Chapter Eight
Facing the Darkness
Anakin landed the starfighter on Yavin where a celebration was taking place. Leia wrapped her arms around him, but Anakin pulled back looking at her. How could he have not seen it before. She had his mother's bright smile, his determined jaw and the tilt of her shoulders, the determination in her eyes, yet she had the beauty of his Padme. She had the same hair color and eye color and wore her hair in a similar fashion. "Leia, I love my wife," he whispered horsely.
"You love me," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I can feel it."
"Yes, I love you, Leia. Someday we will talk, but not today. Today is a happy day, but I was not the hero here. Luke destroyed the Death Star and before I could take a shot at the evil Darth Vader, Han Solo took him out. He's not dead but he saved Luke's life," Anakin said with a smile, leaning down to brush a fatherly kiss to her forehead.
"Han? Han's still here."
"Yes, Leia. Go talk to him. You'll be surprised at how much he values and cares. Money is not his only love," Anakin said as Leia colored. "We'll talk later, I promise you."
"Thank you, Anakin. For everything."
"Don't mention it, Princess," Anakin said wondering what she had been like as a child.
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"He knows," Anakin whispered to himself not seeing Obi-Wan following behind him. "Darth Vader knows about Luke," he could feel it. Anakin rubbed a hand through his hair in anger and frustration. "I felt it too. We must complete his training. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight can defeat Vader and his Emperor."
"I'm not a Master," Anakin said filled with frustration resentment welled up inside him.
"Have patience, Anakin. It will not be long before the Jedi Council makes you a Master."
"Really, Master? When I get back and tell them that I turned to the Dark Side, that I am a Sith Lord?"
"Anakin, you won't tell it like you have turned. They will understand. Of course, we are going to have to figure out what you are going to do about Padme and the...and Luke," Obi-Wan finished lamely. Anakin narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. Afterall, he didn't know for certain, he just had his suspicions.
"Of course, Master. You know I won't give them up no matter what. I'm of age, I no longer am in your care," Anakin said darkly. "I won my own freedom, and I'll never be a slave to anyone again."
"Are you having trouble accepting Vader?"
"Who wouldn't?" Anakin replied. "That IS NOT MY FATE," he all but screamed.
"We must travel to Dagabah. it's where Master Yoda lives."
"Isn't this all pointless, Master? When I return I'll just take out Dooku and Palpatine. No war. No Empire. Simple."
"If it was as simple as that then you would have already returned. Besides, nothing is that simple. You still haven't learned, have you?"
"Master..."
"Anakin, there must have been some lesson I failed to teach you. Are you so certain you can stop the Empire from forming? You have yet to face your old friend."
"I don't know, Master. It's hard for me to believe he's anything but a good man. But I know Vader couldn't be controlling him since I've never been able to convince the Chancellor of anything it's always the other way around. Everything he's always said has made perfect sense with nothing else ever did. I've been doing alot of thinking. Whose going to believe me when I get back? What if I can't change the past? What if I turn anyway?"
"I don't know, Anakin. I don't want to lose you again," Obi-Wan said his eyes filling with tears.
"Stop crying, padawan," Qui-Gon's voice said before he appeared beside Obi-Wan and Anakin.
"Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked.
"Hello, Ani. I've been watching you for a long time."
"It's not possible for you to exist."
"Haven't I always told both of you to trust in the living force?" he asked. "You have heard me before, have you not Ani?"
Anakin colored remembering hearing Qui-Gon's voice on Tattooine. "I'm---I'm----sorry, Master."
"Anakin, I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think that I was right about you. You know nothing of greed. This is not your destiny, but only you can change it. You couldn't have done it if I had been two seconds later in pulling you through."
"You brought me here?"
"That's right, Ani."
"Bring me back. I want to be with Padme again, in a world that is right."
"Oh, Ani, that world isn't right and you know it."
"It's better than here."
"So it is."
"What do you mean about almost being too late."
"Tell me, Anakin. What were you about to do when you were last in your time?"
"Palpatine wanted me to..." Anakin's mind raced from point A to point C, not needing a B. "He wanted me to destroy Count Dooku."
"My old Master." Anakin kept forgetting that Count Dooku was Quo-Gon's former master just as Qui-Gon was Obi-Wan's former master, just as Obi-Wan was his former Master. Count Dooku had been Master Yoda's former padawan and Qui-Gon's former master.
"When's the last time you slept?" Obi-Wan asked out of nowhere. Anakin avoided his gaze.
"I believe Anakin, that you should answer, my padawan's question." Oh, Sith, why had Qui-Gon said it like that. He made him feel nine years old again and guilty as he had when he had been caught beating up Jixta for calling him a cheat for winning the podrace. Jixta had also been a slave, one that was always picking on him and Kister and he had snapped. Qui-Gon had picked him up so that he was looking into his eyes and Anakin could never remember feeling so small.
"Um, the night Vader told us about his identity."
"Anakin that was two weeks ago."
"Yea. What's that got to do with anything?" Anakin asked defensively.
"Everything, Anakin," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"I can't sleep, Master. I tried but all I could see were the Clones behind me and me leading them toward the Temple. I knew what was coming next and I couldn't bare to watch the Jedi fall, the betrayal that I had caused."
"You must face Vader's memories before we return to Dagabah. For your son, I suggest you face them."
"My padawan's right, Ani. Listen to him."
"Yes, Masters," Anakin said bowing his head.
"I have my own memories to deal with, Anakin," Obi-Wan said sadly. "I failed you."
"No, Master. I failed you."
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Anakin returned to his quarters to pace. "You can do this, Anakin," he told himself. "You've faced everything before, head on. You are no coward. Were you a coward when you were podracing? When you entered the Temple to have them decide your fate? Well, maybe a little scared, but I was nine," he told himself. "Were you afraid of breaking the Jedi Code and married?" he sighed, he was terrified.
Anakin laid down, he was really tired, he had been using the Force to keep him awake and slowly he let the Force flow instead of holding onto it and his eyes got heavier and heavier until his breathing became even.
Anakin saw the Chancellor before him, they were walking side by side. "Chancellor, we have just received a report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous. "
" We can only hope that Master Kenobi is up to the challenge. "
"I should be there with him. "
" It is upsetting to me to see that the Council doesn't seem to fully appreciate your talents. Don't you wonder why they won't make you a Jedi Master? "
"I wish I knew. More and more I get the feeling that I am being excluded from the Council. I know there are things about the Force that they are not telling me. "
" They don't trust you, Anakin. They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. Anakin, you must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force. "
" How do you know the ways of the Force?" Anakin found himself circling the Chancellor like two animals wanting the same prize, they were at war.
"My mentor taught me everything about the Force . . . even the nature of the dark side. "
"You know the dark side?!? "
" Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. (pausing) They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me train you. "
"I won't be a pawn in your political game. The Jedi are my family. "
"Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the dark side of the Force, Anakin, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death. "
" What did you say? "
" Use my knowledge, I beg you . . . "
" You're a Sith Lord! "
ANAKIN ignites his lightsaber.
" I know what has been troubling you . . . Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi . . . a life of significance, of conscience. "
"You're wrong! You don't know anything about me. I am a Jedi."
" Are you going to kill me, Jedi?"
" I would certainly like to. "
" I know you would. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus, makes you stronger. "
ANAKIN raises his lightsaber to PALPATINE's throat. There is a tense moment, then ANAKIN relaxes, and then turns off his lightsaber. He knew he couldn't make this decision alone. He needed Obi-Wan but Obi-Wan was gone, he had to go to the Council, they would know what to do, besides Obi-Wan trusted them. " I am going to turn you over to the Jedi Council. "
"Of course you should. But you're not sure of their intentions, are you? What if I am right and they are plotting to take over the Republic? "
" I will quickly discover the truth of all this. "
" You have great wisdom, Anakin. Know the power of the dark side. The power to save Padme. I am not going anywhere. You have time to decide my fate. Perhaps you'll reconsider and help me rule the galaxy for the good of all . . . " Palpatine sat down watching Anakin leave.
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The Scene changed. Anakin saw Master Windu in front of him, worried about the state of the war. The respected Master smiled briefly as Anakin approached him.
" Master Windu, I must talk to you."
" What is it, Skywalker? We are in a hurry. We have just received word that Obi-Wan has destroyed General Grievous. We are on our way to make sure the Chancellor returns emergency powers back to the Senate. "
" He won't give up his power. I've just learned a terrible truth. I think Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord. "
"A Sith Lord? "
"Yes. The one we have been looking for. "
"How do you know this?"
" He knows the ways of the Force. He has been trained to use the dark side. "
" Are you sure? "
" Absolutely. "
" Then our worst fears have been realized. We must move quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive. "
" Master, the Chancellor is very powerful. You will need my help if you are going to arrest him."
" For your own good, stay out of this affair. I sense a great deal of confusion in you, young Skywalker. There is much fear that clouds your judgment. "
" I must go, Master."
"No. If what you told me is true, you will have gained my trust, but for now remain here. "
"Yes, Master. "
"Wait for us in the Council Chamber until we return."
" Yes, Master. "
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. ANAKIN arrives to see PALPATINE and MACE fighting.
They stop as MACE forces PALPATINE to drop his sword. PALPATINE and MACE start yelling at each other.
"You are under arrest, My Lord. "
": Anakin! I told you it would come to this. I was right. The Jedi are taking over. "
": You old fool. The oppression of the Sith will never return. Your plot to regain control of the Republic is over . . . you have lost . . . "
" No! No! You will die! "
PALPATINE raises his hands, and lightning bolts shoot out. They are blocked by MACE's lightsaber. PALPATINE is pushed back against the window sill.
"He is a traitor, Anakin," Palpatine insists.
" He's the traitor. Stop him! "
" Come to your senses, boy. The Jedi are in revolt. They will betray you, just as they betrayed me. "
": Aarrrrggghhhhh . . . "
": You are not one of them, Anakin. Don't let him kill me. "
'" Aarrrrggghhhhh . . . "
" I am your pathway to power. I have the power to save the one you love. You must choose. You must stop him."
'" Don't listen to him, Anakin. "
" Help me! Don't let him kill me. I can't hold on any longer. Ahhhhhhh . . . ahhhhhhh . . . ahhhhhhh . . . "
MACE pushes PALPATINE out to the edge of the ledge. As the Jedi moves closer, the bolts from Palpatine's hands begin to arch back on him. The Chancellor's face begins to twist and distort. His eyes become yellow as he struggles to intensify his powers.
PALPATINE: screams seemingly weakened," I can't ... I give up. Help me. I am weak ... I am too weak. Don't kill me. I give up. I'm dying. I can't hold on any longer. "
": You Sith disease. I am going to end this once and for all. "
"You can't kill him, Master. He must stand trial. "
" He has too much control of the Senate and the Courts. He is too dangerous to be kept alive. "
" I'm too weak. Don't kill me. Please. "
" It is not the Jedi way . . . "
MACE raises his sword to kill the CHANCELLOR.
" He must live . . . " Anakin argued feeling torn.
"Please don't, please don't . . . "
" I need him . . . "
" Please don't . . . "
" NO!!! "
Just as MACE is about to slash PALPATINE, ANAKIN steps in and cuts off the Jedi's hand holding the lightsaber.
As MACE stares at ANAKIN in shock, PALPATINE springs to life.
The full force of Palpatine's powerful Bolts blasts MACE. He attempts to deflect them with his one good hand, but the force is too great. As blue rays engulf his body, he is flung out the window and falls twenty stories to his death. No more screams. No more moans. PALPATINE lowers his arm.
" Power! Unlimited power! "
His face has changed into a horrible mask of evil. ANAKIN looks on in horror. PALPATINE cackles.
" What have I done? "
ANAKIN sits.
" You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin. Become my apprentice. Learn to use the dark side of the Force. "
" I will do whatever you ask. "
": Good. "
" Just help me save Padme's life. I can't live without her. I won't let her die. I want the power to stop death. "
"To cheat death is a power only one has achieved, but if we work together, I know we can discover the secret. "
ANAKIN kneels before PALPATINE.
" I pledge myself to your teachings. To the ways of the Sith. "
"Good. Good. The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth . . . Vader. "
" Thank you. my Master. "
" Rise, Darth Vader. "
Palpatine moves over to his desk.
PALPATINE is putting on his dark cloak: he is now fully DARTH SIDIOUS.
": Because the Council did not trust you, my young apprentice, I believe you are the only Jedi with no knowledge of this plot. When the Jedi learn what has transpired here, they will kill us, along with all the Senators. "
"I agree. The Jedi's next move will be against the Senate. "
" Every single Jedi, including your friend Obi-Wan Kenobi, is now an enemy of the Republic. You understand that, don't you? "
" I understand, Master. "
": We must move quickly. The Jedi are relentless; if they are not all destroyed, it will be civil war without end. First, I want you to go to the Jedi Temple. We will catch them off balance. Do what must be done, Lord Vader. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. Only then will you be strong enough with the dark side to save Padme. "
": What about the other Jedi spread across the galaxy? "
"Their betrayal will be dealt with. After you have killed all the Jedi in the Temple, go to the Mustafar system. Wipe out Viceroy Gunray and the other Separatist leaders. Once more, the Sith will rule the galaxy, and we shall have peace. "
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Anakin didn't want to see anymore. He had seen enough. He had single handedly made Palpatine into the Emperor he was today. But the memories, Vader's memories continued. He saw himself leading the Clones to attack the Temple. He saw himself heading for the Temple beacon.
"I want access to the security beacon," he stated darkly.
"On whose authority?"
"By Order of the Supreme Chancellor," Anakin, the newly knighted Darth Vader replied.
"The Chancellor does not have that authority. Only members of the Jedi Council have that authority."
"I AM on the Council," Darth Vader replied.
"Allow me to rephrase that, Knight Skywalker. Only Masters on the Council have that authority."
Darth Vader used the Force to lift her up and impaled her with his lightsaber, the look of shock and betrayal was evident on her face as her life force died away. "The Council is no longer in control." Darth Vader looked around as Jedi Knights and padawans alike prepared for a fight. Their faces blurred together as he killed them all with little difficulty but the haunted look on their faces remained. He entered a room where younglings dwelled.
"There are so many of them, Master Skywalker. What shall we do?" Quickly, Darth Vader struck them down and disappeared looking for more lambs for the slaughter. The Empire was born. On the death of the Jedi, the Empire was born.
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" Padme, I saw your ship . . . "
They embrace.
"Oh, Anakin! "
": It's all right, you're safe now. What are you doing out here? "
"I was so worried about you. Obi-Wan told me terrible things. "
" What things? "
"He said you have turned to the dark side . . . that you killed younglings. "
" Obi-Wan is trying to turn you against me. "
": He cares about us. "
" Us??! "
": He knows . . . He wants to help you. "
" Is Obi-Wan going to protect you? He can't ... he can't help you. He's not strong enough. "
"Anakin, all I want is your love."
"Love won't save you, Padme. Only my new powers can do that. "
" At what cost? You are a good person. Don't do this. "
"I won't lose you the way I lost my mother! I've become more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of and I've done it for you. To protect you. "
": Come away with me. Help me raise our child. Leave everything else behind while we still can. "
": Don't you see, we don't have to run away anymore. I have brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor. I can overthrow him, and together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be. "
" I don't believe what I'm hearing . . . Obi-Wan was right. You've changed. "
": I don't want to hear any more about Obi-Wan. The Jedi turned against me. Don't you turn against me. "
": I don't know you anymore. Anakin, you're breaking my heart. I'll never stop loving you, but you are going down a path I can't follow. "
" Because of Obi-Wan? "
"Because of what you've done . . . what you plan to do. Stop, stop now. Come back! I love you. "
" Liar! "
PADME turns around and. sees OBI-WAN standing in the doorway of the Naboo Cruiser.
" No! "
"You're with him. You've betrayed me! You brought him here to kill me! "
"
"NO! Anakin. I swear ... I ... "
ANAKIN reaches out, and PADME grabs her throat as she starts to choke.
" Let her go, Anakin. "
": What have you and she been up to? "
"Let her go! "
ANAKIN releases his grip on the unconscious PADME and she crumples to the ground.
"You turned her against me. "
"You have done that yourself. "
" You will not take her from me. "
ANAKIN throws off his cloak.
" Your anger and your lust for power have already done that. "
OBI-WAN flings off his cloak.
OBI-WAN continued, " You have allowed this Dark Lord to twist your mind until now . . . until now you have become the very thing you swore to destroy. "
They circle each other until OBI-WAN is near PADME. He places his hand on her.
" Don't lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice, freedom, and security to my new Empire. "
"Your new Empire? "
" Don't make me kill you. "
"Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic ... to democracy. "
" If you're not with me, you're my enemy. "
" Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must. " Obi-Wan ignites his lightsaber.
" You will try. "
Darth Vader ignites Anakin's lightsaber.
Darth Vader lashes out at OBI-WAN, and they begin a ferocious sword fight. Darth Vader throws CONTAINERS at OBI-WAN using the Force.
They work their way off the landing platform and into the main entry hallway. ANAKIN kicks OBI-WAN, and OBI-WAN drops to a lower level.
ARTOO BEEPS his concern and rushes to the unconscious PADME's aid.
Darth Vader and OBI-WAN move their fight toward the main control center. As the laser swords fly, bits of the hallway are cut up. OBI-WAN and Darth Vader jumps and uses every trick in the Jedi book.
1
The fighting is intense. OBI-WAN is on the defensive as he jumps up on the table view screen in the center of the room.
": Don't make me destroy you, Master. You're no match for the dark side. "
" I've heard that before, Anakin . . . but I never thought I'd hear it from you. "
Darth Vader forces OBI-WAN back into the Conference Room where the quarters are much closer. Sparks fly everywhere. Darth Vader jumps onto the conference table. OBI-WAN slides across the table, knocking ANAKIN over. OBI-WAN grabs ANAKIN's lightsaber as he falls. OBI-WAN uses the Force to summon his dropped lightsaber. Darth Vader does the same.
The battle intensifies.
" The flaw of power is arrogance. "
OBI-WAN stands looking at his former apprentice for a moment.
" You hesitate . . . the flaw of compassion."
OBI-WAN and Darth Vader lock sabers. OBI-WAN puts out his hand to use the Force to push Vader away. Vader puts out his hand to block OBI-WAN.
Both combatants are blasted backwards onto the control panels.
They regain their footing and the battle continues. Vader kicks OBI-WAN away.
They battle around the room, and eventually the door to the exterior is knocked open. They continue battling out onto the balcony.
Vader forces OBI-WAN down a narrow balcony outside the Control Room. He rips objects off the wall and throws them at OBI-WAN as he pushes him further and further along the walkway.
The balcony ends, and OBI-WAN is trapped. He looks over the balcony and into a river of lava.
Vader cuts apiece of the balcony railing off, along with a control panel.
ALARMS SOUND, and a protective ray shield around the superstructure disappears. It tumbles into the molten abyss, disappearing in a puff of smoke. A small pipe connects the Control Center to the Main Collection Plant. OBI-WAN has no choice but to tightrope-walk out across the lava river while fighting Vader.
Vader,, following OBI-WAN, jumps down onto the flexing pipe, lands, and resumes fighting.
OBI-WAN and Vader work their way across the small pipe, fighting ferociously as they go. OBI-WAN slips, throws his lightsaber up in the air, grabs on to the pipe, swings around, grabs on to an upper pipe, retrieves his lightsaber, and lands back on the original pipe. They continue to fight across the pipe until they reach the Main Collection Plant.
OBI-WAN and Vader battle on the top of the multispired collection panels, jumping from one to the other. At the end of the collection cluster, a huge spray of lava covers the attachments that hold up the collectors. The frame begins to melt. It's raining lava. Both Vader and OBI-WAN run for cover under the collection cluster. They continue to fight in the lava rain, darting from cover to attack, then quickly retreating to cover.
Support for the entire structure begins to fall away, and the collection cluster falls into the lava river. The Jedi continue their fight, climbing to the highest point on the tower as the rest begins to melt away as it rides the swift current down the river.
It bends toward the lava as they get out toward the end. The fighting gets fierce. OBI-WAN gets to the end and is trapped. The tower slowly starts to sink under the lava.
OBI-WAN realizes he is getting very close to the edge of the lava falls. He grabs a rope and leaps from the collection arm. Vader follows.
Vader and OBI-WAN continue their sword fight hanging from cables as they swing past each other.
From their cables, Vader and OBI-WAN both spot something that causes them to stop fighting. The lava river ahead drops off in a tremendous lava fall. They should have stopped fighting here, Anakin thought powerless to stop anything from happening.
SNAPPING AND METAL GROANS are heard as the main part of the collector starts to break away and move toward the lava fall. OBI-WAN looks around and sees a small floating platform making its way toward the tower.
OBI-WAN does a double hack-flip and lands squarely on the floating platform. He immediately leans to one side and moves away from the tower.
Vader realizes he is doomed as the entire tower heads for the falls. In the distance he sees some CONSTRUCTION DROIDS. He swings back to the tower, climbs up and makes a running leap and miraculously lands on A WORKER DROID.
OBI-WAN heads for the bank of the lava river, but Vader's DROID is faster. He catches up with his old Master.
OBI-WAN and Vader continue the swordfight. They battle away, balancing on the tiny platform and puzzled DROID. Vader, standing on the Droid, approaches OBI-WAN on the work platform.
"I have failed you, Anakin. I was never able to teach you to think."
Vader and OBI-WAN confront each other on the lava river.
" I should have known the Jedi were plotting to take over . . . "
": From the Sith!!! Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine is evil. "
": From the Jedi point of view! From my point of view, the Jedi are evil. "
": Well, then you are lost! "
" This is the end for you, My Master. I wish it were otherwise. "
Vader jumps and flips onto OBI- WAN's platform. The fighting continues again until OBI-WAN jumps toward the safety of the black sandy edge of the lava river. He yells at Anakin.
": It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground. "
" You underestimate my power! "
": Don't try it. "
Vader follows, and OBI-WAN cuts his young apprentice at the knees, then cuts off his left arm in the blink of an eye. Vader tumbles down the embankment and rolls to a stop near the edge of the lava.
Vader struggles to pull himself up the embankment with his mechanical hand. His thin leather glove has been burned off. He keeps sliding down in the black sand.
OBI-WAN is crying, there are tears streaking his face as his voice breaks," . . You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would, destroy the Sith, not join them. It was you who would bring balance to the Force, not leave it in Darkness. "
OBI-WAN picks up Anakin's light saber and begins to walk away. He stops and looks back.
Vader screams," I hate you! "
"You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you. "
Vader's clothing blows into the lava river and ignites. Suddenly ANAKIN bursts into flames and starts SCREAMING. Kill him, Anakin silently wished even knowing that Vader was still alive. Obi-Wan couldn't do it. He could feel the pain and torment, hanging onto his hate, hanging onto life.
OBI-WAN looks in horror as Vader becomes engulfed in flames. OBI-WAN can't watch him as he struggles to climb the embankment, covered in flames.
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Again the scene before Anakin's eyes changed as he felt his body damaged beyond repair, and the pain was intensified.
The CLONES have placed Vader in a medical capsule. They float the wounded Sith Lord into the belly of the IMPERIAL CRUISER. DARTH SIDIOUS follows the capsule into the ship. The ship takes off.
The shuttle lands. DARTH SIDIOUS and CLONE TROOPERS leave the shuttle. Vader's body is carried along in a floating medical capsule.
Vader in the medical capsule, is lifted onto a table in the Rehab Center. DROIDS go to work on him. Vader has new legs and a new arm.
DARTH SIDIOUS hovers around the periphery of a group of MEDICAL DROIDS who are working on ANAKIN. DARTH SIDIOUS paces in the foreground. A DROID approaches the Dark Lord.
"My Lord, the construction is finished ... he lives. "
" Good. Good. "
Darth Vader was furious, he could talk, he could hear although those concepts were different now. He was different now. Still, they could address him. He was alive, whatever that meant now.
The DROID moves back to the table where DARTH VADER lies. The table begins to move upright. DARTH SIDIOUS moves in next to DARTH VADER.
" Lord Vader, can you hear me? "
" Yes, My Master. "
DARTH VADER looks around the room.
"Where is Padme? Is she safe, is she all right? " Vader was suddenly very concerned for her well-being and the well-being of the Skywalker child.
"I'm afraid she died. ... it seems in your anger, you killed her. "
A LOW GROAN emanates from Vader's mask. Suddenly everything in the room begins to implode, including some of the DROIDS.
"I couldn't have! She was alive! I felt her! She was alive! It's impossible! No!!! "
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In a sweat Anakin found himself, on the floor beside his bed. He couldn't stop the tears from filling his eyes and falling. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" he screamed. "What have I done?" Where was his lightsaber? He quickly called it to his hands and ignited it. He could end it all, all the pain and suffering. Truthfully, as the Jedi Chosen One, he had never contemplated suicide, but now the idea was appealing. He could stop all the pain and suffering, protecting Padme and Obi-Wan and the entire galaxy would not be controlled by an Empire. He would be saving Luke and Leia the fate of having a murderer for a father, and they would grow up together with their mother. It would be so easy. This must be why he was here, to end his life. A chuckle emitted from his throat, and he raised his lightsaber, determined to end his lightsaber he just wished he could see Padme once more. He wished he could explain to Luke and Leia and to Obi-Wan, he loved them all so much. Anakin frowned they would be crushed, but it was the best way, wasn't it? Of course it was, he pushed through his throat ending his life once and for all.