The Guardian of the Chosen One (English Version of "La Gardienne de l'Elu")

Chapter 84: Skywalker duel

Hi! Here's the continuation with the start of Order 66 and its consequences. Feel free to vote if you like it or comment.

Leia's point of view

We felt the fight between Padmé and Anakin. At least, a semblance of Anakin, for I could feel more and more the familiar dark energy I'd never hoped to see again. Vader's. It saddened me to feel it. For I had come to know the man who had given me life and whom I had always wanted to deny. I could see the exceptional person he was, finding myself in him. A good man with great courage and loyalty. But what I felt there was none other than the emergence of the biggest shadow of my existence. When we finally arrived, it was to see Padmé Junior on her knees, crying.

Luke: Padmé!

We went to her, Luke placing a tender hand on the back of her neck.

Luke: We're here, my daughter.

Padmé J: I've failed, Father. I'm sorry, Father. I...I wanted so much to save him.

Luke, taking her in his arms: I know.

She cried, while my brother closed his eyes, trying to comfort her. As for me, I watched the sun set, as if reflecting the last hours of the Republic. The last moments of freedom before the arrival of the dictatorship.

Me: Luke, Padmé...We must prepare for Order 66.

Luke withdrew his embrace, and looked at his daughter.

Luke: My daughter, I have an important mission for you.

Padmé J, wiping her eyes: What is it?

Luke: Protect my mother.

Padmé J, inclining her head: All right.

So she stood up with a Mother-like gleam of determination in her eyes, before setting off in the direction of the hospital. Luke and I looked at each other for a moment, understanding what we had to do. I took out my communicator to contact Padmé, so that we could prepare the evacuation of as many Jedi as possible, especially the acolytes and young Jedis.

Evening,

Evacuating the Temple was complicated, for the simple reason that nobody believed us. However, the massive arrival of the 501st clones, led by Vader, quickly convinced them. So, me and my brother are working to evacuate as many Jedi as possible, with the support of Padmé and Uncle Bail, who have dispatched as many ships as possible to evacuate them to the Temple hangar, under the pretext of a diplomatic visit to the Council. The timing was perfect, but just right. And so, the Jedi knights and masters who had remained at the Temple began their battle against the clones, who had come to invade. And Vader's dark presence grew stronger as I felt the Jedi presence disappear. And little by little, as we guided the acolytes towards the hangar, shielding them from incoming fire, we felt the presence of young Vader approaching. One of us had to stay and fight him, while the other continued the evacuation. The numerous blaster shots and blades reflecting the fire or cutting into the Temple could be felt.

The once calm and peaceful was now chaos and combat.

Me: Luke, continue the evacuation. I'll take care of him.

He looked at me, inclining his head in understanding. So, with my blue-bladed weapon lit, I was to face my fallen father. The beginning of the man who had haunted my life. However, I felt no fear or hatred towards him. Only sorrow and forgiveness. The latter finally revealed himself, his hood hiding his face. It was as if he didn't want to take responsibility for his actions, as if he was loathe to do so. Clones approached behind him, but with a movement of the Force, I strangled them, then snapped their necks. This seemed to intrigue young Vader.