Chapter 2

Overcoming inner fears

It has been 1 year after the battle of Naboo, and Anakin Skywalker, thanks to the teachings of his Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn, the now 10 year old Padawan was able to quickly develop his Force abilities, surpassing most of the Padawans in the Jedi Temple.

Anakin's fast progress even impressed some of the Jedi teachers, especially Yoda, who all sensed Skywalker's potential. Although Qui-Gon's teachings were sometimes considered to be unorthodox to the Jedi, the lessons were eventually perfect for the Chosen One to control his powers.

In his free time, Anakin would spend mostly in his quarters tinkering with machinery he found during trips outside the Jedi Temple

Although Anakin had found it hard to make friends in the beginning, there was one Padawan which he developed a quick friendship with: A Twi'Lek girl named Dia Zebb.

Dia, which is Twi'Lek for 'ice', was named like that cause of her Ice Blue skin color. Like Anakin she too was born into slavery. Dia was born on the slave planet of Nar Kreeta. Shortly after she was born, Dia, along with her parents, were sold out to a cruel Hutt named, Jerva Blicho who'd made his fortune on sponsoring Podracing on Malastare.

While being taking care off by other slave mothers in the first years of her life, Dia's father was forced to work deep in the mines of the planet, while her mother was forced work as an exotic dancer to pleasure lustful men. But as soon as Dia was 4 years old, she too was forced to help mostly her father in the mines along with the other slave children. But sometimes, when the mines were closed off for days cause of a mining accident or when labor inspections from the Republic came, Dia was moved by her Hutt master to where her mother was working, giving the little Twi'Lek girl some relief of not working in the dangerous mines and allowed her to do only a few chores. Of course, Dia's mother didn't wanted her to work near where she was working, to prevent her daughter from being traumatized of what she had to go through each day.

Then, when Dia had just turned 6, another labor inspection was conducted in the mines, which was this time supervised by a Jedi knight from Alderaan named Benjako Dalkai, who'd come to Malastare cause of increasing reports of possible slave labor in the Malastarian mines. While Dia was already moved to her mother's working place the day before, that night, the Twi'Lek girl had this time disobeyed her mother and curiously took a look at the place where her mother was working, which shocked her. But worse, when Dia tried to find her mother, she was horrified to watch her being nearly raped by Jerva Blicho's business partner while other men just drunkenly laughed. That moment send Dia into a rage and in her anger, made her to use the Force the first time and Force Pushed all the drunken men right through the window and all fell down to their deaths below. That incident made Benjako sense a disturbance in the Force and went to investigate the strip club, where he found Dia and her mother, both in embrace while the Twi'Lek girl sobbed on her mother's shoulder.

And so, having found enough evidence to proof that the heartless slug owned slaves and forced children to work for him, Jerva Blicho was arrested and all the slaves in his service were freed that same day. Sensing that Dia was strong in the Force, Benjako would take the little girl to be trained as a Jedi. Dia would go, but not before the Jedi would make sure that her parents would be brought somewhere they'll be safe. And so, keeping his word, Dia's parents were moved to a new home on the Twi'Lek home-world of Ryloth, where the Zebb family had their teary goodbye with their daughter, as Benjako would take Dia to Coruscant.

While the Jedi Council considered Dia to be too old to be trained, Benjako managed to convince the council to take her into the Order. After spending the next few years with the other younglings, when Dia had turned 12, she was chosen by the Benjako Dalkai, who also recently had risen to the rank of Jedi Master, to be his Padawan.

A few months later, she would meet Anakin after Qui-Gon took him to the Jedi Temple to start his training. And so, as Benjako Dalkai and Qui-Gon Jinn shared the same view about the will of the living Force, Anakin and Dia got along well fast and have become close friends ever since.

-:-

The now 13-year old Dia was inside her room, constructing her own lightsaber after her master, Benjako Dalkai, took her to the planet Ilum so she could find a Kyber Crystal, which was a blue one. Being exited to finally build her own lightsaber, she immediately went to work on it. However, the Twi'Lek teenager was finding it difficult to build it and had been busy on it for nearly a week.

That afternoon, Dia was putting a small wire in the device around the blue Kyber Crystal, very gently. When it was in place, Dia sighed in relief. Just then, there was a knock on her door. Sensing it was her friend, Anakin Skywalker, Dia called to him behind the door "Come in."

The door slides open, with Anakin entering and told Dia with a smile while showing something in his hands "Here. I thought you might need these to complete your lightsaber."

Dia looked at Anakin's right hand, revealing it were small compartments. She smiled at Anakin when she took the compartments from him "Thank you, Ani. That's very kind of you." She then turned back to her lightsaber on her desk, beginning to work on it "I'm almost done. Just adding a few more things…" she then glanced at the compartments that Anakin gave to him.

Dia formed a small smile before closing her eyes, concentrating while using the Force to lift up the 4 small compartments, and carefully putting them in place in the lightsaber. Anakin proudly smiled, seeing that the compartments that he fixed a few days before would come in handy for his friend.

Once the final pieces for the hilt were in place, Dia opened her eyes, seeing her now fully constructed lightsaber. She took it in her hands and activated it, revealing its blue laser. Dia was delighted to see her own lightsaber was working perfectly. The Twi'Lek Padawan then deactivated her saber and turned to Anakin, giving him a hug "Thank you, Ani."

Anakin returned the hug "You're welcome, Dia. I knew those small devices would help."

Slowly they broke the hug, looking at each other. Though Dia was 3 years older then him, both Anakin and Dia had nearly the same height. Dia then asked her friend with a smile "Is it just me, or are you slowly growing faster than me?"

Anakin raised an eyebrow at her before he shrugged "Maybe. I don't see much difference."

Both then went out of Dia's room, walking together through the dormitory while Dia asked "Well, as far as I can remember, I believe you were a like an inch smaller than I was?"

Again, Anakin shrugged "Perhaps. Does it bother you?"

Dia shook her head "No, not really."

Then Anakin got an idea and suggested "Hey. Maybe we could do some lightsaber combat training? It might give you a chance to test out your lightsaber?"

Dia smiled bright "That's a great idea! Let's go!" she and Anakin then ran up the stairs, leaving the dormitory and went through one of the massive halls, bypassing a few surprising Jedi masters who glanced at each other before continuing walking and talking.

When Anakin and Dia headed into one of the classrooms that wasn't used for the day by the younglings, Dia wandered "Uhm… are you sure that we can use this room?"

Anakin ensured her while taking a few Training Remotes and two training helmets from a box "Master Yoda is training his class outside today. So we got the whole room to ourselves."

Dia nodded in relief as she took her training helmet and placed it on her head.

Anakin sighed as he looked at his training saber in his right hand "I sure hope that my master will one day take me to Ilum to find my own Kyber Crystal."

Dia smiled to Anakin and patted his shoulder "Your time will come, Ani. I'm sure that Master Jinn will give you your chance soon enough to build your own lightsaber."

Anakin nodded as he activated the two Training Remotes. He glanced at Dia, allowing her to go first. She shrugged as she closed her training helmet and activated her lightsaber. Immediately, the training remote searched for an opening to fire its small blaster at the Twi'Lek Padawan. Dia however was very focused and when the remote fired a few shots, she easily deflected them. After a few minutes, Dia was able to deflect dozens of shots from the remote, but the last one made her miss, hurting her a bit in the arm "Ouch!" Dia deactivated her lightsaber and opened her helmet.

Anakin chuckled for a moment but then congratulated her "Nice work, Dia. Looks like your lightsaber works perfectly."

Dia smiled as she nodded "It sure does." But then she thought about how fast Anakin was able to deflect the Remote's small blaster shots much faster than hers "Though I'm not yet as fast as you are."

Anakin shrugged, as it was true that he could deflect blaster shots faster than her thanks to his training with Qui-Gon, which made Anakin to demand the Remote's raising their difficulty level as it was too easy for him.

Anakin then formed a small smirk as he puts his Training Remote on a high level "Bet that I can defeat my record today?"

Dia tied her lightsaber at her belt and allowed Anakin to try and beat his own record of deflecting blaster shots "Perhaps. What was the record again? 118?" she asked while leaning to the wall.

"Yep." Anakin said as he closed his training helmet and activated his blue training lightsaber. Very quickly, the training remoted moved around Anakin, firing many small blaster shots, which Anakin deflected them. Anakin breathed heavily as he kept his guard up, deflecting over a dozen shots within a couple of seconds. But deep down, Anakin's mind was almost like overloaded as he kept trying to increase his training.

Suddenly, the remote hit Anakin in the shoulder and then two times in his left arm "Ouch!" Anakin tried to keep his guard up, but only deflected 4 blaster shots before being hit a few times again "Aagh!" Anakin deactivated his training saber in frustration.

Dia walked over to him "Hey, hey, what's wrong?"

Anakin shook his head, still being frustrated "I don't know! I was doing so well, and now…!"

Dia raised her hands, trying to calm her friend "Anakin, calm down. It can happen."

Right at that moment, both Anakin and Dia heard a few people walking into the classroom. Both looked and saw it were both their Jedi masters: Qui-Gon Jinn and Benjako Dalkai.

Qui-Gon formed a smile as he crossed his arms "I thought we might find you here."

Benjako walked up to his Padawan with a smile, gesturing to give her lightsaber to him to inspect. Dia handed over her lightsaber, with Benjako saying as he checked "Hmmm… nicely done, my Padawan. A fine saber indeed." He then looked back at Dia as he handed back her lightsaber "Now remember: This weapon is your life. Keep it well."

Dia nodded as she took back her lightsaber and ensured him "Yes, master. I will."

Benjako gave a simple nod "Good. Now since you've already done some lightsaber training with Anakin, I guess we should focus on a different exercise for today? I'm thinking acrobatics would do."

Dia was actually looking forward to continue her lightsaber training together with Anakin, but sighed before she said "Okay, master."

As both Benjako and Dia were about to walk out of the classroom, Benjako ensured his Padawan as he could sense her disappointment "Don't worry, Dia. Tomorrow you can share an exercise with Anakin." Benjako stopped as he asked Qui-Gon "That is if his master doesn't mind?"

Qui-Gon formed a small smile while he shrugged "Not at all, master Dalkai."

Benjako nodded and both him and Dia walked together out of the classroom. Dia waved to Anakin "Bye, Ani!"

Anakin gave a small wave back as Dia and her master headed to the acrobatics room down below the temple.

With now only Anakin and Qui-Gon in the room left, Qui-Gon asked his Padawan as he sat on one knee before him "I sensed that you were frustrated for a moment when doing your lightsaber training. What's troubling you?"

Anakin sighed "I don't know, master. I was doing so great at training and I barely failed anything! But now…. Now it feels like I can't go any further! I don't know what's wrong with me lately."

Qui-Gon guessed what could troubling Anakin and said with an ensuring smile "It's possibly the mind that is telling you to take it easy. I know how strong you are in the Force, Anakin and you've exceeded further than any Padawan would at your age. But even so… sometimes you need to take things easy and know where your limits are. It may take some time to reach the level you want to get, years maybe, but eventually you'll get there. Just have patience."

Anakin thought about it for a little moment before he nodded "Yes, master."

And so, for the rest of the day, thanks to Qui-Gon's wise and calming words, Anakin's mind had cooled off and was more focused on his training, while also taking things easy as he listened to himself and where his limits were.

However, a few days later, his frustration returned as Anakin was unable to do anything right when it either came to meditate, using the basic force powers, lightsaber training or physical exercise.

After a few weeks, Anakin felt depressed, feeling like his powers and abilities were failing him. Though Qui-Gon tried to be there for his apprentice, it didn't made Anakin feel better. Even when Dia tried to be there for his friend, it had only minor results.

That night, Qui-Gon began to meditate, trying to sense what causes his Padawan to be off balance like this.

While Anakin was asleep, he had nightmares of him failing to become what everyone expects of him, which results in him losing the people he cares about. Qui-Gon could sense it in his mind.

When Qui-Gon opened his eyes, he began to see what truly troubled Anakin. It was not just because of the training where he pushed himself too hard, it was a kind of fear, buried deep within Anakin's soul that made him feel to be like this. As Anakin is according to the prophecy the Chosen One, he was afraid that he wouldn't be strong enough to safe anyone.

Now knowing the facts of Anakin's struggles, Qui-Gon began to think very deep on how he could help his Padawan.

Then, after an hour of thinking, Qui-Gon found a solution that would help Anakin to overcome his inner fears.

-:-

The next day

Having given permission from the Jedi Council to take his Padawan off world for at least a week, Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Anakin entered their ship in one of the hangers of the Temple and flew off into space.

While sitting in the cockpit together, Anakin wandered and asked Qui-Gon "Master, where are we going exactly?"

Qui-Gon glanced at Anakin, showing a small smile before returning to the controls "I'm taking you somewhere for some special training I have in mind, which would help you greatly, I'm sure."

Feeling a bit down, Anakin asked "It's because I'm doing so badly at training lately, right?"

Qui-Gon ensured his apprentice as he placed his hand on his shoulder "You're not doing bad at training at all, Anakin. You just need to have a clear mind."

As they left Coruscant's orbit and Qui-Gon pressed some controls to type in the coordinates, Anakin noticed on the control panel to which system they were heading "Dagobah?"

Qui-Gon nodded "That's right. We're going to the Dagobah system." He then pressed one more control "Prepare for lightspeed." And the ship jumped into hyperspace.

After a few hours of flying through hyperspace, Qui-Gon and Anakin's ship slowed down as they descended on the remote and unexplored world of Dagobah.

Anakin checked the controls, showing on scanners what was down the planet "It says here that there no cities or any kind of technology down there. Just… swamps and forests."

Qui-Gon nodded "Very good, Anakin. This planet is one of the few purest places in the galaxy within the Force."

Still wandering what's down there, Anakin asked again "But what's down there that'll help me, master?"

Qui-Gon smiled as he stated "All you need to have a clear mind again, my young Padawan."

Anakin frowned a bit as Qui-Gon wasn't telling him everything. But as his master was always patient with him, Anakin sighed and looked through the windshield as their ship entered Dagobah's atmosphere, going through the dense fog that covered most of the planet.

Anakin felt a bit scared as there was no visual sight to see where they could land "Master…?" Anakin asked before turning to Qui-Gon, seeing he'd closed his eyes and let the Force guide him through the fog. Seeing that he knew what to do, Anakin too closed his eyes, trying to concentrate by using the Force to show him where the ground level is.

Very easily, Qui-Gon steered the ship, passing by many high trees in its way. Slowly, Qui-Gon descends the ship, landing on the ground.

Anakin opened his eyes first. He blinked a few times as he was surprised that he could clearly see through the Force where they should go and land safely. He glanced to his master, who opened his eyes and both smiled to each other, with Anakin now seeing how this planet could help him bring his inner self back in balance.

Not long after, Anakin decided to explore the planet along with his master for a while. Anakin's forehead began to sweat cause of the climate of Dagobah. As he wiped his forehead, Anakin said "This place is hot."

"Is that all your feeling, Anakin?" Qui-Gon asked, but teased him a bit.

Anakin shook his head as he stated while looking around him "No… I… I feel more… calm."

Qui-Gon nodded "And do you know why it is like that?"

"Because…" Anakin thought before answering "…Because this place isn't claimed by any civilization, making this place… pure from any influence."

"Yes, that's right, Anakin. And that's what makes this place perfect to train for some time." Qui-Gon stated.

-:-

5 days later

And so, as the days go by, Qui-Gon began to teach Anakin as how he trained the boy at the Jedi Temple. Though Anakin was still a bit troubled in the mind, he was slowly gaining back some confidence and nearly did his training flawless. Even the physical exercise helped him, as the young boy jogged through the swamps and forests, jumping high and avoiding any obstacles by using the Force, or using them to his advantage as he climbed on the veins of the trees and swing robed to the other side.

When Anakin stopped before Qui-Gon, trying to catch his breath, Qui-Gon said as he nodded "Very good, Anakin. You're getting better each day." He then suggested "I think it's time for you to take a break."

Anakin sighed in relief "I thought you would never ask." Both him and Qui-Gon chuckled as they sat down at a tree stump, with Qui-Gon offering Anakin some water, which he appreciated.

After taking a sip, Anakin asked "Master. I was wandering… how did you exactly found this place? You seemed to know this planet before when we arrived, like you've been here before."

Qui-Gon smiled and started to tell how he found Dagobah "It was many years ago that I came here, together with my own master. Just like you, Ani, I too felt unbalanced at some point during my training. So, my master began to meditate and had a vision about this planet." Qui-Gon nodded as how much the training on Dagobah had improved him, thanks to his own master.

Anakin began to think and asked "I've never asked this before, but… who was your master?"

Qui-Gon smiled at him as he answered "My master's name was Dooku."

Anakin recognized that name "I think I'd heard about him. I came across his name on one of those sculpture portrait heads when me and Dia were studying in the Temple's library, that he was one of the… Lost Twenty?"

Qui-Gon nodded "Yes, that's right. He left the Jedi Order a few months before I found you on Tatooine."

That confused Anakin "But… why would he leave the Jedi Order? Isn't it when you're within the Jedi Order that it's for a lifetime?"

"That may be true, Anakin. A life as a Jedi can be forever. But sometimes… people would leave the order to find their own paths or when they're disillusioned with the Jedi way of life." Qui-Gon then sighs "But he didn't just left because he disapproved the life of a Jedi. The corruption in the senate were also the reason which made him disillusioned and wanted to make a change by becoming a political idealist."

"So… he left to become a politician? Like Chancellor Palpatine?" Anakin asked.

Qui-Gon however shook his head "No, not really. As far as I've heard, my former master is giving lectures in universities across the Republic, telling that star systems should have the right to govern themselves, instead of being controlled by a federalized senate."

Knowing from his master that the Galactic Senate indeed is not as what some people believe it is, Anakin then figured by the look of Qui-Gon's face and asked "You do agree with that, don't you?"

Knowing that Anakin isn't easily to be fooled, Qui-Gon stated "Some part of it, I do. However, the republic needs strong leadership and the only way to achieve that is to treat all the star systems equally. Which, unfortunately isn't much of the case as the senate now a days favorites the Core Worlds over the Rim Worlds. And as some politicians only represent themselves instead of the people who elected them, it leads to more divide within the Republic."

Anakin got a bit upset after hearing this from his master "Then… why won't the Jedi do anything about it? I mean, aren't they supposed to be there to keep the peace and balance in the galaxy?"

Qui-Gon nodded "They are… or, that's what they're supposed to be doing. But nowadays, the Jedi Order rather gives their support to the Republic government instead of listening to the will of the Force.

"But… that's so unfair!" Anakin said.

Though Qui-Gon agreed with his Padawan, that the Jedi have gone astray, he remained calm and placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder "I know it is, Anakin. But we shouldn't judge just the Order itself, as it isn't perfect, that's true. Nobody is." Then Qui-Gon ensured Anakin "But at least we're not so easily to be blinded by so-called traditions and know what needs to be done to do the right thing, right?"

Anakin smiled as he nodded.

That same evening, Anakin was meditating as Qui-Gon watched his progress. Anakin used the force to make some stones to float and slowly pilled them up. Anakin then took a deep breath before he too started to float, along with some small objects.

Qui-Gon, who sat opposite of Anakin, nodded "Very good, Anakin." He was proud that his training was taking fruit. However, Qui-Gon knew that there was only one more lesson left for Anakin to learn. Something that he too had to face when arriving with his master, Dooku.

Anakin began to feel some uneasiness as he began to sense something dark and cold "There's something else… deep in the jungle…" Anakin said.

As Anakin slowly broke his meditation, he floats back on the ground and opened his eyes. Qui-Gon nodded again to his Padawan "Yes, there is." He stood up, followed by Anakin and gestured his apprentice to follow him.

After a few minutes of walking deeper into the jungle, Anakin began to sense the same darkness and cold he saw in his vision "Master. It… it's close."

Qui-Gon then stopped. Anakin looked at Qui-Gon for a moment before glancing to what was in front of them. Anakin saw that it was a cave, heading deep underground. But it was not an ordinary cave. Deep down, Anakin could feel the darkness coming from it.

"This is it, Anakin."

"The cave?" Anakin asked.

"Yes. You must enter it, alone." Qui-Gon stated to his Padawan.

Anakin began to feel scared "Master… I… I can feel the dark side from that place…"

Qui-Gon sat on one knee and puts his hand on Anakin's shoulder, telling him "Yes. The dark side is strong in that cave, but it is also the place where you must face your inner fears, and overcome them."

Anakin glanced to his master, understanding now why Qui-Gon truly brought him to Dagobah "So… this cave was the real reason we came here?"

"Yes, Anakin."

"But… but why didn't we came here days ago, when we arrived?"

Qui-Gon patiently answered his apprentice's question "Because you weren't ready yet to face your inner fears. But now you are ready to be tested."

Anakin then glanced back to the entrance of the cave "Wha… what's in there?"

"Only what you take with you." Qui-Gon stated, as the cave only shows the fears we take with us in there "Trust in the Force, my young Padawan."

After a short moment, Anakin was about to enter, but Qui-Gon called him back "Your lightsaber." Anakin stopped and looked to his master "You won't need it when you enter the cave."

Anakin glanced down at his training saber, holding it in his hand. He then glanced to Qui-Gon. Trusting his master's word, Anakin handed over his training saber to him, which Qui-Gon took and Anakin walked into the cave.

Qui-Gon then sat down, waiting for Anakin to return.

While going into the cave, heading down through narrow hallways made from veins, dirt and tree roots, Anakin slowly walked further into the darkness. Slowly, his fear began to rise, not knowing what'll wait for him in this dark place.

Anakin stopped for a moment, sighing deep and try to calm himself, but yet he couldn't as the thoughts of hearing other Jedi whispering behind his back, having doubts in his abilities or even IF he's really the Chosen One.

Then Anakin heard the voices of his old friends on Tatooine, looking down on him as what he tries to accomplish.

Anakin began to shook his head while covering his ears "No… no, please! Stop it! Stop it!"

"Ani…"

Anakin gasped in shock as someone called his name.

"Ani…"

Anakin looked around, recognizing that voice "Mom?"

In the shadows of the cave, Anakin saw movement, in the shape of his mother, Shmi, calling while searching for her son "Ani… where are you?!"

Tears formed in his eyes as he couldn't believe he was seeing his mother again and tried to run towards her "Mom! Mom, I'm right here! Come back!" but when he reached the spot where he saw her, she was gone.

"Anakin…!"

Nearly panicked, Anakin kept searching the cave "Mom!"

But then, Anakin heard Padmé's voice "Anakin…! Help me…!"

"Padmé?! No!" Anakin yelled as he ran into another way.

More and more voices were calling unto Anakin, calling for help. His mother, Padmé, Dia, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and many of his old friends on Tatooine.

Anakin didn't know where to go. He began to panic "No! No, please, no!"

Then… the voices stopped…. Anakin's surroundings began to change, showing he was in the Jedi Temple, but everything around him was destroyed, seeing many Jedi dead on the floor. Anakin gasped in shock as he stepped back, shocking his head, like he was too late to save them. Then, Anakin saw Padmé, dead on the floor "PADMÉ! NOOOO!"

Tears formed in Anakin's eyes as he fell on his knees to the floor. But then… he heard a low voice, telling him "Because you were too weak… you couldn't safe them… you couldn't safe anyone. And they all believed you were the 'Chosen One'? Don't make me laugh."

Anakin looked around him in shock, but couldn't see the man who spoke to him "Who are you?! Where are you?!"

"Young fool…" the man spoke, before a robotic breathing sounded as the surroundings began to change into a dark room "…I am you, and you… are me!" dark clouds gathered before Anakin as the robotic breathing became louder. Then, out of the dark clouds, a dark figure formed, wearing a robotic armor and mask, activating his red lightsaber!

Afraid, Anakin stepped backwards, with the dark cyborg figure approaching him.

"Anakin!" Qui-Gon suddenly sounded as he appeared, activating his green lightsaber and attacked the dark cyborg, but he deflected all Qui-Gon's attacks with ease and then stabbed him in the chest, killing him!

"MASTER!" Anakin yelled as tears fell from his eyes.

More and more Jedi Masters appeared, trying to kill the dark cyborg, but he defeated them all, killing them one by one. Anakin shut his eyes as he couldn't take it anymore. He felt his anger rising, wanting to make this cyborg pay for what he did.

"STOP!" Anakin screamed as he force pushed at the cyborg, but it had no effect.

With his lightsaber in hand, the dark figure approached a frightened Anakin "So weak… So sure of yourself. And yet… you're not strong enough to safe the people you care about. And never will you find that power in the light. Come, embrace me and learn the true power of the Force!"

Anakin shook his head as he fell backwards, crawling backwards as he called to his evil self "No! Get away! I… I won't! I won't join you! I will never become like you! NEVER!"

"There is no escape." The dark cyborg, representing Anakin's dark self, lifted Anakin up the ground and grabbed him by the throat "I am you, and you… are me!"

Anakin struggled to get loose, but he couldn't. All the confidence he had in himself faded away, as he began to believe that even with him being the Chosen One, he would never become powerful enough to safe the people he cares about.

But then… Anakin began to hear Qui-Gon's words in his head 'Anakin… in order to bring balance to the Force… you must find balance within yourself first…'

Anakin then looked at his dark self, saying as he nodded "Yes… you are me…. You're… my dark side. But… you do not control me or my destiny." Anakin's darkness began to look confused at him "You and I… are one…. We shouldn't fight each other like this… cause we're one." Anakin's dark self puts him down "Light and darkness… are no enemies… we're just two sides of the same coin. And that coin… is the Force…. Only together… in balance… we can safe everyone… even ourselves."

Anakin's dark self's breath began to fade as he looked down. Slowly, he began to disappear. Then, before Anakin, he saw his mother. Tears began to form in Anakin's eyes again "Mom… I miss you… so much…. I feel so alone without you…"

Shmi sat down before Any, smiling at him, saying "I never left. You never left. Cause I will always be with you… right here." She pointed to Anakin's heart, letting him know that she'll always be with him, no matter how far they're separated. Then, Dia appeared and puts her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. Padmé then appeared along with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, the other Jedi and Anakin's old friends, smiling to him.

Slowly, Anakin began to smile as tears fell from his eyes. As Anakin wiped away his tears from his eyes, he found himself back in the same cave as the illusion was gone.

A few minutes later, Anakin exited the dark cave, joining his master. Qui-Gon could sense that Anakin had found his inner balance and was no longer struggling mentally with his destiny.

Anakin was just about to tell what he saw, but Qui-Gon ensured him as he smiled "Whatever you saw in there, is for you alone."

Anakin nodded.

As Qui-Gon stood up, he and his Padawan walked away from the cave, heading back towards their ship. After they'd packed their supplies, they left the planet, heading back to Coruscant.

While Qui-Gon flew the ship, Anakin fell into a peaceful sleep.

-:-

The next day, back on Coruscant

When their ship landed in one of the hangers of the Jedi Temple, Anakin and Qui-Gon stepped out, the Twi'Lek Padawan, Dia ran towards Anakin with a big smile and gave him a hug "Ani! You're back!"

Anakin smiled as he was happy to see his friend too and returned the hug.

"So, how was your special training?" Dia asked as she broke the hug, wanting to know how his training went.

Anakin gave a small shrug "I feel much better than before."

Dia laughed at hearing that, as she could sense Anakin's mind being more at peace "Yes, I can see that."

Anakin glanced to his master. Qui-Gon smiled as he already could guess what Anakin wanted to ask, which was okay for him "Go on, Anakin. You've deserved some time to relax with your friend."

Anakin smiled before he suggested to Dia "Hey, I know a good game we can play at the sports field."

Dia felt intrigued as they walked together out of the hanger "Okay, Ani. What kind of a game is it?"

"Oh, it's this game my friends on Tatooine invented by using a ball. You'll love it, I'm sure, especially with what more we can add to it." Anakin stated.

Dia smiled "Well, what are we waiting for then? C'mon!" and both ran together towards the sports field of the temple.

Not long after in the sports field, where a few Jedi were doing exercises and some younglings were playing a different game, Anakin and Dia, who were now wearing special Jedi training clothes, walked on the field with Anakin holding a ball he borrowed.

Anakin looked around for a moment what he could use. Noticing an bit rusty iron ring, which was big enough for the ball to fit through, at the section of broken stuff. Using the Force, Anakin lifted up the ring and hanged it vertically on a pillar to the edge of the field.

Anakin then turned to Dia, explaining the game "It's very simple. You got to try and throw the ball through the ring. However, if you want to move around with the ball, you have to use the Force to hold it up." Anakin demonstrated as he lifted up the ball in his hand "If one scores 10 points, wins."

Dia nodded "Sounds good to me."

"Right. Then try to catch it." Anakin challenged Dia.

She tried to reach for it, but Anakin held the ball back with the Force "Too slow." Anakin said before tossing the ball backwards and quickly used the Force to pull it right through the ring.

Dia frowned at Anakin for being too fast. Anakin just grinned as he lifted up the ball and tossed it to his friend "Your turn." He said.

Dia floated up the ball and try to see if she could find an opening and tossed the ball to the ring using the Force, but Anakin prevented it from going through and Force pulled it away, catching it.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Dai told Anakin.

Anakin gave a shrug "What? I was just preventing you from getting a point."

That made Dia to smirk at him "Okay, Skywalker. You want to play it that way, than that's what you're gonna get." Dia stated before Force pulled the ball to her, catching it and then floated it up, throwing it to the ring, but Anakin pulled it away, with Dia then catching it before Anakin could and threw the ball between his legs and up right through the ring!

Anakin smirked as he caught the ball and threw the ball with the Force from one side to the other, making it hard for Dia to catch it herself, till she jumped high and headbutted the ball right into the ring, scoring another point!

With Anakin and Dia using the Force, jumping and catching the ball and trying to outsmart one another by scoring a point, caught the attention of the other young Jedi and younglings who'd became curious to the new game that the two Padawans were playing.

After 15 minutes of playing, Anakin and Dia both had scored 9 points. Both Padawans faced each other, with each on one standing on each side of the field. Dia floated the ball up in her right hand, saying to Anakin with a smirk "Ready to lose?"

"Are you?" Anakin asked while wiping away some sweat from his forehead.

Dia then jumped and Force pushed the ball to the ring, but Anakin jumped and kicked the ball away, bouncing it to the ground and then Force Pushed the ball himself through the ring. But as he was about to score the winning point, Dia held the ball with the Force, pulled it back to her and headbutted it herself through the ring, scoring the final point. Dia had won.

The other young Jedi and younglings cheered. Three Padawans ran to Anakin and Dia, with the 11-year old human boy named Caleb Marker saying with enthusiasm to Anakin "Wow! That was cool!"

His friend, the 10-year old Mirialan boy named Zif nodded "Yeah! I've never seen a game like that before."

"What is it called?!" the 11-year old human girl named Annemir Newib (short named Newt) asked both Anakin and Dia.

Anakin and Dia exchanged a short look, not really having a name for the game they'd developed. But thinking of how they floated the ball up each time, Anakin smiled as he'd figured a perfect name for it "Oh, it's called… 'Floatball'." Anakin stated.

The 3 Padawans exchanged a short look of confusion, but then smiled as Caleb asked "That's a cool name. Can we join you guys? We could make teams?"

Anakin and Dia smiled as Dia said "Sure!"

But then Anakin figured "Hold on. There's the five of us then, so we need another one."

All 5 figured that Anakin was right. So, Newt looked around and asked to an 8-year old Sarkhai boy named Leo Jemilat "Hey, Leo, you wanna join us? We need a sixth player."

Though Leo was unsure at first, especially with Anakin being 'the Chosen One', so he made a little excuse "Uhm… I don't know. I don't think I'm that good at it."

Anakin walked up to him, with the ball at hand "Hey, don't worry, it's okay that you're not good at it. Honestly, I don't think I'm that good at it yet as me and Dia have just come up with the game." Anakin then figured something that'll make Leo eager to join "We could actually also use someone who could think of a couple of rules for this game. What do you say?"

Leo thought for a moment, before he smiled and nodded "Okay!"

And so, for the next few hours, the group of 5 Padawans and 1 youngling spend their time together, thinking of some new rules for Floatball and practiced together, with all six of them enjoying the game immensely, especially Leo, who'd noticed that thanks to this new game, he was better at practicing by using the Force and also his endurance and speed.

The other younglings, who'd stayed to watch Anakin, Dia and their new friends playing their game, sat on a big bench and watched them play their game. One of the younglings, who was a 5-year old Togruta girl, was very exited to watch them play and whispered to her friend, sitting next to her "Oh, I hope I'll be that good one day to play this?"

Her friend nodded, hoping the same.

Just then, their female human instructor walked on the field, telling his group of younglings "C'mon now, children. It's dinner time."

While all the younglings were a bit disappointed that they could not watch the game a bit longer, they stood up from the bench and followed their Jedi instructor. However, only the Togruta girl remained seated and just couldn't take her eyes of the exiting Floatball game.

"Ahsoka, are you coming?" the female Jedi instructor asked her kindly.

The Togruta youngling, Ahsoka, glanced to her instructor and disappointingly sighed while asking "Oh, please master Lynn. Can I stay a bit longer?"

The Jedi instructor, Mary Lynn formed a small smile while placing her hands on her hips "Now, now, that's not very reasonably, is it? You gotta have to eat something, Ahsoka. You don't want to go to bed with an empty stomach, right?"

Little Ahsoka sighed "Alright, I'm coming." She said while standing up from the bench and followed her instructor and her fellow younglings. Ahsoka did glance at Anakin and Dia, forming a small smile, hoping she could watch their game again someday.

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan walked out of the Temple and headed to the sports field while they were talking.

"Well, by the looks of it, your Padawan is doing much better than last week, master. Whatever you taught him, it really helped." Obi-Wan stated, as he'd noticed too the positive changes with Anakin every since their return from Qui-Gon's special training.

Qui-Gon chuckled "Thanks, Obi-Wan, but you don't need to call me 'master' anymore as you're a Jedi Knight now."

"I know, Qui-Gon." Obi-Wan stated as they arrived at the sports field, seeing Anakin and Dia playing their game 'Floatball' with their four new friends. Seeing how fast they were moving surprised Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon for a moment, but then Qui-Gon smiled as he could sense that Anakin had more self-confidence and had clearly no problem in making new friends anymore.

As Obi-Wan thought it was perhaps time to have a Padawan of his own, he sensed that the 8-year old Sarkhai boy had somehow grew more confidence thanks to Anakin and his new friends 'Hmmm… perhaps with the right teacher, this boy could reach great potential.' Obi-Wan thought mentally.

-:-

The week after

After Qui-Gon had returned to the Jedi Temple along with Anakin from their mission to Dallenor to collect an ancient Jedi holocron from a dig site, both master and apprentice smiled at each other as they exited their shuttle, with Qui-Gon being proud of Anakin's great work on his first mission as he knocked out the Krypder Pirates' leader, who wanted to steal everything from the dig site by just using the Force and hit the pirate leader with many small pebbles. Though Anakin felt he'd screwed up by letting himself being taken hostage, Qui-Gon ensured him that he did just fine and everyone makes mistakes on the first mission and told Anakin that mistakes are there to learn.

When they walked together out of the hangar, Qui-Gon and Anakin met with Jedi Master Yoda to give the holocron to him. When Jedi Grandmaster took the holocron from Qui-Gon, he observed the ancient holocron for a moment before he nodded friendly "Great work by bringing this holocron, you and your Padawan have. Keeping it safe, we will."

At that moment, Anakin's new friend, Leo came over to him with some excitement "Hey, Anakin! I have great news! I have passed the Initiate Trials and… Master Kenobi has chosen me as his Padawan!"

Anakin was happy for his Sarkhai friend "That's great, Leo!"

Leo nodded "Yeah. Honestly, I owe it to you, Anakin. If you hadn't invited me in to play and practice Floatball, I wouldn't be able to finish the tests!"

"No problem, Leo."

Then Leo said before going "Well, I gotta go. Don't want to be late for my first training session with Master Kenobi. See you later, Anakin!"

Yoda then stated with a smile to Anakin "This game of yours, young Skywalker, very helpful it is. Performing better, the young Padawans who'd played with you, I heard."

Anakin glanced at Yoda, giving a shrug as he stated "I just thought it would be fun to have a sports game by using the Force." He then chuckled "I never thought it would help that much."

Qui-Gon smiled at his apprentice as he said "Well, despite it wasn't your intention to bring a different form of training, your idea sure inspired them." then Qui-Gon thought and suggested to Yoda "As I can remember,;Anakin and his friends are going to the sports field for another game of 'Floatball' with a few more Padawans. Would you like to watch them play and see how well they're doing, master Yoda?"

Yoda thought for a moment, before he nodded "Intrigued I am, to watch this Floatball."

Anakin smiled bright as he said before running to the sports field "Oh, you'll be surprised we can do, master Yoda!" Anakin glanced at Qui-Gon with a smile, with him giving a wink before Anakin ran out of the hallway to tell the others that Yoda was coming to watch.

Qui-Gon and Yoda walked together out of the Jedi Temple, with Yoda watching how this game works and how much it has helped the many young Jedi who wanted to play it too.

A/N: So, the few OC characters that I've added to the story, especially Dia Zebb, will play later on major roles in my story. The game 'Floatball' is something me and my good friend, Wolvehulk have thought off. See it like a Star Wrs version of basketball, but then using the Force.

As for the next chapter… well, I don't wanna spoil to much, but I'm sure you guys are gonna love what I have in store ;)

Now, when I'll be making the new chapter is difficult to say, as I'm going to make a few more chapters of my other stories AND that I have a very special thing in mind for next year how to divide working on 4 new stories I have in mind to work on for next year and how to balance it with writing my current story. More details on this is on my profile with all the info.

See you all then! And as always… may the Force be with you…