The New Jedi Knights: Fate of the Force
Chapter 5: The Selection of the Jedi
By MagicMansion
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, or Yoda. My characters are Jarrod, Josh, Kyle, Victor, Shawn, Mary, Abby, and Rebecca.
The group of friends; Jarrod, Josh, Kyle, Victor, Shawn, Mary, and Rebecca were taken to a meetinghouse in the area of the city set off for Earthlings. All of their immediate family: parents, siblings, grandparents, and aunts and uncles, were waiting for them, talking amongst themselves about what was going on.
The Padawans were told to sit in a set of chairs at the front of the room. Then, a man went up to a podium.
"Ok everyone, quiet down please. I know you must all be wondering what is going on. You were indeed all rushed from your home planet to Coruscant. I'm delighted to tell you Earth is still safe, it has not been destroyed, thanks to your sons and daughters up here. I know it must seem odd for you all, but as much of the situation I've heard from Master Skywalker, you all seem to know of his accomplishments in some sort of archives. I must tell you they are very accurate."
"Hey," one of the parents said. "Why are we all here again? What the heck is going on, and why is Earth involved in this?"
"Well," the man began.
"I can answer your questions," Luke said as he walked in. He ordered the man to be seated. "Everyone, as hard as this is for you to believe, just as it was with your children here, I am Luke Skywalker. You may think I am… uh…" He looked at his Padawans. One of them mouthed something to him.
"Oh. I know you may think I'm an actor by the name of Mark Hamill, but this is not true. I am very much so Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and the last of the Jedi. Or…" He looked back to his Padawans. "I was, until just over a week ago. I had a strange dream, well, I won't explain it to you, but I consulted my master, Yoda. Yes, he's real too. He has passed on, but he and I communicate regularly. Anyway, Master Yoda told me of new Jedi in the universe, that I had to find and train in order to defeat the New Empire and a possible Sith.
"Your sons and daughters, brought together by the Force as a circle of friends, are those very Jedi. They will be trained under me, as well as Master Yoda periodically. They will eventually undergo trials set up by me under the instruction of Master Yoda. They will then become Jedi Knights, and be sent to assist in the war against the Empire."
One parent stood up, but Luke insisted he be allowed to finish.
"Your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, however they are related to you, have a destiny in these times, a destiny to save the New Republic from destruction by the Empire. They will be under my training and guidance, and will be completely safe under their abilities with the Force and training as a Jedi. They have already advanced quite significantly in the past week while I was training them, and within another week, I believe they will be ready for their trials.
"I encourage all of you, as their families, to appreciate the gift these children hold. Also, those immediate siblings, brothers and sisters, will be tested for traces of the Force later on, but matters at hand must be taken into account first. That is, I must finish training those seated behind me before their brothers and sisters are tested. I have no doubt that there is the possibility those related have capabilities within the Force, but not everyone will."
The families started talking to each other again, and Luke sat down in front of his Padawans.
"Padawans, I will now give you some time to speak with your families. Before you do though, I must tell you one thing. The life of a Jedi lies before you, not as a life, but a choice. If you choose to accept it, you will undergo long periods of training, as well as longer periods away from the ones you love. Your families will be given what they need to live on, only the best of course, because of you being a Jedi. However, if you choose not to become a Jedi, I ask you to tell me now. You will be allowed to stay on Coruscant in safety, but I must tell you that Master Yoda has complete confidence in all of you, and the Republic would greatly appreciate you assisting in the war against the Empire."
The Padawans sat for a few minutes, thinking about what they wanted to do. The three couples (Kyle and Abby, who had joined them; Josh and Mary; and Shawn and Rebecca) began talking to each other first. Then, the group talked as a whole. Luke left them to talk to their families about their abilities.
As he expected, he got a few family members who refused to let their child undergo such a dangerous task of being a Jedi. Luke told these family members that it was their child's choice, and not theirs.
"Your children have the great wisdom of a Jedi, and they will make the choice they feel is right. The Force will guide them in their decision," Luke said, looking at his Padawans, who were still talking amongst themselves.
"If this force guides them," one parent said. "Won't it tell them they need to be Jedi? That's not guiding, that's forcing."
"Do not insult the Force," Luke said. "If it guides them to decide they are not fit for the task at hand, then so be it."
The Padawans finally stood up, and the families got up to go to their children. However, Josh stood at the podium, and told everyone to sit. Luke found Josh to be a true Jedi already; he had taken the responsibility of calming everyone down and speaking to the families.
"Everyone, I know not all of you approve of this choice before us. But, we have a destiny to fulfill. It is not going to be an easy path, being a Jedi, but we as a group feel Master Skywalker has taught us well." He looked at his friends. "We are all ready to become Jedi, and to defeat the Empire before it can destroy the Republic. Undoubtedly, the Empire has not attacked Earth until now because it did not know of us. If we go back to our normal lives on Earth, the Empire will surely destroy it in order to destroy us, the only threat to them. We would like to take our responsibility as the new Jedi, to train under Master Skywalker, learn the ways of the Force, and assist in this war that most likely will last for a while. If you can't cope with our decision, I'm sorry, but it is something only we can do."
Luke smiled. They had all united together, and seemed that they would fulfill their destiny no matter what stood in their way, even if it was the very people who had raised them.
Luke went up to the front and got behind the podium. "I hope you can all understand your children's decision, they are true Jedi, and accept their responsibility as Jedi, the protectors of peace in the universe."
The families started talking again, and most began nodding to their children. They had all accepted that there was no way to stop their children from fulfilling their fate, no matter what it might be.
"Now, if you will all excuse us, we must get to training. You may have the rest of the day with your children. Padawans, tomorrow morning, we begin the rest of your training."
His Padawans bowed. "Yes Master," they all said.
After Luke left for the Jedi Temple, the families talked to their children about what had happened over the last week, and what they had learned. Luke knew his Padawans would show off their powers for their families, but he didn't blame them. Having a connection with the Force granted you wonderful powers that were, as a matter of fact, astonishing to those who did not have them.
Luke got to the Jedi Temple, and got back to work on the lightsabers. He had already finished the practice sabers, he merely needed to finish the outer shell of the lightsabers, and then let his Padawans choose their crystals.
"Ah, young Skywalker."
Luke looked up, to see Yoda seated next to him.
"Master Yoda."
"So, agreed to their destiny, have your Padawans?"
"Yes Master. They will start training tomorrow morning."
Yoda shook his head. "Upset would the Jedi Council be, if be here it would. Training seven Padawans, unacceptable."
Luke smiled, and Yoda laughed.
"But," Yoda said with an immediate seriousness. "Hard will this training be on you, just as on your Padawans."
Luke stopped. "Why?"
"Much to learn you still have young Skywalker. Not easy is training a Padawan, but training seven, unthinkable it is. Jedi Master, you may be, if succeed you do in this task. Surpass my abilities, you may, if manage to train all seven, you do." Yoda laughed, and Luke smiled again.
"Master Yoda, I could never pass you as a Jedi. You will always be the most powerful Jedi."
"Most powerful Jedi I may be, but, use my abilities, I cannot. Jedi Master, I now declare you. Head of the new Jedi Council, you are. Clear is the future, young Skywalker. Train your Padawans to become Knights you will. Become Masters they will. Train their own Padawans, they will. Prosper, the new Jedi Order will."
"You really think so Master Yoda?"
"Think? Think I do not young Skywalker. Know, I do. Overcome the Sith however, you must first."
"I understand Master."
"Good." Yoda smiled. "Proud, your father is of you. Seen a more respectable Jedi, he never has. Train you, he wishes he had, if not to the Dark Side had he gone."
"I know Master. Master Yoda, why doesn't he communicate with me like you and Ben?"
"Ah, wonder this do you?" Yoda nodded. "Distract you, your father does not wish to. Think about him much, do you?"
"Sometimes, especially around Leia."
"See do I. Misses her, your father does also. But, fulfilled HIS destiny he has. YOUR destiny you must now fulfill, as Jedi Master."
"I understand Master. Please tell him I said hello if you see him."
Yoda laughed. "See him often I do. Still the young Padawan he seems to be, but wise, he still is. Speak with you soon, I will."
"Of course Master." Luke did a slight nod, and Yoda disappeared.
Over the next few hours, Luke finished the lightsabers, and found the supply of Adegan crystals that he had long since found and locked up so no one could access them. The variety of colored crystals were set in cases that occupied the room. Most were blue or green crystals, but a few were different, probably saved for special occasions. Luke figured if any of his Padawans wanted a special color, they could have it. They were, after all, the New Jedi Order…
I hope you liked this chapter. Man, I love writing Star Wars, especially when I have to do Yoda. Anyway, please review if you read this. I appreciate all of your comments, and flames are welcome, just don't go berserk on me.