We Are The Chosen Ones

Prologue

I stood there.

I stood there, gnawing on my lip, realizing I shouldn't. I didn't want to look weak. Or afraid, or nervous, or stupid. Especially in these circumstances. Not now, not here, not in front of the bloody Jedi Council.

No matter the turn out, I wanted to look brave and strong and capable.

I tried my best not to notice them all, but standing in the middle of the room I was sort of the center of attention. You could tell some of them were trying not to, though. To stare. Even though I was simply a girl in a room full of Jedi Masters, I made them feel uncomfortable in their own seats, their eyes trying not to focus on me while doing just that. You didn't need to be a Jedi to feel the uneasiness that plagued the members of the High Council; everyone in the southwest tower could sense it.

Suddenly, you could feel a shift of focus as everyone averted their eyes and followed the movement in the room.

"Impulsive, you are. Unwise decisions, you make," said Master Yoda, taking small steps towards me with the help of his wooden cane before stopping just a few feet to my right. "Still, your way with the force we cannot deny."

"No one wants to train a padawan filled with arrogance. It isn't becoming of a Jedi," spoke a dark skinned being. Mace Windu, I think.

"Too brash!" said another, now much less afraid to speak their mind.

Master Yoda slowly raised one arm to silence the council before turning back to me and coming even closer, looking up at me as if pondering something.

"Arrogant she may be. But caution and patience, wisdom, are things that must be taught. And taught she will be."

I let out a breath of air I hadn't realized I was holding. I was to continue my path of training to become a Jedi. Looking around the room, I could tell that I was the only one surprised by this; this mustn't be news, but clearly something they had decided earlier. The stern eye of Master Windu made it obvious he didn't approve.

"Thank you, Grand Master Yoda. I-I won't take this chance for granted," I stammered. "I... I can promise you that."

"Hmm," he murmurs, a wry smile on his lips as he hobbles back to his seat.

With his back turned, I allowed myself a moment of weakness and bowed my head, blinking hard. As soon as I heard Master Windu speak, I lifted my eyes to meet his.

"Your efforts in the Invasion of Naboo, while blatantly disobeying orders and boarding Radiant VII along with Master Jinn and Kenobi (in an attempt to find your kin), were—some might say—impressive." Windu let's out a sigh, almost like admitting some sort of a defeat. "Still, you broke more than just a few rules in the process, making many question your commitment to the Order and it's ways. But, as Yoda has made clear, you are young and posses abilities worth improving upon. I can only hope your curiosity and affinity for recklessness doesn't get in the way of this in the future."

His words fill me with shame even with the compliments he reluctantly awards and I vow to one day change the way he perceives me. I will become a Jedi and I will make up for the mistakes I've made.

"Yes, Master," I say. As do I.

Windu stares at me, fingers pressed together for a moment before continuing. "Yes, well, despite whatever ... reputation you've earned as a youngling here at the Academy, few are willing to take on an apprentice as ... free spirited as yourself. So I expect you to express great thanks to Ikez'jara for taking you on."

Immediately, I turned towards the figure in the corner reaching up with both hands to remove their hood and step forward. She was one of the several Jedi who have come to watch me and my fellow initiates train (only she was just a Knight then). I recognized her purple skin and coral markings.

"Kaliyah," she says, hands folded in front of her.

"Master Jara," I say respectively.

"Ikez." There's a small smile on her lips when she says this.

Yoda calls our attention by clearing his throat. He looks pleased. "You may go now ... padawan."

I can't help but smile myself as my new Master and I exit through the double doors and into the brightly lit hallway, leaving the council to discuss other, more discerning news.

.

.

.

"One day, there will be two Master Skywalker's bringing peace to the galaxy."

Mace Windu looks over at Shaak Ti, then at the closing door. "If they make it that far."