Disclaimer: I have not, will not, and cannot ever own any of these characters. They all belong to Joss Whedon and George Lucas.

A/N: A little note about cannon- for Buffy, cannon will be seasons 1-7, Angel seasons 1-4, and any of the novels that were published (sans 'The Dark Willow Trilogy') up to and including 'The Queen of the Slayers'. Star Wars cannon is pretty much everything from the movies, and most of the stuff off of the web site. Some cannon will be included from the books, but as I'm just getting started on 'The New Jedi Order' series, and haven't read any of the books prior to that, book cannon is in the air.

Chapter 6

Return to Naboo

"I can't believe you broke his jaw!"

Buffy sighed, then looked at her brother with pleading eyes. "For the last time, I didn't break it." In a smaller voice, she added, "I fractured it."

"Lucky it was just a fracture." Willow noted, a small smile on her lips. "I'm still wondering how you managed to break the lightsabers."

The three outcasts were seated just outside the Council chambers, awaiting the Council's decision on them. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Halcyon were meeting with the Council reporting on what happened in the training room. Master Windu would have given it, but he was currently immersed in a Bacta-tank to heal the broken jaw and cracked skull Buffy had given him.

Hey, she thought to herself, he wanted to spar, he has to deal with the consequences.

The three young people each had different reactions to what had happened. Anakin was torn between being awed by his sisters ability, and being upset that she used it on a Jedi Master. Willow wasn't very surprised- she had seen Buffy take down bigger, badder things than a lone Jedi with a lightsaber. Buffy, however, was aghast that she had lost control so easily. Had it been so long, had her emotions been so suppressed, that the slightest provocation brought the Slayer in her out so easily? Before she could dwell on it anymore, the door opened and Obi-Wan appeared.

"The Council will see you all, now."

The three moved into the Council chambers and took their places beside the two Jedi. Buffy looked at the members of the Council, and reflected on what Anakin told her of his testing. According to him, they could see the deepest, darkest fears of his soul, and could quite possibly read his mind. That in mind, Buffy automatically cleared hers, using meditation techniques Giles had taught to her. She then turned her eyes on their two Jedi guides, and could practically feel the tension between them.

Must have had a fight. She thought as she finished clearing her mind and turned her attention back to the Council.

"Finished, we are, with our examination of the boy." The little green guy, Yogurt or something, was saying. "Correct, you were, Qui-Gon."

Cone-head, who was sitting off to the gremlin's left, nodded his head. "The Force is strong in him."

"He is to be trained, then." Qui-Gon declared triumphantly.

For a moment, there was an uncomfortable silence in the room as the 12 Council members looked at one another.

"No." Ki-Adi-Mundi stated simply. And with that one word, Anakin's face crumpled and tears formed in his eyes.

"No?" Qui-Gon repeated in disbelief.

"He is too old. There is already too much anger in him." The Master replied.

If they thought Anakin had anger in him, then it paled in comparison to the anger Qui-Gon briefly felt. He quickly dismissed the anger, let it flow out of him, and turned his full concentration on the obstinate Council before him.

"He is the Chosen One! You must see it!"

Any attempts Buffy had made at clearing her hind went out the window with that statement. Her head whipped around and she stared at Qui-Gon in shock, which quickly turned to anger as she put the pieces together in her mind.

The Chose One…a prophecy…and everybody's wigging because Anakin's got a lot of midi-whatever's in his system. Her face darkened at the implications. He wants Annie to be their Slayer.

I'm SO going to kick his ass…

"Clouded, this boy's future is." Yoda replied. "Masked by his youth."

Qui-Gon looked at the faces of the Council member, searching for help. Finding none, he straightened, then put his hands on Anakin's shoulders. "Very well. I will train him then. I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan apprentice."

Buffy saw Obi-Wan stiffen in shock, and knew that this hadn't been planned between them. Her heart went out to the young Padawan- Qui-Gon was the closest thing he knew to a father, and here it seemed he was abandoning him for someone younger.

Buffy had some experience in that field.. Except her father abandoned her and her mother for his secretary.

Buffy continued to listen, her anger building in her as she watched Anakin being passed along like a pawn on a chessboard. Willow seemed to sense her agitation and laid a calming hand on her forearm; Buffy felt her friend's magic as it flowed into her and helped calm her down. Soon enough, the Council dismissed the group, assigning Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to accompany the Queen back to Naboo and protect her. Qui-Gon told he Council that Anakin would be accompanying him, as the boy and his sister were technically his wards now. Yoda agreed, but only after telling the Jedi Master, in no uncertain terms, not to train them. As the group turned to leave, Buffy stood resolute, rooted to the spot in the middle of the speaker's dais. Yoda raised a small green eyebrow in surprise. "Something to say, have you?"

"I do, yes." Buffy replied sarcastically, and then tossed over her shoulder, "Don't wait up. I'll be along in a minute."

Qui-Gon's eyes widened in surprise at the obvious dismissal from the girl. He started to say something, but was stopped when Willow put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't bother. She won't leave until she's had a chat."

Qui-Gon considered the girl for a moment, then nodded. "Very well." And with that, the group left Buffy alone with the Jedi Council.

"Much anger, I sense in you." Yoda observed, eyeing the girl. Buffy snorted.

"Very observant you are, Kermit. Almost as observant as Barney. And look where he ended up." Buffy looked around to the assembled members of the Council, who were all eyeing her in equal states of disbelief and outrage. "And don't even try it, with those so-called intimidating looks. I've faced down master vampires, sixty-foot snakes, and Frankenstein monsters. You all don't rate. And if any of you want to step up, I'll line you up next to your buddy in the infirmary." She clapped her hands together and rubbed them briskly "I guess you want to know why I wanted to have this little chat?"

"Yes, we do." Aayla Secura said.

"Well, it's a little something like this." Buffy started. "Willow told you about us. What's more, she SHOWED you what are lives were like. So you all know that I know a little something about how Council's treat their 'Chosen Ones'.

"Now, you all say that you won't train Anakin. That he's too you, too angry. Meanwhile, I know that's a load of bullshit, because I know you got some kind of prophecy. And I know, from experience, that prophecy's have a way of coming true. And I'm betting that, in order for that to happen, Anakin needs to be trained. And so, whether you like it or not, he'll be trained. Well, here's the rub.

"When you take him, and you will, you're going to get me. And I'm going to look out for him."

"We don't appreciate being told what to do." Ki-Adi-Mundi said in a hard tone. Buffy turned her steely gaze on him.

"And I don't give a rats ass about what you appreciate." The Slayer shot back. "Slayers are taken from their families when they are very young, as soon as they can be located by the Watcher's Council. Once in the council's 'care', they are trained a potential Slayer to a Watcher. And when these Slayers are called, their maximum life expectancy is 18. Heck, most only live to 16!" She tuned back to Yoda and eyed him critically. "You know why I lived as long as I did? I wasn't found by the Council until I was called. And by then, I had friends. I had family. I had something to fight for, something to care about. Anakin and I, we're very similar. We both found we had a calling much later than we should have. But finding out late kept me ! alive, and I'm going to make sure he stays safe as long as I can.. Think about that while you're making you decision."

Buffy found her way out to the Jedi Temple's landing platform, where Halcyon awaited with a small transport.

"Everyone else was told to go on ahead." He explained to the Slayer, who stood at the doorway. "Master Jinn asked me to escort you to the Queen's platform." He looked on at the scared girl with concern. "Would you like me to blindfold you?"

He asked the question sincerely, and Buffy recognized it. That was probably the only reason she didn't knock his teeth out. Buffy took a deep breath, then started shakily walking out towards the waiting Jedi. Halcyon smiled. "That's right. One step at a time." Not soon enough for Buffy, she arrived at the transport and gingerly climbed in. Once she was seated, she closed her eyes.

"To the ship, Jeeves." She said. Halcyon just chuckled one more and got in, and in a few moments, they were off.

Buffy arrived at the platform just a few minutes later. Saying farewell to the young Jedi guide, she made her way across the platform towards the ship. Before she reached it, she witnessed Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan having a brief fight, then Obi-Wan stalking off into the ship. She then heard Anakin apologizing to Qui-Gon for being a bother, while the Jedi brushed it off. Before she could interrupt them, Willow came to her side.

"Hey, look at you. Eyes wide open girl!" Willow exclaimed, giving Buffy a playful punch on her arm. Buffy gave her a weak smile in return.

"This is a lot harder than it looks." She replied, hen looked over to the Jedi who was still talking with Anakin. She nodded in his direction. "What's up with him and Benny?"

"Difference of opinion."

"Over Anakin and I?"

"Yeah. Especially Anakin- I'm not sure he likes him that much." Willow replied with a lopsided grin. "It's like siblings fighting over a parents affections."

Buffy chuckled. "Yeah, Dawn and I…." Buffy trailed off, and then sighed. "God, I miss her. I miss all of them."

"I do, too." Willow replied quietly.

There was a moment of silence between the girls. Then Buffy spoke. "So, did the Council test you, too?"

"I think I kind of shocked them with the light show." Willow replied as they headed towards the ship. "They asked what I could do, I demonstrated some stuff- conjuring fire, levitating…"

"What did you- you levitated Kermit, didn't you?" Buffy suddenly exclaimed, then squealed with delight at Willows nod of affirmation.

"Kind of surprised him, there. I don't think they know what to make of me."

"Well, maybe they'll take you in, too. It may not be the Force, but you could probably learn a lot from them."

"Ooh! Plus, Qui-Gon says that the Jedi archives have so much information in them, there's bound to be a way for us to get home in them!"

Buffy smiled as they walked up the ramp into the Nubian. "We can always hope."

"So," Willow started, glancing sideways at her friend, "What did you say to them?"

"Oh, nothing, just the usual…"

"So you threatened them." Willow stated. Buffy put a hurt look on her face.

"Willow! Really, do you think I'd do something like that…"

Later on during the flight, while Anakin was in the cockpit learning about the controls, Buffy stood near Willow in the Queen's chamber as she addressed the assembled people.

"When we land on Naboo, it is my intention to act on this invasion at once. My people have suffered enough."

"When we land, Your Highness" Captain Panaka seethed, anger showing clearly on his face, "the Trade Federation will arrest you and force you to sign their treaty!"

"I agree." Qui-Gon added, nodding thoughtfully. "I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by this."

"The Naboo are going to take back what is ours."

"Well, THAT certainly is a comprehensive plan…" Buffy muttered, but was silenced by Willow's elbow impacting with her midsection. Panaka, however, seemed to share Buffy's feelings.

"There are only twelve of us! Your Highness, we have no army!" the Captain snapped. The Queen's gaze traveled over to the Jedi, who shook his head.

"The Jedi cannot fight a war for you, Your Highness. We can only protect you." Qui-Gon responded to the silent question. Buffy bit back a retort on how effective the Jedi seem to be in battle, much to Willow's relief. Then she had to stifle a moan when the Queen's gaze fell on the next person in line.

"Jar Jar Binks!"

The Gungan stiffened, clearly caught off guard. "Me, Your Highness?"

The Queen nodded in affirmation. "Yes. I have need of your help."

"I got a bombad feeling about this." Buffy said under her breath, earning another elbow from Willow.

Soon the Nubian had landed next to the swamp on Naboo that led to the Gungans home city. Jar Jar made his way down to the underwater city while the Queen and her entourage waited. And while Anakin found himself quietly looking at Padmè, who had changed from the cumbersome red and orange hooded robes to more functional trousers and tunics, Buffy found herself entertaining some serious doubts about the Queen's plan.

"Well, at least Anakin found something nice to look at." Buffy commented dryly, before turning to Willow. "I thought you said this was a beautiful planet?"

"The swamps have their own beauty, too, Buffy." Willow calmly replied with a small smile. "But believe me, this is just the warm-up act."

Buffy released a sigh and shook her head. "Even if we get what's bound to be the clumsiest army ever, if Jar Jar is any example, I don't see how we're going to take out the droid army!"

"Yeah. It's almost as ludicrous as a bunch of high school seniors taking on a sixty-foot snake demon and his vampire lackeys at their graduation."

Buffy shot Willow a withering glare, who smiled sweetly in return. "Point taken, Ms. Rosenberg. Still doesn't mean we aren't going to get our asses kicked."

Buffy looked around at the assembled group. He saw Padmè and Anakin talking; judging by the sadness in her eyes, and the worry in Anakin's, she must be telling him that she was going off to war. Her eyes then moved over to the two Jedi, who had remained distant with one another during the flight back to Naboo. Judging by their postures, she could see there was still a little hurt and resentment there, but both were doing what they could to patch things up with each other.

Fathers and sons. Buffy mused. The Slayer looked out at the water, and spotted a dark shape heading towards them. She tensed, ready for an attack, and relaxed only when Jar Jar broke the surface.

"Tis nobody dere! Deys akk gone!" the Gungan exclaimed as he pulled himself out of the swamp and shook off the excess water from his clothes. "Some kind of fight, deys have. Maccaneks, mebbe. Very bombad. Otoh Gunga empty. All Gungans gone. All gone."

"Do you think they have been taken to the camps?" Panaka asked. Obi-Wan shook his head.

"More likely they were wiped out." He said in disgust.

Jar Jar shook his head. "Me no think so. Gungans too smart. Go into hiding. When dey in trouble, go to sacred place. Maccaneks no find them dere."

"Can you take us there, Jar Jar?" Qui-Gon asked. The Gungan sighed.

"Here we go again."

The group traveled through he swamp for some time, guided by Jar Jar. They skirted around the edges of the lake, then proceeded into the forest, the massive trees dwarfing the group as they traveled on. Soon they emerged into a clearing, surrounded by thick-rooted trees and tall marsh grasses. Jar Jar stopped and looked around, sniffing the air. After a moment, he nodded.

"Dissen it." He said, then lifted his bill and made a series of chittering sounds. After a moment Captain Tarpals, head of the Gungan army, emerged in the clearing with a squad of his soldiers, who fanned out and surround the group. Jar Jar waved cheerily.

"Heydey ho, Cap'n Tarpals." He greeted. The Gungan leader sighed in disbelief.

"Binks! Notta gain!"

The guards rounded them all up and led them deeper into the forest, where they entered yet another clearing. This one was again surrounded by thick trees, with pieces of ancient statues depicting Gungan mythological figures littering the ground. On top of a head of one of the figures, that was lying on its side, stood Boss Nass, ruler of the Gungans

"Jar Jar Binks," he intoned, "whadda yous doen back? Yous suppose ta take dese outlanders and no come back! Yous pay good dis time!" The Gungan swiveled his head to look upon the rest of the group. "Who yous bring here ta da Gungan sacred place?"

The Queen took a step forward. "I am Amidala, Queen of the Naboo."

"Naboo!" Boss Nass roared. "No like da Naboo! Yous bring da maccaneks! Dey drive us all out! Yous akk bombad! Yous all die, mebbe!"

Buffy stiffened at that, and moved surreptiously in front of Anakin to protect him. She tensed her muscles and prepared to spring at the first threat that presented itself. The Slayer also noticed the Jedi moving to flank the queen, though they kept their arms at their sides; and Panaka and the rest of the guard looking around nervously, their hands moving slowly towards their blasters. She knew that if a fight broke out, it would most likely be due to them shooting first. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Willow's lips moving subtly, and she felt the magic start to build.

Amidala pressed on, trying to salvage the situation. "We wish to form an alliance with you,.."

"We no form nutten wit da Naboo!" Boss Nass thundered.

Suddenly, Padmè detached herself from the guard and stepped in front of the Queen. Boss Nass peered curiously at the girl.

"Who dis?" he snapped. Padmè straightened.

"I am Queen Amidala. This is Sabè, my decoy, my loyal bodyguard." She added nodding to the woman in the royal robes. "I am sorry for the deception, but given the circumstances, I am sure you can understand."

Anakin was staring at Padmè in shock, as was Buffy. The Jedi looked to be torn between surprise and amusement, though Qui-Gon looked as if he had been expecting this for some time. Buffy's shock gaze swiveled swiftly onto Willow, who smirked.

You could have warned me, she thought, hoping her friend would pick up on her thoughts. She didn't disappoint.

And what, ruin the surprise? Willow replied glibly. Besides, you of all people should know not to underestimate a strong-willed girl like Padmè. She chided.

"Although our people do not always agree, Your Honor," Padmè continued, her voice softening, "we have always lived in peace. Until now. The Trade Federation, with its tanks and it 'maccaneks,' has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. The Gungans are in hiding, and the Naboo have been imprisoned in camps. If we do not act quickly, all that we value will be lost forever. I ask you to help us, Your Honor. No, I beg you to help us." She abruptly dropped to one knee and bowed her head, much to the astonishment of both the Naboo and Gungans present. "We are your humble servants, Your Honor. Our fate is in your hands. Please, help us."

One by one, her hand-maidens, Panaka, and the rest of the Naboo dropped to their knees, then the Jedi, Anakin, Buffy, and finally Willow joined them, though Willow did so that she fell just behind Padmè, so she could shield her quickly if needed. For a moment, no one said anything. Then slowly a deep, resounding laughter rumbled from the leader of the Gungans.

"Ho, ho, ho! Me like dis! Dis good! Yous no think yous greater den da Gungans!" Boss Nass storde forward and extended a hand to Padmè. "Yous stand, Queen Amidoll. Yous talk wit me, okay? Mebbe we gonna be friends after all!"

"Stop smiling."

"Sorry."

"It wasn't funny."

"Sure it was, from a certain point of view."

"I got your point of view right here… you should have told me!"

"And miss the look on your face? Are you kidding?"

Buffy and Willow were arguing playfully at the edge of the forest while they waited for Captain Panaka to return with his scouting party. The Queen, or as Buffy found herself calling her mentally, 'The Queen formerly known as Handmaiden Padmè', was busy discussing the upcoming fight with Boss Nass. The Jedi were helping the Gungans keep a look out for any incoming Trade Federation forces, and Anakin… well, he had gone off by himself as he tried to process the fact that the girl he had a crush on was, in fact, royalty.

He sure does know how to pick 'em. Buffy mused.

"At the very least, you could have told Anakin." Buffy pressed on. "It's a lot to take in that the girl of his dreams is a freaking Queen."

"If it's any consolidation, I think she kind of likes him, too." Willow responded quietly, with a small smile on her face. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle., but she soon turned serious.

"Do you think this plan will work?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders. "Did you really think a bunch of teenagers could take on the Mayor? The odds are slim- I'll admit that. But we've pulled off bigger victories against badder foes. We'll find a way. We always do." The young witch looked off into the horizon and saw the approaching speeders. "They're back."

"I think we got through without being detected, Your Highness." Panaka was saying as the Slayer and the Witch joined them.

"What is the situation?" Padmè inquired.

"Most of our people are in the detention camps." Panaka replied. "A few hundred officers and guards have formed an underground movement to resist the invasion. I've brought as many of the leaders as I could find."

"Good." Padmè nodded at Boss Nass. "The Gungans have a larger army than we imagined."

"Very, very bombad!" the Gungan chief rumbled.

Panaka sighed "You'll need it. The Federation army is much larger than we thought, too. And stronger." He shot the Queen a considering look. "I do not think that this is a battle that we can win."

"Oh, ye of little faith." Buffy muttered.

Padmè was undeterred. "I don't intend to win it, Captain. The battle is a diversion. We need the Gungans to draw the droid army away from Theed, so we can infiltrate the palace and capture the Neimoidian viceroy. The Trade Federation cannot function without its head. Neimoidians don't think for themselves. Without the viceroy to command them, they will cease to be a threat." She paused for a moment to let them consider her plan, then she turned to Qui-Gon. "What do you think, Master Jedi?"

"It is a well-conceived plan." Qui-Gon replied. "It appears to be your best possible move, Your Highness, although there is great risk. Even with the droid army in the field, the viceroy will be well guarded. And many of the Gungans may be killed."

The Gungan leader snorted. "They bombad guns no get through our shields! We ready to fight!"

"We could nock out the droid control ship." Willow suggested. "When we hit the palace, we free as many pilots as we can, and send them to take it out."

"Agreed." Padmè said.

"But if the viceroy should escape, Your Highness," Obi-Wan pointed out, "he will return with another droid army."

"That is why we must not let the viceroy escape." Padmè retorted. "Everything depends on it. Cut off the head, and the serpent dies. Without the viceroy, the Trade Federations collapses."

"What about us?" Anakin quietly asked Qui-Gon. The Jedi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You two stay close to me, Annie, Buffy. Do as I say, and you'll be safe."

"You're half right." Buffy replied. "Annie, you stick close to Qui-Gon. As for me," she turned her steely gaze on the Jedi, "I need a weapon."

"Can't I have a lifesaver?" Buffy whined quietly to Qui-Gon as they slunk through the deserted city, avoiding the droid patrols.

"Lightsaber." The Jedi corrected automatically, momentarily reminding Buffy of Giles. "And we don't carry spares around. Besides, you're not trained in how to use it."

"Yeah, 'cause it's not like I could use one to kick some Jedi's ass-oh, wait…"

"A blaster is a perfectly acceptable weapon for this campaign."

"I don't like guns." Buffy replied emphatically, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "They're…uncivilized."

"Says the girl who used to swing a mace around." Willow quipped, earning her a glare from the Slayer.

"Do you two mind?" Obi-Wan interrupted, "We ARE trying to remain undetected."

Padmè's small force stopped in the shadow of a tall building across from the main hanger in Theed. In the middle of the square was a small droid patrol. Padmè was dressed as a handmaiden, and was surrounded by Willow, Panaka and Eirtaè, a fellow handmaiden. Padmè waited in the shadows of the archway of the building, looking for the signal from the resistance to move. Quietly, the young Queen turned to her sister.

"Rose, the time may come when we will have need of your gifts," she stated. Willow/Rose looked back at her, never flinching, never backing down.

"Then when that time comes, Your Highness, my gifts will be at your disposal." She leaned in and lowered her voice. "You just watch yourself out there."

Padmè gave her a small smile. "You too, Rose. Mom would never forgive me if something happened to you."

The two girls exchanged a brief smile, then Padmè saw what she had been waiting for- a small, blinking light from one of the resistance leaders. Buffy also saw the light, and turned to Anakin.

"When we get in there, you find a nice, safe place to hide away. Got it?"

"But what about you?"

"This is my job, Annie. Trust me- I'll be fine. But only if I know you're safe. Got it?"

"Got it." Anakin replied sullenly.

And with that, all hell broke loose.

The Band rushed into the main hanger of Naboo, blasters firing and lightsabers swinging. As the Jedi deflected bolts back to their owners, Anakin scampered in behind them and ducked behind a large pallet of crates. Buffy came in last, taking aim with her blaster and firing- and missing every single droid she aimed at.

"God, I HATE guns!" she screamed in frustration. Taking the initiative, she pulled her arm back and then hurled the blaster with all of her considerable strength at the nearest droid. The blaster sailed through the air, knocked the head off the droid, then continued to fly, knocking out two more droids. She then let loose a flying snap kick that took down another droid, landing in a roll and coming up besides another pallet of storage crates. She winced in pain- kicking the droid had damn near broken her ankle. Knowing she couldn't fight the droids hand-to-hand, she searched around frantically for a weapon of some kind- and found it on the pallet next to her- a piece of pipe, about five feet long and two inches thick. It was hollow, but it should stand up to some damage if she used it correctly Silently sending her thanks to Giles and his insistence on teaching her how to use a quarter staff, Buffy grabbed the pipe and rushed back into the battle.

It only took a few more moments to clear the hanger of the droids. Freed pilots frantically scrambled up to their small, twin-engine fighters and took off. One was hit by a tank that had been stationed outside and crashed down into the valley far below. Anakin scrambled into an empty fighter in an attempt to get out of the way, and soon Artoo joined him, pulled into the fighter by its automated systems. With the pilots away, the group started to move towards the main doors that led to the palace.

"Hey, where are you going?" Anakin asked.

"Annie, you stay there!" Qui-Gon shouted. The boy shook his head.

"But I want to go with you!"

"Annie, stay in the cockpit!" Buffy shouted, her hair wild about her face. "Any bad guys come, blast 'em!"

Buffy had been so intent on Anakin, she hadn't even realized the group had stopped until it was almost to late. As it was, she still slammed into the back of Obi-Wan, who in turn was forced into the back of Qui-Gon. The two Jedi gave her a quick glare before turning back to the doors, and Buffy gave a hiss of surprise when she saw what had brought them up short.

A black-cloaked, hooded figure stood in the doorway, blocking their path. Slowly it raised it's head and threw back the hood, revealing his horned head and red-and-black tattooed face. Qui-Gon gave a signal to Padmè, and her and her group rushed to a side exit, leaving the Jedi and Buffy to face the new threat.

The dark warrior dropped his cloak and brought his long-handled lightsaber out in front of him, as if presenting it for inspection. Suddenly, twin red blades erupted from both ends, forming a lethal, dual-bladed weapon. Buffy looked at the weapon and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it looks like he brought a spare…"

TBC

A little shorter this time, but rest assured I'm already working on the next chapter. Coming up in chapter 7: Duel of the Fates- Buffy/Maul 2. And in Chapter 8: Across the Stars, we return to Sunnydale one more time, see some old friends, and the Council makes it decision. And I believe that will wrap up Episode One.

After that, we got Episode Two: Attack of the Chosen, and Episode Three: I ain't gonna tell you the title! Until then, May the Schwartz be with you!

Review Responses:

RaeAngel: The answers to your questions are only two chapters away. Until then, hope you enjoyed this installment!

Holyknight: Alas, the only one Yoda will train will be Luke. As for Buffy's eventual 'Master', all I'll say is he's one bad mutha…and if you can't figure it out from that, then you need to be schooled, son ;)

Korrd: I seriously considered your suggestion, and in fact, I'm now thinking of an interesting story for that. Damn you, now I'll have to put this story on hold to do that one. Darth Vader voice NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO /Darth Vader voice

Just kidding. Hopefully, you'll get a new chapter next week.

Stcobb: Uh, I wasn't aware that there WERE 9 season's of Buffy. And lets be clear- Buffy won the fight through sheer, dumb luck- nothing more. She was holding her own at best until Mace started using the Force, and only beat him because of her emerging powers that she still can't control. However, Buffy WILL learn humility, though that will happen mostly off-screen, so to speak. And No, she isn't going to die. I'm not Joss, I don't take some sadistic pleasure from killing off my main cast members. Thanks for the review, and hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

Allen Pitt: I wonder if you have any idea how close you are in your reviews? The Sunnydale situation will be explained for the most part in Chapter 8: Across the Stars. As for Willow, her fate will be decided (some might say sealed?) in the very same chapter. And I'm going to throw you a bone- there will possibly be TWO vampires in the SW universe-

In Episode 6.

And finally, I want to point out my authors note- I'm keeping this story as close to cannon as possible, and that includes ALL SEVEN seasons of Buffy, as well as most of the novels. Things will just end up being a bit different is all. Don't worry, it will all become clear in time. Thanks for another great review!

Queen of the Gypsi's: Thank you for the kind words, Damia. And it appears that Anakin's last line there was a big hit with everybody! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!

w1cked angel: sigh. Halcyon is NOT an OC, he's an established character in SW cannon. That being said, he and Buffy will NOT be hooking up, though they will become friends. Thanks for the review!

Jedi-Princess/Nascar Girl: You know, I might just take you up on that offer. And just so you know, one of your guesses was right on who was going to show up- and you'll find out in Chapter 8!

Saint Maverick: I don't want to get your hopes up, but let me say this- Buffy will fall in love and become engaged, but it is going to happen during the Clone Wars- off screen. Her relationship will be brought up at times in Episode three, and fleshed out even more in the second trilogy. I'm glad you enjoyed Chapter 5, and I hope you like this one, but let me say this- if you liked what you read so far, you ain't seen nothin' yet!

General Mac: How's this for ya?

dp03kf: Yes, Mace lost, But only by a Fluke. Don't worry, he's sure to get his win back. Someday…

Just Me: Thank you again for the praise, though I'll point you up to Saint Maverick's review response if you think this is the best chapter.

Buffy and Windex- lots of mixed opinions on this. Buffy did win, but only by a fluke- the lightsabers died. That, and she was able to use the Force, to a small extent. I don't believe that she is his equal in fighting- yet, at least. But with her coming training, I believe she will become better than him. As for her talk to Qui-Gon: if anybody knows about a lonely life, it would be her. But if you liked that, I hope you LOVED her talk to the Council.

As for the Lightsabers, someone sent in a review that told me that they run on crystal generators, or something. I know there are diagrams up on the net. And I will be continuing this through the original trilogy, and that's all I'm saying on that at the moment.

Thanks for another great review! Keep them coming!

Janetria: I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Cycloneozgirl: Remember, just because I may or may not kill him, doesn't mean he couldn't still sit with Buffy and Giles one day And be thankful- I was planning on cutting this chapter off at a point that left his fate as a true cliffhanger. Instead, you get the whole, gory truth in one sitting! Thanks for the review!

Lucander: Me thinks that someone has been reading the New Jedi Order series. As I have just started on that, and haven't read 'The Unifying Force', could you please elaborate on the current Force theory? Because after getting your review, I'm seriously considering it.

Marz1: The truth behind Buffy's new powers will be revealed in Chapter 8. As for Willow, as they used to say, announcer voice TUNE INTO NOTRO TO FIND OUT/announcer voice

can-i-help: Eh, it's the dame thing as a battery, in the long run. Though I did get the analogy wrong- I didn't mean to say the batteries dies, I meant to say they overloaded and shorted out. Anyway, thanks for the review, the praise, and the criticisms- I enjoyed them all. And thanks for the tips on the lightsabers- I knew about the crystals, but I was still unclear as to the power source. Ah, well. I'll have to call it writers creative licensing, I suppose…

Next chapter coming real soon!