Chapter 6 - Day Three: Revenge of the Sith

The entire situation since Anakin first showed up on Mandalore is hopelessly confusing to Ahsoka. She doesn't even understand how time-travel is possible, but it obviously is. Anakin feels so Dark now. It's unsettling.

She doesn't understand how he could be a Sith. He might have had darker moments sometimes but he was always so light, so compassionate. She doesn't understand. The war and fighting never seemed to bother him as much as it did her, so maybe... But that doesn't mean he's dark. She doesn't quite know what that means for her either when she's spent her entire life becoming a warrior like he taught her, when that's everything the Jedi aren't supposed to be – even if she can understand that he's right that it's what she needed to know to survive.

It's just confusing.

But mostly, Ahsoka's just worried about him right now. She's surprised Rex actually got him to go rest but he hasn't woken up once since, even if she's sensed him stirring a couple times, distress radiating from the Force from what she thinks might be nightmares.

She finally opts for not waking him at all and goes to eat with the boys, until Rex comes to get her with news that Master Obi-Wan is calling to talk to her privately.

That's... weird. Wouldn't he want Anakin to be there too? But obviously not or he would've asked for him.

Obi-Wan is waiting for her, arms crossed. The very visible frown on his face is enough to let her know instantly that something's wrong.

"What's wrong, Master Kenobi?" she asks.

"Have you heard anything from Anakin?"

What?

"He didn't tell you?" Ahsoka blurts without thinking.

"He's talked to you?" Obi-Wan realizes, eyes narrowing a little.

Should she tell Obi-Wan what's happening? Anakin never told her not to but the fact that he didn't say anything about Obi-Wan at all makes her suddenly wonder if something's going on or what. Obi-Wan wouldn't be very happy that he randomly Fell, but to be fair it's not like Ahsoka is happy about that either.

"He's here," she replies, "Why do you ask?"

"When we were supposed to be rescuing the Chancellor, his Force presence suddenly changed and he appeared Fallen. He was dodging anything I asked him and he took off without further explanation."

"He told me that he time traveled and that a lot happened in the future. I... think it's for him to tell, but I'll keep an eye on him."

Obi-Wan is studying her with an unreadable expression. "Do that," he requests, "I don't think he's in the mental state to be left alone right now."

She nods. There's not even a question about that. She'll stay close to him and hopefully be able to help somehow. Doesn't know what to think of the fact that they fought each other. She can't even imagine that, but she feels numb with horror.

Any of what he said being the future doesn't make any sense. Was everything really about to fall apart before he started changing things?

All she knows she can do now, though, is stay with him and see where things go from there.

**w**

When Vader awakens, it's to the feel of the warm sunlight against his face. It's late in the morning already and he has no idea how he managed to sleep this long but he hasn't felt this rested in – he doesn't remember the last time. The deep exhaustion that drowned him for so long is so much better. He feels more awake, less like he's too tired to do anything but blindly follow orders than he has in ages.

But he doesn't have the time to just sit around and do nothing. He's here for a mission, not to just... relax in the first moment of calm he thinks he's felt since before he Fell. It feels... nice. But it's not going to last and it's not going to give him the power he needs, either.

He doesn't know where Ahsoka went but apparently Bo-Katan is going to question Almec so Vader goes along with her.

"I'm flattered that you could find the time to see me," Almec drawls, standing when they enter the cell.

"What's Maul's plan?" Bo-Katan demands, "How is he going to escape?"

"Maul is not trying to escape because he sees no point in doing so."

"So he believes he can defeat us?"

"No, that's not it. For weeks now, he's been consumed by a strange sense of dread."

He was sensing Order 66 and the Empire's formation in advance. Of course he was – even back when Vader was first living this, he'd sensed something dark coming. It had scared him especially in the face of what he was seeing his visions. That was half of what had made it so difficult to focus on anything.

"Has what he's sensing changed?" Vader inquires.

"Not when I was there," Almec replies flippantly.

"I assume you were aware that he mentioned wanting... Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Vader prods. Not that he doesn't already know what Maul wants with Obi-Wan.

"Oh no, it wasn't just him," he says, something sly in his gaze, "He wanted you too."

"Why?" Bo-Katan demands.

"Didn't ask," he says, with a shrug.

Enough of this. It's not what's important. "You have to know more about where he's hiding."

"I'm not well acquainted with the layouts of the sewage pipes," he retorts.

Vader takes a step towards him. "This is your home planet. You have to know something."

Almec opens his mouth to say something when Vader senses a flare of danger in the Force. He spins around right as a blaster shot rings out. He catches the blast of energy with the Force before it can him the former Prime Minister, deflecting it aside into the wall and looking upwards to see a Mandalorian dressed the way Maul's fighters are, standing above the glass opening that looks into the cell.

Bo-Katan whirls around and gives chase, Vader close behind.

The Mandalorian takes off for the lift and Vader jumps after, igniting his lightsaber as he falls. The warrior fires at him several times and he deflects them aside, flinging the Mandalorian against the wall with the Force, slashing through the edge of his armor arm piece. The metal just sparks because of how strong it is, but it damaged the flamethrower enough that he shouldn't be able to use it. He's not going to have another slip up that stupid.

The Mandalorian throws an explosive at him – even if it's going to take both of them out. Vader catches it, hurling it above them – right as Bo-Katan lands behind them – and it explodes. The elevator shaft trembles from the force of it, pieces of debris falling around them, but the structure is still holding.

In his moment of distraction, the warrior fires right at his chest and with his other hand he catches the shot, deflecting it right back at him. It hits the Mandalorian in the chest and he goes down.

Time to get back to the others. But he rather doubts Almec will be saying much. He probably doesn't know. Vader doubts Maul would have told him, but... they will find him. Maul's shielding too tightly and the city is too populated for Vader to pinpoint exactly where he is but he's trapped here and he'll have to surface eventually.

**w**

Something's wrong. Vader can't say what it is, but there's been this feeling nagging at him, as he goes around to check the clone's positions. Ahsoka is with him, and she keeps glancing at him though she's not saying anything. She's obviously thinking hard about everything they discussed, though.

He'd say something to her if he wasn't so focused on trying to find Maul to keep her and boys safe. For a moment it almost feels like it used to back in the war. But he needs to stop pretending he's ever going to get that back.

But that's when he suddenly senses something. it's –

Obi-Wan.

He can feel him as though he's right here and he shouldn't be here. He's supposed to be on Coruscant. Why would he be here? Vader warily reaches out with the Force, just to know and it's definitely him. Looking upwards, gaze scanning the sky, he spots sunlight glinting of an approaching fighter.

He's coming.

He's coming.

A rush of unclenching panic floods him instantly. That's why he ran – he knew what would happen if they fought and Obi-Wan wouldn't be coming here unless it was to fight him. He might not know what he did this time, but – but he can't let himself hope that this will go any differently. Especially not knowing that the suit was his destiny and that only means it's going to happen all over again.

"Anakin?" Ahsoka's voice interrupts his thoughts, "What's wrong?"

"Obi-Wan is coming," he says. The words come out more strangled than he intended.

A sudden look of knowing flits across her face. "Oh," she murmurs.

"What?"

"He called when earlier, asking about you."

"You told him I was here?" It's not fair to feel so betrayed but he can't help it, not – not remembering Mustafar. Padme betrayed him too. But Ahsoka is – is not like her.

"I didn't tell him, but he guessed." She frowns. "Is there some reason you don't want him to know?"

"He – he will..." Vader cuts off, gaze frozen on the shuttle. He's a Sith. He doesn't need to be afraid. He can fight back. He can –

And then he thinks about the Death Star and he... he doesn't want to have to do that again. But – but if it's either that or being literally tortured, he – he doesn't know what to do. Tries not to remember the way Obi-Wan was touching him back on the Invisible Hand. None of that is real.

He wouldn't be so afraid if he didn't also know that he deserves it, whatever's about to happen. Obi-Wan wouldn't hurt him if he didn't deserve it and he does. He knows that. He's always known that no matter how much he wants it to stop.

"Matters with us did not end well in the future," he answers curtly, letting the Dark Side flood him again, letting his fear give him whatever strength it can.

Ahsoka is watching him, expression pinched with worry.

"I don't know what happened in the future or what you did, but you haven't done anything here except try to help like you always have," Ahsoka argues, "He seemed worried about you. I don't know why he would do... anything."

"You did not see," he replies, bitterly.

Not like it's Ahsoka's fault. She would have no way of even dreaming that Obi-Wan would do something like that what he did, just like he himself never did until it was too late. Doesn't even know why he'd once half hoped Jabi'im would end any differently.

All he can do is stand and wait as the fighter lands,

Obi-Wan clamors out, gaze instantly fixating on Vader. Artoo flies out of the astromech spot a second later, rolling up to him beeping furiously.

Right.

He did technically ditch the poor confused droid when he took off. "I did not have time to explain," he replies, lightly touching the droid's dome but never taking his eyes off Obi-Wan.

"Anakin," his former master starts, taking a step towards him. The voice carries so many memories – of being protected and safe... and of endless pain.

"What do you want?" he demands, trying to keep his voice level. And trying to keep himself from lashing out. He doesn't need to start the fight.

"Answers," Obi-Wan replies flatly, taking a step closer.

"That's all you're here for?"

"What else would I be here for? Whatever happened in the future, you can tell me. You left without any explanation."

As if it's that simple. "I warned you already of what was about to happen. And I destroyed Sidious. There is little else about the future that matters here."

"That doesn't begin to explain what happened or why you're Fallen."

"That's what you're really here for, isn't it?" It's all he can do to brace himself, expecting an attack. The clones would protect him. But he doesn't want to have to see them die again – definitely doesn't want to them to put in a situation between him and Obi-Wan.

"Did something happen between you two in the future?" Ahsoka interrupts, raising an eye marking.

He doesn't risk looking away from Obi-Wan, even if it's only making him panic even more. He really doesn't want to talk about it, but he can't dodge the questions entirely. "Yes."

Obi-Wan's expression falters. He thinks he sees a frown past how obviously upset he is. "What happened?"

"We fought," he replies shortly.

Surprise and a mix of confusion flickers across Obi-Wan's face and Ahsoka's.

"I think I'd like an explanation of the details of what happened. Maybe we should go somewhere else to talk?" Ahsoka suggests.

Vader really doesn't want to agree, but it's probably for the best. "Very well," he concedes grudgingly, and the three of them head away from all the stares of the very confused clones, to somewhere slightly more private. And somewhere that leaves him feeling increasingly itchy. He doesn't make any move to sit down. He's too on edge. Maybe it's just that he's had too much time to think about what Obi-Wan would probably do and he can't get his mind off it now.

"Why would we have fought?" Obi-Wan asks, the moment they're alone.

"Sidious won. He formed an Empire after the Jedi attempted to overthrow him. I remained loyal to the Empire, to try and bring order."

"You sided with him?" he asks incredulously.

"Once, yes. I did not realize the extent of his deceit until too late." He still believes in the Empire. Has to believe there was something to all the things he's done. But he can see clearly now that Sidious never cared about the galaxy at all. Or about... him. All he's ever cared for was his own power.

But there was never anything he could do against him. Sidious always knew everything. The feel of the lightning was forever engrained into his mind. The mere thought of the punishment that he would face if he tried and failed to betray his master again was enough to discourage him from even thinking about it for years.

The two of them fall into an obviously shocked silence.

"But you... stopped him now," Obi-Wan says, slowly.

"As I said, I saw now what he is truly like. But I am not... what the Jedi you want be to be, Obi-Wan. I am not the Anakin you know."

He seems a mix of upset and hurt and obviously unsure how to approach the topic.

A long moment of uncomfortable silence falls over them. "I don't understand how this could be the future," Obi-Wan says finally.

"It doesn't make sense to me either," Ahsoka cuts in.

"It is... a long story. One that is not important. It will not happen here." Their Anakin is going to be transferred back eventually, he thinks. He's not in the past forever. Which is probably for the best. He doesn't need to ruin it all over again.

Obi-Wan takes a step closer to him and Vader stiffens instinctively. Obi-Wan definitely catches the move because he pauses. "Anakin, I didn't come here to... fight with you. I came here for you."

A sharp surge of bitterness and longing surge up inside of him. He wants to believe that, but...

"The Council wants to know what's happening," Obi-Wan admits, "But I didn't only come because of that."

"And what does the Council want?" he asks bitterly. He can only imagine. That's why he didn't risk staying on Coruscant to face them again. He could probably fight his way out of there but he's not going to risk it. Doesn't want to have to fight them if he doesn't need to, anyway. He also doesn't need to make things worse for his younger self.

"They want an explanation. They aren't... planning to hurt you, if that's what you're afraid of." He sounds incredulous, like he can't believe it's even a concern.

"I already told you everything they need to know," he objects, "I do not think I will be here forever. I only ask that you do not... hold what I have done against your Anakin. He is not me. I am not him. I never can be again."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka exchange glances with each other. He doesn't think they really understand it.

"You haven't done anything we'd have a reason to hold against you," Ahsoka argues, "And I still don't understand why being a Sith means you see yourself as someone else."

"It was not... that. Too much changed at the same time as I fell." Between everything he did at the Temple haunting him and then what Obi-Wan did to him, not to mention everything he's been through from Sidious,it felt like he was a totally different person, coming out. Anakin was never overwhelmed with that constant ceaseless rage and self-loathing and that bottomless pit of emptiness that Vader is.

"What are you planning to do while you're here?" Obi-Wan asks.

"I will destroy Maul. He caused much damage in the future and I won't let it happen again. That is what we should be focusing on right now." Vader pauses, looking back to Obi-Wan. "Are you... staying?"

"I'm sure Maul is eagerly waiting to see me again and I'm sure you could use help," he replies.

He can't deny a small level of disappointment swelling inside of him, because – If he's here, it means he's going to have to constantly watch his back. He's still a Sith and Obi-Wan might say he's not here to hurt him, but he doesn't know what he can truly believe that. Not after everything that went down between them.

But asking Obi-Wan to leave would definitely make him far more likely to stay, to think that he's hiding something. He's not going to leave if he's already here.

And it doesn't feel...

It feels too... something to ask him to go.

**w**

Obi-Wan is even more lost after talking to Anakin than he was before. He watches as Anakin leaves the room, excusing himself to say he needs to check on the clones' positions, before he turns to Ahsoka.

"He's been acting weird this whole time," she supplies.

Now that he's here again, Obi-Wan can clearly see how jittery and tense he is. And it seems to be around him for some reason. He can't imagine why Anakin would Fall and side with Sidious of all things. He can imagine even less how they could have fought. He and Anakin have been by each other's sides constantly for the last thirteen years. What would ever make them fight?

But... something must have gone badly for Anakin to be reacting like this. There might have been a certain distance growing between them after the war broke out, but it also feels like it's sometimes made their interactions freer somehow.

But Anakin's acting like he doesn't want to be anywhere near him and he can't begin to understand why. It hurts more than he could say but he has no idea how to approach it.

"Did he tell you anything else?" Obi-Wan asks.

"Not much more than what he said now. Except that he and I also fought in the future, apparently." Ahsoka shrugs, helplessly. "It doesn't make sense to me either."

"I'll try talking to him again," Obi-Wan says, even if he's hesitant. But he's not going to just let Anakin keep ignoring him.

Ahsoka hesitates. "I think he's... afraid. I don't know if it's of you but he – he was scared when he realized you were coming."

And that doesn't begin to make sense to him. "I don't understand why."

He sighs.

Why would Anakin be afraid of being around him? He sort of wondered from the jitteriness he was showing back on the Invisible Hand, but when Ahsoka spells it out like this, it's easier to see.

Did... did he hurt him?

He doesn't know what Anakin did when he Fell. He knows in theory how they could have fought but he still can't imagine it. He can't deny being angry that Anakin just Fell like this, but now is clearly not the time to begin getting into that. He needs to find him again. Just maybe give it a couple hours after he's able to clear his head a bit. Or maybe just... fighting alongside him again for a bit longer and acting like things are more normal will ease up some of the tension he still doesn't really get.

**w**

There aren't really more clone positions Vader needs to check but he'd like room to just... think. Rex comes to find him practically the moment he's by himself. "Sir, are you alright?"

This is Rex. There's no reason to lie to him. Rex is the one person he's not afraid of telling anything, even if he hasn't had a conversation where he's been open, vulnerable with anyone in so many years. It's a strange concept now, but – He's so tired of feeling alone, of always being alone even if he knows he... deserves it. "No," he admits, quietly.

"Did something happen with you and General Kenobi? I thought you two were... close," he begins hesitantly.

"I – I destroyed the Jedi," he blurts, "Sidious told me too. I did not realize what he would demand until it was too late, and I could not back out. And the Jedi had committed treason. Obi-Wan was... furious. He won our duel and left me for dead."

Horror flashes across Rex's face. "He hurt you? I didn't know he – That he did things like that?" He sounds appalled, not quite the reaction Vader expected even if he doesn't know what else he was expecting. Rex is loyal to the end.

Unlike him.

"He has not before. Not – not until then." Not in any way that was important, anyhow. There was what happened when he fought Hardeen and he never could get that out of his head for months afterwards but he'd just shaken it off because at the end of the day, it was just a mission. They fought each other physically all the time for training. It wasn't a big deal even if he never really forgot it either. And of course there were all the times Obi-Wan yelled at him but that wasn't physically hurting him.

He hadn't truly expected to be hurt on Mustafar until it happened. Not – like that.

Rex doesn't look any less appalled. He reaches out, touching Vader's shoulder. "Our trainers on Kamino would hurt us sometimes. I didn't realize the Jedi did anything like that."

Vader looks away. "I cannot say I didn't deserve it."

It still feels so undeserving for everything to not hurt anymore. It should. At least it's distracting from the constant noise in his mind.

"General," Rex objects, "I may... see why he was angry if you turned on the Jedi, but I thought you told me that he took care of I don't believe you would have sided against the Jedi without good reason

Vader looks up at him, emotion tightening in his chest. "I do not deserve that loyalty."

"I don't know what happened in that future, but... you're the only Jedi who's been willing to do anything for us. You've always helped all of us after battle. I don't understand how you could say that."

That may have been true, once but that's not who he is anymore. "That is not... who I am anymore. I... have done much," Vader admits, finally.

Rex is studying him, but there's no hint of repulsion in his gaze. "You might be different now, but you're still... you, General. You have been through more yourself but you're still our General. You've still done everything you could to protect us since you came back."

It floods him with a warmth that he hasn't felt in a long time to hear this but he doesn't know that he can believe it. Not – he knows what he's done. He's a monster. He knows that. Rex hasn't seen it. "I am... trying to help you. But I – I have already done much. I cannot change it. What I do now will not make any of that right." He doesn't even know why he's talking about this right now. He doesn't want to let go of the Dark Side. He just – he wants back the family he used to have but it's not coming back and he doesn't deserve for it to come back so why is he even thinking about it at all?

Rex's expression falters. "You were following orders, in... whatever you've done, weren't you?"

"Yes."

"That was what I did on Umbara, too. And I – I led so many of my brothers to their deaths. They were following my orders and if I had stood up to Krell sooner, maybe it wouldn't have happened. But you told me that it was because of how I was raised, that – it was understandable.

Vader remembers that day, too well.

But this is different, isn't it?

Right?

He knows it's never felt like he's had any other choice but to obey Sidious but that doesn't make it better. And if there was something left in him to save, why didn't Obi-Wan help him? Why did Ahsoka try to kill him?

Rex keeps speaking before he can reply, even if he's obviously uncomfortable by it. "Even if you did something in the future that I didn't agree with, I... would never stop believing in you. I know who you are, General. I know what you've done for us. No one else is like that. If you made mistakes, that... happens to all of us. And it – it was because of the orders you were given."

Vader swallows past the sudden surge of longing filling him.

He wants to believe that Rex is right. He wants to be free. Wants to know what it means.

"You didn't see what I did." It comes out like a whisper.

"It doesn't matter to me, and I don't think it would even if I did know," Rex replies, "You're still our General. and I know who you are... inside."

Does he?

He doesn't know if he really can believe that Rex is right, but...

But it's reminding him of the brotherhood they used to have, of all the days he had a family, of – of when he was more, better.

Everything he did was because of orders. No matter how much his determination to help the galaxy might fuel him, his fear of Sidious and what he would do to him was always strongest.

Maybe...

Would – would becoming whatever Ahsoka and Rex want him to be, be what he should do? He knows that. even if nothing else, Rex would never leave him. Not even if he did know what he's done. Rex is always loyal to the end and even if Vader doesn't deserve any of that, he already made it clear that that doesn't matter.

He has no idea what to say in the face of that kind of... anything. It makes him desperately ache for everything he lost, for everything he can never truly get back. He wants it so badly he can hardly breathe for a moment. But when has he ever gotten something because he wants it?

He doesn't deserve it. He knows that but –

He can't forget what Rex was saying too. Can't get it out of his head even if it's a useless hope.

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