Well it's back to work on this. Not gonna say much up here this time. Just kind of part of my routine for writing these chapters at this point. The last chapter took way longer for me to get out than I intended and I have a feeling this one will be much the same. These notes at the top are usually written like weeks or even months before I write at the bottom really. So usually you'll get messages from me in two completely different mindsets or doing different things.
Six Months. It had been six months since he had appeared in this time period. Luke had done his best to keep himself from thinking about it much. He through himself into his studies, especially into saber practice with Master Drallig. Yoda noted his state and also hammered into him to keep up with his meditation as to not push himself too far. At night, he would occasionally meet in his dreams with Master Qui Gon, who would pass along the knowledge he had gained to aid Luke in his training and hopefully one day aid the Order as a whole.
After doing that seemingly endlessly for several months, Luke was finally summoned by Master Yoda.
"You called for me, Master?" Luke greeted.
Yoda opened his eyes from his meditation, "Faring well are you, Luke?" he asked.
Luke nodded, "As well as I can. The temple is great for information. Thanks to a bit of help on Master Drallig's part my combat skills are improving as well. Though he does recommend I branch out to studying on my own or under other Masters as well." he noted.
The small master summoned his walking stick casually with the force, "A wise decision that is. Perhaps more Masters may need to be made aware of your circumstances, so that they may provide their aid in guiding you down your path." he suggested.
Luke gave it some thought, "I worry about too many prying eyes and ears, but it's not out of the question. Still, I don't know how far the Emperor's reach is in this time. I don't want to tip our hand too soon. If could result in a future even worse than the one I hail from." he replied.
"Wise it can be to exercise caution. However, foolish it is to close ourselves off completely to those around us. One day a time will come will their strength will be our own as well. Only together can we foil the Sith's plot." Yoda reminded.
'He is right.' Qui Gon's voice rang in Luke's mind.
"I understand. I'm afraid I don't know the Jedi of this era well enough to decide who would be best to bring into our inner circle." he admitted.
Yoda scratched his chin, "Some candidates I have in mind. I will arrange a meeting with them. Wise Jedi are they and strong. Good teachers will they be for you." he responded.
"I'll leave it to your judgement then Master Yoda." Luke sipped his tea, "Though I believe you had another reason for summoning me here." he probed.
Yoda folded his hands on his cane, "Young Skywalker will be departing on his first assignment with Master Kenobi shortly. Informed I wished you to be so that worry you did not if sensed his absence you did." Yoda explained.
Luke swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat. Ben and his father had been constant somewhat familiar presences in his life in the past even if he didn't meet then face to face often.
"I see. I can only assume the mission will go well assuming I've not disrupted the timeline too immensely." he replied hesitantly.
Yoda's eyes watched him carefully, "Hard to say it is. Always in motion the future is. Sometimes all we can do is trust those around us, our fellow Jedi and the Force." he advised.
It was exactly what he expected from the little green Jedi. It helped because he did believe in them. They'd make it through this fine.
The time came for the Master-Padawan Duo to depart and Luke joined Master Yoda in seeing them off. Luke was a bit caught off guard by Obi Wan's appearance. His hair was longer and slicked back as it had been before, but he now had a beard covering his face that hadn't been there when they'd last met some time ago. It was odd when compared to the younger Obi Wan he'd met, but felt much more in line with the older man Luke had grown up knowing on Tatooine.
"May the force be with you, Master Kenobi. And with you Young Skywalker." Master Yoda said.
"May the force be with you as well Master. I can only hope we haven't inherited Qui Gon's penchant for trouble." Obi-Wan joked in response.
Luke stood as tall as he could muster beside the Grandmaster, "Safe travels to the both of you. Try not to do anything reckless." Luke told the two.
Obi-Wan smirked. "We'll try our best, but nothing is ever that simple anymore. I hate to be rude, but we best be on our way." he responded apologetically.
Luke watched them enter the ship and for it to lift off and leave. His gaze was pulled away by Yoda's clearing of his throat.
"Your focus must remain here, Young Luke. Arranged a meeting with the Master's I have as we have discussed before. While on their mission Young Kenobi and Skywalker are, you just sharpen your own mind and your skills." he reminded.
Luke nodded, "Then it would be rude to keep them waiting." Luke finally spoke. gazing one last time into the Coruscant sky before turning to follow the old Jedi Master.
There were two Jedi that Yoda apparently had in mind. Both masters on the council no less.
"Greetings, Young Luke. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." greeted Plo Koon.
"Indeed. I've been intrigued by the rumors I've been hearing of a mysterious Jedi Knight since I returned to the Temple." Kit Fisto added.
Luke sensed some amusement and intrigue from the Masters in front of him, "It's a honor to meet you Masters. Master Yoda has spoken well of you." he replied formally.
Plo Koon's goggles and mask made him harder to read visually, "We've been told you sought to enlist our aid." he probed.
Luke gave Yoda a glance, who gestured for him to continue, "This is going to be...complicated...to say the least." Luke warned.
Kit Fisto chuckled, "It can't be that bad." he said
A short while later Luke had finished explaining his story.
"I stand corrected." he conceded.
Plo Koon seemed to be taking the info in, "It seems the Force has brought your far from home, Young Skywalker." he remarked.
"This is a very concerning future you speak of. I can scarcely imagine it." Kit Fisto spoke worriedly.
Yoda tapped his walking stick, "Such is why this dark future came to be. Schemed the Sith did, to bring our downfall upon us. Took advantage of our weaknesses he did and exploited them. Allow this to happen again, we will not." he declared.
"What do you require of us, Master?" Plo Koon asked.
"Young Luke wishes to enlist your aid in his training." Yoda answered.
"I would be very appreciative of your help in filling the gaps my unorthodox training has left me with." Luke admitted.
"Your discretion we require as well, for all matters regarding the future. We do not wish to tip our hand too early. Lest we drawn the attention of the Sith."
The two masters nodded in understanding. Luke was relieved. It really helped to have everything not riding on him alone for once.
"I've heard you're a natural with the blade. I'd be happy to help you hone your skills." Kit Fisto said happily.
"As would I. I'm always ready to lend my aid to those who need it." Plo Koon agreed.
"I am very thankful Masters. I'll do my best not to let you down." Luke said and he meant it.
Luke had decided to setup his first actual training session for another day while they decided on the details on how it should be handled.
He continued his day going through routine until he had recieved a visit from Qui Gon while he was in deeper meditation.
"It is good to see you making friends among your fellow Jedi. I may have have disagreed with them at times, but they are all strong and reliable." the old master said.
Luke hummed in acknowledgement, "They seem like good people. I'm looking forward to learning from the Jedi of this age in a more direct way without the secrets between us." he admitted.
Qui Gon chuckled, "You are a good man Luke. Despite what you may think of yourself when comparing yourself to the Jedi here, you're just as much a Jedi as any of the others. You have faced a great darkness few will ever encounter in their lifetimes and defeated it. That is no small feat. With the proper training you could very well be the best of the Jedi. In some ways you remind me of Obi Wan." he remarked.
Luke took in the words before being suddenly struck by a feeling of regret or fear before it was quickly silenced. His first instinct was to reach for his father, but he soon realized the feeling had came from...Obi Wan.
Qui Gon picked up on Luke's unease, "It seems Obi Wan is facing some ghosts from his own past. It seems that his feelings unintentionally filtered towards you because he is unaware of the bond formed between you and his future self." Qui Gon explained.
Confused, Luke opened his eyes, no longer able to focus on his meditations, "Ghosts from his past?" he inquired.
The older Jedi was silent for a moment, "It's a story from long ago in his youth. Though I'm rather unsure as to whether it's really my story to tell. It's not a memory Obi Wan likes looking back on. Obi Wan has faced more hardships in his life life than many will face in a lifetime yet he has always persevered. I was very proud of him as an apprentice and a man. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. I only wished I'd expressed it properly in life." he reminisced.
The blonde man wasn't sure how to feel about that. On one hand he had always looked up to Ben even before he learned the truth of who he was. Ben was strong and would help him when he got himself into trouble. On the other hand, his mentor had received such strength from a lifetime of pain and sorrow. A thought that made him frown.
It helped harden his resolve though. He would create a better future. One where, Ben, his father, and all the others wouldn't have to suffer further.
So after being absent all this time this will probably have been a pitifully short chapter. I just got sidetracked a lot and it took me until recently to actually really write this. Not to mention I finished Nioh 2 and then the Elden Ring DLC came out so then it took even longer to get back to this. Plus I admittedly accidentally deleted my nearly finished chapter a couple times on accident which was really frustrating for me. So I'm putting out this short chapter to let everyone know the story ain't dead yet. Hope you guys like it until I can work on the next one.
~Trevyler