Chapter 3: The New Jedi Order


Luke Skywalker sat cross-legged inside a meditation chamber. The young man wore a suit of black Guardian's Maelstrom armor and now sported a light goatee.

"There is no emotion." The Jedi Master said in a profoundly calm voice, his eyes closed and arms outstretched.

"There is peace." A series of younger voices replied. Six children and two teenagers, all of various species, knelt before Luke, each in a tan tunic of a similar design.

"There is no ignorance."

"There is knowledge." As Luke's students replied, they too sat in meditation positions. Their eyes closed, and hands outstretched, the children reached out with the Force and moved lightsaber components, slowly putting them together.

"There is no passion."

"There is serenity.

"There is no chaos."

"There is harmony." One by one, each student's lightsaber came together. However, the first two to complete theirs were a human boy with fair skin, brown eyes, and matching hair, and a particularly small alien named Grogu, who happened to be the same species as Luke's old master, Yoda.

"There is no death."

"There is only the Force." Each student ignited their lightsaber, the brown-haired human boy's glowing deep emerald green, and Grogu's a rich yellow. The others' glowing either blue, yellow, and green. Luke slowly opened his eyes and nodded with a proud smile.

"Well done, my students. You're truly on your way to becoming Jedi Knights."

"We're going to be Jedi!" The brown-haired be exclaimed, holding his now deactivated lightsaber up high.

Luke felt his smile widen while watching the boy. They continued their lessons for the next few hours, including a session with training remotes with their eyes covered.

"The Force will act as your guide." Some of the students did better than others. Grogu performed exceptionally well, blocking virtually all of his bolts. The human boy, however, struggled, taking a few hits early on.

Spotting this, Luke came over and knelt beside him.

"Relax yourself, Jacen. You're trusting your senses too much. The Force will tell you where the bolt will come. Let it flow through you."

He sighed.

"Yes, uncle Luke."

Jacen tried again, this time having more success.

"Well done." Luke said, nodding.

Finally, he dismissed his students for individual meditation and began walking the halls of his Jedi Temple with R2D2 close beside him.

"Master Skywalker." He heard from various students and Republic personnel as they met him. Luke returned their greetings and took a moment to look in on three chambers they passed. Inside, he spotted more children, teens, and even a few adults, all in Padawan attire while learning from a single Jedi Knight in each room.

Finally Luke reached a balcony and stared out at the lush forest planet of Tython before him. The birthplace of the ancient Jedi Order, where scholars from across the galaxy first discovered the Force.

Now, it served as the birthplace of the New Jedi Order, Luke's Jedi Order. The plant's surface completely surrounded by the living Force in a way Luke never imagined possible. Even after several years of living there, it still warmed the Jedi Master like the day he and Ahsoka discovered it.

Artoo chirped happily while looking down at the courtyard. There, dozens of Jedi students meditated, sparred, or practiced telekinetics under the guidance of twelve Jedi Knights, and a Togruta Jedi Master. That was the New Jedi Order, two masters, fifteen Knights, and just over a hundred Padawans.

New Republic Reclamation Services helped guard and maintain the Temple, Commodore Lux Bonteri leading them. Luke turned his eyes upon the dozen Jedi Knights in the courtyard, his and Ahsoka's first students. Twelve Dark Jedi, trained by his father as a new age of Inquisitors, who tried to kill Luke and Ahsoka, but were defeated. Rather than ending their lives, the Jedi Knights took them on as students, and within a few years, they were all Jedi Knights.

During that time, three more Jedi Knights joined the order, each a Jedi already trained but in hiding. After a minute, Luke's attention became fixed on one of the Jedi Knights in particular. A young woman his age with long golden-red hair, deep emerald green-eyes, and a beautiful face. She wore a brown and white Jedi Chanlon tunic with a lightsaber on her belt, a slightly swollen stomach.

"Reach out, feel the rocks, remember that their size is nothing to the Force. Only the concentration of your will matters." Mara Skywalker said, closing her eyes and demonstrating. With her left hand outstretched, the Jedi Knight lifted several rocks into the air and stacked them together.

Seven or so children, including a girl Jacen's age with his features, all followed Mara's example. Each reaching out with the Force to try and move the rocks, but with limited success.

The girl's face tightened in frustration as her rock fell back to the ground.

"I can't do it. It's too big." She almost pouted. Mara came up beside the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"There is no emotion, Jaina."

The girl sighed.

"There is peace."

"You can do it, you just need to stop thinking of you lifting the rock. A Jedi has no power, Jaina, we merely call upon the Force. The Force is limitless, remember that."

Jaina nodded, closing her eyes and reaching out again. Mara watched with growing enthusiasm, until finally, her niece's rock lifted up and remained steady.

"Yes, well done!"

Jaina smiled brightly.

"I did it! Uncle Luke, I, I mean the Force-" Mara looked over at her approaching husband who nodded at Jaina in approval.

"You listened to your aunt Mara, and it paid off. Let this be a lesson for all of you." Luke said to the other students.

"Yes, master Skywalker."

"Alright, that's enough for now. Take a meditation break and we'll get to our sparring lesson."

Luke waited until the children left before smirking at Mara.

"Sparring lessons? Are you sure that's a good idea?" He chuckled while stroking his wife's pregnant stomach. Mara almost glared back.

"Watch yourself, Luke. I'm more than capable of lightsaber combat, even with a baby in my belly."

"Of course you are."

"Care to test that!" Mara challenged. A few nearby students growing eager at the prospect of seeing Luke spar with Mara. However, he disappointed them with a smile and a shake of his head.

"Sorry, but maybe after the baby's born." Mara sighed, stroking her stomach.

"I hope they turn out like Jaina or Jacen." Mara said, looking at her niece.

"They will. Don't forget you're Jaina's master." Luke spoke in a warm tone that eased Mara into a smile.

"I suppose that's true. Jacen is coming along well too."

"He is, I sense a bright future for him."

"Maybe a royal future." Mara said with a smirk as she emphasized Jacen sitting alone with another padawan his age. A girl with long golden-red hair like Mara's, grayish blue eyes, and fair skin.

"Tenel Ka, heir to the Hapes Consortium." Luke commented while Mara nodded, fighting back laughter.

"Those two are adorable little love-birds. Your sister wasn't displeased to hear about it either."

Luke almost rolled his eyes. As much as he loved Leia, she was still a politician, and he could imagine her delight at Jacen marrying into the Hapan royal family. It would certainly help her bring them into the New Republic, something she'd worked tirelessly to do for the last year or so. Tenel being discovered as a Force sensitive and brought on as one of Ahsoka's students was an added bonus for the Jedi, but a political gain for Leia, despite Luke's attempts to keep his Jedi Order out of politics.

The Jedi master felt a chill down the back of his consciousness, the third time that week. He rubbed his head while Mara felt his unease.

"Did you sense it again?"

Luke nodded, warily.

"Another disturbance in the Force. The Dark side, and something else."

"We should meet with the other Knights and meditate on the issue."

"No." Luke said, shaking his head.

"We don't need to take them all away from their students. A few will suffice, I can get Ahsoka. Go find Kal, Merrin, Galen, and Recahl." Mara nodded

"I'll go get them." After a moment, she hesitated.

"What about Corphex? She asked with growing wariness in her tone. Luke took a deep breath and nodded.

When Mara left, Luke made his way over to Ahsoka who led a class on lightsaber combat, sparring with her most advanced Padawan, the former rebel commando, Kyle Katarn. Several children and teenagers carefully observed, including a young boy who appeared human, but had distinct green hair and similar coloring around his ear.

Luke sensed much conflict in the boy, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Kanan, do not let emotions cloud your mind." Ahsoka said in a stern but caring voice, even as her eyes remained on Kyle.

"Yes, master." The boy sighed.

Luke waited until Ahsoka finished, bowing with Kyle before turning to the rest of her students.

"Remember that when you're in combat, distractions will come from every direction. When using Ataru it is vital you push out those distractions and focus entirely on where you are. Live in the moment."

"Yes, master Tano."

"Well done, Kyle. Your skills are impeccable." Luke said. The bearded man shrugged.

"I do what I can. Just been listening to my master."

"You've done more than listen, you've applied. That's good, I think you'll be ready for the trials very soon." Ahsoka gave Kyle a proud look.

"And we'll have another Jedi Knight."

"Great, can't wait to tell Jann. Uh oh, Corphex isn't listening, is he!?" Kyle asked in a somewhat mocking tone while the two Jedi masters sighed.

"Kyle, why don't you lead the students in meditation."

"Will do, master. Come on, the waterfall should help us clear our minds." Kyle said.

Luke and Ahsoka watched a young Togruta/human hybrid boy help Kanan to his feet.

"Come on, we don't want to fall behind." He said.

"I see Anakin takes after his mother." Luke said with a growing smile. Ahsoka watched her and Lux's son for a moment before returning to Kanan and sighing.

"I'm just glad he's there for Kanan. I've tried to help him clear his mind since we got the news about Hera…. But he can't stop thinking about her, and I don't blame him." Ahsoka sighed, a bit of sorrow in her voice. Luke nodded.

Kanna was the son of New Republic Admiral Hera Syndulla, and her former lover, the Jedi fugitive Kanan Jarrus. During the rebellion Hera was among the rebel pilots who helped steal the X-Wing prototypes from the Empire on Fresia. However, tragedy struck her during the Battle of Lothal. Luke almost shivered as he thought about it, even if the battle happened before he joined the Rebellion, it's legacy haunted the Rebels until their ultimate victory.

The Battle was intended to liberate the outer-rim mining hub from Imperial occupation and destroy Grand Admiral Thrawn's TIE Defender program located there. Hera organized the battle and brought in a battalion of Rebel Commandos, Mandalorian allies, and Lasat honor guards to lead a general uprising under Kanan and his Padawan Ezra Bridger. It should've been a decisive victory, but it ended in disaster. Thrawn anticipated the move and had a nasty surprise waiting for them, Luke's father, Darth Vader and his 501st Stormtrooper Legion quietly moved to the planet just before the engagement.

What resulted wasn't a battle, but a massacre. Vader killed Jarus and Bridger, his 501st stormtroopers slaughtering the elite rebel forces and any Lothal rebels who joined them. It was also there that Thrawn unleashed his new TIE Defenders, destroying the Rebel Fleet with unmatched efficiency and leaving Hera to barely escape with her life. During the battle, the rebels grew so desperate that they actually tried to destroy Thrawn's fleet by luring in a pod of space whales, only for the beasts to get cut to pieces by turbolasers.

Ahsoka admitted that she was embarrassed that the rebels even thought of trying something so stupid and illogical. To think that spacewhales could somehow not get hit by turbolaser fire and take out a fleet like that, who in their right mind would even think of something so dumb? Whoever that bright-minded officer was undoubtedly ended up dead along with virtually the entire rebel force.

Despite Thrawn's decisive victory, for one reason or another, he seemingly disappeared from the Empire along with his TIE Defenders and an Armada shortly after. After taking Coruscant, the New Republic uncovered evidence that Thrawn convinced Palpatine that another threat existed in the unknown regions, and the Emperor gave him permission to lead an expeditionary Fleet against them.

Many thought Thrawn had died in this expedition, but Luke knew many in the military who still feared he might return, Hera among them.

"Still no word on her?" Ahsoka asked while Luke shook his head.

"I can contact Admiral Ackbar and Leia again, but I doubt they have any new information."

Ahsoka sighed again. Now an admiral, Hera was given a task force and assigned to hunt down groups of Routiers in the outer rim. Routiers were one of the bigger problems and embarrassments facing the New Republic as of late. After the Emperor's death at Endor, the Rebellion pressed their advantage and succeeded in causing a general uprising against the leaderless Empire. People joined the Rebel military in unprecedented numbers or even formed rebel factions of their own, all working against the Empire. Initially this was well-received, as it gave the Rebel Alliance the boost in numbers it desperately needed to face the Empire head on.

After Grand Admiral Faro took charge of the Imperial Remnant and fought the New Republic to a stalemate, the Senate agreed to a peace treaty, finally ending the Galactic Civil War. Unfortunately, this is when the problems started to arise. The Rebel military was so large that downsizing and demobilization was inevitable. However, many of these rebel factions and alliance military units had made their livelihood off fighting the Empire. With the war over, they were out of the job, but didn't wish to leave the profession. Since then, independent bands of former soldiers turned mercenary/pirates, using their training,experience, and retained hardware to pillage non aligned systems in the outer-rim and wild-space. These bands were collectively known as Routiers and became a significant issue for the New Republic.

Initially, the Senate refused to take action as the Routiers only operated outside Republic Space. However, things took a drastic turn when the affected systems began joining the Imperial Remnant in mass, desperate for any kind of protection. Leia advocated against the Routiers from the beginning, but only now did the Senate as a whole decide to actually do something about it.

Admiral Ackbar began a campaign against the Routiers, and Hera's task force was sent to deal with a particularly troublesome group near Wayland. However, three weeks ago, her Task Force went missing, and there'd been no trace of Hera or her fleet ever since.

"Trust in the Force, Ahsoka." Luke tried to assure his fellow Jedi master as she thought about her old friend.

"I know. But the disturbance in the Force I've felt lately-" She started.

"That's what I came to talk to you about. I want to have a group meditation with a few of the Knights. Maybe see if we can gain some insight on it."

Ahsoka nodded.

A few minutes later, they joined six other Jedi in a large council-esk chamber with ten chairs in a circle.

Mara was among them, along with two young men beside her, one human, one Miralukan. The human had a nearly shaven head with a faint brown shade, and matching eyes. The miraluka had similar fair skin with spiky black hair and brown cloth over his eyes. Both Jedi wore white variants of Luke's armor, and sat across from the other three knights. Among them was another human who appeared to be in his late thirties with orangish-red hair. Cal Kestis and his wife, the nightsister Merrin. Cal was a Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66 and finished his training on his own over the years. Eventually he found Merrin and trained her before being discovered by Luke and Ahsoka. Kal and Merrin agreed to join the order along with their three children who were now padawans.

These five Jedi Knights greeted Luke and Ahsoka warmly, the sixth did not. Sitting in the chair furthest from the door was a middle-aged bothan, who dressed in a robe distinct from every other Jedi in Luke's order. The same robes worn by Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Skywalker, Tano." he said, tenuously.

"Masters, Skywalker and Tano." The brown-haired human Jedi sternly reminded Corphex. He, Mara, and the Miraluka Jedi all gazed at him with narrowed eyes, or what Ahsoka imagined was narrowed eyes from Rechal, considering Miraluka didn't have eyes. The bothan returned their expression briefly, but then returned to the Jedi Masters.

"Corphex."

The Jedi Masters took their seats, Luke placing himself beside Mara, earning even more ire from the bothan as he did so.

"We've summoned you all here because of a disturbance in the Force."

Rechal nodded.

"Yes, master. We've felt it as well."

"The Dark Side festers within the Republic, and it grows stronger." Ahsoka added.

"Perhaps it is closer than you realize." Corphex growled.

"This isn't the time, Corphex." Cal said firmly, joining Luke's former students in his defense.

"Is it not? If the Jedi Order is incapable of seeing threat's right before our own eyes, we are doomed!"

"It wouldn't be the first time." Ahsoka said, earning a fiercer growl from the bothan.

"Please, we must not fight amongst ourselves. Less we remain blind to the disturbance." Luke spoke calmly, but with a clear strength behind his words. At that, the other Jedi fell silent.

"Good. Now, let us work in unison." Each Jedi closed their eyes and melded their minds into a collective effort, communing with the Force. The combined meditation reached out beyond Tython, extending to the far reaches of the galaxy. The Jedi experienced countless beings, their collective emotions, and the Force around them. Beyond the Galaxy, they felt an uneasy tension growing, but not the Dark Side. Focusing inward, Luke at last felt it. The Dark Side, its distinct chilling sensation. However, the Dark Presence didn't feel quite like that of his father or the Emperor, not of the Sith, but still of the Dark Side. This was something else, yet strangely familiar.

Ahsoka's head lowered as she focused in on the disturbance closer. There the Jedi Master experienced a vision of a world, one that felt strangely familiar. Deserts, coral formations, mesas, and the living Force. Not the light or the dark, but a perfect balance, then it hit Ahsoka, her eyes shooting open.

"Hera!"

The melt broke and Ahsoka panted heavily.

"Admiral Syndulla?" Merrin asked, curiously.

"Yes, surely you all sensed her."

Galen nodded.

"Yes, there was a presence there similar to Padawan Syndulla's. Perhaps it is his mother."

"What planet was that?" Mara asked.

"Atollon, I'm positive."

"Atollon, what's there besides the ruins of a Rebel base?" Cal asked.

"Atollon was incredibly strong in the Force, I remember it from my time there. The disturbance we feel, Atollon is involved, and so is Hera, I'm sure of it."

Corphex clasped his hands together thoughtfully, each claw touching another.

"Perhaps. However, we must also consider the possibility that this is a red herring."

"What!?" Ahsoka almost shouted.

"You have an attachment to Hera Syndulla, Master Tano. An attachment that is clearly clouding your judgement. Such a distraction could've interfered with our force meld, creating a false connection."

"Admiral Syndulla went missing while hunting Routiers, correct?" Mara asked.

"Yes." Luke answered.

"Aren't they known to use old Rebel and Imperial bases as outposts for their operations. Perhaps Admiral Syndulla is alive and being held prisoner there." Mara suggested. Ahsoka felt a rush of hope surge through her.

"That still doesn't mean it's the source of the disturbance." Corphex protested.

"I disagree, the Force is guiding us towards Atollon and Hera Syndulla. This is no coincidence, and we must have the wisdom to heed the living Force's will." Luke said, earning more frustration from the bothan.

Ahsoka stood up, a determined look on her face.

"I'm going to Atollon. I'll find Hera and the source of the Dark Side's growing presence."

"Not alone." Luke said firmly.

"I'll join you, master Tano." Galen said, standing up with her and nodding.

"As will I." Rechal similarly got up, earning a proud smile from Ahsoka towards them both.

"Very well, if this must be put to the test, I shall come as well." Corphex said, rising to his feet.

"Glad to have you." Ahsoka's smile didn't falter, and Corphex did his best to retain his composure and hold back any emotions.

"May the Force be with you. I'll contact the New Republic. If a group of Routiers is operating there, you'll need backup." Luke said, earning a nod from Ahsoka.

"Thanks."

Ahsoka hastily readied herself for the mission, meeting with Lux and Anakin in their chambers, where she knelt in front of the boy.

"I won't be gone long. I just need to go and bring back Kanan's mother. Be good for your father, and Agiz will take over for me."

"Yes, mom." Ahsoka kissed his cheek before rising up to meet Lux's face.

"She's there, Lux, I know it."

"I trust your instincts, Ahsoka. If you believe she's there, then she's there. Just be careful." Ahsoka smiled, giving him a kiss as well.

"Aren't I always."

Lux sighed.

"That's what worries me."

Ahsoka joined her companions in the main hanger where a black shuttle was prepped for launch. Rechal stood near the entry ramp, his hood raised and brown eye coverings in place. However, he wasn't there alone. Ahsoka smirked when she saw a young woman in padawan's robes before him. She was a human with slightly tanned fair skin, shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes. Ahsoka couldn't make out their conversation, but gleamed enough from their facial expressions, and a long kiss just before she departed. Despite this, Rechal turned to the Jedi Master even before she came within sight.

"Sorry I'm late."

"You're not late, we'll all early." The miraluka said playfully as he and Ahsoka went inside. There Cophex knelt in the corner, meditation alone while a strange skeletal-esk droid rested in another corner.

"Are we ready?" Ahsoka asked Galen, who sat in the co-pilot's seat beside a woman his age with fair-skin, blonde-hair, and blue eyes.

"Master Tano grows impatient, Juno. We'd best not keep her waiting." Galen said, earning a smirk from the Togruta.

"That's right, Starkiller."

Starkiller was the nickname Ahsoka gave Galen during his training with the other former Imperial Inquisitors. Galen was among the twelve first trained by Darth Vader, and then redeemed by Ahsoka and Luke.

"All set, hang on." June said as she lifted the Rogue Shadow up and took them to orbit.

"Coordinates locked, here we go." And just like that, the Rogue Shadow jumped to lightspeed. Ahsoka took a deep breath as Hera lingered on her mind. Kneeling down beside Rechal, the Jedi master began meditating.

She considered asking Galen to join them, but he was locked in conversation with Juno, and Ahsoka decided not to disturb them. Once in meditation, Ahsoka lost track of time, freeing herself from the distractions and hindrances of the physical galaxy as she bonded with the living Force.

However, after an undetermined amount of time, she glanced back at Corphex who continued to meditate alone. With a deep breath, Ahsoka forced herself up and walked over to the Bothan, who kept his back to her.

"Corphex, I know we don't agree on everything, but we are on the same side. I'd like you to meditate with us."

Corphex opened his eyes, but only slightly.

"I never expected us to agree on everything. But what you and Skywalker have condoned in this Jedi Order will lead to its ruin, and the Dark Side's return."

Ahsoka tightened her fist as she glanced back at Galen and Juno, who now rested her head on the Jedi Knight's shoulder. As a former padawan of the old Jedi Order, Ahsoka knew well of their ban on romantic relationships and attachments, something she and certainly her former master, Anakin vehemently disagreed with. Fortunately, it was something Luke had in common with his father.

When Ahsoka met Luke, he explained it was Anakin's love for him that truly defeated the Sith. As such, he couldn't condemn it. Because of this, as founders of the new Jedi Order, Luke and Ahsoka allowed their Jedi to form romantic relationships and have attachments, so long as they remained in control of their emotions. So far, there didn't seem to be any problems, but Corphex thought differently.

Corphex was unique, as he was the oldest Jedi alive, and the last surviving Jedi of the old Order. Unlike Ahsoka and Cal, who'd only been padawans, Corphex had been a fully fledged Jedi Knight before Order 66. He was on Coruscant during the purge, but escaped and went into hiding within an ancient Jedi academy on Telos, unknown to the Empire. There he hid, alone, meditating, and studying from the academy's library for nearly two-decades before Luke and Ahsoka found him. They asked him to join the Order, but more and more, Ahsoka began to regret the decision.

Firstly, she wasn't pleased that Corphex did nothing to aid in the fight against the Empire, despite being a fully trained Jedi Knight. She supposed his hiding did keep him alive, as Darth Vader had ruthlessly killed nearly all the other Jedi survivors. However, Corphex's views were those of the old Jedi Order. He opposed Luke and Ahsoka on any changes to Jedi philosophy and dogma, espousing that the new Order had to be exactly like the old one. He also thought he should be the grandmaster, and resented that neither Luke nor Ahsoka saw fit to even name him a master. But none of this even compared to his staunch opposition to their decision on attachments.

"Corphex, I was part of the old Jedi Order too. We both know it wasn't perfect, and that-"

"You were a padawan, I am the only true Jedi left. I have done what I can to preserve our teachings, but you and Skywalker see fit to lead us down the path towards ruin. After all, our order was brought down by the fall of a single Jedi." Corphex narrowed his eyes at Ahsoka who clenched her fist tighter.

"The council failed Anakin-"

"He fell because of his attachments, his attachment to you. I always knew you two were too close, that he was incapable of distancing himself as a Jedi should. But he couldn't, when you were banished, his fall was all but sealed, and with him fell the Jedi Order and the Republic."

Ahsoka's rage vanished into sorrow and guilt. Corphex wasn't completely wrong, Anakin did fall because of his attachments, and she wasn't there to stop it. If she'd stayed, she could've stopped her master's fall to the Dark Side, she could've stopped all of it.

Ahsoka nearly came to tears before a memory flashed through her mind, not one of her own, but one gifted to her, by Luke. Ahsoka saw herself in the Emperor's throne room as the Sith Lord unleashed force lightning into a helpless Luke. The Jedi Knight cried out in agony, pleading for his father to help him, and he did. Anakin seized the Emperor, enduring the full might of his Force lightning before hurling the Sith Lord down a shaft to his death. Ahsoka wiped away a tear from her eye and looked back at Corphex.

"You know nothing about Anakin Skywalker." At that, the Togruta went back to Rechal, and Galen, who now joined them.

"Still no luck convincing the old relic?" Rechal asked as Ahsoka sighed.

"He's set in his ways. I understand to an extent, he was raised on those principles and spent years secluded with them."

"Yet he cannot live in the moment, as taught by Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn, the wise." Galen said.

"I'm guessing in all those years he never read the works of Jedi Master Jolee Bindo. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled. But passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love is necessary. Love itself will save you, not condemn you." Rechal added.

Ahsoka finally smiled again and nodded.

"Did you find that one, or Jaesa?"

"We both did." The miraluka said, joining her grin. Jaesa, being one of Rechal's students. A young woman his age, who he'd become quite close with.

"I cannot see why he believes himself an expert on the Dark Side? Rechal, myself, and the others were fully fledged Dark Jedi before you and master Luke saved us. We know it more than he ever will." Galen added.

"Just leave him be. We need to focus on our mission." The two young Jedi knights nodded before resuming their meditation.

Unknown to them, Corphex glanced back at all three Jedi. He looked at them now with resentment or judgement, but sorrow. Despite his best efforts, the Jedi began to suffer flashbacks to Order 66. The 501st Clone troopers and purge troopers sweeping into the Jedi Temple, slaughtering everyone inside, from the oldest masters to the youngest children. At their head, was a man garbed in Jedi robes, with a blue lightsaber, but eyes yellow, corrupted by the Dark Side.

A young Corphex trembled as he held his lightsaber out at Darth Vader only to be broken down by three blows and hurled backward. Vader didn't speak, yet his eyes and Dark Side aura filled Corphex with more fear than any words imaginable. He closed his eyes, only to hear the sound of lightsaber meeting lightsaber.

Finally looking up, Corphex saw Master Shaak Ti standing over him, lightsaber in hand.

"Corphex, flee." She said calmly while holding Vader back.

"But, master-"

"Go!"

Somehow finding the strength to stand, Corphex got up and fled, looking back just in time to see Vader slash the Jedi Councilwoman from shoulder to hip.

Tears filled the bothan's eyes while staring at Ahsoka and the others.

"There is no emotion, there is peace." He said to himself, resuming his meditation.

"Get ready, we're here." Juno said, waking the Jedi from their trances.

Galen got up and into the seat beside her while the others stood behind them. All four Jedi sensed it, they were coming into a combat zone. Within moments, the Shadow exited hyperspace before Atollon and a fierce space battle.

Two heavily modified MC-80 Mon Calamari cruisers with similarly altered frigates and corvettes battled a single MC-75 with eight or so heavy-corvettes.

"Looks like someone got here first." Juno said as they watched the engagement carefully.

"That MC-75 is hailing us. Putting them through."

Ahsoka saw a scrawny looking human man in a New Republic Navy Officer's uniform appear.

"Unidentified ship this is Captain Chazzar of Phoenix Squadron, you've just entered a combat zone, identify yourself."

"Captain, this is Master Ahsoka Tano of the Jedi Order. We're here looking for Admiral Hera Syndulla." The man nodded in relief.

"Welcome, Master Jedi. We've also been searching for the Admiral. We found a lead that brought us here, but these Routiers were waiting."

"Have you found the Admiral?"

"Not yet. We sent a ground task force to the planet, but they immediately came under attack by Routiers on the surface and are now pinned down. We tried to call for reinforcements but they're jamming all long-range communications."

Ahsoka turned to Juno who smiled while nodding.

"No need to worry, Captain. We didn't come alone."

Moments later, a MK-II Imperial Star Destroyer painted entirely black and blue emerged from hyperspace.

"This is General Fives of the New Republic Star Destroyer Domino and 501st Legion. All Routiers will stand down immediately. This is your only warning." Fives said over the comm-channel.

In response half of the Routier fleet broke off and came right for the Star Destroyer, A and B-wings leading the way.

"Deploy fighters!" It wasn't X-Wings or any other New Republic craft that came from the Domino but TIE Defenders. A gift Palpatine left with the clones on Ilum, among other hardware. The Clone pilots in their advanced craft made short work of the Routier vanguard, destroying or scattering the approaching fighters/bombers while the Star Destroyer opened up its massive turbo lasers upon the larger ships.

"Strap yourselves in, powering up our guns." Juno said.

"No, they can handle this. I can sense the Dark Side's power growing on Atollon itself. We need to get down there." Ahsoka countered. The pilot reluctantly nodded and managed to get them past the Routier ships towards Atollon's surface. Once there, they saw the battle continue on the ground as groups of New Republic soldiers struggled to hold their ground against Routier troopers attacking them from every direction.

Ahsoka reached out with the Force, concentrating hard to find Hera's presence. The Togruta's eyes shot open.

"She's here! I can sense her presence, it's faint but alive. She's in danger, wait, I sense someone else too."

Ahsoka looked down at one of the Republic positions with a horrified expression.

"Who?" Rechal asked.

"Juno, contact them." Ahsoka said. Moments later another figure appeared before them via hologram. A mandalorian.

"Who's there? Whoever you are, we need reinforcements now, these damn Routiers are about to overrun our position!"

"Don't worry, Sabine, we're coming!" The Mandalorian removed her helmet and revealed a look of disbelief.

"Ahsoka, is that you!?"

"Yes, we came looking for Hera."

Sabine nodded.

"I tracked her here. But they were waiting for us. Ahsoka, there's someone leading these Routiers. I haven't seen them, but they're more than just bandits."

Ahsoka grimaced. The Dark Side's presence surrounding these unknown figures.

"Hold on, we're coming to help."

"And they're not coming alone." Another very welcoming voice said as it joined the comm channel.

Galen smiled when he saw a dozen or so black gunships enter the atmosphere beside them. The advanced ships opened up on the approaching Routier A-Wings alongside the Shadow, shooting them down before providing air support to the beleaguered Republic troops beneath them.

Finally, they got close enough and Juno lowered the ramp.

"Be careful." She said, mainly to Galen, who smiled back.

"I will be." All four Jedi ignited their lightsabers.

Rechal wielded a single blue lightsaber, while Galen used two green ones, and similar to Ahsoka, he held them pointed backward. Corphex ignited his blade, which glowed a deep yellow.

At that, the Jedi leaped onto the courtyard leading to the old Rebel base. All around them, dead or wounded Republic soldiers in their blue uniforms littered the ground. What remained of those still capable of fighting, hugged whatever cover they could find, and desperately returned fire on the approaching Routiers.

The Routiers themselves were a mixed bag, many still wearing their old Rebel uniforms or newer gear plundered from raids. Their skills and experience evident from how effectively they maneuvered themselves during combat. One group would provide covering fire while another squad moved in, flanking the Republic soldiers and killing them with blasters or grenades.

A neary explosion hurled two kiffar troopers back, while a human fell backward, a gaping blaster hole in her stomach. Within moments, a wookie Routier and his men raced over the position, ready to outflank the entire position. The Jedi, however, had other plans.

Galen leaped through the air, soaring almost like a bird as he did so. The wookie barely had time to react before two lightsabers sliced him into pieces. The remaining troopers jumped backward, struggling to react and fire on him, but they proved too slow. Galen masterfully deflected, or dodged their fire and then began systematically cutting the Routiers down until only three remained. With these men isolated, the Jedi thrust both hands forward and sent them flying into a nearby crashed A-wing, ending their lives.

At the same time, another wookie, this one a Republic soldier, tried to carry two wounded men from the fight only to take a shot in the leg. He howled in agony, falling to one knee and bracing himself for the next blast. However, it didn't come. Rechal interceded, placing himself between the wookie and his foes, and deflected the incoming blasts, managing to down a pair of Routiers with their own fire.

From there, he unleashed a repulse of telekinetic Force energy, sending all nearby adversaries backward, and then leaped forward, cutting through their ranks with just as much efficiency as Galen.

Ahsoka rushed across the position, trying desperately to find Sabine, helping the wary soldiers wherever she could. Her eyes widened as an explosion nearly turned two men to dust in front of her. A large T2-B tank hovering closer, its quad-turret now aimed at another squad.

The Jedi Master reached out, but soon found her help unnecessary. Corphex lifted up two nearby boulders and slammed them into the T2-B, crushing it. Moving fast, the Jedi Knight put himself before the opening and held back the next wave of incoming Routiers.

"Go!" He cried. The togruta smiled and nodded, continuing her search until finally spotting Sabine. The mandalorian stood over six wounded soldiers, a blaster in each hand as she desperately tried to hold off her enemies, even as blaster bolts struck her beskar armor.

One bolt managed to hit a gap in the plates between Sabine's shoulder blades, sending her to the ground in pain.

"Ahhh!" She groaned, holding her shoulder.

A pair of Routiers sprinted to her position, ready to finish the Mandalorian off, but didn't get the chance. Ahsoka hurled both lightsabers through the air, slicing the troopers in half. Once her sabers returned, the Jedi Master hurled back the approaching Routiers with a Force wave and began cutting them down.

The Jedis' intervention saved Sabine and her men, but the battle was still rapidly deteriorating, at least until the gunships touched down.

Ahsoka watched a blue beam slice several Routiers in-half, followed by a barrage of blaster fire.

"Go go go!" All around them 501st Clone troopers still in their purge trooper armor but with the red sections replaced by blue, deployed from the gunships and rapidly pushed back the Routiers.

The Clones proved far superior to their Routier adversaries, gunning them down with exceptional effectiveness. However, their equipment certainly helped too. Ahsoka couldn't help but chuckle as she saw MK-III Dark troopers and AT-STs all recovered from Ilum, land among the Clones and provide support.

"Ahsoka." Sabine groaned. The Jedi Master knelt down and helped Sabine to her feet.

"Are you ok?"

"I'll live. Thanks."

"Don't thank me." Ahsoka emphasized the clones as well as a black AT-AT they just landed.

"Hmp, never thought I'd be glad to see one of those." Sabine chuckled.

"Keep up the pressure!" Both women turned towards the familiar voice and saw Fives with another Clone officer rushing forward, two pistols in hand and a squad behind him. He looked physically different from the other clones, a bit bigger, but no less deadly. The Clone officer gunned down several Routiers before spotting them.

"Well, looks like we arrived just in time." He removed his helmet to reveal an aged face, worn by time and countless battles.

"Captain Rex." Ahsoka said with a smile.

"Master Tano." He said, returning the sentiment until he saw Sabine's wound.

"Kix, over here." Another Clone trooper approached, removing his helmet like Rex. He wasn't quite as young as the other clones, but neither was he as old as Rex. Kix had also apparently gone missing before the Clone Wars ended, getting himself frozen in carbonite. Rex found him a year earlier and both ended up joining Five's 501st Legion.

"Hold still, this won't hurt." Kix said as he injected Sabine with some bacta.

"Ahh, much appreciated."

"We hear Hera might be here." Rex said cautiously. Ahsoka and Sabine's expressions hardened.

"She is, I know it."

Rex nodded, turning to Fives."

"Go, we can handle things from here."

"Thanks, fives." Ahsoka said.

Rex and Kix joined Ahsoka, Sabine, and the other Jedi as they made their way towards the nearby canyon. They encountered a few scattered groups of Routiers along the way, but nothing they couldn't handle. Upon reaching a cliffside, Rex looked out at the battle and his brothers as they swept over the bandits.

Ahsoka placed a hand on his shoulder with a tender expression.

"Are you doing ok, Rex." The Captain wiped away a few tears.

"I am. This is what the Clone Army was supposed to be."

"This is what the Republic was supposed to be." Ahsoka added.

Corphex, however, refused to look at Rex, or any of the clones for that matter. His mind still lingering on memories of Order 66. Kix noticed the Bothan's less than friendly demeanor since they arrived.

"Is he ok?" Kix asked Rechal.

"He's a survivor of Order 66." The miraluka said in a calm, but gentle tone, all considering. Kix felt his stomach harden and face contort behind his helmet.

"Oh. Well, technically we didn't take part in Order 66. I was frozen, Fives and the rest of the current 501st were on Ilum, and Ahsoka removed Rex's inhibitor chip before he could kill her. Maybe if we-" Kix started before Rechal gave him a firm headshake.

"Now isn't the time."

"Right." Kix sighed.

The party continued until Ahsoka stopped them, her hand raised as she peered out at the canyon. After a moment, she saw them, six figures moving across the canyon floor, five garbed in hooded robes, and one dragged by the others.

Rex took out his electrobinoculars and got a better look.

"It's Hera!" Ahsoka's heartbeat spiked and she tried to remain calm. Especially when she reached out to the hooded figures. The Dark Side surrounded them in a way that she could only describe as unnatural.

"Who are they?" Galen asked, warily. He and the other Jedi also sensing the disturbance.

"I don't know, but they have Hera."

"They're not alone, either. I'm spotting several snipers hidden among the coral." Rex said. Ahsoka nodded.

"You, Sabine, and Kix take care of the snipers. We'll get Hera."

"Alright, but be careful." The Jedi entered the canyon and began tailing Hera's captors, who'd now stopped at the entrance to a pass. The Force's presence feeling incredibly strong, but also balanced.

"You, you will never find him. He's dead!" Hera panted defiantly. The twi'lek's body terribly bruised and bloodied. Despite her words, the lead figure continued to stare at the pass.

"There is no death, only the Force. Which means he remains." The figure's voice sent a shiver down Ahsoka's spine. The Dark Side lowering artificially lowering its tone. However, the voice and the figure itself felt strangely familiar to Ahsoka, but not in a good way. She almost felt her skin scrawl upon reaching out to try and get a better understanding of the assailant.

"The pretenders are here. Destroy them, I will complete the mission." Four of the hooded figures turned to face the Jedi, dropping their robes.

Each was a different alien species and wore an orangish tunic with a brown vest and cloth covering over their mouth. The Dark Side seethed through them, but not like it did with Vader or his Dark Jedi. Their connection to the Force seemed almost artificial, for lack of a better term. It unnerved the Jedi, Corphex in particular.

"Come, face the power of true Jedi." The twi'lek among them said as he pulled out a pike and ignited the end, revealing it as an orange lightsaber. The Mon Calamari, A quash, and Duros follow suit, revealing two short orange sabers, a lightsaber whip, and a double-bladed saber similar to those used by inquisitors.

The Jedi ignited their lightsabers in response and stood ready while Hera collapsed to the ground. The assailants moved first, coming in without coordination, and each going after a single Jedi.

Ahsoka caught the duros's spinning lightsaber, parrying both ends as she carefully observed his fighting style. Every few moments, the alien would reach out and project a rock or piece of coral at Ahsoka, only for the Jedi Master to dodge, deflect, or cut them apart. Her opponent had skill, but not the skill of a Dark Force user. His style of fighting seemed oddly enough, closer to that of a Jedi, but fueled by the Dark Side of the Force.

Ahsoka still remembered her duel with Darth Vader on Malacor, one she barely escaped alive. Anakin's fighting style shifted dramatically upon becoming a Sith Lord, it had similar elements to those of a Jedi, but the Sith's teachings were fundamentally different. Even Inquisitors and Dark Jedi altered their methods from traditional Jedi styles, but this was a Jedi style, the kind used by the old order, only with the Dark Side as its source.

It felt every bit as unnatural as the aliens' connection to the Force itself, and it unnerved her. Despite this, Ahsoka remained focused on her mission. As much as she wanted to take the assailants prisoner, Hera was her objective. Channeling the Force, Ahsoka blasted the duros off his feet and charged forward. The alien leaped up, only to endure a barrage of successive lightsaber blows from Ahsoka, before finally gasping as the Jedi's offhand blade found its mark.

Simultaneously, Corphex intentionally wrapped the aquash's whip around his lightsaber and with the Force backing him, pulled it from the alien's wrist before projecting two boulders into him, ending the alien's life.

Rechal and Galen found similar success, both Jedi Knights overcoming their opponents with a combination of superior lightsaber skills and Force abilities.

"Hera!" Ahsoka sprinted to the twi'lek's side as she lay on the canyon floor.

"Hera." She reached down and lifted her up a bit, the Admiral's eyes slowly opening.

"Ahsoka." She muttered.

"Hera!" Sabine's voice finally reached them as she raced over with Rex and Kix.

"I've got her." Kix said, kneeling down and injecting Hera with bacta.

"Ahsoka, their leader, he, he-"

She looked back at the pass and nodded.

"Come on!" Ahsoka waved the Jedi forward only for blaster fire to rain down upon them.

More Routiers came from the hills, opening up with everything they had. Galen and Rechal threw themselves in front of Hera, quickly deflecting the incoming bolts.

"Go, we've got them!" Galen cried. At that, Ahsoka and Corphex rushed into the pass, only to freeze in place. The two Jedi felt sick, both feeling a horrific sensation as the Force around them seemed to go still, and vanish.

"What, what has happened?" Corphex muttered, sounding ready to vomit.

Ahsoka tried to speak, but no words came out. Somehow, she and Corphex forced themselves forward until they saw it. A colossal creature unlike anything they'd ever seen before, lay dead before them. The beast had an almost simeon-like head with a vast orange beard and rocky shell.

Standing in front of it, the hooded figure, a scepter in his hand. The weapon swirled with an overwhelming Dark Side aura, but also a bursting power of the Force itself.

"I see you killed my Jedi. Ashamed, no matter, they can be replaced."

"Stay where you are!" Ahsoka ordered the assailant, raising her lightsabers.

The figure remained still.

"My master will be pleased when I inform him you're dead. The Jedi pretenders must be purged for the true Order to rise."

"Speak sense! The only Jedi pretenders here are you and your companions!" Corphex growled.

The figure turned, his hood still raised.

"I will show you the power of a real Jedi." Raising his open hand, he revealed a lightsaber which ignited and glowed a deep orange. The assailant leaped through the air and slammed into the ground between them, sending a wave of telekinetic Force power out that knocked both Jedi off their feet.

Ahsoka grunted upon feeling the power behind it. Leaping back up, she barely held back the figure's lightsaber as he charged into her. The Jedi Master soon found herself on the defensive as his saber and scepter came in ruthless succession. Unlike the aliens, this figure's connection to the Force didn't feel unnatural, but the Dark Side still surrounded him, and the chilling sense of familiarity.

Corphex projected two rocks at the assailant, only for him to blast them back. The Bothan leaped off his own boulders and came down, lightsaber raised. Ashoka readied herself to strike with him, but the assailant blasted her back with the Force, and freed himself to focus entirely on Corphex.

Ahsoka rose to her feet and watched as Corphex struggled to hold back the assailant's assault, barely keeping himself standing.

Ahsoka readied herself to join in, when the assailant aimed his scepter at the Jedi Master. Sensing the danger, she leaped away with moments to spare, as a beam of concentrated Force energy flew from the scepter and collided with a formation of coral behind Ahsoka, blowing it to pieces.

Corphex made one final attempt at his foe, but to no avail. The assailant parried his blow and then slashed low.

"No!" Ahsoka cried. Corphex wobbled for a moment, holding his stomach.

"Ahhhh." The bothan reached out towards Ahsoka, his eyes filled with regret, and then collapsed.

Suppressing her rage, Ahsoka called upon the Force, and with both hands, blasted the figure with a pulse of Force power. The assailant braced himself, and remained firmly in place, though his cloak did not. Sabine had rushed over in time to see the blast and raised her pistols, only to go limp. Her mouth hung open and instantly went dry, Ahsoka trembling with a similar sentiment.

A young man stood before them. His skin copper, eyes a yellowish blue, and black hair, cut in a sleek buzzcut.

"E-, Ezra." Ahsoka muttered, struggling to speak.

Erza narrowed his eyes as he started at Ahsoka, and then Sabine.

Before the women could speak another words, a familiar starship flew over them and opened its ramp. A small astromech droid resting there as it beckoned Ezra to flee.

"The true Jedi order will rise, and we will purge the Galaxy of all threats." Ezra gripped his scepter tightly and leaped up onto the ships ramp before disappearing inside.

"Ezra!" Sabine cried, reaching out for him as the ship fled.

Ahsoka struggled to remain standing, unable to comprehend what she just saw.

Inside the Ghost Ezra set the scepter down and knelt into a meditative position. Chopper projected another hooded figure before him.

"It's done, master, the Bendu's power was absorbed."

"Well done, you have become a true Jedi, my disciple. An example for the others to follow."

Erza tightened his fist.

"Master, the pretenders were there. Ahsoka Tano among them. I killed one, but lost my students."

"Interesting. No matter, they can be replaced."

"Master, my identity was revealed."

The figure went silent for a moment.

"It was inevitable. We will reveal ourselves to the pretenders soon enough. Those who see the light, will join us. Those who do not, will perish."

Ezra bowed his head.

"For the true Jedi."

"For the true Jedi."


Author's note

Thus we get a glimpse of Luke's Jedi Order,

Yes Ezra lives, but who is his master?

So until next time,

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