Anakin is going through some training exercises with Gungi since Evelyn had to go to Utapau. Anakin closely observed Gungi's performance against a group of training droids and couldn't help but be impressed by the Wookiee's natural talent.
"Good!" Anakin calls out, impressed with Gungi's impressive dueling against the droids, "Alright, come at me!" The Jedi Master challenges.
Gungi looks a little hesitant, knowing Anakin's dueling prowess, "Hey, be confident in yourself," Anakin teaches, "Let the Force flow through you, let it guide your movements," Gungi nods, closing his eyes, focusing on the Force.
With newfound determination, Gungi slowly approached Anakin, his lightsaber spinning in his hand. He adopted the form five combat stance, his movements demonstrating a level of skill that genuinely impressed Anakin.
Though a padawan is no match for The Chosen One, who easily knocks Gungi back to the ground, "Come on, what did Master Zaad teach you?"
"Always get back up, no matter what!" Gungi growls in response, eager to get back at it. The two keep going like this for an hour before Anakin stops the training.
"You're getting better," Anakin says, resting a hand on the Wookiee's shoulder, "You're going to be an incredible Jedi one day, Gungi," Anakin compliments.
Gungi bows in respect, thankful for the compliment as the two sit down, drinking some water while they rest, "You realize that you're a part of the greatest and most powerful lineage of Jedi, right?" Anakin questions.
"Lineage?" Gungi responds, not knowing exactly what that means.
Anakin nods, going into explanation, "Well, a lineage is the line of a Jedi," Anakin says, not knowing exactly how to put it into words, "So, Master Yoda, grand master of the Order, he trained Count Dooku," Gungi's eyes go wide at the mention of the Sith Lord, "Before he left the order, Dooku was a great and wise Jedi, and he trained Master Qui Gon," Anakin looks down in sadness, missing his early mentor, "Master Qui Gon trained my master, Obi Wan-"
"And Master Kenobi trained you, who trained Master Zaad, who's training me!" Gungi says excitedly, catching on to what Anakin's saying.
Anakin laughs, "Exactly," he responds, helping Gungi to his feet, "Alright, let's go again!"
Evelyn and Obi Wan land back on Coruscant, "Home sweet home," Obi Wan says happily, a hint of nostalgia in his voice while his eyes reflected a sense of relief. In his arms, he held a case with the four lightsabers that Grievous stole as the two made their way down the exit ramp.
Evelyn, however, seemed preoccupied as she fidgeted with her fingers, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Suddenly, she broke the silence, her tone somewhat distant, "I have a meeting," she announced abruptly, her gaze locked on the horizon as she made her way towards a nearby speeder.
Obi-Wan furrowed his eyebrows, his confusion evident. He trusted Evelyn implicitly but couldn't help but wonder about the unexpected meeting. He decided not to press the matter and let her go without questioning her further, knowing she had her reasons.
Evelyn's destination was the Senate building, a place she approached with a mixture of determination and trepidation. Despite her growing unease, she felt compelled to face the looming shadows of her visions. The haunting images of Anakin's death continued to haunt her, a future she desperately wished to prevent at all costs.
Later that night, under the veil of the Coruscant skies, Evelyn and Anakin emerged from a familiar apartment building, having spent time with a long-time friend. Padmé Amidala stood at the doorway, a bittersweet smile on her face as she bid farewell to her old friend.
"Thank you for coming by," Padmé expressed her gratitude, her voice carrying a tinge of relief.
Anakin bows at the woman he's known for thirteen years, "Not a problem, Padmé," Anakin says quietly, "I'll contact you when I need you," Anakin says, giving her a knowing look.
"Be safe, Anakin," she whispers, taking him in an unexpected hug, not really knowing if she'll see him again. Anakin pulls away, as Padmé turns to Evelyn, bringing her into a friendly embrace, "You too, Evelyn."
The two Jedi nod, "We'll try our best," Evelyn replied with a genuine smile, the promise of their commitment resonating in her words.
Anakin and Evelyn make their way into Anakin's yellow speeder as they wordlessly make their way back to the Temple. Anakin's hand found it's natural place on Evelyn's inner thigh, mindlessly rubbing circles with his thumb.
Evelyn shoots up, yet again, her heart racing as the remnants of a distressing dream cling to her mind. She's in her quarters at the Jedi Temple, the room illuminated by the soft glow of a single lamp. She sits up, her breath shaky, as she tries to shake off the feeling of unease that the dream has left behind.
Beside her, Anakin stirs, sensing her restlessness. He blinks awake, concern immediately etching his features as he notices her distress. He reaches out, gently placing a hand on her arm, the metal of his arm cool and comforting, "Evelyn, are you alright?" His voice is laced with worry, his eyes searching hers.
Evelyn's gaze meets his, and she takes a moment to steady her breath before she speaks. "It was a dream," she begins, her voice shaky.
Anakin's brow furrows, his concern deepening, knowing that she's been continuously plagued by horrible nightmares. He shifts closer, his fingers brushing against hers. "Hey," he says softly, "I'm right here. I'm safe."
Evelyn nods, her fingers gripping his reassuringly. "I know," she replies, her voice filled with tears threatening to pool out of her eyes, "I've just been having dreams of you dying."
Anakin's eyes soften, his thumb gently stroking her hand, "I know," he murmurs, "Do you wanna talk about it?"
Evelyn shakes her head, tears starting to pool down her eyes, "Anakin, I can't lose you," she cries softly.
"Well, you're not going to," he says confidently, wrapping her up in his arms, her legs thrown across his, "I promise you, whatever dark and evil force is out there, I will not fall to its hand," he reassures, "I'm kind of the best duelist in the Order," he finishes with a small and quiet chuckle.
Evelyn's lips quirk into a small smile at his attempt to comfort her, "It just feels so real, Ani, and I'm terrified."
Anakin shifts even closer, "I'm here for you," he assures her, his voice steady and sincere. "No matter what dreams might try to tell you, I'm not going anywhere. I kind of have a prophecy to fulfill."
Evelyn leans into his embrace, finding solace in his warmth and presence. She rests her head against his shoulder, her fingers tracing absent patterns on his chest. "I don't want to lose you," she admits quietly, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
Anakin tightens his hold on her, his voice gentle yet firm. "You won't lose me, Love," Anakin promises, pulling Evelyn to his chest.
She lifts her head to meet his gaze, finding comfort in the sincerity she sees in his eyes. "Thank you," she says softly, gratitude lacing her words.
Anakin leans in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "Anytime," he replies, his lips brushing against her skin, "I'd miss you too much to leave you anyways."
The next day in the senate building, Evelyn and Palpatine are walking side by side, "They don't trust you, Evelyn," Palpatine says sneakily, "And your old master is holding you back, it appears."
Evelyn nods, "It's not Anakin," Evelyn insists, staring at the wall, "I know that there are things that they're not telling me about the Force," Evelyn grits through her teeth, frustrated at the council, wanting to save Anakin.
"You must break through the fog of discrepancies and lies that the Jedi tell you," Palpatine says, leading them out of his office, "Let me help you know the subtleties of the Force."
Evelyn furrows her eyebrows, "How do you know the ways of the Force?" She asks, concern rising every step she takes.
Palpatine turns to look at her, "My mentor taught me everything about the Force, even the nature of the dark side," he says in a low tone.
Evelyn turns to Palpatine, stepping in front of him, "You know the dark side?"
Palpatine now had to choose very carefully what he's about to say, "Evelyn, dear. If one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi," Evelyn takes a deep breath as he continues, "If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force," Evelyn starts to circle Palpatine now, "Be careful. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi," Evelyn knows what this means, but doesn't want to accept it, "Learn to know the dark side of the Force, and you will be able to save him from certain death."
Evelyn's eyes widen in shock once Palpatine mentions Anakin's death, "What did you say?"
"Use my knowledge, I beg you," Palpatine pleads, and then it clicks. Dark side knowledge, one mentor, shit-talking the Jedi-
In a surge of rage and realization, Evelyn ignited her lightsaber, "You're the Sith Lord!" She yells, rage filling her veins.
Meanwhile, in the Jedi Temple's hangar bay, Anakin and Mace Windu walked side by side, discussing their daily training session and other pressing matters. Mace's brow furrowed with concern as they spoke, "Are you sure about this, Anakin?"
Anakin nods, "Absolutely positive," he reassures, "Nothing will stand in the way of this," Mace nods as Kit Fisto and Agen Kolar walk up from behind the two, breaking into conversation.
Suddenly, Evelyn burst into the Temple's hangar bay, her urgency palpable as she sprinted toward Mace and Anakin, who were heading toward a waiting gunship, "Masters!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency, "We were right," she declared breathlessly, Anakin looking at her in concern, "Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord."
Anakin and Mace exchanged a meaningful glance, before Mace turned to the other Jedi, "We need to protect the integrity of the Order," he said as they made their way to the senate
.