(Cont'd)
Suddenly, the Force walked with him. Hand in hand, like a child with his father to the edge of an all white room.
Anakin looked around. Before him was a white chair. Someone sat with their back toward him. He sensed the presence, and knew who it was.
Things were slowly being revealed – in his mind like new or repressed memories – and he understood.
"Your purpose," the voice said, "was to suffer for the good of the galaxy."
The voice belonged to Qui Gon Jin. He spun around, stroking his goatee as he turned.
"The confusion, your life, you were never meant to understand what was happening to you, or to see through the darkness."
And with pristine clarity, Anakin reflected, and suddenly listened to Palpatine's words, the lies so clear in his mind he almost felt embarrassed for not seeing it then. But Qui Gon told him it was never meant for him to understand.
"It was meant for you to balance the force here in the after life."
"Are you my father?" Anakin asked.
Qui-Gon thought of the boy he raised - Obi-Wan Kenobi, the surrogate he set in place for Anakin.
"Watching you suffer was difficult. It was the will of the force that set you ablaze Anakin. You killed children."
Anakin turned his head.
"I heard your voice when I killed the Sand People. Why did my mother die?"
"She didn't suffer, Anakin. But she held on, until she could see your face one last time."
"Palpatine said his master created me by manipulating midichlorians. Are you telling me that was also a lie?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "Anakin, it was I, who showed your Masters how to return from the dead. I mastered eternal life long before my death - I gave myself to Darth Maul's blade because I had the gift - to create or give eternal life. Falling to Darth Maul's blade was the only way to help them see the destruction and the corruption of the Republic by the Sith. Secrets were kept from you Anakin. I kept them from you, deliberately to set the counter-plot against the Sith in motion. But you overstepped your ignorance, falling to the dark side. But I knew you'd return. Anakin, you did well in the end. The end result is what matters."
"My purpose was to suffer for the good of the galaxy? To be Vader's prison for two decades without my own arms and legs. To torture my daughter - it's too much, Master Qui-Gon. But I understand it."
"I feel as though I was the one who tortured you. I created the fog in your mind to lead you astray. The emperor would have done more evil in the after life and would have grown more powerful if you hadn't destroyed him. Anger and darkness led you down this path, as much as we hate it, without your anger, you'd have chosen the light and the emperor would have been able to reign in hell."
Qui-Gon stood, held Anakin by the arms. "I'm proud of you, son" he said, and embraced him.
"What about Padme?" Anakin asked.
Qui-Gon pointed and the heavens opened.
Anakin turned. He stood before the wooded forest again and Qui-Gon was gone. Before him, light envelopedthe winding path and his heart beat wildly at the sight of his beloved Padme Amidala. She floated toward him and he raced to her.
They collided in an explosion of goodness and light, and for the first time in his life, he felt peace. The darkness had gone.
"Anakin, I missed you so much," she gasped.
He spun her around and her dress flowed about her, like a princess in a fairytale.
"I'm so sorry, Padme..."
She silenced him with a finger over his lips. "I understand. It was your destiny, Anakin. I only wish tosee my children."
"I'm sorry for taking them away from you. You'll see them one day," he answered.
"What if they choose the dark side?"
"They won't. Someday they'll be with us in heaven...our grandchildren too."
She smiled, because they looked so young...
Padme and Anakin kissed... and they kissed... and this, was their heaven.