Revenge of the Sith (AU)/Chapter 25

In the Temple Memorial Room, Yoda sat in silence, examining the smoking remains of Renust Nju where his body had been carved up by the cage of lightsabers. The Sith had gone, the Force told him that much but he still did not understand. He still had one question that he would not get any easy answer to: Why?

Yet the Force answered him, and in the form of Qui-Gon Jinn.

Yoda merely smiled and looked up when he saw the slain Jedi Master walk into the room. Qui-Gon looked different now; when he was alive he had always been rushing off somewhere. But now he looked…centred, a word that Yoda never thought he would associate with him.

Qui-Gon sat on the floor opposite Yoda and offered the smaller Jedi Master a sympathetic smile.

You only did what you could, old friend, Qui-Gon said. Do not blame yourself.

“So much more could I have done,” Yoda murmured, shaking his head decidedly.

And less, pointed out Qui-Gon, raising an eyebrow like Yoda had remembered him doing in life, it could have just as easily gone the other way.

“Understand you I do not,” Yoda said, somewhat confused.

Anakin could have turned to the dark side, Qui-Gon explained, if that had happened we would not be here having this conversation and there would be destruction beyond even your comprehension…

Yoda merely frowned, it did not do anyone good to dwell on the might-have-beens.

It was love that saved him, Qui-Gon continued, and love that brought him back.

“An infinite mystery is the Force,” Yoda reflected, smiling at Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon remained there for another moment and then slowly faded away. When he had gone Yoda was still sitting on the floor, still watching the space where Qui-Gon had been, still considering what had happened.

It was here that C-3PO found him, he had reluctantly volunteered to venture out and see if there was still danger. He approached the Jedi Master tentatively.

“Master Yoda?” asked the protocol droid. “Is it safe? Have they gone?”

Yoda only smiled.



In Danta’s apartment as the morning breeze started to move the tapestry drapes in the windows, Bail Organa stood next to the Gungan Senator. With surprised eyes they watched the hologram sent the previous night. It was what they had been looking for, actual proof that would mean that right would prevail.

Even Palpatine’s supporters could not dispute with that.



The sky was getting light when Obi-Wan entered the Chancellor’s office. He had managed to cut through the locked door, but stopped when he entered the room. Immediately in front of him was Anakin, kneeling on the floor beside a low couch. And lying on the couch was Padmé.

Obi-Wan didn’t have to feel too much into the Force to know she was no longer alive.

With a pained face and tear-stained cheeks, Anakin turned to look at him. He then let go of Padmé’s hand and stumbled towards Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan didn’t offer any words; in fact he didn’t say anything. All he did was put his arm around Anakin’s shoulder as he neared. Slowly, he led Anakin towards the rear of the office and away from Padmé’s body. Light reflected from the orbital mirrors streamed in through the broken window. As morning broke over Coruscant, Anakin stared out over the lightening city with wounded eyes. He, too, was breaking.

But he wasn't alone.