Chapter XVII
Alternate Ending

Vader stood before the image of Emperor Palpatine, Darth Sidious. The Older Sith Lord was very pleased with Vader's latest project and commended the dark lord on his work.

Vader bowed with pure pride, "My Master, did I not promise it would be so,"

"I never doubted you Lord Vader, but remember, all the Jedi must be destroyed," said Sidious.

Vader nodded, "And they shall my lord, the Jedi shall join us, or die!"

"As you say Lord Vader, may it also be so," replied the Emperor.

"The Jedi have fallen, and the order is in shambles," said Lord Vader as he watched the pitiful body of Anakin Skywalker as it lay limp on the cold cavern floor, "accept your faith with the rest of the order and surrender your light Jedi,"

Anakin's body was cold and he opened one eye, his face was light was a radiance that Vader could not understand, Vader snarled, "You have failed in your duty, in your honor, in your promise, now everything that you loved and cared for is mine,"

Anakin's face dimmed, like a dying star, "But one day you shall be overthrown, by someone stronger,"

Vader laughed, "when that time comes Jedi, it will have been the time,"

Anakin's face contorted, in an expression of pain, and Vader laughed taunting the dying spirit of the Jedi that he once was. Vader laughed again and turned on his heels, his cape trailing behind him, leaving the Jedi to his fate.

Anakin lay still, and felt the Force wash over him in the caverns of his heart, it was a sea of power, radiance that left him with even more energy and happiness that he had ever felt before. And Anakin had it, Anakin saw it, darkness was descending upon him, the last parts of him were dying.

A small boy entered the caverns, and he smiled at the dying Anakin, "hi Anakin," he said cheerfully.

Anakin looked confused, "you're me, when I was younger,"

"Actually you can call me Ani, that's what everyone else calls me,"

Anakin shut his eyes and felt the memories flow back to his again, yes when he was a child his custom name was Ani, even his wife Padmé when she first met him started to call him Ani, it was the younger version of Anakin Skywalker, the one that loved and was carefree, Anakin's face turned in pain, "why are you so cheerful? Why are you so happy? Can't you see what I have done? Can't you see what I have made you? Can't you see that I am dying?"

Ani smiled at Anakin even more brightly, "none are beyond redemption, and I know that you will be with the Force soon,"

Anakin's eyes shut close again, "why are you here?"

"I am here to ease your passage into the gates of death, into the embrace of the Force, you are not evil Anakin, the dark side is in you, but you are not darkness," replied Ani, "you are light, the balance of the Force shall come through you,"

Anakin gasped for breath as his lings began to fail, his body was becoming cold, "I can't feel," he said opening his eyes again to see the fading image of Ani's face.

The young boy smiled again at him, "you will always live Anakin, the Force is everywhere, it is an energy field that binds all living things, from these deep caverns to the inner most parts of your soul, all are one, and one is all, the Force is all, death and life are one, for without life there could not be death, and without death there could no be life,"

Anakin shook his head confused, "I do not understand,"

Ani's smile finally faded as he placed a hand on Anakin's forehead, his touch was warm, "you will always be Anakin Skywalker, no matter what, and the love of your mother, of your wife, of your master and of your children will always be upon you,"

Through the cold and his life force nearly diminished Anakin could not hide his shock, "children?"

Ani smiled again, "stretch out with your feelings Anakin, you can feel them can you not?"

Anakin felt them, his children were alive, his heart instantly filled with joy, but in a flash it faded, "but lord Vader will hunt them, train them to do darkness!"

"He will not know, to him, you are already dead," was the reply, "remember as you become one with the Force Anakin, a father's heart always knows the truth, remember this word Anakin, remember hope,"

Anakin's eyes closed, and his life-force faded, but not before his lips uttered the word that would change the galaxy, the word that would eventually drive the new era, the new times, the light of the future, the rise of a hero, "hope,"

So, which one did you like?