"What are we going to do?" Padme asked, worried as she sat down with the family in the living room.
Anakin sat next to her with his palms covering his forehead. "I'm going to accept whatever my fate is. If I get the death penalty, then I deserve it."
"Don't say things like that! You don't deserve to die!"
"After all the people I killed?"
"You know you weren't yourself. Even Luke knows that. You were manipulated by Palpatine and you took on a whole new person, Darth Vader. But you're not that man anymore. You're Anakin, a Jedi who lived to serve people."
"Padme, there's nothing you can do, no matter what you may believe. The court will decide now."
"If only Leia would see reason." Luke said, somberly.
"Luke, do you think if you talk to her again, you could get her to change her mind?" Mara asked.
Luke shook his head. "Mother said everything there was to say. If that didn't convince her, I'm not sure there's anything that will. Leia is stubborn and she is hurt by all that has happened. She won't rest until--"
"Until I pay for my mistakes." Anakin finished for Luke as Luke nodded sympathetically.
"Father, I don't want you to die. I don't want to lose you again."
"I'm sorry, Luke. It's all my fault."
"There might be a way out of this." Mara said, suddenly. Everyone turned to her with curiosity as she went on to explain. "If Anakin gets the death penalty, we can help him escape before they get to actually kill him."
"No." Anakin responded. "I can't do that. I have to accept my punishment."
"Anakin--" Padme started.
"I have to. I need to face my crimes. Leia is right. I need to pay for all the things I did. It's the least I can do for the galaxy, and for Leia."
"And what about your family? Me? We need you with us. If you die, I would be devastated."
"And so would I." Luke added.
"But if I escape, I would have to be away from you two. They would go to you to find me." Anakin responded.
"Not if I can help it." Mara said.
"What do you mean?"
"I have a potion that can disguise your appearance. When you drink it, only the people in the room with you at that moment will see you as the way you are now. And you would too. But everyone else will see a different face. No one else, including Leia, will know it's you. You would of course have to assume a different name as well."
"You can really do that?" Luke asked.
"Yes. So what do you say, Anakin? Will you let us help you escape and hide your identity, should you get the death sentence?"
Anakin hesitated. He would feel guilty if he escaped the consequences, but at the same time, he didn't want to leave his family. "What about Leia? She will be more furious when she learns I escaped, and no doubt she will suspect you all to have helped me. She will also be angry at you."
"She will be." Luke agreed. "But in time, she'll realize that she had been wrong. And at that moment, you can reveal yourself."
"Do you think that'll ever happen?"
"I have faith in Leia. I know our relationship has been falling, but we were close before. I know her. She is stubborn, but she has a heart. Her heart will win over her stubbornness in the end."
"I sure hope so." Padme said, and then asked Anakin, "Will you do what Mara suggested?"
Anakin sighed as he thought. "I suppose so. I don't want to lose you two again." Padme kissed his cheek.
Luke was relieved. "Thank you, Father. In the meantime, we should prepare your defense."
"Defense? What could I possibly say to defend myself?"
"Many things. You can describe your fall to the dark side, how you were blinded by your fear of losing Mom and that Palpatine used that to brainwash you. And then you explain to everyone how you deserted the dark side, killed Palpatine, and saved me. And tell them that you are now Anakin Skywalker, a good man."
"Do you think that will work?"
Padme replied. "It should help. There are a lot of people who remember you as a hero."
"And we could get Yoda to testify on your behalf." Luke said.
"And don't forget we will too." Padme reminded.
Anakin looked at his family. "I am so grateful to have you both. I don't deserve a second chance, but I want you to know that I won't take that or this family for granted ever."
Padme smiled. "We know."
It was the following morning and the trial was about to begin. Leia, Han, and Chewie arrived at the building where the trial was set to take place. They sat in the lobby waiting for the session to begin.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Han asked Leia.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, I know you're angry at Vader for everything he did. But what about Luke and your mother? They will not be happy with you if you're the reason that Vader gets killed."
"Of course we wouldn't."
Leia and Han turned around, startled. Luke was standing behind Leia's chair and Leia could see her parents off to the side in deep conversation. She turned back to face Luke and held a defiant face. "Luke, you know why I have to do this."
"Have to?"
"Luke, I don't want to argue with you."
"Then don't. Just cancel this while you still can."
"No, Luke. I can't do that."
"Not even for us?" Padme approached the group.
Leia looked conflicted but said, "Not even. I can't let all of these people who have been hurt by Darth Vader down just for you two. I'm sorry."
"Doesn't your family mean anything to you? Don't I?" Luke asked.
"Of course you do."
"Then stop this."
"This isn't about you. This is about Darth Vader and all the lives he destroyed."
"Darth Vader is gone. When are you going to realize that?"
"Please do not bring up the split personality concept with me again. It's not going to work."
"Can't you do it for the sake of our relationship?"
"You would let Darth Vader, our greatest enemy, come between us?" Leia asked in disbelief.
"He's not our enemy anymore."
"He's still mine."
"You know something? Right now, you are your greatest enemy."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You are letting your anger and hatred get the best of you."
"I'm not going to the dark side!" Leia said, impatiently.
"Leia, if you go through with this, you will destroy us."
"Look what you're letting Vader do to our relationship."
"He's not doing anything. He wants us to be a family. It's you that are making things bad."
"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way."
"Leia, if you kill our father, how is our relationship going to be?"
Leia shook her head refusing to let any tears fall. "Wow. You could forgive Darth Vader for all the evil things he did, but you can't understand that I just want justice. Han, let's go inside. You're still with me on this, aren't you?"
Han seemed uncomfortable with the entire situation and the way things were going. "Yes, I am. I'll always stand by you."
Leia smiled gratefully at him, but her smile vanished as soon as she saw Anakin coming their way. "Hello Leia." He greeted.
"What do you want?" Leia snapped.
"I just came to see how you're doing."
"Oh please don't try the Mr. Nice act with me."
"I'm not trying to. I genuinely wanted to know."
"And why would I answer? I hate you." Leia walked away with Han who quickly glanced at Luke apologetically before he followed Leia. Ten minutes later, Padme, Anakin, Luke, Mara, and Padme's family entered the courtroom. It was large with tall balconies surrounding the ground floor. Many benches laid out and a tall podium was at the front where Dodonna stood behind. Anakin sat in a circular chair next to the podium.
Dodonna spoke. "We are here today to determine the fate of Darth Vader, now known as Anakin Skywalker again." Many mutterings went amongst the crowd. Leia was seated next to Han, clutching his hand. She could see in a distance Padme holding Luke's hand with anxiety written all over her face. Leia looked away quickly, not wanting to deal with her guilty feelings for hurting Mother and Luke, and focused on Dodonna as he continued on. "Vader will be trialed today for the crimes he committed since the formation of the Empire. He has been widely known among the Rebels especially, of being the galaxy's biggest villain next to Palpatine. Princess Leia Organa from Alderaan has requested that Vader be executed for his crimes. She is the one that has brought this to case. It will be decided today if her request is to be granted. We will now hear from witnesses and alleged victims."
Hours went by as one by one, each victim told his or her story, including Leia and Han. Anakin looked at every one of them, feeling guiltier than ever before. He was still deeply hurt by Leia's declaration of her hatred. It hit him to his heart. And when Leia was up, he couldn't resist the tears that fell down his face.
Leia stood at the center of the room as she shared her experiences as Vader's victim. Memories started to flash in Leia's mind as she stood in front of everyone.
"Do you talk much?" "I only talk when it is necessary."
"When on board my ship, Vader and his stormtroopers invaded."
"Darth Vader. Only you could be so bold. The Imperial Senate will not sit still for this. When they hear you attacked a diplomatic--"
"Don't act so surprise, your highness. You weren't on any mercy mission this time. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan."
"You are part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor! Take her away!"
"He took me as prisoner, locked up in a small cell on the Death Star."
"And now your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel base." The horrifying interrogation droid loomed ahead, its needle aiming towards her. She stared into the hateful mask of Vader as the needle prodded her.
"He tortured me using the interrogation droid. I had never experienced more pain in my entire life."
"NO!" A gloved hand held her back as she watched her planet get blown up.
"He took me prisoner again on Bespin."
"We would be honored if you join us."
"And then again on Naboo."
When Leia was finished, she sat back down next to Han who placed his arm around her. Leia knew she should not look at Anakin, but she did anyway and noticed the pain in his eyes. Luke got up to testify on Anakin's behalf after Yoda spoke his part, and Leia listened intently.
"Even when he was Vader, I sensed the conflict within him. He still had decency in him. He was just lost in the dark side."
"Do you know what this house is?
"A lake house. You told me."
"Yes, but it also the house of your mother."
"When he found out about his family, the good in him came to the surface."
"You are strong in the force like your brother."
"Brother?"
"Yes. Luke. He is your twin brother."
"When Palpatine attempted to kill me, he destroyed him and saved my life."
"Leia, I am your father."
"My father?! You?!
"That's impossible! If Luke is my twin brother, then my real father must be Anakin Skywalker."
"I was Anakin Skywalker, but that name no longer has any meaning for me. It was my past self, until I became Darth Vader."
"He abandoned the dark side and returned back to Anakin."
"Padme Amidala was my wife. She got pregnant and we were expecting a child. I did not know she was going to have twins. I then started to have visions of Padme dying in childbirth. I was worried I was going to lose her and possibly my child. Palpatine agreed to help me save your mother if I agreed to be his apprentice. He proved to me that the Jedi were corrupt. He proved to me that helping him build his Empire was the only way to restore peace to the galaxy, a quick way to end the war and turmoil. But, above all, he could save my family..."
Oh Father, what have you done, Leia thought. She felt more than just angry. She felt betrayed. She knew that her reasons to get revenge on her father were more than just the crimes he committed. It was far more personal. She was angry because he left her, left her mother, her brother, their family.
We can now rule the galaxy as a family like I had wanted to before. You remind me of Padme. I don't know why I haven't seen it before."
"Don't you dare touch me! You killed my mother! You're the reason she's dead!"
"It was Obi-Wan that killed her. He made her betray me!"
"He made her see the truth. You broke her heart and then you choked her to death, while she was carrying Luke and me. You could have killed us too!"
He destroyed their chance for happiness.
"The Jedi had turned against me like Obi-Wan. Your mother did the same. Now don't you betray me too!"
"Why? What are you going to do? Choke me to death?"
"You and Luke will join me or the two of you will die."
"I don't know how my mother was able to love you. It's obvious you didn't feel the same for her."
"Everything I did was for her! She just couldn't see that."
They could have been a family.
"I'm not joining you now. Not ever. So you're going to have to kill your own daughter."
"If that is your destiny, so be it."
He hurt her, not just from the torture or the destruction of her planet. He hurt her because he was supposed to be her father, but he had joined the dark side instead. Although she had no regrets of living with Bail and Breha Organa, she couldn't help but feel hurt on the fact that Anakin deserted the family, destroying it in the process.
"You say you loved your wife, my mother?"
"Yes."
"What about me? Do you love me too?"
"Yes, my daughter. I have lost my mother. I have lost my wife. You and Luke are my only family and you are the product of the love Padme and I shared.
He loved her even as Vader.
But he left.
He killed too many people.
He needed to pay.
Luke continued with his testimony. "My father plans to start a new Jedi order, with me as a member. He wants to make up for everything. He can't do that if you kill him."
"He didn't hurt you, Mother, did he?"
"No. Palpatine came here and almost killed Luke. Your father saved him. He's back to Anakin now. The evil man you knew as Darth Vader is gone."
"What do you mean he's back? Are you saying that Darth Vader left the dark side?"
"Yes, he has. He is no longer the monster you knew. He is Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi, again."
"He is not the Darth Vader that the galaxy is use to. He is back to Anakin Skywalker and he feels remorseful about his previous actions."
Remorse wasn't enough, Leia thought.
"I know I have done horrible things, but I have been trapped in Vader. At first, I really believed that joining the dark side was the right thing. Palpatine made me think that the Jedi were the ones that were wrong. And I thought that joining the dark side was the only way to save Padme from dying and to bring back peace to the galaxy. Palpatine brainwashed me, and once I joined the dark side and lost Padme, I lost myself. I became Vader."
And now you will lose your life.
"I have seen Darth Vader. And I have seen Anakin Skywalker. They are not the same." Luke went on.
"I should have stayed faithful to the Jedi. But, I had lost my mother. I felt like the Jedi didn't trust me anymore. And I was afraid that Padme would die. That had made me weak and easily seduced to the dark side."
"I don't feel sorry for you."
"I know I don't deserve that. I don't expect you to ever forgive me. But, I hope one day you will understand that I was terrified of losing Padme, of losing you."
"Is that why you threatened to kill me earlier? Because you may be spitting out all these remorseful words now, but last I was here, you said that if I didn't join your side, keeping me alive wasn't an option."
"I know that you don't want to hear this, but that wasn't really me."
"You're right. I don't want to hear it. I don't care how much you had suffered or how afraid you were. You choked my mother and ruined our lives. You may have ended it all. You saved Luke's life. I'll give you credit there. But, you can never make up for all the damage you've caused."
Never.
Luke ended his testimony as Padme stood up to start hers.
"I've known Anakin since he was nine years old when he was a slave and he was the sweetest boy I knew."
"Leia, I understand your anger. I understand why you can't accept him, but he's still your father. Your experiences were with Vader. But, Anakin is not the same person. Anakin is the man that I have been in love with. He is kind and caring, and if you could give him a chance, you'll see that."
"He was always looking to help others, never caring how it fitted his own needs."
"Doesn't it matter at all to you that he loves you?"
"His love for me is too late."
Too late. Those twenty years will never come back.
"Vader has been our greatest enemy."
When he could have been our father...
"When I saw him again ten years later, he was still the generous and kind-hearted person I knew."
"He had his vulnerabilities, but he had compassion."
"I had three years of marriage to him and I got to know him more. He has a huge heart. The reason why he had joined the dark side in the first place was because Palpatine promised him that he could keep me alive. Anakin had dreams of my death in childbirth. Palpatine played him."
"He loves you, Leia. And he can prove that to you. And you may think he should pay for his crimes, but he had done a lot of wonderful things too. He had saved so many people and placed his life on the line for others. I'm not asking you to accept him or forgive him yet. All I'm asking is you let this need for revenge go and try to get to know your father."
"He may have done bad things as Vader, but the Anakin I have always known was someone who would risk his life to save other people. Now I know everyone here has seen the Vader side to Anakin. But that monster is gone. Anakin is Anakin again, the hero everyone knew him as. He can do great things for our galaxy now. Why waste that? Why kill someone who feels guilty for his mistakes and is willing to make it up to everyone?"
"He loves you, Leia."
Padme finished and took her seat next to Luke. More mutterings went through the room as Dodonna took a break. Shortly afterwards, he returned and when he cleared his throat, everyone became silent. The decision was made.
"The dark side is like this black room with no doors or windows to escape from."
Dodonna spoke. "Listening to the voices of the victims and hearing about Anakin Skywalker's redemption, I have made a decision."
"Palpatine came here and almost killed Luke. Your father saved him. He's back to Anakin now. The evil man you knew as Darth Vader is gone."
"I do believe that Anakin left his ways of Darth Vader and wants to do good now."
"What about me? Do you love me too?"
"Yes, my daughter."
"But, I cannot ignore the seriousness of his crimes. Therefore, Anakin Skywalker will be sentenced to death."
Leia stood up from her seat. "No! You can't do that! Please!" Everyone including Anakin stared at her in shock. Many gasps filled the room as Leia repeated more softly this time, "Please don't."
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