Who Are You?

End of an Era

***
Just. Until. They're. Alright!

"Lift his legs higher, Mother, they're dragging!"  Luke called out to Padmé through gritted teeth as he struggled to raise his father's body over his shoulder.  She nodded as she fought to adjust her own hold.  It honestly didn't help that Anakin dwarfed the two of them as though they were Ewoks, but the Skywalker family soldiered on towards the hanger.  The tremors were intermittent, sparks and dust clouded the air, and all while the alarm continued to blare overhead.  And, just to add to the chaos that Padmé called her life, the entire station was filled with people, PANICKING people! It kind of surprised Padmé a little, that out of all the officers and Storm Troopers that rushed past them in every direction, absolutely no one seemed to care that Darth Vader himself was being dragged along by the prisoners, nor did any bother to stop and help.

Selfish kriffing-

Padmé's thoughts were cut short as another tremor racked the station, sending many to the ground. It was a real fight to keep her footing while balancing her husband's stiff, metal body. Luke was clearly feeling the weight as well, but he was just as determined to save Anakin. However, as the shaking finally began to settle, it appeared Anakin had different plans.

"Leave me here."

Both Padmé and Luke were startled by the request, stopping in their tracks and staring at Anakin's mask.

"Just leave me here. I'm only slowing you two down."

"Don't say things like that!" Padmé motioned for Luke to continue forward, only for Anakin to protest once more.

"Father, please." Luke huffed as he spoke. "It's going to be alright. We're going to get a ship, and we're going to," another loud breath, "get you to a medic, and," yet another breath, "we're-"

"Son, stop."

Luke fell silent as he looked back at his father. He turned his gaze to Padmé, clearly unsure how to proceed, though she was at a loss as well. Anakin just looked so...broken, but that didn't mean he couldn't be fixed, right? After all, he's a good guy again, that had to count for something, right? Padmé let out a sigh, if she has learned anything from her career as a politician, it was that the universe wasn't fair on its own. And, if she's learned anything from this entire experience, it was that the Force had a plan for everyone, even if it involved tragedy.

"Padmé, please."

Padmé was brought back at the sound of her name. It was interesting to hear such an intentionally menacing voice seem to crack with emotion.

"Please, help me, take off this mask."

Luke immediately balked at the thought. "But if she does that, you'll die!"

"Nothing can stop that now." Anakin struggled to turn his head as they sat him onto the ground. "I just want to see my son with my own eyes."

The sounds of the exploding space station ebbed away as Padmé hesitated. She knew she couldn't deny such a request, her husband's last request. Tears filled her own eyes as she and Luke together began to remove the helmet.

"Wait."

They stalled at his voice, and Padmé wondered if he had suddenly changed his mind.

"Padmé, Angel. I...I don't want you to look, just-"

"Anakin, I love you. I have always loved you, and I always will love you." Padmé smiled through the tears. "After all, you are the father of our children."

"Children?" He asked, though a bit weaker than before.

"I have a sister," Luke chimed in as he took the final piece of the helmet off.