Hoth: One Day later:

Padme entered Leia and Mara's Quarters, To see Luke, Han and Mara all present along with Leia.

Padme then spoke, "Vima is helping Chewie with the Falcon so I thought that I would take the opportunity to answer the questions that the two of you have."

Han stood up and spoke, "Mara and I will take our leave."

Padme shook her head, "If the two of you are going to be involved with my children in the manner that I have observed, It is better that you know what kind of family you're becoming a part of."

Han nodded as he sat down.

Padme then looked at Luke and spoke, "You're supposed to be in the Med Center."

"I took the pain pills and I'm fine mom. I'm just gonna take it easy for a few days. I'm fine."

"You are most certainly your father's son Luke," said Padme with a smile.

Luke nodded as Leia spoke, "So we're going to hear the story of how our Father turned to the Dark Side right?"

Padme nodded as she breathed in deeply, "This is a hard story to tell. I guess that you can say that it all began thirty years ago," stated Padme.

Padme then led her children through the moments on Tattooine where she had met their father at the age of nine. She told them of their Grandmother who was among one of the wisest women that she had ever had the privilege of meeting.

Luke and Leia followed their father and mother in the past as they flew to Coruscant together followed by Anakin's destruction of the Droid Control Ship.

Then, Ten years later, They followed their parents to Tattooine where Anakin held his mother in her final moments of life.

They followed their parents through the Execution Arena on Geonosis as well as the dreadful battle that followed. The twins listened as Padme described their secret wedding with a slight bit of happiness at the memory.

She then looked at her children and was silent for a moment as tears poured out of her eyes.

She then spoke, "Then one day, It was right before the ending of the war when I told him that I was pregnant."

"With us?" asked Luke.

Padme nodded, "It was the happiest moment of his life, you should have seen him. I still can see his face during that very moment. I never saw him happier, that is aside from the moment that he held Vima in his arms as a newborn."

Padme then spoke, "He had a nightmare that very night of me dying in childbirth.

He was determined that he wouldn't let the stupid dream come true like the dreams of his mother. He had the nightmares of my death on several different nights, They drove him mad to the point of obsession."

Luke frowned, "To the point that he was looking for ways to save you?"

Padme nodded, "At the same time a man that he highly trusted, Told him that he had the power to save me from death."

"You mean Palpatine?" asked Leia.

Padme nodded, "Palpatine preyed upon your father Leia, He befriended him at the age of nine and influenced him way to much. He took advantage of the fact that your Father needed someone to confide in and, tragically he was that person."

"How could he have trusted the monster?" asked Leia.

"He was very good at hiding his true nature. I even trusted him for many years. The only people that never trusted him were Bail Organa and Mon Mothma."

Leia frowned, "I-I had no idea."

Padme nodded as she continued her story, "Palpatine revealed his true nature to Anakin right after the death of General Grievous. An hour or so later, Jedi Master Mace Windu led several Jedi Masters to the Senate Rotunda where they attempted to arrest Palpatine and he fought them."

"Is that when they learned that he was Sidious?" asked Leia.

Padme nodded, "Mace Windu had him defeated, However When Anakin arrived he had the choice between saving Palpatine or Master Windu and he ended up betraying Master Windu in an effort to keep me alive."

"I never even knew that that was how he died Mom," stated Luke.

Padme grimly nodded, "He told me at one point during our time together. Then Order Sixty Six was issued and, he slaughtered all of the Jedi at the Jedi Temple. After that, he left for Mustafar where he went to slaughter the Separatist Leaders."

Padme then breathed in deeply as she got to the part of the story that she dreaded the most.

"Obi-Wan visited me the following day and told me what he saw on the Recordings in the Jedi Temple. He witnessed your father killing the younglings and he was determined to find him. I immediately headed to Mustafar to find him with 3PO as my copilot. Obi-Wan at the same time snuck onboard our ship."

Luke noticed the tears on his mother's face as she continued, "We argued, He saw Obi-Wan and accused me of betraying him. He choked me and I passed out. While I was out, R2 and 3PO carried me onboard of my ship and Obi-Wan boarded and flew me to Polis Massa where I gave birth to the two of you with Anakin hot on our trail."

Leia frowned as Padme spoke, "After giving birth to the two of you, I knew that he wouldn't stop until he found me. So, I simply entrusted both of your lives to Obi-Wan and Bail.

After that, He took me in chains to his cruiser. I tried to escape once and that is when he welded the collar around my neck. He was afraid of losing me that he did unspeakable things so that he wouldn't lost me."

Leia cringed and spoke, "Did he ever force himself on you?"

Padme shook her head, "No he wouldn't ever do that to any woman."

Leia was silent as Padme continued, "I had Vima when I was thirty five and Vima found a way to escape three years ago and so that is the story and as you can see it isn't a simple thirst for power that made him into the monster that you all know."

Leia nodded, "I feel different about him already, I mean it is hard to imagine Vader having a mother but hearing this tragic story makes me understand what brought him to the Dark Side."

Padme nodded and spoke, "Nothing is ever what it seems. Never just make assumptions."


Moments later, the door opened, revealing Vima and Chewie.

"Are you ready for lunch?" asked Chewie.

Padme nodded as Leia spoke, "Mom would you ever consider being with him again?"

Padme nodded, "The door is always open. All he has to do is give up the Darkness and the Empire and I am his."

Leia nodded in silence.

Luke then took Mara's hand as Padme smiled, They look like a nice couple thought Padme with a smile.

She watched as Luke and Mara led her into the Cafeteria. She saw a group of four young Pilots look at Luke and immediately embrace him.

Padme noticed Luke wave her over and immediately approached him as he spoke, "This is my Mother. Mom meet the good men of Rogue Squadron."

The four men eagerly took Padme's hand and explained to her how amazing their three years of flying with Luke had been.

The group then left as Padme spoke, "They seem to be quite the Characters."

Luke nodded, "I know and, they are pretty entertaining. Wedge, I have been flying with since Yavin. Hobbie and the others I've known for a few years too. Join them in the bar and you will really see some cheap entertainment."

Padme shook her head, "I can imagine. Don't tell me that you actually drink Son."

"Of course I drink."

Padme frowned in response.

She then took her trey of food and followed her family to a nearby table. She noticed Obi-Wan joining the group as Leia spoke, "Why is it that you look so young Mom? I mean when I am your age I want to look just like you."

Padme smiled, "Look at my plate. Do you see any meat?"

Leia shook her head as Padme spoke, "I quit eating meat when I was around fifteen and the sixteen years of no exposure to sunlight also helped me in terms of staying young in terms of my appearance."

"You were twenty seven when Luke and Leia were born right?" asked Vima.

Padme nodded, "Yes that is correct Vima."

"So that means that you're forty six right?"

Padme nodded, "Thank you for reminding me that I am old."

"Our Dad is younger?" asked Luke.

Padme nodded, "You seem surprised."

"He has a lot of grey hair."

"I thought that only his face looked young but it still has that hardened look. At least that was his appearance three years ago."

"I couldn't see a lot under the hood until the point that he was standing over me but he looked fairly grey," stated Mara.

Padme shook her head, "He probably started drinking after I left. Now that is something that will turn you into an Old Man," said Padme as she looked at Luke with a smile.

Padme then looked at Mara who was at Luke's side. There was no doubt that their relationship was now official after Bespin. Padme decided that she would have to have a woman to woman talk with Mara now that she was dating her son and give her some motherly advice in the art of dealing with Men.

Padme smiled and spoke, "After we eat I would like to have a talk with Mara."

Luke nodded as Mara looked at her with a nervous smile.


After lunch, Padme noticed Mara follow her, "You said that you wanted to talk to me Padme didn't you?"

Padme nodded, 'Follow me Mara we'll talk in my quarters."

Mara nodded as she walked with Padme in silence before approaching the chambers that Padme shared with Vima.

Padme then spoke, "So you and Luke are now a couple Mara."

Mara nodded uneasily, "I know that it was kind of a jump seeing that we've been together for such a short time."

Padme shook her head, "War makes things happen a lot faster. The reason that I called you here is because of the fact that you don't have a mother. All I can say is that as a Mother, I am taking it upon myself to give you the motherly talk that your mother would have given you."

"Motherly talk?" asked Mara.

Padme nodded, "What you and Luke just started can be so many things. Do it wrong and it will end with regret and agony as well as bad blood and torn relationships. Do it right and the rewards, They will be greater than you can imagine."

"You mean our relationship?"

Padme nodded, "You are both very young and there is going to be a lot of pressure especially from Luke for you to go all of the way with him."

Padme then paused before speaking, "When I talk about all of the way, I mean sex."

Mara frowned, "He loves me."

"Yes he does, At least it seems that way. If the man truly loves you Mara, He will respect your choices. I am right now giving you this talk without considering Luke to be my son. Right now though, I am just treating him like any other man."

"You mean to say that this talk isn't for him?"

"That is exactly right, This talk is for you Mara and, for your future."

Mara was in shock, Padme cared about her so much that she was giving her a special talk.

Padme then spoke, "Your body is something that is very special Mara. Your body is for marriage and if Luke can't wait for marriage and tries to pressure you to give yourself to him then break up with him."

Mara nodded, "I-I understand. What if he breaks up with me for saying no."

"Than that means that he lost what he did not deserve. He doesn't matter, you matter."

Mara nodded as Padme spoke, "If you ever need someone to confide in or to talk to, come to me. I am here for you. If you want some guidance in terms of the world that you just entered, make sure that you come to me Mara."

Mara looked at Padme and smiled, "Thank you Padme."

Padme nodded and hugged the young girl with a smile as she left her.


Executor:

Vader stood in his Quarters as he held a simple silver pendant in his hand. The Silver Pendant, Had been worn by his mother everyday during her life under her clothes. He had taken it from her after her death in memory of her. He watched as Piett entered the room and spoke, "We are preparing to Orbit Tattooine Sir."

Vader nodded, "Have the detachment prepared to arrest her."

Piett nodded and spoke, "My Lord can I ask you a question?"

"What do I have against Tattooine?" asked Vader.

Piett nodded as Vader spoke, "I was born a Slave Admiral. My Mother was kidnapped when she was nine years old and sold into slavery. We were sold to Gardulla when I three. I saw things that no child should have ever seen. I used to watch my own mother get raped by her thugs right before my eyes while I was helpless to protect her. I used to see her give my mother to men as payment or let them have her while I was helpless to save her so yes, I have a lot of pain on that Planet."

"Our second Owner wasn't so bad at least she wasn't attacked or anything while she was in his possession. He was actually decent, But, when I was freed I left her behind in slavery to train as a Jedi. When I came back ten years later to free her, She was freed and Married to some Moisture Farmer. Only she was kidnapped by Sandpeople and tortured to death. That is how I found her ate age nineteen and, she died in my arms."

Piett gasped in horror, "I-I am so sorry My Lord."

Vader shook his head, "You're the first man that I have confided in in over twenty years Piett."

"That is your problem, You have never confided in enough people. You need someone Sir, we all do. May I suggest something?"

Vader frowned, "That I visit her grave? How can a piece of dirt like me defile that wonderful woman's grave? I am not her son, I am unworthy of being her son and I am a disgrace to her and to her name."

Piett shook his head, "Perhaps she would say something differently if she was alive. I will go with you so that you can have someone there with you if you need to talk."

Vader nodded, "I will go, after I kill Gardulla."

"Where is her grave?"

"Find information on a Moisture Farmer named Lars, Owen Lars is his name. He's my stepbrother."

"As you wish My Lord," stated Piett.

Vader then looked at Piett and spoke, "Firmus, thank you."

Piett nodded as he left the Dark Lord.

Vader was a hurt man that needed a friend and, he was that friend.


Tattooine:

Vader landed outside of Gardulla The Hutt's Palace as he looked up at the Palace, Various memories and flashbacks of his childhood came to his mind.

He looked at Piett and spoke, "Gather up all of the slaves, We are going to free them after we kill her."

Piett nodded as Vader continued, "Gather up all of her thugs, I have something special planned for them," stated Vader with a smile.

Piett obediently nodded and issued out the orders before sitting down with Vader.

"What are you going to say to her?"

Vader smiled, "She'll know who I am alright. She will know that she caused her death thirty some years ago, believe me she will know her place."

Piett nodded in silence.

Vader watched as large hoards of humans and aliens alike were herded out of the Palace in large groups. He then watched as Gardulla was led towards his Shuttle on her throne by a Squad of Stormtroopers.

Vader watched as Gardulla spoke in Huttese, "You have no right to arrest my Lord Vader."

Vader smiled, "Oh but I do. Enslaving Humans is illegal. Therefore, You are sentenced to Death."

"Death?" asked Gardulla in horror.

Vader nodded as he motioned for the Stormtroopers to leave. He then removed his cloak and spoke, "What is wrong Gardulla? Are you having trouble recognizing your former slave?" asked Vader in Huttese.

Gardulla looked at Vader in horror as she looked upon the yellow eyed man.

Vader then spoke, "You made my childhood a hell. I watched helplessly as my Mother was abused because of you and for that you're condemned to death."

Gardulla trembled as Vader spoke, "I am guessing that you Remember Anakin Skywalker and his mother Shmi."

"Of course I remember Ani. He always did a good job as a child in terms of repairing my droids until that pathetic Toydarian got him then the Jedi got him."

"I once went by the name Anakin Skywalker and, I never forgot you Gardulla."

Vader then raised his hand and released a deadly storm of Force Lightning upon the now horrified slug. He peppered her slowly with lightning with a dark smile as she pleaded for him to stop.

Vader then spoke, "This is all for my mother."

He then charged towards Gardulla with his lightsaber and in a dark rage as flashbacks of his childhood flowed through him, he sliced into her greasy flesh again and again as the Hutt screamed until she died.

He then turned to Piett and spoke, "I will talk to the slaves, Have that corpse tossed into the Palace."

"As you wish Sir."

Vader then approached the large group of soon to be emancipated slaves and spoke, "I have destroyed your Master for good. She is dead."

Vader noticed several smiles in the crowd of slaves as he shared the news.

He then spoke, "Each and every one of you will get some of her money as a pension go and live good lives as freedmen and women."

Vader then noticed a young Officer speak, "What of her thugs My Lord?"

"Have the slaves identify those that mistreated them. Once that is done Lock them in her Palace."

"We are burning the Palace My Lord."

"And they are burning with it," stated Vader with a smile.

Vader then watched, As the Palace was sealed. He then spoke, "Keep it surrounded so that no one gets out of there."

"Yes My Lord," Replied a young Officer as Vader boarded the Shuttle.

Vader looked at Piett and spoke, "Forgive me, You probably think of me as a murderer now."

Piett shook his head, "If it had been my mother, I can't say that I would be any different. I love my mother just as you love yours. I can't condone your actions but, I have no right to condemn you."

Vader nodded and spoke, "What did you find out?"

"Your Stepbrother still lives on the Farm. Do you wish to visit him?"

Vader nodded in silence.

Piett then motioned towards a Speeder, "Do you wish to go alone?"

Vader nodded, "Finish things up here and I will meet you outside of Anchorhead and then we will get out of here."

Piett nodded before reaching into a bag, "I know they won't last long but I picked them out of our Ship's Gardening bay."

Vader looked at the Bundle of Flowers and then at Piett with Gratitude, "Thank You Admiral that was very thoughtful of you."

Piett nodded as Vader drove off.


A short time later, After driving through the Dessert at an insane speed, Vader arrived at the Lars Homestead. He parked his speeder a distance away from their doorway and headed towards the two grave markers that stood not far from the house.

Vader used the Force to conceal his presence as he knelt down at the grave.

"I am sorry that I wasn't strong enough Mom or good enough. It is to late for me to save my own soul. I am lost in darkness, but it doesn't mean that it isn't to late for me to save my children. I will make things right by doing everything for them. Please forgive me Mom."

With that, Vader laid the flowers on his Mother's grave as he cried for a time in shame over his failure to save her as well as all that he had done to his family.

After shedding several tears,Vader got up and left the Homestead, feeling relieved that no one had noticed him. Most likely Owen and Beru were collecting supplies in Anchorhead and it made his visit unnoticed.

Vader then headed towards his Speeder and flew towards Anchorhead.

He soon found his shuttle and boarded without speaking.

Piett looked at him and spoke, "How was it?"

Vader looked at Piett and spoke, "I needed that. It may be to late for me Admiral but I can make sure that my children don't turn out like me. She would want that," stated Vader with a sad smile.


Alright that is it for now. Thank you for reading and reviewing. More will be up soon.

-Fallen Jedi 79