Title: From the Darkness He Rises

Author: Nadia Mack

Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

Summary: Cut off from the life and name he once knew, a stranger searches for his place in a galaxy filled with turmoil.

Author's Notes: I suppose this is an alternate universe using the backdrop that's given in Episode I to III with two very notable exceptions. Anakin survived but is lost from his previous life and Padme didn't die as well. I tried getting back into the swing of things with "Shattered" but I just got lost writing it because real life intruded and the storyline I had in mind no longer fueled me to continue the way I wanted to. For any reader that followed it, I apologize I couldn't give it a respectable ending. And if ever my muse returns, I'll definitely go back.

There was coldness and pain. Everything he knew, his past, the present and the clouded future that always seemed to weigh against him faded against the hypersensitive agony he felt coursing throughout his body until there was nothing left.

Nothing left but numbness.

And silence.

"Senator," Obi-Wan said with a relieved smile. "We were beginning to worry you would never wake."

Padme blinked several times against the luminescent lights that charged her senses when she awoke. Feeling incredibly tired she managed to speak a few words. "Where am I?"

"You're in a safe place, and healing for now," he replied vaguely.

With immense effort, Padme managed to look around her unfamiliar surroundings. "What happened?" she asked hoarsely.

"What do you remember?"

"I…" Then her memories returned in minute detail, tearing at her soul. "Anakin," she remembered painfully. Padme tried to lift herself upright but was held back by Obi-Wan's quick hands. "Where is he? What's happened to him?" But Obi-Wan didn't need to answer because she knew, and the knowledge of it broke her heart. Immediately, her hands came to her midsection. "My babies? Where are my babies?"

"They're fine," Obi-Wan assured, his face reflecting the same loss she felt. "Senator Organa is looking after them right now." A faint smile appeared on his lips as he added, "They're beautiful, Senator."

Padme began to cry, and not just for the loss of the Republic she's served for most of her young and adult life, but for the man she held dearest to her heart. The man she swore to love and cherish for the rest of their lives.

Now the man she fell so powerfully in love with was lost in the darkness no one had known was waiting to swallow him whole until it had been too late.

"Bring me my children," she begged. "I want to be with my children."

Obi-Wan bowed his head and did what she asked, and after a few short moments that felt longer than it should have been, her babies, the living breathing proof of the only good thing that came from the war that's taken everything else from her was ushered into the room.

Padme's long time friend and colleague, Senator Bail Organa, Crown Prince of Alderaan held one infant in his arms while her other newborn was being held by Master Yoda.

"Awake, you are," Master Yoda said as he hovered in his chair nearer to her. "Relieved very much, we all are."

"We were all worried you wouldn't make it," Bail shared with equal relief. He leaned down and carefully placed baby Leia in her anxiously awaiting arms.

Padme tried to stifle her tears as Master Yoda passed Luke to Obi-Wan so he could place him in her arms as well. Padme held her children closely against her as if they were her last remaining lifelines. Memories of her husband came crashing into her again and a new wave of grief and tears enveloped her.

"Oh, Ani," she said sadly, staring into the innocent faces of the babies they made together.

How could it have come to this?

Their hopes and dreams disappeared so quickly, Padme didn't know how she could move on from it. She didn't even know if she even had the strength to.

"Overcome this, you will," Master Yoda said faithfully.

"You're children will need you, Senator," Obi-Wan added. "I'm sorry it has come to this, but know that you're not alone."

"It should be Anakin here with me right now," Padme spoke, her emotions numb with sorrow. She looked up into Obi-Wan's eyes, the man her husband considered both a father and brother, and knew he felt the same pain she carried for the loss of the man they both loved so much.

From that moment she understood that their lives, and the lives of her children from this point on was going to get even harder. So with as much strength and will she could harness even in her emotionally weakened state, she steeled her pain away from the loss and concentrated on the only two beings that needed her to get through this dark time.

With a deep breath, she said, "Tell me what needs to be done."

A year later, within the walls of a dimly lit room lay at the center a colorless tank filled with thick pinkish liquid. Surrounding the chamber were monitors on all sides surveying the vitals of the lone body inside the enclosed tomb.

All was stable, until a hand moved.

Tbc...