I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw myself on the screen—a much younger version of myself. Barefoot, dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit, no scars on my forehead. A little shiver ran through me as I took it in. My childhood self was wading slowly into a calm area in a wide river, surrounded by lush jungle. A river that I’d nearly drowned in, and later learned to swim in.

I remembered this day, one of many like it. My heart tightened a little in anticipation of the next person to enter the holo—Anakin Solo, running behind me toward the river, followed swiftly by Jacen. Jaina was operating the holocam. The younger version of me was chattering away, not a care in the world, and I watched myself clamber onto the shoulders of Anakin Solo. He grabbed my ankles to hold me steady, and Jacen stopped at the river’s edge. “You guys ready?” he asked.

“Give us everything you’ve got,” my younger self said with confidence. Anakin, of course, wore only a look of concentration.

The next moment, the water began swirling around Anakin’s feet, tugging and pushing on him, threatening to knock him over and send us both into the river. Jacen’s brow was furrowed in intense concentration; it was taking everything he had in the Force to upset the water.

My holographic self laughed, and I knew from memory that I had been using the Force to add to Anakin’s strength, to keep us steady in the water. An old game, one we had played a lot. One that had strengthened all of us in the Force—whoever was working ‘against’ us, as they took it in turns to try to send us sprawling into the river, and Anakin and I, as we gave everything we had into remaining unmoving.

“A storm came up,” I said into the darkness of the library.

Doran jumped and quickly paused the holo, standing to face me. “Tahiri! I—” He looked rather like a little boy who had been caught sneaking sweets before dinner. “The Council asked me to find holos of Jacen as a child. Chief Omas is holding a ceremony for him the night after tomorrow, to show the galaxy that he’s a Master now.”

I wrinkled my nose. Chief Omas liked the idea of Jedi ceremonies for political reasons; I had been Knighted at one such ceremony. “And the Council agreed?”

Doran shrugged. “I think Jacen might have already agreed to it before the Council even heard about it.”

Why didn’t that surprise me? “Lovely.” I pulled up another chair and sat. Doran followed more slowly, tracking my line of sight to the holo, which had paused on an image of Jacen’s focused look, with Anakin and I in the background, leaning slightly to the left, but still upright. A lump of mild ache settled in my chest, and I touched the screen with my fingers. “I was ten. We went out to the river, and a storm came in before we knew it. We found cover in a cave.” I lowered my hand, and slowly the ache disappeared. I had long moved past the pain and horrible loss of Anakin’s death. The memories I had would always be there, and I could think on them and be happy that I’d had that time with him, that I’d had the chance to know him. I gave Doran a small smile. “I remember that there was a creature already living in the cave. Jacen had to convince it that we wouldn’t hurt it—and not to hurt us.” My smile faded.

“There are quite a lot of holos from the Academy on Yavin 4,” Doran told me. “I think there were copies that were stored elsewhere.”

I nodded. “Tionne, probably. She would have made several copies, afraid that history might be lost.” I gave my younger, carefree self and the childhood version of my first love one last look, then turned deliberately away.

Luke Skywalker stood radiating calm, his face, as always, a mask of Durasteel. Before him stood his Jedi knights; called to a reunion on the new Jedi owned planet of Ossus. The crowd bustled with uncertainty, unsure of what their Master would say. All Jedi from across the Galaxy were present, even little Tekli and Tahiri Veila, newly returned from Zonama Sekot.

“My name is Riina Kwaad. It’s nice to meet you original.” Riina said, addressing Tahiri.
“There is no Riina. There’s just me.” Tahiri replied shakily, her hand moving towards her lightsaber. Riina laughed hollowly.
“As you can see original…that is no longer true. Your Jedi master up there asked me what I wanted here. FIGHT ME!!!” Riina demanded, her voice filled with hatred and desire.

In one deft move the darkly clothed man tore off his cloak and cast it to one side. The wind moving the trees, the planet, the stars, the galaxy, the very universe itself seemed to stand still as it bore witness to impossibility. Every Jedi in the room could not, would not, dare not tear their eyes from the figure in front of them. His Force presence flared suddenly, an unmistakeable presence not felt since Myrkr.

Hope bled back into the hearts of a family that had been shattered for two and a half long years. Then cold laughter, terrible and insane tore through the moment, cutting it to shreds.

“I knew it! I knew it would be worth it to come here!!!” Riina laughed maniacally.
“But…how did you survive?” Riina asked quizzically. Anakin didn’t so much look at Riina as look through her. When he began to speak, his voice was low and filled with dangerous promise. No-one noticed, not even Riina as he glanced down quickly at Tahiri’s blood on his fingertips.

The Yuuzhan Vong warriors made no move towards Anakin.

“You can’t be holding them! You can’t! You haven’t got that much power!!!” Riina screamed. Something warm spattered her face suddenly and Riina reached up. Her fingers came away covered red. One warrior lurched forwards, spraying gore from his throat before keeling over to fall at her side.

“Sorry to leave you with this mess” he said cheerfully “But I really need to stop her. We’ll catch up later!” Anakin glanced tenderly at Tahiri in Cilghal’s arms before looking at his family and preparing to leave.
“Wait!” Leia called to her son. “You’re coming back…you ARE coming back, right?” his mother asked, tears streaming down her face. Anakin winked at his parents.
“Believe it!” Anakin smiled.

“Oh, not the boy. He is only useful as my new body. No. It is his wretched Uncle that shall feel my wrath. My most unworthy hand too…” The spectre said cryptically.
“She shall suffer for betraying me!” the apparition swore, glowing with the rage of the Dark side before vanishing.

Gr8terThanSumOfParts:
As an extra this time, we have - thanks to Maggy - an Index to the first 5 issues of Anahiri. If you're looking for a piece of artwork for your desktop or maybe your wall, or if you're looking for an A/T story to read - here's the very thing for you.

Thanks, Mags - you're a wee gem.

Index to Anahiri: Issues 1-5

Hey there, troops. The magazine is almost ready to post - thanks to all of you who helped for a magnificent effort.

Editorial
Two makes great company!

Happy birthday to you,
You were one now you're two,
Happy birthday Anahiri,
Happy birthday to you.

Interview with . . . THE_PIED_PIPER
~by Tahi~

The magic continues
~Fanfic Reviews~

Dear Qahsa by Maggy
~Reviewed by YodaKenobi~

Inspired by the Mus(e)ic: Tahiri-Riina artwork
~by kecen~

Feature Article
~Desperately Seeking Tahiri~

And this month's challenge is . . .
~by THE_PIED_PIPER~

We heard it on the grapevine
~JediAlly brings us news from the RPG Forums~

Reconciled: Dark Revelations
~cover art by star_writer24~

And they keep on coming
~star_writer24's list of new stories featuring Anakin and Tahiri posted since the last issue~

Spirit and Sprite
~by Glitbiter~

Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away . . .
~the authors chat about what they're up to~

Path in the Dark
~cover art by Kidan~

the magazine coverart I know I recognize that Anakin image