Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been busy lately, and haven't been on my computer very much. This is the extended ending, and it's beginning should sound a bit familiar...don't worry, it changes. This is the end, I won't be posting any more on this story. You can check out my other stories...they haven't been updated lately, either, though. I hope you enjoyed the story! Thank you for reading! Please review...
LBV: Thank you for reviewing! I didn't want Anakin to lose...but he had to. It sucks. I hope you like the end!!
Dracula's Lair: I'm glad you liked the story! I'm not very good at summaries, though. I'll try to find a better one
Febreez: I finally updated, yay!! Sorry it took me so long!
Gevaden: Thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you thought an Anakin/Vader fight was good. It kinda worked with my theory that Anakin has Multiple Personality Complex. lol! I'm going to read your story soon, I promise!
PadmeSkywalker: Wow, you liked it that much? That's awesome! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Sorry it took me so long to get the last chapter up!
Palpatine and Vader stood alone in Palpatine's office. The Emperor was giving Vader orders to execute all of the Jedi. He would start with the Jedi locked in the Temple. Then, he would hunt down the rest. Vader flourished the thought of murdering those who had doubted him, criticized him, and had watched him closely, without trust, throughout his time as a Jedi. With satisfaction, he accepted his orders and headed to the Jedi Temple.
"Sir," a voice broke their conversation," Mace Windu has arrived on planet. Should we detain him?"
Emperor Palpatine smiled cruelly. He turned to his apprentice," Finally, you will be able to prove yourself. Go, my young apprentice. Duel the Jedi Master. Once you are through with him, there are other Jedi, waiting to die..."
Vader laughed haughtily as he left the office. He headed to the landing platform, where the Jedi was waiting. Mace turned to Vader, lightsaber drawn," I knew we never should have trained you. After all we have done for you, you have betrayed us all. You're more cowardly than I thought, Vader."
"You cannot insult me, Mace," Vader replied, surprising Mace. He hadn't been expecting Vader's voice to have gotten so much deeper. In fact, he was rather surprised that Vader was alive at all.
"How exactly did you survive, Vader?" Mace asked coldly as the fight began. He parried Vader's rapid attacks with some difficulty. The new mechanical arm and legs had surprisingly quick reflexes, and nearly natural motion. Mace knew from the moment they started fighting that he would not come out of the fight alive.
Vader knew this as well, and his attacks came even faster, making his lightsaber appear to be one big blur of light. Without decreasing the speed and power of his blows, Vader replied," The Force was with me. It always has been, and it always will be."
Vader's blade swept through Mace. The Jedi tensed, then dropped to the ground with a look of contentment. This reaction caused annoyance to shoot through Vader. Jedi! They're always so calm. Even when they die.
With that Vader turned briskly and strode toward the Temple. He would deal with the Jedi, once and for all. None would survive...
"I'll take him with me," Obi-Wan told Padme," Vader won't find us. I will make sure no harm comes to him."
Padme wanted to protest, but she knew she could trust Obi-Wan. A few months had gone by since they had gone into hiding. Padme had finally given birth a few weeks before, delivering not only a son, but a daughter as well. It was almost unbearable to think about being separated from her beloved son so soon, but worse was the thought of Luke being discovered and captured by Vader.
After a few moments, Padme replied sadly," Where will you take him? Where would he be safe?"
"I will take him to Tatooine," Obi-Wan replied softly," Vader will not return to that planet. It has brought him too much pain in the past."
Padme considered this, then responded," Take him to the Lars family. They will raise him suitably. I want him to know a mother and a father."
"That is a good plan," Obi-Wan replied," and I assume you will stay here and raise Leia?"
Padme sighed," Obi-Wan, we both know that I cannot survive much longer. This disease is eating me alive...However, Bail Organa has agreed to adopt her. We are leaving for Alderaan soon. Bail is sending a personal transport."
Soon after the twins had been born, Padme had developed a serious illness. None of the medics knew how to treat it, and Padme had decided to try to live life normally. As normally as anyone could live while hiding in a saferoom on Mon Calamiri, that is. A rebel movement had started not long after the Empire had taken over. Obi-Wan had joined it immediately, as had Padme. Bail Organa had joined the rebellion as well, not that he allowed the Empire to suspect it. He still participated in the Imperial Senate.
"Are you ready to board, General?" the pilot called from the ship.
Obi-Wan took Luke from a sobbing Padme, and started toward the ship. He called back," Don't worry, Padme. He will be safe. I will die before I allow anything to harm him."
The Jedi walked up the ramp swiftly, not daring to look back at the sobbing woman he was leaving behind. He was worried about his old friend's wife. She hadn't taken Anakin's failure easily, and was immensely stressed by her illness, children, and leading role in the rebellion. However, Obi-Wan trusted the Force, and knew that he was following the correct path. He only wished he could say the same for his old apprentice.
"General," the pilot called as Obi-Wan came on board," there are many Imperial ships patroling the area. Be prepared for a rough take-off."
Sighing, Obi-Wan nodded and took a seat in his cabin. He held Luke closely, gazing down into the baby's deep blue eyes. Through the Force, he could sense Luke's enormous potential for good. Suddenly, Obi-Wan knew that if Anakin were to return, he would not be the one to bring him back. The baby cradled in his arms would have to perform that task. It would be Luke's job to ensure that his father fulfills his destiny, whether he would ever know it or not.
As the ship approached the barren world of Tatooine, Obi-Wan felt a pang of sadness. The emotion nearly made him cry, as he had been in a constant state of sorrow since Anakin had been defeated. Now, any negative emotions nearly sent him over the edge. He realized that Owen and Beru would not want Luke to know about the Force after what had happened to Anakin. That also meant that Obi-Wan would have very limited occasions upon which he could talk to Luke.
A voice called from the front," We will reach the surface of Tatooine in five standard minutes."
Obi-Wan gathered himself and pushed his sorrowful thoughts away. He scooped the sleeping baby into his arms, and assembled Luke's few belongings. As he balanced the suitcases and the baby, he walked carefully toward the exit ramp. The ship touched down softly, and the ramp slowly descended. A burst of heat struck Obi-Wan as he started down the ramp. When he reached the bottom, his feet sank slightly into the sand, and he felt the scorching heat radiating off the ground.
A broad figure appeared in front of the moisture farm, and called," Obi-Wan Kenobi, is that you?"
"Not any more," Obi-Wan called back," I go by the name of Ben Kenobi now. Obi-Wan...Obi-Wan died with Anakin. I assume that you are Owen Lars?"
"Yes," the man replied, approaching Obi-Wan. Another figure appeared around the side of the house, this time it was a woman. Owen introduced her," This is my wife, Beru. Is there something we can help you with, Ben?"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. He didn't look forward to telling the Lars' about the fate of Anakin. He suggested seriously," We should talk, inside."
Owen nodded and took Obi-Wan's suitcases. He led Obi-Wan into the kitchen, while Beru poured them each a glass of Tatooine blue milk. Once Beru had taken a seat, and Obi-Wan had Luke comfortably positioned in a special chair, Obi-Wan began," As you may have noticed, the Empire has taken over. I'm sure you've heard the rumors that Anakin died, but that's only half true. He...well, he turned to the dark side. He now goes by the name Darth Vader. Padme gave birth to twins. She's not doing very well, and one of her last requests was that you raise Luke Skywalker, her son."
An awkward silence followed the statement. Obi-Wan knew it was a lot to process. He only hoped that they would agree to raise Luke, and allow him to visit sometimes. And teach Luke the ways of the Force, of course. Owen rose a critical eyebrow, then stated carefully," We will raise Luke as if he were our own son. However, after what happened to Anakin, I don't want him to get close to you. Luke will not learn about the Force, ever. I will not allow another innocent person to be corrupted by this mysterious Force. You will leave us alone, Kenobi. Luke will be raised properly, free from your superstitions."
Obi-Wan nodded painfully. Beru merely stared at her table. She looked up when Obi-Wan rose. Obi-Wan kissed Luke on the forehead, whispered, "May the Force be with you, always," then nodded goodbye to the others in the room.
The small shuttle turned into a fireball the moment it hit the swampy ground. Vader smiled murderously when he saw the explosion. He was on his Star Destroyer, and the ship he had just destroyed had been carrying a particularly annoying part of his past. The black-clad Sith spoke over the comlink," Yoda is dead, my master. I shot him down myself."
"Well done, my young apprentice," a voice crackled back. Vader grinned in satisfaction as he stared down at Dagobah. The thought of that little green troll being blown into oblivian did much to bring a cruel joy to Vader. The voice over the comlink snapped Vader out of his joy by adding," Now only one Jedi remains. Find your old master, and kill him."
Vader wore an evil expression that no one could see as he replied," It will be my pleasure."
"Lord Vader," one of the officers on the ship called as Vader cut the link to the Emperor," we have traced the unregistered ship that left Mon Calamiri to the planet called Tatooine. We believe that Obi-Wan Kenobi was on board!"
In a business-like tone, Vader promptly replied," Well done. Set a course for Tatooine." He then swept around and exited the bridge, his long black cape swishing behind him.
A battered Yoda stumbled out of the wreckage of a space ship. He limped across the swampy land until he came across a cave. As he seated himself inside, he took out his comlink and risked using the Force to inspect the presence of the Sith. Once the dark presence disappeared, Yoda switched on his comlink, and called Obi-Wan's frequency.
A few moments later, the sorrowful voice of Obi-Wan replied," Ben Kenobi."
"Seek Obi-Wan, I do," Yoda replied scornfully," a Jedi Knight, he was!"
Yoda could hear the man at the other end sigh before answering," I wondered when I would be hearing from you, Master Yoda. It seems we're the only two left."
"Wrong, you are," Yoda chuckled," to Vader, at least."
After a long silence, Yoda continued," Believes I am dead, Vader does. After you now, he is."
"That's certainly encouraging," Obi-Wan laughed. He no longer cared very much about what happened to him, now that those who he cared about were safe. His only reason that he did not simply confront Vader now and try to either bring Anakin back or kill him was his concern that Luke, their last hope, would never learn the ways of the Force if he was dead. Obi-Wan suddenly asked," Where are you, Yoda?"
Yoda's short laugh reached his ears, then the Jedi Master replied," In the Dagobah System, I am. Come here yourself, you should not."
Before Obi-Wan could say any more, Yoda destroyed his comlink. The compact green Jedi began to set up his new home.
"Senator Amidala," Bail Organa greeted the beautiful woman before him," it's been far too long. We must be going."
Padme nodded wearily as she craddled Leia in her arms. One of her handmaidens carried her lightly packed suitcase, while the another carried the baby's supplies. Bail took her arm and walked up the ramp with her. The handmaidens went directly to Padme's corridors, while Padme took a seat in the ship's lounge. Bail left the young woman alone, joining the pilot in the cockpit.
In the silent lounge, Padme sank deep into thought. She imagined Luke growing up on Tatooine, with all of the sandstorms and heat. In a way, she regretted sending him off to that desert world. He would never know the true beauty of a planet like Naboo. Then she considered life as it should have been. She could see herself and Anakin standing in a well-landscaped yard on Naboo, watching Luke and Leia running around and playing tag. Soon the young children would tire, and they would all swim across the lake to the island where she and Anakin had shared so many memories. They would have a picnic, and everything would be wonderful. Anakin would lean over to kiss her, gently caressing her back. Luke, who greatly resembled Anakin, would start a game of tag again with Leia, who bore more resemblance to Padme. They would...
"Ah, there you are," Bail stated as he entered the lounge, interrupting Padme's pleasant thoughts. The young woman had a tear dripping slowly down her cheek, and Bail asked with concern," What's wrong, Padme?"
Padme sniffed quietly, then answered," I was just thinking about how things could have been...no, how things should have been."
When Organa merely raised an eyebrow, Padme elaborated," I was thinking about how different everything would have been if Anakin hadn't...died. My family wouldn't have been torn apart, and life would have been so much better."
Bail put a comforting arm around Padme. He held her close, and told her not to worry. He whispered reassuring words into her ear. Soon, Padme had regained control of her emotions. The ship touched down on the beautiful planet of Alderaan. Amazingly Leia had slept through the entire trip. Padme and Bail exited the ship, followed by security and Padme's crew of handmaidens.
They followed Bail to Padme's corridors. Padme gasped as she stepped into the room. Touring the room, Padme was amazed. The room was huge, with the largest, most luxurious bed she had ever seen. There was also an amazingly comfortable couch that seemed like it could swallow you. She walked slowly into the bathroom, which contained a jacuzzi the size of a pool, and as deep, as well as a large shower and a full vanity. There were already an assortment of perfumes lining the vanity's edge. As she glanced into the closet, she saw it was the size of an average bedroom, and half filled with every type of dress and shoe imaginable.
"Is it satisfactory, M'Lady?" one of the handmaidens asked. Padme could see her friend Sabe gawking in the background.
Padme smiled, replying," It will work very nicely. Tell Senator Organa that I will be here for the rest of the night."
"Yes, M'Lady," she replied, hurrying off to rely the message. Sabe spilt away from the group of handmaidens who were heading to the next room.
Padme sat down on her couch, Leia still craddled in her arms. Sabe quietly joined her friend. Padme was staring down at Leia when she asked," How did everything get so messed up?"
Sabe had no answer for that question. She held Padme's hand, sending silent encouragement. Padme whispered," I finally had everything I ever wanted, Sabe. Perhaps I'm just not meant to be happy."
"Were you happy when you were with Anakin?" Sabe asked gently, already knowing the answer.
Padme looked up and replied," Being with Anakin, even when I knew I shouldn't be, made me feel more free and happy than any other time in my life."
Sabe smiled and took Leia from her sorrowful friend," Then remember those times with him. Cherish them. Don't let it depress you to think about life as a normal family, and you'll be fine. Just remember Anakin always for who he was, not who he has become."
Smiling sadly back at Sabe, Padme stood and started toward the bathroom. She turned briefly and stated," Thank you so much, Sabe. I don't know what I would do without you. For the moment, however, I am going to take a long, hot bath. Months of hiding take their toll on a person, after all."
Sabe tended to Leia, who had started crying. Humming softly, she wondered if she had said the right thing to Padme. After all, how could you really comfort someone who had lost their true love, not to death, but to a far worse fate. She too missed the enthusiastic, while somewhat stubborn, young man. The thought of him being turned to the dark side made her shiver. If such a horrible thing could happen to an amazingly talented Jedi, she didn't want to think about what she would have done, had she been put in the same situation.
"Lord Vader," a voice called from the bridge," our sources say that Obi-Wan Kenobi died shortly after arriving on Tatooine."
Immediately, Vader reached out through the Force, searching for the familiar presense of his old friend. When he found nothing, he nodded briefly," Very well, Captain. What information do we have on Senator Amidala?"
The captain shifted uncomfortably. Knowing Vader's feelings for the Senator, he had been trying to avoid being the one to tell him," Lord Vader, Sir...Senator Amidala is dead. Bail Organa filed the report himself. He claims she contacted him from Mon Calamiri, but by the time he arrived, she was dead. He...he said that she died while giving birth, but the boy died as well."
Grief rose up in Vader. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He turned briskly, nearly jogging back to his room. Knowing very well that these emotions came from the Jedi, he turned the sorrow and misery into anger. He tried to, at least. The grief he felt because his true love as well as his son had actually died was too much to ignore, or push away. For the first and last time in Vader's reign, the tall, dark figure cried.
"You're dead," Bail stated with a grin as he entered Padme's suite. She shot him a puzzled look, and he continued," at least, that's what the Empire thinks."
Smiling, Padme hugged him. She replied," I'm free. They won't search for me any longer. But what did you say about Luke and Leia?"
Bail chuckled lightly," I told them that you died giving birth to a son, but he died shortly after. Of underdeveloped lung, I believe it was..."
"Thank you," Padme said diplomatically. Sabe entered the room, peering curiously at Padme and Bail. After a moment of just standing there, Leia in her arms, Padme asked her," Is something wrong, Sabe?"
Sabe shook her head slowly, with a sly smile spreading across her face. As she handed the baby off to its mother, she whispered," I thought you would have learned not to engage in forbidden relationships by now, Padme."
Padme's eyes widened in shock, and she wondered what kind of message she had been sending. Surely Bail knew that they were just friends. Didn't he? It was absurd to think otherwise. She had her true love, even had children with him. Before he was gone, that is. Bail, of course, believed that Anakin had been killed. Padme couldn't imagine telling him the truth. He and Anakin had been friends, and such a story would be devestating.
Swiftly exiting the room, Sabe didn't see the shocked expression upon her friend's face. She was chuckling softly to herself. It was amazing to her that Padme always seemed to get a little bit closer than just friends or business partners with men that she knew perfectly well she couldn't be with. Anakin had been killed because of it. How could Padme possibly risk something similar ever happening again?
Uncomfortably, Padme asked," Bail, do you think there is something more between us?"
"Than business partners, definately," Bail smiled. He nearly burst out laughing at the expression on her face. Cutting off her desperate attempt to straighten things out before they went too far, Bail added," We're friends."
Padme let out a sigh of relief, and Bail couldn't contain his laughter. Unfortunately, the laughter caused Leia to cry, spoiling the moment. Bail smiled sympathetically as he exited. Padme sang softly to the baby, and soon she was quiet. She gently placed Leia in a luxurious crib, hoping to get some sleep. Lying down on the sofa, Padme wondered what Anakin was doing, and what it would have been like if he hadn't lost his battle.
That night, Padme died in her sleep. She stopped fighting the disease that was eating her inside and out because she realized it was her time. Leia managed somehow to retain a few memories of her mother. Bail raised Leia as if she were his own child, introducing her to both the world of politics and her close friend, Winter. She had a pleasant childhood, and never learned about her twin brother who grew up as a moisture farmer on the planet of Tatooine.
Rumors of Vader's vicious methods spread fear throughout the galaxy. Anakin no longer held him back. He could feel the Jedi's pain, and knew he was dying. The young Jedi would not be a problem any longer. Vader himself was pleased. At last, he had the respect he had been searching for his entire life. His only regret was that there was no one he cared about anymore. His life was devoid of any meaning.
Vader faced the stars, The galaxy is mine. No one will stand in my way...
THE END
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