Chapter 10: The Three Tests

Walking into the room, Anakin watched as the younglings came out from their hiding places. "Master Skywalker there are too many of them, what are we going to do?" a youngling asked. Instead of answering the child, he activated his lightsaber and raised it above his head just as the children scattered around screaming.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP US!" the children screamed.

Anakin shot up from his cot gasping from the nightmare. Sitting back against the wall, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Giving up on sleep, he pulled on his tunic and jerkin before putting on his utility belt and leaving the room.

Walking onto the bridge, he saw that Sidara was looking over a datapad in her hand. "Good morning Sidara," he greeted. She looked up surprised.

"Anakin, what are you doing awake? It's so early," she commented.

"I should ask you the same," he answered.

She looked at the datapad in her hand. "I was just sending a letter to Maila…er…Amara," she commented.

"You have visited her?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm surprised she remembers that I'm her sister," she answered.

"Some children just feel that bond," he commented.

Looking over, she saw the dark circles under Anakin's eyes. "Are you alright? What's wrong?" she asked standing up.

"It's just memories Sidara," he answered, rubbing his temple.

"About what?" she asked.

He let out a deep breath, shaking his head slowly. "You had every right not to trust me," he told her.

"Anakin…" she started.

"No, I killed. I've killed so many people, how can I trust myself not to become that evil person again?" he asked.

Sidara shook her head slowly. "No, you won't become that evil Sith Lord again," she insisted. Anakin closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath as he put his head in his hands.

On the other side of the bridge, Obi-Wan and Dacken were observing Anakin's actions. "I think there is one good thing about going to Korriban," Dacken commented. Obi-Wan nodded his head slowly.

"I agree," he answered as he ran his hand over his beard.

Piett walked over to Anakin. "Anakin, we have arrived at Korriban," he informed.

"Thank you Piett," Anakin answered, standing up.

Dacken and Obi-Wan were standing at the entrance of the bridge as Anakin walked up the two steps. "Good morning Masters," he greeted with a bow.

"Good morning, Anakin. I sense that something is troubling you," Obi-Wan answered.

Anakin averted his eyes, clearing his throat. "It is nothing I can't handle I assure you," he told them. He grabbed his datapad to copy the Star Map's information. "Let's go," he added before leaving.

When their ship landed on the planet's surface, Anakin scanned the area as the three of them exited the ramp. "Where do we go?" Anakin asked. Suddenly the datapad in his belt was pulled away, forcing the young man to turn to look at his mentors. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Anakin, we sense a great deal of fear in you," Dacken informed.

"I am alright Master," Anakin insisted.

"Your memories of your past are clouding your mind. It seems the dark cloud over you has only grown darker the more nightmares you begin to have over your past mistakes," Obi-Wan explained.

Anakin just stared at the two men before him. "I can assure you that my weariness of my past won't affect me on the battlefield against Sidious," he answered.

"Sidious knows your true fear and he will prey on them once more when you two face each other," Obi-Wan informed.

"What do you want me to do about that?" Anakin asked, "what kind of training can you expect me to do here?'

"Follow us young one," Dacken told him as the Master Jedi and Master Paladin led him across the lands.

They arrived at a tomb and the two older men stood at the entrance. "What is all this?" Anakin asked.

"Your test Anakin," Obi-Wan answered.

"What test?" Anakin insisted.

"You need to face everything in your past young one, so you better get started. Obi-Wan and I will get the information from the Star Map," Dacken explained.

Anakin looked at the tomb before glancing back at them. "What is this going to show?" he asked.

"Just trust us, you will thank us when you come back," Obi-Wan answered.

"It will show only what you take in," Dacken informed.

Anakin let out a deep breath as he pulled off he removed his Paladin robe, making sure his utility belt had all of it's weapons in place. "May the Force be with you," Obi-Wan told his friend. Letting out a deep breath, Anakin turned around and went into the tomb while his mentors watched him. "I just hope he doesn't let his feelings get the best of him," Obi-Wan commented.

"At this point Obi-Wan, hopefully the feelings that take control lead him into the right direction," Dacken answered.

Obi-Wan nodded before they went back to get the Star Map's information.

As Anakin made his way through the caves, he heard the sounds of wings and looked around when he ignited his lightsaber. Looking up, he saw a Shyrack swooping down at him. Rolling across the ground as the creature tried to attack him, he jumped back to his feet with his lightsaber at the ready. He swung his lightsaber around as the creature flew at him before he thrust the weapon forward, the blade going straight through it's head. The creature fell to the ground dead when several more came out from their hiding places.

Anakin took out his blaster, firing several shots at the creatures, watching as they plummeted to the ground before walking over and putting them out of their miseries. Letting out a deep breath, he continued his way through the darkened tomb. The further he went, the darker it seemed to get, not just the halls, but the air itself.

Carefully crossing over the stone bridge he had found, Anakin scanned around when he saw ancient writings on the wall. Walking over to it, he placed his hand on the stone when he felt nothing but the Dark Side emitting from it. "Where did you send me?" he muttered as he glanced back where he had come.

As he made his way through the halls, he arrived at three doors. "Great, another puzzle," he muttered. Walking over, he went to open the first door when it wouldn't open. "What the Force…" he trailed off. Trying to pry the door open, his attempt was unsuccessful. Making his way to the second door, again, nothing happened. Hearing a noise, he spun around to see the door behind him closing. Hurrying over, he went to stop it when it locked tight as it closed.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose as he calmed himself before looking back at the last door. "This better open or I'm in big trouble," he commented. Walking over to the final door, the door opened making him jump back.

Slowly entering a room, Anakin scanned the room when his heart stopped as someone ran toward him, but when he saw that it was a familiar face, his heart started speeding up. "Master Skywalker, there are too many of them, what are we going to do?" the young boy asked fearfully.

"I-Impossible…" he trailed off.

Looking around the room, he saw all the younglings coming out from their hiding places. Suddenly hearing sounds of blasters and people shouting, Anakin spun around with his lightsaber raised. "Hide, all you hide!" he told them.

Anakin immediately backed up as Clone Troopers came into the room. "Kill them all," he heard the General order. Blocking several blasts aimed at the younglings, Anakin jumped over their heads landing behind them. It was enough to get them distracted. Pulling out his own blaster, he fired several shots, killing several troopers before a trooper aimed a blast at his shoulder, firing.

Feeling the burn of the blaster pierce his shoulder, he hissed in pain, dropping to one knee. Taking advantage, the Clone Trooper kicked him in the side, knocking Anakin's lightsaber from his hand. "MASTER SKYWALKER!" he heard the little boy shout. Seeing a clone trooper grabbing the boy's arm, Anakin rolled across the ground, pulling his vibroblade from it's sheath, he threw his weapon, having it embed itself into the trooper's neck. The trooper dropped the boy, making the Paladin apprentice act fast and grab the boy just as the clone troopers were about to fire. Spinning around with the boy in his arms, he closed his eyes tight as he prepared to shield the boy from the blasts with his own body.

Except, the blasts never came and he opened his eyes. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that all the Clone Troops were gone. Looking at the boy, he saw a huge smile on the youngling's face. "You're a hero Master Skywalker!" the boy cheered before he faded from Anakin's sight.

Looking around, he watched as all the younglings were standing around smiling before they started disappearing one by one. "We forgive you Master Skywalker," the final youngling said before disappearing. Swallowing hard, Anakin let out a shaky breath as he gathered his weapons, replacing them in their rightful place before leaving the room.

As he turned to glance back at the room, the door was already closed and the first door had opened. Carefully entering the second room, he saw that the room looked exactly like the Emperor's office. Hurrying over, he once more found Palpatine pinned in a corner with Windu standing above him and the Force lightning was already beginning to scar his face. "TRAITOR!" Palpatine shouted.

"He is the traitor!" Windu exclaimed as he was blocking the attack.

Anakin felt his throat constrict. "I have the power to save the one you love! You must choose!" Palpatine insisted.

"Don't listen to him Anakin!" Windu answered.

Closing his eyes, Anakin suddenly pulled out his lightsaber. "You have no power whatsoever," he said with a glare.

"No Anakin don't! No! I can save Padmé!" Palpatine insisted.

"Padmé will live and it's not from your help!" Anakin answered.

Seeing that his rouge was no longer working, Palpatine let out a shout as he used more of his strength, sending Windu backwards towards the window's ledge. "NO!" Anakin shouted, jumping on the edge, grabbing onto Windu's arm before he plummeted to his death.

Pulling his friend back inside, Anakin caught the lightsaber Windu tossed to him as he fell back on the floor. Turning around with both weapons activated, Anakin crossed them in front of him as Palpatine fired more Force lightning at him. "Padmé will surely die because of your lack of intelligence!" he snapped.

"Padmé will live, it is you who will die," Anakin answered.

Concentrating hard with everything Dacken and Obi-Wan taught him, he backed Palpatine against the wall. "This is the end of you Darth Sidious," Anakin told him.

"NO!" Palpatine shouted.

Taking one lightsaber, he chopped the Sith Lord's leg, making him collapsed to the floor while Anakin stood above him. Tossing Windu's saber back to the Jedi Master, Anakin took his lightsaber and thrust it through the Sith Lord's heart before he could stop him. Sidious disappeared and Anakin turned around to look at Windu.

The Jedi Master smiled as he stood in front of Anakin. "You have done well, Anakin," he told him, resting his hand on his shoulder before disappearing. Smiling, Anakin left the room and the door closed behind him.

Letting out a deep breath, Anakin closed his eyes as he dragged his fingers through his hair before looking over his shoulder as the middle door opened. Approaching cautiously, Anakin scanned around the area to see that it was just a normal, abandoned room.

As he entered the room, the door slammed behind him making him look around to see if there was another way out. The room was dark and dank, the only thing that was lighting the room were torches. He held his lightsaber at the ready when he heard heavy, mechanical breathing behind him.

As he slowly turned to face his opponent, he saw a figure standing there. The person was dressed all in black with some sort of breathing apparatus on the front, the red lights flashing on and off constantly. The mask this person was wearing was hideous, terrifying even. The black cloak he wore hung around his more mechanical than human body while he just stood there, still as a statue. "Who are you?" he demanded.

Instead of answering, the person ignited his red blade, forcing Anakin to get into the fighting stance and igniting his blue blade. "Who are you?" he repeated, wanting to know of the name of his opponent.

"My name is Darth Vader, Darth Sidious's apprentice, and the heir to the Empire," the person replied.

Anakin suddenly felt sick to his stomach when he heard the name. "Me…" he trailed off.