Vader's Angel

By: wertman25

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

Author's Note: The irony of the chapter name – I knew I was going to jinx myself.

As many of you know, I've been having issues again with uploading. (As have many other writers- Although I do know that the issue was sorted – for now- as of a few weeks ago.) Please know how sorry I am for the time this has taken. (I'm just getting majorly stressed with fanfiction doing this to me time and time again.) Thank you so much for your support and patience! Please continue to work with me through these issues!

On another note, I'm sorry that my updates will go back to being spread out, but I do continue on finishing and updating the older chapters. I will also be finishing the older chapters to post the entire story on AO3… I understand your frustration, but I am trying my best. I just got home after two months as I was across the country for an internship. Although I did return home, I am still working for the entertainment industry I was interning for so my time will be separated, but I will try my best now that I am home. With all that in mind, I hoped you have been anxious for an update, as I have been anxious for you to read. Love you all, and please enjoy!

Obi-Wan breathed in deeply, feeling the Force swirl and shift around him. The Force was strong in this place– exceedingly strong. He could feel the connection– the strength in every corner, every rock, and ever stream. Within the darkness, he found only light; and with each eerie and unearthly sound, he fell deeper and deeper into solitude. The cave was indeed, dark, wet, and dingy; but also held light, tranquility, and clarity. It seemed that the cave held many opposites that worked together to create harmony, working in mysterious ways just as the Force did. It was a place strong with the Force– far stronger than any place Obi-Wan had ever visited before.

After leaving the Rebellion, the young Jedi had escaped to a planet that was distant and uninhabited – a place that he was sure was safe and held no Imperial ties. He had allowed his instincts and senses to select the small planet, choosing it as a base to collect his thoughts. He had some doubts, but from the moment he landed, he felt the pull and calls from within the cave, beckoning him to its location and to enter inside. Obi-Wan believed the cave was a sacred place, even possibly one of the few places he had read about in the Jedi Achieves, and even more obviously, how it seemed the Force had lead him right to it.

Still, Obi-Wan found no answers, because despite the ideal location, he had no idea where to begin. He replayed the vision over and over within his head, trying to decipher the impossible. The Chosen One . Anakin. That was the only clue he had to go off of: Anakin Skywalker.

Again, Obi-Wan breathed out an exasperated sigh , the weight of the word impossible crushing down upon his shoulders. He had been so confident – so sure of himself when he had begun. Obi-Wan considered himself a patient man, but if he was honest, this was pushing his limits. Why had the Force given him such a vision if it would not reveal to him anything else? Why lead him to such a place only to give him nothing more? Had he been wrong? Was he missing something?

"Remembering your teachings, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's voice echoed within his mind, reassuring the frustrated Jedi's confidence. "Trust your instincts."

Silencing the chatter within his head, Obi-Wan closed his eyes tightly, reaching farther into the Force, practically screaming to the energy around him to give him what he desired– give him the answers that he needed.

Where is Anakin? Where is Anakin Skywalker?

It was a question he had asked a million times with the same outcome: silence. It seemed silence was always the answer here – painfully, bitter silence… and it seemed even with his reformed confidence the answer was still the same.

"Where is Anakin Skywalker?" Obi-Wan repeated aloud, trying not to hear the way his voice echoed desperately through the cave. "Where is the Chosen One?"

He waited quietly, his hands gripping his folded legs, fighting against the mocking stillness.

"Please," Obi-Wan repeated. "Where is he? I need to find him."

Silence was the answer once more, but as if to mock him further, a small part of his past vision played itself within his mind, reminding him of the galaxy's future if he was to fail.

"Anakin is in danger," Obi-Wan said as he opened his eyes. "Palpatine– Sidious wants him for his power."

Qui-Gon nodded, but allowed Obi-Wan to think the rest of his thoughts through.

"I need to find him," Obi-Wan breathed. "He's not dead."

"Not yet," Qui-Gon agreed. "Not yet."

"Yet?" Obi-Wan frowned, before realizing the new enemy. "Vader! Vader could destroy him before we even have a chance!"

"True," Qui-Gon agreed. "He could."

"Then I must find him before he is destroyed!" Obi-Wan screamed frantically, for the first time having true hope. "Without the Chosen One we are doomed!"

Qui-Gon smiled, his eyes conveying that he was truly proud of the man he looked upon. "Then find him, Obi-Wan. Find him."

Torment gripped Obi-Wan's heart, he knew that he was running out of time – or maybe that he already had… He wasn't sure, but he knew that it was possible. The chatter was always a reminder of that. What if there is no hope? What if he had already failed? What if Vader already knew the Chosen One's location? What if Vader already knew who and where this Anakin was? Obi-Wan refused to believe it, but still, the babbling continued in his mind. He used it as his reminder, however, instead of his torture. Obi-Wan knew he needed to find where Anakin was before Vader destroyed him. He knew he didn't have time to lose , that he needed to find answers.

Where is Anak– What?

Obi-Wan's comlink sounded from his pocket, bringing him back to a normal level of consciousness. As he opened his eyes, the Jedi breathed a large frustrated sigh, allowing himself to disconnect from the depth of meditation that he had buried himself into. Pulling out the device from his pocket, he took in some comfort knowing that it would only be Bail on the other end , hopefully with goodness. Or so he hoped.

"Bail," he greeted into the device, trying to sound as positive as possible despite his lack of progress. "I've been meaning to contact you. I–"

"Obi-Wan," Bail interrupted, his voice desperate. "There has been an attack against Senator Amidala."

"What?" Obi-Wan gasped, unable to hide his shock. An attack? An attack against Padmé Amidala? How long had he been gone? A matter of hours– days, perhaps? It was impossible! How could he have not felt such a disturbance? "When did this happen?" he pressed, trying to find answers to the questions that were flooding his mind. "How? By who?"

"It was attack by members that have left the Rebellion," Bail answered, his voice choppy with harsh breaths, as if he ran across the galaxy to speak to Obi-Wan instead of calling on a device. "We believe Senator Alavar is behind it, her and her people."

Obi-Wan was shocked – utterly and completely shocked. Senator Alavar – a loyal supporter attacked a fellow and friend senator? He couldn't believe it. It had to be a mistake. His mind was unable to form words, the silence growing almost unbearable. "They are going against us?" he finally managed to say, before his judgment got the better of him. It just didn't seem right, any of it. He still couldn't believe it. "Are we sure?" he pressed, shaking his head as a large frown formed over his features. "It doesn't seem likely that Senator Alavar would make this attack, after all, if I do recall, Senator Alavar once helped us with Senator Amidala–"

"Forgive me, Master Kenobi." Bail interrupted, his voice stern and irritable. "But we are sure. Senator Alavar helping us is what made her the perfect candidate for the attack."

"Don't they know we have a common enemy? That we are not the enemy?" Obi-Wan nearly shouted, his frustration and bafflement evident within his voice. "Don't they understand that only together , with our numbers and strength, can defeat the Empire?"

"Apparently…" Bail answered slowly, his voice holding the same amount of bafflement as Obi-Wan. "They now look at us as the enemy as well. We are now as big of threat, or perhaps even bigger of threat than the Empire."

"This is madness," Obi-Wan breathed, his mind unable to make sense of it all. He never believed that the galaxy could become any madder than it had already become over the course of the past few years, with the Empire and with Darth Vader, it seemed that the galaxy had no more room for such madness, but now it seemed the galaxy just loved to prove Obi-Wan wrong. It seemed there was always another person that could add to the madness– and Obi-Wan wasn't sure how much more madness he could take. "Such madness," he repeated lightly again, before turning back to the true topic as he spoke into the device. "What of Senator Amidala? Is she harmed?"

"Um–Ahem," Bail hesitated, trying to cover his mistake with a small cough. "I'm afraid," he said steadily, his voice almost mournful. "We are– We are still waiting for a report."

Obi-Wan frowned harder, his nerves beginning to dwindle. "We have no idea?"

"No," Bail almost growled, but Obi-Wan could feel halfway across the galaxy the elder man's sorrows. "We know nothing– absolutely nothing. She could be alive, but she could be dead– she very well might be." He released a quick laugh that covered a small cry, his pain overtaking him. "It's strange," Bail chocked, his cold laughing continuing. "I've been so worried about her reaching her end by Darth Vader, that I never dreamed her death would come by a terrorist attack. She survived many of those before… How ironic is that, Obi-Wan? She could survive being held captive by the most dangerous and monstrous of Sith Lords, but was taken out by a coward that–"

"Let's not jump to any conclusions," Obi-Wan interrupted, stopping the man's train of thought for both of their sakes. Obi-Wan didn't want to think about the young senator's life being ended, and he also didn't want such of close friend of the senator's to think about it either. "Was their no clue of this? No warning?"

"A few days prior to this, Palo Campton notified us of his request to move her. He spoke his opinion of being it was time, regardless of our plan of action, to make our move and rescue Padmé…" Bailed paused for a moment, a long breath leaving his lips; one filled with regret and pain. "Of course we refused. We told him to wait for more information, wait until we had more answers. We thought it was going smoothly until he contacted us this morning saying that he had notified Padmé of our plans for her immediate rescue."

Obi-Wan's head snapped towards the device, regardless of not being seen. "Immeidate rescue," he repeated hesitantly, slightly confused. "Palo thought that you approved of the immediate rescue?"

"Yes and no, Master Kenobi." Bail answered kindly, understanding Obi-Wan's confusion. "Palo knew at the time that we had refused Padmé's immediate rescue, but it seems that some of our members that have recently left, informed the leaders of this new Rebellion of our secret spy. So, Campton was played. Since Senator Alavar was already a trusted ally, when she reported to Palo that we agreed to the immediate rescue of Senator Amidala, he believed the news had come directly from us. They used him. They used him in far more ways than we know, but right now, we know that they used him to get to Padmé. They had him report to us, just so they could make the attack."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, trying to take in the overload of information. "Do we know the whereabouts of Senator Alavar?" he asked. "Of whomever helped her?"

"We are blind, Obi-Wan." Bail spit, his outrage and sickness obvious in his voice. "We know nothing. Absolutely nothing!"

Obi-Wan didn't speak. He couldn't form words. Not only was the present news disheartening, but also the Jedi could feel that the senator had even more dreadful news, and Obi-Wan didn't want to welcome it.

"There are also rumors," Bail continued lowly, almost not wanting to speak the words aloud. "Of more deserters."

Obi-Wan paled, thankful that his friend could not see him as his shock overtook his entire body. "M–More?"

"Unfortunately," Bail replied, before his voice turned fearfully serious. "If we don't figure something out soon, I fear this will be the end of the Rebellion. People are becoming antsy, afraid that if the Empire were to find these rebellious members– the members that have abandoned us, that they will spill our location and tell the Empire all of our secrets." Bail paused, allowing himself an intake of a large breath before a small laugh echoed through Obi-Wan's device. "I– Umm, I must say I am becoming antsy myself. I feel as if I'm losing my mind."

"Well, there will be none of that." Obi-Wan replied, his voice far more hard and confident that he had thought possible. "We must stay strong. We must give our people hope."

"I–I'm…" Bail hesitated. "I'm really not sure if they will believe in anything anymore, Obi-Wan. I know I hardly do."

"Well, tell them…" Obi-Wan paused. Tell them what? He had no idea. He had nothing more to tell them to give them hope– not at a time like this. It seemed like everything was failing… but there had to be something. "Tell– Tell them…" Obi-Wan hesitated again. What could he say? What could he possibly say that would reverse the damage? What would renew their hope? What could he say? Nothing–"Tell them I have found the Chosen One," he finished before he could stop himself. The sudden statement shocked even Obi-Wan, and he wanted nothing more that to stop himself. He wanted desperately to stop the lie, to take the words back, but his mouth continued to form words and the lie continued to grow. "Tell them that soon we will have the Chosen One within our ranks and he will be our key to destroying this Empire."

All at once the torment ceased and the heaviness in the air lifted– at least on one end of the comlink. It seemed that the smallest mention of the Chosen One could bring even the heaviest of hearts back to being light as a feather, or in this case, bring hope back to a Rebellion that had nothing left. They believed if they had the Chosen One, anything was possible and if Obi-Wan had to lie to keep the Rebellion together until he had that weapon, so be it.

"You've found him?" Bail breathed in amazement. "You actually found him?"

"I– I have made great progress in my research," Obi-Wan lied smoothly, except for his slight hesitation in the beginning of his sentence. "I am closing in on his trail and it is only a matter of time until we find him. I have no doubt that my mission will be complete soon."

"This is good news," Bail replied happily, before returning to his grave tone. "B–But what of Senator Amidala? What of Padmé?"

What of Senator Amidala? He couldn't lie about her as well; Bail would never allow it. If she was dead, it was only a matter of time before the entirely galaxy knew. Although Padmé had mistakes in the past, she was a strong symbol to many people – to the people of the Republic. Her death would not stop the Rebellion, but it would devastate many. Not even Obi–Wan could bear to think of the galaxy without the stubborn, young senator. She had so much potential, so much heart, and it would be a loss to the galaxy if she were to leave the galaxy so young. But she wasn't dead, Obi-Wan was sure of it. Closing his eyes, Obi–Wan reached out into the Force in search of Senator Amidala's Force signature to prove to himself, and Bail, that she was alive.

Please, he begged. Please let her be alive.

And unlike the previous silence, the Force gave him his answer, loud and clear. To his astonishment, he could feel her Force signature almost immediately; she was injured, but still strong– still alive, and that fact made a wide smile flash across Obi-Wan's face.

"She's alive," Obi-Wan breathed roughly, realizing he had been holding his breath. "She might be injured, but she is alive and her Force signature is strong."

"Are you sure?" Bail exclaimed, and for the first time, Obi-Wan heard hope within his friend's voice. "Padmé is alive? Please tell me, are you certain? Are you sure?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan answered confidently, experiencing complete joy for a single moment before feeling the weight of his lie once again upon his shoulders. It was a relief to know that Padmé Amidala was alive, but he knew he had to end the conversation. He knew, now more than ever, he had to finish his work– he knew he had to find Skywalker and soon after, rescue the senator. "Senator Amidala is alive," Obi-Wan repeated. "And she is waiting for us, so let's not waste anymore valuable time. We must prepare–"

"Of course! Of course, Master Kenobi!" Bail exclaimed happily. "I will inform everyone of your progress, and will contact you again! I am sure with this wonderful news, hope will be strengthened and restored within our ranks!" A large laugh escaped the senator, one of true joy and happiness. "I can't thank you enough, Obi-Wan. Thank you. Thank you so much."

The communication ended immediately after, Bail ending the call to, no doubt, call a grand meeting of the Rebellion to relay Obi-Wan's news– his mostly lie of a report. Obi–Wan knew that in seconds the people of the Rebellion would be gathered around an excited, Bail Organa, listening in on how Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was on the trail of the Chosen One and perfecting his plan to rescue Senator Amidala from the gruesome clutches of Lord Vader.

If only his life was that simple.

As the scene continued to reveal itself within his mind, Obi-Wan's head fell into his hands, before he pushed his fingers through his hair in frustration.

What have I done?

It was a good question. What had he done? Why had he done it? What possessed him to lie? He knew that answer. Because he– they were running out of time. What other choice did he have?

"Anakin…" Obi-Wan breathed sadly, feeling not only like a failure, but also like he was missing an old friend. "Where are you, Anakin? Where could you possibly be?"

As usual, he found no answers, and as he listened to the silence one final time, he made a rash decision, because Obi-Wan knew that if the Force couldn't or wouldn't help him, that he only had one option left. Halfheartedly reaching into the pocket of his cloak, Obi-Wan pulled out an old datapad. He held the device before him for a few moments, still not believing he had reached such a low. Technology? It was just sad. Obi-Wan knew that droids couldn't think and that technology was programed by living beings, who even together didn't know as much as the Force. A Jedi relying on the HoloNet instead of the knowledge of the Force or the Jedi Achieves… It was unheard of.

"So uncivilized…" Obi-Wan whispered as he seemingly pressed a million keys and buttons before finding the correct one. Eventually, he opened into the HoloNet and found a place where he could search different personnel throughout the known galaxy. It seemed like an easy enough system, but as he came across the search bar, his fingers hovered over the screen for a long moment. He had been search for answers all day, and now that it might be in his grasp, now he was nervous.

Well, it's now or never.

He decided to do a direct search, keeping in the mind that if the search were flagged, as it probably would be, he would have to make a quick escape before Imperial troops arrived. Forming a quick plan, Obi-Wan gathered his things and moved to the entrance of the cave before picking back up his datapad. Acting quickly, Obi-Wan's fingers glided over the keys, typing in the name, Anakin Skywalker, into the search bar before hitting the large 'enter' button at the bottom. The service took mere seconds, but even seconds felt like years. From the moment Obi-Wan hit the word 'enter,' he felt as if time had paused– ceased to exist. The seconds that felt like hours passed by at an antagonizing slow pace, all the while Obi-Wan's heart began to beat harder and louder in his chest. It seemed like an eternity before the results loaded themselves onto Obi-Wan's main screen, and as they did, he couldn't believe his eyes.

"No…" Obi-Wan paled, his blood running cold and his heart freezing within his chest. "That's not possible…"

No trace.

No trace?

There was no trace? Obi-Wan couldn't believe his eyes. Not a single trace? That was impossible! There had to be some trace of Anakin Skywalker somewhere in the entire galaxy. The Chosen One might be a type a myth, but a man could not be. Obi-Wan had expected the files of Anakin Skywalker to be flagged or blocked, but never there to not be anything on the boy at all. There had to be something! No one could erase all of a person's files. There was always something on someone, through a connection or a source… but with Anakin, there was nothing.

Pulling the datapad closer, Obi-Wan read the screen word for word; still not believing his eyes. Anakin Skywalker, the search bar read, while underneath was written; Result: Zero results found. No trace. We are sorry for the inconvenience; but the person you are attempting to find does not exist.

"No!" Obi-Wan shouted, every fiber of his being outraged. "It can't be!" he argued at the datapad. "It can't be! He has– He needs– There has to be a mistake!"

Obi-Wan frantically typed Anakin's name into the search bar over and over again with the same result: No trace. No trace. No trace. The result was the same every time he typed it, and each time he read the small grouping of letters, it only confirmed Obi-Wan's fear, that it seemed to the galaxy, Anakin Skwalker, did not exist. There was no proof or trace of the boy ever existing anywhere. There was no trace of him anywhere in any city, any world, or any system at any time since the first documentation of the universe, as they know it. It seemed just like his title, the man was a myth.

"It can't be…" Obi-Wan repeated, his heart nearly breaking within his chest as he read the screen one final time. "What– What do I have left?"

"Trust your feelings, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's voice echoed within his head. "Use your instincts."

It took everything in Obi-Wan's power to not shy away from his Master's voice. He felt as if he had nothing left to give, but his Master wanted him to give more. Had he not tried everything already? Had he not exhausted every possible option? What else could he do? He couldn't think of anything to do, but as always, he listened to his Master. If Qui-Gon Jinn wanted him to try again, he would try again.

One final time, he told himself. One more time.

"Where is Anakin?" he spoke aloud, closing his eyes and beckoning for the cave to answer. "Where is the Chosen One?"

The answer to Obi-Wan's question was silence as usual, but this time, however, the silence was comforting – filled with direction and knowledge. It took the weight of the galaxy off of Obi-Wan's shoulders, and made him feel practically at peace with everything that was happening around him. The calmness cleared his mind and the peace cleared his soul, released him of his burdens.

"Of course!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, as if someone had whispered an answer into his ear. Using his newly clear and calm mind, Obi-Wan began to think in ways he never had before, realizing solutions to his problems he had missed and creating options he hadn't tried before.

In fact, maybe, just maybe, he was going about this completely wrong. There was a reason the cave would not or could not answer his question… but that didn't mean it wouldn't help him with other questions. He had witnessed it moments before. The connection through the cave had helped him find Senator Amidala. It had helped him connect and feel that she was alive.

Perhaps, it was the question itself – like he needed another. He couldn't continue asking where Anakin was if the Force couldn't or wouldn't give him an answer. Changing something as simple as the wording of a question seemed ridiculous, but just ridiculous enough that it might just work. He had to trust his instincts, and his instincts told him it would work. How could he be so foolish to believe such an uncivilized result? Hadn't he been the one to say how uncivilized it was in the first place? When had he ever trusted them before? Why start now? He knew Anakin Skwalker was out there, and that was enough for him, proof or no proof.

It's worth a shot, Obi-Wan told himself, closing his eyes tightly and reconnecting the Force around him.

"I'm not sure I can find the answers I seek here," Obi-Wan spoke aloud; speaking to the Force like it was a person who sat before him within the cave. He had never done anything like this before, speaking as he searched, but as he continued to talk, he found it was easier to connect and search for his answers. He could feel the Force once again swirling and shifting around him, almost as it was listening to his requests – or so he liked to think. "But where are my answers? Where do I have to go to find what I seek? Where do I have to look to find the proof I need? To begin my search for Anakin– for the Chosen One?"

Almost instantly, Obi-Wan's eyes flashed open, the answer to his question revealing itself loud and clear to his ears. It was true this place was not the place that he needed to seek, but finding the cave was the will of the Force, and the reason would be revealed soon enough, that much Obi-Wan was sure. But as Qui-Gon had said, Obi-Wan would have to do this on his own, and it seemed on his own he would be. It was up to him to find the proof and the clues that he would need to lead him to Anakin… but at least now, he knew exactly where to start… Tattooine.

Author's Note: Work with me guys! I'm trying to upload the entire chapter and although this time it seems to be working… Of course it would just be too sweet to upload without having issues. I guess the file is too big– so I split it in half! I'm trying to upload the Padmé/Vader part of the chapter, which is a bit larger! Thanks for your patience; you guys are literally the best! Hopefully now that I am home I can get back into the swing of things, so I'll be working my butt off to get back on updates, spoilers, and answering all your messages! I seriously can't thank you all enough! Much, much, much love!