A/N: Aaaaand we're back! Hey, all! I totally forgot, but disclaimer time! I only own Drinna Berrik and Kyla Lergo. Everything else belongs to Lucasfilm and Disney and whoever else owns Star Wars, these days.
Last time, Drinna and the rest of the Queen's party (including Obi-Wan) met back up at the Gungan's sacred place. Now, we get onto the real deal, I suppose.
Enjoy!
As the Queen and Gunray argued, I allowed myself to deactivate my lightsaber, returning it to my belt and circling around to stare out the window. The Force would alert me if anything was wrong.
Soon enough, the Viceroy was being escorted out of the room. I turned to watch him go, giving a good-natured nod to the Queen.
I paused, sensing something far below me. A brief moment of pain erupted in my stomach and I doubled over, clutching a chair.
"Padawan Berrik!" the Queen called, rushing to my side. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head, closing my eyes and delving deeper into my senses, allowing the Force to wash over me.
Anger. Grief. Both from Obi-Wan.
Pain. Calm. From Master Jinn. He was the one who was hurt.
Obi-Wan, do not give in to your anger, I thought at him. The message was never received. He had been blinded.
Obi-Wan's normally calm presence was disrupted by the slimy, writhing sensation I had felt within myself briefly after my Master's death. It was the Dark side, growing stronger with each stroke Obi-Wan led against the Darksider.
But he was not strong enough to kill the Darksider, and I felt Obi-Wan begin to panic.
Calm yourself, Obi-Wan! I cried. Do not let the Dark side win! Remember who you are. You are a Jedi. Do not disappoint your Master by seeking revenge.
Obi-Wan's anger melted away as he tried to regain his sense of calm. I sent him some of my energy, sinking to the ground in the process.
Obi-Wan was calmer now, though I could still sense that something was wrong. Master Jinn's presence in the Force was… fading.
I struggled to my feet. Obi-Wan and Master Jinn needed my help.
"Padawan Berrik, where are you going?" the Queen asked, trying to stop me from leaving.
"To find Master Jinn. Something is wrong. If you see the Jedi, alert them of the situation," I begged.
"Alert them yourself, Padawan Berrik," a deep voice joined. I whirled around to see Master Windu, his purple blade lighted and his gaze sweeping the room.
"Master Windu," I began.
"Where is Qui-Gon Jinn?" he asked, lowering his blade.
"I don't know," I responded, shaking my head. I was exhausted and my grip on the Force was weakening. "Last I saw they were in the main hangar, battling the Darksider."
"Why aren't you with them?" Master Windu asked, raising one brow.
I lowered my gaze, gripping my leg. It burned.
"I did not want my fear to consume me, Master Windu. My anger still lingers from my Master's death and I was afraid it would grow again. I managed to rid myself of grief, and I nearly got rid of the anger, but I felt this dark presence and it shocked me out of my meditation."
"Hmm," Master Windu said. "Very well. We will discuss this later. I assume Viceroy Gunray is in your custody, Queen Amidala?"
"Yes, Master Jedi," the Queen replied, stepping to my side as I hissed. "Padawan Berrik was key to his capture. We're very proud of her."
"Thank you, Your Highness," I murmured, squeezing my eyes shut against the pain.
"You're injured." Master Windu hadn't made it a question, rather a statement.
"Yes, Master Windu," I said softly. "I was distracted by my fear. I remembered… remembered my Master's last words to me, seeing the red lightsaber of the Darksider."
"Hmm," Master Windu said again. "We had best find Jinn and his apprentice. Get that leg checked out. When we find them, we will alert you."
The medic's wing in Theed Palace was silent. It would have been the perfect time to meditate, but Master Windu had made me promise to wait for help.
So I waited.
The door opened silently, and I turned my head to see who had arrived.
It was Obi-Wan, head downcast. His presence was muted, grief-stricken.
"Obi-Wan," I called softly. His gaze snapped to mine and he stared at me for a moment, his eyes rimmed red. I sent a small smile his way and he rushed toward me, enveloping me in a hug.
"Drinna," he sobbed into my shoulder. "Drinna it hurts."
"I know," I whispered back. "I know it hurts. It stabs at your heart, claws and tries to draw blood, but you can't let it. The Force has a will of its own. Take a deep breath with me." I tried to draw back, but Obi-Wan clung tighter to me. "Obi-Wan. You need to let go." I wasn't sure if I meant his hold on me or his grief for Master Jinn.
"I couldn't save him," he hiccuped. "I was stuck behind the energy shield while Master Jinn fought the Darksider. I watched it… I watched it happen."
"I know," I murmured. "I felt it. Breathe, Obi-Wan. It's okay to feel, but you can't let it consume you."
We sat there like that for an hour.
"Now, Viceroy," the Queen said. Obi-Wan and I stood off to her side with Anakin. "You're going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this."
Captain Panaka stepped forward.
"I think you can kiss your trade franchise good-bye." I held back a laugh. Panaka certainly had a way with words. There was a reason he wasn't Queen of Naboo, after all.
Obi-Wan, Anakin, and I followed Captain Panaka, escorting the two Neimoidians to their new home.
Obi-Wan and Anakin stopped before a man I recognized as Senator Palpatine, bowing low. I stood there silently, confused.
"We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Senator Palpatine said, not sparing me a second glance. "And you, young Skywalker."
"Drinna helped, too!" the young boy said, pointing to me. "She's been here the longest." I smiled at the boy, though it didn't reach my eyes.
"Yes," Senator Palpatine said simply, his gaze boring deep into mine. I shuddered involuntarily. Something… dark was swirling behind that gaze. But the moment I felt it, it was gone. The Senator's gaze narrowed briefly before returning to Anakin.
"We will watch your career with great interest." The Senator patted Anakin on the shoulder and moved past us toward the Queen.
"Are those the Chancellor's guards?" I whispered to Obi-Wan. He chuckled and nodded.
"I forgot that we hadn't caught up yet. Senator Palpatine is now the Supreme Chancellor."
"How convenient," I muttered.
"Yes, but he was voted in by the full Senate."
"Hmm."
Master Windu, Master Mundi, Master Koon, Master Koth, Master Tiin, Master Gallia, Master Billaba, Master Piell, and Master Yoda approached and Obi-Wan, Anakin, and I bowed low, turning to follow them.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor," I heard the Queen say.
"Your boldness has saved our people, Your Majesty," the Chancellor returned. "It's you who should be congratulated. Together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Republic."
I waited patiently outside while Master Yoda and Obi-Wan met. It would be my turn next.
Obi-Wan opened the door slowly, shutting it behind him.
"Well?" I asked.
"I've been Knighted by the Council," he said with a small, rueful smile. "And Anakin is to be my Padawan learner."
"Do you really think he is the Chosen One?" I asked, moving a step closer. He was still nearly a head taller than me, I realized as I looked up at him.
"I do," he said simply, gazing down on me with a soft smile on his face. He reached out and grabbed my hand. "I really do, and I believe he will go on to do great things. Now go," he said, dropping my hand and stepping back. "Master Yoda is expecting you."
"Yes, Mister Jedi Knight," I teased, smiling back at him as I went to the door. I heard him chuckle lowly as he turned and walked away.
I hesitated at the door. Obi-Wan had been Knighted. But I knew deep within me that I would not be. I still carried too much fear.
"Enter, you must," Master Yoda called from within the room as I held the door. I smiled briefly and shut the door behind me. "Sit, sit!"
I sat before Master Yoda, my legs crossed.
"How feel you?" Master Yoda asked, stopping his pacing before me.
"My leg is much better, Master Yoda. But I sense there is a deeper meaning behind your question."
The wise Jedi sighed, nodding.
"Much, you have learned." I smiled.
"Yes. I am more in tune with my emotions than I was as a hot-headed Initiate. But I still have much to learn, which is why I will not be Knighted as Obi-Wan was. His Trials were waived under the special circumstances, weren't they?"
"Yes," Master Yoda said with another sigh. "Perceptive, you are. Busy I am. Take another apprentice, I cannot. Assigned to Master Windu, you are."
"Thank you, Master Yoda," I said, making to stand.
"Wait! Wait! Patience, youngling." I sat back slowly. "Fear you feel. Why?" Understanding dawned on me.
"The Dark side is powerful, Master. After the Darksider killed Master Lergo, I was afraid for my life. I was afraid he would hunt me down and kill me as well. He came for me at Otoh Gunga. I was afraid my anger and grief would consume me and I would have to leave the life I have always known behind. I was afraid to be alone, without the guidance of my Master," I said, breathing deeply, my eyes closed as I dug deeper. With a sigh, I realized my fear was dissipating.
"Hmm," Master Yoda said. I cracked my eyes open to notice he had joined me in my meditation. "Well, you have done without help. Let go, you have, of your grief. Your fear, gone it is. Disrupted, your anger has been. Gone it should be."
"Yes, Master. Thank you for your help." I stood and left.
The night was solemn. The Jedi, Gungans, and senators around me were silent as we watched Master Jinn's body go up in flames. The traditional Jedi burial was silent save for the crackling of the flames.
My Master's body had yet to be recovered.
But now, Qui-Gon Jinn and Kyla Lergo were one with the Force.
"You will be a Jedi, I promise," I heard Obi-Wan say to Anakin. I looked at the former Padawan and offered a brief smile. He returned it before looking back at his Master's body.
Obi-Wan's hand brushed mine and I grabbed it, giving it a squeeze, letting him know I was there. He took it gratefully, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as he stared, his grief muted, at the flames.
The celebrations lasted nearly a week. We had all been given the chance to freshen up, and Padme, as I came to know Queen Amidala, had even offered me one of her dresses to wear to the final peace celebration. I politely declined, opting to wear my Jedi robes.
I stood beside Obi-Wan, his Padawan braid now gone. Little Anakin stood beside him dutifully in full Padawan garb, minus the lightsaber. He would create his soon enough.
Governor Bibble stood on my left, holding the Globe of Peace to give to the Queen. The Gungans played a joyful tune, and I found myself smiling despite my lingering grief.
Boss Nass, Captain Tarpals, and Jar Jar climbed the stairs to greet the Queen as she stepped forward, taking the Globe of Peace from Governor Bibble. She handed it to Boss Nass, who accepted it with a bow, turning to face the Naboo as he held it aloft.
"Peace!"
The crowd cheered, and my smile grew. We had actually done it.