Across the Stars: A Tale of Beauty and the Beast
By Serena Kenobi
Author's note: Yes, this is the second in the 'Across the Stars' series. This story is based on... well, if you can't guess which fairy tale it's based on, I'm going to get just a little scared. Anyhoo, enjoy, and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: Moi? Own Star Wars? Or Beauty and the Beast? (bursts into laughter)
Chapter One
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away...
A young Jedi Knight lived in a shining temple. Although he had everything he desired, he was spoiled, egotistical, and ruthless.
His oldest friend and mentor, the great Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, tried to help him overcome his faults, but to no avail. The young Jedi would not control his temper.
Eventually, the Jedi Council realized that something had to be done. Master Shaak Ti, named respectfully one of the wisest Jedi Masters in the Order, came up with a plan to help the young Knight overcome his arrogant attitude.
One night, an old, cloaked woman came to the Temple, and offered the young Knight a blood red rose in return for refuge from the freezing, raging storm outside.
However, the young Knight took one distasteful glance at the rose and snorted. "A rose? You're offering me a rose?" he said, tone disdainful. "I'm the Chosen One, the Jedi who will bring balance to the Force. You insult me."
"Do not be deceived, young Jedi," The woman said in a low voice. "Beauty is found from within the body, not from the out."
The Knight's handsome face curled into a sneer. "Go away, you old hag!" he barked. "Get away from me!" He threw the rose at her. "And take your blasted rose with you!"
The rose dropped to the ground in front of the woman, and she stared down at it, the red petals dripping with water. She then raised her eyes to the Jedi.
A sudden bolt of lightning flashed in the Coruscanti sky, and it illuminated the old woman's features. The Jedi drew in a sharp breath; and the woman threw back her hood.
"Master Ti!" The Knight stammered, "I – I had no idea – forgive me!" He bowed low in reverence.
Shaak Ti gazed down at him with cold, yet saddened eyes. "Young Knight," she said, "I have given you a test. A test to see if you are really as selfish and thoughtless as the Council believes you to be. I have seen your behavior for myself, and it is true. You have failed."
"Master, I–"
"Silence. I have yet another test for you. This one will be the hardest one you will ever have. To prove that you can be a good person and a true Jedi Knight, you must learn the ways of kindness. Compassion. Love.
"If you can learn to love another, and earn her love in return, then you will have succeeded. But your appearance will not be as it is now."
And thus, she transformed him into a hideous monster, covered in dark, hulking, black armor, and a mask that screamed the epitome of fear; and she gave him the voice of death itself. Banishing him to the lone planet of Mustafar, also sending along several Jedi to accompany him, he was left with a dark, gloomy palace, and a suit that would never come off in a normal environment – unless he wished to die.
The beautiful rose that Master Ti had given him was an enchanted rose, and would bloom until his twenty-third year. If he could learn to love someone, and earn her love in return before the last petal fell… the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain in the suit forever.
But his situation only enhanced the Knight's frustration and temper. Would anyone ever learn to love him if he looked like this?
"Daddy, I'm going to town!"
A pause.
"What?"
"I'm going to town!"
"What?"
"I'm going to town!"
Another short pause.
"What?"
"I'M GOING TO TOWN!!"
"I can't hear ya, honey!"
"I said, I'M GOING TO – oh, hang this."
Padmé Naberrie threw her basket on the stairs and yanked the door open. "I'm going to town, Daddy!" she shouted down into the cellar.
"Oh, well why didn't ya say so in the first place?" her father called back.
Padmé heaved a sigh. Oh brother. "I did say so, Daddy, you just didn't hear me."
"What was that, Padmé?"
"I SAID… I said BYE!" Padmé shut the cellar door behind her and snatched her basket, pulling her cloak over herself. She rushed down the back steps and hurried off down the cobbled street.
She reached Theed City in a matter of minutes, humming to herself. When she came to the bakery, she looked in the window of the door to see if it was open yet. Padmé couldn't tell, so she tried the door. It was unlocked. "Hello?" she called, opening the door slightly and peeking inside.
A loud bang was heard, and after, some muffled swearing.
"Is anyone here?" she asked.
"Padmé, is that you?" a gruff voice said.
Padmé entered the bakery and shut the door behind her. "Yes, it's me," said she.
An elder, though burly man lifted his head to face her. "Hiya, there, sweetie!" he said, breaking into a smile. "You're here kinda early, aren't ya?"
Padmé shrugged. "I suppose. Need any help, Paddy?"
"Me? Nah, I'm fine. I'm guessing ya want yer usual," Paddy said, opening the oven.
She nodded. "If it's ready."
"Darlin', it's been ready since ya walked through the door," he laughed. "Here." A few toasty, light brown rolls of bread were thrust into her basket.
"Thanks," Padmé said. "How much do I owe you?" She fumbled for her purse while placing the basket in the other hand.
"Nah, it's on the house today," Paddy said, "You've been such a good help around here."
Padmé smiled. "Thank you."
"Plus, you'll need that extra money to finish that political training of yours," Paddy added knowingly.
"You're right," she said, nodding. "Thanks." She took her basket and went out the door, calling behind her: "See you around, Paddy!"
Paddy grinned and yelled back, "You too, sweetie! Good luck with yer political mish-mash!"
Padmé laughed, twirling the strings of her purse in one hand as she went down the busy cobbled road. Everyone seemed to be awake now in the large and bustling city of Theed, and there were tourists strolling around, Royal Guards hurrying back and forth to the palace, and airspeeders zooming around carrying people to their destinations.
Sighing happily, Padmé couldn't imagine a more beautiful, happy planet in the entire galaxy. Everything was perfect here on the happy planet of Naboo.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the politician-in-training."
Well. Almost perfect.
Padmé sucked in a very annoyed breath as she heard the familiar voice pulling her out of her dreams. Turning around slowly, she managed to plaster a false smile on her face. "Hello, Palo."
The quintessential model of the description 'tall, dark, and handsome' leered at her, his hands resting on his utility belt. "Hello, Padmé. What've you been up to? Dreaming about yours truly?" He took a few intentional steps towards her.
Padmé didn't back down. "Not exactly," she said, shaking her head full of soft brown curls.
Palo swept an appreciative gaze over her slim, well-shaped form, and she immediately grew angry.
"Hey, laserbrain, my face is up here," she snapped, folding her arms over her chest.
Palo grinned. "And a very beautiful face it is, too," he said smoothly.
Padmé scowled. "Don't try that flattery stuff with me, Casanova," she snorted. "You're wasting your time. Go flirt with the local dancing girls." She indicated the pub nearby.
"Ah, but Padmé, my dear," Palo breathed, "None of them have the same fire and spirit as you do." Taking another step forward, he reached out and touched her face.
Padmé slapped his hand away, her deep brown eyes flashing in rage. "Don't touch me, slime-ball," she hissed. "Or the next time I'll hit you even harder. In the place where it'll hurt the most." She stormed past him and down the street, hoping he would take the hint and not follow.
Luckily for her, he didn't.
Padmé ran home to find her annoying older sister home, looking at herself in the mirror as usual. "Sola," Padmé said, irritated as her gaze swept over the new clothes her sister had bought, "I've been trying to save us money by working extra shifts at the bakery – and here you are spending it all!"
Sola shot her sister a disdainful look. "Oh, don't get all in a tizzy, Padmé," she scoffed, "you're just jealous that I'm getting all the attention from the boys and you're not. Plus, I get invited to all the best parties in Theed and you don't. I understand why you're jealous, but honestly, honey," she shot her sister a condescending smirk, "you could use some makeup."
Padmé fought the urge to scream at her ridiculous sister. "Look, Sola, I'm doing my best to make sure this family stays together. Dad's been working extra hard ever since he was laid off from his position at the factory. We really don't need to spend money we don't have on stupid clothes just so you can look good!"
"And then you go and spend all those credits on your ridiculous political courses," Sola sniffed. "Don't tell me you're actually thinking about becoming a senator. You're just not diplomatic or pretty enough, sweetie."
Padmé really felt like wiping that awful smirk off her sister's face. "Yes, well, when I become a senator, don't expect me to lend you any money," she shot back, and stormed into the kitchen. When she heard a loud noise down below, her eyes widened, and she rushed downstairs to find her father practically blowing up the basement with another one of his inventions. Coughing from the smoke, she hurried into the cellar, shouting, "Daddy? Are you all right?"
She heard a muffled swearing and then, "Padmé, honey, stand back!"
Padmé barely had time to duck the piece of scrap metal flying right at her, and she screamed as it flew right where her head had been. "Daddy, what are you doing?" She cried in alarm.
Her father came forward as the smoke cleared, frowning. He was covered head to toe in grease and soot. "I'm trying to make this blasted contraption work!"
Padmé rose to her feet and raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Uh, what are you making?"
Ruwee grinned and stepped back, patting the metal machine beside him. "This, Padmé, is your ticket to success."
Padmé coughed. "Uh, how so?"
"This machine, when I'm finished, will create certain parts for astromech droids that are extremely hard to make!"
His daughter didn't share his optimism as much as he. "Well, it's a great idea and all," Padmé said gently, "but don't they already have factories for this sort of thing?"
Ruwee frowned. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I should just create a new astro droid and sell it at the shop." Doing a double take, he looked at his chrono. "Oh, blast! The shop!" He rushed out the door.
Padmé sighed.
A few seconds later, he came bursting back in, panting, "I forgot my…" he trailed off as Padmé held up his wallet. "Oh, thanks, sweetie!" He kissed her on the cheek and rushed out the door again.
Padmé shook her head and began to laugh.
That's the first chapter!! (rubs hands together in excitement) Ooh, I can't wait to continue! This is gonna be such a fun story to write! But I can't do this alone. I need your support!! Donations will be very appreciated. Just press the blue button to your left and write to: "Across the Stars: A Tale of Beauty and the Beast Charity."
I'm just kidding. Or not...
MtFbwy,
- Serena Kenobi