A Questioned Fate

Shaak Ti, still at the Jedi Temple, had felt the death of the Masters through the Force. Times like these, it was hard to let go, hard to allow her friends to pass out of her life. She was a jedi and was allowed no attachments, but grief is a strong emotion to suppress, even for a jedi.

Pacing about the council chamber, she asked the Force what to do. Should she go after Palpatine herself? But who would watch over the temple, especially with so many Masters off-world.

It was then that she realized, that something was wrong. She remembered the incident that had occurred only hours before.

"Anakin," she said, patiently, catching the young Jedi's arm. "Mace asked you to wait in the Temple Chamber."

He looked back at her, and she saw in his eyes hurt and such anguish. Through the force, she felt it. He was suffering, his soul was in turmoil. "Please, Anakin."

"I can't stay. I have to go to Palpatine. I'm the "chosen one", remember?"

"The best Masters in the Order have gone. You place is here."

"No, my place is there." He had said, determined, but she sensed his doubt and his fear.

"What could you possibly do?"

"I will do," he said, forcing a brave answer, "what I am meant to do."

On the wooded planet of Kashyyyk, Yoda received the coded message. "Master Yoda," Shaak Ti began. "I am sure that you know of the fate of Master Windu and those that accompanied him."

Yoda nodded, feeling the burden of his long years. "I have." Then he looked back at the holo image of Master Ti. "But there is more, is there not?"

"Yes, Master Yoda," she began tentatively, "Anakin went after them, and he has not returned."

Yoda clenched his eyes shut, "Alive, he is, but in terrible pain."

"Do you know where he is?"

Yoda shook his head gravely. "No." He looked back at Shaak Ti, knowing that she had no idea where to look for young Skywalker. "Our weakness of many years . . . resolved, has not been. Cloud everything, the dark side does."

The cloaked figure shifted, seeing that Anakin Skywalker was too weak to rise. Slowly he rose and went to stand over the fallen man.

Anakin looked up at him, fighting the fear that was born out of helplessness.

"I know who you are," the cloaked voice said, old and rasping. "You are the Hero with no Fear."

Kneeling down, the shadowed face peered at the Jedi, "We shall see how true that is."

Anakin opened his eyes with a start. The cloaked figure was gone, everything was gone. A dream, it was all a dream. He was still shivering, but more violently, trembling. No, the Hero with no Fear, that was the one thing that he was not. The Holo-net may have called him that. Younglings all over the galaxy may have thought that. But Anakin knew the truth. A deep fear had always lived within him. That is what he had to escape. Fear. But how could he destroy that which drove everything he did.

He looked around him. The alley was deserted, and the adjacent street was empty. He was the only living thing in sight. Above him, darkness had taken hold of the sky.

"Master?" a young Anakin had pulled at Obi-Wan's tunic, "Can a man change his fate? Or are you doomed to end up whatever the Force wants you to be?"

Obi-Wan had thought for a moment. Force, he didn't always feel qualified for this job, especially with a student like Anakin. With a sigh he said, "That is a question that many have debated. Ask five masters, and you will get five different answers."

"But what do you think, Master Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan considered. Finally he leaned forward, speaking quietly and very seriously to the young padawan. "I believe, Anakin, that every person in the universe is born with a purpose, a destiny. There is some great potential in all of us. However, you are not 'doomed' to this purpose. Your CHOICES are what shape your destiny. The decisions you make will determine if you fulfill your purpose . . . or if you fail."

In the cold alley, Anakin felt tears run down his cheeks. I can't do this. I have failed. I failed them all. Master Windu, Obi-Wan, Yoda. . . . Padmé." He clenched his eyes shut, willing the tears to stop. He realized that there was nothing left to do. If the "chosen one" failed, who would take his place? What happened now?

Stiffly, he rose and forced himself to move. Night would soon cover everything, and he had to find a place, a placewhere he would not be left in darkness.