//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Memories // Story: Heart of the Force // by fluttershyfan17 //------------------------------// Coruscant, Ten Years Ago The wind whipped through the courtyard, though it was a calm demeanor. The beige stone vastly contrasted with the rest of the Temple, with the clear sky and sun adding seeming to reflect and give it a golden glow. It seemed vast but also empty, making it a good place to reflect. A new Padawan sat on the top of the steps, looking at the Great Tree. He stared at it, transfixed by its wisdom and connection to the Force. There was a sense of confusion in his eyes, as he wondered about the future. He heard soft footsteps behind him, and a voice of a woman. “I thought that I would find you here.” He turned around, and a Jedi Master with long, brown hair that was beginning to turn silver walked over towards him. “Is it okay if I sit here?” The boy nodded and she sat next to him, gazing at the tree. “You know, I would often come here as a Padawan. It is a good place to think.” She looked at him with a friendly, yet mysterious gaze. “You’re Kaleb Taymar, right?” He nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.” Kaleb’s eyelids drooped slightly, but he shook his head to stay awake. “Sorry, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” She waved her hand. “It’s okay, I can only imagine. The journey to IIlum is a long one.” Kaleb nodded. “I’ve seen you sometimes talking to Master Yoda…. wait.” His eyes widened. “Are you my master?” She smiled slightly at his reaction, holding out a hand. “Yes, I am. I’m Master Johanna, and I chose you as my apprentice.” Kaleb shook her hand, looking slightly confused. “You’re a good kid, Kaleb. You’re talented, smart, and have a kind heart. All of which I value in an apprentice. I’ve also heard that you have a special skill with animals.” He ruffled his hair slightly to hide his embarrassment. “Yeah…I guess so. Did Master Yoda tell you about the bird in the tree?” She nodded. “How long have you had this ability?” Kaleb noticed that it wasn’t with a look of disgust like some of the other younglings had shown him when he was younger, but with curious interest. “Since I can remember. I’ve always been able to sense the feelings of animals, but that was the first time I was able to reach out and talk to it.” Kaleb sighed, looking back out at the tree. “Sometimes, I swear that I can hear my mom’s voice through them. I wish that I can talk to her.” Master Johanna looked at Kaleb with a compassionate gaze. “I’m know it must be difficult. I’m not sure if Master Yoda ever told you this… but I was the one who sensed your connection with the Force. Your parents were medics, and they were trying to help others when they died. I only spoke to her for a brief time, but she could not stop talking about you.” Kaleb gazed back in astonishment before showing determination in his eyes. “Wow… I never imagined.” His voice hesitated. “My ability to talk to animals…is it normal?” She nodded kindly. “It’s what makes you special and unique. Never be ashamed of it, Kaleb.” She paused before continuing. “I can train you, to help you develop this ability further. I imagine it may help you in the future, more than you know.” She gave him an amused look. “But that is for another time, and I believe that it is almost lunch.” She stood up, and Kaleb went with her. “I want to help others, just like my parents. I want to make my mom proud.” Master Johanna turned towards him and knelt down. “Your mom would be proud of you, and I am as well. I know that becoming a Padawan is a big step, and that can be a lot. I’ll help you become a Jedi Knight, every step of the way. I only ask two things: that you treat me with same respect that I shall treat you, and that you won’t be afraid to ask for help.” She held an open palm. “Do we have a deal?” Kaleb nodded and gave her a high five. She rustled his hair, and he giggled. “Let’s get some lunch. I imagine you’re hungry, and I believe that space waffles with muja sauce are on the menu.” He followed her out of the courtyard. “That was the first time I ever met her,” Kaleb explained to Lyra, as the midday sun stretched through the small window, warming the room. “I’ll always remember when she told me about my mother. Nobody else had to me up to that point.” Lyra nodded. “I believe that I understand now. Though, I am slightly hungry for waffles now. Thanks for that.” He chuckled. “You’re welcome. I haven’t found anything close to muja sauce here, which is really a shame.” His expression turned serious. “It’s been three weeks, and I’m still going through a lot of emotions. I don’t know why I agreed to help her today…” “I can’t image what you’re going through. It must have been difficult when you found out that Sweetie Belle had the same abilities as you,” Lyra said, looking at him. “Is this why you’re remembering that moment with Master Johanna in particular?” Kaleb nodded. “That’s a possibility. But there’s something else…” He took a moment to breathe deeply before continuing, tapping his knees. “I’ve been having these nightmares lately, at least for the past two weeks or so. It’s during a lot of my memories of battles and undercover missions during the war, except it’s not my perspective. I’m looking at it from a third person point of view.” Lyra looked at him encouragingly. “What are you seeing during these dreams?” He sighed “I’m looking at my own experiences, except it’s not me who is experiencing them. It’s Sweetie Belle.” She looked at him with sympathy. “I think I know why. You’re worried that she might experience the same trauma you did.” “Yes, but it’s more than that.” Kaleb rubbed his eyes. “Nobody that young, or at any age that matter should have to go through what I did. When Master Johanna spoke to me in the cave, she said that the Force had awakened and that when the time came that they would need a teacher. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.” She leaned forward in her chair. “I can understand your hesitation, but one lesson with Sweetie Belle doesn’t mean that she would be at risk. Are you angry at her?” “No!” Kaleb exclaimed quietly. “This isn’t her fault, and I would never blame her. I guess that part of it is me.” He sighed before continuing. “. But it’s more than that. When I wake every morning, I meditate and connect to the Force. It’s gotten more difficult because I feel like my motivation for why I became a Jedi has disappeared, and I’m trying to find a reason. What is my place here in Equestria, and how will it affect the future? Do I have a purpose for being here?” Burying his head in his hands, he rubbed his forehead in frustration. She looked at him. “I think that you’re looking at this from a bigger point of view than what’s needed. Those are important, but maybe thinking smaller is best for now.” She paused to think before continuing. “You said that when you first met Master Johanna, you told her that you wanted to help others. Maybe try looking at it from that perspective. Sweetie Belle is reaching out to you. She needs your help.” Kaleb nodded. “Maybe you’re right. While these questions of who I am and my purpose here are important, they don’t need to answer it right now. Helping Sweetie Belle is what matters. But what if the memories from the war come back? It’s probably going to be inevitable since I’m drawing from my experiences.” “How about you look to your memories with Master Johanna?” Lyra suggested. “Before the war, I mean. When you were with Fluttershy’s family, you were able to talk about it then.” Kaleb thought for a second. “I was. Thank you, and that should work.” The small clock on the wall chimed two. “There’s only an hour left. I think that I should be okay.” Lyra smiled. “You’re welcome, and I hope that everything goes well.” She opened the door, and Kaleb walked into the waiting room, bundling up before going outside. He removed his scarf in surprise, the temperature had increased dramatically the past few weeks. Walking at a brisk pace, he made his way across town, moving to the small path that led to Fluttershy’s cottage. A group of fillies and colts were running around one of the clearings near the edge of town, playing a game of that appeared to be intense. The sun slightly warmed the field, but by this point in the season it was slightly frosted. A green earth pony with a red mane kicked the ball towards the makeshift goal, but it shifted direction and moved towards Kaleb as he walked. Detecting the ball, he caught it with one hand with accurate precision. He tossed the ball back towards her. “Excellent kick.” The filly smiled and nodded before moving the ball back into play. Chuckling to himself, Kaleb continued to walk back towards the cottage. Maybe I can talk to Big Mac about teaching that game to me at some point. A few minutes later, he arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage, knocking on the door before Angel let him in. “Hey Angel, how are you?” The rabbit shrugged and pointed to Kaleb’s empty hands. “I know, I said that I would buy you carrot cake this week. I’ll get it to you soon, don’t worry.” As Angel hopped away, Kaleb moved towards the kitchen, rubbing his hair. Angel drives a hard bargain. With that determination, he would make a good bounty hunter. “Hey Kaleb,” Fluttershy greeted him as she sat at the kitchen table, reading a book. “How was your session with Lyra?” “It was good,” he replied, reaching for the bread, peanut butter, and honey to make a sandwich. “I think that I have a plan for Sweetie Belle. While I’m up here, do you want anything.” Fluttershy shook her head. “No, but thank you. I had lunch about an hour ago. What did you have in mind for her?” He spread the peanut butter and drizzled the honey on the two slices of bread before making the sandwich, using a small knife to cut it. Sitting down, he took a few bites before continuing. “Essentially, I’m going to teach her how to narrow the stream of consciousness to a point where it’s not overwhelming. It won’t be enough to completely cut off the Force, but it should bring her some comfort that she has control.” Fluttershy nodded as she put down her book. “Is it possible to cut yourself off from the Force completely, or to have those abilities be taken away?" “Not that I know of. There are legends about this, but they can get confusing in terms of interpretation.” Kaleb sighed slightly. “This is a big step, and I think that the reason why I’m so trepidatious about this is it’s still very soon after Master Johanna.” He shuddered slightly. “She would be proud of you, especially for helping Sweetie Belle,” Fluttershy said gently, giving him a soft glance. “I’m here to support you, no matter what. What will you do if she asks about your past?” Kaleb thought for a moment before continuing. “Lyra suggested that I draw from my experiences before the war, with Master Johanna. Just like when I talked about it with your family.” Fluttershy’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Maybe you can show her the pictures from the data tablet. That could satisfy her curiosity, but it could also trigger a flashback.” He smiled. “That’s a good idea. I think that as long as I’m careful, I should be fine. I think that it’s still here from last night.” “It’s on one of the bookshelves in the living room.” Fluttershy played with her hair a bit. “While we’re talking, I was wondering if we should make plans for Hearts and Hooves Day? It’s six weeks out, but reservations go quickly due to the traffic from tourists.” Kaleb nodded, looking surprised. “That’s a good idea. I never realized Ponyville was a big destination for that holiday. Has it always been like this?” “It has, mainly for the fresh air and fantastic views. Canterlot, and even Cloudsdale now that I think about it, can be very expensive and reservations are difficult. Here, you get something that feels quiet and intimate.” She grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. “Café Hay has a great theme for Hearts and Hooves Day. It combines the fanciness of Canterlot with a more relaxed feeling. It’s also one of the oldest buildings in Ponyville, and there’s really a sense of history with the building.” “That sounds good. I’ve never been in the café before, so I’ll be looking forward to it,” he replied with interest. “I think that there’s also a meteor shower on that night. We could stargaze afterwards if you want to see it. It’s been so cold that we haven’t had a chance to do it, and I remember at the Gala you mentioned that you knew some places around Ponyville.” Fluttershy got up from the table and moved to get her astronomy book and star chart. “There are a few spots in Ponyville. There are some great hills on the outskirts, it’s great because the hills are large so nobody ever feels crowded. I should probably map out where would be the best place to be.” Kaleb smiled as he heard a knocking on the door. “That sounds wonderful. Speaking of which, I believe that is Sweetie Belle.” He got up and walked towards the door, going through the living room. Opening the door, he greeted Sweetie Belle with a small smile. “Hey! How was school today?” She shrugged. “It was okay, just a little bit boring. It was fun seeing my friends, though.” She entered the house. “I’m a little bit nervous for what we’re going to do, but part of me is slightly excited.” “Well, it’s good you have that curiosity.” Kaleb replied. “I won’t have us doing too much. For the first part, we’ll need to go into the backyard.” Leading Sweetie Belle into the kitchen, he opened the back door leading to the backyard. “It’s slightly warmer than it was this morning and the grass has dried out since Winter Wrap Out a week ago.” Fluttershy’s backyard was a small alcove near the Everfree Forest, where many animals would gather. A few squirrels had been out, relaxing in the sun while staring at the two with curiosity. The chicken coop was empty, since Fluttershy had given her hens to Applejack for the winter. Walking on the stone tiles, Kaleb indicated for her to sit down in the grass. She sat down looking curious. Kaleb sat down opposite of her, crossing his legs to make it easier to sit. Taking a deep breath, Kaleb began to speak. “How have the breathing techniques worked for you?” “They have helped, especially for keeping calm in stressful situations,” she explained. “But still, there are times when the stream of thoughts takes over, and can be overwhelming. Is that what you’re helping me with today?” He nodded. “I’m going to teach you a technique that can help you learn to control it.” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened and Kaleb could see that she was anxious. “It’s normal to be anxious. I’ll be here to help you the entire time.” She paused for a moment, and took a few deep breaths, looking out at the surroundings to calm her. “Okay, I’m ready.” “Close your eyes, and reach out to the Force.” She did as Kaleb said, and a look of concentration, sat in silence for a few moments. He heard her gasp slightly, as he felt the power of the Force. Reaching out to the Force as well, he felt the power that flowed through her veins, ready to flood at any moment. “Now, do the breathing exercises that I taught you. It should help calm you.” Sweetie Belle began to take deep breaths. The thundering sound in her mind lessened, but the flow of running water was still there, still overwhelming. “What do I do now?” “I want you to slowly imagine the river getting narrower, becoming a stream. One that is quiet and peaceful. Just like the one that goes through Ponyville,” Kaleb replied calmly, feeling her consciousness among the Force. “Take your time. There is no rush.” For fifteen minutes, she breathed slowly and attempted to narrow the stream of consciousness. She attempted several times, with each result resulting in the stream becoming violent, resulting in loud voices being heard. Nevertheless, she persisted, determined to calm the water that flowed in her mind. Remembering about the times that she and Rarity had gazed out at the stream on the bridge, she used that memory to narrow it, until the calm cadence could be heard. She heard Kaleb’s voice. “You can open your eyes.” She opened them to find Kaleb giving her a look of approval with a small smile. “Great job. You did really well.” Sweetie Belle rubbed her mane, blushing slightly from the praise. “Thanks. I drew from when Rarity and I would be on the bridge together, looking at the stream. It just took me a while to realize it. I’m still a little bit confused on how this helps.” “Essentially, the deep breathing combined with the visualization helped you control the Force.” Kaleb explained. “This should help it from being too overwhelming at times, in case your concentration needs to be elsewhere.” He looked at her. “I imagine you must have a lot of questions about the Jedi.” She nodded. “Twilight told me a little bit, but wanted to leave it to you.” Thinking for a second, she asked her first question. “What did they do, exactly?” Kaleb thought back to his time with Master Johanna. “Well, our duty was to maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy, working with the government known as the Galactic Republic. I can tell you more inside.” Getting up, he walked back across the stones to the kitchen door, holding it open for Sweetie Belle. Well, here we go, he thought as she walked through the door. As she sat down on the kitchen table, he went to the living room and took the tablet. She widened her eyes as he set it down on the table and sat down. “What is that?” He smiled mysteriously. “Oh, just you wait.” He turned it on and the tablet was brought to life. Entering the passcode, he went through a few files, and pressed a button. A hologram sprang out of the tablet, showing a model of the Jedi Temple. Kaleb almost laughed at Sweetie Belle’s look of amazement. “That is the Jedi Temple, where I was raised and trained. It was on the planet Coruscant.” He pressed another button, and a holographic model of the planet was on display. “Wait a second,” Sweetie Belle cautioned, examining the model carefully. “Is the entire planet a city? How is that even possible?” “It’s not entirely city, but most of the planet is,” Kaleb explained. “I never fully explored every part of it, but I went to most of the major parts.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Anyway, I was raised by the Jedi after my parents were killed in an accident. I was taught by them as a Jedi youngling, for a number of years. When I was nine, I went through a series of tests and passed. Master Johanna chose me as her apprentice, and I became a Jedi padawan. We trained for a decade, and I became a Jedi Knight after I passed my Trials.” He could feel the memories of the war start to come back, and he pushed them back. Sweetie Belle took the knowledge in, pausing for a few seconds before responding. “I’m sorry about your parents, I had no idea. What was your training like as a youngling and Padawan?” “It’s okay, thank you,” he responded before continuing. “As a youngling, my training was limited to the Jedi Temple, but my test to become a Padawan involved going to another planet for the first time. I was nervous, but also excited.” He remembered the proud look on the face of Master Yoda when he found his kyber crystal on IIum. “When Master Johanna chose me, she took over my training and became a mentor to me, and a mother in a way. We went on missions together, going to different systems and planets across the galaxy, trying to help others and resolve issues the best that we can.” Sweetie Belle nodded, taking in the information for a few minutes. She looked at him closely and sighed before speaking. “I saw your hesitation back at the library a few weeks ago. But it was more than that, it was fear. Why are you afraid of me?” Kaleb’s pause went noticed. “I want to help others, and I want to use this power for good. Can I be a Jedi?” He was stunned by her response and insight. His silence continued, and he chose his words carefully before speaking. “It’s complicated, but I can tell you that you are not to blame. Your perception and insight are remarkably mature for your age.” Kaleb rustled his hair a bit, showing his nerves slightly. “It’s not completely up to me; your sister has a voice in this. As well, I am working through some issues emotionally that can be very draining. I didn’t mean to sound abrupt back there, I’m just being as honest as I can.” Sweetie Belle looked down with guilt, remembering what happened back in the library three weeks prior. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t suggesting anything about that. I guess I’m just impatient.” Kaleb nodded. “Patience is something that takes time to fully understand. Remember that Pinkie Promise I made you?” She nodded. “I’m not abandoning you because of what I’m going through, I just need some more time.” An idea popped into his head. “You already have the makings of a great Jedi, especially in terms of insight and kindness. Just like me.” “Really?” She implored, slipping in a little bit of humor. “I never could have imagined.” Kaleb chuckled. “I wanted to help others as my mother did. Master Johanna understood that and gave me as much training as she could. I learned about different cultures and languages, how to negotiate and defuse situations, as well as how to defend myself.” He indicated to his lightsaber on one of the shelves, which he had put this morning after training. Sweetie Belle looked curious. “So, how does a lightsaber work exactly?” “Well, there’s this special type of crystal that as a youngling you find at the end of your training. It’s called a kyber crystal, and it has a special connection with the Force,” Kaleb explained, retrieving it from the shelf and showing it to her. “When you officially construct it, you are officially a Padawan. The connection between the Padawan and the crystal is what gives the plasma blade the color.” The clock rang out as the hour hand reached four. Sweetie Belle jumped slightly at the sight of the time. “I should probably be going. Rarity needs my help on one of her dresses.” Kaleb nodded. “Just two things before you go. I would prefer that the things that I told you stay in this room. The Jedi valued their secrecy, and I want to keep that trust. Maybe at another time, you can come by and I’ll tell you about my training with Master Johanna. There were a lot of great adventures.” She beamed enthusiastically. “I’ll try to find a good time. I hope you have a great day!” She walked to the door and opened, moving into the sunlight and down the path to Ponyville. Kaleb collapsed onto the couch and sighed with relief. That went better than I expected. Perhaps not now, but someday… His thoughts were interrupted by Fluttershy coming down the stairs. “How did everything go with Sweetie Belle?” “It went well, she really has talent,” he replied. “I told her that maybe she could come back at some point and I could tell her about my training with Master Johanna.” “I would love to have her over more,” Fluttershy said as she sat on the couch next to him. “That was really a nice thing that you did for her. I overheard that she wants to become a Jedi.” Kaleb ruffled his hair slightly. “Only time can tell for what might happen. I just don’t know if that is the right decision. I compromised with promising to tell her about my time as a Padawan, but I don’t want to go any further. Not right now anyway.” “You’ll make the right decision, no matter how long it takes,” She reassured him. “Anyway, I’ll take care of reservations for Café Hay. I can’t wait to watch the meteor shower with you.” She snuggled up against him, pulling a blanket on the couch over them. Kaleb played with her ears lightly, and she giggled. “I can’t wait for that moment either.” The two sat on the couch, snuggling as they talked quietly. Canterlot, Nine Hours Later The night air had settled, creating a darkness that was even difficult for the streetlamps to combat. The streets were quiet for the most part, except for the stores which managed to stay open far past the darkness. There were a few late- night shoppers, but many of them were on there was home. Dr. Bluejay sighed as he walked the long way to his apartment on the other side of Canterlot. It’s been a long day. Probably should have left the night shift to the younger doctors. On top of two hours of paperwork, no less. Taking a left turn, he went down another street that would take him to his neighborhood. Although it wasn’t the best neighborhood in the city, he still thought it was good. It was the history that attracted him to it, as it was initially popular when he moved in. Over the years, it had gotten less valuable, and many shops moved out, leaving it a shell of what it once was. Despite this, the crime rate was relatively low, and he liked to support the shops that stayed. It took about half an hour to get to his apartment building. As he entered, he felt a slight shiver in the air, almost as if a barrier had been placed over the entire building. Pausing for a second, he shook his head to wake himself up. Really need to get more sleep. Maybe I’ll request some time off… Moving into the small lobby, he found the lamp to be turned off, leaving the place almost in complete darkness. That’s strange, usually the lamp is turned on at this time of night. Maybe Sunrise forgot to turn it on. He turned on the lamp, and went through a small set of doors to the staircase. Moving up the stairs quickly, he was reminded of his training, where they had to learn how to move through buildings quietly and quickly. He smiled to himself as he made his way up to the third floor, and opened the door to the hallway. He was greeted to an unusual sight. All of the lamps on his floor had been turned off except for one that illuminated it at the bare minimum. Moving silently and slowly through the hallway, he felt his Equestrian Guard roots come back to him as his mind raced. Shimmering air, minimum light…something’s not right here He eventually made his way to the door of his apartment, and listened intently. He heard small hoofsteps from the apartment across from him, and in the moment, he swore he heard noises coming from his apartment. The air movement indicated the presence of wings, and felt the vibrations going faster. A moment before it happened, he ducked as the door behind him burst open, nearly being thrown off it’s hinges. Four figures emerged from the other apartment, using the darkness to cover their identities. In that brief moment, he saw their blue eyes, no pupils and the slight shine of fangs. Changelings! He moved quickly, but was quickly surrounded by the four, and was punched in the jaw by one. Feeling his combat training coming back, he stayed low to the ground, hitting two of the changelings in the face, while trying to knock them off their feet. His own door burst open, and three, completely blocking the hallway and throwing him back into his own apartment. He hit the ground, and moved up slower than before. “I’m not going down that easily,” he snarled and grabbed his old staff from his wall. It was smaller, and could be managed easily with one hoof for close quarters combat. The changelings charged at him, and he whipped the staff around. Green blood stained the floor as he hit four of them in the jaw, and tackled one against the wall. Knocking two of them in the wings, he slid on the ground, using his wings to keep changing the field of combat, switching between the air and the floor. He used this as long as he could, but it was ultimately a stalling method. I have to get out of the window, I need to get help… In that moment, one of the changelings maneuvered quickly, counterstriking the staff with its horn and knocking it out of his hooves. Two struck him in the wings, bringing him to the ground as he howled in pain. Trying to use his hooves, he punched one in the eye and moved toward the window, but was blocked and tackled. He heard one of them hiss. “Not today, Doc. Now it’s our turn for revenge.” The other changeling whipped the staff mercilessly and hit him in the joints and his back, feeling each throb, and bringing him down to the ground. His wings were hit as well, rendering them useless as they gave out. A blow to the jaw staggered his breathing, as well as blows right near his lunges. Wheezing, he tried to get up, but was carried by two changelings who slammed him against the wall. They bashed his head multiple times to the point it started to bleed, and went slightly beyond that. Dr. Bluejay’s vision had started to blur and felt his head throb to the point of physical pain. He tried to scream out, but couldn’t due to all of the damage. One of the changelings went in with its fangs to bite at his throat, but was thrown back by another. “Don’t! She wants him alive.” They let him down, seeing the damage that had been done to him and the apartment. Both red and green blood stained the walls and floors. Smiling, the changeling that must have been the commander moved towards him. “It’s time for you to go on a vacation, Doctor Bluejay. A long one.” He tried to move, but the commander brought the staff down onto his head, and his vision went black.