Good news! I've competed this story and am working on the sequel. I've finished outlining that during class, so everything is in order and I'll be starting work on that soon.
This will have 15 chapters in all, but the 15th is more like an epilogue seeing as how it's only three pages long. Anywhooo... On with the story.
Chapter Three
Luke stared in awe as the shuttle landed in front of the temple. Though he'd been here before back in his time, the building before him buzzed with life within the Force. It wasn't the desolate place permeated with fear and death and the Dark side.
"Magnificent isn't it?" Obi-Wan's voice asked, tearing Luke's concentration away from the Temple.
"Yes," he nodded. "You've lived here your whole life?"
"That's correct," he nodded. "Although lately I seem to be residing more in military barracks than anything. It will be nice to be able to sleep in my own bed for a change."
Luke nodded politely and braced himself as the ship touched down with a light bump. They exited the craft and entered the temple. Luke looked around at the unblemished pillars and such that adorned the main hall.
"Are you hungry?" Obi-Wan asked. "Because I was thinking of catching a bite to eat. Although temple food isn't the best, we don't have nearly enough time to go lower to Dex's."
"Temple food is fine," Luke said with a slight chuckle.
"You say that now," Obi-Wan laughed. "Well, if your stomach is anything like Anakin's then we needn't worry."
Luke smiled and buried the knowledge of his parentage deep within his mind. Though Obi-Wan was much more carefree than the Hermit in the desert, he was still quite perceptive. Luke followed him through the halls and into the Cafeteria, stopping at the kitchen and grabbing a meal. Luke took the Bantha Stew and sat down, ignoring Obi-Wan's gaze.
"You look familiar, have we met before?" he asked, and Luke tensed.
"No, I don't believe so Master," he said, taking a bite of the stew. Obi-Wan eyed him for a moment longer before shrugging and dipping into his plate of food. Some meat dish by the looks of it.
"Sky guy! Hey! Sky guy!" A small, lithe Torgruta slid into the seat next to Luke and then paused. "Sorry, I thought you were Master Skywalker."
"Ahsoka, this is Luke Solo," Obi-Wan introduced, "Luke, this is my Padawan's Padawan, Ahsoka Tano."
"Pleasure," Luke grinned dipping his head into a bow.
"Likewise," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly at Luke. He felt her probing his mind lightly and pushed back with a shield.
"Nice try," he smirked. She grinned and shrugged.
"Oh well," she sighed, and leaned back in the chair throwing her elbow over the back. "So, Master Kenobi, I hear you saved the Chancellor."
"It was mostly Anakin," he mumbled modestly. Ahsoka burst out laughing.
"You got knocked unconscious again didn't you?" she asked and laughed harder when a slight blush tinged Obi-Wan's cheeks red. "I can't wait to hear Master's take on things!"
"You'd do well not to let his ego get any larger," Obi-Wan said pointedly. Luke smiled as he watched their playful exchange.
"Maybe you're right, but whatever will I tell people when they ask if I know the story of the Chancellor's rescue?"
"That you don't know a thing," he replied with a smile.
"That's cold, Master," Ahsoka said, clutching a hand to her heart. She and Obi-Wan shared another laugh before they fell into silence. After a few moments, Ahsoka glanced back at Luke.
"Where are you from?" she asked, leaning back a little more in her chair.
"Tatooine," he said after swallowing his bite of food.
"I thought so," she nodded. "Only Tatooine natives can really eat Bantha Stew with that much enthusiasm."
"I wouldn't know," he shrugged.
She stared at him a moment longer before sitting straight and leaning in. She stared at him for a moment before brushing against his Force Signature lightly and grinning.
"I think I'll see you later," she nodded before standing and walking out of the cafeteria. Luke watched her go with a confused expression and glanced at Obi-Wan curiously.
"That girl is odder than my Padawan," he shook his head. "You almost done?"
Luke nodded, suddenly having lost his appetite. Something had gone horribly wrong just now, and the Force was shifting all around him.
"This is the Room of a Thousand Fountains," Obi-Wan said, gesturing widely around him. Luke stared in awe at all the glistening fountains that fell everywhere in the room. Several fountains spanned more than one story, and many fell into each other. It was beautiful. "Many Jedi prefer to meditate here rather than in the gardens, the meditation chambers, or even their own quarters."
"I can see why," Luke nodded. "It's gorgeous."
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed. "Come, I'll show you the Gardens. They are equally magnificent."
The followed a path through the room and down another hall before exiting the building. They were in a secluded portion of the Temple, and large pieces of foliage lined the walls. Luke noticed that there were many people here, even those not Jedi. He glanced at Obi-Wan and saw the man closing his eyes with a wry smile and just listening to the flow of things around him.
After a moment, he glanced back at Luke. "These Gardens are rather old but we open them to the public during the spring when everything is in bloom. I'd wager this is one of the few places on Coruscant you have the best chance to connect with the Force."
"Is all the Temple so grand?" Luke asked, suddenly wondering if the Temple he held on Yavin was adequate.
"No, but it was built after the Great Sith Wars," Obi-Wan replied, stroking his ginger beard. "It was a stance that Jedi were powerful enough to protect the Galaxy."
Luke nodded, taking in the information.
"You seem troubled, young one," Obi-Wan said after a moment.
"I'm not," Luke assured, but Obi-Wan wasn't convinced. "I'm not. I just, I was just thinking about home and how I don't have anything like this to meditate by."
"I don't think Tatooine is rather conducive to growing things," Obi-Wan chuckled and Luke laughed slightly.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Of course I am," Obi-Wan laughed. "Now, shall we go see Master Yoda and determine when the Council wishes to see you?"
Luke swallowed heavily and nodded. "I guess, Master."
"Alright then," Obi-Wan grinned and the two began their trek into the Temple to Master Yoda's quarters.
"He's elected more emergency powers to himself in light of his abduction," Bail sighed, pushing the Datapad away. "I don't know how much longer we can call this a Republic if the senate holds no power."
"Surely there is someway to go around this?" Leia asked, sitting across the desk from him. "A vote of No Confidence?"
"It will never fly," He shook his head. "That's how Palpatine was elected in the first place, and I think he has enough supporters right now to deny it. We need to try and petition him. Maybe if we get enough signatures..."
"That is merely a suggestion," Leia shook her head. "He'll never look twice as it, and if he does take over you'll be watched as a traitor."
"If he does take over?" Bail asked and shook his head. "Leia, you may be young but I do not take you as naive. Palpatine has already taken over. It is merely a matter of time before it is official."
"Then there is still time," she said firmly.
"I'll gather who I can and we will arrange a meeting. A meeting of the Loyalists," he said with a smirk. "We'll need Mon Mothma, and definitely Padme..."
"Why don't you give me a list of Senators you wish to have this meeting with and I'll contact them or their aides and set up the meeting," Leia suggested and Bail paused and smiled at her.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," he said. "Leia, you are easily becoming one of my favorite secretaries. You are most certainly cut out for political life."
"Thank you, Senator," she smiled and pride swelled within her. It would be horrible when she was ripped back to the present, or rather her timeline. All this time spent with the man that raised her would be irreversible.
"Oh! Also, I set up rooms in the Alderaanian Embassy for you," he continued, going through data pads on his desk. "I got you and your brother separate rooms, though if you wish to share that can be rectified. My understanding is that they are connecting rooms, so in a way you still share."
"The two rooms will be fine, Senator," she said. "Thank you, so much."
"Of course, but please call me Bail," he insisted and Leia grinned.
"Of course," she nodded, and took the out stretched datapad from him. She placed it off to the side and glanced out at the skylanes. You could see the Jedi Temple in the distance standing tall and proudly against the sky.
"It certainly is a beautiful view," Bail said from behind her.
"Pardon?" She asked, glancing back at him. He stood and walked to the window, arms clasped behind his back and pushing his blue robes aside.
"It is no match for Alderaan in my opinion, but when the sun sets on the buildings like that, it rivals many planets. It's the haze, and that is the only sad part about it, that gives it that color."
Leia stood next to him and looked carefully at the sky. It was lit up brightly with orange and pink hues, and Coruscant's large sun shone brightly off the metallic surfaces of all the dura-steel buildings.
"I miss Alderaan," Leia found herself saying all of a sudden.
"So do I," Bail sighed. He looked down with a sad smile. "I received word yesterday that my wife fell ill yet again. The healers have told her that to risk pregnancy once more will surely kill her."
"I'm so sorry," she murmured. Breha had been sick nearly Leia's whole life. It was in those rare moments where she was feeling better that were some of the happiest times in her childhood.
"It isn't your fault," he said with a small tug of his mouth. "But it is this blasted war's fault that I am unable to return and comfort her. You would be hard pressed to find a citizen more in favor of the Clone War's end than me."
"War steals everything from us," she said, staring up at the man she lost with Alderaan.
"That it does," he sighed. "That it does."
"Master Kenobi," Yoda said brightly as they were permitted into his chambers. "Take it I do, that showing young Solo here around the Temple you have."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded. They took seats on the cushioned chairs that made up Yoda's room. The small Jedi Master smiled and twitched his ears lightly before glancing at Luke.
"Like it here, you do?" he asked and Luke nodded.
"Very much, Master Yoda," he said. "Thank you for allowing me."
"A problem it was not," he smiled, before humming in thought. "Discuss your training we need to. Your future training as well."
"Future training?" Luke asked.
"Never stops learning a Jedi does," Yoda said, his eyes peering at Luke intensely. "The day we become one with the Force is the day our learning ends."
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said. "I thought the council was to decide the fate of the boy's training?"
Yoda hummed again in thought. "The truth that is, but much weight with the council I hold."
Luke smiled as he caught Yoda's playful glance. He was finding he like this version of the small Jedi master much better than that of the one he had met on Dagobah. Twenty years in isolation had made him slightly crazy, and it was clear that Yoda belonged surrounded by Jedi.
"I apologize, Master," Obi-Wan bowed.
"Need not apologize you do," Yoda said, holding up a small clawed hand. "But the will of the Force it was for young Solo to be brought here."
Luke stared at the small Jedi, wondering whether or not he knew of the circumstances he was brought there.
"Belongs in the Jedi Order he does," Yoda continued. "Meditated on this I have. Will of the Force... Yes, yes... Find a suitable Master we will."
"Master, if I may suggest," Obi-Wan started and Yoda smiled.
"Ready to take on another Padawan are you?" he asked and Obi-Wan looked down in mild embarrassment.
"He is fully grown and other Masters will be reluctant to take him on, regardless of the state of his training," Obi-Wan said. "He might not need much help, but I know the restrictions of training an older child."
"A handful young Skywalker was," Yoda grinned. "But a better Master I could not have chosen for him. Young Solo will be under your aide, but a Padawan he will not be. A Jedi he may already be, but guidance in the Force he desires."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said.
"Young Solo," Yoda said, looking at Luke. "Agree with these solutions you do?"
"Yes, Master," he nodded, smiling brightly at Yoda.
"Very well," Yoda nodded. "Tomorrow shall test your training. A good nights rest you must get. A place to stay have you?"
"I believe Senator Organa was arranging for my sister and I to stay in the Alderaanian Embassy."
"Sister," Yoda hummed. "A potential in the Force she has?"
"Yes, I have begun working with her in the basics of the Force," Luke nodded. "I'm sure she could see much more guidance from someone here though. She prefers politics, but I feel she should know the ways of the Force."
"See to her we will soon," Yoda nodded. "For now, I must rest. Sleep I do require in my old age."
Obi-Wan and Luke bid their goodbyes and bowed to the small master before leaving his chambers. They walked a few paces down the hall before heading towards the main area of the Temple.
"Luke, do not feel that I am taking you on simply as a pity case," Obi-Wan started, glancing down at him.
Luke shook his head. "I know why you are doing this, Master, and I appreciate it. The man that taught me the Force died long before he could complete my training, and I was forced to study by myself for many years. I am a most willing student."
"I'm glad to hear that," Obi-Wan smiled. "You are nearly as eager as my last Padawan, and part of me worries that I've gone too far yet again."
Luke laughed. "I'll try to stay in line."
"I appreciate that," Obi-Wan chuckled. "Good night, Luke."
"Good night, Master," Luke smiled. "May the Force be with you."
"And you as well," Obi-Wan nodded before turning away. Luke smiled and left the Jedi Temple, wondering what exactly this would change in the timeline.
Things will follow RotS for awhile until they abruptly change. You'll know it when it comes. But that's still a few chapters out. Like I said in my last A/N (What now Hayley? lol, I love how honest you were about not reading that note.) this is only the exposition. More later seeing how it's 11 Pacific time.
OH! And good luck to anyone hit by Irene, that hurricane on the East Coast. I know the writers Mirror and Image got hit with it. So yeah, great luck to those in the cleanup. I saw some pretty nasty footage of it via Phillip DeFranco on YouTube.
Until next chapter!