Chapter 3 - R.I.P.
The next morning Mace was on his way to wake up Anakin. After a late night meeting and some bartering amongst his constituents, they'd all agreed to allow him into the order. Initiate Skywalker would be excited to hear the news.
"Skywalker, Anakin." Mace knocked on the door to the small spare room. He'd barely led the boy to it the previous night, before he was practically falling asleep.
Mace put his ear to the door. There was no sound coming from inside the room. He reached out with the Force next, to be met with an empty room. "Anakin!" He pushed the door open in a panicked rush.
Obi-Wan stood with the Gungan Jar Jar while the Jedi Masters all had a discussion with the Queen and her Captain, Quarsh Panaka. They had been in hyperspace all night, as the Queen's pilots raced to Naboo.
"The moment we land the Federation will arrest you and force you to sign the treaty," said the Captain with worry.
"I agree..." Qui-Gon said and the other Masters nodded. Suddenly, over the ships comm, they were interrupted.
"Ric Olie here, uh captain, there's an incident in Maintenance," said the Pilot over the intercom.
"I apologize, your majesty." Captain Panaka bowed, then turned from the room.
"Go see what that is all about." Master Plo Koon whispered to Obi-Wan.
With a "yes, Master," Obi-Wan rushed out to follow him.
When they got down to Maintenance, the crewmen only needed to point to share what was going on.
In the Maintenance bay there was a pair of large fans which were partly responsible for keeping the ship's engines cool. In one of the cylinders, behind the blades, was a familiar youngling no one expected to find.
"Anakin." Obi-Wan sighed. He rubbed his forehead as he eyed Captain Panaka.
"Another Jedi tag-along?" Asked the captain. He was probably referencing the other Masters who the council, it seemed, neglected to put on the official paperwork for the voyage.
"I can stop the mechanics, sir, but it'll take nearly thirty minutes for the blades to stop completely," explained the engineer.
"Do what you can, I'll get him out of there when it's started slowing down," Obi-Wan offered.
And of course, larger than life fans had to be a whole story up in the air too, didn't they. Obi-Wan climbed up a ladder beside the equipment, and then sidestepped his way along a ledge to the cylinder entrance.
When the blades slowed enough, Obi-Wan used the Force to jump in. "Anakin, what are you doing here?"
"I was trying to help the queen. That's what a good Jedi does? The council said so," Anakin insisted.
Obi-Wan wasn't listening. Instead he eyed the boy checking for wounds. When he found none, he looked around. "How did you even get in here?"
"Through the hatch," Anakin stated casually. "I found it while I was helping the crew to get ready. I didn't know the fans would be running though."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, but decided that it was not his role to scold the boy. "Come on. When I say, we need to jump. Are you ready?" Obi-Wan stood with his hand on the youngling's back. Anakin nodded. "One, two, and go!"
They both took a running step and jumped. Obi-Wan made sure to hold Anakin on the ledge on the other side.
It was then, it seemed, with Obi-Wan holding Anakin up from falling off the ledge, that Anakin realized he was up so high. "Ya-aah," the boy panicked.
Obi-Wan pulled him so his feet were secure on the ledge, then he turned to him. "I'm going to go first, but you're going to need to climb down on your own."
As he looked down into Anakin's eyes, he felt the boy's fear come off him in waves. Anakin held his fists tight at his side.
"Anakin, I want you to imagine you have a muja in your right hand," Obi-Wan started.
"What's a muja?" Anakin asked
"Uh, it's a type of fruit."
"Oh, like a Pallie?"
"Yeah, I want you to squeeze this Pallie as tight as you can. Imagine you are squeezing all the juice out." And as Obi-Wan spoke Anakin tightened his fist even more. "Good, now drop it." And Anakin opened his fist. His muscles were no longer tense.
"Good. I'm going to get on the ladder now. You're going to climb right after me. I'll be behind you the whole time. Remember to breathe."
Anakin nodded, and Obi-Wan climbed onto the ladder, lowering himself enough for Anakin to do the same.
On the way down, Obi-Wan talked to Anakin, making sure he didn't panic.
When they both reached the ground, Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan and said, "Thank you. Can you not mention the fear thing to the other Jedi?"
"There's nothing to mention. You conquered your fear."
Then Anakin smiled at him for a few seconds, before he turned to question the engineer. "Why is that so far up now? It wasn't when we were on Coruscant."
The engineer smiled and explained, "When the ship lands, the floor up above covers this section to keep dust out of the engines, but in space, these machines need extra air to keep cool, so the floor up above opens up."
"Oh, cool!" Anakin remarked.
"I agree," came the voice of Qui-Gon from the hall. He wasn't responding to Anakin, but talking to the other Jedi about some tactical plans for the upcoming mission. The councilors he was agreeing with walked with him.
"Master Jedi," Captain Panaka greeted.
The Jedi Masters all looked up.
"It seems we have a little stowaway. I'll leave him at your mercy." The captain stepped away quickly.
"Ani," Qui-Gon put on his 'I'm disappointed in you, Padawan' face. Obi-Wan knew it well.
"Master," Obi-Wan tried to intercede.
A gruff growl was enough response to make Obi-Wan hold his tongue.
"You were supposed to stay at the Temple," Qui-Gon scolded.
"Master Qui-Gon, Sir," Anakin started. "I don't wish to be a problem. I can help. Really." Somehow the boy managed to look even cuter. Obi-Wan supposed his Master never really stood a chance.
"You won't be. We just wanted you to stay safe. Now, I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember, your focus…"
'determines your reality' Obi-Wan could quote his master's parables by heart. He didn't though. He stood back and watched.
"... determines your reality. Stay close to me, and you will be safe," Qui-Gon finished.
"Say, Anakin. Want to escort me to the bridge?" Captain Panaka interrupted.
As the boy happily followed, the other Masters circled round Qui-Gon.
"This changes things," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.
"No, I don't see how it will," Qui-Gon defended.
"Is it really the best decision to have him follow us? This mission will be dangerous," Depa Billaba warned.
"Just think of the learning opportunities. He'll be a Padawan soon, if I have anything to say about it," Qui-Gon argued.
"One thing, we will have to comm the Temple, and update them on the situation." Yarael Poof said.
"I don't envy you that, Master Jinn. Mace won't be pleased with the situation," Depa added.
"Hey, how is this all my responsibility?" Qui-Gon asked.
"'I want you to watch me… stay close to me and you will be safe,'" Yarael quoted.
"Sounds like you're taking responsibility to me." Ki-Adi added.
Plo Koon waved his hands, "Master Windu's going to kill you if that boy gets one scratch on him."
All of the other Masters were pulling away, and Obi-Wan saw his Master looking to him for aid. Seeing no better opportunity to make fun of the old Jedi, Obi-Wan pat the man's back and responded seriously, "It was nice knowing you, Master."
Qui-Gon turned teasingly to chase his Padawan, who slipped past him and ran out of the room.
Some time later, after they landed on Naboo, and after the real queen revealed herself, they all stood out in the grass plains as tactical information was brought in and plans were finalized.
"What is the situation?" Asked the young queen.
"Almost everyone's in camps," reported Captain Panaka. "A few hundred police and guards have formed an underground movement. I brought as many of the leaders as I could. The Federation Army's also much larger than we thought, and much stronger. Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think we can win."
"The battle is a diversion," The queen reassured. "The Gungans must draw the Droid Army away from the cities. We can enter the city using the secret passages on the waterfall side. Once we get to the main entrance, Captain Panaka will create a diversion, so that we can enter the palace and capture the Viceroy. Without the Viceroy, they will be lost and confused. What do you think, Master Jedi?"
As Padme explained their plans, Obi-Wan and the rest of the Jedi leaned in to listen. "The Viceroy will be well guarded," Qui-Gon said, and Ki-Adi nodded grimly.
"The difficulty's getting into the throne room. Once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem," said Captain Panaka.
"There is a possibility with this diversion many Gungans will be killed," Qui-Gon said next.
"Yes, Boss Nass. Your people should be aware of the risks," Depa confirmed.
"Wesa ready to do are-sa part." Boss Nass bellowed.
"We have a plan which should immobilize the Droid Army," Padme shared. "We will send what pilots we have to knock out the Droid control ship which is orbiting the planet. If we can get past their rayshields, we can sever communication and their droids will be helpless."
"Yes, I will be joining your pilots in this endeavor," said Plo.
Padme smiled at the Jedi, and was going to continue, only Qui-Gon interrupted her.
"A well-conceived plan. However, there's great risk. The weapons on your fighters may not penetrate the shields on the control ship."
"And there's an even bigger danger. If the Viceroy escapes, Your Highness, he will return with another droid army," Obi-Wan spoke up.
"That is why we must not fail to get to the Viceroy. Everything depends on it," said the determined queen.
Before they entered the Theed Hangar, Qui-Gon leaned over to Anakin and said, "Once we get inside, Ani, you find a safe place to hide and stay there."
"Sure," Anakin innocently responded.
Then as if the Master remembered Anakin's earlier stunt, he repeated himself for good measure. "And stay there!"
They entered the Hanger under blaster fire by droid troops. Anakin immediately ran for cover under one of the ships.
'At least the boy is obedient,' Obi-Wan thought, before he was forced to use his saber to deflect several shots away from their party.
"Get in your ships!" Padme ordered.
Master Plo, along with the rest of the Naboo pilots that accompanied them ran to claim a fighter in the hangar.
As they flew out, Padme spoke again. "My guess is the Viceroy is in the throne room."
"That sounds logical." Ki-Adi confirmed.
"I agree," said Qui-Gon.
As they approached the door, Anakin stood up from a cockpit he was somehow hiding in. "Hey! Wait for me."
"No, Ani, you stay there. Stay right where you are," Qui-Gon urged.
"But, I…" Anakin pleaded.
"Stay in that cockpit." Qui-Gon ordered.
As the door opened the Tatooed Red skin and horned visage of the Zabrak Sith appeared. Obi-Wan stepped closer to his Master. The other Jedi reddied their defenses.
"We'll take the long way," Padme said, and she led her group away towards a side entrance.
"We'll handle this," Qui-Gon said.
"With some Xabar?" Yarael suggested.
"Aye," Qui-Gon confirmed.
Obi-Wan didn't know what their talk was all about, and he quickly forgot the exchange as he continued the fight.
The Sith Lord fought them revealing a double bladed saber. His moves were skilled. Together, the team of six Jedi struggled to keep up. Even as he fled to the Power Generator, he swung his saber defensively, almost playing with the Jedi Masters.
Plo adapted to the Naboo spacecraft with ease. "Roger Bravo Leader," He called into his mic.
"Enemy Fighters straight Ahead," Reported Ric Olie, or Bravo Leader in his comm.
Plo flew out and shot down one droid operated fighter. "Woop. Good one, Jedi Leader." His fellow pilots hollered at him. It was one of the reasons Plo loved flying. Up here, he wasn't Master Jedi. Up here, you were just a callsign and a member of a team.
Just then his attention was drawn to one of their own fighters. It's pilot seemed to be doing things at random, like spinning and flying zigzags. Almost as if he were getting to know a new craft. Plo reached out with the force and was almost blinded by a youthful light.
'Anakin? Is that youngling Skywalker in that craft?'
Plo then watched the youngling steer his craft too close to the other fighters, and he began to question whether it was possible for his Kel Dor physiology to have a heart attack.
"Their deflector shield is too strong. We'll never…" Plo cut him off by changing his comm frequency. He was trying to reach the boy to order him to turn around.
"Oh Anakin, is your comm even on?" He moaned in frustration after a few tries.
Plo flew after the boy, trying to shoot down two other fighters which were following the youngling. He'd managed to get the one down, then looked around frantically for Anakin.
"Anakin, Anakin. Where is he?" Plo switched his comm back to the frequency the others were using. "Has anyone seen fighter number 277-331?"
"No Jedi Leader" was the reply.
Plo's pulse was through the roof. "If something happens to that boy," he muttered to himself.
"What's that? It's blowing up from the inside," said Bravo two.
"I don't know, we didn't hit it." Bravo Leader said.
"Look! One of ours! Outta the main hold!" Bravo three announced.
And Plo looked, he saw the craft of the youngling, Anakin Skywalker. Plo didn't have a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, however, as the ship was exploding around the boy. Several swears came to the Jedi's head as he watched the boy trick dive out of the burning craft. Muttering prayers of thanks to the Force, Plo began to follow Anakin back to the hangar below.
'And Force bless what poor bastard we get to be your Master,' Plo finished his prayer.
The Sith Zabrak managed to throw Obi-Wan with a powerful kick into Ki-Adi and Yarael. They were knocked off the edge of a bridge together and landed on the floor below the fight. Depa was thrown next, with the Force, and she managed to land on her feet a few feet from them. As she did so, Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi used a Force enhanced leap to rejoin the action.
Qui-Gon was fighting the Sith with no abandon, it seemed. With one strike, Obi-Wan's heart burst in his chest as he watched his Master fall to the red blade. The Sith stood there, looking down at his victim as he waited for him to breathe his last.
Obi-Wan saw his opportunity and he struck. His blade went through the Dark Lord's middle, and chopped off his lower half. He then immediately shut off his saber and ran to Qui-Gon. "Master! Master!" he called out.
"It is too late… It's…" Qui-Gon struggled to speak.
"No-ooo!" Obi-Wan cried out.
"Obi-Wan promise… Promise me you'll train the boy…"
"Yes, Master…" Obi-Wan cried, though there was a little voice in the back of his head that protested. Is this really his Master's last words?
Qui-Gon seemed to gurgle on blood, then Obi-Wan realized the Master was laughing.
"Huh… Master?" Obi-Wan was definitely confused.
"A good one, Master Poof," said Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan looked back and forth between the Quermian Jedi and his own Master. "It was all a mind trick," he realized. Obi-Wan patted down his Master, looking for wounds. He found nothing.
"Your enemy has no reason to defend against a dead man," Yarael said.
"I was going to strike him when he turned his back, but you got there first. Good work Padawan," Qui-Gon praised.
Obi-Wan still looked down in shock. "You're so cruel. I thought you were dying!"
Qui-Gon laughed. "It's nice to know you love me so much."
"Yeah, I just wouldn't imagine facing Master Windu without you."
As they teased each other. Depa walked up to the body of the fallen Sith Lord.
"What are you doing?" Ki-Adi asked.
"Master Yoda's instructions. He said the last we heard from them, the Sith were trying to find a way to cheat death. As unlikely as it seems, it has been over a thousand years since we've updated our knowledge of the Sith. We don't know how far they've gotten." She swung her saber down towards the Zabrak's neck, cutting off his head.
"Oh, better to be safe then," Ki-Adi finished.
And so ends Darth Maul. Did I fool anyone…? Crickets chirping… Okay, so maybe saving Qui-Gon's life is not the most original thing to do in a Time Travel Fix-It, but I try.
I know I skipped over like 2/3rds of the movie here, but most of that would've gone the same way, with little to no alterations. I wanted to get straight to the bigger stuff. Again, I took several of the quotes directly from the Phantom Menace transcript, so credit where it's due. And Obi-Wan's advice for Anakin is based on a technique called Progressive Relaxation.
I still can't believe no one commented about the unnamed figure that crept out of the temple in the last chapter. Surprise! That was Anakin. He's protective of Padme even now.
In the next chapter, the rest of the Jedi will be arriving on Naboo, along with a certain politician. (Boo!) There won't be a funeral. (Yay!) The Jedi will be announcing their rulings for Anakin's future. I haven't decided how long they'll stay on Naboo yet, but Yoda may have some plans to complete either before, or shortly after they get back, but that will likely make a whole new chapter of its own too. So look for one, maybe two more chapters in Naboo.