Becoming Darth Vader.

Anakin could barely open his eyes. For the past, however long it had been, he felt nothing but pain. The only sounds he could hear were mechanical. Drilling. Electrical. Then searing pain as some droid tended to his burns.

The gravelly sound of his master, Darth Sidious, spoke throughout. Mostly to himself. Claiming Anakin would continue his apprenticeship under a new name, 'Darth Vader'. He explained what had happened on Mustafar. How he was proud of him for fighting his former master, Obi-wan Kenobi. How it was right to fight the jedi--as it was his own former master, whom he once would have called brother, kept getting in the way of his growing power. Of him and Padme.

The droids pulled away and with it their high-pitched whirring and noises. It stung the skin around his eyes, but Anakin was finally able to manage opening his eyes. He was in a darkened room, on a medical table, sure enough surrounded by medical droids. From above a face shaped helmet began to descend.

Anakin tried to speak up to refuse the helmet, but only a groan escaped. It came down upon his face. His eyes adjusted to the eye holes, peering out with his new eyes. The rest of the helmet came down latching over the forehead and clasping in the back. Immediately breathing became easier. Other than the respitory aid, the suit he now doned was to say the least, uncomfortable.

Once the helmet latched, the medical table that he had been lying on began to rise. Anakin could feel Sidious in the room, watching, but it was only now that he was able to see him. The lenses that the helmet provided seemed to have infrared and ultraviolet capabilities according to different screens. His eyes moved rapidly, trying to adjust. He squeezed his eyes shut, despite the pain it caused him.

"Lord Vader, can you hear me?"

Anakin took a few calming breaths before opening his eyes, saying, "Yes Master."

"Where is Padme?" A few moments passed. "Is she safe? Is she all right?" His voice cracked. Her face flashed before his eyes to the moment right before his battle on Mustafar. He could feel her soft hands cradling his face. Concern written all over. This was Obi-wan's fault. He should have just left with her when he had the chance. He should have known Obi-wan's neverending loyalty in the 'force' would ultimately get in the way of Padme and him. He had known about them. And yet, never tried to help. His 'brother'. He needed to find Padme immediately--save her from the lies Obi-wan no doubt has poisoned her with.

Hesitantely, he replied, "it seems in your anger, that you killed her."

Anakin ground his teeth. "I, I couldnt have." Disbelief. Shock. Anger. No. "She was alive." His voice was soft, deadly. "I felt it."

The last shred of anything good, taken. He promised her. He promised he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Just like his mother. Now his beloved. He..promised.

Anger swelled from deep within. The room shook, metal ripped off the walls, medical tools shattering to the floor. A strangled wail escaped his lips. He clenched his mechanical fists and ripped off the bindings that kept him placed on the table. He took a giant step, newly mechanical limbs forgotten, he didn't even feel it, or any of the other pain, as his heartstrings literally tore from his chest.

He would have fallen to his knees, if his new armor allowed it. His lip wobbled. He pulled himself together, closing his eyes, and looked deep into the force, reaching out into the depths of space. He could feel trillions of life force, emotions rushing from each one, happy, sad, angry, regretful.

But it was the lack of Hope that he felt that shattered him. That was when he knew with certainty that what Darth Sidious said was true.

He gasped, clenched his teeth and fists, and yelled into the cosmos: "NO!"

He could feel, rather than see Darth Sidious' grotesque smile, but that did not matter. Nothing mattered anymore.