A/N: Once I started with this one, I found myself unable to stop, which would explain why this one is my longest yet. Not a whole lot of new characters here. By now you already know that I've chosen Dr. Stewart for Chancellor Valorum. My choices for Mace Windu and Ki-Adi Mundi are also revealed. As for Yoshi on the role of Yoda, I've decided to keep the backwards talk. It feels more Star Wars-y, and It's bad enough deciphering Jar Jar Binks into perfect English for Mikau.

CHAPTER 8: MUTE CITY

Back in Hyrule, things were falling apart. The Trade Federation was in control of just about every city on the planet, save for Zora's Domain and a few others. Lane one evening, Darunia had mustered up the courage to confront Wolf O'Donnell, but only with a plea. Far to many battle droids surrounded the Viceroy to engage him in battle of any kind, and the Goron Governor was not a fighter by any means.

"Your princess is lost, your people are starving, and you, Governor, are going to die much sooner than your people, I'm afraid." Wolf told him.

"This invasion will gain you nothing." Darunia insisted. "We're a democracy. The people have decided."

"Take him away." Wolf ordered to one of his droids. The order was carried out, and another droid approached his leader.

"My troops are in position to begin searching the swamps for this rumored underwater village." The droid said. "It will not stay hidden for long."

On board Zelda's ship, Sheik had entered one of the sleeping quarters as the starship sped towards its destination of Mute City. She noticed Link sitting in a corner, but couldn't see him too well. Mikau was also in the room, out like a light, as well as Mr. Game and Watch, who had shut down for the evening. For some reason, she wished to know what had happened while she was on Zebes with Roy and Mikau. She walked over to a console and found an earlier message from Darunia.

"The death toll is catastrophic." The governor said. "We must bow to their wishes, you must contact me." As the transmission ended, Shiek wondered what might happen. She looked over to her new friend in the corner, and saw that his eyes were open.

"You all right?" Sheik asked with a hint of concern for the boy.

"It's very cold." Link responded quietly. Sheik grabbed a red blanket from one of the chairs, and wrapped the boy in it.

"You come from a warm planet. Link." Sheik said. "A little too warm for my taste. Space is cold."

"You seem sad." Link said.

"The princess is worried." Sheik said. "Her people are suffering, dying. She must convince the senate to intervene, or…" Sheik paused at that moment. "I'm not sure what'll happen."

"I made this for you, so you'd remember me." Link said as he pulled something from his pocket. It was a handmade pendant on a chain. "I carved it out of a metroid fang. It'll bring you good fortune."

"It's beautiful." Sheik said. "But I don't need this to remember you by." A short pause followed before she spoke up again. "Many things will change when we reach the capital, Link, but my caring for you will remain."

"I care for you too." Link said, "Only I-"

"Miss your mother." Sheik finished.

After a near sleepless night and hours of flying, a planet finally came into view. As the ship got closer, it was revealed that they were in a vast metropolis.

"Mute City." The pilot said to a curious Link, who found his way into the cockpit. "The entire planet is one big city." The pilot looked out, and saw something welcoming. "There's Chancellor Stewart's shuttle. And look over there, Senator Dragmire is waiting for us."

Senator Dragmire looked up and saw Princess Zelda's ship approaching. He had heard of their little incursion on Zebes, and he waited three days for it to finally reach Mute City. The ship had docked on the small landing platform, and allowed all of its passengers to finally step out; something they had wanted to do since they boarded. Being his ambassadors, Roy and Marth immediately bowed to the Chancellor. Princess Zelda herself was next to approach the political leader and her senator.

"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty." Dragmire said to her. "With the communications breakdown, we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation." Link looked out over the vast city, and soon caught a smile from Sheik.

"May I present Supreme Chancellor Stewart." Dragmire finished.

"Welcome, Your Highness." Stewart said. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person."

"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor." Zelda replied.

"I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation." The Chancellor said. "I've called for a special session of the senate to hear your position."

"I'm grateful for your concern, Chancellor." Zelda said. The princess then walked to a shuttle with her senator, her handmaidens, Mikau, and Link, while Chancellor Stewart met with his Jedi Ambassadors.

"There is a question of procedure." Dragmire said to Zelda. "But I'm confident we can overcome it."

"I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately." Roy said to the Chancellor. "The situation has become much more complicated." Link heard this and looked back at Roy.

"Link, come on." Sheik urged. With a simple gesture, Roy signaled to the boy that everything was okay and to run along. He got into the shuttle with Mikau as the Zora spoke to him.

"The princess is being really nice, I think." Mikau said to the boy. "Pretty cool." With that, the shuttle took them to a hotel that the Chancellor had provided for them.

Inside, Link waited outside of the princess's quarters while she discussed something with Senator Dragmire.

"There is no civility, only politics." Dragmire said. "The Republic is not what it once was. The senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good." Zelda listened to this intently as her Senator continued. "I must be frank, Your Majesty. There is little chance the senate will act on the invasion."

"Chancellor Stewart seems to think there is hope." Zelda said to him.

"If I may say so, Your Majesty, the chancellor has little real power." Dragmire said. "He is mired by baseless accusations of corruption. The bureaucrats are in charge now."

"What options have we?" The princess asked.

"Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor." Dragmire suggested. "One who could control the bureaucrats and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Stewart."

"He has been our strongest supporter." Zelda argued.

"Our only other choice would be to submit a plea to the courts." Dragmire told her.

"The courts take even longer to decide things than the senate." Zelda said. "Our people are dying, Senator. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation."

"To be realistic, Your Majesty, I think we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being." Dragmire said, defeated.

"That is something I cannot do." The princess responded.

At the Jedi Temple, Roy was surrounded by his peers and elders as he gave his report of the current situation.

"He was trained in the Jedi arts." Roy said to them, referring to the one who attacked him moments before Zelda's Ship left Zebes. "My only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord."

"Impossible." A Jedi Master known as Peppy Hare said. "The Sith have been extinct for a millennium."

"I do not believe the Sith could have returned without us knowing." Another Jedi Master concurred. He was known as Captain Falcon.

"Ah, hard to see, the dark side is." The oldest and wisest of them, Master Yoshi, said. For some reason he spoke backwards all the time

"We will use all our resources to unravel this mystery." Master Falcon told Roy. "We will discover the identity of your attacker. May the Force be with you." Roy and Marth both bowed, but as Marth prepared to leave, Roy stood still.

"Master Roy." Yoshi began. "More to say, have you?"

"With your permission, my master…" Roy said, not knowing how to continue. "I have encountered a vergence in the Force."

"A vergence, you say?" Yoshi asked.

"Located around a person?" Falcon added.

"A boy." Roy responded, referring to Link. "His cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form. It's possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians." Masters looked at each other in disbelief.

"You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force." Falcon said. "You believe it's this…boy?"

"I don't presume to-" Roy began

"But you do." Yoshi finished. "Revealed your opinion is."

"I request the boy be tested, Master." Roy said.

"Ohh." Yoshi said. "Trained as a Jedi you request for him, hmm?"

"Finding him was the will of the Force." Roy said. "I have no doubt of that."

"Bring him before us then." Falcon sighed. Roy bowed and left the room with Marth.

"The boy's here to see Sheik." A guard said into a communicator as he stood outside Zelda's chambers with Link.

"Let him in." A female voice responded. Link walked into the room, and was amazed with its elegance.

"I'm sorry, Link." Another of Zelda's handmaidens said. "But Sheik's not here right now."

"Who is it." Princess Zelda asked.

"Link Timehero to see Sheik, Your Highness." The handmaiden answered. Link bowed as he saw Zelda round the corner.

"I've sent Sheik on an errand." Zelda told him.

"I'm on my way to the Jedi Temple to start my training, I hope." Link said. "I may never see her again, so I came to say good-bye."

"We will tell her for you." Zelda assured him. "We are sure her heart goes with you."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Link said as he left.

Later that day, Chancellor Stewart's special senate hearing was taking place. Of course, he touched on a number of matters before getting to Hyrule's emergency.

"The chair recognizes the senator from the sovereign system of Hyrule." Chancellor Stewart said. Each senator form each system was placed on quite a unique platform, which could detach from the wall and come closet to the center of both the room and everyone's attention. Senator Dragmire did the honors, and stopped the platform near the Chancellor.

"Supreme Chancellor, delegates of the senate, a tragedy has occurred." Dragmire said. "Which started right here with the taxation of trade routes and has now engulfed our entire planet in the oppression of the Trade Federation." This caused another platform to approach.

"This is outrageous!" The senator of the Trade Federation said. "I object to the senator's statements."

"The chair does not recognize the senator from the Trade Federation at this time." Stewart said, brushing him off.

"To state our allegations," Dragmire continued. "I present Princess Zelda, recently elected ruler of Hyrule, who speaks on our behalf." At this opening, Zelda stepped forward.

"Honorable representatives of the Republic, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances." The princess said. "Hyrule has been invaded by the droid armies of the Trade-"

"I object!" The Trade Federation senator interrupted. "There is no proof! This is incredible. We recommend a commission be sent to Hyrule to ascertain the truth."

"The Congress of Red Canyon concurs with the honorable delegate from the Trade Federation." Another senator said, uninvited. "A commission must be appointed."

"The point-" Chancellor Stewart began, but he was then sidetracked by his assistant, who whispered something in his ear.

"Enter the bureaucrat." Dragmire said quietly to Zelda. "The true rulers of the Republic. And on the payroll of the Trade Federation, I might add. This is where Chancellor Stewart's strength will disappear."

"The point is conceded." Stewart continued. "Will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity of your accusations?"

"I will not defer." Zelda said, holding what little ground she had. "I've come before you to resolve this attack on our sovereignty now. I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee! If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed." What the princess said next shook the political world of the Republic, as she took her senator's earlier advice.

"I move for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Stewart's leadership."

Several senators murmured and shouted, but soon a chant of "Vote now" took over the building. Stewart took a seat, looking as he was about to be sick.

"Order!" Stewart's assistant yelled.

"Now they will elect a new chancellor, a strong chancellor." Dragmire said to Zelda. "One who will not let our tragedy continue."

Back at the Jedi Temple, Roy and Marth were walking down a corridor talking about Link.

"The boy will not pass the council's test, Master." Marth insisted. "He's too old."

"Link will become a Jedi, I promise you." Roy said calmly.

"Do not defy the council, Master, not again." Marth pleaded.

"I shall do what I must, Marth." Roy stated.

"If you would just follow the code, you would be on the council." Marth said as they looked out over Mute City from a balcony. "They will not go along with you this time."

"You still have much to learn, my young apprentice." Roy said, as if he knew something Marth didn't. At this very moment, Link was meeting with the Jedi Masters themselves. Master Falcon held up a small viewscreen, where he could see pictures that come to him. Link's task was to guess what the pictures were.

"A ship?" Link guessed. "A cup….A ship…A speeder." Falcon put the viewscreen down, looked at Yoshi, and nodded.

"How feel you?" Yoshi asked.

"Cold, sir." Link replied.

"Afraid, are you?" Yoshi asked.

"No, sir." Link said confidently.

"See through you we can." Yoshi told him.

"Be mindful of your feelings." Falcon added.

"Your thought's dwell on your mother." Master Peppy ended.

"I miss her." Link confessed.

"Afraid to lose her, I think. Hmm?" Yoshi asked.

"What does that got to do with anything?" Link asked.

"Everything!" Yoshi responded seriously. "Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate…leads to suffering." Link looked around, and saw the other masters agree. "I sense much fear in you."

That evening, Princess Zelda stared out over Mute City as the sun set in the distance. It seemed as though she was staring off into space, but the truth was that she was lost in thought and concern over her people. Mikau noticed her, and cautiously approached.

"Are you thinking that you're people are going to die?" Mikau asked.

"I don't know." Zelda replied in a monotone.

"The Zora's will get blasted too, huh?" Mikau asked. Even though he had been banished from Zora's Domain, it's the place that his heart lied.

"I hope not." Zelda replied.

"Zora's won't die without a fight. We're warriors." Mikau said strongly. "We got a grand army. I think that's why you don't like us."

"You Highness." Impa said as she walked in with Senator Dragmire. "Your Highness. Senator Dragmire has been nominated to succeed Stewart as Supreme Chancellor."

"A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one." Dragmire said. "Your Majesty, if I am elected, I promise to put an end to corruption."

"Who else has been nominated?" Zelda asked.

"Doctor Sturgeon of the Great Sea, and Samurai Goroh of Red Canyon." Impa replied.

"I feel confident our situation will create a strong sympathy vote for us." Dragmire said. "I will be chancellor."

"I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there'll be nothing left of our people, our way of life." Zelda said, as if she were determined about something.

"I understand your concern, Your Majesty." Dragmire said. "Unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet."

"Senator, this is your arena." Zelda said as she stared out the window. "I feel I must return to mine. I've decided to go back to Hyrule."

"Go back?" Dragmire said, concerned. "But, Your Majesty, be realistic. They'll force you to sign the treaty."

"I will sign no treaty, Senator." Zelda said, anger and determination growing inside of her. "My fate will be no different than that of our people. Captain."

"Your Highness." Impa responded.

"Ready my ship." Zelda ordered.

"Please, Your Majesty, stay here where it's safe." Dragmire pleaded.

"It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions." Zelda said in the doorway. "I prey you will bring sanity and compassion back to the senate."

At the Jedi Temple, The masters were telling Roy, Marth, and Link of the boy's results.

"The force is strong with him." Master Peppy Hare said.

"He is to be trained, then?" Roy asked.

"No." Master Falcon replied after a brief pause. "He will not be trained."

"No?" Roy questioned.

"He is too old." Master Falcon finished.

"He is the chosen one, you must see it." Roy pleaded.

"Clouded, this boy's future is." Yoshi said to him. Roy almost gave up, but then a fire rose inside of him.

"I will train him then." Roy said as he placed his hands on Link's shoulders. "I take Link as my Padawan learner.".

"An apprentice you have, Roy." Yoshi told him. "Impossible to take on a second."

"The code forbids it." Master Falcon added.

"Marth is ready." Roy stated plainly.

"I am ready to face the trials." Marth added.

"Our own council will keep on who is ready." Yoshi told him.

"He is headstrong." Roy said. "And he has much to learn of the living Force, but he is capable. There is little more he can learn from me."

"Young Timehero's fate will be decided later." Yoshi said.

"Now is not the time for this." Falcon added. "The senate is voting for a new Supreme Chancellor, and Princess Zelda is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the princess' attacker." Peppy added.

"Go with the princess to Hyrule and discover the identity of this dark warrior." Master Falcon ordered. "This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith."

"May the Force be with you." Yoshi wished. The three of them bowed, and left the room.

Back at the landing platform, the entire crew of Zelda's ship had met again. All who were there before.

"It's not disrespect, Master." Marth said. "It's the truth."

"From your point of view." Roy said.

"The boy is dangerous." Marth added. "They all sense it. Why can't you?"

"His fate is uncertain." Roy corrected. "He's not dangerous. The council will decide Link's future. That should be enough for you. Now get on board." As Marth left, Link approached Roy.

"Roy, sir, I don't want to be a problem." Link said.

"You won't be, Link." Roy assured him. "I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember: Your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me, and you'll be safe."

"Master, sir," Link continued, "I heard Yoshi talking about midi-chlorians. I've been wondering- What are midi-chlorians?"

"Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life-form that resides within all living cells." Roy told him.

"They live inside me?" Link asked, a little skeptical.

"Inside your cells, yes." Roy said. "And we are symbionts with them."

"Symbionts?" Link asked again, for clarification of the word.

"Life-forms living together for mutual advantage." Roy defined. "Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you."

"I don't understand." Link admitted.

"With time and training, Link, you will." Roy assured him. "You will." Link stepped back to his post with Mr. Game and Watch as Princess Zelda and her handmaiden's approached.

"Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." Roy said to her.

"I welcome your help." Zelda said as they made her way to her ship. "Senator Dragmire fears that the Federation means to destroy me."

"I assure you I will not allow that to happen." Roy told her. As they boarded the ship, Mikau couldn't help but let out an excited shout.

"We're going home!" He yelled with enthusiasm.

"Come on, Game and Watch." Link said to the droid behind him. Before long, Zelda's ship was airborne again as it took off for Hyrule.

News of Zelda's return to Hyrule somehow had gotten all the way to Darth Ganon, and he immediately contacted Wolf O'Donnell to alert him of this.

"Is the planet secure?" Ganon asked.

"We have taken over the last pockets of primitive life-forms." Wolf assured him. "We are in complete control of the planet now."

"Good. I will see to it that in the senate things stay as they are." Darth Ganon assured them. "I'm sending my apprentice, Darth Bowser, to join you."

"Yes, my lord." Wolf said to him as the communication ended.

"A Sith, here?" Leon asked. They knew that if Darth Bowser was headed there, that Princess Zelda would not be without a game plan.