Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, its characters, anything Disney or anything that is under the rights of Lucasfilms. That's right! We are finally at the chapter that explains why Natasha had a lightsaber and could use the Force! And let me tell you, the story behind it is a scream. There will be more of this A.N. at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!
Two years had passed since Nairbix's time in Halloweentown, his training had greatly progressed since his time there which made his master's assumptions even more convincing. Today was not a day for training for the young apprentice however, it was a day of well-earned relaxation.
Nairbix was currently laying on the grass of Radiant Garden with Natasha at his side staring up at the clouds, currently, the young princess was napping with a pleasant smile on her face. That is until she woke with a start and exclamation.
"I just remembered!" She said.
"What?" Nairbix asked confused to see his best friend and crush act like this. Instead of quickly answering, Natasha pulled out small device from the bag at her side and tossed it on the ground.
"My uncle and I made this before you arrived. It can teleport us anywhere!" Natasha said happily.
"Really? That's impressive."
"Let's use it." She declared before activating it.
"What?! But, Natasha, what if it doesn't take us back?!" Nairbix asked with worry.
"So?" She shrugged, "If it doesn't you can just bring us back with your corridor."
"Good point." Nairbix agreed as the device flashed and quickly transported them. In an instant, the two friends found themselves on a strange station that was floating in space! "Where are we exactly?"
"Who cares?" Natasha asked in excitement. Just then, two large metal doors opened to revel an upright silver robot and two cloaked men.
"My master will be with you shortly." The machine said politely before walking off.
"Um, Master?" The younger one of the two said once he spotted the duo.
"And who might you two be?" The master asked. Feeling bold, Natasha stepped forward and answered.
"My name is Natasha Romanoff, Princess of Radiant Garden. This is my companion, Nairbix VanSull, apprentice to Keyblade Master Yen Sid and the living manifestation and embodiment of Narnia's firstborn darkness."
"Greetings, princess. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn." Qui-Gon said with a bow.
"And I am his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. If I may ask, what exactly is a Keyblade and where is Radiant Garden?"
"The Keyblade is the weapon that I wield." Nairbix answered as he summoned Heartbreaker causing the two Jedi to shift in surprise. "It's a powerful weapon used to maintain peace and balance between the worlds. Radiant Garden is one of the worlds, although, judging from your reactions, you have no idea what I'm talking about."
"I guess the device took us to some other galaxy." Natasha thought earning a smack on the head by her friend.
"Well, way to go, Your Highness." Nairbix said sarcastically earning a set of soft laughter from Qui-Gon.
"Then you and I have a similar purpose, young VanSull. We Jedi uphold the same task. Only we use different weapons along with the Force."
"What's the Force?" Natasha asked.
"The Force is what binds together all life in the universe. It's an energy created through life, the few who can harness this energy become Jedi, like Obi-Wan and myself."
"This Force of yours sounds an awful lot like Kingdom Hearts." Nairbix said.
"Kingdom Hearts?" Obi-Wan asked as he and his master looked confused.
"It's an entity/dominion made up of the hearts of all worlds. It holds great power that can't be contained. Many have tried though, a great war broke out because of it in the past as well." He explained as they all seated themselves at the table next to them. Growing concerned, Obi-Wan began to speak.
"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?"
"No, I sense a great amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute." Qui-Gon said as the droid from before returned with drinks. In the control room of the station, a tall, ugly, green alien named Viceroy Nute Gunray contacted a hooded figure via hologram.
"What is it?" The figure asked, another alien of the same species as Gunray quickly cut in.
"This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious. The blockade is finished. We dare not go against these Jedi."
"Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again." Sidious said darkly with anger. "This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops."
"My lord, is that legal?" Gunray asked.
"I will make it legal." Sidious snarled.
"And the Jedi?"
"The chancellor should never have brought them into this. Kill them immediately."
"Yes, my lord. As you wish." Gunray replied with a fearful bow. After blowing up the Jedi's ship, the explosion rang throughout the station alerting the Jedi, Nairbix and Natasha. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon readied their lightsabers while Nairbix summoned his Keyblade and Natasha readied her magic.
Gas then filled the room from the air vents. "Dioxis." Qui-Gon alerted causing them all to deeply take a breath. Once the doors opened and a group of battle droids began to speak, they four of them charged out of the gas filled room. The two Jedi quickly sliced through the droids while Nairbix did the same with Natasha electrocuting them with lightning magic.
As they were all fighting their way to the control room's door, Qui-Gon pierced it with his lightsaber and attempted to cut through.
"Master, Destroyers!" Obi-Wan alerted as two other droids rolled up to them.
"You get the door, we'll cover you." Nairbix said as he stood by the Padawan's side. The droids then uncurled and fired at them while their shields activated. As they deflected the lasers with their weapons, Natasha rushed in front of them to attack.
"Natasha, don't!" Obi-Wan shouted, "They have-" But he was cut off as she got close enough to get past the shields and crush the droids' heads in her hands. "Shields." Obi-Wan finished slowly, Nairbix chuckled and patted his new friend on the shoulder.
"She may be a princess, but she's far from delicate." Before they could continue to the control room, five more Destroyer Droids rolled their way.
"We're no match, run!" Qui-Gon said as he grabbed Nairbix and Obi-Wan grabbed Natasha before using the Force to dash away rapidly. Once it was safe, they entered the ventilation shaft and crawled to the hanger.
"Battle droids?" Qui-Gon asked as they all spotted the army.
"It looks like an invasion army." Natasha concluded.
"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation." Qui-Gon informed, "We've got to warn the Naboo and contact Chancellor Valorum. Let's split up. Stow aboard separate ships and meet down on the planet."
"You were right about one thing, Master." Obi-Wan stated. "The negotiations were short."
After Obi-Wan and Natasha boarded one ship, Qui-Gon and Nairbix took another and made their way to the surface of Naboo. As the ships were landing, the droids began to tear down the surrounding trees in order to clear their path. Nairbix and Qui-Gon quickly made their way through the forest with the droids on their tails. As they were running, a tall strange looking local caught sight of them.
"Oh, no!" He shouted in a high silly voice.
"Get away! Get out of here!" Qui-Gon shouted before tackling him to the ground before the droid vessel could mow them down.
"Was'n dat?" He asked as Nairbix and Qui-Gon went the other way. "Hey, wait! Oh, mooie-mooie! I love you!" He exclaimed while following them.
"You almost got us killed. Are you brainless?" Qui-Gon asked hotly.
"I spake."
"The ability to speak does not make you intelligent." Nairbix interrupted. "Now, get out here."
"No, no, mesa stay." He pleaded. "Mesa called Jar Jar Binks. Mesa your humble servant."
"That won't be necessary." They both denied without hesitation.
"Oh, but it 'tis. 'Tis demanded by the gods, it 'tis." Suddenly, laser blasts went off curtesy of two droids attacking Obi-Wan and Natasha. Nairbix quickly sent two blasts of dark volley at them destroying them in an instant. "You saved my again." Jar Jar said gratefully.
"What's this?" Natasha asked,
"A local." Qui-Gon said dryly. "Let's get out of here before more droids show up."
"…More? More did you spake?" Jar Jar asked fearfully as they all walked off. "Ex-squeeze-me, but de mostest safest place would be Gunga City. Is where I grew up. 'Tis a hidden city."
Hearing this, they all stopped and looked at their new companion. "A city?" Natasha asked.
"Uh-huh."
"Can you take us there?" Nairbix asked.
"Uh, on second thought, no. Not really, no." Jar Jar replied nervously.
"No?" Qui-Gon asked growing impatient.
"Tis embarrassing…but, uh, my afraid my've been banished." He admitted as the sounds of the droids grew louder and closer. "My forgotten. Da bosses would do terrible things to me. Terrible things to me if me go back there."
"You hear that?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yeah."
"That is the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way."
"If they find us, they will crush us…" Obi-Wan began as they were all getting closer to Jar Jar.
"Grind us into tiny pieces…" Nairbix added.
"And blast us into oblivion." Natasha finished darkly.
"Oh." Jar Jar said bluntly, "Yousa point is well seen. This way, hurry!"
"You've certainly encountered an interesting one this time, Master." Obi-Wan teased earning an annoyed look from his teacher.
"I don't know, I like him." Nairbix said.
"Yeah, he's funny." Natasha added as they followed Jar Jar to a lake.
"How much farther?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Wesa goen underwater, okeyday? Ah, my warning you. Gungans no liken outsiders, so don't spect a warm welcome." He replied.
"Oh, don't worry. This hasn't been our day for warm welcomes." Obi-Wan joked while Nairbix and Natasha nodded before they all jumped in with Jar Jar leading. As they all swam deeper into the water, they came upon an underwater golden lit city.
"So good being home!" Jar Jar exclaimed as the other Gungans looked at him in shock.
"Hey, yousa! Stopa dare!" A blue Gungan shouted pointing a spear at the party.
"Heyo-dales, Cap'n Tarpals. Mesa back!" Jar Jar greeted.
"Noah gain, Jar Jar. Yousa goen tada bosses. Yousa in big dudu dis time." Tarpals snarled. Two more guards came by and shocked Jar Jar out of anger.
"How rude." He said before they were taken away. In the room of the bosses, the head of them began to speak.
"Yousa cannot bees hair. Dis army of machines up dare is new weesong."
"A droid army is about to attack the Naboo. We must warn them." Qui-Gon informed evenly.
"Wesa no like da Naboo." The boss replied before clicking his tongue, "Da Naboo tink day so smarty. Day tink day brains so big."
"Once those droids take control of the surface, they will take control of you." Obi-Wan warned.
"Mesa no tink so." The boss replied stubbornly, "They not know of uss-en."
"You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle." Nairbix added, "Whatever happens to one of you affects the other, whether you like it or not."
"Wesa no care about da Naboo." With a discreet wave of his hand, Qui-Gon used an old Jedi mind trick to convince the boss to speed them on their way.
"We could use transport." He added with another wave.
"Wesa gonna give you una bongo. Da speediest way tooda Naboo 'tis goen through the planet core." The boss said darkly.
"Thank you for your help, we leave in peace." Qui-Gon said as they all bowed.
"Master, what's a bongo?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A transport, I hope." He replied.
"Deysa setten yousa up." Jar Jar said as they passed him. "Goin through da core…bad bombin." He warned. "Any help here would be hot."
"Nairbix, we're short on time." Obi-Wan reminded as Nairbix turned back to face the bosses.
"We'll need a navigator to help us through the core. Jar Jar could help. Hey, boss toad." Nairbix asked rudely. "What is to become of Jar Jar Binks here?"
"Hesen to be pune-ished." He replied with a smirk.
"My friend and I saved his life. He owes us what you call a 'life-debt.'"
"Your gods demand he belongs to us now." Qui-Gon added as he joined Nairbix's stand. After giving out a loud angry blubbering noise, the boss sent them all away.
"Count me outta dis one." Jar Jar refused as he was released. "Better dead here than dead in da core. Yee gods! What mesa sayin?!" He shouted.
As they left Gunga City, Natasha finally asked the big question on everyone's mind. "Why were you banished, Jar Jar?"
"It's a longo tale-o…buta small part of it would be mesa…clumsy."
"You were banished because you were clumsy?" Obi-Wan asked as he piloted the bongo.
"Yousa might'n be sayin dat." He replied. "Mesa caused maybe one, two little bitty accidenties, huh?" As the Gungan was explaining, a massive fish latched its tongue onto the ship, but before it could enjoy its meal, an even bigger fish grabbed it causing the ship to be released.
"There's always a bigger fish." Qui-Gon said evenly.
"Mesa tink, we go back now." Jar Jar suggested clearly scared.
"We're losing power." Obi-Wan informed calmly while Jar Jar began to panic.
"Wesa die in here." He sobbed while Obi-Wan attempted to get the power back.
"Just relax. We're not in trouble yet." Qui-Gon said causing Jar Jar to get angry.
"What yet? Monsters out dare. Leak'n in here. All sink'n and no power? When yousa tinkin wesa in trouble?!"
"Power's back." Nairbix said thanks to Obi-Wan, but as soon as they could see, another monster appeared and Jar Jar began to scream, again. In order to shut him up, Qui-Gon pressed the Gungan's pressure point and rendered him unconscious.
"Head for that outing." Qui-Gon said after they avoided the beast and Jar Jar regained consciousness. Moments later, the bongo rose out of the water canal of the Naboo's city. They then made their way through and found the Queen of Naboo being escorted by battle droids along with her advisors and handmaidens as prisoners beneath them.
They each landed to the ground and quickly disposed of the droids. "We should leave the street, Your Highness. We are ambassadors for the chancellor. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. This is my padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi and these are our friends, Nairbix VanSull and Princess Natasha Romanoff."
"Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassador." The queen dryly pointed out.
"Clearly, they never took place." Nairbix interrupted.
"It's urgent that we make contact with the Republic." Qui-Gon continued.
"They've knocked out all our communications." One of the guards informed.
"Do you have transports?" He asked.
"In the main hangar. This way." The guard informed, once they reached the hangar, they found it filled with droids. "There are too many of them."
"That won't be a problem. Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us." Qui-Gon pleaded.
"Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is with my people." The queen denied stiffly.
"They'll kill you if you stay." Natasha warned.
"They wouldn't dare." An adviser said, to clarify, the guard spoke.
"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion legal. They can't afford to kill her."
As they were debating about this, Natasha noticed a box shaped black and yellow droid around the hangar door compressing garbage. Thinking of a plan, she tried to get the droid's attention.
"Psst! Hey, you!" She whispered gaining the droid's attention, it looked around and pointed to itself to make sure she was talking to it. "Yes, you. We need to escape on that ship. Can you distract them for us?" As an answer, the little droid saluted before it rolled off to the circle of battle droids. It then rushed to them and knocked them all down before treading over their heads and shutting them down.
The droid gave a whistle like sound giving Natasha the all clear. "Everyone, the coast's clear, let's go." She informed as they rushed to the large silver ship. Unfortunately, more droids came and caused more trouble. In the midst of the chaos, Nairbix and the Jedi created an opening for the queen and her handmaidens to get aboard.
"Well, come on then!" Natasha shouted to the helpful little droid who eagerly boarded the ship before it took off.
"There's the blockade." Nairbix said as they were leaving Naboo. The stations then began to fire at them only to take out the ship's shield generator. In order to fix it, five astro-droids went out to repair the damage.
"We're losing droids fast." Obi-Wan stated as each droid was being shot at save for one blue one. It was the same droid that restored power to the shields and allow the ship to escape.
"We're losing power, the hyperdrive's leaking." The pilot informed.
"We'll have to land somewhere to refuel and repair the ship." Qui-Gon stated.
"Here, Master, Tatooine." Obi-Wan suggested. "It's small, out of the way and poor. The Trade Federation have no presence there."
"How can you be sure?" Nairbix asked.
"It's controlled by the Hutts." Qui-Gon replied.
"You can't take Her Royal Highness there. The Hutts are gangsters!" The guard exclaimed.
"It'd be no different than if we landed on a system controlled by the Federation." Natasha pointed put with the new droid at her side.
"Plus, the Hutts aren't looking for her, which gives us the advantage." Qui-Gon added setting the course.
Back with the Viceroy, he was having another conversation with Lord Sidious. "Has Queen Amidala signed the treaty?" He asked showing no emotion.
"She has disappeared, my lord." Gunray admitted.
"I want that treaty signed!" The dark figured snarled.
"My lord…it's impossible to locate the ship. It's out of our range." He reasoned.
"Not for a Sith." Sidious replied as another cloaked figure walked into view from behind. Like his master, he wore black robes, but he had a frightening black and red face and yellow eyes. "This is my apprentice, Darth Maul. He will find your lost ship." And with that, the transmission ended.
Back on the Naboo ship, the little blue, round droid was being congratulated for its assistance by the queen with the two Jedi and their new friends observing.
"An extremely well-put-together little droid, Your Highness." The guard said, "Without a doubt, it saved the ship as well as our lives."
"It is to be commended. What is its number?" The queen asked.
"R2-D2, Your Highness."
"Thank you, R2-D2."
"Your Highness." Natasha added, "There is another droid that provided us with assistance before we left Naboo. Without it, we may have lost more than we had." She said as she petted the droid's head from behind her leg.
"What is it called?" The queen asked. Before Natasha could answer, the little droid rolled up to the queen with its claws folded together nervously and answered.
"W-Wall-E." It said earning chuckles from everyone in the room.
"Then you have our thanks as well, Wall-E. Padme." The queen said as one of her handmaidens stepped forward. "Clean this droid up as best you can. It deserves our gratitude." She said indicating to the whistling and beeping R2 unit.
"Your Highness, with your permission, we're heading for a remote planet called Tatooine." Qui-Gon informed. "It's in a system far beyond the reach of the Trade Federation. You must trust my judgment, Your Highness."
In another room, Padme was cleaning R2 as she was told only to be interrupted by Nairbix, Natasha, Jar Jar and Wall-E.
"Hello." Jar Jar greeted, "Husa are yousa?"
"I'm Padme." She greeted.
"Mesa Jar Jar Binks."
"I'm Princess Natasha Romanoff."
"And I'm Nairbix VanSull, the living manifestation and embodiment of Narnia's firstborn darkness." Nairbix greeted with a bow.
"You're a Gungan, aren't you?" She asked looking at Jar Jar who nodded kindly.
"How'd the three of you end up here with us?" Padme asked.
"My no know. Mesa day starten pitty okeyday witda brisky morning munchen. Den boom! Getten berry scared and grabben dat Jedi and Nairbix, and pow-mesa here." Jar Jar explained.
"We're here because Princess cherry head here decided to use the two of us as test subjects for her new transporting device." Nairbix said jerking his thumb at Natasha who retaliated by shoving him to the ground.
Soon the ship landed near the outskirts of a settlement on Tatooine, after discovering that the hyperdrive was too damaged, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, Nairbix, Natasha, R2 and Wall-E left in order to find replacement parts.
"Wait!" The captain shouted from behind with Padme at his side. "Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you."
"No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain." Qui-Gon refused. "The spaceport is not going to be pleasant."
"The queen wishes it. She's curious about the planet."
Qui-Gon sighed and said, "This is not a good idea. Stay close to me." And with that, the party of seven continued their way, once they were in the settlement, Qui-Gon began to describe the planet. "Moisture farms, for the most part. Some indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those that don't wish to be found."
"Yeah, like us." Nairbix joked earning a glare from Natasha.
"Dissen berry berry bad." Jar Jar stated before he stepped in a pile of poop left by some creature. "Oh, icky icky goo!"
"We should try one of the smaller dealers." Nairbix suggested as they walked around looking for a place that sold parts. They then noticed one and entered to find the shop a mess and the owner behind the desk.
He was an ugly looking blue incect like creature. "How can I help you?" He asked in a gruff voice.
"I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian." Qui-Gon informed.
"Ah, yes! Nubian. We have lots of that. Boy, get in here now!" He shouted, as called, a young blonde boy dressed in white rushed in ready to obey his owner.
"My droid has a readout of what I need."
"Watch the store. I've got some selling to do." The owner said hotly to the boy while he and Qui Gon left to discuss business.
"Are you an angel?" The boy asked Padme earning some sly looks from the other two.
"What?" She asked.
"An angel. I heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of lego, I think." He said.
"You're a funny little boy." Padme said with amusement. "How do you know so much?" She asked.
"I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here." He replied. "I'm a pilot, you know, and someday I'm gonna fly away from this place."
"You're a pilot?" Natasha asked.
"All my life." The boy said trying to sound cool.
"So, how long have you been here?" Nairbix asked.
"Since I was very little. Three, I think. My mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us betting on the Podraces."
"You're a slave?" Padme asked while Nairbix grew angry.
"I'm a person, and my name is Anakin." He said hotly.
"I'm sorry." Padme said gently. "I don't fully understand. This place is strange to me." Off to the side, Jar Jar was messing around with an old droid and making another mess.
"Say, Anakin?" Natasha asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can you identify this little guy for me?" She asked pointing to Wall-E.
"Sure, he's a garbage compressing droid. His model runs on solar power and uses his body to gather trash and turn it into cubes of garbage. It also has a built in laser to cut through metal and can record sounds and detect dangerous weather conditions." Anakin informed.
"Do you think it's possible to give him the same gear as R2 has?" She asked as she put her hand on the little blue droid.
"Sure, it's easy. I can do it for you if you want, it'll only take me a couple of minutes." He said, true to his word, it only took the boy several minutes to turn Wall-E into an astromech droid, as soon as he was finished, Qui-Gon came back empty handed.
"We're leaving."
"Nice meeting you, Anakin." Padme said as the others waved goodbye.
"Nice meeting you too." He called back as they left. Once they were out of the way of unwanted ears and eyes, Qui-Gon contacted Obi-Wan to see if they had anything that would grant them the amount of money necessary for a new hyperdrive.
As they were about to continue, Jar Jar stopped Qui-Gon. "Noah gain! Noah gain! Da beings hereabouts, cawazy!" He exclaimed. "Wesa be wobbed un crunched!"
"Not likely. We have nothing of value. That's our problem." Qui-Gon stated. As they entered the streets, Jar Jar once again caused trouble by trying to sneak a dead alien that was apparently food in his mouth. The owner of the stand quickly got onto him and caused Jar Jar to spit out the food only for it to go flying into some hot tempered alien's soup.
Thankfully, Anakin showed up and managed to make the alien angrier at him than Jar Jar and leave.
"Hi." He said as Qui-Gon walked up to him.
"Hi there."
"Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug, an especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba." He explained as Nairbix helped the Gungan up.
"Mesa haten crunchen. Das da las ting mesa want."
"Nevertheless, the boy is right. You were heading into trouble." Qui-Gon scolded.
"Thanks again, Anakin." Natasha said as they continued to walk away, oddly enough, Anakin followed them. While they were at another food stand, the woman who owned it warned them that a sandstorm was approaching.
"Do you have shelter?" Anakin asked the group.
"We have our ship." Nairbix answered.
"Is it far?"
"It's on the outskirts." Padme replied.
"You'll never make it. Sandstorms are very, very dangerous. Come on, I'll take you to my place." Once they made it to his home, Anakin called to his mother as their guest filled the little room. "These are my friends, Mom."
"Hello." Jar Jar, Natasha and Nairbix greeted while Wall-E waved his little claw.
"I'm Qui-Gon Jinn. Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter."
"I'm building a droid, you wanna see?" He asked his younger friends. "Come on. I'll show you 3PO." He dragged them all to another room to see a tall uncovered droid. "Isn't he great? He's not finished yet."
"Very impressive." Nairbix complemented.
"He's a protocol droid to help Mom. Watch." He said as he turned on his creation.
"Oh, where is everybody?" The droid asked in a proper voice. Anakin realized that he forgot to insert another eye and quickly fixed his mistake. "Oh, hello. I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations." The droid greeted. "How might I serve you?"
"When the storm is over, I'll show you my racer. I'm building a Podracer." He said proudly. Later on at dinner, Anakin's mother, Shimi was explaining the conns of being a slave on Tatooine.
"All slaves have a transmitter placed inside their bodies somewhere."
"I've been working on a scanner to try and locate mine." Anakin informed hoping to impress his friends.
"Any attempt to escape-"
"And they blow you up!"
"How rude." Jar Jar commented.
"I can't believe there's still slavery in the galaxy." Padme stated. "The Republic's antislavery laws-"
"The Republic doesn't exist out here." Shimi cutoff sadly while Jar Jar snatched a piece of fruit with his tongue. "We must survive on our own."
"Has anybody seen a Podrace?" Anakin asked changing the subject.
"They have Podracing on Malastare. Very fast, very dangerous." Qui-Gon informed.
"I'm the only human who can do it." Anakin stated proudly.
"You must have Jedi reflexes if you race pods." Qui-Gon replied.
"Or the reflexes of a wielder of the Keyblade." Nairbix added earning a confused look from the boy.
"What's a Keyblade?" He asked before Nairbix summoned his weapon.
"This is a Keyblade. It's a very powerful weapon used to maintain peace and order amongst all worlds." He explained.
"It's really cool. Do they all look like this?" Anakin asked.
"Nope, each Keyblade is as unique as its wielder. Mine is called Heartbreaker, and like me, it's made of pure darkness. But also like me, it uses the power of darkness for good, light and darkness are equally capable of doing both good and evil. It just comes down to who uses it." Nairbix explained as Jar Jar tried to use his tongue again only for it to be caught by Qui-Gon and his Jedi reflexes.
"Don't do that again." He ordered calmly.
"You're a Jedi knight, aren't you?" Anakin asked Qui-Gon.
"What makes you think that?" The older man asked.
"I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon." He replied.
"Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him." Qui-Gon teased.
"I don't think so." Anakin denied, "No one can kill a Jedi."
"I wish that were so." Qui-Gon said sadly thinking of all the late Jedi he once knew.
"I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back here and freed all the slaves. Have you come to free us?" Anakin asked with hope.
"No, I'm afraid not." Qui-Gon said gently, but Anakin wouldn't accept that.
"I think you have. Why else would you be here?" He asked. Everyone hesitated to answer knowing well that it was a touchy and top secret subject.
"I can see there's no fooling you, Anakin." Qui-Gon began, "We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic on a very important mission."
"How did you end up here in the outer rim?" He asked.
"Our ship was damaged, and we're stranded here until we can repair it." Padme replied.
"Wait, Nairbix, couldn't you make a corridor to take us there?" Natasha asked.
"I could, but we'd have to leave the ship behind and if there are any Federation spies around here, then they would know that we were here and wait for us. Besides I have no idea where Coruscant is or what it looks like, for that matter so I wouldn't be able to take us there." Nairbix replied.
"What if I could show you all of that in your mind?" Qui-Gon asked. "Would you be able to take us there, then?"
"It'd be risky, Corridors of Darkness aren't made to transport groups of people, just usually one person. And even if I could keep one open for that long, I might not be able to do it again anytime soon if need be. Our safest bet is our plan now." Nairbix informed dropping the subject.
"I can help." Anakin announced. "I can fix anything."
"I believe you can." Qui-Gon encouraged, "But first we must acquire the parts we need."
"Wit no-nutten mula to trade." Jar Jar added.
"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." Padme hoped.
"Gambling." Shimi replied, "Everything here revolves betting on those awful races."
"Podracing. Greed can be a powerful ally for us." Nairbix said with a smirk.
"I built a racer. It's the fastest ever." Anakin informed. "There's a big race tomorrow on Boonta Eve. You could enter my pod." He offered.
"Anakin, Watto won't let you." His mother reminded as she thought about their owner.
"Watto doesn't know I've built it." He argued before turning to Qui-Gon. "You could make him think it was yours and get him to let me pilot it for you."
"I don't want you to race." Shimi argued back. "It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it."
"But, Mom I love it. The prize would be more than pay for the parts they need."
"Is there anyone friendly to the Republic who can help us?" Natasha asked only to receive no as her answer.
"I guess, we'll just have to find another way." Nairbix said as he slumped in his chair.
"No, there is no other way." Shimi corrected. "I may not like it, but he can help you. He was meant to help you."
The next day, Qui-Gon was able to convince Watto to let Anakin race for him before they spent the day readying the pod Anakin built. Once the suns were setting, Natasha and Nairbix were having one of their usual chats.
"Nairbix," Natasha asked. "Why have you been talking about the Keyblade around Anakin so much?" Nairbix paused for a moment before answering.
"I don't know what it is, but something tells me that Anakin just may be able to wield a Keyblade."
"What?" The princess asked in shock. "What makes you think that?"
"I'm not sure. Anyway, I hope to be able to perform the ceremony with him before Qui-Gon gets to him." He replied.
"Qui-Gon?"
"He thinks that Anakin could also become a Jedi. I've heard him talk about it with Obi-Wan lately. He might be able to be either one, but it all depends on the boy's decision. There's something else, though."
"What is it?"
"Call it a gut feeling. But I believe that Anakin would be better off as a wielder of the Keyblade than a Jedi." He said mysteriously.
The following morning, the big race was about to begin. As the children, Gungan and two droids were gazing at the competing racers and their pods, Qui-Gon was having yet another discussion with Watto.
"I want to see your spaceship the moment the race is over." Watto ordered the calm Jedi.
"Patience, my blue friend. You'll have your winnings before the suns set. And we'll be far away from here." He said evenly.
"Not if your ship belongs to me, I think, huh?" Watto laughed, "I warn you, no funny business."
"You don't think Anakin can win the race?" Nairbix asked.
"Don't get me wrong, no. I have great faith in the boy." Watto replied, "He's a credit to your race but, uh, Sebulba there is going to win, I think."
"Why do you think that?" Qui-Gon asks.
"He always wins." Watto answered with another chuckle. "I'm betting heavily on Sebulba."
"We'll take that bet." Natasha declared.
"You what?" Watto asked.
"I'll wager my new racing pod against, say…the boy and his mother." Qui-Gon added.
"No pod is worth two slaves, not by a long shot." Watto denied.
"The boy, then." Nairbix wagered, Watto thought for a moment before coming to a decision.
"We'll let fate decide, huh?" He asked. "I happen to have a chance cube here. Blue, it's the boy. Red, it's his mother." He then rolled the dice and thanks to Qui-Gon and the Force, it landed blue. "You won this small toss, outlander, but you won't win the race!"
"This is so cool, Ani!" One of Anakin's friends exclaimed, "I'm sure you do it this time."
"Do what?" Padme asked as Nairbix and Natasha walked over to them.
"Finish the race, of course." The child replied.
"You've never won a race?" Padme asked dreadfully.
"Well, not exactly." Anakin admitted.
"Not even finished?" Natasha groaned.
"I will this time." He declared.
"Of course you will." Qui-Gon said from behind before they walked off leaving the trio.
"Well, we're boned." Nairbix said bluntly.
Thankfully, the young Narnian was wrong! It was a close race, but Anakin was able to pull through and humiliate Sebulba as an added bonus. Once they received the necessary parts, Qui-Gon took them to the ship and informed his Padawan of their new companion. After a while, Qui-Gon and Anakin were rushing to get back to the ship, both Nairbix and Natasha were standing outside waiting for their friends to return.
"Well, looks like you lost, Nairbix. He's chosen the Jedi life." Natasha said with a smirk, but Nairbix said nothing as he noticed a speeder coming up from behind. Its rider quickly jumped off and attacked Qui-Gon with a red lightsaber, it was Darth Maul! Nairbix then rushed over to assist the Jedi by blocking Maul's attack with his Keyblade.
"Impossible." The Sith muttered as he witnessed the block. Normally, a lightsaber will cut through anything other than another lightsaber's blade. But not against a Keyblade.
"Nothing's impossible." Nairbix retorted with a wicked smirk. He then pushed off Maul and shouted at Qui-Gon, "Go, I'll cover you. Tell them to take off!" As the two clashed, the ship flew low enough for Nairbix to jump on the open platform as they escaped.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asked as they all checked on the Narnian.
"I'm fine. Whoever he was, he was very skilled." Nairbix commented as his dismissed Heartbreaker.
"And in the Jedi arts, as well." Qui-Gon added. "My guess it was after the queen."
"What should we do now?" Anakin asked.
"We should be patient." Qui-Gon replied, "Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Hi." Anakin said as they shook hands. "You're a Jedi too? Pleased to meet you."
After a long flight through the stars, the party finally made it to the great planet city of Coruscant. They then landed to meet an older man known as Senator Palpatine of Naboo along with Chancellor Valorum.
"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty." Palpatine greeted. "With the communications breakdown, we've been very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
"Welcome, Your Highness. It's an honor to finally meet you in person." The chancellor greeted.
"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor." The queen replied.
Later on, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escorted Nairbix, Natasha and Wall-E to the Jedi temple in order to inform the Jedi council of the past events. In the council chamber, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood before their masters as they described their attacker.
"He was trained in the Jedi arts." Qui-Gon announced, "My only conclusion can be that it was a Sith lord."
"Impossible." One of the masters denied, "The Sith have been extinct for a millennium." Then, a dark skinned master named Mace Windu added his thoughts.
"I do not believe the Sith could have returned without us knowing."
"Ah, hard to see, the dark side is." The oldest and smallest master said. He had wisps of white hair, long ears, and green skin and his name was Yoda.
"We will use all our resources to unravel this mystery." Windu added, "We will discover the identity of your attacker. May the Force be with you." Before they could leave, Yoda stopped them.
"Master Qui-Gon." He addressed, "More to say have you?"
"With your permission, my master. I have encountered a vergence in the Force." He informed.
"A vergence, you say?" Yoda asked.
"Located around a person?" Windu asked.
"A boy." Qui-Gon clarified, "His cells have the highest midi-chlorians I have seen in a life-form. It is possible he was conceived by the midi-chlorians."
"You refer to the prophecy of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it's this boy?" Windu asked.
"I don't presume to-"
"But you do." Yoda cut in. "Reveled your opinion is."
"I request the boy be tested, Master." Qui-Gon said to the little creature.
"Oh? Trained as a Jedi you request for him, hmm?" Yoda asked.
"There's more that you should know." He added, "Before we landed on Naboo, we encountered two children that have been traveling with us. One of them possess a powerful weapon known as a Keyblade."
"A Keyblade?" Windu asked.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan replied, "From what he has told us, wielders of the Keyblade are found in another galaxy entirely and follow a duty similar to that of the Jedi."
"If from another galaxy they are, to ours how did they come?" Yoda asked.
"The girl, Princess Natasha Romanoff built a transportation device that sent them here by mistake. From what Nairbix has told us, wielders of the Keyblade only have one difference when it comes to their ways." Qui-Gon added.
"And what is that?" Windu asked.
"Unlike the Jedi, they hold onto their emotions and use them to give themselves strength. They do not detach themselves like we do. However, Nairbix has proved to be very powerful, he was able to easily hold off the Sith on Tatooine."
"And you see this boy as a threat?" Windu asked.
"An ally. A very powerful ally who cherishes his friends and would die for them." Qui-Gon corrected.
"Hmm, holding onto these feelings is reckless." Yoda inquired.
"In the eyes of you Jedi." Nairbix defended as he and Natasha barged into the room.
"You have not been allowed before this council." Windu growled.
"That may be true, but I will not stand by while you disrespect the ways of my teachings and those who have fought and died following them." Nairbix retorted. "We do not detach ourselves from our emotions like you do. We embrace them, they give us strength to protect those we cherish. You have your own teachings, and I have mine. I suggest you learn to accept and respect other people's decisions, Master Jedi." Nairbix remarked as he and Natasha left the room.
Later as day turned to night, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Anakin met up with the others to escort the queen back to Naboo.
"So how did it go with Anakin?" Natasha asked Qui-Gon.
"The council refuses to have him trained. They believe that he is too old and dangerous."
"Dangerous? He hasn't even begun his training and they've deemed him dangerous?" Nairbix asked bewildered.
"Indeed." Qui-Gon replied as the queen walked to the ship.
"Wesa goin home!" Jar Jar shouted in glee as they all boarded. After they flew back to Naboo and landed on the surface, Jar Jar left for the Gungan City to convince the Gungan army to help oppose the Federation's army of droids. Obi-Wan notified his master as soon as it happened.
"I'm-I'm sorry for my behavior, Master." Obi-Wan said regarding to what they discussed back on Coruscant. "It's not my place to disagree with you about the boy. And I am grateful you think I'm ready to take the trials."
"You've been a good apprentice, Obi-Wan. And you are a much wiser man than I am. I foresee you will become a great Jedi knight." Qui-Gon said sincerely. A moment later, Jar Jar rose from the nearby body of water.
"Desa nobody dare." He informed, "The Gungan city is deserted. Some kinda fight, mesa tinks."
"Do you think they've been taken to the camps?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Mesa no tink so." Jar Jar denied.
"Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?" Natasha asked.
"When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Mesa show you. Come on. Mesa show you!" He said leading them to their next destination. In another part of the jungle, Gungans filled the area and none of them looked too happy. Captain Tarpals, spotted them and escorted the party to Boss Nass.
"Uh, h-heyo dadee, Big Boss Nass, You Honor." Jar Jar greeted nervously.
"Jar Jar Binks." Nass addressed from a stone perch. "Who's da others?" He asked as he pointed to the Naboo.
"I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo." The queen greeted, "I come before you in peace."
"Yousa bringen da machines." Nass accused, "Yousa all bombad."
"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance." She offered, just then, Padme stepped forward and addressed the Gungan boss.
"Your Honor. I am Queen Amidala." She said surprising all but the Naboo. "This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal bodyguard. I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself. Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace. The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever. I beg you to help us." She pleaded as she bowed, "We are your humble servants." She added as everyone else bowed with her. "Our fate is in your hands."
Nass thought for a moment before he started to laugh. "Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans? Mesa likea dis! Maybe wesa…bein friends." He said happily before blubbering again.
After formulating a plan, Nairbix left with the now General Jar Jar to fight with the Gungans against the droids while Natasha and the Jedi would go with Padme to capture the Viceroy.
"Starting up the shields!" Tarpals shouted to his troops once they reached the battlefield. After the shield came up, the droid army came from over the hills and fired at their enemies.
Back in the city, the others attempted to sneak to the castle. Qui-Gon crouched down to Anakin's level and said, "Once we get inside, find a place to hide and stay there."
"Sure." He replied.
"Stay there." The Jedi repeated. They then rushed to the hangar after evading the droid's attack and successfully launched the fighter pilots into space. Except for one whose ship now contained Anakin and R2.
Back with the Gungans, the droids ceased their fire and unleashed their troops to pass through the shield. Once they made it through, the battle finally began.
"Ouch time." Nairbix said as they passed through. Once the hangar was no longer filled with droids, the party made their way to the throne room. But once they came close to the door, it opened to reveal Darth Maul.
"We'll handle this." Qui-Gon said as he, Obi-Wan and Natasha readied their weapons.
"Natasha, where did you get that?" Obi-Wan asked as he noticed she had her own green lightsaber.
"I stole it from the temple." She replied bluntly as the Force users took off their cloaks and ignited their weapons. Maul however had a little surprise, his lightsaber had two ends. From behind, three destroyer droids rolled up and fired at the others only to be blasted by Anakin in the cockpit of his ship.
Obi-Wan then jumped over Maul to attack only for it to be deflected as he blocked Qui-Gon and Natasha's attacks from the front as well. They then rushed into the power room and skillfully attacked Maul, but he was still able to deflect their attacks. As they reached higher ground, Maul knocked Obi-Wan down to a lower level while Natasha and Qui-Gon still attacked him.
But as they were rushing each other, the force field hallway before the main power grid activated and trapped all three of them on different sides. Since Natasha wasn't as fast as Qui-Gon, she was stuck with Obi-Wan at the beginning of the hall while the other two were in the middle separated by only one field.
Qui-Gon then began to meditate as to wait for the wall to lift. Just before they deactivated, Obi-Wan and Natasha lit their lightsabers and rushed to join Qui-Gon, but the last door activated before them again.
It was still Maul against Qui-Gon, as they clashed, Maul gained the upper hand and stabbed the Jedi master in the solar plexus bringing him to the ground to die.
"No!" Obi-Wan shouted at the sight of his fallen master. Maul looked to them as anger grew inside them both. As the door deactivated, Obi-Wan rushed to attack Maul while Natasha tried to treat Qui-Gon with her magic.
"Hold on, Qui-Gon." She muttered, but he quickly stopped her.
"No-no, my time has come." He wheezed, "You must help Obi-Wan."
"But how? My skills can't compete with a Sith's." She argued.
"Perhaps not in your current state. But I can change that." He then pressed two of his fingers to Natasha's head and softly said, "May the Force guide you." Then, all of his experience and knowledge of the Force was transferred to the young princess's mind. As this happened, Maul was able to knock Obi-Wan into the hole in the floor, thankfully, he was able to hold on to a bulb.
Natasha looked up at the Sith with furry as she stood to face her foe. With her newfound powers, she used the Force to pick up Qui-Gon's lightsaber and unleash her assault. Seeing the moment, Obi-Wan jumped from the hole to help his friend. He then kicked Maul in the face causing him to drop his lightsaber.
Natasha picked it up, tossed Qui-Gon's to Obi-Wan and in a simultaneous attack from both sides, they sliced Darth Maul in half causing him to fall to his death. They then rushed over to Qui-Gon's body only to find his life fading away.
"It's too late." He muttered.
"No." Obi-Wan denied as he cradled his master's head.
"Obi-Wan. Promise-promise me you will train the boy." He pleaded.
"Yes, Master." He wept.
"He is the chosen one. He will bring balance. Train him. Natasha." He said looking to his successor. "Become strong. Guide your people well. May the Force be with you, always." With his last breath, Qui-Gon Jinn became one with the Force. Natasha then stood up and used the Force to disassemble both Darth Maul's and Qui-Gon's lightsabers. She then switched the two crystals that powered the weapons and reassembled Qui-Gon's weapon.
"What did you do?" Obi-Wan asked through his tears as Natasha lit her now red lightsaber.
"Where I come from, we respect the fallen. Even our enemies. As a Jedi, I will use the crystal of my fallen foe's weapon to power his victim and my fallen friend's weapon." She replied with her back turned.
The next day, after the battle was won, the newly elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi council arrived to congratulate the victors. As the sun began to set, Yoda was having a conversation with both Obi-Wan and Natasha who was now dressed in red and black Jedi robes.
"Confer on you the level of Jedi knight the council does." He said to Obi-Wan, "But agree with you taking this boy as your Padawan learner I do not!"
"Qui-Gon believed in him." Obi-Wan argued gently.
"Sigh, the chosen one the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training." Yoda warned hotly.
"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word." Obi-Wan stressed, "I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the council, if I must."
"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you. Need that you do not." Yoda said bitterly. "Agree with you the council does. Your apprentice Skywalker will be."
"Master Yoda." Natasha said softly, "What will become of me after what Qui-Gon has done?"
"Hmm, great power I sense in you. Power of Qui-Gon and your own mixed together." Yoda said as he continued his pacing. "Great perils I sense in the future. You and your friend's help we may need."
"If that time does come and we are able to return, we shall." Natasha said firmly.
"And when you do, after training in the Jedi way you have…welcome you we will to the Jedi order and to the council as master, if accepted." Yoda replied, Natasha bowed and gave her answer.
"It would be an honor, Master." That night, the cremation ceremony of Qui-Gon took place, all those who knew him attended and mourned over his loss. Nairbix, Natasha and Wall-E stood close enough to Yoda and Windu to hear what they were discussing.
"There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Sith." Windu said to the green master.
"Hmm. Always two there are. No more no less. A master and an apprentice." Yoda reminded.
"But which was destroyed? The master or the apprentice?"
The next day, a great celebration and parade was held in the streets of the Naboo city. The Gungans filled the air with music and joyous laughter as the crowds cheered them on. Boss Nass and Jar Jar walked up to meet Padme dressed in her royal robes with her friends surrounding them. She then presented Nass with a large glowing sphere, he gratefully took it and raised it above his head and shouted to all those who lived on Naboo, "Peace!"
Later on as the festivities continued, the long awaited goodbye came for the group of friends.
"Yousa goin bye-bye?" Jar Jar asked sadly to his friends.
"Yeah, Jar Jar. We are." Nairbix said before hugging his Gungan friend followed by Natasha.
"It has been an honor to fight alongside the both of you." Obi-Wan thanked with a bow. "We will miss you until you return. I know Qui-Gon chose well." He said before they exchanged hugs. Wall-E and R2 quickly said their goodbyes the way only droids could before they parted ways.
As they were walking away, Natasha began to speak. "So, you still think he should be a wielder of the Keyblade?"
"For some reason, yes. Only time will tell why I feel this way, though." Nairbix replied as he opened a corridor for the three of them.
Though they didn't know it yet, things would have turned out better in the future if Anakin had not become a Jedi. Once they were back in Radiant Garden, Natasha was quickly embraced by her family.
"Where have you been, young lady?!" Ansem exclaimed as he gripped Natasha's shoulders.
"Nairbix and I were in another galaxy helping others in need." She said innocently.
"And what are you wearing?" Her mother the queen asked once she noticed her robes and her lightsaber.
"Well, long story short, I've become a Jedi." She said bluntly.
"Sis, what's a Jedi?" Her younger brother asked, she then spent about ten minutes describing the Force and Jedi to her family earning different looks from each of them.
"That…is so cool!" Her brother said with stars in his eyes. Natasha rolled her eyes and patted her sibling's head.
"Thanks, Lea." She said with a soft giggle.
"Well, I'm sure you'll have loads to talk about regarding our little adventure, Natasha. But I've got to get back to the tower, my master and Mickey are probably worried." Nairbix said to them.
"Okay, see ya around, Nairbix." Natasha said as she gave him a hug that made his heart flutter. He then opened a corridor and made his way home. When he arrived, instead of receiving the cold glare from his master's eyes, Nairbix found him sitting calmly at his desk drinking tea with Mickey.
"Master, I'm back." He said sheepishly.
"Welcome home, Nairbix. I trust that you enjoyed your visit to Radiant Garden?" Yen Sid asked, Nairbix then explained what had happened and awaited his punishment. "Hmm, it seems that you had another grand adventure, my young apprentice."
"Wait?" Nairbix asked confused, "You aren't mad?"
"No, I can see that you are telling the truth and since you were able to help so many, I am actually very proud of what you and your friend have done. Go to your room and rest, tomorrow, I will inform you of your agenda." And with that, Nairbix did as he was told.
"Looks like Nairbix just can't stay out of trouble, huh, Master?" Mickey asked with his signature chuckle.
"Yes indeed. And from what I have sensed and seen from his training, I believe he is ready." Yen Sid replied.
"Ready for what, Master?" Mickey asked as Yen Sid looked his student straight in the eyes.
"To show us the Mark of Mastery."
Oh, yeah! That's what happened! Natasha is a Jedi who has all of Qui-Gon Jin's knowledge and experience over the Force along with the parts of his lightsaber powered by Darth Maul's crystal! Obviously, this means that the majority of this story will take place during the Clone Wars. From Episode II all the way through till the end of Episode III including the T.V. show. And yes, there is a very good reason why I made it where Nairbix thought Anakin could be a wielder of the Keyblade and no, that will not be the last time he thinks someone in that galaxy can. But I won't say until he performs the ceremony on them (the same one Terra did on Riku in BBS).
And yes, I have made Lea (Axel) Natasha's little brother. Now, I may have gotten his age wrong, but I really don't care. And if you think about it, so far, they haven't revealed Lea's complete backstory in K.H. and since he has red hair he is undoubtedly related to Kairi in some way.
As for Natasha's Jedi appearance, look up Star Killer's hooded white robes from Force Unleashed and picture the white parts dark red. I bet you also didn't expect me to include Wall-E, huh? Yes, he's Natasha's astro-mech droid and will have an important role when we get to the Clone Wars. And we will be seeing Nairbix's Mark of Mastery again but with more details about what it means to be a master afterwards as well as where Nairbix will be living.
I will warn you, it's a little bit funny in an "of course he lives there" kinda way.