In the heart of the Jedi Temple's training grounds, where the sunlight beamed down onto the medium-sized balcony, Anakin Skywalker and Mace Windu stood facing each other. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the two Jedi Masters prepared to engage yet again in their spar.
Anakin and Mace had always butted heads. It was no secret to all of the Jedi on the High Council, but today? Today, they wanted to put a start to burying the hatchet, and the only way they both knew to build trust between peers was one thing.
Sparring.
And as he did several hours ago, Anakin moved first.
The duel resumed with calculated strikes and parries, each move precise and deliberate. They exchanged blows with remarkable speed and agility, the lightsabers clashing in a symphony of energy and skill. The Jedi apprentices who had been practicing nearby had paused hours ago to watch in awe as their masters demonstrated the extremely detailed art of combat.
These two Jedi Masters were arguably the best duelists that the order had to offer, along with Plo Koon, Yoda, Obi-Wan, Kit Fisto, and even Evelyn Zaad.
The two Jedi danced around each other in an organized fashion, knowing each calculated move they would make before it was even made.
As they continued to exchange blows, it became evident that they were not simply fighting for the sake of competition. It was a duel of respect; a display of trust being built through mutual combat. With every clash of their blades, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a growing understanding.
Meanwhile, not far from the training grounds, Evelyn and Gungi are walking to the mess hall after their training, "I hope I didn't push you too hard today," Evelyn says, wiping sweat off her brow.
Gungi shakes his head, "I enjoy the challenge, Master," Gungi says back, happy that he's being pushed to be as great as he can be.
Evelyn closed her eyes for a moment, her mind briefly flashing back to the disturbing visions of Anakin's death in the Senate chamber. She fought to suppress the haunting images, unwilling to let them consume her thoughts.
The two keep walking before she hears lightsabers clashing in the distance. Evelyn looks at Gungi, motioning her head towards her and Anakin's favorite balcony to spar on.
She's still harboring a little bit of saltiness towards Anakin since he won't allow their score to even out during sparring sessions. She's beaten him 45% of the times they've entered the ring. Maybe it's her pride speaking, but he cheats every time!
As the two walk onto the balcony, Gungi's jaw quite literally hits the floor, the astonishment written all across his face as Anakin leaps onto a pillar, narrowly missing a strike from Windu that would have cost him the dual.
Evelyn watched the duel unfold, her eyes sharp and analytical. As the clash of lightsabers continued, she couldn't help but hope that this sparring session would not only improve Anakin's relationship with Mace but also offer her Padawan an understanding of how great he could be.
Mace is immediately put on the backpedal as Anakin presses his attacks, cold and calculated strikes driving the Master of the Order back on his heels. However, Mace quickly tips the scales, sweeping Anakin's legs from underneath, swinging down, but missing Anakin completely as the Chosen One flips backwards, steadying himself as he waits for the next wave of attacks.
Four hours of sparring against Mace Windu was tiring, sue him.
The two Jedi, covered in sweat, nod at each other before deactivating their sabers, bowing to each other symbolizing the end of their dual. Mace walks over to Anakin with a grin on his face, clapping the young Master on the shoulder as they head to get some water.
Evelyn smiles at the two as Windu walks away from Anakin, and decides to make her way towards him.
Anakin turns around to feel someone directly run into him, "Oh, sorry," he looks down and sees Evelyn looking up at him, a giant smile on her face.
Anakin Skywalker stood before her, a wide grin on his face as he peered down at Evelyn. His teasing tone filled the air, "Watch where you're going, Zaad," he playfully chided, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
Evelyn's eyes snap over to Gungi, quickly separating from Anakin, "This is my new apprentice, Gungi," Evelyn motions with a smile on her face, "Gungi, this is my best friend, Anakin Skywalker," Anakin smiles at her, knowing that even through everything, they're each other's best friends over anything else.
Gungi stands frozen in his place, not fully believing that he's meeting the Master Skywalker - the Jedi that he's looked up to for the past three years.
"How's it going?" Anakin asks, bowing respectfully to Gungi.
Gungi found himself momentarily stunned by the presence of the legendary Jedi Master he had looked up to for years. His towering figure exuded an aura of power and wisdom. Gathering himself, Gungi finally manages to make a respectful bow to one of his idols, "Pleasure to meet you, Master Skywalker," he said, his voice filled with reverence.
Anakin bowed towards the padawan with respect, "Likewise," he responded with warmth as he started to walk away.
"Where are you off to, Master?" Evelyn asks teasingly, a smirk plastered on her face.
"The Chancellor invited me to an opera," he says, returning the smile, "I'm not sure what to expect, but I'll enjoy the time I have with him," Anakin assures before giving Gungi a friendly nod and heading in the direction of his intended destination.
"Anakin, NO!"
Evelyn shoots up from her bed, looking to her left as Anakin sleeps peacefully next to her. She doesn't care if she's leaving him, she has to go somewhere.
Anywhere but here.
With unsteady steps, Evelyn made her way through the dimly lit corridors of Anakin's room. The Force guided her, though she didn't understand why, as she moved with purpose toward the Senate Building. Her instincts were her compass, and she couldn't ignore the call…
Around an hour later, Evelyn emerged from the hallowed halls of the Senate Building. The memories of her vision still haunted her, but she knew she couldn't stay there. Determined to distance herself from the suffocating dread that had gripped her in her sleep, she climbed aboard her sleek blue Jedi starship.
"So, why are you here?" Obi-Wan asked her as the two walked stealthily across the rafters above General Grievous and his army.
Evelyn paused for a moment, considering her response carefully. She wasn't entirely sure if she was being entirely honest with herself, but she decided to share a fragment of her truth. "I had to clear my head," she admitted. It wasn't a lie; the relentless nightmares of the Jedi Order's fall and Anakin's death had been haunting her, and she needed to get away from that planet.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with both curiosity and understanding, "And leaving your apprentice on Coruscant and coming to help me end the war was the way to do that?" he asked, his teasing tone tempered by a recognition of her point.
Evelyn met his gaze evenly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Can't be a good master without a steady head," she countered, enjoying the challenge of conversation.
Obi-Wan nodded, acknowledging her perspective. He appreciated her quick wit and ability to hold her own in a conversation. "Let's go," he said, ready to descend into the fray. With a confident jump, he landed gracefully on the ground below, and Evelyn followed right behind him.
"Hello there."
Anakin stands before a group of younglings in the training room of the Jedi Temple. The room is filled with the hum of lightsabers as the young Padawans practice their forms under his watchful eye. He wears a patient smile, his presence radiating a mix of authority and approachability.
Even though he hadn't seen Evelyn in a couple of days. He woke up and she was just gone.
"Alright, everyone," Anakin addresses the younglings, "Today, we're going to work on your balance and focus. Let's form a circle."
The younglings gather in a circle, their curious eyes fixed on Anakin. He ignites his own lightsaber, the blue blade casting a vibrant glow across the room as the class gazes upon him in astonishment.
"Today, we're going to practice the art of balance," Anakin begins. "Physical balance is just as important as your connection to the Force. It's the foundation of your combat skills."
He proceeds to demonstrate various exercises, from simple poses that test their stability to more challenging stances that require concentration. The younglings follow his lead, attempting the poses with varying degrees of success. Anakin provides encouraging feedback and adjusts their positions when needed.
"Now, let's try something a bit more fun," Anakin suggests with a mischievous glint in his eye. He reaches into a container and pulls out a stack of small objects – some small stones, trinkets, and even a few small holocrons.
"We're going to balance these objects on the back of your hand using the Force," Anakin explains. "Remember, it's about finding the connection between your mind and the object. Let the Force guide you."
The younglings excitedly take the objects from Anakin, their brows furrowed in concentration. One by one, they attempt to balance the objects using the Force, and while some struggle at first, their determination shines through.
Anakin moves from one youngling to another, offering guidance and encouragement. "Relax your mind," he advises, "Feel the object's energy, its weight. Don't force it – let it find its place."
After several attempts, a young Twi'lek manages to balance a small Holocron on the back of her hand. Her face lights up with a mixture of surprise and accomplishment.
"Great job," Anakin praises her. "Remember, training is all about progress, not perfection."
As the training session continues, Anakin incorporates more playful elements into the exercises, like having the younglings walk across a low beam while maintaining their balance using the Force. Laughter and determination fill the room as the Padawans support and cheer each other on.
By the end of the session, the younglings are tired but satisfied. Anakin gathers them in a circle once more. "You all did exceptionally well today," he says with a smile, his voice filled with pride, "Balance is a skill that takes time to master, but each step you take brings you closer to becoming the Jedi that the Force made you to be."
The younglings exchange smiles, their sense of trust and happiness stronger than ever. Anakin deactivates his lightsaber and bows to them. "Continue to practice these techniques on your own and remember – the Force is your ally. Trust in it, and it will guide you."
With that, the younglings disperse, their spirits lifted by the training and their bond with Anakin. As the room empties, Anakin lingers for a moment, a sense of pride and fulfillment warming his heart.
Training the younglings wasn't just about honing their skills – it was about shaping the next generation of Jedi, instilling them with the values and teachings that had been passed down for centuries.
The battle on Utapau was fierce, but Obi-Wan and Evelyn fought side by side, each trusting the other's skills completely. After completely dismantling Grevious, the two Jedi joined Cody and the 212th on the ground as they ran the Separatists out of Utapau.
When the dust settles and victory is secured, Obi-Wan and Evelyn stand among the remnants of battle. Utapau is free, but the weight of their responsibilities remains.
"We did it," Obi-Wan says, his voice weary but full of relief.
Evelyn nods, a small smile touching her lips, "That we did."
Obi-Wan and Evelyn make their way up to the cruiser where Anakin is waiting for them on the holo table, "Evelyn, are you alright?" he asks, his eyes searching hers and his voice full of relief, finally pinpointing where she ran off to.
Evelyn meets his gaze and nods, grateful for his presence, "I'm okay, Anakin. Just needed to be in the action for a while."
Anakin's concern doesn't fully go away, but he understands her need for release, "You two did quite a job on Utapau," he acknowledges, prideful of the work that they just finished.
Obi-Wan smiles, "Teamwork, Anakin. Teamwork."
Evelyn's eyes flicker between her two companions, a sense of unity settling within her. Whatever challenges still lie ahead, they'll face them together.
