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"The Force is strong within the boy," Master Yoda says.
"He is to be trained, then?" Master Jinn asks.
We all stand behind Anakin and I watch curiously as the Council shares meaningful looks. I try to get a read on the situation, but they are too good at hiding their feelings.
"No, he will not be trained," Master Windu says.
I never liked Master Windu, he was always so uptight and grumpy, not to mention boring.
"No?" Qui-Gon asks.
I feel the waves of disappointment coming from Anakin and I step forward, placing my hands on his shoulders. He leans back into me and I squeeze his shoulders.
"He is too old," Windu says.
"He is the Chosen One, you must see it," Qui-Gon argues.
"Mmmm, clouded, the boy's future is," Yoda responds.
"I will train him then," Qui-Gon says, "I take on Anakin as my Padawan learner."
Obi-Wan stares at his Master, obviously confused.
"An apprentice you already have, Qui-Gon," Yoda says, "Impossible to take on a second."
"I'll take him then!" I speak up, raising my head.
"Too young, you are, Kavra Aspare," Yoda scolds, "Ready for an apprentice, you are not."
"Obi-Wan is ready," Qui-Gon continues.
"I am ready to face the trials," Obi-Wan agrees.
"Our own council we will keep on who is ready," Yoda glares at my old Master.
"He is headstrong and he has much to learn about the Living Force, but he is capable," Qui-Gon explains, "There is little more he can learn from me."
"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later," Yoda sighs.
"Now is not the time for this," Windu snaps, "The Senate is voting for a new supreme chancellor, and Queen Amidala is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation and could widen the confrontation."
"And draw out the attacker," Master Ki Adi Mundi says, "Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of this dark attacker."
"This is the clue we need to unravel the mystery of the Sith," Master Windu says.
"May the Force be with you," Master Yoda nods at all of us.
We all bow and leave the council room and I let out a sigh. I know why the council doesn't want to train Anakin, and it has nothing to do with his age. They sensed the darkness and fear within him. It's been radiating from him in waves ever since we left Tattooine. It worries me how Anakin had no interest in fighting this fear. I honestly can't blame the council too much for not wanting him to be trained in the Jedi arts, but at the same time, they should at least hear Master Qui-Gon out.
We make our way out the landing platform and go back to the Queen's ship. I stride across the hovering platform and lean against the ship. I watch intently as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchange heated words, then Obi-Wan stalks off toward me. I follow him onto the ship and watch as he runs a hand over the back of his head, obviously distressed. I place a hand on his shoulder, and he turns to face me, "Why does he have to be so stubborn?"
"Because it's in his nature," I say, "He's always been like this."
"But please tell me you can sense that the boy is dangerous."
"I sense he has darkness in him, but to call him dangerous? I don't think it's become that bad yet," I respond, "Anakin's future is very. . .. Uncertain."
"At least you're willing to admit it," Obi-Wan grumbles.
"I haven't finished yet," I continue, "With the correct training, I think he could amount to something great, but he needs a strong hand to guide him."
"Someone like Qui-Gon?"
"Exactly."
The rest of the ship boards soon after we finish our conversation and we take off, heading back to Naboo.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jar Jar is on his way to the Gungan city, Master," Obi-Wan says, walking up to Qui-Gon and me.
"Good," Qui-Gon says, nodding.
"Do you think the Queen's idea will work?" Obi-Wan questions.
"Gungans are not easily swayed," I reply, "And we cannot use our power to help her."
"I'm sorry for my behavior, Master," Obi-Wan sighs, "It's not my place to disagree with you about the boy and I am glad you believe I am ready to face the trials."
"You've been a good apprentice, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon smiles at his Padawan, "And you are much wiser than I am, I see you becoming a great Jedi Knight."
"There's nobody there!" Jar Jar says, walking up to us, "The city is deserted, some kinda fight mesa thinks."
"Do you think they were taken to the camps?" I ask.
"More likely they were wiped out," Captain Panaka answers.
"Mesa no tink so," Jar Jar says.
"Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?"
"When in trouble, Gungans go to a sacred place," Jar Jar replies, "Mesa show you, come on, mesa show you!"
We walk through the forest of Naboo and I open my mind, trying to tell if anyone is near us. Far away from us, I feel two dark powers inside the castle. It reaches for me and I quickly close my mind, hoping that it didn't find me. My mind races, why would there be two dark powers in the castle? Could the Sith and his Master be here? Or are there more than one Sith Apprentices?
"Kavra, are you okay?"
I look over at Obi-Wan and nod, trying to hide the nerves coursing through my body.
"Yes, I'm fine," I say.
As we walk through the forest, I feel that something is following us, but it does not wish us harm. Finally, after a while, a few Gungan soldiers come out from the trees and I stop in my tracks, trying not to look intimidating. Queen Amidala's guards pull their weapons and I sigh, "Put your weapons away, they mean us no harm."
Why do I feel like he's trying to convince himself of that just as much as us?
