Unfortunately, I've lost my muse for this story. Nevertheless, I have an obligation to those of you that review - to finish it. Thank you for your support. I've chopped this up severely, and I'm sorry if it seems rushed, but that's the nature of the beast. There is quite a way to go and I hope I can add a bit of substance and style to the remainder of the story - I will finish it.
Chapter 10
The war between the republic and the separatists deepens and the Jedi are stretched out across the galaxy. They have acquired an army of clones to help them in the battle to save the republic, but unknown to the Jedi, Palpatine controls the clones and eventually, the clones will turn on the Jedi and kill them all. In the meantime, Anakin has been promoted to knight, and Palpatine convinces him to become his personal bodyguard. The Chancellor believes there is a threat from within the Jedi order to overthrow the republic and take control themselves. Anakin is worried for the safety of Padmé and he takes her to Naboo where they marry. Months later, Palpatine discovers that Padmé is pregnant and convinces Anakin that the Jedi council will have her killed, because he went against the code when he married her. Eventually, Anakin loses any trust he had in Qui-Gon when the Jedi master asks Anakin to spy on the Chancellor…
"No I won't do that! It's treason that you're asking me to do!"
"Anakin listen to me, Palpatine has become too powerful and if he stays in office he will send us all to our deaths."
"No you're lying; he told me that it's the Jedi who are pushing for more power. You want to kill him don't you? I warn you now Qui-Gon, I will protect him with my life."
"What are you saying Anakin, you're a Jedi can't you see that he's manipulating you?"
"I won't believe you, he's my friend, my mentor, and he's happy that Padmé is having my baby - but you! You Jedi want to kill her, well I won't let you hurt Padmé or the Chancellor!"
"Anakin! – What do you mean; Padmé is having your child - when?"
"Soon, and I won't let you near her."
"Anakin, Palpatine has twisted your thoughts, we are here to protect, not kill! Even Padmé has told the other senators that she's concerned about how much power Palpatine has."
"No, I'm going to her now to tell her that it's the Jedi who are corrupt and that Palpatine is the only one who can keep her safe." He ran down the corridor away from Qui-Gon.
--
In Padmé's quarters, Anakin tried to convince her that the Jedi were plotting against her and the Chancellor. However, Padmé was shocked that her husband would say that of his own Jedi family. "No" she said, "Anakin can't you see what Palpatine is doing, he's turning you against the Jedi, he is the one who wants more power."
"You don't understand Padmé; he told me that they will kill you because you're having my child."
"Anakin, I've known the Jedi all my life, they would never do that!"
"Why won't you believe me Padmé?"
"Anakin what has come over you, I don't know what to believe, I'm afraid."
He glared at her, "Padmé I'm doing this for you and the baby, the Chancellor wouldn't lie to me, he's my friend!"
"Oh Anakin, the Jedi are our friends too. I don't know what to do, I must have time to decide," she pleaded.
He felt his anger rise at his wife and he wanted to pick her up and take her with him, but now was not the time. He wanted to speak with Palpatine and then he would return to claim her.
"Very well, I'm going to see the Chancellor, but when I return I expect you to be ready to accompany me!"
Anakin raced toward Palpatine's office, he could hear shouting and the sound of sabre's being ignited. He pushed the door open and to his shock, the Chancellor was holding a red light sabre and four Jedi Council members were attacking him. Anakin was surprised and confused to see his mentor and friend with a red sabre, but he felt his anger flare towards the Jedi Masters. "Stop, what's going on here?"
Palpatine used Anakin's confusion to his advantage and called to him for help. "Anakin save me they've gone mad, they want to know where Padmé is. I won't tell them, I'll die first before I give her up!"
"He lies Anakin, we are here to arrest Palpatine, he is a sith!" The Jedi master said.
"No, no Anakin they are lying!" Palpatine said as they rushed him.
He couldn't bear to see the man he thought of as a Father being cut down. Palpatine was the only one who really understood him, he was his friend, he was the one he turned too when he was unsure of himself. His mentor needed help; he couldn't turn his back on him now, so he attacked the Jedi from behind.
He slashed one Master and another cried out, "He is a sith Anakin don't join him!" Nevertheless, it was too late, Anakin gathered his powers and rammed his sabre through the Jedi as Palpatine attacked the two remaining Jedi. A few minutes later, it was over. Palpatine and Anakin were the only ones standing.
"You must join me Anakin; they have been plotting for years. The only way to keep Padmé safe is by destroying the Jedi. They were afraid of your power and they were going to kill you too."
Anakin felt the power of the Force fill him with strength and he didn't realise it was Palpatine who was channelling dark power into him. It felt good and he realised that his destiny wasn't with the Jedi it was with the sith. The Jedi were weak and pathetic, but with Palpatine he would know true power.
"I will join you, and I will save Padmé!"
"Good Anakin, together we will rid the galaxy of the deceitful Jedi, but now we must plan our next move. The Jedi will come to avenge their comrades, we should leave here and go to my residence, and there you shall meet others who have been betrayed by the Jedi."
"I must go to Padmé, she can come with us."
"No Anakin, it will be too dangerous for her, leave her. I will send troops to protect her and you can speak with her later." Sidious said as he pulled Anakin with him.
ooo
// The time to take strength from the Force is upon you Obi-Wan. \\ The voice filled Obi-Wan's subconscious as he slept. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead as he tossed in his sleep. // Darkness has fallen \\. He woke up startled, he knew he'd heard a voice, but glancing around his room he could see no one. Yet as he rose from the bed, he felt a presence in the room.
"Who is there?" He asked peering into the darkened room.
// Your destiny awaits you Obi-Wan, be ready. \\ He turned and in the corner was a shimmering form. A tall human with a white beard and long hair glowed and lit up the room with a gentle blue gleam.
"Who are you?"
"You are ready to take your place and prepare the younglings for the future. Who I am isn't important; it is who you are that matters."
"The younglings? What younglings? Do you mean those that I dream about, the ones in the temple, am I to save them?"
"You will know what to do when the time comes Obi-Wan."
"Why do you call me that? I have a new name."
"You are and will always be Obi-Wan Kenobi, do not hide from your destiny child. You belong to the Force and it is time to bring back the light to the galaxy."
"How can I, there are those who will do anything within their power to see me dead. I have killed Jedi, how can you put your trust in me?"
"You're not alone, now go they are coming." The shimmering image faded away as Maul entered Obi-Wan's room.
"Ah, good you're awake. We have been summoned to Coruscant; Lord Sidious is ready to reveal his new apprentice to us."
"You mean Anakin Skywalker?" Obi-Wan said in an inquiring tone.
"Yes, Skywalker has turned, and Sidious has pronounced him as his apprentice. You must keep your powers hidden from Sidious and from Skywalker, you have learnt well my apprentice and soon your destiny will be revealed to you."
Obi-Wan decided not to tell Maul of his visitor and quickly dressed. "I will be ready in a few minutes Master."
Obi-Wan felt the power of the dark side seeping through the walls of Sidious hide out as they entered the building. He drew his shields up and followed Maul into the main hall. He wasn't looking forward to coming face to face with Anakin again, but he had the Force on his side and he knew that he would have to keep his shields at maximum. Obi-Wan sensed the hatred pouring off Anakin as their eyes met. He could feel his anger fill the Force with deadly intent. However, Sidious put his hand up and prevented Anakin from drawing his sabre.
"Good, I feel the animosity that flows between you; I have been looking forward to this day and I can feel the hatred and the anger radiating from you Anakin. You are my Chosen one and you will lead my followers against the Jedi."
"This is the slime that attacked me on Naboo! Let me kill him now!" Anakin snapped.
"No, he is one of us; perhaps later you may get your chance to kill him. Nevertheless, it is time to use your anger on the Jedi. I have little time to waste pampering childish arguments amongst ourselves." Sidious put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and pressed down. "Kneel boy; this is my new apprentice, Darth Vader."
"Yes my Lord," Obi-Wan said and went down on his knees, however, he kept his wits about him. He didn't know what to expect from Anakin and he had to be ready.
"I am at your service Lord Vader." Obi-Wan said without taking his eyes off Anakin.
"The time has come to bring down the Jedi order, I have sent a signal out to the clones and they are now under my control and are killing Jedi across the galaxy as we speak." Sidious said smiling. "A battalion of clones await our arrival at the Jedi temple we shall go there and end the reign of the Jedi once and for all."
Obi-Wan's vision was coming true, Palpatine had given the order 66, which turned the clones from loyal friends of the Jedi to Jedi killers and Vader was about to lead a battalion of them to the Jedi temple. Obi-Wan felt his anger rise knowing that he would not get there in time to save the younglings. Regret and pain filled his heart knowing that they were going to die, but the Force sang to him and showed him that from all death comes life, and the lives that were soon to be lost were predestined.
Like the fire that ravaged the forest burning every thing in its wake leaving the earth scorched and black. New life would spring from the ashes, the seeds of the future would be carried along with the wind, and a new beginning would emerge. This is what the Force showed him and he had to put his trust in it. Obi-Wan felt conflict rise in him, where did he fit in. The path he'd taken assured that he could never be a Jedi. He'd seen how the Jedi had lost their way, they had become just as arrogant as the sith, and the more he thought on it the more he realised he was never meant to be a Jedi; he couldn't do what he must do, if he were a Jedi.
ooo
Padmé paced back and forth in her apartment, Anakin had been full of anger when he left her to go and see Palpatine. She had been afraid of him. He wasn't the same person she had fallen in love with and she didn't know what to do. She didn't believe that Palpatine would protect her, because in her role as a senator she had gone against most of his decisions. She didn't believe that she needed protection from the Jedi. They were her friends. She had to talk to Anakin and make him see what the Chancellor was really like. She was about to leave her apartment to find Anakin when she heard the sound of clones firing their weapons down below in the street. Jedi were being killed, she didn't know what to think and she felt compelled to go to the Jedi temple to find out what was going on.
Sidious, Maul and Obi-Wan watched as Vader entered the temple with the clones. They would wait until Vader signalled and then they would claim the Jedi temple as their own. "I will have my revenge soon, and the sith will rule the galaxy." Sidious cackled.
"Chancellor Palpatine! What is happening here, where is Anakin?" Padmé said as she climbed the steps...
Sidious turned and sent a bolt of blue lightning at her and she crumpled to the ground. He turned to Obi-Wan, "Kill her and when you have finished leave her body here for Vader to find. Make sure it looks like the Jedi killed her. Darth Maul and I shall go into the temple and watch Darth Vader complete his turning."
"Yes my Lord" Obi-Wan bowed.
Obi-Wan sensed that Padmé was close to death, but he could sense the heart beat of a baby within her. He rested his hand on her stomach and smiled. She was carrying two babies and as he lifted her he felt the Force swirl around him, whispering of a future, bright and whole. She was carrying the younglings that Obi-Wan was to protect and it was Obi-Wan's duty to see to it that they survived.
ooo
Qui-Gon and Yoda felt the deaths of many of their comrades when order 66 fell. They barely escaped with their lives and it was in that moment that they finally understood what the Force had been trying to show them. They'd been blinded by the power of the dark side in assuming the clones had been built for them. The Jedi's own arrogance had assured their demise.
Qui-Gon landed their speeder in the shadows of the temple and he and Yoda moved quietly around to the front steps. He was shocked to see Senator Amidala being carried down the steps by Obi-Wan. "Put her down, and step away from her. Haven't you killed enough people, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon said as they stepped out of the shadows and drew their sabres.
"The killing has just begun Jinn; Skywalker has turned to the dark side; he is Palpatine's new apprentice. They are in control now and they are in your precious temple killing every Jedi in there."
"You lie! Anakin is a Jedi, he would never turn and become a sith like you!"
"You waste my time Jinn, this one is dying and she is carrying Skywalker's children. Take her away, before he comes out looking for her."
"What happened to her?"
"Palpatine wants her dead, he sent a charge of Force lightning at her and then he ordered me to kill her before Skywalker gets back. Nevertheless, the Force wills me to do otherwise. You must hide these children and keep them safe from the sith."
"Believe you I do," said Master Yoda.
Qui-Gon was shocked "Master Yoda you can't believe him - he is a sith! Anakin would never kill Jedi or younglings, I will not believe it!"
"That's your problem Jinn, Yoda senses it, I sense it, but you won't believe it. There is a disturbance in the Force and it's coming from Skywalker, he has turned and he is killing the younglings as we speak, you must sense it!"
Qui-Gon knew he was right, but he didn't want to believe that he'd made another mistake. However, he could see determination in Obi-Wan's eyes, he stretched out, and felt the Force fill Obi-Wan. "What are you going to do?" he said as he held out his arms, to take Padmé from him.
Obi-Wan stepped back and said "The will of the Force."
"Don't join them Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon begged.
"I will do what I must," he stated pulling the hood of his black cloak down over his head and assuming his role in the force; disappearing into the darkness.
tbc… Sorry that this chapter was such a rush, I had no idea how to get past this point and not go through canon all over again.