"So what is this test idea of yours about?" Meetra asked as she and Anakin entered the Padawan's bedroom.
Anakin started to rummage through the drawers. "If I can still find it…aha." Anakin pulled a small white Crystal, one that Meetra was able to recognize instantly.
"Hey, that's the crystal I found on Dantooine."
Anakin nodded. "Master Kenobi gave this to me for my seventieth birthday. Let's see if your time in suspended animation has clouded your memory. Tell me what is so special about this crystal? What makes this one particularly special unlike any other lightsaber crystal?"
"It's power is reflective of my own," Meetra said. "but as a side effect, the lightsaber it is within can only be wielded by…""She started to smile as she understood Skywallker's plan.
"Exactly" Anakin said . "If you are a faker in disguise, or even a clone of Meetra Surik, you won't be able to wield the lightsaber this thing is attached to, but if you are the real deal, then you are the only one that can wield it."
"Fool proof." Meetra muttered. "Um hey Anakin, can I talk to you about something?"
Of course. What is it?"
"HK told me the story he told you on Tatooine, and as much as I appreciate the fandom, there is something I feel you should know. Those ten years I spent outside of Republic space trying to help the Republic was not because I was a Jedi. The truth is that I was exiled from the order."
"Exiled?' Anakin asked "What for?"
"It was a long time ago. The Mandalorian's had the Republic cornered. Millions were losing their lives and the Jedi Council refused to do anything. "
"I've heard of the Mandalorian Wars," Anakin said. It was the bloodiest war the Republic has ever fought in to date. Had it not been for Revan, most of us would have been speaking Mandalorian."
"It's nice to know that history remembers Revan even if the Jedi don't." Meetra said
"The Jedi Archives mostly talk about his betrayal." Anakin said.
"Go figure," Meetra grunted. "Anyway the Republic had asked for the ad of the Jedi three times and they were denied three times. They kept saying they needed more time to examine the Mandalorian threat openly they urged patience and caution; at first I believed them, but then… "
"Then what?" Anakin asked. Meetra could since Meetra's pain as tears formed in her eyes. There was a feeling of anger and hurt, not the anger of a grudge, but the anger at a situation. She gulped in air and started to talk again.
"That final meeting before Revan joined the war. The council revealed that the Mandalorian threat was of the Republic's affairs and the Republic's alone and that it wasn't possible a large enough threat. The next day was the day the council rejected the republics plea for the 3rd time."
"Wait a sec," Anakin said. "You said that the Jedi told the Republic to be patient and they would think on the matter. The Council lied?"
Meetra nodded. "For those of us who did wish to fight, The Council's deceit was the final straw that broke the wamprats back. Unfortunately I was the only Jedi that decided to comeback when the war was over. As far as the Council was concerned I was being put on trial for crimes against the order. I didn't care though. I had no intention to "Defend" my cause. Rather I wished to open their eyes. But when one's arrogance exceeds his power, he soon believes that the whole galaxy revolves around him. I was soon put on trial and exiled."
Tears started to drip down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I forgave them a long time ago, but I guess it's still hard to forget."
She could sense anger start to flow from Anakin. "Don't Anakin I forgave them a long time ago."
'Why?" Anakin asked. "What they did to you was not fair."
"Boo Hoo." Meetra said. "Life isn't fair at times but we have to make the best of it. Does that give us the right to repay evil with bloodlust?" Talk to anybody and they'd probably say I had the right to be angry at the council for what they did, and that I would have been justified in hunting down every single one of them. But what benefit would that have been. There are two kinds of war Anakin skywallker that which is done by justice and that which is done by vengeance. That's one thing Kreia never learned even to the day she died."
"Who's Kreia?" Anakin asked.
"Nothing. She is someone I knew. Just remember this Anakin. The Force is not some insidious god with a will of its own. It is a power that lies deep into those who are sensitive to it. Whether you use it for good or for evil that is up to you, but that also means that with great power comes great responsibility.
"That's not what the council would say." Anakin said.
"really? Then it sadly proves the council hasn't changed one bit. Something tells me I'm going to quickly warm out my welcome. "
"Well first we have to prove that you are who you say you are." Anakin offered his hand. Shall we?
The two quickly walked to the council chamber. The exterior had changed very little from what she remembered, but she was very thrilled to see that the council was a quite a bit more diverse in its masters.
"Do you know why you're here?" Master Windu asked.
"I'm here because you can't believe that a Jedi Exile has managed to last 4000 years, so now you want proof."
"Indeed." Master Yoda said. "Keep in mind meaning to offend you or insult you we do not. But see for ourselves we would like to do."
"Allow me masters." Anakin pulled out the white crystal. "Legend states that only the true Meetra Surik can wield the lightsaber that this crystal is within. Anakin quickly forged a lightsaber and put the crystal inside. When he grabbed the hilt it sparked blue lightning causing Anakin to jump in pain.
"Well, it's nice to see that at least have the legend is true." There were snickers from most of the council, but apparently master Windu was not much of the laughter type.
"Now" Anakin continued to explain. "If she is who she says she is then the lightsaber will accept her."
Meetra stood at the Blue colored blade for a second before reaching for the blade. When she grabbed it, there was no crackle of electricity, but rather a faint glow coming from the hilt. Meetra then took the blade and swung it around proving her identity once and for all.
"Amazing" Master Plo Koon said.
"So you are who you are." Master WIndu mumbled to himself.
"Settled it is. Entered into our mist a renowned Jedi Has welcome her we all will."
"Welcome" Everyone said.
"Any request might you have?"
There was a request that she had though she did not know if the council would allow it.
"Actually with the council's permission I would like to aid Master Obi-wan and Padawan Skywalker in protecting Senator Amidala. Just so I can get use to missions."
Master Yoda held his hand to his chin. "Ask Senator Amidala first. If Okay with it she is, then grant your request the council will."
Padme eagerly granted Meetra's request saying it would be nice not being utterly outnumbered by boys. Obi-wan however had his suspicions and pulled her aside.
"You're doing this to spend time with Anakin aren't you?"
"Is that bad?" Meetra asked
"No I…I'm glad you two have a lot in common I just fear that you'll be a distraction to each other."
"Buddy I faced 3 sith lords all in the same day do you think I'll let myself be tripped up by a cute boy."
Obi-wan was a little dumbfounded when Meetra walked off. He then looked over at HK
"When she called Anakin cute, did she mean kitten cute, or does she mean like cute, cute?
"Query: How am I supposed to know? I know a lot about meatbags, the feelings of the female kind is not one of them."
Obi-wan Sighed "women. I have a bad feeling about this."