Chapter 14: Readjusting Plans

I opened my eyes to find myself on a med-bed, hooked up to a machine with an IV in my arm. I looked around and found myself alone. I was alone. The word alone was kinda a surprise to me. Ever since I got here it's been everything but alone.

I looked to my side and saw my comm. next to my utility belt on the desk beside me. I reached out my arm to it and immediately regretted that decision after a burning pain erupted in my stomach. I fell back onto the bed completely and almost shouted from the pain.

That's when I remembered.

Maul…

He drew me in with a clone and then stabbed me for real when my guard was down. That proves that not only can the Sith not be trusted, but also that they are sneaks.

But, what should I expect? The Sith are evil. I should know; I watched everything happen. They can be nice to draw someone in, but it's all an act. When they think that your guard is down, they will strike without warning.

My stomach flared again and I groaned in pain as I clutched the bed sheets. Damn that stings.

I took a deep breath and started to heal myself. A wound like this would take some time to heal because it was a serious wound, not a quick shoulder slash or a blaster bolt. No, this was a stab in the stomach, it would take some time.

I sat in silence for a minute, thinking.

How much longer do I have to wait before someone comes?

As if on cue, the door opened with a swish sound and in stepped a Mon Calamarian.

A female Mon Calamarian.

He large silver colored eyes locked on me and she smiled, "Good, you're awake."

I slowly got into a sitting position. With a slight grunt, I replied with a small smile, "Yeah, been up for a few minutes."

"I'm sorry, I would've been here sooner, but Obi was talking to me about what happened. I'm surprised you survived. Most Jedi – hell anything – would've died from a wound like that." The serious tone in her voice was very evident. For a second, it filled me with fear.

I could've died!

However, I still replied, "I'm just lucky, I guess."

"Apparently" She chuckled, "By the way, I'm Bant Eerin."

My memory jogged and I smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Bant. I'm Blaze."

She nodded with a smile, "It's very nice to finally meet you, Blaze."

A small silence followed, until I spoke, "So, where's everybody?"

Bant, who seemed to have been lost in thought, looked back up at me and smiled, "After they got you here, Obi and Anakin were called to the other Council chambers to discuss business." Her smile widened, "They told me that the war will end soon."

This perked my curiosity, "Why is that?"

"Master Windu told me that Obi has been sent to the Utapau system to kill Grievous."

This made my smile, disappear. Obi Wan had already been sent while I was in recovery? Why didn't the Council wait?!

Then an even more disturbing realization hit: Palpatine…Anakin…Windu…Sith…Temple Raid.

I sat completely upright and felt a searing pain in my stomach again. It wasn't as bad as before, but still it hurt like no man's business. I groaned as I poured more Force energy into my wound to heal it.

Bant saw me and rushed to me, "Blaze! You need to rest." She softly made me lie down and I took a deep breath.

I still had until nine o'clock on the crono. I was not going to let any more time be wasted deliberating useless crap.

I looked at Bant, "What time is it?"

She looked at me confusingly, her silver eyes blinking continuously, "Uh, well it's the day after your incident and it is…" She looked at her comm., "eleven."

I sighed.

Ten hours.

Unless I could stop it.

"Bant," I looked directly into her eyes, "How long will it take for me to heal?"

"That depends on if you were going to go by bacta or by Force healing." She said.

"Which is faster?" I raised a brow.

She smiled, "Bacta."

We both laughed for a second at the hidden joke, "Ok, can you get me to one of them?"

She nodded, "Sure, but that will have to wait."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because there are three human females and one male human child waiting to see you."

I immediately knew who they were.

Mom, Jake, Danni, and Mrs. Rey.

They came to see me? Now?

I chuckled as a thought came to me, here comes the waterworks.

I waited a minute before all four ran into my room, Jake leading the pack.

"James!" he shouted, his voice high and his face red with dried tears, "James!"

He came up to my bed and looked at me teary again.

I smiled and place a hand on his head, "Hey buddy."

"What happened?" He asked, his voice cracking with sadness that was breaking my heart.

I chuckled, "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

He crossed his arms, his sadness forgotten.

"Try me."

I laughed lightly, "Ok." My face grew serious, "Darth Maul happened."

He looked at me as his mouth dropped, "Darth Maul?!" He shouted and Bant, who was behind the others, winced.

"Shhh…not so loud, Bant's hearing is sensitive." I scolded but like always, he got mad.

"You're not my boss."

I looked to my Mother and she looked at Jake, "Stop, now!" Her voice was firm and left no room for argue as Jake shut up immediately.

My mom was next. Her eyes were tearing up as she came to me.

I smiled weakly, "Hey, Mom."

She rubbed my hair, "Oh, James."

"I know." I kissed her hand, "It's okay."

"I just…don't understand…any of this really." She said, almost in hysterics.

I chuckled, "I didn't either at first. But, to be honest, this is our life now. I'm a real Jedi. I fight for the Republic. I know it is really hard to believe that we got sucked into another dimension, but I have to. I had to do that before I could actually take a part, because I had to. It actually is my destiny."

She laughed sadly, "Your father would laugh right now."

I patted her hand gently, "Don't worry Mom, I'll get Dad back." I turned to Danni and Mrs. Rey, "And Mr. Rey and Lyra too."

For the first time, Mrs. Rey spoke, "What about Dave?"

My heart sunk. I felt sick at that moment. I forgot to tell them about his betrayal.

"Mrs. Rey…" I hesitated, but continued, "I hate to be the one to tell you this but…Dave has turned to the Dark Side."

"I know." Was her response, "But can my little boy be brought back?" I heard her voice falter.

"I-I don't know." I responded truthfully, "I-I tried, but he insisted that I was his enemy and has tried to kill me on multiple occasions."

She covered her mouth with her hand and let her eyes water.

I felt a pang of guilt, "Mrs. Rey, please don't cry."

That didn't help. She let the tears fall from her eyes and my mom went to her to comfort her.

Jake tugged on me, "James, what happens now?"

I smiled slightly, "You continue your training, I'll handle tonight." I pulled him close, "Listen, if I call you tonight, answer. Tonight is when everything goes to hell if I don't fix it. Palpatine tightens his grip tonight."

His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to shout but I clamped my hand over it, "Shhhh!"

He slowly nodded, "Ok." Was his muffled reply as I removed my hand.

"Good."

Jake smiled at me then went and hugged Mom. I looked at the three and my heart broke. But it broke even more as I saw that Danni was crying. All four of the people that I cared about were crying. I needed to help them. At least Danni, she wasn't getting any kind of consult at all.

I checked my progress in healing the wound myself and found my would a fourth of the way done.

I slowly got out of the bed and I finally realize that I had on my soft gray pants and my white undershirt on. Bant started to talk, "Blaze, you need to rest."

"Don't worry, Bant." I said assuredly. I walked up to Danni, who was still shorter than me, whether or not she was older, and smiled.

"Danni." I said and she looked into my eyes, "It's going to be fine."

I'd never seen her like this before. She wasn't this…emotional before. Out of all the Rey family, she expressed the least amount of emotion. At least while I was around.

Dave had told me a tale or too about Danni and when she can be, as he put it, fun or tolerable or even energetic. The stories he told me were funny, so I knew she had a different side.

A single tear streamed down her cheek and I brushed it away with my thumb. She looked at me surprised at my action, but she still gave me a small smile. She then did something that surprised me, she hugged me. Her arms wrapped around my body and held me for dear life. I gently wrapped my arms around her back and whispered, "Don't worry Danni, I'll get them back, then we all can live at the Temple and live in peace."

She pulled back a little to look me in the eyes and replied with almost a laugh, "Promise?"

I chuckled a little at that, she just said something Dave had said a while back, "I promise."

She hugged me again and then I was joined by my mom in the hug. Then Jake. And finally Mrs. Rey. We were all in one big hug and I smiled. For the first time in a long time, I was truly happy.

Bant came over, "I hate to break this…touching moment, but I just received a transmission from Master Yoda."

We all broke off and I turned to Bant, "And?"

"He wants to send you to investigate a small disturbance in the Senate building when you're able." She said.

I looked at the crono.

11:15.

I nodded, "Okay, tell Master Yoda that I'll be going soon."

"Blaze." Bant said in a warning tone, "I know that you should go, but you need to heal."

I checked my healing process with the Force and found the wound half done and I smiled, "I'm half way healed, I'll be fine."

"James." I turned around to see my mom, "You need to heal, Ms. Bant is right."

I groaned, "Mom, I have to go."

"No, you are going to rest." She said firmly.

"I'm going, Mom. If you've forgotten, I'm a Jedi now." I smiled, "It's my duty."

She crossed her arms, her voice rising, "James Allen Kentic, you are going to lay back in that bed and rest, now."

I shook my head and looked at my utility belt and Force pulled it to me. I snapped it around my waist and took my comm. off the table. My light gray tunic top was hanging and I pulled it to me, then I turned back to my mom, who was in shock at what I'd done.

I glanced at her before turning to my healer, "Bant, I need a lightsaber."

She nodded and walked over to a drawer where she pulled out a lightsaber identical to the one I had before I created my own. I clicked it on, away from everybody, and looked at the dark blue blade shoot out with its familiar snap-hiss.

Then it clicked in my head, "This is my saber from before, isn't it?"

"Yeah, Obi Wan wanted me to give it to you since you lost your other one." Bant smiled, "Kind of a replacement, to some length." She finished as I deactivated my saber and clipped it to my belt.

I had to laugh at that, "Good old Obi Wan."

"Wait!" My mom looked confused, "Obi Wan? As in the mo-!" I covered her mouth with my hand and she looked at me with blazing fury.

I reached out with the Force and invaded her mind, Mom this is James. I'm telling you this telepathically so don't freak out. They don't know that in our world we know everything about them, well I do, but still, you need to refrain from telling ANYBODY anything from the movies or books, especially the stuff about Luke Skywalker, understand?

Mom blinked her green eyes at my in what I could tell was question, but she nodded all the same.

I removed my hand and turned to Bant, "Bant, would you be so kind as to show them to their rooms in the Temple, I'll go to the Senate building."

"Don't you think you should at least rest a little more?" Bant questioned.

I sighed but smiled appreciatively, "I'm fine."

"Ok, but if you start to feel weird, you get your butt back here immediately." Bant was starting to sound like my mom. I turned to my actual mom, was not one mom enough? Apparently not!

"I'll be off." I said before I walked out the self-opening door. I turned back one more time, "See ya later."

They smiled before the door cut us off.

I turned and started to walk down the corridor. The med hall had been one place I stayed away from the most. Reasons? Well, I hate being in-able to do stuff and always felt like I was going to be there for a while, considering my history.

History?

My history?

Not much, but I still had a list of times I've been hurt seriously and even in this war I have a list of injuries.

I smiled to myself. But, no broken bones!

I still found it weird how I set that as a standard for myself.

I stopped at the end of the hall and passed the desk on my way out of the section. I then proceeded in walking to the main doors of the Temple through the grand hallway. I dropped my hood and walked down the maroon steps that went past the Youngling training rooms.

I had been in there a few times during the war, when I wasn't on the front lines of course. One little boy in the Nova class, maybe seven, was showing exceptional skill, but it still didn't hinder me from checking out the other classes.

I'd checked out the Nova, Sun, Bear, and Pention class...

But not the Omega class, that was where the Initiates my age were, some older.

I stopped walking. Maybe I could take a quick look? The Senate building wasn't that far and I could just take a speeder there.

I looked at the crono on my wrist.

11:27.

I have time, I'll leave by noon, my stomach growled, and I'll get lunch after my mission.

I turned completely and walked through the entryway that led to the long hall, littered with doors, leading to multiple Youngling training centers. But I needed to find the Omega class. Led by Cin Drallig.

I had met Cin a few times and actually had the pleasure of dueling him. It was only after the duel was I actually proved he was one of the Temple's greatest sword masters. We had lunch and talked. I listened as he gave me tips on my fighting styles and instructions on how to perfect moves I had already knew but never fully had down.

I walked a little farther until I came to the end of the hallway and looked down the two ways to my left and to my right. This was confusing. I looked up and saw a female human Jedi that looked like a few years older than me. Her hair was black with two braided strands on both sides of her head and the rest went down her back until it stopped a little after her shoulders. Her outfit was loose and brown covering the chest and then switched to the regular sand color as it covered the rest of her abdomen. Her arms were bare except for the brown gloves that almost went to her elbow. They looked somewhat comfortable.

Her skirt was sand colored with small parts that were a soft, light purple, her leggings matched that sandy color until they came to her brown boots.

I walked slowly up to her, "Excuse me."

She turned around and her blue eyes met mine, "Yes."

I staggered for a moment, "I-I'm looking for the Omega class, I wanted to see the Initiate's train before I go."

She looked at me pensively for a sec, "And who might you be?"

"Blaze Marko." I answered immediately, "Padawan, Blaze Marko."

She snapped her fingers, "Now I remember, Kenobi's Padawan, you are very well-known around the galaxy." She held out her hand, "My name is Serra Keto."

I shook it gently, "It is very nice to meet you Serra."

She gave a small smile and gestured to the hall to the right, the one she came from to be exact, "Down the hall, second door you come to on the left."

I nodded, "Thanks."

She nodded and left.

Hmmm, Serra Keto, I don't know that much about her only that she is seventeen and is a Jedi Knight. Her personality is okay, I mean she could be a little softer, her whole aura was stiff. But I guess that's what you get for being raised in the Temple. She's not as bad as I would have thought though considering the game and all. I thought as I found the Omega class door.

I clicked the green button beside it and the door opened with a hiss. I slipped in and stood against the wall in the shadows, watching them.

They all stood in the large room and started to train with Drallig.

There were nine; three human males, a female human, a female Togruta, a male Milarian, two male Chiss, and finally a male Mon Calamarian. They all stood a few feet away from each other as they mimicked Cin. They moved very well and none of them faltered when it came to the difficult moves.

Drallig spoke, "Ok, Younglings, today we are going to have a match. A few matches actually." He turned to where I was hidden, "And I bet that Blaze would like to come out of the shadows now."

I slapped myself mentally. I put my Force signature down to a very, very low level, but I should have known that he would've snuffed me out.

I stepped out and smiled, "You were always able to sense me."

"Not that hard." He waved dismissively.

I rolled my eyes, "Weren't you talking to your students."

That caught him off guard and he gathered their attention again, he cleared his throat, "Yes, well, I will be assigning each of you a sparring partner and then you will perform in front of the whole class…" He paused and shrugged, "…and Padawan Blaze."

I felt my stomach tighten a little as they all turned their heads to me.

"Uh, yes, I came here to see how you all were doing, training wise, before I go to the Senate." I stated, walking to Cin's side and then added, "So, let's see what you've got."

They nodded and I took a seat behind me, it resembled the Council chamber chairs. I watched as the pairs were picked.

A boy that looked slightly older than me vs. the Togrutan female that was a little younger than him.

Two boys that looked about fifteen got paired. One had blonde hair while the other had black.

As if by coincidence, the two male Chiss were paired.

The Mon Cal was paired with the Milarian.

And finally the girl, that looked a few months younger than me, was paired with…

I looked at her and saw she didn't have a partner.

Drallig saw this as well and put a hand on my shoulder, "It looks like I'm short on a partner for Kiara."

"Kiara?" I questioned, "That's her name?"

He nodded, "Indeed, Kiara Seto, she will need a partner, would you mind?"

"Me?" I stared at the Jedi Master.

He nodded, "Yes, or are you too scared that you'll be beat by a girl?" He teased.

I felt my cheeks heat up slightly, "No, it's just…don't you think that's a little unfair."

He sat back and rubbed his beardless chin, "Unfair?"

"Yeah." I nodded, "I've fought two Sith, a Sith assassin, droids, guards, and who knows what else. Don't you think that's a little unfair?"

He nodded, "That would be a little unfair, but it's even more unfair that Kiara doesn't have a partner to show her skills on."

He was right, "True."

"She is more skilled than you think." He said as they all sat down except for the two male human boys. They ignited their training sabers and started to go at it. The level on their sabers was set as level six: a blaster bolt scathe. They must have been pretty talented if they were going at level six.

Six was one level lower than the highest: seven.

"I never said she wasn't skilled!" I shot back a little louder than intended, "Sorry, didn't mean to shout."

"Never mind that, will you be her sparring partner for the match?"

I looked at my crono.

11:39.

"I guess." I said looking back up to see that the blonde boy had his blue saber pointed at the dark haired boy's neck.

Victory for Blondie, I laughed in my head.

I unclipped my saber and switched it to training setting, making sure to set it at level four: a small sting.

I rose from my seat and walked to the side of the training circle as the other two boys sat in their chairs and Kiara stood up. She looked at me confused but then looked at Drallig who only nodded in response.

She drew her lightsaber and switched it to level six. She activated the saber and a cyan colored blade came out and she dropped into a defensive stance. I smiled, the girl was ready.

I pressed the silver button on my old lightsaber and the dark blue blade shot out. It's glow illuminating on me as I fell into my own stance. Bending my knees slightly, I stretched out my left hand, all my finger out, while my other arm was much farther back the lightsaber coming slightly past my left hand.

She slashed at my hand and I pulled back as the lightsaber slashed through air. She stumbled for a sec before attacking again. Her attacks were swift, but I blocked them with ease.

She locked her blade with mine and pressed forward. Her eyes burned with the determination to win. However, I wasn't giving up.

I disconnected sabers and lightly touched her shoulder with my saber as I ducked under hers. She yelped in surprise but continued her attack. I blocked her attacks as they came at a normal pace, not close to the speed I fought Dave with, but still okay.

She went for my right arm but I blocked her lightsaber with mine and looked at her, she was smiling.

Why?

The Force gave me a warning as her other hand became a fist and went for my gut, but I was able to block it with my left hand. She growled slightly and dislodged herself from the saber-lock. We jumped backwards, using the Force to cushion the momentum.

She twirled her lightsaber next to her.

I was on the offensive now.

I ran up to meet her and crashed my blade on to hers and she barely blocked my attack. She struggled to keep balance and eventually dropped to one knee while whimpering, obviously trying to stay strong.

I pressed harder and her strength started to fail.

But her thoughts were active. In fact, they were so active that I could hear them since we were so close.

I won't let him beat me! He's just another stuck up, snidy, showoff Padawan that will NOT beat me!

I was hurt for a sec. Man, she really thinks I'm mean?

I decided that I was going to give her a fighting chance. I jumped back, freeing her from my blade's lock, the dark blue blade returning to its magnificent color on retreat.

She started to breathe heavily while looking at me with confusion.

Her thoughts still reached me though.

What? Why did he back up?

I smiled and offered her a hand up.

She took it and eyed me suspiciously, "Seriously?"

I nodded, "Seriously."

I jumped back as her blade went for me.

"Getting a little impatient, are we?" I taunted.

Her face reddened before going on the offensive again. She went for my legs first, but I blocked. Then she went for my side several times. My lightsaber met hers though.

I had to say, she was a good fighter, but she was levels below me.

After another few minutes, she stopped and was holding her chest while taking in deep breaths. I lowered my saber, "Done?"

She looked at me confused and angry, "Not until I'm down."

I looked at my crono again.

11: 49

I lifted my blade, "Ok, if that's what you wish."

She nodded and charged one last time.

However, this time, I didn't hold back my strength and knocked the blade from her hands and into mine. I used the Force, pulling her feet out from under her and back flipping over her so I could be in front. She looked up at me with her mouth agape.

I deactivated her lightsaber and gave it to her as she got to her feet.

"Are we done here?" I asked.

She blushed but nodded. She hooked her lightsaber to her belt and started to walk back to her seat. She looked back at me, as if something was bothering her. She eyed me for a second before going back and sitting in her seat.

I clipped my lightsaber to my belt; I had some sense into making sure that it was off though. With a nod, I walked back to the seat I was using and watched as the next spar took place. Cin and I talked and I knew everybody's name by the end.

After all the spars were over, I got up and started to walk to the exit, when a hand was laid upon my shoulder. I looked over slightly, seeing who had their hand on me. I saw that it was Drallig.

I turned completely, "Your students are talented, and apparently they are far more talented than I thought."

Cin smiled and we looked at the students, who were talking as a group, and smiled.

I turned around and left the room and then left the Temple. I ran to a speeder and gave the driver the amount to get me to the Senate building. The ride took a few minutes and I leaped out and started to walk in.

I made my way to a chair and reached out with the Force to search. I let my presence fill the building as I searched it through the Force. I kept my eyes closed while I concentrated. A few minutes later, I passed a signature that was very strong in the Force. The Force aura was a light blue, very close to Obi Wan's.

I opened my eyes, "Hmmm…That's strange."

"What's strange?" A voice asked from beside me.

I turned my head and saw a brown hooded figure sitting beside me. The brown robe was similar to mine and it covered her face, shielding it from me.

"Oh, nothing, Jedi business." I said with a wave.

The hooded woman laughed, "For someone who could bring me back to life, you sure don't remember voices well."

I turned back to her with wide eyes, "W-What?"

"Don't you remember?" She let her hood fall…

"Siri?!"

She nodded and turned to me with her shining blue eyes. She breathed in deeply with a huge smile on her face, "You have no idea how good it feels to be alive again!"

I grinned widely, "Siri! Holy cow, it worked, you're actually alive!"

"Yeah, you did it." She smiled brightly, "Now, where's my Obi Wan?"

I frowned, "Uh, he's on Utapau."

"Where?"

"Utapau, it's the home of the Pau'ans. Obi Wan has gone there to take care of Grievous; however, I fear something terrible will happen soon after."

"What is that? Maybe I could help." She asked, her blue orbs shining.

I looked at the ground, "Maybe, the thing is, I know who the Sith Lord behind all of this is, but I can't face him, or tell the Council. He's too strong, he'll kill them all. My only hope is to use my plan and stop him some way before nine tonight. If not, the Jedi will not see the next thing before it happens and they will be overrun. Tonight is where it all starts."

Siri sighed deeply, "What about Anakin, can't you get him to help you?"

I sighed, "I can't."

"Why? He's a very talented young man and he is the Chosen One. The Council thinks that so why don't you ask him?" She asked.

"Anakin has his hands full, but I could use your help now." I said as she nodded, "Anakin will be invited to the Opera tonight at eight. Stop him. I need to speak with the Chancellor, more than likely, he already knows I'm here to stop him, but if not, I'll have an advantage."

Siri looked distressed, "How do you propose I stop him? He saw me die. To him, I'm dead. If he sees me, he's gonna get suspicious and then your plan will fail."

"I've been thinking about it and I think I came up with a solution." I started, "Go to the Temple, but mask your Force Signature. Find my friend, Ahsoka Tano. If you need help, ask Jedi that are new or Younglings in the Bear class that don't know you. After you find her, explain my plan, but you must make sure she does not come to the Opera. Make sure she stays close to Skywalker, and when he leaves, make sure you stall him for as long as possible, understand?"

Siri nodded and I continued, "I will talk to the Chancellor right now, just to make sure he knows me."

She frowned and a look of distress passed on her face, "You know that could be a trap."

"I know."

"So, what's your plan?"

I smirked, "Spring the trap."