V.3-C.33│50-50 III│

"Interesting, but have you ever thought to stop and think about what the Force is as a whole and how the nature of both the light and the dark side similarities?" Anakin further questioned Yoda, whom seemed to contemplate Anakin's words.

Anakin continued with this line, not waiting for Yoda's answer. "Submitting to the light side meant the death of the self and sacrificing for the Cosmic Force, an aspect of the Force that bound all things together and communicated its will to all life under the aspect known as the Living Force, the energy of all life."

"What if I said that the light and dark sides were the two methods of using the Force, whereas the Force itself is detrimental to individuals and thus should be removed from existence. Proponents of the light side rejected the dark side for its result of consuming life, where submission to either side the Force is a betrayal of the self." Anakin finished.

Anakin gave Yoda another undetermined amount of time, which should really be a few minutes but could be longer, to figure out and think on Anakin's view of the Force.

One may wonder just what Anakin is trying to achieve through talking, communicating or discussing things with Yoda. One would also wonder why Anakin didn't immediately have Yoda face off against the dark side of Dagobah's dark side cave here.

'Lets see if my ability to change fate is a real thing or not...' Anakin thought to himself, as he watched Yoda think over his words.

"The Force is in all things however... To deny as such, is detrimental itself, in on, it is." Yoda finally replied, remembering his own teachings, studies and experience with the Force.

"The Force has never lead you astray? Down a path that you wish not to take?" Anakin questioned, obviously not going to recieve an answer this time, he continued. "Do you understand what I meant by my words? How I could come to that conclusion and as to how others could also see it that way?"

"Your view, I see. However... disagree with your assessment I do." Yoda responded. "Simply not, it is enough to know the light… A Jedi, feel they must, the tension between the two sides of the Force… in oneself and in the universe, one must."

The largest group of proponents and teachers of the light side were the Jedi Order, who strove to maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy. The Jedi were well aware of the dangers of the dark side of the Force and were dedicated opponents of its use, as it represented corruption and a disregard for the natural order of the universe.

"So you do agree that balance is not with just one side, but both sides of the Force...?" Anakin was trying to further push what Yoda believed from him. This would give him a better idea on how he is going to test Yoda, for alot has changed and he wont rely on faulty information that is probably no longer relevant.

Especially now so due to himself being so different, thus indirectly derailing alot of things within the normal timeline.

"Way to go the light side of the Force is, for the dark is corrupting." Yoda responded, still not giving up on the idea that without the dark, the light wouldn't exist.

"Have you ever heard of this phrase? 'There is no dark without the light...?' And vice versa?" Anakin asked.

"Know of this I do, but different the Force is." Yoda replied.

"Is it really?" Anakin asked again, but this time it is more of a rhetorical question. "Lets say that there is only the dark. In this manner, one would not be able to tell it is dark for all they know is the dark. Then what if it was light, one would only know it is what it was always like."

"The concept of light and dark exist as opposites and can only do so because there is something opposing them. The light side of the Force was aligned with happiness, joy, love, and benevolence, or alternatively simply calmness, which some believed nurtured the light side and provided insight into its ethical uses." Anakin continued.

"It was generally concerned with the ideas of good, generosity, healing, and wisdom, as opposed to evil, harm, and hasty judgment. In order to achieve harmony with the light side of the Force, its practitioners would often meditate to clear themselves of emotion; particularly negative emotions such as aggression, anger, and hatred, since these were shown to open a Jedi to the possibility of acceptance of the dark side." Anakin further explained.

"Predictably, this offered several contradictory instances, with some works favoring a calm, emotionless and sometimes even out-rightly unfeeling view of the light side, while others aligned it with positive emotions." Anakin finished.

The light side was treated as being both a form of impersonal intelligence and an essence of good. According to the self-aware interpretation, the light side was held to actively influence events to the degree that some Jedi thought of themselves as mere 'tools' of the Force.

Though this implied a lack of choice regarding an individual's fate, the Jedi, as leading proponents of the light side, insisted that it was, rather, 'the ultimate free will.' This they explained as being because the Force, at least the light side, did not compel anyone. A destiny could be accepted or spurned. And all choices along the way were free to make.

At this point, it seemed as if Yoda is the one learning and Anakin is the one teaching, and it is true for Anakin would continue.

"Evil began in a time before recorded history, when magicians made themselves into kings…and gods… using the powers of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to obey one who wields great power." Anakin started again.

"Those who learned the powers of the dark side were quick to exploit this weakness, to make war. Again and again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm… devouring whole worlds and entire star systems. Those who mastered dark power became dark power." Anakin continued.

"They unleashed destruction, for no other reason than for selfish gain. They despoiled nations…destroyed whole civilizations. Some of them, I am sure you would be ashamed to say, were Jedi." Anakin finished.

"No. Never would the Jedi be like you say." Yoda denied this of course, but this is only natural for historic records are quite obscure and no one truly knows what actually went on in decades long since past.

"Someone once said to me that the dark side of the Force is not evil for 'Evil is a word used by the ignorant and the weak. The dark side is about survival. It's about unleashing your inner power. It glorifies the strength of the individual.'" Anakin replied, not agreeing with Yoda or denying his disbelief.

"The difference between the dark and light sides appears to be in how Force-sensitive beings feel aware of the opposing sides. The light side at times can be described as a flowing river: soothing, constant, with hidden strength. In contrast, the dark side can be described as a roaring fire: obviously powerful, seductive, and potentially dangerous." Anakin continued.

"While the light side represented the compassion and tranquility of all beings of the galaxy, the dark side focused on individual passion and strength. Again, while the light side is about maintaining the status quo, the dark side is about change and evolution." Anakin finished.

Looking at the dark space they are in, Anakin decides that it is finally time for Yoda to face the dark side to truly see what it is. To confront whether his belief that the dark side is only evil, and to confront that the light side can be just as evil as well.

"I think it is time we move on from this subject, as discussion will get me nowhere anymore. What needs to happen to change your view will happen." Anakin said as he directed Yoda towards a light in the distance. "It is there that you will begin your true voyage into the dark side, and how you come out is how you are meant to be..."

"Or you can take my advice, and think for yourself. Be selfish, but not to the extent that it harms others. Good luck, or as most Force-sensitives would say, 'May the Force be with you.'" Anakin finished.

Yoda bowed a bit towards Anakin, before starting to walk over into the direction that would change a few things. Whether this actually change the path of the Jedi or not depended on Yoda's choice now.

[]

'Will I eventually be physically transformed?' Palpatine remembered a conversation he had with his once master, Darth Plagueis, as Palpatine questioned his master.

'Into some aged, pale-skinned, raspy-voiced, yellow-eyed monster, you mean. Such as the one you see before you. Surely you are acquainted with the lore: King Ommin of Onderon, Darth's Sion and Nihilus. But whether it will happen to you, I can't say.' Plagueis said first before continuing.

'Know this, though, Sidious, that the power of the dark side does not debilitate the practitioner so much as it debilitates those who lack it. The power of the dark side is an illness no true Sith would ever wish to be cured of.' Darth Plagueis finished his reply.

"Today, I bring you all here today to discuss some things! Some changes brought upon this now sovereign state now under my rule! How could I not consider my subjects when we are clearly in need of some proper unity among everyone!?" Palpatine called out to everyone within the senate hall.

By now, the senate is nothing but a formality, just as it was before, now the only difference is that everyone knows it is a formality while they didn't realize so before.

"Great Emperor Palpatine, my Lord! May I ask why you have brought us here today!?" While it is just all formality and most people dont hold any power or sway anymore, that didn't mean they are totally out of it yet.

Meaning that they should be able to question and speak with Palpatine on matters for at least the next few days or so, due to them also having to be placated as well.

After all, who in their right mind would accept the rule of Palpatine? The only reason being that they dont truly understand, know of his character and other factors like Palpatine's military strength and even influence with other wealthy and powerful individuals.

"Yes... How good of you to ask! I was just about to get to that..." Palpatine responded, making sure to remember the face of the person that had spoken up against him in a somewhat disrespectful tone.

It still wouldn't be good to outright display his cruelty and focus the publics attention on other things as he has always been doing. Occupying the minds of others with the conflicts or tragedies of others is better, for it distracts them from what Palpatine is doing or about to do.

"I have had an encounter of sorts... An encounter with a mysterious species that simply go by the name of the Yuuzhan Vong and they are a species that come from outside of the known galaxy." Palpatine said, alerting all of those within.

While this meeting is not broadcasted, the a few remaining members were still there and didn't know about things like this. Again, Palpatine kept the Yuuzhan Vong a secret to all but a few, but now that they are here there is no point in hiding them anymore.

It may in fact be a good thing for him, for he could potentially rally the people against the xenophobic and slavery based aliens.

Everyone within the senate building is of course confused, so information was sent over towards everyone and soon enough, people within the Galactic Republic would be aware of this new species.

"The Yuuzhan Vong and myself have forged an... alliance of sorts that will have both sides benefiting. By keeping the Empyrean distracted, we will be able to start influencing and taking control of more systems again." Of course Palpatine didn't go too in-depth with what his actual thought process is.

However, it wouldn't be too hard to connect the dots that he is in fact using the Yuuzhan Vong instead of being an actual ally at this point of time.

Some applause happened as Palpatine further explained some things, whilst simultaneously keeping some plans, ideas and thoughts out of the minds of the people here.

"That is all..."