Chapter Nine

A Ripple in Time

Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi raced off the air craft and Obi-Wan headed toward the Emperor's chambers. "Not yet, Obi-Wan," Anakin said.

"But, Anakin, there isn't much time," he said.

"Master, the younglings, we have to save them," Anakin said. Obi-Wan was reminded of how big Anakin's heart was. He sighed and agreed.

"Only the younglings, Anakin, not anyone else, we've wasted enough time. The padawan's will be looked after by their masters." Obi-Wan didn't mention how Qui-Gon Jinn had died and how it had been Obi-Wan who defeated Darth Maul. He didn't mention how it had been Anakin who had saved Obi-Wan more times than he cared to admit. It had been Anakin who saved his master, not the other way around, they both knew all of that. There were only two younglings. How could there only be two? Where had they all gone? Rosemary and Thyme were still there. They were nine year olds. They were the only two left. Anakin grabbed their hands and motioned for them to follow him quickly. He put them on Padame's aircraft.

"Stay here, and you'll be safe," Anakin told them, putting in Padame's private password. "Obi Wan, change the password, so I wont know it. Padame will understand," he said. Obi Wan sighed as he did so. They boy didn't have any faith in himself. Yet, he was trying to protect everyone he cared about. If that wasn't the work of a true master, of a true being of good, he didn't know what was. He was afraid of turning, but his actions proved he was taking all precautions to protect everyone including younglings. He was horrified by the actions of his visions, that much was very clear to Obi-Wan.

"Come, Anakin," he said. "I am very proud of you. I can't say I know from experience what it's like to face a vision like that. But I'm very proud in the way you are handling everything. You are very wise," he said. Anakin wished for 3PO, he could handle children better than Anakin could. 3PO was with R2D2 and they were protecting Padame. They were where they were needed. He leaned down to R5D5 and spoke to him. "Do not let the children out. It is very important. Lives are at stake. And unless Obi Wan is with me, do not let me in," he said.

"You may have made a mistake, Anakin. What if something happens to me?" he asked.

"Then they will be safe from me," he said. They were nine year olds, the same age Anakin had been when he arrived at the Jedi Temple and Qui-Gon had allowed him to come with him to Naboo, where Qui-Gon had died. He shook off the depressing thoughts, they had no place in him with the upcoming battle they had to face. "How are there only two, I didn't touch them. I promise, Obi Wan," he said.

Obi Wan nodded, "I know Anakin. Hold fast to your teachings," he said as he knocked and then opened the Chancellor's door.

"Anakin, welcome," Chancellor Palpatine said. "I've been expecting you." He noticed Obi Wan Kenobi and frowned. How much had Anakin confided in him? "Obi Wan, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Jedi Master Mace Windu tried to assassinate me. I'm sure that's why you're here. Anakin saw him, did you not?" he asked. Anakin shook his head in the negative position. "Are you sure, Anakin?" Chancellor Palpatine asked. Anakin wasn't so sure. What if he was wrong? "He threatened you too, Anakin," Chancellor Palpatine continued. "And he threatened the ones you love. He's never trusted you, Anakin. Was it not he who denied you the rank of master?" Palpatine said slyly.

Anakin nodded, "Yes, Master Windu never trusted me," he said. Memories overflowed Anakin. He saw Master Windu watching him carefully.

"You are on this council, but we do not grant you the rank of master," he had said. "Take a seat, YOUNG Skywalker," he had said, gloating over the fact that Anakin wasn't a master.

"I only defended myself," Palpatine continued. "They want to overthrow me. It won't be only Master Windu. All the Jedi," he said slyly. Once Anakin saw the Jedi as a threat it wouldn't be long before he made the jump to seeing Obi Wan as a threat.

Obi Wan spoke up. "You are the threat, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and by order of the Galatic Empire, you are under arrest," he said his voice full of authority, as he ignited his light saber. Anakin wondered what he should do. If the Jedi were planning on gaining control did that mean Obi Wan too? No, of course not, Anakin assured himself. Obi Wan loved him.

"No, No, No," Palpatine said shaking his head.

"The Senate shall decide your fate," Obi Wan told Palpatine. "You have been in power for too long. But it's all come to an end. You fill Anakin's head of half-truths. You play with his heart, with his love for Padame. When this war is over, and it's over Palpatine, things will be different. Anakin will be a Jedi Master, and a Husband, and a Father. Or I will leave the Jedi Order as well. Now I'm going to tell him the whole truth. Anakin, you are the only one who can destroy him. He is the last of the Sith. As the prophecy says, only you can destroy him. If you are on his side, you wont bring about the end of the Sith."

Anakin wasn't sure who to believe.