Disclaimer: I only own Misu and Reach so far! Cala Brin is not my character.
"No!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "Misu!"
But it was too late. The young woman had already been shot and was falling over the edge of the cliff. Mace made a wild grab, missing her outstretched hand. She screeched in fear. He tried to summon the power of the Force to soften her landing, but he couldn't. He heard her screams get cut off as she hit the ground.
Mace did the only thing he thought of- he jumped off the cliff after her.
He landed a few feet away from the motionless body of Misu Mitmor. He took a few paces forward and knelt down beside her. He rolled her body over, gently putting a hand to her head. No pulse. Nothing at all. A single tear leaked down his cheek and he let out a cry of mental pain. He heard a gun cocking behind him. He turned around and slashed his purple blade across the chest of the enemy assassin leader. The man fell to the ground, motionless as well.
Mace collapsed back to his knees, letting the hilt of his lightsaber roll away a few inches. Tears streamed down his cheeks and for the first time since he could remember...he cried. He cried for the loss of Misu. For the loss of his lover.
"No, pleaseā¦" He pleaded with her body, his shoulders shaking. "Wake up, Misu."
No response.
A noise filled the air. Gunshots, but they sounded more like someone knocking on the door.
Mace's eyes snapped open to the real world and he sat up in bed.
"Mace?" Reach called.
"Give me a minute, Reach." He responded hoarsely, wiping a single tear from his eyes.
He was done crying. Misu died months ago- she was gone now. He was back at home, on Coruscant. Where he belonged.
He sighed deeply, relieving himself of some of the stress. He got to his feet and pulled on the top of his padawan outfit. Then he opened the door and let Reach in, closing the door behind her.
"Where were you at training today?" She asked, concerned.
"Apparently, the Council decided that I'll be training with Master Yoda for a week." Mace replied after clearing his throat. "Seems to be my punishment after that failed break-in last night."
Reach gave an understanding nod, but amazement shown in her eyes. "I understand, but you get to train with Master Yoda. And idea how honored you should be?"
"Very, I presume." He guessed.
She nodded again. "You should be, Mace. He's the smartest and strongest of them all!"
"I know that." He told her.
"What'd you go over today?" She asked eagerly. "Battle moves? Force powers?"
"He gave me advice." He admitted.
"Advice?" Reach repeated. "What kind?"
"Of how to make me happier." Mace replied honestly.
"What'd he tell you?"
"He said that I need to balance out my feelings."
"How do you do that?" Her brow furrowed in confusion.
He shook his head and gave a small shrug. "Apparently I'm supposed to figure that out myself."
"Well, good luck with that." She sighed, rolling her eyes.
He snorted. "I'll figure it out."
"In a year."
"Faster, hopefully."
Reach flashed him a watch-that-happen glare and smirked. "Right."
Mace gave her a small smile in return. "Just watch me do it."
*X*
"When are we actually going to train?" Mace asked impatiently. "Battle train and stuff like that?"
"Tomorrow, that will be." Master Yoda responded. "Patience, you must have. More important to focus on, your feelings are."
"Fine." He grumbled with disappointment.
"Sit, you may." The wise Jedi motioned to the gray cushion beside the one he was on. The padawan obeyed, shifting into the same position as him, legs crossed on the seat. "Close your eyes. Let the Force flow through you. Relax your mind, you must."
"Okay." Mace said after he had closed his eyes and challengingly put all thoughts to the side. He called out to the Force, feeling it engulf him. After a few moments, he spoke up. "What now?" There was no response. "Master Yoda?" Nothing.
Tentatively, he opened his eyes.
Mace blinked a few times, taking in everything around him. He was no longer sitting on the cushion with Master Yoda, but instead was sitting before a human woman.
This woman had gray-brown hair, purple eyes, and light skin. The look of wisdom in her eyes made her seem ancient.
"Welcome, Mace Windu." She greeted kindly. "I am Cala Brin, one of the founders of the Jedi Order."
"I'm honored to be here then." Mace answered, trying to sound casual despite his confusion.
"I know that you must have many questions, so let me tell you the background information first." Master Brin decided. Then she continued,"First of all, we are in an ancient temple on Ashla, the moon of Tythans. You are here because I offered to teach you something special. As you already know, Master Yoda helped in getting you here." She paused.
The padawan gave a small nod. "Okay. Makes sense for the most part."
"There's something that I need you to know." She told him. "I have been watching you for many years now. I know what happened on Haruun Kal."
A wave of sadness rushed over Mace. "Don't speak of it. Please."
"Speaking of our memories helps us to come to peace with them." Master Brin advised.
The padawan shook his head. "Not for me."
"That's because you haven't told anyone yet." She reminded him.
"No one else knows. And I don't want them to know either. They'll expell me and then where am I supposed to go?" He sighed.
"You don't know that, young Mace." She told him. "Many Jedi of the past had the same issues as you have and they have not been expelled from the Order."
All Mace said was,"Don't call me that."
"And I did not mean tell another member of the Order." Master Brin told him softly.
"You said that you were going to teach me something." He looked up at her, his attitude fading away into curiosity. "What am I here to learn?"
"You are here to make peace with yourself."
"Make peace with...myself?"
"Yes, padawan." The ancient master nodded.
"How do I do it?" Mace asked, still slightly confused.
"Put your memories to the back of your mind." Master Brin told him. "Forget that any of that ever happened. Focus on the present and not the past."
"Easier said than done." He mumbled.
"Try it." She advised. "Toss those memories away like a child does with a ball."
"The child always goes back for the ball." Mace pointed out.
"Nothing is forgotten forever, young padawan." Master Brin reminded him. "You remember that well."
He nodded. "Okay, right. Nothing is forgotten forever."
