Disclaimer: This thing depresses me. Severely. I'm going to say it now, one last time, and it goes for the WHOLE ENTIRE STORY. All the chapters. I'm never going to write it again, okay? IT IS NOT MINE.
A/N: I'm so sorry it took me this long to update…you see, the new Harry Potter book came out, and that's the only explanation I deem necessary. IT WAS REALLY GOOD, so go read it. Anyway, thank you so much to all my reviewers and I apologize, once again, for delaying this chapter.
IMPORTANT NOTICE According to the information I gathered from my awesome reviewers, Tahl is blind, in love with Qui-Gon Jinn, and more importantly—dead. Therein lies the problem—I don't know her character, and even if I did, she's not alive. So yeah, I edited last chapter. The Jedi Knight's name is Lyra instead…hope you all don't mind.
Filthy Mushi—Thanks for tipping me off whenever Anakin's getting OOC. Lol, I'll make him meaner. It's really appreciated…as is the review.
Piper331—Awww, thanks for the compliments. I'll try and live up to your expectations...hope you like this chapter as well!
Allied to Darkness—lol I'm still used to the Al Bhed Slayer, but this one is much more depressing. It reminds me of Darth Vader. Argghhh you made Akaia evil! You need a sequel. You'd better have a sequel.
Time is a waste of life—Thank you! That makes me feel really special and talented, lol. The idea that time is a waste of life is intriguing…I've never thought about it like that. That's cool though! Thanks for the explanation and the review.
Holly Blue Iris—lol, just those two eensy weensy errors. Yeah, I had to change the expulsion age to 9 or 10 because otherwise the story wouldn't work…I guess it is AU. Anyways, thanks for the tip off about Tahl being DEAD because that impacts the story…just slightly.
Mrs. Skywalker—Oh, she's a master? I thought she was just a knight…well, thanks for in the information and the review!
Zevrillion—Thanks for the compliments and the review! I'll try not to disappoint.
Amanda—lol I would've updated quicker, but you see, I had to find out who the Half Blood Prince was…hehehehe I'm not a nerd.
Spsurfer3—I'm so glad you like it…Thanks for the review!
Legolover—yeah, definitely didn't want to go through the effort it would take to read the Jedi Apprentice series. I haven't done anything but sit my lazy bum in the theaters and watch the movies.
Sweet'Lovely—Okay, this review had me puzzled for a while…but I have an educated guess to make. Are you Nianko? I think you are…mwahahahaha I'm a genius. Unless I'm wrong. Well, anyway, thanks for the review!
Arein—First off, I wouldn't ban you from this story for not liking padme…everyone has their own opinion, right? I was just wondering why you didn't…hope you didn't take any offense, because I have no problem if you don't. Secondly, I owe you a major apology. You searched up Tahl for me—which I really, really, really, really appreciate—and gave me all these facts and background info, but I ended up not using her. I'm really sorry, and I hope you can forgive me…I just don't like the idea of putting in a Jedi Master who's dead, blind, and whose character I don't really know in my fanfic. So yeah, once again, thanks and sorry.
PART ONE: BUDDING
Chapter Five
Lyra strode briskly across the majestic halls, aiming for the Jedi Council. The Masters would not be happy at her intrusion, but it was a necessary one. They had never told her! In all the years she had served the Order, lived in the Temple, completed missions, and followed orders, it had never been mentioned. It was outrageous! She should've been the first they contacted once it was discovered!
She felt the wisps of wind that accompanied her being intensify, and she took a deep breath to calm herself. Bursting into the Jedi Council during one of their meetings would not improve her chances of success. They should've told her, but probably had their reasons not to. The best thing to do would be to approach with an open mind and tranquil demeanor. A true Jedi front.
She rapped gently on the elegant doors, quelling the breeze about her so that the Masters wouldn't detect her true agitation.
"Come inside, Lyra," Master Windu's voice drawled from inside. She entered obediently, careful to keep her face of polite interest firmly in place.
"Forgive the intrusion, Masters," Lyra bowed respectfully, her voice calm. "But I have a rather urgent matter to discuss." The circle of Masters nodded for her to continue, accepting her apology.
"Alianne Tyri, this is about?" Yoda asked from his corner.
Lyra nodded in confirmation. "Why did you not tell me there was another Windite here at the Jedi Temple?" She decided not to participate in the subtle games played by the Jedi, and voiced her issues bluntly.
"Ali is…a rare case," Mace Windu replied carefully.
"I could teach her!" Lyra cried, ignoring Mace and dropping her mask of composure for a second before reapplying it. "She's a hardworking girl, very determined. She could…she could be my Padawan!" Never mind the fact that Lyra was a newly institued Knight herself, never mind the idea that Lyra probably couldn't teach the girl all she needed to know. Somewhere, deep inside her heart, Lyra knew it was the right thing to do.
"A Windite, she is not," Yoda replied. "So deep her connection with the Force is, she is an Elemental. Teach her adequately, a difficult task it is."
"You mean…she can control Nature?" Lyra whispered, awed. Stories of Elementals were famed throughout the Jedi Order—those so intensely and profoundly intertwined with Nature that they could literally manipulate the air, water, earth, and flame. Legend said that in the last clash of the Sith against the Jedi, an Elemental had sacrificed itself to save the Jedi Order from certain doom and to ensure peace across the galaxies. Elementals were very, very rare indeed.
It was inexplicable how Elementals came about. They were freak accidents, children of fate, chosen and predestined to be different and to affect the lives of all those around them. Indeed, the last Elemental that the Jedi knew about had existed about nine centuries ago, and had used up all his powers to hold together a planet during an earthquake. His story had been heavily documented by the planet of Thyal, whose inhabitants were eternally grateful for their savior's sacrifice.
Setbacks, however, came with the extreme bond to Nature. Elementals were normally late starters, taking about a decade to show their true talents.
"Control is a strong word, Lyra," Mace Windu said, bringing the youngKnight back to the present from her thoughts."More like…bend it. To her will, and desires." Lyra nodded, still in shock.
"A rare case, Young Tyri is." Yoda murmured thoughtfully. "A rare case indeed." Looking up into the youthful face of Knight Lyra, Yoda acknowledged—silently—the fact that the woman in front of him was a rare case as well. Perhaps…perhaps…the idea would take much meditation.
A month later
Jedi Temple
Coruscant
Ali looked at her best friend sorrowfully. Her dejection obviously showed in her face, for Anakin laughed and gave her a playful push.
"Don't look so sad, Ali!" He grinned. "It's not so bad, is it?"
"The haircut?" Ali asked, confused and depressed. "Oh, no, that's fine." It was different, there was no denying that. Much shorter. Almost…grown up.
"Even the braid?" Anakin teased, trying to lighten up the mood.
Ali shrugged. "I've seen worse."
"Aww, come on Ali! You should be happy for me—I'm moving up, aren't I?"
"I am happy," Ali said, smiling unconvincingly, bitterly. "Congratulations on becoming a Padawan and leaving me behind in the dust, Anakin Skywalker. Now to complete it, become a Knight and fulfill your dreams of being a Jedi whilst I get dropped from the Temple because no one will accept me as a Padawan."
His face was so hurt, and Ali felt her heart sting at how mean she was being. Instead of supporting her friend when he succeeded, she was making him feel guilty for doing well. Anakin deserved better. She saw his expression twist and a cool mask glide into place over his features.
"Ani…" She began apologetically. He ignored her, and turned away. He had every right to be angry, but she had hoped he would forgive her. Her eyes burned and the tears brimmed threateningly. She couldn't let them spill, not with people (like Sera) around! Turning on her heel, she ran away from the crowd that was doing what she, Anakin's best friend, wasn't—congratulating the new Padawans selflessly.
Ali lay outside in the grass, reveling in the smell of Nature. It was going to rain soon, she could tell it. The air was musty and old, and the earth screaming for something to quench its thirst. She loved nothing better than the rain.
Ali closed her eyes, wondering how long she had been like this, sprawled in the meadow whose friendship she valued second only to Anakin's. Perhaps thirty to forty minutes? The inducting ceremony was probably still going on. Ali shifted on the grass, inhaling in the scent and being of the outdoors. She could get lost in this place, in this haven, this utopia. Here her soul was replenished, her tears dried, her worries and troubles washed away. Here she was home.
The rain came, just as Ali predicted. Each droplet seemed a revitalizing answer from heaven, intent on bringing their liquid happiness to as many as possible. She pried herself off the wet earth and danced away her problems under the raindrops. She spun wildly, leaped happily, swayed in time with the music made by the water, and twirled around with her mouth open and tongue out. Perhaps...perhaps if she just spent enough time out here, let her spirit mingle enough with the rain, she'd become one with Nature, with the Force, and leave all earth's troubles behind.
A/N: Short, I know, I know…next one should be longer, I think. I also know this one wasn't very exciting, but it was necessary to set the scene for the next chapter. ARGGHHH losing my writing drive…this ALWAYS happens, in every story, including my other one (true freedom). Please review (this one, or both if you so desire)? Give me some motivation, lol.