Author's notes: YAY! I did it! I found a name for my sith. Not exactly normal sith name, but whos cares. It's my story. Thank you Amy for helping pick it out. Thank you Carmen for the web sites to look on. Thank you everyone else who gave me suggestions. Had a hard time choosing. So thanks all of you. And with out farther ado….here it is! Whoopy!
Chapter Seven
The Truth
Luke was down in the communications room sending out a transmission, the day after the Exhibition, when the sensors sounded the tone for incoming ships. On screen two blips showed up and were identified as X-wings. Not just any X-wings, but Kyp Durron's and his apprentice Miko Reglia. Always late for everything, Luke sighed. Obviously they must have received his message about the Exhibition late. Luke sent out a transmission to Kyp's ship.
"Hello, Master Skywalker. It's been a while," Kyp greeted.
Luke nodded a hello. "I'm afraid you're a little late for the Exhibition."
"Oh? How late?"
"It was yesterday," Luke answered.
Kyp sighed. "Well, that's to bad. All my friends haven't up and left already have they?"
"No, most of the visiting Jedi decided to stay for a little while," Luke replied.
"I've been hearing some interesting rumors. Can't wait to hear if they're all true. See you on the landing field in a few minutes," Kyp said, and then signed off.
Luke sighed to himself. When ever Kyp was around things were sure to get interesting. Kyp had very strong views on how the Force should be used. Not all of them good either. He was headstrong, implusive, and a trying individual to be around. Kyp had once been a slave down in the mines of Kessel. He'd been freed when Han and Chewie had made a detour onto Kessel and gotten into trouble there. The two had spent a few weeks in the mines until they'd finally escaped with Kyp. Kyp was brought to the Academy when it was first being formed, as promising young man strong in the Force. He'd turned to the Dark Side when the spirit of a dead sith tempted him with its power. To make a long story short, Kyp had ended up finding a deadly weapon, blown up a planet, killed thousands of Imperials, and was eventually turned back to the Light by Han. Kyp would never forgive himself for that, but it didn't stop him from using the Force in harsh, sometimes unorthodox ways.
He went out to greet Kyp and Miko out on the landing field. He was secretly glad that Ani was out somewhere with the Solo kids, so he wouldn't have to meet Kyp. That was probably one of the rumors he'd heard about. He found Kyp and Miko had already landed and were talking to a few of the Knights, who'd come out to greet them. Kyp seemed to be deep in conversation with Octa Ramis. She was apparently telling him something quite interesting. Luke walked up to them. Octa caught sight of him and stopped talking abruptly. Kyp turned and shook hands with him.
"It's been a long time since I was here last. You mind if we talk together and you fill me in on everything that's been going on?" Kyp asked.
"Not at all. Let's go up to my office," Luke led them back to the Temple.
Back in his office, he gestured for Kyp and Miko to sit.
"I've been hearing some interesting things about a clone named Ani, you seemed to have picked up somewhere," Kyp remarked. Miko looked at Luke interestedly.
Luke nodded, "Yes."
"I hear he did exceedingly well at the games yesterday, even beating your nephew Anakin. I've heard rumors about who this clone might be," Kyp went on.
"I'm sure you have a pretty good idea who exactly he's cloned from," Luke remarked.
Kyp nodded.
"You know he is a clone of the late Anakin Skywalker. He's a very adapt student and already powerful," Luke said.
Miko shot a look at his Master. Luke explained the whole thing to Kyp, even let him see the holocron that had revealed Ani's location to them. Kyp listened to him with rapt attention.
"Well, now that's quite interesting," Kyp murmured. "I'd like to meet this clone."
"A word of warning, Kyp. He doesn't know he's a clone. He thinks he's the real Anakin. If you or Miko reveal anything that will tell him otherwise-" Luke was caught off.
"You haven't told him yet!?" Miko burst out.
Luke shot the young man a warning look. "No, I have not, but I plan too."
"You're afraid to is more like it.," Kyp put in.
Luke fixed him with a cold glare. "He already knows what the Dark Side feels like. He's killed with it already. If you say anything that reveals to him his true nature, I will not be there to protect you from him if he decides to get angry. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, the last thing we need is another Darth Vader," Kyp answered.
"Good," Luke said, shortly.
"So, where is he?" Kyp asked.
Luke swiveled around in his chair and looked out the window. For a moment Kyp thought he was going to ignore that question or dismiss the two of them. But instead he pointed out to the clearing below. Kyp and Miko got up and looked out the window. Kyp saw the Solo kids and their friends out there practicing with their lightsabers. One young man, he did not recognize. He was a tall, well built blond haired youth. He knew that must be Ani.
"That is him," Luke said, confirming the fact.
"How old is he?"
"20."
Kyp turned to Miko. "Why don't you go down to meet Ani and the others? I'll be down in a few minutes."
Miko nodded and left. Kyp turned back to Luke. "So, your father was thought to be the Chosen One." Kyp remarked, and then asked, "Do you believe that?"
Luke looked uncertain. "I'm not sure. I think he may have been. He destroyed the ultimate evil in the end and made it safe for the Jedi again. So, I guess maybe he was."
"That message by this Qui-Gon Jinn fellow. It said Anakin had more power than even Master Yoda. Do you know how much Ani has?"
"I'd say probably about 3/4 of what Anakin probably had, which is enough power in itself," Luke replied.
"You said he'd used the Dark Side before," Kyp said.
"Rather Anakin did after his mother, Shmi, died. He slaughtered a whole tribe of Tusken Raiders. Then again during the fight with Dooku, but Ani only remembers a little of that," Luke answered.
"So in truth, Ani hasn't used the Dark Side but Anakin had. So, Ani only remembers Anakin's life up to a point. Why is that?" Kyp wondered.
"I assume when they created Ani that was as much of Anakin's memory they had at the time. And also so he'd probably be more easily turned when they took him out of the tank," Luke said.
"An interesting theory," Kyp nodded, and then said. "I guess I'll go meet him now."
Luke watched Kyp turn and open the door, "Not a word, Kyp." He reminded the Jedi.
"Not a word," Kyp promised, but in his mind he was crossing his fingers.
*******
Miko walked up to join the small group that Ani was in. The Solo kids greeted warmly, having not seen him in sometime. Everyone else gave him a quick hello, but kept their attention on Ani. Ani was, at the moment, teaching Numa some of the older lightsaber moves from the Old Republic. Even some of the other Knights had come over to watch and learn. Ani told Numa about the seven forms of lightsaber combat, and each of their strengths. He was adapt in the Form Five combat, which was known for its power, while Obi-Wan had taken to Form Three which was based on defensive protection. He told Numa about Dooku, who had fought using Form Two, which was an older, more refined lightsaber combat involving long, elegant moves and incredible deftness of hand. He showed Numa all the four most basic Jedi lightsaber moves. He showed them the Jung: a 180 degree turn, the Jung ma: 360 degree spin to gain power for an attack, the Sai: Force assisted jump to evade an attack to the legs, and the Shun: a one-handed grip, spinning the lightsaber 360 degrees to gain speed for an attack. He showed them in slow motion, and then sped up. Miko was surprised at the easy and swiftness Ani performed the moves. He wondered what the real Anakin must have been like, if Ani only has 3/4 of the power that Anakin had. Numa caught on fast and was soon performing the tricks smoothly.
"Where'd you learn theses moves?" Miko asked the clone, when he'd stepped back to give Numa more space.
Ani studied Miko carefully, as though sizing him up. Miko didn't like the way the clone's eyes seemed to see right through him. He felt like Ani was reading his soul. He felt like a small child in the presence of some great, powerful being. He shrugged off the feeling. Ani was just another sentient being like anyone else with Force powers. He knew in the back of his head, though, that this was not true.
"I learned it from Master Yoda. I don't think I've ever met you before," Ani said.
Miko smiled, disarmingly, "Probably because I didn't get here until today."
Ani didn't find this amusing, but decided to be polite for manners sake. "My name's Ani. And you would be....?"
Miko extended his hand. "Miko Reglia." Ani took his offered hand with a leery look. It was quite clear that Ani didn't think much of him. Miko cleared his throat. "Those are pretty good tricks."
"Thank you," Ani replied.
"What if they don't work, though?" Miko commented.
Ani looked him straight in the eye with an almost feral smile. "Would you care to find out?"
"Are you challenging me?" Miko asked.
"Depends on your point of view," Ani studied his lightsaber. "Of course if you think you're not able to handle it...." Ani let the sentence hang.
Miko took the bait, just like Ani thought he would. Miko was hot headed and entirely to sure of himself. Ani would love to bring him down a peg or two.
"You're on," Miko hissed, unclipping his lightsaber from his belt.
The other kids in the group, sensing the upcoming fight backed off. They looked uncertain of what to do. Normally, the students didn't challenge each other out right. It was not looked upon in a good way by the Jedi elders. Nervous, some of them decided to leave before things got to tense. The Solo kids did not.
"This isn't a good idea, Ani," Jacen hissed in the clone's ear.
"His overconfidence is his weakness," Ani answered.
He turned to Miko, activating his lightsaber. Miko switched on his own, enjoying the soft hum that his weapon emitted. As the others had seen Ani do many times before, he dropped into the defensive posture. This was Ani's way of making the opponent think Ani was unwilling and afraid to attack. The duel started swiftly, each testing the others skill. Ani found that Miko made strong blows, but could not follow through on him. Miko was out of practice and his connection to the Force not near as powerful as Ani's. The duel was fast and intense, but short. Miko didn't have what it took to hold up to Ani's attacks, but he fought gamely. With a swift kick Ani sent Miko's lightsaber flying into the air and caught it easily, while Miko stared at him, still holding his throbbing hand.
"Well, it seems, young Jedi, that you were right about my apprentice's overconfidence. Such things can be unwanted hindrances," Kyp remarked from behind the group.
Miko flushed at his Master's disapproving look. Kyp seemed unperturbed when Ani turned his piercing gaze on him. Ani handed Miko's lightsaber back with he slight bow of his head. Kyp noted this with admiration. Ani was diffiantly an interesting character.
"I'm Jedi Master Kyp Durron. I assume you're Ani," Kyp stated.
Ani nodded. "What can I do for you?"
"I would just like to talk to you a little. I've heard very much about you from Luke. I'd like to se if you're everything Luke claims you are," Kyp smiled.
Ani didn't like Kyp anymore, then his apprentice, but he could not refuse to talk to a Master. It was rude and unheard of. When he sneaked a glance at the Solos, he saw their unhappy faces. They'd know Kyp for years and knew all about his rocky history. They could sense that Kyp was up to something. He looked back at Kyp with a wary look.
"I would be glad to speak with you," Ani said, coolly.
Kyp smiled, "Wonderful."
The two of them walked away from the group at an ambling pace.
"So Ani where are you from?" Kyp asked.
"Tatooine. Though I spent most of my life on Coruscant or traveling the galaxy training to be a Jedi," Ani answered.
"Under the tutelage of Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, correct?"
Ani shot Kyp a strange look. "Yes."
"Did he teach you to fight like that?" Kyp inquired.
"Mostly, though I had some lessons with Yoda and Mace Windu," Ani replied.
Kyp raised an eyebrow at this. "I see. Your use of the lightsaber is amazing. Something my apprentice has yet to master as I'm sure you saw. It takes quite a deal of concentration and use of the Force to be so skilled."
Ani said nothing.
"You seem to be quite the adapt student as Master Skywalker said you were," Kyp let this name slip with a sly smile.
Ani stopped dead and faced Kyp abruptly. "Master who?"
"Why Master Skywalker. Luke. Luke Skywalker. Surely you knew his last name!" Kyp fiend surprise.
"No, I'm afraid he never told me," Ani's voice had dropped to an angry tone.
"How very odd of him," Kyp remarked, innocently.
Ani gave Kyp the most withering look. "If you'll excuse me, Master Durron." Ani turned and began to walk away, not seeming to hear Kyp's cheery "Of course!"
Ani stormed down the hallways to Luke's office. He was nearly seeing red with anger. Everyone who encountered him on his way, avoided him like a plague. They sensed the red, hot rage boiling beneath the surface. He hardly noticed. His mind was whirling along at break neck speed. Skywalker! Kyp said Luke's last name was Skywalker! Did that mean Luke was related to him? Then how? And why had Luke tried to cover it up? That was the very question that angered Ani the most.
He smacked the door panel to Luke's office. The door whooshed open and he barged in without even bothering to announce his presence. Luke looked up from a data pad he was reading, which he flipped over immediately. He sensed Ani's anger with not to much apparent surprise. However, he jumped a little when Ani slammed his fists down onto Luke's desk.
"I need to talk to you," Ani said, gruffly, then added sarcastically, "Master Skywalker."
Luke flinched, as if he'd been physically smacked. This was what he'd been afraid. Looked away from Ani, looking out the window. "Kyp told you," he stated.
"That's not the point. You lied to me!" Ani snapped.
"I didn't lie."
"You didn't tell me the whole truth. That's the same as lying in my book. And I hate to be lied to," Ani growled.
Luke looked very sad. Was this how it had felt for Ben to have to tell him the truth about his father on Dagobah? He remembered how angry he'd been. He hated to be lied to as well. But he'd been afraid to tell Ani. Because this was what he'd been afraid of. Ani's wrath. Outside far off, the clouds were building over the horizon. Thunder grumbled out in the distance.
"Do you want me to tell you the truth, Ani?" he asked, softly.
Ani nearly shouted, "Of course I want the truth!"
"I suggest you sit down."
Ani sat.
"I was afraid to tell you my last name for several reasons, Ani," Luke started, then paused. "It is quite simple really. You're a clone, Ani. You're not the real Anakin Skywalker."
Ani looked completely taken aback and at a loss for words.
"Anakin Skywalker was mine and Leia's father. After marrying Padme(that's her name, right?) some years later he turned to the dark side. I don't know why. All I know is that he and Obi-Wan fought a duel on some lava planet somewhere. Anakin fell into the lava and suffered great injuries. Obi-Wan not knowing, left him there thinking him dead. What ever was left of Anakin must have died that day," Luke stopped a moment to make sure Ani was getting all this. Ani listened with horror and disbelief. "He became Darth Vader and joined Palpatine in bringing down the Republic. He slaughtered nearly all the Jedi, helping the Emperor to take over the galaxy and build the Empire. Some years later the Rebellion brought down the Republic with Leia, Han, and my help. Vader had found out I was his son and brought me to the Emperor to be turned to the dark side. Ultimately Vader turned back to the light, killing the Emperor out his love for me. Then he to died from the injuries inflicted upon him."
Ani seemed to have found his voice again. "A clone. That was a cloning tank I was in?" he choked out.
Luke nodded, then explained how he'd found Ani.
"How long has it been since the Clone Wars?" Ani's voice was very quiet.
"46 years."
"So Obi-Wan and Padme.... they are dead then?"
Luke merely nodded.
"This can't be true," Ani looked sick, then desperate. " This is just a big lie. You're trying to fool me again!"
Luke looked at him pityingly. "Search your feelings, Ani. You know I'm telling you the truth. And you'll find that all along you knew you weren't the real Anakin."
"So what am I!? A pretender? A fraud? An imposter!?" Ani spat out, his voice rising dangerously.
Luke said nothing.
"No," he whispered, vehemently. "I don't believe you!"
"Please, Ani. try to understand-." Luke tried.
"Understand. Understand what!? That the very life I've been living is a lie! It isn't even mine! All these memories and dreams. These nightmares and emotions! They're just lies!!" Ani was shouting now. "I'm just one big lie! I'm nothing!!"
Luke winced and turned away from Ani's burning, desperate eyes.
"No! I refuse to believe this!" Ani cried, through a choked voice. He felt like his throat was closing up and tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
He turned and fled. Luke got up, following him. As he did he thought he saw something shimmer beside Ani in the halls. It was probably just a trick of the light. Then Luke saw it again just as Ani burst outside. Luke ran out after him, not believing the shimmering shadow that appeared to be following Ani. Outside the shadow took on the shape of a human. Ani raced across the clearing, with the shadow ever beside him, not seeming to notice. The ghost became clearer until it was as clear as the summer sky on Tatooine. It raced along side Ani at break neck speed, never faltering or missing a stride. Ani ran into the jungle, and for the barest of a second the ghost stopped, looking back at Luke. Luke felt his heart jump into his throat. He was completely unaware of the Solo kids and their friends trying to call in vain to Ani. Nor did he notice when they came over to him.
He'd seen who the ghost was. It was his father. It was Anakin.
*******
Ani ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He didn't know where he was going, nor did he care. He felt sick inside. His mind was a jumble of confused thoughts and images that weren't even his. He was just the clone of a man, who fell to the dark side. He was nothing. His only purpose he now knew had been to become just like the Anakin before him. A sith.
He stumbled along feeling the tears running down his cheeks and the breath catch in his throat. Yet, somehow he felt like someone was following. He glanced behind him, but saw no one. He kept running until he came upon the smaller temple that he'd passed many a time with Tenel Ka. He climbed up it's great stone face and hid within a crevice of an overhang. He curled up with his face buried in his knees and wept. He had no courage to hide any of the emotions swirling in him.
He heard the distant rumble of the approaching storm growing closer.
The wind picked up, beginning to whistle around the temple. Ani felt his emotions boiling along like the dark clouds to the east. He felt hot rage and anguish over take him. He threw back his head and howled. A near inhuman scream that penetrated the sky, jungle, and the very Force around him. All the animals froze at once and every person heard it. It was the scream of a tortured heart.
The scream reached Luke, and the small group around him, out in the clearing. It was filled with rage and pain, piercing their very hearts. All the jungle seemed to grow deathly quiet. Luke shuddered, feeling Ani's pain rip through the Force like a living animal. This was Ani's darkest hour. The dark side was near and they all felt it.
Anakin looked up at his uncle. "Can't we do something for him?"
"No," Luke answered, sadly. "This is his first test. He must get through it himself."
"What was that beside Ani?" Gabe asked.
Luke looked out across the clearing, picturing his father standing there again in his mind. "My father. Anakin is with Ani."
"Then he is not alone," Anakin Solo said simply.
Rain poured down in torrents outside the little overhang Ani was hiding in. A weird twilight had fallen over the jungle, as the storm raged. Lightning struck close by, bringing down a tree with it. Ani had no idea how long he'd been sitting there watching the storm with unseeing eyes. Inside his mind was like the storm outside. A raging turmoil of memories, events, places, and people he'd thought he'd known whirled through his mind. He had wept until he could no more and now he felt only pain as every memory ripped through him. They weren't his. The love, sorrow, joys, and cares of a life that were not his own. They were empty to him now.
He suddenly remembered the nightmare he'd had not to long ago. That at least was his to remember. He thought about the image of his "twin". Had that been the real Anakin Skywalker trying to talk to him? He realized now that the other man in his dreams was probably the man that had created him. That was why he wanted Ani back. He only wanted Ani for evil works. He knew Ani was powerful. It all added up. It all made sense. And he knew that his creator was out there somewhere. Coming for him.
That thought made Ani shudder. What would he do when his creator got here? Go with him? Right now doing some harm to somebody sounded like a great idea. Well, why not? But he knew that was wrong. The dark side would not easy his pain or anger, just use it against him. He'd be another Darth Vader. He laughed at this idea with out humor.
What will I do then?
"That's up to you," a quiet voice answered his unspoken question.
Ani looked to his left. Beside him sat an older Jedi, dressed in the simple robes of the old Republic Jedi. He was care worn and tired looking, but somehow regal and strong nonetheless. He looked at Ani with compassion and understanding. Ani looked harder and with surprise found that this man seemed to somehow be transparent. A ghost. He felt familiar, as though Ani had met him sometime long ago, but his name eluded him. Ani reached out with the Force to touch the ghost. What he felt astonished him. He drew back quickly, afraid.
He feels just like me!
The ghost nodded.
"Anakin?" Ani breathed.
The ghost smiled. "Yes."
"Why are you here?"
"To help you," Anakin answered, as if that were quite obvious.
Ani was silent for a moment, pondering this. Obviously, Anakin read his thoughts. How was that? He didn't feel Anakin using the Force to do it.
"We're connected, you and me. Almost like one mind. I can hear your thoughts in my mind, as clear as if you'd spoken them," Anakin answered.
"Can I?"
Of course, Anakin smiled.
"How is that possible?"
Anakin didn't speak for a long moment. "I don't know. The Force has somehow bound us together as one person."
There was a long silence before Ani finally spoke up again.
"You said that it was up to me what I do next. What then? Go back to Luke?" Ani asked him.
Anakin said nothing.
"Why should I? There is nothing for me here. There's not even a me," Ani said, cynically.
"Why do you think that?"
Ani answered, bitterly, "I'm a clone, Anakin. I can't be you. This is your life not mine. It's like living a lie. Your memories, not mine."
"Yes, they are mine, but if we are connected, aren't they yours too? Besides you only have my memories up to this point in your life. You've got the whole rest of your life to fill up, Ani. You could do anything. Be anything," Anakin replied, almost wistfully.
"A life of what? Trying to be you? You are the Chosen One. There can't be a second," Ani retorted.
"No matter what you think, you are your own person. You don't have all my power. Your fears about being the Chosen One are not your concern. That was laid on my shoulders and I nearly failed. Be glad you don't have that burden or all of my memories," Anakin told him, sadly.
Ani looked over at Anakin. "So I just pick up where your memories leave off? What about all your memories?"
"I can take them away for you," Anakin answered.
Ani looked at Anakin, sharply. Something clicked into place in his mind.
"Like you took away my love for Padme?" Ani accused.
Anakin stared him straight in the eye. "Yes, she was not yours to love. I wanted you to have your own love. That is what defines an individual. Love. It's a powerful thing," Anakin explained.
Ani thought about this and realized he understood Anakin's reasons for wanting to do that. He agreed with Anakin about love defining people. But why hadn't he at least bothered to ask first, before taking it?
"It wasn't time to reveal myself yet," Anakin said.
Ani nodded, though he didn't quite understand. He just shrugged it off. " About my creator, who is he?"
"His name is Tod Fordon. He was Dooku's apprentice and scientist. Palpatine did not know about him. Or I'm sure he would have killed him," Anakin paused, thinking, then continued. "Dooku taught Fordon everything he knows about the Force. Dooku wanted you to help him bring down the Republic, as a secret weapon in war. Fordon is fiercely loyal to the Count and will do anything to carry out his plans. Even if he is dead."
They lapsed into silence.
"Tell me," said Ani, "why did you turn to the dark side?"
"It is a long tale."
Ani looked at Anakin earnestly, "I want to know."
So, Anakin told him. He started back during the days when he was still in training with Obi-Wan. When he'd first killed someone, at age twelve, using the dark side. The story he told Ani was long, and sad. Ani listened with rapt attention, engrossed in the tale Anakin told. It seemed that Anakin's life had been mostly of sad times, and the only perfect happiness he'd known were the years with Padme. He loved Padme with his whole being, and it was her death that tipped him over the edge completely. He told how in Padme's last few moments before her death revealed to him about the existence of his son. Anakin had held in his heart the one little piece of humanity ,left in him, for Luke. He'd buried it away from Palpatine, afraid to let the Emperor know. He'd buried it so long that he had forgotten it, until Luke found it in him again. He told Ani of how Luke had saved him from himself. And how he'd killed the Emperor out of love for his son. By the time Anakin was done telling his story it was dark out, but Ani didn't care. He sat thinking of what he'd been told.
"I see know why you said I was lucky not to have all your memories," Ani remarked. "You paid dearly for being the Chosen One."
"Yes," Anakin agreed.
Silence again, but a comfortable silence. Rain still drenched the jungle outside, as the chill of the night closed in on them. Ani curled up tighter, wishing he'd brought his robe. Anakin reached out with the Force and wrapped it around Ani like a blanket, warming him. Ani blew out a breath, then felt something through the Force. A wrongness, a feeling that something was out of place. Then he felt Fordon's touch on his mind and withdrew his contact from the Force. He blocked Fordon's touch, making it impossibly for Fordon to reach him.
"He's coming for you," Anakin stated.
"I know," Ani sighed.
Anakin gazed at him sorrowfully. "You'll have to fight him soon. He'll try to turn you to the dark side."
"I won't let that happen," Ani replied, resolutely.
"And I will be there to help you when the time comes," Anakin told him.
Ani looked over at the shimmering form of what had once been the most powerful Jedi of them all. He felt sad for him, knowing that his life could have been beautiful. The ghost of Anakin smiled at Ani. "If wish it had been different," Ani whispered.
"So do I," Anakin sighed, then stood up. "I must go. I'll be back in the morning."
Ani nodded and the ghost disappeared, as if he'd never been there. Ani was left by himself again. He slid further into the crevice and lay down. Exhaustion over took him, as the events of the day weighed on him. Despite the cold and the storm, Ani was soon fast asleep.
*******
Ani had been gone all night, and Luke was staring to get worried. The storm had ended during the lat hours of the night, leaving the jungle wet and humid. Luke, Gabe, Jacen, Jaina, Anakin, Tenel Ka, and Lowie were up early to plan a search party to find the runaway Jedi. The fog left over from the rainstorm made it hard to see. How they were going to find Ani they had no idea. They couldn't feel him through the Force.
So, it surprised them when two figures loamed through the fog toward them, from the edge of the jungle. The two figures came closer, becoming more recognizable. One was clearly Ani. Luke felt a jolt as he realized who the other was. Both stopped half way across the clearing. Anakin talked briefly with Ani, and then looked up at Luke with a smile. He turned and disappeared into the fog. Ani stood there, alone, for a moment. He looked to be thinking, and then he walked up to them.
Luke walked forward to meet the clone. He studied Ani, closely, through the Force. Ani seemed content and at easy. Luke wandered what Anakin had said to the clone. The two stopped about a meter apart. No one moved for a long moment.
"My father?" Luke whispered.
Ani nodded. "He told me everything. We had a long talk."
"Are you alright?" Luke asked, almost anxiously.
"Yes, I realized that I was my own person. That I had known all along in the back of my mind that I was a clone. I just couldn't admit it to myself," Ani answered.
Luke felt great relief wash over him. Ani smiled at him, knowingly, and Luke couldn't help but smile back.
"Will my father be back?" Luke couldn't help but ask.
"He and I are connected Luke. Like one mind, almost. He's here watching over me. Whether you'll see him again, I don't know. Just be glad to know he's here," Ani replied, and then added. "He told me to tell you he loves you and is happy for you and Mara."
Luke smiled, sadly.
"Your father is a good, kind man," Ani said, softly.
"I know," Luke murmured.
The others walked up to join them, now sensing the tension was gone and everything was fine. Ani smiled at them all reassuringly. He looked at the Solo kids, and then said.
"I was told to tell you, that you're grandfather is very proud of all of you and for sees you all become great Jedi."
"He said that?" Jaina looked astonished.
Ani nodded.
"So you're not mad anymore, Ani?" Gabe asked, almost afraid to believe it.
"No, Gabe," Ani replied.
She looked greatly relieved.
"Did I miss breakfast?" Ani inquired, hearing his stomach grumble.
"No."
"Oh, good. I'm starving," Ani grinned.
They all headed across the clearing and headed for the Temple. To Ani it felt like he was coming home.