The padawans that grew up too fast

War does not care who you are, where you come from, or what you stand for. It does not mind your circumstances, your preferences, or your age. It exists only to destroy innocence, uproot lives, and leave nothing but damage behind.

At the start of the Clone Wars, the Jedi were forced to adapt to unexpected loss and drastic change quite literally overnight. The Battle of Geonosis set into motion a sudden need for warriors, not peacekeepers. Instantly, the Jedi Order became critical to the success of an army in a fight no parties asked to be a part of.

This meant that any Padawan learners who were old and skilled enough to aid in the war effort were asked to do so. Many of them were knighted — years before their time and without going through the usual tests and trials — because there weren’t enough Jedi to go around.

It was not a choice. It was a necessity.

These Jedi weren’t given a choice in the matter, either. They were all called to a group ceremony during which they were called to advance and knighted right on the spot. Their dreams became their duty. And they never looked back. They couldn’t. They weren’t allowed.

In war, the only way through is forward. It’s either survive, or die trying.

These Jedi were forever altered by being thrust into a conflict they hardly knew anything about. They were young. They shouldn’t have had to know.

Forced to serve as Knights before they were prepared. Force to lead troops into battle, never knowing if this one would be the last one they’d ever see.

The ones who survived the war were never the same.

They never forgot what was taken from them too soon.

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