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"The light and the dark are symbiotically linked, you can't have one without the other."
Chapter XXIX
"I say we break for the forest," Anakin suggested.
There was no argument from Obi-Wan or Ahsoka and the group quickly made their way into the winding labyrinth of dead trees. Anakin took the lead position and used his lightsaber to cut down any branches that were in the way. Ahsoka looked behind her and to her relief she could no longer see the countless sets of eyes watching them. "The eyes, they're gone," she commented.
"I'm sure they'll be back," Anakin replied as he chopped down a large tree branch baring his path.
Obi-Wan perished the thought. "Don't jinx it Anakin!"
Anakin chuckled. "Now who's afraid of ghosts?"
Ahsoka, with her twin lightsabers was also cutting down large branches as the trio made their way deeper into the forest – which seemed to be unending. "Is it my imagination or is the forest actually growing denser? Almost like it's trying to trap us…"
Anakin frowned. "I think it's this place trying to play tricks on us."
The three continued to cut their way through the dead forest as a mysterious fog began to build up around them…
Captain Gaius Deens was making his way down to the Liberator's sickbay, he had been called there by his Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Derla Xacara. As Deens entered sickbay he was greeted by the Doctor. She was a Twi'lek, once employed at Coruscant Medical Center, she was dismissed when the Emperor voiced his displeasure of having non-human species working there. After being fired by the Emperor she offered her services to the fledgling Alliance. She had an almost dark teal color skin complexion and she was wearing her signature beige color medical coat.
"Captain, I have some troubling news for you," Doctor Xacara spoke in a soft, but high voice.
"What is it Doctor?" Deens asked.
Doctor Xacara then led the Captain of the Alliance flagship over to a nearby hospital bed where an unconscious Senator Nadé Jamillia was lying.
Deens' expression turned to one of alarm as he looked back at Doctor Xacara. "What happened to her!?"
The Twi'lek Doctor held out her medical chart from under her left arm. "Well, when Senator Jamillia checked herself in here I thought maybe it was a case of the Nubian flu. But when I ran some blood work on her I discovered something disturbing. Captain, she's been deliberately poisoned. I found elements of polonium in her system."
Deens crossed his arms and stroked his chin with his right thumb. "Polonium can be found in certain radioisotopes. Our ion engines for example. I know that from my days as a star pilot. Is the Senator going to be all right?"
Doctor Xacara looked at her patient. "Yes, she's going to recover in time, it's just a good thing she checked herself in when she did."
Deens continued stroking his chin, his expression stern and deep in thought. "I'm relieved to hear that… But I am deeply disturbed by this news Doctor. If she was poisoned that means we have a traitor on board. Or worse: A spy working for the Empire."
"Which is why I called you down here in private," Xacara said as she tucked the medical chart back under her arm.
"Doctor, I'm going to call a meeting with the senior officers, I'll post a detail of armed guards outside of sickbay, no one is to enter or leave without your permission."
Doctor Xacara nodded. "Yes, Captain."
Deens turned and exited. In addition to calling a meeting with his senior staff, he would have to also inform the Queen and Padmé Amidala Skywalker of this distressing development. He reached for his comlink and contacted his second-in-command and most trusted officer: Commander Alicé Zanterrie. "Alicé, arrange the senior staff, we have something important to discuss.
On board the nearby Queen's yacht, Padmé was inside her quarters. Luke and Leia were sitting on their parents' bed watching their mother who was standing a short way away in the middle of the room. "Pay close attention children," she said as she held out her lightsaber shoto in her right hand and pressed the activation button. The amethyst blade sprang to life and hummed powerfully.
The Skywalker twins watched, almost entranced as their mother began working on her lightsaber form. Her movements were elegant and deliberate. As she stepped with her feet and moved her body her skirt flowed in an almost hypnotic fashion. It was almost as if their mother was performing a ballet; except with a very deadly weapon.
As Padmé practiced she thought back to her earlier duel with her husband and how he bested her. She vowed to herself she would one day defeat him in practice, and it only fueled her determination as she sped up and twirled around, her lightsaber making a distinctive 'swoosh' sound as she did. Padmé swung her lightsaber in a series of upper angular cuts before moving onto a series of parries, she then pulled back and maneuvered her wrist above her head in a chopping motion. "Ya!" she cried out before finishing up her form with a downward angular cut. Padmé remained frozen in position for a few seconds before exhaling and sheathing her lightsaber.
Luke and Leia both clapped and cheered for their mother. She smiled and bowed before her children. "And when you two get a little older you'll be able to do the same thing," Padmé said to them as she carefully placed her lightsaber back in its wooden box and securing it into a locked cabinet. Her comlink then emitted a beeping noise on the nightstand. She retrieved it and answered it. A holographic display of Captain Deens' face appeared.
"Milady, I bring some distressing news," Deens announced.
Padmé's heart dropped, fearing the news was about her husband. "What is it Captain?"
"I'm afraid someone on board the Liberator has poisoned Senator Jamillia with polonium. She's going to be all right. Doctor Xacara is treating her. I have my security team quietly investigating the matter right now. We have a strong suspicion someone on board my ship is the culprit, but we don't want to tip our hand, at least not yet," Deens explained.
Upon hearing the disconcerting news about Jamillia, Padmé's expression turned to shock, it took her a moment to process what the Captain had just told her. "That's-That's terrible! You mean one of our own could be responsible?"
"One of our own, or maybe an Imperial plant. We aren't sure yet. I'll contact you again once we have some answers. I have just spoken with the Queen about this also. I advise both of you to keep your guard up. Don't travel anywhere on the Royal starship unless you're armed. I'm not trying to scare you Milady, but in my experience a little extra vigilance in a situation like this may save your life. If you find any suspicious activity among the engineering crew I transferred to your ship, please report it immediately."
Padmé nodded in response. "I will do just that Captain, thank you for informing us of the situation. Please give Senator Jamillia my best and I hope she recovers quickly!"
"I'll be sure to relay your message to her, Deens out."
The Captain's face then disappeared from her comlink. Padmé looked over at her children worriedly before she unlocked the secure cabinet and pulled her lightsaber out. She adjusted it to make sure it was set to full power before she secured it to the belt of her gown.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Luke asked.
Padmé sat down next to her two children and pulled them close to her. "Don't worry, mommy will keep you two safe. I promise," she said before kissing her two children on the tops of their heads.
Anakin's lightsaber hummed through the air as he chopped down yet another tree branch. The Jedi Knight then pushed the fallen branch out of his path with the aid of the Force. He could see now that the mysterious fog that had appeared earlier was beginning to clear. He advanced forward and paused when he came to a small body of murky water. He was soon joined by Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. She gazed at the murky water and frowned.
"Well… That looks a little disgusting," she observed.
Anakin looked over at his former Padawan. "Feel like going for a swim Snips?"
The Togruta scoffed. "Sorry, I left my bikini back in my interceptor."
Obi-Wan suddenly became alert. "Wait, I feel a presence in the water… It's not dead either."
Anakin's eyes darted around for a moment. "I sense it too…"
Suddenly, a large tentacle sprang from the water and moved in the air like bullwhip. Anakin reacted quickly and swung his lightsaber and cut through the tentacle.
There was a loud growling noise as a large creature began to emerge from the water.
"I think you made it angry," Ahsoka said as she readied herself.
The large creature had now fully emerged from its hiding place beneath the water, it was a grotesque looking beast; with 6 tentacles, a body section that resembled what appeared to be a giant beak, no visible eyes, and four legs. It opened its large beak and unleashed a blood curdling screech.
"Aah!" Anakin cried out as he and everyone else grabbed hold of their ears. To Anakin the sound was so intense it felt as if his eardrums were going to burst.
"Oh, what is it!?" Ahsoka asked as she cringed.
Obi-Wan recovered and readied his lightsaber. "My guess is some form of mutation from the fallout here."
The creature screeched once more and with almost unnatural speed charged towards Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master quickly Force jumped through the air and brought his lightsaber to bear across one of the creature's tentacles – it screamed in pain.
The creature backed up from Obi-Wan and looked around at the other two Jedi. It opened its beak and spat a yellow gooey substance at Ahsoka; she was soon completely covered in the yellow muck. "Gross! Oh, I-I can't move!"
"Ahsoka!" Anakin cried out as he rushed to help his former Padawan. He sheathed his lightsaber and attempted to break her body free from the ensnare of the creature's trap but to no avail. "What is this stuff?" He questioned in frustration.
"I don't want to know!" Ahsoka replied in disgust.
The creature then let out another deafening screech. Anakin grabbed hold of his ears and groaned in pain.
"Anakin, look out!" Ahsoka warned. But Anakin was too stunned by the creature's screech to respond quickly as he was smacked by one of its tentacles. He was hit so hard his body was knocked off the nearby ledge and fell down a steep hill. His body slammed against the hillside hard as he hit the bottom. The Jedi Knight felt as if he had just been hit head on by a podracer. He moaned in pain and rolled over on his back. His vision was dizzy and blurred from the force of the impact.
"Ahsoka…" Anakin managed to say weakly as he fought to stay conscious.
Above the hilltop Obi-Wan was battling the swamp creature by himself now. Ahsoka had been disabled by whatever that creature had spat at her, and Anakin had been knocked down the steep hillside and was possibly seriously injured. It was up to him to save his friends. The creature then rushed him with its unnatural speed, as it did so Obi-Wan used its momentum to his own advantage: He Force gripped the creature and catapulted it into one of the nearby trees. Obi-Wan then watched as the creature slammed beak first into the tree and appeared to be stunned. The Jedi Master seized his opening and somersaulted forward and impaled the creature with his lightsaber. It cried out in pain momentarily before falling limp. Obi-Wan removed his lightsaber and backed away. The creature did not move. Confident he had slayed the beast he sheathed his lightsaber and ran over to the still trapped Ahsoka.
"I'm okay! Go check on Anakin," she said urgently.
At the bottom of the hill Anakin blinked a few times, his vision was coming back into focus. He grunted as he forced himself to sit up. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have any broken bones. He looked up at the sound of Obi-Wan's voice.
"Anakin! Anakin! Are you, all right?" He shouted down to him.
"I'm a little stunned, but I'll be okay. Nothing's broken," Anakin then examined the steep hill he had just fallen from before looking back up at his former mentor. "But this hill is too high to jump over, I'll have to find another way to the temple."
Obi-Wan did not like the sound of the idea of Anakin being alone by himself down there. "Hold on Anakin, I don't like the notion of you being by yourself here."
"Well… I don't think we have much of a choice here," Anakin squinted as he looked further ahead. He could see more forest and what looked to be the top of the Jedi temple spire peering up from the tree tops. "You see that spire? That means the Jedi temple isn't far from us. Let's rendezvous there."
Obi-Wan sighed. "All right… But if anything happens to you- "
"I know, you'll be so dead Padmé will have to bury you twice."
"Exactly. In the meantime, wait up, I need to cut Ahsoka free from her gooey prison."
Anakin grimaced, he did not envy his former Padawan right now. He slowly stood up and dusted himself off as he could hear Obi-Wan and Ashoka talking high above him.
"Ugh, Ahsoka, you smell like-"
"Don't even say it!"
Anakin snickered. He would certainly have no shortage of stories to tell Padmé when he returned home. Although this is one he may want to omit for Ashoka's sake.
A short while later Obi-Wan peered out at the top of the hillside and informed him Ahsoka had been freed. Afterwards they pressed on towards the Jedi temple, albeit going separate paths now to get there.
As Anakin walked through the forest he could hear the malevolent voice from earlier calling to him. Try as he might to ignore it, the voice gave his skin goosebumps. Anakin kept his lightsaber at the ready and his eyes darted from left to right in an alert manner. The Jedi Knight suddenly felt a presence behind him as a gust of wind kicked up along his back. He spun around holding his lightsaber with both hands. There was a flash of lightning as he heard a low growling noise all around him. "Anakin… Join us…" A dark voice beckoned as Anakin spotted a vaporous apparition with red eyes glaring down upon him from a nearby tree. The ghost quickly launched itself towards him. Anakin swung his lightsaber at the spirit, but his plasma blade harmlessly passed through it. He could feel the entity wrapping itself around him and continuing to call out to him. He knew right there that he was fighting for control of his body, he grunted and cried out as he focused and fought against the spirit with all his strength. Anakin came face-to-face with the apparition and its hateful eyes drilled into his like a repeating blaster firing on him at point blank range. He felt as if he were fighting a losing battle as its eyes moved closer, and closer still. However, just when it seemed he would succumb to its will, his attacker screeched and pulled back before vanishing into the forest. Anakin let out a long exhale and collapsed to his knees.
"Anakin, are you, all right?" A familiar and compassionate voice said from behind him. Anakin looked behind him and to his unexpected relief he saw Qui-Gon Jinn's Force ghost.
Anakin smiled at the sight of him. "My guardian Angel."
"I thought that was Padmé?" Qui-Gon said with a gentle smile he moved alongside Anakin.
"Yes, well, you are too," Anakin answered as he stood up.
"I chased away that spirit who was trying to possess you, but you should keep moving, more will be coming. Do you see that cave over there?" Qui-Gon then pointed ahead.
Anakin looked to his right and could make out a small cave at the edge of the hillside.
"Yes, I do. Let me guess, you want me to go in there?" Anakin questioned forebodingly.
The Jedi Master's spirit folded his arms inside the sleeves of his robe. "If you are to reach the Jedi temple you will have to go through there, a part of your trials awaits you inside."
Anakin walked over to the cave entrance and turned around to face Qui-Gon. "What's in there?"
"Only what you take with you."
Qui-Gon's spirit then vanished leaving Anakin alone to enter the cave. The Jedi Knight turned around. "I guess you got to face your demon sometime…" He said to himself as he stepped inside. He pulled out his lightsaber used its blade as a torch to help navigate the dark confines he was passing through. Anakin came to a small clearing and stopped – feeling there was a presence behind him, he turned around and saw a figure dressed in Sith robes. The mysterious figure raised his head and pulled back his hood. Anakin saw a man who appeared to be in his early-twenties, and he felt very familiar. He had medium length light brown hair, and his eyes were Sith amber color that had a burning hatred behind them. Anakin was horrified when his feelings told him this was his son, Luke Skywalker, albeit much older than he was now.
"Hello father," Luke said, his voice cold and sinister.
"Luke? What's happened to you?"
Luke smiled wickedly and began to circle his father slowly. "What's happened to me? You happened to me. You showed me that the true path to enlightenment and power is the ways of the Sith. And I couldn't be more grateful father."
Anakin shook his head in dismay. "No, my son… You're misguided."
"Come now father, you should know better. I feel the darkness within you… The conflict."
"There is no conflict."
Luke then stopped and snickered. "But there is. Stop deceiving yourself. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as a Skywalker family dynasty… Leia is here, and so is mother. We're all waiting for you." Luke then gestured over to his right before backing away into the darkness.
Anakin glanced over and could see Padmé walking towards him. She was wearing a fine silk full-length black gown with a red lace corset. Her curly brown hair was worn down. She pursed her lips into a sinister smile as she reached up and touched her husband on the face.
"My husband, Luke is right. We're all here waiting for you. It's time you finally gave into your true self, stop pretending to be something you're not."
Anakin grabbed his wife's hand and pulled it from his face. "I am a Jedi, the man you fell in love with."
Padmé turned her head slightly and breathed out a tiny laugh. "Oh… But you're not a Jedi. Not anymore. You ceased to be one the night you murdered the Sand people. You remember when you told me that?"
"I did it to avenge my mother!"
Padmé chuckled. "Oh, Ani. It was an act of cold blooded murder. Shh… But it's okay." She then leaned up and began stroking his hair and moved her mouth close to his. "I will always accept you no matter what. Why don't you surrender to it Ani? Surrender to the warm embrace of your true self. I can help you."
Anakin began to tremble as his wife breathed her words against his mouth. "How...?" He whispered back.
Padmé took a hand and began loosening her corset before pressing her mouth against his and kissing him. Anakin closed his eyes, he felt his legs begin to grow weak. But the way she was kissing him did not feel the same, nor did her lips. She felt cold, and there was nothing warm or loving about the way she was kissing him. Everything in his heart told him this wasn't right. Heading his feelings, he took her arms and gently pulled away from her.
"No… You're not Padmé. She would never behave the way you are. Who are you?" He demanded.
Padmé looked bewildered. "Ani, but I am your wife: Padmé Naberrie Amidala. We've been married for six years. I only want to help you my love. I want to help free you from the confines of your mental prison, help you realize your true potential, and that it lies with the Dark Side. Please Ani, it's the only way we can all be together. I love you." She spoke in a cold and lifeless manner. Her voice in fact reminded him of when she was under the thrall of Palpatine.
Anakin pointed his finger at her, his expression turning to anger. "I don't know who you are, but you are not my wife. You're just a manifestation of her."
Padmé began backing away from Anakin. "There is no denying your true self…" She said before fading away into the darkness.
"Father," a different and soft feminine voice called out to him from behind. Anakin turned and saw his grown-up daughter, Leia Skywalker looking at him. Like her brother she was dressed in black Sith trappings and her eyes were amber colored.
"Leia… No… Not you too."
Leia shook her head. "Why must you be so stubborn? Luke and mom are correct. We only want to help you. As you helped us."
"By becoming a Sith? What sort of drabble is this!?" Anakin said in frustration.
Leia's expression became stern as she looked at her father with her piercing Sith eyes. "If you don't accept your true self you will lose us – your family. And we know you don't want that. You can't live without us. Come father." Leia then extended her hand in offering to her father.
Anakin glanced at his daughter's extended hand for a moment before meeting her gaze. "I have darkness inside my soul… Yes, you're right about that. And I even admit to doing things in anger that I now regret. But what I've done doesn't make me an inherently evil person."
Leia grinned and walked past her father before turning around and looking back at him, she raised her brow. "It doesn't? You cannot fool me father, your own daughter. The same Skywalker blood flows through our veins. Me and Luke, we are who we are because of you father."
Anakin was mortified at his daughter's words. His own children were Sith, and he led them to the dark path? Anakin couldn't accept that. He had to remind himself that this wasn't his real daughter, it was some manifestation conjured up by the ghoulish planet he was on. Yet at the same time, what he was seeing reflected the darkest part of his soul looking back at him, and it terrified him.
Leia then stepped forward and deliberately approached her father. "I feel you are torn between your desire to be one with us, and your loyalty to the Jedi Order. Let me make it easy for you," Leia then extended her hand and Anakin felt a powerful flood of memories rush through his mind. He could see himself slaughtering the village of Sand people on Tatooine, killing the unarmed Count Dooku, that space pirate in the museum - every dark deed he had ever done, he was now reliving it all.
"Forget the Jedi father, they were never your destiny! Now, embrace the darkness, surrender to its power and become one with us!" Leia's voice boomed.
"I am Anakin Skywalker, Jedi!" He declared as he fought against the wave of dark images in his mind.
Leia lowered her hand and began to back away from her father. "You don't know who you truly are father… Nor do you know the truth of your origins. When you discover that the truth will be so dark it will haunt your dreams for all eternity…" Leia then disappeared into the darkness.
After his daughter vanished, Anakin could hear what could only be described as a sort of respirator breathing sound coming from the darkness. The Jedi Knight moved his eyes at the direction of the breathing sound. He unclipped his lightsaber and prepared himself. Shortly thereafter the distinctive sound of a Sith lightsaber activating echoed throughout the cave as Anakin could see the illuminated silhouette of the dark armored figure who could only be Darth Vader. Anakin pressed the activation switch on his lightsaber; a guardian blue Jedi blade sprang forth from the emitter. He then moved into a Djem So fighting stance.
Vader then approached his Jedi half. "Anakin Skywalker, you are weak, allow me to destroy you." The Sith Lord raised his lightsaber and moved to attack.
Anakin quickly parried his darker half's strikes and answered back with a few of his own, which were all easily blocked by Vader.
"Anakin, you disappoint me! I expected more from the master of Djem So. But even your skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side. Surrender now, it is useless to resist."
"I will destroy you!" Anakin growled.
Vader raised his lightsaber. "Then your journey to the Dark Side will be complete!"
Anakin's face contorted with anger as he let out a battle cry and unleashed a wave of ferocious attacks against his Sith persona, their lightsabers flashing as they clashed against one another. Vader was forced to retreat amidst the fury of his Jedi self.
"The hate flows through you Anakin, good, unleash your anger! It is the only way to destroy me!" Vader taunted as their two lightsabers locked themselves together.
Anakin's expression turned to one of fierce determination as he gazed into the lenses of Vader's helmet. "Then I shall banish you to the void between the Force." Anakin then pushed off the Sith Lord and attacked him with a series of angular cuts. He channeled his anger into each strike, forcing Vader to retreat while defending against the Jedi Knight's lightsaber.
Anakin shouted as he performed a heaven to ground cut. Vader quickly responded with a rising shield block with his lightsaber and pushed away the blue plasma blade. Anakin parried Vader's incoming side cut and kicked him with his boot. His Sith persona was knocked back but quickly rebalanced himself. He then pointed to Anakin.
"Good, you are now finally beginning to embrace your darker self. Now it is time for you to meet your destiny!" Darth Vader twirled his lightsaber before moving with almost inhuman speed with his next series of attacks. Anakin retreated and defended against the Sith Lord's attacks. He could feel an almost overwhelming sense of rage and hatred permeating from Vader. It was as if he was feeding off the Jedi's anger and growing more powerful. Realizing he was in danger of being defeated Anakin performed a backflip onto a nearby ledge.
It suddenly dawned on Anakin he could not win this battle with himself by utilizing his anger and rage. He sheathed his lightsaber.
Vader looked up at him, and Anakin could swear he could see confusion behind those lenses of his helmet. "What are you doing?"
Anakin calmed himself through the Force and allowed his anger to subside. "I will not fight you. Sometimes the only way to win the game is not to play."
"Get down here and finish what you started!" Vader beckoned.
Anakin shook his head. "I already have. You see, by refusing to fight you I give you no power over me. And in doing so I have accepted my darker self and come to terms with it. I am a Jedi not because I have to be, but because I choose to be."
Vader sheathed his lightsaber and began backing away. "You are more clever than I realized…" Anakin watched as his Sith persona vanished into the darkness. "You haven't seen the last of me, Anakin Skywalker."
The Jedi Knight breathed a sigh of relief as he jumped down from the ledge.
"Congratulations Anakin, you passed a significant part of your trials. And now you are ready to enter the Jedi temple," Qui-Gon Jinn's Force ghost declared as he appeared in front of Anakin. "But you must now make haste, the planet's reaction to your presence is growing stronger, I cannot maintain form here for much longer and –"
Qui-Gon stopped mid-sentence as his facial expression turned to one of consternation.
"What is it Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked concertedly.
"Something's happened to Obi-Wan… I am powerless to help. Anakin, you must hurry!" Qui-Gon's spirit then began to disappear as Anakin ran up to where he was standing.
"Master Qui-Gon! What's wrong!? What's happened to Obi-Wan?" But there was no answer. His spirit must no longer be able to maintain form here on this cursed planet. Anakin thought as he began running as fast as his legs would allow. As he could make out the cave exit his thoughts were filled with feelings of dread. All he knew was that his mentor, his brother was in trouble. "Obi-Wan! Ahsoka!" He called out as he exited the cave. He reached out in the Force and could feel Ahsoka wasn't too far away, but he could no longer sense Obi-Wan's presence.
"Anakin!" Ahsoka's distant voice replied. Anakin followed the sound of her voice and after a minute of heavy sprinting her found her lying on the ground. Her face was bloodied, her legs were covered by a fallen tree trunk, and her left shoulder had a deep wound that could only have been caused by another lightsaber.
Anakin was aghast at how beaten up his former Padawan was. He Force gripped the tree trunk and pulled it away from her. He then knelt beside her and gently turned her over. She looked up at him with weak eyes.
"Anakin… Obi-Wan… He's been possessed by one of the ghosts here. We fought, I was no match for him." She took a moment to catch her breath before continuing. "The spirits here… They seem to be able to amplify a Jedi's connection to the Force. He's so strong now"
Anakin took a moment to take in what he had just heard. But he couldn't afford to dwell on it too much. All he knew was Obi-Wan was out there and he was no longer himself. He would have to keep his guard up. Anakin glanced over to his right and could see they were very close to the Jedi temple now. "We're almost to the temple. Can you walk?" He asked to his former Padawan.
Ahsoka grimaced as Anakin helped sit her up. "I can try."
"No, do, or do not. There is no try," Anakin quipped.
"Okay, Master Yoda," Ahsoka sarcastically replied as she stood up and groaned in pain. She felt a sharp pain in her legs. She did not know if they were broken or not, but she knew she couldn't do too much walking on them. "Oh… And to think I just recovered from my other injuries on Naboo… I'm just cursed with bad luck, aren't I?"
Anakin took one of Ahsoka's arms and placed it over his shoulder for support. "Look at the bright side, you don't have to carry the weight of some ancient prophecy on your shoulders."
Ahsoka choked out a laugh as she began walking with Anakin. "No, you just have to carry me."
"And ease up on the desserts all right?"
Ahsoka growled. "Are you calling me fat!? You really don't know how to talk to women do you?"
"Hey, I married Padmé didn't I?"
"You must have used one of your mind tricks on her."
Anakin managed a snicker as the two carefully made their way through the last of the forest and to the temple steps.
After what seemed to be an eternity the pair climbed the last step. Ahsoka groaned in pain. "Oh good, no more steps!" She declared in relief.
Anakin gazed up at the large doorway that lead into the temple. He could see what was left of the doors had been torn free from their hinges and there were footprints that matched that of Jedi boots. "Obi-Wan's been here… Come on." Anakin then helped Ahsoka inside the temple and carefully set her down inside a small adjacent room. He then reached for one of his food capsules on his belt, unclipped it and handed it to Ahsoka. "Here, this will help you keep your strength up."
Ahsoka nodded as she unscrewed the capsule and downed its contents. "Anakin, leave me here. I'll only slow you down in the temple. You have a mission to complete here."
Anakin was appalled his former Padawan and friend would even suggest such a thing. "But Ahsoka-"
Before he could finish his sentence Ahsoka, with her good arm grabbed one of Anakin's leather tabards and pulled him close. "No buts Skyguy! Do you hear me!?"
Anakin sighed. He wasn't happy with the idea, but he knew how stubborn Ahsoka could be. "All right Snips… But I'll come back to check on you."
Ahsoka grinned. "I'll hold you to that, now get going, will you?" She then smacked Anakin on the shoulder. He snickered and took one last look at his friend before leaving the room.
Anakin unclipped his lightsaber and held it in his right hand. He hugged the walls inside the temple and kept on the lookout for Obi-Wan. He could certainly feel the temple was alive with different presences. Some hateful, others not. He couldn't tell which one might be occupying the body of his former master at the present. Anakin peered around a corner, his eyes alert as he moved down an adjoining hallway. He could make out ruined statues of what appeared to be Jedi Masters. This temple reminded him of the one back on Coruscant, the interior architecture at least. The layout however was very different. "Where are you Master?" Anakin whispered to himself.
As Anakin journeyed through the temple he could hear a low moaning sound – almost like a haunted house. It gave him goosebumps throughout his skin and he shuddered.
Suddenly a few candle holders were torn free from their wall mounts and flew straight towards him. Anakin snapped his lightsaber to life and defended himself against the incoming objects. Afterwards he could hear an evil and sinister cackling all around him.
"You shall pass no further…" A demonic voice growled as a pair of red eyes and a ghostly vaporous silhouette formed above Anakin. The evil spirit looked down upon him before descending to the floor and entering what appeared to be a lightsaber. To Anakin's amazement the lightsaber began to grow and levitated. The once noble Jedi weapon was now possessed by a dark will as it activated itself. Its blade glowing menacingly in a corrupted black color with a demonic red aura, and hummed very differently than the usual lightsaber – perhaps a side effect from being under the influence of its possessor.
The accursed blade spawned only what could be describe as a poltergeist phenomenon; a series of red glowing orbs began to orbit around the lightsaber and shot high intensity plasma bolts at Anakin. The Jedi Knight raised his guardian blue lightsaber and quickly defended himself against the beams. The possessed lightsaber then twirled itself and moved to attack in an inhumanly fashion. Anakin blocked its attacks before answering back with a few of his own. After several exchanges, the possessed blade pulled back and retreated above him. The surrounding orbs fired more plasma shots in his direction. Anakin quickly rolled to the side and raised his lightsaber as he sat up – managing to deflect one of the incoming beams with his Jedi weapon as he did so. He then held out his lightsaber directly in front of him as he moved to his feet and focused in on his attacker. The orbs then broke orbit from the lightsaber and hovered directly above Anakin in single line formation. They transformed themselves into beams of plasma and speared themselves down to the ground. The Jedi Knight raised his lightsaber over his head to shield himself.
The evil influenced lightsaber spawned more orbs as Anakin readied himself. The weapon spun in the air and launched itself straight for him in as if it were being hurled across space. Anakin let the Force guide his movements as he managed to parry the accursed blade's spinning attack and landed a perfectly timed strike that cut the hilt of the weapon in two – rendering it nothing more than a useless piece of metal. It dropped to the floor as the orbs surrounding it disappeared, along with the evil entity that had possessed that lightsaber.
Anakin wasted no time and pressed forward deeper into the temple. The low moaning noise he heard from earlier began to intensify. "Come out, come out wherever you are," Anakin said to himself as he came to a tall stairway.
Amidst the moaning sound a voice in the darkness called out to him from above. "Hello there!"
Anakin looked up around and saw Obi-Wan standing above him from the top of the stairway. His eyes now luminesced red and his voice spoke with a malevolent reverberation. "You've finally made it! You've been summoned here Anakin because it's time." he said as he walked down the stairs in a slow and deliberate manner.
Anakin shook his head as he watched his possessed best friend. "No, release him! Release him now!"
Obi-Wan laughed in amusement. "It's time for you to fulfill the ancient prophecy Anakin… With your death, you will bring balance to the Force." Obi-Wan then activated his lightsaber and leered at his former apprentice with his red eyes. "That is your purpose," he coldly added.
Anakin readied himself. The last thing he wanted to do was fight the man who had helped raise him, a man he considered to be his brother, or a father even. But he had now become a very great threat. Despite this fact, Anakin just couldn't bring himself to kill Obi-Wan in a duel. He just couldn't. But he would have to fight nonetheless. "I will do what I must," Anakin said solemnly.
The possessed Obi-Wan smiled evilly. "You will try."
Anakin moved to defend himself as Obi-Wan sprang upon him and attacked with a series of moves. Anakin was forced to retreat amidst Obi-Wan's quick and furious swings. He could see that Ahsoka was not exaggerating when she told him Obi-Wan's connection to the Force had been amplified by the spirit that had taken control of him. Anakin would estimate his possessed friend was nearly 1.5 times stronger than he was before. And he was the only one in the Jedi Order who could match his skill with a lightsaber.
The two Jedi moved into an adjacent room; their lightsabers singeing the walls as they clashed against one another. Anakin was clearly struggling against the power of Obi-Wan, he needed to gain a tactical advantage and fast. Anakin backflipped onto a nearby table which gave him a height advantage.
"Cheating I see!" Obi-Wan barked as he was forced now to play defense as Anakin attacked.
"I will do whatever it takes to win," Anakin said as he drove his blade into a downward angular strike.
"That's a lie, because I know you're holding back!" Obi-Wan then blocked and parried Anakin's attack, following through with a side cut intended for the Jedi Knight's legs.
Anakin hastily jumped to avoid Obi-Wan's incoming blue plasma blade and somersaulted off the table before moving back into a Djem So fighting stance.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Acrobatics won't save you."
Anakin's face was focused and determined as he raised his lightsaber and attacked. The action was swift and back-and-forth between the two until their lightsabers locked together and flashed. Both Jedi raised their hands to attempt to Force push the other away. Their faces began to contort against each other's energy and it looked as if they were almost reaching out for one another. Suddenly their two energies overloaded and the invisible shockwave sent both men flying in opposite directions.
Anakin stood up first and moved over to a nearby balcony. Obi-Wan wasn't far behind as he charged for his former Padawan. Anakin somersaulted over him and quickly moved to strike. Obi-Wan was caught off balance and was nearly disarmed. With all his strength, the possessed Jedi Master pushed off Anakin and jumped over the balcony onto a nearby broken pillar. He smiled and performed a come-hither gesture tauntingly with his hand.
Anakin jumped onto one of the nearby broken pillars and the two Jedi continued their fierce duel. After a few quick exchanges from their lightsabers Obi-Wan jumped onto another nearby broken pillar, and Anakin followed. The two of them quickly settled into a rhythm of attacking briefly before climbing up onto the next series of broken pillars until they reached another balcony. Obi-Wan leapt for it and dashed over to the other edge. "Come on, Anakin!" Obi-Wan goaded as he pounded the side of the wall with his hand. The spirit that was in control of his body was clearly enjoying itself.
Anakin felt he could use this to his advantage as he made his way over to the balcony and mimicked Obi-Wan's fighting stance. As Obi-Wan moved Anakin mirrored him exactly. The Jedi Master's face turned to one of bewilderment. "What are you doing my former apprentice?"
Time to control the center. Anakin channeled all his energy into the Force and swiftly rushed Obi-Wan, raised his lightsaber and performed a series of rapid attacks. His possessed friend was caught off guard and barely had time to react as he raised his lightsaber – only to be quickly disarmed. Anakin then pointed his lightsaber at Obi-Wan's chest.
"It's over. Whoever you are, release him now," Anakin commanded.
The possessed Obi-Wan grinned wickedly. "That's what you think!" He then raised his arms and the balcony began to shake. Anakin was knocked back as the ancient marble beneath his feet began to crack and then separate. He didn't have time to reach the other side as the entire floor gave out and Anakin began to fall. Obi-Wan called his lightsaber to him and watched in sadistic glee as his former Padawan crashed through the bottom floor.
Anakin groaned as his back slammed down onto the floor of what appeared to be a basement of or sub level of some kind inside the temple. The shock of what had just happened reverberated throughout his entire body. He had never felt a pain this sharp in his life, not even when he was struck by Force lightning from Count Dooku. Anakin began coughing up blood and could not will himself to move – his back was broken, and he had suffered massive internal injuries. Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One was dying.
"So… This is it… I'm sorry Padmé… I'm so sorry… And-and mother! Mom…" He choked as regret and remorse overcame him. As he began recalling his life all he could focus on was the long list of failures he would leave behind. And that would be his legacy. He failed to save his mother, he failed to destroy the Sith, and he failed to fulfill the ancient prophecy. He closed his eyes as a tear of sorrow rolled over the side of his face. For most of his life he had been a tortured and anguish soul. The only time he ever felt at peace was when he was with Padmé and his children, and now they would have to survive without him.
"Anakin…" A soothing and familiar voice called.
Anakin slowly opened his eyes and focused on what could only be described as the most heavenly apparition he had ever seen. It was his wife, Padmé Amidala. Her long curly hair was flowing behind her, as was the elegant long night gown she wore as she approached him. He could feel warm benevolence radiating from her.
"Are-are you an Angel…?" Anakin stammered.
"Do not worry, everything is going to be all right." She reassured as she squatted down and placed one hand on his forehead and another behind his back. Anakin took in a breath as he felt warm healing energy pass through his body, his strength began to return, and his wounds vanished.
The Padmé apparition then removed her hands from Anakin as he sat up. He reached up to touch her, but his hand passed through her. "I don't understand… Are you a ghost?"
"I have watched over this temple for two millennia, waiting, waiting for the Chosen One to come. And now you have." The ghostly figure of Padmé smiled softly as she levitated above Anakin. Her aura began to intensify, and Anakin had to raise his hand to shield himself from the light. When the glow subsided, he lowered his hand and saw above him only a faint humanoid silhouette. "My name is Harok… I am the first Jedi. And while my physical body passed away countless millennia ago, my spirit has been wandering the galaxy. I took up residence here after the civil war that destroyed this planet. It was foretold that the Chosen One of ancient prophecy would one-day pass through here. The events which are unfolding in the galaxy now were pre-ordained when the stars were young. It was what you might call destiny that our paths would one day cross. Forgive me for taking on the form of your wife; Padmé Amidala, but to heal you I felt it was best to appear to you first as her."
Anakin listened, completely fascinated and in awe that he was conversing with the spirit who was the first of the Jedi. "Of course, please, continue."
"We don't have much time unfortunately. Over the passing centuries the teachings and philosophy of the Jedi have evolved, and even become warped. That's the natural progression of things in our universe. In recent history however, the Jedi Order was no longer functioning as it should. Yes, they are august guardians who have allied themselves to the Republic, but they had grown to become too dogmatic, complacent, even stagnant. In effect, cutting them off from a part of the Force. The Republic and the Jedi Order had both become rotten in a sense. The only way to purify both was to tear down the existing structures and build new ones on top of the old foundation. And that is where you and Padmé come to play. Her ultimate destiny is to establish a new political state throughout the galaxy from the lessons learned by the mistakes of the past. She will spearhead a 'New Republic'. And you, your destiny is to bring balance to the Force. It is a common misinterpretation of the prophecy that this means simply the destruction of the Sith. That is an oversimplification of things. The truth is you can never truly vanquish evil. Without evil there is no good, and vice versa. The Sith began as a splinter from the Jedi. The Jedi long ago renounced their passions, whereas the Sith embraced them. However, the Sith use their passions for selfish purposes. The Jedi on the other hand lack a certain clarity because they deny their passions. In short Anakin, you are to bring balance to the Force by unifying both the Jedi and Sith together."
Anakin's eyes went wide. There was a time when what he just heard would have been considered heresy. "Hold on! Unify the Jedi and the Sith? Is that even possible!? Look at Darth Sidious!"
Harok shook his head. "You misunderstand. I do not mean to unify the Jedi and Sith as Orders. In an effort to create something new and balanced, I speak of unifying certain elements that make up both the dark and the light. The man you know as Sheev Palpatine or Darth Sidious has been completely consumed by the Dark Side. In a rhetorical sense, he is utterly evil. But he is serving a purpose in the galaxy right now. Yes, the Jedi Order's complacency allowed for his rise to happen, but it was necessary in order to facilitate the much-needed transformation the universe ultimately needs. His tyrannical rule will give rise to a 'New Republic' and a 'New Jedi Order' which Padmé and you will one day establish. Without him that future cannot exist. As for you Anakin, you were created by a specific design. In simplistic terms, you have both light and dark elements within your soul. Bring balance to your emotions, embrace both your passions – but control them. Only then you will be able to fulfill your destiny and bring balance to the Force. As I said earlier, the Jedi had become stagnant, they refused to change, and societies that do not change, die. It is time now for the Jedi to evolve, to change, and to grow if they are to survive. Anakin, you must take great care when crafting your New Jedi Order's philosophy. Learn from the mistakes of the past, let much of the old ways pass into history, if you trust in the Force and let it guide you… Then together you and Padmé can create something very special in the galaxy. And your children will continue the legacy you both leave behind. That is their destiny. We're now out of time, your former Master is coming. I'm going to bestow something upon you that should aid you in your journey." Harok then reached out with his hands and a powerful energy seeped out of them and absorbed itself into Anakin's body. He closed his eyes as he felt the warm energy course through him. When it was all over he opened his eyes but Harok was nowhere to be seen. But he could hear his voice echoing throughout the room. "Go, save Master Kenobi, you now have the power. Afterwards, take your friends and leave this cursed planet. If you discipline yourself, year by year you will grow stronger… May the Force be with you."
Then Anakin could hear Harok no more. Although Anakin could feel a new energy pumping through his veins. He barely had time to comprehend the events that had just transpired when he saw a pair of red eyes glowing from the darkness. Obi-Wan. He thought. His possessed friend walked towards him and slowly came into view.
"You survived your fall. I'm impressed. You really are a die-hard. So much the better!" Obi-Wan said as he activated the blue blade of his lightsaber. He grabbed hold of it with two hands and charged.
Anakin instinctively raised a hand and focused his energies on Obi-Wan. A powerful shockwave of invisible wave of Force energy flew from his hand and struck the possessed Jedi Master before moving on throughout the entire temple; and on to the rest of the planet. As the powerful energy wave hit Obi-Wan he stopped in his tracks, dropped his weapon and screamed in pain. It wasn't long before Anakin could see a ghostly form emerge from Obi-Wan's body and disappear into the void. His friend grabbed his head and fell to his knees.
"Obi-Wan, are you, all right?" Anakin asked as he knelt beside him.
The Jedi Master shook his head. "Anakin… What's happened? What am I doing here? The last thing I remember was being in the forest with Ahsoka. We were attacked by one of the spirits here, I saw one coming at me and… And that's all I can remember."
Anakin helped his friend to his feet. "It's a long story Master. But you were possessed by that entity. You attacked Ahsoka, she's wounded, but she's going to be all right. You and I had a lightsaber duel. But I managed to best you."
Obi-Wan noticed Anakin had a crooked smile on the side of his face. That told him all he needed to know. "Best me my High Council chamber's chair!"
Anakin patted his friend on the shoulder. "Come, we have to get Ahsoka and get off this wretched rock. There is much I have to explain to you on the journey home." The two then began sprinting with Anakin leading the way.
"I take it your mission was successful then?" Obi-Wan asked.
"In every sense of the word," Anakin answered as he led Obi-Wan into the room where Ahsoka was resting. She had her eyes closed and her hands folded into her lap. Anakin knelt beside her and gently shook her on her good shoulder. "Ahsoka," he called.
His former Padawan jumped and gasped, but calmed herself when she saw it was only her former master. "Anakin, oh, it's just you. I'm sorry, I must have dozed off." Her face turned pensive when she saw Obi-Wan standing in the doorway.
Anakin looked back at him. "Don't worry, he's back to normal now."
Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Glad to hear it."
"Come on Snips, let's go home." Anakin then helped her up and placed her good arm around his neck made their way out of the temple.
As they stepped outside Obi-Wan looked up and noticed a small break in the clouds. "Is it my imagination or is the sun actually starting to come out here?"
Ahsoka smiled at the sight. "Look at that! Even the night can only last so long before the dawn returns. It's a good omen! And look! I think I see kyber crystals in the distance!" Ahsoka pointed to a small clearing by the dead forest to where a few of the shining crystals were resting.
"We should take some back with us! We can use them to construct more lightsabers!" Anakin said with glee as he took a moment to admire the sight. As the clouds continued to break he could feel the warm sunlight bathe his skin like a soothing blanket. As he basked in the sun's rays, it filled him not only with warmth, but with hope. Hope that tomorrow would be better than yesterday. As they walked down the steps Anakin swore he could faintly hear the instrumental rendition of Apilana's 'Song About the Jedi Order' playing in the distance.
Inside her quarters Padmé was going through a small bag she brought with her from Naboo. As she rummaged through it, her fingers brushed against a secret pocket inside the lining, she could feel the crinkle of paper. Curious she reached inside the pocket and pulled out a folded-up piece of paper. She opened it and discovered it was an old love letter Anakin had written to her back during the Clone Wars:
Dearest Padmé,
My Angel of Iego, life out here in the field touches me like the fires of hell. But when I close my eyes and think of you I feel as if I am being lifted away from here and being carried towards heaven. It breaks my heart to be so far removed from where you are… Your love is sometimes all that keeps me going. Someone once told me that the power of love is enough to ignite the stars, if that's true I hope they will light a path home to you. I love you, my beloved Angel.
All my love,
Anakin.
Padmé's jaw trembled as she brought a hand to her mouth before clutching the letter close to her heart. She looked over at Luke and Leia. Leia was sitting on the bed playing with her Queen Amidala doll, and Luke was sleeping peacefully on the other side of the bed. Padmé smiled as she watched the two of them. Her two children were the living expression of the powerful love she and her husband had for each other, and she couldn't have asked for a bigger blessing in her life than the twins the Force had bestowed upon her and Anakin.
The Alliance leader was so caught up in her thoughts she almost did not hear the door chime ringing outside her quarters. She jumped in surprise before walking up to a computer console and activated the security camera. It was Amadé on the other side. "Come in!" Upon her command, the doors unlocked and opened. Queen Apailana's handmaiden then stepped inside.
"Hi Amadé!" Leia cheerfully greeted while holding up her Queen Amidala doll.
Amadé bowed to the young girl and smiled warmly at her. "Hello Leia, I see you're playing with your birthday present!"
The little girl giggled. "Yes, it's mommy!"
Amadé chuckled at the pleasant sight of the happy young girl. Like her late friend Morté, she had a soft spot for children. Although not as much as Morté, who adored children and dreamed of being a happy mother someday. Those dreams were dashed when she took a blaster bolt in the chest to protect her Queen.
Padmé took notice her guest was wearing new attire. "Amadé, are those new clothes?"
The handmaiden paused and looked down at herself momentarily. "Oh, yes! We just received these today. The Queen felt it was time for us to update our look. What do you think?" Amadé held her arms out and twirled around showing off her new uniform. It consisted of a long sleeved, full length gown with a lower, but still modest V-shaped neckline adorned with white lace. It was two-tone color, with the upper half being white, and the skirt in purple. It was worn without a belt and was much more form fitting than the previous version. There was also decorative layer white of lace in a floral pattern over the sleeve cuffs that gave the gown an overall more elegant appearance. The outer robe had been replaced with a dark purple hooded cloak of velvet that featured motifs of the crest of the Monarch of Naboo in violet hue running horizontally throughout the fabric.
"It's a much more feminine and mature look," Padmé observed.
"That's what her Highness was trying to emphasize. Especially now that we're all adults… I can't believe it's really been that long now that I think about it."
Padmé nodded as she looked at Amadé almost pensively. "And you've all grown a lot..."
Amadé could sense Padmé's unease about her visit. In fact, that was the chief reason she had come to her quarters. The handmaiden folded her hands in front of her and took in a breath. "Padmé… I came here because I want to make amends."
Padmé moved to the other side of the room and put her bag away. "I've forgiven you. There's nothing more to talk about really..."
Amadé approached Padmé and looked at her with beseeching eyes. "But it matters to me! Yes, I know you said you forgive me… But there's still a lot I need to prove to you. The sacred oath I took, it means a great deal to me."
Padmé looked at Amadé firmly. "As well it should."
Amadé looked down sheepishly for a moment. As she did so Padmé was reminded of how much she looked like a younger version of her older sister Dormé.
"I value your friendship. And I just feel so terrible at what happened the other day… I feel I irreparably damaged our relationship. I have no idea now whenever you see me if you'll look upon me with scorn, or if you will ever trust me to be in the same room with your husband ever again."
Padmé could see the sincerity in Amadé's chocolate eyes, and they almost seemed pleading. Padmé felt torn between her basic sense of human empathy, and of course holding Amadé to the higher standards she should strive to live by. However, she asked herself if she were in Amadé's position, how would she react? The young woman had endured a lot over the past week, and she simply ran out of coping resources and had nowhere else to turn and was desperate. Yes, she made a mistake by turning to the bottle, and the Queen had disciplined her. But this wasn't just about Amadé's position as a handmaiden, she was also Padmé's friend, and Padmé's heart told her Amadé deserved a second chance. But she wasn't going to sugar coat anything for her, she would be completely candid and open about her feelings.
Padmé approached Amadé and gently placed her hand on her arm. "I won't lie to you. Your service since you became a handmaiden has earned you a great deal of respect. But your mistake the other day has cost you some of that respect. Nevertheless, when the moment came you chose to face the music and live up to your mistake, and you've faced the consequences of it. And so long as you have the moral courage to do that, then you still deserve to wear that uniform. And I am still happy to call you a friend." Padmé then rubbed Amadé's arm gently.
The handmaiden looked at her friend and permitted herself a small smile. A feeling of vindication washed over her. "Thank you… That means so much to me to hear you say that."
"You're only human, we all make mistakes, what matters is we learn from them. It's the only way we grow. I actually told Anakin that very same thing before I married him," Padmé reminisced.
Amadé nodded. "That's sage advice. Well, I should be getting back to her Highness. Thank you so much Padmé. I'll see you later?"
"Of course, and don't forget to be on your guard. We don't know who poisoned Senator Jamillia."
"You don't have to tell me twice. Goodbye Leia!" Amadé said as she waved to the little girl.
Leia waved back with the arm of her Queen Amidala doll. "Bye Amadé!"
Amadé smiled kindly at Leia as she departed from Padmé's quarters. While walking down the corridor she felt as if a great weight had come off her shoulders. She knew that everything was going to be just fine now, and she began thinking ahead to planning the Queen's agenda for the next day. Suddenly a hand reached out from an alcove and grabbed Amadé by the chest. She shrieked in surprise. She had no time to respond, no time to reach for her blaster inside her cloak as the figure that seized her quickly placed a chloroformed laced cloth over her mouth and nose that muffled her cries for help. It did not take long for her to succumb to the powerful chemical as her eyes rolled back into her head and her body went limp.
"Sweet dreams my little handmaiden." Her attacker chuckled as he began dragging the unconscious Amadé deeper into the dark bowls of the ship.
