Anakin sat down cross legged in the middle of the floor in the apartment. He kept having visions for the past two nights but the images kept eluding him every time he attempted to get more clarity. He needed some answers to what the Force was attempting to show him.
Anakin let the Force flow through him as images from the future flashed before his eyes, he submerged himself deeper into the Force as the images cleared until he found himself standing at the foot of a young man's bed. He looked to his left and saw Luke standing above the young man with his lightsaber lit causing him to feel concern. The young man woke up and looked at Luke in shock.
"Uncle Luke, what are you doing?"
Anakin held his breath as he sensed the darkside pulsing through the young man. Was it possible his grandson was more like him then his parents or Luke? Surely there had to be a different approach into handling the child's emotions preventing the mistakes from the past? Oh Luke, what have you done? Attempting to kill your own flesh and blood was a sure way to force someone into the dark side.
The scene changed to the young man leading troopers slaughtering innocents as he felt his heart sink. His grandson looked down at a mask, a mask Anakin had seen once in the holos Leia had shown him the first night they met.
"I will finish what you started, grandfather."
Anakin opened his eyes and gasped in shock as the images disappeared. He stood up and walked to the balcony door and stepped outside into the cooler night air. He took a few deep breaths and slowly released them attempting to calm his pounding heart down.
It was one possible future out of many, that begs to question making him wonder if one of Leia's children falls to the dark side.
"Anakin? Are you all right?" Anakin heard Leia question as he turned his attention to her.
"I had a vision and I need to know something," Anakin answered knowing this could very well be a touchy subject with Leia. Maybe there was a deeper reason for her hate of him when they first met. "Did any of your children fall?"
"Jaina almost fell," Leia answered honestly. "Jacen, I've been concerned about him recently. He's been acting strange, he's almost like a stranger to me. Why?" Anakin turned his attention to her and saw underlying fear to his line of questioning. It sounds like Jacen was on the verge of falling to the dark side.
"I saw a vision, its not set in stone, just one of many paths that may or may not happen," Anakin explained with a frown. "Palpatine has to be stopped now. I have a feeling the future depends on it."
Palpatine stood looking out the window as he pondered his next move. He sensed his careful planning was slowly slipping away from him due to the Skywalker's twins arrival. He received word last night that Dooku was seen entering Skywalker's apartment in the last couple of days. The video surveillance from the Skywalker's apartment confirmed those rumors. He would need to speak to his apprentice at once to determine if Dooku planned to betray him or not. He walked to his secured holo transmitter and summoned Dooku to their usual meeting place on Coruscant.
Anakin turned back towards Leia with a frown as she explained about buying a speeder since arriving here. "I'm curious, how did you pay for a speeder and a few things? I'm sure the currency would've changed over time."
Leia released a frustrated sigh. "I couldn't even tell Luke, because I know he would've been against it. Bail had left me a family heirloom, I traded it for credits and the speeder. Considering the circumstances, I didn't feel like I had a…"
"Say no more, I understand," Anakin placed a hand onto Leia's shoulder. "Surviving is more important and you don't know how long you'll be here for."
Leia nodded in agreement as she fingered the rest of the credits in her pocket. "Anakin, how do we even get back? Luke, Ben and I don't belong in this time."
"I know and I've been thinking about that, Ventress and I had an interesting conversation," Anakin answered honestly as he turned his attention away from Leia. "She suggested I would have to talk with Mother Talzin, she may provide answers as to why you were sent back through time and hopefully get back. I don't know how this even works."
"Who is Mother Talzin?" Leia questioned with a curious expression.
Anakin took a deep breath and slowly released it. He didn't like the idea of having to talk to her, but what choice did he have? He had to help his family get back to their time. "She's the leader of the Night Sisters on Dathomir."
"Night Sisters?" Leia questioned as Anakin noticed her anxiety rise in the Force. "They nearly killed Luke…"
"It'll be fine, Leia. They rarely have any conflict with the Jedi, in my time any ways. It may have changed over time," Anakin reassured Leia with a slight smile. He was not looking forward to talking with Mother Talzin and he could tell Leia looked less thrilled with the idea. She was chewing on her lower lip. "First, we have to deal with Palpatine."
"Right, Palpatine needs to be stopped," Leia muttered under her breath.
"Is something on your mind?" Anakin questioned in curiosity. "Your mother gets like this when something is laying heavily on her mind."
Leia gave an appreciative smile being referenced to Padme. "I'm just wondering why we were sent back to this time frame. What is the purpose of it?"
"I don't know, Leia," Anakin answered honestly. "You're here for a reason but what that reason is, remains to be seen. I already sense ripples through the Force as if events are changing. Did something happen in the future?"
"The Yuuzhan Vong invaded from the unknown regions," Leia answered honestly. "They overtook Coruscant, they ran the Alliance and Empire into one corner of the galaxy in the Hapes system. Their ships are alive with a mind of their own. There was a planet rumored to belong to them, a rogue planet. We were suppose to track down the coordinates before we wound up here. We think it might be the solution to ending the war with them."
"A live planet?" Anakin questioned as he rubbed his chin in thought. "When I was ten, Obi-Wan and I went to investigate an alive planet. The ship I built was alive and had a mind of its own. Possibly it's the same planet you're searching for."
"You've been there?" Leia questioned looking shocked as Anakin nodded. "Do you remember which system it was in?"
"I was ten, Leia. I don't remember, but Obi-Wan might," Anakin answered honestly. "When they get back from Mandalore, you can ask him."
"Sounds like a good idea," Leia answered with a relieved smile causing Anakin to smile in turn.
"I see a lot of your mother in you, as well as myself," Anakin commented with a warm smile. "I know your my child," he paused for a second as Leia gave a warm smile causing him to frown. The nightmares he had over the past couple of nights, he needed to know something. "Leia, would you be okay with sharing with me your memories of Vader and how he treated you?"
"I don't know if it's a good idea," Leia answered honestly with a frown. "I'm beginning to realize it would only hurt you."
"Please Leia, I have to know something," Anakin pleaded as Leia gave a short nod. He closed his eyes connecting his mind with Leia's as she lowered her shields.
Anakin heard the horrific breathing from his nightmares as he found himself standing on a platform of a large battle station. Leia was glaring defiantly towards him. He looked down and saw the black armor, he was looking through red receptors.
"I want to know what you have done with the plans they have sent you?" Vader questioned.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I am on a diplomatic mission for Alderaan…"
"You are apart of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor, take her away," Vader commanded as Anakin felt sick to his stomach.
Anakin walked into the detention level as a droid followed behind him. He saw a big needle protruding from the droids arm causing him to grimace. What came next nearly had caused him to panic. Oh Leia, I am so sorry. He watched as Vader tortured her, mind raping her. He turned away feeling sick to his stomach as the images changed to where he was standing with Tarkin and Leia. Words were exchanged but he blocked out what was being said. He turned his attention to the window as a large green beam flashed out. He recognized the planet as Alderaan. It exploded into millions of pieces. He couldn't take it anymore as the images cleared his mind.
Anakin opened his eyes as he fought back tears that were threatening to overwhelm him. He didn't know what to say to her, no wonder she was angry with him. He took a few deep breaths and slowly released them as he attempted to calm his pounding heart. "I…." He gulped air as Leia watched him with concern as she placed her hand onto his arm. "I don't know what to say."
"I shouldn't have agreed to this," Leia said with concern lacing through her tone. "It's affecting you the way Luke thought it would."
"Leia, its going to be a reminder of what I can become if I fall for Palpatine's lies," Anakin explained with a frown. "I'm going to have to face him soon."
Leia stepped forward wrapping her arms around Anakin as he returned the hug. He felt his heart fill with love for her. This time he and Padme would raise Luke and Leia together. Palpatine was a walking dead man.
Anakin entered Master Yoda's meditation room. He noticed Yoda was in deep meditation, he walked towards a meditation pad and made himself comfortable as he prepared to wait if he needed too. He closed his eyes focusing on his breathing as he waited for Yoda to acknowledge him.
"Know why you have come, young Skywalker," Yoda spoke as Anakin opened his eyes turning his attention to the Grand Master. "Know of your future, do you?"
"Yes master," Anakin answered honestly. "Palpatine is the Sith Lord, the council has been searching for. After discussing options with Luke and Leia, it has been brought to my attention that Palpatine is too dangerous to be left alive."
"Face charges of high treason you will if not done carefully," Yoda pointed out with a frown. "Attempt a live delivery you must."
"If Palpatine decides to fight instead of come quietly?" Anakin questioned with a curious expression.
"Brought up on high treason charges, he must, a confession you need," Yoda explained with a frown. "If sense Palpatine does, no longer bend you to his will. Execute you he will. Precaution, you must move or lost everything will be."
"Yes master, you have given me plenty to consider."
Anakin entered the apartment as Luke and Leia looked up with concerned expressions as he sat down on the chair. He placed his head between his hands.
"What did Master Yoda say?" Ben questioned as he entered the living area. "It can't be that bad."
"Master Yoda suggested a live delivery or I will be brought up on high treason charges," Anakin explained with a frown as he looked up at Luke who nodded in agreement. "We have to get a confession from him."
"If you turn me in, we could very well get the confession we need," Luke pointed out with a frown. He turned his attention to Leia as she gave a short nod in agreement. "As much as I don't like this, we don't have a choice."
"I agree," Leia answered with a frown. "Bail wants a live delivery and we should attempt to give it to him. Knowing Palpatine he'll attempt to fight back. We get that on recording and it should give you protection of being brought up on high treason charges, Anakin."
"I agree with Leia," Padme spoke up as she entered the living area and sat down on the chair. "Ani, I don't want to lose you before I give birth," she placed her hands over her swollen tummy. "We need you, Anakin."
"I know," Anakin stood up and knelt down in front of Padme placing his hand onto her tummy. He felt the babies kick in response causing him to smile. "I can't wait."
"Me neither," Padme agreed with a smile as she traced Anakin's jaw with her hand. He leaned in and kissed Padme the way she liked it causing her to groan happily. He pulled back as he raised a hand tracing her jaw.
"Dad, what if we used Ysalamiri?" Ben questioned with a frown. "It would render Palpatine powerless."
"What now?" Anakin questioned in confusion as Luke shook his head sadly.
"They're creatures that create a bubble in the Force," Luke explained as he shuddered in response. "It's not the nicest feeling in the galaxy and it makes you blind to the Force. Ben is right, it would allow us to apprehend Palpatine with little fuss."
"How do we get a hold of one?" Padme questioned with curiosity.
"They're native to a planet called Myrkr," Luke answered with a frown as he stroked his chin. "They need the wood of the trees to survive, it would have to be handled with care or they die upon extraction."
"How long would it take to get to this planet?" Anakin questioned in curiosity.
"The fleet would be back from Mandalore before we can return," Luke answered honestly. "Some of the smugglers do keep them as pets. One in particular. But considering he was in his fifties when I first met him means he might be too young for this now."
"We don't have time for this, maybe we can make inquiries," Anakin spoke as Padme nodded in agreement. "If we can find someone willing to sell one, it would make things go a lot smoother."
"I'll put some feelers out," Padme spoke with a slight smile. "Until then, Leia would you care to company me to my office? We have much to do."
"I would love too," Leia agreed with a smile as she stood up. Anakin smiled as he watched Padme and Leia walk out. His daughter turned out amazing.
Dooku bowed before Palpatine as he waited for his punishment he was sure to follow shortly for not finding Luke. He was nervous for the first time in a long time. He didn't plan to portray young Skywalker or his father. He also knew Palpatine might vary well kill him for this betrayal.
"Rise and speak my apprentice," Sidious spoke with an irritated tone causing Dooku to swallow hard as fear slowly started to over take him. "How goes your search for young Skywalker?"
"I have yet to discover where Skywalker has taken his son," Dooku answered honestly as Sidious looked at him sharply causing Dooku to grimace.
"I highly doubt that," Sidious hissed in anger. "I know you have been in touch with Skywalker and plan my demise. And for that you will die, my former apprentice."
Dooku gritted his teeth as he waited for Sidious to kill him. Without warning Force lightning erupted from Sidious's fingers as he fought back a scream as lightning searched out his major organs.
The pain became too much as he didn't recognize the voice screaming in agony just before everything went dark.
Ventress woke up with a start, her heart was pounding and she was sweating. She paused for a moment as she sensed her former master reach out to her followed by intense pain. She breathed deeply in and out, it felt like Force lightning. Was Palpatine tormenting Dooku again? As quickly as it started, his life force gave out causing her to gasp in shock.
Thanks for reading :)