Jedi Academy

The days passed into weeks and the weeks into months, and the months into years. Many planets were suffering an unease, and unrest as the Empire and Rebellion fought for dominance, the Clone Wars may have ended, but the war had not, this was a new age. An age where there were heroes and there were villains, an age where sacrifices were made, where the greater good was a thing that sometimes made the heroes make deals with those that were once considered their enemies. This was the age of the Rise and Fall of an Empire, of the rise and fall of the Sith. Senator Viceroy Organa inspired the Rebellion, he was co-Chancellor along with Mon Mothma. This was the age of the Jedi Academy in which Master Dooku had been reinstated to the Council, this was the age of Ahsoka's knightship, the age where Anakin Skywalker was a respected Jedi Master, and two special twins were Jedi cadets along with many other important Jedi children. Dantooine was home to the Jedi Academy and the Jedi Order.

Luke and Leia Skywalker were two such cadets at the Jedi Academy on Dantooine. For the past fifteen years they had lived here with their mother and father, attending the Jedi Academy during the day and returning to their home at night. They lived with the Jedi Raven who they called grandfather although his origins dated back much farther than that and their droids Artoo and Three-pio. Next door to them lived their Uncle Obi-Wan and their Aunt Satine and their daughters Mara Jade and Anella Kenobi who were beautiful redheads, they had been married since a month prior to Mara's birth, she was the same age as the twins. Galen Marek lived with Master Kota and he was in the same cadet training class as the Skywalker twins. Ahsoka and Rex had married and they had two younglings, the eldest Skye Tano was a Tortuga-human hybrid with blue eyes and white markings along his orange skin, he had the hair color of Jango Fett, the host of Rex. Their daughter on the other hand was named Nikina Tano and she had human colored skin, headtails, and no markings. They were an interesting breed that was to be sure, a perfect mix of Tortuga and human. Sky was ten years old, five years younger than the twins and Nikana was five. Anakin and Padme had a younger son now, aged five named Jinn Revan Skywalker. Jinn had the Skywalker blue eyes but brown hair like Padme. He was longer in frame than Luke had been at his age leaving the Jedi and Padme to believe he would achieve the height of his father.

Luke's height was a source of contention for him. He was only a few centimeters taller than his younger twin sister. Jinn wasn't but a few heads shorter at five. Luke wanted so much to be a great Jedi like his father, but he feared without his height he would never achieve it. It didn't escape his notice how he was pushed further than any other cadet, how they were harder on him, even his own father. Most days Luke felt like his father didn't speak to him unless it was to correct something he was doing, or to ask his progress at school. Luke and Leia were good friends with many year fifteens that included Galen Marek and Mara Jade. Leia seemed to be the natural leader of the group, often able to talk around the Jedi Masters and Knights getting them out of trouble. It was only when Leia was involved that Luke didn't find himself with extra duties. Luke ignored the thoughts as he ran the five miles that the cadets had to run, sprinting ahead of both his sister and Galen.

"Skywalker, this isn't a race," Galen said good naturedly.

"It is for me," Luke replied as he kept running, leaving the other cadets by at least fifty meters. Luke closed his eyes, breathing and focusing the Force around him. He saw the other cadets, some of them practicing their lightsaber techniques with melee weapons while others had graduated to actual lightsabers, he saw others training with Commander Rex with hand to hand combat, and those training with blasters. When he reached the end of the run, he saw his Aunt, Knight Tano standing in front of him.

"Cadet Luke Skywalker?" she asked him, with a slight frown on her face. "Where is your squadron?" she looked around, feeling the Force signatures through the Force she assured herself there was no danger. Luke stopped running and worked on catching his breathe. "Why have you left your unit?" she asked.

"Knight Tano, I have finished the marathon."

"Without your squadron, Luke?" she asked, her voice filled with patience, as she remembered the words once spoken to her by her master. "This exercise was not meant as a solo mission," she explained. "But as a group. You finish when they finish," she looked around for a droid. "Two-Bee, get Cadet Skywalker some water," she told him, as she led Luke away. "Is there something wrong, Luke?" she asked. "I am not asking you as a Jedi to a cadet, but as an aunt, as a friend."

"No, sir," Luke replied. Ahsoka bit her lip in worry. Was this the boy that would help Anakin defeat the Sith, she had to reach him, he had to understand or both he and Anakin would die.

"Luke," she said, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "We never leave a man behind and in your case, you left your entire squadron behind," she said sadly. "If there is anything wrong, you can tell me," she tried again. Luke held his head high and looked into her eyes.

"No, I'm just here to be the best, sir," he stated clearly. Ahsoka sighed, she had no choice and she regretted what she was about to do.

"Then your whole squadron will have to retake the assessment. We don't allow a man to fall behind. It is our job to train you, to prepare you, not just as Jedi, but to survive. You have failed, Luke, and because of you, your squadron has failed. Go home for the day," she said with a sigh. "I will comm your mother and let her know you will be returning home early. If I were you I would spend the day in meditation," she explained. She lowered her voice. "Don't worry most of us Jedi were reckless at some point or another," she told him, earning a small smile from him. He walked away with the droid escorts and Ahsoka frowned, hoping it was just normal teenage stuff. She picked up her beacon and explained to Padme. "Padme," she said and she heard the Senator's voice.

"Jinn, Jinn stop that, stop that I say," she said, with a laugh as she answered Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, what is it," she asked. "Anakin!" she said with a laugh.

"Padme, it's Ahsoka," Ahsoka explained. "I'm afraid I've had to send Luke home for the day," she explained.

"Shh…Anakin…it's Ahsoka."

"Hey, Snips, what's going on?" he asked. "Are the twins alright?" he asked.

"They are fine, physically, but I'm worried about Luke, Skyguy."

"His scores are exceptional," Anakin replied. "His command over the Force is higher than any I've ever seen, he had received high marks in everything, I don't see the problem," Anakin replied defenseless.

"He is bright, brilliant in fact," Ahsoka agreed. "Like none I've ever trained. Yet, he doesn't wait for his squadron, he is under the impression that he has to do it all alone, and that kind of thinking isn't going to do either of you any help," Ahsoka explained.

"I'll take care of it," Anakin replied, the softness of his earlier voice gone and the voice of a military commander it its place.

"Anakin, be gentle with him," Ahsoka told him as the connection was cut and the rest of the squadron appeared.

Anakin frowned he usually taught some classes on either military tactics or lightsaber combat although he wasn't a regular trainer since he was involved with the Rebellion in such a vast capacity, but today he had taken the day off to spend with Jinn and Padme. He had shown Jinn how to use the Force to throw pillows at Padme which was what had elicited the laughter from her when Ahsoka had called. He had been enjoying a worry-free day until now. Anakin believed he had a good relationship with all three of his children and he couldn't help but ruffle Jinn's hair, he had named him after his father and his ancestor Revan, who was teaching at the Academy. The Empire had their own academies so this had been a fair swap, Anakin thought. There were separate academies within the Rebellion for those that weren't force sensitive.

Both Skywalker twins received very high marks in their studies though some of the instructors were worried about Luke, not his progress but his single-handed determination to be the best. It hadn't escaped Anakin's notice that Luke spent more time on his flight simulations than on his studies though until now Anakin had refrained from mentioning it, who was he to tell someone that there were more important things than flying, but for Luke it was true. Anakin readily acknowledged that he was harder on Luke than he was either Leia or Jinn but that didn't mean that he didn't love him, Anakin did, he loved him with every breath he possessed and would give his last breath to keep him safe from harm, but he knew what was in store in the near future and Luke had to be ready. Flying could wait. Jinn would be starting at the Academy in a few short months which was why Anakin had taken the day off; to spend some time with his young son before he started. Anakin heard the knock on the door and lifted Jinn off his lap where he had crawled up there long lankly legs and all. He reminded Anakin a lot of himself, except for the dark hair, that was Padme. He was a sweet child that one couldn't help but love and Anakin struggled to dislodge his son from around his neck as he heard the droids and Luke.

"Mistress Padme it seems you must sign that Luke has arrived," he heard.

"Jinn, let me up, you impish child," he said at the sparks of what he knew was a plan, brining Anakin back to the days where he had rewired the Temple droids to speak like Master Yoda. Then, with a shrug and a hug Jinn hoped up.

"Dad," he asked, looking up at Anakin with a look of adoration on his face. "Can you show me how to use the flight simulation?"

"Sure, son. Just give me a couple of hours, alright. I need to deal with your brother." Jinn caught Anakin hand in his smaller one.

"Don't be too hard on him," he said, and Anakin was once again aware at how sensitive to people's emotions his youngest son was. Anakin released Jinn's hand and went to face his son who was speeding by him rapidly.

"Luke, where are you going?" Anakin asked, and Luke didn't answer. Anakin sighed and focused the Force around him, stopping his movement. Luke struggled against the grip, and then turned and glared at his father.

"Dad, let me go," he said, his voice calm yet laced with venom.

"Free yourself," Anakin told him, testing him. Luke tried to struggle but was held within the grip of the Chosen One. Padme entered the room.

"Anakin, let him go," she said softly, and Anakin turned to his wife. "Padme, I can't. He can free himself if he wants to," he told her.

"You can let him go," she told her husband, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"No, Padme, I can't," he told her, his voice a little panicked. "Do you believe when he faces the Emperor that he will let him go? Free yourself, Luke," he commanded. "Use the Force, reverse my grip," he told his son, who continued to glare. Anakin's temper was rising. "You aren't even trying," he accused, relaxing his grip to a smaller level. "When we face the Emperor, you have to be prepared, he isn't a Jedi, but a Sith and he will use any means necessary to destroy you, to eliminate you. A Sith by his very nature is evil," Anakin continued, relaxing his grip again, but Luke just stood there waiting testing him. "He's not your father, and he's not a Jedi, he will not go easy on you. Are you just going to stand there and let him kill you?" he asked.

"It's not like you care," Luke replied as Anakin let him go. Anakin turned around stalking out of the room.

"No flight simulations until you can break out of my grasp. Practice your studies, I'll be back," Anakin called using the Force to call his lightsaber to his hand. Why wasn't Luke even trying? What was wrong with him? Should he take him to the healers to be tested? Did he not care that the Emperor was a psychological maniac bent on leaving the galaxy in darkness.

Padme stared after Anakin and turned to Luke. "Is he right, Luke?" she asked as they walked to his room. "Did you even try?" Luke blushed and Padme knew Anakin had been right.

"No, Mom, I wanted too but…"

"But what?" she asked him.

"Nothing I ever do is ever good enough for him," he explained. Padme wrapped her arms around her young son.

"Oh baby," she said as she rocked him as best she could her fifteen year old son. "He's so proud of you. You have mastered every task that has been put in front of you, and you keep up with your lightsabers better than he ever did," she said, in a soothing voice.

"How can I compete with him?" Luke asked. "He is the Chosen One, the Tan, the Hero with No Fear, the Master of Form V, one of the founders of the Rebellion, he brought Master Dooku back from the Dark Side, unfroze the Jedi Grandpa Revan, he's the best star pilot in the Galaxy; he fought in the Clone Wars and saved the Jedi. I'm just his son," Luke bemoaned.

"You are one of the best cadets at the Academy," she told him. "You have one of the highest marks there."

"Not as high as Leia," he said turning away from her.

"And we both know why that is," she said ruffling his hair. "You spend more time of flight simulations than on learning lightsaber combat, or hand to hand combat, or military strategists, or your Jedi lessons."

"Why do I have to fight the Emperor? Why me?"

Padme sighed; this was the part she always hated. "You have a great destiny ahead of you, Luke. When I was your age I was the Queen of Naboo and I had just met your father."

"Mommmm," he bemoaned. "I know this story already."

"So you do," Padme told him. "My point is that nothing is easy at your age. When Anakin was your age we were on the verge of the Clone Wars, and soon after we were married, and we had to hide it. You are very lucky, son, luckier than you know."

"He's always gone, why is he always gone?" Luke raged.

"Luke….is this what this is about, are you angry with your father," she asked, stroking his blonde hair, tugging playfully on his padawan braid, so like his father. He was so much like his father, he didn't even know.

"No, yes, I don't know, Mom. All I know is he is always off doing something exciting and I'm stuck on this rock."

"You are training, Luke. You are still a cadet, when you reach the rank of Padawan you will be paired with a master and then you will go on mission as well, your father has worked hard and continues to work hard, every time he leaves he does so for a better future. Luke, your father loves you very much."

"Not as much as he loves Leia or Jinn," Luke mumbled.

"Luke, I love you, your father loves you. You don't know how happy he was when you and Leia were born."

"I'm sure it was just Leia he doted on."

"Luke Obi-Wan Skywalker, you need to center yourself within the Force and be mindful of your negative thoughts and attitude," Padme told him. "I'll have Three-pio bring you some hot cocoa while you work on your studies," she said, tired of the negativity. After Padme left, Jinn snuck in, hopping on his bed, he slung his legs back and forth.

"Mom's right," he said. "Dad does love you."

"Your just a little kid," Luke said opening his datapad as he looked at the history of the Clone Wars. Anakin Skywalker, he sure got tired of seeing his dad's name. Battle of Geneosis, Battle of Christophsis, was there any battle his father didn't fight in and succeed. Jinn used the Force to float one of Luke's X-wings down.

"Leave that alone, it's a classic," Luke said softly, fire in his voice. Jinn studies in realizing it wasn't an X-Wing but a replica of the Twilight.

"Dad found this on his escape to Tantooine…." Jinn thought a minute, "From Teth."

"I know about Tattooine, I was born there," Luke snapped.

"Take it from me," Jinn told him, shrugging off Luke's bad mood. When Luke didn't try, Jinn went for the kill. "Leia could," he told him and before he knew it was snatched a few feet from his hands. Jinn frowned. "What's wrong with you?" he asked. Luke got up and closed his door, and Jinn frowned, that would have been a simple task with the Force.

"My connection to the Force is weakening, not getting stronger."

"That's impossible!" Jinn cried out, "You are a Skywalker. Haven't you heard Master Yoda," Jinn said intoning the Grand Master's voice. "Strong the Force is within your family, your father has it, your sister has it, and your brother has it. Strong the Force has been within your family since the days of the Old Republic."

"This isn't funny," Luke said, sighing.

"Have you seen the healers?" Jinn asked, standing up and pacing, like his father, he couldn't stay still.

"No, I don't want Dad to know," Luke admitted. "And you can't tell him either," Luke replied. "We are brothers and that means you can't rat on me," Luke said quickly. Jinn shrugged, much like his namesake he took things as they came to him, living in the present without worry for the Future.

"Maybe there's some kind of block, it could be subconscious, you should ask Grandpa Revan," he said, as he floated the Twilight back to its place. "Dad's home," he said, skipping from Luke's room.

Anakin's boots were heard throughout the house and instead of dealing with Luke he offered his youngest son some flight simulations. "Want to see how we old space pirates do it, eh, Jinn?" he asked as Jinn used the Force to float up to his father's shoulders. "You won't be able to do that much longer. Let's head to the Academy," he said with a smile as he bent down to kiss Padme firmly on the mouth. "I'll be back soon, angel. Check on Luke for me, will you?"

"I worry about him, Ani. Something just doesn't seem right with him," she said, touching her hand to her forehead as she pushed back stray strands of her hair.

"He's a teenager," Anakin reminded her. "He's just being stubborn, can't imagine where he gets that from," he said, catching his wife around the waist and spinning her around, "Was I any different at his age? Must have given Obi-Wan at least a few gray hair and wrinkles, though I suspect that Mara Jade and Anella are responsible for most of them."

"Ha!" she replied, "I head Obi-Wan say that nothing was worse than dealing with you 'oh chosen one" she teased. With one hand Anakin swung Jinn down and placed him on the floor as he chased his wife around the house, finally pinning her hands on either side of her on the couch. "I give! I give!" she laughed. "Let me up, I have a million things to do before Leia gets home, and you promised our son a flight simulation. I expect you to cash in on the rain check," she said reaching up and kissing him. Anakin's smile grew.

"Don't start something you can't finish, Mrs. Skywalker," he said, helping her up.

"Wouldn't dream of it," she said lowering her hand to the japer snippet around her bosom. Even after so many years, they were still like a couple of newlyweds. Anakin let her up and she looked over her datapad that contained new strategies in the Senate, and new information on the Empire. She voted yes, on the idea of someone stealing the plans for the Death Star, there were rumors of the battle station that could destroy an entire planet, and Padme could only hope that the rumors had been greatly exaggerated.

Unfortunately, she suspected that her husband would volunteer for the job and either Ahsoka or Obi-Wan would go with him. How many nights during Luke and Leia's childhood had she sat up with them or walked outside with them covered in blankets during the winters wondering which planet her husband was on and if he would return to her and the children, even though she heard from him unless he communication was too dangerous, still she worried. Then, Luke had comforted her, had told her of his father's accomplishments and how nothing could truly hurt him, how he couldn't die until he completed his destiny and they all knew that that hadn't happened yet although there had been times he had been hurt or captured. Most of the original clone turned stromtroopers were gone. With the Jedi in possession of the DNA and the antidote the only Clones were ones that were loyal to them and the Rebellion. Padme thought back to Ahsoka and Rex's wedding, how as a wedding gift Anakin had surprised not only Rex but the rest of the Clones with the anti-aging serum. Padme would swear to this day that there had been tears in Rex's eyes and Rex was a wonderful father.

Apparently, it was easier than Padme had ever thought for Clone DNA to mix with humanoid aliens to create children. Cut was but one. There were many Clones here on Dantooine, but Anakin was getting antsy as the time approached to face the Emperor he had come down harder on Luke and moved their Troopers between Onderon and the Star Forge. It was now operating at maximum potential, but Revan had told them it could operate at two hundred percent, though he wasn't sure if there would be any Dark Side effects to stay on the Forge, which was why Anakin rotated them and the Jedi did not stay there. It was too dangerous to a Jedi. Luke and Leia had been there only once, and that was due to unforeseen circumstances forcing Anakin to dock and make repairs.

"Son, where would you like to fly?" Anakin asked Jinn.

"Naboo, can I?" Jinn said and Anakin typed in the coordinates as he explained what he was doing. How long since they had last seen Naboo. Probably a year. He made it a point to either visit or have Rewee and Jobal visit him and the twins, after the horrid experience of his mother's death, he would never keep a family member from another, and he didn't want the Naberrie's to believe that was what was wrong. He thought perhaps he should have Jobal come talk to him, or perhaps he should speak with Jitster, Padme's nephew, perhaps it would be good for Luke. He hoped it would center him. Anakin smiled as he saw Galen, Mara Jade, and Leia walk into the flight simulations. Leia blushed and looked from him to Galen, and Anakin brushed it off.

"How are your studies, Princess?" he asked her. She beamed at him.

"Great, I have the highest marks in the class," she told him.

"I see narcissism is still alive," Galen teased her. Leia stuck her tongue out at him, and Anakin laughed.

"That's not very Jedi of you, Leia," he told her.

"Yeah, your highness," he mawked her. Anakin looked at him sternly, lifting one eyebrow questioning in an imitation of Obi-Wan, though no one but Padme knew it for what it was.

"Cadet Malek, how are your studies?"

"Not as good as Leia's," he replied with a grin. The cadet was mostly serious but he never resisted a moment to tease what some referred to as the Jedi Princess do to both her heritage, her demeanor, and how quickly she had advanced, she seemed everyone's pet.

"Do you kids have any idea who you would like to be your masters once you reach the rank of padawan?" he asked.

"I believe Master Kota will take me as a padawan," Galen said, turning serious. "He has always been like a father to me."

"You couldn't ask for a better Jedi Master," Anakin told him, "Unless of course, you chose my master," Anakin said, bragging a little. "I wouldn't be the man, the Jedi I am today without his guidance, choosing the right master or padawan is a very important decision," he continued. "What about you, Leia?" he asked.

"I'm hoping Aunt Ahsoka will choose me," Leia continued and Anakin realized that his master was now 'one of those old Jedi' though it didn't seem that way. After all of Anakin's teasing Obi-Wan's eyes still laughed and he still retained most of his ginger hair. Anakin didn't really see him as old, he wasn't much older than Anakin was himself, ten standard years or so, but apparently they weren't the cool Jedi anymore, Anakin thought. Or maybe they were nervous of him and Obi-Wan after all so much of the history of the Jedi involved them. "Dad," Leia called, snapping Anakin from his thoughts. "Do you mind if I invite Galen and Mara Jade over?" she asked. Anakin frowned, with Luke's mood it wouldn't be a good idea.

"Actually, Princess why don't you go over to one of their homes today's not a good day with Luke getting in trouble," Anakin replied.

"What happened?" Mara asked.

"I will not discuss that," Anakin replied. "It's Council business," he replied with a grin, and Leia winked knowing that it was a line he used when he wouldn't discuss it.

"Well, we'll just head over to Uncle Obi-Wan's," Leia said, as she hugged Anakin and ruffled Jinn's hair. "You're a natural, baby brother," she told him, with a smile.

"Ask your Aunt Satine," Anakin called after her, but she had already left. Anakin found their force bond and contacted Obi-Wan knowing that Leia had no problem making herself at home invitation or not.