Peace is a Lie. (/Imbalance.)

Part 1

Requested by mnp1689

Note: There is a modification to the original scene in which the Son shows Anakin a vision of his future. (2008 Clone Wars animated series; Season 3, Episode 17.) In his vision, Anakin foresees his wife dying in childbirth, as well as additional traumatic events. The Son, just like Sidious in Episode III, promises that if the Chosen One joins him, he will have the power to save the ones he loves (combined with the vow of ceasing the suffering that he may one day bring).

***

The violent winds of a gloomy and deadened Mortis howled in the smothering air. Anakin could feel the growing blackness as he descended into the Well of the Dark Side by the instruction of the Force apparition of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The heat of the lava washed into his face as he flew closer and closer to the large, flat chunk of black stone jutting out from the scorching magma.

Some fiery, unrelenting dread and rage choked at Anakin's lungs, making the young man scowl. The Dark Side was incredibly strong here, even stronger than what had now seized this nexus of the Force- it was almost overwhelming, even to Anakin. Mortis was indeed an extraordinary place, unimaginably immersed in the strange energy that surrounded and bound together the universe. It must have been why Master Qui-Gon had managed to manifest himself, despite the death of the Daughter and the demonic wrath of the Son.

The stone - Anakin's makeshift landing pad - was etched with an intricate pattern near its center; luminous orange markings crossed into what Anakin knew as the symbol for the Dark Side. In all honesty, this was expected. Chambers of magma pooled around, flowing down endlessly from looming towers of obsidian. Lava bubbled and spewed, lapping at the stone edges of the horrid magma lakes. Sparks of fire drifted carelessly in the air.

Anakin's jumpspeeder landed smoothly onto the obsidian. Looking around, he saw the same things as before- lava, stone, the bowel of Mortis violently vomiting magma out from its core. There was nothing out of the ordinary, and a frown of confusion lit upon the Jedi's face as his sharp eyes searched around.

Nothingness... then, a presence of pure darkness.

"Welcome."

Anakin's scowl grew to surprise, then utter disgust. He swiftly turned around, knowing the Son was there to greet him. The wide arms of the Embodiment of Darkness were stretched wide as a (false) show of hospitality as he approached the young, powerful man standing near the center of the stone.

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding." The glowing red eyes of the Son bore into the blue irises of Anakin. Clasping his hands behind his back and letting his broad shoulders sink, the Son continued, "we don't have to be... enemies." A slight smirk dawned on the demon's ashen face as he towered over the supposed Chosen One.

Anakin's brows scrunched in revulsion, while harsh, icy blue eyes glared with accusation at the Son. "You murdered your sister!" A gloved index finger pointed at the Son's black-clad chest, the place which held his cold heart. The young man drew closer, still meeting the demon's gaze. "The Force is out of balance. I have to stop you."

The Son grinned. "Must you?"

A saber was ignited, illuminating the dark, obsidian surroundings with blue light. Anakin shifted his weight into the position of a pounce, ready to strike the Son. Yet when he began to move, the saber was deactivated and drifted away into the waiting hands of the demon. The knight gasped and reached out in panic, though his recovery efforts were useless.

"There is no use for such crude implements here." There was a pause. "I have a gift for you." The Son turned away from the newcomer, the same evil smirk persisting on his face.