Interlude I (Part 6) - Promise, Funeral, and Celebration
Not long after the duel, the Battle of Naboo came to an end with the destruction of the droid control ship and the capture of Nute Gunray. When Anakin met up with Obi-Wan in the palace throne room and learned that Qui-Gon has been killed, the boy felt devastated and was even sorry for the Padawan as the two of them were close. A few hours later, the Supreme Chancellor's huge shuttle lands in front of the palace where everyone is waiting to meet the newly elected Chancellor Palpatine.
"Now Viceroy," Queen Amidala begins. "You're gonna have to go back to the Senate and explain all of this."
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye." The Naboo captain Panaka spats and gestures his head to Gunray and his aide to leave Naboo.
Gunray and his aide then leave as soon as Palpatine and his Senate guards, along with a few members of the Jedi Council (Yoda, Windu, Mundi, Billaba, Piell, for example) walked up to Obi-Wan and Anakin who bowed their heads to the Republic's new leader.
"We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest." Palpatine praises the two for their heroic acts before walking up to Amidala with a proud smile on his face.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor." The queen congratulates the former Naboo Senator who is now Supreme Chancellor.
"Your boldness has saved our people, your Majesty. It is you who should be congratulated." He notes to the 14-year-old Naboo Queen. "Together, we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Republic."
Theron and Saten - who are standing beside Anakin and Obi-Wan as spectral teens - heard this from Palpatine. The teenage boy snorts at this lie as he knows that the newly elected Chancellor will then use his new position to tear the Republic apart from the inside and form the Empire years from this point in time. But how, the boy and girl don't know as they will just have to watch these past events happening for the answers they need.
...
Later inside the Palace...
"Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight, the council does." Yoda announces to the newly promoted Jedi Knight (who is crouched to the Grandmaster's level of height) before facing the young man. "But agree with your taking this boy as your Padawan learner... I do not."
"Excuse me?" Saten scowls at the Jedi Grandmaster's decision.
"Qui-Gon believed in him."
The Jedi Grandmaster sighs.
"The Chosen One, the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training."
"Anakin hasn't even begun his training, and you say that there's danger to it?" Theron questions in disbelief. "Isn't taking risks a part of being a Jedi, no matter how small or big that danger may be? Unbelievable."
"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan argues. "I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin."
"Ohh!" Yoda groans in amusement.
"Without the approval of the council, if I must." The Jedi Knight calmly threatens, unfazing Yoda.
"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you. Need that you do not." The Grandmaster says before sighing and facing him again. "Agree with you the council does. Your apprentice, Skywalker will be."
The teens smirk at this small victory for Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan bows his head as Yoda looks away, who is still concerned about the consequences of the Council's decision of appointing the young Jedi Knight as Anakin's master.
...
Nightfall soon came and a funeral is held on a cliff overlooking Theed. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, Palpatine, half of the Jedi Council were present alongside Jar Jar and Nass, and R2 as they watch the corpse of Qui-Gon Jinn being cremated in the fire. The Jedi even have their hoods up as a sign of respect to the fallen Jedi Master (Theron has his own hood up as well).
"What will happen to me now?" Anakin asks the young man beside him while they watch Qui-Gon's corpse continue to burn.
"The council have granted me permission to train you." Obi-Wan answers the concerned boy. "You will be a Jedi. I promise."
Theron and Saten had sad smiles on their faces when they heard that. They're happy that Anakin will finally get to begin his training, but at the same time, they felt that Qui-Gon should've been the one instead. Theron believes that Obi-Wan isn't ready to take on a student so soon since he became a Jedi Knight not too long ago. However, Obi-Wan is only one in the Order who'll really train him to become a Jedi as there's no one else who is sympathetic to Anakin and his emotional connections. And the young Knight will keep his promise and train him the best he could.
In the far back of the small dome the funeral is held, Windu and Yoda discuss the identity of the dark warrior that Obi-Wan had recently slain.
"There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Sith." Windu confirms their two suspicions.
"Always two there are." Yoda says. "No more, no less. A master and an apprentice."
"But which was destroyed? The master or the apprentice?" The stoic Jedi wonders as more questions are raised.
"I always have my suspicions that Palpatine is the master, but I don't have any proof other than seeing him with Vader closely in my first vision a few days back, so I'll need more evidence to confirm this." Theron speculates in his thoughts after eavesdropping on the two Jedi masters in the far back. "And that Sith warrior, it's obvious he's an apprentice."
Unbeknownst to him and the Jedi, the answer is neither. But that's another story.
And so, the next day came as a ceremony is held between the Naboo and the Gungans. Padme and her people offer a small containment orb of plasma to Boss Nass and the Gungan people, sealing the peaceful unification. Obi-Wan (no longer bearinga a Padawan braid) and Anakin - who is now in his Padawan appearance - are watching the ceremony alongside with the Jedi Council and Palpatine.
Peace has been restored to the Republic. And Anakin's journey is only just beginning.
End of Interlude I