(Imperial Palace – Former Jedi Temple, Coruscant, now known as Imperial Centre)

Padmé Amidala was confused and tried. Confused where the guards taking her in the Imperial Palace this time. And tired because she was sentenced for execution and she wanted to spend the last three days of her life by herself in solitude and peace.

Whatever this was about, she just had to get it over and return to her cell. But she was shocked when she realized the place where was escorted to. The throne room. And the Emperor, of course, sitting on the throne. It was oddly irritating and terrifying at the same time. And behind him were four Imperial Royal Guards, all clad in blood-red robes and masks. Along with many people present there.

"Welcome, my dear. It makes my heart with joy for you to join us, Senator Amidala.", spoke the Emperor with a facade of genuine care. For second, she thought her mind was tricking her, as the voice definitely came from the Emperor, but as the same time from all around her as well. Just so creepy!

'Well, if luck would have it, I might as well die right here rather than going along with the charade of whatever he planned...'

Her escorts nudged her towards right side of the throne, where she was surprised to Mon and Bail along with troops behind them, already standing and looking at her. Anxious, yet guarded looks on their faces, and definitely not cuffed or bound in any way. She went and stood beside Mon who already had Bail standing on the other side. In a few moments, they joined by more senators, who were mixed bunch. Some were democracy sympathizers, some were Emperor's bootlickers and others were the ones who just were looking out for themselves or their constituents.

Opposite to them, on the other side in front of the throne were the Grand Vizier, three Imperial Advisor, Eight Moffs and few more high ranking officers.

"Ah, you all must be wondering why I have brought you here, including these three traitors.", said the Emperor eerily, gazing at the three convicted senators. "I wanted you to introduce the person behind crushing the terrorists movement that these traitors were supporting. As I am still consider myself a compassionate being, no matter how much your actions have deeply wound my heart."

'Liar!', thought Padmé. At the same time, Mon Mothma scowled at the statement. Bail knew what Palpatine was doing, at least partly — gloating, showing off his might and rubbing off on them. Also giving a silent warning to others.

But everyone were curious of whom the Emperor was speaking and, apparently, introducing to.

"Most loyal servant of mine and the Empire's. An ardent defender of the Empire. A champion of my rule. One who served in the shadows and fought our enemies from the dark. An entity even the monsters would be afraid of. A powerhouse with no match. Focus, committed and persistent. Ruthless and cunning. Fearless, yet fearful. And most importantly, devoted to me and my ideals, to a fault. In this court, I welcome my reverent and dutiful pupil, my decree to the Galaxy, second to none but me, my right hand, Dark Lord of the Sith..."

As if on cue, the doors to the throne room opened, which got everybody's attention.

"... Darth Vader."

It felt like all the light in the Galaxy was diminished and the air in the room itself was crying in pain. It certainly felt cold. Fear and dread permeated throughout the room. A black figure was in view. A tall, dark humanoid figure, from top to bottom all black. Like it was absorbing all the light in the room.

And it started walking towards to the throne. Its stride were slow and steady but purposeful. Each step was making a thud sound like issuing a command. All the air around them was vibrating with danger and wickedness.

Padmé realised that she was holding her breadth for small moment which seemed like an eternity. And she force herself to gaze around stealthily and saw others also were in the same predicament as her. Except for Palpatine. No, he was smiling and excited like a child for a new toy.

'First Maul, then Dooku, and now... this... Is there a factory somewhere to produce new Sith whenever required?!'

She returned her gaze to the newcomer, who had just stopped in front of the throne and lowered itself on its one knee with head down.

"I am humbly at thy bidding, my Master.", voice came from this entity and everyone felt the chills. The voice itself concealed by a vocoder.

Now that she looked closely, she noticed the partially visible through the hood, smooth solid black mask. The details of the whole attire were obscured as they perfectly blended with the colour and the shadows. The cape connected from the hood was perfectly spread out on the ground.

"Rise, Lord Vader.", commanded Palpatine in a silky, soft voice.

And Vader rose to his towering height, which was already taller than male human standards, but it looked more gigantic than it really was.

"I am quite delighted with results of your assignments. Undoubtedly flawless completion of your tasks. It was beyond my expectations, I might add. Well done, my dear friend."

"I did what I did to serve and please you, my Master. As I am your humble and loyal servant."

Palpatine chuckled. "You have fulfilled your responsibilities well. Now that you have proven yourself, I bestow upon you your new title with which I will introduce you to the Galaxy – Supreme Commander of the Imperial Forces. An apt position and title for my right hand. A role that you already have been playing from the shadows. Don't you think, Lord Vader?"

"I am thankful of your gratitude that you have showed me and your recognition of me with such is my highest achievement, my Master."

As Padmé was watching what was happening in front of her, she also noticed all around her too. Everybody in the room was nervous and not too happy. Not happy at all. And they had their own reason for it, she could imagine. Emperor's group were wary since they saw this new development as an obstacle in the way of their own ambitions. And she knew why Mon and Bail were troubled, as it was same reason why she was too. Another enemy.

But something was nagging her, now that she was composed herself, somewhat. Vader – that name kept bouncing off inside of her brain. She was sure she heard it before, but her mind is reeling from what had happened since the trial and what she witnessed here.

Then like a flash of light, her memory provided her with the answer.

`Codename — Agent Vader!`

Only mentioned in some obscure reports she read a few times throughout the Clone wars. No substantial information. Only very few speculations, rumours and fields reports. Now few pieces fell into the puzzle, not giving the whole picture. Yet, it started making some sense. Wherever that name emerged, things went bad. Whether it was related to battle, political, public support, or intelligence related. Then during the Clone wars, and even now, with the Rebel Alliance. Even one Jedi, a lone survivor, who reported an encounter with Vader was traumatized. This was bad news. Very, very bad.

`And Palpatine mentioned he was responsible for crushing the rebellion...`

Even one Sith Lord, Palpatine himself, was bad. Another one, with such calibre...

`Oh Shavit!`

(On The Way To Imperial Centre)

"Ahsoka, watching that news again and again will your mind in unnecessary unrest.", said Obi-Wan, switching off the holo-news.

It had been four hours since Emperor, or rather Sidious, had revealed Darth Vader to the Galaxy on a press conference. The whole event was

"But Master, this is serious. I was looking for anything we have missed. We've got another Sith at our hands. We have to inform the others. This new Sith is apparently the commander of the whole military.", his Padawan replied back. She continued, "If we are to rescue Padmé, Bail and Mon, we should be know as much as possible about this Darth Vader. Since both him and his Master will be on the planet. If we request the Council for..."

"The Council knows of Vader.", Obi-Wan said, cutting off his Padawan. After a long breath, he continued, "At least, they know of his existence. Still, the information we have on him is severely lacking. But from what we have gathered, he is trained and has expertise on a wide range of skills. Spying, information gathering, political negotiations, tactical strategy, combat, covert operations, and so on. Even during the Clone wars, we suspect he was leading battalions from both sides under different identities. His record was extraordinary. And I even suspect, the investigation the led to procuring against the Alliance, he played a very significant part in it. Any task of any kind of nature that Sidious deemed necessary, Vader would do it. Not just complete the task, but accomplish it in a very outstanding and brilliant manner. So, my dear Padawan, when I say this, I say it with complete seriousness. We are not engage him."

Ahsoka was stunned that her Master and others were already aware of the Sith. But what shocked her even more that what she just learned now about the Sith made her feel more... lacking. After all, she was supposed to be future of the Jedi. She was supposed to defeat the Sith and help bring peace in the Galaxy. Her own powers in the Force is second only to Master Yoda.

Feeling the uncertainty from his Padawan through the Force, Obi-Wan put a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder and said assuringly, "Ahsoka, you are strong. And you will be wonderful and great Jedi one day, even better than me. But you are still young. You have much to learn, young one. Do not let self doubt hinder your ability to grow and learn."

"Yes, Master.", said Ahsoka meekly and gave him a soft smile.

Obi-Wan could not help but wonder how would have his previous Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, become great Jedi, too. He and Ahsoka would have done so much for the Galaxy. They could have even prevented the Purges, creation of the Empire, and the rise of the Sith.

His time with Anakin as his Master was short, but through countless meditation, he learned to grow and became a better Master to his current Padawan. At the time, he was reeling from the loss of his own Master and recovering from his touch of Dark side when he fought Maul. Also, he felt unwarranted jealously towards the boy as he thought Qui-Gon was replacing him with Anakin. After the loss of his previous Padawan and through the trials of life as a Jedi Knight, Master Yoda assigned Ashoka as his Padawan. Then he realized how unprepared he was to become a Master to the young boy. And also realised his own Master was not replacing him. Only after many years he understood his Master.

(Two Standard Days Later – Deeper Level, Imperial Centre, aka, Coruscant)

"Don't you think things are going too well, Master?"

Obi-Wan was still deep in thought, while Ahsoka just returned from attending their rescued prisoners, which included their intended eight targets, and others were picked opportunity presented itself. The operation went smoothly, with the help of eight sleeper agents on the planet and two spies inside the Palace. And the Palace being former Jedi Temple also helped. All in all, entire operation took two hours after eight hours of planning, preparation and coordination. So, it would be suffice to say the thing went. Too well, as his Padawan doubted. And when has anything went according to plan? However, they should focus on leaving the planet safely.

Just then, they both felt warning through the Force and everything went dark. Next thing, Obi-Wan felt a sudden surge of current through out his body. He was still focused on his Padawan and the rescued prisoners, then felt a bolt of current and something else, a stun bolt, maybe. But everything around him went dark...

(Few hours later – Throne Room)

When Obi-Wan came around, he found himself surrounded by troopers. He felt a slight pang of pain on his arm. His was having a brain splattering headache. He tried to look around. He found all his colleagues involved in the rescue attempt there. Some unconscious, some just waking up and others gazing around like him in confusion. The unconscious ones were being injected something. Stim shots. He found Ahsoka now returning his gaze, trying to communicate through their bond, but could not. He looked at her and then at himself. Stun cuffs and collars. Along with Force shackles.

He looked around, studying the situation and was shocked to see that they were in the Throne Room, previously used by the High Council. And of course, Darth Sidious sitting on the throne, surrounded by Royal Guards. But with whatever Force sensitivity he had left, every fibre in his body was screaming to him of imminent danger from an other being. And there he was, standing tall. Darth Vader. The holo-images did not do him any justice. He looked more menacing when in close proximity. Dark like a black hole consuming everything around it. Also there were also six others behind him, dressed in various fashion of dark. The infamous Inquisitorius, if he had to guess.

Judging from the darkness and lights coming from the large window panels, it was somewhere between late night and before dawn. Most of the citizens were asleep, and next morning is the day of the supposed public execution.

"Now, now. Master Jedi Kenobi, it is so good to see you again.", said Sidious with an evil grin on his face. "Do you really think you can waltz in here and steal from me? Exile has really dulled your senses and mind. I am afraid to inform that Lord Vader and I had already foreseen your pathetic attempt of rescue your precious members of your Rebellion. We let you have some respite so that when crush you again, it would be an exquisite sight to behold. How disgustingly pitiful!"

In this moment, Obi-Wan realised that he was not going to survive this. He gazed at Ahsoka at his side and she understood. Even if they were going down, they at least try of give others a chance of escaping.

"Ah, still clinging to pathetic ideals of self-sacrifice and hope? You poor creatures. Allow me to show you true darkness and what hopelessness looks like. Lord Vader, please begin with Senator Organa, then proceed to others. Make sure that they are still alive and presentable for tomorrow's execution."

Obi-Wan's heart rate spiked immensely, trying to think a way out of this. At least for some of them. He saw Darth Vader walking towards them, his lightsaber now ignited. Troopers readied their weapons on them, to make sure they complied. He heard some quite sobbing behind him, a little bit of prayer. Mothma's definitely was cursing. Padmé's soft voice, trying to give others strength. He could image Ahsoka's lekku twitching, showing her anxiousness. And Obi-Wan was trying hard to find his centre, but failing.

Suddenly, Vader stopped his pace, slowly turned towards his Master. The look on Sidious's face was of shock and trepidation.

"What are you doing, Lord Vader?", Sidious demanded.

"Why, Master? Did you not foreseen this? After all, betrayal is the way of the Sith, my Master... NOW!"

And the chaos erupted everywhere...

AN: Ooh! This was long. But hey...Finally Vader is here.

Why would Sidious have his prisoners/enemies present in the throne room while introducing to Vader? Well, it is gloating and also redirecting attention to Vader.

Also in first chapter, it was mentioned at the end that Sidious would try to end Vader, so why would he give him such high position and shower him with praises in front of everyone. Multiple reasons, I will give two main ones. First, I think Sidious has very twisted sense of Savior complex. He would have others do the dirty works, while making himself look like a saint. So, he was making Vader a perfect scapegoat here. Second, Until now in the story and as explained in this chapter, Vader was in the shadows performing his duties as the apprentice. In truth, that would advantageous to Vader, as he would have more freedom to do anything. After the public announcement, all the attention would be on Vader.

Now, typically this not your hotheaded, a-beast-on-a-leash kind of Vader here. Here, he is a perfect agent of the darkness here. Sometimes, even at par with Sidious himself. I believe movies version also had these qualities, but motivations and reasons to showcase these skills are totally different. (More on that later chapters.) But this doesn't mean he is without flaws. In combat, he could still lose to Sidious. That is why next chapters are going to be interesting. At least for me. And I hope for you too.

Wait for the next chapters: "Clash Of The Sith Lords", and then "Wrath Of The Sith Lords"! Yeah, I am having some fun with the titles here ;)

Also, I going another OC characters in next chapters. I would love you to speculate who those can be. Hint, they are going to be related to a well-known, loved by fans character in the legends.

I hope you like it and your feedback is most welcome. May the force be with you!