What's up, Readers? Is the Force flowing today or what?

So, essentially, Part One of this story is finished. I'll be posting regular chapter updates every other day. Part two and three are well on their way to completion as well.

(Again, I do not own the rights to Star Wars)

Chapter Three

It wasn't until two days later that Aedan was able to speak with Kyra. He found her in the Room of a Thousand Fountains after breakfast one morning. She was tucked away in an alcove, surrounded by lush foliage and wildflowers. Even from several feet away the despair was palpable, but he didn't need the force to know that she was struggling. Her slumped shoulders, hands resting in her lap, and eyes staring at nothing but the floor told him enough. He knew that look on her face all too well, though. He carried that same expression not too long ago.

"Good morning, Padawan Dawnstar," he said.

Kyra flinched and then stood up abruptly, eyes widening as recognition brightened on her face. She bowed, "Master Kahl, good morning." He was surprised to see how tall she'd grown, only a handspan shorter than his own above average height.

Aedan held up a hand, "Just Knight Kahl," shaking his head, "even that sounds silly right now."

"Knight Kahl," Kyra said with a slight smile.

He knew not to ask if she was "Okay?" He had loathed that question more than anything.

"What brings you to this particular secluded area-the Starblossoms, the Starflowers, or the Arallutes?"

She stared at Aedan in surprise for a moment, and then focused on the flowers around her. "Which one is this one?" She asked, touching the petals of a violet, trumpet-shaped flower.

"That would be the Arallute."

"Then that would be my favorite," she smiled.

"A fine choice. However, you should see the Starblossoms at night, and away from artificial light."

She stared at Aedan once again, this time letting her surprise show. "I didn't think you'd be so well versed in galactic horticulture."

"Oh?" Aedan asked with a laugh, "And why not? And its Alderaanian horticulture, by the way."

"I presumed you were more of a man of action than…flowers."

Aedan chuckled, "You would presume correctly. However, my appreciations do extend beyond lightsaber combat," he paused for a moment, debating the line between reservation and transparency. He looked at her and saw the pain still lingering in her eyes and his mind was made up instantly.

"I figured I should learn the names of the flowers that I stared at every day for a month. When my master died two years ago, I sought solace here in this exact same spot."

That evidently surprised her, "I'm sorry." She said.

"Me too."

"How did he die?"

"We ran into two Tarentatek's on Yavin 4."

She gaped at him, "That's actually a true story? I thought Master Bando just didn't want to tell me the truth."

"It's a true story."

"And then they knighted you, without having you go through the trials."

"Correct. They believed that was my trial."

"Like Master Kenobi killing the Sith on Naboo ten years ago."

"Exactly."

She shook her head, "What was it like," Kyra asked, "The Tarentatek I mean. I thought they were long extinct."

"As did I," he said. And then whispered, "I wish they had been. I managed to kill two of them, but not before one of them killed him."

Kyra was stunned, "I'm sorry."

"He became more than a master to me. He became a friend. Just like Orrick was," Aedan said.

Kyra nodded, solemnly. "He spoke often of you. Told me of how you always beat him in sparring, but how he was always the better pilot, and totally jealous of your ship. He would tell stories of missions you went on, especially the escapade that was Corellia."

Aedan tilted his head back, and let out a deep, and robust laugh. "Corellia. Force, that was a mission to remember."

"Did the two of you really escape on a single Blurrg?" She asked, not able to stop the grin spreading on her face.

Aedan laughed again, "Yes, we did, but it was not pretty. Not in the slightest," he looked down at the lightsaber strapped to her belt. "That's his, isn't it?"

Kyra unhooked Orrick's saber and nodded. "I didn't even think to grab mine in the rush to get out of there," she said, shaking her head. "This is all I have left of him."

Aedan unhooked his own lightsaber, and Kyra's eyes widened at it. The upper half of the hilt was wrapped in brown leather, while the rest of the metal had darkened markings and engravings of short curving lines. "Master," she said, "That's beautiful."

He held it out to her, and she took it. "Look closer, hold them side by side." Kyra did so, holding the sabers up so they were side by side, and that's when she noticed how similar they were. If you removed the leather grip and the etchings, they were nearly identical.

"Orrick was ten years older than me, but he befriended me when I needed a friend. And he instructed me in making a new lightsaber, one nearly the same as his."

Kyra stared Aedan in the eyes, understanding the message. She nodded, and let a sad smile come across her face, and took a deep breath, "He…told me-"

"That I should train you," Aedan finished her sentence.

Eyes wide. "How did you know?"

Aedan hesitated, "I saw the whole thing that happened on Obredaan. All of it. I saw the underground factory. Salas. The duel. My friend's death. And you, somehow, summon one of the biggest Force pushes I've ever seen. I don't know why I was shown that. I know the force wanted me to see that, but I haven't exactly figured out why."

"Will you finish my training?' She asked.

"That is up to the council. And up to you," Aedan said. "The Jedi Knight picks the padawan, but this is a different situation. You are halfway finished with your training, and though I am eligible for a padawan, I am considered a bit young by most standards.

"But I will tell you this, Padawan Dawnstar. If you want me to finish your training and the council agrees, then you have my word that I will do everything in my power to help you reach your full potential, and that you will become a jedi knight."

Kyra was a bit taken back by the intense sincerity that came out of nowhere, but she certainly appreciated it. "I trusted Orrick, so, I will trust you now."

Aedan couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. That means a lot."

Aedan then noticed Mace Windu standing about ten feet away. Typically, that wouldn't be unusual, all the jedi frequented the Room of a Thousand Fountains. It was the most beautiful place in the temple, and by far the most peaceful. But never had Aedan seen anything other than a scowl or a neutral look on Master Windu's face. And right now, he was sporting a look of surprise. Disbelief even. His eyes were wide. His mouth open. He was staring at the two of them with absolute intensity.

Aedan and Kyra quickly stood up, and bowed, both saying, "Master Windu."

He didn't respond. He just continued staring. Eyes alternating between the two of them. And then his gaze shifted. His eyes shot upward, looking up to the ceiling, to the top of the temple, and then he slowly turned in a full circle, as if he was seeing the far reaches of the universe. Finally, his eyes came back to Aedan and Kyra. They narrowed for a moment on Aedan, almost in a hostile manner. But that broke quickly, as he focused back on the two standing before him. He let out a breath, and then gave an almost imperceptible nod.

"Knight Kahl, Padawan Dawnstar, report to the High Council Chambers in exactly one hour."

"Yes, Master Windu," they both said in unison. Master Windu raised an eyebrow at that, and then quickly turned, and walked away

The two of them shared a slight grin. "What in the Force was that about?" Aedan asked.

"I was hoping you would tell me."

Aedan merely shrugged. "Guess we'll find out in an hour."

"Master Windu, unexpected this meeting is. What have you to say?"

"I believe Aedan Kahl should train Kyra Dawnstar," Windu said.

Surprised mutterings filled the room. "Master Windu, I thought you would be the one to train her," Deepa Billaba said.

"As did I," Windu said. He seemed to gather his thoughts. "Today, I saw Aedan and Kyra through the Force. I saw the latent interlocking crystal lattice of connections between them, and its impact on the Force. The matrix was unlike any I've seen before. While it had the flaws and fault lines of any bond, the framework's potential was as strong as I have ever seen, and the lattice extended throughout the Jedi temple, into Coruscant, and beyond into the rest of the galaxy."

"What could that mean, Mace?" Plo Koon asked.

"It means that Knight Kahl and Padawan Dawnstar play a significant role in the destiny of this temple, and perhaps even the fate of the galaxy."

Murmurs filled the room once more, until Master Mundi spoke, "Do you truly believe that?"

"Never has my force perception been wrong in its calculation of possibility. If I were to train Padawan Dawnstar, she would become strong indeed, but her potential would be unfulfilled, and destiny would be interrupted. Somehow, some way, Aedan and Kyra have an impossibly strong bond in the force. And so, I urge all of us to be there for them, and assist them when we can."

"Agree with Master Windu, I do. The dark side clouds everything. But visions I have of them, clear they are. The light they will bring," Master Yoda said.

"But he's so young, and well, unconventional. Don't you think we should make sure she has someone stalwart in the code, and conservative in Jedi teachings?" Adi Gallia said.

"Any other time, I would agree with you. But we're not making this decision on our own understanding. In this instance we are trusting in the Force as it's shown us both what it desires." Master Windu said.

"Very well. I trust your judgement, Mace." Depa Billaba

"Not our judgement that is made here. At hand, the will of the force is," Yoda said.

"All in favor of Kyra Dawnstar becoming Aedan Kahl's Padawan," Ki Adi Mundi announced.

A chorus of "Aye's" sounded off.

Aedan Kahl and Kyra Dawnstar stood before the doors into the council chambers. "Well, here goes nothing," Aedan said, and they both walked forward, the double doors opening as they neared. They crossed over the threshold and into the room high atop the temple spire.

"Knight Kahl, Padawan Dawnstar, welcome," Yoda said as they walked into the center of the room. Once more the incomprehensible power of this room was palpable, invasive almost. Twelve of the most powerful individuals in the galaxy, in one room, all staring at them, appraising their every little move.

Aedan could feel Kyra next to him. He was surprised and impressed to see that it wasn't intimidation she was feeling, but awe. She could sense the power also, well, anyone could, but she didn't cower before it. She revered it.

And that right there was enough. Enough for Aedan to know that he wanted to train her. He just doubted that he was the right Jedi for the job.

"Knight Kahl, doubts you have," Master Yoda said. In his peripheral he saw Kyra flinch. "See through you, we can."

Aedan couldn't help but shake his head. He felt like a goober fish in a fish bowl. "I do not have doubts in Kyra, Master. And while I believe I have the necessary skills, ability, and experience to train her, I still question whether I am the right one for the job, as there are far better Masters in the order."

"Mhmm," Yoda grunted, "Humility I see from you, but trust in the force you must."

"I had my own doubts, Young Kahl," Mace Windu said, "But if you did not have doubts yourself, I'd be far more concerned. In fact, every great master has those same questions. The council has agreed that Kyra Dawnstar will be your padawan."

Immediately, Aedan looked to Kyra and saw confirmation in the faint smile on her lips. He turned back to Master Windu and Master Yoda, "Thank you, Masters."

"Padawan Dawnstar, do you agree with this decision?" Master Mundi asked.

"Yes, Master Mundi. I do," she responded.

"Good," Master Windu said, "Aedan train her as you will, but come to Master Yoda and myself for any assistance you need."

"Of course, Master Windu. Thank you." They still want to ensure she is trained by their standards. He didn't blame them at all.

Plo Kloon spoke up next, "Take six months to train together, and familiarize yourselves with each other. Give the training bond a chance to grow, and then we'll place you back in the mission assignment pool."

"Understood, Master," Aedan said, "And speaking of missions, when we are ready, I would like to continue Orrick's investigation into the slave trade, and the new advanced droids they discovered on Obredaan." Realizing his request sounded more like a demand, he added, "With your approval, obviously."

"The trail went cold at Obredaan," Saese Tiin said, from behind them. Aedan and Kyra turned around to face him. "Master Fisto, Master Kolar, and myself went back to the underground droid factory, but it was completely collapsed. This Salas Sa'kard must have rigged it with explosives and destroyed it, knowing we would come back to further our investigation. We don't have any leads now, but our own intelligence unit is still working on it."

"First, get acquainted with one another, train together, and learn to work as a team. Then you can start thinking about missions," Master Kloon said.

"Yes, Master Kloon. We will."

"It's settled then. May the Force be with you," Master Windu said.

"Thank you, Masters," Aedan and Kyra both said at the same time once again. A slight smirk appeared on Yoda's face, and he turned to Master Windu, who attempted to keep his stern façade in place. But then something incredible happened. Master Mace Windu, the Jedi Order's Champion, and the gloomiest Jedi in history…smiled. It appeared for a half second, and then he quickly covered it back up with his almost scowl. Aedan and Kyra turned to leave, but they could still see that most of the council were doing their best to keep from busting out into fits of laughter.

Already she's changing the world, Aedan thought.

They entered the turbolift, and it made its way down to the main level. Aedan chuckled, and shook his head, "I don't think I've ever seen him smile before."

Kyra laughed at that, "He has really white teeth."

"Yea, I had no idea."

"What now, Master?"

"We'll start tomorrow. Get some rest, and go to sleep early tonight, Find me in the sparring rooms tomorrow morning at oh-five-thirty."

"Yes, Master Ba-," catching herself, "I mean, Master Kahl," Solemnness invaded immediately. "That's going to take some getting used to."

"I understand. Just think of it this way. Orrick was your master. He always will be. He introduced you to the Jedi ways, and for five years, molded you into a bright and talented padawan. I am not replacing him. I'm just his substitute instructor."

Kyra let out a breath, relief plain on her face. "Thank you."

"That being said,' Aedan changing into a stern tone, "I expect you to always obey my instructions, and most importantly to trust me and my teaching. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then I will see you tomorrow morning."