110

Yoda paused at Padme's apartment door. He was deep in the abyss of his own mind, chewing gently on his gimer stick. The recent disclosure of Padme's nomination had left him startled, but altogether he couldn't surmise that it was ominous. In fact, Yoda viewed the situation as somewhat of a Godsend to the Galactic Republic. If anyone could withstand the brutal ethics of the Senate, it was her. She held a tough interior below the soft human skin, and he admired that.

The door slid open, revealing the luxurious interior of her apartment. As she had been for some time, Padme stood before the lengthy windows, staring out over the expanse of Coruscant. It was obvious that the events weighed heavily on her mind. But what Yoda didn't realize was that half of her worries were with Anakin in his absence. It would have been apparent, but it seemed that Anakin had leant a hand in blinding his and her love from the Jedi Council.

Yoda waddled down the stairs, taking them gently one at a time, until he made his way across the plush carpet to the window. He gazed out the window with her, watching a small blast line of a starship leaving the atmosphere.

"Much surprise, this nomination has come to."

She nodded, rapt in what went by the window. "Yes. I don't know if I'm quite ready for it, Master Yoda."

Yoda's eyes closed, musing the entire galaxy of events. When Padme finally moved her eyes to him, she was overwhelmed with the sense of wisdom that irradiated from him. He was a walking library of thoughts. She understood why he was at the head of the Jedi Council.

"What are your thoughts on this subject, Master Jedi?"

"Hesitant you may be, but light to the Republic it has given." He leaned upon his gimer stick, pondering quietly over what his next words would be. "Our last hope for civilization, you are. See great things for the Republic I do." He watched her. He could feel her fear and hesitance. "Stand upon your shoulders, the Universe does, and support you the Council does."

"I want what everyone wants," She mumbled. "But I wonder if I can lead the entire Universe."

"Fear you should not. Bright things I see for you."

Obi-Wan sat adjacent to Anakin, meditating deeply within the caverns of Ilum. Anakin traveled between the sands of time and reality, penetrating the rings of darkness that surrounded Padme's mystery. Within meditation, he came to a gateway lined with light. It opened to his mere touch, and he expected to find the key, but what lay before him was quite different. It was the dragon. The insatiable dragon that had been wrenching in his soul for months. The dragon sat silent, peering out from the sparkling darkness with red eyes. It chortled, devouring Anakin's fear. Anakin varied his path this time, feeling a much deeper connection with the force, and let go of the fear. He was a Jedi, strong and proud, and nothing was going to stop him from saving Padme. Not a Sith Lord, not fate, and most certainly not a fell beast from within. With a smile, he ignited his mental lightsaber, and it sang forth not blue but in an array of colors, far more powerful than had ever been wielded before.

"Come forth, Dragon. We have unfinished business."

The beast didn't move, but hissed. "Even stars die."

At Anakin's side appeared Obi-Wan. He looked deep into Anakin's eyes, but said nothing. A simple nod was his only words. And they were more potent than any words that could have escaped his mouth. With a final sigh and the same smile that Obi-Wan knew well, Anakin leapt forth into the darkness, saber blade singing.

Obi-Wan watched as Anakin did battle with the beast. He could only see the red eyes swaying back and forth, and the multi colored blade of Anakin's swinging. Obi-Wan was to sit out this battle. It was Anakin's dragon, and Anakin's mental state at risk. Besides, Obi-Wan thought, Anakin isn't doing too shabby against the beast.

With a final downward stab, Anakin felled the beast, driving his saber through the skull. With a horrifying moan, the red eyes dwindled and disappeared. The beast was gone, taking it's fear and worry with it.

Suddenly, before Anakin was a ray of light. It increased slowly, as if drifting from afar, and quickly, hit Anakin with the force of a Dewback.

Anakin slid across the ice floor, thrown from his meditation. He slammed into the wall, but no moan came from him. His face was alight with happiness.

Obi-Wan returned from meditation shortly afterward, and watched Anakin. Whatever malaise the boy was under, it had been lifted. The light returned to Anakin's face.

"Everything is as it should be," Anakin sighed, rubbing the bruises that were sure to come.

Within himself, he had seen a revelation of all revelations. Padme was having twins! When the light sprang forth from the shadow, he saw two children. A boy and a girl. This is what brought forth the light in his face. The conclusion to Padme's ordeal had only set him back at zero, but the twins were something to behold. He gazed at the floor for a long time before looking up at Obi-Wan.

"I think we can go home now, Master." He smiled brightly.

As they were exiting the hovel through the small hole, Obi-Wan groaned. "Why couldn't I have reached inner peace?"