Vader's Angel

By: wertman25

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars…. Or Anakin Skywalker… Which is a pity…

The ground shook, the buildings cracked, and then the whole world seemed to stop. Hell itself had frozen over because the Devil himself had taken to the streets.

Vader gritted his teeth, his frustration and anger overwhelming him. Threatening to over take him. His heart was pounding in his ears and his blood was boiling like lava. He stormed through the crowd of people, not bothering to stay in the shadows any longer. The onlookers fled at the first sight of him, letting out gasps and cries of fear. Vader ignored them, hoping they were intelligent enough to make a smart decision.

They were.

Every person that laid eyes on Vader bolted for cover. Each one knowing that if they valued their lives, they would move out of his path. Every single being that he passed could feel the new level of anger that was bestowed upon him. Vader never took to the streets; the shadows and darkness were his home. If the Dark Lord chose the streets over his darkness, something was very wrong.

Vader's fists clenched at his sides, trying to stay in control; ignoring the desire to kill everyone in his path. After obliterating the annoyance known as Rush Clovis, Vader was craving the taste for more blood, for more suffering, for more death. It had been too long since he had quenched his thirst and it was only getting worse. That fact made Vader question his decision about not killing the insignificant pests around him. After all, they were only insignificant, little, pests that meant nothing to the galaxy. He knew hundreds of different ways to kill the onlookers around him, and could make half of the ways look like an accident.

Quickly weighing his options, Vader decided against it. Knowing his Master would already be displeased with his actions that took place over the dreadful night. Not only would he have to endure punishment for Rush Clovis and Senator Amidala, but now this. His mission was to stay hidden, not take to the streets like a common citizen… or perhaps in his case, an evil monster out for blood. It would be all over the HoloNet and that would make the Emperor displeased. Perhaps, not because Vader had done it; but because he had done it without his presence. It would make the Emperor seem powerless over Vader that Vader was the stronger man, and that would just not do.

Without warning, speeders, droids, signs, and windows shattered into a million pieces as a result of Vader's rage. He made it obvious that if the people could not be his victims, then everything else could. Screams echoed throughout his path as the recently exploded objects took fire or exploded violently, but unlike everyone else, Vader was unaffected. He did not care.

There was still no relief for Vader's anger, his blood continued to boil through his veins. His thoughts dwelled on what would conspire when he reached his Master's office. He would be tortured for hours, if not days, for what he had done wrong. Not to mention the countless other excuses the Emperor would add to the list, just so Vader would have to endure more pain. No doubt the old man already felt his anger, the whole city could. Vader could already feel his Master calling to him through the Force, pulling him like a pet through the bond they shared. He required his presence and Vader was forced to obey, just like a common slave.

He hated to admit the fact he was a slave. He had been a slave all his life; first on Tatooine to Gardulla the Hutt, then to Watto the Toydarian, and now to Darth Sidious, The Emperor, Lord of the Sith, his Master. Vader knew he was a slave, built to do his Master's bidding; but no one would tell him that. No one would remind him of the truth… and if someone did… Rush Clovis was an example of that.

What seemed like minutes later, Lord Vader arrived at the Imperial Senate building. He wasted no time, walking directly towards the Emperor's private office ignoring the looks of the frightened Senators that he passed. When he arrived, the guards let him in without delaying, wither it was due to his own anger or the Emperor's anger, Vader didn't know. But then again, he didn't care. It would not make a difference.

He entered the dark room and heard the doors firmly shut behind him. A familiar greeting for when he was about to be disciplined for one of his actions. The darkness did not faze Vader, for he was well adapted to the dark and had the Force on his side. Effortlessly, he walked through the dark, pausing before a large armchair, and kneeling to the ground. A gesture that showed that he was still only a puppet to the real performer.

A moment passed in silence and Vader knew his Master was using the Force to read him. The old man was making sure he acquired whatever knowledge Vader had secured from the dreadful night of being with the Senator. He wanted to make sure not to lose the information during torture. The mission was not a complete failure, even though his Master would never admit as much.

"Rise, my servant." Sidious finally acknowledged, picking his words correctly so that it would flare Vader's already boiling anger.

Vader did as he was told, accepting his Master's words without a complaint. At standing position, Vader once again towered easily over the old man. However, he still remained the humble servant and Sidious his devoted Master.

Slowly, his master rose from his chair and moved slowly towards his dark disciple. "Such arrogance, Lord Vader," Palpatine snapped. "To make such a decision without my command or approval."

Vader knew the Emperor did not want apologies; he did not care for them. Apologies were a sign of weakness. "He deserved to die." Vader replied, unable to think of a better reason.

"I suppose," his master agreed slowly, "but at the right time, my apprentice."

Vader remained silent, knowing better than to prolong the inevitable.

"If I am not mistaken," Sidious continued, "it was your mission to stay unnoticed. It was your responsibility to get me answers. It appears you have failed me. You disappoint me, Lord Vader. I expected more."

"I am aware of my failure, my master..." he replied simply.

"Very well." Sidious sighed, "I hate to do this to you, Vader."

Liar.

"But you leave me no choice."

I know.

"You must be punished."

Failure is unacceptable.

Every torture that was inflicted upon Vader was different. There was never a way for the Dark Lord of the Sith to prepare for the pain he was going to endure. This particular torture, Vader loathed. He preferred physical pain, not mental.

His Master slowly invaded his mind, penetrating areas so deep that if possible, they would have been erased from his mind completely. The areas that Vader had buried so deep down, that even he couldn't find. They were memories of a boy that was long gone; a boy that had died many years ago, but still Vader felt the pain. It felt as if Sidious had a knife and was cutting inch by inch into his mind, searching for the right place to start. He searched and searched until he found the most painful of memories, allowing them to play through Vader's mind, forcing him to remember a life long gone. A life that could never be again.

His mother kicked the man hard, knocking him backwards with a loud groan. She didn't waste any effort trying to free herself, only throwing her son forward. "Run, Anakin!" she screamed, her voice hard but frantic., "Run! I'm right behind you!"

Anakin pushed himself from the ground stumbling forward as he tried to find his footing. But before he could make it through the doorway, a strange sound sounded from behind him. He couldn't help but to glance to look, and froze instantly at the sight he saw.

"Mom!" he screamed… but it was already too late.

"Ani!" His mother screamed at the sight of seeing her son stop, unaware of her own fate. His name was his mother's last word before the red blade was pushed through her chest. Anakin saw the entire scene happen before him, and watched as his mother's body fell to the ground, lifeless.

This world shattered. "No!" Anakin screamed.

Countless memories played across Vader's eyes, reminding him of his other failures in life and what those failures had resulted. The pain that followed was almost unbearable, but Vader did not show any sign of weakness. He knew better. This painful recollection wasn't just about the failed missions; that would be too simple. The Emperor was reminding him of his true purpose in life, what he was trained for, what the future had in store for him. If the Dark Lord had any sense, he would remember that fact well.

After hours of inflicting pain, Vader's body felt shattered and broken; but he would not show any more pain to his Master. If he did, the pain would never stop. So instead, Vader stood tall and silent; waiting for further demands.

"It seems a part of Skywalker still exists." Sidious sneered, "That will not do Vader."

Both men knew the statement was untrue. Skywalker had died years ago. The Emperor always mentioned Skywalker to get Vader's anger back to boiling point. It always did the trick.

"He does not exist, Master." Vader retorted, knowing it was the truth. "They are memories of a man, long gone."

"The man is gone," Sidious grinned flashing his yellow teeth in the darkness, "but the pain still remains… How interesting." His voice was venomous and it made even Vader become uneasy. "I look forward for the day all traces of that man burns."

Vader's breath hitched, but he quickly controlled it, pushing the memory that caused the change in his breathing deep down.

"As do I, my Master." He agreed, eyes never meeting his Master's. Vader knew what the future held for him, as he was reminded minutes ago, as well as everyday of his entire life. The Emperor always reminded him of his destiny. It was only a matter of time before the future became real.

Sidious frowned, turning his back on his apprentice and walked to his window that looked over Coruscant. "Your present mission is to be put on hold, Vader." He announced slowly. "I have a marvelous plan and I need to back in battle to accomplish it."

Under Construction

I apologize, but the second half of the chapter has been deleted for rewriting purposes.

The whole chapter will be added in the nest few days.

If you are a new reader, please be aware of some changes.

You may continue on, just know that Padme has been placed into Darth Vader's "protection"

Author's Note: Thanks! Drop a review on!