Kel Dor and the Kaleesh

Knighted

Dusk was upon Coruscant as Emi Takori made her way to the council chambers once again. This is it, my time as a Padawan is over. It's time to become what we hoped to be since we arrived here as a little girl, she thought.

Plo Koon was most likely going to be at her knighting ceremony, as he was on the council and she had not forgot about her meeting with him in the archives. He was so kind to her and the only one who understood her. I want to see him again, she thought as she made her way towards the elevator to the tower.

After her meeting with him, she had isolated herself to one of the courtyards to meditate in peace and practice her techniques with the force and her lightsaber. There were many more battles to come and she wanted to be a good guardian of peace and justice. Later, she had found herself waiting for the sun to set while meditating more and preparing for the ritual up on the Tranquility Spire, as her master had told her it was a place every Padawan must go prior to being knighted.

As she reached the elevator she was surprised to find Luminara waiting for her.

"Hello, master uh.......well am I supposed to address you that after what happens tonight?" She asked,

Luminara covered her mouth briefly to hide a laugh and then her face became stern again. "No Emi, but you may if you wish. What did the council say about the mission to Alderaan?"

"Do we have to talk about that now? I'm going to be late,"

"They know that you are coming Emi, do not be concerned about such things. Just tell me,"

Emi sighed, "The usual, Master Tiin thinks I'm not worthy, but only Master Yoda and Master Plo do. Will I ever get any of those who don't trust me to change their minds about me?"

Luminara put a hand on her shoulder, "I know it is difficult Emi, but you mustn't let your frustration take the best out of you. You know how Master Tiin is, the mission on Mygeeto is a grudge he has indeed, but do not let that stop you from being disrespectful to him no matter how he treats you. It is not the Jedi way to let your personal feelings get in the way if you are assigned to help him in the future. I hope he eventually learns to respect you the same. Even when you become a Jedi Master someday you are still learning,"

"I won't master, I......I guess this is goodbye?"

"Emi, this will not be the last time we see each other and like I said earlier today. You have come a long way and I am very proud of you. You have proven yourself to be reckless, stubborn and difficult at times, but I know you are getting better every time. We have had some challenging times together, and there have been times were I could not stand you but you were my student, and it was my duty to pass on what my master taught me. Now it is time for student and teacher to part ways Emi, you have been challenging as my last Padawan who unfortunately never made it this far, before her......." She paused

"Will you tell me about her?"

"Someday Emi, but not now. Now is your time to go forward and not look back. Go on, and may the force be with you,"

Emi lowered her head respectfully toward her former master, "May the force be with you too."

Then she stepped into the elevator and looked at Luminara one last time before it closed. Silence broke in as it ascended up the tower once again. Saesee Tiin was probably not too pleased to be attending her ceremony while Plo Koon on the other hand would be delighted to support her coming this far, she had wondered. Her heart pounded hard as the elevator came to a halt and as the door opened she stepped into the council chamber.

The room was pitch black and not even the windows were open to let in light from the city outside. As Emi walked into the darkness she wondered was this how it was supposed to be? Then suddenly the room lit up and all around her, stood all the Jedi Masters in the council, their lightsabers ignited in front of them, and their hoods covering their faces. Emi recognized Plo Koon at the start of the circle as part of his mask was visible from his hood. She then turned to Saesee Tiin who stood just as proud as if he did not even remember scolding her earlier that day.

"Emi Takori, step forward," Master Yoda beckoned from his chair. He had his lightsaber out as well which seemed to be the brightest of them all.

Emi walked into the center of the room and knelt before him and the rest of the council on the red circle. She pulled her hair behind her left ear to reveal the small braid she had tied there since the day she had become a Padawan.

The remaining Jedi masters pointed their lightsabers towards her and then Yoda spoke again.

"All Jedi, we are. Speak through us, the Force does. Through our actions, the Force proclaims itself and what is real. Today, we are here, acknowledge what the Force has proclaimed,"

He then brought his lightsaber down above Emi's left shoulder and then her right.

"By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do, Jedi Knight of the Republic,"

And then his lightsaber swung forward again barely touching her. Emi looked down to see that the braid from behind her ear had been severed. She picked it up in silence and rose to look at Yoda once again. The ritual was complete, and Emi proceeded to the exit and smiled once again at Plo Koon who once again nodded towards her with perhaps a proud look on his face underneath his hood.

Then she headed back down the tower and hoped to get some well-deserved rest.