The dark lord paced back and forth across the sweeping window, with his arms tightly locked behind his back. The repetitious hissing of his respirator echoing throughout the empty throne room. His past haunted him during the day, as well as the night now. Ever since he had stumbled across his old master and stepped foot into the light.
There was no escaping it.
The light was seemingly determined to punish him continuously for his crimes. It mattered not, how repentant he had become, nor what he planned to do in the future. All that mattered was that he suffered.
Attachment leads to jealousy. Jealousy leads to anger. Anger leads to hate, and hate…
"Leads to suffering," he mumbled in disdain.
In the darkness, there was no light. No joy. No love. No compassion.
There was only hate.
And so it seemed fitting, that whenever his heart beat in earnest around his wife, that the light would flood back.
The joy he felt seeing his family happy, being a double edged sword. One side filling him with overwhelming love and devotion for his wife and children. The other dragging his bloodied soul back from the depths of the shadows to face execution.
Yoda had said that the light would forgive him in time.
In time.
Just how long was that exactly?
Before or after he died?
The question was, would his sanity last that long? Could the shattered remnants of the man he was; the man he kept buried in self-preservation; survive the inherent torture of his malicious past?
He strongly doubted it.
He stopped pacing and stood by the window, folding his arms over his chest. Gazing out into the busy skyline, he watched as speeders and transports flew past, going about their business.
A spine chilling shiver swept through him, rooting his feet to the floor. Every muscle in his body grew tense and rigid as he felt the shadow approaching.
It took him long enough, he mused.
The dark side of the force swirled around him, as if drawing all energy from his surroundings into one large vacuous black hole. Out of the corner of his mask, he saw the red glow materialize beside him.
"I was wondering how long you would be," Vader rumbled flatly, still staring through the window.
A raspy, sinister cackle coursed through the icy air. "I thought that, perhaps you could use some time to…settle in, my friend," Sidious sneered.
The dark lord puffed his chest and sighed. "Indeed."
"So tell me, Lord Vader, how is your dear little pregnant wife?"
Not this again. Even in death he won't let me go. A wave of anger bubbled away inside him.
His mask snapped around to glare at the ethereal form beside him. "Leave her out of this," he hissed.
The Sith ghost cackled in amusement as he stared at his young successor in admiration. "You know, you will always be my greatest creation," he sneered reflectively, placing his burning red hand onto the black shoulder armor.
Your greatest creation?! You dare speak of me like I am some type of project. A pet? A meaningless toy for your personal entertainment until eventual boredom ensues?
"What?" Vader growled.
"Look at yourself, your reflection. See what I see."
The young Sith stared at himself in the window in confusion. His hideous black mask, the cumbersome synth-leather suit and his shiny black armor stood before him. "I am unsure of what you mean," he rumbled.
The ethereal figure laughed again, waving his hand at the monstrous reflection before them. "I took Anakin Skywalker, the chosen one, the supposed savior of all Jedi, and turned him into you."
Vader snorted, tightening his arms. "You took everything from me," he retorted weakly.
"Not everything, my apprentice."
The young Sith clenched his fists at his sides and turned his back on his reflection in disgust. Memories of days long past flooded into his mind. Padmè's heavily swollen body carrying their child. His soul crushing joy at the revelation of becoming a father. Her glistening hazel eyes staring up at him, as his iron grip tightened around her throat, threatening to strangle the life from her.
"Just everything that mattered," he muttered beneath his breath.
"I trust now, that after your little experiment, you realize that you can never be turned."
No thanks to you.
Vader bowed his head in defeat, remembering the sheer agony of his attempt to return to the light. "Yes, my master," he conceded.
"Good," Sidious hissed, "This is no time for foolish games, my apprentice." He moved towards the broken Sith Lord and stood beside him.
Foolish games? Me trying to reclaim what's left of my life, that you stole from me is foolish? As if the war wasn't scarring enough, as if seeing my own mother take her final breath in my very arms, wasn't damaging enough?
But he knew better than to fight him. He couldn't win on his own. Even though he brutally destroyed his body, the malevolent soul lived on. Whispering constantly inside his head. Taunting him. Goading him. Just like the war. That infernal war. So much for the Jedi being keepers of the peace. Peace it seemed, was forever just out of his reach.
Resigned to his fate, the dark lord followed his master. Like the weak, obedient pet that he had become.
The pair began to walk around the throne room, their strides perfectly in-sync. Vader's long black cape gently swaying from side to side with each heavy step.
"Your enemies are multiplying. The Jedi are amassing against you and Moff Tarkin is plotting your demise as we speak," the Sith ghost purred with malice.
"Tarkin is a fool, he is of no concern. As for the Jedi, they are but a shadow of their former existence. The council is extinct and I have them precisely where I want them," Vader replied dismissively.
"And where is that, my apprentice?"
The young Sith stopped and turned his mask towards his ethereal master. "Beneath me," he growled.
Sidious raised his brow. "Oh and what of your old friend, Obi wan Kenobi?" he asked curiously.
Almost as if summoned by the Sith, Obi wan peered around the corner of the doorway, crouched down low in the shadows. He watched in horror as his brother stood beside his master's apparition.
Vader paused, tilting his head up to stare blindly into the chamber. He could suddenly feel his brother's presence strengthening him. No he wasn't alone. Obi wan had stood by him, despite his crimes against their brethren. What am I doing? Why am I still listening to him?
He turned his head to look at the glowing manifestation of his late master, before turning back to stare at his hands clenched in front of him.
He took everything from me, my love, my life, seeing my children come into the world.
And for that I destroyed him.
He is dead.
He no longer has control of me.
"Well?" the ghost demanded.
Jabbing his finger in the air, he snapped his mask back down to stare at his master in contempt. "Cease your interrogation," he snarled viciously, "I am no longer your slave!"
"You forget your place, Lord Vader."
My place? And what place is that exactly, as your pet? Your servant? Your own personal mercenary? No, I think not.
"On the contrary, it is you who has forgotten. Not I," Vader snarled folding his arms over his chest.
The Jedi smiled, watching his former padawan finally stand up to his late master. He rose to his feet and entered the throne room. "Well, hello there," he said, announcing his presence.
The two Sith turned to stare at him in shock. Neither one of them having sensed his arrival.
"Master Kenobi, how nice of you to drop by," Sidious sneered, "We were just talking about you."
Vader stood silently, watching his two masters. Seeing Obi wan standing there throwing his mind into complete and utter turmoil. He could feel their force bond growing stronger with each passing moment, whilst his mind replayed their previous conversation in his chamber.
You were the closest thing I had to a family.
Family.
The dark lord snorted.
He turned his back on his master, with a flourish of his cape and strode across the room, to stand beside his brother. Obi wan looked up at him in surprise, and he simply nodded in response. Their bond burst into life, connecting the two brothers to each other. The event sending a blinding current catapulting through the force.
"You fool! You would choose that feeble Jedi over me? After everything I have done for you? After everything we have achieved together?" Sidious hissed furiously, his ethereal form flaming in pure rage.
"Your days of manipulating me are over," Vader snarled folding his arms over his chest, "I destroyed you. Now, I...am the master."
"No, No, No!" the ethereal Sith snarled in disbelief.
Obi wan smiled and he too folded his arms over his chest. The pride he felt for his former padawan's actions, flowing between their bond.
"Leave us," Vader hissed at his master, feeling his brother's strength empowering him.
The red glowing figure gradually dissipated, screaming as he left, "You'll come crawling back. Search your feelings Lord Vader, you know, don't you. You're nothing without me. I made you! I BROKE you! Deep down. You know, you'll come crawling back."
• • •
Yoda sat on the floor in the room of a thousand fountains, deep in meditation, when he was suddenly struck by a large tremor in the force. His bright green eyes sprung open, staring wildly into the air in front of him.
"Awakening, the chosen one is," he stated, reaching for his gimer stick and tapping his way out from the chamber.
• • •
Padmè sat sobbing on the black suede sofa in the sitting room, with Dormè's arms supporting her. The door to the suite slid open and she turned her head up.
The dark lord strode through the door and stopped dead when he saw his wife. Again tears stained her cheeks. Again he had hurt her. It didn't matter how many times he told her not to worry about him, she still did. His hand may have well as been around her throat again, she clearly was in so much pain.
Unbidden, the tortuous memory once more flashed before his eyes.
"Ani, I was so worried about you," she cried leaping from her seat and running over to him.
Her pleading voice dragged him from the vision, but not the ever-present guilt. Never from that. There was no escaping the harsh reality of his past. What he had done to her, his Angel. Numbly, he put his arms around her and stroked his black glove along her silken hair. "I told you not to worry about me Angel," he rumbled distantly, "I am fine."
Liar! His mind yelled out from within the shadows.
He closed his eyes behind the mask and tried to silence the annoying voice. He refused to burden anyone with his problems. They couldn't help him, and she was fearful enough as it was. Suffering was his curse, and his alone.
Obi wan walked up behind the couple and placed his hand on the Sith's shoulder armor. He felt his body jump under his touch and watched as the black mask suddenly spun around to face him. He furrowed his brow and stared into the tinted lenses.
Is everything alright? You seem tense.
Cease your probing. I am fine.
You know you can talk to me Anakin.
There's nothing to discuss, as I said before, I am fine.
The Jedi dropped his hand from his brother's shoulder and stroked his beard. It was clear that something was bothering him. The problem was, he had no idea what was actually going on inside that twisted mind of his. Was it his master? His wife's pregnancy? Was it returning to the temple? Or could it just be the dark side of the force, manipulating him?
Vader glared at the Jedi beside him. He could hear his thoughts as if they were his own, and it irked him. Why couldn't everyone just let him alone?
Obi wan, is it too much to ask, for you to quieten your thoughts? I told you that I am fine, now just leave it at that. Please.
The Jedi stared up at the Sith in concern, cocking his brow. He looked to Padmè, as she held on to her husband, and an idea wormed its way into his head. "Why don't we go and find something to eat? I for one am famished," he suggested.
Padmè pulled back and smiled at both her husband and old friend. "That's a wonderful idea, Obi wan," she replied, turning her head up to gaze at her husband expectantly. "What do you say Ani? Are you hungry? You haven't eaten in days," she asked.
The dark lord stared down at his wife. She was right, he hadn't eaten in days. And that wasn't about to change now. "You two go ahead, take Dormè and the twins with you," he rumbled slowly pulling out of her embrace. "I am not hungry."
Her smile disappeared the moment the statement left his mask. Placing her hand tenderly on his arm, she stared up at him, finding his eyes hidden behind the lenses, her hazel orbs pleading. "Please Ani, you have to eat," she whispered.
He rolled his eyes behind the mask and sighed. If he denied her, she would only worry about him more. "Alright Angel, I will come with you," he conceded. "But I must change first," he continued, gesturing up to his mask, "For obvious reasons."
Padmè smiled triumphantly. "We can wait, Ani," she sang.
With a sigh he turned on his heels and disappeared down the passage.
Obi wan motioned for the dark lord's wife to follow him into the kitchen. The pair stood by the black gloss cabinets, the air heavy between them.
"Padmè," Obi wan started, focusing his stormy grey eyes on the former senator, "I am worried about Anakin. Something isn't right."
Her eyes hardened as she furrowed her brow, "What are you talking about Obi wan? Of course he's not right," she asked.
He turned to stare at the wall, seemingly deep in concentration. "He is still so reclusive. I am genuinely concerned for his well-being. I have had a lot of time to think back on our time together, both before and after he turned," he said turning to face her and running his hand through his hair. "Do you remember when I came to you all those years ago? How I told you that I was worried about him?"
She looked at him curiously, tilting her head and folding her arms across her chest. "Yes, I remember everything about those days Obi wan. Just spit it out."
The Jedi started to patrol the kitchen, as he processed his thoughts. "I think he was struggling before we even returned to Coruscant. What, with Ahsoka leaving and everything," he muttered deep in thought. His grey eyes boring into her, expressing the repressed guilt he felt at not reaching out to his brother, all those years ago. "I don't think he ever actually left the frontlines Padmè. I am starting to believe that he is still back there somewhere, on some remote system, cradling one of his troopers."
"He does hold a certain fondness towards them, even as he is now," she replied distantly.
The Jedi nodded, "That is precisely my point Padmè. The Jedi were never meant to fight like that. It went against everything that we were trained for."
"So what are you saying Obi wan?" she asked beginning to feel irritated.
Vader stalked up behind his wife, folding his arms over his chest. "Yes, just what are you trying to say Obi wan?" he asked, the anger evident in his tone.
The sound of his naked voice startling both of them from their conversation. They both stared, open mouthed, as he stood before them in his old Jedi robes, the hood drawn up over his head, concealing his face.
Padmè's heart thumped in her chest as she stared at her husband out of his infamous suit. It still hurt seeing him like this. It made the denial so much harder to manage.
"You need help Anakin, that is what I am saying," the Jedi stated staring at his brother in concern. "You are just too stubborn to ask for it. You always were."
The dark lord turned away.
So now you say you care. Now when it's too late, he scolded internally.
"Whilst your latent concern for my apparent well-being is indeed…touching," he snapped walking back out into the sitting room, "It is however, too little, far too late Obi wan."
• • •
The ancient master tapped his way down the dimly lit corridor, to the secret underground temple entrance. The torches suspended upon the walls flickered, casting a dull glow off the ancient stone walls. The sound of his clawed feet striking the cobblestoned floor, echoing throughout the chamber. A dark hooded figure appeared in the distance before him and he smiled.
"Waited many years for this reunion, have I. To hear of your survival, surprised me it did," he announced to the shadow.
The hooded figure slowly emerged from the darkness, holding the torch out in front of them. A red and white face appeared in the flickering light. "I left as soon as I received your message," a husky feminine voice responded, "I must say, I was shocked to hear from you after all of these years."
He tapped his way closer, staring beneath the hood of the cloaked figure. "Called all of you back here I have. Time to rebuild it is."
The hooded figure looked to either side, checking their surroundings. "You are sure of this?" she asked reluctantly, "Is he here?"
"Here Vader is, weak he has become. Strike before regains his strength, we must."
She lowered her hood exposing her grey and white montrals and long lekku. Her ebony eyes sparkled in the flickering torch light as she gradually made her way towards him. "I have not returned here to exact revenge on Skywalker, Master Yoda. And if that is your intention, then may I suggest you take some time to reassess your feelings on the situation."
The green master lowered his ears and creased his brow. "Revenge you say? No master Ti, consequence of his actions, this is."
"You surprise me Yoda," Shaak Ti purred walking beside the grand master down the corridor, "Of all of us, I presumed you would be the one, capable of seeing our failure for what it truly was."
"Ah yes, failure," he agreed, tapping his gimer stick beside him with each step, "The greatest teacher, failure is."
"Skywalker may have committed some truly horrific acts that night, but we, the Jedi council, failed him," she continued as they neared the passage exit. She stopped as they reached the entrance to the 'room-of-a-thousand-fountains', looking wistfully around at the surviving green room. "Where there was once only dark, I now sense light. The very same light, that spared me all those years ago in the temple," she stated turning her ebony eyes down to stare at him, "That same light that we would be wrong to extinguish now."
"Sense it too can I," Yoda replied stroking his chin, "If strong enough to prevail it is, more difficult to see."
Shaak Ti walked forward, gazing up into the waterfall as it cascaded down over the moss-covered rocks. She basked in the soothing rustling sound it created. "I shall speak with him, he spared me for a reason. Perhaps it is time for me to finally discover, what that was."
Yoda followed her through the bushes, leaning forward onto his cane. "Heard from others have you?" he asked distantly.
She turned her head down to look at him beside her. "I have heard word from some, yes. Master Vos will not be joining us. He is unwilling to step foot near the darkness again, and for that I respect him."
"A valuable asset Quinlan would have been, shown Vader the way out he could have."
The Togruta master folded her arms as she gazed once more around the room, listening intently to the force. "I have however received confirmation from a much younger, more influential associate," she purred reflectively, stroking her lekku.
"More influential you say, hmmm?" Yoda questioned, intrigued.
She turned back to face him, her black eyes glistening in the lights. "Yes, although they made it abundantly clear, that they only come to help Skywalker. They want no part in constructing a new order," she stated bluntly.
The grand master stroked his chin as he stared up at the Togruta. "Respect their wishes, I will."
• • •
Vader pulled his hood in tight around his face, as he guided his family into the private dining hall. His wife and her handmaiden, were happily conversing behind him, while Obi wan walked with the twins. With a wave of his gloved hand, the massive ornate doors swung open, revealing the luxurious dining chamber.
A large timber table sat in the center, surrounded by twelve wooden chairs, each upholstered with crimson velvet cushions. The sunlight streamed in through the arched windows, dancing off the intricate crystal chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling. His master had always prided himself in being surrounded by unnecessary displays of wealth.
He, however, felt no desire to be immersed in such overt exhibitions of pomp and splendor.
Walking over, the dark lord pulled out the chair next to the head of the table and gestured to Padmè. She smiled up at him. Unable to smile back, he simply nodded his hooded head towards her, as she took her seat.
The rest of the party all sat down, looking around the grand room curiously.
He truly hated this place. Why did he think coming to live here was a good idea? Every room was filled with its own haunting memories, lingering energies and painful reminders. Even this very dining hall.
As he summoned the servant droid from the bell on the mahogany bar, he glanced over to his companions. His mind flashed back to his early days.
His master sat at the head of the table indulging in one of his expensive delicacies, while he, his humble servant stood behind him. Dressed in his abhorrent suit, his respirator hissing in and out continuously, trying desperately to come to terms with his decisions. The memory was as vivid to him, as the image of his family was now.
The first days were the worst. Each day he was tortured with force lightning. He could still feel the searing pain in his muscles, as the energy ripped through him. It was as if his master was trying to continuously beat him into submission. Afraid that he would try and overpower him.
It had worked in the end.
When his body could no longer stand the torment, he finally gave up. Accepting his destiny and ultimately resigning himself to his fate.
It was his own fault. He had lashed out at the Sith Lord, when he rose from the operating table. Reaching out through the force and trying to choke him. It was a foolish move. But in that moment, he knew nothing but pain. He had killed his wife. The very reason he sold his soul to the darkness in the first place.
And it was all his master's doing.
He was the one who said he could help her. He was the one who had promised him the power to save her from death.
The Sith growled. Lies. Everywhere he went he was surrounded by them.
"Anakin, aren't you going to come and sit down?" Padmè asked, staring up at him from her seat.
He roughly pushed his morbid thoughts away, heading back over to his family. Even now, it was hard to remember that she was in fact still alive. Even now, with her angelic face staring up at him, alongside their two amazing children.
He could feel the Jedi's eyes upon him, his critical stare analyzing every movement he made. Pulling out his chair at the head of the table, he sat down, keeping his hood firmly secured over his face. He couldn't risk anyone seeing his true identity, not for the moment anyway.
The service droid clunked over to the table, carrying a small datapad. Its body structure being somewhat similar to C3PO, but where his panels were polished gold, these were a dull grey.
"Welcome my lord I am C4-PD, how may I be of service to you and your guests?"
Vader glared up at the droid from beneath his cloak. "Bring me a Corellian Whiskey and give my family anything they desire," he growled clasping his gloved hands together before him.
"As you wish, Sire," the droid replied, shuffling his way across the room.
Padmè shot him an accusing stare as she noticed the absence of food in his order. When the droid reached her, she decided to take matters into her own hands, determined to get him to eat something.
"And what would you like to order, your Grace," the droid enquired.
"I would like a Bantha steak and a Shaak Pot Roast with a side of five blossom bread," she asked, shooting a knowing glance to her husband beside her.
The dark lord groaned and pulled out his datapad, needing a distraction from his wife's insistence. He flicked through the holofeed, scouring the reports for anything of interest. He suddenly flinched as he felt something brush against his thigh and instinctively looked up. Padmè was staring at him again. He feigned a smile beneath his hood and moved his gloved hand down to caress hers.
"So Anakin," Obi wan said, "When is this meeting you are holding with the governors?"
Vader lifted his gaze from his terminal and stared at the Jedi. "I have instructed them all to meet me at the Senate chambers at 0900 tomorrow morning. Why? Are you interested in joining the Empire, Obi wan?" he replied dryly.
The Jedi smiled at his brother's response. "Not joining it, per se. But I am curious to hear as to what you intend on telling them," he responded.
The protocol droid placed the glass of whiskey down in front of the dark lord and turned to head back to the kitchen.
"Droid," Vader called out, picking up his drink.
"Yes Sire," it replied obediently, spinning back to face the table.
"Bring me the bottle," he hissed.
"At once my lord."
Obi wan stroked his beard as he watched the machine hurry back to the bar.
The dark lord raised his glass to his mouth and drained it, gently lowering the empty vessel back down onto the table. "Yes, it should be quite a show, I expect. I don't believe they are going to react well to the news I have for them," he stated, twisting the glass around in his glove.
The Jedi raised his brow. "Oh, and why is that?" he asked curiously.
C4-PD hurried back to the dining table and placed the bottle down before the dark lord, before hastily scuttling back into the kitchen.
Vader unscrewed the lid and went about refilling his glass. He felt his wife squeeze his leg, and he glanced briefly up at her before continuing. With a dark chuckle he replied, "I am going to decommission the death star and shut down all of the mining facilities that are feeding it."
"The death star?" the Jedi asked bemused, "What in blazes is that?"
Padmè quickly withdrew her hand from her husband's lap and folded her arms on the table. "Yes Anakin, what is that?" she snapped, tapping her foot angrily on the floor.
He didn't miss the angry undertone in her voice. Of course she would be annoyed. He turned his head to gaze at her irritated face. "The death star, my love, is an orbital battle station, currently being constructed on the outskirts of Geonosis. It was one of several pet projectsmy master was working on."
"And what does it do exactly?" she asked.
The dark lord took another drink from his glass before answering. "Currently, it drains every credit from the galactic bank. But its weapon systems are not yet operational, and I have every intention of keeping it that way. If completed it will have the ability to blast any planet into oblivion."
The former senator gasped in shock, throwing her hands up to cover her mouth. "Why would anyone think that a weapon like that would be necessary?" she choked.
"Who knows Padmè," the dark lord replied, shrugging his shoulders and finishing his drink. "It doesn't make any difference anyway, by tomorrow morning I will be signing the order for its destruction."
The Jedi sat watching his brother curiously as the protocol droid began to bring in their food. It placed the plates down on the table and returned to the kitchen to retrieve the rest. Padmè pushed the plate containing the Bantha steak towards her husband, raising her brow at him.
Vader picked up the knife and fork beside the plate and reluctantly sliced off a piece, putting it into his mouth. He chewed on it in disgust, before forcing himself to swallow it. "There, are you happy now?" he asked his wife, placing the cutlery down and pushing the plate away.
Obi wan shook his head as he began to eat his food. Dormè placed her hand on Padmè's shoulder comfortingly and the two women looked at each other in understanding. Luke and Leia munched away at their lunch seemingly oblivious to the entire scene.
The dark lord huffed and rose from his seat, striding over to the arched window with his glass, staring out at the city.
• • •
The early morning sun poured in through the massive glass doors, illuminating the master bedroom. A loud groaning came from beneath the heavy sheets as the dark lord thrashed back and forth in the bed. His torso jerked and his limbs flailed about, moments before the sound of his screams woke him up.
He shot upright in the bed, beads of sweat covering his body. Every muscle ached and his lungs burned with each labored breath.
Will this ever stop? He asked himself, trying to breathe through the pain.
"Ani, what's wrong?" Padmè asked rubbing her eyes.
"Nothing," he groaned dismissively, pushing himself up.
She watched as he staggered into the fresher, noticing the awkwardness of his movement. Pushing the covers away she got up and retrieved her gown, following him.
Vader stood at the sink, hands gripping the marble counter as his amber eyes stared at his reflection in the mirror. Steam filled the room, while the steady stream of hot water poured down the shower drain. She placed her hand comfortingly upon his tense shoulder and felt him shudder at the contact.
"Ani, please, must you continue to shut me out?" she asked wearily.
He closed his eyes and huffed running his flesh hand through his hair. "You won't understand Angel, I'm sorry," he replied distantly.
"I can't if you won't talk to me," she pushed hoping he would listen to her for once.
He spun around to face her, his face contorted with rage. He sucked in a deep breath and firmly gripped her shoulders with both hands. "What do you want me to tell you Padmè?" he yelled in despair, "That every night I relive some tortuous event? That right now every bone in my body is currently on fire from the memory of what he continuously did to me?"
Vader suddenly pushed her body roughly against the wall, pinning her against the tiles by her shoulders, his flaming amber orbs burning with rage. "Or perhaps you would like me to tell you that even when I am awake, I am reminded of all of the death and destruction, that occurred by my own two hands, both during and after the clone wars," he hissed lowly through his clenched teeth.
Tears threatened to fall as she saw the raw despair in his eyes. She could feel his fingers twitching on her shoulder, and she tried to turn her face away from his rampage.
"Well Padmè?" he boomed, lifting his hand and grabbing her jaw, turning her face back towards him. "Tell me NOW! Is that what you want to hear?" he snarled.
Her wide tear filled eyes stared up at him, like a wounded animal awaiting the fatal blow.
"Anakin, I…" she croaked, too stunned by his sudden aggression to move.
The dark lord's bare chest heaved up and down as he battled to regain control. He couldn't lose it, not with her, not like this. He could see she was terrified, those same pleading eyes that haunted him every single night. His hands shaking violently, he slowly pulled back, releasing her shoulders from within his grip. He closed his eyes and tried to steady his heart rate, feeling the fury swelling within his breast. Pushing his trembling fingers hard into his eye sockets, he growled through his teeth, "Just get out Padmè, now, get away from me."
She stood rigidly still, watching him fighting with himself. She desperately wanted to be able to help him. To get him through the crippling pain he was clearly feeling. "Please Anakin, I love you, just let me help you," she begged staying against the wall.
His hands flew from his eyes and slammed into the wall either side of her head, as he thrust his face into hers. "You don't love me Padmè! You are still in love with a man that no longer exists!" he bellowed, completely losing control.
Tears streamed down her face as she watched her husband dissolve into the monster before her eyes. She didn't try to move, unsure as to whether that would help or hinder her situation.
"DADDY STOP!" Luke screamed from the doorway, throwing his hands into the air and pushing in desperation.
"Luke NO!" she cried.
Vader suddenly flew back from his wife and smashed into the fresher cabinet, hitting his head against the mirror, the impact sending shards of glass flying everywhere. His body slumped down ungracefully to the floor, landing with a thud.
"LUKE RUN!" Padmè cried, scrambling to escape before her husband awoke.
She took one last tear filled glance at the unconscious man on the floor, and fled to the twins bedroom. Grabbing their hands she ran them out into the corridor, signaling Obi wan on her comlink.
He answered sleepily, "Padmè, do you have any idea what time it is?" he moaned with a yawn.
"Obi wan, he's flipped out. He had a nightmare and is currently on the floor in the fresher, unconscious. The twins and I are running down the corridors as we speak, but I have no idea where I am going," she screamed, panting heavily.
Her legs numbly carried her forward, passing bronze statue after bronze statue, her bare feet thumping along the marble floor. Her lungs were burning as she tried to get her son as far away from his father as possible.
"WHAT?" the Jedi exclaimed falling out of his bed. He grasped around on the floor fumbling with the comlink. Gripping it tight he ordered, "Get into the nearest turbo lift and take it all the way to the basement. I will get master Yoda to meet you there, while I deal with Anakin."
• • •
The bedroom was deathly silent as Obi wan peered around the door frame. His stormy eyes looking around every corner, in case his brother had come to. "Anakin," he called out stalking towards the disheveled bed.
He heard a pained groan coming from inside the fresher. "Anakin, I'm coming in," he called out trying his best not to startle him. His heart was thumping erratically in his chest, as his mind played out hundreds of different scenarios in his head.
Another groan sounded from the fresher. He poked his head around the corner and glanced into the small room. "Oh by the force," he exclaimed hurrying in to assist him.
The dark lord was slumped over on the floor, his head lulled to the side on the black tiles, sitting in a pool of blood. Each golden wave had turned a strange hue of pink as it soaked up the fluid. He groaned again as he tried to open his eyes.
"Well haven't you made quite a mess of yourself," he chided, kneeling down beside the injured man.
"Just…h-help…me…off…of…these…t-tiles," Vader groaned, trying to shift his legs, "I'm…so…c-c-cold…Obi…w-wan."
He bundled up one of the towels hanging over the rail and tucked it up underneath his head. "Shh, Anakin. Just relax, I'll help you," he cooed, gently lifting his upper body up, to rest back against the cabinet. He grabbed his artificial hand and pressed it to the towel. "Here, hold this against your head, it will slow the bleeding," he whispered.
His eyelids began to flutter open, the crystal blue orbs staring dazedly around the room in confusion. "Where is Padmè? Is she alright?" he mumbled, unable to focus.
"She and the twins are somewhere safe Anakin," he replied sadly, waiting for the moment that reality hit him.
"I…I didn't hurt her, I swear to you. I know I didn't hurt her," he mumbled closing his eyes. The light was blinding, causing his head to pound violently inside his skull.
"I don't know what happened, Anakin. She hasn't told me anything," he stated moving his hands underneath the dark lord's arms. "Here, let's get you up off the floor, shall we."
Vader's feet slipped on his blood, causing him to momentarily lose his footing. "E chuta!" he hissed trying to reach for the cabinet.
Obi wan caught him before he fell, and gradually guided him over towards the bed. He gently laid him down, making sure the towel stayed firmly pressed against his head.
The Sith groaned, pulling one of his knees up towards his chest. "She wouldn't listen to me," he grumbled squeezing his eyes tight. "I tried to warn her, but she wouldn't listen."
"What happened Anakin?" he asked curiously, "How did you end up on the floor?"
He groaned again lifting his flesh hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose, and let out a soft chuckle. "I could be wrong," he croaked in something akin to amusement, "But I am pretty sure it was Luke."
Obi wan cocked his brow, "You must have hit your head pretty hard," he quipped with a smirk.
His hazy blue eyes drifted open, as he slowly shuffled his way up into a sitting position. "I'm not joking, Obi wan," he said seriously, trying to focus on his brother's face. "The last thing I remember, Luke was yelling out at me and then everything went dark."
"Well, he is your son Anakin. So I guess I shouldn't be too surprised," he replied, watching the Sith intently. "I just hope you haven't damaged your relationship with him as a result."
Vader pulled the towel away from his head, and reached his flesh hand up into his hair, to feel for the injury. Lowering his hand back down in front of his face, he rubbed the blood between his fingers and stared at it. "I hope not," he muttered distantly.
Obi wan got up from the bed and held his hand out, "Come on, let's get you to the medic to get stitched up. Then we can go over what happened and try and sort this mess out," he offered.
The dark lord took his hand and slowly got up to his feet. "Perhaps they'll have something to stop my headache, so I can actually think straight," he muttered staggering upright.
"I'm sure they will."
• • •
Padmè paced back and forth in the temple meditation chamber, muttering to herself.
"Sit down you should, worry you need not," Yoda said sitting with the twins, watching her in concern.
"I shouldn't worry?" she snapped, turning to stare at the grand master with her arms crossed. "My Sith-Emperor-Jedi husband, just had some sort of nervous breakdown, and my untrained, force-wielding son, somehow managed to launch him across the room, smashing his head into a mirror! I'd say I have every reason to be worried!"
Luke stared up at his mother with tears in his eyes, "You don't think he will be too angry at me, do you mummy?" he cried. "I was only trying to protect you."
She threw her head into her hands and sighed, "Oh Luke, you sound so much like him, when you say things like that. But no, I don't think he'll be angry at you." At least I hope he isn't, she thought to herself.