12 Change of life

I descend the staircase as my parents and Satele speak. I don't know anything about Tython other than it's a republic world, and it's the current home of the Jedi. I look and see all the older Jedi training or meditating. I get outside and look around. There are defense turrets and younger jedis training with dummies. I walk down the stairs and start walking on the cold concrete and smell the fresh air. Satele did say to walk around, and she'll find me when it's time to say goodbye. As Nathan takes a small adventure around the grounds and compound Satele Shan speaks with Nathans's parents.

The young one is powerful. His destiny is uncertain, but he will have a huge impact on the galaxy. His connection is astonishing. I could feel him when he entered the system. I look at the parents of Nathan and see two bitter people. "You both made the right choice. Nathan is beyond what I've seen, and without someone to teach him, he'll be in danger all the time. Nathan is safe here as we train him." I watch the regret and anger in Lillis's eyes. She loves Nathan very much and will not want to part from him. The decision has been made, which is the last day they'll see him.

The father, Jorand, sighs deeply. "Grandmaster Satele. Nathan is our light and life, we couldn't have a child of our own, and then he was given to us. Please make sure nothing bad will happen to him... I can't stand the thought of him dead..." I did read Jace's report. He wrote one on his way here with the family. I know how the boy came to be in possession of these two, but I don't know anything before that. Jaces report states that Conobai ran into an entity called The Daughter while looking into Lillis's mind.

That bares investigation, but I've never heard of such a creature. "I promise you that I'll see to his training personally after he's ready to be a padawan. Until then, he'll join one of the youngling clans and train. Once he becomes a Jedi Knight, he will be allowed to seek you out, but that will be many years from now." That brings some relief to the hearts of these distraught parents. After jedis reach a certain rank, they have much more freedom. Many visit families they don't remember.

I won't lie; I've taken a liking to the boy. When he is ready, I'll be taking him as my padawan. "So where will we be going... We don't have any place to stay..." Lillis brings up a problem, but one the Jedi has a solution.

We have a program for parents of older younglings like Nathan. They will be sent to a safe house in a republic world and rewarded a monthly allowance. "Don't worry. You will be sent to a republic safe house on Coruscant or another world. The republic takes care of at-risk parents of Jedi younglings." While they won't get much, they will be safe with constant supervision and protection from the republic. They seem to be in a better mood now. We aren't heartless, contrary to popular belief.

I reach out my sense and immediately feel where Nathan is. That will be something he needs to work on. Reducing one's presence in the force is a core class here on Tython. Since this war has no end in sight, we must train for combat scenarios. "I'll go and grab Nathan. I've already ordered a shuttle for you, and the republic will take care of you from now on." They nod their heads, and I exit the council chambers. Now it's time to find little Nathan. He might actually be having fun. His presence isn't so gloomy anymore.

Once outside, I follow his presence and find him sitting with many other younglings. Many are older than him by many years. "Nathan." He hears his name being called, and he turns to me. I tilt my head for him to come along with me. He runs up to my side and stands close. "Were you having a good conversation? Those younglings are going to be selected by masters soon." He nods his head with some excitement.

I wouldn't say I like tearing families apart, which is one of the downsides to being a Jedi. "They were telling me about their choices in fighting forms. How many are there, Satele." He isn't in the habit of calling his superiors master yet, but he will eventually. That discipline is what's going to help him grow into a powerful Jedi.

Many younglings first start with Shii-Cho to deflect blaster fire and deal with many enemies. After advancing far enough with Shii-Cho, younglings will choose what styles to learn the basics of, but younglings aren't allowed to learn more than the basics of forms until they get a Master's. I'm a Niman practitioner myself. "There are 7 main styles. However, there are many more obscure ones that require more self-study. You will learn all this when you start attending the youngling classes, so don't focus on that right now." He lowers his head, getting the meaning behind my words.

We head to one of the many landing pads and see his parents waiting for him. That is a shuttle going to Coruscant. I watch him run up to his parents and hug them. This is a scene that puts a pit in my stomach. If only Theron... "I'm going to really miss you guys, and I promise that I'll become the best I can be!" Little Nathan says that while choking on tears. His mother is crying harder than he is. I watch her plant as many kisses as she can before letting go.

Jorand wraps him in a big fatherly hug and stays strong for both his wife and son. "Don't worry, Nathan. I'm sure we will see each other sooner rather than later." Jorand pulls away and hugs his wife. They walk backward into the ship to keep looking at their son. Once inside, the ramp slowly closes, and I watch Lillis bury her face in her husband's chest. The ship lifts and begins heading into space. I walk up to Nathan and hold out my hand so he can hold it.

He grips it tightly, and I can feel his pain. "C'mon, Nathan, let's go and get you everything you need. You are being given youngling robes and a personal datapad. Training sabers won't be given to you or your fellow younglings until the council deems your clan worthy. You will be placed in the Water clan. They are short one member." He nods his head, and his tears slowly fall. I crouch down and pick him up. He buries his face in my shoulder as he cries. Tomorrow will be his first day.

[A/N: I'm going to make him a Niman practitioner. He will also be heavily incorporating Ataru and Shein elements into his form. I like Niman because it's a lesser mix of most styles, but it opens up the user to execute powerful force attacks. He will also be using force augmentation a lot, like force speed and force leap. I hope this is cool for all of you. I'm getting tired of trying to write from a nine-year-old's perspective. I'm time-skipping to him becoming padawan. That's when the story will level out with no huge time skips. I will utilize flashbacks here and there to discuss things that happened during his youngling training.]