Returning after acquiring food from buffet for himself and his master, Zell came to discover that master Fay had become preoccupied conversing with the new supreme chancellor, who had a small part of his retinue in tow.
Not wanting to interrupt her conversation by tactlessly showing up out of nowhere, Zell instead moved to a nearby table and put down the two plates he held and began eating his own food while watching his master and her company talk.
Six minutes passed and Zell who was already half way through his plate had satiated his appetite, and seeing his master still busy engaging with the chancellor Zell considered moving about on his own amongst the other guests for bit.
'You know, I don't see why I shouldn't take this opportunity to try and meet some people. With so many important powerful individuals gathered it wouldn't hurt to try and start building some connections. Never know when they may come in handy'
Zell thought to himself. As his was just a child he was sure he wouldn't be taken seriously by most of the people here as they were grown adults. But Zell figured leaving even a little impression was better than no impression at all.
But before he could act, he noticed master Fay looking in his direction. And made his way over when he saw her waving to him.
'O well, I suppose there's always next time'
Accepting that his chance had come and gone Zell moved towards Fay.
******
"Chancellor Valorum, allow me to introduce my padawan, Zell Mooncrest"
Standing face to face with the Supreme Chancellor Zell gave a respectful half bow as he gave his greeting.
"Hello Supreme chancellor, Its an honor to meet you in person, like my master said my name is Zell Mooncrest"
"Why thank you, but please young man there's no need for such formalities, we all here to celebrate a joyous occasion, so let us all speak casually"
Valorum replied as he extended his hand to Zell for a hand shake.
Seeing the intent as genuine Zell rose from his bow, and following the suggestion he took and shook the chancellor's hand firmly.
"I must say your student has excellent manners master Fay, such a rare thing to find the young now a days, you are truly fortunate"
"Your words are appreciated chancellor"
Said Fay.
With introductions made Valorum proceeded to ask Fay if she wouldn't mind sharing with them some of the experiences she'd lived during her travels.
He explained that apparently a member of his attending entourage was a huge admirer of Fay work, and before the gala the very member made clear that if the chance presented itself she'd love nothing more than to hear some stories from the jedi master's own lips.
Hearing this Fay was hesitant to oblige them, as she was not someone who found entertaining a crowd by explaining her life a pleasant thing. But seeing as refusing could go against the order's purpose in attending and supporting Valorum, she begrudgingly agreed and began regaling the group with tales from her past.
As the crowd was enamored by the tales, Zell made out the member who was likely his master's fan. She was a women probably in her mid thirties, who stood right behind valorum and who's eye appeared completely glued to Fay. The shear excitement radiating off of her despite her calm and dead pan expression made her a dead give away.
"I guess that's one of the people who insisted on master coming to the gala, in order to met her. A little brazen for them to request master to share some of her personal escapades on their first meeting. If you ask me. But given that masters rarely ever on Coruscant this was likely that person only chance to see her in person"
Zell muttered under his breath out of ear shot of everyone. As he recalled Fay's previous mention of the people who pushed for her appearance today.
As Fay began telling a story of her involvement in mediating a peace negotiation between two long waring talz clans that were in the middle of a blood feud on a remote ice world, Zell suddenly started feeling something of a itch under his skin out of nowhere.
At first he tried to ignore it believe it to be nothing but soon the feeling intensified, the hairs on his body began to stand up and a feeling as if cold ice had been injected into his veins appeared. Following a slight nausea was dropped into his gut like a stone.
'What...what is this feeling, I'm I falling sick. No this feeling thi...this isn't normal'
Instinctively he wanted to bend over and cradle his stomach, however Zell forced himself to remain upright and presentable, not allowing his discomfort to show on his face, as not to alarm anyone to his current state.
Having finished her tale Fay received a small applause and verbal accolades from Valorum and his peers, who enjoyed the story.
"My, that was such a fascinating story master Fay, thank you"
"It was my pleasure supreme chancellor"
"I hope that in the future we will have more opportunities to hear of similar events"
Fay's stared as her visible smile shrunk ever so slightly at the idea that even more memories of her life would be used as mere amusement for politicians.
As a jedi Fay was of course more than happy to share her life experiences with others if it actually helped serve a productive purpose. Such as lessons that some could learn from, or as a means to help encourage some who may hope to do what she does. Sadly those currently in front of her most likely didn't have those aspirations.
"If the force wills it then I'm sure we will....uhm?... Zell?"
Fay called out, noticing Zell acting odd.
"Yes... master?"
"My word, are you alright you look a bit pale"
"No, its nothing master"
Said Zell, trying to dissuade her worries
This draw the attention of Valorum and his entourage
"Is he feeling all right?"
"Not sure, he seems to be sweating and shaking"
"Could it be something he ate?"
"Oh my the poor thing"
Eyes quickly fell on Zell. Many who were just enjoying a good time began to worry as the child before them started to seemingly show signs of poor health.
"Perhaps It would be best if we called over a doctor over and have your student looked at. Luckily I had a small staff of medics put on stand by stationed nearby for today's festivities, encase any medical emergencies were to occur during the gala"
"No, no please do not make a fuss over me. I promise that I'm....ugh!!!"
"Zell!!!"
Suddenly his slight nausea turned stronger, almost painful, as Zell nearly dropped to his knees in revulsion, before being caught and support by master Fay.
'Damn it, what is causing this. It can't be the food is it?, no, none of the other guess who at the food are reacting like this, so what?'
"My goodness I was wondering what was all the commotion"
As Zell racked his brain trying to find the source of what was causing his current discomfort a new figure approached. Walking up to the group was a smiling elderly man who spoke in a kind, grandfather like voice.
"Ah, senator Palpatine, greetings"
Said one of the members of Valorum's entourage, announcing the arrival of Sheeve Palpatine.
"Welcome senator, I was wondering when you would join us. Jedi master Fay please allow me to introduce you to the senator of Naboo, senator Sheev Palpatine"
Following Valorum's introduction Palpatine draw closer to Zell and Fay.
"Master Fay I must say its such an honor to met you in person, I've heard much about the incredible work you've done in the galaxy"
Fay was somewhat annoyed that more people were try to speak with her while her padawan was in such a state, but she did her best to keep it from showing.
"Yes its a pleasure to met you as well senator but I'm sorry, now may not be the best time for farther dissuasions. My student you see is quite distressed at the moment, I would like move him to a quiet area away from the gala so that he can rest and recuperate"
Palpatine looked down towards the child Fay was holding up, who was sweating profusely and wheezing with a ragged breath, his eyes closing slightly in interest.
"My word that's terrible to hear, my good lad are you all right"
Moving closer to get a better look Palpatine took another step forward. But as he did Zell's condition worsened as his panic clearly increased.
'NO! STOP! PLEASE! SOME ONE! THE COLD, THE DARKNESS, IT!, TOO MUCH! I CANT!'
Zell tried to cry out for help but his manic screams were trapped in his throat. His fear of what ever this mysterious, heart gripping dark force was, seized him up and prevented him from uttering a word.
Seeing Zell worsen everyone's concern grow as well
"Come now my boy, lets move somewhere more comfortable"
"That much appreciated senator, come along Zell"
Fay said in gratitude to Palpatine for offering to help support and move Zell.
Reaching out a hand, Palpatine attempted to support Zell arm, as Fay held the other side. But upon making contact.
""AaaaaH!!!!
Zell erupted with a near glass shattering scream as a sudden deep malevolent darkness, unlike anything he's ever felt assaulted his mind. Drawing the eyes of all in the entire gala, causing even the orchestra to stop playing in startlement.
Unable to bear the malicious feeling that encroached upon him as if it want to consume his entire being, all the muscles in his body lost strength. And he dropped to his hands and knees, falling out of Fay's and Palpatine's grasps. Then vomited with great force, pretty much emptying the entire contents of his stomach over the floor.
Once finished, he collapsed, his mind going blank and his vision blurring out. During his last minute of lucidity he barley made out the hazy figure of his master kneeling over him with frantic concern all over her face.
Soon blacking out.
******
Inside one of the med rooms of the jedi temple's medical bay, Zell laid unmoving on a medical bed, near by machines monitoring his vial signs. At present a doctor and a nurse were keeping watch over him.
Just when the two were about to preform another examination on him the sound of the infirmary door sliding open was heard.
Entering was master Fay
"Any changes?"
She asked as she moved toward Zell's bed, sitting down onto a nearby chair.
"None yet, but we are keeping a close eye on his condition just incase"
Answered the doctor, as he scrolled through his data pad, reviewing the recorded data they had on the child state.
"From what we could make out from when you first brought him in, he was clearly exhibiting symptoms of such extreme stress that it bordered on complete hysteria. But since his admission he's stabilized and other than remaining unconscious nothing else seems wrong"
After his spontaneous breakdown and subsequent fainting at the gala Zell was quickly transported back to the jedi temple and imminently placed in the infirmary. After being admitted he drifted into and out of sever fits as if having a seizure. During which Zell was given micro doses of sedatives at timed intervals to calm he down, thus helping prevent any further fits.
"Though from our tests we're confidant his not in a coma, so its likely he'll awaken soon"
"Thank you doctor, you can go see to your other patients if wish. I plan to stay for a time so I can watch over him for you"
"Alright we won't be long, please contact us immediately if MoonCrest's status changes"
Fay nodded to the doctor and the two soon left the room to attend to other duties.
Now alone with the still inert Zell, Fay looked down on at him as she pondered back on the events that lead to now. Wondering what was it that had caused him to react in such a manner during the gala.
As she reviewed that night in her head, looking for any possible clues, Zell began to stir in his bed, catching Fay's notice.
Almost with thinking as if on instinct Zell rose to an up right position, looking to his side to see his master with a relieved look on her face.
"I'm glad to see you up at last"
"Master? Where I'm I? wait isn't this the temple's infirmary"
Zell became more awake he started recognizing his surroundings.
"That right, it is, you were moved here at what happened at the gala"
"The.... gala, what happened?"
"You don't recall?"
Fayed ask, surprised that Zell didn't seem to remember what transpired.
"No, uhm, my mind's.... a bit fuzzy. I remember you and I were talking with the supreme chancellor, but after that... nothing"
Filling him in on what occurred two days ago at the gala Fay explained in detail about what happened.
Her explanation finishing on how he had started act abnormal and ended up collapsing.
"I see. My apologies master for the disturbance I caused"
"Think nothing of it Zell, I do not fault you in the slightest for what happened, I'm just glad you're alright. In truth I'm more concerned about the cause of what made you act in such a way"
Though Fay hadn't been Zell's master for even a full year, she was confident she had a good understanding of his character. She knew he was a strong minded person, someone who was not easily shaken despite his young age. So for him to have reacted the way he did seemingly out of know where, made no sense.
She could only suspect some outside influence had fallen upon him.
But during the gala nothing appeared a miss to her, and she sensed nothing off even through the force. Which left her perplexed.
"Cold"
"Come again?"
"I don't remember much about what happened. But what little I can recall is feeling cold, and.... fear"
"Fear? fear of what?"
Fay asked showing a concerned look.
"..... I'm sorry master I... I don't know"
Frustrated that he couldn't provide Fay with more useful information, and anxious due to him recalling the harrowing experience he went through, he looked downward his bed sheets in dejection.
Seeing him suddenly become depressed Fay spoke.
"Please do not worry about it, for the time being your sole focus on your recovery. We can think more on this another time"
Wanting to give Zell more time to rest she set this troubling matter aside for the time being. But it would be something that would remain in the shallows of her minds for a while.
An unsettling feeling taking root within her. For what reason, she couldn't fathom.
******
In the abandoned industrial zone of Coruscant other whys known as "the works", nestled amongst the countless old decrepitate forgotten structures lay a secluded hidden base. Within it was a kneeling dark robed elderly man.
This was Darth Sidious, one of two of the last remaining members of the Sith. A long existing cult that followed the ways of the dark side, thought to had gone extinct by the Jedi.
"My master Plagueis, I am pleased to inform you that all is going as we've planned. Valorum has successful become chancellor of the Republic and is currently moving to expand his power base and influence. I am slowly rising through his administration and should in time become an indispensable aid to him. From such a position I'll be able to influence him without drawing suspicion"
Sidious continued reporting as he spoked to a tall holoprojected silhouette that towered over him.
"Excellent, rise Darth Sidious"
The hologram ordered gesturing with a raised hand.
Obeying the command Sidious got to his feet, looking straight at the hologram that depicted the form a Munn wearing a similar dark robe to his own.
This was his lord and master Darth Plagueis. Known to the rest of the galaxy as Hego Damask, leader of the large corporation Damask Holding.
"Continue as planned. You must establish yourself as one of his closest advisers if we are to manipulate the chancellor to serve our purposes"
"It will be done my master"
Wasting no time the two figures moved on additional topics, discussing the various plans they had in motion across the galaxy. The one involving the supreme chancellor just being one of several. Each individual one a mere part in their greater grand design.
As the two talked Sidious brought up something that had been weighting on his mind for quite some time.
"My master there is a matter of possible concern that I wish to inform you of"
Sidious had always been meticulous by nature, never leaving any unknown factor to chance, as a single mistake or moment of carelessness could risk his exposure and the subsequent downfall of the Sith. So if something worried him he always made sure to swiftly have it addressed and dealt with as needed, just like now.
The Munn frown recognizing the serious tone which his apprentice spoke.
"Speak my student, what is it?"
"At the gala I happened upon an opportunity to come face to face with the wandering jedi master named Fay"
"Yes, that troublesome one. The one responsible for ruining several our operations"
"That is correct"
Plagueis's frown deepened as his guess turned out to be right.
Over the years Sidious and Plagueis had secretly incited conflicts on numerous worlds with the intent of using the ensuing chaos to destabilize the Republic. Some times even taking the chance to plant their own agents and spies. Effectually cementing their influence in those regions.
But some of those attempts had failed due to the interference of one lone jedi.
As a result of jedi master Fay's efforts to bring peace to war torn worlds, she happened to unknowingly obstruct the machinations of the Sith when she come across such planets being sabotaged by them.
"Were there any difficulties with her?"
"No, not with her per say. But rather with her new apprentice"
"Her apprentice?"
The two Sith made sure to keep a track of note worthy jedi who possessed strength capable of possibly threating them, Fay being one such jedi given her incredible strength and pure position in the force. So they made sure to keep tabs on her when ever possible, which was not an easy task given her elusiveness from her reclusive style. But at the very least they knew she never took a student before.
That is until now.
"Yes, she has finally acquired one"
"So... what is it about this student that has drawn your attention"
"He is powerful, very powerful. Of all the jedi that were there at time his presents in the force overshadowed them all. Even when stand right next to his master the difference was immense"
"I see, Interesting go on"
Plagueis said in contemplation, as scenarios run through his mind. Considerations on how they could possibly use this child if an opportunity ever presented itself allowing them to some how ensnare the child. Or how they could eliminate him if they ever deem him to dangerous to let live.
After all Plagueis was certain that if Sidious was so impressed by this child while he was still just a padawan then they would undoubtably become a force to be reckoned with once fully matured and trained.
"What concerns me is a certain abnormality that occurred from the boy during the gala"
"Hm, explain"
Plagueis wanting the full story in detail had Sidious recount the entire event as clearly as possible, leaving nothing out.