52.

.

Back on the Millennium Falcon, Jinn sent a holo-message to his parents. Luke was reclined against the wall. His face was netural. The hologram flickered a blue light and the ghostly image of his parents appeared. Jinn was pensive and folded his arms onto his sleeves.

"Mother. Father."

Obi-Wan said, "Jinn, where are you?"

The amber Jedi answered, "I'm on Lothal. Luke, Ezra and I came to investigate the Jedi temple here for clues on how we can return to our friends."

Obi-Wan said, "What did you find?"

Jinn said, "Not much, unfortunately. The artifact we came to see was destroyed by a terrorist group called the First Order."

Thrice said, "What's your next move?"

Jinn rubbed his beard and said, "I plan to use the original anomaly to return back to our friends."

The red eyed warrior said, "Very well, we will meet you there. There is now a science station near the anomaly. Perhaps the scientists can provide you more informationon how to navigate the nexus."

Luke said, "The station was built after you disappeared. It's meant to study the Force but it was really built to bring you home."

Jinn was glad to know that his family had never given on him. He reached out to place his hand on Luke's shoulder.

XXX

The journey to the station was uneventful. Jinn was surprised that the station wasn't a sterile scientist observatory. Instead it looked more like a temple. It resembled a flower. It had a central pointed dome with four shorter and flatter dome structures around it. The outer surface shimmered like scales as it was covered with reflective sensors.

When they docked inside one of the flatter outer domes, they were greeted by the staff. Jinn noticed their intense stares as he was greeted by the lead scientist.

"Welcome to Gazer Station, Lord Jinn."

Jinn smiled brightly at the woman standing before them. She was a young woman with black short buzz hair cut hair and red eyes. She was dressed in a white lab coat. He gave her a hug.

"Lady Tia, it's been a long time."

Ezra raised his brow and said, "You two know each other?"

Jinn stepped back from Lady Tia and affectionately said, "Yes, Tia was my mother's captain in the Clan and served as her handmaid for many years. She's a clone like my mother and my aunt."

Ezra was shocked and exclaimed, "Wait a minute. Clone? Aunt? Why didn't you tell me any of these things before?"

Jinn replied, "It's not something that comes up in casual conversation."

Ezra said, "Is that why you knew how to cure accelerated aging in the clone troopers?"

Lady Tia said, "Lord Jinn, studied under Lord Blackswan. He is our founder and creator. He created the sisters and we have served him well for over 2,000 years. The clones of Kamino are children compared to our bloodline. They are product of the bounty hunter, Jango Fet. We are the product of the Lord of Greenfire, the creator of the Black Mountain."

Jinn said, "Yes, well that same lord would despise Blackswan for exterminating his people and creating monsters with his blood."

Lady Tia smiled and said, "We are all monsters, little lord. Now come, my Lady is waiting."

Jinn, Ezra and Luke followed Tia down the hall. Ezra noticed the eyes on them.

The young Jedi whispered loudly, "Why is everyone staring?"

Tia said, "This station was built to study the Force for nearly 30 years. However, it's primarily task was to locate Lord Jinn."

Ezra turned to his mentor and said, "So you're saying Jinn's mom had this station built just so she could find him?"

Tia glance at Erza and said, "A mother's devotion."

Jinn added, "And a wealthy grandfather with an army can get you just about anything."

Tia waved his hand over a sensor on a door and it opened. Inside, Jinn saw his parents and his sister, Kiya.

Kiya went to greet them. She kissed Jinn on the cheek and placed her hands on both Ezra and Luke's shoulders.

"I knew you boys would find trouble without me. At least this time you won't disappear without saying goodbye this time.."

Jinn smiled and said, "Of course not, I know you'd never forgive me if I did."

Obi-Wan stepped forward and places his hand on his son's shoulder. Jinn notices that he looks older and more frail then he realized when he first saw him. His hair had gone white and his skin was thin and wore. Yet, his blue eyes shine with life as he gave him a sad smile.

"Jinn, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You are a good man. I am fortunate to have raised such a great Jedi. You're more than I could have ever hoped for. I know you will make a good father."

Jinn was moved by his father's words. He knew that he and his father didn't always see eye to eye. And Jinn had dine plenty to tarnish his reputation with his recklessness. He had always been a better warrior than a Jedi. However, he knew he could always rely on his father for support.

He said, "I don't have fear of failing as a father. I fear that I may be an absent father."

Obi-Wan replied, "Then, you better resolve your Sith problem and get home swiftly. I'd hate to see what sort of trouble you'd be in with Ventress, but it seems that we both like trouble."

Jinn smiled mischievously and said, "I wonder where I get it from."

Next, Thrice embraced Jinn. Jinn lowered his Froce-shields in his mother's presence. She lowered her Froce-shields as well. Ezra was taken back by the strong emotions that rolled off them. Thrice was a powerful Froce-sensitive with hundreds of years of experience and her power radiation off of her like an inferno. Feelings of regret, love, pride and belonging filled the room as they embraced.

When they pulled away, the walls on their Force-shields returned and the room grew still.

Thrice said, "Remeber, my warrior. We maybe worlds apart but you will always be in our hearts."

"Thank you, mother."

Kiya then stepped forward and handed Jinn her sword.

"Here, Jinn. Take it. I noticed you were missing yours."

"I can't take your sword, Kiya."

She took his hand and closed it over the hilt and said, "I can't go with you, Jinn but this way I can still protect you."

Jinn accepted her sword and kissed her forehead before wrapping her in a hug.

XXX

The group made their way to the dock where a ship was waiting for them. It was a sleek black ship in a design Ezra hadn't seen before.

"Whoa! That's our ship?"

Luke said, "It's Blackswan design. It's made out of synthetic beskar. It's practical a flying tank."

Ezra turned to Jinn and excitedly said, "I'm driving."

Amused, Jinn said, "Alright. Just give me a moment, Bridger."

Jinn turned to embrace his family for the last time. When he stepped onto the ramp his father called to him and said, "Jinn, may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, father."

The amber Jedi smiled at his father for the last time before turning to board the ship.

When he entered the cockpit, he saw Ezra was already at the helm and had powered up the ship. Ezra gave Jinn a look of concern.

"Are you okay?"

Jinn sighed and said, "Yes, but my heart is at peace knowing they are well."

Ezra lowered his gaze and nodded his head. He knew the feeling. Ezra knew that his friends would be okay without him as long as they had each other.

With the farwells behind them, Ezra started the ship. He flew into the bright swirling nexus in space just beyond the space station. Sound and light overwhelmed them as they flew through it, but a moment later, they found themselves back in normal space.

It was so abrupt that Ezra wouldn't have thought they had gone anywhere. The only thing that made it obvious that they had traveled anywhere was the looming planet in front of them.

"Okay, where are we?"

"We should land and find out."

"Right, why else would the Force drop us off near a planet?"

XXX

The planet below was more water then land. However, the located a structure on an island and landed the ship and an uneven strip of rock. Ezra stepped out first and was greeted unexpected by an aggressive young woman.

"You! Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Ezra raised his hands in surrender and said, "Uh, hello? I'm Ezra and as you can see I landed here in my ship."

The young woman looked startled by Ezra's simple explanation and paused for a moment and said, "Well, what do you want?"

Jinn stepped out of the ship behind Ezra. His golden eyes caught the light as he stepped out and the young woman gasped when she saw him.

Jinn smiled and glanced at Ezra and said, "Relax, Bridger. It's only a girl."

Ezra muttered, "Easy for you to say, old man. She's scary."

The amber Jedi stepped out from behind Ezra and stood in front of the young woman. His long brown robe bellowed in the wind and revealed his dark tunic and lightsaber on his belt.

The yoing woman stepped back with unease. She eyed Jinn with caution. Then, slowly she pulled a lightsaber from her bag and handed it to him.

"Here. You're a Jedi. Maybe you can teach me how to use this."

Jinn eyed the lightsaber curiously and said, "I am a Jedi. My name is Jinn and this is Ezra. However, you shouldn't hand over such powerful weapon to a stranger, young lady. Jedi or not."

She frowned and said, "Fine. My name is Rey. We aren't strangers anymore. Now, I need someone to train me."

"Don't you have a master, Miss Rey?"

"I'm not so sure anymore. I tried learning more about myself but he said I went into the Darkness."

Jinn curiously circled around Rey and said, "Both the Darkness and the Light are a part of us. You shouldn't fear it."

His words peeked Rey's interest. She tilted her head and approached him.

"I sense nothing from you. It's like you aren't even there."

With caution, she reached out and poked him in the chest. He didn't budge. He looked at the spot she had poked him and the met her gaze. He then smiled and offered her his hand.

"Here. Let me see the Darkness you saw, little one."

Rey stared at his hand and then his golden eyes. She bit her lower lip and confidently took his hand. She gasped when she suddenly felt his Force presence. It was strong and bright. It felt like stand in front of an inferno. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on his hand.

She showed him the memory of the cave. The mirror imagines of herself and the infinite space that lay in shadow. She wanted to know who she was she wanted to know where she came from. Her heart was racing. She felt confused and overwhelmed.

"Breathe."

Rey opened her eyes and gasped.

"Hush, little one. Breathe. Where there is darkness, there is light. Find the Light."

Jinn took her other hand and turned it over and placed it on her chest.

"Find your center."

Rey began to calm down. She was surprised at how effective Jinn's instructions were. When she looked up she noticed Jinn was looking at something behind her. She turned around and saw Master Luke.

She stepped back from Jinn and removed her hand from his. The moment she let go, she no longer felt his warmth and light. He felt like he did before, like he wasn't there.

Master Luke frowned and approached Jinn and glanced at Ezra.

Ezra waved and said, "Hello. Huh, do I know you?"

"I don't think so kid."

Ezra's eyes widened at the nickname and he immediately grabbed Jinn's arm and shook it. Jinn calmly said, "Yes, Bridger. I know."

Between clenched teeth, Ezra said, "Yeah, but he doesn't know you. What does it mean?"

"It means we're strangers."

Jinn turned to Master Luke and said, "Have you had anymore unexpected visitors lately?"

Master Luke narrowed his brow at the odd question and said, "No, but you aren't welcome here. Go away."

He then turned around to march away. Rey couldn't believe how rude Master Luke was behaving. She followed him into the village and said, "I can't believe you. Doesn't it strike you as odd that strangers appeared here out of nowhere and you're just sending them away."

"I could say the same thing about you."

"He's a Jedi. I thought you were the last Jedi."

"Well, I thought so too."

"He could help us."

"You shouldn't trust him. He might not be who you think he is."

"He acts more like a teacher than you. I've gotten more instruction from him then all the time that I've been here with you."

"Then, you should go with them."

XXX

Meanwhile, Jinn sensed something strange. He tilted his head and started walking. Ezra followed him.

"What is it?"

"I sense something in the Force. A Force nexus is here."

"Really? Then, does that mean we can find our friends?"

"I don't know. We'll have to see for ourselves."

"What did you do with that girl?"

"Hold her hand."

Ezra shook his head and said, "No, I meant with the Force."

"She showed me a memory and I helped calm her. She's wild but has exordinary potential. The Darkness comes easy to her."

Ezra's eyes widened in shock and said, "You mean she's a Sith?"

Jinn found his to a large tree with a cave at the base. Inside he saw several old Jedi text. He picked one up and flipped through it.

"No, Bridger. She's just frustrated and confused."

Suddenly, a bust of light and wind filled the cave. Jinn back up and raises his hand to shield his eyes. Ezra did the same.

"What is happening?"

"I don't know but it's probably the nexus."

A moment later, Maul appeared on the ground and in a flash, the light and wind were gone. Jinn approached Maul and turned him over.

"Is that Maul? Our Maul? Is he dead?"

Jinn checked his waist and saw the scar around his body. It was a sign he had been severed in half.

"Yes, I believe this is our Master Maul and he's alive. We should take him into the village to rest."

Jinn the bent down to pick Maul up over his shoulder.

XXX

When Jinn and Ezra entered the hovel Master Luke and Rey were still arguing. They stopped once Jinn put Maul down on a bed. The sight of the horned Sith caught both of their attentions.

Master Luke said, "Who's this?"

Jinn ignored Master Luke and said to Ezra, "Bridger, find some water and perhaps something to eat."

"OK, I'll be back."

Jinn gave Maul a medical exam to make sure he hadn't broken anything. He the lowered his Froce-shields and used the Force to see if he had any aliment.

Master Luke tilted his head as he watched Jinn work and said, "You're a Force healer."

Jinn ignored him and unclipped his lightsaber to ignite a fire in the harth. Master Luke noticed that Jinn's lightsaber was green and had an ornate handle that was black.

Jinn stood in front of the fire and absently rubbed his beard in thought. The shadows drew hard lines on his face, but his profile startled Master Luke. He gazed at him like he'd just seen a ghost.

"You. You look familiar. What's your name again?"

Rey answered, "He said his name was Jinn. Why? Who does he look like?"

"He looks like my old master."

However, Jinn wasn't listening. He was trying to figure out how to navigate the nexus. He wasn't sure if finding Maul just dumb luck or if he knew something they didn't.

Master Luke decided to test his theory on his guest's identity and called to him. "Kenobi."

Out of habit, Jinn turned to face Master Luke when he heard his last name. The tell was enough for Master Luke. He closed the distance between them and grabbed his arm.

"Alright, enough. I want answers. Who in the world are you? Why do you look like Obi-Wan Kenobi? And why are you helping a Sith?"

Jinn took hold of Master Luke's wrist on his arm and said, "I don't take kindly to being manhandled. I think you already know the answer to your questions."

Master Luke frowned and said, "No more riddles. I want the truth."

Jinn removed Master Luke's hand from his arm and said, "Very well, allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Jinn Kenobi, a Jedi Master of the New Order. I inherited my father's looks. However, I have no relation to your Obi-Wan. And Master Maul is here is my ally."

"I got the water and a weird lady gave me some bread," said Ezra as he entered the room. He was carrying a jog and a bread wrapped in a cloth.

He paused at the door when he sensed the tension in the room.

"Oh, I can come back."

"No need, Bridger. If Master Luke was going to do something then he would have done it by now. Come, let's eat."

Rey stepped forward and said, "Can I join you?"

Jinn sat down on a bench and said, "Of course, my dear. The more the merrier. Please, have a seat."

Rey smiled and gave Master Luke a pointed look and said, "Thank you. That's very kind of you."

Jinn replied, "A meal is always better in the company of a lady."

Master Luke scuffed and said, "She's not a lady. She's a neusance."

Ezra shuffled closer towards Rey and said, "Don't mind him. Jinn likes to flirt but don't take him seriously."

Rey felt self conscious. No one had ever flirted with her before. She spent most of her life alone. She wondered why Ezra was telling her not to take Jinn serious.

"Oh. Is it because he's a Jedi? Jedi aren'tallowed to form attachments."

Ezra looked away and rubbed the back of neck nervously and said, "Well, no. He is attached. In fact, he's married. He just flirts with all women. I used to think it was because that was how he was raised but after meeting his family, I know it's just him."

Rey shook her head and said, "Wait, he's married? I don'tunderstand. Isn'the afraid that he'll fall to the Dark Side?"

Ezra said, "I know. It's the rule, but being alone is-well, lonely. Jinn is a strong Jedi. That's why I asked him to be my master. He has a family like I did. He knows they're important. At least that's what I believe. You should fight for what you believe in. And you can win a fight a lot easier when you aren't alone."

Rey smiled and said, "You're pretty smart. Though, I wish my master was as open minded as yours."

Meanwhile, Master Luke overheard Rey talking to Ezra and narrowed his brow before turning to Jinn and said, "Wait, you're married?"

"Yes."

"And you're a Jedi?"

"Yes."

Master Luke was flabbergasted and said, "Well, what about the code of non-attachments?"

"I don't follow it."

"Why not! What if something happens? Jealousy. Anger. Hate."

Jinn defensively crossed his arms over his chest and said, "It's called talking. You should try it some time."

Master Luke turned away from him and said, "You make it sound so simple."

"It's not, but you can't avoid jealously, anger and hate. Being alive means you are able to feel. The first step is to accept your feelings, the good and the bad."

"That isn't the Jedi way."

"No, but those that follow the old way are dead."

"You don't know what you're talking about. It was the Empire that destroyed the Jedi, not the Code."

Annoyed, Jinn snapped, "Do you really think your father would have turned if he was allowed to love your mother?"

Suddenly, a storm began to rumble over head in the skies.

Master Luke paused and said, "You know an awful lot about me for a stranger. I'll ask again, who are you?"

Lightening flashed in the room and a second pair of yellow eyes filled the darkness. A second later, Master Luke was pinned against the wall by the Sith who had been laying on the ground. His hand was wrapped around Master Luke's throat.

"We don't answer to worms like you."

The skies opened and it began to pour.

Jinn said, "Master Maul, it's good to see you again."

Rey stood up and reached for her lightsaber, but Ezra caught her wrist and shook his head.

She said, "He's going to kill him."

Jinn smiled at her and said, "Trust me, little one. If Master Maul wanted to kill him then he'd already be dead."

Maul glared at Master Luke but released him and turned to greet Jinn by offering him his arm. Jinn took his wrist in greeting.

"Master Jinn."

"Please having something to eat and drink. We can talk after you've rested. Oh, and this is Miss Rey and you've already acquainted yourself with Master Luke. Miss Rey, this is Master Maul."

Rey stared at him and said, "You're not a Jedi."

"No, Miss Rey. I am a Sith."

"Why are you two friends?"

"We are not friends. We are allies. We have an agreement."

"No, you respect him."

Maul sneered at her while Jinn sat down and broke a piece of bread and handed it to him. Maul decided to ignore her. Jinn poured Maul a drink and placed it next to him. Rey noticed that Maul had no trouble accepting Jinn's hospitality. She didn't know Jedi and Sith could be allies.

Jinn spoke to her and said, "Respect is earned, little one. I need Maul as my ally."

"How did you two meet?"

The two allies looked at each other before Jinn replied.

"It's complicated."

XXX

Meanwhile, across time and space, Rex and alternate-Cody stared at alternate-Ahsoka. She smiled sweetly at the two men.

Alternate-Cody said, "Rex won't be staying."

Alternate-Ahoska shook her head with fright and ran to Rex and took his arm. "No! That can't be true. You have to stay here with me."

Rex lowered his gaze and tried to hide his pained look and said, "Sorry, Ahoska but Cody's right. I can't stay. I don't belong here."

Then, she tightened her grip on his arm and said, "No! I won't let you. You came back to me. I won't lose you again."

He looked away from her and said, "The fact is, I'm not your Rex. I have my own Ahsoka to get back to."

"She doesn't need you like I do. She doesn't understand you like I do."

Rex finally met her gaze and gently removed her hand from his wrist and said, "That isn't true and you know it. I don't know what it's been like for you, but I nearly lived a lifetime apart from my Ahsoka and I learned that you got to live in the moment. It's not doing you any good living in the past and if I'm like your Rex then I know he'd want you to live your life to the fullest. He'd never want to hold you back."

She recoiled from him and said, "No! I can't do that. I need him. You're supposed to stay with me. Who's going to protect me?"

Rex frowned and asked, "Protect you from who?"

Ahsoka bowed her head and hugged her arms close to her body. She looked small and fragile. She whispered tearfully, "The nightmares."

Rex felt his heart crumble under the weight of her words. It tore at his soul to see her in such a state. He balled his hand into a fist to stop himself from taking her into his arms. He knew the care she needed was something he couldn't provide.

"I'm sorry, Ahsoka. I'm not your Captain."

Rex then stepped out of the kitchen and into the seating room. Once the doors closed behind him, he reached up to place his hand over his face to cover his tears.

Then, suddenly the room was filled with light and sound. Rex had no idea what was happening. He quickly put on his helmet and reached for his blasters. He was then saw a figure emerge from the light. A deafening sound vibrated from out of the light. He felt it rattle inside his body even inside his armor.

In a blink, the light and sound were gone and what remained was a stranger wearing a large helmet with a visior. Rex took a defensive position.

Meanwhile, alternate-Cody entered the room with his own blaster drawn.

Cody said, "What in the world is going on here?"

Rex keep his sights trained on the stranger and replied, "I don't know." He then addressed the stranger and said, "Who are you?"

The stranger removed their helmet. Rex could tell from the shape of the helmet that the stranger was a head-tail. The helmet hissed as they took it off. She shook her head-tails loose and smiled at him.

"Rex."

Rex eased his posture and lowered his weapons.

"Ahsoka?"

She approached him and smiled up at him with her beautiful blue eyes.

"Found you."

Rex put his blasters back in his holsters and gently replied, "Yeah, you did but how do I know your my Ahsoka?"

"Well, do you know a man named Jinn and are you trying to defeat a timeline hopping Sith Lord?"

Rex sighed in relief and said, "It's good to see you, Soka."

"Likewise, Rex."

The Clone Captain would have liked nothing more then to wrap his beloved in his arms and hold her tight. However, they weren't alone and he didn't think it was the time for that.

Instead, the turned to alternate-Cody and said, "Stand down. This Ahsoka is from my timeline."

Alternate-Cody ignored his command. He then frowned and said, "Get out."

Ahsoka read rhe room. Something was up with this alternate-Cody. First, he had dyed blonde hair and second he was staring at her intensely. Odd feelings of jealousy, anger and longing were welling up inside him.

Ahsoka raised her hands in surrender and slowly approached him.

"Hey, it's okay."

He slowly lowered his blaster but kept a weary eye on her. Then, alternate-Ahsoka emerged from her hiding place in the kitchen and peered at the stranger. When she saw it was another version of herself, she began to shake her head.

"No, no, no! You can't take him!"

She ran to Rex and grabbed his arm. Ahsoka raised her white marked brow and gave Rex a pointed look.

"What's the situation?"

Rex sighed and said, "The war in this timeline is over. Their Rex is dead. Umbara and Zygerria were worse."

Ahsoka kept a calm exterior and silently nodded her head in understanding. She could only imagine just how much worse those missions could have gone. She approached her battered-double.

"I know you miss him, but he isn't the same Rex. I know you can feel it."

She shook her head and said, "No, no, no."

Ahsoka was concerned for her double. She seemed traumatized by her experiences during the war. She realize dthat this was her apartment which meant she was mo longer Jedi. Also, the fact that alternate-Cody had blonde hair and was with her meant he was probably looking after her in Rex's place. It was a sad situation that broke her heart.

Ahsoka softly said, "Sleep."

Her double didn't resist the Force-command. Rex caught her before she fell. He picked her up and handed her over to Cody.

"Cody, I'm sorry."

He turned away from Rex as he held his broken Jedi in his arms. When he first saw the whole Ahsoka standing in front if him, it only reminded him of what she was. The young Commander that lead men to battle countless times. She had fire in her eyes. This Ahoska was capable and strong. She was a leader. He could see it in the way she moved and talked.

He realized now that woman no longer existed in his arms. Just like he knew his Rex had changed after Umbara.

These two people from another world reminded Cody of the friends he had lost. Some he realized he had lost long before they were dead. He knew now that the woman he loved would never return yet she still lived.

He hated Rex for having what he knew he could never have. He knew she didn't love him, but leaving her side was something he knew he couldn't do.

He turned away from them and said, "Go, Rex. And don't come back."

XXX

TBC

XXX

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