Mara, Luke and Leia were in the temple garden manipulating rocks in the air. They were talking about their training and Mara brought up Vjun to Leia.
"Have you ever been there, Leia?"
"No, but I have heard about from Master Gallia. Do you guys know Whie?"
"No."
"His family had a manor there; his family went insane and would murder innocent citizens, it was the Dark Side that created the insanity. It's rather sad." Leia replied.
"Master Skywalker told me he went there after he passed the trials."
"What did he say it was like?" Leia asked.
"He said that it was a very intoxicating power, enough to make you drunk."
"Personally, I don't think father should go, we have to stop him, if he decides to go." Leia firmly stated.
"Like three padawans could stop a Jedi Master; an especially tall, powerful, and determined Jedi Master." Mara replied.
Leia rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. "Am I the only one who isn't afraid of my father?"
"Yes!" Luke and Mara vehemently agreed and then laughed.
"Oh, please." Leia shook her head.
"The only reason she isn't afraid of him, is because of well . . ." Mara couldn't finish her sentence but shared an image with Luke via telepathy.
"Yea, you're right, Mara." Luke replied.
"What?" Leia demanded.
"You've never disobeyed him or to use his euphemism, 'disappointed.'"
"That's because I behave and I'll never have to worry about disappointing him."
"Don't worry sister, one day you will have to answer to him and personally I hope I'm there to see it!" Luke emphatically stated.
"Yea, me too." Mara laughed.
"Well, don't hold your breath!"
Leia picked up her rocks and left the garden, "I'm going back to my quarters, and I'll see you later."
"Bye." Mara waved.
Anakin left Count Dooku and headed upstairs. He went to the gardens and turned to find his daughter arguing with Whie.
"Master Skywalker, please call her off." Whie sighed he really didn't want to get into a debate over Vjun's politics and the village mentality.
"Leia? What's going on, why are you arguing with Whie?"
"He should help his people fight for freedom and to get rid of the tyrannical government that has taken over the planet."
"How is Whie responsible for that? He's specialty is not politics, young one."
"So, what is his specialty? Annoying people with his mere presence?"
"Leia Skywalker, that's uncalled for young lady, you will apologize."
"For what? He's hardly a man if he can't take me on, I mean come on I'm just seven, he's got to be what a senior padawan of nineteen?"
Whie sighed and attempted to move past Leia.
"Where are you going? So what's your specialty, detecting evil Sith Lords?"
"No! Just annoying little girls who need a good spanking! Get away from me I want nothing more to do with you Leia!" Whie yelled and stormed away.
Leia felt a cold wave descend over her, "Is it me or did it just drop twenty degrees in here?" She then looked up at her father, his normal bright clear blue eyes were now a dark blue and he was looking at her very sternly. Leia backed up fearfully. Mara and Luke saw the confrontation and were shocked, "The Sith Lord Stance." Luke whispered.
"Uh, huh. Glad it ain't me."
"Father?" Leia tentatively whispered as she bit her bottom lip.
"I'm very disappointed in you Leia Skywalker." Anakin menacingly stated as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Uh oh."
"Luke, help me please." Leia sent to her brother pleading.
"Sorry, Sis, you are on your own. Just whatever you do, don't run away. You'll only make it worse."
Leia immediately went into the fight or flight syndrome. She immediately felt her feet unglue from the surface. Leia slowly backed away from the fearsome parent and couldn't deal with that evil glare much longer. She certainly couldn't fight him so the only option left was to get the hell out of there. She ran and screamed, "Help me!" Anakin looked at Mara and Luke who merely backed into the garden and just stood there sheepishly looking at their boots. Anakin didn't need to run after his wayward daughter, he merely pulled up his hood and stalked after her. He could find her any where in the galaxy, he still didn't understand why his children always felt it necessary to run, especially where there was no place to hide. Their presence in the Force was an obvious clue and they hadn't learned to hide themselves well enough from their father's influence. Leia panicked she knew, but now she fully understood Luke's and Mara's deep respect for her father. Leia managed to get by Saesee Tiin who was coming out of the hanger bay. "Stop, Padawan Skywalker, you do not belong down here, young one!" He commanded. Leia felt a large hand grab the hood of her brown cloak.
"Let me go!" Leia yelled.
"No, come with me." Tiin picked her up and carried her underneath his large arm. Leia struggled but it was useless he was too strong.
Anakin found Master Saesee struggling with a young padawan.
"Master Tiin."
"Good evening, Master Skywalker. Is this your wayward daughter?"
"Why yes, she is."
"She was attempting to gain access to the hanger bay, a little young to begin piloting don't you think?"
"Yes, I agree Master Tiin. Thank you so much for your assistance."
Leia was lowered to her feet and two Jedi Masters glared at her. Anakin grabbed her hand after taking leave of Master Tiin. Leia now defeated didn't say a word, just accepted that she was walking to her doom. Anakin first took her to see Whie to apologize for insulting the sensitive young man. She couldn't refuse now, knowing her fate would go a little easier if she did as she was told. Whie opened the door to his apartment and sighed heavily, "I'm not really in the mood for this, Master Skywalker."
"Whie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things, I guess when I get into a debate I forget myself. Will you forgive me?" Leia pleaded.
Whie felt the sincerity of the apology and crouched to her level and hugged her, "Yes, Leia I forgive you." Leia felt the warmth in his embrace; he was a master healer of emotions and confusion. His gift was a therapist of sorts, he worked with Jedi who had touched the Dark Side and were trying to escape the chains of entrapment. He was empathic with the use of the Force.
"Wow, thanks Whie." Leia felt immensely better even though she would have to face whatever punishment that her father would dole out.
Leia smiled gleefully and could even see her father smiling briefly.
"Thank you Master Skywalker." Whie shook his hand and excused himself.
"He's empathic; it's rare isn't it?"
"Yes only one in a generation has his kind of gifts."
"Father, I'm sorry. Please go easy on me." Leia pleaded.
"Mm." Anakin wouldn't say anything more and continued to escort Leia to his quarters. Mara and Luke were warned to stay away from the residence for awhile. Luke joined up with Obi-Wan and Mara ate dinner with them.
Master Gallia had heard what happened with Leia and was greatly disappointed in her padawan, Whie was very special and he was literally easily hurt, but his sensitivity was beneficial to his empathic abilities. "Master Gallia, please join us. Leia should be joining us soon." Obi-Wan invited her for dinner.
"Thanks."
Leia went to Obi-Wan's apartment and knocked on the door. Luke immediately sensed her pain. He hugged her, "You okay?"
"Thank the Force that he didn't use his right hand." Leia cried into Luke's shoulder.
Master Gallia took Leia home and assigned her to work with Whie for the next three days so she could learn patience and not to use words as a weapon. Even though it was a lesson of sorts, it was one she didn't mind doing.
Anakin once again went down to see Count Dooku; he had received a message from the former Sith Lord that he needed to see him.
"Good morning, Master Skywalker."
"Morning Count Dooku."
"I have a confession to make, Anakin." Count Dooku quietly admitted.
"Sir?"
"Do you remember Vjun?"
"Yes; it is a strange planet and very tempting with the Dark Side of the Force. I can understand now why you liked it so much."
"Well the Malreaux manor was very charming." Count Dooku sarcastically replied.
Anakin laughed, "Seriously what's wrong?"
"Part of why the people in the Malreaux mansion and the surrounding area are going insane is because there is a beacon of sorts for all Sith Lords to regenerate their powers and to grow stronger. Darth Sidious loved it; it was like taking a shower in pure energy."
"How's it powered?"
"There are several Sith holocrons and a beam strictly from the dark force energy swirling the planet itself. If these were destroyed the planet itself could begin to repair itself, but I warn you it is not as easy as it sounds. I don't know if you would be able to convince the council or not but I will need to travel with you to help you with the many traps and its location is not easy to find."
"This would put you in great temptation, Count. I would be very surprised if the council would go for this."
Count Dooku sighed, "It would go a long way for me to try to correct all the wrong I've done during the entire Clone War. But of course I'll abide by any decision that the council would make."
Author's Note:Okay, hopefully you've enjoyed this latest installment. Thank you for all your kind reviews.—DarthGladiator45