Vader's second chance
A Star wars story
Chapter 29
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.
Hello there everyone and welcome to chapter 29 of Vader's Second Chance. I swear that I'm going to be on time one of these days man, I swear. Anyways, now that I've apologized for the delay we can go on with the story. So, I ended the last chapter on a cliffhanger and I'm sure that you all got pissed at me and stuff, but I don't regret doing it. In this chapter we'll get to see an extended conversation between Obi Wan and Vader where you all (you guys and Obi Wan himself) will get a glimpse of what's actually going on in Vader's mind during this scene. I'll also be including Obi Wan's reaction to all of this because everything will be from his point of view and I might do another thing I've been wanting to do for a while and have already teased before, but I may have to wait until the next chapter for it (and no, I'm not telling you what it is). Okay, with that out of the way, let's get this show started!
Jedi Temple, Containment area, mere moments ago, Obi Wan's point of view:
Vader looked to the floor for a moment and when he tried to look into my eyes again I saw it. I saw his pain, his suffering, his crushed spirit. I recognized those azure eyes. I had seen them before. I decided to let my mind consider the possibility for just a second and I suddenly saw a man that wasn't a stranger, but a man that was my family. I saw the man that was my brother.
Obi Wan-Anakin?
Lord Vader, or Anakin I suppose, let out a weak laugh and looked into my eyes before answering me.
Vader-I was begging to lose hope. I had thought that I would have to tell you myself.
I was surprised by the fact that Vader of all people, a man who had relentlessly hunted the galaxy's defenders in Luke's time and a man the Council believed was driven by hate and a need for revenge, would respond in such a way. He seemed so pleased in that one moment. A man who I had never before seen express any emotion, with the exception of anger towards Palpatine, actually looked like a Jedi Master would when their student surpassed a difficult test. One could even say that he looked proud, but I wouldn't go that far. I understood why, but it still startled me to an extent. Vader stared at me for a moment, probably beginning to lose his patience like he had in the Council Chambers and I spoke, not wanting to push him more than necessary.
Obi Wan-You'd never do that. You knew and still know that he'd never accept it. That I would never accept it.
Vader-That's why I wanted you to discover the secret.
And of course that's why he didn't tell us! We could have avoided a whole seven months of this Bantha Poodoo but no, he wanted us to figure it out when he was being vague on purpose! I responded with my usual sass, wishing that it would annoy him and that he'd understand that I wasn't pleased with him in the slightest.
Obi Wan-Not much of a secret anymore, is it?
Vader-You are the first one that figured it out. Luke was right about you.
I was genuinely surprised that Luke and Vader had ever talked when not on the battlefront, but then again, it wasn't the strangest thing that happened to me today.
Obi Wan-What did he say about me?
Vader-He said that you would be the first to catch on. That you would come talk to me here.
At that point my irritation with Vader was redirected towards my Padawan. He had known all this time and he said nothing. Then again, would we have believed him? Knowing myself, I would have given it some thought and would have asked Yoda for advice. Knowing Anakin, well…he would have rejected the idea without giving a second thought and would probably get angry just because Luke brought it up in the first place. Maybe that's why the boy said nothing. Huh, it seems that my Padawan was right after all.
Obi Wan-It does seems that Luke was right.
Vader-I know my son. He's many things, but "wrong" isn't one of them.
I could sense Vader's…no, Anakin's pride in that moment. He was clearly proud of Luke and was happy with who his son had become, but…he was also feeling guilty because he wasn't there for him when he thinks he should have been. I suppose I couldn't blame the man for that.
Obi Wan-You never did want to hurt anyone, did you?
Vader-Of course not! I just wanted to deal with Palpatine, but I couldn't do that if I was playing by his rules, so I forced him to play by mine.
Obi Wan-You could have done the same thing Luke did. You could have come to us. We would have helped you. We still will.
Vader-You're wrong. The Jedi would want to kill me. The Council would just see this as proof that they were right all along. They'd expel Anakin before he got to be with Padme again, he'd never meet Ahsoka, you two would be forced apart and I couldn't have that.
Obi Wan-You really do care about us, don't you?
Vader-I do. Sometimes you make it harder than it has to be, especially when you think you can take me in duel, but I do and always will care about my family.
Obi Wan-Can we all really be considered a family?
Vader laughed again and I knew that it was genuine. I was sure that he believed it could have been true and if the fact that he was trying to contain himself was any indication, it seemed that he was about to start joking about the whole thing.
Vader-Of course we can brother! We have Anakin and Padme, the newlywed couple, Luke and Leia, the newborns, Ahsoka, the younger sister that likes to mess with everyone, you, the older brother who keeps the others in line, Satine, your fiancé-to-be, Cody, the uncle with all the crazy gifts and Rex, the one with the insane stories that drive the kids' imagination wild!
Ah…classic Anakin! Never thinks things through when bantering with someone, even if the other person doesn't have the same sense of humor he does. I have to give it to him, he hasn't changed all that much and he did make me laugh with that one. Well, mentally at least.
Obi Wan-Hmm…you actually made that sound nice. I'm impressed.
Vader-I suppose that I took a page out of your book and learned a thing or two about negotiations.
Obi Wan-I believe you're referring to the ones where nothing blows up?
Vader-Yes, the one that still bore me to death.
Obi Wan-Well, I really like the family portrait that you described, but I don't see you or Luke anywhere in the picture.
I regretted my choice of words the second after I said them, but it was already too late. I could see the sadness in his eyes and could sense some of the pain lingering inside his broken heart. Vader looked at the floor and sighed before answering in a much more serious tone than before and I could do nothing to salvage the situation.
Vader-Luke and I both know that this isn't our family. It's yours. We have our own little group. Father, Son and Ahsoka, who still doesn't have a clear classification yet.
Yep. I definitely messed up. Well, the only thing left to do was change the subject to something less painful, so I decided to focus on that thing he said about Ahsoka.
Obi Wan-Ahsoka? You mean that she's still your Padawan? I mean, I understand waiting a bit before recommending her, but that just sounds ridiculous! Did you seriously wait three whole years?
He looked up again, which probably was a good sign, and then let out a sad sigh. Great...I successfully failed my mission.
Vader-I never had the chance to even try. I was planning to talk about it with you when she and I returned from the mission we were on back then, but we were called to Coruscant because of an attack on the Temple, which I now know was orchestrated by Palpatine, just like everything else. Big surprise there. Anyway, he made Bariss pin it on Ahsoka and the Council expelled her without a second thought, leaving Padme and I to fix everything, as per usual. When she and I managed to prove Ahsoka's innocence in court, which was mere moments before she was sentenced to execution, Yoda asked her to return to the Order but she was still waiting for the Council's apology. Unfortunately, Windu thought that telling her that the mess the Council was responsible for was a trial from the Force was the last straw for her and she refused to come back. I tried to convince her to do otherwise, but she wouldn't listen to me.
Obi Wan-Anakin I…I'm so sorry. It won't happen this time, I promise.
Vader-It still may. The Force works in mysterious ways Master. Perhaps it willed her away from a corrupt order is under the Senate's and therefore Palpatine's control. Thinking back, it may have been for the best.
Obi Wan-So you aren't mad?
Vader-I still believe that it's an excellent example of the current Order's flaws, but I don't see why I should be angry about it when it isn't set in stone.
Obi Wan-I see.
Vader's head tilted downwards again and I could see that the banter was over. He wanted to discuss something very serious.
Vader-…Master, I…I have to apologize. For everything.
Obi Wan-No Anakin. I'm the one that should apologize. Your turn is clearly my fault. I didn't do a good enough job of preparing you for Palpatine's manipulations and you became a victim of his schemes.
Vader-Not about that. About Mustafar. I know you've seen it.
Obi Wan-I only saw the aftermath. Anakin is the one that saw the whole thing. We've been trying to make sense of it, but we just couldn't find anyone that fit the picture these visions were describing.
Vader-Anyone that you hadn't met yet.
Obi Wan-That was the theory. Anakin proposed it a while back. He told us that one explanation as to why we couldn't find you was that we hadn't met you yet.
Vader-A good assumption.
Obi Wan-It was one.
I paused for a moment and I decided that I would ask Vader if Luke really knew. I wanted him to say that Luke had no idea, but my mind was telling me otherwise. Regardless, I had to hear Vader, no, Anakin say it to actually believe it.
Obi Wan-Luke. Did he…know?
Vader-He did. Ahsoka and I managed to get to Yavin 4 before you did and I told him the basics. He was reluctant to listen at first and was just trying to understand what was happening to him but we talked everything out and after I explained the plan to him he agreed to help us defeat Palpatine.
Obi Wan-So you're the reason he told me that I should try to go into your mind?
Vader-Yes. I didn't want you to find out sooner than what I had foreseen. He disagreed at the time, but did it anyways. Apparently he trusted me enough for that. He only really understood why I wanted to wait instead of telling you right away when he met Anakin for the first time. I suppose that he saw how…emotional my younger self can be.
Obi Wan-Yes, Anakin can…overreact sometimes.
Vader-You tell me...
Vader started moving his hands around, as if trying to use the Force. I was about to remind him about the Force inhibitors inside the cuffs but he quickly opened them and proceeded to stand up and lean against the wall of his cell. I was surprised by the fact that the Force inhibitors didn't work on him, but he started talking before I got the chance.
Vader-Well, now that we've gone through all the "I'm Anakin from the future and I'm not actually evil" crap I'm sure you have some questions.
His actions had surprised me once again, although I really shouldn't be expecting anything at this point, and I responded politely while making a list of questions in my mind.
Obi Wan-Can I ask anything?
Vader-Of course. Oh, and you don't have to worry about offending me. Ahsoka and I have been through this already and I'll tell you if I don't want to answer something.
Obi Wan-Alright then. First question. Is Ahsoka here with you?
Vader-Yes, she is. As I said before, she went with me when I first sensed Luke's presence on Yavin 4.
Obi Wan-She's Lady Reaper isn't she?
Vader-Well…yes, but she isn't a Sith. Heck, she doesn't even use the Dark Side! I mean, she knowns how to use it, but she chooses not to.
Obi Wan-But you still do?
Vader-Yes, but Qui Gon has helped me Master my control when using it. I'm not in danger of falling prey to its temptations.
Well, there goes my "expect the unexpected" rule. At least I was about to get my answers on that topic and clear any misconceptions that are probably already making themselves comfortable in my head.
Obi Wan-Master Qui Gon? Is he here too?
Vader-Yes and no.
Obi Wan-What is that supposed to mean?
Vader-Huh. I see that my younger self's impatience has rubbed off on you.
Obi Wan-Hmm…perhaps that is true, but you can't blame me.
Vader-No, I most certainly cannot.
Obi Wan-Can you please answer me?
Vader-Huh. It seems that I have your interest now.
Obi Wan-Anakin, you've always had my interest, but now you have my attention.
Vader-Alright alright! He's the one that brought me here. I was dueling with Ahsoka inside a Sith Temple on Malachor 5 and when I couldn't bring myself to kill her he decided to give me another chance and made both of us travel through time. We ended up on Tatooine, three months before the Clone Wars began and had enough time to plan ahead and figure out how to deal with Palpatine.
Obi Wan-Speaking of Clones, Luke said that they turned on the Jedi. Is there any way we can fix this?
Vader-Oh, that? It's already been taken off! I sent Snips to deal with it a while ago.
Obi Wan-So, we aren't in danger?
Vader-Not from your troopers. Just a psychopathic Sith Lord that was an army of Cultists and the Galactic Senate to his beck and call! All in all, nothing to worry about!
Obi Wan-Oh yes, I'm sure that we have an enormous chance against him!
Vader-Sarcasm aside, Qui Gon did mention that he would talk to you as soon as you found out the truth, so you can expect him to visit soon.
Obi Wan-Am I going to have a dream? A vision?
Vader-No, but you'll get to see him again.
Obi Wan-That sounds nice.
Vader-I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to.
My communicator suddenly started beeping and I saw that Anakin was calling me. He was probably wondering where I was. Besides, I have been talking with Anakin for a while now.
Obi Wan-It's Anakin. Well, younger you.
Vader-I know that.
Obi Wan-I should take this.
Vader-Please do, but there is one last thing about Qui Gon.
Obi Wan-Go on.
Vader-Don't be surprised if he's a bit…blue.
Blue? Why would he be blue? I didn't have the time to think about this anyways, I had to answer Anakin's call or else he would turn the entire Temple upside down looking for me.
I look one last peek at Vader and saw him retrieve his helmet from the cell's floor. He put it back on and nodded, giving me permission to leave the area. I answered Anakin's call and I instantly saw that he looked worried, which was never a good thing. Regardless of how he looked, I was sure it couldn't be that bad.
Anakin-Master! I figured out who Vader is!
I was shocked for the…what was it, the tenth time in one day? Wow, that has to be some kind of record. Not knowing how to answer him, I decided to play dumb and see if he actually knew or was just jumping to conclusions. Besides, as I said before, there was no way it was as bad as it seemed.
Obi Wan-What do you mean Anakin?
Anakin-Obi Wan…it's…it's me.
And there I was. Obi Wan Kenobi, Sith Slayer, beloved Jedi Master, an amazing General and an esteemed member of the Jedi High Council, standing in an abandoned corridor of the Jedi Temple and being in utter shock for the eleventh time in one day…
Well well well, I bet you guys didn't see that coming did you? I'm sure you thought I couldn't possibly be cruel enough to leave you on a cliffhanger again, but you were wrong! I can be this cruel and I will be! In all seriousness, I really enjoyed writing Obi Wan's reactions to Vader's answers in this chapter and I'm more than excited to begin chapter 30, where poor Obi Wan is going to have to explain all this to Anakin, who is overreacting as usual…
Anyways, let me explain some stuff about the chapter in case one of you didn't understand something. Obi Wan isn't very surprised when he finds out that Vader is actually Anakin because he pretty much figured it out on his own and just needed confirmation (and yes, the first paragraph is the extended version of the one that ended Chapter 28).
Vader is falling back into old patterns (which is actually a theme I plan on exploring further later on) when he talks with his old Master and is brave enough to joke about something that considers very important just so he can see Obi Wan laughing at his banter again. He has (understandably) missed his brother in all but blood.
Vader has also learned from his training with Qui Gon, because he would certainly be blaming the Council otherwise, and has also adopted some of the Force Ghost's own teachings, but no one can blame him. Besides, I think that this makes him different from both of his previous personas (Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Imperial War Lord Darth Vader), which is a really good thing for both the character and the story.
Obi Wan's reaction to the things Vader says is something I believe would actually happen. In my (personal) opinion he would be hesitant to ask questions and the scene from the Council Chambers would be the main reason for that. He would also want to spare Anakin from the harder and heavier questions he can ask, despite the fact that Vader assured him that he wouldn't mind (he would). I also think that Obi Wan would be genuinely curious about Ahsoka's fate since he has started connecting with her by now and that the mention of Qui Gon would both startle him and gain his attention.
If anyone has any other questions then feel free to PM me. I'll be more than glad to answer them. I'm also encouraging you guys to take a moment and review my work (I really appreciate it) and to check out newest project (and yes, this is the only shameless plug you'll find here) which is called "A Messed Up Destiny". It's on my profile and has similar themes and plot with this story (the prompt of "Vader goes to the past and has to defeat Palpatine"), but I intend to go in a completely separate direction and be a bit darker later on too, so it's not the same thing. Anyhow, that's all folks. I'll see you in the next chapter, but until then, May the Force be with you!