Star Wars: Heir of the Force
Episode 2: Chapter 6
***I own no part of anything Star Wars related***
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***HotF***
"Impressive, isn't it?" One of the Jedi inquired, a hint of pride in his voice as Anakin took in the massive entry hall of the temple he had been brought to.
The Grand Master, along with Ahsoka and Padme, had insisted the teen accompany them back to Coruscant following the battle. The blonde had opted to fly back with Padme and, much to the Jedi council's annoyance, she had only permitted her other protector to come with them. Upon arriving the trio had been immediately escorted to the Jedi Temple, with even Amidala being allowed admittance for a 'grand tour'.
With a disappointed sigh Anakin merely shook his head, "Actually, it is rather disappointing." From nearby Ahsoka stifled a giggle, earning stern gaze from her master.
The blonde, on the other hand, was met with his own stares from the council, those being mixtures of curiosity to disapproval and even borderline enmity. If he noticed, he gave no indication and instead glanced into one of the nearby rooms.
"Mmm, not happy with what you see hm? Wonder why, I do."
Turning towards the smallest member, the Chosen one merely shrugged, "You are so removed from everything. You distance yourselves from the citizens of the planet, from nature, from all life save for those living in the temple itself. You claim to study and grow alongside The Force and yet you seem to have made all efforts to keep yourselves as far from it as possible."
"It is to provide the younglings a safe training spot, free from distractions." Gallia countered, although even Padme could see the hesitancy in her eyes, as if she too were beginning to notice all of the problems with the situation.
"Distractions such as the very essence they are communing with? If you were so concerned with their safety, then why put the temple here? Why not train them on a world away from so many others? Why live in a fortress to begin with?"
"The Jedi have made many enemies, such as the Sith, during our safeguarding of the Republic."
Anakin turned towards Windu, and merely smiled back at the disapproval in the older man's eyes. "Yet you seemed so shocked by the appearance of one back on Naboo. If they were a threat wouldn't you have sent more aid?"
Kenobi sucked in a breath, eyes widening at the boy's words. How had he known about the warrior he and his own master encountered all those years prior? The information had been closely guarded, with even his own padawan remaining ignorant of his feat.
Before he could comment, however, an older voice interrupted, a bit of awe lacing it, "It was you…" All present turned towards Qui-Gon Jinn, who looked almost reverently at the blonde before him. "You were the one who aided us, who helped the Gungans against the droid army."
Attention quickly shifted back to the teen, with Padme's own mind racing and connecting the dots as it did so.
"That boy… I remember you…"
Anakin merely gave his normal carefree smile and shrugged, unaware of how the opinions regarding him had just shifted.
"The anomaly…" Mace muttered, his hands clenching and relaxing at the many meetings the council had been through regarding the identity, and even existence, of the one standing before them.
"Not the nicest way to put it but compared to other Jedi I suppose you could call me that."
***HotF***
"Master" Dooku greeted, before sweeping into a graceful bow. By this point in their relationship he knew to hold the position until instructed otherwise, else the Sith Lord would be displeased.
Moments turned into minutes as silence filled the air between the two men, until a gravely voice rang out, "An unexpected retreat?"
"Unavoidable Master, I assure you. The Jedi arrived in force just as you predicted they would. The Confederate leadership was safely evacuated along with Grievous and a large portion of the army."
"But not all of it..." Sidious interrupted with a hiss of annoyance. "You have sacrificed much to the Jedi and barely managed to flee in time… but not without leaving something behind."
This time the older man could not stop his wince. Deep down he knew that the Dark Lord would know of the loss of the Death Star plans, he only wondered if the information he had obtained would prevent his punishment. "Yes, the plans were taken from me."
"Then perhaps you should have fought better hm? You claimed to have been able to best your former master in single combat and yet…"
It was a risk, but the count played his hand while he could still properly speak. "Not to the Grand Master, to another. It was a boy, one far more powerful than I imagined."
This brought the Sith's scolding to a halt and earned the other a reprieve. "Go on…"
"A teenager at the oldest, wielding a lightsaber but not donning Jedi robes. It appears he was in good standing with Kenobi's apprentice as well as Amidala, but the other Jedi did not seem to recognize him. He was able to catch Force Lightning."
This comment earned the slight widening of the stronger Sith's eyes as he began to contemplate who the new piece on the board was. It was odd that a mere padawan would know of someone's existence, yet a knight would not.
"What else." Sidious demanded, any pretense of patience or lack of interest evaporating, and it was then that Dooku knew his own health was secured and proceeded to stand straight.
"He was fast, very fast, and strong both physically and with The Force. He did not use any saber form or technique I have ever seen and appeared to think of our duel as more of a game than anything else. I could not sense him either, like you he blended in completely."
The scowl deepened on the Chancellor's face. Not only was there a powerful, apparently rogue, individual at work but if they were impossible to sense for his new apprentice it might be for him as well.
"I am not sure if it was him," the count's words brought Palpatine back to the situation at hand, "or something else but I felt my control over The Force slipping as the battle continued. If I had continued any longer, I likely would not have had the power to escape."
"And he is the one with the plans now?" Came the snarled response, more of a statement than a question which earned a nod from the only other one present.
***HotF***
While the Jedi High Council deliberated on… whatever it was they often deliberated about Anakin found himself in a room with Padme, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon. It was relatively silent until the oldest female decided to ask what had been on her mind.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Turning towards her the blonde looked rather confused, prompting her to continue her statement, "About Naboo? That you were the one who helped us, that you have all these amazing abilities that…"
"That you were trained…" The younger girl muttered, eyes downcast. "I'm not sure if you are a Jedi or…" she trailed off, not wanting to finish the statement.
Unfortunately, Kenobi was more than willing to do so for her, "A Sith."
"Obi-Wan…" His master chastised.
Anakin, merely smiled at the girl, "Well, technically you never asked if I was. I told you I knew how to use it, but you were kind enough not to care about how or why. I was trained, but not by a Jedi or Sith. I didn't mention Naboo because I didn't know it was important to you. I was guided there and saw people in need, so I helped. That is all."
"So, you do have knowledge of the Dark Side."
This time the blonde laughed, forcing a small smile onto the two females' faces as they remembered the sound from their time on Naboo. "There is no such thing as the 'Dark side' or 'Light side' for that matter if you were curious."
The youngest present chimed in before the other Jedi could manage, "But… of course there is I mean, what about the Sith?"
"Just a title and I have a more interesting question for you, what about trees?"
The others blinked in confusion, "Trees?"
Anakin nodded, "Trees, they are alive correct? Which means they are part of The Force, so which part? Are they the Light or Dark side?"
Ahsoka bit her lip, before glancing over to where her master was equally trying to come up with a good answer. "Uhm…"
"The living Force," Qui-Gon replied, a smile on his face as he enjoyed the experience of teaching, and learning, again for the first time in years.
"As opposed to the non-living Force? The Force is all life, and all life is The Force. To say, 'The living Force' is to call water wet."
The smile upon the older man's face grew, this truly was one of the best conversations he had been part of in quite a long time. It felt more like he was back in school, being taught ancient wisdom by Yoda himself rather than speaking to a boy younger than his own apprentice.
But the most zealous would not give up so easily, "There are rumors of those who could keep themselves intact even after death, they would be the non-living Force. Along with premonitions."
"Ah but you are making an assumption," Anakin answered with a smile, before walking over to the man and gesturing towards him, "That this is all you are, just flesh, blood, bone, and organs. We are luminous creatures. You do not have a soul, you are a soul, you are just put inside of a body. As for seeing into the future, does it not contain life as well?"
"I saw the count using some sort of lightning, that seems rather evil." Padme chimed in for the first time since the conversation started, directing the Chosen One's attention towards her.
"Certain abilities are easier to conjure with different emotions or thoughts that is true, but it isn't a requirement. Good and evil are based upon our actions regarding others. If this were true, then the Light and Dark side would not have existed before life was sentient enough to understand the choice."
With that he held up his hand, and the room gasped as electricity sparked between his fingers, before a sphere of blue energy floated a foot above his palm. Yet throughout it none of the Jedi felt a change in The Force and there remained no hatred or anger in his eyes or on his face.
"As I said, emotions and feelings make it easier, just like being able to use The Force for those who are not deemed 'sensitive'. It does not make it impossible though."
"Balance…" Qui-Gon muttered in awe, "That is how we cannot sense you, why you create no disturbance in The Force. You are at perfect balance, a living extension of it rather than attempting to control it."
Once more, Anakin merely smiled, and the door slid open as a messenger informed them that the Council was ready.
***HotF***
"The council has made its decision; he will not be trained."
Qui-Gon withdrew his arms from the robes that cloaked him, placing them onto his hips to emphasize how upset he was by the decision. "He is the chosen one… surely you all must see this."
Windu shrugged, "He is too old, this is ignoring the fact he clearly already has a master."
"The Force." Came the unexpected reply from the teen in question, nonchalantly sitting on a window ledge as he gazed out into the Coruscant skyline.
"Excuse me?"
"You mentioned the one who trained me correct? It is The Force. It has guided me since my mother passed away."
Again, Jinn directed his attention to those seated before him, expectantly and hopefully. Instead he was met with blank stares, uncaring looks that gave no indication of progress or adaptation, merely keeping with the same traditions as they always had.
It was then that the older man lost any remaining faith he once had in the future of the current Jedi order.
"The important decision now," continued on the dark-skinned master, "is what our decision is regarding your own future in the Jedi order. You went without authorization on a mission, conspired with separatists, took…"
As the man went on Qui-Gon found his own thoughts straying to a conversation on a distant wasteland world with a woman much younger, and perhaps wiser, than he. What did he think was right? To ignore all progress and any facts presented or rush for change at the expense of the innocent? Both paths seemed wrong to him, both seemed flawed. It was then that the realization hit him.
"I'm leaving" he suddenly announced, interrupting Mace Windu and earning the man's ire.
"Excuse me?"
It was so simple, so obvious he wondered why he hadn't thought of this sooner. "The Jedi order, I am leaving it so make whatever decision you want regarding my exile, strip me of my titles or whatever else you feel is necessary, but it no longer matters." Turning towards the curiosity filled teen he gave a nod of thanks, "I hope we may speak again soon Anakin it was very nice to meet you."
"Go now, where will you?"
The eldest Jedi's question stopped the man at the doorway. Turning back just a bit he gave a smile of his own, "Wherever The Force guides me."
***HotF***
"Stay with me."
Padme froze in place, unsure of what to do, or say, next. She had definitely uttered those words, despite not thinking about them, but the question was why?
Well, she knew why of course. Anakin had just informed her that the Jedi had offered him a room at the temple, at least temporarily, and the thought had turned her stomach in very uncomfortable ways. But why? Surely, he had more in common with them than anyone else, even herself, but she didn't want to give up his company.
She certainly did not want him to be influenced by the zealots.
Yes, that was clearly the reason. She wanted to protect him is all, like he had done with her and Ahsoka. There wasn't anything else involved with her request.
"For right now, I mean… I have plenty of room in my apartment and I would like the company."
For his part, the blonde-haired man merely looked over to her, smiled, and agreed.
As the duo continued along their path through the winding Senate halls, having been requested to meet with Bail Organa, her mind continued to race with questions that never seemed to have been answered. How did he have so much of an influence on her?
Was it his honesty?
Or something to do with his naivety and innocence?
Perhaps it was the lack of judgment in his eyes regardless of whom he spoke to, or the fact he didn't appear to have any interest in manipulating others.
Regardless her heart always seemed to beat just a little bit faster when he was nearby her, something she wasn't nearly as clueless about as the teenager was. She knew he was attractive to her; the only questions were: did he feel the same way, and if so, how deep were these feelings that they both had?
Turning to him the former monarch was about to inquire further when they were interrupted by a voice from behind, one she knew all too well.
"Ah Padme just the woman I was looking for. I heard about what happened to you my dear, I do so hope you are okay."
Forcing a smile she turned to the older man who quickly approached towards them, before noticing that his eyes were not on her, but rather her companion.
It was like Anakin was an object to be examined to the bureaucrat, something that did not sit well with her in the least bit.
"Chancellor Palpatine, it is good to see you. Yes, I am quite alright thanks to the Jedi."
Still, the man's gaze did not even stray towards her, though he hummed in agreement, "Yes… very fortunate that they were able to intervene, and you are?"
"Anakin"
"Ah, the one I have heard so much about."
Padme frowned, where would the man have heard anything about Anakin? The only ones who seemed to know him would be the Jedi council, herself, and Ahsoka. Something about the situation just did not sit right with her.
The teen merely smiled back, as unfazed as always.
"Well I do so hope you will be on Coruscant for a while still. There are quite a few changes that will be announced in the upcoming days and I would certainly like to speak with you further in that time."
She got the feeling that despite being present, she was no longer a part of the conversation. Rather than waiting for a reply the man merely turned and departed without so much as a glance backwards. Breathing a sigh of relief Padme turned to the blonde, preparing to warn him about overly friendly politicians when she noticed something odd in her companion's eyes.
It looked like… concern.
"Anakin, is something…"
"Be careful around him Padme." She blinked at the calm warning, noticing that the teen's gaze had yet to leave the departing form of the Chancellor. "He isn't what he appears to be."
A shiver ran down her spine as the temperature seemed to drop in the room, and the woman shifted closer to the blonde without realizing it.
***HotF***
Ahsoka had often heard about how powerful the bond was between a master and apprentice. That one could often sense the mood, and even thoughts, of the other without even trying to do so. She herself had never experienced this before, not in the way that others spoke of. Sure, there were always hints to what her master was thinking or feeling, such as facial expressions or a change in tone, but it was never through The Force.
She never truly felt connected to the man, not in any way other than his willingness to tolerate her.
Even now she could take a guess, he seemed to be looking over mission files and the latest information from the Holonet, but her guess was irritation. If she had to assume the cause as well, it would be the man who had captured the attention of those who had encountered him.
Anakin
"I don't want you being around him again." Kenobi commanded, without so much as a pause in his perusal of information. "He is a bad influence and dangerous."
Normally she would have argued about how they had just barely survived an encounter with an 'esteemed Jedi Master' who had turned evil and twisted, but the action seemed so pointless.
He was never going to respect her, never allow her to make her own decisions or choose her own path. He wanted an apprentice that was like him, who he could teach to become like him.
She could never be that.
The realization hit her in the chest like a speeder bike.
"I can't" This single statement seemed to shake Obi-Wan from his focus and finally directed it onto her, who immediately clarified, "I can't do this anymore. Pretending like this is all okay, like this is going to work. I'm not what you want or need in a padawan… and you aren't what I should have in a teacher. I can't just… follow what I don't believe in, not anymore."
Both stared at each other in silence, with only the hum of nearby equipment to fill the air between them. For what felt like hours the two sat, until Kenobi let out a deep sigh.
"I know."
"You… do?"
He nodded, "I had been hoping things would change between us, that you would find your place here but… you must follow The Force to where it guides you Ahsoka. Trust in it, your head, and your heart."
***HotF***
"I am pleased to see you have answered my request Master Windu. I know how thin the Jedi have become spread in the last few days."
The dark-skinned man nodded, "Of course Chancellor. You mentioned it was critical to speak with me after all."
Palpatine gestured towards a chair directly opposite of his desk for the man to sit in, while he slowly sat in the one which dominated the room, feigning weariness and age. "I have recently come into contact with a certain bounty hunter by the name of Jango Fett. He has informed me of a project he had been recruited for, one involving a clone army."
His eyebrows rose in surprise. Of all the things he had been expecting this had certainly not been one of them. How had the Jedi missed such an important fact? "You're sure?"
"Most definitely. Although Mr. Fett has his own views of honor, he is still a mercenary at heart. A sizable amount of credits pushed his way had a fascinating way of loosening his tongue. Naturally, I wanted proof before I would transfer the fee, and he put me into direct communication with the Kaminoans. They also confirmed the existence of a vast army, one ordered by the Jedi master Sifo Dyas. Many years ago."
"A Jedi ordered such a thing!?" Windu inquired incredulously, earning a small, understanding, smile from the older man.
"I intend to push for the creation and maintenance of a grand Republic army to counter the obvious Separatist threat and this brings me to why I asked for your presence. I can think of no one more worthy of leading and overseeing such a force as you."
Mace wanted to refuse, wanted to fall back onto his Jedi training and upbringing, to deny the path of a warrior and resume diplomacy instead. He shouldn't want this, shouldn't want the position of power over others, to achieve glory and fame.
But he did, in the deepest part of his heart, the one which continually pushed him to develop Vaapad, to enjoy combat and the adrenaline that came alongside it, he desired to push himself to greatness, to surpass the Jedi of old and even 'Grand Master Yoda'.
'Besides' he mentally justified, 'this will keep Jedi in control of the war, prevent needless continuations that the bureaucratic Senate might allow.'
"I accept chancellor, I will ensure that the Jedi council supports your decision regarding how to handle this conflict."
Palpatine merely smiled in thanks, his grandfatherly facade concealing far darker thoughts.
Perhaps another apprentice was in order, for the time being.
***HotF***
Anakin smiled as he watched Padme embrace the younger girl in an instant. Ahsoka had just finished explaining her own choice to leave the Jedi order, and had almost begged to stay with Padme until she found another option.
The entire time there had been whispers underneath tearful, relieved sobs, that the Togruta would always be welcomed for any length of time.
***HotF***
"Which is why the chancellor has requested that I be appointed as the 'Supreme commander' of these new forces."
Silence fell on the room as the world outside continued, completely ignorant of the conflict raging in many of the hearts and minds of the Jedi council. It was unsettling to most, not only for Palpatine to make such a decision on his own without the approval of the Senate or any other consultations, but also that one of their own seemed almost pleased with being selected for such a role.
Yet none spoke up, for even the newest members knew that the man held great sway among the Jedi and the political world at large. None save for one, "Mmmm disturbing this move by the chancellor is."
Windu directed his, not insignificant, attention towards the eldest of those in the room. "Why do you say that?"
"Not yet decided on a declaration of war the Senate has. Chosen from the Jedi without consulting first the chancellor also did."
Windu pushed back on instinct, feeling on some level insulted by the insinuation that speaking to him wasn't enough or that the wizened old master disagreed with his own aptitude. "He is taking steps in advance I don't see why that is disturbing. I cannot imagine a scenario in which the Senate does not use the army presented to put down the insurrection and with our connection to The Force Jedi make natural generals and strategists. Think of the lives we could save by being directly involved rather than standing on the sidelines."
The two Force wielders stared each other down as Yoda seemed to peer into the opposite man's very soul, attempting to gaze into the heart of the argument while Mace met it with his own pride.
"Take a vote, the council should, on whether this appointment by the chancellor will be approved." He finally spoke, earning hesitant nods from the others and a deepening frown by the man who still stood in the center, as if demanding attention and respect.
With all eyes back on him, the dark-skinned male gave in to the silent majority and nodded in acquiescence. "Very well, those in favor of the chancellor's decision, speak now."
***HotF***
Padme watched on in silence from an observation platform as the chancellor gave his speech about the creation of an army. It was convenient, far too convenient for her to believe it was without some outside manipulation. First a group of planets decides to leave the Republic, odd enough by itself, but then after revealing a massive droid army, which appeared to have been assembled for no concrete reason, a army is dropped into the chancellor's lap which just happened to solve the problem?
All for the cost of a few civic liberties, a few more 'emergency powers' that would be required in order to protect the citizens of the tyranny that had befallen his own planet.
Her frown deepened. This had eerie similarities to the man's first rise to the most powerful position in the galaxy. A droid army seeks to destroy democracy and he arrives with a solution, one that just so happens to strengthen his own stance in the government.
Maybe it was just a coincidence, she had overreacted concerning politicians before and there was the fact that the man who had tried to kill her was the one who presented the evidence. Was her own judgment being clouded in this situation? The former monarch was certainly not happy about the fact that not only had Fett escaped justice, but apparently been given quite the payday as well.
Regardless, Padme had already made up her mind. After the warning by Anakin and all of the other events focused around Coruscant she had decided to return to Naboo for the time being and asked the blonde to return with her.
He had agreed, thankfully.
"I assure you, with this new army, the Jedi commanding it, and the strength of our determination, we will bring peace, prosperity, and security to the galaxy!" Palpatine declared, bringing the woman back to the present as the room erupted into applause.
In the center, surrounded by hundreds a single man raised his hands, as if basking in the attention and the power. It was at that moment that Padme Amidala did not see a kindly old man or a steadfast leader, he was a dictator.
***HotF***
"Leaving are you?"
Anakin came to a halt on his way towards the starship, before turning back towards the eldest Jedi. "Yes, Padme wants to return to Naboo before the war escalates any further."
Yoda nodded in understanding, "Terrible, war is. Distance yourself from it we all wish to do. Wish we had more time to speak, I do."
"As do I. The next time I am on Coruscant I will certainly reach out to you. Learn much from you, I believe I could."
The teen smiled, "That is the beauty of being alive, there are always new things to learn."
At that moment Padme appeared on the ramp to the ship, "Are you ready to go Anakin? Ahsoka and I are all packed."
"Mmm, much to learn we both still have hm?"
***HotF***
A/N: I didn't plan on taking Windu down this path but it just sort of made sense as the story progressed. I might need to update some of the tags…