Anakin stared at the scene before him, his young mind racing.
He didn't understand everything that was happening, but one thing was clear, he would become a powerful Jedi one day. He would.
Then the painting style shifted.
Qui-Gon lay motionless on the ground, lightsaber fallen from his hand.
"MASTER!" Obi-Wan's cry tore through the air.
Qui-Gon did not breathe.
Darth Maul stood over him, crimson blade humming. "Obi-Wan. You're next."
"Monster!" Obi-Wan ignited his blade and charged.
Blades clashed and sparks flew. The duel consumed the hangar.
Padmé rushed to Qui-Gon's side, hands hovering over his body. No wounds. But no heartbeat or breath.
"Qui-Gon! Somebody, is there a doctor? Anyone?"
C-3PO and R2-D2 exchanged glances. Well, R2 beeped, and C-3PO tilted his head.
Their sensors told them Qui-Gon was perfectly fine. The Jedi trick, suspended animation, Force-assisted.
But why?
R2-D2 emitted a questioning warble.
C-3PO whispered (electronically), "I am wondering. Perhaps to surprise the Sith? Or... to impress the Queen?"
R2's response was flat. Probability of your theories being correct, 50% and 90%, respectively. Both wrong.
"Well, what's your theory?"
Tactics. Don't tell Anakin.
"Ah. Yes. Discretion. I shall remain silent."
The duel continued.
Obi-Wan and Darth Maul circled each other, blades singing. But their eyes met, briefly, and a silent conversation passed between them.
Almost done?
I'm running out of moves.
Let's wrap it.
Agreed.
They angled the fight, positioning themselves so Padmé and the others could only see their backs. Then~
A stumble swing. Darth Maul leaned back at exactly the right moment. Obi-Wan's blade almost connected, then withdrew.
Darth Maul's lightsaber clattered to the deck. He fell, twitched once.
Then he went still.
Obi-Wan stood over him, blade raised to the heavens, and roared.
"WHO ELSE?!"
"....."
Then, clank. Clank. Clankclankclank.
The battle droids moved. They formed a ring around Obi-Wan, weapons raised.
Obi-Wan's blood ran cold.
This wasn't in the script. Garfield, you~
Ten seconds passed, an eternity.
Then, as one, the droids lowered their weapons and swung them toward the Batlings.
"By order of the Great King Garfield, surrender!"
The Batlings hesitated. Then the Governor resplendent in his tiny red robe, raised his hands high. The others followed.
"….." Padmé stared.
"…." Anakin stared.
"…." Even Obi-Wan, lightsaber still humming, stared.
What.
Just~
What.
A golden light bloomed in the air above them. Swirled and opened.
And out stepped~
An orange cat.
Padmé found her voice first. "A... flying... cat?"
The cat's eyes narrowed. "I am King Garfield. And I am your savior."