Gray Jedi Ch. 05

"Anything yet?"

"No, nothing," replied Serra.

The two Jedi crept through the murky cave, looking for potential danger around every corner. Still, both suspected that any threats they would encounter would not be of the physical variety, but of the spiritual. Remaining calm and focused was a constant struggle; as Yoda had said, the cave was strong with the Dark Side of the Force. Through it all, they continued to press onward.

"I'm sensing something up ahead," Malik said.

"Yeah, I feel it too. It's something... evil."

They clasped hands as they rounded the bend, finally arriving in a circular cul-de-sac. It appeared at first to be completely empty, but the growing presence of evil was unmistakable. As they arrived at the center of the room, everything turned pitch black around them. In the darkness, Malik could no longer feel Serra's hand within his.

"Serra? Serra! Where are you?!"

But he heard no reply...

*****

"Malik?" Serra said weakly.

To her horror, her true love lay on the floor of the Jedi Temple, his body beaten and bruised, a hole seared through his chest. Around him were the bodies of no less than a dozen younglings, and ahead were the remains of her master, Cin Drallig. As Serra began to weep at the devastation around her, the sound of a lightsaber igniting behind her caught her attention. Relying on her warrior reflexes, she spun to face the threat.

"Skywalker," Serra seethed.

The former Jedi approached, his hood obscuring his face, though Serra could tell it was twisted into an expression of sick pleasure. He was enjoying this, both seeing the destruction he had caused and the effect it was having on Serra. As she reached for her lightsabers, Serra realized all of a sudden that she was unarmed. She had no weapon to face Skywalker with.

"Look at this," Anakin whispered. "Look at what you've done."

"Wha... what? What I've done?"

"This is your fault, Serra."

"No..."

Anakin lunged, his blue blade whirling around him. Drawing on the Force, Serra executed several athletic evasions, cartwheeling backwards to put some distance between herself and Anakin. She attempted to use the many pillars around the room as cover, but this only enraged Anakin further, and he began cutting them down, even throwing his saber into them every so often.

"You were too weak to stop me! You were too weak to protect them! YOU!"

"No... it can't be..." Serra whimpered.

"And now look at what you're reduced to: running and hiding. Pathetic! Did you EVER think you would be able to live up to your master's expectations! You are a DISGRACE to everything Cin Drallig ever taught you!"

At that moment, Serra attempted to wrest control of the situation from him, leaping out from behind a pillar and attempting a chokehold on Anakin from behind. He was ready for her, swinging his saber wildly and forcing her to disengage. Anakin turned to face her, his eyes burning with rage.

"It's all... your... FAULT!!!"

As he screamed at her, bolts of lightning shot from Skywalker's hand, striking Serra and knocking her to the ground with a thud. She writhed in pain as he approached, taunting her as he towered over her crumpled form.

"Pathetic... a sorry excuse for a Jedi."

*****

Malik stepped through the doors of the Council Chambers and was presented with one of the direst situations he had ever encountered. A group of younglings stood in the corner, huddled around each other in fear. Approaching them was a dark hooded figure, appearing as a beast on the hunt. Hearing him enter, the figure stopped and turned, revealing the face of Emperor Palpatine.

"Malik Ran... I'll be with you in a moment," he croaked before returning his gaze to the children.

"I don't think so," Malik replied, stepping forward.

"Heheheh... and how precisely do you plan to stop me? You are without a weapon, boy."

Malik smirked. "I'm never without a weapon. I have the Force."

Just as Palpatine was about to attack, Malik reached out with his mind and telekinetically threw him backwards. Palpatine landed with a thud in Master Yoda's chair, and he took a moment to compose himself before rising to his feet.

"Brave of you, boy... but foolish."

"You will do these young ones no harm."

Malik leapt into the air straight at Palpatine, attempting to land a Force-fueled punch to his face. The Sith Lord was too quick, though, and evaded with relative ease. He charged the young Jedi and attempted to strangle him, but Malik was ready, stunning Palpatine with a pair of quick jabs to his abdomen. The pair now engaged in their bout of fisticuffs, they each drew on as much of the Force as they were able to, trading blows with incredible speed and strength. But soon Palpatine gained the upper hand, taking advantage of Malik losing his footing for a brief moment. Before he knew what was happening, Malik was flung to the other side of the room and pinned under several of the Council's chairs.

"Now then, as I said... I'll be with you in a moment," Palpatine said with an evil laugh.

Malik began to realize what Palpatine intended: he wanted to make the Jedi watch helplessly as he murdered the younglings. He approached the group and turned his dark powers on the children, beginning to choke the life out of them with the Force. Malik did everything he could to try and counteract Palpatine's actions, but to no avail. Seeing no other alternative, Malik decided he had to use the power he swore he'd only use for healing.

"Palpatine! Take this!"

Thrusting his one free hand at the Sith Lord, Malik unleashed a torrent of lightning towards his enemy. Palpatine had no clue what hit him, collapsing at once into a crumpled heap on the floor. The younglings now released, two of them rushed to Malik's aid, levitating the chairs off of him. All the while, Malik kept up his assault on Palpatine. Though he felt the strong desire to give him a lethal dose of electricity, the Jedi somehow managed to restrain himself. Instead, he kept the level of pain just at the threshold of subduing the target without doing any permanent damage. He sauntered over to the fallen Sith, his pride welling up in him as he towered over Palpatine.

"You... have failed, boy. You are now... one of us..." Palpatine hissed.

"Wrong. I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You are the one who has failed; failed to grasp the concept of Force Lightning. I have harnessed a force of nature and channeled it for protecting the innocent. You only use this power for death and pain."

"You... still... use it..."

"Only when it is the last resort," Malik interrupted. "A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. I used the Force to defend these younglings from you. You cannot fool me."

Sensing that enough of Palpatine's strength had been drained to where he could be restrained, Malik ceased his use of Force Lightning. Palpatine heaved and gasped on the floor, rolling onto his side.

"Do it... finish me... I... will only... come back... stronger..."

"Perhaps... if you were more than an illusion," Malik replied with a grin.

*****

"Ungh..."

"Such a pathetic excuse for a Jedi," Anakin sneered, at last releasing Serra from his Force Lightning. "All this... your fault."

As painful as his words were, Serra tried to regain focus. She pulled on all her knowledge and experience, drew on the Force to illuminate the truth behind Anakin's words. Finally, she realized how she could escape this pain.

"No... you are the one who is pathetic," she gasped from the floor.

"What?!"

"You turned on Master Windu. You killed these younglings! YOU! NOT ME!"

Finding the strength to roll on to her side and face her attacker, Serra smiled at seeing his expression of rage.

"You were so weak, Anakin. You had it all. Talent. Respect. Friendship. Hell, you even had love. And you threw it all away... because of empty promises."

"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!"

"I am not the disgrace... you are. You're pitiful. Insecure. And..."

Anakin charged for her, preparing to run her through with his lightsaber.

"...I feel sorry for you," Serra finally whispered.

Just as he was about to finish her, Skywalker disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. In his place stood her beloved Malik, his face one of shock and surprise.

"Malik..." Serra managed before passing out from exhaustion.

"No... no, Serra!" Malik screamed, rushing to her side.

Serra's breathing was heavy and labored. He had seen this before. This time, there was no desperation, no hesitation. This time, Malik knew what to do. Placing both his hands on her chest, he pressed down and delivered a weak electric shock into her body, springing her back awake once again.

"Serra, you're alright!" Malik exclaimed, helping her sit up.

"Yeah... looks like you saved my ass again," she retorted.

"And I always will."

Sharing a moment of silent admiration, Malik and Serra locked eyes for what seemed like ages before falling into a long, loving kiss. But as they opened their eyes and parted, the couple found that they were now surrounded by the figures of Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Cin Drallig, and Anakin Skywalker before his fall. Each one of them had cross, disapproving expressions on their faces.

"You're better than this," said Obi-Wan.

"We must hold ourselves to a higher standard," said Windu.

"I had such expectations for you, Serra," said Drallig.

"You're no better than me," said Anakin.

On and on it went, the Jedi all taunting Malik and Serra, trying to instill doubt in their minds. At first, Serra was close to tears, tormented by their sharp disapproval. But soon, Malik's reassuring hand on her shoulder began to calm her down. Gazing into his eyes, everything in the galaxy made sense to her.

"They're wrong, Serra," Malik whispered to her over the taunting. "We are better than Anakin; Yoda himself said so. Together, we are stronger in the Force than either of us could ever be on our own. Our whole is greater than the sum of our parts. That is why this is the will of the Force. I finally understand. Serra..."

The voices around them now rose to a crescendo, seeming to shout insult after insult at the pair. Still, they paid them no mind. Serra could only hear the voice of her beloved in those moments. She hung on every word from his lips.

"...Will you marry me?"

Serra's eyes widened at hearing those words. Her heart pounded, her brow perspired. It was everything she had ever dreamed of, yet she could not find the words to reply. At last, with joyful tears streaming down her cheeks, she managed to speak her answer.

"Yes..."

The voices began to quiet as Malik took Serra's hand, kissing it sweetly.

"Serra Keto, I take you to be my wife. From this day on, I pledge myself to you, to the good we can do together, and to the will of the Force. Whether our days be numerous or few, I am yours to the end."

Smiling through her tears, Serra cupped Malik's face in her hands.

"Malik Ran, I take you to be my husband. I love you with all my heart because you are the kindest, bravest man I have ever known. I will be your ever devoted partner, a loving wife, and if the Force is willing, the mother of your children."

Falling into each other's arms, the couple sealed their union with a long, tender kiss. No amount of disapproval could ever affect them now; they knew this to be right. As they parted, they now saw that they were once again alone in the cave, not a sound to be heard. Arm-in-arm, they walked out of the cave together.

*****

As they exited, Yoda stood on the nearby tree stump, their lightsabers still resting on the ground in front of him. He wore an enormous grin on his face, and his ears pointed skyward, indicating his joy at seeing them.

"Malik Ran, Serra Keto, step forward."

The pair moved towards him slowly, their anticipation building. Both knew what was about to happen. Reaching Master Yoda, they each went down on one knee before him. He placed a hand on each of their heads, his eyes closing as he sunk into meditation. After several minutes, he spoke.

"Strong is the Force with you. A difficult path you have chosen, yet proven you have your capabilities to walk it without straying. And so, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do, Jedi Masters... and husband and wife."

Both looked up in surprise at his last words.

"You saw that?" Malik asked.

"Of course. Impossible to miss, it was," Yoda replied with a chuckle. "Master Keto, Master Ran, rise." As they stood, he continued, "Pleased I am to no end at seeing your growth. Known for years I have that this day would come. The day that we no longer exist as master and student, but as equals."

Serra choked back a tear as she smiled and replied, "In your mind we may be equals, but to us, you will always be our teacher, Master Yoda."

"Now, celebrate we must! Come, saved the last of my lifeboat's rations for a special occasion I have."

"Master Yoda, we couldn't eat your best remaining food. It would be... impolite," Malik protested.

Laughing, Yoda merely replied, "Wriggle out of this one you will not, Master Malik. Come, we eat."

Seeing they could not change his mind, the pair followed Yoda back to his makeshift home. They laughed and joked as he prepared the food, clearly in a great mood following their promotions. Of course, Serra had a powerful urge to pounce on her husband right then and there, but she managed to refrain. Soon, Yoda brought them each a plate of food.

"Sit. Eat. Much to be happy for we have."

Taking his first bites, Malik replied, "Master, you never cease to amaze me. Even after everything that's happened in the last few weeks, you still manage to keep your optimism."

"Keeps me going it does."

"That's true, I suppose," Serra said. "It'd be so easy to just give up..."

"Worry not, Master Serra. Good you can still do in your life. Besides, last forever nothing does, not even the Empire. One day, years from now, a new hope will rise to oppose it."

Malik eyed Yoda for several seconds. "You're plotting something, aren't you?"

"Heheh, hide things from you I cannot. Indeed, a plan is in the works. But for you two, best not to know the details it is."

"That makes sense, in the event we were captured and tortured for information. I mean we would never betray your secrets, but..."

"I'm sure Vader can be quite persuasive," Serra said, finishing Malik's thought.

"Yes. But still, stronger you are than you give yourselves credit for. After all, conquered your fears and doubts you have. The cave... the images it tested me with... horrible things I saw."

"I can imagine. I had to face Anakin unarmed," Serra replied. "He attacked me with Force Lightning, tormenting me. He enjoyed it."

"Hmm... yet overcome this you did, yes?"

"I did. I... I told him the things he blamed me for were actually his fault. He was saying that I was too weak and allowed all the Jedi in the Temple to die. But then I felt something for Anakin that I never thought I'd feel: pity. He had it all, but threw it away on an empty promise. I feel sorry for him."

"Well done, Serra. Compassion and mercy, powerful weapons against evil they are. Take away evil's power they do, as you discovered." Turning to Malik, he continued, "Faced your fears as well, did you?"

"I did. I encountered Palpatine in the Council chambers, attempting to murder a group of younglings. Tried to fight him off, but he beat me back and pinned me to the floor. I had no other choice but... but to..."

"Go on, Malik."

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I had to use Force Lightning to stop him. I could have killed him, but... didn't. After he tried to taunt me, he... turned into Serra."

"We had been fighting each other the whole time," Serra chimed in.

"I can't believe... I used Force Lightning on my wife..." Malik continued, lowering his head in shame. "I was so tempted to kill him, and if I had-"

"But you didn't," Serra said with conviction. "You made the right choice, Malik. The fact that you ended up attacking me was not your fault."

"I know, I guess... I'm terrified of what I'm capable of with my full power."

"This fear, very common it is as a Jedi grows. Hold lives in our hands, we often do. Make good decisions we must. Malik, fear this power you should not. Trust yourself, for you have the ability to wield this power for the Light Side of the Force."

"You really think that? I mean it sure doesn't feel like a Light Side power, even if lightning itself is only a force of nature."

"True, of the Light Side it is not. But when using this power, drawing on hate and anger are you?"

"No, of course not! I only used it because it was the only way to protect those children!"

"Precisely. Managed you have to use a power thought to be of the Dark Side without drawing on your inner darkness. A difficult path it is to walk, yet I now bear witness to you doing exactly that."

Perhaps... our friends have the ability to walk the most difficult path of all.

"Ah, Master Qui-Gon. Of which path do you speak?"

The path of the Gray Jedi.

"Gray Jedi? I thought that was a derogatory term, an insult," Serra replied.

To some, yes. Many in the Jedi Order used the term while failing to grasp its true meaning. In recent years, it refers to a Jedi that frequently disagrees with the Council, myself for instance. But in truth, a Gray Jedi is devoted to the will of the Force and keeping the balance of the universe in check. They neither serve the Light nor the Dark, for they realize that neither can ever be destroyed.

"So are you saying you actually were a Gray Jedi in life?" Malik asked.

I was not. Though I did study some of their teachings, I found some of their methods to be... unnecessary. In the past, Gray Jedi often took the position of the ends justifying the means. Those parts of their doctrine I rejected straight away, as I suspect you will also when you learn of them. Still, many of their principles are strong and quite applicable to our lives, particularly in these dark times. I think you would do good to at least learn of these things.

"Agree I do. A good thing knowledge is, especially in learning of those who are different from us. And with your maturity and connection to the Force, only wisdom can such knowledge lead to," Yoda chimed in, smiling at the pair.

"How would we go about learning these things?" Serra inquired.

"On your ship, a backup of the Jedi Archives there is," Yoda replied. "Unaffected it should be by the attack on the Jedi Temple."

"So that's why that ship was such a carefully guarded secret!" Malik realized.

"Indeed," Yoda smiled. "In the event of the destruction of all our knowledge and texts, a copy we created in secret, its existence known only to the Jedi Council."

"But Master, given the connotations of the term Gray Jedi in our lifetimes, why would their teachings be retained in the Archives? I would have thought the Council would not have wanted their methods to be public knowledge?" Serra asked.

"In a section of restricted files, this information is. Need the direct consent of the Council one would to access it. Of course, secret the backup on your ship has always been, and no such consent be required." Standing, Yoda took the dishes from Serra and Malik, placing them aside for cleaning before moving toward his makeshift bed. "Apologies, but late it is, and old I am besides. Rest I need."

"Of course, Master. We'll leave you in peace," Malik answered.

"Sleep well. See you tomorrow," Serra agreed.

*****

While Malik's initial thoughts dwelled on the library of information he now knew to be contained on their ship, Serra had other ideas in mind. As soon as they had arrived back in their quarters, she lunged for her husband, tossing him onto the bed and mounting him at once.