Diplomacy or deception?

The Council of Neutral Systems speaks for over 1500 worlds who want to stay out of the war. But rumors have reached the Republic Senate, suggesting that the council's new leader, Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, is secretly building her own army to fight for the Separatist cause. Now Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has been sent to Mandalore to hunt for the truth behind these claims.

"The Duchess awaits you, General Kenobi." said a royal guard.

Obi-Wan stepped onto the platform and said, "Far be it from me to keep the Duchess waiting."

And Obi-Wan was escorted to the royal palace and arrived in the beautiful throne room.'

"General Kenobi," greeted an older man, the prime minister of Mandalore.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Prime minister Almec." said Obi-Wan, shaking hands with the prime minister.

"I welcome you as a servant of the people." said Almec. "but I am troubled by the false rumors that brought you here."

Almec walked towards the throne as he explained to Obi-Wan that Mandalore would never turn against the Republic.

"The Duchess Satine values peace more than her own life."

"Oh, I'm aware of the Duchess' views." Obi-Wan said.

"Master Kenobi, Mandalore's violent past is behind us. All of our warriors were exiled to our moon, Concordia. They died out years ago."

But Obi-Wan wasn't so sure about that.

"Hmm. Are you certain?" the Jedi asked. "I recently encountered a man who wore Mandalorian armor, Jango Fett."

"Jango Fett was a common bounty hunter." said Almec. "how he acquired that armor is beyond me."

"Well, Master Kenobi," said a female voice.

The two men looked to see a beautiful blonde woman dressed in blue enter the room.

"My shining Jedi Knight to the rescue once again." greeted the woman, who was none other than the duchess herself.

The duchess took her place seated in her throne. Obi-Wan couldn't help feeling flustered by the beauty of the duchess.

"After all these years, you're even more beautiful than ever." said Obi-Wan.

"Kind words from a man who accuses me of treachery." said the duchess.

"I would never accuse you of personal wrongdoing, Duchess. However, a Separatist saboteur attacked one of our Republic cruisers, a Mandalorian saboteur."

Obi-Wan walked a little closer to the duchess and held up a hologram of said Mandalorian saboteur. The duchess and the prime minister both seemed surprised by the revelation.

"You must be mistaken." said Prime Minister Almec. "No Mandalorian would engage in such violence. Not anymore. Where is the prisoner now?"

"He took his own life rather than submit to questioning." Obi-Wan answered. "I know these commandos fought in many wars, often against the Jedi."

"Every one of my people is as trustworthy as I am." said Satine.

"I know we sound defensive," said Senator Tal Merrik. "but-"

"Clearly your investigation was ordered because the Senate is eager to intervene in our affairs."

"My investigation was ordered by the Jedi Council." said Obi-Wan.

"I stand corrected." said the duchess. "General Kenobi, perhaps you'd like to join me on a walk through the city."

The duchess held out her hand. Obi-Wan kissed her hand out of respect and stood her up, allowing her to hold his arm as they left the room.

In his mind, Obi-Wan could not help remembering being with Satine in a more romantic setting years ago. He felt his heart racing as he felt the duchess' hand touch his. But, he held his composure.

The Jedi and Duchess took a peaceful walk through the city.

"It is so good to see you again, Obi-Wan..." said the duchess. "despite the circumstances."

"Your peaceful ways have paid off." said Obi-Wan. "Mandalore has prospered since the last time I was here."

"Not everyone in Mandalore believes that our commitment to peace is a sign of progress. There is a group that calls itself Death Watch." Satine looked at Obi-Wan and said, "I imagine these are the renegades you're looking for. They idolize violence and the warrior ways of the past. There are those among us, certain officials, who are working to root out these criminals. It has been an ongoing investigation."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard and wondered...

"How widespread is this Death Watch movement?" he asked.

"It's hardly a movement," the duchess answered. "It's a small group of hooligans who choose to vandalize public places, nothing more. We shall soon have them in custody. We have tracked them down to our moon Concordia."

"I hope you're right, Duchess." said Obi-Wan.

Meanwhile, in a small hideout somewhere...

"I do not understand why the arrival of this Jedi doesn't upset you." said a man in Mandalorian armor to a hologram of Count Dooku. "You promised to support the Death Watch forces so we could overthrow the Duchess Satine and her weak peace-loving government."

"And I intend to keep my promise." said Dooku.

"But how? If the Republic interferes now, Death Watch will not be able to take over the planet."

"Consider: once the Senate orders peacekeeping troops to Mandalore, the people will be surrounded by a military presence. Most distasteful. They will rebel."

"And rally to Death Watch." the Death Watcher finished, no doubt smiling behind his helmet. "Our insurgency will go stronger."

"Yes, and Duchess Satine shall fall."

"A peacekeeper belongs on the front lines of conflict." said Obi-Wan as he and Satine continued walking. "Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to do his job."

"The work of a peacekeeper is to make sure that conflict does not arise." said Satine.

"Yes, a noble description, but not a realistic one."

"Is reality what makes a Jedi abandon his ideals? Or is it simply a response to political convenience?"

Suddenly, there was an explosion just in front of them.

"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked Satine with worry.

People were screaming, and there were some laying on the ground badly hurt. Duchess knelt down to one man who appeared very weak.

"Hooligans couldn't have arranged an attack of this scale." said Obi-Wan.

"Then this must be the work of an off-worlder." said Satine, helping the man sit up.

Then, Obi-Wan noticed something behind the duchess. "Are you sure of that?"

Satine looked behind her to see what Obi-Wan had spotted. A scary symbol that the duchess described as the sign of Death Watch.

Obi-Wan knelt down to help Satine help the hurt man and said, "This goes far beyond vandalism. This is a political statement against your government and against you."

A guard came and helped the man up. Obi-Wan was genuinely worried about the Duchess, and not just because inside he felt something more than a friendly liking towards her.

"You're not safe here." said Obi-Wan. "I'm taking you back to the palace."

Obi-Wan took Satine's hand and helped her up. Then he walked up to the people who stood now, declaring he wanted to interview everyone there.

"Nobody leaves this scene." said the Jedi. But then a man in the crowd ran off, which Obi-Wan was quick to notice, and began running after him. The man ran very fast and found himself cornered at a balcony on the next floor below.

"I only want to talk," said Obi-Wan as calmly as possible.

In response, the man took out a blaster and attempted to shoot Kenobi. But Obi-Wan tumbled out of the way, then ignited his lightsaber and deflected each shot until one knocked the gun out of the man's hand. The man attempted to tackle Obi-Wan, but the Jedi flipped him to the floor.

"I don't want to hurt you." Obi-Wan told the man. Then he saw Satine in the doorway nearby and told her to stay back.

The man then climbed onto the safety rail and said, "Calhava bru'chun dralshye'ran!" and then he threw himself off the building, landing harshly on the ground below, but still alive. Barely.

Obi-Wan and Satine rushed down and found the man laying down, very weak, speaking some final words.

"Se solu, se kad, se darasuum kote."

"What is he saying?" Obi-Wan asked, that language being one of a few he didn't speak.

"Kadi, se norm'iim."

"Ki, kadi norm'iim." said Satine as the man died. She told Obi-Wan, "He was speaking in the dialect they use on Concordia, our moon."

"I shall like to visit this moon of yours." said Obi-Wan. "Perhaps I could accompany the body."

"The Concordian moon is a province with its own governor." said Satine. "You'll need me to escort you."

"That won't be necessary."

"Actually, it will." Satine insisted. "You won't make much progress without me there, especially since you've just been involved with the death of a Concordian."

"I didn't kill him."

"I know. That's why I'm still talking to you."

And the duchess walked away.

Obi-Wan sighed and face-palmed himself. He didn't know what he was going to do now. A year ago, he would have just ignored his emotions as he used to under the old Code, but now that those rules were gone, he was still getting used to the idea of being in love. And as he rode on the ship to Concordia, a trail of magic formed from his beating heart, and made its way to the Enchantra system.

Queen Reigna was away on a trip with King Orpheus today. That left their children under the care of the royal guard, and their oldest daughter Princess Fantasia in charge of her mother's crown jewels if the Ride of Love Ceremony should need to be performed while her parents were away.

"Someday, I'm gonna be wearing you every day." Fantasia told the jewels as she admired how they looked on her in the mirror.

Suddenly, Fantasia was surprised when she saw the purple jewels turn blue, which meant a male someone was in need of a new friend. Fantasia was so excited. This would be her very first time performing the Ride of Love ceremony.

"General Mareheart! Ring the bells of love!" Fantasia said as she ran to consult the Equinary.

"I thought Concordia was an agricultural settlement." said Obi-Wan.

"Before the end of our wars," said Satine, who changed to a less formal outfit. "They turned it into a mining base. The sheer number of mining bases here nearly destroyed our forests. They're finally growing back."

The ship soon landed, and out came Duchess Satine and Obi-Wan, and they were met by a man Obi-Wan had never seen before. The governor.

"Duchess Satine, you are most welcome." the man greeted.

"Thank you, Governor Vizsla." said the duchess. "May I present Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi, representing the Jedi council. Governor Vizsla is one of the officials I spoke of. He had been working to find the members of the Death Watch."

"I take it you've heard the rumors about Satine," said Vizsla. "about how she's supposedly leading Mandalore into an alliance with the Separatists."

"My only instructions are to seek the truth." said Obi-Wan.

Governor Vizsla noticed a hovering coffin being escorted in from the ship.

"This was the man who bombed the memorial shrine?"

"Yes. He was apparently part of Death Watch."

"A worrisome prospect." said Vizsla. "If you'll pardon me, General, we must attend to the body."

And the governor and his guards left.

Satine was about to leave, but Obi-Wan gently grabbed her arm and said, "I need a favor from you. Please keep Governor Vizsla occupied at dinner."

"Where are you going?" Satine asked.

"Just for a look around. I'd like to see one of these mining facilities for myself."

"You mean you want to determine if they're still operational."

"I hope to determine they're not."

Obi-Wan took out an earpiece from his utility belt and told Satine he wanted her to wear it so they could keep in touch in case she ran into trouble while he was gone. Satine took the ear piece and put it on.

"Remember that you are here under my protection." Satine reminded Obi-Wan. "Please try not to cause problems where none yet exist."

Obi-Wan boarded a speeder and told Satine, "Think of me as searching for solutions."

"I have to tell you I'm opposed to all of this."

Somehow, Satine being stubborn in her beliefs as well as feisty just made her that much more attractive to Obi-Wan.

"I'd be disappointed if you weren't." And he took off on his speeder.

Meanwhile, Fantasia walked into the room where she knew her mother kept the Equinary. She'd been in there once before when she was a small filly and her mother showed her how she asked the Equinary to show her who was in need of a new friend, and chose just the right pony to send.

Fantasia closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and concentrated.

"Equinary, Equinary, who is the needy boy?" she said. "Show me the name and the pony who will bring him true joy."

The Equinary flipped its pages, and Fantasia was surprised when she saw that the one in need was actually a grown man named Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi. It had not been too common for Equinaro to send horses for the Jedi before or after forming an alliance with them.

Duchess Satine, meanwhile, entered a room where she found Governor Viszla working on a tablet.

"Forgive me, Duchess." said Governor Vizsla. "I am writing a condolence letter to the dead man's family and making arrangements for them to retrieve his body."

"Of course, Governor. Very proper." said the Duchess. "General Kenobi will join us shortly. He said he needed to meditate."

According to the Equinary, Obi-Wan was having a bit of trouble adjusting to the changes in the Jedi Code, and it was showing as he was keeping his feelings towards a certain woman to himself, and feeling uncertain of how to move forward.

The Equinary flipped its pages once more to show Fantasia a picture of a pale pink unicorn with a red mane streaked with white candy stripes. She was a teenage candy-corn named Peppermint who was very upbeat, sweet, and an expert on love.

Fantasia wasn't so sure about this match. A sugar-coated-hearted unicorn and a Jedi Knight who was as proper as a prince, it didn't seem like a very likely match. But, Queen Reigna told Fantasia that the Equinary had never been wrong before. So, she decided this time shouldn't be any different, and she called two of the centaur guard to go retrieve Peppermint.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan soon arrived at a tunnel, which he entered. It was very dark in there. It was quiet. Too quiet.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan was startled when he saw a plethora of blue magic sparkles appear and took out his lightsaber. However, he was surprised when they formed into a big heart. The heart beat a few times, and out came a beautiful candy cane colored unicorn who stood before Obi-Wan.

"Who are you?" Obi-Wan said quietly. "Where did you come from?"

The unicorn sniffed Obi-Wan's head and introduced herself.

"My name is Peppermint Twist." said the unicorn. "Princess Fantasia sent me for you through the Ride of Love."

Obi-Wan recalled Gabby explaining the Ride of Love to him, and that it was how she was introduced to Carousella.

"That is very kind of her, but I don't require a horse." Obi-Wan said. "Now you best go. This is not a safe place to be."

"It's probably more dangerous for you to go alone." said Peppermint, following Obi-Wan.

"Don't follow me."

"What are you investigating, anyway?"

"A supposedly abandoned mine." Obi-Wan answered reluctantly, and then entered a room with conveyor belts and machinery. The lights were on too.

"Hmm. Doesn't look abandoned to me." said Peppermint.

Obi-Wan put his hand on the unicorn's muzzle to signal her to stay where she was before walking to the side of the room. He saw numerous Mandalorian helmets as well as weaponry. He picked up one of the helmets, when Peppermint whinnied as though she spotted something dangerous. And a Mandalorian warrior attempted to shoot Obi-Wan, who then took out his lightsaber, and Peppermint made her horn glow a pretty pink glow.

"I am here on a diplomatic mission under the protection of Duchess Satine." said Obi-Wan, keeping his lightsaber up to protect himself... and Peppermint if he needed to.

"We do not recognize her rule." said a new voice. And the same warrior from before popped out and tried to shoot Obi-Wan again, and made him drop his lightsaber. Then another came in. Peppermint kicked the second warrior, but then the two Mandalorian soldiers started to grab Peppermint, who fought back harder.

"Since when do Jedi have horses?" said one warrior.

Peppermint shook them off violently and snorted angrily, but then they got out some ropes and one started to lasso the horse while the other knocked Kenobi unconscious.

Meanwhile, Satine was at dinner with Governor Vizsla.

"Someone is feeding misinformation directly to the Republic Senate," said Satine. "saying that the Death Watch is taking over Mandalore. Who stands to gain from these lies?"

"Death Watch, of course." said the governor.

"They could not engineer all this. The problem has clearly grown much larger than we thought. And I suspect some external force helped it along."

"Hard to believe. It would have to be someone at the highest level of influence among the Separatists."

"But why target me?"

Governor Vizsla took a seat and said, "You lead the Council of Neutral Systems. Thus, you threaten the Separatist goals." He raise his glass. "Take it as a compliment. Someone very powerful is working towards your downfall."

Satine wasn't so sure, however.

Obi-Wan eventually woke up and found himself held upside-down in a yellow energy field of some sort. He could hear whinnying from behind him, as Peppermint was in a similar position as the two Mandalorians from before came in.

"Commander wants us to sweep the area and check for any other Jedi or magical horses until he arrives." said one.

"These two are harmless enough without a lightsaber or being able to move." said the other, taking out the lightsaber and tossing it in his hand. "The boss will love this."

Peppermint grunted as she tried to wiggle out of her trap, but found it very difficult to move. However, Obi-Wan managed to move just enough to activate his communicator.

"Master Kenobi's meditation is taking a rather long time." said Governor Vizsla.

"You know the Jedi," said Satine. "They never do anything by halves."

"Duchess, please acknowledge." said Obi-Wan over the communicator.

"May I offer you another drink?" asked Vizsla.

"Yes, certainly." answered Satine.

While the governor went to fetch another drink for the duchess, Satine listened to her ear piece.

"I'm in a bit of an awkward spot. I'm being held by the Death Watch." said Obi-Wan. "And I'm afraid I'm not their only prisoner."

The sound of whinnying came over the comm too, as Peppermint was struggling.

"Sorry, Duchess. We're out of ice." said Vizsla.

"Sorry to hear that." said the Duchess.

Governor Vizsla placed the drink beside the duchess and said, "Perhaps we should begin dinner without General Kenobi."

Kenobi's voice came over on the comm again. "There's a tracking function on your commlink. Follow it due east to my location."

"I don't know if I can do that at the moment." said Satine.

"It's extremely urgent." said Obi-Wan.

"Are you not feeling well, Duchess?" asked Governor Vizsla.

"Perhaps some fresh air would do me good." said Satine, getting up from her seat.

Governor Vizsla offered to escort the duchess outside, but Satine declined as Obi-Wan told her to take a speeder, as the path was rough terrain.

"Oh, I'll find my way. Never fear." said the duchess.

And Satine rushed to a speeder and went as fast as she could go, using the commlink to track the Jedi.

Meanwhile, the Death Watch soldiers held up a third force field filled with rocks in front of Obi-Wan and Peppermint.

"Yes, sir. Start the machine." said one soldier. "Time for the Jedi and his horse to meet with their fatal accident."

"With pleasure." said the other. Then he pressed some buttons and activated the machine, pushing the rocks forward to a series of machines. First, on that crushed the rocks into small pieces, and then one that dropped them to be ground to dust. Peppermint whinnied in panic as she and Obi-Wan were next.

"This is not good." Obi-Wan said.

"Uh... you think?!" said Peppermint.

"Where exactly are you?" Satine asked over the comm.

"Listen for the loud metallic clanging sound as well as horse whinnying. That would be the sound of a frightened unicorn and the machine about to smash both of us into bits."

Satine pressed some buttons on a box that activated an alarm to distract the Death Watchers. While the soldiers left to check out the alleged disturbance at the entrance, Duchess Satine ran in to rescue Obi-Wan and Peppermint.

"Well, it certainly took you long enough." said Obi-Wan.

"You know, I haven't saved you yet." Satine said.

"Yes, no need to remind me of that."

"I happen to be a bit short on patience right now."

"Can you lovebirds save the arguing like an old married couple for after we're not in danger?" Peppermint shouted to get the two adults to stop fighting.

Satine approached the control panel and tried to find the right controls.

"Satine, turn the machine off!" Obi-Wan shouted.

"I'm trying!" Satine said.

"Hurry!" Peppermint exclaimed.

And at the last moment, Satine found the button that stopped the crushers. But, it didn't stop Obi-Wan or Peppermint from moving toward the next machine. Inconveniently, the Death Watchers returned to the room.

"Look out!" Obi-Wan and Peppermint exclaimed in unison, and one of them grabbed Satine as Obi-Wan got closer to the grinders.

Conveniently, there were some barrels near Satine, and she kicked one of them into the machine just as the force field dropped Obi-Wan, and he used the barrel to push himself up and then flipped himself over and beat the Death Watchers.

NEIGH!

Obi-Wan quickly used the Force to rescue Peppermint from falling into the grinder and moved her to safety.

"Thank you." Peppermint sighed with relief.

Satine pressed a button on an elevator and said, "For a man sworn to peace, you take an unseemly pleasure in the injuries of others."

"Thanks, Miss." Peppermint said.

The two humans entered the elevator, and Peppermint lay down close by them.

"For a woman sworn to nonviolence," retaliated Obi-Wan. "you don't seem troubled that I could have been killed back there, as well as an innocent horse."

"But you weren't." said Satine. "And yet I still haven't heard any thanks from you."

"Well, you certainly haven't changed much."

The elevator door suddenly opened to reveal another Death Watch soldier, whom Peppermint kicked to the ground.

"This is not the way we came in." said Obi-Wan.

"Look there." said a Death Watch soldier from a cliff across from the door.

Obi-Wan pressed the button to try to get the elevator working again, but the Death Watchers began shooting at them. Obi-Wan immediately took Satine's hand and rushed her away behind something for protection, Peppermint following suite.

"We'll have to stand and fight." said Obi-Wan. "Or in your case, just stand."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Peppermint pointed out, motioning to his belt with her hoof.

Obi-Wan looked at his belt and remembered he didn't have his lightsaber.

More Death Watch soldiers flew in on jetpacks. Obi-Wan was quick to grab the unconscious Death Watcher's blaster and use it against the soldiers.

Obi-Wan managed to hit one, and Peppermint attempted to blast them with her magic, but missed each time. Her aim was not as good as a royal guard's. Luckily, Obi-Wan had another idea. He swiped the other soldier's jetpack, threw it in the direction of the remaining flying soldiers and shot it, catching them in an explosion he thought would take them out. But then, a soldier tackled him from the fog that came up and was about to blast him, when Duchess Satine exclaimed, "You there!" and she threw a rock at him. And Peppermint managed to hit the Death Watcher's blaster, turning it into a big candy cane, to the soldier's shock and confusion.

While the soldier was distracted, Obi-Wan kicked him down and went to check on Satine, who said she was all right.

Meanwhile, the Death Watchers got their men prepared to evacuate, while a group of four more, one who appeared to be their leader, approached the one Obi-Wan and Peppermint knocked out earlier.

"Failure," said a Death Watcher with a cloth over his right shoulder. Then he shot the soldier who failed to take down the Jedi and/or Duchess.

Obi-Wan had Peppermint stay safely hidden with Duchess Satine in the alleyway while he went to face the Death Watchers.

The Death Watcher with the cape took off his helmet, revealing himself as Governor Vizsla, to Satine's shock.

"For generations, my ancestors fought proudly as warriors against the Jedi." said the traitorous Viszla. "Now that woman tarnishes the very name Mandalorian." Governor Vizsla tossed Obi-Wan his lightsaber and said, "Defend her if you will."

Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, but Governor Vizsla was unfazed.

"This lightsaber was stolen from your Jedi Temple by my ancestors during the fall of the Old Republic." said Vizsla.

Vizsla took out another lightsaber and ignited it, revealing it to be a black blade of some sort.

"Since then, many Jedi have died upon its blade." he continued and pointed it towards Kenobi. "Prepare yourself to join them."

Vizsla yelled as he engaged in battle with Obi-Wan, but Obi-Wan didn't give up easily. And Vizsla dropped the dark saber, but also punched Obi-Wan to the ground. But when he looked for his saber, it was gone. And when he looked up, he saw Peppermint holding it in her mouth.

"Nice horsie." Vizsla said, approaching the unicorn. "Give me my weapon."

Peppermint just back up, hunching herself over and snorting aggressively.

"Drop it, you sugar-coated thing!" said Vizla angrily.

But Peppermint just turned around, whacked him in the face with her tail, and kicked him right to his team.

"Warriors, finish them!" Vizsla said.

The three Mandalorians shot some rockets. They missed, but the rockets turned around and headed for Obi-Wan and Satine.

Obi-Wan picked Satine up bridal style and jumped down the elevator shaft with her in his arms, the two of them landing on the ground, just barely avoiding a fiery death.

"Shall we go after them, sir?" One of Vizsla's soldiers asked.

"No." said Vizsla. "There's no time. Don't worry. We'll catch up with the Duchess soon enough."

Obi-Wan helped Satine up and guided her to the speeders.

"I suppose we're even now." said Satine, feeling better.

"Ah, how so?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I saved your life. You saved mine."

"Yes, well, mine was the more daring of the two rescues." smiled Obi-Wan. "Wait, where's Peppermint?"

They suddenly heard the sound of snorting, and in came Peppermint, who placed the dark saber by Obi-Wan's feet.

"I take it the Temple's gonna want that back?" Peppermint said.

"Impressive capture of a dangerous weapon." Obi-Wan said. "You don't seem to wear royal guard uniform, however."

"That's 'cause I'm not a guard. I'm just a common candy-corn from one of the sweeter districts of Equinaro." Peppermint said. "I look sweet as candy, but if you give me half a chance, you'd see I can give more than just cavities to those who mean harm."

Satine was soon escorted to another ship with Obi-Wan and Peppermint accompanying her.

"But if Pre Viszla fled," said Senator Merrik. "we have no way of learning how widespread Death Watch really is."

"It's obvious the Separatists are supporting the Death Watch." said Obi-Wan.

"I disagree." said Satine. "I told you I wanted to stay out of this conflict."

"Given the current situation, I'm afraid that may no longer be possible."

"I though you of all people would understand my position on this matter. I will never be a part of this war."

And the duchess left.

That was when someone else arrived.

"Reporting for escort duty, General." Anakin said.

"Oh, Anakin. Am I glad to see you." said Obi-Wan.

"Hi, Uncle Obi-Wan!" Gabby said excitedly, hugging Obi-Wan's leg.

"You as well, little one." Obi-Wan chuckled.

"Hmm. You sound tired." said Carousella.

"The peaceful ways of the locals wore me out a bit." Obi-Wan shrugged.

Anakin noticed the pink and red unicorn standing near Obi-Wan and noticed she had a bottled message around her neck like Carousella had.

"Who's your friend?" Anakin asked.

"I'm Master Kenobi's horse." Peppermint said. "Peppermint Twist is my name."

Anakin looked at Obi-Wan.

"I was surprised by her arrival as well." Obi-Wan said.

The Jedi then approached the ship, the horses and Gabby following suite.

Peppermint seemed to get along well with Gabby, as she had a natural gift with horses. Obi-Wan, however, still wasn't sure how or why he of all people was chosen for the Ride of Love Ceremony, or how Peppermint was the right match for him.

"Have you looked at the message she came with yet?" Anakin asked.

"Not yet." Obi-Wan said. "I'm not even certain about keeping her."

"I thought the same thing about Carousella when I met her." Anakin said, looking at his daughter playing with the horses. "And look how happy she makes Gabby now."

"Yes, except Peppermint was sent for me." Obi-Wan said.

"Maybe you should look at the note. Queen Reigna is a wise mare. She wouldn't have sent Peppermint if she didn't believe she would be a perfect match."

So, Obi-Wan did take a look at the note.

Dear Obi-Wan Kenobi,

This is Peppermint, who has been sent for you as your new friend.

Understandably, you may be having trouble adjusting to the changes in the Jedi Code,

seeing as you grew up with the old one. Therefore, Peppermint has been chosen for you because she is

more than just a unicorn with sugar-coated magic. She understands feelings and love better than most of us know.

As my mother has probably told you, horses can naturally sense what others are feeling from a mile away, and Peppermint specializes in

unlocking feelings that have trouble getting out. I sincerely hope she can add a touch of sweetness to your life. If you have any doubts, you can consult Queen

Reigna when she and King Orpheus return from their trip in three days. Until then, good luck with your new friend.

Sincerely, Princess Fantasia.

So, it looked like Obi-Wan was stuck with the candy-corn for at least the next three days.

"Uncle Obi-Wan. Peppermint is so sweet." Gabby said. "It's so cool you have a pony now."

"I supposed it is... cool." Obi-Wan said. "It would be better if I knew more about her and horses in general, though."

"I'll teach you, Uncle Obi-Wan. If there's one thing I know, it's how to bond with a horsie."