❝ it's been awhile since someone's
underestimated me. ❞

―

CARINA WATCHED THE troops begin to unload the ships as Anakin approached her, the girl gazed down at him, "You seem nervous."

Anakin glanced at their surroundings before shrugging, "Just trying to adjust I guess."

Carina gave the small boy a sympathetic smile, "I can't imagine being away from your mother is easy, but I know you'll see her again."

Anakin weakly nodded, "You're really good at comforting people you know."

The padawan crossed her arms over her chest, "I wouldn't say that." Young Skywalker gave the girl a look, "You are, even if you think you're not. Thank you for that."

Carina gave him a small smile before adjusting her utility belt, her eyes landed upon Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan who were entranced in their own conversation.

Jar Jar emerged from the swamp and Queen Amidala quickly awaited his news. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stepped beside Carina and Anakin.

"Dare-sa nobody dare. Da Gungan city is diserted. Some kinda fight, mesa tinks."

Obi-Wan furrowed his brows, "Do you think they have been taken to camps?" Captain Panaka took a step forward before voicing his thoughts, "More likely they were wiped out."

Jar Jar hummed, "Mesa no tink so."

Qui-Gon gazed at Gungan before questioning, "Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?"

"When in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Mesa show you. C'mon, mesa show you."

―

Carina gazed up at the Gungans that had found them and were currently leading them through the clearing full of refugees.

Queen Amidala and her handmaidens walked a little ahead as Anakin stayed by the padawan's side.

Carina narrowed her eyes at the far end the ruins where there was a grand temple with massive carved heads. Boss Nass and several other council members walked out to the top of the submerged head.

Captain Tarpal stepped ahead of the group before speaking, "You Honor, Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

Jar Jar began to chuckle nervously, "Ah, ello dare, ye big Boss Nass, You Honor."

Boss Nass narrowed his eyes at the audience he currently had before him, "Jar Jar Binks, who's da uss-en others?"

Queen Amidala stepped to the front with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon lingering a few feet to her side, Carina slipped into Obi-Wan's side as the Queen began to speak, "I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo... I come before you in peace."

"Ah, Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks... Yousa all bombad."

Carina watched all of the Queen's people begin to glance around anxiously while she suppressed a yawn.

"We have searched you out 'cause we wish to form an alliance—" Queen Amidala began to speak when Padme took a step forward, cutting her off, "Your honor."

Boss Nass narrowed his eyes at the girl, "Whosa dis?"

"I am Queen Amidala."

Anakin's lips parted in shock as Jar Jar gaped at what he had just heard. Carina blinked a few times before muttering, "Now that is what I call a plot twist."

Obi-Wan pressed his lips firmly together to suppress a laugh as Padme continued, "This is my decoy... my protection... my loyal bodyguard."

She gestured towards her decoy before facing Boss Nass once more, "I am sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself. Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace. The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever... I ask you to help us." Padme suddenly dropped to her knees before the Gungans, "no, I beg you to help us. We are your humble servants."

"Our fate is in your hands."

Slowly, Captain Panaka along with his troops and the handmaidens bowed down before Boss Nass.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan shortly followed with Anakin doing as he saw. Obi-Wan gave Carina a look who groaned, "Do I have to?"

Obi-Wan began to slowly pull her down by the arm as Carina rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay."

Carina reluctantly got on her knees as Boss Nass looked over the lot of them in approval, "Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans.. Mesa like dis."

Obi-Wand and Qui-Gon glanced over at each other.

"Maybe wesa bein friends."

―

Carina crossed her arms over her chest as Qui-Gon waited intently for Padme's battle plan just as Anakin ran over to them, "They're here."

Padme let out a small sigh, "Good, they made it." Three speeders suddenly pulled up to the group. Captain Panaka and a dozen or so of guards and pilots pile out of the vehicles and joined them.

"What is the situation?" Padme immediately voiced her question, the Captain clasped his hands before speaking, "Almost everyone's in camps. A few hundred police and guards have formed an underground resistance movement. I brought back as many of the leaders as I could. The Federation Army's also much larger than we thought, and much stronger. Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think we can win."

The Queen shook her head, "The battle is a diversion. The Gungans must draw the Droid Army away from the cities." Padme glanced over at R2 who was at young Carina's side, "R2 we can enter the city using the secret passages on the waterfall side. Once we get to the main entrance, Captain Panaka will create a diversion. Then we can enter the palace and capture the Viceroy. Without the Viceroy, they will be lost and confused."

Carina glanced up to see her mentor looking intrigued just as the Queen addressed him, "What do you think, Master Jedi?"

"The Viceroy will be well guarded."

Captain Panaka chimed into the conversation, "The difficulty's getting into the throne room. Once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem."

Qui-Gon turned his attention over to Boss Nass, "There is a possibility, with this diversion many, Gungans will be killed."

Boss Nass pounded his chest with his fist, "Wesa ready to do are-sa part."

Anakin shuffled as he stood between Carina and Obi-Wan as he listened to the conversation with interest. Padme stood tall before continuing, "We have a plan which should immobilize the Droid Army. We will send what pilots we have to knock out the Droid control ship orbiting the planet."

The Jedi Master took the ploy into thought, "A well-conceived plan. However, there's great risk. The weapons on your fighters may not penetrate the shields."

Obi-Wan adjusted his robe before cutting into the discussion, "And there's an even bigger danger. If the Viceroy escapes, Your Highness, he will return with another droid army."

Padme's expression turned stern, "Well that is why we must not fail to get to the Viceroy. Everything depends on it."

―

Carina lingered close to Qui-Gon whilst keeping an eye on Anakin as the large group followed Padme into the central plaza, heading towards the main hanger. Naboo guards as well as troops and pilots trailed closely behind the Jedi's.

Padme used her small red laser light to signal across the plaza to Captain Panaka, Rabe and few other assorted troops, They signaled their blue laser back.

Qui-Gon leaned over towards Anakin, "Once we get inside, you find a safe place to hide and stay there."

"Sure." the boy nodded in understanding, Qui-Gon gave young Skywalker a look, "You stay there."

The Jedi Master turned his attention back to the front as Anakin tugged on Carina's sleeve, catching her attention, "What?"

Anakin's eyes held hidden concern, "What about you?"

Carina smiled at him, "Don't worry about me, I will be doing what I have trained for and you will listen to Master Qui-Gon and hide."

Anakin looked reluctant but nodded nonetheless knowing it would be best for him to stay hidden.

Droid troops stalked around the tank-filled plaza when at the far side, droids begun to fire and run. Captain Panaka and the Naboo soldiers began to fire back.

As the ruckus erupted at one end of the plaza, Padme along with the Jedi's and her troops rushed into the main hanger. As the group headed into the hanger Qui-Gon ushered to Anakin, "Ani, find cover, quick."

Anakin gazed up at Carina who had just slipped her lightsaber out of her utility belt ready to defend. The twelve year old girl looked at him, "Go."

Anakin reluctantly stepped away from her side before running behind one Naboo fighter.

Carina twirled on her heel before slicing her weapon through one droid before quickly deflecting a shot fired at her. Padme stood next to the young Padawan's side as she fired at the robots with her gun.

The Queen signaled to her pilots as Carina defended Padme from the shots being fired at her.

"Get to your ships!"

The pilots and R2 units made a run for the Naboo fighter crafts stacked in the hanger bay. The ships began to levitate up from the ground before quickly flying out of the hanger.

Carina spun her saber before her, fending off the shots that kept firing at them. The girl leaped into the air, landing herself in the pit of droids as she sliced her saber through droid after droid.

Carina hadn't noticed the droid feet away from her, firing right at her stomach. Her body, as if it had a mind of it's own, pivoted just in time as the laser bullet barely rasped her forearm.

Carina planted her feet on the ground, breathing heavily as she processed what had just happened.

Captain Panaka, Sabe and the Naboo troops rushed into the hanger, beginning to fire at the remaining battle droids as Obi-Wan cut through the last robot.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan gazed back at Carina who finally moved from her position and walked over to them.

Obi-Wan gave Carina a look but the girl reassuringly nodded as Padme began to speak, "My guess is the Viceroy is in the throne room." Captain Panaka nodded before addressing to everyone, "Red Group, Blue Group, everybody, this way."

They began to head for the exit when Anakin peeped his head out of the cockpit where he ad been hiding, "Hey, wait for me."

Qui-Gon shook his head at the boy, "Anakin, stay where you are. You'll be safe there."

"But I—"

"Stay in that cockpit."

Carina gave the blonde boy a small smile as they were about to go through the exit door when suddenly everyone halted.

Carina was overcome by an uneasy sensation as the male that had fought Qui-Gon on Tatooine stood at the doorway.

Padme and her troops began to back away as the Jedi Master spoke, "We'll handle this."

The Queen nodded before leading the others to the side, "We'll take the long way."

The group disappeared but Carina stayed by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's side, clutching her saber in her hand.

Qui-Gon glanced down at the girl, "Go."

Carina furrowed her brows upon hearing her master shoo her away, "What? No, I'm not leaving you two."

Qui-Gon pressed his lips into a firm line, "Follow the Queen, you are to provide them with backup."

"Qui-Gon, I won't leave you—"

"That is an order, Carina."

The twelve year old girl looked torn, gazing over at Obi-Wan for help but even he held an agreeing look as he shrugged off his robe.

Qui-Gon placed a comforting hand on the girls shoulder, "I'll see you soon, go."

Carina watched Obi-Wan clutch his saber, beginning to fight against the unknown male. She turned on her heel running down the other hall, mentally cursing herself as she did. Her lower lip began to tremble in fear as a pit settled in her stomach. Something would not go right.

Qui-Gon watched the girl's fading figure and shrugged off his robe, finally focusing on the sith before him. His mind at peace that at least Carina would be safe.

Carina finally caught up with Padme and the others, the young girl stepped into the Queen's side as she clenched her quivering hands.

Padme eyed the padawan in concern, "Are you alright?"

Carina tightened her grip on her saber, gazing at the battle droids at the far end of the palace hall, "Let's just finish this."

Captain Panaka blasted a hole in the nearest window, "Go!"

Carina stood before Padme, shielding her with her saber from the blasts shot from the droids. Carina waited for the last Naboo soldier to make their way outside before deflecting a shot to hit back at the droid before slipping out the broken window onto a ledge about six stories above a raging waterfall.

Padme, Carina, Captain Panaka, and about six other Naboo troops are lined up along the edge. They pulled small attachments out of their pistols and fired at a ledge about four stories above them. Carina got handed an extra pistol from Padme and shot out her own cable. Thin cables shoot out of the pistols and are embedded into the ledge. The group began to climb up the wall, reaching the ledge and using the guns to fire at the window.

Carina leaped in first shortly followed by Padme and the others, as the group made their way to the throne room, destroyer droids skittered across the entrance doors.

Carina hid her saber from sight as she clutched the blaster she had been given, the Queen turned to see two more droids appear at the far end of the hallway, trapping them in middle.

Carina turned to meet Padme's gaze, silently questioning if she could attack but the Queen shook her head, "Throw down your weapons. They win this round."

The padawan threw the pistol on the ground as the others followed in pursuit. More battle droids came up behind the group.

Carina and Captain Panaka lingered closely behind Padme as they were lead into the throne room by the drones, where Nute and Rune along with four other Neimoidian council members.

The Viceroy held a coy smile that Carina wanted to smack off, "Your little insurrection is at an end, Your Highness. Time for you to sign the treaty... and end this pointless debate in the Senate."

Sabe, Padme's decoy, appeared in the doorway with several troops trailing after her, "Viceroy, your occupation here has ended."

Nute looked taken back by the sight of two Queen Amidala's before pointing at Sabe, "After her." He glanced back at Padme, "This one's a decoy."

Carina let out a heavy sigh as the droids filed out of the room and chased after Sabe.

The girl reached for her saber, turning it on before spinning it in her grasp, slicing through two remaining droids, "You are way too easy to fool."

Padme made her way to her throne before hitting a security button that opened a panel to access two pistols, she threw one to Captain Panaka and held her own up.

Carina stood before the Viceroy twirling her golden lit saber. Fear was eminent in the Viceroy's gaze, "You are a child."

The young padawan tilted her head, "I can still slice you into pieces."

Padme smiled at Carina before taking a step beside her, "Now, Viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty."

―

Carina's eyes landed on Obi-Wan who had young Anakin at his side, the girl moved away from Panaka's side who was escorting the viceroy and approached her colleague, "You're okay." Carina let out a relieved sigh.

Anakin smiled up at Carina while a confused look flashed through her eyes whilst glancing around, "Where's Qui-Gon?"

Obi-Wan diverted his gaze to the ground, unable to look the girl in her eyes. That same fear bubbled up in the twelve year old's chest as she began to breathe heavily, "Obi-Wan, don't make me ask you again, where is Qui-Gon?"

Obi-Wan slowly shook his head and that was all Carina needed as realization struck through her, she began to stagger backwards not wanting to believe such a thing, "No." she softly whispered, "Please, please tell me you're lying."

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "I'm so sorry, Carina. He told me to watch over you."

Tears began to well up in Carina's eyes as a ringing in her ears began to go off, she clenched her fists tightly while attempting to contain her emotions, a Jedi does not allow their emotions to consume them, she repeated to herself in her mind.

Anakin found it painful to watch the girl try to calm herself.

Carina blinked a few times before exhaling slowly, "The Chancellor awaits." she turned, voiding her face of any emotions as she rejoined the others who were before the new Chancellor, Palpatine.

Obi-Wan and Anakin stood beside Carina, young Skywalker tugged on her sleeve. Carina looked down to see him giving her a comforting smile, she gave the boy a ghost of a smile, it was all she could muster up.

Chancellor Palpatine stood before the three, addressing Obi-Wan first, "We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi." He then gazed down at Anakin and Carina, "You two will grow up to be two fine Jedi."

Carina didn't bother replying as Anakin merely smiled.

―

Carina watched Qui-Gon's body go up in flames as doves are released into the air, she fumbled with the necklace young Skywalker had given her as she suppressed her sadness whilst Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan, "What will happen to me now?"

"The Council has granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi, I promise." Obi-Wan reassured the boy. Anakin glanced over at Carina, "What about Carina?"

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "Master Windu has offered to take her up as an apprentice. She will be well taken care of."

Carina continued to stare out into the crackling flames, all her memories with Qui-Gon flooded her mind, from the moment he found her in the sewers, to when he had named her his padawan.

It was then that she was reminded, no one lives forever. Eventually, everything comes to an end.

―

a/n:

episode one is done! im very excited to start the next movie and i hope you loves are enjoying the story, thank you for reading xx

- b