Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. All rights go to the respective owner(s).

Author's Note: I have been wanting to write a Star Wars piece for a really long time. I just never got around to it until now. A plot came to me. And well, I hope it all works out well. This is mainly going to be focused around Anakin and Obi-Wan, as they are my two favorite characters - as is their multidimensional relationship. One moment they're like brothers, then best friends, and then father and son. I just find it extremely fascinating.

Enjoy! And feedback of any kind would be greatly appreciated!

~~~ ARC I ~~~

- PROLOGUE: CAPTIVITY -

It is the sound of dripping water and cold air that awakes Anakin Skywalker from his deep slumber. A hazy blur of black and obscured light is what his vision is greeted with as he open his eyes and takes a moment to blink in an attempt to achieve a sense of clarity. When he does not receive as such, he groans, and tries to move his arms to position them by his sides - for some odd reason they are above his head - which causes an acute pain to shoot up through his right right side that takes his breath away. Yet, the pain grants him the clarity he desperately needs and everything that occurred to end him up in his current situation, comes filtering back through his head.

He has been imprisoned. And by a man he thought he could trust: Chancellor of the Republic, Palpatine.

It had been an amateur mistake on his part really, not that he likes to admit as such. Palpatine had just revealed to him, his true identity - the Sith Lord that helped Count Dooku orchestrate The Clone Wars - and nearly convinced him to join him in the dark side of the Force by presenting him with a way of saving his wife, Padme Amidala, from dying. Confused, he had immediately fled and told Mace Windu of the revelation, not knowing what to do himself. Naturally Master Windu had went to assess the situation and had Anakin wait back at the Jedi Temple.

But his fear of losing Padme led him to leave the Jedi Temple and at least ensure Palpatine's life would not come to an end. Yet. He needed time to decide what would be best for Padme. For him.

When he got to Palpatine's office, Mace had the man downed and was deflecting Force Lightning with his amethyst saber back onto Palpatine. The Chancellor writhed about and begged Anakin to spare him in order to save Padme . . .

Honestly, Anakin was about to take the fall and derail his character for Padme's sake - because she is pure and deserving and he cannot fathom living life without her by his side - without her love. When he thinks about potentially losing any of the people he loves, his mind becomes plagued by images of his mother cradled tentatively in his arms, broken, bloodied, and the fire in the depths of her eyes dulling until all that was her dissipated. He had never felt so cold in his life, the void in his chest crippling.

To envision the same happening to his wife, Padme, or even the man he considered a father: Obi-Wan Kenobi, has caused a trembling fear to take root deeply inside himself. They, along with the baby, were his most cherished people. The ones he wanted to protect even if it cost him his life. Because really, he would much rather be dead than lose what they gave him: hope, love, and reassurance.

Then, just as Anakin was about to give into Palpatine's demands - though even then he had come to despise the man for the situation he had put him in - the Force reached out to him, offering him guidance . . .

Anakin could only watch in horror as Palpatine's red and yellow irises begged him to save him, Mace Windu looming over him with a stony expression in-tact. "Padme . . ." he murmured, hesitantly flicked his wrist, and activated his lightsaber. He knew what he was about to do would forever alter his life, possibly even be his end, but if it meant Padme would survive - and he wouldn't have to feel the pain of losing her - he would live with the consequences and he would learn to deal with the monster he would become.

Palpatine's outstretched hand beckoned him. "Anakin please!"

Mace glanced at him from the corner of his eye, as if he had an inkling of what he was about to do. "Don't listen to him, Anakin! He's too dangerous to let live!"

Anakin could feel a dark void engulfing his mind in an attempt to devour any shroud of light that remained in him. He wrenched his eyes shut, the image of his beautiful Padme laying on a medical table, crystal tears cascading from her opal gaze, and a choked scream making its way from her throat, tormented his mind. He couldn't lose her! He just couldn't! He needed her.

"I need him!" he wailed, about to bring his blade down on Mace - prepared to disarm the Jedi Master (literally) for a chance to save Padme, when he froze, stormy blue gaze widening. He felt odd, his brain fuzzy.

The room suddenly changed to a fiery landscape where the land was deeply scarred and bare, hot magma cutting through its surface like burning rivers. He was observing from above, where he could make out his own self, pacing to a ship that vaguely reminded him of Padme's. "A vision?" he inquired, not surprised when the him in his vision didn't look at him.

Suddenly the ramp to the small ship groaned before clicking open and descended to the cracked surface. A moment later, a heavily pregnant Padme emerged and rushed down its length and into Anakin's awaiting arms. But something was off about the vision. Anakin could sense that his body was controlled by rage - and the Padme he's envisioned must have sensed that too, because she stepped back, scared. They then commenced to share a few heated exchanges and Anakin could only watch on, anger boiling at himself for being so crude to Padme of all people - one of the only to stand firm beside him.

Then, without warning, Padme grabbed at her throat and began kicking as she was raised off the ground - the apparition of himself using the Force to choke her with his outstretched hand. The most sickening part was that he looked thrilled as he did so - as if he was receiving some disgusting high from having her life in his hands.

"NO!" he yelled at himself and tried to reach out to him - just as the scene changed again and he found himself in a dark room with a single light hanging from the ceiling that highlighted a tall figure clothed in a black suit from head-to-toe. The air was tense. The figure took a deep breath and exhaled, the sound that came from the mask indicating that he was only able to execute such an action with the use of a respirator. What kind of injury would result in that? He was too scared to think too hard on it.

"What of Padme?" the figure implored, sending a sick feeling to settle in Anakin's stomach as he realized what was going on. That man - this vision - was entailing what he would become if he stooped into the darkness.

A man stepping forth from the shadows drew the attention both of Anakin and the black-clad monstrosity that he would become. When he squinted and took in the being before him, he instantly recognized him to be Palpatine from his long nose and thin lips that protruded from beneath the hood of his cloak. "She's dead." he said, pleased. "Dead by your own hand."

When he came to, he declined Palpatine's offer with a fervent passion; as a result, the Sith Lord went berserk with unadulterated rage. He casually tossed Mace Windu out the window of his office, then turned his Force Lightning on Anakin, rendering him unconscious before he even had a chance to comprehend what was going on.

All he does remember is the intense pain from the Force Lightning. It felt as if every single nerve in his body had been set ablaze, his muscles contracting relentlessly. Then, just before he could cry out in pain, there was darkness. After that everything is a blur.

"Kriff." Anakin grumbles hatefully under his breath as his vision finally clears and he is able to see what his keeping him secured. His wrists are shackled tightly above his head and his ankles are no better off, cuffed as well. There's a raw gash on his right side, the cloth of his tunic frayed and charred - the indications of a lightsaber wound - which explains his discomfort. He hisses and lifts his head simultaneously, his eyes sweeping over what he can't deny: a cell.

The walls are bland and gray, the floors the same; not a window in sight; and an open door way directly in front of him guarded by a thin red veil that's more threatening than it appears. If he were to step one foot through the red wall (which he knows is impossible in itself), his appendage would be incinerated instantly.

It isn't a pleasant thought.

Not that the situation he is currently in is exactly pleasant anyways.

He can't help but ponder on where exactly he is being contained. The Senate certainly wouldn't approve of his imprisonment - partially because of whom his wife is and her influence over the band of politicians - nor would the Jedi. He didn't want to consider that Palpatine, even though enraged with him, would go as far as shatter his reputation, but he can't count the possibility out. Palpatine is a Sith Lord above all else.

Anakin sighs.

Mace Windu had been right. Palpatine is too dangerous to let live.

He is brought from his internal reverie by the echoes of heavy footfalls out in the hallway. He narrows his eyes - he has a valid theory of whose steps those belong to. He clenches his jaw and maintains an intimidating expression, even when the translucent red wall ascends into the top of the frame and in steps an all-too-familiar cloak-clad figure.

"Come to try and convince me to join you again?" he spits like venom. Palpatine's lips curl to form a snarl, the depths of his irises sparking amber and crimson; the reaction he did not exactly desire nor anticipate. It only adds to the lingering, subconscious thought that he truly never knew the man. The persona of him that he had come to respect and find worthy of confiding in had been a mask - a lie - a way to manipulate.

"I won't kill you for refusing me, Anakin." he says, holding up a familiar cylinder device; a lightsaber. When he's got it an angle, he presses the button on the side; it ignites, the red beam extends to its fullest length, humming just inches from his throat.

Anakin bites back a yelp - he won't allow this monster such pleasure - the intense heat permeating from the blade already scorching his flesh. Palpatine, despite not getting a sound from his captive, still has a sickeningly gleeful look: snarl turning into a wicked grin, eyes darkening, his brow wrinkled even further.

"I'll just have to use . . . more persuasive techniques." he clucks. Anakin bares his teeth and bucks against his restraints, mentally blocking out the pain that the lightsaber near his neck produces.

"I'll never join you - no matter what you do." he snaps. "The Jedi will come after you!"

Palpatine merely throws his head back and lets loose a vile laugh. Then he calms and meets Anakin's stare, amusement flashing through them. "Tell me this: how can the Jedi save you when they are all dead?!"

Anakin scowls. "What are you saying?" He doesn't want to believe it. Why should he? Palpatine has apparently done nothing but deceive and manipulate him and many others for an unnumbered amount of years.

"Order 66."

". . . Order 66?"

Palpatine nods. "Yes, it was . . . an unfortunate call." he says, expression darkening. "The Jedi wanted me dead; I had them killed. It's treason to conspire against your own leader after all."

Anakin can't believe what he has just heard. No. Obi-Wan . . . he can't be dead. He can still feel their bond through the Force. Right . . . ?

"You lie!" he declares, shaking his head in denial and fighting against his shackles in a futile attempt to get at Palpatine, his anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"Search your feelings, Anakin. You know it to be true!"

He's right. He can feel them, gone, Coruscant absent of any Jedi presences. It's disconcerting and devastating. He had invoked the Jedi's demise just by sparing Palpatine. The guilt of that realization is overwhelming. But selfishly, the only one's death that truly cuts him deep, is Obi-Wan's - his father figure - his brother - his best friend - his guidance.

"I'll kill you for this." he growls out in tone so low that it borderlines something feral, his head bowed. He hears Palpatine take in a slow breath.

"That's it, Anakin." he says, tilting back slightly as he feeds off Anakin's fervent rage that radiates into the Force like a hot flame. "I can feel your anger through the Force. If only you'd let it consume you and grant you infinite power."

"I may have done that for you at one point . . ." Anakin begins slowly as he lifts his head back up, gaze narrowed, "But I now know that you just want to manipulate and use me for your sick twisted plot, you bastard!"

"Anakin," he replies, using his freehand to caress the side of Anakin's face. The young Jedi recoils from his touch as if the Sith's palm is scalding hot. Palpatine seems unfazed however and continues speaking, "you are more than that to me. You have been like a grandson that I have taken pride in. As such, I only desire to aid you save your wife and for you to finally exceed the boundaries that the Jedi have set for you."

"Quitting lying!" Anakin snaps vehemently. "I saw it with my very eyes! You don't possess the capabilities to save her! She is nothing but leverage to convert me to the dark side and I was too blind to see it before!"

"Would I lie to you, Anakin?" Palpatine - no Sidious - implores in a soft tone as he finally relents his lightsaber and lowers it to his side. "Think about it: I have always been here for you, listening to your problems and offering you advice. Unlike Obi-Wan or any of the Jedi Council, they always shunned you for feeling - for loving. They wanted to control you. Use you to fulfill an invalid prophecy."

Anakin goes quiet.

The Jedi never did listen to him. They did shun him - even when he was just a nine-year-old boy. Obi-Wan had tried to protect him and stood up for him without hesitation on numerous occasions - but even then it never stopped. They had treated him differently because they suspected him to be the Chosen One of prophecy. The Jedi Masters would give him calculated, condescending stares, and the other younglings tried to bully him - but he was ahead in his studies and a much more advanced fighter, resulting in conflicts and fights. But despite that, the relationship he constantly tested with Obi-Wan - to make sure he still cared - withstood and was able to keep him from feeling as alone as he would have under another Jedi Master.

But it was no lie to say that he had trusted Palpatine more so than Obi-Wan. He feared - still fears - that Obi-Wan will turn his back on him if he were to ever confide in him about a multitude of his actions. The Tusken Raiders being one. Then marrying Padme, whom he now is about to have children with.

He pales.

Oh, Force. Padme. Does she know of the Jedi? Is she concerned about his well-being? He doesn't want her stressed being as heavily pregnant as she is. In fact, she should be due any day now. To think he hasn't even had a chance to ponder on fatherhood long and his child is possibly days away from being introduced to the galaxy. Though, he might not ever get to lay eyes on her - yes, he is convinced the baby is a girl still. The thought cuts him deeply.

"Speechless, I see." Sidious remarks smugly.

"I won't join you." he responds with certainty, the words "Killed by your own hand." resurfacing in his mind.

The Sith Lord's eyes glisten. "We'll see about that." he hisses and turns to leave, but hesitates in the door frame. "Some clones will be arriving here shortly to transfer you to a more permanent quarters."

After that he's gone, the red veil visible once again, leaving Anakin alone with his thoughts. Which, at the moment are centered around formulating an escape plan.

The clones are mindless. He knows they're valuable and loyal, but only to the leader of the Republic. And if they think he's a traitor to the Republic, they will eliminate him or do whatever Sidious deems necessary, despite any previous connections they may of had. Duty is all they care about. Not that they can help it. They have been genetically programmed to be more yielding and narrow-minded.

It must be a sad existence.

Anakin internally scolds himself, he has to keep his mind on track if he wants to make an unnoticed escape. He knows the clones are easily manipulated by mind control - which he is quite adept at - and he knows that they are not as capable a fighter as he is. Even unarmed he can fight decently well - thanks to Obi-Wan who stressed the importance of learning hand-to-hand combat. Fortunately, it has proved valuable throughout the years. Especially since he has a weensy tendency to either drop or lose his lightsaber.

Not that it truly matters in this situation. He is simply going to manipulate the clones into letting him simply walk out of this place - wherever it may be - unscathed and ready to go. He will then have to find Padme, figure out what all has happened, and then get her to a secure location - somewhere far, far away from Sidious's bony grasp . . .

Anakin sighs. All he can do for now is hope that Padme is safe. Certainly her status in the Senate would be enough for Sidious to spare her life. Then again, he has a sneaking suspicious that it's his own status and overwhelming midichlorian count that has ensured her safety for the time being. Why else would Sidious be so adamant about him joining the dark side?

A part of him hopes it's because the enduring traits - and side - of Sidious that he knew and cherished, was more than an act and that he actually does value him as a grandson. It's wishful - and undeniably selfish - thinking, but Sidious was right when he said that he has only encouraged him to be his best without ridicule. Then again, his recent vision contradicts such possibilities completely.

Anakin doesn't get to contemplate it long, because Sidious has stayed true to his word and two clones have appeared outside of his cell, armed and silent. The one on the left murmurs something quietly enough that he cannot hear, before pressing what can only assume to be button of sorts that deactivates the thin, red shield. He remains calm, though underneath the surface he is jittery with adrenaline of an ensuing escape, as the two step into the room.

Just as they near - and he stills his breathing - the clone on the right halts, causing the other to pause and tilt his head in his direction. The one that stopped lifts a hand up to his ear, waits a moment, and nods in confirmation. "Understood, sir." he says. Anakin's gut wrenches knowingly, he has just received orders of some kind.

"What did he say?"

Anakin's wondering exactly the same.

The clone didn't answer, instead he flicked something on his blaster before raising it and taking aim at Anakin. At that point, Anakin knows his plans for escape will not come to fruition. Apparently, Sidious reconsidered his proposition.

The clone pulls the trigger, an electric bolt coming out and hitting him in the chest. When it connects it's like a hot fire that causes all of his muscles to contract and him to buck uncontrollably. The shot is meant to render him unconscious - it is a stun bolt after all. And it succeeds. Before long his mind starts blacking out - and he's certain he has bit his lip hard enough to bring blood - then he's out.

Captain Rex, clothed now in a plain white stormtrooper uniform - the required look for Imperial soldiers - lowers his blaster. He motions for his subordinate to take Anakin down, which he obliges without question. He has a past with Skywalker. He won't deny that. And he will always have respect for him with the way he fought diligently to defend the Republic when it still stood. But he has orders to follow - and a duty to keep. It just now lies with the Empire.

"Where do we take him, Captain?"

"To the medical ward first. Lord Sidious wants him to undergo an operation."

"Oh." his underling murmurs. "Did he say what for?"

"A tracking implant."

To be continued . . .

I feel like this had a semi-fast start. I wanted a straight-to-the-point type of prologue and I feel that I succeeded. In the next chapter Obi-Wan or Padme will make an appearance. Torture will also play a part.

Anyways, please tell me your thoughts, suggestions, and anything I need to improve upon (I'm always up for enhancing my writing skills). Also, this is the first time I have ever tried writing in the present tense instead of past. I find that I really enjoy it. Even more so than past tense. What do you prefer?