Star Wars: Malignant Metamorphosis

by Forcechild

  The Supreme Ruler instantly jumped up from his chair. Force lightning issued from his fingertips lifting Ben high into the air. He was thrown across the room and slammed against a wall. Dazed, the young man slid to the floor. Ben’s weapon fell from his grasp and rolled out of sight. Imperial Guards quickly ran over and seized him. They dragged Ben to the center of the room and held him tightly.

  The Sith Lord rushed over to Padmay and helped her to her feet. He asked if she was alright. Ben couldn’t help but notice true concern etched on the man’s face. Could this beast really care about his sister?

  Padmay lowered her eyes in shame as she bowed to Lord Vader. “I am truly sorry Master. I wasn’t prepared for such a vicious attack.”

  “Quite alright my love. You’re not harmed, are you?”

  “I’m fine my Master.”

  “Good. Now finish the job Estrus. Kill him.”

  “But he’s being held.”

  “Kill him Estrus.”

  “Master. With all due respect, that’s not how I want to destroy him. I must fight him to the death. I have to prove my worthiness to you.”

  “Prove your loyalty by killing him.”

  “But...”

  “DO IT!”

  “Yes Master.” Padmay bowed deeply and then walked over to her brother. She ignited her lightsaber and held it high above his head.

  Ben closed his eyes. He couldn’t bear to see his beloved sister commit this vile act.

  Padmay swung the glowing crimson weapon down.

  “HOLD!” Vader commanded.

  Padmay halted in mid-swing. “Master?”

  “I sense something,” the Supreme Ruler stated as a deep frown creased his forehead. He walked over to Ben and started pacing back and forth in front. “I feel something powerful stirring inside you boy. It’s unusually strong. Is Obi-Wan strengthening your abilities in some way? No, it isn’t him. This is something or someone else.” The Sith Lord stopped pacing and stood in front of Ben. “Raise his head so I can look into his eyes Estrus,” he commanded.

  Padmay did as commanded. She grabbed Ben by the hair and forced his head up.

  “Open your eyes and look at me boy. Let me see into their depths.”

  Ben opened his eyes and looked directly into the Sith Lord’s eyes.

  Lord Vader gazed into Ben’s eyes, slowly recognizing the eyes that stared back. “It can’t be! It’s impossible! I..., I...,”

  Ben’s facial features suddenly started to transform. Padmay gasped as the face of her lover appeared on her twin. No. It wasn’t Vader’s image she saw. Ben’s eyes were different. They’d changed from blue-green to sky-blue. They seemed extraordinarily kind. They weren’t filled with malice like her Master’s were. It had to be someone else. But who? Realization suddenly dawned on her. Padmay inhaled in shock, not believing it possible. Anakin Skywalker was staring back at her!

  *

  “We’ve just about depleted all our batteries sir,” Lieutenant Gregor reported.

  “Keep firing till they’re totally drained. We’ve made some progress. Three of their destroyers have been damaged. Concentrate all weaponry on those ships. Maybe we can take one of them out of commission.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Alec Brant looked out the viewport in complete astonishment. He just couldn’t understand how the Solaris was protected against the enemy’s blasts. He’d done all he could to damage as many of their vessels as possible, but their turbolasers were quickly draining all power. Without time to recharge their batteries they wouldn’t be able to generate enough power to the ship’s systems.

  As the last of their laser’s power supply was depleted, Brant watched the bright flash of their laser streak through space one final time. They were now left completely defenseless. The Star Destroyers kept firing on them, but somehow the Solaris was still shielded.

  What of the vessels themselves, Brant wondered. If he were in their position he’d surely ram the Solaris. Sure enough, as the thought entered his head, Brant realized that’s exactly what the enemy had in mind as one of their huge crafts headed directly towards them. “Brace for impact!” he yelled.

  As the captain waited for the massive destroyer to crash into the bridge, it suddenly veered off course. It missed the Solaris by a hairsbreadth. He watched the destroyer’s path as the immense shadow passed overhead. The vessel stopped on their port side. Brant looked at the other destroyers and they appeared to be stopped dead in space as well.

  “Sir. I’ve lost helm control,” the helmsman suddenly shouted.

  The Solaris quickly gained speed and started to head out of the system. Brant ran to the navigation station and punched his code into the computer trying to override its commands, but it denied him access.

  The cruiser continued on its course at a tremendous rate of speed. When the starship neared the edge of the system, it suddenly heaved and bucked from a massive shock wave. The vessel slowed and changed course back towards Geonosis.

  “Have you regained helm control?” Brant asked the helmsman.

  “No sir. She’s flying on her own.”

  The man was at a loss for words as the Solaris continued towards Geonosis. When near the planet, they flew through a full quadrant of burning debris. Alec Brant couldn’t believe his eyes knowing that the debris was all that was left of the Empire’s mighty Star Destroyers.

  *

  “You can head back to the Solaris now Lando. She’s in orbit around Geonosis again,” Luke stated.

  “What do you mean, in orbit again?”

  “She headed out of the system while the destroyers were eliminated. It’s safe to return to your vessel now.”

  “Is that what the huge concussion was from?”

  “Yes Lando. They’ve all been destroyed.”

  “Then that’s it. It’s all over. We’ve won.”

  “Not yet. The Jedi still have to destroy the army on Geonosis.”

  “Then I’m needed there. Why head back to the Solaris?”

  “The Jedi’s part in this conflict isn’t over yet Lando, but yours is my friend.”

  “What about Ben?”

  “If you get captured you’ll be putting Ben’s life in danger. Go back to the Solaris and wait for word that it’s safe to go down to the surface.”

  “I feel so useless Luke. I have to do something to help Ben and Padmay.”

  “If you go to their aid you’ll endanger their lives further.”

  “I don’t understand, but I guess I have no choice in the matter. I know. I know. Keep believing in the Jedi. You don’t know how much it’s taking for me to keep that faith when I can’t be a part of the battle.”

  “It won’t be much longer my friend. Be strong.”

  “I won’t bother saying good luck again. Just don’t keep me in suspense. Let me know the second I can go to them.”

  “I will.”

  “And Luke. May the Force be with you.”

  “Thank you Lando. That’s the first time you ever said that. I appreciate it.”

  “It won’t be the last time I say it either.”

  *

  Lando Calrissian landed on the Solaris shortly after speaking with Luke. Brant rushed up to him as soon as his fighter came to a halt. “What the hell happened out there sir?” Brant asked as Lando climbed from the X-Wing. “Why didn’t we have any losses? How is it possible that the Solaris flew out of the system on its own accord? The enemy was completely destroyed. How did any of it happen? I don’t understand this at all.”

  I don’t understand it either Alec, but I believe Ben was telling us the truth about everything he said. I’m positive there’s some kind of supernatural phenomenon out there that we have no concept of. The Jedi have played a major role in this battle by using that energy. Now hold on. I know you’re gonna say that the Jedi are all dead. I’m well aware of that fact, but I swear by the stars above that the Jedi are responsible for saving us, as well as annihilating the Star Destroyers. Don’t ask me to expl
ain it because I can’t. All I know for certain is that I now truly believe in this Force when I never believed in it before. As far as the Jedi assisting us, I never thought the afterlife existed up until now, but I’m certain it does now. There isn’t a doubt in my mind. Life moves on to another level of existence in the Netherworld. That’s where the Jedi reside. They’re able to breach the gap and use the Force in order to protect the living.”

  “After what I’ve just gone through I don’t doubt you at all sir. I’ll never doubt anything again!” Brant exclaimed.

  Both men walked over to the bay’s entrance and stared out into space. They stood silently, awed by an experience neither one would ever forget.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  - Brothers -

  The Supreme Ruler felt his children’s deaths on board the remaining Star Destroyer’s just as he had over Coruscant. They’d tried to protect the “hive” from imagined intruders and went on a murderous rampage, failing to keep track of the reactors. The destroyers exploded just as the Death Star did. Not one of the eight vessels survived.

  Vader’s depth of anger was beyond all control as he realized his defeat at the hands of the Jedi. “I don’t know how you did all this, but it ends now,” he spat out to Ben as he furiously paced back and forth in front of him.

  “You cannot stop what you’ve put in motion my brother,” Anakin replied.

  “Brother? You’re not my brother. You’re just a figment of my imagination. You’re trying to use a Jedi mind trick in an attempt to deceive me, but I am not a weak minded fool. You are not Anakin Skywalker. He’s dead.”

  “As you once were. My spirit has entered into our grandson as Sidious transferred his essence into you so many years ago.”

  “That’s impossible. Only I know this means of transference.”

  “You seem to forget brother, we were once joined together in one mind. I was Darth Vader. I know all your dark secrets.”

  “You cannot transfer into another being after your spirit leaves your body. You have to be alive to accomplish it. No one can enter into another soul after death. It can’t be done.”

  “Your assumption is partially right brother. I don’t completely inhabit Ben’s body at this time, but we do share it. The boy is in a suspended state and not aware of what goes on around him. I had his permission to enter him of course, unlike Darth Sidious did when he transferred into us while alive.”

  “Just because you deem yourself the Chosen One, it doesn’t mean you can transfer yourself into an individual after death. If it were possible, I’d know. The midi-chlorians created me too.”

  “I’m very aware of that fact, but I assure that only I have the power to transfer after death. Not another soul can do this. Not a Jedi, nor even you.”

  “Bah! Even if it were possible, what good does it do? I’m alive and you are nothing but spirit. You can’t defeat me.”

  “I have powers that even you don’t possess brother. You think you know all about the powers of the Force, but you’re mistaken. Don’t you understand why the midi-chlorians created me? Once Darth Sidious learned to use his knowledge and grew powerful, they felt a shift in the Force that favored the Sith. They created me to counter their mistake. They allowed Darth Sidious to tempt me to the Dark Side in order to become his apprentice. That enabled me to learn the means of transference. It’s true that the midi-chlorians don’t normally intervene in such matters, but when they learned what Sidious had in mind, they had no choice. They foresaw events to come, which included your birth. I was created to learn all about the Sith’s dark powers in order to bring balance back to the Force. I became a Sith Lord to destroy the Sith. I was born to destroy you. The situation is rather ironic, isn’t it?” Anakin couldn’t help but snicker.

  Lord Vader stopped dead in his tracks and turned towards his captive. “You were created to destroy me?”

  “Yes. If you aren’t destroyed the Sith will rule. You’ll destroy the Light which will disrupt balance forever.”

  “And what of it? The Jedi have ruled the galaxy for a thousand years. What good did they bring forth? Did they bring peace? Did they bring order? No, they did not. As a Sith, I understand the importance of symmetry. The one and only way to establish a lasting peace is to dominate these pathetic human lives. Humans are weak and haven’t the intellect to control their own destiny. They have to be led. The Jedi never understood that. They believed that individuals have to remain free. The Sith are well aware that mankind will always wage war with one another. It’s embedded in their genes. The Sith are the only ones who have the power to control humanity in order to establish complete peace, which will finally bring balance to the Force.”

  “You seem to forget that I know all about the Dark Side and what one can do with the abilities it allows them. What do the Sith use their power for except to bring suffering and disparity to billions of life forms?”

  “We use it to establish order.”

  “The Sith use the Force to dominate. You don’t care about humanity or any other life form. You certainly don’t care about establishing peace. Ultimate power is what you crave. Your lust will never be satisfied. When will it end?”

  “Enough of this useless prattle. We could discuss this subject until time stands still and never come to a conclusion. There’s only one way to settle this.” He turned towards Padmay and said, “Kill him.”

  Padmay heard the Supreme Ruler’s command to end her brother’s life. It was still Ben who stood restrained before her, wasn’t it? Yet her twin’s facial features had changed and he looked exactly like her grandfather now. Who would she really be killing? Her brother, or Anakin Skywalker? She was so confused.

  The Chosen One spoke to his granddaughter for the first time. “Padmay. Please listen to me. You cannot kill me for I am already dead. You’ll be killing your brother whom you love more than anyone. This Sith Lord has twisted your mind and made you hate everything you once held dear. He’s lied to you and made you believe that you’re his wife reborn, but you are not his wife Padmay. You are my beloved granddaughter.” Padmay stood silently considering what Anakin said.

  “The abomination that stands before you has made you think you’re in love with him, but you don’t really love him. He’s made you lust after him. Lust is of the body. What you’re feeling doesn’t come from within your heart. It’s just sexually awakening. He’s made you believe that you’ll rule by his side, but you won’t. He’ll destroy you as he destroyed me. He’s not just my dark half Padmay. Your Master is Sith Lord and his unfathomable need to rule the galaxy has twisted his mind. He’s trying to twist yours as well. He’s proved that beyond all doubt by molesting his own flesh and blood. This man is no more than a tyrant who’ll rule without mercy. He’ll kill without a thought to anyone’s suffering. Look into your soul Padmay. Let your conscious guide you. You’ll realize everything I’m saying is true.”

  “Don’t listen to him Estrus.” Vader replied angrily. “You know how much you’ve learned through me. We’ve shared so much together, and we’ll share even more. We’ll share my throne and rule the galaxy together. This I promise you.”

  “Lies Padmay. It is the way of the Sith to deceive. You should know this through his teachings.”

  Vader’s anger was uncontrolled now as he screamed out contemptuously, “Enough! I will not allow you to take her from me this time Jedi! Padme is mine and always will be. Her soul belongs to me. Kill him Estrus. Dispose of this heinous specter that stands before us and spouts out lies through your brother. I command it.”

  Padmay looked from her Master to the image of her grandfather. She hesitated.

  Lord Vader raged at her indecision. His features contorted into a mask of absolute fury as he vented his wrath. Force lightning erupted from his hands and engulfed Padmay. She flew across the room and smashed into a wall. Sinking to the floor, she lay unconscious.

  “Who will do your bidding now Vader?” Anakin asked as he reached out with the Force to sense if his
granddaughter was alright. She was out cold, but otherwise unharmed.

  Lord Vader’s eyes opened wide when he’d realized what he’d done. Had the baby been hurt? He felt inside Estrus’ womb to see. He breathed a sigh of relief. Neither his wife nor his son were injured, thank the Force. He then looked back towards Anakin. He focused his anger on him once again. “I shall enjoy killing you myself,” the Sith Lord replied with a snarl curling his lip.

  “Can you? Won’t it be just like taking your own life?”

  Vader stretched out his hand for Padmay’s weapon and it flew from across the room into his palm. “We shall see “my brother,” he spat out with malice as he ignited the lightsaber.

  The Supreme Ruler raised his arm and brought the weapon down to kill his foe, but hesitated in mid-stroke. He couldn’t do it. Why not? Why couldn’t he slash into Ben’s flesh and destroy Anakin’s spirit? Why couldn’t he eliminate what he hated most of all?

  “You can’t do it, can you? It’s like looking into your own reflection.” Anakin paused sensing something. “What is disturbing you brother? Is there another reason why you can’t strike me down?” Anakin allowed himself reach a little further into the man’s core.

  “Ah yes. I see it now. You’re remembering your past life. Do you recall when you overcame your overwhelming hate and saved Luke by killing Darth Sidious? There was good inside your soul to conquer that evil then and perhaps that’s what is preventing you from ridding yourself of my spirit now. I can see inside your soul my brother. It’s as easy as looking through glass. That spark of goodness still dwells within you.”

  “I..., err..., I...,” Vader stammered.

  “We are mirror images my brother. I reflect what is truly inside your soul. The only way you can rid yourself of me is to kill your grandson. You cannot allow yourself to terminate him because he comes from our own flesh. That is what is preventing you from killing Padmay as well. She also carries your blood within her veins. You cannot bring yourself to kill either one of them. Don’t try to deny it. Goodness still exists deep within you. I can sense it.”