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"We've nearly reached Jedha, Anakin," Ahsoka reports as Caleb sits beside her and pilots the ship out of hyperspace. "We should be there soon."
"Glad to hear it," Anakin replies, grinning at her through the hologram. "Any trouble on the way?"
"None at all."
"Why couldn't I go with you?" a petulant voice asks, and Ahsoka does her best to hide her smile as Han comes into view, pouting.
"You've got to be at least ten to build your lightsaber, you know that," Anakin replies in a tone of voice that makes it clear they've had this exact exchange many times. "Besides, I thought you didn't want to be a Jedi, just a pilot."
"Yeah, but I still want to have a laser sword!"
Ahsoka snorts. Next to her, she can see Caleb grinning.
"Go find Salla and complain together," Anakin says, waving Han off. "I'm starting to think I should have just let Han and Salla go with you," he tells Ahsoka conspiratorially once Han is gone. "Both of them have been complaining non-stop about being left behind."
"Well, considering Pilez and Robon are both here, I imagine Salla feels left out," Ahsoka says. "Han just wants a laser sword."
"We all just wanted laser swords when we were younglings," Caleb says. "I tried to sneak onto a ship to Ilum when I was eight. I didn't get far."
"Just put Han on babysitting duty again," Ahsoka suggests. Both Luke and Leia think Han is incredibly cool, and Han seems to enjoy spending time with them as well, despite the four year age difference. Anakin has taken advantage of this by giving Han a lot of babysitting jobs.
"Padmé has the kids today," Anakin replies. "She doesn't have too many meetings, so they're hanging out in her office. Leia is a huge fan of having pretend meetings, so she loves it."
"And Luke?"
"Luke apparently spends most of the time playing with his toy starships, so I don't know how much he cares where he is."
"Ahsoka, we're almost ready to land," Caleb says as the ship starts to descend. "Have you sent a message to the Temple yet?"
"I did," Ahsoka replies. "They should be expecting us."
"I'll let you go," Anakin says. "Good luck."
"You've got the most troublesome kids with you," Ahsoka says. "We should be fine."
Anakin laughs. "Have fun, then. Comm me when you're on your way back."
"Talk to you then," Ahsoka agrees, and she disconnects the call. Anakin's hologram wavers into nonexistence.
"I'll go check in with the kids," Ahsoka says, standing up. "Are you good to bring us down on your own, Caleb?"
"I can do it," Caleb agrees. "I wish Hera was here, though. She'd do a better job of it. Her landings are so smooth."
"Caleb, I'm happy that you and Hera are happy, but I am begging you, please try to spend at least five minutes without bringing her up. I feel like I know as much about Hera as you do, and I've met her twice."
"She's going to visit Coruscant again in a month," Caleb offers. "You can meet her again then."
"That's not the point, Caleb."
Caleb sighs. "Fine, I'll try to talk about something else."
"That's all I'm asking," Ahsoka says, then she leaves the bridge and heads to the lounge where the five younglings old enough to get their kyber crystals are.
"Are we almost there?" Robon asks excitedly.
"Caleb is bringing the ship down now," Ahsoka agrees, and the children all look at each other eagerly. "Now remember, the point of this trip is to get your lightsaber, but that's not the only reason we're visiting Jedha."
"Why are we going to Jedha instead of Ilum?" Pilez asks. "Didn't younglings used to go to Ilum?"
"They did," Ahsoka agrees. "Although we had to stop going there for a while during the Clone Wars, when pirates attacked a ship full of younglings. Now, Master Yoda still brings his students to Ilum, but Anakin and Obi-Wan decided to switch over to Jedha instead. Kyber crystals are just as abundant here, so you'll still be able to find yours easily, but we're also going to see the Temple of the Kyber. What do you remember about the Temple?"
"It has statues made of kyber!" a young Rodian calls.
"You're right, Vask," Ahsoka agrees. "Anyone else?"
"There are tunnels to get in, right?" Robon asks. "And there's kyber crystals everywhere. Can we just pick one up for our lightsaber?"
"You'll know your crystal when it makes itself known to you," Ahsoka replies. "And you're right about the tunnels. Now, what do you remember about the Guardians of the Temple?"
"They're also called the Guardians of the Whills," Pilez says. "And they believe in balance in the Force."
"That's right," Ahsoka praises. "They believe that value can be found in both the light and dark side of the Force."
"But I thought the Dark Side was bad," a young Zabrak named Texo says nervously.
"Relying fully on the Dark Side can be dangerous," Ahsoka agrees. "The Dark Side pulls on your emotions, particularly negative ones. It can feel intoxicating, but it can also overpower you. You can lose control easily."
"Obi-Wan says control is the most important thing," a young girl from Chandrila named Inal says.
"And he's not wrong," Ahsoka agrees. "Control is important. That's part of what makes the Dark Side so dangerous. But in the end, the Dark Side is still part of the Force, and the Force is neither good nor evil. What matters is what you do with the power it gives you."
"Can you ever use the Dark Side to help people?" Texo asks, sounding like he hardly dares to ask the question.
"I don't know," Ahsoka admits. "I'd like to think so, yes. But the Dark Side can also make you forget your surroundings. It can make you forget what matters. I would be very, very careful if you ever try to use the Dark Side."
"You mean, we're allowed to try?" Vask demands, sounding shocked.
"It's not encouraged, but it's not forbidden," Ahsoka says. "But you have to be very careful, and you have to be sure you have complete control. I wouldn't suggest trying until you have more experience and more knowledge."
"Have you ever used the Dark Side?" Robon whispers.
"I've touched it before," Ahsoka says. She did it on purpose once, meditating on the ship a few days after she reunited with Obi-Wan and Anakin. She reached for the darkness, and she found that it wasn't quite as terrifying as she'd always thought. It was less polished than the Light Side, more wild, but it didn't immediately fill her with an awful bloodlust, and she didn't slaughter everyone around her. She still didn't like it, though, so she touched the Dark Side and then she pulled away. Forever will it dominate your destiny, Yoda always warned, but Ahsoka doesn't think it will.
The ship lands before any of the children can say anything else. Ahsoka thinks Caleb manages to land it smoothly enough, although of course Hera would have landed it better. Once it's been set down, Caleb pokes his head into the lounge.
"The Guardians sent a message. We've got an escort waiting for us."
"Alright," Ahsoka says. "Come on, kids. Let's go get your kyber crystals."
The children eagerly follow Ahsoka and Caleb out of the ship, where two Guardians in dark robes are waiting. Ahsoka smiles at the sight.
"You two aren't sick of us by now?"
"I am," Baze grunts. "But Chirrut insisted."
"I enjoy passing knowledge onto the next generation," Chirrut says, smiling. "Hello, Ahsoka, Caleb. Hello, children."
"Kids," Ahsoka says, "these are Chirrut" - Chirrut waves brightly - "and Baze." Baze just huffs. "They're Guardians of the Temple, and they're going to be our guides today."
"Welcome to the Holy City," Chirrut says. "Now, children, will you tell us your names?"
The children all obediently list off their names, but Ahsoka can tell they're more interested in eagerly looking around than in paying attention to Chirrut. She imagines he'll change that soon.
"And you're here to find your kyber crystals, aren't you?" Chirrut asks. "You're going to make your own lightsabers."
Immediately, the children's focus snaps back to Chirrut. "We are!" Robon says. "I want a yellow one, just like Jasaac."
"Your crystal will speak to you," Baze says. "It will pick you, not the other way around."
"If you are meant to have a yellow lightsaber, then you will," Chirrut says placidly. "Your crystal will be the one you were meant to have."
"Where can we find the crystals?" Vask asks.
"Patience, young one," Chirrut urges. "I promise you, all of you will leave Jedha with a kyber crystal. But first, you must learn how to feel them in the Force." He closes his eyes. "Can you hear the way they sing?"
All of the younglings close their eyes as well, and they appear to be listening intently. "I don't think I hear any singing," Texo admits after a moment.
"You'll hear your crystal, when it calls to you," Ahsoka says. "That's how you know which one is meant to be yours."
"Until then," Chirrut says, "come with me into the Temple. I want to show you around."
The children obediently follow Chirrut into the Temple. The second they enter, all their eyes go wide. Ahsoka follows them with a smile, Caleb next to her. The younglings always react like this, and honestly, Ahsoka can't blame them. The Temple is beautiful, and it resonates in the Force in a way that feels almost like dipping into a pool of perfectly temperate water. Even the old Jedi Temple didn't feel this peaceful, at least not in Ahsoka's memory.
There are other monks and acolytes in the Temple, and they smile as they see the group of children. It only took one meeting between Obi-Wan and the head of the Guardians for them to come to a perfectly amicable agreement on the younglings coming for kyber crystals, but even so, Ahsoka worried at first that some of the monks might resent them for it. She was wrong. The monks and acolytes all seem happy to have the younglings visit and find their crystals. Some of them, like Chirrut and Baze, seem to particularly enjoy it, even going so far as to help out with the visits.
The little ones are all looking around in awe, but Ahsoka does think they're paying some level of attention to the presentation Chirrut is giving about the Guardians of the Whills. She hopes they are; Obi-Wan likes to quiz the younglings on the Guardians and their philosophy when they come back from Jedha.
"Now," Chirrut says when he wraps up, "since you've all listened patiently, it's time for the thing you've all been waiting for. Let's go into the tunnels and find your kyber crystals."
Robon lets out a cheer, then quickly silences himself when he realizes that no one else is making any noise. Ahsoka does her best not to laugh.
"I can hear your enthusiasm," Chirrut says with a smile. "Come on. Follow me."
Chirrut and Baze lead the children to the entrance of the tunnels. "Alright," Ahsoka says before they open the door. "Younglings, before you go in there, let me make some ground rules, okay?"
The younglings are practically vibrating with excitement, but they do turn to look over at Ahsoka. "What are the rules?" Inal asks.
"The first rule," Ahsoka says, "is the only crystal you're allowed to take from the Temple is your crystal. Like I said, you'll know it when you hear it sing. Now, the crystals aren't always easy to get, which leads to the second rule. If you need help, ask for it. Caleb and I won't be coming into the tunnels with you, but we'll be right up here if you need us. If you don't think you can get your crystal safely by yourself, one of us will help you."
"Are those the only rules?" Vask asks.
"They're the only rules," Ahsoka agrees. "Time to go into the tunnels and find your crystals."
Baze opens the door, and the younglings immediately run into the tunnel. Ahsoka smiles at them as they go, then she turns to Caleb. "They always act the same way, don't they?"
"Always," Caleb agrees. "Do you think any of them will need help?"
"Texo might ask for it," Ahsoka says. "But not because he actually needs it, just because he's nervous. That little one has no confidence."
"Sometimes, I wonder if Master Yoda had a point in making the younglings get their crystals on their own, without help," Caleb admits. "A lot of the younglings ask for help when they don't need it. If they didn't think they'd get help, they'd just try to do what they have to do."
"Yes, they call for help, but then we help them realize they can do it themselves," Ahsoka counters. "And they're only children, Caleb. If they need help, I'm going to help them."
After a moment, Caleb nods. "You're right. Just because we had to do it ourselves doesn't mean that's the best way."
"Some of what the Jedi did was right," Ahsoka says. "Some of what they did wasn't. We can pick and choose what we're going to keep. And anything that makes ten year old kids think they're not going to get help if they need it is something we're definitely tossing out."
Caleb leans back slightly, bracing himself with his arms. "Well, until one of the kids asks for help, what do you want to talk about?"
"I know what you want to talk about," Ahsoka teases. "Fine, go ahead, talk to me about Hera."
"I'm so excited for her to visit Coruscant again," Caleb gushes immediately. "Let me tell you what Hera showed me the last time we talked."
Ahsoka sits and listens while Caleb tells her all about his latest talk with Hera, and then all about the ship that Hera wants to buy. He's about to tell her about some of the modifications she's made to her droid when Ahsoka's comlink begins to beep.
"Ahsoka?" Texo asks, his voice nervous. "I think I found my crystal, but I can't get to it. Can you help me?"
"Sure, kiddo," Ahsoka replies, standing. "I'll be there in a minute."
"I'll stay here and gather the kids as they come out," Caleb says. "We'll wait out here for you."
"Let me know if any other kids need help," Ahsoka says as she enters the tunnels. It's fairly easy to reach out with the Force and find Texo, so she follows her senses until she reaches him. He's standing in front of a rock studded with kyber crystals, his head tilted back as he looks up.
"Hey, Texo. Which crystal is yours?"
"It's that one," Texo says, pointing at a crystal far out of his reach. "I tried climbing up the wall, but I couldn't get a good grip. And I tried getting the crystal with the Force, but it wouldn't work."
"Why wouldn't it work?" Ahsoka asked, looking up at the crystal as well. If she went up on tip-toe, she would probably be able to reach it, but she's not going to. While she doesn't want the kids to think they won't get help if they need it, she's also pretty sure Texo can get his crystal himself if she helps him see how.
"The crystal is stuck in the wall," Texo explains. "It won't come out. I pulled at it, but it wouldn't move at all."
Ahsoka hums. "I'm going to teach you an old trick I learned when I was a little older than you. Have you ever used the Force to make something vibrate?"
"Not on purpose."
"Did you do it by accident?"
Texo nodded. "Once, but I don't remember how."
"I think you can figure it out," Ahsoka says. "What I need you to do is focus on the crystal and make it vibrate. Make it shake as fast as you can."
Texo's eyes narrow as he looks up at the crystal. He holds out a hand towards the crystal, and his eyes narrow even more. Ahsoka waits for a moment. She can feel Texo in the Force, straining against the stone around the crystal, and then he slumps and gives up.
"It won't budge!"
"You're trying to shake it too much," Ahsoka says. "You just want it to vibrate. Do it as quickly as you can, but make the motions small. It shouldn't move very much at all." She holds out a hand. "Let me show you, okay? Feel how the Force flows through me."
Texo takes her hand, and Ahsoka reaches out her other hand to the crystal. She focuses, then makes it vibrate for a few seconds.
"Can you do it now?"
"I'll try," Texo says, a bit doubtfully.
"Don't you remember what Master Yoda used to say?" Ahsoka asks. "Do or do not. There is no try."
"What does that mean?"
"You said you would try," Ahsoka says. "You didn't sound like you thought it would work. You don't believe you can do it, do you?"
Texo looks down at the ground and scuffs his shoe. "Not really."
"If you don't believe in yourself, you won't be able to do it," Ahsoka says. "Don't just try to do it. Do it." She squeezes his hand. "I believe you can succeed, even if you don't."
Texo looks up at the crystal. "How is vibrating it going to get it out?"
"I'm hoping it'll destabilize the rock around it enough that the crystal won't be stuck so much," Ahsoka says. "I think it's worth a try, at least."
Texo frowns slightly, then holds up his hand. His eyes close as he dips into the Force, then open back up as he resurfaces.
"I think I might have another idea. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Ahsoka replies. "This is your crystal, Texo. You're in charge of getting it out."
Texo closes his eyes again, his hand outstretched. Ahsoka can't see any outward sign of anything happening, but she can feel the way Texo is manipulating the Force, and she can see the effort he's expending on his face. Still, nothing is happening, and Ahsoka's about to think nothing is going to when the wall explodes.
Well, perhaps saying it explodes is an exaggeration, but a fair amount of rock does go flying at them. Ahsoka quickly deflects it with the Force. Texo's eyes are open and wide.
"I didn't realize it would do that."
"What did you do?" Ahsoka asks.
"There were a couple of cracks in the rock," Texo says. "So I used the Force and stretched them. I didn't think it would make it explode like that."
"Well, it's a lesson for next time," Ahsoka says. "But it did work. There's your kyber crystal."
Texo eagerly scoops his crystal up off the ground. "I did it!"
"You sure did," Ahsoka agrees, patting him on the head while carefully avoiding his horns. "Let's go see if the others are done too, okay?"
When they leave the tunnels, they find Caleb waiting with the other four younglings. "Did you get your crystal?" Robon asks Texo excitedly.
"I did," Texo says, uncurling his fingers from around his crystal to show it. "But I sort of blew up a bit of the wall too."
Robon's eyes go wide. "Cool."
"You've all found your crystals, then," Chirrut says as he comes over. "Can you hear them singing now?"
The younglings all nod. Despite his blindness, Chirrut seems to know, since he smiles at them. "Good. The singing of a kyber crystal is one of the most beautiful songs in the galaxy. Now remember, children, that your crystal is a part of you now. It will give you strength." His smile widens, and Ahsoka knows what he'll say next. He says it to every group of younglings, and she's come to find comfort in the saying. "After all, the strongest stars have hearts of kyber."
"Okay, kids," Ahsoka says, "we're heading back to the ship now. Everyone say goodbye and thank you to Chirrut and Baze, okay?"
There's a chorus of little goodbyes and thank-yous, and then Caleb directs the younglings back to the ship while they chatter to each other about their new crystals. "Thank you for letting us come, as always," Ahsoka tells Chirrut. "Sorry about the tunnels, there was a bit of an… explosion."
"If it was done with the Force, then the Force must have willed it," Chirrut replies easily. Sometimes, Ahsoka envies him his simple, unwavering faith. "Send my regards to the others back on Coruscant."
"I will," Ahsoka promises. "May the Force be with you, Chirrut."
Chirrut bows. "And with you, Ahsoka."
And as Ahsoka walks back to the ship where the younglings wait, the ship full of life and joy and love, she thinks the Force is with her. She thinks she can hear it sing.