main
side
curve
  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

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

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction Stories--Classic JC Board (Reply-Only)' started by BelleBayard, Aug 29, 2000.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
    Great! We'll have a post!

    Now, we are reading you.
    And when GL will explain it- we will watch it!

    So life is just perfect!!

    :)
     
  2. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Here's a bit more. Will try to get another post up later.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Vader returns to Coruscant to find Amidala gone. To feed his anger and hurt, Palpatine hints at betrayal, driving his apprentice into a rage, which the Emperor uses to complete his Purge...

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Weary and heartsore at the tasks his master set him, Anakin returned to Coruscant. How he ached to hold his wife again, have her soothing presence lay a balm on his dark soul for just a little while. Deep inside, he realized he must send her away soon, before his Master knew of her pregnancy. Sadness and regret mingled with his determination, for he wished he could be at her side when she birthed... Be there for her and the little ones they'd made together as a father should. Perhaps he could at least visit them, even if he remained unable to truly share their lives.

    Much as he desired to go to Amidala first, he knew he must see Palpatine before giving himself any relief. Beneath the respirator's mask, his face sweat and itched until it tempted him to rip it off and take his chances without it. He strode toward the Emperor's audience chamber, the few people in the corridors scurrying out of his way. Once he stood before the double doors, he took as deep a breath as his ventilator would allow and opened them with the Force.

    "Ah, my young apprentice. You've returned. And how did your mission go?" The Emperor scrutinized him and Ani felt the probing of the Sith Master... Looking for any weaknesses and then turning to attack. "Perhaps you should remember who is the Master here. You have not completed your trials as a Sith yet and cannot afford such... shall we say... lapses."

    He gave an evil smile and raised one hand. Ani felt as if a mountain had fallen on his shoulders. He grunted and stumbled to his knees. Palpatine gave a satisfied look and a nod.

    "Better. Now, tell me of your mission."

    "As you bid, my Master," Ani managed through clenched teeth. He gave his report as briefly as possible, glossing over the loathsome details. He'd tried... he'd truly tried to give the Jedi a chance to fight back, but when the Dark Side power began to flow through him he found himself giving no quarter.

    "Good, good. Soon the Jedi shall cease to exist. The only ones we must concern ourselves with now are Yoda and Obi-Wan, for the others will fall beneath your skill without a great deal of effort."

    Ani kept his head bowed, his emotions roiling as he considered the prospect of killing his former friend and Master Yoda. In many ways, he had no qualms about terminating Yoda as he remembered his treatment at the old creature's hands... The disdain, the dismissal, the outright hostility he'd felt from the Jedi master. But Obi-Wan... Though he'd taken his hand... been responsible for the... accident... that had left him like this, Ani still recalled all the good times they'd had, the things they'd shared.

    "Vader, are you quite certain you are clear about what I require? There can be no room for hesitation."

    "I am clear, my Master. I understand what you need from me."

    "Very well. Once you have found those two, return to me," the Emperor told him with a dismissive wave of his hand.

    The pressure lifted from Ani's shoulders and he rose. He bowed once, then turned to go to Amidala before he must leave once again.

    "Oh, and Vader... You won't find her there. She left without so much as a word. Seems she communicated with someone on Naboo, then departed rather in a hurry." Palpatine's voice held a smug note. "I've saved the logs. Perhaps you might wish to review them... I'm sure you'll find them... enlightening."

    Ani's hands clenched at his sides as he dipped his head in acknowledgment of this unpalatable information, then he stalked toward the abandoned quarters his wife had most recently occupied. There, he found most of her formal regalia hanging untouched in the closets. An unfinished meal still sat on the table, the fork poking into a piece of meat as if she had decided she co
     
  3. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
  4. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Up again.
     
  5. RebelMom

    RebelMom Jedi Knight star 6

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2000
    Nasty old Palpy is an understatement! Nice addition Belle.
     
  6. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
    Now, I decided that I don't want to be a Sith apprentice. No way! He made him kneel... He took away his wife, he destroys him... It's terrible!
    Palpy- you had a very easy death... I must say it again...
     
  7. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Trying to get some more posted, but until then... UP!
     
  8. Cindé of Naboo

    Cindé of Naboo Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 19, 2000
    I think, after reading this story, I could watch the Emperor's death scene about 20 times in a row, watching that sithly snake die in agony. Of course, taking delight in such things in thoroughly dark side, but....HE'S SO EVIL AND HE SHOULD HAVE DIED LONG AGO!!

    ;)
     
  9. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
    Cindé! Take care!! These feelings are of the Dark Side! I knew it- using this story Palpy would have some influence on us! We need peaceful meditation- and a post? ;)
     
  10. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Up! Will try to get something posted later today.
     
  11. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    A tidbit before I run off to do errands, then I must sleep before I go to work tonight. Will try to do more in a couple of days.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    He had the healer modify his chamber's specifications for shipboard installation and ordered her to have it ready upon his return. Copying the security tapes, he took them aboard his vessel and continued to scan them as he traveled toward Naboo.

    There... Amidala paced in her rooms, the strain on her face readily apparent. Calling Naboo, her voice muffled as she spoke, yet the name 'Obi-Wan' standing out. How could she seek out his old Master? Why would she leave without at leaving a note behind? Unless she planned to join Obi-Wan on Naboo...

    His rage had calmed into a more terrible coldness inside. He would watch her... See exactly what she meant to do. He had time. His Master had not given him a specific time period to finish his task. The trick would be in keeping Obi-Wan from sensing his presence nearby.

    They landed in a secluded area, not far from the volcano that had seen the demise of Anakin Skywalker. Vader had the crew cloak the ship and ordered them to remain onboard and ready to depart at a moment's notice. He then took a speeder toward Theed and found a perch in the remains of the library tower. From the abandoned air of the place, he felt could observe without fear of discovery.

    Through binoculars he saw Amidala stroll the same walkway she had taken him on the day he arrived to marry her. She looked wistful, sad, and he wondered if he was the cause. He fought the temptation to go to her, forcing himself to wait and watch.

    His patience paid off. Within three days, Obi-Wan appeared beside her on her morning walks. The two of them moved together over the path, Amidala's arm tucked through the Jedi's. Waves of jealous rage swept through Vader. He would not rush into combat this time. He would plan Obi-Wan's destruction carefully and then he would take Amidala back with him to Coruscant.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Obi-Wan's head came up. He could sense a disturbance in the Force... a very familiar disturbance. Only one person had that Force signature. Anakin... Somehow he'd followed Amidala back to Naboo.

    "What is it, Obi-Wan?" she asked.

    "He's here. We must move much sooner than we planned."

    Amidala paled. "When?"

    "For now, it's best that I leave you. I fear my coming here had placed you in greater jeopardy. Contact Bail Organa if there's any indication Ani's moving against you. Bail will make certain you're safe." He patted her hand, then removed it from his arm. "Once you're ready, I'll join you and we'll put the rest of our plan into motion."

    Amidala bowed her head, then looked away into the city's ruins. "How did we come to this, Obi-Wan? How did a good man like Ani become such... such a creature?"

    The Jedi knight's heart contracted at the grief in her, but he had no answers for her... no platitudes to soothe her.

    "I wish I could say, Amidala, but I don't know." He tried to give her a reassuring smile, but only a weak attempt passed his lips. "Come, we should return to the palace. We have much to do."

    With a final glance at the deserted library tower, Obi-Wan escorted Amidala back to her quarters, wishing things had not come to this pass. His pupil, his friend... now his nemesis, would surely find some way to stop them if he possibly could. And that Obi-Wan could not allow. He might have failed Ani in many things, but he would not fail in this. He would make sure the precious product of Ani and Amidala's love remained safe from both their father and his new Sith Master.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    More later... I promise. :)
     
  12. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Up! Have to work the next couple of nights, but will try to get something more up as soon as possible.
     
  13. RebelMom

    RebelMom Jedi Knight star 6

    Registered:
    Apr 20, 2000
    Take your time. It's okay.
    Poor Ami, has to run again.
     
  14. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
    It's a great post Belle! I loved when Ani was wondering if he had been the cause of Amidala's sorrow... And I can see him standing tall and in cold anger on the top of that tower his black cloak flapping behind him in the wind.
     
  15. Cindé of Naboo

    Cindé of Naboo Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 19, 2000
    It's really neat seeing Vader with a remant of his old emotions -- but so cold! "There is still good in you -- the Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully." Luke was right, but it's going to take a long time for that to manifest itself... :(
     
  16. Princess Sari

    Princess Sari Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2000
    OH! Poor, poor Ani! ::sniff:: Oh, poor everybody! This is so sad! ::sniff:: More soon? Please?
     
  17. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Sorry to take so long. Well, obviously this isn't canon (I've heard Am's not Queen anymore in Ep. II, but Senator, but what the hey? This is fanfic and can be considered AU).

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Vader went to her that night, while the Palace lay still and quiet. He'd watched Obi-Wan depart and had vowed he'd determine exactly what Amidala planned. She belonged to him, not the Jedi he had once called friend and teacher. The Sith Lord grimly determined she would return with him to Coruscant. Whether or not she wanted to remained irrelevant.

    He used the Force to levitate to her balcony, then climbed over the balustrade to stand before the closed glass doors. He could see her sleeping form in the bed they had once shared as man and wife and he raged against his Fate, against Obi-Wan, against all that had worked toward making what he had become. His hand shook slightly as he raised it to open the door.

    Silent as a predator, he moved to stand beside the bed, looking down at Amidala's pale face. She seemed restless and he skimmed the surface of her dreams. He trembled at the images that crossed her mind. Her arms held out to him as he fell into the fiery pit, her face streaked with tears and her cries ringing out in desperation. The ineffable sadness she harbored that he'd turned to the Dark Side and her own decision to flee from him in her... their... child's best interest.

    At his sides, his hands clenched, the leather creaking in protest at the strain. With great effort, he forced himself to relax and knelt at the bedside, reaching out yet not touching her. He closed his eyes and stretched out his Force senses. The child grew apace. No longer a tiny kernel, the being had begun to take form, yet still he could not determine its individuality. A hunger grew inside Vader... a hunger to know this little one, to take him or her into his care. To see the babe grow up and learn from its mother and father.

    Anger grew again as he sensed Amidala's fear of him and his master... sensed how much Obi-Wan had contributed to her decision to leave. Somehow, Vader knew that if he were to change her mind he must convince her of the child's safety. Yet, even as that thought came to him, Amidala stirred and he quickly sent a soothing thought to her. If he were to do this, he must let her sleep on and plant the suggestion stealthily.

    He met a great deal of resistance as he probed deeper and she began to struggle against him. Reluctantly, he backed off; aware Obi-Wan must have given her those shields against him. He settled instead for something less satisfactory to both himself and his wife. Closing his eyes, he pictured them together as they had been in the past, reaching out to her with the Force to touch her as he could no longer except in the confines of his chamber. She began to moan and before she awoke, Vader fled, his mind and body in a torment of need and misery at his loss. For he knew as he had given her that last image, he would never be with her that way again.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Palpatine greeted him with a terrifying calm. Vader knelt before him quickly, fearing the Sith Master would strike him down for his disobedience.

    "Well, my young apprentice, did you discover anything of interest on Naboo?"

    "Only that Obi-Wan has subverted my wife and turned her from me," he replied, trying to convince himself of just that.

    "Indeed. Well, perhaps this will rid you of any compunction about terminating the last of the Jedi and their ilk." The Emperor rose and came toward him. With a single gnarled finger, he forced Vader's gaze to meet his own. "You cannot hide from me, Vader. Your eyes give you away. You still miss her and have some... misplaced affection for the Jedi." He growled. "Get over it. They plot against us... against you. Bring her back her once you're done with my task and then we will see if we can... persuade her to not to resist us."

    "Yes, my master," Vader responded, torn between grief and hope.

    He rose and asked leave. Palpatine granted it and as Vader departe
     
  18. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
    Yes. Boo Hoo...and Boohoohoohoooo. :)( and :))

    It was a great post Belle! I loved that scene with the sleeping Amidala, and Lord Vader kneeling beside her...

    Just a question: if you were someone in this story, you would be Esmé?
     
  19. Cindé of Naboo

    Cindé of Naboo Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 19, 2000
    I really like how Vader still has a human side -- make his actions at the end of ROTJ more believable. It also makes everything a lot sadder. :(
     
  20. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Up and trying to get the next bit on the board (sheesh... didn't realize how long it had been since I posted anything). Hope all had a happy holiday!
     
  21. LadyZ

    LadyZ Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 16, 2000
  22. Princess Sari

    Princess Sari Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 8, 2000
    ::sniff:: UP!
     
  23. sabrelight

    sabrelight Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 21, 2000
    I'm a lurker, but seeing no one is there to up this story thought I might lend a hand. So
    Belle knows this thread still exists
     
  24. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Working on something, but I have to get off the 'net because my son wants to play Diablo II on the Battlenet. Will try to post later tonight. Thanks for keeping the thread alive. :)
     
  25. BelleBayard

    BelleBayard TFN Fan Fiction Archive Editor star 4 VIP

    Registered:
    Mar 16, 2000
    Moving right along after a terribly long hiatus!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    The Jedi are all but gone as Vader's enforcement of the Emperor's edict sees terrifying success. Amidala turns over the reins of government to flee to Alderaan, where she will give birth and try to hide in obscurity.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Amidala stared out the window at the darkening sky. How like the darkness that had descended over her life...taking her home and her love...the one who had seemed a mirror of her soul. Red colored the clouds, reminding her of blood. Blood that had streaked Ani's face as he fell to the Dark Side. All her life she had wanted to do the right thing, no matter the cost. Now that meant she must flee him...flee the one person who had meant everything to her and now represented all she had fought against.

    The scene blurred before her and she scrubbed a hand against her eyes, disregarding the fact she smeared the ceremonial paint she had taken to wearing again. She had managed to set in motion Naboo's resurrection over the last few months and now... Suddenly, the weight of her gown seemed unbearable. Better to become Padmé once more, after all that had happened. But first she must see the remnant of Naboo society given a strong head.

    "Sabé!" she called out. Her handmaiden came to her side. "I must become Padmé again...for the last time."

    "But...is that wise?"

    "Perhaps not...but he must never know where I have gone and if I leave here as the Queen he will be certain to find out." Amidala shuddered, forcing back the tears. "Before I go I will turn over leadership to another."

    Sabé reached out to touch her arm, to comfort her. "I will do what I must. Tell me how I may help you."

    "I must go somewhere he may never suspect I would return. Somewhere we can be safe. I'll go to Bail Organa. He will help us...hide the child. Bail promised he would pass the child off as his own. Though he is not married, he said he would find a suitable woman to become his wife. One who would accept a child not her own."

    Amidala closed her eyes, picturing her child growing up without her...without his or her father. *Oh, Ani! How could you do this to me...to us? My love, why did you turn?* She opened her eyes, blinking against the moisture gathering there. "Quickly, contact Alderaan. I must talk to him."

    Sabé left to do her bidding and Amidala once again found herself alone. She placed a hand over her still flat abdomen. *Child, no matter what happens, know that I love you. Grow up to do the right thing and never think you weren't loved.* The sound of footsteps broke her reverie. Sabé had returned with the other handmaidens.

    "He has agreed, Your Majesty. Prince Organa has offered sanctuary."

    Amidala sighed. "How gracious of him. Still, I should leave once the child is born. It won't be safe there if he...if Palpatine's people find me." She looked around at her handmaidens...her friends and protectors. "I don't expect you to come with me." At their protest, she held up her hand for silence. "Listen. You must act as though I am still on Naboo. If my...husband...ever suspects where I am going, no one will be safe."

    Despite their disgruntled expressions, the women agreed. Amidala and Sabé prepared to leave for Alderaan with their assistance. Rabé donned the Queen's regalia and makeup and watched her two 'handmaidens' depart on an errand that took them off planet. Amidala had given her friend instructions to hand over the government to Raosh Diovat, the most senior of the Naboo survivors once a week or so had passed. She could only hope Anakin... Vader... had departed Naboo and would not return before her decoy had turned the reins of government over.

    ~~~~

    Bail Organa greeted Padmé and Sabé kindly, leading them into his palace and to a private room. He managed to keep those who saw them arrive to a minimum and assured Padmé of her safety.

    She smiled warmly at him. "My thanks go to you for this. I must find some place here where I will not be in the public's awareness
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.