Beneath the Shadows || Anakin x Reader

1 - A huge burden

1.2k words
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(Y/N)'s POV
The estate was a twisted wreck, burned and broken. I wandered through the charred remains, trying to find my parents. Their voices were faint, like whispers lost in the wind.

In the grand hall, where laughter used to fill the air, my father lay on the ground, hurt badly. His eyes were dim, and his breathing was slow. My mother was kneeling beside him, trying to help, but her face was filled with panic.

Blaster shots rang out from outside, growing louder and more chaotic. I rushed to my parents, my heart pounding. Tears streamed down my face as I begged them to hold on.

"Stay with me," I cried. "Please, don't leave us."

My father's gaze was full of sadness but also love. "Be strong, my child," he said softly. "The galaxy needs you."

Suddenly, a blaster shot pierced through the room, hitting my mother. She fell to the ground with a final, haunting scream. I tried to reach her, but the scene around me was collapsing. The darkness closed in, and the noise was overwhelming.

I wanted to scream, but no sound came out. The pain was suffocating. Just when it felt like everything would swallow me up, a bright light cut through the darkness, and I woke up.

Gasping, I sat up in bed, my heart racing. The room was silent and still, a far cry from the nightmare I had just escaped. I was drenched in sweat, and the reality of my new life hit me hard. The dream had felt so real, the loss so intense.

I glanced at the clock. I had to meet the Jedi Council soon. I pushed myself out of bed, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. I needed to be ready, to face whatever awaited me.

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As I entered the grand chamber of the Jedi Council, the tension was palpable. The room was filled with a soft, almost ethereal light. Yoda stood at the forefront, his presence commanding respect. Beside him was Anakin Skywalker, whose gaze was as intense as ever.

I bowed respectfully, though I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. The weight of my nightmare still lingered, mixing with the dread of the Council's decision.

Yoda's voice cut through the silence. "Welcome, (Y/N). Important matters we have to discuss."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "Thank you, Master Yoda."

Yoda's expression was serious. "The Clone Wars, a grave burden upon us. Difficult decisions we must make. Your training, crucial it is. But a choice, a difficult one, we have made."

My heart pounded as I awaited the announcement. "What is the decision, Master Yoda?"

Yoda looked at Anakin. "Young Skywalker, your new Master, will be."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I had heard of Anakin's reputation and the strain he was under. The idea of him being my Master, especially after the nightmare, was unsettling.

Anakin's face darkened. "Master Yoda, I'm already stretched thin with the demands of the war. Taking on a new Padawan..."

Yoda raised a hand, cutting him off. "No other option, there is. Train her, you must. The war will not wait, and neither can we."

I glanced between Yoda and Anakin, feeling the tension crackle in the air. The animosity between them was clear, adding to my unease.

Anakin's gaze met mine, and I saw a flicker of something—irritation or something else. "Fine," he said with a hint of frustration. "If this is how it has to be."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I understand. I'll do my best."

The meeting ended, and as I left the chamber, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders. The nightmare and the new reality of training under Anakin made the future feel uncertain and daunting.

Walking through the quiet halls of the Jedi Temple, I carried the shadows of my past and the uncertainty of my future.

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Anakin's POV
I stormed into the common room of the Jedi Temple, feeling the weight of the galaxy pressing down on me. Obi-Wan looked up from his datapads, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Anakin," he greeted, his voice calm. "You seem upset. What's going on?"

I flopped into a chair, frustration evident in every line of my face. "I've just been assigned a new Padawan."

Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A new Padawan? I wasn't aware the Council was making any new assignments."

"Yeah, well, they have," I snapped. "(Y/N). They've decided that I'm supposed to be her Master."

Obi-Wan's expression shifted to understanding. "I see. That's quite a responsibility, especially with everything going on with the war."

I rubbed my temples, feeling overwhelmed. "It's not just a responsibility; it's a huge burden. I'm already buried in Clone Wars duties. I barely have time to manage my own missions, let alone train someone new."

Obi-Wan nodded sympathetically. "I understand how that would be overwhelming. But the Council must have their reasons for assigning (Y/N) to you."

I shot him a look of frustration. "Reasons? They're just piling more on my plate when I'm already stretched thin. I'm out there fighting battles every day. Now, I'm supposed to mentor a Padawan too? It's too much."

Obi-Wan leaned forward, his gaze steady. "The Council must see something in you that they believe will help (Y/N) grow. They think you're the right person for this task, despite the current demands on your time."

I slammed my hand on the table. "It's not just about more work. I don't even know where to start with (Y/N). I'm supposed to juggle my own responsibilities and take on a new apprentice at the same time? It feels like I'm being set up for failure."

Obi-Wan's concern was evident. "I get that it feels impossible right now. But sometimes, the Force places us in difficult situations to push us to grow. This challenge might end up helping you in ways you don't see yet."

I sighed heavily, feeling a mix of resignation and frustration. "I hope so, but right now, it just feels like the Council's adding to my burden without any regard for what I'm already handling."

Obi-Wan placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've faced tough situations before, Anakin. You'll need to take this one step at a time. Try to understand (Y/N)'s needs and find a way to balance everything. Remember, you're not alone in this."

I nodded, though my shoulders remained tense. "Thanks, Obi-Wan. I'll do my best, even if I'm not exactly thrilled about it."

As I walked away, the sense of being overwhelmed didn't ease. The new responsibility on top of my existing duties felt like an impossible challenge. Yet, deep down, I knew I had to find a way to make it work. After all, the Jedi Code teaches us to face challenges with determination, even when the path seems unbearably steep.

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Hey everyone! Soo, there was actually a firt chapter before these in my original plan, but I decided to change things a bit so here we go with another version of this story.
Hope you enjoy, don't forget to like this chapter!
Love y'all.