Futures Past
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Chapter 4- A Test of Strength
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A.N: Okay guys I know you all want the Obi/Ami bits, but I'm trying to build it up, I think it'll be a bit abrupt when it comes but there will be a build up so stay with me guys! I have been searching like mad trying to understand what the Jedi trials entail but I have no clue, so I'm just making it up, don't flame me saying that isn't what happens, it is my own interpretation. Thank you to all the lovely reviewers for liking it so much and reviewing keep it up I love feedback and ideas on what you think would make it better.
Thanks
xXx
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Padmé wandered down to the lake beside her family's residence. She relished the feel of the fresh grass beneath her bare feet and raised her face to catch the soft breeze that whispered through the trees. The songbirds of Naboo twittered as they swooped lazily over her head. This was the most secluded place that she knew near to her home so she didn't feel wary, this was the place she felt most safe in fact. She pulled off her loose flowing dress, undid the clip that pinned up her long chestnut locks and slipped into the cool water. It was mid-morning and she was overjoyed that no-one had contacted her from the senate demanding her presence on Coruscant, she enjoyed politics but Coruscant was a dreadful place, full of corruption and lies, most of which was in the senate itself, sometimes it was good to escape that world, go back to reality, and real people.
Padmé leant back and floated carefree in the untainted waters, remembering the days of her youth when she would swim for hours and be untroubled with any trivial politics.
I wonder if Anakin is taking the Jedi Trials now, then maybe he wont be so angry with Obi Wan 'holding him back' all the time. She felt a little sorry for the Jedi Knight, Anakin seemed to always blamed him for his failures, and she supposed it wasn't easy for Obi Wan after losing his own Master, then struggling with his own Padawan, he probably felt like a failure every time Anakin did something wrong.
These Jedi overreact at the smallest things, and they are so emotionless, another thing Anakin doesn't have in common with the rest of them. He's so passionate, maybe that's why I like him so much. Obi Wan seems a little more uptight these days, all the responsibility I suppose. Why am I still thinking of him?! She scolded herself and dipped underwater trying to banish her thoughts there.
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Anakin paced back and forth outside master Yoda's quarters, he feared he'd make a groove in the floor with all his movement.
"Young Skywalker? Alright everything is, I trust?" Yoda shuffled from the room and into the hallway, leaning on his staff.
"Yes Master." Anakin bowed to Yoda who motioned inside the room and began to hobble slowly back inside.
Anakin followed obediently. Yoda had always been a source of mystery, intrigue and admiration for Anakin, and most other Jedi too. He was so small yet so powerful, he held immeasurable knowledge and wisdom and commanded such respect, Anakin wished to be just like him.
Obi Wan and Mace Windu already stood inside, and Anakin had no doubt he had been the source of discussion before he had entered.
"A seat you wish to take young one?" Yoda asked, eventually reaching his seat and hopping up like a small child struggling onto an adult's chair.
Anakin nodded mutely and sat on the nearest chair.
Don't look so worried Anakin
Anakin looked over to Obi Wan who smiled reassuringly at him. He nodded to his Master and turned his attention back to Yoda.
"The trials wish you to undertake? Ready do you consider yourself?" Yoda asked.
"Yes Master I want to take the trials, I AM ready."
"Hmm. Sounds like another Padawan I once taught hmm?" Yoda turned to Obi Wan, a small smile on his wrinkled face.
Obi Wan smiled. "Indeed Master and I will say the same as Qui-Gon did of me, he is headstrong, but he is capable, I doubt I could teach him much more, and he will grow stronger with time and practice."
Yoda nodded and turned to Mace Windu.
"Well then, Master Windu, reveal young Skywalkers test, hmm?"
The blinds went down in the room and a large holo-map appeared around them. Mace ventured off to a corner of the map and pointed to a star system.
"This is Rishi, in the south of the galaxy, we want you to venture there to discover a missing Jedi who disappeared a month ago, we think this has something to do with Geonosians, as it is its neighbouring planet. The Geonosians have been sending droids and sometimes going themselves to kill off the Rishians so that they can take control of that planet too. We sent a Jedi Knight to solve this if she could, but she has gone missing. We think the Geonosians may have discovered her as we've had no word of her. This means her survival chance is small, but we need you to go back there."
"Alright Master." Anakin nodded.
"Now of course Obi Wan will accompany you and aid you if you are in trouble or fail, but it is your trial and you will be expected to think logically and plan strategically, take control, commanding any crews down there. We want you to do some reconnaissance work down their and contact us with what you find, then recover the Jedi if she is alive and report back to us as quickly as possible. Do you understand?"
"Yes Master, I wont fail." He nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Yoda cried. "Masters Windu, Kenobi, leave us, wish to talk to young Skywalker I do."
The elder Jedi nodded and left, as Yoda slowly left his seat and scuffled over to Anakin.
"Young Anakin, much to tell you have I, but these things must wait, until Jedi Knight you are. Strong in the Force you may be, but not strong enough yet. Blame your failures on others you may do, but yourself is the only one to blame. Try Master Kenobi does, even if you appreciate him not, reprimand you for your own good he does, as would I. Do not feel like you are the only one here treated this way hmm? Many students dislike their teacher's ways, but learn better from their mistakes, they will."
Anakin nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable that Yoda could sense all this from him.
"Feel the Force around you, flowing through you, correct your mistakes and learn from them you must, listen to an old ones advice, hmm? Potential you have, to be great and powerful, but learn many things you must, humility is top on that list, hmm yes. Arrogance will consume you, lead to the dark side it does, do not let it."
"Yes Master." Anakin replied standing to leave.
"One more thing have I to say to you Young Padawan!" Anakin faced him again.
"The Jedi code is here to guide you, always remember its core. There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force. Remember this you must and nothing will overcome you, if you keep it in your heart. That is all I will teach you today."
"I wont fail you master, I promise."
"May the Force be with you Anakin."
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