Roland Cooper. As a boy he was kind, adventurous, outgoing, and happy. But as a teenager that all changed. He no longer wanted adventure. No longer was outgoing or happy. But he was still kind.

One day, however, he was whisked away to a grand universe. One with robots, aliens, superpowers, and geniuses.

And on that day, he found his call to adventure. With that came a purpose; to be great, to have fun, to live.

But, he had forgotten something important.

The reason he had changed all those years ago.

That is, until it caught up back to him.

===

Let me tell you a little bit about Pain & Fear.

“Pain is a gift. Without the capacity for pain, we can't feel the hurt we inflict.”

Through pain we can learn what is dangerous to us and others. And with that knowledge we can heal or harm. Heal the masses or harm enemies.

It is also how we learn to fear.

“Fear is a superpower. Fear can make you faster and cleverer and stronger.”

Through fear we can learn to become great, or become small. Take that fear and weaponize it, or succumb to it and fall.

Pain and Fear. Fear and Pain. These are humanities best features.

===

To tap into the power of the dark side was to indulge in raw emotions such as passion, anger, and hatred. The dark side was greed, the fear of change, and the inability to let go. By holding on to things, one became angry and hateful, which in turn led to suffering. Those who were unable to conquer their dark side were devoured by it

There are four stages to the Dark Side of the Force, as theorized by Jedi Master Tolaris Shim. The first: Temptation. Power corrupts, and it starts with temptation. Using the Force to act in haste or without thought for one’s own benefit, even if that benefit means not dying to some unexpected act. What a Jedi should learn from this, is to act with forethought and reflect on opposite instances.

The second: Imperilment. There are multiple thoughts to this stage. One: Hastiness or indecisiveness is dangerous to have. Two: There are no signs, when one is on the dark path, that would show a way back to the light. Three: Believing one is right above others will lead to blindness of other faults. Four: If one accepts the darkness by which they are surrounded as a means to power, then the next stage has no bearing on their concerns.

The third: Submission. Once a Jedi accepts the dark path, the end justifying the means becomes irrelevant. This can be seen in Anakin Skywalker, who, after submitting to Darth Sidious, lost his reason for becoming a Sith and nearly killed his wife.

The fourth: Redemption/Atonement. A Jedi who is only slightly tainted by the dark side could atone for their actions through meditation, reflection, and absolution. This is a rare occurrence. Often, you would rather see a fallen Jedi dying than atoning for their corruption.

Would you be surprised if I told you I was on Submission?

===

‘He’s not well.’

‘Why is he so strong?’

‘I’m afraid.’

‘He looks angry.’

‘I don’t want to be his partner.’

‘Will I turn into him? Into that?’

‘He doesn’t look okay.’

‘What’s this feeling?’

‘Is that him?’

“Ro-”

‘What’s happening?’

‘It’s getting stronger.’

“Roland.”

‘It’s him!’

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‘Somebody help!’

“Roland!”

‘C-Can’t b-breathe…’

‘I-I c-can’t b-breathe…’

“ROLAND!!!”

My eyes burst open. I see other initiates around me being held up, and they’re clawing at their necks.

I realize that I’m the one doing this and quickly stop.

They all fall like a sack of potatoes.

The masters nearby run up to check on them.

“Roland. Come with me,” The Ancient One says.

I get up and follow, not looking back.

===

We are back in the room I met her in.

‘Fitting,’ I think.

“Have some tea,” she says, a polite smile adorning her face.

A tea set appears in the middle of the table.

Reluctantly, I pour out some tea and take a sip.

‘Not bad.’

“Now, care to tell me what happened?”

“...I lost control,” I say, then quickly add, “It won’t happen again.”

She nods slightly. “I’m sure it won’t. But can you share why it happened?”

“...No.”

She tilts her head. “Really?”

“...”

“...”

“...No.”

Her smile dips down, and she is silent for a moment.

Then she says, “I see. Well then, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“But I haven’t learned everything yet!”

“You have all the tools you need,”

“It’s not enough!”

“Is it not?”

“No!”

“...”

“...Am I not entitled to my privacy?” I ask, softly.

“Not when it harms others.”

“...I didn’t mean to.”

“I know.”

“...It won’t happen again.”

“I know.”

“Then why?!” I slam my hand on the table, cracking it.

“...I think you know why.”

“...”

“...”

“...You don’t understand.”

“Do I not?”

“You’ve had time to become strong! I have little! Things- Beings are coming that I am not ready for!”

“You will be.”

“You don’t know that! You die before Endgame! Before Kang!”

“But I believe in you.”

“How?!

“The Force will guide you.”

“...”

“...”

“Since when were you a Jedi?!”

“I am not. I’ve merely learned the basics and understand how the Force operates.”

“How?!”

“‘Star Wars’ is a thing here, silly.”

“It is?!”

“Of course. Everything except American superhero comics is here.”

Stunned, I didn’t know how to reply. But TAO got us back on track.

“Well, now that I’ve gotten you out of your funk, can you tell me why you lost control before?”

I sigh. “I was meditating, as it was morning meditation time, and I could feel everyone’s insecurities, fear, pain, and anger. It overwhelmed me.”

“You’ve been exploring the dark side recently.” Not merely an observation, but a fact.

“Yes, it’s not black and white-”

“I know, believe me, I know.”

My eyes flicker to her forehead and I nod.

And we take a moment of silence, yet again.

“When was the last time you talked to your friends?”

“They’re not my friends,” I say reflexively.

“Don’t be like that,” she says sternly, “Because you’re certainly not a teenager and I’m certainly not your mother.”

I chuckle at that.

“It’s just…I don’t think I can call them my friend anymore.”

“Roland. You, yourself, know that attachment is not a bad thing. You just need to be willing to be hurt to have it. To be vulnerable.”

“...I don’t know if I can.”

“Well, we’ll just have to fix that.”

I feel a portal form behind me.

“What are you-”

With a telekinetic push, The Ancient One sends me flying backwards.

I tumble once then hit a wall.

“Ouch,” I say.

“Rolland?” someone asks, surprise evident in their voice.

I get my bearings, look around, and notice Kitty and Rogue nearby.

“Kitty. Rogue,” I say, uncertainly.

“Rolland!” Kitty exclaims, and runs up and hugs me.

“Rolland,” Rogue says softly.

‘This is nice,’ I think, holding on to Kitty.