Vader's second chance

A Star wars story

Chapter 28

Disclaimer: Disney owns everything except my plot.

Hello there everyone and welcome to chapter 28! This chapter begins the day after the ending of chapter 27 and has Vader being interrogated by the Jedi Council, where he reveals the last piece of the puzzle Obi Wan needs to figure out the Sith's identity. Now that he knowns everything he needs to, Obi Wan discusses things with Yoda and tries to piece everything together and see the man behind the mask of Darth Vader, but the clock is working against the Jedi Master as Cad Bane prepares to strike at the Jedi Temple and steal the Holocron that Darth Sidious so desperately desires. Can the Jedi Master truly understand the man behind the mast before the timer runs out? Let's find out!

Coruscant, Jedi Council Chambers, Vader's point of view:

The Jedi are idiots. They always have been, at least according to my memories as both Anakin and Vader, and they always will be. The cell they had locked me up in was ridiculously easy to get out from, it took me a mere three seconds to free myself, and they hadn't even sent enough Jedi to keep me contained. I mean, the entire Temple wouldn't be enough if I really wanted to leave, but they could spare more than just one Jedi to escort me to the Council Chambers. Fools…all of them were fools.

Cin Drallig-Are you ever going to move? We should have been there by now!

I recognized the Jedi Battle master from my days as a Jedi and part of me was quite glad to see him alive, but this momentary joy was swept away by the clear impatience in his voice. I knew that I shouldn't have started messing with the man a few minutes ago, when I un-cuffed myself in less time than it took for him to blink, but I had a reputation to uphold and that included being as annoying as possible when it came to dealings with the Jedi Council.

Vader-My apologies Master Drallig, but I simply don't feel like listening to those idiots right now.

Cin Drallig-…Just get moving. I don't have all day.

Vader-Hmm…I suppose that suffering through a Council meeting isn't the worst thing you can do to me. Very well then, you may lead the way.

The Jedi Master let out a lengthy sigh and started walking down the hallway, occasionally stopping to make sure that I was still following him. He lead me around the Jedi Temple in an effort to get me to the Council while interacting with as little Jedi as possible and it was hard to keep my laughter in check with every wrong turn that he took, especially after he accidentally lead me into a classroom full of younglings! After a couple minutes, and way too many wrong turns, we reached the Chambers and I was very thankful for that, because I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from laughing had he made one more mistake. Just one.

Cin Drallig-Go inside. The Council is expecting you.

Vader-I would be concerned if they weren't.

The elder Jedi sighed again, but he didn't respond so I let the matter drop, knowing that irritating him too much wouldn't do any good in the end.

When I entered the Council Chambers I noticed that all twelve members were physically present, which had been quite rare during my time as a Jedi, and that both Anakin and Luke were standing near the entrance, presumably trying to stop any escape attempts. I managed to sneak a glance at Luke's direction and I saw that he was clearly confused, probably by the fact that I had taken so many wrong turns, but he said nothing. Anakin's face revealed no emotion, but I could sense the fear and worry that was threatening to engulf him.

Mace Windu-It seems that our long awaited guest has finally arrived.

Vader-My apologies Master Windu, but Master Drallig took a few wrong turns on our way here. He is the one responsible for my delay.

Shaak Ti-Are you sure that you weren't the one being difficult Lord Vader?

Vader-Yes, I am quite certain.

Yoda-Hmm…delayed enough, we have. Told us of your dire warnings, Knight Skywalker has and question you, we will.

Vader-I suspect that you'll be ignoring Luke's contribution to my defeat and capture?

Aayla Secura-That isn't the point of the meeting Lord Vader.

Vader-I understand this, but I would like for you to give credit where it's due.

Obi Wan-Lord Vader, we would like to ask you some questions regarding Darth Sidious new fleet. The one you mentioned during your fight with Anakin and Luke.

Vader-I have already given them the information that they need.

Yoda-True that may be, but ask our questions we still must.

Vader-As you wish.

Everyone in the room fell silent and I waited for one of the Jedi to start talking. I wasn't the least bit surprised when I saw Mace Windu taking the lead and beginning his line of questions.

Mace Windu-I would like to inquire about these "Eternals". Who are they and what are their numbers?

Vader-The Eternals are a group of Sith Loyalists, which answer to Palpatine and Palpatine alone. I do not know their exact numbers, but their fleet contains thousands of the most advanced warships in the galaxy. They have enough strength to wipe all of you out in one fail swoop.

Mace Windu-If they are this powerful then why hasn't Palpatine used them against us yet?

Vader-He still believes himself to have the situation under his control. It seems that he considers them as something of a last resort.

Mace Windu-I see. I understand that he wouldn't use them against the Republic, but why not the Separatists? Surely you wouldn't be able to defeat them if they are this dangerous.

Vader-Do not insult me, Jedi. They may be dangerous, but they are no match for my power. I can, and will, annihilate those fools soon enough.

Mace Windu-I must say, your power is significantly less than what I had expected. You couldn't even get out of a mere holding cell without having someone open the door for you.

Vader-Do not test my patience Windu. You are nothing when compared to me. Hell, you are foolish enough to think yourself to be a Master of the Force when you have no idea of its true power!

Mace Windu-Even if that is true, you will never know what caring for someone truly means. I can't possibly fathom a scenario where you aren't the embodiment of evil, you Sith scum. You care for nothing and no one. In fact, you never have and never will give a dime about anyone other than yourself!

Okay, he was taking things a step too far! How dare he undermine my love for my friends, my mother and my brother? How dare this foolish Jedi think himself to know my own feelings better than me and how dare he think that I could never love Padme? Windu would pay for this…

Mace Windu-Are you going to speak Lord Vader? Or perhaps I am correct and you have nothing to say?

Vader-How dare you? How dare you undermine the love I felt for her, the things I did in the name of my family, and the things I did to keep them safe? How. Dare. You?!

Mace Windu-I must apologize, but I find it difficult to believe that you even did these things for them. What I believe is that you were being selfish, that you were using them as an excuse to do what you did and blame it on someone else. Am I not right?

Vader-You pathetic weakling! I'll teach you a thing or two about respecting those more powerful than you! Let's see how many people will care when you die today!

Calling my saber with the Force from its spot on Luke's belt I lunged forwards and tried to stab at Windu, to rip him apart, to teach him that he should never have disrespected my family, but another blade, a green one, caught mine. I turned around to see who was foolish enough to try and stop me. It was Luke. Luke's blade had stopped mine from hitting Windu in the same way that I had stopped his from hitting the Emperor and I quickly saw the meaning behind the action. It was the same thing I had once done. Luke was trying to spare me from the temptation of the Dark Side and I was grateful that I could see that. Quickly realizing that the other Jedi had ignited their blades and were ready to attack me I turned mine off and gave to Luke while looking in his eyes, silently apologizing for my actions. He nodded and I moved away from him, knowing that he had understood and forgiven me for my outburst.

The Jedi's faces revealed that they were very displeased with my response to Windu's test and I hung my head downwards, knowing that I had failed to control my anger yet again, as if I was still training with Ahsoka on Tatooine days after my return to the Light, as if I had yet to learn any of the things Qui Gon had taught me during our stay on the sandy world. I could already hear the disapproval in Qui Gon's voice, telling me that what I was going to do "isn't the Jedi way", that "this isn't me" or even saying that I had dealt with this already and he would be right. Ahsoka and I had gone through this and I had no right to attempt to kill Windu when he was telling a partial truth at the very least. The Council had been right when I was a child. I should never have been trained.

Yoda-Ashamed you are. Know that wrong your actions were, you do.

Vader-Do not speak to me Master. Not now.

Yoda-Hmm…if know that killing Master Windu wrong was, then why try?

Vader-I didn't try. There is no try. The last time there was one I burned. There is no try. Not anymore. I can't accept that! It isn't true!

Yoda-Hmm…taken this lesson to heart you may have, but learned the wrong thing you did.

Vader-My knowledge shouldn't concern you, as long as it has nothing to do with Sidious.

Yoda-Right you may be, but Lord Sidious the problem is. No?

Vader-He is. He has to be. It's the only explanation.

Yoda-Understand, I do. Leave, you may. Heard enough, I have.

Vader-As you wish, Master Yoda.

Yoda chuckled lightly and I stood still, wanting to see what was wrong. The rest of the Council Members remained silent, all of them staring at me with disapproving glances. Except…Obi Wan. He had his eyes closed and seemed to be deep in though. I paid little to no attention to him and decided to do as instructed and return to my cell. I motioned for Luke and Anakin to follow me and didn't wait around to make sure that they did. I had heard enough from the Council for one day.

Minutes later, Obi Wan's point of view:

The Council meeting had ended rather abruptly a few seconds after Vader's retreat, but Master Yoda had motioned for Mace and me to stay behind, most likely wishing to discuss something important. All three of us had been sitting in silence for the past couple minutes and while I wanted to ask Master Yoda about his reason to keep us here I knew that I should be patient. I made myself comfortable on my seat once more and waited for Master Yoda to speak, who in turn appeared to be waiting for one of us to make the first move.

Mace cracked first, clearly frustrated with the behavior Lord Vader had exhibited beforehand and while it was bothering me as well I couldn't quite figure out why his words were so important. I was forced to push these thoughts aside when Mace spoke, anger barely recognizable in his voice.

Mace-Master Yoda I mean no disrespect, but what are we doing here? The session ended and Vader is back in his cell. We have no reason to waste our time dealing with him any longer. He's never going to escape this place.

Yoda-Hmm…escape his plan is not. Angry he may have been, but picked his words carefully he did. Know I do that wants us to understand, he does.

Mace-Understand what? That the man is delusional? That he's a danger to all of us?

Yoda-No, no…not us. To Master Kenobi his words directed were. Notice, did you not, Obi Wan?

I wasn't quite sure about whatever Yoda was referring to, but after thinking about it for a good minute or two, I remembered the vision I had experienced months ago, the one with a burned man strapped on an operating table, the one where Vader…that was it! That was the key! He's saying that whatever happened to him was a result of him trying to protect someone! I couldn't believe that I had missed this…

Yoda-Understand now, do you?

Obi Wan-Yes Master. Force, how could we have been so blind? A man who claims to be a Sith Lord, yet has no darkness in his heart. A man that has, quite literally, burned before and a man that's clearly been giving us the answers to our questions! It was right under our noses!

Mace-I'm not sure that I follow. Is there something I'm missing?

Obi Wan-Yes…Vader wasn't warning us about a new threat. Knowing him, the Eternals won't stand a chance against whatever plot he's concocted. Everything the man has said to either Anakin or myself has to do with his real identity. He wants us to know!

Mace-Obi Wan, if Vader wants us to know who he is then why hasn't he told us?

Yoda-About us, this is not. Telling me something is, that a family matter this is.

Obi Wan-A family matter…someone that won't let anything stop them from protecting their loved ones, someone that has lost everything because of Sidious, someone that blames themselves for all of it even if he knows that it wasn't his doing, someone with a connection to Senator Amidala and someone that respects Luke like a…father does his son! Oh no…this was bad…very bad…

Yoda-Beginning to realize, you are. Say I must, that a great investigator, you are.

Obi Wan-It can't be…no no no! I can't let it be him! I…I can't accept this. I can't accept this…That's it!

Mace-Obi Wan you aren't make any sense! What did you figure out? Is it important to the War? Should we inform the Senate?

Obi Wan-No, Mace. This is just a…family matter.

Yoda-Certain, are you?

Obi Wan-I have to ask him.

Yoda-Go, you may. The Force with you will be.

Obi Wan-Thank you Master.

I jumped out of my seat and started sprinting down the Temple's corridors, knowing that I only had to ask one question to confirm my suspicions. I would have looked like an excited youngling to most Jedi, but there were some that sensed the Force practically dragging me along, ushering me to go and talk to Vader, to finally figure it out and I was more than happy to comply.

When I reached his cell I was sweaty and panting, but I didn't care. I had to know, I had to ask. Poking my head inside, I saw him sitting on the floor, meditating. I could hear his mechanical breathing, the very sound that filled the empty room, as I looked at him. Vader tilted his head, seemingly asking if something was wrong, but I knew what he wanted me to say. What he wanted me to ask…

Obi Wan-Lord Vader.

Vader-Master Kenobi. What can I do for you my friend?

Obi Wan-I need you to answer the following question, but it may be a difficult one.

Vader-I'm sure that I can handle anything you Jedi throw at me.

Obi Wan-And I know that. You've handled it before, on that night. The night the Order fell.

Vader-I did and I must say, I was disappointed. I hadn't known that Jedi were so weak.

Obi Wan-Tell me…what did you lose that night?

Vader-What makes you think that I lost something?

Obi Wan-Your identity. That's what.

Vader-Drawing conclusions now, are we?

Obi Wan-Answer the question Vader. What. Did. You. Lose?

Vader-…Everything. I lost everything.

Vader looked to the floor for a moment. He then lifted his hands near his mask and removed it. When he tried to look into my eyes again two sets of blue locked with each other and I saw it. I saw his pain, his suffering, his crushed spirit. And I suddenly saw a man that wasn't a stranger, but a man that was my family. I saw the man that was my brother.

Obi Wan-Anakin?

And there you have it. The reveal that had to be re-written thrice before publication! Well, it's finally over with! Boy that took a lot longer than I expected. By the way, it wasn't even supposed to happen in this chapter! Everything was fine until I was editing the "Council's Interrogation" scene to give Obi Wan a little something to think about, but it quickly escalated to everything you just read on screen. Anyways, I was actually going to talk about the whole thing going on between Vader and Luke during this chapter so… let me do that while I'm at it.

So, about Vader and Luke. These two have been talking non-stop off screen (Is that the right term for FF?) and are constantly updating each other on everything that's happening in the other's life and I don't mean just the Clone Wars. I mean that they talk so much that if I actually tried to put these (now deleted) scenes into the chapters they were supposed to be parts of they would probably end up being longer than the rest of the chapter, but I do want to include some of them at a later date (and already know when and how) so don't feel the need to tell me that you wanted to see them because you'll get plenty in the future (trust me guys). Anyways, with how much time they've spent getting to know each other and constructing a Force Bond they are able to communicate telepathically (as we saw in chapter 27) and can pass on some messages without the need for words (much like Anakin and Obi Wan by the time of ROTS). Luke has had the necessary time to understand what actually happened to his Father during the Fall of the Republic and what he had been going through as Darth Vader, so he is more than capable of seeing his Father's point of view and forgiving him for his outburst with Mace Windu.

Speaking of Windu, we'll be seeing more of him in the future, especially after the ending of chapter 29 (which is nearly done by the way) and he's going to create a big problem for Luke that may make you hate him a bit more than usual.

Okay, enough about that. I also wanted to quickly talk to you guys about the second time Vader gets angry in the Council Chambers. After nodding to Luke and handing his lightsaber over to him he isn't actually mad at anyone and is in relative control of his emotions (at least in control enough to not Force Choke anybody). He just wants to be seen in that way so he can send a message to Obi Wan that will remain unnoticed by the rest of the Council, with the exception of Yoda. (I know that I haven't explained how he knows that Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker, but I will an explanation in later chapters. It's a mystery until then dear readers.) He's wording everything very carefully, as Obi Wan pointed out, and is doing everything he can (but never one trying it, because...well we all know what happened then he last "tried it") to give Obi Wan the last clue he needed in oreder to unmask him (which he thankfully got).

Alright...that should be everything for this chapter and while I know that I've probably bored you to death with today's epilogue, but I just wanted to remind you that you should review the chapter and let me know what you think about the story. I'll see you all in the next chapter, but until then, May the Force be with you!