Chapter 19 - The Festival of Light

Author's Note: Enjooooy! :D

~ Amina Gila


Ahsoka could promise not to leave her men again. She could promise anything, anything at all, but that wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't bring anyone back. It wouldn't change that she still left them to a death trap, and no one was the wiser. She didn't know. She had no way to know, and Cody assured her of it the moment she came back to Umbara and found out what happened, but that does very little to calm her.

"They were my men," she continues, desperation and rage and despair gnawing at her, "And I left them there."

"Krell was a Jedi Master," Anakin reminds, and the reminder is soothing, but it still changes nothing. "No one could have seen it coming."

"You wouldn't be saying that if you left Rex there," Ahsoka accuses.

"No," Anakin concedes reluctantly, "But the fact remains, Ahsoka. Even if Krell hadn't hurt your men, he would've done it to someone."

"He set them up against each other," she replies harshly, hissing out a frustrated sigh. Ahsoka had been leading the attack on Umbara. She was called back to the space battle, to take care of some other complications elsewhere, and then... Krell was supposed to take her place in her absence. Instead, he set the 212th up to fight their own brothers who they were fighting with on the other side of the planet.

He nearly killed Cody, and all of them. He was trying to. The Force protected them, and they are so, so lucky. Ahsoka isn't... exactly close on a personal level with Cody, per se, but he's still a friend, and she cares about him deeply. He's always right beside her, and they look out for each other. They trust each other.

She should've taken care of him. Them. All of them. Being a General is hard, especially when she's so much older than all her men. At least if they were closer in age maybe she wouldn't feel so responsible for them.

"I can't believe a Jedi would ever do something like that," Luke asserts flatly.

"You and me both," Ahsoka agrees, sighing. Krell was a Jedi, and she doesn't understand how he could've fallen so far so fast. And yes, Jedi can fall, but like that?! These were her men. Her boys. "I'm never letting anyone else take control of them again."

"Considering that this happened once, I agree," Luke adds, "I'm not letting anyone do that to the 501st, either."

"Your motherly instincts are kicking in, Snips," Anakin tells her teasingly, patting her shoulder.

Ahsoka is seriously tempted to stick her tongue out at him. Except, well, she has a padawan now, and that wouldn't be the most mature thing to do. "Maybe," she concedes grudgingly, "But they do need someone to care for them."

"What will happen after the war?" Luke inquires, looking up at Anakin, "To the clones?"

He sighs. "I don't know, Luke. No one does. I can only hope they'll get a chance to settle down and live, but realistically..."

"Could you adopt them?" he asks, looking far too excited at the prospect of getting millions of brothers in one day.

Anakin laughs. "Maybe. I don't know. Most of them are probably considered too old for that, but some of them, maybe."

Ahsoka doesn't think that's a bad idea. Anakin's managing to raise two children even as a Jedi, so probably, he can keep doing it. Maybe.

**w**

The Senate is boring. Luke feels like he's learned a new definition of that word in the time he's been trapped here, even if he knows what he's doing is important. He's just... getting antsy because nothing's happening, not that he wants anything to happen, obviously.

He's been assigned to protect Palpatine, after the Jedi Council heard rumors that bounty hunters were hatching some kind of plot to kidnap him in the upcoming Festival of Light on Naboo. Something he's is insisting on attending, despite the dangers. Given the importance of that event, Luke can't blame him, especially because it means they'll all be able to see Leia in person again.

But he knows better than to mutter "blablabla" out loud when Palpatine is in the middle of important work. Luke's been making security rounds as necessary, but during meetings, both in and away from the Chancellor's office, he's often present. It's far from interesting. Why are Padme and Leia so fascinated by it?

Finally, though, Palpatine looks up from his desk, on his own. "Is something troubling you?" he asks.

"Aside from that your life is in danger?" Luke asks, straightening. He suddenly feels very childish for feeling so whiny about his boredom in the first place.

"Aside from that and your obvious... lack of interest," his grandfather replies, raising an eyebrow.

Luke huffs. "What is that apparent?"

"You very posture spoke of it to everyone."

"I thought I was being professional," he grumbles. He tried when other people were in the room, even when some of the Senators were being so annoying he was hard-pressing not to start crossing his eyes behind their backs.

"You were. Most of the time," he replies, with a hint of amusement, "But my question still stands. We haven't spoken on your well-being in a while."

Umbara comes to mind instantly, along with the familiar fury and hopelessness he feels remembering it. He doesn't understand how any Jedi could do something like that, no matter how close they were to Falling. How could they...

It's just sickening. And it's making him question all over again, how many of the Jedi are becoming like that because of the war. Or maybe it's not only because of the war. He wouldn't know. It's not like Reva was ever any better, even if she would never do something that awful. That doesn't mean she's overly careful with her men, either. "Did you hear about Umbara?" Luke asks.

"Krell? The Jedi who turned traitor?" Palpatine clarifies.

"Yeah," Luke agrees, pacing over to the desk, "I can't believe he would do something like that to his own men. I just... I thought the Jedi were taught to be compassionate to all life. I get that he was Fallen, but still."

"I believe I've told you this before," Palpatine begins, slowly, "The Jedi may speak of compassion, but on a personal level, they have always been known for showing very little. The pressure they place on their members to follow their Code to the letter and be completely unattached only leads to the opposite of what they preach."

It always ignites a familiar anger to think of how Anakin's had to deal with that for years. It's a miracle he's still... so caring. But there's no way his father could ever not be this caring to everyone, because it's an integral part of who he is.

"They even discouraged your father from speaking of his own mother," Palpatine continues, "I cannot imagine how well he would have fared, had he not begun speaking to me."

Luke clenches a hand. "Me either. He... never talks about it, though."

"None of his childhood was easy. That is little surprise." Palpatine sighs. "But it does concern me that if one of the Jedi were willing to fall this far, killing Republic troops simply because they are... different, I question how far many others have fallen."

A knot of anxiety tightens in him. "How would we know?" Luke can't help asking, "How many other traitors there?"

It feels wrong to ask this about the organization Anakin still believes in, but he knows his father is... having questions too, after this incident. They all are, even Ahsoka.

"I do not know," Palpatine replies, "But I fear we will not have answers until it's too late."

That... isn't ominous at all. Certainly not.

Luke doesn't feel like he can trust the Jedi for much of anything anymore, not even protecting the Chancellor. So it's a good thing he and Anakin are on this mission. His father is tracking the bounty hunters now, leaving Luke behind for security. Hopefully, they'll be able to capture them soon.

It does little to improve his mood that the Council wanted the bounties taken off the bounty hunters. Yes, that would probably make it easier for them to move so they could find out their plan, but why's that even a concern? They're supposed to be catching them. At least, Anakin should be able to do that.

**w**

When Anakin shows up only a day later, Luke knows immediately from one look at him that something's wrong. His expression is too carefully blank, and he's walking a little oddly, like he's... injured.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Luke demands, practically teleporting to his side.

"I confronted the bounty hunters," Anakin replies, laying a hand on his shoulder. Luke could almost swear there's slightly more weight to it than there ought to be – almost like he's trying to keep himself steady without showing it, and he frowns.

"Did you get them?" he asks, hopefully.

Anakin shakes his head. "Eval, Bane, and... Hardeen were all there, but they escaped. I was able to get a tracker on their ship, however. I believe they may be going to Serenno."

Oh.

That's bad. "So, the Separatists are definitely involved in this?" Luke asks.

Anakin nods. "Yes, but we did suspect already."

"So it doesn't help much," Luke agrees, shoulders slumping. He glances up at his father again. "Are you okay? You seem..."

"I was injured a little in the fight. Nothing significant. Do not worry," he assures.

Yes, he's usually very dismissive of his injuries, but he seems far more... shaken up by it than he's letting on, for some reason. Normally he'd be cheerful and joking, and... To be fair, Palpatine's life is in danger so he's not going to be acting nearly as flippant right now, but it still seems like something else is wrong.

But he has no idea what that could be. This is a perfectly straightforward mission, and... Unless it's just Umbara.

"Did you at least stop to get it treated?" Luke asks, when Anakin's hand falls back to his side, and they start walking down the halls, though Anakin's moving a little slower than normal.

"Yes. It will be fine."

So, what else is wrong? And why isn't Anakin saying anything about it?

That... is not normal. At all. Anakin often makes his injuries sound far less severe than they really are, but he never... stays quiet if something's wrong. It's not who he is, and Luke has no idea what to think about the fact that he is.

"How's security around here?" Anakin asks, changing the topic.

"I'm keeping it tight. I haven't seen anything."

"We should have a forewarning if something were to happen," Anakin muses, something slightly distracted in his voice, "I believe the Council is keeping a closer eye on the bounty hunters than we thought."

"They better be," Luke grumbles, then wonders a second later why it feels like there's more to that statement than it seemed. Not that he even knows how to ask.

**w**

It – as always – has been a very long time since Luke got to see Leia in person, and he doesn't even care that there are many, many people milling about when he finally sees her again. Leia is dressed up all fancily for the event, and Luke could easily mess up her costume and whatnot, but she's here, and he's missed her so badly.

Leia's expression lights up the moment she sees him, and they cross the platform to each other instantly, embracing tightly.

"Didn't mean to miss your re-election ceremony," Luke tells her. She'd become queen again only weeks ago, but he and Anakin never had the chance to attend.

"Don't worry," Leia assures, cheerfully, "But... you're messing up my clothes."

"Oh," he says a bit sheepishly, stepping back.

They've seen the Festival of Light before, but this is different, because it's the first time their entire family will be together, and it's doubly special, because it's the first time they've been together in a long while.

"The crowd will be large," Leia comments, as they move through the already growing throngs of people.

Anakin nods. "We expected that, but it will make it more difficult to watch for any suspicious activity."

She moves closer to him discreetly – mindful that they're not alone – until they're walking side by side. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. You always do."

He returns the smile, but something about it looks strained. Luke still wants to know what he's missing. Why would his father be... keeping something hidden from him? It doesn't really make sense. "We will be as prepared as we can be. But the most likely place for an attack will be the palace. Stay safe, Leia."

A shadow briefly crosses her face. Something... happened with her, too. He can just tell, by looking at her. Twin thing. "You're certain the attack is imminent?"

"Yes, so I'll have Luke stay close to you and Mother."

Leia nods. "Alright. What about you?"

"Where I always am," Anakin answers, lightly.

"Saving the day, of course," Luke chirps, because inevitably, that is always where Anakin ends up. He couldn't imagine it any other way.

It's a bit after Anakin leaves that Leia leans a bit closer to him. "Can I talk to you?" she asks quietly, "Privately, somewhere?"

Luke frowns. There's a strange, almost tension in her voice that's so uncharacteristic of Leia, and he doesn't like it. She's obviously being bothered by something, just like Anakin is – though he thinks that's been true for a while – but she hasn't explained what it's about. She'd mentioned once on holocall that she needed to talk to them about something important in person, because it wasn't safe over comm. Luke had been... more than worried when she said that, but she assured them that while it was urgent, it could still wait a little while, that they didn't need to drop everything to come right then.

"Yeah," he agrees immediately.

Finding somewhere amidst so many people is difficult, and takes a few minutes, but they do eventually manage it. "Something happened," Leia explains, getting right to the point, "During the Gungan's march on Theed. It's the thing I couldn't tell you."

He tenses. "What?"

"Separatist operatives broke into the palace. They were trying to get to me to force Naboo to surrender. It – Jyn was one of them," she blurts in a rush, going on before Luke can interrupt with his rising horror and anger and confusion, because he literally saw her at the ceremony along with Qi'ra and Pooja, so how does that make any sense? "She was sent in by the Separatists from the start. I talked her down from it – her and the others who were there. She didn't want to do it, but Separatists forced her into it from the start."

Of all things that he expected, it was never this. "She... she's working for the Separatists," he repeats, mostly because he needs confirmation of this. It doesn't make any sense, and while he doesn't know Jyn, she seemed so nice, even if she was very quiet and closed off. Now, that makes so much more sense – of course, she was going to such lengths to avoid drawing attention to herself.

Leia nods. "Or at least, she was. She's a double agent now."

"Do you trust that?" he asks worriedly. He might cautiously believe it if Leia does, but that doesn't mean he's remotely appreciative that someone hurt his sister like this. Slick's betrayal had hurt, and Luke didn't even know him personally. He saw what it did, and he... He trusts Leia's judgment, yes, but sometimes, his sister is too kind for her own good.

"I think so. She's... being genuine." Leia bites her lip, betraying an unusual amount of uncertainty. "She needs help. The Separatists have her father – Galen Erso. They're forcing him to work on some massive weapon. Jyn doesn't know more than that or where he is, but if you look into him more, you might be able to find out whatever that thing was around Geonosis."

Oh. Oh.

This is both very good and very bad at the same time. "I'll tell Father as soon as I have the chance," Luke promises, "Are you... okay?"

Leia sighs. "Yeah. It... it's hard, but we're managing it, and I know she didn't want to hurt anyone."

"Okay," he concedes, even if he's still... wary about this. He does not like the thought of a potential Separatist operative being so close to her, but she knows what she's doing. Sometimes, it feels like she's the one who always has. He... has so many questions about everything, and it only feels like they're growing more and more with each passing day.

**w**

Leia admittedly feels much better after her talk with Luke. She just wanted someone to know, and she didn't want to tell Han, which meant she couldn't tell Qi'ra either, because she'd definitely tell him. She hadn't told Pooja either, just to be safe, though Leia thinks her cousin figured out something was off, anyway. It doesn't feel right to keep something like that from them when they're Jyn's friends too, but now isn't the time for that. Classified information has to stay classified from everyone. That's just how it is, even if she doesn't like it. Especially when this could be Jyn's life on the line.

And at least the Jedi will finally be able to start looking into that weapon, whatever it is. They'll be one step closer to finding Jyn's father.

She returns to greet all the guests after that, though Han and Chewie are hovering nearby, as always. Especially right now, given the imminent threat.

Though, she'll admit she finds all the wary glances the guests keep shooting the Wookie mildly amusing.

"What's with the... new bodyguard?" Kier asks, appearing almost out of nowhere at her side. He pointedly side-eyes Chewie.

"The Gungan incident," Leia explains. She has no desire to get into talking about that again. "Han insisted. Maybe he's right this time."

"Isn't that a first, coming from you?"

She snorts. "Maybe. It's good to see you here." She never even considered that he'd probably come when Bail did. Sometimes, she misses the days when they were in school together. When Luke was still there. When Anakin was still around so much. But then again, she probably never won't.

"And you," Kier replies, "Any thoughts on what you'll be doing after your second term is over?"

"I've considered it a little," Leia admits, "Don't have much time to think about anything but the next meetings, but..."

"You can't really become a Senator unless you're planning to fire your mother."

She lets out a surprised laugh. "No, I definitely won't be doing that. Unless she asks to resign. I'm not sure if that'll be the job for me, anyway. I could be a representative maybe, but..." Leia shrugs. "I suppose I'll figure it out when the time comes. The Force will guide me."

"The Force?" Kier asks, with a touch of amusement.

"Yeah. Luke talks about it all the time." He doesn't know about Anakin, even if Leia wishes she could tell him.

"What about a future beyond politics?"

She knows what he's referring to. She's thought about it from time to time, but she doesn't really know. "I'll... think about it."

**w**

The ceremony is starting now, and Anakin is keeping a close eye out on his surroundings, watching and waiting for something to happen. Luke is sticking close to Leia, like he told him to, and it's good to see them together again.

It's also a good distraction to watch them happy together, exchanging an occasional joke the moments Leia's not trying to keep up her perfect queen image.

And he... very badly needs a distraction right now.

When the whole issue about Palpatine's safety came up in the first place, he'd immediately asked that Anakin be placed in charge of the security, like often happened in the past. So he doesn't understand why the Council would – would leave him out of what they were planning. He needs to ask Obi-Wan about it later, though that's not a conversation he wants to think about.

What happened in the incident that Luke keeps asking about – the real way he got injured – isn't something he wants to think about right now. The real way he was injured, not that what he said was untrue. His side is still throbbing, even if he knows it'll be fine, and he doesn't understand.

Later.

He'll think about it later. He's supposed to be focusing on the mission right now. Throwing a final glance at his children, who seem so much happier right now, Anakin turns his gaze back to the crowds.

Fireworks are going off overhead, until Palpatine reaches the central platform, to begin giving his speech.

And then, Anakin senses something coming. He can't pinpoint exactly where it is with so many people, but he can feel danger approaching. Something moves on the far side of the platform, on the other side of the ray shield encompassing everyone, and Anakin's gaze instantly zeroes in on the tentacled limb of someone, who's definitely not supposed to be there, reaching through the shield, to turn off the generator.

"There!" he calls, breaking into a run across the platform.

But not fast enough.

A blinding explosion rings out, the shield generator fizzing out. Anakin runs for the bounty hunter, drawing his lightsaber. They fire at him several times, and he slashes their blaster open, catching them with the Force before they take off on their jetpacks.

He yanks it off, gesturing for some guards to come deal with him, before going for Palpatine. Luke is clearing all the people out, so Anakin can focus on that instead. He focuses on trying to pinpoint his Force-presence, instantly realizing the moment his eyes actually fall on Palpatine, that...

That is not where the Force says he is. A distance away, so-called Senate guards are pulling another into a speeder, and –

He runs for them, even as they fire up the engine, trying to flee. Wrapping the Force around the speeder to forcibly hold it in place is easy enough, and the other guards swarm in to stop the disguised bounty hunters.

At least Palpatine is safe. "Are you alright, Chancellor?" Anakin asks, frowning.

"I am," he assures, standing and brushing himself off, momentarily touching Anakin's shoulder. "And you? You have been troubled."

Anakin glances away. "It does not matter right now. There is no time to speak of it."

Especially because, predictably, as the chaos starts to die down, Hardeen, who's actually Obi-Wan in disguise, approaches.

Even though Anakin is not ready to have this conversation. He really needs answers, though. He's... confused and hurt.

"Anakin," he greets. The voice is wrong, and his face is wrong, and all he can remember is that moment when he was fighting the bounty hunters, and...

"Wait, you know each other?" Luke asks, materializing next to him. Leia is following, no longer in her queen's clothes. She must've changed out of them to make herself look less visible. Then Luke frowns. "Wait... Are you –"

"He is Obi-Wan," Anakin confirms. Undercover. He thought nothing of it when Obi-Wan wasn't currently present in the Council meetings, because of course, he has missions sometimes that Anakin doesn't need to know about. But they were on the same mission here. He doesn't understand why...

"What happened to you?" Luke blurts out.

"You look terrible," Leia tells him passionately.

Obi-Wan huffs. "I am aware."

"You sure?" Leia asks, wide eyed.

"And you sound terrible," Luke adds.

"I saw the real bounty hunter myself. He wasn't a pleasant sight," Obi-Wan replies, grumpily. It's jarring to hear him talking like himself but in a totally different voice.

"Then why look like him?" Leia queries, almost incredulously.

"For the mission, of course." He glances at Anakin for a moment, before looking back at the twins. "With someone of Hardeen's reputation, no one would suspect who I really was."

"I will never forget seeing you with tattoos," Luke complains, "And bald."

"Perhaps you should stop looking," Obi-Wan advises.

Anakin suppresses a laugh.

"How could I, if you're planning to come to the banquet tomorrow night like that?" Leia protests.

"He'll traumatize the guests," warns Luke.

"I'll be in position, in case something else goes wrong, though I've been told of nothing," Obi-Wan replies.

"We need to secure the perimeter," Anakin decides, glancing around. Further conversations will have to wait for... after that.

... He does agree with the twins, though.

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