Chapter 2 – The Merge

Author's Note: Enjoy the unfolding chaos! :D

To Guest: I'm glad that you're enjoying this story! And yeah, that would be such a cool idea. I think we might write something like that some day, now that you've mentioned it. ;) Thanks for reviewing! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

Ahsoka has absolutely no idea what Anakin was thinking, leaving with those Sith like that. If they had all attacked them, maybe they would have been able to escape, at least. She should have been with him!

Although she has to admit it's good that someone is able to tell the Council. If only they were able to track where those Sith were going. She didn't have time to tell someone to track the trajectory they took when they jumped to hyperspace, thanks to the battle that's still raging. And with both Anakin and Obi-Wan gone, Ahsoka suddenly doesn't know what to do next.

She's in charge of the 501st until he gets back, and she needs to warn Plo about what happened. And considering that they have six new Sith to deal with, she's pretty sure that takes precedence over fighting the battle right now. It's hard to establish a proper, uninterrupted comm connection with him but she somehow succeeds. "Master Plo, there's a bit of an emergency," she begins in a rush. "These... crazy Sith appeared and they claim that they reality-jumped or something, and one of them looks just like my master, except he's much older, and he had at least five others there, and one of them looked just like me! And they captured Master Kenobi! And – and Anakin went with them and I have no idea what he's thinking!" She doesn't care that she sounds like she's shrieking half-hysterically, because she has a very, very good reason to panic right about now.

She is not panicking though. She is not.

"Slow down," he chides. "How can you be sure they were Sith?"

"They said so! And they had red lightsabers and were using the Dark Side!"

"And you said they just appeared?"

"Yes! There was a disturbance in the Force and suddenly they were just there!"

"I sensed a disturbance as well," Plo muses, a distinct note of worry in his voice, "Why did your master go with them?"

"They offered to let both of us come! And he wouldn't let them take Master Kenobi alone."

"However they came here, they could well be allied with the Separatists."

"I don't know," she objects, "One of them crushed a bunch of the droids with the Force. But they still obviously hate the Jedi, so I don't understand why they offered to let us come!"

"This is... disturbing. I will relate this information to the Council," he decides."They will likely want to personally hear all the details about these Sith from you. Where are they now?"

"They left the planet, and I wasn't able to track them."

"Focus on the battle," Plo instructs, at last, "I will contact you when I know how we will proceed. May the Force be with you."

**w**

Vader enters the room Anakin is staying in. The ride to Mustafar is quite long, so they have time, and he would very much like to speak with his... younger, Jedi counterpart.

He's still sitting next to Obi-Wan, where the twins said he's been this entire time. "What do you want with him?" Anakin asks, expression guarded, holding Obi-Wan's hand tightly. "Where are you taking us?" His fear might be well shielded to most others, but Vader can still sense it as strongly as ever. It feeds back into the Force, fueling the Dark Side, fueling Vader.

"He was my master, too," Vader replies, considering the question. He doesn't know how the Jedi will feel about what he's planning, though he'll go through with it regardless.

"Luke told me," Anakin answers, warily, "But what happened to... yours?"

A fresh wave of pain runs through him, as memories of that moment flicker to the front of his mind. "He's gone."

Anakin's hand tightens almost instinctively on Obi-Wan's, and Vader longs for nothing more in that moment than to be with Athair again.

"We were fighting another Sith – Darth Sidious –" Vader doesn't miss how Anakin perks up at that name. He'll ask him about that later. "- Because we knew he would destroy the galaxy and the Sith Order, if he continued to rule the Empire. We won, but not without cost."

"I'm sorry," Anakin says quietly. "I can't imagine a life without him."

"I couldn't, either," Vader admits, "Until he was gone. That is why I spent years searching for a way to return to the past and change it. But we came here instead."

"You'll take him with you?" Anakin asks, dread coiling within him.

Vader glances down at their master, then back again. In truth, he's not sure. He assumed so before, but... he doesn't know if his master would want to go. "Perhaps," he answers finally.

"You can't!" Anakin hisses. "He belongs here!"

Vader can feel his fear. He's afraid of being alone – something Vader himself knows well. He still is, though he has a family now. He has no reason to fear losing them. "You can come."

"It's not that simple. I – we have a life here. I have a padawan. I'm married and – and I can't leave the Order. I'm needed here. The Jedi need me. Obi-Wan would never leave the Order, either. You can't take him away from that."

"If what we're planning works, that will not be a concern."

"What will you do with him?"

Vader dodged the question earlier, but he doesn't know how to now. "Nothing for certain," he replies. "I will not take him from you. I know the pain of that loss, and I will not cause it to another. Not to you."

"You're a Sith," Anakin replies doubtfully. "Why would you care?"

"We feed off pain," he answers consideringly after a brief pause. "Yours fuels the Dark Side, the strongest of all those I have ever known. We are strong in the Force. Your pain is... unnatural. The Sith of previous generations have caused destruction to satisfy the Dark Side's demand, but we turn to helping others."

Anakin seems... uncertain. "The Sith here are not like that," he says, at length.

"I imagine not. There are not many who are," Vader replies. "We changed after we destroyed Sidious. We wanted freedom he was unwilling to give us. The galaxy flourished under our rule."

Anakin seems to be considering that, likely comparing it with the state of his own reality. There's a lot more for them to discuss – because Vader has every intention of bringing up the Dark Side – but he thinks that can wait until after he has Athair back.

**w**

When the ship finally comes out of hyperspace above Mustafar, Angelus doesn't think she's been more relieved to feel the Dark Side so strongly. She was beginning to get worried that maybe Rapax was right about it being a Light Side nexus.

The planet looks the same it did in their reality from space, but she keeps an eye out for anything different as Vader directs the shuttle down for the surface, towards where the Dark Side nexus was strongest in their own reality. The place does look a little different, and some of the structures here definitely weren't in their reality, but that's hardly a surprise.

"Someone has been here," Vader says suddenly, glancing over at her and Rapax.

Angelus frowns, reaching out with the Force. It takes her longer – unsurprisingly – but she quickly picks up on what Vader was sensing. The Dark Side isn't still here, as though it's hardly used. An active user has been here recently.

And there's apparently only two Sith here, which means it must be one of them.

Not that it really matters since they'll be going back to their own reality, but it is possible they could encounter an unfriendly Sith Lord while they're here. They should be able to handle it, but Angelus can't forget what happened when they fought Sidious.

He wasn't the last Sith they fought, but he was by far the most powerful and unforgettable. And she has no way of knowing what the Sith here might be like. They can handle almost anything, but fighting Sidious taught all of them a lesson not easily forgotten. No one came out unscathed, even if the costs were different.

The cybernetics in her spine, and her metal leg won't let her forget it, even if they occasionally give her some advantages.

Anakin is still looking none too happy about the situation, but he doesn't bother to argue with them again as Vader carries Obi-Wan off the shuttle.

Angelus finds it beyond weird to see such a young version of her husband, especially one who's a Jedi. He's not much older than Luke at this point – Anakin is twenty and Luke is fourteen – but he isn't Vader, so it doesn't matter.

"You can stay here if you don't interfere," Vader tells Anakin, as they prepare to start the ritual.

It will work, and then... Athair will be back, after all these years. It's been so long, she's long since moved past his death – she never knew him that well, anyway – but Vader never did, and now the moment has finally come.

**w**

The Force surges around Vader, and he reaches steadily deeper into it, feeling Angelus and Rapax doing likewise. They were prepared to give Athair his memories of what happened in case they didn't land at quite the right time they intended to – it was always a possibility – so he knows how to do it. Transferring his memories to this other Obi-Wan is a little more difficult – and Vader imagines it may be initially a little confusing when he wakes up – but it's working.

Luke, Leia, Mara, and Anakin are watching, though they stay out of the way, even if he can feel Anakin's... wariness over what they're doing. He doesn't let that distract him, focusing only on the moment he's been waiting for all this time. The last time he used the Force this deeply was when they reality jumped in the first place.

He feels it, the moment the transfer is complete. He lets the go of his hold on the Force, letting the whirling currents fade back to normal.

Obi-Wan still doesn't move, but his presence feels different now, in the Force. He's not Light like he was before, but he isn't dark the way Athair was either.

And he can feel the long broken bond there in his mind again. After fourteen years... he's back. This is what they've worked for all this time.

Obi-Wan finally stirs, opening his eyes. They're yellow, Vader notices instantly.

"Master," Vader breaths, past the surge of emotion swelling inside of him. He takes a step closer, kneeling on the floor. He's his master, after all, and the highest ranking Sith now. The others immediately follow suit – other than Anakin, obviously, who's standing on the far side of the room with his arms crossed, though Vader is too distracted to pay him much attention right now.

Athair stands, after a few moments, glancing briefly around the room. "Rise."

They stand up, and Vader finds himself at a sudden loss for words. For Athair, it hasn't been any time since his death, but for him it's been fourteen years.

"You've grown up," his master observes.

"I – I missed you," Vader breaths, and for a fleeting moment, he almost feels like a child again. Athair steps closer, wrapping his arms around him, and he hugs him back tightly, almost afraid he'll disappear again if he lets go. It's been so long; he's missed this so much.

"How long has it been?"

"Over fourteen years," Rapax replies, "We did kill Sidious, though."

"I knew you would," Athair replies, as they pull apart – much too soon – and he looks to the three youngest Sith. "These are... your children?"

"Luke and Leia are," Vader answers, "And Mara will be Rapax's apprentice."

Athair turns to eye him again, looking... he can't label it. "You're as old as I am."

Vader doesn't know what to say to that. It's strange, but he hardly cares. At least he's here again. It must be far weirder for Athair, though.

"It took us a long time to figure out how to do it," Angelus explains, "And we still ended up in the wrong reality."

"We were intending to come to the past, but it didn't work how we expected," Vader adds.

"I do not find that a surprise," Athair says, with mild amusement, "What happened after Sidious died?"

"Sabe became the Empress," Rapax replies.

"Did you intend to return?" he inquires.

"I don't know," Vader admits, "We knew it was a possibility that we would not and Sabe is prepared for us not to return, but I was under the assumption we would. What do you say, Master?"

Athair looks past him, gaze setting on Anakin for a moment, who's still standing in the corner, looking a mixture of wary, uncertain, and uncomfortable.

"We can restart here," Athair replies, "The galaxy is in chaos and will destroy itself in time if no one prevents it." Vader expected as much. He doesn't mind staying. Starting over here with his mater will be... easier than going back to his own universe, and him assuming control of the Empire after it's already been known for so many years that he's dead.

"But," he continues, "You must know that Sidious here is alive."

Vader freezes, heart rate spiking. No. They can't have come this far, only to lose someone else when they have to destroy Sidious again. They're far more powerful now, and they'd be able to defeat him far easier, but that doesn't stop his rising fear. They can't go through that again, not after he has his master back.

Athair reaches over, resting a comforting hand on his arm. "We don't know if he's the same. So much about this reality is different, and he's far less powerful than you are now," he reassures, "Defeating him here should not be as difficult, and I know how he fights. He won't be expecting it." Of course, Athair would know, because Sidious trained him, after his first master had died. In some ways, Vader thinks that's why Sidious was so bent on killing him – as a final act of revenge for his apprentice betraying him. But he wasn't Sidious' apprentice here, so the Sith shouldn't see it coming. Or so he can hope.

"One of the Sith has been here recently," Angelus interjects, "But we didn't take the time to investigate."

"First..." Athair steps past them, stepping towards his other former apprentice. "Anakin?"

Anakin starts, moving forwards. His wariness spikes into the Force. "Yes?"

"Come with me," he requests.

The two of them head out of the room, and Vader finally turns his gaze back to the others. He misses being near Athair already, but he knows he'll be back soon enough. For now, they have planning to do.

**w**

Anakin doesn't know what to think of any of this. Whatever the Sith did to Obi-Wan, he now remembers his lifetime with them too – Anakin can't blame Vader for his determination to bring his master back; he would do the same, would have done the same for his mother if he knew how – but now Obi-Wan is a Sith. Or at least Anakin thinks he is, if the color of his eyes is anything to go by. He feels a lot darker too, even if not as much as the other Sith.

He... technically just betrayed everything the Jedi believe in, but at the same time, he remembers an entire life as a Sith, so that's not really a surprise. But Anakin doesn't know how to act or what to say. This isn't the same Obi-Wan he was fighting alongside only hours ago. He's different, and... Anakin doesn't know where his loyalties lie or anything.

He walks alongside him in silence until they're out of earshot of the rest of the Sith. He probably doesn't need to be so on edge right now, because this is still Obi-Wan, but... He doesn't know what to expect or what to say.

"Anakin, I imagine you have questions."

"How can you do this?" he blurts out. "You're a Sith, Master. Aren't you? You know I..."

"Where I lived," Obi-Wan replies, "We had a prophecy of the Sith'ari much like the Chosen One. I imagine you know what that said."

Anakin nods slightly. He can guess, and he doesn't want to think about it.

"I need time to sort this through," he continues, "But I have seen more of the Force now. I would like to teach you, if you are willing."

It's only through sheer willpower that he doesn't back away. "You want me to learn the Dark Side." It's so outrageous, Anakin isn't convinced this is no more than a terrible nightmare. He wants it to be.

"I don't want to change who you are. I have Vader already, but if you are willing..."

"I'm a Jedi," Anakin snaps. "Just as you taught me. I won't leave this path."

"So long as you don't fall with the Order, it matters little. The Jedi lack the strength we need to survive in this galaxy."

"Now what?" he asks, hating how vulnerable he feels. Anakin knows the Jedi will never allow these Sith to remain on the loose in Republic territory. "What will you do? Will you stay here?"

"I won't leave either of you," he answers. "We must decide our next course of action, but I'm not leaving you."

Anakin is not entirely certain if he should be relieved or worried about that. He doesn't know what to think about anything anymore, and he hates this. Obi-Wan is not acting particularly hostile towards him but it's hard to say what he wants, and the others haven't made a move to hurt him, but it's hard to say what they're playing at. For all Anakin knows, they could be trying to gain his trust.

"What are you planning?" he asks, warily.

"We have to stop Sidious, and the war," Obi-Wan explains, "But we must confirm his identity first." It sounds fine, but... Anakin doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know if he's going to like whatever the Sith will have in mind to do, even if from what he's seen so far, they aren't evil. They're just... different. The Jedi say all Sith are evil, but these are nothing like Dooku or Ventress. Still, he has no delusion that they can be dark if they feel the need to be.

"You might know who Sidious is?"

His expression darkens. "I know who he was in the other reality, but I do not know if he is the same here. Speculating is pointless, until we know for sure." Which sounds like a roundabout way of saying that he doesn't want to tell him right now, which Anakin can understand.

At least this will bring them one step closer to ending the war, but it raises so many other problems. "You know what the Jedi will do," Anakin points out.

"There is nothing they can do against us, as long as they can't find us," Obi-Wan replies, "And by the time they do, we must be ready."

He does not like how Obi-Wan says it. His unhappiness must be obvious enough, because his former master keeps talking. "Our goal here is the same as the Jedi, Anakin, but we can achieve what they will never hope to. I have no desire to fight them. If we do, it will be because of them."

That's only mildly reassuring, but at least hopefully,this means they don't have any intention of starting a fight with the Jedi. If they did... He doesn't want to think about it, what he should choose in a situation like that. He doesn't like how things have changed so much with Obi-Wan, but still he can't fault Vader for what he did.

"I know this is... not an easy situation for you, Anakin," Obi-Wan says, laying a hand on his arm.

"I... I don't know what to do," he confesses.

"You wait here, until we figure out what to do. You cannot go back to the Jedi right now, without leading them to the others." He's quiet for a pause. "I won't put you in a situation that you aren't comfortable with." Maybe he does understand what Anakin's so worried about.

He doesn't know if that will really be within Obi-Wan's control, though. Still, he remembers his life as a Jedi. Whatever he's planning to do with the other Sith, it wouldn't be... bad, would it? He can only hope.

**w**

They leave the three younger Sith with Anakin, and Rapax and the other three head somewhere privately so that they can talk. She doesn't know what to think of Anakin – except that they reallyought to get him to join them – but for as long as he's a Jedi, she won't let herself trust him. She doesn't think he would betray them, or at least Vader and Athair must not think so, but it's not worth the risk. It's better if he doesn't know more about what they're planning than he needs to.

"Right now, no one knows about us," Angelus points out, "We need support if we intend to rule the galaxy."

"The Republic and Separatists are too taken up with the war right now to focus on anything else," Athair declares, "We would likely get little attention from either side. You would have to start elsewhere."

"Perhaps in the Outer Rim?" Vader proposes, "That is where we should start, if we mean to destroy slavery."

"We were working on this in our own reality already," Rapax declares, "Assuming it's the same here, it will give us the foreknowledge we need."

"It would give us the support we need, over time," Angelus agrees. "With what you said about the Republic, even if the Chancellor is overthrown, the Senators will still have no interest in restoring peace unless they are forced to. The only thing that will unite the galaxy is an Empire."

"The Hutts are allied with the Republic, but if they actually needed help, it's unlikely the Senate would spare any resources for them, especially if there was no obvious involvement from the Separatists," Athair continues.

"Then we can begin there," Vader decides, "What about you, Master?"

"We will have a greater advantage in taking over the Republic if I remain on the Council," Athair replies, "I will have to return to Coruscant with Anakin. We can tell them that we... escaped."

"Are you planning to turn him?" Vader asks.

"If he does, it will be by his own choice."

Rapax frowns. That's... not what she was expecting to hear. She doesn't think Athair before he was merged would have cared about that, but he is different now. She's not sure how much she likes this change.

"He already knows enough that it could be risky for us," Angelus objects.

"If he's as powerful as Vader, his help will be appreciated," Rapax agrees.

Athair's expression very much implies he has no interest in arguing about this. "He will not betray me, and I will not force him down this path unless he chooses it."

"It will only make him stronger."

"It will hurt him," Athair corrects, "And I have no desire to do that."

"You hurt me, sometimes," Vader replies quietly. "You said it helped me learn. That it made me stronger."

"Sometimes," Atheir corrects. "This boy is... much older. It would take breaking him entirely to turn him. That is how it is for all Jedi, save the younger ones. He has been brainwashed by their ideals. The most we can hope for is that he accepts our ways, and perhaps eventually, comes to us."

"You've changed," Angelus realizes incredulously. "You are not the same Sith who led us years ago."

"I lived my life as a Jedi, too." He smiles, though there's no humor in it. "There is much to learn from the Jedi, even if the Sith are stronger."

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