[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RxH4vKw.png[/img][/center]




As the sun rose over the ancient temple that now served as the site of the new Jedi Praxeum, Luke Skywalker sat at the edge of the forest near a small rock outcropping which overlooked the temple grounds. He sat with his legs crossed over one another and his eyes closed. As he meditated, he focused on his breathing, long breaths in and out as he felt the Force flow through and around him. As he reached out with the Force, he could sense the 3 large rocks rotating around him, as well as the half a dozen smaller ones. Luke then extended himself further, into the forest, where he could feel the different life forms that resided there.

He could feel the whisper birds in silent flight as they hunted. He could feel the battle for survival that played out between the anglers, lizard crabs, and armored eels. He could even feel leviathan grubs as they burrowed beneath the ground. Then Luke extended himself even further into the forest, and he felt Rhoda, the new Ithorian student that Han had run across while he had been accompanying Leia on a diplomatic mission to Coronet City. He could feel three of his students as they engaged in some playful banter. Horn Datch, who had been one of the first students at the Praxeum, Kaylee Starsmore, who had been paired with Horn as a sort of unofficial Padawan, and Rush Diel, who had arrived at the same time as Kaylee, which had created a special bond between the two. 

Luke had been proud of the progress that his students had made, yet he still found the task of rebuilding the Jedi Order a daunting one. Though he knew that it would take time to achieve his goals, he still felt deep down that he should have more to show for his efforts. He pushed those feelings aside, and as he did so he felt something else, a familiar presence.

“Master.” Luke said without opening his eyes, a smile crossed his face as he pulled himself back into the moment.

“Mmmm. Done well have you, young Skywalker.” 

Luke opened his eyes and turned to address the specter of his former master, the smile remaining on his face. “Perhaps.” Luke said, doubt filling his voice. “I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I've made much progress since the last time you saw me. But sometimes I feel like I should be doing more.”

Yoda's head bobbed dismissively as his apprentice spoke.

“Always see you do I. Yes, yes. Much progress have you made. A Jedi Master, are you now. Yoda looked into Luke's eyes, and his voice lowered slightly. “But much doubt I feel in you. And fear...”

“It's just that this is a huge task, and I don't know that I can do it alone.” Luke began.

“Hmmm. Fear that fail will you. Another Vader, will you create.” Yoda said. “Much to overcome have you. Clouded the future may be, but Skywalker, alone...you are not.” Yoda planted his cane in the dirt as he finished speaking and faded from view, leaving Luke alone again on the outcropping. 

As he got to his feet, he heard the laughter of the three students he had sensed earlier, and he realized that as usual, Yoda had been right:

He wasn't alone.