“Yes, I’m sure,” Zekk said, looking directly into Master Luke Skywalker’s eyes. “I wasn’t ready before, but now I am. It took a while for me to understand that I don’t have to use the dark side if I don’t want to. I need you to teach me the right way. Teach me to use the light side of the Force, so I can become a true Jedi Knight.”
“Do you still have your lightsaber?” Luke asked.
Zekk was surprised.
“No, I got rid of that when I gave up being a Jedi, after the Shadow Academy was destroyed. I’ll … I’ll have to build a new one.”
“We’ll do it the right way this time.”
Luke Skywalker gave a thoughtful nod. “It’s been a while since we got any new trainees here at the academy—and now we’re getting two in one day. I have a feeling we needed some new blood here,” he said with a faraway look. “Yes, I think it’s high time.” The Jedi Master clasped Zekk’s hand. “I know how hard this decision was for you. But a well-considered decision is far better than one made in haste.”
He raised his eyebrows and flashed a mischievous smile at his new trainee.
“Would you like to tell my niece, or shall l?”
Zekk grinned. “I’ll tell her myself.”
All the attendees of the Jedi academy, along with Han and Leia, Anakin, old Peckhum, dozens of New Republic engineers, and a multitude of dignitaries had gathered to celebrate the newly completed reconstruction of the Great Temple. After a ceremony involving several speeches, awards, and commendations in the grand audience chamber, the entire assembly moved outdoors for a celebratory festival.
During the festivities, the young Jedi Knights, both old and new, withdrew to their favorite place by the wide river that flowed past the Great Temple. They waded into the water and spent hours talking and splashing and enjoying the feeling of wholeness that came from being together again. Em Teedee delighted in his new microrepulsorjets, zipping in and out among his friends or bobbing along on the surface of the river.
Lowie actually engaged the little droid in a couple of water games. Lusa and Raynar stayed near the shore, sharing memories of the losses they had experienced and the lessons they had learned. Tenel Ka and Jacen challenged each other to swimming races, while Jaina and Zekk floated lazily and discussed what materials might be most appropriate for the lightsaber the young man would soon build for himself. After hours spent in pleasant pursuits, the friends gathered on the shore and talked until the sky began to grow dark. The topics were light, and the silences comfortable.
They spoke of the Rock Dragon, the Lightning Rod, Lowie’s T-23, Jedi tales and legends that Tionne had told them, the rebuilt temple, and favorite planets they had been to.
In the wake of one long silence, Jaina said, “I wonder what’s next for us. Do you suppose all Jedi trainees go through the sorts of adventures we’ve had before they become full Jedi Knights?”
“After all we’ve been through together,” Jacen replied, “I’m not sure anything in the future could surprise me.”
“Ah,” Tenel Ka said, turning to him. “Aha.” Then she kissed Jacen firmly on the mouth. “So … were you surprised, friend Jacen?” she asked, with a twinkle in her granite-gray eyes. Lowie gave a bark of laughter at Jacen’s astonished expression.
Zekk chuckled and put an arm around Jaina.
“I don’t know what the future will bring, either. But I’m looking forward to it—and I’m pretty sure it won’t be boring.”
Almost as one, the other young Jedi Knights replied, “This is a fact.”