Darth Vader lay exhausted, having tried to drag his way up higher up the slope with his right hand but moving slowly.
While his face and hair were mostly unaffected, his torso had been burned quite badly, due to the intensity of the flames.
Parts of his flesh were exposed, the skin having been burned away, leaving patches of red, across his back and chest.
Luckily, his organs had not been affected, thanks to Anakin Skywalker saving him on time.
But he was still in bad shape, with a few third degree burns on the trunk of his body, but only first degree burns across his face and mostly second degree burns in some places apart from his head.
And then, he saw a shuttle landing on a platform not far away and knew what that meant.
His master had arrived.
Tired out, he rolled onto his back and collapsed.
The Emperor stepped out of his shuttle escorted by two troopers.
Arriving close to Vader's form, even as a clone said, "There he is," Sidious said, "He's alive."
He turned to the clones and said, "Get a medical capsule immediately."
"Yes Sir," the clone replied before he and his partner ran off to get one.
Sidious moved close to Vader's form, and kneeling down, he placed a hand on his forehead.
Meanwhile on a moon, near the crash site of the Tribunal…
Ahsoka and Rex were standing before the graves of their fallen comrades in arms, men who had fought by their side, and had in the last moments of their lives, turned on them.
Ahsoka had been able to save Rex and remove his inhibitor chip with the help of some droids, but had ended up having to free Darth Maul to use him as a distraction.
In an attempt to escape, Rex had pretended to hold Ahsoka captive as a non-Jedi, but then Jesse had insisted upon eliminating her under Darth Sidious' orders. However, the star destroyer, thanks to Maul destroying the hyperdrive, had been crippled and pulled into the moon's gravitational pull.
In the chaos that had ensued, all the droids, including R-7, Ahsoka's astromech had been destroyed. Maul had stolen a shuttle, leaving them behind, and Rex and Ahsoka had nearly died but had escaped in a Y-wing.
And in the crash, all the clones onboard had died.
It was a painful truth to face, that the clones had turned on them.
The only consolation Ahsoka had was that she had heard Anakin warning her, which meant that whatever terrible thing had happened, he had been able to come out of it.
She and Rex had also received a message from Mace Windu warning all Jedi to stay away from the temple.
She was standing there, when suddenly, she felt an urge.
Turning to Rex, she said, "I think I need to contact Anakin. I must. I hope he's alright."
She and Rex went up to the Y-wing.
Rex suggested, "Our best bet is senator Amidala. She would know if he's alright."
Ahsoka said, "Bail Organa might be a better choice. Something tells me I should."
A few minutes later, after trying to get into contact, the hologram of Bail Organa materialized in the cockpit.
"Commander Tano," Bail spoke, "It's good to see you are safe."
"Senator Organa," Ahsoka spoke, "Do you have any idea of where Skywalker is?"
"Anakin Skywalker," Bail replied, "He has just made contact. It seems Senator Amidala was kidnapped by the Sith. Anakin has just rescued her and is bringing her to Polis Massa."
"I'll be there soon," Ahsoka replied before ending the communication.
"So now what?" Rex asked.
Ahsoka replied, "We head to Polis Massa now."
A few minutes later, the Y-wing lifted off and left the planet for Polis Massa.
Sometime later, on Polis Massa….
Yoda was meditating when Bail Organa entered the room and said, "Excuse me Master Yoda."
Yoda opened his eyes and turned to look at the senator, who continued, "Anakin Skywalker has made contact."
Meanwhile, just near the facility where Yoda was staying, Padmé's star skiff was flying in.
It approached the facility and landed in a hangar.
After the ship had landed, Bail and Plo Koon came rushing in to see Obi Wan followed by Anakin carrying Padmé, with the droids and Shaak Ti behind.
Bail said, "We'll take her to the medical center, quickly."
With that, he gestured to them and they followed his lead.
Meanwhile, on Coruscant…
It was a stormy day when Palpatine's shuttle neared the Grand Republic Medical Facility, or rather, the Imperial Medical Facility, escorted by V-wings.
The shuttle landed on a platform and Palpatine walked out following Vader who was being pulled along in a medical capsule.
Meanwhile, in the medical facility on Polis Massa…
Anakin, Obi Wan, Yoda, Plo Koon, Shaak Ti and Mace Windu waited outside the examination room even as a medical droid approached them.
The droid explained, "Medically, she is completely healthy. But it seems she has undergone a lot of stress from what she has been through. And this could seriously endanger the babies."
Anakin worriedly exclaimed, "No! There must be something you can do!"
"Anakin, calm down," Plo Koon spoke, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Getting agitated is not going to help your wife or children."
"Babies?" Obi Wan spoke in confusion.
"She's carrying twins," the droid explained.
Anakin and Obi Wan looked concernedly at Padmé through the windows.
The droid continued, "If we are to save the babies, we will have to operate quickly. We require the father's permission to operate."
Mace looked at Anakin who looked at his wife, then to the droid and said, "Do what you need to do, just save my wife and children."
Vader was on a surgical table, and droids were around him, operating.
Gray Prosthetic legs were attached to the stumps of his legs and the droid poked them accordingly.
Vader let out a scream of pain as the droids cleaned his wounds from his second degree burns.
The only consolation was that his body had not been burnt that badly, or else it would be much worse.
"Aaah," Padmé screamed even as Anakin held her hand.
Outside, Yoda was watching on with concern, and Mace was meditating, trying to send calming waves through the force..
Padmé's scream ended and was followed by the cry of a new born baby.
The midwife droid held the baby and passed it to Anakin saying, "Eehsai taah Oeigo. (It's a boy)."
Padmé looked at her baby boy who was in Anakin's arms even as Obi Wan, whom Anakin had begged to stand by their side, was holding Padmé's left hand.
Padmé looked at the baby boy and caressed his cheek saying, "Luke."
Anakin looked at his son with love and pride flowing through his veins, warming his chest.
All of a sudden, Padmé began to cry out in pain again, and Obi Wan immediately gripped her left hand.
A few moments later, her crying was accompanied by the cry of another baby.
Even as the midwife droid held the child, she spoke, "Eehsai taah Oliga."
Obi Wan translated, "It's a girl," even as he took the child and showed her to Padmé.
Padmé caressed the girl's cheek saying, "Leia."
Meanwhile, just outside, even as the Jedi Masters watched on, they suddenly heard the sounds of running footsteps getting closer.
They turned around and saw two completely unexpected figures appear round the corner, a clone without his helmet, and a very familiar Togruta.
Anakin was caressing Luke and Leia who were being held by their mother and whispered, "Luke and Leia, they are such perfect names. You two little ones are the joy of my life."
Obi Wan watched on in joy.
Suddenly, Anakin looked up at Obi Wan and asked, "Obi Wan, will you be their Godfather?"
Obi Wan looked at Anakin in utter amazement and exclaimed, "Godfather?! Of course I will!"
Padmé gave Obi Wan Luke to hold, and Luke seemed to be very calm in Obi Wan's arms.
Padmé smiled and said, "Obi Wan, little Luke likes you."
Obi Wan smiled and said, "He is just so adorable, but he'd better not be as crazy as his father."
"Crazy," Anakin cried out in mock shock, "Excuse me? Since when did I ever do that to you?"
Obi Wan looked at Anakin exasperatedly and said, "You drove me crazy with your flying! It's thanks to you I hate flying!"
Even as he said this, memories began to flood his mind.
Obi Wan as a 15 year old Padawan was driving a speeder, with Qui-Gon beside him.
Qui-Gon looked at him and said, "Go slowly young one."
Obi Wan didn't feel very happy about that, but he complied, saying, "Yes Master."
The memory changed to him as a Master with long hair, and in the copilot's seat of a speeder with 19 year old Anakin flying at breakneck speed.
Obi Wan yelled out in panic, "SLOW DOWN ANAKIN! SLOW DOWN! STOP, STOP, STOP!"
Anakin simply smiled wickedly and replied, "No."
Obi Wan shook his head as he remembered that memory.
At that moment, they heard the sounds of people entering and looked around to see the Jedi Masters plus two very familiar figures entering the room.
Anakin opened his mouth in surprise as he beheld the Togruta in front of him.
"Ahsoka," Anakin gasped, "Is it you?!"
"Skyguy!" Ahsoka cried out as she rushed over to him for a tight hug.
"Ahsoka," Anakin breathed, "You escaped!"
Ahsoka replied, "I had help from Rex here."
At the mention of Rex, Anakin suddenly pulled out of the hug and noticed Rex standing nearby but Ahsoka suddenly put her arms across and said, "No Anakin, don't worry. Rex is on our side."
Rex explained, "Ahsoka pulled out the chip that was controlling me when we were told to execute Order 66. So now, I'm no longer under control, General."
Obi Wan looked at Ahsoka and said, "It's good to have you here with us Ahsoka."
Ahsoka acknowledged Obi Wan and then turned to look at Padmé who was smiling at her and holding two babies.
She instantly felt affection arising for these twins and asked, "Padmé, are those babies yours?"
Padmé replied, "They certainly are Ahsoka, born just a few minutes ago. Meet Luke and Leia Skywalker."
"Skywalker," Ahsoka whispered.
And then, she threw a fist in the air and cried out joyously, "I knew it! I knew you were married to her this whole time Skyguy! That is so cool!"
She then looked at Anakin and said, "I'm happy for you Skyguy."
Anakin smiled at her and said, "You've always been like a little sister to me. There's one thing I want to ask you. Will you be Luke and Leia's Godmother?"
Ahsoka opened her mouth in wonder and exclaimed, "Godmother?! ME?! Of course I will Skyguy! I will protect them with my life!"
She then turned to Padmé and smiled at the twins.
Padmé said, "I'm so happy you're here. Do you want to hold one?"
Ahsoka smilingly nodded and Padmé handed Leia over to Ahsoka who began to coo all over her.
Just then, Yoda spoke up, "Hold the other may I Senator, or should I call you, Mrs. Skywalker?"
Padmé smilingly handed over Luke to Yoda.
Even as Leia's finger could be seen on Ahsoka's lekku, Luke seemed to be very content, his eyes peacefully closed as he lay in Yoda's arms.
Just then, Plo Koon spoke up, "Master Yoda, do you mind if I…"
And, he gently took little Luke from Master Yoda and began to coo all over him. Shaak Ti joined in.
Even as Ahsoka handed Leia back to Padmé, Mace suddenly spoke up, "May I hold her?"
Padmé smiled and handed Leia to Mace.
Mace took her and looked into Leia's curious brown eyes.
And then, something happened.
Mace's eyes widened as he held her.
He went on staring at her, and she at him.
A minute later, Mace was brought out of his state by Anakin saying, "It looks like Leia like you Master."
Mace looked at Anakin and said, "I'm not on for attachments, but this baby is special. I feel a connection with her."
Padmé smilingly replied, "You've both bonded so beautifully. Perhaps you'll be the one to train her when she's ready."
Mace smiled at her and said, "I was once skeptical about a Skywalker being trained. Now, I've bonded with a Skywalker and it seems I might train a Skywalker myself! She is just such an amazing little baby."
Just then, Obi Wan spoke up, "I'll soon be training another Skywalker it seems, that is, if Anakin is alright."
"Of course," Anakin cried out, "Why would I not be?"
Just then, Plo Koon spoke up, "Excuse me, Luke likes me. I think I might have a chance to…"
"Actually," Shaak Ti interrupted, "I think it will be best if a female figure trains him. It should be me."
"Excuse me," Mace suddenly spoke up, "Have you forgotten that he has a godmother in this room that is strong in the force here?"
"Oh no," Obi Wan silently groaned. Mace just looked exasperated at the other masters.
As for Anakin, he just laughed.
Vader's wounds had been treated. Sure, the third degree ones had been very few overall, and he had received prosthetic limbs.
He had been clothed and was now standing on his new legs and testing out his new hand.
Just then, he heard his master calling out, "Lord Vader, are you alright? Can you hear me?"
Vader looked at Sidious who was standing next to him and asked, "Where is Anakin Skywalker?"
Sidious smiled evilly and said, "Still eager to kill Skywalker?"
Vader replied, "He has humiliated me! I'll…"
Sidious snarled, "You still couldn't kill one Jedi, after so much training in the ways of the dark side?! How pathetic! I am in fact surprised, that you could be defeated. Not even Master Cin Drallig could survive against you!"
Vader yelled, "He has humiliated me! He has dishonored me! I'll kill him when I next see him! And that weak woman of his shall die a slow and painful death! I'll cut out her child and kill it in front of her! Then I'll tear apart Anakin like he did to me! Then I'll make him see her succumb to me before she dies, and then he shall die by my hand!"
Sidious laughed evilly, seeing Vader's fists clenched in rage and said, "Good, good, good, I see that this has given you something, hate, humiliation, lust for revenge, good, all of which shall make you even more powerful on your path of the dark side!"
Vader then turned to Sidious and said, "There's only one thing I don't understand. He had anger towards me for choking his wife. He wanted to tear me apart, but I could sense him not wanting to give in to his hate. And then, when I was burning, he saved me. He saved my life; he pulled me out, doused the flames and saved my life. Why?"
Sidious' expression turned into one of rage and he replied, "It is his weakness! He showed weakness by not giving into his hate! But perhaps it is for the best. He has done you a favor by letting you live, and he has invited doom upon himself. Soon, he shall begin to wish he had killed you there! You will kill him in a malicious manner, will you not?"
Vader declared, "There shall be no mercy! I am the Sith Lord Darth Vader, and the enemies of the Sith including Anakin, Padmé and their child all deserve to die!"
Palpatine laughed loudly as Vader stood there.
Vader then turned to him and said, "Only one thing, I don't want people to see the same face as him. I think I should wear a mask, something that will terrify anyone who dares to cross me."
Sidious smiled and said, "Then Lord Vader, I have just the thing for you."
Even as he gestured with his left hand, a droid brought on a portable hover table, a black skull mask with a helmet, black pants, a black Sith tunic, and dark grey shoulder blades.
NOTE: This is the Darth Vader suit except he doesn't need the life support system. There will still be a voice modulator to make him sound more terrifying.
And yes, Padmé did not die!