Chapter Seventeen - A Brighter Future


Booya, decided to put this one out early.

Author's Notes: I changed a bunch of the titles of previous chapters and relabled the TOC. Made a couple edits, but nothing substantial.

Dragish: I thought about it for a long time, about how I wanted the fight to and how to end. George Lucas did an interview once where he said that he felt it was Anakin who was the central character of the whole shebang and that the story of Vader really got lost in the OT, or rather that it was overwhelmed by what Vader had become. He said he used the PT to reinforce the message in the OT that Anakin, more than anything else, was an incredibly tragic figure. I wrote the fight scene in a way I thought would bring Anakin to the forefront of things while allowing Luke a heroic end. I never expected to write this scene without Luke dying (although I did contemplate switching Luke and Mara's spots, but decided against it), but I wanted to make it clear that, once again, he saved his father. This was the second fight scene I've ever written and I wanted to make it epic but I didn't want to drag it out either. I did my best. *hangs head*
Bigs-Post: I have no plans to continue this saga in another story. Perhaps sometime in the future, but I like leaving it up to your imagination. Without the Galactic Civil War, things probably won't be nearly as exciting for the next 40+ years. I am not going to try to rewrite the Yuuzhan Vong war, way too much material for me to work out.

As a treat, I included a couple of additional quotes for the beginning of the chapter.


(Kar Vastor): "But I say to you: you are greater than the Jedi of former days."
(Luke): "What makes you say that?"
(Kar Vastor): "Because unlike the Knights of old, Jedi Luke Skywalker…you are not afraid of the dark."

(Luke): "Is there something you want to tell me?"
(Mara): "If I wanted to tell you, I would, wouldn't I?"
(Luke): "Not if you thought it might upset me."
(Mara): "You've got me. I hate that shirt. In fact, I think you're a crummy dresser, period."
(Luke): "You bought me this shirt."

"Now go, and stop worrying, or I swear I'll come back as a Force ghost and bug you while you're on a date."
- Luke Skywalker

#

Obi-Wan grimaced as he walked into the Jedi Temple. There were blaster marks and debris littering the ground and red stains where clones or the defenders had fallen.

"It is good to see you, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan paused and waited for Mace Windu to join him. "Yes, Cody was more than happy to pick me up after blasting me off a mountain and into a lake."

The dark-skinned Jedi Master shared his expression. "We're still getting reports from Jedi across the galaxy. It's bad, but it could have been much, much worse. We've received confirmation of the deaths of over 1,500 Jedi and we expect more, but the Temple is intact and the evacuated were undiscovered and should be returning soon. With Jedi who survived calling in, we know the Jedi Order numbers at least 5,500. We'll have a better grasp of the situation soon."

"And it could have been worse," Obi-Wan said, sorrow etched onto his face.

"It could have, Obi-Wan, it could have been much worse," Mace agreed solemnly. "Organa was voted as temporary Chancellor, with reelections to take place in 30 days. It was he who issued the cancellation order to the Clones and he moment he did, the killing stopped." Mace shook his head, "Shaak Ti told us about a clone who may have found out about an implant that made fulfilling the order a compulsion and its relation to the clone known as Tup and the murder of Master Tiplar. There were so many things, so many clues, Obi-Wan, that we're only discovering now that might have led us to the truth."

"Palpatine," Obi-Wan said with disgust, "was as cunning as he was evil. This was a plan that took decades to plan and execute. I'm assuming the Sith is dead then?"

"By Skywalker's hand," Mace affirmed but then caught himself, "By Anakin Skywalker. Unfortunately, Mara was killed in an attack used as a distraction in order to kidnap Senator Amidala. Luke was killed a short time later by Palpatine, after he saved Anakin's life."

Obi-Wan's heart felt heavy. Though he hadn't known the older two Skywalkers for long, he knew enough about them to know that the galaxy would be a darker place without their light.

"You might also be interested to know that one of the attackers at Senator Amidala's residence was Darth Maul. He is, finally, quite dead this time."

Obi-Wan felt a great deal of relief at that, though the Sith's demise wouldn't bring back Satine or his numerous other victims, it was a comfort to know that the Zabrak was truly dead. "And what of Anakin?"

"He's currently in the medbay now," Mace replied.

"The medbay?" Obi-Wan exclaimed with some alarm.

"Go see to your apprentice, Obi-Wan, he needs you." Master Windu's tone was grave and his words as solemn as they ever were, but there was a light in his eyes that Obi-Wan wasn't sure how to interpret.

Alarmed at Anakin's possible status, Obi-Wan didn't ask anything more and began walking at a brisk pace to the healer's wing.

#

Obi-Wan half walked, half limped down the hallway. Commander Cody might have been happy enough to give him a lift, but Obi-Wan wished he hadn't had to take that dive off a cliff in order to get it. But at least I lived, Obi-Wan thought, there are over a thousand, possibly thousands, of Jedi that weren't so lucky. Unfortunately, in his haste and dark thoughts, Obi-Wan nearly ran into Vokara Che.

"Master Obi-Wan!" the Twi'lek exclaimed.

Obi-Wan winced and knew he had to cut off the impending scolding quickly. "I apologize, Master Che. I know you must have a great many patients to see to, but if you could direct me towards Anakin, I'd greatly appreciate it."

"He's at the end of the hall on the right," she said flatly.

Obi-Wan knew that he had been quite correct, the medbay was filled to capacity with injured. Jedi, clones, and the various volunteers who had helped defend the Temple had filled the ward nearly to bursting with blaster, shrapnel, and lightsaber wounds. He resumed his journey though he would occasionally nod or wave to familiar faces, sometimes offering some comfort before making his way towards Anakin once again. Stopping outside of the door the Chief Healer had designated, he braced himself before quietly opening the door.

To Obi-Wan's surprise, Anakin wasn't the person in the bed. No, instead it was a sleeping Padmé who was attached to various pieces of equipment and looking utterly exhausted.

"Shh."

The whispered command grabbed his attention and he looked over to see Anakin sitting with a package on his lap. Next to him, Ahsoka had a similarly wrapped package and appeared to be whispering to it.

No, not packages, he thought, trying to understand what he was seeing.

One of the packages, something covered in a blanket, made a sound.

The other bundle moved slightly.

Obi-Wan saw Anakin smiling the widest smile Obi-Wan had ever seen him wear. "Come here, Obi-Wan, and meet Luke and Leia Skywalker."

Obi-Wan breathed out and couldn't help his own smile when he walked over to greet Anakin's offspring. Reaching out into the Force, Obi-Wan could feel the blinding light that the two children emitted. "Oh my," he said with a soft smile, "I think that these two will be quite something."

"This is your Uncle Obi-Wan, Leia, he's going to be the other voice of reason in your life besides your mother," Ahsoka whispered to the infant wrapped snugly in blankets.

Obi-Wan smiled and Anakin scowled at Ahsoka, but there was merriment in his eyes.

Peeking at Luke on Anakin's lap, there was no doubt in Obi-Wan's mind that, whatever the Code might say about Anakin's relationship with Padmé, this child would help usher something great into the galaxy. Obi-Wan reached out with his hand and laughed softly when Luke tried to grab hold of his finger.

"You and Padmé do fine work, Anakin, they are beautiful. Hopefully they won't make 'Uncle Obi-Wan's' life as chaotic as you did."

"They will Obi-Wan," Anakin said with a smirk, "They most certainly will. Given how Luke turned out the first time, I expect you to be his Master once again when the time comes." Anakin still felt a pang of loss remembering Luke, the one who had saved his body and soul, but he was able to genuinely smile now.

Obi-Wan groaned and muttered something about 'insane Skywalkers' before he sat beside Ahsoka to look over Leia, who appeared to be dozing. He looked around briefly and raised an eyebrow at Ahsoka. At his unspoken question, Ahsoka whispered, "Asajj had to get some air...too many death glares from the Jedi around here. She'll be back."

Obi-Wan just nodded and watched on as Ahsoka stroked Leia's forehead.


"Anakin Skywalker, we have called you here for several reasons today. In the past weeks, much has come to our attention about you, about your past and about what you almost did," Master Windu said.

Several weeks ago, Anakin would have chafed and would have begun shoring up his mental defenses with another 'battle' with the Council. Now, he listened. The open seats in the Council chambers were a stark reminder of what had transpired. Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Stass Allie, and Agen Kolar had all died as a result of Order 66. Aayla Secura had only survived thanks to the timely intervention of nearby non-clone troopers, like many other surviving Jedi. But that was just the tip of the iceberg that was the chaos inflicted by Palpatine and Order 66.

It was thanks to Bail Organa and the members that made up the Delegation of 2000 that political stability had been maintained, though the apprehension of Separatist leaders on Mustafar had certainly helped. The movement of the Separatists had been uncovered by Republic Intelligence units, who had dutifully notified Chancellor Organa. It was a mess, but with the Clone War effectively over, most of what remained was cleanup and reorganization.

And my future, in particular, is next on the agenda, I'd wager, Anakin thought.

"How feel you?" Yoda asked.

The question surprised Anakin and reminded him of a time when that question had been asked of him so many years ago. Then, he had been uncertain of his future, afraid of these strange beings who were to decide his future, sorrow for his absent mother, and he was able to admit now, just plain afraid. Now... "I feel exhausted."

"Your newborns are tiring you?" Master Secura said with a slight smile.

"Exhausted but happy," Anakin amended.

"Came to us many years ago, you did. Full of fear, you were," Yoda said. "But no fear do I feel now."

Anakin merely nodded and waited. When no one said anything he decided to venture a question or two of his own. "Am I to remain a Jedi? And do you have any expectations for my children?"

"What do you wish, Skywalker? For yourself and for your children." Master Windu asked.

Anakin was a little thrown by the question and took his time answering. Mace Windu's question was delivered in his usual stern manner, but Anakin had gotten to know the man better in recent days. Being a part of the group taking down the strongest Sith Lord is recent history had had something of a bonding effect between the men. Windu certainly didn't approve of Anakin's relationship with Padmé, but he wasn't as passive aggressive as he used to be; he had even gone so far as to offer the possibility of lessons in Vaapad. That it was only a possibility was not lost on Anakin. Master Windu still wasn't happy with Anakin for a great many reasons, but their relationship was no longer quite so sour.

"I would like to remain a Jedi, but I would prefer to remain closer to Coruscant...or wherever my family is. I have no aspirations to the Council, given my other commitments. I would like my children to become Jedi, but I would prefer they be able to choose that path for themselves and I would support them no matter where their interests lay. From what I understand, my daughter has as much potential to be a great leader in the political arena as she does as a Jedi."

After a moment of a rather prolonged and loud silence, Yoda spoke. "Removed from the Council, you will be."

"But you will retain the rank of Master," Master Windu said with a barely perceptible smile.

"It wouldn't do to reward the sacrifice of Luke and Mara just to expel you from the Jedi or demand punishment. The truth is that their arrival seems to have changed everything for you and you've since grown more mature, more settled," Obi-Wan said. "You will have time to be with your family before any assignments are given to you, and your desire to remain near your family will be kept in mind."

"But understand this, Anakin. You being allowed to retain your relationship with Senator Amidala is an exception to the rule, not the rule itself. Some of the information given to us by Luke indicates that in his Order, attachments were not forbidden, and he seemed to have built an impressive organization from scratch. It is possible that this rule may be relaxed in the future or that additional exceptions may be made, but relationships such as yours are still considered forbidden."

Anakin replied slowly, testing his own words and feelings, "I understand. Attachments...are complicated. I don't think they can be classified as good or bad for they can be a foundation of strength as much as a point of crippling weakness. I nearly fell to the Dark side because of my attachment to Padmé, but it was my son's love who saved me from myself. Luke told me that he himself had fallen to the Dark side once, and that the love for his twin sister, Leia, is what brought him back. Attachments, love of someone or something, do pose danger to the Jedi, I don't doubt this or dispute this anymore, but they can also be a source of salvation."

Kit Fisto spoke quietly, "Asajj Ventress walks the halls of the Jedi Temple and works with your former Apprentice. They are friends, and their friendship has helped sustain Ventress."

Various members of the Council nodded or tilted their heads in consideration.

"Another exception would have been made for Knight Tur-Mukan who we've recently learned married one of the clone commandos she served with. She recently gave birth as well. She decided to resign from the Order and plans to reside on Mandalore," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully, "It appears you weren't the only one who found satisfaction in caring for another."

Anakin smiled slightly; he knew of the Knight in question and wished her well, then thought of something Luke had said. "Nejaa Halcyon was also married. I had confided in him when I found out...Luke told me that he had a child and that Nejaa's grandchild became one of the greatest Jedi Masters in his time. One of the greatest pilots, too. It would be worth checking on them."

Aayla Secura shook her head. "And there will be others, I have no doubt. In troubled times, seeking comfort is natural, even for Jedi. We should have expected this."

Kit Fisto nodded, "But what does it mean to the Order?"

"Discuss this again, we will," Yoda said resolutely, "Unwise to make a decision now, I think. If review the Code we do, in a time of less chaos it should be, lest we make a decision in haste. Allow the Republic to settle, we should."

"I think it's important that we do discuss it, in the future," Anakin agreed. "If I had turned to the Dark side, if things had turned out differently, perhaps the Jedi Order's destruction was me balancing the Force. We all regret the loss of so many Jedi, but it has had the effect of...waking us up to our future, to new possibilities, to new dangers. I think we had to suffer greatly, in order for us to understand and grow. I believe the Jedi have to fundamentally change as well in order to keep that balance. Whether it is a balance of the Force, or the balance that we maintain within ourselves."

Mace Windu's eyebrows had risen by the time Anakin finished. "Surprisingly insightful."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Since the other possibility for my future was revealed, I doubt I am the first once to consider that. Luke's Order proves that it is possible for the Jedi to function differently. He told me that more than a few of his students turned to the Dark side, but that stopped as he learned from his mistakes, those mistakes usually stemming from a lack of knowledge of the past."

Obi-Wan nodded. "You are correct, Anakin. But there is a great deal of work to do, and we will discuss it again. The Jedi Order and the Code was not built in a day, nor will it change in one, but the things you've said and the things we've learned will stay in our thoughts. In the meantime, you might consider studying the information given to us by Luke and Mara. It was an unanticipated side effect of the Clone War and the many conflicts that followed the destruction of the Republic that the galaxy had become very militarized in Luke's time. That militarization was crucial to the eventual victory against the Yuuzhan Vong, but even that took years and billions of lives. From what we've analyzed already, from their information as well as recovered data from their ship, the military vessels of the future make ours look almost pathetic. Your knowledge and insight would be helpful there, as it will be Jedi who are to spearhead much of the preparations."

At Anakin's raised eyebrow, Obi-Wan scowled. "Would you like to address the citizens of the galaxy and explain the need for funding for massive warships of incredible dimensions and capabilities because of a threat that the galaxy will face in half a century? And that you know of this because of your time traveling son? We will receive help from the Republic as they will be doing quiet legwork to prepare, and the help will increase as the time of their arrival grows near, but we have to be ready."

After a moment, Master Yoda said, "Nothing more to be said, there is. Dismissed, this Council is."


Anakin took the time to speak to several wounded acquaintances before he began the journey home. Home...to Padmé and his children. The thought, as it had been doing for the last two weeks, made him grin. His children were loud, messy, frequently made bad smells, cried frequently, and they were completely and utterly perfect. For the moment, he and both children had been stashed together with Padmé in a temporary apartment, but that was likely to last only until they made their move to Naboo. The idea of getting parental support had become increasingly appealing to the new parents. Padmé had been granted a leave of absence and planned to make the most of it, taking care of her new children and also deciding whether she wished to remain in politics.

When Anakin walked into their temporary home, he found an exasperated Padmé setting on a couch while she held a wailing Luke. At his questioning look, she pointed to the fresher. "Dormé was happy enough to assist in bathing Leia."

Anakin gave a half-smile and kissed his wife's forehead before settling down next to her. It had become immediately apparent to Anakin and Padmé that Luke and Leia possessed a unique bond. This unique bond had the unfortunate side effect of setting them off in crying fits whenever one disappeared from view of the other. Padmé had been happy enough to blame him for that particular aspect of the blessing that was their children.

"How'd it go?" Padmé asked, rocking Luke in an attempt to comfort him.

"I am no longer on the Council, but you may still call me Master Skywalker." At her concerned look, Anakin continued, "I'm fine. Being on the Council was always something I dreamed of...but my family is more important, and I couldn't do both. I asked for more localized duties when I feel myself ready to accept future assignments."

Padmé smiled and leaned into him. "Then I'm happy for you. We're just about ready to leave. I need to take care of a few things with Mon and Bail, but I should be able to leave by tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing my family again, though they are going to give us hell for keeping all of this a secret. You better watch out for my father. And my sister is going to be insufferable. You know she thought there was something between us years ago when I first introduced you to my family as my protector? Sola is going to be insufferable."

Anakin grimaced at the thought of disgruntled in-laws but smiled when Dormé came back holding a squirming but clean Leia. Anakin took the child and thanked Dormé, who just smiled and quietly exited the room. Taking his daughter into his arms, he kissed her forehead and just gazed at her in wonderment with a soft smile. Anakin noticed when, almost immediately, Luke quieted and reached a chubby fist out towards his sister and Anakin's smile became a grin when an answering fist made contact with his son's. I was speaking the truth to Padmé when I first found out about them, they are a blessing!


Now en route to Naboo and both his wife and the twins sleeping...finally, he retrieved a datapad from the satchel he carried. On it was a copy of the information Luke and Mara had put into a holocron, which was now safely ensconced within the Temple, but also personal notes for him. Luke had already written his before Padmé's kidnapping and Mara had apparently written hers while she lay dying.

It was Ahsoka who had told him of its existence and her role in transcribing what Mara had said. Neither his former apprentice nor Ventress would tell him anything about it, merely that they were there and that he should read them. Anakin searched the datapad, ignoring all the information until he found the files he was interested in. Reclining in his chair, he began to read the letter that Luke had written him.


Author's Notes: Only the epilogue remains now. The final chapter of my story will include the letters from Luke and Mara plus 'other stuff,' that I'm not willing to reveal.

According to Wookieepedia, fewer than 1% of the Jedi survived the execution of Order 66. The number of Jedi before the Clone War was approximately 10,000. It's a safe assumption that in the course of the war many Jedi died; over two hundred Jedi died during the first Battle of Geonosis, in fact. After the war, after Order 66, it is estimated that fewer than 100 Jedi were left in the galaxy.

Luke had to quite literally rebuild the Jedi Order with barely a handful of the old Jedi alive and willing to join him. There was conflict throughout Luke's entire life after he first left Tatooine, but he was still able to create an Order hundreds strong by the time the Yuuzhan Vong came around. Those hundreds of Jedi were instrumental in the eventual victory of the New Republic/GFFA, but at great cost to the Order. My premise is this, imagine if the Galactic Civil War (Rebellion vs. Empire) never happened, what if the decades of infighting that followed never happened, what if an established Jedi Order thousands strong was there to meet the Vong's attack.

I do not plan on writing about the future here, not about the Yuuzhan Vong, but I believe that even with an intact Republic and an intact Jedi Order, even with forewarning, it would not be a sudden overwhelming victory. The Yuuzhan Vong aren't sending a fleet to attack the galaxy, it's their entire civilization. No matter how prepared the Republic is, there won't be any bloodless victory especially given that the Vong are fanatics in their hatred of technology and of the Jedi.

But...while I believe the war wouldn't be bloodless, there would at least be less blood spilled than before, fewer atrocities committed, a more unified defense against them (remember the Imperial Remnant waffling on whether to join the New Republic?), and hey, knowing about Zonama Sekot might help. The Yuuzhan Vong's crusade would be devastating no matter what, but perhaps not so overwhelming.