I've decided to give up on A New Day because it doesn't have much attention and I'm quickly running out of ideas. This is my new story that I'm excited to write. I've always been interested in Petro so this is a story about him and this will definitely be AU.
Sidious is dead. This chapter is set a few weeks after Sidious's death at the hands of Skywalker and Windu. This will start off with a scene while Petro is eating lunch.
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I saw Anakin walk up to the front of the cafeteria and everything fell silent. I watched him nervously tap his fingers as he awaited complete silence.
"I have a confession to make," he began, "Senator Amidala is pregnant with twins. I decided to come up here today to confess not only to the council but to the whole order. I… I am the father." There were gasps and whispers throughout the room. This story would surely spread like a wildfire on Endor. He continued, "We were married shortly after The First Battle of Geonosis in the Lake Country on Naboo. I have decided for Padme's sake, that I should admit this so she doesn't have to become victim of tabloids. I believe the attachments rule should be repealed.
I was in shock. Apart of me said that the order would never kick him out but rules are rules. I looked over to the South side and saw Master Yoda hobbling over to Anakin. I had no idea what was on the wise master's mind.
"A confession Skywalker made. Very brave, he is for sharing this with us. Skywalker, attachments rule, said gone you want it?" Yoda asked as he looked up at the Chosen One. The legendary Anakin Skywalker.
"Yes Master. That would be most preferable."
"We will discuss it at the next Council meeting." Master Windu said from across the room with a booming voice.
"No, shall decide it, as an order we will," Yoda said, "you may present your argument if you are ready."
"Thank you Master," Anakin said as he bowed, "attachments have been something the Jedi have long shunned. It was thought to cause people to turn to the dark side. My attachments have actually given me strength. I had an attachment with my former Padawan Ahsoka. She was like a daughter to me. Through that, I would never give up on helping her. We had a force bond. One that still hasn't broken, I can still feel a lingering sadness. Sometimes, this bond saved my life. Instead of leaving me and not paying our attachment attention, Ahsoka would look for me if I were in trouble."
I pictured Ahsoka in her attack stance fighting Dooku and Grievous simultaneously. I pictured Anakin standing up and together defeating the two monsters in one swift stroke. Sadly, the dynamic duo never got to finish the war together. Ahsoka left the order after being wrongly accused of murder and treason. I snapped back to attention as Anakin continued.
"My attachment with Padme is probably the most important. My children have a very high midichlorian count and are a part of the future of the order. My attachment with Padme saved this order. When I was in the office with Darth Sidious and Master Windu, I was tempted to join the dark side. Had it not been for Padme's voice inside my head…. Terrible things could have happened."
After a long pause Master Yoda spoke, "Anybody have some thoughts to add?"
"I do." Obi-Wan said from the back as he stopped leaning on the wall and stood up. "I think attachments also help us save people. How can we save people if we don't love them? We must show compassion and be kind. We can no longer be so cold and arrogant. The war almost destroyed our way of life but also showed us how far we had steered from our beliefs. I can confidently say that I had attachments. Anakin being one. Although I was his Master. He is my brother. I love him as he the only family I have. Duchess Satine of Mandalore. I had a crush on her. If I was allowed to be attached to her, I firmly believe I could have saved her."
"Wrong." Master Windu said. I winched. He was the embodiment of Jedi coldness. Padawans and Initiates cringe when he talks. His voice whispers in our nightmares. I knew Master Windu would be the first to oppose this.
"I strongly dislike Master Windu." Katooni whispered into my ear. I had forgotten she was there. I never forget about Katooni but this debate had snatched my attention.
"I wouldn't blame you for saying hate." I replied smiling at her and then turning back to the debate.
"It has been tradition for centuries to not have attachments. It would plunge the order into darkness. Skywalker has disgraced the order and broken the code. He should be expelled from the order. If attachments were good how come we haven't made them legal? Because they are bad, they will destroy the order."
"You have no experience. You've never felt warmth for anything and you are attached to something. The code. You are attached to the code." Anakin countered. I smiled, Anakin had him.
"Codes are rules." Master Windu said coldly.
"See wisdom, in what Skywalker is saying. Attachments, good maybe." Yoda said as he looked around the room.
"Master Yoda if I ma-." He was cut off by the ancient Jedi Master.
"No proof you have. Only rely on past Jedi you do." Yoda said as he pointed his wooden cane at the defeated Korun Jedi Master. "Put this to a vote, we will."
"If you are in favor of Master Skywalker's point stand up."
I stood up and looked behind at Katooni. She looked up at me and smiled and then stood up. I looked around the room and saw many Padawans and Initiates standing up. I saw Master Ti and Master Plo standing up. It was easily a majority. I was amazed at the fact that Yoda put this up to vote as an order.
"If you are in favor of Master Windu's point stand up." Obi-Wan said.
Most of the masters stood up and some Padawans and Initiates stood up out of fear of Master Windu but I could tell Master Skywalker had won.
"Looks like Master Skywalker has won." Obi-Wan said as he smiled and patted his apprentice on the back. I could see him whisper in Anakin's ear and both the men were smiling.
There was clapping and I looked at Master Windu who had a frown on his face. I could tell he wanted to speak, I didn't want to know what he had to say.
"I accept this decision…. If it is what the order wants than I will not argue. I may disagree but I guess it is everyone's choice with what they want to do. I am disappointed though that this wasn't brought before the council." Master Windu said before exiting the room in obvious embarrassment.
As he left the room talking resumed and there were smiles on many Jedi's face. I expected that to be something the council would decide but I guess Master Yoda thought the whole order should decide. I think he secretly sided with Skywalker and that is why he put it up to a vote in the lunch room. The council would surely shut it down.
I looked at Katooni and smiled. For the first time ever, I didn't dismiss my feelings for her. I didn't speak about them but I had a burning hope that Katooni would love me.
"Isn't this great Petro?" She asked smiling.
"It's wonderful!" I replied sharing her enthusiasm.
I felt a bump at my side and noticed Gungi was nudging me with his elbow. [Are you two dating yet?]
Katooni giggled and I smiled. I would make Gungi's teasing beneficial. "Petro, I'm surprised you didn't scowl at him." She said as she continued laughing at Gungi.
"I don't have a reason to scowl." I said slyly as I nudged Gungi who was smiling.
"Does Katooni have a boyfriend now?" Ganodi chimed in smiling as she nudged Katooni. She giggled and looked at me.
"It's not my fault we're getting teased." I said smiling and throwing my hands in the air. I laughed as I looked at my friends.
"We have the dueling test in front of the masters. Let's walk up. I want to get Master Kenobi as my master. I heard he is taking a new apprentice." Katooni said as she picked up her stuff and left. I picked up my stuff and followed her.
Gungi roared to me, [Guys, let's give them some alone time to discuss their relationship.]
I got up and started following her. I ran to catch up with her.
"Are you ok with getting teased? If you don't like me then don't feel like you have to take it." I said as I caught up to her.
"I think your- I mean the teasing is cute." She said blushing a little.
I decided not to press her on the slip up. I didn't know if she was telling me the truth. Her pace was steady so she wasn't annoyed but she wasn't laid back either. She was smiling but I couldn't exactly pinpoint why.
We arrived in the exam room and immediately we were greeted by Masters Skywalker and Kenobi. "Greetings young ones." Master Kenobi said with a pleasant, friendly tone. His red beard was his trademark feature and his calm tone helped reinforce his nickname, 'The Negotiator'.
Beside him stood Anakin Skywalker, a tall Jedi who gained legendary status during the Clone Wars and was seen as the poster boy of the Republic. All Jedi Guardians wanted to be him. Katooni and I had seen him dueling Barriss Offee while doing training outside. He had thrown her around like a rag-doll. We heard stories of how he had taken Count Dooku down one on one. He was of legendary status.
"Masters." Katooni and I said in unison. We looked at each other and smiled.
"Are you two happy with the rule change?" Master Kenobi asked.
"Yes Masters. We stood up immediately." I said proud that I had supported the cause.
"Well since you two are the only ones here right now we want to tell you something." Master Skywalker said smiling down on us.
"Yes. Anakin, you can tell them." Master Kenobi said.
"You two are in the top of your class. Master Kenobi and I are very interested in you guys. Your performance here could convince us to take you guys. We are doing a duel tournament style. We have the bracket right here, Master Skywalker said motioning to a datapad on the wall. It's screen was green and I could barely make out the writing.
We walked over and studied it closely. "It has your number down and we sorted you into divisions. The divisions are random.
1. Petro vs 4. Byph
2. Zatt vs 3. Ganodi
1. Katooni vs 4. Jack
2. Gungi vs 3. Clara
"Fun!" Katooni said as she finished reading the datapad.
The rest of the kids started walking in and the room fell silent. "Initiates. You are soon to be selected by a Master. Your performance here will convince a Master to select you. I hate to say it but, the better you do, the better master you will get. Just because you get out in the first round doesn't mean you failed. Masters will evaluate your form and morale. Stay strong no matter what happens." Master Skywalker said as he looked around the room at the initiates.
"The first match is…. Petro versus Byph."
I heard Byph groan. The whole class knew I was the best swordsman. Byph wasn't exactly a great swordsman. He was more into the Jedi Consular path. At least their you didn't have to fight much.
I stepped up into the middle of the room and used the force to grab a training saber. Byph did the same and I stared into his eyes trying to get a read of his mind. I needed to defeat him quickly.
"In this tournament you are not allowed to use the force or your body parts. When I say 'go' you may start the duel. Everyone understand the rules?" Master Kenobi asked before putting the datapad back onto the wall. He looked at both of us and then to the center. "Go."
I lunged at Byph and struck with a left high blow and then I ducked and avoided his lightsaber and struck at his legs. He jumped up in the nick of time and I missed. I back flipped away and re-assessed the situation.
I noticed that Byph was overcommitting so I came up with a plan. I stepped up to him and faked a left strike and went right. I hit him in the arm and he crumbled back, lightsaber falling out of his arm.
"Petro has defeated Byph." Master Kenobi said.
I outstretched my hand to the frightened Ithorian and smiled. "You did your best Byph." I said as he took my hand and got up.
"Up next. Katooni vs Jack." Master Kenobi said.
I smiled. Jack would be lucky if he got send to the corps. He was horrible with a lightsaber and I'd be surprised if Katooni didn't wipe him out in seconds.
"Go." Master Kenobi yelled.
Katooni lunged at Jack and swung at his lightsaber. Jack tried to block but the lightsaber flew out of his hands.
"Katooni has defeated Jack. Up next Zatt vs Ganodi."
As the two walked up they smiled at each other. I didn't know who to root for. When Master Kenobi said go they lunged at each other and lightsabers were flying. Block after block, neither was giving an inch. Then, Ganodi did what I did and faked left and struck right. Zatt was caught of guard and was struck in the arm.
"Ganodi has defeated Zatt. Next match, Gungi vs Clara." Master Kenobi said as the two came up to the front.
Clara had blonde hair and was ok with a lightsaber. I think she definitely had a career in the path of a Jedi Consular. When Master Kenobi said go, Gungi lunged at her and used his strength to overpower her. A battle against a Wookiee just isn't fair sometimes.
"Alright. Petro vs Ganodi." Master Kenobi said as I walked up and stood at the mat. I knew what I had to do. Make her think she is winning and then strike.
I didn't ignite my lightsaber and I just stood there. "Go."
She lunged at me and I simply sidestepped her. She fell on the ground and got back up quickly. I ignited my lightsaber and started to act like I was stressed. I made my self-slow to block movements and I almost let her hit me a couple times.
She brought her lightsaber back and that was when I struck, I jabbed at her arm in a way that I would hit her and keep her from hitting me.
"Petro has defeated Ganodi." Master Kenobi said.
"That was excellent patience Petro." Master Skywalker said to me as he gave me a thumbs up.
"Next up, Katooni and Gungi." Master Kenobi said.
I watched Katooni walk up and I gave her a thumbs up. She smiled and then ignited her lightsaber.
"Go."
Katooni waited for Gungi to lunge and then blocked his strike. She took up more of a defensive approach. Gungi started striking her lightsaber but she stayed calm and wore him out. She flipped over Gungi and when he turned around she knocked the lightsaber out of his hand.
"Katooni has defeated Gungi." Master Kenobi said.
"Championship, Katooni vs Petro." Master Skywalker said.
I walked up and ignited my lightsaber. We smiled at each other and waited for Master Kenobi's signal.
"Go all out." She said.
"Go."
I lunged and struck at her right side and then left. She countered and ten struck at my right side. I blocked and flipped over her and struck at her back. She brought her lightsaber behind her end and block. She looked over her shoulder to assess the situation. She pushed off and ran to the other side of the room.
I threw my lightsaber and she did a flip over it as it went by and ducked under it as it came back.
"I like the intensity." Master Skywalker said.
Katooni though had her own bag of tricks, she waved her lightsaber furiously so I could only see light in the air. I took a stab and she sidestepped and lunged. I quickly brought my lightsaber up to block her strike. What I didn't account for was my lightsaber, which was bent in a vulnerable way. She got close to my hand and knocked the lightsaber out of my hand and caught it.
"I'm just glad I lost to you." I said as I smiled at her. She de=activated the training sabers and handed them to Master Skywalker.
"Katooni has defeated Petro." Master Kenobi said.
The masters called us over and we all sat down.
"The padawanless masters were watching in the room next door. You may all go in and see if a master is interested in you. Do not approach them, they will approach you." Master Kenobi said making sure we all heard the last part. We began walking out when Master Kenobi told us to stay.
"Petro, Katooni. Please stay for a second." Master Kenobi said.
"Yes master?" I asked having an idea about what this was about.
"We made are decision before the event started. Katooni you are to be my Padawan and Petro, you are to be Anakin's Padawan." Master Kenobi said smiling at us.
I walked over to Anakin and shook his hand. "I knew from the start that you would be the perfect master for me."
"Now you to better pack your things. Master Skywalker was just made a Master today and Masters on the council generally have their own rooms unless they choose otherwise and we thought it would be a good experience for you to room together. No funny business, just because there is no longer a rule against attachments doesn't mean you don't have to be smart. Master Skywalker and I don't want to have to discuss all of that stuff right now."
"Yes master." I said as Katooni and I started walking to our room to get our stuff.
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I think that is a solid end to the chapter. The beginning is a little confusing and I apologize. Follow me on twitter thewookieesroar for updates on the story. THANKS FOR READING! Reviews are appreciated and feel free to give me ideas!