Chapter 20 - Begging You To Fight

To Guest: Thanks! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

The public is apparently excited to see Anakin again – at least, the holonet reporters are. Apparently, his disappearance has been a big thing for everyone. Their attention can be rather annoying at times, but he's grown to tolerate it throughout the war.

It's also not until Anakin actually gets to the Senate, along with Padme, that he realizes he doesn't really know anything about what happened after Palpatine took over. All he's heard is some talk about how the Jedi are in control?

He's still trying to escape the reporters over an hour later when he spots a familiar figure pushing through the crowd towards him.

Senator Amidala from this reality.

"Is that... me?" Padme asks, staring.

"Yes. I don't know why she's out here to see me." It's not like they're even friends, really.

Senator Amidala stops in front of them. Seeing her again really reminds him of how different the two Padme's are. The Senator always carries herself with an authoritative air, forever with a reminder that her status is far above what Anakin's is or ever could be. Padme is... just a normal civilian now even if she was once a queen. She never acts like she was once royalty, though.

"I heard you were back," Senator Amidala greets, "It's good to see that you're safe. And I must thank you for your efforts to protect the Republic again. Many might question the Jedi's actions against the late Chancellor Palpatine, but after I've seen how corrupt he was becoming, I understand the measures you had to take."

It hurts to be at the Senate, where he spent so much time with Palpatine, knowing that he's dead. Anakin's never going to see him again. It's sunk in but being back somewhere so familiar is reminding him of it all over again. And no one else even seems to miss him. Maybe Anakin shouldn't because he's a Sith, but...

He just nods politely to her thanks. "With how long I've been gone, I have not... heard what the recent state in the Senate is, now that he is... gone," Anakin says.

"Everything is still in turmoil." she replies, expression dimming, "Windu has assumed the role of the Chancellor, but he has yet to return any of the emergency powers to the Senate."

"... What?" Since when? So that's what the rumors about the Jedi being in control meant. He hadn't really thought to ask; he was too caught up in finally being home.

"They can do that?" Padme echoes, looking mind blown.

"The Council says they debate situations themselves and Windu executes their decisions the same way the Chancellor did before. They say they will return the power but they... claim to be trying to root out the corruption and stabilize the galaxy after the Separatist's official surrender, first."

"And the Senate and people are alright with that?" Anakin asks. That's not the Jedi's role.

Palpatine had warned him that the Jedi wanted control of the Republic, that they were... going to commit treason. He just didn't quite expect it to be so true. Even if he can understand why they had to remove Palpatine. And he can see why they're trying to maintain order, but that doesn't mean... It's not their role. Not that he can say so. It's... not his place.

Even if he's supposed to be on the Council. Or was, anyway.

They gave his Council seat to someone else after he was gone, and he had to ask Obi-Wan about it, just to be sure that he didn't have specific duties to attend to. He told him that it was given to someone else, since they didn't need Palpatine to have a representative on the Senate anymore. Which Anakin expected, and it's not like he wanted to be on the Council, anyway. Having to sit there with the rest pretending he was actually worth having as much as they were only rubbed it in so much more than he wasn't one of them and never would be. No matter what he does.

That doesn't stop the underlying bitterness, though. He doesn't belong with them – sometimes, it feels like he belonged more in the other reality than he ever did here. At least everyone there certainly acted like they wanted him more, even if he doesn't understand why.

Not that he could ever wish he didn't come home, but it still... He doesn't understand why it's like that.

"Many are upset, in the Senate and among the public. You know there have been rumors since the start of the war that the Jedi caused it on purpose to gain power, and now people are saying that the Jedi maintaining control is proving that point," Senator Amidala replies. She's not outright saying so, but Anakin can tell that even if she doesn't agree with those rumors, she definitely isn't happy that the Jedi aren't giving up their powers.

"If the Jedi are... anything like what I know, I can't believe they would keep that power for long," Padme objects, though she doesn't sound certain.

That finally draws Senator Amidala's gaze to her for the first time. Her emotions are always concealed behind her politician mask, but she seems slightly spooked at an absolutely identical lookalike being here who definitely isn't one of her sisters. "We have asked them repeatedly when they intend to return it, only to be told that the Republic is still too unstable," she replies, studying her, "Who are you?"

"It's a long story," Anakin interjects, "I can explain it to you somewhere else." This isn't a good place to talk about reality jumping.

Not when the holonet reporters could swarm them again, any second.

"Why don't you come over to my apartment this evening?" she proposes, "We can talk there."

**w**

Padme's radiating a mix of eagerness and anxiety, as Anakin flies them over to 500 Republica later that afternoon. "Are you okay?" he asks, glancing at her.

She shakes her head, sighing. "I... don't know if my sisters are going to be there. I want to see them again, but they... still aren't mine. It's... something, but it won't be the same."

"I'm sure they will be pleased to see you, even if you are not the same as their sister." He can't imagine never seeing any of his own family again, and he can fully understand how it feels to have to make new memories with... other versions of them, but it still is never the same. They can become family too, but it doesn't replace the old ones. Padme still lost everyone and that will never change. "It may not be easy to see them at first but knowing them will make it easier in time." At least, he can hope. It did for him with Qui-Gon.

Padme nods, but she's quiet the rest of the way to the apartment.

Threepio ushers them inside, and it's so relieving to actually see the droid again. He needs to bring the other Artoo here to meet him sometime.

"I'm glad you could make it," Senator Amidala greets, approaching them. "I haven't met anyone who looks this similar to me in a while, but I can't say it's unusual."

Padme smiles faintly, though it's strained. "That's because I don't only look like you. I am you."

"It's true," Anakin interjects, before Senator Amidala can splutter in confusion or assume they're joking. And so, he explains to her how he fell through a wormhole in the Force, ending up in another reality where he met... versions of everyone here, including Padme.

Senator Amidala listens uninterrupted, though she's looking increasingly incredulous by the end. "I almost don't know if I should believe this, but none of my handmaids have ever looked quite this similar."

Padme twitches. "Are any of them here right now? You're... sisters? None of mine made it."

"I don't know if they're any of the ones you knew, but Dorme is here. My other two handmaids are far more recent employees."

"What about Sabe? Or Rabe and Yane? Or Verse?" Padme objects, frowning, "Or..."

"Verse and Corde were lost in an... assassination attempt on me," Senator Amidala replies, and Anakin can feel her pain even if she doesn't show it much outwardly. Padme breathes in sharply. "The others were my handmaids when I was queen, but they have their own lives now."

"You didn't stay together?" She sounds almost disbelieving.

"I couldn't keep them working for me forever. We still talk sometimes, but they all live on Naboo except for Sabe."

"Can I talk to them?" Padme asks, finally. Anakin can't imagine how she feels hearing this. He doesn't know how to feel about it. He never really knew this version of Padme, so he thought... her handmaids would still be with her. That they'd stay together, loyal to the end, like they did with her alternate self. She talked about them all the time. They were everything to her.

"I'll let them know about you. I'm sure they'll be happy to meet you," Senator Amidala replies.

She offers to let them stay for the night, too, since Padme doesn't really have anywhere to go right now. They eat the evening meal together, and Padme spends much of her time talking to Dorme, at least until Senator Amidala strikes up a casual conversation with Anakin about... nothing of great importance. He might've thought it would be strange being around two versions of them, but really, they aren't the same person, any more than Obi-Wan and Kallous or the two Ahsoka's are.

Padme seems... kind of upset, though about what, Anakin isn't fully certain.

He pulls her aside as soon as he has the chance, before they head to their guest rooms for the night.

"What's wrong?" he inquires.

She sighs. "I thought in a reality where we weren't at war, I... would have the chance to live with my sisters in peace, without having to worry about any of them... dying. But that's not what it's like here. She doesn't even call them her sisters. I don't know how close she was with any of them. That's not something I can imagine."

Anakin can entirely understand that. He can't begin to imagine another world where he exists, where his family didn't mean everything to him. It would be... bothering to see anything less being true. "She's not you," Anakin replies, finally, "You may be the same at the core, but her choices have made her a different person."

"My sisters will be entirely different people, too," Padme points out, quietly.

And then it really will feel like they're gone. Because they are. There's still no way to make that better. Not truly. "I know," is the most he can say.

She steps closer, wrapping her arms around him, and he returns it. "We talked about making this real," she says, holding his gaze.

His heart flutters a little. "Is that what you want?"

"It wasn't possible before, but now... I don't have anything else here. But you have a life here. You can't do that as a Jedi, can you? And there's the other version of me here, too. One that belongs here."

"Padme, it's like I told you. She isn't you." Maybe that is why she sometimes seemed the slightest bit uncomfortable when he was talking to the other version of her. "I may be a Jedi, but... we can keep it a secret. I have always wanted a family." He's always wanted more, and he'll make having a family possible while still fulfilling his duty, just like he's done both his duty and taken care of Ahsoka and his boys in the past. He won't let himself have to choose.

Even if agreeing to this feels like betraying what Obi-Wan taught him. Part of it, at least. He doesn't want to think about the disappointment that he knows he'll face if word of it comes out. But he doesn't want to dwell on that at all right now.

He's wanted a future outside of the Order ever since his mother died. When she was alive, he knew he could always go back to her. Ahsoka and the boys distracted him from that, but it didn't change that... the Order was all he had once his mother was gone, an Order that he so often doesn't feel like he ever can fit in because he's too different.

He thought meeting another version of Padme might be awkward, but it's... not. Maybe a little, but they're not the same, and his version of her is... a friend, though they're not close. She's not the one he wants a future with. It's – her. The one who accepted him from another reality, who kept him stable and sane when everything fell apart around them.

"This is what I want," he finishes, finally.

Her eyes light up, and he leans closer, closing the distance between them as he kisses her.

He'll worry about all the problems this could cause later. Right now, he just wants to be happy – and let Padme be happy – that they have a chance for this to be real.

**w**

Padme wants to stay at Senator Amidala's apartment for a bit longer the next morning, to contact her other sisters, so Anakin flies over to the Senate again. Of all Senators, he's spent the most time around Riyo Chuchi, and she'd be glad to see him in person now that he's back. He and Ahsoka were on several missions helping her and her planet personally, after all.

"Anakin? I'm glad you're here," she says, smiling brightly when he steps into her office.

"I know I've been gone a long time. How have things been?"

Riyo's lips purse, an obvious sign that she's not very happy. "The Senate's been in chaos. What do you think of the Council's move to take control?"

That... isn't a question he knows how to answer, when he doesn't agree but he can't say so. "I haven't seen much of what the situation is," he answers, "I've heard the people are upset, but at least the war is over."

"Yes," she agrees, "I understand why they're in charge, but I've... tried to talk to the Senate about clone rights with the war being over and no one is listening. Not even the Jedi. I don't understand."

Anakin always wondered what would happen to the clones after the war was over. No one would even begin to worry about it during the war – even if they were slaves and everyone knew it and didn't even care – but now that it's over, they don't have that excuse anymore. Why would the Council be ignoring that now that they actually do have direct control to do something? "Perhaps you could put another motion in the Senate now. The situation in the galaxy is quieting, and I can... speak to the Senate if it becomes necessary."

Riyo perks up. "I tried to raise the issue of their rights once before and no one wanted to hear about it, but maybe now it might help."

He doesn't have a mission to go on, so he waits with Riyo until it's time for the next Senate meeting – getting his boys freed is far more important than anything.

He stays in the back of her Senate pod when the motion is finally called to the floor.

"– the war is over, so why has no one given thought to the rights of the soldiers who fought on the frontlines for us and helped us win this war?" Riyo is saying, before the clamoring of voices starts drowning her out.

No one is interested in hearing about the clones.

"We have far more pressing matters to attend to," says someone else – a corporation head, who Anakin can more than just speculate was involved in deals with the Separatists, too.

And this is why he has absolutely no faith in the Senate, the way it is now. He can't. The clones are their slaves, and they don't even care. No one does, and for a desperate movement he almost misses Palpatine, because Palpatine always assured Anakin that he would at least try to do something for them, so long as the Senate didn't make things impossible. But he doesn't know that any of that was real either, and he hates this.

Windu – it's beyond jarring to see him standing at the front of the room – isn't even disagreeing with the majority.

Riyo demands that that they at least listen to Anakin, and the Vice Chancellor agrees, quieting the Senate to let him talk.

"When will there be a more pressing time to address the fate of the clones than now? They were the ones who fought and won the war for us, a purpose they never had any choice in making. They are the ones who suffered most because of the war. Millions of them were lost so that we could know peace. The least we can do is take care of those who still remain."

"We created them for just that purpose," a Quarren Senator says.

He's been trying to hold back just how angry he is – he's supposed to be a Jedi and he's always supposed to be calm, but he can't even help it right now, with the sheer blatant carelessness the people are treating the clones with. "Yes," he agrees, barely suppressing how badly he wants to lash out and... something. He knows far too well what it's like to be nothing, for no one to even care. "The clones were created and purchased by the Republic, despite all the regulations against slavery."

Voices start clamoring at the direct mention, trying to deny it, but he talks over them, anyway. "They are people, individuals. Every single one of them. They are not merely copies of their genetic donor. This Senate is meant to serve its people, and the clones are all people of the Republic as much as those you claim to serve. This status has only been denied to them because you consider them property. Why is no one speaking out for them? Why are none of you concerned for their fates, when all of you live only because of their sacrifice? If it were your own people, your own family or those who keep you in power who had fought and died in this war, who watched their brothers die all around them for a Republic that has yet to give them a single right, would you not be doing everything to fight for them?"

Somewhere when he was talking everyone fell quiet, and Riyo steps forwards to demand that they address the motion now.

It's a long debate that he doesn't have the time to stick around and listen to, especially when he doesn't have much hope that what he said is even going to make a difference.

Anakin heads back to the Temple instead, in search of Obi-Wan.

He runs into him in the halls, along with Asajj and Sith Obi-Wan – all of whom look like they're about to start an all-out squabble with each other, so it's probably a good thing he showed up. Sith Obi-Wan has been let out of confinement under strict watch of Jedi Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon because the Council believed Obi-Wan probably best able to keep an eye on himself.

"I thought he might be less annoying as a Jedi," Asajj snips when she sees Anakin approaching, "But nah."

Sith Obi-Wan scoffs.

"Your company isn't any more pleasant," Jedi Obi-Wan replies, flatly, "Even if perhaps more so than your counterpart here."

Asajj snorts. "Don't flatter yourself." She turns away, approaching Anakin. "So, what's up, Skykid?"

"I've been at the Senate, trying to... help the clones."

"What about them?" his Obi-Wan asks, stepping closer.

"Why is no one pushing for them to become citizens, or getting them... rights?" Anakin asks. "We have the control to do that now. I would have thought that is... part of removing corruption in the Senate." He has so many questions about that, none of which he's really comfortable voicing, but he can't stay quiet when he knows the clones will never be free if he doesn't do something.

"We'll deal with it," Obi-Wan assures, "But even with the war over, everything is in chaos right now. Relief efforts for the civilians, and forces to fight the crime that multiplied when the Jedi were occupied are... crucial, until things start settling down."

"But the war is over," Anakin objects, frustration rising. They can't just keep saying later. "How long will the clones have to wait? (Why are the Republic citizens more important than the Republic slaves?)

"It will be taken care of, Anakin," he replies, soothingly, "I can ask the Council to press the issue, soon."

Soon.

They should've dealt with it already. He knows Obi-Wan isn't in complete control of that, but it still sometimes feels like – like Anakin's the only Jedi who really cares.

"Wow," Asajj drawls, "Doesn't sound like the Jedi treat their army much better than the Sith."

"That is ridiculous," Obi-Wan retorts, looking at her sharply.

Sith Obi-Wan just looks smug. And there's something calculating in his eyes. Anakin... doesn't have a good feeling about that look.

"Prove it then," Asajj replies, waving a hand. She steps forwards, patting Anakin on the shoulder. "I've got some things to take care of, but don't worry, I'll be back before you realize I'm gone."

She's... going somewhere? It's silly that it sends a sharp pang through at him at the realization that they really aren't a crew anymore. Not now that they're here. And he doesn't want to lose that closeness that he got with them. "Where are you going?"

"Think of it as a surprise," she says, grinning.

He has a bad feeling about this. "What kind of surprise?"

"If I told you, how'd it be one?"

... Fair point. "I'll be waiting to see," Anakin replies, smiling back.

"Don't think I'll be disappearing on you," she says – he can't tell if she's joking or if she can sense his turbulent emotions about that – patting his arm, before she turns away, disappearing down the hall.

Jedi Obi-Wan's gaze follows her for a moment before he looks back to Anakin. "We will deal with this soon," he promises, "You don't need to doubt that."

Anakin nods. Doesn't know if he really believes it, but he can hope at least.

As soon as he has the chance to do so in private, Anakin approaches Sith Obi-Wan. He needs to make sure he's not up to anything, and that's never something he'll let on in the presence of anyone else. Or he'll be deliberately bragging about killing people just to get a reaction, and Anakin wants an honest answer.

"Do you truly believe the Jedi will help them?" Sith Obi-Wan asks, studying him, before he even has the chance to get a word out.

No.

Even if he feels bad about doubting so much. And he's also upset that he's upset for doubting because he just – doesn't see a reason to believe the Jedi right now. If they're really making things better by keeping a power they shouldn't have, he has yet to see it. "I... do not know," Anakin settles for, finally.

He reaches out, unexpectedly touching Anakin's shoulder.

"I may not have been here long, Anakin, but I can see that you are... different from the other Jedi. You don't fit in with them. You want... more than that."

It's true, too true. He tries not to dwell on it, but it's hard not to. Especially after being in a reality where he didn't have to worry about any of that for so long. Anakin swallows hard, avoiding his gaze. "Don't ask me to become a Sith, Obi-Wan. Please. I can't do that." And he doesn't really have the energy to deal with continuously talking about it, either. He – he wants to feel like he can be around him without him... wanting Anakin to change everything about himself for that – that's true for his own Obi-Wan too, but it's nothing like this. At least Anakin believes in the Jedi way, even if he forever fails to be a good one.

Even if Qui-Gon claims that's not true.

Obi-Wan's grip on his shoulder tightens. There's something almost possessive to it.

"I won't," he allows, finally, "But you can't deny that you... want more than the life of a Jedi will ever give you."

His heart clenches, remembering the... days he was just with Ahsoka and the clones during the war when he didn't have to worry about constant scrutiny from the Jedi. Remembering the days he was on Lost Familiar and just cared to have their friendship, without having to feel like wanting it was wrong. "It – it doesn't matter. I have a duty here."

"The Jedi isn't the only place you can help people. Especially not when they're failing at everything they claim to be making better."

Obi-Wan's definitely going somewhere with this. Anakin forces himself to look up, meeting his gaze. "What are you saying?" he demands, finally, "What are you... intending to do?"

"If the Jedi do not take necessary action, my offer of us working together to lead the galaxy to a... better state still stands." Oh. Oh. He still wants to take control, doesn't he? Anakin's not really surprised about that.

"If – if you want to help, can you do that without... hurting anyone?" he requests, maybe a little desperately.

Because if Obi-Wan genuinely wants to help the galaxy, even by a controlling position – if he can do that legally, something the Jedi did not do – he doesn't have any objections to that. So long as he doesn't start killing people to do it.

He doesn't seem very happy, about... something. "Do the Jedi hesitate to hurt those who stand in their way?"

"Yes, if –"

"How many times have they asked you to do what you believe is wrong?"

How does he remind Anakin so much of Palpatine suddenly? He doesn't want to think about Obi-Wan's question or how much he's reminding him of Palpatine.

"They try. That is what matters." He wishes it felt more like that. He doesn't need Obi-Wan making him question things when he's already having so many questions about the Order that he doesn't want to think about.

He doesn't want to think about the things he's done, blindly following orders, no matter how many times he's double or triple thought them, no matter how uncomfortable it made him, just because it... was what he was told. Anakin struggled with that so much sometimes. It was one of the things that helped him understand the clones so well. Also was one of the things that set him apart from the rest of the Jedi, even if he always knew it wasn't his place to question the Council.

"Or so they've taught you," he replies, "I will... work with them, so long as they are willing to do the same." That doesn't promise much, and Anakin doesn't want to be in a situation where he has to fight him again. He's not just a version of Obi-Wan anymore. Anakin cares about him in his own right, even if it's in a way quite different from the master who raised him, and being enemies again would hurt.

He just nods, still hesitant. "I'll help you, if... you're willing to help," he says, finally. Because he will, so long as whatever he's doing is something Anakin can actually believe in.

Obi-Wan seems... satisfied, at that. For a moment, Anakin thinks there might be traces of blue in his yellow eyes, but he isn't certain.

For everyone's sakes, Anakin desperately hopes that he's being genuine. (He shouldn't hope so much that if the Jedi don't do anything about the clones, Obi-Wan will be willing to. He doesn't know what it says about him that he's more willing to trust a Sith version of Obi-Wan than the Jedi Council themselves.)

Final Notes: Reviews are always appreciated! ^-^

Come hang out on Discord (delete spaces), discord . gg / nqSxuz2 or find us on tumblr at fanfictasia (our more serious blog which does have controversial posts on it; I won't be offended if you choose to block it, promise), and disastertriowriting (which is our fun blog with crack posts or incorrect SW quotes)

We've got a YT channel for tributes! (delete the spaces) youtube channel / UC_g1M5rSCxJUzQCRS29B6pA

ALSO: We have SW gift request forms for General, Anakin-Clones-centric, and Bad Batch fics. :D (delete spaces) bit . ly / CourtesyTrefflinFicRequests