Somewhere above Alderaan…

The Devastator jumped out of hyperspace and the Slave I exited the hangar of the ship and headed towards the planet. Soon, it was in the atmosphere and racing towards the capital city, Aldera. Soon, it landed on a landing pad outside the Royal Palace where Bail Organa, his wife and Mara stood waiting.

The landing ramp-door opened and Rex came out of the ship first, carrying Anakin who was still unconscious, followed by Padmé and Obi Wan.

Bail gasped at the sight of Anakin and exclaimed, "Goodness, what happened?!"

Obi Wan said, "Anakin needs medical attention. He's received first aid, but he'll need proper treatment for his arm."

Bail said, "Of course, follow me."

Even as the group headed away from the ship, Obi Wan asked, "Did they reach here?"

Bail said, "Yes, they did. It was a very good thing you sent Anakin's and Padmé's families here at the earliest."


Sometime later…

A male med-droid came out of the operating theater of the med center and turning to Obi Wan, Padmé, Ahsoka, Barriss and Shmi, he said, "The operation is done. Medically speaking, he is alright, but it seems he has been through a lot of stress. We put him on full anesthesia to be on the safe side, so he should still be sleeping it off. You can see him as soon as he is transferred to his private ward."

A few minutes later, Padmé, Shmi, and Obi Wan were standing near the foot of Anakin's bed.

He was looking more unconscious than simply asleep, more dead than alive.

And there, where his right arm should have been, from the elbow, was a golden mechanical arm, golden, but still mechanical.

Shmi was feeling heartbroken at the sight of it.

Her baby boy had been cast out, tortured, lied to, had lost himself for two years, and then, when he had realized what had happened to him and had been on his way to making things right, he had lost his arm and almost lost his life.

She burst into tears, and Obi Wan held her to comfort her.

Padmé herself burst into tears as she looked at Anakin.

Just then, Ruwee entered the room and rushed towards Padmé.

Hugging her, he said, "Padmé, I'm so glad you're alive. Padmé, please tell me, we haven't had a chance to talk. What happened to you?"

Padmé said even as she sobbed, "Palpatine was going to kill me, and, and… Anakin, put himself in his way to save me!"

With that, she could not speak anymore.

Meanwhile, in another room, Ahsoka was sitting on a bed, and Barriss was crying and holding Ahsoka's hands.

"Ahsoka," Barriss cried out, "I don't deserve your forgiveness! I lost myself to darkness trying to fight it!"

Ahsoka said, "I heard everything. I wish you had come to me! Maybe I would have been able to help you!"

Barriss said, "I let the dark side cloud my judgment. And I was willing to frame you to prove my point! I lost my best friend and everything else all thanks to a monster who manipulated me!"

Ahsoka hugged her and said, "Palpatine manipulated us all. He used Anakin just as he used you, and if I could forgive him, then of course I can forgive you. You deserve a second chance as much as he does."

Barriss wept and said, "You are so forgiving. You are certainly a better Jedi than a lot of others."

Ahsoka said, "You were a wonderful Jedi once, and you can be one again. It's not too late."

Barriss wept and said, "I've lost everything. No one will want me again as a padawan."

Ahsoka said, "Of course not. Of course someone will take you on, and I will help you as much as I can. You were my best friend and now that you've come back and I know why you did what you did, I want to help you as much as I can. You are still my friend Barriss."

Barriss hugged Ahsoka and affectionately gave a kiss on her cheek.

Sometime later, Ahsoka and Barriss were standing along with Obi Wan, Padmé and Shmi near Anakin's bed.

Just then, the door to the room opened and in came two figures.

One was Bail, and the other was a very familiar Jedi Master, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order.

No one noticed him until he approached the bed and started looking at Anakin with narrowed eyes.

And then, he spoke, "Hmmm, sense I do, that Darth Vader, this is, yet…"

Just then, Shmi who had noticed him suddenly turned on him and yelled, "You just stay away from him!"

Yoda looked up at her and said, "Sad this is, that Anakin, consumed by Vader, he was."

Shmi yelled, "You left him with no choice! My son had a home with the Jedi, one where he could live without having to be a slave, and you cast him out over a lie!"

Yoda bowed his head and said, "Wrong we were to do what we did, but deny the wrong deeds he has done, we cannot."

Obi Wan held Shmi and retorted, "So you would have him executed?! Anakin is not Vader anymore. He has come back! He's already been through enough! He just nearly lost his life!"

Yoda calmly said, "Once you start down the dark side, forever it will dominate your destiny. Yet, strange this is. Acknowledge, I do, that more light, there is in him now. Yet, deny his crimes we cannot. Tried, he must be."

Padmé turned to Yoda and yelled, "Absolutely not! You will not take him from me!"

Yoda started, "Attached to him you are…"

But Padmé cut him off yelling, "OF COURSE I AM, AND I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT IT! WHEN I FOUND HIM, HE WAS A BROKEN MAN, AND NOW HE'S BACK TO BEING ANAKIN SKYWALKER, AND I LOVE HIM FOR WHO HE IS AND I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU PUT HIM TO DEATH!"

She stopped at that and breathed in and out heavily.

Ahsoka spoke calmly, "Master Yoda, with all due respect, it's true that Anakin was once Vader, but even as Vader, when he took me in, he promised to take care of me. Never once has he tried to force me to join the dark side. He is not a monster. And I saw him nearly lose his life trying to save Padmé and I."

Obi Wan added, "Anakin is my brother. I failed to protect him once, I will not fail him again."

Barriss added, "If you are going to try him, then you must try me too."

Yoda said, "Admire your support I do, but change the situation, this does not."

Even as they continued to argue, meanwhile, Anakin was in his own world.

Anakin found himself being surrounded by nothing but space. Stars, constellations, galaxies, all surrounded him.

"Where am I?" He asked himself.

And then, he heard a familiar voice, "It has been a while Anakin. You have come a long way, young one."

And then, he saw the form of Qui Gon materializing before him.

"Qui Gon?" Anakin asked, "Is it you?"

Qui Gon smilingly responded, "It is me indeed. And I am proud of the man you have become."

Anakin said, "But I did several wrong deeds. I murdered several people, even children."

"But you have realized your mistakes and come back to the light," a new female voice suddenly spoke.

And there, in front of Anakin, a new form materialized. It was a female Twi'lek, with pale brown skin and black stripes across the montrals. Her eyes were red, but not demon red like that of a Sith, but rather firm and loving.

Anakin asked, "Who are you?"

The figure replied, "Some call me the Outlander, others call me the Emperor's Wrath, yet some others call me the Alliance Commander, some others call me the Battlemaster of the Jedi Order, and some call me a traitor and a disgrace to the Sith."

Anakin's mouth opened in amazement and he exclaimed, "Are you the one who destroyed Vitiate?!"

The figure replied, "Correct, and my name is Cedonia. Unlike you, I was born into the Sith Empire of old. I was taken from my parents as a child and raised to be a Sith. I faced betrayal from my own Sith master. I was different from many Sith because I was more attuned to the light side. I fell in love with and married a republic spy called Theron Shan. I even switched sides, joined the republic, and became a Jedi Master."

Anakin asked, "But what about the code?"

Cedonia replied, "The Jedi Order was going through a difficult period. Changes were made when I entered. Relationships and marriage were allowed and the Jedi Knights and Masters started finding ways for younglings to stay with their families until they came of age, even during their training."

Anakin gasped and said, "But why did it stop?!"

Cedonia explained, "At one point during the last war with the Sith, shortly before Coruscant was overrun, a Jedi Padawan fell in love with a Sith Lady. His master could sense that she had ulterior motives and warned his padawan to be careful. However, she preyed upon his need for attention and praise and eventually swayed him to the dark side. Together, they caused widespread destruction and nearly destroyed the Jedi. It became a purge. Not even children were spared. Many other Jedi went mad at the loss of their loved ones and fell to the dark side."

Anakin exclaimed, "So that's why relationships and families aren't allowed! To keep history from repeating itself!"

Cedonia said, "You are right. The Jedi decided it was best to shift back to the old ways around the time of the Ruusan Reformation. Unfortunately, as you can see, it became overrun by arrogance to the point that the Jedi Council would blindly serve the Senate in the name of serving the Republic, cast out innocents over lies, not caring what would happen, unaware that one would be thrust into darkness."

Anakin said, "It is still my fault that I fell. And even though I am not Sith anymore, I still have darkness within me. When Palpatine said he'd make Padmé his concubine, I flew into a rage and almost lost myself to anger."

Cedonia said, "No one can blame you in this situation. Once Theron was stabbed from behind, and I wanted nothing more than to tear apart the person who did it."

Anakin asked, "Did you?"

Cedonia replied, "I did defeat him but instead of killing him, I sent him to his own people to be tried for attempting to destroy the Alliance."

Anakin asked, "How were you able to resist?"

Cedonia replied, "Because Theron would not have wanted me to give in to my hatred and take revenge. Hatred is a poison that kills you from the inside. You know this."

Anakin said, "True. I hated Mace Windu for throwing me out of the Order, and I fell for Palpatine's lies and turned into a monster."

Cedonia said, "But then you realized what you had done when the love of your life told you that your brother in all but blood had saved your mother."

Anakin nodded.

At this point, Qui Gon spoke, "Anakin, just like her, it was love that made you question your words and actions. It was love that made you decide to leave the Sith and help the Jedi. It was love that made you willing to give up your desire to rule, and you have come very far, but you must not stop there."

"What do you mean Master?" Anakin asked.

Qui Gon replied, "You are capable of love, towards your loved ones, but it must not stay at that level. You must expand that love towards all in the galaxy. If you cannot love everyone, at least try not to hate anyone. If you must hate, hate evil itself, not the evil doer."

Anakin asked, "But what about Palpatine?"
Qui Gon replied, "Your feelings towards him are understandable, but if you let them consume you, you will be no better than him. Ultimately, you must understand that standing up to evil doers like him is not just to satisfy your personal vendetta, it is to protect innocent people all over the galaxy and safeguard righteousness."

Cedonia added, "At the end of the day, no one is irredeemable, unless one wants to be so. Unfortunately, Sidious has no desire for redemption or remorse for what he has done, but you have. Fight him as I fought Vaylin, but help Barriss Offee as I helped Arcann."

"Barriss," Anakin asked, "But why?"

Qui Gon explained, "Barriss Offee became disillusioned with the Jedi Order as you did because of the arrogance of many of the masters. However, her anger and the dark side clouded her judgment. While you were fighting Tyrannus and Palpatine, Obi Wan along with the help of a few other Jedi, managed to get through to her. She realized what she had done and wishes to make things right. Ahsoka has already forgiven her. But she will need all the support she can get."

Anakin nodded and said, "If Ahsoka has chosen to forgive her, it's only right that I do so."

Qui Gon then said, "More than that, there is someone who needs help, one who has seen nothing good of the Jedi, one who was orphaned by a Jedi, one who has never experienced a mother's love save from his father."

"Boba?" Anakin asked in realization.

Qui Gon replied, "Yes. Boba Fett. He is still in his young years. You can definitely make a difference."

He paused for a moment and said, "At this moment, the Grandmaster Yoda is in the room where you are. The rebel leaders are also on Alderaan. They are going to have you tried."

Anakin said, "I should be, but I want to make things right."

"You already have made a lot of things right." a new male voice spoke up.

Anakin turned and saw the form of Mace Windu looking at him with respect in his eyes.

"Mace Windu," Anakin said, a little coldly, but not in the same way as he had spoken to him last time.

"You have come a long way Anakin," Mace said, "And despite having had to work your way out of darkness, you have certainly proven to be a better teacher than I ever was."

Anakin said, "I admit, I was consumed by revenge over a lie, and I should have at least let you speak, but what you did to Ahsoka was unforgivable."

Mace said, "I don't deny that. We were wrong to accuse Ahsoka just as we accused you. It's only thanks to Master Koon, Master Infila and you that she didn't end up becoming a Sith apprentice as you did."

Anakin said, "No one deserves to be treated like that. I was wrong to murder the younglings at the temple, but if Jedi are cast out like I was, then you should expect them to turn dark."

Mace said, "I was arrogant back then, and caused a lot more damage than good. Please remember what I did to you and don't be as arrogant as I was."

Anakin said, "I won't ever be towards others like how you and Palpatine were to me."

Mace said, "I know."

Anakin then said, "Master Windu, you may have done a lot of wrong, but in the end, you were still fighting for the light whereas I was on the wrong side and committed far worse atrocities than you ever did. I'm sorry for what I did to you. If I had just heard you out that night…"

He trailed off, the memories of that night haunting him, filling him with guilt.

Mace calmly replied, "Anakin, you were not yourself. You did not know what you were doing. I forgive you. I hope that someday, you will forgive me for what I did to you and Ahsoka."

Anakin said, "For what you did to me, I forgive you, and if Ahsoka forgives you for what you did to her, then I will."

He then asked, "What must I do?"

Qui Gon replied, "Allow yourself to be tried. Go willingly, do not put up a fight. It is important that they know what happened. I have a strong feeling that everything will be alright."

Cedonia added, "Your actions towards redemption cannot be ignored. Do not worry."

Mace added, "May the force be with you Anakin."

And the three figures faded away and the dream world dissolved into a mass of blackness, the blackness of closed eyelids and the sounds of people arguing.

By this time, more people had entered the room. Rex, Han Solo, and Kitster had joined in and were arguing for Anakin. However, a few others such as the senator of Chandrila Mon Mothma, Jedi Masters Luminara Unduli, Oppo Rancisis and Quinlan Vos who it seemed had survived Order 66 had also joined in and were demanding that Anakin be tried.

"You can't do this!" Han cried out, "He's not an evil person anymore!"

"Yeah," Kitster added, "Anakin is a good man!"

Quinlan said, "But his atrocities cannot be ignored. He needs to be tried."

Luminara added, "What we did was wrong, but his actions cannot be ignored."

Padmé cried out, "What do you mean?! You are ignoring how he has tried to make things right!"

Mon turned to Padmé and said, "Padmé, listen, can't you see that this is Darth Vader? Can't you understand that someone like him who has committed crimes against morality must be tried and punished?"

Padmé said, "Mon, I understand your viewpoint, but you have not interacted with him and tried to understand what made him do it. I have! What he needs is love and guidance, not punishment. He's saved so many of us. If it were not for him, I'd be dead already."

Rex added, "I agree, and he cares about us clones more than the Emperor ever has. He values our lives. You cannot just kill him."

Ruwee who had so far been speaking for Anakin said, "He saved my daughter's life at the risk of his own. I know that my daughter is a pure-hearted person and she will not just throw herself into a villain's arms, and Anakin is not a villain anymore."

"It's alright," a young male voice suddenly spoke up softly, "I understand."

Everyone turned to see Anakin sitting on the bed, with eyes open.

Anakin said, "I understand if you wish to try me. I will turn myself in."

Rex turned to him and said, "You can't. Who will lead us?"

Anakin turned to Obi Wan and said, "If I must die, then promise me you will lead our men and take care of Ahsoka, Mom, Padmé, and everyone else."

Obi Wan held Anakin's hand and said, "I will take care of them all, but I am not going to let you die. I lost you once, and I am not going to lose you again."

Padmé kissed Anakin's cheek and said, "Anakin, you don't have to do this."

Anakin said, "I will do as I must."

Shmi was moved on seeing Anakin's resolve.

She hugged Anakin and said, "I'm proud of you."

Anakin hugged his mother and replied, "Thank you Mom." even as two Alderaanian guards came to take Anakin as a prisoner.


Meanwhile, in the throne room of the Imperial Palace…

Sidious was sitting on his throne fuming with rage.

Not only had he failed to keep Skywalker on the path of the dark side as his apprentice, but he had also failed to destroy Padmé Amidala and everyone else Anakin loved.

It was Kenobi who had ruined everything.

And near the throne, there stood Darth Tyrannus, with an expression of fear on his face, and with bandaged stumps.

Tyrannus fearfully asked, "My Lord, is there anything I can do?"

Sidious barked, "You failed Tyrannus! You failed to eliminate Amidala and destroy Skywalker! You failed!"

He then said, "But I am not going to punish you. You have already been punished enough. Let the loss of your hands be a lesson for you."

Tyrannus then asked, "Why did you ask Skywalker to kill me?"

Sidious smiled evilly and said, "My friend, I simply wanted to see if Skywalker could be tempted. The shock that you may have seen on my face, part of it was real, and part of it was just an act."

"But why?" Tyrannus asked.

Sidious replied, "I am a master of manipulation. It has served the Sith for so many centuries."

He then turned to look at Tyrannus and said, "You are still of use to me after all. Do not waste your life. If I am right, Skywalker will surely rebel against us. The 501st is too loyal to him."

Tyrannus said, "My hands…"

Sidious snarled, "What are you waiting for? Go and get a set of mechanical hands! Do not waste your time or my time!"

Tyrannus turned to walk away from the room.

Even as he walked away, an overwhelming realization hit him.

All this while, he had believed himself to be superior to 'Vader', and the latter to be a mere servant, a tool, even though they had been of equal rank.

Now he realized, he himself was nothing more than a tool, just as 'Vader' had once been.

A part of himself could not help envying Anakin for having a master like Kenobi and a lover like Padmé Amidala, and above all, a mother who would never forsake her child, no matter what.

But he felt it was too late for him.

He had nothing but his master.

But he hardened himself.

The Jedi were all corrupt, and Skywalker had fallen for them over a 'woman'.

They would all pay.

Meanwhile, Sidious was fuming, and even as he fumed, he turned to his side to see the arm which he had lopped off, still on the floor.

And he snarled, "Some way or another Skywalker, I will destroy you and everything you love!"