(Senate Chamber)
The Senate was all in a bustle when the meeting was called. The Chancellor had urgent news to address the people, and it was to be broadcast over the HoloNet.
Padme Amidala and Bail Organa were in a hoverpod, waiting for the Chancellor's address.
"What could be so urgent?" said Bail.
"I don't know, but whatever it is must very important," she said. The chamber came to silence as Chancellor Palpatine appeared on the podium flanked by his Staff Aide, Sly Moore, and Vice Chair, Mas Amedda. All cameras swiveled to him, ready for what he was prepared to say. The Senate sat in silence to listen.
"Delegates of the Senate, People of the Republic. We live in dangerous times now. The war has raged throughout the galaxy for near two years now with the forces of the Republic against those of the Separatists. Many good citizens and soldiers have died, but their deaths were not in vain. Yet now, our enemies have found new strength and forces to oppose us."
"I've received word that the planets Sluis Van and Nal Hutta have fallen to the Separatists, and that the 35 new systems have pledged their services to the Separatist cause. Also, we have a new and more dangerous enemy," said Palpatine. He pushed a button on the podium and a image of a tan-skinned teenager with dreadlocks and yellow eyes appeared with all black robes on and a menacing look. The Senate whispered amongst themselves when they saw, knowing full well who he looked like.
"Ceran, a Dark acolyte under the tutelage of Count Dooku. You note his appearance to Taran Cyneran, but let me tell you in saying that they are different, for Ceran was cloned by Dooku's work. He is well-trained in the Dark arts, and more so his Bending prowess. The Elementian Council has deemed him an enemy of the galaxy and he will be brought to justice, dead or alive."
"Senators, in order for our Republic to endure, I ask that more emergency powers be granted unto the Chancellory until at a time that the war is ended, and for money to be donated to support our forces fighting throughout the galaxy," said Palpatine, his eyes scanning the room.
Immediately, shouts and chants of "Palpatine!" echoed throughtout the chambers.
"Palpatine! Palpatine! Palpatine!" they chanted. Only Padme and Bail did not join the fervent chanting. They supported the Chancellor's notion, but more emergency powers meant one thing: less freedom.
"Are you okay?" said Bail.
"Yes, just worried," said Padme.
(Voss)
Deep in a part of the planet known as the Nightmare Lands, the Republic forces beat back the droid forces, using the trees as cover and assault vehicles hammering away at each other. Starfighters from the Republic bombed whole areas of the forest, creating raging infernos and demolishing large parts of the Separatist forces.
Looking down on the planet on the Resolute was Obi-Wan Kenobi. Commander Cody was on the planet leading his forces in the last assault, which was deemed successful in a short amount of time when the last droid was brought down.
"Sir, all droid forces are eliminated and the planet is ours," said Cody.
"Good, gather up your men and leave a garrison. We're preparing to leave the planet," said Obi-Wan.
"Copy that General," said Cody, his hologram image fading out.
"Has Anakin and Ahsoka cleared all their space forces?" said Obi-Wan.
"Yes sir. They're coming back now," said Wullfe, seeing squadrons of fighters heading back to the ship. Obi-Wan thoughts now turned back to his Padawan, who had missed the action to train on his home planet. Being the Avatar, he had to make frequent visits to master all four elements. This required him to miss battles that if he were apart of, could have left more men alive and the operation going smoother. Obi-Wan understood that he had to fulfill his duties to his home planet before that of the Jedi Order, that being the agreement between the two.
"At least he's safe for the moment," he thought to himself.
Taran and his Airbending instructor were meditating on a high part of the southern Air Temple.
"Let your mind clear young Avatar," he said, watching as Taran concentrated on clearing his mind.
"There's so much there though," said Taran, his eyes still closed.
"The material world is an allusion. As a Jedi, this is a part of both cultures. Let go of reality, and you will achieve spiritual enlightenment," said the elder. Taran inhaled slowly, and exhaled just as slowly as he moved the massive boulders around him in a continuous circle.
"Now, place them gently down," said the elder. The boulders came to halt and gently without so much as a noise placed back on the ground. Taran opened his eyes to see his instructor.
"Very good Avatar Taran. I can see your manipulation of the Force has greatly improved since your last visit," said the elder.
"All to your teaching Monk Pasang," said Taran, bowing to the elder in respect. Out of all the other cultures, the Air Nomads were the ones who could closely relate to the Jedi and their teachings. Their manipulation of the air around them was a parallel of the Force, and they understood it more than all others.
"I can see you wish to return back to the war," said Pasang.
"Yes, but to protect my friends, and our people," said Taran.
"So much virtue in you. Come, let us head back to the temple," said Pasang. The two walked in silence, looking up at the passing Sky Bison soaring through the air. Taran never fully realized just how beautiful living on top of the mountains was, their isolation from the world and being free from daily troubles. He just wished, sadly, that his planet could be like that away from the war.
"Something troubling you young Avatar?" said Pasang.
"It's nothing, just a thought," said Taran, watching a young novice flying on a glider through the clouds.
"Sometimes a fleeting thought is a thought of concern," said Pasang.
"I just wish that our planet was left away from this war," said Taran, his eyes scanning the clouds, yet taking on some hidden sadness.
"You wish what many others wish, but not everything can be so. As the Avatar you are the guardian of this planet, and your sacred duty protects us all," said Pasang, watching the clouds as well.
"But what if I can't? As a Jedi I have nearly the entire galaxy to save. How can I save all when I can't?" said Taran.
"He who saves at least one saves many. Do not trouble yourself with defending all. Save who you can," said Pasang. Taran nodded, appreciating the wise monk's wisdom. The Air Nomads always had a knack for making one feel better with some crazy, ancient line filled with metaphors. They were far different than the wise men of Earth Kingdom, who told him things straightforward. Guess wisdom travels depending on your element.
Once they go to the top of the mountain where the temple was, Taran jumped into the air, letting the wind carry him high up, and then floated down on top of a Sky Bison grazing peacefully on its hay collection. Taran had already given him a name.
"Hello Oppa (Korean for Older brother). How're you today?" said Taran. Oppa let out a low groan of appreciation. (Appa is Korean, and other languages, for father). A shadow passed overhead and they looked up to see the triangular form of a Star Destroyer overhead. Taran sighed.
"Time for me to go back to the war," Taran said into Oppa's ear. Climbing ontop of the Bison, he readied himself to leave. He rememberd on a journey to the Spirit World what to say to his Bison to take off from a passed life.
"Oppa, yip yip," said Taran. Immediately the Bison took off into the sky towards the Star Destroyer. Taran loved the feel of the wind on his face and passing through the clouds, feeling the water droplets on him.
Monk Pasang looked at him from the temple.
"You will do many wonders young Avatar."
The crew of the Resolute were quite shaken when a one ton Bison landed in the hangar. Taran slid off his back and rubbed his nose.
"Go back to the temple. I'll see you very soon," said Taran. Oppa licked him and took off back into the clouds, disappearing from sight in a few seconds. Taran bended the spit off of him and turned around to the astonished flight crews, pilots, and droids.
"You've never seen one of those before have you?" said Taran. There was a lot of shaking heads to that.
"Don't worry, they're harmless, except to droids," said Taran. The droids whirred and chirped in fear.
"Kidding," said Taran, walking towards the main part of the ship towards the bridge. A green astromech droid followed him, nudging his leg.
"Miss me R3?" said Taran. The little droid whirred frantically, showing him how much he missed him. Taran knelt down and patted him on the head.
"You must have been lonely here without me," he said.
"He wasn't the only one," said Ahsoka. Taran turned around to see her leaning on the wall of the hallway. Her form started to get more and more beautiful every passing day.
"Who would be the other one?" said Taran.
"I think you know her," she said, walking towards him.
"Probably not, but thanks for reminding me," he said, coming towards her before they hugged each other. She smelled the smell of animal fur on him.
"What's that?"
"Flying Bison," said Taran.
"Oh yeah, forgot about them," she said.
"How've you been? he asked.
"Fine, just fine," she said, her fingers tangling into his hair.
"Honestly?"
"No, I missed you everyday," she said, her blue eyes shining.
"Same here. Want to go somewhere more private?" he asked.
"Gladly," she said. "You have a week to make up for."
"I'll make it up three months from now," he said. It was true. Since her birthday was in two months, and his was in three, they would be turning sixteen, and they'd agreed they would do it after three months.
"True, but for now I'll just take the week," she said.
"Hold on," he said. He touched her crystal necklace he had gotten her nearly a year ago and a blue flame shot into it. It mixed with the crystal and soon dissipitated in it. The crystal remained unchanged.
"What just happened?" said Ahsoka.
"Whenever you need to find me, all you need to do is follow your heart. It'll show you the way," said Taran.
"What does that mean?" she asked, still unsure.
"You'll find out soon enough. So, my room or yours?" he asked.
"How about mine this time," she said.
"Fine with me," he said. She led him to her room, careful not to be seen by any of the other crew members.
He had been in her room plenty of times before, but this time he felt that this encounter would be the most memorable.
When they got in, she turned around and kissed him. He immediately embraced her as her arms wrapped around his neck. She lightly pulled him down so that they lay on her bed, passionately kissing.
(Senate Building. Padme's office)
In her room, Senators Bail Organa, Riyo Chuchi, Mon Mothma, and Fang Zar were in Padme's office.
"So we can all agree that we're a bit worried about the additional emergency powers?" she said. All of them nodded.
"Although it is a necessary thing to do, I believe that something's amiss about it," said Padme.
"I quite agree. No leader is perfect," said Bail. "It seems odd how he suggests this before any other delegate proposes it."
"It is strange, but for now we have to let this go. Meanwhile we have other pressing matters. The planet Julla, close to the Elementia system, is undergoing talks that might have them join the Separatist cause. We can't let this happen. We need a delegate from the Senate who we can trust to go to the system and convince them not to join," said Padme.
"I will do it," said Chuchi.
"Are you sure?" said Padme.
"Yes. It's time for me to help the plights of others and sit back in the Senate and do virtually nothing," said Chuchi.
"This is dangerous Senator. Your life will be at grave risk," said Bail.
"I know, but I have to do this," said Chuchi.
"Very well. I'll come with you. There's some friends of mine who will escort us to the planet," said Padme.
"Who?"
"I think you remember Jedi Master Kenobi."