My Heart of Darkness
Disclaimer: Anything Star Wars related belongs to the demi-god George Lucas. I am making zero profit from this piece of fiction.
Summary: Post-RotS 20yrs AU. In a time of peace, Mara wages war within herself and against the darkness that threatens to consume her.
A/N: This story begins with a rather thorough look at the way the SW universe changes. Our beloved heroine will take over in chapter three and live her life in the universe being developed in the prologue and first two chapters. It is an ensemble cast, so please expect to see our much-loved characters pop up throughout this story.
Prologue
Strength and Discovery
Anakin felt his heart race as the scene in front of him unfolded. The Force tugged at both sides of him as he watched Palpatine and Master Windu battle. A fear gripped him; an all-encompassing fear for Padmè and for their unborn child. Palpatine's words repeated in his mind as the smell of his burning flesh assaulted Anakin's nose.
We can save her.
Surely it wasn't the only way?
Anakin felt his arm move; as if the Force itself were guiding it. He focused but couldn't stop himself. Suddenly, a voice sounded in his head.
You are the Chosen One, it whispered.
"No," he said to himself, prompting both parties to look at him; pleading for his allegiance.
You must do what is right, the voice reasoned. Do not be afraid, Anakin. She is in no danger. Not until you turn.
"Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked, barely believing it.
Believe.
Anakin closed his eyes, and let his saber fall.
Eighteen Months Later- Serenno
"It feels good be out," Anakin commented as Obi-Wan directed Threepio to land the ship.
Obi-Wan smirked. "Am I to understand that you've fought to change the Jedi Code and our entire policy on 'attachment' only to tell me you've tired of domesticity?"
Anakin glared at his former Master. "I meant that since the fall of Palpatine, the Council has had me on a rather tight leash, Master." Anakin took another look at the ship's controls and nodded to Threepio. "Besides—you try living with twins."
Obi-Wan chuckled and slapped Anakin on the back. "I shall leave the expert child rearing to you and your lovely wife, Anakin."
"We've docked at Bay Seventeen, Master Anakin," interrupted Threepio. "Control says you and Master Kenobi have approximately forty-eight standard hours before your licence to dock is revoked."
"Thank you, Threepio," Anakin replied, taking note of the current time. "Not too fond of the Jedi, it would seem."
Obi-Wan fixed his cloak and turned to Anakin. "That hardly seems surprising, Anakin. After Dooku, well..."
The door opened, revealing a thick, foggy air. Obi-Wan coughed as he turned back around to Threepio.
"Threepio, you are to stay with the ship until we return. Could you please inform the Council that we have arrived and will send through a report at fourteen-hundred hours."
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at the bustling droids and lower-class workers at the spaceport. "Quicker, the better," Obi-Wan advised as the two Jedi lifted their hoods and made their way to the palace.
o0o
"These negotiations are pointless," grumbled Obi-Wan as he clutched his lightsaber. Anakin glared at the guards who had escorted them out of the grand palace.
"Says The Negotiator," Anakin pointed out, readjusting his cloak after being man-handled. "Besides, wasn't it you who suggested it?"
"Learn your place, young one," Obi-Wan replied, looking up at the closed palace doors. "I only meant the negotiations for the Jedi are pointless. The Counts seem to be rather co-operative in reconnecting with the New Republic."
Anakin pondered on the official stance of Serenno. After being a Separatist system during the Clone Wars and having Count Dooku be in such a high position of power, he could understand a basic wariness of both the New Republic and the Jedi Order. The fact that they had allowed himself and Obi-Wan to even set foot on the planet was clearly the Force at work. He and Obi-Wan had been sent to negotiate on behalf of The New Republic Senate to reinstate the trade routes that the Trade Federation had disrupted during the Clone Wars and aftermath.
During the briefing, it had also come to light that Serenno had also put a system-wide ban on accepting Jedi assistance and most importantly, making it illegal for the Jedi to recruit Force-sensitive children to the Jedi Order. With the changes happening in the Jedi Order, Anakin had been saddened to hear that, even with contact now being allowed between younglings and parents, Serenno's policy had yet to change.
"Well, that's something, I suppose," Anakin replied brightly, secretly eager to wrap the mission up and return home to his family. "Surely we have our answer, Obi-Wan. They're not going to change their minds. Senator Inkoo can take over trade negotiations from here. We're done."
Obi-Wan sighed and tore his eyes away from the impressive-looking palace—which had once been Dooku's home. "I suppose you are right, Anakin."
Suddenly, a ripple in the Force swept over them.
"Stars, what was that?" Anakin asked, gripping his lightsaber. "Did you feel it?"
Curious, Obi-Wan looked out into the distance, sensing something that required his attention was out there, amongst the people. "I did," Obi-Wan replied, motioning for Anakin to release his lightsaber. "The Force, it is calling."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and focused, searching through the thousands of sentients. There was a gentle hum that permeated the Force around them and after a few seconds, a Force-signature lit up like a beacon for both Jedi in the distance.
"A Force-sensitive," Anakin breathed, feeling it too. "It is calling to us. Someone knows we're here."
Obi-Wan's eyes remained closed as he concentrated on the presence in the Force. He could not describe it as powerful and certainly not threatening. It was more like a gentle pleading—a last ditch attempt at communicating to somebody, anybody, through the Force. Obi-Wan's reaction however, was something he had never experienced before. As soon as he located it, it was as if he had no other alternative than to reach out to the being that was projecting. The Force filled his mind and body and his eyes sprung open.
"This way," he breathed, motioning for Anakin to follow.
o0o
The city was bustling. Serenno was not built like Coruscant and only had ground level. The city, however, was as diverse as the levels in Coruscant. The spaceport loomed in the distance as Obi-Wan navigated his way through the centre of the shopping district. Anakin checked his chrono.
"Master, we have about four hours until our docking licence expires," he reminded him as he tried to ignore the thick fog that surrounded the bustling sentients attempting to do their shopping.
"Plenty of time," Obi-Wan replied as he felt the Force guide him to an alleyway. Both Jedi looked around cautiously as it became apparent that the alleyway was filled with varying degrees of scum.
Anakin looked on sympathetically as they passed a human male passed out against the wall. "Master, I think this is a Spice Alley," he whispered as he bent down to check that the man still had a pulse.
Obi-Wan sniffed the air and nodded to Anakin. "You are right. This way," he urged, feeling that he was coming close.
Finally, they reached the end of the alley and a battered door. A Gredonian male stood guard, looking haggard and eyes glazed.
"In here."
Anakin looked at the Gredonian. "We are..."
The Gredonian held up his hand. "You got credits?" he asked, slurring his speech.
"New Republic credits?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully. "We're here to..."
"Don't care," the Gredonian interrupted. "Ask for Elka."
As the door opened, the smell hit both Jedi. Inside, several beings were lined up on dirty chairs. Four humanoids lay slumped on the floor, in similar states to the man they had found outside.
"Elka?" Anakin asked, looking around. Nobody answered.
Suddenly, one of the women sitting on the chairs raised her head. Obi-Wan immediately felt a surge in the Force and took in the state of the woman. She had a tear-stained face and her bright red hair was matted against her head. She had a similar glazed look to her face and Obi-Wan cringed, noticing the small track marks on her inner arm. Most shockingly, Obi-Wan finally noticed the large bump protruding from her stomach.
"You don't want her," the woman croaked softly. "Please."
Obi-Wan was quick to catch her as she fell. The Force was practically screaming as he struggled to position her in his arms. He knew with every fibre of his being that the woman needed to come with them. She was Force-sensitive, possibly a Force-user. Anakin picked up on Obi-Wan's thoughts nearly immediately.
This is illegal, Master.
Obi-Wan felt the Force guiding him and it screamed for him to take her.
She must come with us, young one.
Anakin raised his hands. "Nothing to see here," he said, covering their escape, although he was positive the sentients in the room were too high to be a threat.
Anakin then felt the Force run through him, as if it were thanking him. "We have to go."
Anakin stared at the woman's stomach and his thoughts wandered to his own children, safe and sound with Padmè on Coruscant. The Force wanted this woman to escape and Anakin knew that her child deserved a chance at life.
As they walked back up the alley, Anakin hurriedly contacted Threepio.
"Prepare to leave, Threepio," he said as he removed his cloak and draped it over the woman and cut the connection. "She's 'dead', Obi-Wan," Anakin stressed as they stepped out into the busy streets again.
Obi-Wan silently prayed to the Force that they would make it to the ship, undiscovered and unharmed.