Many years ago on the planet Tholatin, the people lived peacefully, ignoring the problems with the galactic civil war and it's participators. They sought knowledge through experience in their own worldly affairs instead of the affairs of others. It was not their job to lend their hand to either side. They remained neutral and kept their fleet to themselves. Not that it would have mattered as the fleet was only large enough to protect their planet and the craft weren't the greatest.

It was during this time that two people met and brought about change. One of them was Kamon Vondiranach Sr., the reigning King of the planet. The other was a woman by the name of Kiren Zenovic. SHe was an offworlder who had come to Tholatin after the destruction of her homeworld, Alderaan. She was only a lower class citizen by Tholatin standards, but King Vondiranach didn't care. He loved her enough that he asked her to marry him. She accepted and not long after that they were.

The problems, and solutions, started there. Not long after their wedding, it was discovered that Kiren was pregnant with a child. At the time they didn't know that the child was a boy and the one that would cause their doom. All they knew was that they were about to have a child. Close to nine months later, they did. They named him Zerxes and treated him as the heir for then. About four years later, they learned Kiren was pregnant again.

Close to nine months later, Kamon Vondiranach Jr. was born. Although born prematurely, he was extremely healthy and of normal weight. As fate would have it, the laws of Tholatin required that the youngest son be the heir to the throne. So, through the protest of Zerxes, Kamon was named heir to throne before he was even a weak old. Zerxes, even though he was only four years old, was enraged by this and locked himself in his room for weeks.

It was only six years later that the true story of what happened to Tholatin started. It's history was shaped by the Vondiranach brothers as well as destroyed. WHat you are about to read is the account of the life of Kamon Vondiranach Jr. and what he did to keep Tholatin running even in tough times.

29 Years Ago

"Come on, Radon. Its my turn."

"No it's not. It's still mine."

The swing swung back and forth on the tree branch in the mountains about five miles from the castle. An abandoned military barracks could be found behind them but the two six year olds ignored it. To them it was a scary place and only rarely did they go in it. And then they aways took a blaster with them.

"Wonder what our parents will do if they find us," Kamon said.

"Ground us? You wory too much, Kamon."

"You'd worry too if your mum and dad were Queen and King."

"I might. But right now I'm just having fun."

"Is it my turn yet?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead."

Radon got off the swing and Kamon sat down in the seat. Radon pulled the swing back as far as his small form could with Kamon on the swing. He let go and the swing swung forward, sending Kamon swinging through the air on the makeshift swing.

"You twerps going to swing all day?"

Kamon and Radon both looked over at the sound of the voice that came from the entrance to the barracks. Radon looked a little frightened but Kamon recognized the voice as his older brother's. Kamon stopped the swing by dragging his feet on the ground.

"We can if we want, Zerxes."

"Not if I tell Mom and Dad."

"Just because you're older and stronger doesn't mean you can push us around."

"Oh? Who's going to stop me?"

Zerxes suddenly took off at a jog back in the direction of the castle. Both Kamon and Radon took off after him at a sprint. Neither of them wanted to be turned in. They caught up with him shortly, but he pulled both of them to the ground and scampered up a tree to laugh at them. Kamon had skinned his leg and was crying as he got up and headed back towards the castle. He wanted his mom.

Zerxes jumped down from the tree and, being as he was somewhat trained in the use of the FOrce, took off at a Force assisted run towards the castle. Kamon was still limping along with the help of Radon who had come to help him walk. Of course, Zerxes was the one that ended up getting caught. And so would Radon. The last bit became evident as his mother appeared on the oath and grabbed him by the ear.

"I thought I told you to stay away from the barracks, Radon."

"But, Mum..."

"No buts. You're grounded. Kamon you best get along home."

Kamon hadn't even stopped to watch what was going on. His leg hurt and he wanted his mom to make it better. He kept limping the rest of the way home and past the guards at the castle entrance who seemed to have no sympathy for him. Of course they were trained not to show emotion. Such things were to be expected. Kamon limped over to a turbolift and shot up to the presidential floors that occupied the very top of the castle. He walked to his parents room but neither of them were there.

It was then that he heard shouting from the main floor of the presidential floors and he walked out of the room to peer over the balcony. His soft crying didn't make it down to the floor as he noticed his parents fighting with Zerxes. He made nothing of it at first. They argued with Zerxes a lot because he was always in trouble. Kamon figured it had something to do with Zerxes arriving from outside. He could only catch faint words until his brother started shouting.

"I'll go where I damn well please!"

"You will not. Not while your mother and I are still living."

"Well I guess I'll have to change that!"

Kamon watched with a horrified expression as his brother drew his double bladed red lightsaber, he wasn't sure how Zerxes had built it, and cut his parents down. The two royals hadn't seen it coming and the Force hadn't warned them. Kamon Vondiranach Sr. fell to the floor with a hole in his chest and Kiren Vondiranach's head fell next to her body. The next thing to be heard was a blood curdling scream from Kamon.

Outside, a storm ravaged the populace. The traumatic experience of seeing his beloved parents killed right before his eyes left him helpless to control the powers within himself. They flowed from him in a torrent. Clouds swirled, rain lashed the grounds, lightning struck everywhere. And worst of all, people, some of them his own friends, died.

The rage welled within him, uncontrollable, and the person that could control it, Radon, was still running up the countless flights of stairs. Radon wasn't a Force user, but he knew the source of the storm. Word had spread about what had happened in the castle so fast it had only taken minutes for him to hear. And the first place he headed to was the castle.

Kamon felt hands on his shoulders and looked through tear filled eyes at the person in front of him. It was Radon. He knew that even though he couldn't actually see his friend. Kamon always knew when Radon was there. Their friendship was so strong Kamon didn't have to see him to know he was there. He could just feel him.

"Kamon stop! You're killing people!"

For minutes longer, Kamon kept crying and flailing on the ground as his brother rampaged in the streets feeding off the storm. More people died by his hand and added to the death toll of the storm. Bad things were happening. Terrible things he couldn't begin to comprehend, but he would know soon enough.

"Kamon STOP!"

Finally it hit Kamon that something was going on outside of his own grief. The deaths of countless lives flooded his existance and he clamped his hands on his head to try and shut them out. It didn't work and only served to get him to calm down some.

"But.. but.."

"Kamon, thousands are dying because you caused a storm."

"I didn't..."

"I know you didn't mean to, but you have to stop."

He nodded.

"You're right..."

He stood slowly and faced the wall.

"Kamon, you're the technical leader of Tholatin now. I shouldn't be here. Find your advisor."

He just nodded and watched Radon run off. Today was the worst day of his life. For now.

Instead of going to his stupid advisor, he went to his room and cried into his pillow. Six year olds weren't supposed to go through things like this. Especially a six year old Prince. Not to mention a six year old Prince that happened to be an aspiring Jedi. And to make it all worse, his brother had been the one to cause it all.

There was a knock at his door but he ignored it. Knowing full well it wasn't his power driven advisor, he felt no need to allow the woman on the other side in. She made her own way into the room and sat down in a chair next to him. Kamon looked at her with red, swollen, tear filled eyes.

"Kamon, dear. Please try to calm down. You and I need to talk."

He nodded but didn't say anything.

"First off, since you're the ruler actual ruler, even though it doesn't take affect until you're sixteen, is there anything you want done?"

Kamon nodded.

"What is it?"

"I want my brother banished."

She blinked at him.

"Why?"

"Because he's the one that killed our parents. He murdered them in cold blood. He destroyed the most important thing I had."

"I see...."

She looked at him.

"It will be done. Is there anything else?"

He shook his head no.

"Alright. Then you should know that I'll be ruling until you turn sixteen."

"Alright, Ms. Rendar."

She kissed his cheek.

"Rest, my Prince, and cry if you have to. It's hard to lose ones parents. If you need me, just call me."

Standing, she walked to the door and let herself out of the room. Kamon turned his head back to the pillow and buried his face in it. Planning ways to get back at his brother as he cried didn't help him at all. It only made him feel worse about the whole situation.

19 Years Ago

The streets were lined with almost the entire populace of the planet Tholatin, as many as could make it. They expected a grand procession and they were going to get one. Today was an important day for the planet and for the galaxy as it would eventually come to be seen as the birth of the Tholatin Republic, a multi-planet galactic force while it lasted.

Nervously, Kamon stood within the main entry hall of the castle, hands clasped behind his back. Radon Mont was a few feet away speaking with his mother for a moment, and Kamon was left alone. The garb he wore was stuffy and uncomfortable, but he had to wear it as part of the ceremony. His advisor, Ms. Rendar, had forced him to put the thing on even though he hadn't wanted to.

Someone called his name behind him and he turned about, his dirty-blonde hair swaying with the motion as he had allowed it to reach a medium length, making his hair somewhat shaggy. The person that spoke was none other than Ms. Rendar herself, now getting quite on in age, and she was strolling towards him.

"Yes, Ms. Rendar?"

"Some of the Guard are quite worried about this whole ceremony and think it should be called off. They're concerned that your brother might show up."

"If Zerxes shows himself then he will be dealt with. As much as I don't like this garb that you've forced me to wear, this ceremony must go on or the people will be disappointed. I will not disappoint my people."

She sighed and stared at him while he looked at her in return, his stare pointedly determined.

"Fine. If you wish it to continue then it will. Do we need to cover the itenirary?"

"I walk out the doors of the castle, nod to the Guard, and proceed down the steps. With the Guard surrounding me I walk down the street, through the people lining the street, never looking to either side. When I reach the capitol building, I walk up the steps and kneel down before you. You recite your speech and then crown me and give me the sceptar. I turn about and look upon my people, holding the sceptar high and exclaim..."

"No need to go that far," she interrupted, nodding with a smile. "I'm glad that you remember everything. And will we still be going to see the Monteradon's later?"

"Today is my sixteenth birthday, it is custom."

"Very good. We shall plan accordingly. Now, I must go and I will see you when you reach the capitol building."

With a smile, she touched his cheek gingerly and nodded. He offered her a smile and she moved off, leaving him alone once more. Radon was nowhere in sight which was good. Kamon had requested that his best friend be one of the Royal Guard that would encircle him. Resigning himself to watching the chrono he sighed. It will be a long day...

When the chrono hit the correct time, the exact minute of his birth sixteen years ago, the doors to the castle swung open. A deafening roar overwhelmed him and he slowly walked out of the building, stepping towards the first step. There he stopped and nodded to the groups of Royal Guard on either side of him. Now it all began...

The affair was rather noisy and boisterous, many people lining the streets, waving the banner of the Kingdom, and yelling. There were so many of them, but he never turned his head once. No, he went through with what he had been told to do. Though he walked through the throngs, down the street towards the capitol building, he dared not turn his head to the side.

With crowds sliding by, and his steady footfalls becoming methodic, he fell into rhythm. Every step lowered the shoulder of the same side, raising the shoulder on the opposite side, head bobbing and hair shifting. His hands were inside of the sleeves of the opposite arms, clasping onto his wrists. It was rather boring, really, but it was tradition.

When he finally reached the steps to the capitol building, the crowds behind fell silent as they moved into the street and bustled up to the lower step, stopping there. The Guard fell away behind him, holding the people at bay while Kamon slowly ascended the steps to the building in front of him where Ms. Rendar stood waiting for his arrival.

Beads of sweat dotted his forehead by the time he reached the top, and once there he knelt down before Ms. Rendar, bowing his head to her. She stepped forward and turned her attention to the people amassed below, raising her hands to quite the crowd.

"We come here today to acknowledge a new dawning for the Kingdom. The times of the past are over. There will be no more mourning of fallen King's and Queens, but rejoicing for the new King. The colors of the Kingdom will change..." and she swung her hands out to the side as the old banners were suddenly covered by a new banner bearing red and gold with a symbol of a Monteradon flying in the center.

"Our Kingdom will grow stronger!" And she motioned overhead as an entire wing of starfighters jetted above them, leaving plooms of smoke in the Kingdom's new colors to decorate the skies.

"And we shall have a new king." She said, indicating Kamon in front of her. "Today is Prince Kamon Vondiranach's sixteenth birthday, and according to our laws, that makes him eligible to lead as the youngest son of the Royal Family. Today we begin his reign over our Kingdom and a glorious reign it shall be."

With a motion of her hand, two people stepped forward bearing pillows in their arms. On one was an intricately designed crown with many gems laid into it. The other held a silver sceptar with a Monteradon holding wings outstretched on the top of it. Ms. Rendar took the crown first and stepped towards Kamon. He took the cue and lifted his head, allowing her to set the crown down.

"Rise, my King."

Slowly, Kamon stood from his kneeling position, still facing Ms. Rendar as she took the sceptar from its pillow. Turning back to Kamon, she held it out to him with both of her hands, bowing her head in an acknowledgment of the transfer of power. Kamon took the sceptar from her, turned to face the crowd, and held the sceptar high to his right.

"Today is a glorious day, my people! No longer shall we allow ourselves to be hassled by the outside forces that provide goods we need. No longer shall we be a small spec in the galaxies eye. Today I have been crowned your King, but tomorrow I shall be your leader as we take new steps into the galaxy."

He deviated from the normal speech then, adding in his own words instead of what he had been told to say.

"As of now, we will no longer be the Kingdom of Tholatin," some of the people behind him made exclamations of wonder, and Ms. Rendar looked slightly frightened. "From now on we are the Tholatin Republic, and we are a galactic power.

"A senate shall be elected to truly govern this planet. More worlds will be sought to join our Republic, adding to our number and our strength. I will represent the Republic as Chancellor and have no fear as I will still be your King, but I have great ambitions for us."

Lifting his other hand in a fist, a broad smile appeared on his face.

"We are a great and glorious people! The galaxy will one day be freed from tyranny and strife, and it will be at our hands!"

The cheer was deafening and Kamon winced as the sound of the roaring crowd nearly overwhelmed him. Smiling, he lowered his hands and turned away, walking towards Ms. Rendar with fire in his eyes.

"A new age, Ms. Rendar. A new age..."

It wasn't hours later and he was being called by the chaeufer. Rest was a precious commodity, especially now, but he didn't much care about it at all. No, he knew what he wanted and what he wanted was to complete the standard ritual that was necessary for all sixteen year old children on his homeworld.

The landspeeder moved quickly away from the castle, passing through countryside towards the mountains beyond. It would take only a short time to reach Cal'deun, the City of Wings, and once there it would be all up to Kamon's mindpower or he would be left without the life-partner required and then banned from his own planet.

Big ego or not, Kamon knew that he wasn't going to fail in his task and that he wasn't going to be banned. No, he knew his mind was strong, strengthened by past atrocities. His own brother had made sure that he wouldn't fail.

Soon, the city came into view, old ruins that had been destroyed many years ago, set into the side of a mountain. The top of the mountain was flat, a plateau, and it was there that Kamon had to go. And he had to go it alone, without help, without food, without water, without weapons. He was to be truly alone on this quest.

The landspeeder came to a stop and Kamon hopped out of it, straightening his clothing as he did so. It wasn't the traditional garb from the ceremony, more a relaxing leather design than anything else. It was functional, stylish, and felt good so that was all that mattered.

"Are you ready, Kamon?"

He turned his eyes to look at Ms. Rendar, whom he'd officially made his advisor, and nodded his head.

"As ready as I will ever be, Ms. Rendar. I have to go regardless of whether I am or not, but I am ready."

"True enough. Well, we shouldn't delay. Off you go and don't forget that if you fail, King or not, you will be sent away from here."

"I know, Ms. Rendar. I won't fail."

So off he went, walking towards the city and then entering its lower level, leaving the others behind. The stairs to the plateau above were very old and in some sections had given out completely. There were rumors of nasty things that wandered the old passageways as well, and he didn't want to run into one of those. Quietly, he started climbing, never looking back.