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Chapter 41

Obi-Wan was aware that the Force guided certain actions of the individual. After a rather lovely affair with Siri after the stress of today, which involved some grinding and a good hot tub, Obi-Wan was in the training halls. He felt the Force guiding him somewhere, down a path of irritation and anger.

What was happening?

He frowned when he spotted the form of a Jedi Youngling training intensely. Frustration and vexation were in each of his strikes.

"Is something wrong, young one?" Obi-Wan inquired knowingly, arching an eyebrow.

"N-no, why would anything be wrong, Master?" the boy offered a fake smile. "I'm all up and hears!"

"I can tell that you're not being truthful," Obi-Wan answered.

"Oh really, what gave you that impression?"

He sighed, reminded of himself after Bruck Chun years ago. "How about we start this off more pleasantly? What is your name?"

"Kento Marek, Master Kenobi," the boy greeted, his tone formal as it could be given the circumstances.

"What are you doing?"

"Training."

"I can see that."

"You're progressing well," Obi-Wan commented, moving closer to the boy. "But there is more to being a Jedi than just mastering forms. I felt your anger down the hall."

"Well, Anakin does them a lot. We're friends by the way..." Kento slurred off a bit.

"Unsurprising," Obi-Wan snorted. "You should strive to be your own person nevertheless, young Kento, Anakin and you are different."

Kento nodded, his eyes wide with the hope that this might be the moment he had been waiting for.

Obi-Wan looked at him for a long second. "Nevertheless, your anger should be addressed. Who is your Master, young one?" he asked.

"Don't have one yet," he bowed his head, a mixture of the same anger returning along with sadness, "in another few years, I might go to the Agricorps."

Obi-Wan winced on his behalf, recalling that hurtful experience when Qui-Gon waved him away. "I see."

Silence passed.

"How about you follow me and tell me about your training sessions?"

"I don't know," Kento responded. "I have to train or else no one will..." he caught himself.

"It can wait," Obi-Wan interrupted. "You clearly need time to think. Come on. Come with me."

The boy nodded, extinguished his lightsaber, and followed behind. Throughout the time, Obi-Wan listened as Kento started explaining his life in the Temple. The more Obi-Wan heard, the more... attached he grew with the boy.

When they made it to the familiar quarters, Dooku and Qui-Gon were there, smiling heavily when they spotted the two.

"Kento, this is Masters Qui-Gon Jinn and Yan Dooku."

"Young man," Dooku greeted kindly the same time Qui-Gon bowed.

"Ah, Obi-Wan, looks like you're listening to your Master?" Dooku offered humorously.

"I just wanted to be nice. The likelihood of me ever listening to Master Qui-Gon is low." Obi-Wan teased.

"Don't I know it?" Qui-Gon asked, eyes shining before regarding Kento.

"Uhh, Master, when I found him, he had so much rage in his heart."

"I see," Qui-Gon responded slowly, gripping Kento's shoulders. "Can you tell us why that was the case?"

"I can't get a Master no matter what I do!" Kento confessed. "I've been trying and failing!"

"You must never give into despair. Those feelings can destroy you." Qui-Gon responded gently.

Dooku enforced, "To give into the Light requires strength and clarity, young one. You mustn't keep these emotions bottled."

"Yes, Master," Kento sighed.

Throughout the next hour, Qui-Gon and Dooku helped with the advice they could. It wasn't long before Dooku called for Beebleberry ice cream, enjoying it as much as Obi-Wan - and it turned out, Kento too - at the expense of Qui-Gon, who didn't find as much entertainment in this part.

"I almost feel bad for him," Obi-Wan said to Qui-Gon lowly the next hour as Kento sat on the nearby couch, spirits lifted but only slightly.

"His situation is pitiable. At the very least, he isn't getting abused like Lorana Jinzler, though he was present for the event."

Ahh, that made sense. "Perhaps seeing another Jedi getting a Master flooded him with those feelings."

"Indeed."

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"...You want to train him?" Qui-Gon prodded loud enough for the entire room to hear.

The boy's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he was speechless. "Me, Master?"

Obi-Wan spluttered, at a loss for words, "We have been through this! I don't think... I mean... I don't know."

"You are a strong Jedi, Obi-Wan," Dooku offered, placing his hands on his shoulders, "both me and Qui-Gon's guidance will be optional if you fear the lack of assistance."

"It's only a matter of time before it happens, Padawan-mine," Qui-Gon contributed.

Obi-Wan looked down at the boy and felt a surge through the Force. Was this just fate mocking him?

His first instinct was to deny. Why couldn't Qui-Gon or Dooku do it? But he'd truly thought about it. Fear was the path to the Dark Side. If he'd feared passing on what he knew, he would close off opportunities and not help with his own darkness.

The Force nudged him gently, supporting whatever decision he'd made.

"Kento Marek," he began, his voice gentle but firm, "I would like to take you as my Padawan."

Dooku smirked knowingly at Qui-Gon.

"Don't say it..." Qui-Gon said.

"I told you just let me speak to him."

Qui-Gon groaned exaggeratedly. Obi-Wan smiled softly, shaking his head. "I think it's time for me to pass on what I've learned to someone new."

Kento's face lit up with a mixture of joy and disbelief. "I won't let you down, Master Kenobi!"

"I know you won't," Obi-Wan said, resting a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.

Qui-Gon chuckled. "Why don't you get the paperwork out of the way and meet back here?" That mischievous grin on his face would always be the bane of his existence.

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan whispered. "About time indeed."

Man, Siri was going to get a ball out of this.

Dathomir was not an oddity for Darth Plagueis.

He moved silently through the mist-laden forest of Dathomir. The moonlight barely shone the dense canopy above, contorting long shadows that seemed to writhe and twist as he moved past. Plagueis's eyes glowed faintly beneath the hood of his cloak, enjoying the dark fire that enjoyed.

Waiting for him in the twisted fortress was the being in charge: Mother Talzin.

Without warning, the ground beneath him trembled. From the darkness, figures began to manifest. Nightsisters, their forms spectral and engulfed in green flame. Around them, they moved.

Plagueis scoffed. Fools. To believe those tricks would work on him. These were little slaves, not worthy of his full attention.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of the Dark Side upon them. The Nightsisters weren't able to maintain their senses through Plagueis's manipulation of their mind, and thus, they dropped as he continued moving.

Entering the fortress, he heard a voice. "Bold of you to enter in my place of power."

Plagueis scoffed, "Power? Was it that power that prevented one of your own being taken away?"

The mist began to swirl and coalesce, and from it appeared the imposing figure of Mother Talzin. Her form was draped in drifting red robes, her skin pale and marked with symbols of her gown from long ago. Her eyes burned with an unappetizing amount of rage and frustration. It was quite clear his words grated on her.

"I have learned," Talzin snapped, "none have dared to challenge me here and lived. Your confidence will cost you, Sith, I will not be fooled yet again."

"Let us see."

Without hesitation, Talzin thrust her hands forward, green electricity arching in his direction with noteworthy speed.

With a snarl of concentration, Plagueis summoned a barrier of dark energy, keeping it at bay. He flicked it inside, and she was screaming. Plagueis's eyes burned hotly as she was engulfed by smoke and tossed up.

Gesturing with the Force, he lifted his hand and clenched it into a fist. The very air around Talzin began to constrict. She gasped, her eyes widening as she struggled against him.

"Do you believe you can rival me? Will it do us both a mercy to slid your throat, and slaughter your entire tribe? Do you wish to lose your control over the Nightbrothers you control?"

However, Talzin was not so easily defeated. Her eyes flashed, and she allowed a demented scream, sending lightning that knocked him away.

She began to chant in the ancient language of the Nightsisters. The ground shuddered, and the small plants beneath his standing grew, twisted, and bent, their roots protruding and coming to fly at the Muun. Dark tendrils of power snaked out from the ground, unnaturally wrapping around Plagueis's legs and pulling him down.

Plagueis allowed himself to be dragged down, seemingly helpless, as the dark tendrils trapped him. But as Talzin approached, her staff raised-prepared to cut his head off, his eyes sparked. Easily, they shattered, and Plagueis gripped her.

Their eyes met, her eyes widening. Before she could react, a wave of dark energy radiated out from within his essence, and lightning exited his fingertips, crashing against her. Her body began to smother, and she screamed as Plagueis picked her up yet again and slammed her against the ground, slamming her in the ceiling, draining her being before tightening.

Plagueis moved. "You've fought well, Talzin," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "But you are nothing before the true might of the Dark Side."

Talzin remained frozen. "If you do not end me here, I will not succumb so easily."

Plagueis stopped a few paces from her, his expression unreadable. "You misunderstand my purpose here, Talzin," he responded. "I did not come here to slay you."

Talzin's eyes widened before calming, suspicion and curiosity warring within her. "Then why?" she demanded. "Why come here at all?"

Plagueis looked down at her, golden eyes flashing. "I come with a proposition."

Talzin scoffed, though the sound was weak. "A proposition? What could you possibly offer me?"

"Revenge," Plagueis said, his voice low and laden with promise. "Revenge against the one who has wronged us both: Darth Sidious."

At the mention of the name, Talzin's eyes widened. "Sidious," she repeated the word, venom in her voice. "The deceiver..."

"I will not deceive you, Talzin..." Plagueis relinquished his grip. "He was my Apprentice."

"Was," Talzin noted patiently.

"He turned on me, as he turned on you. I survived his treachery, but I am now biding my time, gathering my strength. Now, I seek to remove him, and I need your help to do so when the time comes."

Talzin regarded him warily, her mind racing. "You would ally with me, after all this?"

Plagueis allowed a thin smile to curl his lips. "For now. We share the same enemy, Talzin. Sidious and the Jedi must be destroyed. And once he is gone along with the Jedi, we may do battle as you wish or our alliance remains."

A green swirl passed through her body, whispers pursuing.

"Very well, Darth Plagueis, I accept your proposition. But beware, I will not forget your arrogance, nor will I turn a blind eye to you."

Plagueis inclined his head, acknowledging her warning. "Nor I yours. But for now, our goals combine."

"You want to make his death dawned out," Talzin spoke with satisfaction.

"Yes, the betrayer must pay at my blade, and his allies wiped out," the Muun declared. He did consider having Talzin send a "lovely message" to Sidious, but it was unlikely the Nightsister's tricks would work on his former Apprentice. Neither he nor Sidious were mere Sith Apprentices. But Lords of the Sith. Masters of the Dark Side...

Talzin scoffed. "Kycina's son works at his side in my stead."

Plagueis's eyes flashed. "Be it that the betrayer will train the wanton beast to completion, we can slay them both."

The palace of Naboo was a sight for sore eyes. It was one year and forty-five days, and even the more humble part of Palpatine had to admit he still found the structure's integrity impressive.

The once open and welcoming palace grounds were now guarded, with armed soldiers posted at every entrance and patrols permanently shielding the premises.

Palpatine moved up the grand steps intertwining to the palace's main entrance, reinforced by his own security as the Chancellor. On the surface, Sheev Palpatine seemed to be a strong representative for the people. Inwardly, however, Darth Sidious was planning as always.

As they approached the massive double doors and opened, revealing a heavily guarded corridor lined with Naboo Security Forces. The guards, now wearing dark red armor, stood at attention.

Professionally, they'd requested him to stand still for a security scan. One of them held up a handheld device that activated a small hum as it hovered over Palpatine's body, inspecting to see if he was an imposter to get the chance to harm the Queen in any fashion. The Chancellor waited patiently, allowing the process to proceed without protest. He understood the necessity of these measures, though he also found that they would be necessary for a reminder of the New Order he was helping to shape.

When the scan was finished, the guard placed the device aside and granted a nod to his XO, who allowed him access.

Palpatine examined the once ornate hallways now with subtle but different modifications; hidden defense turrets guarded in the arches, doors, and newly installed communication panels submerged into the walls. This palace was more suitable to withstand another bombardment, and that was likely not to change as long as Naboo remembered the horrors at the hands of the Trade Federation.

The invasion deeply changed the people of Naboo, and their Queen responded by fortifying the heart of their government.

All that was absent on Naboo was a suitable military, something that would change in time. A simple worldwide bill should do the job. It would certainly encourage other local governments and planetary systems to think twice before refusing any arguments, seeing that the Chommel Sector may follow Naboo's lead to be more imperialistically powerful at Palpatine's help, of course.

The throne room opened with a hiss before him, revealing the setting sun from afar. Amidala remained by the throne, her body straight.

It had been so painfully easy to convince Amidala to have him be involved with the reassembling of the High Council. With the death of Sio Bibble, someone who believed Naboo shouldn't be involved with petty affairs of any sort, there was no one left to mold Amidala into the pacifistic direction.

"Your Majesty," Palpatine greeted. "I am so pleased that the Naboo has been built."

Amidala inclined her head, her eyes illuminating with a sweet smile. "Your Excellency, the people of Naboo require strong leadership, now more than ever. The Royal Council must be restored to lead us through these distressing times. Please follow me."

Palpatine nodded, grandfatherly kindness across his face as he followed her.

The next hour, Palpatine was examining those who could be helpful in his plans. Finally coming down to decisions, Palpatine addressed the Queen of Naboo, who stood patiently.

"Per your request, I have taken the liberty of receiving you from selecting candidates for the new Council, those who have proven themselves worthy in these trying times. All are loyal Nabooians."

Amidala's stare hardened. Ah, yes, it was unlikely a ruthless villainous individual would replace her, but she still had her conscience and morals intact, if not loyal to who she would have considered the "wrong" people if she'd known his true intentions.

Carefully, she asked, "Who do you propose?"

Palpatine allowed a small, knowing smile. He motioned toward the entrance, where the towering doors parted to expose five figures.

The first to walk forward was a man of medium height, dark hair along with gray. His name was Varen Solis, an advisor formerly to the previous Council and participating in agricultural development and planetary resources. He had been involved in rebuilding the farmlands ravaged by the Trade Federation's occupation.

"Varen Solis," Palpatine proclaimed, "is a loyal servant of Naboo who has devoted his life to ensuring that our lands remain fertile and participated in ensuring our people fed after Theed fell. He will supervise our planetary resources and agricultural renewal."

Solis bowed, head tilted before her. "Milady, I am at your servitude. I will do everything in my power to restore our lands and guarantee Naboo's prosperity."

Next came a woman with magnificent features, her auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her name was Lira Nol, a former advisor to Bibble.

"Lira Nol," Palpatine introduced next, "has shown extraordinary leadership and ever so relentless. She will serve as your Chief of Communications, ensuring that Naboo's voice remains an active present in the galaxy."

Lira Nol offered a respectful nod. "Milady, I pledge to not only you but the entirety of Naboo to ensure that we remain a beacon of diplomacy and culture."

The third figure was imposing as ever. Tyron Varad had been a Sergeant of the Royal Security Forces during the invasion, having been the one who led the Queen Amidala's family and countless people moments before the bombs exploded. By far, he had even Sidious's respect due to his survival instincts proving unrivaled. And would be the easier to convince in this.

"Tyron Varad," Palpatine continued, his tone carrying a hint of admiration, "will contribute to the installment of the Naboo Royal Military."

Varad placed a fist over his chest. "Milady, I will not allow our people to be endangered again. Naboo will stand strong under my watch."

The fourth individual was a woman of middle age, her eyes wise but resolute. Her name was Valis Renna, a respected healer and philosopher who had seen to both the physical and spiritual wounds. She'd helped many get back on their feet. Her influence within the cultural and educational institutions of Naboo was unchallenged as well.

"Valis Renna," Palpatine added, "is a light we desperately need in the Reformation Efforts. She will be your Cultural Advisor."

Valis Renna bowed her head, clearly touched though not showing much emotion. "Milady, I will ensure that our culture thrives and we prosper more now than ever."

Finally, the last figure took a step forward, a slender young man who could be easily underestimated. His name was Jaris Kandor, a man who had lived in the shadows, serving Naboo as an underground enforcer and having been present on the planet throughout the invasion, helpful with his knowledge of subterfuge and intelligence.

"Jaris Kandor," Palpatine concluded, "is ever proficient in the heart of intelligence. He will serve as your Chief of Intelligence, ensuring that Naboo's security in both orbital and ground isn't struck at yet again."

Kandor gave a small bow. "Milady, I will make sure you are informed of all that transpires, within Naboo and beyond."

As the Queen observed her new Council, Palpatine felt her elation and security. Ever closer did her loyalty fall alongside Palpatine, signing herself to help with the New Order. Oh, what a gift Skywalker handed him! More and more, it seemed like she would be the voice heralding the New Order. It wasn't as if Skywalker was planning for her to rule.

"These individuals," Palpatine carried on, "are not just advisors. They are the future of Naboo. With them by your side, you will guide our world to new heights."

Padmé nodded. "Thank you, Chancellor, you have done a wonderful favor for Naboo. I appreciate you taking the weight of all of this off of me."

One day, Amidala will select the Senator of Naboo and a new King or Queen afterward. Palpatine will see to it. Her young face could be a powerful asset in the Senate. Palpatine hadn't been lying when he felt that her potential had been wasted on Naboo.

And when the Empire of his dreams ascended, she would be behind Sidious, happily supporting or, better yet, gleefully proclaiming the rise herself. But that time had yet to arrive. He'd needed to be seen as the person both tackling the Republic's petty affairs and helping with his home planet as well, which helped with his good standing.

It was unlikely Plagueis would allow him to lose now, for if there was anything that the Sith agreed on, it was the obliteration of the Jedi and the rise of the Empire from the shadows.

Who would rule this Empire had yet to be decided.