The Padawan and the Prince
(Part 3)
By obi's girl
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah – GL owns everything. I own nothing
He won! The kid won the podrace and he's coming with us. In case I didn't state before, his name is Anakin Skywalker, 9 years old and the only human to have won a podrace. And our savior.
Wen my Master and the boy head towards the ship, a dark demon attacked. He carried a red lightsabre, horns and tattooed face...he was really scary. The boy ran ahead, racing on board to alert us. I directed Olie to fly low above where they were. My Master saw the ship's ramp and jumped aboard, escaping the horrid monster. I ran to his side, the boy not too far behind.
"Are you all right?" the boy cried.
"I think so...that was a surprise I won't soon forget."
I frowned, scolding myself for not sensing the danger. "What was it?"
He shrugged, "I don't know...but it was well trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is he was after the Prince..."
I glanced at the boy beside me. He was a cute, sandy blonde hair, the epitome of innocence but was far too attached to my Master. And bright and caring. "Do you think he'll follow us?" he cried.
Probably so. I mused.
My Master caught that thought but didn't say anything except smile at the boy. "We'll be safe enough once we're in Hyperspace, but I have no doubt he knows our destination."
"What are we going to do about?"
I glanced back at the boy. What, did he think was an adventure, drawing ourselves into danger whenever. Adventure was not what a Jedi craved. Of course, you would expect to hear enthusiasm from a boy about danger. Everything is a plaything, a playground. My Master glanced at me, noting my disapproval.
"We will be patient. Anakin Skywalker, meet Padme Nebarrie."
He smiled, as I extended my hand to him. "Pleased to meet ya. Wow! You're a Jedi too."
I gave him a skeptical look as my Master just laughed.
**
After that small meeting, Anakin rushed off to the cockpit. I smiled, watching him go. He was a cute kid. A little boy, away from home for the first time and all ready he had dreams about his future. But if I knew my Master, I knew why he was coming along. My smile faded as I turned back to him. He removed the poncho, revealing his tunic.
"I don't like this, Master."
He shrugged, "What the boy?"
I threw up my arms, grabbing hold of some tools. "Of course, the boy. I know why he's coming. You're going to take him before the Council."
Qui-Gon huffed, taking hold of my shoulders. "Padawan, he has potential. Strong potential."
"He's too old. You know if one is to be brought before the Council, they must be under 9, otherwise it will be hard to train them."
He laughed, "It wasn't hard to train you, and you were 12 when I found you."
"And it took me two years to get ready, but only because I'm a quick study," I stated, waving a wrench in front of him. He smiled back at me. I growled, putting down the instrument. "He's too old. They'll never accept him.... I never will."
"Padme, he's the one."
I looked at him quizzically, confused. "The One? The One what?"
He laughed again, "The Chosen One. I can feel it. He was conceived by the Midichlorians. His Midichlorian count is high, you saw yourself."
"Really high, but Master we don't know what that means. He could be dangerous. The fact that it was high, could be a warning."
My Master nodded no, changing the idea. "Besides the transmission, how were things while I wasn't here?"
I huffed, turning my back to him, "You can't change the subject. It isn't fair." He simply leaned back on a table, folding his arms under his cloak. "He was fine. I told him everything would be all right and that even though I was just a Padawan, I wouldn't allow any harm to come to him or his people."
"Good." He replied, walking off. I angrily hit the wrench on the wall, rolling my eyes.
"Still not fair, Master. But then, you've always been stubborn...and so have I." I mused.
**
I remained in the hold for most of the trip, playing with many of the ship's components but stopped after Ric Olie personally came back and asked me to stop. I smiled all right, dropping the wrench and head for the Throne room instead. I spied around the place for him. When I didn't see him immediately, I walked in, searching the place using the Force.
"Looking for me, are you?" he joked, coming in right behind me with some snacks. I jumped briefly but settled, wishing I had my wrench to scold him. "Sorry, I was in the galley grabbing some food. I do have to eat, you know."
I smiled back at him, eyeing the contents in his arms. "What do you have?"
He nodded, spreading the contents on the side seats. "I'm not really sure. I don't eat much ship food. It tastes artificial; nothing like the real thing."
"The real thing is always better." I mused as he glanced at me.
"I heard you were toying with some mechanics in the engine room."
I shrugged, frowning slightly, "I was but I stopped. Ric Olie came back and told me to. This is his ship, well he flies it anyway."
He leaned back on the wall, staring at me. "You know mechanics?"
"Some. When I was studying at the Temple as a student, I took a mechanics workshop. The female Masters said it was a man's class, but I didn't care. I was determined to learn and it was fun. I passed...I asked my Master for my own ship but he said when I was older. Like I'm not old enough now."
The Prince laughed, grabbing some food. "Jedi Apprentice, Mechanic, skilled fighter...is there anything else you do Padme Nebarrie?"
I smiled, "Well, sometimes when I'm bored or frustrated I tinker with things, like the episode in the engine room."
"Which will never happen again."
"Absolutely." I replied.
He smirked, "I know we talked about this all ready, but where are you from originally?"
I laughed, staring back at him, crossing my arms under my cloak. "Would you believe me if I said Naboo?"
He raised an eyebrow, looking at me baffled. "Naboo? How?"
"My parents were Senators, but they were off-world so much I lived most of my life on Coruscant. Never once saw the planet they claimed I was born on, until this mission."
"And what did you think of your origins, Padawan?" he smiled, chewing.
"Beautiful. The architecture, the art - everything was beautiful."
He bowed slightly, "I'm glad you like it. Ya know, you should visit when you have the chance, besides on mission. I would love to give you a grand tour of the Palace."
"I would love that, your highness."
"Obi-Wan." He stated, staring back at me.
I smiled, questioning if I should repeat his name but I wanted to. "Obi-Wan. I would love the tour. Thank you and you can call me, Padme - not Padawan." He leaned closer, gripping my back as he kissed me.
~~Padawan? ~~
I groaned, hearing my Master's questioning voice. Obi-Wan saw my grief and let go, slightly. "I'm sorry I am but I think I should go. My Master needs me." I cried as I fled from his arms. Obi-Wan smiled after me, as the door closed behind and he went back to his food.
**
I rolled my shoulders, entering the ship's gym, finding my Master in meditation. I bit my lip silently heading for the door, but he knew better. My Master stood up, towering over me. He huffed, crossing his arms under his cloak. "Padawan, I am sorry about before - I didn't mean to snap at you."
"I was way out of line, I know that - I didn't have right to say anything."
He nodded no, placing his hands on my shoulders and smiled, "You did have right to say. You are my Padawan; I picked you. And then someone new comes along and I shunned you aside, wasn't right. In fact, I'm proud you said something. I value your opinion, Padme - even if you speak so bluntly. It is still the truth."
I sighed, "You're still going to present him before the Council, aren't you?"
"I will, but I promise you, I will not place you in the position that will make you uncomfortable or angry with me. I would never hurt you like that, on purpose. But I would like for you to be there, when I confront them."
"All right." I mused, "I will."
He smiled back at me, feeling more worried than before. "You're still worried?"
I shook my head, walking away a bit, "I'm sorry, Master. But I can't shake this feeling - he's dangerous."
"Then I have a suggestion - the two of you met only briefly; you really didn't get the chance to know him. Why don't you talk to him, keep him company?"
I laughed, rolling my eyes, "Master, I - he's a boy. I'm 22 years old; he's 9. What are we supposed to talk about it? He's a kid."
My Master smiled again, leaning back, "Yes, but at one time, so were you. There's your common ground, Padme."
**
I bit my lip, entering the boy's quarters. What was I supposed to say to him? We had nothing in common, well maybe something in common. We both loved and respected my Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
It was amazing. Ani hardly knew my Master and yet, he had grown so attached to him the way I had when we first met. Ani looked up to him; so did I and I guess that was why I was jealous of the boy. I didn't want to share my Master with anyone. He was mine; my family, my father - how could I share him with someone else, even a little boy with so many dreams? I cleared my throat, causing him to look up at me. He smiled briefly, shivering from the cold air.
"Sorry; I didn't mean to bother you but my Master sent me to check up on you." I reasoned with a small smile.
Ani shrugged, "I'm fine.... Just a bit cold."
I looked around for a spare blanket - nothing. I huffed, removing my cloak, placing it around his shoulders. "I know it's kinda big, but it's the best I can do."
He smiled, "It's not big. It's small - of course that could be because you're a girl."
I laughed, rolling my eyes, "Thanks."
"Padme, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what, Ani?" I questioned back.
He shrugged, pulling the robe closer around him. "I'm sorry for causing tension between you and your Master."
I knelt down next to Ani, placing a strand of brown hair behind my ear and smiled at him. "Ani, it wasn't your fault - it was mine. I guess I'm a bit over-protective of him because he's all I have."
Ani frowned, raising an eyebrow, "Don't you have family? Parents?"
I frowned slightly, "I do, but because I'm a Jedi and have been raised by the Jedi since I can remember, they are my family, Qui-Gon most of all."
The little boy looked down, "I only had my mom. It was only us - until Qui-Gon came, now I'm free and have the chance to start a new life; What if the Council rejects me?"
"The Council can be stubborn on occasion but I think they will love you." I mused, standing up, "Anyway, I have to go."
"Um, what about your cloak?"
I laughed, "Don't worry about it. When you become a Jedi, you receive a collection of cloaks. My whole wardrobe I think contains at least 20; maybe more but you can keep it." I smiled back at him one more time before leaving. I stood outside his quarters, head on the wall, smiling.
~~I told you he wasn't bad. ~~ My Master mused, laughing through our bond.
"And as usual, you were right. I hate that." I joked, walking down the hallway.
**
Coruscant, the central core of the Republic - the entire planet was one big city. It was magnificent. Of course, I wasn't the only one in awe. I glanced down at Ani; his mouth was gaping, staring at the planet as we flew over the city itself and I smiled. I expected that.
He did, after all, live in the Outer Rim most of his life and had never been the capital...and though I did live here, there always seemed to be something new I didn't know about before. As we neared the Senate Landing Platform, we could make out Senator Palpitine waiting for us as several guards exited another shuttle that previously landed. Our sleek Naboo spacecraft set down on the platform high above the street level of the galactic capital.
The ramp lowered as my Master, Ani and I descended first and bowed before Palpatine and Valorum. Captain Panaka, two guards, his Highness, and servants Rabe, Eirtae, and more guards followed his shadow. The Prince stopped before the group as Anakin and I stood to one side, looking at the huge city. I briefly smiled at Ani as the Senator bowed before the Prince.
Palpatine smiled, "It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
Valorum smiled at the Prince, bowing his head slightly. "Welcome, Your Highness. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the currant situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."
"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor." he mused, walking past us, heading for the taxi.
Palpatine walked on the Prince's right as he talked, "There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it..."
Ani started to follow, then stopped, noticing my Master and I were staying with the Supreme Chancellor. Obi- The Prince waved to him as Ani looked back at my Master for approval. He nodded all right and boy followed his highness. At least the boy was safe, I thought as I returned to my Master's attention.
"I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately. The situation has become more complicated." he stated.
A whole lot more complicated. I mused, receiving a glance from my Master. Another taxi approached the dock, this one smaller than the one that took his Highness, his guard and staff.
Padawan, I know what you're thinking and you're wrong. You don't have to worry. I'm not going to do anything rash,
I nearly laughed but remembered we weren't alone and looked down instead, fidgeting, I trust you, Master - but please be careful. You've defied the Council too many times; I just don't think they'll be lenient this time.
He grunted, Perhaps, they will be but I still must try. Anakin is the Chosen One, Padme. I know he is. He WILL be trained. I promise you.
I sighed lightly, ...But not by you; they'll assign him to someone else. You know that. The code forbids taking on another student.
Yes, I know. He returned and the rest of the ride was sought in silence.
**
The Prince sat lost in thought, partially listening to Senator Palpatine. He didn't know what he was going to do. His people were dying, suffering -- he knew it would be considered wrong to back out this early in the game but what else could he do?
Eirtae and Rabe stood behind him as Ani stood outside, waiting patiently. He could see the Prince, though he couldn't hear what was being said but felt he was distressed. Ani looked up as Captain Panaka entered, standing next to the Prince as the Senator paced about.
"...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and their home systems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility, only politics...it's disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion." Palpatine explained, nodding, glancing at him.
"Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope." he reasoned.
Palpatine shrugged, sitting down, "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now."
The Prince huffed, "What options do we have?"
"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforces the laws, and gives us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum."
Again, the Prince scowled. "He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?"
"Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the courts..."
Politics and politicians. Time and time again, they always fought to maintain power, ignoring the helpless and innocent. They didn't care if there was a crisis...as long as they still had their power. Corrupt, spoiled - the trials of politics. But he would not allow those bureaucrats to look passed what had to be done. His people were suffering, dying - they had to see that, even they didn't want. They would not stay blinded any longer. He wouldn't permit it.
"There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."
"To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being." Palpatine reasoned, gazing at him.
"That is something I cannot do." he replied, a failed look on his face.
**
A unique building with its tall spires stood out against the Coruscant skyline as smaller transports passed by. Four spires; four towers and at the center, at the highest, sat the Council of Masters, the Jedi Council, the governing body of the Jedi.
The Jedi had always been protectors of the Republic, as far as I can remember. I grew up, hearing stories about the Jedi. My parents were senators and therefore, worked with the Jedi allot but it wasn't until that fateful day my parents were almost killed did my whole life change. And I wouldn't regret any of it.
Mace Windu, Senior Jedi on the Council, knew me then. In fact, after the incident, Mace told me I was special and Qui-Gon was blessed to have found me. He even has a seat on the Council, as he had then. My Master would have been up there with him but because of his rebellious acts that always brought him against the Masters, it wasn't possible.
To be honest, not much had really changed since all those years ago. Well, that's not entirely true. For once, there was someone on the Council who wasn't a Jedi Master but a Jedi Knight, the only Jedi Knight - Ki-Adi-Mundi. And Yoda, the force behind the Jedi Council, though small. Small size but, oh, very powerful in the Force and a philosopher. No decision was to be made without him, even my training.
When I started out, he said I was too old but my Master was convinced I could take on the task; Mace even backed him up. Now, I'm here and I don't regret any of it. I know my purpose, what I have to do, not because it's a job but because it's who I am - a Jedi Padawan and I wouldn't have it any other way. I smiled lightly, causing a glance from my Master. I lowered my head slightly, focusing on the moment, the here and now.
"...my only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord." my Master stated.
A Sith Lord, impossible. We won that war; we beat them. How could they be arising again? I didn't believe it, though on some level, it made sense. Who else would be deadly enough to best a Jedi? Or clever enough?
"A Sith Lord?!?" Mace questioned, as Ki turned to him and all at once, each member looked to each other in question. None of us had expected and for the first time, I wandered why.
"Impossible! The Sith have been extinct for a millennium." Ki added, nodding to Master Yoda.
I glanced at Master Yoda as he spoke. "The very Republic is threatened if involved the Sith are."
Still, Mace wasn't convinced. He was always the skeptical one which was good considering most of them could get a bit mystical sometimes, but always the first to crack a joke. "I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing."
"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must." Yoda added.
Ki nodded in agreement closing his eyes and reopening them. "I sense he will reveal himself again."
"This attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Prince is the target." Mace reasoned, as my Master's gaze switched from his friend to Master.
"With this Naboo Prince you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect him - the both of you."
Mace sat back, though uneasily. He was still disturbed by this attacker, as was l. "We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker... May the Force be with you."
My Master stood in place as I turned to leave and I knew why. The boy. I hated this. I knew I said I would support him but I still couldn't shake this feeling about him. Something dark, evil.
"...Master Qui-Gon more to say have you?" Yoda questioned.
He smiled briefly, holding his head high, "With your permission, my Master. I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
Yoda perked up, literally, a finger to his lips, looking back at him. "A vergence, you say?"
"...Located around a person?" Mace added, confused and intrigued.
He nodded, "A boy... 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."
"You're referring to the prophesy of the one who will bring balance to the Force...you believe it's this boy?" Windu asked.
"I don't presume... "
"But you do! Revealed your opinion is." Yoda replied.
I glanced at the Council. I didn't like this; I didn't like this at all. Oh why, Qui-Gon did you have get involved? The boy is dangerous. He side glanced at me before continuing, "I request the boy be tested, my Master."
The Jedi looked to one another, nodding before turning back to us. Yoda spoke, "Trained as a Jedi, you request for him?"
"Finding him was the will of the Force...I have no doubt of that."
"There is too much happening here..." Mace began, rubbing his temples, "Bring him before us, then." dropping his hand. We both bowed, exiting the chamber, a suspicious eye on my Master.
**
On our way, we almost ran over Master Binks, a new Jedi Master at the Temple and a Gungan from Naboo. I always liked the Gungan; he was very funny, clumsy on occasion but very brave.
"Helo, Master Jinn, Padawan Naberrie." he stated, smiling broadly.
Master Binks was one the crèche Masters, a very safe job for him. The children loved him because he was clumsy, though my Master never appreciated his antics. He said it was unbefitting of a Jedi Master.
"Where's yusa goin'?"
"Just right here, for now." I replied, "Are you going to talk to the Council?"
He shrugged, "They usa called moi. I not know why. Mesa hope es nothing bad."
I smiled, "I hope so, too. May the Force be with You,"
As I left with my Master, passing Master Binks, I felt a jolt of energy strike me. I nearly fell to the floor but my Master caught me.
A battle field, several Gungans fighting a droid army and the Gungans were loosing. A vision from the Force, my headachy talent. I looked at my Master, whom had a concerned expression on his face; Jar Jar next to him.
"Padawan? Padawan? Padme?" my Master questioned but all I could do was stare back at Jar Jar.
"Master Binks, I think you better go. The Council is expecting you." I mused, standing up. Jar Jar shrugged and left us as my Master helped me to the balcony.
TBC
