Previously
"Come milady...Its time to board. Your children are waiting."
She took one last look at the planet she was currently on. Never to return to it again. Always to remain hidden, which is what she fought so hard to keep from happening. But in the end...there's no way to change everything that happened. Its just destiny as one would say.
"I don't like this idea."
"Why not?"
"It doesn't feel right having to hide like this. Having to lie to everyone and never be able to see them again."
"Im sorry milady. I agree... but there's just nothing else we can do. We have to keep hidden.. for the future of these children. For the future of the Jedi."
... Do Angels Die? ...
Exactly 600 seconds after she left the comfort of her home planet that night, the feeling of regret slowly began to sweep through her. Menacingly, like a virus..threatening to take everything from her. Or at least what was left of her poor soul.
She had already stated, she did not like the plot formulated... but no one seemed to listen to her anymore. She watched silently...around her, only the bright colors of lightspeed were visible, as the world collapsed before her eyes. Everything had happened so fast. Almost in the blink of an eye. And she had missed it all.
"Padme?"
Obi-Wan rested his hand on her shoulder, as if to snap her out of her thoughts. The touch of anothers hand now resting on her shoulder made her shudder. Almost want to crawl away. Looking up, she noticed it was her old friend. She said not a word, only acknowledged his presence. The truth was, she wasn't sure if she was able to speak anymore. She felt the words just needing to be said, but her mind just did not want to comply anymore. She was sure that at any second her whole body would just stop functioning. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream. She just wanted to die.
"We'll arrive at our destination in a few hours." He stated, waiting for any sign of a reply from her.
He noticed how she had been acting lately. Barely saying a word to anyone, unless absolutely necessary. She looked pale, and stiff, almost dead. He already knew the will in her was not very strong to live. The only reason she was still here was because of her children.
Already the question had been asked before many times. "Are you sure you're alright?" He said sympathetically as he sat next to her. The concern he held notable in his tone. It hurt him to see such a good friend as she in this much pain. The reason of her current mood he knew all too well. She was not the only one suffering of course. Obi-Wan had also lost him, but as a friend..brother.. a son.
Padme nodded and smiled. She was thankful for all Obi-Wan had done for her, but she truly didn't know what to do anymore. Maybe she too was becoming clouded by the dark side.
"He..he was like a son to me." He said as he stood from his place next to her.
She didn't look back up at him. She only kept her head down. Fighting to keep the tears in her eyes from falling, but it was no use. She was not strong enough, not even for that.
"Its all my fault." She whispered under her breath.
"No. No it's not. You shouldn't blame yourself so. It will only strain you more in your condition."
"How is it not my fault!" She snapped back at him. Now looking up, her eyes covered in tears. Slowly sliding down the sides of her face and gracefully landing on her hand. "If it were not for me, he'd still be himself... All the Jedi lost would still be alive. The republic, would still be intact!"
"Padme, don't let guilt blind you." He said softly. "Palpatine would have still gone out with his plans whether Anakin was by his side or not."
Standing up, she turned away from him and walked away. He was wrong. Everything had been her fault. If she had only told him a simple word years ago, things would not be the way they were. Silently sobbing, she stood in front of her babies crib. She stared at them through watery eyes. They looked so innocent and peaceful, with not a care in the world. She rubbed her hand up against both of their cheeks, silently smiling through her tears as they slept.
Sighing, she closed her eyes. "This just doesn't feel right. Hiding from everyone. Manipulating them to believe I was dead. How can something like that be right!" Her tone raising with every word.
"There's nothing we can do anymore. We are too weak in numbers."
She nodded. It was true. The only Jedi that had been able to escape, as far as they knew, were Obi-Wan and Master Yoda. But there just had to be something. There always seemed to be a way.
"We.. We could contact other senators. Get them to ally with us!...and-."
"Padme," Obi-Wan interrupted, "they too are blinded by Palpatine. He will only tell them that you are on the side of the Jedi. We cant risk your life by going back now."
Defeated, she turned her head from him slowly. Her sight now shifting to a window on their ship. A small smile crept up her delicate features.
"There's still good in him." She replied softly. "I just know there is."
Obi-Wan nodded, as he too focused his attention on the empty space outside the window.
On the far reaches of the galaxy, there peacefully resided a small planet called Naveen. Though its existence was known to the empire, it was never involved with it politically. The planet of Naveen had nothing special to offer the empire. And vice-versa, the empire had nothing to offer it. Its population was very minute and the planet's people themselves very primitive. Most called it the invisible planet. Never noticed but always there.
She had come to love everything about this cast away planet. It reminded her so very much of her own home planet of Naboo. Like many times on her own planet, she was greeted each morning by clear blue sunny skies. And then to her surprise, at night two beautiful moons lighted up the sky. She had thanked Obi-Wan soon after they had arrived. This would be a perfect place for her to raise her children.
Upon her arrival however, she was anything but happy about being there. She was in a state of depression for quite sometime. Not even the joy of her children seem to lighten her mood. Ever since that day back on Mustafar, she had not been able to peacefully sleep. Crying herself to sleep night after night. Waking up in the mornings, a stranger to herself, with bloodshot eyes. Her mind always drifting away to thoughts of him. Her beloved Anakin. Even after the whole truth was revealed, she couldn't help but to still love everything about him. His golden locks, his blue eyes, his smile. She remembered him so vibrantly. His mind, his warm soul. She could never forget. His soft touch and passionate kiss.
What saddened her the most, was how he could not be there for their children. She thought so many times about just running away in the middle of the night to him. But her rational side cut in whenever the thought even jumped to mind. And she knew it was true. Her heart had not lost hope in Anakin. It never could. Her mind wondered however, what the different between fact and fiction was anymore. What the difference between dreams and reality meant. And furthermore, why a difference had to exist.
Even though he was gone, she could feel him there with her. Pulling her down into the darkness along with him. Watching her every move. Wanting her. Haunting her dreams at night. She wouldn't let him pull her down though. She had to be strong. For the sake of Luke. For the sake of Leia. For the sake of the galaxy. She loved him still, truly, madly, deeply.. but she feared the darkness. Ran away from it as it slowly crept up to her. He was engulfed in it. Padme Naberrie didn't have many fears. He was that itself which she feared and loved at the same time.
She didn't want to be so broken anymore. She didn't want to keep falling and falling endlessly. She just wanted to come back to what was real. What was there, in front of her. Even when those she knew and loved surrounded her, she had never felt so alone. Hollow inside. Numb. Her heart was resting somewhere cold, waiting for his return. But she felt she had to wake up before this could happen. In a web of lies which she had learnt to call life, she felt she was needed.
She put all that which reminded her of him in a small box and hid it away, never to be found. To help her forget, and maybe then she could leave the pain behind. To smile once again. To love life once again. She didn't want her children to suffer the way which she had to right now. She didn't want them to grow up surrounded by darkness.
It seemed, that the only person he now had left in his life was his master. And so, with that thought in mind...he returned to him. Following his every order as if he were but a lifeless droid. There was nothing else he could do. As his master had ordered, now known as the Emperor, all the Jedi had been eliminated. All he once knew...gone. It really didn't bother him as much as he thought it would or should have. But in these days, nothing mattered anymore. Time was but a thought created by others as an excuse. What that excuse might have been baffled him however. He despised time. It was the reason for his agony. For the pain he no longer felt.
Perhaps, the only thing that did matter to him anymore was just simply put, hate. Ruthlessly killing without another thought, without a reason. Revenge. He had never forgotten how he had been deceived long ago by his former master. He knew he still lived beyond his own grasp. Somewhere. Secretly laughing at him behind his back once again. Spreading vile lies about him. Degrading him into nothingness as he could always find a way to do. Vader had made it one of his top goals to find him. To finally do what he had not been able to do that day. And then he'd finally be rid of those.. Jedi scum.
'Mark my words Obi-Wan. Your end will come by my hands.'
In the months shortly after his loved ones death, he had convinced himself that Obi-Wan was the reason for her death. Slowly driving himself madder and madder each day. Those around him feared him, and would not even dare to look at him in the eye. He was all alone, left with no one to speak with except himself. And even himself could not bear to look at what he had become. A monster. Thought always present in mind, yet never admitted. Hidden behind the dark clouds.
- - - - -
He felt dead as he laid motionless on his bed. All senses unaware of anything going on around him. Only he and his roof existed. After what seemed to be an eternity of staring up at a blank ceiling, he closed his eyes and sighed. He was sure that if no other living being would be able to kill him, then that which some called boredom could.
What if I had just listened? What if I had not been so headstrong? Thousands of 'What if' questions always floated around in his head. With really no answers to them, he would always just shrug them off as nothing.
"What if the universe collapsed and we all died." He replied to his consciousness, smiling for just a quick second before his uncaring expression took over once again. He always had to remain hidden behind this dark mask of emotions. Never allowed to express any sort of feelings. For if he were to let loose for just one second, it could mean his death. Or so his master had said. He really never listened to any of his 'teachings' any more.
A light knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. Annoyed, he chose to ignore it. He did not feel like being bothered at a time like this. As the knock came again, this time louder, the blood inside him began to boil, if just a bit.
"Uh.. Lord Vader?" Came the voice of his admiral from outside of the door.
"What... do .. you WANT!" He exclaimed back at him, not moving a muscle from his bed.
He could feel the shivers and fear evaporating off of his admiral. His boredom now slowly chipping away as he grinned, content with the power he held over others.
"We've caught the leader of the rebels and are awaiting for your orders my lord." His voice shaky and uncertain.
'Pitiful.' Thought Vader. Mentally noting that it was time for a new admiral. Sitting up from his bed, he walked over to his door and opened it. Instantly he was greeted by two frightened eyes. His admiral stood there, only staring at his awesome power, frozen by fear as some would call it.
"Well?" Vader shot out. Annoyed.
As if he had been slapped in the head, the admiral quickly turned and led the way to where his prisoners were being held. "Right this way my lord." He was led out to the ships dock to be met by about 16 captured rebels. One of them he recognized immediately.
"Ah, Bail Organa! What a pleasure it is to see you today." Came Vader's mocking voice. An evil grin on his face soon followed.
"You monster!" Replied Organa.
Vader's laugh rung throughout the room. "Monster? Please, let me know if you would like to lay your eyes upon a monster Mr. Organa." His voice as teasing as his wicked smile.
Organa rolled his eyes in disgust. He would never be able to forget all that he had done to his good friends.
"Now then. Simply tell me where the main base is located and I shall spare your pitiful life." Vader said as he cocked his head to the side ever so slightly.
"I will tell you nothing." Was his reply as he closed his eyes for a few seconds. As if this little action could somehow regain his strength.
"Very well then." Organa's stomach was soon greeted head on by Force Lighting radiating out of Vader's hand. He wailed in pain. Screams becoming louder and louder. All around him pitied him at this moment. Even those who captured him. His companions behind him caught him and helped him keep balance as he almost fell to the floor.
Organa's head hung down as Vader ceased. His heart beating fast. Panting for the air to return to him once again. He looked up at the smirking Vader. And then, to the dark lords surprise, he sensed no fear in him. Only something he had not sensed in a long time. Sympathy..directed towards him. His eyes looked at him, with so much determination, that it angered him at the mere sight.
"What have you become Anakin?"
Vader's grin quickly melted away. The darkness surrounding him becoming all the darker. The name that had been uttered rung over and over in his head. He hated that name. He hid away that name forever in the back of his mind the day that she died. Lifting his hand up, he caught Organa in a tight force choke. No one had ever called him that name in years. And he would make sure to keep things that way.
"Don't ever call me that again." He slowly replied, his voice barely audible, with a chilling calm to it. Tightening his grip one last time, he finally let go. Bail Organa instantly dropped to his knees, gasping for air. His eyes dry and bloodshot.
Vader turned and began to walk away. "Kill him. Make the others talk." He commanded his Admiral.
"Yes, my lord."
As he was walking away however, the next words announced melted his frozen heart. They caused him to stop in his tracks, wide-eyed. And for a second, just a second...he felt his old self, attempting to surface once again.
She ran faster and faster, barefoot through the dirt and mud. Tears flowing freely from her eyes. Her heart pumping harder and harder, gasping for air. But she did not stop. She only kept pushing further and further. Knowing what awaited her. Knowing what she had to do.
She was surrounded by a vast jungle, darkness everywhere. Only the light of the stars were there to guide her. The moon itself clouded by dark clouds with water freely falling from them as if they were her own tears. Almost slipping and falling into the mud, she caught her balance and continued to run. Her white gown already turning an almost black color.
'Please,' her soul begged, 'please let him be alright.'
She stopped in her tracks as she came to a clearing by a mountain side. A few yards from her stood he who haunted her dreams. A bright red lightsaber in his hand. He didn't seem to acknowledge her presence. He only focused on the task before him. There on his knees stood another. A dark figure, covered in a black cloak. Begging before him. Whimpering for his life.
As the other man brought the lightsaber by his side up, ready to release its fury, she gasped.
"Anakin don't!" She screamed out to him.
He however didn't listen. Covering her mouth with her hand, she stood shocked. Her eyes full of tears. She dared not move, even as the thunder roared out in anger. As the lightning menacingly came down from the heavens. She could only focus on the decapitated body laying lifelessly on the ground.
Looking up at Anakin, she saw no remorse on his face. Only a wicked smile. He himself had become possessed by that which he had just killed. By its evil lust for power. By its hate.
He turned and began to walk towards her. She wanted to run away. She wanted to scream out into the night, but all she could do was stand frozen. He stood but an inch from her, and then his features softened. His wicked smile disappeared as his blue eyes overcame her. With one hand resting on her cheek, he whispered to her.
"Im sorry."
Sighing she closed her eyes. Her fear slowly drifting away. She didn't know who that person had been a second ago, but that didn't matter anymore. What mattered now was that he was back with her, and she in his arms. It mattered not that they were both drenched with the anger of the current storm. It almost felt as if time had stopped altogether.
But all of a sudden, a feeling swept over her. It was as if she had just had her heart ripped out from her body. It hurt, deeply. She pulled away to look up at him. Her brown eyes wide and shocked. Full of fear. They met his own yellow ones, and all of a sudden she understood. Looking back down towards her stomach, she could only cry as she fell to her knees.
Looking up at Anakin, she noticed his lips moving once again. She heard his voice, gracing her ears. She could not hear what was said however, anothers voice louder in her mind all of a sudden.
"Mommy..." A distant voice called out.
She felt her body being shook.
"Mommy!" A terrified Leia screamed out as Padme slowly open her eyes. Looking around her, she noticed she was back in her bedroom. She sighed, covered in sweat and still a little shook up from her dream.
"Mommy..." The little girl besides her began to cry.
Slowly smiling, Padme picked her up and tucked her into bed along with her. "Shh, its alright." She would whisper to her, slowly stroking her hand through her curled hair.
"What's the matter Leia?" She asked softly. Her voice sweet and soothing.
"I heard you screaming," the little girl sobbed, "I was scared."
Padme could only hold her tighter. Never wanting to let her daughter go. She was still as innocent as when she was an infant. Only six years of age and already acting so grown up at times. "It was just a dream sweetie." She whispered.
She knew better though. Was it really just a dream? She had been having the same dream night after night. Each night, it became darker and darker than the previous. Longer and longer, revealing its evil plans slowly to her. Torturing her. She had thought of speaking with Obi-Wan about it, but had decided not to previously. Now however, she felt it was more than just a dream. It was hard for her to tell the difference between what was real anymore.
Leia slowly nodded, her tears now stopping. Slowly, both fell asleep once again.
"I WAS THERE WHEN SHE DIED!" Organa screamed out. He knew it would be difficult to get to Vader. But maybe, just maybe..he still stood a chance. He could still help his people out.. somehow. From Vader's response, the topic of her was obviously something he had still not left behind."
Vader did not dare to make another move. He could only stand frozen, his back facing everyone as his eyes brightly shone. Tempting to be engulfed in tears. 'How does he know.' He repeated to him self, again and again.
"And I didn't understand why she was crying out for you. But it did not take me long to put two and two together."
Vader's breathing picked up. As did his anger.
"She still cared about you. Even in her last breath."
Vader turned, his face hiding all emotion. But inside, a battle occurring.
"I know she still believed in you Anakin."
Sighing, Organa let his head drop. "But it seems you've let her down..."
His last words made Vader's heart almost sink. Almost. But he had long ago told himself that he would never let his feelings surface again. Especially not when it came to talking or just.. thinking about her. Which he had not been able to stop doing since her death. Every day his thought always came back to her. His dreams lit up by her bright light. He welcomed her light into his own pit of darkness. She made him feel whole. Like himself.
But it was no use anymore. She was gone. And so was Anakin.
"I assure you, Bail Organa. I have no idea as to what you are continuously babbling about. But it will not save you." He replied, his eyes narrowing on him.
He deserves to die. He only speaks the truth. He is a traitor to the empire. The empire is corrupt. She is dead.
I killed her.
End Chapter 2
Alrighty, so let me know what you think about this chapter. I was a bit iffy on it, but meh..I don't think it turned out too bad.
So I should probably answer some questions before they are asked.
- Yes Obi-Wan and Yoda manipulated everyone's mind who knew the truth about Padme and made them believe she was dead.
- The planet of Naveen and all its history will be made up by me.
- There will be nothing more then friendship between Obi-Wan and Padme.
And furthermore, they do not live together. More on their ways of life will be brought up next chapter.
Okay, so review and tell me if I did everything alright :) Let me know if you find any mistakes. Please and thank you!