Chapter 16: The New Jedi Order

The next day, Luke decided to travel to the Mobian Medical Facility alone before he brought the Freedom Fighters in. He walked into the facility to go see a very important patient. He spoke to the chief medical officer on duty: "How's Shadow doing?"

"He's fine, Master Skywalker. After 5 years, his energy has completely regenerated, but the concussion he sustained, I believe his long-term memory might be affected. There is a slim chance that he will remember the events that took place 5 years ago, but nothing beyond that." said the officer.

"When will he wake up?" asked Luke.

"Within the next hour, sir." said the officer. "Should I inform the Princess about this?"

"Not yet." said Luke. "Inform them when he awakes. I need to be alone with him for a moment."

"Of course sir." said the officer as he headed out. Luke then took a meditative stance, and began to reach out into Shadow's mind. He began working to rebuild Shadow's memory of what happened here 5 years ago with the Force.

About an hour later, Shadow's eyes opened very slowly, and Luke was there, and the first thing Luke said was: "Shadow? Can you hear me clearly?"

"Yes…Skywalker." said Shadow slowly. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Medical Facility on Mobius. You've been resting here for 5 years now. You've sustained a small concussion after you saved Mobius. Can you remember that?"

Shadow thought for a moment, but replied: "Yes, but nothing beyond that. I can't remember my past or who or what I am."

"Most unfortunate, since they did say your long term memory has been affected." said Luke.

As Shadow and Luke continued to talk, Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Knuckles were called to see Shadow's recovery.

"So, you cheated death, huh, Shadow? Good to see you're still with us." said Sonic.

"I am back Sonic. And soon, Luke will fulfill my request that I made on the ARK." said Shadow.

"What…request?" asked Sally.

"A request to be trained as a Jedi." said Luke.

"Wait! Jedi? Luke, do you mean…" gasped Tails.

"Yes. I have decided now is the time to begin training a New Jedi Order to defend the New Republic." said Luke. "Sonic, Sally, Tails, and Knuckles, and along with Shadow are to be trained in the ways of the Force. After at least 7 years, I have made up my mind to train new Jedi."

"All right!" said Sonic. "Finally, we'll learn to use the Force as you have."

"It won't be easy, Sonic. There will be dangers." said Sally.

"Yes. The path of the Jedi is long and difficult. You must be deeply committed, and must be patient, and be ready to set your desires aside." said Luke.

"I'm ready and honored to accept your training, Luke. I'm also ready to do what is required of me." said Sonic kneeling down. Soon, Tails, Sally, and Knuckles kneeled before Luke.

"Very well." said Luke. "You will accompany me to my new Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV, where you, along with a few other worthy candidates will train in the arts and ways of the Jedi."

"Thank you Master Skywalker." said Sonic.

Sonic, Sally, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow headed for the hangar, where they would board their ships. Sonic, Sally and Tails would take the Star Tornado, while Knuckles used the Emerald Guardian. Shadow meanwhile, was approaching his ship, the Black Maria. Rouge was standing near it.

"Shadow! I…I heard you were alive and well, I am…quite relieved to see that you survived." said Rouge.

"Yes. I am on my way to Skywalker's Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV. He said that this vessel is mine." said Shadow.

"Yes. This vessel is yours, don't you remember? It's called the Black Maria." said Rouge.

Shadow thought for a moment, and replied: "I do recall a vessel similar to this, only I don't remember a name for it…"

"I gave it that name, Shadow. I even took the time to upgrade it to make energy use much more efficient. I even upgraded the target computer and cloaking device to be far more smooth and efficient."

"I see…" said Shadow climbing aboard. "Can you get me to Yavin IV in good time?" asked Shadow.

"Of course. We're partners, aren't we?" asked Rouge.

"Who asked…I never…" said Shadow.

"Who's gonna look after you? You big loner…" said Rouge getting flirtatious.

Shadow simply brushed it off and said: "Just get this ship going."

"Yes sir." said Rouge.

Soon, the three vessels laid in a course for Yavin IV as soon as they took off. When they got there, they landed inside the Great Massassi Temple, and there, right before them, was Kaylor.

"Why are you here, Kaylor?" asked Sally.

"Luke asked me if I'd like to be trained. I accepted. I discovered it from him not too long ago. Now follow me, we do not want to be late. Skywalker will begin the new class soon. Follow me to the audience chamber."

They were led directly to the audience chamber, where Luke had just been getting ready to speak to the other Jedi Candidates, Kam and Tionne Solusar, Kirana Ti, Dorsk 81, Streen, Gantoris, Madurrin, Kyle Katarn, Brakiss, and Corran Horn. "I'd like to welcome you all to my new Jedi Praxeum. Here I shall train you to use the Force. You will learn how to defend yourself with a Lightsaber. You will also study diplomacy, history, and more."

And with the introduction all said and done, Luke began the long and grueling training sessions. Sonic had moderate difficulty with learning his Force Powers. He had an emphasis on speed and making quick and precise strikes. He had especially begun to master Force Speed and learning how to become even faster than he used to be. He literally was nothing more than a blur. He also managed to begin learning Force Projection, to try and make himself appear in two locations at once, to confuse his enemies. He also perfected his Force Push into the powerful Force Whirlwind. He also soon constructed his first Lightsaber, which had a blue blade, and Sonic began to perfect his Form IV style of combat, preferring quick and precise strikes, so that enemies would barely even realize what hit them.

Sally was a more Force-based fighter, and begun to perfect her use of telekinetic Force Powers, such as Force Wave, but also began to work on the Jedi Mind Trick powers, notably persuasion and mind control. She had found preference to use of diplomacy and non-violence than the others did. Sally had also developed the Force Illusion, to confuse and deceive her enemies. She had also designed her first Lightsaber, which had a green blade, and she began to work on Form III combat, since she was more concerned about defenses than attacks. Also, the fencing techniques she learned in her youth would be applied here. But one thing she never realized she had was her Battle Meditation, which Luke held back teaching until later on.

Tails would take advantage of his flight capabilities in combat, and would improve his Force Push to be able to use aerokinetic abilities. He had also learned Droid Disable and Force Blinding as some abilities. He would use stealth and subterfuge, and he had begun to train himself in Force Cloak, though his was relatively ineffective, since it would be some time before he mastered it. He also built a Lightsaber which generated a yellow blade, and would begin to Master Form III and IV combat.

Knuckles was becoming a skilled master of Force Crush, and also begun to become skilled at being able to sense Chaos Emeralds and also learned Alter Environment, Animal Friendship, and Plant Surge. Knuckles was to use the environment to his advantage, since he'd spent much of his life on the Floating Island, and would therefore be able to turn even a harmless plant to his advantage. He was more a Lightsaber user than Force user, having mastered Jar'Kai, and used two Lightsabers which generated two red-orange blades and he also mastered Form V technique.

But Shadow was a bit disturbing for Luke, since Shadow was still immortal and to the surprise of Luke, Shadow could just be cut by Lightsaber strikes, but not penetrated. Therefore, Shadow had no need for Force Protection like everyone else did. But Shadow learned some more aggressive powers, such as Force Grip, and Force Lightning, as well as mastering Force Stasis Field and the Force Blinding. But Shadow also mastered use of Chaos Control in his attacks, being his answer to Sonic's Force Speed abilities, he practically teleported and appeared as no more than a blur.

They trained for months on end, trying to get their abilities in check, and it had been almost 9 months, and they hadn't seen their friends or families for quite a long time.

"I am impressed with your progress." said Luke to the 5 Mobians one day. "I sense that one day, you all will become great members of the Jedi Order. But remember, beware of the Dark Side. Anger, Fear, Aggression, all will lead you to it. Don't give in to it. Remember. The Force will be with you. Always." Then Luke proceeded to recite the Old Jedi Code: "There is no emotion;"

"There is Peace." said Sally.

"There is no Ignorance;" said Luke.

"There is Knowledge." said Tails.

"There is no passion;" said Luke.

"There is serenity." said Knuckles.

"There is no chaos;" said Luke.

"There is harmony." said Shadow.

"There is no death;" said Luke.

"There is the Force." said Sonic.

Then Luke recited his new code: "Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy. Jedi use their powers to defend and protect. Jedi respect all life, in any form. Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy. Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training."

"Yes, Master." said the 5 Mobians.

"Remember your training and my wisdom. They will serve you well. Now I will send you all out to apply your skills to help those in need. May the Force be with you all." finished Luke.