Avschick33 - I'm sorry - honestly, I didn't want to kill Padmé, but the storyline insisted that it be done. In my mind, Anakin never would have fully turned if Padmé was alive - or at least, he wouldn't have stayed that way for long. Thanks for giving it a chance though!
Jedi Master Arie Skywalker - Unfortunately, things are going to go from bad to worse. Hope you'll hang in there. I know the last couple chapters have been sad, but I'm aligning with the end of RotS. If it makes you feel any better, there's an Epilogue coming in a few more chapters and it's going to have a bit of a brighter tone. In the interim, I appreciate the support!
DarthGladiator45 – Traumatic is a good description for the last chapter! I'm afraid this one is going to be more of the same. Hope you'll continue to bear with me!
stcobb - Yikes! I feel so evil about killing off Padmé. I'm sorry about that, but I really feel Anakin wouldn't have gone all "Vader-y" if not for her death. We will see Padmé again though... does that help at all?
HaChosenOne - Things aren't looking so good for our heroes, huh? Bear with me - I will be doing an Epilogue before the story completely wraps up so things won't be completely bleak forever! And in the meantime – here's some virtual chocolate just for you – and a few cookies as well!
BabaBiP – Thank you! The last chapter was an important one, so I appreciate that!
DelilahDeanSkywalker - Aw, it's so good to see you again. This story has been such a challenge to write, but it's one I'm enjoying very much. We're actually nearing the home stretch here, so I'll hope you'll stick with me. And yes – Padmé and Anakin remind me of Romeo and Juliet – so tragic. Thanks again for your support!
ALL - Remember how I said I was anxious to write the last chapter b/c I'm a sucker who enjoys writing angst? Well, you got your payback with this chapter b/c it involves something I absolutely stink at: writing action. Bleughh... Hope you don't mind the end result! See you back here soon!
Anakin stared at his wife's shrouded form, his eyes burning with unshed tears.
He longed to return to his earlier state of numbness, to forgetfulness... anything that might loosen the vise around his chest. The pain was wrenching in its familiarity - it had been his companion during those long moments in the Senate Rotunda, and then again as he stared upon the streets of Theed. Both times, he had found an escape.
He had found it in the Darkness.
Gently, he lowered Padmé's head to the floor, hating the way a few stray curls escaped to mingle with the dust. Lurching forward on his knees, he carefully began to return the tendrils to their resting place within the hood of his cloak. It was the last thing Anakin could do for her as her husband, the final bit of comfort he could offer. As he worked, his hand brushed her cheek and he snatched it back, horrified by how cool her skin felt to the touch. The sobs threatened to return, but he choked them back and got to his feet.
And in that moment... he truly knew what it was to hate.
"It's over," he intoned dully.
Obi-wan glanced up, flinching at the sight of the acidic yellow eyes. Much to Vader's annoyance, he made no attempt to reach for his saber.
"You should arm yourself, Master." He spat the title, infusing the two syllables with anger. "I plan to end this once and for all."
"Killing me won't bring her back," Obi-wan murmured sadly.
"Don't speak of her!" He trembled, torn between rage and grief. "You have no right!"
"You mustn't give in to your anger, Anakin. You still have so much-"
"What? So much to live for?" His throat threatened to close on the next words. "My wife and child are dead!"
"But-"
"Soon you'll know how it feels to have everything taken away from you. My new Master and I have seen to that."
Blue eyes widened in horror. "Your new Master? Anakin, what have you done?"
"I have brought peace to the Republic. No longer will the Jedi be allowed to interfere. Even as we speak, they are being hunted down - a suitable fate for traitors."
"Traitors? How could you-"
"Did you really believe I wouldn't figure it out? That I wouldn't realize that you assigned me to the Chancellor just to get me out of the Temple?"
"That's ridiculous! You sensed the darkness that surrounded him - surely you found the source?"
"The only thing I found was the truth." His lips thinned in derision. "And as a result, he is my Master now."
"Anakin-"
"I'm not the fool you used to know, Obi-wan. I've learned more in the past few days than in a lifetime with you!"
"Don't do this. For Padmé's sake and that of your-"
A flick of a gloved thumb and the saber flared to life. "I warned you not to speak of her!"
CORUSCANT - SENATE CHAMBERS
"The attempt on my life may have left me scarred." Palpatine infused his tone with regret. "But my resolve has never been stronger!"
As he raised both hands, the Senators responded with applause so enthusiastic, his ears rang from the onslaught. He scanned the crowd - a maestro overseeing the performance of his puppets.
"We were naïve to put our trust in the Jedi Order. However, that is a mistake we shall never repeat. To further ensure the security of our people, I am hereby reforming the Republic into the first Galactic Empire. After years of war and suffering, our citizens will once again know peace, prosperity and justice!"
Again, the walls reverberated with the outpouring of excitement. Allowing himself an indulgent smirk, he lowered his pod amid the Senators' chants: Peace, prosperity, justice! Peace, prosperity, justice!
The pod settled into the quiet surroundings of his private office, the entrance to the arena twisting closed behind him. Everything was proceeding as planned; the Senators were nothing more than banthas being led to slaughter. He would keep them around for the time being, of course, yet their days of voting down his measures were over. In fact, he looked forward to any attempt, especially if the transgressor was none other than the esteemed Bail Organa himself.
Shrugging off the ornate robes, he donned a dark cloak and pulled the voluminous hood into place. The transformation complete, he finally acknowledged the blue-skinned aide hovering before him.
"Well? Any progress?"
"There's been no sign of him," Amedda admitted. "Our forces are continuing to search relentlessly. If he is still here, we will find him - not even Yoda can hide forever."
The Emperor frowned, his ruined flesh tearing at the movement. How he had wanted to rid himself of that little green troll... to watch as the light faded from his eyes! But the diminutive Jedi had slipped from his sight, effectively ending the battle that had started with a failed 'arrest.'
Shrugging, he pushed the aggravation from his mind. He had more important things to consider, such as loose ends that needed tying up. Yoda would still suffer under the knowledge that the Order he had so cherished was gone forever - while he had been blind to the entire plot.
It would have to suffice for now.
"See that they continue the search," he ordered. "And prepare a shuttle immediately."
"Of course, my lord. Right away."
The Sith stroked a hand over his chin. "I believe a trip to Mustafar is in order."
MUSTAFAR, RECEPTION AREA
Instinct had the Jedi Master activating his saber a split-second before Anakin lunged. He halfheartedly blocked the blade, alarmed by the fact that it had been aimed directly towards his throat. He barely managed to deflect the next one or the one after that - the latter coming so close it singed the outer edges of his sleeve.
Wake up, Obi-wan! Center yourself in the moment.
He couldn't process Qui-gon's plea, couldn't quite believe what was happening. After all, the man before him was Anakin: his best friend, his brother. Yet there was no denying the blue eyes that were once filled with such affection were gone, replaced by acidic orbs of hatred. The muscular frame that had saved his life so many times now drove him back, step by painful step.
The boy you remember is gone. Release your guilt.
Obi-wan gave a shake of his head, even as his wrists ached from holding off the vicious onslaught. "Please, Anakin, your chil-"
A black glove came up, sending him hurtling through the air with a Force shove. He smashed through the glass entryway, tiny shards embedding themselves into tender flesh. As he scrambled back to his feet, a gust of raw heat washed over him, a stark reminder of the deadly lava that lapped at the platform. Anakin, however, seemed impervious to everything but his mission - killing his former Master.
Qui-gon was right. He needed to get his wits about him if he had any hope of surviving.
In that instant, Obi-wan snapped out of his reverie, immediately taking a cursory scan of his surroundings. A thick, metal cable swayed in the acrid wind, clanging loudly against the main building. He ran a quick calculation through his head, nodding curtly. Yes, it should work - at the very least, it would get him away from all the lava and that could only be an improvement.
Vaulting into the air, he grasped the end of the cord, skillfully pulling himself up and out of Anakin's range. He used the resulting momentum to swing in a long arc, knowing Anakin wouldn't be far behind. He didn't care... he needed to bide some time, to get his former Padawan to a safer area.
And then maybe he would find a way to bring him back.
Several agonizing moments later, he let go, landing in a crouch atop the building's roof. The locale was not what he had hoped: surrounding the pebbled surface were belching steam vents, guaranteed to deliver a burn as painful as that of the lava's.
"This just keeps getting better and better," he murmured.
"It seems so."
The Jedi whirled, immediately sensing the brief interlude had done nothing to ease the other man's temper - a fact that was confirmed when he took a swipe at his head.
"It's not too late," Obi-wan tried again. "Despite what you think, we can still make things right."
"That is one point on which we agree," Anakin growled. "I expect my new Empire will bring about many good things."
In that instant, the Jedi Master finally understood - his long-time friend was gone. All he could do was honor Anakin's memory by protecting the children he had loved so deeply before the Galaxy shattered. He needed to win this final battle. For Luke and Leia, for Padmé.
For Anakin.
Clenching his jaw, Obi-wan blocked the latest strike, and this time, returned it with one of his own.
Anakin quirked an eyebrow, twisting his once-handsome features into something unrecognizable. "Ah, this is more like it. Now my victory will be even more satisfying."
The two men fell easily into the familiar rhythm of battle. Upwards, downwards, across... no matter the direction, a cerulean saber was there to parry the other. Years of dueling allowed them to anticipate each other's every move - something that seemed to increasingly frustrate Anakin. Through the Force, Obi-wan could feel him feeding his rage, deepening his connection to the dark side. The once-skilled moves began to grow more daring, the deflections more careless.
...and finally, Obi-wan knew the moment had come.
He sliced through Anakin's left arm and thigh, the sensation causing his stomach to roil and churn. He watched helplessly as his former Padawan flailed before falling backwards... directly onto a nearby steam vent.
"No-"
The warning came too late as the vent erupted, engulfing Anakin completely. Patches of skin instantly bubbled into blisters, completely peeling away in others. Obi-wan slowly sank to his hands and knees, expelling the meager contents of his stomach...
...and when he looked back, Anakin Skywalker was gone.