As Vader and the mysterious Jedi prepared to face off, she finally removed her cloak, revealing herself to be a lovely togruta who appeared to be in her early-20's.
"If the Empire want this planet, you'll have to go through me," she declared, extending her lightsaber and flipping it around to a reverse shien grip.
The dark lord was not surprised at the identity of his opponent, as he had already sensed her presence.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Snips."
Ahsoka Tano turned off her lightsaber as her eyes grew wide. She had seen and heard of the horrors committed by the Empire and Darth Vader, but had been in exile during the events of Order 66 and had only heard about everything through Imperial news reports. At no time did she learn that the Sith lord Darth Vader was her old master.
"A-Anakin?" she stammered, "No. It can't be. You killed the younglings at the Jedi Temple? And the masters?"
Ahsoka had to pause for a moment as tears formed in her eyes, "-Lux..."
Darth Vader finally spoke again, "It was the bidding of of my master to eliminate all threats to the Empire. The Jedi Order had betrayed the chancellor and the Republic. They had to be dealt with."
"I don't believe you!" his former padawan shouted angrily.
Ahsoka closed her eyes for a moment, fighting back the tears as she remembered the day stormtroopers invaded Onderon, finishing her thoughts from earlier. She saw Lux as he raced itoward the stormtroopers and received over 20 direct hits while trying to protect her. He was dead before he even hit the ground.
"Anakin, what have they done to you? You aren't like this-"
"That name has no meaning to me! Anakin Skywalker is no more!"
"You can't believe that, Skyguy. I know my old master is in there somewhere. Help me defend the planet. We can work together and stop the empire."
Ahsoka's pleas seemed to have an effect for a few seconds, before Vader shook it off and said, "No. Join me. Be my apprentice once again. We can stop the emperor and rule the galaxy. I sense the dark side growing strong within you."
Ahsoka shook her head. "I-I can't do that. I would never become a Sith."
"I don't want to kill you, Snips. Please, stand aside!" Vader shouted.
Ahsoka extended her lightsaber, "No, Anakin. I'm not going to let you do this."
Vader responded by extended his crimson blade. "Then you leave me no choice."
The pair fought aggressively, with Ahoska quickly realizing that she could easily use her speed and quickness as an advantage against the slower Darth Vader.
"His style has changed. It must be because of that armor," she caught herself thinking, "It's like dueling someone I've never fought before."
The clashing of the lightsaber blades continued for what seemed like an eternity, as Ahsoka was able to do minor damage to Vader's suit, trying to avoid killing him if possible.
"Anakin! Come back to the light side again!" she pleaded once more, this time apparently to deaf ears.
The battle continued until Ahsoka was able to lop off Vader's robotic forearm.
As the duel continued, Vader shouted, "Ahsoka! Don't make me do this! You can join us, or at least leave the planet!"
"I'm sorry, Anakin, but I can't let you kill or enslave this people. It's my duty to protect them. Help me and we can run the Empire out of here."
Unfortunately, this final plea went unanswered. The former padawan's skills were impressive, even to Vader, but she was gradually tiring. It had been years since she was involved in a lengthy lightsaber duel with a skilled opponent and her endurance wasn't what it used to be. Her former master's cybernetics, however, gave him a greatly-enhanced endurance level, allowing him to outlast most any opponent.
Seconds later, there was a flash of red and a green lightsaber hit the ground. Its owner dropped to her knees first, and then to the ground. Darth Vader knelt down beside her, showing compassion for the first time in over a decade.
"I'm sorry, Snips. You left me no choice."
Before she went to be with the Jedi who had gone on before her, Ahsoka said weakly, her eyes filled with tears, "I know there is still good in you, Anakin. I...just hope...that someday...you will see it too."
With those words, she passed on. Vader stayed nearby, deep in thought and mourning over the last link to his past. A small team of stormtroopers (who had come down to check on the dark lord) approached.
A commander worked up the courage to ask hesitantly, "Lord Vader. Are you...alright?
Without looked up or moving, he ordered calmly, "You may continue with the invasion as planned. Just leave me for a few moments."
The invasion went as planned, with many on the planet falling to the Imperial forces. Over the years, however, Ahsoka's final words would echo in Vader's mind. Perhaps, despite his protests, a remnant of Anakin Skywalker had survived after all.
