Luke climbed, his calloused, bare feet gripping to the rocks on a ridge overlooking the wellspring. Working his way toward his favored perch, he surveyed the skies, ascertaining the weather. The air smelled of rain, and the unsettled skies reflected his inner state as he approached what Master Yoda had declared would be the final phase of his meditation. Rain would fall, and a cold rain at that. Distantly, he thought of a time when the rain was warm; it was a comfortable place – a warm place, lush and full of life. The name evaded his recollection, even though he knew it had once been of great importance to him.
Shaking his head to rid himself of troublesome confusions, Luke hiked to his meditation stone, a flat rock worn smooth from countless hours spent in contemplation. He ran his bony fingers over the surface, marveling in that moment at how thin his wrists were. They were not always like that. Or were they? What came before he found this magical place lingered beyond conscious thought, fragments of another life scattered across the ground like a shattered window. He settled his gaunt frame upon the stone, crossing his legs and looking down into the well of Erys. As always, it glowed brilliantly, waves of light splashing across the rim as the Force, visible in a tangible form, bubbled up from its source deep within the planet. And as always, the Force held him enthralled, its beauty beguiling, and its scale bewildering.
He settled his mind with a deep, slow breath, and as he exhaled, Master Yoda appeared, in much the same way that he did every day. Coalescing beside Luke, he nodded, and without preamble, said, "Great is your progress. Far have you come."
Luke closed his eyes, nodding gratefully at the praise. Yoda continued, "Prepared, you are, to relinquish the last and greatest of your attachments."
Luke's uneasiness surfaced again, and as the familiar faces flashed through his mind, he felt the first raindrop settle on his hand. He closed his eyes, allowing the Force to flow into him as the uneasiness dissipated. As the rain began to fall, he sank into the deepest recesses of his mind, hearing Yoda's last instructions, "Face your failure. Let go of your attachments."
Han leaned against the railing overlooking the sprawling cityscape below, his discomfort wrestling with his impatience. He had never been one for his wife's and brother-in-law's mystical exploits, as most of his life had been spent in deep skepticism about anything other than the tangible facts in front of his nose. He could neither see, feel, hear, nor taste, any mystical energy field binding he galaxy together, yet his wife demonstrated its reality ever day. Unwillingly, reluctantly, sometimes even kicking and screaming, he had come to recognize the mystical garbage as a fact, intangible though it was. But even as he had watched Luke flipping through the air, taking down a crime cartel before destroying the two most powerful men in the galaxy, he thought to himself, weird scene for a street rat from Corellia to get entangled in, don't you think?
"Uncle Luke!" cried a small, high voice. Han turned away from the brooding Coruscant skyline to watch Ben toddling toward his uncle. Luke, his hair long, but his beard trimmed and well-kept, knelt, throwing his arms wide to embrace the child. Ben launched himself into his uncle's arms, cackling gleefully as Luke raised his arms. Ben floated in mid-air, spinning in somersaults as Luke used the Force to amuse his nephew. Han looked to the edge of the circular veranda and saw Kira, older than Ben, but still slightly smaller, peaking out tentatively. Ben settled to the ground as Luke waved toward Kira. Slowly, the girl's hesitancy melted, and a radiant smile settled on her face as she too ran the length of the veranda and threw herself into Luke's arms.
With both children laughing at their uncle's magical tricks, they darted off in high spirits, Kira chasing Ben. Luke smiled as he watched them, before turning toward see Han. His smiled widened as he rose to his feet, and he strode across the veranda to greet his friend. Despite all of the mystical mumbo-jumbo that had dominated his friend's life, Han could not help but smile. It was hard to believe this was the same naïve, snotty kid he picked up at Mos Eisley, and Han smirked with some private satisfaction that no Jedi beard and no amount of serene tranquility would make him forget saying to Luke, watch your mouth, kid, or you're gonna find yourself floating home. Luke reached Han, who threw his arms open to embrace his friend. As they embraced, Chewbacca walked into the veranda, Ben and Kira clinging to his arms as Chewie carried them along, laughing a percussive Wookie laugh.
"How ya doing, Chewie?" Luke called, as Chewbacca roared a greeting. Chewie settled the children back down to the ground, and he turned to the doorway. There, framed in the doorway, stood a cloaked and hooded figure, slightly smaller than Luke and radiating a confident tranquility. She glided forward, dignity and royalty suffusing her gate. The two children paused their play, and the boy's face lit up in excitement, while Kira's face was wide with wonder. As the woman reached the center of the veranda, she removed her hood, and Luke smiled at the sight of his sister.
Luke turned away from Han, walking toward Leia. Rather than pause, he bowed his head, saying, "Greetings, Padawan. Are you prepared to conclude your trials?"
Leia smiled wryly, amused at Luke's formality. She did not chide him for it, as she knew this moment represented the culmination of three years of training. She had expected to attain knighthood sooner, but her work for Mon Mothma along with the demands of raising two children, had left her scant time to devote her full attention. Luke had expressed confidence that this was a mere formality, and knowing that she had been ready for some time, her smile settled into seriousness as she said, "I am."
"Six months ago, you faced your dark side in exemplary fashion. You've demonstrated your knowledge, your skill, your attunement with the Force. Only one test remains. . ."
Luke did not finish his proclamation, as a male voice, strangely reverberated, said, "This oughta be good."
Luke and Leia both turned and saw two figures coalesce at the edge of the veranda. The forms of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi materialized, both beaming excitement and pride. Anakin grinned wildly, saying, "You didn't think I was gonna miss my daughter's trial, did you?"
Leia rolled her eyes, but Luke could sense she was touched. She beamed at Obi-Wan saying, "Ben, it's so good to see you."
"The pleasure is mine, Princess," Obi-Wan said, bowing graciously.
Leia turned and saw Ben and Kira shrinking back in alarm, their eyes wide with apprehension and wonder. She realized that neither children had met a Force ghost before, and she reassured them, saying, "It's okay, children. Ben, this is your grandfather, Anakin. And this is Obi-Wan, whom I also call Ben. You were named after him."
Ben did not answer, as he was still dumbstruck at the appearance of the two ghosts. As Ben's curiosity supplanted his fear, Leia heard her brother say, "Shall we begin?"
She nodded, removing her robe as he removed his. They assumed their positions on opposite sides of the veranda, and Leia heard Anakin say, "Fifty credits on Luke."
"Oh, I'll take that and raise you double," Obi-Wan retorted.
"I thought Jedi ghosts did not deal with money," Leia said, smiling, and as Anakin chuckled, she ignited her lightsaber. Its purple blade cast a glow on the polished floor of the veranda, and Leia's smile broadened as she sensed Ben's and Kira's wonder and excitement.
Across the veranda, Luke ignited his own saber, its green blade reflecting off the polished stone surface. Luke's own smile emerged as, out of the corner of his eye, he saw his nephew rise to his feet, balling his fists in excitement. Han settled himself to the ground beside his son, ready to hold him back in case he became too excited. Luke's serious intent at testing his sister supplanted his smile, and he nodded to communicate that the trial had begun.
Leia walked forward slowly, but confidently across the veranda, and Luke strode forward to meet her. Leia paused, and Luke waited, ready for her attack. Leia twirled her lightsaber, and settled into her offensive posture, but Luke had a sense of something amiss. Scanning his sister's face, he saw concern and fear blossom, and he felt the emotion of dread flooding her senses. He lowered his blade slightly, his own concern dawning.
As he opened his mouth to ask her what was troubling her, he felt his lightsaber shoot from his hand and arc across the center of the veranda into Leia's hand. The feeling of dread vanished instantly, replaced by an amused triumph. Obi-Wan's howl of laughter echoed across the veranda, and Anakin joined in afterward. Luke looked to Obi-Wan, his embarrassment struggling against the virality of his former Master's amusement. Obi-Wan looked to Anakin, and still laughing said, "The womprat doesn't spawn far from the nest, does it Anakin?"
"Sister, that's not how this works," Luke said, amused in spite of his embarrassment.
"Well, if you want me to beat you in front of our father, we can go again," Leia said, and then, smiling, added, "But we both know that not all confrontations require – dad, what was it that mom used to say?"
"Aggressive negotiations," Anakin said chuckling.
Leia raised her eyebrows mischievously, and Luke, bowing, replied, "Congratulations then, Leia Organa; Jedi Knight."
"Master Luke, sir. How good to see you!" called a familiar, prissy, metallic voice. Luke turned away from the view of the sun setting over Coruscant to see Threepio shuffling forward, holding a tray carrying glass of bantha milk. Leia strolled alongside him, cradling a steaming mug of tea in her hands.
"Threepio," Luke said, smiling warmly at the droid. A sequence of beeps erupted from the shadows of the balcony, and Threepio turned, nearly spilling the milk he carried on a platter for his former master. Luke reached out to steady the beverage, and it lifted off the tray, floating through the air toward Luke's outstretched hand.
"R2-D2, you nearly made me drop Master Luke's libations," Threepio complained. Artoo's squawk sounded suspiciously like laughter, and Threepio affected comic outrage as he replied, "No, I do not want you to show me how to bartend!"
Artoo snorted and rolled away, trilling derisively, and as Leia settled beside him at the balcony's railing to watch the sunset, they both smiled as the two droids moved back into the apartment, nagging and cajoling each other.
"We've gotta get those two together more often," Luke said, sipping the frothy, ice cold blue liquid. He closed his eyes in pleasure, remembering dinners with his aunt and uncle. Appreciating the rich flavor, he said, "I can't believe you found bantha milk for me."
"You can find anything on Coruscant if you look hard enough," Leia said, then sipping her tea, she closed her eyes in pleasure, saying, "Anything except for luvella tea and Yavin honey. Thanks again for bringing it."
Luke smiled, putting his arm around her shoulder and squeezing her gently. They sipped their drinks together, Luke leaning against the railing as he looked out across the city. In the distance, he picked out the Jedi Temple, dark and empty on the horizon.
"You know, we wouldn't mind seeing you around more often, either. Have you thought anymore about my idea of moving the Order back to Coruscant?" Leia asked.
"Where would you get your luvella tea, then?" Luke chided.
"It's a fair trade if we get to have you around," Leia said, her light tone becoming more serious to communicate her desire to have her brother nearby. "It's good to have us all together again."
"I agree," Luke said. "But even if the Order came back here, I'd still be gone most of the time."
"Have you found more Jedi?" Leia asked.
"Not since Master Rancisis and Master Kcaj," Luke said. "But three more awakenings emerged, and that's after the five in the last month. Things are about to become very busy."
"How is it going with Master Rancisis and Master Kcaj?" Leia asked.
Luke frowned, and some of the unease that had preoccupied him over the past few weeks emerged. After sipping again from his milk, he replied, "Not as smoothly as when Ahsoka and Master Junda emerged. They've put up a lot of resistance to the changes we've made."
"Like what?" Leia asked, frowning.
"Well, they were adamantly against me conferring knighthood upon you, for starters. They pointed to your marriage, your child, adopting Kira, your dual roles. They're as orthodox as they come," Luke explained, and he felt Leia's frown lighten.
"You always suspected some of the older Jedi would struggle with the changes," Leia said, soothingly.
"Yes, but without being able to explain everything with our father, they aren't very open to my perspective," Luke indicated.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Leia asked, her frown returning.
"No," Luke said. "It was hard enough explaining it to Ahsoka. Cere might be understanding, but these two won't be. The Order would crumble before it's even fully formed."
Leia nodded, reassured, but still concerned. The two stood in comfortable silence as the sunset faded. Minutes later, Leia broke the silence, saying, "Perhaps they should meet Kira."
Luke mulled over her suggestion and found that he did not have an immediate objection. Curious, he asked, "How's it going with her?"
"Remarkable," Leia said, smiling proudly. "She's a wonder."
Luke smiled, his heart lightening. "Tell me more."
"Well, she's still very shy, but I have a feeling she's always going to be that way. She and Ben are inseparable, and her outbursts and night terrors have stopped. She's finally started talking, and at least when it's just me and Ben, she won't stop," she said, her pride radiant.
"You've done an incredible job," Luke said admiringly.
"I haven't been alone," Leia said. "Between Winter, the nannies, and the specialists, I've got a lot of support. And she absolutely adores Chewbacca."
Luke chuckled appreciatively. Chewbacca was as patient and nurturing with children as he was ferocious toward his enemies.
"And Han?" Luke asked.
Leia's face darkened slightly, and Luke had a sense of her own unease. She replied, "He likes her well enough, but he's not around a lot. He's been back and forth to Kashyyyk cataloging the damage the Empire inflicted."
Luke turned to her, studying her concern. She set the unease aside, and her smile returned, as she said, "They should also talk to the specialists. The Jedi Code's conception of attachment makes sense in some contexts, but the Jedi Code reflects a different time with different needs. It does not account for what the new Jedi will face."
"Which is?" Luke asked.
"Take Kira – by all accounts, she should be a dark shadow of her father. Yet, she seeks connection at every opportunity. In the few moments when I've had a window into her relationship with her mother, I've had the impression that it was her mother's love that held her back from evil. She seeks it with me, with Ben, with Chewie, even with Threepio. And when she finds it, it's difficult to see the darkness." Leia explained.
"That doesn't mean it isn't there," Luke countered. He was grateful to hear that Kira had begun to overcome the strange, violent outbursts, but he knew that no Jedi overcame their dark side permanently.
"Of course it's still there," Leia said patiently, before adding, "But the darkness becomes more apparent whenever she perceives that her attachments aren't secure. As those attachments become more tangible, more predictable, and more secure, her light shines brighter."
"I have broached that with Master Rancisis," Luke said. "He countered that the brotherhood of the Jedi is sufficient, and he disagrees with the prospect of training Kira."
"She'll definitely need a strong hand," Leia admitted. "Ahsoka, perhaps?"
"Perhaps," Luke said. "But she won't return to the order until she's tracked down her friend."
Leia nodded, sipping her tea. She made a note to ask about Ahsoka's mission at a later time, noting that Mon Mothma was eager for information on the whereabouts of the missing Imperial Grand Admiral, as well. Setting aside that question for later, she said, "Regardless, you can't expect somebody to relinquish attachment if they aren't already secure in their attachments."
"What do you mean by that?" Luke asked, uncertain of how to reconcile the paradox.
"Paradox?" she said, recognizing his confused thought, before saying, "Yes, that's the word for it. The Jedi Code is not open to paradox, yet paradox is everywhere we look. Look at father; he lost his mother, and he never felt secure. He feared to lose our mother, and he never felt secure. Without security, there was no way he could even begin to let go of his fear."
"But the Jedi Code. . ." Luke said.
Leia interrupted him, now more concrete, saying, "The Jedi Code is ancient, and nobody knows who wrote it. Meanwhile, the researchers are demonstrating how narrow the Code is. A narrow code creates a narrower path, and with all the trauma of the last 50 years, do you really think every foundling is going to be prepared to walk such a path?"
Luke drained the last of his milk and settled into a reflective silence. The sun's light was gone, although a sliver of purple remained along the horizon, muted by the blazing constellation of lights shining from apartments and office towers.
"No, I don't reckon they will," Luke admitted.
"I encourage you to read what the researchers have learned. Add it to the Jedi Code. Take the best of both," Leia counseled.
"Master Rancisis is not going to like this," Luke said.
"He doesn't have to," Leia said, encouragingly. "He's one Master among what will eventually be many. Yoda told you to pass on what you have learned; I encourage you not to stop learning."
Luke turned to her, smiling proudly. She had come so far in such a short period of time; in many ways, she had exceeded him, and he wondered at whether Yoda and Ben should have chosen her to face Vader. Then again, as she deftly navigated her training, her obligations to diplomacy, her obligations of parenthood, and her obligations toward the Alderaanian diaspora, he knew that they were both where they belonged. And with her insight to lean on, which had proven every bit as valuable as that of Yoda, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Qui-Gon, he felt reassured that the future of the Jedi was bright, indeed.
Luke emerged from his meditation and looked down, seeking the wellspring to anchor himself. Of all of the memories he had meditated upon; of all of the beliefs and attachments he had relinquished, here more than anywhere else, he found an immutable barrier, impermeable to Yoda's reasoning. Was Kira not proof that Leia was right? The daughter of Sidious, growing into the powerful, assured, balanced being that Leia had always claimed she could be? Attachment, the very thing that the Jedi had forbid, had been her salvation.
"A lesson, you have learned, Skywalker?" Yoda's voice spoke as the diminutive being appeared beside him.
Luke turned to him, lost for words on how to begin explaining. Luke felt the ironclad core of truth, but instinctively, he knew that Yoda would erode that certainty. In silence, he clung to the truth, not wishing to expose it to the elements of Yoda's scrutiny.
"See through you, I can," Yoda said, "Relinquish this certainty, you must."
"I don't want to," Luke said, surprised by his own defiance.
"Your desire, irrelevant it is, to the will of the Force," Yoda admonished, a note of irritation and impatience in his voice.
"But Leia was right," Luke countered. "Don't you remember Kira?"
"Remember, I do, how unique she is," Yoda said, and then added, "Much darkness remains in her, and unknown, her destiny still is."
"But what Leia saw. . ." Luke countered, clinging to his certainty.
"Always in motion is the. . ." Yoda began, and he frowned as Luke cut him off.
"You and I both know that few Jedi have ever been more adept at interpreting the future than Leia," Luke interrupted defensively at Yoda's skepticism.
"Yet immutable, your sister's foresight, is not," Yoda said, "The failure with your secrets, anticipate, she did not."
"She cut herself off from the Force. . ." Luke countered as he felt more heat building at Yoda's stubbornness.
"Enough!" Yoda said, anger in his voice. Luke was shocked to hear the anger. Yoda had never lost his temper before, and the anger was distinctly out of character.
"Master Yoda?" Luke asked, alarm and concern undermining his desire to cling to Yoda's wisdom.
"Argue this, I will not," Yoda said. "Conferred with the Prime Jedi, I have. Adequate time, we have not. Darkness builds, and unprepared are you. We implore you; your attachments are. . "
"Master Yoda, I don't understand why I can't do both," Luke said. Yoda's eyes narrowed, and Luke had the sense that Yoda was becoming agitated.
"That understand, you do not, evident, it is," Yoda admonished, and Luke felt his own flush of annoyance. "Correct, the Prime Jedi is, to question your commitment to the will of the Force."
"But how will I know. . ." Luke began.
Yoda interrupted, saying, "Skepticism, born from science, benefit you, it does not. Unlearn what you have learned. Interfere with the will, it does."
Luke pulled himself up from his sitting position, and remembering the benefit that the new knowledge brought to his new Jedi – Kira, Zhey'la, dozens of others – he found that, at last, here was one assertion he could not accept. Remembering Yoda's old criticism from an older time, and remembering his other words of students growing beyond their Masters, Luke stood, looking down at the glowing form of his Master and said, "I think I'm ready to leave."
"Go, you cannot," Yoda said, alarm in his eyes. "Incomplete, your training is."
"I don't care. I never should have stayed. Leia needs me. Kira needs me," Luke said, and as he said so, he felt a sense of alarm blossoming from deep within him. He hadn't felt the alarm for a long time, and the surprise mingled with urgency. Somehow, he would find a way off this planet, beautiful though it was. And he would have to find that way soon.
"Skywalker," Yoda said, the plea implied in his tone.
Luke turned and strode away, leaving Yoda alone on the precipice.
