Star Wars - The will of the Force

by SreznoJIG

When the Force intervenes and saves Qui-Gon from dying after the duel with Darth Maul and Anakin becomes his Padawan, how much will Anakin Skywalker's fate change with Qui-Gon training him as a Jedi, how the Clone Wars would unfold, how the Jedi Order will change?

7. A disturbance in the Force

Chapter 7

A disturbance in the Force

With the separatist crisis going from bad to worse, more and more star systems, especially those in the Outer Rim, have left the Republic and joined the Confederation of Independent Systems, lead by Count Dooku.

Now, with the threat of the separatists having reached new heights, rumors began to spread of the possibility that the Separatists are arming themselves to force the Republic to comply to their demands. This development raised alarming bells across the Core Worlds and fear grew that this could lead to war and that the Jedi would be unable to protect the Republic.

Seeing the necessity in this growing crisis, several senators in the Galactic Senate proposed a new kind of bill that would ensure to protect the Republic, called The Military Creation Act, Grand Army of the Republic, which had been abolished a thousand years ago, would be reborn to counter the threat of the separatists and, if deemed necessary, force them into submission.

This kind of thing to use violence instead of diplomacy was seen as taboo, which caused some senators to strongly oppose this 'Military Creation Act'. Led by Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo, she and many senators formed a strong opposition to prevent this law from being passed.

-:-

In an apartment somewhere in Hutta Town, Nar Shaddaa

In a bed, Asajj Ventress was making love with a hot female Chiss named Targa, whom she'd helped during a smuggling job so she could finally pay off a Hutt who she owned a lot of money.

Having completed her training under the light-sided Sith spirit, Darth Liax, Asajj had been going on several journeys across the Outer Rim over the course of 3 months, secretly seeking to help those in need and to do the very thing that normal Jedi wouldn't do. Ever since Asajj had finished her training and became a true Warrior of the Force, having discovered that she's a lesbian, she would sometimes have one-night stands with other woman she met during her journeys for either stress relief, or healing them of some trauma they'd undergo in their pasts.

With both rubbing their pussies in the missionary position, with Asajj holding both her hands on Targa's head, using her 'healing through sex' technique, healing her spirit of terrible memories from her past that had haunted Targa her whole life.

Targa moaned out loud while feeling this wonderful flow through her spirit "AAAH! AH! AH! I… ASAJJ, WHA… WHAT IS THIS?! IT FEELS SO GOOOOD!"

Asajj ensured her while she moaned herself "Don't… think of it too much, Targa! Just… just surrender yourself!" she then pressed her lips against hers, kissing her passionately, which Targa returned kindly.

After a minute, both felt their climaxes coming "By the… OOOH FUCK! I'M GONNA… I'M GONNA CUM REALLY HARD!" Targa moaned out loud.

Asajj, still holding her hands on her head, nodded while she increased the speed "Let's cum together. Release… release all your trauma, baby! Cum for me! CUM FOR ME NOW!"

Both shared another passionate tongue kiss while both climaxed their juices out "AAAAAAAAAH!"

Targa felt that this amazing climax going further then she'd ever had experienced, with all her troubled minds flowing away. She panted, not sharing a word while both rested in embrace 'My mind… I… I feel so… wonderful… and relaxed.' All the bad trauma she'd experienced since she was a kid, with her father having abused her on a daily basis, which had haunted and scared her for life… Now… all of it… all the trauma… the many nights of endless torture in her dreams… all gone. For the first time in her whole life… the Chiss woman felt happy.

Targa formed a small smile as she glanced at Asajj. A tear of happiness fell from her right eye "I don't know what you did, Asajj… but… Thank you…"

Asajj formed a smile back and softly stroke her cheek "It's alright. Now you finally can be free from all those bad thoughts…" as she'd sensed the bad memories and nightmares within her while meditating during their smuggling trip to Corellia, she knew how to help her after the job was done and that stupid slug of a Hutt was paid. Though Targa was hesitant at first, she couldn't refuse her offer.

Targo softly stroke her hands across Asajj's back and butt, kissing her lips, feeling so happy.

Asajj sighed with a smile and went off her, going to the right side of the bed and sat straight.

Targo wandered what bothered her and asked as she shoved closer to her "Hey, what's wrong?" she placed her hand on her shoulder.

Asajj held her hand and softly stroke it, but said while looking away "I… Don't get me the wrong way… This moment we shared was great and wonderful, but…"

"But what?" Targa softly asked.

Asajj shook her head and told her "You're a great woman, Targa. But... I don't think a relationship would work between us."

Targa felt a bit hurt that Asajj said that, making her sad.

Asajj could sense it and turned herself, embracing her "Hey, it's alright. It's not because of you, okay. It's me. I'm just… not the kind of woman who's in for the long run," she then looked into her eyes as she broke the hug "And besides… what I try to do, it's too dangerous for you to be involved in." Asajj wiped away the tear that feel from Targa's eye.

She gave a small sob, but then nodded "I understand. Would you at least… stay with me for the rest of the night? After what you did for me… I don't want to be alone."

Asajj gave her an ensuring smile "Of course." And planted a passionate kiss on her lips, which Targa returned and both lay back on the bed, resuming their love making.

After some hours of sharing more passionate sex, both fell asleep in each other's arms.

However, Asajj had only slept a few hours. As she opened her eyes, she saw Targo in her arms peacefully asleep. She didn't wanted to wake her up, so, using the Force, she slowly broke their embrace and allowed her to lay on the opposite side of the bed.

Asajj sighed and got out of bed. She knew it was better to leave than linger around for too long, knowing that her actions nor her presence can't be shown until the time was right.

While putting her clothes back on, Asajj began to think about her youngling Togruta friend, Ahsoka. They'd been able to keep in touch thanks to Asajj's new Force technique 'dream-bonding', telling of the kinds of adventures she was taking, even learning her a few things that she learned under Darth Liax, but still wouldn't tell who her new master's name was.

Asajj sighed while placing her lightsabers at her belt, telling herself quietly "Don't worry, Ahsoka… One day, I'll tell you all about my master, and maybe… one day I'll take you to her, and learn more from her as well." she then turned and glanced down at a sleeping naked Targa.

Asajj used the Force to slowly put the cover over her and softly kissed her cheek, saying softly "May the Force be with you… Targa…"

Targa gave a small soft moan.

Quietly, Asajj left the apartment and closed the door behind her.

But then, as Asajj walked down the hallway, heading towards the elevator, she could sense that there was danger ahead, feeling who was about to face her. But as Asajj stepped into the elevator, she formed a smirk, thinking 'I was wandering when those idiots would find me.' She pressed the button, going down to the main floor.

A minute later, Asajj stepped out of the elevator, finding that the dirty lobby was deserted, as if the few people that were there had left in a hurry.

Suddenly, a blaster fire came from a dark corner but Asajj dodged it by jumping high into the air and landed on the other side of the lobby, igniting her two green lightsabers! Her attacker showed himself, being a bounty hunter of sorts, with a group of twelve more appearing from the shadows, firing more blaster shots at Asajj, but she deflected or dodged them without much effort!

While avoiding the blasters, Asajj sensed that one of them was about to use a blaster riffle armed with an electrical net. Asajj however pretended she didn't noticed, she kept focusing on deflecting the blaster shots, as this was part of her plan.

The bounty hunter fired, trapping Asajj in the net, electrocuting her!

"AAAAAARGH!" Asajj yelled in pain, though in reality it barely hurt and she could easily free herself. But, going along with it, she pretended to fall unconscious and fell on the floor motionless.

One bounty hunter laughed in victory "Hahahaha! We got her boys!"

A few more appeared, dragging the seemingly unconscious Asajj out of the building, with the leader, the one who'd fired the net at her, said with a smirk "She's gonna be worth a lot of credits. Let's go." He ordered his crew.

Asajj had however heard everything and saw everything that was about to happen, though she barely could move as she was trapped. She was brought by the bounty hunters to a gang of slavers, who paid the bounty hunters for capturing her. Asajj was then dragged into a ship, hearing some of the slavers that they'll bring their 'cargo' to the Cauldron.

'The Cauldron?'Asajj mentally thought 'So… I'll be taking back to Rattatak.'

The last thing that Asajj saw was being put into a cage in the cargo hold, which had many more cages and inside them many more captured slaves. Then, the door closes, leaving her and the rest in darkness, feeling that the ship was leaving and headed to the Rattatak system.

-:-

The next day, Asajj was brought out of the ship in chains, along with the other strong looking alien species, walking on the landing platform into a large building. Asajj took a moment to look at the landscape of planet Rattatak, which was hers and her former master Narec's home for many years.

Inside the building, Asajj and the other captured slave-gladiators were forced to stand in a line, with some being hit with a electrical stick to stand up straight.

A door opened, revealing to be a blue skinned Rattataki with green cat-like eyes and wearing a long white robe. He glanced at the newly captured gladiators to fight in his arena, forming a smirk as he checked everyone of them "Excellent," he said in his Rattataki language "They will be great new gladiators for when the glorious count will come and watch what they're made of."

Asajj could sense the Rattataki-slaver's mind, seeing who this count was who he was talking about, making her form a grin as this was her plan all along 'Count Dooku.'

The Rattataki-slaver then stopped before Asajj, narrowing his eyes as she didn't looked that tough to fight in the arena "And what this this?" he asked in his native language.

The human-slaver answered "This was the woman that was causing a lot of trouble for my clients in the Outer Rim, causing them losing a lot of money. She may not look like it, but her skills are formidable in both strength and speed, impossible to be caught, until a few days back," he finished with a smirk before he handed over Asajj's lightsabers, which the bounty hunters had confiscated when they captured her "She was armed only with these."

The Rattataki took a look at them, finding them interesting "Lightsabers. Jedi weapons," he then turned to Asajj and asked "So, you're a Jedi, aren't you?"

However, Asajj mocked him with a smirk "Nah. I stole those sabers from a Jedi I killed." Clearly she lied "Didn't really gave me a challenge, which won't be different with these scumbags you call new gladiators." She finished with a smirk, which earned many glares from the other slave-gladiators.

The Rattataki-slaver chuckled with an evil smirk "Well, we shall see what you're truly made of, Jedi-slayer," he ordered his guards "Put her in the Pit. That'll break her spirit."

Asajj was immediately pulled by chains and dragged into a different hallway, into the dungeons, where the guards threw her into a hole which then closed by a forcefield.

When the guards had left, while they were laughing gone, Asajj slowly sat straight, forming a smirk as she was now where she wanted to be. She closed her eyes and began to meditate.

As the weeks went by, Asajj was forced to fight in the Cauldron-arena, battling many of the alien-gladiators while using badly made weapons. Though she had to hide her powers, which she learned from Darth Liax during her training, Asajj was able to defeat many gladiators in fair combat.

The Rattataki-slaver smirked as he watched how Asajj proved herself to be a capable warrior, along with many others, for the final performance.

-:-

A few days later

Jumping out of hyperspace, a Punworcca 116-class solar sailor ship had entered the Rattatak-system. As its solar sails were redrawn into its vessel, it made its decent to the planet.

As the Solar Sailor landed on the designated platform, an old man in his 70's stepped out of the expensive ship, wearing a black hand-woven tunic and a long brown Serennian cloak, with a curved-hilt lightsaber attached to his belt. He was having grey hair and a beard. This was Count Dooku, former Jedi Master and leader of the Confederation of Independent Systems.

Count Dooku, having come nearly to carry out everything which he'd worked on for nearly a decade, having even recruited some enforcers and agents, the former Jedi Master was in search for a more powerful servant that could serve as his acolyte, thus had requested the Rattataki-slaver to capture powerful warriors for his cause.

Dooku approached the master-slaver, who was waiting for his arrival. He made a bow to him "Everything has been arranged precisely as you have requested, most illustrious Count Dooku." The Rattataki said in his native language.

"Indeed." Dooku said while he narrowed his eyes at the slaver, having little faith in the bootlicker.

The Rattataki-slaver escorted Dooku to an observation chamber, showing all the fights that were shown in the Cauldron. Dooku took a look at the fighting stage, seeing dozens of gladiators fighting to the death, using all kinds of weapons at their disposal to slay their opponents.

"I trust you will find what you seek." The Rattataki slaver said as he and Dooku took their seats, watching the gladiators slaughtering each other.

While the Rattataki smirked with delight to see his slaves fighting for his and the audience's amusement, Dooku however kept a close eye on those he would find worthy. However, Dooku sensed a much more powerful presence, being close, sensing that the Rattataki-slaver was quickly killed and in its place was now a black cloaked female warrior, being Asajj.

"Impressive," Dooku said without looking at her "You mask your presence well. flawless timing, perfect control. You have great skill of infiltration," Dooku glanced at the dark hooded Asajj "My host would applaud your abilities, posthumously. However, I am not looking for a spy."

Asajj formed a smirk, ready to show what she's got to convince Dooku that she's worthy. She jumped from the chair and jumped down, landing on the arena floor, removing her black cloak, showing she was now wearing a black/grey outfit to mask herself to let people think she's a servant of the dark.

Two gladiators saw Asajj and charged at her with their weapons, only to be thrown hard backwards by Asajj's Force-Push!

Then, a gladiator with a robotic suit tried to use his flamethrowers at her, with her only dodging at the last minute by jumping high and landing at the other side! He then shot at her with blasters from his suit, making Asajj to dodge the blaster shots by using her Force-speed, bypassing other gladiators, making the robotic-gladiator to hit and kill them instead! Then, Asajj jumped high, landing behind the robotic-gladiator. Before he could use the killing shot at her, she quickly used the Force to lift him up fast, hitting the ceiling hard, killing him as he exploded!

Dooku raised an eyebrow, sensing she does have exceptional skills.

Asajj's actions caught the attention of all the other gladiators, as the helmet of the robotic-gladiator fell before them. Asajj formed a grin, gesturing them like; 'Show me what you got'.

They didn't doubted for a second and decided to combine their strength to kill her. One beast with a big hook roared out loud as all charged at her.

Asajj raised her arms up, using the Force to make parts of the ceiling to collapse, with big blocks falling right on some gladiators, killing them instantly!

With only a handful gladiators left, Asajj then grabbed her lightsabers (which she'd stolen back from the Rattataki-slaver yesterday) from her belt and ignited them, ready to face her opponents, with all trying to slash or claw Asajj, but she dodged their attacks without much effort and sliced with her lightsabers at them, killing them!

Then, a big gladiator, holding a big boulder attached to some chains to his wrist to hit her, but she slashed it away with her lightsabers while jumping right over him, making the boulder hitting the wall of the arena! The audience began to flee the arena in panic.

As the beast roared and charged at Asajj, she lunged at him, striking him with her lightsabers!

The beast froze… before he fell on its knees and fell dead on the floor.

Asajj took a deep breath, having killed all the gladiators.

The whole audience was quiet, shocked to what they've witnessed.

Dooku, forming a small grin clapped for Asajj performance. Asajj turned off her lightsabers and made a bow.

"You are more powerful than I had sensed." Dooku said.

Asajj felt relieved in her mind, as she'd hadn't even used her full powers on defeating the gladiators. Still, pretending to be a servant of the dark, hiding her true motives, she said "The Dark Side is strong in me, for I am Sith."

Hearing that made Dooku laugh "Hahahahaha! A bold claim. But you are not Sith." He stated as she wasn't even near to be a true Sith.

Demonstrating his own power, Dooku used his telekinesis to slowly lift himself up before slowly descending down and landed softly on the arena floor.

"You wear the trappings of the Sith, you fight like the Sith, but this can be imitated, however." Dooku stated, using his senses on her "You lack a vital quality found in all Sith. Sith have no fear. And I sense much fear in you."

Asajj narrowed her eyes at Dooku, even though what he said is true, knowing that though she can hide her worries for Ahsoka's safety.

But, playing along with this, deciding to go for the more 'intriguing approach', Asajj asked with some modesty "Seeing that you're far more wiser and experienced than I, then you also know more of the Dark Side."

"Indeed I do." Dooku said before he quickly reached out his hands at her and fired Force-lightning at her!

But reacting quickly, Asajj reignited her lightsabers, blocking Dooku's lightning!

Dooku raised an eyebrow as she'd reacted so quickly to block his attack. He stopped using Force-lightning at her.

Asajj formed a grin "My senses aren't as blind as you think."

"Impressive," Dooku said, but then smirked, wanting to see what Asajj was truly capable of "Show me more." He raised his right hand, lifting up a number of big boulders, throwing them at her!

Asajj quickly used her Force-speed to dodge many of the boulders before using her lightsabers to cut through some, before stopping one boulder using the Force and threw it aside!

"Ah, very impressive. You adapt very well. But…" Dooku said before drawing his lightsaber and activated its red laser "That was only a taste of my real power."

Asajj, knowing that she had Dooku right where she wanted him, got into her stance "Then… by all means, come at me, old man."

Dooku rushed at Asajj and slashed at her but she jumped up to avoid his strike and came down while slashing at him, using the skills her master had taught her, but holding back her true skills so as not to give herself away. Dooku blocked and countered her slashes quite easily before getting into a blade lock with her.

"Truly, if you were Sith, would this contest be not over?" Dooku mocked her.

'Hahaha… I'm afraid that, unfortunately for you, old man, this so-called 'contest' was over before it even began!' Asajj mentally thought, but clouded her thoughts with fake thoughts of anger.

For some minutes, Asajj and Dooku kept fighting till Asajj blocked a strike that was aimed at her left arm. She then used the Force to threw eight of the big boulders at him, which Dooku easily dodged and cut, losing sight of Asajj for a brief second before smirking and blocks her attack at his back. He pushed her back, jumped behind her and blocked a fast slash before he used the Force to grab her lightsabers and cut them in half with his own before Force-pushing her to the ground and quickly getting to her, pointing his crimson blade at her throat.

But this was exactly what Asajj had counted on, despite the fact that losing her lightsabers wasn't part of the plan.

"It would not be so easy to defeat a Sith." Dooku said.

Asajj sighed, admitting her defeat "Yes. You have shown me otherwise, Count Dooku." She then bend on one knee, bowing before him "I, Asajj Ventress, am at your service… My Lord."

Dooku formed a grin, sensing that she is willing to learn the ways of the Dark Side, unknown to him that she was using fake thoughts. He deactivated his lightsaber, giving her a nod "I will teach you the true ways of the Dark Side, Asajj Ventress. But you must prove yourself first."

"Anything for you… master." Asajj pledged her loyalty, though hiding her true motives.

"Good," Dooku said. Then, a spider-walking holographic communicator walked to the arena floor, showing Dooku's master: Darth Sidious "Have you been watching, master?" Dooku asked.

The holographic image of Sidious gave a nod, having watched Asajj Ventress' fighting skills from the shadows ever since the beginning of the gladiator fight "I have indeed, Lord Tyranus. The child's skill with a lightsaber and her strong connection to the Force are most impressive." The holographic communicator droid stopped before Dooku and Asajj "You have found a promising disciple, my apprentice. She shall serve us well."

Seeing the image of the Dark Lord of the Sith for the first time, send some unease at Asajj, as she could sense the evil within the man, though he was only a holographic image on the commlink. But, she was able to hide her uneasiness, and gave a bow to him "I am honored."

Dooku introduced Asajj to his master "Let me introduce my master, the true Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious."

Asajj then asked Sidious "What is your biding?"

Sidious then stated "Me and my apprentice have working on a major plan to secure our inevitable taking over the galaxy. However, there are still many obstacles in the way that would disrupt, if not jeopardize our ultimate plan. You, Asajj Ventress, will do my biding. And in return, you shall earn a great place at our side."

Using her skill to create fake emotions, Asajj stated to both Dooku and Sidious with her fake-anger "Jedi… Their Order is nothing but a fading light in the dark. Corrupt and arrogant. They were responsible for my misery, responsible for the death of my former master! Neglecting me, holding me back… Banishing me! They must be punished! The Jedi shall fall." she vowed with her fake-hatred, though deep down she wasn't feeling like that for the Jedi and knew deep down that the Jedi Order can still change for the better.

Dooku, sensing her devotion, gave a nod approval while handing over a small box "Consider this a gift." The box opened, revealing two curved-hilted lightsabers.

Asajj took them, activating them, revealing their red laser. Using her power to hid her thoughts, Asajj mentally said while looking at her new Sith sabers 'I rather prefer my own and Master Narec's lightsaber, but I guess these will do in order for me not drawing any suspicion from Dooku or Sidious, for now,' however, feeling how the curved-hilt lightsabers felt so natural to her, Asajj did form a smile 'However… I do feel that these new lightsabers are better than my old ones.'

While Asajj was ordered by Dooku to erase any evidence that would reveal what happened here, including killing all witnesses (which was fine by her as she'd already sensed nothing but greed and lacking empathy for life as they saw the alien-gladiators nothing but as slaves for profjt) Dooku told his master "She will be very useful to us for our ultimate goal, master."

Sidious however saw Asajj nothing but another pawn for his plans "It matters not. She is merely an instrument to bring forth the eradication of the Jedi."

Dooku nodded, having no problem with it, as the Sith always betrayed other in order to gain more power "Of course, master."

After Asajj had located and killed the last fellow Rattataki slaver after some hours of searching and killing all the heartless slavers and gamblers, she smirked that her plan of infiltration into Dooku's inner circle was working and even Sidious wasn't suspectiny anything.

"Even with all his forsight and power, Darth Sidious has no idea and is playing right into my hands and not the other way around." She told herself, seeing that Darth Liax's teachings have worked better than she could've imagined. She mentally thanked her 'true' master 'Thank you… my master. Thank you for everything.'

Asajj then later rejoined Dooku at the Cauldron Arena before entering his ship, leaving for the planet Serenno, where she would begin her 'training' in his palace.

Though it would become hard for Asajj to remain hidden till Dooku and any of his (future) followers will trust her, Asajj was determined to stick to her plan in the hopes to destroy Dooku and Sidious' evil plan for the galaxy.

-:-

6 months later, at Dooku's Palace on Serenno

In a large training room, Asajj was using her two red curved lightsabers to deflect many blaster shots before she jumped high and slashed the last droid she was facing.

As part of her training under Dooku, the Sith Lord had put her under the most difficult and lethal training so she would be fully strong in the Dark Side. Hiding her full powers, Asajj pretended to slowly getting better at learning the true Sith ways, not wanting to expose herself. One of the difficult training (which secretly weren't even that hard for Asajj) was to fight a whole army of battle droids, including some new battle droid prototypes of battle droids: The B2 Super Battle droid and the BX-series Commando Droid.

Asajj panted while deactivating her lightsabers, looking down at the dozens of droids she'd slaughtered after an hour of intense fighting.

Asajj looked at herself, having several wounds around her body caused by being hit by some blaster shots or cuts from those commando droids' knives.

Dooku then walked in, having watched Asajj's progress, saying to his Sith Acolyte "Impressive," he looked with disappointment at the defeated droid prototypes "And here I thought the designers had ensured me that the BX commando droid would be more than a match for a Jedi."

Asajj, forming a smirk, using fake thoughts with her power, said "Well, I'm not a Jedi, master."

Dooku chuckled "Indeed," but then he frowned at her "but you're still far from being a true Sith. Though you have improvement greatly in using the Dark Side in combat, I feel that you still lack the devotion to the Sith ways."

Asajj bowed on one knee before Dooku "Whatever it takes, I will prove to you that I am worthy of becoming a true Sith Lord."

Dooku looked down at her for a moment, before he spoke "Which is exactly why I will assign you on this very important mission."

"What is thy bidding… my master?" she humbly asked. Though deep down, though able to hide it using her special Force skills, hated every moment of serving Dooku, despising of even calling him master.

Dooku stated "My spies have informed me that my… sister, Jenza had recently contacted someone from the Republic with information," Dooku despised her sister's weakness and for not supporting him ever since he left the Jedi Order and started the Separatist Movement "I can know, because I have personally captured this spy and tortured him until he confessed the truth. I sense that my sister knows of me having fallen to the Dark Side and having become Darth Sidious' new apprentice."

Asajj could feel where this was going "I see. So, in order for her not to share any information that might expose us, you want me to… silence her?"

Dooku gave her a nod, forming a grin that she was able to see what her mission was "Yes. However, she'd recently left Serenno after finding out that I had captured her Republic contact. I want you to find her… and kill her." he finished with a frown.

Deep down, Asajj was shocked that Dooku wanted her to kill his sister, but as she was able to hide it, she nodded "I will find her, master… and kill her."

But before Asajj left, Dooku added "But remember; make it look like an accident, and lave no witnesses or anything traceable that will lead to me or the Separatist cause."

"As you wish…" Asajj said before she stood up and left.

After gathering some info of where Jenza could've gone to, she meditated for a moment in her chambers, using her senses to locate Dooku's younger sister.

But while Asajj meditated, she mentally told herself while making sure that Dooku won't read her mind 'That heartless bastard! Killing his own family?! I'm not surprised, as the Sith always betray each other.'

While thinking of a plan, Asajj managed to locate Jenza, sensing she was hiding on the planet Edusa.

Later, after preparing her ship, Asajj contacted Dooku with her holographic communicator in the cockpit "Master, I've managed to locate Jenza's presence in the Edusa-system. No doubt she's trying to get herself on a transport to try to flee to the Republic."

The holographic image of Dooku nodded "Well done, Ventress," he scoffed in amusement that Jenza was in the Edusa-system "Hard to believe that she believes she can earn a favor from those pirates that control that heavily industrial planet," but then he turned serious "Make sure she does not leave for the Republic. You will find her and destroy her."

Asajj nodded "It will be done, master." And broke contact before starting her ship and headed towards the Edusa-system as her ship jumped into hyperspace.

-:-

Several hours later, somewhere on Edusa

Deep in an industrial section of the planet's capital, goo, an old woman with long grey hair, wearing a black robe and hood to cover her face walked through narrow streets with parts of the walls covered with greenish/black. This was Jenza, the younger sister of Count Dooku.

Jenza stopped for a moment, taking out a small device that showed her a holographic map of the industrial complex, pinpointing her that she'd reached the spot where she was supposed to meet the pirate captain she'd hired to smuggle her into the Republic. She sighed, being paranoid, fearing that her brother would send an assassin after her now that she was planning to tell the whole galaxy that he's turned to the Dark Side "I just need to keep moving, and flee to the Republic before it's too late. I hope that pirate will keep his end of the bargain."

Then, out of the shadow, a Bothan male, having a big burning scar all over the left side of his face, which made him half-blind, wearing a brown/black outfit suitable for a space pirate, armed with a blaster-riffle over the back of his shoulder and two blasters attached to his belt

But then, she heard a noise nearby, making her look behind her back.

"Took you long enough." The Bothan pirate said annoyingly "You got the money?"

Jenza nodded and pressed some buttons on her wrist-communicator, transferring the credits she'd promised.

The pirate used his comlink communicator, contacting his coworker "Did you receive it?"

"Aya, captain." The alien-pirate spoke in his native language.

Jenza then asked "So… where is your ship, captain?"

The pirate however formed a smirk, and took out one of his blasters, aiming it at her head, shocking Jenza "I'm afraid there's a change of plans, sister of Count Dooku."

Jenza was horrified that the pirate captain knew her real identity.

"You see, Count Dooku has placed a big bounty on your head, which is too big to be ignored."

Jenza held her hands up, begging him "No… please, I'm begging you…!"

The pirate captain however evilly chuckled, while several more of his pirate crew appeared out of the shadows, showing two human males, one human female and a male Zabrak, surrounding Jenza, and said "Don't worry, we're not the ones going to kill ya. Count Dooku paid me double to bring you to him, alive, so he could teach you some manners." He then gave a nod to the Zabrak pirate "Take her away."

The Zabrak pirate smirked evilly and was about to put a electrified collar around her neck. But suddenly… he froze, feeling he couldn't breathe. He was then lifted up in the air while chocking.

"What the hell?!" 1 of the human male pirates asked in shock, just before the Zabrak pirate's neck snapped by some unknown force and before being thrown against a partly destroyed wall, creating more cracks to it, causing the wall of the building to collapse!

"Who's there?!" the Bothan pirate captain demanded while raising his blaster-riffle, followed by his other pirate crew to draw their blasters.

Jenza tried to flee in panic, but the female human pirate grabbed her "You're not going anywhere, you old skank-" but then suddenly, her back was pierced by a red lightsaber exiting her chest, killing her!

The one with the red lightsaber was no one else than Asajj, having killed the female human pirate with such speed and endurance that the other pirates hadn't even seen her. She drew her lightsaber out of the dead female pirate and Force-pushed her body away where she'd thrown the dead Zabrak pirate to.

"KILL HER!" The bothan pirate captain yelled as he and the other pirates fired their blasters at her, but Asajj easily deflected the blaster shots with her red lightsaber.

Jenza immediately made a run for it while the battle was fought.

"No, wait!" Asajj called to her, but couldn't go after her while fighting the pirates.

Jenza quickly headed into an old abandoned factory and sealed the door. She then kept running through the factory, bypassing old machinery and an big glowing green acid bath, but she couldn't find a way out "No…! No, no, no…!" she said in panic, trying to hide behind a pile of old equipment.

Frightening in panic, Jenza stayed low, holding her hands on her mouth, fearing that the backstabbing pirates or the female assassin would find her.

For over a minute, she heard nothing.

Then, she heard someone entering the old factory. She could hear its footsteps echoing through the building. Jenza shake in fear, even cried.

She heard that the person was Bothan pirate-captain who groaned in fury while firing its riffle-blaster in the air, destroying some stuff "Where the hell are you, you old bag!?" he fired wildly around him, destroying some stuff, frightening Jenza which made her accidentally made a barrel to fall over.

The pirate-captain had heard the noise, making him smirk and slowly approached where he believed that Jenza was hiding.

Jenza tried very hard to be quiet, while hearing the pirate's footsteps coming closer… and closer.

Suddenly, the Bothan pirate grabbed Jenza by her hair and pulled her up.

"There you are." He said with an evil grin.

Jenza looked at him with horror before the pirate threw her, hitting a wall, hurting her!

He took out his blaster-riffle and aimed at her "I think I'll rather bring your dead corpse back to your dear brother. Time for you to go to sleep, old bag. Permanently."

Jenza shuts her eyes tight, knowing she's about to die.

A blaster shot is heard!

But… Jenza isn't dead. She slowly opens her eyes, seeing to her surprise the woman who'd seemingly saved her, holding both her curved-hilted red lightsabers.

The Bothan pirate stood frozen, looking down at his chest in shock, seeing that the blaster shot he'd fired was deflected back to him, hitting straight where his heart is. A few seconds later, he fell dead on the floor.

Asajj sighed and turned off her lightsabers, before she turned back and looked down at Jenza.

Shocked and confused, Jenza asked "Who… who are you?"

Asajj ensured her "I'm here to help you."

"What?" she asked. But knowing that Jedi don't have red lightsabers, she speculated "But, you're not a Jedi, aren't you?"

Asajj shook her head "Not exactly, but like I said, I came here to help you." But then Asajj sighed, knowing what she was planning for her would come to hard consequence "But… if you want me to help you and you'll remain hidden from your brother, never to be found again… it means you have to leave everything else behind of your former life… even your memories."

This surprised Jenza "My… my memories? But how?"

"I know this sounds crazy, but…" Asajj tried to tell her "I know a certain technique that'll erase all your memories. I will be placing new memories into your mind. You'll have a new identity, with your previous-self completely forgotten."

Jenza was a bit shocked by this. At first, she was unsure to do this "But… what of the Republic? If I manage to get to Coruscant and request asylum, telling the Senate and the Jedi all that I know what my brother is planning, I-"

But Asajj interrupted her, knowing that it would never work "You'll be dead before you'll even get a parsec away from Edusa. Every single bounty hunter or corrupt official will be after your head. I can know because… Dooku too ordered me to kill you."

Jenza gasped in shock.

Asajj ensured her "But I will never do that, for I refuse to serve Dooku's evil plans."

Jenza felt some uncertainty, but somehow… she could trust this woman who shows herself a Jedi, and yet she isn't "Then… why are you helping me, or even serving my brother's cause?"

Asajj formed a smile "I only choose to serve him so that I might sabotage his plans from within his inner circle. As why I choose to help you… I do it because… I know it's the right thing to do. I offer you a chance to have a different life, safely away to a world far from Dooku's influence. Trust me, he won't even know that you're still alive."

Jenza had to think about this for a moment, letting herself into deep thought 'If I take her offer… then that means, even if it's true what she can do… I won't remember who I am anymore. My whole life… my youth… all the good and the bad times I've been through all these years… all will be gone. But if I don't take her offer… then I'll be dead before I will be even be able to warn the Republic or the Jedi. She is right. My brother, Dooku, won't rest till I'm found and will make absolutely sure that I won't open my mouth of what I know.'

And so, after a minute of thinking, Jenza glanced back at Asajj, giving her an uneasy nod "Alright. If this means I will at least live on, without fearing that my brother will find me… Then I take your offer, Miss…"

"Asajj. My name's Asajj." She said.

Jenza nodded "Then I take your offer, Miss Asajj." Then she wandered "So, what will you do before you'll erase all my memory?"

Asajj stood before her, and said "Now… you sleep." And placed her hand on her head, using her power that puts Jenza into a deep slumber fast. Asajj caught her in time as Jenza became limb, softly putting her down on the floor.

Asajj then sat on her knees before her, closing her eyes as she placed both her hands on Jenza's body. She took a deep breath and then used her Force-power to make Jenza sleep so deep that she make her heart stop, like Jenza was truly dead.

When Asajj was finished, she got back up her feet and took out her comlink to contact Dooku.

As Dooku's small holographic image appeared on her comlink, with him clearly waiting if his newly found Sith Acolyte was successful.

"It is done, master," Asajj stated "Your sister, Jenza, is dead."

Dooku used his senses for a moment, not feeling her life force anymore. He formed a grin of approval "You have done well, Ventress."

But before Dooku would break contact, Asajj told him "Before I return to you, I must first erase every trace of what has happened while following my target."

That made Dooku raise an eyebrow "Problems?"

Asajj gave a nod "Clearly I wasn't the only one who was after Jenza's head. If you give me some time to erase all traces, no one will know what has truly transpired where I've killed your sister."

Dooku narrowed his eyes at her, before saying "You have 12 hours, Ventress. Do not disappoint me." Dooku then broke contact.

Asajj puts her comlink back in her pocket and looked down at Jenza. She went to work, making sure any traces of her being around the industrial complex, and getting rid of all the dead pirates' bodies by dumping them into the big acid pool which would dissolve them quickly.

-:-

The next day, on Generis

In the village, inside the home of Darm Kallis, Jenza, now wearing normal old clothes, began to wake up, seeing that Asajj kneeling close to her with her hands on her head and chest.

Asajj formed a smile at her "Easy now. You're alright."

Jenza rubbed her head, being so confused "Wha… what happened? And… how did I get here?"

Asajj told her "I found you in the jungle. You head was seriously injured, but I managed to safe you." She was lying, as she had successfully erased Jenza's memory and planted new memories in her head while bringing her body back to life.

Jenzu rubbed her head, feeling the bandage that Asajj had placed over her head (to make it look like she'd suffered a skull fracture.

Asajj then wandered and asked her "Do you still remember who you are?"

Jenza nodded with a smile "Yes. I am… Natelle Doled."

Asajj felt relieved, seeing that Jenza had now truly forgotten who she is and believed she was now named Natelle Doled.

"Do you remember anything before the accident?" Asajj asked her.

Jenza, now being named Natelle, tried to think "I… I was in the jungle… looking for fruit to collect. But…" she gasped in shock "Oh no…! My village was… raided and destroyed. I… I ran away as fast as I could while… dark raiders were after me. I tripped… and then I fell and… hit my head…" she rubbed her bandaged head.

Asajj nodded and ensured her "Don't you worry. You're safe now. This is the village of Darm Kallis and this is his house."

Darm Kallis along his wife, holding her now 2 year old daughter in her arms, walked into the bedroom. Darm smiled at her "I see you're getting better. You're really lucky that this lady found you in time."

Natelle then looked at Asajj and gave her a hug "Thank you."

Asajj returned the hug "You're welcome." After she broke the hug, she asked Darm and his wife "Please take good care for her. She has no one else left."

Darm's wife ensured Asajj "Do not worry. Natelle is more than welcome to stay here in the village with us."

Asajj knew that it was best not to tell Darm Kallis and his family to know the truth of Natelle, being in reality Count Dooku's younger sister Jenza, in order to protect them as well.

"Thank you," Asajj said "In that case, I'll take my leave, then."

But as Asajj was about to leave for the door, Darm Kallis' older daughter, who was now 6 years old, asked "Don't you want to stay for dinner with us?"

Asajj glanced at the little girl. Though it was kind of her to ask, Asajj shook her head and politely declined "That's sweet of you, but… I really must go."

The girl sighed with some disappointment, but understood that Asajj couldn't stay.

Asajj then glanced at Darm and his wife "Take care… both of you… and your daughters." She then left, going into the jungle to get back on her ship and head back to Serenno.

Darm crossed his arms while forming a smile "And here I thought I would never see that woman again, thinking she could've died in that cursed temple."

Darm's wife gave a shrug "Sometimes fate has different plans."

"Indeed."

-:-

More than a year later, on Coruscant

With more than a year passed since the Military Creation Act was proposed in the Senate, it was still undecided to recreate the Grand Army of the Republic or not.

Though negotiations with the Confederation of Independent Systems continued to resolve each other's differences, tensions grew to finally hold the vote to finally decide to pass the Military motion or not.

In the Senate, a huge debate was being held once again about the Military Creation Act, with Padmé taking a strong stand to oppose this insane idea of creating an army for the Republic.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be blinded by our own fears cause only a fraction of star systems have left the Republic and are arming themselves!" Padmé spoke strongly "They're arming themselves because they're afraid, that we intend to use violence to put them into submission. We must do whatever it takes to prevent further escalation and resort our differences through talking and diplomacy. Believe me, I have seen the horrors of war when several years ago the Trade Federation illegally occupied my home-world which caused the deaths of thousands of innocent people. If we pass this Military Creation Act, the same kind of death and destruction that my people has felt will fall upon all of the galaxy! So I ask you all, senators and noble representatives, to show your courage now and take a strong stand to oppose the recreation of the Grand Army of the Republic. If you want peace and stability, then vote against this Act and sit back at the diplomatic table with the Separatists now, so we can resolve this crisis peacefully!"

A roar was heard in the senate, with some senators applauding for what Senator Amidala says, while others are booing her and cry out that she's a coward.

However, another Senator then spoke, which was the senator representing the planet of Alderaan; Bail Organa "Senator Amidala is right. If this Military Creation Act is passed, it certainly lead to war. The only way to resolve this crisis is to negotiate a compromise with the Separatists."

That was when the senator of Malestare, Ask Aak interrupted, calling out in anger in his native language "Negotiate with traitors?! They're the ones that are arming themselves and threaten to destroy the pillars which our democracy and this glorious Republic was found on! While be bicker among ourselves, they can just walk in and slaughter us in a matter of weeks! We must come to realization that we cannot rely only on the Jedi Order to protect us, as this threat of the Separatists is bigger than we all can imagine! We need an army NOW!"

"There is no evidence that the Separatists intend to destroy us all, Senator Aak! Like Senator Amidala said, they're just afraid what we intend to do! We have to keep talking with them in order to resolve this." Senator Trivas of Bestine called out.

However, that met with a roar anger from some senators who've witnessed firsthand what the Separatists intentions are and many don't even trust them a bit since the Trade Federation has joined the Separatists.

"You have no idea what my people has gone through, Senator Trivas!" one representative called out "We cannot negotiate with these Separatists, especially with those backstabbing Trade Federation scumbags having joined Dooku's cause!"

Many senators roared and called out to pass the act, while others opposed, resulting in a huge argument in the Senate, showing how divided the galaxy is.

"That's right, WE NEED AN ARMY NOW!" another senator called out.

"NO WE DO NOT!"

"WE HAVE TO NEGOTIOTE!"

"WE MUST DESTROY THE SEPARATISTS BEFORE THEY'LL DESTROY US!"

The Vice Chair, Mas Amedda tried to ease the senators "ORDER! ORDER!"

-:-

Meanwhile, at the Jedi Temple

Inside the chapel, several Jedi have gathered for the funeral of Jedi Master Yaddle. The sudden death of Master Yaddle, who, according to the reports, had given her life to safe thousands of innocent people in the lower levels of Coruscant.

Yaddle, who'd only stepped down from the Jedi Council a few days prior, as she prefers to study more of the Force and spend more time training her Padawan, Annemir (Newt) Newib, was a wise and kind Jedi, having served the Jedi Order for almost five centuries. Her sudden death was a shock to the Jedi and to the Council, especially for the now 19-year old Newt .Though Newt was kinda surprised that her master suddenly had quite being a Jedi Councilmember to study more of the Force in private, her passing came to a great shock to her.

In the center of the chapel, the body of Yaddle was laying on a stone table with a white cloth covering her. In a circle around Yaddle's body, stood all the Jedi Councilmembers, including the new councilmembers Coleman Trebor, who'd replaced Master Yarael Poof's place a year prior after having died a natural death, and Kit Fisto, who'd been appointed by the council to replace Yaddle after she resigned. Behind the council members stood several dozens of other Jedi who'd come to pay their respect to the passing Jedi Master, including Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker, Dia Zebb, Benjako Dalkai, Aayla Secura, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Leo Jemilet, and Newt.

Dia was comforting Newt, rubbing her back, knowing how important Master Yaddle was to her.

Yoda then spoke a few rites "Lost, a fellow sister of the Jedi Order, we have. Patience, kindness, wisdom, selflessness, traits that define a true Jedi. All those that sought wisdom from her, freely, she gave, never asking anything in return, she would. Enjoying, teaching the younglings, she did, and guiding her Padawans wisely, she did," Yoda glanced at Newt, as she was her latest Padawan to be promoted to Jedi Knight, which gave Newt to nod, thanking Yoda for those kind words "Though critical, she sometimes was, true to her believes in the Order, she remained. Her devotion, her sacrifice, never be forgotten, they will. Passed to the afterlife, she has now. No death, there is, only the Force."

Newt then stepped forward, holding in her hands Yaddle's small lightsaber. Slowly, she placed it on Yaddle's chest. Holding a sob, Newt softly said "Thank you… for everything. May the Force be with you… master…" Newt then stepped back, as the stone table slowly descended into the floor, joining the many other Jedi who'd died in the past, until the grave was shut and a ray of light was shined.

Sometime later, all left the chapel quietly.

As Yoda walked down through a corridor, Newt walked up to him and told Yoda "Those were kind words you've spoken, Master Yoda. Thank you."

Yoda gave her a friendly nod "My pleasure, it was, Padawan Newib" he then told her, having sensed that Yaddle's passing had greatly effected Newt "Understand, I do. Master Yaddle, dear to you, she was."

Newt gave a nod "Yes, Master Yoda… Master Yaddle was… I was truly grateful for being her Padawan. I just… I just can't believe that she's truly gone."

Yoda comforted her by telling her "Death is a natural part of life. But, mourn them do not, miss them do not. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force, we should."

Newt nodded "I know, Master Yoda… I know that having attachments of any kind is not allowed in the Jedi way of life. But I will pass this."

Yoda gave her a nod, allowing Newt to go to her room in peace.

However, Master Shaak Ti, who'd heard Newt and Yoda talking together, felt she had to be there for Newt to comfort her. As she was now rebelling against the Code in secret, along with her secret lover Aayla Secura, Shaak Ti knew that the traditional Jedi ways to deal with someone's passing were not always helping and felt that she had to go and talk with Newt.

An hour later, Shaak Ti arrived at Newt's room, knocking on the door.

Newt looked at the door and, despite wanting to be alone right now, wiped away her tears and said "Enter."

The door opened, revealing the Toguta Jedi master "Padawan Newt."

Newt quickly bowed to her in respect as she entered "Master Shaak Ti. What can I do for you?"

Shaak Ti closed the door behind her before saying to her "Newt. I know what you're feeling for Master Yaddle, and I came here to tell you that you should not suppress or hold back the emotions you're feeling."

This greatly surprised Newt "What? Master Shaak Ti, what… are you saying?"

"I'm saying that you mustn't listen to what Master Yoda told you or what the other masters tell you what you should do." She gestured Newt to sit at her bed, which she did and Shaak Ti sat next to her, telling her "If you feel that you want to mourn for the loss of your master, then don't let it stop you." Shaak Ti explained.

Newt was shocked by what Shaak Ti told her "Master Shaak Ti… I… I don't understand. Why are you telling me this?"

Shaak Ti then asked her softly "Tell me, Newt; what do you really feel?"

Newt wasn't sure where this was going, as this wasn't for a Jedi openly talk about his or her emotions openly. But seeing she could trust Shaak Ti as she looked at her that she wanted to help her process this.

Newt took a deep breath and began to tell "I feel… so alone… That… Master Yaddle wouldn't even…" it was hard for her to say it.

Shaak Ti held her hand "Go on."

Newt started to show a mixture of sad and anger, looking with her teary eyes at Shaak Ti "Why did she had to go alone? I… I could've helped her! If she would have just let me help then maybe… then maybe Master Yaddle would've still been alive! If she quit being part of the Council to give more attention to my training… then why did she abandoned me?!"

Shaak Ti rubbed her back, comforting her, telling her softly "Master Yaddle didn't abandoned you, Newt. She probably didn't took you with her because she wanted to keep you safe."

"But that's just it!" Newt said with a higher tone, with tears falling from her eyes "She was always there for me and we always had each other's backs! She was… she was like… a mother-figure to me…! Whenever I was troubled about something and needed guidance, she was always there for me…! But now… I feel she betrayed me… by not trusting me to help her!" Newt began to sob, blaming her master for not trusting her that she was good enough to help, but also blaming herself that she wasn't to help her master this time.

Shaak Ti sighed and hugged Newt, which surprised her. But feeling this warm embrace of comfort and understanding, that Shaak Ti was there for her, Newt slowly allowed it. Not holding herself back, Newt cried out her tears, letting all her emotions out as how much it hurt her for losing such a caring and kind teacher.

Shaak Ti allowed Newt to cry her tears out for some minutes, till she softly said "Master Yaddle never betrayed you or abandoned, young Padawan," she glanced into her eyes, telling her "You were just as important to her, as she was to you."

A few more minutes later, Shaak Ti and Newt slowly broke the hug. Newt never felt this open before, as Shaak Ti was like the only Jedi Master in the Temple that was there for her and truly understood her, like a caring mother.

Shaak Ti wiped away Newt's tear and then told her "Do you know want to know something? A few weeks back, after she told that she was giving up her seat on the Council, I was talking with her privately about it. And when I talked with her about you, Master Yaddle told me with a smile that she was proud of you as how far you've come, and she couldn't have asked for a better Padawan than you. That was one of the major reasons she gave up her seat on the Council, because she knew that you were destined for greatness in the Order and wanted to put all her energy on training you, because you were the best Padawan she'd ever trained and would do anything to keep you safe."

With her puffy eyes, Newt was overwhelmed with what Shaak Ti told her "Re… really?"

Shaak Ti nodded as she smiled "And though she's gone now, she never truly left you," she placed her hand on Newt's chest "because all her training, her guidance and all her kindness are still here, with you, and will always be there with you wherever you may go."

Slowly, Newt began to smile, feeling deep down that Shaak Ti was right and that Yaddle's teachings, her training and all the kindness she received from her will always be with her "Thank you, Master Shaak Ti…" Newt hugged her, which she returned.

After a minute, both slowly broke the hug, with Newt wiping away her tears and said as she sighed "Thank you so much, Master Shaak Ti… I… I feel a bit better now."

Shaak Ti was glad to see that her own way of helping Newt had worked. But, not wanting that Newt would completely allow her emotions to control her when she lets them out, she advised her "But remember; though it is okay to mourn and talk about your feelings and frustrations, don't fully embrace or feed these emotions. If you allow yourself to completely consumed by your emotions, it will lead to the Dark Side."

Newt understand and said "I… I understand, Master Shaak Ti. I promise I won't allow my emotions to cloud my judgment," then she gave a bit of sadly sigh "I… I think I want to be alone for now, and let this sink in."

Shaak Ti nodded "I understand," and as she rose up, she ensured Newt in a motherly-way "If you ever need to talk about your mourning, I'll be there for you."

Newt nodded "I will."

Shaak Ti then left Newt's chamber.

While walking through the massive halls of the Temple, Shaak Ti began to think 'No doubt that the council will choose a new master for Newt,' that thought made her to stop.

Feeling deep down, as if the Force was talking to Shaak Ti, she knew that none of the other Jedi Masters that were available to continue Newt's training will never understand what she's going through or even giving her the comfort that she needs right now. Shaak Ti was the only one that could truly help Newt and comfort her during her mourning, and perhaps… finish her Jedi training.

Shaak Ti gasped at that thought, hut quickly saw that this was the best option "Yes. Yes, of course. If nobody else can help her… then I can."

Shaak Ti immediately went to see the other council members, determined to convince them that she should teach her.

The next morning

Newt walked through a hallway, heading to a separate chamber to meet with Master Yoda and some of the other Council members. Though expecting that the only reason they summoned her is that they most likely have found a new master for her, Newt never thought that it would be so quickly as she hasn't fully passed this phase of losing her former mentor, and that the Council would immediately give her a new one.

It made Newt deep down both frustrated and sad, that the Jedi Council doesn't understand what she truly feels and that nobody could ever replace Yaddle. However, Shaak Ti unexpected visit and offer of comfort had made Newt a bit better inside, as at least one Jedi Master actually listened to her.

When she'd reached the appointed chamber, she saw Master Yoda, Mace Windu, Plo-Koon, Kit Fisto and Shaak Ti were there. Newt gave a sigh and entered the chamber.

She gave a bow out of respect "You'd called for me, masters?"

"Yes, we have, Padawan Newib." Mace Windu said.

Yoda then told her, ensuring her "Losing your old master, Yaddle, so quickly, though painful, it is, a climbs of hope, we have. Found, a new master for you, we have."

Newt gave a small nod, not showing much emotion "I see. Thank you. Then… if I may ask, who will take my deceased master's place?"

Plo Koon then said "Truth be told, Padawan Newib, this new mentor had actually came to us yesterday voluntarily to continue your training."

This surprised and confused Newt a bit "Really?" but searching her feelings, her eyes went wide as she glanced at Shaak Ti.

The Togruta Jedi Master stepped forward, forming a smile "Yes, Newt. I told the Jedi Council that I want to take you under my wing, as my Padawan."

"Master Shaak Ti… I…" Newt lost for words, but formed a smile.

Kit Fisto, smiling too, told "Honestly, we didn't quiet expected that Master Shaak Ti wanted to train you, but yesterday she was able to convince all of the Council."

Shaak Ti then told Newt "I know that I can never replace Master Yaddle as she was a great mentor for you, I do hope that you will allow me to try and to guide you further in your training as a true Jedi."

This kind of news was something that made Newt feel better inside. As Shaak Ti was so willing to listen and offering her comfort when needed, which was unheard of in the Jedi Order, clearly that Shaak Ti was going against the Jedi Code, Newt felt that she was in good hands.

Newt made a bow to Shaak Ti "Then I, Annemir Newib, happily accept you as my new Jedi Master. Thank you."

"And I look forward to guide you further on the path of the Jedi, my Padawan." Shaak Ti gave Newt a bow too.

Later that day, at the Temple's Floatball field

While a small group of older younglings and a few Padawans were doing some Floatball practice, Dia had a little conversation with Newt while sitting on a bench, watching the others play.

"I can't actually believe that Master Shaak Ti wanted you to become her Padawan." Dia said with delight, feeling happy for Newt.

Newt, though still a bit sad for the loss of Master Yaddle, had been feeling better thanks to Shaak Ti's conversations in order to process her mourning "Yes… I am truly grateful that she wanted to take up the mantle as my new master. We might actually go on a mission together soon, as I have heard."

Dia nodded "That's good. That'll give the two of you the time you need to bond."

Newt formed a smile "Yeah… I hope that too."

Both then decided to watch the Younglings and Padawans play. Ahsoka, who was among them, suddenly stopped the ball in midair, using new maneuvers to move it around quickly, confusing the others and then jumped high and kicked the ball in the ring, scoring a point!

The others looked surprised at what Ahsoka did, with one human youngling girl saying "Wow! Ahoska, that was so cool! Where did you learned that move?"

Ahsoka chuckled and gave a simple shrug "I… had some time to practice on my own and… learned it myself." She made a little lie, as she'd actually learned to use the kind of maneuvers of using the Force from Asajj during their secret training sessions with her using dream-bonding, as a way to keep with her in touch in Ahsoka's dreams, without the knowledge of the other Jedi.

A Zabrak male Padawan then told her, being impressed "Well, if you keep this up, you might actually pass Initiate Trials much sooner and become an official Padawan?"

Ahsoka nodded, though feeling a bit modest "Yeah, I sure hope so." In her mind, she mentally thanked her friend, wherever she might be now 'Thank you, Asajj… I look forward to the day we will see each other again.'

Back with Dia and Newt, the icy-blue skinned Twi'Lek wandered and asked "Say, have you seen Anakin anywhere? I haven't seen him all day."

"He's gone to the Chancellor's office, paying a visit to Chancellor Palpatine." Newt answered.

"Again?" Dia asked surprised "But… that's like the seventh time this month he's seeing the Chancellor."

Newt gave a shrug "I know. He has been gone on visitations to the Chancellor quiet often this year. Don't know why."

Dia began to feel a bit worried for Anakin, making her mentally think 'Why is Anakin visiting the Chancellor so frequently? I have to go and ask him once he returns.'

And so, a few hours later, as the sun began to set, Anakin had arrived back at the Temple with a speeder.

After leaving the hanger, he thought of go and see his master, Qui-Gon, as they would share a lightsaber combat training session. Though Anakin felt a bit tired of having long talks with Palpatine, talking about the situation in the galaxy and with Palpatine giving him advice, Anakin couldn't keep his master waiting.

But just as Anakin was about to go into the elevator to take him some levels up to a training room where Qui-Gon and Anakin would be training together most of the time, Dia walked up to him.

"Anakin." She said as she stood in front of him.

Anakin blinked his eyes for a moment, but then smiled "Oh…! Hi, Dia. What's going on?" he asked as he could clearly sense that something on her mind.

Dia sighed and asked "I need to talk with you for a moment,"

Anakin was this close to say that he's gonna be late for his training session with Qui-Gon. But seeing Dia's worried face, seeing that this couldn't wait, Anakin nodded "Sure." and both entered the elevator, going up to the designated floor, but went together into the opposite direction, being in an empty classroom where they could have more privacy.

"So, what did you wanted to talk?" Anakin asked "I could sense that it was something that troubles you, and… you didn't even put any effort to hid it."

Dia sighs and began to tell her worry "It's nothing that serious, Anakin. It's just… You've been visiting Chancellor Palpatine a lot of times lately. And with that I mean… more than usual."

Anakin gave a shrug "He's been asking for my presence sometimes, yeah. But, it's nothing to be too worried about."

Dia sighed again "I know it's not my place to judge you for whom you spend time with, but I'm just worried and confused as… You've always been avoiding to see the Chancellor and rather stay with your master Qui-Gon, and you're like becoming more closer with him and could…" she failed her words as she cannot described them as she could feel deep down that something was off "What has brought this change, Ani? I just want to know."

Anakin was unsure if he should tell her, but upon seeing Dia's face, he felt he was melted cause of her beautiful eyes, still having the same feelings for her.

Anakin took a deep breath and asked her first "Okay… I'll tell you, Dia. But can you promise me that this will remain between us?"

Dia nodded "Yes, of course." Ensuring him.

Anakin then began to tell "The truth is, Dia… I never trusted that man ever since I met him the first time back on Naboo."

That confused Dia "You never trusted him? But I don't understand. Then why are you always seeing the Chancellor when he requests your presence?"

"Dia… the truth is, I've always felt that there was something off about Palpatine. Qui-Gon taught me to keep an open mind and use my guts to sense what's really going on into any person. I was unsure about the Chancellor, but…" he then began to tell something, which he'd only shared with his master "It all started some years back, when Chancellor Palpatine asked me to join him on an personal errand in the lower levels of Coruscant. Level 2685"

"Level 2685?" Dia asked, as this didn't make any sense to her.

Anakin told further "Palpatine told me that he sometimes goes on a visit to the lower levels while being incognito, to see the troubles that the capital was facing and the witness the poor as they lived in darkness. He wanted me to accompany him and showed me the… grim reality of the galaxy. What I saw, it did pained me to see so many people suffering and living in these awful living conditions, something that the Jedi didn't do anything about it, but I remained secretly focused on where Palpatine was going with this."

Dia gave a nod in understanding, having heard that some of the people in the lower levels of Coruscant had lived there their entire lives without ever making it to the surface of the planet and seeing the sky. That it was so bad down there, that many people in the lower levels believed the sun was a myth.

Anakin continued telling further "Then, we went into a club known as Kasakar," that part made him somehow uneasy "It was that moment… that I felt that Palpatine was like… trying to plant seeds of doubt into my mind. At first, he wanted me to thank him for joining on that errand and was… quite envious on how Qui-Gon and the Jedi had already planned out my entire life for me. I just played along and told I was thankful of having Qui-Gon as my master and being trained as a Jedi. Then, he changed the subject, telling how corrupt some senators can be, with me seeing some senators gambling, seeing their greediness and having no care for others, other than money. I just told the Chancellor that he had a point and those senators deserve to be judged for their crimes of corruption. Later, when we returned to Palpatine's office, we discussed what we'd seen and he telling that there are some things that they cannot change, not even the Jedi, that Palpatine told me to better not mention what had happened to the masters. But then… he asked me if I was happy at the Temple."

Dia, how'd been listening patiently and had a mixture of astound and shock, nodded, waiting for what he was going to say next "And… what did you told him?"

Anakin sighed and said "I… told him the truth… telling that though my life as a Jedi wasn't as everything I wanted, it was a better live than my previous one back on Tatooine. He then said, though he understood and was glad for my honesty, he said that there is always a place for me… with him once my training is complete."

Dia gasped at that "He… The chancellor said that?"

Anakin nodded "But, though I promised Palpatine never to mention what during that errand in the lower levels, I had to tell Qui-Gon. Though he was a bit shocked, he also wasn't surprised that Palpatine would use this kind of thing to plant doubt in my mind, rethinking my life as a Jedi. But, I had deep down already made my decision. And my place… is with the Jedi." Anakin said determined.

Dia smiled, sensing that Anakin was telling the truth.

"So… for some years, I've been avoiding Palpatine, but… that day when you passed the Trials and became a Jedi Knight, Dia, I had to go and see the Chancellor to inform him of the insurgence on Eriadu, with him… saying stuff like he'd always sensed that I was going to become one day the greatest Jedi ever… his words may be wise… but Qui-Gon taught me to always be cautions and think ahead of whatever I think or wat I want to say in front of the Chancellor, to be a few steps ahead of what he would ask or tell me. I vowed myself that I would keep a close eye on him, to know his true intentions."

Dia couldn't believe what Anakin was saying. Though surprised, she was feeling also worriedness and proud that Anakin wasn't going to leave the Order for whatever wealth a politician offered him and stay… with her. Out of her own movement, she hugged him.

Anakin returned the hug.

Both remained in embrace for some time.

Softly, Dia asked him "I trust you, Ani. But… can you promise me… that you be careful and won't… leave me for whatever Palpatine offered you?"

Anakin was shocked that Dia said that out of the blue, not wanting him to leave her. He felt as if his heart melted, making him form a smile as they glanced into each other's eyes, slowly nodding.

They kept looking into each other's eyes, with both… feeling that same thing what they shared when they dated secretly before their breakup.

Anakin felt this thing in his head as if it was switching his focus away from Dia to Padmé. But this time, he resisted it… wanting to only see Dia now.

Slowly… their faces moved closer to each other… closing their eyes… their lips only a few inches away from each other…

But then… both stopped, with Dia taking a step back, with her blushing deep red out of embarrassment "I… I'm sorry…"

Anakin sighed, being just as embarrassed and confused as she was.

"You uhm…" Dia tried to say "I think Master Qui-Gon is waiting for you. Better go and see him now…" she made an excuse.

Anakin slowly nodded "Yeah… yeah, I should…" and Dia was about to leave.

But at she was at the doorway, she glanced back at her ex-boyfriend "Ani?"

Anakin glanced back at her.

Dia formed a small smile "Please say… that you promise you will never leave me…?"

Anakin formed a small smile and nodded "I promise you…"

Still with her smile on her face, Dia began to leave.

Anakin was still standing in the empty classroom, giving a small sigh as being with Dia always made him feel better. But thinking back how he broke up with her, how he broke her heart despite the beautiful thing they shared. He then became frustrated "Why was the Force telling me that we had to break up? It… it doesn't make any sense? I…" he quietly admitted to himself "…I still love her…"

But, putting it out of his mind for now, he want out in a hurry to see Qui-Gon for their training session.

A couple of months later

Anakin had been listening to the Holonet news, telling that de debate on creating a Grand Army of the Republic heated up, with Senator Padmé Amidala having been received a lot of threats for opposing creating an army to fight the Separatist threat, even death threats, which were so serious that she had to go back to Naboo under heavy guard for the time being, until the Senate would finally set a date to vote on passing the motion to create an army or not.

Anakin sighed and turned off the Holonet. He shook his head, bot believing that some people in the Republic, if not in the Senate, would go this far to threaten Padmé's life for simply leading the opposition against the Military Creation Act.

"Maybe if the Republic was run differently, with the people having more to say in the government, maybe this whole crisis with the Separatists wouldn't have happened." Anakin asked himself, seeing that the old-traditional system of democracy wasn't working, with the galaxy changing and the government doesn't change along with it.

But, trying not to think about politics, as he was tired of listening to the same thing on the news and tired of both training and Football-practice, Anakin decided to go back to his chamber and catch some sleep.

When walking out of the Holonet-chamber, Anakin noticed that it was already night, making him chuckle "Time flies fast…"

While heading to the quarters area, he'd hoped that at least he would come across one of his friends or Qui-Gon to have a little conversation, but didn't saw anyone… other than Dia, who had just made it to her room.

She saw Anakin and formed a small smile "Hey…" was all she said.

Anakin smiled back at her and stopped before her "Hey. Staying up a bit longer too, huh?"

Dia nodded "Yeah. I had a lot of things going on in my mind today."

Anakin too nodded "Yeah, me too…"

That made Dia raise an eyebrow at him, clearly she could see that it wasn't about training or the extra Floatball-practice that troubled him.

She tried to tell him that he could always tell her "You know… if…" but words failed her.

"What?" Anakin asked.

Dia sighed before she shook her head "Nothing," she made up an excuse as being around her secret ex-boyfriend began to make her feel confused as her feelings for him are still strong "I… I'll just… go and take some rest."

Dia opened the door of her room, as Anakin gave a simply nod "Yeah… right… Good night, Dia."

Dia gave him a short glance and walked into her room.

"Uhm… Dia?" Anakin asked before she would close her door.

Dia glanced at him "Yes?" waiting for what he wanted to say.

But just like her… Anakin too lost for words, not knowing what to say "I…" he shook his head "Nothing. I'll… go and get some sleep too." And left to go to his room.

Dia kept looking at Anakin till he went into a different hallway. Dia gave a small sad sigh, wishing that she could've just… have the courage to talk with him a bit more.

As Dia closed the door behind her, she sat on the floor with her back to the wall, thinking of Anakin. Ever since their talk about Anakin's frequent visits to Chancellor Palpatine and promising never to leave the Order for anything or anyone, Dia had been feeling more confused, as though her love for Anakin was still strong, she was unsure if they could still be together after their breakup.

Dia narrowed her eyes and shook her head "Why would the Force tell Anakin that we weren't meant to be together? It doesn't make any sense."

Dia remained in thought for some time until she was too tired to even think and stripped out of her Jedi robes till she was only in her undergarment, laying in her bed and went to sleep.

-:-

Once Anakin had returned to his room, he immediately took off his Jedi robes till he only wear his shorts and lay in bed. It didn't took long for him to fall asleep.

Anakin's dream

Anakin saw images of his past, seeing himself as the 9-year old boy before he was left to be trained by Qui-Gon as a Jedi. He found himself back in his old house in Mos Espa, fixing on C-3PO.

Then, someone was entering his room. Young Anakin looked and saw it was Padmé, looking the same way as he'd met her the first time.

Anakin remembered this moment, which not long after he'd finished his Podracer for the Podrace the next day, with C-3PO's being broken after someone tried to steal the protocol-droid and sell it for parts, which Anakin angrily tried to prevent but almost to no avail, but luckily Qui-Gon was there in time to help Anakin and scared the guy off with his activated green lightsaber.

Anakin smiled at Padmé before going back on fixing C-3PO, which was successful and the droid was working good again.

"You sure fixed 3PO fast, Anakin." Padmé said.

Anakin nodded proudly "Completely building 3PO from the ground up takes more time as I didn't had all the parts, but fixing things when they're broken I'm the best at." Clearly he was trying to impress Padmé.

Padmé giggled "You sure do."

Then, Anakin walked up to the living room, seeing his mother, Shmi cooking dinner.

Seeing his mother again as when he left Tatooine made Anakin both sad and happy to see her face again.

Shmi looked at her back, glancing at Anakin, forming a smile.

Again, Anakin looked back at Padmé, going to help Shmi with dinner. Anakin admitted to himself that despite Padmé is 5 years older than him, he already formed a crush on her, and clearly she may like him too. But that was when Anakin thought back about Dia.

Anakin shook his head, like he was trying to make his dream to focus on Dia. But it didn't seemed to work as the 'dream' was forcing him to keep on Padmé 'No… I… I don't want to see it…! I want to see Dia!' Anakin yelled in his mind.

This 'force' struggled, like it forced Anakin to see what 'it' wanted him to see.

But with a big yell, Anakin pushed this 'force' out of his mind "AAAAAAAAAH!"

Immediately, Anakin's surroundings had changed, showing he wasn't anymore in his old home in Mos Espa, but stood in front of a moisture farm in the desert, with a pourstone entry dome on the left and a large opening in the middle, seeing dozens of vaporators in the distance. It was before dawn, seeing that the two sons of Tatooine hadn't come up from the horizon yet.

Anakin had never seen this place before, but it sure looked very peaceful. He noticed that he was in his 19-year old self again, but his body was transparent.

Curious to this home, Anakin walked over to the edge, looking into the homestead, seeing 3 people inside. One was around his mid-forties, and another man and a girl who were perhaps a few years older than Anakin. All three of them were preparing to do some early morning duties as it was common for any moisture-farmers family.

Then, Anakin saw someone exiting the pourstone entrance, seeing his mother with a basket, walking to one of the vaporators on the property.

Anakin wandered as she followed her "Is this… where my mother lives now? Is she then free? Or is she now owned by these people?" Anakin wandered.

Anakin watched as picking the mushrooms that were growing on the vaporators and puts them in the basket. Shmi looked… happy in Anakin's eyes, making him smile as he thought 'If she's this happy then… these people must've freed my mother!'

But suddenly, Anakin could feel something was coming, feeling it was something bad.

Anakin's eyes went wide and tried to call for his mother to go "Mother! Go, get out of here!"

But Shmi didn't heard anything as Anakin wasn't really with her.

"Mom! What are you doing?! GO!" Anakin yelled again.

Shmi stopped for a moment with picking the mushrooms, like she felt something or someone was warning her. She looked around, but didn't seen anything. Shmi then sighed, thinking back of Anakin, hoping he was okay as she missed him so much.

Shmi then rose up, taking the basket with mushrooms. But Anakin could feel the danger was getting closer and tried to yell at her "Mom! Hurry!" he even tried to grab her and drag her to safety, but all he grabbed was air, not being able to touch or hold her as if he was a ghost.

Then, Shmi heard something coming. She looked back and saw to her horror a Tusken Raider, roaring while raising his riffle.

Shmi ran as fast as she could back to the moisture farm, but she was quickly surrounded by other Tusken Raiders, roaring and grabbing her!

"NOO!" Anakin yelled "LEAVE HER ALONE!" he tried to grab for his lightsaber, but didn't had anything, nor he could fend the Tusken Raiders off! The Tusken Raiders were beating up Shmi, apprehending her and dragged her along with them "NOOOOO!" Anakin yelled, trying to rescue his mother, but it was to no avail "MOOOOOOOOM!"

End of Anakin's dream

Anakin woke up instantly with a start, panting as the dream was horrible, as it was so real to him, as if he was actually there. He buried his head in his hands, as he could feel through the Force that his mother was in pain.

-:-

The next day

Dia, who'd completed her morning sparring session, sensed that something was wrong with Aankin and decided to go and see him what troubles him.

After getting his location from Qui-Gon, Dia found him alone in a mediation chamber, meditating on the ground. Dia walked up to him and spoke softly "Anakin?"

This made Anakin open his eyes, seeing his secret ex-girlfriend had come "Dia." He greeted.

"I… sensed that something was troubling you last night. Would you… like to talk about it?" Dia asked.

However, she did not get an answer as Anakin looked away.

Dia sighed "Okay. I'll be leaving."

But Anakin stopped her and held her hand "Wait, don't go. Your presence is… soothing." For a moment, Dia blushed as Anakin was holding her hand, but seeing that he was willing to tell what was bothering him she sat down with him. it was then that Anakin began to tell her "I… had a dream last night."

"A dream?" Dia asked.

Anakin nodded "Yeah. In it… I saw… I saw my mother. I saw her as clearly as I see you now."

Dia could clearly see that this dream he had troubled him, thinking that it was more than just an awful nightmare for Anakin. She rubbed his arm "Tell me…" she said softly.

"In the beginning, she seems happy, living on a moisture farm with some people who I've never seen before. I don't know if she's either free or just a slave for them who'd either bought her or won her from Watto," Anakin stated.

Dia nodded in understanding as Anakin told her before that when he was still a slave, a Toydarian named Watto "What else did you see in this dream?" she wandered.

Anakin sighed, as that part of his nightmare truly was making him feel uncomfortable "Then… she was surrounded by… Tusken Raiders. They beat her up as they dragged her with them through the desert and I… I couldn't do anything to stop them. It was all… so real…!" he revealed as a tear fell from his right eye.

Dia, feeling very sorry for him, puts her arms around him in comfort. As the way that Anakin told her about his nightmare, Dia knew for sure that this didn't sounded like any normal dream. She slowly broke the hug and advised him "Anakin, you should tell Master Qui-Gon about this, now. I'm very sure that this wasn't a nightmare you had last night, but a vision."

Anakin looked at, knowing that she was right as Qui-Gon had always helped him when needed, and surely could see what to do with this vision that he saw. Anakin nodded as they stood up.

Dia decided to walk with Anakin together to see Qui-gon.

But unknown to them, Aayla Secura, who was near and had listened from around a corner, had heard everything 'I have to tell Shaak. She has to know about this too.' She thought to herself before walking off to go find her now again-girlfriend and lover.

Later, in a separate room, Qui-gon had been listening to hear his Padawan's nightmare about his mother being in danger, with Dia being sure that it's a vision of what had truly happened as how Anakin described the dream and how it was so lifelike as if he as truly there.

Qui-Gon thought about this after hearing how Anaking described his nightmare and felt he was there when it happened "I think you're right, Dia. This could to indeed be a vision that Anakin had seen in his dream."

Anakin felt great worry, as if he could sense that his mother was in pain "Master… I know this will disobey my mandate as a Jedi. But I have to go. I have to help her."

Qui-Gon nodded, knowing that his Padawan's mother meant so much to him that if anything would ever happen to her could set Anakin astray into a darker path "You're right, my apprentice," he puts his hand on his shoulder "And I will go with you to Tatooine."

Anakin formed a smile as his eyes began to get teary, as Qui-Gon would be there to support and help without a single doubt. Anakin truly couldn't have asked for a better master, who was in his eyes like the father he never had.

However, Dia was worried of their little idea of sneaking to Tatooine "Hold on a minute! Though you're right and you should go to Tatooine, but if the Council finds out about your little detour to Tatooine without permission to safe Anakin's mother, you both could be in serious trouble!"

Though this frustrated Anakin, he knew that Dia was right. The Jedi Council would never allow him and Qui-Gon leave to safe Shmi as attachments to a Jedi's parents is forbidden by the Jedi Code.

That made Qui-Gon think for a second, and thought of the perfect excuse "Perhaps the Council doesn't have to know anything about it, if I inform them I will go with my Padawan on a simple pilgrimage for a few days."

Anakin felt that that would be a good excuse to sneak of to Tatooine, as it had helped before when Qui-Gon took him to Dagobah for some special training 9 years ago.

Dia nodded, but was still a bit worried "You think the Council will fall for that, Master Qui-Gon?"

Qui-Gon nodded, ensuring her "I'm sure they will," but then advised Anakin and Dia "While I'll be going to see Master Yoda and the other Councilmembers who're available now, it's for the best that neither of you speak about this- or talk about your vision." He told his Padawan.

Both Anakin and Dia nodded "We will, master." Anakin promised.

"Good. Just do something to distract yourselves with. I'll be returning in a few hours." Qui-Gon said as he left the room.

-:-

Later, in the Jedi Council Chamber

After Qui-Gon had requested Yoda and the other Councilmembers for an audience to tell about his Padawan dealing with inner frustrations and what his plan was to help him, Yoda and Mace Windu had gathered the rest of the Council together.

Once Qui-Gon told everything and wanted to go on a pilgrimage with his Padawan to help him spiritually, but left out his real intentions as Anakin was having visions of his mother on Tatooine in danger, Yoda asked "Hmmmm, taking young Skywalker on a pilgrimage, you ask?"

"And where exactly do you want to take your Padawan on a pilgrimage, Qui-Gon?" Mace Windu asked, being a bit skeptical as Qui-Gon had always been mysterious and disobedient towards the Council's wishes.

"To Jedha, Master Windu," Qui-Gon stated, though that was technically a lie, Qui-Gon was able to mask it masterfully "I believe this world would be perfect place for my Padawan to find spiritual guidance as some of you may have already have sensed in Anakin."

A few Councilmembers nodded, but Oppo Rancisis was also as skeptical as Mace Windu and said "If your Padawan is having trouble spiritually, then why won't young Skywalker stay here at the Temple, as some of our masters could be helping him already."

Adi Gallia nodded, agreeing with Oppo "Master Rancisis has a point. We have all here at the Temple to help young Skywalker."

Qui-Gon tried to convince them otherwise "That might be true, but as you know, since my Padawan is not born within the Jedi Order as so many others, he needs special training and guidance, which I strongly believe he can be helped if he's allowed on this pilgrimage with me to the Pilgrim Moon."

While the Councilmembers exchanged glances, seeing if they should allow Qui-Gon to take his Padawan or not, Shaak Ti stood up and told "I am agreeing with Master Qui-Gon," that earned all the Councilmembers' attention "Padawan Skywalker should be going on this pilgrimage to Jedha." Almost all raised an eyebrow, as Shaak Ti never openly supported something that wasn't common in the Jedi Order. Shaak Ti then stated as she glanced at Oppo Rancisis "Wasn't it true that when you too went on a pilgrimage to Jedha has greatly helped you, Master Rancisis? If I could remember very well, when you were still Master Yoda's Padawan and had disobeyed him from time to time, Master Yoda believed that a trip to the Pilgrim Moon had eventually helped you and set down the path that made you the Jedi Master you are today."

Oppo Rancisis, though feeling a bit awkward of being reminded about his youth as Yoda's Padawan at first, he saw Shaak Ti's point and that his pilgramge to Jedha had indeed helped him to become a better student and eventually Jedi Master.

Then Shaak Ti turned to Depa Balliba "And you, Master Balliba, when you went to study more of the Force when you were Master Windu's Padawan, hasn't that also increasingly helped you so you could complete the Jedi Trials?"

Depa Balliba was a bit surprised, but saw that Shaak Ti was also right about her and nodded to Mace Windu, who too knew that Shaak Ti was right about that and had helped her when she was still his student.

Kit Fisto nodded with a smile "Shaak Ti has a big point."

Yoda nodded "Right you are, Master Shaak Ti. A fair debate, this is," he turned to Qui-Gon "Agree with you, the Council does. On a pilgrimage, young Skywalker, should go."

Qui-Gon gave the council a bow "Thank you, masters." He glanced to Shaak Ti for a moment, who formed a small smile and gave a single nod to him, as Qui-Gon left the Council Chamber.

-:-

An hour later, in Anakin's room

Though not having much stuff, Anakin packed some things which were deemed necessary for the trip to the icy cold moon of Jedha, though he knew he didn't needed them as he and Qui-Gon were planning to go to the hot desert planet Tatooine.

As soon as Anakin heard that Qui-Gon was given permission from the Council, he quietly went to his room to get the necessary supplies.

In his mind, Anakin prayed 'Hold on, mother. I'm coming.'

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Anakin said, thinking it was Qui-Gon.

But as the door opened, he was surprised to see it was Shaak Ti standing at the doorway.

"Master Shaak Ti? What brings you here?" Anakin wandered.

"May I come in, young Skywalker?" Shaak Ti asked politely.

Anakin nodded "Uhh… yes. Of course."

Shaak Ti entered, closing the door behind her. She then glanced at Anakin and asked "Having everything you need for the pilgrimage?"

Anakin nodded again "Of course. I got everything settled."

However, unknown to Anakin, Shaak Ti already knew what was their intention. But, she played a bit with words as she inspected the supplies "And you're sure you'll be needing them?"

Anakin gave a shrug "That's what I was told. I got to be prepared for anything."

Shaak Ti took out a small container with Bacta and asked "And… you're sure that these supplies will be a good help to you? Cause… I think these things aren't much of a help at a planet with very high temperatures, as a very hot desert."

Anakin froze in shock, feeling like Shaak Ti knew.

Shaak Ti sighed as she puts the small Bacta container back in the bag "Just tell me honestly, young Anakin," she glanced at him "Are you sure that you and your master are going to Jedha? Or was it… just a little excuse to go somewhere else?"

Anakin felt like his heartrate increased, bumping hard in his chest cause of panic.

But then… Shaak Ti ensured him as she looked at him in a way of understanding, like how a caring mother would look "You don't have to be afraid at all, Anakin. I know what has been really troubling you since last night, as you claim that the nightmare you saw of your mother in danger was actually a vision, and that you want to go to Tatooine to safe her."

Anakin felt a mixture of horror and surprise "How…? How did you know?"

Shaak Ti then told him "Aayla told me, as she'd overheard you and Dia Zebb talking together in one of the meditation chambers." She then explained "After she'd heard it she actually went straight to me and told me everything," she then nodded and placed her hand on Anakin's arm "And I know… as I had been meditating about it together with Aayla… that you must go and help your mother from a terrible fate."

Anakin watched Shaak Ti with wide eyes, not believing what she was saying "You… you want me to go? Are you not going to try to stop me? Or tell the Council about this?"

Shaak Ti shook her head and actually became a bit angry herself "No. The Council won't understand it and will just brush it off like it means nothing and only to test us. But they're wrong! They're wrong about everything, and that this Jedi Code of theirs is such… bullshit!"

Anakin was a bit of shocked, never having seen Shaak Ti like this or even to curse like that, looking like she was more open to her emotions without holding to the Dark Side.

Shaak Ti then calmed down and looked at Anakin with a smile "You may not know it now, Anakin, but… whatever you and Dia once shared… it was a beautiful thing, and it had… inspired me and Aayla more than you can imagine."

Now Anakin was totally confused, but it the pieces of the puzzle were all gathered in his head, knowing what was going on "You and Master Secura… knew about me and Dia?!" Shaak Ti nodded "And you and… Secura are…!"

"We once were. Long ago," Shaak Ti stated "Your master, Qui-gon, knew about mine and Aayla's affaire from the start. After I became a Councilmember, I broke up with her as I was so scared that our secret relationship would be discovered. But you and Dia's determination, rebelling against the old Jedi Code… you had inspired Aayla… and me… that true love isn't sinful, but should be embraced as it makes us far more stronger and open to the Force than any of us could realize."

Anakin didn't knew what to say. His and Dia's once secret relationship had not been looking down on some Jedi… but had inspired them to rebel against the system and embrace their true feelings. Anakin was touched by this and formed a smile, and made a bow out of deep respect for Shaak Ti "Thank you, Master Shaak Ti… I'm… truly touched by your words."

Shaak Ti nodded and ensured Anakin "You have nothing to worry. What you and Dia Zebb once shared will be mine and Aayla's secret."

"Then… I will keep yours and Aayla Secura's relationship a secret too."

As both then left Anakin's chamber with him carrying his bag, Shaak Ti quietly whispered to Anakin "And don't you worry that if anyone would find out of yours and Qui-Gon's secret trip to Tatooine. Me and Aayla will cover for you."

Anakin felt as if this was a dream, that one of the Jedi Councilmember was actually helping him and Qui-Gon, but he was truly thankful "Master Shaak Ti, I… thank you so much."

Shaak Ti nodded as she and Anakin stopped, with her saying "Be safe on your journey, young Skywalker," she made a bow to him "May the Force be with you."

Anakin gave a bow back and then left to meet Qui-Gon in one of the hangers.

Just as Anakin entered the hangar, he was surprised to see Dia there too along with Qui-Gon, who was preparing their ship.

Dia looked with a mixture of worry and sadness at Anakin.

Anakin walked up to her "Dia…?"

Dia looked at him with teary eyes "Anakin… Whatever you will face out there… if those Tusken Rairders truly took your mother and…" words failed her "Please promise me that you won't do anything that you would regret forever," she tried to hold herself from sobbing "I can't explain it, but…! I can… I can feel that because you're so angry and frustrated that your mother was taken by those sand people that you're going to do something awful…!"

Anakin felt both ashamed and heartbroken to see Dia like this, as if she could easily sense what was in his mind like a book. He ensured her "Dia… I won't do anything like that. All I want is my mother to be safe."

"Please… promise me!" she glanced at him as tears fell from her eyes.

Anakin couldn't bear to see Dia like this. He nodded "I promise you, Dia. I promise…"

"Oh… Anakin…!" she hugged him, which he returned, as neither of them even cared if anyone saw them, though nobody else but Qui-Gon noticed.

As their ship was ready, Qui-Gon called to his Padawan "Anakin, we should go."

Anakin nodded and slowly broke the hug with Dia. As he walked over to the ship as he said to Dia "I won't be long."

Anakin stepped into the shuttle, with Qui-Gon taking off and flew into the skies of Coruscant, while Dia watched them leaving and prayed for Anakin as she held her hands on her chest and closed her eyes.

Not long after, once Qui-Gon and Anakin's ship left Coruscant's atmosphere, they jumped into hyperspace, heading towards Tatooine.

-:-

Several hours later, on Tatooine, at Mos Espa

Outside a junkshop, the Toydarian named Watto was trying to fix a Pit-droid that was broken. Watto groaned with annoyance as he tried to fix it so he could sell it for a good price, but wasn't really good at it. He admitted to himself that business hadn't been that well ever since he'd lost the ownership of the boy Anakin in the Podrace, as Anakin was better at fixing machines and droids than anyone in Mos Espa, which earned him a lot of money from people that wanted to buy parts at his shop.

When a functional Pit-droid was bringing some tools for Watto to use, the Toydarian annoyingly told him in Huttese "Not that one - that one!"

"Chut-chut, Watto." Someone spoke to him in Huttese as he walked up to him.

Watto looked, seeing a youngman in black/dark brown robes he didn't recognized, accompanied with a middle-aged old man who did looked familiar to him.

"Let me help you with that." the youngman offered, unknown to Watto that it was Anakin.

Watto raised an eyebrow as Anakin took the damaged Pit-droid and saw how he could fix it "What? What do you want?" Watto recognized that both were wearing Jedi robes "Wait! You two are Jedi!" now Watto became afraid and a little panicked "Whatever it is… I didn't do it!" he then accidentally dropped his wrech, making him grunt as he wasn't as fit as the old days anymore.

Anakin took a small part for the Pit-droid as he asked Watto in Huttese "I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker."

Watto paused for a moment. Slowly, he started to see he recognized the 19-year old guy "Ani? Little Ani?" he asked.

Anakin puts the Pit-droid before Watto, seeing it was fixed perfectly.

Watto smiled bright "You are Ani! It is you!" he laughed and flew up with his wings, hugging him "I cannot believe it is you! It's been what? Ten years!" he then released Anakin "You sure sprouted, huh? A Jedi! Whattaya know!" but then he glanced Qui-Gon, making him frown at him "You."

Qui-Gon gave a simple nod "I see you haven't forgotten me as well."

Watto became a bit angry at him "And why wouldn't I? I lost a lot of money in that podrace because of you!"

"My mother." Anakin reminded Watto why they're here, not having time for old arguments.

"Oh yeah. Shmi." Watto nodded, understanding. But awkwardly scratched the back of his head "Uuuuh. She's not mine-a no more-a. I sold her."

"You sold her?" Anakin asked in a bit of shock.

"Years ago." Watto stated, before he gave a shrug "I'm sorry, Ani, but you know, business is business, huh?" he chuckles before he stated "I sold her like… eight years ago to a moisture farmer named uhh… Lars. At least I think it was Lars," Watto tried to remember, but then stated with a bit of happiness "Believe it or not, I heard he freed her and married her!"

Anakin froze for a moment, as part of his vision from last night had indeed been confirmed that his mother wasn't owned by Watto anymore and was in fact freed from slavery and had now been married 'My mother is… free? And is married now? Then… the family I saw in my dream… they must be her new family. The Lars family.'

Wanting to know more, he asked Watto "Do you know where the Lars family is now?"

Watto thought for a moment "Ooooh. A long way from here. Someplace over on the other side of Mos Eisley, I think."

"I'd like to know." Anakin told.

Watto nodded "Eh, sure! Absolutely!" he gestured him and Qui-Gon into his shop "Let's go look at my records, huh?"

-:-

It didn't took long for Watto to find the official record of selling over Shmi Skywalker over to the moisture farmer that goes by the name, Cliegg Lars, seeing that they live at the Great Chott salt flat, on a moisture farm at the outskirts of a town called Anchorhead.

Anakin and Qui-Gon went with their ship to the provided coordinates from Watto, landing outside the moisture farm.

When walking to the appearing pourstone made dome entrance, Anakin looked around. He began to feel it and said to Qui-Gon "This is it. This is the place, master! The moisture farm I saw in my vision…!"

Both walked over to the entrance, seeing a couple of speeders and speeder-bikes parked close to it. Out of the doomed entrance, saw a protocol-droid walking out of it, greeting the visitors "Oh, hello, visitors. How might I be of service? I am C-"

"3PO?" Anakin walked up to him with Qui-Gon, as it was the same protocol-droid he'd made, now with new, but yet rusty plates, making him look as a real protocol-droid.

C-3PO gasped with happiness "Ah! The maker! Master Ani! I knew you would return." he then glanced at Qui-Gon "Oh! And Mister Qui-Gon. Oh, my."

Qui-Gon gave him a nod "Hello there, 3PO."

"Bless my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you both again." 3PO said as how glad he was to see Anakin and Qui-Gon again after all these years.

Anakin then stated why he and Qui-Gon had come "I've come to see my mother."

That made 3PO's happiness to fade away "Oh. Uhm, I… think perhaps we'd better go indoors."

C-3PO lead Anakin and Qui-Gon inside, where a group of thirty people had gathered, all people that were friendly with the Lars family. All looked who'd entered with the protocol-droid.

"Who are these, 3PO?" one of them asked.

C-3PO introduced them to him "Master Owen, might I represent two most important visitors."

Anakin was the first to introduce himself and his master "I'm Anakin Skywalker. And this is my Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn."

The guy nodded "Owen Lars." And shake hands. A girl came, standing next to Owen "Oh, thi is… my girlfriend, Beru." Owen then sighed "I guess I'm your stepbrother. I had a feeling you might show up someday."

Still hoping that perhaps the other part of his vision wasn't true, Anakin asked "Is my mother here?"

But just before Owen or any of the thirty men could answer for Anakin, another middle-aged old man walked up to him "No, she's not." He puts his riffle-blaster down and introduced himself to Anakin "Hi. I'm Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife."

Anakin and Cliegg shake hands.

Cliegg sighed and gestured to follow him "We should better go inside. We have a lot to talk about."

Anakin was having a very bad feeling about this. Qui-Gon could sense it too and patted his Padawan's shoulder as both Jedi entered the living room.

Beru made some drinks for everyone while Cliegg told Anakin what had happened to his mother "It happened three days ago, just before dawn. They came out of nowhere. A hunting party of Tusken Raiders. Your mother had gone out early, like she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators."

One man, looking like Beru's uncle, nodded and told "From the tracks, she was about halfway home before… they took Shmi."

Another guy, being from Anchorhead, shook his head "This all doesn't make any sense. Tusken Raiders never usually take prisoners. They…" he didn't finished that sentence, knowing what Tusken Raiders are like.

Anakin nodded as he sighed "I know what Tusken Raiders are."

Owen nodded too "Nothing but vicious, mindless monsters."

Cliegg then told further "That is the reason we'd gathered all our friends and other folk in the neighborhood to help us to go after those Tusken Raiders and rescue Shmi." He sighed "I just hope that she's still alive."

Anakin felt an anger growing inside of him, as the images from his vision where the Tusken Raiders merciless beaten his mother and took her were still fresh in his mind "She is alive!" Anakin almost shouted "I can feel it."

All exchanged a confused glance.

Qui-Gon calmly stated "My apologies, Mr. Lars, but, we Jedi, through our connection to the Force and thus our senses are much stronger."

All understood, while a young man, being Beru's cousin, shook his head while rolling his eyes "Oh, please. There's no such thing as the Force. Just a fairytale that we use to tell to kids."

Anakin frowned at him before he rose up, stating "Well, I know that she's alive! And I'm going out there to rescue her!"

Qui-Gon tried to calm him, sensing the anger rising in his apprentice, while Owen told Anakin "You're gonna need our help, Anakin."

But Qui-Gon thought that this was a bad idea and the others could get themselves in danger as how dangerous Tusken Raiders are "Me and Anakin will go and find Shmi. And bring her back. As Jedi, we stand a better chance against the sand people."

An old man in his 60's sighed, but had faith in the Jedi Master "I hope you're right, Master Jinn."

Trusting his stepson and his Jedi teacher, Cliegg lead them to the garage, where he was having his and Owen's speed-bikes parked "You can take my and my son's bikes. They look a bit rusty, but they're faster than you think."

Qui-Gon nodded, thanking Cliegg "Thank you. These will sure help us."

Anakin nodded too and said as he started to take out one of the bikes out of the garage "Best we go, Master. The longer we wait, the less time my mother has."

Though Qui-Gon wanted to calm down Anakin, he knew he was right and they're running out of time.

Then, Anakin could feel something, as he heard his mother's cry for help while being tortured by the Tusken Raiders 'Anakin! Anakin!'

Anakin gasped, making him pant and got on his speed-bike.

He and Qui-Gon then quickly drove, heading to where Shmi was taking into the desert.

Following his senses, Anakin kept driving into the sandy and rocky landscape of Tatooine, where his mother was, with Qui-Gon after him, with the two suns of Tatooine going down as night began to fall.

Both made a stop at a small Jawa village nearby for directions, with the Jawas showing where the Tusken Raiders went, but strongly advised them not to go as the sand people are dangerous, but Anakin didn't care.

As the cold night had come, Anakin looked down from a cliff, seeing down below the Tusken Raider camp.

Anakin could feel his mother's presence coming from the camp "She's there. I can sense her, master." His frustration and anger grew.

Qui-Gon held his shoulder "Patience, my Padawan. We cannot just enter the camp like that, if we don't want to risk your mother from being killed." He tried to sense how many Tuskens were in camp "I'm sensing like… 23 of them. We use the shadow of the night to enter the camp unseen."

Though trusting his master, Anakin was still determined to safe his mother. Both jumped down from the cliff, using the Force to land easily on the ground.

-:-

Meanwhile, at Coruscant, at the Jedi Temple

Dia was in her room, being worried sick of Anakin.

She knew… she felt it deep down that Anakin was still holding on that same anger from before, feeling it was increasing.

She meditated, trying to contact Anakin "Anakin… Anakin, are you there…? Please, Ani… hear my voice…"

But somehow… something was like blocking her from contacting Anakin, like a growing thick black cloud was surrounding Anakin.

"No…! Anakin…!" Dia tried again, but still it was no use. It was as if something… or someone powerful in the Dark Side was intervening. Her eyes opened, making her pant as she shook her head "What is this? It's so dark, and-" she gasped in shock as it was as if the Dark Lord of the Sith was doing this "No!" Dia again desperately tried to contact Anakin with mediation, but still those dark black clouds prevented her from contacting Anakin "Anakin… do you hear me?! Ani!"

-:-

Back with Anakin and Qui-Gon

When approaching the camp from around it, they sneaked past a few of the tents.

Suddenly, they heard a woman's cry as a few Tusken Raiders roared and dragged something out of the tents "Nooo! No please, no-!"

One Tusken Raider beaten her with a whip to beat the woman.

To Anakin's horror, he saw his mother, Shmi!

The sand people all used whips or sticks to beat the hell out of her.

While Qui-Gon tried to figure out a plan, Anakin rage only grew.

Anakin's held his fists tight, watching the sand people with nothing but hate "Let her go… Leave her alone…!"

Qui-Gon saw what his Padawan was going through. He tried to calm him "Anakin, calm yourself."

The Tusken Raiders just kept beating Shmi mercilessly, with Shmi crying out in agonizing pain.

Tears fell from Anakin's eyes, making him shut his eyes shut before glaring at the sand people, with his eyes flickering yellow for a short moment. And with a powerful bursts, Anakin lunges into the camp "AAAAAAAAARGH!" using a powerful Force-push to knock out several Tusken Raiders, flying through the air!

The whole camp was now alerted and the Tusken Raiders gathered their weapons.

Qui-Gon hurried to camp, trying to stop Anakin "Anakin! Nooo!"

Anaking grabbed another raider, and beaten him with fast punches, throwing him away, before blocking another's attack with his stick, grabbing it and hit him hard in the face!

"Anakin, stop it! You have to stop!" Qui-Gon called, trying to grab Anakin to calm him, but Anakin answered with a powerful Force-Push on Qui-Gon, sending him fly backwards hard!

Anakin glared at the other Tusken Raiders, with some being too afraid while others tried their luck, but Anakin proved to be stronger as his anger was out of control!

An evil voice chackled, unknown to Anakin 'Yes. Kill them. Make them all suffer!'

-:-

Back with Dia, in her mind

In her mind, though the dark clouds were blinding her vision to see Anakin, Dia desperately tried to remove them and called for him "Anakin! ANAKIN!"

Suddenly, she saw a glimpse of him, beating many Tusken Raiders mercilessly, shocking Dia to the core.

"No…! No, ANAKIN!" Dia pleaded, but a powerful dark force grabbed her and, holding her arms and legs tight "Aaagh! No, let me go!"

She could feel that Anakin was losing control. She cried… begging him "No… Anakin… You promised… Please, stop…!"

To her shock, she saw for a moment that Anakin ignited his blue lightsaber as he marched to some unharmed Tusken woman and children.

Tears fell from her eyes "No…! No!" gathering all the power she'd left… all the love that she had for Anakin Skywalker, a bright light shined from Dia's chest, getting stronger and stronger, making the dark clouds to vaporize as Dia's yelled out with a powerful burst of light "ANAKIIIIIIIIIIIN!"

-:-

Back with Anakin

Blinded by rage, Anakin raised his lightsaber "You will leave my mother… ALONE!"

He was this close to strike, with all the Tusken Raiders cry for mercy.

"ANAKIIIIIIIIIN!" a voice screamed in Anakin's mind, making him froze, just before he could strike.

Anakin gasped, knowing that voice.

"Dia…?"

That moment, made Anakin to snap out of it. He gasped in shock as he watched the woman and children crying and afraid, holding each other. Anakin looked at his lightsaber, realizing that he was this close to do which he'd promised Dia not to do.

He deactivated his lightsaber, just as Qui-Gon appeared.

Qui-Gon was relieved that his Padawan came back to his senses. But could sense that it wasn't him or Anakin himself that brought him back. He sensed it was someone else. Qui-Gon realized who it was "Dia." He formed a relieving smile.

Anakin turned, feeling ashamed as tears fell from his eyes. He walked over to his unconscious mother, laying on the ground. Anakin took her in his arms.

But then, Anakin gave one last glance at the wounded Tusken Raider men, and their wives and children "If you any of ever… EVER… come near my family again… I won't be so merciful!" he called out with one last anger, before it vanished as he took his unconscious mother away, followed by Qui-Gon.

-:-

Back with Dia

Dia reopened her eyes. She felt such a relief and formed a smile as tears fell from her eyes, feeling that she'd saved Anakin somehow and that this dark force that the one that was manipulating Anakin.

She made a vow to herself "Anakin… Whatever, or whoever is trying to turn you to the Dark Side… I promise you, that I won't stop protecting you…! Anakin… my love…"

-:-

Back with Anakin and Qui-Gon

A mile away from the Tusken Raider camp, Qui-Gon was checking on Shmi's wounds. He sighed while using a bit of Bacta from a small container "She's hurt pretty badly. But she'll make it. We need other medical supplies at the Lars' residence to nurse her back to health.

However, Anakin, though being glad that his mother was safe, felt so ashamed of what he'd almost had done and looked away. With a sad face, he glanced at his master "Master… forgive me…" a tear fell from his eyes "I almost… I almost let my anger get the best of me…"

Qui-Gon formed a small smile and stood up, putting his hand on his shoulder "It's alright, Anakin. I forgive you," then he told him in a fatherly way "But listen, you have to try to control your anger. I know what those sand people did to your mother was inhumane, but you mustn't allow your emotions to cloud your judgement. Even though there is nothing wrong with your emotions and you have a right to be angry, but like I told you before; you must learn and train yourself never to feed those emotions… or it could truly lead you to the Dark Side."

Thinking back of when he was facing his inner darkness back in the cave on Dagobah nine years ago, Anakin felt that though he'd accepted evil-self being a part of him and accepted that he too had a dark side, he knew that he had to control himself, and also remembering that Qui-Gon told him that once he'd almost turned to the Dark Side when his secret lover had died, Anakin knew that his master was right.

Anakin nodded "I will, master… I promise…" he wiped away his tears.

Qui-Gon smiled and shared a hug with his Padawan, which he returned.

Not long after, they used their speed-bikes to go back with Shmi to Lars' moisture farm.

Along the way, Qui-Gon glanced for a moment to Anakin, who held his unconscious mother in his arms while driving his speed-bike 'You may not know it now, my apprentice… but in time, you will see that someone who truly and deeply loves you, has prevented you from committing a terrible act'

-:-

At an unknown an dark location

A dark hooded and evil man that was sitting in mediation, reopened his evil yellow eyes. Angrily Darth Sidious stood up as his plan to make Anakin commit a horrible crime, having orchestrated his mother's kidnapping, to set the first steps to turn to the Dark Side, had failed.

"How is this possible?!" he angrily asked himself "My plan was perfect! Not even Qui-Gon Jinn could've prevented Skywalker from falling to the Dark Side! How did…?" he then realized something, as another Jedi was disturbing his plan and had broken his connection with Anakin, sensing a certain Twi'Lek woman that Anakin cared so much for.

Darth Sidious evilly smiled "Ah, yes, of course. Young Dia Zebb. So, you have found yourself a different lover than I had anticipated, Anakin." He evilly chuckled "Well, it seems my little failure has opened a new opportunity for me. In time… you will become my perfect apprentice, Skywalker."

-:-

The next day, at the Lars's moisture farm on Tatooine

Laying in a bed with bandages around her head, arms and chest, Shmi Skywalker slowly opened her eyes, looking surprised to find herself back in her home at Cliegg's moisture farm. As her vision began to clear, she saw a 19-year old boy sitting next to her, holding her hand "Mom…"

Shmi couldn't believe what she was seeing. Despite he was now older, she knew it was her son "Ani…? Is it really you?"

With tears forming in his eyes, Anakin nodded, stroking her hand "I'm here, mom. I'm really here."

It all began to come back to her, remembering the endless tortures she had to endure by the Tusken Raiders for days, begging in her mind for someone to safe her, calling in her mind for her son. And now… Anakin had truly come back and saved her.

Shmi slowly formed a smile, seeing how much her son had changed over the past ten years, now grown to a young adult "Oh, Ani… You look so handsome," Anakin kissed her hand "My son… My grownup son. I'm so proud of you, Ani…"

Anakin sobbed "I've missed you."

Slowly, despite she was still hurt, sat straight and hugged Anakin. A tear fell from her eye "I always knew you would come back one day."

Anakin nodded, but then sadly sighed "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry that I hadn't come sooner to free you… as I had promised when I left-"

Shmi ensured him "Ani. You have nothing to apologize for. Even though you didn't came to free me from slavery, all I ever wanted was that you wouldn't have to life your whole life as a slave. And you had… and I'm so… so proud of you, Ani."

Again, Anakin and Shmi hugged. Mother and son had been reunited after a decade.

That was when Cliegg came into the bedroom, feeling so glad to see her "Shmi! Thank the gods, you're alright!" he walked up to her and hugged her, even both sharing a kiss. Cliegg then glanced at Anakin, smiling at him "Thank you, Anakin."

Anakin smiled now as well.

Then, Owen came in, followed by Beru. The whole family was reunited again.

Anakin couldn't have been more happier. Not only had he saved his mother, but had gained a new family.

Qui-Gon just watched from the doorway, forming a smile to see Anakin again with his mother along with the Lars family.

-:-

The next day

While Shmi was recovering from her injuries, Anakin told his mother and his new family all what had happened ever since he'd left Tatooine to become a Jedi Knight, starting with his first arrival in the Republic's capital Coruscant. Telling in detail what the planet-sized city was, was hard for the Lars family to imagine as they'd lived their whole lives on Tatooine. Anakin then told further after he was first denied to be trained as a Jedi, when he left with Qui-Gon and the others to Naboo to free the planet from the Trade Federation, how he'd helped in the space battle that destroyed the Droid Control ship, making him a hero. Though it shocked Shmi first as that sounded way more dangerous than Podracing, she was so proud at him as she'd always knew he was meant to help other people.

Anakin then further told that despite he was too old to be trained, the Jedi Council made an exception and allowed Qui-Gon to train Anakin after it as confirmed it was the will of the Force he should be trained by him after Obi-Wan's sudden meeting with the Force in person, giving him the power to safe Qui-Gon from his fatal injury from the Sith Lord they'd encountered, so he could train him.

Qui-Gon had to explain what Sith Lords truly are, telling they're like Jedi, but with the difference is that Sith Lords use their powers in the Force to do evil.

As time went on, Anakin told all about his adventures across the galaxy and the training he'd done under Qui-Gon (but left the part out of his special training on Dagobah), even talking about the friends he'd made, especially Dia Zebb who'd been his best friend since they met at the Temple. Anakin even mentioned about the current situation in the galaxy, with the growing power of the separatists, led by Count Dooku.

Shmi could clearly see that when Anakin began talking about this Twi'Lek Jedi girl, that her son was feeling far more than just friendship with Dia.

Owen, Beru and Cliegg were amazed by Anakin's tales.

"It's amazing how much you've seen out there in the galaxy, Anakin," Owen said "I dreamt as a boy of exploring the galaxy," he joked, making him chuckle, but then shrugged as he held Beru's hand "But I have everything I need right here."

Beru blushed.

Cliegg then said "I've heard rumors about these separatists whenever I was in Anchorhead for some business, but I never thought that they would be this… radical."

That made Anakin raise his eyebrow at Cliegg "You guys don't know anything what has happened in the galaxy the past ten years?"

Cliegg shook his head as he shrugged "We're only simple moisture farmers, Anakin. We don't really have the finances to one of those expensive Holonet-devices. Any news that we hear are sometimes from smugglers or travelers that come here now and then."

Anakin then rose up and told them "Then let me help you with that."

"What?" Cliegg asked in surprise.

"You've all saved my mother from slavery and took her into your family. Helping you all financially is the least I could do, to thank you for what you did for her."

Cliegg smiled and rose up "That's… very kind of you, Anakin. But, as though I believe love and happiness is far more important than all the money in the galaxy, we all dearly appreciate your help."

Both him and Anakin shared a hug.

Later that day, when night had fallen, Anakin and Qui-Gon made their preparations to leave and head back to Coruscant.

Shmi had recovered well, thanks to the Bacta-medical supplies provided by Anakin and Qui-Gon. But was advised to take it easy for a few weeks.

Anakin provided his mother and the Lars' with a decent amount of credits, even providing them with a holographic communication device so they can always keep in touch with him, with Anakin having wired it into a secured signal so nobody else would track it, for safe keeping, even buying them a Holonet device so they can keep in touch with all the news across the galaxy.

Before leaving, Anakin had one final goodbye with his mother and new family.

"Our doors are always open for you, Anakin," Owen said.

Anakin nodded with a smile, being happy to have a brother now.

While Anakin shared a hug with his stepfather, Shmi told Qui-Gon "I thank you for all that you've done for my son, Qui-Gon Jinn. You truly are a one-of-a-kind Jedi."

Qui-Gon gave her a nod "Thank you. And do not worry, I will keep watching over him."

Shmi nodded, trusting Qui-Gon as how well he's taught Anakin and had trained him well.

Finally, Anakin shared one last hug with his mother.

"I wish I could stay longer, mom," Anakin told her with a bit of sadness "but I'm needed elsewhere."

Shmi gave him a smile of understanding "I know, Anakin. Good luck… my son…" she planted a kiss on his forehead.

Anakin then went in the ship, joining Qui-Gon and took off with their shuttle.

Shmi sadly sighed to see Anakin leaving again after she hadn't seen him for ten years, but knew that her son wasn't a boy anymore but a grownup and now had a greater responsibility on his shoulders.

-:-

Several weeks later, at Dooku's Palace on Serenno

Dooku was in his office, seeing the reports from Viceroy Gunray that the droids' production is on schedule and that the Techno Union is strongly considering to supply their droids for the newly created Droid Army for the Separatist cause.

Dooku was pleased with these reports.

Just then, a man, wearing Mandalorian armor, a Z-6 jetpack at his back and two WESTER-34 blaster pistols at his belt, walked in. This is Jango Fett, the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy.

Jango greeted Dooku "You had summoned me, count?"

Dooku nodded and puts the reports down "Yes, Jango Fett. I have a new assignment for you."

"What's the job?" Jango asked.

"As you might be aware, bounty hunter, in a week, the Senate is going to hold the vote to either pass the Military Creation Act or not. Senator Amidala of Naboo, the leader of the opposition will be present there as well. A good friend of mine who has a personal score to settle with her, does not want her to reach the Senate alive," he then stared at Jango seriously "I want you to wait for the senator's arrival… and eliminate her."

Jango gave a nod, knowing that Dooku always pays him a lot of money for his completed assignments "It will be done." And left the office.

As soon as Jango walked up to his ship, the Slave 1, he took out his small holographic communicator, contacting a certain woman on Coruscant with her having a cover over her mouth.

"Zam. I have a job for you. I will tell you the details once I arrive on Coruscant."

A/N: Sorry for the long waiting everyone, but I want to thank you all for your patience.

I think you know what will happen next, right? Yes. The parts of 'Attack of the Clones' is finally beginning.

I took inspiration from the 'Clone Wars' animated miniseries to serve make the story even better, with Asajj infiltrating Dooku's inner circle without fully pledging herself to the Dark Side.

The part where Yaddle died, I got the inspiration from 'Tales of the Jedi'

The part where Anakin tells Dia of his journey to the lower levels of Coruscant along with Chancellor Palpatine comes from one of the Obi-Wan and Anakin comics.

Now with Shmi not dying at the hands of Tusken Raiders and Dia and Anakin's feeling are returning, getting stronger, with even Shaak Ti and Aayla Secura protecting their secret, what more will change? Especially as Dia's love for Anakin is so strong that it even disrupts Sidious' influence over Anakin?

Find out when I'm making the next few chapters… which I am going to make very soon as I've decided to put my focus on this story for a little while ;)

Expect the next chapter soon.

I will try to complete the next chapter around May the fourth, which to you fans is Star Wars Day! I can't promise anything, but I sure will try!

Leave a like and review. And as always… May the Force be with you.