AN: I want to thank each person who reviewed and/or favorited this story. Although it has a few bugs, I'm really proud of the way it turned out. I never expected everyone to like it so much and I am very, very flattered. I will definately continue fanfiction writing because this was a great experience. I've been thinking of a prequel to this story, to mess around a little bit with the AU. Also, I'd like to do something a bit more lighthearted. Like I said, thank you all very much! :D
ejm12: This chapter is what I meant by "not ending on too low a note" I hope it's not too sappy though, I just got done watching Moulin Rouge and now I'm in a ridiculously sappy mood. :P
GirlFromNorth: Thank you very much for all your kind reviews. I looked forward to them!
emmymango: Why thank you! That's exactly what I was trying for.
Hmm: See, that was one of the things I wish I had elaborated on a little bit more. I had Obi Wan's motivation all planned out in my head, but I thought including it would seem a little wordy and hard to do as none of the flashbacks were from Obi Wan's point of view. I think he came to the conclusion that attachment, (like Anakin had for Padme in the middle and end of ROTS) is wrong, but love is not. If I get around to writing a prequel to this story, I'm going to include a talk between the two about such a subject. Again, thank you very much for all your many reviews! :D
Light Side of the Force
Some part of Anakin knew that he was holding a corpse, and something in him, a section of his heart that had belonged to his brother simply broke in two. He nearly chocked on the pain, because all that was Obi Wan; his sarcastic wit, his unshakable loyalty, his caring heart, were now somewhere in the Force. All that was left was an empty shell of the man. Anakin let out a strangled cry.
But then he felt something, a gentle touch on his arm. Leia. She had tears in her beautiful brown eyes, but she kept a hold on his arm in constant reassurance. Luke was there to, looking sadly down at his mentor, blue eyes too bright, but a hand wrapped around his father's. Two skinny arms wound around his shoulders as well, and he didn't need to turn around to know Padme was behind him.
He took a deep breath and lovingly closed his Master's empty eyes, then leaned forward to kiss Obi Wan's forehead.
"I loved you, too. I wish I had said that more often. I can only hope you knew...Goodbye, my brother."
Seconds later, Anakin was holding empty robes.
LINE BREAK
He felt the Force immediately, more deeply then ever before, like stepping into a fastmoving river and being submerged in it's flowing, playful current.
He looked back but once, and saw his brother close the eyes of the body, tears pouring down his face. His wife's arms hung about his shoulders. Luke and Leia clung to each other, as if trying to protect the other from the pain. Mace closed his eyes and released his grief into the Force, and he could feel it being accepted. He nodded to them, each precious and loved by him in life.
Nothing was more beautiful than the Force. Its colors swirled, dancing in and out amongst the spirits; reds, blues, yellows, oranges, some that he didn't even have a name for. Music floated past him, surrounding him. He could see it now, not only hear the lovely chords, a beautiful current of light and sound and color wrapping him in its comforting embrace. And his soul, formerly bruised and broken in places where memories were too dark and painful, was knit back together, shining brightly and joining in with the song of the Force.
Then the spirits of the Force came forward. Siri, looking more beautiful and more energetic then she ever had in life, came to him first and caught his lips in a kiss more deep, more gentle, more loving then had been possible in life. Next came Garen and Reeft, laughing and joking, tripping over each other to welcome him home. And there was Cesari, strong and beautiful as she was meant to be, smiling and waving at him.
And then a woman stepped forward, with long flowing red hair and familiar, expressive blue-green eyes. She drew him into a hug whispering over and over again how proud she was of him and how much she loved him.
At last, came a father with midnight blue eyes and long brown hair, a soul long missed. Qui Gon Jinn ran and caught his padawan in a fierce embrace. The first in a long, long time.
He could still see Anakin and his family, not blissful but at peace, standing through the dark times as a family should. And oh, if only they could know what was in store for them when the trials had passed. He was still with them too, and he would never leave them. Not ever.
There was no more anger, no hatred, no lust for power, not even a remote desire for anything dark. Nothing could harm him, or tempt him ever again. He was free from all darkness and all woe, never to be lost again. Here, he was beyond all that.
Here, there was only light.
Fin
