Vader's second chance
A Star wars story
Chapter 5
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.
Hello there everyone! As I said last time, there has been a small time skip. During this time Vader has been taking care of Aayla, who eventually healed and left, and arranging meetings with the CIS leaders and Dooku. They have agreed to meet him on Geonosis, so he'll be there when Obi Wan arrives. Ahsoka has been keeping an eye out for Palpatine and has been collecting any evidence that proves Palpatine's connection to the Sith, or the Confederacy. Aayla is on her way to the temple and Anakin has already arrived to Tatooine with Padme, who went with him when he wanted to check up on his mother. This chapter will start from Anakin's point of view. Now, without further ado, let's begin.
Tatooine, Lars homestead, Anakin's point of view:
Me and Padme had just arrived to my mother's new home. After my visions suddenly disappeared I became more worried than ever and I was incredibly relieved to see my mother was alright. She greeted us and introduced us to my step-family. Padme and Beru started discussing about…who knows what and I got to meet my stepbrother, Owen. He was pretty cool and he appeared to be a nice man, like his father. I enjoyed discussing with them both, they were really nice people, and dinner was the same. Until I made the stupid mistake to bring up my dream.
Shmi-Dream? What dream?
Anakin-Some Jedi have the ability to see possible futures in their dreams. In mine dream Tusken Raiders were holding you captive. It didn't look good and I'm glad it didn't come true.
Owen-Well, mom mentioned that the man that saved her said something similar.
Anakin-You were attacked?
Cliegg-Yes. By Tusken Raiders.
Shmi-I was outside. They knocked me out and took me to their camp. Moments after I arrived a man wearing a black battle suit came down and tried to negotiate with them. The Raiders agreed and freed me, only to betray him. Then, he pulled out his weapon and cut them all down.
Anakin-What kind of weapon was he using?
Shmi-It was like the laser swords the Jedi have, but red.
Anakin-A red lightsaber? Are you sure?
Shmi-Yes, I'm sure. Why, is it important?
Anakin-Did he say anything about himself?
Shmi-Yes, he did. He said he was a Sith, but he didn't act like Qui-Gon said Sith do.
Anakin-Qui-Gon told you about them?
Shmi-Very little. He said they are very bad people, that manipulate others and only care for power.
Anakin-Did he have a name?
Shmi-Yes. He told me his name was Darth Vader.
Owen-Darth Vader?
Anakin-Owen do you know anything about him?
Owen-Yeah, some "Darth Vader" attacked Jabba's palace and murdered everyone there. Some Slaves said he pulled out a red, what did you call it?
Anakin-A lightsaber?
Owen-Yes. That. They said he pulled one of those out and killed everybody. He was making them float in the air, pushing them into walls, stopping their blaster fire with his hands. Stuff like that.
Anakin-Any survivors?
Owen-Yeah, he spared all the slaves and de-activated their restraining chips. They also said that any scars or wounds they had disappeared when he touched them.
Anakin-Do they know where he went?
Owen-A slave mentioned that he took a Twi'lek and sped off into the desert.
Anakin-He took one of the slaves?
Owen-Anakin, I'm only telling you what I heard. This could all be fake. I mean, Jabba may be dead, but how can someone stop blaster fire with their hands? Or make people fly in the air?
Anakin-A Jedi can. And so can the Sith. If this "Darth Vader" had a red lightsaber that means he is a Sith Lord. Excuse me, I have to tell the Jedi Council.
Shmi-He didn't do anything wrong.
Anakin-Master Obi Wan says Sith are all dangerous, and considering it was a Sith that killed Qui-Gon I don't blame him.
Cliegg-My boy, must you worry about him? He's probably far away by now.
Padme-Who's far away?
Anakin-A Sith Lord. There was one on Tatooine. I'm telling the Council.
Padme-Don't take too long.
Anakin-I won't.
Moments later, Padme's ship, Anakin's point of view:
Mace Windu-We will deal with Count Dooku and this new Sith. The most important thing for you, Anakin, is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your priority.
Anakin-Understood, Master.
As the Hologram switched of, I noticed Padme was looking at the readout of the ship's control panel. Before I could ask what she was doing, she spoke.
Padme-They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come half way across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away.
Padme then started hitting buttons and flicking switches. I put my hand over hers, stopping her. She stared at me.
Anakin-If he is still alive.
Padme-Are you just going to sit here and let him die? He is your friend…your mentor...
Anakin-…He's like my father, but you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here.
Padme-He gave you strict orders to protect me…
She stopped for a moment and flicked more switches. The engines fired.
Padme-…and I'm going to save him. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along.
At that moment, I decided I liked Padme more than I thought. I grinned and took the controls.
Geonosis, meeting room, Vader's point of view:
Nute Gunray, Count Dooku and the other Separatist leaders went silent after my speech. Some began looking around and others looked at Dooku for an answer. The aged Jedi spoke, after looking at the other leaders.
Dooku-Lord Vader, if what you say is true, then you have gained our trust.
Vader-Count, how else would he be able to orchestrate all this? Who else has the resources and authorization he does?
Nute Gunray-Are you certain he will betray us?
Vader-Unfortunately yes. He has betrayed you once Viceroy, just like me and discarded his previous apprentice as soon as he became an inconvenience for him.
Count Dooku-I admit he has done that before.
Jango Fett-If I may, how has he betrayed you, Lord Vader?
Vader-The suit I'm wearing contains life support systems, because of an accident I had many years ago. He was the one to put me in this suit, which may be keeping me alive, but is also a torture machine.
Nute Gunray-You are in pain?
Vader-Viceroy, think of the feeling that a small needle would cause if it penetrated your skin every time you made the slightest movement. Now image that happening on your entire body and add the fact that I was burned alive before that.
Nute Gunray-That sounds…painful.
Vader-It was. I eventually got used to it.
Ahsoka-What my master is trying to say is that Sidious will let nothing and no one hold him back, and that he won't hesitate to annihilate you if you get in his way.
Nute Gunray-And you can protect us from him?
Vader-Gentlemen, let us step outside for a minute.
The Separatists agreed, some reluctantly, and we made our way to the balcony. Then I unleashed a barrage of Force-Lightning in the air, which created a Force-Storm.
Vader-Imagine being hit by that.
Nute Gunray-You'd end up dead.
Vader-Besides that, I'm the most powerful Force user in the galaxy. What you have just witnessed doesn't even give you the slightest idea of my power.
Count Dooku-Lord Vader, what would this do to an enemy fleet?
Vader-It would result in it's complete annihilation.
Nute Gunray-Is there something preventing you from using this power?
Vader-Yes. It is completely uncontrollable. It would destroy our fleet as well.
Count Dooku-I sense someone. They are nearby.
I knew that the Count was talking about Obi Wan, but I didn't want to give him away immediately. I dismissed him and kept on talking.
Vader-I assure you, with this droid army and my powers combined, we'll be able to replace this incompetent Republic with a new system, which benefits the galaxy and prevents corruption.
Count Dooku-What about Darth Sidious?
Vader-He is our biggest opponent. He may have power, but his true weapon is influence. He has complete control of the Republic and will use every possible resource to destroy us. Even manipulating the Jedi.
As I said those words I enhanced my senses and focused on Obi Wan's presence. I could sense he was shocked, but I didn't give him time to collect himself. Using a light Force-choke I caught him by the neck and pulled him towards us. I collected his lightsaber and the guards took him away.
Nute Gunray-The Jedi have found us! We are doomed!
Vader-Prepare all droids for battle. Poggel, hand me the plans for the Death Star please.
Poggel spoke in his own language and gave me the plans.
Vader-Apprentice, go to Tatooine and stabilize the situation there. After Jabba's death, the scoundrels and criminals have been left unchecked. Show no mercy to them and ensure we gain a foothold in the sector. A battalion of droids will escort you. Prepare the ships for departure.
Ahsoka-Yes master.
Ahsoka left, just like the other Separatist leaders. Count Dooku left as well, after I insisted. Mere minutes later, I heard my younger self scream in pain. I rushed towards the source of the scream and found him lying on the floor, missing an arm.
Vader-Count, I told you to leave.
Count Dooku-This boy tried to stop me and he paid the price.
Vader-I sense that you take pride in the fact that you cut of the arm of an unarmed opponent.
Count Dooku-Yes, I do.
Vader-Well, if you do something stupid like this again I may take pride in beheading you, Count.
Count Dooku-I understand, Lord Vader.
Vader-Now leave.
The Count left the scene and I turned to Padme and my younger self. She tried to shoot me and failed miserably. I yanked the blaster out of her hand and shook Anakin's shoulder. He moaned in pain and I used the force to close the wound.
Vader-I'm afraid you are under arrest.
Padme-Who are you exactly?
Vader-I am Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith.
Anakin did his best to not react to my statement, but I know myself better than anyone else, so he couldn't hide his confusion from me. I proceeded to lift him up with the force and deliver him to the Geonosian guards. They took both of them away and moments later they were put in their cells. I entered Padme's cell and stood there, waiting for her to speak. When she did, I waited for her to finish.
Padme-…and when the Senate finds out that you are holding two Jedi and a Senator as prisoners there will be consequences.
Vader-We have done nothing. You are the ones that snuck onto the planet, infiltrated a secure area, while murdering several guards, and for all we know, you are Republic spies. In this case, the Separatist alliance is the wronged party Senator and you know this.
Padme-The treaties that were signed years ago forbid organizations like the Trade Federation to build an army. Your work here is illegal.
Vader-So is your work, Senator. Now, according to Geonosian law you are to be executed for your crimes.
Padme-Executed?
Vader-Yes. Now if you excuse me I have to negotiate with them to see if they will let you live. In the meantime, stay here.
I left the cell block, knowing that sooner or later the Republic would show up with the clones and the battle of Geonosis would occur.
Several minutes later, Geonosian arena, Vader's point of view:
The Republic gunships were raining from the skies. Clones were everywhere and droids were falling one after another. I knew that if we stood our ground we had a good chance of winning, but that wasn't my goal. I ordered a team of B1 battle droids to cover my escape and I ran towards the nearest transport. Unfortunately, Master Yoda was waiting there with Obi Wan.
Yoda-Surrender you must. Defeated, the droids will soon be.
Vader-Ah, Master Yoda. Finally a challenge. Let's see if you are any better than the Jedi I slaughtered in the arena.
That was a clear lie. I didn't kill any Jedi, I simply provided support for the droids. I also took advantage of the situation to ensure that the only Jedi that died in the battle were the ones that had originally perished. The sound of a lightsaber pulled me from my thoughts.
Vader-This is your first and final warning. Allow me to leave or face the consequences.
Obi Wan-We have you four to one.
I looked behind me and saw that Jedi Masters Shaak Ti and Mace Windu were behind me. I smirked under my helmet, knowing they had underestimated me.
Vader-I like those odds.
The other three Jedi activated their sabers and so did I. At first, I went on the defensive, trying to figure out how I could escape without hurting them (much). I decided that knocking them out would be the best option. I focused on Shaak Ti first, knowing that she wasn't as good at defense as the rest. While pressing the attack, I used the force to make a large pipe drop down in Obi Wan's direction. Yoda backed off in order to help him, while Mace tried to assist Shaak Ti.
Vader-You cannot defeat me, Jedi. I've become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
Yoda-Destroyed the Sith once, the Jedi did. Destroy them again, we will.
I moved my head back slightly and avoided being beheaded by Mace.
Vader-Oh, I don't think so.
I tripped Obi Wan and Force-pushed him in Shaak Ti's direction and both lost their balance. I forced Mace and Yoda to stick together, knowing that Mace's style is more dangerous the more space he has to work with. Yoda tried hitting me with another enormous pipe that I immediately pushed towards Shaak Ti and Obi Wan, forcing Yoda to, once again, back away. I focused on Mace and he pressed the assault.
Obi Wan-Surrender Vader. You can't mach us.
Vader-Your arrogance blinds you. Everything is going exactly as I want it to go.
Shaak Ti-Is losing a part of your plan?
Vader-I could ask you the same thing.
I dodged Mace's saber and locked onto Yoda. Emerald and crimson clashed many times, but I was able to parry all of his attacks. Shaak Ti tried something bold and attacked me from behind. I caught her neck with my free hand and used a Dark Side technique famously utilized by Darth Nihilus, called Force Drain. I concentrated on the energy of my opponents and sucked it out of them, while being careful not to kill, or permanently damage them. The technique worked and the Jedi Masters were left unconscious on the floor, while I fled Geonosis. After getting to my ship, I set course for my home world of Tatooine, since I had a lot of work to do there.
Hello there everyone. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also, I know this was very long but I wanted to get away from the movies as soon as possible, so I could explore the effect Vader's presence and decisions would have on the galaxy. Additionally, I know that I haven't show Palpatine yet, but I will do so in the next chapter. As a reminder, the reason Vader can use Force Drain is because he has mastered all Dark and Light side powers the Force has to offer. Think of him as Starkiller level of strength, times 1.000.000 or something. Basically, he is completely OP. Before I forget, Vader wants to do go to Tatooine to fulfill promise he made as a kid. As a kid, he said he'd free the slaves and help the people there. Now, don't forget to leave a review before you go. Until next time.