The trip to Serenoo had been a long one. While in reality, the trip had only taken four standard hours, to Anakin it had felt much longer. Dooku had ignored him almost the entire flight, and his guard wouldn't let him leave the small room at the back of the ship in which he had been placed. It was completely empty, devoid of even a bed, forcing him to sit on the ground. But it wasn't the lack of activity that drew out the wait. It was the overwhelming feeling of loss Anakin felt. Schmi wasn't there. She would never be there, and that scared him, a lot. His mom was always there for him to run to when he needed her. She always knew what to say to make him feel better, no matter what the problem was. But she had nothing to say to him now. He felt so lost and alone that he felt like throwing up. And it wasn't only his mother that he yearned for. All of his friends were gone. He would likely never see anyone he was used to meeting ever again. He even missed Greedo, despite the fact that they fought about something stupid every time they met. Everything he understood had suddenly been ripped out of his life. The desert may not be the most pleasant place in the world. It is harsh, hot and relentless. But he could handle it. He had spent his whole life in it. And now, everything is foreign. Dooku is foreign. Serenoo is foreign. He hasn't even seen his new home planet and yet he knows that it will be nothing like Tattooine, or his old life.
And he has long since cried himself dry over that fact by the time they land. Dooku enters his temporary room and ushers him towards the ramp of the ship. Even from in here he can hear the rustle of leaves and the chirping of wildlife outside. A cold breeze blows in from outside, sending Goosebumps down Anakins arms.
"You will walk behind me and follow my lead, do nothing else unless Palpatine or myself permit it" Dooku says as they make their way down the ramp. Anakin is immediately taken aback by the large fortress sprawling out in front of them, Dookus palace. A long walkway lined with large obelisks leads towards the giant structure some distance away. It towers up into the air; one large green window looks down upon those approaching like an eye, judging if they are worthy to enter such an opulent place. Or perhaps it's eyeing potential advisories. For some reason, Anakin can't shake the feeling that the palace is watching him. He averts his eyes, and instead looks at the sights closer to the landing pad.
The walkway is bordered by several large gardens, which house a variety of stunning plants Anakin couldn't ever have imagined to exist. Long sprawling arms of ivy already creep up youthful trees. Well maintained bushes flaunt vibrant flowers of all colors. Delicate white flowers tentatively creep up above the grass and towards the sun. A whole manner of different species of plants sway together in the gentle wind, their rustling almost sounds like whispers. Compared to the desert, it's, well, stunning. There are stone paths leading off the main walkway and into the depths of the gardens. Promising exciting secrets those brave enough to venture forth. He can't help but stare in amazement.
"Master" Dooku says respectfully, snapping Anakin out of his daze.
He looks back towards Dooku to find him kneeling in front of a robed figure, who upon sighting immediately sends shivers down his spine. He is smiling, revealing a set of disgusting yellow teeth, which almost shine against his black clothing. His head is tilted downwards towards Dooku.
"Darth Tyrannous, I see that your escapade was successful" he notes, slowly. Considerably.
Anakin feels rather uncomfortable beside the two Sith. Should he be kneeling? It wasn't right that one of his masters was while he stood. But at the same time he didn't know if he should, so he stands there, trying his best to please as his panic levels rise steadily. That robed figure is so completely terrifying that Anakin can think straight. It's almost as if he can feel the danger inside the man. His presence is as black and rotten as dead fruit, who's putrid sent wafts through the air around him.
"Yes master, though as you can see, the boy will need extensive training" Dooku says as he glances back at Anakin, standing awkwardly behind him.
"Yes" the man Anakin presumes to be Palpatine says slowly, drawing out every letter as he gazes upon him.
Palpatines head tilts forward enough to allow Anakin to see a pair of sickly yellow eyes burrowing into his own. They stare at him with such vicious intensity that he almost turns to run. His blood turns cold. Anakin looks to the ground, to anywhere other than those eyes. But he can still feel them piercing through him. It is almost as though they are examining his thoughts, his very soul. Palpatine is still for a few moments, but slowly he begins to walk towards Anakin. With weak, frail steps he rounds Dooku to stop right in front of him.
His hands are eye level for the young boy, who can see the sharp bones inside jut outwards. Murky blue veins run along milky, dead skin.
"Hello, Anakin. My name is Palpatine, and this" he motions with an arm towards the palace "is your new home" the voice is warm and welcoming, unlike anything he had expected. He feels soft waves of reassurance gently emanate from Palpatine.
His hand reaches out to Anakins shoulder, and squeezes. Like mom always did.
"I'm sure you will find your new accommodations to be most welcoming" he pulls Anakin forward, and leads him down the walkway. Dooku rises to his full height and follows alongside his master.
Anakin looks up at his new masters. Palpatine is gazing down at him affectionately. But those yellow eyes, they cut right into His soul. They're bloodshot, and their rims bleed a red so bright it could rival fire. A fire that might engulf him if he stares for too long.
"Now, there is the matter of your name" Palpatine purrs into anakins ear. "Anakin Skywalker is the name of a slave, and what are slaves, my boy?"
"Um, servants?" Anakin asks hesitantly, not completely sure what his new master expects of him. But Palpatine only laughs and spares Dooku a knowing glance.
"Yes, servants. And what do servants do?" No answer is immediately comes to him. Except the answer that they serve their masters. But that answer seems too obvious to be correct. Palpatine, seemingly aware of his inner struggle, smiles down at him and squeezes his shoulder.
"Yes, they serve the strong" his eyes light up with blazing anticipation "you, my boy, are far too strong to bear the name of a mere slave"
"What do you mean?" Anakin asks with bemusement. His new master was turning out to be really confusing, and one to give unnecessarily long winded explanations.
Palpatine chuckles and his smile turns slick with deadly malice, cutting across wrinkles that twist and distort around his cheeks.
"Don't you think you need a new name? A strong name. With my guidance, a name that people will come to respect" he looks up a the approaching palace, and takes in the chilly evening air with one long, content breadth. His eyes close and he exhales.
"Yes, I can feel it now" his eyes open, and he looks down at Anakin. The fire in his eyes dance around his pupils wildly, bursting with energy. "Vader"
The cold wind rattles against his thick robes, but nothing can break those eyes from Anakin. His new name sends another shiver down his spine. The name of the person he was to become.
"Darth Vader"
