Thread: Star Wars:  The Dying of the Light (TheCorsair, Miss Melly)

Her rejection... hurt . He should have expected it, mind - given how he'd lashed out at her, tried to kill her, she must hate him. But... he hadn't expected to see that look of absolute terror in her eyes. Or to feel her hands rip from his grasp. Or to watch her struggle to cower away. Padme... he said, voice broken. I'm... What could he say? I'm sorry? . Those were two hollow, empty words, compared to the hurt he'd inflicted on her. And then her next question struck as he struggled to find the words. Where is Obi-Wan? There were tears in her eyes as she asked, and he felt the jealous rage stir in his chest like a serpent. Ani, where is he!? She met his gaze, then flinched again. What have you done, Anakin?! I... he's... Vader swallowed, then drew a deep breath. I... killed him. The pain from that simple admission was heart-rending. His brother. He'd killed his brother . His brother, his mentor, and his master. One of the only two Jedi who'd ever stood for him, believed he could be one of them. And he'd killed him. And for what? He... he had gone... mad, Padme. He supported the attempted Jedi coup, against the Supreme Chancellor. He was even... even willing to try... again. And he wanted me to join him. Join him in overthrowing the Supreme Chancellor, and establishing a Jedi rule over the Republic! The memory of Obi-Wan's face, a smoking hole burnt through his forehead by his own blade, swam before his eyes. His one real hand started to shake, and he clenched it into a fist to control it. I... it was... my... my brother... or... the Republic. Then he felt it. A stirring, in the Force. The feeling of the dark, cool air that belched from the mouth of a deep cave, blowing across his soul. The chill, dark sensation was soothing, calming. And accompanying it came a voice. Ah. And so she is alive. See, Vader? Not all dreams, come true. Darth Vader rose and turned, then dropped to one knee before his new Master, Darth Sidious. The future is always in motion, my Lord, he said. And if the future moves, it may be directed . Oh, very well said, Lord Vader, Sideous said with a smile. But only by those with the strength, the will, to direct it. He turned his scarred face - still bearing the evidence of Master Yoda's treacherous final attack - towards Padme. I am so glad to see the Senator safe. May I take your hand? If only for a moment. She recoiled from the Sith Lord, fear and loathing visible in her beautiful eyes. Anakin, she cried out, please! He rose without thought, interposing himself between his wife and his Master. Sidious' eyes narrowed at the action, and his stance shifted subtly. Please, my Lord, Vader said, keeping his hands away from the two lightsabers at his belt. She has been... no, I tell a lie. He let his hands fall and his shoulders slump. I... attacked her. I tried to kill her. Sideous considered that. And why would you do that, Lord Vader? Obi-Wan, came Vader's response. I... he followed her here and... and... He closed his eyes, remembering the horrific moments. I believed... I feared ... that she had betrayed me. Betrayed the Republic. And I... lashed out. Then you... Sidious began, but he never completed the sentence. I should have trusted her! Vader exploded. I should have believed her! My strength... the new strength I've gained... I should have protected her! And in a moment - a single moment - I nearly lost everything ! It was only with the exertion of an iron will that Darth Sideous refused to give ground before his apprentice's sudden rage, but he could feel the power of the Dark Side boiling within Darth Vader. Then, if that is your desire, you should... make amends, he answered, soothingly. Vader nodded. I don't know how, he muttered. Not for something like this. But... He met Darth Sideous' gaze with eyes filled with yellow flame. She has been hurt enough today. Unless she wills it, you will not touch her.