Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. This will show Ben and Rey learning from the Jedi of the past. It may jump through time a bit, jumping between training and instruction sessions with different Jedi.
Let's get to it.
Rico: I didn't cover that arc in the story, since there was no changes to it.
SnitchPogi12B: They do use drones, I just haven't shown them yet. And they still use SR-71Ds because the First Order has no starfighter that can catch them, and the SR-71D can make missions across the galaxy, unlike drones.
Chapter 56- The Old Masters
Ben and Rey are frozen in awe as they look at the ghosts of Jedi of ages past, gathered around the edge of the garden, all facing them with varying looks of consideration and amusement at their shock.
"You brought them all here?" Ben asks his grandfather.
"Yes. You two are the culmination of the Jedi that have come before, and it is your duty to bring about the end of evil and restore peace to the galaxy," Anakin says, pausing before finishing, "For that reason, you must learn wisdom and secrets of the Force from Jedi throughout the ages. Many ages of wisdom gained from countless conflicts from many enemies. You will learn from all of us, and continue your journey to become the beginning of a new generation of Jedi for both galaxies."
The two are quiet for a few moments before Ben asks, "Who are these Jedi, grandfather?"
Anakin smiles slyly at his grandson before he says, "Let me introduce you." He looks behind him and gestures, saying, "You've already met my master, Master Kenobi. And this little guy beside him is the former Grandmaster Yoda."
"To Mortis, we welcome you, young Padawans," Master Yoda speaks, a jovial smile on his face as he taps his stick on the ground.
Anakin then turns and gestures towards a pair of human women standing beside a dead tree. "It's my great pleasure to introduce you to the wife of Lord Revan, and someone who was turned to the dark side and turned back to the light, Master Bastila Shan. And her descendant, one of the greatest Grandmasters in the history of the Order, Master Satele Shan."
"Welcome, young Jedi," Bastila greets the two.
"We have awaited your coming for many ages. Your coming has been foretold," Satele adds to her ancestor's words.
Anakin smiles at the two women, then gestures at a third human woman not far from the Shans. "This is another of the great Grandmasters of old, one who turned tragedy into motivation and greatness: Grandmaster Nomi Sunrider."
"Welcome, young ones," Sunrider says, flashing them a kind, almost motherly smile.
Anakin nods in respect to Sunrider, before turning to a human male standing a few feet from her. "This is Anjar Alcara. His name is not recorded in the history of the galaxy. To history, he is known only as the Hero of Tython. It was he that defeated the Sith Emperor in combat and brought about his first defeat."
"Welcome, young ones," Anjar responds. Ben and Rey stare at him in awe, remembering stories about him and interested that they now know his name.
Anakin then turns to a woman who looks particularly stoic, and not quite as happy as the others. "This is the one who slew the Sith Triumvirate and restarted the Jedi Order after the first Jedi Purge, the one who was called the Jedi Exile. Meetra Surik."
"Welcome," Meetra Surik greets the two.
Anakin then turns to the hunched figure of a Krevaaki alien. "This is the one who trained, and was later slain by, the Dark Lord Exar Kun, who you in turn defeated not too long ago. Meet Master Vodo Siosk Baas."
"Welcome to Mortis, young ones. I am proud of the strength you showed in defeating Exar. You have proven your strength," Master Baas praises the two. The pair feel a sense of pride from the compliment.
Anakin then turns to a tall, bearded man. "And lastly, I introduce the Jedi Lord Hoth. After his spirit was freed by the one called Kyle Katarn, he is finally able to manifest himself here."
"Welcome, young Jedi," Lord Hoth greets them.
Ben and Rey stand in awe, looking around at the spirits of some of the most famous Jedi of history. They feel a sensation of being burdened by expectations, with all of these ancient, accomplished Jedi showing themselves to teach them, because they believe Ben and Rey are the hope for the future.
"You've all gathered here…to teach us?" Ben asks.
"Yes," Anakin responds, turning once more to face his grandson. His hands held behind his back, he looks intently at Ben and Rey as he says, "You two do not realize the extent of the danger you face. And sadly, we cannot share the truth with you, for the extent of it is hidden even from us, and what we do know, it is the will of the Force that you should not know. Should you know now the battles you will soon face, the actions you would take to attempt to stop them would lead only to tragedy."
"But why can you not tell us anything? Even when you have warned us now, couldn't we follow your instruction and contain ourselves until the time comes?" Rey protests. She doesn't like the idea of Anakin and the other Jedi having an idea of what is coming in the future, and not telling them.
"No, we cannot. This is the way it must be if there is to be hope for the future. We cannot tell you all we know of the threat you will face…only ensure that you are ready for the future," Anakin responds.
The group of assembled Jedi are quiet for several moments before Anakin says, "It is time to begin your training. You have defeated the spirit of Exar Kun, but you have not learned all that you could from the Dark Lord and your fight with him. Therefore, you will first learn under the master who trained him." Anakin then looks at the spirit of Vodo Siosk-Baas and says, "Master Baas, take it away."
"Of course. Come with me, young Padawans," Master Baas says.
Ben and Rey glance at each other, then at the spirit of Anakin, before they follow Master Baas out of the ruined garden and to the wall overlooking it.
Stopping atop the wall, Master Baas sits down atop a piece of rubble. "I watched your defeat of my former pupil, young Jedi. Your skill was great indeed, but young as you were, you did not learn all you could from that fight. And the greatest lesson of all comes from his days as a younger man." He pauses, then gestures, "Come. Sit."
Ben and Rey slowly sit down cross-legged before Master Baas, waiting for the old master to share his story. Master Baas looks at the two before he begins to speak, "When he was a younger man and under my instruction, Exar Kun was the most dedicated student I ever taught. However, from the very beginning, his pride was painfully apparent. He thought very highly of himself, and believed himself to be the greatest Jedi prodigy of his generation. He believed that he deserved to be knighted sooner than is common…not unlike your grandfather in his time, young Skywalker."
Ben and Rey listen intently to the old Master as he pauses, then continues to speak, "In his youth, Exar had another quality about him. He detested the Sith, and sought their complete extermination. To do so, he believed he needed to become the greatest Jedi warrior the galaxy had ever seen. Even at a young age, his skill with the blade was exceptional, and as he grew older, he grew into the greatest swordsman seen in several thousand years."
"However, Exar went too far. His determination to destroy the Sith led him to a dark place, and he began to believe that the reason the Jedi had not managed to destroy the Sith easily in the past was because they followed the Jedi Code and the light side too strictly, and refused to understand the Sith. He believed that in order to defeat the Sith and fulfill what he thought was his destiny, he needed to master the secrets of the dark side and use the Sith's very strength against them. No matter how much he was caught and scolded, he could not give up on his pride. And it was that pride that led him to seek more and more knowledge, taking him further down the dark path until he was corrupted completely under the teachings of Freedon Nadd. It was his pride and fixation on his own belief that his destiny required him to learn the dark side."
Master Baas pauses for a moment before he asks, "I presume, young Skywalker, that this story may sound similar to you?"
Ben nods slowly. "Jacen. His pride in his strength and determination to honor our grandfather's legacy…" he mutters almost to himself.
"Indeed. It was pride that brought Exar's fall, and that brought your cousin's fall. But for Exar, it was his pride that also brought about his initial defeat. His pride was so great that he believed he had subjugated Ulic Qel-Droma and Ulic would never turn against him, and did not need to watch him too closely. He chose to send Ulic into the very situation that would turn him back to the light," Master Baas explains. He pauses, then says, "Pride is always the downfall of those who follow the dark side. It is their greatest weakness. Pride overrides wisdom and intelligence and brings about the greatest of errors."
"Just like Exar, your cousin's pride in himself is one of his greatest weaknesses. Learning how to use his pride against him is your greatest weapon against him. His belief that the dark side is superior to the light leaves him blind to the strength you can possess," Master Baas says.
"Indeed."
Ben and Rey turn their heads to the direction of the voice they just heard, and see that the spirit of Nomi Sunrider has materialized beside them. She looks down at them with a smile as she says, "Master Baas speaks great wisdom, my young Jedi. Those who have embraced the dark side cannot comprehend the strength available to those who follow the light. It is important that you remember this for your own growth and strength."
"What do you mean, Master?" Rey asks the ancient Jedi Master.
"My journey as a Jedi began long ago, when I watched my husband, who was also a Jedi, struck down in battle. I took up his lightsaber to protect myself and my child, and chose to pursue the path of a Jedi. I made this choice not only out of a desire to learn how to use my power, but out of my love for my late husband and for my daughter. It was that love that drove me to become the Jedi that I became. And in the end, it was this love that led me to become strong enough that I was able to sever Ulic Qel-Droma's connection to the Force."
Master Sunrider is quiet for a moment before she says, "Your greatest strength lies in your differences from Kylo Ren. Your dedication to the light, and your love for those you care for, is what will ultimately bring about your victory."
"How were you able to sever Ulic Qel-Droma's connection to the Force?" Rey asks curiously. Hearing that this is a power one can use, she is starting to wonder if she can learn this power, and one day strip Kylo Ren of his strength in the Force.
"How I did it is not important, nor could you necessarily learn to do this yourself. It is a gift only few can learn, and you would be much better served learning things more easily learned," Master Sunrider responds.
"I understand, Master," Rey responds.
"You must restrain your ambitions, young Rey, if you are to succeed. Do not believe that because you are the hope of the Jedi that you will learn and master every single thing there is to know about the Force. Do not let yourself go down the same journey as Exar Kun," Master Baas says.
"Yes, Master," Rey responds, a little chastened. Reflecting on herself, she realizes how much she still struggles with her own eager nature and confidence in her own ability to learn.
"This is why we are here, my young Jedi. To help prepare you to become the Jedi the galaxy needs," Master Baas says.
"Yes, Masters," Ben and Rey responds in unison.
Masters Baas and Sunrider continue to address Ben and Rey. All the while, the other Force ghosts watch on, a sense of pride within them. The two have a long road ahead of them, but by the time they reach the end…they will have become Jedi that the old Masters know will be worthy of inheriting the legacy of the Jedi.
And, I'll end there. I apologize for this taking so long. I've been struggling with a bit of writer's block, and school has taken a lot of my time. I also didn't want to just skim over their lessons with the Force Ghosts. Ultimately, I decided to split it up between a few chapters to ensure each of the old Jedi got time to shine.
Now, I hope you enjoyed the choices I made. All of these Jedi mentioned after Yoda are great Jedi Masters from the Legends continuity. I may be willing to add a few more in the next few chapters if you think I missed someone that really should be here.
Also for those wondering about Anjar Alcara, or, as I identified him, the Hero of Tython. The Hero has never received a name in Legends, so I decided to make up one for him. As I mentioned, he's the one who defeated the Sith Emperor for the first time in single combat.
Also, you may wonder why Revan didn't appear with the group. That's because I have something special in mind for him. Rest assured, he will be appearing on Mortis, but not yet.
Alright. Next chapter will continue the lessons under the old Masters. It will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!