116 Chapter 113: Fifth Great Schism Episode V

[Jedi Temple, Galactic City, Coruscant]

(3rd Person: POV)

Sitting in the high council meeting room Yoda resisted the urge to sigh, as he watched his fellow high council members bicker and argue in front of him.

Which had been all they had been during during the high council's meetings for the past two weeks.

Ever since Plo Koon's investigation team returned from Mandalore, and reported all that had happened there.

From Mundi attacking Van unprovoked, to Van easily defeating Mundi, to the fact the Jedaii Order were using Ossus, a planet that had a long history with the Jedi Order, as their base.

But the thing Yoda considered most important from the report he recieved from Plo Koon's team was the fact Van had basically put out a call for others from the Jedi Order to come to Ossus and join the Jedaii Order.

That declaration had caused the aged grand master many sleepless nights in the past two weeks.

For deep in his heart Yoda knew there were members of the Order who would answer Van's call.

The only thing he had no idea about was how many.

As Yoda contemplated the coming exodus of members from the Jedi Order the rest of the high council continued with there arguing.

Minus Mundi, who was currently still receiving medical treatment from his battle on Mandalore with Van.

The Cerean Jedi masters pride having taken a huge hit from his loss in that fight.

It also made Mundi angry.

Not that he would admit it.

So much so he told his allies in the rest of the order his version of events of what happened on Mandalore.

Which spread through the ranks of the order in no time.

Eventually reaching Plo Koon's ears.

Which angered the Kel Dor Jedi.

Along with several others.

Thus he, and master Gallia, spoke up and spread the truth of the events of Mandalore throughout the entire order.

Deepening the current schism within the Jedi even further.

Which was now about to reach its breaking point.

"Why are we still sitting here discussing this?!" Master Piell shouted. "We know where the enemy is, so let us go there and settle this!"

"Settle what master Piell?" Plo Koon retorted. "As the rest of the investigation team and I have stated pertaining to the events on Mandalore master Mundi attacked young Van without any provocation. In fact the boy had every right to kill him, but he didn't."

"That may be, but it doesn't take away from the fact he and his followers are dangerous!" Master Piell said. "A growing danger that if we do not eliminate right now will lead to many suffering."

"Master Piell is correct. Here we sit, doing nothing as another along the likes of Exar Kun and Skeere Kaan comes into existence. That cannot remain so. We must go to Ossus and stamp out this threat immediately!" Master Tiin spoke.

"So you and master Piell would have us follow the same path as master Mundi master Tiin? Even knowing how well it worked out for him." Master Gallia rhetorically spoke.

"Mundi's actions were foolish and brash. But he was not wrong." Master Billaba spoke. "Those Sith must be stopped."

"So now you won't even acknowledge them by their names master Billaba!" Master Koth exclaimed. He then shook his head slightly in disappointment. "You know that makes me think there was some truth in the words Van Sunrider spoke to this council on Naboo that day. The Jedi and order are truly not what they once were." The Zabrak Jedi master admitted.

Shocking all of the rest of the members of the high council.

But that shock only lasted for a few seconds before they all collected themselves.

Once they did master's Tiin, Piell, and Billaba began eyeing master Koth with suspicion.

"I see, so you agree with young Sunrider do you master Koth." Master Tiin said. "Well if that is the case then maybe you should go join him."

"Master Tiin!" Master Poof exclaimed.

Yet before he could continue master Koth raised a hand in his direction, causing any words Poof had left to say die in his throat.

"I see. Tell me, master Tiin, do you truly feel that way?" Koth asked. Looking Tiin in his eyes as he did.

"My feelings have no bearings on the decisions you make, master Koth." Tiin replied.

Telling Eeth Koth all he needed to know.

As well as help the Zabrak Jedi master come to terms with a decision on a matter he has recently begun to ponder, ever since he learned the full details of the investigation in the Mandalore sector two weeks ago.

No, that's not right.

In actuality Eeth Koth has been thinking over this matter for several years now.

Ever since he joined the coalition of Jedi to fight the coming darkness Van and Sifo-Dyas spoke about.

The Zabrak Jedi master had carefully been watching the actions and movements of the order, to make his decision one way or the other.

But this latest incident on Mandalore had now finally pushed Koth in a single direction.

One he has no regrets about taking.

"I see." Master Koth retorted. "Then that means what I'm about to do won't offend you. Good." He said.

Then before master Tiin could ask master Koth what he meant the Zabrak Jedi master stood up from his seat, and unclipped his lightsaber from his belt.

He then walked over to master Yoda and handed it to him.

Yoda looking at Koth, but not saying a word.

Koth held Yoda's gaze for a few seconds with his own before breaking it.

He then turned to face the other members of the council.

"With this I formally resign from the high council and the Jedi order." Eeth Koth spoke.

He then left the high council meeting room.

Leaving them all stunned in utter silence.

The silence in the high council meeting room lasted for one minute, before it was broken by master Tiin.

"So, it seems Van Sunrider has managed to lead even a master of this high council astray." He spoke. "This just emphasizes he is a threat we cannot waste time in dealing with. The same for his allies."

Hearing master Tiin speak once more about Van and his allies, which included on of her oldest friends, being threats master Gallia clenched her seat in anger.

For as a member of the coalition within the order she knew who Van and his allies really were.

She also knew Qui-Gon would rather die than fall to the dark side, like he had almost done once more.

So with all that, combined with her own thoughts on the matter, Adj Gallia came to the same decision master Koth just made.

Standing to her feet she unclipped her lightsaber from her belt and handed it over to master Yoda.

"Adi, no." Master Piell spoke.

"Yes, master Piell. It is as you see. I am fornally withdrawing from the Jedi Order." Master Gallia spoke. "For although the path Van Sunrider and his allies walk is unorthodox and most certainly filled with hardship, when I met them I sensed it was a path that could lead to entire new possibilities. A path this council and order want to reject without even seeing what it has to offer. A path I want to explore. As such, to do so this is the only choice I am left with." She explained.

Adi Gallia then left the high council meeting room.

The second Jedi master to do so today.

As this happened master Plo Koon's thoughts drifted to the conversation he had with Yennali when she left the Jedi Order two years ago.

The words she'd spoken, and how sure of herself she seemed.

Soon Plo Koon recalled his encounter with Van recently on Mandalore.

Especially Van's words after his battle with Mundi.

Which turned out to be true.

Mundi was not severely punished for his actions on Mandalore.

He was removed from the high council, and forced to teach classes of younglings at the temple on Coruscant for a year, but that was all.

Mundi was not kicked out of the order, despite his brash actions.

Yet Plo Koon knew if Van and Yennali's intimate relationship had been discovered before they both left the order then the council would've moved to exile then from the order.

He would've moved to exile them from the order.

Despite the bond the Kel For Jedi master had formed with Yennali, and the recent bond he had formed with a young Torgruta he had brought back to the Jedi Temple a few years ago.

Her name, Ahsoka Tano.

Upon realizing this fact, and the hypocrisy he had been enacting, Jedi master Plo Koon came to a decision.

'I cannot conduct myself like this any longer.' Plo Koon thought. 'I must be better.'

He then thought of Yennali once more.

"I have a suggestion. Since we do not know what this Jedaii Order is truly all about then I shall travel to Ossus and ascertain their true intentions." Plo Koon spoke.

"Out of the question." Master Billaba spoke up.

"I second." Master Tiin added. "You already have a soft spot for Van Sunrider and considering his intimate relationship to your apprentice whose to say you won't join their side." He spoke.

Angering Plo Koon.

"How dare you?!" Plo Koon shouted at Tiin.

"Master Plo, calm yourself!" Windu exclaimed. "You are letting your anger get the best of you." He said.

"Considering what was just suggested about me I will not." Plo Koon replied.

"I see, so just like the apprentice the master cannot control himself." Master Piell spoke.

"Master Piell!" Yaddle angrily shouted.

Yet Piell didn't look remorseful in the slightest.

Which was the last straw for Plo Koon.

Jumping out of his seat the Kel For unclipped his lightsaber and handed it over to master Yoda.

An angry expression marring his face.

"You know I just thought I needed, no we the Jedi needed to do better. But now I think that chance has already passed us by. So I will seek a different way. I, Jedi master Plo Koon hereby formally withdraw from the Jedi Order." He spoke.

Plo Koon then left the high council meeting room.

Once the Kel Dor did so he heard immediately for the training room where Ahsoka was.

Arriving the young Torgruta happily ran over to the Jedi she considered like family.

Kneeling down, Plo Koon began batting At some gently atop her head.

Ignoring the looks from her teacher as he did.

For Plo Koon was now done being such a massive hypocrite.

Now he was going to walk a different path.

Collecting Ahsoka Plo Koon went to gather what few belongings the two of them had.

He then left the temple, no one daring to stop him.

Soon after Plo Koon did he contacted the network Van had set up for the coalition members within the order.

Then shortly after Plo Koon did he and Ahsoka were off towards Ossus.

And they were not the only ones.

After news spread of three high council members formally resgining from the order because they agreed with Van and the ideals of the Jedaii Order, just as master Yoda predicted a mass exodus occured within the Jedi Order.

Many Padawans, knights, several masters, and even members of the Jedi Service Corps all began making their way towards Ossus.

The total number of Jedi Order members making the journey, 3,500.

Over just a third of the entire Jedi Order.

This event would eventually become known throughout history as the Fifth Great Schism.

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A/N: The Fifth Great Schism is in full swing my friends.

Stay tuned for more.