Athrun Zala

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Athrun Zala
Biographical Information
Homeworld:	Coruscant
Date of Birth:	12 ABY (Age 26)
Physical Description
Species:	Human
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.82 m
Weight:	82 kg
Hair:	Brown
Eyes:	Emerald Green
Personal Information
Lightsaber Color(s):	Red
Chronology & Political Information
Profession:	Fighter Pilot
Position:	Sith Apprentice, Jedi Hunter
Era(s):	Dark Jedi Brotherhood Era
Affiliation:	Scholae Palatinae
Known masters:	Mayda Ferium
Dossier:	13840
[ Source ]

"I didn't even believe in the Force at first. But the prospect of unlimited power was...tempting."

―Athrun contemplating why he joined the Brotherhood.

Athrun is a human Imperial Fighter pilot, currently serving in the Imperial Naval Forces of Clan Scholae Palatinae. Raised from birth to be a supporter of the fractured Imperial regime, he enlisted in a fragment Empire when he was 18, and was later discovered by the Brotherhood to be force sensitive.

Biography

Early Life

Athrun was born on Coruscant to Patrick and Lenore. His father had been an Imperial diplomat, and his mother hailed from Corellia, also a supporter of the Imperial regime. As a result, he was raised to love the Empire, even if it was devastated by the defeat at Endor. His father worked hard for his Imperial contacts to further the Empire's support, and Athrun hoped one day to do his part in returning the Empire to its former glory.

He attended a small time military school to ingrain some discipline in him (something Athrun didn't feel he needed), before he joined an Imperial Academy geared towards flying starfighters. As he had been taught to fly a small freighter by his father, Athrun felt he was quite proficient, and a Naval branch was the perfect place to pursue a career. It led to a minor amount of arrogance on his part, and annoyance from fellow trainees, but other than a few scuffles, he had a mostly flawless record. He graduated in the top 10 of his class, but not at the top as he had initially hoped; his pride had prevented him from doing as well as he felt he could have.

He fought in numerous skirmishes and battles over the course of his enlistment, though none of them were terribly groundbreaking. In fact he felt frustrated by his lack of accomplishment, even though he had been promoted several times since he had been assigned. He could do more, he could do better, he had to try harder than this. Of course it may have been where he was assigned had no greater impact on the galaxy other than occasionally fighting a pirate ship he'd found when out on patrol. Still, he felt he was far better than his squad mates, and often kept a record of his kills to gloat about over drinks.

Being Discovered

One day, during an inspection, he had his first look at what the officers called a Dark Jedi. He wore black robes and a hood, with only a cylindrical device at his waist. He wasn't sure if it was a recording device or what, and wondered where his weapons were. A friend of his said that he didn't need any weapons, as he had magic. Athrun hardly believed that this robed old looking human male could do anything more than point his finger menacingly at someone, though he supposed he might fit the description of a pot stirring chanting loony.

When the Jedi stopped in front of him and told him he had a rare gift, but that he would need proper instruction to harness it, Athrun just stared at him. Given that Athrun was dressed in his fighter garb at that time, holding his helmet, and preparing to head for the pilot's lounge, he remarked, "I can fly a fighter pretty darn well, how about yourself?" His friend, standing there with him at the time, nudged him nervously, telling him not to speak disrespectfully to the Dark Jedi, as his powers were terrible and dangerous. The man looked amused by this exchange, saying he didn't need a fighter, as he had the force at his command. Athrun scoffed at the idea of dark magic, saying he didn't believe in it, and doubted there was anything the Dark Jedi could teach him. He even dared the robed man to prove to him that he could use this "force" he kept referring to. The Dark Jedi complied, and the last thing Athrun remembered was a blast of blueish looking lightning and a debilitating surge of pain. He later awoke in the medical bay with a dull aching sensation in his limbs.

The Dark Jedi later stopped in when the medics were clearing Athrun for duty. Few words were exchanged, and Athrun felt a little intimidated now that he knew what he could fling about. The Dark Jedi told him that his transport would be leaving in a few hours for the Shadow Academy, and suggested that if Athrun wanted to be on it, he should leave his pride at the door. He didn't quite believe in the myth of an all powerful force, but he was curious as to this gift the robed one said he had, and so took a leave of absence to attend this Shadow Academy.

Joining the Brotherhood

The Shadow Academy was about as rigid as the Imperial Academy, but it was different. It was almost haunting. Its mere size and the darkness of the interior was enough to humble anyone, even someone who considered themselves the best of the best. Even the temperature seemed to be cold, probably affected by the dark side aura on the temple. Athrun learned early on that he was to either adapt, or be kicked out.

The Academy helped him tap into the Force, which Athrun figured was just an invisible power field, giving him the ability to make the simplest tasks that much easier. Instead of picking an object up, he could call it to his hand by reaching out and mentally commanding it come to him instead. It was a somewhat amusing idea, though it took large amounts of effort that left him drained. By the time the academy deemed him suitable to continue his training, he had a basic understanding of telekinesis, telepathy, and some offensive powers.

He was assigned to Clan Plagueis, and he was at first enthusiastic to serve with a group of other powerful force users. After a while he got bored, and although the Force was a fun thing to play with, freaking out a random civilian here and there, he didn't truly understand the point of it. He disappeared mid-training, returning to his old Imperial lifestyle.

Return to the Brotherhood

What with shifting loyalties and regrouping of armies, Athrun found his squadron attached to Clan Scholae Platinae. It suited him fine, and he really didn't care who it was that called themselves Emperor. He was more for the glory of the Empire, and for blowing up his enemies with a TIE fighter. He enjoyed the thrill of flying in a fighter far too much to worry about other things, and his force abilities soon went by the wayside. While he moved the occasional glass of water, and mindtricked the deck officer to assign someone else to watch duty, he didn't focus on improving his connection to the force.

He remained that way for a year until Athrun ran into an old friend from the Shadow Academy by the name of Jared. Jared was at first pleased to see they served on the same vessel, then was shocked to find out Athrun hadn't even been practicing his force powers. Even greater was Jared's indignation at finding out Athrun had more or less left the Brotherhood in favor of pursuing "menial" careers. He chided Athrun for hiding out here all this time, and threatened to report Athrun to the Council and leaders of the Clan Empire. Reluctantly, Athrun agreed to go to the nearest authority, and after being formally instated as one of the force users of the Clan, he was assigned a master to retrain him.

Trivia

• In a parallel Star Wars Universe, Athrun served in a Galactic Empire that never fragmented, reaching the rank of Commodore and Fleet Commander before retiring. He was briefly possessed by a sith force ghost, and ran afoul of many a misadventure, including a slavers camp. As a result, that version is rather mentally unstable, and has a fear of fire. He was not found to be force sensitive.
• In another parallel Star Wars universe, Athrun was a force-sensitive serving in the Royal Guard of an Imperial Remnant, but untrained in the force.