After the whole craziness that was us being trapped on the planet Mortis, Obi-Wan called for an immediate gathering of the Jedi Council the moment we got back to the Jedi Temple. There's just so much about that whole ordeal that I'm still trying to wrap my head around. One thing that is certain though is that everything we originally believed about the Force has changed.
With the Jedi Masters all notified and gathered for the session, either in-person or over hologram, the four of us make our way up to the Council chambers. Before entering the lift to the tower, Obi-Wan turns to face us.
"Before we enter, there's something that I think we need to discuss," he says, gesturing towards an empty room on the side of the hallway.
We all give each other weird looks but comply with his order, and once we're inside he shuts the door behind us. He turns to face Ahsoka and I with crossed arms, frowning.
"So, Padawans, care to explain this Force bond you share?" he asks bluntly.
My blood runs cold. This is the moment I've been dreading.
Ahsoka and I share a nervous look.
"You told him?" Ahsoka asks incredulously.
"He figured it out after you were taken," I explain.
Ahsoka sighs in disappointed but grim understanding, figuring that I must have been pretty upset for them to notice.
"Yes, we share a bond with each other," she admits. "It's… complicated."
Anakin stands to the side with his arms also crossed, although looking a little sympathetic.
"Really? Need I remind you that the Jedi Code strictly forbids attachment?" Obi-Wan states.
"I know, Master, but… we've been friends the moment we were brought to the Temple and it sort of just.. formed on its own over time." I explain to him.
"In what way?" he questions.
"We didn't realize we had a Force bond to this extent until about a year before I was made a Padawan," Ahsoka says.
"Forgive me if I find that difficult to believe," Obi-Wan responds dryly.
I feel a rush of indignation at that.
"But it's true, Master! We didn't try to make a Force bond, it just… it just happened!" I protest.
"Then why didn't you make an effort to prevent it from forming?" he demands.
"We didn't notice it was there until it was fully formed. The thought just never crossed our minds," Ahsoka explains, sighing. "But once we figured it out…"
"...we decided to keep it a secret, and cherish it for as long as possible," I finish her sentence, and she nods in agreement.
"I see," Obi-Wan nods slowly, his frown deepening. "And if you're told to remove it?"
I share an uneasy glance with Ahsoka, seeing her just as nervous, but the answer to that question is an easy one. It's just hard to say.
"That's… hard to answer. I don't think we can," I say carefully in response.
"Can't? Or won't?" he questions with narrowed eyes.
I avert my gaze nervously but Ahsoka sighs heavily and stares back at him resolutely.
"Won't," she states.
Anakin blinks in bewilderment while Obi-Wan raises his eyebrows in surprise. Emboldened by her statement, I gaze at him with the same determination as Ahsoka. Obi-Wan strokes his beard with a troubled expression for a long while, looking between the two of us intently.
"You do understand the gravity of such a decision, do you not?" he finally responds, shaking his head in disapproval. "By choosing to keep this bond with each other you not only disobey the Jedi Code, but you put yourselves at risk. If one of you were to face serious, perhaps fatal, injury, the other would suffer. It will not only be a distraction, but a serious liability. Surely you would agree we don't need to see what would happen a second time?"
I look away from him in guilty acknowledgement, also stung by the reminder of what the Son did to Ahsoka. I've never felt more pain in my life than when she… died. Our bond is definitely a risk to have during the war, when any mission could be our last. Removing it is the logical option: the Jedi way.
But on the other hand, our Force bond is special. It's part of my soul, just as it's part of Ahsoka's. Our friendship is the greatest and most joyful thing I have in life, and I know she feels the same way. Am I willing to risk that pain to keep our relationship?
Yes. Without a second thought.
"I know, Master. I'm sorry that we broke the Code and kept it a secret, but I'm not sorry for having it," I reply, and Obi-Wan blinks at me. "This bond that we have, it's more than just an attachment. And to me it's worth every bit of pain it'll bring."
Obi-Wan—and Anakin as well—stares at me for a long time. Ahsoka also looks at me in surprise, but smiles in fond agreement, supporting my declaration with a nod.
"So… could you please not tell the Council, Master?" I ask, a little sheepish.
Obi-Wan shakes his head in frustration with a heavy sigh, but looks back up at us in grim resignation.
"Very well," he concedes.
It felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and I smile happily in relief.
"Thank you, Master Kenobi!" Ahsoka expresses our gratitude.
"With that being said," he quickly adds, leveling us with a stern gaze. "Should I ever determine that this bond proves to be a major detriment to your responsibilities in the future, then the Council will be informed, and you'll have no choice but to sever it."
"I understand," I nod in reluctant acknowledgement.
"Good," he nods in satisfaction. "Now let's get a move on. The Council is waiting."
As we follow him out of the room, Anakin eyes us with a sympathetic yet understanding look, even offering Ahsoka and I a reassuring smile.
"A story to tell, do you?" Master Yoda asks.
Normally Obi-Wan would have taken his seat amongst the assembled masters, but seeing as the story heavily involves him he was standing in the middle with the rest of us.
"Yes, Master Yoda," he nods. "Calling it a story, however, is putting it lightly."
"In what way?" Master Ti questions, her holographic image showing intrigue.
"We arrived at the location of the distress signal and rendezvoused with our cruiser. But before we could properly do so, everything changed," he starts to say.
"Our transmission with Captain Rex fizzled out, and our ship kept losing power. And when we looked out in front of us, instead of seeing our cruiser we saw… I'm not sure how to describe it, a monolith?" Anakin says with a frown. "Whatever it was, it sucked us into some sort of planet, maybe even another dimension."
"Another dimension?" Master Windu asks with a skeptical look.
"There's no such thing," Master Mundi states.
Anakin crosses his arms and I can tell he's restraining himself from rolling his eyes. I share a glance with Ahsoka and she shrugs.
"I would be inclined to agree, if not for the time we spent there," Obi-Wan says in Anakin's defense. "We were stranded in this place for several days, yet upon our return not even a second had passed here. Not even our ship's position had changed. It was as if waking up from a dream."
"A dream that all four of us shared," Anakin states.
The Jedi Masters sit in silence for a moment as they ponder the story so far, sharing glances here and there. Master Yods hums deeply in thought with both hands resting on his cane.
"The name of this place, know it do you?" he inquires.
"Mortis," Obi-Wan answers.
Just about everyone furrows their brow as if trying to remember the name from anywhere, though I don't notice anyone reacting with recognition. Only Master Yoda's gaze remains unchanged, his frown deepening a small fraction.
"Have you ever heard of it, Master?" Obi-Wan asks him.
"Unsure, am I. Feel as though I have heard the name before, yes," he answers. "Continue your tale. What more did you find?"
"During our time on Mortis we encountered three beings, a father and his two children, who were brother and sister," Obi-Wan continues. "We never learned their names, only their familial relationship, which they used as titles. Most peculiar, however, is that they seemed to be physical embodiments of the Force itself."
"As in they represented the Force? Or they… were… the Force?" Master Fisto asks cautiously.
"That I am not certain, but based on how things played out I would have to assume the former," he answers. "The first one we met was the Daughter, who embodied the light side. Her brother, the Son, embodied the dark side."
Some of the masters frown worriedly at that.
"Was he a Sith?" Master Windu asks.
"No, none of them were," Anakin spoke up. "I talked with the Father first and he was something else. Not a Sith or a Jedi, but more than that. He said they were called Force Wielders."
"And what side of the Force did he represent?" Master Koon questions.
"He didn't have a side. He just kept Balance between his children," he answers.
"Hmm… rumors of such beings, there have been. Tales of a bygone era, yes," Master Yoda says. "Forgotten by many, they were, even by the Jedi."
"But how could that be possible? Our Order's records have always been kept at the highest degree throughout history," Master Ramscis argues. "Surely knowledge about something like this would not have been lost so easily."
"Unaware of Kamino, we were, hmm?" he points out. "Many secrets are there, in this galaxy. Know every secret of the Force, one never can."
"What else did you learn about these three individuals?" Master Ti inquires.
"They were extremely powerful beings, capable of doing things that would normally be impossible. Even direct contact with a lightsaber didn't so much as scratch them," Anakin explains.
A few of the Masters lift a curious eyebrow, some perplexed, others exasperated. It's not hard to imagine why some of them react that way, and I share an amused glance with Ahsoka at the comical nature of it.
How would Anakin have learned that little detail in the first place?
"The Father is the reason we were brought to Mortis," Anakin continues.
"For what purpose?" Master Tiin questions.
Anakin hesitates to respond and Obi-Wan speaks up for him.
"They sought confirmation on the identity of the Chosen One," he reveals.
Everyone's eyes widen in surprise and they look at Anakin in response, him clearly being uncomfortable by the attention. Yoda hums in thought while Master Windu frowns with an uncertain but stern gaze.
"And?" he asks expectantly.
"The Father had Anakin tested to determine if he is the one of the prophecy," Obi-Wan continues, glancing cautiously at Anakin. "And it was successful. Anakin is the Chosen One."
"Then it would appear that Qui-Gon's faith was not misplaced after all," Master Koon says.
"Indeed," Master Fisto agrees.
I look down for a moment at the mention of the late Jedi Master, reminded bitterly of his passing. I was still very young when he was alive, so I don't remember much of him beyond what Obi-Wan has told me. But I owe everything to Master Jinn. He was probably the closest thing I had to a father… since my actual father… he—
"—nature of this test?" Master Windu was asking, breaking me out of my thoughts. "How did the Father reach this conclusion?"
Now it's Obi-Wan who hesitates to answer, and so Anakin speaks up after taking a breath.
"His children took Obi-Wan and Ahsoka captive and he threatened to have them both killed, unless I chose one of them to survive," he answers, his voice hard.
I can't help but look at Ahsoka worriedly despite having already been told about that part. It still baffles me that the Father was ready to do something like that—even more surprising that the Daughter of all beings went along with it—and it makes me a little angry, I can't lie. Ahsoka returns the look with a reassuring smile, and I let out a small sigh. She's fine now, and so is Obi-Wan.
The response from the Jedi Council on the other hand is actually rather similar to my initial reaction, just more controlled.
"He did what?!" Master Windu exclaims.
"What sort of a test is that?" Master Gallia demands.
"Fortunately, as you can see, we are all still here," Obi-Wan interrupts in an effort to calm everyone. "Although I still question the Father's methods, I do recognize that he was prompting Anakin to act. Through his own ability, Anakin was able to free us from our captors and subdue both the Daughter and the Son simultaneously, a feat which no one else in the galaxy could've accomplished."
"Quite the tale indeed, Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker. Yet more to it, I sense, hmm?" Master Yoda deduces.
"You would be right, Master," Obi-Wan confirms. "The following events trouble me far more than the Father's test."
"A shift in the Force, I felt. For a moment, darker, things seemed," Master Yoda reveals with a troubled look. "Relate to the events you speak of, I fear."
"How so?" Master Mundi asks.
Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka and I all share a worried look.
"After I took the Father's test we were prepared to leave, but the Son gave himself fully to the dark side. Through a series of events he grounded our shuttle, trapping us… and killed his sister," Anakin explains grimly.
There is silence for a few moments as the Jedi Masters take it all in.
"So the Light... is gone?" Master Ti says in somber disbelief.
"If these beings are everything you say, then that is indeed troubling to hear," Master Koth remarks.
"Though the dark side may very well have gained strength, it did not last long. Fortunately, the Father was able to weaken his son's power, though at the cost of his own life, allowing Anakin to slay him once and for all," Obi-Wan says. "In his dying breaths, the Father proclaimed that Anakin had brought balance to Mortis, and would do so for the rest of the galaxy."
"So they have all passed on, then," Master Gallia remarks.
"And we know that Skywalker is undeniably the one of the prophecy," Master Koon adds.
"But is it fulfilled by this?" Master Windu points out cautiously.
"I believe it is wise to not ignore the possibility just yet," he says in agreement.
"A great service to the Force, I feel you have done, Skywalker," Master Yoda comments.
"Thank you, Master," Anakin replies.
"Much to learn from this, we can. Delve deeper into this tale we shall. Find hidden clues or messages, we shall, of the galaxy's future," Master Yoda continues. "But not all has been heard, I sense. What of you, Padawan Shan?"
I almost don't realize he's talking to me and whip me head up in surprise.
"Sorry, Master, what about me?" I ask, bewildered.
"Your time on this planet, learn what did you?" he questions. "For Skywalker's test, accounted for all were, but you."
Everyone turns their focus toward me and I shift in place uncomfortably.
"Oh, right," I say awkwardly. "I wasn't there for that part."
"Experience anything while alone, did you?" he asks curiously.
I hesitate to answer and happen to glance at Ahsoka, who sends me a comforting feeling over our bond along with a small encouraging smile.
"Well, Master, it might sound a little weird but… when I was alone I encountered two people—ghosts, really—of the same person," I inform them.
"What do you mean by that?" Master Ti asks.
"Both of the ghosts were Revan," I answer.
The Masters all sit up straight in surprise or skepticism.
"Revan, as in Darth Revan? The one responsible for the Jedi Civil War thousands of years ago?" Master Windu demands.
"Yes, Master," I nod in confirmation.
"And you say that both of these, 'ghosts,' were him?" Master Mundi asks skeptically.
"Well, yes and no," I admit awkwardly. "They were both Revan, but split into two halves. One ghost was him as a Jedi, while the other was his Sith version."
As I'm talking I can't help but notice the strange look that Master Yoda is giving me. He's deep in thought, clearly, but it seems as if he knows something…
"And what did these… Revan ghosts do?" Master Fisto asks.
"Nothing special, honestly. Darth Revan was trying to tempt me to the dark side while Jedi Revan rejected that," I say with a strug. "Clearly the dark dude's plan didn't work."
Some of the masters share looks ranging from befuddlement, skepticism, concern, or doubt. Master Yoda, however, doesn't remove his gaze from me and I look back at him nervously.
Why's he staring at me so intently?
"Is that all that happened to you, Padawan Shan?" Master Windu asks.
"Pretty much. When the ghost thing finished, the next thing I knew was waking up right beside the shuttle just as everyone else got there," I answer.
"Very well. You, Padawan Tano and Knight Skywalker may be dismissed while the rest of us continue to delve deeper into this matter," he states.
The three of us bow our heads to the Jedi Council and then promptly leave the room while Obi-Wan moves to take his seat. The moment the doors close I let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Force, that was so stressful," I mutter.
"Tell me about it. Once I'm on the Council you can bet I'm putting a stop to all the boring meetings they have," Anakin declares.
"In your dreams, Skyguy," Ahsoka scoffs.