PATH OF THE CHOSEN.
Anakin was taken by Darth Maul while he was on Tatooine (Qui-gon and Obi-wan also killed Darth Maul together so Qui-gon is alive in this story.) When he hears about the bounty hunter sent to kill Padme, Anakin escapes determined to save her.
CHAPTER TWO.
Padme was in a conference with Captain Typho and Dorme when Jar Jar entered the room, followed by the two Jedi and a tall young man, in his late teens.
"Lookie... lookie... Senator. Desa Jedi arriven."
Padme and Typho rose as Obi-wan and Qui-gon stopped before the Senator, Anakin hung back staring at Padme.
Obi-wan smiled stepping forward, "It's a pleasure to see you again, M'Lady."
Padme walked over to Obi-wan and took his. "It has been far too long, Master Kenobi." She smiled at Qui-gon, "Master Qui-gon." Looking at Anakin, she frowned, there was something familiar about him.
Anakin smiled, "I still think you're an Angel."
Her eyes went wide, it couldn't be; Anakin had been captured by the Sith creature on Tatooine ten years ago, and yet, and yet she knew it was him. "Ani?" Then she spun to face Qui-gon, "you found him? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I escaped," Anakin told her, "when I heard you were in danger, I came to help keep you safe."
Padme looked at him and smiled, "you've grown so much." he had too, he was taller than Obi-wan, almost as tall as Qui-gon.
Anakin smiled at her, "So have you... Grown more beautiful, I mean... for a Senator, I mean."
Padme laughed and shook her head. "Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."
Anakin looked down, slightly embarrassed. When Padme led Obi-wan and Qui-gon towards the seats, Anakin hung back, waiting until Qui-gon had passed him before following them.
"Our presence will be invisible, M'Lady, I can assure you." Obi-wan told Padme as he sat down, Qui-gon sat down beside him.
"I'm very grateful you're here," Captain Typho told Qui-gon, and Obi-wan, "I'm Captain Typho, head of Her Majesty's security service. Queen Jamillia has informed you of your assignment." he glanced at Padme, "The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."
Padme looked at Obi-wan and Qui-gon, "I don't need more security, I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me."
Obi-wan and Qui-gon frowned, leaning forward slightly, Obi-wan shook his head. "We're here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation."
"We will find out who's trying to kill you Padme, I promise you."
Padme, Obi-wan and Qui-gon looked over at Anakin, who, like Captain Typho, had remained standing. "We have been ordered to protect Senator Amidala, not find her killer," Obi-wan told him sternly.
Anakin shook his head, "if we found the killer we'd know who was after her." He said quietly, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Anakin," Qui-gon's voice was gentle, "you promised to do as we said."
Anakin took a deep breath, "finding and stopping the killer, and who ever hired them, is the fastest way to ensure Padme's safety."
"The fastest way to do something, isn't always the best." Qui-gon he smiled at Anakin gently, "be patient, and wait."
Closing his eyes, Anakin sighed. "Fine," he folded his arms and nodded. "I'll do as you say."
"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed." Padme said standing, "Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire." She smiled at Anakin, "it's good to see you again Ani, I'm glad you came to help."
Anakin watched Padme leave, while Obi-wan and Qui-gon walked with Captain Typho. "Well, I know I feel a lot better having you here." He told the two Jedi, "I'll have an officer situated on every floor and I'll be at the control center downstairs."
Jar jar stood in front of Anakin, "Mesa busten wit happiness seein yousa again, Annie." The Gungan said, smiling at him.
Anakin sighed softly, "She hardly recognized me, Jar Jar. I've thought about her every day since I was taken... and she's forgotten me completely."
"Shesa happy." Jar Jar told him, "Happier den mesa seein her in longo time." He continued, trying to cheer him up.
x
"I don't trust him," Obi-wan said as he glanced at Anakin, "and I don't think he should be helping us."
Qui-gon shook his head, "he's just a boy, Obi-wan." he said quietly, so that Anakin couldn't hear. "He's spent ten year alone, all he's known is cruelty and pain, and yet, he still wants to help his friend." folding his arms, the older Jedi looked at his former Padawan. "He still has a chance, and I won't give up on him."
Obi-wan sighed, "What do you see in him?" He asked, "why do you trust him?"
"Why don't you go talk to him?" Qui-gon suggested, "I can check the security, talk to him. And instead of focusing on what you think you see, focus on what you don't."
x
Anakin watched Qui-gon leave, and frowned as Obi-wan approached him. "What do you want?"
Obi-wan shrugged as he stopped a few feet away from him, "I wanted to appologise, for how I reacted."
Anakin snorted and shook his head, "I didn't come here expecting a warm welcome."
Obi-wan nodded and frowned, from what he'd shown them in the elevator, Anakin had to be in pain, somehow he stood as though he was perfectly fine. "You should have your injuries treated," he said, "I can get a medical droid."
"No."
Obi-wan blinked, "you're hurt, your back in particular."
Anakin shook his head, "I'm used to it, they'll heal."
The casual tone, made Obi-wan gape in horror; how often had he been forced to bear such pain, to be so dismissive of his own injuries. "No one ever helped you?"
Anakin looked won and shook his head, "no."
"I'm so sorry," Obi-wan whispered, his eyes wide with horror and compassion.
And then he realised what he had been missing all along, the last time he he fought a Sith, the darkside had been overwhelmingly strong; he sensed no darkness in Anakin, he had spent ten years prisoner to the Sith and had somehow managed to resist turning himself.
