Chapter 3 - Arriving At The Kumite

Over the next five days, Anakin continued his training with Obi-Wan. By the time they had to leave for Mustafar, he was ready. Anakin honestly didn't want to leave Padme behind, but he had no choice. "Anakin, must you go?" "Yes, Padme." Padme shed a small tear. "Come back to me safe. Maybe our baby will wait for you." Padme gave a soft smile. Anakin kissed Padme goodbye and got on the transport with Obi-Wan.

Mustafar was aboutfive parsecs from the Republic capital, so Anakin and Obi-Wan would not arrive until that night. Fortunately, Anakin would not miss being able to qualify to determine who would be his first opponent. "Nervous Anakin?" "Honestly? Yes master. I didn't want to leave Padme behind. I'm nervous that she will go into labor." "Anakin, I know Padme is your wife, but you must have a clear head. This is The Kumite we're talking about, not a duel between friends." "You're right, master." Once their ship got into orbit of Mustafar, a smaller craft made contact with them, and a voice of a man came through.

"Hey, you guys Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi?" "Yes we are" Obi-Wan replied. "I'm Jett. I'm here to show you around Mustafar, and make sure Anakin doesn't break the rules of The Kumite. Follow me." Anakin and Obi-Wan guided their ship to follow Jett's. Shortly after, they arrived at a landing platform. Anakin and Obi-Wan disembarked, and bowed to Jett.

"You're the legendary Anakin Skywalker? The man that defeated Darth Sidious? No wonder you were invited. Please follow me." Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. "Man of few words isn't he." "I don't think he knew what to say Anakin. You are a legend in the order, as he said" Jett led Anakin and Obi-Wan through a series of caves, eventually they entered a cave that had been transformed into an arena. "Okay Anakin, you have to get up on the runway and qualify, so you can show the Old Republic youcan hold your own on the runway and not get killed!" Two men, dressed in Old Republic Jedi Robes, addressed Anakin.

"Your invitation please." Anakin handed them the hologram that he had received. "You are Anakin Skywalker? If you are, show us the double saber parry." "Obi-Wan, give me your lightsaber please." Obi-Wan gave Anakin his saber, and Anakin climbed up on the runway.

Anakin ignited both sabers, and started parrying shots from a training droid. The Jedi watched in awe as they watched Anakin block shot after shot. "Enough!" one of the men said. Anakin jumped down. "We of the Old Republic, honor your invitation." Applause can be heard from the other Jedi in the room. One of the Jedi in the back walked over to Anakin. "Very good, but a droid doesn't hit back!"

Qualifying was over. Anakin was in The Kumite. Anakin and Obi-Wan was escorted to their quarters by Jett. "If you fight like that, then there are a lot of Jedi here that will out of this thing quick. I'll see you tomorrow morning when The Kumite starts"

"Obi-Wan, is it possible I can send a transmission to check on Padme?" "You better not Anakin. The Old Republic has strict rules about The Kumite. No contact with anyone outside the tournament for the duration of The Kumite."

AT THE THE REPUBLIC CAPITAL THAT NIGHT

Padme was laying on their bed, trying to get some sleep, when she felt the life inside her kick. She smiled. "Don't worry, your daddy will be here when you are born. I just know it."

THE NEXT MORNING ON MUSTAFAR

Anakin and Obi-Wan was escorted to the arena by Jett. They arrived just in time to watch the beginning of the Opening Ceremonies. There were four dancers on the runway, with flags colored red, blue, yellow, and green, the colors of the Old Republic lightsabers, performing a dance. Once it was over, the man sitting behind the runway, in between two others, rose to his feet.

"Welcome to Mustafar. In the days of the Old Republic, the best Jedi in the galaxy would gather in secret for three days, in full combat, to determine who is the best Jedi in the galaxy, with one emerging as champion. You sixty four Jedi Knights are part of a tradition that dates back over eight hundred fifty years. In three days, one Jedi will prove himself to be the best. Let The Kumite begin!"

This was it, The Kumite had begun.