Chapter 15. Surprises
A few nights later, I sat on my bed, reading Yoda's book. Absently, I petted Catman. I stared at the page I was reading, my eyes not focusing on the words. My mind raced. Taking deep breaths, I willed myself to relax and focus. Instead, I thought about the events of the past few days.
Upon our return home, I had gone to find my mother while Mace, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon briefed the Council on what had occurred. I gave her an abbreviated version of the events that transpired, knowing that Obi-Wan would fill in any gaps. I hadn't minced words with her when it came to my encounter with Darth Maul. I believed my mother could handle the truth, and anyway, there was no point in lying to her. I knew Obi-Wan would tell her everything. My mother had hugged me tightly, as if she would never let me go.
Immediately after a long hot sanisteam, I went to see Yoda. He greeted me serenely, as if he had been expecting me.
Yoda invited me to sit across from him in a meditation chair. "Already heard your father's report, I have," he told me. "Hear your story, I will."
I told him everything that had happened from the time I found the secret cloning machine up to the part where Maul escaped.
"Brave and true you were, Emma," Yoda commented.
"Maul scared me," I admitted. "I'm not sure how brave I was."
"Takes great strength, it does, to deal with fear successfully," Yoda articulated.
I stood up from the meditation chair and paced the room. I wringed my hands, unsure if I should tell him exactly how I had felt. Yoda's hazel eyes watched me closely.
"Natural it was to feel fear. Give into it, you must not," he continued.
"I wanted to hurt him, to make him suffer," I confessed to Yoda. "He almost killed my dad and then me. I wanted to kill him."
"Such thoughts can lead to the dark side," Yoda said solemnly.
"Even though I felt dark side emotions, I never felt like I was in any danger of turning to the dark side," I told him.
"Careful you must be, Emma. Treat these emotions lightly, you must not," he intoned.
"I tried to use my rage and fear," I said slowly. "Even though I know better. In that moment, all I could think about was saving my friends and my father. I couldn't really control my emotions." I told him how I had tried, to no avail, to use my building powers.
Yoda listened to my explanation without comment. He was silent and thoughtful for a while. I waited, struggling to control my impatience.
"Seems, it does," he finally said, "that these building powers of yours only work when calm and at peace you are. In other words … when light side emotions you are feeling."
"Then that means only good Force-users can have building powers," I concluded.
"Likely it seems, yes." Yoda nodded.
"And that means I can't use my building powers to kill anyone." I was glad to hear this.
"Or to create anyone," Yoda stressed. "Undoubtedly, only be used to create inanimate objects, not living beings, they can." I wondered if this was a subtle jab at my bringing Qui-Gon back with the machine. I didn't think so, but I would figure that out later.
"So that was the reason?" I continued. "The Force was testing me to see how I would handle my new power?"
"The Force was showing you that it is a light side power," Yoda clarified.
I thought about that. "I did feel angry and fearful when I faced Maul, but eventually I was able to master my feelings." I didn't add that had not happened until after the battle was over.
"That was an important lesson you learned today," Yoda said earnestly. "You found the answer inside yourself."
"So, it was a test," I said, the realization dawning on me. "I had to face my fear of losing my father and overcome that fear."
"Your power is a gift from the Force," Yoda said with absolute certainty.
I was just relieved that it was not a dark side power.
I resumed my seat in the meditation chair. I had other questions for him.
"Master Yoda," I began, "I'm curious as to why you gave me that book. It is a rather advanced book for me. Was there a special reason why you wanted me to know about the secret cloning machine? I mean, before my father told me about it?"
"Indeed, yes," Yoda answered intently, leaning toward me. "Very special, this book is. Passed down every generation to each Grand Master of the Order. Just the Grand Master and Master of the Order know about the machine. Never sure of the location, they were. Not until I had my vision did I know."
"Your vision of Ruusan?" I asked him.
"Yes, my vision indicated on Ruusan, you and the others would be. It established Ruusan as the location of the secret cloning machine, as well as the location of the Valley of the Jedi."
"How did the Masters of the Order know if the book only belonged to the Grand Masters?" I asked. "Was it something the Grand Masters would always tell the Masters of the Order?" Now Yoda held both titles, and was the leader of the Jedi Order, as well as the leader of the Jedi Council.
"The Masters of the Order knew because of the Holocron of Prophecy," Yoda responded.
"The Holocron of Prophecy?" I repeated, not sure what that had to do with it.
"Yes, about the secret cloning machine, a prophecy there was," Yoda told me.
I stared at him, surprised to hear this. "But wouldn't that mean every Jedi who opened the Holocron of Prophecy would know about it?" I asked him, puzzled.
"No, no, Emma. You see, made it was so that those who opened it only heard what they were ready to hear. In this holocron, access this information, only the Grand Master and Master of the Order could."
"What exactly did this prophecy say?" I asked him eagerly.
"The prophecy stated that a Padawan would save the secret cloning machine from the Sith."
"And you wanted me to know about the secret cloning machine because the prophecy was about me?" I stared at him, wide-eyed.
"Yes, Emma," he replied gently. "About you, not until recently I realized."
I marveled at this news for a few moments.
Yoda resumed speaking. "You see, two visions of you, I had. The first one, finding the machine, you were. That was why, give you the book, I did. The second vision, right before you went on the mission, I had. In this one, fulfilling the prophecy, you were."
"And you trusted your vision completely? You were positive the prophecy referred to me? Don't you believe that the future is never totally certain?" I thought of how, in The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda told Luke, "Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future."
"That is true, Emma. However, power I have to discover what side one is on. Know what is in their heart, I do."
"Really? How do you do that?" I asked with interest.
"Merely by coming in contact with someone, I can. For example, when I touched your hand the day I gave you the book, knew your soul, I did."
"I'm honored and grateful for your faith in me," I told him, bowing my head.
"Good girl, you are," Yoda said approvingly. "A good Padawan."
I felt a warm glow at his praise.
"Do you think I was able to use the secret cloning machine because of my building powers?" I wondered. "Did it work in combination with those powers? Maul told me he wanted to use it to bring his brother back. Do you think he could have done that?" I shuddered at the thought.
"Anyone can use the machine, I believe," Yoda speculated. "It doesn't have to be you with your building powers, or even another Force-user."
I considered this for a moment. Then I asked him a question I had pondered since Obi-Wan announced we were going to Ruusan. "Why did all of us go on this mission, if only the Grand Master and Master of the Order are supposed to know about the machine? I mean, I understand you saw us in your vision, but weren't you worried about six Jedi knowing the secret?"
"No, never worried," he assured me. "Supposed to go, you all were. See all the Padawans in my vision, I did. The battle tested all of the Padawans' strength of character, spirit, and fortitude. Proved yourselves worthy, you all did."
Ben and Palpatine would be happy to learn this.
"Did you know I would bring Master Jinn back?" I asked Yoda.
"No, reveal that to me, my vision did not. Show me that you would use it, it did not. Only that find it and save it from the Sith, you would."
I wondered how upset Master Yoda was with me. After all, the secret cloning machine was no longer a secret. Thanks to Qui-Gon's return, every single Jedi now knew about it … plus one Sith Lord, and whoever he had told.
"Master Yoda," I began hesitantly. "Are you … very mad or upset with me for using the machine to bring Master Qui-Gon back?"
"No, not mad nor upset," Yoda reassured me.
I breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"Happy to see Master Jinn again, I am," Yoda acknowledged.
I wondered if all of this was ultimately a lesson about letting go. Letting go of the fear that Maul would attack, letting go of specific people. Or maybe it was a lesson about how power could corrupt anyone, even those whose intentions were good. I had wielded a lot of power recently. My building powers, the secret cloning machine … and there was time travel in my future. It could be a lesson about not letting power go to my head. Perhaps it was.
I clasped my hands in my lap and said, "I hope you have the secret cloning machine hidden someplace safe." Of course he did. It must be with the secret holocrons in the Jedi Archives or in the Tower of First Knowledge.
"Not to worry," Yoda assured me. "Destroyed it, I have."
"You destroyed it?" I felt a brief flash of disappointment that we wouldn't be able to use it again. Then I realized it was for the best. After all, now that Darth Maul knew about it, I understood it could become a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. It had been safer to destroy it, rather than hide it.
"Have you read any more of the book?" Yoda inquired.
"Not yet. I haven't really had a chance. Is there something else in the book that you want me to read?" I hoped he would tell me there was something in there that would help me succeed in The World Between Worlds.
"Perhaps there is," Yoda said enigmatically. "You might even find information that will be helpful when you go to Lothal."
Now that he had mentioned it … this was a subject we definitely needed to talk about.
"I spoke to Master Skywalker on Naboo." Yoda nodded and silently waited for me to continue. "He told me I spoke to him in the Council Chamber the night Master Windu defeated Darth Sidious. I was the one who prevented his fall to the dark side." I watched his reaction closely. Yoda nodded and again said nothing.
"I also spoke to you … on Kashyyk."
"Yes," Yoda said frankly. "Told me, you did, who you really were and where I could find Obi-Wan."
"I went back in time and stopped Master Skywalker from turning. I am the reason why you changed the attachment and marriage rules," I stated.
"Yes," Yoda substantiated my belief. "A long talk we had. Convinced me that attachments would not inexorably lead to the dark side, you did."
Was he going to tell me how I had done that? This would be useful ….
"A clue you need, do you?" His eyes twinkled with humor. "A middle ground there is, between attachments and emotional detachment," Yoda said helpfully.
Aha. So that was it. Looking at his placid expression, I knew. I knew what I had said to change the Grand Master's mind.
Jedi could form emotional connections and not inevitably experience dark side emotions. Jedi could have relationships and still remain responsible and committed Jedi. It wasn't about experiencing love and a family. It was all about one of the first lessons Obi-Wan attempted to drill into my head … Jedi must learn acceptance and letting go. Letting go of the unavoidable and the unalterable. Letting go of overwhelming emotions, so that they did not control you. Letting go of people, when the time came. One did not have to remain indifferent and dispassionate in order to avoid turning to the dark side. In a sense, the Jedi had been hypocrites, I thought, jolted by this train of thought. All of them had attachments to something, whether it was their lightsaber, master, apprentice, even the Jedi Order. I would argue that the temptation of power was more of a threat than attachments, although I supposed one could say that the Sith had an attachment to power. Regardless, this explanation and debate was how I was going to convince Master Yoda to change the no attachments rule. He would redefine the meaning of attachment in the Jedi Code, so that it did not automatically equate to an inability to let go.
"Go to Lothal you must, to the World Between Worlds," Yoda instructed. "Into the doorways you will go."
"But that's not the way the portal worked in Rebels," I said frantically. "The portal only allowed Ezra to pull Ahsoka out, not go in! It seems like it lets you observe the past, but not change it." But I already knew I had changed things, so there must be a way …
"More to this portal, I feel, than has been revealed," Yoda declared wisely.
"What do you know about the portal?" I asked him.
But Yoda could not answer this question, because Yoda had never heard of the portal before I had told him about it.
I stood up to leave, feeling slightly apprehensive about the task ahead. There was no need to feel shaky. I knew what I had to do.
So why did I feel like a heavy burden was weighing me down? I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I could consider it as previously accomplished. The fact that I had already done it bolstered my confidence, even if it was somewhat confusing.
"Emma?" Yoda said as I was leaving.
"Yes?" I turned to look at the tiny but strong Grand Master.
"Keep the book until you have returned from the Jedi Temple on Lothal, you may," he told me. "Aid you in your quest, it may."
"Thank you, Master Yoda." I gave him a brave smile as I softly closed his chamber's door.
I walked back to the Padawan dormitory. Ben was sitting alone in the common room, reading a book. He looked up as I approached and smiled.
"Hi, Emma," Ben said with an easy smile. "Guess what … Master Windu said he was proud of me for helping save Palpatine and the secret cloning machine, and for fighting so well. He even gave me a purple crystal. He's going to help me build a purple lightsaber just like his! Isn't that amazing?"
"It sure is," I agreed, surprised but happy for my friend. I knew the purple crystals were very rare. I thought Master Windu was the only Jedi who ever had a purple lightsaber. I wondered where he had gotten another one. The inhabitants of the planet Hurikane gave him his own purple crystal after he saved one of them. Mace must be extremely pleased with Ben to bestow such a gift upon him.
"So now you'll have two lightsabers," I said. Just like Ahsoka.
Ben laughed. "Well, I'm not ready to wield two lightsabers at once. I'm not that skilled yet! Master Windu said I can still use the blue lightsaber and save the purple one for when I'm ready for it."
"And when will that be?" I asked him.
"He said I will wield the purple lightsaber when I am older and become a Knight."
Hmm. I wondered if this meant Mace had decided to teach Ben all seven forms of lightsaber combat, including Vaapad. He must see something of himself in Ben, if he wanted him to have a purple lightsaber. The whole idea of Ben learning Vaapad still made me nervous, although Mace had to be confident Ben was in no danger of falling to the dark side.
Palpatine breezed into the common room and plopped down on the sofa next to Ben.
"Hey there, Ben," Palpatine said cheerfully, throwing his arm across Ben's shoulder like they were long-lost brothers.
Since Ben had saved Palpatine's life, Palpatine's entire attitude toward Ben had changed. He no longer called him "little Snoke." Now the three of us were practically inseparable. I was so happy that the two of them had become friends.
"Do you want to hear something really wonderful?" he asked us.
"Of course," we both replied at the same time.
"Master Jinn chose me to be his apprentice," Palpatine told us, beaming. "The Council informed me this morning."
"All right!" Ben high fived Palpatine.
"See? I told you someone would choose you soon." I smiled at Palpatine, happy for my friend. I knew they had developed a bond on Ruusan. This was great news.
"I already had my first lesson," Palpatine said happily. "Master Qui-Gon told me I will have to learn better control over my emotions."
"That's probably something we both need to work on," I told him.
"I hope he's not too strict," Palpatine said jokingly. I knew Palpatine already looked up to Qui-Gon very much and would do his best.
"And there's more. Master Yoda asked Master Qui-Gon to join the Council. And he's accepted! He said they're not as stale as he thought."
I was surprised at this news. After all, the Council had once invited him to join them, and he had declined. I didn't think the Council would be the type to offer a second invitation. Apparently, Qui-Gon had reconsidered his earlier opposition to joining the Council. True, Qui-Gon had seen that the Jedi Code had been modified. The Council was not as strict and stringent. In addition, Qui-Gon had learned how the Republic and the Senate had changed under Chancellor Organa's leadership. There truly was no more corruption. They were really working for the greater good of the galaxy.
"After everything he said about the Council on Ruusan … Well, I'm glad he decided to become part of the Council," Palpatine declared. "He will be a great addition."
Ben and I echoed his sentiments.
The next morning, walking down the hallway on my way to training, I ran into Caleb Dume. My heart beat faster when I saw him.
"Hey there, Emma," Caleb greeted me with an impish grin. "I heard you had quite the adventure on Ruusan. I'm disappointed I missed all the fun. Is it true you actually faced a Sith Lord? How exciting!"
"That's an understatement," I told him, shaking my head. "And I wouldn't exactly describe it as fun."
"I'm just glad you all made it out of there alive," Caleb said, turning serious.
"Me too," I heartily agreed with him.
"It's too bad this Darth Maul escaped and evaded justice," he said with a frown. "Well, he won't elude the Jedi for long. We'll get him." He must have sensed my unease, because he changed the subject. "I heard we have a new addition to our dormitory."
"Yes, Palpatine Cohen is now Master Jinn's Padawan."
"He's a friend of yours, right? I would be happy to meet him. If he needs any help settling in or advice from an older Padawan, just let me know."
"That's kind of you." I smiled at him.
"You'll have to let me know when you're ready for that practice duel," he said, giving me a charming smile.
"Ok, will do." I waved goodbye and walked into my training room.
As usual, Obi-Wan was already there, waiting patiently for me.
"I have a message from the King of the Cats," Obi-Wan announced as soon as I entered the room. "He says Catman's brother may visit us."
"Catman will be so happy to hear that," I said, smiling as I thought of his reaction. I knew how much he missed his brother. Maybe the King of the Cats would eventually relent and allow the other cat to live at the Temple with Catman.
"Have you had a chance to speak with Master Yoda about what happened on Ruusan with your building powers?" Obi-Wan wasted no time in getting to the point. It was clear he still had some misgivings about my unique ability.
"Yes, I spoke with him yesterday." I relayed the details of my conversation with Master Yoda to my father.
Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief when I mentioned how Master Yoda clearly felt my building powers were a light side ability. "This goes a long way in helping me get past any remaining uneasiness I had about this ability of yours."
"Master Yoda believes there's nothing to worry about. So, I heard Qui-Gon has a new apprentice. How do you feel about that?" I asked with a grin.
Obi-Wan laughed. "I feel no jealousy, I promise you." I knew how happy he was that Qui-Gon was alive and back at the Temple.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" I asked him.
"A new skill you will be happy to learn. Let's get started. After I train you today … I have training of my own tonight."
"Training? You? What kind of training?" I wondered what else he could possibly have left to learn. Unless …
"Qui-Gon has training for me. He will teach me how to become a Force ghost."
"He's teaching you that already? Doesn't he want to wait until you're … oh, a little older?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Why wait? There's no time like the present to begin."
Before I began my training for the day, I had to know how much Yoda had told him about the prophecy. "Did you know about the Prophecy of the Secret Cloning Machine?" I asked him.
"No," Obi-Wan replied. "I never heard of this prophecy before." He held up his hands as I began to speak again. "Before you ask, Master Yoda did inform me yesterday that this prophecy was about you." He sounded amazed and full of admiration for me. "At least now that Master Yoda has destroyed the machine, Maul will never be able to get his hands on it."
I didn't want to discuss Darth Maul. I still felt lingering resentment toward him. I would learn how to fully conquer these negative emotions. I refused to give Maul the satisfaction of knowing that he had gotten to me ever again.
Whatever Darth Maul's next move was, my father and I would handle it, together.
I decided the time was right to tell Obi-Wan about the portal at the Jedi Temple on Lothal. Haltingly, I explained how I was the one who changed things and prevented Anakin from turning. Obi-Wan did not interrupt me, although his mouth opened in surprise, and he turned pale when I first began speaking.
"And that's why I will have to go there," I concluded.
"I'll go with you," Obi-Wan told me. "I think it's time to check the Archives for records on the Lothal Temple."
"I would appreciate any help you can give me. And I would feel more comfortable if you were there with me. Besides," I added teasingly, "I'll need your assistance to find the entrance. It takes both a master and an apprentice to get inside."
"Of course." Obi-Wan nodded.
"This could take some time," I forewarned him. "I won't be able to go there until I have learned how to show Anakin and Yoda my thoughts. I will have to be able to show them the exact scenes from the movies that I want them to see. I'll only be ready when I have mastered this skill." I hoped it wouldn't take too long to learn this form of telepathy.
"Very well then." Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Today you will learn the mind trick …"
I gave Obi-Wan my full attention and concentrated on the next step on my path to becoming a Jedi.
"Emma," my father said to me at the end of the day, "your mother and I have something special to tell you. Please come to our room before dinner."
I looked to see if he would give me a hint as to what it was, but he simply smiled and said, "You'll have to wait a little while longer."
I returned to my room to rest and change into a clean robe. When I arrived at my parents' rooms, they were both smiling and looked overjoyed. Whatever it was, it was good news.
"Your mother is going to have a baby," Obi-Wan said softly. His voice wavered slightly with emotion.
Whoa. I hadn't expected that. I stared at my mother in shock for a moment, then I ran to her and gave her a hug. "You mean ..."
"Next year, you will become a big sister," my mom told me, beaming. Her eyes glowed with happiness.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" I asked my mom.
"We don't know yet, sweetie," my mom answered.
"I believe you will have a little brother," Obi-Wan said. "It's a feeling I have."
"All that matters is that the baby is healthy," my mother said.
"Of course he'll be healthy," I assured my mother. "He's a Kenobi baby!" I turned to my father. "You'll have another child to train."
"Yes … By the time he is ready, you will be a Knight."
"Does this mean we are going to get our own house now?" I wondered.
My father laughed. "Well, there aren't any houses on Coruscant … only apartments. I believe, for now, we will remain at the Temple."
"I will be the best big sister," I vowed, looking up at my parents. "You'll see. I'll play with him and protect him and love him."
"I know you will, Emma," Obi-Wan said, putting his arms around my mother and me. "I know you will."
My memories subsiding, I returned to the present. Now, perusing Yoda's book, I hoped to gain the information I needed to learn this special technique, to be able to show the others my "visions." Was this ability even mentioned in this book? Surely, if it was, Yoda or another Grand Master would have learned it. Would it be some unique skill that only I would have, like my building powers?
I had faith in the Force. I would follow my destiny to the Temple on Lothal.
I mustered up my courage and returned to my reading.
