Hey guys! I managed to pull together Chapter Six for you this weekend! I hope you like it! It was a pain to get started, but I eventually found the flow of the story again!

(And Keayleuu, I apologize for having a certain Nubian in this story, but it is what spoke to me...)

Anyway! Enjoy! And let me know what you think! Any suggestions you have for future chapters? Questions? Any scenarios you want to see take place? Drop me a line (whether through PMs or Reviews!)

Chapter 6

"What was that?" A raspy voice is heard on the edge of consciousness. Bringing themselves once again to the physical world, the threesome simply stared at each other in silence. The full weight of the vision's revelations finally registering.

"Dangerous you would be, told I the council," Yoda sighed, rubbing his scaly forehead in exasperation, "Seems right I was..."

"What do you mean Master?" Obi-Wan cut in, the worry for his brother clear on his face, "Dangerous? How? He's done nothing but help the Jedi Order!"

"See that monstrosity did you not? Look like a good Jedi did he?" Yoda shot back, receiving no response but a shameful glance towards the wall, he continued. "Obi-Wan, a Sith Lord that was!"

"But I'm no Sith!" Anakin rasped in defense, "Have I been a model student? Probably not. But I do everything I can! I would never betray the Order!"

"Say that now you do," Yoda turned to the young man, "Yet time will tell. A glimpse into the future I fear we may have seen. Bodies switched you may have had with your future self, this Darth Vader…"

"Why though? Why would this happen to me?" Anakin pressed, now rising and pacing the chamber, his silver prosthetics glinting in the dim light, "What have I done to deserve this?"

"…The pool," Obi-Wan breathed, "Master Yoda, while on Ilum, we came across a pool. It gave off a strange signature in the Force, unlike anything I've ever come across before. It was distorted and unstable, Anakin said it drew him to it, like a magnet.."

"Hm… Unheard of this is…" Yoda stared thoughtfully at the discarded death mask, as if gazing into its lenses would reveal the answers he sought, "Willed this to happen, the Force has. Careful we must be, and out of sight must young Skywalker stay. Looks like a Sith he does, killed by one of the Order he may be if seen."

"Great." Anakin rejoined the conversation, stepping into his boots as he did so, "No more missions I take it?"

"Correct young Skywalker. Away you must be sent, too many people here there are. Too easily found you will be. A hidden place we must find, yet close enough to Coruscant that communicate easily we can."

"So basically anywhere in the Middle or Inner Rim." Obi-Wan contemplated, stroking his trademark beard. "Any convenient secretive spots on such generally active worlds?"

"Varykino."

"What are you talking about Anakin? Varykino? Who is that?"

Anakin shook his head, "It's not a person, but a place. Varykino is a retreat on Naboo. It's where I stayed with Padme before the war started... It's safe, only her family knows where it is."

"Hm..." The Grand Master sighed, deep in thought on the situation, "Friends with Senator Amidala are you?"

"... You could say that." Anakin looked disdainfully at the helmet he now held in his gloved hands, " I know she can be trusted with a secret."

"Are you sure about this Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan inquired, now getting up to assist with sealing Anakin's mask, "Politicians are not exactly known for their unswerving loyalty and honesty."

"Trust the Senator I do." Yoda replied, now hobbling to his feet, "A friend to the Order she is. Go we must, and find her we shall."

I awake to the dull throbbing of lightsaber burns on my arm and chin. The previous interrogation had driven me to reveal my name.

My original name. The one I used as a Jedi in the Republic's service.

Groggily, I hear the slight grating of the door as it opens, the harsh scrape of military boots against the floor irritating me.

"Ah, it seems you are still alive Chosen One," Furan's deceptively smooth voice cut the silence I maintained. "Unfortunately for you, the Emperor has deemed it necessary to see you himself before your execution order is enacted."

"Oh joy..." I grin crookedly, "Let me guess, no complimentary bath before he's to see me?"

"Even the deepest scouring would not get rid of your Jedi filth!" The Admiral spits, before grabbing me roughly by the hair, "Now, if you know what's good for you, you will come with me!"

Tiredly, I obey, as I know that wasting energy in defiance is the last thing I should be doing. Especially when missing an arm.

"We better not keep his Highness waiting then..." I sigh, limping towards the door, Furan keeping an iron grip on my wrist as we made our way out of the cell.

Harsh light assaults my vision as I leave the dingy room. Stormtroopers line the hallway, discouraging any ideas of escape. Silently, I can feel their gazes on me as I shamble along. Their masks indifferent as everything else in the austere hallway. In some ways I guess, they resembled their Supreme Commander in that respect...

If only they knew who it was they are escorting to the chopping block... I think grimly, a hint of black humor shading my thoughts. They would not be so indifferent then.

Eventually, I manage to shuffle to the shuttle I had arrived in nearly a week ago.

The Dunesea.

She is a fine shuttle, and one of my personal favorites when my TIE Advanced was unavailable. It is unfortunate that I am disgraced like this. Using my own shuttle to transport me as a prisoner of war... Ironic isn't it?

Impatiently, Furan shoves me forward. Apparently, he doesn't appreciate my reverie of such a fine ship.

"Move it Jedi," He growls, nearly throwing me into the passenger hold in the process, and out of habit I settled into my typical position near the cockpit.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sitting in my usual spot. What are you doing?" I reply cooly, strapping myself into my larger than average chair.

"For the last time! You are not Lord Vader!" The Admiral fumed, his hatred of me for defiling the esteemed seat of the Supreme Commander with my 'Jedi filth' increasing exponentially with every second.

Before he could say a word, the Dunesea lifted off. It's next destination the Imperial Palace.

"Hold on! I'm coming…" A certain senator called across her flat on 500 Republica, as she rushed to the door. Flinging it open, she was met with someone completely unexpected.

"Obi-Wan! What are you doing here? I thought you and Anakin were on a mission..." The Nubian senator blurted hastily. Upon seeing his bleak expression, worry creased her features after letting the Jedi Master in, "Where is he?"

Solemnly, the Negotiator wrung his hands, "Actually, he's the reason I've come to you."

"Has something happened to him? What's wrong?"

"On our last mission, something... Came up I'm afraid, and we need a place to hide him till this blows over. He said you'd be able to help."

"Varykino," Padme sighed, realizing just what her greatest friend had meant, "Yes, I can take him there. The Senate's last session was today and they have given us two months leave. We can smuggle him out on my ship if necessary."

At these words, Obi-Wan's features visibly softened, "Thank you Senator. I must inform you that we need to leave as soon as possible. No one must know where he's gone. As far as everyone is concerned he is either dead or missing in action…"

"Why?" Padme was in disbelief at what she was hearing. What could possibly cause Ani to go into hiding?

"I am not at liberty to say at the moment… Why not ask him yourself when you see him tonight?"

"Very well…" Padme addressed the Jedi before he turned to go, "Thank you for trusting me with this Obi-Wan."

"Thank Anakin and Yoda. It was their idea."

"This the prisoner?" An electronically filtered voice catches my attention as the ramp is lowered to the deck of the Royal Hangar. My wounds splitting and burning anew with every movement I make.

"Yes," Furan hisses, nicely shoving me in the direction of the Palace guards. "The Emperor is expecting us."

"Right this way then," the guard replies prodding me along with his Force Pike, as if a one armed, middle aged, broken man, would have a chance against two armored men and a highly trained Imperial officer.

Miserably, I stumble along to the throne room. At this point, I am too tired and beaten to care anymore what happens to me. The Emperor will soon put an end to this humiliation. Stopping at the final set of doors, the guards positioned themselves on either side of the entrance.

"Enter."

Throwing an acidic glare, I make my way into the throne room.

"Ah, Admiral Furan… What brings you to my chambers today?" An ancient voice drawls, as a wizened robed figure rises from an elevated throne.

"My Emperor," Furan drops to a knee in the monarch's presence, "I bring to you one of the greatest and most elusive of the Jedi… One that is responsible for the disappearance of Lord Vader… I bring you none other than Anakin Skywalker himself!" With a brave flourish of his hand, he presents me.

Shackled and filthy, I am but a shadow of my former self as I stand before the galactic ruler. Kneeling as much as I can from the pain and binders I address him as I have for nearly two decades.

"My master… I have returned at last from where you sent me…"

"Master?" The old man chuckles, now inspecting my lightsaber and recognizing it as the one I wielded during the Clone Wars, "I am afraid you are mistaken young Skywalker. My apprentice is Darth Vader. A black cyborg approximately the size of a small tree. Fearsome. Deadly. And certainly not one that would betray me with disposing of the medical assistance I have provided with such trickery as illegal cloning technology…"

Illegal cloning technology?

"My master! My loyalties lie with you and the Force only! I would-"

"Use forbidden methods to repair yourself and overthrow me? I think so," Palpatine sneered, now hobbling down the dias to stand at my eye level. "After all… Treachery is the way of the Sith, is it not?"

At this sudden barrage, I am stunned speechless.

I could've been healed this whole time?! Disbelief and anger boil in my veins at this realization. That the man I had once trusted had so deeply deceived me, and kept me trapped in that cursed suit when I could've easily regained my body!

"Yes it is…" I reply icily, death burning in my eyes, "How could I forget?"

"You tell me Skywalker," he growls in contempt before shifting his gaze to Furan, still on his knees, " Admiral, leave us. He and I have… Business to discuss…"

Nodding silently, the officer departs. Leaving me alone with the Emperor.

"Such a pity… You had so much to learn Lord Vader." Palpatine chided in almost a grandfatherly tone, "Alas, it seems I have no further use for you…"

It is then I notice a hooded figure in the shadows. The glint of lightsaber hilts at his hip.

"Kill him."

In a flurry of motion, the Apprentice strikes.

Once a loyal clone where Starkiller had failed, the Dark Apprentice had been my greatest successes in my eventual plan to defeat and usurp the Emperor.

Apparently, he wasn't as loyal as I had thought.

With the speed of a Nexu, I summon my azure saber from Palpatine's frail grip, and just in the nick of time I am able to deflect the scarlet blow. Leaping back, I return the strike two fold. Even with only my left arm I am still a force to be reckoned with.

"You are the Jedi's champion?!" The Apprentice scoffs as we spar, "A one armed cripple?! Ha! The Emperor was certainly doing the galaxy a favor in wiping your kind out!"

"Who ever said I was a Jedi?" Venomously, I counterstrike once again, turning his crimson blade into the exquisite floor. Somewhat surprised at my show of strength, he leaves an opening for a well placed kick to the face. The force of impact driving him through one of the great observation windows.

Eyes a smoldering yellow, I pursue my opponent to the ledge of palace wall, high above the speeding skyways of the city-planet.

Lucidly, I take in the scene before me as the wind tousles my hair, the high altitude winds whipping past my face as I gaze at the abandoned Jedi Temple. Every color imaginable reflecting softly off the shards of glass that littered the once pristine roof.

Colors.

Something I have not been able to enjoy in my life as a Sith.

Momentarily distracted, I can feel the warmth of a single tear carving its way down my dusty cheek.

Suddenly, a blood red blade shatters my nostalgia of the moment, swinging to cut off my forearm. Which would have succeeded if there had been a forearm there to begin with. Instinctively, I go to a defensive stance, to protect my control-

Wait. I don't have a control box mounted on my chest any more…

Devilishly, I return t the offensive, my rapid strikes confusing and hindering the Apprentice's dual bladed style as we skidded across the narrow ledge. Our footing growing more perilous by the second as the decretive ledge narrowed with each step in my direction.

Kreth.

I swear mentally, the uncomfortable reality of my situation settling on me as he backs me to the edge of the platform.

Where have I seen this before? Oh, that's right. It started this whole mess!

Blades humming ominously between us, the Apprentice speaks.

"So here it ends at last… Anakin Skywalker, the greatest of all the Jedi, has fallen by my hands. It's a shame that Lord Vader isn't here to enjoy this!"

Oh, he is my foolish apprentice. It doesn't mean that I am necessarily enjoying the situation…

"You know," I remark, pushing his blade away lightly, "Nothing's ever perfect!"

"I can certainly tell," my once loyal servant sneers, motioning at the stump of my right arm, "Apparently not even the Chosen One is!"

"So rude!" I mockingly give a slight bow, "I am practically handing myself to you on a golden platter, and you can't even kill me quickly? Or even with a decent quip for that matter! Young man…" I salute with the remains of my right arm, "It seems our time together is done!"

Before the Apprentice can even react, I plummet off the side of the Imperial Palace, falling to meet the skyways below.