Skit of awesomeness….
Echo: Um, Resist, where did you get that sign? *points above*
Resist: I bought it with Arthur's credits
Meela: From where? *looks at Arthur suspiciously*
Arthur: Don't look at me. I can't believe he stole my credits!
Resist: Really? You can't? *Arthur opens his mouth, but nothing comes out*
Echo: We kinda...own you guys so yeah, you shouldn't be surprised.
Smoke: Wait...you kinda own us? *looks viciously at Echo*
Echo: *whistles and walks away, evilly writing something on a piece of paper*
Oni: Okay, she officially scares me. Anyone up for the chapter?
Resist: Sadly Echo and I don't own Star Wars *coughs and uses announcer voice* Our two Jedi Younglings continue their everyday lives of training at the Jedi Temple, but very soon they must answer the call that beckons them to rise to the challenge
Meela's face fell, fearing they had done something wrong. "Why? Did we do something?" She looked to Arthur for an answer.
Master Secura showed a small smile, "Nothing wrong young one. I do not know what they want, but I do know that neither of you are in trouble" she answered.
"Well that's a relief" sighed looked as if she was going to pass out from relief, "Thank the Force! I can't have my record damaged!"
Master Secura gave a soft chuckle to their reactions, "Alright, come along young ones. Can't keep the Council waiting, or you will be in trouble" she smiled, and led the two Younglings to the Council.
(Council Chambers)
All of the chairs were filled except for Oni Kao's. The Masters chatted amongst themselves pertaining different topics whilst they waited for the Younglings to arrive. Master Secura led the Younglings inside the Chamber and awaited for the Council to usher them forward.
Master Windu noticed the three and motioned them forward with his hand, "Master Secura, I see you found the Younglings," he said, before making eye contact with Arthur. The Council had a debate about which Younglings to chose for their task, and he was against bringing Arthur into this, fearing it was too soon for the boy.
"Forward you must come. Discuss a lot we do" replied Master Yoda, sitting up slightly in his chair.
Secura gave each of her students a smile before departing, hopeful for their future. Meela hesitantly turned back towards the council and bowed respectfully. Meela glanced to her right and looked at Arthur to see if he was bowing or not. She knew about the past run ins he had and the relationship he had with the Council was not the best.
Arthur glanced over at Meela, who narrowed her eyes at him, and he bowed as she did, not wanting to stir things up, after being demoted. He wanted show that he changed and even though he didn't get along with the Council, that was no reason to not show respect to them.
Yoda overlooked the exchange between the two and grinned. "For the two of you, a task we have," he started, "Hunt down smugglers you will."
Arthur and Meela shared a glance before returning their gazes to the Council, "Anyone specific?" asked Arthur.
"Yes actually," answered Windu, "One you are quite familiar with Arthur. Bartu has escaped our custody, while he was being transported to prison. You two will start with him, and if anyone else surfaces, then we will give you all the information on them that we can, and then you two will go after them"
Meela glanced at Arthur and then back at Windu. "When will we be debriefed for the mission, Master?" she asked, always wanting to be the most prepared for a mission.
"Details are on these datapads" he said, handing them each a datapad, "Any information on any smuggler will automatically be updated to these datapads as well. As for further information, Arthur can fill you in on Bartu." he said giving Arthur a look.
Arthur realized that he would have to explain his past to her, which meant retelling the story about him and Mia when they stole Republic blasters for Bartu. He hoped she wouldn't react the way Master Kao did when she figured this out about him. But the half smile she offered him was filled with an encouraging "let's get going, partner" look.
"With your permission, we'll start on our task" Arthur said bowing. Master Windu gave a nod and they both turned around to start their task. "Just a warning," Arthur started, "I may have to tell you a story that may change your opinion on how you view who I am. Master Kao didn't really react too well to it when I was forced to tell her this" he said, giving Meela a heads up.
The Togruta shrugged, "We all make mistakes, as I stated before. If it was so bad that I would view you differently, I don't think you'd still be able to step foot in this temple."
Arthur started to walk backwards and put a hand on Meela's arm, stopping her. He took a deep breath before starting, "Ok, here it goes..." he said. Arthur retold the story of how he and Mia were able to steal a four crates of DC-15 blasters for the same smuggler they were now going after, and how he and Mia changed their mind and hid the crates. He also went on to explain the scene when he was arrested by Aloke and her troopers for insubordination, and how Master Kao took to him telling the story the first time.
"Wow," Meela remarked calmly, her brows raising, "At least now I know why you got demoted. You're pretty crazy to go up against Master Tano, I'll give you that."
"Thanks" said Arthur. "I tried to keep that part of my life hidden, but eventually everything sees the light of day, and it was only a matter of time. At least Master Kao forgave me later on. I only did things like that to survive," he stated, before shaking his head, "Sorry, I'll stop talking" he said as he turned around to walk away.
Meela shook her head, "No, no, you can keep talking. Letting it out helps, remember? Plus, I need all the info you have so we can complete this task."
"Bartu is a maniac and unpredictable. One second he's your friend and the next he is trying to kill you. I saw him kill his own men before for stupid things. He's also killed his own clients before as well. He's going to be a handful to capture," Arthur warned. Arthur then clenched his fists, as his memories of his past flooded his mind.
Meela smirked, "I like a challenge. This'll be interesting for sure. You ready?" The Togruta stopped and faced Arthur, folding her arms.
"Yeah" he mumbled. He was starting to think the Council did this on purpose to test his readiness to become a Padawan again to his master. They made their way to the hangar where a clone in purple markings greeted them, "Sgt. Hotstick" the clone saluted, "I've been given orders to show you two to your ship that you'll be using" he said, glancing between the two.
Meela dipped her head in understanding. "Good, sergeant," she said, "We're eager to get started." The Togruta followed the clone trooper to a rather large ship docked in the outdoor bay of the Temple hangar. It was almost as big as the escort-class cruiser they went on the Gathering with.
"I could get used to this" replied Arthur looking over the ships. He walked up to the ship the clone was taking them to and walked around it, examining every inch of the ship. The Togruta nodded, "Me too. And just for us two? You'd think they would assign us a whole squad with a ship this size."
"Probably for smuggling our own stuff. Got to make credits somehow, while we hunt down the 'smugglers wanted list' for the Republic," Arthur said, still going over the ship. Meela shrugged, "Five years ago, the Council would never consider sending two Younglings to smuggle, at least I don't think so. The war definitely turned that around."
"They must be desperate then maybe. Maybe we'll end up like Tano and be some kind of stealth team or something" Arthur said, trying not to chuckle at the last part. The Togruta laughed and nodded, "Maybe, maybe. But I think we have a few years to go before we get that high of a ranking in the GAR."
"Ladies first" motioned Arthur with a hand gesture for Meela to go up the ramp that was currently down so they could get on. She smiled her thanks and boarded the ship, admiring the interior. "Pretty fancy for a couple of smugglers. I wonder where the 500,000 credit guns and clothes are," she said sarcastically.
"Don't know, but there are probably some alternate clothes and whatnot in here, since smugglers probably wouldn't willingly talk to Jedi" reasoned Arthur, slightly hoping that what Meela said was true. The Togruta began looking around, "Alright, time for a scavenger hunt, then?" Arthur quickly nodded with his head, excited for what they would find and pointed in a direction where there were some doors that looked like led to some different rooms.
Arthur went to one of the doors and found his name labeled on it and entered. He found a wardrobe of different armour and helmets that he would be able to use for different missions. He was admiring one of the helmets when he heard a person cough across the room. Arthur, in a flash, spun around with his blade drawn.
"Relax, tiger, it's just me," the young woman said, a smirk on her face. Mia placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side. "You look different."
"I feel different...I guess" was all Arthur was able to say because the sudden presence of Mia had surprised him, but definitely in a good way, "It's been too long" he mumbled, putting away his lightsaber. He wasn't really sure what to say, since he was always nervous when talking to her.
"I was referring to your attire," she gestured towards his Youngling garb, "But I agree: it's been too long. Close to a year now, huh?" Mia's smirk fell and she looked at him with gloom.
"Oh," he said when she gestured toward his attire, "I was demoted after being arrested, and yeah about a year" he said, sounding depressed, "I'm still willing to make 'us' work. I'm not giving up just because of 'long distance relationship' issues" he said, hoping to hear a reply he wanted to hear. He nervously took a few steps toward her, as he wasn't really sure what to do in this situation since his knowledge on relationships wasn't the best. He wanted to run up to her and tackle her to the ground and show her how much she really meant to him, but he was conflicted and was debating on what to do.
Mia held up a hand, "Arthur, I'm not here for that. I'm here because I heard you need someone with extended smuggling experience. Besides, it's been a long time for both of us to think things through." She lowered her hand and then folded her arms across her chest. "Who's the girl you're with?" Mia asked cautiously.
"Her name is Meela. She is a Youngling like me, but I swear that you are the only one that I have eyes for" he added with a smirk, "Look I know you're not here to talk about 'us', but I want to know that you still carry feelings for me, like I still do for you" he added.
Mia opened her mouth to speak, but a war cry from behind her made her jump in surprise. Just as she turned around, a gray form smacked into her, tackling her to the ground. After a few moments, she was able to look up, only to be met by the green light of the searing lightsaber. "Who are you?" the seething Togruta demanded through gritted teeth.
"Meela it's alright!" butted in Arthur, trying to push Meela back slightly from Mia. "She is my…" he was going to say girlfriend, but wasn't sure if Mia would approve, so he started to hesitate and stutter and lost his train of thought.
The Togruta wouldn't have it and pushed Arthur back, "Why is she here? The Council never mentioned her in the briefing! Not only that, but she's a bounty hunter and from what you told me, a wanted criminal for possession of stolen weapons." Meela snarled at Mia, keeping her blade as close to her neck as possible without burning her.
"She's not wanted. If she is wanted for the possession of the stolen weapons than I am as well, besides those weapons were given back!" he shouted at her. "She helps the Republic when they call on her," replied Arthur. He pushed back on Meela a little harder, trying to stick up for his childhood crush, and hopefully his girlfriend, if Mia still wanted to be after being separated for a year. He was getting frustrated with Meela and was trying to get her to stand down.
"Ugh," Meela grunted and deactivated her lightsaber. She refused Arthur's help in standing up and clipped her lightsaber back to her belt. Once she was on her feet, the Togruta brushed herself off and glared at Mia. "Still doesn't make her trustworthy to me. It's a sad day when the Jedi start working with scum."
Arthur boiled at Meela calling Mia a scum, "I trust her. That should be good enough for now, and don't ever call her a scum!" he shouted, pointing his finger at Meela. He then tried to calm himself, but it wasn't working and then pointed his finger to the door, "I'm sorry," he said to Meela, "I need you to leave and I need to calm down," he tried apologizing as he sat on his bed.
Meela crossed her arms and shook her head, "I'm not letting her leave my sight. And you are no authority to dictate what I do. I'll call her scum again because that's what she is. She smuggles and deals in money for a living. Just because she works for the Republic doesn't mean she avoids offers from the Seppies." She turned towards Mia, "Right?"
The other young woman rolled her eyes and looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered. Meela scoffed, "Of course you don't. If the Republic knew you transported weapons and information to the Separatists, you wouldn't be here."
"I need some air" Arthur mumbled and walked out of the room. He wasn't sure which way was up or down, left or right, but he found himself at the pilot's chair and started the ship. He piloted the ship out of the hangar and into space and once he was in space, set a course for Delphon, since that was where most of the people who knew Bartu were. He then leaned back in the seat and gazed out at the brilliance of hyperspace. Arthur relaxed, but felt as if his life just got super complicated.
(Unidentified Amount of Time Zater)
Mia stepped into the bridge, playing with her fingers. "So, what are you up to, Captain?" she asked teasingly, though her voice was sullen. She knew that talking things through with him would help and that they need to settle things before the mission.
"Oh just the usual; getting into trouble, watching my life go up in flames. Pretty much just an average day like any other" he said, keeping his eyes on the hyperspace lane.
"How so? Being a Youngling doesn't sound too bad," Mia said calmly, sitting in the chair next to him.
"No that part is fine. It's everything else, I don't know what to make of things. The Force is suppose to help me, but all I feel it does is throw me for a loop whenever it gets the chance. The Force just confuses me anymore," Arthur said, still watching the magnificence of the hyperspace lane.
"Isn't that the point of you being a Youngling now: to learn how to get rid of the confusion you're feeling?" Mia asked. She was dreading where this conversation would eventually end up.
"Yes, and it went great, but that's not what I'm talking about Mia" Arthur said in a tone that said 'you know what I'm trying to talk about'. The young woman returned the look he gave her and exaggerated a sigh. "Be clear about what you're trying to say then," she snapped, "I'm not a mind-reader like you, Arthur!" The anxiety she was having from the topic on her mind was making her aggressive.
Arthur slightly raised an eyebrow at her aggressive behavior, but it really didn't bother him much, "You aren't going to say what I think you are going to say right? I want us to work. You are the only steady thing in my life that I can lean on, even when you're gone for a year" he added. He wanted to try and keep their relationship afloat and he needed her help to do so.
"That's my point," said Mia, "Steady doesn't mean going long periods of time without seeing each other. We'll never have a steady relationship, Arthur. And if that's what you're looking for, then this isn't going to work." It really hurt her to say that, but it was the truth in her eyes. Had they both remained on Delphon, then things would be different. "We have careers that lead us in different directions," Mia spoke, more calmly now.
"I don't need a steady relationship now. I just want you, no matter what the obstacles in our way are" he tried to keep himself together, but was getting pretty obvious that he was falling apart.
"Well, that's what I want," Mia sighed, looking around the room instead of at Arthur, "I don't like waiting months to see you. Frankly, it frustrates me to a point in which I question whether or not it's beneficial for both of us. I bet you're constantly distracted enough from training, losing your Master, and having to live up to the Council's expectations. I don't like being on that list, too."
"I...uh...need to get ready. Delphon is...a...coming up soon" he stuttered and stumbled with his words, as he got up to try and leave. Mia rolled her eyes and moved out of the way to let him pass. "Make sure to tell your Togrutan girlfriend I said hi," the young bounty hunter sneered, glaring at Arthur with narrowed eyes.
Arthur stopped and gave her glare right back to her, "She's NOT my girlfriend," he gritted, "I had that spot saved for you" he continued.
"Fine," Mia smirked, "Then tell her that spot just opened up." Unfolding her arms, Mia pushed past Arthur and out of the room. Giving out a huff, she strode down the hallway and towards her quarters, intending not to leave them for awhile.
"I don't want anyone else to have that spot" he mumbled. Arthur made his way to his own quarters and flopped on his bed, wondering why the Force hated him so much.
Mia stopped in the hallway, her ears having picked up Arthur's last words. Grumbling, she gritted her teeth. "Me neither," she sighed and then continued walking.
Resist: Another chapter down, and who knows how many more to go.
Echo: *gets scared* Y-you don't mean 'how many more to go' until…?
Everyone except the writers: Until what?
Echo: *gulps* Uhhhhh, Resist, how 'bout you take this one? *runs out of the room*
Resist: Ooooh just great. Well she means that we don't know how many are left until we start the sequel to this story.
Meela: Why is there a sequel if there's only nineteen chapters in the story?
*everyone agrees behind her*
Oni: Resist, what are you and Echo keeping from us?
Resist: *one drop of sweat runs down his face, but no one notices* Well this story has gotten a lot of praise that Echo and I started planning a sequel when this one ends. Plus, Echo and I love to write about you guys a lot.
Green: *walks up in front of everyone* Okay, before someone gets hurt…*Resist getting tackled by the OCs*...like that, let's move on! *smiles* Thank you all so much for tuning in to this episode of "Arthur's Love Life" *cough*. We hope you stop back to read the next chapter and see how it's messed up further! Bye!
Arthur: Hey that's not- *Resist shoves him out of the room and turns of lights till next chapter* BYE!