Just as the two young Jedi were struggling to find the right words to comfort their troubled friend, another person from Earth placed a reassuring hand on Peter's shoulder.
"Peter," Captain America said gently as he looked down at his fellow New Yorker with obvious concern.
Peter was momentarily stunned to find himself once again in close proximity to one of his greatest heroes, though he was slowly beginning to adjust to the surreal reality of working alongside the legendary Avengers.
"Hey there, Captain," Spider-Man said, forcing some cheerfulness into his voice. "What brings you to the library? Is there something you need from me?"
"Not exactly," Steve replied, shaking his head slightly. "I was actually looking for you because I wanted to check in and see how you're adjusting to everything here. It's a lot to process, being stranded in an entirely different galaxy." He turned to acknowledge the two Padawans. "Ahsoka, Barriss, it's always good to see you both."
"Captain Rogers," Barriss replied with respectful formality, offering a small bow.
"Hey, Steve," Ahsoka said with her characteristic casual friendliness.
"How are your studies progressing?" Steve asked with genuine interest. "Have you completed your latest training exercises?"
"Yes, we have," Ahsoka said with obvious pride and enthusiasm. "Just wait and see, Captain. We'll both be full Jedi Knights before you know it!"
"We are determined to make our Masters and the entire Jedi Order proud of our achievements," Barriss added with quiet but firm conviction.
"Well, if that's the case, I'm sure both Luminara and Anakin will be incredibly proud of your dedication and progress," Steve said warmly, genuinely pleased by their determination and positive attitudes.
After the initial greetings were exchanged, Peter asked a question that had been on his mind for quite some time. "How long have you two actually been living here in the Temple?"
"I honestly don't remember a time before the Temple," Barriss responded thoughtfully.
"If I'm remembering correctly, I was brought here when I was only three years old," Ahsoka replied matter-of-factly.
Both Steve and Peter looked at the two young Jedi with expressions of surprise and growing concern, unsure how to properly respond to such a revelation.
"So, like... your parents and families have always lived here too, or...?" Peter asked tentatively, hoping he wasn't prying too deeply into sensitive personal territory.
"I'm an orphan," Ahsoka explained with matter-of-fact acceptance. "I never knew my birth parents. Master Plo Koon discovered me on my homeworld, brought me here to Coruscant, and helped me become a Jedi Padawan when I was old enough to begin formal training. Without his intervention, I probably would have ended up as a slave or worse."
"What about you, Barriss?" Peter asked gently.
"As I mentioned, I have no memory of life before the Temple," Barriss said contemplatively, assuming a thoughtful posture. "The Jedi Order has been my entire world for as long as I can remember."
"So you're both planning to be Jedi Knights for your entire lives?" Peter asked, trying to understand their perspective.
Both Padawans nodded without any hesitation or doubt.
Steve suddenly asked a more pointed question, his tone becoming more serious. "When you say you were 'brought here,' do you mean your parents chose to send you to the Temple?"
Barriss shook her head. "No, Captain Rogers. Jedi Knights discovered me and recognized that I had a strong natural connection to the Force. Shortly after that, I was brought to the Temple to begin my new life as a potential Jedi."
"But surely your parents had to agree to this arrangement?" Steve pressed, his discomfort becoming more apparent.
"I never knew who my parents were," Barriss repeated patiently. "I have lived my entire life here in the Temple. This is the only family I've ever known."
Steve and Peter exchanged meaningful glances, both beginning to understand the implications of what they were hearing.
Steve had been living on Coruscant for several weeks now, and out of politeness and respect, he had never really questioned the internal practices of the Jedi Order beyond their obvious duties as peacekeepers and guardians of the Republic.
However, learning that both Ahsoka and Barriss had essentially been separated from their families and raised as Jedi since they were toddlers was deeply unsettling for the World War II veteran, whose values were firmly rooted in the importance of family, choice, and individual freedom.
"Is this..." Peter wasn't entirely sure he should ask this question, but his curiosity compelled him forward. "Are all Jedi brought to the Temple at such incredibly young ages?"
Ahsoka could sense through the Force that Captain America's emotional state had shifted dramatically, and she became nervous because of the obvious tension she was detecting.
"Most of us follow this path, yes," Ahsoka said carefully, trying not to upset their friend further. "There are occasional exceptions to the practice, but the vast majority of Jedi are indeed brought to the Temple as infants or very young children."
"I see," Steve said curtly, a distinct frown creasing his features and an unmistakable hint of anger creeping into his normally controlled tone.
Without offering any further explanation, Steve turned and walked away with obviously troubled thoughts, leaving three confused teenagers standing together in an uncomfortable silence.
As he strode through the Temple corridors, Steve's mind was churning with disturbing questions about how and why the Jedi had been systematically taking babies and toddlers from their homes and families for centuries. What gave them the right? When had this practice started? Who had decided that this was acceptable?
He was determined to get answers to these troubling questions.
Turning a corner in the Temple's expansive hallway system, Steve spotted exactly the people he needed to speak with.
In a spacious common area, he observed Obi-Wan Kenobi engaged in conversation with Aayla Secura and Tera Sinube, a veteran Jedi Master known for his wisdom and experience.
Although Steve genuinely didn't want to create conflict or appear disrespectful, the moral implications of what he had learned were bothering him far too much to ignore.
The Jedi noticed his approach first and greeted him with a warm, friendly smile. "Captain Rogers, how pleasant to see you."
Steve managed to return her greeting with a forced smile and nodded politely to both Master Sinube and Obi-Wan.
"Is something troubling you, Steve?" Obi-Wan asked perceptively, immediately noticing the tension in the Captain's demeanor. "You seem quite disturbed about something."
Steve looked at the three respected Jedi Masters before him, hesitated for a brief moment, then said, "Would you mind if I asked you some questions about the Jedi Order? There are some things I need to understand better."
The three Jedi could clearly sense that Steve was upset about something significant, and Master Sinube said calmly, "Of course, Captain Rogers. What's weighing on your mind?"
"Look, I really don't want to seem rude or disrespectful to your traditions," Steve began carefully. "But I've recently discovered something about your Order that I need to discuss with you."
The three Jedi became more attentive but remained silent, allowing Steve to continue expressing his concerns.
"Do any of you actually know who your birth parents are, or were you all taken from your families and brought into the Jedi Order as infants?" Steve asked directly, his tone carrying an edge of moral indignation.
The three Jedi were clearly taken aback by the bluntness and intensity of his question.
"What has prompted you to ask about this particular aspect of our traditions?" Master Sinube inquired gently, sensing the deep emotions behind Steve's inquiry.
"Please, I just need you to answer the question honestly," Steve insisted.
The three Jedi exchanged meaningful glances before Obi-Wan responded cautiously, "Yes, Captain Rogers. All three of us were brought into the Jedi Order when we were very young children, just as most Jedi have been throughout our history."
Steve's jaw tightened visibly as he stared at Obi-Wan with sharp, penetrating eyes. "Why?" he asked quietly but intensely. "Were you orphans? Slaves who needed rescue? What circumstances led to your separation from your families?"
"Why are you asking these questions, Captain Rogers?" Aayla asked in a low voice, clearly concerned about the direction of this conversation.
"I wanted to understand your Order better, but now I find myself deeply troubled by what I'm learning," Steve said with growing passion. "Taking children away from their parents and keeping them permanently separated so they never know their own families is morally offensive and ethically wrong. I never expected that an organization dedicated to peace and justice would engage in such practices."
"It's not as simple or callous as you're making it sound, Steve," Aayla responded firmly. "This is an incredibly complex matter, and the Jedi Order has very good reasons for maintaining these traditions that have served the galaxy well for thousands of years."
"The Jedi Order doesn't simply kidnap children from loving homes," Master Sinube said calmly but with conviction. "I understand that you may find our methods difficult to accept, Captain Rogers, but the reason we recruit Force-sensitive children at such young ages has everything to do with the emotional and psychological development of individuals with our abilities."
This explanation only increased Steve's confusion and frustration. "What exactly does that mean?"
"To be a true Jedi is to dedicate one's entire life to serving the Force and protecting the Republic," Obi-Wan explained, sounding as though he were reciting from ancient texts that had been drilled into him since childhood. "In fulfilling this sacred duty, one must not be swayed or corrupted by personal emotions and attachments, lest they become a path to the dark side of the Force."
"If you need a clearer explanation of our philosophy, the fundamental principles of the Jedi Order are embodied in our Code," Aayla said as she began to recite the ancient words. "There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force."
Steve stared at Aayla with a mixture of disbelief and growing anger. "No emotion? How can anyone believe that's healthy or even possible? Are you telling me that you're all supposed to be emotionless shells? Like robots programmed to serve without question?"
This confrontation was completely beyond what any of the three Jedi had expected from their previous interactions with Captain America. In the past, he had always presented himself as pleasant, friendly, and remarkably humble despite his legendary status. However, they were now witnessing the moral conviction and ethical passion that had driven Steve Rogers to become Captain America in the first place.
"Steve, you have to understand that attachment and uncontrolled emotion represent unpredictable and dangerous forces," Obi-Wan said carefully, trying to defuse the growing tension. "Throughout our history, these very human feelings have led many promising Jedi down the path to the dark side of the Force."
"This philosophy has existed for thousands of years," Aayla added supportively. "The reason Jedi maintain emotional distance and avoid personal attachments is so we can better protect others without being compromised by selfish concerns."
"Do you honestly believe that?" Steve asked with obvious skepticism and moral outrage. "Do you really think that love, family, and human connection make you weaker rather than stronger?"
Master Sinube had remained silent throughout most of this intense exchange, but now he sighed deeply and said, "Master Kenobi, Aayla, would you please allow me to speak with Captain Rogers privately?"
"Are you certain that's wise, Master Sinube?" Aayla asked with obvious concern, as she could sense the conflicting emotions radiating from Steve and wanted to help resolve the situation before it escalated further.
"Trust me, Aayla," Trebor said with a reassuring smile. "I believe I may be better equipped to help Steve understand our Order from a different perspective. After all, I've lived through more centuries of galactic history than either of you."
Although Aayla wanted to stay and continue the discussion, Master Sinube's gentle but confident tone helped ease some of her immediate concerns about the confrontation.
After Obi-Wan and Aayla departed, Master Sinube walked with Steve to a more private area of the Temple. Once they were alone, the ancient Jedi let out a long, tired breath and gave Steve a look of complete understanding.
"I'll be completely honest with you, Captain Rogers," Trebor said quietly. "I have struggled with many aspects of the Jedi Code and its traditional interpretations throughout my long life as a Jedi."
Steve blinked in surprise, completely caught off guard by such an open admission from someone who had always seemed to embody the calm, serene wisdom that he associated with the Jedi Order.
"Walk with me, Steve," Master Sinube said thoughtfully. "If you truly want to understand the complexities and contradictions within the Jedi Order, I believe I should share some of my own experiences and doubts with you."
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