Just let everyone know that I'm not abandoning "Love exceeds the code", I just love this story so much that I wanted to create a second chapter. Hope yall understand.
Chapter 2: Don't Cross Me
Padme and Clovis made it to 500 Republic and a few minutes later enter the apartment. As they entered Clovis pulled Padme into a tight embrace.
"Padme, what were you thinking, you can't be near that man he is dangerous", Clovis says in a aggressive tone.
"I'm sorry", Padme says softly.
"He could've killed you", Clovis says worriedly rubbing his hands on Padme's waist.
"But he didn't Clovis. He saved me, I was going to get raped by 2 men when he saved me", Padme says raising her tone defensively. She didn't know why but she felt pity for the Nightstalker. He seems like a good man underneath the mask in Padme's eyes.
"That doesn't matter Padme, he is a psychopath, you don't know what he would do next, he could've killed you", Clovis says pissed off.
"But he didn't", Padme shouted. Clovis knew that having an argument with her was never going to end. Padme was strong-minded and never backed down in an argument. Clovis knows her too well and decides to go to sleep.
"Goodnight Padme, it's been a long day I'm going to sleep. You can join me when your ready", he says giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Padme *nods*
As Clovis left Padme laid on the couch and began thinking. Clovis is right I shouldn't be around him, I don't know what he is capable of. But what if he is not as dangerous as everyone makes him to be. Maybe underneath that mask is a good man, trying to do something good. Even through his ruthless killings he could be a normal human being like the rest of us. But at what cost does the killings provide.
Padme's head began to hurt. She been up all day and this thinking made her tired. She laid her head on the couch and closed her eyes. Padme then cleared her mind and fell alseep.
"Drop your weapon", the officer says shaking in fear.
Anakin stood there weighing his options. He knew that he could make an escape but didn't want the risk of being tracked and pursued. He finally decided for the police to take him in.
"I sense you are trembling officer", Anakin says with a smug look under his mask.
"We won't ask you one more time, drop the lightsaber", an officer shouts.
"And I will ask you one more time, let me go I'm not here to hurt any of you. I only kill people that deserve it.", Anakin says coldly.
"But Dom Canto was a good-hearted man", says another officer.
Anakin smirks "That's what you think, listen here I know things that those people hide from the public. Bad things and I don't tolerate them. I don't give a fuck if there are some high official in the republic, they will taste the edge of my blade."
"That's enough take him to the queen. She wants to have a word with the prisoner", says the Police sergeant.
Anakin laughs internally "Queen doesn't know who she is crossing paths with."
The police grab Anakin and escort him to the palace. Along the way people watched in shock as they saw the Nightstalker being arrested. Many thought this is the end of his life, will he now pay for his crimes. They thought of him as untouchable but seeing him being escorted by the police showed that he isn't all that powerful.
A few minutes later they reach the palace and enter the throne room where Queen Sabe is seated.
"Milady, we have the prisoner as requested", says the sergeant. Sabe then looks at the Nightstalker up and down in wonder, she believed he would be a brute not an average man.
"Very well, you may let go of him now", says Sabe. The officers let go of Anakin. Anakin felt surprised, he was called highly dangerous by the republic yet here he is not in cuffs. Nevertheless Anakin didn't care it just made it easier for him to escape.
"What is your name", Sabe says looking straight at Anakin.
Without hesitation Anakin says menacingly "I'm the Nightstalker."
"No, your real name", Sabe says irritated.
"I told you lady, I am the Nightstalker", Anakin says.
"Hey, you can't talk to the queen like that", an officer shouts.
Anakin turns to face the officer who started shaking at the sight of his mask gazing into the man's eyes.
"I will speak how I please", Anakin says.
Sabe then looks at Anakin and says "What is your purpose, what do you want."
"I want you to let me go", he says calmly.
"Why would I do that, your a cold-blooded killer, my people are afraid of you I can't let that happen anymore", says Sabe.
"I'm no cold blooded killer. You don't know the things those people did. They hurt, raped, and killed people. Women, men, children, and anything that crosses them are caught into their scheme. I don't go around killing people for no reason, every person I slay has a secret they never wanted to share", Anakin says aggressively.
Sabe felt worry flow through her. Hearing the tone of the Nightstalker made her think if she was a target of his. However she pushed those thoughts and wanted to see the man's true identity.
"Take your mask off, we need to see your face", says Sabe forcefully.
"I will not your highness, I took an oath to show my face to no one, I promote justice and security to the galaxy by ridding the pests that roam the streets", Anakin says clenching his fists in frustration.
Sabe then signals an officer to try and pull the mask off Anakin. Anakin saw the officer coming and used the force to start choking him in the air. He didn't want to kill the innocent man but used him as a threat to the queen.
"Stop it", Sabe shouts. Officers begin to surround Anakin with blasters aimed at his head.
"I told you, not to try and take my mask off. Look your highness let me go, I'm not here to hurt you or anyone. There are people getting hurt by the day and all your doing is holding me back from my mission but if you want me to hurt you then I would be honored since you are a queen you are most likely corrupt like the others", Anakin says raising the man even higher.
Sabe thought to herself. How dare he call me corrupt, I look at for the best of my people. She realized that yelling at him would only anger him more so she surrendered.
"Alright, alright stand down, stand down", Sabe yells signaling the officer's to lay down their weapons.
Anakin then drops the officer, who tried to catch his breath. Medical personnel went to the officer and took him immediately to the hospital. Anakin knew he hurt him a bit but didn't kill him which was a sign of mercy in the vigilante's eyes.
"What is it you want Nightstalker. I hate your ruthless tactics against my people. You send fear through everyone and now I am forced to tell everyone it is okay while you roam around killing peoole", Sabe says.
"Oh, so those pedophiles, crime lords, and rapists that roam the streets are your people", Anakin says. He saw the look on the queen's face. He knew he shut her up.
"Just please for the sake of Naboo, don't kill my people, I don't want them to be afraid anymore", Sabe says softly. She realizes that trying to capture the Nightstalker is impossible, so she can only bargain with him.
"Your highness, I never killed your people. I kill people who live with your people. Criminals who hurt your people, if you let me get rid of these pests then your people will feel much safer knowing no criminals are around. I watch the streets at night, it is empty everyone sits in their homes afraid. Only ones out are the criminals, shouldn't that tell you something in your small fucking head", Anakin says his final words to the queen and slowly starts walking away.
The sergeant turns to Sabe and gives her a worried look. Sabe returns him with a look as well. She knows she shouldn't have let him leave but what could she do, he has his motives and stepping between them was not a good idea.
"Milady, why are you letting him run away, he is highly dangerous if I might add", says the sergeant.
"Yes, but you saw what he did to our fellow officer. He told us that he wasn't going to hurt us. I realized crossing paths with the Nightstalker only leads to more trouble", Sabe says. Her hands were shaking slightly, she usually is never scared but that encounter was different. The Nightstalker was something special to Sabe, he is not a criminal but someone mysterious underneath that mask. She is curious to know who he is but doesn't want to take the risk.
"I will speak to the jedi council about this matter. Maybe they can help with this situation", says Sabe.
The sergeant *nods* "Yes Milady". He then leaves with the rest of the officers.
"Prepare my ship, contact the jedi council. I wish to speak to them. Also contact Padme, she is my close friend and I need someone to be by my side during the talk", Sabe says to one of the handmaidens.
The handmaiden nodded and contacted Padme and the jedi council immediately.
Padme was slowly approaching the jedi council's room with Sabe.
"So Sabe, why is it that you called me here", Padme says confused. Sabe gives her a look and places her hand on Padme's shoulder.
"I have to talk to the council about something important, and I want you by my side. You are my closest friend I need all the support I can get", Sabe says.
Padme smiles and pats Sabe on the back.
"Don't worry I support you all the way", Padme says.
They both enter the room and stood in the middle facing the council.
"Queen of Naboo, talk to us you asked, trouble i sense in you", Yoda says.
" Yes Grand Master I am asking for assistance", Sabe says vaguely.
"Assistance for what", Obi Wan says slowly stroking his beard.
"The Nightstalker, we captured him and I interrogated him", Sabe says. Yoda's face lit up, ever since he sent the order he tirelessly tried to find anything about this mysterious force user.
"What did he say" Aayla says curiously.
"Not much, he threatened to hurt an officer because I attempted to take off his mask. He told me that he doesn't want to hurt anyone, he cares about the innocent people. However he told me that he kills people for a reason", Sabe says still shaken from the encounter.
Padme stood next to Sabe shocked. She thought it would be about humanitarian needs, not about the Nightstalker.
"Hmm, mysterious this man is, motives unsure of we are, look more into this we shall", Yoda says.
"Thank you", says Sabe.
"Where is he know", Ki Adi Mundi says.
Sabe hesitates at first. She knows they would be shocked. They wouldn't understand why she would let him go.
"I let him go", she says softly.
The council *gasped*
"Why did you let him go, he is highly dangerous", Plo Koon says.
"I know, but I realized that if I crossed his path, it wouldn't end well. He promised he wouldn't hurt my people. I trust his word on that", Sabe says.
"Still doesn't make sense why you let him go, he is a murderer", Shaak Ti says.
Padme couldn't take it anymore. She felt a sense of anger and pity towards the man. Even though she doesn't know him, she feels that he is a good man underneath but maybe just broken from some traumatic event.
"He is not a murderer", Padme shouts. Sabe and the whole council looked stunned. It was the first time they saw the senator yell in frustration. She was usually nice, cool, calm, and collective.
"Yes he is", Plo Koon fires back.
"No he isn't, last night I was heading to a restaurant for dinner. Suddenly I was attacked by 2 men who started dragging and sexually assaulting me. Then when I thought my life was coming to an end, the Nightstalker came and saved me. I believe he is a good man underneath his mask and armor. There has to be a normal human under there", Padme says.
The whole council sat there silent taking in every word that came out of Padme's mouth. They know that some of the people he killed have done some bad things, but it didn't justify his ruthless tactics. He needs to be detained and questioned. We must know more about him.
"Padme we are sorry of what happened to you but we must still detain this man, he may be a threat to the jedi. He can't be trusted" Plo Koon says. After hearing those words Padme couldn't take it anymore. She storms out of the council and hastily makes her way out of the temple.
Obi Wan then quickly chases after her. After a few seconds Obi Wan catches up to Padme and stops her. They both have been close friends for a while, Obi Wan protected Padme when she was a newly appointed senator. Ever since then they became friends and always looked out for one another.
"Padme" Obi Wan says worriedly.
"What, Obi Wan", Padme says irritably.
"What's wrong why did you run away", he says.
Padme was silent. She didn't want to say it was about the Nightstalker. For some reason ever since the day he saved her Padme became more and more curious to see who the man really was.
Obi Wan then stared into Padme's eyes.
"Padme please tell me I'm your friend, we tell each other everything", Obi Wan says. Padme knew Obi Wan was right. Whenever things got to shit they always turned to each other for help and guidance. Why should the Nightstalker force her to not tell Obi Wan what she was thinking about.
"It's about the Nightstalker, I believe there is good in him, we can't arrest him. It probably wouldn't end well", Padme says softly.
Obi Wan embraces her "I know Padme, but these are tough times he must be taken in for questioning. He is a force user and if we let him go he might try to overthrow the jedi. We can't afford to keep our backs turned to him."
Padme realized Obi Wan had a point. Even though she had a feeling that there was some good in him, it couldn't hide the fact he was a merciless killer.
"Your right Obi Wan, I'm sorry", she says.
"It's okay Padme, I understand where you are coming from", Obi Wan whispers.
Anakin walked back through the town to his starfighter. People peeked through their windows to see the Nightstalker roaming the streets. Some people believed that he murdered the police and the queen. Some believe that the queen quickly let him go due to the fear the Nightstalker enforces.
He hops into his starfighter and 35 minutes later he reaches his home.
Anakin enters his home and takes off his mask and armor and throws it to the side. He quickly went into the fresher to wash his face from the sweat and grime that built up from wearing the mask. Sometimes Anakin feels like taking his mask off not caring about his identity but knows it would be a giant risk, so he never did.
He washed his face and looked into the mirror. He saw himself and the reflection of the Nightstalker looking at him. Anakin knew there was two sides to him. His normal and vigilante side. He then felt the thoughts rush through his head.
"Padme, let's get out of here, god knows what he will do to us."
"You are a cold-blooded killer"
"he is highly dangerous the government warns every citizen to not approach him."
This angered Anakin deeply. He threw a fierce punch to the mirror shattering it into dozens of glass shards.
"God, people don't get it they don't fucking understand. I had the worst upbringing, I saw my mom get killed in front of my very own eyes. They call me a murderer when the real killers are roaming the streets torturing people", Anakin shouts. He looks at his hand which was bloody due to the glass but his anger numbed the pain.
Suddenly an image appeared in the broken mirror and said "Ani".
Anakin stood shocked and looked closely at the mirror "Mom", he says softly.
"Yes Ani, why are you so angry", she says. Anakin couldn't believe it his mom. He never seen her after her death.
"How do you kno..." Anakin gets cut off.
"Ani, ever since I died, I always watched over you. Now tell me my beautiful son why are you angry", she says.
"They don't understand it Mom, they don't see the corruption. They view me as the bad guy, when the real criminals are right in front of them, I just can't take it", Anakin says utterly frustrated. He hated the republic. The corrupt politicians that held power never helped the needs of their own people but only for themselves. They turned a blind eye on slavery and crime in the outer rim like it didn't exist.
"Ani, listen to me it's okay. They don't see it now but they will see it later. I believe you are doing good even though they see you as a killer. You save helpless people against those criminals. I love you Ani, I believe you will achieve your goal. Just know when you feel alone and depressed you are not. I am always here with you every second, minute, and hour", Shmi says.
Anakin begins to tear up, he loves his mother deeply. He hated to see her treated poorly, she dseeved better than the torture she got. Now that he realizes she is always there for him and that she loves him unconditionally Anakin sobbed.
"I love you mom, I will do anything for you", he says wiping his tears.
"I know you would Ani, but trust me when this is over you move from this way of life and find a family. I want you to be happy, not live alone like how I was. Ani it would hurt me to see you alone forever, I love you so much", Shmi says.
"I love you mom", he whispers.
Shmi's figure disappears and leaves Anakin alone. After receiving motivation from his mother Anakin felt empowered. He decided he will show the republic.
"Tomorrow the republic, will see what I am truly capable of mark my words", Anakin says clenching his fists. He leaves the fresher and jumps onto the couch. He picks up his list and reads all the names that were not crossed out. There was still a shit ton of names left. However Anakin told himself in a determined tone.
"The only person that will be left is Jabba. He will receive the brute of my strength. I will tear every single part of his body to shreds, no one will be left standing except him. Then he will die a slow horrible death", Anakin says ripping the paper in half.
He falls asleep knowing tomorrow will be a long and scary day for the republic.
End of Chapter 2
Thanks for reading chapter 2. I honestly fell in love with this story and that is the reason I wrote another chapter. I hope yall don't mind me neglecting "Love Exceeds the code" for a bit. I just wanted to release this chapter. But don't worry I will be getting back into the other fanfic.