**Chapter 798: Chains and Freedom**
**Scene 1: Jedi Temple – Meditation Halls**
**Dagon POV**
The meditation halls of the Jedi Temple were one of the few places that still felt truly peaceful. Soft light filtered through the ancient transparisteel windows, illuminating the simple mats arranged in concentric circles. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air — a tradition that had survived even my reforms.
I sat cross-legged in the center, eyes closed, letting the Force flow around me. Grand Master duties were endless, but this quiet hour was one I tried to protect. Until a familiar presence approached.
*Anakin.*
I opened my eyes as the doors hissed open. The young Jedi Knight — no, Master now — looked troubled. His shoulders were tense, his usual cocky energy replaced by something heavier.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Master," Anakin said, bowing slightly before sitting across from me.
"Yeah… I'm starting to think this Grand Master title isn't made for me," I replied with a small, tired smile. It earned a brief chuckle from him, which was something.
"Regardless," Anakin continued, "I'm experiencing some problems."
I nodded, already sensing where this was going. "Alright. If Padmé is pregnant, just bring her to the medical ward. She can wait out the pregnancy there if it eases your mind."
"What? No — we're not pregnant yet. Well, at least I don't know," Anakin said frantically, waving his hands.
*Oh. Right. Not that far in the story yet.* In year 4 of the Clone Wars she becomes pregnant, not year 3. I kept that thought carefully hidden.
"Ah. Then what is the problem, Skywalker?" I asked.
Anakin hesitated, staring at the floor. "I'm having problems with Padmé. Relationship-wise. It feels like she never has time for it anymore… and I feel like I rushed things. Or maybe I'm not committing enough. I don't know."
**Scene 2: The Conversation**
I leaned forward slightly, studying him. "According to records, you first met Padmé when her ship landed after escaping Naboo with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Is that correct?"
"Yes?" Anakin replied, confused.
"Qui-Gon managed to free you but not your mother and brought you to the Temple for training," I continued.
"Yes."
"You didn't see her again until you were assigned to protect her on Naboo," I said. "Then you deviated to Tatooine, where you rescued your mother by slaughtering a tribe of Tusken Raiders. Did you admit that to Padmé?"
Anakin shifted uncomfortably. "Uhh…"
"Yes or no, Skywalker."
"Yes, Master," he admitted quietly.
"And you kept this a secret. You didn't tell your Master or anyone else. Only Padmé knows. I'm guessing that's when her feelings were revealed — when she comforted you," I pressed.
"Yes."
"Then, after Geonosis, you got married secretly and hid it from the Council and your Master," I continued.
"Yes."
"Did you know that after you were freed, Padmé sent Naboo forces to liberate as many slaves as she possibly could, but never found your mother on Tatooine?" I asked.
Anakin looked shocked. "No… she never told me that."
I nodded. "Anakin, do you know the real reason why Jedi couldn't go to Tatooine to liberate slaves?"
"Because of the Hutts and Jabba?" he guessed.
"No. Republic credits don't work well in the Outer Rim, and Jedi have limited access to funds. Everything was under the control of the Supreme Chancellor — who, as you've heard, is the Sith Lord responsible for most of this mess," I said.
Anakin's expression darkened. "Yes. We were all fooled."
"Yes. But did you ever wonder why he took such a great interest in you?" I asked.
"No. Probably because I'm the Chosen One, destined to be the strongest Jedi ever," Anakin replied, a hint of his old arrogance surfacing.
"Nope," I said bluntly. "Your Force potential is exceptional, but it's your mind and heart. You were taught to suppress your emotions and avoid attachments — and you did the opposite. You became a rebel. A perfect mold for a Sith replacement."
Anakin stared at me, processing. "So… if Palpatine hadn't been exposed, he would have had me defeat Dooku and take his place?"
"Something like that," I said. "My point is, you're very easily manipulated when it comes to emotional bonds. You fell in love with Padmé because she was the first non-slave, regular girl you met who showed you kindness. She became a symbol of freedom and stability — like your mother. That's not healthy for a relationship."
Anakin looked down, fists clenched. "So what do I do now?"
**Scene 3: Advice and Decision**
I leaned back, choosing my words carefully. "The Sith Code says: 'With victory, your chains are broken. The Force shall set you free.' Admit it to yourself, Anakin. You need someone better than Padmé — a relationship where you have more in common. A female officer, another Jedi, or even a civilian. Go out and be free."
"But what about Padmé?" Anakin asked, voice strained. "I can't just—"
"Simple. Divorce her, or give her an ultimatum. A relationship needs two people to work. Tell her she needs to make time. If she won't, then you have your answer."
Anakin sat in silence for a long moment, the weight of my words sinking in. Finally, he stood.
"Thank you, Master," he said quietly, bowing. He turned and left the meditation hall, shoulders still tense but with a new determination in his step.
I remained seated, staring at the empty space where he had been.
*Poor kid,* I thought. *The Chosen One, manipulated from the start. Maybe this will steer him away from the dark path. Or maybe it won't. Either way, the timeline is already broken.*
I closed my eyes again, returning to meditation. The war waited. But for now, one young man's broken heart had been given a chance at honesty.
**Later – Temple Gardens**
Anakin walked the quiet paths of the Temple gardens, mind racing. Padmé's face kept flashing in his thoughts — her smile on Naboo, her comfort after Tatooine, their secret wedding. But so did the long nights alone, the missions that kept him away, the secrecy that had once felt exciting but now felt like chains.
Dagon's words echoed: *She became a symbol of freedom and stability — like your mother.*
Was that all she had been?
Anakin stopped near a blooming lotus pond. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to truly question everything.
Maybe it was time to find out who he was without the weight of destiny, without the secrecy, without the constant fear of losing what he loved.
He activated his comm.
"Padmé… we need to talk."
---
**Elsewhere in the Temple**
Dagon stood on a balcony overlooking the gardens, watching Anakin walk away. The girls had gathered quietly behind him.
"Do you think he'll listen?" Ahsoka asked softly.
"Part of him will," I replied. "The rest… we'll see. The Chosen One was always going to be a wildcard."
Miaria's tail flicked. "You're playing a dangerous game, trying to steer him."
"I know," I said. "But if he falls to the dark side now, it won't be because of Palpatine. It'll be because of his own choices. And we'll be ready."
Sakura slipped her hand into mine. "Then we face it together. Like always."
I nodded, looking out at the setting sun over Coruscant.
The war was far from over. But one small chain in the grand design had been loosened.
And the Dragon continued to watch, and wait.