2k words

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A New Chain of Events

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(Y/n)'s POV
"Again," Anakin's voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding, as he rubbed the weariness from his eyes. It was clear that he hasn't been sleeping very well; his once-vibrant gaze was now clouded, the redness around his eyes intensifying with each day, and the dark circles beneath them were becoming more pronounced.

I lowered my weapon, concerned for him. "Anakin, maybe we should think about taking a break."

"No," He shook his head stubbornly. "No breaks," he declared, channeling the Force to elevate my weapon back into a defensive stance before my very eyes.

The familiar hum of the lightsaber filled the air, a sound that had become both a comfort and a source of tension between us. In a heartbeat, he lunged forward, his movements a blur of precision and power, and I found myself retreating, almost backing into the wall behind me as I parried his relentless strikes. Each clash of our weapons echoed in the training room, a testament to the intensity of our duel.

"You're slacking," he accused, his voice rising almost to a shout as he swept my weapon aside in a swift motion, sending it clattering to the floor, its glow snuffed out. The sudden silence that followed felt deafening, and I stared at him, momentarily stunned by his hostility towards me. The fire in his eyes was unmistakable, a fierce determination that both inspired and intimidated me. I understood that despite the unspoken bond we shared, we were still Master and padawan, and those dynamics needed to be maintained. However, his behavior had escalated to an excessive level these past few days.

"And you're being a bit rude, don't you think?" I shot back, pushing against his chest, which made him stagger back a few steps. The defiance in my voice surprised even me, but I was tired of being treated like a novice, especially when I had trained so hard to prove myself.

He paused, studying my face for a moment, his expression shifting from frustration to something softer, more contemplative. The tension in the air began to dissipate as he glanced at the lightsaber he had cast aside, its hilt now lying on the floor between us.

With a heavy sigh, he admitted, "I'm sorry." He took a few steps back until he reached the wall, sliding down to sit, his posture suddenly weary. Resting his arms on his knees, he leaned his head back, his voice softening as he spoke. "With Maul out there, it has me on edge. I just want you to be able to protect yourself."

I settled onto the floor across from him. "I think I've proven that I can handle myself just fine." Sure, I could still use some training, but at the very least, I was a survivor. The memories of past encounters flashed through my mind—narrow escapes, quick thinking in the heat of battle, and the resilience I had cultivated over time. Each experience had shaped me, forged me into someone who could stand her ground, even when the odds were stacked against me.

He chuckled softly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "What you've really shown is that you have a talent for attracting trouble." His playful tone was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile. Trouble did seem to follow me wherever I go.

I playfully nudged his arm. "But I'm still here, right? And if I recall correctly, who nearly got taken out by a single wasp on Felucia after ignoring my advice?" I raised an eyebrow, my voice teasing yet firm. "You, and who was it that saved you?"

"You," he replied softly, his hand gently brushing my cheek.

"Exactly," I said proudly, leaning into his fleeting touch, savoring the intimacy of the moment. But he quickly withdrew his hand, a subtle signal to keep our moment private, a reminder of the world outside our little bubble. "It seems we both have a knack for landing in tricky situations, Ani."

He nodded thoughtfully, tilting his head back against the wall. "Obi-Wan is really concerned about Maul. He believes Ahsoka and I will be his primary targets to get to him." His tone shifted, darkening. "Like a predator playing with its food before the final kill, and with you by my side, I need you to be ready for anything. If something were to happen to you because of a reckless decision I made—I don't think I could ever forgive myself."

I could see the worry on his face, mirroring my own concerns. "I understand you're feeling anxious, but you need to take care of yourself as well. It's obvious you haven't been getting enough sleep, and I can hardly recall the last time I saw you eat," I said, my voice calm yet filled with compassion. His eyes were heavy with fatigue, and it was clear to anyone who looked that he was on the verge of exhaustion. "How can you expect to perform at your best if he arrives while you're in this condition?" I gestured toward him, my heart weighed down with worry.

He looked down, a moment of silence passing as he collected his thoughts. Finally, he nodded, "Okay, fine." Slowly rising, he reached out his hand to me, and I took it without hesitation. "Let's have one more spar, and then we'll get something to eat and rest—deal?"

I felt a flicker of relief at his willingness to compromise, but I knew that the sparring session would only serve to further drain him. Still, I couldn't deny the importance of maintaining our training routine, especially with the anticipated arrival of the enemy. "Alright, but let's keep it short and light," I replied, "No need to push yourself too hard."

He smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting just enough to chase away some of the shadows that had settled on his face. "I promise I won't overdo it."

Before we could even start, the training room doors flew open, revealing Obi-Wan and Ahsoka rushing in, with a visibly shaken Luke trailing behind them. His expression held frustration and utter confusion. "Anakin," Obi-Wan gasped, breathless from their hurried entrance, "We must head to the Senate building immediately."

Anakin and I quickly sheathed our lightsabers, exchanging puzzled glances. "What's going on?" Anakin inquired, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Is Padmé alright?" My heart raced at the thought, fearing for her safety given the urgency of their arrival.

Obi-Wan nodded reassuringly. "She's fine, but—" He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "It's Chancellor Palpatine. He's dead."

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Luke's POV
While everyone hurried toward the Senate building, I felt an urge pulling me in the opposite direction, guiding me directly to Master Yoda's quarters. He was in the process of preparing to leave when I burst through the door, his expression knitting in curiosity at my sudden entrance. "I thought I was being cautious," I remarked, "but now I find myself questioning that."

"Mean, what do you?" He questioned.

I inhaled deeply, my heart racing. "I've made a grave mistake somewhere, Master. The Chancellor shouldn't be dead." I began to pace, my mind racing with the ramifications. "He's supposed to be alive until the battle on Mustafar, after my mother's death. Anakin is the one who kills him in a moment of rage." I recounted the scenario I had shared with him numerous times, outlining the pivotal events of my future. "So how could he be gone now?" Rumors say he had been thrown from the Senate building after enduring several lightsaber strikes.

Yoda pondered for a moment, a thoughtful hum escaping him. "A good thing this could be, hmmm? Yet why the distress?"

"Master Yoda, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm still here!" I tapped my chest as if showing him that I was still solid, here and alive. "If this is a positive development, if it's meant to resolve our issues, then we're right back where we started. If Palpatine was indeed the sole cause of Anakin's fall, as everyone in my timeline believes, then I shouldn't even exist anymore." I gestured dramatically, as if I might simply vanish—an unsettling thought I preferred not to dwell on for fear of a headache, "Unless he was in-fact the sole purpose and I did something to mess things up, and now it's something else." This has me fearing that his downfall is inevitable.

Oh force, my head is about to explode. As much as I hate him and hate what I'm about to say, Vader was right when he said I was messing with things I didn't understand.

Master Yoda settled into a cross-legged position, levitating slightly above the ground. "Once more, explain to me what happens."

I let out a deep sigh, settling into the chair across from him. "Anakin vanished after embarking on a solo mission, and weeks slipped by without a trace of him..." Whispers circulated among us, suggesting that Palpatine was somehow involved, though no one ever confirmed it—not even Vader himself. "When he finally returned, he was changed, and not for the better, as Uncle Ben warned me. He had grown colder, more distant, and undeniably cruel towards everyone around—everything he is now, but intensified. An obsession with death consumed him, particularly fixated on my mother's demise. Then, he began spending an alarming amount of time with Palpatine. And during the moment my mother was in labor, he—" I hesitated, fighting back the swell of emotion, "He erupted into a violent frenzy, slaughtering nearly everyone in the temple. No one could explain what triggered it. They say he was at her side one moment, and the next, he was here, wreaking havoc." Along with the clones, "Then everything on Mustafar follows shortly after."

"Oh, this is indeed concerning. However, not much has changed since you are still here," he pondered aloud, his words resembling a soliloquy. "Another has assumed Palpatine's role, perhaps even the one who brought his life to an end."

Frustration welled up inside me as I ran my fingers through my hair. "I shouldn't have come here. Maybe all of this was meant to happen, and my efforts ages been wasted."

"Steady yourself," he advised softly. "Consider this: was there anything that occurred that shouldn't have?"

It took a moment for the realization to hit me, but then it became clear. "The ball—my mother was never meant to disappear, nor was she supposed to be thrown into my timeline the way she was."

Master Yoda nodded thoughtfully. "That is where you must start. A new chain of events has undoubtedly begun."

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If anyone is confused, I'm sorry let me try to explain the best I can. So basically what makes Vader the way he is in his timeline is the loss of y/n, not Palpatine himself. SO even though he kicked the bucket, as long as there's someone who corrupts Anakin and as long as y/n still dies, the same future can happen. And I wouldn't say Palpatine had a large impact on this future Vader because as Luke states, he dies the same day y/n dies which is why Luke's future is still basically the same and why he's still here. Make sense? I know it's complicated, time is tricky to work with, but I'm doing my best ❤️

Also... y/n gets taken—>Anakin makes an unnecessary deal to get her back wih the night sisters—>Maul is brought back to them alive likely much earlier than he was meant to... DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS?

also yes I know there's so much complicated things going on and people are pointing out 'plot holes' like "if Luke saves everyone then his future never happened and therefore how would he have been here in the first place." Look, if endgame and charmed can do this plot, then I can too. Don't think too much into it, just enjoy it and stop giving me anxiety and making me want to toss this book into oblivion. Thank you and I love you all so much ❤️