A/N: I do not own Temple of Phantoms.

Temple of Phantoms

Coruscant, Jedi Temple. 27 BBY.

Anakin Skywalker was not a fan of meditation.

Since he became Siri Tachi's padawan five years ago, he considered it to be boring, compared to the lightsaber sparring lessons. Still though, he accepted Siri's words regarding meditation – that it calmed him and kept him open to the Force's call. With it, he could be able to sense danger not only to himself, but to the ones close to him, such as his mother, and Padmé…

He tried to concentrate. He really did, but it was enough. Legs crossed, Anakin held his eyes close. The other padawans nearby were meditating without any issues, unlike him. It's not that Anakin did not practice meditating. Before that, Siri assisted him to relax and quiet his mind, and Tachi claimed that he was making progress both to him and to the Jedi High Council, who were distrustful of him.

Today, however, the meditating was coming to an end and Anakin still could not settle. The reason was that Anakin sensed something was wrong. Very wrong. Anakin did not know what it was, but he could sense it. He felt darkness, pain, anger, hate and the cold. A dark presence, here, within the Jedi Temple, the heart of the Order!

He tried to ignore it at first, but this dark presence was haunting him for days. Of course, Anakin would have immediately told of this to Siri, if not the current circumstances. The Council has sent her on a solo mission, and thus, Siri reluctantly left Skywalker under the care of Master Sinube. He tried to tell the masters, but they did not believe him, especially members of the High Council such as Windu, Mundi and Kcaj.

He tried to seek help from his peers – the other padawans, but it was fruitless. The other learners, such as Darra Thel-Tanis, Zule Xiss, Mak Lotor and Tae Diath, did not sense it at all. How come they did not sense it when he did?

Force, he sensed it even outside the meditation sessions. Not that long ago when he and the other padawans were on their way to meditate. The impetuous young padawan sensed a disturbance in the Force.

"Did you feel that?" he asked Tiplee.

"Jumping at shadows again, Anakin?" the Mikkian padawan asked. "Do they even have shadows on Tatooine?"

The two were the last of the padawans to enter the meditation chambers, where Master Sinube awaited them. The others were already inside. Ferus Olin, as always, arrived first and on time, of which he constantly prided himself, much to Anakin's annoyance.

"Knowing where to find the nearest shade on a planet with two suns is a matter of life or death." Skywalker answered. "Shadows do not scare me."

Speaking of shadows, they were cast all over the corridors of the Jedi Temple, while the Temple itself casted a shadow over a district before it. It was evening and from the windows the sun was setting down. Soon, night would descend on the Senatorial district of Coruscant.

"We will need a great deal of shade if we don't get to Master Sinube's chamber soon." Tiplee reprimanded him. From her tone it was clear that she did not want to delay Sinube nor the other padawans any longer. "We're already late."

"Alright, I'm coming." Anakin muttered, though his mind was elsewhere. He could sense it. The dark presence. Yet, once again, he was the only one, as Tiplee, apparently did not sense it at all.

"It's just that, I sense something… a darkness."

"It is your imagination playing tricks, I think." suggested Tiplee. "This is the Jedi Temple, remember? Bright centre of the universe."

Anakin could not disagree with her. Her claim sounded logical. Indeed, they were within the Jedi Temple. How would dare to infiltrate the home of the mighty Jedi? Not to mention that the Temple was located in Coruscant's most secure districts. From what Master Qui-Gon told Anakin during the boy's first visit on Coruscant, they were within the Senatorial district, which had the most security due to the number of sites located here. Other than the Jedi Temple, the district also had the Senate Dome, the Republica 500 and the Presidential Palace, where the government of the Galactic Republic resided and worked.

The words of the fellow padawan should have calmed Anakin down, but they didn't. Tiplee sounded logical, but she was wrong. The dark presence that haunted Anakin was here, and still was.

So the padawans sadly could do little to help him, but the worst came from Ferus Olin. Kenobi's padawan was the most popular among the young Jedi learners. He was the oldest and was very powerful in the Force. The Jedi Council already saw him as a future member. Anakin was not jealous, no, but the two now had bad blood due to Ferus' snobbish and arrogant attitude, believing in the righteousness of himself and the Council.

So when Anakin finally decided to ask Ferus for help, Olin not only did not believe him, but also lectured him as if this was his fault.

"You're just a shameless attention seeker, Skywalker." he reprimanded him unjustly. "You're irresponsible. You are flattering yourself with this lie of yours."

This was like a stab to Anakin. If the other padawans did not believe him, but at least they tried to make him believe that he was just seeing things, then Ferus immediately accused him of lying! Anakin reprimanded himself for being foolish. Foolish for trusting Ferus in the first place. With Siri Tachi gone, there was no one he could trust. He was all alone now.

"Breathe." he heard Master Sinube instructing the padawans in a smooth tone. "Reach out for the Force as it passes through you. Flow with it, deeper. Let the Force be your guide…"

Taking a deep breath, Anakin decided to attempt to meditate one last time before the session ended. Closing his eyes, he reached out to the Force. Following the instructions Siri gave him on his first meditation lesson, Anakin felt the Force flowing through him. Nothing happened. Anakin hummed in relief as he thought he could finally relax. Maybe today, he could finally rest and have some good sleep tonight.

Suddenly, Anakin felt as if his neck was compressed, as if something was choking him. Some invisible force tightly gripped his throat. He couldn't breathe.

"Whaa…" screamed Skywalker out in terror, desperate trying to catch his breath. "What was that?! Something… closing in around me. Choking me!"

Then, a sudden light flashed and Anakin soon found himself within the meditation chambers of the Temple, breathing rapidly. Whatever dark menace that held his grip on Anakin's throat, dispersed. Anakin then found Master Sinube towering above him. He then looked around and saw the other padawans staring directly at him. Some with curiosity, some with sympathy, while Ferus was the only one who looked at him with a judgemental look with disapproval. As if Anakin caused trouble.

When Master Sinube asked him of what was going on, Anakin told the Cosian Jedi master of his vision, but the Jedi master only mildly brushed it away.

"There is nothing for you to fear, padawan." Sinube assured him, leaning on his cane. "Your senses deceive you."

"You mean, you didn't feel anything?" Anakin asked. "Impossible."

Anakin felt broken. He assumed the Jedi masters not helping purely because they did not trust him, for they still opposed the idea of him training as a Jedi. Master Sinube was not one of them, and so he hoped that at least he could be of some help. Unfortunately, the Cosian Jedi was a dead end too.

Still in pain and embarrassment, Anakin stood up and ran off, out of the meditation chambers. Within the corridors of the Temple, Anakin took deep breaths. It was already evening as lights illuminated the city below the dark sky. He was busy in trying to calm down that he did not notice Master Sinube's presence until the latter gently touched his left shoulder.

"Anakin? Are you alright?" he heard the Jedi Master asking him.

"I… I'm sorry, master." Skywalker stammered in response. "I had to get some fresh air."

He then took another deep breath before telling him of his concerns. "I swear to you, there is something evil in the Jedi Temple. Why am I the only one who can sense it?"

"You are young. Your training is far from complete." Sinube told him, speaking in a mild tone. "Sometimes it is easy to misinterpret the insights the Force presents us. Even for a Jedi Master."

"I am not imagining things!" Anakin almost snapped at the Jedi Master. He was not eager to listen to another lecture about seeking attention through lying anymore.

"I shall confer with Master Yoda. He will put your mind to rest, I am sure." Sinube stated. He then addressed both Anakin and the other padawans. "No more training today. Return to your dormitory."

Night has long fallen by the time Siri Tachi finally reached the Temple after travelling across the capital from one of Coruscant's spaceports. She sighed in relief that she was home at last. The journey back was tiring and she could not wait to reunite with her padawan. Sadly, there was one last thing on her list to do – report to the Council of her mission's success.

Stepping out of the cab, Siri was pleased that her fellow Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, stood to meet her. However, she soon sensed worry and disappointment from Kenobi.

"Good evening, Obi-Wan." she greeted him. "Did something happen?"

"Indeed," he answered. "the Council has troubling news regarding your padawan."

"Something happened to Anakin?"

"No." Obi-Wan answered curtly before explaining. "Instead of furthering his studies like Ferus and the others, he has been committing silly fits, pretending to have visions."

"What kind of visions?" Siri asked, her voice one full of worry. She didn't want to believe that Anakin was slacking during lessons, for she knew he would never do that without a very valid reason. Perhaps those visions are the reason.

"These are no visions, Siri." Kenobi said, as if trying to calm her. "These are just silly fantasies he made up to cry for at…"

"What kind of visions, Obi-Wan?!" Siri snapped, demanding answers. Obi-Wan winced, never expecting such from his old friend.

Finally, Kenobi told her of what Ferus told him. "Anakin calls it a Shadow. Says that is a presence of the darkness, here in the Temple. And that only he can sense it."

He immediately noticed Siri's face going pale, feeling fear for her apprentice.

"Siri, do you really believe him?" he incredulously asked. "It's ridiculous! If there was a threat within the Temple, the Jedi would have known. This shadow is nothing but a lie…"

He shut his mouth when Siri glared at him, as if she wanted to punch him.

"Look, who's talking." she spoke, most displeased. "You know better than me that the Jedi are not as strong and mighty as they were millennia ago."

"Siri, think what are you saying?" Kenobi exclaimed. "You're questioning the Council now! Of there ability to sense the threat. Especially here, in the Temple!"

"What about Bruck Chun, hm?" Siri asked him. "And what about Xanatos? Or did you forget about them? How they infiltrated the Temple and almost killed Master Yoda? Don't tell me you forgot about them."

Obi-Wan did not answer. There was nothing he could say in response really. He did not forget Bruck and Xanatos. He assisted his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, in the investigation.

"Not to mention," the young woman continued speaking. "the Council did not sense the return of the Sith either and yet, Qui-Gon was killed by one."

Obi-Wan stiffened. Siri knew her words had hit too close to home. And she felt terrible for doing so. However, right now, she also felt frustration toward Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon was the far-sighted Jedi, while Obi-Wan served and still served the Council blindly, which was flawed with its own arrogance.

"Obi," she switched her tone to a mild and sweet one. "you are good Jedi, but you have not learned one lesson from Qui-Gon – open your eyes. These are not the brightest times for the Jedi nor the Republic. The Sith have returned. The Senate is corrupt. The Council are blind to their own flaws."

"Also," she switched back to an unpleasant tone. "Anakin is mine padawan, and my responsibility. It is not for you to judge him based on whatever your snitch told you. I don't judge your padawan, yet unlike you, I can see that has many flaws. Now excuse me, I must report to the Council and tend to Anakin."

"Of course, Knight Tachi." Obi-Wan coldly answered before curtly bowing.

Night has long fallen, and the Temple corridors are all but deserted. Within the private chambers, the padawans and their masters slept, all but one.

Anakin Skywalker could not sleep. The distant whispers and the presence of the darkness continued to haunt him, even in the dark of the night. Nobody believed him. He was completely alone. Siri would have believed him, but she was not here.

Not bearing the torment anymore, the 13-year-old stood up from his bed, swiftly dressing up. With a hiss, the door then opened as he pressed the buttons on the pad. The corridor before him was consumed by darkness and silence. Anakin slowly stepped out of his room, careful not to wake up the Jedi next door.

Sadly, two padawans woke up, hearing him.

"Psst. Anakin, wait." Tiplee called out to him. Her sister, Tiplar, stood behind her. Both sisters still wore the nightgowns. "Where are you going?"

"What if someone sees you?!" Tiplar added. "It would be worse if it is either Ferus or one of the masters."

"Go back to bed, you two." Anakin whispered. "Don't worry about me. I'll be back when I've proved this isn't all in my head."

The two sisters shared a worried look, yet did not follow him. Anakin made way across the Temple, reaching out to the Force. There it was again. That feeling of dread. It was getting stronger, as if it was pulling him. Leading him somewhere.

Anakin followed the presence, passing the pillared halls of the Temple until he reached a destination. Anakin gasped at the realization where he was. The disturbance in the Force led him to an unexpected destination.

The Jedi Council Chamber.

"If any of the masters find me up here, they'll kill me." Anakin whispered to himself. It was as if this phantom foe was setting him up. "Or worse, lecture me."

Suddenly, shadows came to life, joining together to become a dark figure. Anakin realized what it was – the mysterious darkness that haunted him for days.

The figure was the direct impersonation of darkness. It was fuming with darkness, not made out of flesh nor metal. No facial features nor emotions were seen, only glowing, red eyes were locked at the figure of Young Skywalker.

Anakin tried to control his breathing. He could let his fears take over. Fear was a path to the Dark Side. He ignited his lightsaber.

"What are you?!" yelled Anakin, trying to make the impression of a brave boy. "What do you want with me?!"

"I am the darkness." replied the Shadow with a voice that gave Anakin the chill of dread. "The all consuming horror. The ultimate fear!"

Deciding not to waste anymore time, Anakin charged at the Shadow, trying to cut it through. The spectre just disappeared, causing Anakin to stumble before reappearing behind him. Anakin turned around to face him again.

"Give me an answer, not your life story." he demanded. "What do you want?!"

"Everything!" the Shadow's voice thundered. "You cannot escape your destiny."

Anakin disagreed with it. He would take his chances. The future was a long way off. Holding his lightsaber tight, Anakin charged at the Shadow. This time, he succeeded in cutting through the spectre's body, but it did no harm to the Shadow, which only thundered with laughter that made Anakin shiver.

The Shadow motioned its hand, and Anakin gasped as his lightsaber disappeared with a hiss.

"Your weapon cannot protect you." gloated the Shadow. "And you cannot protect them!"

Before Anakin could ask who, he heard the cries of a child. Not just one child. Multiple children. The padawan gasped when younglings came out from behind the empty seats of the Council members. Their eyes were full of fear.

"Help us!" a Nautolan youngling pleaded. "Save us! Please save us!"

"Younglings?!" exclaimed Anakin. "But how…?"

The whole Council chamber quaked with the laughter of the Shadow. Anakin glared at it.

"You leave them alone!" he snapped at the spectre. "If it's me you came here for, then let them go."

The Shadow roared with laughter even more. "There is nothing you can do, foolish Jedi. Their fate is already sealed."

But as already said, Anakin did not believe in destiny. Concentrating, Anakin launched a wave of the Force at the Shadow. The spectre, however, did not disperse. Now, it was time for the Shadow to retaliate. It thrusted forth its clawed hands and bolts of blue lightning sprang out of its claws. Anakin cried in so much pain once the lightning hit him. It was… too much.

"You do not understand the power of the Dark Side…" the Shadow reprimanded. "… yet!"

The younglings that surrounded them, cried and sobbed in fear. They continued to plead Anakin to save them, but right now, he was in no position to do so. Whatever the Shadow was, it was powerful. Very, very powerful.

"I shall consume you." the Shadow threatened in a deadly tone as it continued to electrocute Anakin with its lightning. "I shall smother you in hate and fear. In blood and tears."

"You are mine, Anakin Skywalker, forever and always."

But as Anakin was losing all hope, the images of people close to him filled his thoughts.

"Siri…" he groaned.

He saw his master arguing with Knight Kenobi. They were in discussion about him. Kenobi was judging and reprimanding him for "lying" about the Shadow to seek attention. Siri was defending him! She did not know about the Shadow, but she knew that he needed help.

When he groaned out his name, Siri suddenly looked up. She stared, as if she saw him.

"Anakin?!" she cried in panic. She then ran toward the Temple, her weapon drawn out. "Hold on, I'm coming!"

He saw his friends from Tatooine – Kitster, Amee, Melee and Wald. They were all free, and were making lives of their own. All thanks to him.

His mind then set course for Naboo. Before him, a large villa, if not a palace, rose above the island in the middle of a lake. There, at a terrace overlooking a beautiful garden, was his mother. She was happy and full of life, until she heard her son calling out to her.

Next, he was still on Naboo. This time, an old friend filled his thoughts.

"Padmé…"

Far across the galaxy, the young Queen of Naboo heard his desperate plea, as she stood at a balustrade, beautiful as ever.

"Ani…?" she whispered.

Since childhood, Anakin dreamt of escaping his life as a slave on Tatooine, become a Jedi and come back to free all the ones who were oppressed like him and his mother. Sadly, he witnessed the harsh truth of the Republic and the Jedi. But he did not lose faith. His master, Siri, cared for him. His mother was free, happy and safe. His friend helped her and still did.

He wasn't alone. And it was friends and family who gave him strength. And they were giving it to him right now.

Slowly, but surely, he began to resist the lightning. It was still painful, but he continued to resist. The thoughts of his loved ones gave him strength and will. In the end, he stood up tall and proud. The lightning diminished completely. As if he was immune to it.

He could sense the Shadow's increasing wrath.

Concentrating, Anakin released another wave of the Force at the Shadow. This time hitting the spectre very hard. The Shadow released a feral shriek in pain and rage as it began to disperse.

It was at this moment, he sensed the presence of Siri Tachi. His master had come to his aid.

Anakin collapsed. Siri sprang forward, catching her padawan before he collided with the floor. Tachi cradled Skywalker in her arms, as the boy felt fatigue. Finally, he found the strength to speak.

"Is… Is it gone? Did I save the younglings?"

His question caught Tachi off-guard. "Younglings?" she asked back. "What are you talking about, Ani? They've not even out of bed yet."

Even if Anakin did hear her, he did not get the chance to answer as he was fainting. A fever rose. The fatigue and what he endured overwhelmed him and swallowed Anakin into darkness.

It was so quiet within the healing chambers of the Jedi Temple, only the chirping of the medical equipment disturbed the silence within.

Siri Tachi sat close to the bed on which her padawan rested. Anakin rested against the comfortable medical bed, his head pressed against a pillow, while a thick blanket covered him. Master Vokara Che, a Twi'lek and a highly accomplished healer within the Order, worked nearby. Although there were no sign of hurt, Skywalker was still inspected for any injuries, while giving him rest.

The Twi'lek Jedi was strict and blunt, but she knew her job well and Siri knew that Anakin was in good hands right now.

Masters Yoda and Sinube stood nearby in deep thought, both leaning on their canes. Siri mentally called out to them for help when she raced across the Temple to reach the Council chambers. Both masters felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if a dark presence invaded their home.

Both Sinube and Yoda felt shame and regret. Silently, they admitted their mistake regarding Skywalker. He was haunted by this dark presence, and he began to seek help from the Jedi Masters, who were powerful to deal with such threat. They should have heed to his cries for help and warnings. Instead, blinded by their own arrogance, the Council turned their backs on him. They allowed this to happen. Knight Tachi entrusted her padawan to them, and they failed both her and Skywalker.

Yoda closed his eyes in deep sadness. Silent, was the Force right now, just like before. This time, however, Yoda knew that this was not a good sign at all. The Jedi were growing weaker and weaker, while the Dark Side only grew stronger. An uncertain future awaited the galaxy. Darkness has come to it, and the return of the Sith was the evidence of it.

One Sith was slain by Kenobi on Naboo five years ago. Yoda was certain that this Zabrak was nothing more than the apprentice. The master remained hidden, deep in the cosmos. Once, there was a whole empire of the Sith, until Darth Bane created the Rule of Two. The death of the Sith Lord did not deliver a major blow to the dark-siders. The master lived, and he would just find himself a new apprentice. It was only a matter of time.

The silence was disturbed when Masters Windu, Gallia, Koon, Yaddle and Billaba entered. Windu frowned upon seeing Anakin bedridden. He frowned even more when his former padawan, Dipa Billaba, approached Siri and offered her comfort. Adi Gallia did the same along with Plo Koon.

While Anakin lied unconscious, the Jedi discussed the recent incident.

"I sensed nothing in the Force when this happened." Mace stated dismissively.

"Yet, me and Master Yoda did." Master Sinube argued. Yoda confirmed.

"Impossible. We would have sensed an invasion into the Temple." Windu spoke with arrogance.

It was Plo Koon, who spoke against him. "We did not believe in Qui-Gon's claim of the Sith's return, yet he was slain by one."

"It is our mistake that we did not believe in Skywalker." Yaddle spoke, voice full of regret.

She was of the same alien species as Yoda was. Despite being a member of the Jedi High Council, Yaddle was like a mother-figure to the young students of the Order. She wanted both the younglings and padawans to trust her whenever something bothered them. Whether it was being bullied, experiencing insecurities or being plagued with nightmares. She would also sneak sweets into the younglings' pockets.

Anakin was one of those students and she did nothing to help him. Yaddle felt she failed him very well. She always tried not to fail any of the students, and yet, she did.

"He was referring to the younglings within the Council chambers." Siri added. "They were begging Anakin to save them. But they weren't any younglings there, neither living nor dead."

"A powerful vision, experienced he has." Yoda hummed darkly as he immediately discovered the answer to this question. "In time, understand perhaps we will."

Siri Tachi deeply respected the wise Master Yoda. In fact, it was he who agreed with her arguments of bringing Anakin into the Order. This time, however, Siri had to disagree. Yes, Ani has seen a powerful vision, but this vision was somewhat important. Very important, considering Anakin saw scared younglings within the chambers of the Jedi High Council. What Siri believed was that whatever the vision was, it was to be understood right now, so that the Jedi could be prepared for the upcoming menace.

Sadly, most of the members within the Council dismissed Anakin's vision. Siri sighed. This wasn't the first time when the Council ignored the warnings of the approaching darkness from one of their own. She knew two – Jedi Masters Sifo-Dyas and Dooku. The consequences of such ignoring were the death of Sifo-Dyas and the death of Dooku's former apprentice, Master Qui-Gon, at the hands of a Sith Lord.

However, that wasn't the only thing on Siri's mind.

"To say, more you have?" Yoda asked. The other masters looked at her.

"This vision, whatever it was, has overwhelmed him very well." Siri explained. "I will be taking Anakin with me to Naboo to rest after this. Not to mention I have planned a lesson for him there, when he wakes up."

Mace Windu was about to object, but the other masters present supported this idea and allowed Siri to prepare for hers and Anakin's journey to Naboo.

Obi-Wan Kenobi slowly strolled down the corridors of the Temple. He was deep in thought about the incident last night. He and Siri were arguing about Anakin when out a sudden, she sensed her padawan in danger. When he heard that Skywalker was found within the Council chambers, Obi-Wan believed that the boy was pulling another prank. However, he heard that something really happened to Anakin as both Masters Yoda and Sinube were involved.

Obi-Wan recalled how his padawan, Ferus Olin, told him of what happened in the meditation class. Just like Ferus, Kenobi believed that Anakin was just slacking lessons and pulling pranks. This made him lower his head in shame.

Anakin was quite lucky that Siri and too Jedi Masters came to his aid. Obi-Wan gulped in horror as he imagined if Anakin was his padawan when this happened. Would Anakin have been lucky this time? Kenobi could only wince in horror at the mere thought of Anakin being hurt last night. He would have failed Anakin, and with it, he would have failed Qui-Gon.

Halfway, he met Master Plo Koon and his padawan, a Togrutan girl. Kenobi bowed before the Kel Dor in respect.

"Obi-Wan," Plo Koon acknowledged him. "I assume you're on your way to bid farewell to Tachi and Skywalker."

"Pardon?"

"You do not know?" Koon asked, baffled just as Obi-Wan was, but for a different reason. "Tachi decided to take her apprentice for a lesson on Naboo. Me and Padawan Tano have bid them farewell. I assumed she told you."

Plo Koon and Tano then looked confused as Obi-Wan left them, rather rudely. He never thought that he would do this in the sacred corridors of the Temple, but he was doing this. Obi-Wan ran down the corridors like a child. He had to reach Siri and Anakin before they left.

Passing through the passageways, Obi-Wan quickly spotted Siri and Anakin entering a T-6 shuttle. As he ran, the gangplank slid into the spacecraft, and the engines roared with life, lifting the vessel off the surface.

Obi-Wan raced toward the shuttle, but it was too late. The vessel already flew away from the Temple, reducing in size in Kenobi's eyes. The Jedi Master thrusted out his hand as if he could reach it, but he could only watch in despair and whisper what he wanted to say to Siri.

I'm sorry.