Vader's second chance
A Star wars story
Chapter 30
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.
Hello there everyone and welcome to chapter 30 of the story! I apologize for any delay (assuming I don't post this on time), but I've been having a lot of trouble with everyone's reactions to the big reveal so I may not be able to finish this in time. In case you want to know I'm planning on uploading this on either Friday the 18th or Saturday the 19th. Anyways, Last chapter ended with a cliffhanger when Anakin contacted Obi Wan and told him that he knew he was Vader. To be honest I was going to keep that from him for a bit longer, but the plot bunny that got into my head the other day wouldn't let me.
Anakin-Thank the Force! I was tired of being so confused all the time!
Anakin! Go back to the Temple or…I'll…I'll get the High Ground! Same goes for anyone else that interrupts me! Good? Good. Damn these guys are starting to get on my nerves. Except Snips. She's cool.
Ahsoka-So, can I just chill here with you?
Sure. You can even pitch me ideas if you want to.
Ahsoka-Really? I thought only the fans were allowed to do that!
Well, you may have my one-time "hangout pass" and stay here for the rest of the chapter.
Ahsoka-Neat. We haven't been able to hang out in ages!
True. If only Anakin wasn't so preoccupied with yelling at Luke at right now then maybe we'd all be able to hang out together afterwards.
Ahsoka-I wish. Poor Luke has been hearing it for over an hour now.
Yeah…I should probably get back to the prologue, so just let me finish this and we chat later.
Ahsoka-Sure thing. I'll just wait over here.
Thanks Snips. *clears throat*
As I was saying before, the last chapter ended on a cliffhanger that put our heroes into a very difficult situation. With Darth Vader's identity now reveled to his younger self and Anakin's newfound existential crisis Obi Wan and Luke will have to explain everything they can to the hot-headed Jedi and make sure to stop him from doing something he'll regret…
So…what did you think Snips?
Ahsoka-It was pretty good, but I think you should warn everyone about these Force abilities you have written down in your notepad-thingy. I haven't even heard of them before.
Huh. I guess canon really is different from Legends. Also, I'm actually going to use them in the next chapter so I really don't need to do that now.
Ahsoka-I think you should
Note: Any and all Force abilities utilized by Vader and other characters (with the exception of the whole "summoning Phantoms" thing from chapter 26) during this and the next couple chapters can be found in Star Wars Legends and aren't my intellectual property.
Ahsoka-That means that he doesn't own the idea for them. Someone else does. Oh, we also aren't profiting from these ideas. This story is only made for fun.
Damn. That was a really good disclaimer for your first time.
Anyways, I'll let you guys move on to the Title Crawl while I show Ahsoka the ropes of Fanfiction writing.
Chaos in the Jedi Temple! After discovering the identity to Separatist Leader Darth Vader Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi has to deal with his former apprentice, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, who has also uncovered the secret and believes himself to be a monster and responsible for Vader's atrocities. Jedi Padawan Luke Skywalker is trying to help stabilize the situation, but as more and more time passes our heroes realize that a meeting between the Jedi Knight and the Dark Lord may be the only thing that can force Anakin to pull himself together…
Jedi Temple, Containment area, mere moments ago, Obi Wan's point of view:
I took 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, even if I didn't actually need it. 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 anything 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…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, being in utter shock for the eleventh time in one day…
Five minutes later, Anakin's quarters:
The first thing I had done when Anakin told me that he knew was to hung up, and in hindsight, that might not have been such a good thing after all, because Anakin was physically shaking when I entered his room a few minutes later. Luke was already there, probably because Vader had told him to go, and was trying to calm Anakin down, but it was to no avail. I rushed to his side immediately and placed a hand on his shoulder, only for him to pull away as quickly as he could.
Anakin-Don't touch me! I don't want to hurt you!
Obi Wan-It's alright Padawan, I'm here now.
Anakin-Master please! I don't want to hurt you!
Luke-You won't hurt us father. It's still you and you'd never do that.
Anakin-You said that Vader cut off your hand! I am Vader, so I did that! I'm the one that hurt you Luke!
Luke-I already told you father! That was an accident! Neither of us wanted it to happen! It just did!
Obi Wan-Besides, those things haven't happened yet. You'll never do them if I'm there to help you Padawan and I always will be.
Anakin-No! You won't! I killed you remember? I killed you Master!
The poor boy was terrified. Luke sent me a quick message through our growing Force Bond and tried to apologize for not telling me earlier, but I instructed him to focus on the task and help me calm Anakin down, but it quickly became clear that he wasn't able to help. Anakin had kept ranting about the various things he knew about Vader, even if they weren't inherently bad. My former Padawan was just making them sound like it and I even found myself agreeing with some of his points, but this wasn't the time for a debate. I had a hotheaded Jedi to calm down and no intention of leaving this room until I had managed that…or until I had to chase after him, like I would have to right about now if I was sensing his feelings correctly.
Anakin had already jumped out of the chair he had previously sunk in and had ran out of the room, his feelings barely controlled. I tried to run after him, but was suddenly stopped. I looked at Luke, only to see his hand outstretched and was…using the Force? I couldn't say for sure, but I suspected he was the one stopping my movement. The young Jedi stayed silent for a moment and just stared at me before speaking.
Luke-You need to know when to quit. He's obviously going to see mom, so we know where he's going. No need to run after him and make him even more upset.
Luke had truly become a wise man, even with his somewhat limited training as a Jedi. A man worthy of being one, that's for sure. Knowing that, I decided to ponder over his words for a moment and I found myself quickly agreeing with him.
Obi Wan-You're right. We should let him vent.
Luke-No. What we should do is be there for him. Father said he never planned, or even wanted this to happen, but he did give me instructions in case I needed them.
Obi Wan-Alright then. What did he say?
Luke-He told me that I should take him to Padme and let her calm him down before bringing him in so he can explain things and hopefully avoid getting his head chopped of by a stray lightsaber strike.
Obi Wan-Luke, I can't exactly bring him there, or even get him out of here, for that matter.
Luke-I know, but Father is nothing if not resourceful. He'll be there.
Obi Wan-Are you sure?
Luke-Yep. He knows a lot more about the Force than any other Jedi…or Sith.
Obi Wan-I assume that he taught you this…ability?
Luke-He did. It's called Force Freeze. He actually saw someone else use it in a Force vision and decided to learn it for himself.
Obi Wan-I'm going to assume that it isn't something the Council would approve of.
Luke-I know what you're implying and that's not it. Father and I have agreed that I'll never use the dark side for anything, just like Ahsoka.
Obi Wan-Ahsoka has yellow eyes. Force, it feels weird saying that.
Luke-The yellow eyes are a Force Projection and yeah, it can be a bit weird sometimes.
Obi Wan-Force Projection? What the heck is that?
Luke-As I said, Father more about the Force that both the Jedi and the Sith. In fact he's "become more powerful than any Jedi…or Sith.". His words, not mine.
Obi Wan-It seems like he's not the only one that knows a few tricks.
Luke looked at his hand for a moment before nodding silently.
Luke-Yeah. I guess he's not.
Obi Wan-So, about Vader…
Suddenly Vader's mechanical breathing filled the room and I turned around, only to see that he was just standing there with his arm crossed, as if he had been expecting me to ask that question.
Vader-You called?
I could practically hear the smugness in the elder Jedi's, Sith's…no, man's voice and it reminded me of Anakin for a moment. Oh, yes. We still had to go see him.
Vader-You are correct. I know myself better than anyone and it's safe to say that he'll do something rash, stupid, or both before the hour is over if he doesn't get what he wants.
Obi Wan-I was shielding.
Vader-You were trying to. That is why you failed.
Luke-Father, do you mind if we save the "I'm better at you at everything" shtick until later?
Vader-No, I suppose I don't. Come, we must go.
I was about to ask Vader how he was planning to get past the Jedi that were guarding the Temple's entrances, but he simply walked out of Anakin's room and right past two Temple Guards, who didn't even flinch when he passed by them. Luke shot me a glance that made me understand that now wasn't a good time for questions and I resorted to following them to the hangar and then to Padme's apartment via speeder. Luke was piloting the speeder, even when Vader insisted that he knew Coruscant traffic better than anyone else, but both Luke and I weren't particularly fond of being on a seemingly self-driving speeder, so the idea was quickly dropped. Vader had mumbled something about "not turning this into another trench incident", but I was smart enough to restrain myself from asking about it.
The three of us reached Padme's apartment quickly enough and were instantly allowed inside, although I suspect that Vader was using some Sith trick to make the guards ignore protocol and just let us right in. Speaking of Vader, he took the lead as soon as we were allowed to Padme's penthouse and I could swear that I even saw him phasing through the bloody doors before Luke could open them, but that must have just been my eyes playing tricks on me, because such things were simply impossible.
Luke-Are you done pondering about my father's powers? Remember, we need you for this Ben.
Obi Wan-You're right Luke. I failed Anakin once. I won't let him down again.
Vader-Mustafar was not the first letdown, by far, but it was the most painful.
Obi Wan-I'm sorry. I should have been a better Master.
Vader-It wasn't a Master that I needed. It was a friend. The one you never could have been. Be sure to fix your mistake this time around.
Obi Wan-I will. I promise.
Vader-Good. Now, let us proceed.
We all walked further inside the apartment and I caught sight of Anakin and Padme. She had him locked in a hug and was trying to comfort him, but it didn't seem to be working, regardless of how much she tried. Poor Padme. I probably can't even imagine what she's going through right now, with Anakin shaking in her arms, completely and utterly broken. She was holding the man with such love and care, it was surprising me even after learning that he was married to her. He had melted into the hug, trying to give himself even a slither of comfort, but he had yet to succeed in that task. They were so focused on each other that they hadn't noticed any of us three, but I was the only one who seemed to be surprised by that. Luke approached them slowly and Vader hung back, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, like he had done in Anakin's room mere minutes ago.
Luke-Mother?
Padme-Luke? You…you're here!
Luke-Of course I am. Father needs us right now.
Padme-He said that you hated him. That you didn't want to see him again. I was so scared…
Luke-You shouldn't have been. Anakin is just in shock right now.
Padme-Why? What happened?
Luke-Has he said anything to you?
Padme-Only that he's done something terrible. The rest has been a pile of garbled nonsense. Something about "burning in fire" and a duel on the Death Star.
Luke-Oh. Well…
Padme-Please tell me what's wrong with him. I need to know.
Luke-He found out who Vader is. It was too much for him.
Padme-Vader? What…oh no…No it can't be! Please Luke, please tell me it isn't him! Anyone but Anakin!
Luke-I'm sorry mom. I can't lie to you.
A tear left Padme's eye and Vader was suddenly gone from the spot he had been standing in for the past minute or so and had appeared right beside her. She looked at him with a look of pure shock in her eyes and she was probably trying to figure out how he even got there since Luke hadn't mentioned that he was here in the first place, but her shock was replaced by curiosity when he kneeled in front of her.
Dropping on one knee, Vader removed his mask and brought his head to the same height hers was at. He looked her in the eyes, but he said nothing. She studied him for a moment before hugging him fiercely and muttering an apology for judging him. He just stared into her eyes and smiled. He seemed so happy in that moment. It was as if the whole galaxy had disappeared and it was just the two of them. Both broken, but standing proud. Both terrified, but standing bravely. Both alone, but standing together. It was a beautiful moment for everyone present. I knew that tears had started leaving my eyes already, but I didn't have the strength to stop them. Even Anakin had stopped shaking and was staring at the two of them in shock, wondering what in the name of Tatooine, his words and not mine, was he seeing. The silence was broken a couple moments later when Vader said something. It was in such a low voice that no one seemed to have heard him, so he repeated the word. It only served to make the scene in front of me even more beautiful.
Vader-Padme.
Padme-Anakin.
Vader-…Hi.
Padme-Hi to you too.
Vader let out a soft sigh and stood back up, at his full height. No one said anything after seeing his full height and even I must admit that he was more terrifying in this moment than in any of our previous encounters and I don't think it was because of his height or armor. No. We had all seen those before. It was because Vader, the supposed "True" Lord of the Sith, one of the best military commanders in both this and his own time and the man who prided himself for being a literal Master of the Force itself actually looked unsure, as if he didn't know what to do or say. There was something about his presence in the Force that made him terrifying, but at the same time it made him vulnerable, it made him seem broken, defeated and I, or anyone else for that matter, didn't know what to do with that. The older man eventually let out another soft sigh before turning to Anakin, who was completely stunned by his older self's behavior.
Vader-I…assume you have questions.
Anakin-I do. First of all, what the heck was that?
Vader-What was what?
Anakin-That thing you did. With Padme. How the heck did you manage that? I mean, it looked like you found your soulmate or something.
Vader-No, that wasn't it. I just missed her, that's all. You and I are different Anakin. The two of you were meant for each other, but I am not you. There is another person that belongs to me and that I belong to. She isn't the same as the version of her you've met, but she's lovely.
Anakin-Huh. I honestly expected you to turn me to the dark side or something, nothing like this.
Luke-I tried telling you that he's changed.
Anakin-Yeah…I guess you did.
Obi Wan-Well, I'm glad that everyone's getting along now, but-
Vader-No buts old man. I have yet to explain anything and I'm sure that everyone has their fair share of questions.
Padme-That, we do.
Vader-Ugh. I suggest we get this over with…
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how I, Obi Wan Kenobi, ended up having a three-hour-long conversation with my former Jedi Padawan, his wife, their son and a former Sith Lord. There have been times in my life where I thought of what an outsider would be thinking if they ever overheard one of the conversations Anakin and I had, but this was just taking to a whole other level. Sufficed to say, the more painful questions were dealt with first, meaning things like Order 66 and Mustafar, and I could sense that all five of us had found some comfort in this absurd discussion we were having. Speaking of said discussion, it had turned into a mixture of remembering "the good old days", telling war stories and laughing at Anakin and Vader's weird, and sometimes dark, sense of humor while sitting down comfortably inside a Senator's apartment. Huh. Sometimes it's worth wondering what the world has come to.
So…the reveal is finally done! And I have a lot of stuff to explain, but before we get into that I'd like to ask if you enjoyed that last bit with the Forth-Wall Breaking from Obi Wan. I found it a bit weird at first and had to re-write it twelve freaking times to make it work, but I hope it was enjoyable. Now, on to the explanations.
Firstly, I sincerely hope that you believe Anakin's reaction is plausible. I mean, Anakin overreacts to everything so something this big would be a massive hit in the gut, especially when we're talking about a guy known for jumping to conclusions and being the rashest person in the Star Wars universe. I'm sure that you all expected him to take it really badly and I hope that I didn't overdo it him going nuts.
Secondly, I hope that Obi Wan and Padme are believable as well, but I think I did a great job with those two because I have them react very in-character. Obi Wan was going to leave Anakin alone and not be there for him if Luke hadn't corrected the Jedi Master's mistake and the first time we see Padme she's doing everything she can to comfort Anakin while pushing her own fears aside so she can focus on the task at hand.
Lastly, I think that Vader's reaction to actually seeing Padme for the first time in decades is appropriate (and I mean actually see her with his own eyes and not through the lenses of his mask or a hologram) because he'll always love Padme. He's still part-Anakin so that makes sense to me and I also think that Vader's explanation of "things have changed and I know I'm not meant for you" makes sense to you guys because I can honestly see it working from here. Vader and Ahsoka aren't the same people they used to be nearly two decades earlier. War and experiences have changed both of them and it wouldn't make sense for them to love the same people. Vader does love Padme, but not in the way Anakin does. He'll do anything he can to keep her safe, but he doesn't want to be with her. Ahsoka on the other hand used to have a crush on the seemingly perfect Anakin Skywalker (in this story's canon), but now she's able to accept Vader's (many) flaws and see past them, thus allowing herself to see who he truly is behind the mask, literally and figuratively.
Okay, I think I've explained everything well enough for you guys. Don't hesitate to PM me if you have any questions (I'll be happy to answer) and make sure to review my work and tell me what you think! I'm trying to improve as much as possible so constructive criticism is more than welcome, but no hating or flames please. Anyways, I'll see you all in chapter 31, but until then, May the Force be with you!