Part 3 – Training
Arriving back at the Jedi Temple, the Clones began by carrying the former Masters off of the dropship.
As Master Windu, Anakin, and Bruce stepped off the dropship, and up to Master Shaak Ti, "What happened," she asked.
"We won," Master Windu said, "At great cost," he then put his hand on Shaak Ti's shoulder, "Come, we must inform the rest of the Council."
As they walked to the Council elevator, Shaak Ti looked over at Bruce and asked, "By the way, Master Windu," she said, "Who is this young man?"
"This is Bruce," Anakin said, "My new Apprentice."
"Apprentice," Shaak Ti asked, "You haven't had a student since Padawan Tanno."
"The force is strong with this one," Anakin said, "I haven't felt a force presence like his in years."
"What was his role in this," Shaak Ti asked.
"He's the one that helped Anakin," Master Windu said, "Probably saved him."
"Good," Master Ti said as she held out her hand, "Welcome to the Jedi order."
"Charmed to meet you," Bruce said as he took Shaak Ti's hand and kissed it.
"Ohh," Anakin said with a slight smirk on his face, "Real nice."
"Charming," Shaak Ti said with a small laugh as the elevator opened to reveal the Council Chambers.
"You'll stand here," Anakin said as he gestured to his seat just to the side of him, "Right next to me, my young pupil."
"Yes, Master," Bruce said as he joined his master's side.
As Master Windu and Shaak Ti took their seats, Master Windu pressed a few buttons on his console and summoned the council members.
The holographic images of the masters appeared in their chairs, save for Master Kenobi, "Summoned us, why have you, Master Windu," Yoda asked.
"So awesome," Bruce thought.
"I am sorry Master," Master Windu said, "But we have news. Senator Palpatine has been revealed to be the Sith Lord we've been looking for."
"Then our worst fears are confirmed," Master Plo Koon said, "I can guess by you calling us means that he is dead?"
"Yes," Master Windu said before looking at Anakin, "Courtesy of Master Skywalker, and his new Apprentice."
"Master Skywalker," Master Mundi asked.
"He saved the Republic," Master Windu said, "The Jedi Order, and possibly, myself. I say that merits a small promotion."
"Agree, I do," Master Yoda said.
"Master Windu," Master Stass Allie spoke up, "Forgive me, but we seem to be a few members short. Where are Masters Fisto, Kolar, and Tiin?"
A stilled silence fell over Master Windu, Shaak Ti, Anakin, and Bruce, Master Windu looked up at Master Allie, and gently shook his head.
"Palpatine," Master Depa Bilaba asked.
"I'm afraid so," Anakin said, "They died heroes of the order."
"And Chancellor Palpatine," Master Plo asked.
"Unfortunately newly-appoint Grand Chancellor Amedda said news of the Chancellor's true identity must remain confidential," Anakin said, "He made a case that doing so could plunge the Republic into Chaos. And, to be honest, we agree with him."
"Indeed," Master Plo said, "If it were to be revealed that the Chancellor was a Sith, it could do very serious damage to the reputation of Force Users."
"Then we agree, we do," Yoda said, "That remain hidden Chancellor Palpatine's identity, will be."
"Now, Masters," Master Plo said, "I would like to please ask," he looked up at Bruce, "Who is our newest arrival?"
"Forgive my manners," Master Windu said before holding his hand out to Bruce, "Masters, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Jedi Order, Apprentice Bruce Kirkwood."
"I am honored to be in your presence, great masters," Bruce said as he slowly bowed before them.
"Share the feeling we do, young one," Master Yoda said, "Strong in the Force, you are."
"He has an amazing Force Talent," Anakin said, "He showed me what would happen should the Chancellor win."
"The ability to tell the future," Master Mundi asked, "I have heard of this, but I don't think we've met someone who can show it to someone."
"A rare find, it is," Master Yoda said, "Begin his training at once you must, Master Skywalker."
"Indeed Masters," Anakin said.
"There is one more thing," Master Windu said, "Viceroy Gunray and the rest of the Separatist leaders have been located on Mustafar."
"Act upon this, we must," Master Yoda said, "A Jedi, must go."
"Who," Master Plo asked.
"A master is needed," Master Allie said, "Someone with a lot of experience."
"I concur," Master Plo said, "Master Windu should go."
"All for," Master Windu asked.
"I," Anakin said.
"I," Master Plo said.
"I," Master Mundi said.
"I," Shaak Ti said.
"I," Master Yoda said.
"All opposed," Master Windu asked, no one answered, "Very well, is there anything else?"
"Yes, Actually," Bruce said, "No disrespect masters, there is one more thing that I believe is more important than my training right now."
"We will bury our dead in time," Master Plo said, "Don't worry young one."
"But agree with him, I do," Yoda said, "The Chancellor might be dead, but so are many of our fellow Masters. We will honor our masters' memories, and then back to the war."
"Very well," Master Windu said, "Council adjourned."
As Master Windu, Anakin, and Shaak Ti stood up, they walked to the elevator where upon entering, Shaak Ti spoke up, "Now we must figure out who will replace our fallen masters."
"I do have one suggestion," Bruce said, "What about Masters Secura and Luminara?"
"They are very good masters," Shaak Ti said, "It would stand to reason they would be the next in line."
"That's only two," Master Windu said, "We still need one more."
"We will find him, or her," Anakin said, "Where ever they are."
As the doors opened, the four of them went separate ways, "Where do we begin," Bruce asked.
"There is something we have to do first," Anakin said, "Where I have to be."
The two of them arrived at the hangar where Anakin quickly chose a speeder, "This is awesome," he said.
"A little happy," Anakin asked.
"I've seen pictures of this place," Bruce said as Anakin raised the speeder, and took off, "Never in all my years did I think I would be flying through them."
"Awestruck," Anakin asked.
"A little," Bruce said, "But I think that can wait until later."
"Indeed," Anakin said, "Now that we're away from prying ears," he looked a Bruce, and seized his shoulder, "What do you know about how the one I love dies?"
"Anakin," Bruce said as he held up his hands, "What I showed you there wasn't the worst of it. I don't even know how to use that power. I can tell you one thing. It's Palpatine's fault that Padme died in your vision."
"What," Anakin asked.
"It was part of his plan," Bruce said as Anakin turned towards his wife's apartment, "Palpatine was playing on your fear," he then turned around to face him, "What he did lead to your wife's death."
"But does that…" Anakin said before he paused, "Wait a minute, how do you know of me and Padme?"
"Master, do you really need to ask that question," Bruce asked, "I know about a lot, I know about a lot of things."
"Such as," Anakin asked.
"I know that you're married for one," Bruce said, "That Master Yoda was once contacted by the late Master Qui-Quon Jin which allowed him to find the secret to having his spirit live beyond his body."
"I'm impressed," Anakin said.
"I knew about Order 66," Bruce said, "And I know that Master Secura is going to be very upset about the thought of replacing Master Fisto."
"Why is that," Anakin asked, "Besides the fact that they were close?"
"They were more than close," Bruce said, "They came very close to breaking their oaths to the order on several occasions. If they weren't dedicated to their oaths then their relationship could have gone a lot further than it already did."
"How far could it have gone," Anakin asked.
"You seriously want to gossip about a dead Jedi Master, and one of the most beautiful Jedi Masters when they aren't here," Bruce asked.
"Somewhat," Anakin said, "Jedi aren't supposed to form connections, but maybe it's what's called for at this moment in time."
"Alright," Bruce said, "It could have gone to them having a bunch of little blue and green children."
"Wow," Anakin said, "And that comment about her being beautiful? I'll make sure that stays with us."
"Thank you, master," Bruce said.
The two of them arrived at Padme's apartment where R2-D2 and C-3PO were waiting, "Master Anakin," C-3PO said as they arrived, "Welcome back."
"Thank you, 3PO," Anakin said as the two of them disembarked.
There was a series of whistles that came from R2 as Bruce disembarked behind Anakin.
"R2," C-3PO exclaimed in his usual manner before turning to Bruce, "A pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," Bruce said as he gave 3PO a slight nod, "It's quite an honor."
Anakin walked upstairs to see Padme eagerly waiting for him, "Anakin," she exclaimed as she ran into him, "I just heard about the Chancellor. I thought you were dead."
"I'm fine," Anakin said, "Everything's fine."
"What's wrong," Padme asked, "You seem sad."
"It's the Chancellor," Anakin said, "He…" Anakin looked at Padme before considering what would happen if he told her, "He died right in front of me."
"Oh Anakin," Padme said as she hugged him, "I'm so sorry. I know you two were close."
"Not that close," Anakin said, "I have news. They've promoted me to Jedi Master."
"Anakin," Padme said as they pulled apart, "That's wonderful!"
"They've assigned me a new apprentice," Anakin said.
"A new apprentice," Padme began, "But who…," she then heard sounds from downstairs, and looked toward the entrance to the veranda, "Is there someone else here?"
Anakin chuckled, "That's him," he said before taking her hand, "Come, I want you to meet him."
"I've never been in the presence of droids like you," Bruce said as he walked around 3PO and R2.
"There aren't any droids on your planet," 3PO asked.
"There are," Bruce said, "But they're primitive."
There was a series of whistles from R2, "I'd have to agree on R2," 3PO said, "It sounds like your planet could use a tune-up."
As soon as Padme entered the room, Bruce turned his attention to her and was immediately awestruck.
"Padme," Anakin said before holding out his hand, "This is my new apprentice, Bruce Kirkwood."
Bruce walked up to Padme who held out her hand which Bruce kissed, "You'll forgive me for not being very talkative, Senator Amidala," Bruce said, "Tales of your beauty are the stuff of legend on my planet. Needless to say, meeting you now, I can tell you these tales don't do you justice."
"I like him already," Padme said as she looked up at Anakin before looking back at Bruce, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine," Bruce said.
"Come," Padme said as she held out her hand to the couch, "Please, sit."
"Thank you," Bruce said as he sat down, the couch was firm and comfortable, unlike what was back home: a cloth couch that was slightly sunken in because his kid brother slept on it every night he was in middle school all because he didn't like the fact his bed was the furthest in the back from him and his brother's rooms.
"How'd you meet," Padme asked.
"We met when we were chasing down the assassin," Bruce said, "The one that killed the Chancellor."
"How," Padme asked.
"While Master Windu and Anakin were fighting the assassin, I tried to get the Chancellor to safety," Bruce said, "I failed, of course. But I was able to grab the assassin's lightsaber which allowed Anakin to wound him."
"Unfortunately, he got away," Anakin said, "Tomorrow the entire Republic will mourn our failure, and war will explode."
"Especially with the Viceroy still out there," Bruce said, "Who knows where they went."
"And who they'll recruit," Anakin said.
"Enough of that," Padme said, "I'd like to know more about you, Bruce."
"Oh," Bruce said, "Well I was raised in a small town on a planet, far, far, far away from here."
"Family," Padme asked.
"Mom, dad, and two brothers," Bruce said, "They're not on this world."
"Where is your homeworld," Padme asked.
"It's far away from here," Bruce said, "And very secretive. I am the first person from my planet to travel this far."
"Indeed," Padme said, "What's it called?"
"Earth," Bruce said, "It's called Earth."
"Are there any other aliens on your planet," Padme asked.
"Unfortunately, not," Bruce said, "Many of my people are beyond xenophobic. Some of them can't even stand to be around people that have a different skin color than them."
"Sounds terrible," Padme said.
"It was," Bruce said, "I couldn't live like that. So I hitched a ride on the nearest transport I could find, aimed it straight for here, and didn't look back."
"I'm glad you did," Anakin said, "You probably saved me from making a grave mistake, and Master Windu would be dead right now."
"Well, I for one am thankful," Padme said.
"Thank you, Senator," Bruce said with a slight nod.
"I for one," Anakin said, "Am tired."
"Anakin are you sure you should be…" Padme began.
"It's alright," Anakin said as he stood up, taking Padme with him, "He knows."
"He knows," Padme asked as they walked towards the bedroom.
"He knows a lot," Anakin said, "What he knows is kind of weird."
"Good night, master," Bruce said as he looked out the veranda at Coruscant, never in all his years did he believe he would be sitting there, staring at the actual city.
How was that one for ya…