Chapter Edited 21/03/2013
A/N : Hey guys ! Thanks for the reviews ! Sorry but I couldn't make it any quicker with my studies. Anyway, you'll discover Padmé's most dangerous enemy...haha.. Hope you'll like it! Enjoy !
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Chapter 5 : Aayla Secura
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Once arrived at the Galactic Senate, 'Cordé' and the Senator left the group. Amidala surely wanted to take her role back for the incoming vote.
Sirius approached his godson, where the latter was waiting with the Guards.
"Hey Harry. What will we do after the vote? The Force said to protect the Senator, but how exactly will we do that? Do you have a plan, after your little stunt?"
"I think that once Amidala accepts our protection and is safely escorted to her quarters, we should go to the Jedi Temple and talk to the Jedi Council." the young Black responded.
"And you are sure that she will accept because..?"
"We saved her life and the lives of her people. And because she knows that we are not her enemies." Harry said.
"Ok, we'll say she accepts our help; why do you want to talk to the Jedi Council?"
"Because once they discover our existence, they will want to hunt us down. The Jedi can't let dangerous Force users like us walk freely around, so they will take us down and then ask questions. That's why we should announce our presence to them before they decide that we are a danger to the Republic. And to say the truth, I don't want to be a wanted criminal on the run." Harry answered.
"Me neither." Sirius said. "Hey, looks like the Jedi wants to ask us some questions." he continued seeing the approaching Force users.
"Harry Black, Sirius Black, I wanted to talk to you." Knight Kenobi said. "
"Yes?"
"What is the real reason you are here? For I can feel that your presence here isn't from pure luck."
"You're right." Sirius said. "Harry, is sort of a seer. And yesterday, he had had a vision in which Senator Amidala was assassinated, therefore we decided to come to Coruscant and save her."
"You're not serious, are you?" Anakin asked incredulously.
"He is very serious, Jedi." Harry answered, continuing with Sirius' half-truth. "And we are here to protect the Senator."
"You have nothing to do here. Two Jedi like us will be enough to protect Padmé." Anakin continued. "We don't need help from…from…what are you anyway?"
"We are humans, isn't it obvious?" the younger Black answered with a roll of his eyes. "And for your information, we didn't enter any category. We are unique Force users. You can just call us the Blacks."
"I think it would be better to introduce yourselves to the Jedi Council, once the Senator is in safety." Obi-Wan proposed.
"I agree with you, Jedi Knight Kenobi." Harry said. "It was already on our schedule."
"Are you accepting their help?" the younger Jedi asked with a frown. "But they are complete strangers."
"We could use some help to protect the Senator, now that we know someone is really after her." his master answered. "And you have to agree that he saved us all."
"But..."
"Anakin! Get your emotions in check! You are a Jedi, don't disgrace yourself!" the Knight said with force.
"I'm sorry master." the Padawan said looking down in shame.
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Finally the real Padmé exited the room she was in, wearing her black Senator dress, closely followed by the real Cordé. Harry watched them approach and smirked. He had to admit that the Nabooian Senator was really gorgeous. He glanced to his left and observed the younger Jedi. Anakin was watching the two similar women approach, with a frown. Harry's smirk widened when Skywalker walked towards them.
"Padmé, are you letting Cordé go to the Vote in your place?" he asked talking to Cordé.
The Handmaiden blushed and turned toward the Senator. Anakin not really understanding what was going on turned toward her, too. Padmé was looking forward, her head straight, her lips tightened in a little line.
Skywalker scrutinized her for a little bit and his eyes widened. Oh no!
And with an angry 'Humpf', Padmé walked past him and entered the Galaxy Senate's Chamber.
Harry couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him, and looking around he spotted Sirius and even Obi-Wan adorning smiles. While Anakin stood in the same place, with a horror-struck face.
Life promised to be good for Harry…
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Harry continued to smile, but it was rapidly replaced by a frown, because only seconds after Padmé entered the Senate Chamber, he sensed a fluctuation in the Force. A very little fluctuation. But with his unique connection he caught it nonetheless. And he was sure he was the only one. He closed his eyes and surveyed rapidly his surroundings with his Far-sight. Nothing strange or threatening was in the vicinity. Maybe in the Senate Chamber? He began searching for the source of disturbance and suddenly sensed the presence of the Dark side of the Force, but it lasted only seconds before it disappeared. He opened his eyes. What the hell was that!?
"What is it?" Sirius asked him after seeing his godson frowning in concentration.
"I sensed a Dark disturbance in the Force." Harry answered. "Knight Kenobi, is there Jedi or Force users in the Senate?"
"No. Nothing of the sort. Why?" Obi-Wan said.
"I sensed a disturbance in the Force, a Dark one." the young Black answered with a grave voice.
"But I haven't sensed anything." the older Jedi stated.
"Like I said before, my connection with the Force is quite unique. And I sensed it in the Senate Chamber." Harry said.
"I want to believe you, but we can't confirm that by entering the chamber. It's forbidden to enter once the Vote begins." Obi-Wan said.
"So we can't do anything." Sirius stated with a frown.
"We could inform the Jedi Council" the Knight replied.
"We could try, but I don't think they will believe me." Harry said and looked toward the Chamber's doors. Whoever that was, was dangerous. And if what Adla said was true, only those who used the Dark side of the Force, like Sith, could produce such disturbances. That meant that the Sith were really plotting something under the Jedi Council's nose. And it wasn't comforting in the slightest.
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Padmé sighed in relief. She had tried her hardest to delay the Vote for the Clone Army since she was sure all senators would vote for its creation, and her near death experience was a good way to change topics. The whole session, they only discussed about the lack of security in the Republic and ways to make it better. At the end, her own safety issue was dwelled on by Chancellor Palpatine.
"I think it would be wise to assign Jedi for your protection, Senator Amidala." said Palpatine.
"I already have Jedi to protect me. Actually Jedi Knight Kenobi and his padawan Skywalker were waiting for me at the landing platform. They saved me from the explosion." Padmé said, not revealing that the Blacks were the ones that had saved her delegation. She had a feeling that the lesser peoples knew about them, the better.
"Did they?" a surprised Chancellor asked.
"Yes, they were sent by the Jedi Council." the Nabooian Senator continued.
"Wonderful! That way you will be safe." Palpatine said. "Alright, the meeting is adjourned for one week."
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Everyone began leaving the Chamber but the Chancellor caught Amidala before she left.
"Padmé, dear, I'm so glad you aren't hurt. You should be careful while on Coruscant. This planet is nothing like our peaceful Naboo.
"I will be careful Chancellor Palpatine, thank you for the concern." Amidala said.
"We will have a little meeting between selected Senators to discuss the Republic Clone army in details, in two days' time, in the old Senate building. I wanted you to be there, but with the assassination attempt, I think it would be wiser that you send a representative. What do you say?"
"I want to come by myself. It's an important matter."
"But Padmé! You should not risk your life like that! What will Queen Jamillia and the Nabooian people do if their former Queen and now best Senator dies? I insist that you send someone in your place." Palpatine said.
"Alright, I think that I will follow your advice and send someone, Jar Jar Binks." the Nabooian Senator suggested.
"Ah the Gungans representative of Naboo." Palpatine said. "Very well. I wish you a good day, Senator Amidala."
"You too." Padmé said before leaving the chamber.
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Once the door closed, the smile he was adorning disappeared and he narrowed his eyes. How had she survived? And why had the Jedi Council sent two Jedi to protect her? And precisely the two he himself wanted to assign to her, once he discovered that she survived. Something very strange was going on.
"Uv, have you discovered what happened on the landing platform?" Palpatine asked the man that was staying next to the doors.
"Yes sir. The Guards described it like someone appeared out of nowhere and threw the ship in the air, thus escaping the bomb's explosion." said Gizen, his personal aide.
"Someone appeared out of nowhere you say? Hmm...a new player is entering the Game, and Padmé wants to hide it from me? I want to know everything about that stranger. Don't come back without information." the Chancellor and secretly the Dark Sith Lord Darth Sidious said with a dark smile.
"Yes sir."
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The big Chamber's doors opened and countless Senators began leaving. But there was still no sign of Amidala after the last Senator left the chamber. Harry concentrated and with his Far-sight sensed the Nabooian Senator with another man. Hmm...The Force was behaving strangely around that person. Something wasn't right about that man. Could it be that he was the one that created the disturbance earlier?
He should later ask Padmé who was that man and find more about him.
Finally the Nabooian Senator exited the Chamber and walked towards them. And before anyone could say a word, Harry spoke up:
"By whom you were delayed Senator, if I may ask?"
"The Chancellor Palpatine was worried about my safety and wanted Jedi to protect me. But they are already protecting me." she answered surveying the two Jedi with her gaze.
Chancellor Palpatine? A man of power then. He should investigate more on it later.
"Senator,.." Harry began after glancing in Sirius' direction. "It is true that we appeared out of nowhere, and it's more than suspicious, but we, the Blacks, want to propose our help in protecting you. It was for a reason that the Force sent us to you. And to say the truth, after what happened earlier, you have to agree that only two Jedi wouldn't be enough to properly protect you and your people." he finished.
Padmé had already reflected on that matter when she was in the Senate Chamber, and had actually decided to ask the two Blacks to help her. She had a strange feeling about them,…like they were different...and maybe that was the main reason she trusted them, complete strangers. But one thing was sure, they were powerful, and...she felt...well...safe around them. And now that they offered themselves to protect her, she only had to say yes.
"I accept your offer, but how much will it cost me?" Amidala asked.
"I think you haven't understood our offer. We are not doing this for money or recompense, the Force wants us to protect you, so we will protect you." the young Black answered.
"Then I gladly accept your offer, Mister Black." the Senator said with a smile. Yes, these two seemed very different from the others.
"But, Padmé! You shouldn't trust them! They're complete strangers! We don't know anything about them!" the younger Jedi cried out.
"Anakin! You overstep your boundaries!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.
"I think that you should listen to Knight Kenobi. Do not forget that I am a Senator, padawan Skywalker. I am to decide on what I deem necessary." Padmé responded, narrowing her eyes.
Anakin was shocked to say the last. What was going on? Their first meeting since the Naboo Blockade wasn't supposed to be like this! First, he confounded Padmé for her handmaiden! What an idiot! And now, she called him 'Padawan Skywalker'? What was going on? It has been since those two Blacks' arrival that the world began crashing around him. And what got into Padmé and Obi-Wan to trust them like that? Hn... Maybe was he controlling them the same way he had controlled that Nabooian pilot? It was a possibility, but how could he control Obi-Wan? A Jedi Knight, who was on his way to become a Jedi Master. Maybe because that Harry, was more powerful than Kenobi? That could then explain, why Anakin himself wasn't controlled. After all, he was more powerful than Obi-Wan, and surely more powerful than that Harry.
He had to do something. But it would be too foolish to do something now and in their presence. After all, he had seen by himself how that Black threw the Ship, and he didn't know what other powers he could have. No. He should act once he was alone with Padmé and his Master.
"I presume that now we are going to your living quarters?" Sirius said to the Senator.
"Yes."
"Let's return to our ships then." the older Black continued.
"You have your own ship near?" Captain Panaka asked.
"Yes, we actually arrived to Coruscant only minutes before you. We landed on one of the reserved platforms." Sirius replied.
The group began walking and after a while, arrived before the platform 22 where the main Nabooian ship was parked.
"Where is your ship?" Panaka asked Harry.
"Just there." he answered showing Bade's Delta-7, some hundred yards away.
"A Starfighter?" an incredulous Captain asked.
"Yeah. That's an old model, but a very fast one." Harry answered. "Anyway, enter the ship and fly to Senator Amidala's quarters. We will fly behind and protect you if a problem arises. And the two Jedi will accompany you, I presume?"
"Indeed." Obi-Wan said with a nod.
"Alright. Let's go." Captain Panaka said, as the Nabooian delegation and the two Jedi took the main ship. While the two Blacks rapidly approached their Delta-7, entered it and rose off the ground, waiting for the Senator's ship to take away.
After a few minutes, the three ships flew away.
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The main Nabooian ship was flying for some minutes now, and Anakin was trying to think of a better way to solve the 'Black' problem. But the best solution was quite dangerous and could back-fire...use the Jedi mind trick on Obi-Wan and Padmé to cancel the one Harry used on them. Padmé wouldn't be a problem, being non Force-sensitive, but Obi-Wan would feel the mind invading touch. Well, he didn't have any other choice…
First off, he should deal with the Senator.
Anakin walked toward her room on the ship and knocked. The door slid and there stood Padmé, watching him with an expressionless face.
"What do you want, Anakin?"
"Padmé...I'm sorry of what happened before. My behavior was out of place. I shouldn't take decisions for you. I was...I was just worried about you. You trusted a complete stranger, which appeared out of nowhere." he began, and seeing that she wanted to object continued. "Please, hear me out."
"Alright, enter." she said with resignation.
Anakin smiled and followed her in. Once seated on a sofa, he concentrated the Force around his left hand that was hidden behind his back and waited for the perfect time.
"Padmé, I always had your best interest at heart. You are very dear to me, and I can't lose you." Anakin said and sent a little Force toward the Senators head. "You have to agree that their arrival and actions are more than suspicious. They saved your ship to make you believe them. And I'm sure they were the ones that planted that bomb under the ship." he continued pushing more Force.
"I...I.." Padmé began but was interrupted.
"They are impostors!" Anakin said completely using the mind Force manipulation.
"Yes...you are right. I never should have doubted you. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about that." Anakin said smiling. "I will go; I have to talk to Obi-Wan." he continued and stood up. After a wave of his hand he left the room.
He was happy that he succeeded in making Padmé trust him, but one little part of him was against the methods he used. After all, wasn't he doing the same thing as Harry by controlling the Senator? No! Anakin was doing it for the Greater Good. And for his love for Padmé.
Once he got the Blacks out of the picture, then he could release Padmé.
The young Jedi smiled. 'You should never have crossed my path, Harry Black.'
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"They are landing." Harry observed pointing toward the blue building they were approaching. "Land next to their ship."
The older Black nodded and landed the Starfighter.
"Once the Senator is in safety, we will go to the Jedi Temple." his godson continued. "Those two Jedi and her Nabooian guard could protect her while we are away."
"Let's go then." Sirius said and began leaving the Delta-7, closely followed by his godson.
The two Blacks met the other group next to the big blue building.
"Let's accompany the Senator to her quarters, and then we will go to the Jedi Temple." Harry said to Obi-Wan.
"Alright. By the way, I contacted the Jedi Temple. They are waiting for your arrival. A friend of mine will be waiting for you at the building entrance and will escort you towards the Council." the older Jedi said.
"Thank you Knight Kenobi." Harry said with a nod, and remarked the frown on Skywalker's face. Obi-Wan turned toward his apprentice and sent him a cold glare. What was going on between those two? Had something happened on the ship?
"Are you coming Mister Black?" the handmaiden said, startling the young man.
"Oh…yes Cordé."
They caught the group and entered the building.
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Just after checking the Senator's living quarters and agreeing that it was safe, the two Blacks left the building and entered their Starfighter.
The flight lasted a few minutes and they arrived before the gold Jedi Temple. Landing the ship on a platform, the two Blacks exited and began walking toward the building. Not far from the entrance they spotted someone. That was probably the person Obi-Wan was talking about.
The said person was actually a woman...a gorgeous...blue skinned woman, maybe about 21 of age.
Sirius took his godson's arm and stopped him. He then whispered something to him, making Harry raise an eyebrow and nod. They continued toward the stranger.
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"Hello. You should be Sirius and Harry Black." she said.
"Indeed." Harry said. "And you are?"
"An angel..."-Sirius whispered with an awed voice.
"Actually no, I'm Aayla Secura, a Twi'lek Jedi Master." she responded with a smile, being used to that sort of reaction from men.
"Are you here to escort us?" the younger Black asked.
"Oh come on Harry! Stop being a workaholic all the time! You have probably the most beautiful woman in the Galaxy before you, and all you can say is: Are you here to escort us? What the hell?" Sirius exclaimed not in the slightest disturbed that the said woman could hear everything.
"Sirius..."
"Don't Sirius me!"
"I'll admit she is quite beautiful, but I've seen better..." Harry said very seriously.
"Are you crazy?" Sirius cried out.
Aayla could only blink in surprise. That young man didn't find her attractive? Her? One of the most beautiful Twi'lek in the Galaxy? And he said that he had seen better? What a joke! Had he mud instead of eyes? Idiot... Hmm... Actually to say the truth, he was really handsome. A rarity in the Republic. And he wasn't drooling like every other male she met. A unique individual.
"Are you single, Miss Secura?" Sirius asked with hope.
"She is a Jedi; she can't have a relationship unlike us." his godson stated with a roll of his eyes.
That was true. They were forbidden to love. But Aayla Secura wasn't only known for her incredible beauty and her fighting prowess, but for her habit to break rules. And that Harry, really needed to be put in his place. So with a smirk, she seductively approached him and stopped only a few inches from him.
"You will discover that I don't play by the rules, Mister Black." she said leaning so much toward him that their lips were nearly touching.
A predatory smile formed on Harry's face.
"I was hoping you would say that." he said.
Aayla watched him with incredulous eyes, and was again surprised when Harry closed the small gap between them and kissed her on the lips. It lasted only a few seconds and Harry leaned back. He threw a glance in his godfather's direction and began walking toward the Temple. Sirius caught him and put his arm around his godson's shoulders.
"See, that worked." he said. "Now she will be all over you."
"You are really a good actor, Sirius." Harry said with a smirk.
"I'm a Marauder! It's in my nature!"
"Anyway, I wanted to say that... You are the best!"
"I know, I know...you lucky bastard." the older Black said. "She is really one of the most beautiful women I ever seen. And I've seen many women in my life."
Harry smiled and turned towards Aayla.
"Are you coming, Miss Secura? We shouldn't make the Council wait." he said using the same words he used with Padmé.
The Jedi was still shocked. That man had kissed her! What nerve! She was always the one controlling men, not the other way around. From what planet was he coming? Truly a unique individual. And only for that reason alone she wouldn't cut him in half...
Aayla smiled. Interesting; very interesting indeed...
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The two Blacks followed Aayla throughout the Jedi Temple. The building was incredible, inside like outside. They met many Force users on their way. Knights, Padawans and even Younglings.
"Stop watching her…back." Sirius said to his godson with a smirk.
"I'm not watching her ba-…oh shut up!" an indignant Harry said, blushing.
Sirius laughed. Life was good. His bond with his godson became only stronger with the years. Harry really trusted him now and had finally accepted him as his father figure. Even if Sirius behaved more like a crazy big brother.
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"We arrived." Aayla said. "The Council is waiting behind this door."
"Thank you, Miss Secura." Harry said with a smile.
"Be careful of what you say, and be respectful." the Jedi Master advised. "Oh and...just Aayla is fine." she finished with a smirk.
"Will we see you again?" Sirius asked.
"I will find you after your meeting." Secura answered before turning around and walking away.
"She is really all over you already." Sirius whispered with a grin.
"Come on. It's time." Harry said with a smile, and pushed the door.
They entered the large circular Jedi Council's room and walked toward the center. Jedi Masters were seated in a circle around the two newcomers.
"So you are the famous Blacks that saved the Nabooian Senator Amidala." stated one of the Jedi. He was a tall bald human, with black skin, and seemed to be the Chief, if the authority and power he was emitting was any indication.
"Indeed we are Master Jedi. But who are you?" Sirius asked.
"I'm Grand Master Mace Windu." he answered. "Knight Kenobi informed us of your actions on the landing pad. And to say the truth we are impressed by your prowess. But your sudden arrival is more than suspicious. What have you to say about that matter?"
"Like we explained to Senator Amidala and Knight Kenobi, the Force guided me to Coruscant. It wanted me to save someone here. And when we arrived to the landing pad to which the Force guided me, we stumbled upon the reserved Naboo platform. I sensed a disturbance in the Force, Knight Kenobi sensed it too, so I concentrated on my surroundings and sensed a bomb under the Ship. After that I'm sure you know the rest."
"Indeed." Mace Windu said. "But many questions are unanswered yet. Like who you really are? What do you want to do now? And of course how you learned to use the Force and those Lightsabers you have?"
"You already know who we are." Harry answered.
"We are speaking of 'What' you are, little insolent brat." another Jedi exclaimed. He was small with a gray skin and had really long ears.
"With all due respect, Master Jedi, but I think that even a Padawan can sense that I'm Force sensitive and that my godfather isn't." Harry stated. "And we are humans, that much is obvious."
The said Jedi Master was furious. To be insulted like that by a mere kid, that wasn't even a Jedi...That boy needed to be put in his place.
"And we are here just to inform you that the Senator had accepted our help and we will be protecting her. We aren't trying to create problems, and we are certainly not against you, nor are we working for Separatist or Sith." Harry answered.
"How can we be sure of the legitimacy of your affirmations?" A beautiful red skinned woman asked.
"You can't." was Harry's simple answer.
"And what about all your knowledge?" a very long necked alien asked.
"I was taught by a self-learned Force user, as was my godfather."
"I can sense your connection with the Force, but your godfather is different." the Grand Master Jedi said. "What is your connection with it?" he asked Sirius.
"It's some sort of…" began the older Black but was interrupted.
"Sirius, I don't think we are forced to reveal our secrets." Harry said. "We are not Jedi. You don't have any authority over us, nor can you order us around. We are here just to inform you of our presence and avoid a misunderstanding. We have but one thing to add: I sensed a Dark disturbance in the Senate Chamber, and think that the Chancellor Palpatine is the one that created it. You should investigate and be careful around him."
"The Chancellor? Don't be ridiculous! If a Dark Force user was in the Senate, we would have discovered it." said a Jedi Master with horns.
"Open your eyes! Just because you are Jedi Masters doesn't mean you are some all-seeing entity." Harry continued with outrage. "I'm not lying to you.
"No fear I sense in you. That very strong in the Force you are, see I can." said a very little green alien. And like reading Harry's mind, he continued. "Grand Master Yoda I am.
"Master Yoda you say? Then you will know that we are not your enemies, for we are pupils of Adla Kotack." the younger Black retorted.
Yoda's eyes widened and surprise was unmistakable on his face.
"Lived a simple human that long had? Hm...hm. Truly an exceptional individual she is. Go you must now, ponder on this matter we would. Inform you Knight Kenobi will, once our decision taken is." the little Grand Master said.
Harry nodded and left the room followed by his godfather.
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"I don't think that making them angry and more suspicious was a good Idea." the older Black said.
"They should know that we aren't little puppets they can control. And I think we have a new ally." Harry said.
"Yeah, Master Yoda can really be very helpful." his godfather agreed. "But what will we do now?"
"Let's get away from this chamber."
"Haven't that Twi'lek said that she will meet us after the meeting?"
"I have a feeling we will cross her on our path." Harry said and began retracing their steps back to the entrance, closely followed by Sirius.
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"So, what do you think about them?" Mace Windu asked, after the door was closed.
"That Harry is an insolent brat, with no respect for his elders and betters!" the long eared Jedi Master exclaimed.
"I agree with Master Piell." the long necked Yarael Poof said.
"Don't be too quick to judge." Master Shaak Ti said. "The boy is right; we have no authority on him and his godfather. He is just a Force user, not a Jedi."
"But very powerful in the Force he is. Only one other person is known to have such a connection, young Skywalker." Yoda remarked.
"You aren't trying to say that this boy is as powerful as the Chosen One, are you?" Plo Koon asked.
"Right he is to state that becoming too narrow-minded we are." the little Jedi Master continued. "A great help he could be in the approaching war."
"It's only a guess. You couldn't be sure that a war is oncoming." Kit Fisto said.
"Respecting your elders you are not. Too young you are, a connection with the Force like mine to have. Sense the incoming conflict I can." Yoda explained. "Trust the young Black I do, and not wasting time you should too."
"I think that Master Yoda is right. A little help will only benefit us." Mace said. "And I will have an eye on them, if it makes you more comfortable."
"Leave you I must, meditate on this matter I will."
"Alright, the meeting is adjourned."
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The two Blacks were already walking for a few minutes, when they've heard a familiar voice calling.
"You've taken less time than I thought."
"Miss Secura." Sirius said. "What exactly you have on your mind?"
"Follow me and you'll see."
Harry shrugged and the trio walked away.
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After five minutes they arrived to a immense metallic door, and with a wave of her hand, Aayla opened it.
It was a large room, a very large room. About two times the Hogwarts's Great Hall. And it was full of people, sparing hand-to-hand, fighting with lightsabers, moving objects with the Force…etc... All in all it was a training room.
The blue Twi'lek walked toward the center, and not really having a choice in the matter, the Blacks followed her, thus attracting attention to them. And once the trio was in the right middle of the room, the female Jedi turned toward Harry.
"I want a little spar with you."
"What? No, I'm not really in the mood." Harry said with a frown.
"It wasn't a request, Mister Black." she said with a smirk. "You will fight me, whether you want it or not."
"I thought we were past all that 'Mister' crap?" the young Black asked raising an eyebrow.
"Right, Harry, anyway, you will fight me."
"And if I say no?"
"Then your godfather would have to assemble your parts, once I'm done with you…" Master Secura replied taking one of her lightsabers in hand.
"You are too sure of yourself, Aayla. Being over confident is the quickest way to lose." Harry stated. "But…it doesn't really matter, over confident or not, you will lose anyway." Harry continued as a matter of fact.
"Hn...And I am the overconfident one...?" the Twi'lek said rolling her eyes.
Their little exchange had attracted more attention and now padawans, Knights and even some Masters had stopped what they were doing to observe Master Secura and the stranger.
"Who is that man?" a young girl padawan asked her Master.
"I've never seen him before."
"Is he Master Secura's new Padawan?" continued the girl.
"No, Gina, Master Secura doesn't take Padawans. He must be a Knight, but his face is really new to me."
"Oh look, she ignited her lightsaber!" Gina exclaimed.
"Watch closely, and you may catch some moves. Aayla Secura is a lightsaber prodigy." the Master spoke.
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"Do you want a lightsaber spar?" Harry asked.
"No, I want a real fight; you can use everything you know, in the limit of lethal attacks." the Twi'lek answered.
"Are you sure it's..." the young Black began, but was interrupted because he had to dodge Aayla's upside-down slash. Once he dodged the slash he jumped back and took a hand-to-hand fighting stance, his left leg a few inches before the right a little bent. His right arm pointed a bit towards Aayla, his left, stuck to his side with his hand pointing upward. It was called 'Silent Storm', a fighting style that Adla taught him, saying that there was no better weapon than your own body. And she was probably right.
The Silent Storm was composed of fluid and very powerful strikes, and mainly used the user's physical strength. But when used properly, it could be empowered by the Force, making the user even more dangerous. And Harry discovered the real power of this fighting style, the hard way... While training, he caught Adla's Force enhanced punch and his left hand's bones broke in ten different places! That wasn't pretty...
Anyway, now he was a master at it, and he would show Aayla of what he was made of, without even using his lightsaber.
Aayla rose an eyebrow after seeing that he decide to fight her hand-to-hand. Was he that proficient or was it a bluff? Never mind, she only wanted to see how skilled he was, how he fought wasn't that important.
Bending her legs she prepared for the fight. And with inhuman speed she dashed toward him, brandishing her blue lightsaber.
Harry easily escaped her vertical slash by stepping to the right but the following circular swing passed only inches from his face when he bended backwards.
Not losing time, the Master Jedi continued attacking the young Black with quick jibs and slashes. Harry for his part dodged every swing without problem, thus irritating his opponent. Finally, during his twentieth dodge, he caught Aayla's right hand and not letting her go, delivered a powerful Force enhanced punch to her stomach.
Secura's eyes widened before she was launched 20 feet back, losing her lightsaber in the process.
She coughed in pain and rapidly stood up, calling her sword toward her with the Force.
She had underestimated him, thinking that her Mastery of the Jedi ways would advantage her, so she held back. But now she would be serious.
Aayla took her second lightsaber with her left hand and ignited it. A smile formed on her lips.
Harry, seeing the Jedi Master's renewed vigor, prepared himself. And not a second later, she rushed toward him at a speed that eyes had difficulties to follow, and he was assailed with lightning-fast slashes. The young Black began rapidly dodging her attacks, bending to the side, jumping backward, swirling; her rapid swings making him unable to counter-strike. Nevertheless, she wasn't successful in cutting Harry. He was skillfully evading her. That of course unnerved the Twi'lek and her slashes became even faster.
After dodging a particularly close circular swing, Harry swirled and brought his right foot toward Aayla, certain that the blow was too fast for her to block, but he forgot that Jedi never fought alone. So when Aayla used the Force to freeze him in the air, he was completely caught off guard. With no ability to move, he was launched 30 yards back, hitting the hard floor.
With a groan he stood up, and was again caught off guard when he saw the humming blue beam of the Twi'lek's sword approach him at an extremely rapid pace, and was only inches from his head.
Time seemed to slow down...he could see the surprised expression on Aayla's face, the shocked on Sirius one...and finally Master Yoda's eternally calm face. What was he doing here? Had he come to see us fight, or was it something else..?
Oh! Aayla! He hadn't time to ponder on those questions, right now he was inches from his death…
Dying during a training spar...how lame...
"Harry...feel me...Feel me Harry..."
The Force, it was again talking to him. Feel it? Alright…
A wave of galactic energy flowed through him and gave him power…
The humming beam was only an inch from his right cheek, when he sidestepped it, with his left hand taking a hold of Aayla's right hand that only moments ago was to cut him in half, and with his right leg encircled her waist, and in a powerful and rapid motion, he lifted her and spinning, tackled the Twi'lek to the ground.
His breath was ragged, as was hers.
The training room was in a complete silence. Many were shocked; others impressed, the rest were trying to hide their anger. But all that wasn't important, the only thing that mattered was the young man atop her. He had bested her without even using his lightsaber, her...a Jedi Master. And his last stunt had completely shocked her. Aayla thought that she was going to wound him mortally, but no...he dodged her strike, as if it was his plan since the beginning. He was truly a unique individual.
"You could have killed me, you know?" he asked with a grin.
"It was a test." she answered breathless.
"And how did I perform?"
"Some good moves, quick reflexes, a good grasp in the Force, a little overconfident, but not bad."
"Not bad?" Harry asked again with a raised eyebrow. "I think that I can live with that."
Aayla was really beginning to feel strange...her ragged breath wasn't due to her fight, but to the close proximity of their bodies. What was going on? She was feeling like a little school-girl...Was she beginning to feel something for the Black? No, she wasn't, she couldn't...the Jedi Code...
To hell the Jedi Code and the Council! Now that she had finally found someone that made her feel special, she wouldn't let a Code made by old geezers ruin her chances of happiness.
"Don't you think that our position is not very appropriate..?" she spoke with a sly smirk.
"Hum? No, I'm good." Harry retorted, but after a few seconds he stood up and helped Aayla to do the same.
She stuck her lightsabers back to her belt and looked around. The Jedi had made a big circle around them and were watching with interest.
"Let's get out of here, you attracted too much attention." she said to the young Black.
"Me? You mean you attracted too much attention..."
"What can I say, I'm a beautiful woman." stated the Twi'lek.
"I can't disagree with that." Harry whispered.
"Hey pup, I think that someone wants to talk to you." Sirius said pointing toward the little Jedi Grand Master.
Harry nodded and walked toward the green skinned Jedi.
"Master Yoda."
"Reckless you were during your fight." he began. "Not using your lightsaber dangerous was. Died you could have, by trying to hide your skills."
"I wasn't hiding my skills." Harry replied.
"Fool me you cannot. Sense your power I can."
The young Black sighed.
"I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but what exactly do you want?"
"To warn you I came. Wary of your actions you should be."
"And why is that?"
"Too dangerous you are." Yoda simply stated.
Harry narrowed his eyes. Did he know something about his secrets?
"I'm I danger to no one. What makes you think differently?"
"In peace with the Force you are, use the both sides of it you can, but too great your power is and you will lose to it your mind." the Grand Master explained.
"It won't happen." Harry strongly stated. "You should worry more about your little Jedi, Skywalker."
"The chosen one is, Padawan Skywalker, peace to the Force he will bring. But a mystery to me you are, and your role is uncertain."
"Hum...a prophecy...never liked them." Harry said with distaste. "So that was your advice, Master Yoda, 'To be wary of my actions'. Well don't worry about that, I learned it the hard way."
"In that case, leave you I will." the Jedi said and turning around, he walked away.
"I can lose my mind to the power? Hn...I think you are a bit too late with your advice, old man." Harry whispered with a faraway look.
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Aayla watched as Harry talked to Master Yoda. What was he doing here?
"Master Secura." someone spoke behind her.
"Yes?" the Twi'lek asked turning around.
"That was a good fight, but...who is that man?" a young woman Knight asked.
"He, Trisha, is a friend of mine, and I just wanted a little spar. As you can see he is quite strong."
"Yes, but is he a Jedi? I've never seen him before."
"No, he is not. He is just a Force user that came to help us."
"A Force user? I've heard of a Force user that saved the Senator Amidala, is he the one?" Trisha asked.
"That's right, his name is..." Aayla began.
"Harry Black, glad to meet you." the young Black finished.
"Ohh, I haven't seen you approach, what did Master Yoda want?" the Twi'lek asked.
"Nothing important, he just wanted to chat." Harry answered with a smile. "I think that Sirius and I should go, Aayla. We have to protect the Senator after all."
"Alright, I will escort you to the ship." she said.
"Let's go then." he said and walked away, closely followed by the Jedi Master. "Hey Sirius, are you coming?" he continued, speaking to his godfather that was flirting with no success with an attractive Jedi Master.
"'Coming! The women around here are heartless anyway." he said aloud, and followed his godson.
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Review please !
Daistaf