Here's another episode based chapter for you guys. "Trials of the Darksaber (Season 3, Episode 15). Enjoy!

It was an unexpected busy day at Chopper Base. Shipments and cargo were coming in from all over.

It was kind of overwhelming...

I was helping Sabine, Chopper, and AP-5 with the shipments that were coming in. When I looked over at the Ghost, I saw Fenn Rau get off his speeder.

I was actually waiting for him to arrive.

"Right on time, Rau." I said.

"When am I ever late?" he asked.

Rolling my eyes, the two of us walked on the Ghost and headed to Kanan's room. When we arrived, Rau opened the door and we saw Kanan meditating.

"You wanted to speak with us?" Rau asked.

"I've got something to show you." Kanan said, gesturing his hand to let us enter.

Rau and I walked in and sat apart from the blind Jedi.

"What's this about?" Rau asked.

Kanan then held up what appeared to be a lightsaber.

"A lightsaber?" I asked.

"Not just any lightsaber." Kanan said.

Once he activated it, the blade was black. My eyes widened in amazement.

I've never seen a black lightsaber before...

"Whoa..." I said as Kanan moved the blade around.

"It can't be," Rau said.

"So you recognize it?" Kanan asked.

"That I do. It is the darksaber, a symbol for the leader of House Vizsla, and later, the group known as Death Watch."

The darksaber, huh...?

Kanan nodded and deactivated the weapon.

"I've never seen a lightsaber like that before." I said.

"I didn't know Mandalorians developed a type of lightsaber." Kanan said, handing the weapon to Rau.

"We didn't. This was one of a kind. Legend tells that it was created over a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian ever inducted by the Jedi Order. After his passing, the Jedi kept the saber in their temple. That was until members of House Vizsla snuck in and liberated it. They used the saber to unify the people and strike down those who would oppose them. One time, they ruled all of Mandalore wielding this blade." Rau said.

Heck of a legend...

"This saber is an important symbol to that house and respected by the other clans. I imagine Sabine was excited to recover it," Rau said.

"You wouldn't know it." I scoffed.

"After we got back from Dathomir, she gave it to me for safekeeping and hasn't brought it up since." Kanan said.

"She doesn't want the responsibility."

Kanan looked off to the side and nodded slightly.

"Kanan, Zelara, if Sabine can wield this saber, she can reunite one of the most powerful houses in all of Mandalore," Rau said.

"You're talking about raising an army." Kanan said.

"With Sabine leading it."

Kanan and I looked at each other with concerned expressions.

It's a good idea, but I doubt Sabine will think the same...

The three of us soon went into the common room where Hera, Zeb, Chopper, and Ezra were.

"Chop, go and get Sabine." Hera said.

Chopper warbled and rolled out of the common room. After a while of waiting, the door opened and revealed the Mandalorian.

"I won't do it." Sabine said instantly.

Knew that was coming.

"So you do know what the darksaber is," Rau said.

"I know it caused my family nothing but trouble after Maul took it," Sabine said.

"Maul used it to divide and conquer our people. You can wield it to do the opposite."

"Wield it? You're crazy. Kanan, tell him he's crazy."

"Consider what he has to say." Kanan said.

"What?" Ezra and Sabine asked in surprise.

Hera and I gave Ezra a smug look before turning back to listen.

"I don't think it's a coincidence this saber came into your possession." Kanan said.

"Yeah, but, Kanan, that doesn't mean she can fight with it. No offense," Ezra said.

"Go on." Sabine said in an annoyed tone.

"What I mean is... Look, it's taken me a while to learn, and, I mean, I use the Force."

Way to play it smooth, Ezra. Way to play it smooth...

"She might not be able to fight like a Jedi, but she can learn to be proficient with the blade." Kanan said.

"I agree." I said.

"I am proficient, with many types of blades and blasters and explosives, but that is a lightsaber," Sabine said.

"The combat training is not as important as what that blade represents." Rau said.

"Right, right, you want me to lead my clan. I don't know if you realize this, but I'm not that popular with my family these days."

That's right. They think Sabine is a traitor. Obviously, she isn't.

"That can change." Rau said.

"No, it can't. You don't know what you're talking about." Sabine said, crossing her arms in frustration.

A look of concern loomed over my face.

"I know that family is important to the Wrens, just like it is to all Mandalorians." Rau said.

"I have a family, here, on this ship. I don't need them." Sabine said.

"But we do." Hera chimed in.

Everyone immediately turned to the Twe'lik.

"If there's a chance you can rally an army of Mandalorian warriors to our cause, I have to ask you to do it," Hera said, standing up.

"Hera." Sabine said half-heartedly.

"Family history can be painful. Believe me, I know. But we can use those warriors for our attack on Lothal."

Sabine looked away in disgust.

"Hera's right. We need to ask you to do this, but that doesn't mean you have to. You can walk away and forget about it." Kanan said.

Sabine thought for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"All right. I'll do it. Just give me the saber." Sabine said, holding out her hand.

Kanan held out the saber and when Sabine was going to snatch it away, Kanan's grip on the weapon got tighter.

"Listen. Once people know you have it, you will be challenged. And you need to be able to defend yourself." Kanan said.

"Okay, I'll try my best." Sabine said.

"First lesson, don't try. Just learn." Ezra chimed in.

Hera and I both gave Ezra a disgusted looked.

"Give me the sword. I'm gonna learn how to kick your..." Sabine began.

"Sabine." Kanan said in a calming voice.

Sabine breathed out before looking back at the blind Jedi.

"Okay." Sabine said.

Kanan nodded and then let go of the darksaber. Sabine gripped the weapon and admired the hilt. Ezra, Kanan, Sabine, and I soon packed some comping supplies and got in a speeder. Ezra took control and drove from the outskirts of the base to the wastelands.

"Hey, why can't we just practice back at the base?" Sabine asked.

"It's better out here. Fewer distractions. Keeps your mind focused." Kanan said.

"And more open range. Allows you to practice wherever you want." I said.

"And it's safer for everyone else. You'll do less damage." Ezra said.

"I'll damage you if you don't shut up."

Ezra smiled cheekily and continued to our campsite. Once we arrived, the four of us started unpacking and started setting up camp. When Sabine and Ezra put down the last crate, Sabine let out a relieved sigh and sat down on another crate.

"When you said you were going to be training me, I thought there'd be more sword fighting involved." Sabine said.

"Hey, it's always like this. He was the same with me, and then Zelara came and showed me a whole new perspective." Ezra said.

"Yeah, and looked how well you've turned out." Kanan said.

I let out a laugh as I followed behind the blind Jedi.

"Are you being serious? Is he being serious?" Sabine asked.

"I can never tell." Ezra said.

"We should get started." Kanan said.

Sabine got up and dusted off her armor.

"Uh, try not to sound so excited." Sabine said.

Kanan then threw Sabine a stick, and Sabine caught it in confusion.

"Hey, what's this?" Sabine asked.

"Training saber," Kanan said.

"Really?"

"Before we start with the real thing, I want to see your technique."

"I already know how to fight with a stick."

"Then this should be easy for you."

I stood at Ezra's side and looked between my two friends.

This should be interesting...

Sabine and Kanan took their positions and readied their training sabers. Sabine then charged at Kanan and thrust her training saber forward. Kanan moved to the side and pushed Sabine until her back met the ground.

That went by quicker than I expected...

"Oh!" Ezra exclaimed dramatically.

I rolled my eyes and continued to watch.

"That might work on a Stormtrooper, but not me." Kanan said.

Sabine grabbed the training saber and started swinging back and forth. Kanan knocked the training saber out of her hand and kneed her in the stomach. Sabine tried to punch the blind Jedi, only to be pushed backward. Kanan then brought his training saber down on Sabine's back until she was on her hands and knees. Kanan then rested the training saber up against Sabine's neck.

"And that's your head." Kanan said.

Sabine looked away in disgust when Kanan removed the training saber.

"Every mistake is a limb lost. The blade is never at rest." Kanan said, walking away from Sabine.

"Okay, let's go again." Sabine said, standing up.

Kanan sighed and shook his head slightly.

"No. You better practice with Ezra first," Kanan said.

"All right." Ezra said, taking the training saber eagerly.

"Why?" Sabine asked.

"Ezra, walk her through the forms." Kanan said.

"Kanan!"

I got up and stopped Kanan before he could walk by me.

"I think you might've been a little too hard on her. I mean, this is her first time training with you. Cut her some slack." I said.

"The dangers that lie ahead won't cut her some slack." Kanan said.

I watched as Kanan walked by with an expressionless look on his face. I turned to the two teens and watched as Ezra taught Sabine the basic forms.

"One... two... three..." Ezra counted.

With every number, there was a different form Ezra taught Sabine. For the next couple of days, Ezra went over the same forms with Sabine. I stood on top of a cliff next to Kanan, watching over the two teens. Then, our comlinks started beeping.

"I read you, Hera," Kanan said.

"It's been a couple of days. I wanted to see how things are going," Hera said.

"Ugh, slowly. Ezra's still taking her through the basic forms with the training sabers."

"Training sabers? You mean those sticks you and Zeb made?"

"He's being careful, he says." I said.

"Were you careful with Ezra? I don't remember him fighting with a stick."

Thank you. Finally, someone says it...

"Well, maybe I'm trying to do things differently this time," Kanan said.

"Or maybe because she doesn't have the Force, you don't believe she can do this?" Hera asked.

"No."

"Liar..." I mumbled.

"The Force resides in all living things. But you have to be open to it. Sabine is blocked. Her mind is conflicted. She's so expressive yet so tightly wound. She's so..."

"Mandalorian."

Kanan let out a frustrated groan.

"Very," Kanan said.

"I cannot help but agree. But Sabine does have potential." I said.

"I'll be sending out supplies. Is there anything specific you need?" Hera asked.

"Patience, understanding." Kanan said.

I huffed out a chuckle and shook my head in amusement.

"I'll see what I can do." Hera said.

Kanan put away his comlink and turned to me.

"What am I going to do with her?" Kanan sighed.

"You'll figure something out." I said.

The two of us started walking down the cliff, our eyes fixated on the dueling teens.

"Seems like Ezra's giving her a hard time," I said.

"Maybe I should've let you teach her the basics. Then, we would've gotten somewhere." Kanan said.

"I couldn't agree more."

Reaching the campsite, the two of us watched as Ezra and Sabine dueled with the training sabers.

"That's not gonna work." Kanan said.

"Working so far." Sabine said.

After a few swings, Ezra stopped and gave Sabine a small smile.

"I think you're doing well." Ezra said.

"Opinion noted." Sabine said, punching Ezra's shoulder.

Sabine then started swinging and slashing her saber every which way. Ezra either blocked or avoided her attacks like they were nothing. I turned to Kanan and saw him shake his head tiredly. I then saw Rau come around the corner with a supply crate on the back of his speeder.

"I've got your supplies." he said.

Rau then turned his attention to the dueling teens.

I will say, Sabine is definitely holding her own against Ezra.

Sabine then brought down her training saber, but Ezra swiftly dodged it. Sabine stumbled forward but soon caught herself before she could fall. When she turned around, Ezra pointed out his training saber at her and made Sabine fall backward.

"You overcommitted." Rau said.

"Oh, good. Anyone else have an opinion they wish to share?" Sabine asked, standing up.

I would say something, but I'll keep it to myself, for now.

"Let's take a break." Kanan said.

Sabine threw her training saber on the ground, and the clatter rang throughout the area.

"Ezra, come help me unload these supplies." I said.

"What? I won. Shouldn't I get the break?" Ezra asked.

Kanan and I gave Ezra stern, impatient looks. Ezra sighed and walked towards the speeder to help Kanan and I unload the supplies. Lifting the crate off the speeder, Ezra and I placed it on the ground when we saw Sabine walk up to us, wearing twin braces.

"What have you got there?" Ezra scoffed.

"More than you can handle." Sabine challenged.

"Oh, yeah? Well, maybe I won't go easy on you this time."

Kanan and I leaned against two crates to watch the two of the duel again. Ezra was the first to make a move. He ran up to Sabine and brought down his training saber, but Sabine quickly stopped his attack. Their training sabers collided many times before Sabine held out her hand and push Ezra away with some kind of shockwave, making the kid stumble backward.

That's a new trick.

When Ezra got back on his feet, Sabine tripped him up and made him fall on his back. Ezra was about to get up, but not before Sabine pointed her training saber at him, claiming her victory.

"And that's your head," Sabine said.

"Hey! Not fair! Where did you get those?" Ezra asked.

"Special delivery." Sabine said.

I turned to Kanan to see him getting up.

"Kanan, don't." I said.

Of course, the blind Jedi didn't acknowledge my warning.

"Hey! Is this a game for you?" Kanan asked.

"No game, just outsmarting my opponent. Care to take a shot?" Sabine asked.

She then shot out a yellow lasso that quickly coiled around Kanan, completely immobilizing him. Ezra, Rau, and I all stared at the scene in surprise. Kanan was able to activate his lightsaber, making the lasso release him. Kanan then grabbed the end of the lasso and yanked Sabine over to him. Sabine was about to use her training saber on him but was stopped when Kanan's lightsaber rested in front of her.

"History lesson. The Jedi won the war with Mandalore. These tricks will amount to something, maybe save you from time to time, but they won't keep you alive in the long run. Only training... and discipline, will do that." Kanan said.

I rested a hand on my temple and breathed out a sigh.

I saw this coming how...?

When Kanan retracted his lightsaber, Sabine stood up and placed a hand over her heart.

"The only thing I'm learning is that Ezra must be really gifted to learn as well as he has from a lousy teacher like you!" Sabine shouted, tossing her training saber to the ground.

She then walked away without another word. The boys looked at each other before looking at me. I held up my hands in surrender before crossing them.

"She didn't mean it. People say a lot of things when they're mad or stressed. Kanan and I know from experience when we first met." I said.

Kanan let out a sigh before walking away.

"I'll go talk to her." Ezra said, already walking.

I let out a sigh before walking over to Kanan who was talking with a holographic Hera.

"Training Ezra wasn't easy, but you did it well. I'm sure you'll find a way to get through to Sabine," Hera said.

"It's not the same. Ezra was eager to learn. Sometimes too eager. I was the one who was holding back." Kanan said.

"And that's not what you're doing now?"

Kanan looked away before answering.

"No," Kanan said.

"And yet, you still won't let her train with the darksaber," Hera said.

"Look Sabine is a capable warrior. In some ways, more so than Ezra, but she can't... or won't find balance within herself. Until she does, wielding an actual lightsaber is far too dangerous for her."

"By letting her pretend with that stick, you're only encouraging her not to commit to this."

Preach to that notion.

"You're not listening to me. If I let her use the darksaber, she will get hurt." Kanan said.

"Kanan, she's already hurt." I said.

Kanan eased up and listen to what I have to say.

"Her family hurt her more than any sword could." I said.

"You don't see it because she doesn't want you to," Hera said.

"But you can?" Kanan asked.

"Because I know what it's like when people you love don't believe in you when they let you walk away. Remember how hard it was for her to trust us."

Kanan turned away and sighed.

"So what do you want me to do?" Kanan asked.

"Give her the sword. Let her own it and who she is. Help Sabine face her demons." Hera said.

"I don't know."

"We know you don't. But this isn't about you." I said.

Kanan breathed out a heavy sigh and nodded silently. Hera smiled warmly before disappearing.

"Hey. You've got this." I said, placing a hand on Kanan's shoulder.

Kanan turned to me and nodded. We walked back to the campsite and waited for Sabine to get back. Night soon covered the planet in darkness a short while after. Kanan had taken off his mask and was meditating at the edge of the campsite, whereas I was sitting in between Ezra and Rau, still waiting on Sabine.

"I didn't think she'd be gone this long." Ezra said.

"She'll return. Then we'll see." Rau said.

I silently sighed before taking a sip of my drink.

"I know she can do it, but it just seems like Kanan is asking her to learn everything at once. She just needs more time." Ezra said, pouring himself a drink.

"Time is a luxury, one the galaxy seems to be running out of." Rau said.

"I couldn't agree more." I said.

Feeling a presence, I turned around to see Sabine walking towards us. Nudging the kid's arm, I gestured my head upwards. Looking up, Ezra let a smile form on his face.

"She's back." Ezra said.

Sabine walked down the cliff and walked up to Kanan's side.

"I owe you an apology." Kanan said.

"I can say the same." Sabine said.

When Kanan got up, he presented the darksaber to Sabine.

"Uh, maybe I should practice more first." she said.

"Take it. It's yours." Kanan said.

Sabine soon took the darksaber from Kanan's hands.

"Ignite the blade." Kanan said.

Doing as instructed, Sabine activated the weapon, watching as the black blade appeared.

"Whoa. It's heavier than I thought." Sabine said.

"Energy constantly flows through the crystal. You're fighting with a simple blade as much as you are directing a current of power. Your thoughts, your actions, they become energy. They flow through the crystal as well, and become a part of the blade." Kanan said.

Kanan then ignited his own lightsaber. Ezra and I glanced at each other before turning back to Kanan and Sabine.

"The blades will be drawn to each other." Kanan said.

Sabine nodded as she got into ready position.

"Block high." Kanan said, bringing down his lightsaber.

Sabine quickly raised the darksaber and blocked Kanan's weapon. Watching closely, I saw sparks between the two blades.

"There's pull. Can you feel it?" Kanan asked.

Sabine nodded all while struggling to keep the darksaber up.

"That sword is old, heavy, but powerful. Respect its strength." Kanan said.

When Kanan disconnected from the darksaber, Sabine stumbled forward.

"Block low." Kanan said.

Sabine did as told and blocked low.

"High." Kanan said.

Sabine raised her weapon and blocked high.

"Middle." Kanan said.

Sabine swung her weapon and blocked Kanan's from getting close to her. Kanan repeated the same commands for the next few minutes.

"Good. Let's work on a series. Are you ready?" Kanan asked, pulling away from Sabine.

"Yes." she said.

(😅I'm lazy AF, alright... Deal with it😎)

Rau, Ezra, and I watched instinctively as Kanan dodged all of Sabine's attacks.

"You're not committed to this. You should quit." Kanan said.

"I don't quit. I never quit!" Sabine cried.

Sabine started swinging and slashing every which way, but Kanan smoothly and calmly dodged every attack.

For someone who's blind, he certainly can see what's about to happen...

"Really? That's not what it looks like." Kanan said, pushing Sabine away from him.

Sabine stumbled back before glaring at the blind Jedi.

"You did run, didn't you?" Kanan asked.

"No!" Sabine cried.

Sabine thrust the darksaber forward, only to get her arm caught in Kanan's grasp.

"But that's what your people believe, isn't it?" Kanan asked.

Sabine dislodged herself from Kanan and backflipped away from him.

"You ran from the Empire. You ran from your family," Kanan said, dodging Sabine's attacks.

"Lies!" Sabine cried.

"So what's the truth?"

Kanan then activated his lightsaber to block Sabine's onslaught.

"The truth... is that... I left to save everyone." Sabine said.

I could practically see Kanan's eyes soften.

"My mother, my father, my brother!" Sabine cried, swinging the darksaber at every name.

Ezra was about to jump in, but I grabbed his shoulder to stop him. I watched as the two of them started to duel up a cliff.

"Everything I did was for family, for Mandalore! I built weapons, terrible weapons, but the Empire used them on Mandalore, on friends, on family. People that I knew." Sabine said.

Just hearing this is sad...

"They controlled us through fear. Mandalore! Fear of weapons I helped create. I helped enslave my people!" Sabine cried.

Sabine continued to swing at Kanan, not really caring what the outcome will be. Kanan was having enough trouble keeping up with her.

"I wanted to stop it. I had to stop it. I spoke out! I spoke out to save them. To save everyone!" Sabine said.

Out of rage, she then kicked Kanan off the cliff. My eyes widened in shock. Sabine jumped down and stood over Kanan.

"But when I did..." Sabine said, raising the darksaber.

Kanan held a hand over his face and braced for impact. Rau, Ezra, and I stood there in shock. I squeezed Ezra's shoulder in anticipation.

"My family didn't stand with me. They chose the Empire. They left me." Sabine said, lowering her weapon.

I could practically feel tears welling up in my eyes.

"Gave me no choice." Sabine said, deactivated the darksaber.

Sabine hung her head in defeat.

"The Empire wanted to destroy worlds. And they did. They destroyed my mine..." Sabine said, her voice cracking.

When Sabine got off Kanan, she fell to her knees and let out desperate sobs. Seeing Sabine like this made my heart ache.

Sabine is one of the strongest people I've ever met and seeing her breakdown like this... Words cannot even begin to describe my sympathy for her...

"The Empire rules with fear. And not everyone can be as strong as you've been. Your family is in a prison, one of their own making. It's up to you to help them out of it." Kanan said.

Letting out a silent sigh, Sabine stood up and hugged herself.

"But how? Why? Why would they believe me? Why would they follow me?" Sabine asked.

Rau, Ezra, and I soon walked up to Kanan and Sabine.

"I know this might not be what you want to hear. But for what it's worth, I would follow you." Rau said, getting down on one knee.

Sabine looked at him in shock.

"So would I. And I mean it." Ezra said, copying Rau.

"I would follow to the ends of the galaxy, Sabine. You will forever and always have my support." I said getting on one knee.

"You've come a long way in a very short time. Where you go from here is up to you. But know, this family, will stand by you no matter what you choose." Kanan said, getting on one knee as well.

Sabine looked at us before looking down at the darksaber.

We're with you, Sabine. No matter what...

I actually had fun writing this. In my opinion, it's not one of my best episode-based chapters, but if I like it, that's all that matters. Suggestions are forever and always welcomed and appreciated. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔