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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘

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Aurora's senses were on overdrive as she walked behind the Gungan and the two Jedi through the forest. The Tinsley girl was constantly glancing back every now and then to make sure they weren't being followed. That continued until her surroundings began to grow darker and the air became cooler. The green tint of the forest was soon covered by a thick fog, making it seem almost blue in color. A small smile instantly formed on her face once Aurora realized how close they were to their destination. The Tinsley girl hadn't seen Gunga City since her parents disappeared. It wasn't because she didn't want to. If it was her choice, she would've visited the city on a daily basis. But the Gungan's relations with the Naboo made that impossible.

"How much further?" the bearded man asked, causing Jar Jar to stop in his tracks and look back at the three behind him.

"Wesa goen underwater, okeyday?" the Gungan said before turning back around and walking toward the shore, "ah, my warning you. Gungans no liken outsiders, so don't spect a warm welcome."

"Oh, don't worry. This hasn't been our day for warm welcomes," the younger Jedi responded while watching Jar Jar leap into the water at the same moment his master turned to face Aurora.

"Will your relationship with the Gungans make them more welcoming?" the man asked as he handed the Tinsley girl a small metal device. Aurora just stared at the item with a hint of confusion in her eyes, causing a small smile to appear on the Jedi Master's face once again. "It will allow you to breathe underwater."

The brunette girl gave him a grateful nod after taking the object into her hand before answering his question. "I don't know how you expect me to vouch for you when I don't even know your names."

"My apologies. I am Qui-Gon Jinn. And this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi," he introduced while his student continued to stare at the girl in front of him with a hint of skepticism in his eyes, "and you are?"

"Aurora...Barlowe. One of Queen Amidala's personal guards," Aurora responded as her parents' warnings about the Jedi continued to play over and over again in her head, "and even if I receive a warm welcome after all these years, my word won't get you one."

Before either of them could respond, the Tinsley girl placed the device Qui-Gon gave to her into her mouth and began walking into the water. After the Jedi Master and his Padawan exchanged another skeptical look, they put their devices into their mouths and followed the Gungan and the stranger. It wasn't long after that when Jar Jar resurfaced and turned toward his allies with a large smile on his face.

"Yousa follow me now, okeyday?" the Gungan announced before diving back down into the water.

The three humans quickly followed his actions and went under the water. They swam through the lake at a much slower rate than the Gungan as they followed the latter toward their destination. It wasn't long before they went over a small underwater hill and saw thousands of glowing orbs in front of them. Just the sight of all the lights made Aurora feel like a kid again as she continued to swim toward Gunga City. Soon the four of them reached one of the entrances to the city and walked through the barrier that kept the water out.

Once she was on the other side of the thin shield, Aurora pulled the breathing device out of her mouth and wrung out her wet hair. Her eyes continued to look around at Gunga City, which hadn't changed at all since she was a child. A small smile formed on her face as she thought back to all the times she visited with her parents.

However, the joy within the Tinsley girl soon faded when she started to notice some of the Gungans running away from them. Before Aurora had a chance to ask Jar Jar why his people were so afraid of him, one of the Gungan guards came riding toward them on a kaadu. Aurora just watched as he approached them before she was about to recognize its rider as Captain Tarpals. The same Gungan who taught the brunette girl how to use their staffs when she was barely ten years old.

"Hey, yousa. Stopa dare!" the Gungan told them after blocking them from journeying further into the city.

"Heyo-dales, Cap'n Tarpals. Mesa back!" Jar Jar greeted while holding his hands up in the air, only for Captain Tarpals to stare back at him with anger in his eyes.

"Noah gain, Jar Jar. Yousa goen tada bosses. Yousa in big dudu dis time," Tarpals stated as two more guards rode toward them before the former's eyes landed on the girl standing between the Jedi, "Rora? Dat yousa?"

"It's great to see you again, Captain Tarpals," Aurora said with a large smile on her face, which was gladly returned by the Gungan.

"Tis bombad to see yousa again, Rora! Yousa grew up!" Tarpals exclaimed before a yelp cut through the air, causing everyone to look toward the source of the sound to see the two other guards poking Jar Jar with their electrified staffs.

"How wude," Jar Jar muttered under his breath before the three Gungan guards began escorting them toward the Gungan High Council.

Just as they were about to walk across one of the many bridges within Gunga City, Qui-Gon picked up his pace to walk beside Aurora. His presence caused the Tinsely girl to look up at him with confusion in her eyes, only to find him smiling down at her once again. Not far behind them, Obi-Wan watched the duo, curious as to why his master had taken a sudden interest in the stranger.

"When we get in front of the Gungan High Council, will you speak on our behalf?" the Jedi Master asked the young girl, earning an uncertain look from her before the former continued speaking, "all we need is a way to get to Naboo to warn them of what's coming. Your relations with the Gungans may get us that."

Aurora just stared at the long-haired man for a moment longer before letting out a long sigh. "I can try but I can't guarantee anything."

When they finally arrived at their destination, Jar Jar was handcuffed and pulled to the side by the guards while Aurora and the Jedi approached the Gungan Hugh Council. Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stopped about halfway on the platform leading to the Gungan royals while the Tinsley girl continued walking. She didn't stop until she reached the edge of the platform before she smiled up at the Gungan leaders.

"Boss Nass, it's a pleasure to see you again," Aurora greeted the Gungan leader with a smile after giving him and the rest of the Gungan High Council a respectful bow.

"Rora, it been a longo timen," Rugor Nass responded with a large grin on his face, only for it to fall as fast as it appeared, "mesa heard about yousa parents. Mesa sorry."

"That is greatly appreciated," the Tinsley girl told him while trying to hold back all the emotions building up inside her, something that didn't go unnoticed by the Jedi standing behind her, "I wish I was here under better circumstances. I'm here to discuss a droid army that is forming in the forest nearby."

"Dis army of mackineeks up dare is new weesong," the Gungan leader stated, making the small smile on Aurora's face slightly falter.

"A droid army is about to attack the Naboo," the brunette girl reiterated in a desperate attempt to persuade Rugor Nass, "we need to warn them."

"Yousa know wesa no like da Naboo. Da Naboo tink da so smarty. Day tink day brains so big."

"Once those droids take control of the surface, they will take control of you," Obi-Wan said as he took a few steps forward to stand next to Aurora.

"Mesa no tink so," Rugor Nass declared while he continued to stare down at the two young negotiators, "day not know of ussen."

"You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle," the Jedi Padawan stated as he glanced over at the Tinsley girl, who sent him a small nod before he looked back up at the Gungan High Council, "what happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this."

"He's right, Boss Nass," Aurora stated, drawing all attention to her before she continued speaking, "the droid army won't stop until the whole planet is under their control."

"Wesa no caren about da Naboo," the leader of the Gungans concluded, making both Obi-Wan and Aurora look away from the council in defeat.

Just as Aurora thought all hope was lost for her people and her planet, Qui-Gon took a step forward so he was standing on the other side of the brunette girl. Aurora sent him a confused look, only for him to return it with another smile before he looked at the leaders of the Gungans.

"Then speed us on our way," the Jedi Master said while subtly waving his hand through the air, an action that didn't go unnoticed by the Tinsley girl.

"Wesa ganna speed yous away," Rugor Nass responded with a dazed look on his face, making the confusion Aurora was feeling double.

"We could use a transport," Qui-Gon continued as he waved his hand through the air once again.

"Wesa give yousa una Bongo," the Gungan leader declared while Aurora tried to process what had just happened to make Rugor Nass want to help them, "da speediest way to da Naboo 'tis goen through the planet core. Now...go."

All the happiness Aurora felt from being back in Gunga City instantly faded after Rugor Nass finished speaking. She knew that the Jedi would think of this as a kind gesture from the Gungans, but she knew the truth. After living most of her life in Naboo's forests and spending time in the city, she learned the one place to never go. And that was where the leader of the Gungans was sending them.

"Thank you for your help," Qui-Gon said, drawing the Tinsley girl out of her train of thought before she watched the Jedi at her sides bow to the Gungan High Council, "we leave in peace."

Despite wanting nothing more than to warn them about the imminent danger, Aurora knew it wasn't wise to call out the Gungan leader. So instead she copied the Jedi's actions and bowed to the Gungan High Council before turning and following Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.

"Deysa setten yousa up," Jar Jar told them as they approached the only exit of the High Council's chambers, "goen through da planet core? Bad bombin'. Mmm...any help here would be hot."

Without thinking, the Jedi Master looked over at Aurora to find her staring at the Gungan prisoner with a hint of worry in her eyes. Her sudden lack of confidence alone made Qui-Gon look back at Jar Jar with a look that his Padawan knew all too well.

"Master, we're short on time," Obi-Wan said in a desperate attempt to get them to leave Gungan City sooner rather than later.

"We'll need a navigator to get us through the planet's core. This Gungan may be of help," the Jinn man declared before turning and walking back toward the Gungan High Council, "what is to become of Jar Jar Binks here?"

"Hisen to be pune-ished," Rugor Nass answered the Jedi Master with a sinister smile on his face that sent chills down Aurora's spine.

"I saved his life. He owes me what you call a 'life debt,'" Qui-Gon explained to the Gungan High Council, who didn't seem too pleased by what they were hearing from the man standing in front of them, "your gods demand that his life belongs to me now."

"Binks, yousa havena liveplay with thisen hisen?" the leader of the Gungans asked, earning a small nod from the creature in question. Rugor Nass let out the Gungan version of a sigh then he gestured toward the door. "Begone wit him!"

Qui-Gon sent the Gungan leader another grateful nod before turning around to join his Padawan and Aurora once again. Once Jar Jar was released from his bindings, the four of them walked out of the Gungan High Council's chambers. Even though the Tinsley girl still thought traveling through the planet's core was a terrible idea, she kept her lips sealed, knowing she didn't have another choice.

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Aurora sat next to Qui-Gon in the back of the Bongo while Jar Jar and Obi-Wan occupied the front seats. Her senses were on high alert as they traveled through the water, not trusting the darkness that surrounded them in the slightest. She hated how she couldn't clearly see what was out there with them or what was coming after them. Just like the threat of the droids on Naboo, the water's unknown caused a pit to form in her stomach.

The Tinsley girl's change in demeanor didn't go unnoticed by the Jedi Master at her side. Qui-Gon had been studying the girl since they sat down in the Bongo. There was something about her that was familiar to him, but he was having difficulty placing it. It felt vaguely similar to a presence he hadn't felt since he was young, but he knew that couldn't be true. Aurora was far too young to be the person Qui-Gon was thinking of.

"Dis is nutsen!" Jar Jar announced, drawing both the Royal Guard and the Jedi Master out of their thoughts to look at him, "oh, gooberfish!"

"Why were you banished, Jar Jar?" Obi-Wan asked without even attempting to hide the curiosity in his voice.

"It's a longo tale-o, buta small part of it would be mesa...clumsy," the Gungan responded, earning a bewildered look from the Padawan while Aurora did her best to contain her laughter.

"You were banished because you were clumsy?" the Kenobi boy questioned as he glanced over at Jar Jar while his eyebrows came to in confusion.

"Uh, yousa migth'n be sayin dat. Mesa caused mabbe one, two-y lettle bitty axadentes, huh?" Jar Jar explained before the smile on Aurora's face faded when an uneasy feeling settled over her. Without thinking, she glanced out the window into the watery unknown, only to see nothing but rock towers and small fish. "Yud-say boom da gassar, den crashin der boss' heyblibber, den banished."

Before the Gungan could continue his story, the Bongo aggressively shook and stopped moving completely. Aurora exchanged a look with Qui-Gon before they turned around to see what was stopping them on their journey. The Tinsley girl's eyes widened to the size of small planets at the sight of an opee sea killer holding them back by its tongue. The next thing any of them knew, it pulled their ship backward into its mouth before it began swimming in the opposite direction.

A wave of panic washed over Aurora as her eyes scanned over the teeth digging into the window above them. Jar Jar's shouts filled every inch of the Bongo as the fish continued to swim away with them. It wasn't long after that when a sando aqua monster came out of a hole in one of the mountains and caught the opee sea killer in its mouth. That caused their attacker to release them as its predator sealed its fate.

"There's always a bigger fish," Qui-Gon said in a tone so calm it made Aurora feel like she dramatized everything that just happened.

"Let's just hope we don't meet the fish bigger than that one," the Tinsley girl muttered under her breath, earning a small chuckle from Obi-Wan while Jar Jar looked around at his three companions.

"Mesa tink we goen back now," the Gungan told them, only for the Kenobi boy to let out another laugh as he drove them into a hole in the side of the mountain, "where wesa goin?"

"Don't worry. The Force will guide us," Qui-Gon responded, causing Aurora to hold back a scoff while the Padawan continued to steer the Bongo in silence.

"Oh, maxi big, da Force," Jar Jar mocked before letting out a long sigh and looking over at Obi-Wan, "well, dat smells stinkowiff."

"I have to agree with Jar Jar. The Force can't help you with everything," the Tinsley girl stated, earning a not-so-subtle scoff from Obi-Wan while Qui-Gon looked over at her with curiosity in her eyes.

As soon as she finished speaking, a loud alarm started blaring throughout the Bongo. Aurora reached up to cover her ears while Jar Jar looked around in a frenzy, trying to find the source of the sound. While the Royal Guard and the Gungan reacted to the sound in their own ways, the Jedi sat in their seats as if everything was normal.

"We're losing power," Obi-Wan announced right before the lights in their ship went out as they sank to the bottom of the cave.

"Wesa dyin' here," Jar Jar groaned as he rubbed his hands down the sides of his face.

"Just relax. We're not in trouble yet," was all Qui-Gon said as his Padawan opened the control panel and began messing around with the wires.

"What 'yet'?" the Gungan questioned while turning around to glare at the Jedi Master, "monsters out dare! Leak'n in here! All sink'n and no power?! Whena yousa tinkin wesa in trouble?!"

The second Jar Jar stopped his rant, sparks flew from the control panel and the lights flashed on inside the Bongo. Obi-Wan's announcement of the power returning caused Aurora to look back out the front window, only for her to wish she hadn't. The Gungan went back to panicking as the Tinsley girl's blood ran cold at the sight of the colo claw fish staring back at them. The creature let out a loud roar as Obi-Wan turned their ship around and headed back toward the cave's entrance. Aurora's hands gripped the seat so tight that her knuckles turned white as she felt the colo claw fish getting closer and closer to them. Its roars caused the Tinsley girl's blood to run even colder while Jar Jar continued to panic in the front seat. When she looked up at Qui-Gon, she found him staring at the Gungan with a hint of annoyance in his eyes. It wasn't long after that when he leaned forward and placed a hand on the former's shoulder.

"Relax," the Jedi Master said in an oddly calm tone, causing Jar Jar to pass out in his seat and Aurora's eyes to widen.

"You overdid it," Obi-Wan told his master as if what he just witnessed was completely normal while he continued to navigate through the water.

A wave of hope washed over the Tinsley girl when the exit to the cave came into view, only for it to be snuffed out by the sight of the sando aqua monster waiting for them. Despite trying to remain as calm as she could, Aurora let out a small shout when the large creature opened its mouth and revealed its sharp teeth. Before the sando aqua monster even had a chance to catch them, Obi-Wan pulled up on the steering wheel and navigated them over the giant creature. However, the same could not be said for the colo claw fish, who fell victim to the sando aqua monster.

"I should've stayed in the forest," Aurora muttered under her breath, earning small somewhat teasing smiles from the Jedi that she chose to ignore.

"Head for that outcropping," Qui-Gon told his Padawan while pointing in the direction he was speaking of at the same moment Jar Jar came around from his forced nap.

The four of them continued their journey without another encounter with an aquatic creature until they finally reached their destination. Obi-Wan swerved through a few small rock towers before pulling up on the steering wheel and driving them toward the surface. As soon as they broke through the water, the Padawan pressed one of the buttons on the dashboard and made the forcefield above them disappear. Aurora stood up in the Bongo on shaky legs while looking around at the city she called home for the last four years. As she took in her surroundings, the Tinsley girl couldn't fight the feeling that something was wrong. The streets of the usually busy city were bare and the water was clear of all animals that tended to occupy it.

"Mmm, dis'n loverly," Jar Jar said as he looked around at the rounded buildings that surrounded them while Qui-Gon stood up next to Aurora and copied the Gungan's actions.

"We're too late," Aurora muttered under her breath, causing the Jedi Master to look down at her with a hint of confusion in his eyes. After sensing his eyes on her, she gestured toward two droids walking down one of the streets. "We need to get to the Queen."

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