Chapter 116: Prisoners
Crowns are inherited, kingdoms are earned.
Recap: A last gasp of hope. After the assassination of his father and the fall of his kingdom beneath a planetary civil war, Mon Cala prince Lee-Char has gone into hiding with Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Jedi Knight Twilight Sparkle as his only protectors. With his armies captured and friends in prison, the situation seems hopeless for the Prince. Count Dooku commands his sinister agent Riff Tamson to use any means necessary to bring Prince Lee-Char out of hiding, for he knows that hope does remain as long as the Prince is alive.
Upon being captured, the Jedi were stripped of their lightsaber as they were put into custody. They were among the long line of prisoners just rounded up as they were being taken to the camps. However, the three Jedi, Padmé, and Jar Jar, were being taken somewhere special. They were being brought before Riff Tamson, who had some special treatment for them all.
"Three Jedi knights and a fumbling amphibian. I would have thought the Prince would be easier to capture than the five of you," said Tamson as he swam into the room as the prisoners were being led by some aqua droids.
"It must be part of our plan," mocked Anakin as he passed the ambassador.
"I had the exact same thought," said Tamson.
The droids then separated them as they grabbed hold of Jar Jar and Padmé as she struggled a bit.
"Don't touch me," said the senator as she was being yanked by the wrist.
"Let go of her!" shouted Anakin as he saw his wife shoved by the droids. Some of the aqua droids held him back as all Anakin could watch.
"Rack 'em up," stated Tamson with a laugh.
Some holding cells appeared as they put into them and extended their arms to be held by the sharp claws.
"Mesa don't like this. Desa pinchy grabby," said Jar Jar as he tried to move but was held in place, the same with Padmé.
"Tamson! Leave them alone!" shouted Anakin, as he didn't like seeing his wife in danger.
"Do not worry, Jedi. There's plenty of suffering to go around," snickered Tamson as he shoved the remaining three Jedi forward.
An electric zap was heard, as standing next to them were three holding cells composed of Calamari electric eels chained together. The electricity that flowed through them as they were restrained made for good holding cells for the Jedi.
"Ah, eels. Very dangerous," said Master Fisto to the Jedi Knights.
"Ah shit!" said Storm, as he had already been electrocuted during the wedding incident on Twilight's homeworld.
The Jedi were then shoved and placed inside their respective electric cell. One move or if the tail smacked them, they would get a jolt of electricity sent their way. All they could do was float in place and remain calm... well, for two of them, that was easy. The other, not so much.
"Now, tell me, where is prince Lee-Char?" asked Tamson to Anakin.
The Jedi Knight held a defiant scowl and said nothing. Tamson then signaled for a nearby Quarren guard to poke the eel as its tail hit Anakin and started to electrocute the Jedi as he cried out in pain. Nossan Ri, the Quarren leader, watched this as he felt he couldn't bear to watch this.
Aqua droids were shown traveling through a tube system. They exited one of the entrances and activated their scanners and sensors to begin their patrol. Watching from nearby were the Prince and the girls.
"We can't hide forever," said Prince Lee-Char to the girls.
"The Gungan army was the last of the Republic's reinforcements. There won't be anymore," said Twilight, as that was their last attempt to overthrow Tamson. Now the girls and Prince were truly on their own.
"The failure is mine, not the Republic's," said Prince Lee-Char.
"Get back!" shouted Ahsoka as she grabbed the Prince and pulled him down. Twilight did the same as a patrol of guards just swam overhead; the trio was lucky they hadn't been spotted. Once the coast was clear, they peaked out.
"If my father were here, he could unite with Nossor Ri and the Quarren. The Quarren and Mon Cala have always had a difficult relationship, but it was respectful until Riff Tamson arrived. Once that Karkarodon got inside Nossor Ri's head, the alliance between the Mon Cala and the Quarren fell apart." said the royal heir to the Jedi. "I know what I must do. The Mon Cala and Quarren people must be reunited."
The trio swam to a new location to avoid being seen. Once they looked around and scanned the area for any guards, they began to discuss.
"OK - I like your thinking, but what's the strategy?" asked Twilight; for an idea like that to work, the royal heir needed a plan.
"Count all the prisoners: Mon Cala, Gungans, Clones. If we all fought together, we would outnumber our opponents," said Prince Lee-Char.
"If this is going to work, we'll need to let your people know. They'll have to be ready to fight," said Ahsoka.
"We need Captain Ackbar. And I think I know where to find him," stated the Prince as the trio began to swim in the direction of the enslaved camps.
In the palace, Tamson and Nosson Ri had entered just as the image of Count Dooku appeared before them.
"I have interrogated the Jedi, my lord. But they will not give up the whereabouts of the Prince. The Jedi's resistance to pain is impressive." said Tamson as he gave some credit to Anakin and the others for not breaking.
Well, specifically, Anakin as Tamson targeted him due to his concern for his wife; he felt it would be easier to break him if he threatened Padmé's life. But with that, Anakin still refused to break.
"Press the interrogation, Tamson. We cannot allow the Prince to survive. The royal bloodline must be broken." The Sith Lord was determined to find the Prince so that they could rule this planet.
"Count Dooku, is this necessary? The battle is won. The Prince has no army to rally. Now's the time for the Quarren to take the lead and think of rebuilding." said Nossan Ri.
"Rebuild? While this battle has been won, there is still a war going on, Senator Ri, a war in which you pledged your allegiance to the Separatist cause," stated Sith Lord as he reminded the Quarren of the deal they signed.
"Of course, Count. We owe you everything," sighed Nossan Ri, as he had no choice but to comply.
"Do not soon forget it. Tamson, have your soldiers arrived?" asked Dooku to the ambassador.
"Soldiers?" said Nossan Ri, as he didn't hear of this.
"Yes, Count. We now have the city under our control," said Tamson as he and Nossan Ri turned to the door; in swimming, some more Karkardoons arrived and circled the room.
"Good. Good. Continue as planned," said Dooku as the transmission ended.
Tamson and his soldiers all left to continue their search for the Prince and torture of the Jedi. All the while, Nossan Ri was now having doubts about who he sided with, as it wasn't a pleasant feeling, given all that had happened.
Speaking of said Prince, he and the girls were shown swimming along some coral. They were near a pipe as they were trailing something. That being a column of prisoners that were being led. They soon stopped and looked as there was a huge wall of lasers that acted as a gate.
"It's a prison camp," said the royal heir.
"How can we be sure Captain Ackbar's inside?" asked Ahsoka.
"There's only one way to find out," said Prince Lee-Char.
A robot began muttering as he turned around; the trio managed to duck their heads just in time. The aqua droids began using his sonar as it pinged around him. He thought he heard something as he began scanning the area for unsuspected eyes. Once his scan was complete, and he saw nothing, he turned back to the gate as it was shut off, and the column of prisoners moved in. The Jedi and Prince took that window to swim forward fast as they had to get in before the lasers returned online. They managed to get in as they returned and quickly hid along some seaweed.
"Will we ever get out of here?"
"The city has fallen. The Prince is lost."
Some of the prisoners were mumbling to each other as they seemed to have lost hope. Just then, the heir himself appeared before one of them.
"Prince Lee-Char?" said a prisoner as it got the attention of the others, "Are you a prisoner here as well?"
"I am here, but not as a prisoner. I've come with a message. As your future King, I have not lost hope. The time is coming when you will be free again. I will not fail you, " said Prince Lee-Char, looking to rally his people and give them hope.
"We want to believe, but how can this be possible?" asked one of the Calamari prisoners.
"Commander Tano, Commander Sparkle," said the captured clone commander.
"Monnk, are we glad to see you," said Ahsoka.
"Yes, commander, but you both must come with me now. You'll attract too much attention here. And I think there's someone who will be happy to see you." said the clone as he began to lead the Jedi and Prince away.
"Prince, you can't leave us here," said one of the prisoners to the heir, who was starting to swim away. Prince Lee-Char turned to address his subject.
"Have courage. The next time I appear to you, I will appear as your King," said the Prince with a smile that gave the prisoners the much-needed hope they desired.
Back in the palace, Tamson continued his torture of Anakin in hopes of him spilling the whereabouts of the Prince.
"I've grown tired of waiting, Jedi. Where is the Prince?" demanded the ambassador.
"Even if we knew, we would not say," said Master Fisto.
"Huh. Unfortunate," snickered Tamson as he gave the signal to a Quarren guard. He poked the eels as they sent another electric zap to Anakin, as he was shocked just moments after his latest.
"To be honest, it matters little to me. I would torture you either way. But Count Dooku insists I capture the Prince. And there is the slight chance you're deceiving me and holding back some information I could use. And in my position, I cannot afford to take chances!" said Tamson while swimming about and stopping in front of Padmé.
He used his finger to caress her helmet before he lunged at her with his jaws.
"Ah! No!" shouted Padmé as the Jedi watched on.
Tamson dug his jaws into the helmet as soon as a cracking sound was heard. He pulled back as on Padmé's helmet, there was a small hole made by the Karkardoon's sharp teeth. It was now starting to fill up with water as it would be a matter of moments before the senator would drown in her own helmet. The ambassador cackled before turning to look at Anakin.
"Time is of the essence now. Tell me what I want to know," stated the Karkardoon.
Anakin looked at his wife as she was starting to gasp. In the meantime, Commander Moonk led the girls and heir to the person they needed to see. As it turned out, Captain Ackbar was lying in Senator Tills lap as he was still recovering from the battle. They soon made their presence known.
"You are alive! Captain, you were right," said Senator Tills as she was shocked to see the royal heir before her.
"Prince, I knew you would survive the battle," said Captain Ackbar.
"Captain, I need your help. I have a plan. I know how we can win this fight." said Prince Lee-Char.
"But the battle is over, young Prince. And it appears that we have lost," stated Captain Ackbar.
"No. In truth, we now outnumber our enemy. We can overwhelm them." said the heir.
"But we are prisoners. If we revolted, thousands would die," said Senator Tills.
"Not if the Quarren struck first and aided in our attack," stated Prince Lee-Char.
"Prince, how can you say this? The Quarren betrayed us. They assassinated your father." said Captian Ackbar.
"No, Captain. Riff Tamson murdered my father. Of that, I am sure." said the Prince.
"The Quarren are being used. I've seen it happen before," said Ashoka as she chimed in, "Count Dooku has deceived them."
Some murmurs began as a droid looked in the direction and saw them. He ran a scan as the Prince spoke to confirm his identity.
"Riff Tamson murdered my father."
The droid then let the others know as he swam.
"We'll find Nossor Ri. He was my father's friend. I know he will listen," said the Prince.
"How can you be certain of this?" asked Senator Tills.
"I can't. But it's time for me to lead, and this, I feel, is my only course of action," stated Lee-Char.
"I will ready our people, Prince," said Captain Ackbar.
"But, Captain, you're injured," said Senator Tills.
"I'll be ready to fight with our future King," said the Captain as he smiled at the young heir.
"I'll marshal the remaining Clones and Gungans. What will your signal be?" asked Commander Moonk.
"When a Quarren attacks our enemy, that will be your sign," stated the Prince.
Just then, several droids appeared.
"You are under arrest," said the droids as they pointed their guns at the Prince.
The girls turned on their lightsabers as they prepared to fight.
"No, stay your blade, my friends," said the Prince to the girls as they backed down, "I am Lee-Char, leader of the Mon Cala people, and I demand to speak to your superiors."
The droids then took the girls' lightsabers and began leading them and the Prince away. Back with their friends, Tamson was still trying to get some information out of Anakin as, by now, Padmé's helmet had filled up with water up to her mouth and slowly rising.
"Your friend's time is running short. I'm beginning to believe you're both telling the truth and know nothing about the Prince's whereabouts," said Tamson as his comlink went off. "Yes."
"We have located the Prince and have him in custody. He has requested an audience with the leadership," said a droid.
"By all means, bring him to me. I shall meet you in the throne room," stated Tamson.
"Roger, Roger."
"The throne room?" asked Nossor Ri as Tamson began to swim away.
"Yes. I want that little one to see me in my rightful place, as ruler of this world," said the Karkardoon as he turned to address the Quarren.
"Ruler? That was not our arrangement with Count Dooku!" said Senator Ri.
"No, it wasn't your arrangement. It was mine," cackled Tamson. Once more, the senator regretted the actions that he'd done to help Tamson get into power.
"Wait, the prisoner. You have to save her!" shouted Anakin to Tamson.
Tamson looked at Padmé, who was gasping even more.
"No, I don't," snickered the Karkardoon.
"Tamson!" shouted Anakin as he left and was shocked.
"Ani, mesa have an idea," said the Gungan.
"Not now, Jar Jar. We need to save Padmé," said Storm as she was running out of time and air.
"Anakin, Storm, we must create a bubble for her to breathe from. Use the Force to push the water away from her helmet," instructed Master Fisto to the Jedi Knights.
"I'm on it," said Anakin as he rushed to save his wife.
All three Jedi put their hands out and concentrated. The Force began to do its magic as an air bubble formed around Padme's cracked helmet as the water started to recess.
"Isa workin'. Isa workin'. Isa workin'!" said Jar Jar. "Look out!"
An eel bit Anakin's leg as it shocked the Jedi Knight, and he lost concentration. The bubble started to shrink when Jar Jar spat in the direction of Padmé as the spit splattered over her helmet.
"Jar Jar," said Padmé.
"Padmé, I'm sorry I couldn't-" said the Jedi to his wife for failing.
"I'm here," said Padmé as she was back to breathing normally, "Jar Jar sealed my helmet with his..."
"Yesa. Isa Gungan waterproofing. Isa, why wesa swim so good." said Jar Jar as he explained the spit on Padmé's helmet to seal the air bubble.
"You know what. I'm not even gonna ask," said Storm as he, Anakin, and Master Fisto all exchanged looks and shakes of their heads.
Ahsoka, Twilight, and Prince Lee-Char were brought into the throne room. The throne chair turned around to reveal Tamson and Senator Ri sitting, with the latter having a sad expression on his face.
"Greetings, friends," cackled Tamson, "We meet again. I must admit, you were more difficult to capture than I anticipated, Prince. You have my respect as a hunter to his prey."
"I do not seek, nor do I want your respect. I have come to demand the freedom of my people," stated Prince Lee-Char.
"Your people? You're mistaken, Prince. They are my people and under my rule. They, like you, are nothing more than slaves." said Tamson as he circled them, shoving the girls away from him to growl directly in the Prince's face and beared his jaws.
"Your rule is not recognized here, Tamson. My people are all those who live in these seas, whether they be Mon Cala or Quarren," stated the Prince as his words affected Nossor Ri, who lifted his head to look at the young heir.
"Surely you have not come here seeking the aid of Nossor Ri. Do you really think he would trade his position to join you?" cackled Tamson as he looked at his ally and the Prince.
"The Quarren are already slaves, though they may not see it. Nossor Ri, you knew my father. Whatever differences our people had in the past, surely you must know we can work together to make Mon Cala whole. Dooku and Tamson want only to exploit us and leave our cities broken and our resources depleted. What will then be left for the Quarren?" said Prince Lee-Char as he expressed to the friend of his late great-father, trying to get him to see that they were nothing more than pawns and puppets.
"Well, Nossor Ri? Would you like to join this pitiful little fish and his dead father?" asked Tamson to the Quarren, as he didn't say anything but kept his head hung low. "There, you see?" chuckled the Karkardoon, "What good would their help be anyway, Prince? The Quarren are more gutless than your people."
"As long as I live, I shall give all people of Mon Cala hope to fight another day," said Lee-Char to the hunter.
"Hmm, hope. We are of the same mind, Prince. That is why I have scheduled your public execution. Take him away!" ordered Tamson to his soldiers as they began to lead the girls and Prince away.
"Nossor Ri, there's still time. Unite, and we will defend our home!" shouted the Prince as the door closed.
The Quarren had a sad expression as one of his guards came up. They shared a similar look as they thought of what was said.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this," said Anakin, as he hadn't been shocked in the last few minutes like he normally was.
One of the eels touched him and sent a jolt of electricity.
"You sure about that?" snickered Storm.
"Well, why haven't you been shocked?!" shouted Anakin as he found it odd that Storm hadn't been electrocuted. Just as he said that, Anakin received another jolt.
"'Cause I don't got your bigass mouth to get us into trouble!" shouted Storm.
"Storm is right. Less talking helps," smiled Master Fisto, as he hadn't been electrocuted as well.
Anakin was about to say something when the door opened. In came some Karkardoon soldiers as they began to poke at the eels surrounding Master Fisto and Anakin. They soon began to move as it seemed everyone was being transported.
"Jar Jar, I can't see anything. Where are they taking us?" asked Padmé as the spit from the Gungan blocked her vision.
"Hey, yousa, where yousa taking us?" asked Jar Jar all nonchalantly to the aqua droid pulling his holder.
"To the execution of Prince Lee-Char," responded the droid as they got all of them to have expressions on their faces.
Soon everyone was gathered in the courtyard of the palace. Captain Ackbar, Senator Tills, and some prisoners were rounded up so they could watch the Prince die. The Jedi were also given good seats as the girls were in between Anakin and Storm as they were in handcuffs with their hands behind their backs.
"Good job protecting the Prince," snickered Anakin to the girls for following orders.
"It's all part of the plan, Master," replied Ahsoka as she just looked forward.
"I was hoping you were gonna say that," said Anakin, as that made him feel much better.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Storm and Twilight exchanged their greetings as they had smiles on their faces.
"Been shocked yet?" asked Twilight.
"Why don't you ask, Anakin?" snickered the boy.
"Shut up!" shouted the Jedi Knight, as he didn't like he was the one who suffered the most pain.
"I guess the eels just like my... electric personality," said Storm.
"You are so stupid," chuckled Twilight, all while having a lovesick smile as she stared at her partner. Even his jokes added more to how much she loved him.
"Glad you like it. I'll be here all week. So anything we can do to help the plan?" asked Storm.
"Unfortunately, this time, it's out of our hands," said Ahsoka.
"I'm not sure I like this plan after all," said Anakin as they all turned their attention forward.
"For crimes against the Separatist State, I command the execution of former Prince Lee-Char!" announced Tamson.
A Quarren guard swam behind Captain Ackbar as he was with Commander Monnk.
"Captain, Nossor Ri, and the Quarren are with you," said the Quarren as he handed the Captain and Commander a weapon and signal that they were on their side. They swam away to give the other prisoners some weapons as they were about to strike.
"Kill him!" declared Tamson to his Karkardoon soldiers who circled the Prince, who was handcuffed in the center.
The Karkardoon soldiers all lunged forward as Senator Ri made his move. He swam toward the young Prince as he made an ink cloud shoot out to blind the soldiers and got the Prince to safety.
"Fight, Quarren! Fight for Prince Lee-Char!" said Senator Ri as a Quarren broke the chains off the Prince and was given a weapon which he fired and took out the Karkardoon soldiers.
With the signal, prisoners began to open fire on the droids around them. Captain Ackbar tapped a droid on his shoulder with the small weapon he was given as he moved his head to the side, and Commander Moonk shot it dead. The girls then sprung into action as they got their hands from behind their backs and bumped into the droids near them that had their lightsabers. They grabbed them and turned them on to cut their binds before heading to the electric eels that held their friends. They sliced the chains off the animals as they began to swim away. Anakin managed to free Padmé as he swam to get her to safety.
"Send in more droids!" shouted Tamson.
"Roger, Roger."
More aqua droids appeared as the mini-subs were aiming at them. With the combined forces of the Quarren helping out, our heroes were now standing a chance and outnumbering their foes. The battle was occurring as both sides were suffering casualties, but the droids' numbers were greater. Captain Ackbar led the main forces in the middle as he dodged a droid trying to shoot at him. He even managed to use his head to slice a droid's head off as he cracked his neck and swam on as if nothing had happened.
Soon some squid droids appeared as they bulldozed some of their foes. However, they were quickly disposed of as some Gungans, Quarren, and Calamari approached the window and began stabbing it with their pointy weapons as it cracked. The droids inside panicked as they filled with water and made the controls explode; the larger droid transport collided with a coral and made an even bigger explosion.
Even the Prince led his people as he took the initiative and defeated several droids. At this point, Tamson had enough as he pulled out some explosive knives on his belt. He swam forward as each soldier that tried to attack him; he avoided and stabbed them fatally with one of the knives. Soon they exploded as their bodies were rubbed to ashes as he stood before the young Prince.
"Prince Lee-Char."
"Your rule is at an end before it started, Tamson," declared the Prince.
He then lunged forward as he and Tamson struggled to gain control of the weapon. The Karkardoon then began to punch the Prince in the face as they swam. Lee-Char, while being hit, began to reach for something as he got a hold of something off of Tamson before he was flung away. They separated as the Prince looked at what he grabbed as it was one of Tamson's explosives knives. He turned it on as the blade came out.
"I killed your father without pity or mercy," confessed Tamson.
"Then I'll return the favor," said Lee-Char as he threw the knife, and it dug into Tamson's shoulder.
The beeping of the knife was heard as Tamson tried to pull it out after a few tugs but couldn't. The Karkardoon then began to swim forward. He was looking to take the Prince out with him as the young heir aimed and fired at him. Tamson was dodging the shots from the Prince as he was about to be on top. Lee-Char took a deep breath and let Tamson close in as he took the shot and the explosive happened directly a few meters in front of his face. The Prince turned to avoid the ashes of his foe; the last thing of Tamson was his severed head that had his mouth open as it left a visual and striking image floating in the water.
Prince Lee-Char looked at the skull, and he gave a sigh. Knowing that he avenged his father's death and allowed him to have some peace. Just then, Nossor Ri and Captain Ackbar appeared by his side.
"The King is well! Long live the Prince!" shouted Nossor Ri as their foes had been defeated. Everyone else appeared around them as they all began to chant.
"Long live the Prince. Long live the Prince. Long live the Prince. Long live the Prince."
Later, Prince Lee-Char was shown swimming through a test tube as he entered the throne room. Inside, a crowd gathered as they were about to witness the coronation of their new King. He stood in the center as he looked around to take in the many people supporting him, knowing he would be responsible for them and lead them to prosper.
"Your father would be so proud," said Senator Tills.
"I know," smiled the Prince as he kneeled.
"May the blessings of the water keep you and the might of your ancestors give you strength," said the Calamari, who opened the clam that had the crown inside.
Nossor Ri grabbed it as he approached the kneeling Prince and placed the crown on his head. He smiled at the son of his friend before addressing the room.
"As representative of the Quarren people, I pledge our loyalty to you," spoke Nossor Ri.
"And as your King, I pledge my loyalty to all people of Mon Cala," declared Prince, now... King Lee-Char.
"I present King Lee-Char!" shouted Nossor Ri as he got applause from the crowd.
"Long live the King. Long live King Lee-Char. Long live the King. Long live the King!" chanted everyone.
Watching this, who was also present as they just observed, were the Jedi and Padmé. Smiles on their faces knowing they helped a young heir to find the courage on what it meant to be a leader and to become a ruler that people could look up to. As well as foiling Count Dooku's plan.
Twilight took in the coronation of Lee-Char as she envisioned her own coronation that would arrive. The girl saw the room change as it showed Equis' throne room, and there stood her, kneeling before her parents. Her father approached her as he bent down, took the crown he wore, and placed it on her head.
"You are now responsible for our people," said Night Light as he looked at his daughter.
"I'm gonna be responsible," muttered the girl as she felt uncertain. She clutched her arm and looked away, as it seemed her fear of taking the throne was returning.
However, it soon faded away as she felt Storm place a hand on her shoulder. The boy sensed the princess's anxiety and did his job of comforting his partner. Twilight looked at him as she smiled, and her fears started to disappear.
Author's Note: And so we've reached the end of this arc. Though the show doesn't have much underwater fighting, I can assure you that there will be another instance where we will see our heroes fighting underwater, at a later time. But as for right now, our heroes have managed to vanquish their foes and reunite the two tribes. And of course, Twilight getting a small glimpseat the end of what it will be when she has to accept the throne and have tons of people looking up to her for guidance, wisdom, and protection. And of course, the prince proved himself earning his kingdom and saving his people. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.