Jedi Protector (MHA X Star Wars)

Chapter Twenty - A New Path

After leaving Umbara, K'Kruhk and Eri made their way back to Coruscant. Once they reached Coruscant, they made their way to the Jedi Temple and reported what had transpired on Umbara to the Jedi Council. 

Yoda: Good to see you and your Padawan safe it is, Master K'Kruhk. 

Mace Windu: What of Mordred Jahl?

K'Kruhk: We were unable to save him, Masters. He....he remained in the darkness. I did everything I could to try and bring him back to the Light, but I failed. 

Yoda: A tragedy this is, Master K'Kruhk. 

K'Kruhk: I understand that what happened to Mordred was my fault. It is because of my failures that Mordred fell to the Dark Side. 

Mace Windu: Regardless, the threat has ended. As troubling as this was, we are very fortunate that the Force was with us. 

As the Jedi Council praised K'Kruhk and Eri for stopping Mordred Jahl, K'Kruhk and Eri were still troubled by Mordred's words. K'Kruhk then stepped forward.

K'Kruhk: Before Mordred died, he spoke of a great darkness that threatened to destroy the Jedi Order. 

Upon hearing this, the Jedi Council became silent as they pondered K'Kruhk's words. 

Ki-Adi Mundi: It is possible that Mordred was attempting to deceive you in one final act of spite in an attempt to weaken your resolve or perhaps even attempt to drive you and your Padawan to the Dark Side. 

K'Kruhk: I sensed no deception in Mordred's words. He believed that not only the darkness was coming, but it was inevitable. He believed that there was no stopping the darkness. 

Yoda: Fallen to the Dark Side Mordred Jahl has. Lies, deceit, creating mistrust were his ways. 

Mace Windu: Still, the appearance of the Sith Lord on Naboo proves that the Dark Side has clouded our vision. In the meantime, let us speak of young Eri's actions. Step forward. 

As Eri stepped forward, Yoda spoke to her. 

Yoda: Faced a great challenge you have, young one. Resisted the temptations of the Dark Side you have. Despite the darkness you faced, you remained true to your Jedi teachings.

Eri: I have my master to thank for his teachings. I owe Master K'Kruhk my life. It is because of him that I am here today. I am eternally grateful of everything K'Kruhk has done for me. 

As Eri said this, the Jedi Council was impressed by Eri's humility. It was made very clear to the Jedi Council that the Eri that stood before them was not the frightened little girl who's future was uncertain. K'Kruhk took pride in how far Eri had come. As the Council was adjourned, K'Kruhk met with Eri at the Contemplation Station of the High Council Tower.

Eri: Master? Do you think a great darkness is coming?

K'Kruhk: If I'm being honest with you, Eri, I'm not sure. The future is clouded. Whatever darkness Mordred warned us of, I am certain that we will stand against the darkness. As Jedi, we must trust in the Force.

As Eri pondered K'Kruhk's words, she thought about Mordred's warnings. She thought of the darkness that was meant to destroy both the Jedi and the Republic. That possible future deeply troubled her. Despite her concerns, she trusted her master's wisdom. 

K'Kruhk: You have come a long way from being that frightened little girl who had endured a life of torment. 

Eri: As I said before, I owe it all to you, Master K'Kruhk. 

K'Kruhk: It was the will of the Force that brought us together, Eri. You are on your way to becoming an exceptional Jedi Knight. You are strong and wise, Eri, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small girl. You still have much to learn, but in time, you'll become a far greater Jedi than I could ever be.

Eri: That's not true, Master K'Kruhk. There will never be a Jedi like you, Master K'Kruhk. 

As Eri said that, the biggest smile fell on K'Kruhk's face. K'Kruhk's mind fell to when he rescued Eri from Overhaul's clutches. Since then, he had trained Eri to overcome her fears and insecurities. 

Eri: I know you still feel guilt about what happened to Mordred, but you have me. I trust you with my life, Master K'Kruhk. I am honored to be your apprentice. 

As Eri said all this, K'Kruhk smiled as he reflected on his failures with Mordred. In training Eri, he saw not only a chance to atone for his failures, but to train Eri to be the best Jedi she could be. During the course of training her, K'Kruhk began to see Eri more like a daughter than a Padawan. 

K'Kruhk: When I first brought you to the Jedi Order, you were a frightened girl who endured unimaginable pain and torment. Since then, you have become a great Jedi. In time, you will become a truly great Jedi. Being a Jedi is not just about power, or lightsabers, or even skill with the Force. It is about connection. Being part of something bigger. That is what being a Jedi means. I am stronger as part of the Jedi Order than I could ever be alone. We are all servants of the Force. The road lies before you, Eri. Will you walk it alone?

As K'Kruhk posed that question onto Eri, Eri reflected on her journey so far. It did not take long for her to come up with an answer.

Eri: No, Master K'Kruhk. As a Jedi, I am never alone. 

In that moment, Eri was now truly a Jedi. While she still had much to learn, Eri would continue walking down the path of a Jedi with deep conviction. In that moment, a new path had opened for Eri and she would place her faith in the Force.