Two starfighters cross the darkening sky above Coruscant, leaving behind white tails like paralleling scars cutting through the clouds. The night begins to fall upon the planet but its inhabitants are restless, as though sensing the slight disturbance in the mysterious Force most of them can neither feel nor comprehend.
The setting sun glances upon the looming building known as the Jedi Temple, illuminating it with its glowing gaze, somehow dimming its radiant energy in the eyes of the fading off city. Large and majestic, the Temple is one of the greatest examples of ancient architecture in the Galaxy. It has the exterior of a palace, angular and monumental, with a distinct sharpness that serves as a reminder that Jedi, as much peacekeepers as soldiers nowadays, reside there. Yet, despite the uninviting aura surrounding the building, it remains a symbol of light and hope for the slowly decaying Republic.
If one fixed their gaze upon the impressive sight, and studied the fine towers and high walls, they would notice the starfighters touch down at the rooftop landing deck of the Temple, and the tiny, ant-like silhouettes exiting the ships. If one decided to give them their full attention and if, by chance, one's hearing far exceeded that of a human or any other being, or said person was simply in close proximity to the pilots, they would be able to catch a snippet of a conversation that bordered on an argument. And it would go along the lines of:
"I didn't ignore the orders, Obi-Wan. I simply added a bit of my own insight to the plan."
"You call blowing up the base an insight?"
"They wouldn't surrender! That was a part of the plan, and since it didn't go your way, I decided to improvise—"
"I left plenty of opportunities for you to alter the plan later. You were supposed to wait for further instructions instead of blowing up our chances for negotiations. . ."
The wind on the roof would be howling, making it impossible for the listener to hear the rest of the conversation, but the sun would soon reach the faces of the two men, painting one in golden, the other in copper-red. Jedi Knights, one could go ahead and guess, considering time and place, and the strange robes that make them quite a pair in the rather conventional fashion sense of Coruscant. But the certainty would come as soon as sunlight would reflect off the unmistakable weapons dangling from their belts. Lightsabers, the observer could safely guess.
They walk down the deck, side by side, in a mutual awareness that suggests years of familiarity, with their robes fluttering behind them, and hands flying around as they keep gesticulating animatedly, carrying on with their argument. They are as familiar with the place as with each other, it seems, since they do not care to look where their legs carry them, yet appear to direct every step with purpose.
One of them is clad in dark, the other in light colours, and if the observer knew anything about Jedi culture, they would notice that these two are an unusual pair, even for Jedi. The younger one radiates such tremendous energy akin to a thunderous sky, while his companion appears to be the calm ocean underneath; both strangely attuned to each other, slightly differing from the supposed image of detached Jedi.
They quickly reach and enter a turbolift, vanishing from sight, cutting off the gentle sunlight as the door closes. The sun keeps shining long after they are gone, as though waiting for them to come back.
But the darkness will fall soon, even upon the shining temple, and so one must close their eyes and listen to the story, and take on faith every word they will hear. For this is a story of the end of the age of heroes, and follows two of the last ones.
oOo
When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker enter the council chamber, Mace Windu is already waiting, with his fingers curled along the arms of his seat, back hunched gloomily, and chin held high as though to amplify his displeasure. Yet, in case it was not enough of an expression, he has to say, "The Council has received your hologram. You have failed your mission."
His tone is dry, his words as hard as steel, but Anakin is still happy the Master's shields are impenetrable so at least the Force around them is clear of any negative feelings apart from the small doses of irritation rolling off of Obi-Wan. He has been on the receiving end of his Master's annoyance since he was a child, almost always the main cause of it, hence he is excellent at ignoring the stings of exasperation that feel akin to jabs of a needle in the Force.
They stand in the middle of the room, in the direct line of gazes of the Jedi Masters' holograms, the only Council members physically present being Mace Windu and Obi-Wan. The half-circle of seats never fails to make Anakin uneasy, ever since the very first time he faced the Council when he was nine. It always makes him feel as though he were standing on a trial about to be judged by the unwavering and cold figures of the fellow Jedi.
"Master Windu," Obi-Wan bows his head to the man in the middle, facing them ahead, then nods to the rest, "Masters."
Anakin does not say anything. He glances around the bathed in afternoon light walls, then through the large window presenting him the bright streets of Coruscant. He avoids the eyes of the Council members but his own gaze is searching, as if there was something hidden in Coruscant he very much longed to catch a sight of.
The Council chamber is located in the highest tower of the Temple, gifting its members with a breathtaking view of the city. Although the Jedi Order relies on an authoritative system that is based on ranks and demands respect for the elders, the circular shape of the room creates an illusion of equality among the Council. Yet, it is not a secret that it is Grandmaster Yoda and Master Windu whose voices are most decisive.
"Late, you are," Yoda's hologram chirps from his chair, a bit inquiringly, and Anakin's gaze involuntarily shifts to him. "Back by yesterday, you were supposed to be."
"We were delayed," Obi-Wan hurries to explain, and Anakin can feel it, the side-eye his Master throws his way as well as the small twinge in his side in the force.
"An explosion was reported on Yerbana," Mace chimes in, joining his Master in glaring at Anakin.
Anakin flexes his jaw but allows Obi-Wan to speak. "It was a misjudgment on Anakin's part, Master Windu. He believed it to be the quickest way to avoid conflict, hence spare the lives of accompanying us clones—"
Anakin zooms out until Obi-Wan's voice becomes a steady buzz in his ears. He works on his mental shields to avoid spilling out his irritation in front of the Council while waiting for his turn to talk because what he has to say is in no way related to their past mission. He does not need to relive the explosion once more - living through it and then through Obi-Wan's endless lectures about it were enough for him.
As soon as Obi-Wan is finished the Masters take their turns scolding them, starting from letting their comlinks get destroyed in the explosion, arriving a day late, wasting good bombs for a mission that did not require their use, to not trying to negotiate with the rebels.
Once they run out of things to complain about, Anakin takes his cue to speak. He folds and unfolds his arms, attempting to sound as collected and factual as the Jedi Masters usually do.
"Masters, we've received a very important piece of information on our way here. The reason we are late is that we were informed of Sith activity in Mandalore."
The Council members refuse to grant him a reaction. Yet, their undivided attention serves as one.
"And the bearer of the news, who would that be?" Yoda asks, but the twinkle in his eyes tells Anakin he already knows.
"My former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano," he says proudly, straightening up his spine, as though daring the Masters to say anything against her. "She contacted us to report that she discovered the whereabouts of Darth Maul."
This piece of information manages to cause a small disruption among the Masters. Mace Windu and Yoda exchange quick glances while Master Plo and Master Fisto shift in their seats.
"We're going to find him," Anakin adds.
"We'd like to ask for the Council's permission to go after him," Obi-Wan corrects.
It appears the Masters possess power beyond Anakin's understanding as they immediately discard their initial surprise, as though in planned collusion, and their faces turn into detached masks. Even though Anakin opens his mouth to argue their case, to wheedle the Council a little, Master Windu shoots up with an answer without a second hesitation, "No."
Anakin blinks, confused, so it is Obi-Wan who asks, "No?"
"No," Mace stresses, leaning back in his chair in a pose Anakin recognizes as the one he would make whenever he made a grave decision. "That information is surely something we will look into. But there is a more pressing matter."
"What could be more pressing than capturing a Sith?" Anakin's temper rises to the surface, his anger easily breaking through his shield and spilling into the Force around him.
Mace's face is unreadable.
"The Supreme Chancellor is missing."
A moment of silence passes as the weight of Mace's words sets on Anakin's mind. A full of disbelief "what?" is all he can manage once it hits him.
"General Grievous has attempted an attack on Coruscant," the holopresence of Master Plo explains. "Shaak Ti was sent to guard the Chancellor but she lost him in the heat of the fight. It appears General Grievous had managed to capture him and leave the planet. As you were unresponsive, we've sent a pair of Jedi to follow his ship but we've lost contact with them and they haven't come back yet."
"We presume they never will," Master Fisto fills in.
"Do you know where they keep the Chancellor?"
"In the separatists' base on Serenno."
"You'll fly there tomorrow morning," Master Windu fills in.
Were it any different mission, Anakin would have argued that they would not even get 24-hours rest but since the matter regarded the Chancellor, he let that slip by. Considering how urgent getting him back is, Anakin is grateful for the night.
"We'll expect a mission report of Yerbana next morning as well," Master Windu adds then, and Anakin wants to groan in protest.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan says curtly, inclining his head. He turns to face Anakin and his intentions could not be clearer: 'join me or leave' says the look on his face. Usually, Anakin would stay and stand behind his seat on the Council meetings like a loyal hound, but they have just come back from a long mission and he has places to be. One place, to be precise.
They communicate without words.
"Go now, Anakin," Obi-Wan says gently, if not with a hint of fond exasperation. "You have a friend you long to see, don't you?"
You have no idea how much, thinks Anakin but he simply nods in response and smiles in goodbye at his old master.
oOo
Out of all the planets he visited, Coruscant feels the most like home to Anakin.
It is a vibrant planet located within the Core Worlds region, always busy and a bit overwhelming, the home to some of the most important places travelers from all corners of the Galaxy can hope to visit. Not only beautiful but important; here, among the modern and advanced technologically skyscrapers, one can find the Monument Plaza, the Senate Building, and the main Jedi Temple. Behind the walls of those prodigious buildings the fate of the Galaxy is decided upon and shaped each and every day.
Coruscant is the beating heart of the Galaxy, the source of its light and hope - some even say that there is no need to look up to the stars in search of the answers to the mysteries of the future for it is all written upon the bright streets of the capital, always shining, visible from nearly every other planet.
It is also the place where Anakin Skywalker's heart lies.
Located on the top floors of the Senate Apartment Complex are the rooms reserved for Senator Amidala of Naboo. The resolute former queen of said planet, the voice of liberty for the Republic, the fiercest advocate of peace, and an accomplished politician. Yet, it is all meaningless; eclipsed by the title of Anakin Skywalker's wife.
When Anakin arrives at the apartment of Senator Amidala, the sun has already set. Though he has traveled far and wide through the space and seen many castles and palaces, none of them can even compare to Padme's elegant quarters. Apart from her home planet Naboo, it is his absolute favourite place.
He might be a bit biased because his eyes do not even bother looking at the many pieces of art adorning the walls, nor the ornate furniture, nor the breathtaking architecture. As soon as he jumps out of his speeder and his legs touch the balcony, he notices the small silhouette sitting on the king-size bed, delicate hand combing thick curls with a brush, and his heart lifts and his soul sings.
"Padme," he all but sighs and Senator Amidala turns around, a bit startled at first, but her face quickly lits up with a smile.
She stands up and blinks, bewildered, as though not believing her own eyes that he stands in front of her, divided only by the glass door of her balcony.
"Ani," she calls back, discards the brush on the bed without a second thought, and pushes the door open, all but running into his open arms. She fits perfectly against his chest, her head so close to his heart that speeds up as he wraps his hands around her. Her voice is soft as she speaks, "I was beginning to worry. I thought you'd be back by yesterday."
The hand that is not holding her waist settles on the back of her head. "I was supposed to but things rarely go according to plan. But, hey, I'm alright, and so is Obi-Wan. And the troops."
She pulls away slightly to look him in the face, and her eyebrows are drawn together in a lovely display of skepticism. He could stare at her for hours and never have enough.
"And how are things down there?" he adds cheerfully, determined to keep the mood light.
She glances over his shoulder and her gaze sharpens in a way that reminds him of her political persona, "You must already know. The holoNet's been broadcasting no other news since it happened. . . Chancellor Palpatine is missing."
He sighs, combing through her hair with his fingers, "I know. I have a rescue mission scheduled tomorrow morning."
She takes a step back, her eyes widening, and his hand falls onto her shoulder, "You're already leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning," he repeats, loosening his grip. "But I'll be back very soon."
He wants nothing more than to erase the look on her face the news has brought on. She sends him a meaningful glance and leads him inside the apartment, away from the prying eyes of the city, and only there he finally allows himself to kiss the frown away from her lips.
"It will be dangerous, won't it?" she puts her hand on his chest to hold him back but does not slip from his embrace. The devastation transforms into an expression of worry.
He brushes her hair from her forehead, "Not more dangerous than the others."
"But to kidnap the Chancellor from Coruscant, from right under Jedi's nose, with all of his security, they must be—"
"They were lucky," Anakin tells her. A ghost of an arrogant grin graces his features. "Lucky me and Obi-Wan weren't there."
She allows herself a small smile, "I wish I were as lucky as General Grievous so you could stay here. "
"I'll be back in a few days," he reassures her.
"That's what you said last time," she reminds him softly, "and we were apart for five months."
"No, that's different," he argues. "The separatists grow desperate; they know they're losing, they know the war is almost over. As soon as we capture Grievous, they will have abandoned all hope."
"I wish what you are saying were true," she hides her face on his chest.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing really. . . I'm just tired of this war," his silence prompts her to continue, "I used to feel like I could do something, anything; nowadays even that has been stripped off me," she does not need to glance at him to guess that he still does not understand. "The Chancellor keeps gaining power and, of course, I understand his motives, but the senate becomes less and less decisive, and it—I have a bad feeling about this. I trust Palpatine but the amount of power he has. . . no single man should have it."
"It's all for our safety, Padme."
"I know," she looks up into his face and for a moment her eyes seem haunted, "but nevermind me. We have only a few hours, don't we? No point in wasting time worrying."
He's not convinced but allows her to pull him towards the bed until both are sitting, wrapped in each other like there is nothing in the universe that could ever pull them apart. They are silent for a few beats, simply enjoying the other, unable to believe they are together again. In moments like those, which are nearly perfect in every way, he wishes she were a Force user so they could connect in that manner also. But he will never know the depth of her feelings and fears just as she will never understand the strength of his love and devotion, if not expressed by careful words and gentle touch.
"Be careful, please," Padme says suddenly, her voice pained by sorrow. "Don't do anything reckless. Don't endanger yourself."
"It will be alright," Anakin assures her and kisses her forehead. "I'll be with Obi-Wan."
oOo
Anakin Skywalker is many things but a liar is not one of them. Secrets and lies do not hold the same value to him - secrets are forgivable, even necessary, as everyone hides some parts of truth away from others. He will not feel guilty about his marriage; he refuses to associate such emotion with the joy that Padme brings him.
Every man has many faces, the ones they attempt to conceal, yet Anakin Skywalker is an open book, the many pages filled with others' impressions, his own clear of any deception.
Anakin has only two faces he acknowledges, his own and the other one that belongs to Obi-Wan. They are not really two different ones - rather two sides of one, like the half-happy half-despairing mask Anakin once glimpsed during a theatre play he attended with Chancellor Palpatine. Only together they are balanced.
So when he says, "I'll be with Obi-Wan," what he means is, "I'll be at my best."
He means that his recklessness will be tempered; that he will have someone he trusts to guard his back; that he will have his moral compass with him; that there will be light to drive away his darkness. Everything that he lacks will be provided to him. He means that he will win.
Others can say whatever they want to; attempt to place many masks over his face. And they do.
An unconventional Jedi knight. The best star pilot in the galaxy. A powerful and cunning warrior. The resolute commander of 501st Legion. A great and loyal friend.
The Chosen One. The Hero With No Fear.
The most powerful Jedi, yet the most un-Jedi-like.
Because this is also Anakin Skywalker.
Morphed from the pieces of an innocent slave, a reckless warrior, and a kind youth, stitched together by one and only Obi-Wan Kenobi, whose teachings are holding together this irregular fabric, full of contradicting elements and frying patches. Obi-Wan is the thread binding it whole.
To speak of Anakin Skywalker, one just cannot omit to mention Obi-Wan Kenobi.
One is the moon and the other a bright star in the Force, both inextricable like the two suns of Tatooine. Obi-Wan is soft where Anakin is rough, patient where Anakin is rash, calm where Anakin is temperamental. The mask is intact when they are together, everything is as it should be.
They are a team, they are the team. They would fight for each other, and they would die for each other. Everything made sense, even the seemingly pointless war, as long as they stayed together.
Unfortunate that, when surrounded by war, one must eventually choose a side.