A/N: Super long chapter because I've been gone for awhile. There's a long note at the bottom with explanation/ some ideas I'm trying to work through for this story. If you're interested, read it below, but if not, no worries. Hope you guys are doing well!

Summary: The explosion of the Sith Temple places Darth Vader and Ahsoka in a situation neither of them imagined possible. Now in an unfamiliar place that is eerily similar to Mortis, Darth Vader and Ahsoka must face the echoes of their past and work together to find their way back home.

Chapter Twelve: All I Know 2/2

Anakin's eyes snapped open and he sat upright, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, too hard and too fast. A choke breath left him, though no sound came from the ventilator, he didn't feel it on him either. Head tilted down, he could see the strands of his brownish-blond hair, darker from the sweat that soaked. His hair. Was he still back on Resso? Was that the name of the world and he and Ahsoka had been on? Where was she? He looked around, a bit frantic to see where he was and discovered it was something straight out of his memory.

The bedroom he shared with, with Padme.

The soft colored walls, the sheer curtains, the sound of speeders flying about. This must be a new kind of nightmare or torture. A pained gasp left him when he felt movement beside him. He couldn't look, he couldn't her here. A hand, her gentle hand, rested on his back followed by another hand that went on his arm. How often did he wake up to her with nightmares like this? It had been so long ago, but he still remembered it as though it had only been yesterday. He wondered how his mind would twist this.

"Ani, are you okay?"

His eyes burned at the sound of her voice, so sweet, caring, alive. There had never been a sweeter or more beautiful sound to reach his ears than her voice and he had, had taken her from this world. Too many times he had cried, wishing, pleading, that she would come back, that he hadn't killed her, that she was alive. But she was gone, she died, he killed her, years ago. All hope he had of ever seeing the woman he loved again, lost. The hand on his back moved in circular motions, bringing him out of his thoughts while the other moved up and down his arm. The movements were gentle, but purposeful.

"It was only a bad dream," she whispered softly, resting her cheek on his bare shoulder, "No one is danger, everyone is okay. You're okay."

Anakin swallowed, he turned his gaze down slowly and tears fell down his cheeks at the sight beside him. There, Padme Amidala, was sitting next him, her beautiful brown hair in perfect waves down her shoulders, dressed in her favorite blue night gown. She lifted her head up to look at him, those shining brown eyes filled with compassion, with care, so full of life. At the sight of his tears, she sat up and brought her hands to his cheeks, her thumbs wiping them away. He couldn't remember the last time he had been touched so softly, with such care and love. It made the pain his chest ache even more than before. This had to be the cruelest illusion and trick yet.

"Anakin, what happened," she asked worriedly.

Anakin moved his head away, "You're not, this isn't real. You, you died. I, I, you're not real. This, it's not real."

He slipped out of bed, tears falling down his cheeks and he had no strength to wipe them away or be angry for the weakness of them. All he could do was turn his back to her and hope she would disappear, his heart couldn't take the sight of her, he couldn't look her in the eyes knowing what he had done to her. Flashes of her calling his name as he choked her, of her eyes meeting his gaze, the sorrow in them. He caused it. Her hands rested on her back and she made him turn around to look at her. His chest tightened at the sight of Padme. Even having just woken up, she looked every bit like the angel she was. Flawless skin, kind eyes. Something just out of a memory.

"It was only a dream, I'm okay and this is very real. I promise you," she told him, earnest and sure. Her hands wrapped around his own and she brought them up to her face, letting them rest on her cheeks so he could feel and see for himself that she was real and alive. "See, I'm alright."

Tentatively, he let his thumbs run over her cheeks as he searched her warm eyes, studied her face to see if he could find a flaw in the illusion. He reached out with the Force and it swirled around the room, he could feel her signature. The same as it had been in the days before everything went wrong. It was brighter than normal. He felt her worry, he felt her love, he felt her life. Could, could it be real? Anakin stared into her eyes, wanting nothing more than to believe she was real, that she was right in front of him and all that stuff was a bad dream. Could it be possible that all he had seen and done, had been his mind working against him? It had been too real to simply be a dream, it had happened, hadn't it? Unless was it a premonition of somekind, a warning?

"You're here," he whispered painfully, "You're, you're okay."

Padme smiled at him, radiant as the moon, "I am."

Her arms slipped around his neck and he was hit by the smell of her hair, the smell of her perfume. It filled his chest, he felt warmth spread through him as his arms tightened around her. She was here, in his arms, alive, warm to the touch.

He buried his face into her neck, "I'm so, so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Padme assured him as she rubbed his back, "Nightmares are frightening, especially when you can't separate them from reality. That's why I'm here, to help you."

Anakin took a step back to meet her gaze, he opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by crying. The crying of, of an infant. His eyes widened at the sound, even more at the little laugh leaving Padme. Not exasperated exactly, but as if this was a constant occurrence, something that always interrupted them.

"And there she goes," Padme said with a small grin, "Come on, let's both get them."

She, Padme said she and then them. Did they, did they have a daughter? Two daughters? Padme held his hand tightly in her own and lead him into the adjacent room beside theirs to see a nursery, a beautiful nursery if Anakin had ever seen one. Two cribs next to each other, both were light creme in color, but the mobiles told him that the one on the right where the crying was coming from held a little princess and the one on the left held a little prince. Twins, two children, a son and daughter. He was a father. She didn't die in childbirth, she was alive, their children were alive, he didn't kill them. Padme went over to the little princess's crib and lifted up the crying baby.

"It's okay sweetheart," Padme said softly as she swayed back and forth, but the baby didn't settle, "You aren't hungry or wet. Here, Ani, you take her for a moment. You are her favorite after all."

Anakin blinked, but before he could so much as utter a response, the infant was placed in his arms. As carefully as he could, he cradled the small baby in his arms. In a matter of seconds, her cries ceased and her scrunched face relaxed. Little brown eyes that matched her mother's stared up at him. His chest felt warm, warmer than it had in years, at the sight of this little girl. The Force hummed around him, content, pleasant, safe.

"Do you feel better now," Anakin asked her softly as he wiped a stray tear from her red face.

It was then he felt her Force signature, so strong. She poked him with it, making a wider smile grow on his face. In response, he poked her back which caused the little girl to laugh. He gripped her just a bit tighter, loving tears falling down his cheeks instead of fearful ones of pain. Carefully, he adjusted her in his arms so that she rested mostly on his mechanical arm. Once she was secure, he held out his flesh finger to her. He'd seen babies grab ahold of fingers all the time, he wanted to see if she would do the same. And she did! Her small hand wrapped around his own fingers. In comparison she was so small, yet so strong and he couldn't, nor did he want to fight the love that swirled around him.

"See what I mean," Padme said with a playful laugh, "Definitely a daddy's girl, but at least I have this little boy."

Anakin lifted his gaze from his daughter to look at Padme holding a little boy in her arms, who had shining blue eyes like his father. The sight in front of him, it was everything he had ever wanted, everything he needed to feel complete, to feel whole again. Perfect. Anakin walked over to her and pressed his lips against her own, careful not to smoosh their children. Padme returned the kiss after a moment hesitation from surprise. It was gentle, sweet, filled with care.

"I love you," Anakin whispered when he pulled away, "I love you so much."

Padme smiled warmly at him, "I know things aren't easy for you, but always know I love you, that you have me. That you have us."

Anakin nodded, "I will. I promise."

"Good," Padme said cheekily, "Now, the sun will rise soon. You want to get them ready while I get breakfast started?"

Anakin grinned, that sounded perfect to him.

Cold had to be Ahsoka's least favorite feeling, cold and wet was an even worse combination. It was the first sensation she was made aware of as her consciousness fought through the haze of her mind, trying to push the dark away. It was until the crack of thunder and flash lightning did her eyes snap open, not in panic exactly, but she was certainly alert and the fog drifted away from her mind. Heart pounding and breathing shuddering due to the chills racing through her, she sat up upright and took in her surroundings.

A cave of some kind on her left, a raging storm on her right. The next thing she realized was she was alone here, Anakin or Vader whatever he was calling himself now was gone. It wasn't possible that he left her here and continued to walk into the storm. It was already established that they needed each other to get out of here and after the re-establishment of their bond minutes or maybe hours ago, she wasn't sure how she'd been out, he wouldn't just leave her here. With the bond in mind, she shut her eyes and lightly probed at it to find he wasn't far, that he was actually in this place with her despite the fact that she couldn't see him.

That meant something strange was going on with the Force here, she could feel it in the hum of the air. When she opened her eyes, another flash of lightning came, but instead of thunder coming with it, she heard Anakin's scream. Not a scream of anger, just a shout of pain. Something was wrong, but why did the bond feel as if he was fine? That didn't make sense and she could tell it wasn't his shields giving off the illusion that he was fine when she knew he wasn't.

A silent groan left her as she forced herself to stand on her feet, using the wall to help her stand as her body protested the movement, for what reason, she wasn't sure. Well she guessed she had over exerted herself before, that brought forward the memory of him knocking her out with a sleep suggestion. Some bitterness reached her at that, but she quickly shook it from her mind. There were more important things to worry about right now, she could be angry with him for it later.

Despite the dark looming clouds over head and downpour of rain, she was able to make out based on the light that was still coming through the clouds it was daytime. Or as close to daytime as one could get here. Steady on her feet, she moved off the wall and considered what she should do. Find Anakin-Vader. It, it was hard for her to tell who he was right now. He was still Anakin Skywalker, would always be, yet he was Darth Vader, the darkness of her brother amplified.

'Tell Anakin….'

She stared at Obi Wan's hologram, struggling, unable, to say the words she really wanted whether because she was afraid of them or because there were others watching, she didn't know. There had been so much she wanted to tell him, when she had seen him for the first time, she wanted to talk, but had shoved it aside. They had time, they could talk later. For now, she just needed these words to get to him.

'I will,' Obi Wan assured her, he sounded as serious as she felt.

"Anakin," Ahsoka called out as she moved deeper into the cave, her voice echoing.

A shiver raced through her body as the frigid air, though she now could tell it wasn't just from the storm outside or the fact that she was still soaking wet. No, it was the dark side. The dark side was cold, it took the life, the energy, the heat away from everything around it. Though she could not actually remember her own brush with the dark side when the Son infected her, she did remember the feeling. If she ever dreamed about it, she was certain she had, she always woke up a shivering mess and felt as if she would never be warm again. That is what this feeling reminded her of now.

As she walked deeper into the cave, the light fading away until it was only a little dot, she could feel the coldness wrapping around her and the only heat was coming from her pocket. She stopped there, reached inside and saw her two crystals, glowing bright enough for her to see a few feet in front of her. Though her eyesight was strong enough to see in darker places, this was pushing her limits and she was grateful for the light source and the heat it was providing, albeit small.

"Anakin," Ahsoka called out again, "Are you back here?"

Her voice continued to echo, she hoped it would reach him if he was in fact down this way. The bond told her that he was right beside her, but she knew that couldn't be possible. Unless this was some kind of Force vision and the two of them were unconscious somewhere else. It was certainly possible and she wouldn't put it past this place to pull something like that on them. An uneven breath left her as she continued onwards. The Daughter told her that she was supposed to be a guide, yet she felt as if all she was doing was getting them lost. How was she supposed to lead her old master anywhere when she didn't even know where she was going?

Doubt crept inside her as she stopped in her tracks, looking down at the dark ground at her feet. Not for the first time did she consider that the Daughter, the Force really, was putting their faith in the wrong person. Surely someone else could do this… yet even as the thought went across her mind, no other name, but her own came to mind. Who else could be a guide here for him? Padme and his mother were dead and Obi Wan, though she felt he was alive, she knew An-Vader's hatred for him ran too deep for him to be useful. If not them, then it had to be her.

"Vader! Anakin, please are you here," Ahsoka called, "If this is a prank- I'd actually be mildly impressed that the great Darth Vader could do that."

The idea of it seemed ludicrous at best, but the idea of it was almost amusing to the Togruta's as she walked deeper into the darkness. Even though it was pitch black, Ahsoka wasn't worried. Her senses in the Force were stronger than usual giving her 'eyes' to see where she was going. Tentatively, she reached out to the bind that had grown between them, hoping to find an answer.

(Anakin!)

On the one hand, Ahsoka should have guessed that he would push her out to the point it gives her headache. After all, he had done it before, but this still caught her off guard. Especially the overwhelming darkness she had felt, only for a moment and it caused her to shake as though she were on Carlac in the snow. Ahsoka heard the familiar snap hiss of a lightsaber, her eyes snapped up in the direction where she saw the Sith red and heard the ventilator breathing of Darth Vader. For a split second, she was no longer standing in the darkness with only the red lightsaber to provide light. No, for a split second she was back on Malachor. Staring at Darth Vader, at Anakin Skywalker, saying she couldn't and wouldn't leave him this time. That this time she would stay. Was this another test? Was this real? Would he kill her and she wake up as one with the Force? Would this all be some dream?

"That name," Darth Vader said as he stepped forward.

Ahsoka stood straight, "It does have meaning to you. No matter what you say, it means everything to you."

The temperature dropped further. She expected him to speak again, but this time a different voice spoke to her.

"And what of your name, Little Soka?"

The darkness faded away and Ahsoka could see her surroundings, still a cave, but well lit despite her not being able to find a light source. There in front of her, Master Plo Koon. The Jedi who found her and brought her to the Temple, the one who was like what she imagined a father to be like. Who was dead. Yet as she stared at him, dressed in his usual robes, she wanted to believe that he was really here. Not for the first time was she reminded of how much she missed him, how much it hurt to know that he like so many others were gone, and never coming back.

"Master Plo," Ahsoka said softly, "But, you, are you real?"

She heard the smile in his tone, "You would question my authenticity, even if I answered yes. Would my answer matter?"

Ahsoka swallowed, "I suppose it wouldn't."

"Then I won't answer it, but you need to find your former master and soon," Master Plo told her, his voice grave.

"Is he in danger," Ahsoka asked him, some fear gripping her heart.

The Kel Dor nodded, "I'm afraid so. If you don't hurry, he will be lost and never return."

Ahsoka shook her head, "I won't let him fall any further than he already has. He's made progress, he won't be gone."

"I do not believe it is the dark he will be lost to here," was Plo Koon said before he disappeared in front of her eyes.

Ahsoka stood there, alone, not sure what to make of his words. What did he mean by that? If he would be lost, then it was to the dark side of the Force. There was no other place for him to be lost to except there. Ahsoka looked around the cave, she headed deeper inside and hope to find Anakin before it was too late. Wherever he was, she would find him and bring him back. She would not leave him alone again. He couldn't leave her alone again.

"Something seems to be troubling," Obi Wan said with a knowing look on his face.

Anakin lifted his head from his data pad, a frown on his face, "What? No, uh nothing is troubling me."

Obi Wan raised an eyebrow in challenge, "Oh really? Come now Anakin, I know you too well. You cannot hide it from me."

Anakin visibly swallowed at that. Hiding something could be one way of putting it, feeling as if he couldn't tell what was real and what was fake could have been a secret he was hiding. When he was getting the twins ready for the day, a knock had sounded on the door followed by Obi Wan entering. As he walked in, Anakin had to fight the panic of needing to hide himself and the twins, because how could Obi Wan come here at this hour if not for him? If not to catch him red handed, to report to the council and have him expelled from the Order?

Yet when Anakin looked through the door at the man, she saw him laughing with Padme. He looked the same as he had the last time they had seen each other, except almost lighter, carefree. The lines in his face much less than before, as if he was somehow younger and no longer weighed down by such a heavy burden. At the sight of the older man, Anakin had remembered flashes of his memory or dream where he felt unyielding hatred for the man, yet the feeling never came. All he felt was some joy to see his former master again, to see him alive and looking happy. Padme then sent Obi Wan back to him, saying that he should help get the twins ready for today as it was an important day.

Obi Wan then joined him and went greeted him with a pleased smile then looked to his children in awe. He poked the little girl and tickled the little boy. Then, they got the two children into their day clothes. Padme had laid out their clothes earlier, a glittering white dress for their daughter and a shining white suit for their son. Why the white colors, Anakin didn't know, but he wouldn't question it. Though Padme had mentioned something about today being important, maybe an event was going on? He still had no idea what event that might be though.

And more to the point, he still couldn't tell if this was real or a dream, but as the morning went on his memory of before he woke up with Padme seemed to be fading away. The way dreams would while this continued to get clearer and more vivid. It gave him hope, but filled him with fear that the moment he relaxed and accepted this, that it would disappear. Currently, while Padme was taking care of their son, Obi Wan was feeding their daughter and Anakin was trying to find out all he could about where he was.

It turned out several months ago that he, with the help of Ahsoka and Obi Wan, exposed Chancellor Palpatine for the corrupt man he was. Getting him out of office and bringing to light all the horrible things he had done, including how he orchestrated this war. The articles told tales of their heroics, yet Anakin couldn't remember it. He only remembered the darkness he had been swallowed by. It should have made him happy the Sith was dead, yet he felt that there was something wrong with the information before him.

"You're nervous about the ceremony," Obi Wan said, bringing Anakin's thoughts to a stop.

Anakin blinked, "The ceremony."

Obi Wan nodded, "It's only natural for you to be nervous about it, but everything will be fine and you know the ceremony is simple and fast. If anything we'll spend more time celebrating than actually being there."

"Right," Anakin whispered softly, wondering what ceremony Obi Wan was talking about.

Obi Wan wore a reminiscent grin, "I remember how nervous I was for your Knighting ceremony. Could hardly sleep the night before, too excited and filled with pride. I know I do not say it enough, but I cannot tell you how proud I am of you and I know Ahsoka knows you're proud of her as well."

Ahsoka. He'd forgotten all about his worry for her when he had woken up, wondering where she was and if she was alright. To hear her name made him feel better, but then he processed the rest of what Obi Wan had said. Today was Ahsoka's knighting ceremony, his Ahsoka was going to become a knight. Questions raced through his mind then. If Ahsoka was going to be a knight, that meant she returned to the Order. He saw her trial in his search, so she did leave, but she had come back. It obviously didn't tell him when or if it had been further back than the Siege of Mandalore, or if it only just happened in recent times. He tried to search his memories, but it came up empty.

"You forgot, didn't you," Obi Wan surmised at Anakin's silence.

"What, no of course not," Anakin responded sharply.

Obi Wan raised one hand in surrender, "It hasn't been six months since it happened, it's okay if you had forgotten. You are still recovering and amnesia was the main side effect."

Anakin frowned, this was news to him, "Amnesia? What am I recovering from?"

Obi Wan frowned at him, his eyes shifted to Padme who had moved to the table, "Do you remember the fight with the former chancellor?"

Anakin shook his head. He never fought the chancellor, he's fought the Emperor in training or punishment, but not the chancellor. Padme rested her hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You were, you were hurt so badly Anakin," Padme whispered softly, "They weren't sure you were going to make it… but you were strong and after a few days in a coma, you came back to us. But your memory would fade in and out, your dreams taking more control and you'd forget where you were. Who you were even."

"Yes. You describe this nightmarish reality where Palpatine won and you become a Sith Lord," Obi Wan said with a shake of his head. "Each time it sounds more terrible. I wish there was a way I could get rid of those dreams, but we aren't sure how long they will remain with you."

Anakin took a steadying breath, "So, so I've been having those dreams and getting them confused with reality? Because Palpatine injured me?"

Obi Wan nodded, "A very simplified way of putting it, but yes. And that is alright. You are healing. We would rather you forgetful with us than gone."

The smile on Obi Wan's face was heartbreaking and Anakin could feel in the Force the pain Obi Wan was in the memory. In the back of his mind, Anakin could hear the sobs of Obi Wan. Saying the same words he had said to him on Mustafar, or in the dream he supposed.

"You're my brother Anakin, I love you. Please, come back to us."

Anakin found he liked this version better than the other, but it seemed, it seemed too good to be true. Yet, it did make sense. If he had been hurt as badly as they said, then it made sense for him to not be completely healed. He had heard of all kinds of injuries and wounds that would last for last times. His missing arm was a perfect example of that. For the first time since he had woken up, he let himself relax a bit more and nodded in acknowledgement.

"You'd miss me too much if I were gone and it would be a disservice to put you through that," Anakin told him with a sly smile.

"Indeed," Obi Wan said, returning the grin, "Now if you both are ready. We have a ceremony to get to."

With that, Obi Wan handed his daughter back to him and the three of them left the apartment. It, it was strange to walk out into the open with Padme with their children in their arms, not worried about being seen. The looks he received were no different than the ones he had during the war. The gazes of people who say him as a hero. Twenty minutes later, he had arrived to the Jedi Temple. Flashes of his nightmare returned to him, how he stormed this Temple with clone troopers, killing every Jedi in sight no matter their age. Some guilt reached him for that, but he swallowed it as he reminded himself why he did it, then he reminded himself it wasn't real. That never happened. Obi Wan placed a hand on his shoulder, a proud and reassuring look. At that, Anakin let a grin grow on his face.

"Our padawan has come a long way, hasn't she," Anakin asked, playing on the old joke that Ahsoka was both of theirs.

Obi Wan chuckled, "Yes, she had a wonderful teacher after all."

"Let's not keep her waiting, the two you have to be there of Master Jedi," Padme said with a grin of her own.

Anakin frowned at this, "Master? I, I shouldn't still be on the council or a master."

"After all you have done to save the Republic and stop the Sith Lord, you deserve the title and to be there. You passed your trials with flying colors, you earned the rank through your skill and dedication to the Force," Obi Wan told him, his own tone earnest, "Not to mention all the good you've done to save the Jedi Order from darkness, to save the galaxy from darkness. Being a master and official member of the council was the least we could do."

Anakin blinked in surprise, "I, I don't know what to say."

Obi Wan gave his shoulder a squeeze, "There's nothing for you to say brother. Now let's go see our little sister become a true Knight."

Anakin gaped slightly at that. Obi Wan referring to him as brother, referring to Ahsoka as a little sister. Sure, that was the way Anakin saw them though sometimes he saw Obi Wan much like a father figure, but to hear that… it was nice to know he made those connections too. With a nod of his head, he started walking into the Temple with Padme on his right and Obi Wan on his left.

After it felt like Ahsoka had been wandering for hours on end, did she get to the place she supposed she needed to be. Just ahead of her, breaking apart the mostly dark cave, was red and blue light shining without a source. Cautiously, she went forward, her arms out and ready in case of an attack. The Force swirled wildly here, as if it were a storm, each side fighting to dominate the other in a battle that she couldn't see, but definitely felt. It unsettled her to her core, but she kept walking forward despite her instincts telling her to turn around. There, just ahead, she could see him lying on his side, most of his body covered in red light while his head had blue light shining on him. A snap hiss of a lightsaber caused her to whip her head around behind her, Darth Vader stood, looking more menacing than he had before and she wondered how that was possible when his appearance didn't change.

"Stay away from him," Ahsoka said, eyes narrowed and teeth bared in a snarl.

Darth Vader replied flatly, "I am not the one who needs to leave this place. If you care so deeply for your pathetic master, then you should want him to remain where he is."

Ahsoka frowned, "What are you talking about?"

Vader's mask shifted, indicating that he was looking past her as he spoke, "There lies Anakin Skywalker, all of that makes him who he is has manifested there into that body. The light of us you could say. He can now exists as that version of Anakin Skywalker forever while you and I return to where we came from."

"I won't leave him here," Ahsoka snapped at him.

Vader tilted his head just barely, "Even if it meant he had peace?"

"Peace," Ahsoka whispered.

"Yes," Darth Vader said, his shut off his lightsaber, "Anakin Skywalker now resides in a perfect world, where he has everything he could ever desire, right in front of his eyes. You would rip him away from that happiness and allow him to suffer at my hands for the selfish and childish desire you have to keep him around? Because you can't let him go?"

Ahsoka shook her head, "That's not, you're wrong. I want to help him, to let him live to-"

"To return to the Emperor's side where we remains a prisoner," Darth Vader interrupted coldly, "By leaving him here, we both get what we want. Your former master is able to rest and I eliminate all traces of Skywalker."

Ahsoka couldn't speak. Was he telling the truth? Would her former master find peace here and he be able to embrace the light if she left him? No, it was a lie, it was a trick. Letting him stay trapped in this world, no matter how nice the dreams in his mind were, would be a guilded cage, but a cage nonetheless. She promised this time she wouldn't leave him and she meant that. No matter what happened here, she would not leave him behind. He was her brother in everything, but blood and she refused to abandon him a second time.

"I'm not leaving him, not again," Ahsoka said sternly.

With as much Force power as she could muster, she pushed Darth Vader away into the darkness and raced over to Anakin. She kneeled beside him and placed her hands on the sides of his face, hoping, praying, this worked. The bond between them sparked alive, but it resisted against her, still stuck in the dream. But she would not give up easily.

"Anakin!"

Overwhelming feelings of pride swirled inside Anakin as he stared at his padawan, former padawan, in the middle of the council chambers. Dressed similar to how she looked on the Siege of Mandalore, the style the same, though the colors were more earthen tones. She looked every bit like the young woman she had grown into and he smiled proudly at her. Nervously, she stood there under all their eyes, though she hid it well. The conversation had mostly passed over Anakin's mind, but he understood the gist of it. Ahsoka being accepted back into the Order, that she would be apart of the change in this place, more than she already had. Her eyes closed and the windows to the council closed, leaving them in darkness. Each Master donned their hoods and ignited their lightsabers, illuminating the dark room.

"You can open your eyes Snips," Anakin said, letting the nickname fly off his tongue.

He could barely see her in the dimmer lighting, but he did notice the quirk of her lips. A smile. Then her eyes opened, she looked around with her eyes and he could feel her anxiety and excitement at what was about to happen.

"A Jedi you are," Master Windu said, "A Jedi you always have been."

Master Yoda spoke next, "Moves in you, through you, the Force does. Strong, you are. Stronger, you have become."

It was Obi Wan who spoke after, "We are all the Jedi and the Forces speaks through us."

Ahsoka bowed her head, her breath caught in her throat as she struggled to believe this was happening to her. HOw not too long ago she had been a bright eyed and reckless padawan eager to prove herself to her new master. All the adventures they shared, all the memories she made, the lessons she learned. She had made it. But then her happiness was interrupted by a feeling she couldn't quite place. That, that this wasn't happening. It wasn't real. But that feeling persisted and her head snapped up for a moment when it settled into her that she wasn't here, this wasn't real. Anakin, she needed to find Anakin, to get him out, to help him. Her eyes found his and he met her gaze, confused at the panic on her face. But before she could so much as open her mouth, the expression vanished and her consciousness was gone, replaced by the dream.

Anakin had felt his former apprentices nerves spike for reasons he didn't know, followed by fear and dread, pain. This was supposed to be a happy time, sure he expected her to be nervous about it, but that had been strange. Something had really been wrong. The feeling had left as quickly as it came, but he felt that same panic that he had when he awoke this morning. That this wasn't real. He shook the thoughts from his mind, he refocused on the task at hand. Ahsoka had bowed her head and he felt her joy return to him which told him she likely just had a moment of fear and doubt, but had gotten a handle on it.

"By right of the Council," Master Yoda said, "By the will of the Force, "dub thee.."

The lightsaber hovered her shoulder where her silka beads used to hang, but she didn't need them now. The gesture remained the same. Master Yoda moved his saber over her head and to her other shoulder.

"Knight of the Jedi Order, of the Republic."

All their lightsabers raised above their head, leaving Ahsoka standing underneath the multi colored glow with a winning smile on her face that filled Anakin with more pride. The lights came back on, the lightsabers put away and congratulations went around the room. Anakin merely watched from his spot for a moment, ignoring the faint calling of his name in the back of his mind. It was nothing and he wanted to savor this moment. He walked out with Ahsoka and Obi Wan, once the council chambers shut, he engulfed her in a hug and spun her around. A laugh escaped her.

"I am so proud of you," Anakin said as he set her down, "How does it feel, Knight Tano?"

Ahsoka let out a disbelieving laugh, "I'm so happy. It's thanks to you both I made it this far."

Obi Wan rested a hand on her shoulder, "While we were there to guide you, it was you who found your way."

Ahsoka rested her hand on his, "From the lessons you two taught me." Ahsoka brought her hands together in front of her and bowed in thanks, in appreciation.

Anakin and Obi Wan returned her bows, each of them swimming in their own pride for the young girl, young woman, before them. When they finished bowing, movement caught their eyes. It was Padme, holding the infant girl and beside her was the Duchess Satine with her nephew Korkie and the senator Lux Bonteri.

"Knight Tano," Padme said with a giddy smile, "We have some people who want to congratulate their Aunt Soka."

Ahsoka laughed, looking at the infants, "Well who would I be to ignore my favorite niece and nephew?"

Padme hugged the younger girl, filled with the same pride as the others. Anakin watched happily from the side as she made faces at the babies, making them giggle before her attention was brought to the duchess and her nephew. Korkie looked much older than the last time Anakin saw him, which made sense given how much time had passed. However as he looked more closely at him, he could see similarities between the boy and, and his former master.

Anakin forced his expression not change, but he was pleased to see he had been right about what Satine and Obi Wan had for each other. It made it even better that when they finished congratulating and hugging Ahsoka that Korkie greeted Obi Wan as father. Before Anakin focused more on that, his attention was brought back to Ahsoka who thought called his name, but when he looked at her, she shared a quick, not quick enough, kiss with the young senator. He looked to Obi Wan and Padme with a question in his eyes. There was no way he saw that correctly, his eyes were playing tricks on him. His Snips did not just kiss someone, least of Bonteri, who he didn't really like.

Obi Wan laughed at him, "The reaction you have every time never ceases to amuse me."

Ahsoka glanced at him, she rubbed the back of her head a little nervous, "Sorry, it comes as a shock each time for you huh?"

Anakin eyed Lux's hand around Ahsoka waist as he shook his head, "It's fine. It just means I can continue to give him several talks and threats without feeling bad for overdoing it."

"Ani," Padme scolded lightly.

"I understand sir," Lux said with a nod. "I'd never do anything to hurt and would do anything to be worthy of her."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes at that, but the smile she wore was a sweet one. It was because of that smile that Anakin let his expression soften and settled for a single nod to Bonteri. So long as she was happy and treated well, she could be with whoever she wanted.

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but we need to celebrate the newest Knight of the Jedi Order," Korkie said clapping his hands together.

Padme agreed, "Absolutely.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Anakin. One minute he had been out with everyone, they went to get food, they wander the city, they played games, as if they were just any other family celebrating. It, it had been some of the most fun he had in a while. Seeing the clones again, Rex especially, who swept Ahsoka off her feet after saluting her. Everything, it was everything. Yet throughout it all, dread touched him and he heard a voice in the back of his mind calling him, telling him to wake up, that this wasn't real. And he continued to ignore it, to push against it. Because how could this not be real?

Now, he stood in his apartment, with Obi Wan, Ahsoka, Padme and his children. Children whose names he still didn't know and didn't want to ask. Everything here, it had been perfect. The most perfect day he could have imagined where he was a Jedi Master, held the respect fo the Council, is padawan was in the Order and had become a Knight, his wife was alive, he had two beautiful children and he had his brother at his side. Everything, everything about this place was wonderful.

(Anakin please!)

Anakin turned his head to where Ahsoka was sitting on the floor, floating some objects in front of his children who tried to grab the items.

"Did you say something," he asked confused.

Ahsoka looked up at him and shook her head, "Nope."

Anakin nodded, "Must be tired then."

"It's been an exciting day after all, plus Padme mentioned you didn't sleep too great last night," Ahsoka commented, worry on her face.

Anakin shook his head, "Nothing to worry about Snips. Just, just too excited."

Ahsoka didn't appear too convinced, but she decided to let it go as the little girl demanded her aunt's attention be brought back to her. The voice in his mind returned again, it was definitely Ahsoka speaking through their bond.

(It's not real! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!)

He glanced at Ahsoka again, but found she was still too busy playing with the twins and her signature felt calm. It wasn't her calling him. Was it a memory? Was it the nightmare? What could it have been. Uncertain, he reached out with the Force and jerked in his spot, surprised at the overwhelming amount of dark and light fighting each other. He remembered the fight he had with himself, with Darth Vader. How, how he was trying to destroy him. Then, he had woken up here. In this place.

It was everything he ever wanted and he had been afraid it wasn't real, but it felt real, it felt… he reached out with the Force again, this time more purposefully and he watched as the world around him flickered in and out of his sight. An illusion. He had been right. The crushing realization of it made his heart ache even more than possible and anger soared in him, but he shoved it away. SO what if this place was an illusion, it was nice, it was safe, it was, it was home. He could be happy here, he could live out his days here and never return to his world. It would be okay.

(Master please! Listen to me)

Anakin lifted his head up slightly towards the sunset. Slow and pained, he stepped forward and closer to the windows that showed the view of Coruscant before it became the hub of the Empire, before darkness consumed it.

(I know it's perfect there and you could be happy, but you can't stay! It will drain you, it will take you away forever)

Though he couldn't see her, he could tell she was crying, she was desperate, pleading.

(You could stay there forever, but it wouldn't be real. You always told me the truth was better than the lies. It's better to be in the harsh reality than a pretty dream)

Anakin swallowed, turning his gaze down to the floor as he consider those words. Did he want to still believe that? If he stayed, he could forget all of the darkness, he could just be happy here surrounded by… by illusions. No matter how nice it was, how happy, or peaceful it was here. He was alone here.

(You're my brother and I can't, I can't be alone again. We don't, we can make things right. Just stay)

"Anakin, are you alright," Padme asked behind him.

Anakin turned around to face them, to see his wife standing there looking worried. Beside her stood Obi Wan, holding his son and for a moment, Obi Wan looked much older and worn than before. The infant boy in his arms no longer dressed in white, but beige colors, similar to the outfit he wore on Tattooine. Beside her, he could see Ahsoka, older now and holding the little girl who was still dressed in white, but wore a an Alderaanian crown on her head. Ahsoka and Obi Wan studied him, worried looks on their faces. He could almost feel their desire to help him, but it wasn't really them and there was no way they could help him with this. There was nothing they could do for him.

Memories of the nightmares, of reality raced across his mind. He'd been shutting them out before, but now het let them run free in his mind, unable to ignore them. His wife was gone, Obi Wan out there and his child dead. His eyes fall on Padme, his wife, who he killed. He loved her so much, he only wanted to save her and instead condemned the galaxy in her name. How tempting it would be to stay here, in this blissful life, where he had everything he ever wanted. But it wasn't real and he didn't deserve it. Her hand rested on his cheek and he leaned into the touch, wanting to remember it for as long as he could.

"If you leave my love," she said softly, "Then I will truly be gone."

Anakin kissed her hand, the words burned his throat and tasted bitter on his tongue, "You already are…" He took a pained breath, his eyes met hers, "I love you, I also way have and always will. But I have to go, to fix things. Somehow, I will fix this. All of this."

Padme's smile was radiant, "You were so good at fixing things."

"It's all I know," Anakin whispered to her and let go of her hand.

"Fix things, I know you can," Padme told him, her gaze turned to look at the pair behind her, "Start with them and find our children. Find them."

When Padme looked back at him with the rest of the world fading, he could feel her, really feel her, more than he had this morning and throughout the day. But as if her spirit had reached him then. He nodded to her, he would fix things in her name, somehow, some way, he had to make things right. He would overpower Vader, he would take down Palpatine, he would, he would do it right.

Anakin swallowed his words, he couldn't have spoke if he tried. His eyes closed and then, he was consumed by the darkness. In the blink of an eye, he felt himself lying on his back and snapped his eyes open, eyes burning and throat tight. So close. He had been so close to having everything he wanted back. Having his wife back, his brother and sister at his side, his children. Soft sobs broke him from his thoughts. He turned his head to the side to see Ahsoka on her knees, faced buried in her hands as she cried. What was she so upset about? It had been his perfect reality ripped from him.

"If anyone should be sobbing right now, it's me," Anakin said as he sat uo right with a groan.

Ahsoka lifted her head in shock, tears falling down her face, "You're, you're alive."

Anakin frowned, one eye amber and the other blue, "I died to you?"

Ahsoka wiped the tears away, "Your heart stopped and you're signature, it was gone. You were gone."

"I'm still here," Anakin whispered as he pushed himself onto his feet, "We should get moving."

Ahsoka rose to her feet as well, her face studying his and searching for something. Though he had an idea of what she was worried about, he didn't want to think about it, he didn't want to think of it anymore. He wanted to forget how he had everything, all he ever wanted. He didn't want to remember how he could have had that if he had killed Palpatine when he had the chance, how that could have been real and this nightmare if he had only-

"Anakin," Ahsoka said gripping his shoulders.

Anakin looked down at his feet, eyes burning, throat dry, chest tight. No words would leave him, he just wanted to get out of here and ignore it all, ignore the pain building inside him, ignore the desire to curse the Force for all it had done to him. He, he just wanted to disappear. The guitl pushed him to the floor, Ahsoka stayed with him. He could feel her concern, he could feel she still cared, he could feel the love he didn't deserve from her. A little sister.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as the tears fell to the ground, "I'm so sorry. I, I ruined everything."

"No, Palpatine ruined everything," Ahsoka said, her voice filled with venom.

Anakin shook his head, "I let him, it's all my fault. You, Obi Wan, Padme, my child."

A pained breath left him and he found he couldn't breathe steadily any more. Weak gasps left him as he struggled to get air into his lungs that turned to sobs. Ahsoka's arms wrapped around him, holding him a tight hug that he couldn't admit he needed. His arms wrapped around her in return and he let all the emotions pour out of him, not caring all strong they swirled in the Force. All he could feel was a new kind of pain he wasn't too unfamiliar with, but not one he paid much attention to.

"We can fix things," Ahsoka whispered, "You don't have to be the same, but we can fix things."

Anakin tightened his grip around her, his expression turned determined. "I will fix it. All of it."

A/N: So, long story short, I was mentally struggling for awhile and could not bring myself to write or edit, anything. It was the absolute worst because it wasn't writer's block, but a mental one that I hadn't felt in a long time and didn't know how to get through it. I think I've managed to get through it, but I don't know so updates may become more sporadic, but with Nanowrimo here, I'm going to push to get back into a writing rhythm.

Now, for the spoiler-ish kind of portion. If you don't want to read any spoilers, that's totally cool, just stop reading and get out of here. But for those who are okay with possible spoiler and want to help me make decisions, cool. Now, originally the idea for this story was a one-five shot of the time Ahsoka and Vader spent on Malachor after the explosion, but it turned into more than that. I planned that the ending would very much be them back on Malachor and going on their merry ways, but now I'm wondering if I should build off it a bit more and this chapter opens that possibility. So I could follow the original idea I had or this new one to build off of. For those who've read this far, let me know if you would want to see more stuff after this story and if even one person says they'd be interested, then I'll do it. When it would happen, I have no idea, but I have some ideas ready that I can work into a outline.

Woo, that was a super long note. See y'all later! Thanks for sticking around with me and being patient, I greatly appreciate it!