'Moments from Eternity' (Chapter Seven)
By Ennon
A/N- Raijan- Would it be that you COULD use the Force to make me update faster but you'd also have to do something about my life's obligations. Let's say now that you've got a good idea about Sidius but wait to see exactly what was won. I hope you like this chapter and I'm taking you last suggestion to heart.
Doreenthatshot- Glad you consider it really cool! I hope I'm not leaving you hanging on too long and the update was soon enough!
Anakin was about to give his answer when he suddenly noticed his son Luke barely mobile in Anakin's current state while Anakin,etc. must have looked like buzzing insects to Luke. Anyway, he noticed that Luke and Yoda were giving each other a look of confidence. It only took a moment for Anakin to notice this (and barely a blip to Han and Chewie) but the impact hit Anakin like rare Tatooine rains did for its desert frogs.
"The Actual Victor of the Conflict between Palpatine and Yoda, I believe was . ..YODA!"Anakin exclaimed in triumph.
"What! And I thought your son was a fool ," snorted Palpatine's Ghost.
"He's more brilliant than either of us- and you know it!" Anakin beamed.
"Is that the answer you choose?" the Force Conduit in the guise of the Ghost of Qui-Gonn asked in its dozens of voices.
"Yes it is so because Yoda was a true friend and, as a result, he had Luke's friendship in the end! " Anakin exclaimed in great happiness.
"Bah! Yoda was left with nothing while I. ." Palpatine's Ghost scoffed.
"Nothing? No, Yoda had everything needed! He had someone who cared about him to be with him at the start of his journey from the world of the living- and I daresay, none of us could ask for a better end!" Anakin beamed while looking at Yoda and Luke.
"But I had the entire Galactic Empire at my command and. .." Palpatine's Ghost boiled.
"SILENCE! Anakin is correct. You had NO EMPIRE! You had a collection of puppets and plotters. Oh, and despite the fact that we gave you the capacity to have been an actual friend, you only feigned friendship to manipulate others for your insignificant, pitiful purposes," the Force Conduit in the guise of the Ghost of Qui-Gonn boiled in dozens of voices.
"Insignificant, pitiful?"Palpatine's Ghost protested.
" The last individual who considered himself to be your friend felt compelled to end your mortal existence at the cost of his own life to save the last person he had the right to consider a friend," the Force Conduit in the in guise of the Ghost of Qui-Gonn boiled.
"But I had the powers. ." Palpatine's Ghost sputtered.
" Yes, we gave you the powers but you wasted those talents on your tiresome goals and your arrogance grew to such that you actually believed you could become US!" the Force Conduit seethed in the guise of the Ghost of Qui-Gonn.
"But there's so much I could offer and. ." Palpatine's Ghost pleaded.
"We were willing to see if that was so," the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise sighed.
"If you just give me another chance. .." Palpatine's Ghost begged- in a completely insincerely humble tone.
"We GAVE you that chance in the months after your mortal death but instead of reflecting on past misdeeds to try to make them right, you spent the entire time plotting with these three against one who HAS used the chance we gave him for the betterment of himself and so many others," the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise boiled.
"You're condemning me over a riddle?" Palpatine's Ghost asked.
" Even those on the Dark Side understand the importance of true friendship without which we the Force could not exist nor even keep electrons orbiting a single proton ! However; since you refused to, despite the many privileges and opportunities we gave you, we have no use for you," the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise.
"You're going to abide by Lord Vader's wish?" Palpatine's Ghost gasped.
"No, it's what WE rule. The Jedi Anakin Skywalker was only voicing what we have been considering for some time," the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise ruled while Palpatine winced at hearing Anakin's name and title.
"Lord Vader, I command you to. ." Palpatine's Ghost boiled.
"That name no longer has any meaning for us nor do you," the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise boiled as Force Lightning zoomed from Qui-Gonn's Ghostly hands and electrocuted Palpatine's Ghost in agony for a few seconds before his ghost shrank into a palm-sized black cloud then imploded into infinite nothingness.
"Oh! How dare you let this happen, Lord Vader! We'll avenge ourselves on you, your friends and family!" Darth Maul's Ghost boiled.
"Vengence is ours alone sayeth the Force and it ends HERE! We give you three Sith Ghosts the chance to prove your usefulness to us so that we may one day include your essences amongst us. Therefore, you will make no attempt to harm or even contact any Jedi Ghosts, Anakin Skywalker or any of Anakin Skywalker's family, friends or associates- OR YOU WILL BE INSTANTLY DESTROYED BY IMPLOSIONAS PALPATINE WAS BEFORE YOU!" the Force Conduit in Qui-Gonn's guise ruled.
"Jedi, you think you've defeated us but the agonies from this planet's explosion will make our Dark Chill stronger than ever from the agony," Darth Plageous's Ghost yelled.
"Oh, shut up, you old windbag! You're just making things worse for us!" Count Dooku's Ghost fumed then Darth Maul raised his fist to him and started to say something but then the three angry Sith abruptly faded away from the Coruscant Command Center.
"Consumed by the boy Master Obi-Wan trained, Darth Vader has been," Yoda's Ghost beamed.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Anakin and Obi-Wan's Ghost exclaimed.
" Remember all the strengths we've honed for you and use them for the good," Mace Windu's Ghost exclaimed.
"I will, Master. I can't help but think the Force Conduit ended Palpatine's Ghost the way he was ended for BOTH our sakes. I'm so sorry I . ." Anakin sighed.
"We know, Ani," Obi-Wan's Ghost exclaimed.
"Thank you and Master Yoda for being true friends to Luke and. ." Anakin beamed as he touched the Force Ghostly hands of the three ghostly Jedi.
"Go, we must but there's someone else who needs to speak to you," Yoda's Ghost exclaimed as he, Obi-Wan and Mace Windu peacefully faded away.
Instantly, the white haze surrounding the image of Qui-Gonn was replaced by a blue one and . . .
"Hello, Little One," Master Qui-Gonn's Ghost beamed in pride using Qui-Gonn's own voice.
"Master Qui-Gonn! I'm so sorry I went against so much you taught me and. ." Anakin exclaimed.
"But you have the capacity to put to good use those bad times. My faith in you was tested and derided by virtually all but know that it was never broken. I wish words could express how proud I've become of you, Ani!" Master Qui-Gonn's ghost exclaimed in his own voice as he stroked his beard.
"Oh, how I love you as if you were my father,Master Qui-Gonn!" Anakin exclaimed- as he knelt and held Master Qui-Gonn's ghostly hand as best he could.
"As I consider you to be my son! How thankful I am to the Force that the privileged me to be their Conduit and that they let me witness during this time!" Master Qui-Gonn's ghost exclaimed while giving an ironic look to Anakin.
"But it's Luke we owe so much to. How I wish I could. .." Anakin sniffed.
"The Force knows this and the Force believes that you have the capacity to save this planet more than anyone else they've created in the entire Galaxy. No matter what else happens, know that I'll always watch over you, Ani!" Master Qui-Gonn beamed as he faded.
Suddenly, Anakin felt himself thrown forward and had to catch his breath.
"You okay, Father? You haven't done that since Endor . .." Luke gulped.
Anakin embraced Luke, Chewbacca and then Han in brief but intense bearhugs.
Luke nodded and gave Anakin a look that confirmed he'd taken in what happened with the Jedi and Sith Ghosts- and the Force Conduit.
"What was that about?The Old Creep gone?"Han asked.
"Yes, Han, the Emperor's forever disintegrated and Father was triumphant!" Luke beamed.
"I'll explain when there's time! We have less than seven minutes and have to use the Force to disarm this planetary bomb," Anakin exclaimed- as he took off his boots.
"Hey, I know them bounty-hunter gunboats ain't yer usual open-toed numbers but it's not the time to go Nature Boy," Han scoffed.
" I need to sense how to reach the bomb and I need all four limb appendages in reception," Anakin explained as he flexed his fingers and toes.
"Reminds me of me with my sunglasses," Han shrugged.
"Han, this isn't the time. . "Luke groaned.
"What do you mean?" Anakin asked.
"Just that no matter how ya plan it, you never find anything til the last place you look, " Han scoffed.
"That's IT! Palpatine let out that it had nothing to do with the Force and the Force embraces everything in this galaxy. Luke, you and Leia help me to sense anything in this complex that you DON'T feel the Force in that could be from another galaxy," Anakin pleaded aloud to Luke (and via the Force to Leia and Cxvrce).
"Subbasement, I think," Luke pondered while Anakin nodded.
"Level BBBB58 Section 4568P-U. Thanks, Cxvrce!" Anakin proclaimed aloud and via the Force.
"SIX MINUTES TO CORUSCANT FAILSAFE DOOMSDAY PLANETARY EXPLOSION!" the loudspeaker droned..
"How will we get down there, Father?" Luke gulped.
"Luke, Leia, Cxvrce, join me in making a two meter diameter hole in the floors of every level beneath this one all the way to the subbasement while sending a Force warning to all to stand clear of it," Anakin ordered aloud and via the Force while squinting and waving a circle on the floor with his right hand.
"I don't hear. ." Han groaned while Chewbacca sadly growled.
Suddenly, every floor of over 1500 levels of the Imperial Palace had a two-meter diameter hole erupt and the debris was swept to the side of each hole (as per Leia's Force wielding) instead of collecting in the subbasement.
"Whoa! You'll never climb down there in time. .." Han gulped.
"Who says we climb? Luke, you take Solo! I'll take Chewbacca," Anakin insisted as each Skywalker bodily picked up Han and Chewbacca and put them on their backs then.
"What the. .?" Han asked.
"Come on, Han," Luke exclaimed.
"AAAH!" Han screamed while Luke jumped with him on his back down thousands of meters.
A meter before his feet were ready to impact on the Subbasement bedrock floor, Anakin used the Force to stop both his and Chewbacca's fall and a second later Luke did the same with Han on his back.
"I hope you don't have to go the refresher, Solo. Chewbacca was far calmer than that, "Anakin shrugged as he and Luke's feet gently drifted down the last meter to the subbasement floor.
"What are we looking for?" Han asked while Luke put him down.
" Something from another galaxy. It's hard to spot without the Force telling us what they DO possess and us subtracting it," Luke groaned.
"Here it is! The Doomsday Cable going straight into the basalt bedrock," Anakin insisted as he put down Chewbacca before they ran towards it.
"FIVE MINUTES TO CORUSCANT DOOMSDAY FAILSAFE PLANETARY EXPLOSION!" the loudspeaker droned.
Luke and Anakin struck it with their green and red lightsabres.
"The lightsabres should have snapped it off just as easily as. .." Anakin groaned and then looked at Luke's right hand.
"It's okay, Father. Since it's from outside the Force's Realm, maybe it's not subject to the Force energy of lightsabres," Luke pondered.
"We can knock it out. Chewie, this way!" Han insisted as he and Chewbacca started to try to tug it.
"ONE MINUTE TO CORUSCANT DOOMSDAY FAILSAFE PLANETARY EXPLOSION!" the loudspeaker droned after their repeated failures.
"It ain't budging! You could tow the Death Star on it," Han grunted while he and Chewbacca nearly wore themselves having attempted to pull it.
"Father, when you were in the Comman Center in that state with Ben, Master Yoda, Palpatine and those others I'd never met. I heard that one called Mace Windu say that they'd honed your strength- and we've done even MORE since you regained your limbs," Luke beamed.
"We have nothing to lose if I try," Anakin groaned as he started to pull.
"No try. Do. Or do not. There is no try!" Luke exclaimed while he and Anakin gave a strong look to each other.
"Yoda's in your head, Son," Anakin half-laughed.
"Maybe you should focus on one thing more than anything else and pretend yer getting that," Han pondered.
"THIRTY SECONDS TO CORUSCANT DOOMSDAY FAILSAFE PLANTARY EXPLOSION!" the loudspeaker droned.
Anakin took several deep breaths and started tugging again.
"ARRH!" Anakin screamed while bracing his feet into the basalt.
"Father, you moved it a few millimeters! Again!" Luke pleaded.
"TWENTY SECONDS TO CORUSCANT DOOMDSAY FAILSAFE PLANETARY EXPLOSION"" the loudspeaker droned.
" One thing, eh?" Anakin panted.
"FIFTEEN SECONDS"
"FOURTEEN"
"THIRTEEN"
" TWELVE"
"ELEVEN"
"TEN"
"I LOVE PADMÉ!" Anakin screamed loud enough to be heard over the loudspeaker.
Luke and Han heard what sounded like popping rivet sounds then looked down and saw that the hundreds of twisting metal coils were snapping as though made of spun sugar instead of extra-galactic titanium.
THREE
TWO
The last two cable filaments popped out while Anakin threw off the severed wire that descended from 1500 stories from the Control Command Center clear to the other side of the room.
"Father!" Luke gulped as he noticed that Anakin had collapsed in the spot he was standing in.
"Let him sleep, Junior. He's entitled," Han said in awe.
Suddenly Luke himself passed out.
Anakin struggled to return to consciousness but such a burst of strength made it virtually impossible in the aftermath.
"Mama, Leia ,Cxvrce, Mr. Banai! You even brought Threepio and Artoo down here," Luke beamed as he suddenly awoke.
"We wanted to be with you before the crowd loves you three to death, " Padmé laughed as she and the others hugged Luke, Han and Chewbacca while they could hear the mass cheering of billions in the street who were trying to storm the Imperial Palace to find Anakin.
"Those ever-present, hovering Coruscant security cameras got ALL of Father's stunt!" Leia laughed
"Artoo was fried up there. What happened?" Luke asked- noticing something odd.
"Oh, Palpatine made sure the Coruscant Imperial Palace Command Center was programmed to disarm ALL other computer and droids- especially Nabootanean ones. It seems he remembered how you survived to keep serving me, Artoo," Padmé beamed while hugging Artoo's lid.
"So how did Spark Plug survive?" Han asked.
"Simple. The Coruscant Imperial Palace Command Center Computer was Nabootanean in programming and recognized Artoo- and didn't want to destroy him. So to obey his late master AND to remain loyal to me and Artoo, he merely disabled Artoo for thirty minutes- long enough to carry out his hated duty of blowing up the planet unimpeded but giving his compatriot computer droid a chance to survive," Padmé laughed.
"Of course. Why didn't I think of that?" Han half-laughed.
"And, once the other computer got cut off from the Doomsday Bomb, it disabled itself from being able to detonate the devise- having given Artoo exact readings so Artoo can have other droids permanently disable that devise," Leia explained.
"Angel?" Anakin suddenly croaked.
"Oh, My Ani! You're okay! " Padmé beamed as she and Luke started to help Anakin stand upright.
"Sorry, I just passed out from the intense. . . I didn't mean to," Anakin gulped while he and Padmé hugged and kissed.
"It's quite alright. But you seem slightly shorter than before," Padmé gulped.
"You're right, Lady Padmé," Kitster sighed.
" If you couldda felt how strong and heavy all that cable was, you'd wonder why he wasn't Spark Plug's size. Probably ruptured some vertebra bones," Han groaned.
"No, I'm fine it's just. . .," Anakin looked down at his feet.
"Father, your feet must have pressed into the basalt bedrock at least a centimeter when you pulled those cables apart," Luke gulped.
"Yeah, they DID!" Anakin gulped as he pulled out his bare feet from the basalt bedrock and all could see two perfect footprints with every ridge, whorl, and groove of their skin having made perfect impressions into the rock itself.
"Father, look at some of these scratches! It looks like ancient pictures and writing," Luke gulped as they looked around on the floor nearby.
"These aren't just any pictures. Use the Force!" Anakin beamed as they swept their hands over the surface.
"The Force says this marks the very first Jedi Altar ever on Coruscant built some 40,000 years ago,"Leia exclaimed after finishing the reading.
"Built out in an open meadow without even a roof back then but since buried under layers of temples, government buildings, castles, fortifications and city industrialization. Yoda once told me he looked for this for centuries!"Anakin recalled.
"I wonder if Palpatine ever knew what was buried beneath his feet when he had the Doomsday Cable drilled through?" Luke asked.
" Hewasn't the only one who can't see the Sarlaac for the sand. I wonder how long before you notice yer new fleshy right hand?" Han Solo laughed and jabbed it with his right index finger.
"What!" Luke, Leia, Padmé and Anakin exclaimed.
"Yep! When you and Junior passed out,his metal claw popped right out and this one zapped outta thin air onto his right forearm's stump," Han explained while picking up Luke's discarded right metallic prosthetic hand.
"It IS my actual original hand right down to the freckles and scars,"Luke gulped as he felt his legit right hand and only saw a thin white line between it and his forearm.
"Just like I'd silently hoped to Master Qui-Gonn I could have restored to you! Thank the Light Side!" Anakin exclaimed as he and Padmé touched their son's right natural flesh hand (for the very first time each) in awe.
Padmé and Leia couldn't stop kissing it while Luke flexed each finger.
"I wish someone would fill me in on how it got back after it dropped outta sight into Bespin's clouds," Han groaned.
"We could try a scientific explanation of how the Bespin icy clouds preserved it for a year and all but that alone wouldn't . .. " Luke laughed before he felt something with his right boot.
"What is it?" Padmé asked.
"It's Father's Jedi Lightsaber!" Luke exclaimed as he picked it up and unsheathed the blue beam for all to see.
"No, Son! It's yours. You more than earned the right to keep it," Anakin insisted.
"Father, after Ben gave it to me, I used to have dreams that I'd find you and present it to you. I've got mine but I'd be honored if you let me give it back to you, Jedi Anakin!" Luke insisted- as he handed it back to Anakin- with his newly intact right hand.
"What about your red Sith one?" Han asked.
" I think Palpatine left a good spot for it," Anakin shrugged as he unsheathed it- then plunged it straight into the jagged, broken wire filaments popping up in the basalt bedrock subbasement floor from the disarmed Coruscant Doomsday Failsafe Planetary Exploder.
"Listen to all those people screaming out there, Ani. They're practically commanding you to be their Emperor after you saved their lives!" Padmé gulped.
"Nope, last time Icraved the Galaxy for you, I was left with less than nothing. Now, I've got everything I need here! Far more valuable than a galaxy," Anakin shrugged as he gently lifted the japor snippet pendant from Padmé's neck and hugged her before they and the rest of them walked out to meet the crowds.
FOUR YEARS LATER on Yavin Four.. .
"Welcome, New Galactic Republic Holovid Viewers to the Dual Wedding of Princess Leia Organa , Reigning Princess of New Alderaan to the New Republic General Han Solo of Corellia and her mother, Padmé Naberrie Amidala, former Queen and Senator of Naboo to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker of Tatooine- Princess Leia's father. The brides are being presented by my counterpart R2D2 as they make their ascent down the main aisle of the Celebration Temple where eight years past General Solo, Chewbacca and my Master Luke Skywalker were presented with medals by her Royal Highness Princess Leia after winning the Battle of Yavin to defeat the First Death Star of the Empire. Waiting at the Temple Altar are the grooms, Han Solo and my Master Anakin Skywalker with their Best Men- Chewbacca of Kashyyk and New Republic Senator Kitster Banai of Tatooine. Performing the ceremony of matrimony for Princess Leia and General Solo as well as renewing the vows of Queen Padmé and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is my Master, the New Jedi Founder Luke Skywalker- the son ofJedi KnightAnakin Skywalker and Queen Padmé Amidala Naberrie Skywalker," Threepio breathlessly intoned to the galactic holovid audience while trumpets were blaring.
"Kitster , Amee , have you met my mother Mrs. Jobal Naberrie and my grandmother Mrs. Padmé Voslucian?" Padmé beamed to her guests while she and Anakin hugged and kissed.
"How do you do, ladies? Your daughter and son-in-law have done so much for us!" Kitster exclaimed.
"Kitster, you got elected Senator fair and square," Anakin protested.
"And Amee queens it over the other Senators' wives as though she was born to the part!" Kitster laughed.
"Oh, please! Well, having Lady Padmé's old Senatorial Apartment on Coruscant does help with giving banquets- and have you seen pictures of our new grandchildren? Amee asked.
"Bruard and Chiara are studying architecture at the Academy so we're helping raise their little ones- and we've reunited with our four younger children,too!" Kitster beamed.
"That's quite wonderful! I know what it's like to think a child lost but then to find her again," Jorbal exclaimed while she and Padmé clutched hands.
"We're very sorry, Mama Naberrie but Padmé couldn't chance Palpatine or Lord Vader harming you to find our twins," Anakin groaned.
"Well, all that aside, I think you've found an excellent trophy husband, Granddaughter," 95-year-old Padmé Voluscian exclaimed to the 54-year-old bride Padmé standing with her own 27-year-old daughter Leia who stood next to 37-year-old Han.
"Hey, what am I?" Han asked- a bit miffed.
"You did great in helping us reunite with our family in Naboo so you'll make a wonderful grandson-in-law!" 75-year-old Jobal Naberrie laughed.
"No, Mama Naberrie and Grandmama, it is I who have the Treasure Beyond Compare in Padmé. I wouldn't be alive without her or our children!" Anakin exclaimed while tenderly kissing Padmé on the lips.
"Oh, let me tell you before we officially announce it! The New Republic Senate has declared that the Galactic Calendar is to mark the Battle of Yavin in which the First Death Star was destroyed as the very first day- and its anniversary will be the New Year forever afterwards!" Kitster exclaimed to Anakin.
"Luke, did you hear that? It HAS become a Day Long Remembered but not for the reasons I'd once hoped for," Anakin wryly exclaimed.
"Really?" Luke gulped.
"How I wish I could have flown with Luke when he. .!" Kitster exclaimed.
"Yes, with him- not against him. That's the way it should have been but always will be from now on!"Anakin proclaimed.
"Han, have you ever seen four generations of women that beautiful? There's your future! You're one lucky pirate!" Lando Calrissian laughed while banging Han on the back while looking at Leia, Padmé and Padmé's grey and, respectively, white haired mother and grandmother.
"I guess," Han half-laughed.
"What's up, Buddy? You just married a gorgeous babe who happens to be a princess and a Force wielder. What more could you ask for?" Lando asked.
"What makes ya think there's anything. ..?" Han shrugged.
"Han, this is Lando! You can't out steer another pirate!" Lando insisted.
" Leia's been great and so has Amber Lady and it's been quite a ride with Junior and Pops but I can't help wonder if I'm getting demoted to sidekick," Han sighed.
"So Leia's father's called the Chosen One. But you're Leia's Chosen One!" Lando laughed.
"Not funny," Han groaned.
" Okay, your new Pops-in-law got a new body, a suspended sentence for his atrocities and his family's forgiveness and love," Lando shrugged.
"Not you,too!" Han groaned.
"What are you talking about?" Lando asked.
"Vader ripped you out of your entire mining complex," Han sighed.
"Anakin Skywalker made a full confession, has helped Luke free 77 percentof the Galaxy as of last week and he insisted the New Republic auction off all Vader's holdings to repay back all of us he'd gypped and to compensate those who were disabled by Vader's actions and/or lost family. He even arranged for that Imperial training planet to be used as New Alderaan for all the survivors," Lando beamed.
" And if I havta hear from you how he singlehandedly pulled apart the Coruscant Plantary Doomsday Exploder Cable again. . .," Han groaned.
" Come on,Han. He, Luke and I are in the Planetary Exploder Preventer Fraternity- only Luke and I pushed buttons and aimed but he physically pulled the thing apart! Why hold onto grudges? Life's too short and time stops for no one," Lando laughed.
"Oh, yeah? Tell that to Pops!" Han groaned.
"Luke explained that the Kaminoans gave him a younger body and. ." Lando shrugged.
"That's what I first thought,too, but he hasn't aged a DAY in four years. Already, my bride and brother-in-law look a little older than than their own father," Han said in bemusement.
"He's very athletic and ripped soaging's probably not as obvious with him as. .." Lando tried to explain.
"Lando, after all his confessions and protests to want to make right balanced against all the testimonies about him AFTER Endor, he was sentenced to TWO YEARS in the KESSEL MINES," Han groaned.
"Did you say, two years? You know, I've never seen anyone emerge from those who hadn't aged ten years after ONE year," Lando gulped.
"Yeah, but if he starts asking folks if they can tell which of us is the father-in-law and which is the son-in-law, Force or no Force, I'll bust his chops," Han snapped.