A/N: Surprise! I'm not dead! I almost did though, which partially explains the long hiatus. I was riding my bike home from work when a car struck my bike and drove off. Colorado drivers for you...I was fine, my knee was injured but that was it, but I have been getting that taken care of, which was soon followed by driving cross country from Colorado to Georgia and then from there to Gainesville for college. I start in December! I am also planning my wedding for next year. But yeah, busy life doesn't allow for writing. Guest: Vader is difficult to write, because even I'm not sure if he is Anakin or Vader. It won't be an instant change and it will be gradual changes with him. Thanks for the review! soaring freedom: I didn't interpret it as them just accepting he was from the future but they knew he wasn't lying. Most Force sensitives can tell if some is lying but they ain't sure if he is crazy or not. But, you don't argue with Vader! :) Thank you for the kind words! The Neutral Jedi: Sorry I haven't updated :( Here is a chapter, just for you! Little NK: Updated! :)) youngjusticewriter: Gotta put some humor in there! But, ya'll probably want to read the story, so for the wait, here is an extra long chapter!
Obi-Wan follows the pair carefully, respectfully one step and to the left behind his master. The 25 year-old padawan was hesitant to trust the older of the two but it was not his place to question his master. Besides, the younger of the two, Luke, seemed to trust the man, and had even pleaded with him of all people. Obi-Wan still could not decipher what the fear and grief in his Force signature (and his revealing eyes) when the Sith seemingly threatened him. He just could not get his head around it. And what the Sith had said, Obi-Wan was hesitant to admit, had put some measure of fear in him, which he quickly released to the Force. "You truly do know your way around the Temple," Qui-Gon said. It was not a question.
The man did not respond, allowing his silence to speak for him. He did however, lean over to whisper in Luke's ear, which Obi-Wan failed to hear. As they talked, Obi-Wan did notice some resemblance between the two, the hair (though Luke's was fairer), the swagger with which they walked, the set of their shoulders which hinted at a heavy burden, and even the same blue eyes. Luke was significantly shorter however... With a start, he realizes the child Qui-Gon brought with them has the same eyes and hair. Could one of the two be the supposed Chosen One? He mentally shrugs off the thought, many humans in the galaxy have blonde hair and blue eyes. It surely must be a coincidence, though if he was being honest with himself, he has rarely seen such an occurrence. Coincidences simply do not happen around the Jedi.
They reach the elevator to the Council's chambers when Qui-Gon stops them. "Before we go any further, I must ask you something." His master pauses politely, ever the diplomatic warrior.
"Speak," The darker man replies.
"You mentioned you were a Jedi Knight on the High Council, but not a master, which in itself is redundant, might I add, but you had the eyes of a Sith, which my padawan eloquently pointed out. Am I bringing a Sith to the Council? You didn't deny it."
By the end of Qui-Gon's question, the man is obviously impatient, almost bold in the way he crosses his arms in a silent threat. Qui-Gon, however, is not perturbed in the slightest, something for which Obi-Wan is silently proud of. "I suggest you be more blunt next time, Jedi. I do not appreciate slow questions. No, I am not a Sith, but I was until very recently. I was known as Darth Vader."
"What are you now?" Obi-Wan asks quietly, unsure of what to call him.
For the first time since meeting the pair, hesitation and trepidations fills the swirling aqua depths of his eyes. "I don't know. I really don't," He replies unsteadily, his eyes losing focus. Obi-Wan watches as he seems to act his age for the first time.
"What is your name?" Qui-Gon asks.
Luke goes to answer but he is quickly cut off. "You may call me Vader."
The grand doors to the council room swing open with all the authority of fate itself, or so Anakin thinks as he enters for the first time in over thirty years. The High Council does not show open shock at his appearance, or Luke's for that matter, but that is of no concern to him. Nor is he surprised really, their abilities in the Force no doubt alerted them to his presence as soon as he appeared in that long hallway. He looks around at them, ignoring Luke's openly awestruck expression as he sees Master Yoda and the other Jedi Masters. He goes to the middle of the room ahead of the group, as is customary of one reporting to them, and motions for his son to join him by his side. He sincerely hopes that Luke will heed his advice and will not reveal his name, Palatine's true identity, or anymore of the future than he has already (stupidly) mentioned to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. He mentally groans as he realizes that he forgot to tell Luke not to reveal their relationship. No matter, they are too similar in age to truly tell. He almost loses his composure when he hears Master Yoda's voice, "Two strangers you have brought, Master Jinn? Related to the disturbance we felt, I assume they are."
"We are, Masters." Anakin decides to be respectful, at the very least, it will earn him some trust.
Yoda stares at him and Luke for a moment, as do the other Council members. Luke squirms slightly at the appraising looks, uncomfortable with the attention, no doubt. Anakin can't blame him, not really. He once felt the same way. It is Qui-Gon, his childhood role model, who speaks first. "While we walking down the hall, Maters, a large portal-like object appeared on the ceiling. From it, these two fell, landing next to each other. Luke," He gestures towards the boy, "rushed to help Vader. It was when I spoke to Obi-Wan that the two took notice of us. Vader jumped to his feet with the yellow eyes of a Sith when he faced us."
Master Mace Windu interrupts them there, eying both suspiciously, "He is a Sith?"
"No, Master Windu, I am not," Vader coldly answers.
To their credit, the Council hardly reacts, although the suspicion grows even more evident in their eyes. Master Kit Fisto slowly moves his green hand to his lightsaber at his waist, the normally light hearted Jedi fully serious. Anakin (or is it Vader) cockily smiles at this, confident in his abilities. He will not attack, of course, but he will refuse to be taken into "custody." "Your lightsaber wouldn't save you, Master Fisto, if I decided to attack. My power far exceeds your own. Pray that I don't." He would be lying if he did not admit he took some pleasure in unsettling the Council.
Qui-Gon notices the bluff and continues, "He recognized myself and my padawan, calling us both by name. He said that I chose to disguise myself as a dead Jedi, and hinted at Obi-Wan's death somewhere during the next thirty years. Luke seemed to recognize Obi-Wan as well but not me. He mentioned you, Master Yoda, as well. He claims to be from the future and that he was once a Jedi Knight on the High Council."
Master Mundi speaks next, leaning back in his seat and clasping his fingers, "That is quite the claim, Vader, Luke. How do you intend on backing that up?"
Luke looks to his father for reassurance, to which Anakin nods. He knows Luke understands the importance of this. Besides, he has Padme's intelligence, he thinks bitter sweetly. "I was not raised in a galaxy that has a Republic. The ruling body of the galaxy is the Galactic Empire. The Republic was no more when I was born. I know it is, er, or will be ruled by Darth Sidious and that the Jedi Order is nearly extinct. The only members I knew were Masters Yoda and Kenobi, and myself."
Adi Gallia speaks up, her eyes gentle on the young Jedi, "Did Vader train you?"
Luke shakes his head quickly, "No, Master Kenobi trained me first, for a few days until his..." He looks at Anakin, whose face stays passive and Luke takes that as a go ahead to continue, "death aboard the Death Star." His voice is a bit shaky at the end of the sentence.
Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan visibly flinch, and even Anakin fails to fully hide his reaction. He regretted killing Obi-Wan, despite how he felt about it at the time. Since reflecting on it, he did not believe his old mentor, his old brother deserved death. He was right, though. The circle was complete. Yoda, quiet and impassive until now, speaks, "Trained by me, were you?"
"Yes, Master Yoda, until your death as well." Luke's eyes fill with grief and Anakin senses his son's turmoil.
At this statement, the entire Council reacts, besides Masters Yoda and Fisto. Several vie to speak first, but Master Windu's voice rises above the others quickly, "You cannot be serious! The Jedi Order simply cannot be destroyed until even the Grand Master is dead! There has never been any evidence of time travel, even among Force Sensitives. I want to focus on the Sith Lord and his apprentice here!"
Vader quickly cuts off his air flow, arm outstretched and fingers nearly pinching. It takes the shocked Council only a moment to react, even Obi-Wan becomes defensive. Eleven lightsabers are ignited, their green and blue colors directed toward Vader. Only Vader, Yoda, Luke, and Qui-Gon stay their hand, with Mace fully unable to do anything in Vader's grip. Vader, however, ignores their silent threat as the collective hum of the sabers fill the air as does Master Windu's gasping. "I find your lack of faith disturbing." He simply says.
"Release him, you shall." Yoda warns quietly.
Another lightsaber, green this time, ignites right next to Vader and he turns his yellow eyes on his son, releasing Master Windu as he does. He looks at Luke, his eyes venomous, and then turns to the Council. "I will not have Luke insulted like that, especially when I was the one who put him in that position. He is, and never was, my apprentice and is the truest Jedi I have ever known, besides Qui-Gon. Upon my dying breath, I demanded that the Force makes the galaxy light, and this is how it answered. Simple as that. I may not be Sith any longer, but neither am I a Jedi. Do not test my patience."
Vader takes deep breaths, attempting to release his anger into the Force. It is difficult, he even struggled with it as a Jedi. Finally, it is his son, yet again, who allows him to become centered. He allows his son's unique calmness to wash over him, feeling the light fill him once again. When he opens his eyes once again, they are blue. "You may lower your weapons, lest you wished for me to draw mine."
Luke quickly lowers his, almost ashamedly, as very slowly, the other members of the Council do as well. Mace Windu gasps for breath, ruffled and as angry as a Jedi on the Council can be. He glares at Anakin, to which Anakin merely shrugs. "I was a Sith merely a few hours ago. Don't expect an overnight change."
"That was a Jedi method, using the anchor of one more talented than you," Qui-Gon murmurs.
"He never gave into temptation, even when I taunted him and tried to turn him. He is a great Jedi, one you," Anakin nods at Yoda," and you," Obi-Wan is gestured to as well, "should be immensely proud of."
Luke, flustered, turns away. "I wish to end the threat my old master poses, and, unfortunately, I will need your help with this. I cannot, and will not, reveal everything at this moment, but I must tell you a few things. I expect you to listen without interrupting until I am done." Anakin asserts.
The Council stares silently in shock and Master Yoda leans forward, his large eyes boring into Anakin's own. "Quiet, we shall be, until your tale is done. Then, we decide."
Darth Sidious stares into Courscant's sky, lowering himself into the Dark Side of the Force, sensing it fluctuating between light and dark. He lowers himself into his chair, a frown on his hooded face. "Reveal yourself to me, strange one...tell me your secrets."
He reaches toward the mysterious entities, one gray, one light, and is instantly thrown backwards into himself. He opens his malicious eyes to locate the infamous spires from the Temple and almost growls. "Of course the Jedi would be concealing their secrets. I will find you."
