Title: Falling From The Light
Main Characters: Anakin/Padmé/Obi-Wan/Bant/Luke/Leia/Han/OC
Secondary Characters: OCs/Qui-Gon
Summary: The sequel to "Slipping Into Darkness." Palpatine knew that Anakin might defeat him, so he left something behind which may not only destroy the Chosen One, but his family as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Star Wars, as cool as it would be if I did. Everything belongs to the Flannelled One. I do, however, own the OCs. They are mine, mine, all mine! (notices the strange looks she is receiving) I mean, (clears throat) They belong to me. (blush)
A/N: Originally, I wasn't going to write a continuation to "Slipping," but my wonderful readers on TFN convinced me to. The Lord blessed me with an idea, and "Falling" came about. This story takes some very interesting turns, and I hope that it will surprise you. :)
A/N2: As always, this story would never be what it is now without my wonderful beta's (Darth Mom's) help. "Slipping," began with an idea she had, and she was kind enough to let me borrow and expand on it, and she is always patient enough to listen to me talk about the sequel. :)
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
I am so sorry that this post has taken so long! Darth Real Life has been very cruel to me lately, including being sick, badly spraining my foot, and my internet connection turning against me. But finally, I was able to finish this next part. :)
Lord willing, I will have the next part up on Thursday, and return to my usual posting schedule. :)
Thank you all for your patience!
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Falling From The Light
She was lying on something cold and hard… That was the first thing Leia realized as her eyes fluttered open, and her consciousness slowly returned. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to move and found her stiff, aching limbs protesting the action. It seemed that wherever she was, she had been there for quite some time.
Taking a steadying breath, Leia pushed herself into a sitting position. Immediately a wave of dizziness swept over her, and she closed her eyes against it, waiting for it to pass. Finding the sensation slow to subside, she concentrated and reached for the Force, but where the energy field which she had known since birth should have been, there was nothing.
A cold weight of dread settled in the pit of her stomach at the realization, and her memories came flooding back: the mission to Corellia…the Corellian Captain who seemed determined to drive her mad…her mother being taken…the rescue attempt…suddenly losing the Force…the unexpected attack…a blinding flash of light, then…nothing.
Worry grew in her as she thought of her family, her Master, and Obi-Wan. Where were they? Were they alright? What if they were hurt? What if they were… Leia clamped down on that thought before she could complete it. Ignoring her aching limbs, she opened her eyes once more and pushed herself to her feet. The room still spun slightly, but she fought the sensation and remained standing.
After a few moments she felt steady enough to turn, allowing her gaze to sweep her surroundings. She seemed to be in some sort of cell. The walls were covered in featureless, gray stone that seemed to only add to the darkness which blanketed the room. The corners were hidden in shadow, and her only view of the outside world was the energy field at the cell's entrance.
Instinctively, Leia's hand went for her saber, but the familiar weight of the weapon at her hip was gone, and her fingers only found her tunic. But, as she brushed the fabric, she felt something else. Locked around her right wrist was a small metal cuff with two red lights blinking steadily on it's surface. Confused, she ran her other hand along the device, wondering what its purpose was, and if there was some way to remove it.
But those thoughts were quickly forgotten as a sound broke the silence: footsteps. They seemed far off, but even at such a distance they echoed in the stillness, and they were drawing closer. Wishing more than ever that she still had her saber, Leia tensed. She listened as the footsteps finally slowed, and a moment later a figure came into view.
Standing before her was a man, perhaps Obi-Wan's age, if not a little older, with dark gray hair and pale blue eyes. The gray uniform he wore seemed to hang slightly on his frail frame, the lighter color of the fabric a contrast to the shadows around him.
"You don't have to fear me," he said softly. His voice was gentle and unassuming, with a scholarly edge that somehow brought to mind the halls of a university or some other place of higher learning.
His blue eyes held the look of one who had experienced much loss and regret, and he was very pale, as if he hadn't seen the rays of a sun for many years. But, she could sense a strength in him as well, and though his posture was bent slightly with age, he still seemed to carry himself with quiet dignity.
"Who are you?" Leia asked finally.
"Forgive me," he said with a small, apologetic smile, "I am afraid manners aren't needed much here, and mine are a bit rusty. My name is Darris Corren. I was sent to escort you to the main chamber."
"Main chamber?" Leia echoed. "Where am I? Where is my family?"
He looked down for a moment.
"Your family is being taken to the main chamber as well. You are in the Deep Core, in the citadel of Darth Sidious, on a world known as Byss."
A deep sensation of shock and disbelief ran through Leia, momentarily overcoming the confusion and uncertainty she still felt.
"Sidious! But that is impossible…my father defeated him!"
"Yes, he did," the elderly man answered solemnly. "But it seems that Sidious's legacy may be even harder to destroy than he was."
Darris turned his gaze away once more, as if lost in the past. When he turned back, sorrow was etched across his features. He reached down to pull back the sleeve of his uniform, revealing a cuff identical to the one now locked around Leia's wrist.
"These bands are linked to the citadel's security system. If you try to escape, or remove it, the band is activated." He looked away before adding quietly, "It is very painful."
Something in his voice told Leia that he knew all too well how painful it was. But a moment later, the man seemed to draw himself from his thoughts, and moved to the wall near Leia's cell. She heard the brief tapping of keys as some type of code was entered, and the energy field at the front of her cell disappeared.
"I am sure you have many questions," he said softly. "I will do my best to answer them while we walk."
Leia watched him cautiously for a moment, trying to sense his intentions. She wasn't entirely certain why, but something told her that she could trust this man. How ever he had come to be here, it wasn't by choice. Finally, accepting what her instinct told her, she nodded and stepped beside him in the corridor.
They walked in silence for a few moments, and Leia's gaze swept the deserted hallway. Now that she knew who had created this place, she could feel the darkness surrounding her, darkness that reached far beyond the realm of the physical. She shivered imperceptibly, remembering the stories she had been told about the Sith Lord and the battle which had nearly cost her father his life…
"Are you alright?" Darris asked quietly.
Leia managed a very small smile at his concern.
"I must admit, I've been better."
A sad smile touched his lips.
"I believe I could say the same," he answered. For just an instant, it almost seemed that Leia could see the man he must have once been, the heavy air of responsibility and regret lifting from him briefly. But as quickly as it had gone, the invisible weight returned, settling once more upon his shoulders.
"How long have you been here?" Leia asked softly, her voice echoing in the darkened hallway.
"Many years," he answered quietly. "I was a geneticist on Alderaan, studying new ways of cloning healthy tissue from patients for transplants. Lord Sidious heard of the work I had been doing…" His voice trailed off as he became lost in memory once more.
"You see, he wanted to be immortal. He thought that if he could clone new bodies for himself, that he could somehow infuse them with his essence… But first, he needed someone who was capable of creating clones which would be able to survive the process. He needed me."
The older man turned to stare down the empty corridor before them. "I didn't want to help him," Darris continued, "but I didn't have any choice. He…he threatened my wife…. If it had only been my life, it wouldn't have mattered. But, I couldn't let him hurt her." His blue gaze searched Leia's, full of regret, yet pleading with her to understand.
For a brief instant, Leia wondered if she should be angry with this man. He had after all, helped the Sith… But as she considered his words, she thought of her own family; they meant everything to her. If they were threatened, she had no doubt that she would do anything to protect them.
"It wasn't your fault," Leia said finally.
He cast a grateful glance in her direction, then turned away again.
"Lord Sidious died before my research was complete, but there were other projects, other things he ordered me to create." His voice was filled with regret. "I created her."
"Her?" Leia questioned softly.
"His servant, the one who brought you here." He looked down once more. "She could have been so much more, if only he had let her…"
Confused, Leia wanted to ask him what he meant, but before she could speak, they had reached a large set of doors. Strange carvings marked their surface, somehow accenting the shadows around them, almost giving one the impression that any light was unwelcome. As though sensing their presence, the doors swung open by themselves, revealing a vast, open space.
Like much of the citadel, it was blanketed by a thick darkness, though the center of the chamber was illuminated by an unseen source. At the far end of the chamber, Leia could see the faint shape of what seemed to be some kind of throne. A large set of stairs led to the raised platform on which it sat.
Sidious's throne, Leia realized as her gaze swept the room.
Near the foot of the throne, a woman stood silently, her black gaze reminiscent of a predator's, cold and unfeeling. She seemed so much a part of the darkness in the room that Leia had at first almost mistaken her for a shadow. But even now without the Force, Leia could sense this woman's power.
Leia felt Darris move behind her, and gently take her arm, leading her into the room. When they reached a far wall and turned, Leia realized that she wasn't alone. Her mother and brother stood a few feet away, their hands bound above them in chains. Her father was a prisoner as well, shackled to a wall across from them.
She wanted to call out to them, to make sure they were alright, when suddenly, she felt something take hold of her, and push her forcefully against the wall. She was unable to fight back as her own arms were raised above her head, metallic cuffs snapping into place a moment later. Looking up, she found the Sith woman watching her intently, having used the Force to lock the chains.
"Leave us," the woman said turning to Darris, her voice without emotion, yet somehow conveying the power she wielded.
Darris turned to Leia, a look of grave apology on his features, then stepped back, moving to the doorway they had come from moments before.
Leia's eyes anxiously sought those of her family, knowing that the silent communication would have to be enough.
A moment later, when the doors had shut, and the chamber was quiet once more, the dark figure came forward from the base of the throne, the shadows seeming to follow her.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Anakin watched as the Sith woman strode, without expression, through the vast chamber which he and his family had been brought to moments before. He had felt a brief wave of relief as Padmé, Luke, and Leia had been led to the wall across from him, knowing that they were alive, and unhurt, but the sensation had been quickly replaced by a feeling of dread.
The woman turned towards his family, and Anakin tensed, straining his neck to look up at the chains that now bound his wrists. He knew that if he still had the Force he would be able to easily overcome the locking mechanisms, but without it, he was powerless to do anything. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming, and he could only watch as she drew nearer to his wife and children. The black-robed being stopped after a moment, turning back to look at him.
"Chosen One," she said, her flat, empty voice echoing in the vast space, "You defeated my Master, Lord Sidious, but your victory was hollow. By killing him, you have forfeited you own life, as well as the lives of your family."
At her words, a terrible wave of fear for those he loved swept over Anakin.
"Now," she continued, "Lord Sidious will prove to you that, even in death, he is the greater Master of the Force. You took his life, and now he will take yours. But your own death will be far worse."
Anakin's heart pounded loudly in his ears as the woman moved back to his family, pausing when she came to Leia. Despite his dread, a feeling of pride rose in Anakin as watched his beautiful Jedi daughter meet the Sith woman's gaze calmly, holding her head high, refusing to show any fear.
But as the dark woman raised her hand, Leia suddenly cried out in surprise and pain. She twisted her head from side to side, as if trying to fight some unseen enemy. A moment later she gave another short cry, but determinedly refused to allow any other sounds to escape her.
Anakin suddenly understood what the woman was doing. As Jedi, they learned to shield their minds, both for their own privacy and comfort, as well as that of the Jedi around them. They could strengthen or weaken the mental walls as they wished, opening them to those they trusted such as their Masters or close friends. Even though his family was unable to feel the Force, those barriers still existed in their minds. It was these barriers that the Sith woman was easily tearing through, crushing any mental defenses Leia might have had.
Leia thrashed again, and Anakin twisted in his chains, pulling at them with all of his strength, but his physical power wasn't enough.
Another cry broke free from Leia's throat, and she slumped limply, finally seeming to surrender to the incredible force invading her mind.
"No!" Anakin screamed.
"Leia!" Padmé shouted. Even from across the room, Anakin could see the tears that filled his wife's eyes. Next to her, Luke watched helplessly, an expression of horror on his face. Anakin's heart twisted in pain again at the sight. This was happening because of him; Leia had done nothing, but now she was suffering, his family was suffering, and Anakin could do nothing to stop it.
Finally, the Sith woman ended her assault on his daughter's mind. Leia's eyes were closed, and she was motionless, her ragged breathing the only thing which told Anakin that she was still alive. He whispered a silent thank you to the Force. But once more a wave of fear crashed over his mind as the woman moved towards Luke.
"It is your turn, son of the Chosen One," she said simply, raising her hand again.
Anakin clenched his fists as he waited, expecting Luke to cry out as the Sith woman tore through the barriers in his mind as well. But instead, blue sparks began to leap across the woman's fingers on her outstretched hand. An instant later, of streak of blue Force lightning arced across the distance towards Luke, and a strangled cry escaped his son's throat.
Anguish welled up within Anakin's spirit, far beyond any he had felt before. This made all the grief he had experienced in his lifetime seem insignificant by comparison. All the pain he had endured… the loses he had suffered… the remorse he had known when he had realized what he had nearly become… nothing could compare to what he now felt, watching helplessly as his family was tortured.
Bitter tears filled his eyes, as the continuous torrent of electricity struck his son. The barrage showed no sign of stopping. If it continued, Luke wouldn't survive…
Anakin struggled once more within his chains, his fists now clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. The sharp edges of the cuffs dug into his wrists as he fought, pulling with all his strength, wanting somehow to spare his family from this, to take their suffering upon himself. He could not help them chained as he was… There was only one hope now, only one way to save them: he had to get free.
At that thought, Anakin dove deeply inside himself, the world suddenly replaced by the expanse of his mind. He walked the familiar mental pathways searching desperately for the link that bound him to the Force. He knew it was still there, he could feel it. The Force would always be a part of him… something was only keeping him from reaching it.
Anakin focused, and fell further and further into himself until… There. At the center of his being he could see it: his connection to the energy field that bound all things. To him, it appeared as a golden radiance, brighter than the twin suns of his home world. But something stood in his way: a vast wall, high and solid, only allowing the smallest rays of light to shine through. This was the barrier in his mind, the thing which kept him from the Force. If he could break it, he could free himself and save his family.
Anakin drew back within his mind, and struck the wall with all of his strength, pouring all of his energy into this one act. For an instant, nothing happened, then slowly, cracks began to appear, and flickers of light became visible. Anakin concentrated again and called that light towards himself, focusing on the cuffs at his wrists, willing them to open. A moment later, he heard the distant sounds of his chains falling away, and turned his attention outward once more, his eyes snapping open.
For an instant, Anakin felt the Force swirling around him. But just as quickly as the wall had crumbled, he felt it return, and the damage he had done was suddenly repaired, its weakness gone. He was cut off from the Force once more, but he was free… and that was enough.
The Sith woman had stopped her attack on Luke and had spun to face Anakin. Though her features remained expressionless, the Jedi Master thought that he had seen a flicker of shock in her black eyes.
His mental attack on the barrier in his mind had left him greatly weakened, but Anakin ignored the exhaustion and charged. He didn't have his saber, or any weapon, but that didn't matter; all that mattered was that his family was safe.
The dark woman swiftly drew her saber and twisted out of his way, bringing her weapon around to strike. He felt her blade singe the back of his tunic, and crouched before the attack could go further. Then Anakin spun, sweeping his leg forward, trying to knock her off balance. Instantly, she flipped backwards with inhuman grace, landing easily on her feet next to him. She struck again, this time using her elbow to hit him hard in the chest. Anakin felt the breath forced from his lungs, and stumbled back, amazed by the power of the blow.
Knowing that she had caught him off guard, the woman spun, bring her saber forward once more. Anakin watched the blade descend towards his left arm. He felt its searing heat for an instant, but pulled back before the injury could become anything worse then a burn. Gritting his teeth in pain, he came at her once more; this was the only way he could save his family, and he refused to give up.
Rushing forward, Anakin feigned an attempt to kick her, but came up with his right arm instead. She seemed to have sensed his intentions and dodged easily, allowing his fist to only catch the fabric of her robe.
His limbs weighed down by exhaustion, and his breath coming in ragged gasps, the Jedi Master drew away slightly, hoping to regain his center after the failed attack. Sensing that her opponent was weakening, the Sith came at him again, her crimson saber moving in a swift arc, now aiming for his legs. The moment seemed to slow as Anakin watched, an idea suddenly rising in his mind…
At the last moment, before her weapon could reach its target, Anakin spun, reaching around the other side of the blade. With all of his strength, he brought his mechanical right hand up under the Sith's wrist where the she held the saber. The metal of his hand connected with the flesh and bone of her arm, and she lost her grip on the hilt.
The Sith blade tumbled through the air, much like Dooku's had so many years earlier, and with the same grace he had shown then, Anakin caught it. But this time, he didn't hesitate to make a killing blow, quickly plunging the saber through his opponent's chest.
The woman's body jerked once from shock, but she did not cry out in pain, nor did her face show any reaction. She simply stood there, slowly shifting her gaze to the blade which had impaled her.
Anakin, his hand still resting upon the weapon, drew a ragged breath as he worked to calm his rapidly beating heart. He had won… His wife and children were safe… But just as Anakin was about to move to free his family, the Sith woman suddenly looked up. Her hand reached out, and Anakin felt his fingers being forced from the weapon's handle. Then she reached back for the hilt, and in one smooth, slow motion, pulled the saber from her.
Incredible shock swept through the Jedi Master. Stunned, he watched as the wound faded after a few moments, the small, round hole in her robes the only evidence that it had ever been inflicted.
The Sith woman's gaze locked with Anakin's for an instant, and he saw something glitter in the depths of her eyes. Immediately, Anakin was thrown high into the air, an unseen force hitting him with such power that his head snapped back. Distantly he felt himself impact the far wall of the chamber.
His body tumbled to the ground, and blackness clouded his vision. He struggled to push himself up, but could not. His arms suddenly gave way, and he slumped to the floor once again. He felt his consciousness beginning to slip away, but he fought the sensation, forcing his eyes to remain open.
The Sith woman stood, studying him for a moment, seeming to decide that he was no longer a threat. Then she turned, and walked back to his family, stopping in front of Luke, her saber still ignited. Realizing what she was about to do, Anakin tried once more to regain his footing, but failed.
The Sith brought her blade up, and Anakin could only watch as it moved closer to his son.
"No!" Anakin screamed. He wouldn't allow this to happen… He couldn't. Anakin closed his eyes, falling into himself as he had done earlier, and with every ounce of his remaining strength, struck once more at the barrier which separated him from the Force.
He felt it give way, and drew upon the Force's energy, quickly channeling it, strengthening his body. He jumped to his feet and ran, using the Force to increase his speed until he appeared little more than a blur. The Sith blade came closer to Luke, the blow meant to be a final one, aimed for his heart.
With a last burst of speed, Anakin threw himself in front of his son, and a sudden, searing pain ripped through his chest as the lightsaber pierced him. He heard a cry of denial from Luke, but was barely aware of it, the shock of the blow overcoming his senses. As his vision began to fade he forced himself to look up.
Padmé eyes, filled with tears, met Anakin's own. He wished he were able to go to her, to hold her, to tell her one more time how much he loved her. But instead, he could only return her gaze, trying to convey with his eyes all that he longed to say.
The moment seemed to stretch on, an eternity unto itself, but when he could no longer fight the blackness, he allowed it to rush over him. Distantly, Anakin felt the his body hit the ground, but the sensation was far away and unreal, as though he were no longer a part of the world in which it had happened.
He drifted into a peaceful darkness which cradled his spirit, and a few moments later, a beautiful, golden light began to grow before him. This was gate of life and death, the gate which he had been kept from entering when he had chosen to stop fighting during his battle with Palpatine. It shone with the same beauty he remembered, and he felt the same sense of peace. Only this time, no invisible barrier stopped him, and he was welcomed into it's comforting embrace.
TBC
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
I hope that you enjoyed the update, and that it makes up for the long wait. Thank you again so much for your patience. :)
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:
I will answer the reviews I receive, though not on the story itself. :) If you want me to answer your reviews, please make sure that I have some way to contact you.
Or, if you don't want me to answer you, please tell me, as I don't want to bother anyone. :)
Also, if you would like me to notify you of updates by email or PM, let me know as well. :)
I want to thank all the amazing reviewers who read all of "Slipping," and are continuing to read. Their comments mean more than I can say.
Thank you everyone who has reviewed, your feedback has been incredibly kind, and greatly appreciated.
For anyone who hasn't reviewed yet…(waves hand) You will review! (waves hand again) The submit review button on the lower left is the option you are looking for. Once you have reviewed, you can go about your business. Move along. ;)
Ani-maniac494