Star Wars: Heir of the Force

Episode 3: Chapter 2

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***HotF***

"So... you figured it out hm?"

Anakin smiled in response, "Oh I've known for a long time now, back when we first met. The Jedi might not be able to sense you but I can."

"Odd, since I cannot sense you." The Sith lord noted in displeasure. It wasn't very often that he was the one in the dark concerning something, especially involving The Force.

Once again, the younger man merely grinned, "Something you and those you are trying to destroy share in common. You spend so much time focusing on one part of The Force that you become blind to the rest.

This time it was a faint twitch on the elder's lips that clued the blonde into his state of mind. "Staring too long into the sun blinds one to the shadows hm?"

"Other than the fact that there is no light or dark side of The Force, yes you could say that."

"The Dark Side is power itself."

"Depends on how you define power. While there is no good or evil of The Force there are certainly abilities that tend to be more emotionally fueled and give the user a sense of power and dominance."

An ugly scowl formed on the chancellor's face, his Sith persona bleeding through more and more into his appearance, "Such a mentality will not be appreciated or understood by the Jedi. They will never accept you. Though they hunt for me now if they succeed who do you think they will go after next hm?"

"They are already changing," Anakin countered easily, "another order is forming that strives for peace and acceptance rather than power and control. The old ways are dying out."

But Palpatine would not give up so easily, "If they die out. But pacifists tend not to last because of their mentalities. The strong and aggressive take control for a reason and they do not share power."

"Much like the Sith? I can't imagine you would be sharing power or letting peace reign if you succeed."

A flaw in the boy's logic perhaps? Sidious saw a potential weak point and pressed, "Ah but that is where you are wrong. I am working to end the conflicts throughout the galaxy and the Senate itself. To remove the corruption, much like your friend Amidala did."

"You started a war." The younger pointed out.

"I only fanned the flames, the blaze was inevitable though. The government is corrupt and was so far before I came into power. Surely you heard about the conflict on Naboo?"

"I was there for part of it, yes."

Ah, another connection in the ever-growing puzzle. It appears that this child was the one who allowed the Jedi their victory over Maul after all. "So you do kill, when it is required."

This notion caused a fidget in the young man. He always felt uncomfortable taking life, or even aiding in the act. A fact that was not missed by the other occupant.

"Oh it is nothing to be ashamed of Anakin. If you truly believe that all life is part of The Force then so are animals. They do not hesitate to kill one another when it is necessary, to survive or even for mating or resource privileges. Should we be any different?"

"We... have empathy and compassion. We might all be a part of The Force but with greater understanding there is a greater responsibility to use it."

Palpatine nodded as he stirred his tea, "Indeed we do and part of that is guiding those who would focus only on themselves rather than society. It is the powerful and knowledgeable who lead, not follow. If left to their own devices, society would tear itself apart and corruption would reign regardless. Someone must take control and prevent this."

Despite Anakin's own faith the older man's words seemed to crack the foundations that had been laid many years prior.

***HotF***

An orange blur rammed into her with the force of a photon torpedo and Padme was sent sprawling to the ground, a sobbing orange teenager clinging to her as if she would vanish at any moment. Between tears, and hysterics, she managed to get the gist of the problem.

The young girl had heard about the battle and was devastated that she hadn't been able to help. Ahsoka had been dealing with self esteem problems since she was, hesitantly, accepted as a padawan. Even with help from the older two she had never quite grown of it, wanting to prove herself and be seen as helpful rather than just a hindrance.

"Ahsoka, it's okay, you can't be everywhere at once and you couldn't have known we would get caught up in a battle. The fact you are here, now, is what matters."

Between the gentle circles she rubbed into the girl's back and her whispers the girl finally calmed enough to allow them both to rise and move to a nearby couch, "So, what have you been up to?"

Padme was honestly curious at this point. There had been the occasional updates via holovid or the short breaks she chose to spend with them but otherwise she was a bit ignorant of her friend's life.

"Well, I have been working with Qui-Gon and the other members for the most part. There are hopes that we can convince both parties to have a sit down meeting in the near future, discuss a ceasefire and maybe even a peace treaty to end this meaningless war."

"That's great! Any signs of progress?"

She sighed, "Unfortunately no, the Republic believes it is on the verge of a major victory and refuses to consider anything but complete surrender. The Separatists won't even consider meeting with Jedi, former or current."

The older's shoulders sagged, "It has been years and still no end in sight. The Republic has 'been on the verge of victory' before, many times actually, and every time the days turn into weeks and then it is just business as usual. More death and destruction."

Ahsoka nodded, feeling defeat seep into her own soul as well.

"But forget about that for right now. How are you. Are you doing better in this new group?"

"I am, they are just so much more accepting, so much freer than the Jedi. We don't just help those the Senate tells us to. Even better there are attempts to resolve conflicts before they occur rather than just trying to fix what has already broken a bit before leaving." With that the orange-skinned girl continued explaining the differences between the old and emerging orders, her excitement prevalent in her tone and mannerisms as she did so.

Padme's smile returned in full force, it wasn't often that she heard of changes for the better with everything else going on in the galaxy. Maybe Ahsoka's story would be a happy one after all.

***HotF***

'Death Star'

It was the two words she focused on as the small holographic sphere spun over and over again from the tiny projector she had found. Her stomach clenched and flipped painfully over and over again as she took in the small amount of information displayed as well.

The size of a small moon.

Holding a small army and fully functional navy.

Firepower strong enough to destroy an entire planet.

What was this doing in Anakin's bag? What was it for?

The door slid open and the blonde in question walked in and promptly froze at the sight. Padme, with the destructive plans clutched in her hand.

"I was going to do some laundry." The former queen muttered, as if to justify her discovery. "It fell out and activated, Anakin... what is this?"

He wasn't sure what would happen from here, but he had always told himself not to lie to those he cared about.

Hopefully she would still care about him after he explained.

"They are plans I took from Dooku on Geonosis. It is a battle station."

Since Geonosis!?

"You've... had this for years and never said anything? Did you tell the Jedi or the Senate?" Fear and uncertainty began to spike in her mind. What reason would he have had to keep it?

He shook his head, "No, I couldn't."

"Why not?"

Anakin sighed, "The Senate... it would end up with Dooku and his master again anyway."

"His master? Someone else is in charge of the war? You know who it is don't you..."

The blonde nodded.

She shook her head, "And you let this continue on... you have been lying to me, to everyone."

"No, no Padme I haven't lied to you I..."

"KEEPING SECRETS IS THE SAME THING ANAKIN!" She screamed, so fed up with the double talk that politicians were so fond of. It was one of the things that had caused her to fall in love with the man before her and now he was breaking her heart.

Lies, manipulations, and secrets. They were all reasons she never went into politics, reasons she had dedicated years to fighting corruption and now... now the one person she had learned to trust more than anyone else was doing the same things.

"Padme... please just listen to me."

But the trust was already shattered. If he had been keeping something like this from her for years what else was he lying about? What else did he know and refuse to tell her?

"I... can't do this right now. You need to leave."

He froze, before hung his head, turned, and departed in silence.

Moments later she slid to the floor, tears freely sliding down her face.

***HotF***

He wasn't sure exactly where he was going, just that he needed to go somewhere. Padme was in pain, and it was his fault. Years ago, when he had obtained both the plans and Palpatine's identity, he had been so sure of his choice.

Now though, as before when he had spoken to the Sith lord, he was beginning to doubt his decisions. He should have told Padme, he trusted her with his life after all so there was no reason not to tell her. Perhaps it was his own concern over her safety that had made him hesitate, knowing that such information would have pushed her to action and thus putting her in harms way.

Without realizing it the young man had made his way to the steps of the Jedi temple. After a moment or two of hesitation he began to make his way up to the entrance, stopped only for a moment by the guards, who recognized him from his rescue of the chancellor, and immediately granted him access.

As he wandered the halls his thoughts shifted from his current dilemma to the past and the present that resulted from it.

What would have happened if he had been found by the Jedi? What if he had been raised in this temple rather than on his own by The Force? Would he still have met Padme? Would the war have changed? What would he believe and do as a result?

Through the long corridors he wandered, ignoring the hushed whispers of those occupying the structure, until he reached an empty room high up in one of the towers where he was able to look out over the city, the sun beginning to set and thus casting a glow over the structures as artificial lights began to flicker on across the view.

"How feel you?"

Anakin turned, noticing the elderly Jedi master standing at the door to the room, looking at him curiously.

"Confused." He replied, "I hurt someone I care about."

"Intend to do so, I think not."

"No... but I kept secrets from her and she is upset. I understand why but... I'm not sure how to fix it now."

Yoda hummed in understanding, "Have to do with the war hm?"

"Yes, and those responsible for it. I just... wanted to keep her safe."

Again, a slight nod, "Understand now you do, why we prohibit attachment."

Anakin chuckled, "I always understood, even if I disagreed. I have always wanted to avoid war, avoid conflict and death and yet... it seems as though no matter what I do it ends poorly. I am trying to save lives, not take them."

Yoda pondered the meaning of his words and an epiphany came to him a moment later, "Know the identity of the Sith lord, you do."

"If I told you, would you kill him? Take a life because they believe differently than you?"

This question caused the aged master to fall silent. Likely the Jedi order would take action, but the question was would it be because of their enemies involvement in the war, or because they were a Sith. If the knowledge had come before the conflict would they still move to kill him?

"Meditate on this, I would need to do. Seek guidance I would."

To the young man the one before him was the opposite of Palpatine in many ways. Did that also mean he would be open to changing his ways unlike the Sith? "Close your eyes," he offered gently, causing the master to do as such as he sat down onto a cushioned seat. "Feel The Force flowing all around us, through us."

A gentle breath escaped the smaller Force wielder's mouth as he began to relax into his normal meditation.

"Now let go. Unlearn what you have learned and release your inhibitions. Stop trying to control the river of life you have waded into and simply allow it to carry you wherever it may go. There is no light or dark side, merely the connection between all things. Good and evil are perspectives we give to actions, nothing more."

Yoda hesitated, for hundreds of years he had taught what he himself had learned at his master's side, that the dark side of The Force was evil and corrupting.

He had never held any interest in the power it was said to bring it's user.

But, what if he had been wrong? What if they had all been wrong? What if what the boy said was true, and that it was not The Force but rather the choices of the one wielding it that determined the nature of the power. So, for the first time since setting forth on his lifelong journey, he let go and simply freed himself.

***HotF***

"Padme? What's wrong?"

The older woman shook her head as she, unsuccessfully, to hide the signs of her distress. Ahsoka had stopped over following a call in which she had barely been able to have a conversation. "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

A frown marred the teen's face, "Don't worry about it? It looks like you have been crying. Did someone hurt you? Who do I need to threaten!?"

The last statement, and a mental image to go along with it, had the older laughing for the first time since the fight. "S-sorry I just... I needed that, thank you. It wasn't..." What was she going to say, it wasn't anyone's fault? It technically was but she knew how much the former Jedi idolized Anakin. It didn't feel right to hurt the first relationship her friend had with a male since the falling out with her former master. "I'm just emotional right now. You really don't need to worry. Anakin and I just had a bit of a disagreement, that's all."

Ahsoka's gaze narrowed, "Sounds like more than just a 'disagreement' to me."

"We... well I found out he had been keeping a few things from me and it hurt. Secrets always do when they come out into the open, trust me on that."

Now the younger girl's stance shifted, her eyes wavered, and her body language became almost timid. "Were they... bad secrets?"

This is what Amidala was trying to avoid, the obvious uncertainty in her friend that she had chosen to look up to the wrong person yet again. "They weren't good secrets but I don't think he kept them for bad reasons." Actually she wasn't really sure why he hadn't told her. There had been so much anger, so much pain that she hadn't been able to listen to any explanations.

"Maybe..." a small, shy voice replied, "maybe he kept them for a really good reason? Like to protect you?"

That caused Padme to think back on the conversation. Could that have been a reason for him not to tell her? Obviously the one behind the war was powerful, very powerful, likely in both The Force and in politics. If they had orchestrated an entire war then sending assassins wouldn't be a stretch in the least bit.

It didn't explain why he didn't tell her though... unless he thought she might try and get involved?

Biting her lip Padme began mentally berating herself for not keeping a more level head, for not listening before reacting and kicking him out. Would he be upset with her? Would he leave and not return? It wasn't like the blonde had a plethora of social experiences, as far as she knew she was one of the few close to him in the least bit, would he seek out new friends after their first fight?

Had she damaged the relationship beyond repair without realizing it?

"Ahsoka I... think I made a mistake."

***HotF***

All things became known to him, as if life was interconnected in ways he had never imagined before. It truly was like the cycle of water, life and death were merely phases while The Force was present in all.

He could sense every single Jedi, every being on Coruscant and beyond. He could feel the emotions buried deep within the other council members, and those freely expressed by the younglings. There was no evil within The Force, merely in the souls of those who were a part of it.

Then he felt it, a dark and twisted individual on Coruscant itself, so full of hatred and anger that it startled the elderly master. Following the connection Yoda found himself in the office of the chancellor, and for the first time saw him as he truly was.

Darth Sidious

The true horror of the situation revealed to him the Jedi's consciousness retreated back to where his body still remained, pausing only as it entered the room, for in that moment he truly saw another as well.

Anakin, not a distinct entity but rather an extension of The Force itself. It was no wonder they could not feel his presence even when sitting next to him, where Sidious used the energy to cloak his presence Anakin was so immersed within it that he felt like The Force itself rather than a disturbance.

The ancient green eyes opened, seeing the world clearer than he ever had before, and Anakin smiled broadly. "You've taken your first step into a larger world."

***HotF***

"Ah master Windu, I am glad you were able to join me," Palpatine greeted, before dismissing the others seated next to him at the opera and extending an invitation to the younger man. "I have been meaning to speak with you but haven't had the time to do so with the Separatists still active in the galaxy."

"They will be brought to justice." His guest declared, earning a smile from the elder. "With Dooku gone they will be lacking in the necessary leadership to continue the war. I foresee a swift end to the conflict approaching."

"Good, that's very good. You and I both know that the Senate will never accept peace as long as General Grievous is alive though. His crimes are far too terrible to allow him to escape justice."

A confident nod answered him, "I... we are aware chancellor and have made his destruction our top priority."

Palpatine gave a sigh of relief before returning his gaze to the show currently ongoing before him. For several moments the two men were silent, until he spoke once more, "Tell me, master Windu, have you given any thought to what you will do once this war is over?"

There had been plenty of thoughts that the dark-skinned man had considered. Some proper, others not as much, but he merely shrugged in response.

"I was hoping that once this all came to an end the Council would see fit to insist upon master Yoda's retirement, and your own appointment to the rank of 'grand master'."

This notion startled the Jedi, whose eyes went wide at the comment. True, he had thought of this before, the respect and power such a ranking would grant him, but had always thought it a fools dream. Yoda showed no signs of slowing down, after all, and his species could easily live another century or two longer than the elder's current age.

There was no reason to think there would be a new appointee in his lifetime.

"This war has brought many truths to light. Some less pleasant than others." The disguised Sith continued, "But the two concerning this situation is that master Yoda is getting old not only in body but in ideals as well. The Senate wants to see someone younger in charge of the Order, someone who will bring the Jedi into the present age. They want someone with charisma and ambition."

It was a lie, of course, and the thought of such a Jedi likely terrified most of the senators. But they were his pawns, not the other way around. If he declared Windu to be the future of the Jedi then it would be so in the eyes of the bureaucrats.

"I would be worried, if the council decided to consider anyone else for the position." Sidious noted, "You are the only choice in my mind. I am only concerned about this new movement that seems to be undermining your efforts. These new Jedi which follow their own code, and do as they please without even considering the council or Senate's stance. It almost sounds like a second Separatist movement."

Windu frowned in consideration. He had never thought about the new group as anything more than a temporary fad but when he began to look at it that way... the similarities were more than a little disturbing.

***HotF***

"Understand the situation better, I do." Anakin nodded, waiting patiently in silence for the elderly man to continue. "Complicated the situation has become, arrest the chancellor I cannot without proof."

"I know."

Yoda sighed, this time in mild frustration. It was clear what they had to accomplish, but not how. "Removed, Palpatine must be, for the sake of the galaxy. But how to do so I know not. Kill him, I do not wish to do."

"But it might be necessary..." The blonde replied, almost sadly.

The smaller of the two nodded, "Meditate on this I will, seek answers I must. For you though, clear the next action is." Anakin blinked in confusion, earning a chuckle from the older. "Talk to her, you must. Explain yourself and tell all you should. Listen to her you must as well, understand each other you both will. Care about you she does."

He couldn't help the warm smile that appeared on his face when thinking about that, and the hope that she would forgive him.

***HotF***

It was late in the evening when the door slid open, Ahsoka standing first as she watched the man enter. The room remained silent, as the teen looked between the two adults who said nothing and seemed to be avoiding eye contact with each other.

"Padme I..."

"Ahsoka, could you give us a few minutes alone please?"

She looked ready to protest, but in the end thought better of it and merely nodded in acceptance with Amidala's request. Walking past the male she paused for just a moment to give him an encouraging smile before continuing and leaving the apartment.

Time ticked past as both struggled with what to say first, before the blonde finally took the initiative. "Padme, I need your help."

***HotF***

I didn't want to linger on the argument and drama between Padme and Anakin but I think it is an important thing to address. I had, without realizing it, written Anakin into a situation in which Padme had to find out that he hadn't always been making the best decisions.