Over the Edge
Chapter 7
By aznJEDI13
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns all, no doubt about that. This story belongs to me.
Note: I've finally decided on a time frame. We last saw our beloved couple when Anakin was 18 and Amidala was 23, almost 24. Now, three years later, our heroes meet again. Fate has brought them together once more. It is suggested that you read the "The Deep End" first. It's been a while so excuse me if my writing sucks.
He shivered.
Chills ran up his body, spiraling down his spine, crawling like insects all over his skin. His knuckles were broken and swollen, joints out of place, perhaps permanently. A few ribs were broken amongst the debris – memories from Kenobi's torture.
He still couldn't believe that it was his master who was hurting him – killing him slowly with every devastating blow.
He could no longer sit up; it hurt too much. The pain quivered through his body, like a million blows to every part. He laid in agony, restless though temporarily sustained. His head ached, needles shooting through his mind, confusing him every second.
Visions – blurred, cloudy, undistinguished – plagued him etherally.
Are you an angel?
I'm going to marry you.
Let go, Anakin...you're hurting me.
He broke it Ani. Shattered to a million pieces.
Remember, Am, to betray my love for you would be to betray my very self, to deny myself...And he remembered everything – his fierce love affair with the Queen of Naboo, the Jedis' morbid and monsterous murders, Kenobi's heart shakening betrayal – a flood of memories came to him. And he was pierced with his shame, his bitterness, and his fear. Why would he think of everything now?
This was his moment, soon he knew, he would reunite with the great circle and of course, Yoda. Of course, he could not help but feel a sense of shame for letting Yoda down. He had not done anything great at all and come to think of it, he had failed. Failed Yoda, failed Marina, but most importantly failed himself.
He had watched them all fall, swore he would raise up a great new strength and find those hidden powers. But somehow, someway, Kenobi had caught him and here he lied, in his last moments.
He clutched himself, the coldness bearing in on him like tiny fingers prying at his body, reaching for his soul. The blackness was closing in on him and so he drifted off. Away he went...
He swung despite the ache in his arms or the wounds of flesh he swung. The hum of the lightsaber, a somber sound through the terrified darkness – the only light.
"Anakin!"
Fending off foe and friend, he went. Defeating, one by one, the darkness that threatened to tear his world apart. It would not win.
"Anakin! Help!"
There it was - his name and her voice. Calling out for him, needing him once more. And so he ran, harder, faster than he ever had before. Grasping forward...
"Marina!" He failed to find her, see her and then all of a sudden, as if time around them frooze, he saw her. Blood dripping down her face, sweat flowing from her pores, her robe no longer beige, but crimson. She slashed in mayhem, in fierce, unabridged passion.
She slayed her opponent, the evil darkness, the being falling to the floor. But he watched, almost in horrid agony, as his former master came upon her. Eyes glowing evily, anger clenched in his teeth. So angry...he realized how could anyone be that angry?
Oh sweet master.
"Marina!" He called, galvanting forward, lightsaber clutched. He continued without thought, slaying away whoever or whatever stood in his path, "Marina!"
But it was too late and she was no match. He watched in horror as his Master sent a sharp, silver metal pole plummeling Marina's way. She slashed at in desperation and shredded fear, before, almost in slow motion, the pole slammed into her flesh, sending her to the grown.
Crimson, from that second began to drench her body, her wounds opening as she called on fully to the force to save her – to take her away.
He ran now, his feet moving without a second thought, landing at her side in an instant.
"Marina!" He cried, cradling her head in his hands. "No, no...it can't be."
Her eyes, now dimly lit, looked to the heavens and past him. "Anakin..." She whispered, her eyes floating between conscious and unconscious.
"Marina, please...don't leave me."
"Anakin." Her skin paled her flesh a dramatic white. The blood drenching him now, flooding out of her and taking her away with it.
He gripped her hand in his, holding it again his heart. "Marina..."
"Be strong Anakin." She whispered, "be strong."
"No," He cried, "No..."
"May the force..." She gasped for air, "Be with you." And with that, she was gone, her eyes opened forever in shock, blood dripping from the corners of her pale mouth, leaking onto his tunic.
She was gone.
"No, no." He cried, shaking his head furiously, reaching to pull the metal out of her. Holding her wound with his hand as the blood trickled profusely. Closing his eyes to concentrate, calling on the force.
But she was gone.
And finally Anakin felt as if he were returning home as well. The loneliness, slowly, began to disminish.
But there was a movement, in the back, behind the hallunciations, a tiny figure moved. Silent in the black of night, stealthy they crept about his cell.
A tiny hand reached for his head, craddling it gently. Pulling strands of dirty, crimson stained hair away from his eyes. The touch of the skin was familiar, but he could no longer remember where. The smell of lilacs from her hair, the spilled down her shoulders.
Beautiful.
An angel sent from above to save him, relieve him from this torture, from the deadly betrayal of his idol.
He closed his eyes, trying to server the pain from his mind.
My beautiful Ani.
She had never seen such a horrid sight – how could this be her strong, strapping Jedi knight? Torture by Kenobi, to the brink of death, he lay helplessly before him.
Her heart sank at the image – a strong man disabled so easily. She went to him, as fast as her stealthy movements would allow – her heart jumped for his, but could not find it.
My beautiful Ani.
She had been there the first time, when Anakin lost his limb, Bail lost his life, and Kenobi lost his heart. But this time it was far more horrid and bewildering.
Her sweet, beautiful Ani lay, almost lifeless before him. She cradled his head in her lap, moved stray, dried and bloody hair, out from his eyes. She held back tears because her heart felt half-gone when she saw him like this. Her soul almost ripped out by the atrocities that Kenobi continued to commit. She refused to lose the love of her life.
Though she already had...
"He's coming!" He cried.
She dropped her things, grabbing hold of his arm, "What?"
"The Master's coming."
She shivered, "All right, John, grab that bag," sighing, "We have to get out of here. He'll come for me!"
Confusion crossed his brow, but he hid it quickly. They ran. The pheunomics heard throughout the hall of her castle. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. It was he.
Kenobi.
"He'll want you?" He asked.
Shaking her head, steps becoming quicker and quicker, "Yes," Pausing, "I use to love his Padawan."
He breathed, "Anakin..."
"Yes, but -" She never finished her sentence. Debris went flying at them from all directions when they reached the hangar. Guards flew to her side, protecting her as best they could. John pulled out his blaster, shooting inch by inch.
"Just go!" He screamed.
"John!" She yelled, "I can't leave you!"
"You have to. If the Master wants you, you should go. I'll be fine." He fired another shot off.
"I love you John!"
A smile, the last she ever saw, "I know."
A kiss.
She boarded the ship, waiting for him, calling out to him. But he didn't move. He kept firing, kept trying to protect her. He refused to leave her side...and yet...
Her last memory of him will always be of Kenobi striking him down.
And John was gone- forever. A victim to Kenobi's malice. She will never forgive him for that.
"Ani..." She whispered. "Oh, dear Ani..."
He stirred, his eyes fluttering open at the sound of his name. The bruises on his cheeks becoming apparent as well as the swelling of his eyes. She knew very well then that he was halluncinating.
My beautiful Ani...
She rubbed his brow, soothing the ache with her gentle touch. She had to get him out. Then, suddenly, he saw her, like the sun shining behind the clouds. "Padme..." He breathed.
"Shhh..." She called, "Save your strength."
"Padme..." He whispered, "I can't feel anything."
Sighing, "Shhh," She paused, "I know."A gentle kiss on his brow, "I'm going to get you out of here Ani, just hang in there."
He reached for her, but failed, "It hurts," He cried. "It hurts so bad."
It broke her heart when his normally harmonious blue eyes, now bloodshot and forlorn met her auburn brown ones – pleading. He heaved in a breath, all the pain coming back. She cradled his head more; his eyes closed, suffocating in the agony.
"Don't give up Ani. Stay with me." She called. To herself, "I'll save you."
You're my only hope.
The words shot through her mind – in his voice – and she knew she there was not much time.
My beautiful Ani...
She slipped out of there, stealthy – or she thought.
"Highness." She jumped out of her skin, turning to Kenobi.
"My Lord." She nodded.
"I've been expecting you."
To be continued...
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