Chapter 14
Darth Plagueis has hardly been bemused before as much as he is now. Ever since he killed his Master, he has his hand in his cards, establishing a new Order surrounded by warriors of the dark side and abolishing the rule of two that limits the Sith and their potential.
Darth Vader did warn him to be cautious of those close to him, but who should he be vigilant of?
Immediately, Plagueis begins contemplating his options after he and Vader parted ways, calling off the dark side of the Force completely to search for answers.
Darth Plagueis is a very powerful Sith, but still inferior to his more ancient predecessors - like Marka Ragnos and Exar Kun. He is an extremely powerful combatant. He utilizes a wide range of offensive techniques, including Force Lightning, telepathy, telekinesis, Force Scream, Force Wave, as well as Force Convection - amongst others. He also channeled the Dark Side to amplify his speed and reflexes, to the point that he was able to fight off an entire army alongside his apprentice, Darth Sidious.
Plagueis is also extremely knowledgeable about the Force. He understands even its most esoteric aspects; he even sought to challenge the Force itself and tilt the balance towards the Dark Side. In a few months of intensive meditation with his apprentice, the Sith managed to overpower the will of the Force into darkness. Such is Plagueis's power - he fought the Force itself….and won through sheer willpower.
However, despite all this, Plagueis is still somewhat inferior to the more powerful ancient Sith. The ancient Sith Lords like Naga Sadow, Exar Kun, and Lord Vitiate could perform feats of power that put even those of Plagueis to shame. For starters, Sadow could rip the core out of a star by focusing his power through Sith crystals. Exar Kun drained the life force of thousands of Massassi warriors and survived a combined attack from the entire Jedi Order. Vitiate wiped out all life on a planet twice to fuel a ritual that would ensure his own immortality.
Yet in the end, he comes down to a few acknowledgments.
Is it possible the Jedi have managed to connect a link between him and the Sith? He wouldn't put it above him slipping up as he and his apprentice have been in hiding for the past many years.
It isn't long before he dismisses the idea since that mental suggestion has many problems and holes. Wouldn't they already be set in arresting or killing him if they have discovered his Sith connection as they did to all Sith in ancient history? He begins considering other options and alternatives.
Darth Vader could be warning him and fighting him for dominance of being Master of the Sith, seeking to acquire his power and continuing what many of the Sith have continued in the shadows for thousands of years except in the open and publicly - which will be uncomplicated due to gaining the support of one monarch in this timeline already - and be manipulating the Republic in the eyes of the Jedi and the Jedi Order would have little choice in the matter.
He dismisses that idea as quickly as the last as if should Vader wish to do combat with him, wouldn't they have engaged one another into a fight at the secret warehouse instead of leaving without confrontation? It would have been a clean opportunity for Vader to gain control or confront him even now.
Then that leaves only one other option, an option that Plagueis once wouldn't have thought possible, but have more merriments than the others.
It feels like a stab in his cold and dark heart, but Plagueis isn't blind to the Force.
Shmi Skywalker will admit that she is not used to being free but there is also a knowing factor that she has been freed for less than a day. Perhaps through time she would grow used to those traits of the known galaxy. She is now undergoing surgeries in order for diseases to be tracked on her by being on Tatooine for years so they wish to cure her. When she worriedly asked about her son, the handmaiden assured her that the Jedi is with her son.
The same black hair doctor from earlier walks in with a smile, a datapad clasp in her hands. "We have detected your slave chip with our scanners. Our medical droids would be prepared for your surgery shortly. The risks of eating and drinking when you have been instructed not to do so are higher than you might imagine so we would have to check on you. It's a good idea to eat healthy, nutrient-rich foods in the days before surgery. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Avoid processed foods and red meats, since they can be difficult for your body to break down and may increase inflammation. It is important to avoid all food and drink at least eight hours prior to having anesthesia, as the alternative may be aspiration pneumonia or other serious complications after surgery if said instructions are not followed."
Shmi nods, not knowing what some of those words mean but this is the woman who has offered to check after her. "I'm ready but I just need some time."
"Of course, Ms. Skywalker," the doctor replies, not sounding annoyed nor irritated at all as she walks out. Quite the contrary, she sounds genuinely concerned for her wellbeing and Shmi gets the impression that she is one who takes her job extremely seriously.
She has been sternly advised not to stand up from the bed but part of her is slightly worried at having to be in a hospital she has never been in before and now she has to trust them to check over her.
"Ma'am you have a visitor," an assistance droid declares, walking in, being accompanied by a young woman. It is just not any young woman. It is Padmé. She hasn't seen the girl since they have departed from Tatooine mainly because she confused her with the other girls in her outfits. The girl is wearing black pants and a white shirt.
"Hello, Shmi," Padmé greets with a kind smile, walking up and grasping her shoulder tightly before switching her grip to grasp the older woman's hand. "I wanted to check on you before your surgery."
"Padmé, where's Anakin? Is he a Jedi?" Shmi asks.
"Shmi, it's been only one day," Padmé chuckles, "I don't know much about the Jedi but highly doubt he would become a Jedi that fast."
"Oh," Shmi responds, cracking a smile. "I guess I'm just worried."
"I won't allow anything to happen to your son," Padmé promises, genuinely meaning it as she forms a soft spot for the innocent little boy that called her an angel.
"I have always... wanted this life for him... if I am free and am on the same planet as the Jedi can I see him?" Shmi asks Padmé, glassy eyes staring hopefully
Padmé clenches her hands up into fists. As much as she wants to say yes, she knows that the Jedi are cold and emotionless, detaching their young ones from their families, and if they accept Anakin into their ranks, he may be morphed into that type of direction too, meaning Shmi wouldn't even be able to contact him.
"The Jedi are strict in not allowing their disciples to form attachments," Padmé tells her, closing her eyes, undoubtedly wishing that she didn't have to squash the woman's world since all she has known for the past nine years is raising her sweet son.
Shmi's heart slightly shatters at that admission. She has raised him for the past nine years, giving him what little food and drink she could have earned similar to what he has done to her, taking care of each other and surviving in a tough and depressing home with the trend of slavery at their back.
She nods solemnly. "It's a better life than slavery for such an innocent child like himself. If I have to give up myself for him to have a better life, I will."
Padmé smiles. "You are a good mother, Shmi, and I will see to it by the Queen that you are brought to my homeworld for a better life."
Shmi nods, smiling, her eyes and lips pained at the fact that she would not be able to see her son again but thankful she would finally live a better life than slavery. Padmé Naberrie has to be the kindest person she has ever met.
The Jedi and the boy, having been made aware of Amidala's imminent departure for Naboo, goes directly to the landing platform where the Queen's transport is anchored to await her arrival. The shuttle ride over is marked by a strained silence between the Jedi and discomfort in the boy he cannot dispel. He looks down at his feet most of the time, wishing he could think of a way to stop Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan from being angry at each other.
When they disembark from the shuttle at the landing platform, R2-D2 is already bustling about. The little droid beeps at Anakin cheerfully, then wanders over to the edge of the rampway to look down at the traffic. In doing so, he leans out too far and tumbles over. Anakin gasps, but a second later the astromech droid reappears, boosted back onto the rampway by his onboard jets. On hearing R2-D2's ensuing flurry of chirps and whistles, the boy smiles in spite of himself.
At the head of the loading ramp, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are engaged in a heated discussion. Wind whips down the canyons of the city's towering buildings, hiding their words from the boy. Carefully, he edges closer so that he could listen in.
"It is not disrespect, Master!" Obi-Wan says vehemently. "It is the truth!"
"From your point of view, perhaps." Qui-Gon's face is hard and tight with authority.
The younger Jedi's voice drops a notch. "Master, I like the boy, but however, there is a risk that Vader has his influence on him. I believe he is the boy's father as their Force Presences are linked, but regardless if he's not the boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can't you?"
"His fate is uncertain, but he is not dangerous," Qui-Gon corrects sharply. "The Council will decide Anakin's future. That should be enough for you." He turns away dismissively. "Now get on board."
Obi-Wan wheels away and stalks up the ramp into the ship. R2-D2 follows, still whistling happily. Qui-Gon turns to Anakin, and the boy walks up to him.
"Master Qui-Gon sir," he says uncomfortably, riddled with doubt and guilt over what is happening, "I don't want to be a problem."
Qui-Gon places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You won't be, Annie." He glances toward the ship, then kneels before the boy. "I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me instead and be mindful of what you see. Always remember, your focus determines your reality." He pauses, eyes lock on Anakin. "Stay close to me, and you will be safe."
The boy nods his understanding. "Can I ask you something?"
The Jedi Master nods. "What are midi-chlorians?"
Wind whips at Qui-Gon's long hair, blowing strands of it across his strong face. "Midi-chlorians are microscopic life-forms that reside within the cells of all living things and communicate with the Force."
"They live inside of me?" the boy asks.
"In your cells," Qui-Gon pauses. "We are symbionts with the midi-chlorians."
"Symbi-what?"
"Symbionts. Life forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. Our midi-chlorians continually speak to us, Annie, telling us the will of the Force."
"They do?"
Qui-Gon cocks one eyebrow. "When you learn to quiet your mind, you will hear them speaking to you."
Anakin thinks about it a moment, then frowns. "I don't understand."
Qui-Gon smiles, and his eyes are warm and secretive. "With time and training, Annie, you will."
A pair of shuttles eases up to the loading dock, and Queen Amidala, her handmaidens, Captain Panaka, and an escort of officers and guards disembarks. Last off the second shuttle is Jar Jar Binks. Amidala is wearing a purple velvet travel cloak that drapes her body in soft folds and a gold-rimmed cowl that frames her smooth white face like a cameo portrait.
Qui-Gon rises and stands waiting beside Anakin as the Queen and her handmaidens approach.
"Your Highness," Qui-Gon greets with a deferential inclination of his head. "It will be our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you."
Amidala nods. "I welcome your help. Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me."
"I promise you; we will not let that happen," the Jedi Master advises solemnly.
"Where is Vader?" She inquires, raising her left eyebrow in curiosity as the last time she saw him is when they arrived on Coruscant.
"Speaking with the Jedi Council," Qui-Gon informs her, signing somewhat between resignation and exasperation.
"I wish to speak with him," Amidala replies without elaboration, clasping both hands behind her back.
"Your majesty," Obi-Wan Kenobi's eyes go wide, "while he is not an enemy of Naboo, the Council is correct to presume he is still a risk to the Order and the Republic. A Sith Lord accompanying us would only complicate matters."
"I do not believe such a thing, Jedi," Amidala corrects coolly with such authority that is enough to make even Master Windu slightly intimidated. "My handmaidens have informed me that he had been essentially less than threatening. In spite of how different he may be, I trust him with becoming our ally. Additionally, I am displeased with the Jedi and the Senate's inefficacy. Vader is our best chance."
Obi-Wan's mouth clamp close at that, eyeing Master Jinn for assistance but the older Jedi remains quiet, appearing to stare without staring at all. Truth be told, he cannot argue with the logic of the Queen since Vader has the testimony of the Queen's handmaidens themselves at his back who he stares at, checking for any wounds but the handmaidens stare at him with a cool face before he sighs and accept defeat.
Part of him fears that Vader corrupts the handmaidens and the Queen and poisoned their view on the Order since, to put it bluntly, the handmaidens didn't act this cold to him several days back.
He reaches out into the Force, probing their aura and finding their auras light. What he finds worse is that their view of the Jedi Order that they possessed several days before has been poisoned simply because the Jedi are reluctant to assist their home planet. He can additionally sense the Queen's vexation for the Jedi Order as well. Should he speak with them again, it would undoubtedly end heatedly.
Not to mention, Vader undoubtedly is far more powerful and stronger than both Master and the Knight.
"Captain, see that we do not lift off until Vader returns," fake Amidala orders, the words of Kenobi going on death ears. She trusts the Jedi but she would have more reassurances with someone like Vader who is experienced in battle and can push back the Trade Federation.
"Yes, my lady," Panaka replies, commanding to the pilots under no condition that they lift off.
The real Queen turns and with her handmaidens follows Panaka and the Naboo guards and officers into the transport. They went on board the ship, to Queen Chambers, deciding to use this time to learn more about Vader alongside Sabé.
Anakin Skywalker regards the mysterious man. He is the one who saved his mother, and he can tell the Jedi is afraid of him. At least to some degree.
Despite what happened on Tatooine, Anakin finds no fear being around someone like Vader. He finds him as a dark guardian who have finally came and freed Anakin and his mother from slavery.
"Mr. Vader," Anakin says. "I want to say thank you for saving my mother."
Vader lowers down to his knees, replying. "Your mother is not property nor is anyone who can breathe. You both are people who deserve to live your lives without anyone to tell you how to do so."
How he could be so rough spoken to the Jedi but so... kind to Anakin is bemusing.
Unbeknownst to the boy, Vader's thoughts become solemn at realizing that his mother's strength have been underestimated and so does her usefulness. A Queen in-disguise, a Jedi Knight, a heroic droid, and a hapless Gungan fled to a desert planet under the light of twin suns in search of a way to repair their starship, where they happened upon a slave boy with a great and terrible destiny. Befriending these strangers, he took them to his home and gave them shelter from a storm, where they met the boy's mother. She, too, was a slave, and had come from nothing, and had no great destiny to fulfil beyond the breaking of her heart in order to see her boy find his place in a galaxy that would never know her name. A kindly farmer fell in love with her and freed her from her chains, and she knew happiness for a time; but still there remained a deep and empty hole in her heart as she looked to the sky and thought of the great deeds her son – who must have grown to be so strong and wise and kind – would be doing as he walked among the stars. While she was happy with her new life and loved her newfound family, she hoped that, one day, she would feel the warmth of her son's hand in hers again – even if she had to wait until her last breath left her body under the setting suns.
"Watto would have never given her up," Anakin replies, his eyes sad. "Mr. Vader..."
"Call me, Vader. No Mr." Vader corrects before adding with dry humor. "The title makes me sound old."
"Mr.- Vader, are you a Jedi?" Anakin inquires before adding with an observant look in his eyes. "Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan appears to fear you. I-I can feel it."
"I'm just a simple man who is trying to condone past wrongs," Vader answers without answering at all. He could not reveal the truth to his younger self, at least not yet as it would place him in unnecessary wrongs.
"I-I have never been away from her for so long," Anakin stammers.
Vader's eyes widen. "Come, Skywalker, let me teach you what I have learned when I am stressed."
Both moves into the back quarters. This may cause a bit of a bond to form between the two but he would not allow himself to carry these worries.
Moments later the sleek transport lifts off, leaving the surface of Coruscant behind for Naboo. Now, they have to return to Naboo and bring the fight to the Trade Federation personally in spite of how many countless lives would be lost. To be honest, it would be a miracle if they survive the day's end, but Vader shall assure most of these people would survive.
Right now, he is focusing on his younger self, falling onto both knees and begins calling off of the Force, saying absently: "Join me."
Anakin joins him in a similar position, and Vader begins to call off the Force within himself and within Anakin Skywalker.
"Feel the Force around you. Do not dwell. Allow your emotions freely to be released. You need not concern yourself with being judged, for there is only you."
Aboard the Queen's transport, coming out of hyperspace and approaching the Naboo star system, Qui-Gon Jinn pauses on his way to a meeting with the Queen to study Anakin Skywalker.
The boy stands at the pilot's console next to Ric Olie. The Naboo pilot is bent forward over the controls, pointing each one out in turn and explaining its function. Anakin is absorbing the information with astonishing quickness, brow furrowed, eyes intense, concentration total.
"And that one?" The boy points.
"The forward stabilizer." Ric Olie glances up at him expectantly, waiting.
"And those control the pitch?" Anakin indicates a bank of levers by the pilot's right hand.
Ric Olie's weather face breaks into a grin. "You catch on pretty quick."
'As quick as anyone he had ever encountered,' Qui-Gon Jinn thinks. That is the reason Anakin is so special. It gives evidence of his high midi-chlorian count. It suggests anew that he is the Chosen One.
The Jedi Master sighs. Why can the Council not accept that this is so? Why are they so afraid of taking a chance on the boy, when the signs are so clear?
Qui-Gon finds himself frustrated all over again. He understands their thinking. It is bad that Anakin is so old, but not fatal to his chances. What troubles them is not his age, but the conflict they sense within him. Anakin is wrestling with his parentage, with his separation from his mother, his friends, and his home. Especially his mother. He is old enough to appreciate what might happen, and the result is uncertainty that works within him like a caged animal seeking to break free. The Jedi Council knows that it could not tame that uncertainty from without, that it could be mastered only from within. They believe Anakin Skywalker too old for this, his thinking and his beliefs too settled to be safely reshaped. He is vulnerable to his inner conflict, and the dark side would be quick to take advantage of this.
Qui-Gon shakes his head, staring over at the boy from the back of the cockpit. Yes, there are risks in accepting him as an apprentice, but few things of worth are accomplished in life without risk. The Jedi Order is founded on strict adherence to established procedures in the raising and educating of young Jedi, but there are exceptions to all things, even this. That the Jedi Council is refusing even to consider that this is an instance in which an exception should be made is intolerable.
Still, he must keep faith, he knows. He must believe. The decision not to train Anakin would be reconsidered on their return and reversed. If the Council did not embrace the boy's training as a Jedi voluntarily, then it would be up to Qui-Gon to find a way to make it do so.
His thoughts go to Vader who for the past two days has barricaded himself in chambers he occupied, likely meditating as he and Obi-Wan frequently sense the dark side surrounding the ship rather than the light than the coexisting presence that is Darth Vader. Additionally, him attempting to detect whoever Vader may be behind the mask and hood results in constant failures, and he knows that the presumed Sith Lord deactivated the cameras to the chambers several days back.
He turns away then and walks from the cabin to the passageways beyond and descends one level to the Queen's chambers. The others she calls together for this meeting are already present when he arrived. Obi-Wan gives him a brief, neutral nod of recognition, standing next to a glowering Captain Panaka. Jar Jar Binks hugs the wall to one side, apparently trying to disappear into it. Amidala sits on her shipboard throne on a raised dais sat against one wall, two of her handmaidens, Rabé and Eirtaé, flanking her. Her white-painted face is composed and her gaze cool as it meets his own, but there is fire in the words she speaks next.
What the Jedi Master did not see is Darth Vader walking behind them, staring intently at the scene, arms crossed across his chest.
"When we land on Naboo," she advises the Jedi Master after he bows and takes up a position next to Panaka, "it is my intention to act on this invasion at once. My people have suffered enough." She should have done this in the first place. Now, she can see how patience is not always the correct action.
Panaka can barely contain himself, his dark face tight with anger. "When we land, Your Highness, the Trade Federation will arrest you and force you to sign their treaty!"
Qui-Gon nods thoughtfully, curious as to the Queen's thinking. "I agree. I'm not sure what you hope to accomplish by this."
Amidala might have been carved from stone. "The Naboo are going to take back what is ours."
"There are only fourteen of us!" Panaka snaps, unable to keep silent. "Your Highness," he adds belatedly. "We have no army!"
Her eyes shift to Qui-Gon. "The Jedi cannot fight a war for you, Your Highness," he advises. "We can only protect you."
Vader scoffs, not able to take this hypocrisy any longer. "I'm not surprised. You Jedi have a tendency to abandon the people of your Republic."
The room turns to face him, slight smirks coming on the lips of the handmaidens and the Queen. Qui-Gon finds himself worrying about that, sensing the resentment Vader holds at the Jedi have since then spiral, but there are still no ill intentions to the Jedi Order. He can sense something has happened between the Queen and the handmaidens that appear to make them trust the mysterious being greater than before along with growing hatred to the Order. He probes the Force to see if the dark being manipulates them to the point where they don't trust the Jedi, shock to see the Force ringing a negative.
Qui-Gon stands straight, crossing his arms across his chest as he stares at the armored man. "It's not that we don't want to help, Vader, it is just not in our mandate to fight a war."
"If the Trade Federation was sacking Coruscant, you would have all helped without hesitation," Vader replies pointedly, cutting off the Jedi Master's protests and sending him into deep thought, walking closer which slightly worries him. "You Jedi have the livelihood to attempt to be pure pacifists and allow countless lives to be lost, doing nothing to those in the Outer Rim and even those in the Lower City of the planet you reside on."
Qui-Gon opens his mouth to respond to that but then closes it again, knowing deep down that Vader is right. If it was Coruscant, the Jedi would have found it critical to assure the attack is ended in order to protect the Republic. Naboo is not a core world like Coruscant has been for over 25,000 years.
"What do you suggest we do?" It is Obi-Wan who asks the question, his nose raised slightly as he stares at Vader.
"I suggest the Queen deploy a few guards down and dispatch the droids. Not at the palace in order to make it less complicated for us to break through the attack." Vader replies, staring at the Padawan briefly before turning to the Queen.
"That is not a possibility!" Panaka interjects. "We need all hands on deck!"
"Correct me if I'm wrong but there are many guards on the ship," Vader replies coldly, inhospitable cerulean eyes lingering on the Captain's gaze, causing his spine to twitch inwardly, "unless your guards are pure incompetent, you should be able to send little less than a platoon."
"A platoon?!" Panaka shouts, pointing at him with his index finger. "We have limited numbers as it is!"
"I'm afraid I will have to agree with my guard, Lord Vader," the Queen replies, though it is evident that she is conflicted about this.
"Deploy less than five soldiers," the former Sith Lord replies, "they are capable of picking off several droids. It is likely the droids have droid snipers that you can utilize as well and we can acquire more armory."
"That would only waste lives," Panaka replies through gritted teeth.
"Traversing in the city, lightsabers and blasters blazing would too," Vader replies flatly. "Either way lives will be claimed. Following my plan, there could be more survivors."
The Queen sighs. "In spite of my reservation at this not working, but since you have been helpful so far and correct in judgment every step of the way, Lord Vader, I will allow it."
Panaka looks like he is about to argue at that but decides to take his defeat in stride, other than staring at Darth Vader with absolute hatred at the corner of his eyes.
The Queen let her gaze drift from them to settle on Jar Jar. The Gungan is studying his toes. "Jar Jar Binks!" she calls.
Jar Jar, clearly caught off guard, stiffens. "Me, Your Highness?"
"Yes," Amidala of the Naboo affirms, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I need your help."
Deep in the Naboo swamps, at the edge of the lake that bores downward to the Gungan capital city of Otoh Gunga, the fugitives from the Queen's transport are grouped at the water's edge, waiting for the return of Jar Jar Binks. Amidala and her handmaidens, the Jedi Knights, Captain Panaka, Anakin, R2-D2, Ric Olie, and several other pilots, and a handful of Naboo guards cluster uneasily in the misty silence. It is safe to say that even now no one but the Queen knows exactly what it is she is attempting to do. All she has been willing to reveal to those in a position to inquire was that she wishes to make contact with the Gungan people and Jar Jar would be her emissary. She insisted on landing in the swamp, even after both Panaka and the Jedi advised against it.
A single battleship orbits the planet, all that remains of the Trade Federation blockade. Housed within is the control station responsible for directing the droid army that occupied Naboo. When Panaka wonders aloud at the absence of the other battleships, Qui-Gon points out rather dryly that you don't need a blockade once you control the port.
"The Jedi don't wish to lead an army and fight a war," Padmé says with barely controlled rage to Vader silently.
"Like I said before, your highness, they are beyond complacent," he replies, somewhat bitter about the indifference of the entire issue since he never liked when she was angry in his time as Skywalker. "I am not held back by such reservations."
Anakin, standing apart from the others with R2-D2, studies the group surreptitiously. Jar Jar has been gone a long time, and everyone but the Queen is growing restless. She stands wrapped in her soft robes, silent and implacable in the midst of her handmaidens. Padmé, Eirtaé, and Rabé changed from their crimson hooded cloaks into more functional trousers, tunics, boots, and long-waisted overcoats, and there are blasters strapped to their waists. The boy has never seen Padmé like this, and he finds himself wondering how good a fighter she is. Darth Vader is not far from them, presence as foreboding as always.
As if realizing he is thinking of her, Padmé breaks away from the others and comes over to him, though most notably he can swear there are little smirks sent at their direction by the handmaidens and even by the Queen.
"How are you, Annie?" she asks quietly, her kind eyes locking on his.
He shrugs. "Okay. I've missed you."
"It's good to see you again. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to talk with you before, but I've been very busy."
They haven't spoken more than a few words to each other since leaving Tatooine, and Anakin hasn't even seen Padmé since their departure from Coruscant. It bothers him, but he keeps it to himself.
"I didn't-I-" he stutters, looking down at his boots. "They decided not to make me a Jedi."
He recounts the story for her, detailing the events surrounding his appearance before the Jedi Council. Padmé listens intently, then touches his cheek with her cool fingers but anger is in her eyes. "They can change their minds, Annie. Don't give up hope."
She bends close then. "I have something to tell you. The Queen has made a painful, difficult decision-a decision that will change everything for the Naboo. We are a peaceful people, and we do not believe in war. But sometimes there is no choice. Either you adapt or you die. The Queen understands this. She has decided to take an aggressive posture with the Trade Federation army. The Naboo are going to fight to regain their freedom."
"Will there be a battle?" he asks quickly, trying unsuccessfully to hide his excitement.
She nods. "I'm afraid so."
"Will you be involved?" he presses.
She smiles sadly. "Annie, I don't have a choice."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stand together some distance away. The Jedi still aren't speaking to each other, or only barely so. Their words on the journey out from Coruscant have been reserved almost exclusively for others. The hard feelings cause by Qui-Gon's bid to train Anakin did not soften. The boy tried to talk to Obi-Wan once aboard the Queen's ship, just to say he was sorry this happened, but the younger Jedi brushed him off.
Now, though, Obi-Wan is beginning to feel uncomfortable with the situation. He has been close with Qui-Gon for too long to let a momentary disagreement put an end to many-odd years of friendship. Qui-Gon is like a father to him, the only father he knows. He is angry that the Jedi Master would dismiss him so abruptly in favor of the boy, but he realizes, too, the depth of Qui-Gon's passion when he believes in something. Training this boy to be a Jedi is a cause Qui-Gon championed as he championed no other in Obi-Wan's memory. He did not do so to slight his protégé. He did so because he believes in the boy's destiny.
Obi-Wan understands. Who can say? Perhaps this time Qui-Gon is right. Perhaps Anakin Skywalker's training was a cause worth fighting for.
Obi-Wan least expects Darth Vader to storm up.
"Kenobi, follow me," he announces curtly, cerulean eyes flashing as if he is daring him to argue. At this point he is willing to drag Kenobi to the other side where they would have their privacy and where Vader can see what Obi-Wan is upset about, additionally learning key information about Qui-Gon Jinn which he accepts he would never understand as much as Obi-Wan Kenobi, due to Qui-Gon Jinn rarely having time to train him.
Obi-Wan is about to argue but silent himself when he sees the daring in his eyes and he follows without hesitation, much to his amazement as he still didn't know exactly what to feel about Vader. Besides, he has a feeling denying Vader will not exactly end well for him regardless if he wants to do so or not. The Jedi Padawan is far weaker than Darth Vader, him apparently favoring the Form, Djem So and Juyo, both forms far more aggressive that would overwhelm his Ataru and he has years of experience at his back.
Once they are far away from the others, Vader turns on him, asking. "Now I am not a Jedi nor would ever be an ally to the Jedi but I am not blind. What is the matter, Jedi?"
"He just abandoned me," Obi-Wan spoke, surprised that he is speaking his problems with a Sith, but he just feels the strange urge to get all of this off his chest to Vader. "I have been his student for the longest but he's acting like the child is more important. I know Anakin was a slave and I really like him, but why does he act like I'm not relevant?"
Vader narrows his eyes at Obi-Wan, reading him slowly and noticing the pain on the now Jedi Padawan's face. He wants to understand why Obi-Wan blamed himself for Qui-Gon for so many years in his former timeline but what if the problem was not Obi-Wan? What if it was Qui-Gon?
He assumed Obi-Wan was acting like a child, throwing a temper tantrum, given his age and how rebellious he was when he was without his 46-year-old mentality along with experience in different sides of the Force. When he was a Jedi Knight and even as a Jedi Padawan, he was naive, wishing his Master's approval and attention, and he assumed it was merely a phase that would pass.
How wrong he is.
"Your Master didn't put you aside on purpose, Kenobi. He just is getting catch up in the revelation with the boy's potential that it just takes up all of his attention. Furthermore, your two's relationship is like that of a father and son, and sometimes the relationships between parents and children get a little strained as the children become adults or a new pack enters. There are plenty of parents and children who don't have that, but some do. So, your relationship may be slightly strained already, but you are not a horrible person for feeling these emotions." Vader replies, planting his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, not believing how horrible he feels for his Master in the other timeline.
After a few seconds, Vader storms over to Qui-Gon Jinn, his cape billowing behind him as he grabs the Jedi Master's shoulder and practically begins dragging him away without much effort. The handmaidens and guards stare at the former Sith and Jedi Master with shock until he comes to a stop a private distance away.
"Explain," Vader demands, receiving a raised eyebrow of confusion.
"Explain what?" Qui-Gon asks, oblivious.
Vader would have sighed if he was not angry with the Maverick Jedi but he simply points at the Jedi Padawan who is staring at them with shock. Is Vader going to actually stand up for him? Why since Obi-Wan been treating him like a cautious ally since the beginning of this mission?
"About what's going on with you and your Padawan," Vader states curtly.
"The boy is important for the future..." Qui-Gon replies, trailing off, astonished that the man is defending the man, considering the tension between him and his Padawan since mere days ago. He's also attempting to conceal the truth about Skywalker as they are at great risk with him being discovered by this being.
"So, you replace your student, Jinn?" Vader demands, planting his hands on his hips. "I am well aware of the boy being the Chosen One but you are going to lose your student if you act like this." There is no misplacing the shock on his face but Vader isn't merciful. "That man loves you and looks up to you; he's worked hard to become your student, and one thing I don't like is when a teacher abandons their student."
"Obi-Wan is ready to face the trials," Qui-Gon counters, crossing his arms across his chest, repeating his words in the Council Chambers. "He can learn no more from me. I focus on the boy more because he needs my attention more, Obi-Wan is grown up and ready for knighthood. I know how important it is to train Anakin because he is the chosen one. I need to make them understand that Anakin will become a great Jedi Knight. He was more occupied with just getting him in training so he could bring balance to the force, the thought of him turning to the dark side most likely never occurred to him.
"Just because you ran into a boy who has the potential to become far more powerful than your protégé does not mean you replace your first student," Vader can't resist the urge to snarl, beginning to wonder if his father figure requires a lesson as well. "Skywalker is not a liability but you are disregarding one person, an individual you have worked with for years, for another who you barely know. Your telescoping vision also causes you to unconsciously verbally backhand your apprentice a couple of times. Even though it's not on purpose, the neglect to watch your tongue and not behave as though you don't care about your student who assisted you through many trials and struggles. What either makes it worse or better is the fact that your student is the humble, level-headed individual that he is, assuming you have ultimately placed your priorities in the right place. So, he forces himself to believe he's wrong and to believe that Skywalker is top priority. Mostly, the worst damage you inadvertently caused was to start off Kenobi and the boy off on maladroit terms. It isn't smart to toss aside your old protégé in front of the Council and treat your new apprentice as if he is nothing to you."
Qui-Gon's eyes widen. Admittedly, he hasn't thought about that. He figures, Obi-Wan, being the loyal and by-the-book type of Jedi he is, would control his emotions as the Council preached for him to do for years. What if Obi-Wan resents Anakin for stealing Qui-Gon's attention and leaving him out? The more he thinks about it, the more the realization starts to form. Obi-Wan is jealous and he is hurt.
"Listen here, Jinn, you are going to speak with your student or so help me I will drag you into the back room and give you a near-live demonstration of what I have done to that droid days ago in the Naboo's hanger."
There is rarely a time where Qui-Gon Jinn admits he is frightened, given which type of Master he had. But that intimidating glare by Vader is truly enough to make the Jedi Master shiver. The man is unquestionably angry with him because of how coldly he had dismissed Obi-Wan; that much is clear, but why? Why does his Padawan appear to mean so much to Vader?
Vader, sensing the fear boiling up in the Jedi, turns to Obi-Wan. He guesses overprotective little brother has his habits. Old habits die hard after all.
"Kenobi, get over here," Vader commands tersely, the Padawan not moving an inch. "So, help me, if you don't come over here right now, I will drag you here like a child and I won't stand for disobedience as I have inconvenient methods." Knowing that Vader is far stronger than him, the Padawan hastily follows his orders, approaching his Master and the former Sith, and the two men stare at each other, the Master staring at him with a solemn stare but the Padawan is just glaring at him with pain and sadness. "Now talk."
"I've been thinking lately," Qui-Gon announces, keeping his voice low, his eyes direct toward the others. "We are treading on dangerous ground. If the Queen intends to fight a war, we cannot become involved. Not even in her efforts to persuade the Gungans to join with the Naboo against the Federation, if that is what she intends by coming here. The Jedi have no authority to take sides."
"But we do have authority to protect the Queen," Obi-Wan points out.
Qui-Gon's eyes shift to find his. "It is a fine line we walk, then."
"Not that type of conversation," Vader snaps furiously, feeling the urge to lift these two idiots up and levitate them right here and shake them until they actually talk about amending their problems. "About your Master and Student relationship."
"Our relationship?" Obi-Wan repeats incredulously with raised eyebrows before continuing. "I fail to see how that is of any business it is of yours."
Vader scowls. "It is my business when your negative emotions are conspicuous through the Force and even the passengers on the ship notice it."
Obi-Wan bites down on his lip bitterly as he eyes his Master. "I don't want to talk about it."
He is about to walk off, but Vader has enough; he seizes the Jedi Padawan with the Force and pulls him in impulsive speed. He will not allow Obi-Wan, the man who helped him become one with the Force, to blame himself all of his life and become a depressed old man in the desert. He gave the old man a warning and the fool continues to attempt to deny this because he wants to be a perfect Jedi and attempting to denounce his hurt and jealousy.
Obi-Wan, attempting to break free, place up barriers, however, the former Sith has a firm hold until he brings him in front of the Maverick Jedi Master. The Padawan now stands in front of his Master, and upon him attempting to resist, his legs suddenly give out not painfully but they are not operating correctly with him right now, his arms soon tangle behind their back undoubtedly so he would not be able to break free.
"You two will talk unless you want me to fix it." Vader threatens, crossing his arms across his chest. "You two want me to drag you onto the ship and force you two to talk which would not be as peaceful as I am attempting to make it now, Jedi, it is wise you talk now." Force, why do these two have to act like children? They are both adults too.
Obi-Wan sighs before speaking. It's not like he is able to crane his neck away with Vader paralyzing his body movements with the Force in some power that he hasn't either mastered yet or doesn't know of, considering whoever Vader's Master must be is likely someone outside of the Jedi Order, an ex-Jedi who wanted to explore different sides of the Force, or a Sith which is becoming unlikely more and more than Vader is around.
"Master, I behaved badly on Coruscant, and I am embarrassed. I meant no disrespect to you. I do not wish to be difficult in the matter of the boy." the young man replies, sounding defeated at not being able to resist this conversation that he dreaded to have since he knows it was coming regardless of Vader's intervention.
"Nor have you been," the older Jedi replies, a faint smile appearing. "You have been honest with me. Honesty is never wrong. I did not lie when I told the Council you were ready. You are. I have taught you all I can. You will be a great Jedi, my young Padawan. You will make me proud."
As quickly as that the breach that opened between them is closed. Instead of attempting to stretch the bond further to the point where one or the other falls to the dark side and pin each other as enemies, Vader actually makes them amend their relationships and connections.
"Good, if you two have another argument, we are doing this again," Vader continues, not having to use the Force to add extra weight to his words as he stares at the Master and Padawan with an icy glare that is enough to make a Korun run before he releases Obi-Wan, untangling him and allowing him to sit on the ground, him having to stretch in order for feeling to return to his body.
And that is how the duo of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi just got defeated but reborn at the same time.
Vader is the type of individual who would follow whatever he says he would do. Since he came, they thought he was bluff a few times, but he is a dead serious individual that is not to be taken lightly. He does not spat empty promises. Much like Qui-Gon's own Master during their duo and partnership all those years ago which brought up good memories from long ago, Vader is deadly and effective, but it has been years since Qui-Gon saw his former Master.
Regardless, both agree with both their stares and through the Force in every sense of the word, coming to a subconscious compromise that they rather not see another one of Vader's... unmerciful aggressive negotiations.
Darth Maul clenches up his right fist as he stares down at one of his wounds that remained. Most of his wounds have been tendered to but the pain he felt is still there by his Master along with the wound of abandonment and his title being dissolved by the same man.
All of his anger is direct at Darth Vader. He vows to kill the man on the battlefield once he kills the two Jedi and fights to the man's very end. Maul would not allow himself to be placed in such a feeble position once more as he was on Tatooine. His anger and rage for Vader are beyond imaginable due to being his first failure for the first time in many years. It is due to the man that his potential is being called into question by his Master.
Suddenly, the Force itself wraps around him, along with a familiar presence that provokes the Zabrak in staring around slightly frantically.
"Tell me, Darth Maul, why do you serve Darth Sidious?" A voice - a voice all too recognizable to him - that he last heard on Tatooine demands, provoking him to turn around and seeing the hooded form of Darth Vader, reaching down and grasping the hilt of his lightsaber, prepared to impale him through the sternum as this man alone is the cause of all the pain aching through his body and the torture he received for a week.
"Boy, you cannot defeat me even should you attempt to," Darth Vader growls, sensing his intentions through the Force. "You are a mere instrument, a tool that maintains no purpose in the galaxy."
Maul's hand trembles. "And yet you serve the Jedi. You call me an individual with no purpose but you are the one who works alongside their pitiful Order."
"The Jedi do not control me. Additionally, I am aligned with the Queen of Naboo, not the Jedi. Were it not for this insignificant invasion on this planet, I wouldn't have made my presence known to the galaxy, but upon sensing your Master having something to do with it, it presented an opportunity for me to overthrow him that I have chosen to take. Darth Sidious will be run to the ground."
Maul is stunned. Vader knows the identity of his Master, likely aware of the identity he hides behind, and there is a probable chance that he knows his plans.
"You are betraying our ways. You use the light side as much as the Jedi do. You are a threat to our future plans." Maul snarls, pondering for a brief second if Vader spots the lightsaber angled at his torso.
"I use the light because it proves a purpose-"
"A purpose?!" Maul interrupts with a scoff. "The light is always weaker than the dark."
"Weaker," It is Vader's turn to scoff. "Humor me, animal. Do the dark side heal you during times of feasibility? Do the dark side give you clarity in battle when you are attacking without control of your forms? Do the dark side present courage to your soldiers in battle? Do the dark side allow bits of peace and harmony in your life?"
Now Vader is pacing the Zabrak, and he can sense his growing irritation and dark amusement.
"The dark side does not require those powers," Maul retorts furiously, activating his crimson blade and impaling him clean and through, only for his lightsaber to go through him, not affecting him in the slightest.
On the contrary, Vader chuckles. "You honestly believe I would show myself in the flesh and permit you such a clean opportunity, insignificant child."
Stunningly, the setting around them alters an entirely into a different setting and place. The place is temperate and verdant, with a comfortable atmosphere despite its challenging ecosystem and perpetually bathe in a red mist, its terrain is one of the contrasts, ranging from the murky swamps to the harsh, barren rocks.
Suddenly, there is masked mechanical breathing that causes Maul to freeze in place in near terror as he turns to see an individual clouded in a suit and mask. Wires are connected to the figure, the breathing rapid almost mockingly, and what he swears as a life support system is connected to the figure's suit. Most evidently, there is an all too familiar crimson lightsaber humming at his side, poised to strike.
And what Maul recognizes as Nightsisters assume positions, energy bows grasp in each of their hands before they open fire at the figure who parries each shot without taking even one step back. It is child play as each of the Nightsisters is falling to their reflected bolts before the being finally moves.
The monster moves with a lazy precision, blocking each shot with merely his lightsaber grasp in his right hand, the surroundings soon becoming a bloodbath swiftly.
Decapitating the last Nightsister's head from her shoulders, the figure moves into a camp, striding right past him as if he doesn't exist. The monster approaches a woman who stares up at him, beyond startled and fearful, spiking an inner rage in Darth Maul for a reason that escapes him as the monster raises his hand, and the woman is lifted off of the ground, grasping her throat desperately, pain evident in her eyes.
"Show me, Maul," the figure thunders, staring at the woman still. "Show me you can save her. Show me you can save the woman who suffered unimaginable agony by Mother Talzin in order for you to live a free life. Show me that the dark side of the Force is powerful enough to save her."
It is the first time Darth Maul has ever seen his mother though there were flashes and images in Sidious's teachings of him as his Master taken pleasure in tormenting his apprentice.
"Shame."
It mocks before it elevates the woman higher, her gasps falling on death's ears before he nods slightly, and the woman's neck snaps, her collapsing onto the ground, the scene replaying in his mind constantly. The mask's mechanical breathing appears to be taunting him, adding salt to the wound.
"You have failed, you animal. That is why your Master stripped you of your title, is it not. You are nothing but a failure to everyone around you; your Master... your clans... your mother..."
The Zabrak wants to do something, to heal the individual of a forgotten past. He is helpless, and so with a rallying cry, he lunges towards the being, lightsaber swinging horizontally though the figure remains impassive until he was seconds away from decapitating him into two, dodging each of his strikes before he catches his hands into a tight grasp, deactivating the lightsaber and pressing down tightly, kicking the Zabrak in the abdomen, kicking the wind out of him, and slamming him to the ground before the Zabrak is levitated to the air and throws him in front of his limp mother.
"You said so yourself that the light side is not required. Go on, beast, save her with the power of the dark side. Kill me."
The Zabrak knows he doesn't have the power to save her, despite his deeply immense power in the dark side.
"Failure."
The scene changes.
And Maul is free again, staring into the crimson eyes of Darth Vader, much intensity and power evident in his eyes.
"The dark side cannot save, beast. It can only intensify the power that is trimming within us. While it has its uses, the foolishness in you and your Master's beliefs is beyond preposterous. A true Sith does not hide. A true Sith does not create absolute delusions. You and your Master are an utter and complete humiliation to not only the Order of Bane but to the Sith's original designation, what defines them, and goal."
And the being evaporates, the tension hanging in the air suddenly disappearing, though the pressure and the oxygen that he felt being in that machine that must be must have once been Darth Vader at one point. Darth Vader must have once fight with his rage and anguish to fuel his resolve, enabling him to dispatch his enemies without compassion or remorse. He can tell where Darth Vader was involved the situation was always the same: he was the predator, and one was the prey.
Darth Maul is the apprentice of Darth Sidious, and under his tutelage, he becomes one of the most powerful Sith Lords of the time. He is extremely proficient in the seventh form of lightsaber combat 'Juyo'; this is considered one of the most aggressive forms, using one's hate to power one's strikes. Maul is exceptional with it and is one of the best duelists in the history of the Sith. He manages to dispatch multiple Jedi in the shadows and avoid many others, hunting like prey for years, assassinating without leaving a trace.
Vader however doesn't require being in the shadows for the end result would be the same. He would win. No one can bring someone such as him down easily.
Maul, deep down, knows under no circumstances, no matter the predicament Vader is in, he would never be able to conquer someone such as Vader.