I don't like the midiclorians. I liked the Force being more mysterious and less science.

YODA'S CHAMBER

When a Jedi had a question about the deepest subtleties of the Force, there was one source to whom he could always turn; a Jedi Master who never judged Anakin Skywalker or condescended to him like Windu or even Obi-Wan sometimes. He didn't always have the best answers, but Anakin knew that this Jedi genuinely meant well. So, first thing that morning, without even taking time to change his clothes, Anakin Skywalker had gone to Grand Master Yoda for advice.

He'd been surprised by how graciously the ancient Jedi Master had graciously the ancient Jedi Master had invited him into his quarters, and by how patiently Yoda had listened to stumbling attempts to explain his question without giving away his secret. But this morning, despite clearly having other things on his mind, even Anakin's Force perceptions, far from the most subtle, had detected echoes of conflict and worry within the Master's chamber- Yoda had simply offered Anakin a place on one of the softly rounded pod seats and suggested they meditate together.

He hadn't even asked for details.

Anakin had been so grateful - and so relieved, and so unexpectedly hopeful- that he'd found tears welling into his eyes, and some few minutes had been required for him to compose himself into proper Jedi serenity.

After a time, Yoda's eyes had slowly opened and the deep furrows on his ancient brow had deepened further. "Premonitions... premonitions... deep questions they are. Sense the future, once all Jedi could; now few alone have this skill. Visions... gifts from the Force, and curses. Signposts and snares. These visions you have...?"

"They are of pain," Anakin said, trembling. "Of suffering... and death."

"Yourself you speak of, or someone you know?"

Anakin trusted his feelings and trusted Master Yoda. He was one of the few Masters who never lost faith in Anakin. "Someone."

"Some close to you?" Yoda prompted gently.

"Yes," Anakin had replied, eyes turned away from Yoda's too-wise stare. Let him think he was talking about Ob-Wan. It was close enough.

Yoda's voice was still gentle and understanding. "Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is path to the dark side, young one."

"I won't let my visions come true, Master. I won't."

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not."

"Then why do we fight at all, Master? Why save anybody?"

"Speaking of anybody, we are not," Yoda said gently, but firmly. "Speaking of you, and your vision, and your fear, we are. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is."

Anakin wasn't liking this, but he made one last disparate grasp for the green man's wisdom. The father-to-be was ready to do anything to protect his family. "What must I do, Master Yoda."

"The fear of loss, train yourself to release. Let go of the fear, and see the path, you will."

Yoda's words stuck with Anakin. Was he saying fear was clouding his mind? A little ray of hope shown in Anakin. "So... if I cleanse my mind of fear, I'll know what to do to save P... my friend, from death?"

"Clouds your judgement, fear does," Yoda said, coming to sit next to Anakin. "Makes you panic. Makes you quick to react instead of thinking. A slippery slope to the dark side, that is. Remember what it's like to be young, I do. To be full of anger. Fear. Confusion. Tell me, young Skywalker. What else troubles you?"

Anakin stood up and walked over to the slitted windows. He observed the usual Coruscant traffic. Yoda merely watched. It had been merely days after Count Dooku had wrecked Coruscant and abducted the Chancellor. And yet it was back to business as usual. Contemplating what he would say to the Grandmaster. Anakin sensed Yoda was in no hurry and would wait. Anakin appreciated that. Obi-Wan and Yoda were one of the few masters that understood him and was patient with him. Obi-Wan less than Yoda. Of course, Obi-Wan was Obi-Wan about things and he always found something to wag his finger at Anakin, with the young ward responding with a clever remark, concluding with Obi-Wan sighing Why do I even try? Anakin smiled at the memory of the witty bank between master and apprentice.

"It's about what you said to me... about Master Qui-Gon."

"Oh?" Yoda pondered, coming to stand beside him, walking stick tapping the floor.

"But mostly when you said what we don't know about the Force. Master, I know there are the things about the Force the Council aren't telling me. But I also know that there are things about the Force that they don't know."

Yoda stroked his chin. This young man was smarter than Mace Windu thought. Windu was hard on everybody, but especially Anakin. But lacking in intelligence, the boy was not. Patience, maybe. Maturity, definitely. But Windu underestimated Skywalker's potential. The young man was surely destined to become something greater than some front-line soldier.

"Did you speak to Qui-Gon after you left?" Anakin asked.

"Why interest you, does it?" Yoda asked without answering. "Why bother you, does this, hmm?"

"Master, I don't care about Obi-Wan says," Anakin stated. "I know what I say on Mortis."

Yoda raised his chin, waiting for Anakin to finish his declaration.

"I spoke with Qui-Gon Jinn. I know it. I... I want to understand how... how this is possible."

"Speak with Master Qui-Gon, do you wish?" Yoda asked. "Or learn what he could teach?"

"With all due respect to yourself, Master Yoda," Anakin said, inclining his head slightly as a bow of respect. "But I'd give my remaining arm to speak to Qui-Gon."

"Enough limbs have you lost, Skywalker," Yoda counseled the man. "Understand your frustration, I do. Unaccepting of this knowledge, was the Council." Yoda shook his head. "Stuck in their ways, I'm afraid they are. Acknowledge the Living Force, they do, but unholy dedicated to the Cosmic Force, as well."

"Master... what knowledge are you talking about?"

Yoda, he is ready.

Anakin's spine tingled. He looked to Yoda. Was that... Qui-Gon himself? The elderly master barely reacted.

"To communicate with those who have passed, learn a certain ability, you must," Yoda told him. "To do this, the same path I took, you must take."

"What must I do, Master Yoda?" Anakin pleaded.

"Find your droid, young one," Yoda advised. "Ask him about my journey, you will. Then, know what to do, you will."

Anakin looked at him for a moment, wanting more answers but shrugged. He turned to leave. "I will leave at once, Master Yoda."

"Best kept between us, this should be," Yoda stressed, following him to the door. "Barely let my go of my adventure, the Council did. Your hide, the Council would have."

"Oh definitely," Anakin bowed his head. "What should I tell Obi-Wan if I run into him or Master Windu?"

"The truth you shall tell them," Yoda said with a wink and smile. "On special assignment from me, you are. And that's all they need to know. Perks of being a Grand Master, there are."

Anakin smiled and bowed his head again. "Thank you, Master Yoda. I owe you one."

"More than one, young Skywalker," Yoda said, chuckling. "And rest assured, Senator Amidala, under my protection, she will be."

"Tha-" Anakin stuttered before he realized he hadn't mentioned Padmé's name. He turned to Yoda fixing him with a very accusatory but humorous stare. Anakin's heart sank.

He knows...

But Yoda just smiled. "Go on, Skywalker. Come back to me, once returned, you have. May the Force be with you."

Anakin understood, issuing a final nod of respect to the Grand Master as he went.

Anakin left Yoda's chamber with a sense of accomplish. Obi-Wan would've told him that vision of Qui-Gon was an illusion. Mace Windu would've just been a dick to him as usual. By the Force, Windu is always such a know-it-all prick. Ahsoka would've supported him, but she was sieging Mandalore, serving with recently promoted Commander Rex to help her capture Maul. How long had Yoda known? How did he find out? I mean, it's not like we were always subtle, especially my horny ass. Anakin took a moment to realize that Yoda knew this whole time and looked the way. He let Anakin be happy. His trust in Yoda was solidified. He smiled, knowing he was on the right path.

Anakin thumbed his commlink.

"Artoo," Anakin said. "Where are you?"

Artoo uttered a response.

"Well, meet me in the hanger," Anakin said. Artoo asked a question. "We'll talk about it when we meet."

Half an hour later, Anakin was pacing in the hanger, waving away clone troopers asking if they could be of assistance. His starfighter lay nearby in eye shot. Anakin turned at the sound of the typical beeping and wheel rolling of The Droid, The Myth, The Legend: R2-D2. (movie theater fans cheer, confetti)

Anakin knelt to met his buddy's dome. "Hey, buddy. I have a special mission for us. Yoda does, more like."

Artoo inquired what this was about.

"You remember where you went with Master Yoda a few weeks ago?" Anakin asked.

R2 beeped again.

"I know, buddy," Anakin assured him. "Remember, I was the one who sent you with Yoda. Yoda has given me permission to seek the same journey. Where did you go?"

Artoo hesitated, but complied and gave an answer to his best human friend.

"What? Why would anyone go to-" Anakin almost said, but a beep from Artoo and some quick thinking made him realize that this wasn't the place. "Go and get the ship prepped. I gotta talk to Obi-Wan."

Artoo agreed. Anakin patted the droid and the two parted ways.

The door of the briefing room opened. Obi-Wan Kenobi looked up from the holograms and charts he was shutting down and saw Anakin hurrying toward him. "You missed the report on the Outer Rim sieges," he said.

"I was held up," Anakin said. He sounded tense, and more than a little preoccupied. Then he shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have no excuse."

Obi-Wan turned to shut down the last few electronic star charts. "In short, they are going very well," he said. Perhaps he could ease into politics by starting from the briefing that Anakin had missed. "Saleucami has fallen, and Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity.

Anakin frowned. "What's wrong, then?" he asked bluntly.

So much for easing into the subject. "The Senate is expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor today."

"While I understand the concerns about separation of powers, this can only mean less deliberating ad more action," Anakin said with some satisfaction. Then he saw Obi-Wan's face, and his expression became puzzled. "Is that bad? It will make it easier to end this war."

It's not that simple. Anakin was no diplomat; to him, it was simple. "Anakin, be careful of your friend, the Chancellor."

"Be careful of what?" Anakin looked more puzzled than ever.

"He has requested your presence."

"What for?"

"He wouldn't say."

"The Chancellor didn't inform the Jedi Council?" Anakin asked, frowning. "That's unusual, isn't it?"

"All of this is unusual," Obi-Wan told him. "It's making me feel uneasy." At least now Anakin was paying close attention. "Relations between the Council and the Chancellor are stressed."

Anakin's frown deepened. "I too am wary of the Chancellor's power," he said. "A woman I met on Praesitlyn who once told me that all men with power want more power."

Obi-Wan turned. "I'm surprised to hear that from you. Usually, you're the first to jump to his defense."

"Well, he's not perfect," Anakin countered. "And my time on Tatooine with mayors and politicians promising to get rid of the Hutts only to bend the knee the second they take office. I think he's doing a good job with the war, but I do share the Council's concern about his power grab."

"I appreciate that you understand the Council's concern," Obi-Wan said. He frowned as Anakin looked adrift. "Anakin, I sense something is bothering you. What's wrong?"

"Master Yoda has given me an assignment," Anakin explained. "He forbids me from saying anything else. But I wanted to let you know I'll be gone."

"Since when do you follow orders?" Obi-Wan smirked.

"Only when it's Master Yoda," Anakin chuckled.

"All right," Obi-Wan laughed. "But what of the Chancellor?"

Anakin shrugged. "He can wait."

Obi-Wan smiled. "May the Force be with you then."

Anakin bowed his head. "Thank you, Master. I promise we will talk after I get back. May the Force be with you."

A few minutes later, Anakin and Artoo were preparing Anakin's new Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor. A definite upgrade from the Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptor he used at the start of the war. It was smaller but had more firepower. It was perfect for infiltrating Confederate territory.

"I'm going to call Padmé first," Anakin said as he climbed into his ship. Artoo affirmed his assent as he fit himself snuggly in the fighter's astromech socket.

Anakin let the engines warm up as he called his wife. She was just waking up. Breakfast was still being served at Dexter's. Padmé's form appeared. She was still in bed, on her side with her arm reached out to the comlink near her bed. Anakin could see her swollen belly button poking out of her night clothes. He swelled with pride and envisioned how his child was going to surpass him in the future. The nightmares would be replaced with dreams.

"Anakin?" she said. "What is it? Do you want to get breakfast? The baby is hungry."

Anakin chuckled as he shook his head. "I wish. I'm leaving Coruscant."

"What?" Padmé stirred. "Leaving? Where?"

"Yoda is helping me with my nightmares about you. He's sending me on a special mission. I don't know where this will take me but I wanted to tell you. You will be the first I see after I return."

"Where are you going?" Padmé demanded.

Anakin grimaced. "Dagboah."

"Dagobah?" she struggled to say as she sat up. She stretched and yawned. Even with her swollen stomach, she was absolutely beautiful. "Anakin, that's in Confederate territory. What if Grievous ambushes you without a fleet for backup?"

Anakin feigned offense. "Hey, it's me. Besides, the Republic is stepping up operations on Sluis Van, Triton and Xagobah. I can sneak in and out with none of the Separatists knowing. I've done it before."

Anakin didn't have to reach out to the Force to know that Padmé did not like this. Her face said it all. But she knew her husband had to settle his own demons on his own. "Okay. I trust Master Yoda just as much as you. He wouldn't send you on a mission you couldn't handle."

"Exactly!" Anakin gleamed. "I'll be fine. Hey, when I get back. I'll take you out to dinner."

"I Love you, Annie. Be safe!"

"I love you, too," Anakin said. "I will return, I promise."

Thank the Force no one inquired on his whereabouts. Save for the big wig Masters, the Jedi at the Temple usually left the "Chosen One" to his own devices. Anakin himself still thought the Chosen One was a myth and he himself was no one special, save his own power. Anakin had a hard time believing prophecies. His messed-up visions? Yes. Ancient prophecies? Eh...

But if Qui-Gon was able to come back, even if still dead, Anakin would take the chance to speak his old master. Even if absolutely none of his questions were answered, he wanted so badly to see him again. If only his mother had that power. But he never wanted to see her the way he did on Mortis. That wasn't even her, the Father suspected. That Son of his. What a messed-up way to try to influence somebody. But this mission was for Padmé. For their child.

"Whatever lies ahead," Anakin said as he put in the coordinates. "I hope we find what I'm looking for."

R2-D2 questioned him.

"I'll know what I'm looking for when I find it, Artoo," Anakin answered. He was sort of convinced it wasn't a what, but a who. He pushed the throttle forward and with a flare or starlines, the Actis jumped. Ahead, the starlines faded into the mottling of hyperspace.

As the Jedi Knight and astromech traveled through the sea of hyperspace, Anakin decided to rest, letting Artoo wake him up when the time came. Anakin hadn't slept in a while since the nightmarish visions. Anakin sunk himself into a hibernation trance. It was two days before Artoo awoke him.

"Are we there?" Anakin said. He stretched his muscles, as much as he could in the cramped cockpit of the Actis. He got his visuals and checked his scanners. Anakin disengaged the fighter from its hyperspace ring and approached the planet. Anakin was able to glimpse a portion of its curved surface through a heavy cover of thick clouds. The plant was uncharted and virtually unknown.

"Well, this is Dagobah," Anakin said Artoo scanned the passing stars. "Any different than when you brought Yoda here? It sure does look grim."

Artoo chirped an agreement as the fighter began to descend toward the planet's surface. Anakin checked the ship's monitors and began to feel a bit nervous. "Well, I'm not picking up any cities or technology. Massive life-form readings off the charts, though. There's something alive down there. Let's just hope it's friendly. But Yoda brought us here for a reason. And if he could survive whatever he encountered, I'd say our odds are fine."

The Actis sailed through the twilight halo separating pitch between black space from the planet's surface. Reaching out to the Force, Anakin plunged his craft into the white blanket of mists. He couldn't see a damn thing. His vision was entirely obstructed by the dense whiteness pressing against the canopy windows of his ship. His only choice was to control his Actis solely by instruments, his piloting skills and his own strength in the Force. The scopes weren't registering anything, even as Anakin flew ever nearer to the surface. Desperately he worked his controls, no longer able to discern even so much as his altitude. When an alarm began to buzz, Artoo joined its clarion call with his own frantic series of whistles and beeps.

"All the scopes are dead," Anakin realized as he fought for control of his ship. "I can't see a thing. Start the landing cycle..."

Artoo squealed again, but his sounds were effectively silenced by the ear-splitting blast of the Actis' retrorockets. Anakin felt his stomach plunge as the ship began to descend rapidly. He braced against his pilot's seat, steeling himself for any possible.

Your eyes can deceive you, a very wise Jedi once told him. Don't trust them.

You must learn to let go of the fear, another wise Jedi had said. And you will see the path.

Anakin calmed himself. He closed his eyes and stretched out to the Force. As the mystical energy flowed into him, the path ahead became clear. With no fear at the front of his mind, he caught a glimpse of the outside just in time to pull the Actis into a sudden climb. Artoo squealed loudly as the force of almost eight-gs slammed Skywalker back into his seat. His anti-g couch successfully protected him from losing consciousness. As he pulled up, the bow briefly skimmed the surface of a swamp before shooting upwards.

"Whew, that was close," Anakin responded to Artoo's continuing squealing. "Hold on."

Anakin snap rolled to the port with one hand while retracting the landing studs with the other. Cutting power at the last minute, the Actis' landing studs found land. The fighter skidded a few meters but eventually came to a stop. Anakin slumped back into his chair and sighed with relief. He pulled a switch that lifted his ship's canopy. When he raised his head outside the ship to get his first look at the alien world, Anakin grimaced.

The Actis was completely surrounded by mists and fog, its bright landing lights not illuminating more than a few feet in front of it. Anakin's eyes gradually began to grow accustomed to the gloom all around him so that he could just barely see the twisted trunks and roots of grotesque-looking trees. He pulled himself out of the cockpit as Artoo detached his tout body from its plug.

"Artoo, go back," Anakin commanded. "You stay put while I look around." Artoo indignantly beeped a protest. "I don't care if you were here with Master Yoda. I'll be back. Stay here."

Artoo was angrily berating Anakin.

"Yeah, yeah," Anakin dismissed as he walked through the mist. The enormous gray trees had gnarled and intertwining roots that rose far above Anakin before they joined to form trunks. He titled back his hooded head and could see the branches, high above, that seemed to form a canopy with the low-hanging clouds. Anakin cautiously proceeded on his path.

"Anakin."

Anakin startled. He looked around him. The voice had come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Who's there?" Anakin demanded, his hand reaching for lightsaber.

"Anakin. Be not afraid."

Anakin's eyes widened as he began to see Qui-Gon Jinn materialize before him. His voice echoed through the forest. "My apprentice, you have arrived."

For a moment, Anakin didn't say a word, a single tear streaming down his left check. This was different than Mortis. The time on Mortis was... unusual. Obi-Wan said Qui-Gon told that Mortis was both "an amplifier and magnet', a 'conduit through which the entire force of the universe flows'. And with the Celestial's ability to change their shape and manipulate the Force in which no other being had been able to do before or after. Anything could have happened to explain Anakin seeing Qui-Gon. But this was different. This planet, 'Dagobah' according to the charts, was strong in the Force, but it was just an ordinary planet. There was no doubt in the universe standing before him was dead Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Did Qui-Gon show himself to Yoda?

"Master?" Anakin called. "How are you here?"

"Remain calm," Qui-Gon assured him, placing a fatherly hand on Anakin's shoulder. He could feel Qui-Gon's hand as a corporeal form. Something he hadn't felt in over a decade. It filmed him with warm and reassurance. "I am part of the Living Force. I am here to offer you guidance in these troubled times. In your troubled times."

Anakin found solace in Qui-Gon. He trusted him more than any Jedi, even Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon had wagered his entire ship on his freedom. He and Queen Amidala could have been stranded on Tatooine if Anakin had lost the pod race. That was loyalty Anakin couldn't repay. Qui-Gon's voice carried the weight of knowledge, experience and... love. He didn't speak like a teacher lecturing his younger student, but one of conviction, the weight of knowledge and experience. "Anakin, I sense the conflict within you. Your emotions are a powerful force, but they need not control you. Look to my master as an example. He was so desperate to root out corruption he became the very thing he swore to destroy."

Anakin thought back to Count Dooku, his handless arms dangling at his sides as both his and the Count's blade scissoring inches away from his throat. It had happened barely just a few days ago, yet Anakin had berated himself for killing Dooku. No matter what he had done; cutting off his arm, making Padmé shoot the Separatist Congress leader or other acts of mass murder, he didn't deserve to be executed so coldly. In comparison to the Tusken Raiders massacre, Anakin had convinced himself that he had temporarily lost his mind at the camp. But Anakin knew killing Dooku was wrong, but he did it anyway. Killing a literally unarmed prisoner was what a Sith would do, not a Jedi.

The Jedi are fools! Darth Malak was quoted to have said in a docudrama about the millennia ago Jedi Civil War. They do not believe in executing prisoners!

"It is good you are traveling to this ancient plane, long forgotten," Qui-Gon continued. "There, you shall find the path to your destiny. I will accompany you. Follow me."

Anakin obediently followed Qui-Gon's spirit as the glowing dead Jedi lead the way. Yesterday, he'd thought he'd seen everything... But now he knew there was so much of the Force that he didn't understand. What the Council didn't. What Obi-Wan didn't. Maybe the Council wasn't holding him back but were just simply ignorant and complacent. Only Qui-Gon understood. And now Yoda. The Force felt... overwhelming here. Not the same as Mortis but it was strong here.

"I feel the Force. It is strong here."

"Indeed," Qui-Gon agreed as they continued through the forest. "It is one of the purest places in the galaxy. The Force contains two parts, you must see. Living beings generate the Living Force, which in turn powers the wellspring that is the Cosmic Force. All energy from the Living Force...from all things that have ever lived, feeds into the Cosmic Force, binding everything and communicating to us. Because of this, I can speak to you now."

"Master, I need your help," Anakin said. "I... It's Padmé. We're... having a child..."

"I know," the long dead Jedi said, not even turning to look at Anakin.

"You... Well, I've been having visions of her... dying. I can't lose them like I lost my mother. Please, guide me. What must I do? How can I protect my family?"

"I can only show you a place where the answers to your questions will be revealed to you." Qui-Gon lead Anakin deeper into the swamp forest. Anakin trusted Qui-Gon with his life, just as when the Jedi Master was alive. Qui-Gon stopped at a particular cave entrance. Anakin sensed... the dark side of the Force. He stopped in his tracks. He looked at the cave that emitted such an aura that radiated with power. It was a huge, tangled tree, its blackened bark dry and crumbling. The base of the tree was surrounded by a small pond of water, where the gigantic roots had grown to form the opening to darkly sinister cave.

Anakin took a deep breath. He stretched out to the Force. "I sense... cold..." Anakin stared into the entrance. "Evil..."

"It calls to you, Anakin."

"A tree is calling to me?" Anakin said, not even trying to hide the confusion on his face. "How is that possible?"

"That tree is strong in the dark side of the Force. You must enter it... alone."

Anakin looked at the cave and locked eyes with it. The cave radiated with the dark side. His stomach felt uneasy. "I don't know... I've got a really bad feeling about this..."

A ghostly handed rest on Anakin's shoulder. He looked to see Qui-Gon's blue spirit standing right beside him. "Control your fear. You are the Chosen One. And you must be tested."

Anakin felt a tremor of apprehension. "What's in there?"

"Only what you take with you," Qui-Gon said cryptically. Jedi Masters had their ways of speaking in riddles. Even Obi-Wan.

Anakin began to reach for his lightsaber.

"No. You will not need your lightsaber."

Anakin looked at Qui-Gon. So much for Obi-Wan's line This weapon is your life. He went on the comlink and called for Artoo to come by. Within a few minutes, the tell-tale sounds of rotary tracks and mechanical chirps and beeps broke the silence as R2-D2 came rolling in. Anakin motioned for Artoo to open the compartment in his dome to store his lightsaber, the same used on Zygerria. Artoo enquired what was going on.

"It's okay, Artoo," Anakin assured his little friend as he stored in lightsaber in the compartment. "I'll be alright."

Artoo didn't seem convinced, but trusted his master as much as Anakin trusted him.

Anakin gathered himself, silently resolved to take his courage, his willingness to learn, and step within the darkness to face whatever it was that awaited him inside. He had touched the dark side many times since the slaughter of the Tusken Raiders. Throughout the bloody Clone War, Anakin tried to resist the dark side's temptations, with some... slight slip ups. Anakin's eyes closed for a moment as he remembered himself choking Poggle the Lesser. His almost psychotic jealousy over Rush Clovis. His arms still remembered the feeling of using one of Asajj Ventress' curved lightsabers to bash her defenses on Yavin IV. Whatever it was that happened on Mortis which even now was still foggy to him.

Anakin took a step forward, then another. Then another. And another. And another until Anakin was casually strolling towards the cave.

"Your final test is at hand," Qui-Gon counselled as the young man continued his path inside. "Trust in the Force."

CORUSCANT

"And Master Skywalker couldn't tell me this in person?" the Chancellor asked Kenobi's blue form. "I'm disappointed. Usually, he talks to me himself."

"Unfortunately, Chancellor, Anakin's priority was apparently in urgent matter," Obi-Wan said from the middle of the Chancellor's Desk. "He wouldn't even tell me where he was going. But he does extend his regards to you, sir and will contact you when he returns."

"He didn't even tell his own mentor?" Palpatine exclaimed. "Well, it appears whatever's concerning Anakin is important, indeed. I appreciate you talking to me, Master Kenobi and give Anakin my own regards when he returns."

Obi-Wan inclined his head. "As you wish, Chancellor." The hologram faded.

The Chancellor leaned back in his head, linking his fingers together up to his mouth. He fumed. So the boy went off on a little errand. No matter. He won't be able to stay away from the Senator for long.

"He will be mine..." Darth Sidious murmured. "His power. The galaxy. It will all be mine."

The dark inside the cave was so thick that Anakin could feel it against his skin, so black that the light thrown by his glow rod was quickly absorbed and illuminated scarcely more than a meter in front of him. As he slowly moved forward, slimy, dripping things brushed against his face and the moisture from the soggy cave floor began to seep into his boots.

As he pushed through the blackness, his eyes began to grow accustomed to the dark. He saw a corridor before him. Anakin continued forward. After a few minutes, it felt like he was wasting his time and briefly considered turning back. Until... the figure approached.

He was two meters tall with flowing black robes trailing from the figure. He didn't have a face, forever masked by functional if bizarre black metal breath screen. A box containing multiple blinking lights was placed dead-center on his chest. There was loud hiss coming from the mask, as if it was the labored breath of a thing that had once been a man. In his right hand lay a thick black and silver lightsaber that looked... strangely familiar to Anakin. The design definitely rang a few bells All familiarity ended when a red crimson blade suddenly illuminated the darkness. Anakin cursed himself for listening to Qui-Gon. The Chosen One Killed by a Phantom Cyborg on Back Water Planet Dagobah. If Anakin could retain his consciousness after death, he would never be able to live this down.

The Shadow one-handedly swung his lightsaber at Anakin. Even in the cramped corridor with somewhat clunky brown Jedi robes on, Anakin called upon the Force to dodge the attack. Prepared by his disciplined Jedi training, Anakin turned to face the Shadow as it recovered. With his mind and body completely focused, the youth summoned the Force. The Shadow raised his saber again and struck. But Anakin was prepared this time. Swing after swing went wild, to the side or hit nothing but air. Anakin dodged and weaved. He started smiling as he could hear the Shadow's frustrated mechanical groan. The Jedi reached out to the Force and the red blade stopped a mere few inches from Anakin's face. The Shadow's mechanized breathing skipped a beat as it looked at Anakin's outstretched hand telekinetically held the Shadow's blade in place. The lenses that served as eyes bore into Anakin's baby blues.

The Jedi Knight broke the clash with a powerful Force that sent the Shadow flying back into a wall. Slamming hard, the Shadow stumbled for a moment before righting itself. Instead of attacking, the Shadow briefly shut down his lightsaber, attaching it to its own belt. Gloved hands reached for the mask with a slow hiss, it lifted the heavy helmet from its head. Inside the mask portion, a complicated breathing apparatus had to be disentangled, a speaking modulator and view-screen detached from the power unit in the back. But when the mask was finally off and set aside, Anakin gasped, horrified at what saw. As he watched in shocked disbelief, the Shadow revealed, not the unknown, imagined face of this thing, but Anakin's own face, looking back at him. Instead of sapphires, his eyes emitted a glowing reddish yellow.

"No..." Anakin gasped; moisture having left his mouth. "No... This can't be... You are not my fate!"

The identical shadow's facial features barely moved as it reignited its lightsaber. That's when Anakin figured out where the weapon was familiar. It was his. It was just the black version of the weapon he wielded as a Padawan until its destruction in the Geonosis factories. Did the Separatist clone this monstrosity from his severed arm? Was this a doppelganger?

Closing his eyes, Anakin remembered Yoda's words about fear. Reaching out to the Force, all fear and doubt was gone. He knew the truth.

The Shadow proceeded towards him. For the first time, it spoke. It was a mixture of a natural human speaking voice and a voice filtered by a vocalizer.

"You lack conviction."

Anakin's eyes slowly opened as the armored warrior raised his blade for a final strike. Anakin just smiled as the crimson blade ran through him.

Everything went white.

When Anakin's eyes opened again, he was no longer in a cave. His dark robes were replaced with the usual garb a Jedi of ancient times would wear. He was on a planet that was unlike any other. The Force flowed more freely and stronger than any planet Anakin had ever seen. He felt the power radiating from this planet. He reached out with the Force, honing his sense and truly listening to his feelings for once. There was no denying what his senses told him. This was the place in the universe where the Force was the strongest.

"This is where the Force was born!" Anakin realized. He suspected whoever these beings that Yoda met, they were very powerful indeed. He set down the ship at a clearing. A dark robed being awaited him. Feminine, but her face was almost that of a theater mask.

"Welcome, young Skywalker," the being said. "We've been expecting you."

"I am expected?" Anakin stuttered.

"Follow me," the robed individual commanded, turning to follow the trail up the mountain.

It's alright, Anakin.

Anakin discreetly looked around to see if his master was around.

"Welcome, Anakin Skywalker," one of them called, who's face revealed not a face, but a mask. Similar to Grievous but less menacing. This one had the expression of joy on her face... as creepy as it was. She manifested as a being wearing a black robe and a cheerful mask and acted in a manner befitting the emotional aspect she represented. Like a court of emotions. A probe in the Force told Anakin all he needed to know about these beings.

They were guardians of ancient knowledge, the custodians of the Force's wisdom. They were primordial beings who existed beyond time and space, their purpose intertwined with the cosmic energy created by all living things. Anakin Skywalker understood he would never fully understand what they knew or how they operated. But something told that it was better that way.

"I don't understand," Anakin admitted, looking at each individual Priestess. "What is this place?"

"All that surround us is the foundation of life, the birthplace of the Force, the foundation of what connects the Living Force and the Cosmic Force."

Anakin struggled to take all this information in. He was dealing with beings more powerful than Yoda or even this alleged 'Darth Sidious'. Probably the oldest beings in the galaxy he figured. "Why I am here?"

"You are the Chosen One by design," the Serene one said. "And you have been selected to bring balance to the Force. And yet your conviction and serenity are weakening. You are slowly being a product of evil."

"What?" Anakin startled. "I know I have done terrible things... And I regret every one of those things. But I swear I am not evil."

Anakin's eyes darted between the figures as he tried to figure a response. Evil? Were they referring to killing Dooku in cold blood? Or the Sand People? Before Anakin could ask how he was becoming this product, a priestess snapped her fingers, and everything went white. His entire life flashed before his eyes. Anakin looked down at his hands. He was a little boy again. He blinked. He was taller now. He was stabbing a T'surr slaver at 13 years old. He blinked. He was in an elevator with Obi-Wan. The memories poured into his skull like a sledgehammer. Dooku taking his arm. His wedding. Kneeling before Yoda and being knighted. A clone trooper calling him 'General' for the first time. Meeting Rex, seeing him salute. Meeting Ahsoka. Losing Ahsoka. Clovis. Dooku. Qui-Gon. Padme.

"Anakin Skywalker. You stand at the precipice of destiny. The Force has guided you to us, for you are in need of profound guidance and understanding that none of your masters could provide."

Anakin stood firm. So, this was it. This was his destiny. He was the Chosen One. He was meant to be here. He listened intently.

"The Force, young man, is not merely a power to be harnessed or manipulated. It is a cosmic tapestry woven with the energies of creation and life itself. To truly comprehend its essence, one must embrace the delicate balance that exists within. Powerful light, powerful darkness. We have watched your journey, Anakin Skywalker. We have witnessed the passion that fuels your spirit, the love that courses through your veins. But young Jedi, these emotions must be tampered and channeled, for unchecked they may lead to the path of Darkness. The path of the Jedi is not one of denial, but of harmony."

"Embrace your emotions, for they are a part of you. Feel the love and joy," the joyful one said.

"The anger," the displeased one growled.

"The sorrow," the sad one moaned.

"But do not let them rule you," the serene one said, taking her place back in front of him. "Seek balance, for within it lies true strength. The Force does not discriminate between the Jedi and the Sith, between good and evil." The other Force Priestesses began gathering around him. Anakin did not move, maintain his focus on Serenity. "It exists beyond such divisions. It is the choices you make, Anakin Skywalker, that shape your destiny and determine the role you play in the eternal struggle between the light and the darkness..."

Anakin closed his eyes and stretched out to the Force. He called to the Force, reaching for its wisdom. The pieces began falling together. "Balance," he whispered, opening his eyes. "Powerful light, powerful darkness..."

"See?" Joy squealed. "The Chosen One is learning! I told you he would."

"Indeed, Skywalker," Serenity agreed. "You do see that there are no Jedi and Sith. There is only the Force. As you walk the path of the Force, let the Wisdom of the Force Priestesses be your guiding light. Embrace love, compassion and understanding. Seek balance, for it is the essence of the Force itself."

The Priestesses were suddenly surrounding him. At first, Anakin's right hand flexed to reach for his lightsaber... but held fast after a moment. This was Anakin's destiny. What happened to him was the Will of the Force. Any doubt he had previously was now gone. The Priestesses raised their arms to lay their hands on Anakin. They continued as one.

"Through your actions, bring harmony and healing to a galaxy in need. Know that the Force will be with you."

The second their hands touched Anakin's shoulders everything went white.

Anakin startled himself awake. He looked down and saw the familiar controls of his Jedi starfighter. His robes were back to normal. An always welcome cycle of beeps sounded in his headset. "Artoo?"

The chubby droid whirled in concern.

"No. I'm fine. I... have an experience."

What did you expect? Artoo said to one of the few Jedi to speak fluent binary.

"The Force spoke to me..." Anakin closed his eyes. He reached out to the Force and let it fill him with warmth. He had the teachings of the Force Priestesses to guide him. "It... they... whatever... showed me things about the Force I never knew. About my path. My destiny. I now know what I must do."

"Set course for Coruscant, Artoo," Anakin said as he worked the controls of the Actis. Within half an hour, he was back in space interlocking with the hyperspace ring. With the knowledge and wisdom of the Force Priestesses, Anakin Skywalker knew what he must do. "It's time I finally embraced my destiny."

I AM A DWARF AND I'M DIGGIN A HOLE!

DIGGY DIGGY HOLE! DIGGY DIGGY HOLE!

I AM A DWARF AND I'M DIGGIN' A HOLE!

DIGGY DIGGY HOLE! DIGGIN' A HOLE!