A/N: Well, all! Merry Christmas, I guess. Or Christmas Eve. I know it's a little silly to be publishing today, but my holidays are going to be pretty chill, so I'll be publishing this chapter today. Maybe next chapter as well.

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful week and I'll see you all soon!

The Darksider's presence had faded now that we were away from Otoh Gunga. It had been two days.

Captain Tarpals had told me I had been in custody of the Gungans five days before Otoh Gunga had been attacked and Boss Ganne captured.

A week. My Master was killed a week ago.

My grief was gone, but the anger and fear still remained. I settled on the ground beneath me, sighing lightly as the Gungan guarding me shifted, watching me wearily. All I wanted to do was meditate.

Obi-Wan should have arrived by now.

I sighed more heavily this time. Space travel was unpredictable at best, in my opinion. And Coruscant was a few hours away even through the best hyperlanes. But those would be heavily watched and they would have to sneak onto Naboo, not to mention finding a safe space to land all without being spotted.

I shifted and settled into a meditation pose, breathing in and out deeply and allowed myself to be consumed with the Force.

The Force surrounded me, seeping into my being. I felt the grass, the trees, the water, the soil. The Gungans flitting around were small specks in the vast universe. But the Force was all-present.

My concentration, grounded in the Force, turned to my emotions. The anger and fear were there, writhing, much like the Darksider's presence felt, though not as strong.

This must be what Master Yoda meant.

The anger pulsated, the more dangerous of the two at the moment. It burned in my gut, seething, waiting to lash out and destroy something, anything. I delved deeper, seeking the source.

I found the answer where I least expected it. Yes, I was angry with the Darksider for killing my Master. But there was something deeper, longer lasting. I examined myself, letting the Force flow through me.

There. It was there. The anger stemmed from a different feeling. Uselessness. Powerlessness. I did not want to leave my Master but I did. I was a coward for running. I should have stayed and fought, but instead I was useless, powerless.

My anger flared, trying to take over. I refused it the fuel it so desperately desired. Resisting the urge to quash it completely, I instead let it slowly dissipate. There was nothing I could have done. It's over now.

But you should have done something, a voice whispered in the back of my head, slimy, writhing, reeking of the Dark Side.

I gasped, lurching out of my trance-like state. I sat, heaving for breath as the Gungan guarding me looked on in interest. Of course he wouldn't know what I was going through, so I only spared him one glance.

I examined myself, looking for the emotions… There. The anger was still there, but it was simmering now, mere embers. It wouldn't flare up for awhile and I could address it with the help of a more accomplished Jedi than myself.

The fear, however… The fear had grown. It pricked at my hearts, tugged the back of my brain, swirled in my gut. It would encompass me if I couldn't address it sooner than later.

"Yousa, Jedi!" Captain Tarpals called, making his way towards me and my Gungan guard. "Yousa friends arrived."

I looked up at the friendly Gungan, eagerly awaiting news. But none came and Tarpals just offered me a good-natured shrug, assisting me to my feet.

"Mesa sorry for dis, but Boss Nass noden trustin' yousa," he said as he directed me to kneel with my hands on my head at the base of a statue where the center Gungan leader sat.

I knelt there for who knows how long, waiting for the Queen's party to arrive. Captain Tarpals had left at one point to retrieve them, and now he approached.

"Your Honor, Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

Another Gungan led the way, followed by the Queen and Captain Panaka. Looking past the Queen I saw Master Jinn, Obi-Wan, and a boy.

"Uh, h-heyo dadee, Big Boss Nass, Your Honor," the Gungan said with a little wave.

"Jar Jar Binks," Boss Nass replied, looking down disdainfully. "Who's da uss-en uthers?"

"I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo," the Queen responded. "I come before you in peace."

"Ah, Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks. Yousa all bombad." With a dismissive wave of his hand, Boss Nass sent Captain Tarpals standing over me, spear at the ready.

"Mesa sorry," he whispered to me, raising the spear.

"Wait!" Obi-Wan called, stepping forward. "She is with us. Harming her will merely delay any hope you have of reclaiming your home."

"Obi-Wan," I heard Master Jinn hiss. "Stand down."

"Wesa hear what yousa haven to say," Boss Nass finally said. Tarpals sighed his relief, stepping back and patting me on the shoulder.

"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance," the Queen said, barely glancing my way.

"Your Honor," a handmaiden said, stepping forward. The Queen looked at her in panic. That was when I knew the handmaiden was the real Queen. A clever ruse, one most would never have thought of. She gave me a small reassuring smile before turning her attention back to Boss Nass. The Gungan leader tutted.

"Whosa dis?"

"I am Queen Amidala."

"Huh?" The Gungan beside her - Jar Jar Binks - reeled in shock.

"This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal bodyguard. I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself." Obi-Wan and his Master exchanged smug looks. They had known. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace."

"Ah," Boss Nass said, interested in the turn of events.

"The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever. I ask you to help us. No," the Queen knelt, nearly mirroring my pose. "I beg you to help us. We are your humble servants."

The Queen's party knelt with the Queen and Obi-Wan locked eyes with me as we waited for the Gungan leader to come to a decision.

Are you alright? Obi-Wan's voice flooded my mind.

I will be, I responded. Once we figure out what's going on.

"Our fate is in your hands," the Queen finished. I smiled at her words. She was an eloquent speaker, able to turn the tide. A small shift in the Force alerted me to the power of her words.

"Mmm. Ha!" the Gungan leader began to laugh. "Yousa no tinken youse greater den da Gungans? Me-e-esa lika dis!" Obi-Wan broke our gaze to smile appraisingly at his Master, having also felt the shift in the Force before locking back onto me. "Maybe wesa bein friends."

The Gungans around us cheered and the Queen broke out into a relieved smile, standing. Obi-Wan hurried to his feet and rushed to my side as I sat back on my heels, finally lowering my arms from my head.

Obi-Wan crouched at my side and grabbed my hands, his gaze never wavering.

"You're alright," he said softly, smiling, breathing deeply. I smiled back at him, examining him as well.

"Your emotions are in conflict, Obi-Wan," I finally said as I shifted. Obi-Wan immediately stood and helped me up. "You are grateful, but you feel a small sense of frustration, anger, and confusion."

"Yes," he said with a sigh. "A lot has happened these past few days."

"This past week, you mean," I replied with a chuckle.

"This past week," Obi-Wan amended. "Perhaps we could mediate together and catch up."

"I have little of interest to say," I responded, allowing Obi-Wan to guide me toward the Queen's party. He shifted so that one of his hands was on the small of my back, the other still holding my hand. "But I have much to meditate on. I will need help to cleanse myself from emotion after this whole ordeal is over."

Obi-Wan's gaze flickered, his brow furrowing. I sensed concern beginning to grow so I released his hand and held mine up.

"I will be alright, Obi-Wan. With my Master's murder, I have flirted with the Dark side. I do not wish to repeat the episode, nor allow my emotions to grow."

"Yes, I felt them the last time we communicated. Anger, fear, a hint of grief," Obi-Wan whispered.

"I was able to cleanse myself of the grief, though it took a lot of effort. I am not used to doing it on my own." I smiled ruefully. "The anger I was able to almost completely eradicate on my own, but…"

"But what?" Obi-Wan asked. I hesitated to respond.

"Obi-Wan, Drinna, come along," Master Jinn called. "We're going to scout the surrounding area."

The boy, who I had learned was named Anakin Skywalker, hurried toward the speeder the Queen, Master Jinn, Obi-Wan, and myself were huddled around.

"They're here!"

"Good. They made it," the Queen said, looking over her shoulder. Three speeders flew over and parked nearby as Jar Jar Binks and Boss Nass walked over to us.

"Yousa doen grand," I heard the Gungan leader say, his arm around Jar Jar's shoulder. Jar Jar waved him aside. "Jar Jar bring uss-en and da Naboo together."

"Ah, no, no, no," Jar Jar protested half-heartedly. He was loving the praise. His Force-signature reeked of it.

"So, wesa make you bombad general."

"General?" There was a sound of collapsing and the Gungan leader began to laugh from behind us. I shook my head and snorted, not bothering to turn around.

"Captain," Master Jinn said softly.

"Your Highness," Captain Panaka bowed in deference to the Queen.

"What is the situation?" she asked.

"Almost everyone's in camps. A few hundred police and guards have formed an underground resistance movement. I brought back as many of the leaders as I could. The Federation army's also much larger than we thought, and much stronger." The Queen looked at the Captain in concern, and he turned to her. "Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think that we can win."

"The battle is a diversion," the Queen responded. "The Gungans must draw the droid army away from the cities. R2," the droid beeped in response and pulled up a map. "We can enter the city using the secret passages on the waterfall side." The map zoomed to show exactly what the Queen meant. "Once we get to the main entrance, Captain Panaka will create a diversion. Then we can enter the palace and capture the viceroy. Without the viceroy, they will be lost and confused," the Queen said, turning to Captain Panaka for approval and support. "What do you think, Master Jedi?" she asked, facing Master Jinn.

Master Jinn looked sceptical.

"The viceroy will be well-guarded," he finally returned.

"The difficulty is getting into the throne room," Captain Panaka said. "Once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem."

"There is a possibility, with this diversion, many Gungans will be killed." Master Jinn turned to Boss Nass.

"Wesa ready to do our-san part," the Gungan leader said, saluting Obi-Wan's Master briefly.

"We have a plan which should immobilize the droid army. We will send what pilots we have to knock out the droid control ship orbiting the planet." Obi-Wan and I turned to see what Master Jinn's response would be.

"A well-conceived plan. However, there's great risk. The weapons on your fighters may not penetrate the shields."

"There's an even bigger danger," Obi-Wan cut in. "If the viceroy escapes, Your Highness, he will return with another droid army."

"Well, that is why we must not fail to get the viceroy," the Queen returned. "Everything depends on it." R2-D2 whistled his concern.

"Padawan Berrik," Master Jinn called. "I need to speak to you about the Darksider."

I froze in my tracks. Obi-Wan and Master Jinn jogged to my position and stopped beside me.

"I don't want to face him," I admitted softly. Obi-Wan frowned a little at that.

"Really?" Master Jinn asked.

"I knew you were going to ask me to be there with you when you face him, Master Jinn, but I can't."

"How-"

"I know you've sensed his presence in Theed Palace like I have, Master Jinn," I cut in. "But my emotions may very well overcome me and tempt me to turn to the Darkside to defeat the Dathomirian. I have eliminated my grief and nearly managed to get rid of my anger, but it is still there and I am afraid it will grow again if I have to face him."

"I am impressed," Master Jinn conceded. "Not many are as in tune with their emotions as you are."

"Not many have had to face the murder of their Master by an agent of the Dark side, Master Jinn," I returned. "I… I am afraid. I fear the Dark side and I fear the Zabrak. I fear I will once again be powerless to do anything." I took a deep, shuddering breath. "And because I fear I ask that you allow me to remain with the Queen to ensure Viceroy Gunray does not escape."

Master Jinn studied me for a moment, and I could sense Obi-Wan studying me as well, but I refused to look at him.

"Very well," Master Jinn said with a sigh. "If you feel it is best."

"I do," I replied firmly, knowing Obi-Wan would protest if I did not say something soon. "And I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to explain myself."

"Of course, Padawan Berrik. Please alert the Queen of our plan."

With a nod, I turned and ran to find the Queen. I could deal with Obi-Wan later.

Captain Panaka signaled as I stood beside the Queen. I sensed Master Jinn kneel next to Anakin as he began to speak lowly to the boy.

"Once we get inside, you find a safe place to hide and stay there."

"Sure," Anakin returned.

"Stay there." With that, Master Jinn stood and we watched a speeder and about a dozen guards begin to attack the unsuspecting droids.

As the guards fired on the droids, Queen Amidala moved out, Master Jinn, Obi-Wan, and myself drawing our lightsabers, protecting the rest of our party and the Queen.

Now inside the main hangar, Obi-Wan and I stepped in front of the Queen and began deflecting blaster fire while the Queen and Captain Panaka shot at the droids.

"Ani, find cover!" Master Jinn called to the young boy from Tatooine. "Quick!"

"Get to your ships!" the Queen commanded the pilots that had joined us. The decoy Queen led the way as many of the droids were quickly destroyed.

"My guess is the viceroy's in the throne room," the Queen said when all of the droids were destroyed.

"Red group! Blue group! Everybody, this way!" Captain Panaka called.

I faltered in my step as I felt something I hadn't felt as strongly since my Master was killed… the Darksider. His hatred, fear, anger pulsated, writhing and clawing at my gut and I nearly doubled over at the pain of it all. Obi-Wan stopped to steady me.

"Hey, wait for me!" little Anakin protested.

"Anakin, stay where you are. You'll be safe there," Master Jinn said.

"But I-"

"Stay in that cockpit." Obi-Wan and I walked side-by-side in silence as Master Jinn reprimanded the boy.

The main hangar doors suddenly opened. My feeling only grew and I knew I had been correct.

It was the Darksider.

The Nabooian guards, handmaidens, and Queen stopped in their tracks at the sight as Master Jinn, Obi-Wan, and I made our way to the front.

"We'll handle this," Master Jinn said. "Stick to the plan, Padawan Berrik."

The Darksider smirked as he stared me down. I gulped, frozen to the spot with fear. He knew exactly what he'd done.

You're next, after I deal with these two, his voice whispered through the Force. I shuddered.

Obi-Wan noticed and grabbed my hand, giving it a light squeeze as he, too, stared down the Darksider.

"We'll take the long way," the Queen said, grabbing my hand and tugging me away from the comforting presence of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I glanced back, unable to tear my gaze from the Darksider as he removed his hood. His skin was red, unlike an Iridonian Zabrak. His black tattoos were unlike anything I had seen, and they reeked of darkness.

The three Force-wielders face off, removing their outer robes.

A metallic whirring distracted me from the ultimate confrontation. Destroyers.

They shot at our group, quickly pulling up their shields so I couldn't destroy them by dropping something on top of them this time. I moved in front of the Queen, deflecting the shots away from her.

A sudden hum distracted me and I looked over towards Obi-Wan. My fear was making me jumpy. The Darksider had activated his double-bladed lightsaber and I froze.

Go, Drinna! My Master's voice seemed to echo through the Force, her last words to me.

I suppressed a yell as one of the destroyers took advantage of my distractedness and managed to hit me in the leg. I nearly collapsed, grabbing my leg with the arm not holding my lightsaber.

I heard the hum of two familiar lightsabers join the fray and felt the Force ripple slightly whenever one of the three used it to attack.

The Queen and I watched in shock as another spaceship entered the fight, destroying the destroyers with ease. I started to chuckle, then winced as I felt the pain in my leg and briefly examined it.

The bolt had grazed me, still hitting deep enough that it hurt. Most of it was cauterized by the laser beam, but the remaining part was bleeding, stinging as it was exposed to the air.

"Let's go!" the Queen commanded from behind me, quickly moving to stand beside me. I quickly stood, pretending I wasn't in pain. I could deal with it later.

The ship left the hangar just as we opened the doors to the palace.

As we ran through the corridors, a sudden blast rang out and I quickly deflected it as the group behind me ran behind the pillars.

"We don't have time for this, Captain," the Queen said from behind me. I grunted my agreement, the Force flowing through me and showing me seconds before each shot hit.

A moment later, Captain Panaka shot at the window to my right, making me flinch as some of the glass landed nearby.

"Go!" he shouted. "Ascension guns!" I deflected one last bolt and joined the Queen, clipping my lightsaber to my belt and accepting one of the guns from a nearby guard.

We fired upward and I held on tight. I did not like heights.

At the next window we paused and unclipped our guns. I handed mine to a guard and unclipped my lightsaber from my belt, standing back as the Queen and Captain Panaka shot the window. I was the first to step in, reaching out with the Force to see if there were any droids nearby. There weren't.

And then the destroyers came, surrounding us on all sides. I stopped, knowing I couldn't defeat all of them. The Queen saw my gaze flicker uncertainly and ordered a surrender.

"Put down your weapons. They win this round."

The Queen led by putting her gun down and Captain Panaka followed. I reluctantly set my lightsaber on the ground beside the Queen's gun.

Strangely enough, the droids led us directly to our destination.

"Your little insurrection is at an end, Your Highness," Gunray said. "Time for you to sign the treaty and end this pointless debate in the Senate."

"Viceroy!" It was one of the handmaidens, disguised at the Queen. "Your occupation here has ended."

"After her," the viceroy shouted, pointing at the faux Queen. "This one's a decoy."

Most of the droids left the room, chasing after the new group. Queen Amidala hurried to her throne and opened a secret compartment in one of the arm rests, pulling out guns and throwing them to the guards.

"Captain!" she called, throwing one to Panaka. I quickly turned on the spot and pulled my lightsaber from one of the retreating droids and lighting it.

The two Neimoidians turned to each other in panic, only able to watch as Captain Panaka, the Queen, and I destroyed the remaining droids.

"Jam the doors," Captain Panaka called as the guards regained their weapons. I circled behind the viceroy, my lightsaber still humming. He would not escape.

"Now, Viceroy," the Queen said as the guards fell into formation, circling around the two. "We will discuss a new treaty."

We had won.

A/N: Aaaaand I'm back. Okay. I know I said I'd see you all soon, but I just got Disney+ yesterday (so grateful!) and I finished binging Mandalorian and let me tell you. I'm impressed. The deep-rooted Mandalorian culture is amazing and Baby Yoda? Love him! I can't wait to find out more because, by my estimations, Baby Yoda was born about nine years before the events of Episode 1, so I'm curious to find out more. Was Baby Yoda found by the Jedi? What about the whole Yoda species? How the heck does that work?

Happy holidays, all!