The flames. They licked over his body, consuming him. He withered in agony but could not make a sound. Anakin a lump in his throat stop him from screaming out for help. He looked up at his mother and stepfather, who simply stared down at him with a deadpan look. Anakin crawled forward on the sand, trying to reach his family. He grabbed the hem of his mother's dress. Shmi exploded into flames, as did Cleigg. Anakin watched as more and more people he knew appeared and combusted into ash. Kister, Wald, Padme, Obi-wan. Anakin tried to cry out in agony as their ashes landed on him. Suddenly he felt cold. The flames went away. He lay there on the ground, burnt and naked. He struggled to bring himself to his feet, his body screaming in pain with every movement. He heard a distant echo in the darkness around him, but he struggled to see through his burnt eyes. Suddenly, the ground he stood on turned to liquid metal and he began to sink in. Anakin struggled to get out, but it was in vain as he sank into the ground. It was cold. So cold. Anakin couldn't breathe or see. But he could feel himself, trapped in that cold metal liquid.

Anakin jolted up out of bed, sweating racing down his face, breathing heavily. He calmed himself, taking deep breaths. He rubbed his eyes and swung his legs over to the side of the bed, careful to not rip the sheets off of his partner's body. Padme slept soundly on the other side of the bed. She stirred ever so slightly as if she almost sensed the distress in Anakin. He used the Force to calm her. Anakin leaned over and put his pants on and went to the veranda and watched the night traffic, as speeders zipped around the towers, people bustling around during their night time antics. Anakin took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, beginning to feel more at peace. But his mind still focused on that dream. Ever since Felucia, he was being plagued by nightmares.

It had been two weeks since Anakin and the remainder of the 327th escaped Felucia. He remembered the chaos of the landing, as a medical team swept the battalion away to receive treatment. Aayla remained in intensive care. The Jedi Healers said that if she recovered, she would never walk again. Her body was mangled and she was constantly rotating between bacta, healing trances, and breathing tubes. The remainder of the 327th was stationed on Coruscant, working with Commander Fox while they slowly regrouped and rebuilt. Anakin received medical treatment and was given an extended leave to recover from his injuries. Padme took him to her apartment and took care of him, tending to his wounds and helping him recover.

Anakin broke out of his trance as he felt a hand grasp his. Padme was next to him, wearing a blue robe. She leaned into his arm and rested her head against it, peering up at him. "Is everything okay, Ani?" She asked

Anakin continued looking at the city before turning to Padme. "I keep having those visions. The fire, the flames."

Padme wrapped her arms around the young man. "Felucia is behind you, Ani. It will take time to move on. But think about the good you did. You were able to destroy two horrific weapons that could have done more damage. You saved lives."

Anakin embraced Padme's hug, wrapping his own arms around her. He hesitated, not knowing if he should correct her about the dreams. Padme already had enough to worry about with her Senate duties, he didn't want to add to them. But before he could say anything, Padme kissed him on the lips softy. She broke the kiss and gave him a sly smile, which Anakin returned. The two returned to Padme's bed.


Anakin woke up the next morning to Padme's R2 unit whirring loudly, to wake him up. The blue and white astromech droid chirped rudely at Anakin, whipping out its shock stick hoping to motivate the young man. Anakin used the Force to tip over R2, which annoyed the droid. Anakin laughed as he got up and uprighted the droid, who spun his head around furiously before leaving the room. Anakin got dressed and walked to the veranda and saw a note addressed to him.

Ani

I'll be at the Senate for the majority of the day today. Stay out of trouble!

Love, Padme

Anakin smiled as he put the letter back down on the table. He had begun seeing Padme shortly after the war began. They had this caring, this longing for each that had begun after the battle of Geonosis. Whenever Anakin came back from a campaign or had time off on Coruscant, he would spend time with Padme. Anakin found himself falling more and more for Padme, his Angel as he called her. After months of hidden holocalls, late nights with each other, they both professed their love for each other. Before he had to leave, Padme showed Anakin the Japor snippet that he had given her year ago. That was the night before he left for Felucia. Anakin could only imagine the pain and horror Padme went through thinking her lover was killed on Felucia when reports came in of the fleet being annihilated. Padme told him of how she was a wreck at her apartment. When she saw on the news that there were survivors from Felucia, she clenched the snippet, praying that its good luck would come true. When she saw Anakin on the HoloNet, she began to cry tears of relief. As soon as he was released from the hospital, she took him to her apartment. They both had their duties to the Republic, which they took seriously, but they also had duties to each other. There was something special about their bond, the two of them being together. Anakin felt this connection between the two through the Force.

R2-D2 chirped again at Anakin. The young man laughed and started walking back to the bedroom. "I know, little buddy. I know. Give me a minute and we will be on our way."


The Jedi Temple, Coruscant

Mace Windu stood in the hangar bay of the Jedi Temple, awaiting the arrival of Anakin. Masters Plo Koon and Obi-wan stood at his side. Both Jedi had their arms crossed, hands in the opposite sleeve of their robe. After the Battle of Geonosis, the Jedi Council ordered Anakin to meet with them to discuss his lightsaber. Anakin refused, appealing to the Chancellor. Palpatine was more than helpful in defending Anakin, reminding the Jedi publically that there was no law prohibiting non-Jedi from owning a lightsaber. They appealed to King Cliegg. Despite Cliegg not trusting the Jedi, he believed that the Jedi had a right to understand why Anakin had a lightsaber and trusted that Anakin would be able to defend himself in front of the Jedi Council. Reluctantly, Anakin agreed to his stepfather's orders.

A yellow speeder approached the landing pad and slowly settled down. Anakin lifted himself up and exited the speeder, as his R2 unit exited the speeder as well and followed him from behind. Mace walked forward to meet the younger man, his eyes watching him. "Commander Skywalker, I'm glad you were able to make it."

Anakin gave a slight smile, looking at the three Jedi in front of him. "Of course, Master Windu. Shall we head to the Council chambers?"

Mace nodded. "Of course. The rest of the council will be arriving soon. If you will follow us."

Mace led the way for the group, as they walked through the Jedi Temple halls. Anakin had not been here in almost 12 years. Yet he still remembered the Temple vividly. He had imagined himself growing up in these halls, becoming a Jedi Master. But those were the dreams of a young boy. And fate had chosen a different path for Anakin. There was no point in dwelling in what could have been.

A young orange Torguta walked up to the group. By her looks, Anakin would have guessed she was about 15 years old. "Excuse me, Master Windu, but I have a message for Master Kenobi from Commander Cody."

Obi-wan nodded and stepped towards the young girl. "I will be with you later in the chambers, Master Windu. My padawan and I will make contact with Cody and make it as quick as possible."

Mace nodded and Anakin watched as the two leave in a brisk pace. "Something on your mind, young Skywalker?" Plo Koon asked as the three of them continued their walk.

"Sorry, Master Plo. It's just that padawan. She's so young. Yet she is going off to war?"

"She is young, yes. This war has cost us many Jedi and we have to train our padawans."

"I understand that, but sending a child off to war?"

"It is a Jedi's job, no matter their age, to keep the peace in the galaxy." Mace Windu interrupted, as they neared the elevator. "This war is one of our responsibilities as a Jedi. Padawan Tano will either grow from this war and become a strong Jedi or become one with the Force. Both are the destiny of a Jedi."

Anakin felt uneasiness grow in Master Plo, who quickly regained his inner composure. The elevator ride was awkwardly silent until Anakin decided to ask a question. "How is Master Secura's recovery process?"

"She is recovering, but very slowly. The healers have repaired the bone damage, but the muscle tissue will require more time."

"I only wish I could have done more to help her," Anakin said solemnly.

Plo Koon put a hand on Anakin's shoulder, making eye contact with the younger man. "You did everything you could. I am impressed that you and Aayla were able to fight Grievous. Your actions saved her life. You are a powerful force wielder. I'm sure if Aayla was conscious right now, she would thank you."

Anakin smiled and was about to thank Plo, but the elevator opened and Mace spoke up. "Skywalker, wait out here until we summon you. We must wait until the rest of the council has assembled."

Anakin nodded and took a seat.


Serenno, Count Dooku's Palace

Dooku deactivated his lightsaber and holstered it, scowling down at his opponent. The mangled Magnaguard lay beneath him, it's body precisely cleaved in diagonally. Three other Magnaguards were on the floor, also destroyed in a similar fashion. Dooku had no taste in fighting droids, for they could not use the Force in combat as some Jedi did. However, they were able to put up a good challenge for the elderly Sith Lord. And Dooku's underling, Grievous, was an example of how one did not need the Force to win in combat with a Jedi.

Dooku sensed a tremor in the Force and activated his lightsaber and brought it up to defend himself, blocking the twin red blades that crashed down on him. Dooku moved the sabers down into the ground and slid out of the lock, then slashed at his opponent, who ducked and rolled out of the way.

"Impressive, Ventress," Dooku said, with a sinister smile, as his apprentice got up and snarled. Ventress was an interesting study. She came to him, with the intention of proving her worth as a Sith. However, according to the Rule of Two, Palpatine made it clear to Dooku that Ventress was not to be a Sith. Dooku agreed and taught her to be an assassin, a Dark Jedi, anything that satisfied his master. But Dooku disagreed with the Rule of Two. The Rule had served the Sith well, keeping them alive, but now was the time to rise. If Palpatine wanted to rule the galaxy, it would require more than two Sith. As far as Dooku was concerned, Ventress was a Sith in all but name. But according to Ventress, she was a true Sith. Her natural connection to the Dark Side through her Nightsister heritage empowered her, combined with her hatred of the Jedi made her a dangerous force. Several Jedi already paid the price for underestimating her, a fatal mistake.

Dooku raised his saber up to his face, preparing to continue Ventress's training when the door opened. A battle droid entered. Dooku frowned and spoke, not breaking eye contact with Ventress. "This had better be good, droid."

"Sorry for the intrusion, Count Dooku, but you have a transmission incoming from an unidentified caller. They checked out on all clearances, but we don't have a name.

Dooku knew immediately who was calling. It was Lord Sidious. Normally, Dooku would be aware of an incoming transmission, but this was unexpected. Dooku deactivated his lightsaber and Ventress did the same. They exited the training room and entered Dooku's throne room. The yellow-green hue illuminate the room as Dooku and Ventress took a knee after Dooku activated the holo transmitter. The sinister, cloaked figure of Darth Sidious appeared, his face was hidden from view except for his mouth. Dooku and Ventress knelt before their master. "Lord Sidious," They greeted the Dark Lord.

"Rise, Lord Tyranus, Asajj Ventress. Rise" The Dark Lord spoke in an eerie way. Dooku was accustomed to his master's presence, but he could feel Ventress's fear beginning to show. He scowled mentally, reminding himself to break such cowardice. Perhaps a trip to Korriban was due.

Sidious turned his head to Ventress. "Congratulations on killing Master Luminara and retrieving the Viceroy, Ventress. It seems Count Dooku has trained you well. Far better than that dog Grievous."

"I live to serve, Lord Sidious," Asajj said, slightly smiling that she was held in favor compared to her cyborg rival.

Sidious gave a sinister smile, before returning to his frown. "I am pleased with our efforts so far, especially after the set back on Felucia. However, the Republic has found out about our activities on Yavin 4. Both of you will go to Yavin 4 and await the arrival of the Jedi Strike team. Kill the Jedi. Be ruthless and hold nothing back," Sidious commanded.

Dooku nodded but turned to Ventress. "Leave us," He ordered. The Nightsister nodded and bowed before she left the room. As soon as the door closed, Dooku rose to his feet. "What are the goals of this plan? The expedition on Yavin 4 was years ago when you and I investigated the Dark Side there."

"Yes, Tryanus. The presence of the Dark Side is something I hope to use to your advantage there. Skywalker will be there. I want you to push him. Slowly. Find what makes him tick. He has had training, not of a Jedi. I was not able to watch him grow. You will find out what I need to know," Sidious commanded.

"Yes, Lord Sidious." Dooku folded his arms behind his back before turning to his master again. "Have the droids found any more information about Darth Revan?"

"The Sith Archives do not hold as much data as I would have hoped. I suspect that the Jedi hold those holocrons in their vault. Every Sith Lord and Jedi Master knows about Darth Revan. My late master told me about the rumors of his holocron. If Skywalker does have the Holocron, it will be possible for us to use this to our advantage."

"I understand, Lord Sidious. What Jedi do you think Master Yoda will send to Yavin 4?"

"Knowing your old master, I believe he will send Masters Windu and Kenobi. I do not know about the rest."

"Ventress and I will be ready for them, Master."

"I am counting on it, Dooku," Sidious said before let out a chilling laugh. Sidious cut the transmission. Dooku used the Force to open the throne room entrance door, allow Ventress to enter. "Prepare to leave by nightfall."


Jedi Temple

Obi-wan sat in his Council chair as the remaining Council members filled in and took their respective seats. They all prepared themselves for the upcoming debate. "Is everyone ready to begin?" Mace asked as he leaned back in his seat. Everyone nodded, eager to begin. Yoda waved his waved and the door opened. Anakin entered the chambers, standing in the middle of the room. He gave a slight bow to the Jedi Masters around him. "Greetings, Master Jedi."

Yoda nodded. "Greetings, Commander Skywalker. Fortunate we are, that you have arrived. However, concerned about your lightsaber, the Jedi Council is."

Mace spoke up. "The Council made it explicitly clear that you were not to possess a lightsaber, due to you lacking proper training and that you are not a Jedi, therefore you do not have the authority to wield a Jedi's weapon."

Anakin raised an eyebrow at Mace Windu. "I was not aware that the Sith on Naboo was a Jedi. "

Windu glared. "We are not here to play games, Commander. The Council orders you to turn over your lightsaber."

Anakin looked around the room, before looking Mace directly in the eyes. "The Council? Or just you?"

Obi-wan spoke up before Mace could respond. "What Master Windu is trying to say, Commander, is that you are not a Jedi and by wielding a Jedi's weapon, you indirectly represent us. The Jedi do not want your actions to be linked to us. Because of your lack of training-"

"But I have the training, but not that of a typical Jedi" Anakin interrupted, opening his satchel and revealed a Holocron. "I found this Holocron years ago on Tatooine. It belonged to a Jedi Knight by the name of Revan."

The Council was taken back by this claim. Anakin could see the shock on some of their faces. Some of them leaned forward in interest, curious to hear the young man continue.

"Hmmm. A powerful Jedi, Revan was. An even more powerful Sith, he was too, after his fall to the Dark Side. " Yoda said, remaining back in his chair.

"And Revan became an even more powerful Jedi after his redemption. Revan has taught me how to use the Force and various saber forms. He has taught me balance. I respect the Light Side and the Dark Side, but I am a slave to neither. I serve the Living Force, as I serve the Republic and my homeworld."

"Dangerous teachings, Revan had. Made him susceptible to the Dark Side." Yoda insisted. The Grand Master of the Jedi Order was not happy with this turn of events. Revan, while powerful, was a dangerous man who almost broke the Republic after saving it. Yes, Skywalker was right about how Revan was redeemed, but Revan was only redeemed because of Jedi teachings being reinstalled in him.

Obi-wan felt the tensions rising in the room and decided that he needed to intervene. "Let us get back to the topic on hand. Your lightsaber."

"I crafted my lightsaber on Felucia because I needed it in order to help the evacuation. If it weren't for my lightsaber, I wouldn't have been able to fight off General Grievous. Masters, I am not a Jedi. A lightsaber does not define a Jedi. I wield this lightsaber to bring an end to this war, to restore peace and order to the Republic."

"The same message, Revan spoke. Turn on the Republic, he did."

"I am not-"

Everyone was interrupted by the Holocron levitating out of Anakin's hand. The Holocron moved and whurred, pieces of it floating around the central cube. Revan's form appeared in front of the Jedi Council, standing next to Anakin. Anakin was surprised to see his master like this. He never knew that Revan could open the Holocron himself, much less project himself in such a way.

Revan glared at the Jedi Council before him. Though his face was hidden by his infamous Mandolorian mask, the Jedi could sense him glaring daggers at them. He was in his Sith robes, his black hood crowned over him. "Unbelievable. The arrogance. The AUDACITY" Revan roared in anger. "You sit here in your comfy chairs, trying to strip Anakin of a weapon you have no claim to, while there is a war going on out there. Very few of you have even seen combat. Who was it that saved the Republic from the Mandalorians? Who was it that slew Darth Malak? I did! Anakin has immense power and you would rather him not use it and risk the war being lost to the Sith? Even as a projection, rage spewed off of Revan's form as he stared down the Jedi Council.

Yoda hobbled out of his chair with a grunt and walked towards the projection of Revan, his eyes narrowed. "Caused the corruption of your friend Malak, did you not?"

"I paid my debt back for that already, Master Yoda."

"Only because of Knight Shan and the Jedi getting involved."

There was a silence for a while before Obi-wan spoke up. "Master Revan, why did you tell Anakin to create a lightsaber, knowing it was against the deal he had made with us previously?"

Revan looked at his apprentice, who stepped forward. "I created the lightsaber because of the war. Grievous was advancing on us and I could sense through the Force that many would die if I did not take action. There is only so much someone of my skills can do with a blaster. With my lightsaber, I can bring an end to the Clone Wars, capture Dooku, and restore peace to the Republic."

"And restore balance to the Force" Revan added, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You believe the boy to be the Chosen One, as Master Qui-Gon did?"

Revan nodded. "Skywalker is the Chosen One. I am his master because the Jedi Order decided to reject him from their Temple. The moment you did that, you lost all forms of control on him."

"So what is Skywalker training to be? It appears very clear that you are not training him to be a Jedi" Shaak Ti asked with her hands pressed together.

"A Sith, perhaps?" Mace Windu asked, leaning forward in his chair. The tension in the room began to build up.

"I am training to bring peace, justice, and security to the Republic, Master Ti" Anakin said. "I was born with immense power, the power that you chose to reject. Revan has now taught me how to use that power. The lightsaber is a tool, an extension of my journey to bring an end to the galaxy. For being peacekeepers and preaching about nonaggression, you wield awfully dangerous swords."

Mace was about to respond, but Yoda stomped his cane, sensing the tension only getting worse in the room. "Enough, we have said. Vote on the matter, the Council will."

Anakin nodded and bowed, while Revan's hologram floated behind him as the projection walked with Anakin. They exited the room and the door shut behind them.

The Council sat in silence for a while before Cin Drallig, the newest appointment to the Council after Luminara's death, spoke up. "I don't trust him. Someone of his caliber wielding a lightsaber, being taught by a Sith Lord? No. We should-"

"You want us to arrest a Republic officer during a war for the potential danger he could possibly cause? That's not what we are as Jedi, Master Drallig. You're starting to sound like a Sith yourself" Oppo Rancisis responded as he stroked his beard.

"Skywalker has already proven that he cares nothing for the Sith, he despises Dooku. He has proven himself to be a strong, honorable man." Plo Koon stated as he leaned back in his chair. "He hasn't displayed any use of dark side powers and as far as I'm concerned, we didn't sense any darkness in him. I'm sure if Master Secura was with us, she would vouch for him. "

"But she is not here," Adi Gallia said. "She is still recovering from wounds inflicted by Grievous."

"Are you insinuating that you could have protected Aayla and done better than Skywalker? You haven't seen enough combat or even fought the monster," Kit Fisto scoffed.

Yoda banged his stick again, visibly annoyed by how his Council was fighting amongst each other. "The time to vote has come," Yoda said.

Mace nodded. "All in favor of stripping Skywalker of his lightsaber, raise your hand."

Mace Windu, Cin Drallig, Adi Gallia, Eeth Koth, and Even Piell raised their hand.

"All in favor of allowing Skywalker to keep his lightsaber?"

Obi-wan, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi Mundi, Kit Fisto, Oppo Rancisis, and Yoda raised their hands. Murmurs followed as Yoda raised his hand in support of Skywalker.

"Keep his weapon, Skywalker will. No longer interfere, we will try." Yoda said calmy as he opened the door with the Force. Skywalker walked back into the Council chambers, Revan no longer there.

"The Council was ruled in favor of you keeping your weapon, Commander Skywalker. We are sorry for the inconvenience of what has happened."

"I accept your apology, Masters," Anakin said. "While I was waiting, I received a transmission from the Chancellor's office. He would like to meet with Masters Yoda and Windu and I. I do not know why, but it was urgent."

"Meet you there, we will," Yoda said with a nod. Anakin bowed to the Grand Master and left the room.

As Anakin left, the Jedi Council sat there in silence, baffled by what had gone down. Many would deny it, but there was an erie though running through the minds of most of them. If they had voted to take away the saber, would they even have been able to forcibly do it?


Ta-dah!

Alrighty so this chapter was fun to write!I'm going to start making Anakin build friendships with the Jedi and I'm gonna do something interesting with Revan's holocron. Let me know if there is a character I think should be in the story that isn't and I'll see what I can do. Lemme know what you think of the story so far guys! I do this writing to share my thoughts and its so much fun knowing I have you guys, the fans, out there who really like this!

Stay safe out there during the pandemic guys.

-Mr. Holocene