Ch. 17
"Where is Anakin? We can't hold them off forever!" Shouted Mace Windu, as he, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi continued to deflect blasts from the Clone troops, attempting to block the troops from the entrance into the Senate buildings. "We have to get to Palpatine now!"
The other two Jedi Masters heartily agreed, but it all depended on how fast Anakin Skywalker could get there. Obi-Wan just hoped that Anakin wasn't torn between leaving Padme and aiding them. He knew that the other Masters guessed that the alleged 'rumor' was actually very true, but he didn't think they understood the extent of Anakin's feelings for Padme. Obi-Wan knew his former Padawan had been almost obsessed with Padme since he was a boy, and now that they had let him in on their secret he could see the passion in Anakin's eyes when he looked at his wife. He knew that she was good for Anakin on a personal level- she could control his impulsiveness, as well as his occasional rage, and she also was able to just ignore Anakin when he was being immature or childish. However, he didn't know if the couple would be able to prove that the relationship was good for them in terms of their work, and he knew that Anakin would have to do so if he wanted to remain on the Council.
For now, Obi-Wan knew he had to stop worrying about this and just hope that Anakin would get there soon. It was true that they couldn't hold of the clones forever. There were hundreds of them, and they greatly outnumbered the Jedi. So far, the Jedi were holding their own and hundreds of clones had already fallen, but just by sheer numbers the clones would win this war unless they could get to their leader. Yoda believed that this leader was Chancellor Palpatine, that Palpatine was the Sith lord whom they had been looking for. Frankly, Obi-Wan agreed, but he knew it would be difficult to convince Anakin.
"It will be difficult to convince Anakin of the Chancellor's betrayal," Obi Wan said warily.
"Need to convince him, we do not," said Yoda, as they still whipped around blocking blasts and trying to hide behind the pillars. "Proof he will give us. Try to turn Anakin, the Chancellor will."
This was news to Obi-Wan. He knew that Anakin and the Chancellor had been friends, but he didn't think the relationship was intimate enough for Palpatine to turn Anakin to the Dark Side. This worried him greatly, for there were many things a Sith could say to a young and impulsive Jedi that would convince him to turn. And if Palpatine knew about Padme… Obi-Wan knew Anakin was in trouble. His friend's heart was pure, but he had many qualities of the Dark Side already in him. Obi-Wan just hoped that whatever 'proof' Yoda was looking for would be found soon, and Anakin wouldn't have to suffer the mental tribulation of battling between light and dark in his mind.
Anakin Skywalker ran outside of the Jedi temple, and stopped, his breath caught in his throat. He saw maybe a couple hundred Jedi, scattered throughout what had to be a thousand or more clone troops. He suddenly doubted seriously the confidence that Obi-Wan had held earlier. They were losing this battle, and Padme and the Younglings would not be safe for much longer.
A blast nicked Anakin in the shoulder. "Sith!" He yelled, grabbing his arm and igniting his light saber. He examined the wound while deflecting more blasts using purely the Force, and found it was just a superficial scrape. He charged into the mess, killing every clone trooper in his path. How were they going to defeat all of these troops? Jedi were far more powerful and skilled, but there were so many of their enemies! He hoped that Obi-Wan had some sort of plan to put into action.
Worried about the vulnerable ones up in the temple, Anakin pulled a young Jedi aside forcefully.
"Master Skywalker," said the Jedi, confused and slightly out of breath. "Can I help you?"
"Has anyone been asked to go up to the High Council room to protect the Younglings?" Anakin asked.
"We were under the impression that you were doing that."
"Master Kenobi just called me to come meet him at the Senate… can you go up there?"
"I suppose so sir, let me just clear it with Master-"
Anakin interrupted him. "I will clear it, you are under my orders now to go up and protect the Younglings. Senator Amidala is up there too. She may well be the last remaining uncorrupted senator after last nights attacks, so keep her safe."
The man gave Anakin a funny look.
"The headline this morning was a rumor," started Anakin, but the Jedi kept looking at him incredulously. Anakin realized it was no use, especially since he would be up in the room with the fifty Younglings who knew the truth. "All right, if I tell you its true will you please just go? And tell no one else. We're going to tell everyone after this war, but for now we need to focus on fighting. No go, before someone gets to them."
"Yes Master," the young man said, obviously surprised and honored with Anakin's honesty. He began to rush up the stairs into the Temple.
Anakin pulled him back, more softly this time. "And please," he begged, "Keep her safe."
The young Jedi nodded and raced up the stairs, killing two clone troopers in his path. Anakin couldn't help but notice the promise in this young man, and made a mental note to pay more attention to him after the war. If the Council allowed Anakin to remain in the Order, that is.
Yoda, Mace, and Obi-Wan were tiring of holding off the storm troopers. They were allowing themselves to be pushed further into the Senate buildings, already weary of this battle knowing that it could only end with the destruction of Palpatine, presuming he was the man behind their betrayal.
Finally, they saw a green light saber striking down clones that were entering the temple, and Anakin's head popped up at the top of the stairs.
"Hello, Masters," said Anakin cheerfully. "Who are we going to be fighting now?"
"Anakin," Obi Wan began, but then turned to Yoda, "Yoda, if I may, I would like to be the one to explain this to Anakin."
"Yes, explain you may," Yoda consented, "but hurry."
Obi-Wan pulled Anakin into a safer hallway.
"Anakin, is Padme all right? And the Younglings?" He asked, genuinely concerned.
"Yes, I sent a young Jedi who seemed very talented up to protect them. And Obi-Wan," Anakin paused, "I told him the truth, he asked me, point blank. We told the Younglings too, I couldn't leave Padme without saying a proper goodbye anyway. We're going to let this all out after the war."
"That's probably for the best Anakin, but save it until a few weeks after peace has begun, because there will be several matters to get into order both for you as a Jedi and for Padme as a Senator… I will try to keep the secret safe until then as well."
"Obi-Wan," Anakin paused, putting his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, "Thank you so much."
"Of course Anakin, I only wish you had come to me sooner. Now, about what's going on, there's no time for me to gloss over this so you're just going to have to accept it, though it will be hard for you."
Anakin looked concerned. "What's wrong Master?"
"Anakin, Yoda has reason to believe that Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord, and is behind the sudden attack of the clones."
Anakin stared at Obi-Wan, and felt that cursed 'rage' seizing him again. He tried to control it, knowing he would only be proving their point if he allowed it to surface, but he was so angry. They never had trusted him, never trusted Palpatine, the one man who had been Anakin's friend- and now this.
Obi Wan saw what was coming, and backed up slightly, putting his hand on his light saber.
"Anakin, control yourself. Search your feelings- you know he has said things to you- he is untrustworthy. Please, Anakin."
Suddenly, Anakin saw that fear that singed his soul back in Obi-Wan's eyes, that same fear he had seen in Padme's and the Younglings eyes, as well as Obi-Wan's, back in the cafeteria. Suddenly, he just let his anger float away. It was extremely refreshing, just letting it go, and he realized that he wanted to trust his Master and the other Jedi, the people who had raised him, no matter what.
Shocked, Anakin realized his hand was already on his light saber and was about to draw it. He hadn't even realized it- that was how all consuming his anger was. But he moved it away. "Yes, I understand. What do you need me to do?"
Obi-Wan looked at him, honestly surprised. Maybe, finally Anakin had grown up. And maybe marriage and impending fatherhood had helped- maybe they really would be able to convince the Council this was a good thing. Without hesitating further, he explained to Anakin the reasons for their doubt, and that they wanted him to talk to Palpatine as if nothing was wrong.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said awkwardly, "he may try to… try to turn you."
"What?" Anakin asked.
"He will feed off of your… impulsiveness, and…"
"Obi-Wan, I am working hard to get rid of that. If I am going to be a Jedi Master, I am going to act like one. I promise you, I will not let you down." Anakin sounded confident, but Obi-Wan could feel the conflict in him.
"I believe in you Anakin," Obi-Wan reassured the young man, "Just don't let your emotions get the better of you. Just remember your duty. We know you can do this, call us as soon as you have him angry enough that you think he will begin to fight, that way, we will know for sure that he is a Sith, and we will all attack him together. Now go." As he watched Anakin nod confidently and walk away to the Chancellor's office, he hoped to himself that Anakin would be able to handle the situation. The boy was too passionate in every way- a Sith would be very powerful next to such emotion. He kept his mind very focused on Anakin's feelings as he joined the others to fight. If Anakin became too conflicted, he would be up there right away to help his closest friend.
Yoda approached him, sensing his feelings. "Successful, Young Skywalker will be," he assured Obi Wan. "Reckless, yes, Passionate, yes. He will waver, yes, but pure his heart is. Believe in him, I did not, but of late a powerful ally has he been. A great Jedi, Young Skywalker is. And a Sith we will not let him be."
"The minute we feel the Dark Side grow strong, we will run up there. Palpatine won't even have time to push Anakin's feelings over the edge." Said Mace.
"In the meantime," Obi Wan replied, "How will we handle this?"
He motioned to all of the clones swarming the city, scattered in between them were Jedi trying to hold them off. The Masters faces were grave, wanting to help but knowing their job was here.
Yoda sighed. "Rely on the Chosen One, the fate of Coruscant does."
Obi-Wan and Mace turned to Yoda. This was the first time any of the other Masters had ever called Anakin 'The Chosen One.' Obi-Wan wasn't sure he had even believed it himself.
Yoda sensed his surprise, knowing that Obi-Wan himself had doubted the truth of the prophecy. "When realize I did that Palpatine was the enemy, understood, I did, the prophecy to be true. I now believe, as Qui-Gon did, that bring balance to the Force, Anakin Skywalker will. Soon, shall we know for sure."