A/N: Okay, I had to write. I was just in that MOOD. Idk why—maybe it's because the reviews reached the big 5-0. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING! I've never reached 50 reviews before, and it is quite an honor.
Sweet'Lovely--I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know I don't update enough, but I'm working on it. Anyway, Colin Farrell? How random, lol…I guess he's alright. I haven't really seen that many movies with him in it, other than that one really bad superhero one—what's it called? Devil? Deed Devil? Something like that a long time ago…why are you asking?
Allied to Darkness—lol south park is HILARIOUS! Yeah, I was trying to write my other POTC fic when my little brother was watching pokemon…shudders. It was bad, too. You'd better update your story!
Piper331—CONGRATULATIONS! You are reviewer #50 of From Bud to Bloom, lol. Cyber Cookies for you! Lol, sry, I don't have a real prize…just my eternal appreciation for being a faithful reviewer.
Legolover—yeah, Ali's a rash girl. Impetuous and spontaneous, you know? The kind that acts before they think—like me, lol. She'll learn, though. She'll learn. Thanks for the review!
Arein—lol, I guess I see where you're coming from. If Padme hadn't existed, Anakin probably wouldn't have turned to the Dark Side…but then again, for curiosity's sake, what's your theory? And for the record—all your questions shall be answered in time…as in, pretty much in this chapter, lol.
Amanda—Once again, all your questions will be answered in this chapter : ). Anyway, I completely agree with you about people not absorbing the beauty around them. I'm glad you liked the chapter, thanks for the review!
Spsurfer3—OH MY GOSH I KNOW! I seriously HAD to finish the book. I bought it at midnight (lol stood in line—nerdy, I know) and then read it until like, 4 in the morning. I think I fell asleep reading it, and woke up and finished it in the morning. The ending was really sad, but I liked the book overall. I HAVE TO READ THE 7TH ONE!
Time is a waste of life—arggghh it's like once I reach a certain number of words, I get tired of writing and want to start a new story—but I can't. Please keep reviewing, it's so appreciated and it keeps me writing.
Fell Dragon—Awww, thanks! That makes me feel very talented and special. I'll try and live up to the praise, lol.
Zevrillion—Sorry about the shortness, it comes with writer's block. They're a package, ya know? Lol thanks for the review, I'm sorry, but this one's really short too! The next one will be longer, I swear.
PART ONE: BUDDING
Chapter Six
Ali walked back into the Temple, trying her best not to look too conspicuous. It was a difficult feat, one that she failed at miserably, considering how soaking wet she was. Indeed, water dripped everywhere she walked, leaving a very evident trail behind her. It was a futile attempt—all the new Padawans, with their new haircuts, new Masters, new schedules, new lives, and new friends stared at her openly—Anakin and Sera amongst them.
Sera had been among the first Jedi younglings to be accepted by a Master, to be trained as a Padawan. Ali should've expected this—she was very talented, after all. The rationality didn't stop the pangs of jealousy that shot through Ali's heart, though.
A sorry sight she must look! Ali thought unhappily. The strands of her hair that hung loose from her ponytail were straggling, and stuck wetly to her neck. Her clothes were plastered to her body and drenched thoroughly, and she squished every time she took a step, due to the large amount of water inside her shoes. This was humiliating. She should've taken the back entrance.
All sense of the peace that had encircled her in the meadow was evaporating, and Ali felt the renewed pain that only a fight with Anakin could bring. Ani was deliberately ignoring her, refusing to meet her gaze. She kept walking, however, her head held high and her pace even, despite the storm building inside her.
Once safely out of sight, Ali ran to her room, dropping her calm demeanor. She threw off the offending wet clothes and pulled her hair out of the ponytail before dashing into the fresher. The hot water felt good on her cold body, and she simply soaked in the heat for awhile, calming her body in the process.
About thirty minutes later, Ali stepped out of the room with the fresher, dressed in a crisp new set of Jedi robes, her hair still slightly damp. She rubbed the red waves with a towel once more, trying to get all moisture out of it, before looking up. There, sitting on her bed, was a Jedi Knight, staring curiously back at Ali.
The first thing Ali noticed about the newcomer was her hair. The Jedi Knight had beautiful, shoulder length, wavy locks of sandy brown hair that seemed to waft in an invisible wind, despite them being indoors. Upon closer observation, it seemed as if her robes did the same thing—shifting slightly as if being blown. Ali stared harder. It was quite difficult to tell where this Jedi Knight ended and where the air began—she seemed to melt into the background, her outline blurred and stirring in the breeze that surrounded her. She seemed like someone who would greet you in a vision, slightly transparent and floating gracefully through your thoughts.
"Hello, youngling." The Jedi Knight said, her velvety smooth chocolate gaze never leaving Ali. Her voice reminded Ali of the air, when it blew in soft, blustery whispers and tones in the morning. "My name is Lyra."
"Hello, Master Lyra," Ali replied, inclining her head slightly as courtesy demanded. She was still clueless as to why the dreamlike Knight was in her room. "I'm Ali—Alianne Tyri. May I help you with something?"
"And how old are you, Ali?" Lyra inquired, ignoring Ali's question.
"I turned nine about two weeks ago, Master."
"Lyra," The Knight replied, brushing away the formal title. "Call me Lyra, and I'll call you Ali." This sounded reasonable, so Ali nodded her agreement. "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here." Ali nodded again, unsure of what to say.
"It's a long story, Ali," Lyra sighed. For someone so young, she sounded so tired, so old. "Why don't you sit?" Obediently, silently, Ali sat down beside the Jedi Knight, her wet hair forgotten.
"Have you ever heard of an Elemental, Ali?" The youngling shook her head no.
"How about a Windite?" Again the girl shook her head no.
Lyra sighed again, slightly upset that the Jedi Council hadn't told the youngling about her…unique heritage.
"Let me tell you a story, then, Ali. This is an old tale, a legend passed down through the generations. In the ancient days, when the world was still developing, Mother Nature was deeply troubled. The people, the races, the planets of those days were not paying her the proper respect. Blinded by their greed and desires, they were abusing and destroying their worlds, ruining all that Nature had worked so hard for.
In order to solve this, She took on the form of a human to visit the most destructive planet. On the other worlds, she told her sons—Flame and Earth—and her daughters, Wind and Water, to do likewise. Being obedient children, Flame, Earth, Wind, and Water all took on the shapes and physical appearance of other races. Nature had a plan, you see. She and Her children would travel the planet, spreading the idea of peace and prosperity in place of violence and gluttony.
To ensure that these messages would continue being told throughout the ages, and to guarantee that Nature's creations never suffered like so again, Her and Her children mated with the natives of the planets they were in. Their children were the envoys of tranquility, of harmony, and were forever connected with the physical world in which they lived. After they had successfully reproduced, making sure that there would always be one to defend Mother Nature, they returned to their natural states as Elements.
The children of Flame are called Fire Children—those of Earth, Eartheres, and those of Wind Windites. Water's offspring are simply referred to as Water Essences. Each of the four Elements children are forever connected to their Element. I am a Windite, you see, so I forever will have that wispy, wind blown air to me which I am sure you have noticed, Alianne Tyri. And Nature's children? Oh, those are rare, Alianne. The rarest of them all. They are referred to as Elementals, and have such a strong bond with Nature as to literally have the Elements flowing through their blood. And you, my dear youngling, are one of them."
A/N: SHORT, SHORT, SHORT, I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW! It's just…I had to get it out. It's the explanation. After the explanation, then we'll get to the good part. PLEASE JUST HANG IN THERE, and PLLLEEAAASSEEE REVIEW! I have to see if my explanation of these creatures is adequate…pleaseee review? PLEASE!