Huddled together they walked further into the dark. Images where everywhere now, flashing in and out. Most were vague, weak, but all aimed at Vader. He did not as much as glance at them, but kept on walking, head bent low. Several black tendrils undulated around him, ever so often curling around his tall frame.
Leia could feel her strength returning with every step, like awakening from a haze. The knowledge that Vader was the one shielding her, both absurd, and somehow it was as it should be, as it always should have been. Frowning, she hurried after him, she missed Han. At the moment he was the only thing in her life that made any sense, the rest was just too confusing.
She bumped into Luke, who gave her a tight smile, just as the sound of laughter echoed across the chamber, startling her. The darkness separated again, and a small figure walked out, Ahsoka. She was younger with a spring in her step, but it was definitely her.
Following closely, a laughing Anakin moved forward reaching one hand out to grab Ahsoka by one shoulder, smiling down at her proudly. "Hold on there, snippy" he laughed, blue eyes dancing in amusement. Ahsoka grinned back, so at ease in his company.
Neither noticed the shadow materializing just behind them. It happened so quickly. In a flash of red, the tip of a saber suddenly protruded from Ahsoka's chest. Anakin looking on horrified, as she fell limply down to the ground.
Slowly the shadow took on a familiar shape, but as he spun around to face them, Leia could see his mask was cracked down the middle, exposing one golden eye.
"That never happened" Vader said fiercely, taking one step forward, it was the first time he had spoken, since he had let that thing touch him.
"But it would have, given half the chance. You know this" his illusion said, casually putting the saber away at his belt.
Vader shook his head in denial. "No, I never wanted this. Never."
The other raised one eyebrow. "Now who is a liar? You chose this, you chose me" it hissed. Vader bent his head down low, uttering no more protests, before he spun around and walked away.
Leia stood there for a while, staring at the apparition, one half man, the other machine. Both parts ruthless. But just behind, kneeling at Ahsoka's head, the forlorn shade of a man, looked on helplessly, too weak to stop the monster.
Luke grabbed her by the shoulder, and she let him lead her away. There was no sound now, except the crushing of bone beneath their feet, and Vader's respirator. Until another pair of boots added to the mix.
Another Anakin ran headlong past them, his cloak flowing out behind him. A cloak just like the one she had. The dark separated around him, and he ran straight into a spacious chamber. Where two men were fighting, red blade clashing with purple. Until the jedi came out victorious, Palpatine quivering at his feet. She nearly hissed beneath her breath at the sight, hatred filling her veins.
It felt false the entire thing, Palpatine had always played games. This time he played for her father's soul. She saw Anakin hesitate, then act, and for the very first time sink to his knees in front of Palpatine, sealing his dark faith.
From beneath Vader's mask she had always expected unwavering loyalty to the emperor, but at that moment he did not look happy, like a man greedy for power. Instead he looked desperate, broken. Then he named his price, their mother's life, by now it did not come as a surprise.
Luke looked on heartbroken, and it that moment she shared his pain, for what they had lost. Not just their mother, and each other. But for the first time she allowed herself to grieve for their father too.
Leia wanted to scream at him to stop, not to do this. But it was too late, far too late. Time and space separated her from him. Right now she didn't know what was worse. Watching her father fall, or knowing how close he had come not to. Had he stayed steadfast in this moment, how different would their lives have been?
But it was done, and could never be undone. Anakin had sold his soul for love, and only love could redeem it, her brothers love.
Looking over at Luke's stricken face, she saw him with new eyes. In a galaxy that teaches you that compassion is a weakness, he had been braver than most. Holding on to his. Even when everyone around him told him not to, including her, and in the end his faith had proven true.
She swallowed a lump in her throat, never in her wildest imagination has she thought this could possibly have been the origin of one of the most hated men in the galaxy. A man that also happened to be her father.
Moving away from the vision, she stepped closer to Vader, who stood at the edge of the vison, still as a statue. This was a close as she could get to her father now, and she hoped her presence would help him. "Come let's go" she said softly, and he cast one last glance down at the young man at his feet, before he turned and followed her.
Until then, the vison had remained little more than a memory, not once acknowledging any of them. But as they started to walk away, Anakin turned his head staring straight at Vader. "Liar" he spat, his blue eyes filled with venom.
Vader stopped, shoulders hunching forward. But before he had a chance to turn back, Luke reached out pulling him forward "Come father" he said, and slowly Vader walked a head, increasing his pace.
He was still holding on, but this vision had been a lot a stronger than the other ones. They were running out of time. She realised now, he was deliberately feeding the entity, to keep it from them. To keep it from her.
"Luke" she grabbed him by the arm. Even he was looking pale now, a worried frown on his face. "Can't we kill it or something? He can't take much more of this" she whispered, indicating Vader, even someone as strong as he, would eventually go mad in this place. They had to find a way out soon, before it was too late.
Luke shook his head" I don't know how to kill something without shape or form. Our best bet is to keep walking. There should be a door on the other side, at least according to the map"
Frustrated she let go, for all their combined power, here they were, helpless. At the mercy of who knows what. By now she was starting to feel more angry than tired.
Pushing a head, the space around them gradually turned red. The air felt thick and warm, smelling of sulphur. In stark contrast to the previous chill.
A hooded figure stood alone in the red haze, volcanic fire erupting all around. Lifting its hands, it lowered the hood, exposing Anakin's face. But Leia knew immediately something was wrong. The eyes were ice cold, his expression one of such loathing and hatred it was tangible.
"Liar" he snarled at Vader, who stopped dead at the words. Before he started to back away from the apparition, shaking his head. "No, not this. Anything but this" he said weakly.
The figure moved slightly to the side, and just behind him standing there all alone, was Padme. She looked frightened, one hand protectively cradling her swollen stomach. Cradling her and Luke.
"No" Vader said again, now moving forward into the vision, instead of away. Leia tried to call to him but he could no longer hear.
Anakin ignored Vader's protest and turned away, focusing his hateful eyes on Padme instead
"Liar" he screamed, lifting one gloved hand, clenching his fist. Padme's eyes went wide, grasping at her throat, calling desperately for her husband. But Leia knew then, that in that moment he was no longer there.
Putting a hand to her stomach, she felt sick, appalled, angry, but most of all disgusted, as she watched her pregnant mother fall to the ground, another victim of Vader's fury.
"No!" Running forward Vader fell to his knees next to Padme's lifeless form, his despair evident. He lifted his hand as if to touch her face, the darkness surrounding him, feeding on him. Leia knew if he touched her, he would be lost.
At the very moment he started to falter, the dark greedily reached out to touch her again. Its cold grip made her cry out loud, robbing her of breath. But this time Vader heard her call. His mask tilted to Padme's swollen stomach, before swiftly turning to her, letting his arm drop.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I have to keep them safe. It is what you would have wanted." He whispered, staggering slowly to his feet, casting one last look at his wife, before hurrying to Leia's side. The darkness receded at his approach, releasing her from its grip. Relieved she gasped for breath, air filling her lungs as the tendrils let go.
She looked at up at the expressionless mask, but she did not need to see him then, she felt his touch, pushing the dark away. He had returned only to protect her. Leia blinked, here was a man so incredibly powerful. But in the end, he only truly found his strength when he protected others.
Notes:
A short update since it has been so long. I had intended to finish the visions with this chapter, but I haven't. Sometimes posting things gives me inspiration, and I need some right now:) The rest should come quite soon though.