Eternal Balance II: Chapter 3
By Allied to Darkness
A/N: Yay! Quick update! Yep, I just had to write this ASAP. It's kinda short…Thank you for all the great review once again! And what could be better than a quick update? Read and find out! R'n'R!
Anakin let his mind wander as various members of the council walked ahead of him, conversing. Most were heading back to their respective quarters; he on the other hand wasn't ready to return to his own. They had requested he go to the temple to meet with them, which he immediately complied. But as they droned on and on about the issues of the republic, he was starting to rethink his decision. After all, it was same conversation each time. So enveloped in his own thoughts, the Jedi had hardly noticed someone walking beside him.
"Anakin?" a voice beside him questioned.
He turned to see Obi Wan giving him a worried stare. "Yes, Master?"
"You seem troubled," the Jedi Master stated.
Anakin shook his head slightly. "I'm alright."
"Then please pay attention," Obi Wan replied in a whisper.
Anakin nodded. "I'm sorry, Master."
The Masters continued their incredibly dull discussion as the younger Jedi tried to listen.
With her robe held tightly in her arms and her old tunics on, Akaia very much resembled any ordinary Jedi. Before entering the temple, she pinned her hair up, a few black strands coming loose. Good enough, she thought, hoping it was enough to fool the Jedi. As long as I don't have to kill anyone. She was about to step in when a Jedi and padawan walked out. She stood there, frozen in her spot for a moment. Not missing a beat, she nodded a greeting as they did as well and went on their way. As nonchalant as possible, she entered the temple. Slowing her pace, she looked around with a slight smile tugging at her lips. Just like in my memories…in my dreams…
Not particularly looking where she was going, the next thing she knew she bumped into someone. She glanced up quickly, finding an older woman speaking with a young girl. Akaia took a step back. "Sorry."
"It's quite alright," the middle aged woman answered with a smile. "For the record, I admit I was not paying attention either." Her good-natured gaze turned into confusion. "Are from this area? I'm not certain I recognize you."
Akaia smiled politely. "Actually I am new here. I just came from the temple on Alderaan." She hated lying to woman, but knew there was no other choice.
"Well then welcome to Coruscant…" the woman trailed off.
"Sunda Xaeas," Akaia gave the false name.
The woman nodded a goodbye. "It was nice meeting you, Sunda." As she started walking away, she called to the young girl to catch up. "Hurry, Haylyn."
The girl walked quickly in the woman's direction. "Yes, Master."
Akaia watched them walk into the distance and then continued in her own direction.
Anakin stopped for a moment. He could sense something…drawing near. The Masters stopped as well, all glancing at the young man. He looked down the hall they had come from and back. Obi Wan's brow furrowed. "Is something wrong, Anakin?"
The Jedi Knight's gaze went to the Masters. "It was nothing."
What's going on? He thought as they moved on.
As the night went on and her search grew tiresome, she had finally found the room she had been looking so diligently for. Passing the security holograms, she found row after row of recordings.
"Hello?" she called out, receiving no answer. She tried again, just in case. "Is anyone here?"
She unpinned her hair, letting in fall in her face. Untangling the cloak from her arms, she quickly put it back on, raising the hood. If anyone else finds me, it'll be the end them. She cringed at the very thought, but decided it was for the 'greater good'.
She passed aisle after aisle of recordings, none of which were recent in the least. Her eyes scanning row by row, one finally caught them. It was not the council meeting she had been searching for, but she was convinced it was much more important…to her, anyway.
A bit on edge, Anakin walked beside Obi Wan down the hallway. Making their way towards the entrance of the temple, they both stopped. The Jedi Master gave his former padawan a sad smile. "I understand how difficult things were for you today…I have not forgotten either."
"I know, Master." He stared intently at the floor. "It's the same each year…I hope you'll be able to forgive me."
Obi Wan placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "There's nothing to forgive, my friend. Just get some rest." With one last encouraging look the Jedi Master took his leave.
Anakin remained inside the temple, now looking back down the hall. It seemed as if something was calling to him. Whatever it was, good or bad, he had already decided to follow it to wherever it led.
It may not have been anything more that a hologram, but it was more than enough to put a genuine smile on her face. There, among the archives, Akaia stood there watching the Knighting of Anakin Skywalker. It was quite a sight; as the council stood around, Obi Wan ignited his lightsaber and in one quick slash, sliced off his padawan's braid. Anakin caught it and looked down at it for a moment. It was official. He had become a Jedi Knight. Akaia gazed sadly at him, blinking back tears. "…I'm so proud of you…I wish I could've been there…"
She closed the hologram and moved on towards the end, still looking for the most recent council meeting. The next aisle down, she neared the end of her search, checking date after date. Finally, there it was recorded just yesterday. She pulled it out, listening carefully to the Jedi Masters. Taking a second glance at one of the members, she saw Obi Wan sitting in a chair of his own. Obi Wan's a master? Has it really been that long?
The meeting dragged on as each member gave their input in the situation at hand. Apparently they were discussing the Chancellor and his over-involvement in the council recently. One member had a notion to try and take away some of his power in the senate. I couldn't agree more.
Seconds later, she heard the door behind her slide open and the steady sound of footsteps grow closer. Before they took another step forward, Akaia immediately grabbed the hilt of her lightsaber and switched it on, the red light blazing out of it.
She then heard the stranger's lightsaber switch on. Wrong move, Jedi.
She backed up a few steps, raising her lightsaber with both hands.
Her instincts kicking in, she felt the stranger's blade slashing toward her. In one quick move, she spun around, her blade horizontal as it clashed with the Jedi's. Due to turning so quickly, her hood fell off.
Staring at the man before her, her eyes widened in shock. She couldn't move; she felt like she was frozen, numb even. All because she found herself gazing into those amazing blue eyes, matching her expression.
"…Anakin?"
TBC
A/N: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YAY! Woo hoo! What better than a quick update? An update like that! Or maybe another quick update, ya never know!
PS: Read this version of RotS! I found it and couldn't stop laughing! www . quizilla . com / users / spagettio / quizzes
Without the spaces of course.
It'll say 'The REAL Revenge of the Sith'. Hope you guys go read it! Oh and please read the Shmoopy Files…I'll give you an Anakin clone if you do! Okay bye!