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Chapter 8

Luke collapsed on the floor, breathing hard, sweat soaking his hair. He heard the tapping of his Master's cane approaching but he had no energy to move.

"Well you have done," Yoda praised, there were Masters who could not do what young Luke had just done. He levitated over a bottle of water and a towel and Luke forced himself up to accept them, leaning against the wall.

"Feels like when you got me to lift my X-Wing out of a swamp, though I didn't succeed that time," Luke admitted tiredly. "You then promptly lifted it out and back onto solid ground."

"Hmm, surprised I am. Telekinesis easy for you appears."

"Not at first, life and death are good motivators though."

"Meditate now you will."

"Yes Master," Luke shifted into the correct position, closing his eyes and calming his breathing.

Yoda watched, proud of his last Padawan. His skill set had been a mess when he arrived and if he had been trained in a war it was understandable. Now though he was much more rounded. He still lacked theoretical knowledge, but he was a quick learner. He would be ready for the trials soon, even if he did not feel ready.

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Obi-Wan smiled as he walked back into the Temple, glad to finally be back. He was rather exhausted from months spent in intense negotiations. It had been nice to see Queen Amidala again and he had been made very welcome in the Palace, but the Temple would always be his home. In his bag he had letters each for Qui-Gon, Luke and Anakin from those they had met among the Naboo. It was not against the Code to accept correspondence from previous missions. It had been good to see the planet recovered from the invasion, even though the Trade Federation had not been punished enough for most of the people to accept and he could not blame them for thinking that. Nute Gunray had held onto his position and the Trade Federation had basically received a slap on the wrist.

The galaxy was becoming a darker, more dangerous place. He knew there was another Sith out there, there were always two after all and Luke had killed one. He trusted the Force to reveal the threat to the Council, but he did still worry for the innocent people being threatened. There were whispers of rising unrest in the outer regions and that was part of why he spent little time in the Temple since his Knighting, he was spending all his time out there trying to keep the peace. There was talk of systems seceding from the Republic and that hadn't happened for centuries, but it was their right to do so.

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Luke had been surprised to be sent on a solo mission but when he'd seen Bant in the Healing Halls, she had told him that most Senior Padawan's being considered for Knighthood were sent on at least one. It felt strange to know he may soon be a Knight, again, but this time he would have earned the rank, rather than receive it by default. He was meant to be negotiating to help stop a civil war, but the Force whispered of more and that worried him. He straightened his robes and pushed that from his mind, he needed his focus on the here and now. He opened the door and walked into the meeting room, bowing to the gathered delegates. He then took his seat in the middle and settled in to listen and try to guide them to a peaceful resolution. He hadn't done many negotiations, that had always been Leia's strength, but he would do all he could to keep war from breaking out.

He spent three months struggling to keep the two sides talking instead of fighting and finally, they signed a peace treaty. Luke was exhausted and more than ready to return to the Temple but as the Jedi's representative he had to remain for the party. He was sipping some punch when his senses screamed of danger and he moved, pushing the two leaders down, lightsaber humming to life as he blocked the incoming shots as the people screamed. Luke was up and after the assassin before anyone else realised what was really happening. He tracked him out into the night and then parried a blow that would have taken his head off. He was pushed on the defensive by his cloaked assailant and he flipped back to get some space. He should have known Sidious would come after him, he killed the man's apprentice after all. Now he was facing what had to be another apprentice to replace Maul or one of his Hand's. they fought back and forth as thunder crashed in the distance.

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Anakin hesitated outside the door, chewing his lip but then it opened and Qui-Gon ushered him into his apartment. "What is it Ani?" the aging Master asked as he got the boy settled on a chair and then poured him some tea.

"I don't know," Anakin admitted. "Something's…wrong? It's…" and then his eyes widened. "Uncle Luke! He's in trouble."

Qui-Gon lifted his comm and called Mace to inform him. He wondered if anyone knew how deep the bond was between Uncle and Nephew. It hadn't interfered with Luke's ability to bond with Master Yoda, but he had a bond before so knew what to do. Would Anakin be able to properly bond with a Master? He had wanted to train Ani but now he was wondering if he was getting too old to take on another Padawan. He hoped that Luke would be alright, he knew this was a pre-trial test, but for him to be in enough trouble that Anakin could sense it? That was more than the normal danger for such a mission.

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Luke collapsed, breathing heavily as he held his arm close, the wound burning but at least he hadn't lost a limb. He forced aching muscles to move, getting up even as the security forces arrived, along with medics. He let them tend him, too tired to argue but he ensured the body would be prepared for transport, the Council would want to investigate. He quickly gave his goodbyes and left for Coruscant, wanting to inform the Council as soon as possible.

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Yoda, Mace and Qui-Gon stood together as the ship came in for an almost perfect landing which indicated that Luke was exhausted or injured. The ramp lowered, and Luke emerged, wrapped in his cloak and looking exhausted. Yoda moved in and Luke sank to his knees before him. "Injured you are?" Yoda asked, concerned and Luke pulled back his cloak to reveal his arm, wrapped heavily in bacta bandages.

"What happened?" Mace asked.

"Negotiations were successful. During the party there was an assassination attempt, I went after the assailant. His body is onboard. He used a red lightsaber Masters."

Qui-Gon moved in and helped Luke to his feet. "I believe a full debriefing can wait."

Mace nodded. "Get to the Healers, Solo, and then some rest. The Council will call for you tomorrow."

"Thank you Master." Luke let Qui-Gon lead him towards the Healers. "Ani?"

"Is alright, he knew you were in danger."

"Sorry, couldn't keep my shields high enough," Luke murmured as they finally reached the halls and Luke was whisked off to a room where he was allowed to shower and then given a full check over before being encouraged to sleep.

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Mace and Yoda stared at the body young Solo had brought back with him. It was of a young human male, well-muscled and bearing the scars of torturous training. The head was also included, and Mace frowned, recognising the face. "It appears our enemy is targeting those the Order rejects," he admitted, and Yoda nodded sadly.

"Regrettable it is, find a better we must. Targeted again young Solo will be, angered the Sith Lord he has by killing Maul and now this one."

"Agreed."

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Luke stood before the Council, feeling a lot better after sleep and a hot shower. He bowed to the Masters and then gave his full report of what had happened on his mission.

When he was done, they shared looks before Yoda nodded to Mace. "Padawan Solo, it is the opinion of both your Master and this Council that you have faced situations equal to the Trials," Mace announced, and Luke blinked, glancing at Yoda who smiled slightly. "There are nine steps of trial: teamwork, isolation, fear, anger, betrayal, focus, instinct, forgiveness, and protection. After deliberation it is the Council's opinion that you have passed the Trials and are ready for Knighthood. Kneel, Knight Solo."

Luke dropped to his knee, shocked by what was happening. Yoda approached him and ignited his lightsaber, touching the air above each of his shoulders. He felt it move slightly closer and his braid dropped free, Luke catching it quickly.

"Rise, Knight Solo." Mace called, and Luke stood, bowing to the Council.

"Thank you Masters."

TBC..