Featured music:
1. Excerpt from "I Will Survive" (Demi Lovato version is my favorite)
2. "Can I Have This Dance?" from High School Musical
Back in the Five's living space, the Five and the Gemini Dragon Warriors were in their designated eating area where Anakin whipped up some soup for everyone, and Carmine put some lemon cupcakes in the oven to bake for dessert.
"And then I told the tough guy, you may be the scariest bandit in the Province, but you're a lousy tipper." Carmine said, telling a story.
"Really?" said Obi-Wan. "And how did you survive?"
"Well, to be fair, I did pretend to be Anakin. And it was kinda hard to be afraid when he looked all fuzzy." Carmin confessed. "People are more afraid to fight Anakin than they are to fight me. No surprise there."
"No, but the guy was dumb enough not to notice your hair is longer, another way to tell us apart." Anakin said. "And you found out you're a good actor too."
"I guess."
Anakin served up some soup to everyone.
"Order up!" force of habit for Anakin, having worked in a restaurant.
Everyone took a taste of the soup.
"This is really good." Ahsoka said.
"Nah, you should try my mother's bantha stew." Anakin said. "She and Dad, they have more experience cooking than I do."
"What are you talking about?" Padme said. "This is amazing."
"You're a great cook." Mariposa said.
"Bo-Katan, you must try this." Obi-Wan said.
"It is said that the Gemini Dragon Warriors can survive for months at a time on nothing but the dew of a single ginko leaf and the energy of the universe." Bo-Katan said, sticking to eating flavorless cubes of tofu.
"I don't think I can learn to survive on that little." Carmine said. "If any of my performing arts teachers' advice has stuck with me, it's that a properly fed body makes a healthy and safe performer."
"Please. Anyone can perform on a stage."
"Um, it's not as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of practice in a lot of things. Like singing for instance. I feel terrified to perform if I don't practice. You think just because I see a big crowd, I'm gonna back down?"
Carmine then started to sing into his spoon.
Oh no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive, I will survive, hey hey
Everyone was astonished. For someone who spoke quieter than Anakin, Carmine had a very loud and powerful voice.
"It took a lot of vocal warm-ups and opening of the diaphragm to get that range." Carmine said. "Higher notes are known to be a lot harder for male singers than females, especially once puberty hits. But dancing... that's a little trickier. Especially with a partner."
Carmine then turned on the radio, as Blue Danube Waltz was playing, and he got Bo-Katan to stand up and started to lead her in a waltz. Except, Bo quickly found it difficult to avoid having her feet stepped on or tripping.
"Okay! I see your point!" Bo-Katan said.
"Care to share this dance, Padme?" Anakin said, taking Padme's hand.
Padme giggled, and soon she and Anakin were dancing now too.
"I thought Carmine was the dancer in your family." Padme said.
"I might've picked up a thing or two from him." Anakin smiled.
Pretty soon everyone started dancing with a partner. Except Bo-Katan, who didn't see this as a time for playing around. Still, everyone was laughing and having fun, something they didn't get to do often.
"Master Windu!" Bo-Katan suddenly exclaimed, scaring everyone out of dancing just as Anakin was holding Padme in a dip.
"You think this is a time for celebrating?" said Mace angrily. "Mariverde has escaped from prison, and you're acting like children!"
"What?!" everyone said in unison.
"He is coming for the Yin-Yang Dragon Scrolls, and you two are the only ones who can stop her!"
For the first time in his life, Anakin looked worried. For once, Anakin and Carmine had the same look of fear on their faces.
But, Anakin laughed for a moment and said, "And here we thought you didn't have a sense of humor."
"I don't think he's kidding." Carmine shook his head in a panic.
"What?" Anakin once again looked worried. "But Master Yoda can stop her. He did it before, right?"
"Yoda cannot." Mace sadly held Yoda's staff in his hands. "Not anymore."
Everyone, even Bo-Katan, gasped as they knew what Mace meant by that. The twins looked both shocked and devastated as well.
"Our only hope..." said Mace. "Is the Gemini Dragon Warriors."
"The rebel and the coward?" Bo-Katan said.
"Hey!" the twins said, offended.
"Master, let us fight Mariverde. This is what you've trained us for."
"No! It is not your destiny to defeat Mariverde!" Mace pointed at the twins with the staff. "It is theirs!"
Except, both of the twins had vanished.
"Where did they go?"
"Carmine, wait!" Anakin said.
"For what? For some crazy giant butterfly to come and kill us?!" Carmine said. "I've been scared of a lot of bugs, but never butterflies!"
Carmine then screamed again and fell onto his butt as Mace leaped in front of him.
"You cannot leave! A real warrior never quits." Mace said.
"Well, I'm not a real warrior then." Carmine said, trying to get around Mace, but Mace grabbed him and threw him back towards Anakin, who caught him.
"Where is this coming from, Master Windu?" Anakin said. "First you insult us, beat my brother, and constantly taunt both of us, and you expect us both to stay here?"
"Even if we were willing to stay," said Carmine. "How am I supposed to help defeat Mariverde? I lose to Anakin in pillow fights, I can't even beat you to the stairs."
"You will defeat her because you are the Gemini Dragon Warriors. Both of you!" Mace said.
"You don't believe that!" Carmine said angrily. "You never believed in me. Ever since Anakin and I got here, you've been trying to get rid of me specifically."
"Yes, I was. But now I ask that you come to trust in your master as I have come to trust mine."
"Well, you're not my master. And I'm not a warrior like my father was."
"Then why didn't you quit when I was trying to get rid of you? You stayed."
"I stayed because this was something my brother always dreamed of. Our parents taught us to be there for each other. Since we were little kids, Anakin though he's only older by three minutes, had been there for me like a big brother should. He's protected me so many times, but I've been afraid all my life because of my constant anxiety. So, I stayed because I also thought for once, I could learn not to be afraid of everything. I've been bullied so much in my life. I got used to it, but that doesn't mean I liked it. And even your bullying, as much as it hurt, it could never hurt as much as the thought of letting my family down. All my life, people compared me to my brave twin brother. I stayed because I thought if anyone could change me from cowardly to courageous, it would be one of you, the greatest teachers in all the land."
"But I can teach you. I can turn both of you into warriors. And I will!" Mace said.
"How?" Carmine said. "You saw every time I cowered in fear. Mariverde is on her way. And even if it takes a hundred years for her to arrive, how are you gonna change a prancing little prince into a dragon warrior?"
Mace was silent.
"I... don't know." Mace confessed. "I don't know."
"That's what I thought." Carmine said.
Just then, Anakin had an idea.
"You might not know." Anakin said. "But I might know someone who will. Carmine, tell Dad I'll be right back. Artoo, keep an eye on Carmine for me."
Artoo barked as if to say "Yes, Sir!" and Anakin started to run down the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
"Just trust me, Carmine." Anakin called as he disappeared.
None of them knew in that moment though, that Bo-Katan was watching them from one of the roofs.
Bo-Katan didn't believe it when Mace said the twins' were destined to defeat Mariverde. So, she leaped off the roof and onto one outside the Temple walls.
She took a breath and said, "This is what you trained me for."
However, as Bo-Katan began leaping from roof to roof, she was soon followed by three others. None other than Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Mariposa.
"Bo-Katan!" Mariposa exclaimed, flying after her fellow kung fu master.
"Don't try and stop me!" Bo-Katan said, moving faster.
"We're not trying to stop you!" said Ahsoka, to Bo-Katan's confusion.
"What?"
"We're coming with you!"
Bo-Katan looked at Obi-Wan, who nodded. Bo-Katan gave no objections to the volunteers. And together, they went on, hoping they could defeat Mariverde themselves.
Meanwhile, Anakin made his way to town and started to walk, being vigilant as it was dark. But then, he caught the sound of something moving. Anakin remained alert, looking around, and he jumped when someone came out, but his attack was blocked by a soft yet strong hand that belonged to none other than...
"Padme?" Anakin said.
"I thought you could use a little company out here." Padme said. "Even kung fu masters shouldn't wander off alone at night."
Anakin couldn't help smiling seeing Padme there. It seemed like a good excuse to be alone with her.
"You seem like a very talented warrior." Padme said. "Even after falling down a few times."
"It wasn't me. The floor must've been slippery or something."
Padme chuckled. "You're a funny, man. You know that?"
Anakin shrugged.
"You do come off as a bit of a rough-houser though." Padme said. "It takes more than strong blows to be a good fighter."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, think about it. You act very tough and throw the hardest hits you can when you're in combat. But, every time Carmine has been afraid, I've seen the way you hug and comfort him. And... I heard you singing last night too. You have a beautiful voice."
Anakin, for what seemed like the first time in his life, was blushing.
"I don't know about that. You've heard Carmine sing. As much of a show off as I am, performing has never really been my thing. Though I wish I were as good as him sometimes."
It surprised Padme a little bit. Carmine had said a few times he wished he could be more like his brother, but if Carmine didn't already know, it might shock him to learn Anakin felt the same way about him at times. But, Padme liked each of them just the way they were. Still, something about Anakin, it made her feel a way she'd never felt before. But, that was a feeling she had to ignore, especially after Mace gave her the lecture that she and Obi-Wan were to marry soon and that was final. Unfortunately, the pull of this feeling was stronger than any opponent Padme had ever faced in combat before.
Anakin and Padme walked together for a while, talking and sharing stories about their childhoods and getting to know each other. All the while, the two of them started to practice kung fu movements together, Padme working to help Anakin practice his balance, while also giving him the challenge of fighting as quietly as possible. The two of them stopped fighting for a moment and looked at each other, feeling a special kind of bond starting to grow between them. Anakin started to wonder if this was anything like his father felt when he first met and fell in love with Shmi.
Anakin didn't think it was fair that Jedi were forced into arranged marriages, nor did he think it was fair to the non-Jedi spouses they were betrothed to. Neither side was given a say in the matter, and it was quite possible many, if not, all of them were miserable. Heroes often had to make sacrifices to do what was right, but to force themselves to forget all feelings of love or freedom of choice, that was basically the same as sacrificing their very souls, at least in Anakin's eyes. Anakin could tell whenever he'd seen Padme and Obi-Wan together, neither half was in love with the other. Was this really right? For the two of them to spend the rest of their lives with someone who didn't love them and that they didn't love? And what about any hypothetical children? How were they supposed to have healthy marriages or lives when they grew up, knowing their own parents were more prisoners chained at the wrist than a couple?
Shmi and Qui-Gon had a very happy and healthy relationships. Despite having a few disagreements over the years, somehow they always made up in the end, often by making a compromise. And because they each contributed to keep their love and healthy marriage alive, they were able to raise their children to make wise decisions and feel sure of who they wanted to grow up to be. So, why couldn't Jedi do the same?
Padme was beautiful, smart, kind, and Anakin grew up hearing stories about how she helped so many in need. He felt like he knew her his whole life.
Padme didn't think it was fair to be forced into marriage either. Since she was a little girl, she'd dreamed of someday meeting the man of her dreams, someone who loved her and she loved back; someone with whom she would spend the rest of her life kissing and caring for, and raising a family with. She believed Obi-Wan would be a good husband and father someday, but she couldn't picture him being her groom. Nevertheless, if he did have a choice in who he married, Padme believed whoever it was would be a very lucky lady.
"Mom and Dad started their restaurant from nothing." Anakin said. "Even when Dad wasn't doing kung fu, he was fighting for something. And Mom... she may not be a martial artist, but she's the strongest woman I know running a restaurant and raising two boys."
"From all you've said about her, she sounds like a wonderful woman." Padme said.
"You'd better believe it. Carmine and I are very lucky to have her. The Jedi Council was too blind to see past her background, but Dad had something they clearly didn't. A true heart. He never told me his parents were kung fu masters, but he described them as a very loving couple who taught him all about what love really means. It's not a feeling, but it should make you feel things, all of which make you really reflect on what you do next. I know, it sounds confusing. But no one ever said finding love was gonna be easy. And I'll be honest, I've met a lot of girls, but none of them really motivated me to want them as my future wife. But, the way my parents said it, there's a woman out there for every man. And whether that love is romantic or even just making a new friend, either kind of love should make someone feel happy yet at the same time scared of losing them. It just might take more time than hoped to find the right someone, and you just might find them in the last place you anticipated. Like how my parents met. One was from this family of big heroes, while the other was from a poor family and considered a peasant."
"Do you know what you'd like in your future wife?"
Anakin didn't need a lot of time to think of it. He looked at Padme and knew exactly what he wanted. A woman who's compassionate, strong, but most of all saw more than just his natural good looks and charm. And Padme... she was one of few girls who didn't throw herself at Anakin the first chance she got. Bo-Katan didn't throw herself at Anakin, but to be fair, she wasn't the most sentimental of the bunch, and Ahsoka was much younger than Anakin. And according to her, Anakin wasn't really her type, or at least she was sure he wasn't if she had a type.
"Would you find it... well, odd if I told you, hypothetically, that I had a crush on you?" Anakin said nervously.
Anakin face-palmed himself when he saw Padme look at him a little surprised. Stupid! Why did I say that?! He scolded himself.
"I'd ask if you found it strange that I started crushing on you when we met?" Padme said, surprising Anakin.
"Really?" Anakin said.
"Well, yes. I can't really say I blame a lot of women for being attracted to you. You are a good-looking guy. But, that's not why I developed a crush on you. It's your confidence, your strength, and the way that underneath that tough guy exterior, you have a sensitive side, which you made very clear every time you take care of your brother, and the way you were willing to stick by him no matter what. And the way you have courage to challenge rules when they prove unreasonable. Obi-Wan, he's always been a bit of a stickler for rules. Not as bad as Master Windu, but not much of one to take risks unless absolutely necessary."
Anakin and Padme looked at each other again and had this weird feeling inside. They already knew what qualities they liked about each other, and their instincts told them that if they were willing to put each other's needs before their own, and they were brought together... maybe their liking of one another could grow into something they thought neither of them would ever know. But first, they had to attend to this matter Anakin was searching for.
"Here we are." Anakin said.
Padme looked at the sign. Ms. Susy's Dance Academy
"A dance school?"
"Carmine doesn't understand this," said Anakin, motioning to the karate belt he had around his waist. Then he held up a pair of ballet shoes. "But he speaks fluent this."
Padme was beginning to understand what Anakin was talking about. It was abundantly clear Carmine was not going to learn kung fu the same way the others did, especially not in such a short amount of time. So, if Carmine was to be a warrior, then his teachers needed to turn kung fu into something he already mastered. And Carmine knew dancing like the back of his hand. Except, Anakin wasn't an expert on dancing or performing, and neither did any of the Jedi appear to be. So, Anakin decided if he was going to help his brother, he was going to need more help.
Anakin pushed the door open and together he and Padme entered a hallway that had a series of classrooms much like at the other training halls in the Jade Temple. Inside, there were dancers of all ages practicing many forms of dance. Ballet, jazz, salsa, you name it!
"This is where Carmine goes to dance classes." Anakin said.
"Which of these people is the expert you're looking for?" Padme asked.
"Oh, we're not looking for just one expert. But if we wanna recruit them, we need to first recruit the best in the business."
Anakin brought Padme to a room where ballroom dancing was taking place. From the other side of the door, the two could hear a woman counting, "One, two, three! One, two, three!" on a very in-sync rhythm. Quietly, Anakin opened the door, and inside there were many students all being guided by a Twi'lek woman through a waltzing lesson.
"Good, everyone!" the woman clapped as the music concluded. "Excellent work tonight, everyone."
"Ahem. Ms. Susy." Anakin said.
The teacher looked at Anakin and was happy to meet him.
"Ah, Anakin. It's been some time. How is Carmine?" Susy asked.
"He's doing fine. Actually, he's why I'm here. Ms. Susy, meet Master Padme. Padme, this is Susy Lamura, Carmine's teacher."
"The pleasure's all mine," said Padme, giving a pilot bow.
"It's an honor to meet an esteemed kung fu fighter. Now, about my prize male student?"
Anakin explained to Ms. Susy that Carmine was struggling in kung fu training, and he needed to learn fast, but the only way to do that was to turn it into something he was already good at. Except, Anakin knew almost nothing about dancing and same went for the Jedi.
"So, can and will you help us?" Anakin asked.
Ms. Susy thought about it. Carmine was a wonderful student, and she would do anything to help a student in need. She took an oath when she became a teacher that she would not stop until every student made it to the highest level, even if it took some longer than others. But, she would only agree to help on one condition.
"Anakin, you and your friend here, show me what you can do." Susy said.
"You mean... dance?" Anakin said.
"Precisely. Carmine has told me all about your fighting skills. But, from what I hear, you're a little out of balance. Dancing and kung fu... they're more alike than most have been led to believe. You two will waltz, and Anakin you will discover a part to balance out your skills you've been missing."
Anakin wasn't sure how to respond to that, but he had to do this if he wanted to help his brother. So, Anakin asked Padme like a gentleman if she would dance with him, and Padme walked with him to the middle of the studio to start a waltz to a beautiful song.
Take my hand, take a breath
Pull me close and take one step
Keep your eyes locked on mine
And let the music be your guide
Won't you promise me? (Now won't you promise me)
That you'll never forget?
We'll keep dancin' (To keep dancin')
Wherever we go next
To Anakin's great surprise, when he and Padme were dancing on this floor, he noticed this time something he didn't notice back in the dining room. Padme saw it too. They were dancing on beat, dancing together... neither of them stepped on the other's foot or missed a step. They'd never had much thought about dancing with a partner, but somehow, when they did it now, it just felt right.
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Anakin slowly turned Padme. To him, it felt strange; he'd never thought about doing so with anyone else, and for some reason, it was like he'd suddenly turned into an expert dancer when he was doing it with Padme. As for Padme, when Anakin twirled her, it felt so different from spinning in combat; it felt like she was riding on a cloud. And her dress looked like a lotus flower when she spun around.
Take my hand, I'll take the lead
And every turn will be safe with me
Don't be afraid, afraid to fall
You know I'll catch you through it all
And you can't keep us apart (Even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
'Cause my heart is ('Cause my heart is) wherever you are
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Neither Anakin nor Padme could explain it, but they found themselves looking into each other's eyes, and seeing deep inside of each other. It was said that the eyes were the window to the soul. And right now, as Anakin was looking into the beauty of Padme's brown eyes, he could see magic in them, the eyes of an angel. Padme, when she gazed into Anakin's eyes, she saw more than just the stunning shade of blue they were; she could see a sensitive soul that was just dying to get out and be seen.
Padme never felt like this with Obi-Wan or any man she'd met before. But, she wondered... was she... falling in love? If she was, did Anakin love her? She couldn't say yet for sure. But, even if she was, there were high mountains that would separate them no matter how much they wanted to be together. This, both she and Anakin knew, but in the moment neither of them cared.
Oh, no mountain's too high and no ocean's too wide
'Cause together or not, our dance won't stop
Let it rain, let it pour
What we have is worth fighting for
You know I believe that we were meant to be, yeah
It's like catchin' lightnin'
The chances of findin' someone like you (Like you)
It's one in a million
The chances of feelin' the way we do
And with every step together
We just keep on gettin' better
So can I have this dance? (Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Suddenly, Anakin found himself doing something he thought he could only dream of doing with Padme specifically. He wasn't sure how she'd react, but he leaned forward and puckered his lips.
Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?
Anakin partially expected Padme to push him away, but to his surprise, he soon felt her lips against his, and she pulled him closer into it.
Padme couldn't explain it, but she felt at home now as she pressed her lips to Anakin's. This pretty much sealed the deal for her.
I love him. Yes! I love Anakin Jinn. Now and forevermore, he is the man I want to kiss. The man I want to love and care for 'til death do we part. She thought in her heart.
Anakin couldn't believe this either. He'd dreamed of this moment for so long. At first, simply because of his huge crush on Padme making him lust for a kiss, but now... it was different. He didn't want to kiss her just to feed his crush; he wanted to kiss her because somehow it appeared to make Padme feel secure, and her kiss did the same for him. So, he kept kissing her.
I love her. I really, truly love you, Padme Naberrie. Anakin thought in his heart.
Eventually though, the two did slowly pull their lips apart.
"Aww. Such a romantic way to end a dance." Ms. Susy said. "but... aren't you engaged to Master Kenobi, Padme?"
"I wouldn't say engaged as much as arranged." Padme said. "You probably don't know this, but kung fu masters, they don't get to choose their spouses. That was why Master Qui-Gon left the order long ago."
"If he hadn't, Carmine and I wouldn't even exist." Anakin said. He looked at Padme with a new look of love in his eyes. "My father was willing to give up the life of kung fu to be with the woman he loves. And I'm more than willing to do that to be with the woman I love if she feels the same way."
As loved as Padme felt in Anakin's arms at the moment, she shifted her focus.
"We can worry about that later. Right now, we still need to turn you and Carmine into warriors." Padme said, giving Anakin one more kiss on his lips. "So, Ms. Susy? Will you help us?"
Susy thought about it again and said, "Yes. But... if we're going to help Carmine, we're going to need more than one teacher."