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Chapter 11: Change

At Vader's declaration, I felt like I was almost deflating at my renewed grief for the Empire and my captivity. My throat hurt nearly as much as the Force-choking months ago. I leaned my cheek against Leia's head, not looking as my other arm was cuffed again, too.

I should be better than this, but the Force rarely even whispered guidance to me anymore.

I leached and purged the bitterness as fast as I could, reminded that for all the toys and fine things, this was not a healthy place for children. Even a pit of villainy would be safer than this palace for the children or me.

Vader left soon after, taking most of the light in the room with Leia and Luke.

He also took some of the darkness.

I forced myself to meditate, then ate with Rex and slept.

The next two days passed in a similar way. I rested, I ate, I meditated, I walked and then exercised, I visited with Rex, and I thought about what I needed to do to get the twins away from this pit.

Vader would have to wait, he chose to be here.

He did bring the children to visit both days and they were happy to crawl all over me and chatter.

We didn't speak much.

The third morning, Kix entered while I was meditating. "I wonder if this was a record, General. I don't think I remember a case where you didn't sneak out."

I smiled, for he meant well. "We were very active in those days, Kix. Actually we were, I was, always active from the time I was a Padawan studying under Master Jinn. I could not in good conscience remain at leisure when people were in danger or disputes became war."

"That's part of why you were one of the best generals, sir. You didn't abandon your duties."

I had to look away. "I missed too many other things in the chaos. Senator Amidala should not have died." Neither should the Republic nor the Light in my brother.

Kix coughed uncomfortably. "If we do one more check on your healing, you can return to your rooms, General."

He had no argument from me, and soon I was hurrying back up to my rooms with Rex trailing me. Worker droids were finishing repairs in the hall and some rooms, and I realized that the rooms remained somewhat intact since they were abandoned.

Maybe I could make use of that.

We moved past the repair work, and my door looked undamaged. The old label the Order placed still remained- still saying 'Kenobi – Skywalker.' I was surprised he hadn't ordered the worn label removed.

"I'll be glad to sleep in a regular bed, Rex, instead of the healing hall." I slowed as I reached the doorway of my cell with two of the Stormtroopers outside.

"No, we didn't know that about you at all, General. You always evaded medical attention going in or coming out." Rex's sarcasm was high. "The only times you could be corralled was when General Skywalker was hurt."

I had to take a deep breath at feeling the darker Force-presence inside. "That does not matter now, if it ever did."

Those days were gone.

Reaching out, I opened the door and entered, alone.

Vader sat at the low table, in black, with the twins pushing and rolling his helmet across the floor. "At last, my old Master. You are back where you belong."

I nodded, with nothing else to say.

"The first thing to address is the danger the children were in." Vader's words were like rust grinding. "You need to be more capable. You will spar and train in the old training rooms daily. We will spar in the mornings I am here, my children will not be at risk while I am away."

I nodded. I could not disagree. My last duel was against General Grievous months ago. It was clear at Geonosis that too many Jedi only trained katas in formal serenity and not for battle.

"Fine." Drawing from his cloak, he tossed something at me.

I almost could not believe it was my light saber. I turned it over, looking to damage or modifications, without finding any.

"Be careful with it. How you use that, is your life. The bounty on Jedi is very large." Vader was smirking, but his golden eyes were serious. "Misusing it will have consequences for more than yourself."

I controlled my reaction to the Darkness in his threat, appearing calm, but this opened so many options for me. Beyond all that, I felt more whole again, to have that symbol and pledge returned to me.

Even breathing was easier.

"We're going. Get the twins and the damn droid, now."

It seemed only moments before we were in one of the larger training rooms where the air seemed flat and dull. This room once hosted tournaments of dozens if not hundreds of Jedi. The five of us echoed in a hall that should have had dust and spiderwebs, but did not.

So, we sparred after some warm-up. I was uncomfortable with merely sparring against his bleeding red saber. Actually, I felt unrest around and through me.

I had trained all my life to fight Sith, decisively, even brutally, to defend and protect others… and survive.

I defeated a Sith Apprentice and was knighted for it.

I fought Apprentices, Acolytes, and the Fallen for too many years. I had sparred with Anakin for most of my adult life.

But not like this, with Vader using a blade of magma, and rage flowing from him in a river.

I remained defensive as we fought, conserving energy, just protecting myself with Soresu. The Force was not urging any action, but it was hard to tell right now.

Vader got angrier. "Fight, damn you!"

I stepped back. "Why?"

He leaped forward with a huge overhead swing against deflection. "Because there are Separatists who continue to rebel, because I have enemies who would be glad to kill the twins, and because I said so!"

The pace of his attacks increased, and I could feel that I was beginning to tire too soon.

**And most importantly, I will need help to kill him.**