Redemption

by anonymoususers21

Watching on as Vader's remains burned to ashes Anakin feels that the galaxy isn't yet ready for whats next to come. An opportunity is provided to allow him to fix what he had done and he takes the chance to redeem himself in stride. Long story still in production, lots of tie ins to Legends work. Overpowered characters if thats what you're into.

11. Leaving Again

Chapter 11 Leaving Again

Standard Disclaimer:

I don't own any of Star Wars, I also don't make any money from this and only really gain slight satisfaction from the development and carrying out of the story in my mind as I write it.

Tatooine, Mos Espa, Skywalker Home

08-01-32 BBY

10:00

Anakin POV

It was decided then, Voss had said he would help Qui-Gon with his mission. "But what are we going to do with Brakh?" Voss said as the two Jedi looked at me.

I smiled "I got the T-14, and the money for other parts, I just want to hitch a ride. The force sent me these visions, and I'm convinced I have to see them out." I said, tagging along would be the easiest way of getting access to the place I wanted, seeing the Jedi temple, and speaking with the Jedi council. I knew they wanted to bring me along too, for different reasons of course, but Jedi always liked playing these little tests. Trying to see one's conviction, true purpose, would I cry out for them to take me with them or would I blackmail them with the hyperdrive generator? It mostly depended on what they did, but it should be fine if I stick to my force visions story.

"I saw a temple, a large circular room, and different Jedi blazing with light." I laid it on thick, the force would be able to disguise my words as it disguised my presence. If not, the Jedi would probably sense something was wrong.

The two Jedi looked at each other and nodded, "we should be on our way then, pack your things and we'll go as soon as we can." Qui-Gon said. "We'll need to get back to Coruscant with the queen as soon as we can."

Tatooine, Mos Espa, Maleno's Store

08-06-32 BBY

12:30

Anakin POV

"So this is it then, you're finally going off into the galaxy again?" the Lutrillian said as he set his data pad down. I could sense a small shred of sadness from him. I'd been working with Maleno over a year now, and it truly was a good partnership we had. He was much more resourceful than I thought any shop keep in Tatooine was.

"You're finally getting off this dust ball and heading out?" I smiled, "couldn't stay here forever, you know there's better work out there, money to be made right." I said as I taunted him. He waved his hand, "yeah and bounties to be turned in... I was wondering when you were going to leave, you almost cleaned up all the local bounties." It was true, I'd gone over most of Tatooine picking up whatever scum outlived its usefulness.

"Always knew you'd want to branch out someday and going with those Jedi good luck" he looked over at me knowingly and I smiled. "Just a quick job abroad and then on to terrorize the rest of the galaxy," I said with a laugh. He nodded at me before reaching under his desk pulling out a data chip and looking it over before sliding it across the table.

"Here, a going away present" he mumbled, I pulled a comms link out, checking the reading. A bounty hunting form, I knew the guild had ties to Tatooine, but it was incredibly hard to get an official one. Usually, you'd have to work for some years, or have a sponsor vouch for you.

"Don't shit yourself now, I got it from a friend" he said, picking up his data pad again. "We made a decent bit of cash, so make sure to stop by once in a while." he said looking down at the data pad as he ushered for me to leave. I smiled, I'd remember Maleno, he was a bit rough around the edges, but useful. 'Maybe I could work him into my plans a little' I thought.

"Well actually there's one last job I was wondering whether you could help me with?" I said leaning over the counter.

Tatooine, Desert Sea, Outskirts

08-06-32 BBY

14:30

Anakin POV

It had taken a while for me to sort out all my various assets before we took off. Making sure to pay forward the rent on the warehouse that I'd stored Gardulla's wealth in. Taking some time to retrieve a couple thousand credits as well as putting away Darth Revan's holocron there. It wouldn't do well to bring it to the Jedi temple and be exposed as some kind of dark Jedi.

We also had to install the extra parts that were needed for the Royal Yacht, some spare parts that I couldn't quite remember from when Qui-Gon had gotten me as a child. He must've gotten them through other sources, but I had the wupi to get it from Watto's store.

I was trying to stay as long as possible so that we could encounter Maul, but the Jedi were getting anxious, they must've been worried about getting traced. I watched as my stuff was being loaded in, just some various clothes, and belongings. The Queen's ship had more than enough space at the moment, and it could easily be placed in the storage hold. Qui-Gon and Voss were talking about what they'd do upon returning to Coruscant and more on Voss's mission while I helped my mother climb the ramp.

"We're finally leaving," she said excitedly. I never asked my mother about where she was originally from but could tell it wasn't a desert planet. For all I know she might have fled from some catastrophe given her reluctance to speak about it.

I smiled at her, "yes going to the core worlds too. You'll get to see all the glamour of Coruscant" I said in Huttese. Hopefully not for long though, I didn't want my mother there too long. It'd be dangerous if people tried to get to her through me. Qui-Gon and Voss finished up their discussion and followed us up the ramp. As we entered another man a bit older than me, my old master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Tatooine, Desert Sea, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

15:00

Obi-Wan POV

Was this the individual with the high midi-chlorian count? Or another useless life form that Master had taken pity on. I couldn't sense the force from him at all. He looked up at me, and I noticed his face change, flash for just a moment as quick as lightning before settling back reflectively, pure animosity cooling to somberness.

I thought on it, my Master had told me that every action, every occurrence was shaped by every action before it. Why was he so mad at me, angry even and then the change to such sadness and reflection, I couldn't think of any event. Perhaps he was jealous of me and my master, but why? How strange.

Tatooine, Desert Sea, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

15:05

Anakin POV

I almost lost control for a second, releasing my emotions into the force. This Obi-Wan was not the same as the one that I had 'dealt' with. He wasn't shaped through the same experience, and if I had anything to do with it he wouldn't be.

Even then I had seen the influence Obi-Wan had on Luke's life as well as the deep regret he felt towards my fall and fate. I sighed recalling a discussion with the Father.

Mortis

Flashback

?

Anakin POV

I simmered looking down as Obi-Wan cut me down on Mustafar through the pool of knowledge. My force ghost fading in and out. "Calm yourself" Father burst out.

"But look at him: I said as I watched Obi-Wan letting me die, letting me burn, suffocating. I could remember the pain like it was yesterday. Remember all the years that I'd spent in that suit, with that mask. All the agony and to even take my children and hide them away. "Why would he do this to me how could he…"

"Your anger is so misguided" Father shook his head as I looked over at him. "What do you..". "He had wanted to save you, but even he feared what you'd become. Deep inside you know it was your own fault, your fear, your anger, your arrogance. How you had been manipulated by the dark side, by Palpatine." Father shook his head "he knew too about your relationship with Padme, how could he not. And seeing you choke her out, because of him, he thought you had already fallen."

I shook, the words hitting deep in my soul. "Willingly believing Palpatine, that your wife would die, that saving her could only be accomplished through following him. You could have requested help from the temple healers, the other Jedi. Gone to any number of specialists. But you let your mind be clouded, so quick to believe that just like your mother she wouldn't be saved…" Father said as I shook with anger.

"Shut your mouth. You speak so freely, as you watch after the fact. I never wanted this power, this responsibility." I ranted "But you were so quick to use it" he retorted "the hero without fear, you wanted the glory. You expected as a Jedi to be the white knight, racing in to save the day, get the princess and live happily ever after. No, life isn't that simple." he waved his hands at the pool showing several instances I rushed in without concern for others.

He sighed "yes the Jedi had been wrong not to allow you to follow the will of the force. Not allowing you to find your mother and ensure that she was safe when you saw visions of her. But, in that same breadth you'd been scared to follow your own feelings. Scared to go against the teachings and disappoint them." He shook his head "you let your pride, your heart get the better of you against what I had told you."

"Ultimately this was never any of their fault Anakin and you know it to be true." I shuddered again. The truth that I'd warped to serve my own twisted emotions, coming undone. But still…

"I beg of you to watch, watch the whole story and understand. Don't focus on the failure of others, but your own failures. For you to be able to go back to the past you must let go of the future actions of the people that you meet. Just like you there's time for redemption, and the possibility to change minds and action." he said waving his hands as events I'd never seen reflected in the pool.

Tatooine, Desert Sea, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

15:10

Anakin POV

I had sat there for what felt like an eternity contemplating this meeting. Contemplating what had occurred and the rights, the wrongs, everything.

"Hello" I said sticking a hand out. "My names Brakh, and this is my attendant Shmi" I said motioning to my mother. Sticking to the cover story from now on was going to be difficult, but crucial. Obi-Wan shook my hand in return, "Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi" just as blunt and short as I remember young Obi-Wan. He hadn't had the same amount of diplomacy missions, and I guess the crash course in cleaning up my messes yet.

I smiled as Qui-Gon came up the ramp and I could feel some short pulses in the force as they communicated through their bond. Obi-Wan looked at me suspiciously as I pushed my way through to get situated.

I almost headed towards the main quarters out of habit but stopped myself. It wouldn't look good to know everything about the ship off the bat. I saw a passing handmaiden and asked her where we could get situated. Eirtaé, a handmaiden that I barely recalled, led me down another hallway to some of the more basic quarters. Settling my mother in, I let her put some of the clothes and toiletries away as I left towards the engine room.

Qui-Gon and Voss were lifting the generator through the force to where it would need to be coupled to. The broken one lay on the ground next to the core system. I stepped forward grabbing a hydro spanner through the force and tightening some bolts. Voss and Obi-Wan looking a bit surprised. Qui-Gon was the only one I'd really shown any ability in the force to other then my visions, and my presence in the force was still hidden due to my use of Art of the Small.

I smiled as I quickly fastened the different parts of the generator, and plugged in some wiring, taking a small micro welder from the floor to weld some of the parts, minimizing the setting so I could solder others.

After a couple minutes I turned to R2 as I stood up wiping my hands with a spare rag. "Could you run a check of the mass scanner, as well as the gravity resonance systems." Both systems worked in tandem with the generator for an emergency shutoff if a large mass such as a planet, or a black hole appeared in the space we were traveling through.

He whirred happily praising me for my speed before interfacing with the ship and running the necessary procedures. A minute or two later giving a couple beeps and bzzts. I sighed, looks like Watto really had messed up some of the data components.

"Activate the core and we'll work from there." I grumbled putting the hydro spanner down. The three jedi looked at me in surprise, I had almost forgotten they were here, but we really did need to get a move on now that we're here. With all these force sensitives here, Maul would probably be able to detect us through the force alone once he landed.

"What, you think that generator came in one piece when I won it off Watto. I had to piece it back together, and I've had some experience with engines'' I lied. In reality a lot of experience with machinery, and this ship in particular. I could probably take it apart and put it back together by myself after all the getaways I had with the replica Padme had been given.

Voss shrugged, it looked like it was put back together right. Obi-wan was looking at a readout from a data pad linked to the ship's systems, the generator was indeed running properly just some of the built in safety controls had been tampered with.

Tatooine, Desert Sea, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

16:00

Anakin POV

R2 finally gave a happy whirr, all the systems had been calibrated up to the astromech's standards and we could finally leave. I could already sense his arrival though, Qui-Gon and Voss had gone to check out the rest of the ships outer plating, but they had quickly come back to urge me and R2 to hurry with the repairs sensing a disturbance in the force.

I'd have to get the Sith to reveal themselves before we left back to Coruscant, I could feel the clashes in the force, Voss reaching out in anger to rebuff the Sith's attacks, and Qui-Gon quickly joining him to push the Sith back.

I ran to the front of the ship, coming face to face with Obi-Wan, "start the ship, we have to go." "What?" "Qui-Gon and Voss are fighting something outside, start the ship up, the hyperdrive is ready." I said, throwing some urgency in my voice. Ric Olie, more compliant and aware of the situation then the padawan, started the ship with a slight shudder as it picked up from the desert floor.

I ran to the side entrance, opening up the ramp as the ship started to lift off. "Over here" I yelled as the ship began to hover. Obi-Wan directed Olie to fly over the battle, I could see Maul furiously defending himself against the two Jedi. Using his dual sided blade to block both and throw them back.

The Jedi both back flipped getting back into a ready stance before seeing the ship flying low above them. They both jumped up as I reached out to grab them and fling them into the ship. Maul jumped as well and I pushed my hand out blasting him back to the ground with the force. I closed the ramp door Qui-Gon and Voss already getting ready to fight the Sith before de-activating their lightsabers when they saw him angrily sneering from the sand below.

"What happened to it?" Voss said, "just a little push" I smirked as the door closed and the ship entered the outer orbit. I walked to the cockpit watching as Ric Olie and Obi-Wan got the ship ready, checking the hyperdrive one final time before blasting off.

Outer Rim, Corellian Run, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

18:00

Anakin POV

Padme and some of the other handmaidens had come out of their quarters to the communal dining hall. Sabé, still acting as the Queen, stayed in her quarters while I sat entertaining them, zipping fruits here and there across the room. Voss and Qui-Gon sat at the other end of the table, watching the silverware and other items float around and chase each other. Some small knives clashed as if sword fighting, fruits dodging forks as they ran around the room.

The handmaid's gawked and giggled. I made some fruits dance and spin, others bump into each other, and fall a bit in the air. The Jedi Masters were both conversing secretly about the nature of their attacker as well as observing the force skills I was exhibiting.

I didn't mind, I just wanted to entertain Padme. She'd sat next to me and asked me about my life on Tatooine, and how I knew Shmi, and I'd spun a story on how she'd taken care of me in her spare time, and I'd been able to buy her from Watto. From there it had gotten to her asking if I could do what I'd done at the dinner table on Tatooine and I'd told her I could if she wanted me to.

Obi-Wan came in narrowly dodging a stray fork. He looked around intrigued, going over to talk to his master and then looking over at me suspiciously, I bonked a fruit against his head in response eliciting some giggles.

He frowned in response "It's not very polite for one to use the force for such menial things" he said. It's true the Jedi code did forbid the use of the force for trivial tasks, a disrespect to the force, and I was guessing so as not to make a padawan use to using the force, lest they be uncovered during sensitive missions.

I laughed "what's the problem?" I asked casually. "People could get hurt, and the force should not be used in such a way, it's a gift not a…." I halted everything flowing through the air drawing closer to me.

Ordering the fruit in terms of size and pairing all the cutlery together. "Believe me everything's under control." The cutlery separated itself again, forming a 'ha ha' in Aurebesh and inciting some laughter from the handmaidens. "Using the force like this may seem menial, but imagine If I used it to hold back, or manipulate debris, control knives to fly through the air with more intent. Not to kill, but to disarm if I wanted to." I smiled as the different items floated through the air as I moved my hand, forming to my will. "The force can be used in many ways, don't limit yourself." I said.

"That sounds dangerously close to no restrictions?" Voss voiced out from the opposite side of the room. "A path to the dark side." He emphasized. I laughed again, "if the force wills it, I will follow, it's by the will of the force that I have such power. Right?" I asked looking over at him and Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon looked troubled for a second before answering "Yes, just traditionally..". "Traditionally, exploration of the force is limited?" I asked acting confused. "No, guided" I laughed in my head, a perfect response. The Jedi had been trying to limit force knowledge for a long period of time. I'd seen many abilities being used that were 'lost' or discouraged from further use whilst viewing the past with Father.

"And who sets what one should learn and what one shouldn't?" I asked Voss and Qui-Gon stayed quiet for a moment Obi-Wan took the bait. "The Jedi Counsel and the code of course..." "So not the force itself?" I retorted quickly, allowing for some of the fruits to orbit some of the cutlery. "The code was intended to protect the Jedi and enforce rules so as to guide them along the lightside of the force." Qui-Gon interjected. I laughed "yes intended, but how well has it worked how many have left or exiled themselves I wonder, when is the next schism?" Voss reached his hand down slowly moving it towards his lightsaber as Aayla shifted uncomfortably.

I sighed "but if you insist on this garbage about guidance", I stilled all the items, setting the table neatly, carving and cutting the fruits flying around into neat shapes before piling them up on some plates in front of me. I turned to the handmaidens "my apologies, it looks like the show is over, but if you'd like some fruit" I said waving my hand at the fruit. "These should be fine" I said taking a bite of a red blumfruit. Obi-Wan folded his arms as the Voss crossed his arms again, Aayla turning to talk with one of the handmaidens again while the Jedi got back to discussing whatever they were discussing.

I smiled picking up a pair of cutlery and began to eat.

Outer Rim, Corellian Run, Naboo Royal Starship

08-06-32 BBY

22:00

Third Person POV

Padme walked into the main hold area, R2 sat rested against a wall, recharging his battery. C3PO shutdown next to him. Making her way over to a holopad and switching it on, Bibbles' plea for help played out on the monitor.

"Heartbreaking to see isn't it" Anakin said from a corner of the room. He sat, layered in the force to hide his presence carving away at what appeared to be a white rock.

Padme almost jumped in shock, turning the holopad off. She looked at the man, no boy, with apprehension, he was so similar in age to her yet so different. He was quiet, charming, and funny, keeping the girls entertained during dinner, and she could tell from the Jedi Master's reactions that he must be special. But he was still a stranger, his servant Shmi was nice enough, and he treated her well. But she was still somewhat guarded against him.

"What do you mean?" she said as she approached him. He was still scraping away at the white rock. "It's sad to see people reaching out for help, and not being able to even respond to them." He explained. "I wonder how the Queen must feel?" he said with a raised brow.

Padme stopped to formulate an answer, rephrasing it in her head as she went. "The Queen is...worried. Her people are suffering...dying. She must convince the Senate to intervene, or...I'm not sure what will happen." She rubbed her arm absentmindedly how best to describe the situation without giving her status away.

Anakin sighed. "They'll be swallowed up by the trade federation. Just like the other planets they force deals with." he said, sighing. "Don't you ever wish you could just close your eyes and make it all disappear? A simple wish for peace?" he scraped a bit harder at the white material in his hands an unsettling rattle of the knife that went unnoticed by the young girl.

Padme stopped to think about it "I've always wished I could do that. Just convince people to side with me, to do good for the galaxy." She shook her head, "I dream that one day I can'' she paused as if remembering something. "I can help my Queen change the Republic, through words." Anakin stopped his aggressive carving, hands stilling at the words, a deep breath making its way from his lungs, "make a better system… for the people." He looked up in the air, lost in thought as memories flowed back.

"I hope one day by my Queens side, I can witness her better not just my world, but the galaxy." she finished proudly. Anakin smiled nodding his head but wondered where she found the strength to keep such a dream. Countless times throughout the Clone Wars, and even before she had tried as a senator to make such a dream come true. But in the end, it was all for naught, the Sith machinations had been set in place for too long. Palpatine had played them all like a fiddle. This time though, he was all in, whatever she wanted he would give her, the world, the senate, the galaxy.

"What about you, what's your wish?" she said looking up at him.

He smiled giving it only a second to think "that I could live happily with those that I love, peace, peace is maybe a close second." Anakin replied wistfully. This time he would truly accomplish it, saving Padme, and everyone else he could, he'd already saved his mother.

Padme looked over at him strangely, giving him a laugh "who do you have to love, your servant Shmi, I know she cares for you very much, but." Anakin gently blew some dust away from his project, stretching his senses out in the forces to see if anyone was snooping. He beckoned Padme closer "Would you like to hear a secret?" he said in a whisper "you have to promise not to tell anyone else though. I trust you more than the other handmaidens, and I know Shmi likes you as well."

She nodded wondering what he was going to tell her but intrigued by the often-secretive man they'd met on Tatooine. "Shmi isn't my servant she's… my mother." Padme gasped "I had seen a vision that she would die on Tatooine, so I did everything in my power to get her off the planet." he said as he looked back down at the carving he was making. "Then the Jedi?" Padme asked.

He sighed "Well I had seen them in my visions too, working them into my plans to leave that place." He paused "It's hard to explain right now, there's so many moving parts, but above all, my mother is my life" he said looking down at the carving in his hand, examining it carefully. "I never had anybody else" he whispered, he remembered the days of being a slave, alone with his mother in Gardulla's palace and Watto's shop. When she had died on Tatooine, the emptiness, the anger that he had felt.

Padme rested a hand on his shoulder, "but she's safe now.". He smiled at her, "but for how long?" he said, carving away again at the stone-like material he was holding. "I hope you can bring peace to the galaxy and accomplish your dream. It'll help with mine" he finished as he took out a piece of rough paper, abruptly balling up the carving inside.

Padme gave a yawn "you should go to bed" Anakin said, she was going to have an intense couple of days coming up.

She got up from her spot by Anakin moving towards the Queens quarters. "Good night Brakh" she said. "It's Anakin". "Hmmm? She said turning back.

"Another little lie, please keep it a secret, but my real name is Anakin." Padme looked at him in interest, why the secret name, 'everyone had their own reasons' she thought. "Have a good night then… Anakin."

He sighed watching her go, getting into a meditative stance as the hours passed.