Am I on a roll or what?!

I don't own Star Wars, I just made another AU corner to use.

Chapter 25: The Truth About Vader

"So, he really did it. Palpatine really turned our Republic into an Empire," Padmé said sadly. They were now sitting comfortably in the living area of the small apartment like quarters Zion Turmek had provided them for the night.

"I'm afraid so, Padmé," Obi-Wan replied.

"Yes, I was forced to flee Mandalore as well or face execution. That's how I found myself on Tatooine with Obi-Wan, thanks to Master Windu letting me know where he was," Satine added, as she held their sleeping daughter.

Luke and Leia listened to everything intently, as they sat with their parents. And even Han was intrigued by the stories of the Clones Wars. He couldn't help but be fascinated, since he was about seven when the Clone Wars broke out and he grew up hearing stories. He refused to admit it, but now that one of his childhood idols stood before him alive and well, he was a little star struck.

Everyone who remembered the Clone Wars knew about Anakin Skywalker, the Hero With No Fear. He was responsible for saving countless lives and landing huge victories against the Separatists. Han remembered how upset he was when he was just ten-years-old and had learned that Anakin Skywalker had supposedly been killed, along with his secret wife, Senator Padmé Amidala. He remembered the stories being all over the Holonet for weeks. And now that he was face to face with his childhood hero, he wasn't sure exactly how to act around him. Still, he listened to every word, because he was secretly fascinated.

"But what about the other Jedi? What happened to everyone?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan had been dreading that question.

"Anakin, we were betrayed. The Clone army was never really under our control. Palpatine had the ability to take control back anytime he wanted. He executed Order 66 and the Clones turned on their Jedi commanders. Most in the field were killed by them. Master Yoda, Mace, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, Quinlan Vos and I were the only ones that managed to escape that I know of. And Rex is the only Clone we know of that defied his programming," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin was silent for a moment, trying to manage the grief he was feeling. He hesitated in asking, but he had to know.

"And those in the Temple?" he asked. Padmé placed her hands comfortingly on his shoulders.

"Vader and Malgus stormed the Temple with a battalion of Clones. Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura and a few other Masters managed to hide in the medical ward with a few Knights and some younglings. They were the only survivors," Qui-Gon replied, quietly.

"So...Master Dooku...?" Anakin hesitated asking.

Qui-Gon nodded sadly, "But he managed to take Malgus with him."

"And Master Windu? He came to me after Anakin was injured," Padmé said.

"Master Windu survived and he is waiting for us on Yavin IV, along with Shmi, Owen and Beru. He had to take them there after he saved them from the Storm Troopers that were headed to the farm, looking for Artoo," Obi-Wan said.

"Why does the Empire want our Artoo?" Padmé asked.

"Because I hid the plans for the Death Star in him," Leia answered.

"The Death Star?" Anakin asked.

"It's Palpatine's ultimate weapon. A space station with enough fire power to destroy a single planet with one blast. They have already demonstrated its power on Alderaan," Qui-Gon said.

"Alderaan? They destroyed Alderaan?!" Padmé asked in horror.

"Yes, I'm afraid so," Obi-Wan replied. Padmé turned to Leia and took her in her arms, and she gratefully accepted her mother's embrace.

"So, that's it. You, me, Snips, Master Windu, Master Yoda, and everyone you mentioned are all that's left of the Jedi," Anakin said sadly, as he turned to Rex.

"And you defied your programming?" he asked. Rex smiled.

"A wise Jedi once told me that I may be a Clone, but I'm not a drone and I always have a choice. I'm afraid my brothers weren't imparted with such wisdom," he replied.

"Wait...you mean those guys in the white armor are Clones?" Luke asked.

"Yes, and technically I am too. But when Order 66 was initiated, I fought it, because I didn't believe in what it was telling me to do. I'm not a murderer, despite what I was originally programmed to do. But your Father is the reason I was able to fight it, because he treated me like a friend and not just another look alike soldier," Rex explained.

"Thank you Rex, for looking after our Luke for all these years for us," Padmé said. He smiled.

"It's been my honor, milady. He's one great kid," Rex replied.

"Yes, he has become an exceptional young man, and I feel it is imperative that we train Luke," Obi-Wan said. Anakin smiled and nodded.

"Obi-Wan and I are getting too old for this sort of thing, Anakin. I think you should train Luke and then when he is ready, he will make the journey to Degobah to seek out Master Yoda as part of his trials," Qui-Gon said. Anakin nodded and Luke smiled, at the prospect of training with his father.

"Yeah, you are getting old. But aren't you going to train Annie when she gets old enough?" he asked.

"We haven't made a decision about that yet," Satine replied. Obi-Wan smirked.

"Her count is high enough, but Satine isn't crazy about it," Obi-Wan replied.

"Well, she's still young and that leaves us with the question of Leia's training," Anakin said.

"Me? But I'm not like Luke," Leia replied. Anakin smiled at her.

"Yes you are and you feel the Force just as strongly as he does. Haven't you always been able to feel certain things and read people exceptionally well?" he asked. She nodded.

"Is that why I used to see you in my dreams when I was a little girl?" she asked. He nodded

"That's exactly why. I take it you probably take after your Mother and you want to continue in politics. If you're anything like her, which I'm positive you are, then you're probably a fantastic diplomat. But if you want me to, I can at least train you in the basics. It can be up to you about how much you want to learn," Anakin told her. She smiled.

"I'd like that," she said.

"So, I'm really going to train to be a Jedi?" Luke asked excitedly.

"That's right, if it's what you want," Anakin replied.

"Of course!" Luke exclaimed, making Anakin chuckle, before turning to Obi-Wan. He had one more question, one that they were both dreading.

"So, Vader is still Palpatine's apprentice?" he asked. Obi-Wan sighed sadly.

"Yes, just after Master Windu left for Polis Massa with you and Padmé, I confronted him on Mustafar. He had just finished killing the Separatist leaders when I intercepted him and a battle between us ensued," Obi-Wan began.

"Did you...feel anything?" Anakin asked cautiously.

"No, I'm afraid there are no redeeming qualities, I'm sorry," Obi-Wan replied.

"Redeeming qualities? Why would you care about Vader?" Leia asked, her eyes blazing.

"You didn't tell them?" Anakin asked.

"I thought that would be a little overwhelming," Obi-Wan replied.

"What about Vader? Did you know him before he was put in that suit?" Luke asked.

"Suit?" Anakin asked, his eyes widening.

"Vader was severally burned in our fight on Mustafar, almost beyond recognition. He is now more machine than man and has to live inside a life support suit," Obi-Wan said. Padmé put her hand to her mouth.

"I don't understand, what aren't you telling us about Vader?" Luke asked. Tears began to fall down Padmé's cheeks.

"Oh Ani," she cried, as Anakin pulled her into his arms. He took a deep breath, as he looked at the expectant faces of his two children.

"Not long after your mother and I were married, I had to go off to war. During mine and Obi-Wan's first mission, a Sith Assassin lured me to Yavin IV and we fought. I managed to defeat her, then I faced my final trial as a Jedi in a dark cave. Inside...I saw..." Anakin said, trying to continue. Obi-Wan put his hand up and took it upon himself to continue.

"Anakin saw a vision of Padmé dying while giving birth to you. He also saw Vader, but didn't know who or what he was..." Obi-Wan said.

"Wait, Dad saw Vader in a vision even though he didn't exist yet?" Luke questioned.

"The Force works in mysterious ways, but we must always trust in it. The visions took Anakin to Mustafar, where he saw himself and Padmé talking. But it was a dark future; in that time, Anakin had turned to the dark side..." Qui-Gon continued, making Luke and Leia gasp.

"I knew that that version of myself had become obsessed with his fear over the vision of Padmé dying, that Palpatine took advantage of it and made him think that turning would give him the power to save her. But I knew it wouldn't. The dark side promises power, but the cost is your soul, until the person you once were is gone," Anakin said.

"And that's what Vision Anakin didn't realize. His medicine was Padmé's poison; turning to the dark side would've killed her," Qui-Gon added.

"The vision went further and Anakin saw me and himself fighting, where he was defeated and burned, then placed inside Vader's suit..." Obi-Wan trailed off. Luke and Leia's eyes widened in horror.

"Vader could've been me, but since I saw it, I vowed that I wouldn't let it happen. But Palpatine prepared for that possibility..." Anakin trailed off, removing the glove on his right hand, revealing his prosthetic arm.

"Palpatine's apprentice at the time, Darth Malgus, managed to cut off Anakin's arm during one of our encounters with him. After we escaped, he took his severed arm to Kamino," Qui-Gon said.

"Kamino is the place where all the Clones were created, right?" Leia asked.

"Yes Leia, you know your history well," Obi-Wan replied.

"I don't get it. What does that have to do with Vader?" Luke asked.

"For a long time, I thought Palpatine was my friend. I trusted him, looked up to him, and even supported him. I couldn't see what he was really doing though, none of us could. The Force told me to be wary of him, and I listened. Originally, Palpatine did want me as his apprentice. Somehow, he knew about my secret marriage to your mother and he would have used her against me somehow...and succeeded. But he must have seen some sort of flaw in that plan, so he needed a new apprentice...one with my blood," Anakin said, choking back a sob. It suddenly dawned on Luke and Leia what Palpatine had done with their father's severed hand.

"You mean..." Luke trailed off, not sure if he could say it.

"Vader is..." the horror of the implications was just too much for Leia.

"Vader is a clone of Anakin. So, seeing the evil version of himself brought to life must've been more than a shock for your Father," Obi-Wan told them. Luke and Leia sat there stunned for a moment.

"We should try to all get some sleep now. Tomorrow morning, we need to head out for Yavin IV," Qui-Gon said.

"What's on Yavin IV?" Anakin asked.

"The Rebel Base. We need to get the Death Star plans that are inside Artoo there, so we can begin searching for a weakness," Leia said.

"I suppose they'll need pilots for a mission like that," Anakin said. Obi-Wan laughed.

"Yes Anakin, I'm sure they will gladly welcome your expertise," he replied. Padmé hugged both her children and smiled at them.

"Leia...I know Alderaan was your home. And I want you to know that your Father and I are here for you if you need us," she said. Leia hugged her mother.

"Thank you," she replied. Anakin smiled, as he put his arm around Padmé and they retired to their bedroom for the night. There were three other rooms left. Leia took one, Obi-Wan and Satine took another, Rex and Luke shared the last, while Han opted for the large sofa and Chewie bunked down on a floor cushion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sometime later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anakin smiled as he watched his wife brush out her curls, while sitting by the window. There was nothing out there to see but rain and even if there had been, he would always find her much more interesting than anything.

Lightning flashed and thunder boomed every once in a while, but Padmé looked happy now and that's what mattered to him. Obi-Wan had informed him earlier that he and Artoo had to "crash" their ship in order to make the galaxy believe that he and Padmé were really dead almost eighteen years ago. He chuckled, at her earlier reaction when she had found that Obi-Wan had salvaged some of their clothes, meaning mostly hers, and a few of her personal items, which Satine had kept safe for her all these years.

She had been absolutely giddy when she found that he had salvaged her keepsake box containing his old padawan braid, the japor snippet he had made for her, the silver locket he'd gotten her, and her lightsaber. She had brightened considerably and it had cheered her up immensely.

"You're laughing at me," she chided playfully. He came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I'd never laugh at you. I just love seeing you happy, especially with everything we've been through," Anakin replied, as he kissed her bare shoulder.

"I still can't believe it Anakin. They're all grown up. We missed everything," she said sadly.

"Hey, we have not missed everything. We can still be a family. Palpatine won't take anymore away from us, not this time. We're going to stop him now and make him pay for everything he's done, I promise," Anakin told her, as he wrapped her in his arms.

"I love you so much and now I don't have to hide it anymore," he told her.

"I know, we can finally be completely open about our marriage, just like we've always wanted. And we have two beautiful, amazing kids. I love you too," she replied, as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss grew deeper and their lips moved passionately over one another's. Anakin lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Next Morning~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Padmé was in the kitchen, cutting some fresh fruit that Zion Turmek had provided them along with some pastries for a quick breakfast before their departure. Everyone gathered around the table and Padmé sat down with them.

"Obi-Wan, I want to thank you for retrieving my keepsake box from my ship all those years ago. And to you Satine, for keeping it safe for me. It really means a lot to me," she said.

"You're welcome Padmé. We knew that it had some very special things inside," he replied. Padmé nodded and touched the japor snippet around her neck.

"That's beautiful Mom, where did you get it?" Leia asked.

"Your Father made it for me, when he was just a little boy," Padmé replied, smiling at her husband. Han got up from the table after finishing and motioned for Chewie to follow.

"We're going to go prep the ship. We'll leave soon," he said.

"Artoo, go with them and help them check the ship over," Anakin said. Artoo whirred obediently.

"Look, I don't need this little rust bucket's help. I got it," Han replied testily.

"I wasn't doubting your abilities, Captain. But you will be carrying my family aboard your ship, so I am only taking extra precautions," Anakin replied calmly.

"Fine, whatever. Come on," Han said, as he motioned for Artoo.

"You know, you don't have to be such an ass!" Leia said, standing up. She'd just about had it with the Captain's attitude.

"Look your worship, I'd love to stand here and argue with you all day, but I've got important things to do. So why don't you go do whatever little princesses like you do and mind your own business," Han replied.

"Why you...asshole!" Leia screamed. Han simply rolled his eyes and left for the docking bay.

Padmé giggled a little to herself. Boy, did they sound familiar. She looked around at the other three men and wasn't surprised to see that they hadn't picked up on anything. Satine smiled quietly, indeed noticing what Padmé had noticed.

When she and Ani were together on Naboo, they argued more than a little. She also remembered Anakin telling her how Obi-Wan and Satine bickered terribly too, almost at a ridiculous level.

If Padmé was right, then she suspected her daughter was a little attracted to Captain Solo and was a little angry with herself for it. She suspected Leia was angry at herself for being attracted to a rugged space pilot for hire and that the Captain was also frustrated with himself for being attracted to a privileged young woman like Leia. The attraction was there, but it would be interesting to see where it went, if anywhere at all. While pondering those thoughts, she turned her attention to the conversation at the table.

After everyone was finished, they packed up and headed for the docking bay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Han finished checking the underside of the ship, while Threepio was loading their things. Suddenly, the blast doors opened and about a dozen storm troopers entered. The Empire had tracked them down.

"Great, just what we need. We've got company!" Han called to his passengers, as the storm troopers raised their blasters.

"Freeze!" they called.

"Luke, get your mother and sister on the ship," Anakin ordered. Obi-Wan ushered Satine and Annie up the ramp, before drawing his lightsaber.

"But what about..." Luke stopped when he felt the lightsaber on his belt fly off and into his father's hand and he looked on with wide eyes. He knew he was supposed to get on the ship, but he wanted to see his Father in action for the first time.

"I thought these guys used to be on our side," Anakin quipped.

"Either that or we used to be on their side," Obi-Wan quipped back.

"Right or left?" Anakin asked. Ahsoka rolled her eyes. Some things never changed.

"Right," Obi-Wan answered.

"Good, I always liked the left better," Anakin replied, as they began blocking the blaster bolts. Rex drew his blaster and started firing, while Padmé stood near her children.

Using the Force, Padmé pulled a blaster from one of the Trooper's hands and it flew into her grasp. Anakin would have preferred that she just get on the ship, but he knew her better than that. Luke watched in amazement as his Mother began firing, picking off three Troopers instantly. But he was more surprised that she used the Force.

Anakin flipped into the center of a cluster of them and swung his saber, taking several down at once. They finished the last of them, just as more began to crowd through the door. Obi-Wan took down several dozen more, before ushering Luke and Leia up the ramp.

"There's too many," he called, so Ahsoka and Rex ran up the ramp.

"Go!" Anakin called, as he grabbed Padmé's hand. Once they and Obi-Wan were inside, Han quickly closed the door. Obi-Wan strapped in and Anakin headed for the cockpit. The ship lurched as it was hit by enemy fire. Han blasted out of the hanger and through the rainy atmosphere. Several TIE fighters swarmed around them and the ship rocked, as it took another hit.

"Damn, I just can't shake 'em," Han said, as the ship was rocked with another hit.

"Let me take the controls," Anakin said.

"You're not flyin' my ship!" Han fumed.

"If you want to live to fly your ship another day, you'll let me get us out of this!" Anakin argued back. Han threw up his hands and switched to the co-pilot chair. Anakin quickly put a headset on and started flipping switches and taking the controls as if he knew the ship like the back of his hand. He then began weaving through the oncoming fighters.

"What do we have tailing us?" Anakin asked.

"At least a dozen TIE fighters," Han replied. Anakin flipped on the comm.

"Snips, can you and Padmé get on the cannons?" he called.

"We're on our way," Padmé replied.

"You're gonna let your wife try to shoot down TIE fighters?" Han asked incredulously.

"Don't underestimate her, Captain. She's an excellent shot. You should be worried about the TIE fighters," Anakin replied. Han looked skeptical, but she surprised him when he saw three TIE fighters disappear from the scanner almost instantly after she took the canons. Ahsoka was dropping them fast too and seeing that they had it under control, Anakin jammed the throttle down to get speed and distance on them. He began quickly flipping switches and getting them ready for hyperspace.

"How the hell do you know how to fly this ship?" Han asked, though he shouldn't have been surprised, considering he was considered the best pilot in the galaxy during the Clone Wars.

"It's Corellian freighter, right?" Anakin asked. Han nodded.

"I've flown quite a few Corellian ships before. Not anything quite like this design, but the controls are similar," he elaborated.

"I'm getting ready to take us into hyperspace. Get back to the cabin and strap in," he called into the comm. Padmé and Ahsoka did so and Anakin jettisoned them into hyperspace. Once they were safely in hyperspace, Anakin left the cockpit and went back into the cabin.

"That was some very nice shooting, angel. You too Snips," he said, as he wrapped his arms around Padmé.

"Well, I guess I had a pretty good teacher," Ahsoka replied.

"That was some very nice piloting you did as well," Padmé replied, as she kissed him tenderly.

"I set the course for Yavin IV. We should be there in a few hours," Anakin said, as he and Padmé sat down next to Luke, Leia and Obi-Wan. Han and Chewie came back not long after that to pass the time with a game. The Skywalkers spent their time talking and getting to know each other more, along with their friends.

"Ben, my Aunt and Uncle were taken to the Yavin base, right?" Luke asked.

"Yes, they are safe there," Obi-Wan replied. Luke nodded, knowing that he and his Uncle would have to talk. He wanted to ask him why he had withheld so many secrets from him. He understood why Leia's adopted father had to keep the truth from her. His planet was too close to the core worlds and he had to make sure there was no suspicion as to who she really was. His situation was different and he felt that his Uncle owed him a little explanation...

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