Spoilers: Still no new spoilers. :)

Disclaimer: Anakin's mine now, and I'm not giving him back.

A/N: Once again, I hope you enjoy this, and please let me know what you think!

Slipping Into Darkness

Chapter 20

Light and dark covered the city below, battling to dominate the many corridors and passageways that made up Coruscant. Every few minutes, a ship would pass by and the rays from the late afternoon sun would reflect off the mirrored surface, dispelling yet another shadow. For a time, Anakin was lost in his own thoughts as he sat by the window in his room, the display reminding him of the struggle between light and dark that he had found in his own soul.

As he watched, an endless number of ships passed by, the traffic patterns never wavering in their steady rhythm, and Anakin couldn't help but wonder where the various transports were headed. So many ships and so many destinations…so many possible futures.

But what, he wondered, would his own future hold now? The darkness had been driven back, and Palpatine could no longer threaten the galaxy. However, Anakin knew that the darkness still existed and always would. Palpatine had not been the source of evil, he had merely been its most powerful servant. Darkness itself lived in the hearts of all beings, waiting to strike once again, striving to overcome the light that fought it. And Anakin knew that his own heart was no different. That knowledge unsettled his spirit. The Light had won this battle, but there would be others. What if at some point, he could no longer resist the lure of the Dark Side? At once, the peace Anakin had felt after his conversation with Padmé began to fade.

"Anakin?" a voice called quietly, drawing him from his reflection.

The young knight turned and was surprised to find Obi-Wan standing in the doorway of his room, concern showing clearly on his features. Anakin had been so absorbed in his own thoughts that he hadn't even sensed his former Master's approach.

"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked after a moment.

"Yes, Master. I'm fine. I was…distracted."

The elder Jedi nodded, accepting the answer, though Anakin could see a small flicker of doubt in his eyes. However he didn't press him any further, and instead moved to take a chair across from Anakin's.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better," Anakin answered with a small smile. "The healers tell me I should be released in a few days. I look forward to being able to return to duty."

Now it was Obi-Wan's turn to smile. "I know the feeling well." A small glint of humor lit his former Master's eyes. "In truth, I have always been amazed by how slowly time passes in the healing ward. During my stays here, I have often been tempted to ask if the space-time continuum is disrupted in this part of the Temple."

Anakin smiled at the comment, but as he turned back to the Coruscant skyline, his earlier train of thought returned. Even thinking of his children's rapidly approaching birth didn't seem to dispel his dread. In a way, thoughts of his family only added to the burden that now lay upon his heart. If he fell in the future, what would it mean for those he loved?

Obi-Wan had obviously noticed the solemn expression that passed over Anakin's face. "Anakin, what is it?"

The young Jedi looked down, trying to find words to express what he was feeling. Finally, in a voice no louder than a whisper, Anakin asked, "What if it wasn't enough?" He forced his gaze to meet Obi-Wan's. "What if even after everything, the darkness wins?"

The question remained between them for a time, its enormity seeming to fill the small room in which they sat. The young Jedi saw a myriad of emotions play across his former Master's face as he too turned to stare into the city. After a moment, Obi-Wan turned back to Anakin and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Darkness is always there, Anakin. As Jedi, we cannot change that. We can only pledge to always fight against it." Obi-Wan gave Anakin's shoulder a gentle squeeze and smiled. "Know this, Anakin: you have won your battle. Sidious was a threat to all that is good, but you stood against him. You defeated him, and in doing so, you saved countless lives."

Anakin glanced down once again, acknowledging his Master's point, yet he found himself unwilling to accept it. Perhaps his Master was right, but he couldn't forgive himself for what he had nearly done. He had come so close to falling, so close to embracing the darkness within his spirit, a darkness which would always remain within his reach. How could he ever truly be sure that he wouldn't be tempted again?

When he didn't answer, Obi-Wan spoke once more.

"Anakin, you have done what you were meant to do. You brought balance to the Force, saving both the Republic and the Order." His Master's smile brightened. "Words can't begin to express how proud I am of you. I will always consider it my greatest honor to have once been called your Master."

Normally, such a statement would have filled Anakin with joy, but now, as he considered his failings, the words seemed to hit him like a physical blow. His heart twisted in pain as his Master's visage suddenly seemed to shift before his eyes, becoming illuminated by the flaming glow of lava. Once more, he saw the sorrow and betrayal that had shown in the familiar blue eyes. I have failed you, Anakin. I have failed you.

Anakin turned away, attempting to shut his eyes against the vision, but the barrage of images continued: Obi-Wan drawing his saber, grimly stating, I will do what I must… His Master jumping from the fiery river onto the bank, then pleading, Don't try it… The flash of his sapphire blade, impossibly fast… Obi-Wan turning his back and walking away, leaving Anakin for the flames, a punishment he deserved…

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, worry evident in his voice.

Turning back to his Master, yet unable to meet his gaze, Anakin spoke quietly. "I don't deserve your praise. I am not worthy of it."

Immediately, Obi-Wan's brow furrowed in concern, and Anakin could sense his confusion, but he turned away before Obi-Wan could speak.

Silence fell between them, and yet it was a silence brimming with unspoken questions. Anakin waited, wishing that Obi-Wan would not ask this discussion of him, yet he knew that he could not avoid it. Obi-Wan deserved answers, just as Padmé had. He deserved to know that someone he trusted, someone he called a son, brother, and friend had nearly turned against him.

Finally, Obi-Wan voiced the question which Anakin had been expecting.

"Why do you say that? How are you unworthy?"

Anakin drew in a breath, trying to calm his spirit and find the words he would need to respond. "Because, Master," he answered in the same hushed tone Obi-Wan had used, "I was going to betray you."

Obi-Wan felt an intense wave of shock and disbelief sweep through him as Anakin spoke. His own voice seemed to have left him as he tried to accept his former apprentice's statement, words which he had never thought he would hear. He tried to think of a way to answer, but his mind refused to form any reply.

Anakin seemed to sense this, and spoke once again, his own voice harsh with emotion. "That was my vision, Master. I was going to betray the Jedi."

As Anakin looked down, Obi-Wan could sense the incredible shame and pain he felt from this terrible admission. But, Obi-Wan could also sense that there was a great deal he didn't yet know, so he remained silent, waiting for Anakin to continue.

The young Jedi bowed his head. "I have kept many secrets from you, Master. But first, you must know that Padmé is my wife."

This last declaration, a fact which Obi-Wan had grown to suspect, finally enabled him to find his voice once again. "I know," he said softly.

Anakin looked up quickly in surprise. "How long?" he wondered.

"I suppose I have known for some time, but I did not wish to admit it to myself." Obi-Wan managed a small smile. "When were you married?"

"After Geonosis, when I escorted Padmé home."

The Jedi Master nodded. He had expected as much.

"She is with child," Anakin said quietly, "twins."

Obi-Wan remembered Padmé sitting in the Temple when they had brought Anakin to the healers on the morning of his vision. He had noticed the young senator trying to hide her pregnant form beneath the folds of her robe. He paused, thinking of the joy she had brought to Anakin's life. He knew that she would be a wonderful mother, and that Anakin would be a wonderful father.

"Congratulations, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him sincerely.

For an instant, a smile returned to his former Padawan's face, but it faded just as quickly, only to be replaced with a deep look of sorrow. A wave of understanding swept through Obi-Wan as he watched the young man.

"She was part of your vision, wasn't she?"

Anakin nodded mutely, a dark cloud passing over his gaze.

"In my vision, I was dreaming about her the same way I used to dream about my mother, before she…" The words seemed to catch in Anakin's throat, and Obi-Wan watched as he forced himself to continue. "I couldn't let it happen…I couldn't lose her." The young man turned to look into the skyline, his voice dropping once again. "Palpatine offered me a way to save her."

As soon as those words tumbled from Anakin's lips, the terrible realization of what that statement implied struck Obi-Wan. He couldn't stop the horror and dread that this knowledge caused within him. He felt his stomach turn frigid as a deep ache grew in his heart.

"I pledged my loyalty to him, taking Dooku's place as his apprentice. I became Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith."

Anakin turned to face his former Master once more, yet he refused to meet his gaze. "He sent me here, to the Temple. I led the clones in their attack." Anakin looked up, and Obi-Wan could see the tears clearly forming in his eyes. "I killed so many…" Anakin turned away quickly almost as if trying to deny what he was saying. "But, somehow," he said in a choked voice, "you survived the clones' betrayal. You discovered what I had done." Anakin stood, then moved to the window. Though Obi-Wan wouldn't have thought it impossible, Anakin's voice was even softer as he continued. "Padmé decided to come after me…you hid aboard her ship. When I saw you…I thought…I thought you had turned her against me…"

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment, allowing what Anakin had said to settle within him. He felt almost numb, unwilling to accept what Anakin was telling him, yet unable to deny it.

"I hurt her," Anakin said brokenly. "You tried to stop me, but I wouldn't listen."

Obi-Wan felt an incredible rush of regret and sorrow from the young man before him and he realized with shock just how badly Padmé had been hurt.

"We fought," Anakin said after a moment, bowing his head deeply. "I tried to kill you, but you gained the high ground…"

Anakin fell silent as Obi-Wan tried to understand the scene painted by his chilling words. In his mind, Obi-Wan pictured a fierce battle, unlike any other he had ever fought. He imagined them dueling as they had so many times in the past, only this time, they did not try to soften their blows. It was a duel to the death…a duel which Obi-Wan knew he could never have truly won, for by besting Anakin he would have killed his brother.

"I survived. Palpatine saved me," Anakin said bitterly, drawing Obi-Wan from his dark reverie. "After that, I was his forever, and I knew it." Anakin finally turned from the window. "That is when my vision ended. After I had lost everything."

As he finished, Anakin's jaw clenched, as did the fists at his sides. Obi-Wan looked away, unable to define the rush of emotions that he felt.

Finally, he understood the incredible pain he had sensed from his former apprentice. The vision had obviously been very real, for Anakin recounted its events much like he would any other battle they had fought. To see yourself betraying those you loved…Obi-Wan shuddered at the thought. And worse yet, to know with certainty that it had been the future… It was a horror he couldn't begin to fathom.

With that, Obi-Wan rose from his seat and moved to stand next to his apprentice. He placed his hand on the young man's shoulder and felt him grow tense under the touch.

"Anakin," he began softly, "I cannot imagine what it was like to witness that. But you prevented it. What you saw never came to be."

The young man didn't speak, but instead shook his head grimly, refusing to accept the comfort.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said again, "if you allow this vision to control you, even now after you have kept it from coming to pass, it will destroy you, as surely as the Dark Side would have."

"But how can I not allow it to control me, Master?" Anakin asked in a voice near a whisper. "How do I forget what I saw?"

"You can't forget it, Anakin, nor should you. It was that vision which kept you from continuing on the path you were following. It was that vision which allowed you to overcome the darkness and realize your destiny. And it was that vision which has allowed you to have a future with your wife and children."

At the mention of his family, Obi-Wan felt some of the pain ease within Anakin's troubled spirit. After a few moments, Anakin looked up to face his mentor, his gaze finally meeting Obi-Wan's once again.

"Thank you, Master," he said quietly.

"You're welcome, "Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin looked back at the distant traffic lanes and spoke softly, though his voice seemed less hollow than before. "Will you tell the Council about my marriage to Padmé, or tell them what I saw?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, I will not. It isn't my place, Anakin. You must decide what to tell them."

Anakin nodded.

"I know that you will make the right choice," Obi-Wan said, giving Anakin's shoulder one last gentle squeeze before turning to leave.

But, Anakin's next words stopped him. "You still have faith in me," he said in amazement.

"I always will, Padawan. I always will."

Dressed in his most formal robes, Anakin stood outside the doors of the Council chamber. He pressed the button requesting admittance and waited patiently for an answer. After a brief pause, the doors activated, and Anakin stepped inside. He took a moment to gaze at the circle of distinguished Jedi Masters, noting the three empty seats which had yet to be filled after the deaths of Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen Kolar. He could feel the eyes of the other Masters watching him as he did so, and he turned to look at each one. He stopped when he came to Obi-Wan, and he felt his former Master greet him through the Force. Anakin returned the greeting, then moved to the center of the room. Once there, he drew on the Force for strength, then bowed his head and knelt, assuming the position of one who was about to be knighted, a position meant to covey humility and honor.

He could sense the surprise of those around him as he remained in this position to address the assembly.

"Masters," he began quietly, "there is much I need to tell you…"

TBC

A/N: The last part will be up on Thursday, and then I will begin posting the sequel.

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