𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ 75: jedi to jedi

The ride to Coruscant that day was probably the longest trip in Akya's life.

At least, it had felt that way. No one was talking much, all mentally preparing themselves for the events to come or simply sitting with their thoughts, thinking of every possibility that could come true. Akya's mind filled with thoughts like these, a plan for every undesirable scenario and promises she made to herself about every situation. The air in the ship was tense and nervous, like a tool balancing on the edge of the table, ready to tip.

This was when Akya truly realized that if they wanted any sort of future, they had to succeed.  Every other option had been exhausted.  Kill the chancellor, or die.  If they failed, there wouldn't be any other outcome.

They landed far from the Senate building, just outside of the government district someplace where their ship could be easily hidden. The Jedi had donned their usual clothes once again, as this was what they were most comfortable fighting in.  Once they had landed (leaving R2-D2 in the ship for emergency evacuations), the group headed straight for the Senate building. 

The Jedi went through a different entrance than the clones— while they went through a service and delivery entrance, the clones went through a side door, usually reserved for senator dropoffs.  Once the groups split off, the tension began to rise. 

Without a word, the Jedi went through the service entrance, which wasn't guarded by anything but a few working droids.  They were bustling about, filling buckets for cleaning, repairing vacuums, moving furniture. In the corner was a pile of rolled up banners, all carrying the symbol of the Galactic Republic.  One droid carried a new banner, which had on it a new, similar symbol— that of the Empire.

The Jedi moved past this easily— the droids didn't pay them any mind, and didn't seem to think anything of the Jedi with their hoods up. They were too busy with their jobs.

Akya, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan went off into back hallways, ones reserved for droids and guards— though tonight, as Echo and Tech had reported, there were less guards on duty that day.  The Jedi didn't encounter anything but droids, and all of them were very surprised they got past them so easily.

"I don't like this," Obi-Wan said, as they continued walking. "We should have seen something by now.  Why aren't these droids alerting anyone?"

"They're too busy," said Ahsoka.

"Perhaps.  But would they not notice anything suspicious? Are they so focused on their jobs?"

Akya shrugged.  "I don't like it, either, Master.  But I'd rather not encounter any obstacles.  It is a little unsettling, I'll admit.  It feels like we're doing something wrong."

"Do we have any updates from Rex?" asked Ahsoka.

"They've already encountered multiple obstacles," said Obi-Wan.  He was the only one with an earpiece, as, they'd only been able to acquire one on Tatooine, and all the clones had one in their helmets.  They had broken their Jedi communicators a while ago, because those had trackers built in, and they couldn't have that.  Unfortunately, they had done so before they met Tech, who could have rewired the trackers like he'd done in the other clones' helmets.

"And we haven't encountered a thing," said Akya.

"Seems like they're doing all the heavy lifting," said Ahsoka.

"Let's walk quicker," said Obi-Wan.

"How do you know we're going the right way?" asked Ahsoka. "I feel like I've seen this hallway five times."

"The Emperor's office is on the top floor," said Obi-Wan. "We simply go up."

Just as he said so, they came upon one of the service elevators.  It was a slow lift, but Obi-Wan pressed the button and the doors opened for them.  The lift went up slowly, and the silence was awkward and made the tension worse.

Akya could especially sense Anakin's uneasiness.  She couldn't tell what exactly it was he was feeling, but anger, fear, determination, contempt, and more all emanated from him.  She didn't want to make anything worse by asking what was wrong.

Akya knew that the dark side of the Force still resided in Anakin.  She knew, and probably had known for a long time, that he wasn't meant to choose the light.  She had seen his personality change in front of her eyes and had experienced firsthand that look he got when he was determined.  Though she knew he would never fully accept the light, she also knew that he would never be fully dark, either.  Yes, he was able to hate, and allowed himself to do so, unlike the Jedi.  But unlike the Sith, Anakin was able to love so profoundly, and so genuinely.  Unlike the Sith, he felt sorrow.

"He's expecting us, isn't he?" Akya said, after a little while.  Once she'd said it, she knew it had been on everyone's mind.

"There's no other reason for all this ease," said Obi-Wan, as they walked through the hall past more service droids.  "There's no longer a middleman.  No war, no Dooku, no clones, no droids.  Just him and us."

"The last of the Jedi," said Ahsoka.

Obi-Wan sighed.  "Most likely."

a.n.:

I really tried to make this series of events as reasonable and tangible in the star wars universe as i could but i think it's still a little too easy and a little cheesy and all that at some points.  i did the best i could i think just so that i could have the outcome i wanted to have but on the other hand like maybe just the fact that i wrote it is the reason why i think it sounds a little silly. also i think it's also the fact that i had just written clone wars as well, which is essentially a kids show. anyway.

i digress.  i was wednesday addams for halloween! and also i forgot to tell you but i went to nycc and it was super fun. i was dressed as a jedi. i didn't meet any celebs so i really just went to experience the whole thing and all that, yk? it was great

don't forget to vote, my loves!

molly