The Forgotten Hero: A Star Wars Story

Duel of the Fates

The next day, on Naboo, Jar Jar exits the swamp lake and walks over to Queen Amidala, her attendants, Padme, Captain Panaka, the two Jedi, Anakin, Y/N, and R2. Four pilots, and eight guards stand in the background near the starship.

Jar Jar: Dare-sa nobody dare. All gone. Some kinda fight, I tink. Sorry, no Gungas... no Gungas.

Captain Panaka: Do you think they've been taken to camps?

Y/N: It seems more likely they got wiped out.

Jar Jar: No...mesa no tink so. Gungan hiden. When in trouble, go to sacred place. Mackineeks no find them dare.

Qui-Gon: Do you know where they are?

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The group follows Jar Jar as he moves through the swamp. Jar Jar stops and sniffs the air. The group stopped behind him.

Jar Jar: Dissen it.

Jar Jar makes a strange chattering noise. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Captain Tarpals and six other gungan troops riding on kaadus emerge from the brush.

Jar Jar: Heyo-dalee, Captain Tarpals.

Tarpals: Binks!! Noa gain!

Jar Jar: We comen to see da boss.

Captain Tarpals rolls his eyes.

Tarpals: Ouch time, Binks... Ouch time for all-n youse.

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Jar Jar, Queen Amidala, her attendants, Padme, Captain Panaka, the two Jedi, Anakin, Y/N, R2, and the rest of her group are led through a clearing full of gungan refugees.

At the far end are the ruins of a grand temple with massive carved heads. Boss Nass and several other council members walk out on the top of a three-quarter-submerged head.

Boss Nass: Jar Jar, yousa payen dis time. Who's da uss-en others??

Queen Amidala steps forward. Captain Panaka and the Jedi stand behind her.

Amidala: I am Queen Amidala of the Naboo...I come before you in peace.

Boss Nass: Naboo biggen. Yousa bringen da Mackineeks... Dya busten uss-en omm. Yousa all bombad. Yousa all die'n, mesa tink.

Captain Panaka and half a dozen guards and pilots look around nervously, and the Gungan Troops lower their long power poles. The Jedi stay relaxed. Anakin watches everything greatly interested as Y/N picks at his nails, only half listening.

Amidala: We wish to form an alliance...

Suddenly, Padme steps forward.

Padme: Your Honor...

R2 whistles a quiet "uh oh." Y/N now pays attention, looking up with a tilted head.

Boss Nass: Whosa dis?

Padme: I am Queen Amidala (points to Queen) This is my decoy... my protection... my loyal bodyguard.

Anakin is stunned. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon give each other a knowing look. Y/N laughs a soft chuckle.

Y/N: About time you admitted it.

Padme gives him a death stare and turns back

Padme : I am sorry for my deception, but under the circumstances it has become necessary to protect myself. Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace... until now. The Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. You are in hiding, my people are in camps. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever... I ask you to help us... no, I beg you to help us.