disclaimer, I own nothing.
"Master Skywalker, Chancellor Palpatine has returned." Anakin turned to see a young Padawan delivering the news to him.
"Thank you." replied Anakin and the padawan turned and left.
Obi Wan turned to his nervous friend, "Good luck, and may the force be with you." he said giving Anakin a sympathetic look.
"Thanks." was all Anakin could say. He dreaded going back to the Senate building to see the Chancellor. But he had to, he could not fail the council if he was ever to become a master.
Anakin knocked on the door to the Chancellor's office. He was sweating and had butterflies in his stomach. He felt like he was going to throw up. Then a guard opened the door and let Anakin in. Anakin walked in and was greeted my a warm welcome from the Chancellor.
"Hello Anakin, what do you wish to speak to me about?"
"Hello Chancellor, umm I was just wondering..."
"You want to know why I went to Mustafar don't you?" said the Chancellor before Anakin could finish his sentence.
"Yes." he replied simply.
"Did the council put you up to this?" questioned Palpatine.
"No." said Anakin. He knew that Palpatine did not trust the council and Palpatine would never tell Anakin if he knew the council had asked him to do this.
"It was just some Senate business. Surely you don't want to be bored with all that?"
"Yes,actualy I do."
"Anakin, I have a favor to ask of you, in order to win this war, I must be granted more executive power. Please, convince the council to agree. It would be much easier if they do."
Anakin knew he would not be able to, and he knew that the Chancellor would not take no for an answer, so he simply lied.
"Yes, I will convince the council to agree to you having more executive power."
"Thank you Anakin, I knew I could count on you."
'Chancellor, I have one more thing to ask you. That story you told me the other day, please, tell me where you heard it."
"I know, because I was there. Oh my Anakin, look at the time! I believe that there is a council meeting in ten minutes, you had better get going."
"Good day chancellor."
Anakin had been so close! But, at least he had something to work with. But what did the Chancellor mean by he had been there? Anakin felt so confused, so lost. None of this made sense, everyone was expecting too much of him and Anakin was on the verge of loosing it.
"Did you get any information?" asked Mace at the meeting.
"Yes, the Chancellor said that he knew the story because he had been there when it happened. I have no idea what this means but I have a feeling he didn't tell me straight out for a reason."
"This is all so strange" said Shaak Ti.
"The Chancellor is hiding something." said Mace. "Anakin, did he say anything else when you talked to him?"
"He said that in order to win this war, he needed more executive power and he wanted me to convince all of you to agree. I personally think that the Chancellors constant request for more power is getting ridiculous. Something needs to be done."
"It most certainly does." said Obi Wan.
"That does it then," said Mace, "If the Chancellor id granted more power, then we will create a plot to throw him out of office." Everyone agreed, and the meeting finished. Now Anakin had another thing to worry about, If the Chancellor was thrown out of office, then they would be left without a leader. Anakin needed something, something to help him with all of this stress.
He went back to the apartment, luckily Padme wasn't there. He took a knife from the kitchen drawer and made five cuts on his left wrist. He closed his eyes and let the blood trickle down his hand. Then he went back to the temple and went to the temple gardens He had often come there as a padawan to meditate. He sat down on a bench, pulled his knees up to his forehead and wrapped his arms around his legs. Then he let the tears freely flow down his cheeks.