8

The cool forest breeze felt good against Li New's face as he walked slowly through the grounds of the Jedi Academy. It had been two days since their return, and things were getting back to normal. Well, as normal as they could be for a Jedi anyway.

Beside him, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker strolled contently along. With the defeat of Kreygor, another one of the many enemies of peace had been removed from the galaxy. And though there were many more incidents of Dark Jedi activity being reported recently, they could only take it day by day. The loss of one of their most hidden training centres should at least put them on the back foot for a while.

"Tell me Wilcra," Luke said. "How is your apprentice?"

"Better master," Li New replied. "The bacta treatment did a good job, but only rest and the Force will get him back to full health. Still, I don't think he's minding his time off."

"Well it's not like he hasn't earned it," Luke admitted. "As all of you have done. I am truly proud of the way you handled yourselves. Facing an enemy as powerful as Kreygor is not something any of us would like to do all that often."

"On the contrary master, if defeating the likes of Kreygor is what is needed to ultimately free the galaxy, then I will gladly welcome every chance."

Luke smiled. "Spoken like a true Jedi."

"Though the day was long and the battle arduous, I am glad that we found the hidden structure when we did," Li New admitted. "Had you not sensed danger at Gorek II then many more Dark Jedi would have been trained there before it was discovered."

"Yes, we have been fortunate," Luke agreed, and then looked across the courtyard. "But I'm led to wonder: did the Force show me that vision purely so the facility could be destroyed, or for something else also?"

Li New followed his gaze towards the surprisingly calm looking Macan, sitting deep in thought on a small eroded wall. "It's good that he's back," he admitted.

"Yes," Luke said. "Macan could be a fine Jedi, if he can just learn to control his emotions."

"He seems alright now," Li New observed. "I sense no distress in him."

"Hmm, that is good," Luke agreed. "He does seem to be more relaxed and acceptant recently. His attitude since his return has given me much hope."

"I wonder what did happen out there?" Li New thought.

"He made a choice. He faced the killer of the woman he loved and came out the other side a stronger man. It must have been hard, but in all truth it was the exact thing he needed."

"Only when up against the greatest of adversity do we discover our greatest strengths."

"Absolutely," Luke nodded. "I think Macan has finally found proof that he has got what it takes to be a Jedi. That belief was never truly in him before."

"So what will happen next?"

"That is what I am about to find out," Luke explained. "If you will excuse me."

Li New respectfully bowed his head, and took his leave as Luke made his way towards Macan. As the soft footsteps approached him, the newly reinstated Jedi Padawan rose to his feet and turned to face them.

"Master Skywalker," he nodded.

"I trust you're settling back in well?" the Jedi Master asked.

"Yes," Macan answered. "Surprisingly well. I guess it's just easy coming back to what I already know."

"That's good," Luke smiled. "So your training can resume whenever you're ready."

"Actually, I've wanted to get back into it from the moment I arrived. I've wasted far too much time. Mine and yours."

"You've not wasted any of my time," Luke assured him. "What would have been a waste was if you had continued your training without ever really being sure of yourself."

Macan sighed. "But I realise now I could have made things much easier on myself, and on others around me."

"You mustn't get lost in the possibilities of what you could or should have done," Luke explained. "What has happened in the past has happened and can not be changed. And while you should always be mindful of the future, most of your energies should be focuses on the present."

"I understand," Macan nodded. "And from now on they will be."

"I'm sure they will," Luke told him. "So I've spoken with Codan. He hasn't taken an apprentice yet since earning his promotion, but I asked him what he thought about completing your training."

"And?"

"He seems happy with the idea," Luke explained. "If that's alright with you?"

"It is," Macan realised after a moment's thought.

"Your future was clouded for a long time," Luke told him. "It was never clear that you would return, but I thought I should keep this safe in case you did."

Macan watched as Luke held out a saber hilt to him. Straight away he knew that saber. It was Peta's. The one she had made to pass her Jedi trials and become a Knight. The one she would have been using when she was struck down in battle.

"I always figured you would be its most obvious owner."

Macan slowly reached out and clasped the hilt with his hand, but as he did so a small flicker of doubt passed through his mind. Did he really need another reminder of the love he had lost, especially one such as this? He would be carrying it with him everyday, and using it in every battle. Asking himself, he looked deep for an answer. Before long it became obvious, hitting him clear and strong. He could think of no greater honour that he could be bestowed, knowing that he would be using the weapon she had built while he was helping to defend the innocent people of the galaxy. Possession of the saber seemed like a very good idea, and he took it without any further hesitation. With it in his hands, he immediately felt safer, stronger somehow. He couldn't explain it, but it just felt right.

"Thank you," Macan nodded.

"My pleasure," Luke said. "And welcome back." With that, he turned and started to walk away.

"She came to me," Macan decided to say, prompting Luke to turn back and listen on, interested. "When I was in the most desperate of need, when I was ready to give myself to the darkness, she came to me." He shook his head slightly. "She saved me."

"I did wonder," Luke smiled. "It is rare that anger and confusion can be so easily cast aside."

"I don't understand how," Macan shrugged. "I keep thinking it could only have been a dream, but it felt so real. It was so real."

"You weren't dreaming," Luke explained with a shake of the head. "It's quite possible for Jedi that have become one with the Force to continue to communicate with us."

"How?"

"Through the Force, all manner of wonderful things are possible," Luke told him. "For a long time, I was able to see the spirits of the Jedi that had taught me. Their help was invaluable when it came my turn to teach others. Sometimes, when I'm deep in meditation, I can still hear their voices. I wouldn't be without them."

"I'm never alone," Macan realised.

"She will always be with you," Luke nodded his confirmation, before smiling again and taking his leave.

Macan felt refreshed, invigorated. For the last four years he had hidden himself away to suffer his torment alone, all because he thought he had lost the most dearest person to him. Now he had discovered she had been with him all along. She had never truly been lost. Were it not for all the pain he had felt, he would have probably found his seclusion amusing. It had been a long, pointless waste of time, and not what Peta would have wanted him to do at all.

Indeed it seemed he had a lot of time to make up for. Proudly fastening the lightsaber to his belt, he took a deep, calm breath, finally glad the pain had left him. With immediate practise in mind, he turned and started to make his way back into the Academy.

THE END

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