Hey everyone, things are settling down now I am back at work so that this story will be progressing albeit slower than before. In this chapter, Petro encounters a dressed Voorpak as Anakin sees familiar faces, Padme and the Jedi Council learn of the underground movement on Tatooine and Obi-Wan, and Katooni feels a tremor in the Force, not just within the planet, but within a residents womb.
The latter will give clues to Star Wars Rebels fans out there. What I will say is Ahsoka's exploits will lead to Jedi Knights aiding freedom fighters across the Galaxy, including Cham Syndulla. Also, the chapters in this arc are mainly about peacetime in the Republic and the fight against slavery. This chapter is setting up Jedi assignments to worlds which slavery is rampant. Enjoy this chapter.
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Katooni have just arrived on Lothal's capital city. Already the two were amazed by the sheer amount of grasslands and spine tree forests that covered the planet. Lothal also seems to have a deep connection to the Force. Indeed, Obi-Wan was aware of a Jedi Temple located within the northern hemisphere. Obi-Wan can also sense an unrecognisable disturbance in the Force, but it's coming from the capital city.
What Obi-Wan is also thinking is how Anakin is on Naboo regarding the upcoming Festival of Light. Even though Naboo is Anakin's favourite planet, memories of last year's addition strained him as he made Anakin believe he was dead and go undercover as Rako Hardeen. All to prevent the kidnapping of the person who turned out to be the Sith Lord who orchestrated the war. Indeed, following the discovery that his old Padawan and friend made before the events of Order 65, Obi-Wan cursed himself for being Rako Hardeen. He also suspects these events were another round of Darth Sidious based fun and games. Those recurring thoughts meant that, after he learnt of his former Padawan's impending parenthood, Obi-Wan apologised Anakin for not informing him and even undertaking such a mission. Given the circumstance, Anakin forgave his Master; stating that it was another example of how Palpatine deceived the Jedi and Republic. At least he won't have to worry about kidnapping plots this year.
Beside him, his Padawan Katooni is equally impressed by Lothal. Even Obi-Wan can tell her amazement on this place. She feared most of her Jedi assignments as a Padawan would be efforts in the Clone Wars, not peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. She is in awe of the tall, crystalline skyscrapers spanning across the city. Was it a coincidence, that during the journey, she experienced a Force Vision where both she and Petro were at the grasslands on Lothal.
The T-6 Shuttle The Duchess (named in memory of Satine) soon arrived at the spaceport. Obi-Wan was quick to spot a tall, brown-haired, copper-skinned man in his mid-thirties awaiting at the docking bay they landed on. As soon as they emerged, the male introduces himself.
"Greetings Jedi," The man charmingly greets the two Jedi. "welcome to Lothal. What brings you to this tranquillity?"
"First of all," Obi-Wan replied. "We would like to apologise for not helping you in times of need. Instead, we were too focused on the most pointless war ever to happen."
"Indeed." The man responded. "I am Ryder Azadi, Governor of Lothal and the humanitarian who requested your aid."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Governor. I am Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is my Padawan Katooni." Both Jedi then shook hands with Ryder.
"I take it you have supplies?" Ryder asks to which the Jedi nodded. The Governor then called for the unloading of the T-6 to which the Relief movement volunteers emerged. Among them, former Chancellor Finis Vallorum.
"Chancellor." Obi-Wan greeted the aforementioned former politician. "I am so sorry that Palpatine orchestrated the events that caused your removal."
Vallorum chuckled, "At least the general public feels sorry for me." The two then chuckled before they went their separate ways.
"Master, who was that?" Katooni asked.
"That was Finis Vallorum," Obi-Wan replied. "before the blockade on Naboo; he used to be Chancellor before Palpatine caused the event for him to oust Valorum in a no-confidence vote."
As Katooni was digesting the shock of Palpatine tricking the senate into voting Vallorum out of office, the supplies emerged from The Duchess. Ryder soon briefed Obi-Wan and Katooni on where to drop off the rations. The Lothalite soon gave the two Jedi the area where they drop off the supplies.
Obi-Wan and Katooni soon admired the peaceful tranquillity of Lothal as they wandered their way down the bustling streets. They can hear and sense the local Lothalites expressing gratitude they can look forward to a better future with no war. As they came to the district where they deliver the supplies, Katooni felt the unfamiliar presence creep closer. "Master, I don't know if it's luck or Ryder, but I sense this strange presence becoming stronger. Is almost as if we're in its source."
Obi-Wan can only raise a chuckle. "Katooni, while I can understand where you're coming from, I think there is no such thing as luck."
The two then made their way to their respective clients in the district. Their Jedi appearances were drawing eyes to the locals; in particular two individuals who appear to be in a position similar to Anakin and Padme. When Obi-Wan and Katooni made their way towards the two, both sensed the strange presence creeping closer to them.
"Can you feel it, Master?" Katooni asked Obi-Wan about this strange feeling.
Obi-Wan can only sense a bit of Deja Vu given he could be on a similar trajectory he and Qui Gon experienced thirteen years ago on Tatooine before the latter encountered Anakin. "It's possible one of the locals could be strong with the Force, Katooni."
As they delivered the supplies, the two Jedi encountered the presence epicentre; a married Lothalite couple who appear to be around Padme's age. A tall, copper-skinned human male with dark blue hair and blue eyes stood alongside a female who's head is covered by a headpiece. Judging by her appearance, she is pregnant. Her child is not due until the same time as the miniature Skywalkers.
As the two delivered the supplies to the two, the female became fascinated by Katooni taking particular interest to her. "Excuse the intrusion, Master Jedi," the man asked. "but your companion is somewhat interested in my wife and our upcoming child."
Obi-Wan turned his head to see Katooni examining the female's stomach. You don't have to be a Jedi Master to realise Katooni's examination on the Lotalite female indicates the child is Force-sensitive. Still, he asked his Padawan, "Katooni, what are you doing? You seem interested in this particular local; I can only assume her unborn child is this source?"
The two Lothalites gave Obi-Wan a confused look. "What are you talking about Master Jedi?" The man asked.
"Well, if my Padawan seems interested in your..." Obi-Wan didn't know whether the two are married just yet.
"Wife." The man replied.
"Well," Obi-Wan continued. "if my Padawan seems interested in your wife's stomach, there is a possibility that your child is Force-sensitive, like us."
The two stared at the Jedi in shock at this revelation only for Obi-Wan to provide the Lothalites reassurance.
"Before you ask, the requirements that parents should give up Force-sensitive children to the Jedi are gone." The Lothalites sighed in relief. Still, they heard stories of what abilities Force users can do.
"Okay," the woman replied. "But how are we going to cope with someone who possesses the same abilities as you?"
Obi-Wan and Katooni briefly glanced at each other before the former replied. "Not to worry, madam. We'll figure out arrangements for him or her when the time is right. Besides, there is a Jedi Temple, not that far away."
Katooni's eyes widened in amazement to Obi-Wan's thinking. "I like that plan, Master." She then turned to the married Lothalites. "Got names you two?"
"Sure." The man replied. "My name is Ephraim Bridger; this is my wife, Mira."
"A pleasure," Obi-Wan replied. "My name is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. This Tholothian over here is my apprentice or Padawan Katooni."
"The Negotiator during the Clone Wars, you?" Mira replied to which Obi-Wan returned with a nod. "I would love to hear about your heroics. I tell you what, Ephraim and I will have something set up for you tonight."
Obi-Wan was about to protest, but Katooni quickly accepted the offer much to the Jedi master's annoyance. At least she was more temperamental than Anakin while he was his Padawan considering Katooni insist they carry on their assignment before dusk.
It wan a tranquil day in the picturesque city of Theed. Mind you, in Anakin Skywalker's mind, every day in Naboo was tranquillity. He and His Padawan Petro, along with Rex and Artoo, had just finished their meeting with Queen Apalana about the eight hundred and forty-eighth Naboo of Light. They are now heading to their chosen restaurant, or in this case, the house of Anakin's in-laws. During the flight, Anakin made contact with Padme's parents, asking if they had room for him and his companions to which they complied with no hesitation. It is clear they welcomed him into the family with open arms.
Anakin's thoughts quickly made it's way to last year's event and how Obi-Wan prevented Palpatine's kidnapping by going undercover as Rako Hardeen; an act which infuriated Anakin as he didn't know the plan until just before the event. Of course, Anakin now knew Palpatine was indeed Darth Sidious, and that was one of the factors which made these chain of events not so painful to remember. Another factor was this. During the conversation where Obi-Wan admitted to Anakin, after looking back on these events, he regretted being Rako Hardeen. Obi-Wan regretted it even more after Anakin's successful (albeit approved) assassination attempt. Nowadays Anakin thought 'Uncle Obi', as he reckons his upcoming children might call him, prevented the kidnapping of the Jedi's one real enemy. During that same conversation, Anakin remembered what Dooku said in the Palace banquet room about using the bounty hunters as 'diversion' for his kidnapping plot. That coupled with other events, such as that Dooku knew Kenobi was Hardeen all along and Palpatine brought Anakin for a walk only for Dooku to meet them at the Palace hall. When they pieced the puzzle together, both concluded that Sidious orchestrated those events to drive Anakin closer to becoming Sidious' dark hand. Anakin and Obi-Wan now see it as an example of how blind the Jedi were.
You can now juxtapose last year's festival to this year. This time around, the only reason Anakin's presence was required was to pass on how he and Rex ended the Clone Wars (with Petro tagging along) and how Fives didn't die in vain. Fortunately, no one has mentioned any whispers of assassination plots.
For Rex, it's a chance to get a long-deserved break after many years of action from Geonosis to Mandalore and a chance to see planets without the sense of duty. He also has a sense of pride flowing through him, knowing he and Anakin were partly responsible for ending the Clone Wars.
You can say Petro was lucky in the sense that he wasn't a Padawan learner in the times of war. For the record, Mandalore was the only battle he participated, although it was mainly a peacekeeping operation to end Maul's influence there. Having known Padme before, he is eager to meet her family.
After a short walk towards the street that Anakin knew Padme's parents live, he suddenly felt a disturbance in the Force. As if someone spotted Anakin and charged towards him with no hesitation. As if on cue, two highly energetic girls came bursting out of the door. One was carrying a rather cutely dressed Voorpak with her. Anakin immediately knew who they were after he heard these cheerful screams. "Uncle Ani is here! Uncle Ani is here!" they both said in unison. 'Yep,' Anakin thought. 'what Padme said about my nieces adoring me are real.' Swiftly, Anakin lowered himself to be level with his nieces, whom he greeted both with a hug. All while the Voorpak made its way to an interested Petro.
"Hellow my darling nieces," Anakin said while embracing Ryoo and Pooja. "Don't you look lovely." The two can only giggle in response. Petro meanwhile was intrigued by the dressed Voorpak. "What a rather cute looking Voorpak, Master." Anakin then turned to face Petro with interest before looking at his oldest niece Ryoo. "Do you know this Voorpak, Ryoo?"
Before she could reply, another voice, one more adult-like emerged. "Did Padme never tell you how Ryoo dresses up Sanani and plays with her on many imaginary adventures?" Anakin looked up to see his sister-in-law Sola approach him.
"No, but I can imagine one of those adventures was joining Rex and me on Kamino to discover the conspiracy which allowed my marriage and ended the Clone Wars." Anakin joked before embracing Sola.
"I'm glad you're well after all these years. I knew you had feelings for my little sister. You would not believe how amazed I was that you ended the Clone Wars!"
Anakin then sighed. "I may be a war hero, but I am no saint." Anakin shared a glance with Rex. "If Rex here didn't persuade me to continue investigating our fellow Clone Trooper, Tup's behaviour, things could have been different."
"But, you didn't leave Tup in vain, and I am proud to call you my brother-in-law." Sola turned to face Rex standing beside him. "You're the Clone who persuaded Anakin to do that investigation?"
"Yes," Rex replied. "my name is Rex, Captain, 501st Clone Batallion. I served alongside your brother-in-law from the Battle of Christophsis to the Seige of Mandalore." Rex then shook Sola's hand "A friend's relative is also a friend of mine."
"Oh and this is the Padawan I mentioned your parents, Petro. Petro, this is my sister-in-law, Sola." The two then exchanged handshakes. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sola," Petro said.
Sola then asked the group into the house where Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie greet the guests and formally accepted Anakin into the family with open arms. Not long afterwards, Sola's children practically begged Anakin to come and play with him upstairs with Sanani to which he accepted. With Anakin gaining the Naberrie's acceptance and an entire family, he thought it was for the best to let go of his mother, albeit with the promise that she will always be with him.
Phew, that took over a month although I had a lot to deal with during that time. I can promise at least one chapter per month as I have this image of a possible AU that I can do where Qui-Gon speaks to Anakin instead of Yoda during Season 6 and Anakin's subsequent quest to seek the ability Qui-Gon nearly mastered. Not only will it give Anakin the power to retain his consciousness after death, but also cause Anakin to realise the war is a lie and who Palpatine indeed was.
Next chapter, Anakin and his companions have dinner as Ahsoka informs both Anakin and Padme of Kitster's slave revolt. Until next time, bye. :)