Chapter Text
One thing you learn from life is that there's a consequence for everything, an after effect...
Luke Skywalker huffed, leaning back against the couch. His nephew had left hours ago, leaving him only with some tidbits about his parents and the Jedi. As a Jedi Master, Luke knew very little about the Old Order. The only link he had to that time was his old Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi but Obi-Wan hadn't visited him in a long time.
He had doubts in the beginning of what he was doing was right, but now the Jedi were split. Politically, there were Jedi that still felt the Vong threat should be eliminated completely and Serleena should have been executed, but Luke wasn't sure. He didn't want to base his decision solely on the wishes of the media. But now, he wished he had.
"Stop second-guessing yourself, Luke," Mara interrupted him, carrying Ben in her arms. She smiled warmly at him, shifting her weight, "How did the discussion with Anakin go? Was it helpful?"
Luke shrugged, smiling, "I don't know...I mean, I do know more about my parents than I did years ago. Now, I know that Obi-Wan wasn't the one that discovered my father as well as I had thought."
"And?" she added.
"And," he said, "There's a reason why he crossed over to the Darkside and that it wasn't Obi-Wan's fault."
Mara grunted, "So the old man didn't mess up? Interesting. If Obi-Wan didn't do anything wrong, that must mean teenage Anakin did something to disobey the Council and his Master. But I can't think of anything he'd do to defy them."
"I can," Luke smiled, "He married my mother in secret. Mara, Jedi were forbidden to love. Jedi Padawan are supposed to devote their time to the Order. In a way, a marriage is a political dilemma, especially if it was outside of the Order and Anakin's marriage was."
Mara was silent for a moment, "You think our Anakin will act the same way if Jacen and Tahiri get any closer than they already are?"
"Anakin Solo give into the Darkside? I doubt that'll happen. Anakin's learned a lot since he's come back...he's grown up. And he's nothing like his namesake, he wouldn't do that," Luke retorted.
"Hmm, like he couldn't rape Tahiri when he did?" Mara whispered, "Luke, you know he was responsible for that and yet you say, it isn't possible for him to cross over when in fact, our Ani has already had a little taste of it."
Luke shrugged, "He feels bad about what he did, Mara. That has to say something about his guilt. If he didn't feel bad, yes, I would say he's crossed over."
"Luke, Anakin doesn't have to feel bad about what he did to cross over. He loved Tahiri very much and I suspect he still loves her. If marrying the woman he loved drove Anakin Skywalker to the dark side, there's no reason why our Anakin won't do the same thing," she paused, raising an eyebrow, "Don't forget. History has the knack of repeating itself sometimes."
~~
Anakin Solo trembled, hunched in a dark corner of his apartment. He didn't want to see or talk to anyone; he just wanted to be alone but his conscience wouldn't leave him alone. He'd raped Tahiri and almost killed his own brother. Anakin had known about the Darkside his whole life but this was the first time, he'd actually come very close to it. Yes, he'd tapped into his dark powers. He used them to fight his brother on the Chameleon and knock his sister unconscious so she wouldn't be hurt.
But he didn't want to hurt anyone and he especially regretted the confrontation with Tahiri. What happened between them will haunt him forever. This was his punishment, his memories of those he'd lost. Anakin gritted his teeth, forcing back the tears that threatened his eyes. He wasn't a boy anymore. He couldn't cry, he had no room for emotion. But he had to talk to someone about his pain. He supposed he could try talking to the doctor again but he was banned from the Chameleon because of what happened.
Tenel Ka.
The Happen Queen was void of emotion but in his case, maybe that was a good thing. Anakin smirked somewhat, removing himself from the corner and grabbing his cloak. As far as he knew, she was still on the base and hadn't returned to Hapes yet.
~~
Anakin fidgeted as he waited for Tenel Ka to answer. She was the only one he could really talk to, well, someone that understood what he was going through. The two people they both loved the most betrayed and lied to them. He'd talked to Tenel Ka earlier on board her Hapan Battle Dragon after dinner, but it was very brief. He needed to talk to her again.
"Anakin?" she asked, facing him. She had been crying and tried to cover her tears with make-up but failed.
Anakin smiled hopefully, "With your permission, I would like to talk to you, your highness."
Tenel smied, "Drop the act, Ani," she retorted as he followed her inside, "We're in private now, you can call me Tenel Ka. Please, do not call me your highness or some other royal title. It's actually nice to hear your own name every once in a while. It reminds me I'm still sane. Why have you come?"
"You haven't heard about the trial?" he asked, "Serleena's not dead. Luke decided to go against the media's wishes and allowed her to live but under military protection."
She shrugged, "I suspected otherwise. Executing Serleena would mean retribution for the pain the Vong caused the Jedi. Her death would have been seen as an end to their turmoil. Master Skywalker wouldn't give into that and I'm glad he didn't."
"She's under military custody so she's not a threat to anyone," he mused, "She's safe for now but depending on Vong life expectancy, which I don't have a clue about, she could die while still imprisoned."
"Anakin, I know you didn't come here to talk about the outcome of the trial or Serleena. You came because of your brother and Tahiri, didn't you?"
"I've given them both my blessing. Tahiri confronted me again. We fought a little and then I asked if she could leave Jacen to spare me and she said she couldn't," he whispered.
"Oh Ani!" she cried, "I'm sorry..."
"There's more. The first time Tahiri confronted me, I raped her. I was just so angry at the time, I didn't really think. I didn't meant to hurt her like that. When Jacen and Jaina confronted me on the Chameleon, I lost it. I knocked Jaina unconscious and I almost killed my brother," he paused, "I didn't mean to hurt those I love,"
"I'm sorry Anakin," Tenel Ka cried as she rested her hand on his and smiled. Anakin had rarely seen her smile; he was so used to seeing her as the warrior princess. This Tenel Ka was more human and compassionate. "Listen Anakin, if you ever want to talk or vent, I'm here."
Anakin grinned, "Thank you, your highness but I'm not angry anymore. Tahiri and Jacen truly love each other."
"Anakin," she started, "It's okay to be angry. You need to show some emotion..."
He turned to her again, "No, I don't. It's no big deal. Really."
"Stop being stubborn, Anakin! I know how you feel about Tahiri. You loved her and you love her still. Don't deny it!" Tenel Ka shouted.
Anakin simply stared at her. He didn't want to give into his hate but a part of them still felt betrayed. He'd died, he believed he'd lost everything and now, his true love was in the arms of another. And not just anyone, but his own brother.
"I need to leave. I need to see someone," he mumbled.
Tenel Ka's mouth dropped as she watched Anakin leave, only she wasn't sure which path he would take...
~
Meditating alone in her apartment, Jaina Fel sighed. This was where she belonged, resting peacefully in the bed she shared with her husband, Jagged Fel. Of course, Jag wasn't there. He was busy filing reports with Uncle Wedge. Now Jag and Jaina were married, Wedge was her Uncle too.
The two of them had been married a week now, their one-week anniversary. Jaina smiled and then frowned, her hand resting on her stomach. She hadn't expected to become pregnant so early, but she was. Also, Jaina wasn't sure when she had become pregnant. Yes, she felt something was different inside of her but she could have been with child for a couple weeks and never realized it.
Jaina sat up, sitting at the edge of the bed. He didn't have to know right away, she realized, besides, I need to know exactly when this happened before I tell him anything.
"This doesn't need to be a difficult situation," she mused, "I can handle this. I can handle this -- except of course if I were having twins instead," she cried, falling back onto the bed, slapping her face.
I thought you would have been more stable than this; I'm shocked.
Jaina immediately bolted up again, her hand leaving her stomach and reaching for her lightsaber instead. Her eyes searched the room but as far as she could tell, she was alone but Jaina knew someone was there. Or something was there.
Put away your lightsaber, besides you really can't kill a ghost . The voice replied.
Jaina grunted, still handling her lightsaber as a bright blue light manifested in front of her. She stared at it for a moment; he wasn't anyone she recognized however, she knew he was a Jedi.
My name is Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master,
She shrugged, "Probably important to you but I have no idea who you are,"
He laughed, crossing his arms under his cloak, Nope, I didn't expect you to be familiar with my name. All the Jedi Archives were destroyed after the Purge...
"Purge," she repeated, "You're from the Old Order,"
I am.
"So, why are you here bothering me? Ya know, my Uncle’s right down the hall. He's dying to know everything about the Old Order. You can bother him instead. I need my sleep. Excuse me," Jaina retorted, disengaging her lightsaber.
Qui-Gon laughed, I came to talk to you, Jaina Solo. Not your Uncle.
She looked at him curiously, "Do you even know who my Uncle is? He's Luke Skywalker, so go bother him. Go, just float or whatever you ghost Jedi do to get around. Go."
Seriously, I need to talk to you Jaina. It's about your pregnancy.
Jaina laughed, "No, we're not gonna talk about that because that is my business. Not yours."
Jaina, you've been pregnant for 3 months! he cried, The reason you didn't realize you were before was because you and Jag weren't ready to know. Now, the two of you are married, I thought you deserved to know.
"Wait a minute, I've been pregnant for 3 months but didn't know about it because I wasn't ready?" she retorted, "What made you decide to run my life from your undead life?"
He shrugged, Jaina, your pregnancy was known to all in the afterlife. Why wouldn't it? You are the granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker,
Jaina rolled her eyes, not really impressed she was related to Anakin. Her shoulders dropped and looked at Qui-Gon again, "You said you've been watching me? What does that mean?"
He shrugged, Everyone has a guardian angel, Jaina Solo and I'm yours. Qui-Gon smiled again, Oh, one more thing before you go. You should talk to Kyp Durron.
"Kyp? Why?"
Just talk to him. He may or may not know you're pregnant.He concluded but before Jaina could question him further , he disappeared.
~
Anakin Solo watched as Tycho took Serleena into the cell area. The trial was over but Serleena's fate was still undecided. No one knew he was there but Serleena turned slightly and smiled at him before entering her cell. Anakin lowered his hood as Tycho and the two guards left the area.
He wasn't supposed to be there since it was a maximum-security prison but he wanted to see her. As he approached the door, one of the guards immediately stood up, crossing his arms, "Sorry Jedi, this part of the building is locked off to the public. No one is allowed in there."
Anakin waved his hand, "You will allow me to pass and forget this ever happened."
"I will allow you to pass and forget this ever happened," he repeated, turning and sliding his ident card through the lock.
Anakin smiled, passing through the corridor, stopping at Serleena's cell. "Serleena," he commanded.
Serleena snaked her head around, looking at Anakin, "What do you want, little one?"
He shrugged, removing his hood, "I want to talk to you about your work on the Chameleon."
"I told the court all they needed to know about my affiliation with the Warmaster -- and I'm not about to talk to a kid about 'What's right and what's wrong.'
"Kid? I'm a lot more than a kid. I'm a Jedi Knight." Anakin retorted.
She growled, "I don't care if you're a Jedi -- I'm still not talking to you."
"I heard you asked my brother for sanctuary from the Vong. I can grant you sanctuary if you'll cooperate," he said but Serleena was silent, "There won't be another trial so you don't have to worry about that but your future, your survival can be secured."
"Why would you help me? What do you have to gain?" she asked, "Little Jedi,"
Anakin shrugged, "Don't call me that. I haven't been a Jedi in a long time...I don't even deserve the title after what I've done."
"What have you done? It can't be anymore serious that what I've done," she mused, "You Jedi are all about the light. You can never do wrong."
"I have," he choked, "I've hurt someone I loved very deeply, but now I must pay for my sins."
Serleena cocked her head, smiling, "What would you like to call you then, besides little Jedi?"
"A name? I can't tell you my real name -- that's too much of a security risk if you ever talk," he paused, "Trickster. Call me Trickster."
She laughed, "That's blasphemy. You're not a goddess, you're a male. Only the goddess Yun-Harla has that title."
He shrugged, "Technically, we defeated your people so I can use the name if I wish to."
"Very well," she bowed, "You are...you have become the 'Trickster,' and I am your loyal servant. I will tell you everything you need to know about the project if you can ensure my future in the republic."
"Thank you, Lady Serleena. Your services are greatly appreciated." he concluded.
tbc