A Galaxy in Darkness (Book 2)

Vader

          She fell to the ground, lifeless. My Master was at a loss for words. Her former Apprentice, one who has just asked her to forgive her for falling from the Light, has been killed by yet another fallen Jedi. Darth Vader's presence was like a dark aura that permeated throughout the entire forest. I felt like I was standing in a thick fog. My vision was clouded. "Was he the shadow that has been following me around?", I thought to myself.

"That poor excuse of an Inquisitor finally got one thing right," said Vader with a malevolent tone. "She led me here, to the Jedi whom I was once good friends with." He made eye contact with Ahsoka and Master Kenobi.

"Anakin," said Ahsoka. "What happened to you? Why have you abandoned the Jedi Order you once held so dear?"

"I found power," he responded simply. "Lord Sidious gave me power, the power to save the ones I love."

"And yet so many of the ones you supposedly loved, have died," Master Kenobi interjected. "And you were the murderer."

"The only one I loved was Padmé. My Master told me she was dead, and that I could bring her back to life if I learned the ways of the Dark Side of the Force."

          Suddenly, I saw a hook dig into the wood of the platform. Someone began to climb up. Everyone went to look at who it was, even Vader. No one was prepared for who we were about to see. It was Padmé. "I'm right here, Annie."

"You're not dead? How?", Vader asked curiously.

"I was never in any danger," Padmé responded. "What your Master told you was a lie. He tricked you so that he could have an Apprentice ruling alongside him as he became the new leader of the Galactic Empire. You fell right into his trap."

"I did all this...for nothing, then," said Vader, clearly aggravated. "Come with me. Let me take you from this place and let it just be us, ruling the Galaxy." Vader reached out his hand towards her.

Master Kenobi stepped in front of her. "I'm afraid that's not going to happen, my old Apprentice."

Vader's breathing quickened. "Then she will die like the rest of you!" His once kind-gestured hand quickly began to curl, and he used the Force to lift Padmé into the air, choking her.

"Anakin...stop...please," said Padmé, barely able to speak.

          I ignited my sabers and raised them towards Vader. "Let her go. She has no means of defending herself from your attacks. Take your anger out on someone like me instead." I did not know what I was getting myself into. I was clearly outmatched, but I could not just stand by and watch as Padmé was slowly being choked to death.

"So be it," Vader said as he let his hand fall back to his side. Padmé fell into Master Kenobi's arms. "I assume you're Kane Voss. I sense the power in you. I can help perfect it. Join me. Leave your Master, she only wishes to hold you back from your true potential."

"The Dark Side is built around fear and lies. You are following a path I cannot follow. The Sith are corrupted. Only taught to hate. I will never join you."

"That was your last chance at staying alive." Vader charged to me and let loose a barrage of strikes. I was not powerful enough to face him. No wonder Palpatine wanted him as his Apprentice. I could not take these repeated strikes for much longer. Vader was too strong.

"Anakin!", Master Kenobi yelled. "If you choose to fight, let me be your opponent." He pointed his bright blue lightsaber at him. "It pains me that I have to face you again, but I will do what is necessary to protect the people who have fought endlessly to stop you and your plans to destroy our Order."