“You are all here because the power of the Force is strong within you, ” Luke said firmly. “You are here because the New Republic needs Jedi Knights. And you are here because it is your destiny to train to become Jedi Knights and use the Force when necessary to maintain peace in our galaxy. Over the next month your instructors will begin to train you to see the Force in everything around you. You will learn to use the Force to see far-off places, defend yourselves, and do things you never believed possible. Just remember that the Force must never be used in anger or aggression. Otherwise you will be serving the dark side, the evil side.”
The room remained silent.
“I want to tell you about the dark side,” Luke said softly. “Because if you understand it, you will not be drawn to it. When I was a boy I was told that my father had been a Jedi Knight. I was told that he had been killed by an evil man named Darth Vader. Darth Vader was a man who helped build the Death Star created by Emperor Palpatine in order to control the galaxy through fear and violence. I met Darth Vader in a battle on Cloud City. It was during this battle that I learned that my father had not been killed by Vader. My father was Darth Vader.”
Anakin could hear his friend Tahiri gasp. He wondered if he was the only student in the room who already knew this entire story.
“My father had once been a man named Anakin Skywalker. He was an expert pilot. He was trained as a Jedi Knight by Obi-Wan Kenobi. My father understood the Force. But he chose to use it to gain power. That choice turned him to the dark side-the place where a Jedi’s powers are used in anger. You all know that Darth Vader and the Emperor almost destroyed the Rebellion. If they had won, none of you would be here now. If they had won, the entire galaxy would be run by evil men and women. That is the power of the dark side of the Force. Remember it.”
Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he continued.
“As new candidates it is important that you understand the rules of the academy. Above all, you are here to study. Since you are the youngest class ever to come to this moon, we have imposed several rules for your safety. No one is to leave this area without permission. Although Yavin 4 is quiet and peaceful, it can be a dangerous place. In addition, you are all from different worlds and have different ways of living. That means that you will have to get used to each other. There is to be no fighting among you. Patience and understanding are important skills for Jedi candidates to learn. Failure to follow the rules of the academy may result in your being sent home.”
He paused, then said, “Now it is time to begin. Please follow the instructors to your classrooms.”
The students rose and filed from the room; some scooted on eight legs, some walked, and several of the birdlike creatures hopped.
“Did you catch that word, `destiny’?” Tahiri whispered to Anakin as they left the room.
“Shhh, I’m thinking,” Anakin whispered back. He didn’t tell her that he was thinking about his own name. He had been named after Luke and Leia’s father. He had been named after Anakin Skywalker, who was Darth Vader. He tried to remember that his uncle Luke had finally been able to reach the good buried inside Vader. That in a battle between the light and dark side of the Force, Luke’s father had turned against the dark side to save his son’s life. Still, Anakin was a scary name.
Tahiri ignored Anakin and continued to whisper. “Anakin, the word `destiny’ means to do something you are meant to do. I have this weird feeling that destiny has brought you and me together. I know you’re not going to like this, but I think we are meant to raft the river on Yavin 4. That’s why you were in my dream last night. I think we should sneak out of the academy and go raft the river.”
“What?” Anakin said. “Are you crazy? We just got here. We’re here to learn about the Force, to become Jedi Knights. If we sneak out we might get into trouble. And if that happens my parents would be told.” Anakin had a brief flash of their disappointed faces. He could just hear Jacen and Jaina scolding him. “No way,” he whispered fiercely to Tahiri. There was no way this girl was going to get Anakin to disappoint his family or risk the chance that his uncle might decide he was too much trouble to have at the academy. No way.
That night the dream came. Anakin knew it was the same one Tahiri had spoken about. But instead of Tahiri, it was Anakin who sat inside a long silver raft.
In his hand was a silver paddle and he was leaning over the rounded side of the raft, stroking the cold green water. It lapped over his hands until they felt like ice, but he continued to paddle. Where am I going? Anakin wondered. He stared at the giant trees that hung over the river. He recognized them as being from Yavin 4 - they were Massassi trees, their bark a purplish brown. But where was the storm Tahiri had told him about? Almost in answer to his question, Anakin heard a rumbling from behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw a massive black cloud rolling through the sky toward him. He began to paddle harder. He had to get to the side of the river before the storm hit. His arms ached with effort. The water began to strike his raft in waves and the wind almost tore the paddle from his icy hands.