Anakin's mind exploded and his vision clouded over with agony just as he was pouring Obi-Wan another cup of tea. The cup and the kettle went crashing to the ground seconds before Anakin fell as well.
Anakin! Anakin! Obi-Wan was kneeling on the floor next to him, screaming in his mind, wishing more than anything he could sense what was wrong. He frantically scrambled for his commlink, unaware that there was no one to answer his cry for help. Every Jedi, every Padawan, every Youngling in the Temple were on the ground, paralyzed by the pain they were feeling in the Force.
"Something's wrong, Obi-Wan – Obi-Wan, they're dead. They're all dead."
Obi-Wan helped him into a sitting position. "I didn't see anything. I felt it. Hundreds – hundreds of the Jedi were just…killed, Obi-Wan. Their Force signature just…exploded."
Anakin's commlink went off. It was Bant.
"What happened? Is Obi-Wan alright? Is the Temple safe?"
"I don't know what happened, but it wasn't at the Temple. We're fine. How about you and Garren?"
"Not having much success tracking down those Twi'lek shipments, I'm afraid. I'm sorry we weren't able to do better."
"Bant, stay there, please. Wherever you are...just…stay there. I get a sense it will be safer. Something doesn't feel right on Courscant. Promise you won't come back unless you hear from me or get the antidote?"
"As long as you take care of Obi-Wan, then I promise. May the Force be with you, Anakin, Obi-Wan."
"May the Force be with you," Anakin echoed.
Obi-Wan quickly turned to Anakin with a questioning look.
"I don't know. I just – I had a feeling they're safe there."
Anakin's commlink buzzed again.
"Who is it this time?" Anakin wondered and then checked quickly. It was Padme.
"Anakin, is it true?"
"Is what true? Padme, what's going on?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you? It's all over the Holonet. Chancellor Palpatine has just announced….he said the Jedi have turned against the Republic. There was a secret vote and he has been given an executive order to have the Jedi threat eliminated."
"What? Oh, hang on – " Anakin's commlink signaled for a third time, followed by Obi-Wan's. "Padme, I need to go."
"Is everything alright? The Jedi – "
" –the Jedi haven't changed."
He checked the comm. The Council was calling an emergency meeting of all Jedi Knights and Masters.
"Received grave news, we have. Orders to kill the Jedi, the Senate has approved. We are under the control of the Sith, they claim. In peril, the Jedi are. Killed by the clones troopers, our brethren were."
"Have any survived?"
"Unable to establish contacts, we are. Doubtful, it is, that there are any survivors."
"We must be ready for an attack on the Temple. Groups need to be established. We must protect the remaining Jedi and try to continue to contact the other Jedi."
"We've heard from Bant and Garren. They are going to stay on Dantooine where we have perceived there is no threat." Anakin informed them. He went back to zoning out. Things didn't seem to make sense. Things weren't making sense to him. Why would Palpatine blame the Jedi? He knew Anakin, he always seemed to respect the Jedi…he never told Anakin he suspected they were under the Sith's power. Unless he thought Anakin was a Sith Lord? Or someone close to Anakin? But how would he know that…the only way to tell another Force-user was by being a Force-user themselves…and Palpatine most certainly wasn't.
Was he? It was possible for certain people to hid their abilities, but only if they were highly skilled at using the Force. Palpatine couldn't use the Force like that. The Jedi would know...but then why eliminate the Jedi? Why would the clones obey him? They didn't…they shouldn't…unless….
"Palpatine is the Sith Lord."
Every Jedi in the room stopped and stared.
"Skywalker, do you know what kind of an accusation this is?"
"I know. It sounds crazy, but why else would the clones obey him? Why would he accuse the Jedi of being corrupted? The only reason the head of the Republic would want to eliminate the Jedi is if they were a Seperatist or a Sith."
"Speculation, that is. Sense this, we did not. Accuse the Chancellor, we will not until further proof we have."
Anakin stood up. "I am going to see him."
"Advise against this, we do. Unwise, it is."
"Master, if I am wrong, the Chancellor is at the very least a friend. He will understand."
Obi-Wan followed him out of the room. He kissed Anakin, desperately trying to convey everything he was feeling. He needed Anakin to come back safely. He couldn't lose Anakin, not now, not ever. Obi-Wan wanted to come with him, to defend Anakin and stand by his side as Anakin had done so many times for him. But Obi-Wan knew his limitations. He would be no good to anyone like this. Anakin would have to work doubly hard just to cover Obi-Wan's incompetence.
"I'll be fine, Obi-Wan. Isn't this what I was meant to do? I'm the Chosen One, meant to bring balance to the Force. I might as well start trying."
As he walked away, the reckless, determined look that Obi-Wan knew so well plastered on his face, Obi-Wan felt tears slowly trickle down his face.
You were meant to bring balance to the Force, Anakin, but what if you die doing so?
A/N: I am sorry to say that they will not find the antidote, but there will still be a happy ending. (I figured I would let you all know because the next chapter or so is going to get even more angst filled.).