I own nothing but Shandra Bane. Everything regarding to Star Wars belongs to the rightful owners.
The next evening I was waiting for Anakin to come home when I saw smoke from the Jedi Temple; people were saying there was some kind of attack.
"3PO," I called, trying to stay calm.
"Yes, Miss?"
"Contact the chancellor's office and see if Anakin is still there; there's something happening at the Jedi Temple."
"Oh, my," 3PO exclaimed when he saw the smoke, "right away miss."
I knew that Anakin was going to the senate, but he could be anywhere by now. Also, if he saw the smoke he would go straight to the temple to help.
3PO came back in. "The chancellor's office said that Master Anakin left for the Jedi Temple… I'm sure he's alright."
The news made me want to break down crying, but I couldn't.
Right now I needed to keep myself together and tell myself that Anakin would be fine. He was strong and skillful Jedi, he knew how stay safe.
As much as I wanted to go to the temple myself and help, and find Anakin, I couldn't. I needed to keep myself and the baby safe, so the only thing I could do was wait.
After what felt like forever Anakin finally came home hours later.
"Are you alright?" I hugged him. "I could see the smoke from the Jedi Temple from here."
"I'm fine. I'm fine," he assured me, "I came to see if you and the baby are safe."
"Anakin, what's going on?"
"The Jedi have tried to overthrow the republic."
"What?" That didn't make any sense.
The Jedi are about peace and democracy, they wouldn't turn to tyranny.
"I saw Master Windu attempt to assassinate the chancellor myself."
What? Master Windu was one of the most respected Jedi Masters, he wouldn't murder anyone. There had to be more to this.
"What are you gonna do?"
"I will not betray the Republic. My loyalties lie with the chancellor… and with the senate, and with you."
"What about Obi-Wan?"
"I don't know; many Jedi have been killed. We can only hope that he's remained loyal to the chancellor."
"You know he wouldn't betray the Republic, or what it stands for."
"I don't know what to believe about the Jedi anymore," Anakin frowned, "just wait for me until I return."
"Where are you going?"
"To see if there's any Jedi left loyal to the Republic and to help the chancellor in any way I can."
The chancellor; it seemed whenever something terrible happened with the war he was involved someway. It was as if… no, it couldn't be. Could it?
"Be careful."
"I will," he kissed me lightly on the lips, "wait for me."
After he took off I turned to 3PO.
"I want you to try and find out anything about Obi-Wan. There's more to this than what Anakin's saying, I can feel it."
"But why would Master Anakin keep something from you Miss Shandra?"
"To keep the truth from hurting me."
The next morning the chancellor gave a speech about his attack, and that the Jedi were now enemies of the state. What was worse was the start of the 'galactic empire'.
"This is madness," I told Padme and Senator Organa afterwards, "the Jedi are all about preserving peace and democracy. Something else is going on here."
"What do you think is really going on?" Padme asked.
"I don't know, but I plan to find out."
That afternoon I was going to try and find out about Obi-Wan's whereabouts myself, but he ended up finding me instead.
"I was worried when I heard about the Jedi; are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he said, "I need to find Anakin, do you know where he is?"
"No, I don't. I haven't seen him since yesterday."
"Shandra, I need your help. He is in grave danger."
"From who? The Sith?"
"From himself. Shandra… Anakin has turned to the Dark Side."
"What? No, that's not possible."
I didn't believe the words, but I knew that deep down something had changed in Anakin.
"I have seen a – a security hologram… of him… killing younglings."
"How could this have happened?"
"He was deceived by a lie, we all were. It appears that the chancellor is behind everything, including the war."
"It's him isn't? Palpatine is the Sith Lord we've been trying to find."
"Yes. After the death of Count Dooku, Anakin became his new apprentice."
"I always knew there was something about the chancellor that didn't seem right. Whenever I was near him, I felt this chill – a darkness, even now I still do," I sat on the sofa, "but Anakin; he's being deceived. Palpatine is playing with his mind and emotions so he could get him to join the Dark Side. There's no other explanation."
"Shandra… I must find him."
"What are going to do if you can't reason with him?"
"He has become a great threat."
No, he couldn't kill Anakin. There had to be a way to talk to him.
"Obi-Wan, please. You know him as well as I do; there's still good in him. Give me a chance to try and reach him."
"It's too dangerous; I need to be the one to do this. Do you know where I can find him?"
"No." It wasn't a complete lie.
I didn't know where Anakin was, but I did have a way to find him.
Obi-Wan went to leave before turning back.
"Anakin is the father, isn't he?"
I stayed silent, but I knew that he could tell by the look my face that he was right.
"I'm so sorry."
Hey guys. Upated quicker this time. :)
Hop you guys like the chapter and review to let me know what you think or if you have any ideas for the ending.
I'm thinking maybe 2-3 more chapters and I'll be finished with this story.
