Padme stormed into their quarters just after Luke and Leia locked up the holocron and put it away. "The nerve of him! Does he take us for fools or is it the way of the sith to think you are obviously much smarter than everyone else?" she snapped picking up some of her things and throwing them into crates carelessly.
Luke and Leia looked at each other then knowing what they had to do.
"What happened Padme? What made them call for emergency evacuation?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We've received a transmission from a man claiming to be Anakin Skywalker desperately trying to make contact with his wife. I shudder to think of what would have happened if I hadn't been there when it was received!" She said.
"This isn't something foolish Padme, he's trying to flush you out of your hiding spot so that he can make a move. It's a military tactic that I taught him," Obi-Wan told her. "I don't suggest we go very far from here," he said. He was hating himself for using this turn of events to manipulate her. "Perhaps we should go someplace he would not think to look for us," he told her.
"Can we go home Mom?" I'm not feeling very well," Leia asked hugging herself tightly.
"Vader wouldn't be expecting us to go home. He'll expect for us to hide not go into public," Luke said.
"I agree. The best place to hide is within a crowd," Obi-Wan told her.
Padme looked over at her children knowing the turmoil they were going through. They haven't been home in over a year. But how could they go back now that Vader knew they were alive? She rubbed her arms as though the temperature had declined drastically. "I don't know," she said. "The lake house was his too. He would think of it," she told them.
"Please Mom, we can't keep running from planet to planet, not now," Leia begged pretending that she was shivering.
Obi-Wan hated this. He felt sick at deceiving her like this. But they had to do it. They had to trap Vader if they were to attempt to bring Anakin back. He just prayed to the force that Vader wouldn't hurt them before they could bind him. It was dangerous what the three jedi were about to do, it had only been done once thousands of years ago. It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse. But in the end it was a fair trade. Obi-Wan had something Vader wanted. Vader had something that they wanted. He only prayed that the twins could pull it off.
Padme sighed before giving in. "Fine, but we're bringing Han and Chewie with us. I want the security on full alert," she told them.
Luke and Leia hugged her tightly. "Thanks Mom!" they chimed before rushing off to inform Han of their new destination.
Padme hugged herself again. "I don't like this. I don't like this one bit," she said.
"It wont always be like this Padme. You'll see. I can sense a shift in the force coming soon," Obi-Wan told her.
"I hope you're right Obi-Wan. I really do," Padme whispered.
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Han waited to hear from the Skywalkers and General Kenobi to know if they were ready. He didn't expect a hand to cover his mouth and the two Skywalker twins to look at him.
"We need your help Han," Luke said.
"We're taking you up on your offer," Leia told him.
"It's top secret," Luke said.
"For it to work, we need your complete cooperation," Leia said.
"Alright you've got my attention," Han said slowly.
"We're returning to the lake house. We're setting a trap for our father," Luke told him.
"He's looking for us, that's what this emergency evacuation is for," Leia told him.
"Your mother isn't going to like this," Han told them.
"Here's where you fit in," Luke said.
"We need to you let our father into the lake house when he arrives," Leia told him.
"Follow him, but be careful, he can sense when he's being followed," Luke instructed.
"At the first chance you get, stun him, don't shoot him," Leia instructed.
"Then you'll help us move him," Luke said.
"I will put up force binds around him," Leia said.
"He'll be rendered harmless, but you'll need to watch him as we prepare," Luke told him.
"What is it you're going to do?" Han asked.
"We're going to save him," the twins said quietly but confidently.
"I'm not sure that I like this plan," Han told them.
"It's our only hope," Leia told him.
"This is dangerous you know," Han said.
"We're the only ones who can do it. We have to try," Luke told him.
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"Lord Vader, we've received a message from Boba Fett, the Millennium Falcon has just entered the system of Naboo," Admiral Piett said when he approached the sith lord.
Vader turned o him then. "Prepare a course to Naboo. I will deal with these rebels myself," he said.
"At once My Lord," Piett said walking away to give the orders.
Vader watched the darkness of space. It was foolish of her to return to Naboo. It was as though perhaps she wanted to be found. But Vader knew better than to think that. Kenobi would be with them no doubt. He would need leverage to get them on board the Executor. He would not let them out of his sight once he had them. They will soon come to learn their place. Finally he will be able to kill the Emperor and declare himself Emperor. He was after all second in command. Soon he will have peace over the galaxy. Under his new rule the rebel alliance will finally be crushed. He knew that his wife was a part of the rebel alliance, with her by his side, he could flush out the leaders and crush them for all. Yes, there will be peace throughout the galaxy.
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Han landed the Millennium Falcon in the hanger next to Varykino, the Skywalker family home. Years ago Bail Organa had a hanger built into the side of the mountain next to Padme's lake house. From there there was a secret passage into the house itself. Padme lead the group through the secret passage and stopped at the hidden door into the house and pulled back a brick to press the code into the system. After the code was entered the door slid out and to the side and the group walked through it, their belongings trailing behind them. Once they were inside the door slid shut becoming a fireplace once again.
"Home!" Leia called plopping down onto a couch and hugged a pillow. "I missed being here," she said.
Luke plopped down on the second couch and spread his arms along the back of it. "Welcome to Varykino Han, Chewie," he said.
"So this is where you grew up huh," Han said giving the place a good look around. "Nice."
"We've only been here short periods of time," Padme told him rubbing her arms. "It's cold in here," she added.
"I'll start the fire," Obi-Wan offered.
Padme shook her head. "It's late, I think I'll retire," she said.
"Are you okay Mom?" Leia asked.
Padme plastered a smile on her face for her children's sake. "I'm fine, just tired that's all," she told them and then kissed both Luke's and Leia's cheeks. "Don't stay up too late okay," she said before heading up to her room.
Obi-Wan watched her go and waited until he couldn't sense her anymore before turning to the twins. "Okay lets see what else that holocron says," he said.
Luke jumped up and instantly began rummaging through one of the creates before crying "ah ha!" and stood up holding the holocron. He sat down next to Leia and together they opened it up.
Han watched as the holocron opened and words began swimming around them. Whatever they were doing had to have been jedi business. "Ah, Chewie and I will just work on making this place secure then," he said.
"You can go ahead and do that then," Obi-Wan told him.
"Han, don't forget what we talked about," Luke called after him when he began to leave the room with Chewie.
Han remembered. He remembered all too well. It didn't mean that he would make things easy for Vader. No he wasn't going to let Vader have the chance to get to them.
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"Bantha drop!" Luke called jumping off of the railing of the veranda, tucking himself into a ball and dropping into the lake creating a large splash spraying Leia in the face.
"Luke you nerf!" Leia called shoving him when he emerged from under the water next to her.
Luke grinned at her. "You're just jealous cause you can't make a big splash like that," he told her.
"Oh yes, I'm jealous of you. You can't even keep your force binds steady!" Leia told him.
"You're ability to use the force is not supposed to be a contest Padawans," Obi-Wan called down to them.
Both twins looked up at him then. "Why don't you ever swim with us Ben?" they asked.
"I don't swim," Obi-Wan said crossing his arms.
"When was the last time you did go for a swim?" Padme asked as she came out on the veranda and sat on the railing.
"When I had to. It was on Dayylia during the clone wars. We had to escape a bad situation," Obi-Wan told her.
"Anakin was with you," Padme said.
"It was Anakin's idea. He dragged me into too many things to name," Obi-Wan told her.
Padme smiled faintly. Memories of how Anakin used to be were always bittersweet. The times that she and Anakin were together were always the happiest times of her life, that all changed when she became pregnant. She couldn't get the murderous glint in his eye out of her mind. She couldn't remember him or talk about him without remembering how easily he had turned on her. She looked over to the water into where Luke and Leia swam splashing water into each other's faces. Every day she thanked the powers that be that she had them. She could have lost them the same day that she lost Anakin. And that was because of Anakin. Because of Vader.
"What if coming back here was a mistake?" she asked.
"Look at Luke and Leia, they haven't thought about Vader since we've been here," Obi-Wan told her.
Padme bit her lip. She hated Vader. She hated everything about him. She hated the way he scared her. Padme Amidala was never scared. But Vader scared her. "I hate this Obi-Wan. The Alliance should never have sent them to Coruscant," she told him.
"They would have found out eventually Padme. But Luke was right, we should have told them sooner. We should have told them before they went on that mission," Obi-Wan said.
"It was better when they believed that their father was a hero not a homicidal maniac," Padme told him.
"They know what they have to do now. They're the only ones who can do it," Obi-Wan said.
"They shouldn't have to do that. I don't understand why you and Yoda can't team up," Padme said.
"The twins' midi chlorian count is just as high as Anakin's. They're the only ones who could pull it off," Obi-Wan told her.
"I don't like it Obi-Wan. I don't want them to fight him," Padme said.
"They will do what they must whether we like it or not," Obi-Wan told her.
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Vader watched from his hiding spot as the twins played in the water. From his hiding spot he could see and hear everything. Getting into Varykino was easy. Too easy. He frowned as he thought about that. He could tell that something was up. If he had just walked into a trap there would be a lot more guards around ready to blast him. But so far all he saw were his family, Kenobi, another man and a wookiee. No staff. Soon he will make his move. He knew exactly what he was going to do.
He watched as his wife slid off of the railing and undid the tie to her robe before shrugging it off revealing her swim suit. She bent and placed it on a nearby bench before joining the twins in the water. He would make his move tonight when she was alone.
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"Remember, let the force flow through you. Remember the code. There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no chaos; there is harmony. There is no death; there is the Force," Obi-Wan instructed as he and the twins stood out on the veranda.
The twins took their different stands each gripping their lightsabers tightly. Finally Obi-Wan gave the signal. Leia made the first move taking the offensive. Luke quickly blocked her blow and sent another. Green clashed with purple as the twins fought each other. It was like a dance, each move was graceful.
Obi-Wan stood back on the sideline as the twins practiced their lightsaber skills. They each had Anakin's Skills and determination. But they had Padme's patience. Something Anakin lacked. They were the future of the jedi. Even Master Yoda saw it. They would rebuild what their father destroyed.
Obi-Wan wasn't a fool though. He knew that they were being watched closely. He could feel the dark presence. He knew that Vader was here. But what unnerved him was the fact that Vader was hiding. He thought about warning Padme. But then he thought about the plan. They wanted Vader here. If Padme knew she would force them to escape and they would loose their chance to bring Anakin back.
Obi-Wan was taken out of his musings when Luke mad an amazing leap disarming Leia in the process. "I think it is time for our studies," Obi-Wan said standing up. "That was a good tactic Luke, your father once used that one on me. Leia, always keep an open mind and you will be able to sense your opponents next move," he said.
"Yes Master," the twins said as Luke deactivated his lightsaber and Leia called hers back to her.
"Come, we have some studies to work on. You had your fun for the day, now it's time for some real work. I think some meditation would be first on the list," Obi-Wan said. Leia groaned.
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Padme rubbed her neck as she walked into her bedroom to retire for the night. She frowned at how dark the room was. She normally kept the lights on in here. She rubbed her neck again feeling cold all of a sudden. Was coming home a mistake? Luke and Leia seemed to be feeling better now that they were home. It was as though the thoughts of Vader left their minds as they practiced the lightsaber skills before disappearing. She was grateful for Obi-Wan being here. She somehow felt safer, especially with Han and Chewie here as well petrolling the house. But she couldn't shake the feeling of dread from her. She no longer felt safe. She knew that it was only a matter of time before Vader found them. And what then? What would he do to them? She hugged her self closely as she moved about the room. She couldn't shake her fear of the dark anymore and switched on the lights.
"I'm surprised that you felt brave enough to return here. It never occurred to you that I had Naboo watched closely after you shot me."
Padme froze and looked around the room wondering where he was hiding, but couldn't find him. Instinctively she moved towards her desk to get her blaster.
"It's not there. You'll never find it," Vader told her. "You must be foolish if you think I'd let you try that trick again," he said.
"What do you want?" Padme asked searching for something she could use as a weapon. She wasn't prepared for a black gloved hand to cover her mouth and to be pulled backwards against somebody.
"What do you think I want," Vader seethed in her ear.
"Please just leave us alone," Padme begged.
"You know I can't do that," Vader told her tightening his grip on her when she tried to get away. He twisted her around to face him. "You will learn your place soon," he told her roughly.
Padme prayed that Obi-Wan would sense Vader and come in here soon to help her. She couldn't fight him, he was too strong. She knew that he would kill her and take the twins. She had to stop him. They had to stop him. Somehow he had to get out of here. That's when she remembered. Han and Chewie were petrolling the house. She opened up her mouth to scream but Vader quickly punched her in the face to keep her quiet. Padme looked up at him in fear. Her jaw stung in unbearable pain.
"Don't try that again," Vader told her.
Padme looked at him hard then. "What are you going to do to me, kill me," she said challengingly.
Vader smirked. Padme hated that smirk. "No, I have better plans. My first task is to teach you where your place is," he told her.
Padme knew that it was useless to fight him but she had to try. She had to get her kids and get out of here fast. At the first opportunity, she twisted herself out of his grasp and began to bolt. But Vader caught her before she could reach the door and threw her on the bed.
"When will you get it through your head that there is no escaping this time?! You belong to me and it's time you started acting like it!" Vader told her forcefully forcing himself on top of her.
"Let me go!" she cried fighting him as he began ripping her dress. She couldn't believe that this was happening. She closed eyes not wanting to see his face and continued to fight.
"You're going to have to start getting used to this, Fighting me is only going to make things more difficult," Vader told her using more force.
"Stop! Please, you're hurting me!" Padme cried.
Vader grew angry as she continued fighting him and he thought of her out on the Veranda with Kenobi and he made a connection. The fact that she wouldn't look at him gave away her guilt and he hit her again. "You want Kenobi don't you! Just what have you and he been up to?! You've been carrying on with him behind my back haven't you?!" he yelled.
"No!" Padme cried.
Vader hit her again. "You're a lier!" he seethed coming back down on her with more force. He didn't notice when someone came into the room. He didn't sense the blaster aimed at him. He didn't anticipate being hit with a stunning bast. By the time he heard the sound of the blaster being fired, it was too late and he fell on top of Padme completely still.
Han rushed over to the bed where Padme was scrambling her way out from under her husband's weight eager to get as far away from him as she could. Han put away his blaster and pulled Vader off of Padme fully, dropping him on the floor as Obi-Wan, Luke and Leia ran into the room.
The three jedi quickly became alarmed at Padme's torn dress. And instantly Obi-Wan pulled Padme over to him who began to shake in uncontrollable sobs.
"It's over now Padme. He's not going to hurt you anymore," Obi-Wan told her. He looked over at the twins. "Get him into another room and bind him before he wakes up," he ordered nodding to where Vader lay on the floor.
"I expected him to bring an army," Leia said as she and Luke bent down to pick Vader up both struggling with his weight.
"Force he's heavy!" Luke called. "Han help us," he asked.
"Sure thing Kid," Han said with Obi-Wan's nod. He walked over and helped the twins carry Vader out of the room leaving Obi-Wan and Padme alone.
"We can't stay here anymore," Padme said.
"We'll leave in the morning if that is your wish," Obi-Wan told her secretly praying that Luke and Leia would succeed.
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Vader seethed as he fought against the force binds that held him to the bed. He couldn't believe that he had fallen for this trap. Apparently those twins were a lot smarter than he gave them credit for and powerful. They would make great siths. He only had to get out of these binds.
"The more you fight the stronger they get," a male voice said from the corner of the room. Vader looked over there to see a cocky man slumped lazily in a chair with his feet propped up on the table.
"I should know, I've been on the receiving end of Leia's force binds. That kid's feisty. We argue a lot but I know she likes me," whoever he was said cockily and grinned when Vader growled. "You know I have ample opportunity to torment you and there isn't a damned thing you can do to me. I like that. Although, I'm not going to do it. Luke is a great kid, helped me out of some jams in the past. Not to mention he's good at fixing my ship for me. I'd do anything for those kids. I'm not going to do anything to upset them," he said.
Vader said nothing, he would have the opportunity to torture the cocky pilot. All he had to do was escape these binds. He turned his head to the door as he felt someone approaching. He watched as Luke and Leia walked in. Luke was dressed in his old jedi robes and Leia wore a slinky black leather outfit. Vader noticed the way the cocky pilot looked at Leia and he seethed.
"Han, you can leave now," Luke said.
"Fine by me, just do me a favor, hurt him kid," Han said and as he walked past Leia he nodded. "Although save some for me Princess," he added sending Vader a cheeky grin.
Vader watched as Leia's eyes followed him before they turned to him. "What are you going to do to me now?" he demanded.
Luke and Leia said nothing as they walked into the room instep with the other. They split up when they approached the bed, Luke on one side, Leia on the other. Luke remained standing, but Leia sat on the edge of the bed. She brushed some of his hair back. "You've hurt so many, but no one more than our mother," she told him. She then slapped him hard snapping his face in the other direction. "I've wanted to do that for a long time," she said standing up.
"Leia, it's not the jedi way," Luke reminded her.
Leia acted as if she hadn't heard her brother. "Part of me believes that you don't deserve what we're about to do, yet the other part tells me that it's the right thing," she said.
Vader looked her in the eye. "And what are you about to do?" he demanded.
"We're going to save you," Luke told him.
Vader laughed. "Save me from what? Two jedi wannabes?" He said scornfully.
"No," Leia said coolly, "from yourself."
"I don't need to be saved," Vader spat.
"You're wrong," Luke said. "The dark side has taken possession of you, we're going to exorcise if from you completely," he told him.
Vader laughed at that. "Foolish! It will never work. You'll come to see that soon when you too become a sith," he told them.
"That is the dark side talking," Luke said.
He and Leia walked over to the table and scooted themselves on it, sitting cross legged. They then slowly began to press their hands together palms flat against each other. They closed their eyes and focused on the force. Vader watched wide eyed as the force cackled around them like electricity and they began to float off of the table. His body flew up from the bed as a bright light burst forth and their force signatures became one. Suddenly Vader was forced to relive his entire life this time with the twins living it with him. Then he began to feel as though he were being ripped in two. It was torture and he screamed.
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Obi-Wan paced in front of the fireplace as he heard Vader's screams echoing through the lake house. He could feel the force cackling. He knew that it had begun. He hoped that Luke and Leia knew what they were doing. He turned to where Padme sat curled up on one of the couches staring fixedly into the fire. She still wore the dress that Vader had torn when he tried to rape her. Luke and Leia should have told her their plan. They should have prepared their mother. But he knew why they did it. Padme would have never gone along with it.
"I'm sorry Padme," he said sitting down across from her. "I knew what they were planning. They are the only ones who can bring Anakin back. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you," he said.
Padme didn't say anything. She continued to stare into the fire pretending that he wasn't here, pretending that she didn't hear her husband's screams.
Obi-Wan sighed and hung his head. They had to do it. It had to work. It couldn't be impossible for Anakin to come back to them. But would he ever be the same? Would Anakin ever truly be back? He rubbed the back of his neck and felt the force bond start to open up. He could feel through the force that Anakin was fighting to break free. But he also felt the dark side trying to smother him.
"Please let this work," He said.
The fire was beginning to die out when the screams began to subside. Obi-Wan held his breath. He prayed to the force that it had worked.