Chapter 5: Past, Present, and Future.
Lothal
15 years since the rise of the empire
"Troubled you seemed young Jason," Yoda said looking at a four-year-old Jason while they meditated on the temple
"I'm not master," Jason said and Yoda hummed
"Lying you are young Jason," Yoda said as he closed his eyes "Your feelings betray you, worry you are, about your sister," Yoda said and Jason sighed
"It's just that, I hear what the masters say, they believe in detachment, but how can I detach myself from my sister, just so that I can be strong?" Jason asked in confusion
"And what does Master Ren tell you?" Yoda asked and Jason put a small smile on his face
"That attachment isn't wrong, but we need to trust those close to us, and trust in the force," Jason said repeating Master Ren's words
"Wrong he's not, connected to the force we all are," Yoda said "Feeling for others is in our nature, how can we protect others, if we close ourselves to the force?" Yoda asked rhetorically as Jason closed his eyes and sighed as he saw that he had transformed into his present self
"So, it's not wrong for me to feel the way I feel about Sabine?" Jason asked looking at the old master
"The answer to this you know," Yoda said as he stood up "Our ways were flawed, arrogant we were, a new way you need to find," Yoda said as he walked to stand closer to Jason "Strong you are Jason, but incomplete you have become, to protect your friends and love hole you need to be, a temple you must seek," Yoda said and Jason nodded
"How should I find it?" Jason asked in curiosity
"The padawan guide you he will, trust in the force you must," Yoda said as the image started to fade "May the force be with you young Jason," Yoda said as the light hit Jason's eyes
Jason blinked into consciousness as he felt a weight on top of his chest, he looked down and saw Sabine's head laying on his chest with her arms hugging his torso tightly and her leg on top of his waist
He smiled as he made himself comfortable and watch her sleep as he started touching her head making her sigh in happiness and blink as she started waking up and looks up to see Jason staring at her
"Hey, good morning," Jason said as she smiled
"Hey, where you watching me sleep?" Sabine asked with a smirk on her face
"Maybe I was," Jason said smirking and Sabine chuckled
"Didn't know my boyfriend was such a creep," Sabine said sarcastically and Jason chuckled
"You wound me," Jason said in mock hurt making Sabine chuckle "Let's stay like this all day, we can say we're sick," Jason said still passing his hand along her hair
"We could, but if Hera finds out she will never let us hear the end of it," Sabine said as Jason sighed
"Fine, at least five more minutes," Jason said hugging Sabine tightly making her laugh
"Jay, stop let me go," Sabine said chuckling trying to escape his embrace "I have to go and paint the TIE fighter, and you need to sell that data," Sabine said chuckling
"Ugh fine, you're no fun," Jason said letting her go and stretching his arms and then looked at her smirking
Sabine had sat up on the bed and looked back to see the smirk of Jason "Why are you looking at me like that?" Sabine asked in confusion, Jason sat up on the bed and grabbed Sabine's waist with his right hand, and leaned forward planting a hungry kiss on her lips
She garbed him by his neck as she deepened the kiss but Jason cut the kiss abruptly as he stood up from the bed Sabine narrowed her eyes at him "That's not fair," Sabine said narrowing her eyes at him and he chuckled
"It's just that you don't miss me too much today, love," Jason said as she put his upper clothes on his torso and grabbed the chip with Tseebo's information "Have fun painting the ship dear," Jason said as Sabine grumbled
"This isn't over Jay," Sabine said smirking as Jason turned around leaning on the doorway
"Looking forward to it," Jason said walking away from the room and walking to the cockpit where he found Hera sitting on the captain's seat
"Mornin' Captain," Jason said as Hera turn around and looked at Jason
"Morning, what can I do for you, Jason?" Hera said and Jason showed her the chip
"I have Tseebo's info here, I want to sell it to the guild and the public, but I wanted you and Kanan's opinion," Jason said and Hera put her hand on her chin and push the coms button
"Kanan love, can you come to the cockpit?" Hera asked as Jason took a seat next to her
"On my way," Kanan said over the coms as the duo waited in silence
"So, are you and Kanan together?" Jason asked in wonder breaking the silence as Hera blushed and didn't meet his eyes
"Wha? What makes you think that?" Hera asked nervously and Jason chuckled
"Well you call him love, and well the two of you have known each other for a while, so I'm just curious," Jason said and then smirk "Although your reaction tells me everything I need to know," Jason's aid as Hera crossed her arms
"Oh yeah, what about you and Sabine huh? I've seen how you behave around each other," Hera said trying to change the topic
"Oh we are, we started dating yesterday," Jason said smirking as he saw Hera's eyes winded but then sighed "But please keep it to yourself, or at least don't tell Ezra, we haven't talked about announcing our relationship," Jason said and Hera nodded
"A long as you keep me and Kanan's relationship quiet," Hera said and Jason nodded
"What about me?" Kanan asked entering the cockpit surprising Hera
"Nothing!" Hera said in shock and Jason chuckled as Kanan raised an eyebrow
"Okay?" Kanan said in confusion "So, what are we talking about?" Kanan asked in curiosity
"I downloaded Tseebo's information," Jason said showing Kanan the ship "I want to sell it, we could make good money with this, but is your decision," Jason said as Kanan took a seat and put a hand on his chin
"Who do you plan to sell it to?" Kanan asked in curiosity
"The guild, and the public, but if I sell it to the guild they'll make it public anyway," Jason said "Guild's notorious for not taking any jobs against the empire, because of the lack of information, but this will change that, so the money we could make, would be tremendous," Jason said and Kanan nodded
"What do you think Hera?" Kanan asked in curiosity
"As much as we like to think that we are doing good, and I'm not saying that we aren't, we are criminals, rebels of the empire, we need credits to further our cause, and this will do that," Hera said pointing at Jason "And it will also strike the empire further," Hera said as Jason nodded
"Sounds reasonable enough, I agree with the plan," Kanan said and Jason smirked
"Okay then, so Hera and I will handle the dealings," Jason said and Kanan raised an eyebrow "Don't look at me like that boss, you're our leader, but you need to be cunning to deal with this stuff, and you my friend are anything but cunning," Jason said smirking and Kanan grumbled
"Fine, just make sure we don't get scammed," Kanan said and Jason chuckled
"I'll try not to," Jason said as he looked at Hera "So, can I use the hollo-com?" Jason asked as Hera nodded and pointed at the buttons next to Jason
"All yours Jay," Hera said as Jason entered the code to the Guild master's personal hollo-com
The device beeped for a while until a hologram of the Guild Master appeared in the middle of the cockpit "Ah, young wolf, what a pleasant surprise, how long has it been?" The guild master asked rhetorically
"Not that long Greefe, how's business?" Jason asked as the man in the hologram smiled
"Mando has been cleaning up the business, running out of bounties to give him," Greefe said and then narrowed his eyes "As much as I like to catch up, time is money Jason, so what can I do for you?" Greefe asked
"Is more like what I can do for you," Jason said as Hera and Kanan remained quiet "I'm guessing that you heard that I joined a crew," Jason said as Greefe nodded "Well, me and my crew found a Rodian who worked as a technician for the Empire here on Lothal, he downloaded a ton of Empire's secrets and fled from the Empire, guess who has those secrets on his hands?" Jason said as Greefe smirked
"Oh, you're tempting me young wolf," Greefe said as he crossed his arms "What kind of info?" Greefe asked and Jason smirked
"Trooper and generals schedules, TIE fighters schematics, plans for planets on the outer rim, location of empire bases, that sort of things," Jason said and Greefe's smirk grew wider
"A pot of gold huh?" Greefe asked rhetorically and narrowed his eyes "How much?" Greefe asked and Jason smirked
"Half a million credits," Jason said as Hera's and Kanan's eyes winded
"Ah, I see, your freedom has made you cocky," Greefe said chuckling and Jason chuckled
"I'm cocky when I know I'm right, imagine all the jobs you could pull with this sort of information," Jason said and then leaned forward "Also, I saw the chip, there are locations of gold mines of the empire there, and their security standards," Jason said as Greefe's eyes winded "So, that's my deal, half a million credits," Jason said and Greefe grumbled
"Fine, but the information better be worth it," Greefe said and Jason chuckled
"I'm a man of my word Greefe, you know that," Jason said and typed something in the computer "I passed you coordinates of the rendezvous point, just on the outskirts of Tarkintown," Jason said as Greefe looked at his computer and nodded
"I'll meet you there tomorrow, I'll be in touch young wolf," Greefe said ending the convo as the hologram faded away
"Holy, half a million credits, the hell are we going to do with that money?" Kanan said rubbing his face
"That's roughly about seventy-two thousand credits for everyone here counting Chopper," Jason said as he leaned on his seat "We wouldn't have to worry about food and fuel for a while, and then we can buy top-of-the-shelf weapons and armor," Jason said and Hera nodded
"Yeah, I agree, everyone should get their equal cut, and then they can do what they want with the money," Hera said and Kanan nodded and chuckled
"Half a million credits, picking you up was the best decision we ever made," Kanan said making Jason smile "Changing topics, about Ezra's training," Kanan said and Jason looked at him in seriousness
"What do you have planned?" Jason asked having a feeling of what Kanan wanted to do
"We need to test him, we need to find a temple, to see if he can become a padawan," Kanan said and Jason nodded
"You have one in mind?" Jason asked and Kanan shook his head
"I have a hollo cron with the location of one in Lothal, I need to meditate to find it," Kanan said and Jason nodded
"Let me help you then, I have a feeling I need to go to that temple too," Jason said and Kanan nodded
"Then follow me, Ezra should arrive for training soon enough," Kanan said as Jason nodded and stood up from his seat saying goodbye to Hera
"It was nice talking to you cap," Jason said smirking as Hera smiled
"I'll keep an ear from any chatter of the guild master," Hera said and Jason nodded
"Thanks," Jason said as he followed his leader to his room and entered taking a seat next to him his back leaning on the wall
Kanan dropped to his knees and closed his eyes as he placed the hollocron "Shouldn't Ezra be here?" Jason asked in curiosity as the hollocron activated and a map of Lothal appeared in the room
"If he can't be bothered to be in time, then we will move without him," Kanan said as Jason sighed and put his head back on the wall
"You know, my master used to beat the crap of me if I woke up late for training," Jason said and Kanan smiled
"Master did the same, and then I got a lecturing about my tardiness," Kanan said and Jason chuckled
"Fucking old geezers and their hellish training," Jason said and Kanan chuckled "I'm going to have so much fun with Ezra's training," Jason smirked darkly and Kanan chuckled
"Just make sure you don't kill him," Kanan said and Jason chuckled as the doors of the room open up
"Kanan, sorry I'm late, I was with Sabine," Ezra said and Jason raised an eyebrow
"Doing what?" Jason asked in curiosity Ezra chuckled nervously and Jason hide his smirk knowing what Sabine was doing and just wanting to see Ezra be nervous
"So are you going to invite me in?" Ezra asked and Kanan kept his eyes shut
"You didn't knock, what makes you think you need an invite?" Kanan asked as Ezra looked at the floor
"I'm sorry," Ezra said and Kanan opened his eyes
"Then you should knock first," Kanan said and Jason smirked knowing he was messing with Ezra
"Not that, sorry for missing training," Ezra said and Kanan sighed standing up
"It's all the same thing, the fact that you don't see it," Kanan said looking down at Ezra
"Kid, back there at the asteroid, you made a dangerous connection to the dark side," Jason said from where he was sitting "If you keep running away, it will consume you and take everything you hold dear away," Jason said narrowing his eyes at Ezra
"So, we have to make sure you're ready," Kanan said and Ezra looked at him in confusion
"I'm ready," Ezra said with conviction that turn quickly into confusion "Wait, ready for what?" Ezra asked in confusion
"For a test, a real challenge, one that could determine if you're meant to be a Jedi… or not," Kanan said as Ezra's eyes winded
"But you said I was Jedi, why else would you be training me?" Ezra asked in confusion
"I never said you were a Jedi, I said you had the potential to become one," Kanan said and then Jason took over
"But you're too old, you lack focus and discipline, you lack patience and you let fear consume you," Jason said crossing his arms
"Come on you know how I grew up, I'm not used to these rules," Ezra said looking at Kanan and Jason "Guys, I want to become the Jedi you both see in me, the one I don't always see in myself," Ezra said as Jason sighed and stood up
"If my master would hear you know, sympathy was never an excuse for him," Jason mumbled as Kanan nodded
"Yeah, your lucky we are not our masters, and these are other times, but she never let you get away with it," Kanan said
"All the things you tried to get away with?" Ezra asked cheekily and Jason swatted his head
"Now's not the time young one," Jason said narrowing his eyes "You're on the precipice of your destiny Ezra, it's your choice now," Jason said as Kanan nodded looking at Ezra
"Go prep the Phantom, we're going on an adventure," Kanan said and Ezra nodded
"As you say, master," Ezra said walking out of Kanan's room and Kanan and Jason walked out of the room
"I'm going to regret this," Kanan said as Hera walked to them
"You have to do this Kanan, after what happened on the asteroid, you have to help him," Hera said as Kanan turn to her and smile
"I hope I can," Kanan said and Hera smiled
"I know you can," Hera said as both adults stared at each other
"Is this the part where you kiss?" Jason asked cheekily as both adults blushed Kanan grumbled and grabbed Jason from the back of his shirt
"Come on let's go," Kanan said as Jason looked at Hera
"Tell Sabine to not miss me too much," Jason said as Hera chuckled and shook her head in exasperation
Phantom sometime later
"So, where are we headed for this test?" Ezra asked as Jason was sitting on one of the right seats of the Phantom with his eyes closed
"That's what you're going to tell me," Kanan said as he took a seat across Jason and Ezra took a seat next to the red-head Jedi
"When I was your age," Kanan said and Jason chuckled making Kanan glare at Jason "There were around 10,000 Jedi Knights defending the galaxy," Kanan said and then sighed "Now, we are few," Kanan said leaning on his seat
"But in those days, we had small outposts, temples spread throughout the stars," Kanan said "The empire sought out these temples and destroy many of them, but not all," Kanan said looking at Ezra's eyes "I want you to meditate, let the force guide you to one of them," Kanan said as Jason opened his eyes
"What if I can't find it?" Ezra asked and Jason sighed
"That's part of the test kid," Jason said looking at Ezra "Trust yourself," Jason said and Kanan smiled
"Trust in the force," Kanan said as Ezra nodded and closed his eyes
"So, did you both take this test at my age?" Ezra asked smiling
"It was different for me Ezra, everything was different back then," Kanan said as Jason sighed
"Normally, we'll take you to this planet called Ilum, and there you can take a test that changes you from youngling to padawan, but the empire found it, so that's not an option, now focus," Jason said as Ezra nodded
"So, now the only thing that remains is the force," Kanan said and Ezra smiled
"And only my connection to the force can lead me to the temple," Ezra said and the other two Jedis smiled
"He can be taught," Kanan said and Jason chuckled
"There may be hope for him after all," Jason said smirking as they put their attention back to the young Jedi hopeful
They waited a few moments for Ezra to concentrate as Ezra started speaking again "There's a massive stone, with a tunnel, I think, and a bright star inside it," Ezra said and Jason shared a look with Kanan "And it's right here, on Lothal," Ezra said opening his eyes
"You sure?" Kanan asked and Ezra nodded
"I can't give you the coordinates, but I can direct us there," Ezra said smiling as he stood up "I know I can," He said as he and Kanan walked to the pilot's seat Ezra saw the mountain he saw in his vision
"The stone from my vision," Ezra said and Kanan took a seat on the pilot's seat
"Autopilot disengage," Kanan said and Ezra glared at the older Jedi
"You already knew," Ezra said and grumbled when he heard Jason chuckled
Kanan landed the ship in front of the temple as he turn off the ship "I checked the hollocron back in my cabin," Kanan said standing up from his seat as Jason stood up too
"And it told you there was a Jedi temple on Lothal?" Ezra asked in confusion as the trio exited the ship
"This planet is rich in nature and energy, it doesn't surprise me to see a temple here," Jason said breathing the air of the planet
"Course, I couldn't be sure this is the one where you meant to be, but it makes sense," Kanan said as the trio faced the mountain "This is your home," Kanan said
"Well chop, chop young one, figure out how to enter inside of it," Jason said crossing his arms and leaning on the front of the ship
"You know you're only three years older than me right?" Ezra said and Jason chuckled
"Soon to be four, my birthday is in a week and a half," Jason said and the other two force users "The seven of October to be exact, thirteen days from today," Jason said as Kanan nodded
"Good to know, but let's get back to the matter at hand," Kanan said as Jason and Ezra nodded "And quickly, the empire has access to the Jedi records, this place could be under surveillance," Kanan said as Ezra nodded and ran to the rock in search for an entrance
"You do realize that we would already see any troopers if that's the case, don't you?" Jason said and Kanan smirked
"Oh I know, but a little motivation isn't that bad," Kanan said smirking and Jason chuckled
Kanan walked to a circle on the floor and drooped to his knees as Jason stayed leaning on the ship watching Ezra run around
"Nothing!" Ezra said next to the rock "Not sign of an entrance, not even a crack," Ezra said "But I know this is the place I can feel it," Ezra said and then saw Kanan sitting on the ground "Seriously can't you give me a hint?" Ezra said and Kanan spoke to him without opening his eyes
"Don't look, listen," Kanan said as he kept meditating as Jason looked at the area still leaning on the ship "Use the force to hear the stone and its story," Kanan said as Ezra sighed and put his hand on the stone
"The stone, the temple, it…" Ezra said feeling the stone through the force "It wants to admit me, no wait not me, us, Master and Padawan," Ezra said as Jason raised an eyebrow "And it wants the Sentinel to go inside and face his test," Ezra said as Jason's eyes winded
"Okay then, then together shall be," Kanan said as Jason walked to stand on the older Jedi's right side as Ezra stood on the left side of Kanan, the trio lifted their right hands and focused through the force as the stone started changing revealing the entrance of the temple
"Wow," Ezra said in amazement as Kanan looked at him while Jason felt a calling and started walking forward ignoring Kanan and Ezra, he entered the temple followed by Kanan and Ezra
Ezra screamed making Jason turn to where he was looking his eyes winded when he saw the skeleton of what he figured was a Jedi, he then heard the temple closing and Kanan looked down at Ezra
"You lost focus," Kanan said as Ezra looked at him nervously
"Well, dead guys are distracting," Ezra complained and Jason chuckled as he looked around the temple
"In here, you'll have to face your worst fears and overcome them," Kanan said as Jason's eyes landed on a doorway with a faint light on it "And there's no guarantee of success," He said and Ezra smiled at him
"I have plenty of faith," Ezra said walking forward "Faith you both will keep me on track," Ezra said but stopped when Kanan spoke again
"We're not coming with you Ezra," Kanan said as Jason nodded when Ezra looked at them
"What? Where are you going to be then?" Ezra asked and Jason pointed at a door different from the one Ezra was walking to
"I have my own test Ez, so our paths divert from here," Jason said as he looked at Ezra
"And I'm staying here, with them," Kanan said pointing at the skeletons "Masters whose padawans never returned," Kanan said as Ezra's eyes winded
"You're putting your life in my hands?" Ezra asked surprised and Kanan nodded
"You put your training in mine," Kanan said as Ezra gulped and walked to the entrance behind him
"Remember Ezra, trust only in the force, it will guide you," Jason said as Ezra looked at him and nodded
"Good luck," Kanan said as he saw the doors behind Ezra closing in separating Ezra from the other two Jedis
"Wait, what exactly am I looking for?" Ezra asked before the doors closed fully
"Nothing and everything," Kanan said
"That doesn't help," Ezra said as the doors closed and Kanan sighed and kneeled in front of the doors
"I know, but that's what my master told me," Kanan said to himself as Jason put a hand on Kanan's shoulder
"Trust in your padawan Kanan, he will do fine," Jason said as Kanan looked at him and smiled Jason looked back at the door he was supposed to go in
He sighed and looked back at Kanan "If we get out of here when we train together we'll have to be open with one another Kanan," Jason said as Kanan raised an eyebrow at him
"What do you mean?" Kanan said and Jason looked at him
"You know what I mean Caleb," Jason said as Kanan's eyes winded
"How did you?" Kanan asked not moving from his position
"Master Billaba, she was your master, wasn't she? At least the inquisitor said that" Jason said and Kanan nodded "Mater Ren and your Master were good friends, she was proud of her padawan Caleb Dume, and she spoke fondly of you to Master Ren," Jason said and a small smile appeared on Kanan's face
"I should get going, see you on the other side friend," Jason said walking to the door
"May the force be with you Jason," Kanan said as Jason entered the doorway and the doors closed behind him
Jason saw ahead to an empty dark space, it felt like he was looking into space, then a blue mist started forming around the area as Jason walked ahead
Then he heard a set of footsteps coming towards him as he saw a familiar face walking toward him
"Master?" Jason asked in shock as the specter of his former master smiled at him
"Jason, you have grown a lot, I would like to reminisce our times, but we have a job to do," Ren said as he looked at Jason "Your training as a sentinel is incomplete Jason, and after this test, a mission will be granted to you," Ren said as Jason raised an eyebrow
"A mission?" Jason asked confused and Ren nodded
"You know what we are Jason, what we should be, sentinels, and unlike the rest of the knights of the republic, we are different," Ren said as Jason looked at him in confusion "We're explorers, survivors, and we are not afraid to deviate from what it's written in our laws," Ren said and Jason still didn't know what this was for
"Master, I don't understand, why are you telling me this?" Jason asked and Ren looked at the young Jedi
"You told that Mandalorian girl, that you won't use guns, because they are uncivilized right?" Ren asked sarcastically glaring down at Jason who gulped in fear
"Uh yes?" Jason asked uncertainty and Ren crossed his arms
"Tell me young one," Ren said and Jason sighed because he knew he was going to be berated like many times before "Are you living in a civilized era?" Ren asked rhetorically but still waited for an answer
"No master," Jason said and Ren glared at him hard
"And I told you that before, when I trained you to use blasters, yet when you started working as a mercenary you didn't use that training, so why would you do something so idiotic?" Ren asked and Jason gulped again
"I just wanted to continue your legacy Master, a Jedi doesn't carry a blaster after all," Jason said and Ren chuckled sarcastically
"A Jedi Knight of the republic didn't but we were not Knights Jason, that's why they didn't like us, but that's beside the point, let's focus on the present, do you plan to face every single enemy you face for the foreseeable future like a regular Jedi?" Ren said and Jason hesitantly nodded "Even if that puts your team, and your loved ones in danger?" Ren asked rhetorically Jason's eyes winded and dropped his head in shame
"Look at me Jason," Ren said and Jason slowly lifted his head "That way of living may have worked for you when you were alone, but now, you have others to think of, you cannot broadcast to the world what you are, you need to remain hidden and use your abilities only when the situation calls for it, like fighting that inquisitor," Ren said and Jason nodded
"That's all I have to say, Jason, I wanted to offer you some advice before you faced this test, if you succeed, you will be rewarded with gifts that will help you on your journey, I see greatness ahead of you, good luck," Ren said as he disappeared from the area and the blue mist dissipated
Then a yellow light mist invaded the space as a person, nay a child of thirteen years old with red hair appeared on the scene and behind him, two other persons were there
The one on the child's left was a big Lasat wearing Jedi Knight armor from the times of the clone wars
The other one was an African American woman with long braided black hair and she was wearing some white Jedi robes
"You're Jedis, aren't you?" Jason asked rhetorically and the child nodded
"We were, now we are one with the force," The child said and Jason's eyes winded
"I'm sorry, what happened?" Jason asked in curiosity
"The empire," The woman said and Jason sighed in defeat "My name is Cere Junda, I was a Jedi knight of the republic," Cere said and then the Lasat spoke up
"My name is Jaro Tapal, I was also a Jedi Knight and master of this one here," The Lasat said and Jason looked down at the child
"And my name is Cal Kestis, a Jedi padawan that ran away after order 66," Cal said as he started walking forward to stand close to Jason "We're remnants of your past, of the order you used to belong, of the ways that needed to disappeared," Cal said as he put his hand forward "You need to see what happened to us, so you can learn to protect others," Cal said as Jason grabbed his hand and everything went white
He blinked and the area changed as he was now on a spaceship similar to the ones the republic used to use
"This where I trained my padawan," Jaro Tapal said as he appeared next to Jason "This is the day that order 66 happened, come along," He said as he directed Jason into a spectating area
They enter and saw another Jaro Tapal watching a young Cal training "Good work, Padawan, now use your training to reach us," The past Jaro said as the younger Cal started climbing the obstacles to reach his master
"What an orthodox training," Jason remarked as the force specter of Jaro chuckled
"I'm a Lasat after all, I wanted him to have all the tools to survive, we were at war after all," Jaro said and Jason nodded
"Yet you had him secluded, I know of younger padawans who were in the middle of the war," Jason said and Jaro nodded
"He wasn't ready, I was planning on fighting with him after this day, but plans changed," Jaro said as the young Cal arrived at the area they were
"Make sure the ships are ready, we're ready to depart and help on the war," The Jaro Tapal from the vision said to a clone who nodded and started tying on a hologram
"Roger that commander," The clone said as Jaro Tapal looked at his padawan
"Prepare yourself young one, we're joining the council for further orders," Jaro said but then grabbed his head in pain as the clone from earlier received a call on his hologram
"Master?" Cal asked in concern
"Somethings wrong, somethings happening," Jaro said as the clone was looking at the call
"Execute Order 66," The caller said as the clone pointed his gun at the back of Jaro Tapal and fire a shot, but it was redirected by Jaro killing the clone
"Master? What's happening?" Cal asked in worry and confusion
"The clones have betrayed us, we have to go young one," Jaro said as he grabbed the hand of the young padawan and walked out of the area but found it blocked by clones
The scene in front of Jason dissipated and changed as a young Cal was typing on an escape pod while Jaro was fighting and holding back the clones
"We got surrounded by the clones and this is where I met my end," The force specter of Tapal said
The past version of Jaro kept deflecting the blasts but some of them started to pass through and several shots hit the Jedi knight who fell back in pain
"Master!" The younger Cal exclaimed as he grabbed the Jedi knight and carry him to the pod a blaster hit his face and he screamed and put his hands forward freezing the clones in time
The scene again dissipated as Jason find himself in a cave with several younglings, one padawan, and Cere Junda there
"This is my point of no return," The specter of Cere said as Jason looked at the scene "I took away my padawan and some younglings out of the temple after the fall of the Jedis, and I decided to leave them there while I gather their attention to me," Cere said as Jason saw the Cere from the vision talk to her Padawan
"A mistake I greatly regret," Cere said as the scene changed and they now were in an empire-holding cell
"They capture me and torture me to change me into something I didn't want, but what broke me was what happened next," Cere said as Jason saw a woman walk into the fray with an inquisitor outfit and his eyes winded when he saw that it was the same padawan from before
"They had gotten to my padawan and broke her and turn her into their weapon, and I lost it," Cere said Jason saw how Cere tapped into the dark side breaking from her chains but it was too much for her and she fell to her knees as the former padawan walked to her with her lightsaber lit up
"Thank you, master, for all your teachings," The padawan said as she stabbed the chest of Cere killing her in the process Cere shed a tear because of her impotence as she died
The scene dissipated again as Jason tried to catch his breath as it was too much for him
Cal appeared before him as he saw the scene changing "I managed to remain hidden from the empire but I had to use The Force to save one of my friends, and that caught the attention of the empire," Cal said as he saw an older Cal facing the padawan turned inquisitor in a nearby open area
"In another timeline, I was rescued by Cere here, but this wasn't the case, I managed to survive for a while but she was stronger than me, and she always accomplished her mission," Cal said as Jason saw the inquisitor disarming Cal and sending his lightsaber flying away as she struck down the young Jedi in the chest making him fall back as his body fall down into the ground
"The empire has resources, and power we cannot begin to comprehend, so you have to learn from our past, from your past so you can become complete," Cal said as Jason fell to his knees and started crying
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Jason mumbled as the scene disappeared and the trio of specters looked down at Jason
"Do not despair, we are one with the force now, and you cannot break young one," The Lasat Jedi Knight said
"We made mistakes, mistakes that regrettably, you'll have to carry Jason," Cere said as Cal put a hand on his shoulder
"Carry our will Jason, carry our pain, and become the person you're meant to be, we will be looking at your progress," Cal said as the trio disappeared and Jason stood up and rubbed his tears away
The yellow mist disappeared as a green one started to form around the area as a man around the same age as Jason appeared, he was wearing a blue armored robe and his hands were wrapped with white bandages, he had a small almost bald cut and he was a person of pale skin
"Hello young warrior, seems I'm the representation of present for you here," The warrior in front of him said "Interesting, what a shame really," The warrior said and Jason raised an eyebrow
"A shame?" Jason asked confused
"Yes, because this means that I failed my mission," The warrior said "My name's Galen Marek," The warrior said as Jason's eyes winded
"Starkiller?" Jason asked in shock and the warrior smiled
"Ah, I see you recognize my name, can I ask why?" Galen asked and Jason tensed for a moment
"I've heard rumors, about a young Sith, Vader's apprentice, who slaughter all his enemies, and left nothing but ashes and bones left," Jason said as Galen crossed his arms
"Yeah that seems about right, well what can you do when you're trained by one of the greatest Sith in the galaxy," Galen said as he took out his lightsabers and lit them up "So, my mission failed, so now, I'm going to pass my knowledge to you, so you can succeed where I failed," Galen said and took a stance in an unconventional form five
"Your sabers are blue, but I feel your anger and rage, yet you're not a sith, what are you?" Jason said as Galen pointed one of his lightsabers to Jason
"I'm am you, Jason, I'm the person you need to become so Sabine doesn't die, here let me show you why," Galen said striking down at Jason who closed his eyes and saw the scene before him fading away
He blinked again and saw through the eyes of Galen as he saw himself surrounded by Stormtroopers and several AT-STs, he lit up his lightsabers and send several force lightings at the AT-STs making them spaz and fall to the ground
He quickly attacked the troopers, but there were many of them so Jason didn't know how Galen had gotten out of there
But he got his response quickly as he saw himself lift up by the force and put his arms close to his body
Then he let the force unleashed (See what I did there) and literally evaporate every single trooper in the area
He fell to the ground as the scene changed and Jason was on his knees out of breath and looking at Galen
"That power, holy shit, how?" Jason managed to say and Glen smirked at the young Jedi
"Anger is a tool, a rage is a tool, even if your teachers taught you not to feel, to be calm, to be at peace, yet you know that useless," Galen said as Jason managed to stand up
"There's no one stronger, than the one who experiences the dark and is strong enough to walk in the light," Galen said putting a hand on Jason's shoulder "Use your emotions, Jason, feel, love, and protect, I'll be watching," Galen said as he disappeared from the area
Then the yellow mist changed into a purple one but Jason raised an eyebrow as he didn't see anyone coming out, then the scene changed and then he was in the marketplace from Lothal
He looked around in confusion and suddenly he was hit on his leg by a small person, he looked down and saw a small girl, about four years of age carrying some spray paints canisters and running away from some guards
"Please mister, help me hide," The child pleaded to grab his leg as Jason looked back at the guards
"Come on," Jason said lifting the girl up and carrying her on his shoulders as he started to run away and find safety in an alley "There, I think we lost them," Jason said putting the girl down "Why were they chasing you?" Jason asked as he look at the features of the small girl
She had deep red eyes like Jason's, she had black hair that fell to her shoulders, and parts of it were painted with rainbow colors, she had a tan on her skin and her smirk was a little bit familiar to Jason
"I like to paint, want to see mister?" The girl asked with bright eyes and Jason just couldn't say no to her
"Sure, but where are your parents?" Jason said as the girl grabbed his hand and directed him to an abandoned area with a huge starship painted on the wall
"They are doing some business, and also I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," The little girl whined as Jason stared at the painting in front of him
"Did you paint this?" Jason asked in amazement
"I sure did," The little girl said with a big smile on her face "What do you think?" She asked and Jason smiled
"Is amazing, reminds me of someone I know," Jason said looking down at the girl
"It can't be, there's only one amazing Lexi Wren in the universe!" The little girl exclaimed and Jason's eyes winded
"Wait, Wren?" Jason asked in shock but was completely ignored as the little girl received a call on her hollo pad
"Lexi, you're in big trouble young girl, we heard what you did in the city," A familiar voice said and Jason's eyes winded when he saw an older and different Sabine on the hologram "You better get back home in fifteen minutes young girl, don't make me go there and get you," Sabine said cutting the hologram and the little girls eyes winded and ran away leaving shock Jason behind her
Jason quickly got out of his shock and followed the girl quietly as she went to the outskirts of the main city and saw a beautiful home there
The little girl was received by Sabine, who was wearing her armor but missing her helmet, Jason stood there in shock and wanted to go to the both of them but a hand on his shoulder stopped him
He looked back and saw himself, but he was different, he was wearing a white robe with metal armor in front of it, he had a robotic metal arm instead of his regular left arm, and a black mask with yellow highlights was hiding the left side of his face
"I have to stop you right there, if you go in there you'll never go out," The older Jason said as Jason looked up and down at his older version
"What happened to you?" Jason asked his future self and the older version of him smile
"I cannot tell you, it's a pivotal time for us," The older Jason said as he looked back at his house "I see you met our daughter, she's very energetic isn't she?" The older Jason said and the younger Jason smiled
"She is, what is this?" Jason asked confused
"Your future, one of them actually," The older Jason said "Future isn't set in stone, is like a river, it can flow in several directions, and I wanted to show you this because I want you to achieve it, there will be times when you'll want to give up, to die when that happens, just remember this scene," The older Jason said as he walked forward and the door of the house open up
"Daddy!" Lexi shouted running into the arms of the older Jason as the older Sabine looked at them fondly
"Hey little one, I heard about your adventures in the city," The older Jason said lifting the girl up "What have we told you about that?" The older Jason scolds his daughter and the little girl pouts at him
"But Daddy, I really wanted to paint that wall, it was so lonely, and people needed to be reminded of what's out there," Lexi said and the older Jason sighed
"I blame myself for making you this wise," The older Jason said as he looked back at the younger Jason and nodded at him
Jason blinked as the vision disappeared and he found himself back in the empty area
"Pass this test you have young one," Jason heard Master Yoda's voice in the area
"Master Yoda?" Jason asked out loud in confusion as the area began to change into an open green field and he saw the green master standing on a rock
"Grown a lot you have young one, proud of you I am," Yoda said and Jason smiled "A task for you I have, a friend you should meet," Yoda said pointing to his left side
Then a small robot appeared and walked to Jason as the young Jedi crouched and looked down at the robot "Hello, heard you had a task for me," Jason said as the robot beeped
"So your name is BD-1 huh? I'm Jason," Jason said and the robot beeped again "I need to go to Bogano? I don't know where that is," Jason said and the robot beeped again "You can direct me there? Okay then, guess you're my partner now," Jason said putting his hand forward and the robot climbed to his shoulder
"Careful you should be on this mission young one," Yoda said as he carry a medium size box to Jason "This help you should," Yoda said as Jason looked down at the box and opened it
Inside was a blaster gun that looked like a silver revolver with a small scope on top of it, two hollocrons, and several medical stims, Jason closed the box and looked down at Yoda
"It's nice to see you, master, how have you been? After all these years?" Jason asked in concern
"Banished I have made myself, repent for my mistakes I am," Yoda said and Jason looked at him in sympathy
"Master, you know what happened wasn't your fault, we were just blind to the power of the dark side," Jason said and Yoda nodded
"Realize that I have," Yoda said as he walked to stand on top of the rock "That's why, different you should be, believe in you I will, great you shall be, farewell young one," Yoda said as Jason found himself in the same area as before but now a door was there
"So BD-1 shall we?" Jason asked the robot who was hanging on his back and the robot beeped in excitement
Jason with the box in his left hand walked forward into the door, he walked out of the room he was in and saw Kanan waiting in the same exact spot
"Ezra hasn't come out?" Jason asked in wonder as Kanan stood up
"Not yet, but I feel he won't take long," Kanan said looking at the box in Jason's hand and the robot on his back "You found what you were looking for?" Kanan asked and Jason chuckled
"I guess, I saw everything, and apparently I have a mission to do," Jason said nodding at BD-1 who waved at Kanan
"Then we'll hear it whit the crew, for now, let's wait for Ezra," Kanan said as Jason took a seat on the ground
"I saw Master Yoda," Jason said and Kanan's eyes winded
"I heard him too, what does this mean?" Kanan asked and Jason crossed his arms as he placed the box on the ground
"Master Yoda was always a guide, apparently this hasn't changed," Jason said as he looked at the door where Ezra had gone and saw it opening Kanan quickly step forward
"How are you?" Kanan asked as Jason looked up
"Different, but the same," Ezra said as Jason stood up and walked to stand next to Kanan, picking up the box in the process
"Yeah, we know the feeling," Jason said as Ezra looked at him and his eyes winded when he saw the droid on Jason's back
"Is that a droid?" Ezra asked in confusion
"Yeah, Ezra, Kanan meet BD-1," Jason said as the droid perked up and waved at them "BD-1 these are Ezra and Kanan, members of my crew," Jason said as the other two Jedis nodded "So, did you find anything there?" Jason asked and Ezra nodded excitedly
"I found this," Ezra said showing them a small blue crystal as Kanan's eyes winded
"I can't believe it," Kanan said and Ezra looked at him
"What? Is good, right?" Ezra asked in confusion
"That's a Kyber crystal, it's good news Ezra," Jason said as the kid looked at them in confusion
"What's a kyber crystal?" Ezra asked in curiosity
"It's a lightsaber crystal," Kanan said smiling at him as the trio exited the temple "I have to admit when I brought you here, I didn't see this happening," Kanan said and Jason chuckled
"I did, though the fact that your crystal is blue surprises me, I thought it would be green," Jason said as Ezra raised an eyebrow at him but whatever comments he had stopped when they saw the Temple closed behind them
"It's strange, that it's just here," Ezra said and Kanan smiled at the scene in front of him
"And it will be, for now," Kanan said "And hopefully it'll be here long after the three of us are gone," Kanan said
"I was thinking, shouldn't we use it as a base of operation or something? Who knows what else is in there," Ezra remarked and Jason let out a small chuckle that brought the attention of the other two Jedis to him
"It belongs to the past now, for other Jedis to use, we should get going," Jason said as he walked back to the phantom
Ghost sometime later
The trio arrived at the ship and were met by the team, Ezra got to them first and he excitedly request some tech parts from the team as they handed them to him then he locked himself in his room and he started working on creating his lightsaber
"He seems very energetic," Hera said as Kanan and Jason chuckled
"He really is, to be fair, we all were on that time," Jason said as Hera saw the droid on his back
"So, are you going to introduce us to your new friend?" Hera asked smirking at Jason
"Ah right," Jason said as the rest of the crew that didn't go to the temple looked at him "Everyone, this is BD-1 my new partner," Jason said and then looked back at BD-1 "BD-1, that one is Hera, the captain of our ship, the Lasat is Zeb, he's the muscle so to speak," Jason said as Zeb grumbled "And she's Sabine, our weapon and explosives master," Jason said with a fond smile while looking at her who returned the fond smile back at him
"Captain, think I could use the phantom for a while later, I have business in Bogano," Jason said looking at the droid
"Kanan?" Hera asked in confusion and at the same time asked for permission
"It's fine Hera, he has a mission to accomplish, although, I want someone to go with you," Kanan said and Jason raised an eyebrow "Don't look at me like that, you're going into an unknown planet, no way I'm letting you leave alone," Kanan said and Jason sighed but nodded
"I'll go," Sabine said and Jason looked at her with a smile on his face "It'll be fun," Sabine said and Jason chuckled
"Then it's decided, I promise not to break the phantom," Jason said and Sabine smiled at him "I should get this to my room, and some rest," Jason said as he lifted his box and walked to his quarters
He arrived there as BD-1 quickly got out of his back and walked around the room taking everything in "Make yourself at home buddy," Jason said as he placed the box on his nightstand and took out the blaster
He flicked it around and pointed at the wall as he heard a chuckle behind him
"Weren't blasters uncivilized weapons, and you wouldn't use them?" Sabine asked sarcastically and Jason sighed
"I was scolded because of that decision," Jason said and put the gun back on the nightstand "Think you can help me with practicing? I got rusty with blasters, and I can't have that," Jason said Sabine smiled and entered the room
"Sure, you don't have to ask love," Sabine said as she hugged him by his neck and planted a kiss on his lips
"Dear not in front of the droid, you're going to traumatize it," Jason said and Sabine swatted his arm
"Shut up, it's your fault for leaving like that in the morning," Sabine said and Jason chuckled "So, what did you see in there?"
"I saw the past, the present, and the future," Jason said and he looked Sabine right in the eyes as he ran his fingers across his cheek "I saw something worth fighting for, and I will do everything to accomplish it," Jason said and Sabine winded at his conviction
"Then I'll fight alongside you, I will fight for that future you saw too," Sabine said and Jason smiled and leaned down and plant a kiss on Sabine's lips
BD-1 saw the scene and tilted its head as he looked away from the scene.
End of chapter 5