A/N: Hello! I don't have too much to say right now, so let's just get on with the story:

Chapter 10: Coruscant

"Two words: you guys ain't heroes."

--Philoctetes

The silver starship was now flying directly above Coruscant, and everyone had come to the cockpit to get a better view. "Coruscant," the pilot narrated, "the entire planet is one big city. There's Chancellor Valorum's shuttle. And look over there. Senator Palpatine is waiting for us."

"Who's Senator Palpatine?" Donald asked.

"He's the senator that represents Naboo in the senate." the pilot explained.

"Sorry I asked." Donald quacked, no less confused.

Kairi was the only one beginning to understand how politics worked in this galaxy. The galaxy, for the most part, was part of the Galactic Republic and governed by the senate. The senate was made up of several different representatives from each planet, who voted on major decisions. The senate was headed by a Supreme Chancellor, who was at present a man named Valorum.

The ship landed and everyone exited. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were first, followed by Mickey and Riku. Padmé's decoy was still posing as the queen, and was flanked by Padmé and Captain Panaka as she fell into step behind them. Jar Jar, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, and Launchpad followed.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stopped in front of Senator Palpatine and bowed. Everyone followed suit--except for Mickey and Riku. Palpatine took notice of this, and his eyes locked with Mickey's for a moment.

Everyone stepped aside as the decoy queen stepped forward to face Palpatine. "It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty." Palpatine said politely. "With the communications breakdown, we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation."

Mickey raised a brow. It was obvious that he did not trust Palpatine at all. Palpatine only met his stare with a warm smile before tuning to a grey-haired man on his left. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum." he said.

Mickey turned to look at Valorum as the Chancellor greeted them. "Welcome, Your Highness. It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor." the decoy told Valorum as they began walking toward an awaiting air taxi.

"I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation." Valorum stated. "I've called for a special session of the senate to hear your position."

"I'm grateful for your concern, Chancellor." the decoy returned in an emotionless voice.

Palpatine strode beside the decoy and told her, "There is a question of procedure, but I'm confident we can overcome it."

A little behind the others, Qui-Gon turned to Mickey and Riku. "I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately. The situation has become much more complicated."

"I hope we're not causing you any trouble." Mickey replied.

"No," Qui-Gon assured him, "but the Council will be interested in meeting you. We've never been honored with the presence of a Keybearer before."

"Your Majesty," Kairi spoke up, "can I go with Padmé and Anakin to the senate?"

"I don't see why not." Mickey answered with a smile. "As long as Donald and Goofy go with you. In fact, I want you to go to the senate as my advocate."

Kairi nodded and ran to the air taxi. "What about me, King Mickey?" Launchpad asked.

"You go with the ship." Mickey instructed him. "You'll have to learn how to fly vessels from this galaxy if we're ever gonna get home."

Donald, Goofy, and Launchpad saluted. "Yes, Your Majesty." the all said before going where Mickey had instructed.

Palpatine, Padmé, Anakin, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy boarded the air taxi, which sped toward the senate building.

Padmé had resumed her role as Queen Amidala, and was sitting in Senator Palpatine's office. Kairi had come with her. Palpatine looked Kairi over and gave a disapproving snort. "What business has she here?" he asked Padmé.

"She is an advocate for King Mickey Mouse." Amidala stated. She now spoke in the same cold, emotionless voice that her decoy had used.

"Who?" Palpatine asked. Amidala forgot that Palpatine and Mickey had not been properly introduced.

"The short being with the large ears and black cloak you saw upon our arrival." Amidala answered. "He is new to Coruscant and is curious about the planet. Kairi will be accompanying me until King Mickey Mouse is satisfied and instructs her otherwise."

Palpatine gave a submissive shrug and said, "Queen Amidala, the situation here is worse than we had previously thought. There is no more civility, only politics. The Republic is not what it once was. The senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good. I must be frank, Your Majesty. There is little chance the senate will act on the invasion."

Kairi did not like the sound of that, but Amidala displayed no such emotion. "Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope." she stated.

Palpatine was not convinced. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power. He is mired by baseless accusations of corruption. The bureaucrats are in charge now."

Kairi didn't like Palpatine any more than Mickey did. There was something about him... something dark. But there was a weight of truth to his every word, and the same question formed in her mind that Amidala asked aloud. "What options have we?"

"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor," Palpatine suggested, "one who could control the bureaucrats... and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."

"He has been our strongest supporter!" Amidala argued.

Palpatine shook his head. "Our only other choice would be to submit a plea to the courts."

"The courts take even longer to decide than the senate!" Amidala insisted. Kairi was beginning to wonder how well this system worked. She had to admit she liked the monarchy system better. King Mickey would have known what to do before the situation got this bad. Then again, this galaxy had no one as wise as Mickey who was not a Jedi.

"Our people are dying, Senator." Amidala went on. "We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."

Palpatine shook his head again. "To be realistic, Your Majesty, I think we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being."

Kairi looked to Amidala. Surely she wouldn't agree to that!

"That is something I cannot do." Amidala stated with finality that would have impressed Riku.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Mickey, and Riku were standing in the middle of the Jedi Council chamber, surrounded by beings far more wise and powerful than most people could ever hope to be.

"Who are these that you bring before us?" an ebony-skinned Jedi named Mace Windu asked.

"Master Windu, I would like you to meet King Mickey Mouse and his apprentice, Riku." Qui-Gon introduced them. "They are Keybearers from a world beyond our galaxy."

There was silence as the Jedi Council contemplated what this meant. "This cannot be so." Mace concluded. "The Keybearers have been extinct for over a decade."

"Hmm." grunted a small green Jedi named Yoda. Mickey took note that Yoda, although just as small as he was, was the most powerful Jedi in the room. "If Keybearers they claim to be, then their keys they must present."

Mickey and Riku both summoned their keyblades. Again, there was silence.

"What brings a Keybearer and his apprentice to our galaxy?" Mace Windu questioned.

"We're looking for a friend." Mickey replied. "Another Keybearer named Sora. He... fell to the dark side. I believe he's somewhere in this galaxy."

Mickey explained his situation, beginning from when he had first arrived at Hollow Bastion after learning that Sora had fallen to darkness. When he had finished his tale, Yoda's ears curled in thought. "Hmm. This Shin'en... eliminated, is he?"

Mickey shook his head. "That's another reason we need to find Sora. He's the only one who knows where Shin'en is hiding." Mickey, of course, had no way of knowing that Shin'en was already dead.

Yoda eyed Mickey for a moment. "Great wisdom, I sense in you. But no knowledge of the Force."

Mickey again shook his head. "I know the Force exists, but I don't follow it. Just like you know your hearts exist, but you don't follow them. You can do things I could never do, but I can do things you can't do. It's our differences that separate us, but also unite us."

Everyone in the room nodded. Yoda chuckled softly. "A blessing to us all, you are."

"We would offer to help you," Mace said grimly, "but we have no idea where your friend is. As a Keybearer, your senses are just as strong as any Jedi's. We can't tell you anything you don't already know."

"I wouldn't ask for it if you could." Mickey told him. "Helping others should always come before asking others for help. I know about the situation on Naboo, and I think Riku and I could offer our services."

Yoda glared hard at Riku. "The dark side, I sense in you."

Riku said nothing. Mickey spoke for him. "Riku has been cursed by darkness ever since the keyblade chose him. He uses it as a powerful weapon of the light."

Mace nodded in understanding. "I know what that's like. Perhaps you can help us." He turned to Qui-Gon. "What have you to report?"

Qui-Gon gave his account of the mission, filling in the gaps in Mickey's story. He finished by talking about the mysterious cloaked assassin. "He was trained in the Jedi arts. My only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord. It's highly possible he allied himself with Sora."

"Impossible." said another Jedi by the name of Ki-Adi-Mundi. "The Sith have been extinct for a millennium."

"The Keybearers were supposed to be extinct too." Mickey reminded him.

"I do not believe the Sith could have returned without us knowing." Mace added.

"Ah," Yoda mused, "hard to see, the dark side is."

"We will use all of our resources to unravel this mystery." Mace assured him. "We will discover the identity of your attacker. May the Force be with you."

Obi-Wan and Riku turned to go, but noticed that their masters had stayed behind. Mickey looked up at Qui-Gon expectantly. "Master Qui-Gon," Yoda inquired, "more to say have you?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "With your permission, my master, I have encountered a vergence in the Force."

Yoda's ears perked up with interest. "A vergence, you say?"

"Located around a person?" Mace asked.

"A boy." Qui-Gon explained. "His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form. It is possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians."

The Council members looked at each other in surprise. "You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force." Mace stated. "You believe it's this boy?"

"I don't presume to--"

"But you do." Yoda cut him off. "Revealed, your opinion is."

"I request the boy be tested, Master." Qui-Gon entreated.

"Oh?" Yoda asked, ears perked up. "Trained as a Jedi you request for him, hmm?"

"Finding him was the will of the Force." Qui-Gon reasoned. "I have no doubt of that."

"What does the Keybearer say of this matter?" Mace asked.

Mickey glanced from Mace to Yoda to Qui-Gon and back again. "I don't have the right to say anything. I'm not a Jedi. I shouldn't interfere with Jedi affairs."

"A wise answer." Yoda observed.

Mace sighed. "Bring the boy before us, then."

Qui-Gon and Mickey bowed before the Council members before leaving with their apprentices. "Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Riku asked. "We can't help these people. We have our own problems."

"Riku, how many times have I told you we should always help those in need?" Mickey replied. "They need us. Besides, if we actively help these people, it might bring Sora out of hiding."

"Sorry, Your Majesty." Riku apologized. "I shouldn't have questioned you."

"Don't apologize, Riku." Mickey told him. "Act."

Qui-Gon looked down at Mickey with a smile. "You display wisdom to rival Master Yoda." he said.

"I had a very wise teacher." Mickey replied humbly. "Now let's go find Anakin."

Kairi was walking around the halls of the senatorial chambers. The meeting of the senate wasn't for another fifteen minutes, so Kairi took the opportunity to explore. She had insisted on going alone, despite Donald and Goofy's objections. She hadn't gotten far when Anakin came running up to her. "Kairi, can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Annie?" Kairi asked, puzzled by how nervous the boy looked.

"I heard people saying you were King Mickey's advocate." Anakin told her. "So do you have clearance to go see Padmé?"

"Sure I do." Kairi assured him. "Come on. We'll go together."

"Thanks, Kairi." Anakin replied as Kairi led him through the halls of the building to where she knew Padmé was.

It wasn't long before they reached the door to Padmé's chambers. A guard was posted there, as expected. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm the advocate for King Mickey Mouse." Kairi told her. She looked down at Anakin. "He wants to see Padmé."

Word had already spread throughout the senate building about the queen's friends she had picked up along her journey. The guard immediately produced a comlink from his belt and said, "The boy is here to see Padmé."

"Let him in." said a woman on the other end of the comlink. The door slid open and the guard stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

As soon as Kairi and Anakin entered the room, a woman in a handmaiden's uniform came to greet them. "I'm sorry, Annie, but Padmé's not here right now. Advocate of King Mickey Mouse, you honor us with your presence." Kairi was a little surprised at how respectfully she had been treated since her arrival on Coruscant. She wondered if these people knew how powerful and influential King Mickey was, or if they were only being polite.

"Who is it?" asked Queen Amidala as she stepped forth from a different room. Kairi was still the only one who knew that Queen Amidala and Padmé were the same person, so she kept quiet.

"Anakin Skywalker to see Padmé, Your Highness." the handmaiden answered. "Escorted by the advocate of King Mickey Mouse."

"I've sent Padmé on an errand." Queen Amidala lied. Neither her face nor tone of voice reflected that she was not telling the truth.

Anakin believed her. "I'm on my way to the Jedi Temple. To start my training, I hope. I may never see her again, so I came to say goodbye." Kairi wondered how Queen Amidala would react to this.

Amidala completely hid whatever she was feeling. "We will tell her for you. We are sure her heart goes with you."

Anakin bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Highness." Kairi then led him out of the room, to where Mickey and Qui-Gon were waiting to pick him up.

Donald and Goofy looked around. They had never seen so many people in one place before. "Gawrsh," Goofy commented, "I'm kinda nervous."

The senate auditorium was a giant room lined with floating pods. In each pod, a number of representatives from a single planet sat. Chancellor Valorum's pod was larger than the others and was stationed in the middle. When a senator wished to speak, their pod would float in front of Valorum's pod and they would say their piece.

Kairi, Donald, and Goofy were sitting in the same pod as Padmé Amidala and Senator Palpatine. Kairi was only there to observe, and Donald and Goofy were there to protect her.

Valorum was the first to speak. "The chair recognizes the senator from the sovereign system of Naboo."

Palpatine stepped to the front of the pod and pressed a button, which caused the pod to move forward until it was directly in front of Valorum's. "Supreme Chancellor," Palpatine began, "delegates of the senate: a tragedy has occurred, which started right here with the taxation of trade routes and has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation."

Another pod floated forward, containing representatives of the Trade Federation. "This is outrageous!" exclaimed the viceroy of the Federation, Nute Gunray. "I object to the senator's statements!"

"The chair does not recognize the senator from the Trade Federation at this time." Chancellor Valorum stated harshly.

"To state our allegations," Palpatine went on, "I present Queen Amidala, recently elected ruler of the Naboo, who speaks on our behalf."

Palpatine stepped back and took his seat on the pod while Amidala stepped to the front. "Honorable representatives of the Republic," she addressed the senators, "I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade--"

"I object!" Nute Gunray shouted. "There is no proof! This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Naboo to ascertain the truth!"

A third pod floated into the center, containing senators from Malastare. "The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation." said one of the senators. "A commission must be appointed."

"The point--" Valorum began, but he was quickly cut off as one of his aides whispered into his ear.

"Enter the bureaucrat." Palpatine whispered to Amidala. "The true rulers of the Republic. And on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Valorum's strength will disappear."

Kairi turned to Donald and Goofy. "I don't think this system works." she whispered. "If this was happening to Disney Castle or Radiant Garden, King Mickey would have fixed it by now."

"Uh-huh." Goofy agreed.

"You said it." Donald quacked.

Chancellor Valorum's voice filled the entire auditorium. "The point is conceded. Will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusation?"

"I will not defer!" Amidala exclaimed. "I've come before you to resolve the attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!" Amidala took a deep breath. "If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed. I move for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum's leadership."

Kairi couldn't believe it. Was the system really so ineffective that they threw leaders away like tissues? One thing's for sure, Kairi decided, if Sora and I do get married and rule Radiant Garden, I won't let the government get this bad. She had to chastise herself mentally for finding an excuse to think about marrying Sora again.

The senate was sent into an uproar. Many were chanting, "Vote now! Vote now!"

Chancellor Valorum collapsed in his seat. One of the so-called bureaucrats stood up and shouted, "Order!"

"Now, they will elect a new Chancellor." Palpatine whispered to Amidala. "A strong Chancellor. One who will not let our tragedy continue."

Anakin was now in the Jedi Council chamber, being tested by the Council members. Mace Windu held a view screen in his hand, which Anakin could not see. As objects flashed on the screen, Anakin had to see whether he could sense what the objects were. This was a difficult challenge, and he had no idea how he was doing.

At last, Mace turned off the viewscreen and looked at Yoda. "Hmm." Yoda murmured thoughtfully before turning to Anakin. "How feel you?"

"Cold, sir." Anakin replied. It was the truth--he was from a very warm planet, and was not accustomed to mild climates like that of Coruscant.

"Afraid, are you?" Yoda questioned further.

"No, sir." Anakin answered.

Yoda pointed an accusing finger at him. "See through you, we can."

"Be mindful of your feelings." Mace told him.

"Your thoughts dwell on your mother." Ki-Adi-Mundi stated.

"I miss her." Anakin responded. Surely they could understand that.

"Hmm. Afraid to lose her, I think, hmm?" Yoda probed.

"What has that got to do with anything?" Anakin asked. Were Jedi not allowed to have mothers?

"Everything." Yoda said emphatically. "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Yoda paused and allowed Anakin to process his words before continuing. "I sense much fear in you."

Kairi and Amidala were looking out the window of the latter's senatorial chamber, each thinking about their own problems. Donald and Goofy were standing just outside the door. Jar Jar was in the room with Kairi and Amidala. He approached Amidala nervously. "Yousa thinking yousa people gonna die?" he asked.

"I don't know." Amidala replied sadly.

"Gungans get pasted too, eh?" Jar Jar asked. That was the name of his species.

"I hope not." Amidala answered. Her tone made Kairi wonder if Amidala was paying attention to the conversation at all.

"Gungans no dyin' without a fight." Jar Jar told her. "Wesa warriors. Wesa got a grand army. Dat's why you no liken us, mesa thinks."

Kairi was about to ask what Jar Jar meant by that when Captain Panaka called, "Your Highness!"

Both Amidala and Kairi turned around. Kairi was disappointed to find Palpatine following Captain Panaka into the room. "Your Highness," Panaka continued, "Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."

"A surprise, to be sure," Palpatine added quickly, "but a welcome one. Your Majesty, if I am elected, I promise to put an end to corruption."

Kairi frowned. Palpatine sounded like he was campaigning already. "Who else has been nominated?" Amidala asked.

"Bail Antilles of Alderaan and Ainlee Teem of Malastare." Panaka answered.

"I feel confident our situation will create a strong sympathy vote for us." Palpatine assured the queen and advocate.

You mean for you. Kairi thought, but she said nothing.

"I will be Chancellor." Palpatine continued.

Amidala didn't feel any better. "I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there'll be nothing left of our people--our way of life."

Palpatine looked grave. "I understand your concern, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet."

Amidala thought for a moment, then said, "Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine."

Palpatine looked at Amidala questioningly. "I've decided to go back to Naboo." Amidala finished.

"Go back?" Palpatine repeated. "But Your Majesty, be realistic. They'll force you to sign the treaty!"

"I will sign to treaty, Senator." Amidala returned. "My fate will be no different than that of our people." She turned to Panaka. "Captain."

"Your Highness?" Panaka answered.

"Ready my ship." With this, Amidala stormed out the door. Kairi, Panaka, and Jar Jar followed her, and Donald and Goofy joined them once they got outside.

"Please, Your Majesty," Palpatine pleaded after them, "stay here where it's safe."

Amidala turned to face Palpatine again. "It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the senate." And that was the end of the matter. Amidala and her true friends left to find Amidala's ship.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Mickey, and Riku now stood with Anakin before the Council. "The Force is strong with him." Ki-Adi-Mundi told them.

"He is to be trained, then?" Qui-Gon asked hopefully.

"No." Mace Windu stated firmly. "He will not be trained."

Qui-Gon couldn't believe it. "No?" he repeated.

"He is too old." Mace explained. Mickey had a sinking feeling this would happen. Jedi took force-sensitive beings for training at a very early age. The oldest, Ki-Adi-Mundi, had been four years old when he was accepted.

"He is the chosen one." Qui-Gon argued. "You must see it."

"Hmm." Yoda grunted. "Clouded, this boy's future is."

"What do you mean he's too old?" Riku demanded. "I was fifteen when Mickey took me to be his apprentice."

"And I see that he has still not taught you proper self-control." Mace countered.

"Riku, we can't interfere." Mickey reminded his apprentice. "Their laws are different than ours."

Riku hung his head in shame. Qui-Gon stepped forward. "I will train him, then." Obi-Wan looked at him skeptically as he placed his hands on Anakin's shoulders. "I take Anakin as my Padawan learner." he continued.

"An apprentice you have, Qui-Gon." Yoda reminded him. "Impossible to take on a second."

"The code forbids it." Mace added.

"Obi-Wan is ready." Qui-Gon insisted.

"I am ready to face the trials." Obi-Wan told them. If it meant helping Qui-Gon, he was ready to try.

"Our own counsel will we keep on who is ready." Yoda argued.

"He is headstrong," Qui-Gon pointed out, "and he has much to learn of the living Force, but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me."

"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later." Yoda decided.

"Now is not the time for this." Mace agreed. "The senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor and Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Trade Federation and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the queen's attacker." Ki-Adi-Mundi added. "Which, in turn, could draw out that wayward friend of yours."

"Go with the queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this dark warrior." Mace instructed Qui-Gon. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith." He then turned to Mickey. "We are not forcing you to go with him, but help is needed. And if our suspicion is true, then two Jedi alone are no match for a Sith Lord and a rogue Keybearer."

"We'll go." Mickey told him.

"May the Force be with you." Yoda said.

"And may our hearts guide us to victory." Mickey added before leaving with the others.

Qui-Gon, Mickey, and their apprentices were the first to reach the docking bay where Amidala's ship waited. Riku helped Launchpad, who had stayed on the ship, to load the cargo as he listened to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan argue.

"It's not disrespect, Master, it's the truth." Obi-Wan told his master.

"From your point of view." Qui-Gon countered.

"The boy is dangerous." Obi-Wan insisted. "They all sense it. Why can't you?"

"His fate is uncertain." Qui-Gon reminded his apprentice. "He's not dangerous. The Council will decide Anakin's future. That should be enough for you. Now get on board."

Riku smirked. Obi-Wan was obviously someone who always operated exactly by the book. Qui-Gon was more like King Mickey and himself, bending the rules and sometimes ignoring them altogether to do what's right.

"Qui-Gon, sir," Anakin suddenly piped up, "I don't want to be a problem."

"You won't be, Annie." Qui-Gon assured him, kneeling down to look him in the eye. "I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. And any wisdom you learn from King Mickey will help you as well. Always remember: your focus determines your reality. Stay close to either me or Mickey and you'll be safe."

"Master, sir, I hard Yoda talking about midi-chlorians. I've been wondering: what are midi-chlorians?"

"Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life-form that resides within all living cells." Qui-Gon explained.

"They live inside me?" Anakin asked.

"Inside your cells, yes." Qui-Gon assured him. "And we are symbionts with them."

"Symbionts?" Anakin repeated.

"Life-forms living together for mutual advantage." Qui-Gon clarified. "Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."

"I don't understand." Anakin said, shaking his head.

"With time and training, Annie, you will. You will."

As Anakin boarded the ship, Queen Amidala, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, and Panaka reached the docking bay. "Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to serve and protect you." Qui-Gon told Amidala.

"I welcome your help." Amidala replied. "Senator Palpatine fears that the Federation means to destroy me."

"I assure you I will not allow that to happen." Qui-Gon promised.

Mickey clenched his fists upon hearing Palpatine's name. He approached Kairi and asked, "So, what did you learn?"

"Democracy is a hard system to maintain." Kairi answered. "I don't think it actually works."

Mickey nodded in agreement. "What did you think of Palpatine?" he questioned.

"Being around him is a lot like being around Shin'en." Kairi told him. "I don't trust him at all."

"Does the queen?" Mickey probed.

"She does, but he doesn't have any influence over her." Kairi replied.

Mickey noticed the sadness in Kairi's eyes. "How do you feel?" he asked.

"I'm all right." Kairi assured him. When Mickey's gaze did not relent, she confessed. "It's just... we've been to two different planets in this galaxy already, and Sora hasn't been on either of them. I want him back. More than anything." Tears stung her eyes as she spoke.

"That'll happen sooner than you think, Kairi." Mickey assured her.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Kairi wondered.

"You'll see." Mickey replied. "Let's just get to Naboo and help with the situation there."

Kairi nodded and boarded the ship.

On Naboo, Nute Gunray and Rune Haako were speaking to a hologram of Darth Sidious. "Is the planet secure?" the Dark Lord demanded.

"We have taken over the last pockets of primitive life-forms." Nute assured him. "We are in complete control of the planet now."

"Good." Darth Sidious mused. "I will see to it that in the senate, things stay as they are. I am sending my apprentice, Darth Maul, to join you."

"Yes, my lord." Nute submitted as the hologram winked out of existence.

"A Sith here?" Rune questioned.

A/N: Uh-oh! Everybody's going to Naboo! And Kairi doesn't think the democratic system works! Will she ever be reunited with Sora? Will Mickey and Riku be prepared to face a Sith Lord and Sora? Will I ever stop asking questions you don't know? The answer is a resounding MAYBE.

Shire Folk, I know the fight with Shin'en in the last chapter was disturbing. But I wanted to prove just how dark Sora has become, and how difficult it will be to get him back. I'm sorry they were only on Coruscant for one chapter, but that's all I could think to put in.

Until next time, Lord Moldybutt signing off.