Timeframe: Beginning of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones


Chapter 1


Anakin stood at the window overlooking the city. The setting sun painted the Coruscant sky a dark shade of purple and orange, and the nightlife is just beginning.

Anakin impatiently taps his foot as he waits for his Master to finish his meeting with the Jedi Council.

As Anakin traces the outline of the city with his eyes, he becomes lost in deep thought.

The meeting was called suddenly after they tracked down a women hired to assassinate Padme.

He wonders who would have hired her, and why they'd want her dead. Just the thought of someone trying to kill Senator Amidala causes Anakin to ball up his fists in frustration.

Just then the door opens and Master Yoda speaks up.

"Young Skywalker, enter you may."

Anakin clears his mind and heads inside, where he stands in the middle of the circle of Masters with Obi-wan. He can feel the tension in the room as he observes the serious looks on the Jedi's faces. He immediately straightens up and puts a composed look on his face.

Master Yoda clears his throat, "Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-wan."

Master Windu interjects, "Most importantly, find out who he's working for."

"What about Senator Amidala?" Obi-wan asks, "She will still need protecting."

The Council exchanges looks among themselves.

"Handle that, your Padawan will."

Obi-wan raises his brow and steals a side glace at Anakin, whose attention still remains on Master Yoda.

"Anakin." Master Windu says, brining everyone's attention on the boy. "Escort the senator to her home planet of Naboo. She will be safer there."

"Also," Master Windu says, taking a long and awkward pause, "as the council has discussed…" his eyes meet with Master Yoda, urging him to finish his sentence.

"Marry Senator Amidala, you must." Master Yoda finishes.

Anakin's eyes widened to the size of saucers before he is able to recompose himself.

"M-marry!" he shouts.

I can't marry her! I barely even know her!

"Anakin." Obi-wan warns.

"This goes against Jedi Code! I-I can't marry her! I won't!" he continues to yell.

This doesn't make sense! How will marrying her help her situation?!

"Anakin calm down!" Obi-wan snaps.

"But Master-"

"I understand your confusion," Master Windu interjects, "but allow me to explain."

"Senator Amidala is in great danger at all times. She will need someone with great power and strength to protect her. A simple bodyguard will not be sufficient, for they are not as powerful and do not know the ways of the Force like we Jedi and Padawan. Also, if the people learn that Senator Amidala needs protection to rule, she will be viewed as weak. And nobody wants a weak ruler."

He pauses to let the information sink in before continuing.

"A husband, on the other hand, will give her the appearance of stability. It will show the public that Senator Amidala can balance work and family, and will also give her an increase of attention from the media, which will boost her political power and ensure her position."

Anakin stands there quietly, but his mind is all but quiet.

Reaching out to the Force, Anakin tries to calm himself down before speaking.

It takes several quiet and tense minutes.

The council members do not know what to expect from the young boy, and his quietness was making them uneasy.

Anakin decides to tackle the hard questions first.

"Master, I thought the Jedi Code forbid personal attachments? Also…why me?!" Anakin can't help but shout the last part. He's frustrated. How dare they decide his fate without even consulting him about it first!?

I mean sure Senator Amidala has a pretty face, Anakin thinks to himself, but I just…I just can't! This is outrageous!

His thoughts are interrupted by Master Yoda's voice.

"Forbids attachments, Jedi Code does. But, make an exception, we did." Master Yoda says with a nod. "Because of your age, chosen you were."

"It is true, there are just a few years between you two. Also, you've met each other before, so you are acquainted." Master Tiin elaborates. "It is the will of the Force."

"Of course, you do not have to do this if you don't want too, but we highly advise that you do. But, Master Yoda has reached out to the Force, and we see that this is the correct path to take in order to save the Republic." Master Windu adds.

Anakin remains silent, knowing that he cannot argue with that logic. Although he does not say a word, the scowl on his face shows the Jedi Masters just how he feels about the situation. He steals a glance at his Master, Obi-wan, who hasn't uttered a word since he entered.

What the heck! I thought for sure that Master would oppose this! Why hasn't he said anything? Why isn't he defending me?!

It was then that Obi-wan caught sight of Anakin's side glare.

"Perhaps we can discuss later? It is getting quite late, and we can give Anakin some time to think it through." Obi-wan suggests.

"Discuss later, we will. In one hour we will meet." Master Yoda confirms as he relaxes his shoulders. The rest of the council looks relieved that the conversation came to a halt, for it was becoming very tense in the room, and they needed to meditate.

At that Anakin bowed at the Masters and resisted the urge to spit in Obi-wan's face as he exited the room.


With the hour break, Anakin decides to go to his chambers meditate.

As Anakin releases his frustration, confusion, and other negative emotions into the force, something clicks. He is presented with two options.

One of them is to turn down the position and just serve as Amidala's temporary bodyguard. He would fulfill his duty and return to his Master afterwards and continue his Jedi training. This future is straight and clear; predictable. But as Anakin reaches more out to the Force, he sees a possible darkness that this future brings. And this darkness is not dim; it's pitch black.

The other option is to marry Senator Amidala, but unlike the first option, where everything is stretched out straight and clear, this one is all scrambled and distorted.

Anakin takes a deep breath and withdraws from his meditation session. His decision isn't an easy one to make. He gets up from his seated position and stretches. His muscles ached from the earlier chase, and all Anakin wanted right now was a hot bath.

Anakin runs his hand through his hair and traces his braid with his fingers. He really doesn't want to give up his training, but then again he doesn't want to be blamed for the fall of the Republic.

Ugh it was an impossible decision!

But it was a decision that had to be made. And with that in mind, Anakin exited his room and headed to the Council Meeting, for it was about to start any minute now.


AN:

This is my first story ever, so please excuse if it's a lil choppy and awkward! But still I'm super happy I got it up!

Please tell me what you think about it and don't be shy to leave a review!

Also it'd be awesome if you guys can let me know of any mistakes I made (timeframe, events, names). I'm trying to become a better writer, so constructive criticism is welcomed!

- xoxo, Danni out *cartwheels into space*