My heartfelt thanks to all my readers, both reviewers and lurkers alike. Hope you all enjoy this installment!
Sweet Christabel: Thank you so much. Glad to know I caught you by surprise. As far as vilianizing Obi-Wan, it actually wasn't too difficult. Since Anakin believes the whole galaxy is against him it is simple to make that leap so that from his perspective the Jedi are evil. Thanks for reading!
Emerald Green Queen: I totally understand about RL, it can be a pain sometimes. Happy that I can surprise you. As
for Anakin/Vader is 'allegience' is somewhat on the fence.
He isn't a mindless, murdering monster, nor is he an altruistic
Jedi. However, he does have his ulterior motives so definitely
don't turn your back on him. What they are...?
Glad you liked the flashbacks. They have seemed to work well with
the story and I decided to keep it consistent. Thanks again for
the very thorough review and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Obi-Wan didn't need a connection to the Force to know that his former student was waiting at the end of the ramp. Although he had discovered shortly after their confrontation that Vader had survived, nothing could have prepared him for the shock of seeing his companion alive and standing with him.
Impossible.
"Senator Amidala," he muttered as he continued to walk.
"In the flesh," she answered with a smirk. "So to speak."
"But how?" Obi-Wan queried. "I saw you die."
Anakin clenched his jaw angrily as his hand moved over his saber. Padmé immediately turned in his direction, giving him a quick glance which seemed to calm him. "My old Master," he finally spoke. "Still dense and weak, I see nothing's changed."
"Vader," he spat, carefully removing his weapon from his belt, but not activating it. "What have you done? Why couldn't you have let poor Padmé rest in peace?"
The couple exchanged a befuddled glance before she moved forward. "I promise you, Master Jedi, I am no spawn of evil from the Darkside; nor some concoction of the Kamino cloners…" She glared at him. "I am Padmé Skywalker and you've stolen my only son!"
Obi-Wan continued to study her in disbelief, occasionally glancing at Sabé. "I don't believe you. The real Senator Amidala would not ally herself with a monstrosity such as this," he said, motioning to Vader. "She believed in the Republic, in democracy. Not an Empire with this puppet doing his Master's bidding."
"This isn't about the Republic or the Empire, Obi-Wan," Padmé said evenly.
The Jedi then turned towards the Grand Inquisitor. "What lies has this Sith poisoned you with? Are you going to once again ignore your better judgment by continuing to support this madness?"
Sabé glanced briefly at the Skywalkers before focusing again on Obi-Wan. "Right now, I don't know what to believe."
Obi-Wan pleaded, "Please Sabé, do not trust Vader or this woman. He is just as evil and corrupt as Palpatine."
"Put away your Jedi weapon before this gets out of hand," she begged. "I'm sure we can find a peaceful solution to all of this."
Tears had filled Padmé's eyes as she faced her former handmaiden. "You don't know what it has been like these past nine years. Every night I lie awake, alone because I have to hide from the Emperor. I ache for my boy, who was robbed from my arms at his birth. Neither Obi-Wan nor his Masters had any right to abduct our son. Luke belongs with his real family!"
Placing her hand on Padmé's shoulder in an effort to comfort her, she returned her gaze towards the Jedi. "He only did what he thought was right. He wasn't about to trust your husband after he had wiped out the entire Jedi Order, especially since he believed you dead."
"Where's my son? Where's Luke?" Padmé suddenly growled, ignoring her.
Obi-Wan jolted slightly by her outburst, he took a step backwards. "He is quite safe. I can assure you of that."
"That's not good enough, Kenobi!" Anakin yelled.
"Still fumbling about the darkness, Anakin." Obi-Wan jibed. "I see nine years on your knees has taught you nothing."
"You will give us our son back or I will destroy you!"
"Stop this!" Sabé demanded as she thrust herself between the former friends. "It doesn't have to be this way."
Vader smiled briefly as he and Kenobi circled around the Grand Inquisitor. "He told me when I was his apprentice that he loved me and would always support me," he said, glancing at Sabé. "But as always, Obi-Wan abandons those he cares about in order to follow the orders of dead fools." He paused before adding, "You saw the security cams, Sabé. Wouldn't you say that he was rather anxious to murder his so-called brother?" Turning his attention back to Obi-Wan, he asked, "Where was your enhanced sense of loyalty that day, Jedi scum?"
Obi-Wan shook his head briefly. "It tore me apart to have to hunt you down, Anakin. I did not want to do it."
"But you did and you used Padmé to find me," he vehemently spat. "And it wasn't enough that you tried to kill me, but you took our son, hoping to mold him into a weapon against me. For that I can never forgive you."
Sensing imminent danger, Sabé backed away, stumbling over to Padmé who was standing near the edge of the platform, silently watching. "Tell him about your plans, Padmé," she said desperately. "Make him listen! Make him understand!"
Padmé then moved next to Vader and placed her hand on his forearm, causing him to back away. "Please, Obi-Wan. We have all seen enough death and misery to fill several lifetimes. I promise you, as a friend and one you helped protect many times over, Luke will be loved and well taken care of. He will not be one of Palpatine's lackey's… I swear it."
For a moment, silence hung in the air. "Young Luke is the child of Anakin and Padmé Skywalker, not of Lord and Lady Vader," he finally declared. Activating his lightsaber, Obi-Wan added, "And I will fight to protect the secret of his whereabouts and destroy you both if need be."
"And you will find that you are mistaken about a great many things," Padmé snarled.
Before the Jedi could react, streaks of blue Force lightening descended upon him, slamming him down against the platform. At first he believed that it had been summoned by the supposed former Senator, but he quickly took notice that Vader was standing with his living hand extended in his direction. Obi-Wan returned to his feet before his former student struck down with his crimson blade.
"Now I shall end what we started here, Master." Vader mocked.
"Good," he grimly replied. "I prefer a straight fight to your incessant whining."
Seconds later, a loud crackle of energy echoed as the two locked sabers. Vader, who had learned to control his raw emotions, channeled them into bone crushing strikes as each assault directed at Obi-Wan pushed him further away. His training in the Darkside as Palpatine's student had taught him techniques and styles the Jedi had believed to be buried under the sands of time. The lessons of the past were going to pave the way for him to begin a new future; not only for his family, but for the entire galaxy.
It was not long before Obi-Wan was losing ground and had to rely on his entire repertoire of defenses to hold off the attacking Sith. Unlike their last encounter, when Vader had fought him with only raw fury, he had learned to incorporate that voracious fighting style with a patience and diligence that likened to Count Dooku. In essence, he was even more powerful at this moment than he was nearly a decade ago, when they had fought here for the first time. Obi-Wan had considered himself fortunate then to escape with the few injuries he did sustain. He didn't know how he was going to get out of this one. Sensing an opening, the Jedi counter-attacked, launching a volley of quick left to right swipes, then jabbing at the Sith's midsection. This briefly swung the engagement into a stalemate while each combatant traded blows, neither gaining the advantage.
Anticipating Obi-Wan's gambit, Vader sidestepped his last attack then reached into the Force to send the unsuspecting Jedi hurtling across the landing platform. He allowed himself another proud grin as he calmly walked towards the crumpled man. All too easy, he mused as he reached back to deliver a death blow.
Meanwhile, both Sabé and Padmé stood in place, watching and waiting. They exchanged a momentary glance before the Inquisitor stepped away in disbelief. "Surely you believe me, Sabé. You of all people know that it is me."
She shook her head as she was still trying to get a hold on the moment. "My entire world has been knocked off its axis. I don't know what is real anymore."
"You must trust me, Sabe. I need your support," Padmé beseeched.
"Master Kenobi cannot accept that you are still alive. For all I know, Vader did get the Kaminoans to grow you up in their labs."
Padmé winced as she covered her heart. "How can you say that? You know in your soul that I am your friend…your sister."
"Then prove it," Sabé demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
"How?" she asked with tears in her eyes. "Tell me what to say or what to do and I will."
The Grand Inquistor thought briefly before folding her arms as she paced. Looking up, she muttered, "Something only the real Padmé would know."
"What if the only way I could prove myself is to hurt you?"
"We shall see," Sabé replied with a dismissive wave.
The former Queen took a deep breath then moved forward to face her friend. "Then I'm sorry for making you relive this…"
After the Royal Court convened for the evening, Padmé quickly made her way from the throne room to the handmaidens' quarters. Her chief attendant and decoy had departed abruptly during the session as she appeared to fall ill. Concerned, the young Queen searched their quarters, but was unable to find her. However, after walking through them again, she noticed that the door to one of refreshers was closed.
Softly knocking, Padmé called out, "Sabé? Are you in there?"
From behind the door she answered, "Leave me be."
"What's wrong?" There was no answer. Rather the silence was broken by Sabé's muffled cries. "Sabé, let me in. You're frightening me."
No response.
Padmé quickly punched in her override access code to open the door. Upon entering the refresher she saw the petite handmaiden slumped on the floor. She quickly knelt down to help prop her friend up. "Sabé what happened?'
Wiping furiously at her tears, she shook her head sadly as she tried to speak. "The baby…I lost the baby."
"By the spirits," Padmé muttered as her face contorted in pain. The Queen quickly summoned Yané, the Palace's chief healer, and along with her assistants helped Sabé into her bed. For the next standard hour, Padmé waited anxiously outside for any word about her closest friend's condition. Finally, the diminutive Yané appeared.
"What is her condition?" She demanded immediately.
"She's resting now," Yané answered, frowning slightly. "I gave her a mild sedative to calm her."
"Can I see her?"
The handmaiden nodded. "Yes, but keep it brief. She needs her rest."
Padmé offered her a slight smile before departing. Pausing in the doorway, she turned to look back. "Yané."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Please keep this to yourself. The last thing Sabé needs right now is Palace gossip," she instructed. "Don't even say anything to the other handmaidens."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Padmé hurried into the bedroom to find Sabé quietly resting. She picked up a nearby chair and placed it at the head of the bed. Leaning over to brush a few stray locks of hair from her friend's face, Padmé continued to smile as the handmaiden reached for her hand. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty," she breathed.
"For what?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Everything," she muttered apologetically. "You had every right to dismiss me once you learned about my…condition."
Affectionately squeezing her hand, Padmé offered her a soft smile. "That wouldn't have made me a very good friend now, would it?"
Sabé slightly shrugged, turning her head away from her. "You could get yourself in trouble for standing up for me."
Padmé gently turned her friend's head towards her. "Remember what I told you when you accepted this position? There isn't anything I wouldn't do for those in my charge…You risked your life for me several times during the crisis and this is the least I can do to repay you."
"You are far too kind to me, my friend." She responded with a slight frown. "That's why I am hesitant to ask any more of you."
"Out with it," Padmé ordered.
Sabé blinked several times. "Obi-Wan…I know we haven't been able to reach him before, but I need him to know…I need him here…But that is too much to ask and you've already been more generous than I deserve."
"Nonsense. I will see to it immediately."
"I don't know how I can ever make this up to you, Your Highness."
Padmé shook her head, her smile growing as she stood. "You already have…"
Both women were in tears. Without thought, they embraced as Sabé whispered, "I am so sorry I doubted you. Can you ever forgive me?"
The former Senator shook her head as she sniffled. "Just having your belief in me restored means everything."
They unconsciously shook when they heard the angry crashes of Obi-Wan and Anakin's lightsabers striking against one another. "We've got to stop them!" Sabé said, watching them despairingly.
She was about to run after the two former Jedi when Padmé grabbed her arm. Whirling around, she drew the Inquisitor close. "There is more …But you may hate me after I tell you."
"Tell me what?" Sabé asked urgently.
"I lied to you later that day."
"Lied to me?" She asked rhetorically. "What are you talking about?"
Padmé took a deep breath as she placed both of her hands on her friend's shoulders. "That day… I did find Obi-Wan."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to hurt you," Padmé answered repentantly. "You had already been through quite enough as it was."
"Hurt me?"
Her frown grew as she nodded. "It wasn't the Jedi Council that forbade me from putting you in contact with him." Padmé swallowed before continuing, "When I told Obi-Wan what happened… He said that he wanted nothing to do with you… That if the Council learned of what happened, he would be expelled and he wouldn't allow you to ruin that for him."
Sabé felt her heart race; with each beat more and more pain rose from within her chest. The deep feeling of loss and betrayal she had once felt returned as if her child had been taken from her all over again. Pain and grief were then instantly supplanted by pure rage as she pushed Padmé aside and stalked towards the two combatants. Guided by her wrath, she was no longer on the volcanic planet, but she was in another place at another time. Unconsciously, she withdrew her two blasters and took aim…
Vader ducked as Obi-Wan lunged forward in a desperate move to seize the advantage. Flipping his lightsaber in his hand, the Sith Lord angled himself to the left, taking the Jedi by surprise. Obi-Wan instinctively moved his saber from side to side, barely deflecting the relentless assault. Vader was about to charge towards him again, but Obi-Wan summoned the Force to push him against one of the platform's support beams.
The Jedi Master turned about and hurried to his ship on the other end of the platform. Sensing his intention to escape, Vader shook off his brief disorientation and vaulted himself up and over his fleeing former Master, blocking his path. Obi-Wan reactivated his weapon and they immediately continued their assaults Each strike and slash were stronger than the previous as the two combatants moved perilously close to the edge of the cliff which was surrounded by a river of lava.
Using the Force to try to alleviate his fatigue, Obi-Wan channeled his strength in warding off the seemingly tireless Sith. He nearly sighed as he realized that Anakin… Vader had finally become the patient tactician, picking his moments to attack or withdraw. The Jedi Master knew that he could not ward him off for much longer and his usual assortment of tricks that had saved him in times past had only slowed the marauding Sith.
He had to completely immerse his focus into the Force in order to anticipate the location of his opponent's next attack. His concentration was fixated so much on Vader, he did not detect the slight tug at the corner of his awareness. The sudden surge of intense hatred was the only thing Obi-Wan realized before several blaster bolts, aimed at his head, flew towards him. He barely had time to deflect the incoming fire, which disrupted the defensive pattern he had been utilizing to offset Vader's powerful slashes, making him vulnerable to attack.
Vader did not miss the opportunity. Observing that Obi-Wan had opened his defenses, the Sith Lord summoned the Force to send him hurtling over the edge of the cliff.
"No!" Padmé screamed as she ran towards her husband. "Don't kill him!"
Meanwhile Sabé, who was staring at the edge of the cliff, unconsciously lowered her weapons and she walked over to where the Jedi disappeared. She nearly recoiled in shock when she saw that he had saved himself by catching and holding onto a small ledge, dangling precariously above the lava bed. They locked eyes, but said nothing while they studied one another.
"You lied to me!" Sabé shrieked hysterically, breaking the silence. "I loved you, Obi-Wan!"
"I swear I told you the truth," the Jedi shot back. He was about to continue when Padmé's screams caused Obi-Wan to look up at both her and Vader.
"You must save him, Anakin! Only he can tell us where he has taken Luke!"
A sly, knowing grin filled Obi-Wan's face as he turned his eyes back to Sabé. "Whatever it's worth, Milady, I'm sorry."
Before she could say anything, the former Jedi Master released his grip, causing him to fall into the lava bed. As Padmé howled in denial, Sabé tried to reach for Obi-Wan's hand, but was too late. He disappeared the moment his body struck the liquid fire, killing him instantly. Streams of tears fell from Sabé's eyes as she continued to lie on the ground, unable to move.
Padmé swiftly turned to thrust her fists into her stoic husband's chest while he stared in disbelief at the place where the man he once called brother had fallen.
He almost felt pity for him.
Vader caught his wife's fists and flashed her lopsided grin. "Calm yourself, my love."
"Calm?" She roared. "How can I be calm when our only chance to find where Luke is hidden just burned to a cinder?" Padmé screamed.
Vader lovingly kissed both of her fists. "Kenobi was a fool and soon his failure shall be complete."
Wiping away a stray tear, Padmé's body slightly relaxed. "How so?"
"I have my ways, Milady. Besides, this was a contingency for which I was prepared." He then reached into his cloak to withdraw his comlink. Prior to activating it, he arrogantly smiled, whispering, "We shall have our answers soon enough."
"Captain Piett?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Have the main cargo bay cleared and order the ship's best scanning crew to meet us upon our arrival."
"At once, my Lord." Piett answered. "Sir…"
Vader smiled. "The mission was a success, my friend. Your wife shall be joining us."
"That is indeed good news, my Lord. I will prepare for your arrival. Piett out."
Giving a curt nod towards Padmé, they both helped Sabé to her feet. The couple looked at each other in concern when she did not even acknowledge them. Vader placed his hand on her forehead and momentarily reached into the Force to determine her condition. "She's in shock," he concluded. "We need to get her back to the ship."
Padmé nodded. "I will stay with her while you find out what you need to find our baby."
"As you wish," he answered with a half-bow.
TBC-Thoughts, comments and reviews are appreciated!