Chapter 5: New Master
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Now this one was quite a debate. This has a very important feature Shun needs as an Avatar and I think you'll like my choice. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
It had been a few days since Shun had become Obi-Wan's Padawan and while his training methods were different compared to Master Tapal's methods Shun was doing very well.
At the shipyard, in Coruscant was Commander Cody and two other clones were lined up as Obi-Wan tied a blindfold around Shun's eyes.
"Your eyes can sometimes trick you, so for this exercise I want you to use the Force to block the shots fired at you." Obi-Wan said walking away as Shun ignited his lightsaber. "Remember trust the Force."
"Yes Master." Shun said.
"Alright soldiers, set your fire for Stun." Cody said as he and the other clones adjusted their blasters as Obi-Wan stood behind them.
Shun took a deep breath and paused remembering his Earthbending lessons to wait and listen for the right moment.
From the side, a clone fires a blast but Shun quickly blocks it before the Cody and the other clones started firing.
"Keep your movements short and fluent. Don't try to power your way through this." Obi-Wan said as Shun swung his saber and blocked two but got hit by one in the arm causing him to groan in pain.
Holding up his hand, Obi-Wan walks up to Shun as the clones lowered their blasters.
"I messed up." Shun sighs taking off his blindfold.
"Your offense is good but you need a strong defense as well to not only protect yourself but protect those around you." Obi-Wan said.
"I'm doing my best Master, but it's so much easier to attack." Shun said.
"True but sometimes the right path isn't always the easiest one." Obi-Wan said when a device on his hip started to beep. "Hmm alright training, over. We're needed at the Senate."
"The Senate?" Shun asks confused as they walked out.
"We'll be escorting some senators to Utapau to make an alliance with them. Utapau has long been a target for Dooku and Grievous but they could never convince them to join. We finally were granted an audience with them and we can't let this chance go to waste."
"Wow." Shun said at both the statement and the Senate building.
"Yes, it's quite a sight. You know we recently added a member from your world to the Senate." Obi-Wan said.
"Really?" Shun said as they walked into an office to see Padme talking to three people, one of whom Shun recognized almost instantly. "Master Jinora?"
Turning around Shun saw the woman Airbender smile at him. "Shun, always good to see you again." Jinora said hugging her old student.
"You're the Senate representative?" Shun asks.
"Yes, apparently everyone voted and they thought someone from the Air Nation would be the helpful in this situation and they asked me to come." Jinora nods.
"Well it's great to see you again." Shun smiles.
"Master Kenobi, I'm glad you could escort our Senators to Utapau." Padme said walking over.
"Of course, I understand how important this is. Shun, I want you to meet Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan and Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora." Obi-Wan said gesturing to a man with brown hair and a blue skinned alien girl around his age.
'Wow, lots of alien girls are pretty.' Shun thought.
"I must say Avatar, Jinora has told us all about your role and I find it very interesting." Bail said.
"To put so much trust into one person so young." Riyo said.
"Well you're pretty young to be a senator, lots of people must have pretty good trust in you." Shun points out causing Riyo to giggle.
"Point taken." Riyo smiles.
"You two will escort Senators Organa and Chuchi to Utapau for negotiations and make sure nothing happens to them." Padme said.
"Bye Master Jinora, hopefully I can stop by again soon and we can talk." Shun said.
"I'd like that." Jinora smiles as they walked out.
Flying through space, Shun was sitting down looking at Master Tapal's saber.
"He was a brave Jedi." Shun looks up to see Obi-Wan walking over. "You should be proud to have had him as your master."
"How did this happen? I mean how did this whole Clone Wars start? What led to all this death and hate?" Shun asks.
"Funny you should ask I was there when it happened, but back then I was just a Padawan like you." Obi-Wan said getting his attention. "You see it started with the Trade Federation attacking Naboo and blockading them. My master and I went there to save Padme who was the queen at the time and we managed to stop them, but when we did we encountered a Sith Lord who we believe was pulling the strings."
"What's a Sith?" Shun asks.
"The Sith are the ancient enemy of the Jedi. I managed to kill the Sith but that battle led to more planets leaving the Republic and with Count Dooku leading them they declared war on us." Obi-Wan explained.
"But Master Tapal told me Jedi are keepers of the peace. But this war makes you seem like soldiers." Shun said.
"I know, but in order to bring peace we have to stop the war. I don't like it but it's what needs to be done." Obi-Wan said.
"Guess being a Jedi is like being an Avatar. Everyone looks to us to solve their problems." Shun chuckles.
"Even if you're sometimes the cause of it?" Obi-Wan chuckles.
"Especially then." Shun said as Cody walked over.
"General, we're approaching Utapau." He said.
"Thank you, Cody. Let's get ready Shun." Obi-Wan said as Shun stood up and clipped the lightsaber to his belt.
Walking out Shun looked in awe as the entire city was built into what appeared to be a giant sink hole.
"Welcome Senators." Walking out was a Pau'an in a red robe, this was Administrator Tion Medon. "What brings you to our remote sanctuary?"
"Unfortunately, the war." Bail Organa said.
"There is no war here, unless you brought it with you." Tion said.
"Administrator Tion, as representatives of the Galactic Republic we humbly request that your system join us in bringing an end to the conflict." Riyo asks.
Tion gestures for them to follow him inside. "The Separatists have come to my system many times asking for us to join and the offers keep increasing as well as the threats. What does the Republic offer us if we join?"
"We can offer you, the government and your people the full protection of the Republic." Bail said.
"I believe you but you'll have to convince both the government and the people that you can protect us." Tion said when Shun looks up to see three large reptivian animals looking down at them from the top of the cliffs.
"Hey what are those?" Shun points.
"Ah, those are Varactyls. Majestic creatures native to only Utapau. They can run fast, scale these cliffs with ease and they are as tough as the earth itself." Tion said getting Shun's attention.
'Tough as the Earth.' Shun thought interested as they walked in.
But once they did a net was thrown over Varactyls causing them to yelp before they were yanked away.
Down in the main room, Shun, Obi-Wan, Bail and Riyo were trying to think of a strategy.
"Do we have enough time to talk to both?" Shun asks.
"No, the people and the government here seem to have different viewpoints about this war. Some want Dooku the others want to join us." Obi-Wan said.
"And time is not on our side. The Separatists could come back any day." Riyo said.
"I propose we divide and conquer. Master Kenobi and I will speak to the government and Shun you got with Senator Chuchi and get the people on our side." Bail suggests.
"Are you sure that will work?" Riyo asks.
"For now that's the only way I see this working." Obi-Wan nods.
"Well Shun, let's try and win the people over." Riyo said getting up and walking out.
"May the Force be with them." Bail said.
"May the Force be with us too. We need as much help as we can get." Obi-Wan said as they walked in the opposite direction.
On the outskirts of the city, 10 Varactyls were trapped in cages. Walking past them an anooba growled at them silencing all but one.
Walking up to the anooba, the Bounty Hunter Embo stands in front of the female varactyl that refused to submit.
Speaking in his alien language Embo jabs it with a staff making it flinch in pain. "Marrok." Embo said ordering the anooba to be on the lookout for anyone.
Taking out a Commlink, Embo spoke into it.
"No, no, no the deal was a dozen varactyls for the credits, not ten. You want the deal get me two more." The client on the other end said causing Embo to growl. "Hey do you have any idea what those things can do? Get me those last two!"
Hanging up, Embo curses before he and Marrok walked up to the city and looked down for anymore of the giant lizards and saw the last two he needed a few levels down. Grabbing his bowcaster, Embo walks off to get his payment.
Down below, Riyo was talking to the citizens while Shun watched from nearby.
As Riyo was explaining the Republic's goal to bring the war to the end and he was very impressed.
"The war has caused so much pain. I know your world is safe and Dooku and his Separatists seem like the easy way but the easy way is not the right way. If you become a pawn for Dooku you will never be free." Riyo said.
"And we will under the Republic?" A citizen asks.
"What happens if we join you? Aren't we just giving control of our lives to someone else?"
"No, that's not true." Riyo said as they started arguing.
"You talk about peace but what have you done to bring it?!"
Seeing she was having trouble Shun stepped up and launched some fire into the sky stopping all of their arguments.
"Hey knock it off! We're trying our best. Look I know none of want this war to keep going, neither do we, but we can't let fear control us. The Republic has been fighting to keep you all safe. You're scared and the Separatists are trying to exploit that, but they won't lead to peace. Peace cannot be obtained by force, but by understanding from all of us." Shun said and all the citizens paused realizing he was right.
Riyo looks at Shun gathering the people and a faint blush appeared on her face as his words moved her too.
Sitting down Shun and Riyo smile happy to see at least they were successful on their end.
"Well I think we won the people over." Shun said.
"We? You did much better than me. Where did you learn to deal with such issues?" Riyo asks interested.
"Well in my world, every Avatar needs to keep the peace between the nations. 4 different nations with different values and points of view and as the Avatar I had to learn all the rules and politics so I could keep the peace going and nothing happens." Shun explains.
"Sounds like you could be a very good senator." Riyo said.
"Thanks but I've seen politics in action, it's crazier than Avatar and Jedi training combined." Shun said causing Riyo to giggle when suddenly they heard a roar snapping them out of it.
Running out they saw two varactyls in a net being yanked out of the city as the citzens look in horror to see Embo at the top about to load these last two into the cages.
"He's stealing the varactyl!" Riyo gasps.
"Riyo get Master Obi-Wan! I'll hold him off!" Shun yells as he bended some earth and raced up the cliffside towards Embo.
Embo looks down to see the Padawan racing towards him. "Jedi." He said aiming his bowcaster and fires at the earth but seconds before Shun leaps off the rocks and lands behind Embo with his lightsaber drawn.
"Sorry but I don't think these are for sale." Shun said when Embo turns to him and says something in his language. "Guess this one doesn't speak much."
Suddenly Marrok rushed forward and slashes at Shun with his claws.
"Whoa!" Shun jumps back as Marrok continues his assault forcing Shun to retreat back to the cages.
Using this opening Embo aims his bowcaster and fires. Using his Earthbending Shun creates a shield but the explosion sends him flying back smashing against a cage.
Groaning Shun looks up to see a green and blue varactyl yelping at him to get her out.
Shun turns to Embo and charged to attack but Embo dodges his slashes and elbows him in the gut before kicking Shun in the face knocking him to the ground.
Taking out a smoke bomb Embo throws it allowing him and Marrok to disappear in it.
Struggling to look through the smoke Shun looks around unable to figure out where Embo or Marrok was gonna strike from when Obi-Wan's words from earlier came back to him. "Your eyes can play tricks on you, trust the Force. Keep your movements short and fluent, don't power your way through everything."
Shun took a deep breath and closed his eyes listening to the Force he heard the bowcaster being cocked causing Shun to open his eyes and blocks it with his lightsaber causing the blast to fly through the smoke.
Emerging from it Embo and Marrok glared Shun down as Embo said something in his language saying he wasted his shot.
"Who said I was aiming for you?" Shun smirks when from the smoke the green and blue female varactyl charged through the smoke and rammed into them both.
Using his airbending, Shun blasts the smoke away so Embo could see Shun and the varactyl glaring him and his anooba down.
"You wanna join me on the battlefield" Shun said as varcatyl growls in agreement wanting payback. "You're fast, I'm gonna name you Haya."
Liking the name Haya yelps ready for battles as Embo and Marrok pick themselves up.
"I got an animal now too." Shun said as Embo turned around and saw the blast he deflected had hit the lock on the cage.
Running out, Obi-Wan, Bail, Riyo and Tion ran out to see Shun, Embo and their beasts at a standoff.
"I gotta get up there." Obi-Wan said when Tion stopped him.
"You can't. The people must witness this to show how truly safe we are under the Republic." Tion said as they all looked up in hope.
"Good luck Shun." Riyo said
(Play Agni Kai- Avatar the Last Airbender)
The four of them glared each other down before Shun made the first move creating a blast of fire.
Running forward Marrok jumps over the fire ready to rip Shun in half when Haya swings her tail knocking him to the ground.
Haya roars causing Marrok to roar back as the two beasts charged towards each other and clash.
Nearby Embo used his hat to deflect another one of Shun's fire attacks before aiming his bowcaster and fired.
Using Obi-Wan's lessons Shun kept his movements short and fluent and deflected them with his lightsaber.
Haya swipes her claws at Marrok but the anooba dodges and slashes her arm causing her to yelp before he jumps on her back.
Embo aims his bowcaster but at the last second Shun used his metalbending making the trigger unable to move.
Looking down in shock Embo left himself open as Shun used the Force Push knocking Embo near his ship.
As Marrok bit Haya she screamed in pain before ripping it off her with her claws and smashing it next to Embo.
Looking up Embo saw Shun spinning his hands creating a sphere of air and when he released it the wind blew Embo and Marrok right by the entrance.
Seeing he had only one choice Embo threw a Thermal Detonator.
"Incoming!" Shun yells creating a wall of earth as the explosion went off creating a cloud of smoke.
When it cleared Shun saw Embo flying off. "He got away."
(Song End)
Yelping in pain Shun saw holding her paw in pain. "Oh hang on girl." Bending the water out of his cantine, Shun makes the water glow as he presses it against her leg causing her to cringe before she sighs in relief as the wound was healed. "There you go, thanks for the help."
An hour later, Shun and Haya walked down to see Tion talking with Bail before they shook hands with smiles on their faces.
"I guess negotiations went well?" Shun asks.
"Yes they did, thanks to you." Obi-Wan smiles walking over. "They were worried what would happen if they were attacked and you protected them."
"Thanks to your lessons Master." Shun smiles.
"We welcome you to the Galactic Republic." Bail smiles.
"Thank you, I'd like to offer the brave Jedi a reward for saving us…but I think the perfect reward is right next to him." Tion smiles pointing to Haya.
"Seriously?" Shun looks to Haya who looks down to him with a smile. "Every Avatar needs an animal companion. Wanna come along?"
Haya yelps happily nuzzling him.
"This is gonna be an interesting report." Obi-Wan chuckles.
On the ride back to Coruscant, needless to say the Clones were surprised to see a varactyl was joining them on the ride back.
In the main room, Riyo was talking to a hologram of Jinora and Padme.
"Negotiations went well and while Dooku might still want this planet Utapau is will be sending us any information on the Separatists." Riyo smiles.
"Excellent work Senator Chuchi." Padme said.
"Senator Organa said you really helped win the people over." Jinora said.
"Well I had a little help." Riyo said as her eyes moved over to see Shun laying against Haya and a soft blush appeared on her face.
"I see." Jinora smirks knowing instantly what was going on.
"We'll see you back at Coruscant." Padme said hanging up.
Obi-Wan walks up to Shun and Haya. "Room for one more?"
Smiling Shun nods as Obi-Wan sits down next to him. "Sorry I let the Bounty Hunter get away."
"You're still learning. You'll get better. Gotta say I'm a little jealous. I would love to have to one of these by my side." Obi-Wan said rubbing Haya's head. "Shun, you're on the way to becoming a great Jedi. I think having her will be a great help."
"Thank you Master." Shun smiles.