When the Sun Sets

Chapter 6 - Trust

Author's Note: And everything continues to unwind...

~ Amina Gila

Anakin Skywalker

We haven't seen Palpatine in so long, either. It's good being back here again. I've missed the... comfort and familiarity of it. "Anakin, Aniya," he greets us warmly, "How are you?"

"We're alright," I answer slowly. "I only hope we can find a swift end to the war."

"I hope so as well," Palpatine replies, "This war is drawing out far longer than I had imagined. If only the Senate would cooperate." He lets out a soft sigh, turning to face us. "I imagine it is a relief to be back on Coruscant, taking a break from the fighting?"

I nod. "Yes, it is. I only wish we could have captured Krell."

"You did your best," he assures us, "It was impressive to watch."

Aniya smiles the faintest bit, before it falls flat. It's the first real emotion she's shown all day.

"But you seem stressed this morning. Is everything alright?"

"I had a... nightmare last night. We both did," I answer uneasily, "It was... similar to what we saw of our mother. Except it's more complicated, and I... don't know how to prevent it."

"That must be troubling, especially right now," Palpatine agrees sympathetically, "What did you see, if you don't mind speaking of it?"

"They were... far more complex than our others. We can't make sense out of it, but... we are worried for Padme and Master Qui-Gon." I hate to talk about it – it feels like a burden, like we should already know what to do, because we should, except we don't. It's not as if Palpatine would be able to help us, anyway.

"You fear they could share the same fate as your mother?" he asks sympathetically.

"... yes."

"I cannot imagine losing Senator Amidala," he says. "I am confident you will find a way to prevent this."

"There's more," I add slowly. "I'm worried about... Ahsoka and Alema. They returned shortly before we were called back to Coruscant. They located Maul and were going after him. We wanted to come, but we were temporarily tied down here. In my vision, he was calling them his apprentices. I don't know what it means. I cannot imagine either of them embracing the Dark Side."

"We trained them better than that," Aniya agrees softly, "I don't understand it. And I think... I might have... seen much the same about Obi-Wan."

"I know you don't understand the Force," I add quickly, "But for us, that is... a betrayal of the highest level."

"It is disturbing," Palpatine concurs, "Perhaps I could see how your padawans may start to fall under the sway of a Sith, but I would never imagine such a thing from Master Kenobi. I thought him more trustworthy than that."

"He is," I reply fiercely, "That's why we can't understand. I cannot ever imagine him joining the Sith. He has always been loyal to us and the Jedi."

"Perhaps there is more to it," he agrees, "Can you imagine something that would lead to this?"

Aniya nearly flinches beside me. I shift closer to her, sensing her distress. She doesn't want to talk about this, but it's important. It's also relieving to talk about it to someone who isn't emotionally involved in the situation. "No. Never."

"Perhaps your connection to him is blinding you to his betrayal," he suggests, and something inside me twists sharply, both uncomfortable and angry.

"No. Obi-Wan wouldn't do that. It must have been something else. He would never do something that would hurt us." He could have, but no matter what we did, he never turned on us. He would've had a good reason to. He knows about us breaking the Code and everything.