Ali-Alann was a Jedi Knight not too long before the battle of Naboo, and it was often noted how much he resembled Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. In the last days of the Old Republic, Ali-Alann remained on Coruscant in the Jedi Temple as a caretaker of the youngest Jedi students. Known for his tranquil disposition and steady nerves, Ali-Alann demonstrated how calm and at peace he could be in the face of danger during an incident when he and his little Jedi were on their way to the dining hall for a meal.

Taking the horizontal turbolift to the hall, Ali-Alann and ten students became trapped high above the lake and nature area of the Jedi Temple. The lift they had been riding malfunctioned, grinding to a halt, damaging the infrastructure that held the turbolift up. However, the Force was with Ali and the children, and with the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi and such Jedi Masters as Qui-Gon Jinn and Mace Windu, Ali and all ten children were safely rescued from what could have been a disastrous situation.

Some time later, Ali-Alann was also involved in Qui-Gon Jinn's plan to capture his former apprentice, Xanatos, who had infiltrated the Jedi Temple. Qui-Gon planned to have Ali impersonate him, and Jedi Knight Garen Muln to impersonate Obi-Wan Kenobi. Dressing as Qui-Gon, Ali and Garen moved into position to being the ruse. Luckily, Xanatos took the bait, but unfortunately avoided capture and escaped from the Temple. When such excitement died down, Ali-Alann was more than willing to return to his peaceful job as caretaker of the young Jedi students.