Chapter 7

Duel of the Fates

Disclaimer- The Usual: Star Wars is owned by Lucas, Buffy is owned by Wheedon, and my soul is owned by my creditors, so don't even bother suing me.

Padmè ran with her small group towards the side exit, but came up short when three destroyer droids rolled into the room from behind the door and unfurled themselves, then let loose with blaster fire. The queen quickly ducked behind a pillar and returned fire, which was deflected by the droids shields.

"ROSE!" she yelled to her sister, who was a pillar behind her. "Can you take these droids out?"

Before Willow could answers, the first droid was blasted away by twin beams of green energy. Padmè looked behind her, and saw the damndest thing- Annie in a fighter, letting loose with the ships blaster cannons and clearing the way for them. Then, much to her chagrin, the fighter shot forward and out of the bay. Putting her worry for the young boy aside, she let out a rallying cry and led her troops through the door towards the palace.

Buffy, however, had not noticed her brothers rather spectacular departure. "You guys go with the Queen. I got horn-boy here." And with that, much to the Jedi's chagrin, the Slayer charged forward. Ignoring Qui-Gon's shouts for her to stop, she swung her makeshift staff over her head and brought it down with all of her strength at the demon's head-

And the Sith warrior sliced it cleanly in two with his dual-bladed lightsaber. Then taking advantage of her shock, she thrust out his palm, sending a powerful Force wave hurtling at the Slayer. The blast sent Buffy sailing clear across the hanger, where she impacted against the far wall. Her head cracked against the wall, and she slid down to the floor, unconscious.

It only took a few minutes for Padmè and her group to reach the main palace. They moved quietly and cautiously through the hallways, moving inwards towards the throne room. They didn't get far before an entire patrol of droids rounded the corner and opened fire.

"Take cover!" Padmè yelled, ducking behind a pillar and returning fire. Willow took up position beside her and fired her weapon as well, scoring several quick hits. But the droids kept coming in endless waves, and the Queen grew aggravated.

"Captain!" she yelled across the hall to Panaka, "We don't have time for this!"

The captain nodded, then turned his blaster on the tall window beside him and opened up, blasting it out. Everyone climbed out on the edge of the window and attached grapple lines to their guns, then fired them, sending the climbing lines straight up to he under hang of the roof. They then activated the ascension mechanism and rose off the ledge, landing just outside the top floor of the palace, and a moment later, they were inside, racing once more to the throne room.

"We're almost there!" Rose shouted, but then was forced to skid to a stop when two Destroyer droids rounded the corner ahead of her and instantly switched to attack mode. Rose spun around, but found two more Destroyers blocking the hall.

"They're not just droids, they're transformers…" Rose murmured, raising her weapon and quickly going through the spells she knew for one to use. Padmè's voice brought her up short, though.

"Throw down your weapons," the Queen ordered, "They win this round."

"But, Your Majesty, we can't-"

"Captain," Padmè repeated, her voice like steel, "I said to throw down your weapons."

Panaka looked at her as if she had lost her mind, then dejectedly threw his weapon to the ground. The rest of the soldiers and hand-maidens followed suit. As they did that, Padmè glanced at Rose and nodded; the red-head returned the nod then briefly closed her eyes. As the droids rounded them up, Padmè looked to Panaka.

"Have faith, Captain," was all she said to the bewildered head of the security as the droids took them captive.

Buffy lay slumped on the floor. The two Jedi and the Sith had moved into the massive power transfer room off of the main hanger; Anakin had joined the battle over Naboo, desperately putting his considerable flying talents to the test in an effort to help destroy the droid control ship. The Queen and her attack group were making their way to the throne room. And Buffy lay, slumped on the floor. After a few moments, she stirred and strained to sit up. Rolling over onto all fours, she struggled to pull herself into a sitting position-

FLASH

Qui-Gon and the Sith were fighting in a round room, a large, endless shaft in the middle, and blocked off from the power distribution plant by a long corridor with five glowing containment fields. Obi-Wan was stuck behind the final field, waiting for it to drop, as his Master valiantly fought the Sith. But Qui-Gon was desperately over matched; his years of experience nothing against the raw fury of the demon warrior. Their blades crashed against each other, until finally the Sith, Darth Maul, Buffy knew instinctively, pushed the Jedi's blade up and away, butted him in the face with the handle of his lightsaber, then spun around and buried the bottom blade of the lightsaber deep into the Jedi Masters gut as his Padawan screamed…

NOOOOOOOO!

FLASH

Buffy gasped and staggered to her feet. She briefly leaned against the wall and shook her head.

What in the frilly heck was that? She thought to herself, before the icy cold reality filled her.

Qui-Gon was going to die.

The Powers that Be a pain in her ass must have given her a heads up or something, but she knew that what she had seen was real. If she didn't go help, Qui-Gon would die.

Without a second thought, Buffy raced across the now-deserted hangar. For a moment, she wondered where Anakin was, but that though, along with all rational thought, were pushed from her mind when she entered the cavernous Power distribution plant. She reeled with vertigo as she caught a glimpse of the endless drop below her; then she reeled again as she saw the multiple levels of catwalks above her. Her mind shutting down, Buffy collapsed against the doorway, curling up into a ball and rocking herself while silently saying "No, no, no….."

Nute Gunray and Rune Haako stood with four other members of the Trade Federation Occupation Council as the Queen, Captain Panaka, half a dozen of his troops, and one of the Queen's handmaidens were marched into the throne room.

"Your Highness." Gunray greeted as the Queen was led to him.

"Viceroy." She returned coldly.

"Your little insurrection is at an end, Your Highness. The rabble army you sent against us south of the city has been crushed. The Jedi are being dealt with elsewhere. And you are my captive." The Viceroy said in a smug voice. Padmè raised an eyebrow.

"Am I?" she asked quietly. Her tone unnerved the Viceroy; there was a challenge in her voice, as if she was daring him to call her on her unspoken challenge.

"Yes, you are." Gunray continued, pressing ahead in his threats. "IT is time for you to put an end to the pointless debate you instigated in the Republic Senate. Sign the treaty now."

A sudden commotion outside the room caught everyone's attention, as suddenly several Naboo soldiers appeared, led by-

The Queen?

"I will not be signing any treaty, Viceroy!" the second Queen shouted, firing her blaster and taking down a droid. Gunray was astounded- a second Queen! He wheeled around to six of the Destroyers. "You six, after her!" he yelled. "Bring her to me!" He gestured at Padmè, standing quietly by the throne. "This one's a decoy!"

The Six Destroyers moved out into the hall after the retreating form of the Queen, leaving just four to guard the rest. As soon as they were out, Padmè looked at Rose and nodded.

Rose raised her arms, her palms facing outward and pointing to two of the droids. Her eyes darkened till they were pitch black, and her voice lowered.

"Tempestas of dea , nisi vestri rabies!" she intoned. Steams of mystical energy flowed thoruh her, emerging from her fingers and lashing out at the droids, destroying them utterly. The mystical lightning then flew on to the two remaining droids, destroying them as well. Rose then gestured at each door in turn, causing them to slam shut. Then she turned her gaze, both beautiful and terrible, onto the Viceroy and his companion.

"Vincire!"

A band of green energy formed around the two, freezing them in place. Rose smiled grimly.

"It is done, Your Highness."

Padmè nodded. "Thank you, my sister." She then turned her attention onto Gunray. "Now, viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty…"

Dammit, Buffy! You're a Slayer!

The thought came unbidden into her mind, and it slowly pulled her back into reality. There was something she had to do…

The containment room. Qui-Gon and Maul. Qui-Gon getting killed…

NO!

Suck it up, Slayer. Besides, it's not like a portal's going to open up and drop you into hell again, Buffy.

Slowly, so slowly, Buffy drew herself up until she was standing once again. Her eyes still closed, she took a deep, calming breath, and opened them. Looking around, she instinctively spotted the catwalk she need to get to reach the containment room, and moaned. Even with her Slayer abilities, it was to high…

Buffy cleared her mind. If she didn't try, Qui-Gon would die. Buffy giggled to herself at the rhyme she made, then shook it off. Taking a deep breath, Buffy concentrated on reaching the catwalk, in putting everything she had into the leap…

It was then that she really felt it around her. The Force, so alive and energizing and aware and it was around her an in her...

Buffy leapt, placing her trust in her abilities and the Force.

And she nailed the landing.

Not even pausing to congratulate herself, Buffy took off at a sprint, racing towards the containment room. She spotted the Jedi then. Obi-Wan was about 10 feet ahead of her, but Qui-Gon and Darth Maul were already in the containment corridor. Buffy picked up the pace, but by the time she reached them, Qui-Gon and Maul were already in the containment room, with Obi-Wan right behind the last containment field. Buffy slid to a stop just as the last containment filed activated, and watched in horror as her vision came true.

It was frustrating- a Slayer was supposed to protect people, but here she was, helplessly cut off from the one person, she felt, she was meant to help in this universe. She watched as Maul attacked relentlessly, never backing down, never giving Qui-Gon a chance, never a chance…

And there it was. Shut of the blade upward, blow to the face from the handle, the spin, the reverse thrust, the blade buried in the Jedi Masters gut, the Padawan's anguished scream.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

As Obi-Wan stared in shock at the body of his fallen Master, Buffy stared at the smirking face of his killer, and for one brief moment, felt true HATE. The rage she felt at Maul; the pain he had caused her and her new friends, the injustice of her imprisonment, her ENSLAVEMENT, the torture she had endured…

She felt the hate, the rage. She felt the POWER it gave her. For one, brief instant, she thought of using it, of taking that power and striking down the monster in front of her, she thought how good it would feel to take his life in her hands and crush it…

Visions of Faith, of her loosing herself to the blood lust, filled her mind. Visions of Angelus, who thrived on hate and pain, of the Master, The Mayor… They were all filled with hate, and they used it, to devastating results.

I will NOT become like them. Buffy thought. She let go of her hate, of her anger, and instead concentrated on the situation at hand. Maul was evil. He would kill Obi-Wan, then go after her, Anakin, Padmè, Willow…he needed to be stopped.

The containment fields dropped.

And now was her chance.

Buffy sprinted through the corridor. Obi-Wan was already facing off against Maul, their lightsabers clashing against each other so rapidly that no human eye could follow them. Just a few more feet, and she'd be in the room. Together, her and Obi-Wan could take him-

Just as she stepped into the room, the first containment field activated.

Buffy felt a searing, white hot pain shoot down her back as the field came to life just as she passed through. The pain was so intense, it block everything else out of her mind. She stumbled forward and collapsed onto the ground, writhing in pain. The distraction of her entrance was all Darth Maul needed to catch Obi-Wan unprepared, and the Sith sent a Force blast at the Jedi that through him over the edge of the exhaust vent. Buffy turned her head and saw that Ben had managed to grab onto a sensor node, and was desperately hanging on for dear life. Maul left him dangling and walked over to Buffy, straddling the Slayer. He raised his lightsaber, which had been cut in half by Obi-Wan.

"Time for you to die, little girl." He growled, as he brought the lightsaber down on Buffy.

With a snarl, Darth Maul brought his remaining red blade down at Buffy's head with all of his might. Buffy reached out towards Obi-Wan-

And his lightsaber leapt into her hand.

In an instant, she activated the blue blade and brought it across her face, blocking the Sith's blade and causing him to gape in surprise. Taking advantage of his confusion, she kicked her leg up into the Sith's back, sending him sprawling over her head. The Sith rolled and came up to his feet in an instant, spinning around to face Buffy as she kicked up. She turned to face him and brought the lightsaber up to a mid guard position, eyeing the Sith critically.

"Your first words, and that was it! Lame!"

"Jedi!" Maul hissed angrily. Buffy shook her head.

"No. I'm the Slayer, you're the slayee." She held out her left hand, palm up, and motioned with her fingers. "You want some? Come get some."

Maul rushed the Slayer then, his single blade slicing through the air before impacting on Buffy's blue blade. They treaded blows, back and forth, as fast as he and Obi-Wan had, faster, even. Maul brought the blade around at her head, and Buffy blocked it, pushing his blade down before bringing hers back up, nearly slicing his chin. Maul quickly backed up and spun away, but Buffy managed to bring her blade swiftly down, scorching his back. Maul hissed in pain and spun around again, bringing his lightsaber back up. Buffy smirked.

"Payback's a bitch, ain't it?"

Obi-Wan heard the fight going on above him, and he desperately fought to get out of the pit.

Calm yourself, Obi-Wan, he thought to himself. You must not give in to your fear.

Letting his emotions drain out of him, Obi-Wan concentrated on the moment, letting the Force fill him. Gripping the sensor node tightly, bracing his feet against the slick walls of the exhaust tube, Obi-Wan pushed and pulled at the same time-

And leapt out of the pit, landing just a few feet from his fallen master, and just across the way from the two combatants. And what he saw astounded him.

He had witnessed the ending to Buffy's fight against Mace, and her accidental use of the Force. At that time, he had realized that perhaps she had some potential, but at this moment, he SAW her potential. It was in the way she moved, effortlessly blocking and parrying Darth Mauls swings and thrusts. He saw a fluidity in her motions that could only be brought about by the Force, and he saw that, at least on a subconsience level, she had some mastery over it.

And then he saw it. Buffy's eyes flickered to his for just a moment, but that was all it took to convey her intentions. As she pressed her attack against him, Obi-Wan summoned his Masters lightsaber to his hand.

Buffy pressed her attack, backing Maul towards a waiting Obi-Wan. Fast and furious were her strokes now, and it was everything Maul could do to keep deflecting them. Down, up, across- she varied the pattern to her strikes, never giving him a clue as to where she would strike next. Another swing brought the red blade up to defend Maul's head, and put the lightsaber in the exact position Buffy wanted it. And then, for the second time that week, Buffy brought her blue blade down, using every ounce of her Slayer strength, and even pouring some of the Force into it. Her blue blade crashed against the red so violently, that it would have driven both blades deep into the Zabrak's skull, had not the same results occurred that had happened in her duel with Master Windu. The backlash of energy into the crystal was so great, this time it didn't short the saber's power generator out-

It destroyed them.

Both of them.

Violently.

The blades snapped out of existence at the same instance the hilts of the sabers exploded. Buffy yelled in pain as the energy released in the explosion burned her hands, and the exploding metal of the hilt was driven into them. Maul cried out in similar pain, and turned away from the Slayer, in order to gain some distance and try to recover-

And at that moment, Obi-Wan activated Qui-Gon's lightsaber and swung around, sweeping the green blade out in a wide arc that caught the Sith Lord across the waist. Surprise flickered across the Sith's face- Wasn't he supposed to be dead? – but it only lasted a moment as both halves of the Sith Warrior fell into the exhaust pit, falling silently down into the darkness below.

"Goodnight, Irene." Buffy muttered, then looked down at the fallen form of Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan had already raced to his side.

"Master!" he whispered, tears falling from his eyes. Buffy moved to his side and knelt besides him.

"Too late, my young Padawan."

"No!"

"Now you must be ready, whether the Council thinks you are or not." Qui-Gon rasped. "You must be the teacher. Obi-Wan, promise me you will train the boy."

Obi-Wan nodded at once, eager to ease his Master's pain. "Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon's eyes moved to Buffy's whose were also clouded in pain.

"I'm sorry, Qui-Gon. I couldn't get here in time. I couldn't save you…"

"You did what you could, Buffy. You would make a fine Jedi." His eyes moved back to Obi-Wan. "The boy is the Chosen One. He will bring balance to the Force. Train him well…" with that, the Jedi let out a shuddering breath, the breathed no more.

Obi-Wan hugged the body of his Master close to his chest, crying softly. "Master…" he repeated over and over. Buffy felt all of the pain and exhaustion finally overtake her, and as Obi-Wan cried over his Master, Buffy slid down to the floor into blissful unconsciousness.

To Be Concluded…

Ch 7 review responses:

A/N: I really wish I would have left off at Buffy's vision last chapter. Ah, well. You know what they say about hindsight…

Okay, everybody STOP WHJAT YOU ARE DOING! Well, read these responses, then go and read Miss Snuffles 'One Prick to Bleed', one of the best pure Star War's crossover I have ever read. Excellent writing, excellent story, excellent everything- go and read this story! NOW!

Also, go and read "Changing the Death Toll", a rather interesting and well-written Buffy/Stargate/SW crossover on TTH from PaBurke. Really interesting story so far...

And finally, I'm officially TWO CHAPTER AHEAD! That's right kids- I've started on Episode 2, so expect to see the first chapter in two weeks, and expect to see the final chapter of Episode 1 next week.

Azraeos: It only gets better from here!

Cycloneozgirl: Well, I guess you didn't like this chapter much ;) Just remember, even though he is dead, it doesn't mean his story is over… And for the record, Obi-Wan will be training Anakin, and Buffy will be trained by…

SunflowerLynx: Oh, so very close… but you forgot how high up they were, and Buffy's fear of heights- SEE! Everything is connected!

Just Me: At the moment, I'm aiming for weekly updates. What can I say? All of you have inspired me! 90 REVIEWS! Holy $&#!

Buffy's fate is decided next chapter. I will tell you that she will be trained, and that she will have a definite impact on Anakin over the years. As for her upcoming romance… No, it won't be a Jedi. Yes, it will be a Corellian. And no, it wont be the one you're thinking of, not exactly… For any more info on Buffy's love life, you are going to have to wait until the opening Chapter of Episode 3.

As for her battle with Mace and the lightsabers- it was a fluke that she won, BECAUSE she overtaxed the lightsabers. On the flipside, Buffy won her fight with Maul because she knew exactly what would happen. Thanks for the review!

RaeAngel: I've read your story. An interesting premise, and it has a lot of promise, though I'm not sure how I feel about the mental link (Or Anakin falling for Buffy, especially after he got married to Padmè). But other than that, I'm keeping an eye out for more chapters. Oh, and I guess you didn't like this chapter, either :)

w1cked angel: That's the one thing about Buffy that I don't really want to loose- her sarcastic edge. Glad you liked the chapter, and I hope this one was up to snuff.

Oberon: Thanks for the input! While I will be staying fairly close to cannon, I wil be deviating more and more as I progress. For instance- in Episode 2, I plan to concentrate more on Buffy and Willow, while still keeping Anakin and Padmè in the background as the secondaries. And when I get to the Original Trilogy, things will be going WAY off course (though I will stick to the basic stories of each movie). Thanks for the review, always glad to hear some creative criticisms.

Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's: Poor Buffy never even realized that Anakin went into battle, though I'm sure she's going to be put out once she hears about it! And sorry about Qui-Gon, but you know what they say…

At least, I hope you know. 'Cause I have no freakin' clue.

Jedi-Princess/Nascar Girl: Thank you for the praise on my story, as always. Sorry about Qui…Ah, who am I kidding? I'm glad he's dead Bwahahaha! Mine is an evil laugh, now DIE!

Ahem.

Anyways, Jericho, I heard, is only taking a few months off to tour, and I think it will do him some good. I hate to see him leave, as he was a favorite of mine, but that just means when he gets back, he'll be better than ever. Though after hearing Fozzy, I hope it's sooner…

Buffy gets her Master next chapter. And I'll probably shot you an e-mail after Raw on Monday to shoot the breeze. As always, thanks for the review!

Marz1: Well, at least she got to fry some of the droid army. And right now, Willow is just sticking with what she knows, though you have to figure she's going to start experimenting…

Not like that, you sick freak!

As for Buffy and her accuracy, I just thought it was funny that she could hit a Vampire with a crossbow at 600 yeards, but could hit a droid with a blaster 5 feet in front of her. Thanks for the review!

Stcobb: I think that Buffy learned that lesson this chapter- for all of her power (and advanced warning), she still couldn't save Qui-Gon. And rest assured, she will learn even more humility by the end of the first trilogy. Thanks for the review!

Just Me Prime: Loved it so much, you reviewed it twice, eh? Glad you liked Buffy's chat with the Council- she didn't take any crap from the Watcher's Council, why would she from a bunch of super-guys? Thanks for the review!

X-Spider: Heh. You have no idea…

Panther28: This is actually the fastest I've ever completed a story. It blows my mind. And I will be posting each episode as it's own story, to make it less confusing.

manticore-gurl071134: Thanks for the review, glad you liked it!

Korrd: I've been thinking some more about it, and now I'm considering writing it as a one-shot. Could be interesting… As for Buffy characters showing up, Dawn will show up next chapter in a way…), as will the rest of the Scoobies. Thanks for the review!

General Mac: Here you go!

Darklight: And here you go!

sweetypie15: Your welcome. And thanks for the praise!

Saint Maverick: Thank you, Mr. Buffer! Hope you liked this chapter as well!

Lucy: Sorry. Never liked dogs that much anyways…

Comming next week- Chapter 8: Across the Stars- Buffy visits Dawn one last time, her fate is decided, and Episode I comes to an end...