The Eternal Emperor

Obi-Wan Kenobi entered the grand office of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the weight of recent events heavy on his shoulders. The marble floors gleamed under the bright lights, and the massive windows offered a panoramic view of the bustling Coruscant skyline. But Obi-Wan had no mind for the view. His thoughts were entirely occupied by Satine's death and the machinations behind it. 

"Master Kenobi, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Chancellor Palpatine's voice was warm, almost fatherly, as he welcomed the Jedi into his chamber. His hands rested lightly on the desk, his eyes gleaming with the practiced calmness of a leader who had seen countless crises. 

"I'm here to discuss High General Lelouch and the recent events on Mandalore," Obi-Wan said without preamble. His usual formality had been stripped away, his tone edged with an uncharacteristic urgency. "I have reason to believe that his actions there—" 

"Ah, Mandalore," Palpatine interrupted smoothly, his expression shifting into one of gentle concern. "The tragedy of Duchess Satine Kryze. A dreadful loss, I must say. I had always admired her commitment to peace." 

Obi-Wan felt a tightening in his chest. "She was manipulated. The entire conflict was orchestrated—" 

Palpatine raised a hand, a placating gesture. "Now, Master Kenobi, I understand your grief. But let us not be too hasty in placing blame. From the reports I've reviewed, there was no direct interference on the part of General Lelouch. The conflict arose between the Mandalorians themselves, as is their custom. It was Vizsla who initiated the aggression, was it not? And Bo-Katan who ended it?" 

"The timing," Obi-Wan pressed, "and the ease with which Lelouch secured control over Mandalore through Bo-Katan—it all feels too convenient." 

Palpatine sighed and leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Obi-Wan's. "Master Kenobi, you of all people should understand how delicate this war is. Mandalore's neutrality was always going to be temporary. By supporting Bo-Katan, General Lelouch merely acted in the Republic's best interest. We mustn't forget, he is a brilliant strategist. We owe many victories to his decisive actions." 

Obi-Wan shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But at what cost? Satine's death—" 

"Satine Kryze," Palpatine said softly, his tone almost sympathetic, "was a victim of her own ideals. Her pacifism, while admirable, was never sustainable in a galaxy at war. I do not say this lightly, Master Kenobi, but even without General Lelouch's involvement, her fate may have been inevitable." 

There it was—unspoken, yet undeniable. Satine's death, in the Chancellor's eyes, was merely another consequence of the ongoing conflict. A necessary loss for the greater good. 

Obi-Wan clenched his jaw. "So you're saying nothing can be done? That there was no breach of conduct, no manipulation worth investigating?" 

Palpatine regarded him for a long moment, his face unreadable. "I can assure you, Master Kenobi, that I have seen nothing to warrant an inquiry into General Lelouch's actions. The Republic is at war, and we must focus on securing our future. We cannot allow personal grievances to cloud our judgment." 

Obi-Wan bowed stiffly, suppressing the mix of anger and sadness welling up inside him. "Of course, Chancellor." 

As he left Palpatine's office, Obi-Wan felt a growing sense of isolation. He knew something was wrong, but the Republic's leadership either couldn't see it or chose to ignore it. He needed answers, and he needed them from someone who wasn't mired in the political games of Coruscant's upper echelons. 

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The lower levels of Coruscant were a stark contrast to the gleaming spires above. Neon lights flickered in the smog-filled air, casting an eerie glow on the grimy streets. Here, in the heart of the underworld, Obi-Wan felt more at ease. There were no politicians, no scheming senators—just the raw reality of life. 

Dexter Jettster's diner was a familiar sight, a beacon of warmth in the industrial cold. Obi-Wan pushed open the door, the bell above it chiming softly as he stepped inside. 

"Obi-Wan!" Dexter's booming voice greeted him from behind the counter. The Besalisk cook wiped his hands on his apron and grinned. "Long time, no see, old friend. What brings you down here? You must be starving." 

"Not quite," Obi-Wan said with a tired smile. "I need your help with something." 

Dexter raised an eyebrow. "My help? Must be serious if you're asking me. What's on your mind?" 

Obi-Wan glanced around to ensure they were alone before lowering his voice. "I need you to check up on someone. Discreetly." 

"Sure, sure," Dexter said, leaning in. "Who's the unlucky soul?" 

Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment before answering. "Lelouch Palpatine." 

Dexter's expression darkened slightly, his usual jovial demeanor shifting. "Ah. Him." 

Dexter crossed his arms, the usually jovial expression on his face replaced by one of concern. "I'll see what I can dig up, but you're not the first to come asking about him, Kenobi. Though it's died down lately, he's been on more than a few radars. A lot of folks wanted to know more about the White General, especially after his... decimation campaign." 

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "The what?" 

Dexter let out a heavy sigh. "After a certain chain of battles in the Outer Rim—Separatist territory, infested with enemies—the general led a... well, let's call it an 'efficient' strike. Entire planets were pacified, territories brought to heel. Couple it with all the leaked footage regarding the senate meetings. And that's when people started calling him the White General. He's got the galaxy talking, Kenobi. And that's what makes him dangerous." 

Obi-Wan absorbed the information in silence. "So he's considered a hero of the Republic... great." 

"If that's what you want to call it," Dexter said, shaking his head. "But there's more to him, Obi-Wan. People don't rise that high without stepping on a few necks. And Lelouch? He's had a lot of enemies, but none of them seem to last long. I already have some rudimentary information... its old though, nothing your run of the mill broker wouldn't be able to find." 

"Can you find out more?" Obi-Wan asked. "I have reason to believe he's involved in something… larger." 

Dexter gave a thoughtful nod. "I'll see what I can dig up. But be careful, Obi-Wan. The High General isn't someone to be trifled with. He's smart—smarter than most give him credit for, and far more ruthless. And if you're poking around in his affairs, make sure you don't get burned." 

Obi-Wan thanked Dexter and left the diner, his mind whirling with questions. He trusted Dexter's instincts, but the warnings weighed heavily on him. Lelouch was dangerous—perhaps more so than anyone in the Republic realized. 

"Regardless, what can you tell me on him at the moment?" Kenobi asked as he looked at Dexter. 

"Oh, I got quite the trove of knowledge, common as it may be. Would you like just the facts, or the rumors floating around as well?" Dexter asked as he leaned back slightly. 

"Everything you have." Kenobi said with determination. 

"He's adopted," Dexter began, his deep voice rumbling through the dim, smoky cantina as he leaned across the counter, wiping a glass with a rag. "Though that's quite common knowledge, even if unspoken. He appeared in the Palpatine household one day, alongside the chancellor, just like that. No fanfare, no formal announcement. He was simply there." He gestured with the glass for emphasis, a glint of knowing in his eyes. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi leaned closer, intrigued but troubled by the revelation. His brow furrowed slightly. "Adopted?" he echoed, unable to hide the edge in his voice. 

Dexter nodded, his wide face reflecting years of experience. "That's right. Adopted at a young age, probably before anyone took much notice. And from that point on, his rise was... unusual, to say the least. They say he left the house for the first time when he joined the Apprentice Legislature. Even then, he wasn't some wide-eyed novice like the rest of them. No, the moment he walked into that chamber, it was like he owned the place." 

Obi-Wan sat back slightly, imagining the scene. The Apprentice Legislature, meant to be a training ground for young minds of the Republic, had never been easy to navigate. It was a battleground for those who aspired to power—young, brilliant, and often ruthless. 

"Shortly after, there wasn't a single member in that chamber who didn't heed his words," Dexter continued, "or dared to go against his words. And you have to understand, that wasn't by accident. He wasn't just another promising youth with lofty ideals. No, he was... calculating, surgical. He used that platform to build the foundation of his existing political power. It was how he secured himself the freedom to move across the Republic and beyond in his early days, every scion that took part in the Apprentice Legislature now has the high-general in his ear, whispering, and so earning himself that fancy title—the White Prince." 

"The White Prince..." Obi-Wan muttered, half to himself. He had heard the title before, whispered in certain circles, always with a mix of admiration. Known for resolving problems where any should arise, a friend to anyone that needed help within or out of the Republic. Though most of the title came from his looks and political prowess rather than what he actually did, it was undeniable that he shined the brightest within the youths of the Republic. 

"That's when things got... strange," Dexter said, placing the glass down on the counter. His voice lowered, and his eyes flickered toward the other patrons, ensuring no one was paying too much attention. "The White Prince wasn't just making waves in the Senate or with the Republic. He was moving in the shadows, too. First in the Apprentice Legislature, then in the underworld." 

"The underworld?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. 

Dexter nodded again. "Started small. At first, it was just rumors—bounty hunters here and there, thugs and mercenaries. They say he had nothing at the start, not a single credit, just a few empty promises. But he made those promises sound like the sweetest deal in the galaxy. Got himself the loyalty of one or two bounty hunters, enough to make a ripple. And from there? Well... that ripple turned into a wave. Those promises started becoming facts. He delivered, sometimes in ways you wouldn't believe." 

Obi-Wan could picture it—Lelouch, barely more than a youth, already manipulating some of the most dangerous elements in the galaxy, using his silver tongue and sharp mind to build an army from nothing. It was a story as old as time, but something about this was different. There was no desperation in Lelouch's rise, no frantic scrabbling for power. His every move was deliberate, patient. 

"Soldiers, scoundrels, mercenaries," Dexter continued. "At first, they were the kind who'd stab you in the back soon as look at you. No loyalty, just looking for the next payout. But under him? Something changed. They were too afraid to betray him." 

A.N: Keep in mind that this is from Dexter's and his sources POV. Just cause they say that they didn't betray out of fear, doesn't mean its 100% true (First guys didn't betray due to geass, those who join later don't betray out of fear due to the stories they hear). K, Enjoy :) 

"And how did he manage that?" Obi-Wan asked, though a dark suspicion was already forming in his mind. 

Dexter's expression darkened. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "It was a pirate warlord at first—Gargos, some brute with a penchant for theatrics. Called himself the 'King of the Outer Rim' or some nonsense. But the truth is, Gargos was just a coward with too much muscle and too much luck. He crossed paths with Lelouch, next... that became the warning no one forgot." 

"Torture?" Obi-Wan suggested, his voice tight. 

Dexter hesitated for a moment before nodding. "...Of some kind. Nobody knows exactly what Lelouch did to him, but Gargos was broken. Utterly. When they found him— a shadow of the man he used to be. His mind... gone, broken. He was babbling nonsense, barely able to string two sensible words together. The man had gone mad." 

"What happened to him?" Obi-Wan pressed. 

Dexter leaned back, shaking his head. "That's the thing, Kenobi. No one knows. Gargos disappeared shortly after. Some say Lelouch had him killed, put him up to be found as a presentation to show everybody and then took him down to who knows where. Either way, no one has seen or heard from him since. And that's what made it all so terrifying. It wasn't just the death or the pain—it was the fear. The idea that there were fates worse than death. The scoundrels, the killers, they might take the risk if it was just about life and death. But whatever Lelouch did to Gargos? That made them too scared to even think about crossing him. Whatever it was... no one wanted to find out for themselves." 

Obi-Wan was silent for a moment, his mind racing as he processed what Dexter had told him. The man Dexter described didn't sound like the promising young politician that had once captured the Senate's attention. No, this was someone far more dangerous, far more calculating than the Republic realized. 

Dexter sighed, a heavy weight in his voice. "I didn't expect you'd be interested in the White Prince, Kenobi. You've always kept your distance from the politicking types. What's got you chasing ghosts?" 

Obi-Wan looked up, meeting Dexter's curious gaze. "I've heard enough rumors to know when something's amiss, Dex. And now that Satine..." His voice faltered, and he swallowed hard before continuing. "Now that she's gone, I need to understand what's going on behind the scenes." 

Dexter studied his old friend carefully. "You're thinking this Lelouch had something to do with it?" 

Obi-Wan's jaw tightened. "I don't know, but it's clear he's not just a politician anymore. If even half of what you've told me is true, then he's operating in the shadows. And Satine... she was a threat to people like him... or merely an obstacle."