Like before, Mara and Avlis worked together to recreate the star charts on their palms with paper. Neither of them knew where they were to be taken next, or who was testing them like this. They had both sacrificed their own sense of self and understanding of the world to come this far, and they weren't going to stop when they felt they were so close.

Mara still couldn't let go of the thought of Vader having a child. She never thought someone as horrible and as evil as him could have ever had a child. He couldn't have known about Luke, otherwise, he most certainly would have taken advantage of it; training him to rule by his side one day. Avlis said it may be Luke's destiny to destroy the Empire, but only if that future comes to pass.

Could what they're doing now be what solidifies that future?

"Got it," Said Avlis, bringing the sheet of paper over to Troy, "Plug these in."

Troy needed only a moment to scan the papers illustrations into the ship's navigator. The location that came up was listed under a few categories of interest, including logged destinations. Imperial ships make trips to specific Empire-controlled locations rather often, including this one.

The location of the next temple, according to the charts, was Coruscant.

"Coruscant?" Mara questioned as she approached the cockpit, "The next temple is on Coruscant? We'll never find it there! That whole planet is one big city!"

Avlis felt a rush of fear and anxiety at the very mention of Coruscant. The name brought back terrible memories of the worst day in his life; the day of Order 66. The planet used to be where the senate operated, and was a Republic based world. It was the place he spent most of his life in, training and discovering himself. Now, it's the Imperial center of the galaxy.

"Avlis," Mara put a hand on his shoulder, "Where are you?"

"…Lost," Avlis answered softly, "I never wanted to return to Coruscant after what happened …"

"I know, but we have to go there and find the temple before the Empire does," She tapped Troy on the shoulder, "Take us to Coruscant."

"Right away, Ms. Dane!"

Troy pushed the ship into overdrive and flew them through hyperspace, vanishing into light.

…

The trip would take time according to Troy, so Avlis retreated to the lower levels and sat in his Jedi Fighter ship. It had been in the stomach of the Arrowhead since they began this quest. No word from his master, or any trace of him thus far.

He wondered if Bando would even want to see him after he gave into the Dark Side again. The way Helene had approached Avlis with such rage triggered such horrible memories. Yet, after feeling those thoughts, he felt better. It was as though a weight had been taken off his shoulders, just for a moment. Giving in to the Dark Side was always the worst act a Jedi could perform, yet, he felt more at peace now than he did trying to fight it.

Still, he could feel nothing but disgrace.

With a defeated hand, he picked up the Fighters radio and tuned it to the usual frequency, "Anyone there?" he spoke, "This is Avlis Bismur, checking in at home."

There was silence only for a moment before a familiar voice broke it.

"Avlis?" The voice of a youngling, Eedor, sounded through the machine, "Are you coming home yet?"

"Not yet," Avlis heavily answered, "I still have to find Master Bando. Is everyone safe?"

"We've been staying hidden, but everyone is worried."

"I know. I'll be back soon. May the Force be with you."

He hung up, unable to bear another moment.

The guilt he felt talking to Eedor was heavy. Before leaving, he told Eedor that Jedi can't fear, and it's their job to become stronger than it. Avlis had given into his anger, allowed it to weaken his will. How could he ever face his allies after what he had done?

Mara knocked on the door leading into the room, startling Avlis. She was leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed, a sympathetic look in her eyes, "I felt you were distressed."

He had almost forgotten how connected they were now, "Just checking on the younglings back home."

"You miss them?"

"Of course, but after what I did, they won't miss me."

She approached the Fighter and peaked into the cockpit, "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"For a Jedi, it is," he reinforced, "We have to keep our emotions under lock and key so that we may be the peacekeepers the galaxy needs us to be. I can't allow myself to give into fear."

"Fear is an emotion, and emotions are a part of all of us. That's not something you can just TURN OFF, no matter how much training you go through. The Jedi masters weren't emotionless; they were hardened, beaten into submission by your traditions until all they were was discipline. It hides their emotions from themselves and others but deep down, I bet you they felt hatred and fear like everyone else."

"You don't know that."

"Look, Sith may not be great people by nature, but we can feel whatever we want and there's no punishment."

"Until you piss off the Emperor."

She sighed, stepping off of the little ship. That much, he was right about. The only line they couldn't cross was disagreeing with the Emperor. He was their superior, the man who gave them all power and control over their fear, but could also destroy them with that same power, "All I'm saying is that emotions make us stronger, not weaker."

"But they can cripple you, like anxiety or depression or fear," He leapt out of the cockpit and onto the cold metal floor, "You say emotions make us stronger, but THOSE emotions make us weaker."

"Strength shouldn't come from emptiness."

"It shouldn't come from suffering either."

The pressure of the room grew as Avlis became more emotional, despite his attempts at keeping those feelings secluded. She could feel all these things as they reached the surface, silently begging he not shove them back down again.

"…When I gave into the Dark Side on Tatooine," he continued, "I felt …better. Like weight was taken off for a little while. The Jedi taught us that that feeling of relief was a trick to lure us into the Dark Side, to turn us evil."

She always hated the Jedi, even before she joined the Empire. They always seemed so stuck up and pretentious. They acted so superior, like those they protected were numbers and not people. Everyone was supposed to worship them, like the title of Jedi Knight gave you special benefits around the galaxy. The more she heard of their ways, the less she liked them, and the more she felt for Avlis.

He attempted to go back upstairs, before her voice stopped him.

"That feeling of relief isn't some trick, it's the truth," She said, "It's your heart, wanting to be free in the galaxy, but you won't let it. You keep it inside and locked away. Why can't you fall in love? Why can't you feel something? It's not wrong to be disciplined in the heat of battle or on a mission, but logic isn't always the right way. You have to follow your heart, too, not ignore it because some dudes in robes told you 'feeling is bad'. As a living being, it's our RIGHT to feel."

Deep down, he wanted to believe her. He wanted to feel something and be proud of it, to find love, and release all that rage he keeps inside. The ways of the Jedi taught him that doing so would be an act worse than any crime. Is that fair to teach to someone, much less a child? They took him from his family and stole his childhood because it was his DESTINY. The Force didn't tell him his destiny, the JEDI did.

The Force should belong to everyone.

"Ahem," Troy's voice rang through a speaker in the ceiling, "Master Mara and Master Avlis, we've arrived."

…

Coruscant wasn't like Avlis remembered. Sure, everything looked basically the same; nightclubs, businesses and trade both legal and illegal, on a planet covered only in endless city. The towering buildings that once belonged to the Republic, however, were now controlled by the Empire. That fact alone made everything seem so much darker; so much colder.

Since the Arrowhead was still an Imperial ship, they were able to enter the planets atmosphere undetected. Despite how high up they still were, the ship was already flying by buildings and other hovering vehicles. It was amazing that the planet could host any form of life considering it's all covered in connecting cities.

"What are we looking for?" Mara asked, "The coordinates lead to this part of Coruscant, but I don't see any temples."

Storm clouds began rolling in just as she had finished speaking. The thunder cracks were loud and shook the ship. Both Mara and Avlis's markings burned their hands again with a series of changing symbols. Lightning poured down like rain across the city and struck with rhythm. Troy had almost panicked and thought they were going to crash, until the lightning ended with one final blow of light that blinded them.

When that light had ended, something remained in its place.

A large temple, bigger than both the previous structures combined, now floated over the city. There were no propulsion jets underneath the structure, as though it was floating all on its own. The total structure was a large island of stone with many different buildings on top, headed by a large building with a pointed tower on top.

Troy brought the ship higher to examine the temple from above. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Like the others, it looked new, only this one looked far more sophisticated. They could feel an energy strong with both sides of the Force, like a magnet pulling them in.

"Troy," Mara muttered, "Take us down."

"Is this safe, Master Mara?" Troy turned around with concern, "We don't know what's down there, right? It just appeared, and-!"

"Troy, relax."

"I'm sorry …I just don't want anything bad happening to you."

By this point, she understood this droid could feel like any living being. He was a maintenance droid but he wanted to be a pilot. He had real dreams and desires. Though their journey was short, she felt Troy to be a friend of hers.

With a smile, she patted his head, "We'll be ok, Troy."

Her gesture of kindness made him happy, but it didn't quench his feeling of worry.

"Come on, Avlis," She patted his back, "Time to get changed."

They brought the ship down just in time, as the local authorities began flying around the structure to investigate. None of them dared go down as this has never happened before, and they didn't know what to expect. Both the young warriors knew it was only a matter of time before Imperial forces arrived here, or worse, Vader himself with the Inquisitors. Who would have expected the next temple to be on an Imperial home world?

Mara and Avlis exited the Arrowhead, now dressed in their clothes obtained from the temple on Tatooine. They were sleeker versions of what they previously wore, only in various shades of grey. Two lightsabers were on each of their belts; one was their primary saber given to them by their respective masters, and the other was the white saber obtained when they first met.

"I think this is our final stop," Mara suggested, "I can feel it."

"Me too," he said, looking up at the intimidating complex, a set of active storm clouds still overhead.

"Why do you think the Force chose us of all people?" She asked aloud, "What made us so special?"

"We could always go inside and find out."

A regretful pause came over her, as though unaddressed guilt was finally hitting her. She turned to face him and simply said "I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked bewilderingly.

"Trying to kill you …thinking you were …less than lowlife."

"You really thought that?"

"It's what I was trained to think … but having thoughts of my own, REALLY of my own …that didn't come until you."

He felt the same toward her, despite his apprehension to admit it. He saw things on the Dark Side he was never told about; passion, love and freedom. She had seen the Light side to hold peace and determination and trust. These were the opposite ideals they were told belonged to the enemy. Now, their minds existed in a state of uncertainty, but at least they were uncertain together.

They climbed the steps of the temple together, keeping a hand on their sabers in case of surprises. The wind was strong up here, and the sirens from the local authorities didn't help with the noise. The closer they got to the temple, the greater the storm became and stronger was its thunder. It was only after they had closed the temple doors behind them that the storm came to an abrupt, silent halt.

…

Word had spread quickly through the Empire.

When the floating temple had appeared suddenly on Coruscant, thousands had called in their concerns to local Imperials. Every one of those calls made its way back to Vader, and in turn, the Emperor. Vader knew this must have been the work of those children; the traitors. One a Jedi who ran from his fate, the other an Inquisitor who denied her destiny. Scorching the legacy of the Empire with these crimes was something he could not allow to continue.

This time, he would deal with this himself.

Dozens of ships were being prepared to ship out from local bases near Coruscant. Vader was just entering the docking bay, where a squad of Troopers were waiting, along with the newest Inquisitor, Helene.

"Inquisitor Helene," Vader addressed her, "I understand you have unfinished business with the traitor, Mara Dane."

"Yes," She replied confidently.

"Good. Use that anger in the conflict ahead."

"Of course, Lord Vader."

Vader and the Troopers entered the ship prepped for takeoff. Helene rested in place for a moment more. It was a direct order from Vader now; she could not let her friendship with Mara stop her from doing what has to be done.

Either she killed Mara, or she died trying.

…

The innards of the temple were bleeding with energy from the Force, so much that was intoxicating. They entered into a great hall where a large gold statue of two great warriors stood, each holding a lightsaber. The models of the lightsabers were old, equipped with hand guards and battery packs. This temple truly was old if it dated back that far, yet everything still looked new.

Walking up the steps into the next room, they found a beautiful shrine on the other end. It was a fountain with a skylight shining down on it. Flowers bloomed around the beautiful piece of art. Water was running beautifully as it sparkled in the light. The energy from the fountain was pure, yet chaotic; good, yet evil.

A perfect balance.

They approached the fountain and examined it. The slightest touch of the cobblestone used in its creation sparked the Force in their bodies.

"This power is incredible," Mara praised, "I feel so …invigorated."

"Something about this fountain …it gives power …but how?" he questioned.

He looked upward toward the walls. Upon them were a set of images carved into the structure. They seemed to tell some kind of story, one he knew well, "Mara," he called out, "Look."

Looking upon the walls, they saw a sight they hadn't believed, but had already accepted. The images appeared parallel on both walls, beginning at the door. One side portrayed a young girl, taken away from her family by Troopers, before training under a master, visiting a strange planet, and clashing with a young Jedi. The other side showed a young boy frightened by a dark man, before being rescued and trained on a distant world, then he traveled to a strange planet and clashed with a young Inquisitor.

The final image rested above the fountain. It showed the Jedi and the Inquisitor together, holding their sabers calmly and parallel to one another.

"That's …us," Mara confirmed, "These images are us. This is everything that happened, leading up to this moment. Whoever built this place …"

"They built it for us. This was always our destiny. They saw everything that would happen and they KNEW it would lead us here."

"But …what do we do now?"

Avlis examined the final image closely, where both he and Mara faced one another. Carefully, he tried to mimic the position his drawn self was in. First, he stood in the center of the room before taken a few steps away, keeping on the left side. He then drew his blue saber and held it in front of himself with both hands. Mara understood what he was doing and followed, mimicking his movements for her side of the room, using her red saber.

Now, their position matched the murals.

She looked back and forth between him and the final image, before understanding what was supposed to happen, "We have to duel."

"You want us to fight each other?" He asked.

"Not fight, duel. I think that whatever is supposed to happen next can't actually happen unless we duel. Maybe then …we can truly understand what this all means."

He stared with disbelief and scoffed, "Never thought I'd hear such wise talk from you."

"I'll make this a death match, watch yourself."

Jokes now aside, they bowed their heads to one another, before getting into attack positions.

The last time they had fought, Avlis had nearly died. The fear he felt toward her crippled him and nearly cost him his life. Mara's rage had blinded and turned her into a ruthless animal, so only death could sedate her hunger. Now, they were different people. One was a corrupted light, and the other was a brighter darkness.

Together, they were a balance.

Avlis made the first move, striking from the side with a quick step forward. She blocked it effortlessly and stabbed forward only for her attack to be shoved aside. The give and take between them continued to be flawless. One would strike while the other would block. It was a never-ending cycle between them.

They remained in the center of the room, never taking their eyes off one another as their blades collided. Avlis no longer fought with fear, but he was not without emotion. There was a fire of rage and determination inside him. It was giving him strength and power he never before felt as he lunged forward, hovering in the air as he performed a downward strike.

Mara blocked the attack but found her back position too bent out of shape. Using the Force, she executed a forward flip over Avlis to escape the clash, and landed behind him elegantly. She turned around just in time to block his next series of attacks. Her rage was as strong as it ever was, but there was more control in it. She no longer felt like a wild, unfed animal. She felt like a ferocious lion, and more like a cunning wolf.

Their pace picked up as the sparks increased. They shifted around each other in a circle, trying to get the upper hand. It was finally here, seeing how equal they were, that they pulled out their white sabers and shifted into a dual wielding stance. All four blades collided to make two X shapes against one another.

The resulting clash released a powerful energy from them. A pillar of light erupted from the fountain before them, and escaped to the sky above for everyone to see.

An invisible wave of energy pushed out from the beam of light and toward the two warriors, who felt the energy like a tight hug which soon merged with their skin. It caused them to lower their weapons and simply feel that power flowing through their veins. There was both peace, and chaos. Rage, and happiness. Hatred, and love. There was no conflict between these emotions, only balance.

A divide.

"Avlis …" Mara gasped, "Do you feel …?"

"Yeah," he answered, "It's …incredible."

A gust of wind blew through the skylight and shut the door to the room tightly. They looked back in concern, only to find someone standing there in a robe. Their body was covered in brown robes but his cloak was white. His head was covered with a hood, and the light blanketed him in shadow.

Mara raised her sabers and demanded to know who he was and why he was here, standing her ground proudly. Avlis, however, knew exactly who it was the moment he could sense him.

"Children," Said the man, "I've waited so long for you."

Avlis stepped forward, despite Mara's disapproval. Though his energy was different, Avlis knew this was the same person, the same one who rescued him on this very planet so long ago, and who swore to always keep him safe.

The man removed his hood and stepped into the light, "I'm glad you're both here," He said.

Avlis gasped in disbelief, holding back his tears with only a mutter "…Master Bando?"