Thank you to the 11 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are great. Here is the second chapter, I hope you like it and reviews are much appreciated.
Chapter 2
Anakin was feeling a bit apprehensive as he guided the speeder after the patrol droid with another speeder following behind them to make sure they didn't deviate from the current course. The Senate Building was gradually growing larger in size as the three speeders flew toward it and Anakin found himself wondering what was going to happen.
"I am sure Master…er Chancellor Windu will at least let us explain before he does anything," Obi-Wan said.
"That's going to get weird, referring to Master Windu as Chancellor," said Ahsoka.
"It is weird," Anakin agreed eyeing the Senate Building. "If the Jedi are in charge of the Republic, what happened to the Senators?"
What about Padmé? Was the unspoken question.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know, Anakin," he replied before he watched as Anakin landed flawlessly beside the patrol droid in the docking bay next to the Senate plaza. He got out of the speeder and Obi-Wan and Ahsoka followed him as three clone troopers walked to join them.
"These are the three Chancellor Windu requested," the patrol droid said stiffly.
The trooper nodded. "Come, the Chancellor is waiting," he said without preamble before he turned around and began walking toward the building in front of them and the two clone troopers dropped back to walk beside the three Jedi.
They walked in silence. Anakin was busy trying to wrap his mind around everything that happened, Obi-Wan seemed to be examining the people that walked around the plaza and Ahsoka was looking at the clones as if she was attempting to figure out who was who.
When they reached the Chancellor's office, familiar because Anakin's been there before whenever he was on Coruscant, the clone trooper told the aide, she looked like Barriss Offee and Ahsoka confirmed that it was her, that the three people the Chancellor wanted to see were here.
"I will tell him, General Rex," Barriss said before she slipped into the office. The clone trooper's name caught all three Jedi by surprise. She returned a moment later before stepping aside.
"Chancellor Windu will see you now," she said.
Anakin decided he would follow Obi-Wan's lead as he followed his former master into the office with Ahsoka just behind him. The office, so different from Chancellor Palpatine's office, was done in gentle earth tones; brown walls and furniture as well as pale green carpet. Seated behind the desk in the center of the office and garbed in Senatorial robes that didn't suit him at all, was Jedi Master Mace Windu.
The dark-skinned Korun Jedi Master glanced up. "Welcome," he greeted them. His voice was just as quiet as it was in their universe and his eyes were just as impassive but there was an air of authority around him that was very different from the Mace Windu Anakin knew from the other universe.
"Caused a great disturbance in the Force you three have," Yoda's familiar voice said and Anakin turned to find the little green Jedi Master sitting in a hoverchair by the desk with his little eyes fixed on them. "Sensed the emergence of three powerful and familiar Jedi we did."
"That being said, who are you?" Windu asked narrowing his eyes.
"Tell us your names you will," Yoda added.
I don't think that's really wise, Master, Anakin sent through the Force to his master.
What choice do we have? They'll sense if we're lying, Obi-Wan sent back.
Yes but what if we really are criminals in this galaxy?
I guess we will have to risk it in order to find out.
Anakin didn't agree but he knew his master was right.
Obi-Wan decided to introduce himself first. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said.
"I'm Anakin Skywalker," Anakin said reluctantly before nudging his apprentice who seemed as reluctant as, if not more than, Anakin.
"I'm Ahsoka Tano," Ahsoka murmured.
For a long moment, there was silence and then Windu snorted. "That's impossible," he said. "Obi-Wan Kenobi died on Naboo twelve years ago."
Obi-Wan started in surprise.
"As for you, Skywalker," Yoda turned his gaze to Anakin, "saw you last I did when left the planet you did with Master Gallia to Sullust."
"And you Tano should be at the Jedi Temple with the other younglings," added Windu.
That's another big change other than the Jedi being in charge of the Republic, Anakin thought.
"So explain you will why here you are," Yoda said.
"I will tell you the truth, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said calmly, "and I know you will sense that I am telling the truth. Anakin, Ahsoka and I come from a different universe, a universe in which I was not killed on Naboo, Ahsoka is Anakin's Padawan and the Jedi are not in charge of the Republic." He faced them calmly and Anakin was positive that they could sense the sincerity in his words.
Windu's eyes narrowed. "This has never happened before and yet you speak the truth," he said. "How did this happen?"
"I have a theory," Obi-Wan said. "We flew too close to a black hole and got locked in its gravitational pull. It pulled us in but, instead of destroying our ship and killing us, it sent us to an alternate universe. I remember when I was an apprentice and studied black holes; that was where I learned that this could happen."
"Yes, happen it could and happen it did," Yoda said before he closed his eyes and stretched out with the Force. "Acknowledge your theory as true the Force does. However, why you are here, another story that is. An accident this was not. Brought you here the Force did; tell me as much the Force did.
"So what do we do now?" Ahsoka asked.
"I would like to figure out how to return to our universe first of all," Anakin said thinking about Padmé and wondering if she even knew what happened or if someone told her that he didn't survive.
Oh Padmé, I will return to you soon, he thought.
"Believe I do that return to your universe you can if travel through another black hole you do."
"It is risky though," said Windu. "You may have survived one entry but there is no telling if you will survive another."
"I'm willing to risk it," Anakin declared.
Obi-Wan's eyebrows rose. "Anakin, perhaps we should think about this more. You know as well as I do that our survival through that black hole was probably because of the Force. How are we to know if the Force will let us survive another trip through a black hole? Are you really willing to risk your life like that?"
Anakin glared at his former master. "What other choice do we have?" he snapped. "Just stay here in this universe for the rest of our lives?!"
"Calm down, Anakin. I only meant that, perhaps, we can figure out another way," said Obi-Wan.
Anakin sighed managing to regain control of the brief flash of anger; he didn't mean to snap at his brother and he felt a flash of guilt go through him. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, master," he said quietly.
"Correct Kenobi could be," said Yoda. "Look into it I will. Chancellor." The Jedi Master inclined his head to Mace before climbing out of the hoverchair and waddling out of the office.
"Until then," Windu said, "it might be best if you stay here and away from the other Jedi. There is no telling of what would happen if Skywalker and Tano accidentally run into themselves especially since, by what I've seen so far, the Skywalker and Tano of this universe are different from the Skywalker and Tano of your universe."
"How so?" Obi-Wan sounded genuinely curious.
Windu placed his hands on the desk in front of him. "For one, it takes a lot to make Skywalker angry and Tano is pretty immature, more immature than the Tano from your universe," he said.
Anakin blinked. "I don't get angry that easily," he protested.
"I have never seen the Skywalker of this universe angry since he was brought to the Jedi Temple when he was three years old," said Windu.
"This universe is definitely more different than ours," Anakin said.
"It is an alternate universe after all, Master," Ahsoka said with a faint smile.
Anakin snorted before smiling faintly in reply.
Obi-Wan felt it very odd that he wasn't alive in that universe but another, more important, question rise to his mind. "May I ask you a question?" he asked breaking the silence that had befallen them.
Mace nodded.
"I overheard a discussion today in one of the bars mentioning Chancellor Valorum and a Sith Lord named Sidious and their attempt to turn the Republic into a dictatorship. Is this true?"
Mace was silent for a long moment dark eyes examining him. "Yes," he replied. "It happened twelve years ago, right around the same time you, from this universe, was killed. At the same time you were killed, Sidious's apprentice, Darth Maul, fled from Naboo and rejoined with his master. Sidious, who had been manipulating Valorum for years, finally decided to act and they struck. The only reason we got warning was because of Skywalker; Skywalker, at nine years of age, had a vision warning of the coming attack and, since that wasn't the first time the Skywalker of this universe has had visions that came true, we acted upon it. We did discover a shock though."
"A shock?" echoed Ahsoka.
"Yes. We discovered that we were betrayed from within. Sidious was really Senator Palpatine," Obi-Wan felt Anakin's shock through the Force, "and had been using the dark side of the Force to manipulate Valorum while his apprentice, Maul, wrecked havoc across the galaxy. I dueled Sidious but he managed to escape and left Valorum to die. With Sidious and Maul still out in the galaxy, Master Yoda and I agreed that it would be better for the Republic if the Jedi took charge at least until Sidious and Maul were defeated. You seem shocked, Skywalker."
Those last words were directed at Anakin who was blue eyes flaring with shock and slight anger.
"That's impossible," he exclaimed. "How can Palpatine be a Sith Lord? Is it only because this is an alternate universe?'
Obi-Wan caressed his beard but, before he could say anything, Mace shook his head.
"I also did research on traveling through black holes and going into alternate dimensions," Mace said. "I didn't believe it could happen until now. But the one thing that I learned was that every alternate dimension always has one thing that is the same. All an alternate dimension is, is what would happen if the outcome of an event, a single event that never changes, occurs in different ways. Each way that the event occurs and each outcome of the altered event would create another dimension. However, like I said before, one thing, aside from the event, always remains the same in each dimension. That being said, it is possible that Palpatine was a Sith Lord only in this universe but it is also possible, however slim the possibility is, that Palpatine being Sidious is the constant variable in each dimension. You won't know unless you visit a different dimension in which Palpatine is a Sith Lord."
"So," Obi-Wan said before Anakin could say anything, "You mean to tell us that the dimension we came from occurred because a specific event happened and the outcome created our dimension and the same event happened differently and the outcome created this dimension."
"Yes, that is one way to put it."
"But what was that event?" Ahsoka asked frowning.
Mace shook his head. "That even Master Yoda doesn't know," he said.
"Chancellor, General Gallia wishes to speak to you," Barriss called into the office.
"Thank you, Barriss," Mace called back before he glanced at the small group. "You three should probably not be seen. I am certain it will be difficult to explain to Master Gallia especially since Skywalker is supposed to be with her."
Obi-Wan nodded before he, Anakin and Ahsoka moved to where they could be seen but could still see, and hear, what was going on around the desk. Mace activated the comlink and the hologram of Adi Gallia, with alternate dimension Anakin at her side, appeared.
Anakin stared. The Anakin from the dimension they were in looked identical to the Anakin standing at Obi-Wan's side even though Obi-Wan only had the hologram of other dimension Anakin to compare to his friend and brother.
"Chancellor," Adi greeted Mace.
"Chancellor Windu," other Anakin greeted Mace politely.
"Master Gallia, Skywalker," Mace greeted them. "How are things going at Sullust?"
"We have the rebels on the run, Chancellor," Adi said, "but Maul showed up. Skywalker and I dueled him while we were on the planet and we managed to drive him off but I think it was a feint probably because of the disturbance that occurred right before he fled."
"I felt the disturbance as well," Mace said.
"Skywalker sensed three very powerful presences enter the galaxy, Chancellor," Adi added.
Mace frowned. "He did?"
"Yes Chancellor Windu," other Anakin replied still in that polite tone that Obi-Wan's never heard from his former apprentice. He didn't think his former apprentice could be polite to Mace.
I heard that, Anakin sent through the Force.
It's true, sometimes, Obi-Wan sent back.
"I felt it at the same time as the disturbance," other Anakin went on. "It was weird only because one of the presences felt so familiar, so similar to my own. In fact, I may be way off, but I was sure it felt identical to my own Force presence."
"I agree with Skywalker, Chancellor. I felt the presence as well and it did feel identical to young Skywalker's," Adi added.
The door opened at that moment and Yoda walked into the office. "Master Gallia, young Skywalker," he greeted them walking over to his hoverchair and sitting down.
"Master Yoda, I was just explaining to Chancellor Windu about…"
"How identical to young Skywalker's Force presence one of the new presences feels," Yoda said with a nod. "Yes, know this I do."
"I don't understand why it feels identical, Masters," other Anakin said looking confused.
"We do," Mace said with a glance toward Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka. "It is a complicated story to explain but I feel you two should know since Skywalker is so tuned into the Force that he felt a Force presence identical to his own even though there are lightyears between them."
"Is that wise?" Anakin whispered to Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan shrugged. "I don't think we have much of a say in this," he murmured back.
Mace began to explain everything that happened from them sensing the disturbance to meeting the three Jedi from another dimension that caused the disturbance. "The three Jedi come from a different dimension, one extremely different from ours," he said.
"One of them is an alternate dimension me, isn't he?" other Anakin asked.
"Yes."
"Who are the other two?" Adi asked.
"Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Adi's eyes went wide. "Obi-Wan? He survives in that other dimension?" she asked.
"Apparently so. They haven't told us about their dimension yet."
"I see."
Mace was silent for a long moment. "You said that Maul fled after he felt the disturbance," he said. "Do you think he fled because of the disturbance?"
"I believe so, Master Windu," Adi said. "I think this means that Maul and Sidious will try to figure out what caused the disturbance and if they find out it is possible to travel between dimensions, or that another Skywalker from a different dimension is in this dimension, then they could figure out a way to use that to their own advantage."
"I agree," Yoda said. "Speak with the newcomers we will. Perhaps discover what was happening in their universe when they came here we will."
"Very well, Master Yoda. After we finish things up here, we'll head back to Coruscant," Adi said before she and other Anakin inclined their heads and their holograms disappeared.
"Well, other Anakin is definitely different than our Anakin," Obi-Wan commented stepping out of the shadows with Anakin and Ahsoka just behind him.
Anakin snorted. "Not by much," he said. "You know I can be polite when I want to be."
"Yes, when you want to be is the key," Obi-Wan replied dryly.
Mace rested his hands on his desk. "It would be a good idea if we knew of what happened in your dimension. Perhaps knowing that will help us to figure out why you were sent here and, perhaps, what is the constant in this situation."
"Well," Obi-Wan began, "we come from a dimension where we are currently fighting a war against a group of people known as Separatists led by Count Dooku."
"Dooku?" Mace echoed. "That is a change because in this dimension, Dooku is actually a Council member."
Yoda's eyes narrowed. "Obi-Wan's survival and Dooku leading the Separatists in your dimension some changes they are. Need to know we do what else changed. Help us it will."
"Well, like I said, Ahsoka is Anakin's apprentice," Obi-Wan added, "and Anakin didn't join the Jedi Order until he was nine-years-old."
"Out of curiosity," Anakin blurted out interrupting Obi-Wan, "where did you find me before you brought me to the Jedi Temple?"
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes until he realized what Anakin was trying to figure out. He was trying to figure out if he grew up the same way he did in their dimension.
"You were found on Bellassa," said Mace. "I was actually the one that found you, Skywalker. You and your mother were living there when we arrived and your mother decided that she wanted you to grow up as a Jedi. I believe she said that you were meant to be a Jedi."
Anakin blinked. "Well, that is definitely a big time change from our dimension," he said.
"How so?" Yoda asked.
Anakin didn't answer although Obi-Wan saw his eyes cloud.
"His past before he came to the Jedi Temple is a very touchy for him, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said by way of explanation.
Yoda narrowed his eyes. "Not the constant that is then," he said. "Know the event that caused these alternate dimensions I still do not. Told me the Force has not but believe before my time it was. Meditate on this matter I shall more. Perhaps figure out what the event is I will if dig deeper into the Force I do."
"Until then," Mace said, "you three may stay at a nearby hotel. It would be wise to stay away from anyone you associated with in your dimension until we can figure out how to get you back to your dimension."
Obi-Wan figured that was wise. There was no telling if the people he, Anakin and Ahsoka associated with in their dimension were the same people they associated with in the dimension they were currently in.
He also decided that he would do the same thing as Master Yoda and meditate to see if he could figure out how to get back as well.
Darth Sidious narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the hologram of his apprentice kneeling before him. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"As sure as I can be, master," Darth Maul said quietly. "It seemed that the disturbance was centered around three people but I only recognized two of the Force signatures because I was fighting one with an identical Force signature and the other one felt like the Jedi I killed on Naboo twelve years ago. I never did learn his name. Anyway, whoever caused this disturbance one of them has the same exact Force signature as Skywalker."
"That's impossible," Sidious growled.
"I am only telling you of what I have felt, master."
"Return to the Vengeance," Sidious ordered. "We will discuss this more once you are onboard. I want to know what caused this disturbance and I want to know why there is someone with a signature identical to Skywalker's running around the galaxy."
"Yes my master." Maul's hologram disappeared and Sidious sat back in his eyes contemplating what his apprentice just told him and wondering what could have caused that disturbance as well as how someone with the exact same Force signature as Skywalker could be running around the galaxy.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was the long-time coming chapter 2
Darth: it's about time
Vader: tell me about it!
Blaze: hey, you don't make an appearance
Vader: yet
Blaze: (slams flaming machete into Vader's head)
Vader: what was that for?!
Severus: she only does that to her favorite characters when they're about to reveal a spoiler
Anakin: who the blazes is the guy in the suit with a flaming machete in his helmet?
Blaze: (removes flaming machete from Vader's head and tosses it into Palpypie) no one
Palpypie: OW!
Severus: oh quit whining, dunderhead.
Palpypie: (glares furiously at Severus)
Blaze: (chuckles) please review, they are always appreciated, and I will post chapter 3 hopefully before Thanksgiving but if not then Saturday definitely. (Well I hope definitely at least. It depends on how long it takes to type the next chapter.)