All right ! Chapter three!
Author's notes.
The End
Whoa, sorry, but you've got everyone REALLY out of character. The idea is great, but the people aren't portrayed accurately.
By the way, Anakin DID become a Jedi Knight before he turned to the darkside.
Great, but I really don't think Anakin would be an atheist, or say Holy Crap either. In the Galaxy Far, Far Away, they don't swear like that. :)
I think Anakin WOULD say he's an atheist, because he doesn't believe in any RELIGION, or any GOD. There's a difference between a way of life and a religion, and anyway, he's not a Jedi anymore, he's not a Sith anymore. He's just a Force-wielding... guy. About the swearing, you DO have a point.
I wrote much of this story long before the spoilers had been out about the Knighthood thing.. Also, the characters' actions will hopefully become clearer.
liz
A very interesting and creative story. Although I think Anakin's dialect is too casual for Vader -- he sounds more like the kid than the Sith Lord. That's just my opinion. I like that Qui-Gon joined them too.
I was meaning for him to revert to the Anakin tone because, when he returned to the "Anakin" frame of mind, he got out of the extremely formal, calculated, cold tone of voice. That's the way I see it, at least.
Now, for chapter III!
Chapter III: Oh, Brother
~~~~ANAKIN POV~~~~
"So, what now?"
"Well, there's your first two witnesses. Shio will question them seperately. I have no doubt they will speak well of you. That's the only reason you had to speak to them- that and the fact that it was really good to know you've made up with them." He leaned against a tree, and stroked his beard in speculation. "I'm surprised R2-D2 saw you. That makes two 'living' beings with the ability to see you. Well, maybe three."
"Luke, and maybe his sister?"
"Right."
"I've already asked this, but, what next?"
"We need more witnesses. Non-Jedi."
"Like who? Padme`?" I swallowed. 'I hope I get to see Padme` again. It's been twenty years. She probably would hate me.'
Master Jinn shook his head. "I'm sorry, Anakin, but, it's technically impossible for Padme` to be a witness. I can't tell you why, though. However, your mother would be able to testify, although I'm not sure how effective that would be, seeing how she didn't witness any of your life after you were twenty."
I once again gulped, and asked, "Could I see her, even if she's not going to be a witness?"
"Perhaps. But we need witnesses, and now. I'm sort of thinking of recruiting someone like Bail Organa."
"Huh? Organa? Why?"
"Organa knew who you were, and knew the circumstances of your fall. Beru Lars might not be bad either. I doubt Owen would be a good choice, though."
"Oh. The Lars' are dead? I didn't know that."
"Yes, they died right before the first Death Star was destroyed. If they hadn't died, it wouldn't have been destroyed."
"You're serious? What did they have to do with it?"
"Do you know where Luke was raised?" My jaw fell open.
"They raised Luke? That's it, I need to know how they died. Was it my fault?"
He shrugged. "Sort of. The droids that carried the Death Star plans found their way to the Lars family, and the stormtroopers tracked the droids there. Fortunately, R2-D2 ran away, leading both C-3PO and your son away- and to Obi-Wan."
"And the rest is history... Does Luke know that they're dead?"
"Unfortunately for his heart, fortunately for his life. It was inevitable that he would find out, and he did take it hard, but after they died, he had nothing left on Tatooine." Master Jinn smiled weakly, and patted me on the back. "Let's go. We'll visit the Larses first." The scenery shifted, warped, and the lighting grew more intense- much more. I squinted, and found we were on Tatooine.
"What the-?"
"It's not really Tatooine, but a spiritual manifestation of that planet through the power of the minds of its inhabitants. Sort of a 'make your own heaven' sort of thing."
"Ugh. I hate sand."
"It's the only life Owen and Beru ever knew, so naturally it would be heaven to them. Anything else would be new, strange, scary." He raised his hand, and pointed across the dunes. "The homestead is about a kilometer west. They have the entrance this far away because it gives them time to know if there are any visitors. It's the way they did things in life, so it's how they do it in death."
"No one can accuse them of spontaneity." We started trudging through the dunes, and soon the familiar off-white building came into view. Within minutes, we were met by a middle-aged woman with short hair, dressed in the simple garb of a farmer's wife.
"Ah, Jedi Masters. Please, come this way, and make yourselves welcome despite my husband's animosity." There was something about her open, frank personality that rang a bell, and I blinked at her.
"Beru?" Her eyes widened, and she nodded.
"Yes. How do you know my name? I've only known two Jedi in my life, and you don't look a thing like either."
"You don't look the same as you did twenty or so years ago, either." With a shrug, I tried to think of a way to remind her of my identity. "Remember that brash young Jedi who came here looking for his mother years ago?"
She grew pale, and her hands flew to her mouth. "Anakin?" she whispered. I nodded, and she ran off towards the homestead. At first, I thought she was afraid, until she shouted, "Owen, company! Important company! Get over here!" She beckoned to us, and we sprinted up to join her.
"What is it? It better not be Luke. If he's dead this soon-" A gruff voice sounded from the home, and Beru shook her head, although certainly Owen couldn't see her.
"It's not Luke. You'll never believe it!" She gave me a nervous smile, and soon a dark figure came from the domed house.
"Well, who else would be so important? It ain't Kenobi, is-" He broke off in mid-sentence as he caught a glimpse of Master Jinn and I, and he walked up to us, extending a hand.
"Well, if it isn't more Jedi. What do you want?" His wife nudged him in the ribs, and he continued more politely. "Would you like to come inside?" We followed him into the comparatively cool building, and sat at the dinner table.
"Owen, I'm a little short on time, so I'll make it quick. You probably know about what happened to me. I was once Anakin Skywalker. You probably know who I also was, and I wouldn't blame you for hating me." His eyes, which had grown wild at "Anakin," narrowed.
"Hate you? Aw, naah! Just bacause you became _evil_ and killed millions of people isn't ANY reason to hate you!" His voice dripped sarcasm, and he stood. "How'd ya die, huh, Vader? Kenobi kill ya? Luke kill ya? Or did ya just commit suicide because in your pathetic little black heart, you actually felt GUILTY for all the crap you've done?"
I hissed, stung, and stared at my hands. "No one killed me except Palpatine."
"He get tired of his favorite pet?" Finally, Master Jinn stepped in.
"Palpatine was trying to kill young Luke, when Anakin killed Palpatine. He was mortally injured, though. He did save Luke's life."
"And you are?"
"Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master."
Beru gasped, and asked, "Jinn? The one Shmi told us about, who freed Anakin?" Master Jinn and I both nodded. "Why are you both here, anyway?"
"Anakin's death is only the beginning. For simple, good people like you, you didn't need to have a trial when you died. For evil people like Palpatine, they don't even bother giving them a trial. However, if someone is in between, or does a redeeming act before their death, like Anakin has done, the decision made by Shio, God of the Dead, is not as cut-and-dry. We're seeking witnesses to try to convince Shio that Anakin has really changed."
"Ha! Good luck!"
"Owen! Didn't you hear Anakin saved Luke? Tell me, what happened to put Luke in the Emperor's path?" Beru leaned over, her eyes concerned.
Master Jinn smiled. "Luke became a Jedi, that's what happened. He faced both Palpatine and Vader, and held steady. On his own, he defeated both of the Sith- the one in his father's heart, and the one controlling his father's heart. He killed both Vader and Palpatine."
Beru smiled, and turned to Owen. "I knew it. I knew he could do it! It was his destiny!"
"Psssh! Destiny, bantha pudu, same thing!" Owen spit on the ground, and shook his head. "This bastard is the only reason Luke ever had to suffer."
"Hey! Watch your blasted mouth, Lars!" He blinked, and I growled. "You don't hear me insulting YOUR mother, do you?"
"What do mothers have to do with this?"
"My mom may not have been married, but that doesn't mean you can call her son a bastard!"
"That's right!" We spun, to see a rather exasperated silhouette in the doorway. I gasped, and stood quickly.
"M-mom?"
She smiled, still beautiful, and I felt my heart tear. "Oh, my Ani. How I've missed you."
I crossed the room to her, despite Lars' sputtering. "Mom, I- I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say a thing, Ani. I know everything that's happened. You saved your son. I'm so proud of you."
I hung my head. "I've also done terrible things."
"Yes, you have, but... Ani, do you remember what I used to say?"
"You said a lot, Mom."
"The problem with this universe is that no one helps anyone. You may have done great wrong, but you weren't doing it because you felt that it was the right- or good- thing to do. You did it because you felt you _needed_ to. Whether it was right or wrong is a matter of opinion, and, as a slave, you were not entitled to an opinion. You just did as you were commanded." She rested her smooth hand on my cheek, and I closed my eyes, trying to feel her words. "Ani, you rebelled against that fiend in order to save your son. I would have done the same. If Watto had tried to kill you, I would have given my own life."
"But I've done so much."
"Yes, you have, but think. The entire galaxy owes the destruction of the Emperor to you. You, Ani."
"Luke did it. Without him, I'm nothing."
"He may have inspired you, but you made your own decision."
Suddenly, Lars let out a snort. "Why are you getting all mushy over this warped psychopath, Mom? Without him, Palpatine wouldn't have even become Emperor!"
Turning to him, calmer now, I replied, "Palpatine was well entrenched in his post as Supreme Chancellor long before I even began slipping to the Dark Side. He would have become Emperor anyway. He was Emperor before he enslaved me!" Hanging my head again, I whispered, "I just helped eradicate the threat the Jedi posed to his reign. I didn't help him become Emperor."
Beru stood, and made her way to stand beside my mother and me. "Owen, can't you see he's changed? He's not even as rough as when we first met him. Something about him... I can feel he's changed. We should help him in his trial."
"Never."
"I don't expect him to accept me. I just hoped he might." Turning, I gave my mother one last look of love, and stalked out of the room. I started towards the stairs, but I stopped when I felt a hand on my arm.
"Aren't you going to say hello?" A rough voice said at my elbow, and I looked down. Cliegg Lars, still in his hoverchair, looking much like he did when I met him some twenty-five years earlier.
Startled, I replied, "Oh, hello, sir."
"Ha! Don't mind my son, he's just stubborn. I can tell you're not that Vader fellow you once were. Don't forget who you are again, though."
"I know who I am."
"Do you? Well, I'm sure we'd all love to hear it!" He grinned, and turned to his family. Master Jinn stood on the sidelines, calmly observing.
I froze, mentally stammering, confused about what he meant. Did he want me to explain myself? But then, who was I? A former Jedi- a former Sith, too. A former slave- a former slaver, too. A son who never had a father, and a father who was never there for his son. Just what did it all mean?
"I am Anakin Skywalker. I am what I've done, and I've done many things, both good and evil. I've hurt the people I love, just because I didn't know how to protect them. I've betrayed all I believed in, but I've betrayed what I didn't believe."
"I am who I was, and I was both good and evil."
My mother nodded, seemingly satisfied, and Beru and Cliegg followed suit. Only Owen was reluctant to acknowledge my statements. Finally, Cliegg spoke.
"He's him. I don't think we can expect anything more than that."
His son scowled, spat, shuffled his toe in the sand. I expected him to yell again, when he began to talk. "Can he hurt more people?"
"That depends." Master Jinn interrupted, for once speaking. "He will not hurt anyone again as long as he remembers the pain he's caused. I can feel his guilt, and I know that the pain is burnt into him. I do not feel he will make the same mistakes."
"I want another chance."
Lars frowned again, but didn't say anything more. After a long, silent moment, he held out his hand. I took it cautiously.
"If you screw up again, I'll drag you to hell myself."
"You and the rest of the galaxy."
"I'm doing you a big favor here. It's not every day I stand up for proven murderers."
"It's not every day you're asked to."
Author's notes.
The End
Whoa, sorry, but you've got everyone REALLY out of character. The idea is great, but the people aren't portrayed accurately.
By the way, Anakin DID become a Jedi Knight before he turned to the darkside.
Great, but I really don't think Anakin would be an atheist, or say Holy Crap either. In the Galaxy Far, Far Away, they don't swear like that. :)
I think Anakin WOULD say he's an atheist, because he doesn't believe in any RELIGION, or any GOD. There's a difference between a way of life and a religion, and anyway, he's not a Jedi anymore, he's not a Sith anymore. He's just a Force-wielding... guy. About the swearing, you DO have a point.
I wrote much of this story long before the spoilers had been out about the Knighthood thing.. Also, the characters' actions will hopefully become clearer.
liz
A very interesting and creative story. Although I think Anakin's dialect is too casual for Vader -- he sounds more like the kid than the Sith Lord. That's just my opinion. I like that Qui-Gon joined them too.
I was meaning for him to revert to the Anakin tone because, when he returned to the "Anakin" frame of mind, he got out of the extremely formal, calculated, cold tone of voice. That's the way I see it, at least.
Now, for chapter III!
Chapter III: Oh, Brother
~~~~ANAKIN POV~~~~
"So, what now?"
"Well, there's your first two witnesses. Shio will question them seperately. I have no doubt they will speak well of you. That's the only reason you had to speak to them- that and the fact that it was really good to know you've made up with them." He leaned against a tree, and stroked his beard in speculation. "I'm surprised R2-D2 saw you. That makes two 'living' beings with the ability to see you. Well, maybe three."
"Luke, and maybe his sister?"
"Right."
"I've already asked this, but, what next?"
"We need more witnesses. Non-Jedi."
"Like who? Padme`?" I swallowed. 'I hope I get to see Padme` again. It's been twenty years. She probably would hate me.'
Master Jinn shook his head. "I'm sorry, Anakin, but, it's technically impossible for Padme` to be a witness. I can't tell you why, though. However, your mother would be able to testify, although I'm not sure how effective that would be, seeing how she didn't witness any of your life after you were twenty."
I once again gulped, and asked, "Could I see her, even if she's not going to be a witness?"
"Perhaps. But we need witnesses, and now. I'm sort of thinking of recruiting someone like Bail Organa."
"Huh? Organa? Why?"
"Organa knew who you were, and knew the circumstances of your fall. Beru Lars might not be bad either. I doubt Owen would be a good choice, though."
"Oh. The Lars' are dead? I didn't know that."
"Yes, they died right before the first Death Star was destroyed. If they hadn't died, it wouldn't have been destroyed."
"You're serious? What did they have to do with it?"
"Do you know where Luke was raised?" My jaw fell open.
"They raised Luke? That's it, I need to know how they died. Was it my fault?"
He shrugged. "Sort of. The droids that carried the Death Star plans found their way to the Lars family, and the stormtroopers tracked the droids there. Fortunately, R2-D2 ran away, leading both C-3PO and your son away- and to Obi-Wan."
"And the rest is history... Does Luke know that they're dead?"
"Unfortunately for his heart, fortunately for his life. It was inevitable that he would find out, and he did take it hard, but after they died, he had nothing left on Tatooine." Master Jinn smiled weakly, and patted me on the back. "Let's go. We'll visit the Larses first." The scenery shifted, warped, and the lighting grew more intense- much more. I squinted, and found we were on Tatooine.
"What the-?"
"It's not really Tatooine, but a spiritual manifestation of that planet through the power of the minds of its inhabitants. Sort of a 'make your own heaven' sort of thing."
"Ugh. I hate sand."
"It's the only life Owen and Beru ever knew, so naturally it would be heaven to them. Anything else would be new, strange, scary." He raised his hand, and pointed across the dunes. "The homestead is about a kilometer west. They have the entrance this far away because it gives them time to know if there are any visitors. It's the way they did things in life, so it's how they do it in death."
"No one can accuse them of spontaneity." We started trudging through the dunes, and soon the familiar off-white building came into view. Within minutes, we were met by a middle-aged woman with short hair, dressed in the simple garb of a farmer's wife.
"Ah, Jedi Masters. Please, come this way, and make yourselves welcome despite my husband's animosity." There was something about her open, frank personality that rang a bell, and I blinked at her.
"Beru?" Her eyes widened, and she nodded.
"Yes. How do you know my name? I've only known two Jedi in my life, and you don't look a thing like either."
"You don't look the same as you did twenty or so years ago, either." With a shrug, I tried to think of a way to remind her of my identity. "Remember that brash young Jedi who came here looking for his mother years ago?"
She grew pale, and her hands flew to her mouth. "Anakin?" she whispered. I nodded, and she ran off towards the homestead. At first, I thought she was afraid, until she shouted, "Owen, company! Important company! Get over here!" She beckoned to us, and we sprinted up to join her.
"What is it? It better not be Luke. If he's dead this soon-" A gruff voice sounded from the home, and Beru shook her head, although certainly Owen couldn't see her.
"It's not Luke. You'll never believe it!" She gave me a nervous smile, and soon a dark figure came from the domed house.
"Well, who else would be so important? It ain't Kenobi, is-" He broke off in mid-sentence as he caught a glimpse of Master Jinn and I, and he walked up to us, extending a hand.
"Well, if it isn't more Jedi. What do you want?" His wife nudged him in the ribs, and he continued more politely. "Would you like to come inside?" We followed him into the comparatively cool building, and sat at the dinner table.
"Owen, I'm a little short on time, so I'll make it quick. You probably know about what happened to me. I was once Anakin Skywalker. You probably know who I also was, and I wouldn't blame you for hating me." His eyes, which had grown wild at "Anakin," narrowed.
"Hate you? Aw, naah! Just bacause you became _evil_ and killed millions of people isn't ANY reason to hate you!" His voice dripped sarcasm, and he stood. "How'd ya die, huh, Vader? Kenobi kill ya? Luke kill ya? Or did ya just commit suicide because in your pathetic little black heart, you actually felt GUILTY for all the crap you've done?"
I hissed, stung, and stared at my hands. "No one killed me except Palpatine."
"He get tired of his favorite pet?" Finally, Master Jinn stepped in.
"Palpatine was trying to kill young Luke, when Anakin killed Palpatine. He was mortally injured, though. He did save Luke's life."
"And you are?"
"Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master."
Beru gasped, and asked, "Jinn? The one Shmi told us about, who freed Anakin?" Master Jinn and I both nodded. "Why are you both here, anyway?"
"Anakin's death is only the beginning. For simple, good people like you, you didn't need to have a trial when you died. For evil people like Palpatine, they don't even bother giving them a trial. However, if someone is in between, or does a redeeming act before their death, like Anakin has done, the decision made by Shio, God of the Dead, is not as cut-and-dry. We're seeking witnesses to try to convince Shio that Anakin has really changed."
"Ha! Good luck!"
"Owen! Didn't you hear Anakin saved Luke? Tell me, what happened to put Luke in the Emperor's path?" Beru leaned over, her eyes concerned.
Master Jinn smiled. "Luke became a Jedi, that's what happened. He faced both Palpatine and Vader, and held steady. On his own, he defeated both of the Sith- the one in his father's heart, and the one controlling his father's heart. He killed both Vader and Palpatine."
Beru smiled, and turned to Owen. "I knew it. I knew he could do it! It was his destiny!"
"Psssh! Destiny, bantha pudu, same thing!" Owen spit on the ground, and shook his head. "This bastard is the only reason Luke ever had to suffer."
"Hey! Watch your blasted mouth, Lars!" He blinked, and I growled. "You don't hear me insulting YOUR mother, do you?"
"What do mothers have to do with this?"
"My mom may not have been married, but that doesn't mean you can call her son a bastard!"
"That's right!" We spun, to see a rather exasperated silhouette in the doorway. I gasped, and stood quickly.
"M-mom?"
She smiled, still beautiful, and I felt my heart tear. "Oh, my Ani. How I've missed you."
I crossed the room to her, despite Lars' sputtering. "Mom, I- I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say a thing, Ani. I know everything that's happened. You saved your son. I'm so proud of you."
I hung my head. "I've also done terrible things."
"Yes, you have, but... Ani, do you remember what I used to say?"
"You said a lot, Mom."
"The problem with this universe is that no one helps anyone. You may have done great wrong, but you weren't doing it because you felt that it was the right- or good- thing to do. You did it because you felt you _needed_ to. Whether it was right or wrong is a matter of opinion, and, as a slave, you were not entitled to an opinion. You just did as you were commanded." She rested her smooth hand on my cheek, and I closed my eyes, trying to feel her words. "Ani, you rebelled against that fiend in order to save your son. I would have done the same. If Watto had tried to kill you, I would have given my own life."
"But I've done so much."
"Yes, you have, but think. The entire galaxy owes the destruction of the Emperor to you. You, Ani."
"Luke did it. Without him, I'm nothing."
"He may have inspired you, but you made your own decision."
Suddenly, Lars let out a snort. "Why are you getting all mushy over this warped psychopath, Mom? Without him, Palpatine wouldn't have even become Emperor!"
Turning to him, calmer now, I replied, "Palpatine was well entrenched in his post as Supreme Chancellor long before I even began slipping to the Dark Side. He would have become Emperor anyway. He was Emperor before he enslaved me!" Hanging my head again, I whispered, "I just helped eradicate the threat the Jedi posed to his reign. I didn't help him become Emperor."
Beru stood, and made her way to stand beside my mother and me. "Owen, can't you see he's changed? He's not even as rough as when we first met him. Something about him... I can feel he's changed. We should help him in his trial."
"Never."
"I don't expect him to accept me. I just hoped he might." Turning, I gave my mother one last look of love, and stalked out of the room. I started towards the stairs, but I stopped when I felt a hand on my arm.
"Aren't you going to say hello?" A rough voice said at my elbow, and I looked down. Cliegg Lars, still in his hoverchair, looking much like he did when I met him some twenty-five years earlier.
Startled, I replied, "Oh, hello, sir."
"Ha! Don't mind my son, he's just stubborn. I can tell you're not that Vader fellow you once were. Don't forget who you are again, though."
"I know who I am."
"Do you? Well, I'm sure we'd all love to hear it!" He grinned, and turned to his family. Master Jinn stood on the sidelines, calmly observing.
I froze, mentally stammering, confused about what he meant. Did he want me to explain myself? But then, who was I? A former Jedi- a former Sith, too. A former slave- a former slaver, too. A son who never had a father, and a father who was never there for his son. Just what did it all mean?
"I am Anakin Skywalker. I am what I've done, and I've done many things, both good and evil. I've hurt the people I love, just because I didn't know how to protect them. I've betrayed all I believed in, but I've betrayed what I didn't believe."
"I am who I was, and I was both good and evil."
My mother nodded, seemingly satisfied, and Beru and Cliegg followed suit. Only Owen was reluctant to acknowledge my statements. Finally, Cliegg spoke.
"He's him. I don't think we can expect anything more than that."
His son scowled, spat, shuffled his toe in the sand. I expected him to yell again, when he began to talk. "Can he hurt more people?"
"That depends." Master Jinn interrupted, for once speaking. "He will not hurt anyone again as long as he remembers the pain he's caused. I can feel his guilt, and I know that the pain is burnt into him. I do not feel he will make the same mistakes."
"I want another chance."
Lars frowned again, but didn't say anything more. After a long, silent moment, he held out his hand. I took it cautiously.
"If you screw up again, I'll drag you to hell myself."
"You and the rest of the galaxy."
"I'm doing you a big favor here. It's not every day I stand up for proven murderers."
"It's not every day you're asked to."