WAKING TO A TIME OF DARKNESS
Anakin was injured while landing the ship, after rescuing the Chancellor; and falls into a coma. When he wakes nineteen years later, everything has changed around him. Can he help to defeat the Empire, and bring peace to the galaxy?
A NEW HOPE
Part One Of The 'Dark Hope' Series
I've decided that this story will be split into six parts, one part for each original movie and one part in between each original movie parts.
PROLOGUE - Part One - Slipping Away
He lay on the bed, unmoving; deathly still, except for the subtle rising and falling of his chest, with each incredibly shallow breath. Obi-wan swallowed, moving closer to Anakin's bed; he was so pale, his eyes closed, face impassive - giving the illusion of peace, however Obi-wan was sure that his friend was at war in his mind.
"How is he?"
Master Vokara Che looked at him, shaking her head. "There has been no change."
Obi-wan frowned in concern, "Isn't that a good thing?"
"He should have shown some improvement by now," the healer said quietly; her tone worried and uncertain.
Obi-wan felt a shiver of unease, as he sat beside his friend. "He's not getting any worse though?"
"No," Master Vokara Che shook her head. "So far, he's not_" Her eyes widened, snapping to look down at Anakin as his presence in the Force suddenly began to fade.
Obi-wan leapt to his feet, blood turning to ice as Master Vokara Che leant over Anakin. "Is he...?" he couldn't finish the sentence, couldn't even think it.
"No..." Master Vokara Che's face was filled with horror as she looked at Obi-wan, "... he's slipping into a coma!"
Obi-wan gaped in shock, "There has to be something we can do?!"
"I can't..." Master Vokara Che swallowed, her gaze flicking down to Anakin, before focusing on Obi-wan. "Perhaps, if you entered his mind, then you could help him fight..."
Obi-wan frowned, there was something she wasn't saying, "What is it?"
"If you don't succeed, and you're still inside his mind when he falls fully into the coma..." Master Vokara Che paused, taking a deep breath. "... You will be trapped as well."
Obi-wan stared down at Anakin, his breath shaking as he felt his friend's presence slowly fading. "Well then..." His smile was shaky, as he looked at Master Vokara Che. "... I'll just have to make sure I succeed."
The healer smiled faintly, moving to stand behind Obi-wan as he sat down. "Because he's slipping into a coma, his thoughts won't be coherent...' She told him quickly, "... If he's too far gone, he might not even recognise you."
Obi-wan nodded, taking a deep breath as he gently grasped Anakin's face in his hands, and reached out with the Force.
He was surrounded by wind and sand, Obi-wan frowned; shielding his eyes as he looked around, trying to find_
"What are you doing here?"
Obi-wan whirled around, gaping as he stared down at a nine year old version of Anakin; his eyes widened as he realised where they were, this was Tatooine...
Shaking out of his shock, Obi-wan crouched in front of Anakin. "I'm looking for you," he said smiling kindly.
The child Anakin frowned, "I know you, don't I?"
Obi-wan nodded, feeling relieved that Anakin at recognised him. "it's me Anakin..." He said, reaching out to his friend. "It's Obi-wan."
"Obi-wan?" Anakin stared at him, frowning in concentration, a second later recognition sparked in his eyes...
Suddenly the scenery around them changed; they were standing in a hallway of the Temple, and Anakin was fully grown.
Anakin lifted a hand to his face, staring in confusion when it came away covered in blood. "Why am I bleeding?"
Obi-wan froze, eyes wide - Anakin was remembering... Partially at least, but it was a start. "Anakin I need you to listen to me." He said, his voice urgent. "You're slipping into a coma."
Anakin looked at him, his face paling with shock. "What?"
Obi-wan sighed, shaking his head. "I don't have time to explain, Anakin..."
Anakin's eyes closed, "I feel so weak..."
Obi-wan froze as everything turned to deep, impenetrable darkness. "No..." He reached out to grasp Anakin's hand. "You have to fight Anakin!" He said urgently, "You can't give up!"
Anakin blinked, his gaze unfocused as he stared at him. "What happened?"
"You were hurt in our last mission," Obi-wan told Anakin; trying to help him remember.
"Our last mission..." Anakin frowned, rubbing his head. "... Rescuing the Chancellor?"
The darkness swirled, and Obi-wan found himself on Grievous's flagship. "Yes," Obi-wan almost sagged with relief; Anakin was remembering! Which hopefully meant that he was helping.
Anakin frowned at him, "How was I hurt?"
"The ship was badly damaged," Obi-wan said, only pausing for a second as the scenery around them changed again and they were plummeting towards the ground in the crashing ship. "You were badly injured in the crash."
Anakin's eyes went wide, as he understood. "We're in my mind...?"
"Yes, we are." Obi-wan smiled reassuringly, "I came to help you wake up."
Anakin gaped at Obi-wan, his breath heaving as he shook his head. "I don't know how to get out..."
"That's why I'm here," Obi-wan said gently.
The darkness returned, and Obi-wan swore. "Anakin_!"
Fear flashed across Anakin's face, "It's too late, I can't stop it..." Anakin stared at Obi-wan, his eyes widening slightly. "If you stay, you'll be lost too..." Between one breath and the next, Anakin's expression became both accepting and determined. "You need to leave."
"What?" Obi-wan shook his head, "No!" He reached towards Anakin, as his friend stepped away from him. "Anakin, take my hand!" He couldn't leave Anakin, not now! Not when they were so close!
"It's too late for me, Obi-wan..." Anakin's voice trembled, showing his fear. ".. It doesn't have to be for you."
Obi-wan shook his head again, still desperately reaching for Anakin. "Please, Anakin... Let me help you!"
"You can't Obi-wan..." Anakin shrugged and the distance between them lengthened, he smiled sadly, raising his hand in a familiar gesture. "It's time for you to leave."
Obi-wan's eyes widened as he felt himself pushed back and Anakin's voice faded away.
"I'm sorry..."
"No!" Obi-wan's eyes flew open, and he stared at Anakin in horror. "Anakin, what have you done?!"
Master Vokara Che's hand rested on his shoulder, "What happened?"
"He pushed me out..." Obi-wan felt his heart break, as he felt Anakin's presence fade away until he was barely able to sense him at all.
Obi-wan's closed his eyes, choking on a sob as the pale hand in his went limp.
Anakin was gone.