Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 12! Thanks for all the great reviews, as always. We're moving into AoTC territory and while there may be recognizable events, things will be very different in this unique AU. But Anakin and Padme's ages are not different. Here's just a few important ages for reference though:
Anakin-19
Padme-24
Sabe-28
Obi-Wan-35
Ahsoka-13
Force Jumper
Chapter 12: Knightblade
The young girl ran through the dark alleyway with fear apparent on her young, soft features. She didn't know why this was happening to her. Just days ago, she had been a normal kid and now she was running for her life. All because of a strange ability she had suddenly discovered that she had. One that she couldn't even help or control yet. She stopped, as her legs gave out and she heaved air into her lungs. The man behind her slowed and she could see a smug smirk on his shadowed face. She whimpered and clenched her eyes shut, calling on the power she didn't understand. She felt the familiar tingle, as she disappeared into thin air and reappeared atop a nearby building. She sighed in relief, but it was short lived, as she felt a cable wrap around her, constricting tightly, before a thousand volts of electricity ripped through her.
Zana yanked the cable and threw her to the ground. The girl convulsed in pain and yelped in fear, as the woman jammed the spiked barrel of the device into the permacrete, securing her captivity. She smirked and raised her comlink to her lips
"Cox, I got her," she said.
"Good. I just got a call from headquarters. Something big is going down on Coruscant and Master Windu has requested us and a few other operatives to get there as soon as possible. Kill it, dispose of the body, and then get down here," Cox ordered. She nodded and drew a vibro blade, causing the girl to scream in terror. She trembled and flailed in attempt to break free, but it was no use.
"Sorry kid, I know it's a gruesome way to go. But putting a blaster bolt in your head doesn't repair the imbalance you're existence has caused in the Force," Zana said, as she made sure the blade was plenty sharp. The girl, her eyes wide with fear, looked at her in confusion.
"Your blood must be spilt, because you're an abomination. Only death with cleanse you and the Force. You're a kid though and I'll make it quick," Zana promised. The girl screamed, as Zana disappeared behind her. She never saw the blade and her screams died, as the Xal'Kaar agent slit her throat quickly. Blood pooled all over her chest and slowly poured onto the ground. Zana took out a small flask of liquor and poured it on the body. The electricity in the cable sparked and ignited violently, quickly engulfing the body in flames. Once she was satisfied that the body and blood would soon be nothing but unidentifiable ashes, she left, climbing down the ladder on the side of the building.
Normally, Padme loathed the Holonet news, especially since their intrusive prying into her personal life was usually relentless. She always remained stoic and they portrayed her as a cold, ice queen, who scared away all potential suitors with her frigid personality. Amidala was all business, it was true, but that was not the real Padme. She usually paid them no mind. They didn't know the real her and she preferred it that way, but this morning, she found herself hanging on the reporter's every word, as they accounted the events of the previous evening and showed the footage that had been captured by security cameras. She wasn't sure what had come over her, but she had never felt anything like this before. It seemed crazy, but in just the few times that her gaze had met the sapphire one behind the mask, her heart had skipped a beat each time his eyes were locked with hers.
"For those that have just tuned in, we have been discussing last night's thwarted assassination attempt on the Senator of Naboo by a most mysterious masked figure. This man succeeded in saving Senator Amidala from not one, but two attempts on her life last night where her assigned Jedi protection failed. Footage of him taking down the first assassin was captured by a holocam," the reporter said, as the screen flashed to the footage of the man taking down Zam Wessel and using a light saber of all weapons. But it was apparent he was no Jedi. He moved too fast, even for one of them and his moves were executed with the precision of one, but with mercilessness that most Jedi would never dare use. The screen froze on the tall form and Padme could have sworn those eyes were looking straight through her. She shook her head. It was insanity. She didn't even know this man, this obviously dangerous man, and yet her heart thudded in her chest madly at just the sight of him. What madness had overtaken her that one gaze from some strange savior could cause such reaction?
Her mystery hero disappeared, as the screen panned back to the reporter.
"No one, not even the Jedi, know who this mysterious rogue is. The Jedi have denounced him as a renegade that takes the law into his own hands, the Chancellor is strangely silent, but the masses are intrigued and enthralled by this new figure, who obviously has powers that are even more mysterious than those possessed by the Jedi. Some even speculate that he is far more powerful than any Jedi and names for him are already being tossed around. It seems that the ones gaining traction are the Hero With No Fear and Knightblade. The public and those here at this station now wait with curiosity and bated breath as to when or if we will see this Knightblade again," the reporter finished, as the camera panned back to a frozen frame of the masked hero.
"Knightblade…that's hot," Sabe's voice cut through Padme's concentration and she nearly fell off her bed.
"Dammit Sabe…don't do that," Padme cursed, as she put a hand to her chest, having been nearly scared out of her skin and caught staring at the man on the screen. Sabe laughed.
"I see you think so too. It's nothing to be ashamed of Padme. I'd love to take a bite out of that sexy piece of Shaak meat too," Sabe teased. Padme groaned.
"It's not like that. He saved my life. I was just seeing what they were saying about him," Padme tried to defend.
"And practically drooling," Sabe teased again.
"I was not!" she replied hotly, making her best friend cackle with glee.
"Oh honey, you have it bad already!" she exclaimed.
"That's ludicrous Sabe, I don't even know him!" Padme hissed.
"Yet," she replied.
"I'll probably never see him again," Padme huffed.
"Oh, I saw the way he was looking at you last night. Trust me, you'll see that one again," Sabe replied. Padme sighed, but was silent. Why should she deny it? She wanted to see him again. Something had happened last night in those few brief times their eyes had met last night, something unspoken and nearly unfathomable, sparks that had taken her breath away. And she knew he, whoever he was, had felt it too. She not only wanted to see him again…something inside her longed for him. She needed to see him again.
"Master Yoda! Master Windu! Do you care to comment on last night's events?" one Holonet reporter shouted.
"Masters…do you have any idea who could have trained this man in the Jedi Arts? Or who he is?"
More questions flew wildly at the two stoic Jedi Masters, as they ascended the steps that led them to the Senate building. They had been summoned by the Chancellor this morning and neither of them needed to consult the tremors in the Force to know what they would be discussing.
Anakin followed Sifo and Quinlan into Dex's diner that morning. They instantly noticed that many patrons were watching the holoscreens. This wasn't necessarily unusual, especially if there were podraces on, but the holonews was never this interesting. Quinlan shook his head.
"One night and you've already got the entire planet enthralled," Quinlan said quietly with a chuckled.
"They can't all be interested in what went on last night," Anakin insisted, as they slid into a booth.
"Take a look at the screens, kid," Quinlan said, as they watched the recap of last night's events and then the Jedi Masters stoically avoiding the questions of the press, as they made their way to the Senate building.
"Well, I hope Dex has something on the menu fit for Mr. Hero With No Fear," Quinlan joked quietly. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Master..." Anakin hissed in annoyance.
"I get it, you prefer Knightblade. I'll admit, it does have a nice ring to it. And I bet it irritates Mace to kingdom come. That name is a blatant diss to the Jedi," Quinlan teased. Anakin sighed.
"Coruscant loves their public figures and heroes," Sifo said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, loves to build them up so they can tear them down. Mace was trying to remain calm, but he's pissed. He's probably calling in the reserves already," Quinlan said, getting serious.
"But they still have to be careful unless he wants to blow his whole organization into the public," Anakin reasoned.
"True, but there are bounty hunters out there after Senator Amidala. Be prepared for the Xal'Kaar to use the guise of a bounty hunter to target you," Sifo warned. Anakin nodded, as Dex approached.
"Well, good morning boys. I already put three my specials in for ya'. They'll be up in no time," Dex told them.
"Thanks Dex," Anakin replied kindly. He was, as usual, famished.
"So Dex, what do you think of this new renegade hero they're going on about this morning?" Quinlan asked, ignoring Anakin's glare.
"Well, he certainly has skill. Nice to see that he's doing some good though, saving that pretty Senator and all. Looks like he was trained by the best," Dex said, giving them a sly look. Anakin paled a little.
"Does he know?" Anakin whispered.
"Relax kid, he knows only because Dex is just that good. No one else will have any idea," Quinlan assured him. He relaxed, if only slightly.
"Quinlan is right. Though Mace probably knows, he won't reveal what he knows, no matter how desperate to catch you he will become," Sifo replied.
"Are you sure, Master?" Anakin asked. He nodded.
"Trust me young one. The Jedi Order is important to Mace, but nothing compared to his loyalty to the Order that is the Xal'Kaar. It is the embodiment of everything he is and everything he knows," Sifo assured him. Anakin relaxed more, as their breakfast was delivered to them.
"Good morning gentlemen. Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice. I regret the media circus that this mysterious hero's exploits have created," Palpatine said, as he greeted the two Jedi Masters.
"Please sit and be comfortable," Palpatine offered, as they obliged.
"Forgive me Chancellor, but whoever this man is, I assure you that he is no hero," Mace stated firmly.
"Normally, I would agree with you, Master Windu, as I have never been one to condone vigilantism, but he did save one of the Senate's most valued representatives...twice," the Chancellor reminded.
"His true motives...a mystery they are," Yoda said. Palpatine nodded curtly.
"That is true, but I fail to see how he could be sinister if he is against anyone hurting a member of the Senate. In fact, I am afraid your Jedi would not have been able to save her. Whoever this man is could be a strong ally, what with more and more planets choosing to join the Separatist movement," Palpatine said.
"The Jedi are more than capable of protecting Senator Amidala, I assure you, your Excellency," Mace said sternly.
"More going on here than we know, there is," Yoda stated.
"Yes...I have heard this man is very fast, though I am still very confused as to how he could have gotten into the Senator's room from outside her window. There were no breaks in the glass?" Palpatine asked. Mace held back the urge to scowl. He knew exactly how the little freak had gotten in.
"Not prior to Master Kenobi's chase of the assailant. We are not sure how he got in either," Mace lied.
"Well...regardless, I believe Coruscant has become much too dangerous for Senator Amidala. Would your Jedi agree to a protection detail for the Senator on Naboo?" Palpatine asked.
"We need Obi-Wan to investigate who is behind the assassination attempts, but we will implore the Senator to return to Naboo with padawan Tano," Mace replied.
"Are you sure the padawan is enough protection?" Palpatine questioned.
"Very capable, padawan Tano is. Ready for this assignment, we believe she is," Yoda insisted.
"Very well Masters. I will trust your judgment," Palpatine responded, as the Jedi rose from their seats.
"Good day gentlemen," he said, bidding them goodbye. As they slowly walked to the turbo lift, Mace's fists clenched inside his robes. That Sith spawn abomination had drawn too much attention to himself, so Mace knew it would not be easy for them to take him down. Still, a plan needed to be developed. Once Master Yoda was engrossed in his daily duties with the younglings, Mace would slip away to The Works for a meeting with his people that could not wait any longer.
Several hours later...
Mace stormed into the secret base that the Xal'Kaar operated from on Coruscant. Ten of his top agents were waiting for him, all a little confused as to why they were all in one place. They never needed this many agents for one assignment, especially not for one Force Jumper.
"Has everyone seen the media spectacle?" Mace asked his padawan.
"Not all of them Master. I thought you might want to be here," Barriss responded. Mace nodded and she played the footage. Cox was the first to sneer at the sight of the masked child that he had been hunting for several years now. But this was no longer a child. He was a full grown man now and obviously more experienced than ever.
"This is an unprecedented event. This Force Jumper has eluded us for many years now. He is skilled like no other and trained in the Jedi Arts. I also believe there is another Force Jumper that has trained him to jump," Mace said, pausing to gaze around at his charges.
"I don't get it, Master. Why can no one catch this guy?" one man with several visible scars on his face asked.
"You weren't listening, Jarvis. He is trained in ways of the Force and wields a light saber with skill I regrettably admit that I don't often see in even the most skilled Jedi, save myself and Master Yoda, perhaps," Mace said, pausing for a moment.
"And in addition to that, we believe this one...can jump planets," Mace said, reluctantly revealing the piece of information that only a few close to him knew and suspected. There were gasps of disbelief around the room.
"I've gone up against this kid. He's no pushover and has a high pain tolerance. Our binding staves and EMP cables should be enough to immobilize him, but they only slow him down. He manages to evade them and break free from them. I've never encountered anyone like him," Cox said, sharing his experience.
"He is an anomaly in a sea of the abomination of his kind. We must focus on eliminating him or the impurity in the Force will only increase. With the Republic on the brink of war, we cannot allow such infection to run rampant in a time where chaos is already around us. His very existence also threatens to expose our sacred order. We cannot allow that to happen," Mace stated.
"What do we do, Master? How do we catch him if he just jumps from planet to planet?" Jarvis questioned. Mace allowed himself a small smirk.
"I have a feeling that he has a vested interest here on Coruscant...a possible attachment to the Senator of Naboo. He has already saved her life twice," Mace began.
"We believe we can exploit this weakness. The Senator already has multiple bounty hunters vying to claim the prize that her assassination promises. Disguised as bounty hunters, we can lure him into a trap and dispose of him," Barriss continued.
"And if this Senator gets in the way?" Cox asked.
"If she perishes in the midst of the operation, it is of no consequence. The public will simply think that the bounty hunters were successful. She is not a target, but do not allow her to get in the way," Mace answered.
"It is imperative that we kill him now. He's already too powerful and he will only get better if we allow him to live," Mace stated firmly, ending the meeting. They slowly trickled out, each team going about their own way to develop a plan of action. They would all seek the same target, but each team would try to claim the sole victory of taking down the most powerful Force Jumper any of them had ever encountered.
Padme huffed in frustration, as she stormed into her bedroom. She scowled at the security camera and tossed a black cloth over it. She hated the feeling of their eyes on her constantly, especially when she was in a mood like this. Earlier in the day, the Jedi had suggested that she be escorted home to Naboo with a protection detail, but she refused. She had worked for over a year against the military creation act and she was determined to be there when its fate was decided. Later, after the Senate adjourned for the day, Chancellor Palpatine had summoned her and gave her an executive order to return to Naboo the following day with padawan Tano as her escort. She couldn't believe his audacity! She couldn't refuse an executive order and now she was expected to pack her things like a good little girl and leave aboard an unmarked transport tomorrow with a thirteen-year-old padawan, while the big boys stayed to investigate this whole thing. She got out her travel case and tossed it angrily onto the bed, before crossing her arms over her chest in a huff.
She glanced at the new glass window that had been installed this morning and immediately remembered the events of the previous night. He invaded her thoughts again, as he had most of the day. Why couldn't she stop thinking about him? She was not one to be bold with men so she had no idea what had possessed her to kiss his cheek last night. But the feel of his skin on her lips had been a constant in her mind since. Being in his presence
was...intoxicating. And suddenly, he was there. Her heart nearly burst out of her chest, as he appeared on the ledge outside her window, seemingly out of thin air. She pressed her palm to the glass and gazed out at him with wide eyes. She gasped, as he disappeared and then jumped in surprise, as he appeared inside her room, mere feet from her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he apologized.
"That's...okay. How do you do that?" she asked. He shrugged.
"It's an ability that I was apparently born with," he replied simply, as he stared at her.
"So you can go anywhere, just like that, in an instant?" she asked in fascination. He nodded.
"It's similar to teleportation, as long as I have a clear vision of the place I'm going, so it still requires some travel the old fashioned way," he answered.
"Who...are you?" she asked in amazement.
"Telling you would only put you in more danger than you're already in," he replied. She was silent for a moment, as she thought about his answer. It hinted that he wanted nothing more than to tell her everything...and she wanted the same.
"I think that I am far safer with you around. You proved that last night," she replied.
"It's as I said. As long as I am around, no harm will come to you," he stated.
"They're forcing me to leave Coruscant tomorrow," she told him.
"I'm not in complete disagreement. Coruscant is too dangerous," he replied.
"I've worked too hard to defeat the military creation act to leave now," she fumed.
"Your hard work will be in vain if you're killed. I can protect you here if I have to, but doing so on Naboo will be far easier," he replied. She smirked inwardly, as he revealed his intentions without her having to ask.
"So you plan to come to Naboo," she stated.
"I will follow...without the Jedi's knowledge. They must not know anymore about me than they already do," he stated.
"I won't be telling them anything," she responded, as their eyes met again. The invisible electricity that seemed to sizzle between them from the moment they met was still there and they both felt it as strongly as they had the previous evening.
"I should let you retire for the evening," he said, breaking the awkward silence between them.
"Will you be near?" she asked. He nodded.
"No one will attempt to get near your window with me near," he replied simply.
"Why me? Why have you chosen to protect me so...completely?" she asked. He looked into her eyes with an intense gaze.
"I promise that I will tell you everything when the time is right. Just know that you can trust me implicitly," he responded. She nodded. He would tell her everything. He was waiting till he was sure they could be alone and suddenly she wasn't so upset about going home to Naboo. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought.
"Are you okay?" he asked in concern, breaking her reverie. She nodded quickly and timidly reached out to touch his hand.
"Thank you. I don't know why you're protecting me. I...I don't even know who you are, but I somehow know that I can trust you," she confessed.
"You can. I promise," he replied, his voice suddenly husky. He could smell the scent of her shampoo and his hormones were raging. Being in her presence was so incredibly intoxicating.
"I...I should go," he said, clearing his throat. She nodded halfheartedly.
"Okay," she whispered, as the invisible force between them kept pushing them closer and closer. It finally won, as their lips brushed together. Passion sparked between them in that simple, short embrace and they stared at each other breathlessly as their lips parted several seconds later. The emotions passed between them, their silence promising so much, as they parted wordlessly for the night. He disappeared and she gazed out her window longingly...
In the next chapter, Padme prepares to leave Coruscant with Ahsoka as her escort. But her departure is interrupted and chaos erupts. Meanwhile, sensing the dangerous plot, Sifo orders Quinlan to go to Naboo, while he follows Obi-Wan to Kamino...