Star Wars The Changed Destiny

by Mand'alor The Resurrector

AU: Leia secretly learns about her heritage when she is a little girl and years later she tells Vader what she knows and doing so changes things in ways no being could imagine. The destiny of the one man changes that day and with it, the whole galaxy follows. Vader redemption-ish fic. Will take from both Legends and Canon material. New Chapter: 1/23/2021

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9:Twilight of the Apprentice

Lothal (3 years 2 months BBY)

Ezra was extremely bored. Kanan had already left and he and Ahsoka had been meditating without any answer for a long time. Well longer than he had expected since the answer last time had to come quickly. While trying to keep focused and meditate a question jumped to the front of Ezra's mind as he quickly exited his trance, opened his eyes, and looked at Ahsoka to ask her.

"You knew Master Yoda?" Ezra asked.

"Yes. He taught almost all of the younglings in the temple at one point or another." Ahsoka answered as she exited her meditative trance and opened her eyes to look at Ezra.

"Kanan described him to me," Ezra explained. "Small, green, and wrinkly with pointy ears," Which caused Ahsoka to slightly smile at the memory of Master Yoda. "But he didn't know what he was really like."

"I'm not sure anyone did," Ahsoka said remembering how mysterious Master Yoda had always been to everyone, especially her. "He was wise, kind, but when I was young he seemed happier," Ahsoka's smile faded as she remembered how he had changed as she got older. "As the Clone War dragged on, he carried a great burden, a deep sorrow," Ahsoka's eyes closed as she pictured how Master Yoda changed over the years and how the war affected him. "As if he knew before anyone else that one time was ending and another beginning." Ahsoka finished remembering Master Yoda and opened her eyes and glanced toward Ezra only to be caught off guard when Ezra was not in front of her.

She quickly glanced around the room and initially wondered where he had gone before coming to understand that he had been taken to where he needed to be just like with Kanan. Ahsoka's expression shifted to sadness as she realized that once again she was left alone but she composed herself quickly and went back to meditating once more. This time though with both Ezra and Kanan finding the answers to their questions she would seek the answer to the question that had been plaguing her for a few months now. A question that brought up memories of her confrontation with Maul all those years ago. A question that she did not want to ask but needed the answer. When she finally entered her trance, she reached out into the Force and asked the question she both needed and didn't want answered.

"What happened to Anakin Skywalker?"

Devastator

Vader was at the front of the bridge looking out the front window watching as they were jumping through hyperspace. He had received a report from the Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother that they had found the Jedi and Ahsoka on Lothal in a hidden Jedi temple on Lothal and had sent word to Thrawn to have the fleet travel to Lothal to try and intercept them before he had made his way to the bridge. Unfortunately, they were still 2 hours out from reaching Lothal and Vader would not hold his breathe on catching them.

He was listening to the chatter of the officers on the bridge as he waited and stared out the front window of the bridge when he began to feel something akin to a weak tug through the Force directed at him. Vader became slightly curious at the feeling and began to stretch out to find the source and after a few minutes he understood what he was feeling. It was a long broken connection through the Force.

Vader could barely feel her meditating through their broken bond but could tell that she was reaching out into the Force and searching for something. After further concentration, he found that she was searching for an answer to a question and the question itself was causing her to radiate great sadness. Before he could hypothesize about what the question was their connection became clearer and he heard her question through the Force as if she were standing right next to him.

"What happen to Anakin Skywalker?"

Vader was slightly taken aback by the question which caused him to almost take a step back from where he was standing. He was surprised by not only the question but the sudden clarity of their connection. He could only believe that the temple that she was in was quite strong if he could hear her through their battered connection. For a moment he contemplated what to do before deciding that he would give her the answer she was seeking and so he began to reach out to her.

"Ahsoka." Vader said through the connection and was caught off guard by how he sounded. He sounded exactly as he did before he was put into this walking coffin but could not process it because right after he spoke her name he felt himself being pulled and closed his eyes for a brief second from the strength of the pull.

Lothal Temple

Vader quickly opened his eyes and looked around at his surroundings before he landed on the sight of a kneeling woman who he recognized as Ahsoka. He saw his ex-padawan in a meditative stance looking around the room for what Vader would have to think was his voice. He saw Ahsoka shake her head before going back to meditating once again seemingly taking the voice she heard as being part of her imagination.

Vader on the other hand was floored by this whole experience. He was unaware of such an ability in the Force. For him to be able to see inside the temple and yet be across the galaxy. Vader though shelfed his surprise and questions for later and finally got a good look at Ahsoka. Unfortunately, he could only partially see Ahsoka because his vision of not only her, but the surrounding being hazy. Though his vision was hazy he could tell she was older and taller than the last time Vader saw her. Which unfortunately caused Vader to remember the last time he had seen her and the last words that she had said to him.

"Anakin! Good luck."

Vader grit his teeth together from the memory. He had wanted to question her about a great many topics that day but unfortunately Palpatine had been 'captured' and needing rescuing. Vader shook his head of the memory and shoved it back from where it came before he turned his attention back to Ahsoka and watched her meditating still asking into the Force her question. From her reaction Vader knew that she had heard him call for her meaning that Vader was given a unique opportunity to finally have his own questions answered.

"Ahsoka. Why did you leave?" Vader asked and paused as he felt her jerk in surprise and began to feel her immense emotions of fear, regret but most importantly her sadness emit from the question. "Where were you when I need you?"

"I made a choice. I couldn't stay." Ahsoka answered and Vader felt her emotions of sadness and regret increase after answering but he didn't care because he was blinded by rage from her answer.

She couldn't stay, he had been so many times betrayed or misguided by the Jedi council, yet he still stayed. He had a mother that he left and lost to join the Jedi for. He had a wife which he would have, should have left the Order for. But Ahsoka couldn't stay because the council didn't trust her. He didn't trust the council or many of the Jedi. But what they had was different. Different then what he once had with Kenobi or any other Jedi. Their bond went beyond merely master and padawan, student and pupil. They were family. She has been his little sister in all but name and blood. They had fully trusted each other. Something that the Jedi and Jedi council had lost.

"You were selfish." Vader coldly stated which he felt caused her despair to rise to greater heights.

"No!" She responded in anguish which only angered Vader even more. She dared deny that she left for selfish reasons!

"You abandoned me!" Vader angerly spat which caused her sadness and grief grow. "You failed me!" Vader could feel the sadness overwhelm her as their connection begin to wither from her lack of control of her emotions. It was at that moment that Vader decided that he was going to answer the question that she had been searching for. "Do you know what I have become?" Vader answered with pure hate in his voice and without even realizing his voice changed within the Force to replicate his respirator's breathing and how he existed today to give her the answer she was looking for.

"No." Ahsoka whispered and he felt her anger and sadness equally grow from the answer. "No!" She screamed out only for the connection to be fully cut from her loss of focus and elevated emotions. Vader though saw her begin to turn around only for him to feel the same pull that brought him here pull once again.

Devastator Bridge

Vader reopened his eyes and took a moment to center himself before staring at his reflection in the window as he clenched his fists tightly. He was angered from that conversation with Ahsoka. She dare deny being selfish! She could have stayed not for the Jedi but for him. They were family. She was the second most important person in his life. He trusted her above everyone except his Angel. And she went and abandoned him. For it to be just him and the Jedi once again by himself just as he had started.

While Vader thought about her staying his mind began to wonder what would have happened if she had stayed. He may not have fallen to the dark side if she was there. He might not have lost his Angel if she was there. Palpatine could have been dead. He could have seen his children grow up and not have to scour the galaxy looking for his son hoping that Kenobi hadn't trained Luke to hate and despise him. This line of thought only soured Vader's mood more as he hoped that Kenobi had not trained Luke to kill him. With disgust he thought of the possible outcome. Patricide.

Vader's begun to slowly cool his anger as he pushed the thoughts away and after a minute of calming himself down he turned around and was met with the sight of Captain Piett standing at attention giving Vader a salute which caught him off guard. He hadn't even sensed the man approach. Vader wondered how unfocused he must have been that he had allowed the Captain to sneak up on him.

"Sir." Piett stated as he saw that he had Vader's attention.

"What is it Captain?" Vader questioned irately still slightly angry from his conversation.

"My Lord, the Eighth Brother requests an audience with you. He says he has found the Shadow." Piett answered not missing a beat.

The answer caught Vader by surprise. The Inquisitor had found the Shadow which was surprising considering Vader had the Eighth Brother chasing rumors about the man who had supposedly survived their encounter when Vader and the Empire had personally destroyed Crimson Dawn after Palpatine had learned who ran it.

"Thank you Captain, that will be all." Vader responded before receiving a yes sir and a salute from Piett before walking away. Vader on the other hand turned around and left the bridge with his chambers being the destination where he planned to receive the call.

When Vader arrived at his chambers he swiftly entered and sat in his chair before entering in the Eighth Inquisitor's comm frequency.

"Lord Vader." The Eighth brother picked up and answered with a slight bow. Waving off the pleasantries Vader wanted to know what he had found.

"What have you found Inquisitor?" Vader asked.

"My Lord, I believe I have found were the Shadow has been hiding, I believe he is on Malachor." The Inquisitor said before pausing and looking to Vader who nodded and gestured for him to continue. "After Crimson Dawn was destroyed almost 5 years ago and the rumors 6 months later that he had lived the destruction. You and Emperor Palpatine have had us searching for him. Tracking rumor after rumor, lead after lead merely coming up empty. Until recently where I believed I have finally found where he has been hiding. 3 years ago, on Zygerria there was a Zabrak matching the Shadows description steal a ship. The Zygerrians were able to track it and shoot it down as it was trying to land on Malachor. The Zygerrians say there were no survivors but considered how hard it is for the Shadow to die I thought otherwise. I await my next orders Lord Vader."

Vader was impressed that the Inquisitor was able to find the trail. He was expecting to kill the Inquisitor in a couple months for not making his deadline. But this also caused a problem, Maul was alive and more importantly he was on Malachor one of the ancient world of the Sith. All Jedi had been told of Malachor or what Vader learned was new Malachor.

The original Malachor also known thousands of years ago as Malachor V was left almost destroyed during the Mandalorian Wars and later fully destroyed years later with the only remnants left of the world being the asteroids it left. For Maul to be there could only mean trouble. Though before Vader could query why Maul was on Malachor he needed Maul found first and foremost. *1* *2*

"Eighth Brother go to Malachor and locate the Shadow, when you find him contact your siblings and engage. Only contact me if I am absolutely needed. Is that clear?" Vader commanded.

"By your command, Lord Vader." The Eighth brother answered while bowing his head before Vader dismissed him and ended the call.

Vader was left alone to ponder both how Maul survived and why Maul would want to go to Malachor. After a few minutes of thinking and coming up with nothing he shook his head in aggravation. Vader then stood up knowing what he would need to do to gain the knowledge of why Maul was on Malachor. He entered in the code of the frequency before he made his way down to his position and kneeled as he awaited for an answer which only took a few minutes.

"Lord Vader, what is it?" The Emperor questioned.

"The Eighth Brother believes he has found Maul, he is believed to be marooned on Malachor for the last 2 years, my master." Vader answered and could feel slight surprise radiating off Palpatine. They both were originally skeptical about Maul surviving the destruction of Crimson Dawn since Vader had been certain the man had died.

"Malachor, are you certain?" Palpatine asked which Vader responded by nodding his head. "Strange, why would he be going to Malachor. Maybe he could be after…" Palpatine trailed off which caused Vader to raise his head and look toward Palpatine.

"Master?" Vader questioned slightly confused by Palpatine's lost train of thought and he could feel Palpatine focus return after Vader questioned him.

"There is an old Sith Legend that there is a hidden artifact on New Malachor. One of, if not the last remaining artifact of the original Malachor. Said to hold so much knowledge and which intern an equal amount of power. Since it is a legend I am surprised Maul would try and look for it." Palpatine stated which had Vader raise an eye from underneath his helmet. This was the first that he had ever heard of such artifact. The statement caused more confusion to grow since he didn't understand why Palpatine didn't search for it himself. *3*

"Why did you did not go searching for this artifact Master?" Vader questioned and he saw Palpatine look toward him for a second before he began to manically laugh.

"Lord Vader, I am no archaeologist, I do not go searching in ruins on mere legend! If this legend had been real the artifact would have been retrieved long ago by my forebears." Palpatine answered and took a moment to finish laughing before becoming deadly serious once more. "Though if Maul is searching for the artifact then he must have found some evidence that the legend is true. Inform the Inquisitor about what Maul is looking for, and have the Inquisitor search nearby temples that is where Maul will be found. Contact me if any progress is made."

"As you wish, my Master." Vader answered as he bowed his head once again before Palpatine cut the connection. Vader waited a few seconds before standing back up and headed toward his chair and sent the message to the Inquisitor of the artifact with making obtaining it second priority. When Vader finished he sat back down into his chair and began pondering the last question that still plagued him. How had Maul survived their duel? Vader had been certain that he had died that day on Nevarro. Vader began to think back to that day as he glanced across the room and watched the flickering of a red light over the door to his chambers.

Flashback

Nevarro- nearly 5 years ago (8 BBY)

Vader stood in the dropship watching a red light flicker with stormtroopers behind him ready for combat as they were landing on the planet. He felt the dropship land and not a second later did the red light turn green and its doors open were Vader and stormtroopers out of the ship into a full out combat zone with blaster fire going off everywhere. *4*

Vader wasted no time as he ignited his lightsaber blocking and reflecting the bolts as he made his way up the ridge and to his target. The Empire's spies had finally found out the true leader of Crimson Dawn and Palpatine wanted the organization destroyed but more specifically the leader killed. Unfortunately, Vader could not use his 501st for fear that such a movement of a fleet would spook the man to go underground. So, Vader had to settle with this sector's fleet and their battalion of troopers.

As he fought his way toward the closed hangar blast doors he was cutting through two goons when he saw in his peripherals a thermal detonator land to his right. Wasting no time, he threw back the thermal detonator to its owner and the explosion of the detonator went off as he continued forward cutting down more of Maul's minions.

Ten minutes passed when he finally cut down the final Crimson Dawn goon before arriving at the doors. When he arrived at the doors he heard blaster fire going off from inside the blast doors but paid it no mind as he glanced behind him and was not surprised by the amount of Imperial casualties. This was an insignificant world and sector which had no base which Vader knew would change after today. It also meant that the Empire didn't place highly trained men here. It was for this reason that Vader had taken to hire himself extra help to compensate. Someone that he had used many times in the past. *5*

Vader heard the distinct noise of blaster shots continue going off from inside for a minute longer before silence and not a second after the noise ended did the blast doors begin opening. Vader wasted no time and walked into the hangar paying no mind to wait for the troopers or to the countless dead Crimson Dawn minions as he walked past ones that were half burned, or half disintegrated. He made his way to the door that led deeper into the base and saw it begin to open but didn't stop walking when he saw the familiar T-shaped visor and the green armor coloring of the man he had hired.

"Lord Vader." The green armored man stated plainly.

"Fett, have you found where he is?" Vader asked the now named Boba Fett skipping pleasantries as he came to a stop in front of the infamous bounty hunter.

"Yes." Boba answered as he began to walk down the hallway with Vader next to him. "He has barricaded himself in his throne room with only one way out." Boba then brought up a map of the base on his wrist. "Maul is here in his throne room." He pointed to the map showing Vader the way to it before pointing to an open hangar on the other side. "And this is also only other way out of this base." Vader gazed at the map before looking back to Fett.

"I will go after Maul." Vader said before pointing to the other hangar on the map. "You will go secure the other hangar. I do not want any chance of escape."

"As you wish." Boba answered before turning off his map and turning right to the hangar as Vader continued forward to his prize. Vader was an unstoppable force as he cut down any of Maul's minions that got in his way. After leaving dozen of dead behind him Vader finally came to a stop in front of two large and thick blast doors.

Stopping Vader took a moment to sense beyond the doors and felt the unique presence that he could only assume was Maul. After feeling his target through the Force Vader with his lightsaber already ignited in his right hand raised his left hand and unleashing a powerful Force push that tore the blast doors from the wall and launching them into the room.

As the dust began to settle Vader walked through the door and he looked to find that the room was surprisingly empty of life. What Vader saw was how luxurious the room was with many statues that littered around it. Beyond that he noticed that behind the throne was a large glass window that looked out into the center of the volcano and he could see rivers of lava flowing down the volcano. After taking in the room, he came to a stop near the center of the room.

"You should come out Maul. I know you are there and we both know that there is no point to hiding." Vader stated before silence reigned over the room with Vader's breathing being the only sound heard.

Vader waited patiently before he sensed movement from behind and above him. Vader quickly turned around when he heard the ignition of a lightsaber easily blocking the attack and locking eyes with Maul for a second. Maul used his momentum that he had to push off Vader's block and jump over Vader before landing opposite of him. When Maul finally stood up Vader finally saw Maul for the first time since Naboo. What Vader saw was that Maul was significantly older then the last time he had seen him. During his assessment of Maul Vader finally noticed that Maul was giving him a manic smile.

"Lord Vader it is a pleasure to finally meet you." Maul sarcastically stated as the two stared each other down. "You are an upgrade from his last apprentice." Maul tilted his head slightly seemingly sizing Vader up before smiling at Vader once again. "But not by that much." Maul finished trying to bait the Sith Lord with a taunt.

"And yet it is I who stands by Palpatine and not you." Vader stated which caused Maul's smile to turn into a sneer from the failed attempt at a taunt before jumping back at Vader swinging with the double bladed red lightsaber.

"You are a sham who doesn't deserve to stand next to Palpatine." Maul angrily spat as the two engaged in lightsaber combat with Maul on the offensive and Vader on the defensive. "Jedi." Maul finished and caught Vader off guard which Maul tried to capitalize on with a slice to Vader's arm. Unfortunately for Maul Vader quickly blocked before Maul had to dodge the aggressive and quick swing of Vader's lightsaber with a backflip landing away from him before reengaging with him.

"Yes, I know who you are Skywalker. I have known for quite some time. I had even tried to kill you all those years ago by starting a war on Mandalore to lure you there." Maul said while he was now put on the defensive as he grit his teeth from the extremely powerful and rapid blows that he was blocking from Vader. "But unfortunately, I didn't, and the war ended before I could deprive Sidious of his prized pupil. You." Maul blocked before jumping away from Vader as he sliced through one of the statues.

"However, you seemed to have deprived him of your full potential yourself." Maul taunted before Vader dashed forward as he swung once again with greater strength that Maul blocked and tried to counter but was unfortunately blocked. "But now I can fully deprive Sidious of you and there is nothing you can do to stop me."

Maul started back on the offensive with a flurry of blows that Vader easily blocked causing Maul to grit his teeth in anger. He tried once again and was caught off guard as instead of blocking the hit Vader allowed himself to get grazed on the edge of his right shoulder. In Maul's momentary confusion Vader quickly sliced Maul's saber in half causing an explosion from the kyber crystal inside being cut in half. The explosion launched Maul across the room slamming him into the wall. Maul shook his head from the impact and regained his composure back quickly before dodging to his left from an incoming slash by Vader.

"This isn't possible." Maul growled at Vader as he continued to dodge before calling a mounted beskar sword to his hand and blocking Vader's lightsaber. "You are a Jedi and just like Dooku was. A pretender. You are not a real Sith." Maul became more enraged as he was once again pushed into a corner before he finally unleashing his rage and anger that had begun to swell during the fight by swiftly raising and using his right hand to Force choke Vader.

"Your hate can not equal mine! I have had everything taken away from me because of the Sith. I had languished for over a decade surviving on only the Dark Side. I have hated and despised Sidious since then and you since before the rise of the Empire. YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!" Maul angerly yelled as he drew closer to Vader to finish him and finally get revenge on Palpatine but when he was within five steps of Vader he was stopped as he felt himself lose his breath.

"Wrong." Vader stated unfazed by Maul's attack which caused his eyes widened in disbelief as he glanced to Vader's left hand and saw him using three fingers to choke him while being choked himself. Before he could do anything else he saw Vader use his whole hand which caused the pressure increase ten-fold which had him to gag from the sudden loss of air and drop not only his sword but his pressure he had on the Sith Lord. Vader raised his hand higher before unleashing a powerful push that sent Maul into the glass behind his throne shattering it.

While Maul was suspended in the air still being choked he could only stare in disbelief from the power that Vader was unleashing as Vader walked toward him. How could this Jedi be more powerful than him? How could this Jedi's hate be more than his? From everyone and everything that he had lost and all the hate and anger that he had over the years it wasn't possible. While Maul was questioning what was happening Vader came to a stop a few feet away from Maul as he was still being choked in air.

"What…" Maul tried to ask while being choked. "What could you hate enough…that could make you be this powerful?" There was a short pause from Vader as he stared at Maul.

"Myself." Vader finally stated coldly before he began bringing Maul closer to him as he raised his saber to strike him down.

"Wait…wait. Don't you want…to know how your apprentice died?" Maul got out through being choked and was thankful when Vader slowly lowered his saber, and the choking was lightly let up so he could talk easier.

"Talk." Vader commanded as Maul looked toward the ground.

"You would have been proud of your apprentice. She nearly escaped the crashing Venator." Maul stated calmly before the manic smile crept on his face once again as he looked up from staring at the ground to looking at Vader. "But there was only one ship and I took. She almost stopped me from escaping though, but she didn't and would have died in the crash since I took out the ships hyperdrive and most of its control systems." As Maul began to laugh. "She most likely was burned alive with the ship during entry of that moon." Maul continued to laugh before he felt air leave him once again and he locked eyes with Vader's eyes sockets.

When Maul looked up what he didn't expect was the immense anger and Dark Side power that rivaled even Palpatine radiate off Vader as Maul's breath began to leave him and for the first time in years Maul felt…fear. He quickly began trying to shake the fear as he began reaching for his backup plan in his back pocket as he felt himself being moved back. Maul struggled but was able to look behind him as he saw Vader moving him outside of the room and into the volcano and 100 meters over a lake of lava.

"What…are…you…doing?" Maul barely got out as his hand finally reached the trigger of his plan as he looked at Vader.

"You shall share her fate." Vader stated coldly before Maul's eyes narrowed.

"No…we shall…share her fate." Maul stated as he brought out his trigger before staring into Vader's eyes and felt his momentary surprise before pressing it.

Vader was caught by surprise when Maul brought out a trigger and pressed it. He had to release his hold on the man when behind him explosions began going off. Vader turned around quickly and used the Force to shield himself from the blast as it continued going off and shook the volcano for a full thirty seconds before petering out. When it ended Vader turned around quickly making his way to the edge before looking down. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything which caused him to grit his teeth in anger. Before his anger could grow further about Maul's suicide attempt Vader heard the approach of many sets of people and turned around to see it was stormtroopers and an officer.

"Ah Lord Vader we had feared the worst when we felt the explosion." The officer said but Vader ignored his statement as he pointed to him before pointing down to the lava lake.

"Captain, get troopers down to that lake I want the body of the Zabrak found." Vader angrily ordered. The captain tried to stutter out a response as he saluted but Vader had marched past him. While Vader strode toward the halls he used the Force to grab Maul's broken lightsaber before walking back through the halls ignoring the commands being called out by the officer.

When Vader found his way out of the base and outside it was no surprise to him when he found Boba Fett waiting outside for him. What made him slightly curious were the emotions of anger and dissatisfaction that he was giving off. Though the emotions disappeared when Fett realized that Vader was out of the base, and he returned to his calm and neutral emotions that he normally gave off. Vader though brushed away the thoughts. He could care less about a hunter's feelings even if Vader had never felt Fett give off other feelings before.

"You shall be paid for the job Fett, you may leave." Vader said as he came to an abrupt stop in front of Fett who nodded to Vader before activating his jetpack and flying away. Vader stood and watched for a second before his commlink went off and he answered it to the image of a Stormtrooper sergeant.

"My Lord. We found something." The sergeant said before turning the commlink image to show half of a cybernetic leg sticking out of the lake. Vader nearly smirked behind his mask. Fool. The man had attempted to kill them both but had only fallen to his death and shared Ahsoka's fate.

"Bring it to me Sergeant." Vader commanded.

"Yes sir." The sergeant replied before Vader ended the call and began walking toward a transport to get him back to the ship so he could get back to his fleet. He stopped when he saw two stormtroopers carrying a dead body out from the hangar. Vader found it odd since it had already been cleared of the bodies and all the bodies that were from the hallway he went down were all in half and this one wasn't. Vader's curiosity was piqued as he changed directions and cut off the stormtroopers before they through body in with the pile with the other bodies.

"Troopers where did you find this one?" The troopers stopped and nearly dropped the body as they tried to salute.

"Um…in the other hangar my Lord. We found her in a mess from where the bounty hunter came from sir." The first trooper responded before Vader took a closer look at the woman's face and couldn't shake the feeling he knew who she was and after a few moment of contemplation he finally placing her.

"Qi'ra." Vader said finally. The two stormtroopers looked at each other in confusion.

"My Lord, you know this person?" The second stormtrooper asked before instantly regretting it as he stood straighter when Vader turned to look at him.

"Yes, this woman was named Qi'ra and she was the public leader of Crimson Dawn after Dryden Vos had been killed." Vader stated. "You said she was found in a mess, what type of mess?"

"We found her in the hangar, but the place looked like a war zone sir. Blaster marks everywhere but there were also marks on some of the walls and the floors like what your laser sword does sir." The second stormtrooper answered which caused Vader to look back at the women in curiosity. Had Maul tried to train a new apprentice? Vader then looked and found no lightsaber on the body before raising his own.

"Did either of you find something like this?" Vader asked.

"No sir. There was nothing like that in the hangar." The first stormtrooper answered which caused Vader to hmm to himself. If it wasn't on the body then there was only one last possibility. Vader turned back toward where Fett had flown off to. It seemed the hunter had gotten himself a trophy.

"That is all I require." Vader stated before he turned around walked back to a transport. When he entered he called for the pilot to takeoff and crossed his arms as the doors raised while they began lifting off and Vader turned to watch the red flickering light once again. *6*

End Flashback

Vader continued to watch the light to his room flicker red before it changed to green as Captain Piett walked in and saluted quickly to Vader.

"What is it Captain?" Vader asked.

"Lord Vader, we have nearly arrived in the Lothal system and a shuttle has been prepared." Piett said.

"Very good Captain, I shall depart as soon as we drop out of hyperspace." Vader said before walking past Piett and toward the hangar.

Lothal Temple

Standing in the cockpit of the shuttle Vader had his arms crossed in front of him as he gazed at the temple below. This one was different from the ones that he had investigated over the years, and the temple he could feel radiated greater power than any he had ever felt. The power felt old, but also familiar though he could not pinpoint nor remember where he felt similar power before.

When the ship fully landing Vader began walking toward the lowering ramp taking the four 501st stormtroopers that he brought with him and began walking toward the temple. As Vader got close enough to the temple he started to slightly look around at the temple. He could feel and visibly see that the Temple was old and as he entered the structure he came into an opening and saw the Inquisitors also looking around.

"My master will be most pleased with this discover." Vader spoke as the Inquisitors turned around and bowed slightly toward him.

"Lord Vader. The Jedi are growing in their power." The Fifth Brother said as the two raised their heads. Vader took a moment before responding. While he agreed that the Jedi were growing in power. He also believed that they would only continue to be a nuisance, and that their growing power would make them overconfident, just as during the time of the Republic which would get the better of them.

"It will be their undoing." Vader responded as he raised his hand toward the two Inquisitors. "Begin tracking the Jedi once more, I want them found!" The Inquisitors bowed once more and made their way past him and as they left he stood and continuing taking in the temple. The power and familiarity radiated from the temple could not be ignored. As he was about to continue inside he heard the clearing of a throat from behind him. Looking he saw an advisor to the Emperor; one he knew quite well. Minister Veris Hydan.

"Lord Vader, the Emperor has personally asked me to oversee the excavation of this temple. If you would not mind leaving so I can begin I would very much most appreciate it." The man stated before walking around Vader and going deeper into the temple.

Vader was perplexed by the appearance of the man. The man lived on Imperial Center and only left to excavate anything pertaining to Jedi or Sith, but the man couldn't have gotten to Lothal from Imperial Center that fast. It was impossible. Unless Vader thought as the man disappeared deeper into the temple he was already on Lothal. Which reminded Vader of what Minister Tau had told the rebels about Palpatine's interest in this planet other than the resources.

Was this temple the reason Palpatine took so much interest it Lothal? Vader contemplated the thought a moment longer before turning around and walking back to the shuttle with his men. Vader planned on sending Noghri to watch this dig site to see what was uncovered and see if this was what Palpatine had been looking for. Vader wanted to know why this temple was so important.

"Return us to the Devastator immediately." Vader said to the pilot who gave a nod before taking off back toward the Devastator.

Devastator

Vader entered his domain and made his way toward his office where he wanted to research the significance that this Sith artifact may hold. He planned on sifting through all the manuscripts and texts that he had obtained through the years and see what he found. He sat behind his desk and turned on his holotable and pulled up all of it before he began sifting through it to find his answer.

1 month later: (3 years 1 month BBY)

Vader was in the middle of hyperspace a few minutes from reaching Malachor as he began getting himself ready for the battle ahead. He had been originally informed that the Lothal Rebels were now on Malachor and in the last update had been informed that they had been working with Maul. Three weeks prior Vader was contacted by the Eighth Brother telling him that while he couldn't find Maul he had been able to find evidence that the artifact was a Sith Holocron.

After learning of the artifact Vader began researching specifically through the many texts that he had to find why Maul would need a Sith Holocron. Vader knew that they were powerful having found a few throughout the years for Palpatine but the reasoning behind needing it evaded Vader. Unfortunately, most of the texts that Vader read gave no clue to the reasoning and he kept coming up empty. There were so many uses for a Sith Holocron but none that Vader could see benefit Maul.

In the end he had informed Palpatine on the matter and was given an answer. The artifact was rumored to be the key to accessing the weapon of the temple. When Vader asked what the weapon did Palpatine told him that it was rumored to destroy life itself.

Palpatine had gone on to explain that the battle station was made by the Sith Darth Tanis nearly 2000 years ago and was why New Malachor was so petrified having had all the life destroyed. When Vader heard of the weapon he had been ready to go and kill Maul but was stopped by Palpatine when he was informed that to gain access to the temple there needed to be two. As even before the Rule of Two, anything accessed by Sith required a Master and an Apprentice. So, Maul stood no chance of acquiring the Holocron.

This of course stopped his research on Holocrons but when Vader had been informed of the Rebels on Malachor he had instantly left the Devastator not before leaving send a message to Galen to meet him on Malachor. He wanted Galen there to help him with the Jedi, Maul, and the Inquisitors and to help acquire the Holocron for himself. But as he was traveling he was going over more ancient texts when he came across a small portion of an ancient Sith text that was nearly 4000 years old. A small passage about something that had Vader racing to get to Malachor and obtain the Holocron.

Holocron Fusion.

It stated in the old Sith text that if one were able to merge a Jedi and Sith Holocron one could cause a nexus in the Force itself where one can seek out any knowledge. Vader was perplexed. He in all his research and teachings in the Force, Light or Dark had never even heard of such a feat and this pushed Vader to get this holocron for himself. If he could acquire the Sith Holocron and combine it with Galen's Jedi Holocron, he could find his son and finally obtain both of his children.

The paragraph further explained that Holocron Fusion worked with the individual who opened the Sith Holocron asking the question and the individual who opened the Jedi Holocron would seek and retrieve the answers. That the answer stated would not be an exact answer but sets of information that could be used to help lead you to the answer. Though there was risk for attempted the fusion. At the end of the passage there was a warning if the Holocrons were not pulled away at nearly the exact same time they could cause an explosion and could fracture the two individuals minds. Vader was determined to get his children and already knew without a doubt that he would take the risk. *7*

The beeping of his ship broke Vader of his concentration before it came out of hyperspace. Vader looked to the planet as he flew the ship toward Malachor and could feel the Force so strong in the Dark side, just as strong as on Mustafar. While he made his descent to the planet and toward the coordinates of the temple he could feel that the three Inquisitors were already dead, but he did not care. They were going to die either way. They were only loyal to Palpatine and only followed Vader's orders because they were told by the Emperor so Vader knew he would have to kill them sooner or later. This saved him the trouble of having them killed.

Vader exited his Tie as he flew past the outer shell of Malachor before igniting his lightsaber and stood on the top of it as the ship continuing descending. Vader watched in confusion as the Temple weapon begin to start up and the battle station came to life. How had Maul gotten the Holocron, it was impossible? As the ship continued lowering Vader looked upon the ignited temple and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen it before but couldn't place it.

"…Maul tricked us! This temple is a weapon!" Vader heard and looked down to see the young Jedi padawan scream out. He saw the boy run out to the edge of the temple and stop as the lights of his Tie Advanced turned on and the boy looked up at him for a second in fear and then in anger. The only noise breaking the silence between the two as they stared at each other was Vader's breathing.

Vader stared at the boy for a moment longer before jumping from his fighter and landing onto the temple right in front of the boy as a flash of fear flashed across his face as he backed away and ignited his lightsaber.

"You have unlocked the secret of the Temple. How did you accomplish this?" Vader asked as he stood straight up towering over the young Jedi.

"You're smart, figure it out!" Ezra responded cheekily before he swung sloppily in anger at Vader who blocked the strikes with little effort. Vader responded with a swing of his own and could see the visible pain from the boy as he tried to block Vader's incredibly strong blow. Vader then glanced deeper into the temple and saw an obelisk with the Holocron in it. This made his job easier Vader thought to himself.

"No matter. The power within will soon serve me well." Vader stated as he walked further into the temple toward his prize with the boy walking backwards.

"I don't fear you!" Ezra responded with full confidence as Vader almost snorted at the hideous lie. There was no amount of confidence that the boy could exude that could hide the fear that was radiating off him.

"Then you will die braver than most." Vader said as he took his lightsaber into both of his hands and swung down with his full strength at the padawan. The boy blocked the attack but recoiled heavily from how strong of the swing. Ezra grunted and used all his strength to block the swing. This did not deter Vader as he pulled back and swung again, and Ezra again was able to barely block the attack before trying to go on the offensive. Unfortunately for Ezra he was easily intercepted by Vader's lightsaber and was easily parried by Vader. Vader quickly followed up with another swing this time going for the lightsaber and cutting it in two with enough force that caused the padawan to fall to the ground.

Ezra hit the ground before he looked up at Vader in fear at how easily he was dispatched. He then looked from his broken lightsaber back to Vader. Vader was surprised at how easily he was able to defeat him. He had expected a little more of a challenge from the boy he had sensed on Lothal.

"Perhaps I was wrong." Vader said to the boy. He had no use for the padawan. The Holocron was in his reach so he would give him the same fate as every Jedi that Vader personally came across, a quick death. He raised his lightsaber to deliver the killing blow and was about to bring it down…

"It wouldn't be the first time." He heard from behind him which brought him to a complete stop. Her voice was clearer than it had been through their connection. He saw the boy look behind him at her before he finally turned his body to finally face her. To see her once again.

When he finally gazed upon her it was like seeing a ghost again only older. Her montrals were longer now and she was taller just had he had seen. She also carried herself with the strength and serenity of a Jedi and it was seeing her and the surrounding temple that reminded him why he knew this temple.

Momin. Mustafar. The Portal. When he had returned from his trip through the portal he couldn't remember much from inside of it. Only that he did not get his wife back and the bright light that had pushed him out but as he faced her parts of the memory came back of the two of them came face to face once again. He continued to look on her as he realized that it had been foretold to him years ago that she would meet him here, and maybe he could get her to his side once again. *8*

"It was foretold that you would be here. Our long-awaited meeting has come at last." Vader stated a trace of delight laced his voice, but it was not expressed because of the vocabulator.

"I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to." Ahsoka snarked before taking a step toward him.

"We need not be adversaries. The Emperor will show you mercy if you tell me where the remaining Jedi can be found." Vader stated as he turned off his lightsaber hoping that she may know where Obi-Wan is and may tell him where he is. The fusion only provides a chance while hard evidence would be better to go off.

Take my offer, you don't owe the Jedi any loyalty after what they had done. Join me, he thought to himself. Unfortunately, Vader could feel and see the anger begin to radiate off her by his statement. *9*

"There are no Jedi. You and your Inquisitors have seen to that." Ahsoka growled with her eyes flashing with anger. Vader scowled for a moment before feeling that she was not lying. She truly didn't know where any other Jedi were or if any were alive. Pity. Though a thought popped into Vader's mind as he turned around and faced the boy. Thankfully, he had not killed the boy yet.

"Perhaps this child can confess what you cannot." Vader stated and watched as the boy looked up at him once again in fear and began dragging himself further away from Vader.

"I was beginning to believe I knew who you were behind that mask, but it's impossible. My master could never be as vile as you." Ahsoka angrily spat at Vader drawing his attention away from Ezra. Ahsoka was right and Vader knew she was. At least from a certain point of view.

Vader had been struggling and was still struggling with who he is since he met his daughter. Is he Vader or Anakin? Who was he? Unfortunately, he had not been able to find the answer, but he was certain of one thing. The Jedi Knight, her Anakin Skywalker, her master, that naïve, and weak boy died years ago. Her master had been destroyed long ago by his own arrogance, foolishness and naivete and all that remained was pieces that was left. Was Vader.

"Anakin Skywalker was weak. I destroyed him." Vader stated and both saw and felt her recoil in pain from the information she received as she closed her eyes for a second.

"Then I will avenge his death." Ahsoka said darkly as Vader watched her eyes open once again burning with conviction.

"Revenge is not the Jedi way." Vader countered.

"I am no Jedi." Ahsoka declared before igniting her lightsabers and looking at Vader with one last pained look before dropping into a stance while Vader on the other hand ignited his own lightsaber.

He would not lose here, this Holocron was too important to lose. Vader knew that he would do whatever was necessary to retrieve the Holocron so that he could retrieve his children. Even if that meant…killing Ahsoka so he could have his family. A small part of him whispered about her being his family as a flood of memories begun to threaten to rush through him but he pushed them back down as he steeled his resolve.

If she stood in his way from obtaining his family then she was no different from Obi-Wan. He brought both his hands together knowing that this would be his toughest lightsaber fight that he has had in years since he had killed Eeth Koth. Vader was unsure what her lightsaber form had become since being under his tutelage. So, he would do what he always did in difficult duels since being put in this suit. Play defensively and study her style before fully countering it.

There was a small silence as the two stared at each other before Ahsoka made the first move with impressive speed rushing Vader and jumped straight at Vader trying to land a kick. Vader took a step back and swung his lightsaber at her only for her to drop down and dodge. Regaining her composure fast Ahsoka brought both her lightsabers up at the same time only for Vader's lightsaber to be there to block as their lightsabers finally locked in earnest. He broke the lock before swinging his lightsaber at her left side knowing that it was her weakest side. Ahsoka countered his attack by spinning around and block with her right hand.

Spinning again Ahsoka went back on the offensive swinging her lightsabers in tandem each blow always followed by the other to cover her flank and keep Vader on the defensive. Vader blocked both before using his overwhelming strength to push her back. Ahsoka shifted her blades to the right to allow Vader's follow through to miss but he was not deterred as he followed up with another swing, but she used her agility to her advantage dodging back and forth before catching him off guard by Force pushing him back.

Vader stopped himself after about 10 feet and looked back up to see Ahsoka mid jump toward him swinging both lightsabers down at him. Vader with one hand blocked her attack causing a thunderous crash as their sabers clashed against one another. Ahsoka was not deterred as she used her momentum to not stop but flip behind him. Vader while still in a crouch swung behind him to try and catch her off guard but as she landed she was able to duck underneath the blade to dodge. Regaining his balance, Vader stood up quickly and brought down his lightsaber as she brought hers up to meet his.

He had examined her style throughout the small amount that they had fought and found it to still be relatively the same as it was at the end of the Clone Wars. Still being a mixture of Jar'Kai, Djem So and Ataru. Knowing her style hadn't changed Vader knew exactly how to defeat her which meant that it was time for him to go on the offense. He knew he needed to keep her from using her agility which was her greatest advantage against him, so he began to swing his lightsaber with brutal efficiency.

They exchanged blows as he continued to push her back keeping her on the defense the only offensive strikes she return were easily deflected and quickly countered. Everything around them was forgotten as the two focused solely on one another as they continued to fight their way on the outside of the Temple. He was continually pushing her back with an onslaught of powerful blows and not allowing her room to use her agility. He had finally pushed them to the edge and glanced to his left before figuring out the best way to dispose of Ahsoka quickly so he could go and retrieve the Holocron.

Battering away her attempt at an offensive strike again he used his strength to catch her off guard and deflecting her lightsaber back harder than he had done the whole fight. This caught Ahsoka off guard and she proceeded to lose her balance for only a second. That was all that Vader needed as he called upon the Force and pushed Ahsoka off the Temple edge.

As she fell Vader peered down at her falling form. But when he looked down he did not see the young woman but a young, scared girl jumping for her life which ignited an old memory that he was unable to stop from resurfacing. *10*

Anakin could see Ahsoka shifting closer to the edge as they spoke. She would see no reason; he knew she didn't pay to bomb the temple or kill the clones or the prisoner. He believed her, he would always stay by her side, but others wouldn't. He had chased her all the way here and would keep her from running again.

"I am not guilty" Ahsoka anxious answered.

"Then we have to prove you're innocent. The only way we can do that is by going back." He calmly responded as he gestured behind him. watched her turn around to look outside of the pipe.

"I don't know who to trust." Ahsoka stated as she looked outside of the pipe. Anakin knew that look, a look of contemplating jumping. He panicked, he needed to get her attention back.

"Listen, I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka, never. But you need to come back and make your case to the Council." Anakin stated calmly as he took a few steps forward and saw anger come across her face as he spoke of the council.

"No. I'm not going to take the fall for something I didn't do!" She strongly stated and he didn't like the sound of this.

Fine, he thought. If nice, understanding and care wasn't going to work then he would try something else. His facial expression changed from Master Skywalker to General Skywalker.

"I am ordering you to put down your lightsaber and come with me. Now!" Anakin commanded but switched once again to compassionate. "You can trust me." Anakin took a few more steps forward before he heard commotion behind him.

"General Skywalker, where are you?" A clone called out from behind him and he looked back in annoyance before he turned back and saw Ahsoka shift back more knowing the clones had caught up with them.

"I do trust you. But you know as well as I do that no one else will believe me." Ahsoka stated and Anakin saw her look out the pipe at the ship that had just started its descent before turning back to look at him. "Anakin, you have to trust me now."

"Ahsoka, I do trust you." Anakin responded quickly as he drew even closer to her before she held up her hand.

"I know you do." She stated before looking out the end of the pipe and turning her head back around to say one last thing. "Wish me luck."

He shook his head slightly, silently telling her not to do it, don't jump. But it was to no avail as she then turned back around fast and jumped. He could hear Rex behind him as the man ran to his right to watch Ahsoka fall before Commander Fox caught up and came to his left. He could have caught her with the Force, but she was right no one would believe her. He watched her fall until she landed and watched as she looked back up at him with sad eyes.

Vader shook his head of the memory and buried it back down. Before glancing one time to the unmoving form of Ahsoka. He had more important objective to complete than think of the past. Thankfully, Vader's attention was caught by a loud rumble from the pyramid which cause him to glance behind him and see that the Temple was beginning to close and seal itself once again.

The Holocron. Vader frowned. It seemed that the Bridger boy had once again somehow found a way to close the temple just like he had found a way to open it. He knew he needed to hurry before the temple closed as he saw the energy also begin to dissipate. Vader turned and stalked back toward the overhang and back inside of the pyramid as he felt a presence reach out to him through the Force.

"Vader, we have entered Malachor's atmosphere and are making our way toward the Temple or more importantly where that the line of energy was just shooting into the air." Galen said. Good, Galen had gotten here, Vader thought.

"Good, get here quickly. The temple is beginning to close and I will require your assistance to get away." Vader commanded.

"We'll be there in a minute to pick you up then." Galen replied and the conversation finished as Vader reached the center once again.

When Vader arrived back at the center he sensed the Holocron and found that the boy Ezra and his master Kanan had obtained the Holocron just as he believed. His anger spiked monetarily at the thought of it being taken before he reached out with the Force and grabbed the Holocron and began to pull it, but the boy kept a firm grip on it.

Vader paid the extra weight of the boy and his master no mind as he continued pulling them closer. He was so close. So close to the Holocron. So close to his prize. So close to his children. Unfortunately, Vader was too focused on his prize to sense when Ahsoka jumped back up on top of the temple or when she began to run behind him until it was too late.

When Vader eventually sensed the warning through the Force he released his hold on the Holocron and turned around to find her jumping right at him. He tried to deflect her strike, but she parried his lightsaber with her right, dominate handed lightsaber while simultaneously slashing at his mask with her left.

Vader felt pain sear into the right side of his face, and he let out a cry of pain as he stumbled back from her blow causing him to fall backwards. Ahsoka on the other hand tumbled forward and both their respective lightsabers deactivating as well. Ahsoka's lightsaber had pierced through metal and circuitry, completely cutting a chunk out of the right side of his mask and nearly caught the right side of the face in the process.

Vader rolled onto his knees quickly as he began to recover from the sudden shock of both unfiltered air and light that he was not used to. His rebreather was wheezing from the sudden change as he blinked his eyes rapidly to adjust to the sudden brightness of the area.

Vader could see her from just outside of his peripherals where she had fallen to the ground from her strike as Vader heard another voice call out, but he couldn't make out the words as the rumbling of the temple drowned it out.

He sensed her stir, saw her beginning to find her footing once again in the corner of his vision. Vader grit his teeth together. He couldn't let them leave with the Holocron, he needed it. Almost without thought he called out her name.

"Ahsoka…" Vader paused as he began breathing heavily with his mask partially destroyed and not being used to breathing unfiltered air. His head was still slightly ringing from Ahsoka's strike, but the pain had faded and with his eye finally adjusted to the brightness he turned to face her.

"Ahsoka." This time Vader called out almost gently. Before she even spoke he felt and saw her reaction of disbelief and realization of who he was and what he had become.

"Anakin." Ahsoka breathed before Vader staggered back to his feet slowly as he stood to face her as the two stared at each other for a second with neither speaking.

"I won't leave you!" She declared breaking the silence as she stood up straighter than before in determination. "Not this time." After her statement, the two former friends stood across from each other in complete silence.

Vader was baffled about her statement. Why would she stay with him after everything that he had done? He blinked but when he opened his eyes once again he didn't see the young woman she had become but his padawan. He tried to push the feelings back down, but the memory from before flashed back through him.

"Listen, I would never let anyone hurt you, Ahsoka, never." And with that memory the flood gates were opened as he began remembering more. Memories that flooded his system with forgotten compassion and emotions.

"You're stuck with me, Skyguy!"

"You did a fantastic job today, Snips."

"And because of you I did survive. Thank you Master."

"Your welcome, my Padawan."

"I'm sorry, Master. But I'm not coming back."

"Anakin! Good luck."

At the same time this was happening Ahsoka watched with a baited breathe as she saw hundreds of micro expressions go across his face before she saw something she could only describe as a miracle. Something she had been taught by the Jedi was impossible. She watched in shock as her master's single exposed golden Sith dissipated. With it changing back to the ocean blue that she hadn't seen in over fifteen years. Neither moved from their positions for what felt like eternity. *11*

Unfortunately, it didn't last.

"Ahsoka." Ezra called out and Ahsoka saw her master glance over her shoulder and with that single glance everything fell apart. She felt the compassion that had returned to him be replaced with rage once again as his eye shifted back to the sickly corrupted Sith gold.

Vader saw the Holocron in the ship that was about to leave which reminded him why he was here. His compassion that had begun to grow disappeared replaced with pure rage. He couldn't lose it, not when he was so close. It was the only way he could obtain his children and he would not let the Jedi continue to stand in the way of his family.

Vader looked back to Ahsoka as he saw her take a defensive stance causing him to narrow his eye. It seems like she would get in his way once again. No one would stand in his way; he would destroy them all to complete his goal. No one would stop him. Not even her.

"Then you will die." Vader stated angrily before he then activated his lightsaber and began advancing. He saw Ahsoka take her eyes off him to Force push the boy out of the temple. Foolish.

Vader took advantage of her foolishness and went on the offensive swinging with his full strength, but she was quick to block. Gritting his teeth, he put more strength into the blow, but she pushed back and quickly turned around to engage. This only angered Vader more as he became more aggressive with his strikes as he continued to overpower the tired Ahsoka. They continued to fight as temple began to collapse around them.

As it continued Vader grit his teeth harder as the temple fully closed and the Holocron was lost. Vader's anger grew. He had lost it and with it his children. He began to lose control of himself as he struck harder at Ahsoka with her barely being able to block.

The fight continued until both of their focuses were broken for a second from a loud explosion of lightning above that drew their attention before they reengaged with each other once again.

"Vader where are you? I have the Holocron and the Temple is collapsing and is about to explode. You need to escape!" A voice yelled in his head which caught Vader off guard for a second before realizing it was Galen. But before he could respond to him the ground under both Ahsoka and Vader cracked and the two didn't get a chance to look down before it collapsed and the two fell.

"Vader! Master!"

That was all he heard before everything went dark as the Temple exploded above him.

Author's Note: I am sorry it took me so long to update the story. With school wrapping up and with life being crazy it was hard to find time to write. But I was able to get this chapter done and it turned out very long. Hope you enjoyed it I rewrote a lot of it multiple times because I wasn't liking how it sounded and having trouble writing the Ahsoka and Vader moments.

Thankfully, I am on break until the 19th of January so I should be able to update the story faster. Also hope you enjoyed some of scenes I added like Vader vs Maul and Ahsoka and Vader talking and it not being a vision I thought that was a nice touch.

Also, who is excited for Star Wars right now with all the shows that are coming out Mandalorian Season 2 was amazing from bringing so many already established characters like Ahsoka, Boba, Bo Katan and even Luke and R2. I can't wait to see what next. Question: which show are you most excited for I am most excited for Ahsoka and Boba being tied I can't choose.

Also, this was not bashing Ahsoka in any way. I wrote it how I believe Vader/Anakin would think and respond to it. I love Ahsoka as a character please don't flame me. This chapter also shows Vader single mindedness that we all know him to have.

Anyway, May the Force be with you and have a Merry Christmas.

Notes:

*1* In my story everything from KOTOR and KOTOR 2 will also be considered cannon. I have never played the games but the lore and the stories and characters from the game I have always found interesting.

*2* My reason why Maul is on Malachor for so long without anyone knowing. Zygerria was picked since it is the closest well known planet to Malachor.

*3* Hmmm. I wonder who the artifact belonged to. Very interesting.

*4* The same type of landing crafts used by the Empire from Chapter 14 of the Mandalorian.

*5* So I had needed a lava planet and there are so few, so I used Nevarro and this is how the base there is established.

*6* I wrote this fight scene this way because I believe that Vader outclasses Maul in every way possible. The big example is when Ahsoka asks Maul why he wants to work with him he says he can't take Vader and I took this meaning they had met and fought before.

*7* Holocron Fusion is what Maul and Ezra did in season 3 of rebels. How I interpreted how it worked was the Sith or Dark Sider askes the question because of their greed like when Maul searched in the Fusion to find the answer but only Ezra, or the Jedi or Light Sider was able to see and find the answers.

*8* In the Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith issue 25, the final issue Vader goes into a portal and sees many things including a brief snippet of his duel with Ahsoka. But since in Rebels he is still surprised by her being alive I feel like he only remembers the most important parts of what happened there being he was unable to save the apparition of Padme. But like when he arrives on Malachor and seeing the temple and Ahsoka he realizes that they were destined to meet here.

*9* I genuinely believe that Vader was trying to get Ahsoka to join him in this scene in Rebels. He even turned his lightsaber off and tried to get her to join him. You never see this at all with him.

*10* If you watch this scene next of Ahsoka falling off the temple to the ones in clone wars they are near identical to one another and I believe Dave Filoni did it on purpose.

*11* Yes this happened but only briefly. He didn't turn back to the Light Side and it wasn't just Ahsoka that made him do it and it is for the same reason that she didn't do that in canon. It is partially because of her but more influenced by him finding out about his children which had the greater affect just like in Return of The Jedi how it was Luke who turned him back. I had planned for this scene to be in here for a long time.

Updated: 1/23/2021