George Lucas owns everything Star Wars. Please don't sue me!

Message from author: My references for portions of this story come from my memory of seeing Revenge of The Sith in theatres. But, mainly from the official graphic novel which I have. I don't own the written novel (I wish I did though), and haven't seen Episode III in a while. So I'll have to rely on the graphic novel I own for mini details. In the graphic novel, Leia is born first. Now this could have been otherwise in the movie, so please forgive me if I am wrong. Now a special message - chapter IV starts a bit differently than the previous three, I wanted it to be that way, sort of a reflection on the past, and identity of our main characters. I hope you will all enjoy the special introduction, which I have written, and carefully prepared specially for this chapter. For those first time readers, or those just skimming across looking for something to read. If you read nothing else, read the introduction.

Introduction

A tall athletic build man was sitting down on a simple medical bed. His left hand was broken. Broken by his wife, who was holding his hand too tightly during her labor with their children just moments earlier. A nurse tended to the man's hand carefully.

The man was incredibly handsome; deep blue eyes, which reflected kindness, lost innocence, anguish, and grief. Dreamy shoulder length wavy light brown hair fell from his face. A facial scar extended down almost an inch and a half over the edge of his right side eyebrow and forehead, to about a half-inch below his eye. One would say the man was very lucky indeed to have not lost his eye from however he got it. The scar however, added character to him. It marked he had seen, and gone places which one should never go. He had fought countless battles on the people's behalf. This particular scar wasn't just skin deep; it was a scar which reached into the very heart of his soul.

The man was allegedly a legend for his deeds, even as a young child he had made a name for himself by being a podracer. The only human who could ever manage to do it. From those humble beginnings he grew into a living legend. Ascending to the rank of hero for his incredible acts of valor.

They said he was the chosen one, but he knew better - everyone has a dark side... He had loved forbiddingly, given selflessly. Only to fall and murder indiscriminately, betraying those closest to him, and now hating without reason...

There was only one driving and redeeming force in his life - Love for his wife. This was Anakin Skywalker. Father, husband, betrayer, and fallen Jedi Knight... He was only 23 years old.

A petite young mother was holding her two newborns in her arms, gently rocking them as they went off to sleep. Once she was confident they were asleep, she carefully laid her babies down in a small crib apparatus, which was affixed in her medical ward for young babies. She kissed each of them gently on their foreheads before turning to lie down in her bead.

Her life ever since she was a little girl was filled with hardship. She knew this was her fate, and very well accepted it with no complaints. She was steadfast, strong, and a natural leader. Already immortalized for being one of the youngest leaders ever elected on her homeworld. Her awe inspiring leadership abilities, which helped her liberate her homeworld, and wisdom had forever earned her a place in history in the now defunct Galactic Republic. Already in her 27 years of existence - she had accomplished and held more weight on her shoulders, than most could have managed in a lifetime.

She was now carefully brushing her hair on her bed in front of a small mirror. Any passerby would be quick to notice the woman was enchantingly beautiful. Even called an Angel once. If only she had matching graceful wings... She was an absolute pure Goddess. With beauty capable enough to corrupt the virgin heart of even the most devout Jedi.

Her long bewitching brunette curly hair fell to just above her waistline. Her smooth silky skin had developed the perfect tan. But perhaps the most compelling feature about this woman was her deep chocolate brown eyes, sparkling with strength, intelligence, compassion, and intrigue. Her eyes were like an open window to her soul. Even now an observant mind would notice the joy, passion, and heartache which lied behind those eyes. Right now, you could read her like an open book - her eyes hid nothing. What made them most special however, was they were the eyes of Padmé Amidala Skywalker. Mother, Republic senator, and betrayed wife...

Chapter IV

Padmé lay quietly in her bed, looking over at her babies. They're so beautiful.. She thought. Leia had her dark brown eyes and brunette hair. While Luke shard his father's blue eyes and light brown hair. Despite the differences, there was a remarkable resemblance in the two babies between their parents, that perhaps only she could see - if only because she was their mother.

Padmé knew there was a special destiny waiting for her children. There was a special destiny waiting for everyone. It's just that some are too afraid to take that chance, or they don't recognize it when it knocks.

Padmé was a woman who knew what her place was in the universe. Even before running for Queen of Naboo when she was 14 - she knew it was her destiny to help people, to use her wisdom to bring a positive solution to any situation. She would hope her children would discover their unique place in the world at a young age as she did.

A small smile formed over her lips. Perhaps Luke will become a Jedi or a star pilot like his father? And maybe Leia a politician like me. Or heavens, maybe both will become Jedi Knights.

Dealing with a Jedi husband was enough to make any regular wife go insane, dealing with two Jedi children would be perhaps her greatest challenge yet. But, isn't that what motherhood is all about, and supposed to be? She thought, laying the hairbrush down and lying back on the bed, waiting for Anakin to return.

Padmé caressed the small talisman necklace that hung down her chest, she prayed to whatever powers that be that her husband had come back to her.

Suddenly, and without warning, Padmé felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Just a few seconds ago she was feeling fine, now Padmé was feeling extremely light headed, and weak for some reason. Her limbs went limp; she no longer had control over her body. This isn't natural!

Padmé knew it, and was utterly terrified. She was completely vulnerable; anyone could do anything they wanted to her; or worse, take her children away from her.

Padmé wanted to scream out for help, but her body wouldn't obey her commands. She felt a mysterious dark presence wash over her, it was invading her body, making her go limp. Anakin... Luke.. Leia.. She thought as her eyelids fluttered shut as she felt her world wash away from her...

Obi-Wan Kenobi was enjoying a cup of herbal tea in Polis Massa's mess hall. He looked around, the place certainly wasn't as colorful, or lively as Coruscant, the ever-mindful Jedi observed. The mess hall was dimly lit. Indistinct chatter could be heard at several tables. A few people seemed to be gambling. Several server droids scurried about; bringing the workers, crewmembers, and travelers whom had stopped in for refreshments their orders.

Obi-Wan couldn't say the view was any better either. Outside the main window one could see countless small asteroids tumbling by. Some even threatened to pass dangerously close to the station. It was almost chilling.

Obi-Wan focused his attention back to the table where he sat, and pulled out Anakin's lightsaber. It looked almost uncanny to the one he carried with him. That was because Anakin was Obi-Wan's Padawan. He was no doubt influenced by his Master's ingenuity in lightsaber crafting. Waves of nostalgia came washing over Obi-Wan as he held his former Padawan's lightsaber. Remembering their adventures together. Anakin and Obi-Wan had been a team. A duo. Without one, there was no other. Whenever there was trouble, or a hot spot anywhere in the universe, the Jedi Council always dispatched Anakin & Obi-Wan to quell it - and they were the best at it. He couldn't help but smile as he put Anakin's lightsaber back in his cloak.

Those days are long gone... He thought sipping his tea. As he drank his tea Obi-Wan's Jedi senses could feel a disturbance rippling through the Force. His gut was telling him something wasn't right, that something was terribly wrong with Padmé Amidala. He quickly set his cup of tea down and ran as fast as his legs could carry him back over to the medical ward where Padmé and her babies were being kept.

Please be okay Padmé.. I hope Anakin hasn't done anything crazy.

The twin doors to Padmé's room swooshed open as the bearded Jedi Knight rushed in. He immediately could sense Luke and Leia were fine, and still in their cribs. Anakin however, was nowhere to be found. Probably still getting his hand fixed. He thought walking over to Padmé.

Padmé seemed to be sleeping. However, her ECG monitors displayed she had an incredibly slow heartbeat.

Suddenly it hit him: Padmé was comatose. Just then, Anakin came rushing in.

"You!" He growled, running over to Padmé, and shoving his former mentor, and friend out of the way.

"Padmé! Say something!" Anakin franticly said, clutching onto his wife and sitting her up. "I could sense something was wrong... What happened? Please... Don't leave me Padmé! I need you!"

Anakin began sobbing onto his wife's shoulder as he held onto her like a desperate child clinging to a parent for protection. He cocked his head up briefly to catch a glimpse of her heart monitor. She was clearly still alive, but her heart rate was much slower than normal.

Anakin could feel the anger, and the rage bellowing up inside of him. It's all Obi-Wan's fault! He did this to your wife! A voice inside of him said as he clenched his mechanical hand. Anakin's left hand had been mended, and field dressed. But the bones were still tender, and would take several days to fully heal with the medical technology that was administered to him.

"You did this to her! Are you trying to take her from me? What have you done Obi-Wan!"

"Anakin, listen to yourself! That's Darth Vader speaking, not you!"

"If you would have let me flown over here Padmé would had given birth sooner!"
"That has nothing to do with this Anakin! You're just trying to pin the blame on someone! Grow up!"

"Stop! You both will!" A familiar voice called out. Immediately the two stopped their argument and turned to greet the 2-foot tall Master Yoda, who apparently had overhead everything that had just transpired. The two also took note that Senator Bail Organa accompanied Yoda.

A look of disapproval fell across the green Jedi Master's face. With the aid of his walking stick, Yoda took several steps towards the two men, grunting lightly with each step. He no doubt looked almost 900 years old at the moment. Hell Yoda looked over a thousand! "Tend to your children, you should," Yoda said, resting his hands on his walking stick.

Anakin was so caught up arguing with Obi-Wan, he forgot his children were crying. No doubt they had sensed his distress which was probably rippling out through the Force. "I'm sorry baby.. I didn't mean to upset you," Anakin said gently as he picked up Leia and comforted her, followed by his son Luke. It was the first time he ever clearly gazed upon his children. As he looked upon them all his negative feelings just seemed to slip away. His baby twins looked so innocent. A single tear fell from one of his eyes when he realized it was his shared love for Padmé that had created these beautiful children. The resemblance they shared between their parents was almost uncanny Anakin noticed. Without a doubt, they were clearly his flesh and blood, an extension of himself and Padmé.

The greatest miracle in the universe. He thought as he felt the weight of galactic affairs pulling him away from his children. He really wished he had more time to spend with them at the moment. Anakin could feel the anger coursing through his veins again. He wanted it to be over, but he just couldn't accept the fact they were all in this boat because of him right now. Anakin rarely accepted responsibility for his actions, a character flaw.

"Hello, young Skywalker. Or should I say "Lord Vader"?" Yoda said with a scowl.

"I was at the Jedi temple; I could see Clone Troopers killing Jedi younglings... Were.. You there.. Master Skywalker..?" Senator Organa asked with disbelief. On their way to Polis Massa, Yoda had told Bail Anakin had turned to the dark side. He simply refused to believe such a hero to the Republic had turned into some monster right out of a book of fiction. He had to find out for himself.

Anakin didn't answer; instead he merely hung his head down to the ground and nodded shamefully. Bail's eyes went large. He didn't say anything, but the expression on his face displayed exactly what he was feeling, pure devastation as he absorbed the confirmed truth with shock.

After a beat between the group, Bail figured it would be best to change the conversation. "It pleases me to see you well Master Kenobi."

"Thank you Senator, likewise."

"Is... Senator Amidala all right?" Bail asked, choosing his words carefully around her husband. The cat was no doubt out of the bag considering Anakin & Padmé's secret marriage.

"She's slipped into a coma, I was just going to get a doctor, or medical droid in here to examine her. She's given birth, and her children are in good health. If you'll please excuse me," Obi-Wan said, walking out of the room.

Bail Organa sighed with relief, he decided it would be best to leave Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Skywalker alone with Padmé. "If you don't mind, I'm going to grab something to eat."

Yoda nodded with approval as Senator Organa left the room. It was now just Yoda and Anakin.

"The Jedi betrayed me," Anakin said bluntly, head still hanging down. Yoda could no doubt sense some guilt emanating from the man. Anakin turned around and walked over to where Padmé lay. He gently took her little hand and caressed it.

"Consumed you are by hatred Skywalker... Love your wife you still do. Think on the path you are choosing. Choose wisely you must. For one path will lead you down destruction, the other will bring you eternal love... Leave you alone with your wife, I will." Yoda turned to leave. "Meditating I'll be, if you should need me," and with that, the small green Jedi Master exited the room. Anakin heard the distinct swooshing of the double doors opening and closing as Yoda left. He didn't bother to look behind him as he departed. He had heard Yoda's words, and would ponder them. But right now all he was focused on was Padmé.

Is my nightmare going to come true...?

Aside from the faint sound of Padmé ECG monitor it was virtually quiet in the room. One could probably hear a pin dropping through the cold silence. Anakin glanced over at the cribs next to Padmé's bed. Luke & Leia were sound asleep again. Anakin permitted himself a small smile as he looked upon his children, and then back at Padmé. "I know you can hear me Padmé... Fight... For us, for our children.. I need you Padmé.. I can't do this on my own. I've scarified too much to see you leave me.." A small portion of Darth Vader echoed through Anakin's words as he spoke to Padmé.

Anakin could sense Obi-Wan was returning. He cocked his head around to see his former Master entering the room, along with a medical droid. The droid examined Padmé, checking her pulse, respiration, body functions, and brain activity.

"This is most puzzling... This woman appears to be in perfect health.. For reasons I can't explain, she's somehow slipped into a coma," the droid said in its synthesized female voice.

Anakin bit his lip. "Can you... Bring her back?"

"Well... When a person enters a coma state, their brain-"

"Spare me the medical spiel. Can you wake her up, or not?" Anakin asked impatiently.

The droid shook its head. "I'm afraid not... She'll have to come out of it on her own."

Master Yoda was sitting down in front of a large window in a small isolated wing of the Polis Massa station. His were closed, and was obviously immersed into a deep state of meditation. Several asteroids tumbled past him in front of the window, but paid no attention to them.

"Failed to stop the Sith Lord I have.. Much to learn there still is..." Yoda said. Suddenly he could sense a familiar presence in the Force looming around him. The presence was warm, and soothing. Yoda could sense light side energy emanating from this presence.

"With my help you will be able to merge with the force at will." The presence called out; Yoda then recognized it, as none other than Obi-Wan's former deceased Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.

"Eternal life.." Yoda said in astonishment.

"The ability to defy death can be achieved, but only for oneself. A shaman of the Whills discovered the secret - but it will never be accomplished by a Sith Lord. It is a state acquired through compassion. Not greed. As Anakin Skywalker has been misguided to believe."

Yoda was purely astonished. This was the first time he had ever communed with a deceased Jedi through the Force. He was even more amazed at how much knowledge Qui-Gon had learned about the Force over the short period of 13 years since he had died. Then again, Yoda wasn't at one with the living force as Qui-Gon had become through physical death. Even in Yoda's 850 years of existence, there was still much to learn, and unlearn.

"A great Jedi Master you have become Qui-Gon Jinn. Your apprentice, I humbly become."

Meanwhile, outside Yoda's window, from where he was meditating, a dark shadow slowly cast forth, blackening everything...

Obi-Wan Kenobi stood with his arms folded near the doorway of Padmé's room, watching his friend Anakin Skywalker pace franticly up and down.

"I'm can't sit back and watch this happen.. I won't let her die!" Anakin said in frustration.

"There's nothing to suggest she will Anakin."

"NO! You don't understand Obi-Wan! I had a dream about Padmé... Just like I did about my mother before she died. And don't give me that 'dreams pass in time' speech you gave me before! Because I listened to you my mother died! If I would have gotten to her a day or hours earlier I could have saved her! I won't let that happen again! My new powers can save her!"

Obi-Wan maintained his calm expression as he watched Anakin march over to Padmé. "New powers? Anakin listen to yourself!" Obi-Wan could tell his former Padawan was obviously lost, and needed new direction.

Anakin however, paid no mind to Obi-Wan as he brushed some stray hairs away from Padmé's face. "It's all right Angel... I'm here, and I'm going to save you," he said, placing his hands on her.

"Anakin, what are you doing?" Obi-Wan asked with great concern, unfolding his arms and walking up to Anakin.

"I'm healing her, Don't get in my way!" Anakin said icily.

"Anakin, listen to me! You don't have enough knowledge of the Force! You may end up worsening her condition!"

Anakin stopped, and turned to face his former Master, who was increasingly getting on his nerves. "I'll obtain the knowledge I need then!"

"How? By being a Sith Lord?"

"Perhaps! I don't fear the dark side as you do!"

"Anakin, search your conscience, you know that's not the right way! Think of your children, think of your wife-"

"I am! Why do you think I'm doing this?"

Before any of them had a chance to continue their argument, all the power inside the station went dead, and it became as quiet and dark as a tomb. For some reason however, they still had a stable atmosphere, and gravity.

"What's going on? Power glitch?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan reached out with the Force; he shook his head, and knew instantly what had caused the power to fail in the station. "No..." He said dreadfully.

Yoda's eyes popped open as he was snapped back into reality by a tremor in the Force. Outside his window, several Imperial warships loomed threateningly overhead.

A scowl formed across the Jedi Master's face. "Come, the Emperor has.."