54.

Obi-Wan finds some of his friends.

Obi-Wan, Jinn and Maul figure out how find the others.

Rey wants to join Jinn's team.

Jinn bonds with Rey.

A Sith appears.

Ezra saves them.

Rex expresses his regret.

Ahsoka takes Rex to find Obi-Wan.

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After the light disappeared, Obi-Wan found himself in a strange dark cave. He saw a light from the opening and walked towards it. At the mouth of the cave, he saw he was in the hallow of another tree. He felt that the Force was strong here like it had been in his last location. He looked and saw that he was on an island. He spotted lights from a few small homes near by. It was night and the land was lit by starlight.

Eventually, he made it to one the small homes and heard voices coming from inside. He decided to take a chance and politely knocked on the door.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Jinn, Ezra, Maul, Luke and Rey stopped their conversation and stared at the wooden door.

Jinn asked, "Are expecting anyone?"

Rey said,"No, there's nobody else here but us."

Luke got up and said,"I'll get it."

The elder man opened the door and was shocked but what he saw. It was Obi-Wan but younger then he'd ever seen him before.

"Uncle Ben?"

Bewildered, Obi-Wan replied, "I think you have me confused with someone else. My name is Obi-Wan and you are?"

Luke was too stunned to reply. He had seen Force-ghost before but never one that came back to life. He kept his eyes trained on Obi-Wan and took a step back, but directed his question to the amber eyed Jedi in the room.

"Jinn, what the heck is going on?"

Jinn got up and said, "So good of you to join us, cousin."

Obi-Wan ignored Luke and marched passed him to confront Jinn.

"No thanks to you, cousin."

Jinn smiled and offered Obi-Wan his arm and said, "It's good to see you."

Obi-Wan sighed and took Jinn's arm in greeting and said, "Yes, well you should know that you are irritating no matter what timeline I'm in. Now, do you have a plan to reunite with the rest of our friends?"

Jinn shook his head and replied, "I know how to travel between worlds but locating our missing friends is still a problem. Master Maul, how did you find us?"

The Sith tool a sip of his drink and said, "I jumped to a different timeline after I made physical contact with my alternate self. I distest the idea of being forever lost in different timelines so I concentrated on locating Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan said, "I'm curious on how you managed that. I was able to locate Jinn through our Force bond."

Maul placed his hand over his leg and said, "With this."

Rey raised her brow and asked, "With your leg?"

Maul glared at the girl and said, "No, my scars. Jinn preformed the surgery on my body. The scars connect us."

Obi-Wan ribbed his beard and said, "I see. Our bonds, whatever their form, are the key."

Ezra said, "Kinda ironic since Jedi don't do attachments."

Obi-Wan raised his brow and said, "Yes, Ezra. The irony isn't lost on me. However, I met another version of Lady Thrice who said we could open a portal by creating three strong Force points and opening a portal at the center. The points can be other Force users or objects infused with the Force."

Jinn said, "Yes, but without a nexus point, opening a portal can be very dangerous to the summoner."

Obi-Wan nodded his head and said, "Lady Thrice said it could result in death or madness. Can you explain how exactly?"

"Opening a portal is no small feat. It takes a lot of energy. In a nexus point you can barrow that energy from your surroundings. However, without the extra energy, the power will come from the summoner. You can either channel the Force around you but you will act as a medium. You run the risk of being overwhelmed. Or you take the energy from another medium."

Obi-Wan frowned and asked, "What other medium?"

The amber Jedi replied, "A Force-ghost. However, sharing energy with a ghost leaves you open to possession and you may lose yourself to madness. "

Ezra said, "That's-scary."

Obi-Wan said, "Well, thankfully the Force is strong here. I believe it to be a nexus point and that the nexus points are connected."

Jinn said, "It's true that nexus points are connected but they don't appear in the same place in other timelines. You could find yourself in a lot of trouble."

Rey said, "Can I come with you?"

Master Luke said, "What about your friends? I thought you wanted to help Leia."

Rey shook her head and replied, "Why? So you don't have to?"

Master Luke gave her an annoyed look and said, "Do whatever you want. I thought you wanted to learn to become a Jedi."

Rey got up and lifted her chin and said, "What do you care? You said the Jedi are dead. This is the kind of Jedi I want to be. They want to do something. They aren't hiding. They literally crossed worlds to find their friends and you won't even go see your own sister in the same galaxy."

She then marched up to Jinn and said, "Take me with you."

The amber Jedi met her gaze and said, "I must warn you that if you leave you might not return."

"I know."

"Do you have any family?"

"No. There's only me."

"Then with your permission, I'd like to see your aura, Miss Rey."

She was a little confused by what exactly he meant but nodded her head. "Alright. What do I do?"

Jinn offered her his hands and said, "Take my hands and your eyes. It's similar to a meditative state. Then I'll be able to see your fire."

She frowned and said, "My what?"

He sighed and said, "I understand you are new to all this, Miss Rey. My goal is to see your character. We don't know each other and you are young and untrained. If I take you with us then I will be your guardian. I want to know if you are up for the journey both in spirit and ability."

"I can take care of myself. "

"I don't doubt you, Miss Rey but please humor me."

She huffed and took Jinn's hands. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had meditated many times before under Master Luke's instruction. She waited for a few minutes but didn't think anything was happening. She opened her eyes to ask Jinn if it was working. She gasped when she saw they were in a misty dark landscape. She let go of his hands and stepped away to look around.

"What is this place?"

"The in-between world of the physical and the spiritual. Some call it the Beyond. Now, watch."

Jinn took a deep breath and took a step back. When he did, he left something behind. In front of him was a swirling circle of golden light. It shimmered in the darkness and floated in the air between them.

"It's beautiful."

"Thank you. It's my aura or my Force presence. This is what I'd like you to do."

"How do I do that?"

"Imagine your aura has a shape and then take a step back. It should appear in front of you."

Rey noded her head and did as Jinn instructed. She took a deep breath and stepped back. The aura that appeared in front of her was a yellow orb. It glowed brightly in the darkness and whispers of light flowed around it.

"Why doesn't mine look like yours?"

Jinn fixed his gaze on the yellow orb of light. It was true that it wasn't burning bright like his own, but that was because he was constantly channeling the Force. Rey's light was by far the brightest he had ever seen. The power from her aura alone was greater than any Froce-sensitive he had ever met.

He tilted his head as he drew closer to it. He lowered his Froce-shields and allowed his feelings to seep into the void so he could get a better look.

Rey gasped when she suddenly felt his presence. She could feel him. His skill was so much greater than her own. He was doing something different with the Force. It was something she had never felt before. Then, she realized what he was doing.

"That's amazing. How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

She approached him and said, "The Darkness and the Light. How do you use both of them at the same time? How come you aren't-I don't know-exploding?"

He raised his brow and smiled. "With practice, my dear. Though, you are very impressive. I don't think I've met anyone as strong with the Force as you before. At least, who wasn't a Skywalker."

"So, does that mean I passed your test?"

"No, there's one more thing. Tell me, why do you want to become a Jedi?"

Rey paused. She was puzzled by the question. She said, "To become stronger."

"Why do you want to become stronger?"

"So I can protect my friends."

"But if you travel with me then you might not ever see your friends again."

Rey frowned and lowered her gaze. "You're right, but I feel like I'm not getting anywhere here. My friends-I want to help them, but I can't do anything if I don't learn how to use my powers first."

"I see. Learning about yourself comes before your friends."

"What! No, that's not what I said."

"If your friends were your top priority then you wouldn't have asked to join us."

Rey opened her mouth to argue but instead frowned and turned away from him in frustration.

While facing the darkness, she said, "I never had friends before. I never knew my parents. I don't know anything about these powers or who I am. All I know is I don't want to be alone anymore."

Jinn sympathized with her situation. He had been on his own for years while lost in the timelines. Yet, he at least had a home to long for. Rey never had a place to call home. Jinn decided to do something about it.

He said, "Then I will give you a place by my side."

She turned around to face him and said, "But I'm nobody."

Jinn smiled and said, "We all start out being nobody, little one. We become who we are by our deeds."

"What if I'm drawn to the Dark Side like Master Luke said?"

Jinn said, "Well, that depends. Do you plan on destroying the lives of innocent people in order to get what you want?"

Rey frowned at the odd question and said, "No."

"Then you're a Force of good as far as I'm concerned. Now, I'm not one for tradition, but I think you'll benefit from it."

"What?"

"Please take your lightsaber and offer it to me and repeat after me."

Puzzled, Rey did as he asked and held up her lightsaber out to him with one hand. Jinn shook his head and bent her elbow to relax her posture and took her other hand to hold the lightsaber with both hands.

"I, Rey-sorry, my dear, what is your last name?"

Startled, she said, "I-I don't have one. Is that a problem?"

He shook his head and said, "No, it isn't a problem. The vow will just be more traditional. Now, I, Rey Kenobi, pledge my life and my sword to my Clan. I vow to never draw my sword against the weak and to only fight those who are worthy."

Rey frowned and said, "What does this vow mean?"

Jinn looked away from her with embarrassment and awkardly cleared his throat. "Yes, well it's means you'll be a part of my Clan. I'm essentially adopting you."

Wide eyed, she said, "Oh. Are you sure?"

Jinn replied, "To be honest, no."

She lowered her gaze and said, "Then, why?"

He lifted her chin so she'd meet his eye and said, "Because I want to believe in you."

He then took the lightsaber in her hand. He tested the weight in his palm. He recognized it as one of Anakin's designs. It wasn't was sturdy as his own. Jinn's lightsaber had a beskar case.

"Did Master Luke give you this?"

"No, I found it."

Jinn smiled and said, "So, it was fate."

He took her hands and placed the lightsaber in her palms and said, "I, Jinn Kenobi, agree to take Rey Kenobi as my disciple. She is my Clan. She is a member of my house."

He then let go of her hands and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Rey's hands were suddenly shaking. She touched the place were he had kissed her and felt overwhelmed.

She didn't know Master Jinn well, but he had given her something she had always wanted. He had given her a family. She brushed away the tears that had fallen from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Thank you."

"It's no trouble, my dear."

She snifled and said, "So, does this mean you're my father?"

Stunned, Jinn firmly said, "No. I'm not that old."

"Oh, so uncle?"

"I'll allow it. Now, I'd like to form a training bond. Please go to your aura and imagine you are pulling a thread. Then, take a thread from my aura and tie the ends together. "

Rey replied, "OK. Can you tell me why we need a training bond?"

"In case we get lost we'll be able to find each other without a communicator. I'll also be able to demonstrate how to use the Force through example."

"Oh, I wonder why Master Luke never asked me to create a training bond with him."

"That I can't say answer, my dear."

Rey pulled the thread from the aura by imagining one like Jinn said. It was strange to see a thread form from the orb of light. However, she was intimidated by Jinn's aura. It glowed like a fire. It looked like touching it would burn.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

Rey reached out to the aura and pulled a golden thread from it. She was surprised that Jinn's aura felt warm and pleasant. It wasn't hot at all. She then took the two ends and tied them together. Once the knot was tied, the two threads snapped tight and shimmered like a spider's thread in the darkness.

She gasped when she suddenly felt Jinn's feelings. He was confident and strong. He had nothing but fatherly feelings for her.

"I remind you of your sister."

"Yes."

"You're worried about being a good father."

"Right again, little one but please leave me some privacy. "

"Oh, sorry."

"Now, let's go back. Take my hand."

Rey took his hand and she saw he had closed his eyes. She copied him and closed her eyes too. When she opened them, she saw they weren't back in Master Luke's house. Instead, they were in a bedroom on a ship.

"Rey?"

She turned around and saw Kylo Ren. She squeezed Master Jinn's hand. He was standing beside her.

Kylo was shirtless and staring at her and then the strange man. He looked like a Jedi and he was holding her hand.

"What is this? Who is he?"

"My name is Jinn. What's your name?"

"Kylo Ren. Why are you holding her hand?"

"I don't see what business it is of your, Mr. Ren." Jinn could already sense that the young man was a Sith. He kept his eyes trained on him as he carefully tucked Rey's hand under his elbow.

"Little one, how do you know Mr. Ren?"

"He's a Sith that's been after me."

"I see. What are your intentions with my niece?"

"Niece? You aren't related to her."

"True, we aren't related by blood but she is a member of my Clan. Are you fond of my niece?"

Kylo didn't like this line of questioning. He didn't know who this Jedi was but he couldn't sense him. He was blocking him somehow.

"Your master is quite the matchmaker to orchestrate this arrangement."

Kylo frowned, "What do you mean?"

Jinn narrowed his brow and said, "I'm surprised. You mean you can't sense him watching us?"

Kylo and Rey looked around. She said, "I can't sense anything."

Jinn took her hand again and said, "Here let me show you."

The amber Jedi drew Rey closer to his aura and suddenly she felt the Darkness seeping in from all around the room. She had no idea why she never noticed it before and gasped at the sight. She felt malicious yellow eyes watching her. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Jinn."

"He has no power over you, little one. Let him look. It's all he is capable of."

Kylo raged and said, "You know nothing about my master. You should fear him."

Jinn smiled mischievously and said, "Oh? I've slain many Siths before. Perhaps I'll slay him as well."

Kylo made a face and said, "You don't sound like a Jedi."

"I never said I-"

Jinn blinked and saw he was back at Master Luke's house with Rey. Ezra cheered and said, "Yes! It worked!"

"Bridger? What happened?"

Maul said, "You were taking too long. I instructed Ezra to go fetch you."

Jinn smiled and said, "I'm touched by your concern, Master Maul."

"Don't be. This place is depressing."

XXX

Meanwhile, across the timelines, Ashoka walked around the Coruscant streets with Rex. They were still feeling empty after alternate-Cody sent them away.

Rex turned to Ahsoka and said, "I wish our others selves had an easier time of it. It just doesn't seem fair since they won the war. In many ways they lost."

Ahsoka placed her hand on his cheek and said, "I know. It just makes me appreciate more of what I have."

Rex raised his hand to hold hers against his cheek. He closed his eyes and turned his head to kiss her palm.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, cyar'ika."

"Me too, Rex. Now, let's go find our friends."

"Alright, but how does it work?"

Ahsoka smiled and said, "By tracking our bonds. Close relationships makes it easier to find our friends. I also had help learning how to navigate the timelines from an unlikely ally."

Rex was relieved and said, "That's good. I don't think I can take anymore unexpected situations. It's no wonder Master Jinn ran away when he first met the generals."

"I agree. I spent months learning how to navigate."

"What?"

"Time moves differently from each timeline. Some are ahead and others are behind. However, I did take a few months to study in one timeline."

Guilt ate at Rex's insides. He didn't want to separated from Ahsoka for any length of time. They promised each other that they wouldn't be parted again yet he couldn't keep his word.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to you sooner."

Ahsoka held his hand and said, "I do as well. I'm just glad that you're with me now."

Rex smiled tenderly at her and said, "I am too, cyar'ika."

He bent down to give her a kiss. Ahsoka let go of his hand and raised her arms up to wrap them around his shoulders. Rex felt hard in his armor, but his lips were soft and his scent was intoxicating. She felt her heart flutter at his touch.

However, a second later, he pulled away and removed her arms.

"What's wrong?"

He said, "Sorry, I forgot we weren't alone."

Ahsoka shook her head with a smile and said, "We're in a different timeline, Rexy. Look around. No one cares."

Rex scanned the streets and saw other Clones interacting with civilians. Some were even holding hands. He remembered that this Cody said the war was over and Clones become peace keepers. He wondered if they were seen as men as well.

"I know, Soka but I don't think this is the time to relax."

"Yes, we better go to the next timeline. We'll locate Obi-Wan next."

Ahsoka held out her hand and a bracelet around her arm began to glow. Rex shield his eyes and saw there were four stones shinning on the bracelet.

The Jedi Temple in the distance began to glow as well. A gust of wind began to blow through the streets.

"Ahsoka, what is that?"

"A portal opener. Rex, take my hand."

Rex easily took her hand in his as a light began to glow all around them. A second later, they were gone.

XXX

TBC

XXX

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