WPRT Ch.27

An End? Or a beginning?

A/N:Well, a year already? Howdy Folks! I have just reworked All of the Chapters,I even fixed the dreaded Chapter 19. I went through it all over three times, I think it is ready. It took a lot of willpower to do. But a recent event made me push through it. The passing of the Berserk author: Kentaro Miura. His work was left unfinished, and died so young. I now know I don't have a real set time on Earth, so I'm getting back on the saddle with this story. I'm going to do my best to bring it home.

For Miura…

Aaron Pov:

There we were, who knows where. It was wrong. Always wrong. This wasn't our place, our world, our home. We always got thrown under the bus. Every time we thought we were closer to home, we were further away from it. And it wasn't just us. Somewhere out there, our friends were on that same boat.

And after all of this, how much have we really changed. We could never know.

That was, until…

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"LEAVE MY SISTER ALONE!"

I shot up from the spot I was at on the floor and charged at the dark robed woman that held an aura of death about her.

Her attention was then directed at me, "Stay out of this MANDALORIAN!"

The woman used the force and pushed me hard against the wall. Not the first time and wouldn't be the last time. It was a feeling. Thankfully this time I was awake, giving me a good look at her sickly face. It held a pale complexion that complemented her white eyes, white eyes that looked oddly familiar. All in all, her looks would give the girl from the Ring a run for her money.

"AND I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!"

My back was still to the wall when the woman put more effort in pushing harder. The "Witch" moved her hand up slightly and my body moved up along the wall.

"Your insolence is revolting brat! I'm helping your sister! It would have been done sooner if your sister stopped rejecting my knowledge that she agreed to accept."

I said nothing as I was still trying to break free, but that didn't stop me from listening. Not that it helped any.

What does that even mean?!

"Listen here, 'Boy.' You robbed me of my justice once. I will not let you do it again!"

"STOP IT!"

The woman swiftly turned to my now standing sister. She was still in pain.

"Get back down girl!"

Pressure increased on my sister and she fell down again.

"I said stop it!"

"If you think you can just stop this by saying 'stop it,' then you know nothing, Shepherds."

The pressure on me eased off. I was now ground level and started to walk forward.

"Then we will fight you!"

The villain wasn't amused, "I have trained countless years when I was alive to handle forces far greater than you."

"Shall I ask your age then?"

Just like that, a hand was on the hag's shoulder, a hand belonging to a man I had met not too long ago. Nobody had seen how he came or went, but it was a wave of relief.

The evil woman didn't feel the same way, "You?! Stay out of this! You have no right to stop me."

"But I do, we have no right to meddle with the living this way. You just want your revenge for something that has been set in stone long ago."

A firm hand then grabbed a hold of her right ankle. Jo struggled to hold on as the woman tried to shake her off.

"Let go you impudent girl, you still reject what you were so eager to take?"

"YES!"

The woman frantically shook her leg to get my sister off, it was however to no avail as she would never let go for what she wanted (She was stubborn like that.)

The long haired man crouched to my sister's level and asked a simple question, "What is wrong with her knowledge?"

My sister's emotions started pouring out, "IT'S WRONG! IT'S ALL WRONG!"

"Why?"

"Everything she believes is wrong! If I accept her knowledge, I will be giving up everything! I will give up my family! I would give up Aaron, Mom, Dad, and my Grandparents; Alive and dead... All my family and friends would be cast aside…"

My sister then started to rise as her tears dried up. Her fist clenched in anger and shook from the pressure given to it.

"But before any of that… You would have me give up my God…"

She now stood at full height, looking no worse for wear from the physical pain from earlier.

"Listen-."

"No YOU LISTEN!"

The woman quickly shut her trap as my sister took control. Qui-gon stood up smiling at my sister. I stood up as well, finally having a real opportunity since entering this "Room." I also got a good look at my sister.

If looks could kill...

"All I have done is listen since coming here! 'Listen here girl,' or 'Listen Shepherd!' I'm sick of it!"

The woman only shook her head

"Foolishness… that you couldn't put aside those weak ideals. How far do you think the both of you can go before you're killed? YOU CAN'T EVEN STAND UP TO ME!"

Jo didn't flinch when the grouchy senior went all up in her face. Unmoved, my sister fought back.

"I would rather die a thousand times and more before I did something like that…"

No longer taking this, I came to her defense, "What she said. We'll see our family again, you can bet on it lady."

Instead of growing more furious, the woman now held a somber tone. She looked hard at me.

"You… Why did it have to be 'You?'…"

What?

"You have stolen from me two times now. I waited so long for justice, and you took it. And you have done so yet again."

"But what did I do?"

She raised her hands again, "Maybe this will answer your question."

We backed off from her. Instead of an attack, we were shown images. Images that looked too familiar. Then it clicked.

"That's back at the arena!"

"Correct."

We watched as the battle continued, but things were different...

"Where am I? I know I distracted that reek off Jango about now."

Jo however closed her eyes and turned away in dread, "No! Take it away! "

I didn't heed her as I stared at what was shown.

There was Mace, running up to Jango blocking every blast coming his way. It was a moment I could never unsee as the head of a man I grew to know was lobbed off. Not long after that, Boba was seen holding the head of his father, mourning.

With all that was shown, the woman started monologuing again.

"This was the justice robbed from me. Not the man himself, but what he represented. The end of the Mandolorians. I was shown this at the end of my life, solace at the fact I had lost what I cared for, and that they would die because of their arrogance. The last of the line, that which took everything from me, would be gone… And yet it lives."

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Changing something set in stone is not easy for any man. No matter how hard you try, you can't change the past. All one can do is work for the future. And yet we had changed something. If this one ripple caused so much to happen, what could the future look like? Things were far from done….

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"So I was doomed to just watch my hope fade away. But then it was rekindled. To investigate your existence, your meddling with the plan as it were. To have such an opportunity is next to impossible. The force was practically handing me what I wanted, after being denied for so long. It was too good of a chance to pass up."

As we ate this knowledge up, the man who guided me here stretched out his arms.

"Not to be rude, but perhaps we should sit down for this. It is a rather winded tale…"

The elderly woman eyed him obviously annoyed, however she agreed with him, "Very well…"

The two of them look at my sister.

"What?"

I rolled my eyes at what I was about to say, "This is your mind Jo. What's the most annoying thing in those action movies involving dreams?"

She contemplated what I meant before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and gave a grieving sigh.

"Why?… Why?!… Please tell me this is a joke, a dream even!"

"Well-."

"Don't answer that... Alright I'll use my… Imagination~."

To be honest, the whole thing was ridiculous. Even after the whole door thing I was still baffled by how we are in our minds to begin with. I guessed it was a mix of all of the trauma, different foods, different air, and the powers that grew with us that we were even here in our minds…

This power, It wasn't earned, I want us to earn it.

Jo's table was simple like my door, it held a wooden square surface and wooden chairs for each one of us.

All of us sat in the chairs that were across from us and our order was the man, Jo, me, and the woman.

The man started with an odd reference that we never told him, "Isn't this cosy? Boy-girl, girl-boy."

That reference, it was too odd. How would he know?

"Ok, this is getting to be too much. Can't you just tell us who you are? At least some history, besides 'Thousands of years!' Or 'Friend of Anakin.'"

"Now now, that would be telling. Besides, you'll have plenty of time to look that up in the temple."

"What temple?"

"The one you toured today."

Jo was having none of that, "OK! Hold the phone… We just got finished with explaining to them that we wanted nothing to do with them, now you want us to stay at their library?"

"Oh not their library, at the temple quarters as an initiates."

My only sister sighed in grief, "And why would we even do that when one of their own tried to kill us, AGAIN?!"

"That wasn't him in control, that was the woman you see before you…"

Jo slowly turned to the said woman across from her and suddenly shot out of her chair in rage.

"I'll KILL YOU!"

I shot up just as fast to pull her back down, "EASY JO! Calm down, I'm here."

"That Witch made me try to be evil! She used me! And she tried to kill you!"

"Jo! I am here. And I don't care. She was a bad shot anyway because I'm still standing. I think.."

The man answered, "You'll live."

I continued, "Besides, they're already dead. So I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt, and listen. They want something from us, and I'm guessing we need something from them. Please try?"

She complied with a nod, but held back more tears.

I looked at the Jedi, "So this is the real reason you wanted us to sit down?"

"More or less."

I looked at the woman, "Well, you gonna explain yourself? Or are you going to sulk."

"Very well. The man whom I used was, as you know, Quinlin Vos. He was perfect for the task. The man holds a special connection to the force that allows him the ability to feel the history of objects. Your slug thrower was the perfect conduit to access him."

"Wait… so you're saying he sees what people- then those people I killed-."

"If that was only the case... but it was something more..."

"Then what?"

"You'll learn it…"

I rolled my eyes at the mystery that only seemed to grow, "Well then, carry on."

"So using the man was easy, so I had him take a shot at you. Along with knocking you out."

I wasn't satisfied, "And what about the others?"

The woman didn't care, "They're alright. Everyone in the room we're made witness to… a 'Prophecy.'"

"And that means?"

"I faked a prophecy with visions provided by your sister, with her powers of course. You're welcome."

Jo spoke out again, "And why should we thank you?!"

"Because it means you may receive training. Training you both were about to walk away from! Training that is needed if you are going to fight this war."

I sighed, "Look, we don't want to be Jedi, or Sith. We just want to find a way home. The war has nothing to do with us."

The man took over, "On the contrary, you became a part of it when you first struck Dooku. And revealed his secret he attempted to subvert with Obi-wan. Not to mention, your world is now a target."

As much as I hated it, he was right.

I put my foot in the door, now I have to deal with it. Wish I didn't drag my sister in this…

"Ok, fair points. Then what do we do? I can't help but think that both my sister and I are a little inadequate to fight a Galactic war… Ok, very inadequate. Even with training, how can two people be enough?"

"It isn't, that's why you have friends. So that you don't fight alone. Not to mention your missing ones. They are, as your sayings go, in the same boat as you. You pulled them in just as much."

Guilt trip much?

"Don't think too hard about it, they have… other matters to deal with now."

Yeah… wait.

Jo beat me to my revelation, "Did you just say-?"

A sudden shake of the room cut off my sister. The woman finished what my sister was going to say in a sudden panic, "Yes! Your friends are fine. But we have other matters to attend to! Our time is now short!"

"But I thought we had plenty of time! I mean, we're unconscious. And you put us in this situation in the first place!"

"You had to wake up at some point, your brother was just given a stimulant. So listen!"

The urgency sounded real, both of us did what she asked

"Now, the prophecy we gave the council will be told to you when you return. We won't tell you it, you would have a hard time pretending that you hadn't heard it before. On another note, It is best that you don't tell anyone you spoke with us, at least not to that council. It wouldn't be believable if they knew it came from either of us."

"Then what is it then, if it's fake why does it matter?"

"It will get you inducted in the training of the force. As well as getting you where you need to be at the right time. One last thing from me, don't consider the 'Prophecy' as a prophecy. It's a warning."

...Vague much?

The man sat up, "Well, sorry that our time was cut short. So much to do, so little time. The world outside always presses on, never forget that in here. We may speak again. Maybe with less pressing matters involved. I think it's time that you return to your own mind Aaron."

"Wait? Can't I just wake up?"

"You could, but it would hurt a lot. It's easier this way."

I sighed, "Do I have to go through that door again, it was a hassle the first time."

The man chuckled, "Once a bridge is made, it is hard to tear down."

Again, Vague much?

But I knew I wouldn't get anywhere by waiting, I got up to the door I made. Apprehensively, I gurded myself up, and opened it.

My mind?

It was the room I had left previously, just the way I had left it.

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As mysterious as the man was, he was honest to be sure. The woman was still hard for me to trust, but she had ambition to help us in some way. However, they wouldn't tell us their names, or this 'Prophecy'.

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"Now be ready, it will be a sudden jolt when you wake up."

I was in the center position of my room. Through the doorway I could see the same with my sister in her room, being less than pleased being alone with that woman.

"Anything else I should know before this dream ends?"

The man did his iconic chuckle, "End? No Shepherd, a Beginning."

With that, my room seemed to light up, blinding my eyes to where I only saw white. Then nothing…

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….. "He's awake!"

My eyes opened slowly as my mind raced with adrenaline.

I figure came in close and put a hand on my shoulder, "Aaron, can you hear me?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but found it unusually difficult.

"Y-es, -who is -it?"

My voice was haggard with a raspy tone, my throat was dry all over.

"His eyes are open, is he blind?"

"No Masters, his eyes are dilated. The adrenaline must have affected his eyes and mind. The disorientation will pass in time."

"Thank you Barris, in our care, they are."

Barriss?

The figure closest to me walked out of sight. Leaving me alone in a windowed room.

My mind raced searching for an answer, and my perception of time was gone. The room seemed to get dimmer and the color of the light changed to a golden orange.

The sun?

My eyes now adjust with the room and sitting up, I tried calling out but found it hard, "H-ello?"

"Well, he's awake."

It was Obi-wan. With him were Windu and Yoda. The three of them walked close to the bedside.

"How are you feeling?"

"I- could- use- some w-ater."

Obi-wan proceeded to hand me a glass on the table next to the bed, "Here this should help, you have been in bed for a day and a half."

I drank the water as I processed the information.

….Two days?!

"What happened? I mean, is Jo alright?"

"She is right there."

Windu pointed to my right with my eyes following that direction. Sure enough, Jo was there. Sleeping sound as a rock.

I turned back to the trio.

"What happened?"

Obi-wan sighed, "That's what we would like to know."

"What does that mean?"

"It means we can tell you what we know, and maybe you can explain the rest."

I felt exhausted, but I knew I needed to know.

"Alright, tell me."

Mace Windu spoke up, "Well… you were shot."

So, it's true…. My dream…

I played ignorant the best I could, "W-who did it?"

"Sad to say it was one of our Order, he claims he has no recollection of it. But-."

"I believe you."

The masters seemed surprised, "You do?"

"He wasn't like before, from what I remember. His eyes seemed to glow."

They seemed to contemplate this and continued, "Be that as it may, you should talk to him at a later date. He wants to talk to the both of you."

"Alright, but what about after? Why is Jo here?"

"..."

"..."

"... Well, young one. After you were shot, everyone rushed to your aid or attempted to apprehend Vos before more damage could be done. As we all did this, your sister emanated a surge in the force, not being herself. She gave a prophecy."

Pretending to be ignorant again, I asked

"What?"

"It's what we said, your sister. Gave a prophecy."

"What about?"

They proceeded to tell me.

~Sound of Day for the Sun, Visions of Night for the Moon.

~Feeling of skin for the Knife, smell of Blood for the Scimitar .

~The Passing of Prey for the Hunter, Taste of Riches for the Trader.

~Enter the ring they will, with the one who is chosen's Will.

Beware the Eclipse, with it's knife outstretched, and it's blood run red! If not stopped! All will be dead!

"When said it she did, fell straight to the floor. All of us rushed to her aid, we did. Barriss made sure to take care of you both. And here we are."

"Wait, that's it? What about the meeting, where is Boba, Bossk, and the others?"

Yoda then laughed, "Worry not about them, Boba and Bossk are resting in their rooms."

"Their rooms?"

Obi-wan answered for the green guy, "I sure they would have loved to have told you in person. But Jango's verdict has been passed."

The revelation caused my stomach to drop.

"But… Jo and I were supposed to be there. Why would you do that?"

Mace took point, "The testament you and your sister gave yesterday was enough. You will be happy to know that he is not being sent to prison."

It was like a weight was pulled off my chest, "Thank you."

The bearded man took over again, "Oh, don't thank us just yet. He is still under lock and key. He will be under house arrest on Kamino."

That sounded fair, he needed some kind of punishment.

"Ok, but why Kamino?"

"He will continue to train clones as he had before the war. Not to mention having a fresh supply of DNA would help the cloning process."

That's also fair.

"And what about Boba? Does he still get to see him?"

"The man is allowed a few times off world under guard. We worked out that he is allowed to see him a few times a month, either Jo or you would have to stay with Boba for it to work."

"Ok, Would we need to take public transportation to get there?"

Obi-wan stroked his beard, "If it we're so easy. It's coordinates are not in the galactic archives."

"Pardon?"

"That is another tale for another day. Point being, you would not be able to get there unless you went on a military or Jedi ship."

"I- I see…"

Silence filled the room. Broken by the bald man.

"We have a proposition for you and your sister."

"Ok?"

"We know you don't wish to join the Order, you both made it clear."

"Right."

Yoda spoke up, "Train the two of you, we still would."

"But isn't that against your rules?"

Obi-wan interjected, "That would be the case, but your sister's prophecy. It mentions the existence of another prophecy. One who would bring balance to the force."

"And that means for us?"

"We are asking a great deal, this isn't your war. Or your galaxy. We would be asking for your assistance in putting a stop to it. You and your sister must play a key role in this. And with what has happened recently, the council approves of both of you training here. Under the guise of experimental initiates, you would only fight in this war when we believe the two of you are on the same level as a Padawan. It may take years before you are ready, if the war lasts that long."

…

"This is a lot to take in, we won't force you-."

"We'll do it!"

The yell made them flinch back.

Whoops.

"I mean, we'll do it."

My acceptance of this deal seemed sudden as Mace asked, "Why? If you're worried about Boba, we can come up with arrangements to aid him in meeting his father."

"No it's not that… Our world is in danger. We played a part in it's new threat, if not all. It's our responsibility, we need to deal with what we 'said' and 'did'. Even if it takes a long time, we need to fight. Truth isn't easy, but we know what happens when responsibility is neglected. Jo will feel the same when I say, 'We'll be where we're needed.' "

The master trio looked at each other, satisfied with my answer.

"In that case, we'll let you get some rest. We tried to wake you up early because most of the council headed out, us included soon."

Yoda looked between both Jo and I smiling and said, "Be at peace, safe you are here. Rest as needed. Plenty of time to grow."

"Thank you, we'll be ready."

I pray I'm right.

With that, all three masters bowed their heads and left the room.

Alone again…

A snore nearby proved me wrong. I laughed a little.

No, not alone. I'll do my best to work hard Jo, and I'm sure you will too.

I reached out my hand and gripped the air.

We'll make it home, we'll win this war. But I don't know when. But as long as Jo is here with me, I know that we can remain true. To God, family, and our friends. My word is my bond.

I put down my hand and looked out the window. I saw more of the ships that had landed on Geonosis with the clones. They were in the distance, each one taking off one by one. Single file to reach the stars. The glow of the back engines showed, they were soothing. It went on for an hour as the sun finally set and the sky turned to night.

As it ended, my eyes finally drifted asleep and a single thought ran in my mind.

Only… the Beginning…

End First Arc: Beginning

Next Arc: Training

A/N: Thank you all for reading up to this point. I know that things have changed a lot, and it's hard to be the same anymore. I'm growing, but slowly. I want to be a real author one day. But before I can do that, I need to climb this mountain of a story. The others are going to be updated at a slower rate than this one. Only when I am worn from this would I switch to the others. That is to say, it's not like I don't want them completed, it's just that this one has priority.

One arc is done, the next one will be soon. Unless an accident happens.