I hope you enjoy my story, and if you do then let me know about it. Also, I wish you a nice read.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 21
Master Vandar was sitting in his private chambers. As usual, he was meditating. He was sitting with legs crossed and his palms resting on his knees. His eyes remained closed. He was breathing in and out slowly, while his mind was pacing back and forth amongst different thoughts.
A month has passed since Revan has told him that he still was himself, despite the Council's efforts on erasing his identity. First Master Vandar was shocked. He didn't sense that. Then, the shock was replaced with fear. Revan was powerful, despite his young age. He could easily stand against the small Jedi Master and best him in combat. But he didn't expect what was about to happen next.
When Revan was being judged by the High Council, Vandar for a second hasn't thought about the possibility of hearing the young man confessing to him. But it did happen and the old Jedi Master was torn apart between what Revan has said and his duty to the Council. He found it difficult to follow the Council teachings and to accept what the young man told him at the same time.
But nevertheless, he listened to Revan. And he was amazed at what he heard. Through many years, Vandar was sure that Revan has fallen to the Dark Side because of the terror of the Mandalorian wars. He didn't consider a possibility of the True Sith laying there in the Unknown Regions. But he didn't find lie in what the young man has said. It was his body language that showed, that he was telling the truth. The way he stumbled upon every second word, how he looked down in shame, after confessing all the bad things he committed in his life. It was certainly speaking in his defense. And what surprised Vandar even more, was that he didn't sense the Dark Side in Revan. He didn't sense it even during his trial.
This caused him to believe the young man. Now he more resembled the young Padawan, who was seeking knowledge everywhere he could, and used to crack jokes and do pranks all the time in the Academy, than the Dark Lord, who conquered half of the Republic. If there was evil in Revan, Vandar didn't see it.
His thoughts drifted to the information he got. Apparently, the Sith have survived the Great Hyperspace War. After thinking about this news, he realized that it was true. The Jedi High Council has sensed something in the Unknown Regions of the Galaxy, but any deliberations on this threat were never undertaken. The Jedi Masters stopped only on realizing that there was something out there, something greater than the Mandalorians. And it was Revan, who found this threat. And because of the pride of the Jedi Council, Revan received no help in fighting the True Sith.
Vandar was always the one to question the Council's decisions. Though he never said that out loud. He preferred to contemplate on rightfulness of the Masters' conclusions. Now he realized, that it was a mistake. And he was looking forward to repairing these mistakes of his.
This what Revan has intended was difficult. Vandar found out the younger man's intentions and, he had to admit it, they caused in him an inner conflict. If Revan's destiny truly was to defeat the True Sith in the Unknown Regions, as he claimed, he had to regain control over the Star Forger and his Empire. This alone was something that would cause everyone in the Galaxy to tremble in fear. The inhabitants of the Republic lived in a constant fear of their lives when Revan was in charge of the Sith Empire. But it was Malak, who was more dangerous of the two Dark Lords. So, of two evils, Revan seemed to be the lesser one.
Vandar opened his eyes and stood up from his chair. He would discuss it with Master Sunrider later. Revan said, that he didn't mind if Nomi knew about that. He would even be pleased if the female member of the Jedi Council shared her thoughts about Revan's plan. But Vandar had to leave it for later.
In mere minutes, he was about to meet with the said Revan. The previous day, the man has managed to complete the Jedi training. Master Zhar faked to be surprised at how fast his progress was, while Master Vrook remained hostile towards the idea of retraining Revan. He thought it was a mistake, but the other members of the Council have agreed, that it was a good decision after all. Master Dorak was neutral about Revan's retraining in the Jedi way. He agreed with the will of the most, that is Master Vandar and Master Zhar.
The Jedi Council was supposed to send Revan on finding out about what was happening at the Grove here, in the plains of Dantooine. Masters have decided that it would be a good test for Revan. This mission would show if he is able to resist the temptation of the Dark Side. Vandar was sure of it, but Vrook still needed to be convinced. So, the decision was made. Before they allow Revan to investigate the ancient ruins, he had to prove himself worthy of that task.
"What do you mean, that he can remember?!" a holoprojection ofAtris exclaimed with anger. She had her regular infuriated expression. The Jedi Grandmaster was wearing the same white robes, that she wore all the time. Her hands were crossed on her chest, as she was staring back at the projection of her friend and a fellow Jedi Master – Vrook Lamar.
"I mean, that it is possible that Revan regained his identity," he said, repeating what he told Atris just a few seconds ago. He also had his arms crossed on his chest. His brows were furrowed and there were wrinkles on his face. "The Force has revealed in him. Master Vandar and Master Zhar persisted on retraining him in the Jedi ways. It took him a month to accomplish the basic training. He is a Padawan once again" he finished.
"You did WHAT?!" Atris shout out. "How dare you to do that without contacting the Council first?" she asked with infuriated tone. If the holoprojection wasn't white-blue, Vrook would be able to swear, that he saw golden sparks in his friend's eyes.
"It wasn't my idea," Vrook said in a self-defense. "I was against that, but no one shared my point of view. I'm afraid, that retraining Alen caused Revan to return. Or at least, his identity started to show up in glimpses. Bastila said, that she shared a dream with this man. One, where he and Malak investigated the ruins here on Dantooine" he finished. Atris furrowed her brows at that.
"Perhaps Revan is not returning," she said after a moment. "It's possible that our plan started to fulfill itself. But remain cautious, Vrook. Watch this man carefully. And if you notice something suspicious, you have a full permission from the High Council to slay him. We should have done that in the beginning" Atris said with a determination in her voice. With that, the holoprojector went dead.
Vrook turned away from the device and left his quarters. He walked towards the Council chambers where he was supposed to meet other Masters and Alen Royce.
Revan walked in the direction of the Council chambers. First time in a month he has managed to get enough sleep. Waking up wasn't any problem for him. He was meditating a lot before he went to rest. It brought him a relief and peace he didn't find for a long time.
The previous month was a busy one. He had to learn all these boring things, that he was learning through the fifteen years of his life. It was extremely boring. But it worth the time he spent on boring studies. He was allowed to use the Force feely again. Though he sensed, that Master Vrook had some unspoken objections to his retraining. Revan had no problems with it. If he could do something more just to annoy the old Jedi, he would do that without a second thought.
But studying again the basics of the Jedi Order was too boring for him. It was a miracle, that he didn't die out of boredom. Normally, he had no troubles with taking new knowledge from any source available. But not what he learned as a small child.
Yet finally, his training was completed. Officially he was a Jedi Padawan once again. With it, and the help from Master Vandar, he was able to fulfill his plan. Thankfully, the small Jedi Master was willing to help him. It was risky at least, telling him the truth. But the old Jedi was patient and was able to listen what he had to say. It was something that remained unchanged in Master Vandar. And that was the reason why he respected him so much.
He walked in silence into the Council chambers. As he expected, all the Masters, as well as Bastila, were there already. They waited in silence for him to arrive.
"There you are, Padawan" Master Zhar greeted him with a small smile. Revan noticed, that Vrook only let out a huff at his arrival. "Are you ready to face the third trial?" the Twi'lek asked.
"Yes, Master, I'm ready," he said, trying to hide the boredom in his voice. He faced every trial over four years ago. It would be a childish play for him.
"For every Jedi, the threat of the Dark Side is always present" Zhar began what seemed to be a long lecture. "You must truly understand this before you will be sent on the quest to stop Darth Malak. You must see the corruption of the Dark side for yourself" he said. Revan fought an urge to laugh at that. He has seen it many times in his life, perhaps even more than all the Masters gathered here. "Even here on Dantooine, there are places where the Dark Side holds sway, twisting and tainting the nature itself. The Ancient Grove once used for deep meditations by the Jedi is now tainted, a wave of darkness perverts the region around it. The kath hounds in the area have become savage and ruthless. They have become a threat to the settlers, a threat the Jedi have promised to stop."
"What would you have me do, Master Zhar?" Revan asked.
"The kath hounds are but a symptom of the true problem" the purple Twi'lek replied. "You must journey into the Grove and confront the true source of the darkness. That is your task" he finished, straightening himself.
"You know more than you're telling me," Revan said, eyeing the Jedi Master in front of him.
"I can say no more; some things you must see for yourself" he replied. „None of the other Jedi at the Academy are permitted to help you in this task. But remember this, my young apprentice: a Jedi acts with patience and care, and those on the dark path are not always lost forever. The Dark Side still taints the Ancient Grove. Your lessons cannot continue until the spreading corruption of the Dark Side has been stopped. This is your task, apprentice. May the Force be with you" he finished, giving Revan a clear message, that the conversation was over.
The former Dark Lord was a little disappointed. Was that it? Did he come here only to get a task of cleansing someplace in the plains of Dantooine? That was… humiliating, to say the least. But nevertheless, he complied.
Revan bowed slightly to the Masters and left the Council chambers. No Jedi could help him, but that didn't mean, that he couldn't take with himself his companions. He returned to the living quarters, where his followers were staying all the time.
Since their arrival, they were been taken care of. They received new clothes and were able to use the refresher as many times as they wanted. They all also got the best food, that was being served in the Enclave. Every one of them also received a personal room. To put it shortly: the crew of the Ebon Hawk was being spoiled during their time in the Jedi Academy.
Revan walked into the room, where Rex was living. He didn't bother to knock. He opened the doors with the Force only to find his most trusted Captain laying on his bed and watching a holoprojection of a half-naked Twi'lek dancer. The former Dark Lord watched in amusement, as his follower jumped from his bed and pointed his rifle at the man standing in the doorway. An embarrassment and anger were seen on his face. He relaxed after seeing who it was, who entered his quarters.
"Oh, that's you," Rex said, regaining his neutral pose. "You know, next time maybe knock before entering like that" he added with a slight blush.
"Yeah, of course," Revan replied with a mocking tone. "Cause you might be in a middle of a very important action, right?" he asked, barely maintaining laugh. Rex's face went an even deeper shade of red. Revan decided not to play with his Captain anymore. "Gather yourself and the others. You started to grow slack. It's time to move a little" he said, turning to leave.
Rex put down his blaster and turned off the holoprojector. After that, he left his quarters and headed towards the rooms of the rest of their little group. Quickly Fox, Wolfie, Canderous, Carth, Mission, and Zaalbar were gathered under the tree in the Enclave. Revan was waiting for them already.
"It's time to stretch your legs a little," he said to them and turned in the direction of the exit of the Enclave. His companions followed without saying anything. Revan walked to the doors, where a protocol droid was standing.
"The Council has decreed you may come and go as you please," the unit said and the doors opened themselves. Revan and his companions walked through them.
They found themselves in a Courtyard where the plains of Dantooine were easily visible. The barking of the kath hounds was hearable in the far. On the sky the giant rays were flying in every direction, casting shadows on the ground.
"Wow! This place is beautiful!" Mission exclaimed, breathing in the air in a loud breath. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of a warm air feeling her lungs.
"Yeah, it's true," Revan said emotionless. Now, seeing the plains of Dantooine brought up memories of he and Bastila sneaking out of the Enclave in late hours after the studies. It was… painful. Bastila was not far from here and yet, he couldn't go with her. He groaned a little in frustration. "Let's go," he said.
They haven't walked far until they were stopped by a settler.
"Are you, Jedi, going to finally do something with these Mandalorians?" a man in his late thirties asked, coming to Revan. The young man was taken aback by that.
"What do you mean?" he asked. The man in front of him was infuriated.
"You, the Jedi, keep sitting in this Enclave doing nothing, while Mandalorians are spreading themselves around the plains" the man answered, gesticulating with anger. "You promised to take care of them and yet, you have done nothing with that. You claim to protect us, while all you do is sitting safely in the Enclave."
"Easy there, settler," Revan said trying to sooth the man down. "Tell me everything from the beginning," he asked.
"Not longer than two weeks ago a bunch of Mandalorians scum has come to Dantooine" the man began. "At first they didn't cause any troubles, but recently they've started to attack everyone who was passing them by. They've… They've even killed my daughter. I see, by the way, you're dressed, that you are a Jedi. I demand that the Mandalorians are taken care of" he finished, crossing his arms over his chest. Revan let out a sigh.
"I'll see what I can do" he murmured. The man in front of him seemed to be surprised by that. His expression lightened visibly. He wasn't angry anymore. He was happy.
"Really? You'll do that?" he asked, not believing in what he has just heard.
"Yeah, I've just said that" Revan replied.
"Oh that's amazing" the man exclaimed. There were no traces of his previous tone.
Revan decided to just pass this man by. An idea was forming in his mind. If Mandalorians were here… but that was extremely risky. But most of his deeds were extremely risky, he realized after a moment.
"Where are we going, Alen?" Mission asked with her childish tone. She quickened her pace in order to come closer to Revan. He smirked at her.
"I'll be needing your help with something," he said, putting his arm around her shoulder and bringing her closer to him. "We'll have to split up. Mission. You, Carth and Zaalbar will follow me. There is something the Council wanted me to attend to. Canderous. You, Rex, Fox, and Wolfie will try to solve this Mandalorian problem, the settler told us about. See what you can do about that" he ordered. His companions nodded at that.
They've crossed a bridge, that was built over a small river. Revan let go everyone first until Canderous was about to walk through the small stone structure as well.
"Try to convince them to join me, Canderous. Then meet me in my quarters. Do not contact me through the communicator" he whispered. The Mandalorian gave a subtle nod. No more words were necessary. He understood what the younger man meant.
They've split up rather quickly. Those, who were supposed to take care of the Mandalorians, have asked around the locals about any traces of the warriors, while Revan and the rest headed towards where the Grove was. It was located south from here.
"Do you want to talk, Mission?" Revan asked, coming closer to the girl. She was staring at the ground. She raised her head up when she heard her name being spoken.
"Hmm? Sorry" Mission replied. "I've been thinking about Taris again," she said.
"And how are you dealing with it?" Revan asked with a concern in his voice.
"Well, I think I'm okay" she answered after a moment "I mean, I've already accepted, that it's… that it's gone. I was thinking about my childhood, you know? Back when I was still a child. I wasn't always alone. I used to have a brother before I met Big Z."
"What happened to him?" Revan asked. "Did he die?"
"No. I mean, I don't know exactly" she replied. "One day I've just fallen asleep and the next… he was gone. I've searched for him for a long time. I've been looking for him in many different places. It is possible to say, that I have visited a bigger amount of the Undercity. But it was pointless. I've found no trace of him."
"Do you have any idea of what could happen to him?"
"Well, he could be taken by the slavers, cause there was no trace of him or his girlfriend, and my species is commonly sold as slaves" she replied. "But I don't want to talk about it. At least not for now" she added, looking back down at the ground.
"Okay then," Revan said and put his hands in his pockets. They continued forward south through the plains. Not so high hills were surrounding them, also bringing memories to the former Dark Lord. His thoughts, once again, drifted to Bastila.
"We have a company" Carth's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up only to notice a pack of kath hounds running straightly at them. The Republic officer drew his blaster pistols and aimed them at the mad animals. Mission and Zaalbar did the same, while Revan ignited his lightsabers. He chose the path of a Jedi Guardian, as he did years ago. He has made his own blue lightsaber, though he kept using those, he found on the Endar Spire. Somehow, he grew used to them.
The kath hounds have come closer and closer, despite Carth's best efforts in slowing them down. There was simply too many of them. Revan waited patiently for them to get close enough. The first one, that led the pack, launched himself at the man, probably being pulled by the light of his weapon. With no effort, the former Dark Lord stroke it down, sending it back a good few meters, only to be quickly replaced by another.
Revan and his companions kept on killing the kath hounds, and they kept coming. From every direction, a new pack of mad animals showed themselves, advancing at the small group. Soon, they were all covered in sweat, maybe except Zaalbar. It was a miracle, that they came out of this unharmed.
"Where… where have they came from?" Mission panted, dropping her blaster and putting her hand on her knees. She was breathing heavily and her blue skin was shining from sweat.
"This is partially my mission" Revan replied, also panting. "I'm supposed to find out what has made them so mad and to take care of it. Let's go. We have no time to waste" he announced and started to head south once again.
It took them some time to get to the Grove, cause they were often stopped by the kath hounds. Smaller or bigger packs, they have managed to cut the animals down, though still, the new ones were coming.
Soon, they've found themselves in front of a large stone structure. A woman was kneeling in the middle of it. She was a Cathar, from what Revan has seen. She had a form-fitting robe that was of a grey-blue and an orange color. She had a ponytail, that stood out from her head. It was a single wisp, that was being held by a rubber. Revan could sense hatred and anger coming out from her, though it was directed at herself. Around her were laying few bodies dressed in the Mandalorian armor.
The woman stood up when she sensed the intruders. She had gold eyes, but not those of the Dark Side – they were more cat-like. She came to the group of four and used the Force to put them in stasis. Revan resisted it, though his companions did not. They were standing frozen in place.
"I will be your doom!" the Cathar woman exclaimed, igniting her lightsaber. Unsurprisingly, it was one of a red color.
She advanced on Revan. The man in response ignited his own lightsabers. He crossed them in front of him and blocked a powerful blow, that came from the Cathar woman. He didn't expect such strength, that was behind the strike.
Revan blocked her another blow with one of his own lightsaber. The strike was pointed into his hip. If it met its original target, he would end up cut in half. Revan blocked easily that blow, but it was followed by another, that was directed at his midsection. He deflected it with his own strike. It caught the Cathar woman off guard.
She stumbled back as the strength of Revan's blow met her own. The former Dark Lord quickly went from the defense to an offense. He began his own series of strikes, that she found difficult to deflect.
Revan watched carefully the technique of the Dark Jedi in front of him. She was skilled, though her emotions caused her to deal blows without thinking, and now she had a hard time defending herself from the strikes of the former Dark Lord.
There, he saw it. A gap in her technique. She had a habit of uncovering herself after deflecting a blow, that came in her direction. She left herself then defenseless and Revan was going to exploit it.
He delivered a powerful blow which, as he expected, she parried away. And again, as he expected, her hand in which she held her lightsaber, was pushed aside. Revan then spun on his heel and delivered a powerful kick with his leg, that met her face. She fell backward and brought her hand to her nose. A blood was soaking through her fingers. The Cathar woman turned off her lightsaber and Revan did the same with his own ones.
"You… you are strong" she muttered, coughing with blood. "Stronger than me, even in my darkness."
"Who are you?" he asked, clipping his lightsabers to his belt.
"I am Juhani, and this is my grove" she replied, gesturing to the stone slabs, that covered the area around her. "This is the place of my dark power. This is the place you have invaded. When I embraced the Dark Side, this is where I sought my solace. It is MINE!"
"You were a Jedi then?" Revan asked intrigued.
"When I slew my Master, Quatra, I knew I could never go back," she said, removing her hand from her nose. It was healed now, thanks to the Force."And now I revel in my dark power. Power enough to crash the life from someone such as you… or so I had thought…"
"And I laugh at your pathetic attempt," he said in a mocking tone.
"What is it you want? Why do you bother me?" she asked at the edge of tears.
"I was sent by the Council to cleanse the taint from this grove" he replied simply.
"The Council has sent you here to kill me? Why, then, when you bested me so easily, did you not simply finish your task? Is it not apparent that I can never be saved?" she asked with a desperation clear in her voice. This desperation touched something in Revan.
"I have no desire to kill you, Juhani" he replied.
"And what another choice you have? I cannot be forgiven for what I have done" she said, ignoring what Revan had to say."How can the Council take me back with what I have done? Striking my Master down in anger is unforgivable."
"Anger? Show them, that you have free yourself from this base passion" he reasoned. He truly had no intention to kill her, cause he felt in her, that she wasn't lost to the Dark Side. She was just simply lost in her life, but not on her way in the Force.
"If I show them I am free of passions… That I am serene… That I am willing to forsake the Dark Side" she murmured. "Maybe, just maybe, they would accept me back. Do you think they would? Could it be possible after what I have done?" she asked with a hope in her voice.
"Your inner peace and harmony will show them your sincerity" he replied. He almost smirked at what he said. He started to sound like the Jedi Masters.
"I… I thank you, master Jedi" she stuttered. "I will return to the Council then. I shall submit myself to their judgment, and hope that they will forgive me. Again, I thank you. I am sure I will hear great things about you in the future" she said and with that turned to leave. She headed towards the Jedi Enclave.
Revan turned around and saw his companions still frozen. He smirked and waved his hand. With that, they collapsed on the ground but quickly rose back to her feet.
"Wh… what happened?" Carth held hands to his temples, as he struggled to stand. After being held by the Force stasis field for a dozen or so minutes, one had a problem in keeping his footing. It was normal.
"Nothing" Revan replied, picking up the lightsaber, that Juhani dropped. "Our task is done here. Let's go back" he said to his companions. "Be cautious, the kath hounds can be still here" he warned them.
Mission looked slightly disoriented, though she complied. Zaalbar only growled and followed the blue Twi'lek as her shadow. Everyone walked in silence. The group of four headed back towards the Enclave, following Juhani.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, write if you have any ideas about what I should change in my writing style and about anything if you have them. See you next time.
