Hey guys
So here is the final chapter. I wanted to thank everybody who read, followed and reviewed this story.
Do not own Star Wars
Next morning in the Republic's Senate Chamber
In the middle of the massive room is a high podium where Palpatine surrounded by two of his guards grabbed in red armor and Darth Vader on his right, is standing in a pod.
Surrounding them in an entire circle going upwards are over a thousand pods attached to the walls of various human and alien senators that make up the Republic senate in every single one of them.
"I bring news that the Clone Wars is finally over. These nine long years of horror and bloodshed have finally ended we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. To maintain the peace, I am reorganizing our democracy into the first Galactic Empire. An empire that will last for eternity" Palpatine said in his loud and strong public speaker voice.
Throughout the senate, a massive applause breaks out for the Emperor's speech.
In one of the pods "Well looks like our worst fears are realized" Bail said quietly.
"I hope that sudden disease he told the reporters that turned him into a dried-up husk is lethal" Mon Momtha said from the pod next to his.
"Yeah, me to" Bail said quietly.
Later, the planet of Alderaan
Its surface has vast bodies of water and is covered in snow-capped mountains, with patches of green grassy hills. The cities on Alderaan are carefully designed to respect the natural beauty of their environment like Aldera the capital city near snow-capped mountains. At the landing pad of the Organa royal palace is where the Tantive IV is parked.
Inside a conference room is an empty chair at the head of the table, where further down is Mon Momtha and across from her is Admiral Gail Ackbar.
Next to Momtha is Padme whose expression is grim, with a look in her eyes of a person who is broken and nothing with ever fix the immense anguish in Padme's very soul.
Which is true because Padme is broken beyond repair due to Anakin becoming a monster and nearly killing her then the very Republic she fought her whole life for is now gone into a dictatorship. Padme wonders after the child inside of her is born, how long she will live because due to everything and really hopes it is not for more than a few years since every waking moment is painful.
Suddenly they all look up as Bail Organa walks into the room with taking a seat at the head of the table.
"How is Obi-Wan Kenobi doing?" Momtha asked.
"Resting since he has just gotten out of a bacta tank to heal his injuries from his fight with… the Sith" Bail said deciding to not reveal that truth "And Kenobi is going by Ben now."
"Focusing on why I brought you all here" Padme said, "While Bail and Momtha will need to return to the senate and play along, for now, I cannot."
"Why?" Momtha asked, having her suspicions.
"If I show my face publicly in the senate or anywhere else, I'm a wanted target in the Empire. Let's just say it's complicated for the reasons why" Padme said then adds "But I also brought you here for another reason politics alone are not going to work to overthrow the Emperor."
"Overthrow? You're talking about committing treason?" Ackbar said.
"Yes. Padme and I came up with this some months back in a conversation if it ever got bad enough, but I never thought we would actually ever be here" Bail said grimly.
"It is why Bail invited you here Admiral Ackbar you are one of the very few he trusts to share this with you. While I have some credits in savings, the Organa family has a fortune and Momtha has her own resources it's not going to be enough" Padme said.
"Not enough for what?" Momtha asked, cautiously.
"An alliance to restore the Republic, an alliance to help free worlds from the Empire's control by use of guerrilla war. A group of rebels basically" Bail said.
Glancing between Bail and Padme "A full-scale war against the might of a massive Empire? You want my help from supporters of the Republic before it fell, and my connections to military supplies along with my expertise to fight in this war" Ackbar said figuring it out.
"This is probably going to fail; countless lives would be lost, and we all end up dead if this fails or dead regardless" Momtha said then adds "Could we do this?"
"What other choice do any of us have? We have to restore the Republic and free them from the Empire" Padme said.
"I know various soldiers who have no doubt already quit or did leave during the Clone Wars due to how chancellor was increasing his powers into a dictatorship" Ackbar said.
"Will you?" Bail asked glancing at the man.
"If I can use funds from Alderaan I can pay the right people to get the various Dreadnoughts and Y-wings from the separatists, old X-Wings and my planet have its own fleet of vehicles. If we really are going to do this, then yes I will help" Ackbar said.
"Thank you, and Momtha?" Padme asked.
"Yes, I'm in" Momtha said.
"We are going to need a leader, somebody who can work in this underground" Padme said then quickly adds "Not me."
"Can I enquire as to why not?" Ackbar asked.
"Just the complications it would bring if I stir up too many problems in the Empire and the alliance is going to need somebody strong who can lead them. That's not me… not any more" Padme said brokenly.
Shaking her head then looking at her friend "That doesn't sound like the Padme Amidala I know" Momtha said.
"Because I'm not her, not any longer. She is for all purposes dead after last night" Padme said.
"It should be you Momtha. You have a natural talent for speaking to groups of people and getting them to listen far greater than my own or Padme's" Bail said.
Ackbar and Padme nod at his suggestion in agreement.
"Very well I'll be the overall leader of the alliance. I'm going to resign from my position as senator as well in protest over what Palpatine has turned the Republic into before I go underground" Momtha said after a moment of consideration.
"I shall miss you in the senate chambers, but I understand," Bail said.
"The old separatist base on Dantooine that we chased them out of in the outer rim territories is perfect for a base of operations" Ackbar asked.
Nodding "It is settled then. My wealth will fund the rebellion, while Ackbar provides our fleet and soldiers. And Momtha will lead us. From this moment on the Rebel Alliance has been formed and we shall never give up until it ends" Bail said.
A day later on the planet of Dagobah.
It is a world of murky swamps, steaming bayous, and petrified forests with multiple caves. Despite being home to many animals there are no advanced civilizations on it.
Having traveled some distance away from their ship which they discreetly borrowed from Bail Organa after contacting Yoda over a secured Holo net line, Obi-Wan notes.
Glancing over at Padme then moves his gaze forward Obi-Wan sees a small hut in the distance knows they are getting closer to where Yoda is at.
Also, has told both Padme and Yoda during the earlier conversation about putting the pieces upon seeing that man in black armor made up various medical machinery who was standing next to Darth Sidious when the man declared his Empire is Anakin.
Pushing those thoughts aside Obi-Wan continuities onward while stepping over a fallen tree.
Eventually after some minutes both Obi-Wan who lowers his hood and Padme enter the small hut with crouching down where they see Yoda just finishing some kind of meal out of a bowl.
Looking over briefly Obi-Wan sees the destroyed holo communications equipment in a corner, he knows Yoda must have done that to prevent the Empire from tracing him to this planet.
"Brought you here I have to discuss a matter of importance" Yoda said.
"Where do the Jedi go from here?" Obi-Wan asked.
"And my child" Padme said.
"Correct you both are. The Jedi Order as of now shall remain in hiding. Against the might of the empire nothing, we can do. To show ourselves now dangerous it would be" Yoda said.
"But we have to do something master" Obi-Wan said.
"And we will" Yoda said.
"I'm planning on going into hiding regardless of whatever the two of you decide. While I don't hold the Jedi Order or either of you in the highest regard for some of the actions you have taken you still do have my respect. I'm willing to listen" Padme said.
"Thank you" Obi-Wan replied.
"Strong in the Force the Skywalker line is. Hidden, safe the child must be kept from the Emperor and their father if chance of defeating them we are to have" Yoda said.
"What about Tatooine? Anakin's brother and his wife, Beru still work the moisture farm" Obi-Wan said and knows that personally Owen would rather die than ever leave his farm.
"The locals have said if there's a bright center of the universe, Tatooine is on the planet that it's farthest from. However, the place is dangerous as I'm sure your aware" Padme said.
"I can always go there myself and watch over the child" Obi-Wan said while stroking his beard.
"And what if I more than one? I don't really know if I will have twins or more than one due to a Naboo tradition until I give birth" Padme said.
"Complicate matters that will. Occur than the children should be split apart to lessen the chance of them being found by the empire" Yoda said thoughtfully.
"If that is ok with you?" Obi-Wan asked towards Padme.
"Not being able to see my children as they grow up would be an unimaginable pain, but I know the risks we are dealing with. A mother is willing to do anything to protect her children even if that means they must be spilt and go into hiding, even from me" Padme said trying to keep a lock on her emotions.
"I'll take the child to Tatooine to be raised and if Padme does have more than one let them stay on Alderaan with Bail Organa" Obi-Wan said.
"And I will be in hiding on Alderaan even if I have only one child" Padme said.
Both the Jedi Knight and the Jedi grandmaster look towards her.
"If this is to work, I'm a target just by being alive and my child will be safer without me. Especially among a family where they can pass him off as their own if they must. I don't care if I die but I want my child to live the best life they can" Padme said.
"Brave woman you are" Yoda said.
"How exactly are you going to be hiding?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Bail said he would take me in as a private handmaiden for his family if needed" Padme replied.
"It is settled. To Tatooine with the Skywalker family Obi-Wan shall take the child" Yoda said.
"I will head back to the ship and see if I can contact Owen Lars" Padme said before rising to her feet and leaving the hut.
Looking at his former student "Over Anakin Skywalker's fall guilt you still feel. Let go of the weight of guilt you have placed on yourself for his actions you must. His own choices made he did" Yoda said.
"Forgive me master but I don't think I will ever be able to" Obi-Wan said grimly "Although I understand now why attachments, especially relationships are forbidden in the Jedi Order."
"Yes, great power a Jedi wields. Dangerous consequences for that power to harm other people if a Jedi falls to attachments and is unable to let go. Evil that path leads to. Deeper understanding of that you now have" Yoda said.
"I didn't want to discuss this in front of Padme, but their child could be the one who can end Darth Vader and the Emperor" Obi-Wan said.
"Thought of this I already have. When the child is old enough begin their training, you shall" Yoda said.
"If I tell the child about Darth Vader being their father that could easily complicate things" Obi-Wan said.
"Danger the truth presents yes" Yoda said.
"I could always give the child a version of the truth" Obi-Wan replied.
"In exile training I have for you" Yoda said.
"Training?" Obi-Wan asked.
"The Force led me here and discovered lost secrets to maintain one's identity after death instead of joining the netherworld of the Force, I have. Allows the ability to return to assist the living it does" Yoda said.
"Is it possible to gain this ability even without the training?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Rare from the knowledge I have gained but possible upon death it is" Yoda said.
"Before we begin is this going to be safe enough from the emperor, so he can't find you?" Obi-Wan asked concerned.
"On this planet a cave filled with the dark side is. My presence in the force it is powerful enough to hide" Yoda replied.
Giving a nod "I'm ready to begin my first lesson" Obi-Wan said.
Several days later, the planet of Tatooine on a ridge near entrance dome leading to underground homestead
Obi-Wan riding a small speeder stops some several feet away down and climbing out of it, with walking over to Owen Lars. After a moment the man turns around to face the Jedi Knight scowling.
"You wanted to see me" Obi-Wan said throwing his hood back.
"Yes, I did. Breu and me have discussed it. We will take the child when it is born with protecting it from the Empire" Owen said.
"Good. I have Anakin's lightsaber I want you to give to the child when they become old enough" Obi-Wan said.
"That's why I wanted to talk to you. I will not let you give the child anything from his father's past as a Jedi. You fooled my brother into believing your foolish crusade and he paid because of it" Owen said.
"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. I'm going to need to train the child when it becomes old enough" Obi-Wan said.
"This child is my brother's son, not a thing to be used" Owen replied angrily.
"What exactly are you going to tell the child of his father's past then?" Obi-Wan asked and knowing that this is a major block in the plans.
"All that child is going to know is his father was a navigator on a spice freighter. You have ruined enough Skywalker's lives! Stay away or you will find my brother wasn't the only one willing to do whatever it takes to protect family" Owen said dangerously.
"You must do what you feel is right of course" Obi-Wan replied calmly.
Owen watches as Obi-Wan turns around with pulling his hood back up and walks back to his vehicle before leaving. Eventually, after watching the vehicle disappear into the distance, Owen turns back around.
Looking up Owen watches as the Tatooine's twin suns rise in the distance.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and story. Let me know what you think
So, we see the start of the Rebels in this chapter which was fun to write.
Regarding Padme, I wanted to show how the strong character from the start of this story has now been utterly broken by well everything that has happened to her. Which fits with Leia's line in ROTJ where says "She was very beautiful. Kind, but...sad." about her mother.
So, this sets up Padme being around to raise Leia for a few years until she dies like Leia told Luke in Return of the Jedi for her mother dying young.
I mean seriously George Lucas how hard was it do exactly this, so you don't end up with a plot hole and people have to say Leia was remembering her mother through the Force to explain it? Apparently for you very hard.
Which we have Obi-Wan, Padme and Yoda on Dagoba set up what will happen once Luke and Leia are born.
Also, we see Yoda and Obi-Wan start the plan to basically have one of the children trained to kill both their father without knowing who he is and Palpatine.
I debated showing Luke and Leia born but from how the plans for the story was working out I realized I didn't really need to show Luke and Leia Skywalker's birth because we all know how that plays out.
Also, because I intend to use this Star Wars prequel story in my own Fan Fiction stories and leave a window so if I chose to I can have Leia not be Luke's sister if I don't want to.
Like it was originally intended for them not being siblings since according to producer Gary Kurtz, who worked on both New Hope and Empire Strikes Back said this in an interview "She's not his sister. That dropped in to wrap up everything neatly. His sister was someone else way over on the other side of the galaxy and she wasn't going to show up until the next episode."
Also, in the original script done by Leigh Brackett's for Empire Strikes Back had the twin sister named Nellith but crossed the name out.
Hence why Leia kissed Luke in ESB, never made any sense if they were twins planned from the start. Unless George Lucas likes incest.
This same script done by Leigh Brackett's is where Luke talks with Anakin who is a force ghost and Darth Vader was a different character entirely. Also proving the whole Anakin was always meant to be Darth Vader myth George Lucas helped create himself is false.
Frankly, I'm glad George Lucas and whoever else who did help decided to make Anakin and Vader one person. Because it makes Vader much more interesting and gives Luke a whole another element to his character.
Speaking of Force ghosts, I put in Yoda's line of dialogue for how in very rare cases one can become a Force ghost upon death to explain who Yoda and Obi-Wan train to become ghosts, but Anakin becomes one without any training on film.
Basically, having the training allows for one to become a Force ghost without any doubt but there is that thin line where it can happen without the training.
Bail Organa's line of Obi-Wan going by Ben is obviously a reference to the alias Kenobi uses in New Hope, but also a line by Obi-Wan is when he tells Luke about having gone by that name before he was born.
Moving on to Owen and Obi-Wan we get to see the conversation that basically helps set up multiple things in New Hope, along with why Owen dislikes Obi-Wan, to put it mildly.
And this concludes the Before the Dark Times story, so I hope you all enjoyed this.