A Past Long Forgotten

The chamber was filled with young children of many different species, ranging from Arkanian to Zabrak.

The window surrounding the room shone with the bright Coruscanti light of day, with miniature specks of vehicles moving in the distance.

The children were all clad in white robes and little white boots to match their attire. On their heads were large helmets with blast shields to cover their sights. In each of their hands were small cylindrical hilts with green or blue shafts of energy thrumming throughout the room.

In unison their little lightsabers moved to their left, blocking a small bolt of orange energy that was absorbed into their lightsaber.

Once more, in unison, their little arms shifted position, moving to the right and back to their chests to block the last two bolts that were absorbed.

Small round remotes hovered above the children, firing the bolts of energy, which the children still managed to block.

Leading them was another figure, as tall as the children and yet so old and wise.

"Feel the Force flow through you," he said, smiling as the children followed each and every command. Master Vandar couldn't help but find some pleasure when teaching all of the young children. He couldn't help but admire their keen minds and watch as they grew up to become full fledged Jedi that would do the Order proud.

Outside of the room, unbeknownst to the children who were training, stood a trio of Masters who observed the children moving with a grace that surprised even them.

"How does he do it?" A much younger looking Ash Merrick asked, his eyes focused on a particular little child who swung his lightsaber, blocking the bolt.

"Master Vandar seems to enjoy making the rest of us look like old fools," Alec jested, smiling widely. His short dark hair had begun to see signs of grey that was slowly creeping in.

"Who said he's making me look like an old fool?" Vrook Lamar asked, his brow rose.

Alec shrugged. "As far as I am aware, you refuse to teach children on principle. And who says I'm old?"

"Principle?" Ash asked, incredulously. "I thought it was because you make them cry, hard-as-nails Vrook Lamar." He grinned widely at the older man, who merely frowned.

"All kidding aside," Vrook began, clearing his throat, "there are a few children here who are noteworthy of your attention."

Alec crossed his arms. "Oh? Is the Council ready to let me choose a new Padawan so soon?"

Vrook shot Alec a look. "We know it has been some time since you've taken up another Padawan, Alec."

His look hardened. "Don't play games with me, Vrook. I won't train anyone after Matthias. You know that."

Ash quickly rested a hand on Alec's shoulder. "Calm down, Alec," he whispered. "It's not your fault that Matthias ran into the ambush, but he was a Knight for two years before it happened."

Inhaling deeply, the Jedi Master looked back at Ash. "And what would you say about Tarn? The three of us know exactly who the father is and were he to grow up and get killed in some ambush; you would feel the same thing I feel."

"He's a child and still has a long way to go." Ash replied quietly.

"Enough of this, Alec," Vrook commanded, his voice stern and repercussive. "There is something you must know of one of the Younglings, in the least." Moving Alec back to face the window that separated the class from them, Vrook's finger pointed to a young child, who Alec could only make out as human from his small brown hands.

"What of this child?" Alec asked, his voice calm and his arms still crossed.

Clearing his throat, Vrook began, "his name is Dante. He has two brothers: the Ravenmoon twins."

Alec couldn't help but raise a brow and glance at Vrook. "Are you telling me that this child is related to Nathaniel and Xavier?"

"You're familiar with the twins?"

Alec nodded.

Ash took all of this in with the same keen interest as Alec was displaying.

"I hear Masters Zan and Knor-Fel are quite pleased with those two. Their command of the Force may be a few levels below even Revan and Malak, but they're still quite skilled."

Vrook nodded. "Well, this young one here happens to be the last Ravenmoon."

Alec couldn't help but raise a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Master Nemo felt his presence a few years ago on an Outer Rim world known as Adumar."

"Adumar?" Alec asked, furrowing his brow in puzzlement. "That's quite some way from here."

Vrook nodded. "Indeed it is. Regardless of that, when Nemo found the boy, his parents had been brutally murdered and the child was left for dead."

Alec clenched his jaw.

"Sounds familiar," Ash muttered.

Alec turned to look at Ash. "That's how a notable few of the Order were found—myself, Revan, even Vrook, just to name a few."

Vrook waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, "the point, Alec, is that this boy has no one to turn to and he has no true knowledge of his family or brothers here. He will need a Master in time."

Alec's countenance hardened. "Another Master would be better suited to him. Ask Nemo, I am sure he will be more than glad to train the boy."

Vrook shook his head. "Nemo has been sent back to Dantooine."

"The boy still has some years before Nemo returns," Alec countered.

"No," Vrook insisted, "Nemo already has a Padawan. This boy is strong in the ways of the Force and at such a young age, he requires more special training."

Alec shook his head. "If you want another Revan, then I suggest you look to his Master."

"Alec, you've already been selected to be his Master," Ash explained softly.

"The boy has a destiny, we all see it," Vrook said, taking a step closer to Alec. "Why won't you? You're meant to be his Master."

Alec leaned in, his blue eyes locked with the cold steel gaze of Vrook. "What are you saying? He picked me without my knowledge? I know no child to be capable of that."

"He didn't. The Council wants you to train this boy."

Alec looked at Vrook hard. "You will get your wish, Vrook, but do not think for a moment you're doing me a favour."

Vrook appeared to be relaxed and calm for a moment, taking in with smug satisfaction that he had won, at least for the moment. "In time you will come to trust this boy, Alec." Turning around Vrook left, followed quickly by Ash who was intent on checking in on his child.

Alec frowned and looked back at the group of Younglings who were training. His gaze was fixated on the young boy, who seemed to deflect the bolts with ease. Alec focused intently on the boy, taking care to note the boy's movements.

The events racing back into his mind of the boy's familial history, Alec couldn't help but feel sympathy for the child.

Unfortunately for the Master, he didn't hide his thoughts well.

He watched the boy's head cock towards the semitransparent wall and hold his gaze there for a few moments.

He can see me, the Master thought, realizing he'd distracted the boy for far too long.

An orange bolt hit the boy on his backside, causing him to jump up and squeal.

The children quickly moved out of the way and began laughing.

From his hidden spot, Alec couldn't help but smile. This little one's perceptive. He sighed, and kept his eye on the boy, who now recovered and had a sour expression on his face.

"Maybe it is time I've moved on Matthias," he murmured. "I can only hope the boy doesn't have a fate similar to your own."

He closed his eyes, recounting the dark moment when Matthias had reported to the Council that he was en route to stopping the Exchange Syndicate member Goto. Unfortunately for the young man, Goto had anticipated Jedi involvement and laid several traps for the young man.

It wasn't until Matthias had cleared through the last of the traps that he came face to face with the very thing that Goto was wanted for.

A Jedi assassin droid.

Matthias destroyed the prototype, but it had also claimed his life and the lives of three hundred people within a large housing complex in the Refugee Sector on Nar Shaddaa.

Alec sighed, his hand gently touching the scar that had recently formed along his face. He ignored the dull, throbbing pain. It had become something of a reminder to him—something that would remind him never to make the same mistake twice.

His eyes returning to the boy, who had now resumed his training, Alec couldn't help but feel the swirl of the Force around Dante. He could feel the furor of the building typhoon within Dante.

I hope this boy's skill is as good as his brothers, even if they're not as powerful in the Force as he

Alec couldn't help but smile at the boy. "We seem to be very much alike, Dante. Two outcasts with a family we don't even know about." He shrugged, watching the boy keep up his training. "I think I might begin to like you."


Dante sat upright as he woke up. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving with each and every moment he sucked in and exhaled precious air. Wiping away the sweat that had covered his face, Dante moved to sit at the edge of his bed.

"I knew it was him," he muttered, recalling what the Force showed him. For all of the years since that moment, Dante had been wondering whose presence it was that broke his concentration for a moment.

Shaking the memory and the last strings of sleep away, Dante rose and made his way back to the refresher.

"Alec never left me behind, and I won't let it happen to you too, Rena," he muttered. His mind had been on Rena for far too long.

Letting the water run down his body in the shower, he quickly made out a plan for his departure.

The Master knew he would be leaving and wouldn't return until after Rena and Revan were back with him.

The star pupil of Alec had been one of the few who were severely stubborn.

Dante knew exactly who would come with him. It would only be a matter of time before Atton would join him.

Quickly donning his black clothing, he threw his bracers in a bag, along with other components and belongings he knew he would need. Holstering the lightsaber on his belt, the Knight made his way through the dark hallways of the Temple.

Quietly entering a turbolift, he waited patiently as it came to his stop: the Hangar bay.

Stepping out, with his bag in hand, Dante walked through the dark room, his feet echoing from the ferrocrete floor. He looked around and began to look for something that would help him put quite some distance between he and the Core.

He knew Rena was as far away as the Outer Rim by now.

He could feel it.

The cool, scrubbed air touched his face, drying away the excess moisture on his face and hair. He ran his free hand through his hair, pulling the strands to the back as he continued his search.

Taking a few steps, he stopped suddenly and saw the Masters, including Atton, waiting for him by a sleek arrow-shaped Jedi courier. It was a similar courier vessel that he had taken when he attempted to board the Krayt.

"We know you're going to leave," Cyrin started, "it was only a matter of time." He took a step forward, his eyes twinkling with something the young Knight had never seen. "This ship should match your needs, Dante." He bowed, "may the Force be with you in your search, Master Ravenmoon."

Dante returned the bow and rose to meet Cyrin's gaze. "And you too, Master Jace."

Not one for goodbyes, Ash merely bowed, and Frreral crushed Dante in a powerful Wookiee hug, forcing the Jedi Knight to gasp for air for a few moments after successfully reminding the furry Jedi of the necessities for life.

Leaning on a ledge near the ramp, Atton waved to Dante, "climb aboard when you're ready. I'm going to see what this baby can do." Turning around, Atton left Dante to his own devices, confident that the Jedi Knight would follow soon enough.

Jolee looked at the young man and shrugged, "bah, you don't need to listen to an old man's mindless drivel." Resting a hand on Dante's shoulder, he merely added, "I just hope you find what you're looking for. There's a lot more resting on the outcome than you could possibly imagine."

With the Masters leaving one by one, each imparting their own wisdom onto the Knight, there came only two Jedi Masters left: Vandar and Bastila.

The green, diminutive Jedi hobbled towards Dante, each step reminding the Knight of wizened Master's age.

Kneeling, in anticipation of the Master's coming counsel, Dante kept his eyes focused on Vandar, bearing witness to no great advice or forthcoming guidance, but to an old Master who should have kept a closer eye on a student.

Vandar sighed, closing his eyes, while his ears twitched and dropped lower.

Baffled, the he couldn't help but ask, "Master?"

Vandar finally opened his eyes and looked Dante hard in the eye. "To a foolish errand you run to. Beware the Dark Side, it clouds everything. When the time is right, find the balance between the Light and Dark you will—know what decision to make."

Taken back by the Master's cold, yet deeper meaning words, Dante rose and bowed, not even knowing why he was doing what he was. "Thank you, Master Vandar, for all of the training and advice over the years. I apologize for my rash decision, but I cannot fail my Padawan. I will heed in your words and I wish good fortune on you and the Order. May the Force be with you."

Nodding, Vandar hobbled away, muttering, "may the Force be with you too, Jedi Ravenmoon."

The engines had begun its slow mechanical whining, reminding Dante of the precious amount of time he was losing with each and every moment he delayed.

Bastila could only smile, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Bastila," he attempted lamely before he was rushed with the wave of emotions from the Jedi Master and her hug. Taken in surprise, he quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around her, caressing her back. "I'll bring him back," he said softly to her ears. He ignored the sweet fragrance of her skin and her hair. His mind was focused between the grim reminder of Rena's parentage and the sobs of Bastila. Squeezing her tighter, he vowed, "I'll bring Revan back to you, old friend."

Letting her go, he took a step back and walked around her.

The pitch of the engines' whine had begun to grow louder by the second.

Bastila turned around, one arm crossed on her chest, while the other wiped away the tears in her eyes.

Dante took a few steps on the ramp, his hand near the control switch to close the ramp. Looking back at Bastila, he nodded, entered the ship and made his way to the cockpit.

The courier began to rise on its repulsors, hot air whooshing from the engine as the ship began to turn towards the exit of the hangar.

Bastila watched as the courier quickly made its way out of the Jedi Temple and begin its arduous journey to find Revan.

It seemed only the night before that the Jedi Exile, Theresa Falcus, made her way to find Revan and join him in the war against a far more powerful Sith threat.

Bastila could only hope that she hadn't doomed any of her friends to their deaths.