The dreams
The first thing Anakin knew was that he was alone. The darkness around him was so thick that the Jedi couldn't even see the tips of his fingers. Anakin heard muffled murmurs that seemed to get closer and closer until he could finally understand what they were saying.
"Anakin" called the first voice, soft and kind.
"Young Skywalker" said the second, harsh and grave.
"The son of the twin suns" finished a third, low like that of an old man.
The three voices circled around him, as if their owners were running in circles above him.
"Come"
"Come with us"
"Come find us"
Anakin struggled to find out where they were coming from, but to no avail. The three voices continued whispering, in the same order that they had spoken the first time.
"The Republic is dying Anakin"
"Slowly dying"
"Painfully"
"You are the only one who can save her"
"The only "
"The chosen one"
The darkness seemed to dissipate a bit and a small red light appeared in front of him. It took Anakin a couple of seconds to realize it was a planet, one he had never seen.
"Anakin, meet us"
" Find the wisdom"
"Knowledge"
"The power"
Anakin tried to reach out his hand, but just as he was about to touch that huge red sphere, he felt himself fall into a bottomless pit.
Anakin opened his eyes and lit his lightsaber cautiously, ready to face whatever threat was near. But he quickly calmed down when he realized where he was. It was Padme's room, not some bleak, dark place. And he was not at the bottom of a well, but in the bed of the Naboo senator. A sense of guilt crossed his chest as he realized the enormous scandal he had made in the middle of the night and calmly put off his precious weapon, while cautiously looking at the woman next to him. Luckily for him, Padme seemed to be in a deep sleep and hadn't been bothered by him nightmares. For a moment, Anakin forgot about his strange dream and was mesmerized by the beauty of the sleeping senator.
He remembered the first time he had seen her on Tatooine and how he had told Wald, his best friend, that one day he would marry her. And he still planned to keep that promise. They had been sneaking out for almost three years, which for Anakin had been the best of his life. It didn't matter how difficult it was to see each other sometimes, or how brief their encounters used to be. Anakin loved her more than his own life and would have done anything to see her happy. Even resign from the Jedi order if necessary.
Remembering the Order hopelessly brought his dream back to mind. Trying to find some peace, Anakin took one of the robes and carefully got out of bed. Once he made sure Padme was still asleep, he walked into the room near the hangar, a place where he used to relax and unwind. But this time, hid attempts to distract himself were futile.
To whom did those voices belong? There was one that had become known to him, but sadly his memories seemed to be blocked. That planet he had seen was also quite strange. He couldn't recall ever seeing a planet like that in his lessons as a Padawan, and he was sure its record didn't even exist in the Jedi Temple.
How was he supposed to find it? Or even more important, should he try to find it? Doubts filled his head and the young Jedi knight looked up at the stars, trying to decipher the answers.
Ahsoka jumped out of bed when she felt the violent jolt that woke her from her deep sleep. She instinctively got into a fighting stance, only to see a sleepy Obi-Wan visibly upset.
"Where is Anakin?" he asked in a tired but arrogant voice.
"Am I supposed to know?" Ahsoka replied sarcastically, annoyed that she was woken up just for that. Obi-Wan didn't seem to like her answer.
"Yes, you should" growled the Jedi Master. Ahsoka restrained herself from giving him a good slap for his arrogance.
"I'm not his babysitter" she replied as calmly as she could.
"You are his Padawan" he replied simply. Ahsoka bit her lip trying to keep her cool. Obi-Wan was wearing out his patience.
"And you are his master!" she yelled at him, still struggling to contain herself. Obi-Wan was about to laugh wryly.
" Thanks for nothing, Ahsoka"
The togruta's fists clenched in anger. Obi-Wan was being a complete idiot and Ahsoka had no intention of putting up with him any longer.
"Maybe if you weren't so busy attacking him, you could pay more attention to what he does" he said in the most serious voice he had ever used. Obi-Wan stopped just before walking through the door.
"What did you say?" he asked angrily. Anyone would have been scared by the stern look Master Kenobi had in his eyes, but not Ahsoka. She'd seen more terrifying looks and to be honest, Obi-Wan had her fed up.
"What you heard. Anakin no longer trusts you and that's why it's no wonder you don't know where you are. If I were him, I wouldn't even bother going back" she told him with brutal honesty. Obi-Wan sighed heavily and begged the Force for help. He felt Anakin's rebellion in Ahsoka, a rebellion he believed he had rid himself of after his former apprentice was knighted. Apparently he was wrong.
"You don't understand the Council's reasons" he said almost with pity, as if he really felt it. But Ahsoka wasn't going to give up her rage so easily.
"You don't understand the Council's reasons" he said almost with pity, as if he really felt it. But Ahsoka wasn't going to give up her rage so easily.
"And you don't understand his reasons. Anakin feels tied up and angry. And instead of supporting him, you stab him in the back," she reproached him. Obi-Wan had been the culprit for Anakin's bad mood, without a doubt. His master could bear the Council against him, but not Obi-Wan. This was not the first argument that master and apprentice had had for that reason, but it had definitely been one of the worst. Anakin would probably still be upset the next day.
"I only do what the Council ordered. Anakin can't get into conflict around there irresponsibly" Obi-Wan continued. He really had nothing against his apprentice, he just hoped Anakin would understand that he couldn't do what he wanted, not without first consulting with his superiors. "Bye, Master Kenobi" Ahsoka said through her teeth as she pointed to the door. Obi-Wan tried to protest, but decided not to. He did not want to continue fighting without sense, he was tired and Anakin was definitely not in the temple. All his sermons and speeches could wait until the next day. "Good evening Ahsoka" he said goodbye politely. But she still wasn't willing to make amends.
"Go away" she said curtly. Obi-Wan sighed again before leaving the room