-Chapter 2-
-3 Years Later-
Anakin has grown much in 3 years, with him of course being 3 years old now. He stands taller than many other toddlers his age and some 4 years old. Speaking of the others, he has developed friendships with them. But he usually talks with the Jedi Masters, or sticks to himself. He feels like he doesn't fit in much. Most days, Anakin meditates with Yoda in the Contemplation Gardens next to the Great Tree. For being 3, Anakin is very calm and reserved. He always has been for the 3 years he has been alive. The only thing he has been taught is to walk and talk, both of which he does fluently. Despite being calm, he is also very active. He is able to run for hours, he can climb anything you put in front of him, and he can do much more.
His relationship with his mother is the greatest of all. She is the one he will always have a bond with. She is the one who has taught him to talk, to walk and run, to feel alive and to love. He would give up anything for her. Shmi is really proud with how Anakin has grown and loves him with all her heart.
Right now, Anakin was sitting in the Great Tree. He wants to learn everything he can, but his mom and Yoda want him to just have fun. Although occasionally he gets a book to read that contains a bit of math or history. But he has only gotten 4 books so far. He looked down to Yoda who was at the bottom of the tree. He is glad to have such a great and wise grandfather figure. He helps him with anything he needs and provides for him along with his mother. Using the Force, at least the little bit he was able to learn on his own, he jumped down to meditate with Yoda.
"Calm it is." Yoda stated, getting a nod from Anakin.
He sat with one foot on top of the opposite thigh and his hands in his lap with his knuckles touching and his fingers hanging loose above his palm. Yoda noticed whenever Anakin meditated, everything became even calmer. When Anakin meditates he himself notices a change in Yoda's posture, Yoda becomes fully relaxed. Anakin is quite attentive for his age, and mostly everyone in the temple notices this.
Anakin is knocked out of his meditation by sensing the presence of his mother. Without saying a word, he gets up and jogs to his other and embraces her. Shmi has found work on Coruscant because she wouldn't feel right living in the Jedi Temple without working. So for the entire week, which is five days, she has to go work as a secretary for Chancellor Valorum due to a recommendation from the Jedi.
"How was work mom?" Anakin asked with his young voice.
"It was good like always. How was your day?" She replied then asked.
"It was good as well, I really like spending time with Master Yoda and the other Masters." Anakin replied.
"Good he was." Yoda added in.
"I suspected as much." Shmi replied with a smile.
It was about 6 o'clock, Shmi usually goes into work around 9 am, despite Chancellor Valorum's frequent requests to come later. She is a great secretary, she is great with organizing, a great quality for a secretary. Due to being 6, Shmi took Anakin to their quarters to eat after saying farewell to Yoda.
For dinner, Shmi made some Aurebesh soup. Aurebesh soup was made with topatoes, a carrot-like vegetable, and pasta shapes in the form of Aurebesh letters. She got the recipe from a diner owned by a Besalisk man named Dex. It was very flavorful when she got some when she got lunch with the Chancellor. While they ate, they talked about things they did today.
Shmi wanted Anakin to start off, "Well, today I meditated with Master Yoda, talked with Master Fisto, and took a walk around the temple."
Shmi started after she knew Anakin was finished, "My day is basically normal, the basic filing, appointments, and just helping the Chancellor."
After they finished eating, Shmi washed the dishes as Anakin was rereading one of his books. The book he was reading was about the history of the Jedi, the basic history anyways. The full history is too serious for a 3 year old. But the book talked about how the Jedi were formed, their code, the old leaders, and where they started. Anakin has reread all four of his books in his downtime, about 5 times each. It still amazed Shmi how much Anakin loved to read. She wanted to get Anakin a book of his choice once he turned 5, he deserved much more but she wanted him to stay safe.
Shmi finished the dishes then went over to Anakin who was just finishing his book. "What do you want to do until bed time?" She asked, and bed time was about 9 o'clock and it was now 7:25.
"Could we play some games?" Anakin requested.
"Like what?" Shmi asked with a smile.
"What about…" he put his finger to his chin, "we watch a movie?" He finally decided.
"Sure. What do you want to watch?" She asked.
"Hmm…could we watch something that goes with…comedy?" Anakin requested.
"Sure honey, I'll find something." She replied, still with a smile.
"Thanks mom." Anakin thanked with a smile.
"Of course." She replied.
After a little bit, Shmi found a movie called, Adventure of the Buffoon, reading the description, it was a movie about a Gungan who was very clumsy and often cause a racket and a laugh. She suggested it to Anakin who accepted, after all, he loves every choice his mom makes and supports her decisions. It sometimes makes him think about how unlucky some are to not have what he does. When he looks around the temple, he sees children taken from their parents. One goal alongside abolishing slavery, is to change the Jedi Order to where they allow everyone to have what he does, their parents and love.
The movie was really funny to Anakin. Especially the parts where the Gungan falls over and causes other things to fall, which caused the reactions of the other characters which was the part he actually enjoyed. The movie ended ten minutes before 9:00, to which both Anakin and Shmi decided to go to bed early.
In the morning, around 6:00, Shmi prepared some breakfast consisting of Dantooine cereal from their homeworld, Dantooine, along with Gartro egg omelet, a gartro egg omelet was a dish made from gartro eggs and jerba cheese, fillings of either diced gornt, diced roba, Felucian glasscap mushrooms, Ferroan spinach, Bellassan peppers, Ojomian onions, topatoes or calarantrum root were also good to add. The cooking took about an hour, and they ate just talking about random things until it was 7:30. When it did become 7:30, Master Yoda arrived and knocked on the door with his cane. Yoda usually comes to pick up Anakin so Shmi can get ready for work.
When Anakin got dressed to leave he said to his mother what he always does, "Have a great day mom!" as he exits the room.
Today, Yoda was taking Anakin to his room to give him a little history lesson with his various items he saved over the years. After Yoda told stories about his items, they went to the holographic training area to begin Anakin's basic training once more. His training began once he turned 3. Shmi didn't really mind, as she wanted Anakin to learn what he wanted. So, for his training he does basic exercises such as running, push-ups, sit-ups, that sort of thing. After Anakin finished them, he began Force exercises, things like lifting weights with the force, pushing things with the Force, etc. They were going to begin the lightsabers later, due to the choice of Anakin. He wanted to master his body and mind before learning to use a lightsaber.
So after he finishes his exercises, his goal is to clear his mind to listen for the Force. On multiple occasions he has been successful, but has not yet learned to stay opened. Despite Anakin's talents, Yoda didn't think he would be able to stay open, as not many padawans could do it. Anakin feels that he will be able to do it in about a year.
It wasn't until now that his drive kicked in. He now possessed the urge to listen to the wisdom of the Force. Now he was going to meditate every day, practice his abilities and listen deeply to Yoda to learn anything he could. Yoda sensed his determination and it made him smile, he slowly began to think that he will succeed in his goals. But he had to teach him more for him to do it.
Yoda took Anakin to the meditation balconies where many Jedi Masters go to meditate, along with Jedi Knights and occasionally their padawans. Yoda led Anakin to a place away from others, into a room that shielded the Force from the inside. This room was used to induce a deeper connection to the Force by forcing the same energies to stay with the Jedi, with the Force leaking inside.
They sat across from each other on separate mats. They sat in their own position, with Anakin sitting in his position mentioned before. They began to Meditate, causing the Force to bend around them, and move from one to the other. Once more, Yoda felt calm and energized from the feeling of Anakin melding with the Force. The air around Anakin began to warp as he connected with the Force, much more than recommended. Yoda could feel the power of Anakin skyrocket and penetrate the air, leaving his own mark for the future generations to feel his presence.
The surge suddenly stopped when Anakin opened his eyes. Anakin then said, "The Force, I hear it still calling."
"Great job you have done, yes." Yoda replied.
"It is beautiful, being with the Force that is. Feeling such an energy work with you, no matter what you choose. I'm going to keep my training simple now, just exercises and adaption." Anakin stated.
"Correct you are, great it is to know, never alone are you." Yoda agreed.
"Can we go again?" Anakin asked.
"A little longer we may go." Yoda replied.
They then went back into their meditation, not to be seen for a while. When they awoke once more, it was about 10:00.
"Want to see the other masters, do you?" Yoda asked.
"Yes master." Anakin replied.
Yoda took Anakin to see some of the other masters to just spend time with them. The first master they talked too was Cin Drallig, one of the many lightsaber specialists, as well as the lead of the security.
Arriving in Drallig's training room, they saw Cin Drallig meditating, before he spoke, "Master Yoda, young Anakin, nice to see you two."
Seeing Drallig rise, Yoda replied, "Of course, as to you."
"Nice to see you too Master Drallig." Anakin said, bowing before him.
"No need for such pleasantries, although I do respect your manners." Cin Drallig stated with a chuckle, "So what can I do for you Master Yoda?"
"Wanted to speak with the other masters, Anakin did." Yoda replied.
Cin Drallig chuckled once more, "On the hunt for knowledge am I right?" he asked to Anakin.
"Yes Master, I want to learn everything I can to protect everyone I care for." Anakin replied.
"I admire your resolve, not often do you see someone such as yourself. You bend the code to help your mother and the Jedi." Cin Drallig stated.
"Not only my mom and the Jedi, but everyone. We are all connected, therefore I see everyone as a part of me, like we are all related. I care for everyone like I care for you guys. If there is one thing I know, it is that everyone is the same, no matter your goals. We all strive to achieve the same thing, but it is what we do with the product." Anakin stated, giving wisdom that isn't expected from a 3 year old.
"Possess more than Jedi qualities he does." Yoda spoke up.
"You have that right." Cin replied to Yoda.
"Even the Sith I read about. The Sith and the Jedi strive for power, but the Jedi use it for protection and the Sith use it for attention. If I remember correctly, the Sith were once Jedi, but fell into the darkness because they didn't get recognized how they wanted." Anakin said once more, getting Cin to raise his eyebrow.
"That is a unique point of view, I don't ever believe I have heard it like that, but now that I think about it, you may be right." Cin replied.
"Surprised you will be once you get a chance to train him. Decided I have, Anakin, have many masters he will. Each with a different profession they will. Well-rounded he will be." Yoda stated.
Anakin was getting giddy despite his calm composure. Both masters could feel Anakin's excitement, which led them to smile.
"I can't wait for you to take my teachings to the next level. I have taught many Jedi the ways of the Lightsaber, but I have a feeling you will be the quickest learner." Cin said with a smile.
"I can't wait either, as well as my other future teachers." Anakin just loved to learn, it excited him to be able to feel educated. It gave him a feeling of importance in a way.
There are those who despise learning and prefer the easy way, the cheap way through the challenges. But there are those that enjoy the feeling of acquiring new information. But while both MIGHT lead to the same result, it's how you feel with the product. Those who go the easy way feel powerful, those who work feel accomplished. Although one could feel accomplished going the easy way, the feeling is so much more fulfilling if you work for what you get. Anakin feels excitement from being able to make his teachers proud, he wants to learn to protect those he wants to help, which is everyone. Like mentioned before, with the Force, everything is bound together, some are better attached while others are loose threads, but in the end, everyone is connected one way or another. It is through this belief, mind that the word belief is used and not fact, that Anakin believes everyone is the same. And from a certain point of view, it IS true. We all stem from the same group and we share one belief or another. Like many Jedi have said, "The Force surrounds us and penetrates us and binds the galaxy together," this can be taken one of many ways, we are one with the Force, we surround each other, and we interact which creates a deeper bond to each other, but everyone is connected because of the Force (Or in real life, our blood, it stems from the same sources, we all came from the same area, as far as scientists have discovered anyway.).
Both of the Jedi Masters could feel this within Anakin, his resolve to prove his point. Not everyone is willing to believe we are all the same, as one can hate another with great passion, they can't stand the point that we are the same. But with perseverance we can all achieve the same things, we can help each other, and we can always hurt each other. Both masters knew this, and from what little reading material Anakin had, he knew this too. After all, the Sith were once Jedi, they cared for each other, then they went down a path that hurt others, and even the Sith can help others.
"Leave we must, other things we must attend to." Yoda said to both people there.
"It was great seeing you Master Drallig." Anakin said with a bow.
"Same to you young Anakin." Cin replied with the same courtesy, a bow and a wave.
Anakin and Yoda then went to get lunch, as they spent almost 2 hours with Master Drallig. It was almost 12:00, so they went to the main hall to get to the cafeteria. They were just having some Gartro egg salad sandwich, a type of sandwich. It consisted of hard-boiled grade aurek gartro eggs, tangy emulsauce, Boontaspiced mustard, Taba leaves, Serrian salt and black hole pepper all on either a toasted or therm-zapped piece of Pseudograin bread. Both Yoda and Anakin finished their meal before 1:00, so they went to see another master.
The next master they went to see was Qui-Gon and his student, Obi-Wan. They were in the holographic training area, Qui-Gon was teaching his student everything on Form IV, Ataru. Drilling into him the sequences and acrobatics to be flawless, this will take up most of Obi-Wan's training. So as Anakin and Yoda walk up to them, Obi-Wan was finishing his last sequence, and Qui-Gon looked to Yoda and Anakin.
"Nice to see you Master Yoda." Qui-Gon stated.
"Likewise, Master Qui-Gon." Yoda replied.
"I suppose this is Anakin Skywalker? The Chosen One?" Qui-Gon questioned.
"Yes Master, I am Anakin Skywalker, although I don't prefer being remembered by the title that was given to me from birth." Anakin replied.
"My apologies, I'm looking forward to seeing you actually make a name for yourself with the Jedi, I can tell you have a lot of potential." Qui-Gon continued.
"No worry's Master, I was just informing you." Anakin retorted.
Obi-Wan then came over, "Nice to meet you, I'm padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi." He said sticking his hand out for Anakin to shake.
Anakin smiled, "Nice to meet you too, I'm youngling Anakin Skywalker."
The masters smiled before Qui-Gon spoke again politely, "If you don't mind me asking, what's the purpose of your visit?"
Yoda chose to speak up, "Seeing the masters, I have been taking Skywalker to see. Lessons and stories he desires."
"It's quite hard to believe someone of your age is so focused on knowledge, a good quality nonetheless." Qui-Gon stated.
"Thanks master, I find that retrieving information can help me in the future to better protect those I love, and I can't imagine losing someone close to me because of this. Not that I fear for them, but my own incapability to protect them." Anakin replied.
Like said before, Anakin is determined to protect those close to him, if he were to lose them, he would become lost. Like everyone, Anakin desires power, but once again he has different purposes. The Jedi use the power to protect without caring for whom they protect. The Sith use power to receive attention. This is being repeated because it is a bigger ideal then you think. The purpose paves the path. And Anakin's path is that of a true protector, the one who keeps BALANCE.
"Those are good views, very noble." Qui-Gon once again stated.
"Always noble he is, inspired he is by stories of the past." Yoda added.
"I have much to live up too because of my title, I may not like having to live up to it, it is necessary to help those close to me." Anakin spoke up.
"You are correct, it is said the Chosen One is to destroy the Sith." Qui-Gon said to Anakin.
"It is said I will bring balance, not shift the favors fully to the light. Balance is equality, one cannot live exist without the other." Anakin retorted.
"You are really wise for your age." Qui-Gon replied.
"I have to be, I have to be able to assist anyone I can when I am able to serve the galaxy." Said Anakin.
"But you don't have to start so early." Qui-Gon started, and was quickly debated by Anakin.
"I have to be prepared, if I start later, I might not have the necessary tools for what I must do." Anakin replied.
"I see you are glued to that belief, yet another good quality." Qui-Gon chuckled.
"Go we must, time continue our own training it is." Yoda stated, getting a nod from Qui-Gon and Anakin.
"It was nice meeting you Anakin." Obi-Wan stated, with Qui-Gon nodding.
"Same here Anakin." Qui-Gon stated.
"The same to both of you, I enjoyed talking to you guys." Anakin replied.
They then left the training room to head to their own training room. Yoda has Anakin do the same exercises as before, but more of each. Ever since Anakin learned to hear the Force outside of meditation, he has been much more calm, which transferred to Yoda through the Force. Once again, this is made possible by the connections we all have with each other. The Force can carry your emotions to others, this is how the Sith are so powerful, they feed on the fear of their opponents and others. The Jedi get more powerful from the serenity produced by others and one's self.
Anakin had to do 5 more of each physical exercise, and do the Force exercises for longer. One thing about the Force is that you may be more sensitive to it, but that can cause less control. Master Yoda has a great amount of control, and Anakin is MUCH more sensitive, but still gaining control, as he will be for years to come. Sensitive things are usually harder to control. So while Anakin has greater potential, he has nowhere as much control to work with the Force fully. I said "work with", if you didn't notice. I use those words because the Force cannot be controlled, it has a will that cannot be compared to anyone or anything. You can hurt it, you can damage it, but it will never break, it is stronger than anyone could ever be.
Yoda and Anakin decided, that they would work on his control before working on any abilities, such as Force healing, or Force mind trick. They suspected it will take about 3 more years until his control will be at least be the recommended control for any ability. So to work with the Force better, you must learn to listen to what the Force says, feel its energy guide you. The less you can hear it, the less control you have. Anakin has the potential to hear the Force as if it was right in front of him. Most Jedi can only hear whispers, or light murmurs.
"Guide you, you must let the Force do." Yoda lectured, "guiding, listening, the same they are not. The directions, receive you do from listening, to guide, follow you do, the directions given. Listening, you are just doing. Feel it I can, let the Force flow through you, guide your movements you must let it." Yoda's lectures helped calm Anakin.
In his head, he was listening to the words of the Force. The words of the Force are only understandable by the force-sensitive it is being said to. To be able to hear the Force is to shut out everything else, listen for what you must hear, not what you want. He follows these views throughout his exercises. The Force fuels his body to become stronger, faster, and better overall.
Anakin easily finishes his exercises, and Yoda takes him to the contemplation gardens to sit by the Great Tree. They always meditate right next to it to bathe in its force-sensitivity. Meditating next to it feels like sitting in a warm-borderline-hot body of water. It is refreshing and relaxing, it is one of the many things that Anakin wishes to savor. He finds loss as something you could find once more, to lose something is to say you can always return to it. He hopes he doesn't have to feel loss, despite knowing he will be able to find it once more. He doesn't think he would ever be prepared for such an event. Feeling like he should drop it, Anakin pushes those thoughts aside and focuses on the good things of the galaxy. Love, inspiration, serenity, hope, these are all ideals that should be preserved. If we were to lose those ideals, we would lose all that's good. But you could find it again, as using the word "lose" is saying you will find it again.
Many Jedi notice that when Anakin meditates, the plant-life and everyone seem to bloom. It appears that ever since Anakin arrived at the Jedi Temple when he was a newborn, crime rates seem to drop. No one really knew why though, it was best though. Anakin and Yoda continued to meditate until Shmi got back, to where Anakin could feel her arrive in her speeder.
Anakin got up to prepare for his mom's arrival, basically just waiting for her. When she did get back, Anakin does what he normally does, and jogs to hug her. Like yesterday, they say goodbye to Yoda and they head to their room. When they get there Shmi began to cook a simple dinner while Anakin worked some math problems in his textbook, approaching the last question, which is out of about 1000 questions and he only got the book today, granted they are basic math, such as 20+13, and things like that. Shmi and Yoda want to give him access to the archives when he turns 12.
"Mom1 I finished my math book. I did every question." Anakin told his mother.
"Good job honey." Shmi replied with a big smile. "I just gave you that this morning,"
"Yeah, I did most of them in Master Yoda's room this morning." Anakin smiled.
"You're getting quicker honey." Shmi noted.
"I'm practicing." He stated.
Shmi asked, "Do you mind going to find a movie? I'm in the mood to eat and watch."
"Of course mom." He smiled and ran off.
When Shmi finished cooking, Anakin showed up with a movie called, Adventures of Von-kell, it was about a man who is on a journey across the stars to find answers and knowledge. It was sort of like him, he is in search of knowledge. His mom approved of the movie, so they got the movie ready then got their food ready and sat on the couch and watched the movie. When they finished the movie and their dinner, they noticed it was 8:33. So they decided to go to sleep early again.
Shmi was tucking Anakin in bed and kissed him on the forehead and made to leave, but stopped when her son addressed her.
"Mom? You'll always be with me? Right?" He asked.
"Of course honey, I will never leave you." She replied whole-heartedly.
Most of the time when Anakin meditates, he feels the pain of loss from others. It makes him worry that one's close to him will leave him. But he wants to believe they won't, which has held him off for a bit. We always want assurance that no one will leave us, sometimes it works, others it doesn't. The most we can do is try to keep them with us, but accept if they leave. We have to learn to accept that we may not be good enough for them. But the thing is we are all great for each other. Going back to the point of before, we are all the same, we are made in pairs, as well as groups. We help others to better ourselves to help more. If we don't accept someone, we don't accept ourselves. Hate is caused by us not liking a part of ourselves. And if we don't like ourselves, we fear of losing those we deemed close. We feel if we see those things, other people do as well. The thing is, just care for yourself and others, those you care for are bound to care for you as well. If they don't, they don't like something about themselves. My main point is, people may leave, they may not, but we must learn to heal from it, because there is always that one person to fulfill their place even better. While we may be the same, differences are still present, we can like different things, we can do different things, but we always want the same thing, be it love, attention, or freedom. There are plenty of things we all want, it's our job to work together to meet that goal.
This story is going to move as slow as I can, I want to explore each emotion possible for me. My goal is to let others know attachments can heal, but they may not heal with the same person and they require someone else meld those broken pieces. I have known many people who have had tough times. It makes me really want to help them, but I don't know how. I may not have experienced it, but I am empathetic, and am able to see different point of views. I try to tell what is exactly going on, at least my belief of how we are connected. But here was chapter 2, and I'll be back with chapter 3 soon. I hope you liked it, tell me what you thought and have a great day.