Author's Note and Questions Answered:

I just love getting reviews from my wonderful readers. I never update until they start coming in so that I can answer questions, but the most important thing to me is the thoughtful feedback. A lot of the blanks have been filled in for this story because of suggestions and questions that I never thought about. I think this is the first story I will ever have completed in less than a year's worth of time, and it's all thanks to you guys! :D

Reminder - If I don't answer your questions, it's because they will show up in later chapters and I don't want to spoil anything. :)

Swfan () : If Anakin does turn to the dark side, it will not just be because of Padme's possible death. There would be a lot of other problems involved.

Floating Leaves: That's the third time you've provided inspiration for future chapters. I won't say how it works out, but your points will be adressed later into the story. It's funny you mentioned Laurence swearing not to be a Jedi again, because I actually had part 2 revolving around that somewhat. Are you sure you're not telepathically reading ahead?

...

Laurence couldn't help a slight smirk at the sick look on Anakin's face when he saw Obi-wan. The Jedi master was standing against a large stone column, his hands chained above his head. Obi-wan's face was a mixture of surprise and irritation at the turn of events.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd got my message," he addressed Anakin as the geonosians led them away from the cart.

"I retransmitted it just you requested, Masterl," Anakin replied. He gave a slight shrug as the geonosian lifted the chain on his stun cuffs and connected it to the top of the pillar. "Then we decided to come and rescue you."

Obi-wan glanced at the restraints on his hands. "Good job."

Laurence winced as the geonosian guard roughly pulled him off the cart and led him towards the end pillar. Padme received similar treatment, but Laurence caught sight of her slipping a file into her mouth before her hands were chained over her head.

The pulling of his own chain aggravated the lacerations on his arms, but Laurence knew the wounds weren't serious. He wasn't welcoming the extra attention he'd receive though, as the smell of blood would attract the arena predators.

Cheers erupted through the stadium as several figures entered the high viewing booth. A geonosian leader called for silence, then with a flourish of his hand pronounced the beginning of the games.

Shouts and screams of anticipation rang through the air as three doors opened at the other side of the huge circle.

The first creature to enter was a reek, a huge red beast with three horns. It gave a great bellow as it the ground shook under its heavy footsteps.

Next an acklay, a crablike reptile with six legs and ferocious teeth, entered. It screeched horribly, charging at the geonosian rider who was jabbing it with an electric rod.

The third door revealed a large feline creature with multiple eyes and a forked rat's tail. Fearsome teeth, long claws, and impressive back spikes created the nexu's primary attack and defense. Some of the geonosians cheered as the creature launched itself at its guard and broke the drone's neck. The other guards quickly drove it away lest the early taste of blood should ruin the nexu's appetite.

Before the crowd's cheers could have a chance to die down, a fourth creature was released through the door. Laurence recognized it immediately as a massiff. The creatures were often used on Tatooine as domesticated guard animals, but on their home planet of Geonosis they were deadly opponents.

Shaking his head at the knowledge that he was probably going to be killed here, Laurence rolled his eyes and grabbed his chain between his cuffed hands. Leaning his full weight on his arms, he lifted his lower body until he could twist the chain around his ankle. As soon as he knew he was securely hanging upside down, Laurence released the chain and used his teeth to grab a lockpick from his ever handy glove compartments. Checking the position of the approaching animals, he shook his head agan and started fiddling with the stun cuffs.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Anakin said calmly.

Out of the corner of his eye, Laurence noted that Padme had managed to cut through one of her handcuffs. Quickly she began climbing up the pillar, using the chain as a rope.

"Just relax, concentrate!" Obi-wan ordered hastily as the creatures grew nearer.

"What about Padme?" Anakin asked.

Obi-wan spared a quick glance at the senator. "She seems to be on top of things," he replied.

Laurence allowed himself a slight grin as he saw Padme pull herself onto the top of the column. At least she would be safer up there.

Then chaos broke out.

The acklay reached Obi-wan first. With a gutteral roar it stabbed one of its claws towards the Jedi, barely missing as Obi-wan dodged out of the way. A second jab smashed through the chain holding Obi-wan to the pillar, granting him some freedom but no less danger.

Laurence looked up from his lock work just in time to see the massiff charge towards him. Giving the lockpick one more useless twist and berating himself for his lack of skill in that area, he dropped it to the ground and untangled his feet. Still upside down, he braced his legs against the column and shoved himself away, head butting the massiff in the stomach just as it leapt towards him. The creature yelped in pain and gave a small hop backwards, then ran forward once more as Laurence fell back against the pillar.

Grabbing the chain in both hands, Laurence let himself hang as he launched out both legs again in a side kick. He caught the massiff in the side, launching it some distance away. Laurence could hear the crowds roar in approval.

Taking a quick glance around, he saw Anakin leap onto the reek's back, winding his chain around the creature's nose horn as it began running wildly through the prison theatre. Suddenly there was a scream from Padme, and Laurence looked over in horror to see blood leaking from several long, shallow scratches across her back. The nexu that had attacked her leapt away momentarily, preparing for another attack.

Laurence heard a yelp hinting the nexu's attack was unsuccessful, but he had other things on his mind as the massiff charged once more. This time it ran around the pillar, avoiding Laurence's boots. Laurence heard the scrabbling of claws against the column and tried to twist away, but was unable to fully avoid the sharp knives that raked through his arm. Hissing in pain, Laurence flung his head into the massiff's as it screeched at him. Dazed and infuriated, the massiff snapped towards the guardian's throat. Laurence barely pulled back in time to save his face, and the creature latched onto his shoulder instead. Laurence shouted out as the jagged teeth dug in, and in a burst of adrenaline he pulled the massiff away from the pillar and slammed his shoulder into the column. Caught between Laurence's attack and the hard stone, the massiff was knocked senseless.

Breathing harshly, Laurence let the creature fall to the ground. Several stomps to the head ensured it would never wake again. Leaning against the pillar, Laurence knew he had spent too much precious energy. He couldn't take another fight like that one.

To Laurence's relief he didn't have to. Anakin had somehow gained control of the reek, and he drove it forward to kill the nexu attacking Padme. Padme had managed to unlock her other handcuff previously, and she jumped down behind Anakin. Sliding off the reek, she ran to Laurence as Anakin rode off to rescue Obi-wan.

As Padme began sawing at the stun cuffs with her file, Laurence looked over her shoulder and saw a hooded guard charge forward on its orray mount.

"Padme, look out!" he shouted as the guard reached into its belt for a weapon. Padme swung her gaze up and leapt out of the way as the orray drew nearer.

"Honestly, do I look that ugly?" a feminine voice drawled sarcastically from within the hood. "I never thought I'd be compared to a geonosian."

"Darra?" Laurence asked in astonishment.

The Jedi padawan threw her hood back, grinning from ear to ear. "What, you didn't think I'd come to rescue you?"

"Actually, I was taking care of that." Padme gave the blond a dark glare, her temper roused at Darra's semi-cocky attitude.

Darra raised an eyebrow as she jumped down from the orray. "You know, that file won't get you very far in a hurry." In a flash of movement she drew her lightsaber and severed the stun cuffs holding Laurence to the column. Helping the guardian to his feet, Darra gave Padme a smug grin.

"And you thought Anakin and I were bad," Laurence grumbled as he cradled his mangled arm and watched the two females.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Padme said vehemently, her dark glare never leaving Darra's face.

"Ooh, catfight," Darra smirked. "Can't make up your mind, can you?"

"Look, can we save this for later?" Laurence snapped, his temper frayed as his concentration began to slip. "Last I saw Obi-wan was about to get himself killed."

Darra immediately dropped her battle stance, her thoughts switching to the moment on hand. Anakin had temporarily rescued Obi-wan during Padme and Darra's "spat," and he drove the reek forward to join them.

"Hop on," he called as Obi-wan held out a hand to Padme.

Laurence helped the Senator up onto the great creature, then scrambled up to sit behind her. Anakin shot a glare back at him, clearly miffed that Laurence was hanging on to Padme. Darra meanwhile swung back into the orray's saddle and rode closer so she could reach Obi-wan and Anakin's stun cuffs. She quickly severed them with her lightsaber, allowing the Jedi some extra defense. Even with their hands free however, Laurence knew they didn't stand much chance getting out of here alive.

His suspicions were confirmed as several droidekas rolled into the arena. Darra's face was impassive as she raised her lightsaber, but Laurence knew she was recognizing a hopeless situation. There was no way they would make it out of this one.

Alone, they wouldn't have. But this time they had a little help.

Unexpectadly several figures entered the arena through the triple gates at the end, and Laurence caught sight of a flash of amythest in Count Dooku's viewing booth. Suddenly the stadium was filled with emerald and saphire blades, and Darra gave a shout of relief as she recognized Siri darting through one of the metal doorways. The Jedi had arrived.

Geonosians scattered like frightened ants, but Count Dooku didn't appear fazed. The sound of tramping feet echoed a warning just before several blaster bolts shot towards the Jedi Master.

Mace Windu managed to block the attack, but as he leapt into the air Jango fired a burst of flame towards him. The Jedi Master flipped and landed easily at the bottom of the stadium, tearing off his smoking cloak as he did so.

Laurence hung to Padme grimly as the reek charged back towards the end of the arena. His headache was vehemently protesting the pounding vibrations of the reek's heavy footfalls, and Laurence was beginning to wish he'd tangled with a krayat dragon instead. At least that promised a quick death.

Droids were now pouring into the arena as a small army of Jedi ran to meet them. Mace Windu and another Jedi tossed a couple of extra lightsabers to Obi-wan and Anakin, and for the first time in two years Laurence missed the feel of the graceful blade in his hand.

Chaos was everywhere as the geonosian warriors moved in. A blast of a sonic gun blew several Jedi back into the arena columns, killing them instantly. The reek threw itself backwards at the explosion, unseating its riders.

Laurence groaned as he fell hard onto the sand. Briefly he considered moving afterwards to some quiet, peaceful, off-world planet where nothing but an occasional annoying crow could disturb him.

Looking around quickly, he noted that Darra had fallen off her orray but appeared to be fine. Padme, daring as usual, grabbed a droid blaster and shot an ill fated geonosian out of its mini-chariot. Running up to the orray driving the cart, Padme hoisted herself onto its back and started shooting.

Laurence rolled his eyes and searched the littered arena for his own weapon. It was fine enough for Padme to have courage, but for her to place herself as such an obvious target? She was going to get herself killed! As if considering the same thing, Anakin jumped into the cart and began slicing the droids nearest the Senator.

Diving to the right and swiping out a battle droid with his leg, Laurence grabbed its blaster and lay flat out on the ground. He wasn't going to be as much help down here, but collapsing because he was half-dead with exhaustion wouldn't be a bright move either. It would be better to conserve his strength as much as possible.

The next few minutes were made up of picking off battle droids nearest Padme and scrambling through the dust for a fresh blaster. Laurence's heart fell as he saw a new battalion arriving however. Things were getting worse.

A sudden thudding vibration in the ground warned Laurence to danger even before the scream of the force through his force binder. Looking up, Laurence saw the reek only a few feet away. It was coming straight towards him.

There was no time to run, and scarcely any time for even a Jedi to scramble away. Injured and cut off from the force, Laurence didn't stand a chance. He saw his life flashing before his eyes for a moment, then someone grabbed him under the arms.

Yelping in discomfort, Laurence felt himself being pulled away from the crushing feet of the massive beast. Turning around, Laurence started to thank Darra for saving his life... and then he stopped short.

Tru.

It would seem impossible for an entire lifetime of memories to take place in mere seconds, but to Laurence it seemed that time had slowed as he saw his old friend. Everything came back to him as though it had happened yesterday. The missions they did together, their growing friendship at the temple, bantering with Darra... the tombs. Tru's cold eyes. He felt like he could slip off that silvery gaze and disapear forever...

Your friend's hatred is strong... like the Jedi's...

Laurence shook the slithery voice away as it echoed in his head. He didn't know where it had come from, but it wasn't a part of his thoughts. Vaguely his mind conjured up images of the Sith in Korriban. Whispering, toying with his mind. He knew he shouldn't believe the lies, but the wound had already been reopened, the pain fresh.

Then the moment was over, and Tru had disapeared once more into the fray. He hadn't recognized Laurence. All he had seen was another near victim of the slaughter taking place. Laurence bit back his emotions as homesickness suddenly overwhelmed him. Suddenly he wished more than ever that he had never left the temple. He wanted nothing more than to be back home, but what was there to return to?

The memories returned, this time of those last few days before his departure. Darra had never come to see him. Ferus and Tru had ganged up on him, his best friend betraying him in the end. The worst part, Laurence realized once more, was that it had all been deserved. His pride had nearly brought about the death of a fellow padawan. Looking back now, Laurence realized he had made a terrible Jedi.

"Laurence, watch out!"

Darra's voice broke into his tortured thoughts as she shoved him back in time to avoid a blaster bolt.

"Get with it or stay down!" she shouted, the situation making her voice harsher than she had intended.

Laurence's mind snapped back to the present and he quickly dropped to the floor and started shooting again. He should never have dropped his concentration! What was done was done. He had left the temple years ago, and now was not the time to regret his decision. He still had the title "Queen's Guardian," and he wasn't about to collapse emotionally while he was supposed to be protecting those around him.

As he continued firing, something whispered in the force. It was a warning so gentle and unexpected that it nearly made Laurence drop his blaster. Never before had the force managed to get past his binder without screaming at him. Why did he hear it now... unless it was truly urgent?

Putting his blaster down slowly, Laurence uncatched the force binder. A small amount, not enough to be horrifically noticed, was allowed to flow through. Laurence gasped slightly as his senses clarrified, and he nearly slammed the binder shut for fear of being noticed by one of the many Jedi.

Then the force finally drew his attention to a small figure hiding in the shadows. It was a boy, perhaps twelve years old. Watching, worrying, ... about what?

Something clicked as Laurence felt the boy's life presence. An identical presence manifested just a short distance away from him, and with a shock Laurence realized that he was only a few feet away from the boy's father. But who -

Jango Fett.

Laurence had no further time to think as Mace Windu attacked the bounty hunter. His blaster flung away by a force push, Jango could only watch helplessly as the huge reek charged towards him, catching him up in its crushing feet.

Laurence didn't know why the force felt this life was so precious, but he didn't waste any time. Leaping to his feet, he grabbed the lightsaber of a fallen Jedi and raced towards the combatants.

Jango managed to scramble to his feet and shoot the reek between the eyes as it charged again, but his blaster was no hope against a Jedi blade. Mace Windu easily blocked the bolts and raised his lightsaber for a killing blow.

Without hesitation Laurence leapt between them, activating the blue lightsaber and blocking Mace Windu's blade in just the nick of time. Throwing out a hand, he flung Jango towards the doorways of the arena. His force aim was off from the limited force supply at his disposal and he only managed to throw the bounty hunter halfway across the arena floor.

"What do you think you're doing?" Mace Windu demanded in shock.

Laurence could sense the Jedi Master's confusion and surprise at his actions. He sensed Mace Windu's presence, and he knew that it wouldn't take more than a padawan by now to realize that the Queen's Guardian had a lot more medichlorians than he had originally claimed.

Laurence held his tongue in regards to Mace Windu's question. Neither of the two had a chance to argue the matter as it was, and the subject was dropped. In Mace Windu's mind however, it was far from forgotten.

As he spun the lightsaber to block another blaster bolt, Laurence snapped the binder closed and glanced up briefly to note that Jango had made it to the doorways. The bounty hunter looked back at Laurence, giving his rescuer a long, scrutinizing gaze. Then he ducked past the metal gateways and disapeared. Laurence breathed a slight sigh of relief. His task was completed, though he still didn't understand the purpose of it.

Despite his connection to the force being cut off again, Laurence found that his movements were becoming more fluid as his body began to remember its training in the use of a lightsaber. Durusteel poles were made for a brawling, a desperate means of survival. Lightsaber maneuvers were meant to block enemy fire, yet were as fluid and graceful as a Twi'lek dancer.

Laurence felt some of his exhaustion melt away as he was swept into the ancient rythm of the Jedi weapon. He felt like he belonged here once more, with a saber in his hands and his fellow Jedi surrounding him. If only he could have realized this years before. How different things would have been!

Out of the corner of his eye, Laurence saw the orray Padme was riding catch a stray blaster bolt. Silly girl, that bolt could just as easily have caught her in the head! Laurence feared for the Senator, but was relieved as she and Anakin rose to their feet and took refuge in front of the fallen chariot. Laurence turned his attention back to his own danger.

All around them Jedi were falling as more and more droids came in. Laurence's heart was heavy as he realized that less than a handful of the original group of Jedi were still alive. Where was Darra? He wanted to search for her, but it was all he could do to keep from getting himself shot. Laurence began to wish he hadn't closed the force binder after saving Jango.

Mace Windu shot Laurence a glance of approval at his fighting techniques. Laurence knew he was in for it if they got out of here alive. Questions about his training would arise, the council summoned, and after that... well, he wasn't ready to think that far.

Abruptly the fighting around them ceased as the battle droids put their blasters down. Laurence plopped down onto the hard packed sand and panted, his adrenaline spent. Searching desperately, he was relieved to see Darra standing a little ways away. Darra's face brightened like a small sun as she saw him, and she ran to his side. Mace Windu gave them a suspicious glance, but Darra ignored it as she made sure Laurence was okay.

"Tru?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Darra gave him a look of surprise then glanced around. Laurence spotted the Jedi padawan lying on his side nearby. He was clutching his shoulder, his lightsaber lying useless on the ground next to him.

Darra gasped softly and ran to him. All of Laurence's past resentment towards Tru dissapated as he noted the padawan's injury. A sudden realization hit him. They were probably facing death together. All of them were. Suddenly all Laurence wanted was to have his once best friend by his side as the cold hand of fate closed around them all.

"Master Windu," a voice rang out.

Laurence looked up to see Count Dooku adressing the Jedi.

"You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now, it is finished. Surrender, and your lives will be spared."

Laurence felt a burst of anger at the former Jedi's words. How dare he speak in such a manner when he had just murdered so many Jedi! All Dooku was doing now was gloating over his "prize." They were absolutely helpless to defeat him.

"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku," Mace Windu said fiercely in response.

Count Dooku sighed, scarecly apologetic. "Then, I'm sorry old friend," he answered as he lifted his hand for the massacre to continue.

Laurence stood up again, taking a deep breath to try and dispell the blackness boarding on his vision. He would probably be one of the first to fall. What a strange way to die, after having danced with fate for so long. Laurence had always expected a gruesome end during his Coruscant street days, but he never thought that a hoard of droids would be his end. Droids were mindless robots who could only maneuver according to their programming. He detested the fact that one of those hunks of metal could destroy him.

"Look!" Padme suddenly gasped as a whirring sound filled the stadium.

Several ships zoomed downwards, drawing the droid's fire power.

"Where did they come from?" Laurence asked as he blocked a blaster bolt coming towards him.

The ships lowered towards them, firing at the droids as they landed. A steady barrage of blaster bolts still flew at the Jedi however as they tried to reach the safety of the vessels. Laurence ran to Darra as she struggled with Tru. The padawan's face was drawn with pain as Laurence helped Darra take him to one of the ships. Siri appeared at their side and climbed in as well. Instantly she pulled out a med pack and started bandaging Tru's shoulder.

"That's all we can take on this one," an armed trooper informed Darra and Laurence as several other wounded Jedi were put on board.

Darra nodded and pulled Laurence away so the ship could take off. "Over here," she ordered as she dragged him towards the carrier where she had spotted Obi-wan.

"Mi'lady, there's already - "

"Oh, don't give me that!" Darra snapped as she leapt onto the ship, followed closely by Laurence. Looking around, Darra noted in relief that Padme and Anakin had also survived the battle.

"Are you all right?" Obi-wan asked over the noise as Darra helped Laurence over to the wall and pulled out a med pack.

"I'll live," Laurence replied. Darra could see the strain on his face however, and knew he had reached his limit a long time ago.

As she glanced towards the battle taking place on the sandy terrain below, Darra took note of a small ship taking off. It was not one of the carriers that their rescuers had arrived in.

Obi-wan noticed it too, and from the look on his face Darra knew he was unhappy.

"He got away," Obi-wan muttered.

"Who?" Anakin questioned.

"Jango Fett," Obi-wan answered shortly.

Darra noticed Laurence's eyes shift slightly. He looked nervous and almost ashamed over something. Her own eyes narrowing, Darra made a mental note to question him about it later.

Just then the carrier rocked back and forth as several shots were fired at it.

"Hold on!" Obi-wan instructed as he grabbed a handhold. Padme and Anakin quickly followed suit, and Darra felt her shoulder grabbed by a concerned soldier. She gave him a quick nod of thanks and continued bandaging Laurence's arm.

"Aim right above the fuel cells," Anakin ordered the pilot as they neared several metal structures.

The explosion was instantaneous as one of the structures collapsed to the ground.

"Good call, my young padawan," Obi-wan praised. Darra noticed a brief flash of something cross Laurence's face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. The guardian had become nearly a master at steeling his emotions, but she could still see the pain in his eyes.

"Attack those federation starships, quickly!" Obi-wan called as he pointed to several of the large spheres leaving the ground.

The carrier's missils had little effect on the starships, but cannons from below were able to take on of the spheres down. The starship fell to the ground with a crash, raising a thick cloud of dust all around them.

Darra blinked furiously and covered her eyes with her sleeve as the dust particles swirled around. The carrier swerved as the pilot strained to see ahead.

"Look, over there!" Obi-wan shouted above the commotion as the cloud of sand began to clear.

Darra peered over the edge of the ship and caught sight of what Obi-wan was pointing at. Count Dooku was racing away on a small speeder, two other ships guarding him.

"It's Dooku. Shoot him down!" Anakin ordered.

"We're out of rockets, sir," the pilot answered.

"Follow him," Anakin retorted, refusing to accept defeat.

"We're going to need some help!" Padme objected.

"There's no time," Obi-wan yelled over the noise. "Anakin and I can handle this!"

Obviously he was expecting Darra to stay behind and guard the Senator. Darra wasn't sure she liked this, but she would do it if neccessary. "Don't even think about following us," Darra gave Laurence a sharp glare as she tied the bandage.

Laurence managed a half smile. Tangling with Count Dooku was the furthest thing from his mind right now.

Suddenly the ships guarding Count Dooku swerved away. Laurence felt a brief flash of confusion before several missils exploded on the sand dunes nearby. The ships were firing at them!

Darra turned and clung to the controls on the wall as the carrier swerved to avoid the attack. A lucky shot managed to hit the vessel however, and Laurence heard Padme cry out. He looked up just in time to see the Senator fly off the ship.

Instinct overcame reason. Laurence was the queen's guardian, and the senator's personal security guard. It was only nature for him to act in according.

Without a second thought, Laurence launched himself off the carrier.

...

This is George. George is a droideka who likes to destroy windows. If you place him in a greenhouse, he will think he is in heaven. If you put him in the Jedi Temple, you will probably be facing the same reality.

(Tribute to my older sister and her favorite destroyer droid) ;)

Also, I just want to let the readers know that Jilzan (from chapter 4) is up for adoption by anyone who wants to use him. I've already donated him to another story and I don't mind if other people decide they want to add him to their own works. Just let me know before you do, and keep in mind that since he represents one of my stories, I'd appreciate it if he wasn't written with any incest/profanity in mind. Oh, and he must be crazy. ;)

Anyways, I don't know if Tru was specifically reported to be anywhere else during the arena battle, but I decided to add him anyways. Contrary to what I've written so far, I actually like Tru. Before the tenth book he was one of my favorite side characters, so you might be seeing him a little more often if I can fit him into the plotline. (At least you'll be getting a bit of Tru angst every now and then.)

I also added some Darra vs. Padme rivalship just for fun. Padme hasn't proclaimed her love to Anakin yet, so things are a little confusing for her. Once AOTC is over things will calm down though, and the only "rivalship" will be a one sided debate between Laurence and Anakin.

Please Review! I'm a little spoiled, so I feel unloved if no one gives me feedback. Depressed writers = slow updates, so make sure and drop a comment if you like the chapter. :)