Vader's second chance
A Star wars story
Chapter 15
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.
Hello there! Welcome to chapter 15 everybody! Before I give you a summary of this little adventure I'd like to apologize for the delay. This took a ridiculous amount of time to actually write. Anyways, on with the plot. Today's chapter is going to focus on the meeting between Padme and Luke, as well as a small conversation Luke has with Vader about his mother. There really isn't anything else going on in the galaxy right now and it seems like the perfect time to have Luke and Padme meet. As a final note, this entire chapter will be told from Luke's POV. Anyhow, I don't want to bore you guys with anymore exposition so let's jump straight into it.
Coruscant, 500 Republica building, Luke's point of view:
Anakin and I had just arrived to 500 Republica, the building where most Senators resided when they were on Coruscant. A man wearing a blue version of the Imperial Royal Guard's uniform stepped in front of us and requested we identify ourselves and explain the reason behind our visit. Anakin responded instantly, seemingly used to this kind of thing.
Anakin- Anakin Skywalker and Luke Lars, requesting to see Senator Padme Amidala.
Security Officer-May I ask why, sir?
Anakin-Jedi matters.
Security Officer-Of couse, Master Skywalker. You may pass.
Anakin-Thank you.
After entering the first floor of the building, if it can be called a "first floor" considering how the buildings are on Coruscant, we took the elevator and headed upwards. A couple minutes later Anakin and I stepped out of the machine and started navigating the hallways of the massive building in an attempt to reach Padme's apartment.
Luke-So, do you know where we're going?
Anakin-Yes, I do. We're just taking the longest way possible.
Luke-You are nervous aren't you?
Anakin-Why wouldn't I be? It's not like my future son, who is older than me, suddenly appeared in my life and told me that one of my best friends, no, my father figure is a manipulative Sith Lord.
Luke-Well, you once mentioned that you were more relaxed when Padme was around. Maybe this visit will help you calm down.
Anakin-I sure hope it does. I'm stressed as hell right now.
Luke-At least you are being honest.
Anakin-Yes, son, I am being honest.
Luke-Ugh, I'm just messing around.
Anakin-Clearly you got that from my side of the family.
Luke-Clearly.
Anakin suppressed a chuckle and we continued making our way to Mother's apartment. When we finally reached it, another security officer, Captain Typho, was there to greet us.
Captain Typho-Master Skywalker, to what do I owe the pleasure?
Anakin-I'm just here to see the Senator, Captain. I would like to introduce my new friend, Luke Lars, to her.
Captain Typho-Very well. You may proceed.
Anakin-Thanks Captain.
Captain Typho-You're welcome sir!
The Captain opened the door for us and we found ourselves at the entrance of a hallway. We continued walking silently until we reached the end. Anakin stopped me mid step and I asked him if something was wrong.
Anakin-Nothing's wrong. I'm just trying to figure out how to tell her.
Luke-You'll do fine. Besides, you got me there to help you out.
Anakin-I sure do. At least I know who to blame for your sass.
Luke-Who?
Anakin-Obi Wan of course! There hasn't been a day since the war started where he hasn't made a sarcastic comment about something.
Luke-Actually, I'm thinking it's your genes.
Anakin-Really now?
Luke-Really.
Anakin-Let's just go in.
Luke-Yeah, let's not keep the lecture waiting.
Anakin-Oh, Force. Now I know where you got the attitude from.
Luke-As I said, it's just your genes.
Anakin-Padme's going to kill me.
Luke-I'm debating whether I should do that.
Anakin-Just knock already!
Luke-Fine, fine! I see where Leia got her temper from.
I knocked on the door and Padme answered. Anakin spoke first, trying to introduce me.
Anakin-Senator Amidala.
Padme-Knight Skywalker. I'm glad to see you are alright. Who is your friend?
Anakin-This is Luke. We need to talk about something very important.
Padme-Of course, Knight Skywalker, of course.
Padme showed us in and I was instantly amazed. I had never seen a room like this in my entire life! It was crazy! Everything was full of color, there were beautiful rugs covering the floor and the view from the balcony was simply fascinating. I caught myself staring out of the window, not being able to stop looking at the view it provided.
Anakin-Um, Luke? Remember, we're here to talk with Padme.
Luke-Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. This is the first time I've ever been in this kind of place.
Padme-It's alright Luke, don't you worry.
Luke-Thanks.
Anakin-Anyways, we aren't here on behalf of the Council or anyone else. I need to tell you something.
Padme looked at Anakin and then tilted her head slightly, indicating that I was in the room with them. Anakin caught on and was quick to reassure her.
Anakin-Padme, he knows. It's fine.
Padme-How did he…
Anakin-That's what I want to talk about.
Padme-Go ahead then.
Anakin-Okay, it's going to sound crazy but…Luke is from the future.
Padme-What?
Anakin-He claims the Force brought him back to stop something bad from happening. The Council believes this, and I do too.
Padme-Is it a Force thing?
Anakin-Yes, the Force is telling us that he isn't lying.
Padme-Okay…Luke can I ask you something?
Luke-Sure thing.
Padme-What happens to us? I mean, at the end of the war?
Luke-Well, the war only lasted three years. Not a lot of time, but it was enough for Palpatine to put his plan in action. He "reorganized" the republic into "the first Galactic Empire" as he said. Things don't go very well. You don't make it and Anakin... well. He isn't in the best mood afterwards. He only came back after he learned I was alive to help me fight the Emperor…and he died in that fight.
Padme-That's…terrible. Can we stop this?
Luke-Already working on that.
Anakin-That's not the only thing we want to talk about.
Padme-What else is there?
Anakin-Luke's last name is Skywalker.
Padme-So he is…
Luke-Yeah, I'm your son.
Padme-Oh, Luke!
Padme immediately dragged me into a hug and we stayed there for a good minute or two. After that she finally spoke and for the first time I understood what Leia meant. She really was "very beautiful but very sad". Her expression changed into one of regret, and it was for something that she had no say in.
Luke-Mom…
Padme-How did I die? Why didn't Anakin know? What could have kept us from you?
Luke-The Empire. Darth Vader, who was a friend of yours at the time, discovered that a Sith Lord named Sidious was the one that killed you. Unfortunately, he discovered it years later and could do nothing to stop the Emperor at the time.
Padme-Darth…Vader? But he's here too! Owen mentioned that he was on Tatooine!
Luke-You guys met Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru?
Padme-Yes, we did. We met a couple months ago when we went to free your grandmother.
Luke-Free her?
Anakin-Luke…
Luke-Oh, I remember! Ugh…I'm sorry I asked.
Anakin-She actually didn't need a rescue after all! Vader was the one that saved her.
Luke-Vader saved her?
Padme-Uh, Luke?
Luke-Yeah?
Padme-About Vader…who is he?
Luke-I don't know much about him. He was a friend of yours and knew Anakin very well. I don't know his name, if that's what you are asking, but I do know how he fell.
Anakin-Really? Then, we can prevent it!
Luke-I don't think we'll need to do that, but I'll tell you guys if we have to.
Padme-What happened to him?
Luke-It's his story to tell. What's up with him anyways?
Anakin-Well…he's the leader of the Separatist Alliance. Basically, he's the enemy.
Padme-That's a technicality. He's not so bad. I mean, he hasn't killed a single Jedi yet. So, not so bad for Sith standards I suppose.
Anakin-Agreed. He even threatened Dooku when he cut of my arm. And he saved my mother. And he let me and Obi Wan escape his grasp.
Padme-We aren't sure about the last one.
Luke-I am. In my time, nobody could escape Vader. If you were a Rebel and came in contact with him, you were as good as dead. Once he ripped an army apart just so he could get to me. And try to kill me.
Anakin-He tried to kill you?
Luke-In his defense, he didn't know who I was.
Padme-Why would he care?
Luke-Well, you two were friends. I guess he missed you and didn't want to lose the last link he had to you.
Anakin-Do you know if he had feelings for Padme?
Luke-I guess so. I could never tell what he was thinking. I'm pretty sure he did, because he mentioned something about respecting what she had.
Padme-I'll keep an eye out for him.
Luke-I don't think we should bother him. I mean, he's just a Jedi at this point in the timeline. He hasn't done anything yet.
Anakin-Still, we should be cautious.
Luke-We can agree on that. We can't let Palpatine know about my relation to you guys, or the fact that I'm from the future.
Padme-I'll do what I can in the Senate. And Anakin and you can work with the Council in the meantime.
Anakin-Speaking of the Council…they know.
Padme-They know? What did they say?
Anakin-Masters Secura, Mundi, Yoda and Koon had no problem with it and even congratulated me. Windu didn't voice his opinion, not that I care and Obi Wan was extremely supportive. They'll keep the secret to themselves.
Padme-That's great! We don't have to hide anymore!
Mother's eyes flashed with happiness and I let them have their moment. I told them I was going back to the Temple and I left them alone, trying not to think about any celebrations that might take place. When I returned to the Temple I was greeted by Ben, who escorted me to the quarters he and Anakin share and told me that he was taking me on as a Padawan, because I hadn't completed my training. Despite knowing that Master Yoda told me that after I faced Vader I would be a true Jedi I didn't object at all, since I had the feeling I had much more left to learn.
It took a long time for me to get this thing ready and now that it's finally here I want to know what you think so please, leave a review if you can. Anyways, on to your chapter 16 teaser. Actually, it isn't much of a teaser. Basically, Anakin meets Ahsoka in the next chapter. Also, Ahsoka is 14 at the time and (for story purposes) really admires Anakin and Obi Wan. Finally, I'm sorry I didn't include the scene with Vader I promised at the beginning, but this was getting a bit out hand already and I didn't want things to feel rushed, so I'm saving it for next time. To anyone wondering, my other story "A Messed Up Destiny" is going to get updated soon, despite the delay. Not worry, we are still flying half a fic. That's all for now guys. Until next time, May the Force be with you.