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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐒

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A day had passed since the Jedi arrived back on Coruscant. Aurora hadn't seen her allies since she was taken to a healer. She was forced to stay in bed until she was cleared, but the Jinn woman was growing restless. A long sigh passed over the Jinn woman's lips as she stared at the ceiling. It had been hours since the healer left and she felt better than ever. She didn't understand why it was taking so long for them to clear her, but she wasn't going to complain. However, Aurora knew that nothing good would come out of her walking out of the room on her own. So many people were still watching her and she wouldn't make a small mistake for them to hold against her. Despite wanting to get out of her room, there was a small part of her that enjoyed the quiet time. Aurora didn't get much time to herself since joining the Jedi Order so she had to take what she could get.

It wasn't long before she heard footsteps approaching her quarters. Aurora instantly sat up on her bed and stared at the door, waiting for it to open. But when it finally did, she didn't expect to find Obi-Wan standing in the doorway. A blank expression was plastered onto his face as he met the Jinn woman's gaze. The two of them just stared at each other until the Kenobi man cleared his throat, breaking the silence surrounding them.

"I was just informed that you're cleared to leave," Obi-Wan announced, causing Aurora to jump to her feet. She was about to walk out the door when she noticed a look in his eyes that she knew far too well. There was more that he had to say. So instead of running toward her freedom, the Jinn woman stood in the middle of her quarters and waited for him to continue. "I would like you to accompany me to my debriefing with the Jedi Council."

A wave of confusion immediately washed over Aurora as she stared at the man in front of her. But instead of questioning his decision, she sent him a simple nod in response. The two of them walked through the halls in silence. It reminded Aurora of the first time she met the Jedi Council with him and Qui-Gon, which sent sorrow throughout her entire body. The Jinn woman would never admit it aloud, but she missed her uncle terribly. He was the last known living member of her family and she was looking forward to getting to know him. Aurora wasn't prepared for Qui-Gon to be taken from her so soon, but she was determined to make him proud.

It wasn't long before they stepped into the elevator that would take them to the Jedi Council. The ride felt like it lasted for an eternity before the doors finally opened. To Aurora's surprise, only Yoda and Mace Windu were there. One would think having to address just two members of the Jedi Council would be easier, but it made the Jinn woman feel far worse. While Yoda was the biggest supporter when it came to training Aurora, Mace seemed to be the one who was most against it. The Jinn woman never knew why, but she was always determined to prove him wrong.

A silent sigh passed over Aurora's lips as she walked beside the redheaded man toward Master Windu. They stood beside him and looked out one of the windows overlooking Coruscant while Yoda sat nearby. The Jedi Masters didn't say a word as the Kenobi man informed them of everything they learned since the start of their mission. Most of the information was already known by the Jedi Council, but there was still some news they hadn't heard before. While the Jedi Knight told their story, Aurora's eyes bounced between the Jedi Masters. She was trying to get a read on what they were thinking but hopelessly failed.

Obi-Wan soon concluded his tale, receiving nothing but silence in response. They just stood there for another moment before the redheaded man asked the question that had been haunting him since Geonosis. "Do you believe what Dooku said about Sidious controlling the Senate? It doesn't feel right."

"Joined the dark side Dooku has," Yoda answered before falling deep in thought for a moment, "lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now."

"Nevertheless, I feel we should keep a closer eye on the Senate," Mace added, earning a nod in agreement from Yoda. It wasn't even a second after that when the former's attention returned to Obi-Wan. "Where is your apprentice?"

"On his way to Naboo, escorting Senator Amidala home," the Kenobi man answered while keeping his eyes glued to the window.

"And what of my apprentice?" Yoda questioned, drawing everyone's attention toward him before continuing to speak, "feel she has completed her training, do you?"

Her Master's question was enough to make Aurora want to be anywhere else but there. She didn't think Yoda would ask Obi-Wan about her final test while she was in the room, but she should've expected it. The Jinn woman had been training with the Jedi Grandmaster for ten years, after all. Aurora soon forced her feelings away as she looked over at the Kenobi man. He looked to be deep in thought, adding to the suspense that she was feeling.

"I believe that Aurora did well on our mission and feel she is ready for what comes next," Obi-Wan declared, sending a wave of shock throughout Aurora's body as he looked over at Yoda, "but you are her Master and the final decision belongs to you."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," the Jinn woman responded before hesitating for a moment, "I learned a lot from you."

The two of them just stared at each other for a long moment, both unsure of how to continue the conversation. Luckily for them, Mace broke the silence surrounding them. "I must admit that I'm still not convinced training you was the right choice. But you did well on Geonosis."

A small smile appeared on Aurora's face before she sent Master Windu a thankful nod. It wasn't long after that when their attention was drawn back to Yoda as he began to speak. "Grateful for both of your inputs, I am."

"I would like to add that without the clones, all of the Jedi on Geonosis would've been lost," Aurora announced, earning nods in agreement from both Yoda and Obi-Wan.

"You're right. Without them, it would not have been a victory," the Kenobi man added after thinking back to their rescue on the desert planet.

"Victory?" the Jedi Grandmaster questioned with a hint of disbelief in his voice, "victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Clone War has."

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