Darth Vader, Anakin, and an Old Hermit

Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi made their way silently around the Death Star, occasionally hearing Big Black Meanie's breathing or as Ben had referred to him, Darth Vader, that name had sent shivers down his spine. That name whispered to him, but he couldn't hear the words, it was like a dream that he could not yet recall. He shook his head to clear it and saw the tractor beam.

"There it is!" he pointed but Obi-Wan put a finger over his mouth and Anakin tiptoed after him. He watched Obi-Wan tinker with the thing.

"That oughta do it. Now, Anakin I need you to get back to the Falcon."

"That is not an option," he heard from behind him. "Anakin is to remain with me."

"Over my dead body," Obi-Wan stated pushing the child behind him.

"That is what I have in mind, Obi-Wan. So we meet again at last. When we last met I was but a learner, now I am the master."

"You are only a master of evil, Darth."

"You may address me as Darth Vader, or Lord Vader, do not address me as such again."

"Anakin, run!" Obi-Wan gave him a push, but Anakin stood in place staring at the dark lord.

"What do you want with me?" he asked narrowing his eyes.

"You are more important than you know. The Emperor will be glad to make your acquaintance."

"Vader, leave him alone," Obi-Wan pleaded. "You and I both know you cannot hope to destroy him."

"Curious, isn't it, Obi-Wan, after what you did to me, you seek to protect him?"

"Master, what does he mean?"

"Anakin, please run. You must protect Luke."

"No, Master, I won't leave you." The Dark Lord looked back and forth between Obi-Wan and Anakin, the fierce protectiveness they showed too each other seemed vaguely familiar but it was something he had long ago forgotten and he couldn't pinpoint what was familiar about it. Obi-Wan was a traitor. A thought struck him, Obi-Wan hadn't told him.

"Obi-Wan never told you what became of Anakin Skywalker."

"He told me enough. He told me you destroyed the Jedi."

"Vader, I surrender," Obi-Wan spoke up pushing the child behind him again. "Take my life of take me as prisoner, but leave him alone. He deserves better."

"You surrender. This isn't anything like the time you surrendered to the Separatists?" he asked, a chord of memory striking. Obi-Wan had been negotiating surrender while he ambushed them and freed his men along with Obi-Wan.

"No Vader."

"Give me the location to the Rebel Base," Vader stated igniting his lightsaber and pointing it at the child.

"Don't tell him anything," Anakin stated glaring fiercely. "If I surrender, will you let everyone else go."

"Except for Obi-Wan, yes. You have my word."

"The word of a traitor," Obi-Wan stated softly.

"And you won't kill, Obi-Wan. If you promise, I'll stay here with you."

"Alright, Obi-Wan will live...for now," he motioned for stormtroopers to come forward. "Take the Jedi into custody."

"And Ani?"

"He will come with me. I'm going to train him."

"Very well, my lord."

"Come along, Anakin."

"Why are you sad?"

"I am not SAD! Sith Lords do not get sad."

"Are you a Sith? Like the one that got Qui-Gon. I was sad when he died. Master Obi-Wan says it's okay to be sad. Even Jedi are sad sometimes."

"I am more powerful that Darth Maul."

"If you say so. I didn't think anyone could kill a Jedi before Qui-Gon died. I liked him, he was really nice to me, like a father."

"I have so much to teach you, young one."

"Master Obi-Wan promised to teach me the ways of the Jedi."

"The Jedi are weak pathetic fools," the Sith growled at him.

"Why do you wear that mask?"

"You want to know why! Kenobi did this to me!"

"Oh."

"Come along, young one, we must see to your quarters."

"Okay. You won't hurt Obi-Wan, right."

"I gave my word that he would not die."

"'s not the same as not hurting him."

"That's the best I can do, young one, now come along." He led the child to his quarters which now had a small bed in it, for Anakin. He didn't trust Anakin enough that he wouldn't free Obi-Wan and the princess. Such had been his own nature, in another life, another time. Vader went into his meditation channel and summoned the dark side. He saw a vision of the Death Star being blown up. Which meant he had a limited amount of time to get Anakin and the blasted Jedi to safety. He had a feeling that Obi-Wan would lead to Anakin's fall to the Dark Side, Anakin embracing the Dark Side, he knew with unparallelled certainty that Obi-Wan had not confided in Anakin exactly who he was, or who had been. He would be able to use this to his advantage and for once Darth Vader was glad that one of the Emperor's weapons would be destroyed. He would warn Piett as well, the man was loyal. The rest of the Empire especially Tarkin could enjoy their last moments aboard the Emperor's Death Machine.