Vader's second chance

A Star wars story

Chapter 8

Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.

Hello there everyone! I don't really have much to say except a big thanks to all my followers and people who added the story to their favorites. It means a lot to know that your work is appreciated. Now, on with the story. In canon, Anakin simply received the rank of Jedi Knight but in my story he will take the trails normally, except the trial of flesh (remember, he still lost his hand to Dooku). Also,Ι wanted to have Anakin face Vader in his trial, so I'll be focusing more on that duel than the rest, because it isn't so important. Good? Good. Now let's jump into it!

Note: This is future me, I've decided to add Luke to this story, but with a twist. Luke has just destroyed the Death Star in his time, so he has no idea about who Vader really is. He will be introduced in the next chapter, just like General Grievous.

Two days after chapter 7, Coruscant, Jedi temple, Anakin's point of view:

Lately I've been very busy when it came to my studies. Obi Wan and the other Masters insisted on showing me their techniques regarding lightsaber combat and kept on testing me during sparring matches. Currently I was in the middle of such a match with Master Secura when my comlink started beeping. I answered and found out that Obi Wan that was calling me.

Anakin-Hey Master! Is there something you need?

Obi Wan-Hello Anakin. Master Yoda told me that he wants you to go speak to him immediately. He is in his quarters.

Anakin-Copy that. I'm on my way.

I closed the comlink and looked at Master Secura. She quickly told me what she thought I should focus on more when fighting, we were testing my skills after all, and then allowed me to go see Master Yoda. I, in turn, took my saber and stated running towards his quarters, fearing that I'd be late for something yet again.

Meanwhile, Yoda's quarters, Obi Wan's point of view:

I was waiting in Yoda's quarters with the aged Jedi. We had a small surprise for Anakin. Everyone in the Council knew that he had to take his trials soon and we agreed on arranging it this afternoon. I hadn't informed Anakin about it, just like Master Yoda ordered. I sensed that Anakin was coming, even if he was late as always, so I went to make sure everything was in order for his trials. Thankfully, the door closed behind me just before my Padawan entered the room I had just exited.

I returned minutes later after I made sure that everything was indeed ready so I could give Anakin the good news. I arrived just in time to see Anakin completely shocked by Yoda's words.

Anakin-A…a Jedi Knight? I…I can't believe it!

Yoda-Deserve that rank, you do. Your trials, you will soon take.

Anakin-When?

Obi Wan-Right now!

Anakin-Master! Where did you come from?

I showed Anakin to the side door I had previously used to get out of the room unnoticed. His initial response was laughter, but shock returned once again once the thought of taking the trials settled in his head.

Anakin-Master, why didn't you tell me sooner?

Obi Wan-It was a surprise Anakin.

Anakin-Oh. Well, what are we waiting for?

With those words my soon-to-be-former Padawan rushed off once again, with a clear destination in his mind.

Minutes later, Jedi Temple, Anakin's point of view:

I was minutes away from the beginning of my trials. Obi Wan was explaining that I wouldn't need to take the trial of flesh, because I already lost my hand to Dooku, but I wasn't listening to him. I was more focused on the possibility of failure and humiliation in the eyes of the Council.

Obi Wan-Anakin…Anakin are you listening?

Anakin-Sorry Master, I didn't hear that last thing you said.

Obi Wan-I said that the trial of spirit is the most important one. It takes great courage to pass and you shouldn't underestimate whatever it is you'll be facing.

Anakin-Okay. I can do that.

Obi Wan-May the Force be with you Anakin.

Anakin-Thank you Master.

Moments later, Obi Wan backed away and the trials began.

Sometime later, Obi Wan's point of view:

Anakin had been doing well so far. He managed to complete all trials but one without difficulty. The only one that remained was the Trial of Spirit. I was quite worried about this particular one because Anakin had never been good when it came to controlling his emotions and I knew it would pose a tremendous challenge for him. I decided to put my thoughts aside and focus on observing the trial and my attention turned back to Anakin.

Anakin's point of view:

As I entered the final room of the trials the Force was at work around me. Moments later I found myself in the ruined entrance of the Temple. Before I had time to speculate about the situation I was spotted by a Clone Trooper.

CT-1119-Another Jedi! Blast them!

All of my surroundings were suddenly filled with blue blaster fire. I managed to deflect some, but not enough. I was quickly overwhelmed so I ran inside, hoping to find another Jedi to help me. Instead of Jedi, I found bodies. Lots of bodies.

Anakin-No…who could have done this?

Ahsoka Tano-Master Skywalker…there are…too many…

Anakin-Who is doing this?

Ahsoka Tano-Va…Vader…

That was the last word the small Togruta said before dropping on the floor, dead this time. If Vader had done this I'd find him and end him for his actions. Before I could clear my head and think about the situation I sensed someone nudging me through the Force. It was Obi Wan!

Obi Wan-Anakin! You're alive!

Anakin-Master! We need to find Vader and end this!

Obi Wan-Something has happened. The Clones turned on us when they received a transmission from him.

Anakin-Any other survivors?

Obi Wan-The Temple was the last holdout we had.

Anakin-I'm coming towards you. Don't move.

Obi Wan-I'll wait for you.

Soon I had found Obi Wan. I was glad to see that he was alive and well, but I was also confused. He felt…fake. I didn't know why, but this whole situation was weird and disturbing.

Obi Wan-Anakin are you listening?

Anakin-Huh? Oh, yes.

Obi Wan-Good. I'll get the High Ground, but you need to distract him.

Anakin-I will.

I walked towards Vader's Force presence. Now that I had time to study it, it seemed weird in a way, but I didn't know why. Mere moments later I was preparing to jump him. He spoke before I could.

Darth Vader-The Force is with you young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.

Anakin-I'm two times the Jedi you'll ever be.

Darth Vader-That's good. Twice the pride, double the fall.

Anakin-This is where the fun begins.

Darth Vader-Foolish boy. Now you will pay for your lack of vision!

Vader yelled the last part and immediately ignited his crimson blade, which I caught with mine. Obi Wan's azure blade ignited behind me and clashed with Vader's as well. We fought for several minutes until we reached an old looking door. At that point the duel had gotten very intense and I tried to remain focused on Vader, without success. I got distracted by a strange change in the Force and Obi Wan paid the price. Vader managed to easily pierce his defenses and put a blade through his chest and the Jedi Master slowly faded away.

Anakin-Obi Wan! I'll kill you for that, Vader!

Darth Vader-You will try.

Vader forced me to back away into the room behind the rusty looking door and then proceeded to hurl many different objects at me. I cut them down and tied to charge him, with no success. He picked me up with his left arm and threw me across the room, right next to a small metal bridge with broken railing. I got up and eventually managed to get a good strike at his helmet. It fell of and I finally saw his face. Or rather, I saw my own eyes and face, but they were sticky yellow and his face was burned. I screamed in horror and barely blocked his saber strike, before bashing at his blade with mine and then cutting of his right arm. He, in turn, fell to the ground because of the pain.

Anakin-Feels good doesn't it?

Darth Vader-You will never win. The dark side will blind you forever!

Anakin-No. You're wrong. This whole thing is just a trial. You didn't do anything to the Temple and nobody is dead.

Darth Vader-I did accomplish something Skywalker. I showed you.

Anakin-Showed me what?

Darth Vader-Your destiny…

Anakin-I won't fail my Master, or my friends. Sith hate and only feel anger.

Darth Vader-You get angry too.

Anakin-Yes. I do. But there is a deference between you and me. I have the ability to love. Love is something forbidden to the Sith.

Darth Vader-That is also true for the Jedi young one.

Anakin-No. It isn't. Attachment is forbidden. But love isn't as long as it remains pure.

Darth Vader-You lie! The Jedi are blind fools! You are just like them!

Anakin-That means a lot coming from you, knowing that you consider me a Jedi.

Darth Vader-Ugh! I hate you! End me now Skywalker! Do it!

Anakin-I'm not scared of you Vader. You can't hurt me.

The fake Vader looked down in defeat and slammed his remaining fist on the ground. Then, he simply allowed himself to fall off the edge. I, while shaken, managed to exit the room. I found the Jedi Council waiting for me outside and I knelled before them, something I knew was appropriate for the situation.

Yoda-Congratulate you, this Council does.

Obi Wan-You did an excellent job Anakin.

Shaak Ti-Personally, I don't think I would have made it young one.

Aayla-I'm happy to announce that…

Yoda-Proud we are, to grant you the rank of Jedi Knight.

Mace Windu-I must admit, I'm impressed Skywalker.

Anakin-Thank you Masters. With your permission, I'd like to go and get some sleep.

Yoda-Our permission, you have. Wish you rest well, we do. Your big day, tomorrow is.

Anakin-Thank you Master Yoda.

I returned to my room and fell to a dreamless sleep, even if I couldn't get Vader's words out of my head.

Vader's point of view:

Me and Snips were sleeping. It was the middle of the night on Tatooine after all. I woke sweating, just like I do after a nightmare, but this time it wasn't a bad dream. Ahsoka had woken up as well and she asked me what was wrong.

Vader-He made it.

Ahsoka-I'm glad. But I felt something else too. It feels like you.

Vader-Qui Gon told me some more help was coming.

Ahsoka-More help?

Vader-Yes. My son is here.

Hello there! This chapter is finally done! I hope you enjoyed it as much as me. And for all the confused souls out there, the first room of the fight between Anakin and Vader is the one where Obi Wan and Yoda find a dead Padawan that Anakin killed in ROTS and the second is the one from ESB during the last part of the Vader/Luke duel. As a note, I couldn't stand not putting Luke in this story. Also, Qui Gon told Vader about the future in those two months between the first and second part of chapter 1. Anyways, don't forget to review my work and until next time, May the Force be with you!