George Lucas owns everything Star Wars, please don't sue me!
Sorry for the wait everyone! But I wanted to make sure chapter V was just perfect before posting it online. As a treat, I made sure this was a fairly long chapter. I don't think you'll be disappointed! Enjoy!
Chapter V
"Padmé push! Push, Padmé, I can see the head! Its coming!" Obi-Wan said. Clutching onto Padmé's hand as she gave birth. Padmé let out a scream of agony as she tried to push with all her strength. It was turning out to be a lengthy ordeal, and Padmé was having some complications with the baby. The doctors had almost got the baby out when Padmé started hemorrhaging badly.
"Its a girl!" One of the doctors said, holding up Padmé's newborn daughter. "L..Leia.." She whispered weakly. Padmé's life was fading fast. The doctors were attempting to stabilize Padmé, but they were losing her.
"Padmé! Fight, hang on! Your children need you!" Obi-Wan shouted at Padmé. She squeezed Obi-Wan's hand "Take care of my children..." She said, before falling limp and flatlining. Padmé was dead...
"Uhh!" Anakin snapped his eyes open, and sat up in his bed. It took him a minute to collect himself and realize where he was; in Padmé's bedroom. He looked down beside him and saw his wife sleeping peacefully. He wasn't alone, and she wasn't dead. "It was a nightmare..." He managed to choke out before standing up out of bed, taking care not to wake Padmé.
God, could the night get any worse? He asked himself silently as he slipped on his robe and walked out to the balcony. It had stopped raining, but the ground was still wet. Anakin looked out at Coruscant and watched all the different speeders fly by. A light cool breeze blowing his light brown hair. All Anakin could manage to think about was what had happened to Padmé, and his new dream.
Wait... Why was Obi-Wan with Padmé? Did something happen to me? Did she run away with him? Anakin pushed those thoughts out of his mind. Its just a nightmare... He told himself over, and over. At least... That's what Anakin was hoping. He was just so distressed by the recent turn of events, he couldn't differentiate the difference between prophecy, and dream.
Anakin walked back inside and decided he should get some more rest. He slowly climbed back into bed and looked over at Padmé. She looked so peaceful sleeping, like a beautiful angel. An expression of calm and peace displayed over her delicate facial features. Anakin reached over and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. As he did so he felt a tremendous surge of energy, Anakin pulled away quickly and grabbed his hand in pain. The jolt felt similar to an electrical charge. What's going on here? He thought to himself. Anakin could feel something unusual floating around Padmé's force signature. Something that was tainting her. Anakin's feelings told him her attacker did more to her than just assault her. He would get some answers when he and Padmé were visiting the Jedi Council later that day.
Suddenly, Anakin could almost feel like something was pulling him down onto his pillow, his eyelids grew heavy, and a voice was telling him to sleep. It was a sweet, soft, feminine voice, one that reminded him of Padmé. Anakin didn't protest and closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep...
...Anakin found himself standing in the Jedi Council chambers. But something wasn't right about this room. It was very dark, and a mysterious fog was everywhere. Anakin could hear a voice softly calling out to him. "Anakin..." It called. The voice was none other than Padmé.
"Padmé?" He said, trying to navigate through the mysterious fog. "Anakin..." the voice called again. Then Anakin stopped, he could see her. Padmé was dressed in a long, flowy nightgown. Her long curly hair hung down past her shoulders.
"Anakin... Be wary of the Chancellor, not everything is as it seems..." She said to him.
"What are you talking about?" Anakin questioned.
"I am his prisoner..." She regretfully said.
"Prisoner? What's going on Padmé?" Anakin said, even more confused now.
Padmé slowly began to back away from him.
"Padmé, wait! Don't go!" Anakin cried out, as he tried to follow Padmé.
"Help me Anakin... You're the chosen one." She said before completely disappearing in the fog.
"Padmé!" Anakin yelled, reaching out with his hands, trying to grab her silhouette as it faded away. But all he succeeded in grabbing was a handful of mist which engulfed him. Before Anakin had time to collect himself, he could see a shadow looming over behind him. He turned around, and faced none other, than Chancellor Palpatine. He was dressed in fine robes and was holding his hands down in front of him.
"What have you done to my wife?" Anakin demanded, pulling out his lightsaber. "Give her back to me!" He commanded, igniting his Jedi weapon. A bright blue blade extended out. Palpatine smirked. "Your wife belongs to me now Anakin. Only by joining me will she be returned to you," Palpatine said, offering a hand out to Anakin.
"I'll never join the Sith!" Anakin said in anger. Palpatine laughed. "Yes... I can feel your anger, it gives you focus, makes you stronger. Give in to your hate, and you will become invincible!" Palpatine declared as he gestured over to his right side next to Anakin.
Anakin turned to see the a tall figure walking over to him. He was easily half a head taller than Anakin. He was dressed in shiny black armor, wearing a black cape, a mask and a helmet - It was the infamous armor of Darth Vader. And it almost seemed to speak, no, beckoned to Anakin. Vader pulled out his lightsaber, and ignited it. A bright Sith crimson blade extending out. "Your destiny lies with me, Skywalker." Vader's voice boomed, and raising his lightsaber.
"Never!" Anakin shot back, raising his own lightsaber and engaging Darth Vader in a duel. Anakin wasn't fighting in the typical Jedi manner, he was letting his anger, and rage control him. It was making Anakin more powerful, he could feel it flowing through the force, guiding him, empowering him, making him invincible. Vader countered the best he could, but couldn't hold back Anakin's continuous onslaught. Anakin found an opening, and in one swift swing, Anakin decapitated Darth Vader. His head rolling down to the ground in front of Anakin. He looked down at Vader's severed head, the mask began to dissolve, revealing the face of Anakin Skywalker behind it. Anakin could do nothing but gasp in sheer horror at what he beheld. Anakin looked down at his lightsaber, it was no longer glowing Jedi blue, but Sith red. Anakin had realized he had just given into his own terror. He had become the very evil he was fighting against all these years.
Anakin powered down his lightsaber and tucked it away on his belt. He crouched down and picked up the face of Darth Vader - His face, and examined it. He could hear Palpatine laughing next to him. "There's no escaping your destiny... Lord Vader," Palpatine declared as he faded away into the fog.
Anakin looked back at the severed head he was holding in his arms and dropped it in sheer disgust and terror. He buried his face in his hands and began sobbing. This couldn't be true.. I can't become the very evil I'm trying to destroy... And what has Palpatine done to Padmé?. Anakin thought to himself as he sobbed.
Suddenly, two delicate hands pulled his hands away from his face. Anakin looked up sheepishly to see Padmé, in this dark room, she seemed to be the only beacon of light. "Don't cry my husband," she said, reaching out to him. Anakin reached back out and hugged her. She embraced her husband back, and made soft cooing noises. She also took her hand and began stroking Anakin's hair gently in a comforting motion.
"Ani... You're my only hope. Don't give into the Chancellor's evil temptations. He's the Sith Lord. And only you can destroy him Anakin... It is your destiny." She said taking his face into her hands, she leaned forward and passionately kissed her husband. Anakin gripped onto his wife tightly, clinging to her as if she was life itself. A soft sound escaped Anakin's throat as he eagerly returned her kiss. Padmé slowly broke the kiss and withdrew from her husband.
"Help me, Anakin... Save me from him..." She said finally disappearing. Suddenly, a blaring noise began ringing in Anakin's ears, it rang like a loud claxon, beckoning him...
...Anakin blinked his eyes awake, as the alarm clock woke him up from his deep slumber. Its loud claxon ringing into his ears. Anakin groaned and slammed his fist down on the clock, effectively shutting off the alarm. He sat and noticed Padmé had slept right through it. He decided to let her sleep a bit longer and take his morning shower.
While Anakin was showering, all he could think about was the two dreams he had. While the first seemed murky and unclear. The second one was almost like a reality of its own. Anakin could see, feel, even smell everything that was around him. And Padmé... Was she trying to tell him something in their sleep? Her words echoed in his mind; ...Save me from him... "Chancellor Palpatine..." He said to himself as he let his hair soak in the warm water. His mind now thinking to his confrontation with 'Lord Vader' as Palpatine called him. "I am Lord Vader," Anakin said, a shudder running up through his body.
It had felt so chillingly real. Should he tell Padmé and Obi-Wan about this? Maybe not Padmé, she has enough on her mind right now. Anakin thought as he shut off the water and began drying himself off. Anakin washed the fog off the bathroom mirror and stopped abruptly. He took a good look at his face. Trying to picture it in that black mask and helmet. He had to admit, it was very intimidating and imposing, but was that really his destiny? Or even what he wanted? I am a Jedi.. Was a Jedi... He thought as he began shaving. Then his thoughts rushed back to his first dream, of Padmé dying in childbirth. Anakin nearly cut himself as his thoughts rushed back to seeing her pained face, and then lifeless body.
Were these visions? Or just nightmares? Anakin silently questioned to himself as he exited the bathroom, he walked over to his dresser and started digging through the different clothes, he stopped when he pulled out a black Jedi undertunic. He pulled out the matching overtunic and black leather tabards. The clothes, while simple, were a symbol. A symbol of over a thousand generations of peace, and justice, sacrifice, and helping those in need. Anakin had pledged himself to that cause since he was ten-years-old. And until he caught Padmé's attacker, or attackers, he would not hang up his uniform, or lay down his lightsaber. Once a Jedi, always a Jedi... Anakin thought as he slipped into his Jedi clothes. After finished dressing, Anakin walked over to his wife and gently woke her. She blinked her eyes open and looked up at her husband.
"Good morning," he softly said, a gentle smile forming over his face.
"Good morning," Padmé replied sleepily, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Sleep well?" Anakin asked, rubbing Padmé's shoulder and upper arm gently with his hand.
"I suppose," she replied hopping out of bed.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, we've been summoned before the Jedi Council this morning," Anakin said. Padmé groaned. "Oh, what do they want now? Can't they just leave you alone Ani?" She growled.
"Well, maybe they're reconsidering letting me go from the Jedi Order," Optimistically. Padmé snorted. "I doubt it," she said going into the bathroom and turning on the shower. Anakin frowned. Padmé usually was very affectionate and sweet in the mornings to him. But he quickly shrugged it off, this whole ordeal had changed her, she probably just needed to time come around he thought. But yet something still didn't seem right... Anakin recalled the energy shock he received from Padmé as he caressed her cheek in her sleep last night. Anakin could sense she was hiding something from him. But what...? Maybe MasterYoda and Obi-Wan can help me? Anakin thought. He decided to skip the visit to Chancellor Palpatine and go before the Jedi Council first. He would hit Palpatine's office on his way back with Padmé.
Anakin had finished fixing breakfast when Padmé stepped out of the bedroom. She was wearing her hair down, and dressed in a long-sleeved, ankle-length navy blue dress.
"You look very beautiful today," he commented, smiling at her. Hell, Padmé could be wearing rags and still look beautiful.
"Thank you," she said sitting down as Anakin dished up breakfast.
"I was thinking on stopping by at the Jedi Temple first, then going to see Chancellor Palpatine," Anakin said, sitting down across from Padmé and helping himself to his breakfast. "I don't think I can accompany you to the Jedi Temple this morning Anakin," Padmé replied, eating some of her egg.
"Why not?" He questioned, giving Padmé a puzzled glance.
"I have to visit Chancellor Palpatine this morning, he has some... Business with politics he wants to discuss with me. I could meet you at the Jedi Temple after I finish though," Padmé said, openly lying to her husband. Truth was, she did not want to be interrogated by the Jedi Council. They would most likely sense Darth Sidious' influence on her, even though her husband could not. At least, not yet.
Anakin frowned. "Are you sure Chancellor Palpatine needs you this morning? I just... Be careful" He said to her, recalling his dream; Be wary of the Chancellor, not everything is as it seems. Padmé's words came running back into his mind.
"Yes, I'm sorry, I can't get out of it we have some work to do regarding the Clone Wars. And don't worry, I can take care of myself Anakin," she replied.
Anakin sighed, the sooner this war was over, the better. It was beginning to take its toll on him.
Anakin stood before the Jedi Council, Master's Yoda, Windu, and his friend Obi-Wan were among them. They all took note of Anakin's Jedi attire, but didn't comment on it, there were more pressing matters to discuss at the moment. For one, the council noticed Anakin had arrived without Padmé.
Mace Windu frowned. "Where's Senator Padmé Amidala, Anakin?" Master Windu asked.
"Accompany you, did she not?" Yoda added.
"I'm sorry Master's, but she was called away by Chancellor Palpatine, she said he had some urgent matters to discuss with her regarding the Clone Wars," Anakin replied. The Jedi Council members exchanged looks.
"Troubling, this is," Yoda said, scratching his chin in thought.
"What do you mean Master Yoda?" Anakin asked. Yoda closed his eyes, and entered a light state of meditation.
"Clouded her mind is... The dark side, I sense in Chancellor Palpatine. Be wary of him, you and she must," the small Jedi Master said opening his eyes. Anakin didn't want to believe that his friend and mentor, not to mention leader of the Galactic Senate was in bed with the Sith. But, his dream he had last night was so upsetting, and real, he had started to think the council might be right. Anakin decided to tell the council of his two dreams, perhaps they could shed some light on his feelings and what the dreams meant.
Padmé Amidala marched into Chancellor Palpatine's office and walked up behind him. He tall form standing with his back to her, his hands behind him as he observed the city of Coruscant from his window. "He isn't coming. There's been an unexpected shift in the force. I felt it this morning as I woke up," Palpatine said to Padmé.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I mean that Skywalker's feelings have shifted. I foresaw last night he would come to my office, trying to find answers as to what happened last night. I further attempted to coax him more to the dark side by giving him a vision in his sleep that you die in childbirth Padmé. However... I feel he's not taking the bait," Palpatine said, cupping his chin with his hand and immersing himself in deep thought. "He doesn't trust me like he used to," he added.
Padmé walked up to Chancellor Palpatine, and looked out at the city. "Why do you think his feelings changed?" She asked, curiously.
Palpatine shook his head. "I don't know... But I feel the force is shifting towards the Jedi's favor with Skywalker in doubt about me. I think he's beginning to catch on, from a Jedi point of view that is," he said looking over at Padmé briefly before looking back out at Coruscant. Palpatine was no doubt greatly disappointed. Anakin had an even higher midi-chlorian count than Master Yoda. If Anakin could be turned, he would eventually become even more powerful a Sith than even him. And his plot for a Sith revenge against the Jedi would be complete - stealing their beloved chosen one away from them, and turning him against them. However, he could feel Skywalker was possibly going to choose the Jedi path, instead of that of a Sith.
"I sense the Jedi are conflicted, some staunchly believe Anakin is the chosen one, others believe the prophecy was misread. Regardless, I feel the Jedi Council might let Anakin back into the order. He's become a security risk... You're going to have to kill him Padmé," Palpatine commanded coldly.
Kill Anakin?... Padmé thought doubtfully, but quickly brushed it aside. "What do you want me to do?" She asked. Palpatine walked over to his desk and pulled out a small vile of clear liquid.
"This is the most deadliest poison in the known universe Padmé. It kills within seconds of consumption. Take your husband out to lunch. When his back is turned, slip this into his drink. He trusts you, I doubt he'll suspect anything is amiss. I'll deal with the rest of the Jedi later," he said coldly, handing the vile over to her. Padmé nodded, and tucked it away in her hand bag.
Padmé turned to leave, but Palpatine grabbed her by the arm. He could sense her doubt. "I wonder if your feelings in this matter are clear Padmé," he hissed at her, his evil eyes glaring into her very soul. "They are quite clear, my lord," Padmé replied. Satisfied with her response, Palpatine released her, and watched her leave.
Obi-Wan and The council had deliberated on what Anakin's dreams could mean. They all came to the conclusion that they would need to see if Padmé's death in childbirth dream was really just that, or a vision. However, his other dream. The one where Padmé, Palpatine, and himself as Darth Vader appearing to him had caught great interest.
They had concluded that Padmé, or rather that her subconscious mind was actually communicating with him through a dream sequence. Yoda had informed him it was a warning, that if he did not learn to control his negative feelings, and his fears, he would fall to the dark side. And the role Palpatine played in his dream with Padmé had only further fueled their suspicions that he was the Sith Lord they were looking for. And that Padmé, if she wasn't careful would end up a prisoner of Palpatine somehow - most likely falling under his influence, if she wasn't already. This disturbed Anakin, he had explained that ever since she got back from her meeting with Palpatine last night, she had changed. But Anakin thought it was just because of what happened to her. The council advised him to tell Padmé to break off contact with the Chancellor, and him too, and that they would investigate the Chancellor further. They also told him to bring her before them as soon as possible.
Anakin however, did leave out one detail, he did not tell the council that Padmé had been sexually assaulted the previous night. It was too personal, and Obi-Wan didn't mention anything either, and he was thankful for his master's respect for their privacy.
After they had discussed Anakin's dreams. His fate as a Jedi was being pondered on. Obi-Wan had managed to help put up a convincing argument for Anakin's return to the Jedi Order. Despite what the oppositionists, which included Mace Windu said about Anakin violating the Jedi Code. Anakin's supporters continually brought up Anakin's distinguished service record, and that he was a huge hero to the Republic. He had the highest midi-chlorian count of any Jedi in history, and was possibly the best star fighter in the galaxy. And if the prophecy was true, Anakin would indeed bring balance to the force, even if that meant revising the way the Jedi saw certain things.
"And because Anakin has such a high midi-chlorian count, it might be dangerous to let him go. He's barely a Jedi Knight, he still has much to learn about how to control his natural abilities with the force. If he is allowed to go, his abilities undisciplined might unintentionally hurt others," Obi-Wan was stated in Anakin's defense.
"Yes, but, what about the dream Anakin told us about? Where he confronted himself as a Sith Lord? There is a possibility Anakin could fall to the dark side," Mace Windu countered. This made Anakin cringe. Windu had been a skeptic of Anakin since day one. However, Windu like most of the Jedi did believe in the prophecy. However, the jury was still out on whether Anakin was the chosen one or not.
"Well aware of the danger, the council is, Master Kenobi, and Master Windu. Skywalker, return home, discuss your fate, we will," Yoda said.
"And Anakin, next time you return, please bring Senator Amidala with you, its imperative that she see us," Mace Windu said concernedly
"I'll be sure to bring her with me Master," Anakin then bowed, and exited the council chambers, leaving them to deliberate. Anakin decided not to get over enthusiastic about possibly being let back into the Jedi Order. Its only because of that stupid prophecy they'll let me back. He thought to himself as he threw a tiny stone out over the balcony outside the Jedi Temple. But Padmé being compromised by the Sith Lord, and that Sith Lord being Palpatine disturbed him greatly... What if Palpatine raped Padmé...? Anakin thought, freezing dead in his tracks. The thought of Palpatine's sidious hands on his wife made him turn green. Anakin clenched his fists in rage. If it was indeed Palpatine who had touched his beloved wife he would make sure he paid - with interest.
Suddenly Anakin's holo-phone started ringing. He reached into his pouch and pulled it out and answered the call. A holographic image of Padmé's face displayed in front of him.
"Ani!" She said enthusiastically. "I'm sorry I didn't meet you at the temple, but the Chancellor and I have been very busy. I'll be free for a little while though. Can I take you to lunch, say at... Grecida's?" Padmé said, tempting Anakin, she knew it was his favorite restaurant. Anakin's stomach growled. He hadn't had much for breakfast. And Padmé was offering him lunch at his favorite place. What's a little lunch going to hurt? It'll give me time to do a little investigating of my own before I bring her by the council. Anakin thought. "Oh, you're trying to tempt me Padmé," he said, chuckling.
"How am I doing?" She replied, giving Anakin one of her sultry looks.
"I'll meet you there in 15-minutes," he said, giving into her irrefutable offer. She smiled, satisfied with her husband's response.
"Good, I'll meet you there, I love you," she said smiling.
"I love you too," he replied, returning her smile and ending the call.
Anakin pulled up to Grecida's and parked his open-cockpit speeder. Anakin hopped out and walked into the restaurant. His feelings told him Padmé had beat him there and was already seated Anakin walked past the hostess, who promptly stopped him. Anakin wasn't in the mood to be hassled. "You will forget," he said waving his hand in front of her.
"I will forget," the hostess said walking away from Anakin and back to her post. Anakin smirked, if Obi-Wan caught him doing that he'd be royally pissed. Anakin reached out and sensed Padmé's presence in the force. He walked over to the booth where she was sitting, a waitress was asking Padmé what she wanted to drink.
"Ani!" She said with enthusiasm. "Oh, uh, would you like anything drink?" She asked him as he sat down across from her. "I'll have some Jawa juice," Anakin said to the waitress. She nodded, "You got it darlin'," she said, marking down their order on her electronic notepad and walked off.
Padmé folded her hands out in front of her and smiled at her husband. "So. how did your meeting with the council go?" She asked.
"It went very well. They're considering on letting me back into the Jedi Order," he replied, smiling at her. Padmé raised an eyebrow at this, obviously surprised by the Jedi's reconsidering.
"How did your meeting with Chancellor Palpatine go?" Anakin asked her in turn.
"Oh it went well, we just talked about the war, and boring politics," she replied.
Boring, since when did you find politics boring? Anakin thought, giving her a questioning look. Ever since he could remember Padmé loved being in politics and serving the people.
"Since when did you find politics boring?" He questioned.
"Oh, that's not what I mean. I mean it would be boring to you Anakin," she countered. Anakin tried to hide his questioning facial expressions at her reply. Padmé normally wouldn't say that to Anakin. He didn't find politics boring really, he just didn't understand it. But, Padmé always helped put the politics of the Republic and her democratic views in perspective for him.
Anakin didn't want to believe it... But he was starting to believe the Sith Lord had gained a foothold in her mind. Before he could say, or think about anything else, his holo-phone rang. He reached into his pouch and pulled it out, the ID said it was Obi-Wan calling. "Its Obi-Wan, I'll be right back," Anakin saod, not wanting to discuss his suspicions about Padmé in front of her, and walked off.
Padmé watched as her husband walked off, answering his call. As he left the waitress returned with their two drinks. She set them down in front of Padmé. She thanked the waitress and watched her leave. When Padmé was certain that no one else was around, she reached into her hand bag and pulled out the vile of poison Palpatine had given her. She unscrewed the cap and poured it into Anakin's Jawa juice. She had no doubt by now he had suspicions about her. No doubt he's probably discussing it with Obi-Wan. She thought.
Soon Anakin came back and sat down. "Oh, Obi-Wan just wanted to tell me the council has reached a decision," he said. Which wasn't a lie. Obi-Wan had told him the Jedi Council had come to a verdict regarding Anakin's service in the Jedi Order. However he didn't tell Padmé that he felt his suspicions were confirmed, and that her mind had been indeed, tainted by the influence of the Sith. Obi-Wan suggested he bring her to the council immediately. Which he was going to do right away. But, how was he going to break it to her? She had avoided going with him to the Jedi Council earlier. Anakin grabbed his drink, deciding taking a few sips would give him time to think. As he raised his glass to his lips, an evil smile formed over Padmé's mouth...