Saga - OT She Shall Rise Again (Padmé/Vader AU - ANH) - Updated! 12/28/15 - Chapter 22!

Thank you.

 

You are welcome!

*is still on a sort of reading marathon

 

so wheres that weekend update you promised

no pressure

 

Kind of an interlude again. Been a busy week.
Bail B. Baobab , Luna_Nightshade , serendipityaey , Blue Ice Cream , ccp , AzureAngel2 , Darth_Cruel

13

Rescue

The hoverlift hummed to life, heading towards the detention levels. It had been more than easy for Han and Luke to walk through the corridors. Nobody had even cast them a second glace, despite the fact that they had a 7 foot tall Wookiee following behind them.

Luke turned to Chewbacca, loosening the golden binders.

He seemed determined that there were going to be no issues. Han didn’t know how. As soon as they Imperials figured it out, they’d be blasted faster than they could blink. The detention level was bound to be heavily guarded and monitored. That was if they made it that far. There were multiple levels between them.

“This is not going to work,” Han said.

Luke looked up from the binders, shaking his head.

“Why didn’t you say so before?”

“I did say so before.”

Han cast his eyes to the indicator light. They were a floor away from the detention center. There was no time to go back.
This had better work, he thought, trying to at least imagine going out in a blaze of glory.

He gripped his blaster rifle, trying to anticipate which door of the hoverlift would open. The small circular indicator flashed again, this time signaling that they had arrived. His hand went for the trigger of the blaster as the ‘lift silently slowed.

The door slid open. It took both Luke and Han a moment to hear it, the thick plastic of the helmets impeding their vision and hearing. Leading Chewbacca with one hand, Han stepped out first.
The room was small, hexagon shaped. The walls were painted black with very few lights around them. The floor was a thick durasteel grate, below it some sort of thin duraplast illuminated red. It gave the room an ominous feel - no doubt that was the goal.

There were a few stairs leading to a narrow corridor straight in front of them. A man paced the passage, no doubt monitoring the prisoners’ cells. Directly in front of them was a circular command station. The monitors were held up by thin metal posts, an officer in the middle. He was dressed in a black uniform, leaning over a control panel. Behind him stood two guards clad in black.
He had already noticed them. His expression was bemused as he looked up, his eyes scanning them. He straightened and took two steps towards them.

“Where are you taking this….thing?” he asked, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Prisoner transport from cell block 1138,” Luke replied quickly.

The officer tilted his head.

“I wasn’t notified,” he said, his eyes focused on Chewbacca, “I’ll have to clear it.”

He waved to the guards and pressed a button on the console. Han looked to Luke as a single guard approached, waiting until the perfect moment to signal to Luke. He watched as the barrel of his blaster came closer, close enough that he could see the DH-17 inscription. Doubt began to claw back into his mind. He pushed it away. There was no other option now, they had to survive this.
As they got within a half meter, Han gave the signal. Chewbacca pulled his enormous paws from the loose bracers, roaring at the guards and knocking one over.

“Look out, he’s loose!” Han yelled.

Luke shot his blaster once, attempting to distract them. Han tossed his blaster rifle to Chewbacca.

“He’ll tear us all apart!”

Luke fired again, above the console. Smoke and sparks rained down. The officer grabbed his own blaster and aimed for the trio. Without giving him even a second to fire, Luke fired a blaster bolt into his side. He tumbled to the ground.

Turrets began to fire on them. The guard behind the console began to shoot, his blaster bolts narrowly missing Luke. He crouched, dodging them, before firing back at him. Luke’s shot hit him directly in the abdomen, and he collapsed instantly.

Chewbacca and Han were firing at the various cameras and turrets scattered throughout the room. The Empire definitely hadn’t skimped on security. Following their lead, Luke directed his fire to the turrets placed within the rear wall. He narrowly dodged two shots from the turrets and blasted them.

An echoing shatter was followed by a shower of glass, as Chewbacca succeeded in destroying the cameras above them.

The other guard had recovered from the Wookiee’s blow and had stumbled to his feet. He reached for his blaster, but Luke saw him first. With a flash of red he collapsed again, his chest smoking. Han fired towards the corridor’s security panel, yet another camera was within it. Sparks flew, before the wiring began to burn. Acrid smoke poured into the small room.

The other guard had recovered from the first shot and fired at them. He missed, giving Han a chance to blast him again. He crumpled to the ground. Chewbacca destroyed another two cameras. The smoke was now a thick fog, making it difficult for them to see.

The guard from the cell block rushed forward. His blaster was pointed at them, his hands steady. Luke pulled the trigger. It struck the guard on the leg and he tumbled down the steps to the corridor.
With all the guards gone, Luke hurried to the console. Han let off one last shot. It smashed into the final turret, mangling it in a cloud of smoke. He followed behind Luke. Luke dragged the officer’s body off the console, before turning to see if there were any more cameras or turrets. He couldn’t see any - but he could barely see anything in the Stormtrooper armor. He turned his attention to the corridor, watching for any guards.

Han passed behind him.

“We’ve got to find out which cell this princess of yours is in. Here it is... “ he paused, reading the numbers on the console. As soon as he got them, he pointed down the corridor. “Cell 2187. You go get her. I'll hold them here.”

Luke ran down the hall. Han pulled off his helmet and set it down. Some sort of alarm was beeping and he hadn’t noticed it before. With a quick glance, he figured out what it was.
A breach alarm. The officer must have sounded it during the fight.

Sithspit.

If he didn’t do something, they were going to have company - faster than they could get out of this mess. He clicked on the comm. Hopefully, this wouldn’t backfire.
“Everything is under control,” he said, glancing to the hoverlifts, “situation normal!”

A voice responded. “What happened?”

“We had a…slight weapons malfunction, but everything’s perfectly alright now,” he replied, trying to hide the pauses as he searched for words. He could feel sweat bead around his collar. “We’re fine. We’re all fine here now. Thank you.”

He stopped, briefly.

“How are you?”

“We’re sending a squad up.”

Han winced. Not what he wanted to hear.

“Uh, negative. Negative,” he replied, glancing nervously down the hall, “We’ve got a reactor leak here now. Give us a few minutes to lock it down …large leak. Very dangerous.”
The voice came through again, his tone disbelieving. “Who is this? What’s your operating number?”

Nice going, Han thought to himself, grabbing the blaster rifle.

He fired at the comm. It erupted into smoke and flame.

“Boring conversation anyway,” he mumbled, frustrated. He turned to the corridor.
“Luke!” he yelled, “we’re gonna have company!”

Luke turned, hurrying back down the corridor. He found the cell – 2187. He took a breath, jamming the door control open.

A wall panel opened, leading into a small grey cell. It was lower than the corridor. On the far wall was a metal bench, where the Princess lay sleeping. He clambered down the two steps inside.
A wave of emotion hit him as she rose from her sleep. It was her beauty that struck him first. But then, it was something else. A warm familiarity. For a brief moment, his mind flashed back to his dreams.

“Aren’t you a little short for a Stormtrooper?” The Princess’ warm voice snapped him from his thoughts.

“Oh!” he realized, “the uniform.”

He pulled the helmet off. She looked at him, meeting his bright blue eyes with her own deep brown orbs.

“I’m Luke Skywalker,” he said, stepping forward with urgency, “I’m here to rescue you.”

She sat up. “You’re who?”

“I’m here to rescue you,” he repeated. “I’ve got your Artoo unit, I’m here with Ben Kenobi…Breha sent us.”

“Ben Kenobi!” she interrupted, standing up now, “where is he? Where’s Breha?”

“C’mon,” Luke nodded towards the corridor.

The Princess hurried outside, Luke following behind. Luke turned back towards the command room, hearing the sound of the hoverlift arriving. He stopped as he saw Han’s armored figure step in front of the corridor.

“Get behind me!” Han yelled to Chewbacca, repeating it twice until the Wookiee was in position.

An explosion shook the floor beneath them, before the sound of blasters echoed in the corridor. Luke moved so he could see the command room more clearly. Han and Chewbacca were firing at the hoverlifts. A blaster bolt struck the first Stormtroope, who toppled out of the cloud of smoke. Another was behind him and quickly met the same fate. But the hoverlift was full of them. Chewie and Han began to back up, before running to meet Luke and the Princess.

They were running back towards the hoverlifts, but stopped as Han met them.

“We can’t get out that way,” he remarked, glancing to see how close the Stormtroopers were.

The Princess shot him a glance before looking down the hall. “Looks like you managed to cutoff our only escape route,” she replied.
Han turned to her. “How’d you like it back in your cell, Your Highness?”

A blaster bolt hit the metal strut right behind them. The four dove back as a rain of fire shot at them. The Stormtroopers were far too close, now.

Luke instinctively pulled out his comm. There was no way they’d escape on their own, the station was bound to be on high alert and they knew nothing about its schematics.

“Breha, Threepio!” he called, hoping they would pick up. He didn’t wait for a reply. “We need another way out of the cell bay, we’ve been cut off!”

Two bolts struck the struts they hid behind. Han fired back, managing to hit one Trooper.

“Threepio! What was that, I didn’t copy?”

Breha’s voice broke through instead. “He said they’ve all been alerted of your presence. The only ways out are going to be through the main entrance. Artoo can’t access any other information.”
“Mum?” He barely registered Leia’s whisper behind him.

A muffled clanging came from the comm, the noises cutting in and out. “Open…in there! Open up…!”

“I’m afraid I must go,” Breha replied, tension in her words.

Luke clipped the comm back onto the armor. “There’s no other way out of here.”

Chewbacca growled. Han looked at him, then Luke. “Well, I can’t hold them off forever, so now what?”

He was frustrated; trying to think of some way they were going to escape unscathed. It wasn’t likely they’d survive. Han didn’t like to admit any defeat.

“Some rescue mission this is,” Leia replied, “you came in here, didn’t you have a plan for getting out?”

Han looked at her in between his own shots, her words sparking a simmer in him.

“He’s the brains, sweetheart,” he shot back.

Luke tried to defend himself. She grabbed his blaster and fired a bolt into a grate besides them.

Han looked at the grate, the jagged metal still glowing. There was no way that was a good idea. None of them had any idea where that chute lead.

“What the hell are you doing?” he yelled, trying to focus on the blaster fire that inched ever closer.

“Somebody has to save our skins,” she replied tersely, slinking across the corridor towards the grate and knocking out a Trooper with a blaster bolt. “Now into the garbage chute, flyboy.”

She tossed Luke his blaster and slid in. Chewbacca stuck one furry foot in, before growling at Han. He was complaining about the smell, which, Han had to admit was horrible. Han snapped his head around to look at the Wookiee. Evidently her Highness knew what she was doing, so he wasn’t going to argue. There was no better plan of his.

“Get in there, you big furry oaf!” he ordered, “I don’t care what you smell!”

The Stormtroopers were already in the corridor, their blaster fire missing only by centimeters. He kicked Chewie with his heel, hoping to coax him in. The Wookiee obeyed, squeezing himself in and sliding down the chute.

Han grit his teeth, looking to Luke briefly. “Wonderful girl! Either I’m going to kill her…or I’m beginning to like her!”
Luke rolled his eyes, shooting another bolt at the Stormtroopers.

Han looked at Luke again, “Now get in there!”

Luke slid in.

Two feet of slime and garbage greeted him, splashing all over his armor.

And it smelled worse than a wet Bantha. He blinked, trying to stop his eyes from burning. Leia and Chewbacca were beside him, the Wookiee standing near a hatch.
“Look out!” Luke warned, bringing up his blaster and aiming for the door.

He trudged forward through the sludge and fired at the hatch, hoping to blast it open. Instead, the bolt ricocheted off. He dove for cover as it flew past his head. It bounced off the metallic walls and narrowly missed the Princess, before colliding with a plasteel container.

Leia turned to him. “Don’t try that again.”

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t planning on it,” Luke replied, picking a piece of…something out of his shoulder armor. The piles of garbage were up to 3 feet high, floating in some strange slimy water. It was mostly scrap, and construction materials. Nothing they could use to blast through a magnetized door. If there was something floating in the water, it’d be ruined by now.

“Woohoo!”

They both spun around as Han tumbled down the chute, landing on a pile of trash. He stood, taking in his surroundings. Chewbacca growled to him, still complaining about the smell.
Han boosted himself up to his feet.

“The garbage chute was a wonderful idea! What an incredible smell you’ve discovered!”

Leia shot him a glare.

If there was any more sarcasm in him, it’d be pouring out his ears, she thought, looking through a pile of rubbish for something to break the magnetic seal.

“Let’s get out of here,” Han said, pulling his blaster up and looking at the hatch. He waved to Chewbacca. “Get away from there!”

Chewbacca stepped aside and let out a trill.

Luke turned to see what was going on. Seeing Han’s blaster raised, he tried to rush forward through the sludge.

“Wait! No!”

Han fired, ignoring Luke.

The blaster bolt bounced off the door, just as it had before. Luke and Leia dove down, trying to avoid the frenzied bolt as it careened off the walls. It eventually landed in a mound of garbage and dissipated.

“Will you forget it?” Luke yelled, “I already tried it! The door’s magnetically sealed!”

Leia stood, her eyes aflame. “Put that thing away! You’re going to get us all killed!”

Han leaned forward, his tone matching hers. She was definitely getting on his nerves now. “Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I had everything under control until you led us down here. It’s not going to take them long to figure out what happened to us.”

Leia had turned from him now, grasping onto a long rod and trying to puzzle through any possible escape routes. She shook her head. Luke had said Ben was here, and her mum was as well. There was no way she was letting him jeopardize their escape…and she hadn’t seen him coming up with any stellar plans
.
“It could be worse,” she retorted.

A rumbling growl floated up from the liquid surrounding them.

“Oh, it’s worse.” Han said.

Luke was searching around his feet, looking for the source of the noise.

“There’s something alive in here…”

“Kid, I’m sure it’s just your imagination.”

Luke shook his head. He knew it was there. He could feel it, just barely, through the Force.

He felt pressure against his leg. He recoiled, and it slithered away.

“Something just moved past my leg!”

His eyes went back to the murky water. Something moved, a rubbery….thing floating on the surface,
“Look!” He pointed, “Did you see that!”

Han stepped forward, looking where he pointed, but it had disappeared. Luke tried to track it, but the liquid was too dark and its energy was too dull. They all scanned the dark water for a few moments, trying to find the creature.

Suddenly, it grabbed him around the ankle and pulled. He tried to keep himself upright, but the floor was coated in slime. He looked to Han and Leia frantically. He managed to shout one word before it continued to pull him underwater.

“Help!”

His body quickly was submerged, his face flooded with putrid liquid. He tried to wrestle free of the tentacle and push himself up. As he attempted to, the creature wrapped another tentacle around his neck. Ice cold fear shot through him. He could feel the pressure against his throat, his lungs beginning to ache as he struggled. A single eye blinked right in front of his face and he tried again to pull away.

He could hear the muffled yells of Leia and Han, calling him. The creature relaxed for a brief moment. He took advantage of it, shoving himself towards the surface. He broke through and thrashed. The tentacle around his neck tightened and he could feel his throat threaten to collapse.

“Luke!” Leia shouted to him. The slime clouded his eyes, though. He couldn’t see anything.
“Grab hold of this!”

He swung his arm wildly, trying to reach for whatever she was holding out. His arm didn’t hit anything. His other hand went for the appendage around his neck, loosening it enough so he could breathe. He pulled the trigger on his blaster in an attempt to shoot it. The slime had waterlogged it, though, and nothing happened.

“Blast it!” he gasped, still struggling to break free. The creature was strong and it wasn’t giving up without a fight. “My gun’s jammed!”
Han looked around, trying to find a spot that wasn’t attached to Luke.

“Where?” he asked, hoping Luke would know where the rest of the creature was.
“Anywhere!”

Han sighed.

Real helpful, kid.

He raised his blaster rifle, aiming for the general direction of the tentacles. Steadying his blaster, he pulled the trigger and watched as the creature recoiled.
Luke gasped for breath, his lungs finally filling again.

But it was only momentary. The creature grabbed onto Luke again, yanking him downwards. He could feel Han attempt to pull him back up, but it was useless. He went under again, managing to get one last breath in before the water overtook him.

Han scanned the water for him. There was no sign of him, no ripples, no bubbling. He couldn’t be down there for too much longer. He’d drown.

The groaning of metal made him look up. Both side walls shuddered, seemingly moving closer. He looked to Leia. Her expression was worried, she shook her head and glanced down to the water again.
Luke burst from the surface, spraying Han with the putrid liquid.

“Help him!” Leia called, waiting for Han to grab him, “What happened?”

Luke coughed, spots still in his eyes. His voice was hoarse. “I don’t know! It just let go of me and disappeared!”

He continued to cough, the vile water trying to make its way into his windpipe. A rumble sounded in between his coughing. It was mechanical. Exactly like the one they had heard prior.
Han stepped back, grabbing his blaster. It clicked in his hands.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Something told him the walls hadn’t just appeared to move in before. Chewbacca growled from behind, thinking the very same thing.

Within a second, a loud click permeated the small garbage room. Almost immediately, the entire room began to whirr.
“The walls are closing!” Luke exclaimed.

Blast.

“Don’t just stand there,” Leia yelled, trying to get their attention, “Try to brace it with something!”

It took them a moment to register what was going on. She reached for the metallic pole she saw earlier, hoping it would be much stronger than it looked. It was definitely heavier than it looked.
“Help me with this!”

Han turned and grabbed it, helping her hoist it. He held it up, waiting for the rapidly closing walls to jam on it.

Luke was pressing himself against the wall, hoping it would give under his weight. He closed his eyes, trying to channel whatever energy he could. It was futile, though. The walls were far too powerful.

He remembered the comm. Pulling it out, he clicked it on.

“Hello? Threepio? Breha?”

There was no reply.

He tried again. “Hello?”

The comm clicked on, before the sound of blaster fire came through. It lasted a few seconds before dying down. Breha’s breathless voice came from the other end. “What is it you need, Luke? Are you nearby? There is a heavy presence of Stormtroopers –”

Luke cut her off, the walls getting ever closer. “Shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level.”

Leia yelled from the background, “Hurry!”

More blaster fire sounded on the comm, before it clicked off with no reply.
“Breha! Threepio! Someone!”

Nobody answered. Luke hit the wall with a gloved fist. Han looked around, before trying to help Leia to the top of a garbage pile.

“One thing’s for sure…we’re all going to be a lot thinner.”

The walls were a few meters apart now. They were going to be more than thin; they were going to be thin as hotcakes.

Suddenly, the walls stopped.

Breha’s voice returned. “One moment, Artoo is accessing the mainframe again. He’s stopped the garbage disposals on your level.”

Artoo’s cooing and beeping sounded in the background. A loud click echoed in the now-narrow garbage masher.

“And, he’s unlocked the magnetic seal on the door. Hurry, they are sending more reinforcements.”

The four erupted into cheers of joy.

Threepio’s voice echoed, “Mistress Breha, I believe we were too late! Can you hear them, screaming in agony?”

They replied in almost perfect unison. "We're fine! We're okay!"

“No, Threepio. Hear them? They are alright,” she sighed lightly, "they're just happy."
"We will be waiting for you in the hangar," she told the group, before the comm cut out again.

Chewbacca trilled and opened the door, stepping out and waiting for Luke, Leia, and Han to follow.

 

Great update

now about that

Vader and Padme scene

 

Thanks. And soon! I have to get the story there first!

 

Superb! Wonderful trip into ANH again. With a twist.

 

New chapter!!! Woo! (Sorry for the small delay!!) You're all in for a trilogy of V/P now! 14-15-16.
Bail B. Baobab , Luna_Nightshade , serendipityaey , Blue Ice Cream , ccp , AzureAngel2 , Darth_Cruel


14

Questions

The medical droid finished its injection. It smarted for a few moments before dulling. The droid dabbed bacta on the site, lumbering back to the small table where it had laid out supplies. I readjusted the sleeve of my gown and pulled on a hooded cloak Anakin had left.

The room shook. It was barely noticeable at first, but the quiet rumblings turned into a loud whirr within seconds.

Wondering if the station was about to launch into hyperspace, I rose from the edge of the bed and stepped towards the viewport. There was no indication we were. The planet outside rested peacefully amongst the stars. The stars were their usual pinpricks, shimmering against the black emptiness.

Yet the vibration continued to grow beneath my feet. I leaned on the sill of the viewport, bracing myself for the sudden lurch of hyperspeed.

A sudden flash of emerald blinded me momentarily. I gripped the cold metal ledge more tightly, worried that the light was related to the dizziness that still plagued me. I blinked, realizing that I was no more ill than usual. It took a few moments for the light to fade from my eyes. I looked around the room and waited for the reddish tinge to dwindle. The room was the same as it had been. The light must have been from the viewport.

Looking back to the window, I was taken aback by what I saw. The serene planet was now aflame, the atmosphere shades of deep orange and black. Swirls of smoke mixed in with the clouds that were pristine white just moments earlier. This station was more than a space station. It had just razed an entire planet.

It was a weapon.

I shook my head solemnly. Disappointment and anger rose in my chest, almost painful. It smouldered deep in my heart, burning just as the planet before me did. I spent a few long moments gazing out into the vast expanse of space. Absentmindedly, I spun a dark curl around my finger. With a long breath, I walked towards the living area. My gown whispered as it trailed behind me. This was not what I had agreed to. I had not agreed to be part of the Empire’s plans, nor was I willing to stand idly by while Anakin carried them out. It was against everything I had stood for.

I took a seat. There was a holonovel and HoloNet terminal on the table. Part of me reached for them, hoping to gain some insight into things. I wondered if it would even help to know how desperate the situation had gotten, or if I was better off unaware.

I decided I was better off knowing my enemy. Leaning forward slightly, I pressed the button. Beams of blue converged into one holo of the Imperial insignia. It flickered to a news broadcast.
A cloaked figure appeared behind a headline, his head adorned with a tall, ribbed hat. I recognized the background instantly, having spent much of my life within it. The Senate chambers. They were darkened behind him.

The voice was grating. “I bring you all, the citizens of the Galaxy, the news that the Emperor has officially disbanded the Imperial Senate. Due to fears of treason and recent arrests of those attempting a rebellion, the Senate is no longer contributing to the Galaxy’s peace and prosperity.”

The newscaster flickered in front of me. I was taken aback for a brief moment. Only today, after years of the Empire, had the Senate officially been disbanded. I ignored the newscaster’s praise for the move. He was obviously hired to serve the viewers propaganda.

I had thought I saw liberty die years ago. But I had seen its final moments just today – gone in a blaze of green and flash of blue. My heart felt heavy. I felt helpless, alone. A small flicker of hope burned deep within me, as I now knew the Rebellion still existed. I had no way to join them, however. I was under Anakin’s watchful eye and in the heart of the Empire. I had no way to join and I had no way to find the twins. I hoped once again they were safe, far away from the cruelty I had witnessed.

Brushing a stray brown lock from my face, I flicked the holoterminal off. As I sat in silence, I tried to find some plan. There had to be some way of saving both Anakin and the galaxy. It felt as though I had to choose. He hadn’t stopped the planet’s destruction, and the Emperor still held the Galaxy in a grip of beskar.

Maybe I can support them, I thought. Anakin wouldn’t have to know. By the time he found out, I could bring him closer to the light. The only question was how I would accomplish such a thing.

The sound of the door sliding open startled me. I spun around. Anakin stood in the doorway, his black cape still settling around him. I rose quickly.

“Anakin,” I finally had the chance to question him. I would know why he had broken my trust. “What just happened?”

He took a few short steps towards me. The door slid shut behind him.

“A demonstration,” His answer was short and cold. It wasn’t good enough for me. I tried again.

“You promised me. I am positive this planet did not do anything to deserve that.” My arm instinctively motioned to the viewport. I followed it for a moment, watching as black smoke and embers still filled the atmosphere. My patience was fading quickly. My words were sharp and unforgiving. “This ‘station’ is nothing more than a weapon! Anakin, don’t tell me you’re responsible for this!”

“Padmé,” he started. My name sounded foreign through his respirator. “I had no choice. It was Dantooine or Alderaan. You know Dantooine is more remote and less populated. Tarkin ultimately wished to destroy Alderaan.”

Red-hot anger shot through my fingertips at Tarkin’s name. My blood boiled. I hated him now more than ever. The man was the definition of what I had fought against. The Galaxy had fallen so far from the vision of the Delegation and I.

“And there was no possible way you could have stopped him?” The question came out more venomous than I had intended.

Anakin shook his head slowly. His eyes were downcast. I took a deep breath, trying to subdue my anger. He was telling the truth, there was nothing I could do to change that. As much as I hated it, he was as trapped as I was. I blinked in an attempt to clear away the fury. My face and throat still burned in disgust. Clutching the cloak around me, I stepped forward.

“Why did you come, Ani?” His nickname slipped from my lips. His head rose almost instantly, as if my saying it forgave him for everything.

“The station is on high alert. Intruders are attempting to release a prisoner. I wanted to be sure no-one came into this room.”

I felt some relief that he was protecting me. I could only imagine what would happen if the Imperials aboard the station were to search the small apartment. Searching his blank eyes, I took another step forward.
“Thank you, Anakin,” I said. I didn’t want to forgive him for just standing by while Tarkin devastated a planet, but I didn’t want to continue to criticize him if he truly had no choice.

We stood facing each other. In the distance I could hear a faint alarm, and the room was filled with the shhh-woosh of Anakin’s respirator. I sat back down on the couch as a wave of frustration crashed over me. I pressed my palms to my eyes. All I wanted was to be back in our apartment on Coruscant with his arms around me. I wanted to stand on the balcony, watching the Galaxy rush around us. I wanted to hear him say he loved me, that he would do anything to protect the Republic. I could see it all, hear it all – the vibrant lights, the stars, his soft words, the bubbling fountain, and the rush of speeders.

I looked up to his mask again. I wanted to see his kind blue eyes, untainted by the evils of the Galaxy.

His breath skipped. My daydream slipped away.

“Padmé, I must go.”

“You said you needed to stay he-“

He cut me off. I was confused now. He was rushing.

“I need to. There is something important. Nearby, the Rebels.”

“Rebels?”

“The intruders,” he corrected, “They are nearby. The sector is mostly abandoned, which is why I chose this apartment for you.”

“Anakin…” I said, concerned. I couldn’t believe there were rebels on the station, trying to escape. I shook my head. This was either my chance, or it would get me killed. I had to ask only one question before I made my decision. “Is Palpatine onboard?”

“No. You will be safe.”

He turned and I stood abruptly, following behind.

Spinning on his heel, he placed a hand on my shoulder. It was unexpected, sending shocks deep into my bones.

“You can’t, Padmé.”

I feigned a look of defeat and took a step backwards. He returned to the door and opened it, stepping into the corridor. I did not even give myself a chance to think twice before I pulled up my hood and slipped out the doors behind him.

 

Awesome intensity of her reactions & the aptness of her questions! Love the daydreams she continues to have despite herself Eagerly awaiting more. This is getting cooler! by the post!

Please tag me when your Piett AU starts.

 

Thank you so much!! I definitely will tag you.

 

It's interesting that Padme decided to follow Vader. I suspect that everything maybe out in the open very shortly

Awesome chapter

more soon

 

Thank you both

I felt bad for such a cliffhanger and my late updates, so here's chapter 15! Please let me know if you want tags

Bail B. Baobab , Luna_Nightshade , serendipityaey , Blue Ice Cream , ccp , AzureAngel2 , Darth_Cruel

15
Daughter, Son

I followed Anakin as he rushed down the hallway. My hood was still up, hiding my face from the Imperials that passed us in the corridor. I couldn’t see much through the thick black fabric. What I could see to the front was blocked by Anakin’s towering onyx figure. With each passing second I grew more concerned. He hadn’t given me any information. I didn’t know where we were going, if he even knew. The way he had abruptly left made me believe it was on impulse.

But what on this station could possibly be so important?

Anakin took a sudden turn, his cape swirling outward. I struggled to keep up, yet stay far enough behind he wouldn’t notice. In the distance a klaxon began to blare. I hurried forward, remaining in his shadow.This corridor was much larger. I caught glimpses of the hall ahead as Anakin stalked forward. Men were grouped throughout, standing at attention as he passed. Some avoided him completely, their gazes downcast and filled with fear. They all seemed to be wearing some sort of flight suits. We continued forward. By now, my lungs ached from trying to remain close to him. I took a deep breath, hoping to relieve the sensation. He took another sharp turn. I did the same. I looked as I turned, trying to see what lay ahead. Another narrow corridor, this one darker and deserted. At the end lay a set of blast doors - slants of metal across a wide mouthed doorway.

As we reached it, Anakin opened them with one swift move of his hand. Then, he stopped. I didn't realize at first and took another step forward, before freezing. His breaths were shallow now, matching mine. They echoed eerily in the small corridor. He stiffened. His breathing became deeper, more forceful. I took a step back.

He knows, I thought for a brief second. I prepared myself for the inevitable anger.

“Obi-Wan….I felt your presence,” he bellowed.

I felt the color drain from my face. My feet froze in shock, my eyes widened.

Obi-Wan?

He’s here?

Without thinking, I stepped from behind Anakin, dropping the robe’s thick hood. An old man stood before us, his Jedi robes tattered and frayed. Holes were burnt into his brown robes. His face was wrinkled and the youth I remembered was gone. Yet his eyes were the same stormy grey.

I inhaled sharply. His eyes were on me now, surprise flitting across his features.

“Padmé,” both Anakin and Obi-Wan said it together. Anakin’s voice was frustrated. Obi-Wan’s was simply incredulous.

We all stood unmoving. It seemed as though we were parsecs apart, rather than mere feet. I closed my eyes for a brief moment - not knowing what to do.

“Padmé,” Obi-Wan called again, “Come. With me.”

In that brief moment, my mind began to spin. My feet seemed to pull towards Obi-Wan, begging me to step towards him. My mind willed me to go with him, to leave Anakin behind.

Come here, Padmé. You will be safer with me.

My left foot inched forward. The only sign of movement was the rippling of my gown, the gentle rush of the hem against the ferrocrete floor. I shook my head. I didn’t want to go with him, not when Anakin needed me. Not when I could save him.

No, I mouthed.


Suddenly my vision changed.

I was no longer in the corridor with Anakin. I was in a small room, a holoprojector in front of me. The walls were dull and grey. There were curved dividers on either side of me, the rest of the room separated into workspaces. My eyes fixated on a holo as it flickered to life.

Three Jedi, two young, their hair in Padawan’s braids. They clutched green ‘sabers. The third had wavy hair, shoulder length. A vibrant blue blade raised above his head.

Anakin.

I felt the cold of fear rush through me. I willed the vision to stop, to bring me back to where I had been standing before.
Instead, the holo began to play.

Anakin’s blade slashed down. Lightsabers up, the two Padawan tried frantically to protect themselves. One of them yelled, the sound indiscernible.

They matched each parry and swing of Anakin’s blade with their own ‘sabers.

Bile rose in my throat. I felt it tighten.

It was then that Anakin’s blade sliced across, striking the first one in the chest. He stumbled backwards before collapsing to the ground, clutching the grievous wound.

I tried to close my eyes, but I couldn’t. The vision was everywhere, emanating from the deepest parts of my mind.

I tensed as the second Padawan fell victim to Anakin. He didn’t die at once, his wounds not grave enough. Instead of leaving him, Anakin drove his blade through the Padawan’s heart.
The crackle of blood burning off the blade rang in my ears.

How could he? How…could he?

I felt sick….hatred….despondent.

“No,” I tried to yell, hoping to wake from this vision. But I was not in control.

The holo flickered to a man. His cloak covered his eyes, draping to the ground. He stood with hands clasped, a smile upon his pale, shadowed face. Anakin stepped back into the holo, kneeling before him. His head bowed to the floor.
The cloaked figure began to speak.

“You have done well, my new apprentice…”

The voice was familiar. My heart jumped in my chest. Palpatine. I felt rage begin to tingle at my fingertips. It snaked up my arms with each word he spoke.


Palpatine’s hands rose, motioning for Anakin to rise. He obeyed.

“Now, Lord Vader…Go and bring peace to the Empire.”

My chest was tight now, I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. I was suffocating under the weight of the vision.



“No!”

Anakin’s mechanized voice echoed in the small corridor. The vision collided with the world around me, the images still burned into my mind. I realized I had somehow stepped a few meters forward, towards Obi-Wan. I froze.

“How dare you? Stay away from her.” Anakin roared, his voice booming through the hall.

"I am only showing her the truth," Obi-Wan replied.

I stumbled backwards. My breaths became quick as I realized I was no longer trapped in the vision. My mind was starved for oxygen; my eyes blurred around the edges. The room spun. Every single sound boomed in my ears, every single light was brighter than a thousand suns. My body tingled with both anger and grief. I replayed the scene with the Padawans in my mind, hoping to find a way they had survived. Hoping desperately that none of it was true.

I felt a single orb of water drip down onto my cheek. I couldn’t believe what I had seen.

“Anakin,” I whispered, “What have you done?”

I heard his breathing approach. His footsteps were suddenly silent.

Then, the roar of a lightsaber igniting filled the corridor. I stepped backwards, toward the wall. I expected his lightsaber to swing down on me at any moment. Fear throbbed in my veins; sweat began to prickle on my forehead.

Instead I saw the crimson blade in his hands as he lunged toward Obi-Wan.

I heard another lightsaber ignite in response, the blue glow visible in my periphery. They crashed together, screeching as Anakin pressed into the attack. The recent images flickered through my mind. I felt my breath catch in my throat. Turmoil raged in my stomach, disgust sat in the back of my throat. I yelled out.

“Anakin! No!”

He stopped, his blade still ignited. Obi-Wan had his own ‘saber, the gleaming metal visible beneath his weathered hands. I took a breath, thanking him silently. I focused on him now, stepping forward. They were near the end of the corridor - mere meters between them. Obi-Wan was backed against the second doorway with no possible escape. The vision threatened to keep coming back, flashes of it darting in front of my eyes.

I had stepped halfway behind Anakin when the door behind Obi-Wan began to slide open. I turned towards it, expecting a squadron of white clad Stormtroopers.

Instead, there was a hangar. The sound of the door echoed through its spacious interior. It was made of the same grey walls, a large force field separating the interior from the vastness of space. Lights and ledges jutted from the walls. A single red light flashed throughout, bathing the walls in crimson every half a second. A rounded ship stood in the middle with triangular sections jutting from the front. On the side closest to me, there was a small cockpit.

A group was running across to the boarding ramp. A young man skidded to a stop, his blonde hair ruffling as it settled. He was dressed in simple clothes, similar to those on Tatooine. His eyes widened. I let my eyes dart to the rest of the group as they raced for the boarding ramp. They turned as the door’s many layers creaked into place, finally opening entirely with a resonating bang.

It was then I saw them.

Threepio.
Artoo.
Breha.

My heart dropped. I felt a block of ice form in my stomach.

How were they here?

Another man, his hair messy and brown, called to them. His blaster was out. Red plasma beams streaked across, aiming for him. He fired once, twice, before the sound of another door closing entered the rush of noise. Breha didn’t even cast a glance to me. Her eyes were too busy focusing on the barrage of fire that flew at them. She ducked as a blaster’s beam collided with the ship, just above her head. Sparks and smoke rained down.

The one on the ramp called out. “C’mon, kid! We need to get out of here!”

The blonde man backed towards the ship slowly. His eyes were focused beside me, on Obi-Wan. I could still hear the hum of lightsabers.

“Ben!” he yelled. It was only then I noticed another woman beside him. Her glossy chestnut hair was styled in buns on either side of her head. An elegant floor length gown adorned her thin figure, a silver belt cinching it at the center. She turned to look at the scene just in front of me. It was then my eyes caught hers. Her face turned white and she froze. A cascade of blaster fire spouted from the left of the hangar, but I couldn’t see the source.

“C’mon, you two! We don’t have time for this!” The other man fired off another few rounds.

Something…was familiar about them. A warmth. I couldn’t place it. My mind still flickered back to Breha. I couldn’t believe that after all this time, she was still alive. I could not believe that Obi-Wan was alive. And then I heard her voice call out.

“Luke, Leia! We must leave at once; Ben will take care of himself!”

Shock rippled through me. For a moment, I thought that I was going to collapse. I tried to call out, but anguish trapped the words in my throat. I took a deep breath, ignoring everything except their faces. I was trying to commit them to memory. They tried to turn.

“Leia!” I called, instinctively. “Luke!”

They paused again, turning back towards me. I could see Ben move beside me before hearing his voice call out.

“You must go, both of you!”

They obliged, hurrying towards the ship and dodging more blaster fire. I jolted forward, adrenaline flowing through every sinew in my body. I wouldn’t lose them again.

I couldn’t.

I felt a firm grasp on my shoulder. Anakin. Near hysterical, I tried to break free from his grasp.

They were alive. The twins were alive. All I needed was to be with them.

Ben began to back away, stepping through the doorway. His lightsaber still raised, he used it to deflect plasma bullets as the soldiers in the hangar attempted to shoot him. Luke and Leia were onboard now.

No.

“Anakin!” I heard my voice call, though it sounded as if I were underwater. “Anakin, don’t let them escape!”

The brown haired man looked to us, still firing towards the blasters. As soon as Ben was into the hangar, he fired at the door. It began to close.

“Anakin!” I screamed, hoping he would release me, hoping he would use his ‘saber to open the thick doors, to stop them from escaping. I felt my face burn. The sound of his respirator was imposing now.

How could he hold me from them? How could he?

I fought against his grip. He released me.

It was too late.

The ship’s ramp clicked shut. The sound echoed in my mind, the emotions swirling violently. He had let them escape. He had held me back. Icould hear the rumble of engines as the ship started. I ran forward, into the hangar.

“Padmé,” I heard him call, “who were they?”

My breath hitched. I couldn’t believe it. None of this could be real. I wanted to respond, but I didn’t have the words. My mind and body were paralyzed in both fear and confusion. Flames of anger burned at the edge of my thoughts.

Their faces flashed before me, the images from earlier breaking in. I saw Anakin’s blade once again, blood red as he charged toward Obi-Wan. I felt another wave of nausea. My ears muffled and everything around me blurred. My body threatened to give out beneath me, my heart beating unbelievably fast. My eyes felt heavy, the emotions and flashing visions overwhelming. The vision swam in front of my eyes, my heart beating faster than I imagined possible. I tried to breathe, to collect myself. But it seemed impossible. Everything I had seen was too much. I felt my hands clench, the nails digging into my palms.

I tried to close the distance between myself and the ship, denying the shrieking of the engine as they broke through the force field and flew into space.

In the distance I heard a blaster fire. I turned, seeing only a brief blue light before a shockwave hit me. Every nerve in my body burned. My muscles gave out instantaneously, and I collapsed to the floor as my knees buckled. My eyes went black. I barely heard Anakin’s footsteps as he approached. The vision crossed my mind again. I heard Obi-Wan’s voice, echoing in my ringing ears.

“I have seen a security hologram of him….killing younglings.”

The very words burned agonizingly in my heart.

“Padmé!” I heard Anakin’s mechanized voice, though it seemed kilometers away.

Sleep tugged at my body, my nerves still on fire. I couldn’t fight it. Every cell in my body was exhausted and sizzling with energy all at once. There was nothing I could do to control it. My body only wanted one thing and eventually, I would lose. Reluctantly, I let myself fall away.

 

Fantastic work so far! I will have to play catch up but I am hooked.

 

Wait until Vader realizes what he did to his daughter. I suspect he won't take to the news easily.

I hope Padme doesn't tell Vader but it will be in her character to tell him.

More soon

 

Stunning! Oh that was riveting! The vision of the past events and seeing her children. That was so close!

I was on the edge of my seat willing her to reach them before they got away!!!!!!! Bravo on this post.

 

Prologue...

I wondered sometimes what Padme's survival post-ROTS would imply. There are countless ways of handling that, and here it looks like you're taking a less expected route.

TECHNICAL - There were a few hiccups in comma and period usage in dialogue attribution, but you'll naturally iron those habits out in time, if you haven't already.

SETTING - I'd describe it as an abstract spiritual place where meaningful flashbacks and phantom emotions erupt uncontrollably.

CHARACTERS - Padme fights her own broken heart and mind, calling out to the Jedi in her brief intervals of sanity.
Obi-Wan and Yoda of course wish to help her.

PLOT/STORY - A woman more or less dies, but holds to her consciousness through willpower and love. The Jedi pull her spirit back into her body. Stasis is then the only option to keep her alive.

RANDOM - Good job!

 

Thank you for the review!

The hiccups with commas I am aware of (not sure if you plan on reading further), you can see it gets a lot better as time goes on. I will keep an eye out for dialogue specifically.

I hope you enjoyed reading it ^_^

 

Bail B. Baobab , Luna_Nightshade , serendipityaey , Blue Ice Cream , ccp , AzureAngel2 , Darth_Cruel , NightWatcher91

16
Veracity

I awoke slowly, every inch of my body aching. The room was not the same one I had left. It was back on the other ship, away from the station.

Turning my head to the side, I saw Anakin. He stood beside the wall and stared across to the other one. I wondered how long he had been standing there, staring blankly. Or if he had even left my side. I doubted it.

The bed I lie in was in the corner, near a viewport. The décor was fairly elaborate. A stone and wood table set was at the end of the room, near where he stood. Two metallic chairs sat beside it. There were two other tables as well - one beside the bed and another at the foot. Both had some sort of flower upon it, one I hadn’t seen before. Its star shaped petals glistened in blue and gold. A closet was beside the bed. Another door – likely to the hallway - was to the far left corner. A few colorful art pieces hung on the walls, but it did nothing to detract from the dull grey metal.

I swallowed and looked at him. “Anakin?”

He turned his head towards me and folded his arms.

I needed to know what was going on. The twins faces still flashed before me, my mind trying frantically to sort through everything that had happened. I needed to know that they were safe. Pulling away the thin, mauve covers, I sat on the edge of the bed. The room spun for a moment. Electricity still shot through my fingertips.

“Padmé,” he started, “Who were they?”

I cast my gaze downwards. I wanted to tell him, I wanted him to know the truth. I knew now the Empire was tracking them down. They were in danger. Only the truth could save them now. If Anakin truly cared, if there was any small glimmer of his old self, he would keep them safe. If not for himself, for me.

"Are they alright?"

He tilted his head to the side and nodded slowly, not giving any more of an answer. I opened my mouth to answer his question, silently asking him to forgive me. I looked back to him and rose from the bed. He towered above me. My heart fluttered with anxiety for a moment, his figure more than a little imposing in the current situation.

“They’re…” I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. The words were thick and heavy. “Our children.”

I looked into his mask, feeling the violent anger rush out from him. He did not speak. His harsh breathing roared in the quiet room. Fear clutched at me and I fought the urge to run. I knew I was in more danger than I could comprehend. My own breaths grew choppy. I could only remember the last time I stood in front of his untamed rage, on Mustafar. His eyes screamed at me, though they were only voids.

"Liar!"

I reeled. His accusation was still fresh in my mind, emotions now pouring from the reopened wound. I could feel heat rush into my face. I shook my head, the same way I had that day. I could not control him. He was a monster now. I had lost him and Obi Wan's words should have convinced me of that. Instead of mourning for him, I had attempted to save him. I had risked my own life to piece together the shreds of Anakin that surfaced; I hoped to restore him to the man I loved.

But it was fruitless. I had been more naïve than I cared to admit. And for once, his accusation rang true. I had lied to him. I backed away slowly, waiting for him to stalk forward. His anger was oppressive now. I could feel it pressing against my ribs and throat.

I could only release a single word.
"No," I breathed, choking on the air around me. My eyes burned with the tears I was trying to hold back.

A growl erupted from deep within his chest. The air grew heavier.

I tried to step back, yet stumbled. I caught myself against a table, the cool marble against my skin causing me to shudder. A tear threatened to fall. I took my other hand to my face and I brushed it away before it could escape.
I shook my head, frantically. The memories came back again, his rage on Tatooine, on Mustafar. The vision Obi-Wan had showed me. My throat burned with the effort it took to breathe. I knew his anger was no longer under his control, but that knowledge would not stop it. Only he could stop it. But he could not hear me. He would not hear me.

I wove my hands into my hair, clutching my temples.

“Please,” I mouthed. I did not know if he would listen, if he would realize what was happening around him. I closed my eyes. Tears ran down my face. I tried to reach out to him, though I knew it would be futile.

All I could see was his face, illuminated by swirling magma. The pure rage in his once-cerulean eyes.
His fist, reaching out for my throat.
I remembered the words I had tried to speak, my windpipe threatening to collapse. How my tears mixed with the acrid smoke as I whispered hoarsely to him, begging him to stop.

I shook my head and blinked it away. Another tear fell, staining the floor in front of me. I could not let him do this again.

I inhaled suddenly, winning against his vicious wall of fury. The breath relieved my lungs; as if I had taken my first breath above deep, murky water.

“Anakin!” I screamed.

He recoiled in an instant. My voice echoed in the room for a moment. Adrenaline rushed through me, my hands shaking as they fell to my still-burning chest. I tried to stand, still trembling. I wanted nothing more than to run. To leave, to be away from him and his anger. But I could not escape. I was surrounded by those who would see me as their enemy. I felt the blood drain from my face.

I looked into his mask, searching for some sign of the Anakin I knew. I believed there was good in him, but I could not see it now. All I could see was the man who betrayed me.
What if I was wrong? What if he truly is lost?

Anguish tightened in my throat. “Anakin, they’re alive,” I managed. “I promise! They are alive!”
I couldn’t be wrong, I knew him.

In an instant, his demeanor changed. His hand reached for a chair in front of him, gripping it as he stumbled forward. I watched silently. I wasn’t entirely sure his rage had been extinguished. His shoulders relaxed and his head fell forward, as if he were begging for forgiveness. I opened my mouth tospeak, but hesitated. I didn’t know what was going through his mind. His booming voice startled me.

“They’re alive?” Without warning his head lifted and he looked back to me.

I nodded. The oppressiveness of the room began to fade even more quickly now.

“Luke and Leia.” My voice was soft. I tried to give a small smile. It was far more difficult than I had imagined. His uncontrolled emotions both exhausted and frightened me.
“No,” he said. It was only one word, but it was filled with utter despair. He fell to his knees unexpectedly. I lurched forward, as if to catch him. My tired body barely moved. Concern painted my features.
“Anakin? What’s wrong?”

“She…she…” his breaths were short, harsh. He was struggling and I didn’t know why. I wanted him to tell me. This was the most human I’d seen him. While it pained me to see him so vulnerable, I couldn’t ignore the small glimmer of hope it instilled in me.

“Anakin,” I repeated. I stepped forward, gingerly. I had to close my eyes to steady myself in between each step. I hoped he wouldn’t hide behind his anger again. He truly didn’t understand how oppressive it was. Kneeling to the ground in front of him, I extended a hand towards his armored figure.

He shook his head. “Leia,” he repeated her name as if he had never heard it before, “She is a member of the Rebellion.”
“Yes?” I nodded to him, wanting him to continue.

“She was the prisoner. I – “ He stopped again. My heart dropped. Part of me no longer wanted to know what he had done. Part of me could not bear to hear it.
“Padmé,” he said my name weakly, though the vocoder made it as imposing as everything else he had said. I wanted to answer him, but the words caught in my throat. I smoothed my gown and tried to swallow the block of ice in my chest. I needed to know.

“Anakin, tell me,” I implored. Closing my eyes, I braced myself for his words.

“I’m…sorry.” The words were a whisper. Despite the mechanical voice they were full of distress. I reached out, tentatively. My hand rested on the thick leather covering his leg.

He raised a gloved fist suddenly. My body recoiled; worried I would be the target. Instead, he swung at a small table beside him. It shattered beneath his hand, wood and stone skidding across the floor. The flower fell to the ground. The glass vase shattered, petals scattered amongst the shards. I didn’t know what to say. I rose, stepping back until I reached the small table I had leaned on prior. He stood as well. I could see his hands were clenched into tight fists. His shoulders were forward, his head down. He was suffering. I could almost feel his pain. It radiated from him in violent waves, just as his anger had.

“Ani,” I tried to soothe him the only way I knew how.

“No!” He roared. Every muscle in my body tensed. “I am not Anakin. I am Darth Vader. Anakin does not exist anymore.”

“Anakin, please,” I shook my head at him. This was agony; it was as if a thousand vibroblades were being thrust into my heart. “I know there’s still good in you somewhere, I know. Believe me.”
“If that was true, I would not have tortured our daughter!” The words came in a shout. He froze.

The silence was heavy. But not as heavy as the realization of what he had done. I tried to think of something to say. Nothing came to me. All of a sudden, I wasn’t sure of anything anymore. I had believed there was good in him, but he denied it.

He had tortured his own daughter.

“Anakin.” My words shook. I saw her face again, her beautiful face with her brown hair that matched my own. And then, it was contorted into pain and hysteria. Beside her lay the bodies of the Padawans I had seen before. Their cauterized wounds glowed, their faces frozen in agony. I pressed my palm deeper into the table. I felt the stone scrape across my skin, but the pain was nothing compared to what I felt in my heart.

“Vader,” he corrected. He was emotionless once again.

I couldn’t do it. I wanted to tell him I forgave him, that I still believed in him. My eyes burned with tears I couldn’t fight. I leaned back into the table and gripped the edge with one hand. I took a gasping breath, the despair settling deep in my throat. I felt my eyes finally overflow. I watched him as he stood in front of me, motionless. I clutched the Japor snippet and closed my eyes. The wood was soothing beneath my fingertips. I remembered every groove. I recalled holding it on the nights he had been out in the Galaxy, bringing peace and saving lives. The pendant had calmed me as I worried about his fate.

Something in my heart broke. Sorrow gripped my chest even more tightly. I couldn’t forgive him yet. There was only one way I could ever forgive him for any of this. He had to step towards the light again. There was no other way. He could not dwell on his past, on all his wrongs. He needed to move forward as if he was the Anakin I still saw in him. I didn't know if even that could quell the waves of nausea and heartache that came with his confession.

If he didn’t, Luke and Leia would still be in danger. Even if I went with them, even if I found them, I couldn’t guarantee Anakin wouldn’t turn on us. I couldn’t say that Palpatine wouldn’t discover everything. The galaxy would still suffer under Palpatine’s grip.

“I can forgive you,” I said. Each word was quiet, calculated. I was ignoring everything he had done, relying on blind faith alone. His head turned slowly, his eyes glinting in the soft light as he looked to me. The rest of my plea was begging. I did not want to lose him to the darkness again. “But only if you forgive yourself. Only if you let yourself see the light again. You don’t need to be a Jedi, nor a hero. You just need to be Anakin.”

“I am not Anakin,” he replied curtly. “I am Vader. I am a monster, Padmé.”

He stood and looked at me for a moment, before turning abruptly and leaving through the door. I could hear his staggered breathing. I knew he was holding back tears, just as I was. I shoved myself forward off the table. He was already 10 strides ahead of me. His black figure stalked away. With each heartbeat, he was further away.

“Anakin! Wait!” I called. He did not even hesitate, as though my voice was simply a whisper in a windstorm. He turned the corner towards the main hallway and disappeared.

My feet dragged as I walked back to the bed and lie down. I pulled the covers around me. The chill of fear and anguish sunk deep into my bones. I felt as though I had failed. I only had one option left. If he wouldn’t forgive himself, I would have to teach him how. I would have to make him see the good I believed still shone deep within his soul. I could do nothing else. My words meant nothing to him. He only saw himself as Vader. It was as if he didn’t believe Anakin had ever existed. I just did not know how to show him he was far from the monster he claimed to be when I had no proof myself. He had done things that sickened me, things I should have just walked away from. Yet I couldn’t walk away.

A voice within me argued that I could save the Galaxy with the Rebellion alone, that there had to be a way without Anakin. I didn’t need to redeem him. It questioned me. How could I? He had hurt me, he had hurt innocents, and he had hurt our daughter. A wave of rage rose up inside me as I was reminded of his actions.

Before I could even answer that voice, I saw him on Tatooine. His blue eyes looked up to me, tears welled up in them. His face was contorted into grief. I bit my lip, trying to negate the pain I felt. In the blink of an eye, he was on his knees like he was moments prior. This time there was no armor, just those same blue eyes. It was the same guilt and grief, tainting the bright cerulean. Sharp pangs of sorrow flooded me. My heart ached. My very soul ached. Waves of guilt made my stomach turn. I couldn’t believe I had thought of leaving him.

I could not abandon him. He needed me, and the Galaxy needed Anakin. They needed the Hero With No Fear, the kind soul who wanted to make the Galaxy a better place. There was no other way.

I needed him.

I only had my determination and my - arguably foolish - love for him. But love was love, and it only meant I was not going to give up on him. Not until my very last breath. I grasped the pendant again. It was my only choice.
To save the Galaxy, I needed to save him.

 

Awesome! Love Padme's courageous, loving optimism!

The first person POV really puts it over the top with wowness.

 

awesomeness and Anakin didn't take to the news very well did he?

If they meet up at Cloud City it should be interesting indeed. Everything there will change, I highly doubt Vader will let Leia out of his sight and if he finds out Han is dating her. Sparks will fly

Can't wait for chapter 17

 

Thank you so much ^_^

No, he didn't.

That may happen. Or something else entirely may happen.

 

“I can forgive you,” I said. Each word was quiet, calculated. I was ignoring everything he had done, relying on blind faith alone. His head turned slowly, his eyes glinting in the soft light as he looked to me. The rest of my plea was begging. I did not want to lose him to the darkness again. “But only if you forgive yourself. Only if you let yourself see the light again. You don’t need to be a Jedi, nor a hero. You just need to be Anakin.”

“I am not Anakin,” he replied curtly. “I am Vader. I am a monster, Padmé.”

Ha! There it is, the core of the light side of the Force and the problem of the dark side.

Just finished reading the Kotor book "Revan" today. The same self-reflection & self-sacrifice that our battered hero shows in there are clearly shown in your fic, too. Well done! I hope that Anakin/ Vader will get clarity at a certain point.

 

Thank you AzureAngel2 !
I hoped to reflect that they both are sacrificing and reflecting within themselves, trying to figure such a delicate situation out.

 

And this is exactly what I love about sensitive fanfic authors like you. You have a depth in your characters that is credible, believable. The way your Padmé reacts makes more sense than in the movie trilogy. Authors like you give her back her dignity.

 

This is fantastic! Your characters are portrayed so well and I am hooked!