Messages of the Force

[Feeney]

Messages of the Force

Chapter 1.

Darth Vader stood silently in the midst of raging Mustaphar. Surrounded by the carnage and consequence of his actions, he felt the force flowing through him like never before in his existence. His power was growing stronger than even he had ever conceived. It seemed almost uncontrollable. Every part of his being was the force.

He was the force itself.

Vaders mind tried to rationalise that the corpses of the Separatists and the corpses of the tiny, innocent Jedi he had slaughtered in the temple had finally brought peace to the Republic - to the institution that he had fought for and believed in from being a child. The institution that had been tainted by the treachery of the Jedi. Vaders face contorted slightly at his thoughts.

The treacherous Jedi….. The order that he had always felt such a part of. The order that he had once felt born to be a part of. Vader tried to rationalise that the Jedi had betrayed him and the Republic in the most unspeakable way through their lies. He tried to focus on the many lies and the betrayal that the Jedi had Masters had poured upon him….. One such lie was that the Sith were evil. He was now a Sith – and was he evil? …..

Vader would not allow this an answer. Palpatine was a Sith – was he evil?

Palpatine

His mentor, his friend; and now, his Master. Vader tried to rationalise that that such a great man could never lie or betray him in that way. That Palpatine alone understood the longing, heartbreak and sheer despair that enveloped his entire being – and that Palpatine alone was the key to its end. Not like Obi Wan.

Vader seethed.

Obi Wan…. His old Master, .his mentor – and his brother. Vader tried to rationalise that Obi Wan himself had been a part of the betrayal. Not least by sending him to commit treason….but most of all, for not understanding the reality of his dreams and suffering…..

Vader tried to rationalise that what he had done would finally and forever seal to him the only reason for existence….. Padme. He tried to feel through the force that her death was somehow extinguished from the future that he had created - the future that he had created for their love – and for their child.

His child……..Vader tried to rationalise that the new Empire he was helping forge would bring the security he craved for his child – the security that he never had. He tried to imagine that the Empire would bring everybody the peace that they longed for in their lives.

However…….filtering through the thoughts of his consciousness…..was something else. The force was trying to send him something.

He tried with all of his might to control it – like he always had. He did not want the force to control him – he wanted to control it. However, in that moment, a distant memory ploughed its way through the darkness of his soul. A memory of Qui Gon and something he had once said.

Vader tried to halt the memory with his conscious mind. He became one with the force and set his will upon taking the memory and ripping it to pieces so that it could never surface again.

But the force was too strong with him now. It was stronger than it had ever been – and Vader could not halt the memory from entering his being. The memory enveloped him.

In this memory, he heard Qui Gon telling him that if he listened to the midichlorians, they would speak to him…..and in this moment, Vader realised why he suffered so hard to suppress the memory.

It was because the midichlorians – the vessels of the force…were speaking to him……screeching....and he could not bear to hear what they were telling him. No matter what his conscious mind tried to do, the force was so strong with Vader now that he could not fail but to listen to the message.

He caught his breath.

For a moment, he could not breathe at all…..

Vader stood silently in the midst of the of Mustaphar. Surrounded by the carnage and consequence of his actions, he felt the force flowing through him like never before in his existence.

And as Vader let go of his stilted consciousness and succumbed to the force - Anakin Skywalker finally allowed himself to listen to its message

…and wept.

***************************************

The rage began to swell in Anakin

This couldn’t be!!

Padme was still there, screaming out in pain as she gave birth to their child…….lay there, dying.

Why was he still being tortured with this image? After everything he had done to save her! Surely he had rewritten her fate? He hadn’t quite learnt the power yet – that’s why….He still was not strong enough in the dark side.

Despair set in….just for a moment…

And then despair was replaced by something else

A knowing smile crawled across Anakins face.

Suddenly it all seemed so clear.

Obi Wan was in the visions of Padmes death. Get rid of Obi Wan, and the visions could not possibly come true…

***************

After transmitting the message to his Master that the separatists were ‘taken care of’, Vader felt Padmes ship approaching.

This took him off guard. What was she doing here?

Vader watched on as Padme manoeuvred her shining vessel, and landed.


**************

Padme and Obi Wan sat in the cock pit in silence. The atmosphere was strained, almost tangible. As Obi Wan stared straight ahead at the fury of the lava, he could not help but sense the fury of his friend - who he knew, sensed him too. Sadness was enveloping his whole being.

Obi Wan allowed this silence as a chance to meditate – briefly – just enough to get his thoughts together and clear his mind of questions. For now, it did not matter why Anakin had done this – that could be worked through with time. All that mattered was bringing the closest person in the world to him back into the light.

That is why Padme had agreed to tell him where Anakin was. At first, she was convinced that he was going there to kill Anakin – and indeed, that was his given mission – to help destroy the Sith by killing the apprentice whilst Yoda dealt with the Master.

However, Obi Wan had explained to Padme that he could never kill Anakin. For the first time in an age, the living force had spoken to him in abundance – and in this, Obi Wan could not let go of his attachment to Anakin. He didn’t want to. Because now, he was relying on that attachment– and on the love from which it grew – to save Anakin.

He had come to realize, only in the last few hours, the depth of Anakins love for Padme. Of course he had always known a connection had existed between them. But now, the strength of that connection had become all to clear to him.

It was here now, with him. He closed his eyes and reached into the force – feeling the love within Padme for Anakin – and feeling Anakins love for her simultaneously. They were one.

It puzzled him as to why he had not felt this before now. Had something happened to the love between Anakin and Padme that made it more potent within the force now? Did their love somehow have something to do with him turning? All he knew, was that he was relying on it to help bring his friend back to the light. He hoped that together, the lights of him and Padme could draw Anakin back to where he belonged.

He suddenly felt Padmes eyes come to rest on him. He turned to meet them.

He looked down on the beautiful young Senator - she had stolen Anakins heart. Ans as he looked deep into those eyes – full of fear, sadness and brimming with tears, he realized that Anakin had also stolen hers.

Padmes voice came soft and full of all of the emotion that was etched painfully on the lines of her youthful face “Obi Wan. Do you think this will work?”

Obi Wan regarded her for a moment, careful to not disclose his own agony. She didn’t need that now, too. He then responded, flatly, with the only thing he could think of to say

“It has to”

************

A slight smile touched Anakins lips as he silently watched the two figures sat in the cockpit of Padmes ship.

She had come for him. Anakin felt her love flowing through the force – and this time, Vader did not resist the message. Anakin liked it…..and for a moment, he closed his magnificent blue eyes….and simply let it be…….

Then something else came through.

Obi Wan was with her.

Darth Vaders eyes snapped open.

These eyes were now a bright yellow, etched with red as deep as the lava reflected in them. These eyes watched the figures as they disembarked.

Another message entered him. Its clarity he could not ascertain - but somehow, he knew that this meeting would change all of their paths forever…

Vaders features hardened

He turned from the window - and made his way to meet them.

[Feeney]

Chapter 2

Obi Wan walked slowly towards the base, watching with caution as Anakin was drawing closer to meet him. He had advised Padme to stay just outside the ship. If she was in any danger, he couldn’t risk the lives of her and the children. Not until he had spoken to Anakin.

The figure of Anakin was suddenly upon him; about six foot away and illuminated by the flames. Through the force, it was hard to distinguish where the flames ended and Anakin began. Anakins face was impassive as he stared at Obi Wan.

Obi Wan stared back in disbelief.

Anakin had changed. Of course he knew that the dark side and dark deeds Anakin had committed would have changed him – but the man before him – his beloved Anakin – was so dark. Obi Wan reached into the force – into the darkness surrounding Anakin. It was almost impenetrable……almost…...there was something there…….

“What have you come here for Obi Wan?” said Anakin.

It was Anakin speaking - but the voice was not Anakins. It was flat, hollow and had none of the passion that he had so loved about his old Padawan. It sounded devoid of all hope and emotion.

Obi Wan fought his way passed it. This was Anakin. He had known Anakin had turned before he came here. For Anakins sake, for Padmes sake – and for the sake of the republic galaxy - this was an evil he must face.

Obi Wan grimly realised the burden upon him.

“I am here simply to tell you that you don’t have to do this, my friend. There is still hope to right the wrongs that have taken place. Please Anakin – I know you are still somewhere in there!” Obi Wans voice was firm and steady; trying toconvey that he was not at all disturbed by the figure before him.

But he was. Anakin had become something….. terrifying.

A strange smile crawled across Anakins face “Thats Lord Vader to you, my old Master……so, you’ve come here to tell me this and tell be that…but you cant tell me anything anymore! Do you understand!” Vaders voice raged “I don’t need you to tell me anything!”

“Anakin listen please! I am here not as your Master – but as your friend, your brother! I need you Anakin” Obi Wans voice was uncharacteristically pleading; almost begging – but he knew that he may only get one chance at this…and it was not going to be easy. He was giving it his all; and just hoped that it was enough.

Anakin was further away form the light that he could have possibly imagined.

“You need me?” Vaders voice was almost mocking “You’re a Jedi! Isn’t needing someone forbidden? Isn’t attachment forbidden?” Vader paused “…are you attached to me Obi Wan – is that what you are saying?”

Obi Wan looked directly into Vaders empty, red sith eyes……and tried to look past them……into Anakin. He felt Anakin there. “You know I am” Obi Wans voice was filled with a certainty that seemed to shake Anakin “…But don’t ever expect me to call you Vader. Its Anakin I love”

Vaders face faltered. Just for a moment.

“You will call me what I tell you!” he raged

Vader stepped forward, menacingly. Obi Wans stance remained unwavered.

“Many Jedi have been killed, Obi Wan” Vaders voice was low now “all of the Jedi must die! You are all traitors; to the senate and to me. Why should you be any different!”

Obi Wan thought about giving Anakin a lecture about listening to himself and being simply stupid to listen to the Emperors lies. But he thought better of it. Anakin was in no mood for lectures. But he did seem willing to speak – so he had to keep him talking!

“The Jedi were only planning to take over the senate on a temporary basis - to ensure a peaceful transition for the next leader, Anakin! The galaxy will forever be in darkness if it is headed by the Sith! Do you want to be a part of that?” Obi Wans voice softened “Do you even understand it?”

Vader lifted his head slowly; the fury of fire burning in his eyes “What …did… you… just ..say?” he was almost breathless as he uttered the words. He didn’t allow Obi Wan time to answer.

“Raaagggggh!!!” In a flash, Vader leapt, his boot landing square on Obi Wans face, knocking him to the ground “I understand perfectly!!! It is you who doesn’t understand anything!!”

Vaders glared daggers at his former Master, staring at him incredulously for a moment whilst drawing ragged, uneven breaths. He then lowered his head; his voice softening

“…..anything at all”

Obi Wan got up slowly from the floor. He would have used the force to spring, but he wanted to give Anakin no cause to draw his lightsaber. He had not drawn his saber…….not yet anyway. Obi Wan connected with his own lightsaber through the force. Calling on it to be ready

“What don’t I understand, Anakin?” said Obi Wan tentatively “Please believe, I know there are things that you are not telling me. I do not claim to know everything. I do not have the gift of clairvoyance like you do. You must tell me!”

Vaders voice raged again “Since when have you understood my visions? You didn’t understand the ones about my mother! ‘Dreams pass’ is what you said!! Look what happened there!”

“I know Anakin, I know!!” Obi Wan was engulfed by the familiar feeling of overwhelming guilt that had plagued him since what had happened on that fateful day on Tatooine. He had failed Anakin badly. He knew it.

“There has not been a day when I haven’t regretted that, Anakin! I am so sorry! If I could turn back time, I would have responded differently! I was arrogant. Qui gon always said that I had much to learn about the living force….”

Anakin cut him short and gritted his teeth “Don’t you dare!! You’re not fit to speak his name!”

Obi Wan was confused by this, but continued slowly.

“Why do you think I turned a blind eye to you and Padme? I thought you truly deserved and needed the love that you had found. I couldn’t bear to see you lose her too!”

Obi Wans words rang in Anakins head and ignited the visions of his dreams. Padme dying…..Obi Wan there with her…….

Anger swelled……..as did sadness.

“Lose her?” seethed Anakin, sharply

He looked into Obi Wans eyes and took a step towards him

“Oh don’t worry” he said flatly “I have no intentions of losing her.”

Anakin ignited his lightsaber….and leapt.

[Feeney]

Chapter 3

Padme watched Anakin attack from the foot of the ship. Her heart breaking. She had brought him to this. She knew it. Why didn’t she just stand her ground and refuse to fall in love?

She saw the pain in Anakins face as he fought his closest friend. He was suffering so badly. Something was tearing away at his soul, enough even to drive him to the cold blooded murder of children. She tried to push this thought to the back of her mind. She just couldn’t believe it.

Of course she knew in her heart that they had died by Anakins lightsaber, but she couldn’t except that they had died by his hand. It was not Anakin - but something that Anakin had become.

The tears streamed down her face as she clutched her abdomen and thought of her childrens fate. The fate of the gentile Obi Wan. The fate of her beloved husband.

And she thought of her own fate. If what Anakin had predicted was true, she didn’t have much time. She had felt herself dying a little each day since he had come to her. Now she was almost gone. She began to panic.

Oh Anakin please!!!!! She closed her eyes and tried to reach him through the force. She knew enough of the force to know that it was permeated through and from all living things. “Well”, she whispered to herself in a determined husky voice “I’m not dead yet – the force must be with me too”

So then and there, amid the raging fires of Mustaphar, Padme Skywalker tried desperately to let go of her fear and heartache - and summon the force to send a message to her beloved Anakin.

**************************

“Anakin stop!!!” It was taking all of Obi Wans strength to deflect Anakins ferocious attack.

“You must die, Obi Wan!” Vaders voice roared from Anakin

They spun and leapt with lightning speed. Obi Wan had never known Anakin fight this way before. He had once joked that Anakin could rival Master Yoda as a swordsman. Now it was no joke.

Obi Wan accepted that although he had come here to bring Anakin back to the light – this may not be possible. If he did not fight back with everything he had, he may die. Then Padme would be left with Darth Vader to contend with on her own.

And the children. Let the children suffer what Anakin had become?

Oh he didn’t think so. And with that, Obi Wan decided Vader had to be destroyed. One way or the other.

*****************************
Vader was raging. The visions of Padme screaming and Obi Wan leaning over her were poisoning him. He could feel the vision filtering through his mind, through to his blood and into his soul.

Other visions mingled with this. Murdered children. Begging Sepratists. Slain Jedi. His mother.

Dead Obi Wan.

Right now he focused on that one vision. The other visions would only slow him down and cloud his focus on the force.

Right now, he felt the dark side flowing through him in abundance. He was the dark side. He needed the dark side. He needed it to save Padme. He heard Obi Wan shouting - trying to get through to him. He simply shouted to his old Master that he had to die. The very voice of his Master shouting made tears come.

But here was no other way.

Tears streamed through his glowing yellow eyes. He wanted so badly for this feeling to end. Suddenly, he felt something else coming through the force.

At first, he tried to deflect it. In much the same way Obi Wan was deflecting his blows. Whatever it was, he didn’t want it to break his concentration. He needed to kill Obi Wan.

But this message was one that wouldn’t go away.

For reasons that he could not ascertain, his eyes, full of rage and heartbreak, moved briefly to Padme standing at the foot of her ship. And for a moment, as he looked at her, the dark side had no place in his heart.

He suddenly felt himself gripped by the force.

Obi wan ripped Vaders lightsaber from his hand and flung him against the ground. With lightning speed, Obi Wan was over him, holding both blue lightsabers at his neck.

For a moment, Anakin and Obi Wan stared at each other. In this moment, everything they had ever shared flashed through their minds. All of the love they had for each other was binded in this moment.

Anakin would have sprang. But he didn’t want to. He thought of how one more blow from Obi Wan would end all his pain.

His eyes searched Obi Wans “kill me, Master……”. Anakins voice and eyes were pleading……..begging……and filled with such pain that Obi Wan felt his own soul being torn apart. “Please just make it stop!” Anakin was sobbing and clutching his head.

Amidst his own pain, Obi Wan tried to think quickly.

“Pull yourself together” said Obi Wan, his breathing shallow “for the last time, Anakin. Will you tell me what the hell is going on in your head!! I love you so much! Share your pain, my brother. Let me help you. Let Padme help you”.

Anakin did not respond. He lay there drinking in the vision of Obi Wan holding the lightsabers at his neck. He turned his head slightly to look at Padme.

She was getting on the ship! Crawling on her hands and knees. A message from the force – a disturbance in the force - told him why.

In a flash that took Obi Wan by surprise, Anakin grabbed the lightsabers and hurled Obi Wan into the air and to the ground with the force. He then reached out his hand and focused on Obi Wans neck.

Obi Wan tried to stop the force choke, but it had taken him by such surprise after Anakins pleas a moment before, that the grip had engulfed him. The energy being used to inflict it was like non he had felt. The power behind it, he could not comprehend.

Obi Wans eyes searched Anakins “Why?” they asked, simply.

The message Anakin sent him through the force in answer to his unspoken question, chilled him. Obi Wan took one last look at Padme – and in a flash of realisation, he finally understood.

Then he collapsed.

*******************

Vader watched his old Master fall before his eyes.

He listened to Padme scream as she saw it too.

He turned to look at her as she fumbled to get on the ship – and knew that the moment of truth was upon them.

******************

Padme turned around and watched this thing that Anakin had become make his way towards her. 'Move woman – move quickly!' she thought to herself.

He had killed Obi Wan. The message she had sent him through the force had reached Anakin. But only briefly. And this was not Anakin, picking up speed as he walked towards her. Her Anakin could have never hurt Obi Wan. And if Obi Wan could fall – then she could too.

But it was not her own safety she ached for now.

She had no time to think of herself. No time to dwell on her own sadness and suffering – or even on her own death. She needed to get away from him. - she desperately tried to make it inside the ship before he reached her.

She had to because pain seared through her abdomen.

The baby was on its way.

[sexystarwarslover]

oh come on, i wanted more, i was getting into that! please please i want to know what happens

[Feeney]

I will definately be posting more of this story this week! Thanks for reading and glad you are enjoying it x

[secura]

hey, i read the rest of what you'd written on the other site (alternateanakin)...surely you're not just going to end it the way you did there?!?! please don't leave us hanging!

[Feeney]

Chapter 4

Anakin scooped his wife up with ease as she whimpered slightly and held her stomach. She was making futile attempts to struggle. He pushed the fear and panic he felt into a faraway place. As Vader, it was easier to do this. He felt a twinge of despair and frustration at his inability to achieve this as a Jedi.

They entered the yacht in silence and he walked with her in his arms towards the private compartment within. He glanced down at Padmes swollen abdomen as he held her – and then closed his eyes to help shake his thoughts. He couldn’t allow himself to think of his other creation at the moment.

From the cockpit, 3P0 came towards them. Anakin turned at his approach and a slight smile touched his lips as he acknowledged that the presence of his droid creation offered some him comfort.

“If I may ask, Master Anakin, where has R2-D2 got to?” said 3P0, seemingly oblivious to what had transpired outside the ship. Before Anakin could respond, a whirring from the still open hatch signalled R2s presence as he made his way onboard.

“Oh, R2-D2!! You’re alive!!!” exclaimed 3P0. R2 whirred again in response and communicated something loudly to 3P0. Anakin guessed what it was.

“What do you mean Master Kenobi is….” started 3P0 in confusion…..

Anakin cut the droids conversation short “R2, wait for me at the helm. 3P0, come with me now”

“But Master Anakin, what about Master Obi…..” protested 3P0

“I said now 3P0!” said Anakin in a voice that the protocol droid had never heard before. The droid fell silent and tentatively followed his Master to the rear of the ship.

************

Anakin was angered that Padme didn’t speak to him, but he sensed she was hurting – in every way that was possible for someone to hurt. As he lay her down on the soft seating, their eyes locked.

He couldn’t find the words to say. He wished now more than ever that he could touch her smooth flawless skin, let the smell of her fill his senses, feel her silken hair brush against his face whist he whispered words of comfort in her ear.

But when he looked into her eyes, what he saw there made his blood run cold. She was actually afraid of him. He could not handle the rejection of her spurning his love and rejecting his touch – and so he kept his distance even though it broke his heart. He uttered some words that were the only ones he could think of to say in this moment.

“Padme” he began softly “Even if you don’t want me to be here – I promise I will not leave you. I will be here when my child arrives. I will be the first thing they see”

He could tell those words offered her no comfort at all.

His mouth formed a thin line as she turned her gaze and body away from him and clutched the dwelling place of their unborn child. He turned to his bemused protocol droid.

“Watch over her 3P0” he said flatly “Get her anything she needs. If there is any change at all, come and get me”

“Yes of course Master Anakin, but if I may ask……”

The question hung in the air as his Master was already gone.

***********

Anakin looked down at her, his expression unreadable. She wanted to hold him like she had done so many times before. She longed for his touch upon her skin, for his smell to fill her senses, for his beautiful familiar voice to whisper in her ear, to ease her pain and offer comfort.

But those times seemed like a distant memory now.

She didn’t know him anymore. She didn’t know this man who was looking down upon her, who had murdered children and his best friend, dear Obi Wan. Tears welled in her frightened eyes as she turned herself from him and clutched at her stomach. She tried to focus solely on preparing herself for the birth - she was going to need all of her strength if she was going to survive to protect her child.

After a few moments, he muttered something inaudible to 3P0 before taking long, fast strides towards the cockpit. Within seconds, she felt Mustaphar being left far behind.

************

Palpatine sat silently and alone in his chamber. Alone except for the two guards clad in red. But their minds were all but empty. In the force and in his meditation, he was alone.

Yoda had managed to escape during the duel. That mattered not at this moment. Things were not going quite as he envisaged. He felt a disturbance in the force and he couldn’t quite ascertain what it was yet. But it was coming.

Lord Vader was in turmoil. Palpatine liked this. A smile spread across his lips. Vaders suffering was potent in the force now - and Palpatine drank every drop. Yet something else was there. Something that was cutting through this suffering. The message was clouded – as if the force itself was hesitant to let him have it.

He stopped trying so hard and relaxed a little to let the force in its entirety wash over him. An uncertainty crept into his bones as he suddenly he understood why the message was clouded to himself. He was so consumed by the dark side that he had not considered the message could be within the pure light side of the force.

Palpatines mouth tightened. The light side was weak! Feeble in the wake of the dark shroud he had placed upon the galaxy! Why should it still be somehow potent and so pure now? He had even succeeded in claiming the Chosen One as his own! Surely with the most powerful being alive under his control, this could not be!

However, he understood the force well – and knew that if such a message was there in the force, he must try to read it. It was the only way to destroy its source. He closed his eyes and for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime, he let the light side of the force envelope him.

Initially, it stung. It stung every part of his being. It tortured and tormented him - and slowly took him out of his dark existence. He sensed memories within this light. His homeworld of Naboo, his long forgotton family, his first entrance onto the political stage. Memories of love, joy, happiness and compassion.

Oh how he wanted to escape this. But he was close now. Other messages were leaking through. Subtle at first, but then stronger.

A look, a touch, a warmth like one he had only experienced in his deepest forgotten memories. A love deeper than the ocean and more enduring than time itself. A light that shone beyond all the darkness he had ever felt and instilled in others. A ray of hope.

A New Hope.

Papatines eyes snapped open. He sat on his chair, breathless and momentarily lost and confused. Then, as the reality set in of what he had seen coming to pass, these feelings were replaced by anger and hate - and took him back to his dark place. He was grateful for that; he felt much more at home there. Soon, he was connected with the present again and knew what must be done.

He walked over to the holocam centred in the middle of the room, and within moments there stood a holographic image of a clone officer.

“Yes My Lord?” said the officer

“Call the shuttle dock and tell them to prepare my ship. I will be there shortly”

“Consider it done, My Lord” replied the officer, who had no need for questions.

As Palpatine readied himself for his journey, he thought of the children he had just envisaged within the light. The children - who despite his initial predictions - were now well on their way into existence.

He smiled wryly as made his way to the awaiting ship.

If they were so important to the future of the galaxy, it was only polite that he was there to pay his respects when they arrived.