Summery : Five years after Mustafar, Darth Vader is but a shadow of the powerful Sith Lord he should be. To the point where the emperor must use the apprentice bond to force Vader to act. But why?

Chalk it up to two undaunted women who will not let even death stop them from saving the soul of the man they both loved.

Force-Speech

*Thoughts*

Disclaimer - I neither own copyright or receive money for anything. I write to improve my ability and for enjoyment.

We all need something to fight for:

Chapter Two - Soul-killing Apathy

Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith had his helmet turned toward the stars as always. Yet as it had been since he had been rebuilt, he didn't see them. One might mistake his icy demeanor as that of a Sith using the dark side to instill fear. In reality, the only time one had to fear him was if he was the messenger that called the Dark Lord back to his wretched existence. Vader had long since stopped caring about anything. Being a Jedi had taken everything from him. And turning to the Dark Side had robbed him of the most cherished being in his life. What good was power when the first thing you do is destroy the very person you sought power for in the first place?

He wasn't alive yet he could not die. His master still used him, even took his mind and body over and Vader stood aside, distantly watching the atrocities that the Emperor committed though him. Afterward he'd spend days being forced to recover from the punishments. At least it gave him time to live in the dreamworld that was all that kept him from actively looking to end himself. For the bright soothing presence that he imagined there often begged him not to leave.

It had touched him first the night after he had learned of his wife's death at his own powers attacking her. He had been truly broken that night, unable to face the thought of continuing without her. As soon as the emperor left him, he'd broken every droid and killed every guard around for over a mile. Then shut down his life support. Just as he began to drift into a unconsciousness that would end his sufferings, he felt a feather-light touch through the Force. Calling him, begging him to stay and protect.

The emperor had known that his apprentice was in a unsteady state, so he had created a remote to override any manual disengagement of Vader's suit. So even as he touched the presence, it fled as the emperor asserted control over him. As Vader thought it was the delusion of a dying mind, he dismissed it. But not entirely. His existence was true and bitter torment and Vader finally gave in to the urge to daydream as he had as a boy. In this daydream, his child was alive and safe. It was never more then the child, a son who looked much like himself.

And now the fantasy, the only one he permitted himself had taken a life of its own. Growing as his son 'would' have, speaking as his son 'would' have. He'd have entire conversations with the boy, who was wiser in many ways then most 5 year old's. But whenever his master came, the boy's presence fled, as he could not stand the 'bad man who makes you be mean'. True, it was just a fantasy, but it was the only thing sustaining him.

He wouldn't let Sidious take this away too.