Asakura Chronicles
23 hours later
Um... what's all of this?" Padme started analyzing the black hover-limo in front of her where her hover car was which her assistant, Teckla drove her in to the Senate Building from Republica 500. She then looks at a slender, dark skinned woman with golden colored eyes, short purple hair and is wearing a black leather jacket, pants, boots and top hat.
"Oh... well... you see... Ms. Teckla had an urgent call about her parents and headed back to Republica 500 to get a better reception. She called for a sub to drive you back and so... here I am" The woman explained with a devious yet friendly smile.
Padme examined the woman in front of her. Her voice. Her speech pattern. Her skin. Her clothing. Anything that will give out any clues that she can be trustworthy. And so far... she riddled of suspicions. Padme grabbed a small holo circle out of her leather purse, pressed a button, held it out and then it showed a small holographic image of Teckla.
"Oh! Miss Padme! I'm... I'm so sorry that..."
"Teckla... where are you right now?"
"Um... at Republica 500. I've been told that my family came to visit me at your apartment, so... I... immediately rushed over here to see them but... their not here. The woman that's probably standing told me this and that Threepio called the limo company to give you a ride back. I'm sorry miss"
"It's okay Teckla. I'm not mad at you. I'll call you when I need a ride back. I'm gonna be here for little while longer to take care of a few things here. And Teckla..."
"Yes miss?"
"You can hear alright, can't you?"
"Yes miss. I can"
"Then would you agree that the reception around the Galactic Building pretty good?"
"Um... yes ma'am?"
"Just asking. Thank you Teckla. I'll see you soon" Padme turned off the small holo circle, making the holographic Teckla disappear.
"That was very cruel, lying to my assistant about her family coming here. She rarely gets to see, hear or red about them since a tragic accident that was caused by terrorists. Since then, they lost all their investments, their home and any communication connections to reach Teckla" Padme puts away the holo circle inside her purse and then glares at the mysterious woman
"Oh! And by the way, I just used this awhile to contact Senator Farr and the reception was pretty good while I was talking to him. So I'll ask again... what is all of this?"
"Okay, okay! You got me! But I still need you to get in the limo" The woman then opened the back door to the vehicle and gave another devious yet friendly smile.
"If this is some kind kidnapping..."
"Please Senator..." The woman lost her smile and then held up a light saber, practically showing her Jedi certification and a holo circle that showed a small holographic version of the holographic Separatists droid
"...this is all too important to miss out. I need to you to get in the vehicle now"
"This is about the droid incident, isn't it?"
"You can ask him about that when you get in here"
Curious, Padme walked towards the driver and then looks through to the entrance to the limo. The inside of the compartment was completely black expect the seat cushions which were purple. There was a black, plastic wall with a rectangular window, separating the driver from the passenger. Padme sat down and heard the door slammed, leaving her alone
"What was she talking about? There's no one even here"
"Hi!" A spooked Padme slowly turned her head to her right to see a smiling Tom, practically sitting next to her
"How's it go..."
"YEEEEEAAGGGHHH!"
WHAM!
Padme wasn't expecting Tom to appear into thin air so she relied on her self defense instincts and punched him in the face and kicked him in the gut. The kick sent him a short trip to the other side of the seat cushions, slamming his head on the car wall.
"Padawan Asakura? But when did you...?" Padme stumbled on her words, trying to figure out if she should say she's sorry or continue to be mad at Tom for scaring her
"No, no. I'm fine, I'm fine. I mean it's not like I was expecting to get attacked by a psycho Senator!" Tom slowly got up, staring at Padme with an angry eye while the other eye was covered by his right hand
"You scared me! What did you expect me to do when someone sneaks behind me? I'm not the type person who lets someone take advantage of me and do whatever they want!"
"Well sorry! I thought you were the type person who would let her Jedi husband/Chosen One do all the fighting for her and be the damsel of distress!"
"Do I look like... wait..." Padme's eyes widened and her mouth gaped open after hearing what Tom just said. She started pacing around the passenger side of the limo, putting her hands on both side of her head and muttered to herself
"Oh no. Oh no! They know. The Jedi know about me and Anakin! Oh no! Everything's ruined! They're going to tell Chancellor Palpatine and then they'll going to arrest Anakin! I'll lose my seat in the Senate and send me to a different prison where Anakin is or worse! Execute him! Ooh! This bad! This is really really bad!"
"Uhh... Senator? If you could just calm just for a seconds, I can properly explain..." Tom set his hand on Padme's stressed shoulder when suddenly...
WHACK!
...the heel of Padme's shoe is thrust to Tom's crouch. In other words, she kicked in the groin. She looked at him with a guilty look on her face while his face was blank and pale. He made a very quiet ow then fell back down on the floor, making a loud thump. Padme looked down at Tom's pain ridden face as he puts both hands on his groin, covering them until the pain vanishes
"Oh no. I'm really in trouble now"
"Ah... ha ha ha! Oh man! That was really awkward" Padme started playing with her braid with her finger nervously and sitting on seat cushion in the limo. As for Tom, he frowned while having two ice packs with him, one for his blackened eye and one for his... crotch.
"I am really, really sorry about the last part, with me kicking you... in your... area" Padme whispered to him and can't help giggling
"Sigh... it's fine. As I was saying, I haven't told anyone about your marriage with Anakin. Not to the Jedi Order or to anyone in the Republic" Tom replied, losing his frown
"But... why haven't you? Love is forbidden to Jedi or any kind of emotion that might lead to negative thoughts"
"True... but still, the reason that I haven't told anyone is because I don't know why you two are engaged. If I wanted to rat someone out, then I need to know what they did but more importantly why they did it. People need reasons for doing the things they do or did, whether to protect someone or there doing it out of revenge"
"And when I find out why they did it, the decision to take them down or protect them will be completely up to me. Since I don't know why you did what you did, then I can't do anything to you or Anakin"
"Except gather information about them and their actions" Padme replied
"Bingo! But that's up to you right now since we're currently in a very dangerous situation. If you want to talk about it now, now's the time. If you want to talk about later after this droid impostering Jedi madness is taken care, then we will do that" Tom replies as Padme looks up to a small window that shows the dark skinned driver in the driver's seat of the limo
"What about her? Does she know about me and Anakin?"
"Her? Nah! She's just driving us and give you further protection. She's also a member of the Jedi Council but she isn't aware about you and Anakin, that's just between you and me. But speaking of the council, the actual reason why I'm here to ask you again that you are completely, positively sure that you'll go with this plan of our's"
"Yes! I'm sure! If this is the only way to find a way to save the Republic, then I'll gladly help in anyway I can!"
"Alright. They just want to make extra sure since the plan starts in a few days. But if it'll make you feel a bit more comfortable, I'm doing since on Anakin behalf. Just so he can trust me a bit more until the mission"
"Right, but that's not the entire reason why your trying to learn more about Anakin" Padme replied while Tom carefully stares at her with one eye
"Your trying to learn as much about him so can use it against him if he disobeys the Order. Is that it?"
"Close, but this isn't about the Order or the Republic. I'm learning what I can about him so I can protect Anakin. I'm trying to use this so that he doesn't go overboard or worse. May I call you Padme, Senator?" Tom asked as she nodded
"Padme, I know you've seen changes in Anakin and not the good kind. At times, he would let his anger take control of him and his mind would be stuck in the past. What happened in the hospital was proof enough of that and there will be more events like that"
"No. Anakin would never..."
"Padme, stop lying to yourself. Tell the truth, the reason why you married Anakin wasn't just that you loved him but because you wanted to protect from some kind of pain. You thought that the marriage might help him recover from that pain, but the cover is starting to slip ever since the Clone War started"
"I'm trying to tell you that you don't have to share that burden alone and that you two have a future together after the war. I'm trying to be your friend. And like I said back at the hospital, we all need to him to stay on this path because we can't afford to lose him"
"Alright, I trust you. And thank you, Thomas. It seems I was right that you do care about Anakin"
"I'm... not gonna respond to that" Tom replied then knocks on the window that was between the passenger side and the driver
"By the way, where did you get this limo?" Padme asked, looking around the black passenger side
"The driver chose it. She said this kind of limo was used for high ranking people like politicians or celebrities and the the windows are soundproof so if those people brought friends, they could have some... alone time"
"Ohhh. No wonder it smells like air freshener in here"
"As long as it's sound proof, we've had no complaints. And here we are" The door immediately opened by the dark skinned woman and Teckla next to her.
"Republica 500: Arrived. Thank you for your time" The woman said
"Think over what we talked about. We'll be watching you have your speech. And be careful" Tom said as Padme leaves the limo.
"Alright and thank you" Padme fully leaves and the door closes behind her and limo flies off into traffic
"Was that... a child you were riding with Miss Padme?" Teckla asked
"Yes. He's from the Jedi Order. It seems the council just wants to how the speech I'm planning in the next few days is going"
"Is your speech really that important that the Jedi are worried about it?"
"More than you know Teckla. More than you know"
Back at the limo
"So how'd it go?" The woman asked Tom through the opened window while he lays both ice packs on his lap, showing the black eye he got from Padme
"WHOA! Look at that shiner! Looks like it didn't go as well as you hoped huh!" The woman had her face in front of the opened window, mesmerized by Tom's swollen eye
"No no. It wasn't like that. It was just a misunder... uh, Yoruichi?"
"Hm?"
"If your here, then whose driving the limo?" Tom's questioned made Yoruichi have a dumbfounded look on her face and started the waterworks on her face
HONK!
The loud sound spooked the two both were engulfed by a yellow light. A large truck drove by a angry Dug kept on honking on the driver to move the limo and kept screaming "Jedi poodu!"
HONK!
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"YEEEEAAAUUUUGGHHHHHHH!"
"YOU IDIOT! KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL!"
"R-RIGHT!"
Yoruichi immediately grabbed the wheel and turned into a different direction and kept dodging cars after cars until their finally straight on the road. While the two are far away from him, the Dug from the truck kept on driving and angrily muttered to himself
"Pfff! Jedi Poodu!"
"Are you an idiot?! Haven't ever drove before?!" Tom yelled through the window opening in the limo while Yoruichi just laughed it off as she drives
"Ha ha! Oh man! Sorry about that but man! That was fun! You really know how to show a girl a good time" She purred at the last sentence and had her index and middle finger on Tom's chin. Tom however just grunted and pulled his head away from the window and her finger's. He sat back at the cushions that was next to the small window and crossed his arms.
"Pay attention to the road and keep your hands on the wheel, you idiot"
"Pff! Sure. Whatever you say, Mr. Partypooper"
"Unbelievable. I can't believe your a member of the council. And I can't believe I actually respected you back in the days at the Special Jedi Training Division"
"Really? I still can't believe your the same cute, adorable, huggable, squishable, loveable..."
"Your getting off topic you know!"
"All I'm saying is that you used to brag about being a Jedi Knight that will bring an end to suffering across the galaxy. That is what you promise to Qui Gon, isn't it?" Her question had Tom to reminisce his past, the promise he made to Qui Gon and what he said to the younglings and to Qui Gon's grave
(Flashback)
"Hmm, well ummm... I think get what your saying. I think there is a shorter answer for that too"
"Oh! And what would that be?" asked Qui Gon.
"Well, this is just a guess but I think the answer... is peace! No one really knows what exactly peace is and when people try to find it, in the end there is all this hate and anger and fear, like its some kinda curse!"
"Hmm, I see! A curse you say?"
"Yeah! But don't you worry Master, because once I become a Knight, I will break the curse one day and if there is such a thing as peace, I'll find it! Also, I think finding peace has somethin' to do with believing and having faith in yourself!"
"You think huh? Hahahahahah!" Qui Gon said as he laughed.
"What's so funny? Was my guess really that bad?" asked Tom. Qui Gon stopped laughing and patted him on the head.
"I think your guess is probably the best response I've heard from anyone else yet"
"Really?!"
"Yes, in fact, until you find peace, you will be known as... The Hero with No Fear"
"You got it Master! Its a promise!"
"Old Man Jinn... I... I don't know what "sob" to do any "sob" more"
"But I do know "sob" know this! I know my true goal in life is. I want... I want to become a Knight so powerful that everyone can depend on me and find peace in this war torn galaxy of ours so everyone, even the Sith, will live happy and free from hate, anger and fear.
"Even from pain itself! I will become... I will become... both you and the Jedi's very own Hero with no Fear because that promise, that title, that dream! I... will never go back on my word and I'll never ever go back on my word! That's my... our way of the Jedi!"
"There you go again! Making promises you can't keep!"
"Heh! Okay then. Here's some promises I'll be keeping from now on. I will pass the trials. I will become a padawan. And I will become a Knight. A knight that everyone can depend on, so people won't ignore or disrespect me but treat me like I'm someone! Someone important!" "I never, ever go back on my word and I'll never give up! I'll show all of you"
"Is that what everyone thinks?"
"It might as well be. So?"
"Well here's what I think... I could care less of what you think! After all, I'll make it all up... after I become a Knight!"
"Wow. Did I really say that? Was I really that naive to thinking that the darkness in the galaxy can truly be erased? I guess back then... I had no idea of the reality that took place during and after those times. That promise I made to Master Qui Gon... only clueless idiot would make a promise like that" Tom said with depression in his voice, realizing the reality of his mistakes
"Or a child who just's wants to make the man who saved his life would also make that promise, just so he can make him feel proud of him. There's nothing idiotic about that" Yoruichi replied, trying to reassure him
"Would Master feel proud of me after that incident twelve years ago, when I almost destroyed half of Courscant and buried all those people who lost their lives during that incident. It was no wonder why the everyone, including the Jedi felt nervous around me"
"And also, I've ruined the lives of my closest friends and ended their Jedi careers. I took the life of your padawan and my... If there is one thing I was right about, then it's me realizing that I truly am a monster" Tom then looked at left robotic arm which was shaking. He closed his eyes with disgust and discomfort, bringing a painful memory
"Hm... funny. You said the same thing to Hikari and you told her that you were a monster. But what did she said to you when you said that to her?" Yoruichi replied
"Well tell me then, when you look at yourself at your reflection, what do you see? What you see is clearly the past and the mistakes we made. But ask me, what do I see when I look at you and listen about your past? I see someone who understands how loss and pain to others can give you experience. That kind of experience can help you lead others and bring them closer. You think a monster is capable of that? No, a hero is capable of that. I believe you would make Master Qui Gon very proud of his student"
"Also, you don't hear me or anyone else here in the training division calling you a monster, do you? Of course not! Your family would never call you that. So stop calling yourself that. It's not true"
"Even if I am nothing but a lowly monster, there's still some use I can do. I can at least do what I can to protect my Master's greatest legacy, the greatest treasure he left us"
(Flashback)
"Hey! Did you here? The Chosen One has arrived. It said he was discovered on Tatooine"
"That boy could be our last hope to peace"
"Obi Wan is in charge of him! Lucky guy!"
"Everyone will remember him as the mentor who taught the savior of the universe!"
"And Qui Gon will be remember him as the discover of the Chosen One! We should be thankful for him!"
"Wow! We're saved from another crisis! Who was it again?"
"Anakin Skywalker"
"Oh! Duh! Of course we were saved by him! And mean he is the "one"
"The Clone War. I thought this day would never come"
"Don't worry! We'll have Jedi like Obi Wan Keneobi and Anakin Skywalker battling on the front lines. No doubt the Chosen One will wipe'em out before we do!"
"The Chosen One has dubbed to Jedi Knight and only at the age of nineteen! But what do you expect? He is the Chosen One"
"Yeah! Not to mention one of the hero's of the Clone War. Obi Wan and Qui Gon have definitely got something to be proud of!"
"Skywalker just got a padawan! It hasn't been that long since he's become a knight!"
"Not too long until he becomes a member of the council! That guy is truly impressive!"
"Another save from the Chosen One!"
"All thanks to him that the Hutts decide to help us out"
"Anakin the Chosen One!"
"Anakin, the Hero With No Fear!"
"Anakin, the savior of the Republic!"
"Anakin, Qui Gon Jinn's greatest legacy!"
"If it means giving my life as a human and as a Jedi, then I will do whatever it takes to protect him until Anakin finally realizes the destiny Master Qui Gon desired for him to have. I'll make sure... that he will end suffering and pain and erase the darkness from this galaxy. That is a promise of a lifetime"