"Disturbing, this news is," Yoda said. "More aggressive, Senator Amidala's enemies have become."
Anakin looked around the Jedi Temple's council chamber. The room itself did not look any different from when he had been tested by the Jedi Council before he became Qui-Gon's Padawan, although he did see some members on the Council that he did not recognize. They all bore the same concerned expression on their faces as Master Yoda did.
"I agree," Mace Windu nodded in response to Yoda's assertion. "Senator Amidala is not safe here on Coruscant so long as these killers are at large."
"I have found a clue that might lead us to another bounty hunter who is involved in this plot," Qui-Gon said. "However, I do believe it would be wise to move Senator Amidala until this bounty hunter is found."
"She will not want to leave Coruscant, Master," Anakin said. "She is to lead the opposition to the forming of a Grand Army of the Republic. She will want to be here until the bill's fate is decided."
"She made this decision after the first assassination attempt?" Mace asked.
"Yes," Anakin nodded.
"All the more reason to convince her to leave," Mace said. "Her actions may put her in further danger if she does not leave. I will speak with the Chancellor and see if he can persuade her."
"And if he does?" Obi-Wan asked. "Where do we take her?"
"To her home on Naboo, she must go," Yoda replied. "Safer it will be for her there."
"I agree," Mace said. "Obi-Wan and Anakin, the two of you will escort Senator Amidala back to Naboo and protect her there while Qui-Gon investigates the bounty hunter."
"Very well," Qui-Gon bowed.
Shortly afterwards, the meeting was adjourned, and Qui-Gon exited the council chamber with Obi-Wan and Anakin. "I must speak with Master Yoda," Qui-Gon told them. "Go back to the Senator's apartment and wait for me there."
Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed and left Qui-Gon alone. Qui-Gon turned back toward the council chamber and found Yoda. "May I speak with you in private, Master Yoda?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yes, yes," Yoda smiled. "Come."
Qui-Gon followed Yoda to one of the Temple's meditation rooms and they each took a seat. "What is it, Master Qui-Gon?" Yoda asked.
"We found Ahch-To," Qui-Gon replied. "There is an ancient Jedi Temple there that houses ancient texts containing much of the early Jedi teachings."
"Learn anything about young Skywalker's powers, did you?" Yoda asked.
"Yes. His ability to heal was commonly taught among the early Jedi. It involves the transferring of Force energy from one being to another, gifting a piece of one's own life to another."
"Hmm, learn why this is no longer taught, did you?"
"I believe it was one of many teachings that were lost after the rise of the Sith. It seems that there were many teachings that were abandoned because it was believed that those teachings led to the creation of the Sith."
"Agree with this, you do not?"
"No. I believe it was not the teachings themselves, but rather a twisting and misuse of them that led to a division among the Jedi which in turn caused the forming of the Sith. But when the Sith were defeated, the Jedi Council agreed to do away with these teachings so that there would not be a similar division in the future. As a result of this and the war with the Sith, the Jedi became much more involved in the Republic's politics, eventually leading us to where we are now."
"Speak as though you believe the Jedi have lost their way, you do."
"I do believe they have lost their way. The Jedi Code used to stand for more than being self-denying peacekeepers. The old Jedi believed that being selfless was the key to living in the light of the Force."
"So do we, Qui-Gon. Changed, nothing has."
"I believe it has, Yoda. The old Jedi did not mean the same thing when they spoke of being selfless. There seems to be a place for love and attachment in their teachings, as though it is only through true love for another that one can be truly selfless."
"Great care you must take when looking to the past. When left behind an idea is, for a good reason it often is."
"Yes, Master, but sometimes it is out of fear that good ideas are abandoned and lost to time. It would be wise to listen to our fathers. They may yet have wisdom we've overlooked. To assume they have nothing more of value to offer us is sheer arrogance."
"Arrogance, yes. A flaw more common among the Jedi, even among the older, more experienced ones," Yoda said with a pointed look at Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon instantly understood Yoda's meaning and nodded. "Yes, Master," he said.
Qui-Gon and Yoda spent another hour discussing the teachings of the ancient Jedi. When finally it was time for Qui-Gon to rejoin Obi-Wan and Anakin, Qui-Gon took his leave and left the room. As he did so, he found Mace Windu in the corridor. "Qui-Gon," Mace greeted him. "I have spoken with the Chancellor. He has agreed to give Senator Amidala an executive order to return to Naboo."
"Good," Qui-Gon nodded. "I will inform Anakin and Obi-Wan."
"Be careful of Skywalker," Mace cautioned. "His fondness for Senator Amidala may develop into attachment if left unchecked. If he is the Chosen One as you believe, we will need him at his full strength. There can be no conflict within him."
"His fondness for Senator Amidala poses no danger, I can assure you," Qui-Gon replied.
"See to it that it doesn't," Mace said and then walked away.
While this conversation was happening, a very different one was taking place in Padmé's apartment. Padmé had just received word from Chancellor Palpatine that she was to return to Naboo immediately, and she was furious. "I cannot leave Bail and the others like this," she insisted as she angrily packed her bags.
"I'm sure they will understand," Anakin replied. "No one can blame you for obeying a direct order."
"I did not work this hard to be absent while the Senate decides on the Military Creation Act," Padmé said.
"Sometimes we must let go of our pride, and do what is requested of us," Anakin countered.
Padmé stopped packing and looked at Anakin with surprise. "Anakin," she said, "you've grown up."
Anakin smiled, unsure how to respond to her comment. Padmé let out a small laugh and continued packing. "Tell me about your travels. Where have you been all this time?" Padmé asked.
"We were searching for Ahch-To, the place where the Jedi were formed," Anakin replied. "Master Qui-Gon believed it held answers to how I was able to save him on Naboo."
"Did you find it?"
"Yes. We found the first Jedi Temple on a remote island. I had most of my training there."
"That must have been an incredible experience."
"It was. Master Qui-Gon is a great teacher. In a lot of ways he's like the father I never had. He's helped me so much. I don't know where I'd be without him."
"Well then I'm glad you had him as a mentor," Padmé smiled. "Mentors like that have a way of bringing out the best parts of us."
"Did you have a mentor like that?" Anakin asked.
"My mother," Padmé nodded. "She is one of the gentlest people I know, but she could be firm when she needed to be. I wouldn't know how to do any of this if it wasn't for her."
"Well then she taught you well," Anakin said. "It sounds to me like you inherited her best qualities."
Padmé smiled again. "Thank you, Ani."
Later that day, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin escorted Padmé to the port she was to be secretly transported off of Coruscant from. When they arrived, Qui-Gon pulled Obi-Wan aside. "Look after them, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon instructed. "Especially Anakin. I sense he will need your help very soon."
"What do you mean, Master?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I wish I could tell you more, but truthfully I'm not entirely sure what is about to happen," Qui-Gon replied. "I do know that the choice he makes will decide his fate and possibly ours. When that moment comes, you must be there to help him make the right one."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded. "I will do what I can."
"Good," Qui-Gon smiled. "He will need all the support he can get. You are a great Jedi, Obi-Wan. There is no one else whose judgment I would trust more for this."
"Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan smiled.
Qui-Gon smiled back and led Obi-Wan back to Anakin and Padmé. "I promise to get to the bottom of this plot as quickly as possible, Senator," Qui-Gon said. "In the meantime, I leave you in the capable hands of my two Padawans. Rest assured that you will be safe as long as you are in their care."
"Thank you, Master Jedi," Padmé answered. "Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I'm sure you will discover the truth quickly."
Qui-Gon bowed in response.
"Come," Anakin said. "The ship is getting ready to take off."
"Very well," Padmé replied as she turned and followed Anakin toward a transport ship.
Obi-Wan shot Qui-Gon an apprehensive glance as Anakin and Padmé walked away. Qui-Gon nodded reassuringly, prompting a small smile from Obi-Wan, who nodded back before following Anakin and Padmé. Anakin noticed Obi-Wan trailing behind and fell back a little to follow Padmé with Obi-Wan. "Is everything alright?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, I hope so," Obi-Wan replied. "I suppose it's just strange to go on an assignment without Master Qui-Gon with us."
"I was thinking the same thing," Anakin nodded. "I'm just glad my first assignment without him is with you."
Obi-Wan smiled at this. "As am I, Anakin. As am I."