Chapter 2
As Revan walked inside of the Jedi Temple, he couldn't say much had changed from his time. Jedi were walking through the halls, going about their business. Like in those times, there was an overwhelming amount of Dark Side influence, the Jedi blissfully unaware as shadows lingered.
The Prodigal Knight wondered if he was the only one who could see it. Did it matter now? Carth, Bastila, Mission, Zaalbar, HK-47, T3, Canderous, Juhani, and Jolee... they were all forgotten remnants of history, with him being the only survivor among the original Ebon Hawk crew.
His friends had been the only reason why Revan didn't go back down the dark path when even Bastila was consumed by it. To sacrifice some of not all of his companions was something Revan couldn't even imagine.
Revan dismissed the thoughts of his friend with a great pang in his chest and continued walking behind Obi-Wan. Apparently, the man deemed it best to talk about the "current predicament" with the Jedi Council in person, or else they would not believe it.
"Different than you remember?" Anakin asked.
"In some ways," he replied.
"Anakin, Siri, me and... Revan would be talking with the Jedi Council about the current events," Obi-Wan declared. "We'll handle all else later."
Siri smirked. "Glad I'm not the Jedi Council member here."
"Oh, Master Gallia would change that soon," Obi-Wan replied, shrugging.
Both Jedi nodded and left.
They boarded the turbolift and waited.
When the doors opened, the Jedi Masters looked up at Obi-Wan and their new guest.
The former moved over to take his seat.
They observed him for a full minute, but Revan sensed no hostile intent. Just borderline curiosity.
At last, the small green Jedi that ever so resembled Master Vandar, spoke. "According to Master Kenobi, stop the bounty hunter from causing any further damage, you did. Our appreciation, you have..."
It was an invitation for him to tell his name.
"Revan."
That caused a ripple. Some didn't recognize the name while others who were natural in searching up history did. The Jedi in question, a black one, and another figure who must be of ancient species showed a sign of recognition. There were a few others, but they were brief.
"That is an interesting coincidence," the ancient species stated. "A Revan lived almost four thousand years ago."
"And he was known to become a Dark Lord of the Sith," another Jedi spat, eyes lingering on Revan suspiciously.
Revan glared at him. "I redeemed myself and atone for my actions when I could have easily became a Dark Lord."
"Only by having your memories forcibly removed," the Jedi pointed out.
"And even after I regained most of them, I ceased killing senselessly didn't I?" Revan questioned sharply.
"It would be impolite to not introduce ourselves. We needn't start this with a conflict. I'm Master Plo Koon." The Kel Dor spoke. Revan knew he would like him instantly.
The one who resembled Master Vandar was named Master Yoda. A Cerean Master named Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. The Jedi who called him out was named Saesee Tinn, an Iktotchi Master. An Iridonian Zabrak named Eeth Koth. A short Lannik Jedi Master name Evan Piell. A Thisspiasian Jedi Master named Oppo Rancisis. A Tholothian named Adi Gallia. A human female named Master Depa Billaba. A Nautalon named Kit Fisto. And at last, a Togruta female named Shaak Ti.
Revan sensed.
In some ways, while there was typical hubris among the Jedi Order, there were fewer Master Vrooks and more Master Vandars and Zhars.
Still, Revan couldn't say that any of them was bad people, even Tiin.
"That matter aside, give me a brief rundown of how much has changed throughout the centuries," Revan said.
"Much happened. It would take hours to explain it all." Master Billaba stated with a slight grin. "The Jedi ruled a millennium without battle with the Sith."
"A Golden Age," Master Windu added. "No attacks from the Sith since before a period referred to as the Ruusan Reformation."
"That was until the Confederacy of Independent Systems came into the picture formerly known as the secessionist movement," Master Mundi elaborated. "We have to defend the Republic against the established Confederacy of the Independent Systems."
"Why?"
"The Confederacy consisted of planets formerly allied with the Republic," Ti elaborated. "As tensions rose, we believed the Trade Federation Viceroy attempted to assassinate a sovereign member of the Republic and had young Skywalker go with her to her planet. After receiving proof from Master Kenobi who found a secret army for the Republic that the Confederacy was indeed under Sith's influence on the planet of Geonosis, he was captured. We sent the Republic's secret army one of our own commissioned to rescue Kenobi, and as we'd later found out, Skywalker and Amidala."
Pause. Secret army? What was so secret about it? Oh, kriff, why was the Force acting sheepish in that moment?!
"So you're telling me you went to war after the Jedi snuck on illegal ground instead of attempting to negotiate?" Revan asked pointedly, and many grimaced.
"Did you not go to war with the Mandalorians for the same reason?" Eeth Koth asked.
"The Mandalorians were attempting to take over the Republic. The way you describe it, this could have been averted if one of you wasn't stupid enough to be captured."
Obi-Wan grunted slightly.
"From the galaxy's perspective, you all started the war. You could have confined her within the Temple or brought somewhere secretive. Why the frak would you send her to her homeworld where they could have easily reached her?" Revan demanded.
"Revan, the Senator wouldn't have liked being confined in the Temple," Gallia pointed out.
"So karking what?" Revan did his best not to yell. "Do we have entitled brats in the Senate now?" He sighed and expelled his frustration. "When did the Sith reappear?"
"A decade ago," Master Windu explained, all the while giving him a slight glare. "We sent Kenobi who was a Padawan at the time and his Master Qui-Gon Jinn to deal with a Trade dispute with Amidala who was the Queen at the time-"
"What is it with that girl getting into trouble?" Revan shook his head.
"Only to discover it was something bigger," Windu continued, not commenting. "On Tatooine, Jinn who was ambushed by the Sith we'd thought extinct. We dismissed it at the time and sent them back to Naboo to capture the Viceroy-"
"Pause, you all didn't choose to send more Jedi to possibly capture or look into the Sith?" Revan snapped, exasperated. "So you're seriously telling me that because he didn't have a tag and screamed out "Sith" he was dismissed?"
"Not exactly in those ways but yes," Master Billaba replied.
"Do the Jedi ever learn?!" Revan snapped. "Or is it just me?! Are you all idiots?!"
"Revan," Master Koon started carefully, "we didn't want to assume the worst. In hindsight, we should have handled the situation better. The cost was regrettable, a member of our Order..."
"My Master," Obi-Wan said, closing his eyes and doing his best to release his feelings into the Force. "I managed to defeat the Sith."
"Always two, there are. No more, no less."
"What?" Revan asked.
"The Sith started a Rule of Two before their... disappearance," Ti informed him. "They went to the shadows and changed from the ones in your time who would attack publicly. There's currently a Darth Sidious we have heard recently about, but we don't know anything else. He operates from the shadows, possibly controlling the Chancellor who may be going along with it unknowingly."
Oh, that was... perfect! Instead of attacking from the open, they moved from the shadows, implementing political influence, and growing more powerful throughout time. Simple bills here, "friends" there...
By the end of it all, with the pawns that they have implemented and friends they had gained in the Senate, if the Jedi ever discover who they were and attacked them, it would be seen as them attempting to take over.
The Sith had grown smarter and more controlled. The Sith of his time, most even under his command, wouldn't have been able to control the urge to choke the Jedi at first sight.
Now that there was only one or two Sith, they wouldn't risk detection and kept themselves under scope. Only one keeping the other in check doesn't have to worry about mass betrayal. The Apprentice would attempt to overthrow the Master of course eventually, but even so, they would have plenty of time as they would not attempt to do so before learning all they could from them. Only two meant it would be near impossible for them to be detected, or hard proof that they even existed.
The Jedi would expect a Sith Army, not one or two to call for their elimination.
Kriffing shit!
This would mean Revan would have to sharpen his skills to the modern era or risk taking on this Sith that have grown smarter and more powerful.
"Jedi, we are going to have a lot of work to do," Revan started carefully, needing to work hard to put a mask of calm. "You have no political influence. Even if you detect this Sith among the masses and target them and their allies for trial, you would all be labeled as tyrants who attempted to take over the galaxy."
"Who are you to tell-" Tiin began, but Koon leveled him with a stare behind his mask.
"Revan served in a war once. I believe we should hear what he has to say." The Kel Dor interjected. "Go on."
"I need time to learn from the Archives," Revan declared. "Afterwards, I'll be going on the battlefield and try to help your fellow Jedi in war."
"And how do we know you're not going to subvert the GAR for your nefarious expectations again?" Master Windu asked flatly.
"Because why would I? My wife and friends died for the Jedi Order and Republic. For that if anything else, I will prevent total destruction. I may have different views of the Force and contrasting matters to how I handle situations, but I won't allow the sacrifices Bastila, Meetra, and all the others made just for me to step on the Order once more. In doing this, we need the Jedi to listen to the expectations of the Republic. The Sith evolved, changed from my time, more controlled in many ways."
"If he speaks the truth and is indeed Revan, how do we know he doesn't seek to start a Jedi Schism?" Saesee Tiin pointed out, and seriously the damn Jedi was starting to get onto his nerves.
"I could have aided the bounty hunter and kill Kenobi, Skywalker, and Tachi," Revan replied coldly, and that proclamation did cause some shifting. "Instead, I come here in the hope to have better relations with the Jedi. Atone."
Master Yoda leaned forward. "What are your recommendations?"
"You need to set up a PR team. A strategic communication from the Jedi Order to the public to maintain and cultivate public image or respond to public discourse." Revan responded truthfully.
Master Windu's eyes went wide. "...We have never thought about that before."
Billaba frowned. "But we are supposed to remain above politics."
"When the Sith choose to act, if you keep on this narrow-minded view, you will have little to no allies. Like it or not, you are part of this war, considered the Republic by many others. You have chosen your side. Now, you have to stand by it."
None of them liked his tone, but some of them understood where he was coming from.
Revan continued. "The Jedi of my time who went to war was inexperienced at first. I take it this has not changed."
"No, it hasn't," Ti admitted, "but we need to send as many of us as possinle out to the front lines. We have little choice in the matter."
"I don't disagree, but according to you Jedi haven't fought in war for decades," Revan responded flatly. "The army should be the ones in command over the Jedi."
That caused another ripple.
Now, Koth looked at him, unimpressed. "The troopers would prefer more brutal tactics. The Jedi being in command would help migrate the death of innocent people."
"The Jedi being in command is wasting countless lives and resources," Revan stated sharply. "Fragging in my time happened. Some Jedi were too ambitious and eager to go into combat, others tried to play good guys, and damned the consequences. This resulted in... cases where the Republic's troops would return without the Jedi."
He let his sentence imply what happened to those particular fools.
"It's only a matter of time before this happens. Like it or not, people are going to die in war. The more you attempt to save lives now, the more you're wasting. Jedi being promoted to the rank of Generals and Commanders should be up for whoever's in High Command to decide, not the Jedi Council. The officers studied military tactics whereas you all have been confined in this Temple for decades. People will ask questions for why you are more willing to listen to the Republic's military out of blue, but many would be satisfied. And in the end, you can try to save at least a small number of civilians."
"Revan, we are not warriors..." Piell chimed in at last. "The Republic doesn't have to respect it, but we have an obligation to save innocent people and do what must be done."
Revan grunted. "Stand by that when the Sith is in control of the galaxy because you want to play bloody peacekeeper."
"Revan, we are keeper of the peace, not soldiers. The people on the opposite sides of this conflict have innocents, and we are still to protect them." Oppo Rancisis spoke bluntly.
Tiin added. "If this was how you expressed your beliefs, no wonder the Council kicked you out."
"It had nothing to do with my attitude," Revan said sharply. "You weren't there. I didn't exactly left on normal terms but to prevent the Mandalorians from conquering the Republic. You on the other hand is fighting your own people."
"...Revan, you have years of experience. You could rejoin the Jedi Order, even though our ideals don't line up. We all fight for the same side." Master Windu offered.
"No, a lot of members wouldn't trust me when my presence becomes well-known," Revan stated, eyes lingering on Tiin. "I limited myself to the weaknesses of the Jedi Order once before. I couldn't do so again. Logically speaking, I should have left after they attempted to separate myself and Bastila."
Many didn't seem happy about that.
"Revan, for all intent and purposes, you are a Jedi," Koon tried again. "You may not agree with all of our mandates and protocols, but you are still one. You have sacrificed yourself to save the Jedi Order once, and I sense you would do the same a second time."
Revan shook his head. "That ship has sailed, Master Koon, unfortunately I cannot join the Jedi Order. I could possibly never do so again."
The room became slightly more tense, however it didn't lasted long.
"Many of the arts you possessed are considered forbidden. We'll have to give you direct access to the restrictive Archives. Besides, I have a feeling you won't take no for an answer." Master Fisto spoke, grinning. The Nautalon was someone who Revan may also liked.
"Are you sure you want someone utterly controversial to advance his skills? What if he turns on us like he did to the Jedi in his time?" Tiin inquired.
"You fear me, Jedi?" Revan didn't said mockingly. "You act as if I'm going to kill you all now."
Tiin just simply scowled at him distastefully.
"Until we come down to a decision, you will be given quarters so you can rest," Master Windu replied, and Revan hated the commanding tone in his voice like he was a youngling. "Obi-Wan, being the one you're most familiar with, will be glad to lead you."
Obi-Wan stood up and followed him.
Revan nodded, giving one last glare at Tiin, before walking out.
"He's a danger to those around him," he heard Tiin say before the doors to the turbolift close.
Boy, that sounded like Master Vrook.
"He seems to be very representable to be around," Revan said.
Obi-Wan kept his eyes forward. "Well, not every day a converted Sith Lord comes from the past."
"Touché."
Oh, Revan already had a feeling he and Kenobi would grow to be great friends.