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Chakra stared out in wonder at the emerald and blue planet of Naboo. Aboard the Mind's Eye, Chakra could see the entire planet laid out in front of her, and it filled her with a sort of quiet excitement and anticipation. Finally, she would be able to do what she came to do....
But would she be able to do it? Chakra pondered this for a moment with a knot growing in her stomach. What if she failed? What a disgrace she would be... to herself, to the Senshi... to her mother...
More than anything in the entire world, even more than wanting to carry out her duty, Chakra did not want to shame her mother. It was the single thing that struck more fear into her heart than anything else could. Her mother was her world... the only real family she had.
Chakra's jaw set in determination. Not only would she do this for Queen Amidala and the Light, but she would do it for her mother.
Nom, sitting in the pilot's seat, looked over at her pensive daughter. "Chakra?"
"Yes, Mother?" asked Chakra, turning to face Nom.
"You seem distracted."
"Just thinking. I am allowed, am I not?"
"Just as long as you do not brood," Nom said with a smile. Chakra returned the grin as the Mind's Eye entered the atmosphere and started the landing cycle.
"Queen Amidala, Nom Da'Gara and Chakra Ramahoshi, Sailor Jedi from Dathomir," announced Sabe as she opened the doors to the throne room where Amidala sat.
Nom and Chakra entered, bowed politely and waited to be addressed. Chakra studied Padme Naberrie Amidala. She was even more beautiful in person... a kind of beautiful strength emitted from her, which caused Chakra to shudder. Whatever destroyed this woman must have been very strong, and very evil...
Queen Amidala smiled, friendliness showing in her brown eyes. "Greetings, Nom Da'Gara, Chakra Ramahoshi."
"Greetings, your Highness."
"You requested an audience?"
Nom looked down at Chakra. The curly-golden brown haired girl stepped forward with another small bow. "Yes, Your Highness. I have come with a request... and an offer."
Amidala looked intrigued. "Go on."
Chakra mustered up all the strength she could possibly summon. "I am Sailor Chibi Dathomir, Guardian of Inner Lights... and with your permission, your Highness... I would like to stay here, on Naboo, as your Guardian."
Both Nom and the Queen looked surprised. Nom didn't know that this was what Chakra had in mind... and the Queen was surprised that a Sailor Jedi would make such an offer.
"Why would you want to do this, Chakra?"
Chakra looked at the woman with soulful eyes. "Your Highness, it is my duty to protect the Lights inside of everyone. Yours is a brilliant one, brighter than anything I have seen.... and I do not want to see it extinguished."
Queen Amidala looked taken aback. "Well..."
"I know this may be confusing, Your Highness... but it is my duty. It is part of who I am," Chakra said.
The Queen stared at the little girl, no more than eight... so eloquent and sincere... perhaps...
"Chakra, how long have you been a Senshi?"
Chakra answered truthfully. "A few weeks, Your Highness."
"So I take it you are still in training?"
"Yes, I am."
The Queen nodded and smiled. "Chakra... I would love to have you stay here with us on Naboo... a Sailor Jedi may not be such a bad thing to have around... however..." She tried to ignore how Chakra's face fell. "You are still young. And you still have some learning to do."
Chakra bowed her head. "Yes, your Highness."
"But when you are ready... say, in four years or so?... It would be a wonderful idea if you were to come back to Naboo to stay as a Guardian of the Palace. Would that suit you?" Amidala asked.
Chakra's head came up, and the crystalline blue eyes quivered in gratitude and hope. There was still a chance to carry out her mission... "That would be wonderful, Queen Amidala, thank you."
The Queen nodded and smiled once more. "Than I shall see you in four years, Chakra. Good luck."
Back on the Mind's Eye, Nom pulled out a blanket and spread it on Chakra's bed. The ship was in hyperspace, heading back to Coruscant, and they had a little bit of time before they got there. Chakra, overwhelmed and overtired, decided she wanted a nap.
Nom looked down at her daughter, with an unreadable expression, perhaps one of admiration. "You did not tell me you wanted to stay at the palace..."
"I have not told you much, Mother."
"That is true," Nom said. "For instance, you never told me that Amidala was the Light..."
Chakra looked rather worried. "I could not say it in front of Anakin and Obi Wan. They know her... and it would have them upset. Do you promise not to tell?"
Nom smiled. "You have my honor as a warrior."
Chakra thought a moment. "And you have my honor, as your daughter, that I will not hide anything from you again."
Nom looked at her daughter with approval. "Thank you." She tucked her in, then exited the room, and shut off the lights. Chakra lay in bed for a while, not sleeping, thinking of the time ahead of her... her training... something she must excel in to prove herself to the Queen... her thoughts then drifted to the crystal... where it came from... what it could mean...
Eventually, Chakra slipped into a sleep full of dreams... dreams of her friends... dreams of fun times.... dreams of darker times, and a foggy future... a man... holding out a hand... we are one in the same...
In her sleep, Chakra said one word out loud: "Father."
Which was odd, because Chakra Ramahoshi never knew her father... never saw a picture... never heard a story...
In the cockpit, Nom Da'Gara stirred, as if feeling the whisper of a ghost on the back of her neck....
