Chapter Text
Anakin stared at his data pad as a look of triumph and a cocky smirk adorned his face. For three years he had worked tirelessly to get to where he was now. All the training in the Jedi temple may as well have been a Pyollian cake walk compared to this. That’s not even mentioning the final part of this complex and soul crushing journey he'd endured. Upon recalling his magnum opus, Anakin's cocky smirk turned into a genuine smile. In that moment he was filled with absolute pride.
The road to his masterpiece's completion had been a long one. When he wasn't busy with the latest battle of the Clone Wars, Anakin would scour the holonet for any sources he could find. He had learned from his life as a slave that not every source was to be trusted (despite the debates Anakin and Obi-Wan got into, they both agreed that Wookiepedia was full of misinformation. After all, everyone knows the Clone Wars started over tax disputes and economic disagreements, not favoritism of certain systems), and he had thus been careful when tracking down reputable sources.
All his research and tracking had finally paid off as he proudly gazed at his magnum opus one year in the making, and it had marked the end of his three-year struggle. Just then Anakin's musings were interrupted by a knock at the door to his quarters. He carefully set his data pad down and opened the door curious to see who had paid him a visit. He was greeted by the welcome visage of Captain Rex, helmet in his left arm and his right arm raised in salute.
"General" he stated, "We've nearly arrived back at Coruscant. “Your presence has been requested at the bridge.”
Anakin flashed Rex his familiar smirk of amusement. “Let me guess, Master Kenobi wants to make sure everything went smoothly on our end,” he asked with a knowing look.
Rex nodded, “Affirmative sir.”
Anakin sighed and looked down at his data pad before tying a few things in and then shutting it down. He glanced back up with an exhausted yet amused look, "Very well then. We best not keep him waiting lest we suffer another debate about punctuality.”
Rex nodded and together they began making their way to the bridge all the while Anakin was pondering how he should "politely boast" about his achievement to his master as well as who else to tell. He'd inform Padme obviously. She had been a huge help in getting him to where he was and providing emotional support (that and seeing his wife's face always put him in a good mood), but who else should be the first to know?
He debated telling Rex before quickly dismissing the idea. While he trusted Rex immensely and respected him even more, he highly doubted the clone captain would understand the magnitude of the achievement he had successfully accomplished. As he approached the door of the bridge he was struck with a wonderful idea. 'I know exactly who to tell.’
---
As Palpatine gazed upon the traffic of Coruscant he couldn't help but cruelly grin to himself in this rare moment of privacy. Everything so far had transpired exactly as he had foreseen. The war was in full swing, Palpatine's support only seemed to grow as the rotations went by, and his future apprentice seemed to move closer and closer to the dark side with each passing moment. It was going according to his plan.
Palpatine was brought out his musings when his holo projector started beeping indicating an incoming call. A quick check revealed the call to be from none other than his future apprentice. With practiced ease he schooled his appearance to that of the innocent and approachable friendly demeaner he had spent years constructing. When Anakin's visage appeared, he regarded him with a practiced grin. "Ah master Skywalker, I trust everything on Corellia worked out,” he asked despite already knowing the answer.
Anakin returned his smile with one of his own, "Yes, the separatists forces have been driven out for now.”
Palpatine grinned, his words dripping from false praise, "Splendid, once again your power and abilities amaze me.”
"As always Chancelor you're to kind to me, but that isn't actually why I called you.”
Palpatine raised an eyebrow his curiosity peaked "oh, well than don't keep me in suspense Anakin what is the reason for this call.” Anakin grinned a proud grin "I finally did its sir, after three long years I finally completed my ultimate goal" Anakin stated with a proud grin on his face.
Palpatine was confused. He wasn't aware of young Anakin having any lofty aspirations aside from possibly becoming a jedi master but surely, he couldn't have done so already. He decided to probe the young man for answers, "My boy, I'm afraid I'm in the dark as to what this accomplishment of yours is.”
Anakin gave him a sheepish look. "Apologies chancellor, I forgot that I hadn't told you. After three painstaking years, I finally got my Ph.D. in Literature," said Anakin, the proud look returning to his face.
“… What?" asked Palpatine who was utterly baffled. "Yup. In addition, I recently published my thesis on the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise, and the use of Dichotomy within the tale" Anakin added with a wise look on his face. Palpatine almost gaped at him, now baffled and panicked. Skywalkers visage turned to the side seemingly responding to and incoming noise nearby. "Ah apologies chancellor, it appears I'm needed at the temple.”
Palpatine was still in shock as he summoned the effort to respond Skywalker cut him off with one last parting message. "Oh, and chancellor, if possible, I prefer you'd refer to me as Doctor Skywalker now instead of master.”
Having said his piece that communication ceased, leaving Palpatine alone with only one thought on his mind. 'WHAT?!’