Dawn of a New Era

It was a dark day for the Republic, which had now disassembled. The battle on Coruscant had opened the eyes of a great many senators and world leaders.

The fact the Sith had entered the battle and had been behind much of the chaos throughout the last few years was reason enough to show that the Republic—and the Jedi—was needed more than ever.

Surprisingly, there had been little opposition as the Jedi returned, especially since they were so instrumental in defeating the Sith before more lives had been lost.

The senators found to be aiding the Sith had all mysteriously disappeared during the cacophony of the battle, however there had been a great many reports of a shuttle full of senators had exploded as it was leaving Coruscanti airspace.

No one had bothered to look for the senators in the least. A falleen officer working for the Republic Intelligence had delivered the report to Chancellor Dodonna's office.

It had been several days after the Coruscant incident, and many lives had been lost in the process.

Admiral Onasi had managed to gather the Republic fleet, causing many of the weaker coalitions that had tried to trigger an armistice to think better of it and instead, seek to join whatever new coalition was in the process. Once more, the famed hero of the Republic had been one of the causes in preventing the complete collapse of the Republic.

Many senators, world leaders, corporations and other influential figures had begun to invest wealth and resources into the possible formation of another Galactic Union. There had been many offers of boosting the funds to the Restoration efforts, all in a bid to stay in the Republic.

The systems of the corrupt senators had elected new senators to take their places, and as a result, there was in increase in funding for the Restoration efforts that far outweighed any bid Czerka had cobbled together. The Ithorians had been given complete autonomy over the project, leaving other things to be rebuilt.

After the battle, a fighter group had managed to locate a downed pod near the Industrial sector in the metropolitan planet. A rescue crew and a heavily armed team had arrived, finding two wounded Jedi that were in critical condition.

Carth raced through the corridors of the hospital after he received the call two days after the Jedi were picked up. Bastila was right behind him.

He managed to reach the desk quickly, panting and out of breath. "Nurse, I need to find out where Visas Marr and Dante Ravenmoon are located."

The nurse, a male human, nodded and quickly pulled up the information on his terminal. He glanced at the Admiral and it took him a moment to realize it was the legendary Carth Onasi standing before him. "You're Carth--,"

"Onasi," the Admiral replied, still huffing. "Please, I need to know where they are. They're two Jedi—they were found in that escape pod."

The nurse nodded and continued to cycle through the list until he found their names. "They're located in the south wing—your last right at the end of this hallway."

Carth nodded in appreciation and ran down the hallway with Bastila in hot pursuit.

As the pair reached the far end of the hallway, they turned right and walked through the doors to a group of medical personnel.

Glancing at one of them, Carth asked, "where are the two Jedi that were found?"

One of the medical personnel pointed at the far corner through another pair of doors and the Republic heroes went through the doors, watching a group of kolto tanks with their respective patients healing within it. On the far end of the row were two tanks that carried the submerged bodies of Dante and Visas.

Carth exhaled in relief, while Bastila checked their vitals on the console.

"They're stable," she said, her voice quiet, but filled with relief. "I can still feel them through the Force, though Dante's presence is far stronger than Visas'." She glanced at Carth. "But they're all right."

"Thank the Force," he muttered, glancing at both half-naked Jedi, who appeared in suspended animation. "When are they going to be released?"

"Dante is completely healed. He just needs a checkup and a clean bill of health," a gruff voice spoke up behind the pair, startling them.

An old man walked out of the shadows, causing Carth and Bastila to smile in surprise, recognizing the dark skinned man with his white goatee and the mischievous smile on his face.

"Jolee!"

He nodded, "it's good to see you two as well." He looked at Dante and Visas and sighed. "Well, the boy will be fine, but as for her…" He glanced at Bastila and then Carth and lowered his head. "She'll have to be there for days, maybe weeks or even months."

"How bad was she when they found her?" Bastila asked, concern filling her voice.

He shrugged. "Well, when they found her, she had broken ribs, a few broken limbs, some internal bleeding and a lot of blood loss. Some of her organs were even cut up. It seems Dante had done the best he could to patch her up, giving some of his own life to her in the process."

Carth looked at the old man, who kept his gaze fixated on the floating body of the Jedi Knight. "So Dante is going to be well?"

Jolee nodded. "Physically, he's healthy." Tapping his own skull, Jolee added, "mentally, now that's a different story."

Nodding slowly, the Admiral looked at one of the nurses at the other end of the hallway of tubes and said, "wake him."


He stood there, clad in his black robes and the wind at his back. The sun was setting on the tomb-like world of Korriban. His eyes were fixated on the tomb before him; its ebony doors beckoning him towards it, as a gateway to a new world for him.

The breeze ruffled his hair, causing a few strands to fly into his eyes. He casually ignored it, biting his lower lip in hesitation with what he was about to do. Wellhere goes nothing, he couldn't help but think. He continued to wring his hands as he put one foot forward and the other began to follow soon after.

The wind began to howl, sending shivers down to his spine. The sad truth of it all was that he stood there, under the dying sun and on the lifeless surface of the Sith homeworld all alone.

No, he corrected, not alone. He turned to his right and saw the figure there, standing in her violet and black robes, with her violet and gold embroidered veil over her eyes and much of her head.

She nodded to him and slowly made her way towards him, walking with purpose, but with a gentle grace that belied the rush of emotions that swam all over her.

"Visas," he breathed, taking in the sight.

She allowed a small smile to form on her lips. "Hello, Dante," she replied, her voice still soft and warm.

"What are you doing here?" He looked around, his memory of his last so-called visit flooding back to him. Tulak. His voice grew concerned and his mind filled with worry. If he's around, he might see her and hurt her. Or worse. Instinctively, his hand went to his belt, only to find the warm grip of his belt. There was no lightsaber. "It's dangerous here." There was no blaster. He was unarmed and worried for her sake.

She took a few more steps toward him, one of her hands touching his chin.

He felt her warm touch, taking in the moment with her.

"There is no danger here."

He furrowed his brow. "What do you mean there's no danger? I was here a few moments ago and I saw an old and very powerful Sith. He could be here—somewhere." He looked around, seeing nothing but sand, rocks and red light for miles beyond miles. "I know he's here somewhere."

She smiled and her cupped hand guided his puzzled face towards her. "It's all right. There is no one here, save for us." She moved in closer, resting her head on his chest.

Startled at first, he allowed himself a smile and brought his arms around her, keeping her safe in his arms. "But how can you be here?"

"The bond you created," she whispered. "When I was injured, you threw your own life force into me. You almost killed yourself without realizing it."

Dante took a step back, his hands resting on her shoulders and his eyes focused on where her empty sockets would have been, was it not for the veil hiding the cruel reality. "I would never let you die. I could never live with myself if you were gone, but I know we made it out. We had to. So why are we here, on this forsaken world?"

She exhaled. "I do not know. Only you truly know. It may yet be the next step in your journey."

He bit down on his lower lip. Perhaps you're right, Visas, he mused. This may yet be the next step in my journey. But where does my journey lead? He inhaled and pulled her close to him once more, closing his eyes and letting his feelings rush through him. "I just want to spend this moment with you," he whispered.

She held him closer, until a gasp escaped her breath.

He pulled back and looked at her, his expression full of concern and worry. "Visas? What is it?"

She took a few steps back and glanced about. "There's something else here. Something is not right. It feels almost as if it does not belong here."

Dante looked around, a dark wave suddenly passing through his body.

The wind was beginning to pick up and the sand was slowly turning to dust.

"You're right, but what?"

They looked around, until Visas stopped, her gaze fixed on the clouds above the pair.

"What is it?" Dante looked up, but could see nothing.

"It's come to an end," she answered. She looked back to him and then she lowered her gaze to the ground. "This is not a vision, but a phantom vision of our bond. It will be ending soon. You're alive—so am I. When you wake, I will not be able to join you."

He took her hand in his, realizing that he wore no gloves and the clothes on his back were not even his. "Whatever this is, I will stay with you. I won't leave you here, Visas."

Somewhere, out beyond the horizon, a distant rumbling could be heard.

The wind slowly began to pick up its howl.

She shook her head, "no, Dante, you don't understand. This isn't real! When you tried to heal me, you put your life force into me. We're bonded, but I cannot go back with you. I am…incomplete."

The ground began to rumble and loose rocks and bones began to rattle.

"No, Visas. You're coming back with me. I won't let you stay here and get pulled into whatever it is that is coming."

She pulled herself close to him once more, holding him as tightly as she could. "Your life lies down another path. We will meet again soon, but not now and not here. You must go and save Rena—I will always be here. I will always keep a part of you." She looked up toward him and kissed him.

He felt her lips touch his, as warmth spread all over his body. He never wanted to stop. As their lips parted, he looked at her, until he was pulled away from her. "Wait! Visas!" He could feel the distance growing between them as the ground shifted.

The ground cracked wide and split them further apart, leaving a wide chasm in its wake.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Dante, but you're walking down another path. I will always be with you. I'll always love you."

His eyes went wide.

The tombs were collapsing on her side of the ground.

A large piece of the tomb was falling towards Visas. "Visas! No!"

A white light pulled him far away.

"We will meet again," her voice echoed, almost as if it were a whisper. The entire light faded to complete darkness.


He found himself resting on his knees and hands on the cold metallic floor around him. There were panels giving his medical readouts, but none of this mattered to him. He tried to breath, but he found himself gagging and retching on the ground, spilling out the contents of the kolto in his stomach.

Unable to spill out anymore contents, Dante lowered his head, his soaked body still dripping the healing fluids.

A warm hand touched his shoulder.

"Dante," Carth spoke softly. "Dante? Can you hear us?"

He nodded, "where's Visas? Is she alive?"

Carth and Bastila helped their companion up, while Jolee brought a towel and threw it over the Jedi Knight, whose open wounds had now sealed, leaving faint dark scars over his body.

"She's alive," Jolee began, "but she's still in treatment for some time. I don't know how long it will be."

Dante looked at the kolto tank beside where his was.

She was submerged, surviving on the fluids as medical consoles beeped, indicating her status.

"You saved her, kid," Jolee grunted. "She would have been gone if it wasn't for you."

Dante nodded. "How long?"

Shaking his head with surprising patience, the Jedi Master repeated, "I don't know. She might be in there for weeks, maybe months."

He continued his gaze on Visas, feeling her presence through the Force and trying to send her waves of reassurance through the bond he had inadvertently created. Had it been up to him, he would have given her all of his life force if it meant saving her.

After some time, his hand resting on the cool surface of her tank, he lowered his head. I will come back to you after some time, Visas, I swear it.

"Come," Bastila said softly, "we need to go. There's much that still needs to be completed."

Nodding, Dante was led out of the ward and taken out of the hospital. The Jedi were leading him to the Temple to find new clothes for him and to bring him up to date over the course of events in the time he had been unconscious.


In his quarters, Dante threw on his old Jedi robes, taking care to throw on his new gloves that ran over the sleeves. Though it fit perfectly, Dante couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in his robes. He had preferred his other clothing, though he would have to find a few replacements.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he looked at his eyes, wondering where and how everything had led up to this point. Where does my path now lead? He tightened a buckle on one of his gloves, his eyes still focused on those eyes. I will not abandon my Apprentice, but where is the first place I look?

A gravelly voice whispered throughout his mind, Korriban.

"Korriban?" He whispered. His eyes shifted away and he looked throughout his quarters, searching for the voice. Sitting on his bed he furrowed his brow. "Why Korriban?"

And then it hit him.

"Tulak."

The ancient spectre had said to him, seek me out at Korriban.

"The ruins of Dreshdae," he muttered. "I'll need to find the Valley of Dark Lords. The archives will show me." He rose with a renewed vigor, and made his way to the door, knowing that the key to finding Rena lay in the Jedi Archives, providing they were not destroyed during the battle. "I'll find you yet, Rena," he swore. I won't lose you too.

He walked out of the door to his quarters within the Temple, only to be surprised by the remaining group of Jedi.

Frreral, Cyrin, Ash, Jolee, Bastila, Vandar and Atton stood before him, clad in their own robes.

Atton, however, still kept his black fingerless gloves on, as a symbol of who he was and where his path would lead.

The Knight merely bowed. "To what do I owe this unexpected surprise?"

Cyrin spoke up, "we will need to go to the Senate for a special meeting. The Jedi are requested to attend."

Dante nodded slowly, his mind reeling with impatience. "I understand, Master Jace, but is it really necessary for all of us to go?"

The bald Master cocked his head and replied, "the Republic has dissolved and now former Supreme Chancellor Dodonna is motioning the Senate to create a new Galactic Union, if not to restore the Republic. If this can be done, then certainly we will have a very important role to play. Already, the Mandalorians have left for the Unknown Regions, presumably to join Revan. These other Jedi from Revan's fleet are here, waiting to rebuild the Order as well as join Revan in his efforts to eliminate the Sith."

Dante nodded, "but surely, Master, must we all go? I still have a missing Apprentice and I must seek her out before it is too late."

"I understand, Master Ravenmoon," Cyrin continued, his mind racing through possibilities of Dante's sudden reticence. "But this is important. We will find out our fate first, before we make any further move."

"We will find Rena," Jolee interjected, his voice as soft as he could muster. "I assure you of that, Dante."

His eyes roamed across the group who stood before him, and knew he had lost, if only for the time being. Through clenched teeth, Dante replied, "very well, Masters."

They began to leave one by one, Bastila paused, pursing her lips and then making her way with the others.

Ash had chosen to say nothing, and Frreral lowered his head and kept silent.

Atton walked up to Dante, resting a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right, Dante. I know you want to find her quickly, but right now we're not in the best condition to mount a search and rescue."

He glared at the scoundrel-turned-Jedi. "She's my Apprentice. I'm responsible for her and I know what will happen if they succeed in turning her."

Atton narrowed his eyes. "You don't even have a lightsaber. How can you expect to rescue someone from impossible odds when you're defenceless? Just trust me, we'll get you organized and we'll go get her. I've got a stake in this too, you know."

The pair left the Temple, walking towards the Senate, conversing over their plight when it suddenly occurred to the Knight that Atton didn't even have much in the way of training.

"Who will train you now that Visas is recuperating?"

The scoundrel shrugged. "I'm not sure. I figure one of the Masters—maybe even Jolee if he wants to. All I know is that right now, I'm not in the best shape to square off against who she's fighting with. She's got the training—I don't."

Dante paused, causing the other man to follow suit. "What if I told you there's a way to train you now, rather than wait?"

"What do you mean?"

Dante licked his lips, taking the gamble. "I'm saying, what if I trained you while we search for Rena?"

Atton shook his head, smirking. "Oh no, nice try. I may be a trainee, but I know that the Jedi don't allow more than one Apprentice per Master. The whole 'Dark Side' and falling thing just doesn't appeal to me."

"All I'm saying, Atton, is that if we leave to get to Rena, I can train you in the ways of the Force—build up where Theresa and Visas left off. It might take some time, but it will be more than enough to hone your mental defences and your physical prowess. Can you really say 'no' to that?"

Atton, hesitant to answer, looked askance. His eyes roamed the sky and the Senate building just a few steps away from them. "If I say 'yes' then I'll see Theresa faster?"

Dante nodded. "I can find Theresa for you, Atton."

"But those Jedi that came here--,"

"Can do it too," interjected another voice, causing both men to look at the source. He walked towards them, clad in his own loose robes and cloak. His eyes were stark blue, contrasting with his slightly golden skin and dark brown hair. "Only, we're faster," he continued, smiling at the pair. He stood taller than Dante, matching the same height as Atton.

"And who might you be?" Dante asked, his brow arched.

The Jedi bowed, "allow me to introduce myself then. I am Lance Windwalker, General of the Seventh Fleet."

"You're with Revan's group then, I take it?" Dante asked, annoyed that he had come at an inopportune moment.

"Yes, I am, Master…?"

"You may address me as Master Ravenmoon. This is Atton Rand."

Lance nodded to Atton. "So tell me, Master Ravenmoon, what exactly are you trying to coax Master Rand into?"

Atton smirked. "He thinks I'm a Master."

"You're not a Master?" Lance looked at Atton with more puzzlement, causing the scoundrel's smirk to widen into a grin.

"Let's just say he's not quite a Master and not quite a Knight," Dante replied, allowing himself a quick smile.

"I'm a rather special case," Atton continued, his grin growing all the more widely.

"I see," Lance said finally, clearly puzzled. Clearing his throat he continued, "well, if you'll excuse me, I have a very important meeting with the Masters."

Dante brought a hand up, causing the other Jedi to stop. "They're not in the Temple at the moment—they're actually in the Senate."

Scowling, the Jedi General nodded. "Thanks for the tip then, Master Ravenmoon." He turned about and trudged towards the Senate.

Furrowing his brow, Atton couldn't help but add, "wasn't he supposed to say 'May the Force be with you?'"

Dante shrugged. "It hardly matters anymore. Now, tell me—if I help you with the ways of the Force, will you accompany me?"

Atton scratched his chin, "I still don't know. I've got a bad feeling about all of this."

"What's the worst that can happen?"


Thousands of senators watched as Forn stood at the podium, ready to announce what future she carried for the fledgling systems. Today she was clad in elegant white robes, a symbol of peace. Both of her aides stood proudly beside her, watching as history would record this very moment as either a triumph or the complete failure of the Galaxy. "It's been a long month," she began. "We have faced insurmountable odds at every turn and we have beaten them time and again. The Republic may have finally collapsed, and with it, perhaps all of the corruption and stagnation, but now our resolve is stronger. The Sith have openly attacked us, revealing that they are still here, threatening to destroy our very way of life."

Voices could be heard throughout the Senate, as floating droid holocams recorded every instant of this speech, sending it across light-years towards other systems all over the Holonet.

Keeping her composure, she continued speaking, ignoring the sweat that was building up at the small of her back. "Thanks to the Jedi and their efforts, we would not be standing here today. The Sith had plotted to destroy us from the inside, buying the efforts of a few Senators that threatened to break the Republic and delivering the ultimatum that there would be no more freedom—no more justice. These Jedi—led by Master Cyrin Jace—have proven that the Galaxy must become a peaceful and safe haven for not just the Core, but for all living beings."

She paused, her eyes looking over every single Senate disc and its occupants with earnest hope. She breathed in deeply. "The Galaxy needs us to help rebuild things the way it was—free of corruption and free of war. We must do this not just for our sakes, but for the sake of future generations."

She extended her hand and gestured across the room. "Here we all gather, from all corners of the Galaxy, together in unison, vying for a long lasting peace. I ask that we give peace a chance—let's rebuild broken worlds, heal shattered lives. We must rise up above the ashes and begin anew, give life back to the Galaxy. But there are those who would threaten it. In order to keep our peace—for now and for future generations, I ask that we form a new Galactic League of Systems, designed to prevent future wars from spreading. I plead that the Senate votes for a new Union—one where we can all be proud to serve our part and know that our way of life will not end. Our enemies are numerous; shall we not unite and rise above them?"

Cheers rang forth, as senators motioned for the passing of a new Galactic Union.

"The people of Corulag second the motion for the Galactic League of Systems," cried one of the senators.

"The people of Malastare concur with the honourable delegates of Corulag. Let there be a League of Systems!"

More senators rose from their seats, applauding Forn Dodonna and her candor.

In the matter of seconds, the entire Senate had rallied and ratified the legislation of a new government—one that would deliberate quicker and seek to rid the Galaxy of corruption and the Sith. In the matter of a month, the Republic had crumbled and the Galactic League of Systems had risen to take its place.

Forn Dodonna smiled widely, her face overcome with relief and joy as she was once more elected to lead the League of Systems in their first years.

The Senate had approved her appeal to end the Sith once and for all.

She couldn't help but smile.

Things had finally started to look up.

Her eyes moved to a booth at the far corner of the Senate chambers, and her smile grew.

"So it is done," Cyrin spoke, his voice barely a whisper. The Jedi had witnessed the course of events from a private booth, taking care to keep themselves concealed.

Vandar nodded, his ears twitched slightly. "Unknown the fate of this League will be," he replied.

"What will it mean for the rest of us?" Dante asked, leaning against a wall near to the exit of their booth.

Jolee shrugged. "Whatever it means, there's no denying that we're going to be growing again—and that will make the Sith want to hunt us all the more."

Ash glanced at Jolee. "You've become very cynical in your old age."

The bald man grinned. "It's called wisdom for a reason."

"Hopefully, this will make the fate of the Order much clearer," Cyrin said. "Perhaps it will mean that any surviving Jedi will return to the Temple and we can begin anew."

"We have many young students, after all," Ash continued. "Our numbers may have dwindled, but we will grow.

"And there is still the matter of Revan," Frreral reminded them. "Wherever he may be, it is certain that these Jedi will need our help."

"I believe we should discuss the rest of this back at the Temple," Ash interjected. "For now, our fate has been sealed. The Jedi Order lives for another day. Whether or not this…League of Systems will thrive, remains to be seen."


It was now late afternoon on Coruscant, the evening had begun to bud, and the sky bathed in fiery colours as its sun had begun to set.

People continued their busy lives, ignorant of the changes in the Galactic government and far more focused on surviving another day until the end of their own.

In his quarters, standing in front of the transparisteel pane, Dante couldn't help but watch the world continue its life without so much as turning an eye to the devastation wrought within the last month.

It had all become nothing more than history.

Is this what the Force wants? Does it want life to continue, ignorant of the dangers that continue to threaten it? How can these people bat a blind eye to everything that has occurred in the last month?

He clenched his teeth, balling his fist.

A small welt of rage was beginning to surface. His rage was not misguided, but in fact, pointed towards the very things that continued its apathy to all of the pain and suffering that had occurred in the space of almost twenty years.

The Galaxy continued to revolve, while lives had been lost and more were being destroyed in the pits of worlds such as, Nar Shaddaa or Citadel Station on Telos.

There would be countless lives that had suffered, some of them being the soldiers of the Republic and the Sith Empire. There were even those who had been there since the Mandalorian Wars, but as always, there were more innocents whose lives had become nothing more than a wisp of a dream.

And then there's still the matter of Rena, Revan and most of all, Lotus.

Her presence had unnerved him—she'd been stronger when he had met her this time, but he had managed to beat her back. He skirted dangerously near the Dark Side when he had encountered her. Now he wasn't so sure.

Whatever had happened to her back on the planet those years back, one thing was certain: Lotus Xa had found a way to leech from the fountain of the Force there. It was the only way her power could have grown when they had fought.

Her powers may have grown, he mused, resting a gloved hand on the window, but I will be ready when I face her again. The next time I see her, she will die.