Who Are You?

End of an Era

It was no wonder Anakin was worried about her seeing his face, he hardly resembled a person, much less the Jedi he once was. Bald and scarred, the only thing he still had were his blue eyes, the same ones that now starred awestruck up at his son.

"Tell your sister, you were right about me."

Luke nodded, while Anakin slowly began to slip away. Padmé held Anakin's remaining hand, before giving him a kiss goodbye. All the tension in Anakin's face seemed to melt away, as he mumbled out what sounded like "...it's so nice, to see you here..."

Choking back sobs, Padmé knew they couldn't linger. As she rose to her feet, she tried to get Luke to do the same.

"I don't want to leave him! He deserves a proper burial, Mother."

Luke was basically pleading and Padmé felt he had a point. Unfortunately, they were quickly losing time as more tremors could be felt underfoot. Taking in a very deep breath, Padmé helped Luke drag Anakin's body into the nearest empty ship. As Luke jetted them out of the hanger, they could see the attack more clearly. It was going incredibly well from what they saw, especially when only a few minutes later the entire station exploded in a massive fireball of charred debris. That certainly wasn't going to be fixed anytime soon. Their ship rocked slightly due to the shockwaves, but Luke managed to get them through the worst of it. As they neared the planet below, Padmé took the chair next to her son.

"I know how they do it, Jedi funerals, I mean." How exactly did she know that was what was on Luke's mind? Well, it was the same thing on her own. "I attended one for Obi-Wan's master, and I think I remember the steps.

Luke only nodded, "I'm sure it's what he wants."

"Me too."

***
As Anakin's body burned like Qui-Gon's had so many decades prior, Padmé couldn't help but notice how quiet their son was. He hadn't spoken the entire they prepared the funeral pyre, nor did he seem willing to break his silence now. It was hard of course, that no one else in the entire galaxy would actually mourn for Anakin aside from them. Much less, know how he saved not only them, but everyone at the cost of his own life. Because that's what Anakin had always been, deep down in his core, a selfless person who only ever wanted to help.

"Did you know, that he loved pod races?"

Luke looked away from the flames, and shook his head no.

"He was the only human who could participate. Of course, that's because of his use of the Force, but he didn't know that before I met him. I told you before, how we had needed the parts for our ship, well, a deal had been worked out that if Anakin won his next pod race then we would win the parts.  He was so excited to race for us, though he had never actually finished one before. That didn't matter, as Obi-Wan's master, Master Qui-Gon Jinn, had complete faith that he would win." Padmé cleared her throat. "And, he was right. Anakin won not only the parts for our ship, but his own freedom through that race. Though, he hadn't know he was racing to end his own enslavement."

He was perfectly content just to help a group of strangers on their way, and then go back to life with his mother...

Luke looked back towards the fire. "I just don't understand. I was supposed to destroy him, like Yoda and Ben both told me I was, but," Luke's voice began to tense slightly, "I was RIGHT. There was still good in him, he was GOOD again, Mother!" He now faced Padmé tears streaming down his face. "So, why couldn't I save him?!"

Padmé wrapped her arms around Luke, listening with a heavy heart as he began to sob.

"Luke," she loosened her hold and grabbed his shoulders. "Look at me."

Luke did as she asked, though his breathing was still uneven.

"You DID save him. Just because he isn't standing here beside us, doesn't mean you failed. Obi-Wan and Yoda lost faith in Anakin, they thought they knew who he was, Palpatine thought he knew who he was, and guess what? They were all wrong, and it's only because of you that they were. You loved your father, and that love was what kept you sure that he was still a good person deep down."

"Yeah, but," Luke sighed. "You were there too, and you believed in him as well."

"Well yes, I didn't lose faith either," Padmé acknowledged. "However, Luke, he went against the Emperor just to save you, and I know that he wouldn't have done it for just anyone.  After all, he wouldn't even defy Palpatine for me, let alone destroy him at the cost of his own life. Luke, you didn't just save him, you taught him to love again."

Luke drew in a breath, pondering his mother's words.

"Anakin is alright where he is," Padmé smiled. I should know!

The two watched as the flames began to die down, while overhead, rebel ships filled the night sky. Each one diving between shooting stars and fireworks.  Music could be heard echoing in the distance, along with the unanimous cheers of a freed galaxy.  It was a bit weird, to have such a joyous air wrapped around the melancholy of Anakin's funeral.  Though, despite their loss, both Luke and Padmé knew this was still a happy time.  It's not every day that an empire falls, and everyone deserves to celebrate the victory.  Finally, as the last of the fires turned to embers, and all that remained were the melted and charred remnants of Darth Vader's prosthetics, Luke turned to his mother.

"I think, I'll be alright too."

Just until they're alright...

Padmé watched as Luke began cleaning up the evidence of the pyre.  It wouldn't do for some uninformed Ewok or rebel to stumble upon the burial site of the empire's top enforcer, after all.  He still held a somber look, but his mood had clearly shifted.  It was obvious that he took Padmé's words to heart, and had accepted that he did indeed save his father's soul from the dark side.  Yes, she truly believed that Luke would be alright. 

...without me.

Padmé didn't exactly know what to expect when the Force decided to send her back to her own time.  Admittedly, she didn't remember what it was like when she was sent to the future.  However, something felt noticeably different inside of her.  Like watching the gentle lapping of the waves on her favorite beach as the sun begins to set.  The ocean would continue to move long after she had left, but she was ready to end her day, satisfied with the experience. 

Luke seemed to notice this change in his mother, but to his credit, he didn't start to cry.  Instead, he pulled her in for one last hug.  Padmé held her boy tightly, taking in every last detail.  They slowly unwrapped from each other, but they still held each other's hands.  Luke spoke first.

"I'm really going to miss you, Mother.  But, I guess you already know that."  He held a somewhat sheepish grin.

Padmé had a small smile herself, "I'm so happy I got to meet you, Luke, and that I got to see the amazing man you are.  Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about you and your sister." 

Luke nodded, "Well, I guess it's a good thing I found you back on Tatooine.  I know it was probably 'the will of the Force', but thank you for being with me since then.  I'm not going to say I wish it had been longer, because I know you have to go, but-"

"It will be longer," Padmé interrupted.  "I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to stop Palpatine from becoming the Emperor.  I won't let your father fall to the dark side, and Luke," she stared deeply into his eyes, "I promise you I will be the best mother to you and Leia I can possibly be."

As the world around her began to grow brighter, Padmé knew it was time.  Luke slowly let go and backed away, but she could see his final wave goodbye.