The war had ground the city of Christophsis into dust and glass. Shattered towers leaned like broken teeth against the skyline, their shadows cast long by the blazing sun. Streets once alive with commerce were reduced to rubble, filled now with the thunder of walkers and the whine of blaster fire. Clone troopers in gleaming white armor crouched behind makeshift barricades, exchanging fire with endless ranks of droids pressing forward in unrelenting waves.
On the front lines, two Jedi led the defense. Anakin Skywalker darted between cover with reckless speed, his blue blade a flash of light as he cut down a squad of advancing droids. Beside him, Obi-Wan Kenobi moved with measured grace, his blue saber deflecting bolts with perfect precision. They were fire and stone, reckless and deliberate, yet together they held the line.
But the droids kept coming. Columns of battle tanks rolled forward, their cannons blasting holes in the defenses. The clones scrambled to regroup, their comm chatter filled with tension.
"We can't hold them much longer, General!" shouted Captain Rex, crouched behind a fallen speeder.
Obi-Wan raised his saber, eyes narrowing. "Then we buy enough time for reinforcements to arrive. Anakin, any word from Master Yoda?"
Anakin sliced through a super battle droid, his face set in a grim smile. "Knowing Yoda, he's got something up his sleeve. He always does."
The words proved true. Overhead, a Republic shuttle broke through the haze of battle, descending toward their position. Clone cannons roared in approval. Anakin and Obi-Wan exchanged quick glances, their sabers flickering in rhythm as they carved space for the landing zone.
The shuttle touched down hard on cracked duracrete. The ramp hissed open. Out stepped a pair of figures.
The first was a Togruta girl, barely more than a child, her montrals and lekku striped white and orange. She carried herself with more confidence than her years should allow. "I'm Ahsoka Tano," she called out, her voice bright but firm. "Jedi Padawan. I was told to report to Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin froze mid-strike, lowering his saber. "What?"
The second figure emerged just behind her: taller, older, but still young—a boy of fifteen. His dark hair was cropped short, his frame already broad with training. A simple lightsaber hung at his belt, and beside it a small shard of metal wrapped in cloth. He stepped forward with deliberate calm, bowing low in the middle of the battlefield.
"Kaelen Shan," he said, voice steady despite the chaos around them. "I've been assigned to Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, cutting down a pair of droids without even glancing at them. "Assigned?"
"By the Council," Kaelen replied, meeting his eyes with quiet resolve. "They said the war would not wait for me to grow comfortable. So here I am."
Anakin let out a disbelieving laugh. "You've got to be kidding me. They sent us reinforcements, and it's—what?—kids?"
Ahsoka planted her hands on her hips, glaring up at him. "Not kids. Padawans. Big difference."
Kaelen didn't rise to the bait. He simply ignited his saber with a snap-hiss, the purple blade glowing against the haze. "With respect, Master Skywalker, if you'd rather argue than fight, I'll take your flank."
Even Obi-Wan paused at that.
Anakin's smirk faltered. "You've got some nerve."
"And discipline," Obi-Wan cut in smoothly, studying Kaelen. The boy's stance was solid, his eyes focused. "Stay close. We'll test both soon enough."
The moment ended as another barrage shook the ground. The four Jedi fell into motion—Anakin and Ahsoka leaping ahead with reckless momentum, Obi-Wan and Kaelen anchoring the line with measured precision.
The battle raged.
Ahsoka threw herself into the fray, her strikes fast but wild, relying on instinct more than training. Anakin barked orders and laughed even as bolts flew dangerously close. Kaelen moved differently. He flowed with the battle, his blade snapping into place before a droid fired, his precognition guiding him. Obi-Wan noticed at once.
"Remarkable," he murmured between parries.
Kaelen deflected another volley, sending bolts back into a tank's viewport. "My father always said… see the strike before it lands, and it will never touch you."
"Wise advice," Obi-Wan said, glancing at him. "Your father was a Jedi?"
"No," Kaelen said, his voice tight. "A Mandalorian."
Obi-Wan blinked, but before he could ask more, Kaelen surged forward, cutting a path for the clones to advance.
On the other flank, Ahsoka shouted, "Master Skywalker! Behind you!" Anakin spun, cutting down a droid she had missed. Their movements clashed and overlapped, a storm of energy and defiance.
As the battle dragged on, the Jedi regrouped in a ruined plaza, the droid army regrouping for another push. Obi-Wan and Anakin stood side by side, their Padawans mirroring them.
"This is ridiculous," Anakin muttered, pointing at Ahsoka. "You expect me to babysit her in the middle of a war?"
Ahsoka bristled. "I don't need babysitting. I just saved your life."
"Barely!"
"Enough," Obi-Wan said firmly. He turned to Kaelen. "And you? Any complaints about your assignment?"
Kaelen shook his head. "No, Master. The Force put me here for a reason. I trust it."
Obi-Wan studied him for a long moment. The boy was young, yes, but his composure was remarkable. There was Mandalorian steel in his posture, Jedi calm in his eyes. Obi-Wan couldn't help but think of Qui-Gon—independent, quietly defiant, yet steady.
Anakin groaned. "Why do you get the polite one?"
Obi-Wan's lips curved in the faintest smile. "Perhaps the Force finally decided to give me some luck."
From there, the battle shifted. The Separatists' lines broke under the Republic's counteroffensive. Obi-Wan orchestrated a feigned surrender, parleying with General Loathsom to stall for time, while Anakin and Ahsoka staged a surprise strike that tipped the balance. Kaelen remained at Obi-Wan's side, watching carefully as his Master turned words into weapons.
"You see, Kaelen," Obi-Wan murmured after Loathsom stormed away, "sometimes patience and diplomacy achieve what no blade can."
Kaelen nodded slowly. "Sometimes. But sometimes, you need both."
Obi-Wan hid his amusement. "Qui-Gon would have liked you."