AN:As always, thanks for all the support to this story, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Special thanks to Tracyn, FractionalSith, and Dragomi125 for helping to beta my story.
MaySail199 -Thanks! Your diligent reviews always make my week, and I enjoy your insight. Glad you enjoyed my portrayal of Dooku, the introduction of the Hapans, and were properly horrified by the Korriban zombies.
Chapter 63 - Spirit
"How are they doing?" Kastor asked, seeing Obi-Wan, Siri, Soara, and Ry-Gaul walking onto the bridge of the Darasuum.
"Resting and healing," Soara responded, terse with worry. "Darra's in a bacta tank. Anakin will require some time in there, as well. She was more critically injured than he'd been."
"I suspect he managed to use the Force to shield himself to a small extent, if crudely," Obi-Wan said with a sigh. "Effective enough to prevent any major damage, but not enough to be unaffected."
"They were lucky that you were able to reach them when you did," Siri said, looking at Kastor.
"Young Jedi," Kastor said with a soft snort. "Always eager to challenge themselves. I suspect Anakin felt like he could avoid the same trick Sidious used to fling him like a ragdoll in the Academy."
"And Darra followed him into the fire," Soara agreed with an unhappy frown.
"Anakin regrets his actions, I can tell," Obi-Wan said. "He needs rest, but he made sure to stay with Darra until she fell asleep."
"Our Padawans were reckless," Soara said bluntly, undeterred by Obi-Wan's reasoning. "As was Ferus. But the general trend is Anakin leapt in and the others jumped right in after him."
"Which at least is a sign of a good team and strong bonds," Fay said simply. "I'm sure we can find plenty of times you were a bit reckless in your youth."
Soara's lips twitched towards a smile and she huffed out a snort. "Perhaps, Master Fay."
"Considering this was a trip to Korriban, things could have ended far worse for us." Fay concluded soothingly, but then frowned mournfully. "The cost for our allies was a heavy one."
The Jedi paused briefly to honor the passing of those who stood against Glovoc's forces and Sabaoth Squadron.
"Come, I'm making a call to the High Council to deliver our initial report and discuss the Sith," Kastor said. "Your own observations will be greatly appreciated."
They all nodded and followed him back to the long range communicator, where Asuna and Kylah Lohmata were waiting for them already. Also waiting was the High Council, already in projection mode.
Kastor, his fellow Jedi, Asuna, and Kylah arranged themselves so that they could all be seen and projected back to the Council.
"Masters," Kastor greeted with a polite bow.
"Master Shan, good to see you alive, it is," Yoda said. "Reported that you engaged the Sith, it was."
"The report was correct," Kastor agreed. "I am sure that the Sith Lord we encountered on Korriban was Darth Sidious, the architect of the Naboo Crisis and the master of Darth Maul. As you know, we had to push hard to pull that name from the Neimodians almost ten years ago, and it was corroborated in the Prophets of the Dark Side's records, but Sidious's reaction to me saying the name is the confirmation we need."
"Did you recognize this Sidious?" Mace asked, face grave as one of their deadliest adversaries had been revealed to them, at last.
Kastor shook his head unhappily. "He used an illusion to keep his face hidden in shadow. I was unable to rip the illusion away."
"So, he fears being recognized," Shaak Ti said thoughtfully, "but was he concerned about Kastor specifically or any Jedi recognizing him?"
"It lends further merit to the theory that he is a high ranking member of the Republic government or perhaps a sitting Senator or attendant for someone in the Senate," Plo remarked.
"Perhaps," Eeth conceded uneasily, "but I still struggle to believe a Sith Lord could have infiltrated that far into the Republic government without us being aware."
"It's happened before," Allara warned. "The Children of the Emperor were only just one instance. Do not underestimate the Sith and their ability to hide, even in plain sight. A Sith skilled in the art of masking could make their way into the Jedi Temple itself and we wouldn't realize just what they were."
"If the Prophet's records are to be believed, Darth Zannah did infiltrate the Temple and managed to leave without even triggering an alarm," Kastor said in solidarity with his daughter.
There were disgruntled murmurs of agreement with that. The Prophet's records were still being searched through, but many things had been revealed; Sith involvement in various events in the galaxy, which had smashed into the pride of many Council members. It was hard to face the truth that the Sith had been operating for a thousand years, under your nose, and had even directly caused or influenced some of the political, military, or social issues that affected both the Republic and the Jedi Order. There were even missing Jedi that could now unfortunately be accounted for.
"What can you tell us about this Sith Lord?" Saesee asked, leaning forward.
"Darth Sidious is definitely the Sith Master," Obi-Wan spoke up. "His skill with a lightsaber was beyond that of Maul. While Maul was more skilled than Master Qui-Gon and I were, he was not well beyond us, especially together. I daresay, this Sith Lord had a grasp of the Force on par with even Master Yoda or Master Fay."
The Jedi Councilors, save Allara and Yoda, glanced at each other and shifted with great unease. That did not bode well, at all. If they were to make another attempt on Sidious, many Jedi, even Jedi Masters, could perish.
"He matched Kastor with a blade," Siri agreed, expression wary, "though you seemed to be a shade better." She looked at Kastor for that last part, taking some slight solace in that fact.
"It's hard to tell, completely," Kastor said, not willing to overestimate himself even slightly, "but I did feel like I was marginally more skillful with a blade, but with what little we saw, I suspect he is stronger with the Force than I am."
"How does he compare to the Sith of the past that you've faced?" Mace asked, leaning forward. Even Yoda watched Kastor closely at this question.
Kastor frowned thoughtfully, pursing his lips.
"Does he compare to him, then?" Allara asked quietly. "Does he compare to Vitiate?"
Kastor's expression didn't change, but the lack of an immediate negative answer set every Jedi, even Fay and Yoda on edge, if inwardly.
"It's hard to tell," Kastor answered finally. "I never fought him, but Vitiate, from all reports, had fairly basic skills with a lightsaber, so I'd say that Sidious outclasses Vitiate in that department. With the Force though? It's hard to truly compare. Vitiate had executed some truly dark and unspeakable rituals to help him gain power, killing millions. He'd been alive for a thousand years, learning and growing in power, and we know Sidious hasn't been alive for nearly that long, and the Order would have noticed if someone drained the life of an entire planet, so he hasn't done some of the worst rituals that Vitiate did, if those rituals are even still in existence and didn't die with Vitiate."
"Well there's some good news." Asuna remarks blithely to herself, having familiarized herself a bit with that era's history and the horror that had been the Sith Emperor of that time.
Kastor wasn't done. "However, I think Sidious is still a very great threat. It was hard to get a full measure of Sidious's power, especially with how it may have been augmented on Korriban, but I think it is very possible that, outside of Vitiate, he is the most powerful Sith that I have ever encountered."
A very loud silence rang out for a prolonged moment as everyone else took in that statement from the ancient Jedi Master.
"So, you believe Darth Sidious poses a greater danger than everyone on the Council in the New Sith Empire?" Ki-Adi asked for clarification's sake.
"Factoring the resources he could have in the very Republic itself, I believe so," Kastor said slowly, "but for the New Sith Empire, I have no true bearing on all of the Sith sitting on their Council. Nox is perhaps the one that I would judge to be the most dangerous of the bunch. He was always unpredictable and dangerous . . . and now with the Mask of Nihilus? Well, he could be truly dangerous if that mask has warped his mind. He could be a threat to all of us, Sidious included."
"Glovoc was a subordinate of Revan . . . so Glovoc was likely weaker than Revan and Malak, but that still could make him a great threat," Kastor continued. "His skill with a blade is unknown, but he did survive the Mandalorian Wars and rose to power under Darth Revan's Empire, so I would expect him to be quite skilled with a lightsaber."
"Our ancestor expected it," Allara agreed.
"I believe it was Glovoc who was countering my battle meditation," Fay said. "That is only an assumption of course, but if it was him, then he and I are matched in strength."
"Then Glovoc could very well compare with Sidious," Kastor concludes. "Malgus was always strong, but his strength in the Force isn't what made him a threat. He's powerful, but it's his indomitable will that always made him a fierce warrior and strong leader. Malgus can probably match Sidious with a blade, but with the Force? Hard to say, but I suspect not. He is an incredible tactician though."
"If Glovoc was countering Master Fay, then who was directing the Sith forces back there?" Asuna queried. "You said Glovoc was a tactical commander, then I'm not sure he would give up control to a subordinate. Whoever was in charge of the New Sith at Korriban was also a competent commander and will be very dangerous with proper troops and an actual armada."
"It could have perhaps been Darth Voren, his apprentice," Coleman Trebor said. "He was also a tactical commander under Darth Revan."
"Perhaps," Fay agreed. "He might be one that Glovoc would give tactical command to. Or perhaps it was Voren that I was battling in the Force."
"What about the rest of them?" Even Piell asked.
"Darth Rivan wasn't even the strongest Sith of his era," Ry-Gaul interjected, surprisingly, with a shake of his head. "His abilities are not to be trifled with, but from the history I studied, he isn't likely to be a match for Malgus, let alone the power and skill I saw Sidious display."
"Learned little about Darth Siberus, I have managed," Yoda said. "But powerful, she was said to be. A small empire she was said to have, but fear aging and death she did. Freeze herself to await the cure to aging, she decided to."
"It stands to reason she's a warrior, like Malgus and Rivan," Allara concludes, " If she was a conqueror, then we'll need to be wary of her on the battlefield."
"There is very little known about Darth Noctyss, so we'll just have to trust in the Force for her," Plo Koon said.
"Darth Augis is strong, but nothing truly special," Allara said. "He's Malgus's apprentice, and he's an assassin. Together, they make a fearsome pair, with Malgus being dangerous in open warfare and Augis attacking from the shadows. However, Augis is no more dangerous than any other Sith warrior, unless he has grown much since I last encountered him."
"More we must learn, to properly counter our enemies," Yoda said. "Have a better grasp on Darth Sidious, we do. Hunt for him, we shall. Reveal him, the Force will, when the time is right."
"Please go on with your report," Mace said.
"The Banite forces were attacked by the Sith Empire, so either they have not yet formed any sort of alliance, or someone attempted to remove Sidious from the board," Siri said, relaying their theory.
"I suspect, with what we know of Omega's goal, that it is the former," Soara said solemnly. She turned her gaze over the members of the Jedi Council. "Masters, we must prepare for them to form an alliance now that Sidious will have passed a test by surviving."
"I agree," Mace said with a nod. The other Jedi conveyed their own affirmations.
"The Sith Empire seemed heavily supplied by the Trade Federation," Asuna reported. "Droid carriers, Lucrehulk carriers, Scarab fighters, Vulture droids, and Trade Federation bombers."
"Granta Omega's influence, I suspect," Shaak Ti said. "With his death, it will remain to be seen whether the Sith Empire will continue to be supplied by the various corporations."
"With the galactic laws in place, I suspect the answer will be yes," Obi-Wan said, weary of facing more standardized war machines. "Unless the Republic forbids or at least drastically taxes the major trade and banking conglomerates for conducting business with the Sith Empire, then we can expect them to continue to provide their resources and equipment."
"Which won't happen," Siri said with a huff. "We saw a large group of those new super battle droids. They are far more dangerous and lethal."
"The new Vulture droids don't require a control ship either," Kylah Lohamta said. "The droids are evolving, and our advantage in this battle was our pilots and strategy, but it won't be long before Scarabs have been either replaced or upgraded, and the Vulture droids will only improve, meaning the tides will turn without more focus on dogfighting. With how large droid squadrons can be, I suspect fighters and bombers will be the key to controlling the battlespace, rather than battleships like during the Stark Hyperspace War."
"Master Rhara will be happy to finally get her starfighter training academy," Coleman remarked with a light chuckle, getting laughs or sighs around the room.
"What more would you suggest, Captain Lok, Captain Lohamta?" Depa asked, looking at Kylah, and then looking at Asuna.
"I've seen the Jedi Order's plans for building a standardized fleet," Kylah spoke frankly. "Captain Lok and I have discussed some possible adjustments, but for the most part, I think the Order's path is what is needed, and I will recommend such to the Republic. With what I've witnessed, these fleets must start production soon, and you're going to need competent fleet officers to assist your Jedi. However, while I've never experienced this battle meditation, I cannot argue with the implications of it being used for or against a fleet, so I would advise the Order to try and focus on teaching Jedi to utilize it."
"Your advice is sound," Depa said with a smile. "Thank you for your assistance, Stowaway."
Kylah snorted. "Ten years, and you still remember that damn nickname."
"And I always will," Depa said. "It will be good to see you when you get back on Coruscant."
"You too, Hotwire," Kylah remarked.
Kastor noted the wry fondness on Mace's face, clearly there was quite the story to be found there.
"We can discuss this more, when returned you have," Yoda said. "For now, rest you all should."
"Understood, Master," Kastor agreed. "The battle was rough, and we suffered many losses."
"Remember and honor them, we will," Yoda said solemnly. "One with the Force, they have become."
"Stay in contact," Mace ordered, "and may the Force be with you all."
*The Will of the Force*
Anakin walked into the medical bay, and saw that Darra was up, out of the bacta tank, and looking quite cheerful despite the circumstances.
"Well, look at you visiting little old me," Darra said brightly.
"I figured you were bored, and that I was the best distraction you were going to get," Anakin responded cheekily.
Darra snorted. "I'm telling Tru you said that."
"Go ahead, I tell him that all the time," Anakin said with a grin.
"You must have been podracing when everyone else was getting humility," Darra teased.
"That would make sense," Anakin agreed, goodnaturedly, and Darra laughed.
Anakin sighed. "I am sorry I got you hurt . . . again."
"Oh, I chose to follow you after that Sith," Darra said, shaking her head. "It's as much my fault as yours. I thought you'd figured something out after watching Kastor and then going after him with Ferus."
"I thought I had," Anakin agreed. "The way he threw me away and picked up Ferus . . . I was sure I was ready for him to try that again."
"Just shows how much we still have to learn," Darra said.
"Yeah," Anakin muttered softly. "We still have a lot to learn. My master would tell me that all the time . . . but I guess I'm just now realizing how right he was, and how wrong I've been."
"Good time to realize it," Darra said idly. "On the cusp of being a Knight. We all need to start getting all wise and grim."
Anakin laughed at that, and Darra grinned, looking proud of herself.
"Hey! Are you two having fun without me?!" Tru walked in, crossed his arms and glared playfully at them.
"Of course we are," Anakin said, grinning at him. "I'm the best distraction."
"I'm going to remember that," Tru said, eyes narrowing. "Going forward, whenever we need distractions for anything, I'm going to vote for you and quote you."
"I'll second that," Darra said.
"Well, I guess I can throw my weight behind that vote," a third voice chimed in more solemnly, and Ferus walked in. "Anakin does make a good distraction. I think Master Kenobi said it's because of his flair . . . and lack of sense."
Darra and Tru laughed, and Anakin frowned at Ferus.
"Hey, no using my master's quotes against me!"
"Well, Siri might have said it too, once or twice."
Tru and Darra laughed harder as Anakin's jaw dropped and he genuinely looked offended.
"I helped with their wedding, and this is the thanks I get?!"
"If it makes you feel any better, Siri makes it sound like a compliment," Ferus offered up.
Anakin paused. "Hmm, that does make it better," He conceded in a mock grave tone of voice.
"Something's seriously wrong with you, Anakin," Tru said with a shake of his head.
"We're friends with him," Darra said. "What does that say about us?"
"That there's also something wrong with us," Tru agreed easily. "Though, we can blame our masters."
"Deal!"
*The Will of the Force*
In the Jedi Council chambers, an important decision was being discussed between the members of the Jedi Council as well as Kastor Shan and Fay.
"Performed well, the Padawans did," Yoda said. "Rise to the challenge, they did."
"Yet, are they truly ready for the Trials?" Oppo Rancisis asked. "Three of the Padawans displayed rather reckless behavior, and the fourth was injured. An argument could be made for three not having the right maturity, and for the fourth not being ready for the Trial of Skill."
"Master Shan, being that you were there, what do you feel is the best path?" Depa asked.
"I think they are still rough and young," Kastor said slowly, "but I do feel they are all ready for the Trials. I would argue that many of them have already faced a majority of their trials, either in some of their missions over the past couple years, or in this last mission itself."
"Every single one of them faced Sith warriors, tuk'ata, and overwhelming odds from battle droids," Fay said. "They defeated their opponents and survived. I would motion for their Trial of Skill to be complete."
"They faced those odds, those obstacles, and did so on a planet steeped in darkness, where the Dark Side is so potent that it can drown all senses," Kastor said. "For that, I would motion for their Trial of Courage to be complete."
"Padawan Thel-Tanis and Padawan Veld have both been hit by blaster fire," Fay said. "Padawan Thel-Tanis and Padawan Skywalker have both felt the pain of Force lightning. Padawan Olin felt the pain of being strangled in the Force, helpless against the Dark Side. For that, I would motion for their Trial of Flesh to be complete."
"All four Padawans were faced with Sith illusions and ghosts in the Tomb of Naga Sadow," Kastor said. "All four were able to push through those illusions, see the traps that were hidden, and fight the threat, despite the ghosts and illusions. For that, I would motion for their Trial of Insight to be complete."
"The last Trial, the Trial of Spirit, is the one that the Padawans have not faced, and must face for Knighthood," Fay said solemnly. "It is perhaps the hardest one and their greatest challenge, but if they are truly ready for Knighthood, this is the Trial they must take."
"I find them gifted, dedicated, and skilled," Kastor said. "I recommend all four for their final Jedi Trial."
"All in favor?" Mace asked, and around the room the votes were given.
*The Will of the Force*
"Really, where are we going, Master?" Anakin asked for the third time.
"You know, Anakin, I am almost certain that there are Initiates half your age with more patience," Obi-Wan remarked dryly, and Anakin snorted, but he did also sigh and nod, seeing Obi-Wan's point.
He continued to follow his master until they reached a portion of the Temple that Anakin knew had been blocked off for the past day. He frowned, wondering why they were in a lesser used section of the Training Hall. They opened a set of doors and walked through, and Anakin was surprised to see Kastor, Allara, and Fay waiting for him.
"Masters," Anakin greeted politely, and they all nodded, but they stayed far more formal than he was used to from them, with no smiles on their faces.
"Padawan Skywalker," Allara said. "You have shown great skill, courage, and fortitude, all attributes of a Jedi Knight. The mission to Korriban, and your actions therein have resulted in the Council deciding that your Trials of Skill, Courage, Flesh, and Insight have been completed."
Anakin's eyes widened in shock, realizing what this was, but also now realizing that they'd passed him through four of his five Jedi Trials.
"You must now pass the Trial of Spirit, also known as Facing the Mirror, to determine whether you have what it takes to become a Jedi Knight," Fay said.
"This is perhaps the hardest Trial you will face," Kastor said solemnly. "A Trial of self-discovery. A Trial to fight your greatest enemy: yourself. Padawan Skywalker, do you accept the challenge and wish to complete your Trial and become a Jedi Knight?"
"I do," Anakin answered firmly, not fully hiding his eagerness.
"This Trial requires you to look deep within your soul," Allara said. "We will help you should you stray, but passing or failing is up to you, Padawan. The challenge is one of your own creation. May the Force be with you."
Anakin knew what they were talking about. Deep meditation, where the Force could show you visions of the past, the present, and the future. Where visions could torment you or heal you, where your own thoughts could become your enemies.
Anakin sat down in a meditative pose, and he felt the Force flowing through the room, the three grandmasters helping to make the Force seem like a river around him, while he felt his bond to his master feel more like a stable point, something for him to hold onto and focus on.
He breathed slowly, rhythmically, calming his body, and reaching into the Force before reaching inward. It was a process which took some time, especially for Anakin who'd never found meditation to be all that easy, and he was going deeper than he had ever gone before, bathing in the Force and using it to push further into his own soul.
Anakin kept pushing further and further and then all his senses faded away, and he felt suddenly deprived and he panicked for a moment, opening his eyes, finding himself alone in the same room he'd been in. He glanced around, not seeing his master, Kastor, Allara, or Fay, and he frowned, not feeling them in the Force either.
"The Chosen One . . ." a voice echoed through the hall, and Anakin stood up, looking around. "Chosen as an apprentice before all others . . . fastest . . . strongest . . . smartest . . . always right."
Anakin looked around with a frown.
"Above reproach . . ."
"Who's there?" Anakin called out.
The voice laughed.
"Does it matter? Your decisions are always right . . . You know the correct path . . . You have the power . . ."
Anakin turned warily, looking around, and then he spun around and his eyes widened as he took a look at the person that was now in front of him . . . it was him, but older, more self-assured, and yet his eyes were cold and yellow.
Not simply a Dark Jedi, but a Sith.
"The Jedi will hold you back from realizing your true potential, fearing it and yet also feeling envious of it," false-Anakin said. "They know you have true power and wisdom, and one day you will surpass them all. They are too committed to their Code, their morals, what is right, and they will be destroyed to create what is strong. They do not want you to be happy, and if you do not destroy them, they will take everything from you."
"You're wrong," Anakin said without thinking.
"Am I?" false-Anakin mock crooned. "Well, I believe I'm right. You believe I'm wrong. How do we prove which of us is right?"
Anakin felt cold, feeling the darkness, and he frowned, drawing the lightsaber he felt materialize on his waist, igniting it, the blue blade helping to calm his nerves. The false-Anakin smiled in approval and drew his own blade, which was blood red.
Anakin launched himself forward, attacking ferociously, and the false-Anakin snarled, meeting his strikes effortlessly, rage meeting ferocity. They continued to strike at each other with no ground being given in either direction . . . perfectly matched. Blue and red clashed rapidly, each striking for critical spots or mortal wounds.
Anakin leapt over his opponent, spinning to strike at his back, and the Sith, for that is what Anakin thought he was, jumped away to safety before leaping back with vengeance, their blades meeting again. Anakin felt the Force surging and he felt his confidence grow. He could do this. He could defeat a Sith, just like his master had done, and show everyone he was capable of being a Knight.
False-Anakin smiled knowingly as Anakin started to use the Force to fuel his strikes, generating greater power to wear down the Sith, and the Sith laughed before he leapt over Anakin and used the Force to pick Anakin up and throw him clean across the room and through the doors.
Anakin landed hard and rolled before bouncing onto his feet, frowning to find himself outside of the Temple, on a world he recognized: Naboo.
"Annie, help!" Padmé's fearful voice rang out, and Anakin's eyes widened as he rushed in the direction he heard the call come from, hearing the sounds of clashing lightsabers.
He rushed around the Naboo palace and found himself on the edge of a cliff that looked out onto the beautiful world. However, the beautiful picture was marred by Padmé hanging off the cliff, desperately trying to hold on, but slowly slipping. Across from her was Qui-Gon fighting against two Sith: the Zabrak that had killed him and some large hulking monstrosity in a black apparatus, his breathing loud and pained. Qui-Gon was holding out, just barely, but it was clear the elder Jedi was losing ground against the two combatants.
"Anakin! Help me!" Qui-Gon called out, parrying a strike from Maul before spinning and meeting the other Sith's powerful strike.
"Annie, help me!" Padmé cried out.
Anakin felt torn. It was clear both were in trouble . . . two people he cared about greatly. He looked to see Qui-Gon force Maul back before he looked to see Padmé slipping and made his decision.
He ran over to where Padmé was and grabbed her hand, doing his best to quickly pull her up to the ledge, and then he heard a gasp of pain, and he turned and yelled, "NO!"
Qui-Gon had a lightsaber sticking through his chest from the large man in black, and Qui-Gon dropped to the ground.
"Padmé, run!" Anakin ordered with a growl, throwing himself forward to seek revenge.
He slashed at the monstrosity who blocked his strikes with ease, and then Anakin was forced to dodge by Maul who came from behind, and Anakin was quickly losing ground, unable to keep up with both Sith who's skill with a blade matched or exceeded his own.
'At least Padmé got away,' Anakin thought before he was blasted into the wall and he fell down with a grunt of pain.
He looked up and his heart moved into his throat seeing Padmé being force choked, her face filled with panic. It was the hulking monstrosity who was holding her. She was begging, her eyes on the monster, one hand reached out, while the other grasped at her throat.
"NO!" Anakin got up and was immediately blasted back to the ground by Maul using the Force, and Anakin tried to rise but it was too late as Padmé was brought forward and impaled by the other Sith's blade before she too dropped to the ground.
Anakin screamed in anguish before he launched himself forward, intending to claim his vengeance when he was effortlessly blasted off the cliff, and he could only stare in horror as he fell and darkness surrounded him.
'The right choice,' he heard like a whisper in his mind, before his eyes opened and he found himself in the same exact situation.
Anakin gasped, his eyes opening again, finding himself in the same situation. Padmé was crying for help, slowly falling off the cliff while Qui-Gon called for aid, struggling against the two Sith.
Anakin gritted his teeth and leapt to join Qui-Gon, to eliminate the threat first. He fought at Qui-Gon's side, as he never had before, his style not quite complimenting Qui-Gon's as it did Obi-Wan, but it was still a dream of his being fulfilled.
They fought the two Sith, the two of them pushing them back, but just as Anakin managed to deal a mortal wound to Maul, he heard the scream, and turned to see Padmé having lost her grip and fallen.
"No!" Anakin called out, turning with anger which turned to horror seeing that in his distraction, the other Sith had managed to put his blade through Qui-Gon's heart again.
Qui-Gon dropped to the floor, and Anakin rushed forward to engage the Sith, rage fueling his strikes, but the Sith did not falter. His strength seemed to rise with Anakin's, but the Sith's strength was greater, and soon Anakin was once again being pushed back before he was once again blasted off of the cliff, a sense of failure having filled him as he fell, gazing up at the black-suited Sith who gazed down with apathy.
Anakin felt darkness claim him again before he opened his eyes, finding himself back in the Temple, and yet still alone. He glanced around warily, rage, sorrow, and disappointment still filling his entire being.
'The right choice,' a voice whispered again.
"I don't know the right choice!" Anakin screamed his admission at last. "I don't know! I DON'T KNOW!"
Then softly, warmly, he heard his master's voice. He heard words that his master had said long ago, his voice filled with sorrow.
"The answer isn't always simple, Anakin. Sometimes the choice made might be the wrong one, or sometimes there are no good choices. You won't always have time to spend trying to come up with a plan that keeps everyone safe, especially since often that is impossible to achieve. Sometimes, even with the right plan, things go wrong. We're not all powerful."
Then, Anakin heard more words from his master, from a different time.
"Anakin, sometimes sureness is not what you should strive for," Obi-Wan said wearily. "A little confusion in your mind can be a good thing. Did we do the right thing? Perhaps, but did we make mistakes along the way? Yes. We did the best we could, but that doesn't change the mistakes we made and being completely assured in everything you do at every moment is not necessarily a good thing."
Anakin breathed in deeply and raggedly, finally understanding what his master was trying to tell him both times.
He thought back to the various missions he'd gone on in the past years, and their most recent one. He thought about how his actions directly led to Darra being hurt, on two separate occasions. He thought about how Ferus had almost died following him.
They'd had a duty to confront the Sith Lord, but Anakin's ego, his own assuredness in his power had led to a recklessness that almost got two of his friends killed.
Had he been wrong to try and confront the Sith, at least the first time? No. He hadn't been wrong there, and Ferus had been right to try and aid him. Was it the right decision though? Also no.
Kastor had clearly already been working to intercept Sidious, and Anakin and Ferus had had their hands full with the droids in the center, which was helping to keep pressure off of Ry-Gaul and an injured Tru.
Anakin had seen the flow of the cloak and assumed it was Omega and had rushed off to intercept their foe, ensuring Ferus followed. They hadn't made a wrong decision, but they also had not made the right decision . . . things weren't always so cut and dry.
He heard more words, but this time it was Kastor's voice.
"Attachments can be very dangerous, Anakin, but if managed, they can also be your greatest strength," Kastor said softly. "You must learn to let go."
He realized now that Kastor's words weren't just about his attachments. They were about the negative feelings he had that came from his attachments.
He thought of Yaddle's last words.
If you lose your anger, find you it will. Embrace it and disappear it will. Chosen, you may be. But for what? Your question to answer, it is.
He knew that the Force was the key, but back when he'd first thought of her words, he'd equated the Force to strength. Now, he knew that strength alone wasn't enough. He needed the Force, he needed to let go of his desire to always be right, and his fear of failure. He didn't know what he'd been chosen for, but he knew that it wasn't to fall into darkness.
He heard movement and he glanced up to see false-Anakin with a cold smile on his face, watching Anakin. His lightsaber was in his hand, and he ignited it, the red blade glowing ominously. Anakin calmly stood up.
"I know what you are," Anakin said with clarity.
"Is that so?" False-Anakin mockingly asked with a tilt of his head.
"You're a Sith," Anakin said what he'd already guessed in the beginning.
"Oh, you are a bright one," False-Anakin sneered with a dark chuckle.
But Anakin wasn't done.
"You're the Sith I can become if I don't change," Anakin said calmly, not rising to the bait.
"Am I?" False-Anakin crooned, before he shifted, appearing as the black monstrosity, and then he shifted back. "Possibilities, possibilities . . . you can scarcely imagine what is possible and what isn't."
"Perhaps I can't," Anakin admitted, and the Sith's eyes widened for the first time. "I don't know everything. I'm not all powerful. Maybe someday I'll feel like I am again, but now? I know that I'm not. I do know though that I don't want to be you. I don't want anger to control me, to not care about my friends and family, to care only about power. I'll grow stronger, more powerful, more skilled, and I'll learn how to protect those I care about . . . but I'll do it without you."
The Sith scowled but said nothing as he seemed to fade away, and Anakin felt peace and then darkness closed in on him again before he opened his eyes to see Fay, Obi-Wan, Kastor, and Allara all looking at him with expressions of pride that Anakin would forever cherish.
"I sense you have completed your Trial," Allara said. "Congratulations, Padawan Skywalker."
"Thank you, Masters," Anakin said, standing up with a bow, humbled by his experience.
"You've sacrificed much to get here, Anakin," Kastor said, softly. "You've worked hard, grown, and overcome many obstacles. Do not think that your struggles have gone unnoticed. The sacrifices you've made were needed to get you here . . . but perhaps it's time for you to get something back."
Anakin frowned as Obi-Wan, Kastor, Allara, and Fay smiled and nodded towards the door. His frown deepened, as he realized that his senses were being deliberately blocked from figuring out what was outside the room waiting for him.
Anakin walked slowly towards the door, and when it opened, he walked out and froze.
Standing there, admiring the architecture of the building was someone he'd promised he'd see again, someday, but had feared it would never come. The woman turned and saw him and her hand rose to her mouth in shock, and tears filled her eyes as she smiled.
"Annie?" Shmi Skywalker said tearfully. "Is that really you? My Annie?"
"Mom," Anakin said softly, shocked beyond belief, and she started moving towards him.
He unfroze and rushed to her and they met in a fierce hug, both sobbing and shaking, reveling in finally being reunited.
"My goodness, you've grown so much," Shmi gasped out. Her hand reached for his face, to his cheek.
"I missed you so much," Anakin whispered. "I'm sorry I never came to free you . . . I'm sorry . . ."
"Oh, sweetie," Shmi cut him off, rubbing his back in a comforting manner, "you have nothing to apologize for. I'm so proud of you, and I'm so thankful that I get to see you now."
"How are you here?" Anakin asked, pulling back slightly. "Did the Jedi free you?"
"Oh, no, I've been free for many years," Shmi responded. "My – my husband freed me a few years after you left. Master Gallia found us and brought us here."
"Husband? Freed?" Anakin said in surprise, and Shmi smiled.
"We have a lot to catch up on, my darling boy. I can tell you about my life and introduce you to the family I've found . . . and I want to hear everything about what it's like being a Jedi. I'm also very eager to get to know your friends and the family you've found . . . "
"We'll do all of that, Mom," Anakin said, hugging her tightly, smiling, and more at peace than he'd felt in years. "I can't wait to hear about everything, and then tell you all about it. First though, I think I should properly introduce you to my Jedi Master – my teacher. I think you'll like him. He's constantly trying to keep me out of trouble."
Shmi gave a watery chuckle, and nodded her approval, so Anakin turned to guide her back into the room he'd just left, already ready to start bombarding her with details about his life, and eager to hear about hers.
*The Will of the Force*
"What do you think is going on?" Anakin asked Darra, Tru, and Ferus as they waited to enter the High Council Chambers.
For once, the question wasn't laced with antsy impatience; in fact Anakin had been feeling lighter than he'd felt in years.
"Probably another mission brief," Darra said. "Our Masters are in there, aren't they?"
"Yeah, but then the question is what type of mission," Tru said. "Especially since it's only been a week since we got back from Korriban."
"Three of our Masters seem to have assignments here at the Temple, it can't be an especially difficult mission" Ferus added.
That was true. The Order was going through changes following the battle at Korriban. Soara, Siri, and Obi-Wan were teaching lightsaber classes along with many of the other noted duelists in the Order. Those they were teaching included Knights and Masters along with Padawans and Initiates, with the Order requiring Jedi to be retrained on lightsaber combat, and provided with a possible training plan to sharpen their skills or develop new ones.
All Knights, Masters, and Padawans were being rotated through a block of instruction on battlefield tactics and strategy led by Mandalorians, Antarian Rangers, the few Jedi with experience in warfare, and even Republic Judicial or Planetary Defense Force officers that had real world experience and had agreed to be brought to the Temple to provide instruction.
Those with the experience, power, and talent were also being taught the basics of battle meditation by Fay, Kastor, Allara, Oppo Rancisis, and Yoda.
Eventually they hoped to find more that had the proclivity to push farther in the skill and become truly proficient or masterful. For those unable to learn battle meditation, the Order was refocusing efforts on retaining battle meld between groups, to help give Jedi an edge should they find themselves battling Sith warriors.
Other Jedi, like Garen and Clee Rhara were running Jedi through starfighter simulators and exercises, working to improve every Jedi's abilities in combat, while alone or in a squadron.
Among the rest were those still completing missions, and those who were working hardest to shore up defenses, recruit allies, work with the Mandalorians and Antarian Rangers to train up those who had flocked to volunteer and join the Jedi's growing defense force, and also acquire the equipment and supplies needed to form this new army.
The Republic was helping to a degree, but there was still fierce infighting about the Military Creation Act, which was hampering the Republic's ability to fully support the creation of a military, even one technically outside of their control and supporting the Jedi Order.
Even supporters of the Act had already voiced complaints about the Jedi Order's growing power, seeking to curb the growth, while yet demanding that the Republic fund an army of their own.
"Hmm, we could be getting reassigned though," Anakin said. "Just because our masters have been doing that doesn't mean something didn't come along that requires four ready Jedi teams, which fits us."
"True," Darra agreed.
"I guess we'll know when the Council is ready," Ferus said.
"Wait . . . " Anakin said, eyes widening. "Have you guys passed your Tri-"
Further discussion was cut short as the Council doors opened and Master Shaak Ti walked out.
"The Council is ready to see you all," she said politely, gesturing for them to enter.
The four were surprised to be called to enter like this, but did as directed and walked into the Council Chambers, confused at the darkness in the room, hiding all from sight. They all paused, turning to look at Master Ti who walked back into the room, shutting the door which removed the last bit of light.
Suddenly, thirteen lightsabers of varying colors were ignited, and the Padawans stared in awe at the Council members all forming a circle around where the Padawans would walk, hoods over their heads, lightsabers held in in two hands, straight up, aligned with their bodies.
The only one not hooded was Master Yoda, who stood on his chair, his blade held to his side.
"Step forward, Padawans," Yoda ordered, and the four Padawans walked forward in a slight daze as the lightsabers around them moved down from pointing straight into the sky to pointing at them.
The Padawans kneeled, as four more cloaked figures appeared next to Yoda, their lightsabers igniting, revealing the faces of their four masters in the light. All four had proud looks on their faces, their lightsabers pointed towards the sky with a one-handed grip.
"Ferus Olin, Anakin Skywalker, Darra Thel-Tanis, Tru Veld," Yoda said. "By the right of the Council . . ." all four masters lowered their blades to where they were almost tapping the Padawans' right shoulders, "by the will of the Force . . ." all four masters raised their blades, and transitioned to repeat the same maneuver on their left shoulders, "dub thee we do, Jedi," the masters' blades were back to the right shoulders, and they came up swiftly, precisely, cutting the Padawans braids away from all four, "Knights of the Jedi Order."