Saga Purgatory (Anakin/Padmé-AU Angst/Action/Romance) Epilogue - COMPLETE 28th Jan

Title: Purgatory (Prologue and Chapter One)
Author: Helen_Taft
Genres: Angst/Action/Romance
Pairing: Anakin/Padmé
Summary: As if the comment Obi-Wan had made to Luke about Anakin ?dying? when he became Darth Vader was literally true, a newly dead Anakin Skywalker wakes in a new world?given the appearance of his twenty-three year old self. However, the self-sacrifice that ended his life has also given Anakin an unexpected boon that he isn?t sure he can accept. Worse, it comes with conditions that might just be impossible to meet. A moment of redemption is one thing, but a full reformation another entirely. Set immediately after ROTJ.
Disclaimer: Star Wars and all characters from that 'verse belong to George Lucas and Lucas Arts. There is no infringement intended and no profit made.
Note (1): Huge Thanks to NIKEJ for the belated beta *hugs her*. Also, thanks to VaderLVR64 for the help on where I can post this story.

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PROLOGUE

Vader knew he was dead. He was blind and could feel nothing of his body. As his thoughts were all that were left to him, he let his mind wander. With surprising complaisance, he recalled the peace of the last few minutes of his life. Ironically, they?d been full of sirens blaring and punctuated by blasts and explosions, all under-toned by voices ripe with panic and confusion. He?d been in pain, he remembered, although he felt none now. He dwelt on that memory aboard the doomed Death Star, and the fact that dying had felt oddly euphoric. For the first time in twenty three years, he had been suffused with light?through love for his son.

His last weak-voiced request echoed in his mind, You were right? you were right about me. Tell your sister? You were right?"

He hoped Luke did, and prayed it would be enough for his daughter to begin to forgive her father.

He drifted a few moments until another memory butted in, rife with confusion; his own. He?d been in a forest. The glade had been full of jubilant noise and Master Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi were standing beside him. For a split-second it had been as if he had never become Darth Vader, instead remaining Anakin Skywalker and a Jedi. But, of course, he had become Vader, dedicating himself to fulfilling the demands of his Sith Master; corrupted, addicted, monstrous. Nothing could change that. No-one can wipe out the past.

Still, it had been worth the illusion to see Luke one more time. The bonus had also meant he could lay eyes on the daughter he hadn?t realised was his own flesh and blood. He should have guessed he thought now, she had Padmé?s eyes.

That name?one he hadn?t allowed himself to even think of in decades?caused him to feel a bittersweet poignancy that was a thousand times more painful than dying. If he was truthful, she?d been hovering at the edge of his mind ever since their son had come into his life. He?d managed to keep her out by sheer force of will, habit and necessity. Palpatine would have sensed it and some small part of Vader had not wanted to hear her name on his master?s lips. Still, in all of those years while he?d hunted for Luke and hatched plots, she?d refused to disappear. Now, because of his daughter, he could no longer keep her out.

They had created wonderful children, he and Padmé. He suffered another flashback, short but lancing; liquid brown eyes shining in a face that glowed with youth, beauty and wonder, and trepidation. ?Something wonderful has happened. I?m?.Ani, I?m pregnant.?

It was a pitch-perfect memory of her voice with every nuance captured. This time he actually moaned?a long, low sound that his mask could never have reproduced. ?Padmé.?

Complaisance fled.

His love for his son had paved the way and the door had remained open even in death. Every painful emotion he?d let atrophy for so long slammed into him. It was too much. He couldn?t think about her. He wouldn?t. He hadn?t since the day he?d been told that

 

I just saw this and wow is this good! Please continue and post more soon or whenever you can!! I'll put up a review a little bit later..

 

An excellent beginning! I look forward to the next chapters with interest! My thanks to you!

 

Hey! This is great and a really interesting take on the afterlife premise. You have some new ideas here and can hardly wait to see how you play it out.

Palpatine would have sensed it and some small part of Vader had not wanted to hear her name on his master?s lips.

True, true. Her name was far too precious and revered to any part of Vaderkin to hear it come off Palpatine's lips. He didn't deserve to say it.

Please add me to the PM list and if you need a beta feel free to PM me or send me your email!

 

I like your take on the world(s) of the dead. Looking forward to more!

 

Thanks for the FB. I don't know what happened here. I went to edit and re-posted--don't ask, I haven't got a clue how I managed to make such a dumb mistake!!! Sorry. Is there a delete button? Ack!

 

Very nice beginning.

I love situations that give Anakin a chance to redeem himself so I know I'm going to love this one.

Please add me to the PM list.

I saw you achieve the impossible in this infernal Death Star. I have faith in you

It's about time!! I'm just glad Obi-Wan was there to give Anakin the boost he needed.

Looking forward to more

 

Looking forward to more of this fic!

Please add me to your PM list!!!

 

Wow! A great beginning! Please put me on your PM list so I don't miss a chapter of this lovely tale.

 

0___0 Awesome! PM list please! I can't wait to see what's in store for Anakin...

 

FB RESPONSES

searth_99 Thank you for breaking the ice and posting first. You made my day and I?m tickled you enjoyed the prologue and first chapter.

Teresa Thanks muchly for the kind comments. I hope the rest of the story grabs you in the same way.

ROTSfan Yay! Someone asked to me on the pm list. Thanks for the thumbs up and for the offer of beta. I did actually get a pm off someone first though and had already bitten her hand off *g*

BattousaiCV I?m totally chuffed you enjoyed it. I hope it stays that way. Thanks so much for the reply.

KELIA Yay! Another for the pm list I love the idea of a redeemed Anakin too, only not so much the one where he?s just Casper?which is how this fic came into my head, lol. I really hope the story continues to intrigue and satisfy.

HandmaidenVeme Pm list has got your name on it*g*. Thanks so much for asking and commenting to say you?re looking forward to more.

VaderLVR64 Y?know you?d think I?d have brought a clue from your forum name that I?d spelled a certain important person's name wrong. D?oh! LOL Thanks for the lovely reply and for asking to be on the pm list.

Anakin_Panda Aww! Thanks, hun. I had a big grin on my face when I read how much you?d enjoyed the first post. I hope I continues. Pm list is definite.


PM List

ROTSfan
KELIA
HandmaidenVeme
VaderLVR64
Anakin_Panda

If you want adding, please feel free to ask.

 

[image=http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/HelenT/Purgatory-23V2.jpg]

NOTES

(1) Huge thanks to my betas YellowDart and NikeJ for all of their excellent help?much appreciated.

(2)I have to give a big shout-out to Wookiepedia for the excellent source of facts about the Star Wars verse. I?ve used it lots, so it deserves a mention.

(3)Also, I?ve drafted in an old friend from another fandom to act as an extra in the next chapter (three)?you?ll probably know who I mean when you come across him?there is no infringement intended, it?s just fanfic etc etc *g*. Chapter three should be on your screens this weekend. It?s written and YellowDart is doing her magic on it.

CHAPTER TWO

?He?s gone too far this time.?

Padmé Amidala strode down the grand corridor of Roth?s palatial palace. Wall friezes of spirits moving joyously up to the first world lined both sides. Behind them, the premier?s officials were exiting the audience chamber and splitting off to resume their duties. Surrounded by the usual bowing sycophants, Lyonides himself was getting ready to board his shuttle, embarking on yet another ?trade? negotiation with the Geonosians of Lona Naxivio for more droids.

She was furious and her thoughts were an angry whirl. Things here were the same as on the other side?the social elite were pampered and protected while the common people suffered and were left defenceless. It was indefensible, barbaric. All in a good days work for him, she thought savagely. Tyrant.

With every step, her fists became as tightly clenched as her jaw. She cast one of her escorts a hard, glittering look. ?This totalitarian state has to end, Saber. You know that as well as I do. There is no discussion. No debate. Only his rule.?

Short, balding and nervous, Saber Throm glanced nervously around, hissing, ?Councillor Amidala, please!. You must start practicing discretion.?

?I tried that before and it doesn?t work,? she dismissed, softening it with a smile. ?Lyonides knows how I feel anyway??

?Of course he does. Because you never try to hide it.? Throm had to mop the sweat from his brow and his hand shook. ?He?s indulged you on many occasions??

Padmé halted so abruptly that her voluminous skirts bristled. Now it was her turn to interrupt. ?Indulged me! All I?ve done is petition him for the barest levels of comfort for the ordinary people?for the newcomers. The dead come here mourning for the living just as much as the living do for the dead. The world as they know it?their very lives have ended. They?re lost and terrified. They need our support.? She flung out her hands, furious. ?And all Lyonides cares about is automating everything and amassing an army.? Agitated, she started walking again. ?No matter what pontificating he does in public speeches, he doesn?t care about anyone but himself. He?s trading souls for a set of blasters on legs.?

?Personally, I think he?s baiting you,? chimed in Councillor Oboné. She was a big-boned, ebony-skinned woman with a deep, resonant voice. ?He can?t really mean to trade all of our surplus minerals for those ghastly battle droids?there would be even more riots.?

?Politically, it?s a tricky issue,? agreed Throm. ?The people know we need better defences and Lyonides has a fair few convinced that droids would be more effective than troops in fighting off Narzgh raids. Then there?s the golden promise of increased output from the mines allowing him to finally purchase the extra energy cells we need to extend the barrier.?

?False promises, all of it,? said Padmé. ?We know too well that blasters have a limited effect, and he could have bought the cells already if he was really planning to. In the meantime people in the outer rim are little more than bait?and they know it. It?s why they riot.?

?To some, the cost of losing a percentage of the population to achieve greater security is acceptable,? pointed out Oboné.

Knowing it was true, Padmé grimaced. ?So long as it is not they who are living beyond the rain shield, of course.?

 

Glad that Anakin could use his Force sense to pinpoint the danger. This is quite an interesting story you have here, almost like a little "Left Behind" type scenario--there is still hope in this "life", but they have to work twice as hard for it and earn their redemption.

?Indulged me! All I?ve done is petition him for the barest levels of comfort for the ordinary people?for the newcomers. The dead come here mourning for the living just as much as the living do for the dead. The world as they know it?their very lives have ended. They?re lost and terrified. They need our support.?

How fitting that Amidala would be helping and looking after people no matter where she is.

He blamed it on having a fully organic body again after spending so long as only half a man. He?d had no idea how much of his power he?d lost on Mustafar; until now when it coursed remorselessly through him. It was a blast of noise instead of a controlled whisper?disorientingly powerful.

Well put. Look forward to reading more.

 

Hmmm...this is an interesting story with intriguing twists. Please put me on the pm list. I'd like to find out what happens next!!!!!

~Nabooqueen~

BTW....great idea

 

You've got quite an interesting story here. I'd love to here more--could you put me on the PM list, please?

 

Hmmmmmmm.....it looks like Padme and Anakin are finding trouble to be their close companion! And I think it will take both of them to solve these problems. After all, they might have managed to avoid most, if not all of their previous tragedies if they had been open with each other. But then, most of the blame for that lies on Anakin's side.......Thanks for the new chapter!

 

Even in the afterlife Padme fights for the well being of the people.

Great job and thanks for bringing back the Padme we all missed in ROTS.

 

Superb chapter!

He blamed it on having a fully organic body again after spending so long as only half a man. He?d had no idea how much of his power he?d lost on Mustafar; until now when it coursed remorselessly through him. It was a blast of noise instead of a controlled whisper?disorientingly powerful.

I really liked this!

 

This is one the most interesting and unique fics that I have read in a long time. I love how you have intermixed the characterization from canon into this 'netherworld' of the afterlife. I think that this is an absolutely brilliant concept and your OCs seem both plausible to the SW and very real. Your style of writing immediately hooks the reader and makes us want more. I am very interesting to see where you will take this and hope you will be so kind as to add me to the PM list.

Excellent work!

 

This story is very interesting and yes I agree its unique. I would love to be added to your PM list.

 

Oooohhh danger still exists for Anakin and Padme



I love all the twists to this story.

onsider me well-preserved



I loved that line.

Great update

 

ROTSFan

I haven?t read ?Left Behind? is that a novel? I?m horribly non-cultured I?m afraid *blush* I agree about Padmé needing to help people. It?s a part of who she is no matter where she is. Anyway, I?m chuffed the story has you intrigued and I hope it continues.

nabooqueen2008

Thank you! I?m delighted you?re enjoying it and certainly I?ll add you to the PM list.

slow_dawn

Thank you, too, lol. Pm list is updated with you on it.

Teresa

You?re welcome and thanks for the reply. LOL where would any story be without trouble? I?m afraid they are in for a rocky road both physically and mentally were they will certainly have to be honest with each other. I plan some soul searching amongst the action. Hopefully I can make the journey worth the angst though.

HandmaidenVeme

Thank you and you?re very welcome. Padmé really did get short-changed in ROTS so I plan on making up for that.

VaderLVR64

*Blush* I?m glad you liked it. Thanks so much for the help!

JediMasterRev

Oh Wow! Thank you. You totally made my day with your post. I?m tickled that everything is gelling for you; canon and OC wise. Pm list is updated. I hope the story continued to satisfy. The PM list has you on it.

Anakins_Kiss

Thank you and the PM list is updated.

KELIA

LOL I grinned when I wrote that line too. Thanks for the reply and I hope you enjoy the new post.

PM LIST

ROTSfan
KELIA
HandmaidenVeme
VaderLVR64
Anakin_Panda
Anakins_Kiss
JediMasterRev
nabooqueen2008
slow_dawn

If I?ve forgotten anyone, please just let me know.

New chapter is on its way any minute now.

 

[image=http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/HelenT/Purgatory-3.jpg]

Thanks once again to YellowDart and NikeJ for the wonderful job they're doing of beta. Also thanks to VaderLVR64 for doing a family friendly check on some scenes.

Just to remind again that I?ve drafted in an old friend from another fandom to act as an extra?you?ll probably know who I mean when you come across him?there is no infringement intended, it?s just fanfic etc etc *g*.

Last, but not least, I?ve used a fight move from one of my favourite movies?Serenity. If you?ve seen it you may recognise it.

Author responses are in the post above. Thanks to everyone for replying!

CHAPTER THREE


Midway to reaching for his lightsaber, Anakin froze. Did he really want it general knowledge that he had it?

Everyone else froze for a heartbeat too. Then Sal gave a shout; the Geonosian elite and the droid dived for cover and the would-be ambushers tried to recover and came out blasting. To the right, a troop of Geonosian warriors scuttled closer, raising their sonic weapons and aiming straight for him. Instinct took over. Spinning to meet them, Anakin used a Force push to swat them away. Another twist of the force brought him one of the sonic blasters from the nearest fallen warrior. Deadly red blaster bolts were coming in thick and fast. Diving and coming up in a roll, Anakin let loose with return fire at the worst threat, the humanoids, and heard Sal yell to him, ?Get inside and fire her up! I?ll cover you and follow.?

Firing another couple of rapid-fire shots that had their attackers scrambling out of the way, Anakin sprinted for the ramp, dodging return fire as he pounded up and inside. Inside, cursing and lunging for the pilot seat, he started flipping switches and wrapping his fingers around the control stick. The sub-light engine started with a roar. The ship shuddered as the hull was repeatedly hit. A moment later there was a thud from the rear of the cockpit and Sal fell inside, only just keeping his balance. Ashen-faced, grim and with a fresh fiery weal above his right eye, he lurched the co-pilot?s seat just as Anakin lifted the Limidian off the hanger-bay floor.

?Hold on to something,? Anakin yelled.

Blaster fire thickened as their attackers realised they were about to lose their quarry. A sonic blast rocked them hard enough to set of the inertial balance alarms.
There was no time for finesse. A side-swipe at the remaining ambushers took care of a few more. Then they were roaring towards the hanger-bay exit. Too late. Blast shields were sliding inexorably across, ready to cut off their only escape.

?Break off. We?re not gonna make it,? yelled Sal, bracing himself as best as he could.

Anakin didn?t so much as blink and pushed for more speed. ?Oh, yes we are.?

Out of nowhere, one of the loader droids went rocketing past the cockpit viewport as if shot from a catapult. It smashed into the blast door controls. The heavy alloy doors came to a juddering halt just far apart enough for the Limidian to scrape through.
Weak and in pain or not, Sal managed to slide him an incredulous look, ?I don?t suppose you want to explain to me how you do that??

?Not really, no,? said Anakin. Rising steeply until they were above the crater, he banked left and accelerated with an urgency that strained the engine and earned him an automatic warning from the ships computer: 'Warning, engine at one hundred and twenty percent. Reduce velocity now'. Anakin ignored it, saying, ?Besides, I don?t think we?re out of the woods yet.? He tossed Sal a grim smile. ?Our unofficial welcoming committee didn?t look Geonosian, and I don?t imagine they walked.?

As if to prove his words, the Limidian shuddered violently. ?And there?s our pursuit.?

There was no tactical display on the ship, but there was a holo that pinpointed damage or technical problems. Right now, it was flashing a bright orange in the right engine block, indicating that fire suppression systems were in operation. A low, irritating al

 

Ugh I can't believe you left it there, with her staring at him through the rain!! Please add me to the pm list, I must know what happens next,

 

I just found this story and must this is very refreshing and original!

Please add me to your PM list!