Beloved Monster (Story previously begun on Tears of An Angel)

Just getting caught up again. UP!

 

Up! And hurry! I can't stand the suspense any longer!(Even if I know what's going 2 happen! )

 

Sorry, just woke up from a nap after working 2 nights (12 hours each). Will try to get more up after I refresh my memory about what I wrote last. Can you say...brain dead? Heh...

 

Here goes... coming down to the line here for the turn... but that's not the end! Warning: This has some pretty intense scenes...

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Anakin's rage settled into something coldly fierce so that when Obi-Wan and the others arrived, he scarcely heard his Master's words. He stood among the ruins of Theed while the Alderaanians searched for survivors. That goal he had completely forgotten in his need for revenge?no, for justice?that was what he believed he had accomplished. He knew the Council would never forgive his actions, but he didn't care at the moment. Obi-Wan stopped his tirade and looked at him expectantly.

An odd calm settled over Anakin. He no longer worried about what other Jedi thought of him. None of them understood him?not even his own Master. Sadly enough, most likely his Master understood him least of all.

"Well, Padawan? What have you to say?" His Master glared at him disapprovingly.

"I have no excuse, Obi-Wan. I did what needed to be done. They represented a threat to the galaxy's order. Indeed, they had already shown their barbarity and inhumanity. What I did was right. No matter what you believe."

Obi-Wan gave him a startled look and all at once it seemed Anakin's greater height grew even more. The Jedi Knight no longer seemed to recognize Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Padawan. A stranger stood in his place. One whose potential loomed ominously across the future.

"We will discuss this further upon our return, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him, a cool note in his voice. "For now, we must assist the others in our search."

"Nothing survived?Master," Anakin replied, reluctant to use the term any longer.

Obi-Wan's lips thinned, the struggle not to argue with him obvious. Throughout the ten years Anakin had trained with Obi-Wan, they'd always had their differences. This time Anakin felt certain things would never return to the way they had been before.

During his onslaught against the Mandalorians, the power of the Force had flowed more strongly through him than ever before. Even during his experience six years before, when he'd inadvertently killed an enemy, had he ever known such incredible heady strength. At that time, he'd felt remorse and had vowed to never use the Force in such a way. Now he believed the only way to defeat such as Mandalorians would be in just such a manner.

The coldness between he and his Master remained through the entire time they scoured Naboo's surface and underwater areas. As Anakin had foretold, no living creature except a few scattered plants had escaped Mandalorian attention. A very subdued battle group returned to Coruscant to report to the rest of the Republic about Naboo's fate. Bail Organa addressed the Senate while the Council questioned Obi-Wan and Anakin about the events.

Once they laid the bare facts before the Council, the Masters' faces reflected grave concern. Anakin stood before them, strangely detached?the rage still burning deep inside. He answered their questions without hesitation and sensed their distaste for how he handled the situation.

"I have done as I felt necessary. For that, I do not beg forgiveness. Ten years?ten years I have worked to follow the Code. Never once has the Council given me anything you have not begrudged me. Because of this, my mother died. Now you chastise me for seeking justice for the destruction of my wife's home world," he accused. "I will not apologize for what I did."

"Padawan Skywalker, this attitude does you no honor. While the Council agrees that the Mandalorians' actions required justice, the manner in which you say you achieved it remains worrisome," Mace Windu told him. "Because of the unresolved anger we sense, we must place you on probation. You will remain with your Master at all times. Obi-Wan, go to Alderaan and help them to strengthen their defenses. Our intelligence indicates they are most likely the next target."

Neither Obi-Wan nor Anakin looked particularly happy with the Council's pronouncement. Both gave curt bows and retreated from the chamber in silence. As t

 

Star Wars eroctica! hehe j/k! I really love this story dude, its great...keep up the good work!






Anybody wanna peanut?

 

Ummm...thanks, I think. Except I'm not a dude (unless you're speaking in some sort of slang term other than the one I'm aware of). I tried to warn folks at the beginning of this post it was intense (hope not too graphic). Once I'm finished I'll get it posted either on my site or another. Gotta go to bed now or I won't be worth a thing tomorrow.

 

Uppers! Hoping somebody will read this today and give feedback. It's my anniversary and I'll be out and about most of the day. See you later.

 

Up again! Did I take so long to post anything that everyone's fallen off? Hope not. Bummer. Maybe it's just because it's Sunday.

 

I'm still here! Good posts...enjoy your anniversary...

 

I'm reading too... Just RL always comes when there are so many great stories...
I like your Anakin, in this post he was really great! His pride, he doesn't want forgivness...
And of course the Council doesn't really know what to do. Typical.
I'm trying not to daydream too much because of your posts

 

Grr....that Palpatine is so evil!!!! And now Ani's going to be evil too. (As for the intense stuff, I just skip over it if it's too much for me.

 

Oh, *d@mn* that Palpatine! I wish he'd leave them all alone. (Yes, I know I'm sulking... but in this case I feel I'm entitled. )

Seriously though, great job Belle...

 

Wow BelleBayard, that was good, hehe. It's something different than the crap I have to read for biochemistry and the like. BTW, saw your website...neato!
Will have a post for my thread later on tonight, if my roommate doesnt tie up the modem..........

 

Thanks, all! Am trying to get the next section up... How Alderaan ended up being "peaceful... We have no weapons!" after providing spacecraft and weaponry for the Clone Wars. Been some canon hints that the war efforts and the repercussions from them were responsible for the disarming and pacifist stance of Alderaan. Will do my best to paint a realistic picture of what might have happened to do this. Be patient with me, I want to make this good. Oh, yeah, and explain why Leia ended up on Alderaan...

 

This is a bit depressing and is in Palpatine's POV, but it's necessary to see where things are going. Sorry, no hot stuff.

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The Clone Wars take their toll on the Republic and Anakin and Amidala are not exempt from the strife. The Chancellor sets in motion the events that will drive Anakin closer to the Dark Side.

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Chancellor Palpatine advocated Anakin and Amidala's cause with the Jedi Council. He even went so far as to address them in the Temple's Council Chambers. With an appropriately concerned expression, he pled their case, citing the fact that the Queen and her handmaidens had no other home than Coruscant or with her young consort.

"I believe it in the best interests of these two young people and those of the Republic that Queen Amidala and her entourage follow Lord Skywalker...excuse me, Padawan Skywalker...and Knight Kenobi to Alderaan. These times are at best, unsettled and at worst perilous. While as one of the few surviving Naboo, I will always provide her sanctuary, she requires the emotional support of her husband. If the situation on Alderaan deteriorates, she may return to Coruscant at any time," he explained to the Council members.

He kept his shields as seamless as durasteel, yet from his years in politics, he knew the situation deeply troubled the Jedi surrounding him. Beneath his placid, yet concerned mask, he reveled in their distress. Their very resistance to the alliance between young Skywalker and the Queen without a kingdom served Sith purposes exquisitely.

Surreptitiously, he watched the weighted looks the Council members exchanged. He knew full well that they exchanged telepathic thoughts they did not wish to share with him in his role as Chancellor. Hah! Prideful, arrogant Light Siders. How blind they were to the subtle nuances of the Dark Side...to the power it granted those who sought it, used it, indulged in the heady passions of hatred, anger, lust, greed, and the pleasure of inflicting pain.

Ah, yes...how many years ago had he learned for himself the incredible dominance of a Master visiting emotional and physical torture on those around him. His very own Master had taught him well and in the time since he had become Darth Sidious, he had relished every shade of the potent brew with his own apprentices. Now he grew impatient, though those watching him would never guess at the boiling cauldron of his anger at their interminable vacillations.

"So, Master Jedi, may I tell the Queen she can accompany her husband?" he asked, modulating his voice to make them think he worried they would refuse. Fools...he had them right where he wanted them. Spread out across the galaxy until only these twelve remained anywhere near the Core. The beginning of the end drew near.

"Considered your request, we have, Chancellor," the little green troll called Yoda replied. "Against our better judgment to let her accompany him, it is. Still, despite the danger, concedes to this the Council does. Tell her, you may, that she and her handmaidens to Alderaan will go."

Palpatine gave them effusive thanks, then bowed and hurried back to his quarters. He refrained from cackling and rubbing his hands together. The time for that would come later, now things would progress rapidly and he must concentrate all his efforts on ensuring Skywalker's turn to the Dark Side.

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He met them separately, first seeking out Anakin to give him the good news. He had his protocol droid call Skywalker to his quarters again and greeted him with a somber expression.

"Much as it grieves me, young man, I must give the care of my Queen over to you. Not that I think you won't take good care of her, but she is all that remains of my home world." He held his hand out to Anakin, who took it cautiously, an uncertain expression in his eyes. "All I ask that you promise to ensure her safety no matter what."

"Chancellor, I vow I'll let nothing happen to her. I'd sooner die than let her be hurt. She means more to me than you can

 

Belle, you write soooo well about this baaaad guy... Great character! And great post too!! When he speaks about Lord Skywalker- he-he... No, there is no hot stuff, but again I'm grinning...

 

Oh, I'm hating Palpy more and more with every post. I'm wondering, since he knows Amidala is pregnant, how they manage to hide the children from him anyway. Did he know about Luke and Leia all along? Ooo, that just makes me shudder. What an icky, evil man!

 

Bad, bad Palpy! You really write him very well. Hmm, so does Amidala know she's pregnant yet, or is she only a couple of weeks along now? Can't wait to see how this turns out! Keep it coming.

 

You write one wicked Palpy. I'm surprised that he could sense Amidala's pregnancy but then he was hoping for that. Got the shivers reading that last post.
Good job.

 

Thanks all! No, Am doesn't realize she's preggers yet...it's pretty early. She won't find out till some time after they arrive on Alderaan. After all, she's been under a lot of stress and that can wreak havoc with one's periods, ya know? Soooo...she figures it's just that and delves into helping with the Alderaan war effort. Though pretty much a pacifist at heart, she can't stand standing by idly while others do their part. Once she finally accepts the fact there's a bun in the oven, things are getting really ugly on Alderaan and for the Republic in general. Just before she delivers is when things start to escalate as far as Ani's turn to the Dark Side. You'll see..... hehehe

 

Oh my! I've missed out on a lot, haven't I? Sorry it took me so long to get the rest of this read. It's absolutly wonderful, Belle! I can't wait for more!

 

Been gone on a weekend Girl Scout camping trip and just got back. Now I have to work tonight. Hopefully will be able to get more up tomorrow.

 

I must say, you do write evil pretty well, Belle... and even though hate's of the dark side, I *do* hate that guy. ROTJ and his trip down the reactor pit seems all too far away.

Looking forward to more!

 

Will have some more up here shortly. Working on it offline (will have to boot my son off Diablo II once I finish and get ready to put it up). Up!

 

Okay, here's the next section...will continue to work on it some more.

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Alderaan throws itself into the war effort tirelessly, its people giving so much of themselves there remains little for their own world. Many of the beautiful gardens in its large cities become factories for weapons and the other machinery of war until few open spaces win out as places of sanctuary against the horror of the conflict. In addition, the planet provides refuge for the many other victims of the Mandalorian destruction of their homes.

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Amidala became caught up in the wartime frenzy, lending her aid to those left as homeless as she had been. For she could not truly claim Alderaan as home, no matter that they had opened their hearts to her plight. Bail Organa offered his palace to house her, Anakin and her handmaidens and had extended this gracious proposition to Obi-Wan as well. However, the Jedi Knight made his regrets.

"Though I do not wish to offend, I cannot accept your kind offer, Your Highness. I believe it more important that I stay among the people," he told the Prince, but Organa realized it had more to do with being under the same roof as the Skywalkers. Despite the politeness between Anakin and Obi-Wan, even non-Force sensitives such as himself could feel the tension radiating from both Jedi.

"No offense taken, General Kenobi. Just don't make yourself a stranger here." He gave Obi-Wan an understanding smile and clasped his hand in friendship. "Besides, we're all on the same side here."

That conversation had taken place several weeks ago...when they had first arrived on Alderaan. At that time, Amidala could almost pretend she had only come for a visit. That the open vistas and green growing things found even in the cities reflected her own planet's beauty. Now it seemed the ugliness of the war bled over into everything in her life, reminding her of Naboo's fate.

*Well, almost everything,* she thought with a wistful smile as her hands covered her flat abdomen. Deep within her womb, a tiny flicker of life glowed. She had tried to pass off her missed monthlies as a reaction to the stresses she had undergone. Yet, when she finally accepted her pregnancy as real, a rush of joy had flooded her. Despite her happiness, she hesitated to tell her husband. So absorbed in training the Alderaanians and ensuring discipline among the workers in the Alderaani factories, he seemed to have little time for her. Sometimes she wished she had stayed on Coruscant, for at least there she could have kept in touch with other rulers and ambassadors of worlds similarly abused.

To keep her isolation at bay, she began going out among the refugees, giving what succor she could to the confused, grieving people. Her own loss loomed large as she gazed into the desolation in their eyes, yet she pushed it aside, reminding herself that at least she had a husband and a child on the way. This morning, Anakin had kissed her briefly before going to work. Lately, even during their lovemaking, he seemed distracted. She wondered if he began to tire of her, then shook off her depression. Esmé, who had taken on the duties of a healer since their flight, confirmed the conception and had warned her of the increased mood swings she would experience.

Though Amidala knew it foolish, she wondered why Ani hadn't sensed their child yet. At times it seemed he shut himself off from her. With a sigh, she dressed for the day, then gathered up her former handmaidens and made their way toward the refugee camps the Prince had thrown up in one of the few remaining city parks.

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Although Amidala believed Anakin didn't know of their child, he had indeed felt the stir of life within her. Ordinarily, he would have rejoiced, but as she continued as though nothing had changed, he brooded. Did she regret their alliance...their relationship? Obi-Wan had started making pointed remarks about how inappropriate their marriage had been until Anakin had begun to avoid his Master. What had changed Obi-Wan