It started when the troopers heard a sound of a woman crying

They were not foreign of the sounds as they heard it regularly when they bring prisoners on board so it comes naturally to ignore it

But then strange things happen that becomes harder for them to ignore. There were rumors between the troops often use to past times and to entertain themselves. There was a ghost in the ship. some says they could have sworn they saw a woman, she always appear in the halls, walking, her footstep made no sound, she dressed in a blue gown, trailing in the floor as it sweep like a flowing river, her brown curly hair sway down to her back, her skin pale like a moonlight, no one have ever seen or have a glimpse of her face, she disappear before anyone ever got close or ever think of it but she leaves with little white flower on her trail.

Then there were rare days, when they heard a screeching scream on the back of their head, so loud they check if their ear was bleeding, yet there was nothing. It was a fleeting moment some think it never happen. But no one could ignore that how the window or the ground vibrated. Everyone present have felt it and witness it that they realize it wasn't just on their own who was experiencing that strange phenomena.

Oh they feel, and they feel. Her sorrow and pain. She grieve and weep. They felt it. So much, They felt sorry for the crying lady.

What is her story?

When the troopers were on their break, they couldn't help but talk, rumors circling around the ship

Some says she was once a prisoner who have been killed in this ship, her death weren't bring to justice, her body was forgotten, her soul was unrest so she dwell as she never died in peace.

Then there was another story among related to their own belief of their homeworld, that the father had sent his daughter to the galaxy they created and see if the living fare well. she was optimisitic and good. That it breaks her heart that the galaxy was on edge of being teared apart, drench in blood, war, famine, death, darkness claims everything. She mourn of what have come to happen, she mourn for the galaxy she have once love.

And there was another one, where she mourn of what she lost. What was taken from her. For what could bring someone to be in so much pain than losing everything?

There are many stories, but no one will ever know. Like no one will ever see her face. Did she cried on blood? was her face was too beautiful that no one should look as it will strike their heart? Or was it too broken that she was ashamed and hurt. What could be it?

But what all they agreed on is that she is an angel

No one knows where that words come from or what it means but everyone had heard of it. They avoided talking about anything that they couldn't quite understand such as the force, anything related to it is somewhat a taboo for it would linked to the jedi and jedi are nothing but a fading memory, a passing whisper, a story.

Yet they say an angel is messenger of the force, a spectator.

But theres one that'd stuck in their mind - they are the most beautiful creatures in the universe

They may have never seen her face but it is a word that feels right something they couldn't explain. So they call her an angel.

A weeping angel

The rumors never escaped the executor, no one would believe them, and no one would understand her pain, the way they felt them. So they keep it to themselves.

Like they never asked why did she only appear whenever their lord darth vader was on board.

Darth vader was dreaming of her, it was always the same dream. They were in the field of naboo, the flowers dance along with the summer breeze, Padme was sitting beside him, he said something that made her laugh, the laugh that always seem to echo with happiness, the laugh that shows her toothed grin, and her eyes would crinkle, he love that laugh.

"Anakin"

She would say his name, with so much softer, slow as if cherishing every vowel in his name, she would repeat it in a whisper, grinning as if she find a hidden secret that only her would know. He love his name.

Then she would trail her hand to his hair, it always lull him to fall asleep but he wouldn't, he would watch her eyes in wonder, lips pouted, as his hair get tangle on her fingers, she would tell him to cut his hair, says it was too long but he knows she love his hair longer, sometimes she would tie it in a little pony tail, and she would giggle at how he look, so it stayed longer.

He would bury his face to her neck and inhale her scent, she always smell like a flower blooming when the sun rise, a fragrant that is so sweet and fresh it was addicting. He smelled her until her scent was imprinted on his mind, it was a pleasure and a torture. For he would longed for her scent. Never will find a scent like hers. Never will be satisfied.

He wanted to caged her in his arm, never let go, he wanted to feel her body in his, her warmth and soft skin would brush agains't him, and he would want more

Padme stood up, and stared down at him, her smile never left her face as she offered him her hand

"Come with me"

Oh he wish he would remain in this dream forever. But dreams always ended with a nightmare. He wondered what if he had taken her hand, let her drag him off to somewhere she wanted, he doesn't care where, as long as she's with him. Perhaps they will be happy, it will be more than a dream. Beautiful, even.

he never taken her hand

Padme was crying, begging for him. She told him she love him. Why did he ever doubted that? She was hurting. He was hurting her. Choking the life in her eyes. She fell when he had enough. He didn't mean to. He wanted to tell her. He didn't mean to.

Then he was burning. His body was burning. The fire was taking everything he have loved. Gone to ashes.

He was alive but his body was unfamiliar. It was not his. He hated it.

Padme died. His master told him. He did it. He killed her.

He didn't shred a tears

He should have taken her hand

Vader woke up and she was there beside him, she was silent and still. He never once look at her or speak to her. When he wore his suit. He ignored her like he always did and she would follow like she always did.

He never understand

There were times when he was happy she was there, of course he was. How could he not? He misses her. Yet the hole in his heart was never filled. And it was a torture. She was there, yet he couldn't touch her, he couldn't smell her, see her smile, hear her laugh, She will never feel her body agains't his, her hand trailing from his hair. And she was so close but out of reach.

She was his torture, his pain

And she was just a hallucination

Created by his desperation

Pathetic

Yet she was always there

She would cry, for what he have become. The things he have done and She would watch. Watch as he cutted someone in a half, killed them without a remorse. Men, women, and younglings. It was dirty. He dont want her to watch. She would weep, and scream in her agony and rage, she would scream at him. And he would accept it. He deserve it after all. He give her that pain, that remorse, fear, agony and grief. It was all because of him, the promise of hapiness long forgotten when he have killed her. When he taken her life and their child.

And yet she cries for him, as she watch him being tortured, kneeling before his master as he get strucked by his lightning, he would stay there longer till his master was satisfied. Yet the pain he was feeling as his master punish him was uncomparable to the pain he was feeling that his wife watch him at that state. So pitiful. He was ashamed. He was desperate, he hoped she would just disappear, he dont want to hear her cry. He dont want her whispering the name he have long buried. Dont she see it? This is his life now.

But he was more desperate to wipe the tear on her eyes, tears that was solely for him, for his pain. He dont deserve it. He dont deserve her.

He would never understand her

So one day he finally asked her. It was the first words he have say to her after all these years

"Leave me"

"I will not" she replied as if she had expected that from him

"Why?"

"You will be alone"

He didn't say anything again, fear that he will change her mind, so he didn't try. That was the last time. He was still selfish. because a big apart of him hoped that she will always be there. It doesn't matter if she was merely an hallucination, he can see her, see her near and that was enough. Knowing she was there with him. Beside him. Like it should be.

She should have taken his hand

There were days that he was confused. It was those days that she was calm. She wasn't crying. he wasn't doing anything but spend his time to meditate. It was a change. He thought that perhaps she got tired.

She would stand beside him, as he meditate on his chambers. He never told her this but despite that he could not feel her, her presence soothed him as much as it pains him. It was a comforting thought that he will wake up and she will be there. Though he have an inkling thought that she already knows.

Then she would whisper with a hush voice but it was the voice he once remember. Voice he once love. Sweet and kind. She would tell her about the past, the things they did together.

And it only reminded him of what he cannot have

So she would talk about the troops. The ship. Anything else. She would tell him how beautiful the planet rapquin is. The last time he have visited that was because he was there to negotiate with the princess. He was glad it turned out well. glad he dont have to make padme watch him shed blood, to the planet she have grown adore.

Padme will tell him everything she notice, it was silly things. But he always listen.

Then she hugs him. He was crossing his arms watching from the viewport when padme walk closer behind him. He didn't see her reflection, nor feel her life force yet he always know when she was near

He saw as she wrap her arms around his waist and he stiffen. His breath caught his throat. He dont feel her pressing on him but it was the message she wanted to tell him that almost bring him down to his knees

"I love you, ani"

He was glad he have lost an ability to cry or he would have weep

After 20 years padme wasn't there when he woke up

He did his usual routine, wore his suit and hunt down the rebel to do his master bidding. It wasn't unusual or a surprise that padme seem to go somewhere else. He never ask her where she went. Or perhaps he think that his hallucination just haven't triggered yet

But it was fine

He would wait

Padme always return back to his side

.

.

.

She never came back

That was then he realize he have lost her forever.

He will never see her again

Vader was a lot more mad than he ever was before. He killed so he could release his anger. But it was never enough. His troopers would look at him, as if they know something had change. Perhaps they know him enough, that apart of his soul was missing.

Then he thought, perhaps she have grown tired of him. She couldn't bare herself to watch anymore so she have given up. Give up on him

But 20 years she's with him. Why now?

She should have never show herself to him. Then he would accept it. He would forget. He would dettach himself of the past he will never have again.

But she was there with him for 20 years. And the last time he seen her, she have told him she love him.

She told him she wont leave!

Liar

"I love you, ani"

Vader knees buckled in front of his men. He didn't shed a tears, but he clutch his chest, he want nothing more than tear his heart away from his body so he wouldn't feel anymore.

It hurts

Im sorry, my love

Please

Come back

He have a son

A son!

It was still hard to accept that he have a son. Alive! He have spent 20 years mourning for the child of his own that he have lost, that he will never have and yet he was here, he was alive!

Then a realization sunk in. Padme! His master told him she died because of him. That he killed their child. If his son was alive then...he didn't kill padme?

His shoulder lifted as if something heavy was taken from him

Had she always known?

Is that why she left because she knows that their son will be there with him?

He clenches his fist

He will get what is his

He will have his son back

No matter what it takes

Everything will be set right

"Join me and together we could rule the galaxy as father and son" vader says this word as his hand reach out offering him his hand

"You and i can rule the galaxy!"

"Come with me"

The same words of the past lingered in his mind

"I will never join you!"

"You're going down the path i cant follow!"

Luke did something that almost made him cried out. He jump, falling towards his death

Padme choked for air one last time before he realize what's he doing and let go. Her eyes closed and her body falls to the ground, still and umoving.

Vader remain silent, staring where luke had fallen, and he knows luke would survive that fall. He is his son after all. Yet he don't understand

He was so much like his mother

Stubborn

Why dont they understand? He was doing this for them! For their future!

Why do they keep refusing to take his hand!

It was to save you!

If vader have known his son would be alive, he would have raise him. Luke would join him But he wasn't. Obi wan and the rebel scum have gotten to his son head. Just like what obi wan did to padme

They turn his own son agains't him

He will find luke again and when he does he will make sure he will remain with his side

"I know there is still good in you. The emperor haven't driven it from you fully." Luke said like he was sure of it

"I know there is good in him"

Padme voice rang on his thought. It was her last word before she past.

Luke believe in him the way padme had

Padme would have been so proud

Naive

Just like his mother

Cant they see?

It is too late for him

"Father! Please" luke writhed in pain as the emperor strike him another lightning his screeching laugh echos throughout the whole room mocking the boy. Mocking vader.

He numbly stared at his son. The one he only have left. Someone to lose.

Why does he have to be so stubborn?

Luke should have join with him

What does the rebel give that vader couldn't offer?

He will give him everything, he is his son.

And his son was asking for his help

Vader turned to stared at the emperor. For 20 years he was loyal to the emperor, and he have rewarded him with punishment. Vader had accepted it for he have no one to live for. And the emperor was the only one who had stayed in the end. Yet vader knows the emperor will plan to replace him, it is only a matter of time. And he choose his son. He turned to look at luke. Vader seen himself to him, kneeling before the emperor, suffering under his palm. Padme watch it, she couldn't do anything, but watch.

Will vader do just that? But he can do something isn't he?

Is this the life he would wanted for luke? The life he himself had lived for 20 years? He turned to look at the emperor again

The emperor lied to him. He promised he could save padme. He told him that vader killed her! Their children! He did everything all for nothing! He was his father figure till he revealed his true color. For what he truly plan for him. He made sure to made his life suffer.

Vader turned to look at his son one last time - the first time he have seen his son, he didn't think it was possible again - But he love luke instantly. His son. He was proud of him. and then he sees how padme begged him. She cried for him.

Luke scream and padme cries echos

He made a decision

He save his son. This time he haven't failed. He was too late to save his mother, failed to save padme. But this time he did it. He save someone important to him. His son.

It was over

Luke told him he would save him. But he already did. Anakin wanted to tell his son he was proud and he is safe. Luke would tell his sister he was right. His sister. Padme and him have a twin. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to cry. His children are alive and safe. Safe from the power of the emperor. Though even until now he never agreed of building back the republic. But his son and daughter believes in it. Padme believes in it. So this time he would as well.

He was happy

He got to see his own son with his own eyes one last time.

20 years he finally felt in peace

"Anakin"

Something brush in his cheek, he groaned before opening his eyes, he immediately regretted it as the light almost blinded him, he shutted his eyes again, hissing.

"What?" His mind hazy, someone giggled beside him, he just realize his head was lying to something soft, and a hand was caressing his cheek. he tried to open his eyes again slower this time, but this time someone was blocking the light from his face. His eyes was blurry and he was trying to adjust.

"Luke?" He remember feeling his life draining from his body as his son held him in his arms never once he tried to leave until anakin closed his eyes what he thought would be forever. He could see luke then his eyesight cleared and his eyes widen "Padme?"

"Hm?" She smiled at him. It was that smile he missed. The smile he always love

"I--what?" His head was spinning. Is this a dream? As if she heard his thought she lean in to kiss his forehead, he closed his eyes, leaning in her touch. Oh its been so long. So long.

"Its not a dream"

"Then you--"

She take his hand, a real hand, and rested it to her cheek. She lean her face to it. And he brush his thumbs. She was warm and soft.

"Not a dream, anakin. Not a hallucination"

"You are here" tears drop on his eyes as he greedily gaze her face, drinking at her sight "You are here. Padme" he sat up to hug her tight, crushing her on his grip, she didn't yelp in pain, she just laughed happily and hug him back tightly as she can

"I never leave"

"Im so sorry. Im so sorry" he chanted

"Shhh..its alright my love..i forgive you" she whisper in her ears caressing his back

"No!" He shook his head, burying his face to her neck "dont say that...i dont--i dont deserve it...i dont deserve you"

Padme gently pushes him and he comply, he bow his head, he was too ashamed to look at her, her hand touched his face lifting his head

"Anakin look at me" she brought her two hand cornering his face so he wouldn't turn away. Finally he looked at her. And force she's so beautiful. And he can see her now with his own eyes.

"Ani..i forgive you"

"I hurted you"

She smiled sadly "i know"

"How can you forgive me?"

"Haven't you suffered enough?" She said "I was there. You were in so much pain, i felt it. The loneliness. The torture. your action had hunted you. And it was enough. I forgive you for what you did to me but i could not say the same by those who have suffered from your wrath. The innocents" her eyes shone with tears and he reach up to wipe it. Finally, he have done it.

"Dont cry, my love. its my fault. My action. Dont carry the weight of what i did. It solely belong to me. Not yours" she shook her head

"No more anakin. No more suffering. This moment its just us" she smiled "lets be happy for a change?"

"But--"

"Anakin you came back. Despite everything. There is still good in you. You have killed the emperor, you save our son. You give the people a possible future. Isn't that enough?"

"But i help the emperor--"

"The emperor would rise even without you, he have plan it since from the beginning. He played all of us."

"But--"

"No more anakin" she hugs him "i miss you"

He hug her back tight "every seconds that i have thought of you padme. I thought...i thought you hate me...that you wouldn't come back to me"

"I always been there, ani" he smiled at that and he bury his face to her hair

"You are truly an angel. My guardian angel"

She chuckles "Guardian angel?"

"My troopers calls you the weeping angel. I have just heard of that when you were gone. I realize of how much you have been hunting the ship, not just me.

"Hunting?" Her chuckles turn into a laugh "When i got bored i would sometimes scare your troopers. It was funny when they startle in suprised when i appear in front of them"

"They adore you..i think?"

She turned her head upwards resting her chin to his chest "really?"

"They refused to tell me what do they mean about the weeping angel. Its like they dont want it to share you to me."he scowl "i have to force the information out of them"

Her eyes widen in distraught "did you--?"

"Of course not. I couldn't. They were the witness that you were there. You were real. Not just created by the desperation of my mind or the force playing tricked on me. You were with me the entire time. Do you know how much your presence meant to me?"

She smiled "i know"

"We have twins" he grinned

She nodded, grinning as well "Tell me more about them"

"Leia, looks so much like you, he got your eyes and even the weird hairstyle! but she got my personality. She was blunt, brave and head strong. But she was also like you, she's a politician. She was a princess and then a senator." Her eyes twinkled hearing about their daughter she must have always known. Then he was full of regret and shamed remembering of what he have done to their daughter, he understand now why she never told him. She watched him. Know his sins. He may have doomed his daughter if he have gotten her to his side. But he knows leia would fight, she would never accept him

"And there is luke...he looks like me, he got my eyes but he have your smile and your heart. He never once stop believing like you did. He was too good for this universe. Oh padme our children is beautiful, they are brave and strong. I love them" he smiled and she smiled back tears on her eyes

"I know" she stood up, her stare far away and when he look, his throat tightened, he sees them. he sense her facing him and when he stared up to look at her she's offering him her hand

"Come with me. They're waiting"

This time he took her hand