Because of the stupidly long walk they had to endure, Ben passed the time by chatting with Aayla and the girls about trivial things. When they finally arrived at the Council room, Ben didn't care for formality and forced the door to open as he walked straight in.
The masters of the Jedi council seemed to have been discussing something when he entered, but he disregarded the displeasure that marred most of their faces as he spoke. "This better be good. And next time, don't send a damn Padawan. Kid looked ready to piss his pants." Although there was no distinguishable emotion in his tone, they could all feel that he found it humourous.
"Your concern has been noted..." Came from Mace Windu, as he sat forwards in his seat with his hands clasped. He wasn't very happy with the man before him, considering him to be rude and arrogant. But, he continued. "Master Yoda has told us you showed him a vision... A vision of a Sith Lord, who will spread darkness throughout the galaxy."
Ben observed the reactions of this present, and it was evident that Jedi ignorance was prevailing yet again, as most already showed signs of disregarding the matter. But, he wouldn't go out of his way to prove anything to them, so simply said. "And?"
"And why should we believe these visions that YOU have shown?" Mace asked interrogatively. "What's to say you aren't the same Sith that will spread the dark side, when you have already declared your intentions to do so here, in the Jedi Temple?" As he spoke, his tone held a noticeable aggression.
Seated around the room, the various Jedi nodded their heads in agreement with the accusation. Yoda simply sat in his seat in silence, an expression of disagreement towards his fellow masters, as he could tell that there was no falsities in the vision regardless. Some remain more level headed however and simply observed silently.
Unexpectedly, Ben just sighed, as if this was all beneath him and said. "For starters, I am no mere Sith. I am a practitioner of both the Light and the Dark sides, my teachings are centred around balancing the two sides for a greater outcome. One where you don't foolishly cut off your emotions, nor succumb to flames of them..." He stopped to look at each of them, seeing that some of the impartial ones looked to be in thought.
These masters all have a slight trace of the dark side on them, in his eyes, tiny marks that show their brushes with it and struggle to eradicate it from their spirits with the light side. A foolish act, as it is impossible for them to destroy, but necessary step to be able keep peace of mind and not fall to temptation.
Ben then continued, further cementing his stance. "My own apprentices are evidence of this. They each have their natural alignments, but have balanced themselves in the Force. Whether it be Force Lightning fueled by the Dark side or Force Healing with the Light. Of course, both abilities can be attained in either side of the Force, one just requires the correct understanding."
As a demonstration, he raised both his hands and shot lightning out of his fingers. From his left hand, pure white with an almost holy presence that gave comfort to all those present. While from his right, malevolent rays the colour of blood caused uncontrollable fear, as his bloodlust radiated out of them.
Under his control, the two types of lightning flew around the room, intertwining and sometimes colliding with each other.
The Jedi who were doubtful of Ben were subsequently trapped in a paradox of hope and fear, while the others were spared with just a glimpse of the terror he could unleash on them.
Cancelling his demonstration and withdrawing his hands to behind his back, Ben waited for everyone to collect themselves before speaking. "The Light side of the Force," He paused for effect. "it is so radiant that it blinds you with glorious purpose, so you cut off your emotions. And because of that, you fail to see what happens outside of your walls." Stating his opinion on not just the Force, but also them, he couldn't help shaking his head with a hint of pity in his voice.
His sentiments, without any action of his own, the Force radiated the same meaning behind his word. To all the Force sensitive present, it was like the Force was looking at them with pity.
Yoda and Aayla, who had already experienced this, still couldn't escape feeling like children under the ethereal pressure of the Force.
"Conversely, the Dark side clouds the mind with delusions of grandeur, causing one to lose sight of themselves and quickly fall into obsession." Around Ben, balls of pure gold and black energy appeared, carrying the majesty of both sides of the Force. "The Light and Dark are one and the same, The Force!" His voice boomed with the power of the Force, sounding like millions of voices. Many like the snarls and roars of beasts, or the clicking of insects. "They are two side of the same coin. Like how the Light blinds, the Darkness will grow to obscure your sight of what is truly important. But by using the Light side, you can see through the greatest darkness. And similarly, the Dark side can be used to shield you from the brightest light. All it takes is balance and commitment."
The seated masters, even Aayla and the girls behind his looked at the balls of black and gold that acted like oil and water, never mixing, yet flowing together in harmony.
Turning to look at his apprentices behind him and seeing their awe filled expressions, Ben felt warmth in his heart. "And when I speak of commitment, I don't just mean in training or meditation, but relationships. Whether it be with ones family, a close friend or even a love whom you can share your life with." He turned back to the Jedi, losing the previous warmth as he reset his gaze. "With people to keep you grounded to reality, even with the power to cripple a planet, you won't lose yourself. Speaking from experience, considering I haven't been destroying a planet every time someone pissed me off."
Dispersing the materialized Force, Ben let silence settle as he observed everyone's faces, especially the few who's Darkness possess the flame's of passion within, making them more ideal for learning the Force. But, he did nothing beyond observing, it will be on them if they want to reach new heights.
Ben's words and demonstration rocked the foundations of what the Jedi had known for generations, but even then, there was little chance of them truly changing their ways. His little comment about destroying planets probably doesn't bring them any comfort, but it's not like they haven't had enough of that.
Given that he had already said so much about the Force and it's desire for balance, he decided to clear up one more misconception of their. "If you truly wish to understand the Force, you must understand that balance can only come to be when there is two equal forces to counter each other." He then turned and began to leave while telling them. "I have already stated that I will protect your Order for six years and I would teach those I wish, this will happen whether YOU," He looked over his shoulder at Windu while speaking. "like it or not." Stopping at the door, he gave some reassurance. "However, I have no intentions of creating some plebian Sith. All those I teach, I will monitor or bind with an oath to not use my teachings for malicious intentions. But do remember, the Order and the individuals that make it up are very two very different things. Test my patience... and it will be that last thing any of you do. Take that how you wish."
Without saying anything more after his not so subtle threat, he left the room along with his apprentices. Not long after, they were once again accompanied by Aayla, their designated babysitter from the council.
While walking, Ben addressed his companions. "Vette, Thalia, Maila, starting today, you needn't attend the Jedi's lessons, but may if you want to." To his words, the three of them nodded. "Miss Secura-" He began, but was interrupted by her.
"You may call me Aayla, Lord Tennyson. " She said humbly, referring to him with the same title Master Yoda has used.
Without stopping, Ben turned his head to her and nodded. "Very well. My name is Benjamin Tennyson, Ben if you like. Only outside of a public setting, of course." He saw her nod in understanding and faced forward once more. "Carrying on. I will be preparing a meal, you are welcome to join us. I'd appreciate it if you would teach me about Twi'lek and other species culture, if you wouldn't mind?" Ben asked with as much humility as he could muster, wanting to learn so as not to make another mistake.
Hearing him request her guidance, Aayla was surprised, but quickly agreed as a sense of appreciation for his approach was formed. "It would be my honour." She said gratefully.
Besides them both, Maila jumped in with an excited cheer. "Yay! We get to eat Master's food again!" She began dancing around the hall with anticipation.
Thalia tried to maintain a stoic appearance, but couldn't prevent drooling just thinking about eating something other the dull Temple food.
Next to Aayla, Vette spoke while looking at her with star filled eyes. "Just wait, Big Sis Aayla! Master makes the best food in the whole Galaxy!"
Seeing all three of them in a dreamy state, Aayla smiled slightly in amusement as she replied. "It seems I have much to look forward to then."
Meanwhile, Ben silently walked with a serene smile on his face, but unfortunately it went unnoticed thanks to his helmet.
...
After discovering that there are no kitchens in the dorms, Ben had Aayla guide him to the Temples cafeteria and then took over the kitchen from the civilian workers, where he began using the Force to prep and cook various meals with ingredients he unceremoniously took from his inventory, not caring about the shock his actions caused
Seeing him use the power of the Force for something as outrageous as cooking, many of the Jedi, and even the civilian workers had dropped their jaws in shock. Not to mention his ability to pull ingredients out of nowhere.
Aayla had a complicated expression as she stared at a young man, who was the same one creating this display, and she asked what was on her mind. "Lord Tennyson-" She maintained the use of his title being in public. "-don't you think this is an inappropriate use of the Force? What if the young ones pick up bad habits?"
Ben was stood at a stove searing a Rancor steak. He was no longer wearing his armour, mostly for comfort , so he looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a slight grin. "Oh? And what about this is a bad habit? Using the Force for everyday tasks is excellent for fine-tuning ones control, especially something that requires a lot of attention, like cooking." He informed her.
Hearing this, she and many others observed as he multitasked making numerous different dishes, as if a spell had been cast to make it all autonomous. Paying more attention, Aayla could only be impressed with the fluidity of the whole process, as nothing was burning, while a delicious aroma drifted into her nose.
Nodding her head, she conceded and began to wait silently for him to finish, then she would begin explaining different cultures.
Ben chose to keep talking however, imparting an early lesson. "You see, the Force is essentially a spirit, the Cosmic Force as most call it. In essence, the Living Force is it's body, manifested in the form of Midichlorians. Residing in the bodies of organics and granting power beyond mosts imagination, just waiting to be explored."
Aayla nodded her head in acknowledgement of the his statement, which added a slightly different perspective to something she had been taught since young.
"But have you ever wondered what the Force gets in return?" He asked, making her and many others look at him in confusion. He chuckled knowing the answer. "The answer is actually very simple. A being with a spirit, but without a personal body of its own, it lives vicariously through every being throughout this galaxy." He stopped to look at her briefly and asked. "Do you understand what that means?"
Seeing her raise her hand to her chin in thought, he went back to cooking, waiting for her response. Unable to come up with one that felt right however, she sought clarification. "Please explain."
Grinning in amusement, Ben exuded his mirth into the surroundings. "You've already experienced it twice in my presence. The Force has emotions. Hahaha!" He laughed loudly as he proclaimed. "In fact! The very fact that the Jedi teach that 'there is no emotion', is inherently a rejection of it."
"The only reason 'Masters of the Light' are able to grow as powerful they do, is because they are constantly battling the Dark. Both in the sense of fighting those who perverted the meaning of the Dark side, like the Sith, and the Darkness in their own hearts." He explained, before anyone raise any questions.
His words, although no one would say they believe in them 100%, they could feel the Force resonating with them. It was as if the very Midichlorians in the bodies vibrate in agreement with what he says.
Suddenly turning more serious, he slowly stirred a sauce he was making and said. "I know that you've always been taught that emotions lead to darkness... It's because you get overwhelmed, not from your emotions, but the Force's unintentional influence on them when left unchecked." He looked over to his second audience of the day and sternly said. "I won't deny that pain and torment can offer quick power, but in my experience, that is not the what the Force wants, that is what the individual wants. Whether it is justified or not, the Force will naturally abhor it."
Hearing him speak of his experience, a shiver ran through the listeners. Aayla gulped, the muscles in her neck tightening as she inquired. "But if the Force rejects pain and suffering, why does it go unchecked?"
Looking at her, he raised an eyebrow questioned her back. "Does it though?" She looked at him confused, but he elaborated while looking at the cooking food. "Time and time again, for thousands of years there has been Dark side users that were capable of wiping out entire planet's in mere moments. And yet, they were always defeated. Why? Because the Force, beyond the limits of time and space, will always have it's champions, who will be graced and guided with visions."
"An important point to understand, is that the Dark side is not evil in itself and the Light is not purely good, often leading to an aloof arrogance." He started to arrange the plates for the food. "It is also important to recognise that, if the Force can influence others, others can influence it. Though only the truly powerful are capable of doing so intentionally, and if ones Will is too weak they will be consumed, then eventually turned into monsters of raw emotion and desire."
Using the Force, he put all the food on to the plates and carried them over to the table. "The best example is a Sith from the Old Republic Era, by the name Darth Nihilus." The moment he said the name, the Force trembled with emotion, the strongest of which was regret.
The people in the surroundings suddenly felt the eruption of emotions from the Force and became distressed, some even falling to their knees. Only his apprentices and Aayla were fairing well, but even the young Knight only held on thanks to her previous two experiences.
"This individual used the Dark side to devour the Living Force of entire planet's, but his Will was insufficient and he became a slave to his own hunger." Putting the plates of food on the table, he released a small ripple of Light side energy to return the peace and looked to the distraught crowd. "A name holds a lot of power, but you should never let the dead hold sway over you."
At this moment, a random Padawan around his students age, shakily raised their hand, to which Ben nodded at them to speak. "How was the Sith stopped."
"In the end, the Force will only give as much as it's given and what it wants is experiences, something a mindless beast doesn't provide. Nihilus inevitably reached a plateau and a banished Jedi was subsequently guided by the Force to defeat him." Ben answered the young Padawan.
"In simpler terms, thinking of the Force as a ship, the Dark side is the engine and thrusters, pushing you along in your journey, while the Light side is navigation and stabilisers, getting you through safely. But, for it all to work correctly, you have to be in the pilots seat." He summarised everything in a very simple manner and sat down, leaving many to think about all that he'd said.
Whether they understand or take into consideration his words, Ben didn't trouble himself with it and simply stared at the target of his words, who is deep in thought after learning so much about the Force. 'Is everything we have been taught false...? Have we really been so blind?'
Clapping his hands together loudly, he drew her out of her thoughts and with a relaxed smile, he told her. "Don't get too caught up in what I've said, there is a path for everyone, you just have to find it. But for now, let's eat."
Aayla looked at him and the buffet of dishes he had prepared, most she didn't recognise, but couldn't deny that they looked good. Looking beside her, she saw Vette and the others waiting with gleaming eyes, practically drooling, causing her to chuckle lightly. "Very well. I thank you for the food."
Ben simply nodded and began putting food on his plate. With his actions, the girls follow suit and dug in with smiles on their faces, causing Aayla to curiously do the same and as she bit into an unknown dish, she almost moaned when the flavour exploded in her mouth.
After her first bite, she couldn't resist eating more and more, leading to her plate quickly becoming empty. Seeing this, she looked at her empty plate with disappointment that it was already gone.
Across from her, Ben chuckled, making the blue skin of her cheeks darken in embarrassment of her actions. He didn't mind though and told her. "There is plenty more, no need to be shy." To which she nodded and took some more.
Eating with more restraint this time, Aayla looked at him and remembering his request, spoke. "Would you still like me to begin explaining different species culture?" Ben nodded and she started talking, elaborating on various points that were unknown to him.
While they were eating, most of the audience had left, but there were a few stragglers that stayed from curiosity about the stranger who seemed so knowledgeable about the Force.
Even though she was talking to Ben, Aayla was the first to reach her eating limit, even when there was still a ton of food. Ben and the other three girls were still eating though, and the food didn't lose any heat thanks to Ben using the Force to stop time around untouched dishes.
She was quite surprised by how much more the young Twi'leks were eating compared to herself, but it was nothing compared to their Master. Obviously she didn't say anything about it and continued her explanation, but it was still surprising to see and the other members of the order would agree with her.
Soon enough, Aayla had given all the details she could think of about the various species in the galaxy and the four listeners finished all the food on the table. Well, Ben ate most of it, satiating his palate after six months of fasting.
Using a cleaning spell he learned from Charmcaster, Ben cleaned all the dishes and then used the Force to the kitchen. He then stood up and stretched his muscles, with his apprentices joining him.
"Well then, we will be departing to the dorms to meditate." Ben announced and gratefully smiled at Aayla. "Thank you for the information. Training begins next week."
He and the girls then left the cafeteria, heading to the girls dorm to meditate for some time, then they would re-establish their tradition of watching something on the HoloNet before bed.
(Changing [Complete Language Comprehension] to [Omnilingualism])
[Status
Name - Ben
Lv - 69 (123,060/245,000)
Title - Wielder of the Omnitrix, Anti-Hero, Idol Slayer
State - Healthy MP - 428,000
STR - 3633
END - 3734
AGI - 3633
CHA - 3635
INT - 308
LUK - 777
AP - 0 SP - 1,715,200
Primary Skills: CQC Lv-5, Marksmanship Lv-5, Intimidation Lv-5, Danger Sense Lv-4, Sneak Lv-4, Mana Manipulation Lv-3
Secondary Skills: Drawing Lv-3, Math Lv-4, Science Lv-4, Writing/Literacy Lv-4, Maneuvering Lv-5, Driving Lv-4, Engineering Lv-5, Cooking Lv-4, Pain Tolerance Lv-9, Bioengineering Lv-5, Programming Lv-5, Torture Lv-5, Acting Lv-4, Enchanting Lv-3
Unique Skill: Wrath, Love and Lust, Gluttony, Sloth, Omnilingualism, Eidetic Memory, Analyse, Night Vision, The Force]
(0 Recoveries Stored)