Disclaimer: Characters are not the property of the author but of George Lucas.
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Chapter 13: Proposal
Obi-wan Kenobi was both nervous and anxious about this mission. It had been a long time since he had been on a solo mission of any sort of description, but now he was on a special assignment for the alliance. A high-ranking imperial who refused to reveal who they were wished to discuss terms of defection, however whoever it was also wished only to meet with only Obi-wan himself to discuss these terms. The other alliance leaders felt that this was an elaborate trap. Obi-wan however felt that it was not. Something in the force told him that this was a genuine offer. Besides his importance to the alliance was in his ability to operate in missions like this, it would be no more dangerous than if they sent him on some recon assignment on Coruscant.
Obi-wan scanned the Cantina he had arrived at on Nar Shadda. The Smuggler's Moon, as it was known to some, was neutral territory in Hutt Space. A hooded figure sat at a table far from the entrance, face completely hidden from every other being in the cantina. Obi-wan sensed that this was who he was to meet. Obi-wan went across the room to join the figure keeping his senses on high alert in case this was a trap.
"Terrible spaceport back up," Obi-wan said, which was an agreed upon code.
"I wouldn't know Master Kenobi," the figure said, the voice distorted so that Obi-wan couldn't distinguish who it was, or even gender. "I arrived on the planet illegally."
"Look," Obi-wan said, "If you're looking to defect to the alliance it would help a great deal if we knew who you were."
"I can't do that," the figure said, "She'd never stop hunting me if she found out. She'd kill me."
"Who? Empress Amidaala?" Obi-wan asked.
"Of course."
"Oh I don't think you'd have to fear that," Obi-wan said. "We can protect you."
"You can't," the figure said, "I need her. But I don't want her."
Obi-wan regarded the figure before him with some confusion, then comprehension dawned upon him.
"Anakin?" Obi-wan asked slowly.
The figure slowly pulled back his hood and removed a voice disguiser, to reveal that he was indeed Anakin.
"It's been along time Master," he said with a sad look on his face.
"Why are you here?" Obi-wan asked.
"Because I want to get away from her," Anakin said, "But I can't. Not even you can help me."
"What's brought about this sudden change in heart?" Obi-wan asked, "Before you were looking for nothing but revenge for my kidnapping of your children, for holding you back, for all of you short comings."
"I realize that I was at error," Anakin replied. "You were right to take the children from us. I have seen what my anger has caused, I've seen all the suffering I've caused and I want to end it. I want to set it right. Palpatine was keeping me in a constant state of anger and hate, but since he is now gone that's dissipated."
"And what about Padme?" Obi-wan asked.
"She's relishing her new position of power," Anakin said, "She feeding off all the suffering she's causing. She's bathing in the power of the dark side. She's become a monster."
"I see," Obi-wan said.
"But despite how much I despise what she has become I still need her," Anakin said, "All my life, ever since I met her, all I have ever wanted is to be loved by her."
"And you can't bring yourself to realize that she no longer loves you in return?" Obi-wan asked.
"No," Anakin said, "Because I believe that she does love me still. It's just that she loves the power she's gained even more. It makes her happy, and you know I'll do anything to make her happy."
Obi-wan nodded in agreement, "So what do you want me to do? You've left almost no options for me."
"I want you to tamper with my memories," Anakin said, "Make me forget everything I've ever done or known. I want to be a brand new person."
Obi-wan face showed concern, "That's a very drastic idea you're suggesting," Obi-wan said.
"I can't bring myself to commit suicide," Anakin said, "And I know that you can't kill me. Our battles in the past have shown that. I can't just let myself get killed. This is my only option out, please. You've got to help me."
Obi-wan regarded Anakin's pleading face for a very long while, not saying anything just contemplating the consequences of his actions.
"I can't help you," Obi-wan said.
Anakin's face fell.
"But I know somebody who can," Obi-wan finished. "Come let's leave this place and go see him."
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Obi-wan and Anakin stepped out their landspeeder and approached the tiny, dusty hut in the middle of the Tatooine wastes.
"Master Yoda," Obi-wan called, "I have brought a guest."
The familiar figure of Yoda appeared in the doorway. He looked Anakin up and down.
"Unusual choice of guest," Yoda said.
"It is good to see you again Master Yoda," Anakin said bowing.
"Can we step inside?" Obi-wan asked, "I believe a sand storm is coming."
"Yes, yes please enter," Yoda said.
Obi-wan and Anakin crawled into Yoda's little hut and sat around the small table in the middle of the main room. Obi-wan then explained Anakin's plan. When he was finished Yoda muttered to himself a bit as he contemplated what he had just been told.
"Well?" Anakin asked, with a puppy dog look on his face.
"Dangerous this is." Yoda said.
Obi-wan nodded, "There is a possibility you could go insane if both your original personality is brought back."
"Can't you protect against that?" Anakin asked.
"Permanent, the mind is." Yoda replied, "Suppressed your mind will be, but not erased."
Anakin nodded, "It's a risk I'm willing to take to rid myself of this nightmare that my life has become."
"Then lie down," Yoda instructed, "When you awaken you won't remember any of this."
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Hmmm, you thought Anakin was going to try and get back with Padme didn't you? Well I never said he didn't try now did I? Read and Review to find out what happens, and what Anakin's new memories are.