Live or Die

Allie Helms

Epilogue

Love Me That's All I Ask Of You

I'll see you and when I do I'll trace your lips with my fingertips cover your heart with my smile, and touch your soul with my tears.

Darkness swept over the galaxy that week. The news of Lady November's death spread like a disease. Many systems mourned her lost, but not as much as Naboo, Tatooine, or Courscant. They missed her even more because her spirit touched down on those planets. They felt her love and pain. They comforted her through her hardships. For she was an angel.

She once said that she considered Naboo her home. She said it was a peaceful place, a place she could live without worry. It was a place that she carried in her heart all the time. She loved the people the animals the scenery, and according to some of her friends she belonged there.

Naboo's night was her night, and so it was on this night of Naboo that night fell on her life. She said her fate was inevitable, that it couldn't be stopped. She was right. She was just as right as saying that Anakin's fall couldn't be stopped.

She truly loved him. She wanted to be with him forever, but nothing lasts forever she used to say. So, Anakin was her nothing.

Obi-wan and Padme landed the ship on one of the landing bays on Naboo. They brought her casket out of the ship. Padme was dressed in a deep purple dress. Her hair was half up with flowers for a crown. Obi-wan wore his usual Jedi robes, but wore a sad expression upon his face.

November's casket was open. She was laying her delicate form resting in everlasting sleep. Her expression was plain, but you could see all the love, pain, hate, and beauty in every line. She wore a black dress with white ivy coming from the bottom, and spreading across her dress as they dwindled up. It had a corset top, but was long sleeves. She wore a black veil as well. It covered her face, but you could still see it's luminous light. Her hair was spread about the pillow in which her head rested. Woven in the strands of black and blonde hair was purple ribbon, and string.

"Even after life she looks beautiful," Padme said looking down upon her friend's lifeless body.

Obi-wan nodded. "She is a beauty."

At this they attached her casket to horses. "She told me once that she wanted to be cremated," Padme said to Obi-wan.

"Then cremation it is," Obi-wan replied.

They took their place behind the moving casket, and behind them was Queen Jamilla. She was dressed in a blue Kamino with her normal face of white. She wore a dangling headdress of silver, and had drops of blue makeup coming from her eyes like tears.

The horses pulled her through the whole of Naboo where crowds had gathered on the streets to see the sleeping form of the peace fighter angel. As the casket rolled through the streets November kept safely with her, her journal and her black and white heart shaped engagement ring.

People cried great tears, and it was great tears that made people weep. Padme had a single silent tear come down her lovely cheek as she followed her friend. November had told Padme everything about Anakin, herself, and her dreams. Padme was the secret keeper, but today would be the day when all the secrets of November Rose Lee Skywalker would open the world, and her heart.

As the casket came up upon the crematorium the horses slowed down. Then Obi-wan and another man came and picked November from her casket, and set her down onto the crematorium block. When she lay lifeless upon the crematorium block Obi-wan took her leather bound black and white journal from her delicate hands, and handed it to Padme. He then bent down and kissed November on the forehead. "Sleep forever November. You will always be apart of us," he said bowing.

Padme then came took one of her hands and with tears in her eyes she sang softly.

She wants to go home

But nobody's home

That's where she lies

Broken inside

With no place tog go

No place to go

To dry her eyes

Broken inside

Padme then took the steps to the podium set up for the speaker. Once she approached it she dried her tears, and looked out to the people who gathered. "I want to read the last poem and thing she wrote in her journal.

The scenery hits,

The fallen eyes,

The coward love,

The hallowed lies.

The split stream hits,

The time of destiny,

The broken memory,

The holy fantasy.

The dying love hits,

The lived love one

The hurtful pain

The unborn son.

The fate of beauty hits,

The death of a nation,

The awesome strength,

The time of salvation.

The light moon hits,

The solemn heart,

The brave soldier,

The fade apart.

'I wanted to say I love you to those who have lost me. I'm sorry, but this is my life. I may have not lived it right or wise, but it is still my life and I was proud that it lasted this long. I just want to say that Anakin I love you, and I will always love you. I want everybody who I have touched the lives of to read my journal, and I hope it finds it's way someday into the hands of Darth Vader. Phiat!' November was a wonderful woman and I was glad to have been apart of her life. She knew what was coming, and I think that is what hurt her most. Our work will not be in vain. We will restore peace to the galaxy for November."

"For November," the crowd said.

Obi-wan moved to get the torch from one of the crematorium workers. As he took it he could see tears in the woman's eyes. "Have faith," he told her, and she nodded in response. Obi-wan then took the torch and lit the under brush on fire which eventually spread to November's flesh. As her ashes sparkled in the moonlight her spirit moved through the crowd. Her soul was saved, and she was one with the Force.

! NINE YEARS LATER ON NABOO

"Broken hearts never die they stay in the chest of the lonely and continue to play host slowly killing the body. There is no life without love. They coexist in one. We all feel empty without it, but there was one woman who could do without that was until she met a man that would change her life forever. That was this story, and the woman in question died because of love.

Love was the very thing she feared above all else. She was afraid to give her heart and yet afraid not to. She didn't believe until this man came along. He taught her to love and taught her to hate. He taught her to deal with the past and heartache. But most of all he taught her how to die. So, because of him she did.

But she never stopped loving him. She never even tried. She bore his children, and killed herself so she wouldn't have to live with the pain. She once promised him she would never hurt herself again and sometimes when you lay in a distant meadow on Naboo, and look up to the stars you can see one lonely angel waiting for her love to rescue her once again," Padme finished.

The little girl about nine or ten was lying in bed listening looked up at her with big brown eyes. "Oh Aunt Padme that was a wonderful story. Who wrote it?" she asked.

Padme closed the black and white leather bound journal, and looked down at it then looked back up to the girl. "A very wonderful woman, Leia. You will learn of her when you get older. She died so the galaxy could be free. She was one of my friends, and I miss her very much. Now if you will excuse me, but you need to get some sleep," Padme told her placing a kiss on the girl's forehead.

! A WEEK LATER TATTOINE

"I think Darth Vader is evil," a little boy said lying in bed. He seemed to be about nine or ten, and he had a sad look on his face. "Uncle Ben who wrote that story?"

"Oh a wonderful women. She was smart, funny, sarcastic, and deep," he said.

The boy looked surprised, "You knew her?"

"Yes," came Ben's reply as he shut the black and white leather bound journal. "I knew her Luke, and you will soon know her too. Now you need to get to sleep." Luke nodded and settled down into his covers.

! SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER ON THE EMPERIAL CAMP ON ENDOR

Darth Vader closed the leather bound black and white journal, and his mechanical breathing shuddered. Then his deep mechanical voice spoke, "I miss you. I tried to save you, but I was too strong. I hope to find you someday."

Just then a commander walked up to Vader with a prisoner. It seemed to be a young man wearing all black with his hands in cuffs. He had blonde hair and deep gray blue eyes. "Milord this is a Rebel that surrendered to us. Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area," the commander said. Vader turned his head to look at him. "He was armed only with this," the commander stretched his arm out and handed Vader a small oblong weapon.

Vader nodded. "Good work commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me," he said his voice booming. With a quick 'yes milord' the commander walked away. Vader then turned to looked over to the man. "The emperor has been expecting you," He said.

The man's eyes came and met Vader's, "I know, Father."

"So you have accepted the truth?" Vader asked him.

They began to walk, "I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

Vader stopped walking, and snapped his head to look at his son. "That name no longer has any meaning for me," he said sharply.

Luke looked up at his father. "It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten. There is something I can't figure out though. It is how familiar your name seems to me. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully. That is why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now," he said trying to persuade Vader.

Vader then looks down to the weapon that was handed to him by the commander. "I see you have constructed a new lightsaber," he said igniting it. The emerald green blade hummed breaking the silence. "Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."

Luke looked at his father. "Come with me."

"Obi-wan once thought as you do," Vader said shortly. So did November. He is so like his mother Vader thought. "You don't know the power of the Dark Side. I must obey my master."

"I will not turn . . . and you'll be forced to kill me," Luke said cunningly.

Vader and Luke started to walk again. "If that is your destiny," he said.

"Search your feelings father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate," Luke said trying to bring his father back. Just like his mother had tried.

"It is too late for me son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now," Vader said.

Luke looked down, "Then my father is truly dead."

They boarded Vader's shuttle. Luke took a seat behind the pilot and the copilot seats. "Take off, and head for the Death Star," Vader said to the pilots.

"Yes, milord," they said.

Vader took a seat across from Luke, and set the journal on his lap. He ran his fingers across it remembering how much his wife loved it. Memories of him and November like the used to be flooded his mind making him understand what he did. Just then Luke spoke. "Where did you get that journal?" Luke asked.

"What?" Vader began. "Obi-wan gave it to me before he died. Does it mean something to you?"

"I remember Obi-wan reading it to me. Anakin Skywalker, that's where it came from," Luke said starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Vader nodded. "Yes, you are understanding."

"That is the story of my mother isn't it?" Luke asked.

Vader nodded again. "Yes," he said shortly. Luke didn't want to say anything more. He sat quietly composing a plan like his mother did on the memorable trip to Geonosis.

! THE EMPEROR'S THRONE ROOM ABOARD THE DEATH STAR

The elevator doors opened as Vader and Luke walked in. The throne room was dark, and up on a platform sat the Emperor cloaked in black. His sinister star pierced Luke, but he was going to stay strong for his mother. He was going to bring justice to her even if he couldn't bring his father from his darkness.

"Welcome young Skywalker I have been expecting you," the Emperor said as Vader bowed. Luke just stared up at the evil being in front of him. "You no longer need those." The Emperor waved his hands, and Luke's bonds unclasped and fell to the floor. "Guards leave us," the Emperor motioned to the guards at the elevator. They left their blood red cloaks bellowed out the door. "I'm looking forward to completing your training. In time you will call me Master."

"You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me as you did my father. I will complete my mother's work in killing you. She deserves to see you suffer," Luke said angrily.

Darth Vader started to move up to his master. "Oh, no, my young Jedi. You will find that it is you who are mistaken . . . about a great many things," the Emperor said.

"His lightsaber," Darth Vader handed his Master Luke's lightsaber.

"Ah, yes, a Jedi's weapon. Much like your father's. By now you must know your father can never be turned from the Dark Side. So will it be with you. You know I did try to turn your mother, but she was weak and couldn't carry the Dark Side like your Father can," the Emperor was cutting close.

Luke's gaze got more hateful with every word from the Dark Lord. "You're wrong. Soon I'll be dead . . . and you with me. My mother was strong. So strong she could repel the Dark Side." Luke then looked down.

"Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of your Rebel fleet," the Emperor said with a wicked laugh. "Yes, I assure you we are quite safe from your friends here."

"Your over confidence is your weakness," Luke pointed out.

"Your faith in your friends is yours," the Emperor commented back.

"It is pointless to resist my son," Vader said with his mechanical voice echoing through the throne room.

"Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design," the Emperor waved his hand out to the window, and Luke turned to look. "Your friends up there on the Sanctuary Moon . . . are walking into a trap. As is your Rebel fleet! It was I who allowed the Alliance to know the location of the shield generator. It is quite safe from you pitiful little band. An entire legion of my best troops awaits them." Luke turned around sharply. "Oh, I'm afraid the deflector shield will be quite operational when your friends arrive." Luke didn't say anything. "From here you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance and the end of your insignificant Rebellion." Luke started to eyes his lightsaber sitting beside the Emperor his hate hurting like an open wound. Think! He thought to himself. What would mother do? "You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give into your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant."

Vader stared at his son in agony. He was so much like his mother in every way. She was a Jedi, but she had normal human feelings. She was diverse, and so was Luke. "No!" Luke shouted

"It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You like your father are now mine!" the Emperor said with almost certain victory.

He shook his head. "No my mother has already told me what my destiny is." Then Luke turned around and looked back out the window.

After thirty minutes the Rebel fleet had reached the Death Star. They were caught in fire with the Empire. They didn't stand a chance. "Your fleet has lost. And you friends on the Endor moon will not survive. There is no escape my young apprentice. The Alliance will die . . . as will your friends," the Emperor said evilly. "Good. I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon! Strike me down with all your hatred, and your journey towards the Dark Side will be complete."

Luke couldn't take it anymore. He used the Force to grab his lightsaber. In one smooth motion he ignited it, and went to strike the Emperor, but instead of killing him Darth Vader parried the strike.

The Emperor started to cackle. "Good. Use your aggressive feelings boy! Let the hate flow through you," he said happily.

Vader and Luke then fight down the stairs, Luke then looks at himself feeling disgusted with himself. His mother would not approve of him fighting his father. "Obi-wan has taught you well," Vader said noticing his son's aggressive fighting style. Just like his mothers.

"I will not fight you father," he said.

"You are unwise to lower your defenses," Vader said attacking Luke.

They danced both a blur of emerald green and ruby red. They moved under a safety catwalk. Luke leaped, and landed on it. He was above Vader now. "Your thoughts betray you father. I feel the good in you the conflict," Luke said.

"Your mother used to say that, but there is no conflict," he said.

"You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me now," Luke said.

"You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight then you will meet your destiny," Vader said throwing his lightsaber into the air cutting the safety catwalk making Luke tumble into hiding. The Emperor just laughed. "You cannot hide forever Luke."

"I will not fight you," Luke said in hiding.

"Do you know that your mother fought me. She fought for me to come back to her. Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for . . . sister. So you have a twin sister. Your feelings have betrayed her too. Your mother was wise to hide her from me. Now their failure is complete. If you will not turn to the Dark Side then perhaps she will," he said.

"NEVER!" Luke yelled coming out of the darkness.

Vader and Luke fought. Hatred was seizing them both. Aggressiveness was passing through the air. They fought all the way to were the entered. Vader grew tired and dropped to his knees. With rapid fire Luke drived his sword with repeated blows. In one blow he took Vader's hand off. When he saw that it was mechanical like his own he realized how much like his father he was. "Good! Your hate has made you powerful. No fulfill your destiny and take your father's place at my side," the Emperor said cackling as he walked down the stairs from his throne.

Luke threw his lightsaber aside. "Never! I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You've failed Your Highness. I am a Jedi like my father . . . and mother before me."

The Emperor's emotion changed just as rapidly as a shifter could break. "So be it . . . Jedi," he said menacingly.

Lighting spread from the Emperor's fingertips hitting Luke square in the chest. The lightning went coursing through Luke's body making him convulse in pain. "If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed like your mother before you." He sent another burst of lightning to the weak form of Vader's son. Vader then stood up and stood off to his side as his master made Luke even weaker. The Emperor stopped for a moment. "Young fool only now at the end do you understand." With another hit of lightning Luke was struggling to hang on. The Emperor stopped again for another world. "Your feeble skill are no match for the power of the Dark Side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision."

With the lightning spreading his weakness Luke reached up to his father. "Father, please. Help me," he begged.

Luke started to convulse more. One more blow with Force lightning, and he would surly be dead. The Emperor stopped for a final time. "Now young Skywalker you will die . . . like your mother." This time the Emperor hit Luke with lightning but didn't stop. Vader found himself torn between two loyalties once again.

"Anakin help him please," the distant sound of November's voice flew through Vader's ears. In one smooth motion Anakin picked up his former master and flung him down the bottomless shaft.

The Emperor was gone, peace was restored to the galaxy, and Anakin found his redemption in his son just like his love said he would. Just like his love said he would.

! DEATH STAR'S MAIN DOCKING BAY

Luke dragged his father's body across the floor to the boarding ramp of his cruiser. He laid him down, and looked at his father. The Rebel fleet had hit their target, and they were running out of time. "Luke help me take this mask off," Anakin said weakly.

"But you'll die," Luke said worried.

"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once . . . let me look on you with my own eyes," he said.

Luke slowly took off the black mask Anakin had been hiding behind for so long only to find a scared old man. "No go my song. Leave me."

"No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you here. I've got to save you," Luke insisted.

"You already have Luke," Anakin said in a whisper. "You were right about me. Tell your sister . . . you were right."

"Father I won't leave you," Luke said. So Anakin drew his last breath, and his soul moved from the dark figure up to the stars. Luke then dragged the dead body of his Father up to the shuttle, and took off.

! STAR OF IEGO

November sat with Padme, Obi-wan, and Yoda waiting. It was judgement day on Iego today for Anakin. They were decided if Anakin's redemption was enough. Just then November got up and paced while ringing her hands. Just then the trumpet sounded, and she looked over to gates of Iego. In walked to Anakin she knew before he became Darth Vader. "My love," she said breathless.

Anakin nodded, and ran to her. He kissed her deeply, and hugged her while putting his head in the crook of her neck. "I didn't mean to," he said.

"I know. I know. I forgive you. Love me that's all I ask of you remember?" she asked.

"Love me that's all I ask of you, and you have my love," he said. Just then they turned to Obi-wan, Yoda, and Padme.

"We have to go," Obi-wan said to them. They nodded, and Padme watched there shimmering forms disappear.

! ENDOR EWOK CAMP CELEBRATION

The bonfire sparkled in the moonlight as Luke ran to hug his sister Leia. Then he handed her a black and white leather journal. "Did you ever read this?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes, why?"

"It was mother's. This was her story," he said. She looked at him in amazement. "Come on," he said. Leading her off from the celebration. They looked towards a railing. The first figure to show was Obi-wan. His beard was still white and he was still wearing his Jedi robes. Then Yoda came. After Yoda was Anakin Skywalker before he was Darth Vader. He wore his regular Jedi robes, and beside him appeared Lady Jedi November Rose Lee Skywalker. She wore her wedding dress.

"Well done son," she said.

Leia looked at the beautiful form of her mother. "Mother?" she question.

She didn't say anything but nodded. Then the four figures disappeared.

Freedom and peace was brought to the galaxy by the work of one woman, her husband and her children. She took a dare for herself. She took a risk, and died for love. She was strong the whole way through, and never faltered. She changed the course of the future just because she had the strength.

It's a funny thing, fate. Nobody can try to stop it or even be successful at doing so. But fate has its own plans for us. We just never expected them to hurt so much. This was the beginning of the start of destinies. I had traveled through it all. So, did you read my tale, and cried, live, feel, witness, but most of all did you find the love I found in the man named Anakin Skywalker.

A/N: Hey I hope you really liked my story. I'm sorry Celtic Cross that I didn't to the sequels, but I will come up with an idea on the sequels if I can. So, be thinking of somethings okay. Read and review. Much love to all the people who stayed with me.