Lead the Way: A Star Wars/She-Ra Story
Chapter 49: A New Hope
"When I woke up…. I was in a forest on Naboo…."
….
Padme gasped as she woke up.
"Where am I….", Padme asked as she looked around, "I'm…. On Naboo? Am I dead?"
"No. You're not. Not anymore."
Padme turned to see Antauri standing there, gazing upon a butterfly on his palm.
Padme said, "are you…. The one they call Antauri?"
"Yes", Antauri said with a soft tone.
Padme asked, "am I back on Naboo?"
"Yes…. But you have just woken up from the carbonite freeze", Antauri said as he walked towards Padme.
Padme said, "carbon freeze…. For how long?"
Antauri said, "after you were brought back, I had to freeze you for 9 years."
Padme said, "9 years?!"
"Your body had to be healed, Padme", Antauri said.
Padme asked with a tear in her eye, "where are my children? And…. Anakin?"
Antauri had a sad look on his face.
He said, "Anakin Skywalker perished the moment he hurt you. He is now Darth Vader, Emperor of the Galaxy after Palpatine died. Your children have been raised by Sam and the rebel alliance that now fights against the Empire."
Padme then started to cry.
"No! That…. Can't be true", Padme cried her heart out as she fell to her knees.
Antauri then hugged her as he rubbed her back.
Padme asked between her sobbing, "but why…. Did you bring me back to life?"
Antauri said, "it wasn't your time. The galaxy, and your children, will need you when the time comes. I used an ounce of my power to save you."
Padme then wiped her tears away.
"I need to see my children and Sam! They need to know I am alive", Padme said as she stood up.
Antauri said, "as much as I wished you could, not yet. I've seen the journey you must take before you're ready to meet your children. Your path lies on Mandalore…."
….
Present.
"Antauri took me to Mandalore and I became part of this Mandalorian clan", Padme said.
Everyone was shocked to hear the story of how Padme had come back from the dead, and had joined with clan Wren under the name, Natalie.
"I had to go into hiding and use a fake name…. Cause if Vader found out…. He would come after me", Padme said with a sad tone.
Sam slowly approached Padme with tears in his eyes.
Padme tried to say, "Sam-", before Sam hugged her tightly.
Sam was crying tears as he hugged Padme tight.
Padme returned the hug.
Sam said, "I thought I'd never see you again."
Padme replied, "I'm just happy to see you. All of you."
Leon and Ahsoka then ran to hug Padme.
"Padme", Ahsoka cried.
"We're glad to see you again", Leon cried as tears fell down his face.
Padme smiled with tears in her eyes as she hugged them back.
That's when Padme finally gazed upon her children, who looked utterly shocked at the sight of their mother being alive in front of them.
Padme walked over to them.
"Hi, Luke, Leia", Padme said softly.
Luke said, "y-you're our mom?"
Padme said, "yes. I…. I hope you're not disappointed. You both have every right to be upset or mad at me…. For having not letting you know I was alive. But-"
Padme wasn't prepared when the twins hugged her, sobbing tears of joy.
Padme had a shocked look on her face, but she returned the hug.
"Mom", the twins sobbed.
Padme started to cry along with her children.
Everyone began to cry as they witnessed the reunion between the mother and her children.
Padme and the twins broke the hug.
"Look at you two…. You're so big already and…. I have seen you two have become strong Jedi", Padme said with tears in her eyes.
Leia said, "Uncle Sam and Hordak taught us everything we know."
Padme smiled and said, "I could never repay them for looking after you."
"Also, Adora looked after us as well…. I hope you don't get bothered…. But we started to call her mom…. When we met her", Luke said softly.
Padme walked towards Sam, Hordak and Adora with a smile on her face.
She looked at Adora and said, "Adora, I don't mind my children calling you mother. You earned it. And I can't thank any of you enough for taking care of them."
Adora smiled softly.
"But now that you're here…. Luke and Leia don't have to call me mother anymore", Adora said but Padme placed a hand on Adora's shoulder.
Padme said, "you've more than earned you place among this family. You're just as much their mother as I am, if not more so."
Adora smiled.
Padme gave Adora a hug.
Padme then walked over to Sam and Hordak.
She then hugged the two with tears in her eyes.
She said, "thank you all…. So much…."
Sam and Hordak returned the hug as well.
"I promised you Padme…. I would protect Luke and Leia with my life", Sam said as tears fell down his face.
Padme said, "and you kept your promise until the very end."
Sam and Hordak smiled with tears in their eyes.
In fact, there wasn't a single dry eye in the entire room.
"Well I guess it's time for introductions", Padme chuckled.
….
One long series of introductions later.
"Well it's nice to meet you all", Padme said with a smile.
Hordak said, "it's a pleasure to meet the woman who gave us Luke and Leia. You should be very proud of them."
Padme said, "I am. More than you could imagine."
Hamill ran inside and beeped.
Luke asked, "they want us in the meeting room?"
Sam asked, "Padme…. Now that you told us the truth…. Are you going to tell the Republic…. And the galaxy…?"
Padme said, "yes. It's time that the Galaxy knows that Padme Amidala is back, and leading the charge against the Empire."
Sam smiled softly.
The group then ran towards the meeting room to discuss plans on how to stop the Death Star.
….
Death Star.
Tarkin said into the comlink, "yes?"
"Sir…. I'm afraid the Chancellor and the droid were able to escape the planet with the help of Han solo."
Vader growled in anger.
Tarkin said, "I suggest we show the Galaxy that our new weapon is fully operational. So that even this slight complication will discourage the galaxy."
"We can also use this weapon to make the New Republic surrender to our forces", Vader said with a smirk on his face.
One officer asked, "but what if they don't listen?"
Vader said, "then we'll make them listen. The ability to destroy a planet is too great a threat for the New Republic to face!"
"Let's show them the power of the Death Star", Tarkin grinned evilly.
Vader said, "you pick the planet, Tarkin. After all you've done for the Empire."
Tarkin said, "plot a course for…. Alderaan."
….
On Naboo.
Artoo showed a hologram of the Death Star.
Aayla asked, "so... That's the Death star?"
Shaak Ti asked, "where could Vader have gotten the Kyber Crystals for this weapon?"
Sam said, "it must have been when the Empire invaded Illum. They must have stolen enough Kyber Crystals to power this thing."
Hordak asked, "so how do we stop it?"
Hamill then beeped as he pointed at something in the hologram.
Padme said, "there. Rogue One was able to get the plans for the Death Star. And with it, it's weakness. A small thermal exhaust port secretly built by Galen Urso, the lead designer of the station, that if an X-Wing makes a hit there, the whole thing will blow from here to kingdom come."
"We need every skilled pilot in the galaxy to help us", Obi Wan said.
Leia, Rey, Grogu, Aiden and Flora all pointed at Luke!
Luke asked, "why are you pointing at me?"
"Luke…. You are one of the best pilots we know out there", Ashoka said.
"We have hope that you can be the one to destroy the Death Star", Sam said.
Luke muttered, "oh sure, pin everything on me."
Leon said, "you'll have an entire group of pilots at your side. We know you can do it."
"Don't be scared Luke…. We'll be there to help you", Hordak said to Luke.
Han said, "and you'll always have me to back you up."
BB8 beeped.
Rey asked, "what is it?"
"A message from…. Darth Vader", Adora shouted.
The entire room grew silent before Sam said, "play it."
Padme quickly puts her helmet back on.
The image of Vader appeared, the red eyes of his mask a contrast with the blue color the hologram gave off.
"Vader", Sam growled.
"It's too late, Vader, we have the Death Star plans in our hands", Hordak growled in anger.
Vader said, "what good will those plans do for you, now that this space station is fully operational!"
Leia asked, "what do you mean, father?"
Vader replied, "the Death Star is now at maximum power, and I will soon use it to remind the galaxy of the threat I pose! I suggest you turn your attention to the holo news."
Hamill turned on the Holo News.
Everyone turned to see it.
The Death Star was slowly approaching Alderaan!
Sam said, "oh no…. Someone call Cara! She has to know Alderaan is in danger!"
Padme underneath the helmet was pale as she knew Bail was on the planet.
Vader laughed.
Catra shouted, "what are you planning to do Vader!?"
Tarkin walked forward and answered, "showing the galaxy what true fear is. Men, you may fire when ready!"
"No! Alderaan is a peaceful planet", Leia shouted with tears in her eyes.
Padme had tears in her eyes as well as she couldn't believe Anakin…. Her husband had turned into such a monster.
They were all helpless to watch as the space station powered up to destroy the planet!
"No, stop", Adora shouted.
"Leave that planet alone, Vader", Padme shouted.
Vader said, "you failed, Chancellor Wren."
Tarkin shouted, "long live the Empire!"
Everyone shouted in horror, "NOOOOOOO!"
The Death Star shot a powerful green laser that hit Alderaan dead on, and in a matter of seconds, the planet blew up from the inside out like an atomic fire ball!
The Jedi all felt it.
Obi Wan said, "I…. I felt it…. As a thousand voices screamed in terror…. And were suddenly silenced!"
"PaPa…. I felt their fear", Rey said feeling scared.
"So did I", Luke said.
Sam, Hordak, Padme and Adora all hugged the children as all the Jedi in the group felt the loss of life.
"I'm sorry…. Chancellor…. But we felt…. Bail…. Become one with the force", Aayla said sadly.
Padme sighed before steeling herself.
She said, "contact any survivors who were off planet. Especially Cara Dune, since she's one of our closest allies. And make sure every planet is on high alert and ready to evacuate. We can't let them win."
"Understood", Aayla said as she ran out of the room.
"This is a warning to you…. Chancellor and the Jedi…. If the New Republic does not surrender to the Empire in less than 2 hours…. Coruscant will be next", Vader said with a smirk under his helmet.
Padme growled, "you're a monster Vader. How you were once Anakin Skywalker, I'll never know."
Vader laughed at her words.
Padme then clenched her fists.
"Vader…. I challenge you to a duel", Padme growled.
Vader said, "a duel?"
Padme said, "yes. A duel."
Vader asked, "what kind of duel?"
"A lightsaber duel", Padme growled.
"Chancellor don't! You can't fight Vader on your own", Sam shouted.
Padme said, "I must. I've put this off for far too long. I must face Darth Vader."
"I accept the challenge. Name the location of the duel", Vader said as he crossed his arms.
Padme thought for a moment, before saying...
"Yavin 4."
Vader said, "very well. Meet me at Yavin 4. Just the two of us. A duel. What are the stakes?"
"Chancellor, please don't", Ashla said.
Padme was silent for a moment.
"If I win the duel…. You and the Empire will surrender to the New Republic", Padme said.
Vader chuckled and said, "and if I win? What then?"
Luke and Leia wanted to go hug their mother…. But they could not risk their father finding out.
Padme was silent for a moment before saying, "if you win…. The New Republic will surrender to the Empire."
"Chancellor, no", Adora shouted.
Vader chuckled and said, "I accept the terms of the duel. Be ready for the duel in 12 hours. Don't be late…."
The message then ended.
Sam shouted, "Padme, are you crazy!?"
Padme said, "I need to face him. If I don't, the entire galaxy is doomed!"
"But you don't even know how to fight in a lightsaber duel", Leon said.
"I know…. But I have you guys to teach me", Padme said as she removed her helmet.
Hordak asked, "but how do you expect us to teach you how to fight with a lightsaber in 12 hours?!"
Padme said, "I spent years training in sword fighting. It's simply transitioning to a different weapon. In the meantime Luke and the other jedi along with a few pilots can lead the attack on the Death star while I duel Vader."
"But you are going to need a Lightsaber first", Obi Wan said.
"That problem can be solved", Luke said as he walked forward.
Luke held out his father's old lightsaber to his mother and said, "I already have my own lightsaber. This belongs to you now. You deserve it."
Padme smiled softly as she took the lightsaber and clipped it to her belt.
"Thank you, my son", Padme said.
Luke hugged his mother.
"Please be careful Mom", Luke said.
"I will. I promise. Because I have something to come back to. You and Leia. And the rest of our family", Padme said with a smile.
"Okay…. Let's all get to work", Ahsoka said.
The group scattered, about to carry out one of their most dangerous missions yet.
Destroy the Death Star.
Stop the Empire.
Stop Vader.
Padme spend the last 10 hours learning Lightsaber combat from her Jedi friends.
She kept getting better and better with every training session over the course of those hours.
Sam and Hordak taught her how to fight and defend herself should Vader try to fight her with two lightsabers.
The Jedi even prepared for if he sicked Inquisitors on them.
Luke and the rest of the pilots already have their plan set up for the attack on the Death Star.
This was one of their biggest missions yet!
"Please be careful Padme…. We just got you back…. We don't want to lose you again", Sam said.
Padme said, "you won't. Trust me, I'm not about to lose everything I care about to the man who broke my heart. As far as I'm concerned…. Darth Vader killed Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar."
Luke and Leia hugged their mother.
"Please be safe, Mom", the twins said.
"I will, and you two be careful as well", Padme said as she kissed them on the forehead.
Padme then hugged all her friends a farewell as she put on her helmet.
Padme already had her armor on and she walked to her ship.
"Artoo, set the coordinates for Yavin 4", Padme said to the Astromech.
Artoo beeped as he plugged himself into the control panel. The ship slowly got off the ground and took off towards Yavin 4.
Padme would soon be in for the fight of her life.
….
With the Jedi.
A Republic Cruiser was in hyperspace.
Luke had geared up as he stood by his X Wing and BB8 was beside him.
He said, "I'm worried about Artoo, but I'm glad to have you with me for this mission BB8."
BB8 beeped.
"Hey kid are you ready…. We're about to drop out of hyperspace", Han asked.
"Yes…. It took a while as I wanted to let Mara know I was going to go on a mission", Luke said.
Han teased, "didn't want to worry your girlfriend, huh?"
Luke blushed as he said, "y-yeah. I didn't wanna worry her so much."
Han chuckled and said, "don't worry. We'll make it through this. You'll have me watching your back afterall."
The two soon felt the ship drop out of Hyperspace.
All the pilots ran to get on their ships.
"Good luck, Luke", Han said as he ran to the Falcon.
Luke was about to get on his ship when...
"Wait, Luke", Sam called out.
Luke turned around to see his family walking towards him.
Sam and Hordak then hugged Luke.
Sam said, "good luck Luke."
"And may the force be with you", Hordak said.
Leia then hugged her brother.
"Be safe Luke", Leia said.
"I will…. Thank you everyone", Luke said as he smiled softly.
Luke then got onboard his X Wing.
BB8 got in his little section as Luke and the other X-Wings began to take off.
….
With Padme, she had just landed on Yavin 4.
Artoo beeped.
"No Artoo, you must stay here where it's safe", Padme said as she began to walk out of the ship.
Artoo beeped.
"I must do this alone", Padme said as she saw in the distance a temple.
Artoo gave a somber beep as he rolled into some bushes to stay hidden as Padme began making her way to the temple….
Padme then made it to the temple and she held the Lightsaber in her hand.
"I'm here Vader! Show yourself", Padme shouted.
And that's when she heard it. The familiar raspy breathing of Darth Vader as he emerged from the darkness, the eyes in his mask glowing red as he grabbed his saber.
Padme quickly activated her lightsaber.
Vader asked, "why do you have Skywalker's lightsaber?"
Padme was silent, as she tried to decide if she should do it…. Should she reveal her secret to the man she once loved?
"It was given to me…. By Luke Skywalker", Padme said as she held the Lightsaber.
Vader said, "he would give some worthless Mandolorian witch a Jedi heirloom. I highly doubt without reason…. Who are you…. Really?"
Padme was silent for a moment until she ran towards Vader and the two lightsabers clashed with each other.
Vader said, "impressive. You have training. But you lack experience!"
Padme quickly dodged a strike from Vader and kicked him in the back.
"You will find I am full of surprises", Padme yelled.
Vader turned to Padme and said, "you're protective of them, aren't you? The Skywalker's? The Jedi? The Senators? How did it feel to know you couldn't save Bail Organa?"
Padme took a deep breath, trying not to take the bait.
Vader chuckled softly.
Padme slowly took the stance Ahsoka would take when fighting and said, "you're one to talk. Didn't you fail to save…. Your wife."
Vader froze, as still as a statue.
"You thought you could save her…. By turning to the dark side…. And betraying your friends…. Family…. But in the end…. She died of a broken heart…. Because of your actions", Padme said with a growl.
Vader growled out, "silence!"
Padme said, "you couldn't save her! You couldn't save-"
Vader yelled, "don't you dare say her name!"
"Padme", Padme said her own name.
Vader was silent for a few moments…. Then he lunged at Padme with an angry scream!
….
Death Star.
"Okay, follow my lead", Luke yelled into the comlink.
The other X-Wings followed Luke's as they began making their way down the trench on the station that led to the thermal exhaust port.
"Careful, we got several Tie fighters behind us!"
BB8 beeped.
Luke responded, "I know! I know! Just hold on!"
A ship behind Luke exploded.
BB8 beeped.
Luke exclaimed, "everyone spread out and protect each other! We can't afford for this thing to be around any longer than it has been!"
Luke's X-Wing was now inside the trench.
"It's up to me", Luke said.
….
Yavin 4
Padme and Vader kept clashing as they made their way up the steps of the temple, the planet practically shaking from their duel!
Padme had a hard time keeping up with Vader's attacks.
He cackled, "you're no Jedi! No Sith! You are nothing! Less than nothing!"
The two then made it up to the top of the temple.
Padme held the lightsaber in a tight grip.
Vader rushed at her, yelling, "so do the galaxy a favor, and die!"
Padme was able to catch his arm into her grasp, holding it still with all of her strength as she glared at him behind the visor.
Padme then kicked Vader in the stomach and kicked him away.
But in the process…. Vader's lightsaber hit her helmet…. Knocking it off!
Vader looked at his opponent as she stood, but froze like ice as he saw her face come into view.
Padme's face held a look of horror, fear, anger and…. Sadness as she stared at Vader.
Vader struggled to even say, "P-P-P-Padme?"
Padme glared and said, "hello…. Ani."
Padme quickly used the chance to take out her staff. She spun it around and said, "what's wrong? Scared to fight a ghost?"
Padme quickly ran towards Vader with her staff in hand.
He quickly tried to slice it in half after calling his lightsaber back to him, but the staff was actually able to block the strike!
Padme smirked and said, "beskar."
Padme used that chance to kick Vader in the…. Groin.
Vader fell to his knees as he clutched his groin in pain.
Padme said, "bet you wish that had gotten sliced off as well with the legs, hmm?"
"Padme….", Vader said, but Padme then kicked his lightsaber away.
"Night, Night…. Vader", Padme said with a glare at the Sith and she hit him in the head with her staff…. Knocking him out cold.
She had won the duel! And it was Vader seeing her face that earned her the win!
Padme then took out a familiar collar and cuffs.
"I wish I didn't have to do this Ani…. But you leave me no choice", Padme said softly as she cuffed Vader and placed the collar on his neck.
"Artoo…. Tell the Jedi to come here…. I have defeated Vader", Padme said into the comlink.
Artoo bleeped a reply as Padme started dragging Vader to her shuttle.
"He is much heavier than I thought", Padme groaned as she dragged Vader.
….
Death Star
"Use the Force…. Luke."
Luke whispered, "Antauri?"
"Yes. Let go Luke."
Luke took a breath before shutting off his targeting computer.
Entrapta asked through the comlink, "Luke, you turned off your targeting computer…. What's wrong?"
A Tie Fighter was approaching Luke from behind.
Luke said, "nothing. I'm alright. I know what I've gotta do to win this."
The fighter shot at the X-Wing, hitting BB8 and making him wail in pain!
Sam shouted, "Luke, what was that!?"
"I lost BB8", Luke yelled.
The pilot of the TIE Fighter is an Inquisitor.
He says, "the force is strong with this one! I have them now!"
But suddenly, a barrage of lasers hit the TIE next to them!
They shouted, "what the deuce?!"
Han and Chewie were flying in on the Falcon as Han shouted, "yahoo!"
"Look out", the pilot shouted before the TIE next to him exploded as well, sending him flying.
"You're all clear, kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home", Han said into the comlink.
Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust port, then fires his laser torpedoes.
Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seem to simply disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are heading for the main reactor.
Luke's X-wing and the Falcon along with several other ships fly away from the Death Star.
As they sped away, Tarkin is left with a terrified look as the Death Star explodes like a giant thermal detonator!
"Great shot kid! That was one in a million", Han said with a grin on his face.
"Luke…. The force will be with you…. Always", Barriss said.
Luke felt tears fall down his face as he heard Barriss' voice.
And with that, the fighters headed back towards Naboo.
Their mission was a complete success!
….
Naboo
As soon as Luke got out of his X Wing, he was tackled into a bear hug by his family.
Sam exclaimed, "you did it Luke!"
Hordak yelled, "we knew you could from the start!"
Leia hugged her brother.
"Way to go kid", Han yelled as he and Chewie hugged Luke.
"Spine... Crushing", Luke choked out.
"Sorry…. Chewie goes all out with hugs", Han chuckled.
"Luke", Adora shouted as she ran over to hug him.
Luke could only laugh as his family kept showing so much pride and affection.
And then he heard, "LUKE!"
Luke couldn't even comprehend what was going on as he was knocked to the floor and hugged by Mara!
Luke yelled in shock as he and Mara stood up, "Mara!?"
"I was so worried about you", Mara cried as she hugged Luke tight.
Luke said, "relax Mara, I'm al-"
But before he could finish his sentence, Mara kissed him!
The others cheered for Luke and Mara as they kissed.
Soon the two broke apart.
Luke simply said, "woah", as he blushed up a storm.
"That was so cute", Sam said with a squeal.
Luke and Mara blushed.
Luke asked, "wait…. Where's mom?"
Right on cue, Padme's ship made a landing in front of all of them!
"It's Padme's ship", Sam shouted as she and the others ran to it.
The ramp to the ship opened and Padme…. Walked out with Obi Wan helping her drag Vader.
Ahsoka said, "I don't believe it…."
Hordak said, "she did it. She beat him in a duel!"
Padme then walked over to the group.
Luke, Leia, Sam, Ahsoka and Leon all ran to hug Padme.
"Mom", Luke and Leia sobbed with tears of joy and relief.
"Padme…. You're okay", Sam sobbed.
Padme replied, "I told you I'd make it. It was actually the sight of my face that gave me an advantage against Vader."
Ahsoka said in shock, "he saw your face!?"
"He knocked my helmet off with his lightsaber. And it was the sight of me being alive that gave me an advantage. Vader froze like a statue as soon as he saw my face. After that, it was easy to defeat him while he was shocked. But now he is finally going to be arrested for his crimes…. We must take him to a cell right away", Padme said to the others.
"We must inform the Republic of our victory", Obi Wan said.
"I must also reveal the truth to the galaxy…. That Padme Amidala is back", Padme said with a small smile on her face.
Everyone cheered! Victory had been achieved! The galaxy was finally safe from the Empire with Vader in their clutches, and the Death Star blown to the force and back.
….
Coruscant.
Throughout the Galaxy and Holonet a live news video was playing.
"I am Jedi Master Sam Skywalker…. As you all have heard, the Death Star has been destroyed and Vader has been caught", Sam said.
Hordak said, "the Empire is now all but gone without its leader. And the one to thank for apprehending Darth Vader, is our beloved Chancellor, who dueled against Vader. And now…."
"She is ready to reveal her true identity", Sam finished.
Padme then walked forward.
Throughout the galaxy, people were shocked to see Padme…. As she was believed to be dead.
"Shortly after I passed away, I was brought back to life by the ancient force user: Antauri. And for 9 years, I was frozen in carbonite, until being freed, and eventually becoming a member of House Wren, of the Mandolorians. I was forced to go into hiding...cause if Vader found out I was alive…. He would have kidnapped me and killed the new family I made", Padme said with a sad tone.
"But thanks to her…. Vader has been caught", Luke said as he walked forward to stand by his mother's side.
"And now, the New Republic is finally safe from the Empire. The galaxy is free", Leia shouted as she stood by her mother.
"But I'm afraid we have to share the fact…. Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star and Senator Bail Organa was among the many people on the planet who were killed", Padme said with tears in her eyes.
Sam said, "the New Republic will offer aid to families who lost people on the planet. Former Shock Trooper, Cara Dune, will be the Senator for the survivors of Alderaan."
"And this day shall be known as Remembrance Day…. In honor of the lives that were lost on the planet Alderaan", Padme said.
Everyone in the galaxy cheered in victory and celebration, as well as honoring the lives of the people of Alderaan.
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: indeed. I was very eager to get to these points.
Spongebob: I'm trying! Trying so hard!
….
I hope the twist of Padme being alive sat well with all of you readers.