8 The Temple
Lothal, ancient Jedi Temple
"Hello? Hellllooooooo?!" His voice echoed around him, vibrating off the rock facing as he stumbled in the darkness. "Chop?"
Jacen froze as he realized that his faithful companion wasn't behind him any longer. He was all alone in the darkened maze of rooms. He fumbled with the utility pocket on his belt in search of his glow rod that he always kept tucked inside. He let out a sigh of relief as his hands closed around it and he thumbed the switch, illuminating the room around him.
"What is this place?" he wondered aloud as he studied the carvings on the walls. "Hello? Is anybody there?"
No one answered, only the sound of his voice returned to him. He was on his own.
Maybe I'll just turn around and go back the way I came, he thought with a confident nod of his head. The small boy turned around and marched back towards what he thought was the exit, but the door he originally entered now led to a completely different room.
"Oh, man...this is so mega." He swallowed hard, turning round and round in circles, unsure of which way to go. "I'm gonna be so grounded when I get home."
He held his glow rod to the rock facing and studied the carvings that had been etched so long ago. "Whoa, wolves." Sabine used to tell him stories about wolves on Lothal, but nobody had seen any in a long time.
The wolves were everywhere. Some of the images depicted them leading people who held long glowing swords in a long line.
He paused before a peculiar carving with wolves running around in a large circle. His fingers itched to touch it. At the last minute, he hesitated, giving it a lingering look before walking deeper into the large stone structure.
He didn't know what this place was, but he was beginning to think it might be a temple, like the one his Mom used to tell him stories about when Ezra and his Dad used to go on their Jedi missions.
He came into a room where three stone statues sat in a meditative pose, similar to how he'd seen Ezra sit with his legs folded like a pretzel underneath him. At their center was a tile mosaic circle blending from black into white, spirling without end. He felt curiously drawn to it and found his feet moving of their own volition until he stood in between the three statues.
He turned around and around, studying the three. One was an old man with a long beard. Another was a beautiful young woman. The third was a rather evil-looking man. He couldn't help but wonder who the people used to be? Were they Jedi too? Or were they something else?
Jacen sat in the middle of the stone circle and stared at the statues. His eyelids were getting very heavy, to the point where he could barely hold them open any longer. Crawling over to the statue of the beautiful woman, he curled up beside her and fell into a deep slumber.
#
Ezra frowned as he felt an odd feeling twisting deep within him.
In the past few weeks, he had been rebuilding his connection to the Force. It was a slow process, but each day he felt stronger. More connected. More in tune with the world around him.
Something was wrong.
The melody of the Force grew louder, echoing in his mind and he hummed softly along to its song. The sounds flowed together, blending into one with him at its core, moving in harmony together. He allowed his thoughts to merge onto one small green-haired boy.
His padawan needed him.
His communicator chimed on his hip. He focused on remaining calm as he plucked it off and answered it. "Bridger here."
"Ezra!" Hera sounded frantic. "Have you seen Jacen or Chopper? Are they with you?"
Sabine gave him a startled look.
"No, we haven't. Hera, what's wrong?"
"Jacen is missing, Chopper too. They've been gone for hours. Ahsoka and Rex are scouring the countryside for them but haven't been able to locate them. I thought perhaps they followed you. He wanted to come with you this morning but I wouldn't let him."
"We're on our way back now," Ezra said as he climbed onto the speeder, with Sabine settling herself behind him, silently lending him support.
The streets were a blur as he sped through the city towards the outskirts of town. He thought he saw a flash of grey but when he turned back to look, it was gone.
The cityscape dimmed behind them as they raced back to the Ghost. In the distance, he heard the howling of a wolf. He slowed to a stop and turned to look at Sabine. "Did you hear that, Sabine?"
His eyes searched the horizon for any sign of the sound's origin.
"No," Sabine looked at him curiously. "What...did you hear?"
"A wolf."
Eyes closed, he searched the Force. The wolves of Lothal shared a deep connection to the Living Force. All around him, the Living Force sang, beautiful and majestic, resonating deep within him, moving him...guiding him. Through the lilting strains - he heard it. The thundering sound of paws striking the ground as wolves ran over the grassy meadows and the image of the Temple.
He plucked his communicator off his hip. "Hera, I know where he is!"
#
They stared at the Temple before them in disbelief.
"Ezra, this is...crazy! This thing was...gone! It hasn't been here in..in...years! Not since the night that you closed the portal!" Sabine turned to him, a look of amazement and a touch of fear in her eyes.
Ezra remembered that night well.
They had snuck down to the Temple, even while it was swarming with Imperials, all to see what the wolves wanted from him. What the wolves needed him to do. The night that he'd managed to open the portal to the World Between Worlds (he'd never thought of a better way to describe it, even after all these years).
The owl had led him to Ahsoka, and using the portals - he saved her. He thought that's why the wolves had led him there, to save Ahsoka. To save Kanan. Only he hadn't saved Kanan. Ahsoka implored him not to - to not take away that moment from Kanan. She urged him to learn to let go.
And Ahsoka was right. The lesson he'd needed to learn that night - the one last lesson that Kanan was trying to teach him - was not how to save the ones he loved from dying, but how to let go.
It was a powerful thing, the ability to let go. Thanks to Kanan teaching him what just might be the most important lesson a Jedi could learn. It had saved him from the Emperor, Darth Sidious. It had saved Lothal. It saved them all.
He sighed heavily beside Sabine, who was staring at him in concern.
"Do you think he's inside?" she asked in a quiet voice.
He closed his eyes and reached into the Force, searching for the answer. "Yes, I know he is. I can feel it," he said as he stared at the temple. "Wait here for Hera. I'll go find Jacen."
"Ezra!" Sabine called out as she grabbed his hand. "No, I'll come with you!"
He shook his head. "No, you must stay here. You're not a Jedi, Sabine. Only a Jedi - a master and an apprentice - can enter the temple. I must go alone."
Her hand gripped his hand tightly. He smiled at her as his thumb made lazy circles on the inside of her palm. "It's alright, Sabine. The Force is with me," he said before turning and making his way towards the Temple.
Master, if you can hear me - if you're still out there somewhere in the Cosmic Force - I could use your guidance right about now. Ezra sent the thought out into the Force, hoping that Kanan might hear him.
A howl broke the silence of the grassy plain surrounding the temple. He closed his eyes and reached out his hand. Soft fur tickled the inside of his palm. He knew without opening his eyes that the wolf, the one who called himself Dume, stood patiently waiting for him.
'Jacen. Trouble.'
Ezra nodded. "Yes, I sensed it too. He's inside the temple."
They walked together, stepping in time with one another. For a moment, it was like nothing had changed.
Dume's glowing yellow eyes narrowed. 'Find him. Train him.'
"But, he's so young, master. Isn't it too soon?"
'Knowledge without training - dangerous.'
Ezra stared at the closed door to the temple. Before, it took both Kanan and Ezra working together to get the door to open. How had the boy managed to open it all on his own?
'The Temple.'
It was like Dume was reading his mind. Ezra shook himself, "the temple wanted Jacen to enter? Is that...even possible?"
'The Force...anything possible.'
Of course. It was as Ahsoka had told him so long ago. Just when you think you have the Force figured out, it comes along to remind you there is so much you haven't learned and show you just how little you truly understand.
Ezra stood in the circle and reached out towards the door. He hadn't used the Force in years. Could he do this? Was it still with him?
'Concentrate. Focus. Breathe,' Dume said patiently. 'Remember. Do.'
He nodded. Do or do not, there is no try.
The Force had never left him. It was always with him. Within him. Surrounding him. It was within all things, and between them as well. The Force was everything and everywhere.
He reached out towards the door and breathed.
Harmony and concordance. I am one with the Force, and the Force is with me.
The door will open.
The melody filled him - filled parts of him he hadn't even realized were empty. It was so warm. Vibrant. Uplifting. Powerful. Complete. The Force made him whole again.
The door will open, he thought again as he waved his hand all while visualizing the door sliding open. When his eyes opened, so was the door.
#
Exegol
The Dark Lord waited, watching the waters of the Force - looking for any minute change.
Ripples.
Like a stone cast or the falling of an autumn leaf on the body of still waters, waves began to undulate across its glassy still surface, rolling across the Force.
Ebbing and flowing, currents moving to and fro.
Strong currents. Weak currents.
Black waters, dark as night.
Bright waters shining like starlight.
All moving together, swirling upon one another.
He watched and waited as another swell was born anew.
Ezra Bridger, ahhh, so you have returned, haven't you? After so long.
The Dark Lord grinned sadistically. Long had he waited for this day to come. Long had he hid in the shadows, biding his time… waiting for the day when he could begin again.
Darkness was rising again.
Yes, it was time.
All he needed was a strong vessel. One strong enough in the Force to be able to withstand and hold his immense power.
The Dark Lord summoned the clone he called the Acolyte. An evil smile crept across his grey face. Yes, it was time. The ancient Sith technology had saved him, kept his essence alive while he waited for the perfect vessel to come forth, and here it was almost within his grasp.
The grey smile faded on his dry and withered face as he thought of the vessels he'd lost - the ones he had worked so hard to obtain.
Vader, the chosen one - destroyed in the flash of an eye at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The son, Luke Skywalker, was almost in his grasp but at the last minute, chose to remain in the light. The boy who chose love overpower.
Then, there was Ezra Bridger who he thought had been lost to him - now returned.
The Dark One listened to the whispers...and knew without a doubt that the boy had returned. Ezra Bridger had returned once again to Lothal.
And he was not alone.
The Dark One smiled. Yes, it was time indeed to begin again. He was in dire need of a strong vessel. His current host body was deteriorating at a much faster rate than he had anticipated.
#
The Acolyte shuffled painfully through the fast fortress. He hated being summoned. He answered the dark tidings, not having a choice as the dark whispers ripped through his mind. He knelt in supplication, waiting for the Dark Lord's bidding.
Go to the Lothal sector. Seek him out - the one called Ezra Bridger.
"Of course, my master, it will be done," the Acolyte nodded. "What of Thrawn, my lord?"
Thrawn has outlived his usefulness. He signed his death warrant upon his return. Kill him.
The Acolyte nodded. "Yes, my master."
Thrawn served his purpose. Thanks to his resourcefulness, and that of the Chiss Ascendency, I have found the lost seat of power of the Ancient Sith. I have unlocked the many secrets it held. Go. You have your orders. Find Ezra Bridger and the child, the son of Caleb Dume and the Twi'lek. Do not fail me again, Acolyte.
The Acolyte winced visibly, causing the Dark Lord to laugh.
Yes, I have not forgotten your failure at retrieving the last child. It is good that you have not forgotten. Ezra Bridger and Jacen Syndulla will be mine.
The Dark Lord receded into the shadows, back into the recesses of his mind. The Acolyte hated when the Dark Lord took over when he used him as his voice, but he had no say in the matter. After all, it was why he was created in secret many years ago, and hidden away from the master's other servants, even from Vader himself.
Vader. The Acolyte sneered, how he hated Vader, the one who held so much power only to lose it in the end. Vader, who he had tried to emulate so many times only to receive mockery from his master. In the end, it was he, the Acolyte, who had the last laugh. For it was he who had been chosen to be the master's vessel when Vader allowed himself to become weakened to the point of no return. It was he, the Acolyte, who was the master's Voice out in the galaxy, working to achieve their end goal.
The Acolyte wrapped his robes around him as he scurried through the darkened fortress. Coming inside the communications room, he activated the holo table and waited. He pulled his hood up over his head, hoping to hide his greyed and scarred visage in the shadows it provided.
The holo table chimed as it connected and the image of a bespectacled man flickered to life before him. "We have new orders, Pershing."
The Scientist nodded. "And that would be?"
The Acolyte's eyes narrowed darkly. "Find Ezra Bridger and Jacen Syndulla. Death to Grand Admiral Thrawn."
"It shall be done."
#
Lothal, the ancient Jedi Temple
Jacen was dreaming. He knew he must be dreaming because leaning against the wall was his father, who died before he was born.
"Hey, kid," Kanan said as he crossed over and ruffled his son's green hair.
Jacen's eyes lit up at the tall man before him. "Dad?!" He launched himself at his father and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Dad!"
Kanan laughed lightly as he returned the embrace, and patted his son lightly on the back.
Jacen could feel his father's happiness radiating through the Force. It matched his own. He'd always wanted to meet his father and now, thanks to the temple, he had.
Kanan released him and knelt before him, giving him a serious look. "Hey, didn't your mom tell you not to go wandering off?"
Jacen winced. "Well, yeah…"
Kanan arched a brow at the small boy. "Yeah, but…?"
"But…it was like it was...calling to me. Like it was singing to me and I just had to…"
Kanan nodded, "see why?"
"Yeah," Jacen replied.
His father nodded in understanding as he set a comforting hand on Jacen's shoulder. "I get it, son. I really do, but running off like that was dangerous."
Jacen nodded in agreement. His dad was right. He shouldn't have chased after the loth cat. He knew better. "But, I felt like it wanted me to follow it. I thought it was the force."
Kanan sighed. "I know how confusing all this stuff can be, son. This all seems big right now, huh?"
Jacen nodded solemnly. He wanted to be a Jedi like his father had been, but how was he supposed to learn all this 'force stuff? It seemed impossible.
"Don't worry, son. Ezra will guide you." Kanan smiled down at him. "But, right now, I need you to wake up. Your mom is really worried, son. Ezra will be here soon and he'll take you home."
"But, dad…" Jacen said. "You just got here. Can't I stay longer with you?"
Kanan shook his head. "No, son, right now, you need to be with your mom. With Ezra, so he can teach you. I promise I'll always be here if you need me. I love you, Jacen, but it's time to wake up."
"Jacen?!"
Jacen woke to Ezra's voice cutting through the darkness. His glow rod had turned itself off and he thumbed it back on. "Ezra?!"
The sound of quick feet hurried towards him as Ezra rounded the corner, relief shining in his blue eyes.
"Hey, hey...are you hurt, kid?" Ezra asked as he knelt beside him, looking the boy up and down for any sign of hurt.
Jacen replied no with a quick shake of his head. "Where did they go?"
"Who? Who are you talking about, Jace?" Ezra asked curiously as he helped the boy stand.
Jacen scratched his head as he glanced around the circular room. "The statues. There were three statues here before. An old man, a young woman, and a scary-looking man."
Ezra gave him an odd look before glancing around the room. "I don't know, kid. This temple has a mind of its own, I think. C'mon, let's get you home."
Jacen felt safe with him. He knew Ezra would always be there for him. He nodded as he followed behind him. He paused briefly, thinking he heard his father chuckle softly. I love you too, Dad. May the Force be with you.