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Ardan has spent the next few days just in the restricted section of the Temple Library reading and learning, Ardan was fascinated and terrified of what the power of the dark side looks like, it can do amazing things but also terrifying.

Ardan: ... What do you think BD...?

Ardan moved the book a little allowing his hand built droid BD to walk onto the page...

... BD looked over the page seemingly reading it then looked to Ardan beeping a few times.

Ardan: Yeah. Me too...

Ardan lifted BD off the page allowing him to turn it, Ardan went back to learning and reading not even realising his Master walking over to him.

Windu: Youngling...?

Ardan looked up and to his Master, Ardan moved quickly to stand and bow respectfully while Windu looked to what he was reading.

Windu: ... What do you think of the Dark side?

Ardan thought about it and knew that lying isn't the way around this and telling the truth will always be the right thing to do.

Ardan: It's... eye opening.

Windu put the book away while folding his arms across his stomach looking at Ardan as BD Climbed up him and sat on his shoulder.

Windu: How does it make you feel?

Ardan gulped and honestly, it's a scary side of the force.

Ardan: There's somethings I wish I didn't see...

Windu nodded as that's the answer he needed to hear.

Ardan: ... But there's also parts that can make the Galaxy a better place. Why don't the Dark and Light work together?

Ardan asked his Master as they walked up the aisle and towards the exit of not only the restricted section but also the library.

Windu: There are some people who want to rule the universe with an iron fist. To be a Jedi Knight is to stop that from happen and keeping the balance in the force.

BD chirped in with a few beeps making Master Windu nod while chuckling.

Windu: Correct, the force will never be balanced till the Empire if gone.

Ardan smiled to BD while BD tilted his head to Ardan.

Ardan: Wise ass.

Master Windu smiled to his Padawan while Ardan argued with the Droid he built, Ardan has a huge weight on his shoulders and it's his job to get him ready for that time when it comes.

Windu: I have a task for you...

Ardan stopped and turned to his Master wondering what it is.

Windu: ... Senator Amidala has had an attempt made on her life, I want you to meet her ship when it docks then escort her to the Chancellor.

Ardan was excited to see Padme again, it's been a few years, probably since Kodo died but that isn't going to stop him from doing his job.

Ardan: Yes. Master.

Ardan bowed and went to do the task he was just giving while thinking about all the knowledge he's gained over the past couple of days from reading in the restricted section...

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Ardan and BD are at the landing port at Coruscant waiting to escort Padme to the Republican Executive Building, Ardan has his saber just in case but left his robe behind just wearing his basket gear...

... Ardan doesn't really like wearing the robe and doesn't much which nobody seems to mind.

BD: *Beep* *Boop* *Beep*

Ardan looked to BD just as Padme's ship landed and they all disembarked and walked towards him.

Ardan: Don't you say that when she gets here...

Ardan turned back to them as he saw Padme with Jar-Jar Binks coming towards him Padme didn't recognise Ardan at first but smiled gleefully when she realised who he is.

Padme: Ari?

Ardan wasn't a fan of the nickname but she is the Senator and former Queen of Naboo, he can't really tell her off.

Ardan: Senator...

Ardan bowed but she didn't like it and just hugged the young Jedi like he was family, Ardan smiled and hugged back, she and kobo were quite close before he died so to see her again is nice.

Padme: I'm sorry about Kobo. 

Ardan has come to terms with his brothers death, it's not an easy thing to get passed but he managed to accept it and move on.

Padme: He was very brave.

Ardan remembered that, he would actually be around Padme's age right now but it wasn't to be.

Ardan: I'm to escort you to the Chancellor.

Ardan bowed allowing the Senator to walk passed him, Jar-Jar always made Ardan chuckle, his clumsiness was very amusing, just not at high stack times.

Padme: So...

Ardan walked beside the Senator with his hands clasped behind him and BD still standing on his shoulders occasionally moving from his left to right.

Padme: ... How's Kyly?

She asked him with a smile, Kobo is the one who told Padme about Ardan's little crush on the Padawan of Master Plo and unlike others, Padme didn't over react and actually thought it was sweet they are still teens deep down.

Ardan: She's doing well, getting stronger everyday.

Ardan replied with a respectful smile, Padme didn't mean it like that and Ardan knew what she meant but Ardan's actually slightly annoyed with himself, how can he be one of the most powerful Padawan's right now but not tell a girl he likes her.

Padme: What about you? Are you a Knight yet?

Ardan hasn't reached that rank just yet but will do one day, Ardan's one of the hardest trainers in the Jedi Order it's only a matter of time but all he could think about is the Dark side he read about and all the twisted things they have used to claim power.

Ardan: Not yet. But I will.

Padme was pleased to see the boy's optimism hasn't burned out during his time training under Mace Windu while they walked towards the Chancellor and the waiting Jedi Council...

=========================

They made it and Ardan walked in beside Padme and saw that the Council just finished with the Chancellor but Ardan looked to Palpatine and couldn't shake this strange feeling from the Chancellor, something's off.

Yoda: Senator Amidala, your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible...

Ardan noticed that his Master still hasn't stood from his seat and wondered if everything was okay.

Ardan: Master? Is everything alright?

Master Windu looked up to his apprentice with a small grunt while standing.

Windu: We'll talk later, youngling.

Ardan accepted the answer as Mace Windu walked towards Padme while the Chancellor looked out the window to Coruscant Ardan didn't like the feeling he was feeling from him and wanted to get out of this room now.

Windu: Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo.

Palpatine looked to Ardan as Ardan never looked away and the stare he got made his blood run cold and his senescence peak.

Ardan moved away and joined his master by his side while Padme was clearly upset about the attempt made on her life.

Padme: I think that Count Dooku was behind it.

Ardan looked around to the Council members and they didn't seem fazed by the strange feeling he got from the Chancellor, maybe it's all in his mind then.

Ki-Adi-Mundi: He is a political idealist, not a murderer.

Ardan wasn't sure why that would matter, Dooku is now a Sith lord, he throw the rule book out the window when he betrayed the Jedi Order.

Windu: You know, milady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character.

Ardan wasn't sure what was going on right now, he's not sure if this is just a massive diversion to tell Padme she's safe and not in harms way or if they actually Believe that Count Dooku is harmless, Ardan did learn though not to speak until spoken to and held his tongue not wanting to ruin the plan if there is one.

Padme wasn't happy with Ardan's Master and it showed by the look she was giving him but Master Windu isn't fazed by it.

Yoda: But for certain, Senator, in grave danger you are.

Ardan didn't like that idea, Padme was like a weird sister to him and he's already lost a brother, he can't lose anyone else.

Palpatine: Master Jedi, may I suggest the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces.

His voice ran cold for Ardan's ears all while he didn't want to look over at him as he slowly walked towards him.

Bail: Do you think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?

He seemed to speak what Padme was thinking but he didn't need to as Padme spoke her mind.

Padme: Chancellor, if i may comment, I do not believe...

Padme was cut off by Palpatine who walked even closure to them making Ardan even more uncomfortable, he's not sure what it is, if it's something in the force then surely these Jedi Master's can sense it, if not then Master Yoda certainly would,

Palpatine: The situation is that serious?

Palpatine finished for her as Master Windu looked to the Chancellor and noticed his Padawan wasn't looking to the Chancellor while everyone else was, this could be seen as disrespectful and Mace knows that Ardan isn't like that so he was now curious to what is making his Padawan act this way.

Palpatine: No, but I do, Senator. I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you're familiar with. Jedi Solari perhaps.

Ardan looked to the Chancellor and took a deep breath this time all eyes are on him and Yoda looked to him with a surprised but pleased look on his face clearly Ardan pleased the Master Jedi.

Windu: My Padawan cannot, he is not ready for such a task.

Ardan and Palpatine stared each other in the eyes, Palpatine seemed calm but knowing while Ardan looked uncomfortable almost as if he was feeling under the weather.

Palpatine: Maybe Master Kenobi then. 

Padme saw that Ardan was looking a little under the weather and was worried for the young Jedi, Ardan however was just glad his Master saved him from that job, protecting the Senator would mean more time in this room and that's something he doesn't want.

Windu: That's possible. He's just returned from a border dispute on Ansion.

Ardan looked back away from the Chancellor finally being able to while everyone looked to Master Windu then back to the Chancellor.

Palpatine: Do it for me, milady. Please? The thought of losing you... is unbearable.

Yoda seemed proud towards Ardan as he he nodded to Windu's words and the idea of having Obi-Wan and Skywalker watch over the Senator.

Windu: I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, milady.

Master Windu stepped closure to Padme as the other members of the Senate moved around them and towards the Chancellor all sitting where the Council once sat.

Padme: Thank you, Master Windu.

Mace and Padme bowed respectfully as Master Windu turned to his Padawan.

Windu: Come along Youngling.

Windu ordered wanting to find out what's going on with him, Ardan didn't say anything and just went to leave but Master Yoda called them back.

Yoda: Master Windu...

Mace Windu and Ardan turned to Master Yoda just as the Chancellor's doors shut and Ardan was able to relax.

Yoda: ... Speak with your Padawan, I must.

Windu bowed to the Master Jedi and nodded to Ardan leaving Ardan in the wise hands of the most powerful Jedi in the Order right now.

=========================

Ardan is sat crossed legged with his Saber rested in front of him and Master Yoda standing in front of him watching the young Jedi.

Yoda: Focus, you must...

Ardan took a deep breath, Yoda wants to know what he felt in that room, Yoda clearly knows something that Ardan does not.

Yoda: ... How you felt, remember you must...

Ardan closed his eyes and focused on the force, he went back to how he felt walking into the room and saw he was standing in a field.

Yoda: ... Say what you see, you must.

Ardan looked around but couldn't see Master Yoda, he could only see what he sees.

Ardan: Blue sky, not a cloud in sight...

Yoda looked to the boy as he hummed and nodded silently not wanting to break his concentration.

Ardan: ... flowers bloomed, sun shining and leaves rustling in the wind...

Ardan looked around while happy to see what he's sees...

... It's a beautiful meadow, the kind of place he always saw him retire to one day, grow old with kids and a wife, that's Ardan's dream.

Yoda: ... Into the room, you must walk.

Ardan remembered how he felt in the room and in the presence of the Chancellor, Ardan looked around and saw the world he's looking at change drastically as he remembered the feeling he felt.

Yoda: Speak, you will.

Ardan remembered that Master Yoda wanted to hear what he saw so he told him.

Ardan: A black cloud, not grey but black. Like the night sky...

Ardan clenched his eyes shut slightly panicking from what he's seeing while Master Yoda thought about what he's hearing.

Ardan: ... Red lighting, a lot of it. It's setting fire to everything... 

Yoda looked surprised by what he's hearing as Ardan looked around to the fire spreading all around him.

Ardan: ... Everything's burning!

Ardan couldn't help it anymore and opened his eyes wanting to get out of the nightmare, Yoda looked into the boy's eyes as he panted for breath and wondered, how powerful is this boy...

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(To Be Continued)