Carmine sat on the examination table as Halaisi Jedi Dr. Rig Nema checked him out.
"Ow!" Carmine winced as the doctor touched his arm.
"You suffered some serious bruises." Dr. Nema said. She placed some special ointment on the affected areas and an ice pack on Carmine's head as she loosely wrapped some bandages on his arms and legs. "Fortunately, nothing appears to be broken. But I'm prescribing bed rest for you just to be sure.
Carmine was taken back to his quarters with Anakin.
"It was very fortunate that I arrived when I did," said Qui-Gon. "This could've been a lot worse."
Carmine sniffed and started crying again, "I should've just fallen down the stairs! I'm useless here."
"Carmine, don't say that. You are not useless."
"Yes I am! Don't you see it?! I'm terrified of everything, I can't fight my own battles, no one takes me seriously, and I'll never be as good at kung fu as my brother! We're identical twins, and the only thing that's the same about me and Anakin is my face and birth date."
"Carmine, it is true, you've never been one to fight, but you have many good qualities as well."
"Like what?"
"For one thing, you are a talented musician." Qui-Gon said. "Remember when you played that beautiful song for your mother's birthday? I never saw her more touched."
"What am I gonna do, sing the enemy to sleep?" Carmine rolled his eyes.
Just then, a knock came to the door.
"Who is it?" Anakin asked.
"Brenda Windu. Master Windu's wife." said a female voice.
"Come in," said Qui-Gon.
And in came Brenda, and she wasn't alone. Myra came too with flowers for Carmine.
"Oh, good. Carmine, I presume." Brenda said. "I'm Brenda, and this is my daughter Myra."
"Hi." Myra said. "We brought you flowers."
"Hello. And thanks. What are you doing here?" Carmine asked nervously.
"I wanted to personally apologize for my husband's actions earlier." Brenda said. "I can assure you, Mace can seem heartless, but he wasn't always that way."
Anakin scoffed.
"Seriously?" Anakin said. "You've been married how long? I think you just got used to it."
"No, I'm serious. When we were first betrothed as teenagers, Mace was different. The Five and Jedi think it merely a legend," said Brenda. "But there truly was a time when Mace used to smile."
"Him? Smile?" Carmine laughed. "Don't make me laugh. Seriously, I'm still queasy."
"She's telling the truth, boys." Qui-Gon said.
"It's true. Except, that was long before..." Brenda found herself unable to finish that sentence.
"Before what?" Anakin asked.
"Before Mariverde," said Bo-Katan, entering the room.
"Uh, yeah," said Ahsoka from across the hall. "We're not really supposed to talk about her. You know how sensitive Mariposa is about it."
"Well, if these two are going to stay here, they should know." Bo-Katan said.
"I've heard about Mariverde." Anakin said. "She was a student, the first to master the Thousand Scrolls of Kung Fu... but then she turned evil."
"She wasn't just a student." Bo-Katan shook her head.
Thirty years ago...
A long time ago, there was a whole family in the Jade Temple called the Morphinas. Bettina and Constantine Morphina were extremely happy when they gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Her name was Mariana Verdina Morphina.
As Marianna grew up, she eventually got to study under Jedi Master T'ra Saa among classmate Mace Windu. The two became thick as thieves. The two of them were very talented in kung fu. And when they trained together, Mace believed in Marianna, and she was as beautiful as she was talented both in kung fu and creating with butterflies. The two learners were told they were destined for greatness.
But when the two learners were mere children, tragedy struck. Some bandits attacked a village, and Marianna ran into a burning building to save Mace's life from falling rubble. Mace survived almost completely unscathed... but Marianna was not rescued until the fire and her injuries left her face permanently disfigured. Thus, Marianna saw fit to hide her face behind a hood, never to show her face again. Nevertheless, she continued to fight and train. And when Mariposa was old enough to train, she attempted to console her big sister. But nothing was ever enough for her.
Marianna was convinced one warrior with smarts and skills would be enough to handle the Yin-Yang Dragon Scrolls. But, Master Yoda saw darkness in Marianna's heart and refused. Outraged, Marianna saw fit to change her name to Mariverde, and she lay waste to the valley, attacking with her newest creation, dark moths called mariclavas that could spread dark power everywhere she sent them.
Mariverde attempted to take the scrolls by force. Master Windu and Mariposa both knew they had to defeat this monster for good... except, Mace thought back to the accident that led to Mariverde hiding her face to begin with, and he was fraught with guilt. And Mariposa couldn't bring herself to fight her own sister. Thus, Master Yoda jumped in and placed Mariverde in a death-like sleep.
Since then, Mace decided love was weak. Mariposa loved her sister too much to fight her, and when Mace became a member of the Council... he could not care less if any betrothed couples in the order could even stand each other.
Present day...
"Okay..." Carmine said. "I think I can see what led to Mace being so heartless."
"But, what about Obi-Wan saying we don't know who our father is?" Anakin said.
"I was hoping you wouldn't find out this way, my sons." Qui-Gon said. "A long time ago, I was indeed a Kung Fu Master myself. Many called me legendary. But despite all the glory, the action, and the excitement, it was a lonely life for me."
"Is that why you left?"
"In part. The biggest reason that I left the Jade Temple... is your mother."
Qui-Gon explained to the twins about how the betrothal rules of the Jade Temple had existed for centuries, and when he was a young master, Mace had already become the youngest member on the Council, and he was as strict then as he was now. As happy as Qui-Gon was with his wife in all the time he had with her, sadly the memory of what happened before his wedding would linger in his mind forever.
The day Qui-Gon left the Temple... moments before he actually left...
"Qui-Gon Jinn. You've come to tell us that you believe you've found a suitable bride yourself?" said one of the elder masters.
"I do, Master." Qui-Gon said. "Shmi Skywalker is a very special woman to me. I know within my heart, she is the one for me. My meeting her was no accident, nor a moment I could live without. I love her, and I know she and I can have a wonderful family together."
"But can she produce powerful heirs?" Mace said. "Is she of kung fu or powerful background?"
"She can have children, and we both agree that we would like to have as many as possible."
"But is she trained in kung fu?"
"Well... no."
"Is her family wealthy or powerful in any way?"
"No. Shmi's family lives in the homeless shelter."
The Council didn't seem to like the sound of that.
"So, she is a peasant girl of a poor family, with no kung fu experience, and yet you wish to marry her?"
"Yes. Shmi's background is not important to me." Qui-Gon held Shmi's hand as he said this. "What's important to me is we support one another, and want to raise a family of our own. And most importantly, I love Shmi."
"And I love Qui-Gon." Shmi caressed his cheek. "I never dreamed a man like him could fall in love with me, and yet he has."
"Well, he has chosen poorly." Mace said.
Qui-Gon held Shmi close.
"You are a Kung Fu Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. You must be married to a woman of high stature, great wealth and power, or kung fu mastery. This girl fits none of those things, and therefore cannot produce suitable future students."
"What does that matter?" Qui-Gon said. "At least one child may take an interest in kung fu. Are we not supposed to be peacekeepers? If so, why should our children be an exception? And why should Shmi's wealth or status be a problem? We love each other!"
"Love is weak! Love will only get in the way of what really matters in this Temple." Mace said. "You have to make a choice Master Jinn, and you have to make it now! Either you send that girl back where she came from and wed a woman of the Council's choice, or you leave this Order and you never come back."
Qui-Gon held a look of both anger and disbelief at what Mace just said. Was he really that heartless? Either way, Qui-Gon already knew what he wanted to do.
Qui-Gon got down on one knee towards his love.
"Shmi, is this what you want? For us to be together, I am willing to give up all the privileges of being a Jedi. We may face some hardships, but if our love is as strong as we both believe it to be, I know in my heart we can make it through, just as I know we are meant to be. Therefore, I ask here and now, Shmi Skywalker, will you be my wife?"
At first, Shmi seemed hesitant. Was Qui-Gon really willing to give all this up? Being a hero, living in a lavish Temple, and training among some of the greatest heroes in the world, just so he could be with a girl from a poor family? Shmi could see it in Qui-Gon's eyes that his love for her was deeper than even the deepest depths of space. The fact that he would even consider giving up so much just for her... how could she refuse him? Marriage wasn't for the good times alone; every marriage had its hardships, but it's like the vows said, "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part." Some would call that mumbo jumbo, but a truly smart someone would know that those vows are a fine print to say, "I truly love you no matter what, and as long as we're together, I won't just wait for a special occasion to prove it to you. I will constantly prove it to you any way I can."
And then, Shmi said, "Yes."
With a smile, Qui-Gon stood up, and sealed his love to Shmi with a kiss. Then he said one last thing to the masters.
"It takes a great warrior to save the lives of many, but an even greater warrior to leave behind all they've ever know. If you'll excuse me, my bride and I have a future to make. I bid you good fortune and good riddance."
And with that, Qui-Gon and Shmi left the Temple together to start their new life.
Present Day...
"I would never forget that day." Qui-Gon said. "Your mother and I both worked very hard to make a life for ourselves, and we both struggled just to get by for a while. The day I learned we were expecting a baby was the happiest day of my life, and it was even happier when we learned we were having twins."
Suddenly, Anakin began to realize something. Now he was understanding why Qui-Gon was always so worried whenever he competed in kung fu matches, and especially worried when he showed talent and wanted to be a Jedi someday.
"Is all that the real reason you didn't want us coming to see the Gemini Dragon warriors?" Anakin said.
Qui-Gon looked down and said, "Yes. I was forced to decide between love and being a great hero. When I saw how passionate you were about your martial arts, Anakin, and how in love and happy Carmine became when he started seeing Caroline... I knew I couldn't let the same thing happen to you. Both of you are very gifted young men, and you deserve to have the choice of what you want to be without anyone telling you who you can be, regardless of where you come from."
Carmine looked down too. He started to wonder again what he should do.
"Well, Master Windu won't give Carmine the time of day." Anakin said. "Maybe we should just go home and Carmine can go back to class and... I can be a waiter again. It's all my fault."
Now Anakin was the one sniffling and starting to cry.
"I'm the one who dragged Carmine into this. I used him to cover a lie so I could come here, I put him through dangerous antics, and then we got roped into being warriors, a position neither of us expected, and that Carmine didn't even want. All because we accidentally fell in front of the Five."
"Master Yoda says there are no accidents." Obi-Wan said, entering the room as he was carrying a little bundle in his arms. "Carmine, I believe you've lost your pet again."
"Thank you." Carmine said, taking Fluffy into his arms again.
"Accident or none," said Bo-Katan. "Master Windu has a chance to make things right by training the true Gemini Dragon Warriors. Your brother, he has potential, but with him, he gets stuck with you. A coward who couldn't take on a five-year-old and needs Daddy to come rescue him."
"Bo-Katan, that is uncalled for," said Qui-Gon.
"Dad?" Carmine said, standing up. "I want to speak."
Carmine started to pet Fluffy and then for once in his life, spoke for himself.
"I admit it, I'm not as brave as my brother. I shudder at spiders, I still sleep with a night light, I do ballet, and I rely on a bunny rabbit to keep my anxiety down. But that doesn't make me pathetic. I just happen to believe there are better ways to go than using violence. I prefer to be creative in expressing my feelings, and to be careful not just because I don't wanna get hurt, but because I don't want others to get hurt. Anakin may have stood up to bullies for me since we were little, but it's also thanks to me he hasn't broken every bone in his body."
"Actually, that's pretty much true." Anakin said, embarrassed.
Anakin didn't like to admit it, but Carmine was right. Carmine was always the one to make sure Anakin wore his helmet and pads whenever he rode his bike or a horse, scold him for running in the house before their parents could, and usually was the one to pull him out of the way before falling or flying objects could hit him, or he could fall down a staircase. Carmine was even the one who helped best to keep their room clean, and showed Anakin good stretches to practice so he wouldn't pull a muscle or injure himself in martial arts class.
"No matter what you guys may think of me," said Carmine. "My anxiety is not something I can always control. And it's insensitive people like you that's made it so difficult to face up to now by saying anxiety is just an excuse. Do you think I want to be afraid? I don't. I want to help, but that's really hard to do if I'm not given the time of day to figure out how to fight properly. I know I can learn, but I'm not sure what method would work for me."
The rest of the Five all heard everything that was said. None of them could believe it when they saw Carmine finally speaking up for himself. Maybe there was more to him than they initially thought.
Meanwhile, Mace was sitting in the training hall alone, meditating as he was surrounded by candles.
"Inner peace..." Mace said calmly to himself, only to catch a slight sound in his ear. But, he ignored it. "Inner peace."
Mace heard the sound again, and tried to ignore it again. But he heard it again. And again.
"Would whoever's making that flapping sound quiet down?!" Mace said angrily.
The flapping stopped, but then was replaced by a clip-clop sound of a horse galloping, much to Mace's annoyance.
"Master Windu!" Comedia exclaimed.
Mace looked to see it was the young messenger.
"Ah, Comedia. Excellent." said Mace, smiling a little. "I could use some good news."
Just then, the doors burst open, and in came Master Ki-Adi Mundi, who looked far from happy.
"Master Windu, what is this I hear about you sending my daughter out alone to-" Ki-Adi began, and then he was relieved but also scared when he saw his daughter all frazzled. "Comedia! Where have you been?!"
Comedia looked an absolute mess! Her hair was askew, the wings on her feathers looked uneven, and she was breathing like she'd seen a ghost.
"Master Mundi, I will discuss later." Mace said. "Now, Comedia. Your news?"
Except... Comedia did not have the good news Mace was hoping for.
Master Yoda was meditating by the cherry tree of heavenly wisdom, when he suddenly sensed a new presence in the form of Mace rushing over.
"Master Yoda! Master!" Mace panted.
"Mmm?" Yoda did not flinch and continued his meditation.
"There is bad news!"
"Mmm. Mace Windu. Just news, there is. No good or bad is there."
"But your vision! Your vision was right." Mace panicked. "Mariverde has escaped from prison! She's on her way!"
Yoda, for once in his extended life, looked worried.
"Bad news, that is..." but then Yoda smiled and continued. "If believe you do not, that the Gemini Dragon Warriors can stop her."
"Master Jinn's sons?" Mace said. "Those boys are not the Gemini Dragon Warriors! They're half of a peasant girl with no experience in kung fu, and half of a former Jedi who chose the weaker path. Anakin is brave enough to be a warrior, but he is reckless and a rebel, whereas Carmine is afraid of his own shadow and runs from the enemy rather than fight them. Neither of them were even meant to be here! It was an accident."
"No accidents, are there." Yoda said.
Mace sighed with frustration. As much as he respected Master Yoda, that didn't mean everything Yoda said made sense to him.
"You said that already. Twice."
"No accident was that either."
"Thrice."
"Old friend, fulfill their destiny the twins never will, nor will you, if the illusion of control you do not let go."
"Illusion?"
"Yes." Yoda motioned to the cherry tree. "Look at this tree. When it suits me, make it blossom, I cannot. Or make it bear fruit before time it is."
But, Mace didn't seem to hear Yoda.
"But there are things we can control." Mace said, and he kicked the tree's trunk, making it rain cherries. "I can control when the fruit will fall."
And more cherries fell on the master's bald head.
"Ouch!"
Yoda chuckled.
Mace picked up a pair of cherries and squished one to pull out a seed, and punched a hole in the dirt surrounding the tree.
"Where to plant the seed. That is no illusion, Master Yoda." Mace said.
"Ah, yes. But no matter what you do. A cherry tree, that seed will grow to be. Wish for a peach or an apple you may, but you will get cherries."
"But cherries cannot defeat Mariverde!"
"Maybe they can." Yoda then moved his hand on the dirt over where Mace planted the seed to cover it up. "If willing you are to guide it. To nurture it. To believe in it."
"Anakin, I could believe to be a warrior. But, Carmine. You've seen him. He's afraid of everything and runs away crying every time I try to teach him."
"Do or do not. There is no try."
Yoda then picked up another pair of cherries and showed it to Mace.
"See these cherries. See what do you?"
"A fruit?"
"What about them. Look at the tree. In common, what do these cherries have?"
Mace looked up at the tree and at the cherries on the ground too. They were all red and looked good to eat. But, he didn't see anything else.
"Look again. In common, what do those two boys have with the cherries?"
Mace looked again and saw something else.
"They... come in twos?"
"Precisely. Much like the cherries, together Anakin and Carmine were born and grew up. Two it takes, to make one of many things."
"But these cherries are all the same. The only thing that's the same about those two is their faces."
"The same, not all twins are."
Yoda picked up another pair of cherries. One was a slightly darker red than the other, though it was a little hard to tell.
"Taste each cherry. You will."
Confused, Mace tasted one cherry at a time, and one was sweeter than the other despite the two looking almost identical.
"Even a perfect match outside, two inside, even one difference shall exist."
"But how can I train those boys if neither of them will listen to me?" Mace said. "I need your help."
"No. Just to believe, you do." Yoda said, sounding weak. "Promise me, Mace, believe you will."
Mace was hesitant, but he said, "I...I will... try."
"Do or do not, there is no try." Yoda repeated.
"Of course. I will... do it."
"Good."
Cherry blossoms started to blow in the wind. Yoda closed his eyes with a sigh as he felt the wind blow through the little tuft of hair he had on his head.
"My time has come." Yoda then gave Mace his staff. "Continue your journey you must without me."
"What?! What are you?" Mace panicked again as blossoms started to surround Yoda. "Master, no! You can't leave me!"
"Believe, you must." Yoda said.
But, Yoda was already turning pink, and eventually, he turned completely to blossoms and blew away, leaving Mace all alone.