Juhani: A RWBY Story

Chapter Fifty Four - The Herbalist

As Juhani along with Team RWBY and Little met the Herbalist, the Herbalist gathers the group to his enclave.

Herbalist: We all have our titles, our roles to play, but in order to help you become whatever it is you need to become, you should really have a better understanding of what you are now.

The Herbalist goes through a beaded curtain into the next room. Ruby follows. There are shelves of bongs all around the room. The Herbalist is seen smoking from a large hookah.

Herbalist: Please... take a seat.

Blake: Actually, I think.... Maybe we should be going!

Suddenly, the door behind them closes. Juhani and Team RWBY gasps in shock. Juhani remains calm as he prepares herself for whatever comes her way.

Herbalist: Just...answer the questions.

Ruby turns around. The Herbalist inhales another puff of smoke from the hookah.

Herbalist: What...are...you?

The Herbalist drops the leaves in their hands into the fire pit in front of them, causing a large amount of black smoke to surround Team RWBY. Ruby starts to cough violently, falling to her knees.

Ruby: No!

Herbalist: Are you sure you know? You have to be sure what you are, and of what you're going to be...

The entire group were engulfed by smoke. Despite coughing, Juhani did her best to remain calm and collected. Before Juhani could react, she found herself separated from the group. Jack then begins coughing up black smoke. The smoke soon takes the form of her past self. Seeing this caught Juhani off guard.

Juhani: What...is this?

Past Juhani: For all your life, you have followed the Light Side. Yet you have danced with the darkness. The anger you have tried so hard to conquer never truly went away. Anger towards the Mandalorians for slaughtering our people. Anger towards the Humans on Taris who treated us like garbage. Anger towards the Sith who destroyed Taris. 

Juhani: Giving in to your anger will not undo all of that. Anger is a path to the Dark Side. Only by letting go of that anger will we overcome.

Past Juhani: Just like how you nearly struck down Master Quatra in the Ancient Grove all those years ago?! You are pathetic! You sat by and thought yourself great by embracing the Dark Side, but you are nothing! 

As Juhani's past self spoke to her, the Cathar Jedi remained calm and collected. She could see that the vision that stood before her was in fact a test. 

Juhani: I am not alone. A Jedi is never alone. In my old life, I stood by a redeemed Revan in his battle against Darth Malak. In my new life, I stand alongside Team RWBY and my adopted sister Blake Belladonna in their fight against Salem. I stand by my love Ilia Amitola. 

Past Juhani: You fight for noble goals, yet it has left you with nothing. What good are your ideals if you have nothing to show for it? Time and time again, you have failed to control your anger. Perhaps it is time you embraced it. 

Juhani took a deep breath as she meditated. She found her center and meditated on the Force. As Juhani meditated, a vision of Revan redeeming her in the Ancient Grove appeared.

Juhani(Past): I am pathetic. I sit here and think myself to be great by embracing the dark side, but I am nothing! There is no way I could be turned back! I always thought they held me back, were jealous of my power. But it is only because I was not good enough to meet their standards... I never have been.

Revan: Come now, Juhani. You are a beautiful young woman who has much talent.

Juhani(Past): I thank you for your kind words, Jedi. I seem to still have much to learn... Both about being a Jedi, and about myself. But I wish the cost of my ignorance had not been so high. I wish that my Master had not suffered because of me.

Revan: It is not your fault, Juhani.

Juhani(Past): I only wish things could have been different. If she were alive now, there would be so much I would say to her... So much I would apologize for.  Oh, how can the Council ever take me back with what I have done? Striking my Master down in anger is unforgivable!

Revan: Do not worry, Juhani. They will surely take you back. Show them that you have freed yourself of your anger. 

Juhani(Past): I should convince them that I am truly repentant, that I am willing to forsake the Dark Side. If I show them I am free of passion... That I am serene... Maybe, just maybe, they would accept me back. Do you think they would? Could it be possible after what I have done?

Revan: Of course it would. They would always accept you back. Your inner peace and harmony will show them your sincerity.

Juhani(Past): I... I thank you, master Jedi.

As Juhani relived her redemption, a fire lit inside the Cathar Jedi Knight. 

Juhani: The future is uncertain, but I will trust in the Force. As for your claims of hopelessness, you are wrong. There is always hope. Hope is what guides us even through the darkest of hours! Hope is what allowed Revan to bring me back from the darkness. Hope is what has allowed me to let go of my anger. I know who I am! I am Juhani, Knight of the Jedi Order! 

As Juhani reaffirmed her beliefs and conviction, the Cat appears and jumps through, waving their tail, dissipating the smoke.

Herbalist: Oh my! That's a bit much.

Curious Cat: Oh, Herb. Look at yourself. You're done. You're supposed to be helping others find their way. But you've lost your own. Please, let me help. And take a bit of my heart. You'll feel much better.

The Cat places a paw on the Herbalist, and parts of themself go to the Herbalist's heart.

Herbalist: Oh, I do apologize. I... always was a bit of a workaholic. Huntresses, was it? Hmm. Peculiar things.

A hole appears below the Herbalist and they fall through it. The ground suddenly closes the hole. Team RWBY looks on in shock. Little comes out from Ruby's hood.

Little: Oh! I found the Cat.

Juhani: We...we have lingered in this place long enough.

With that, Juhani along with Team RWBY and Little followed the Curious Cat out of the Herbalist's enclave. The journey would continue.