In the Hands of the Dark One
By: Kendra Skywalker
This is an Ani/Ami Au that I had to write, because I have school breaks coming up and I have to have something constructive to do right? Exactly what I thought. This will be a little different. Anakin left the order willingly, why will be later told. No hints J and as you can probably tell from this first passage they are in the Resistance. So just Enjoy and please tell me what ya think. I will try to update as much as possible! Thanks J
***
Anakin threw his gloves angrily on the fighters dash, clenching his teeth and fists tightly as emotion overwhelmed him. Another battle, another life, another loss. The Old Republics foundation was crumbling into tiny pieces, no sign of triumph in sight. He felt so lost.
Leaning his head back against the headrest, he slammed an open palm onto the button which opened the cockpit and pushed himself out of the fighter, ignoring the step ladder and jumping to the ground. He saw her walk quickly towards him flanked by two senatorial guards, her face was solemn but her eyes were filled with worry. Her tailored silver pant suit matched her obvious distress, causing her face to appear pale and tired and her chocolate hair was loose, falling in shimmering cascades along her slim shoulders.
He wanted to run to her, hold her, cry into her shoulder while she told him everything would be alright, but his damn pride prevented him from doing so, as always. He walked briskly, his stature military, toward her, his face revealing nothing of his emotions, which at the moment are running absolutely haywire.
"I suppose you heard about our recent defeat," He said, his voice sharp and cold. "I don't think the tone is necessary Skywalker, but if you must know yes." Her eyes grew narrow, daring him to continue in such a manor. She dismissed her guards with a wave of her hand and the duo began walking side by side. "How many men did we lose?" She questioned, her legs managing to keep up with Anakin's long strides.
Anakin looked to the floor, "10, in this battle alone. The Empire is growing stronger and the Resistance is growing weaker Padmé. I don't think we can hold up much longer, not at this rate anyway. We are loosing men left and right. We barely have enough ships to engage in battle, and no matter where we go, they somehow locate our bases. We are fighting a loosing battle." He replied, his voice hollow.
"We can't give up that easy," she said, her voice wavering. They walked in silence, the busy landing bay's evacuation swallowing their senses. Padmé finally broke the silence, "How are you getting out of here, we have extra room on the command ship." She said, hoping he would go with her, she hated worrying about him. They stopped moving and both of their moods shifted, "I have to lead my squadron, you understand." He answered, she nodded. He caressed her cheek with a rough finger as Commander Darkcloud, another native of Tatooine a few years older than Anakin, interrupted their conversation.
"General Skywalker, you're needed on deck." He stated, Anakin nodded in reply then turned back to Padmé as Darkcloud retreated. "This isn't the end of us yet," He kissed her hard on the lips then, making her wish more than anything this war was non-existent. "I love you Padmé Skywalker," He said, jogging off after she returned the sentiment. "Senator?" The voice of one of the guards demanded her gaze away from her husbands retreating figure. "Tell the command ship I am on my way." She said sharply, her voice strong and commanding causing the guard whom was her elder to abide immediately.
"You come back to me Anakin Skywalker," Padmé whispered under her breath as the evacuation lights continued to cover the bay with red strobes.
***
"On my signal, head out of the hold. The coordinates have already been entered into your computers for our destination. Do not, I repeat, Do not jump into light speed until all command ships have successfully done so. We are the protectors, it's what you signed up for. If in any circumstance I am shot down Darkcloud will be in full command. Is everything clear?" Anakin finished his speech, his eyes making contact with every individual the circled him.
When he received his "Yes Sir!" he dismissed everyone to their ship, a simple "May the Force be with you' as a goodbye.
***
They were off, flying among the many stars Anakin knew as his friends. The many stars he had visited and failed to see in his lifetime. Having the power of the ship beneath his hands, he felt right again. He could feel a slight smile creep up on his face as he dodged the array of laser fire flying towards him.
He grinned until he felt it. The fighter to his left exploded, bright fire balls and hot scraps of metal raining upon his own craft. He felt the scream of horror, pain, and fear as the pilot passed on into the other life. It hurt his ears and burned a hole inside of his heart. He only wished he could turn it off.
Awakening him from his thoughts was a muffled voice over the communicator, "General, the Command ships have safely jumped into Hyper space. We are awaiting your signal." Anakin nodded, attempting to swallow the large lump that had formed in his throat.
"Ready! Make sure you coordinates are set! 5…4…3…2…JUMP!" He yelled harshly over the communicator as he pulled the lever to his right which made the once circular stars appear to be stripes against spaces black background.
***
Anakin awoke from his two hour nap just as the stars returned to their original formations, seeing a large green planet known as 'Kindrigane' ahead. He quickly scanned over his computers coordinates as the remainder of his squad began to appear from the depths of space and fell in line behind him. "General Skywalker, you are permitted to land on platform 1875. Then you are to report directly to the war room in the outer temple." A scratchy voice over his communicator said.
Anakin did as told and walked directly down the large corridors, observing the millions of cracks and vines which consumed the once magnificent temple walls. As he stepped into the war room, he stopped dead in his tracks seeing who was seated in front of him, Padmé, Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, and the three which surprised him most, three he hadn't seen for four years, Master Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Seeing his shock, Padmé walked up to meet him. "Anakin, you must sit down." She urged attempting to tug him slowly towards the sitting area. Anakin stood his ground, "No, I think I need to stand." His voice was cold and he could tell his defiance irritated his wife, but obviously the reason the Jedi were present was far more important than Anakin's position.
"What's this all about?" he questioned, the Jedi looked to each other and Obi-Wan then spoke. Anakin could since his former masters worry through their moderately strong master-padawan bond that at one time made them like brothers. "Anakin, how do I put this…well…Sidious is not deceased as we once thought." Anakin's jaw dropped, "What?" he blurted, Obi-Wan nodded as if to confirm his statement and continued.
"He has come back to fulfill his first intent, to seduce the Chosen One to the Dark Side." Obi-Wan paused and cleared his throat, Anakin just tightened his grip on Padmé's hand. "He will not succeed." Anakin stated simply, his expression solemn and voice grim. Mace then spoke, his hands folded in his lap, "Yes, Anakin he will. You did not complete your training. You left with honorable intents, after your near seduction down the dark path…" Anakin cringed as Mace continued, "but you cannot defeat Sidious again, you do not have the strength. Therefore causing considerable damage to the galaxy."
Obi-Wan felt Anakin's sudden puzzlement and answered the question Anakin did not dare ask, "If he gets you Anakin Skywalker, the galaxy is in the hands of the dark one." Anakin looked to Padmé whose eyes were filled with worry and fright. "What am I to do?" he finally asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence, his voice deep and hallow. "It is simple really…" Mace began, but Yoda interrupted waving his hand at the younger Jedi Master, signaling him to stop speaking.
"Simple for you, it may well be, But far from simple it is for young Skywalker. Rejoin the Jedi you must Anakin, depends on you the rebellion does."
***
Padmé found him later that evening secluded in their temporary quarters. He had quickly excused himself from the previous meeting with the Jedi, saying he would seriously consider their proposal. She could tell how shocked and weary her husband was after receiving the news that being shot down by an Imperial Fighter was the least of his worries.
He was reclined on their bed gazing out the window where Tall trees encased the extremely busy rebel base. She slowly walked towards him, she knew he noticed her presence but he did not turn to acknowledge her. Sitting beside him, she rubbed his leg with her hand, "So, how are you handling this." She finally said, scooting her body closer to his.
"As well as anyone could. I mean, how am I supposed to deal with the fact that my destruction will save the galaxy." Anakin looked at her briefly then turned back to where his gaze was originally focused. Padmé sighed and took his hand into her own, he squeezed it in reply. "You know that this time doesn't necessarily have to be identical to the last time you were in training. Anakin, this is your chance you could finally fulfil your greatest dream."
Anakin chuckled, turning to her and caressing her cheek lightly, his mood quickly shifting. "I have already succeeded in doing that," he said, she smiled at him, and he replied by covering her lips with his own. The kiss was electrifying, desire igniting her senses as he pushed her down in a lying position upon their bed, both wanting something they hadn't had in so long. "I love you," he whispered frantically as his lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, "I love you, too," she said, her breaths coming in gasps as Anakin fervently untied the back of her crimson gown, slipping it off her shoulders.
Padmé was in the process of sliding her hands under her husbands tunic evoking a seductive laugh from her significant other, when the sound of somebody clearing their throat interrupted their little escapade. Padmé pushed Anakin off her, causing an "Oooff" to escape his mouth as he hit his head on the beds backboard. She immediately popped off the bed, Anakin tying the back of her dress, as they faced a very stunned and embarrassed Commander Darkcloud standing in front of them. Padmé was a very bright shade of red while Anakin's cheeks were flushed, his breath still coming in gasps.
"I…uh…well…your…uh…door was…well …opened…I am…very…uh…sorry." He managed to mutter, looking at his feet like a small child, Padmé unable to meet his gaze. "Commander, obviously there was some reason you needed to speak to one of us?" Anakin finally said while trying to straighten his Tunic. The Commander nodded. "You are needed on deck, sir." Anakin sighed accompanied by one of Padmé's famous eye rolls. "I'll be there in 30 minutes, Commander. You are dismissed."
Darkcloud nodded respectfully, bowing to Padmé "My Lady," he said, Padmé nodding in reply, forcing a smile. He exited quickly, making sure the door was securely shut behind him. Padmé turned to her husband then, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck, "I guess this is goodbye again," she said sadly, surprised at Anakin's sly smirk. "Hey, I have 30 minutes."
Padmé's eyes widened and she giggled uncontrollably as her husband pushed her down on the bed once again, struggling to get his tunic off while kissing her passionately. All Padmé heard, excluding her husbands soothing breaths for the next half hour, was him using the force to lock the door, securing their privacy.
***
Anakin, accompanied by a sly, uncontrollable grin, met Commander Darkcloud at the docking bays entrance. He couldn't help but notice the commanders unflattering shade of fuchsia as he began muttering the latest reports on the Imperial Navy as they walked side by side to the briefing mood. "Another command ship captured," Anakin said finally at the end of the Commanders quick spill.
Darkcloud finally looked up, "Afraid so, 20 other fighters were shot down as well. I am afraid the Rebellion in continually shrinking, sir." Anakin nodded knowingly, his grin had finally faded as he realized the reason they had called this briefing. "We're losing," He managed to spit out as he opened the door with his access code. The Commander looked to his feet solemnly.
Breaking their dismal silence were the evacuation lights echoing through the great temples large, grand corridors. Without exchanging a single word, both men broke out into sprints towards the docking bay as the large temple irrupted into chaos. A chaos Anakin knew was more than a simple attack as he felt a dark presence cover the stronghold with a sense of dread, making it into no more than a catacomb.
***
Meanwhile in the Jedi's chambers…
Yoda opened his eyes abruptly, awakening for his meditation. "It has begun…" He muttered breathlessly, before heading for his ship.
***
The conclusion of Part 1 J More to come soon