AN: Good day everyone! And I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. After a few days straight of work, I give you Chapter 18. And I hope you enjoy the new year.

Tython – Jedi Temple

Revan watched from the balcony as the Kalikori villagers worked on the Temple foundations. He wanted to restore this place to its former glory if he were to train future generations here. He was surprised at how easily the twi'leks worked with the Star Forge's droids. He stroked his chin, knowing full well they would expect protection from his order. Revan was prepared to grant it to them. At any rate, soon he would need to speak with the two force sensitive villagers; Hanstan and Isael.

Zeego approached Revan, standing next to him in silence for a brief moment. The two had developed quite the bond since they met.

"I must admit," Zeego said. "It really is quite magnificent to see." He smiled and patted Revan on his shoulder.

"You haven't seen anything yet. It's only been a day, pretty soon this place will be back into pristine shape. Who knows, maybe I'll do some repainting. What do you think? Some fresh colors might breathe some life into this place." Revan joked.

"Tell you what, I'll pick out a few color pallets while you and Spar are gone. Don't worry. Nothing too flashy."

Revan smiled, this was the sort of thing he missed about Carth, the friendly sarcasm they shared when they weren't shouting at each other in the cockpit about trust issues. His comlink beeped so he patched Spar through.

"Revan, Skirata just sent me coordinates. He wants to meet in neutral space rather than risk Kyrimorut right now. Too many unknowns he said."

"Makes sense to me. Alright, I'll grab the Hawk and meet you in the hangar, then we'll head out."

"Sounds good to me. I'll be ready." Revan cut the transmission and gave Zeego a nod.

"I'll be back soon; think you can hold down the fort?"

"Don't I always?"

"Point taken," Revan responded, "T3! Let's go, HK can take care of the defense system schematics by himself." The little utility droid chimed in response and scurried toward the Ebon Hawk. Revan shook Zeego's hand briefly, "I'll be back soon."

He followed T3 into the ship, chasing the little droid into the cockpit. Flying was always soothing to Revan, and having his little co-pilot made things seem even more like they used to be. But he knew that having too much of the same was a dangerous thing.

The ship lifted off the surface and he headed toward the Star Forge. He checked the diagnostic console and stood up from the pilot's chair, "T3? Can you go give the hyperdrive a once-over? Something doesn't look right here…"

T3 responded with a quick whistle before unlocking his wheels and moving to exit the cockpit before Revan called out to him again.

"Oh and T3? While you're back I think we should play things safe. Replace the negative power coupling."

He watched out the viewport as the autopilot brought the ship inside the hangar, he could see Spar standing there, ready to board. The ship touched down and the boarding ramp extended. Revan stayed in the cockpit, he could hear Spar enter the ship from the distant sound of footsteps. He closed the ramp, and took off from the hangar again, putting more power into the thrusters and creating more and more distance from the Tython system.

He put the ship back into autopilot, letting it drift among the stars for the time being. Spar stepped into the cockpit, fully dressed in his beskar'gam. He handed a datapad to Revan.

"These are the coordinates for the meeting. It's somewhere on the other side of the Hydian Way. I'd assume it's in Mandalorian space." Spar stated.

Revan took the datapad from him, inserting it into the console receptacle, "Excellent, it shouldn't be too long before we get there. Have you mentioned anything about me to him?"

Spar shook his head beneath his helmet. He knew that even mentioning the word Jedi would set Skirata off. Hopefully he could get a few words in before things went south. He'd heard about Etain's death, it had been a couple weeks since Order 66 was issued, but he knew this was something time wouldn't help in Skirata's agenda.

"Revan I should be blunt with you. Skirata hates Jedi, he always has, ever since the massacre at Galidraan," Spar began. "One of his sons had a… relationship with a jedi. They had a child, and the mother was killed the night Order 66 was issued."

"And now Skirata fears for the safety of the child." Revan interjected.

"He's paranoid anyone claiming to know about the Force will attempt to take the child away from his family."

"Then it's probably in my best interest to let you do most of the talking?" asked Revan.

Spar nodded, "Just don't try and read his mind or any of that osik. And don't bring up anything about training or anything like that."

Revan gave Spar a mandalorian salute, before engaging the hyperdrive.

"I'll follow your lead."

Hyperspace-en route to Dathomir

Barriss Offee was meditating. Crossed-legged, the seated Mirialan had her eyes closed, vaguely aware of the fact the ship was approaching its destination. The more she immersed herself in the Force, the more she sensed the Dark side presence increasing in magnitude. And for some reason, that fact didn't brought her as much dread as she thought it should have.

Opening her eyes, Barriss looked at her new robes once more; a gift of the one piloting the ship: her savior, Darth Plagueis. The fact the robes color was that of the Sith's signature black didn't escape her notice.

The Mirialan was no fool. Plagueis wouldn't have rescued her if he didn't expect something in return. She just wasn't sure what it was, at until he gave her the robes. Now she has the mild suspicion the elder Muun wants to train her as his apprentice.

Before she could thoroughly contemplate her conflicted feelings on the matter, however, she felt the ship exit hyper-space. Shrugging, she stood up and left her quarters.

"Nice of you to join me," Plagueis said from the cockpit as the automated doors opened. "We are about to descend," The Muun said as he pressed some bottoms.

Barriss paused, staring at the planet before her. She had personally never been to Dathomir but back when she was in the Jedi Order, she was probably the most studious Padawan of her generation and she has read a big deal about this planet, especially the details regarding the multiple clans of Force-users that were established in Allya's wake; a former Jedi banished from the Order to live out the rest of her life in that low-populated world.

Frowning, Barriss looked back at the Sith Lord. "Why are we here? Last I checked, the Nightsisters of Dathomir took heavy loses when General Grievous invaded their stronghold. And if any of them are left, I don't think they'll be keen to leave their home world, even for Revan," The Mirialan said. "The deep Force energy on this planet is strongly ingrained in their cultural mindset."

"All good points," Plagueis acknowledged. "However, we are not here to recruit Dathomiri witches. We are here to check on my secret vault."

Her curiosity picked, Barriss remained in silence, allowing her elder to continue. She wasn't disappointed.

"After my treacherous apprentice heavily intoxicated me and tried to kill in my sleep," Plagueis began with a hint of a growl. "I knew I had to lay low. Unfortunately, that meant allowing Sidious to loot the Sith archives. The only other people that knew where it was were Sidious and to a lesser extent, my personal droid. If he went there and found the archives empty he would have known I survived and back then, I was still seriously wounded from his attempt on my life. So, unwilling to push the limits of my newfound resistance to death, I let him claimed the archives as his own. But," Plagueis said with a smirk, "there was one secret vault that I never told Sidious about. It contained some of my most valuable possessions. That one I did recovered and hid it on a secluded location on Dathomir. And we are going to retrieve it now that Tython is a safer place to keep it."

"And why exactly did you brought me along?"

Plagueis paused, looking at her directly with his yellow gaze. "Do you want the polite answer or the truth?"

"The truth, if you would be so kind," Barriss replied with a nod of appreciation.

"Well, then the answer is that I wanted to see your reaction to walking on this Dark side-aligned planet," Plagueis explained. "Call it a…fact finding mission."

The Mirialan narrowed her eyes. "To what end? Measure my strength of character?"

The Muun tilted his head to the side, staring deeply in her own eyes. "I suppose that's one way to put it." He said before lowering their vessel to the planet's surface.

Tython – Jedi Temple

Zeego dragged a hovercart full of debris out of the temple, he handed the cart off to one of the droids who took the junk off to be destroyed. He pat down his pants to dispel some of the dust, when he turned around he saw Serra and Sira standing before him.

He watched hesitantly at first, "Ladies…? What can I help with?"

"We want to help with the Temple. It's gonna serve as our home after all," Sira answered.

"Well, I'm sure the Force will make this entire thing go by much quicker." Zeego commented.

He motioned for them to follow him back inside the Temple, the Kalikori villagers were still hard at work to fix the smallest details. The common area inside the temple entrance was well on its way to restoration, he led his compatriots down the hallway towards the dorm areas.

"The Temple's still in working condition, but I want to make things look presentable for Revan when he comes back. This place should rival the temple that was on Coruscant when it's finished, maybe not in terms of size, but rather effectiveness and aesthetics."

"And what do you want us to do?" Serra asked him.

"The two of you are some of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy. You'll serve as an example to those that come here. It's gonna be some time before we're ready to do whatever it is that Revan has in mind. So we may as well get comfortable and clean this place up I think."

"So that's it? Clean up duty? Can't the droids take care of this?" Sira questioned.

"And this is the part where if I was a jedi I'd start giving some explanation about how it's a spiritual trial for yourself or something like that."

"That's certainly one thing I don't miss…" Sira muttered under her breath.

The trio continued walking through the halls, most all of the dorms were in usable condition. Serra thought to herself about the differences in architecture from Coruscant. Tython seemed more organic, natural. It made her feel more relaxed, at home almost. She was surprised that Coruscant could be the only home she ever had, and yet, Tython – a place she had never been before- felt more like a home than anywhere. It may have been her inner jedi speaking, knowing that this was where it all began. She glanced to her left and focused on herself, envisioning what this place could be.

There were dozens of Twi'lek Force-adepts aiding the restoration of the Temple; volunteers that had learned a bit from the Kalikori Matriarch. She hesitated to call them jedi, knowing they weren't like the traditional jedi she had been raised by. However, she could feel the Force telling her that they had great potential. With proper direction and efficient training, they could be a flourishing seed; one that would bloom into a beautiful Jedi Order for a new era.

She exhaled deeply. Ever since she met Revan, her sense of clarity has become sharper than ever. She was always a competent Knight; some would have even placed her among the most remarkable ones of her generation. And yet, never in her life had she felt the Force to the degree she did now. If asked about it, Serra wouldn't have known how to explain it properly. With the Jedi Order's membership at an all-time low, she should have difficulty accessing what was left of the Light side in the Galaxy. At first she considered it had much to do with her current location. The planet Tython vibrated with the Force in a scale she had never felt before and during a brief, somewhat awkward exchange she had with Count Dooku, he told her he could channel the Force into his old body easier than he has done on any other planet. And while she was sure these factors had something to do with her newfound clarity and attunement with the flow of the Force, she couldn't shake her feeling that they were still secondary reasons.

Looking at the Old Jedi Temple getting rebuilt, she unexpectedly recalled a conversation she had with her former master, Cin Drallig. It was a few hours after her Knighthood ceremony, the sun finally setting on Coruscant. Serra had felt joyful and proud, she remembered with fondness. After all, she had truly proven her worth to the Jedi Council and now she could finally call herself a proper Jedi. And yet, she also remembered, clear as day, that she felt something was clawing at her sense of satisfaction; a bitter hole, made wider by recent events. It was at that moment that Cin Drallig entered her quarters and found her staring at the sunset from her window.

"Enjoying the view?" Her old master had said.

After a nod, the Jedi Battlemaster approached. "Serra, I want you to know that I am very proud of you. You are the most promising pupil I have ever trained in my career and that's no exaggeration. But I also want you to remember that I know you like the daughter I never had," The middle aged human said softly. "And that I can tell when you are heavy of heart. Never forget that if you need someone to talk to, I will always be there for you, even after I'll eventually become one with the Force. So, please tell me, what gives you this sadness on such a happy day?"

Sighing, Serra had stared at the face of the man that rescued her as a child and raised her into the Jedi she now was. "Strangely enough," She said with a pondering tone, "it is the very fact I am now a knight."

Cin looked at her in silence, allowing her a moment to compose herself. Finally, he put calm in his tone. "The Council believes you are ready, Serra. And so do I," He said reassuringly.

"I know that," Serra nodded. "But I still accepted the knighthood that was offered to me. That's on me."

Drallig frowned. "I am not sure I follow."

The young woman had bit her bottom lip; a look of caution in her face. She knew that if she truly spoke her mind it would tread dangerously close into taboo subjects. But this was Cin. If she couldn't trust him of all people, she couldn't trust anyone in the whole galaxy.

"By accepting my knighthood," Serra said slowly, "I have officially become a Jedi. And with that reality, I have accepted the responsibilities that come with it…along with all I am now sworn never to do for as long I am a member of the Jedi Order."

Her old master couldn't stop himself from sighing. "In other words, you still hadn't forgiven yourself for leaving that…unique…Fallanassi behind."

Serra closed her eyes and nodded. "It has been two years already but you are right, I have not. And I hadn't been able to stop myself from the wondering what would have happened if I had stayed. I have never found the idea of breaking my vows so attractive until I meet him," She said, her voice full of emotional regret.

"But you didn't," Cin reminded her. "You found the strength to stay on your path."

"I know, but every now and then I entertain the idea that maybe I should have found the strength to walk away instead," Serra confessed. "And now that I have accepted my knighthood, any possibility of letting go with a clear conscience is out of my grasp. Now, there is no road but the Jedi road. I guess the enormity of it; of the fact I have forsaken a future I know I could have cherished is starting to sink in. And…to tell you the truth, Master, the prospect terrifies me," She said before looking away, too ashamed to look at her mentor in the eye.

The Jedi Battlemaster sensed the turmoil within his prized pupil and sighed; a look of sadness on his face. "Serra," He said carefully. "A Jedi's life is not easy. The Force gives us much, yes, but even if we don't want to admit it, we give back even more one way or another. Companionship is just one example."

Serra remain quiet, her gaze still focused on the floor.

"I know it's hard to see it now," Cin continued. "But never forget that everything happens for a reason. Your decision to stay in the Jedi Order was the will of the Force. One day, you'll discover what that reason was. And on that day, you will see your shaken faith in the Force restored," He assured her.

Drallig approach the door and look back. "Meanwhile, find a way to get this message into your head: even if is not in the way you long for, you are a Jedi, and Jedi are never truly be alone."

And with that, her old master had left the room leaving her in silent contemplation with her gratitude hanging in her throat.

Wiping a single tear, Serra smiled slowly as she looked around. She was in her order's home world. She was alive, despite all odds. And even with the intense loses the Jedi have suffered, hope was not dead. The Jedi Order has a chance to begin anew and the Force was granting her the opportunity to be a major part of it.

"Thank you, Cin," She thought with a sense of peace. "May the Force be with you, wherever you are."

Feeling inspired, satisfied and full of purpose all at once she channeled vastness of the Force around her like never before, letting it in as easy as breathing. Smiling at her new friends, she clasped her hands together and took a few deep breaths

Well," she began. "If we're going to help with the temple, I think a bit of expansion is in order," She declared.

Sira's eyes widen faster than a sarlacc's maw when she started to sense the growing power in Serra, amplified even more by the strength of the planet they were on. She watched in awe as Serra released the energy in a ferocious wave. A ruined temple wall was thrown deep into the rocky mountain behind it. Serra's focus remained as true as her belief in the Force. She pushed further, and the ground shook beneath her efforts to reshape the inside of the mountain. The barely trained twi'leks openly gaped at Serra as she continued to create an entirely new part of the temple with nothing but the Force. They had no idea reshaping stone with telekinesis to such degree was even possible. To see a true Jedi in action, thoroughly in tune with the Force around her was a magnificent sight for the villagers to behold.

After a few more minutes, Serra finally gave in to fatigue, dropping to her knees as she began panting in exhaustion. Sira knelt down beside her, reaching under her arm in an effort to help support her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Serra nodded, "I'm fine, really. I just… I pushed myself too hard."

"You sure seem happy even with that exhaustion."

Serra smirked, her eyes full of satisfaction at her impressive handiwork. "How could I not? I finally know my place. And now that I do, the future is full of exciting possibilities."

"No kidding," Zeego said as he stepped over, pulling something from his belt. "Here, eat this. It's a ration bar, it might help you feel better." Serra took the small morsel from Zeego, opening the packaging and biting into the bar. She chewed thoughtfully before speaking.

"This tastes absolutely horrible…"

"I know," Zeego chuckled. "They're awful, but you need one after that, so just suffer through it. We'll get you something decent to wash it down, I promise."

Serra looked at him before glancing down at the dull-tasting food before she did her best to finish it, acting something reminiscent of a disobedient child refusing to take their medication. Inwardly though, Serra was thrilled with her epiphany.

Zeego stared down at the newest cavern more carefully, his gaze considerably stunned as he contemplated the magnitude of the effort. "Well… I can see why Revan thought you'd fit in here."

Serra stood up slowly with the help of her newest friend. Sira held her as best she could as she began brainstorming ideas for the newest part of the temple. She smiled slightly.

"We should build a holochamber.," Sira said excitedly. "One that tells how we got here, to this point. And just since Revan brought us together. Where we were before. Something to show how individuals come together."

Zeego glanced at her, liking the idea, "Revan would appreciate it. Alright then. Let's get to work." He entered a command on his wrist comm, calling several construction units to join them in this project.

Aboard the Ebon Hawk

Revan watched the ring of hyperspace dissipate as the ship reentered normal space. He checked the ship's sensors, there were no other ships on his scopes.

"Well, I think your 'friend' might be a no show. There's nothing here," Revan said impatiently.

Spar shook his head, "No. No, Kal wouldn't stiff another mandalorian. He'll be here, just wait."

Spar's expectations didn't go unmet, the pair sat silent for a moment before they watched a small freighter dropped out of hyperspace. It drifted closer to them before the Hawk's comm lit up. Revan put the transmission through.

"Su'cuy gar, Spar. Do we have duumyc to board?" Skirata asked.

Revan nodded at Spar.

"Gar serim," Spar answered. Revan recognized the mandalorian tongue, but it was certainly a different tongue from when he fought in the wars.

"Vor'e ner vod!" The transmission cut, Revan watched as the freighter came next to the Hawk. A metallic clang rang out through the ship as the docking seal connected the two ships together.

"I'll wait in here while you talk with him, call me out when you're ready."

Spar stood up from the copilot's chair as he gave Revan a quick nod. He stepped into the main hold with his helmet under his arm. Kal and his eldest son Ordo stepped into the room. Ordo was a clone like Spar, however Ordo was referred to as a Null Arc; pure Jango replication. He was one of the first six clones created for the ARC trooper program; also known as Advanced Reconnaissance Commando. The kaminoans thought that the Nulls were a failed first test at cloning, however Skirata kept them from being killed, and raised them himself. They had an undying sense of loyalty to Kal. They owed him their lives, just like each of Kal's children did.

"So why'd you want to meet, Spar? You sounded pretty anxious on the holo," Skirata started, feeling rather impatient already.

Spar hesitated, knowing full well this was going to end badly, "We… we need your help, Kal."

"We?" Ordo asked, "Who's we?"

The trio stood quietly as Revan stepped into the room. Skirata's expression immediately changed to one of absolute hatred. Revan could sense the man's grief and his hate for jedi. Ordo's hand instinctually twitched toward his blaster. Skirata's jaw tensed, shaking his head.

"No. No, no, no. A thousand times, no. Not if he was the last kriffing jedi in the force-forsaken galaxy."

"Kal, listen." Spar pleaded, "It isn't what you think."

Ordo stepped up, "Then what is it Spar? Because he's not coming back with us."

"He's not who you think he is. You think you know Jedi, but you don't know him. He fought in the war."

"So did every other jedi!" Kal shouted, "And he's still aruetyc. They all are. Kriffing saber jockeys…" he trailed off.

"Not the Clone Wars… Revan fought against us in the Mandalorian War."

Ordo scoffed, "Alright, Spar you've lost it. There's no way he could be Revan."

"You don't have to believe me Ordo, but he is. And he's going to take down Palps and his entire kriffing Empire. All of it, gone."

Skirata sighed, "I don't even know why I'm asking this, but how do we fit into all of this."

Spar set his helmet down, "I'm going to become Mandalore. Revan's going to need an army. The Empire can't stand against us."

Skirata shook his head, "If you're saying you want Ordo, Atin, Jaing and all of their brothers to follow you to war then we have nothing to discuss. My boys are done fighting, and we have better things to worry about than your damn war. Dar and Niner are still stuck on Coruscant. Besides, Shysa's already preparing to declare himself Mandalore."

"Shysa would rather a Fett heir. I inherited Jango's memories, so I'm the best option." Spar crossed his arms, "You don't have to follow us to war, but there are other ways you can help us."

Skirata shook his head, adamant of his decision.

"No. I'm sorry Spar, but no. This isn't our fight anymore." He picked up his helmet and made his way for the airlock. Ordo still stood in the Ebon Hawk.

"Dar and Niner, your brothers I assume?" Revan asked.

Ordo nodded, "They got left behind on Coruscant when we deserted."

"So now they're trapped with the Empire." He paused, "You have Spar's holofrequency?"

"I have it." Ordo answered, feeling apprehensive.

"We'll be in touch then. Even if your buir doesn't want to talk, I can tell you're at least open to working with us. You would have left already otherwise." Revan gave Ordo a salutary nod before offering the Mandalorian salute in farewell. Revan and Spar watched as their ship detached from the Ebon Hawk before they re-entered hyperspace.

Dathomir- Singing Mountain Region

As the two Force-users left the shuttle, Barriss looked at the cave before them, dark in more than one sense of the word. "You left your vault there?" She asked.

Plagueis nodded. "Do I sense disappointment in your tone?" He wondered.

"More like bewilderment," The Mirialan responded. "This planet may have a really low population but most of it is capable of sensing the Force. What's stopping any one of the local Dathomirians to enter the cave and steal your precious vault?"

Plagueis looked back at her, a predatory look filling his gaze. "A failsafe I left behind," He replied.

"Do I have to ask?"

He chuckled darkly. "I can assure you the trap I set on the entrance of this cave is more than enough to repel any organic creature that enters and no droid would be able to crack my safe," He prefaced, his voice thick with an emotion Barriss couldn't quite deciphered, although she settled for pride. Pointing at the entrance with one long finger, he looked back at her. "I have made it so that any living creature attempting to enter the cave would die because, unless I suspend the Dark sided defense, midi-chlorians can't survive inside that cave."

Barriss gasped and looked at Plagueis in undisguised astonishment. "You can bend midi-chlorians to your will?"

"And much, much more," The Sith Lord responded, content with the interested gleam in the Mirialan's eyes.

Just as suddenly as it had come, however, the enjoyment faded. The Muun visibly tensed and his hand subconsciously went for his lightsaber. Wary, Barriss demanded an explanation.

"I sense a presence," The ancient dark sider stated with a narrowed gaze. "A presence I hadn't felt since my own master; Darth Tenebrous still drew breath."

Barriss turned around as she felt footsteps approaching and stared at what was without doubt a Nightsister of Dathomir. Barriss took a step back before she realized it, suddenly aware of the huge Force potential in the woman as the sheer strength of the Force presence practically buffeted her. Her Muun companion took a step forward and crossed his arms.

"Well, well," Plagueis said with an unhappy, although not exactly threatening tone, "look who's here. Gethzerion, it has been a long time."

AN: And that's the end of Chapter 18. A companion short is currently being worked on about Barriss and Plagueis. However, I'm not sure when it will be ready. It's a collaborative project with my beta reader Mard Geer. Also, you can expect at least one more chapter before the next semester starts, with that, I shall see you all soon.

-CaptainCakeless117