Guardians
Disclaimer- I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters. The character of Li Kana however, is mine. I borrowed the name Raidon from Mortal Kombat, which also doesn't belong to me. The character I draw in the story is nothing like the character from Mortal Kombat. I am only borrowing the name. The idea of the Valley of the Jedi is taken from a Star Wars computer game. The name escapes me right now, but I'm not trying to steal anything. Please don't sue. ^-^
Mace Windu watched as the young girl gracefully defended herself against her attacker. Though she was only ten years old, she already wielded a lightsaber as though she were sixteen or seventeen. The Council had been watching Li Kana ever since she was first brought to the temple. She showed great potential as a Jedi.
The sound of clashing lightsabers echoed throughout the training halls. Many Masters and even other trainees gathered to watch.
Both students were blindfolded. Li Kana's opponent was Obi-wan Kenobi, who was fifteen. Even though he was older, he was getting his proverbial butt kicked. Li Kana had excelled in all areas of her training, and was beating Obi-wan without even breaking a sweat.
Obi-wan's Master, Qui-gon Jinn, watched Li Kana deliver what would have been a fatal blow to his padawan's head, if they had not been using training lightsabers. Obi-wan cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Whispers and comments of approval came from the rather large crowd that had developed around the edges of the room.
Mace smiled and looked at Qui-gon, who was also smiling and shaking his head. He's so proud of them both. he thought. Li Kana was Qui-gon's daughter. Her mother had been a flower merchant on Qui-gon's home planet. She died shortly after Li Kana's birth. Li Kana's midi-chlorian count had nearly busted the machine, so she was taken to the temple to become a Jedi. She was of average height for her age. Her hair was brown like her father's, and her eyes were a bright blue. She had fair skin, and a serene personality.
Li Kana and Obi-wan, though not the same age, had become good friends. Li Kana had not known that it was Obi-wan she was fighting, and Obi-wan had not known he was fighting Li Kana. They had never sparred before. When Li Kana heard the cry, she tore off her blindfold and rushed to her friend's side.
Obi-wan removed his blindfold and was shocked to see that Li Kana had been the one to defeat him. He patted her hand, "Don't worry, I'm alright. You sure surprised me though." Li Kana breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her father. He was smiling. She smiled back and went over to him.
He knelt down and drew her into a bear hug, "I'm proud of you Li Kana, you did very well." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you father." Qui-gon then went to assist Obi-wan, who was still a little dazed. He shook his head and looked at his Master, "She's incredible!" Qui-gon nodded, "Yes, she is. I hope they can find someone suitable to train her. It will be a delicate time for her when she is first taken on as a padawan learner."
About a week later, a Jedi Master by the name of Raidon took Li Kana as his apprentice. Raidon was a gentle, kind-hearted man with a very serene disposition, but was unstoppable in battle. He and Li Kana had bonded almost immediately after they met. After also meeting Raidon, Qui-gon was put at ease. He's the perfect master for her.
****
Five years passed, and Li Kana grew stronger and more attuned to the force. She had just celebrated her fifteenth birthday. The danger of her turning to the darkside no longer existed. And the bond she and her Master shared was unbreakable.
Li Kana had inherited much of her father's focus and skill. Unfortunately, she also inherited her father's seriousness and stubbornness. Most of the time Raidon had to force her to take a day off. That morning was just such a day.
As usual, Li Kana was up at the crack of dawn. Early morning was her favorite time to meditate. Her Master rose shortly after. Li Kana loved to meditate, to lose herself in the warm flow of the Force. Her high midi-chlorian count allowed her to see and sense things that even Master Yoda admitted he could not. Raidon watched her for a moment, then went to their kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Li Kana continued her meditation. Then, something caught her attention. A disturbance in the Force…something powerful. Suddenly she found herself surrounded by beautiful flowers. Then something caught her eye. She mentally crept towards it. It was another temple. Then there was a vibrant, blinding flash of light.
She gasped and cried out, falling forward on her hands, panting and sweating. She couldn't see, the light had blinded her. Raidon dropped what he was doing and immediately went to his padawan's side. "Li Kana are you alright? What did you see?" he asked, concerned. Her sight returned, but it was still blurry. She sat back up, "I-I…can't…remember. All I remember is this blinding flash of light. It blinded me for a minute, but my eyes are ok now. I didn't see that coming." She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then sighed deeply. I'm alright master." Raidon nodded, "Perhaps you should take the day off today Li Kana, until we can figure out what happened." Li Kana gave him a pleading look. "Master I'm fine, really!" Raidon smiled and shook his head, "No, you are going to rest today. I'm also taking you to the healers so they can take a look at your eyes." Li Kana sighed, "Yes master."
****
Li Kana wandered around the temple and found herself in the gardens. The healers had said she was fine but if her eyes started to hurt, to come back immediately. She sat down under the single, large tree that was in the center if the gardens. She started to think about the vision. She knew she had seen something, but what was it? Why had that light flashed? And why did she get the feeling that she would see the vision again?
She was so lost in thought that she didn't sense the small figure slowly approaching her. She jumped in surprise, and then relaxed when she saw it was Master Yoda. She mentally scolded herself for letting her guard down.
"Troubled you are. Usually, sneak up on you I cannot." he said. Li Kana sighed, "I saw something, a vision, during meditation this morning, but I can't remember what exactly it was." Yoda settled down beside her. "A vision you say. Remember anything can you?" Li Kana leaned back against the tree, "Only this…blinding light. It physically blinded me. I couldn't see for a little while after. I know I saw something before that, a…place, but I can't remember what it was." Yoda nodded and motioned for her to continue. "I don't know. I can't shake the feeling that wherever it was, I'll be going there soon." Yoda closed his eyes in concentration, "Believe you will see it again, you do." She nodded, "Yes, I do." Yoda opened his eyes and looked at the young Jedi, "Patience, reveal itself to you it will. Patience." Li Kana nodded, then sighed again and got up. "I need to go back to my room, Master Raidon wanted me back for lunch." She bowed, and left the Jedi master to his thoughts. See this coming I did not. Odd, is this vision of hers, unnatural. Yoda then stood and returned to his room to meditate.
Days passed, and Li Kana didn't meditate once in that time, for fear that she would be permanently blinded. Meditation was as much a part of the life of a Jedi as the Force. After lunch, both she and her master underwent a meditation. It started out just fine. Then, Li Kana got that feeling again. There was something powerful close by. She was back in the garden. She started to turn towards the power, but that same blinding light flashed once again. This time when she opened her eyes, she wasn't back in her room. Standing in front of her was a tall man, with short white hair. He was holding a white flower in his left hand. Then, there was nothing but darkness.
Li Kana awoke with a start. She couldn't see very well, everything was blurry. Then she remembered. Blast that light! She thought. She barely made out the figure standing next to her. It was her father. "Li Kana?" He put a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and rubbed her eyes. She looked around and realized she was in the healing quarters. What was she doing there? Qui-gon must have picked up on the thought because he explained, "You collapsed during your meditation and didn't awaken for quite sometime. You've been unconscious for two days. What are you seeing in this vision you were telling Master Yoda about?"
She lay back down, "I still can't remember anything except this blasted light that flashes every time I see it. I know that there is something, but what? This is driving me insane!" She ran a hand through her hair, "Why am I getting this vision? Why not someone like Master Yoda, or you, or Master Mace?" Qui-gon smiled, "Perhaps you're the only one that can pick it up, Li Kana. Master Yoda has admitted that you can see things that even he cannot." She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them suddenly and sat back up. Qui-gon furrowed his brow…she was mentally searching for something. Then she gasped, "Wait, I do remember one thing." Qui-gon nodded for her to continue. "There was this man, he was tall, he had short white hair, and he was holding something…a flower, a white flower."
Master Raidon chose this time to enter. He smiled when he saw that Li Kana was awake. "Are you feeling better Padawan? You sure gave us all a scare." The young Jedi nodded her head, "Yes, master I'm feeling fine. At least, my eyes stopped hurting." Qui-gon patted her on the back and got up. "Well, I have to go now. Obi-wan can't get out of training for to long." He leaned down and kissed Li Kana's head, then left. Li Kana looked at her master and told him the same thing she had told her father. "Have you told Master Mace, or Yoda?" She shook her head. "Well, you should tell them as soon as you see them, alright?" She nodded, "Yes, Master."
The next evening, Li Kana had an uneasy feeling as she crawled into bed. She drifted off, and started to dream. But then started to see something…a garden. This shocked her awake, she remembered that part of the vision. She sat up in bed. Should she wake her master? She glanced at the clock, it read 3:34 am. No, she would let him sleep. What could he do?
She calmed herself, then decided to try to see the rest of the vision. Worst case, she'd wake up in the healers quarters two days later. She lay back down and closed her eyes, breathing deeply.
Her dream began in the garden again, only this time she stayed and looked around. I remember this place, she thought as she bent to smell a large, yellow flower that had caught her attention. I remember now. I was in this garden, then I saw something…a place. Yes, I saw another temple. She turned and saw the temple again. There was no blinding light this time. She slowly began to walk towards it, and was eventually able to make out just how beautiful it was.
This temple was somewhat different than the one on Coruscant. This temple was made out of glimmering white marble, it was smaller in size, and had a waterfall coursing down each of it's four corners and one that ran down the middle of the front and somehow split over the entrance. At least, she assumed that it had four corners, she could only see the front and therefore only see three waterfalls. There were mountains stretching up on either side. The back was facing into a valley that Li Kana couldn't see, for the valley was covered in a thick mist. Everything else was bright under the afternoon sun. The four outer spires were made of the same white marble, but the central spire seemed to glitter brilliantly. The way the sun shone off the temple made it seem to glow. On every side of the garden was a beautiful forest. She could here all kinds of different birds and other animals. There were small streams running from the waterfalls. And the presence of the Force was almost overwhelming. She had never felt it so strongly before.
Li Kana spotted a path leading to the temple. She followed the path to where it crossed one of the streams. There was a wooden bridge that curved over it. She crossed it slowly, noticing the intricate designs weaving a pattern on the sides. She stopped and knelt down in the middle of the bridge when she saw something interesting. The symbol of the Jedi was carved into the side as well.
Li Kana moved on, slowly but surely making her way to the temple. When she reached it, she saw the same man, tall, with the short, white hair, standing at the top of some stone stairs that lead to the entrance. He smiled when he saw her. "Welcome Li Kana, I have been waiting for you." Li Kana approached him, sensing that his intentions were pure. "Are you a Jedi?" she asked, trying to be cautious. "Are…Are you the one who has been sending me this vision?" she asked. The man nodded, "Yes, but it is more than a mere vision. I am Master Kelso." Upon hearing him say that he was a Jedi Master, she bowed to show respect. "Now, listen carefully Li Kana, what I am about to tell you must be kept a secret." Li Kana hesitated at his last statement. Kelso smiled again, "Don't worry, you'll understand by the time I'm through explaining. Please, come inside."
****
Meanwhile in the waking world, Li Kana had fallen asleep and had not awakened for a week. The healers tried everything they could think of, but to no avail. Yoda tried reaching her telepathically, placing his hands on her head in an attempt to reach her. He said afterwards that there was a mental barrier of sorts that he couldn't get past. However, he also said that whoever was causing the barrier meant no harm. It was purely the light side of the Force.
The other thing that had everyone confused was the aura that surrounded her. It felt as though she was listening, confused, surprised, and yet understanding something. And there was something else, something that Yoda kept trying to but couldn't put his finger on.
Yoda had just finished trying to reach her mentally again when Li Kana opened her eyes and bolted upright, "I have to go there!" She shouted. She started to hyperventilate. Raidon was immediately at her side, "Shh, Li Kana, settle down." Yoda placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lie down you should." She got her bearings and found herself once again in the healing quarters.
Li Kana's head started pounding with pain, so she complied. Raidon smoothed her hair, "Take deep breaths…good girl." He whispered. It was obvious to her that she had been out for awhile, but she was exhausted. How long had she been out? Her Master caught the thought and sighed, "You've been unconscious for about a week now." Li Kana looked over at Yoda, who seemed to be concentrating on something. "Li Kana," he said, "Saw something you did, remember can you?" Raidon nodded, "What did you see?"
Li Kana was about to answer when she remembered what Kelso had told her. Now what was she supposed to do? It was strictly forbidden that a padawn should lie to his or her master. She decided to just shut her mouth. Raidon and Yoda took this as meaning that she couldn't remember, and dropped the subject.
****
Li Kana wandered into the room of a thousand fountains. What was she going to do? She could not and would not lie to Raidon. She loved him too much to lie to him. She couldn't ask anyone what she should do because it had to be kept a secret.
Then, an idea struck her. A padawan learner was free to leave their training at any time. She could just make it look like she left her training. Two problems arose with this idea however. First of all, she did not want to leave her training. Secondly, she would have to leave her lightsaber behind. She would need it where she was going.
She sat down beside one of the larger fountains. She needed to think about this. If she left and found that her dreams were no more than dreams, she might not be able to come back. Though by now she highly doubted that they were anything less than a calling. If she got there and it ended up being a trap, she would need her lightsaber and someone else there with her, wouldn't she? If it was all real however, she knew she needed to do whatever she could to get there as quickly as possible.
Then she got another idea. She could leave her lightsaber, and just stop on the way to build a new one. That made up her mind. Though she hated the thought of deserting her master like this, she knew she had too. And who knew? Maybe she would come back. She thought out what she would do.
She would leave in the middle of the night, so as not to draw any attention, make it look like she had left her training, leave her lightsaber, sneak out, and build a new one on the way to wherever it was she was going. She realized that she didn't know the way, but remembered that Kelso had told her that once she got to a certain point in space, she would know where to go from there.
She almost didn't go through with it when she pictured the pained expression on her master's and her father's faces when they found out she had left. She hoped that Qui-gon wouldn't blame her master. She decided to leave notes for both of them.
That night, she meditated longer and deeper than she ever had. She gathered the Force around her and calmed herself, preparing for the mission ahead. She waited until her master was asleep, then packed a few things, left her lightsaber and the note to Raidon on her bed, and kissed her master's forehead before she silently crept out of the room. She stopped by Qui-gon and Obi-wan's room. She sneaked in, leaving a note for her father. She was about to leave, but stopped. She crept into her father's bedroom and watched his face for awhile before kissing him on the cheek, and turning away tearfully. She left the temple thinking about how much she was going to miss all of her friends and family.
What she didn't notice was the white flower that appeared next to both of the notes she had left. A flower that every Jedi scholar knew could only be found in a legendary place…The Valley of the Jedi.