Chapter 2 Separated From the Jedi

Anakin staggered down the alleyway; his head throbbed and he did not want to think about what else hurt. For a brief moment, the unwanted presence of his former master intruded on him and he quickly pushed that annoying meddler out of his mind. He had work to do, and no one, not even someone he once considered a good friend, would stand in his way.

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Zak stood before the viewing window watching as the med droid examined his master.

"Zak?" Mace said behind him.

Zak turned, "Master Windu, I don't know what happened; one minute we were talking about the mission to Belarid and the next Master Obi-Wan was on his knees in terrible pain." He explained.

Mace put a hand on his shoulder, "Did he appear to be ill before that?" He asked.

Zak shook his head, "No, he was fine; he was only concerned about whether I was ready for tomorrow and then he just…he just went down." He answered.

"That is very strange; did he say anything, Zak?" Mace asked.

"Yes, he said 'Anakin'." Zak told him, "Do you think something has happened to Master Anakin?"

Mace sighed and shook his head, "I don't know; it could also mean that he was reaching out for Master Anakin's help, I guess we'll just have to wait for Master Obi-Wan to tell us." He said, "Ah, here comes the med droid."

"Master Kenobi does not appear to be physically injured or ill and the episode seems to have passed; I see no reason why he cannot be released." The droid announced.

"Thank you; do have any idea what caused it?" Mace asked.

"None; it is a perplexing case, his pain was very real when he was brought in and then dissipated soon afterwards." The droid answered, "However, because we could not determine the cause, it is possible that it may happen again; I advise that he be watched closely."

"We will be sure to do that." Mace replied.

"Very well; I have already discharged him, when he is finished dressing, he will join you." The droid informed them, "Have a pleasant day."

"Well, unless Master Obi-Wan tells us differently, it must mean that…" Mace began.

"…something has happened to Anakin." Obi-Wan finished from the doorway to the treatment room.

"How are you feeling, Obi-Wan?" Mace asked.

"Empty; Anakin has cut himself off from me." Obi-Wan answered with a sigh and a shake of his head, "He's injured, but there is something more going on here."

"Then we must find him." Mace decided.

"I must; yes." Obi-Wan corrected.

"Obi-Wan, I know how you feel but…." Mace started.

"I'm not sure you do, Master Windu; when Anakin severed his link from me, he did so with anger and contempt." Obi-Wan replied.

"I fail to understand what that has to do with other available Knights searching for him." Mace said.

"I understand. Master Anakin and Master Obi-Wan are like brothers; if he cut Master Obi-Wan off with anger, as close as they are, then his anger toward the rest of the Order must be…" Zak interjected.

"Much greater, yes, I see your point; it would probably be too dangerous for the other Jedi and Anakin until we discover why he is suddenly so angry. However, I believe the next move should be the Council's decision. We are apparently in danger of losing our Chosen One once again; we have no desire to lose his brother as well." Mace told him, "So I would like you to come back to the Temple; you are all in, Master Kenobi, and you should rest and eat something….and then you can inform the remainder of the Council what has happened."

"I will not argue with that; and if I am to find Anakin, then I must start from where he was last seen….that would be the Temple." Obi-Wan answered, "I would also like to try and reach him again."

"Do you think that's wise?" Mace asked.

"Yes, perhaps I could find out what has happened to him." Obi-Wan said.

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Anakin stopped for a moment and leaned against the wall of an aging building.

"Hey there, son; ya look like ya might be needin' some help." A voice said.

"Anakin looked up to see the grinning figure of an unfamiliar alien species standing in front of him, "No, I'm fine." He replied.

"Ya don't look fine ta me." The alien insisted, grinning menacingly at him.

"Well, I am; so why don't you just go about your business." Anakin answered, feeling his anger and reveling in it.

"I'm just tryin' ta help; say, that's a fancy lookin' weapon ya got there." The alien said, eyeing Anakin's lightsaber.

"I'm warning you one last time to leave me alone." Anakin threatened, putting a hand to his weapon….his anger rising.

"I feel your anger; it gives you focus, makes you stronger." Palpatine's words echoed in Anakin's throbbing head.

The alien backed away and pulled a vibro-blade from a sheath at his side, "Well, now; if it's a fight you be wantin', I can give it to ya." He said.

Without warning, without thinking, Anakin drew his lightsaber, ignited it and took the alien's head off with one swing. Anakin powered his weapon down, "I warned you to leave me alone." He told the lifeless being before moving further down the alleyway.

"Goood, Anakin; good." Again, Palpatine's words came to him.

Palpatine, Anakin had to find him; the Chancellor had something for him to do.

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"Whatever has happened, informed Padme Skywalker must be." Yoda told the Council.

"Yes; and I should be the one to tell her." Obi-Wan added.

"Are you up to that, Master Kenobi?" Adi Gallia wondered.

Obi-Wan glanced around the chamber, carefully avoiding Anakin's empty seat, "What happened earlier has passed; it was Anakin's pain I felt, not mine. Since he has severed his connection to me…" He paused and sighed, "Since he has done this, I doubt that I will feel that pain again." He told them.

"I think Obi-Wan is right; and he is closer to Anakin's family than any of us." Mace concurred.

"And perhaps a clue to Anakin, Lady Skywalker may provide." Yoda added.

"Has anyone checked on the children?" Luminara Unduli asked.

"Yes, and apparently, it's normal for Anakin to close them out from time to time; probably to shield them if he felt he was in great danger, or so that he and Lady Skywalker can be intimate. Right now, they don't think anything is wrong." Stass Ali informed them.

"And we should not tell them; I might be able to find Anakin and help him before they realize that something isn't right." Obi-Wan said.

"And you think it is safe to pursue this alone?" Saesee Tiin inquired.

"Yes, Master; it's the only way." Obi-Wan answered.

"I agree. Anakin's brother, Master Kenobi is; connected they were, perhaps connected again they will be." Yoda replied with a nod.

"Master Yoda; did you feel anything when this happened?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No, connected to him as you are, I am not; and when separated from the Jedi he became, feel it I did not." Yoda told him, "Only after your Padawan contacted us did I try to reach him and failed."

"After I have talked with Padme…Lady Skywalker, I'm going to meditate and try to reach him again." Obi-Wan said, "Maybe I can get through to him and at least find out what has happened."

"Be careful, Obi-Wan; he might not be very receptive to your intrusion." Ki-Adi Mundi warned.

"I know; but I must try." Obi-Wan replied, "And under the circumstances, I think it would be best to postpone our mission to Belarid; I cannot leave when I know that Anakin needs my help."

"That is understood, Master Kenobi; after this crisis has resolved, you and young Perrin can proceed to Belarid." Eeth Koth answered and then looked around at the rest of the members, "I think we can all agree to that."

The others nodded in agreement without hesitation, "The well-being of the Chosen One must take precedence; the Chancellor will understand." Ki-Adi Mundi said, "And I believe Master Kenobi will have much to do with that."

"And what of young Zak? Shelter him do we? Or allow him to accompany his master should we, hmm?" Yoda wondered.

"Zak's place should be with me." Obi-Wan said firmly.

Mace nodded, "I agree; if he wishes to help you, we should not stand in his way." He stated and the rest of the Council concurred.

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"The Force is strong in you; a powerful Sith you will become." Palpatine's voice sounded in his head.

Sith? Did he want to become a Sith? He shook his head, which only increased the throbbing. Of course; he had to, didn't he? To save Padme; he couldn't live without Padme. He had to find Palpatine and find out what his new master wanted him to do. Where would he be? The Senate building, of course; he must have hit the pavement harder than he thought, he wasn't thinking clearly. He turned toward Coruscant's political sector.

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"I don't understand, Obi-Wan; he was fine when he left here. What could have happened?" Padme wondered as she tried to remain calm.

"I don't know, Padme; but I will find him, I promise. He cannot hide from me for very long." Obi-Wan assured her and then put a comforting arm around her.

Padme sagged against him and he guided her to a chair, "It will be alright; I promise. I will not rest until I find him." He vowed.

"How? You don't even know where to start." Padme replied, fighting tears.

"I'll just have to retrace his steps, that's all. I know now that he did make it here to have lunch with you, so all Zak and I have to do is…." Obi-Wan began.

"Is search the city between here and the Temple; that's a huge area, Obi-Wan. What do you think your chances are?" Padme cut him off and openly sobbing.

"You must not think like that, Padme." Obi-Wan told her sternly.

"Master? What about Ferri?" Zak suggested.

"You mean his post cognitive ability." Obi-Wan replied.

"Yes, Master, he led Master Anakin to that bunker on Myrkr; why couldn't he lead us to Master Anakin?" Zak argued.

"Ferri? You mean that boy who led you into a trap? You trust him that much?" Padme asked.

"Well, the Council would have to approve; and I'm not sure how much they trust him." Obi-Wan pointed out.

"Then I'll take full responsibility." Zak told him.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "It's not that easy, Padawan." He replied.

"Why? We have to find Master Anakin; and Ferri has the ability to do that." Zak countered.

"Do you really think he can help?" Padme asked.

"I don't know; maybe." Obi-Wan admitted, "If he even wants to help and if the Council agrees to it."

"He'll help; I know he will." Zak said confidently.

"Then, if you're alright with this, Padme; I'll bring it before the Council." Obi-Wan decided.

"I just want to find Anakin." Padme answered.

"We all do. Now, your children are still at the Temple; why don't you come back with us and be with them?" Obi-Wan offered.

Padme wiped the tears from her face, "Yes, yes; of course, I should be with them." She replied, "I'll just let Bail…the Chancellor know that I'm leaving."

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"If there is anything I can do, Master Kenobi; I could send some of my men out to search for him." Bail said when he heard the news.

"Thank you, Chancellor; I'm really not sure what you could do. I'm not sure what state of mind Anakin is in right now; that might not be a very good idea." Obi-Wan answered.

"Alright; I can at least put an alert out for him. And if he is spotted then I will contact the Temple." Bail conceded.

"That would be helpful; thank you." Obi-Wan replied and then bowed, "I would like to take Lady Skywalker to be with her children now, if you will excuse us."

"Yes, yes, of course; Padme, if you need to talk to someone, do not hesitate to call Breh." Bail said as he stood up.

"Thank you, Bail." Padme answered, putting a hand on his arm.

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"Use my knowledge, I beg you." Palpatine's words again entered his mind.

Anakin put his hands to his head, "I know, I know; but I've got to come to you first." He answered aloud.

He was feeling a little better now; his body didn't hurt nearly as much, if only he could shake this headache. Now he understood how Obi-….no, no, no; the Jedi were traitors, and that included his former master. He didn't care what that….he just didn't care. Besides, he was probably already dead, just like the rest of them, so what did it matter? What was it Palpatine had said just after he killed Mace Windu?

"Every Jedi, including your friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is now an enemy of the Republic." Yes, that was it…and they would be dealt with as Anakin had dealt with those in the Temple. Funny, he couldn't remember that, but he had hit the ground pretty hard; it must have affected his memory. Besides, what did it matter if he didn't remember? They were only Jedi…. Now, he must go to Palpatine and find out what he had to do next in order to gain the power to save Padme…she was all he had now, he could not lose her.

"Anakin?" Damn it, why was he still alive? "Get out of my head, Obi-Wan." He said aloud.

"Please, Anakin; you've been hurt. Let me help you."

"I don't need your help; leave me alone." Anakin answered angrily.

"You are not yourself, Anakin; we are all worried about you."

"We? What are you talking about? No one is left." Anakin replied.

"Now I don't know what you're talking about."

"I killed them; I killed all the ones in the Temple. And the Chancellor has taken care of the rest; there is no one left." Anakin informed him.

"No, Anakin; I am at the Temple now. No one is dead here; come and see for yourself. Padme is here, she is very worried."

"You're lying!" Anakin exclaimed and hit Obi-Wan with a mental push before violently severing their connection once again.

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Obi-Wan hit the wall hard and slid down, where he remained for several minutes until he could gather the strength to stand.

"ANAKIN!" He shouted and then kicked the wall in frustration; he was now certain that Anakin desperately needed his help, but he was no closer to finding his brother than he was before he started. The Council did not have a choice now; his Padawan was right, Ferri was the key to finding Anakin….if Ferri was willing to help them.