"Use my knowledge, I beg you." The Chancellor said, circling the young Jedi knight. "Only through me, will you have the power to save Padme."
"What did you say?" Anakin questioned, igniting his lightsaber. "You're the Sith Lord."
The Chancellor's office suddenly became cold, and Anakin could feel the dark presence emanating from the Republic's leader. He couldn't believe that his friend, his mentor, a man he trusted, could be the very thing he swore to destroy. It brought everything he believed into question. He didn't know what to believe anymore.
"Yes," Palpatine said, glad to have finally revealed himself to his new apprentice. "I have worked for many years to undo the corruption in our galaxy. The Jedi claim to be guardians of peace and justice, but all they care about is protecting their outdated way of life. They distrust those who do not conform to their views. I fear they plan to betray you."
"How do you know that?" Anakin said, pointing his saber at the Sith. "You've orchestrated this entire war, haven't you? Why should I listen to you?"
"Because I can see the future. It is a skill the Jedi do not teach, but I have honed it over many years. The Jedi will try to destroy you, Master Kenobi will soon learn of your marriage. Then they will turn on you." Palpatine said, "Then they will turn on the Republic. I have done terrible things, my young friend. But I am working towards a better galaxy, free of corruption and useless bickering."
Anakin didn't know what to think. The Jedi had taught him that the Sith were evil, but Palpatine was offering him not only a way to save Padme, but an end to the stupid arguing that was keeping the republic from accomplishing anything. Besides, he was right. The Jedi were holding him back. Palpatine was right. What Palpatine was asking would be the biggest risk of his life.
Anakin sheathed his saber. "I will join you. You're right. The Republic needs to be changed. What must we do?"
Palpatine laughed, an evil cackle that made Anakin waver in his commitment. But whatever Palpatine was he was right.
"Kneel, young Skywalker." Palpatine said, and Anakin did so. "You are my apprentice. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth Vader. Rise, my apprentice."
Vader rose. The Republic fell.
TEN YEARS LATER
CORUSCANT
Vader stood in his bathroom, having just come out of the 'fresher. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he wondered, as he often did if he made the right choice. It had been ten years since he had helped the Emperor, his Master, overthrow the Republic. He himself had annihilated the Jedi. No one would say it in his presence, but they called him Betrayer. He did not care for what they called him, but had he really made the Republic a better place?
Vader did not have time for such thoughts. Getting dressed, he placed a glove over his robotic arm. Vader dressed in his ceremonial armor, black metal with red accents. Before he put it on, Vader stared at his mask. The skull-like face in the solid black metal served as a reminder of what he had done. He always wore it outside. No one saw his face but a certain few. Nor did they know the details of his horrible acts at the end of the Clone Wars.
Waiting outside was his escort, his trusty 501st troopers. Getting into his speeder he was driven to the Imperial Senate building by an old friend from the war.
"How are you today, sir?" Captain Rex said, sitting next to him, acting as his personal bodyguard. Vader kept him as a reminder of what he once was, and what he is now. Not to say that Vader didn't enjoy his newfound power and station as one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. He'd even saved Padme. But Vader still felt empty inside, as though he had lost his purpose. The hundreds of lanes of traffic darted around in the massive city. They all lived such simple lives, free of the horrors of war.
Arriving at the senate building, Vader exited the car, all the hustle and bustle turning to him and kneeling as the Sith Lord moved through the crowd. As he approached the Emperor's box, he was approached by none other than the woman of the hour, Padme Amidala. Vader and his ex-wife had a strained relationship at times, but they tried to keep it together for the twins.
"Hello, Vader." The former Queen of Naboo said. "How are things for the famous Sith Lord?"
"Fine," Vader said, his mask deepening his voice and giving it a mechanical sound. "How are the children?" Vader used almost a whisper when discussing his young, which had been kept out of the public eye as much as possible to keep them away from the Emperor.
"They are doing well." Padme said.
"You are bringing them to the agreed location?" Vader asked, his voice filter betraying a small hint of concern.
"Yes, we will meet at the discussed location. I'll make sure no one follows me." Padme said.
"Good, now we have a ceremony to get to. We should not speak again after it." Vader's cape flew into the air behind him as he turned.
Entering the box, Vader found the Emperor, his friend who he had helped to overthrow the Republic, was seated at his throne, high above the Imperial Senate. Vader kneeled to the right of the ornate chair.
"Lord Vader," He said, turning slowly to face his apprentice. "I'm glad you could make it."
Palpatine had let his appearance decay, no longer needing to keep it, now that he was in near-total control.
"At long last, the Empire will be solidified." The Sith Lord said, "With the appointment of the final governor, the senate will have no power. We will truly have the peace and order we deserve."
"Yes, my Master." Vader said. "But our work is not done. Even now, there are whispers of rebellion. The Outer Rim is practically ready to burst."
"That is of no concern to me. After this, we shall have all the authority and freedom to crush anyone who threatens what we have worked so hard to achieve. Now," The Emperor said, standing up. "Let us get on with the ceremony."
Padme Amidala stepped forward onto the pedestal as it approached the Emperor's box. Vader did not understand why Palpatine would appoint her as a governor. She had been opposed to him since before the end of the war.
As the proceedings went on, Vader grew bored of the pomp and circumstance. He was anxious to leave, knowing that his children were waiting. Luke and Leia were one of the only things he allowed himself to be attached to from his life as Anakin Skywalker. Other than to be their father, Anakin was dead. Only Vader stood in his place.
After the ceremony was over and the celebration began, Vader left an hour after Padme, to ensure that they would be free of suspicion. Dismissing his guards, Vader took his personal speeder to his and Padme's old apartment. He still technically owned it, but he used it mainly as storage.
Docking the speeder at the bay, Vader left his mask behind, stepping out as the blond boy barreled into him. Vader smiled as he looked down at his son. Luke had grown a few inches since the last time Vader had seen him, and he was now up to Vader's waist.
The Sith Lord bent down to embrace his son, and was assaulted by another hug from his daughter. Vader greeted Leia, noting that she had lost one of her baby teeth. She too had grown. Vader was so happy to see his children again, he forgot he was a Sith. He forgot all his duties and responsibilities, all his power and all the horrible things he'd done. Right now, he was just their father.
Vader let himself relax as he spent time with his children. They told him all about their lives on Naboo, out in the Lake Country, where Padme had always planned for them to be. Leia enjoyed her peaceful life, but Luke was a very adventure seeking young boy. He'd begged his mother for a speeder bike and she had only got him one a month ago. He was so excited he'd crashed it into one of the great stone heads that populated the rolling fields of Naboo.
"Well, that certainly seems like quite an adventure." Vader said, sitting on the couch with his son. "I'll have to come and fix it sometime."
"Really?" Luke said. "Oh boy! That'd be the best! When can you come?"
"Probably not for a long time," Padme said, "A lot of planning goes into arranging these visits and we have to make sure…" A sound from the window cut her off.
Vader rose from the couch, pulling his lightsaber from his belt, but not yet igniting it. He cautiously moved towards the source of the noise, feeling an odd presence before he was thrown back. Standing to face his opponent, Vader ignited his lightsaber. Before him stood a man dressed in all black, with clawed gauntlets and a death mask. Taking a lightsaber from his belt, the mysterious man ignited it.
Vader promptly did the same, standing to defend his family. The Assassin relaxed his stance, calling on the Force to attack Vader. The Assassin let forth a blast of lightning, catching Vader off guard. Vader struck at his opponent, disoriented from the blast. The assassin dodged, cutting off Vader's mechanical right arm. Holding Vader in place with the Force, the Assassin approached his family.
Padme stood in front of her children, or child, as Luke was nowhere to be found. The Assassin stuck her down with a slash across the chest. Falling to her knees, Padme was unable to defend her daughter from the attacker, who promptly extinguished his saber and scooped up the screaming child with his now free hand, still holding Vader with the other.
The Sith Lord felt anger greater than he had ever felt, using it to break free of the Assassin's grasp. His hatred blinding him, Vader charged the man, only to have the mysterious Assassin sidestep him and launch him out the window with a very well timed blast of Force. He managed to hold on to the outcropping.
As Vader climbed back up into the room, the assassin left, making sure Padme was dead and taking Leia with him. Vader's anger faded, turning to grief at the loss of his daughter. He sank to his knees. Holding his head in his remaining hand, Vader began to weep. His anger returned, and he roared with the pain of his loss.
His grieving was interrupted by the small voice of his son. Vader turned, his eyes wet with tears. Luke was staring at the lifeless corpse of his mother. Tears had begun to well up in his eyes, and he stuttered out a single word.
"M… Mommy?" He said, his voice cracking with fear and sadness.
Vader stood, calming himself, channeling the rest of his emotion into cold rage, anger he could unleash later. He turned to his son, telling him the truth, and deciding not to spare his feelings.
"Your mother is dead my son. Murdered by one of my enemies. They have taken your sister, and I fear they are after you, too." Vader said, bending to one knee to be on eye-level with his son. "I need to figure this out, I am taking you to somewhere you can be safe, somewhere very far away from the empire. We'll need somewhere safe to hide while I make the travel arrangements. Come on, pack some of your things, then get in the speeder."
Luke did as he was told, as Vader removed the broken hand, replacing it with a spare he kept in the speeder. The Sith Lord and his son sped off from the apartment, heading for somewhere that had been abandoned for a long time. Approaching the old Jedi temple, Vader set down his speeder on one of the more secluded landing pads. Keeping his son close behind him, Vader walked the halls of the once lively temple.
The massive structure no longer held the serenity it once did, and Vader could feel the turmoil he'd created when he led the attack, ten years ago.
Vader felt an old presence, something vaguely familiar moving throughout the halls of the temple, circling him, and getting closer. Telling Luke to hide behind one of the pillars of the great hall they stood in, Vader drew his saber, turning to face his pursuer. From out of the shadows came the blades of not one, but two glowing green lightsabers.
The attacker had her face wrapped in a shroud, but Vader knew who it was immediately. She rushed him, twirling her lightsabers in a flurry of green light. Vader blocked every one of her strikes, but with another attack she managed to land a strike on his shoulder, but the durasteel armor kept it from doing any real damage. Several more sets of strikes were exchanged,
"I haven't practiced in quite a while," Vader said, bantering casually with his opponent. "Too many formalities come with being the second-in-command of the Empire."
"Your station is drenched in blood," The woman said, "Your death is near!"
She charged him once again, but he stepped to the side, swiping at her head with his saber. She screamed in pain, her lightsabers extinguishing as she dropped to the floor, gripping the side of her head.
Vader stood over his defeated enemy, extinguishing his own blade.
"I'm not as rusty as I thought, am I Snips?" Vader said, removing his mask to address his old padawan.
"You don't have the right to call me that. Not after what you've done. If you are going to kill me, then do so. If not, I have no words for you, Sith." Ahsoka said, removing her own cowl. Vader saw that he had sliced the tip off one of her lekku. It pained him for a second. But he was reminded of his situation by his son coming out of his hiding place.
"Dad, who is that?" Luke said, stepping into view of the Tortuga.
"She's someone I knew a long time ago, before you were born, my son." Vader said, watching for Ahsoka's reaction to the revelation of his son. As he suspected would happen, her eyes widened, then her brow furrowed as she began to try to figure out the situation.
"Padme was murdered just a few hours ago." Vader said, realizing quickly that his former apprentice could be an ally. "I suspect the Emperor himself was behind it. Why else would he appoint her as governor than to have her assassinated? The blame will most likely be placed on me, and I need to get offworld as soon as possible. Strike at me again if you wish, but know that I wiped out the Jedi to protect my family, nothing more."
Calling Luke to his side, Vader turned to leave. He was halfway down the walkway when the Tortuga called out to him. He turned to her, as she ran up to him.
"I will help you in memory of my master," Ahsoka said, refusing to look the Sith Lord in the eye. "I will get you offworld, but then we will part ways once more."
"Why are you helping me now?" Vader asked.
"I lost the last ten years of my life to vengeance and hatred." Ahsoka said, "But when I finally faced you, I was unable to do anything. I no longer have purpose. I fell victim to my hatred, but it was useless."
"It wasn't. You are just untrained, 'tis all." Vader said, not able to believe he was actually consoling the woman now. "Attempting to use the dark side without proper training is dangerous and stupid, especially going up against a Sith Lord. But you do show promise."
"I'll never use it again," Ahsoka said, her hand still on the cauterized tip of her lekku. "Now let us conclude our business together, so that we may ever see each other again."
Nodding, Vader took his son's hand, departing with his former padawan.
Deciding to take civilian transport instead of one of Vader's ships, the three boarded a transport to Tatooine, Vader had hoped to never see that planet again, but he had family there that could keep Luke safe. Wearing a loose coat to cover up his armor, as well as removing his mask, Vader blended in much better, as only a select few people still alive knew his face.
Sitting down in a private passenger compartment of the transport ship, finally able to catch their breath. Vader filled in his former padawan with the details of what had happened. Ahsoka was overcome with sadness to hear of Padme's death, and found herself feeling sympathy for the Sith Lord when he told her that his daughter had been kidnapped. Now that she saw him without the mask, Ahsoka wasn't so sure Anakin Skywalker was completely gone from him.
He had cut his hair short, wearing it like an Imperial officer. His skin was paler than before, a side effect of the dark side as well as always wearing that mask, she guessed. The most startling change was his eyes, now a permanent gold color. Other than that, he was basically the same. His scar had faded a bit, but it was still present under his left eye. He noticed her studying him, cocking a brow at his former apprentice.
"Staring is impolite, and were you anyone else, I'd probably kill you for it." Vader said, smirking. While it had darkened considerably, his sense of humor was mostly intact.
"Good thing I'm me then. Wouldn't want to kill someone in front of your kid." Ahsoka shot back.
Vader's smirk turned to a snarl, and Ahsoka smiled to herself, pleased she had made a good comeback.
Vader calmed himself. "We should get some sleep." He said. "I'll set the alarm to wake us up 20 minutes before we arrive."
The Sith Lord's son climbed into his arms, falling asleep like that. Vader soon followed. She was extremely put off to see the Sith Lord sleeping peacefully with his son. She didn't think it'd be possible. Keeping a watchful eye on her former master, Ahsoka drifted off into sleep herself, confused and cautious of Vader.
Awaking hours later, Vader found Ahsoka watching a holoscreen. Then news on Coruscant had broken. Darth Vader was a traitor to the Empire, having killed the Governor of Naboo. Scowling, Vader sat up to find that Luke was not next to him. Panicking for a second, Vader found that his son was seated next to Ahsoka, watching the news with her. Vader disapproved of his son so easily trusting her. Luke didn't know anything about the woman, but he was comfortable around her. Vader knew Ahsoka would never harm the child, but Luke didn't. He trusted her on principle, something that made Vader very nervous.
"We're making our final descent. We'll be in Mos Eisley in under 15 minutes." Ahsoka said. "We'll need to move quickly and carefully in order to avoid the Imperials. They're tightening security everywhere because of the assassination. We'll need to get out of the city as soon as possible."
Vader nodded, readying himself to exit the craft when it landed. Mask and lightsaber safely in the folds of his coat, Vader held his son's hand as the ramp opened. As the travelers poured out of the spacecraft, Vader's eyes were assaulted by the brightness of the twin suns on the sandstone buildings of the spaceport. Mos Eisley was buzzing with activity as is always was, thousands of aliens and smugglers hurrying to and fro from their ships. But something was off. When Vader was younger, the spaceport was always so full of life. Now Imperial troops regulated the flow, arresting every smuggler they could find. A worker attempted to sneak his way onto the ship against the flow, and when it appeared that he was home free, his head exploded with a violent pop.
A look of pure horror appeared on Vader's face. Images of a similar incident from his childhood flashed before his eyes. Luke was startled and terrified by the sudden death of the worker, and had begun to cry. Ahsoka looked to Vader, expecting him to comfort Luke. When he just stood there, Ahsoka knelt down and comforted the young boy. She looked up to scold Vader for not tending to his son's needs, but quickly remembered that no matter what he said, Vader was still Anakin Skywalker. He was still born a slave.
"We should get out of here." The Tortuga told the Sith Lord. Vader snapped out of his trance and quickly took his son's hand, moving through the spaceport, Ahsoka trailing behind him. Renting a speeder, the trio sped across the Dune Sea towards the Lars homestead.
Stepping out of the speeder, the Sith Lord was greeted by his half-brother, Owen. The younger man did not recognize him as Darth Vader, rushing to welcome him.
"Anakin!" He exclaimed, shaking the Sith Lord's hand vigorously as he approached. "It's been so long since I've seen you last. I thought you were killed in the Jedi Purge. "
"I still draw breath, Owen." Vader said, his tone of voice softening to a point Ahsoka hadn't heard in years. She kept watch over Luke while Vader explained the situation to Owen.
"We need a place to stay. The Empire knows I am alive. I hate to put you in danger, but could we stay here a few days?" Vader said, his voice still gentle.
"Sure. I'll go tell Beru." Owen said, running back into the home to tell his wife.
"Are you sure this will be safe for Luke?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes. I thought you said you would be leaving us now. Or have you decided to join me?" Vader said with a smirk.
"In your dreams laser-brain." Ahsoka shot back. "I want to make sure that Luke is safe. I'm staying for him, not for you."
Vader grunted a response, and the trio were let in. Vader took Owen to the side for a moment, discussing something with him in hushed tones. When they were done, they came into the kitchen and sat down with the Luke, Ahsoka and Beru for dinner.
Over the meal, Owen discussed with Vader the changes that had occurred on Tatooine over the last few months.
"Slavery was made legal again about 3 months back." Owen said between bites of food. "New captives are brought in with every Imperial ship that lands. No one knows why. One of the best things the Empire did was outlaw slavery."
Vader's fist clenched, and Owen looked at his half-brother sympathetically.
"I know this must be hard for you. I remember when you brought Mom back." He said.
Vader stood up from the table, storming out of the room in anger. Ahsoka excused herself from the table and followed him. She found the Sith Lord in the garage, putting on his armor and getting the landspeeder ready.
"Where do you think you're going?" She asked.
"I've an errand to take care of in Mos Eisley." He said. "I won't be long."
"You aren't going alone." Ahsoka said. "I need to make sure you won't leave and abandon Luke here."
"That was my plan, actually. I wanted to leave him somewhere safe while I find my other child and exact my vengeance. I hadn't planned on leaving him so soon. I will come back when I am done in Mos Eisley."
"I'm coming with you, Skyguy. You want me to join you? Fine. I'll do it to make sure you don't hurt Luke."
Vader nodded solemnly. Vader and his former apprentice took the speeder back into Mos Eisley, arriving in the spaceport at night. The Sith Lord made his way to the labor camp, anger radiating off of him. Ahsoka could feel it, but she decided against angering him further. Approaching the gate, the pair was stopped by the guards, a pair of stormtroopers.
"Do you have clearan…?" The trooper started, before clutching his throat, gurgling and coughing. His partner did the same, backing up against the wall, then sliding up it as Vader continued to choke them with the Force. After watching them suffer for a short while, Vader cleanly snapped their necks, throwing away their corpses. Pulling his saber from his belt, he ignited it, the red blade gleaming in the night. Raising his hand, the gate creaked on its hinges, force building up on it. It blew apart, allowing the renegade Sith Lord ingress to the yard. He put on his mask, the guards rushing at them as Ahsoka ignited her lightsabers.
Blocking a salvo of blaster bolts the two warriors sprinted at their opponents, using their momentum to launch themselves into the first wave of stormtroopers. Vader sliced through the armor and flesh of trooper, enjoying his scream as he fell. Cutting down several more stormtroopers, Vader and Ahsoka roused the attention of the camp's slave driver.
The fat, unpleasant looking man ordered the stormtroopers to stand down, holding a control remote in his hand as he walked towards the Sith Lord.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Vader." The Slave Driver said. "I was racking my brain trying to figure out why you'd attack here. You want the workforce, don't you? Well, that's just too bad. If you take another step towards me, I'll detonate all of them."
Vader's fist tightened, and he deactivated his lightsaber. He motioned to Ahsoka to deactivate her own lightsabers, both of them standing down, allowing the stormtroopers to surround them and take their sabers. The slave driver took a step towards them, a smug smirk on his face.
"Well then, Lord Vader, let's wait while I call in you capture. I'm surprised you were stupid enough to risk capture over some worthless slaves." He said. Vader's fists tightened even more, and Ahsoka could feel a distinct crackling in the air. Vader put his arms out in front of him, bolts of jet blue lightning pouring from his arms into the slave driver, frying his controller and killing him instantly, his skeleton showing through his skin as the electricity poured into his body.
As Vader's outburst faded, the man's withered husk fell to the ground. Vader and Ahsoka grabbed their sabers back from the stormtroopers, slaughtering the rest of the guards. The slaves had come out of their bunkhouses to see what the commotion was, and found Vader on his knees, screaming at the top of his lungs, ignited saber gripped in a fist pointing to the sky. The confused slaves stared in awe at their savior, their liberator.