Redemption; Chapter 2

It was probably the smell of molten rock that woke him.

Or the not-breathing…

Yeah, it was definitely the not-breathing.

Anakin-Vader (whatever he was calling himself right now, because he sure didn't feel he deserved either) had gotten so used to the respirator, that his lungs couldn't remember how to properly breathe. He inhaled, slowly. Then exhaled.

Then forgot to breathe when it registered he wasn't in his suit.

He inhaled and exhaled again. And a few more times. Kriff, it felt so good to properly breathe again.

Of course, breathing actually made it worse. The smoke, combined with the heat, sounds of lava and shouting brought him to his senses.

Oh force. He was back on Mustafar.

His eyes flew open, wide.

Then he closed them, blinded by the glow of the lava.

Kriff, why was everything so bright?

It dawned on him.

Tentatively he reached up and touched his chest. It- he choked for a moment. It was the outfit he had worn during the Clone Wars, before the Empire.

If he was wearing this…

Ahsoka!

He reached out with the force. Her presence was there, strong and sturdy as ever. Good.

But Ahsoka hadn't been on Mustafar.

And if he wasn't on Mustafar…

Mortis. His baffled brain spat at him. That kriffing planet.

Nothing made sense anymore! What had the force done now? Was this some vision? Why was he in Mortis, wearing his old armour and feeling.. So good!

Vader (He had decided to call himself that, it felt easier.) abruptly sat up, marvelling at the sensation of having arms again. He ran his hands through his hair, shellshocked.

"Master?"

His heart skipped a beat.

He turned around to see…

"Ahsoka..?" He whispered.

He had last seen her on Malachor, where she had sacrificed herself to save the other rebels. (She definitely got that from him) She had stood strong, tall and proud.

And here she was, doing the same thing, only she was 15 and wearing her unmistakable concerned expression.

I won't leave you! Not this time!

Then you shall die.

A wave of guilt, anger and dread crashed over him.

"Ahsoka, I'm-"

He sensed someone he hadn't felt since that fateful day on the first Death Star.

"Obiwan…" He growled, hatred rising in his throat. That man had deprived him of his limbs, pride and his children, for Force's sake. His mind finally kicked in.

He was a general. He was the Emperor's apprentice. He basically ruled the Galaxy.

And here he was cowering like a child.

Suddenly he was on his feet, he snarled and grabbed for his lightsaber.

Oh yeah. The Son took it.

Force, it was hard to think when right now was twenty years ago.

Ahsoka and Obiwan glanced at each other, clearly concerned.

"Anakin, whatever the Son did to you, we can help."

were playing that game.

Time for Plan B.

Intimidation.

Vader straightened, hands behind his back as he glared at Obiwan, delighting in the shocked look in his eyes, mirrored in Ahsoka's.

"Well, Kenobi, it's been a while. You too, Tano. I believed you both dead."

They had a surprised look on their faces. He let the gold seep into his eyes, enjoying the power it brought.

"Anakin, we've been here the whole time. What-"
"Don't. Interrupt. Me." The dark side laced his words, feeling like an old friend.

An old friend who made you kill your old Master and former Padawan. An old friend who was used by Sidious to nearly kill your son. An old friend who kept you chained up like a slave for the past twenty five years. It's almost ironic how your life went full circle…

He blinked, his rigid composure falling for a moment.

Ahsoka and Obiwan looked on in absolute shock and confusion.

One of them started talking.

Vader wasn't listening. He was trying to hear the voice in his head.

Like I said, this is a second chance. Use it wisely.

Suddenly Vader-no, Anakin, felt like he'd just come up from a deep dive, taking a breath of fresh air. He staggered, clutching his head, overwhelmed.

The literal Force had just spoken to him.

It was enough to make anyone light-headed.