Statement: The meatbag writing this story does not own Star Wars.

Chapter 5: A Friend's Tale

Bastila stood nervously before the council as she felt their eyes watching her. A moment of silence passed. Finally, Master Kavar spoke up.

"Padawan, you have been a member of this order practically your whole life. Your entire life has been a trial. We recognize your abilities and are grateful for your loyalty to the order."

Master Vandar joined. "You have been through much, more than most would in a lifetime. You have learned more lessons than most would in a lifetime."

Bastila felt a mixture of nervousness and pride as she listened to their words. She wondered where this was going.

"Even after your fall to the dark side, you came back and remained as faithful to the light as ever," said Vandar. "As such, Padawan, you have learned much and have grown stronger in your abilities. As you continue your path, you will only grow stronger in the force and in the mind."

Kavar resumed speaking. "Therefore, Padawan, we feel you are not worthy of that lowly title any more."

Bastila stomach rise as she heard these words. She braced herself and held her breath at what would come next.

"Padawan Bastila, it is the council's and my honor to announce your movement up the ranks of the Jedi. Tomorrow, you shall be dubbed as a Knight of the Jedi order."

Bastila could barely contain her excitement. All these years, all these hardships and training finally paid off.

Vrook finally spoke up with a hint of frustration in his voice. Of the numerous masters present, he seemed to be the only one who resented the situation. "However, do not let your ego swell by this announcement. Pride leads to the dark side, and you would do well to not let this go to your head."

Bastila nodded, though Vrook's words did nothing to lessen her spirit.

"Tomorrow, you shall be knighted at midday," Atris told her.

Finally the council dismissed her, and a glowing Bastila exited the chamber. She could barely contain herself. Finally, she would be a Knight! Her wide grin caught the attention of the two sentries at the doorway. When she noticed them she only smirked in return and walked off. She couldn't wait to tell Revan.

After Bastila left, Kavar addressed the council. "This meeting is adjourned."

"Kavar, Vandar, I would like to speak with you both, privately," said Vrook sternly. Kavar and the tiny Master nodded in response.

"I must return to the archives," said Atris, the council's historian. As she left Master Vash followed her. The rest of the Masters scattered and headed off to their own destinations.

Revan stared at the man who sat across him. He was slightly older than Revan, only by about three or four years. His brown hair practically reached to his shoulders, with some wisps of it hanging in front of his face. Traces of sideburns showed on his face, giving him a rugged look.

Quaid Darin, the exile, stared calmly back at him with calm green eyes. Finally, after a moment of tension, the exile spoke.

"It has been what, five years?"

"More or less," Revan responded.

"I never would have thought I'd ever speak to you again. So much has happened since then…"

"I have my ways of sticking around." Revan leaned forward. "It's good to see you again, old friend."

"The feeling is mutual, Revan." The exile straightened in his chair. "What has happened to you over these years? I feel I have missed much."

"Where have you been all these years?"

"After my exile I spent most of my time on the outer rim after your disappearance. News did not really reach these worlds, so I had little knowledge of what had transpired in my absence. I did not find out until much later that you had returned to the Republic."

"Quaid, what did you need to see me for?" asked Revan, no longer able to dodge his purpose for being there.

"Is it unusual that I merely wanted to talk to an old friend?"

"That's not the only reason."

"Ah, perceptive as ever. Well, Revan, the council, as they probably told you, needed you to know all that has happened. They felt, as well as I, that you needed to be told from me. Besides, if it's any consolation to you, I really did want to talk with you again, just for old times' sake."

"I believe you," Revan assured him. "But I must ask you, what happened at Peragus? This incident as caused major repercussions throughout the Republic."

"I'll tell you exactly what I told the council: I did not do it."

"But what happened? And what of your companions? I hear a Jedi Master was with you-"

"I will tell you everything, old friend, although you will no doubt have questions."

"Please, go on."

"Well, as I said earlier, I spent my time on some remote worlds along the edge of the outer rim. Most of these worlds had little or no connections with the Republic." Revan nodded as he listened to Quaid.

"A few years late, I heard rumors of a 'terrible battle' raging in the Republic. Words like 'Jedi' and 'Sith' were flung around, but what caught my attention was the mention of your name." Quaid noticed Revan wince slightly. "Upon hearing this, I realized I had to find out what was going on. Unfortunately, I had no way of knowing exactly when these events happened. As I said, news traveled slowly. I spent most of my time after that trying to reenter Republic space. Finally, I managed to get a ship and headed for the Republic. Unfortunately, my shuttle was seized by a Republic ship, the Harbinger."

That name sounded familiar to Revan. He listened silently as the exile continued. "The Harbinger had been looking for 'Sith deserters'. They did not find any, but they found us."

"Us?" Revan asked.

"It was on this ship that I met their other captive, Master Kreia. She, too, had tried to reenter the Republic. From what she told me, she had fought in the Mandalorian wars. After its end, she spent most of her time living as a hermit along the outer rim. Finally she sought to return after she had heard the news of your return."

"However, we found out that the war had already ended, and that the Sith had been defeated. Kreia and I still had no knowledge of what had happened, as the officers told us nothing. They claimed they would brief us when we returned to the Republic, but that never happened."

"What happened?"

"The Harbinger headed to Peragus to refuel, but we were intercepted by a Sith ship. Our own ship had no time to respond. During the battle, a blast hit my quarters and I fell unconscious. When I awakened again, I was in a kolto tank on Peragus."

Revan felt himself sink as he heard these words. So the Sith had indeed grown bolder. "Then What?" asked Revan.

Quaid continued, "I escaped from the tank and found Kreia in the medical bay. Some Republic soldiers managed to escape and took us both to Peragus in an escape pod. Unfortunately, the Sith hijacked the Harbinger and tracked us there. When they arrived, a squad of Sith troops assaulted the miners in their search for us."

"Wait," said Revan. "What kind of Sith were these?"

"These were not ordinary Sith soldiers. They used no blasters, as blasters in Peragus is as dangerous as playing ball with a thermal detonator." He lowered his voice as he spoke his next words. "These were Sith assassins. Well trained, I might add."

Revan shuddered. This was worse than he thought. The fact that Sith assassins were being used meant the Sith were more organized than he had hoped.

Quaid continued his solemn story. "They went throughout the facility, slaughtering the miners as they went. Any survivors of the Harbinger they found they killed even more viciously. When Kreia and I found out something was wrong, it was too late. Most of the miners were dead. We fled as the assassins were searching for us. In the midst of this battle, Kreia and I found a pilot named Atton Rand who had been a prisoner there for some 'minor charges'. As neither of us were pilots, we freed him in exchange for him flying us out of there."

He paused suddenly. Revan queried him as to what was wrong. The exile continued slowly.

"We ran into the misfortune of meeting their leader. We encountered him as we were fleeing. He was…horrible. He resembled a walking corpse. His skin was grey and cracked, bearing multiple wounds. It seemed as if only the dark side was holding him together. He called himself Darth Sion."

This deeply disturbed Revan. He stammered for something to say. All that came out was, "How did you escape?"

"Kreia held him off for us to escape. Atton and I found a shuttle in the hangar. Just as we were about to take off, Kreia made it back to the ship. She suffered a bad lightsaber wound to her side. Apparently, he left her for dead after he wounded her, which allowed her to escape. The three of us were able to flee in the shuttle. Unfortunately, as we fled, the hijacked Harbinger fired on us. Right as we made it to hyperspace, one of the stray shots hit an asteroid, and the entire system exploded."

"And just how did you end up on Telos?"

"Telos was the nearest planet in Republic space. We thought that we would be able to go there to refuel and resupply, but that never happened. The Telosian authorities arrested us to see if we were responsible for the system's destruction. Of course, I told them the truth, but they were hesitant to listen. The authorities on Telos were not the brightest of their kind. When Admiral Onasi learned of our captivity, he had us transferred here on Coruscant. The council found no guilt in us so Master Kreia and I were released. And so, here I am."

Revan just sat silent for a moment. This all was very hard for him to take in. As Quaid predicted, many questions raced through his mind. "Where are your companions?" he asked.

"She is staying in her own quarters here. You should talk to her later. As for Atton, he's still being held prisoner in the academy still. If I were you, I would talk to him also, though you'll likely want to shove his pazaak deck down his throat before long. He really likes to whine. The entire time, all he did was moan and complain about practically anything he could think of. I swear I was tempted to leave him on Peragus."

"Ah, he was that pleasant a person, eh?"

Quaid chuckled slightly at Revan's comment. "I will tell you one thing: I don't trust him. He's a very evasive person," Quaid warned.

"Well, I'll have to talk to both of them," said Revan. He looked up at the exile. "Now, I believe you want to know what happened after you left?" Quaid nodded. "Well," said Revan, "It began with…"

He told the exile of all that had happened. He told of his rise as the Sith Lord and his eventual fall at the hands of his apprentice, Malak. He told of his memory wipe and his quest for the Star Forge. He told of Bastila, Carth, and all his companions on his quest. He slowly spun the tale of Bastila's fall, his revelation of being the dark lord, and his eventual defeat of Malak. When he was finished, the exile was dumbfounded with shock and awe.

"So you don't remember anything as being the Sith Lord?" Quaid asked him.

"No, but I do remember you. I remember some of the Mandalorian wars, but I still remember next to nothing of my childhood."

"Amazing. This is just…" he couldn't finish his sentence. "I really have missed out on much."

"What now, Quaid?"

"I don't want to be an exile any longer. I want to follow you again, Revan. Jedi or not, I want to help you and the Republic in any way I can."

"I would welcome whatever help you have to give, old friend. But please, do not place yourself in danger if you have not fully healed yet. I know how badly Malachor V scarred you."

"Malachor V still pains me. I fear it will always pain me, but I'll be damned if I sit idly by and watch as the Sith take over the Republic."

Revan smiled. He deeply admired his strength and his resolve. It reminded him strongly of Bastila. At last he stood up and walked over to the exile, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Very well, Quaid. Whatever your choice is, I will let you make it. But you are tired. I think you should rest and think this over."

"Yes, I think that would be good." As Revan turned to leave the Quaid stopped him. "Revan, could you please put in a word for me to Bastila?"

Revan nodded. "I will do that, friend." He turned and exited the room. A thousand thoughts raced through his head. He needed to find Bastila and tell her, but first he had to talk to someone else.

"I respect your wisdom, Vrook, but I feel you are mistaken," Vandar told the frustrated Master. Vandar, Vrook, and Kavar walked through the academy, buried in their discussions.

"Bah," Vrook retorted. "Young Bastila is not ready. Even after her 'redemption' she still walks in the path of pride and arrogance. Even now, she dances on the edge of the dark side."

"Vrook, I fail to see how you draw that conclusion," stated Kavar.

"Just look at her actions. She is weak. She gives in to her emotions all the time. Look at how she caves in to her feelings for Revan. Those two have openly defied the wisdom of the code in front of the entire order with their love! We have foolishly allowed them to continue their course without administering proper punishment. They are a threat to all we have strived to protect."

Kavar had no choice but to disagree. "I am afraid you are wrong, Vrook. Bastila and Revan are both as loyal to the light as they ever were."

Vandar added, "I believe our dear Bastila was ready to be knighted a long time ago. However, I do not think she felt herself ready in her own mind. After her fall to the dark side, she needed time to heal. That was more important than her becoming a knight." He sighed. "And sometimes I cannot help but wonder if it is our fault many or our own Jedi fall. I sometimes wonder if our code is…flawed."

Vrook turned red. "You dare question the wisdom of the code? You are a Master, and yet you fill your head with such thoughts! Our code is the very backbone of our order. It preserves our very beliefs! The only reason our Jedi fall is that they are too weak to follow the code."

"I am inclined to agree with Vandar, Master Vrook," said Kavar. "Just look at our actions over the years. Never once have we accepted blame for any fallen Jedi. Never once have we stopped to question if we are to blame. As I look at our actions and thoughts, I cannot help but see them filled with arrogance and indifference. Just look at the exile. He came back to us carrying a planet's worth of pain. He was deeply wounded on the inside. Instead of doing what we should have done – consoling him, healing him, lending him compassion – we punished him. We condemned him to live a life of exile. That is why Zez-Kai Ell resigned from our order."

"Zez-Kai Ell was a fool! He refused to condemn the exile for his actions," responded an angry Vrook.

Vandar spoke. "And I was there, too when it happened. I also took part in the exile's punishment. It is a decision I regret to this day. And as for our code, Vrook, I wonder if it is as infallible as you deem it. We preach the lesson 'there is no emotion'. What does this do? Do we mean to turn our Jedi into droids? We teach them to rid themselves of emotion when we should be teaching them to embrace their better emotions, while controlling the harmful ones. The code becomes almost a chain instead of a stepping stone. That is one reason why the Sith seem so appealing. Some Jedi viewed the Sith as freedom – the freedom of emotion and freedom from the code."

"You two are Masters and yet you allow your wisdom to falter like this! I for one am through with this conversation. Hold whatever foolish ideas you like. Maybe one day, you will come to light and see that I am right." With this, Vrook stormed off angrily, while Vandar and Kavar stayed behind, watching him solemnly.

Kavar looked down at Vandar. "Master Vandar, I sometimes fear he…"

"I fear it too, Kavar. I pray that his feelings do not get the better of him."

Master Atris knelt silently in the room. Surrounding her were thousands of holocrons along the walls. These were the academy's archives. In them was the history of the order, the Republic, and the teachings of Jedi and Sith alike. She sighed as she gazed at her surroundings. So much had happened in recent months. The destruction of Katarr, the return of the exile, the destruction of Peragus and now the return of the Sith. As each day passed, she seemed to feel more and more tired. Even still, with all that had happened, something else continued to occupy her thoughts. Atris stood up and walked nervously up to a particular holocron. She activated it sprang to life, revealing its records.

As Atris examined this, Master Vash came up from behind her wearing a concerned expression. "Master Atris, your thoughts are troubled. What disturbs you?"

Atris looked up and spoke without turning to face her companion. "A historian's life is a lonely one, Vash. To sit here with these ancient secrets and teachings can be quite…tiring." She sighed. "I trust you, too, are troubled at recent events. With the Sith and the return of the exile and Master Kreia, the force has given us much to think about."

"What are you thinking about?" asked Vash.

"I...come look at this, Vash." She pointed to the holocron that lit up before her. Vash stood beside Atris and examined the holocron. The data appeared, showing records of what appeared to be a trial that took place over 1000 years ago. "This is the trial of one called Knight Arturus," explained Vash. "He caused quite a rift in the order long ago. And yet, this holocron is…damaged. Incomplete."

"Why is that? What was his crime?"

"Arturus was put on trial for a crime which the holocron does not specify. Records of his trial are extremely vague. It indicates that someone else was tried with him, yet it does not specify who. Certain pieces of the puzzle are missing. Some data are corrupted, others are missing. It almost seems as if the council wanted his trial to remain a secret. I know not why, but this has been occupying my thoughts lately. I find myself pondering this puzzle more and more often. Now why in the force would I suddenly be so troubled over a forgotten incident that happened a millennium ago? I wonder if the force is telling me something."

"Please, Atris, do not strain yourself. If it is a matter you feel is important, you can always bring it to the council." Vash spoke as she tried to consol Atris.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Thank you for your concern, Vash. I must meditate on this."

"As you wish, Atris. If you ever need me or a member of the council, we will do all we can to help."

"Thank you, Vash."

Revan at last found the room he had been looking for. He reached up to press the doorbell but before he could a voice responded from the intercom.

"You may come in, Revan," said a voice belonging to an old woman.

Revan paused nervously. After a moment he opened the door and walked into a dormitory similar to the exile's. On the floor to his right sat a hooded figure, her head lowered in meditation.

"Greetings, my dear Knight. You come with questions?" asked the hooded figure.

"Greetings, Master Kreia," responded Revan. He performed a bow of respect but felt slightly absurd when he remembered she was not watching him. He walked up and knelt down in front of her so that they could see eye-to-eye. "Master Kreia, are you alright? I was told you were wounded."

"My flesh has healed, if that is what you mean. But that is of no importance." She looked at him at last, revealing her white, blind eyes. "So much has happened. No doubt you know what happened at Peragus. You wish to know what happened to me."

"I thought you were dead. What happened to you after the Mandalorian wars?" Revan queried.

"Many people's lives were changed after the wars. After the destruction of Malachor V I needed time to myself. Like many, I had grown disgusted with the actions of the council."

"But you were a member of the council."

"Was I? Do you assume that all members were alike in opinion and belief? No. I urged them to fight, yet they sat idly by. Perhaps they had fallen into apathy after so many years of sending their Padawans to do their bidding. You probably held the same opinion of them."

Revan winced. It seemed no matter where he went his past was always brought up.

"I resigned from the council before the wars even began. They were no longer worthy of my troubles. After the war, I wanted nothing to do with them. I did, however, long to return when I heard news of your actions."

"I am not proud of what I did," said Revan, aware of the fact that she had referred to his rise as Sith Lord.

"Of course you're not. You have learned so much though, and that you should be proud of. You are not like the rest of the Jedi, you know. You do not see things as they do. I feel you will only grow stronger with time." She paused for a moment. "Now is not the time to be discussing this. More will be revealed in time. For now, you have things you need to do." Revan bowed in acknowledgement and left the room, leaving Kreia to her meditations.

"Please state the name of your vessel, sir," said the worker at the docks.

"For crying out loud, I just told you!" said an angry male voice.

"Could you please state it again?"

"Why do dock clerks have to be so aggravating? Is it your job?"

The clerk ignored him and asked again. "Please state the name of your vessel and your business."

"Alright, for the fiftieth time, my vessel's name is Wookie 5, and I am visiting an old friend. Is that enough for you, or do you want to waste more of my time?"

"Just state your name and you're done."

"Alright, alright! The name's Bindo. Jolee Bindo. Are we done now?"

"Yes, sir, you may go."

After an eternity of searching, Revan at last found Bastila in the academy. Upon seeing Revan, she ran up to him and hugged him without word. Revan, stunned at the sudden outburst of affection, forgot completely what he was about to tell her.

"What happened?" he asked her. "Why are you so happy to see me all of a sudden.?"

"Oh, Revan, this is wonderful! I made it! I finally made it!"

"What? What happened?" he asked again as he excitement started to rub off on him.

"Revan, the council's going to promote me! I am going to be a Knight!"

"Oh, Bastila, that's wonderful! When are you being knighted?"

"Tomorrow! Isn't this wonderful Revan?"

"Of course it is. Congratulations, princess." Bastila ignored the term and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Oh, please, get a room, guys!" yelled a young Twi'lek voice. The two lovers turned to see Mission running toward them with Juhani at her side.

Bastila blushed slightly. She quickly tried to change the subject. "Hello, Mission. Did Juhani show you the academy?"

"It was great! I love this place! Juhani showed me the room of a thousand fountains! That place was just amazing!"

"Glad you like it, Mission." Revan turned to Juhani. "Did Mission stay out of trouble?" he smiled on the inside, knowing Mission hated being treated like a child.

"Hey, Rev, I'm not a kid! I'm sixteen years old!" protested Mission.

Juhani giggled. "She was fine. Tell me, how did your meeting go?"

"Great. Bastila's going to be a Knight."

"That is great, Bastila! When will you be knighted?"

"Tomorrow at midday," Bastila told her.

"Alright, Bastila!" Mission paused and looked as if she remembered something important. "Hey guys, I like this place, but I need to get back the Ebon Hawk."

"Whatever for?" asked Bastila.

"Um, something important," said Mission, which meant she wanted to keep it a secret. Revan sensed she wasn't up to anything mischievous, so he decided to let her go.

"Alright. Bastila, would you like to take Mission back? I have some things I need to do here."

"Of course, Revan. Farewell." Basila blew a kiss and she and Mission walked off. Juhani returned her attention to Revan.

"I must be going, too. It was great to see you again, Revan. I hope we can talk later."

"Thank you, Juhani. See you at Bastila's ceremony!"

The Cathar waved goodbye and left. Revan was at last alone. He decided he would tell Bastila later about his conversation with the exile and Master Kreia. For now, he had some very important business to do and some important people to see. A huge smile spread over his face, and he dashed off.

Meanwhile, on Dantooine, something stirred. In a forgotten place, a forgotten presence brooded.

"They may have left, but they will return," it thought. "I can see it. I can feel it. And when they return, I shall be free."

Whew! So, what do you think? If this chapter was confusing, please tell me. I don't want this to be a head-scratcher. And just for the record, more familiar faces will be appearing later. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but it will continue. I do intend to complete this story and give it an ending, unlike those fools at Obsidian. (Darth Vader force chokes Chris Avellone) "I find your lack of good storytelling disturbing." Okay, I promise I won't complain about KOTOR II again. Really!