In the Hands of Time Chapter 9, a star wars fanfic

IN THE HANDS OF TIME
(Part 9)
by Darth Pipes and ami-padme
joesw77@aol.com, ami_padme@yahoo.com

C-3PO and R2-D2 worked frantically to try to calm the refugees down. Threepio was trying to get his voice heard through the all the noise.

"People, people," Threepio said over the frantic crowd. "I have just spoken with the crew. They have informed me that there was a minor skirmish. The engines were damaged and they are now repairing –"

"Don't lie to us you lousy droid!" an angry Bothan screamed from across the room. "We're under attack. We're going to be destroyed!"

"Destroyed..." Threepio said with frantic concern. "No, no, we will not be. You must listen..."

Threepio's voice was drowned out by the screams of the unruly passengers. The few angry ones were trying to get to the upper decks. They were being held back by the several other refugees, mostly the Cereans.

R2-D2 rolled over to Threepio and beeped out something.

"I'm doing the best I can," Threepio shot back at the astromech droid. "What are you doing...serving drinks?!"

Artoo began beeping back angrily at Threepio. The golden droid turned away from his counterpart and from the unruly crowd. This had been quite a stressful six months for him. From what had happened to his master, to the fall of the Republic and the Jedi, to life on the run, they had all been through a lot.

But now, his master was back. Threepio had been shocked by his appearance. He thought he was some kind of droid but it was Master Anakin! The way he talked to Threepio, the way he acted, Threepio knew it was him. His master had returned.

Although he was overjoyed, he feared between this, what had occurred over the past few months, and his current situation, that he had been through enough to overload the his circuits. But now, Threepio knew that he had to get control of this situation. His master was counting on him.

Threepio attempted to confront the unruly few again. He would now try to calm them down. When he reached the crowd, a Bothan shoved him to the ground. The situation in the crowd was getting worse. Soon, a full-scale riot would break out.

"Please you must understand," Threepio said as Artoo helped him back up to his feet. "You must stop. Everything will be –"

A large object hit him across the head. The force of it knocked Threepio against the wall.

In short order, a full-scale brawl broke out between the refugees. Threepio looked around in horror. This situation was out of hand! They had ignored him...he must do something!

"SSSSSSttttttttooooooooooppppppppp!" Threeipo screamed out to the brawling refugees. His vocal chips had been raised so loud that his voice boomed throughout the lower decks of the ship. Artoo stopped beeping at Threepio and rolled back. The refugees suddenly stopped fighting and looked at the protocol droid in shock.

"Stop this fighting at once! Stop all this madness now! We are not going to be destroyed! The ship is merely undergoing repairs! Dammit all is well!" Threepio screamed as loudly as he could.

The refugees were shocked as they stood before the golden protocol droid. Slowly, they began to calm down. They looked around and now they began to help those hurt in the brawl. In short order, all returned to normal and the refugees went about their business.

Threepio stepped back, shocked at what he had just done. Artoo slowly rolled over to him. He had never known his companion to ever lose his temper, just his composure. He beeped his admiration at Threepio for how he handled the situation. He sure didn't want to get on his bad side now.

"Thank you Artoo," Threepio said. "I...I didn't know I had it in me."

Anakin and Leia spent the next three hours working on the hyperdrive. It had taken a bad hit during the battle. At first, they thought they might have to scrap it but they had managed to stabilize it and begin repairs.

Anakin and Leia had spent that time quietly working. The two said nothing to each other, save the occasion request for a tool. Still, Anakin could sense the tension beginning to diminish between the two as the hours passed by.

Whether or not it would go away, he couldn't be sure.

Anakin finished making repairs to the auxiliary engine, which was connected to the hyperdrive and had also been damaged in the battle. He turned to Leia, who was working on the hyperdrive. She seemed to be having trouble with some of the circuits.

"Leia," Anakin said, "you should try..."

Leia made the correct circuit changes to the hyperdrive and it began to come alive, lights beeping and flashing before her. She lifted it up to Anakin.

"It's ready to be installed," Leia said.

Anakin took the hyperdrive and put it in place. They would have to wait a few minutes to see if it responded to the rest of the engines but he wasn't concerned. He knew it would work. A Skywalker had fixed it.

Anakin turned to Leia.

"That was most impressive, Leia," Anakin said. "Your engineering skills are considerable."

Leia nodded her head. "I guess all that time with Han was well spent after all," she said.

"Han...you mean the smuggler?" Anakin said, disapproval evident in his voice.

Leia suddenly glared at him, anger flashing in her eyes. "Yes. The smuggler. Like you're the one to make moral judgments on someone!" Leia spat out at him.

Anakin reeled back, clearly embarrassed by what he had just said. "Leia..." he began.

"No, no," Leia said, putting her hand to the side of her head. "I'm sorry. I...I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I know that I must learn how to control my anger."

"No Leia, I'm sorry," Anakin said. "You were correct. I have no right to make a moral judgment on anyone. Especially someone you care for."

Leia looked up at Anakin. Anakin could see the sadness in her eyes.

"Care for Han...I love him," Leia said quietly.

She turned away from Anakin. Anakin silently cursed himself. He remembered back to their last meeting on Cloud City. He remembered what he had done to Solo, the man his daughter loved. He had put the man in carbonite, right in front of Leia's eyes and then sent him to the vile slug Jabba.

He knew now that Leia did indeed love Han. He could sense that love was strong, almost as strong as his love for Amidala, his dear wife.

Leia turned to Anakin, a surprised look on her face. "I sensed a change in your mood," Leia said. "What is it?"

"I was remembering what it is like to love someone," Anakin responded.

"Mother," Leia said, not asked.

"Yes, your mother," Anakin said. Behind his mask, he gave a small smile. "I remember when I first met her. I was only a boy. A slave to a Toydarian trader. The first time I saw her, I thought she was an angel. I asked her if she was. I even told her I was going to marry her one day."

Leia raised an eyebrow. "Always the bold one, weren't you?" Leia asked, a bit of humor in her voice.

"Yes, I suppose I was," Anakin said with a small chuckle. "But it was the best thing I ever did. That and asking her to marry me."

Leia listened intently to Anakin. She could feel the sincerity in his words, the love he had for her mother. She never thought that such love could come from a man like him. Beneath the mask and behind the armor, Anakin Skywalker did have a heart.

"I know now that you love Han," Anakin said. "But you are also afraid."

Leia nodded her head. "I'm afraid that I'll..."

"Never see him again," Anakin said, finishing her sentence. This reminded Anakin of a conversation he had so many years ago.

"Yes," Leia said quietly.

"What does your heart tell you?" Anakin asked. "I hope I'll see Han again...I think so," Leia answered.

"Then you will see him again," Anakin said. He walked over to Leia and put a hand on her shoulder. To his surprise, Leia did not flinch or back away.

"You must never give up hope, Leia," Anakin said. "If you do, then all that is left is despair. Despair leads to the dark side. Believe me, I know. Years ago, I gave up hope on so many things and it cost me. It cost me my wife, my children, my teacher, and my soul. I was fortunate to have received a second chance, but it almost cost me my life. You will see Han again Leia. I promise you."

Leia looked up at Anakin and for the first time, she actually smiled at him. She put her hand on his arm.

"Thank you. I believe I will see Han again as well," Leia said.

Behind his mask, Anakin smiled.

Suddenly, the engines began to roar to life. Anakin and Leia turned to face it. The hyperdrive had been repaired. They could leave the nebula.

Anakin activated the comlink on the control unit.

"Obi-Wan."

"Yes," he replied.

"Leia and I have completed the repairs on the hyperdrive," Anakin said.

"Good," Obi-Wan said. "Luke and I have completed our repairs to the weapon system as well."

"Excellent," Anakin responded. "Let's meet back up on the bridge. I believe I have a plan for getting us out of this.

In short order, all five of them were back on the bridge. Anakin turned to face the rest of them.

"The hyperdrive has been repaired," he said. "We will be able to make the jump into hyperspace."

"The weapons systems have been repaired," Obi-Wan said. "You will have the blasters, torpedoes, and missiles on-line shortly. However, the computer-assisted targeter has been completely destroyed. We'll have to use manual control."

"Also, we won't have shields," Luke said. "By the time we have left the nebula, are shield generator will have been completely shot from all the electromagnetic energy."

"Yes, and we will be confronting that Star Destroyer," Anakin said. "However, I am familiar with Star Destroyers of this era. I know their strengths...and their weaknesses. I know how we can get past this one."

They all moved in closer to Anakin, listening intently.

"The main weakness of these Destroyers is that in order to use their tractor beam, they must lower their shields. I suggest we give them that option."

"How?" Obi-Wan said. "As soon as we leave the nebula, the Star Destroyer will begin to fire on us."

"Not if they think we're dead," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan and Amidala both raised an eyebrow.

"We could shut down our power once we exit the void and start drifting, like no one is controlling the ship. We could do it quick enough so that the Imperials will not notice," Anakin said.

"But their sensors will detect that there are life forms aboard the ship," Luke said. "They'll know what we are planning."

"Not if we use the Force," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes," Anakin said. "If the four of us use the Force, we can shield the life signs of everyone aboard the ship. The Imperials won't fire on a dead ship. They'll want to bring it aboard to raid it. They'll use the tractor beam. When they do, they will lower the shield. We will restore power, and attack."

"That is quite a risk, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.

"But it might be our only chance," Amidala said.

"It will work," Anakin said. "Are we in agreement?"

They all quickly voiced their approval. Anakin took his place at the pilot's seat next to Luke, and the rest of them prepared to leave the nebula.

Anakin opened the comlink to the lower decks.

"Threepio," he said.

"Yes, Master Anakin?" Threepio said.

"Inform the refugees that we are preparing to leave," Anakin said. "Tell them to strap in. This might be a bumpy ride."

"Yes, Master Anakin," Threepio said. "I have everything under control."

"I had no doubt that you would. Threepio," Anakin said and he flipped off the comlink. "Ready?" he said, turning to the others.

"Ready," Amidala said for the rest of them.

"Let's do it," Anakin said. He fired up the engines. They roared to life and they began to leave the nebula.

A few moments later, they exited the nebula. Moving quickly, they completely shut down the ship. It grew dark inside and they began to drift. Using their powers, Anakin, Luke, Leia, and Obi-Wan began to cast the Force over the entire ship. They hoped to shield all their life signs from the awesome sight of the Star Destroyer.

"Admiral."

Admiral Knoll turned around and faced the ensign who called his name.

"Yes, Ensign?"

"The Nubian ship has left the nebula," the ensign said. "It appears to be drifting."

"Life signs?" Knoll asked.

"Sensors detect no life signs on the ship."

"They must have been killed in the nebula," Captain Burrt said.

"It would come as no surprise considering how violate that nebula is," Admiral Knoll said. "Very well. Captain, call the TIE fighters off the ship. Ensign, go to one-quarter impulse power. When where close enough to the Nubian ship, lower the deflector shield and get a tractor beam on it. I want it brought aboard for inspection."

"Yes Admiral," the Ensign replied.

"They're calling off the fighters," Leia said.

"They're moving closer to us," Luke said. "Looks like your plan might just work."

"All right everyone, stand by," Anakin said. "When that Destroyer lowers its shield, I'll punch on the power and Luke, prepare to fire torpedoes. You'll have to do them without the assistance of the computer but I think we both know you can do that."

Luke gave his father a smile, remembering the run down the Death Star trench. "Yes, I believe we do."

The Star Destroyer loomed closer and closer to them. Suddenly they stopped, just a short distance from the starship.

"They're lowering shields!" Obi-Wan said.

Anakin quickly restored power and the royal starship came back to life.

"Now Luke!" Anakin said.

Luke fired three proton torpedoes at the Star Destroyer. The torpedoes slammed into the unprotected ship, causing a powerful explosion that knocked the royal starship back. Anakin quickly regained control and took the ship up.

The TIE fighters quickly flew after them but Anakin was ready. Using the Force, he easily ducked their shots and flew past him. He used every trick he could to get past them. Two fighters broke off from the main group and attempted to attack the starship from the sides. But Anakin countered. He expertly maneuvered the ship out of the way at the last second with a spin and a duck. The TIE fighters flew past them. Before the fighters could turn around, the starship's main guns destroyed them.

The starship zoomed straight the fighters to its one remaining obstacle. The Star Destroyer.

The Star Destroyer had recovered from the torpedo attack and now was firing on the starship with full forward firepower. Anakin ducked these shots again and again, the Force running strong within him. He knew though that the only way past the Star Destroyer was through it.

A laser blast just narrowly missed the starship. If they took even one direct hit, they would be destroyed. But Anakin wouldn't allow that to happen. The Empire would not destroy his family.

Flicking a switch on the control pad, Anakin activated the concussion missiles inside the ship. Remembering the words of Qui-Gon Jinn, he kept his mind on the here and now, and focused directly on the bridge of the Star Destroyer, which was now looming closer and closer.

With the Star Destroyer's laser blasts still trying to shoot him down, Anakin fired the concussion missiles straight at the ship's bridge. The missiles crashed straight through the viewscreen. Seconds later, the entire bridge exploded just as they were about to fly through it. The explosion engulfed the royal starship.

When it cleared, all that remained was the Naboo royal starship. The Star Destroyer was now plummeting through space, explosions erupting inside of the ship. Seconds later, the Destroyer was completely destroyed, scattering debris everywhere.

Inside the bridge of the royal starship, a loud cheer erupted. Luke looked over at his father Anakin in pure amazement. Now he knew why Obi-Wan had called him the best star pilot in the galaxy.

Anakin punched the coordinates of the rebel sanctuary into the computer. Seconds later, the starship made the jump into hyperspace. It was now time for them to leave this all behind for good.

Coruscant
The Emperor's Palace

The Emperor stood triumphantly in the throne room of his royal palace as the holographic image of Admiral Damon Raynar knelt before him.

"The battle is over, your Majesty," Admiral Raynar said. "The Rebels have been crushed and Ki-Adi-Mundi is dead."

The Emperor nodded, satisfaction evident within him.

"We sustained significant casualties but it is of no concern," Raynar continued.

"I take it that there were survivors," the Emperor said, not asked.

"A few Cereans escaped but that is all. Every other Rebel was killed or captured, including all the Jedi on the base."

"You've done well Admiral Raynar," the Emperor said. "You will be rewarded when you return to Coruscant. In the meantime, carry out your interrogation of the prisoners. Make sure there are no others in the galaxy that opposes me. Kill them when you're finished. Afterwards, I want you to render the planet uninhabitable."

Admiral Raynar bowed his head. "Yes, your majesty," he said and his image flickered and disappeared.

Now, alone in the darkness of his throne room, the Emperor let out a rare smile. With Mundi's resistance force wiped out, the last opposition to him in the galaxy had been destroyed. After all the years of planning, the galaxy was now under his control at last!

Of course, there were still some Jedi left alive. But that would be of no concern. Especially when his apprentice Darth Vader had recovered from his injuries.

Palpatine again smiled into the darkness. At last, he had an apprentice who would not be so easily destroyed as the previous ones had been. He had Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One. The boy had tried to destroy him once, but he had prevented that. He managed to get inside his mind and control him. He convinced the boy that everything he knew was a lie and that all those he loved had betrayed him. He told him that his destiny lay elsewhere. He told him that his destiny was to serve the Emperor and rule the galaxy at his side.

Anakin Skywalker had believed him. He accepted his offer. At that moment, Anakin Skywalker had died and Darth Vader had been created. It was he who defeated Anakin Skywalker. It was he who had destroyed Anakin Skywalker.

Now it was he who had Darth Vader under his complete control. At this very moment, his surgeons were putting the man who had once been Anakin Skywalker back together again. Soon, he would become more machine then man. Soon, he would become stronger then he had ever been. When Darth Vader was once again complete, he would serve the Emperor.

Then he would have the ultimate weapon. He had permanently broken Vader. He would never again revel in the light side of the Force. He would serve Palpatine. His will had been broken forever. He would serve Palpatine for the rest of his life. Darth Vader was his.

The Emperor sat upon his throne and looked out at the stars. How small they seemed, when compared to him. Soon, Palpatine would expand his reach to the farthest star in the galaxy. Soon, anywhere that there was life would bow before him. One day, every man, woman, and child would be under his direct control. They would all live and die to do one thing. To serve Emperor Palpatine.

The Emperor smiled as he looked out at the insignificant stars. The galaxy was his now. Nobody would be there to stop him.

Nobody.

Coruscant
The Emperor's Palace
Twenty-Three Years into the Future

The Emperor stood fearfully in the throne room of his royal palace. He had sensed a great disturbance in the Force. Only he would have been able to pick it up. The unthinkable had happened. Anakin Skywalker had returned.

He wasn't even in this time period yet, but the Emperor knew he had returned. Mara Jade has failed him. Now, matters were much worse for him.

The thought of Anakin Skywalker returning filled Palpatine with fear. He had not foreseen this happening. He had been only mildly surprised when Vader had betrayed him and traveled back through time. He was so sure that Mara Jade could deal with him. He knew that if she could not, he could break Vader. But Anakin Skywalker?

He had admitted to himself long ago that if he hadn't managed to convince Skywalker to join him, the boy would have destroyed him. He had been fortunate to turn him in the first place. Now, he would soon confront Anakin again, this time with his children at his side.

The Emperor sat at his throne and looked out at the stars. Suddenly, his hold on them wasn't so tight. Now, his rule was in doubt. He had never doubted it, even when the Rebellion had formed. He had never doubted it, even when the Rebels had won at Yavin. But now, he knew his rule was in serious trouble.

But that confrontation with Anakin Skywalker and his children would not happen today. He would be leaving soon for his throne world of Byss. There, surrounded by the dark side of the Force, he would wait until the construction of the new Death Star. Then he would reemerge, stronger then ever.

He would make sure that nothing stood in his way. His rule would continue. He still had surprises in store for the Skywalker family. The new Death Star would not have the flaws of the old one. It would be stronger and better defended. The Rebellion would be crushed beneath it.

Still, the Emperor knew one thing for sure. It didn't matter what surprises he had. The ability to destroy a planet was insignificant next to the power of the Skywalkers.

The Queen's Royal Starfighter
Twenty-Three Years in the Past

Amidala sat quietly on the bridge, staring blankly at the viewport. She barely registered the stars and planets streaking by. She was growing increasingly apprehensive and agitated, her mind swimming with too many things she'd rather not think about.

After the incident with the Star Destroyer, they had dropped off the refugees without any further problems. Now, they were closing in on Naboo.

The last time she had been there was during battle. She hated the fact that she couldn't be out there, on the front lines with her troops, as she had been in the past. But her pregnancy precluded that option, forcing her to hide in her Palace – praying that somehow her army would prevail and that her secret of the twins would not be discovered. Only one of her prayers had been answered.

She saw very little of Theed once Obi-Wan arrived to rescue her. There was no time for last looks or remembrances. They simply moved as quickly as possible to his ship, and left.

What Amidala had managed to see in those few minutes had haunted her since. Bodies were strewn in every direction. Civilians and soldiers alike, dead and dying throughout the streets of the capital.

Buildings bombed out, burning, crumbling. She could just barely make out the edge of the forests, and they were all ablaze.

She didn't recall how she managed to keep walking. Obi-Wan must have kept her going somehow. All she remembered thinking was that everything she knew and loved was gone.

Amidala wasn't looking forward to returning to Theed. She didn't think she could stand seeing those sights again. She had half a mind to simply stay on the ship, in her quarters (which had no windows), and make Anakin and the twins say goodbye to her there.

Goodbye.

The other thing she didn't want to think about. She supposed that the fact they were from the future should have bothered her a bit. But it didn't. All she cared about was the fact that she had her husband back, and got to know the children she had been bracing herself to give away. They were her family.

And they were leaving her. She would be alone again. She would still have to give up the twins...Anakin would still be lost somewhere, following Palpatine. Basically, she would be left to try to re-form some type of resistance – after Drayos, she had no idea how that would happen, but apparently she had done it – and try to cheat her own death for the next few years, so she could get to Anakin.

Amidala felt a pair of eyes watching her, and looked up to see Luke smiling gently at her. "We're almost to Naboo. I'll be beginning the approach soon." He seemed to want to say something more, but changed his mind.

She was grateful for his silence. Turning back to the viewport, Amidala once again let her mind go blank.

She had a few more minutes before she had to gather her strength, and face everything that was to come.

Luke shut the systems down on the ship. Everyone was back on the bridge, waiting to disembark. No one said a word. Even 3-PO was silent for once. Amidala felt Leia come next to her and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Amidala sighed. There was no use in delaying things any longer.

Amidala turned and decisively headed off the bridge and down the ramp. They had touched down just inside the borders of Theed...it looked much the same as she had remembered. Ruined, dead…empty and hollow. She wondered for a moment where those survivors Anakin had mentioned could possibly be hiding.

The twins came down the ramp behind her, as did Obi-Wan and Anakin. Luke and Leia hovered around her, apparently sensing her pain, but unsure of what to do for her. The way Leia took in the scene chilled Amidala – it was obvious that her daughter had seen worse destruction than this. She wanted to ask her about it, but didn't want their last conversation to focus on more heartache...even as they were surrounded by it.

Amidala suddenly reached out to them, taking a hand from each. "I don't know if either of you realize how wonderful it's been for me to meet you." She felt tears began to sting her eyes. "I've had to make many...incredibly difficult decisions recently. I've agonized over whether or not I made the right choices and what would happen to you." She swallowed hard. "No matter what happens to me after today, at least I know that I did right by the two of you. In the end," her voice dropped to a whisper, "nothing matters more than that."

Leia pulled her mother into a fierce hug – she had been crying almost since they came down the ramp. Losing her mother had been the defining moment of her childhood. She hated having those feelings resurface again, to feel as though her mother was being taken from her again. It hurt too much.

"I know, Leia. I know," Amidala whispered.

Luke hung back, watching the two of them. He had never seen Leia so emotional, but knew that losing Mother again was hitting her hard. Especially after she had just lost Han.

He was certain that they would find Han. Jabba wouldn't be hard to track down, not for someone who had grown up his whole life in the gangster's back yard. All they needed to do was get to Tatooine. Boba Fett would never give up that bounty – he'd have to show up eventually.

And Mother...Luke had formed a close bond with her so quickly it surprised him. He wished he could take her with them, and somehow not worry about what the implications of that might be.

But one Force ability Luke had always had, even before training with Ben, was knowing a true goodbye when he had to say one. It was a mild feeling, flutter in the pit of his stomach. It was there when he left that morning to find Artoo in the Jundland Wastes. It was there when he saw Ben running down the hallway on the Death Star.

It wasn't there now.

Luke joined in the hug, and kissed his mother on the top of her head. "Be careful," he whispered. Neither Amidala nor Leia asked what he meant. He knew they didn't need to. The hope remained unspoken between the three of them – that this wouldn't be the last time for them to be together.

Obi-Wan and Anakin came down the ramp and walked away from Amidala and the twins. Anakin sensed that they need some privacy. After all, Amidala may never get the chance to see them again –

No. That's not true. Anakin fought to remain optimistic about what he would find when they returned to the present. If he didn't think positively, and at least allow himself the hope that he would see her again, there was no way he'd able to leave without her.

He glanced at Obi-Wan. What were the chances of seeing him again? Almost none at all. If Amidala wasn't successful in turning him back, the events on the Death Star would undoubtedly repeat themselves...and Obi-Wan would still be dead when he returned.

"Master," he began, "there's something I need to tell you."

Obi-Wan shook his head slightly. "Don't."

"What? Why not?"

Obi-Wan was silent for a moment, then exhaled heavily. "I can feel your guilt. And seeing how desperate you were to get revenge on me when you arrived on Drayos...it doesn't take the Force to see where this is headed." He shrugged. "Something is going to happen between us at some point in the future...except that I won't be the one to walk away that time."

Anakin nodded. "Perhaps if I were give you the details, we can...avoid...what happened."

"No, Anakin." Obi-Wan took a few steps away, and stared off towards the open fields outside of the city. "I doubt I would have purposely faced you again unless I absolutely had to. There had to be more at stake than just settling the score between us. If that's true, then telling me the exact circumstances won't necessarily allow me to avoid them. I am prepared accept whatever fate comes to me."

Anakin followed Obi-Wan, also looking out to one of the last unspoiled views on Naboo. Although Obi-Wan didn't know it, he was right. Anakin felt certain that he never would have heard from his Master again if it hadn't been for the twins being in danger...or if the threat of the Death Star hadn't been present. Still..."Giving you more information might prove helpful."

Obi-Wan sighed heavily. "Padawan, you may feel I being defeatist, but I'm simply trying to look at the reality of this situation." He turned to face Anakin. "I can never be the one to save you, Anakin. That is a lesson I learned during our battle on Sulluest, and have seen confirmed since you and your children arrived at Drayos. Do you honestly believe that I'll be able to stop you from whatever it is you do when we come face-to-face years from now?"

Anakin didn't answer for a long moment. Finally, he said, "No."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Our rift couldn't be solved by us alone."

Anakin shook his head in angry self-recrimination. "Because I was so blinded by hatred towards the Jedi –"

"Yes," Obi-Wan interrupted. "And I accept that. Which is why I know there is something else behind us meeting in the future...Besides, I have already forgiven you for what you will do, Anakin. You must learn to forgive yourself." He smiled slightly. "I suppose we can let that be my final lesson to you – for now."

"For now?"

"Death, while permanent, is not always the end, Anakin. I have the feeling that...you'll be hearing from me no matter what the outcome."

Anakin wasn't at all sure what he meant by that, but could sense that Obi-Wan was completely at peace regarding their future relationship. That was a comfort to him – he decided it would be best not to question it.

Instead, he put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and said simply, "Goodbye, Master. The Force will be with you."

Obi-Wan returned the gesture, and the two felt healing, forgiveness, and friendship through their bond...it was something they would both be able to hold onto no matter happened to either of them in the next few years. "May the Force be with you, as well, Padawan."

Obi-Wan turned back to the ship, and saw that Amidala and the twins seemed to be ending their good-byes. Luke was comforting Leia, who had managed to get most of her tears under control. Amidala kissed both of them on the cheek, and looked toward Anakin. The two stared at each other for a long moment.

Kenobi cleared his throat and glanced at his Padawan. "I think…I should go speak with the twins."

Anakin nodded gratefully. Amidala was already approaching.

Luke managed a smile at Kenobi as he drew near. He still had his arm around his sister.

"Leia," Obi-Wan said gently, "please do not despair. You will get through this, as difficult as it seems."

"You and Luke are so much more certain of that than I am," she said softly.

"You should listen to us. I may not know you as well as Luke does, but you're the daughter of Skywalkers. I know how strong you are." After a moment's thought, he added, "The Organas are that way as well."

Leia smiled. "My father always spoke so highly of you, Obi-Wan. He truly valued you as a friend." She looked away and said quietly, "It seems that you been a true friend to both of my fathers. In a way, meeting you has made me feel more connected with them."

Obi-Wan responded, "I'm glad for that, Leia," but his mind had gone off in another direction. He realized from her words that Bail was dead in the twins' present. His wife as well it seemed. Another friend – two! – gone...it was a sobering thought. At least it seemed as though they had been able to raise Leia to adulthood. And now Leia had been reunited with her natural parents. At least some wrongs were being righted.

Luke seemed to pick up on that last thought. "Ben, I promise you that the Jedi will not die out. You assured that when you started training me. There will be others that I can teach…but for now, you can know that the Skywalkers will continue the Jedi ways."

"I believe that we're in good hands then, Luke." Kenobi's face suddenly became clouded. "But you must realize that you – that Anakin – cannot escape destiny."

Leia glanced at Luke in confusion. His face mirrored hers for a moment, then it cleared, and he understood what he meant. "Palpatine."

"Yes. He must be stopped, and the Sith must be eliminated. Otherwise, this will all be for nothing. Your father knows this…he's always known, and now he's learned it again. But the two of you are involved now. You need to be prepared for what might come."

Luke turned to his sister again. She gave him a simple nod. She no longer looked confused or depressed. She looked determined…much more like the Leia he had always known. He knew that he could count on her, no matter how bad things got.

And he knew he was ready. He had rushed to Bespin without fully considering the consequences of what he would face, and he had learned his lesson. Palpatine would not catch him off-guard.

"Don't worry, Ben…I had a great teacher." The two exchanged smiles. " We'll be ready," Luke promised.

Amidala walked towards her husband. Slowly. On some level, she knew she was trying to draw this out, to delay the inevitable goodbye that would have to be said. But it was a foolish effort. She would simply have to accept that she was losing him again.

Unable to bear that thought for too long, she looked past him and towards the fields. She smiled at the one truly familiar sight left on her planet, the one vision that hearkened to memories of Naboo before the Wars.

She and Anakin had shared many sunsets looking towards the horizon, just like this. Those were quiet moments, where neither had to say much, or think about much, or do anything but enjoy being in each other's presence. Sitting in the grass behind the Palace…hiding away from their duties, waiting for night to fall.

Anakin, in answer to her thoughts, turned to the sunset, and sat on his knees. She came next to him and kneeled. She didn't sit back on her thighs though, since he was so much taller than her. At least this way, they were almost face-to-face.

"I don't want to leave you," he began.

"I don't want you to leave." She brought his hand to her face. "At least this time, I get to say a proper goodbye. When you left last time…you just disappeared. And then…I was told that you had died..."

Anakin ran his thumb over her cheekbone. "I'm sorry, Amidala. I know that saying that can't change anything…my biggest regret will always be leaving you, and losing so much time with you and the children. Nothing can make up for the pain I've caused you."

She closed her hand over his. "We're past that now, Anakin." Her hand went to his face – his mask – before she realized what she was doing. She slowly pulled it back.

Anakin tried not to let the gesture affect him too much, but he knew she was frustrated at not being able to "see" him, and get beneath all the armor. But there was little he could do about it…

Well, maybe there was one small thing. Anakin took his hand away from her face, and removed the leather glove that covered it. This hand was his only natural extremity left. It had been hidden for years – it was scarred and pale; the skin on it looked ragged and weathered. Still, it was real, and offered them a chance at true contact.

Amidala was crying quietly now. Her tears were electric against his hand, as was the feel of her skin. She turned slightly to kiss his palm, and she closed her eyes. "Promise me that you will take care of the children, Anakin. That you'll watch over them and protect them…"

"Of course."

She opened her eyes, and silence passed between them. She cupped his mask with trembling hands. "Can't you…remove this? Even just for a moment?"

"No, Amidala. If I could…I can't survive without it. This is not the way…" he trailed off sadly. "I'm sorry that this is the way you will have to remember me."

Amidala started to say something in reply, but was suddenly aware of Obi-Wan, Luke, and Leia approaching. It seemed that it was truly time to leave. She whispered, "It will never be the mask I remember when I think of you, Anakin."

The couple glanced at Obi-Wan and the twins, but didn't move from their kneeling positions. No one said a word.

Finally, and to everyone's surprise, it was Leia who spoke up. "I heard what you were saying," she started, staring at Anakin. "I don't know much about healing others…but I saw what you did with Luke, and he was badly injured. Can't you heal yourself? Can't we heal you?"

Anakin, moved by the gesture, simply shook his head. "Thank you, Leia. But it's not a matter of repairing injured parts, as I did with Luke. I'm actually…missing some of what you would need to fix."

"But couldn't we do something?" she asked in frustration. "Just for a little while?"

He was about to say no again, when Kenobi said, "Well…maybe…"

Everyone turned to him. "Perhaps, Anakin, the three of us together can protect you, even if you remove the mask. It couldn't be for very long though…" He caught Luke's eye and added, "And We'd all have to be completely focused."

Amidala face brightened and she gave her husband a hopeful look. Anakin smiled back, though she couldn't see it, and gave a nod of assent to his master.

Obi-Wan motioned to the twins to form a small circle around their kneeling parents. Once they did, the three joined hands. Kenobi closed his eyes and said, "Focus your energy on your father. Let the Force flow towards him. Concentrate fully, or this will not work." Luke and Leia squeezed hands and closed their eyes, doing as they were instructed.

Anakin also calmed down, and opened himself up to the energy he felt from them. He almost immediately felt stronger…After a while, he began to feel confined in the mask…as though it was hindering him, as though he no longer needed it. And yet, he felt somewhat hesitant about taking the next step – it had been so long since he had been without the mask outside of his private chamber…

Amidala didn't share those concerns. She reached out to his helmet, lifted it off slowly, and set it on the ground. Then came the actual facemask, which she pulled toward her. It went next to the helmet. Finally, she removed the front part of the collar, which contained the small tubes that fed him.

Anakin felt surreal. Through the Force, he took a breath of fresh air and looked on everything with his own eyes for what felt like the first time ever. He looked to Kenobi and Luke and Leia, trying to imprint his memory with this unfiltered image of them all.

Then he focused back on Amidala. His beautiful Amidala. He saw nothing but love and acceptance in her eyes. In this circle, surrounded by those he loved, Anakin knew that his age, his scars, and whatever else she saw when she looked at his face didn't matter. She saw him. And with that, Anakin knew that Vader had been utterly vanquished, even if he were forced to wear the suit for the rest of his life.

He finally gave her a smile she could see. Then he whispered, "No matter what happens five years from now, Amidala, you don't have to worry about saving me. Because you already have." He stared at her, absorbing her image for a moment longer. "I love you, Amidala."

She lightly ran her fingertips over his face, tears still falling. She whispered, "I love you, Anakin," leaned forward, and gently kissed him. Anakin kissed her back, basking in the warmth of their love and the strength of the Force.

They finally pulled back, and Anakin knew that he would have to return to the mask soon. "Goodbye, Amidala." He touched his forehead to hers one last time.

Anakin slowly picked up and reassembled his various coverings. He glanced back up at the circle around him, and saw Kenobi and the twins slowly open their eyes and release their hands. Anakin stood, and gently pulled Amidala to her feet as well. There was only one thing left to say.

"It's time."

The Queen's royal starship left Naboo and headed for the stars. It soon made the jump into hyperspace and departed into deep space.

Anakin Skywalker and his children watched as it happened. They were all lost in their own thoughts.

For Luke, it was about the fulfillment of his childhood dream to be reunited with his family. He not only got to meet his father but now his father had come back to him. He had met his mother, whom he loved very much. Still, he was concerned as to her fate. Was it possible for her to still be alive in their timeline?

For Leia, it was about making peace with her family and with herself. She had lost her mother very early and never thought she would see her again. But she had, and Amidala knew just how much she cared for her. She now had a new family that she could be with. The fate of her mother, as well as her love, Han Solo, was still very much up in the air. But Leia was ready to face those possibilities now. She would deal with them in her own time.

For Anakin, it was about sadness. Once again, he was separated from his wife. A reunion he had never thought possible had happened, and now it was over in a matter of days. He hoped he would see his dear Amidala again but...

"Father, are you all right?" Luke asked, breaking his thoughts.

Anakin turned to him and considered his question for a long time. Was he all right? It had been so long since someone had asked him that question. So many years of hate and anger. So many years of darkness. But now the darkness was gone. He had no reason to hate or to be angry. Indeed, he had given that up for good. Most importantly, he now had two wonderful children.

"Yes Luke," Anakin said. He smiled to himself. "I believe I am all right."

Luke smiled as well.

"When will we get going?" Leia asked.

"We still have time," Anakin said. "We should discuss the road ahead...what we have planned once we return."

"Do you think Palpatine will be there when we arrive?" Luke asked.

"No," Anakin said. "He knows by now that his mission has failed and I have returned from the dark side. He is smart enough not to take on all three of us. He is long gone by now. Still, we must be cautious. Getting out of Coruscant won't be easy."

Leia nodded. "Good thing I brought this with me," Leia said, revealing the lightsaber she had taken from Mara Jade after Luke had killed her.

"What are you going to do when we return?" Luke asked.

"I don't know. The Rebellion won't want me. I know that. Sooner of later, I must make contact with Master Yoda. Only he may have the answers to my questions. After that..." his voice trailed off.

Leia stepped forward and looked at Anakin.

"There is one place you might be able to go. Luke and I are going to there to meet Lando and Chewie when we return. We're pretty sure that's where we'll find Han," Leia said.

"Tatooine," Anakin said.

"Yes," Luke said. "That's if you want to come with us. I know how you feel about Tatooine. You don't have to come if –"

"No Luke," Anakin said, cutting in. "I will be happy to come with you. I swore after my mother's death that I would not return to Tatooine. However, I've been running from my past for to long. Perhaps the best place to start over is where it all began. It will be difficult…but most importantly, I want to be with the two of you. We've lost too much time as it is."

Luke nodded, understanding what his father was saying. Leia again stepped forward.

"Convincing Mon Mothma for a leave of absence won't be easy," she said.

"Perhaps Mothma would be more willing if you provided her with several Imperial secrets which I would be happy to provide you with," Anakin suggested.

Leia looked up. Anakin could see a smile begin to creep up on her face.

"I believe the Rebellion would also be energized to know that Darth Vader has been destroyed," Luke said.

Anakin nodded. "I believe they would as well," he replied.

"Father," Luke said, turning to face him. "There is another matter. My training. I...I would like you to continue it."

"Luke," Anakin said, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "I am honored but you should know that you don't need me to continue your training. You already are a Jedi Knight."

Luke gazed at his father, stunned at what he just said.

"But Father...there, there is still so much I need to learn..."

"And I will be there to help you my son," Anakin said. "But you are a Jedi Knight. I'm very proud of you son. You've become the man I always wanted to be."

Luke smiled at Anakin, moved by what he had said. Moving forward, Luke hugged his father. Anakin hugged him back. After a few seconds, Anakin pulled back to face Leia.

"There is the matter of your training, Leia," Anakin said. "The Force is strong in you. You have the potential to be a powerful Jedi, as powerful as your brother and myself. I...I would like to continue your training."

Leia looked at him in shock. "You...you want me to become your Padawan?" Leia asked.

"No, not yet," Anakin said. "I don't think either of us are ready for that commitment. But I would like to become your teacher. That is, if you would allow me."

Anakin stepped forward until he was face-to-face with Leia. "I know this can't make up for it but I am truly sorry for all the wrongs I have committed against you. It pains me to even think I did such things. I...I have a long road ahead to obtain absolution for my sins. It will be a difficult path. I hope that one day you will find it within yourself to forgive me and give me another chance."

Leia looked at Anakin, emotion evident in her face. "When I first discovered you were my father," Leia began, "I was horrified. I thought that there was no way I was daughter to a monster. I had...hated you for so long. I had thought you were a heartless beast. I thought that a man like you was incapable of redemption. I was wrong."

Leia moved closer to Anakin. "I discovered that behind the mask and behind the armor that you really did have a heart. A strong one, that loved my mother and loved us. One that was sorry for what he did and looked to make up for his sins.

"I will never forget what Darth Vader has done. But I am willing to give Anakin Skywalker...I am willing to give you, father, a second chance."

Anakin was stunned, too moved to even speak. Instead, he reached forward and embrace Leia. Leia embraced him back.

With that, he felt a new bond forming. That of father and daughter. Anakin sensed that it would become a strong and loving one. For the first time in years, Anakin Skywalker once again felt whole.

After the embrace, Anakin looked up at the sky. The last bit of sunshine rained magnificently over the ruined landscape of Naboo. It was a beautiful site. He turned back to Luke and Leia.

"Come my children," Anakin said. "It is time to for us to leave."

They agreed and lined up next to each other. They began to punch in the coordinates to their timeline in the alien comlinks.

A magnificent portal opened up in space and time right in front of them. It was a beautiful site. One that would take them back to their own time.

Anakin turned to his children. They nodded their heads. They were ready. Ready for whatever lay ahead of them.

With that, the Skywalkers ran into the portal and into the future.

The portal opened up from the time machine in Section 327. The Skywalkers emerged from the portal, each landing on their feet.

In seconds, the three of them had taken out their lightsabers and looked around. They saw the laboratory unchanged. The time machine was still there. Most of all, the awesome symbol of the Empire was there, displayed on the wall in front of them.

"Nothing changed," Luke said sadly, looking around the dark laboratory.

"Were you expecting something to change?" Leia said, trying to hide the sadness in her own voice. Luke knew why.

"I hoped some things would change, even though it was unlikely," Luke said. "I was hoping to find mother..." his voice trailed off.

"No Luke," Anakin said. "Something has changed. Amidala...Amidala is still alive!"

The twins turned to Anakin, stunned at what he had just said.

"Her mission failed," Anakin said sadly. He had no memory of Amidala's mission. He knew that he wouldn't, due to the nature of time travel. "But she is still alive.

"She is alive, somewhere in the galaxy," Anakin continued. "I do not know where. But I will find her. No matter how long it takes. No matter how far I have to travel. I promise you I will find her."

Luke and Leia looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Suddenly, an image flickered behind them. Luke turned to it and was ready to ignite his lightsaber.

Anakin put his hand on Luke's shoulder, indicating that it was unnecessary. It was only a holographic image. Anakin knew who it was before it came to view. It was the Emperor.

The holographic image of the Emperor stood before the Skywalkers. A bemused smile crossed his face.

"My, this is a lovely site," the Emperor said. "The Skywalker family...finally reunited."

"That's right," Anakin said, stepping closer to the holographic image. He could see Palpatine shift uncomfortably. "Reunited under the Light of the Force. Not the dark side. They are not your servants."

Anakin stepped forward again. "And neither am I," he said, looking directly at the Emperor. "I am no longer your slave Palpatine."

Despite his fear, the Emperor again smiled at Anakin. It was a confident smile. "I admit young Skywalker, that I underestimated you. I underestimated your will. I promise I will not make that mistake again."

"Is that why you're sending us this message?" Anakin asked. "I don't believe that is so. Fear attracts the fearful Your Majesty. You are afraid. Your grip on the galaxy is not so strong now. It is because of your fear that you now send a message like this light-years away in space. You are afraid of me and my children."

The Emperor's smile quickly faded. His face turned cold and deadly. "It is you who should be afraid, young Skywalker," the Emperor said. "If you only knew what I had planned for you and your children, you would be very afraid. Remember this, you may be the Chosen One. But it will be I who brings final balance to the Force. Enjoy your time with your children while it lasts Anakin. You won't have much of it left."

Despite Palpatine's fear, Anakin knew that his former master was serious. He and his family would face great danger...and soon.

The Emperor once again smiled. "You might not even leave this section alive," he said. The Emperor's image then flickered and disappeared.

Seconds later, stormtroopers began to pour into the laboratory. A great number of them were entering at one time.

Anakin turned to his children. In seconds, the Skywalkers ignited their lightsabers and formed a circle around each other.

The stormtroopers were now completely surrounding them. There had to be a hundred of them in the laboratory. They all had their weapons pointed at the Skywalkers.

Through the Force, Anakin reached the mind of his children. He liked what he sensed.

Luke was ready. Leia was ready. The Force pulsed strongly between the three of them.

They all knew they had a long and difficult road ahead. They would face many challenges in their attempt to destroy the Empire and bring balance to the Force. They would face many challenges in their attempt to find Amidala. But they were ready. Before this mission had been thrust upon them, the three of them had been so far apart from each other, separated by their own problems. But now they were one. One with each other, one with the Force. They would face this challenge and defeat it.

Behind his mask, Anakin smiled. He quickly looked around. Three of them against a hundred stormtroopers. It looked like the odds were in the favor of him and his children.

Raising their lightsabers, the Skywalkers charged the incoming stormtroopers. They met them head-on, lightsabers blazing away.

The Return of the Jedi had begun.

The End…for now…

Read the sequel to this story: In the Hands of the Force (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=908969)