FIC: The Call of Darkness
Title: The Call of Darkness
Rating: PG
Pairing: Anakin/Padmé
Warnings: AU
Summary: Obi-Wan must bring news of Anakin's turning to Padmé.
Notes: Was written prior to RotS, and is therefore AU.
"Anakin Skywalker is no more."
Amidala staggered backwards. My Anakin? My Ani?
Captain Typho saw her distress. "Jedi Kenobi," he said sternly to the Jedi Knight in the room. "You are distressing my lady. Please leave." He took a few steps forward towards the Jedi Knight standing in one corner, arms tucked into his robes.
The captain's naturally protective stance failed to impress Obi-Wan. "I am sorry to tell you this, Padmé," he said softly.
"What happened?" Amidala asked hoarsely. "Is he - "
"Dead?" Obi-Wan asked, sounding odd. "No, no m'lady, he lives. He lives," he repeated, as if attempting to justify something to himself. "The Dark Side turned him from me, from you, Padmé. He wants nothing of galactic peace, merely power."
Amidala turned anguished eyes toward him. "How dare you say that?"
Obi-Wan frowned at his wording. "I ask your pardon," he said slowly. "I realize Anakin is a sensitive subject. The only reason I returned to Naboo was to inform you of the news." Obi-Wan drew his cloak closer around him. "I'm sorry," he said again, and left the room.
Amidala sank down onto the floor and sobbed.
***
She was cradled in his arms. Anakin leaned down, whispering something softly into her ear. Padmé smiled. It was always so peaceful in Anakin's strong arms. He would fight the galaxy for her.
"If I were to die right now," he said, "This would be the best moment for it to happen."
"Don't tease about death, Ani." The Clone Wars had brought too many deaths. "Don't die. Ever."
His reply was close to her ear. "I won't. I won't ever."
***
"He left me," Padmé said dully.
"Your Highness?" Captain Typho asked gently. The rest of his face contorted slightly as he stepped around her and out of the room. As expected, he found Obi-Wan Kenobi standing serenely, gazing out a window at the peaceful streets of Theed.
"How could you do that to her?" he accused, stepping into range of the Jedi.
"Anakin made his own choice - "
"You were Skywalker's master!" Typho blurted out. "I fail to see how it is Anakin's fault. If a child strays, doesn't that say something about the parents?"
Obi-Wan visibly flinched and Typho was glad that something he had said had gotten through to Obi-Wan. But a moment later, the pained look was gone and Kenobi's face was once more calm. "The Jedi are not the same as a father and son. I am his teacher, his guide. It is up to him to make what he wants of his life."
Typho stepped closer to Obi-Wan, glaring. "You made Her Highness deeply upset and all you say is that it wasn't your fault?" As the Jedi met his eyes squarely, Typho felt some of his anger diminish. "Why, Obi-Wan? I thought you and her were friends."
"We are. Were, at least," Obi-Wan sighed.
Typho glared at Obi-Wan briefly before stepping backwards, his fire obviously burning low in face of the deep anguish etched in Obi-Wan's eyes. "I just hope you don't do anything else to upset her," he declared before stepping back to guard position outside Padmé's room. At the same time, his dark brown eyes shot out a challenge to Obi-Wan to try and enter.
***
Dear Anakin,
Amidala was gripping the pencil so hard that she could hardly recognize her own handwriting.
This is the most difficult letter I have ever had to write, so I might as well get it over with. Obi-Wan says that you've turned to the Dark Side. Amidala paused, her hand hovering over the paper. Seeing the words in black and white in front of her seemed to confirm her thoughts. How could that have happened? This can't break anything, Anakin. I still love you, but -
But what? Amidala wondered furiously. She loved Anakin. Obi-Wan was lying. He had to be. I'm not sure if all Obi-Wan tells me is true or not. You're Anakin Skywalker, the man I fell in love with. That Anakin would never have turned. So I guess it can't be true.
Amidala paused and reread. She had no idea how to phrase the thoughts running through her head. I don’t know, anymore. I feel so lost without you. I know Captain Typho will not like this, but I just wish you would - visit me. Obi-Wan says you're alive. I have to trust him on that.
Sincerely, Padmé.
Amidala put down the pen and read over the letter. Out of the thousands of letters she wrote each week, she was pretty sure that this was among the worst. But then again, it was the worst subject she had ever had to write about.
***
Amidala sat by her windowsill, glancing absentmindedly out at the cool night air. Everything seemed so peaceful. Even the harsh words having been exchanged between Obi-Wan and Typho earlier seemed to have cooled down sufficiently. Then again it was two days later. Those two men were never among those to hold a long-standing grudge.
A sharp rap on her door started her. Quickly, she withdrew a small blaster from underneath her pillow and held it steadily. "Whose there?"
She heard a muffled shout and then total silence before a familiar voice broke into her mind. "Me." The next words were said with great reluctance. "Anakin Skywalker."
Padmé took a deep breath. Anakin was here. Obi-Wan had been wrong. "Come in," she said, ready to greet her husband. How long had it been since she had seen him? A month? More?
A dark silhouette of a shape flowed in. Padmé stumbled backwards, almost drawing her blaster again despite herself. "What happened to you?" she asked, clearly concerned.
Over Anakin's handsome young face was a black mask, breathing and other life-sustaining functions covering it. His suit had a dark chest plate, obviously to protect that weakened spot of him. "Obi-Wan Kenobi," Anakin rasped out, taking a step inside.
The dark side turned him from me, from you, Padmé. Obi-Wan's words rang clear in Amidala's head as she struggled to shake them away. "Are you a Sith?" she asked, her voice steady, not betraying the anguish she felt inside.
"I don't prefer to call myself that," Anakin stepped towards her.
Subconsciously, Padmé backed away. The uniform Anakin wore reminded her too strongly of what the Sith who had killed Qui-Gon had worn. "What have you become?"
"Powerful," Anakin replied, flexing one gloved hand. "I have come for you, too. Join me."
Padmé stared at the extended hand and said sharply, "I am not a master of evil."
"Nor am I, my love," Anakin said softly, "You must understand there are other sides to things. I am not a master of evil, but rather of efficiency. I love this galaxy, but the Republic isn't helping it. A new government must be formed."
"You have been brainwashed!" Amidala said, "By who?"
"My master has shown me the way," Anakin said, evading the question.
Closing her eyes for a second to gather strength, Amidala stepped closer to Anakin so she was almost face to face with him. "Ani," she started, "You have become a Sith. No matter what you call it, you are still a Sith Lord. You are allied with those who killed Qui-Gon."
Anakin twisted his eyes away from hers. "I wasn't strong enough to protect Qui-Gon then. But I am now. The Dark Side has given me the power to protect myself, you, everybody I love."
"You failed to protect yourself from Obi-Wan," Amidala said, still gently. One hand stroked the plating of his chest armor. "You were gravely injured. The Dark Side isn't stronger."
"Kenobi used the Dark Side, too," Anakin said bitterly. "He used it against Darth Maul. He used it against me. But he spins lies and says he clung to the Light. But I was there. I sensed the darkness flowing within. Within him. He does a good job of hiding it."
Could it be true? Could Obi-Wan's polite demeanor hide the stirrings of darkness? Amidala shook her head slightly. "He is a Jedi Master."
"I see," Anakin said shortly. "You believe him but not me."
"No," Amidala pleaded. "Anakin - "
"I am Darth Vader," Anakin said, gathering his cloak tighter around him. "I must be going. I have stalled too long here." He started towards the door before turning back towards Amidala with a faint smile. "You'll need a new security guard, I'm afraid."
"What?" Amidala asked, alarmed. She raced out past Anakin, seeing Captain Typho - what remained of his body - lying there. She whirled, seeing the slightest gleam of satisfaction in Anakin's eyes. "You have killed a man!"
"It was in self-defense," Anakin said.
"Self-defense," Obi-Wan snorted from somewhere in the shadows of the room. "Anakin Skywalker. I knew that you were here. You never were good at shielding your mind."
Anakin whirled, a red beam shooting out in his hand. "Where do you hide?"
"Where you least expect," Obi-Wan said wryly. "Right behind you."
Two lightsaber blades flashed in the dark night even as Padmé cradled Typho's head in her lap.
***
Anakin was meeting the first blow at an upward angle, but before the 'sabers connected fully, Kenobi twisted his blade aside and dropped to one knee, stabbing upwards with his blade. The fiery lightsaber slashed straight across Anakin's face mask, causing the smell of burning plastic to erupt fiercely in Anakin's nose. One centimeter closer and it would have taken his face off.
With a dropping parry, Anakin blocked three more blows in quick succession, leaping backwards all the while. The Force exploded around Kenobi in a fierce wave, driving his every blow even as Anakin flailed. His new body was failing him. Failure was a concept Anakin hated.
Anger rose in him, directing his movements. His parries came faster and faster until he was no longer defending, but attacking. His crimson blade was a flash of light now as he struck left, right, up and down, coming at Obi-Wan from all directions possible. His footwork had never been faster.
But somewhere, somewhere behind all his fancy lightsaber skills, lay Obi-Wan's teachings. Obi-Wan's style of fighting. And that was knowledge enough for the Jedi to counter every single one of Anakin's moves.
The two combatants worked their way around where Padmé lay with her head on top of Typho's. She seemed oblivious to the pair fighting a duel to the death around her. She even didn't notice when Anakin sprang over her head to attack from in a sky-to-earth movement.
Grimly, Obi-Wan blocked the blow and leapt to his left to dodge another strike.
***
Faster and faster Anakin moved, anger and hatred swelling in his veins. Here was the man who had ruined his life, a man who had as good as killed or driven away everybody who Anakin loved. "You always hated me," Anakin ground out, somersaulting across the floor before springing up once more to parry and swipe.
"If I had wanted you to fail I would have finished you off years ago," Obi-Wan replied, leaping to dodge the kick Anakin threw at him. With his free foot, he hit Anakin across the face once more.
Steadily, Anakin advanced. "You should have, Master. But now I'm stronger than you."
"Perhaps so," Obi-Wan replied, driving the point of his 'saber down. The blue blade flipped back over and swum too close for Anakin's liking. Pure rage filled Anakin's vision, pounding his brain. He raised his 'saber, pushed away his fatigue, and struck violently.
The Force drove through him even as he flung objects at Obi-Wan. The Jedi was unhampered and easily deflected them with his lightsaber and with his mastery of the Force.
"This is a battle you cannot win," Obi-Wan said.
Sweat streamed down Anakin's face and his next words were said quickly, "Let me try!" He lunged at Obi-Wan quickly. Too quickly. With a gesture of his hand, the power of the Force suddenly surged one last time and slammed into Anakin with all its brutal power. He went flying backwards by the force, slamming into a wall and slumping down.
Amidala had risen. "You killed him." Her voice was dead.
"No," Obi-Wan said, "but now I will." He raised his lightsaber and brought it stealthily down.
***
The blue blade whistled downwards - and before Amidala knew what she was doing, she had raced forward and was now on top of Anakin's body. "Please don’t kill him," she begged softly. The heat from the blade crackled near her. Amidala held her position.
"Please move," Obi-Wan said curtly.
"I can't let you kill him," Amidala said, "How can you? He was your padawan."
"He denounced me." Yes, there had definitely been a bit of a strain in his voice.
"There is still hope," Amidala said, "He can still be Anakin Skywalker." Looking up, she saw the blue blade of Obi-Wan's snap off. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling tears well up in her eyes. She hugged Anakin's still body to her. "Thank you."
"This is a mistake," Obi-Wan's voice was now distant. With a sudden decisive nod, he wheeled around.
"Where are you going?" Amidala couldn't help but ask.
"If you ever need me, ask for Ben," Obi-Wan called over his shoulder. "I have some business to do."
In Amidala's arms, Darth Vader stirred once and then fell back limply in her arms.
Rating: PG
Pairing: Anakin/Padmé
Warnings: AU
Summary: Obi-Wan must bring news of Anakin's turning to Padmé.
Notes: Was written prior to RotS, and is therefore AU.
"Anakin Skywalker is no more."
Amidala staggered backwards. My Anakin? My Ani?
Captain Typho saw her distress. "Jedi Kenobi," he said sternly to the Jedi Knight in the room. "You are distressing my lady. Please leave." He took a few steps forward towards the Jedi Knight standing in one corner, arms tucked into his robes.
The captain's naturally protective stance failed to impress Obi-Wan. "I am sorry to tell you this, Padmé," he said softly.
"What happened?" Amidala asked hoarsely. "Is he - "
"Dead?" Obi-Wan asked, sounding odd. "No, no m'lady, he lives. He lives," he repeated, as if attempting to justify something to himself. "The Dark Side turned him from me, from you, Padmé. He wants nothing of galactic peace, merely power."
Amidala turned anguished eyes toward him. "How dare you say that?"
Obi-Wan frowned at his wording. "I ask your pardon," he said slowly. "I realize Anakin is a sensitive subject. The only reason I returned to Naboo was to inform you of the news." Obi-Wan drew his cloak closer around him. "I'm sorry," he said again, and left the room.
Amidala sank down onto the floor and sobbed.
***
She was cradled in his arms. Anakin leaned down, whispering something softly into her ear. Padmé smiled. It was always so peaceful in Anakin's strong arms. He would fight the galaxy for her.
"If I were to die right now," he said, "This would be the best moment for it to happen."
"Don't tease about death, Ani." The Clone Wars had brought too many deaths. "Don't die. Ever."
His reply was close to her ear. "I won't. I won't ever."
***
"He left me," Padmé said dully.
"Your Highness?" Captain Typho asked gently. The rest of his face contorted slightly as he stepped around her and out of the room. As expected, he found Obi-Wan Kenobi standing serenely, gazing out a window at the peaceful streets of Theed.
"How could you do that to her?" he accused, stepping into range of the Jedi.
"Anakin made his own choice - "
"You were Skywalker's master!" Typho blurted out. "I fail to see how it is Anakin's fault. If a child strays, doesn't that say something about the parents?"
Obi-Wan visibly flinched and Typho was glad that something he had said had gotten through to Obi-Wan. But a moment later, the pained look was gone and Kenobi's face was once more calm. "The Jedi are not the same as a father and son. I am his teacher, his guide. It is up to him to make what he wants of his life."
Typho stepped closer to Obi-Wan, glaring. "You made Her Highness deeply upset and all you say is that it wasn't your fault?" As the Jedi met his eyes squarely, Typho felt some of his anger diminish. "Why, Obi-Wan? I thought you and her were friends."
"We are. Were, at least," Obi-Wan sighed.
Typho glared at Obi-Wan briefly before stepping backwards, his fire obviously burning low in face of the deep anguish etched in Obi-Wan's eyes. "I just hope you don't do anything else to upset her," he declared before stepping back to guard position outside Padmé's room. At the same time, his dark brown eyes shot out a challenge to Obi-Wan to try and enter.
***
Dear Anakin,
Amidala was gripping the pencil so hard that she could hardly recognize her own handwriting.
This is the most difficult letter I have ever had to write, so I might as well get it over with. Obi-Wan says that you've turned to the Dark Side. Amidala paused, her hand hovering over the paper. Seeing the words in black and white in front of her seemed to confirm her thoughts. How could that have happened? This can't break anything, Anakin. I still love you, but -
But what? Amidala wondered furiously. She loved Anakin. Obi-Wan was lying. He had to be. I'm not sure if all Obi-Wan tells me is true or not. You're Anakin Skywalker, the man I fell in love with. That Anakin would never have turned. So I guess it can't be true.
Amidala paused and reread. She had no idea how to phrase the thoughts running through her head. I don’t know, anymore. I feel so lost without you. I know Captain Typho will not like this, but I just wish you would - visit me. Obi-Wan says you're alive. I have to trust him on that.
Sincerely, Padmé.
Amidala put down the pen and read over the letter. Out of the thousands of letters she wrote each week, she was pretty sure that this was among the worst. But then again, it was the worst subject she had ever had to write about.
***
Amidala sat by her windowsill, glancing absentmindedly out at the cool night air. Everything seemed so peaceful. Even the harsh words having been exchanged between Obi-Wan and Typho earlier seemed to have cooled down sufficiently. Then again it was two days later. Those two men were never among those to hold a long-standing grudge.
A sharp rap on her door started her. Quickly, she withdrew a small blaster from underneath her pillow and held it steadily. "Whose there?"
She heard a muffled shout and then total silence before a familiar voice broke into her mind. "Me." The next words were said with great reluctance. "Anakin Skywalker."
Padmé took a deep breath. Anakin was here. Obi-Wan had been wrong. "Come in," she said, ready to greet her husband. How long had it been since she had seen him? A month? More?
A dark silhouette of a shape flowed in. Padmé stumbled backwards, almost drawing her blaster again despite herself. "What happened to you?" she asked, clearly concerned.
Over Anakin's handsome young face was a black mask, breathing and other life-sustaining functions covering it. His suit had a dark chest plate, obviously to protect that weakened spot of him. "Obi-Wan Kenobi," Anakin rasped out, taking a step inside.
The dark side turned him from me, from you, Padmé. Obi-Wan's words rang clear in Amidala's head as she struggled to shake them away. "Are you a Sith?" she asked, her voice steady, not betraying the anguish she felt inside.
"I don't prefer to call myself that," Anakin stepped towards her.
Subconsciously, Padmé backed away. The uniform Anakin wore reminded her too strongly of what the Sith who had killed Qui-Gon had worn. "What have you become?"
"Powerful," Anakin replied, flexing one gloved hand. "I have come for you, too. Join me."
Padmé stared at the extended hand and said sharply, "I am not a master of evil."
"Nor am I, my love," Anakin said softly, "You must understand there are other sides to things. I am not a master of evil, but rather of efficiency. I love this galaxy, but the Republic isn't helping it. A new government must be formed."
"You have been brainwashed!" Amidala said, "By who?"
"My master has shown me the way," Anakin said, evading the question.
Closing her eyes for a second to gather strength, Amidala stepped closer to Anakin so she was almost face to face with him. "Ani," she started, "You have become a Sith. No matter what you call it, you are still a Sith Lord. You are allied with those who killed Qui-Gon."
Anakin twisted his eyes away from hers. "I wasn't strong enough to protect Qui-Gon then. But I am now. The Dark Side has given me the power to protect myself, you, everybody I love."
"You failed to protect yourself from Obi-Wan," Amidala said, still gently. One hand stroked the plating of his chest armor. "You were gravely injured. The Dark Side isn't stronger."
"Kenobi used the Dark Side, too," Anakin said bitterly. "He used it against Darth Maul. He used it against me. But he spins lies and says he clung to the Light. But I was there. I sensed the darkness flowing within. Within him. He does a good job of hiding it."
Could it be true? Could Obi-Wan's polite demeanor hide the stirrings of darkness? Amidala shook her head slightly. "He is a Jedi Master."
"I see," Anakin said shortly. "You believe him but not me."
"No," Amidala pleaded. "Anakin - "
"I am Darth Vader," Anakin said, gathering his cloak tighter around him. "I must be going. I have stalled too long here." He started towards the door before turning back towards Amidala with a faint smile. "You'll need a new security guard, I'm afraid."
"What?" Amidala asked, alarmed. She raced out past Anakin, seeing Captain Typho - what remained of his body - lying there. She whirled, seeing the slightest gleam of satisfaction in Anakin's eyes. "You have killed a man!"
"It was in self-defense," Anakin said.
"Self-defense," Obi-Wan snorted from somewhere in the shadows of the room. "Anakin Skywalker. I knew that you were here. You never were good at shielding your mind."
Anakin whirled, a red beam shooting out in his hand. "Where do you hide?"
"Where you least expect," Obi-Wan said wryly. "Right behind you."
Two lightsaber blades flashed in the dark night even as Padmé cradled Typho's head in her lap.
***
Anakin was meeting the first blow at an upward angle, but before the 'sabers connected fully, Kenobi twisted his blade aside and dropped to one knee, stabbing upwards with his blade. The fiery lightsaber slashed straight across Anakin's face mask, causing the smell of burning plastic to erupt fiercely in Anakin's nose. One centimeter closer and it would have taken his face off.
With a dropping parry, Anakin blocked three more blows in quick succession, leaping backwards all the while. The Force exploded around Kenobi in a fierce wave, driving his every blow even as Anakin flailed. His new body was failing him. Failure was a concept Anakin hated.
Anger rose in him, directing his movements. His parries came faster and faster until he was no longer defending, but attacking. His crimson blade was a flash of light now as he struck left, right, up and down, coming at Obi-Wan from all directions possible. His footwork had never been faster.
But somewhere, somewhere behind all his fancy lightsaber skills, lay Obi-Wan's teachings. Obi-Wan's style of fighting. And that was knowledge enough for the Jedi to counter every single one of Anakin's moves.
The two combatants worked their way around where Padmé lay with her head on top of Typho's. She seemed oblivious to the pair fighting a duel to the death around her. She even didn't notice when Anakin sprang over her head to attack from in a sky-to-earth movement.
Grimly, Obi-Wan blocked the blow and leapt to his left to dodge another strike.
***
Faster and faster Anakin moved, anger and hatred swelling in his veins. Here was the man who had ruined his life, a man who had as good as killed or driven away everybody who Anakin loved. "You always hated me," Anakin ground out, somersaulting across the floor before springing up once more to parry and swipe.
"If I had wanted you to fail I would have finished you off years ago," Obi-Wan replied, leaping to dodge the kick Anakin threw at him. With his free foot, he hit Anakin across the face once more.
Steadily, Anakin advanced. "You should have, Master. But now I'm stronger than you."
"Perhaps so," Obi-Wan replied, driving the point of his 'saber down. The blue blade flipped back over and swum too close for Anakin's liking. Pure rage filled Anakin's vision, pounding his brain. He raised his 'saber, pushed away his fatigue, and struck violently.
The Force drove through him even as he flung objects at Obi-Wan. The Jedi was unhampered and easily deflected them with his lightsaber and with his mastery of the Force.
"This is a battle you cannot win," Obi-Wan said.
Sweat streamed down Anakin's face and his next words were said quickly, "Let me try!" He lunged at Obi-Wan quickly. Too quickly. With a gesture of his hand, the power of the Force suddenly surged one last time and slammed into Anakin with all its brutal power. He went flying backwards by the force, slamming into a wall and slumping down.
Amidala had risen. "You killed him." Her voice was dead.
"No," Obi-Wan said, "but now I will." He raised his lightsaber and brought it stealthily down.
***
The blue blade whistled downwards - and before Amidala knew what she was doing, she had raced forward and was now on top of Anakin's body. "Please don’t kill him," she begged softly. The heat from the blade crackled near her. Amidala held her position.
"Please move," Obi-Wan said curtly.
"I can't let you kill him," Amidala said, "How can you? He was your padawan."
"He denounced me." Yes, there had definitely been a bit of a strain in his voice.
"There is still hope," Amidala said, "He can still be Anakin Skywalker." Looking up, she saw the blue blade of Obi-Wan's snap off. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling tears well up in her eyes. She hugged Anakin's still body to her. "Thank you."
"This is a mistake," Obi-Wan's voice was now distant. With a sudden decisive nod, he wheeled around.
"Where are you going?" Amidala couldn't help but ask.
"If you ever need me, ask for Ben," Obi-Wan called over his shoulder. "I have some business to do."
In Amidala's arms, Darth Vader stirred once and then fell back limply in her arms.