Disclaimer: Ok, if anyone tries to sue me, fast as the Portuguese justice is, it will probably be my grandchildren who will have to pay. Poor kids. :-)
Chapter 2: A decision wilfully taken
Skye was speechless. She didn't know what to think anymore, or what to ask. It was just too much to her.
"As only a few people know, Revan was defeated by Jedi Bastila, and brought to us, almost dead. We healed her mind, in an effort to use whatever information we could against Malak, but as we couldn't take the risk of having Darth Revan back, we gave her new memories. It was possible that she would fall again to the Dark Side, but fortunately the personality that arouse was that of the old Revan, the young padawan ready to risk her own life for the sake of others. And so, we sent her in a quest to defeat her old apprentice, during which she and Carth, who was in her crew since the very beginning, eventually fell in love. And, after she defeated Malak, she chose to marry Carth, leaving the Order, instead of taking a Master place. Sadly, with time, her memories as Darth Revan started flooding back, and after you were born she finally left, fearing she would return to the dark path and hurt you. It didn't take long for your father to decide to go after her, and he left you with us, hoping he'd be able to find Revan and come get you back. But none of them did return, what leads us to think they both died. However, we don't know when, or how, nor whether did Revan fall back to the Dark Side or resisted it."
Tears had streamed down Skye's cheeks. Her parents, about whom she had dreamed so much… And to think that the Masters who had raised her, in whom she had trusted for so long, had been able to hide the truth from her for so long… She felt empty, her stomach was a knot and she felt like someone had crossed her heart with a vibroblade and was twisting it around slowly... she felt paralysed, all her senses numb as she realized the deepness of those revelations… Finally, gathering all of her strength, she heard herself say, in a voice she barely recognize
"How… how come you didn't tell me any of this before? Why did you hide my family from me? And… and why tell me now, what's your purpose with all this? I just don't get it!"
She nearly screamed the last words, feeling the pain, the revolt that overwhelmed her, making her feel like a bomb, ready to burst out in rage, in the confusion of all that, in the betrayal of those who claimed to love her… she felt her lightsaber humming in her belt, as she fought hard not to give into the hatred…
"To tell you, we could not, for our safety and your own as well. Far from defeated are the Sith, but hiding, only, for a time; had them heard about you, Revan's descendent, and the Republic would already be a memory. And allow that we could not, as even your father knew. But now, young padawan, the time has come when revealed the truth must be; a child no longer are you, and your mother's strength within you cannot be overlooked. To come to terms with your past you must, as hard as it can be."
The nauseating feeling was now hardly bearable. Skye's head spun, her insides screaming for some peace. The Force itself was twisting inside her. She had nothing to hold on to.
"Here, Skye, take this. It's a holocron your father gave us when he left. I think it has a message for you. Go to your room, meditate on all this. I know it's a lot to take on at once, but you have to try. Once you've calmed yourself – no matter how long it takes – please come back to us, for we still have some things to discuss. Is that alright with you?"
Skye wanted to say no, it wasn't alright nor would it ever be alright again, and how did they wanted her to…calm down, in amidst of all that! But the look she saw on Master Degan's eyes was one of true concern, and she found herself bowing before the Council, unable to storm off like she wanted and hurt those soft eyes. Slowly, she walked back to her dorm, activating the stealth generator to avoid any questions from her colleagues. Locking the door behind her, she sat crossed-legged on the bed, still clutching the holocron. She had a lot of thinking to do.
"If you're seeing this, it's probably because I failed in bringing your mum back. I don't even want to think that that can happen… "
Skye silently watched the image of the man in front of her, tears still falling freely from her sour eyes.
"There are so many things I wanted to tell you, and the words are so few… I don't even know where to start." He closed his eyes for a moment, dread and worry clear in his face. "It breaks my heart to leave you at the care of the Jedi… Never liked them all that much, to say the truth. But your mother needs me, more than even she knows… I can only hope I'll not be too late. You see, honey, your mother… she loves you, she really does, and I know she didn't fall back to the Dark Side, but she just can't forgive herself, and she has started to break in Revan's grip… I feel she'll be strong enough, but going away to the Unknown Regions of the galaxy all alone won't help. And so I must go and find her… And leave you safe. I promise you I'll do my best and some more to bring Anne back, and I won't forget you, ever. And if I don't come back…" a shade ran through his eyes as he sighed "… Well, then I'm sure you'll grow up a strong, good woman just like your mother is. And, as I hope someday you'll come looking to know more about her, I'm leaving all her things right here in our house in Telos. "He forced himself to some sort of a smile "Well, I guess that's it, then… Goodbye, sweetheart. I know you'll be just fine. Don't ever forget how much your parents love you." And giving her another shaken smile as a tear slipped his eye he leaned to press a button and it was over. Skye sank on her mattress, still trying to find a sense to all she had heard in the last few hours. It was just so much… She recalled all that she had learnt about Revan and the last Sith Wars. She still shivered when thinking of all the atrocities that woman had committed. To find out that she was actually the daughter of someone like that was, at least, distressful.
And still… the way both Master Degan and her father had talked about her… that second identity, the second chance the Council had given her… About that woman, Anne Lee, she knew absolutely nothing. And even about her father, what did she really know? She wondered what kind of things he had left her. Raising her body from the bed in a sudden wave of resolve, she decided there was only one thing she could do, one single place for her to go. Skye hated not having a purpose, a clear objective to achieve. She hated feeling lost. Just to think her next move was enough for her to find the strength she needed. Walking into the bathroom, she washed her face in the cold water, allowing it to clean both her skin and her mind. Feeling refreshed, she composed her robes and sighed heavily. It was time for her to go to the council again.
"Come in, Skye, please. I sense you have something to say to us, so go ahead."
The girl smiled at her favourite Master; Degan always seemed to read right through her.
"I… I was just wondering, now that you've told me all this… what is it that you want me to do?"
"And what exactly makes you think we want you to do anything?" Master Vrook snorted "I personally think you should stay just as you are. You haven't yet finished your training. You should focus yourself on that."
"But then why did you tell me all his now? Do you want me to…just sit, and wonder what happened to my family? Don't you think I've been deprived of them for long enough already?"
"Watch your tong, now, miss." Master Vrook glared at her "I still think we should not have told you this; some things are best kept silent, but the circumstances are upon us and we couldn't leave you blind to them."
"What circumstances? I don't understand!"
"A threat have we sensed, an echo of pain and revenge from the depths of space. Concealed its source is, but fear we do it is the rising of a new Dark Lord. And its anger… directed at your mother it is, and it may as well be aimed at you."
"You see, girl, your mother – Revan – left a great deal of destruction through the entire galaxy. Many people still fear and hate her, and not few would like her head on a plate. And if they can't have her… Her descendent would do just fine, too. But this…it's something different. It comes from the Unknown Regions, and we don't know if it appeared because of something Revan did after she went there, if by some other reason. But it is growing stronger, and soon it will leave its hiding… And it may come to you."
"Then… shouldn't I go and fight it, or at least find out more about it?"
"Yes, for you alone could take on all of the Sith Empire, right? Don't you see, girl, we told you all this because we couldn't leave you ignorant of this threat; you need to be careful. Your training will end soon, and once you leave this place, you'll be unprotected."
"So… you just want me to hide from it, is that it? To live my life in fear, without even knowing why am I a target? To allow this… this Dark Lord or whatever it is to grow in strength until it cannot be defeated?"
"What would you suggest, then, girl? To go and seek something you know nothing about, besides the fact it wishes to kill you?"
"I… I don't know, Master Vrook, but… Master Vandar said I have to come to terms with my past, and he is right. And I won't be able to do it if I don't learn more about my parents, so that's what I'll do. I don't know if I'll be going after them, as that idea sure is scary – the only way any Jedi returned from the Unknown Regions was as a Dark Lord --, and I do know I wouldn't be able to fight the Sith on my own. But that's not what I wish to do. Right now, all I want is to know my family. My father spoke about a house they had on Telos, and that's where I'll be going. I do not want to defy the Council, but I wouldn't be able to complete my training without solving this matter. I'm asking for permission to leave the Academy temporarily."
"We couldn't ask you that, Skye." Master Degan's face was serious "The truth is, we need to know the cause of this force; was something your mother did in her reign as Revan? If so, why does it lie in the Unknown Regions? Was it something she did after she disappeared? Does that mean she turned to the Dark Side again? Only she could answer all these questions… but maybe her traces can explain some things to us. But it is way too dangerous for us to send anyone in her path, and you more than anyone…"
"I understand, Master, and… I'll take the risk. If anyone is to search for my mum, I must be it. I'll go."
"I have to say I totally disagree with this choice. The girl is too young, her training isn't even finished yet. To send her away in such a mission, to reveal her to the galaxy in the current state of things... you might as well send her to a swim among firaxas! "
"Enough, Vrook. The ultimate choice belongs to the girl. Are you fully aware of the risks ahead, Skye?"
The look in Master Bindo's eyes could take down a whole Sith battalion, but she held his stare.
"I am."
"Are you aware that you must take this path alone, and that it will take you to dark places, to reveal truths which may not be the ones you'd want to find?"
"Yes, I am, Master."
"Well, then, we have our permission. You mave leave immediately."
"This is not right, Bindo! The girl is not aware of all the risks and you know it! I fear in your attempt to amend things you'll turn them even worst!"
"These matters are not to be discussed like this, Vrook. I assure you I would never take a choice that would harm the girl. There is no other way, and you know it.".
"You may go, now, Padawan. Ready yourself for your journey, and speak to no one about it; the longer your identity remains hidden, the longer you will be safe."
Sighing, Skye left with a small bow, her heart racing widly, still wondering whether she was ready to embrace such a bold decision.
So, here we go, finding Revan is order of the day:-) I know I've been lazy with this fic, but I've been under a lot of stress… I'm really, really sorry! It's not that I don't have the time, but with all the school stuff in my mind I seem to have been held in a BIG writer's block. Once again, all reviews are welcome. Every time I get one I sit at the PC and write, so the more I get the faster I'll post… ;-)
