Deception, Truths and Nightmares

Chapter Twelve

Fulfilling the Prophecy

A/N: Hello. I guess I have rushed in chapter eleven. The new school term has started, and I'm starting to feel more lethargic as the days pass. Oh well. I'm only a Secondary 2 student after all. In Singapore, being a Sec 2 is being 14. Okay, enough about my life story. Onto the fiction! There's a prologue here as well. Sorry for the shortness of this whole story, I really hoped you enjoyed it!

"Welcome back, Lord Vader," said Sidious, smiling calmly at Anakin, who kept his eyes on him. Anakin nearly scowled. He did not like to be addressed as Darth Vader or Lord Vader at all. It was the only thing that almost brought him true suffering, and it was the only thing that he would get rid of as of now.

"I am Anakin Skywalker. I'm not Darth Vader," he replied boldly, much to the delight of Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master smiled at his apprentice, glad that he had turned back to the right side, and that he had returned safely from the future. "And you're under arrest, Darth Sidious."

Sidious' smile was wiped off his face immediately as it transformed into one distorted with wild anger. "You pledged yourself to me, Vader," he said, continually reminding Anakin of his other side, Darth Vader. Anakin glared at Sidious and ignited his lightsaber.

"You are outnumbered, Sidious," Ki-Adi said. "You will not win this battle." Sidious scowled.

"We'll see about that, Master Jedi," he replied with a sneer. "I want to fight my lost apprentice… and watch the light leave his eyes as I kill him."

"You'll never kill me," Anakin said, going into his battle stance. He raised his lightsaber slightly until it reached his eye and pointed it towards Sidious. "I am a Jedi, and I have learnt much from my Master."

Sidious glared angrily at Anakin. "After your death," he said mockingly, "I shall enjoy slaughtering your Master, Padawan, wife and children!" To his rage, Anakin did not get angry. He was surprisingly controlled now after his return, and Sidious knew that there was no way that he would retrieve his lost Darth Vader. Without hesitation, Sidious ignited his lightsaber and hurled himself towards Anakin and slashed strongly at the Jedi Knight. Anakin parried his attacks only to find himself stumbling backwards at the same time.

Sidious raised his lightsaber and looked as though he was about to strike Anakin from the top, but suddenly, he switched his pose and quickly slashed at Anakin's left leg, searing a cut into his ankle. Anakin gritted his teeth and knew that he was very lucky to emerge with a cut in his ankle, as he had known that Sidious had wanted to hurt more than just his leg. Anakin decided that a strong offensive would be more effective against Sidious. Before he made the move, another blue blade shot into his line of sight, attacking Sidious. Ki-Adi had interrupted the battle and decided to take things into his own hands, and slashed in a fast manner at Sidious, who blocked every attack while stepping backwards slowly.

He eyed Anakin, who looked more than ready to strike, and deliberately struck down on Ki-Adi aggressively, fazing the Jedi. Sidious delivered a punch up Ki-Adi's chin, and stabbed the Jedi's abdomen.

"No!" Anakin yelled, as well as Obi-Wan. Ki-Adi fell to the ground, his lifeless body making a loud thump as it landed on the ground. Obi-Wan felt as though he had just relived the scene where Darth Maul had killed his former Master, Qui-Gon. He felt a terrible loss in his heart, and forced himself to look on, to support Anakin through their bond.

You can do it, Anakin.

I know I can, Master.

Anakin suddenly changed tactics, and used a fast saber style on Sidious, surprising the Sith Lord slightly. His speedy movements were far faster than Ki-Adi's, and Anakin could sense the growing anger and annoyance within Darth Sidious. Red blade clashed continuously against the blue blade, and Anakin was beginning to think that this battle was going to get them nowhere.

No, he thought, I am stronger than this.

He slashed left and right, sensing that Sidious was growing tired. For an old man, Anakin knew that it was only natural he started to tire after a certain period of time. He just hadn't expected that it would be such a long time.

"You're losing, Sidious," Anakin growled, still parrying and attacking.

Sidious scowled. "I will not lose," he hissed, "I have too much at stake!"

"Turn back," Anakin asked, although he knew that it was virtually impossible. "Turn back."

"I have always been immersed in the Dark Side… ever since I was young," Sidious said, "I find it hard to turn back to something I have never… felt."

Anakin steeled his heart and decided that Sidious would die by his blade, no matter what. They fought hard, and Anakin felt an invisible hand tighten around his windpipe, and his feet leaving the ground. He glared angrily at Sidious, who in turn, smiled, revealing his yellow and rotten teeth. He cackled maliciously and tightened his grip. Anakin felt the air escape him and he began to find it hard to concentrate on looking at Sidious.

He reached out his hand, praying that this would be the last time he would use this devastating skill. From the tips of his fingers, lightning shot out of each of them, attacking Sidious mercilessly. He dropped his lightsaber and screamed out in agony, much to the shock and horror of Ahsoka and Obi-Wan. He had not wanted to use this deadly skill Sidious had taught him, but he felt that there was no choice. Anakin was certain that he would not turn back to the Dark Side. It was a promise made to everyone he held dear.

The lightning stopped, leaving Sidious dead on the ground. His powers had been so strong that the lightning had killed Sidious immediately. Anakin sighed, and deactivated his lightsaber. He quickly released Ahsoka and Obi-Wan from the ray shields that Sidious had enclosed them in and looked down at Ki-Adi's body. He felt a surge of remorse and looked away sadly.

I could have saved him, he thought, but he remembered the words of Master Yoda.

Mourn them, do not, miss them, do not, Yoda had once said. Learn to let go, of everything you fear to lose.

Anakin turned back reluctantly to see Ki-Adi's eyes open, staring up at Anakin blankly. You are one with the Force, he told the dead body. He felt a presence pat his back hard, and joined the Force. He smiled. There would be no more evil in this galaxy ever again.

"Well done, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "But your killing move was disturbing."

"It was the only way, Master," Anakin said remorsefully. "I am sorry."

"He is dead," Obi-Wan said, referring to Sidious, "Thanks to you."

Anakin smiled and turned back to Ahsoka. She looked quite flustered and ashamed of herself, and Anakin knew the reason why.

"It's okay, Snips," Anakin said, "What matters is that you're safe."

Ahsoka smiled. She had learnt so many lessons from her experience, and swore that she would never give into the Dark Side ever again. Her feelings for Anakin would vanish gradually, but now was not the time to think about that.

"Is this the end of the Empire, Master?" she asked Anakin.

"Yes," replied Anakin gladly. "But we have lost a good Jedi."

"Ki-Adi would be pleased you stopped Sidious," Obi-Wan said. "Let's go back."

-

Padme hugged Anakin as soon as he returned and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

"I'm so glad you're alive," she whispered. Anakin smiled and asked, "Where are my babies?"

The senator smiled and led him into the next resting room where a medical droid was watching over Luke and Leia.

"They're so beautiful," said Anakin. "Leia looks like you."

"And Luke looks just like you, Ani," said Padme, hugging her husband. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied, kissing her on her forehead. "And I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" asked Padme.

"For betraying you, for accusing you of lying… and for hurting you," Anakin said sadly.

Padme smiled warmly and shook her head.

"Everybody makes mistakes, Ani," she said, "It's only important that they realize what they've done and make up for it."

Anakin smiled.

"Shall we go home?" he asked.

Padme nodded. "I would very much like to," she said.

Epilogue

Anakin carried Luke into his arms and smiled widely at his son. Luke smiled back, with a missing front tooth. He was the only thing that ever made Anakin laugh, and Padme and Leia always made him smile. It had been five years since Anakin left the Jedi Order after restoring the peace to the galaxy, and he knew that he had been blessed with a good life in Coruscant with his wife, daughter and son.

"Obi-Wan's coming to visit tomorrow," Padme said from the kitchen.

"What are you going to make him?" asked Anakin happily.

"A little of this and that," Padme said. Anakin sighed. He didn't like being responded to with vague answers, but he knew that his wife had intended for it to be a surprise.

"Dad," Luke said, tugging at his father's collar, "When's Uncle Obi-Wan coming?"

"You heard your mother," Anakin said, laughing. "Tomorrow night."

"Why does it have to be at night?" asked Luke, pouting.

"Because," Anakin said, grinning, "Dinner's always at night, Luke."

"Is Ahsoka coming too?" asked Leia, jumping to her feet.

"Yes," Anakin replied. His Padawan had become a Jedi Knight, and now she was part of the Jedi Council along with Obi-Wan. Anakin was fine with leaving the Order, but he still felt like a part of him still belonged to the Jedi Order.

Perhaps, one day, Luke and Leia Skywalker would become Jedi, like he was, and ensure the safety of the galaxy.

Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One, and he had fulfilled his prophecy.

SO this is the end of DTN.

I hope you've enjoyed it.

I'm sorry for making it so short – twelve chapters aren't good enough, I know.

But school's started, and I don't want to distract myself from my exams.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Love,

Rawrofl'd