years. Now they would see, how far he had come... And if he couldn't do it, of course, no worries. Josh had every intent to step in and take the thing down himself should it prove to be far stronger than he was expecting it to.

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

Good lord, that beast was large. Doug couldn't quite pinpoint how tall it was, but it certainly towered above him. Alas, while it did look big and scary, it likely did not have the brain power to formulate a plan... Or to be expecting the Force. Doug let off a cheeky smirk for a second before his expression went more serious again. The beast had begun charging at Doug as expected, but Doug was ready... Or at least he felt like he was.

Doug felt the Force around him and he squatted down. Just at the right moment, Doug then propelled himself forward and high into the air with a Force-empowered jump and with a flip, he managed to slice down on the beast's back with his Training Saber before landing on the ground behind it. It wasn't exactly a complicated maneuver for a Jedi, but he was testing the waters a bit. If necessary, he would try to bring out some bigger powers for dealing with the creature.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The beast was reeling, yes, but would it be enough? Had that been a real lightsaber, maybe it'd have done some serious damage, but it wasn't, and it almost made Josh feel guilty for not lending him a stronger weapon in case something like this came up. The beast of course only seemed to be even more unhappy after that slash, and would soon enough get back up and instead of charging, move forward at a slower pace before trying to impale it's front horns through Doug.

Josh would take a deep breath as he slowly made his way over, watching this with worry. His hand was already on his lightsaber...

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

As was expected, the creature was not exactly pleased with the action that Doug had taken. Doug had to keep in mind that his weapon was weaker than a normal lightsaber so it obviously wasn't going to be causing a lot of damage without more attacks. He watched as the beast got up from his strike and then it began to charge at him once more, albeit at a slower place compared to before.

Doug was able to see the beast coming as he was keeping a close eye on it. He quickly ran to the side and did a Force-imbued leap to gain some distance between him and the beast. His heart was racing, but he had to get some focus going. He inhaled, clenched his left fist for a moment, and then held it forward, shooting out a simple Force Push. While it likely wouldn't be strong enough to send the beast flying away or anything, he had hoped the beast would get tripped up while its trying to stop so he could gain a sort of advantage over it.

Doug took a few breaths after this as he put a bit of extra power into the Push compared to usual. He presumed thy mighty Master Josh was watching... Was Doug doing well so far? He hoped so. He then waited to see what the beast would try to do to him next.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zPn8Pqt_x8

Josh did regret having him go through this with a weaker weapon but he hadn't really expected for a monster like this to show up. Unfortunately, the Force Push didn't seem to have any effect on it, and the monster would charge, regaining it's speed as it's eyes would turn a crimson hue and begin to speed up more and more. The velocity that it was going could potentially could serious damage to Starwind if it hit...

Seeing that this was more powerful than Josh had predicted, Josh would decide that it was time to intervene. The Jedi Master would re-appear in mid-air, gritting his teeth as he would hold out both hands. Letting out a scream, Josh would attack with Force Repulse, the final equivalent of the Force Push as the attack would send things flying from every direction, likely including Starwind if he wasn't careful. The beast would fly back, despite it's size, and Josh would disappear again as it would get up. The beast would decide to charge at Starwind again, but Josh would suddenly re-appear at it's feet, activating his lightsaber and slashing across the back of one of it's knees, hobbling the beast. Quickly, Josh would scale it as it would snap at him with it's jaws. The Jedi Master would toss his lightsaber high into the air once he reached the monster's head head and would hold out a hand, the beast - having been trying to snap at him again - being stopped in it's tracks with it's mouth wide open. With his other hand, Josh would exert, as a piece of the rock wall would be pulled out, and come flying toward them at top speed. Josh would release and leap off the beast, using the Force to bring his lightsaber back to him as he would deactivate it, just in time to land right as the rock would smash into the beasts' head.

The attack was enough to knock it out cold as the beast would topple. It wasn't dead, no. Just incapacitated. Taking a deep breath, Josh would walk over to Doug, and nod his head.

"You did well, holding your own as long as you did" He praised calmly as he would then begin to lead the way. "Come... Let's make sure you're never ill prepared for such a challenge again. I take full responsibility for this... This was the result of my shortcoming, and for that... I apologize.

Allow me to make it right."

The two would come to a room that was filled to the brim with glowing crystals... He would stop then, and turn toward Doug.

"Here is where you will find a crystal that has a match with your Force signature... Take your time. Don't judge them on looks... Judge... On how you feel. Feel for a connection. Do not choose for it's colour, for a colour crystal is different... Do not look for the sake of power, for power is not all in the looks, and looks... Can be very deceiving.

Search your feelings... Your heart will tell you where you belong. And what crystal belongs to you."

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

It wasn't enough...

Doug had put more effort into that Force Push than many he had done before, but it still wasn't enough. It actually wore him out a bit. As he had been catching his breath, the beast had quickly started gunning for him again. Doug gripped onto his training saber more tightly and tried to ready himself to act again, but before he could do anything, he suddenly heard a familiar voice screaming and he felt a very powerful push in all directions that sent a lot of rubble flying and the beast itself promptly was sent away as well. Doug had tried to keep his ground as the push sent him sliding away a short distance, but he ended up falling over onto his back.

Doug muttered and slowly got back onto his knees as he watched Josh easily deal with the beast he had been having a bit of trouble with. He wasn't a Jedi Master for no reason after all. He had been at this for way longer than Doug had been and all he could really do was watch in an almost awestruck manner.

Doug slowly got back onto his feet and turned off the training lightsaber, putting the hilt back on his belt. Josh then approached him. Doug looked down at the ground as he almost expected a critique on how he handled things... But much to his surprise, Josh himself took on the responsibility for putting Doug into a dangerous situation as it seems such a creature was truly out of his realm at this point in his training and he was even commended for holding his own for awhile. Doug didn't know what to really say as he tried to make out words, but he ended up going quiet. Josh was not exactly wrong, but this sad sort of way he spoke made Doug feel bad. Doug had been training for a few years now, but he still had a long ways to go as he had seen before his very eyes. He would need to work harder, but how? He would need to muse about it more once their journey was done for the time was now...

The two promptly walked through the caves without much issue until they had reached another room that was alight with shining crystals of a variety of colors... This was their destination they had been looking for. Before he could go look, Josh had given him a few pointers on how he should choose his saber. It was not a matter of the crystal's color or for power. He had to look deep inside of himself to find what crystal would be the one to pick Doug had understood what he said and nodded. "Of course, Master..."

Doug stepped forward and looked around. There were a variety of different colors of crystals in the room ranging from blue to even yellow. Doug stopped in the middle of the room and pondered over what Josh was saying. "Search my feelings..." Doug thought, but then had an idea. He sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and then began to enter a meditative state. He went into his mind, feeling a faint energy coming off of the crystals, and he saw... A blue sky. All above him was clear, blue skies, and underneath him was... Sand. Was he seeing... Tatooine? In his mind, he looked up at the skies and began to get an idea. Was this... What he was wanting? A reminder of home? A clear future ahead of him and for others? These thoughts swirled around in his mind and he began to feel a sort of... Connection. The landscapes around him then darkened as he began to leave the state.

Doug opened his eyes and stood up, a serene expression on his face. "... I know." He simply said as he began to walk over to a batch of blue crystals. He looked at the crystals and noticed there was an area of crystals that seemed to be a brighter blue than usual. The color would remind him of a blue sky. "... I saw clear skies above me and then began to feel a... Connection. This... This is it." He began to utter out loud. He felt rather odd after that brief meditation session, but also... A certainty. What he wanted was clear.

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh's thoughts were adrift on how he could keep this sort of thing from happening again. He considered lending them a vibroblade but... They hadn't been trained to use them and they were still, even if quite lightweight, still quite heavier than a lightsaber... No, he hadn't been wrong to have him use a training lightsaber here, but not at the power it was at...

Wait a minute...

If he could get permission from the Order to have access to the controls for the training sabers so he could turn them up to half during missions, so long as his Padawans knew how to use them by then... Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. They would be far better able to defend themselves, at least. Yes... That seemed like the correct way to go about it in future. Not that it mattered for Doug right now, of course...

He would sit down, legs crossed and watch as Doug would go to work. From crystal to crystal, he seemed to finally have some kind of connection, a vision, when he came to one... And just like that, he had chosen.

Nodding his head, he would motion for Doug to come over to him, as he would take out a scroll and unfold it on the ground. It was the lightsaber parts that Doug had picked out for himself earlier on, including the color crystal he had wanted, while Josh had been giving a lecture about lightsabers, their place in the order, and how to build them...

Josh would motion toward the parts and the crystal, motioning for him to take a part from the crystal to an exact specification using the Force, before motioning back to the parts.

"It's all you, now."

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

Once Doug had connected to the bright blue crystals through some visions he had seen while briefly meditating, he was asked to walk over to Josh, who had unrolled a scroll in front of him containing a specific set of parts. Before he and Josh came to Tython, Doug had gone and picked out these parts as they would go into the construction of his lightsaber. This hilt for his blade would be one unlike any others... In theory.

Doug followed Josh's motion as he lifted up the crystal to the exact position. From here, he was on his own. "Of course, Master..." He said to Josh's brief remark. He knew he could do this. He had gotten more skilled at using the Force for these telekinetic matters over the few years.

The crystal remained in place and Doug began to carefully use the Force to lift up the parts for the hilt into the air around it. It required many delicate movements as one slip-up could cause some... Unfortunate consequences. With the parts now floating in the air, he carefully began to move everything into place. The emitter, the power source, the general outer part of the hilt, the actual switch that would turn the lightsaber on... Everything carefully began to move into place and Doug made sure everything was tightened up and nothing was loose or out of place. Careful... Careful... And... Everything looked to be in order.

Floating before Doug and his Master was his own creation... Starwind's Lightsaber...

The hilt was predominantly a gold, silver, and black color. The gold was almost like the color of certain stars with its slight orange tint. It was made to have a good grip to it, but was fairly straightforward in design for a lightsaber beyond its unique color scheme. This coloring was a way to make it stand out. Make it... His own. Many could recognize it as a calling card of someone fighting for the light. Fighting for peace and what was right.

Doug carefully levitated the completed lightsaber over to him and grabbed onto it. He made sure the lightsaber was aiming upward before he pressed a silvery activator button. With a familiar Sssshhh sound, the bright blue energy blade emerged from the top of the hilt, basking the general area around Doug and his master in its glow like a blue sky. "Whoa... I... Well... There it is." Doug said cheekily with a grin actually emerging on his face, looking at the lightsaber in awe. He looked legitimately proud of himself for what he had just done and didn't even know exactly how to react. He glanced at Josh to see how he reacted to Doug's successful construction of the hilt.

He had accomplished the task many had set out to do before him, but this was his own story. It's had a few bumps on the road, but it was still his own. Where he would go from here, he was uncertain, but his journey was far from over...

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh would no as he would watch Doug go to work. He had passed the test, even if he hadn't defeated the monster. The fact was, the test was not the monster at all. The test had been overcoming his nerves, and steeling forward with courage, no matter what might await him. The test had been to brave the unknown, and that had been exactly what Doug had done. He would sit down, cross-legged as he would in that moment note the particular parts he had picked. His lightsaber as an interesting color. Not the blade, no, but the color of the hilt itself. It was not something he had seen before... But it suited him well. He would watch as the parts would float through the air, clicking in place, one at a time... And finally, the lightsaber was finished.

It was his blade. His own. No more training sabers for him... This was his, and his only. It would be the weapon he would rely on for most likely the rest of his life. And finally, he would turn it on. The bright blue blade of energy would sprout up, and a small smile crossed Josh's lips. A proud smile...

"Congratulations" He spoke softly as he would rise to his feet. "It's all yours. Just remember why you crafted that saber... You crafted it to protect those across the galaxy... Remember your mission. We are defenders. We will always be defenders... Keepers of the peace. This blade reflects that mission. Use it wisely.

Your training... Is now at the halfway point. Learn well... It will only get more difficult from here on."

[member="Douglas Starwind"]

 

[Douglas Starwind]

The small smile that stretched over Doug's face persisted as Josh spoke to him about the lightsaber he had just constructed. A weapon to defend those across the galaxy... Not for meaningless bloodshed... For those he must protect. Whether they be fellow Jedi or the innocent civilians that spanned across the stars. The stars... That is what his hilt reminded him of. Almost like a sun with its golden color.

Doug nodded as Josh finished speaking. "Thank you, Master. I promise that this blade will shine down upon those who need our help like the star and skies above us. I also promise that I will continue to give it my all in anything that I am faced with. This is a weapon to accomplish such tasks. For you, for my family back home, for the others, and for those we must protect." He said, his speech actually getting a bit flowery in a way that he had never really spoken like before. It was clear that what he had accomplished meant a lot to him and he had a lot to say. He managed to cut himself short luckily. He then deactivated the lightsaber and hitched the golden hilt onto his belt at his side. He chuckled a little. It looked good... Like it belonged there.

He knew that he would be faced with tasks that would grow ever more difficult over time... But he would be ready for them. He would count on it...

This little star grew brighter in the galaxy...​

​

[member="Josh DragonsFlame"]