Okay, so you guys have probably read my profile, so I'm not going to repeat myself. And writer's block sucks. Now I'll just shut up so you guys can read the long awaited chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or the lines from the movie I use, but I do own a toy Yoda who is always around when I'm in need of wisdom.
It's all in a Padawan's Job
Chapter 3
Ahsoka's POV
I noticed it was dark outside, a clear night to be exact, with all the stars shining down brightly. There was also a fire going in the fireplace, with ambers crackling in the glow. I set down the cup of water, and began.
Or, thought I was going to begin, until the voice almost scared me again from its abrupt appearance.
'Wait Ahsoka, I'm going to be there in a moment,' it said, and I must've had a shocked looked on my face because Anakin asked if I was alright.
"Ahsoka, are you okay? Do you need to lie down again?" he asked, resting a hand on my shoulder.
"No," I said, shaking my head a bit. "We...we are going to have another guest," I said and Anakin looked at me in puzzlement.
"Who?" he asked but I didn't answer, he did.
"I am, Anakin," the voice said, and seeing Anakin and Obi-Wan's faces, I knew they heard it too.
"Impossible," Obi-Wan breathed, as a blue light started to form and morph to my left, changing into…a human.
"The Force can do many things, Obi-Wan. I thought I taught you that," the voice boomed around us, and soon the human started to look like the man who I saw in my unconscious state.
"Qui-Gon!" Obi-Wan whispered in awe.
"Mister Qui-Gon!" Anakin whispered in amazement.
The blue man-Qui-Gon I guessed-nodded his head.
"Yes Anakin, Obi-Wan, it is me, and you are not hallucinating," Qui-Gon replied calmly with a small smile.I took a glance at the two who knew Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan was in a trance, looking like he can't believe it; Anakin was smiling like a kid, then looked like he remembered something, and put his head down in a shameful way. I, on the other hand, was astounded by him in the Force ghost state, floating peacefully.
"So, I'm guessing your name is Qui-Gon, right?" I said, trying to break the silence that was made.
Qui-Gon chuckled. "Yes Ahsoka, it is,"
"About time I found out," I mumbled, and Obi-Wan seemed to come out of his trance.
"Wait, you two know each other?" he asked.
"Not know each other, more like 'I'm going to invade your mediation with scary scenes and talk to you in your head' type of know," I said giving Qui-Gon a glare. Obi-Wan cocked his head to the side, while Qui-Gon playfully smiled back.
"I had to admit, it was funny seeing you jump when I spoke in your mind. Especially that cover-up on Senator Amidala's ship,"
"Hey, it's not my fault somebody can't tell me the plan ahead of time!"
"Wait, I'm only getting bits and pieces here," Obi-Wan said, stopping our banter. He looked to Qui-Gon. "You spoke to her in her mind," he turned to me. "And you were voicing Qui-Gon's words?" I nodded. "So that explains why you abruptly said something and insisted that we do it," He ran a hand over his beard, and then looked at Qui-Gon quizzically. "How come you are a Force-Ghost now, and not earlier?" I hadn't even thought of that. We both looked at him.
Qui-Gon sighed. "It took me a very long while to figure out how to materialize into the physical world. The Force would not help me with it, and I was left trying to figure it out myself. The years passed, and I grew desperate to materialize, because I saw what was happening and I needed to warn you before it were too late," he looks up at me. "And that is where you come in Ahsoka," Obi-Wan looks at me quizzically, while I nodded at Qui-Gon, understanding why he came to me.
"You couldn't materialize then, and could only talk through meditation, and at the time I was the only one in meditation," I said, explaining it to Obi-Wan, who I could see was a tad lost.
"And that's how he put the 'scary scenes' in your head?" he asked. I nodded. "Would you care to explain what those scenes were?"
That question made me stiff on the spot. If I told them, then there's a possibility that Anakin will be upset at Obi-Wan for what he would have done if I wasn't there on Mustafar and not talk to him. Or, Anakin might see how powerful he could have been and go back with the Emperor and try to get that power. I shivered inwardly, but before I could think of any more horrible possibilities, Qui-Gon's voice took me out from my thoughts.
"Since it's too painful for you to tell them, I could try and see if I can show them what would have happened in their minds if they got into meditation and-"
"No!" I said, louder than I intended it to be. "I'd rather tell them a hundred times and have their minds imagined what it looked like than let them have the real thing in their minds forever," A silence met my words, until Qui-Gon finally nodded.
I looked over at Anakin and Obi-Wan. Anakin still hasn't said one word since Qui-Gon's appearance, and I was getting worried. "I need you two to promise not to lash out or get upset when I say something shocking or unbelievable until the end, okay?" I was mainly looking at Anakin, since this all this basically resolved around him. I saw Obi-Wan nod out the corner of my eyes, but Anakin still had his head down, hair covering his face. "Master?" I heard him blow out a long breath, and he finally turned and looked up at me straight in the eyes.
"I promise," he whispered firmly. I nodded at him and began my tale.
"I was walking around the Jedi Temple and I felt so much darkness, so I decided to clear my head at this place I found on the other side of Courasant; a park believe it or not. Very few people knew about the park, so I've gotten to know them and they were comfortable with me around when I stumbled upon it. The park was small and had soft grass that made you want to stay forever. Anyway, I went there to meditate and to find out why I felt darkness everywhere. That's when Qui-Gon's voice invades my mind, saying he has to show me some very important things," I gave Qui-Gon a look.
"He first showed me how Master Skywalker and Senator Amidala were married on the balcony outside, with Threepio and Artoo as their only guests. I was shocked when I learned about this, not believing he would break the Code, then I realized it was Master Skywalker, and I thought, 'How typical, since he never listens to the Council anyway,'. I also saw how happy you were then, and I knew I couldn't even bear tell the Council this," 'Even if I was a bit upset that he kept it from me for three years,' I thought bitterly and Qui-Gon looked at me, no doubt he heard that, but didn't address it. "Then it morphed to when Master and the Senator are at the Senate Building hiding behind a pole. I heard the conversation, and how the Senator was pregnant and how it was Master's happiest moment of his life," I saw Master's eyes light up just a tiny bit at that.
"But, that's when the scenes got worse," I said sadly. "I saw Master's nightmares about the Senator, and how he was in the Jedi Council Room, torn between saving her or keep his duty to the Jedi. I saw how he made his decision and went to the Senate Building," the scenes were slowly playing in my head with every word I said. "And how he chose Palpatine." I whispered.
"The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth . . . Vader,"
"Thank you, my Master,"
"You already know what happens after that, so I'll move on," I said. I really didn't want to retell how he killed the Jedi in the Temple. Even the younglings.
"Master Skywalker, there are too many of them. What are we going to do?"
"After Order 66 is given, he goes to Mustafar and kills the Separatist leaders, as Master did today. Senator Amidala does the same she did today, as did Master Kenobi. Him and Master Skywalker fought, but this time, the outcome is different," I give them a serious look, and I feel the shadows on my face that the fire made. "I wasn't there to stop you both," I took a deep breath a looked into the fire, which only intensified the scenes from Mustafar.
Obi-Wan flips onto the sandy edge near the lava river.
"It's over Anakin, I have the high ground," he says, hoping that his brother-who is somewhere inside this monster-will see the truth in his words and call off the duel.
"You underestimate my powers!" Anakin shouts darkly, getting ready to jump.
"Don't try it," Obi-Wan desperately warns one more time, but Anakin still jumps; darkness clouding his judgment.
Obi-Wan has the chance to kill him, but does not do it, not to his brother. Instead, he slices off his legs and his arm-his flesh arm. Anakin falls down dangerously close to the river, and he tries pulling himself up, but to no avail.
Obi-Wan looks at Anakin with teary eyes. "You were the Chosen One!" he shouts at him. "It said you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!"
Anakin looks at Obi-Wan, the yellow in his eyes burning with anger. "I hate you!"
Obi-Wan's tears are now falling. "You were my brother Anakin, I loved you," he says as he looks at what was once his brother, the man he stood beside for 13 years, and how it had come to this.
A hanging piece of what was once Anakin's pants ignites and sets him on fire from knee to forehead. Anakin screams, and, for a split second looks to Obi-Wan and reaches his hand out to him, asking for help. Obi-Wan can't take the sight of his brother burning anymore, so he picks up Anakin's lightsaber and walks away. Anakin's anger and pain soars, feeling betrayed by the last person who he thought could help him. He screams, and pulls himself up away from the edge of the lava river. He lies there, hoping somebody will come and help him.
Obi-Wan reached the Naboo Cruiser, and hopes Padme is alright. He checks up on her where she is in the medical on her ship.
"Obi-Wan? Is Anakin alright?" she asks, but as he doesn't answer, she slips back into unconsciousness.
They arrive at Polis Massa and they rush Padme to an operating room.
A medical droid comes out from the room and approaches Obi-Wan; Bail Organa and Yoda behind him.
"Medically, she is completely healthy. For reasons we can't explain, we are losing her," the droid says.
Obi-Wans eyes go wide. "She's dying?"
The droid nods. "We don't know why. She has lost the will to live. We need to operate quickly if we are to save the babies,"
This time it was Bail's turn to have wide eyes. "Babies?"
"She's carrying twins," the droid says, then quickly turns as it leaves into the operating room. Obi-Wan follows as Bail, Yoda, Artoo, and Threepio watch. Obi-Wan sits by Padme's side, taking her hand.
"Don't give up Padme," he says as she winces from the pain. The medical droid brings a baby to her.
"It's a boy," it says showing her the baby.
"Luke," she barely manages to say. She touches his forehead.
"And a girl," the droid says bringing it to her.
"Leia," she gasps as she looks at her daughter.
Darth Vader lies on the table as the operation of putting him in a life-supporting suit under goes. He screams as the new prosthetic legs and arm are attached to him. His suit is complete, and the helmet is slowly lowered above his head. As the helmet seals tightly, Darth Vader's sight is now forever red. He starts breathing through the respirator, the dreadful noise echoing all around him.
"Save your energy Padme," Obi-Wan urges as he senses her live fading.
"Obi-Wan...there...is good in him. I know there is ... still…" Padme gasps out as her final breath.
Obi-wan bows his head over the lost.
The table Darth Vader is cuffed to rises.
"Lord Vader, can you hear me?" Sidious asks him.
A breath from the respirator. "Yes my Master," Vader looks around. "Where is Padme? Is she safe? Is she alright?"
Palpatine takes a steady step towards his apprentice. "It seems in your anger, you killed her,"
"I couldn't have! She was alive! I felt her! She was alive! It's impossible! No!" he shouts as everything in the room implodes, even some of the droids. Vader breaks his bonds and falls to his knees, screaming over the loss of his angel.
I paused, taking a breath. "After that, the twins got separated. Leia to Senator Organa, and Luke to Owen and Beru Lars," I finished, and I saw the fire was almost dead. A silence was made, and I saw Anakin and Obi-Wan try to understand what they just heard.
Anakin puts his head in his hands. "Is their more?"
"There is, but I'll tell you another day," I say to him. I see him wince a little at that.
He lifts his head up and looks at Qui-Gon. "I'm sorry Qui-Gon, but I've failed you. I didn't fulfill my destiny to bring balance, instead I just brought darkness," he said sadly.
Obi-Wan jumps in. "If there is anyone to blame Anakin, it is me because I didn't teach you any better, or even try to keep you away from Palpatine. For that, I am sorry,"
Qui-Gon smiles next to me. "Do you think fulfilling a destiny is easy?" He shakes his head. "It's not. There are going to bumps in the road, walls in the way, and discouraging words from people around you. But you have to get pass all that to get to the door at the end, even if turning to the Dark Side is on that road. I still believe you will fulfill your destiny and bring balance to the Force, Ani,"
Anakin was smiling at him as he finished. "Thank you Qui-Gon, for believing in me,"
"I'm not the only one," he says, looking at Obi-Wan and me.
"I will always believe in you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said to him.
"As will I, Master," I said, as Anakin looked at us smiling, then it turned dark.
"What of Palpatine?" he asked Qui-Gon.
"At the moment, he is in hyperspace heading here. It will take about two standard days," he answered, putting his hands on his hips. "That is why we need-"
"-a plan," I said, interrupting him. They all looked at me and nodded as we started our discussion.
Palpatine's POV
This isn't good.
Not good at all.
My apprentice has turned back to the Light.
I stared out at the lines of hyperspace in front of me as I mulled over this. He must've had help to turn back. He couldn't have possibly turned back on his own; I planned it too carefully for him to figure it out until it was too late. I highly doubt Kenobi did it either because I made sure their bond would be weak by then and Skywalker wouldn't have full trust in him to consider what he says. Senator Amidala could have done it, but Skywalker should have been overrun with the lust of power enough to scare her away.
I plunged deeper into the Dark Side, hoping it would give the answer, even a hint as I closed my eyes. Soon, I saw the planet Mustafar instead of hyperspace. Skywalker and Kenobi are fighting…Kenobi flips to the sandy edge and tries to warn Skywalker…Skywalker jumps and their lightsabers are deactivated! Skywalker and Kenobi topple each other…a figure walks towards them and takes Skywalker's lightsaber with the Force...the figure starts talking and slowly Skywalker's eyes go back to blue, and the figure sticks out a hand and pulls him up! 'This person did it!' I thought. 'But who?' As if to answer my question, the smoke that has been covering the figure slowly fades away…into the Togruta Padawan!
I open my eyes angrily. I should have gotten rid of her as soon as she became Skywalker's padawan, but I knew that would have ruined my plan. If she died early on in the war, Skywalker would have gone through a depression state, and I would have lost the grip I had on him. This reminded me of something; she was supposed to die in the Temple, at her Master's hands. She could have not possibly escaped Order 66, she's too naïve. Also, she couldn't have possibly known where her Master was going without some help, and I doubt Amidala told her. Speaking of Amidala, she is still alive and that greatly troubles me. Now Skywalker won't listen to me about how I can give him unlimited power that can save people from death. I felt two bright sparks in the Force, and then it quickly vanished. I had no doubt who it was. Skywalker's children: so innocent, so bright, and so pure. I connected my hands in front of me as I thought of my devilish plan.
A door to my Throne Room opened behind me, and I spun around to see Governor Tarkin.
"Your Imperial Majesty, we will be arriving at Naboo in two standard days," Tarkin said as he bowed.
"Thank you Tarkin, you may leave," I said, dismissing him with my hand and turning back to look at hyperspace.
'Oh Skywalker,' I thought as I chuckled evilly. 'You just dug an even bigger hole for yourself and everyone around you,'
Anakin's POV
"Okay, the guest rooms are these first two doors and Obi-Wan knows where the refresher is, so just ask him if you need to know," I said to Ahsoka and Obi-Wan. We had just finished our discussion just moments ago, and also realized how tired we were.
"Thanks Master," Ahsoka said and yawned. I smiled at her.
"You get some rest Snips, okay?" I saw her smile at the use of her nickname.
"You can count on that Skyguy," she said between another yawn. "Goodnight Master Kenobi,"
"Goodnight Ahsoka," Obi-Wan replied.
"And see you in the morning Master," she says as she walks into the first room.
"Oh, and you don't bid me a goodnight?" I say with mock hurt.
Her head pokes out into the doorway. "Do I really need to bid you a goodnight Master? I'm sure you will have a great night," she says with a smirk.
I get confused. "What is that supposed-?" I start, but she already closed the door. I hear Obi-Wan chuckling beside me. I raise my eyebrow at him.
"She means for you to have a great night with your family," he explains to me. I nod at him as he starts walking towards the second room.
"Goodnight Anakin," he says but I needed to talk with him and get this off of my chest.
"Obi-Wan wait," I call out to him.
"Yes Anakin?" he turns around to look at me.
I draw a breath as I collect in my thoughts of what I was going to say. I looked at Obi-Wan straight in the eyes. "Obi-Wan, I'm sorry for what I've done today. I destroyed the Jedi Order, turned to the Dark Side, and I could have killed you. I don't know what else to say other than I'm truly sorry, and I understand if you don't trust me anymore"
Obi-Wan looked surprised by my sudden apology, but still rested a hand on my shoulder. "Anakin, you turned to the Dark Side, became Palpatine's apprentice and swore allegiance with him, and did his bidding by killing younglings, which may take me a while to forgive you for," I lowered my head in shame, but he wasn't done yet. "But, to overcome the Dark Side requires an inner strength and goodness greater than that of any Jedi I have ever known. I am proud of you Anakin, and I still trust you with my life because you are my brother and I love you,"
My head snapped up at the last part. He loved me? Even after all I did to him and his friends? "Obi-Wan…" my voice shook with emotion. "I…I…" I pulled him into a hug and finally made up my mind on what to say. "I love you too, brother," I whispered into his ear and felt a tear slide down my cheek. He returned the hug as I felt the Force blossom in joy and happiness. I think even Qui-Gon was pleased.
We broke apart and I quickly wiped my tears away. Obi-Wan laughed, but he was also teary-eyed. "Goodnight Anakin," he said to me.
"Goodnight Obi-Wan," I replied, my heart filled with love and gratitude that I have a friend-no, brother like him. He went in his room and closed the door as I walked down the hall to the Master Bedroom. As I walked I realized I would have to talk to Ahsoka tomorrow about the rest of the story. 'I hope it's not anything too bad,' I thought, but immediately I knew that was wishful thinking. If it wasn't too bad, she would've told me. As I approached the door I shook those thoughts away and focused on the now. I opened the door and saw Padme on the bed, twins in hand. She awoke and smiled as I approached her.
"Did everything go okay?" she asked as I gave a kiss to the forehead and the twins, who were sound asleep.
"Yes, and we have discussed a plan to stop Palpatine and his Empire," I answered, walking across the room to the closet and looking for my back-up pair of sleep pants.
"That's good to know," she said and paused. I found my sleep pants and was taking off my smoky tunic when I noticed her pause. She must've felt my eyes on her because she asked, "What about me and the twins?"
I sighed, remembering how I fought Ahsoka and Obi-Wan when they brought them into it. I first said no, not wanting to risk their lives. Ahsoka fired back with good points, saying they had nowhere to go, and leaving them here with no protection would make them easy targets. Either way, they would most likely end up with us. "You are part of the plan, but I don't want to talk about it right now," I said as slipped my sleep pants on and walked to the bed. "But I promise to tell you tomorrow morning," I crawled under the sheets and into the bed. Padme nodded and turned facing me, placing the twins between us.
"We don't have a crib to place them in, so we have to improvise," she explained. Luke was in front of me as Leia was in front of Padme.
I smiled at her. "I don't mind, I may not even want to get a crib if I get to sleep like this every night,"
"Let's see who's smiling when they start crying in the middle of the night,"
I playfully stuck my tongue out at her and she rolled her eyes. "Goodnight Anakin,"
"Goodnight Padme," I kissed her cheek. "And Leia and Luke," I kissed their cheeks also. Padme closed her eyes, and I felt through the Force to confirm she was asleep. She was, and I quickly hid Luke's and Leia's Force signatures to make it difficult for Palpatine to pinpoint their exact location on Naboo. I know he felt it, and was making a plan, but I pushed it aside. I savored this one moment of peace with my family, safe from harm and Palaptine. Soon, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
Okay, this chapter was short, but it was a fill in to explain how Ahsoka knew things and yay Qui-Gon appeared! He's one of my favorite characters from Star Wars! I mean, who doesn't like him? Anyway, I just wanted to say sorry for the long wait to put this short chapter up! My first week of spring break was just busy to sum it all up, and I was typing this chapter on my iPod so I wouldn't be behind! Lucky for you guys, I got over excited and already finished half of the next chapter! So it should be up on next Saturday or Sunday I hope! Also thanks for the wonderful reviews! But I wouldn't mind more!
May the Force Be With You! -Jordan
