Summary: Lord Sidious finds Darth Vader on Mustafar.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Star Wars' or any of the characters.
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"He's still alive", Lord Sidious breathed, his reedy voice filled with awe.
He had known his new apprentice was powerful – more powerful than any Jedi he had seen before – and he had been certain that he had not underestimated young Skywalker's abilities. After all, had he not scorned the Jedi Council for failing to realise what an asset the man could be, if possessed? And what a threat he could pose to any he made his enemy.
The Council had sent Skywalker off to do battle for them, had witnessed his incredible powers first-hand, and somehow they still failed to understand that such a prize must be kept close, lest his allegiances change.
The thin lips curved slightly upwards. Of course, he had counted on the Jedi's blindness, their wariness of Anakin's passion, in order to sow discord between his new apprentice and the Masters he served. He alone congratulated the young man on his victories, taught him confidence and pride, and insinuated that the Council did not value him – that he deserved more than the Jedi could offer him. He valued his apprentice – Darth Vader was worth more to him than the hundreds of thousands of clone troops at his command.
But no mortal should have survived this. Sidious knew that he himself – the most powerful man in the galaxy – could not have survived it. And that, despite how greatly he valued his apprentice, was what caused him to hesitate. If Darth Vader was truly more powerful than he was, that meant he could overthrow him. Perhaps it was better to let him die, to train a new apprentice. After all, he controlled the galaxy now – he had all the time in the world. But something stopped him. He couldn't let all that power go to waste…
Saving Lord Vader would require the most advanced medical procedures. His severed human limbs would be replaced with mechanised legs and arms, and his burnt flesh would be encased in protective armour. And all of this effort to save his life would only bind him more tightly to the Emperor.
"Get a medical capsule immediately." He ordered. Perhaps it was a risk, to allow what remained of Anakin Skywalker to live. But all of his risks had been calculated, and they had led him to this moment. He was the ruler of the entire Galaxy. He had to trust that Lord Vader would remain loyal to him. His Empire would never fall.
….
Thanks for reading! This is the first fanfic I've posted for Star Wars, and I would really appreciate any feedback.