Author's notes: Hey everyone! I know this is probably getting annoying, but just a few things to cover. I'm sorry this isn't an Ani/Padme story. I did tell you it took place after ROTJ. Anakin and Pdame are dead. There is no way to fix that fact. I'm sorry if it upsets some of you, but please don't finish the story because of that. I love Ani/Padme love thing as much as anybody, ask Amy or Stassja. But this is sadly not about them. This is about Ani. This is his story. *shrugs* But thank you all for being loyal, great readers. I could never have gotten over my fear of letting people read my work with out you guys. THANK YOU! :)
Chapter Six
Fun and Games
The next morning Ani was up early. He dressed, leaving his room and headed outside. He trekked across the field that surrounded the Great Temple and out into the forest. The day time animals were just waking up, as the birds started their usually morning tunes. The sun was rising steadily over the trees, while Ani moved onward. He really had no idea where he was going, only that he wanted to get away from everything else and be by himself for a time to think. After a time he came to a small river, not very deep or wide. The sun glinted its bright rays off the surface of the water blinding him for a moment. He roamed along the bank until he found large stand of boulders to perch on.
After taking off his boots, he sat with his feet dangling in the water. The water was still cool from the night air. It felt good tingling his feet, bring him fully awake. He let himself relax, feeling at peace with everything around him. His thoughts flowed along soothingly with the river. All problems were for now forgotten. His contentment brought back memories of old times. One struck him profoundly. It was a song. A song his mother used to sing to him when money was scarce and when desert winds howled outside their home. He felt homesick for a moment, wishing she was there. He knew though he'd never see her again. She was dead. How many times would he have to remind himself about that?
Something tingled his senses at the back of his mind. He registered it as another person. He stretched out his senses through the Force to identify who was out there intruding on his peace. It took him only a moment to do so. He knew who it was now.
"Gabe?" he called.
The underbrush rustled not far away, as Gabe stood up.
"Were you following me?" he asked her.
She came and sat down beside him on the boulder.
"Yes," she admitted sheepishly. "I heard you leave your room and wanted to know where you were going. I sensed you didn't want to be bothered so I stayed back."
They were both silent for a moment.
"I didn't mean to bother," she looked away from him.
"I figured that," was all he said.
She fiddled with her fingers for a second, before looking up at him. "You're not angry?"
"No."
"So I'm forgiven?" she asked.
He looked thoughtful. "I'll have to think about it," he said with a small smile.
She crossed her arms and gave him a dirty look.
"I suppose so," he answered, finally.
"Good."
He caught a fleeting change in her through the Force. He opened himself farther to the Force, letting it heighten his senses even more. He felt from her a veiled sense of affection for him. He drew back feeling like an intruder.
She shrugged. "Well, anyway....what are you doing down here? I thought you usually went with Tenel Ka on morning runs about now."
"I do. Just didn't feel like doing it today. Training gets repetitive after a while," he replied.
"You're right. We need to do something different. Everyone's getting bored, it's not just you," she agreed.
"You know around this time was usually when the Jedi had Exhibition Day," Ani remarked.
"What's that?" she asked.
Ani was stunned for a moment. Didn't they still have Exhibition Day? It had been a big thing among all the young initiates at the Temple. Then he remembered that this wasn't the old Temple. He wondered just how much the Jedi had lost when the other Temple was destroyed. There were so many differences in training and such around here that it puzzled Ani. This brought up all the things he'd been putting off to ask Luke about.
"Exhibition Day was a day of games almost. It was play, but serious all the same. That was the day the Masters would come watch the initiates do games to see how good they were. Then a master would usually pick an initiate to be his or hers padawan. It was a special and important event for all initiates," he explained to her.
"What kinda of games did they play?" she wanted to know.
Ani looked thoughtful for a moment, trying to remember. He'd taken place in a few and had down well. But since he'd already had a master long before most of the initiates usually did the games were not nearly as important or serious to him. They'd been just games. A time to show off his skills in front of all the masters.
"They did force exercises, like lifting boulders or other heavy objects, possibly while doing other things such as standing on your head. Exercises for balance, endurance, climbing, jumping, swimming, and running. Then they'd have the lightsaber duels. Sometimes they'd split the initiates into teams of four or two. Some were it was three against one or even blindfolded. Most of the time though they'd split them into two groups of kids, who'd been in the same classes together, then have the two teams battle with training blades. The first one hit by the opponent's blade is out, them someone else comes up to take that persons place. It's a game to see who can stay out in the arena the longest," Ani told her.
"Sounds tough," she remarked.
"It was fun," he grinned.
Gabe got a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We should ask Luke to have an Exhibition Day. There aren't as many masters as there used to be, so it could just be a game day. Something different to do. I bet the other kids would think it's a great idea."
"You think Luke would go for it?" Ani looked skeptical.
"Sure, if we got enough kids interested in it. We can bring it up to night at the assembly," Gabe's enthusiasm was catching.
"Alright," he agreed with a grin.
*******
Ani and Gabe sat with the Solo kids and their friends at the assembly. Luke called an assembly once a week to go over anything that needed attention from during the week or upcoming things. The younger kids all sat closer to the podium where Luke stood and the older kids stood or sat around behind them. Luke was talking about several of the Jedi, out on missions, coming back to visit in a few days. Ani and Gabe swapped looks. If they could get the Exhibition to be during that time it would be even more important.
"Now, is there anything else that I need to know about?" Luke asked.
Gabe raised her hand and stepped forward with Ani. Luke beckoned them forward.
"Ani had an idea that he wanted to talk to everyone about," Gabe told Luke.
This caused murmurs to start around the room, as Ani went to stand by Luke on the podium. Everyone knew about Ani, but not all of them knew him and if they did it was not very well. So they were curious as to what Ani was going to tell them. Ani cleared his throat, getting their attention. Silence was eminent through out the room. Almost as if they were afraid to know.
"In the old Temple around this time the Jedi masters used to hold what they called Exhibition Day for all the initiates," Ani briefly explained in as simple terms as possible. "I figured since we're all getting a little bored of the regular training schedule, we could have an Exhibition Day. It could be a game day. What do you think?"
He looked out at all of them, then to Luke. Murmurs had started all around the room again, excited murmurs. They all seemed taken to the idea. It was a fun way to get out of training for a day.
"Well, it sounds like a good idea. How many would be interested in doing this?" Luke asked.
Just about every hand in the room went up.
"Ok, then children, we have an Exhibition to organize. And maybe we could do it one of the days the Jedi Knights are here on visit," Luke looked at Ani, reading his mind.
Ani bit back a grin, as wild cheers erupted from the young Jedi.
Luke smiled at Ani. "I hope you realize this means you're organizing it."
Ani's mouth fell open. "I-I," he stammered.
This brought a burst of laughter from everyone and a smile from Luke. Ani shook his head, knowing he was trapped. Everyone shouted encouragements at him. "Come on, Ani!" "Do it. Please!" "Go ahead!" Ani let his shoulders drop in defeat and smiled at them.
"Alright, I accept the responsibility of setting it up, but I still get to be in the games!" he exclaimed.
A round of applause and cheers went up for Ani. Ani felt the warmth creep up his neck, as he looked at them all. Gabe grinned at him from below the podium. What had he gotten himself into?
*******
The day of the Exhibition had arrived. Ani had spent long hours for the last week or so trying to get it together. He'd had to sort out which students he wanted in what games and skills. How to divide up the students so it was fair to all of them. Setting up an arena for the games to take place in. He'd talked to the arriving Jedi Knights about the Exhibition and what they thought. Not to mention trying to avoid his new crowd of admirers from some of the young female initiates. So much planning had gone into this that Ani's head was still spinning. But at last it was here.
The first classes of the day were for the smallest children between 5 and 6 years old. Kam Solusar, one of the teachers of these children, helped Ani out. He divided them into teams for the first game. The game was a tug-of-war of sorts. He'd put a rock about the size of a melon in the center of the arena. Everyone in each group held the rock in a Force hold. The both sides began to use the Force to tug it in their direction. Which ever side lost their Force hold first lost. Which ever team hung on the longest or got the rock to their side of the arena won. The game went for several tense minutes, with all the students cheering the little ones on. Finally the group with Sadie and Hunter in it won after the other group lost their hold. Ani let out a whoop for his two little friends. He let them do a few more games before moving on to the older kids.
It was the 7, 8, and 9 year olds turn. Corran Horn, a Jedi Knight that was a retired member of Rogue Squadron, helped him. Corran and his wife, Mirax, had come to see his two kids, who would be playing in the games. In fact, one of his children, his little girl Jysella, was in this group. He had them do games for Force lifting, running, and jumping. It got to be pretty interesting for an hour or so during their games. Especially, during the contest to see who could toss an egg the furtherest with the Force and still not break it. Most of the kids ended up splattered in egg. This quickly turned into a huge egg fighting war. Ani just missed getting caught in it. Every other game went pretty well.
As the day passed on moving to the older kids, things began to get heated up. The games became harder and more intense, testing everyone to their limits. The Mon Calamari named Cilghal, helped Ani in the pre-teen's division. She was gentle, but tough all at once. Ani really liked her. Tahiri, Anakin's friend, got first in two or three games. Corran's son, Valin, did exceedingly well in this division too. Ani found out later that the Horns could not use the Force to levitate, but that they were very powerful in using mind tricks. He remembered a Jedi he'd met named Nejaa Halcyon that had the same sort of Force powers. Nejaa had been a descendant of the great Corellian Jedi Keiran. He wondered if by any chance Corran might be related to Nejaa. That kind of gift was very rare. He'd ask Corran about it later.
Then it was time for the older teams, 14 through 20(allowing Ani to play). Luke conducted these games with utter seriousness. They had running, jumping, Force lifting, and a dozen other hard games. Ani did really well in all of them. Though he lost to Tenel Ka in the running and climbing to Lowie by a hair. Most of the time it was Anakin and Ani head to head. The two seemed perfectly matched but Ani with more control over his Force use. It got very tense when it finally got to the lightsaber duels. Luke had deliberately put them last to test how much endurance they had and to see if they could hold up. Luke had them fight in pairs and then trios. In every group Ani was in his group won. He seemed to be able to find his team members' best skills and use them against the opponent.
Finally, it came to the last and hardest games of all. The lightsaber team challenge. Luke had split all the teens up into two teams. Team one, Blue, had Alema( a twi'lek female about 16 years old), Zekk(black haired, emerald eyed young man of 18, who had once been part of the Dark Jedi, but had turned from that path to become one of Luke's students), Lusa(a centaur like alien female about 16), Gabe, Jacen, and Anakin. Team two, Red, consisted of Raynar(an Alderaan young man of 16), Lowie, Jaina, Ani, Tenel Ka, and Numa(Alema's twin sister). The idea of the game was that one on each team would come out and battle. The first one hit was knocked out of the fight. Then the next person up on that team would challenge the winner. The idea was to see how long you could stay out and knock out as many players from the other team as possible in the arena. The longer you stayed out the more points your team got. The team with the most points and the least of players knocked out of their team won. And it would all be done in less than 40 minutes.
"You may use any techniques you like, but do not aim to hit any vital areas. Please, do not try to hurt each other to much. You are not allowed to throw things through the Force or otherwise. All lightsabers will also be on training mode. Is that clear?" Luke asked. When they all nodded their understanding, Luke smiled. "Good, then I hope you have a good time. And don't forget this is just a game. Oh, by the way. Whoever stays out the longest gets to fight again. Only this time any three opponents he or she chooses. Let the game begin!"
Alema stepped out into the arena, the first player for Blue. Raynar came out to face her, the first player for Red. Each switched on their lightsabers with a snap hiss and saluted each other. Then the battle began. Raynar did fairly well against Alema for the first few minutes, but Alema was just warming up. She started to get faster and use harder hits. Raynar was hard pressed to keep up. In the end Alema swiped him across the arm, knocking him out of the game and leaving him with a nasty burn.
Lowie walked out to the center of the arena and roared his challenge at Alema. Alema gave him a fierce look, then leaped forward to clash blades with him. The two fought fast and furious, striking like snakes. The force behind Lowie's attacks began to tire Alema out. Within a few minutes she was to tired to block anymore and was knocked out by a hit to her leg. Lowie roared out in triumph. Zekk stepped up to take Alema's place. He nodded to Lowie that he was ready and the next round began. Zekk fought hard and bravely, but it was again Lowie's powerful thrusts and hits that brought Zekk down.
Lusa galloped out into the arena. She shook her long silky mane and whistled a harsh challenge at Lowie. The wookie answered back with a deafening roar. Lusa charged Lowie with astonishing speed. Catching Lowie off guard she nearly got him with her 'saber, but Lowie leapt back just in time. The speed of the duel increased. Now it was the wookie's turn to be hard pressed to keep up. Lusa seemed to be able to strike just under his guard, when she saw a weak spot. The fast pace finally had its toll on Lowie and after three fights he was finally knocked out.
Jaina walked out and grinned at Lusa. She was ready and she knew that the last round had worn Lusa out considerably. The centaur girl, however, would not give up with out a fight. She stubbornly fought back, until her speed failed and Jaina managed to strike her out. Lusa left the arena with great dignity, receiving several cheers for her courage. Gabe stepped up next. Unknowing to everyone else, Gabe had been practicing with Ani on 'saber technique. Gabe had not been one of the best fighters, but now she was confident she could beat Jaina. So it caught Jaina completely by surprise when Gabe met her parry for parry and thrust for thrust. She faked a move to the left and when Jaina swung to met her, Gabe quickly changed directions and slashed upward. She caught Jaina squarely in the side and Jaina was out.
Everyone fell completely silent, as Ani walked out into the arena. As of yet, few people had seen him fight, but there was rumors of how good he was. And by Gabe's uneasy some of them were probably true. Ani bowed to her and his glowing blue blade sprang to life. He whirled it in a spinning arc and took up the defense posture. He waited for Gabe to make the first move. She lunged at him fiercely, but he batted the assault aside. He swung his blade around and with a clash both blades met. The fight was over before anyone had time to think, much less Gabe. With one swift kick, Ani had easily disarmed her. Her lightsaber went spinning up in to the air. He caught it deftly in his other hand and with a flick of the wrist, knocked her out of the game with a slash to the shoulder.
Jacen came out to meet Ani. Ani bowed to Jacen and with an almost feral grin- switched on Gabe's blade. He crouched into a two 'saber defense stance, again letting his opponent make the first move. Jacen was taken by surprise and unsettled by this curious move. He sprang forward to meet Ani nonetheless. Ani struck like an avenging neku, quick and precise. His movements were like lightning, controlled by the Force. Jacen fought as best he could against Ani. He kept up bravely, trying to find away past Ani's guard, but he could find none. The double blades kept Jacen constantly dancing out of the way of their glowing blades. Finally, Jacen surrendered. He could not win. Ani struck him out and bowed to him.
"You were a worthy opponent, Jacen," Ani praised the younger Jedi, as Jacen left the arena.
Another hush came over the crowd watching. This was the fight everyone had been waiting to see. Anakin came bounding into the arena and faced Ani with a broad grin. Ani smiled back, but did not let his opponent ruin his concentration. In fact, he seemed to become even more immersed in the Force. Ani whirled his double blades and attacked. Anakin, surprised for a second by Ani's sudden change from defense to attack, just managed to block the double blows. The fight continued to heat up, as the players became even faster and more absorbed in the Force. The two seemed to be of equal strength in the Force, neither gaining advantage over the other. Anakin spun into a double reverse, forcing Ani to yield ground to him. Ani flipped easily over Anakin's head, landing behind him. Anakin nearly bent backward as he swept his blade behind him. Ani's 'saber crashed into Anakin's, just missing Anakin's back by inches.
"Nice move," Ani whispered.
"Thanks," Anakin replied.
Faster and even more intense the fight raged on. Both neither giving in an inch, but Ani wasn't through yet. Ani worked the two blades in perfect harmony, spinning them over and about with blinding speed and precision. He still had a few tricks up his sleeve yet. He swept his blades downward then upward in two smooth motions, making Anakin jump over one while parrying the other.
Ani suddenly paused in mid-attack. His brow furrowed and he seemed to lose all his concentration. In Ani's mind he could see himself rushing at Dooku again and being thrown back by the Force lightning. He shook off the vision, managing to parry as Anakin took advantage of this situation. Anakin drove Ani back against the arena wall with another spinning triple reversal. Now that he had his concentration back, Ani seemed not even to mind that he was being backed into a trap. To everyone's great astonishment, Ani actually flipped away from Anakin and ran straight toward the wall. He ran up it, flying back at Anakin so fast that the boy had no time to even think about parrying. Ani's foot landed squarely against Anakin's chest, knocking him to the ground, winded. Ani's blue blade swept downward and hovered an inch from his throat. With a soft tap of his blade Anakin was out.
"Red Team is the winner of the lightsaber team challenge. Ani is our champion of the game!" Luke announced.
Everyone cheered and whooped. Never had they seen anything so exciting as that match in quite sometime. Who'd have guessed that Ani had such skill and control. Many had never seen anyone fight with two lightsabers and those who had never saw anyone that good at it. Never had they seen such power. Ani had been expending many times the energy, through the Force, that Anakin had been. If Ani didn't have all of the power that Anakin Skywalker had, then they could only imagine the raw power that Anakin must have possessed. Ani smiled and bowed to them all. He shook hands with all his opponents, whom didn't seem to upset about being beaten.
"That was a great round, Ani," Anakin said to the clone, as they shook hands.
"That was pretty good. You put up a good fight," Ani smiled.
Anakin gripped Ani's hand hard. "I'll beat you next time."
Ani leaned forward. "I'd like to see you try."
"Well, Ani, since you're the champion of the game you get to pick who you fight next," Luke cut in smiling.
Ani looked around the group. Many of them were to tired to fight anymore. He could ask no more from them with out being unfair. "Anybody willing to fight?"
Tenel Ka stepped forward. "I have not gotten to fight yet. I will go a round against you."
"I would be honored," Ani inclined his head slightly in mock regalness.
"I haven't fought yet either. I would love to try and take you down," Numa grinned, fiercely.
Ani's eyes met Numa's. "Be my guest."
"And I would like to try again," Gabe put in. "You knew I was nervous and you took advantage of me. Well, this time you're going down."
Ani's eyes danced with held in laughter. "So, I'm surrounded by women. What're the possibilities of surviving that?"
Laughter broke out from those nearest to them.
"I get to keep my double blades, right?" Ani pretended to be nervous.
"Of course," Numa replied. "Just as long as you give Gabe's back. She's need it."
Ani handed back Gabe's lightsaber. Anakin threw Ani his.
"Gook luck, man. You're gonna need it," Anakin grinned.
"Thanks," Ani laughed.
Luke stepped out into the arena again. "It is decided. Ani will go a round against three very tough young ladies. Tenel Ka, Numa, and Gabe."
Cheers and laughs swept through the crowd.
"Rules are the same as before..." Luke trailed off, as Gabe whispered something in his ear. Luke smiled and resumed speaking. "And Ani you're under strict orders not to take it easy on them."
"I had no intention of doing any such thing," Ani remarked, causing more laughter.
"Alright, then let the game begin!" Luke exclaimed.
Ani stood out alone in the center of the arena. He switched on both his lightsabers and whirled them in beautiful blue patterns. The girls conversed for a moment in a corner of the arena, making up a game plan. He continued to dazzle the crowd with a few more pretty tricks. He dropped down into defensive posture as the girls began to circle him. They'd seen him fight. They would have to be fast, cautious of his twin blades, and careful of any quick tricks. They all rushed him at once. Numa swiping low, Gabe swiping high, and Tenel Ka slashing in towards his middle. Ani jumped over the low swipe, parrying Tenel Ka's blow, while dodging out of the way of Gabe's blade. He flipped over Numa's head slashing downward. She parried, twisting around to meet him. The other two girls converged in behind of him. Ani turned into a virtual whirlwind of blades, somehow managing to block them all. Many times he just missed being hit. The fight was lightning paced and difficult to follow. All of the players were nearly a blur of motion.
Numa staggered back from a powerful kick from Ani. Ani's aggressive competitive streak was now turned on to its highest level. It would be twice as hard to beat him now. He grinned broadly, having the time of his life. He played one opponent off the other, making them fight each other for a few seconds without realizing this. Then they turned on him, angrily, wanting to get him back. Gabe was the first to get knocked out. She had been unable to dodge Ani's swift downward thrust. Tenel Ka and Numa fought even harder, determined to make him pay for that. Still he fought on with a grin across his handsome face. His blades were liking spinning blue shields around him. Numa was again knocked back under a swift kick. This time Ani caught her before she could recover and she was out of the game.
Now it was up to Tenel Ka. The two separated for a moment, catching a breather. So far the Dartomirian warrior girl had the been the strongest fighter. She was quick and full of surprises. Ani found fighting her to be quite exhilarating. Even though she had lost one arm, she was still a wonderful fighter. Ani decided it was time to throw away the second blade. Not because he wanted to insult Tenel Ka. But for the challenge of trying to defeat her without it.
The two sprang forward at the same time. The blades crashed and crackled under the strain of the two fighters. They stood there a second with their faces with in inches of each other. Then they whirled away. Both fought with daring, risky moves. Ani threw in a few extra flourishes here and there. Doing a no handed cart wheel there and flip here. A smile still played on his lips. Finally when the crowd could almost not stand it anymore, Ani found an opening in Tenel Ka's defense. He slashed out with his boot, spinning the lightsaber from her hand and catching it, as he had with Gabe's. His lightsaber hovered an inch from her chin. She looked down at the glowing blade and surrendered. Ani had beaten her fairly.
All three girls came up to him and shook his hand. He congratulated their good swordsmanship and their bravery. They all promised that next time they would beat him. He told them that he would look forward to the challenge. He began to be aware of just how tired, hot, and sweaty he really was. He had not fought like that in a while. If he had to do one more battle he would probably collapse. Luke announced Ani as the Academy's undefeated champion with great pride. Then the closing ceremonies took place, and then everyone began to disperse to take a much needed shower and rest.
Ani stayed behind a while, talking to all the Jedi Knights and Masters that had come to visit. All were very impressed with his skill and talent. Wurth Skidder asked if Ani would show him that running up the wall move. Tionne praised his wonderful control and connection to the Force, which made Ani flush with pleasure. The old hermit, Streen, even praised him for his good skills. Several of the others such as Octa Ramis and the twi'lek Daeshara'cor were very admirable about him. Corran finally came up to join the group talking to Ani.
"Hey, kid, that was some great moves," the ex-pilot complimented him.
Ani smiled at him. "Thank you."
"You did really well with the children as well. You did a good job keeping them in line. I have problems doing that with my own kids," laughed Corran.
"Corran?" Ani asked.
"Yes?"
Ani thought of how to ask him what he wanted to know. "Do you by chance know of anyone named Nejaa Halcyon? You look a lot like him."
Suddenly, all the other Knights and Masters around grew quiet. Ani looked at them perplexed, but when he looked back at Corran, he saw surprise in the ex-pilot's face.
"I know who Nejaa is. He was my grandfather. He died in the Clone Wars," Corran said, quietly.
Ani understood now. "I knew Nejaa somewhat, during early training days with Obi-Wan. He was a great mind trickster and good Jedi. He loved to tell the new initiates that he was the descendant of the great Corellian Jedi Keiran Halcyon. Everyone knew who Keiran was." Ani paused for a moment. "He was in the battle on Geonosis. The first battle of the Clone Wars. He died that day along with a hundred other Jedi. We found out later that he'd secretly been married and had a son."
"Secretly? Why?" Corran wanted to know.
Ani looked at him astonished. "Jedi weren't allowed to fall in love back then, much less get married. It was forbidden." At this Ani's face grew dark.
"Nejaa's son was Valin Halcyon. Nejaa's wife remarried a friend of the family named Rostek Horn. They renamed Valin, Hal Horn to keep him safe. Hal Horn is my father," Corran told Ani.
"Well, Nejaa was a good, kind man. And I was sad that he perished that day on Geonosis. I was proud to know him," Ani said.
"Thank you," Corran smiled.
Ani nodded, "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to go get a shower."
With that Ani disengaged from the group and left. Corran watched him go with mixed surprise and pleasure of having learned a little more of his grandfather. The other Jedi were just as amazed as him. Luke clapped Corran on the back and smiled.
"He's a rather remarkable young man," Corran remarked.
"Yes, but he is only a clone of the man that was," Luke replied.
Corran looked over at Luke. "When are you going to tell him the truth?"
"Soon," Luke sighed, and with that he to left them.