Turning Point
This is so boring.
Luke was beginning to regret following the Chancellor and Anakin to the Opera House. They had talked of nothing interesting, and Luke was finding it very difficult to stay hidden. It took all of his willpower and concentration to mask his Force Signature, and even then he was sure the Chancellor was suspicious of something. Luke prayed that he wouldn't get caught. He had found himself perched precariously on top of the viewing box to be able to listen in to their conversation.
He was lying down on it awkwardly, and he was sure something was digging into his lower leg, yet he was scared to try and readjust himself in case he made too much noise and alerted them to his presence.
Luke could just about hear what they were saying, but he had been practicing enhancing his hearing with the Force and knew that if they spoke of anything remotely interesting, he could zoom in with his ears.
"Anakin m'boy, Clone Intelligence had located General Grievous. He's been hiding in the Utapau System." Palpatine said in a low voice. Squid Lake was in full swing by now, but Luke found it hardly drew his attention.
"That's great news! The sooner he's captured the sooner it accelerates the end of the war." Anakin exclaimed. Luke's heart panged for his naive Father. His heart was in the right place, he had such pure intentions. How could such a good person turn so evil? This further observation strengthened Luke's resolve to save his Father.
"I myself would question the Councils competence if you were not sent on the mission." Palpatine remarked casually, seemingly engrossed with the ballet. "I suspect the Order wishes to overthrow the Republic...surely you have sensed it?" The Chancellor asked slyly.
What a load of lies! Don't tell me you believe what this old fool is telling you! Luke listened in disbelief as Anakin admitted that Council didn't trust him, and that his own trust in the Jedi had been shaken.
"Remember what I told you when you were a young lad, Anakin? That those who gain power are afraid to lose it...and that includes the Jedi." Luke had to restrain himself from hopping down and knocking both the Chancellor and Anakin out! His ears were burning from anger and he had to calm himself in order to catch the rest of the conversation.
"The Jedi use their powers for good." Anakin argued stubbornly.
Yes Father! Don't listen to that fool. Luke inhaled deeply before releasing his anger into the Force; it wouldn't do to have both Skywalkers angry and vulnerable to the Dark Side.
"Good is only a point of view. The Jedi and the Sith are alike in almost every conceivable manner, including their quest for greater power." Palpatine said, resting one of his withered claw-like hands on Anakin's shoulder.
Luke listened with growing ire as Palpatine told Anakin the story of Darth Plagueis, who was supposedly so powerful he could influence midi-chlorians to create and save life.
"What happened to him?" Anakin asked, his attention fully focused on Palpatine. The part about saving life had caught his attention, just as Palpatine had planned.
Padme...
The thought (though unintentionally) was broadcast out loud, and both the Chancellor and Luke caught wind of it. Luke groaned, he realised that his head strong Father had it in his head to learn to save Padme's life...
By becoming a Sith! Father became a Sith to save Mother! He's not a monster, he was tricked! Stars... the sudden revelation had Luke reeling, and he nearly lost his grip and toppled over the side. His vision swam, and he shook his head determinedly. Now was not the time to faint.
Give me a little longer, please please please... He begged to no one in particular.
"After he had taught his apprentice all he knew, the apprentice killed him in his sleep." Palpatine said, a dark edge coating his voice like poison. It was so obvious that even Luke's oblivious Father Anakin picked up on it and visibly recoiled from the older man.
The Ballet continued for another hour, and at the end both men got up and left. Luke sighed in relief before climbing down shakily. He wasn't sure what he should do with the information he had just learnt. Should he relay it to Obi-Wan? But knowing him he would somehow inadvertently say something to Anakin
and add to Luke's troubles.
Anakin relayed the information back to the Council about General Grievous and expressed his wish of going to confront him.
"The Council decide who goes, not the Chancellor." Mace Windu spat harshly, he glared down at Anakin. Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested that a more experienced Master go, like Obi-Wan. The Council agreed, and Anakin left the room in disappointment.
"Anakin, wait up!" Luke called. He trotted up and jogged next to Anakin so he could keep up with his long strides. "Where are you going?"
"To the Chancellor, to relay news of Obi-Wan being sent to deal with Grievous. I've just bade farewell to him."
"Ah okay, can I come too? I have nothing better to do." Luke's heart was pounding, the Force was screaming bloody murder around him, something big was going to happen, and he needed to be there.
"Sure, I'll be glad of the company. I just wish I could have gone too." Anakin admitted, slowing his strides down. Luke was grateful for that since he was starting to develop a stitch.
They reached Palpatine, who seemed surprised to see Luke there. Nonetheless, he welcomed them both with open arms.
"Chancellor, we have just received a report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous." Anakin stated, drawing to a stop in front of the old man. Luke lagged a little behind, cautious and waiting for whatever would happen.
"We can only hope that Master Kenobi is up to the challenge." Palpatine said. Something is different about him, Luke thought carefully, his attitude, his tone of voice...what was he planning?
"I should be there with him!" The frustration in Anakin's voice was palpable and tore at Luke's heart strings.
"It upsets me to see that the Jedi Council don't seem to fully appreciate your talents. Don't you wonder why they won't make you a Jedi Master?" He asked, slowly standing up from his chair and circling around Anakin once before stopping.
"I wish I knew, I feel more and more excluded from the Council...I'm certain there are things they are not telling me about the Force." Anakin noticed as Luke sidled up to his side, his whole body was tensed and his knuckles were going white from how hard he was holding the hilt of his Lightsaber. He drew it out and kept it limp by his side. Neither the Chancellor nor Anakin missed this.
"Are you okay Luke?" Anakin asked, placing a hand on Luke's shoulder in concern. Adrenaline was coursing through Luke and he had a wild look in his eyes.
"The Council know what they are doing." He said through grit teeth. "Tell me Chancellor, are you a Jedi? No? Well then, keep your mouth shut—"
"I won't let you talk to the Chancellor like that Luke." Anakin said, a hard edge to his voice. Father and Son glared at each other. Anakin won and Luke sulkily kept quiet.
"They don't trust you, Anakin. They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. Anakin, you must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force." Palpatine said, energy entering his voice. He led Anakin into the hallway, with Luke following behind.
This is the turning point. He's going to ask Anakin to join him. I'm not ready for this; I have no plan, stars. Luke was on the verge of a full on panic attack. His breathing quickened, yet everything in his field of vision sharpened dramatically.
Keep a cool head, Skywalker, you can do this.
"How do you know the ways of the Force?" Luke asked sarcastically, drawing the two other men to a stop.
"My mentor taught me everything about the Force...even the nature of the Dark Side."
"You know the Dar Side?!" Anakin took a step back looking startled. Everything he knew about the Chancellor had shattered in his mind, and now he was left with nothing but a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief.
"Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery; one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin." He paused. "They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me train you." He stretched out his hand for Anakin to take.
Luke slapped the man's hand away in disgust and pulled Anakin away from the Chancellors reach.
"I won't be a pawn in your game, the Jedi are my family! They're all I have, all I have had since the beginning!" Luke cheered internally, maybe he wouldn't have to do anything after all, and maybe his just being here has influenced his Father closer to the light—
"Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, Anakin, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death." It went deathly silent. Luke didn't know who to look at.
"What did you just say?" Anakin asked quietly, staring intently at the Chancellor.
"Use my knowledge, I beg you..."
"He's a Sith Lord!" Luke cried out, the suspense proving too much for him. Anakin started and whipped out his Lightsaber, slipping into a defensive stance in front of Luke.
"I know what has been troubling you . . . listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi . . . a life of significance, of conscience."
"You're wrong! Anakin don't listen to him! He's lying! He's been conditioning you since you were nine years old! Please you have to listen to me!" The raw emotion in Luke's voice caught Anakin's attention. The man had never felt more torn in his entire life.
"Anakin!" Luke implored, his hearting beating at a terrifying pace.
The Chancellor cleared his throat softly. "Are you going to kill me?" He asked calmly.
"I would certainly like to." Anakin replied, hand shaking slightly.
"I know you would. I can feel your anger; it makes you strong, gives you focus." Palpatine said quietly, inching closer.
"Oh for the love of—why are you hesitating?" Luke voice had lowered an octave, he was overcome with so much emotion that he sounded strangely robotic. Anakin raised his Lightsaber to Palpatine, a paused. There was a tense moment, before he relaxed and deactivated it.
"This is like with Count Dooku. I'm handing you over to the Jedi Council." Anakin stated firmly. Luke could have collapsed from joy. His heart was beating erratically in his chest.
"Of course you should. But you're not sure of their intentions, are you? What if I am right and they are plotting to take over the Republic?"
"I will quickly find out all of this." Anakin said.
"You are wise Anakin; I am not going anywhere anytime soon. I will leave you to decide my fate. You know that the power of the Dark Side can save Padme."
Luke took off at a sprint; "If you won't tell the Council—I will!" he called over his shoulder. He had to take matters into his own hands while he still could. Anakin took off after him.