CHAPTER 16 - EPILOGUE

Eighteen Months Later (3951)

Snow was softly falling as the sun rapidly set over Telos's pole, the scant few hours of winter daylight fading into night once more. But sunlight had lit up the sky for just a little longer than yesterday, a subtle promise of spring despite the lingering darkness and freezing temperatures. Meetra couldn't help but find joy in this as she bundled her coat tighter and looked out on the horizon, admiring the last flashes of pink and gold that illuminated the landscape. It was all so beautiful, even if it did cause ice to stick to her eyelashes and the tip of her nose to go numb. She smiled, humming in contentment even as the figure beside her shivered uncomfortably.

"Remind me again why we're outside at sunset rather than inside where there's an entire climate control system to keep us from freezing?" Scowling, Alek glared at Vann as he dared the other man to offer a convincing answer.

But the Force prodigy only chuckled as he watched the last rays of the sun disappear across the skyline. "Be patient."

"I am being patient…!"

"Oh, ignore him." Playfully shoving the larger figure's shoulder, Meetra rolled her eyes. "I'm fairly sure he still hasn't forgiven you for getting us stranded on that ice moon for nearly ten hours during the war."

"For the record, it was closer to twelve hours. But it's not as though I expect him to remember…"

A secretive smile tugged at Vann's lips as he declared, "I still contend that holding a clandestine strategy meeting on an uninhabited and mostly uncharted ice moon was a tactically wise decision. And besides… it worked."

Pleasantly surprised by his friend's recollection of that particular escapade, one of many recently returned memories, Alek nodded. "That's true. But it still doesn't explain why you have us out here in freezing temperatures with no instructions other than to…"

"Be. Patient."

Biting back a laugh at Alek's frustrated muttering, Meetra attempted to change the subject before an argument could erupt. While the two men had been getting along over the last few months, their complex history and connections to the dark side caused their tempers to flare at inopportune moments. "Well, while we're patiently waiting, why doesn't my favorite guest instructor tell me how today's lesson went?"

"I thought Rand was your favorite guest instructor."

"He's my favorite sentient, so it feels a little unfair if he's also my favorite everything-else."

"Yes, instructor Alek, how did today go?" Vann smirked knowingly at the reformed Sith. "It was very thoughtful of Meetra to give you all of her most obstinate adolescent students."

"I can honestly say that it went surprisingly well." A warm swell of satisfaction surrounded Alek, joined by a trickle of amusement. "Granted, no adolescent sentient will ever be as difficult to deal with as you were at that age."

Huffing, Vann raised his chin defiantly. "I'll choose to take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't," Meetra chided. "You were terrible."

Indignantly rolling his eyes, Vann shifted the subject away from himself by glancing at the building behind him. It was barely visible beneath the snow drifts but its presence pulsed vibrantly. "Obstinate adolescents aside, it's good to see the academy thriving. So many of the students feel much lighter now that they've found a place where they'll be accepted no matter their pasts. You're doing amazing things here and I'm glad to be a part of it."

"I'm just pleased that the Masters are guiding their struggling students and even Knights to find us. I know that they may never officially endorse what I'm doing, but it feels validating all the same." Purposely pausing to add more weight to her words, Meetra stared at Alek. "I truly hope that even more lost individuals will come to stay here with time."

Shrinking under the former Consular's gaze, the larger figure stuttered, "I… I'm trying." It was the truth. The reformed Sith's visits to the Telos academy had been longer and more frequent in recent months and his current stay was nearly three weeks. Acknowledging this shift in his habits, he admitted, "Even after apologizing to Bastila, Rand, and the Korriban students, it's difficult to look at them without seeing the consequences of my past failures. Staying here on a more permanent basis feels unfair to them."

"Bastila doesn't mind you as much as she expected… even if she does tell you to clean the 'freshers just about every time she spots you." Though he chuckled at his student's small act of revenge, Vann's tone grew somber. "Maybe the constant presence of everyone you've harmed is the incentive you need to keep moving forward while trying to be better. The day you can look them in the eye without feeling shame could be the day you've earned some type of redemption."

Alek considered this as he studied his friend with obvious respect. "Spoken with the wisdom of a budding politician."

"An unofficial mediator isn't a politician…"

"You're brokering a very official political treaty between the Senate and the reunited Mandalorian clans." Sighing at the sheer magnitude of what the Revanchist was now undertaking, Meetra informed him, "If that's not political then I don't know what is."

"I'm mostly there to make sure Mand'alor doesn't disintegrate someone on the Senate floor. Anything else is just a bonus."

"Don't be humble, it doesn't suit you." A shrewd, almost cheeky expression entered Alek's blue eyes. "Though, I have to ask… have you told Mand'alor about Mira?"

"Oh, hells no! Remember what I said about disintegrations…? Anyway, I figured that would be Meetra's job. You still owe Mira a favor, right?" When the blonde nodded apprehensively, Vann explained, "I can only assume that working with you for any length of time will awaken all of her latent Force-sensitivity. She'll go home and tell her parents, Mand'alor will rant at you for a while, Veela will tell her husband to be quiet, and then they'll send her here for training. All without involving me."

Despite the likelihood of these events playing out exactly as described, Meetra couldn't help feeling chagrined by the idea. "He's still going to ask if you knew!"

"At which point I'll recommend that he go to Bastila, his daughter's future teacher, for a longer explanation about how all of this works. See? Simple!"

"She has achieved an admirable level of patience now that she's an instructor. You've guided her… far better than I ever did."

Vann waved away the compliment despite his presence proving he undoubtedly agreed with Alek. "I can't take all of the credit. After everything that she's seen and done, it felt natural for Bastila to share her experiences with a new generation. I just reassured her that moving here was a better choice than staying on Rakata."

"I, for one, am very happy that she's here. Jolee was also a huge help! I miss him, but I'm sure the new Wookiee chieftain appreciates his aid."

"Would this be the same Wookiee who helped perform the data dump on me?"

Nodding to Alek, Vann flashed a predatory grin. "Yep. He's also best friends with the SIS agent who sliced your highly encrypted system to find all of that data."

Paling slightly, the former Supreme Commander muttered, "Force help the fools who try to take advantage of Kashyyyk during his rule."

Still unsettled by how far one friend had gone to ruin the Republic and how far the other went to stop him, Meetra cleared her throat. "Well, it sounds like Jolee might not need to do as much advising as he thought. If he gets tired of lush jungles, he's always welcome back here."

"He'll appreciate that." Inclining his head, Vann graciously added, "The rest of the Rakata enclave also appreciates living on a more accessible planet. Juhani and Belaya are especially glad that they can travel to Danootine regularly without spending weeks in hyperspace."

Meetra couldn't hold back her smile when she thought of the pair. "They're such a lovely couple. Actually, speaking of couples, has anyone else noticed that Bastila and Mical seem to be spending a lot of time together…?"

"I don't approve." When Alek received two incredulous stares, he only scoffed. "What? Bastila was once my apprentice and I still appreciate how incredibly capable she is. So, I feel comfortable in saying that she can do better."

Staring at his friend, Vann arched a curious brow. "You just don't like Mical because, unlike everyone else, he's not afraid of you. For whatever reason he looks up to you for advice on penance and redemption. And that makes you uncomfortable."

There was a moment where Alek seemed poised to argue, only to shrug and grumble noncommittally. Meetra gave Vann an appreciative nod before stating, "I think it's wonderful that Mical has been so welcoming to everyone who walks through the door. He wants to become our archivist and chronicle our history. Honestly, I think he's perfect for the job."

Anxious to change the subject, the reformed Sith quickly asked, "And how are the rest of your students doing?"

"Rand seems pleased to be Mister Surik in everything but name."

Ignoring Vann's playful teasing, Meetra took a moment to consider the man she loved before responding, "For a while, he was apprehensive about helping me run this academy. But I know he's enjoying it. Working to create a brighter future isn't something that he ever believed he could do. But look at what we've built!"

"It's certainly something special." Nodding at the academy in admiration, Alek wondered, "But what about the others?"

"Brianna, Visas, and Bao-Dur are also working to make the galaxy a better place. I guess I taught them well." Meetra couldn't help but blush with pride as she thought of her students' accomplishments. "The former two are on Eshan, rebuilding everything that was lost when Scion… and the Republic… attacked. Brianna is with her sisters, who she claims to be getting along with. Not that I can tell, since everything they say to each other is in a combat language that I can't even begin to comprehend. Visas says that she understands some of it through her Force sight, which is good since she'll be living with them for a bit."

"Really?" Vann seemed surprised until he realized, "I guess she can't exactly go back to Kataar…"

"No, not after Atris invited Nihilus to consume everything in his path. Maybe someday, but… for now, she told me that she's content to rebuild another world, even if it's not her own. She sees how happy it makes Brianna, and that's enough for her."

"Speaking of Atris…"

Glaring venomously at Alek, Vann hissed, "Can we… not?"

But the former Supreme Commander ignored his friend as he mused, "I'm a bit surprised she didn't end up here with the rest of us. I'm also shocked that the Council has been so forgiving of her transgressions. After all, she's the reason Master Lestin was killed…"

A wave of anger roiled around both men and Meetra was suddenly reminded of how close they were to the Twi'lek Master during their time as Padawans. There was nothing she could say to ease the pain of that loss other than to explain what little she knew. "Atris always viewed herself as a Jedi, even after her fall. For now, she'd rather beg forgiveness from the remaining Council, though… I'm not sure if she'll find the absolution she's looking for."

"So, you do think she'll end up here?"

"No. At least, not anytime soon." Smiling wistfully, Meetra glanced knowingly at Alek. "But there's a whole galaxy out there where she can finally find the answers she needs."

"For now, the Council continues to be cowards who'd rather keep Atris around as a probationary Jedi than go through the trouble of training a new archivist. I'm glad some things never change." Snorting in disgust at the Jedi's continuing weakness, Vann seemed content to leave them behind. But then he noted the former Consular's lingering sadness. "Well, at least Kavar finally seems to have learned real compassion and forgiveness thanks to you."

"I hope they all have… for the Order's sake."

Alek nodded, even as he dismissively snorted, "Well, if they kark-up again, at least there's another academy where Force-sensitive sentients can seek training for generations to come."

Phrasing it like that suddenly made the importance of Telos's academy feel impossibly monumental. Swallowing to hide her discomfort, Meeta hastily asked, "Speaking of generations… how's Dustil? He and Carth seem to be getting along lately."

"They are! Dustil is old enough to see his dad as a real person and not a looming parental figure he needs to rebel against on principle." Humming thoughtfully, Vann admitted, "The fact that Carth spends half of his time on Coruscant with me also helps their relationship. 'Absence makes you less likely to Force-choke your father', or whatever the old saying is."

"And how does Onasi like being a politician's husband?"

"I already told you, I'm not a politician! Thank the Force, because Carth can't stand Coruscant. The traffic alone is enough to give him a migraine. He's looking forward to these negotiations finally ending so that he can put in a transfer to be moved to Telos full-time. I keep telling him to retire from the Navy and join the… wait." The moment that Vann's mind caught up to the rest of the conversation was only made funnier by his flustered indignation. "What did you call him?! We're not…! He's not…!"

"I can guarantee that Onasi has been considering the prospect for months now, even if he hasn't said anything out loud. I can also guarantee that you would have found some way to ruin whatever plans he has in mind, likely in the most dramatic way possible." Fixing his gaze on his still-sputtering friend, Alek told the other man, "Consider this a warning to sit back and let someone else strategize this aspect of your life."

"You…!"

"Relax. I'm sure that whatever Carth has planned will be very sweet." Meetra nodded to the reformed Sith, confirming that they shared suspicions regarding Carth's impending proposal and Vann's inexplicable ability to kriff up his personal life. "So, please do your best to not ruin it."

"I…!"

Sighing as panic overtook the prodigy, Alek chose to talk around him rather than fight the growing wave of anxiety. "I assume that your previous comment was going to reference the Telos Restoration Project." He turned to Meetra. "One of your students is currently heading the efforts, correct?"

"Yes!" Another flush of pride filled the former Consular's presence. "Bao-Dur is back to working with the Ithorians to terraform the landscape in the wake of the fires. He's actually using the Force to connect with the native flora and fauna to better understand the needs of the planet. It's really beautiful."

"I admittedly didn't know that was possible."

Meetra grinned at Alek as she declared, "Neither did I! Either way, it's incredible and I'm so happy for him. This project is finally letting him heal after the Mass Shadow Generator."

"And how are you… healing?"

Noting her friend's concern, the blonde attempted to shrug off the question. The truth was that she would never return to the person she was before Malachor, something she'd finally accepted. "I am what I am. Some may sense a void, but I prefer to see my own potential."

"That's… a good way to view things." Alek's sorrow was fading, replaced by a sense of hope that he hadn't carried for a long time. His expression remained somber as he warned, "You'll need that type of optimism as this academy grows. While it's not surprising that most of your students are older than the average Initiate, it certainly makes for a more… rambunctious population."

It seemed that Vann had finally found his voice again, his tone growing thoughtful. "With a lot more older students and none of the Jedi's objections to romantic attachment, it wouldn't be surprising if you see some younglings born here. And, if they turn out to be Force-sensitive, their parents will probably want them trained as well."

The possibility hadn't occurred to Meetra and she suddenly felt light-headed at the idea. "That would certainly lower the average age of the student population…"

"It's an event worth preparing for even if nobody is planning to be in that situation any time soon."

Meeting Alek's contemplative expression with a scowl, Vann snapped, "Don't look at me! Dustil is the closest thing I'll ever have to a child of my own. Need I remind you of some very specific biological reasons why Carth and I can't reproduce together?"

"There are ways around that." Waving away her friend's excuses, Meetra assured him, "But don't feel like you need to have children just because you agreed to train generations of Force users. At this point, the two of us have practically adopted an entire orphanage and I'm sure someone you know will have plenty of younglings for you to train."

"On that note, you and Rand have significantly fewer obstacles than Vann and Carth."

"Technically true, but that doesn't matter." Offering Alek a soft smile, Meetra admitted, "I think we're both a little too scarred by the war and everything that came after to make good parents. But who knows? Ask us again in five years."

"Can I add that it's deeply unfair that you're purposely excluding yourself from this kriffing conversation?"

Alek was unmoved by Vann's disapproval. "I understand your criticism but will continue to recuse myself from the subject."

But the prodigy wasn't willing to accept that answer. For an instant his gaze grew distant, a sure sign of returning memories, only for his focus to sharpen into an accusatory glare. "Hey, you're the only one here who ever wanted children! Or, at least you had strong feelings about the Jedi's non-attachment policies. You once told me that the children of Jedi are often strong with the Force, so the Order should be practical about the whole thing."

Turning bright red, Alek muttered, "And you always find the worst moment to remember these things!"

"It's alright, we understand." Meetra placed a comforting hand on her friend's arm even as she noted Vann's continued amusement. "You were twelve when you lost your entire family to the Mandalorians and it makes sense that you would want to reclaim some aspect of that life. And you can have it, at least when you feel ready."

"I doubt it." Tapping his prosthetic, Alek told the blonde, "You're not the only one scarred by war."

"Well, what a delightfully depressing conversation! I guess the best we can hope for is that one of our adopted students decides to make us the fun aunt and uncles."

That idea honestly warmed Meetra's heart, dragging her from her emotional slump. As images of her friends' potential children filled her mind, round-faced and calling her 'Auntie Meetra', she couldn't help but blurt, "My credits are on Bastila."

"It would be fitting if the Republic had to deal with generations of Shans influencing major events for the next several generations."

Nodding to Alek, the former Consular raised a mock toast. "May they all share her conviction and fortitude."

"Perhaps with less sass."

Vann could only snort at the notion, declaring, "I think the sass might be a genetic trait."

Shaking his head at this, Alek chuckled mechanically as they all appreciated the idea of Bastila Shan's descendants causing and fixing problems for the Republic far into the future. As his laughter faded, he asked, "Well, now that Meetra has successfully distracted me from the cold, can you finally explain why you dragged us out here?"

"I told you, just be pati…" Before he could finish his sentence, Vann grinned excitedly as his presence flared out. Gesturing upward he exclaimed, "There it is! Look, up in the sky!"

Craning her head back, Meetra couldn't help her awed smile as she spotted a bright swirl of colors dancing across a starlit backdrop. Blues and greens flashed and twirled, occasionally joined by bursts of pink, yellow, and even violet. The sight was always breathtaking, especially in the open air. "Oh, it's the aurora! I've only watched it through a window."

"Well, you're missing out. Don't just stare at it, feel it."

Unsure exactly what her friend was referring to, the former General finally shrugged and extended her own awareness into the surrounding Force. At first, she only sensed Vann's remarkable signature, joined by Alek's fainter but still imposing presence. It wasn't until another wave of prismatic light illuminated the sky that she felt something else, a pulsing beat that moved in time with the lights. The energy ebbed and flowed, neither light nor dark but still breathtakingly vibrant as it twined around the Force users and surged through the living core of Telos.

The sensation was incredible and for a moment, the blonde felt like she could physically run her fingers through the beating heart of the galaxy. "It's… the Force! I can see it moving in the same way that I can sense it flowing across the planet. I've never quite known how to describe the Force to others but this… this is it!"

Alek looked equally stunned, his eyes wide as he gazed up at the sky. "I didn't realize that auroras were physical manifestations of Force energy. This is amazing!"

"It's not like this everywhere. Hells, I don't think the lights feel this way on Telos's other pole." Gesturing to the building behind them, Vann explained, "This academy was built on a vergence, and that energy combined with the planet's natural Force connection means that at certain times of the year, the Force puts on a kriffing gorgeous light show."

"It really does." Meetra nodded appreciatively. "But how did you figure this out?"

"The last time I was here I sensed a difference in the energy around the academy. I searched for the source and when I finally looked up I realized that the aurora here is unique. After a little research, I understood why. It was just another puzzle that I got to solve."

"And a beautiful one, at that."

Still staring at the lights, Meetra told Alek, "We should bring the students out tomorrow night so that they can see this for themselves. I'm sure they'll complain at first, but you can explain that it will all be worth it."

Laughing unabashedly at his friend's teasing, the reformed Sith merely nodded in agreement. The sense of wonder that had overtaken the trio continued to flow between them, igniting their frayed bond with delight until it nearly glowed. They remained mostly silent aside from a few hushed gasps as they watched the aurora dance, its prismatic display providing a perfect visual of the way that the Force moved through all things. But it was an easy quiet, born of camaraderie forged in a brutal war and rekindled from hope when all else seemed lost. Their trust in each other had been shattered multiple times along the way, but they'd picked up the pieces and built something stronger.

Despite all that they'd been through together, this felt like the first time in a very long while that they'd shared this level of innocence with each other. At this moment, they could set their pain and loss aside and simply be three individuals overjoyed by an aurora and the soothing knowledge that they weren't alone in the galaxy. They lost track of time as they watched the lights, only coming back to reality when the colors faded into a distant glow overshadowed by the twinkle of stars.

A muffled voice emanating from Vann's pocket broke the silence, the words unintelligible until the man sighed and dragged out his comlink. "Vann, come in. It's… me, interrupting you on your personal communicator since you somehow slipped your main comlink into my pocket. Kavar keeps trying to contact you. It doesn't sound like an urgent matter, but I thought you should decide that for yourself."

"Oh good, my system for screening comm calls is working!" Ignoring the exasperated sighs he received, the prodigy spoke into the device as he asked, "Hey Carth, what does our favorite Guardian want today?"

The pilot sounded distantly relieved to hear his partner's voice, causing Meetra to wonder how long he'd been talking before any of them noticed. "He claims there are troubling reports of new activity on Korriban. I don't even know why the Jedi are monitoring a Sith planet, but he was wondering if you or one of your students would be willing to investigate…"

Requests were still being made when Atton burst out of the academy and into the snow, his breath fogging in the air as he jogged toward the others. By the time he reached them his cheeks were rosy and he was rubbing his arms through his coat. "Meetra, there you are! Sith hells it's cold out here, why aren't you inside?!"

"I'll show you tomorrow."

"That sounds… ominous." When he received no response beyond a mysterious smile, Atton rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I only came out here because Zez-Kai Ell keeps sending transmissions to the academy's comm unit. I can tell him where to stick his message, but I figured I should get your permission before I insult a member of the Jedi Council."

"You don't need my permission for that."

"No, but you are in charge and students were watching."

Exasperatedly acknowledging that this was the correct course of action despite its inconvenience, Meetra considered the situation. "Does this have anything to do with worrisome activity on Korriban?"

"Er… yes. How did you…?"

Holding up his communicator, Vann explained, "Carth just comm'd me about the same thing. Maybe this means it's actually serious."

"I doubt it. The Jedi tend to be overly reactionary regarding the Sith." Sighing mechanically, Alek didn't hide his disdain for the Council's theatrics. "My guess is that the activity is either treasure hunters looking for quick credits now that the Sith Lords are gone or a few stray acolytes trying to regroup after Traya's death."

Meetra was unconvinced. "It might be worth checking on, just in case."

Recognizing that his friends had already made up their minds, Alek sighed again. "If you choose to indulge the Council, you should bring some of the older students along as assistants. It will be a good lesson about investigating suspected dark side activity occurring on a Sith world while not growing distracted by… temptation. With responsible instructors present, there should be little risk provided the students stay out of a few specific tombs."

"Are you volunteering to be one of those 'responsible instructors?'"

There were several seconds of awkward silence as the reformed Sith considered the offer, his presence shadowed by doubts about his own weakness. But the hope shining around the blonde broke past his concerns and he finally nodded. "Fine. But only if I'm not blamed when someone is bitten by wildlife."

"What about you, Vann? Can you take some time away from your negotiations to provide a lesson on maintaining balance even when surrounded by darkness?"

"Chasing a bunch of adolescents around a barren Sith planet somehow sounds better than listening to hours of debates over how many kilos of beskar the Mandalorians are entitled to possess." The weight of his new political duties made the Revanchist's smile weary, though his tone remained light as he declared, "I'm in!"

"Well, it looks like I have my instructors. Atton, can you run the academy for a few days if I go with them…?" Somehow Meetra resisted batting her eyes as she made the plea.

"Of course!" After a long, knowing pause, the former Assassin glanced at everyone assembled before grumbling, "Just, uh, don't get into any more trouble with Force ritual sites…"

Horror bloomed around Alek as he recalled the three surreal days they'd spent on Nirauan during a previous mission gone awry. "I will personally ensure that doesn't happen."

"Normally that wouldn't be comforting. But seeing how you were stuck with them during the last incident…" Atton pointed accusingly at both Meetra and Vann before gesturing to the communicator as a subtle reminder of Carth's part in the mess. "I'll trust you."

"Your faith is appreciated."

The vocabulator in Alek's prosthetic made it difficult to tell when he was being sarcastic, though his presence was sincere enough that Atton took the compliment at face value. Offering the group a mock salute, he added a peck on the cheek for Meetra before turning back toward the building. "Have fun planning your visit to my second least-favorite planet in the galaxy! I'm off to enjoy the academy's climate control." With that, he eagerly jogged back up the path toward the welcoming warmth of the building.

Vann barely noticed the former Sentinel's exit, his mind clearly working out the finer details of the mission as he contacted his partner. "Hey Carth, can you let Mand'alor know that I'm going to need a few days' leave to help fulfill my promise to train new generations of Force users to defend the Republic against an immortal Sith?"

The comlink crackled to life as the pilot shouted, "Oh no you don't! Not again! I swear if you're about to tell me that you're already preparing to run headfirst into another deadly situation…!"

"Relax! We're just taking some of the older students to investigate the surface of Korriban as a teaching exercise that also indulges the Jedi Council's paranoia. The danger should be minimal. Unless Alek lets someone get bitten by the wildlife, in which case Meetra might be the most dangerous thing on the planet."

"That… could be a nice break from the tensions of the negotiations?" Sounding distinctly unsure, Carth still offered, "If you're set on doing this, I'll let everyone know that you need some time to deal with Force-related matters. But please be careful. The last time you were on that planet you ended up with a concussion, multiple cracked ribs, sleep deprivation, mild poisoning from overuse of adrenal stimulants…"

"Most of that was Yuthura Ban's fault! And she has since apologized… sort of." Recalling his brief but humorous interaction with the Twi'lek after her arrival on Telos, Vann scoffed. "Don't worry, I'll be in good hands. Or at least one set of good hands along with one set that hasn't tried to kill me in four years which is a marked improvement."

"As a reminder, I only tried to kill you twice. Beyond that, I have over a decade of experience keeping you alive and in one piece through puberty and multiple war zones." Alek scrubbed his palm over his eyes as he unwillingly recalled every time his friend had narrowly avoided death or dismemberment.

Noting the increasing tension, Meetra gently placed herself between the two men before slipping an arm around each of their waists. "Also as a reminder, you accomplished amazing things when you worked together."

"We accomplished amazing things…" Vann looked down at the smaller figure with a smile before his eyes slid guiltily away. "Along with some unbelievably tragic, devastating accomplishments."

"It's like you said, the shameful things in our pasts are just incentives to keep moving forward and being better." As she studied her friends, the former Consular couldn't stop her rush of giddiness when she realized this was their first mission together without the fate of the galaxy resting on their shoulders. "Who knows? Maybe we'll find the paths we were meant to walk before the war took us down a different road."

"And what paths were those?" It was tough to tell if Vann truly couldn't recall their lives before they were Revanchists or if he simply couldn't reconcile those lives with who they had become.

But if Meetra closed her eyes, she could still imagine herself as a bright-eyed Consular happily informing a pair of Guardians about her goal of taking Mical as her Padawan, the first in what she hoped was a long list of future pupils. Deran had listened, sometimes impatiently, his thoughts always racing ahead with plans for fixing the galaxy's woes even as his shoulders sagged with the responsibilities the Council placed upon him. Unlike his friend, Alek had been a steadfast bastion of support, endlessly willing to aid those he cherished in their endeavors. As a survivor of a heartwrenching tragedy, he was more capable of appreciating each moment as it came. While they had all changed, not everything about them was irrevocably different.

"You may not believe me, but we used to be protectors and peacekeepers, determined to safeguard the galaxy and bring lasting peace to its darkest corners. We were negotiators, defenders, teachers, and friends." Squeezing both men just a little tighter to emphasize this point, the blonde glanced back at her academy as she mused, "No matter who we became, that's still an ideal that we can aspire to."

"It's a beautiful thought. But I'm not sure that, after everything, I can ever live up to that ideal."

"Why not?" Staring challengingly at Alek, Meetra giggled when he looked away first. He even shrank back within the Force, his self-doubt warring with his friend's confidence in him.

Though Vann felt less sure, there was nothing deceptive about his presence as he quipped, "If nothing else, we'll make sure you stay honest. And they'll help."

For a moment, Meetra wasn't sure who her friend was referring to. But then she heard the crunch of snow behind them, joined by not one but four notable Force presences that were slowly but steadily coming closer. Everyone was complaining as they walked, grumbling about the temperature and the ice in sarcastic tones more fitting for students than instructors.

"Stars it is cold out here!" Bastila looked miserable, the tip of her nose bright red despite the thick scarf wrapped around her face and neck. "Why don't all of you come inside?" There was a brief, pointed pause before she added, "Yes, even you, Alek."

Equally dissatisfied with the weather, Atton glared at Meetra as he explained, "I had to enlist help in talking some sense into you. What the hells makes you think it's a good idea to have a whole conversation at the pole, outside, in the winter, at night?!"

"Vann, I know you must have a reason for being outside but… ack!" Stomping her feet to help maintain sensation, Juhani hissed, "I cannot think of anything compelling enough…"

"Shhh." Waving at the others to hush, Vann once again glanced upward as another burst of glimmering light filled the sky. "Just look up and reach out."

The Force filled with reverent awe as all four newcomers suddenly noticed the aurora, their awareness spreading out as they sensed the way that the dazzling display arced and pulsed in time with the heart of the planet. Both Bastila and Juhani appeared completely enraptured, while Belaya seemed torn between watching the aurora or the three older Force users she was now standing beside. Despite trying to appear nonchalant about the experience, Atton's presence glowed with delight as the ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.

"Oh! My word, I have never seen or felt anything quite like this!"

Nodding to Bastila in agreement, Juhani reached over and tugged her girlfriend closer. "It is beautiful. Belaya, are you seeing this?"

Some of Atton's impartial facade fell away and he finally grinned, nodding in appreciation to Vann. "Alright, maybe this is worth freezing my ass off yet again."

"It's the Force…" As she searched for the right words to describe the natural spectacle she was witnessing, Meetra couldn't help but remember Kreia. The old woman had been wrong in so many ways and yet her words still contained an astonishing amount of wisdom. The last thing she said still resonated with her student, a description of the Force that felt apt for this moment. "You can feel all of its mysteries and passions, all of the life that swells to a chorus, and the death that completes the cycle. And we are a part of it, willing or not, hosts who wield its energy without ever truly understanding it. And with this power, this promise, we can find peace even after we spent years spilling blood."

Vann let out a breath that nobody realized he was holding. "Wisely spoken."

"It's true. In the end, it's not about light versus dark or Jedi versus Sith. It's about action and choice." Pressing a hand to her chest, Meetra bit back an unexpected swell of emotion. "There are no voids in Force, only spaces that contain endless potential."

Sensing the blonde's distress, Atton wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. "Is that what we are, potential?"

"Yes. Along with friends and lovers, teachers and students, guardians and peacekeepers, and a thousand other things that we have yet to discover. But I look forward to the journey." Gaze drifting between each individual present, Meetra bowed her head slightly as she told them, "Thank you, for being here in this moment and all of the moments yet to come."

Nodding back at the former Consular, Vann offered her and everyone else a weak but genuine smile. "Thank you for knowing me, even when I didn't know myself."

There was a soft murmur of acknowledgment, some of it jovial and all of it appreciative of the gesture. The bond between Bastila and her mentor surged, emotions passing between them as their shared experiences flowed into the Force. Meetra also sent a burst of encouragement, glad to have been able to give her friend a sense of self in his time of need. In many ways it was impossible to ever fully know Deran, then Revan, and finally Vann… three parts of an utterly improbable individual who faced every challenge and defied every odd put before him. Genius, prodigy, hero, villain, and enigma, Meetra was just glad for a second chance to live in a galaxy where he existed.

Alek shared this sentiment, something the blonde knew even without the Force. His eyes shone as he also inclined his head, remaining apart from the others while still acknowledging them. When he looked at Vann his presence lacked the unabashed adoration it once held but still carried a deep if not begrudging respect. For Meetra he held nothing but gratitude. "Thank you… for everything."

An uncomfortable silence passed as everyone considered what to say, most of them still deeply affected by the cruelty of the former Supreme Commander even while they knew he was trying to change. It was Atton who finally reacted, shrugging lightly to the man he had once killed for, their shared apologies swirling through the Force. More emotions joined them. Hope and fear, sorrow and forgiveness, all flowing forth as the brilliant aurora pulsed in time to their silent confessions. As the group remained huddled beneath the lights, Meetra looked up and savored the connection that she had once thought was gone forever.

But, perhaps the Force had never truly left her. There is no death. There is the Force. The Force shall free me. She finally understood this, two codes that were inexorably entwined and together formed something beyond light and dark. No matter where her path might lead from here, the Force would always be with her. It was eternal, and she was forever one with the Force.

Author's Notes

Thank you to everyone who's stuck by this story over the years and my warmest welcome to any new readers! I promised that I would finish this tale and I intend to keep my word. I apologize that these last chapters have taken so long to write, but I think we can all agree that it's been a strange few years. I'm still (technically) on Tumblr as ergomaria, so feel free to say "hi" or ask me any questions.

1. Atris remains a Jedi at the end of this story... sort of. Meetra and Alek's comments are meant to imply that she'll eventually walk the path of an Exile and leave the Jedi behind, just like in the game.

2. Carth's proposal to Vann has been mentioned elsewhere, but suffice it to say that Vann does accidentally mess things up and Carth loves him just a little more for it.

3. Alek's comments that, "the children of Jedi are often strong with the Force" are from the KOTOR comic.

4. Despite this story's changes to Revan's TOR plot, I still love the idea of Satele and Theron Shan existing in the future. Even if they're not Revan's descendants, I think Bastila's lineage is enough to stand alone.

5. Most Jedi academies are supposedly built on Force vergences or similar wells of energy. So, it makes sense that the Telos Academy shares this feature.

6. The mission on Nirauan will be detailed elsewhere.

7. And there it is! After many years, one global pandemic, and a lot of writer's block I've finished this series. Thank you for coming along for the ride!