Vader's second chance
A Star wars story
Chapter 13
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.
Hello there everyone and welcome back to the story. I know it's been a while since I last uploaded, but I was preoccupied with other stuff. Anyways, let me give you a quick refresher and explain what's going on. The events in this chapter are happening at the same time as chapter 11, meaning that Luke and Anakin haven't met yet. As I said in chapter 12, this one is going to focus what on our Separatist friends are up to and Dooku's reaction after he learns Vader's real identity. We'll begin with that since it's more important and we'll move on to the other stuff mid-way through this chapter. Without further ado, let's begin.
Note: I forgot to mention that Ahsoka is now using her normal white sabers (the ones he see in SWR). This is happening just because Ahsoka prefers using them instead of red lightsabers, even if the red crystals are natural.
Unknown regions, Separatist Dreadnought, Vader's point of view:
Ahsoka and I had already agreed that we should let Dooku in on the actual plan long before my second confrontation with my younger self and Luke. Dooku having knowledge of the real plan was extremely important and I knew Ahsoka was right when she suggested it, even before I finally agreed with her. That's why I was standing outside the Count's quarters. I knew he could sense me, it wasn't like I was trying to hide after all, but that gave me the slightest bit of anxiety. I wasn't supposed to be nervous about this right now, mainly because I had bigger problems to deal with, but I couldn't stop myself from feeling nervous. After a good minute of trying to approach this I decided to simply walk right in and just tell him about it. When I walked through the automated door that separated his quarters from the rest of the ship I noticed he was feeling quite nervous as well. I decided to ignore that detail and started speaking before he had the chance to ask why I was here.
Vader-Count Dooku.
Dooku-Lord Vader, is there something I can do for you?
Vader-I wish to discuss a very important matter with you.
Dooku-I'm listening.
Vader-You may not believe me.
Dooku-As I said, I'm listening.
Vader-My apprentice and I are not from this time.
Dooku-Not from this time?
Vader-She and I travelled to the past to stop the Empire from happening. My younger self is still a Jedi at this point in history.
Dooku-You are from the future?
Vader-Yes. I've come back to destroy Sidious before he can wipe out half the galaxy with this war and rule over the rest.
Dooku-Lord Vader, why would you tell me such a thing? I mean, if it really is this important, shouldn't you keep it a secret?
Vader-The Jedi council has been informed about the real situation because of a Jedi that is from my time and I have to reason to withhold this information from you, Count.
Dooku-Do I know you?
Vader-You are referring to my past self.
Dooku-Yes, I am.
Vader-You cut off the boy's arm. I'm fairly sure you can guess who it is.
Dooku-…Skywalker? Anakin Skywalker?
Vader-Yes, that is me.
Dooku-If I may ask, why tell me? What am I supposed to do with this information?
Vader-I simply wanted you to know. In the original timeline Sidious betrayed you and ordered me to execute you. I fell to the dark side, just like he had foreseen, and he eliminated the Jedi Order with the clone army.
Dooku-Protocol 66. Have you deactivated it?
Vader-Even better. If he does manage to give the order, which I highly doubt, he will simply pass command of the GAR to me. I can then use it to end the war and bring an end to his schemes.
Dooku-Will you create the Empire?
Vader-Force no! That blasted system never did any good! The Empire will never exist and I will be known as the last Dark Lord of the Sith.
Dooku-What do I have to do with it?
Vader-I simply wanted you to know. Besides, I'm not that much of a Sith anymore, so I thought I should act accordingly.
Dooku-What should I call you? Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker?
Vader-I am neither. Anakin Skywalker was a boy with more fears than the galaxy has planets, a boy that was weak against manipulation and he later became a man that had nothing to live for except for his family. Darth Vader was a murderous monster that became a slave to the Emperor. If one had to die, it would be Darth Vader. I am more Anakin than Vader, but he'll always be a part of me. Besides, I'm not the same Anakin Skywalker I was once. I can't go back to being the same, not after everything I had to endure. I am a version of Anakin yes, but I'll never be the same.
Dooku-Thank you for sharing that. Honestly, I think I understand you better. If I may ask, who is your apprentice?
Vader- Her name is Ahsoka Tano, but she changed that many times during her life. At some point she was known as Ashla, at another as Agent Fulcrum. Right now she goes by "Lady Reaper" as part of her cover.
Dooku-What should I call her?
Vader-That's her decision.
Dooku-Do you want to talk about anything else?
Vader-No. I think it would be better to give you some time to sort this out.
Dooku-I wholeheartedly agree.
Vader-I'll go check on Grievous' progress. I want to make sure the Jedi don't turn him to nuts and bolts in his first encounter with them.
Dooku-Go ahead. I'll speak to you later.
I silently nodded and exited the old man's room. He had a lot to think about and I had I lot to do. I decided to get the hardest and more time consuming one out of the way first, so I could focus on the war effort later on. I took a right turn in the nearest corridor and started navigating my way to the training rooms.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka's point of view:
I was in one of the many training rooms aboard the ship. I met Ventress the other day and we arranged a sparring match between us. Grievous was supposed to watch and learn, though I had a feeling he was more focused on who would win the duel rather than improving his own combat style. Ventress stood in a battle position on the opposite side of the room and waited for me to attack. I ignited my white sabers and attacked her. Her twin sabers locked with mine and we began to spar. We moved all around the room and focused on Ataru, because I wanted to practice using it. Ventress' red saber continuously clashed with mine during the duel, but I was able to repel her attacks. I was about to begin a counter-offensive when Ventress jumped over me. Dumb decision. Instead of chopping off her limbs like Obi Wan had done to Anakin I Force-pushed her and made her the ceiling full force. She began to fall and I positioned myself properly so we could continue the duel. I took the time to move away from her and give her space, something she immediately utilized. Instead of mindlessly charging me like she had done before she used the Force to launch different objects in my direction. I easily dodged all of them and proceeded to attack. I leaped into the air and prepared to come down on her with full force only to stop in mid air. I didn't even bother to look towards the door, I already knew who it was.
Vader-That attack may work against a Jedi Padawan and possibly a Knight, but it becomes a wasted opportunity when your opponent is a Jedi Master.
Ahsoka-Master, I was going to slide under her.
Vader-Slide under her? Interesting…Could you repeat the move?
Ahsoka-Yes master.
He placed me back in my initial position and I repeated the move. Ventress, now knowing the plan, attempted to block my sabers. Instead of clashing with her however, I shut them off and managed to slip under her, ending up behind the Sith assassin. I ignited my sabers the moment I was behind her and moved them upwards. They ended up sliding across her back and she lost her footing because of the pain. I immediately pointed them at her and pushed hers to the other side of the room.
Ahsoka-I believe I win.
Vader-An impressive tactic. The next time I duel someone I will try it.
Ahsoka-Master, I don't think you can slide under someone.
Vader-I meant, try shutting off my saber mid duel to cause a similar effect.
Ahsoka-That…might actually work.
Ventress-Ugh…
Anakin moved towards Ventress and placed a hand on her back. He used the Force to heal her wounds, something he did quite often, especially when someone got hurt during a fight. The Sith assassin got up and left the room without a word, no doubt headed to Count Dooku's quarters to report to him. Grievous, who had stayed silent during the entire duel, suddenly moved towards us and stood next to me, expecting orders from Anakin.
Vader-General, you will spar with my apprentice. Continue practicing traditional combat and report to me when you are done. I will then spar against you to see if you have been learning anything substantial or not.
Grievous-Yes, my lord.
Ahsoka-Master, I wish to speak with you later.
Vader-Very well. Come find me at the end of the day, when I done evaluating Grievous.
Ahsoka-Yes Master.
Anakin walked out of the room and left me alone with the Separatist General, who was more machine than man. I told Grievous to position himself properly and started walking him through the basics of Soresu, like Anakin said I should.
Ahsoka-Alright, as you probably know, Soresu is a defensive style. It focuses on the ability to tire your opponent out and exploit weakpoints in their own defense. Now, show me the first three Katas my master told you about…
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was a bit of a filler, just showing you a bit about the Separatists while I try to figure out how to write Padme during chapter 14, in which she'll meet Luke. I want the reaction to seem like something Padme would do in that sort of situation, so I'd really appreciate it if any of you have tips regarding that. Anyways, as you can probably guess the next chapter is Skywalker family drama. So, I'll you guys in the next chapter. Oh, and don't forget to review before you leave.