Hello, everyone! I'm back with another chapter - thank you so much for the support!
Chapter Two. True Bravery
Part four of chapter two
"I'll get started on preparing the antidote." Qui-Gon said once he extracted the venom from the snake's teeth in a jar. He walked over to his workbench and placed the venom down on the table.
"I'm going to tell Anakin." Obi-wan said, standing up and making his way to the door.
"You'll need this!" Qui-Gon called after him, handing the snake head over. Obi-wan nodded gratefully and was stopped again before he could run out the door.
"Obi-wan, what you did was very brave." Qui-Gon said quietly, a small smile twitching at his lips. Before Obi-wan could respond, the older man turned around to the workbench, already starting on the antidote. Obi-wan smiled and sprinted out the door.
•◊•
"You? You chopped its head off?" Anakin asked incredulously when Obi-wan placed the snake's head down on the table.
Obi-wan decided to brush off the comment and simply replied, "The knight was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting. You can see the wounds in his neck where the snake bit him. The knight was winning – Cad Bane had to cheat!"
Anakin frowned and shook his head. "Cad Bane wouldn't dare use magic in Coruscant," he said slowly.
"The knight was pinned under the shield – no one could have seen the snake bite him." Obi-wan countered earnestly.
Anakin stood up and replied, "I don't like Cad Bane, Obi-wan, but that doesn't mean he's cheating."
"Gaius is preparing an antidote to the snake venom as we speak." Obi-wan said quickly. "When the knight is conscious, he'll tell you!"
Anakin slowly looked back at Obi-wan, his arms crossed over his chest. He still wore the same, skeptical expression on his face. Obi-wan felt annoyance twinge at his heart and forced himself to shrug it off – but God, does Anakin think he's lying? Was that it?
"If you fight him, he'll use the shield against you." Obi-wan added in a hard, stern voice. He grabbed the snake's head and thrust it at Anakin. "Look at it! Have you seen any snakes like these in Coruscant?"
Anakin slowly took the head and looked down at its fangs doubtfully. Obi-wan swallowed and closed his eyes, saying, "I know I'm just a servant and my word doesn't count for anything."
The prince looked up at Obi-wan wordlessly, but he didn't notice. "I wouldn't lie to you." Obi-wan said quietly, reopening his eyes.
Anakin bit down on his lip and placed the snake's head back on the table. "I want you to swear to me that what you're telling me is true." He said. Obi-wan gave a small nod and replied softly, "I swear it's true."
Anakin nodded slowly and murmured, "Then, I believe you."
Obi-wan bit back a smile as Anakin looked back down at the snake's head, triumph erupting in his chest. Maybe Anakin wasn't a lost cause, after all.
However, unknown to the two youths in the room, Cad Bane was sitting outside the window. He had heard everything they had said.
•◊•
"Welcome back," Qui-Gon said with a smile as the knight slowly regained consciousness once downing the antidote.
The knight's eyes fluttered open and he mumbled, "There was a snake in the shield…it came alive."
Qui-Gon simply nodded in reply and placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You're weak. The snake's venom is still in your system."
"I must warn the prince." The knight protested, already sitting up but Qui-Gon gently pushed him back into the cot. "Prince Anakin already knows," he said softly. "He's requested an audience with the King. They'll want to talk to you. Rest – you'll need your strength."
The physician stood up, watching the knight's eyes already close. "I'm going to collect more herbs – I'll be right back." He said and walked out of the chambers, gently closing the door after him.
The minute Qui-Gon was out of the room, a familiar, green snake slid down from the ceiling. Its cold eyes locked onto the knight's figure on the cot and slowly slid underneath the blankets, making its presence unknown to its victim.
The knight's eyes opened – he had felt something rub against his leg. His blood ran cold as the snake popped its head out from underneath the blankets. The knight didn't have enough time to cry out, and even if he did, no one was there to come help him.
The snake lunged, only this time, he didn't spare the knight's life.
When Qui-Gon returned, he was stirring the rest of the antidote with the herbs he had collected. "I'm afraid this potion tastes like toad water, but it'll get you back on your feet." He looked up and his face dropped. The knight was slumped over the cot, his skin pale and his chest still.
Qui-Gon immediately hurried over to the knight and placed his fingers over the knight's neck, dread pooling in the bottom of his stomach.
Qui-Gon did not feel any pulse or movement underneath his fingers.
The physician slowly removed his hand and rubbed his brow tiredly. He feared that Anakin and Obi-wan's audience with the King would not be as successful as they had hoped.
•◊•
"Why have you summoned the court?" King Palpatine asked, sweeping into the throne room with a firm, annoyed expression already set in his face. The throne room was filled with everyone in the royal court – even the servants. Ahsoka was standing across from Anakin and Padmé was standing dutifully next to her mistress. Knight Bane was present as well, only he wore an unpleasant, yet casual smile, as though he knew what was yet to come. Every single head turned to Anakin, who was standing next to Obi-wan. Obi-wan held the snake's head in his hands, nervously turning it over and over again in his hands.
The prince cleared his throat and separated from Obi-wan and made his way to the center of the room before his father.
"I believe Knight Bane is using a shield with the usage of the Force to cheat in the tournament." Anakin said clearly. Murmurs automatically broke out throughout the room and King Palpatine turned violently to Cad Bane, who took a step forward.
"What do you have to say to this?" Palpatine asked sharply.
"Ridiculous, my lord." Cad Bane replied coolly. "I've never used the Force." He cast Anakin a rather haughty look and asked, "Does your son have any evidence to support his claim?"
"Do you have evidence?" King Palpatine asked, looking over at the prince.
Anakin nodded. "I do." He replied steadily and turned around to Obi-wan, motioning him to step forward. The manservant hurried forward and placed the snake's head into King Palpatine's hands.
The King inspected the snake's sharp teeth and turned around at Cad Bane. "Let me see this shield." He said calmly. The knight didn't disobey Palpatine's orders. He brought forth his shield.
"Don't let him get too close…" Obi-wan murmured in Anakin's ear and the prince gave a small, subtle nod.
"Be careful, my lord." Anakin said, unsheathing his sword. Palpatine looked up at Anakin, who simply stared back. His eyes flicked over at Bane's, who simply gave him an odd, twisted smirk. The King did not notice this exchange – he placed a hand and ran it over the smooth shield.
Just at that moment, a familiar voice hissed, "Obi-wan."
Both Anakin and Obi-wan turned around to see Qui-Gon walking into the room. Obi-wan frowned and turned back around to Anakin, who then whispered, "We'll need the knight – see what's going on."
Obi-wan nodded and made his way to the physician.
"As you can see, this is just an ordinary shield." Cad Bane was saying easily as the King continued his inspection. Everyone slowly turned back to Anakin, who lifted his hands incredulously. "He's not going to let everyone see it come alive." He protested.
"How do I know what you say is true?" King Palpatine asked, looking up at his son.
shield. Its venom made him grievously ill. However, he has received an antidote. He will confirm that Knight Cad Bane is using the Force."
King Palpatine looked over at Cad Bane and asked, "Where is this witness?"
Anakin cleared his throat and turned around to look at Obi-wan, who was still talking with Qui-Gon. However, Obi-wan looked less-than-excited or happy. The young man was shaking his head tiredly, looking crestfallen. Anakin felt his stomach give a strange lurch and turned back to his father slowly. "He…should be here."
Feeling everyone's eyes focused on him, Anakin quickly walked over to Obi-wan and asked, "Where's the knight?"
Obi-wan looked up and murmured quietly, "He's…he's dead." The manservant watched as Anakin's face dropped. At that very moment, Obi-wan would have done anything to erase Anakin's disappointed, shocked expression from his face. He would have rather had Anakin shout at him in public, but the prince didn't do anything.
The most awful part was that Obi-wan knew what was going to happen to Anakin – the prince had just humiliated himself in front of the entire court and now Anakin was going to think it was Obi-wan's fault. All of this would be for nothing.
"I'm waiting!" King Palpatine bellowed from the throne.
Anakin slowly turned around, his eyes wide but other than that, he didn't show any other signs of shock in front of the court. He swallowed and slowly made his way back to the center of the room, limply pushing his sword back into its sheath. "I'm afraid the witness is dead." Anakin murmured.
"So, you have no proof to support these allegations?" King Palpatine asked, taking a few steps towards the prince. "Have you seen Knight Bane use the Force?"
Anakin swallowed again. "No," he said quietly and turned around to look at Obi-wan, who was staring at the prince with a stricken expression on his face. "But my servant –"
"Your servant?" The King asked incredulously. "You made these outrageous accusations against a knight based on the word of your servant?"
Anakin cast his eyes down at the ground and replied, "I believe he's telling the truth."
Cad Bane let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Am I really to be judged on hearsay from a boy?" He asked.
"I've seen those snakes come alive!" Obi-wan said, walking up to Anakin.
"How dare you interrupt!" The King shouted at the younger man. "Guards, take this boy away."
Anakin opened his mouth to protest but before the guards could take Obi-wan away, Cad Bane murmured, "My lord…"
"Wait." Palpatine said, lifting a hand and turning to Bane, waiting for what he had to say.
Anakin and Obi-wan both turned around to look at the knight, who gave them both a mere smile. "I'm sure the boy was mistaken." He said softly. "I wouldn't want him to be punished on my account."
"You see? This is how a true knight behaves – with gallantry and honor." The King said, shooting a glare at Anakin, who was staring at Bane venomously.
"My lord, if your son made these accusations because he is afraid to fight me, then I will graciously accept his withdrawal." Cad Bane continued, keeping his eyes fixed on Obi-wan and Anakin.
Palpatine turned to Anakin, stricken. "Is this true? Do you wish to withdrawal from the tournament?"
Anakin glared at Knight Bane defiantly and replied, "No."
"Then, what am I to make of these allegations?" Palpatine asked coldly.
Anakin looked around the room – all eyes were locked on him. He cleared his throat and looked down at his feet. "Clearly, there has been a misunderstanding. I withdraw the allegation against Knight Bane." He swallowed and looked back up at the knight. "Please accept my…apology."
"Accepted." Knight Bane replied shortly.
Anakin gave a small, curt nod and looked around the room once more. His face was slowly heating up and wordlessly rushed out of the room. Obi-wan pushed himself away from the guards and casting one, last look at Knight Bane, ran after the prince.
A/N: Just one more part to this arc, you guys! XD I'm sorry for dragging this arc out. *winces* But it'll be over soon.
Anakin: Ugh...getting humiliated by BANE. Not nice.
Me: I'm sorry, man. But we have to make sacrifices. XD
Anakin: Bleah. Review, give constructive criticism if you have any, and no flames!
Me: Geez, what's with the quick review notice?
Ahsoka: He's embarrassed. He doesn't want to face the readers after being embarrassed in front of the court. XD
Me: Oh...lolz. See ya'll later! :)