Author Notes- Just to let you all know that this story takes place a few years after the Yuuzhan Vong War. It's kind of a AU since it doesn't really follow the events of the Swarm War Trilogy. But anyway here's the next chapter.
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Ben approached the ferrocrete steps of the Jedi Academy. As he slowly began to walk up the steps, his mind drifted back to the events that had just occurred. Ben shook his head. The night started out very smoothly but unfortunately ended horribly. He ventured out in the middle of the night to try and solve one problem only to have new problem arise. The young Jedi sighed then looked down at the blood stained dagger, which he held in his left hand. Now he faces the possibility that this Darth Omega might very well be a clone of either him or his father, Luke. Although it's the most logical theory Ben could come up with, it still however impossible since all the cloning factories were supposedly destroyed years ago. Unless of course, there is a secret cloning factory which the Republic don't know about, thought Ben as he reached the top of the steps. He looked at the dagger again and thought to himself. Maybe I shouldn't wait until tomorrow to tell my family what had happened tonight. But then again even I do tell them they'd probably wait until tomorrow anyway just check into this matter. Best to try to get some sleep and tell them or at least one of them tomorrow. So Ben quietly entered his room and prepared to go to sleep. But the big question was could he go to sleep?
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Morning finally came and Ben awoke from his horrible night sleep stressed and exhausted. Several times throughout the night, Ben tried to fall asleep but he just couldn't stop thinking about his dark encounter with Omega. Even now at the very moment, many thoughts and questions regarding the mysterious sith lord filled the young jedi's mind. Luckily it was morning and now he could finally tell his family or at least one of his family members exactly what had happened last night. He got up out of his bed then made his way to the fresher. He cleaned himself up then put on his white jedi garbs, which was the only colored jedi clothing Ben had in his closet and the only type he liked most. He looked over at his brown jedi cloak then grabbed the cloak. Concealed within the inner left pocket of the cloak was Omega's dagger, which Ben intends to show his family so they can help him find the blood's DNA.
Ben put on his brown cloak when suddenly his comlink, a small communication device, beeped signaling that someone is trying to contact him. He walked over to his lamp stand near his bed and grabbed the comlink. Hoping it was one of his family members, he activated the comlink and spoke. "Ben Skywalker here."
"Good morning, Ben or should I say my young padawan." replied a feminine voice.
Ben smiled for he recognized the voice of his dear cousin and master, Jaina Solo. "Good morning, Jaina."
"And it's about time you've awoken. Do you know how long I've tried contacting you this morning? One full hour, kiddo."
Ben looked over at the time. Blasted! He thought to himself. He was supposed to wake up an hour ago for breakfast but because he couldn't get to sleep at all in the middle of the night it caused him sleep in through the morning and miss breakfast. Now it was coming towards time for him and Jaina's training session. And if you were late to one Jaina's training sessions, she'd let you hear about it. Jaina was what Ben would call 'the no nonsense type' master. Ben looked at the time again. He had 5 minutes until his training session with his cousin. "Um, sorry if I'm a little late on things today, Jaina. It's just that I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Well I certainly hope you've gotten enough rest so at least you're alert when we're training. Oh and you better hurry or otherwise you're also going to be late for our first training session of the day. Come on, Ben, you got to buckle down on your training. How you going to become a great jedi if you keep sleeping in and being late for your training sessions? You're an excellent apprentice Ben, but you need to show just a little bit more determination."
"I know, Jaina. You're right. But if you look on the bright side, at least I'm not late most of the time."
"Uh, huh," Jaina added with a hint of sarcasm. "Anyway, so you will know our session begins in the courtyard, so make sure you meet me there. Okay, kiddo."
"Alright, I'll meet you in the courtyard. Oh and Jaina there's one last thing. Last night, did you feel anything odd like a dark presence through the force?"
"No, I didn't feel any dark presence. Everything felt normal. Why do you ask?"
"Did you feel my presence at all last night?"
"Well actually I didn't really stretch out with the force to try and feel your presence last night. But I'll presume that you were in your room."
"Truthfully, Jaina, at one point I wasn't in my room last night. Last night I left my room to take a walk on the beach to sort out my thoughts."
"Oh, so that's why you are so tired. Ben, you know you shouldn't be sneaking out of the Academy at the middle of the night. What were you-"
Ben cut her off before she could finish. "Listen to me Jaina. When I did take my walk something else happened last night. Something that is a most disturbing situation."
"What happened?"
"All I can tell you right now is that it's very urgent and important that I tell you in person," Ben told her in very serious tone.
"Ben, if this situation is as serious as you're making it sound, then tell it to me now. What happened to you last night?" Ben could hear a hint of worry and concern in her voice.
"It's a long story, Jaina. I'll tell you everything at the courtyard. Later, cousin."
"Later Ben…see you soon."
Ben clicked off his comlink then immediately exited his room.
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Ben, who was still somewhat tired, yawned as he made his way down the halls of the Jedi Academy. After a short walk, Ben finally arrived to the bottom floor of the Academy building. He then walked straight towards the Jedi Academy's Great Hall, which was the largest room in the Academy. Ben entered the Great Hall then stopped briefly and looked around. The Great Hall was very nicely decorated with a few beautiful green plants that were in wonderfully sculpted pots. The walls of the Hall were painted in an eloquent white, which made the place in Ben's opinion look like a royal palace hall. The black tiled floor was so shiny and glossy you could see your reflection. And right in the center of the Great Hall's ceiling was a giant golden hieroglyphic painting of a sun. Overall, the entire Great Hall looked very classy and exquisite. But besides its classy looks, the Great Hall was also one of the main spots at the Academy where jedi, masters and padawans, would get together and chat with one another.
As Ben walked down the black tiled steps, he quickly spotted a few of his padawan friends who were chatting with their masters. To the left of the Great Hall, Ben saw his other cousin, brown haired and brown-eyed Jacen Solo, who was chatting with his 19-year old apprentice, Kit Astar. Probably chatting about the origins of the force or something that's related to philosophy, thought Ben with a smile. Throughout the entire Academy, Jacen and Kit were known as the Philosophical Duo. Most jedi called them that because both Jacen and Kit sometimes would get a little too-, how could Ben put it, extreme when it came to the philosophy and beliefs of the force. Although they're extreme with their beliefs of the force, they are also the most peace loving jedi in the Academy. In fact the two loved all life so much they wouldn't even kill a parasite bug saying if they did it would be a violation to life and the force. It's not as if Ben didn't like hanging out with Jacen or Kit, it's just sometimes the two would get a little too overboard with philosophy.
Standing a couple meters from Jacen and Kit were Jedi Master Zekk and his apprentice, Valin Horn who was also one of Ben's friends. 21-year old Valin Horn was certainly one of the Academy's best and most obedient students. When he was a child, the brown haired and green-eyed jedi began his jedi training under the guidance of his father, Jedi Master Corran Horn, and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Later once the Jedi Rules and Academy were established, the newly knighted Zekk took Valin to be his padawan learner. Thanks to Zekk's training, Valin Horn soon became one of the Academy's best lightsaber wielders.
When Ben was only a little child, Valin would sometimes watch over him like a guardian whenever Ben's father, Luke Skywalker, and mother, Mara Jade Skywalker, would leave on a mission. But as time went on and Ben started getting older, Valin and Ben became good friends. Although Ben considers Valin one of his best friends, he also sees the older jedi as competition for Keira's heart.
On the right side of the Great Hall, Ben saw Master Tenal Ka, wife of Jacen Solo and former Queen Mother of the planet Hapes, with her apprentice Auron Kahn, another friend of Ben. Ben continued to look around the entire Hall to see if one of his parents were around. He really had to tell his parents, mainly Luke, exactly what happened last night. But unfortunately Ben saw that neither one of his parents were around. They must still be in Jedi Council Chamber, thought Ben. He then looked over to the far right of the Hall and that's when he saw her. Standing over near one the plants chatting with her master, Tahiri Veila, was the one and only woman Ben was deeply in love with, Keira Katarn. The young 18-year old female jedi had long brown hair with a few stands of braids, brown eyes, and wore her usual taupe colored jedi shirt and pants. By the cosmos, she looks beautiful, Ben thought to himself. Whenever he gazed upon Keira, he always felt this tingling sensation inside. And whenever he was around her, all his troubles and worries that haunt his mind just seem to evaporate.
He saw Keira turn her head to his direction and that's when their gazes met. Both Ben and Keira smiled when they saw each other in a distance. Tahiri saw the two looking at each other then smiled. Tahiri whispered something in Keira's ear then made her way to one of the Hall's exits. As Keira started walking towards him, Ben felt his heartbeat quicken in pace. Okay stay calm, stay calm. And loosen up. After all, she is my best friend. Ben told himself mentally. Who looks absolutely beautiful and lovely, oh man, I wish I could just tell her how feel about her and then kiss her with passion.
"Hey, Ben," Keira said as she embraced him in a hug.
Ben returned Keira's hug and his smile slightly widened as he held the petite girl in his arms. "Hi, Keira. You look really pretty today." And everyday. The two pulled away from each other's embrace and Ben could see a blush on Keira's cheek.
"Thank you," replied Keira. She looked up into Ben's eyes then spoke. "I didn't see you at breakfast this morning. I was wondering when you'd come down."
"Um, I wasn't really that hungry this morning. And I would've been down sooner but I didn't really get such good night sleep last night so I kind of slept in."
"Oh. Well I guess that's understandable. I haven't told you this before but I've done the same thing several times myself except mine was a little worst than yours."
"Really?"
"Yeah, because I ended up being 20 minutes late for my training session with my master, Tahiri."
"She must've been pretty upset."
"Oh, she was. She gave me a pretty long lecture afterwards telling me the importance of being on time for training and how I must take my training more seriously."
Ben smirked. "You think that's bad, imagine being late to one of Jaina's training sessions. She'll give you a lecture alright. She'll give you a lecture while ordering you to drop to the ground and do 100 pushups."
"That rough, huh."
"Yep, that rough. Keira, I'm going to be honest with you. Sometimes I think Jaina acts more like a general than a master." Ben's comment made Keira giggle. "Honestly I mean, sometimes her training methods can get to be quite intense and somewhat extreme." He paused for second then continued. "But you know, even though her methods can be a little intense, she has indeed taught me a lot and made me a better jedi. She really is a good master, all in all."
"Well that's good to hear. I feel the same way about my master," replied Keira.
The two walked over to one of the Hall's exits, which led to the courtyard, then stopped. Keira looked up into Ben's eyes and he looked into hers. "Well, um. I guess I, uh, better go find my cousin now," said Ben.
"Yeah," replied Keira who was still gazing into Ben's blue eyes. "I'll, um, see you at lunch."
"Yeah, uh, I'll see you at lunch," said Ben as he slowly backed away from Keira. "Good bye, Keira."
"Good bye, Ben." She then turned around and walked towards the same exit Tahiri took.
Ben was about to turn around and head down the corridor, which lead to the courtyard, when suddenly saw Valin approach Keira. Ben saw her and Valin hug then the two started to talk. While he was talking to Keira, Valin began to twirl his lightsaber handle around in his right hand. Showoff, Ben thought to himself. Ben then saw Keira laugh, which made Valin smile. As Valin and Keira both walked towards the exit talking to each other, Ben saw Valin wrap his arm around Keira's shoulder. Ben first felt a huge surge of jealousy rise within him but it was soon replaced with sadness. He looked down at the ground in sadness then turned around and began walking down the corridor to the courtyard.
Although she was friendly to him, Ben could tell that she enjoyed being around Valin more than him. Valin always managed to make Keira laugh or feel happy. And several times he saw Keira and Valin talking together and enjoying each other's company. Sometimes when he looked out his window, he could see them happily chatting with each other in one of the Academy's gardens, which always made Ben feel miserable. By the way she'd sometimes look at Valin, Ben could easily see that she probably has feelings for the older jedi apprentice. Of course Keira likes Valin more. In fact most of the women at the Academy thinks he's attractive, so of course Keira would feel the same, Ben thought to himself. He's older, more handsome, and more mature than me. And on top of that he's a better apprentice than me. Plus he makes Keira laugh and feel happy whenever she's around him. Yep, I can already see she would prefer being with Valin instead of me. She probably just thinks of me as a friend and only a friend. If I told her how I felt about her, I bet all my credits that she'd just reject me and tell me she likes me only as a friend. The whole entire thought made Ben feel hurt and depressed inside.
He finally came to the end of the hallway and entered the courtyard. Ben tore his gaze from the ground and looked around the tree filled courtyard. To Ben, the Academy's courtyard was like a forest. There were several different species of trees and plants scattered everywhere across the courtyard. Ben had to admit that the courtyard did look very nice. But nevertheless it still looked like forest. In fact, the courtyard was so thick with trees and foliage that once you have fully entered it you could barely see the sunlight. Like a miniature Endor, thought Ben.
He walked down the rocky steps then proceeded forward through the courtyard. As he walked through the courtyard searching for his master, Ben stretched out with the force and felt a peaceful vibe wash over him. He felt the presence of nature and life surrounding him making him feel at one with the light side of the force. Peace, tranquility, and love were all essences of the light side of the force. Walking through that miniature forest and feeling the light side surging through him, Ben felt all his sadness and depression wash away from within him.
He continued straight forward down the courtyard's path when suddenly he spotted his cousin, Jaina, sitting by herself on a chair sized gray rock, which was underneath a rather large tree. In the face, 35-year old Jaina Solo greatly resembled her mother, Leia Organa Solo, only younger. The attractive brown haired and brown-eyed jedi wore her usual light brown jedi shirt, taupe pants, and brown boots. Unlike the other jedi in the Academy, Jaina didn't wear a jedi robe instead she wore a light brown scarf that wrapped around her neck and shoulders. On her right hand wrapped around her finger was a gold wedding ring, which was given to her by her soon to be husband, Jagged Fel. The 37-year old colonel, who had known Jaina for years, proposed to Jaina a week ago and she joyfully accepted his proposal.
Ben approached his cousin then spoke. "Hey Jaina, I mean master. Sorry if I'm two minutes late."
Jaina looked up at Ben then replied. "Actually you're four minutes late."
"You aren't going make me do a hundred pushups are you?"
"No, that's only if you are five minutes late. Since you're only four minutes late you get to do fifty push ups instead."
"Oh, man."
"But I'll save that for later." She lightly patted her hand on a large rock sitting next to her then told him. "Sit down."
Ben obeyed his cousin's command and sat on the rock next to her. Jaina looked at him with a serious expression on her face then spoke. "You said earlier that there was something very important you had to tell me. And judging from your voice, it sounded pretty serious. Well, Ben, tell me. What was it that happened to you last night?"
Ben took a deep breath then told Jaina everything that had happened. He told her how he snuck out of the Academy to take a walk and told her everything about his encounter with Darth Omega. When he was all through, Ben could see a look of worry and concern in his cousin's face. Jaina stared at the blood stained dagger, which she held in her hand. "So this Darth Omega told you that you and him are connected?"
"Yes. And he did look a lot like my father, which makes me believe he just might be a clone. That would explain why he kept saying me and him are connected," said Ben.
Jaina shook her head in disagreement. "No, that's impossible. All the cloning factories throughout the entire galaxy including the Unknown Regions were destroyed 8 years ago. We have the whole thing documented in the archives. For all we know, Ben, this Omega could be lying."
"That's also a possibility. But I just want to make sure. There was one thing, however, he did have that wasn't similar to my father and that is that he had yellow eyes."
"Yellow eyes you say?" Jaina looked at the ground. "Pure dark side."
"Huh?"
Jaina looked back up at Ben then answered. "Well, you see Ben. If a force user turns fully to the dark side, its corruptive power literally changes the person. It changes their mentality, their actions, their attitude, their emotions, and sometimes even their appearance. The dark side will corrupt a force user until they literally become a evil and heartless servant to its power."
"So that's why he had yellow eyes."
Jaina nodded then held up the dagger and looked at it. "This Omega goes by the name Darth which is the title name for a Sith." She handed Ben the dagger then stood up. "This is indeed most troubling news you've given me. Ben, here's what I want you to do"
"Yes Jaina?" Ben asked as he stood up.
"I want you to take that dagger down to Cilghal in the medical lab. At the lab, she will find out the DNA of that blood. And as for me, I'm going to go and inform the Council about this whole matter."
"Gotcha. Oh, Jaina, does this mean we're going to skip today's training lesson?" Ben asked with a little smile on his face.
Jaina rolled her eyes. "No, silly! It just means it's delayed for later time. Honestly Ben, stop trying to get out of doing your training."
Ben laughed a little. "Okay, okay. See you later, Jaina."
Ben turned around then made his way down the path he had just come from. Jaina shook her head as she watched her apprentice walking away. She looked away then took the path to the right, which also led to the Academy building.
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After a long walk to the third floor, Ben finally made it to the medical lab. He entered the lab and immediately spotted Cilghal over near one of the lab's computers. Ben walked over to Cilghal and greeted the female Mon Calamarian. "Hello, Cilghal."
Cilghal turned away from the computer and looked at Ben then smiled. "Oh. Hello, Ben. It's good to see this morning."
"Likewise, Cilghal."
"So, how you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling fine. And you?"
"Oh, I feel alright." Cilghal replied while using her left hand to continue typing on the computer. She finished typing whatever it was that had her occupied on the computer then stood up and looked at Ben again. "Anyway. How may I assist you today? You didn't just so happen get injured in one of Jaina's training sessions again did you?"
"No, today I'm not here for any medical treatment. I actually need you to help me find some information."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Ben pulled out the dagger then handed to Cilghal. "See the blood on this dagger. I need you to find the DNA of this blood."
Cilghal looked at the knife curiously then back at Ben. "Sure thing, Ben."
"Oh and Cilghal. Once you find the DNA of that blood, can you also display the DNA structures of my blood, my father's blood, and the blood from that dagger on the same screen?"
"I sure can, Ben. Now remember this process will take ten to fifteen minutes, so if you want to lounge in my office you may."
"Thanks, Cilghal." Ben said with a smile then walked over and entered Cilghal's office leaving the Mon Calamarian to her work.
Sixteen minutes later, Ben saw the office door open and Cilghal stepped in. Ben could see a look of shock on Cilghal's face. "What's wrong, Cilghal?" Ben asked.
She looked over at Ben. "You may want to come see this."
Ben got up from his seat and followed Cilghal to the lab area. The reached the computer screen and Cilghal spoke. "On the top of the screen is the DNA structure of the blood that was on the dagger. The structure on the bottom left is Master Skywalker's DNA and the one on the bottom right is yours."
Ben looked at the screen with shock and confusion. He took a seat in front of the computer and continued to stare at the results. He saw his DNA, which had a mix of his mother and father. He then looked at his father's DNA compared it to Omega's DNA. He saw that Omega indeed had a strand of Luke's DNA but he also had another strand and it wasn't Mara's DNA. So that's what he meant when he said we're connected. He meant that we both had my father's DNA running through us. But now I see that like me, he also has a mother, Ben thought as he continued to look at the screen in realization. Which meant that in the distant past my father must've been with another woman besides mother. Omega isn't a clone of my father or me. "He's my brother. Omega is my brother."