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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟖
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄

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Aurora sat alone in one of the rooms on the Queen's ship. Her mind was on overdrive as it replayed everything that happened in the Jedi Temple. Even though no part of her wanted to become a Jedi, the Tinsley girl couldn't help but wonder if everything her parents taught her was true. They taught her that she couldn't trust the Jedi, and yet she couldn't find a reason not to trust Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan except for her parents' words. Could what her parents forced her to believe be completely wrong? What is the probability that what they told her wasn't the truth?

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of the door opening and closing, causing Aurora to glance back to find Qui-Gon walking toward her. Her eyes stayed glued to the Jedi Master as he made his way through the room before sitting on the couch across from her. Silence surrounded them for what felt like an eternity before the Jinn man finally broke it.

"What your parents said about the Jedi Order, it isn't true," the Jedi Master said, causing Aurora  to look away from her interlocked fingers to meet his gaze.

"I have lived my entire life thinking the Jedi were the enemy because that was what they taught me. Why would they tell me that if it wasn't true?" the Tinsley girl retaliated, earning a small sigh from the Jedi Master as an immediate response to her question.

"Cor-Ana never had much faith in the Jedi Order. She didn't agree with some of their ways. But instead of voicing her opinions, she kept them to herself. I was the only one who knew," Qui-Gon explained as he thought back to all the private conversations he shared with his sister, "it wasn't until she met Langston and learned they shared the same ideals that she began to be more vocal. I knew how she felt about him but was unaware of how deep their connection had become until they left the Temple that night. What I didn't know was that she was pregnant with you."

The Jinn man paused for a moment to see if his niece had anything to say in response to his explanation. When he was greeted by nothing but silence, Qui-Gon continued speaking. "Your parents didn't believe that the Jedi were the villains, they just didn't agree with their beliefs."

"What do you believe?" Aurora questioned, earning a small smile from her uncle in return.

"What I believe isn't important," the Jinn man told her before letting out a small chuckle at the annoyance in his niece's eyes, "however, I do think that you were meant to be part of the Jedi Order."

"Even if I wanted to be a Jedi, the Council wouldn't let me," the Tinsley girl stated, causing Qui-Gon to send her a somewhat confused look before she continued speaking, "on top of what I said to them, I am far too old to be a Padawan. No matter how much my parents trained me in the Jedi ways."

"We'll just have to see about that," the Jedi Master responded with a smile before getting to his feet and gesturing to Aurora to follow his actions, "now come. The Queen wishes to meet with us."

The two of them just sat there for a moment longer before getting to their feet and walking out of the room. Without intending to, Aurora and Qui-Gon walked in sync as they journeyed through the halls of their ship toward the Queen's quarters. As soon as they arrived, Obi-Wan sent the pair a confused look that the Tinsley girl chose to ignore. A small sigh passed over her lips as Aurora walked across the room to stand behind Captain Panaka. It wasn't long after that when the man who had taught Aurora everything she knew about being a guard began speaking.

"As soon as we land, the Federation will arrest you and force you to sign the treaty," Captain Panaka told his Queen while Aurora stood behind him. Her brain had been running on overdrive as she replayed her conversation with Qui-Gon and what happened at the Jedi Temple over again in her head. So instead of assisting her captain in explaining what they were facing, the Tinsley girl decided to take a step back, which didn't go unnoticed by Queen Amidala.

"I agree," Qui-Gon announced, making Aurora look over at him for the first time since their private conversation, "I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this."

"I will take back what's ours," Queen Amidala declared without an ounce of hesitation in her voice.

"There are too few of us, Your Highness," Captain Panaka declared, drawing the Queen's attention back to him, "we have no army."

"And I can only protect you. I can't fight a war for you," the Jedi Master stated in an attempt to convince the young queen not to return to her home world.

Instead of responding to the two men in front of her, Queen Amidala's attention landed on Aurora, who just so happened to be staring back at her. The two girls stared at each other for a moment, silently pleading that one of them would come up with an idea. It wasn't long after that when the Tinsley girl remembered something about their home world, or more specifically someone. But instead of voicing her idea to the Queen, Aurora simply used her head to gesture to the Gungan standing next to her. And that was all it took for Queen Amidala to understand her plan.

"Jar Jar Binks," the young ruler called out, causing the Gungan to jump.

"Mesa, Your Highness?" Jar Jar questioned as he peaked around Obi-Wan to get a better look at the Queen.

"Yes. I need your help."

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Instead of returning to the Palace to face their enemy, Ric Olié landed their ship in a clearing close to the lake that led to Gunga City. Aurora stayed near the ship as she watched Jar Jar jump into the lake and head towards his home. Her eyes stayed glued to the water for another moment before she glanced over at the two Jedi, only to find them looking back at her. As soon as they noticed her looking at them, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan turned back around and continued their conversation, causing her nerves to double.

Aurora's thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps, making her turn her head to find Padmé walking toward her. The brunette girl sent her friend a small smile before coming to a stop next to her. The two of them stood there in silence for a long moment before the younger of the two decided to break it.

"How are you feeling?" Padmé asked with a hint of concern in her voice that she didn't bother hiding.

"Honestly, I don't know," Aurora responded before letting out a long sigh, "I learned a lot about myself in the past couple of days. I wish I didn't learn some of it in the first place."

"And why is that?" the brunette girl questioned, causing the older of the two to send her a confused look, "you and I both know you weren't meant to be a guard forever. You found where you belong, Ro. Don't let what you were told get in the way of that."

Aurora let Padmé's words sink in as she looked back at the two Jedi, only to find Obi-Wan already looking at her. The two of them just stared at each other before the Tinsley girl sent him a small smile, taking the Padawan by surprise. Instead of turning back around like he had before, the Kenobi boy returned her gesture. It wasn't long after that when the sound of splashing water cut through the air. Everyone instantly looked toward the source of the sound to find Jar Jar walking towards them with a sad look on his face. No one said a word as he made his way over to the two Jedi and Captain Panaka. Despite Aurora knowing she should wait for the Queen, she walked away from the ship until she was standing next to Obi-Wan.

"Desa nobody dare," Jar Jar announced after stopping in front of the Jedi and the royal guards before pointing back in the direction he came, "the Gungan city is deserted. Some kinda fight, mesa tinks."

"Do you think they have been taken to the camps?" Obi-Wan questioned as he looked over at the Jedi Master.

"More likely they were wiped out," Captain Panaka responded, only for Jar Jar to shake his head in response to the man's words.

"Mesa no tink so," the Gungan announced, drawing all attention back to him before he continued speaking, "when in trouble, Gungans go to sacred place. Mesa show you. Come on. Mesa show you!"

Aurora didn't know whether it was desperation or actual faith in Jar Jar that made everyone follow him. But there they were following the Gungan through a misty forest in search of the only creatures that could help them. The Tinsley woman just wished their fate rested on the shoulders of a civilization that liked the Naboo. After the conversation she had with them to simply gain transportation, Aurora had little hope that the Gungans would help them. And she would soon find out if her feelings were true.

It wasn't long before they made it to another large clearing in the middle of Naboo's forest. Aurora would be the first to admit she was surprised to see so many Gungans gathered in such a small area. Not even a second after they entered the clearing passed when they were greeted by two guards. No one said a word as they were escorted across the sacred Gungan land toward their leader. Aurora just hoped that this conversation ended a lot better than her last one with the Gungan leader.

"Your Honor," Captain Tarpals greeted Rugor Nass before gesturing to the leader of the group behind him, "Queen Amidala of the Naboo."

"Uh, h-heyo dadee, Big Boss Nass, Your Honor," Jar Jar said with a hint of hesitation in his voice followed by a wave and a bow.

"Jar Jar Binks," the Gungan leader responded without even trying to hide the venom in his voice, "who's da uss-en uthers?"

"I am Queen Amidala of Naboo," the young ruler declared as she stared up at Rugor Nass, "I come before you in peace."

"Ah, Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks," the leader of the Gungans stated while glaring down at Queen Amidala, "yousa all bombad."

"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance," the Queen of Naboo continued in a calm tone, completely unaware of the look Aurora and Padmé shared. It wasn't long after that when the Tinsley girl sent her friend a small nod, causing the younger of the two to step forward.

"You Honor," Padmé greeted with confidence in her voice, making everyone around her stare at her with confusion in their eyes. Only the few who truly knew what was happening watched their Queen with pride.

"Whosa dis?" Rugor Nass questioned without taking his eyes off the young girl in front of him.

"I am Queen Amidala. This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal bodyguard. I'm sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself," Padmé announced, causing hushed whispers to cut through the air while some looked around in confusion, "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. No, I beg you to help us."

As soon as she finished speaking, Queen Amidala got down on her knees while keeping her eyes glued to the Gungan leader. Aurora didn't hesitate to copy her ruler's actions, followed by everyone standing behind Aurora a moment later. Once everyone was down on the forest floor, Padmé continued speaking. "We are your humble servants. Our fate is in your hands."

Silence cut through the forest as everyone stared up at Rugor Nass. Chills ran up and down Aurora's spine at the sight of the Gungan leader staring down at Padmé with an indescribable look in his eyes. It wasn't long after that when something unexpected happened. A giant grin appeared on Rugor Nass' face before he started loudly laughing.

"Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans?" the leader of the Gungans said followed by another loud laugh, "mesa lika dis! Maybe...wesa...bein friends."

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A few hours passed as they waited for their reinforcements from Naboo to arrive. Aurora stuck by Padmé's side the entire time, unwilling to let the Queen out of her sight. The two of them stood around a discarded ship with the two Jedi standing on the other side. Despite the looks she was receiving from both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, the Tinsley girl never said a word to either of them. She wasn't ready to discuss what happened back at the Jedi Temple or her fate as a Jedi. Not when the fate of her homeworld was at stake.

It wasn't long after that when a small voice called out to them. Everyone turned their attention toward the source of the sound to find Anakin running toward them. As soon as he reached them, he announced that their reinforcements had finally arrived. Not even five minutes had passed when Captain Panaka approached them, followed by Rugor Nass.

"What is the situation?" Padmé asked after the captain of her guard stopped next to her.

"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," Captain Panaka explained before an uncertain look formed in his eyes, "Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think that we can win."

"The battle is a diversion," Aurora declared, surprising everyone including herself before Queen Amidala urged her to continue. The Tinsley girl hesitated for a moment before looking over at R2-D2, who pulled up a map of Naboo's capital. "The Gungans must draw the droid army away from the cities. 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," the brunette girl paused her explanation for a moment after seeing the blank expression on Qui-Gon's face, "what do you think, Master Jinn?"

The long-haired man just stared at his niece, both proud of and concerned about her plan. He let another moment pass before finally opening his mouth to respond. "The Viceroy will be well-guarded."

"The difficulty is getting into the throne room," Captain Panaka declared while looking between the two girls by his side and the Jedi Master across from him, "once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem."

"But there is a possibility, with this diversion, many Gungans will be killed," Aurora said before turning her attention towards Rugor Nass, who simply smiled at her in response.

"Wesa ready to do our-san part," the leader of the Gungans proclaimed as the grin on his face grew even larger.

"We have a plan which should immobilize the droid army," Padmé announced, drawing all attention back to her before she continued speaking, "we will send what pilots we have to knock out the droid army ship orbiting the planet."

"A well-conceived plan. However, there's a great risk," Qui-Gon responded after taking a moment to think over all the information that was given to him, "the blasters on your fighters may not penetrate the shields."

"And there's an even bigger danger," Obi-Wan spoke up for the first time since the meeting had begun, "if the Viceroy escapes, Your Highness, he will return with another droid army."

"Well, that is why we must not fail to get the Viceroy," Queen Amidala responded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "everything depends on it."

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