Bittersweet Devotion [Star Wars x Anakin Skywalker]

22.

"In my experience there is no such thing as luck" -Obi-Wan

As Rain stepped off the landing strip, the hot wind of Tatooine blasted against her face, carrying with it the old, familiar smells of the desert she once called home. It had been nearly nine years since she had last set foot on this planet, but the memories were still vivid in her mind. The scent of sand, sweat, and spice filled her nostrils, a reminder of the life she had tried to leave behind.

Her black Sith robes fluttered in the wind, trailing behind her like the shadows she had embraced. They were a stark contrast to the brown Jedi robes she once wore, a constant reminder of the path she had chosen. Tatooine hadn't changed much, but she certainly had. The people who turned their heads to stare at her as she passed saw only a Sith Lord, not the woman who had once walked these streets as a young, hopeful Jedi.

Rain felt a pang of nostalgia as she walked through the dusty streets, memories assaulting her from every direction. It had been nine long years since she was last here, nine years since she had seen her son, Luke, and felt the sand beneath her feet. But it had to be done. For their sake. She could not risk exposing them to the Emperor's gaze. It took all her self-control to keep moving, to not allow the flood of emotions to break her calm facade. There was no time for such distractions; she had a mission to complete.

She turned to the two guards flanking her, their red armor a sharp contrast against the beige landscape. Her voice was cold and commanding as she addressed them. "You know our orders. We are here to instill fear, nothing more. No harm is to come to these people unless I decree it," she stated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guards nodded in agreement, and they continued their slow march toward the city. Rain felt the weight of every gaze upon her, the fear and uncertainty radiating from the people who once might have known her. She kept her face expressionless, but inside, a storm was raging. She had become the enemy, the very thing she had once sworn to destroy.

As she made her way toward the cantina, she couldn't help but think back to the first time she had met with Obi-Wan after turning to the dark side. The memory was bittersweet, filled with the pain of her choices and the hope she had tried to hold onto for the sake of her children.

10 years earlier...

It had been a few months since Rain had pledged herself to the Emperor. The weight of her decision still bore down on her, but she knew she had to do whatever it took to survive and protect the ones she loved. As she entered the cave where Obi-Wan had agreed to meet her, she felt a mixture of fear and relief. She needed to see him, to explain herself, and to make sure her children were safe.

"Rain," Obi-Wan's voice called out from the shadows as he stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of caution and concern. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

Rain's heart ached at the sight of her old mentor. "I had to, Obi-Wan. I need to explain why I... why I did what I did."

Obi-Wan's expression softened, and he nodded for her to continue.

"I turned to the dark side because... I didn't see any other way. The Emperor promised me the power to save Anakin, to protect my children. I know it sounds like an excuse, but I did it for them, Obi-Wan. I had to try," she explained, her voice trembling.

Obi-Wan studied her for a long moment before he spoke. "I understand why you did it, Rain, but you must know that the dark side will only bring more suffering. It's a path of destruction, not salvation."