Chapter 21

The Prologue's End/Beginning the True Introduction

A news story broke on every frequency, and everyone tuned in, hoping it was relevant to recent events on Coruscant. So far, no information had been provided, and everyone waited with baited breath. "It has been two weeks since the abrupt, unprovoked attack at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where Grandmaster Skywalker was injured along with many civilians and members of the press. As of this moment, his status remains unknown. The casualty list is to be released as soon as it becomes available, but so far no deaths have been reported, though many were scarred both physically and mentally. This is also where an epic showdown between Dark Side Force-user An-Dru, formerly of the Jedi Order, and junior-rank Jedi Knight Robin Stace, recently declared heir to an ancient Jedi Clan, the Paladins, took place."

"An-Dru was killed in battle, while High Knight Stace was severely wounded. Stace was awarded a double battlefield promotion to High Knight for his swift decisive action, and offers of mercy and redemption to his enemy. Sources repute that he is likely to be discharged reasonably soon and reinstated on the active Jedi roster once more. Stay tuned for footage of this amazing duel… when we return shortly. This is Coruscant News Network, your most accurate, unbiased news network." Tahiri waited an extra minute before letting down her reporter mask.

Having been at the event at the time of the attack, Tahiri found it really difficult to be unbiased. She wouldn't add much, maybe less focus on Luke and more on the other injured. Knowing Luke, he'd agree on a shift in focus. Unfortunately, she thought to herself, her boss wasn't Luke Skywalker. So she'd followed instructions to keep the focus on the Jedi, the attack, and whatever a Jedi Clan was. (The question that every news outlet was trying to figure out.) "By the Force, why do I continue with this job? I am rejoining the Jedi, and that is it. I ought to just quit, and end this particular misery in my life." Tahiri thought with frustration." She didn't care if they docked her pay; she was done.

Tahiri was better off helping the Jedi directly instead of working for the news. Then she might be in the story, able to change the focus to other areas and the like. As things stood, she felt like she had no control; a truth that she hated. Tahiri marched in and quit that evening, prompting her early return to the ranks of the Jedi, though she would be returning at junior-knight level, a more than fair demotion given her history. She was tired of not doing anything. She would do, for there is no try.

It didn't take long to get back into the swing of things for Tahiri, and she made a new friend, an older woman close to Leia's age. The woman was just starting with the Order; an initiate. Her name was Cindy Stace, and she was very open about her son, Robin, although she had things that she couldn't share, which Tahiri could appreciate. Everybody has a secret or three, and she wouldn't pry into Cindy's family, despite how curious she was. The two worked well together. Tahiri helped Cindy with areas like combat and mental manipulation, while Cindy helped Tahiri feel less put off about her chequered past. Cindy told her, "I don't know your past, and those worthwhile people will, like me, base their opinions on who you are now, not who you were. Let go of the past and of regrets. Just don't let your mistakes forge greater ones down the road." Truly, Cindy was something else. Tahiri had made a dear friend.

Secure Jedi Medical Wing. Jedi Temple

Robin awoke to a white room; he couldn't help but briefly wonder if he'd died and gone to the Netherrealm or the Paladin afterlife. The reasons being his lack of pain and injury; though he did bear a scar, he'd figured death mirrored life, and a scar felt natural even if he were dead. He remembered the agony as An-Dru's lightsaber pierced his hand and again as An-Dru cut his shoulder to the marrow. The other reason he briefly thought he had died? He had Jaina all to himself, initially believing her an illusion created by the Force.

The first and only time that he expressed this thought aloud, he was promptly rewarded with a smack on the hand, followed shortly by a lecture on dangerously stupid moves and a quick explanation regarding his time spent in recovery. After which far more pleasant sensations came to be. (I, the Narrator, will not go into graphic detail; use your imagination. I will admit it was intimate and say nothing more). It turns out that Robin definitely was alive; no illusion could evoke that kind of reaction from him or possess the same depth, not even in his greatest fantasy or dream, (I imagine a seventy-five to ninety percent chance that you've got your mind in the gutter, Reader. No judgement or shame if so, it just means that I'm doing my job well.)

He'd had seven whole days of relaxing, recovery, and very intense exercise with Jaina after waking up, all reminders that he was alive. (Yes, Reader, that was innuendo, but he also had to maintain and build muscle strength after his time getting patched up. Unconscious and immobile; his muscles had grown a little weaker; it was not just extra fun physio and massage therapy with his girlfriend.)

Today, however, was the end of his and Jaina's time off together. His mother had visited between his treatments and her lessons, but given how many had been injured, Robin's case, simple as it was and non-fatal, was moved to the bottom of the list. This caused a normally fast and easy-to-fix problem to take forever, thereby weakening his muscles enough to cause him to be a touch late rejoining the active duty roster in the Order. What should have taken two weeks took four, not that he didn't enjoy his time off or the frequent visits from loved ones and well-wishers. His mum had been there whenever possible, but she'd also begun studying for the Jedi initiation tests, which she naturally passed with flying colours.

He'd had many visitors, The Skywalkers and Solos, of course, but also delegates representing the leaders of the Witches of Dathomir and Bo-Ran Monks. Robin appreciated the gesture but couldn't wait to be cleared to continue both his Jedi and Paladin duties. Now that day had finally arrived. Robin dressed, grabbed a caf to go, and went for a jog with Einstein before arriving at the Temple doors.

Robin cloaked his presence in the Force; he wanted to avoid the flocking mobs for a little while. He'd had bad experiences after the leaked fight with Kay, and he had no desire for a repeat. Luke had promised to do his best to mitigate the excitement for Robin's return to the public eye and among the rank-and-file Jedi. So far, it was much quieter than he'd anticipated. "Thank goodness Luke had kept his word; even from a hospital bed, people listened to him." Robin thought, appreciatively. The effort put in to reconstruct the damaged temple and outdoor conference area also helped by creating obstacles, thereby reducing foot traffic.

"Walk uncloaked in the Force and be proud of your accomplishments; you needn't worry. Your admirers know that you appreciate the sentiments, but are not a fan of crowds. You're the returning hero, injured in battle. You've won even more respect, and with that respect comes influence and power. Everyone, even the Sith, want you… or at least your power and skills. Luke warned that you would be scrutinized by many and for varied reasons. You can't say that it was a surprise," Einstein telepathically reminded him. "Thank you, my brother. You're right, of course." Robin replied, patting Einstein as they walked.

The first item for the day was a welcome-back assembly, nothing too fancy, though it was still a little dressed up, as a hero's welcome ought to be. This was followed by an assembly for Robin's public promotion to High-Knight; until that moment, the promotion to first Mid-Knight and High-Knight hadn't yet taken effect. The assembly, essentially a mixer, was a show of unity within the divisions of the Order, which was Luke's idea. Everyone loves a hero, even the people who don't actually like or appreciate them. Heroes are symbols (true heroes, anyway) that can unify people who would normally never consider breathing the same air. Robin was becoming a symbol, an idol, and just as he had bluffed to Kaiser not long before, his following was growing. There was a feeling of comradery in the air. Public opinion on Jedi was still split, but it was more positive than it had been in years.

Luke was still recovering from his injury, with Master Horn and Master Sabatyne acting as proxies until he could safely walk under his own power. (Luke had grown weaker from his coma but was quickly on the mend.) They represented his views when necessary, though the Jedi Council knew Luke well enough that most knew what his responses would be to many issues. The use of proxies was more of a formality than a necessity, but Luke was dotting his i's and crossing his t's. He didn't want anybody to have any ammunition to levy complaints to or about him. He, and by extension, his friends and family, would need to minimize opposition to help Robin revive the Paladins, with as much support from the Order as possible.

Cindy had, in a matter of months, been apprenticed to a council member. This was one of Luke's old students, Master Sabatyne, and Luke hoped that the two opposing natures and views would balance each other out: the warrior and the scholar. Cindy could fight, but she didn't want to rely on the force for every problem and was a natural at the art of diplomacy. She'd picked things up from Leia unintentionally, and Leia had noticed this and tutored her friend when possible; they were practically sisters.

Robin was meditating in the main courtyard of the Jedi Temple; he had a little bit of free time between his classes. Due in part to his promotion to High Knight, he was essentially a TA ( TA means teaching assistant) for half of his classes, which was something of a surprise. He assumed that he was being groomed to become someone's Master when the time was right. The other classes where he was just a student were about the various Force deities and ancient Force relics said to exist, along with even more esoteric subjects. He had some military classes as well, covering strategy, tactics, and leadership. He was also a reserve pilot for Rogue Squadron, occasionally patrolling Coruscant's orbit, but it was also more class-oriented since reserve pilots are called on for emergencies only. As skilled as Robin was, (and he was told he was very skilled,) he was still a cadet with room to improve. This moment was a well-earned break from a full plate of classes, both as a learner and now a teacher.

Robin was a personification of Balance in the Force, but he wasn't the only one. He'd figured out, from both his familiars, classes, and meditations, that there were levels to existence, and he was the personification of Balance for mortals on this level.

He could sense his mother through the Force which wasn't a new skill; he'd always sensed her the easiest, but she felt similar to how Paladins felt in the Force. He ended his meditation so that he could pay better attention to his environment through the Force.

Had his mum awakened, as he and Jaina had, he'd have sensed it. What especially grabbed his attention was that both Ben and Luke felt like Paladins as well. "Ah, proximity to me and my power as King of the Paladins." Robin remembered that those he accepted could become Paladins if they had the right mindset.

Though they'd yet to awaken to their respective familiars, it appeared recruitment for the Paladin Clan's revival was already underway. Robin smiled in the sunlight as he felt those close to him through the Force. Leia, who'd arrived at the courtyard with Jaina, the two deep in a private conversation, had the signature as well. He reigned himself in before he could brush Leia or Jaina's minds. The two wanted privacy; he'd respect that. As tempting as it was sometimes to read Jaina's thoughts, it wasn't right. In addition to the usual gang, there were Masters Horn and Sabatyne, Robin's favourite instructors. Though the signature was lessened, it was still there: the Paladin Force signature. It appeared as though things were progressing well on the Paladin recruitment front. Robin knew that he had more to do but had no clue what it was. The answers would come in time; he knew this on a bone-deep level.

"To be a Paladin is a mindset, to be willing to walk against the rules from time to time if necessary, and to balance themselves against the ever-shifting knife's edge of light and darkness. Things are indeed well on their way, it seems," Einstein thought with a goofy dog grin, his thoughts hidden from Robin. Robin was far from even truly beginning his journey, (not that he knew this, of course,) and as things stood, Einstein knew that his brother didn't need more on his plate for the time being. "Our young, fledgling King has much more to do. There are problems to fix and lessons to learn, but he's earned a respite for a while. So long as he lives, Balance, and reality will not collapse or anything else horribly catastrophic. He needs this to stay balanced. Everyone needs a break," a thought both familiars shared. Einstein looked on at Robin and his family, both born of the same blood and those born of spirit. He stood next to a (for once) silent Shadow, currently only visible to Einstein. They needed moments like this. Moments of light and hope, peace and quiet, to battle the coming darkness and anarchy. Light must balance out Darkness; otherwise, all is lost. The two Familiars were of one mind that day, simultaneously reflecting on what had come and what had yet to be.

Soon, Robin's true training would begin, whether he felt ready or not, as that of his comrades upon awakening. Though if you knew Robin as they did, you'd know that even if he doubted himself, the others had faith that he would succeed, and so it would be. He didn't fail those close to him. For Robin, there was no try, only do. To try, was a concept left behind on Earth, purged. Robin had work to do and a future to forge. The Paladin clan wouldn't rebuild itself, not totally anyway.

Elsewhere in the Galaxy, a wizened pair of Twi'lek eyes opened, and a woman woke. Her leku, (this is the word used for Twi'lek head tentacles,) were draped over her shoulders as she rose from her sacred resting place. She'd been asleep so long. Eons this time. The fact that she was awake was telling in itself. The Paladins had returned, and that meant that they would need her assistance. If she was awake, odds were so were the other ancient powers and their respective representatives.

She reached out through the Force to the new Paladin leader with a message he'd receive via a dream; This was the best that she could do until she'd fully recharged her Force reservoir. "Majesty, you must go to Tatooine, and bring the others with the signature. Your journeys as Paladins have just started; some have yet to awaken, but I can help. Whilst you do technically lead, you are still only an initiate in the Paladin ways, and your position can be contested by others with the right genetics, unlikely as it is. I shall await you all on the Plains of Glass in the Dune Sea. May the Force be with you." She had much to do if she was to train Paladins again. Much to do and so little time.