Chapter 5 – Mustafar

Author's Note: In which Vader meets an old friend, and the group travels to Mustafar. :D

If there's a fic you'd like us to write, I have a SW fic request form which you can fill out. We'll gift write all the requests we get… eventually. :D The link is as follows, but with no spaces: forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6

We also made a tribute for Anakin on our new YT channel. Check it out if you're interested. :P Again, no spaces in the link: youtu . be / T9hdVkokQa4

Just... as a side-comment. I'm not really satisfied with how the fic turned out, and I don't want to rewrite it, so I'm not going to. I still feel like the end was a bit rushed, because I'll be basically skipping to the climax after this chapter. I just... really don't think this fic deserves much attention. Lol.

~ Amina Gila

Vader isn't happy in the least with Leia's insistence that she and her smuggler friend accompany him and Luke, but maybe it won't be all bad. He lets himself cautiously hope that maybe he'll be able to use the opportunity to develop a relationship with his daughter. She won't be able to constantly avoid him when they reach their eventual destination. First, they need to pick up Master Yoda from Dagobah.

He's not surprised that the old troll is still alive, and while he's far from fond of the Jedi, he isn't stupid enough to refuse any assistance that he can get in the fight against Sidious. If he plays his cards right, they should be able to get the upper hand in the coming confrontation. But they need time to prepare, and since Leia will be there, he'll be insistent that she receive training too; maybe Luke can show her the lightsaber forms.

Vader stands outside the Falcon, silently studying the ship while waiting for everyone to be ready. Thankfully, he doesn't have anything to pack. Luke is only one who isn't ready; he's still getting his possessions together in his quarters. "General?" He nearly starts at the voice, reaching out with the Force to ascertain the identity of the man who approached him. The man's hair is white with age, but he still seems familiar…

"Rex?" Despite the vocoder, Vader's surprise is clear. He'd wondered many times what had happened to his old clone captain, especially because he felt that the man was still alive. He considers demanding that Rex stop addressing him as "General," but decides against it. The surviving clones, who guard his fortress on Mustafar, often use that title. He's not General Skywalker anymore, but that's who he used to be, and they've never forgotten.

Rex smiles slightly, obviously pleased. "Permission to come with you, sir?"

"Why would you want to come?" Vader queries, giving him an incredulous look. If Rex thinks that he is willing to have a chat about old times, the clone is sorely mistaken.

"You were my General," Rex explains without the slightest hesitation, "And I've missed fighting with you." Ironic. That didn't seem to stop him from fighting against Vader.

"You may come if you wish," he replies indifferently. Although, he supposes Rex would probably be happy to see his surviving brothers. Cody is now the commander of the security on Mustafar, and that's the only place Vader will feel completely safe, out of his former master's prying eyes. He prepared the fortress to be a personal hideout, much as he detests the planet. The Dark Side is strong there, making it the most convenient location.

Rex nods before moving off to speak with the smuggler. Vader definitely doesn't approve of his daughter's association with the man, but he's hardly in a position to say anything. He's still considered it though. Maybe a threat would not be remiss after all. That train of thought is cut off when he senses his son's approach through the Force. "I'm ready!" Luke yells as he races up, panting, holding two bags.

"Took you long enough, kid," Solo grumbles good-naturedly, before waving a hand at the ship. "C'mon. Let's get going."

**w**

"Master Yoda." Vader inclines his head in acknowledgement of the old Jedi Master as he boards the starship followed by Luke who had gone to find him. Vader had considered going as well, but he didn't really want to start trapsing around through the swamp.

Yoda's ears twitch, drooping even further when he sees Vader. "Lord Vader. A pleasure to see you here it is not."

Vader scoffs. "I could say the same," he retorts. "I assume that my son has told you of the current situation?" He strives to maintain his control, though bitterness and hatred surge up simply due to the Jedi's presence. This – this was a mistake. He should have waited. Yoda didn't need to join them now, not when they're nowhere near ready.

"Told me he has that want help destroying your master you do," Yoda answers, leaning on his gimer stick. "Help you why should I if a Sith you are?"

Vader is grateful that only Luke is here to witness the conversation. He doesn't think he could tolerate any biting comments from Leia right now. "If you are not going to help, then why did you come?" he snarls. "I do not have the patience to play your games."

"A game this is not," huffs Yoda. "Serious matters these are. Safe from you your children are not." Vader snaps at the words, lashing out with the Force. The Jedi Master is thrown backwards against the side of the hold before landing on the floor on his feet. He doesn't seem upset; if anything, he's even more troubled than before.

"Father, please," begs Luke, stepping forwards hastily. He moves between them, turning to face Yoda with determination. "Yoda, I respect you for being a Jedi, but you don't know anything about my father. He will never hurt me. Or my sister."

"Intentionally hurt you he will not," agrees Yoda, narrowing his eyes, "But easily lose control he can. In danger by the Dark Side you are young Skywalker. Your sister in graver danger she is." Vader can't dispute that. He knows how much the Dark Side calls to Leia. She could easily become a powerful Sith if she so chooses. "Train your sister to control herself I must or lost to the Sith she will be," Yoda continues almost as though reading Vader's mind.

Vader can feel Luke's horror at the words, and though he hates to admit it, he agrees. "I do not want you to poison my daughter's mind with Jedi lies which will turn her even more against me," he threatens.

"Train her you cannot," Yoda states simply. "Refuse she will. Allow me to train her she might." Well, he can't argue with that either.

"Master Yoda, my father is changing," Luke interjects, glancing back at Vader for a moment. "He's not… evil. Not like the Jedi seem to think him to be."

Vader feels warmth at his son's words. Luke is the most pure-hearted person he's ever met. He finds good even if there is none. Isn't there? The Jedi say that there's no way back, but if they're wrong, then it was their teachings which helped keep Vader here all these years. He doesn't think he can change; he doesn't even know how it's possible, but he might try anyways, not only for Luke and Leia, but simply to prove the Jedi wrong.

"Possible to come back from the Dark Side it is not," cautions Yoda, tapping his stick on the floor of the hold for emphasis. "Tainted forever his path will be." Well, that doesn't sound quite as much like an impossibility as he'd thought. And why is he even thinking this way? If he loses sight of his goal – revenge – then he loses sight of everything else. His anger, his hatred, they give him power. Without them, he'll never be able to defeat Sidious.

But if he does decide to try and find a way back, he'll have to start by talking to Obi-Wan. It's all pointless speculation now, because he has no intention of trying to make amends with his former Jedi master. His Force ghost will be around though, so he can change his mind at any time. Vader definitely does not think about the vague flashes of memory – it had to be a dream – from when Obi-Wan first showed up in his cell when he was drugged. Turning, he walks away, motioning for Luke to follow and leaving Yoda behind.

**w**

Mustafar. At first glance, it's obvious to Luke that it's a volcanic planet. "Why here?" Luke asks, glancing at Vader's still form. His father is unusually tense, almost as though the sight of the planet sickens him. He knows that Vader has a well-protected fortress here – he'd mentioned it shortly after they left the Rebel base – but he wonders if that protection is more important than Vader's obvious loathing for the place.

"It is the only place I can guarantee you will be safe," Vader rumbles. Well, that answers it. What happened here? What is it that causes his father so much grief and pain? That's not a question Luke intends to ask. At least not now. "Be warned," Vader adds a moment later. "This is Dark Side planet, and I know you wish to distance yourself from it, but we have no choice."

Luke sighs quietly. At least he got a warning. Whatever his father is thinking is obviously troubling him. He wishes he knew. He could probably help. Maybe. Instead, he leans lightly on Vader's arm, offering silent comfort and support. Ben's words echo in his mind. You're the only one who can pull him back. It's a burden, though not one he'd protest at bearing. He would do that and much more if it meant preventing Vader from being lost to them forever.

"Wait here," Vader commands. "I will go to guide Solo to my fortress and transmit the authorization codes, so we are not shot down."

Luke nods silently, watching as his father sweeps from the room. He feels a strong sense of anticipation. This isn't exactly a vacation, but it will still give him plenty of time to be with his father, uninterrupted by others. It's a prelude for what is to come because Luke has no intention of letting any of them die during the confrontation with Sidious. That's why he's devoting himself fully to learning proper lightsaber forms.

The Falcon lands on a landing pad a couple minutes later, and Vader returns to the main hold. He seems even tenser than before, however that's possible. By this point, everyone else is gathering for the imminent disembarking. Vader hits the button to lower the ramp without saying anything, striding down it in a swirl of ebony. Luke follows close behind, glancing around apprehensively at the nearness of the lava rivers.

"General, it's good to see you again, sir," declares the lead clone, saluting. Vader said that he only keeps the surviving clones here, because he doesn't trust many others to protect the fortress.

"Commander Cody, I trust that the castle is secure?" Vader pauses, mask fixed on the man in front of him. Luke slows to a stop next to his father, awaiting the answer.

"Yes, sir," Cody replies, nodding. "A platoon of stormtroopers was sent to search the premises, but we kept them out of the most sensitive areas. The Emperor remains unaware of the extent of our defenses."

Luke is convinced that Vader is smiling beneath the mask. "Perfect." Vader walks the rest of the distance to the entry and enters a code. The two men on either side salute him respectfully as the doors slide open. Luke can clearly feel Leia's distaste as they enter. He doesn't know what he'd expected, but everything inside seems to be shades of white, black, or gray, with black featuring the most predominantly.

"There are no facilities for guests, so you will have to stay in the barracks with the rest of the troops," Vader informs them. His gaze seems to rest longest on Luke. "My son, if you wish, you can remain near my quarters. There is room for one person."

"Yes!" Luke cries, without hesitation. He has a secret hope that he can see his father without his mask, but he hasn't mentioned it yet for fear of being instantly rejected. Well, he has plenty of time now. Hopefully.

"Very well," Vader responds before turning towards the most unexpected member of the retinue: Rex. Luke hardly knows the man, but he'd insisted on coming. "Rex, I believe you will find yourself at home among my men."

Rex looks away from Cody who is standing silently inside the door. "I will, sir. Thank you."

"Cody, show these guests to the barracks." Vader's gesture includes everyone but Luke. "Luke, join me. After you have all had time to settle down, I will give you a tour of the fortress. Seeing as you will be spending the indefinite future here, you need to know what to expect."

Luke throws a look at his twin and best friend before following his father out of the room. He can already feel the oppressive darkness of the atmosphere, and part of him wonders if coming here was a mistake. Hopefully, it won't affect Vader, but that's probably asking for too much. He's more worried about Leia, anyways. His father knows how to control himself; Leia, on the other hand, does not.

As he moves deeper into the interior of the structure, he gets the feeling that everything will go far better than he'd expected. Maybe Mustafar isn't always a place of destruction and death.