Vader's Angel

By: wertman25

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars…. Or Anakin Skywalker… Which is a pity…

Warning: Chapter does include a suicide, I do not condone this, but for my storyline, I did write it in.

If Vader thought he was confused before, he didn't even want to try to explain what he was feeling now. Nothing seemed to make sense. His walls were falling. His rules were breaking. His world was collapsing. He felt… lost. He was Darth Vader, a man– a monster that was never confused. He made others confused. He made others have fear. He made others suffer… but not today. Today, he was at the receiving end... and the fact enraged.

It was all because of that damn senator. Senator Amidala. The woman that had been thrown into his life without warning. She was what caused his confusion… and the more Vader thought about it, the more she, herself, made no sense. Who was she? Where did she come from? And most importantly, how could such a small, innocent, annoying young girl cause his life so much torture… So much misery? Vader was convinced she had to be an angel. An angel brought into hell to fight the devil himself. They both knew who would win the war, but she had decided to go down swinging. She was a fighter, even if most people did not see it. He did. He knew. She was an angel that was going to make him remember what hell really was.

How could I have been so stup–No. Not stupid, weak.

Vader growled, outraged with his thoughts.

Confusion and weakness?

He began to pace back and forth through his chambers, practically burning his footprints into the floor.

What is happening to me?

He had no idea, but he was certain he didn't want to know. How had he allowed her to see his weakness? How had he allowed himself to have a weakness? How could he allow her to have any hold over him? He was losing it. A common occurrence that seemed to be happening since her arrival into his life.

Kriffing Senator.

She had asked him to feel. Feel what? He had no idea, but whatever it was… He had felt it. Not just her skin or signature through the Force, but her… power? Not power over him, of course, but power when they touched. He couldn't explain it, but it just… made sense? It was a feeling he had never felt before, or if he had ever felt it, it wasn't in this life.

Darth Vader did not have needs, but he needed to touch her again. He needed something. A touch? A connection? He didn't know, but something had awoken inside of him, a need that he needed to feed.

A touch? A connection? A need?

His anger began to boil, seething with each passing thought. He did not have needs. He did not need luxuries. He did not need a connection. He did not need Senator Amidala.

But he knew who did.

Instantly, any and every object near Vader shattered into a million pieces as he slammed his fist into the nearest wall, leaving a large dent. The heat rising from his own body began to turn Vader into a walking explosive and he quickly began shedding his clothes. As usual, the coldness greeted him, but not with the usual needles to his body. His wounds were far too large and fresh for needles, and although Vader had managed to heal the smaller injuries, the large ones' pain still remained. The coldness slammed into his sides, knocking his breath away. He ignored it, sucking in a quick breath of air as he made his way to the fresher.

When he reached the small room, his hands wrapped around the sink, before he turned to the mirror. He dared not look to his face, knowing of the reminder he felt every time he looked. Instead, he looked to his body. To the wounds, bruises, and scars that were engraved into his skin. Even when he healed them, they always remained. They never truly healed; he could just stop them from bleeding. He had hundreds, if not more; far too many to count. Injury on top of injury. Scar on top of scar. The new wounds were still fresh, not because he couldn't heal them, but because he enjoyed the pain. Pain was always his reminder. Pain was always there.

But so was his true reminder.

Finally, looking up to his face, Vader was greeted with piercing golden blue eyes, and immediately a roar escaped from his chest as his hand slammed into the mirror, shattering it into a million pieces.

No! No! No!

There should be no trace of him there. Soon he would be gone forever, burned away. Every and any tace of him would be gone, and the true Darth Vader would rise of the ashes.

But it was never soon enough.

Still, even with the reminder… he was Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith. He had no needs. He had no feelings. His life was power, death, and destruction. He perhaps, needed that. He craved it, but nothing else.

Power.

Death.

Destruction.

He just needed an awakening.

Vader smiled, a very sinful smile before he turned and exited the fresher. He knew what he needed… and more importantly, he knew exactly how to get it.

Hours later, Padme awoke to the sound of the door opening to her room and a very happy greeting of, "Good morning, Mistress Amidala."

Peeling her eyes open, she turned over in the bed. "Good morning, Threepio." She said with a sleepy smile. Usually, she would be embarrassed with such a behavior, but she was so happy, she didn't care at all. She was happy because of so many reasons, but mostly because of Vader. She knew he had felt something, just like she had. So it was undoubtfable now, there was something within in him… something human. She knew it.

"Sorry to wake you up, Mistress," 3PO apologized as he shuffled towards her with her usual breakfast food tray, "But it is almost ten in the morning."

Padme frowned. "Ten?" She asked, as she pushed herself up from the mattress to meet the droid, "Why didn't you wak e me up?"

3PO paused immediately at her words and gave her a funny look, before noticing his mistake. "My apologies, Mistress." 3PO said quickly, as he awkwardly put the try down on her lap, "I just assumed that after yesterday's incident, that you knew you were to remain here until further notice."

Here? Stuck here again? Away from the Senate? With Lord Vader?

Padme fought the feelings that were ragging inside of her. Unhappiness. Happiness. Fear. Hate. Confusion. Sorrow. She couldn't remember a time where there had been so many conflicting feelings inside of her. She shook her head, pushing the raging war inside of her deep down.

"I'm sorry, Threepio." She apologized quickly, noting the droid was still starring at her, "I'm afraid I'm still half asleep."

"It is perfectly alright, Milady." 3PO said with a small bow, "I'm sure you had an exhausting day yesterday. We all did."

Padme took a sip of the tea that 3PO had placed in front of her, allowing the hot liquid to sooth part of the war inside of her belly, before looking back towards the golden droid. "3PO, will I never return to the Senate?" She asked quietly, not sure she wanted to know the real answer.

The droid shifted awkwardly underneath her gaze, slightly fidgeting away. "I'm afraid I do not know, Mistress Amidala." He answered, "I only know what has been told to me."

Wonderful. So I could be stuck here forever.

But she reminded herself that it could be worse. He could have said that she would be stuck there forever.. Well at least until her death. Another pleasant thought. But she couldn't help but ask herself; would Vader kill her? Weren't things different between them?

"My Master," 3PO continued, bringing Padme back to reality, "has also told me to inform you that you are now free to leave your room and venture the establishments."

"What?" Padme asked, not sure she had heard him right.

"Within reason of course," 3PO quickly added, "you're only allowed in open areas. Most doors in the establishments are locked anyways, but still, better than being locked in here all day."

Padme was shocked. "W –Why?" She asked, stuttering over her words. Maybe she was right. Maybe things had changed between them.

"I'm sorry?" 3PO asked confused, again shuffling his feet awkwardly.

Padme shook her head, trying to make sense of her thoughts. "I mean…" She said, "Why is Vader allowing me to leave my room?"

"He did not say, Mistress." 3PO answered honestly, "But I assume it is because you've already seen some of the establishments."

"Oh…" Padme sighed, feeling a small bit of hurt inside of her, "Oh yes, right. Thank you Threepio."

The droid gave a slight bow, before he turned to the exit. Padme watched his retreating figured until another thought formed itself in her head.

"Threepio?" She called out.

"Yes, Mistress?" The droid replied, turning back around to face her.

"Ummm…" Padme breathed, "Is V –Vader out there?"

"I believe my Master was in the main living area." 3PO responded happily, "Which would be the quarters in which you were in yesterday."

"Oh…" Padme said softly, not really sure if she knew how to feel, "Thank you."

"You're certainly welcome, Milady." Threepio said with a bow, before he turned and disappeared out the door.

When Padme was alone, instantly her thoughts began screaming within her mind again. She tried to make sense of what she feeling, not all of the feelings, but one: her feelings of happiness concerning Vader. He hadn't said it, but Padme knew he had felt it. The connection between them. The sparks that flew when they touched. She didn't know how powerful his pull was compared to hers but at least it was there. At least he had felt something. But what was his feelings concerning the matter? She could hardly explain her own feelings. Was it pity? Was it concern? Was it hatred? Or was it… Padme couldn't even finish with that train of thought. She just knew something was there. Something she could not ignore.

She could still feel it, the spark in her fingers. The feeling of his hand within hers. She loved that. His smell and his touch. She craved it… but did that mean she had feelings for him? She didn't know… and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

Be realistic. She told herself. This is Darth Vader.

But still, a feeling inside Padme fought on, one that she could not ignore. The womanly part of her fought against her sane minded ideals. She wanted to be wanted. She wanted to be touched. She wanted to be loved. She wanted a man to make her a woman. But that didn't mean she wanted Lord Vader to be that man, nor did she think he could be that man. She still pictured a handsome, blue eye, blonde haired Prince Charming was out there somewhere in the galaxy waiting for her.

But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun while I wait for him, right?

Padme wasn't sure what that even meant, but she told herself it was all part of a plan. A plan for what? She didn't know that either. She just wanted to test something… to see how Vader felt… to see how she felt. She needed answerers, and she was going to get them.

Quickly, Padme ate her small biscuit before drinking down what was left of her tea. Usually, she would enjoy the small meal, but she knew she had to act quickly before she lost her courage. Hopping out of her bed, she slipped out of the large black cloak and threw it in her closet. Skimming the mound of clothes, she picked a casual, yet appealing long, dark tan top, with tight plain light tan pants. The outfit had a design piece that went down her chest, which accented her breasts but did not expose them. She knew it was perfect. She rushed to the fresher, showering with more than enough soap, making sure she smelled extra special.

When she was dried and dressed, she did her hair in an elegant braid, one that twisted around her shoulder and flowed down her back. She made sure to put on simple makeup, a look that didn't scream she was trying too hard. And when she was done, she smiled, loving her appearance in the mirror. She just hoped she could get Vader to notice.

Taking a deep breath, trying to calm her beating heart, she turned and walked towards the door. As she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, she prayed to the Force for help.

Please let this work.

She spotted Vader immediately as she walked into the main living area. He sat on the couch watching some sort of race on the holoscreen in front of him. At the sight of him, her heart began to race, and a feeling came over her that she couldn't explain. She watched him for a long moment, surprised at how almost utterly normal he looked; lounging on the couch, watching a show on his holoscreen. Certainly not the Darth Vader image, Emperor Palpatine would want floating around the galaxy.

When her heartbeat and breathing became somewhat normal, Padme knew it was time, and she readied herself for whatever was about to happen. Taking a deep breath, she steped out of the halloway and into the darkness of the room.

"Hi." She said sheepishly.

He did not reply.

"Vader?" She asked softly.

Still nothing. Great. He was in one of those moods, ignoring her again.

Padme sighed, feeling utterly upset and stupid. Obviously, she had misread last night. Nothing had changed between them… or had it? She couldn't be too sure. After all, Vader was not a man of words, but of actions. Still, she knew she couldn't concentrate on her feelings right now. Not when he was like this. She would have to switch things up, talk about more important matters. He would probably respond better towards business matters anyways.

"So," Padme said walking towards the couch that he resided on; a new couch she quickly noted, "I believe we have to talk?"

Still, Vader did not acknowledge her.

Watching him motionless and silent on the couch, made Padme's mind begin to play images of the night before, of him unconscious in that very room. Last night he had not spoken to her, no matter how hard she tried to make him. Now she was in the same position, at least figuratively, with a very conscious Vader that would still not speak to her.

Trying her best to look professional, Padme squared her shoulders and put on her politician mask. "Lord Vader," She said in her best commanding voice, "I believe what I have to discuss with you is more important than any race."

"Jee bauh siw fa." He said harshly.

Padme frowned, comepletely confused, "Excuse me?"

Vader said nothing, but he turned his hooded face toward her direction. She could feel his annoyance through the air, but she didn't care, she just hoped he could feel hers as well.

Padme fought the urge to roll her eyes as he continued to stare at her. "Didn't I say it wasn't nice to ignore people?" She scolded, hoping to lighten the mood.

It didn't. If anything, it seemed to heighten his annoyance, but Padme refused to back down. She stood her ground, starring at the Sith Lord, challenging him once again. After sometime, Vader turned his face back towards the screen as a loud explosion sounded in the race.

"What do you want?" He finally growled, his tone screaming of his annoyance.

"To talk." Padme responded professionally.

"Then talk."

Padme ignored his tone of voice and the bitterness she felt when he had spoken. She had come out to enact a plan, but now it had turned strictly to business. "Lord Vader," She began with a small frown, "I am troubled to why I am being kept here again without being able to do my job. The Senate itself signed a petition for me to do just that. I have done nothing wrong. I also have not done anything that would be treason to the Empir–"

"Senator." Vader snapped, "You and I both know that is a lie–"

"The communication died, Lord Vader. Nothing else." Padme insisted, ignoring the way his head had snapped in her direction when she dared to interrupt him.

"Do not lie to me, Senator." Vader replied coldly, his message clear. He was growing sick of her games.

Padme shook her head, ignoring his threat, "I'm not lying. "

Vader looked at her for a long moment, before turning his head back towards the race, "We will see."

"Is that a threat?" Padme asked, raising an eyebrow even though she wasn't sure he could see it.

"It's a promise." He replied darkly, sending chills up Padme's spine, but still, she pressed on.

"You have to allow me to return to the Senate." She stated, taking a strong stance from where she stood.

"I do not. " Vader snapped, his head turning towards her, "You must accept responsibility for your actions."

"Except I have done nothing wrong." Padme challenged, "I am a member of the Imperial Senate. I have done nothing wrong and so, I must be allowed–"

"Koochoo." Vader interrupted, and Padme noticed that he had turned his gaze back towards the screen as another explosion occurred. He wasn't even listening to her.

"Lord Vader." She growled annoyed, "Are you listening to me?"

"Unfortunately."

"Well," She said, crossing her arms over her chest again, "I would appreciate your undivided attention."

"I would appreciate– "

"Vader." She snapped, sounding like a wife scolding a husband. The thought chilled her to her very soul, and she tried to forget the thought even crossed her mind.

He did not look towards her, but slowly raised his hand, changing the channel.

Thank the Force. I might actually get somewhere with him.

She unfolded her arms, relaxing just a little bit, "Thank you, now as –"

"And Lord Vader has continued to put ease within the Empire." A news reporter's voice echoed, halting Padme right in her tracks as her eyes snapped towards the holoscreen. "This morning, he wiped out more traitorous spies that were within our very own Senate. More than ten spies have been exterminated, while three more remain in custody to be questioned by Lord Vader –"

Padme froze, unable to peel her eyes away from the lies on the screen. She watched the breaking news cast video stream in front of her; of more people that lost her lives because of her. Vader had killed more of them.

"You –You did this?" She whispered, the tears already threatening to escape.

"Did what, Senator?" Vader asked arrogantly, acting as if he had not heard the news broadcast.

Padme pulled herself away from the screen, her anger seething. "You murdered those people." She snapped, taking a step towards the Dark Lord.

"I exterminated pests." He corrected uncaringly, still not looking in her direction.

"Exterminated pests?" Padme exclaimed, still not believing what she had just witnessed, "Those are people, Vader! With lives and families! You can't just –"

"I believe we already had that conversation, Senator." Vader growled, not allowing her to finish.

Anger exploded within Padme as she watched more images flash across the holoscreen.

How could I be such a fool?

This had gone on for too long, and it would not continue. She wouldn't let it. She was no longer going to be useless. She was no longer going to be silent. She was no longer going to be weak. She was not a fool, and she would make sure to make Vader remember that.

Padme stepped between Vader and the holoscreen, staring at the dark hole of his face. "How could you !" She screamed angrily, not caring about the consequences of her actions.

Vader shrugged. "I've done worse." He replied nonchalantly.

"I have no doubt of that." Padme spit, still raging with anger.

"And yet… Here you stand…. Shocked." Vader said amused as he looked up at her ever so slightly.

"Because you're acting like a monster!" Padme screamed bewildered, throwing her hands into the air.

"Well…" Vader sighed arrogantly, crossing his arms tightly over his chest; "At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits."

Padme was beyond bewildered. She was shocked… devastated. "How can you just sit there and act like you don't care!" She screamed, gesturing between the holoscreen and Vader hoping to make some connection.

"Because I don't care." Vader replied honestly.

But Padme refused to believe that. She had seen too much to believe such a statement.

"No." She said shaking her head, "I don't believe that."

"I've never cared, Senator." Vader growled darkly, before adding quickly "And I never will."

"No." Padme repeated, still shaking her head as hot tears began to run down her face, "It's different now."

"How?" Vader asked hotly, "Because you think you're special? Because you think we've made a connection?" Padme felt her cheeks begin to flush and instantly Vader laughed, "Have you forgotten what I said before? I would think you have due to your thoughts. Remember, I've had many women, Senator. You can just become a number, if you so please."

Padme wanted to die. She wanted to run out of the room and lock herself in her bedroom forever. She tried to do just that, but she found that her feet would not move. She glanced quickly to Vader, to see if it was one of his tricks, but she could tell by the look of him, that it was not his doing. In fact, he seemed completely oblivious of the fact that she could not move. It wasn't his doing. It was something else. Something screamed to her, she didn't know what, but whatever it was, its message was clear.

Stay.

And immediately, Padme understood.

"It'. Different. Now." She repeated again slowly, making sure to pronounce every word. She paused, and made sure to make what she thought was direct eye contact with Lord Vader. "I know you're human." Padme stated seriously, "And no human could do this and feel nothing."

A loud growl resonated from within Vader as he pushed himself off the couch and screamed, "I am not human!"

The building began to shake and objects began to shatter as a result of Vader's rage, but Padme pressed on. She was hitting a cord within him, and she had no plan on stopping.

"Your flesh and blood, Vader!" She screamed back, closing the gap between them.

"That doesn't mean anything!" He snapped, "You know nothing!"

"I know more than anyone!" Padme cried, trying to grab onto his cloak to make some connection. She needed to touch him, even if it wasn't his skin. She just needed something. Something to remind him. But Vader, wanted none of that. Padme failed at her attempt when his gloved mechanical hand halted her, coming up and gripping her wrist tightly. His grip was tight, too tight, and the metal beneath the leather digging into her skin.

"You have been waiting for your punishment, Senator." He said enraged, as he ignored her small cries of pain, "I suffered because I forgot my place, and it seems you have forgotten yours as well."

Without letting go of her wrist, he used his other hand to pull a device out of his pocket before raising it to his lips.

"General Veers," He called into the device, "Ready them."

"Yes, Lord Vader." The voice responded immediately, and seconds later, before Padme could even begin to question her predicament, the raging Sith Lord was pulling her through the establishments. She stumbled behind Vader, letting out small cries of pain whenever he pulled her roughly around a corner. Finally, they reached a large gray door, and only then did Vader release her from his grasp. When her wrist was free, Padme pulled it back into her chest protectively as she ran her fingers over the sore bump that was forming.

She frowned as she watched Vader begin typing a code into the control panel that caused the gray door to open and reveal a large lift inside.

"Where are you taking me?" She yelled loudly, as she faced the raging Sith Lord.

Vader turned to her slowly, his anger blistering, and as he turned, the hallway turned cold; freezing Padme to her bones as the darkness itself seemed to come alive. She took a step back, away from the Dark Lord as he too stepped forward with an outstretched hand.

"Wouldn't you like to know." He growled, before everything when dark.

When Padme awoke, she was laying on a hard, cold metal surface. She opened her eyes slowly to the bright lights around her and instantly pain and confusion began to flood her mind. She ached all over, but mostly in her arm. She made a mental note to scream about that to Vader later, if he was in a good mood. Which she doubted. Pushing her personal thoughts away, Padme tried to piece thoughts together, knowing she had more important issues to think about.

What happened? Where am I?

"Senator Amidala?" A voice asked gently, "Senator Amidala, are you awake?"

Who is that?

More confusion. Not only did she not know where she was, but also she had no idea who she was in the room with. She squinted her eyes against the light, waiting for them to adjust. She saw an outline of someone before her, but no distinguished details.

"Who are you?" Padme asked in a panic, "Where am I?" She tried to push herself up into a sitting position, but the sudden push into the air against the bright light shining down on her caused her head to spin. A feeling of sickness washed over her and because of it, she felt herself begin to fall backwards.

The man's hands grabbed her shoulders gently, pulling her back into a sitting position, making sure that she did not fall. "You're safe, Milady." He said gently, "I am Captain Piett, first officer onboard Lord Vader's flagship, Executor. As for your location, I'm afraid I cannot tell you where you are at, besides a holding room within one of the many Imperial Bases."

"That's safe?" Padme laughed, "Locked inside an Imperial Base?"

Piett gave a small chuckle as well before adding, "As safe as possible for now, I'm afraid."

She tried to look at the man before her, but again failed. Her eyes snapping shut the second the bright light hit her pupils.

"Lord Vader said that it might take a few moments for your eyes to adjust." Piett explained softly, "He said that you haven't seen true bright light in some time."

"A long time." Padme agreed sadly.

A moment passed in silence as Padme continued opening and shutting her eyes against the harsh light. She wondered silently how Vader could stand it here. He was always in the dark, pitch dark, and if she couldn't adjust, how could he? It was so bright within the room; brightness she had not seen in what felt like a very long time. The light reminded her of the sun on her home planet of Naboo, the bright sun that shinned down to the planet and reflected off the water. Sure, she had seen the Coruscant light, but it was never anything like Naboo. On Coruscant the light was gray and dull, at home it was fresh and bright. Oh, how she missed home and the fact that she would probably never see Naboo ever again killed her. She wanted to go home. She wanted to see her family again. She wanted to live a long happy life with someone that she loved. She wanted so many things, but because of Vader, it all seemed to be gone.

"If you're an officer onboard of a flagship, why are you here?" Padme asked, trying to make some small conversation until her eyes adjusted to the light.

"Classified information." Captain Piett answered quickly, "But I can tell you that Lord Vader insisted on my presence here."

"Isn't he kind." Padme said sarcastically, her words laced with hatred.

"I will not have you insulting my commanding officer, Milady." Piett snapped, his soft voice evaporating and for the first time sounding hostile towards her. "Lord Vader may be misunderstood, looked at as a bit harash, but he is a good leader. Best one in the whole galaxy, in fact. He has strange methods, but it works, he keeps the galaxy safe, and that is what is most important."

Padme could not believe the power of Piett's words; of the truth that his words held. Maybe not by her beliefs, but she could hear by the tone of his voice that he believed every word he had spoken. He believed Vader to be a good leader. He believed that he was saving the galaxy.

They're all mad. Vader saving the galaxy? More like Vader destroying the galaxy.

Still, Padme didn't want to get off on the wrong foot. Not until she had some answers.

"My apologies, Captain." She apologized quickly, before raising her hurt wrist that she hoped showed some evidence of a struggle, "I'm afraid, Lord Vader's ways are just a little fresh in my mind."

"I did see that, Milady." Piett replied, the softness of his voice returning, "Lord Vader had me tend to the wound. It should heal within a few days, but I did wrap it for comfort."

After her thanks and another few moments of small talk, Padme's eyesight had almost fully adjusted. She was amazed to see that Piett was not as she had imagined. He was not old like the other officers, but young, not much older than herself. He had a kind face and voice, something she had never heard or seen from an Imperial officer. To Padme, there was not an evil or imperial quality about him. She couldn't believe he worked for a man lke Vader or the Emperor, and she found herself questioning just how he fell into such a line of work.

However, before she could ask Piett questions, the door to her cell slid open and a clone trooper joined them in the room.

"Lord Vader wants the Senator." The clone said sternly as he informed the Captain.

Piett nodded, signaling Padme to rise. "I will take her, trooper." He said, as he led Padme towards the door, "You may return to your unit."

The trooper moved in front of them, not allowing the pair to move out the door. "I'm afraid, Lord Vader was very specific," The trooper said, grabbing onto Padme's arm, "You are to return to the Executor, and wait for further instructions."

Captain Piett hesitated not releasing Padme's arms, but soon knew he had to follow orders. Finally, he stepped back allowing the trooper to take full control of the Senator.

"It was a pleasure." Padme said with a small smile as another trooper entered the room to take a hold of her left side.

"Likewise, Milady." Piett agreed, giving a sorrowful smile, before Padme was shoved out the room and pulled down the hall.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking through the bright white hallways, the trio finally came upon a large door. One of the troopers, left Padme's side, and quickly typed a code into the corntol panel before returning to her side to pull her into the large room.

But the moment she entered, she wished she hadn't.

"What is this!" Padme screamed in horror, as she froze, looking at the scene before her.

Vader stood in the center of the room, standing in a pool of blood. Around him were five strange chairs that sat in a line, all five restraining bloody and beaten Rebellion members. Padme had not met any of them personally but had spoken to a few of them from time to time during a meeting or two. She also knew that all five of the individuals had signed the petition for her return to the Senate, and were probably the same five Rebellion spies that the newscaster had spoken about earlier.

As the troopers pulled her closer the scene, she realized that only three of the five men were still were alive. The two at each far end were both either missing various limbs or grained of blood completely. It looked like a scene out of a horror holomovie. Vader only added to the horror, as he stood almost a foot above the tallest person in the room, with his dark and cold enegry passing through every soul in the room.

"Vader!" Padme screamed again with the same amount of horror, "What is this?"

He ignored her question, circling the three men that pulled against their restraints. All three men shared the same look in their eyes, of fear and of death. They feared Lord Vader, and were right to do so.

As Vader continued to circle, Padme took in more information, and immediately felt sick. Not just at the sight before her, but the smell as well. The room didn't just smell of sweat, blood, and tears, but of burnt flesh, vomit, and urine. Whatever had happened before they had brought her here, Padme was glad she had missed it. She felt a small feeling of guilt from feeling that way, but she couldn't hid her feelings. And as the smell hit her nostrols again, Padme tried to pull her hands away from the clone troopers' grasp to cover her nose… but failed. She fought the urge of being sick, trying to hold it together, but knew she was failing. Just like Vader wanted. Vader wanted this. Vader knew. It was always his plan.

"Senator Amidala," Vader finally said, his voice booming with more roughness than usual, "I believe you may be acquainted with some of these individuals?"

"I am not." She responded quickly, making sure her mental walls were secure. She would give nothing away. She was not weak, and she would prove it.

Vader sighed, a long dramatic sigh, "Pity."

But Padme knew it was anything but pity, just from his sigh she knew what this was, another one of his games.

"What is this, Lord Vader?" She growled, looking at the three men that were now starring at her as well.

"Your punishment." Vader growled, and without warning, he ignited his lightsaber and twisted it in his grasp. The man closest to Vader did not even have time to scream as his body was sliced into pieces. Limbs, a body, and a head fell apart, some falling to the ground while others clanked against their restraints. The two remaining men screamed out in horror as their friend fall into pieces around them.

Padme herself was even too filled with horror to react. She was frozen. Helpless to watch.

Vader was the only one unfazed. He did not care. Stepping over a piece of the man he had just killed, he made his way toward the second man that instantly recoiled in horror.

"You think silence is... strength?" Vader mused.

The man said nothing; his lips locked together trying to hold their secrets.

"I don't need you to talk to spill your secrets." Vader whispered, his voice as cold as ice, "I'm stronger than that."

Vader raised his gloved hand, forcing the second man's head to snap back, slamming into the strange chair, as a loud scream escaped his lips.

"Now, speak." Vader hissed, his face inches from the second man's, "Or the same fate awaits you."

"You're… You're going to kill me anyways." The man chocked out through pain, "My fate is… is already decided."

"Perhaps." Vader agreed, "But it could have been less painful. Either way, I got what I wanted." For a moment, the man stopped chocking, but not for long. Vader did not drop his hand, instead, he stepped forward to wrap his own hand around the man's neck. As Vader's grip began to tighten and the man began to groan, Padme was snapped out of her frozen prison.

"No!" Padme screamed, as she tried to pull out of the clone troopers' grasps. "Vader, stop, please stop!"

"You have forgotten who I am, Senator." Vader responded as he continued to tighten his grasp, "Time for you to remember."

Seconds later, a loud snap sounded in the room, signaling the breaking of the man's neck as the man fell forward hanging against his restraints like a broken child's toy.

"You coward!" The final man yelled, tears pouring down his face as he pulled against the shackles around his wrists, "You kriffing, Sith scum!"

The room turned dark once again as another swell of anger raced through the Sith Lord and everyone felt it. Vader turned to the final man and stalked towards him like a beast on a rampage. A huge burst of sparks threw through the room as Vader slashed the final man's restraints with his glowing red blade. The final man fell to the floor with a loud thud before he groaned loudly pushing himself up onto his knees on the bloody floor.

Vader circled him, looking much like a wolf circling its prey. The man dared not look up from his spot on the floor, knowing that if he did, his eyes would meet with Death himself. Vader paused directly in front of the man that sat on his knees, cowering in fear on the floor. Silently, the Sith reached his hand out to his side, calling one of the clone trooper's blasters into his grasp. Without a word, he threw the blaster onto the floor before backing away from the now armed man.

However, the man made no move towards the weapon, and instead continued to shiver in fear on the floor.

"I'm the coward." Vader laughed darkly, "But yet, you won't even try to defend your life."

The man said nothing, just continued to quiver in fear, his eyes locked on the ground.

"You're pathetic." Vader hissed as he called the blaster back into his palm. "First, you spill your secrets, then you soil yourself, and now, you quiver on the floor refusing to fight for your life." Vader reached down, grabbing the man's hand and putting the blaster into the man's grasp. The man let out small cries, as Vader continued to move his hands over the weapon, until the Sith put the blaster into the correction position that he wanted. Vader pulled away to admire his work. The blaster sat in the man's hands, the man's finger near the trigger, and the tip of the blaster touching the man's head. "Why don't you do us all a favor?" Vader said coldly, taking his hands completely off the blaster before moving away from the man with a small chuckle.

"Don't." Padme cried to the man, but it was already too late. The man had already waded his options, and picked his death over the Sith Lord. The man pulled the trigger, taking his own life. Padme closed her eyes, turning away from the scene, not wanting to see the gruesome death. She only opened them when she heard the man's body fall to the floor, and as it did, she was sure she had heard Vader laugh.

The monster.

Still, Padme was too scared… too shocked to speak. She was horrified. She couldn't believe what had just unfolded before her. It had to be a dream. A terrible nightmare.

As Vader neared her, she backed away, as far as possible, cowering in fear of him just like the other men. She didn't try to stop the tears that started to fall down her face. She couldn't hide her fear. She was too scared. She was too afraid.

Vader paused before her, his finger pointing at her as he shook his fist. "This is a warning, Senator." His voice boomed, "And for your sake I hope you remember it, because next time, you will have to deal with my Master, and I can tell you this, the Emperor is not as forgiving as I am." With that, Vader slide his lightsaber into his belt and swiftly stormed out of the room, leaving Padme alone with the dead bodies, clone troopers and her thoughts. All three telling her one thing, she was going to die... and probably by the hands of Darth Vader himself.

Author's Note: Drop a review!