Disclaimer: This story follows a different set of events from the canon works and Legends materials. My time line allows for a shift in events after Windus death in ROTS. Due to the events I have and story plans I have made the characters and their reactions and personalities will be depicted as I see fit to correlate with the events I have created in this timeline. My primary focus in this story will be the struggle between the identity of Anakin and Vader. I hope you all enjoy my take on these beloved characters in this alternate timeline! Thank you so much for reading!

Note: I will be uploading a new chapter weekly for this story. Sunday late afternoon will most likely be around the time of day I upload for those interested.

He felt two small warm hands resting gently on his shoulders. His eyes widened as he looked up, meeting her large brown eyes, peering down at him with concern. Her face just inches from his. "Are you okay?" Padme softly asked. "What's wrong?" Her warm eyes quickly scanning across his face assessing him.

He was breathless, lost, transfixed in her gaze; her concern was obvious. How, how could she still look at him with love and sympathy? How, when he had done so much, too much? He was the last person she should worry herself over. He was never deserving of her. Large Tears silently stream from Anakin's wide stare. What was wrong? He hoarsely replies. "Everything."

"What would you give to right your wrongs…. to erase your regrets? If you could live again with new choices, knowing what you know now would you?" "If you could touch her again" you could repent, you could explain it all."

Fueled with anger Vader mentally pushed Anakin deep into the recesses of his mind, attempting to silence the ever present Jedi Knight within him. This wasn't the first time Vader had heard the familiar voice in his mind. And with a surge of irritation he knew it wouldn't be the last. Meditation would not drive him away, his constant unwanted companion. "Suit yourself Anakin sighed" The mental anchor always weighing him down, making him a constant failure. Never the Master as a Jedi, and clearly unable to lose the knight in is mind making him only half a Sith. It's infuriating!

"I've sensed a change in the force- …. Would you take it all back…. Padme"

PAIN

SEARING SCORTCHING PAIN

Her name, her voice, those beautiful large brown eyes he could lose himself in- the memory of them widening in sorrowful horror as he tightened his grip around her throat- tears streaming down her perfect face.

PAIN

The bright sun of Naboo casting beautiful warm rays of light dancing upon her skin. Her small perfect hands clutching onto his, her soft tender embrace. The fluttering of their hearts.

NOOO

Desperation bubbled to the surface as Vader roughly pushed the voice further. Pushing the memories as far as he could. As a Sith he should respond to the immense pain they brought him, but this was always too much for the Dark Lord. With Anakin as far from the surface of his mind as possible, and the memories distant, he could breathe- the pain never subsiding, never letting him rest.

Angrily he snapped open his eyes. Having no patience or time for this foolishness Vader launched himself abruptly from his meditation chamber. Long strides brought him to his antechamber, a stoic room devoid of lavishness or excess. In this his Jedi habits remain. For in truth he could have every possession. "just not the one that matters" the voice somberly whispered.

Clearly nothing of use would be achieved through meditation today Vader thought making his way to the large view port within his rooms. Soon he would be approaching the Imperial prison encampment of Hoshnir.

Standing arms clasped, he gazed darkly out into space. This prison center was one of many that had needed assessment in the two years since the since the fall of the Republic. Vader reached for the holopad near him and quickly scanned through the information on the encampment. Hoshnir, known for its top level security and information extraction capabilities. Only the truly unfortunate would ever find themselves staying within its walls Vader chuckled emptily to himself.

His eyes lazily flicked over the profile of the General in charge of the off world prison. The man was clearly unhinged, with his background showing his love for torture and proficiency in the field. In an Imperial interview for the post, he described such events as "the most honest and pure, that could ever be achieved. What I create is love, there is nothing else but complete understanding and devotion between myself and the prisoner"

Vader roughly tossed the holopad aside- General Telvk's hours were numbered. The Sith apprentice intended to kill the general and have him replaced. His talents of late had not been as dependable or useful as they once had been.

In truth he detested the man. Reaching into the force he found a surge of power as anger washed over him from the memory of Telvks more recent failures. Two Jedi had been found and brought to his center. The generals' mission was as simple as it was obvious, extract information from the fallen knights. The metal under Vaders feet started to warp as the Dark Lords anger rolled off of him in waves of palpable power.

But soon, Telvk would die; there at least Vader would have some satisfaction for the loss of information the General had caused. Thinking to himself he decided with a smirk that he would honor Telvk in some small fashion of irony, and would not make his death a quick one. Lets see if he is as passionate for his craft when the rolls are reversed, Vader dryly thought to himself.

There were many reasons for the mans soon departure. The Emperors opinions with the generals failures of late where only the most recent to be named. The young Dark Lord had the responsibility of taking the brunt of the emperors' anger on all matters. The new Scars on his left arm and chest still burned, further fueling Vaders rage. No, a quick death for the General would not be permitted.