a.n. Hey lookie here, a new chapter for you all! Please don't hate me; I got really busy and then I had writer's block and didn't have a whole lot of ideas for this. But, I was still determined to get something out today for Star Wars Day (which it still is where I live for another hour or so, so it counts), so here it is, the long-awaited Chapter 28! I hope you all enjoy it and I can't wait to read your reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any familiar characters, places, etc. That all belongs to George Lucas/LucasFilm/Disney/whomever else. I only really own Luca and the plot for this story. So there.
Chapter 28: Darkness Overcome
It had only taken a few minutes for the two to come up with a sound plan. Luca would have preferred to talk it out a bit more, but Anakin's growing impatience was evident. The younger man was only paying partial attention during the discussion and his anxious shuffling was enough to distract the older man. Once he was sure the Jedi was aware of the plan and would follow it, he let him go and watched as Anakin quietly pushed his speeder back down the path that lead to the outskirts of the camp. Anakin would go on ahead of him and sneak into the camp while Luca stayed behind to scout around the area before joining him. They had decided that in case a quick getaway was needed, they would have their speeder bikes ready to go. The noise would catch the attention of the camp, so they would have to push their bikes down the cliff to a rocky outcropping they had spotted just outside of the camp. The darkness would help cover them as they made their way into the camp to look for Shmi. With any luck, they could be in and out and well on their way back to the Lars homestead without any of the Tuskens noticing their presence.
Watching the young man depart, Luca heaved a heavy sigh. He knew that it would take Anakin some time to reach his mother and once he did, he needed that alone time with her. It would be hard for him to say good-bye, to let her go, and the two of them deserved one final farewell. Anakin didn't know it, but his greatest test would soon begin. Luca could only hope that he would be able to help the Jedi make the right decision. A few moments after Anakin had disappeared, Luca followed, pushing his own bike down the same path dusty path.
Anakin knew that Luca was close behind him; he had said he would scout around and make sure their entrance had gone unnoticed before meeting up with him. He couldn't care less about what the other man was doing. This was his mother; he would rescue her. He didn't need someone watching over his back. While he had agreed, begrudgingly, to listen to what the man had to say, he was still angry over his mother's capture. He didn't know what he would find when he finally located her, but he swore that if anything had happened to her, he would make them pay.
He was vaguely aware of the dark whisperings in his ears but he focused his thoughts and the Force on his surroundings and stretched out his senses to find his mother. Her life force was something he was very acutely tuned to. It was something he had been aware of since long before he was born and it was a feeling that he was sure he would never forget. She had always been a source of comfort and security in his darkest of times and even after he left, the memory of her kept him sane in the cold, unfamiliar realm of the Jedi. If something were to happen to her, he didn't know what he would do. If something were to happen to her, someone would pay.
He felt a tugging in the Force; something was drawing him to a large tent that was located on the edge of the camp. Stepping closer, he noticed two guards standing watch outside. They were distracted by a pair of massiffs fighting over a piece of food and Anakin used the distraction to sneak around to the back of the tent. Pulling out his lightsaber, he cut a hole in the fabric, trying to stay as silent as possible. Moments later, the fabric fell away and he stepped through. Dozens of candles were placed around the tent that bathed the area in a gentle light, but his eyes were drawn to a figure in the middle tied to some wooden posts in the middle of the hut. He choked back tears as he rushed forward, cradling the figure in his arms as he cut her free.
Lowering her gently to the ground, his eyes scanned her face and the anger welled up in him once again at the blood, bruises, and cuts he saw. Though her eyes were closed, he could sense the hurt and the pain she is in. Her life force was weak, much weaker than he'd ever thought it could be. Knowing how much pain she was in, how terribly she had to have been beaten, even tortured, the young Jedi cradles her tenderly in his arms. His actions stir her and a moan escapes from her chapped lips. The sweet sound of her voice gives him hope and he whispers quietly to her.
"Mom." He struggled to choke back more tears. "Mom." No response and his tears nearly fell this time. "Mom." Hope was rekindled within him as he finally saw his mother's eyelids flutter. She struggled to open them but could do little more than widen them to slits due to the dried blood caking her delicate features. But it was enough for her to glimpse the worn, tired face of the young man before her, to recognize the pleading voice as that of her beloved son. Her voice was hoarse as she tried to speak.
"Ani...? Is it you?" The optimism in her voice caused the young man to reward her with a gentle smile. Her eyes worked hard to focus on the still blurry figure above her and when she finally managed to open eyes, Anakin gave a little gasp as he stared into the brown orbs that he had known and loved his whole life.
"I'm here, Mom. You're safe." He pulled her closer, mindful of any injuries he knew she had to have.
"Ani? A..ani? You look so handsome." She reached up to stroke his cheek, to make sure that this was not one of the many hallucinations she had seen during her captivity. The warm flesh beneath her skin and the soulful blue eyes that looked deep within her own told her that her long-lost son, her only child, had indeed returned to her. "My son. My grown up son. I'm so proud of you Ani."
Anakin leaned into her touch, a touch he had yearned for for ten years, a contented look on his face. "I missed you."
"Now I am complete. I love…" The young man jerked his head up, turning startled eyes downward as he stared at his mother's wan face. Her weak life force was fading fast. He knew he didn't have much time left, but he was determined to do whatever he could to save her. He forced a sad smile as he looked at her.
"Just stay with me, Mom. Everything…" Her struggling voice stopped him and he could feel the tears forming. This time, he wouldn't hold them back.
"I love…I…I love…" Her final breath was drawn and Anakin closed her eyes. His mother, his precious, loving, wonderful mother, was finally at peace. Her hard, tortured life was at an end; her suffering was done. All the young man could do was sit there, cradling the woman who had once cradled him, mourning the death of the one who had given him life. His tears fell silently to land softly upon her still-warm body. He closed his eyes and sat in the eerie, enveloping silence, trying to draw strength. His emotions swirled violently, his sorrow mixing with the rage he felt towards her captors. As the dawn approached outside, he was drawn into darker depths, the extinguished light of his mother no longer able to draw him out of the darkness. Soon, it overwhelmed him and only dark thoughts remained. His mind made up, he carefully laid his mother down before standing up, fingering the blade at his side. He turned to march out of the hut, but a sudden voice halted his steps and he turned to the figure behind him, his eyes aglow in fury.
Luca studied the movements of the tribe. The late hour meant very few were even up and about; in fact, after a few moments, only the two guards standing watch were awake. He kept his senses alert as he moved closer to the tent that he knew housed Shmi; he would never forget the path that he had tread that night that had led him to her or the pain and devastation that had followed. It continued to haunt him for years and only the visions of Padmé's death could make him forget the horrors he had seen this night. Even now, the memories of that night played in his mind and he tried to push them away; he needed to keep his focus on the task at hand if he was to succeed. Right now, Anakin needed him and if he was successful, the younger man would never have to experience what he had, he would never endure the nightmares and sleepless nights wrought by this night.
The older man paused as he sensed it and sighed. It was time. He detected Shmi's life force and the powerful presence that was with her. It wouldn't be long now. As much as he wanted to be there, as much as he wanted to be able to see and hear his mother one last time, he knew he it was impossible. His mother was long gone, the painful memories testament to that fact. It wouldn't be good for him to intrude on this moment for mother and son. As much as he knew it would pain Anakin, he knew it had to happen. He couldn't interfere any more than he had to. The Force had given him a second chance and he wouldn't screw it up this time.
He carefully made his way toward the large tent that he knew housed Shmi and he waited, non-intrusively, outside as the young Jedi and his mother shared the final goodbye. Luca could feel the tears threatening to fall but he held them back; there would be time enough later to cry. Now, he had to be wary, he had to be focused on the present. Finally, he felt Shmi's warm Force presence depart. It hit him hard, just as it had all those years ago. He had known it would be hard to relive this night but he underestimated just how hard it would be.
The silence within the tent drew his attention and before he could enter, a sudden onslaught of dark emotions assaulted him through the Force. It felt so foreign, yet familiar at the same time. He hadn't felt such feelings in a long time, longer than anyone ever knew. During all of the years he had been known as Vader, there had been very few times where he had steeped himself in such dark thoughts, where he had felt such violent emotions. The death of his beloved had been the catalyst that set off years of brutal acts and vicious orders. He had certainly earned his reputation as a Sith Lord while he committed heinous actions, all in the name of his Master. It was only in his waning years as the Dark Lord that he started to realize that the thrill and the power he was able to achieve through such darkness no longer sustained him, that it was no longer something that he wanted. Discovering his long-lost children, and the unwavering faith that Luke had in him, helped him rediscover the goodness within and see that the darkness he had once relied on was no longer his friend and ally.
It had been many years, but he would never forget that siren's call. Now, he had to help Anakin resist that temptress and not give in to his dark emotions.
Stepping inside, he calmed himself before calling out to the angry young man before him.
"Anakin. Stop. Don't do this. I know you're hurting. You want to hurt them, hurt them the way they hurt your mother. But you know it's not the Jedi way; she deserves better than that. You know that."
"They killed her! They deserve to die! All of them!" He spoke with such venom in his voice that Luca was taken aback, but he steadied himself and spoke firmly.
"That doesn't mean they should meet the same fate. I know you loved your mother and no one deserves to die the way she did, including them," Luca gestured towards the door of the tent. "Don't give in to the dark temptation." Anakin's eyes briefly flashed yellow before the angry blue reappeared.
"Don't try to stop me, Mr. Redenov. You will not win." He activated his lightsaber and raised it defensively, the blue blade casting an eerie glow on his face. Luca shook his head.
"I don't want to have to fight you, Jedi Skywalker, but I will if you leave me no other choice." Luca sensed the disbelief of the other man and couldn't fault him for his skepticism. Anakin had no reason to fear him; not knowing the full truth of who Luca really was ensured that. The Jedi only stared at the time traveler, not lowering his lightsaber. The older man sighed and dug into a hidden pocket on the inside of his vest to produce a silver cylindrical object. To anyone else, the object would merely warrant a passing glance. But to a Jedi like Anakin, who had eyes trained to identify all manner of weapons, especially ones he had grown up around, the meaning and intention of such a device was clear.
"Where did you get that?" Luca dared not activate the blade for fear of angering the young Jedi further. Right now, he needed to calm the younger man down and show the Jedi that he meant him no harm, though displaying the lightsaber hopefully showed Anakin that he meant business.
"Master Yoda visited me before we departed and gave it to me in case I needed it. I was hoping I would have no need to use it, and I certainly hope that's the case now." To his credit, Anakin remained still, though he still kept his blade activated. "Please Anakin; you don't want to do anything that you'll regret. I know you'll regret your actions if you follow through."
"Why should I listen to you now? I thought you were my friend but it seems like you are hiding something from me."
"Yes Anakin, I am. I told you that there are certain things about me that I have to keep to myself for now and that I would tell when it is time. You will find out soon, but it is not yet time for you to know. For now, all you need to know is that I know how to use this and I will if you give me no choice. I have only the best of intentions so please, lower your lightsaber." As much as he wanted to doubt the man's words, Anakin knew that Luca had never shown himself to be anything but a trustworthy individual. He had secrets, that much he was sure of, but still, Anakin felt like he could trust the older man. Pressing the activator switch, he turned his lightsaber off and lowered it, his hard eyes never leaving Luca's.
Luca couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed he had gotten through to the troubled young man. There would be no more death this night. Already he could sense the dark emotions that had reigned supreme in the young begin to diminish, though a flicker of anger still raged within.
"Thank you, Anakin. You will not regret it."
"I don't know about that. I did it only because I want answers and I expect you to give me some." Luca nodded.
"I expected as much. I told you before that I would let you know my secrets and I suppose that time has come. I will tell you all you wish to know when we get back to the Lars'. For now, I suggest we take your mother out of here, quietly and back to the bikes. We don't want to arouse anyone."
"Very well, Mister Redenov. But I expect answers when we return."
"And you will get them Anakin. I promise. Now let's go." Together, the two of them managed to carefully wrap up the lifeless form that had once been Shmi Skywalker Lars and, with Luca taking the lead, they made their way swiftly out of the camp and back to their bikes before anyone noticed. Making sure Shmi was safely secured to Anakin's bike, the duo set out over the sand as the first of Tatooine's two suns started its ascent.
In a meditation chamber on Coruscant, Master Yoda was deeply immersed in the Force. The Force was calling out to him, speaking to him, telling him that the balance had shifted. Where once all had been shrouded in darkness, in murky shadows, he now sensed a subtle light, a small ember that was struggling to pierce the black veil. He had sensed the anger and the hurt of young Skywalker, the rage that had taken hold of the boy's mind. He could feel a dark presence lurking in hidden corners, goading him on, telling him to do what must be done, to show no mercy to those that did him wrong. For a moment, he cried silently as the boy acquiesced and listened to those murderous whispers. But then, a clarity came, a calming balm to soothe the tormented soul. The presence was gone, banished from the boy's mind, and the rage, had quelled. A new lightness had appeared from the dark and small, imperceptible smile appeared on the wizened Jedi's face.
"Well you have done, Anakin. Helped young Skywalker, you have." His many years of experience allowed Yoda to suppress his happiness as the door to the chamber opened and Master Windu walked in, purpose in his step. Breathing deeply one last time, Yoda drew on the Force before he opened his eyes to his colleague.
"Shifted, the balance of the Force has been. To the light, once more, it is leaning. But much work, there is, to be done." With a solemn look, Master Windu nodded at the diminutive Jedi and together, the two of them enjoyed the solitude, hearts and souls lighter than they had been in quite some time.
Elsewhere on Coruscant, Darth Sidious raged violently. He too had felt the shift in the Force and it angered him. All of his hard work, all of his grand plans, had come to nothing. Everything depended on the boy and now, he seemed to be leaning back towards the light. The dark stirrings had done nothing to tip the boy irrevocably to the other side. Well, they had done something as the boy had been close to the breaking point. It had nearly worked; he had been willing to slaughter the entire tribe for the death of his mother.
But then, something happened. The boy's anger had dissipated. The light of goodness had been rekindled and the dark rage had gone. The boy had been so close, he had been so close. What happened?
The Sith Lord stewed in his dark rage. It had to have been that interloper, that Redenov, that had interfered, but how? And why?
Sidious was too enraged to figure out the answers; he had to calm down if he wanted to find out the truth. It would take some time though and he wasn't sure if he had enough of that.
This was a setback, that was for sure, but the boy was easily prone to strong emotions; it wouldn't be long before a new opportunity for corruption would arise. He could bide his time until then.
He could only hope that Tyranus was succeeding in his part of the grand plan.