Anakin and Padme slowly sat up, both a little winded. Standing up and brushing themselves off, they surveyed their surroundings. This forest happened to look a lot like the one that Anakin had appeared in after his death. The grass was fresh, green, and very long and thick. Trees towered above them, and the sun washed over them with its warm golden light. Wildflowers popped up from the rich soil in every color of the rainbow. A brook wound through the trees, whistling merrily. Birds chirped happily, and squirrels and other such creatures scampered about, collecting nuts and going about their day jobs.

Anakin glanced at Padme, who seemed to be deep in thought. They were silent for a minute, until Padme's eyes lit up.

"I know where we are!" She exclaimed. "We are in the forest beside the royal palace. I used to come here all the time. It shouldn't take very long to get to a space shuttle."

Anakin closed his eyes for a long second. After a moment, he opened them.

"This way," he said quietly, and set off, with Padme right behind him. After about twenty minutes, they reached the edge of the forest, where the royal palace stood. This time, Padme took the lead, as the former queen of Naboo knew her way around the city.

Anakin bought a space shuttle(for they had a lot of money in their bags, perhaps an endless supply), and they took off, heading for Coruscant. The pair sat quietly next to each other, thinking about their next moves.

"I know the code for the commander's comlink," Anakin said, deep in thought. "I could contact him, tell him that I survived, and that I'm coming to meet him. He will immediately tell me where they are located, I am sure of it. They are all terrified of me." Anakin smirked.

Padme nodded. "That seems like a good plan. I will stay in Coruscant, and find Luke and Leia. I will help the Rebel Alliance, and get a comlink so that I can contact you when I figure out what the Republic's next moves are. Then, you can arrange the Imperial troops accordingly. Make sure that you act the part of Darth Vader, Anakin. It will be terrible for us if you are revealed."

"I know, I know." Anakin rolled his eyes teasingly. "You're starting to sound a lot like Obi-Wan, Senator Amidala. I know what to do. I can handle this."

Padme laughed. "Well, I had to make sure. You never know, Anakin. That's why I came. To keep you out of trouble." She laughed.

"So, I guess I have to put the stupid suit on?" Anakin sighed loudly. "No one has every realized how hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable that suit is. Everyone just assumes I love it."

Padme giggled and leaned into her husband. "Well, you did look pretty scary in the suit, Lord Vader. Everyone assumed that you were evil, and that you liked frightening and killing people. You do frighten people in that suit."

Anakin sighed dramatically again. "Fine, I'll put it on now." He trudged reluctantly over to his duffel bag, and retrieved the black suit. Pulling it out, he tugged it on, piece by piece, grumbling all the while.

Finally, he finished, and turned around for Padme to see. She gasped in surprise.

"Anakin! Oh my gosh! It looks so real!" She exclaimed. Then, she shivered a little. "Good thing it's you in there, Ani, or else I would be really scared."

A chuckle came out from under the black mask. "How about my voice? Does it sound like it used to, when I was Vader?"

Padme nodded. "Quite. Except a little more kind."

Anakin laughed. "Okay, let me try this." He cleared his throat and stood up to his full height. "You underestimate the power of the Dark Side!"

Padme started, and then teasingly hid her face and scooted backwards in her seat. "Okay, now that was definitely scary. You don't need to prove your acting skills to me any more, Ani, I got it!"

Anakin took off his mask and revealed his dark blonde curls again. "I'm going to take it off. I'll meet my children, and then put on this damned suit. I hate it! It brings back too many terrible memories."

He buried his face in his hands. "I killed so many people, Padme! I slaughtered them like animals! I gave them no mercy. None! So many people are dead because of me! So many families mourned dead ones they loved- all because of me! Oh, Padme..."

Padme rose and put her arms around Anakin. Her warmth was comforting to Anakin's cold body. "Ani, look at me. Please."

He raised his head slowly, looking at her with teary eyes.

"I will admit that you did many terrible things. But you came back to us in the end. You saved Luke, and the Rebel Alliance. All is forgiven, Ani. Forget the past, and continue doing good. Relieving the horrifying memories of the past won't do you any good- it will only destroy you. Just promise me that you will never turn to the Dark Side again. I don't want to lose you."

"Of course, Padme, I promise." Anakin wrapped his arms around her and held her. "I love you, my angel," he murmured softly. "More than anything in the world."

She tightened her grip on him. "I love you too, Anakin."

A few minutes later, they arrived in Coruscant, and set down on the planet's main landing location. When they got off the space shuttle, people stared at them, as if they knew who they were, they just couldn't remember. Anakin had taken off the black suit and mask. He now wore dark robes, and a hood over his face. He and Padme both grabbed their stuff and headed over to the newly built Jedi Temple, where they had guessed that the remaining Rebels had gathered, planning their next moves. The Jedi Temple seemed empty and deserted, but Anakin sensed that hundreds, thousands of people were inside.

He strode confidently up to the guard standing in front of the entrance. "I need to see Princess Leia and Jedi Luke Skywalker," he said firmly.

"I am sorry, sir, but they are not here. The temple is currently empty.

Anakin gritted his teeth and leaned in. "I'm not a fool. The rebel survivors of the attack are inside."

The guard trembled. "I-I-I-I don't know what you are talking about, sir."

"I need to see Luke and Leia Skywalker right now." Anakin repeated in a deadly voice. "Search us, do whatever you want, but you must take us to see them. If you do not, then you will face my wrath."

The guard shook. "W-W-W-Who should I say wants to see them?"

"Tell them that two people close to them have arrived, and need to see them."

The guard withdrew his comlink, and glancing nervously at Anakin, with sweat gathering on his forehead, said in a shaky voice: "T-Two people are d-demanding to see the princess and Jedi Luke Skywalker. Th-they say that they are close to the Jedi and the princess. P-Please arrange for them to see them; things are not looking good for me."

After hearing the news, Princess Leia Skywalker glanced at her brother Luke. She could see that he was worried as well. What did these people want? What would happen if they refused? After some thought, she spoke to the completely silent room.

"My brother and I will go see these strangers. I fear that if we refuse, terrible things will be in store for us. It will be safer for us to go. However, we should take a few guards, just in case the intentions of these two are dishonorable."

Everyone in the room nodded, agreeing. Five rebels stood up, holding their blasters tightly. "We will accompany you and Master Skywalker," they said, determination written clearly across their faces.

"Thank you," Leia said. She and her brother rose. "Please radio the guard, and tell him that we are coming. Wait here, and come quickly if you sense anything wrong."

Everyone nodded again as Luke and Leia left the room.

Anakin and Padme stood silently, awaiting an answer, while the guard twitched nervously. Finally his comlink beeped. "Princess Leia and Master Skywalker are coming."

The guard gave an audible sigh of relief, as Anakin and Padme glanced at each other in anticipation.

After a few minutes, the doors slid open, revealing their children and 5 guards. Anakin winced when he thought about the last time he had seen Leia, as Vader. She was even more beautiful than before. He dark curls were wound around her head, she wore battle clothes, and her face was set with determination. Luke looked the same; the splitting image of his father. His blond hair was cropped neatly, and his blue eyes shone with courage. Padme was speechless at the sight of her children. A tear slipped from her eye.

Anakin slowly drew back his hood, revealing his dark blonde locks and blue eyes. Recovering herself, Padme did the same.

Luke started, and then stared at them in amazement. He was completely silent. Leia looked at him, confused. "What is it, Luke?"

"Dad?" Luke stepped forward, looked shocked. "Mom?"

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