Over the next few months, our group became nearly unstoppable in almost anything we did. Some of our feats made us known as the Chosen Ones when we were together. It seemed like after Anakin came to the temple, each of us slowly improved.
Barriss's connection to the living Force became stronger. Every time we went to the garden to meditate, I swear she would start to faintly glow and levitate. The craziest part is that one time, when I was in my void world and looked at her shimmering Force light. That's what I began to call them. Her light fluctuated between a radiant blue and green continuously. I thought I even saw mirages of a forest and nature around her as she meditated.
Derren was the heart of our group. He would always be up to help anyone with dueling or with chores. He couldn't stop running his mouth with Seris and made him pay for it every time. Derren knew how to read the room, and it didn't stop there. He outmaneuvering sparring partners, and new how to de-escalate tense situation between other younglings. He was the model youngling who faced all conflicts head-on with a smile.
Seris was what some called the elegant angel of justice of our group. She was always reserved and stoic. Unless Derren got under her skin. She was always a stickler for the rules and an overachiever, which is what a lot of younglings thought. I knew it was more than that. She demanded excellence from herself because she wanted to be the best. She was always good with a saber and strong in the Force. And she would push herself in and out of our studies.
Yeah, she was one for the rules, but she was also one for structure. Instead of blindly following the rules, I got her to study them with the help of Master Plo. Thanks to this, she learned not to blindly follow the rules. But to analyze them and think of the best way to implement them for certain situations.
Anakin was adapting to the temple well. It wasn't a flawless transition, but I believed he was on the right path. As Anakin improved not just with the blade. He took more of his studies seriously besides what he found interesting. Thanks to Anakin gaining a little more discipline earlier than in the original story. As he grew, we all grew with him. I noticed how it was similar to the Vader effect.
What I mean by that is every time someone fought Darth Vader in the Star Wars stories. Unlike the ones Vader killed, the survivors, like Luke Skywalker, Ezra Bridger, and Cal Kestis. Each one of these Jedi who fought Vader and lived is a feat not many can say they accomplished. They all got their asses kicked, and then they trained and came back stronger than before.
Anakin from the original timeline has the same effect. He trained Ahsoka to be an amazing Jedi duelist and leader in the Clone Wars. And his training with Kenobi helped bolster his skills, between the training they did during their mission and war missions.
All of us were growing in one way or another from his influence. As for me? I was making sure everything moved together smoothly. There were some changes thanks to my influence. Master Yaddle didn't die like in the Disney canon. But actually lived like in Legends. She has been a great sergeant mother figure not only to Anakin, but to all of us. Dooku did leave, like in canon, and I know the clone army production will begin soon.
I decided to take my notes from my memories from my past life and start planning to make some political play moves. Mon Mothma, Onaconda Farr, Padmé Amidala, and Bail Organa. They are good senators who can be trusted. Riyo Chuchi won't become a senator until later. So I will have to wait to bring her into my fold. Duchess Satine, Kin Robb will be good people to have in my corner if I can convince them out of neutrality. Especially Satine since I want to unite Mandalor, sooner rather then later. I also want to get her an Obi-Wan together.
Bo-Katan is a great leader. If I can get her to my side and bring Death Watch. Then my plans would go smoother. The only problem is Pre Vizsla, but if I can convince Bo-Katan to join me and kill him, then that's one problem solved. Death watch will follow her, no problem.
During my free time. I would contact my publicist. I told them to send copies of my Dune novels to the senators I listed earlier and to some senators of the CIS. along with special messages. Each one was different from Satine, being given information on Death Watch. Not enough to fight them, but enough to know who their supporters are. I gave Mon, Padme, and Bail some information on Palpatine's secret dealings. And the names of a few corrupt officials, who also happen to be in his favor.
I wrote all these messages under a different name then my penname. I signed them as "Noctics." At the end, I said, "I hope one day we can create a united galaxy."
In an upper sparring ring, the four of us started our sparring sessions. under Serra Keto's supervision. "Same rules as before," she said. "Tag system. You're out when your saber is disarmed or you're struck three times. No Force pushes. Just your saber technique."
She smirked. "An."
I, Seris, Anakin, and Derren formed a loose circle facing inwards. We did our respectful bows and got into our dueling forms and stances. Then, after a short moment's pause, we jumped into the spar. For the first few minutes, it was quick strikes, parries, and counters.
The four of us never stuck to dueling just one person. We moved between each other with strong footwork and controlled breathing. Derren almost disarmed Anakin with a well-placed counter to a side strike. Anakin returned the favor with two quick slashes and a shoulder tap.
I tested Seris' power, and she tested mine. Every slash we threw at each other collided and rolled off each other's sabers. Seris soon dodged and parried my attacks like she was dancing. I knew if I kept letting this exchange continue, she would turn the tables on me. I centered my mind and reached deep into the Force. I wanted to achieve that flow state like before. That way, I can take control of this duel. Then, as my mind calmed, and my body began to explode with energy, something shifted.
We started to move faster. Our saber strikes became more precise. The temple around us disappeared. All I noticed was Anakin's ,Derren, and Seris. All of their movements from their strikes, breathing, and footwork. I saw them all, even before they did them. I moved without thinking, letting my body move for me and letting the Force flow through me.
For the next hour and beyond that, we sparred without stopping. We were completely immersed. Our movements blended into a dance of precision and synergy. The sound of sabers hummed like music. Swings, parries, and flips flow like water in a river. Each time one of us surged ahead, the others adapted. Each misstep was absorbed. Every strike met with a natural counter, like a shared instinct shaped by the Force itself.
None of us realized how much time had passed. All of our bodies moved on instinct. Our lungs burned. Our clothes clung to us, soaked with sweat. We didn't speak with our words. We let our blades do the talking.
The doors hissed open again, and Serra Keto returned with two Master Plo Koon and Mace Windu.
Serra froze at the sight of us. From the outside, all three of us were moving so fast we were close to being blurs. The only thing that was recognizable was the blue and green of our practice sabers.
"How long have they been like this, Padawan Keto?" Plo Koon asked.
Serra looked at Barriss, who was meditating off to the side. levitating off the ground. "For too long, master, I did think they would still be going. I know you told me to come get you once they start dueling again. I didn't think I would be delayed in finding you for so long."
Mace Windu's eyes never left the duel taking place. Then he stepped forward, "Enough!"
Then in an instant, our momentum halted. All four of us froze mid-motion, breathless, wide-eyed, blinking as if waking from a dream. Seris's hands dropped. Anakin collapsed to his knees. I slowly deactivated my saber, my chest rising and falling like thunder. Derren stood there, covered in sweat like that was nothing. Seriously, is this kid built differently or something.
"…How long…?" I rasped.
"Three hours," Mace said with crossed his arms. "You've been in there three hours."
No one said anything. We couldn't, and when we tried, Mace and Plo told us to clean up and get some rest. Then they walked away as the door hissed closed behind them. Then Anakin flopped backward, arms outstretched, laughing through his exhaustion.
"That was amazing," He said.
"How did we even do all that?" Seris said, out of breath and stunned.
Serra nudged Barriss out of her meditation. She was surprised to see us tired and covered in sweat. "What happened to you all?"
I laughed. "We will tell you about it later." I wonder what that was? The more I use that flowstate the stronger it get's. I still don't know anymore about it.
Further down the corridor of the training room. Mace and Plo walked in cadence. Plo spoke first. "Were you able to feel it. " Windu nodded. "I did more than feel it, I saw it. The boy has the sight."
"Are you gonna teach him about it?" Plo asks Mace.
"No, he is too young, he isn't ready," Mace responded.
"I see." Plo said, "Well, I will continue to monitor the boy. He shows great potential."
Mace then nodded. "Yes, he does, and the way he brought Skywalker into his group is interesting. They are all growing well. I just hope the Force guides them well."
Plo stopped walking and Mace with him. "That is also why we are hear, Mace, to help guide them down the right path. We should help them like any other youngling to shine as bright as they can without restricting them. Cain and Skywalker have helped improve those around them. We should be happy for them. Our main concern is to help guide them down the proper path.
Mace paused for a moment, taking in Plo's words to heart. "I see, master Plo. Thank you for the words of wisdom master. I will keep them in mind."
"Of course, old friend," Plo said, placing a hand on Windu's shoulder.
The next day, all five groaned as we limped into morning meditation. My whole body was weak and sore. Anakin's arms were sore. Seris looked like she hadn't slept. Her graceful self was nowhere around. Derren walked like he was barely sore at all. Seriously, what is this kid made of?
Barriss just smirked. "You all feel it now, huh?" she teased.
I chuckled softly, easing myself into a seated position. "Yeah, but worth it, I think," I said, chuckling in pain.
Master Fay passed us as we settled in. She paused for a moment, just long enough to place a hand on my shoulder. "You all seem closer," she whispered. Then she looked to Anakin, " Your resonance together. Never forget that " I said nothing, but for a moment, I felt the Force swell around us like all four of us were linked in some way.
I wonder what is happening.