The Force's Shepherds

by TheBobcat18

Obi Wan thought he was dead. The Empire had found him and baby Luke as they sped away from Polis Massa. Yet here he is now, alive, breathing, and force knows where. Desperate to find the baby boy, he finds help in some of the unlikeliest of people. All the while, a calamity brews on this strange planet that he now calls home.

70. Peace is Strange to a Man of War

The Force's Shepherds

Chapter 70

Peace is Strange to a Man of War

Ben enjoyed mornings in Ylisstol. They were cool. A little damp. Heavy droplets of dew stuck to the ground whenever he stepped out into the dawn. The land slow to warm as an orange sunrise painted the dark purple sky. It's rays slowly beat away the twinkling stars from the previous evening.

Songbirds awoke around this time. Their various songs filled the air like a quiet choir. Soothing and peaceful. For Ben, it felt like the perfect environment to sit down and meditate.

Except this time, he did not meditate. Instead, he found himself sitting at a small picnic table out in the training yard. The fingers on one hand picked at a hangnail on the other. An absent minded action. He did not feel nervous or anxious about anything. He just found himself feeling odd.

This is what peace felt like. This is what no war felt like. It felt… strange. To not having to march to another battle or lead another campaign almost felt wrong to him. War had been a part of Ben's life for almost the past half decade. In one form or another, he had always been fighting. Each battle ranged from a simple skirmish with bandits in Ylissean countryside, to massive space battles that spanned an entire planet's orbit. He had experienced it all. All of it, except for peace.

Even during the few years before the Clone War he did not know peace. That decade had been one of the most tumultuous in the history of the galaxy. Multiple uprisings that needed to be policed. Multiple crime gangs expanding their influence in bloody turf wars. The out of control eventual separatists in the Trade Federation and Techno Union sponsoring proxy wars on multiple outer rim worlds. He and Anakin had been dispatched to deal with several of them during those ten years. That had not been a peaceful time. It had been a stressful time. Filled with teaching Anakin and making sure the reckless boy did not get himself killed.

Ben did not even know peace before he and Qui Gon arrived on Naboo. True, there was a brief year or two where they were not dispatched anywhere by the Jedi Order. But that was because they had completed a very long, dangerous, extended mission on Mandalore. The Mandalorian Civil War, yet another bloody conflict Ben had partaken in.

He uttered a long sigh as the sun started to peak over the palace walls. Blessing the training yard with light and warmth.

Ben was not obligated to do anything. He did not have to march anywhere. Did not have to fight anyone. Did not have to rescue any hostages or prisoners. He had no objective to achieve.

He was completely free.

He ran a hand through his beard and hummed to himself.

Now what to do with this free time.

He honestly had no idea what to do. All of the other Shepherds had found something to fill their days during this hard earned peace.

Chrom and Sumia ruled the Halidom and raised their newborn daughter, Lucina. Lissa assisted by acting as a sort of governor to the city of Ylisse. The young Princess had actually become quite the effective politician during Ben and Robin's year of traveling. She did not have Emmeryn's sharpness in the subject. But she had been learning and growing fast.

Frederick and Cordelia continued rebuilding the Ylissean military. Ben had to marvel at the skill and discipline they instilled in the new recruits. Both were suited perfectly for their roles. And they enjoyed them immensely. Ben never heard a single complaint from either of them.

Ricken, Laurent, and Miriel threw themselves into their magical studies. With the latter even beginning to instruct students at the Mage's Academy nearby. Ben did notice Laurent acting extremely wary around both Vaike and Miriel. Especially after the pair announced that, in light of recent events, they would become a couple in order to ensure that their bun in the oven had a proper family around.

Vaike and Lon'qu became regulars in the training yard. Both aiming to outdo the other in feats of skill and strength. When they were not doing that, they assisted Frederick and Cordelia in instructing new recruits.

Gregor had mulled taking on new mercenary contracts. But Frederick actually hired the old mercenary to help Kellam instruct new foot soldiers. A task the former mercenary was happy to take on.

Nowi was… Nowi. The playful Manakete found joy and entertainment in even the smallest of things. Often she was found observing the other Shepherds and cheering them on while they trained.

Sully had her duties to the military. Same as Stahl. Except Sully had become a captain in Frederick's cavalry. Stahl had been knighted and given the job of rebuilding Themis' cavalry.

Virion had decided to journey to Themis with the Feroxi Ambassador, Olivia, as well as Duchess Maribelle and Dooku. The group anxious to see to the final rebuild of Themis after it had been sacked during the last war. The archer made sure to extend an open invitation to both Ben and Robin if they ever wanted to pay a visit. His door would be open if Lady Maribelle deemed them unworthy of staying in the palace. A thought that made Maribelle sniffed at and reply; "It would be most rude to deny friends a place to stay. They would be most welcome, as long as they remembered their manners."

Donnel had decided to go with Dooku to Themis. The reasoning behind that decision became apparent to Ben when Dooku reminded the Jedi that it was wiser to focus on one student at a time. He had already dedicated tremendous amounts of time and energy to Robin. That would rob Donnel of proper instruction. Dooku felt it imperative to shape the boy into a fine swordsman. If for no other reason than to give the old man something to do beyond politicking in Themis.

Panne and Gaius were the odd ones out. Both seemed to enjoy the chance to kick back and do nothing. Gaius had even started assisting Anna when it came to her shop. But that was only an occasional activity for him.

Anna's shop meanwhile, was a temporary little tent she had set up in the Ylisstol markets. The red haired merchant still debated whether or not to plant permanent roots in the city, or to return to her caravan ways.

Marth had been very reclusive. He had trouble approaching the girl. She seemed to be falling deeper into loneliness. What puzzled Ben the most was that she was doing it on purpose. She avoided contact with everyone willingly. And she rarely spoke up in the barracks. A few quiet hellos and that was it. He knew she was struggling regarding her feelings towards Kage. Whatever history the pair possessed had been effectively destroyed during the past year. Ben also suspected she worried for Cynthia, her sister, more than she let on.

As he thought about this, the door to the barracks opened and closed. Robin stepped out into the morning air. As always, the second person awake. Well, technically the third now that they were back home and around Frederick. Ben could not even pull himself out of bed earlier than the dedicated Knight-Commander.

"Good morning." Robin chirped as he took a seat across from Ben.

Ben smiled back at him. His fingers tapped endlessly on the picnic table. Robin cocked an eyebrow.

"You look anxious."

Ben chuckled, "I'm not anxious. Peacetime is just… nerve wracking somehow."

Robin frowned, "How so?"

Ben uttered a small sigh, "Well, I've been fighting in various wars and conflicts for years now Robin. Peace is a rather foreign feeling, unfortunately."

Robin nodded, "I can understand that." He hummed to himself as his leg bounced up and down, "You need a hobby."

Ben chuckled, "A hobby?"

"Yeah, something to focus on. Vaike and Lon'qu train. Frederick, Cordelia, and Sully work with the military. Gregor teaches. Miriel, Ricken, and Laurent all study magic. Hell, even Tharja has a hobby… I think? I have no clue what she does in that little room she has up at the Academy."

"She's probably up to no good. That's what." Ben said with a happy little chuckle, "I bet she is giving the headmaster fits still."

"Likely." Robin remarked with a small bob to his head, "She never did get along with people very well. You and I are rare exceptions. And you are an even rarer exception."

Ben chuckled, "I don't think romance is a hobby, Robin."

"Don't tell Virion that." Robin said with a laugh.

Ben joined him in laughter. The archer had continued his womanizing ways upon their return. His latest pursuit being the Feroxi Ambassador, Olivia.

"So, a hobby for you." Robin pressed his lips together and tapped on the table, "Do you like painting?"

Ben arched an eyebrow, "Never really did much of that."

"Writing?"

Ben shook his head, "Not much of a writer personally."

"Damn." Robin muttered, "Well, you had an apprentice before. What did you guys do for fun?"

Robin was unable to catch himself before the question slipped out. He could see a brief flash of sadness cross Ben's features.

"Oh… I'm sorry, Ben. It slipped out. I did not-"

"You're fine, Robin." Ben breathed with a small chuckled, "I suppose, the more I talk about Anakin the easier it will be for me to move on from what happened." Ben hummed to himself, "As for hobbies, we trained often. I had to teach him after all. That and bicker. We often bickered."

Robin laughed, "Really? So you had a willful apprentice huh?"

"Oh you have no idea." Ben sighed, "You are actually a nice little change of pace."

Robin blinked, "Me? Do-do you consider me an apprentice of yours?"

Ben pursed his lips, "Honestly, I'm not so sure yet. I'm not sure if I am ready to teach anyone again. I mean, you are my student when it comes to blade work. That is rather fun to teach. But for the force?" Ben sighed, "I mean no offense Robin-"

"None taken. I understand." Robin replied, "You only wanted to give me the basics. Which you pretty much have."

"And you have used them quite well." Ben chuckled, "I've never seen Virion look so flustered during a chess match."

Robin began to laugh hard, "Yeah. Now that I can use the Force, I can effectively say, you have been cheating Ben Kenobi."

"Then so have you." Ben grinned.

Robin shrugged, "I prefer the term, utilizing all of my resources to my advantage."

"Okay, Gaius. Whatever helps you feel less guilty." Ben teased.

Robin chuckled with him, "Fair enough." Robin ran a finger along the grain of the wooden table, "Um… Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"I have a bit of a confession to make."

Ben narrowed his eyes at Robin. A playful smirk crossed Ben's features.

"You're going to have fight Tharja."

A flustered expression rushed over Robin's face, "Wha-what? No. No! Not that!"

Ben started laughing hard as Robin stumbled over his words. Robin uttered a long sigh and let his head fall into his right hand. He rubbed his forehead as Ben's laughter finally started to die away.

"I could not help myself." Ben admitted as he continued chuckling.

"I walked right into it." Robin remarked, "Should have seen it coming."

Ben nodded and grinned, "Alright, in all seriousness Robin, what do you need to get off of your chest?"

Robin uttered a long sigh, "Back in Valm, when we were in Yen'fay's camp, I overheard you talking to Dooku."

Ben's smirk ran away from his face, "You eavesdropped?"

Robin cringed, "Maybe a little bit."

The two men sat quiet for a moment. Robin gulped and uttered an uneasy sigh.

"So… who's this Sidious guy I heard you and Dooku talking about?"

Ben's heart stopped beating in his chest. Robin really had heard his conversation with Dooku. He figured the tactician had heard only snippets. Maybe a harsh word or two between the two men. He figured Robin would ask if Dooku was even a friend. Similar to what Tharja had done a few days ago.

He did not expect Robin to put him on the spot like this though.

Ben gulped, "Sidious is… a very dangerous enemy."

"How dangerous?"

Ben had to choose his words very carefully. Again, he did not want to divulge the rest of the galaxy to these people. It would upset the natural order of things on this world. And it might even put his own standing among the Shepherds in peril. He wondered how well they would all take it if he revealed he was an intergalactic fugitive. That there was an Empire spanning the entire galaxy with technology powerful enough to overcome the planet in days. If Ben had to suspect, it would send this world into a panic. He could not take that risk. Not with the current peace in Archanea still so fragile.

"Sidious is the Dark Lord of the Sith." Ben said carefully.

"Dark Lord?" Robin frowned, "What does that mean exactly?"

"Maul was just a Sith. Dooku-" Ben paused, "Dooku was once a sith."

"What!?" Robin cried. His mind raced for a minute, "That… that would explain why he said he knows so much about the dark side of the force. That seems to be the Sith's domain huh?"

Ben nodded, "Correct."

Robin frowned, "Neither were considered Dark Lords though?"

"They may have deemed themselves that. But the real power rested with Sidious." Ben explained, "Sidious was their master. He first taught Maul. When I defeated Maul the first time, he abandoned Maul and took on Dooku as his next apprentice. When-"

Ben paused. He could not say Dooku was supposed to be dead. He trusted very few with that information. Kage already knew, obviously. He had to battle Dooku throughout Valm. And Tharja knew because she had earned Ben's complete trust. While Robin was a close friend, Ben was not sure what to do when it came to him.

"When Dooku was defeated by Anakin, Sidious cast him aside as well. He then targeted Anakin and managed to twist him into a new apprentice." Ben explained.

Robin's eyes widened, "He sounds like a puppet master."

Ben nodded, "Exactly. Sidious rarely showed his face to the Jedi. His true face that is. Although, all of us knew who he was."

Robin furrowed his brow in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Sidious is his true name. His disguise was Palpatine, an 'ally' to the Jedi Order."

Robin sucked in a sharp breath, "A wolf among sheep."

Ben nodded, "Yes. That is one way to put it. And once he had all his pieces in place, he and Anakin turned on the Jedi and wiped us out."

Robin gulped, "Is he still out there?"

"Sidious?" Ben replied. He gave Robin a small nod, "He is. Though I don't know where."

He knew exactly where. Sidious would be at his throne of power on the world of Coruscant. Organizing his new empire most likely. But Robin did not need to know that.

"Robin," Ben breathed, "I would appreciate it if you kept this conversation between the two of us."

Robin gave Ben a puzzled look, "Why? If Sidious is such an immense threat that both you and Dooku are worried about him, then we should go to Chrom and figure out a plan. A way to combat him."

"There is no combating Sidious." Ben replied calmly, "He is too powerful."

"How do you know that?"

"Because not even Grandmaster Yoda could best him." Ben shot back, "And Yoda was the greatest of us. The most powerful Jedi in existence. And he lost to Sidious. That is how powerful that Dark Lord is. If we fought against him, we would only delay the inevitable." Ben sighed, "In this instance, right now it is best to be patient."

"And wait for Luke to grow up and take him on?"

Ben froze, "You-you heard that bit too?"

Robin nodded, "Yeah. He's going to be that powerful?"

Ben took a deep breath, "We can only hope."

Robin leaned against the table and stared hard at Ben, "I get it you know."

Ben arched an eyebrow, "Get what?"

"Why you are so hesitant to train me. I get it." Robin exhaled, "Anakin's death is still fresh on your mind. So is his betrayal. I can see why you wouldn't want to train anyone else."

"It's not just that Robin its-" Ben paused as he tried to gather his thoughts, "It's that you remind me so much of Anakin. Before he fell." Robin's eyes widened, "You are incredibly loyal to those you care about. A cunning warrior and tactician." Ben snorted a little bit, "A damn good friend." Ben lowered his gaze, "At the same time though, you are very different from him. You are not as reckless. And you… you open yourself to others. Anakin did not really do that." Ben's eyes saddened a little bit, "I don't really know why he fell. But when he did fall, there were so many secrets he held. Secrets that I had suspicions of but I never thought would actually be true."

"Like him having a family?" Robin asked, "Since having attachments in supposedly against the Jedi Code."

Ben grimaced, "Yeah. That rule is certainly suspect at the moment."

Considering the feelings I hold for Tharja. Very suspect at the moment.

"I-I'm not sure if I am the best teacher for someone like you." Ben admitted, "I've already failed once. I'm not sure if I want to open up a chance for failure again."

Robin sat silent for a minute.

"Well, I think you're a great teacher." Robin replied, "I mean, look how far I've come with a blade. Or Donnel even." Robin leaned forward in his seat, "Ben, please teach me. I won't fail you. I won't fail anyone else. I won't fall like Anakin did. I won't let myself reach that point."

Ben pressed his lips into a thin line.

"You are so alike and so different at the same time." He muttered under his breath.

Anakin had always been the kind of person to follow the philosophy: the ends justify the means. He fought aggressive in battle. Cared deeply. And did everything in his power to protect those he loved. Even going so far as to fall to the dark side to do so. Which led to his own downfall. While Robin did exhibit some of those traits, he also held a cautiousness to him that gave Ben some encouragement. Robin did not seek power like Anakin did. He sought knowledge. He sought to understand. Not to become stronger, but to become wiser. There was the difference between the two.

"I'll think about it." Ben finally said, to Robin's excitement, "But Robin, before you start worrying about failing others, do not fail yourself. Anakin's first failure was that he failed himself. He failed his own moral code when he fell. He lost who he was. Do not do the same thing."

Robin nodded, "I won't." The tactician rested his elbows on the table, "So, that's potential hobby number one."

Ben blinked then started chuckling, "Training you? More like an exercise in patience than a hobby."

"You said so yourself, I'm not that bad!" Robin cried.

Ben laughed and waved him off, "I'll find a hobby eventually. For now I just need to get used to peace." Ben sighed, "It just feels so strange."

"Alright, but part of getting used to peace is getting out of this palace and doing stuff." Robin smirked. He snapped his fingers, "I know!"

"What?"

"You and Tharja can go do something."

Ben started coughing hard, "W-what?"

"Yeah. You know, an actual date." He noticed a slight reddish tint to Ben's cheeks, "Oh don't tell me you've never been on a date."

"You know, most of my relationships have blossomed under life or death circumstances." Ben admitted sheepishly, "There was never really time for an actual date. Plus there was the Jedi code and all."

"And you just tossed that bad rule out the window a few nights ago. We all saw."

"Unfortunately." Ben muttered with a hint of shyness.

Robin chuckled and gave Ben's shoulder a playful punch, "C'mon. Hey look, I'll go with you to the Academy if it helps. I'll be your moral support."

"The amnesiac as my moral support?" Ben chuckled, "Somehow my prospects have dropped."

"Oh, very funny, mad swordsman." Robin shot back, "So?"

"So?"

"What are you and Tharja going to do?"

Ben sighed and sank in his seat a little bit, "I don't know. What is there to do?"

"Go out for food and a drink?" Robin suggested.

Ben arched an eyebrow, "She nearly hexed me the last time she got drunk."

Robin cringed, "Er… good point."

"Not off to a great start there, moral support man."

Robin grit his teeth, "Now you're just poking fun."

"Oh of course I am." Ben smirked, "It is one of my many memorable qualities."

As they spoke, Anna came strolling in through the main gate. Both Shepherds glanced over at the merchant and gave her a wave.

"Good morning, Anna." Ben nodded.

"Hey, Anna!" Robin said.

"Morning boys." Anna stopped beside their table, "What are you two doing up so early?"

Robin and Ben glanced at each other.

"We're always up this early." Robin shrugged while Ben nodded in agreement, "What about you? Profits down so you gotta open up shop earlier?"

Anna uttered a hearty laugh, "Nope! Profits are through the roof. Not only is business booming for me in the market square, but people are calling me the Red Beret Seller instead of the Secret Seller now. I have effectively distanced myself from my main competitors."

Ben arched an eyebrow, "But wasn't the whole point of the Secret Seller to-"

"Anyways," Anna interrupted, "I am actually here to make sure I have permission to set up my shop in the fairgrounds outside the city walls today."

Ben gave her a puzzled look, "Fairgrounds?"

Robin looked just as confused, "Why would you leave the main square for the day?"

Anna gave them both a stunned look, "You don't know?" She reached into her pocket and withdrew a flyer, "A carnival is coming to town. They arrived just an hour ago and are already setting up. And do you know what that means?"

Robin and Ben gave each other confused glances.

"What does it mean?" Robin asked.

"It means tourists." Anna rolled up the flyer in her hands, "And a lot of them. This thing has been advertised for weeks. How could you both not know about it?"

"We don't get out much?" Robin admitted.

"Well that better change. Both of you should be there tonight. I know the other Shepherds will be." Anna smiled and waved as she walked towards the palace doors, "Stop by the shop if you both go."

"We will." Robin called back to her.

Once Anna disappeared into the palace, Robin gave Ben a wide grin.

"No more excuses, Ben Kenobi." He said with a triumphant grin.

Ben hung his head, "You have me cornered, master tactician. Whatever will I do? Enjoy myself with a beautiful woman? I see that as a fairly decent term of surrender."

Robin chuckled as Ben rose to his feet, "And I will cheer you on from the sideline my friend." He glanced up at the sun and jumped, "Oh crap! I forgot. Frederick needed me for something this morning." Robin scrambled from his seat and raced towards the Palace gate, "I'll catch you tonight Ben."

"Alright." Ben chuckled as he stood beside the table for a moment.

A carnival? Why would there be a carnival coming to town today? He rubbed his chin. Now that he thought about, he had never been to a carnival. Ben furrowed his brow further as he slowly strolled towards the Academy.

What even is a carnival?

---

Chrom let out a weary sigh as he walked through the brightly illuminated halls of the Magic Academy. Various groups of students all passed by him. Some of them too busy to even notice he was there. They had classes to attend after all. Some gave him a respectful bow. After all, not only was he the ruler of Ylisse, but he also walked beside the Headmaster of the Academy. The gangly old man named Byran.

The old mage had been at the academy for decades now. His mind filled with untold amounts of knowledge and wisdom. He had served as headmaster of the academy during part of Chrom's father's reign, all of Emmeryn's reign, and now the beginning of his. He was a man certainly to be respected. One did not gain his status among the mages of Ylisse without undergoing serious trials and conquering them. His intellect was plain as day in almost any conversation as well. Miriel always spoke highly of him. And normally, Chrom agreed with her assessment of him.

But in this instance, Chrom found himself to be more irritated by the old man than anything else.

"I still can-cannot understand your decision, your majesty." Headmaster Byron crowed as he shuffled slowly beside Chrom. His cane tapped lightly against the floor as he hobbled along.

Chrom uttered a long sigh and allowed his eyes to flick out the massive windows that lined this corridor of the Academy. Outside he could see Ylisstol in its entirety. Even out to the fairgrounds where he could see many tents being set up for tonight.

Crap, I'm going to have to attend that. Chrom uttered a long sigh, So many different obligations. For one day, I just want to sit at home with Sumia and Lucina.

He thought he would get his chance for just that today. Frederick said he could handle any military matters. Lissa volunteered to take care of the city politics. And there were no major incidents in the Halidom. Chrom thought he would finally have time to spend with his budding family.

Then the Academy messenger arrived. And Chrom found himself here. Walking alongside Headmaster Byron as he rambled on about the lack of ethics and thought regarding the latest resident of the Academy.

"Begging your pardon, your majesty. But did you hear what I said?"

He had not heard a word. Byron had been complaining about Tharja for the past week now. He did not want a Plegian Mage anywhere near his students. Least of all someone who acted as hostile as Tharja. Chrom wanted to laugh when he first heard that description. Sure, Tharja could be disagreeable. But she was almost never openly hostile. Not unless someone earned that hostility. If anything, in the Prince's experience, the dark mage usually kept to herself. She did not like to be disturbed in her work. And the only time she ever talked to anyone was if she was searching for a guinea pig for her latest project. Of which, most were completely harmless in the end.

"Headmaster, I can assure you that Lady Tharja is of no danger to your students." Chrom droned as they neared her door.

"Hmph!" The Headmaster harrumphed, "You say that now. But I remember the days when the Grimleal were not so brazenly accepted."

Chrom frowned, "She is not a Grimleal anymore, Byron. She renounced them."

"I still hear her chanting to Grima on occasion!" Byron cried, "As do the students." He shook his head, "She is a negative influence that I cannot allow in my Academy."

Chrom could feel a headache coming on. Gods, he just wanted to take a nap right now. And he was the wrong person to mediate this situation between the Headmaster and Tharja. Chrom considered Tharja a Shepherd. Called her comrade and friend. But Tharja was still an enigma to him. The only Shepherds that really knew her traveled with her, Ben, and Robin on their yearlong quest to find Luke and Marth.

Where is Ben or Robin when I need them?

"Chrom!"

Chrom's eyes lit up when he saw Ben walking towards them from the stairwell at the opposite end of the corridor.

Thank Naga!

"Ben! Good to see you." He clasped Ben's hand then embraced him.

"You as well." Ben chuckled, "You have been busy as of late?"

"Exceedingly so. Rebuilding a nation is a lot of damn work." Chrom sighed as he rubbed his face with one hand.

Ben nodded, "Oh, I apologize," He held a friendly hand out to Byron, "You must be Headmaster Byron."

"And you must be Captain Ben Kenobi. I have heard of you." The old man said with a friendly smile. He shook Ben's hand, "I have heard many strange tales of your feats, young man. I hope one day you might be able to explain the strange magic you use to me. Perhaps even record it for future students to study."

Ben uttered a small laugh, "I am not much of a writer, unfortunately."

"A pity. Perhaps we can arrange something." Byron returned his attention to Chrom, "Your majesty, as for the matter at hand-"

"Oh… right." Chrom did his best to rest the urge to run a weary hand over his eyes, "Tharja."

"What about Tharja?" Ben asked, both curious and concerned.

"That Plegian Dark Mage is having a negative influence on my students." Byron stamped his cane into the floor near his feet, "I now have students asking if they would be allowed to speak with her. Ask her questions about dark magic. Such a preposterous notion!"

Ben arched an eyebrow, "Well, I personally don't see the harm in her speaking with other students."

"My students are here to learn magic. Not the Grimleal's perversion of the art. Such black magic is dangerous and unethical. I will not have it practiced in my halls!" Byron exclaimed, "Your majesty, I respectfully ask that you find another place for the Witch to reside."

"Witch?"

Chrom noticed a slight flash of annoyance cross Ben's face when he heard that term. Chrom cringed internally. Ben did not anger easily. When he did… he shuddered as he recalled the one time Ben lost his temper with him. He felt the power explode from his friend back them. The old man would probably have a heart attack if Ben lost his temper in front of him.

"You know." All three men froze as a fourth voice interrupted their conversation. All three sets of eyes turned to see Tharja leaning against her doorway, "I can hear all three of you."

Ben uttered a light chuckle, "Sorry about that."

Tharja gave Ben a small smile. That smile ran away when her dark gaze turned to Chrom and the Headmaster.

"You know, I did manage to rise in the Grimleal ranks. But never to the level of a witch." Tharja hummed to herself, "That title was mainly reserved for alchemists in the order. Powerful ones at that. While I'm good, I'm certainly not at the level of witch." She shrugged, "Aversa was however."

Ben eyes sparkled with an idea as the Headmaster huffed and prepared to continue to complain. He knew Tharja liked to have her space. Liked to have a private area to practice her craft. And the Academy was the perfect place for her to do so. It had the resources and literature in order for her to perfect her art. Whenever she practiced her magic, Ben never saw Tharja look more alive. She loved her art. Loved to experiment and research. She may not show it on the outside, but she greatly enjoyed being allowed to stay at the Academy. And Ben wanted to make sure her spot would not be threatened again.

"Chrom, I seem to recall that we had a great deal of trouble with the Grimleal on the battlefield." Ben said.

Chrom rubbed his chin and furrowed his brow, "We did, didn't we? They wreaked havoc both at Themis and during the siege of this city."

"Something that deeply scarred many of my older students." Byron crowed, "The mere sight of her triggers horrific flashbacks for them!"

Tharja glowered at the old man, "If I scare them that much, then they should not be mages to begin with."

"Perhaps in your old home back in that desert wasteland that was the case. But here, magic is something for all to study."

"That doesn't mean all are capable of studying it." Tharja grumbled back.

"Back to my original point," Ben quickly interjected, "I believe; and we can confirm this with Lord Edward, Frederick, and Robin; that the reason we struggled to combat the Grimleal during the war was due to a lack of knowledge regarding them."

Chrom's eyes widened as he started to understand where Ben was going with this. He gave the swordsman a devious smirk.

"That is very correct, Ben."

"And, as my personal friend," Ben felt like he was biting iron when he said that part, "Dooku… once said; you must know your opponent to defeat them. You were part of that lesson as well, right Chrom?"

"I was indeed." Chrom replied with a grin.

Byron shifted uneasily where he stood, "What are you two getting at?"

Chrom turned to Byron, "Byron, I hereby name Lady Tharja a professor of Dark Magic Studies here at the Academy."

"WHAT!?" Byron screeched.

Tharja blinked in surprise. Her gaze flicked over to Ben. She could not help but notice the mischievous smirk on his face. A quiet snicker left her lips. The Jedi Master really did have a devious side to him.

"But-but-but-" Byron shook his head, "Such a subject does not exist!"

"It does now." Chrom shrugged, "I said so."

"But you cannot-"

"I can if this pertains to matters of security for the Halidom." Chrom folded his arms, "The Grimleal retained their power in Plegia. It is likely we could see hostilities from them again in the future. Not to mention the many castaways they produce that end up in roving bandit gangs throughout the land." He turned to Tharja, "We do teach students how to combat magic here, but; based on your own analysis; how would that instruction fare against a true dark mage?"

Tharja snickered, "I could turn any of these students inside out with a snap of my fingers."

"There you have it." Chrom nodded, "The instruction when it comes to defending against dark magic is lacking. Lady Tharja, how are the materials here regarding such a subject?"

"Materials?" Tharja said.

"Books, texts, tomes, ingredients?"

Tharja hummed to herself for a moment, "Lacking. Most texts are either highly outdated or extremely biased in their depiction of the art. There is not a single dark tome to speak of in the library. Not even in the restricted section. As for ingredients, I could probably make a decent enough poison. But certainly not something as lethal as I could at the Temple."

"And all of that is in place for a purpose. To protect my students from the dangers of such magic. Magic she so cavalierly uses!" Byron protested.

"If I cavalierly used dark magic I would be a puddle of blood and guts on the ground already." Tharja narrowed her eyes dangerously at the Headmaster, "Dark magic requires intense focus and careful study. It is not for the reckless mage. A reckless mage will get themselves killed if they dabble in such magic. A mage who decides to study dark magic requires tremendous discipline, control, and responsibility. Also a very sharp mind. A lot of dark magic is mysterious by nature."

Chrom chuckled, "I cannot think of a better instructor after hearing that. We need mages in the Halidom that understand the Grimleal. That is the only way we will be able to combat them in the end. Of course, all of this is contingent on Lady Tharja accepting the role?"

Tharja thought for a split second.

"I accept." She relished the abject look of horror on Headmaster Byron's face.

The Headmaster sputtered out a few indecipherable noises before finally admitting defeat. He hung his head and gave it a small shake.

"Your father would be turning over in his grave, your majesty." Byron sighed.

Chrom bristled at the comment. If this were a year ago, he would have lashed out at the man for daring to say such a thing. Such disrespect would not have gone without a consequence. But that was Chrom one year ago. Back when he was still just a Prince. Not a ruler of an entire Halidom. He had no one else to place in the role of Headmaster at the moment. No one had the breadth of knowledge Byron possessed. As much as he did not like it, Chrom needed him to remain within the Academy's walls.

"I'll forget that comment." Chrom said, voice even. But his reply unsettled the Headmaster enough to elicit a gulp, "And my father does not rule Ylisse currently. Remember that."

A heavy sigh left Byron's lips, "Forgive me, your majesty. Old… old beliefs die hard." He tapped his cane against the tile floor, "I have several rules I would like to put in place."

"Name them." Chrom said.

"One: Only students hand selected by myself will be allowed to undergo Lady Tharja's instruction. I only want students I know are capable of handling such danger and responsibility to take the course."

"Understandable." Ben said before Tharja could say anything back.

Ben gave her a quick little nod. Tharja frowned but decided to trust Ben's judgement on this one. She liked making the Headmaster squirm. But this was Ben's realm. Negotiations. He knew what he was doing. She did not.

"Two: I will not have dark magic cast on the Academy grounds. If Lady Tharja and the students wish to engage in hands on practice, they must do so beyond these walls."

"Fair enough." Tharja shrugged, "That'll lessen the impact of a backfire."

"A what?" Chrom gulped.

"Bad things." Ben quickly said before Tharja could go in depth on the meaning of a spell backfire, "Let's just leave it at that."

"Three: Any student caught irresponsibly using dark magic, or violating any current rules of the academy will be subject to the harshest of discipline from both you and I, Lady Tharja."

"Any student misuses dark magic, and they will wish they were just receiving punishment from you." Tharja remarked.

Byron cleared his throat nervously, "I still do not like this. But I am on the losing side in this argument. So, I shall gather up a few students I believe ready for such a course. You will have a week to prepare your first lessons, Lady Tharja. I will let you know which lecture hall you may use."

Tharja gave the old man a small bow.

"You have a nice day, your majesty." Byron bowed to Chrom, "Captain Kenobi." He nodded before hobbling towards the stairs.

As he disappeared down the stairs, Ben and Chrom both busted out laughing. Chrom clutched his stomach for a moment before steadying himself on Ben's shoulder.

"I've never seen him so mad!" Chrom guffawed.

"Wonderful entertainment, for sure." Ben chuckled as he patted Chrom's shoulder.

Tharja smirked as the two men laughed hard.

"Making him squirm is very fun." She said. Tharja hummed to herself. Her face contorted into an annoyed look, "Wait, now I have to deal with urchins."

"It allows you to stay in the Academy without the Headmaster calling for you to be removed every day." Ben said reassuringly, "I'm sure teaching a few students is a fair price to pay for that. I can tell you like it here."

Tharja smiled a little bit at that, "Maybe. We will see how this goes."

"Yes we will." Chrom cleared his throat, "Now that that is done, I need to get back to the palace. It's my turn for Lucina watching."

"Have fun." Ben chuckled as Chrom brushed past him and marched towards the stairs.

"I always do." Chrom said over his shoulder. When he reached the stairs he turned around, "Are both of you going to the carnival tonight?"

"Carnival?" Tharja wondered aloud.

Ben chuckled a little bit, "Get going already. Before Sumia gets mad at you."

Chrom paled a little bit, "Yeah, that's never fun. I'll see you both tonight."

Ben gave him a wave as he rushed down the stairs.

He glanced back and forth down the corridor really fast. It had emptied out fairly quickly. Then again, it was midday right about now. Most of the students must be at their lessons.

Ben exhaled, "So, Tharja…" He turned to the dark mage and found her blushing a little bit, "Do you have any idea what a carnival is?"

Tharja blinked. Then she laughed. Not the dark snicker she normally uttered. This was a loud, belly laugh that brought a broad smile to both her and Ben's faces. She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"I take that as you asking me if I want to go tonight?" Tharja whispered.

Ben chuckled lightly, "Should I take your own question as a yes?"

Tharja hummed to herself. A small smirk on her lips, "Maybe?" She said with a light snicker, "I do have lessons to plan now. Thanks to your brilliant idea."

"Why thank you. I know it was brilliant."

"Arrogant ass." Tharja laughed haughtily as she stepped into her room. Ben followed her inside, "You know I was being sarcastic."

"Why whatever do you mean?" Ben teased back as he left the door open behind him.

Tharja beckoned for him to take a seat. Ben smiled as he sat down. This was his first time visiting Tharja at the Academy. And thankfully, Chrom made sure she was given a decent little space.

It was a single room. A twin mattress sat at the far end of the room, in the corner furthest from the door. Beside it was a small nightstand with a large candle burning on top of it. A bookshelf sat against the opposite wall of the bed. It had a few volumes on it. Most of them Tharja owned personally. Some she had borrowed from the Academy library.

And finally, her desk had two chairs in front of it. The desk sat on the third wall. Between the bookshelf and her nightstand. The desk was littered with notes and blank pages. An inkwell half full with black ink and a well used quill sat atop several blank pages. One tome lay open on the desk. Ben peaked at the pages and grimaced a little at the bloody picture on it.

"Animal sacrifices." Tharja said as she went over to her bookshelf and tapped her chin. She was looking for another text to read, "An ancient practice in basic dark magic."

"Interesting?" Ben gulped a little bit.

"Oh don't worry, Ben." Tharja chuckled, "I don't dabble in that personally. I know how to do it, of course. But I lean more towards the more practical side of the dark magic. The animal sacrifices are more of a spiritual thing. Very common among more devout members of the Grimleal. But also, rather out of favor in today's day and age." She plucked a small tome from her bookshelf, "Nevertheless, fascinating to read about."

"I'm sure." Ben said with genuine interest, "So, what is the first lesson you plan on giving your new students?" He leaned back in his seat as she took a seat across from him.

"How to Not Get Yourself Killed 101." Tharja replied with a wry smirk. She held up the very small tome, "I wrote down what I could remember of my first few lessons in the Grimleal. All of which pertained to control and focus. And not actually using any dark magic."

Ben appeared surprised, "Sounds rather similar to how we trained Jedi."

"Oh?" Tharja quickly closed her text, "Continue, please."

Ben chuckled, "Still out to get that information, aren't you?"

"Marth made a promise to me. I intend on her keeping it. And if you help her do that along the way… well, that is a nice reward." Tharja replied. She set the small tome down on her desk, "So, how did Jedi start out?"

"Young." Ben nodded, "Very young. I was barely able to walk when I first started training. And the first few lessons were all about control and focus. Not about power or doing neat tricks. It was all about tapping into the force for the first time. Learning about the force and how it flowed through us. All in very basic terms of course. We were toddlers."

Tharja smiled, "Lucky. I was just told to figure it out by my teachers."

"There were those moments as well." Ben cringed a little bit, "Some of the grumpier masters did that to us. But the basic instruction for a Jedi Youngling involved a lot of just getting used to the force. Learning what if felt like to use such a power. Learning the ramifications and consequences of that power. As well as instilling other qualities such as the Jedi code, responsibility, and discipline." Ben exhaled, "Two of which take much longer to learn than the other."

"I'd say your still trying to figure it out, Mad Swordsman Ben Kenobi." Tharja smirked at him.

"I did not ask for that nickname." Ben chuckled.

"Would you rather I call you, Benny?" Tharja teased.

Ben shivered while Tharja snickered, "Now I just pictured Gaius and I going to a carnival together and I want to get that image out of my head."

Tharja shifted closer to him and pecked his cheek, "Does that help?"

"Maybe a little bit." Ben smiled back at her before pecking her lips, "So… you never answered my first question?"

"That being?" Tharja remarked with a grin

Ben cleared his throat, "What is a carnival?"

---

The sun had nearly fallen below the horizon. Leaving the sky a gorgeous purple color. Stars winked to life high above Ben's head. And a crescent moon grinned down at the festivities below it. As night swept over Ylisstol, the fair grounds outside of the city walls came to life.

Ben smiled a little as a group of children rushed past him and Tharja as they exited the city gates and entered the crowded fairgrounds. Each child waved a pinwheel in the air as they ran. Reveling in the magic that a simple, paper, spinning wheel delivered. Their laughter practically infectious.

Most of Ylisstol were already milling about the various tents and stalls in the grassy area. All around the pair were tents. Big and small. All different manner of colors dancing in the light of torches, lamps, and small bonfires. Ben could hear different instruments being played from one tent nearby. A small band plucked stringed instruments to a growing crowd's delight.

Tharja hung onto Ben's arm as they strolled through the various tents. Ben slowly came to the conclusion that a carnival was a festival. Perhaps this was some sort of harvest festival. Ben saw so many stalls absolutely filled with different foods. He could smell meat slowly cooking on spits over large fires. The alluring aroma of fresh bread and pastries filled the air. One stall had an entire table chock full of candy and other sweets that the city children ogled over.

"This is a carnival." Tharja smiled as she walked along with Ben.

Ben and Tharja quickly stepped to the side as a performer of some sort, riding a unicycle, shot past them. Another performer approached them. His enormous legs wobbled as he walked. Tharja smirked at Ben's confusion.

"Stilts." She explained, "He's not really that tall."

"I thought so." Ben said as he gaped up at the elevated performer.

The performer waved around to the various people in the crowd, grabbed some pins from beneath his arms, and began to juggle them. Ben had to marvel at the focus and balance such a trick took. It must have taken the man months of practice to come close to perfecting.

Tharja smirked, "Wait until you see the magicians, Obi the Skywalker."

Ben's cheeks flushed a little bit, "I hope you don't expect me to perform?"

Tharja chuckled, "Not in the slightest. Tonight, you get to enjoy some peace."

Ben smiled down at her as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The night had grown a little chilly. Not unbearably so. But he did wish he had his Jedi cloak on a night like this.

"Hey! Benny! Sunshine!"

Ben and Tharja glanced to their right. Standing beside a table covered with various different goods were Panne and Gaius. Behind the table, counting out some gold coins in her palm. was Anna. Gaius shoved a cinnamon roll into his mouth as Tharja and Ben approached the table.

The table was filled with different items for sale. There were toys for children. Different balls and dolls. Then there were more adult goods. Some bottles of firewine. A few bronze and iron knives. Some of them with decorative etching and patterns placed into the metal. Anna also had a tent set up behind her table for keeping other goods that she could not fit on her small display.

The merchant smiled at a family as she finished selling them a small ball for the children to play with.

"Come on back when you all want more!" Anna smiled at them before waving at Ben and Tharja. "You stopped by the shop after all." Anna smiled as she put her hands on her hips, "The Red Beret is always happy to serve you two."

Ben chuckled, "Thank you Anna. But I don't think we will be buying anything yet."

"Pfft, yeah, right." Anna wagged a finger at Ben while Gaius chuckled to the side, "You can't lie to me, Ben Kenobi. I can see you are entertaining a special somebody right now."

Tharja blushed and lowered her head a little bit. Shadowing her eyes with her dark hair. Ben chuckled and gave her shoulder a small rub. Before he could reply, Anna rushed into her tent and came back with two things in her hands. In one hand, a fancy bottle of wine. In her other hand, a rolled up, checkerboard patterned blanket.

"A bottle of wine and a blanket for a romantic picnic before the big show!" Anna uttered several giddy giggles, "Do you have any idea how much money I'm making off of this combo right now? I'll be able to set up a permanent shop in no time at all!"

"Congratulations." Ben chuckled before glancing over at Tharja. The mage was muttering to herself under her breath as she continued to flush in mild embarrassment. Ben uttered a soft sigh and nodded to Anna, "You drive a hard bargain, Anna."

Anna started laughing, "Of course I do. Twenty gold pieces please."

Ben arched an eyebrow, "Twenty?"

"Hey this bottle of wine isn't cheap." Anna countered, "And this blanket; nice and soft. Very cozy for a chilly night like tonight. Perfect for cuddling."

Tharja's cheeks turned a deep scarlet color. Off to the side, Gaius chuckled quietly as he nudged Panne. Beckoning her to watch the show in front of them.

Ben snorted as he glanced over at Tharja, "Alright, Anna. You win."

As he dug into his pocket for some gold coins. He placed the coins into Anna's hand and plucked the bottle and blanket from Anna.

"Now you need some glasses." Anna remarked with a knowing smirk.

Ben gave Anna a stunned look, "You trickster."

"Hey!" Anna cried, "You can't blame me for making a living."

Gaius laughed and slapped an arm around Ben's shoulders.

"Hey Benny, don't worry about it." Gaius dug into a pouch along his hip and pulled out two, small wooden cups, "My treat."

Anna's eyes flashed with anger, "You damn thief!"

Gaius gulped, "And now I make my escape!"

Panne's hand snatched him by the collar, "Pay for it."

Gaius let out a long groan, "Fiiiine." He dug into that same pouch for some coins. He withdrew a pair of gold coins and slapped them on Anna's table, "There, everyone happy?"

Ben just shook his head, "Gaius, how long are you going to keep trying to sneak one past Panne?"

Gaius shrugged, "I don't know. Until I get away with it eventually."

Panne snorted, "Which he won't."

"Yeah, probably not." Gaius rubbed the back of his head, "But hey, our little game of cat and mouse is kinda fun. Or I guess, our game of bunny and thief is kind of fun?" He narrowed his eyes at Panne, "Shouldn't you be the one scared of me?"

Panne narrowed her eyes at him. Gaius raised his hands defensively.

"Just kidding." Gaius laughed nervously, "Anyways, you two kids enjoy yourselves." He patted Ben on the chest, "But not too much okay? This is a public space."

Ben heard Tharja start to mutter off to the side. He thought about stopping her. But instead, he said nothing and just let her finish her silent incantation. As Gaius walked away from Ben, a violent sneeze erupted from the thief. Gaius sniffled and sneezed hard again. Then a third time. Upon the fourth sneeze, he spun around on his heel and pointed at Tharja.

"Why!?" He cried before sneezing again.

"You deserved it for stealing from Anna." Tharja snickered as she and walked with Ben towards the edge of the fair grounds. The sounds of Gaius's torment filled sneezes causing both of them to snicker a little bit. The thief had it coming.

The edge of the fairgrounds sat at the crest of a small hill. The hill overlooked a peaceful meadow. Flowers of all different colors, shapes, and sizes bloomed through the rolling grass. Others sat out there with their families and friends. Enjoying food and drink. Laughing and enjoying the carnival. Different entertainers milled through the area. Some magicians performed simple card tricks for children. Jugglers and clowns roamed about, making people laugh and gasp with delight. Ben found a quiet spot just for him and Tharja. He set the blanket down on the grass and motioned to her.

"Ladies first?"

Tharja smirked, "What a charmer."

"I always am."

Tharja sat down on the blanket. As she sat, Ben sighed.

"Well, we bought it." He used the force to uncork the wine bottle, "Might as well drink it."

Tharja chuckled, "I'm sure we will not be disappointed. Anna may demand high prices. But the quality of her items is normally very good." Tharja took her glass from Ben's hand, "I bought a tome from her a couple days ago actually."

"Oh?"

Tharja nodded, "Nothing magical. No new spells or anything. Mostly theory stuff. Which is good considering I have to teach now."

Ben laughed, "You don't have to do anything."

"I have to if I want to stay at the Academy." Tharja pointed out as she sat comfortably on the blanket.

Ben nodded, "Fair point." He sipped his wine and let out a satisfied sigh. He eyed the red liquid in his cup, "This is very good."

"Much better than that champagne at Princess Lucina's party." Tharja chuckled.

Ben uttered a small laugh as well, "I think almost everyone can agree to that."

"There they are!"

Ben and Tharja glanced behind them. A broad smile crossed Ben's face as he saw Chrom, Sumia, and Lissa approach them. Cradled in Sumia's arms was the crown Princess of Ylisse, Lucina. Ben quickly got to his feet and embraced Chrom.

"I'm glad to see you both here." Chrom grinned, "I was afraid you two would be recluses and stay at the academy or something."

"We thought about it." Ben chuckled, "But Tharja and I were interested in the carnival and decided to check it out. Next thing we both know, Anna is swindling us. And here we are enjoying the night now."

Sumia uttered a lighthearted chuckle as Lissa flopped down in the soft grass. The blonde princess gave both Tharja and Ben a lazy wave before she laid back in the grass. Chrom took a seat beside her. Sumia meanwhile, gently bounced Lucina in her arms. Ben bowed low to both Sumia and Princess Lucina.

"It is wonderful to see both of you as well."

Sumia smiled, "Ben, your my friend too. You don't have to act so formal." She smiled past him at Tharja, "How are you, Tharja?"

"I'm doing fine." Tharja said back.

A small smile betrayed her real feelings. She was enjoying this time with Ben much more than she wanted the others to know. Besides, she needed to keep up her intimidating appearance. A dark mage needed to inspire a little fear in everyone around them. But that smile on her lips showed the whole world a much more light hearted person beneath the dark magic and intimidating glares.

Ben glanced down at Princess Lucina for a moment.

"Well look at you." He smiled at the wide eyed baby girl, "You're already getting so big."

Sumia chuckled, "She is. And already so curious about the world around her. Everyday she grows more adventurous. I found her trying to crawl this morning."

"I missed that!?" Chrom exclaimed despondently, "Ugh! Headmaster Byron continues to fall down the totem pole in my book."

Sumia gave Chrom a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, Chrom. As soon as anything exciting happens I'll let you know."

"But I want to be there when it happens." Chrom huffed, "Ben, never be in charge of a country. You never have any time to do the things you want to do."

Ben chuckled, "It is that way because you are a great leader and a great man Chrom. I'm sure everything will mellow out once the Halidom is completely back on its feet."

"I can only hope." Chrom sighed.

Ben glanced back down at Lucina. A curious look formed on the swordsman face as he spotted an odd shape in her left eye.

"Chrom? Why do I see a brand in Lucina's eye?"

"Oh that?" Lissa remarked, "That's the Brand of the Exalt. A birthmark passed down to all of the first Exalt's descendants." She pointed at Chrom's shoulder, "Chrom has his there." A slightly downcast look fell over Lissa' face, "For some reason it skipped me." She uttered a long sigh, "And Emmeryn had hers on her forehead."

Ben's eyes widened in understanding. He had a feeling that mark had something to do with the Ylissean royal bloodline. But he did not realize the significance of it.

"Interesting." Ben said as he returned to his seat beside Tharja.

Sumia smiled down at Lucina as she took a seat beside Chrom and Lissa.

"Where are the others?" Chrom asked Ben.

Ben shrugged, "We saw Panne and Gaius by Anna's tent earlier. As for everyone else, I'm not sure."

Chrom nodded his head. Before he could reply, his eyes lit up.

"About time you showed up Robin!" He called out past Ben.

Ben glanced over his shoulder and saw the tactician walking over. He gave both Ben and Tharja a bright smile before taking a seat beside Lissa and Chrom. The tactician gave the baby Princess a playful wave of his hand before grinning at his friends.

"So, there's going to be a magic show tonight huh?"

Ben arched an eyebrow, "There is?"

"Yup. Put on by some mages from the Academy." Chrom nodded.

Ben furrowed his brow. This carnival seemed far more extravagant than he originally believed it to be.

"What is the occasion for all of this?" Ben asked as he wrapped an arm around Tharja's shoulders.

Chrom gave Ben a surprised look, "It's the anniversary of the end of the war."

Ben's eyes widened, "It is?"

Robin looked equally surprised, "It has been that long already?" He blinked, "We were gone for a year?"

Tharja rolled her eyes, "You boys can never keep track of time."

Sumia, Chrom, and Lissa all chuckled.

Out in the meadow, below the hill, a group of mages took their places among the flowers and waving grass. They all held a special tome in their hands. Ten mages in total. And overseeing the entire production was Headmaster Byron and Miriel.

Chrom nodded at Tharja, "Those ten are it."

Tharja blinked, "They are?"

"Who is it?" Ben asked.

"Those are the ten mages the Headmaster said were allowed to take Tharja's course if they wanted to. Ricken is among them."

A small smirk crossed Tharja's lips, "That boy has some skill. Perhaps teaching will be somewhat fun."

"He's a prodigy." Lissa rolled her eyes at Tharja's comments, "Even Miriel says so. And Laurent is amazed by the amount of stuff he knows about magic."

Ten small fireballs shot into the sky. The crowd became quiet as the fireballs ascended higher into the evening sky. Ben craned his head back as the fireballs soared even higher.

With a thunderous boom, all ten fireballs exploded into blazing balls of light. The crowd around the small group of Shepherds gasped and cheered as small embers flickered through the night sky then died away.

Ten bolts of lightning shot into the sky. Each bolt branching off and slamming into the one beside it. A great tree of lightning lit up the sky. Ten more bolts followed the first tree. More branches joined the ever growing tree. Ben's eyes lit up in stunned awe as he watched the display of pure magical skill.

He had never seen spells like this before. His only experience with magic on this world had been healing magic thanks to Lissa and Libra, Tharja's dark magic, and the more military focused magic wielded by Robin, Ricken, Miriel, and Laurent. To see such a display of pure creativity caused a broad smile to form over Ben's lips.

He glanced over at Tharja. The dark mage seemed equally spellbound as the lightning shattered into thousands of tiny sparkles. Each sparkle fluttered in the air. Dotting the dark sky like a thousand twinkling stars.

Tharja leaned in closer to Ben as they lay back on their small blanket. Taking in every magnificent spell the ten mages cast. They combined fire and wind to create a great, blazing whirlwind in the sky. Ben could feel the heat from where he sat. It was an awesome display of raw power that left his jaw hanging open.

Wind and lightning collided into an enormous thunderclap in the air. Multiple, smaller claps of thunder followed it. Reminding Ben of horse hooves hammering into the earth.

Tharja rested her head against Ben's shoulder. The final spell was about to commence. A strong command sounded out from Headmaster Byron. The line of mages tightened into a circle. A low chant sounded out from them. Fire licked the ground at their feet. The pages in their spell books flew in their hands.

The flames at their feet gathered into a great ball of flames at the center of the circle. With one last cry, all ten mages raised one hand to the sky. The massive fireball rose into the sky. Ben squinted. It felt like the mages created a sun. The fireball morphed and twisted. Then exploded.

Embers rained down onto the field below. And out of the explosion a fiery dragon emerged. Tharja uttered a stunned gasp as the dragon raised it's mighty head and roared to the heavens. Great wings of fire spread out wide. Illuminating the sky in a bright, orange glow.

The fiery wings hammered once against the wind. The dragon soared higher above their heads. Soaring towards the smiling moon in the sky. Another bone shaking roar filled air. The fiery dragon opened it's massive maw and shot an enormous jet of fire into the sky.

It stopped flying. Wings taking the shape of the moon in the sky. One last roar, and the dragon winked away. Flames fluttered down to the ground like a million flower petals.

As each petal fluttered to the ground, Ben glanced over at the mesmerized dark mage nestled against him. She blinked and shook her head in disbelief.

"Never in my wildest…" She breathed before chuckling a little. She glanced over at Ben, "I'm going to have a lot of fun teaching these urchins."

Ben chuckled and gave her a gentle kiss. Tharja smiled as their lips met. The bright light in the sky faded with the fire petals. Each one slowly winked out of existence before touching the meadow below. Tharja gave Ben a quiet laugh and rested her head against his shoulder.

"So, how did you like your first carnival?" She asked him.

Ben smiled back, "I loved it."

If this is what peace time felt like, then he would enjoy every single second of it.

---

The walk back to the Mage's Academy was quiet. Most of the nobles remained at the carnival for far longer than anyone else. All of them wanted to enjoy the celebration and music. Raise toasts to the end of a war that devastated their land and their people. Praise Prince Chrom as he sat uncomfortably among all of them. Sumia exited early with Tharja and Ben. Robin remained with Lissa and Chrom. A small band of moral, and maybe even physical, support for the ruler of Ylisse as the noble folk fawned over him and the common folk hailed him a hero.

Sumia and her small retinue of guards broke off from Ben and Tharja. She wished the pair a good night and swiftly carried her daughter off to bed. That left Ben and Tharja alone to walk the mostly empty streets towards the Academy.

Their hands were interlocked the entire way to the massive building. When they reached the Academy gates, Tharja smiled and wrapped her arms around Ben's neck.

"That was a lovely first date, Ben Kenobi." She smiled.

"I am glad you enjoyed it." Ben replied with a cheerful smile of his own, "And I'm especially glad it went well."

"Oh?" Tharja chuckled, "Don't tell me that was your first time taking a girl out?"

Ben raised an eyebrow, "Would you believe me if I said yes?"

Tharja let out a quiet laugh, "Not even for a second." She placed a small kiss on Ben's lips, "You're too much of a charmer to be that inexperienced."

Ben threw his head back and laughed, "Trust me. That charm consists of lucky guesses and maybe a smidgen of talent." He wrapped his arms around Tharja's back and swayed with her in front of the Academy gates, "I had an amazing time with you tonight." He breathed.

Tharja blushed and rested her head against his chest. She stayed quiet for a moment as the pair remained still in the night.

"Thank you, Ben." She whispered.

"For what?" Ben asked with a small laugh.

Tharja flicked her gaze up to meet his, "You-" She uttered a small, nervous laugh, "You never judged me. I am a dark mage. A former member of the Grimleal. Technically, I'm supposed to be one of Ylisse's sworn enemies. And yet… you never viewed me as that. You only ever saw me as a friend." She gulped, "I've never had anyone else be like that to me before."

Ben smiled and brushed a hand over her cheek.

"You are much more than a friend to me now." Ben whispered.

Just as the pair were about to lean in one last kiss. Tharja paused. Her eyes narrowed into the darkness behind Ben. Ben noticed her suddenly tense up.

"Is something wrong?"

Tharja peered closer into the darkness. In the pale moonlight, she thought she saw a flicker of silver armor. Armor that did not look anything like what a Ylissean soldier would wear. Her eyes widened as she saw a hand raise a strange looking weapon in the shadows.

"BEN!" She tackled Ben to the side.

Ben's eyes widened as a red blaster bolt screamed past him and Tharja and slammed into the white walls of the Academy gate.

The force cried out a warning to Ben. He grabbed Tharja by the shoulders and quickly rolled over. Two more blaster bolts peppered the ground where they had fallen.

Adrenaline pumped through Ben's veins as he jumped off of Tharja and reached for his lighstaber. But he did not feel his lightsaber. Instead, he only felt his leather belt against his fingertips.

It's still in the barracks! He had not expected to ever have to use it while in the city.

"Kriff!"

"Duck!" Tharja shouted behind.

Ben pressed himself to the ground. Tharja blasted a spell across the street towards their attacker. Ben's eyes widened as he saw a jet pack roar to life and rocket their attacker away from the blast.

"What the hell?" Tharja grit her teeth.

The assassin landed beyond the shadows and in the moonlight. Ben's eyes widened. Silver colored armor. Mandalorian by design. A bluish, purple bodysuit underneath the silver plates. A Mandalorian helmet with an antenna attached to the side. Jet pack with a large rocket on top strapped to the man's back.

Ben wanted to utter a loud, annoyed, curse.

"Ben?" Tharja breathed as the assassin raised his twin blaster pistols, "What is-"

"Run Tharja!" Ben finally cried as he used a force push to shove her out of the way of two deadly blaster bolts.

Tharja let out a startled cry as she flew through the air and landed in a heap near the gate. As she picked herself back up again, she saw Ben charge straight at the assassin.

Just before the assassin could fire his blaster pistols again, Ben leaped at him and planted his feet into the assassin's chest. The assassin uttered a loud grunt as he fell backwards onto the road. Ben quickly scrambled back up to his feet and pounced onto the assassin.

He called upon the force. Willing it to imbue him with both strength and speed beyond his own physical capabilities. He rained a flurry of heavy, hard blows against the assassin's helmet. The final punch managed to shatter part of the assassin's dark visor.

Ben's eyes widened in surprise.

It was him behind the helmet. Jango Fett. Yet another dead foe somehow returned to the world of the living.

But his eyes were different. They were no longer that hard, focused, dark color. They did not hold that fierce determination or ruthlessness. Instead, they were a bright scarlet color. Redder than blood. Filled with hatred.

Ben grit his teeth and raised his fist to rain another massive blow to the dead man's head. An armored knee buried itself in his abdomen. Air rushed from Ben's lungs. Jango Fett gripped Ben by the shoulders and crashed his helmet against the Jedi's forehead.

Ben reeled backwards. Mind in a complete daze. Lungs struggling to recover. He rolled onto his hands and knees. Jango stormed over to him and gripped the reeling Jedi by his shirt. He threw Ben back up to his feet and delivered a flurry of hard punches to his body. Then a sharp hook to his jaw. Ben fell flat on his back. Stars danced in his eyes.

Tharja uttered a furious roar as she conjured forth a devastating spell. She blasted Fett with it. Sending the dead bounty hunter flying into a nearby building. Fett uttered a small groan as he hit the white bricks and slid down them.

Tharja scrambled over to Ben. She tried to pick him up. A blaster bolt screamed out. Ben's eyes widened as the red bolt hit Tharja in her left shoulder. The dark mage uttered a loud cry of pain and fell back to the road. Her other hand wrapped tight over the charred wound.

Fury unlike anything Ben had ever felt before filled him. The Jedi Master instantly refocused and jumped to his feet. Fett leveled his blaster at him before Ben could make a move.

Fett pulled the trigger. The blaster bolt screamed towards Ben. An invisible force hit Ben and smacked him to the ground. The blaster bolt passed harmlessly over his head and hit the wall behind him.

Ben snapped his head up just in time to see Marth leap down from the top of the building behind Jango Fett. The Shard of Falchion pointed down at her target. Before the bounty hunter even realized what was happening, Marth buried the shard into the gap between Fett's neck and shoulder.

Fett uttered a loud, pain filled cry. Marth yanked her shattered blade free and slashed its jagged edge along the assassin's right hamstring. The assassin's leg buckled beneath him. Marth spun around and jammed the shard right into the crack in his visor. Jango Fett stiffened as the blade bit into his face. His blasters clattered to the ground. And with a small gasp of defeat, he faded into black dust. Carried west by a cold wind.

Ben stared wide eyed at Marth as she took in heavy breaths. His attention ripped away from her when he heard Tharja uttered a small, pain filled groan.

"Tharja." Ben breathed as he scrambled over to her.

He helped the dark mage sit upright. Her right was still clasped over her wounded shoulder.

"Give me… give me a minute to hex it." Tharja hissed as she struggled to focus her magic. After a couple seconds, she uttered a relieved sigh, "There… that'll numb it for a while. Although I can't feel my arm anymore."

"Are you good to move?" Ben asked, worry still filling his face.

Tharja snorted, "I'll be just fine. Although, that really hurt." She winced as Ben helped her stand back up. She swayed and leaned into him for a second before regaining her balance. She winced and took a deep breath, "So-so much for the amazing night."

Ben uttered a dry laugh, "Yeah." He glanced over where Jango Fett had been kneeling before Marth slew him… again, "Come on." Ben breathed as he wrapped a protective arm around Tharja, "Let's get you inside."

"I'm coming with." Marth glared at Ben, "Who knows how many more Risen could be in the city."

Tharja's eyes widened, "That was a Risen?"

"A very dangerous type of Risen known as a Deadlord." Marth explained as she followed Ben and Tharja into the safety of the Academy's walls, "Seeing as how you are not armed right now, I think it's best if I stick around for the moment."

Tharja snorted, "A shard of a blade is not much of a weapon."

"It did the job still." Marth countered, "That is all that matters in the end."

Tharja winced, "Fair point."

Ben wary eyes flicked to every shadow. Even after they entered the long, tall corridors of the Academy, he kept a wary eye on his surroundings. The Force pulsed around him as he kept himself in tune with it. Ready to heed any warning. Ready to strike with a powerful force push.

They reached Tharja's room. Ben quickly pushed the door open and helped Tharja inside. He gently helped her sit down on her bed.

"Potion." Tharja hissed as she winced in pain again, "Blue elixir on my desk. Make sure it's the one that is not bubbling."

Ben rushed over to her desk. His eyes scanned through several different vials before landing on the correct one. He snatched the elixir from the rack and raced it over to Tharja.

Tharja carefully removed her hand from the wound as Marth shut her door behind her.

"Place a few drops on it." Tharja braced herself, "Then I have to drink the rest."

Ben nodded and let a few drops of the elixir fall onto the charred blaster wound. Tharja bit back a cry of pain. Her fist balled up tight in her lap as the elixir sizzled against the wound. Ben nodded and handed the rest of the vial to her. Tharja quickly choked down its contents.

"That'll… help heal it quickly." Tharja gasped as she set the vial to the side. Her eyes started to droop, "Side effect… I get really sleepy."

"Then rest." Ben said quietly as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Tharja nodded wearily and fell back into her pillow. Within a few seconds, she was sound asleep.

Everything came crashing down on Ben at once. He uttered a loud, relieved sigh and buried his head into his hands.

Jango Fett. How the hell was that damn bounty hunter alive? Marth called him a Risen. A Deadlord, to be more specific. Ben recalled Kage calling Dooku a Deadlord. One of Grima's fell servants. The captains of the Fell Dragon's undead horde. Ben ran his hands over his face and uttered a weary groan.

Just how many old enemies were going to be resurrected around him?

"What the hell was that?" Marth's voice pierced the quiet around Ben.

Ben gave her an exhausted look. Now what was he supposed to say? Jango Fett attacked him using technology never before seen on this planet. Tharja had been wounded by a blaster bolt. The walls along the palace gate had several scorch marks in them now. How was he going to explain that?

For that matter, how was he supposed to explain Jango Fett to Marth?

"I thought you said he was a Deadlord?" Ben countered. Trying to divert Marth's attention from her original question.

"He is." Marth snapped back, "But Deadlords are unique in that they are not like other Risen. They often have their own styles of combat, are often stronger than a normal Risen, and can even display some personality traits. I've fought Deadlords before. But they always used weapons that I've actually seen before. Those lights that burned Tharja's arm is something I have never seen before. But you seemed to understand what they were. So I'll ask again, what was that?"

Marth's gaze burrowed into Ben. She was not going to budge on this matter.

"An old enemy." Ben replied, trying to stay as vague as possible.

Marth uttered a snort of disbelief, "An old enemy? That's all you can say? An old enemy! Force, that's all you ever said before. And even now, when you're younger, you still say that! Still speak in riddles." Ben felt frustration rippling through Marth. The girl hammered an angry fist against Tharja's door, "To hell with your damn riddles! You never gave me a straight answer in the future! I demand one now!"

Ben blinked. The future? What was Marth going on about?

Marth instantly realized what she had said. The girl's face lost all color. Any frustration she had became fear inside of her.

"Oh, Naga…" She hung her head, "I just did a Cynthia."

Ben's eyes widened as he started to understand.

"The future?" Ben breathed, "That… that explains why you call me Master then."

He ran a hand along his chin. Fingers raking through his beard as he struggled to wrap his mind around Marth's accidental admission.

Time travel. It seemed impossible. Ludicrous even. But it would explain so much about Marth. Since the day she first appeared to Chrom and the other Shepherds in the forests outside of Ylisstol, she seemed to have advanced knowledge of the future. She knew about the assassination attempt on Emmeryn's life. She knew that Chrom would be wounded in that same attempt. So she prevented Chrom's wound and saved Emmeryn's life in the process. Hell, if Ben were to make a guess, she even knew that Chrom would go to Regna Ferox for aid. And she made sure he got that aid by throwing their duel in the Arena so that Flavia would become ruling Khan. Thereby confirming Regna Ferox as allies to Ylisse during the war.

Everything lined up to well. Marth's knowledge of the future, combined with her own skills in the force; the way she fought mirrored how Ben fought so much; it was the only plausible explanation for it all. How could he have never considered it?

Because it is an insane explanation. Ben thought to himself, Then again, it is also insane that I am both alive and physically younger now. The insane explanation has become the only sane one.

"I-" Marth swallowed hard, "I should probably be going now."

Ben flicked his hand. The latch to Tharja's door locked. Marth faced the locked door. Ben could see her shaking. Could feel the intense fear and uncertainty in her. But she had uttered her secret. And now, Ben wanted answers.

"You're not leaving until we finish our little chat." Ben said.

He used the force to pull up a chair for Marth. No color remained in Marth's face. Ben could see a cold sweat starting to form on her brow. The fingers on her one hand curled into a tight, terrified fist.

She sat down. A nervous gulp rattled her body.

Ben uttered a long sigh.

"The future?" He said again.

"It-" Marth appeared to still be trying to cover up what she said, "That was a mistake. I misspoke. I-"

"The fear I feel radiating from you does not lie, Marth. So do not try to lie to me." Ben said, his voice filled with warning, "Explain, now."

Marth uttered an indignant snort, "Explain? You want me to explain?" Marth rose from her seat as her fear and frustration mounted, "First it was Maul that you described as an old enemy. We both saw how that turned out. Now there is that Deadlord that will come back because they are damn impossible to kill off permanently. So how about you explain to me, for once Master, what the hell do you mean by old enemy!?"

She practically shook with rage in front of him. Ben could feel the force whipping around her in a furious storm. Several pages on Tharja's desk fluttered in the air. Ben remained silent as he watched her. Doing his best to remain calm so the situation could calm itself. He did not want to get into an altercation with Marth here.

Ben uttered a long sigh. Now he was backed into a corner. He wanted Marth to tell him her secrets. But if he refused to open up as well, it would likely lead to her growing more enraged. That helped neither of them.

"Swear you will not say a word to anyone." Ben finally breathed.

Marth grit her teeth, "Not even Thar-"

"Tharja already knows everything." Ben said. Shocking the furious girl in front of him, "She has seen most of it even. Now, I am asking you to swear not to say a word to a single soul about what we will discuss here. And I swear to you, I will not say a word about anything you tell me."

Marth glanced at Tharja, "You will tell her?"

Ben closed his eyes, "If she asks, yes. I will not keep secrets from Tharja." Ben glanced at the slumbering dark mage, "There are no secrets between us, already. I will not start doing that now."

Marth's fury seemed to quiet as she thought long and hard about what Ben said.

"Who was that Deadlord?" She asked, voice tense and fear filled still.

Ben decided to trust her. He had no other option now.

"Jango Fett. A Mandalorian bounty hunter who was killed during the first battle of Geonosis. Beheaded in fact." Ben snorted, "Don't ask me how he is even alive. I don't know the answer to that."

Marth gave him a confused look, "Mandalorian? Geonosis?"

Ben pursed his lips, "Mandalorian; as in a person from the planet Mandalore." Marth's eyes widened, "Geonosis is a desert planet located in the outer rim of the galaxy. It is where the first battle of the Clone Wars took place."

Marth fell backwards into the seat Ben set up for her, "Are-" She gulped, "Are you saying that-"

"This is not the only planet in the universe with life on it." Ben breathed, "There are thousands of other worlds in the galaxy. All of them with unique lifeforms. All of them part of a galactic community that was once known as the Galactic Republic." Ben pursed his lips, "Though I suppose now it's the Galactic Empire."

Marth shook her head in absolute disbelief. Her chest rose in fell in heavy breaths, "So-" She uttered a small, stunned laugh, "So you're… you're from the stars? An alien?"

Ben nodded his head slowly.

"Are you even human?"

"Oh I'm very human." Ben replied quickly, "Maul however was not, obviously. He was a Zabrak from the planet Dathomir."

Marth's eyes widened. She leaned back in her seat. Reeling from the sudden revelation given to her by her Master.

"And I," Ben continued, "am technically a galactic fugitive. Hiding out on this world from the Sith and their new empire." Marth's eyes only grew wider as he spoke, "I don't know how I ended up on this planet though. It happened by… complete accident."

Ben narrowed his eyes as he saw Marth's left eye flicker for some reason.

"You-you're disguising your eye." Ben pointed at her eye.

Marth quickly closed her left eye, "N-no I'm not!"

Ben gave her a hard stare. Marth exhaled and shook her head.

"You swear not to speak to a single soul." Marth said, her voice filled with trepidation.

"I swear on my life, Marth." Ben confirmed.

Marth swallowed hard. She took a deep breath and opened her left eye once again. Ben stared hard at her eye. The disguise she had place over it using the force faded away. In the pupil of her eye, Ben saw a faint outline. Ben's eyes widened.

"The Exalt's brand." He breathed. He stared stunned at Marth, "Lucina?"

She gulped then nodded, "I guess… I guess that is proof enough that I am telling the truth."

Ben gave her a slow nod, "And I can understand why you have not told a soul about who you are or why you are here. Doing so possibly risks not only your life but the lives of others as well. Such as-" Ben blinked, "Cynthia too?"

Lucina nodded, "She is born about two years from now."

Ben exhaled and rubbed his eyes with his hands, "Who else then?"

"Laurent."

Ben coughed hard, "What?"

Lucina shrugged, "Who does he remind you of?"

Ben thought hard for a minute. His eyes widened as his mind came a stunning realization.

"He is-"

"Vaike and Miriel's." Lucina breathed, "Again, do not say anything."

"Obviously." Ben snorted, "He and Cynthia aren't even born yet." He furrowed his brow, "How many others?"

"Not counting us three?" Lucina replied, "Eleven. You've met one other as well."

Ben gave her a puzzled look. He attempted to recall everything he knew regarding Lucina. How she interacted with the other Shepherds. Who she was closest to. His mind reeled as he came to another stunning conclusion.

"Kage." He breathed, "Then-"

"The little prince we rescued grows up into that monster, yes." Lucina scowled.

Ben felt like ice shot through his veins. Luke… Luke fell. Maul found Luke before he could in Lucina's future and twisted the child into a Sith Lord. He had failed that horrifically? Suddenly, he felt severe regret leaving the boy with Say'ri. That could not be allowed to happen. Maul could not get his hands on Luke.

"That means the Maul he killed-"

"Was from the future as well." Lucina said grimly, "He has yet to arrive in this timeline."

Ben felt like he could scarcely breathe. He struggled to inhale. Lucina gave him a concerned look.

"Master?" She said, "Are you-"

"I failed spectacularly." Ben whispered, hands shaking at his sides, "Force, how could I fail that spectacularly?"

Lucina gave Ben a concerned look, "You did not fail, Master. You-" Lucina hesitated, "As frustrating as it was when you never revealed anything to me, you still were like a second father to me and Cynthia. You were there for us when-" Lucina struggled to form her words for a moment, "When Mother and Father died you took us in."

Ben forgot all about his future failure. He could feel waves of sorrow coming from Lucina.

"Chrom and Sumia die?"

"Almost everyone in the Shepherds died in the future." Lucina gulped, "The Fell Dragon Grima is resurrected. I don't know how. We were never able to find out. My father died in the first initial battle against him. Mother died in that same battle as well. The future becomes an apocalypse. Our war against Grima was nothing more than us trying to delay the inevitable." Lucina sucked in a sharp breath, "You never gave up hope that we could win. You even helped me find out about the ritual that sent myself and the others back in time. Our last resort you called it."

Ben started stunned at Lucina, "We must have lost completely if you had to resort to that."

Lucina was on the verge of tears, "We-we did." She gulped, "When I executed the ritual, you bought us enough time to get through the portal. You-" Lucina's lips started to quiver, "You told me we would meet again. I-"

She swallowed hard before surging towards Ben. She threw her arms around him and started sobbing. Ben wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

"I'm sorry for getting angry, Master!" She sobbed, "I'm sorry! I-"

"You had every right to be." Ben said, voice calm and gentle, "It sounds like I was a rather poor master in the future. No doubt still paralyzed by my failure with Anakin in order to teach you what you needed to know. And for that, I am very sorry."

Lucina sniffled as tears continued to run down her cheeks. She continued to cry as her Master held her close. The memories all came crashing back at once for her. Force, she should not be like this. A sobbing mess of a girl. But damn it, she had held back all of these emotions for so long that she could fight it anymore. The dam broke for her. She clung to her Master and shook as more sobs wracked her thin form.

"No more secrets between us." Ben said, "You have any questions about me, my past, or even the force, do not hesitate to come to me. Just make sure it is in private. Or if Tharja is around. I do not want the others to know yet. Force, I can only imagine what would happen then. None of it good."

Marth nodded before finally pulling back from her Master. She wiped away tears with the back of her hand.

"Th-thank you, Master." Lucina executed a perfect Jedi bow.

Ben could not help but chuckle a little bit, "Lucina, after everything you have done and been through, I should be the one bowing to you." He rose and gripped her shoulders, "And I can honestly say, now that I know everything, I am so incredibly proud of you."

Lucina sniffled again as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You are no longer my student." Ben breathed. Marth blinked in surprise, "You may have some growing yet to do. But you have earned the right to call yourself a Jedi Knight, Lucina. You have endured far more than most. And come out both alive and stronger than before. And you never lost your way in the process. I cannot think of someone better suited for such a role."

Lucina's jaw fell open, "I-I am-" She sank back down into her seat, completely stunned, "I am not ready."

"No one ever is. But you are more ready than most. And if you wish to continue your training, I would be glad to help instruct you." Ben smirked, "You can join Robin when it comes to that. Maybe even share a few pointers with him. He's likely to understand it better coming from you than me." Ben took a deep breath and glanced out of the one small window in Tharja's room, "It is very late now, Marth." Lucina uttered a small chuckle as he called her that name, "Go get some rest. If you want to, we can talk more later."

Lucina sniffled again and nodded. She rose from her seat and moved to the door.

Her… a Jedi Knight? Naga she felt nowhere near ready.

I need to rededicate myself to my training. I have been neglecting it for too long.

She opened the door, turned back to her Master.

"Goodnight, Master Kenobi." She said with a small smile.

Ben smiled back and gave her a bow.

"Goodnight, Jedi Knight Marth."

The door closed. Once he heard it click shut, Ben used the force to latch it again. He uttered an extremely long sigh and let his head fall into his hands. He finally had a chance to absorb everything.

Marth is Lucina from the future. Cynthia and Laurent, also from the future. Ben thought as he leaned back and rubbed his chin, And Kage… Luke… He closed his eyes and cursed his future self.

He would have to speak with Kage the next chance he had. Reveal to the boy who he really was. Tell him his destiny. And most of all, he had to keep the dark side from festering inside the boy. He had to offer him a path back to the light.

For the sake of the galaxy, Kage had to return to the light.

And when Maul did arrive. Ben would not turn a blind eye. The Zabrak would die. He would make certain of it.

Tharja uttered a small, sleepy mumble as she turned over. Ben felt exhaustion wash over him.

I need rest. He thought to himself, I'll process all of this in the morning.

He moved to get up, but Tharja, in her sleep, snagged his hand. Ben caught his breath, worrying she heard everything at first. But then he relaxed. Even if she did hear everything, he trusted Tharja. More than he trusted anyone else.

"You better not leave." She mumbled as she turned over. Probably muttering about something she was dreaming about.

Ben gave her a small smile. Silently, he laid down beside her and brushed a hand along her arm. His eyes started to close.

He was not going anywhere.

And chapter! Holy crap this one was a mammoth of a chapter! Longest one I have ever written. Period! But I felt it was worth it! This is chapter 70 and I wanted to do something special for you guys.

And what a chapter we got huh? First a nice little bit between Ben and Robin. Sounds like he is really considering training our favorite tactician now. Then we get a fun bit between Ben, Tharja, and Chrom. Tharja now gets to train some Ylissean Dark Mages. That is going to be fun to write. We get a nice little peacetime scene for our heroes. Then we got that final scene where the truth came bursting out of both Lucina and Ben. And they still have more to reveal to each other too. It's about time I say.

Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!