Later, Ezra and Finn are in the training room of the Mandalorian Palace.
"Alright… let's start with something simple. Have a seat." Ezra says, pointing to the floor. Finn sits on the floor, cross legged. Ezra does the same.
"So, we're meditating." Finn says.
"That's right. Meditation is a very important part of a Jedi's life. It helps to center you emotionally. It also strengthens your connection to the force. Now, reach out. Feel the world around you." Ezra says.
"Okay." Finn says. He closes his eyes, and sits in silence. Ezra allows a minute to pass.
"What do you feel?" Ezra asks.
"I feel… everything." Finn answers.
"Describe it as best as you can." Ezra says.
"Peace… violence… life... death… fear… anger… " Finn says.
"I think that's enough." Ezra says. Finn opens his eyes.
"There's… so much death here." Finn says.
"You know Mandalore's history." Ezra says.
"Yeah, all those wars." Finn says.
"Mandalore… has a troubled past. It's people have nearly destroyed themselves more than once." Ezra says.
"But they came back from it." Finn says.
"Yes, they did. Mandalore… isn't just a place. It's a people. A way of life. As long as that way is preserved, there will always be Mandalorians." Ezra says.
"I felt something else… even stronger than that feeling of death." Finn says.
"What was it?" Ezra asks.
"Anger." Finn answers.
"Understandable. Mandalorians have traditionally been very aggressive. They believe their anger gives them strength. Most of the Mandalorians who could use the force fell to the dark side. This is why the Jedi rarely trained them." Ezra says.
"Weren't Mandalorians once the enemy of the Jedi?" Finn asks.
"Yes, a long time ago. The Jedi/ Mandalorian War… is a conversation for another time, I think." Ezra answers.
"Right. Sorry. Back to that feeling of anger… that's a dark side feeling, isn't it?" Finn asks.
"It is. The dark side is strong on this world, yet… so is the light. Powerful light… powerful darkness. Balance." Ezra answers.
"That's what the Jedi-Bendu are supposed to be, isn't it? Balanced?" Finn asks.
"Exactly." Ezra answers.
"How… do you control this power?" Finn asks.
"There's a little more to it than that, but… you need to learn how to control yourself first. Let's… start with something small. This… is a tool I used to use when I started training new students. It's a… well, it's a ball of wood. Carved it myself. Simple, but it gets the job done." Ezra answers, as he takes a small wooden ball out of his pocket.
"Okay. What do we do with it?" Finn asks.
"Reach out. Find the ball." Ezra answers. Finn closes his eyes, and extends his hand.
"I… think I feel it." Finn says.
"Good. Take it from my hand. Make it float." Ezra says. He holds the ball with an open palm.
"Okay. Make it float." Finn says.
Several seconds pass. Then, the ball starts to move, unsteadily rising a few inches before falling back to Ezra's hand. Finn sighs in frustration and lowers his hand.
"Not bad for the first time. Again. This time, higher, and try to keep it in the air." Ezra says.
"Alright." Finn says. He extends his hand once more. The ball rises out of Ezra's hand, and this time, stops a few inches higher than before. Finn's grasp of the ball is unsteady, and it starts to fall again.
"Focus… and allow the force to work through you." Ezra says. Finn nods, and relaxes himself. Soon, the ball stabilizes, and begins to go higher. Eventually, it stops a few feet above Finn's head.
"Good. Hold it there." Ezra says.
"How long?" Finn asks.
"Until I tell you to stop." Ezra answers.
"Okay." Finn says.
Finn holds the block in place for two minutes.
Good. He's progressing quickly. I think it's time for the next step. Ezra thinks.
"Good. Now... call it to you." Ezra says.
The ball immediately flies into Finn's hand.
He's… very strong with the force. How did we not see this before? Ezra thinks.
"The First Order's brainwashing suppressed his connection to the force." A disembodied female voice says.
Ahsoka… Ezra thinks.
"Hello, Ezra." The voice of Ahsoka Tano says.
Why would the First Order suppress his connection to the force? I'd think they'd want another Inquisitor or Knight of Ren. Ezra thinks.
"He was three years old when they took him. They didn't know he was force sensitive. That's why they put him in the stormtrooper ranks with the other stolen children." Ahsoka says.
If Finn hadn't been taken from his family, there's no telling what his potential could have been… Ezra thinks.
"He is quite strong with the force, as I think you've begun to see. He will play an important part in what's to come." Ahsoka says.
Could you tell me… who he is? Who his family is? I'd like to help him find them, if they're still alive. Ezra thinks.
"You… can find that answer for yourself. You are the Bendu. You have the power." Ahsoka says.
Right. Ezra thinks.
Ezra sits in silence for a moment, reaching into the force for the knowledge he seeks.
Oh. That's interesting. Man, this is weird. I'm still not used to these Bendu powers. Looking into the past and observing events… Ezra thinks.
"It took me a while to get used to it too. You'll adapt. Just be patient." Ahsoka says.
I'll do my best. Ezra thinks.
"I'd better let you get back to work. We'll talk later, Ezra." Ahsoka says.
Later, Ahsoka. Ezra thinks.
"I think… I know what happened to your family." Ezra says.
"What? How? How could you know that? I don't even know who I am!" Finn says.
"Sometimes… if you ask the force a question, it answers." Ezra says.
"Really? You just… talk to the force?" Finn asks.
"It's a lot more complicated than that, and not everyone can do it. I'm the Bendu, the Guardian of the Balance of the Force. My role… is different from everyone else. I have… abilities that no one else has. Thanks to these abilities, the force has just shown me who your family is and what happened to them." Ezra answers.
"Okay… could you tell me…. What you know?" Finn asks.
"I'm sorry, but… they're all dead." Ezra answers.
"They're... Dead. Who were they?" Finn asks.
"Your father… was a bounty hunter named Jesson Krist. He died not long after you were born. Your mother… was a spice runner named Zamiri. She was… killed, trying to stop the First Order from taking you. You were born on the planet Azamar, and your real name… is Jonas." Ezra answers.
"Just… Jonas? No last name?" Finn asks.
"Your parents never married, so you never had a last name." Ezra answers.
"Is there anyone else?" Finn asks.
"No. You didn't have any brothers or sisters, and your grandparents were all dead before you were born." Ezra answers.
"So, my parents… were nobodies, and there isn't anyone else that would care. As far as I'm concerned, I'm Finn. This 'Jonas' person, I don't know him, and it doesn't sound like I need to." Finn says.
"Wasn't it Poe that named you Finn?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah. The First Order called me FN-2187. That's the only name I had known for as long as I could remember. When Poe gave me a new name, it made me feel… like a person. Everything I've done since then, was done by Finn. So, that's who I am." Finn says.
"Our own experiences define who we are. It doesn't matter what we call ourselves." Ezra says.
"I know, but… the name Jonas… means nothing to me. These parents… I don't remember them." Finn says.
"I could restore your memory. You were only three when the First Order took you, but… I could help you remember what you're missing." Ezra says.
"It doesn't sound like there's much to remember. My parents… sound like they weren't very good people. If I… wasn't taken, I might have ended up just like them. So, it doesn't matter." Finn says.
"They're your memories. You have a right to them." Ezra says.
"Thank you, but… I'm okay. I know who I am, and I have all the family I'll need." Finn says. Ezra nods.
"Okay. If you ever change your mind, let me know." Ezra says.
"Will do." Finn says.
"I wish I had better news for you." Ezra says.
"It's okay. At least I know the truth now. Thanks for telling me." Finn says.
"You're welcome. You're doing really well so far. But, before we go any further, you need to learn the importance of meditation." Ezra says.
"Okay. What do I do?" Finn asks.
"Stay here and meditate… for the next two hours." Ezra answers.
"Two hours?" Finn asks.
"That's right. And don't fall asleep, or I'll make you start over." Ezra says.
"So, I just… sit here for two hours." Finn says.
"There's a little more to it than that. I'll be here to walk you through it." Ezra says.
"Help me, please. I want to learn. I want to be the best I can be." Finn says.
"I know you do. That's why I'm teaching you." Ezra says.
"Thank you." Finn says.
"You're welcome. Now, let's get to it." Ezra says.
I'll be taking a break from Apocalypse in order to work on another story. I'm expecting to get back to this in a month, but it could be longer. Thanks.
