Star Wars: Episode II - Page Seven
Sanctuary Lost
page 7
INT ALDERAAN - TERRARIUM CITY - SKY TOWER - DAY
Terrarium city sparkles in the afternoon sunshine. The city is composed of translucent resin layered in a bowl in the ground. Slender towers rise above the shimmering top layer, reaching out into the sky.
Lazy airships float nearby. A floating hotel drifts in the distance.
Mon Mothma and Bail Antilles look out on the peaceful splendor of Alderaan.
MON MOTHMA
And you are willing to give all of this up? Have you thought this through, Bail?
BAIL ANTILLES
The Queen's death was my fault, Mon Mothma. I promised her safety here on Alderaan. I couldn't provide it for her.
MON MOTHMA
You might be the next target.
BAIL ANTILLES
You could be, as well.
MON MOTHMA
That is a concern that haunts my every waking thought.
BAIL ANTILLES
So join the Jedi. You have the Mon Calamari. They could be the weapon that we need to defeat our enemies.
MON MOTHMA
Who is the enemy, Bail? The Mandalorians, or Palpatine?
BAIL ANTILLES
I suppose that's what you need to decide for yourself.
Bail turns toward the elevator.
BAIL ANTILLES
As for me and my house, we will serve the Jedi.
MON MOTHMA
I'm sorry. I cannot in good conscience enter this war.
BAIL ANTILLES
If you change your mind...
MON MOTHMA
I know.
CUT TO:
EXT ALDERAAN - INLAND SEA - DAY
A slight breeze rustles the tall grasses bordering the beach. Pure white sand, unspotted by footprints, save two sets, runs to the horizon.
Anakin and Amidala walk very close to each other. They are both barefoot. Amidala holds a small blossom in her hand.
AMIDALA
I should have been the one-
ANAKIN
You can't bring her back, Amidala.
AMIDALA
Why is all of this happening, Anakin?
ANAKIN
The galaxy is changing. We have to change with it, or we die.
AMIDALA
She was my best friend.
ANAKIN
I know.
AMIDALA
I don't want things to change.
Anakin stops and takes Amidala's hands in his.
ANAKIN
They have to. It's all part of destiny.
AMIDALA
I don't know my destiny any more.
Desperation is evident in Amidala's plea.
ANAKIN
Whatever it may be, I want to be a part of it.
AMIDALA
Anakin, we talked about this... I can't.
ANAKIN
The Queen is dead.
Tears spring unbidden to Amidala's eyes. She looks up and meets Anakin's steady gaze. He opens his arms. She enters his embrace. They stand there holding each other for several seconds in silence.
ANAKIN
Will you be my wife, Amidala?
Amidala nods mutely in Anakin's chest. He strokes her hair gently.
Obi Wan approaches through the tall grass. He is reluctant to interrupt this scene of pure, undefiled love.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, it's time to go.
Amidala looks up at Anakin, startled by this announcement.
ANAKIN
(to Amidala)
I have to go. Destiny.
Amidala shakes her head slowly, as if to convince Anakin he's wrong.
AMIDALA
No. You can't. Not now.
ANAKIN
Amidala. We will be married. I have foreseen it.
AMIDALA
I know. Your mother told me.
Amidala looks earnestly up at Anakin.
AMIDALA
I'm going to miss you.
ANAKIN
I know.
Anakin sighs deeply, and meets Amidala's gaze. They kiss for the first time. The love between them radiates outward.
Anakin breaks contact first. He pulls away to join Obi Wan. Anakin and Amidala touch hands until they can no longer reach each other.
AMIDALA
Bring him back to me, Obi Wan.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I will. I promise.
Anakin turns as soon as he reaches the grass.
ANAKIN
As soon as I get back; I promise.
Anakin turns and follows Obi Wan. Amidala waves sadly.
AMIDALA
(softly)
Bye, Anakin. I love you.
CUT TO:
EXT OBI WAN'S SHIP - DAY
The ship lifts from the grasslands and races towards the sky.
INT OBI WAN'S SHIP - CONTINUING
Obi Wan punches in coordinates. Anakin watches closely.
ANAKIN
No, we've got to join the fleet. Why are we going back to Coruscant?
OBI WAN KENOBI
The Council wishes to speak with you.
ANAKIN
About what?
OBI WAN KENOBI
They didn't tell me.
Obi Wan isn't very talkative. Anakin is loathe to open up and share his feelings.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Your feelings betray you.
ANAKIN
Stay out of my mind.
Obi Wan punches the hyperdrive, and then turns to talk with Anakin.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, Yoda taught me more about the Force. I can teach you now.
ANAKIN
It's too late for that now. I passed the trials. I'm a Jedi Knight now.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Not yet. The Council has not bestowed that title upon you.
ANAKIN
I did what they said! You were there, you saw.
(muttering)
You're always there.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, I speak as a friend, not as your teacher. I fear that you may give in to your anger.
ANAKIN
I can take care of myself.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I know you can. But you are constantly haunted by your visions.
Obi Wan cut deep with that remark. Anakin closes up completely.
ANAKIN
As long as Amidala is safe...
OBI WAN KENOBI
I know you have seen many things that will come to pass. But you cannot control those things. Our control only extends so far. There is a balance that exists between our control and destiny.
Anakin's scowl softens.
OBI WAN KENOBI
There is always balance in the force.
ANAKIN
Then what does the prophesy mean?
OBI WAN KENOBI
That one will bring balance to the force? Well, I suppose it means that when someone exerts conscious control over the wills of others, one will rise up that will destroy the first. And balance will be restored.
ANAKIN
Do you think that person is me?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I don't know. There are too many questions, and not enough answers. What do your visions tell you?
Anakin searches deep to find the right words to describe his feelings.
ANAKIN
There was a man dressed completely in black. He was chasing Amidala. He had a red lightsaber. I tried to call out to warn her, but it was like I wasn't even there. All I heard was harsh, mechanical breathing.
OBI WAN KENOBI
(quietly)
Did you see his face?
ANAKIN
No.
OBI WAN KENOBI
It is the future.
ANAKIN
How do you know that?
OBI WAN KENOBI
I trust in the force.
ANAKIN
But how can you be certain that is the right way?
OBI WAN KENOBI
There are only two things that you can always count on, Anakin. The first is that the force does not change, regardless of what others may think or say. And the second...
Obi Wan trails off, troubled.
ANAKIN
What?
OBI WAN KENOBI
The second is that you cannot change destiny.
CUT TO:
INT JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY
Obi Wan and Anakin stand before the entire Jedi Council.
MACE WINDU
Your fleet is ready, General.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Thank you, Master Windu.
YODA
Leave you may.
ANAKIN
Why did you call me here?
YODA
Talk we must. A Jedi Knight you are not.
ANAKIN
I passed the trials.
MACE WINDU
You left before the trials were completed.
ANAKIN
I had to save Amidala.
MACE WINDU
We heard that the Queen was killed.
ANAKIN
What do I need to do?
KI-ADI MUNDI
It is not so simple, young Padawan.
ANAKIN
I am a Jedi, not a padawan. I-
MACE WINDU
What is your greatest weakness?
Anakin stops, confused.
YODA
You have much fear.
ANAKIN
I'm not afraid.
KI-ADI MUNDI
You have sensed your destiny. It haunts you.
Anakin reels backwards. Voices invade his mind. He clutches his head, as if to physically push the voices out of his mind.
ANAKIN
Get out of my head!
Anakin rises to his knees. He glares at Mace Windu. Mace Windu calmly returns the stare.
Anakin reaches out with the force. He extends one hand and starts crushing Mace Windu's throat.
Mace Windu reaches up and touches his throat. He struggles slightly for breath. His brow furrows in concentration. Anakin winces in pain, but keeps his focus on Mace Windu.
OBI WAN KENOBI
What are you doing? Stop it.
YODA
Leave us, Obi Wan.
OBI WAN KENOBI
They are going to kill each other!
KI-ADI MUNDI
That is not your concern.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, stop.
Both men rise to their feet. Intense concentration knits their brows. Nothing matters but the struggle between them.
Suddenly the pressure is gone from both men. They both gasp for breath, then strike at each other with their lightsabers.
The lightsaber clash together with a sound that rings the ears.
MACE WINDU
We end this here. Fight me, Skywalker. Fight me and feel the true power of the force.
Anakin struggles inwardly. His anger rages within. Obi Wan shouts at him from outside. His emotions run wild.
MACE WINDU
Fight me!
Mace Windu circles Anakin, taunting him.
MACE WINDU
You are weak. Have you learned nothing from Obi Wan? Fight me!
Mace Windu jabs out testing thrusts which are easily deflected.
MACE WINDU
You are a coward. Not fit to be called a Jedi. Fight, Skywalker.
Anakin turns off his lightsaber.
ANAKIN
No.
MACE WINDU
No?
Mace Windu turns off his lightsaber. He turns to look at Yoda.
MACE WINDU
I offer to the Council that Anakin Skywalker be granted the rank of Jedi Knight. He has shown absolute control of his emotions. I sense no fear in him.
Each of the Council Members nod in turn.
ANAKIN
What's going on?
YODA
Confer upon you the rank of Jedi Knight the Council does. Passed the final trial, you did.
ANAKIN
(to Mace Windu)
You tried to kill me.
MACE WINDU
It was necessary.
Anakin walks out angrily.
Mace Windu and Obi Wan look at each other, worried.
CUT TO:
EXT JEDI TEMPLE - BALCONY - EVENING
Anakin looks out over the cityscape. He wears all black clothing, forsaking the simple Jedi robes.
Harsh whispers call his name. Anakin whirls, searching for the source of these communications.
WHISPER
Anakin. I'm waiting.
ANAKIN
Who are you?
WHISPER
You are not the Chosen One. I am.
Anakin closes his eyes and focuses his mind.
INT SITH COMPOUND - CONTINUING
Darth Rezin reels backwards as pain stabs through his mind. Anakin's voice sounds in his mind.
ANAKIN (O.S.)
You are not the Chosen One. You have no power over me.
CUT TO:
INT DARTH SIDIOUS CHAMBER - NIGHT
Darth Sidious stands as Darth Rezin enters.
DARTH SIDIOUS
The boy grows in power.
DARTH REZIN
I can defeat him. I defeated him before.
DARTH SIDIOUS
You are brash. So ready to fight. Know this, Darth Rezin, true power is gained slowly, through manipulation. All these beings, they belong to me. Nothing will stop my Empire.
DARTH REZIN
So it has begun.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Yes.
Darth Rezin turns to go.
DARTH SIDIOUS
Darth Rezin, that which you will do, do quickly.
DARTH REZIN
The boy will die. I swear it.
Darth Rezin exits. Darth Sidious chuckles at his apprentice's arrogance.
DARTH SIDIOUS
So you say.
CUT TO:
EXT CORUSCANT - NIGHT
An orbiting terminal serves as the entry port for all large passenger vessels. The passengers disembark and find smaller transports down to Coruscant.
INT CORUSCANT - SPACE TERMINAL - CONTINUING
Anakin sits in a chair, nervously playing with his lightsaber hilt.
Dozens of brown robed Jedi Knights mill around, waiting for the transport to their warship.
Obi Wan approaches Anakin, bearing steaming cups of dark liquid.
OBI WAN KENOBI
There is no need to be nervous, Anakin.
ANAKIN
I'm not nervous. I was just thinking.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I will see that you get back to her.
Through the crowd, OWEN LARS KENOBI pulls his young wife, BERU. He hails Obi Wan.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
Obi Wan, it's good to see you again.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Owen. Beru.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
Come on, that's no way to speak to your older brother.
OBI WAN KENOBI
Anakin, this is my brother, Owen Lars Kenobi, and his wife, Beru.
BERU
It's nice to meet you.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
We're just passing through on our way out to the Outer Rim. Things got pretty bad on Corellia. The Mandalorians are getting stronger.
OBI WAN KENOBI
I know. We're going to fight them.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
It's going to take more than a few Jedi Knights, Obi Wan.
The crowd of Jedi parts, and Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, PLO KOON, EVEN PIELL, and Oppo Rancisis (all from the Jedi Council) pass through. They stop in front of Obi Wan.
MACE WINDU
Are you ready, General Kenobi?
OBI WAN KENOBI
Yes. My knights are prepared. Anakin?
ANAKIN
Yeah. Let's do it.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
You're going to follow him? You Jedi are crazy.
Obi Wan pushes past Owen without saying a word.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
Hey, Obi Wan!
Obi Wan turns around angrily.
OWEN LARS KENOBI
May the force be with you.
Obi Wan nods his acceptance of the wish, then exits through the crowd of Jedi. They all move to follow him.
Anakin walks past the Council Members. Mace Windu puts out an arm to stop Anakin.
MACE WINDU
It does not matter whether or not you are the Chosen One. Right now you are a Jedi Knight. We are all fighting for the freedom of the galaxy.
Anakin walks away, saying nothing.
ADI GALLIA
He holds much anger for you.
MACE WINDU
I only hope it does not doom us all.
CUT TO: