Old Enemies: Darth Vader vs Mace Windu

by Ambidextrous Snake

An ancient Jedi Master, the last remnant of the ruined Jedi Order miraculously survives. Before Luke can join his father's side as a Sith Lord, Darth Vader must ensure no Jedi hermits remain. Darth Vader's task, in his eyes, is once again personal. If Old Ben had completed Vader's transition to the dark side, then Mace Windu certainly set it in motion. The rivalry ends on Geonosis.

1. Prologue

Old Enemies: Mace Windu vs Darth Vader

[Though not recommended, if you want the duel, skip to Chapter III]

"Impossible...We destroyed him."

"It would seem he has, after all this time….survived his injuries."

"No-one could have survived that fall. You showed him the true nature of the Force, my Master."

"Now he is but a bleeding wound in the Force. Lord Vader, find him. Finish what you started."

"He will be destroyed as you command, Master."

The screen switched off, leaving the room a dimly lit retreat for Darth Vader. He held his kneeling position for a moment, processing what his Master had told him. Vader exhaled - a long, mechanical sigh. He raised himself to stand, letting out a long, mechanical exhale. He curled his right hand into a fist until the hydraulics of his fingers whimpered under the pressure. He felt himself convulsing, burning, dying all over again. The past was never the past, not for him. His mind raced with rage. The one person to match his hatred for Obi-Wan, was alive. The Jedi hypocrite, finally come to die with his ancient Order.

The very atmosphere of the isolated room turned ice cold, Vader only saw darkness in front of him. Both his gloved fists were so tightly clenched they shook under his strength. Panels strutted along the walls of the room too, began to shake violently. The lights flickered on and off, ready to blow at any moment.

"Sorry to disturb you Lord Vader-" Admiral Piett walked in on Vader, being silenced by the eery, seemingly alive room. As soon as Vader heard his subordinate's voice, the lights were back to normal, the room stopped shaking, and Vader released himself of these troubling thoughts.

"Admiral." Darth Vader did not turn to face his subordinate, nor did he need to. He listened.

Piett glanced around the room as he spoke, puzzled by what he thought he saw. Some kind of power cut maybe, the rumours about Vader's sorcerous ways were just rumours, after all. Empire propaganda to frighten dissenters no doubt. He cleared his throat.

"Our spies believe they have located the fugitive."

There was a pause. "We have ISB on standby. Should we bring him in for questioning?" He asked timidly.

"No." Darth Vader turned abruptly. "I will deal with this Jedi traitor myself."

"Apologies my Lord...But, the Jedi have been extinct for years…" Piett questioned, believing this to be some kind of wild goose chase, as Jedi sightings usually were.

"And so they will be again. Bring me my shuttle." Darth Vader exited the room with the kind of disturbing motivation that was rarely seen aboard an Imperial star destroyer.