Chapter 74

"You are doing better," Siri complimented as she deactivated her pink/purple saber. The Jedi Knight tucked back a strand of her hair behind her ear, putting her saber back on her belt.

"You and Taylor have been good teachers," Ari smiled. She wiped away the sweat that was on her forehead with the sleeve of her tunic. Her hair was clipped back, but strands still clung to her neck.

It had been four days since she had met Siri and Taylor, and she had learned more from them in that amount of time than she had since she had first learned of her Jedi potential. They taught her different lightsaber techniques. In fact, Siri had even taught her a few lightsaber moves that she could do with only one hand. She had cautioned Ari that it would just take some practice, and the young woman assured Siri that she would practice it daily. Along with the other lightsaber stances she had been taught, she had learned other things.

Siri had given her a holodisk which she had recorded after their first day together. She spoke of all the traditions of the Jedi, how Padawans had to be chosen by a Jedi Master by their thirteenth birthday, or else they were unable to be Jedi. Then, Jedi had to go through Trials to earn the rank of Jedi Knight. Once they reached this rank, there was a ceremony done to cut off the Padawan braid the Jedi in training wore, and the recording even had the words that were used in the ceremony. There was a Council of Jedi Masters who were in charge of the others. There were stories of battles, and many of Siri's own memories, including her secret marriage to Obi-Wan and how she had adopted Taylor as her daughter after the Jedi Purge. Ari was certain that the Jedi must not have slept that entire night due to the hours of information that was on there. It was amazing and Ari vowed to keep this information safe. She knew the Jedi Order could return, and that this information would be vital.

"Well, I think the small changes we made in the lightsaber helped too," Taylor remarked.

The second day they had gotten together, they had helped Ari slip into a meditative state, something that was completely new to her. She could feel the Force then, and could feel a connection with the other Jedi. With their instructions of how a lightsaber was built, the young woman was able to fix a few details in the lightsaber so it was more in tune with her, than it had been with her mother. While Ari had been hesitant to change it, Siri brought up an important point. If she were to face an opponent, her weapon would need to become an extension of herself. If it was designed to fit her mother, she would not have the necessary connection to her weapon. The one thing that Siri stressed was that the lightsaber was her life. That she should never give it up willingly, or let it be taken.

"Everything that you have taught me has been amazing. I would never have expecting to learn all this in such a short amount of time."

"It takes years," Siri remarked. "You can consider this a crash course," she gave a small smile.

"Emphasis on the crash part," Taylor laughed, remembering how Ari had ungracefully fallen during a duel when she had tripped over a table in Siri and Taylor's main room. They had insisted that the items would be helpful since most battles were not in completely empty rooms.

Ari's ears turned a bit redder from embarrassment. "I am doing better though," she pointed out. She had been careful not to trip over anything else since then, even though she was still somewhat clumsy. The other two Jedi moved with such grace, it was amazing to watch them. They moved so fast and smoothly, that it looked almost like a dance, even as their lightsabers clashed when they sparred together.

While she missed Luke, and she wished he was here, Ari was never bored. She was learning a lot, and since the Alliance did not seem to have much work for her, she was busy with Taylor and Siri every waking moment. Siri even cooked food, which was much better than what Ari usually ate in the mess hall. In fact, it was the first time she was eating such flavorful since she joined the Rebels. The time before that had been the last meal her mother had cooked for their family. She would give anything to have that time back.

"Thinking about your family again?" Taylor's voice cut into Ari's thoughts and she looked up, her blue eyes meeting Taylor's knowing, compassionate brown eyes.

While she was thankful for the kindness that the Jedi showed, she still could not understand how well they could read her. They said it was something she would learn in time. It came from their connection with the Force, not mind reading. It still was a bit much for Ari to try to figure out. She nodded in response. "I was just thinking about the last meal I had with my family. It was not pleasant. I wish I would have been kinder."

"Our lives are full of regrets. We can not change the past," Siri said in a tone that Ari could only call Jedi like. Siri had many moments when she seemed like a friend and another Rebel, doing all she could, but she certainly was as wise as the Jedi that Ari had heard stories about.

"But that reminds me, I want lunch," Taylor spoke up, breaking the mood. Not that Ari minded. Her stomach rumbled slightly and she pressed one hand against it. She was hungry. All these exercises took a lot of energy, yet it seemed as if she needed the reminders to eat since she did not want to stop training.

"Alright," Siri laughed and went to the small kitchenette area to cook. She explained that she often cooked semi spicy Corellian food, because she enjoyed it. While no one ever told her, she told Ari that she was certain she must have had some Corellian blood in her.

As much as she enjoyed training and hearing about the Jedi, these laid back moments were welcoming to Ari. She stretched out so that her muscles would not cramp later and would help improve her flexibility. That was another thing that the two Jedi had taught her.

She opened up to these Jedi during these times as well. They knew the story of her life. How her family had escaped Naboo and settled to life on Tatooine. Ari had told me how she and Luke had gotten involved and about her time on board the Death Star, her time with Han, and all that had happened on Hoth. She did not think that she would be so open to strangers, but they seemed more like friends than strangers.

This time was no different. Taylor was asking her questions about her life and some of the things she had done on Tatooine. Looking back on it, Ari realized that for being as young as she was, her life had not been as dull as she had once thought. In fact, there had been some very exciting times. It was only now that these times were gone that she missed them.

Soon enough, lunch was ready and the trio ate it, Ari slower than the other since she was asking many questions about training and the Jedi. It was like a whole new world was opened to her, and she wanted to explore every inch of it.

After lunch, there was time to meditate. Ari found it hard at first, but slowly found herself connecting to the Force, feeling it flow though her. She had been told that if she was on a planet with many life forms, she would feel the Force much stronger than she did on a ship.

Once again, they sat in a very small circle, legs crossed, and hands resting comfortably on their legs. They all closed their eyes and once again Ari found herself opening up to the Force.

When Siri spoke, instructing Ari, it helped, since her voice was calm and seemed as soothing and flowing as a gentle stream. "The Force is not just in the present. It connects us to the past and can even show us the future. The future is forever changing so visions may happen or they may not."

Ari understood this. Actions of others created a ripple effect, causing changes to other beings. She had already seen the past through meditation, and Siri had promised to help her with visions that the Force might grant her. It would be helpful throughout her life, if she took the time to meditate.

All of a sudden an image came to her and she gave small shout as an intense pain ran through her wrist and entire arm. She saw a floating city in the clouds, which seemed impossible. How could a city float like that? The image lasted only a millisecond until she saw Luke in a darkened room facing, and losing to Darth Vader.

Falling to her side, holding her wrist close, she came out of the meditation and saw the other two women looking at her. Siri looked concerned, but had the knowing look in her eyes, as if she knew what Ari had just seen. Taylor just looked concerned.

"A city in the clouds?" Ari finally asked them, and saw as Taylor brightened slightly.

"Cloud City. I have been there before."

"I have to go there," Ari whispered as she slowly sat up, looking from one Jedi to the other. "I have to go. Luke needs me."

"Remember, the future is always changing," Siri reminded her.

"I think there is more than just that though," Ari told her. "I sense it. I have to go." She would need their help though.

The two Jedi shared a look and Taylor nodded slowly. "I will give R4 the coordinates."

"And I will give you some supplies." They both got up and started to get preparations made.

Ari felt a bit saddened to leave them, but she knew this vision was important. She had a feeling that whatever happened next would change their lives forever.

AN: Please continue to read and review!