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Chapter 23
Luke didn't like to limit his students.
His training with Anakin was no different, but the boy didn't know how time as a slave forced Luke to backtrack, having to get his body to a healthy state first in terms of physical training and proper nutrition, before he could truly progress.
Not for the reasons one would have expected, but primarily for selfless reasons, which was also a detriment. Anakin wanted to train and bring slavers to justice, freeing the slaves. But, the issue was that if Anakin rushed in there with his current anger he had to the slavers, the crusade could drive him over the edge and lead him down the path of the Dark Side.
Before he could give to the call of combat, the young man had to practice balancing his emotions.
He had to accept his emotions and understand that they were normal but don't use them, for that path only led to destruction. When he'd mastered this, they would combat all of their adversaries, including the Hutts.
He wasn't complacent. Part of the reason Luke grew so quickly was because he had no Master to limit him. He could practice lifting objects with the Force or hone lightsaber combat on droids at his leisure. Plus, it was a war, and he got real combat experience, which sped up his training a lot. The best experience was real combat experience, and the Galactic Civil War era had plenty of it.
It all fell on levels of maturity.
What better way to prepare him for the Dark Side than to bring him into a similar arena as Luke was?
Luke also realized that he had his emotional healing to go through. It was overwhelming sometimes. His thoughts went to his wife, Leia, Han, Jaina, Jacen, all of them. He was doing this for them. Moreover, while he'd longed for his parents to be the ones who raised, trained, fed, played, and so on with him, Luke knew that he wouldn't be above having some sort of familial bond with them; even if he had been stuck in this past for the rest of his days.
In a twist of fate, Anakin Skywalker was like a younger brother to him.
And Luke welcomed it, for in many ways, he was now. Luke selected himself to be the one who raised and trained his father as an Apprentice; odd as it was, to not allow his father to be put in the hands of another Jedi; out of the fact that Sidious would do his best to disrupt any development Anakin could make. And Luke got to know more about him. In less than an orthodox way, but it was an honor in many ways. To have someone to protect and watch. To be the one who was guiding him to succession for his younger self to have that chance that Luke never had, he'd rather not replace it with anything else in the galaxy.
Luke looked at his vibrosword and the one clutched in Anakin's hand, swinging it around him in practice forms. It helped him to release those built-up emotions, as well as work on his malnourishment. Shmi had been reading recipes with cooking from across the galaxy. She had taken an interest in that field. He was glad to see that she was only spreading her wings and stretching them far, enjoying the new life outside of slavery. He'd still wanted her on a ship close to him until accommodations could be made that would not lead to the Sith reaching her. That would be a way for Sidious to cause resentment from his young charge to his direction, and the Naboo Sith was anything but judicious.
The two were making practiced motions, their swords connecting against one another. Luke knew that Anakin had to be prepared against whatever backup plan Sidious was crafting in replacement for Darth Vader; likely in the name of Maul. Anakin did not know how powerful either Sith was when it came to the blade, but he could imagine that being a part of a thousand-year Grand Plan gifted Sidious a lot of knowledge and time to delve into the Dark Side.
Maul would be like too soon someday.
"Why are we doing this? When can I get my own lightsaber?" Anakin asked, cutting through his musings.
"When you're ready," Luke answered patiently. "Block high!" he warned. And the boy did so, stumbling somewhat. Anakin swung his blade up. "Low!" He angled it down. The boy staggered again but still did so. "Middle. High. Low."
He performed exceptionally well. After the fifth time, Luke decided to switch tactics. "Good, let's focus on series. Are you ready?"
Anakin nodded confidently, "Yes."
They fell into a ready position.
"We'll start slow."
"Slow?" Anakin repeated. Luke always wanted to go slow and it took too long!
"We can't always go down the quick and easy path, Anakin, even necessary as it may be at times," Luke said wisely.
The boy's face slightly twisted in agitation, but he didn't comment on that. Luke struck forward, and Anakin caught the strike. "One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six." He altered his trajectory every time. "Faster this time." Rhythmically, the older moved faster, and the younger absorbed each strike, counting each time.
"Impressive," Luke praised, giving him the validation he'd so needed.
Faster still the following time and Luke's strikes carried a bit more weight. Anakin stumbled each time, but kept up, the strain across his face only growing. Luke knocked his sword away with a powerful assault, knocking the boy down.
"Most impressive." Luke praised.
With a slight smirk on his lips, Anakin regained his footing, the fight not yet faded from him.
"Ready position."
They paced for a moment. Luke moved as fast. Anakin parried each bullying blow, the man counting. The boy twisted with effort, blocking due to the Force.
"The blade feels lighter," Anakin analyzed.
"People of all type, Force Sensitive or not, connect with their weapons."
Luke attacked yet again. Anakin ground his teeth, thrusting forward in a series of assaults. Another volley of strikes led to Luke gripping his hand and sending him falling back.
"But you cannot make the mistake of over-reliance on your weapons, Anakin. You must use all your skills. The advantages that your body provides. To give yourself to the Force."
Two more strikes before Luke sent his sword flying.
"You have to do better," he stated, with his left hand now folded behind his back.
Anakin grunted, looking angry for a moment before he called the blade over in his direction and attacked yet again. This time, with greater aggression and anger. Luke absorbed every attack and parried one last time. He tripped over his feet and collapsed on the muddy ground.
Meanwhile, Luke had another idea. The bottled-up emotions within Anakin needed to be released before it flew over.
"Who are you fighting? Me or yourself?" Luke prodded with farce condescension.
Anakin growled, his aggravation rushing to the surface. He stood up and lunged at him. The time traveler dodged each assault.
"You're not committed to this," he declared. "You should quit."
"Never!" Anakin hissed, his frustration bubbling over.
"You feel like you were selfish for leaving them behind, don't you?" Luke inquired, barely able to keep this up. This was a tactic he didn't enjoy. Anakin's feelings needed to be unpacked, and while this was frowned upon, Luke knew how to put back the pieces from the research of slavery.
"No!" He denied, stabbing forward.
Luke gripped his hand. "But that's what's troubling you, isn't it?" The younger one retreated but made up for it quickly, charging forward and striking. Luke ducked every attack. "You ran from your past! You left your friends! All to save yourself!"
"Lies!" Anakin growled, at himself, at Luke, and at the unfair universe.
"So what's the truth?!" Luke blocked the attack just as the sword was about to connect with him.
"The truth is that I left to become a Jedi and save everyone!" Anakin snarled, his negative emotions coming out now in waves. "Kitster! Wald!" He pushed up, giving greater emphasis on his venting. "Everything I did was for my friends! For the slaves! Those slavers! They robbed of food, of water!" Each strike gave the angry boy more ground. "I wanted to save them! I have to save them! To save all of them!"
Anakin unleashed a powerful push through the Force and knocked Luke back, and the older man allowed himself to fall. Enhanced by the Force, the boy launched over and raised his sword over his back. Anger, fear, rage, denial, pain, and anguish radiated off of him now, coming in waves. The emotions cut so deeply into Luke. The same feelings Luke had after Cloud City.
Anakin's problem wasn't selfishness but rather selflessness.
"I can't help them! No matter what I do!"
Anakin dropped his sword and collapsed, beginning to cry. Luke wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, his eyes full of sympathy and compassion.
"The slavers rule with fear, for they are afraid of losing power, like all tyrants. Not everyone could have the bravery and courage that you have displayed in those nine years. What you've been through has never been and will never be your fault." He said gently.
Anakin's tearful gaze stared away. "Will we be able to save them all?"
No. But Luke couldn't say that. Not now. However, the boy allowed himself. "As many as we can. In time. Slavery has been allowed for far too long, and we won't allow others to suffer."
Despite the tears still leaking from his eyes, the boy felt a strange sort of relief. In essence, Luke just acted as a punching bag that Anakin needed. Now that Luke was beginning to help him build himself up, he could train him to control those emotions more healthily.
"L-Luke," He started softly. "My... my friend, Kitster, I just left him behind. I miss him." he choked on his breath. "And when Gardulla gets mad, she might-"
Luke patted his back. "Say no more. Let's go free him, Anakin."
Anakin pushed himself up, his eyes following him. "Like right now?"
"No," Luke said sarcastically, staring back, "when Naboo becomes a swamp." The boy deflated until Luke smirked. He had to get used to bantering, another project Luke had in storage. "Of course, right now."
Anakin let out a choked laugh as he followed his friend, remembering why he loved Luke so much...
"You know you should go for a Padawan."
The eight words threw the newly found Jedi Knight off-guard. There were still various burn wounds throughout his entire body. Some of the scars on his face hadn't even healed yet. Oh, thank the Force that cursed respirator was gone!
Right now, they - Dooku, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan - were sitting in chairs around a table inside the shared quarters of a lineage, enjoying the flavor of Coruscanti tea. His Grandmaster had come around lately, allowing Obi-Wan to know more about the man.
He swallowed the current portion he was drinking. "I don't think I'm ready for that sort of responsibility."
"Oh, I can't blame you," Dooku said, his tone all too jovial. "I imagine you don't want to abduct another Padawan from my lineage."
"No!" He denied a little too quickly, his cheeks burning as hot as his scars, which both landed him with looks. "Well, that," he added lowly, "but I don't think I'm ready."
Qui-Gon sighed and looked away. Dooku looked at him for a longer moment before sighing out loud and staring pointedly at Jinn. "Oh, what have you done to him, Qui-Gon? The boy is so ludicrously solicitous."
"Hey!" Obi-Wan exclaimed indignantly.
Qui-Gon smirked as he offered a comeback. "Who is to say it's my handiwork, my old Master? He might have stumbled upon your old database and adopted your ways."
The older Jedi snickered. "Oh no, this is your responsibility. I wash my hands of all blame."
"Typical," the Maverick scoffed. He placed a hand on his beard and stared at Obi-Wan contemplatively. "You should leave the Temple again. Makes you more easy to deal with."
Dooku laughed. "And miss a meeting with a Force Adept who holds interesting ideals more than my Maverick of a Padawan? No thank you."
"His monthly meeting with the Council is coming up in a week," Qui-Gon reminded.
"Why?" Dooku asked. Oh kriff, they'd forgotten to tell him...
"They agreed to allow him to train a former slave from Tatooine under observation."
"You didn't tell me that," Dooku snorted slightly. "And how old was this boy?"
"Turning ten, I believe," Qui-Gon answered. "He was powerful; I sensed his potential."
"And the Council just agreed?" Dooku queried.
"He didn't give them much of a choice. It was revealed that the Trade Federation was under the employment of a "Darth Sidious." Luke warned them beforehand. And it turned out to be correct according to the word of Master Gallia and Knight Tachi."
Dooku sniffed. "Go figure. The Council never listens."
"They try their best," Obi-Wan still felt inclined to defend the Council with everything he had.
"Yes, everyone's aware of your more controversial views, my old Master," Qui-Gon offered dryly.
"I'm surprised Gallia is still on the Jedi Council," Dooku said, "let alone allowed to assist in the Invasion of Naboo. Last I checked, she and Valorum were... close."
"Please don't put that image in my head," Obi-Wan groaned.
Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. "Not that close, I'm sure."
"She had known him since he was a Senator when he went to Troiken for a peace conference with the Trade Federation and the Stark Commercial Combine. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Gallia continued to monitor the activity of the Trade Federation, as she had uncovered that their involvement in the Stark conflict was greater than what they let on."
"The Trade Federation has always been a greedy corporation; no surprise there," Obi-Wan mentioned. "I'm sure it wasn't without a reason."
"Her friendship did serve a purpose for a time. They haven't talked much." He sighed, looking twice his age. "I guess friendships are splintering these days when one's own interests come first."
A look of bafflement fell on both Jinn's and Kenobi's faces. "I am referring to the recent animosity between Sheev Palpatine and Hego Damask. Once Palpatine became Chancellor, their friendship seemed to have broken."
"Oh, there's animosity between them?" Qui-Gon frowned. He'd met Damask before, and Obi-Wan knew that he didn't have fond feelings for Damask. "I haven't been privy to such."
"You never cared much about politics." This was most definitely an old argument between them. "Damask and the Banks left the Republic."
"I'm not surprised. Damask is many things. A diplomat isn't one of them."
"Just corrupt politicians shifting over one another when one rises to power," Obi-Wan couldn't help but scoff, and despite the tone, Qui-Gon's Padawan would be right. Everyone in that body did if Naboo was anything to go by. Maybe Palpatine would be able to herald a new change within the Republic that was needed.
"Taught him too well, I see," Dooku said, redirecting a glance at Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan's Master also had a dislike for politicians, but his disdain wasn't as high-mainly due to him not getting involved. "What I find most curious is that Damask mentored Palpatine since he was a university student. It's even rumored that Damask convinced him to go into politics to begin with."
"Before Palpatine reached Chancellorship, you had frequently met with both of them," the Maverick assessed. He grunted slightly and closed his eyes before he snapped his head up and stared at Dooku. "Do you think Hego Damask is Darth Sidious? He's always been a suspicious individual. Palpatine in the light, acting unknowingly or knowingly as a politician to serve the Sith, while Sidious plans from the shadow."
Dooku thumbed his beard in contemplation. "It's not out of the realms of possibilities. The galaxy is focused on all the political turmoil, not a rich recluse who'd essentially removed himself from the galactic stage for 20 years at this point. The Clans have been known to call out the Republic. Damask's shady dealings don't help with scrutiny." he thoughtfully added. He sighed, "Damask being Sidious would present some... interesting contradictions, such as what it means for the Chancellor. This doesn't mean that Palpatine knows, but he can be manipulated like any other politician."
"It will be impossible to investigate into Damask without common law getting in the way," Qui-Gon sighed, his face pressured.
"Naboo has taught me that the Council isn't always right," Obi-Wan began, pretty sure he was looking like he'd rather eat raw meat than admit that small, "we need to look into finding out who this Darth Sidious is and bring him to justice for what's he done."
Qui-Gon sensed it was personal for Obi-Wan. The Jedi were right in not wanting to assume the worst, but for Obi-Wan to even admit that it was a disaster to ignore what could be a threat snaking from the shadows, it showed Qui-Gon that Obi-Wan had more foresight than the Council needed. Unfortunately, if this rebellious behavior continued, Obi-Wan would not likely be able to receive the appointment on the Council that he'd always wanted.
It was not necessarily a bad thing. Qui-Gon wanted Obi-Wan to learn the difference in the galaxy outside of the Jedi Temple.
"What do you think we should do, Knight?" Qui-Gon teased.
"Isn't it obvious, old man? We should speak with Palpatine," Obi-Wan declared, a glint passing through his face.
"Oh, did you have to teach him to take charge too?" Dooku quipped, trying to bring back light into the conversation.
"I'm standing right here," the younger man groaned. He hated it when they did that.
"Of course," Qui-Gon snickered mischievously as he stared at the older man, "how else would you be kept in line?"