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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟎
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄

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Aurora couldn't find the words to describe how she felt as she stood outside of the palace. It hadn't even been five minutes since Obi-Wan told her the news of Qui-Gon's death. Since then, all they had done was stand side-by-side as they waited for Padmé to join them and watch the guards escort the Viceroy and his followers to their ship. And it felt like they had been waiting there for an eternity.

The best way to describe how Aurora felt about everything happening around her would be confused. She was feeling both positive and negative emotions at the same time, which gave her a massive headache. She was happy and excited to finally rid Naboo of the Trade Federation. The Tinsley girl felt as though that was the first stepping stone to returning to her normal life. But she was also sad and heartbroken after hearing the news of her uncle's passing, especially because she was just getting to know him.

On top of all that, Aurora felt lonely. Yes, she knew she would always have Padmé and Captain Panaka. They would never leave her side even if she tried hard to push them away. And yet there was something within the Tinsley girl that was excited to have a member of her family in her life. It was almost as if her parents could come back to her through the stories Qui-Gon promised to share with her. But just like her parents, the only other family member she had was ripped away from her.

Aurora was soon drawn out of her thoughts by Obi-Wan nudging her with his elbow. Her eyes flashed up to meet his before he gestured to something behind her. When she turned around to face what the Jedi was looking at, she found Padmé and her guards escorting the Viceroy and his followers out of the palace. It wasn't long before the Queen of Naboo was standing next to the Tinsley girl with Captain Panaka and the rest of the guards right behind them. Aurora couldn't help but glare up at the Viceroy, who had his eyes glued to the young queen.

"Now, Viceroy, you're going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this," Padmé declared while masking all of the emotions she was feeling with a straight face and a monotone.

As soon as the Queen of Naboo finished speaking, Captain Panaka walked toward the Viceroy until he was standing a few feet away. "I think you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye."

Aurora didn't move an inch as she watched the Captain of the Royal Guard lead the Viceroy onto the ship that would take them back to the Trade Federation. It wasn't long after that when her attention fell on the group that Obi-Wan and Anakin had approached, causing her blood to run cold. Aurora had not seen the Jedi Council since her outburst on Coruscant and she was in no state to have any form of discussion with them any time soon. So instead she focused her attention on Senator Palpatine, who had just approached Padmé with a large smile on his face.

"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor," the Amidala girl said, making the grin on the man's face grow even wider.

"Your boldness has saved our people, Your Majesty. It's you who should be congratulated," Palpatine responded, earning a small smile from Padmé before the former continued speaking, "together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the Republic."

It wasn't long after that when a hand was placed on Aurora's shoulder, causing her to turn to find Obi-Wan staring back at her with no emotion on his face. "Master Yoda wishes to speak with you. And before you try to get out of it, he made it clear that it wasn't up for debate."

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It wasn't even thirty minutes later when Aurora followed Obi-Wan into an empty room in the palace, where Yoda waited for them. The Tinsley girl stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. That was until she watched the Kenobi boy meet the Jedi Master in the center of the room before kneeling in front of him. Aurora only hesitated for a moment before she decided to copy his actions. Silence surrounded them for what felt like an eternity before Yoda finally decided it was time to break it.

"Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight the Council does," the Jedi Master told Obi-Wan as he began pacing back and forth in front of the pair. Not even a second after that passed when he stopped walking and turned to face the Kenobi boy. "But agree with your taking this boy as your Padawan learner I do not."

"Qui-Gon believed in him," Obi-Wan retaliated, making Aurora's entire body tense.

Yoda simply let out a sigh before he opened his mouth to continue speaking. "The chosen one the boy may be. Nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training."

"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the Council, if I must," the Kenobi boy respectfully argued while Aurora continued to sit there and wonder why she was practically forced to join this meeting.

"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you. Need that you do not," the Jedi Master declared after turning his back to both Obi-Wan and Aurora. It wasn't long after that when Yoda let out another sigh and turned back around to face them. "Agree with you the Council does. Your apprentice Skywalker will be."

Not even a second after that passed when Yoda's gaze fell on Aurora, making her entire body stiffen. He kept his eyes glued to her for a long moment before breaking the silence that settled around them. "Agree to train you the Council does not. Too old they think you are."

The Tinsley girl hesitated for a moment as she swallowed the lump in her throat before responding. "I understand entirely and take no offense to their decision."

"Agree with the council I do not. Tested you will be," Yoda announced, catching Aurora and Obi-Wan by surprise as they stared at the Jedi Master with wide eyes, "one last favor to Qui-Gon it is. My apprentice you will be."

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Night had finally come to Naboo and Aurora found herself standing between Obi-Wan and Padmé. They stood in a small domed building with about two dozen other people, all surrounding the table in the center of the room. The Tinsley woman's eyes were glued to Qui-Gon, who was lying on the table as flames surrounded him. Every ounce of her energy was being used to keep the anger she felt toward Darth Maul away, but she couldn't help but despise the man. Not only did he take her uncle away from her, but Aurora was almost certain he was the reason she no longer had her parents.

Despite wanting to let her emotions show, the brunette girl knew she had to keep them hidden. She couldn't give in to the anger or else she would lose her chance at becoming a Jedi and the last connection she had to her family. So instead Aurora continued to focus on her breathing and making sure she seemed calm and collected. The only ones who seemed to see through her act were Obi-Wan and Padmé, but neither of them commented on it. Instead, the Kenobi boy turned to have a hushed conversation with Anakin while the Queen of Naboo settled with taking Aurora's hand into her own. They were both in need of comfort but knew they needed to show a strong front, which was something they weren't completely unfamiliar with.

The only true sign that Aurora felt anything at all was the single tear rolling down her cheek as she continued to stare into the flames.

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Aurora still felt numb the following day as she stood beside Padmé in front of the Naboo palace. A parade was being held in honor of the unification of the Naboo and the Gungans, something Langston and Car-Ana had always wanted to see. The sound of trumpets mixed with the cheers from the crowd as the Gungans made their way down Naboo's main street. They were to meet with the Queen of Naboo and accept a gift from her, sealing their new alliance.

Despite all the emotions she was feeling, Aurora couldn't help but smile at the sight of Jar Jar riding alongside his people. She was happy that he was accepted by the Gungans once again and allowed to return home. The Tinsley girl didn't know what would happen if he had to live at the palace. She could only imagine all the problems and destruction he would cause.

It wasn't long before Jar Jar, Captain Tarpals, and Ruger Nass dismounted their eopies and began ascending the staircase. Aurora kept her eyes glued to them as they climbed up the huge set of stairs until they finally made it to the top. It was at that moment when Padmé took the Globe of Peace from Sio Bibble and handed it to Ruger Nass. The Gungan leader gratefully accepted the Queen's gift before turning towards the crowd and holding it high in the air.

"Peace!"

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