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Chapter Text

Felucia is a death trap, and Anakin doesn't think they're any closer to winning this part of the battle on the planet than they were when they first came as reinforcements. The droids continue marching through the trees in seemingly endless numbers, and he cuts through them one after another, Ahsoka at his side.

Something doesn't feel right in the Force. It feels strangely turbulent and out of balance, but he doesn't have the time to focus on why. It doesn't have anything to do with approaching danger, or maybe the battle at all – of that Anakin is fairly certain – so he lets the distraction slip to the back of his mind as he keeps fighting. He can't afford a distraction.

A ripple runs through the Force, and it feels like the disturbance is spreading, intensifying. It suddenly surges violently, and the next thing he knows, he sees a group of people who were definitely not there a moment before standing a short distance away from them in the trees.

They just... appeared. Out of nowhere.

Anakin retreats a few steps, moving to slight cover behind some trees to get a better look.

The Force is still crashing violently around him, but he notices instantly that all of them feel dark, like Sith... not as though he couldn't tell as much with his eyes.

At the front of the group is someone who looks like him, except older. His eyes are a blazing yellow, and he feels like a black hole in the Force. He's clothed in black robes, and has a scar across the left side of his face, from his temple all the way down to his jaw, that Anakin is fairly certain is from a lightsaber.

The dark haired woman standing next to him bears an unmistakable resemblance to Padme, except for the yellow eyes and a lightsaber is clipped to her belt.

Next to them is a tall Togruta with very familiar white markings crossing her orange skin. Her only eye – the other one looks like it was lost to a lightsaber, from the scars across her lekku right next to the area – is also yellow.

Behind them, there's three children who look close to Ahsoka in age; a blonde-haired boy with blue eyes who looks disturbingly similar to Anakin himself, a dark haired girl who resembles Padme, and another girl, a little younger, with red hair and green eyes.

What?

Where did they come from? What are they doing here? How did they get here?!

Ahsoka ducks behind the tree next to Anakin, eyeing the others. "Who are you?!" she exclaims, eyes narrowed as she holds her lightsaber ready.

Anakin keeps his own blade out and poised though he knows if the... Sith – if that's what they are – are against them, this isn't a fight they can win. He can tell as much by the numbers.

The others look between Anakin, Ahsoka, and the battle around them. "I thought you said we were going to the past," says the older Togruta, who sounds so much like Ahsoka he nearly starts in surprise, "I don't remember any of this ever happening."

"It appears that we are in a different reality," the man who looks so much like Anakin – and sounds like him – says.

"They're Jedi," the boy observes, narrowing his eyes as he looks at them.

The man looks between the Padme and Ahsoka look-alikes. "I can sense... him close by," he says, his voice betraying little emotion, but Anakin can sense his relief mixed with longing. "Find him and bring him here. We will deal with... the others." He gives his surroundings a pointed look.

"Who are you?" Anakin echoes Ahsoka's previous question, taking a cautious step toward them. He doesn't know who these people are or what they want, but he doesn't have a good feeling about it.

"Darth Vader," he replies.

"You're Sith," Ahsoka accuses, eyes narrowed.

"Of course, we are, young one," the Sith says lightly.

"How did you get here?" Anakin asks. And where did the other two disappear to?

"How do you look just like my master?" Ahsoka demands, still shifted into her fighting stance – as though there's something she could do against a fully trained Sith Lord, and three... apprentices?

"Before I was trained in the Dark Side, my name was Anakin Skywalker," he replies, and it rings true in the Force. Judging from the first things they said to each other, it must be. It would help explain the turmoil the Force is in, though it makes no sense.

"We would never be Sith," Ahsoka retaliates, glaring at him.

Before any of the Sith can reply, the Force suddenly flares in warning, and a blast from one of the droid tanks flies through the air, straight towards them. Anakin darts out from behind the tree, swinging up his lightsaber to deflect the blast away from the clones – except the Force suddenly surges around it, deflecting it off course straight back at the oncoming droids.

His head snaps to Vader, to see him casually flick his hand, and several dozen of the droids right in front of them crumble to pieces. What the?!

"Jedi are weak," Vader says.

"We'll see!" Ahsoka snaps, incensed, and promptly charges the Sith.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin calls urgently, heart rate spiking. This is exactly what he was trying to avoid, because especially after seeing this Sith's power, he knows Vader could kill her without a second thought, and Anakin doubts he's strong enough to stop him. Ahsoka may have fought Ventress before, but Ventress could never do what Vader just did. He's never even seen Dooku do something with that level of power, and for a moment, he can far too distinctly remember the feel of the lightsaber slashing through his limb, and the electricity striking him. They could both die here. They would likely hardly stand a chance.

She ignores him, though, swinging right at the Sith, who ignites his red blade at the last moment, casually blocking her blow, looking a mixture of bored and amused.

Vader shoves her a step back, and she promptly swings at him again. Anakin runs to her side, right as he catches her wrist with his other hand, twisting her lightsaber out of it, letting it fall to the ground. She lets out a furious growl of frustration and tries to yank away, landing unceremoniously on the ground.

Anakin eyes him warily, moving to stand defensively over Ahsoka, but he doesn't attack.

"We need not be adversaries," Vader declares, deactivating his own blade, a distinct note of amusement still there, "I can teach you the true power of the Force."

Right. As if he's interested in learning 'power' from a Sith, even another version of himself. "Why are you here?" Anakin asks instead, stepping back and deactivating his lightsaber – hopefully,that will dispel unnecessary hostilities, though he isn't convinced this won't end in a fight – and then offers Ahsoka a hand to pull her back to her feet, still keeping himself positioned in front of her. She glares at the Sith, but doesn't move to attack them again.

"I came in search of something that is mine," he replies lazily.

Which answers absolutely nothing, and Anakin doesn't trust his intentions. He doesn't have the chance to ask anything further, because a sudden noise off in the trees catches his attention. Red lightsabers flash in the trees, and he can just make out the other two Sith returning, with someone else with them.

His blood runs cold, panic washing through him.

***

To put it simply, Darth Rapax has no idea what kind of reality they just landed in, but she can't imagine a world where everyone in her family were Jedi. That's frankly disgusting.

It doesn't matter, though. That isn't her concern. Her only focus is on finding who they've been looking for all these years.

She sprints away through the trees, alongside Darth Angelus, reaching out with the Force to feel for him. Yes, Vader was right. He is close by. Very close by. White armored figures are fighting off droids all over the place, so they do their best to stay out of view of both sides. This isn't a fight they need to get drug into. It's not important.

"There he is," Angelus observes, abruptly coming to a stop in between the trees, the wind rusting her dark hair.

Rapax pauses, turning to follow her gaze. With her one eye, she spots a flash of blue in between the branches and darts closer, to see Darth Athair – no, he's only Obi-Wan right now – fighting a short distance away, using a blue lightsaber, alongside a group of the troops.

He's a Jedi, just like the rest of them here.

Not that she expected any differently but seeing him with that color of lightsaber looks so wrong. He'll be different from the one they remember once they finish the ritual, but... all of them are different too. It's been so many years since that day.

"I don't think he's going to come with us willingly," she says bluntly.

"Then we take him by force," Angelus answers simply, "He'll understand."

Rapax nods. "Come on."

This won't be easy because first of all, attacking him feels... disrespectful to her master, and secondly, he was always a good duelist. But this Obi-Wan is a Jedi, so he can't be nearly as powerful.

Angelus is the first to move forwards, striding calmly out of the trees towards him, casually ducking a droid's blaster shot.

Obi-Wan instantly turns to face them, stepping out of the droid's line of fire for a moment. "Sith," he greets, coldly. "More of Dooku's pawns, I imagine?"

Wait, Dooku? Wasn't he one of the only Jedi?! Rapax decides to not ask what in the world has happened to this reality.

"We aren't here to fight you," Angelus declares.

Obi-Wan scoffs, raising his lightsaber.

"And if you choose to fight, you will never win," she warns.

"We'll see," he retorts, with an infiriorating smirk.

"Jedi are weak. You'll lose," Rapax warns. He obviously won't back down. Then again, he wouldn't be Obi-Wan if he did.

He moves to push the button on his comm – probably to call in backup help form another Jedi, because apparently he might agree that he's actually weaker than a Sith – and Rapax doesn't waste a moment, just lunging at him. They don't have time for a drawn-out duel. The moment they've been waiting for all these years has finally come, and she doesn't want to wait any longer than she has to.

She knows how much this means to Vader.

Obi-Wan instantly brings his blade up to block hers, and Angelus springs forwards, attacking him. They trade blows in a furious blur of red and blue, though Rapax does her best to make sure that she doesn't actually injure him, or at least nothing that would be permanent. It doesn't seem like she needs to worry, though, because he is good at defense, and she thinks he could hold out against them a little longer than she initially expected. Good to see he didn't lose all of his touch by spending his life as a Jedi.

They just need to disarm him – not literally – and take him back to the others. All of the troops around them who aren't still trying to fight off the droids now have their blasters pointed at the Sith, ready to shoot at a moment's notice if they can without hitting Obi-Wan.

The fight is a little bit more enjoyable than Rapax cares to admit. It's been a while since she actually fought another who was a worthy opponent.

Finally, Rapax's twin blades clash into a saberlock with Obi-Wan's. Angelus throws up a hand, the Force slamming into him. He doesn't have a chance to block it, and flies backwards, hitting a tree behind him. He falls to the ground, lightsaber slipping from his hand. Rapax doesn't waste a second, flipping through the air and landing next to him, crossing her blades over his neck – ignoring how weird the move makes her feel, because in her time, he was her superior – right before he can call his weapon back to him.

Angelus is about to approach when several clones start shooting at her.

"Stop," Rapax warns, "Or I'll kill him." No, she won't, but they don't know that.

They immediately stop, but they don't lower their weapons. Angelus moves forwards, picking up Obi-Wan's lightsaber and clipping it to her belt, approaching the two

Now, they just need to bring the definitely very grumpy Obi-Wan back to the others.

***

He's been waiting for this day for so many years, and Vader can hardly believe it's happening. It's been so many years since he last saw his own Obi-Wan, and he knows the one in front of him now isn't his – not yet – but he still looks so much like him that his breath catches in his throat for a moment. He looks almost exactly the way he did before he was killed, except his eyes are blue instead of yellow, and he's wearing light Jedi robes, instead of the dark Sith robes he always wore in Vader's reality.

A nearly unbearable wave of longing crashes through him, and he doesn't think he's missed his former master this much in years. They were planning to bring him back from the moment he died, but it was a long time before they were able to figure out how to do it. He'd grown used to a world without him, even if he knew he would never be whole again until they brought him back.

But the moment is almost here, now. They've come this far; they just need to finish it.

Obi-Wan looks momentarily taken aback at the sight of him, but he quickly recollects himself.

"Master!" Anakin calls, sounding half-panicked, not that Vader can blame the boy for his alarm. If a bunch of Jedi were trying to forcibly take his master, he wouldn't be taking it in stride either. Actually, he would be slaughtering all of them already.

"I was beginning to wonder where you were," he remarks, "Since this place seems pretty popular with Sith today." There's an obvious disdain in his voice. It stings, but Vader expected no less. He is a Jedi, and nothing he says is what his master would have truly meant.

Angelus scoffs.

"Only the weak embrace the Dark Side," he continues mockingly. "You will always fail."

"I guess that means you're weak, Master," Vader retorts, forcing back the sting of it. He knows, logically, that his master would never say something of this nature when he raised Vader as a Sith, but it still hurts to hear in the voice he missed so deeply. Vader raises a hand, manipulating the Force around Obi-Wan so he slips into unconsciousness. He steps forwards, catching his master before he falls.

Anakin ignites his lightsaber, narrowing his eyes at him. "What do you want with him?" he demands.

"I would never harm him," he assures, though Anakin doesn't look remotely convinced. "You and your apprentice may come with us. I cannot explain here."

He looks visibly confused and wary. "Where are you going?"

"I will not explain here," Vader answers, shortly. He doesn't need the word getting out about their presence, especially not if there's an entire Jedi Order here. And seeing that they're going to be staying in this reality, he would prefer if they remained unknown... for now.

"Give me a moment," Anakin requests, and pulls his apprentice – or would that be padawan? – aside, talking to her quietly.

They're far enough away that Vader can't hear what they're saying, not that it matters. Even if the Jedi hear about them, they'll have no way of tracking them. "I will not let you stay around Sith, Ahsoka," Anakin says, a little louder.

She scowls, looking decidedly unhappy – the gesture abruptly reminding Vader of what his own apprentice was like as an immature teenager. It sometimes got... exhausting, though seeing her precisely the same way even as Jedi is... amusing.

"How is it any less dangerous for you to go?"

"I will not leave Obi-Wan alone with them," he replies, firmly. His determination to protect his master is so much like how Vader always felt – still does feel. And it's mildly surprising to see that it's the same even as a Jedi. Jedi don't believe in attachments, after all.

Anakin says something else he doesn't catch, something about a 'Master Plo', not a name he recognizes off-handedly before Anakin turns away, approaching them.

"I'll come," he says, simply.

Vader leaves Obi-Wan in one of the cabins of the shuttle they... borrowed and heads for the cockpit with Angelus and Rapax.

Vader settles into the pilot's seat, entering the coordinates to Mustafar. They'll be there before they know it, and then... he'll get to reunite with his Obi-Wan again after so long.

"I still don't see how we ended up in a universe like this instead of the past," Rapax remarks. "What if, next, Mustafar is a Light Side nexus instead of a Dark Side one?"

"Not likely," Vader says, dryly, but honestly, she has a point. This place is so different from their reality, and he can never imagine a universe where she would have chosen to be a Jedi. Or where Obi-Wan would be one.

"It appears I should have brought my dresses along after all," Angelus comments.

Seriously? "Is that really a pressing concern?" Vader asks.

"Considering that this reality's version of me is probably a Jedi too with nothing but Jedi robes –" she spits the word out with disgust.

"Then you can easily make more dresses, especially if you are going to be Empress," Vader interrupts.

"I don't believe this," Rapax drawls, "The unofficial head of the Sith Order misses her wardrobe."

Angelus glares at her.

"What?" the Togruta objects, "Shouldn't we be finding out more about this reality like who the Emperor is instead of worrying about your clothes?"

"If there is an Emperor," Vader objects.

"What do you mean?"

"With the Jedi in control, it is unlikely there's an Empire." Probably. They really need some answers before they can plan their next move.

"There may still be a Republic," Angelus agrees, "Although, there is obviously a war of some kind..."

"We will speak with Athair, once this is over. He'll know everything we need to," Vader decides. They were planning to stay back in the past, and probably have Athair and Sabe rule the galaxy again like they would have if Athair hadn't died when they were killing Sidious. But since this isn't their past, they could always return to their time. Though if they do choose to stay here, they will have to rebuild everything anew, if they intend to rule this galaxy.

***

"I didn't know we were going to a different reality!" Leia exclaims once they're alone.

"We weren't," Luke agrees, "We went to the wrong place. Father was never a Jedi!" He's beyond mind-blown at the possibility. It's against everything they've ever known. Their parents were raised as Sith!

"Of course, he wasn't," Mara adds, wrinkling her nose. "The Jedi are weak."

"He's so light," Leia murmurs. Luke has felt the Light Side before, of course, and it's so quiet and passive; everything that their father is the opposite of. He's powerful and aggressive and emotional. He is not weak.

"It's unnatural," Mara grumbles.

"Father says light is a natural part of life," Luke argues, "But the Light is weak, and we choose to be stronger."

"Rapax is a Jedi here too," Leia huffs. "She's insane."

"Arrogant," Luke corrects, shuddering at the memory. She's so tiny, and she looks weird in those colors. She's probably near their age. He can't believe she really thought she could defeat Father. "I wonder why Father asked them to come with us."

"He offered to teach them the Dark Side," points out Mara, "They might see the truth eventually."

"I want to go talk to him," Leia decides, standing, "And I don't know if we should leave him... unwatched."

Luke definitely concurs with the sentiment. It's strange to feel someone who's so light, but... It doesn't disgust him like he thought it might, even if he knows this younger version of his father needs to learn the Dark Side eventually. "Let's," he agrees, heading for the cabins where Father left the Jedi version of Athair. It's too weird to think of him as "Obi-Wan", even if that's his birth name and Jedi name.

They approach the door and it slides open. Anakin is sitting on the edge of Athair's bed, his expression immediately guarded and wary when he sees them standing there.

"We're only here to talk," Leia offers, stepping into the room first.

"Who are you?" he inquires, an obvious hint of curiosity there now.

"I'm Luke Skywalker," Luke offers, "And she's my twin sister –"

"Leia," she cuts in, giving him a pointed 'I can introduce myself' look.

"Mara Jade," Mara replies, an obviously distrustful look on her face. She seems the most wary of having a Jedi here, not that Luke is really surprised about that. The Jedi isn't another version of her father, after all.

"We're Sith in training," Leia continues, after a moment, "Our reality is nothing like yours."

"What is yourslike?" he asks.

"What is yours like?" Luke objects. He'd rather get answers before giving out information. "Are there any Sith here?"

His expression is very well controlled, but Luke can see that he's obviously unsettled with being here. "There are two left. Dooku is the head of the Separatists, and we do not know the identity of the other. Dooku has a... Sith assassin, but we do not believe she is a true Sith."

Wait –

There's only two Sith left?! What is wrong with this reality?! "How can there only be two Sith left?!" Mara demands.

"The Sith here follow the Rule of Two."

Luke blinks. "What's that?"

"There can only be two. A Master and an apprentice," Anakin explains, "But I can see that is... not true in your reality."

Luke just gapes at him. What kind of madness –

"Who even got such a ridiculous notion?" Leia splutters.

"Most history of the Sith is lost, but the Sith Lord Darth Bane created the rule a thousand years ago, shortly before the Sith were thought to have been destroyed."

This reality is a nightmare. That's the only conclusion Luke can reach. He's always been surrounded by Sith, and he can't imagine a world that's not full of them."How were the Sith destroyed?" he demands.

"There was constant fighting between them and the Jedi," Anakin replies, and Luke is pretty sure this line of conversation is making him increasingly uncomfortable. So the Jedi destroyed the Sith here, then. Is this reality... basically the opposite of their own?

"What's your reality like?" Anakin inquires, again.

"There's a few Jedi left here and there," Leia replies, "But mostly the only Force users are Sith.

"Athair trained Father as one."

Anakin frowns. "Athair?"

Luke gestures to the still sleeping Obi-Wan lying behind Anakin. It's remarkable he's managed to sleep through all this. Unless Father is still keeping him unconscious, for some reason.

"Obi-Wan was a Sith?"

"I think everyone you know was," Luke informs him flatly, "From what I know, Dooku was one of the only remaining Jedi in our reality."

Anakin looks even more on edge than he did before. "What does your father want with my master?"

"That's not for us to answer," Mara replies stubbornly. Which is the truth. If Father is planning to tell him, he'll do it when the time is right.

He does not look happy by the answer, but he doesn't press. "Where are we going?"

Luke considers that. "Mustafar," he answers, finally. Since they're taking him there anyway, telling him as much shouldn't hurt.

"Why?"

Mara exchanges a glance with the others. "That's not for us to answer either."

A hint of frustration crosses his face. "Are you staying in this reality?"

"For right now, yes," Leia confirms, and Anakin relaxes ever so slightly. Maybe he was afraid they were planning to take Obi-Wan back to their own reality? Luke supposes that would be a legitimate concern.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me what you're planning to do here?" Anakin asks.

"We don't even know that yet," Luke tells him cheerfully. At least, not specifically. They don't know enough about the galaxy to begin planning anything, but from the sound of it, it's in need of some serious help.

Chapter Text

Ahsoka has absolutely no idea what Anakin was thinking, leaving with those Sith like that. If they had all attacked them, maybe they would have been able to escape, at least. She should have been with him!

Although she has to admit it's good that someone is able to tell the Council. If only they were able to track where those Sith were going. She didn't have time to tell someone to track the trajectory they took when they jumped to hyperspace, thanks to the battle that's still raging. And with both Anakin and Obi-Wan gone, Ahsoka suddenly doesn't know what to do next.

She's in charge of the 501st until he gets back, and she needs to warn Plo about what happened. And considering that they have six new Sith to deal with, she's pretty sure that takes precedence over fighting the battle right now. It's hard to establish a proper, uninterrupted comm connection with him but she somehow succeeds. "Master Plo, there's a bit of an emergency," she begins in a rush. "These... crazy Sith appeared and they claim that they reality-jumped or something, and one of them looks just like my master, except he's much older, and he had at least five others there, and one of them looked just like me! And they captured Master Kenobi! And – and Anakin went with them and I have no idea what he's thinking!" She doesn't care that she sounds like she's shrieking half-hysterically, because she has a very, very good reason to panic right about now.

She is not panicking though. She is not.

"Slow down," he chides. "How can you be sure they were Sith?"

"They said so! And they had red lightsabers and were using the Dark Side!"

"And you said they just appeared?"

"Yes! There was a disturbance in the Force and suddenly they were just there!"

"I sensed a disturbance as well," Plo muses, a distinct note of worry in his voice, "Why did your master go with them?"

"They offered to let both of us come! And he wouldn't let them take Master Kenobi alone."

"However they came here, they could well be allied with the Separatists."

"I don't know," she objects, "One of them crushed a bunch of the droids with the Force. But they still obviously hate the Jedi, so I don't understand why they offered to let us come!"

"This is... disturbing. I will relate this information to the Council," he decides."They will likely want to personally hear all the details about these Sith from you. Where are they now?"

"They left the planet, and I wasn't able to track them."

"Focus on the battle," Plo instructs, at last, "I will contact you when I know how we will proceed. May the Force be with you."

***

Vader enters the room Anakin is staying in. The ride to Mustafar is quite long, so they have time, and he would very much like to speak with his... younger, Jedi counterpart.

He's still sitting next to Obi-Wan, where the twins said he's been this entire time. "What do you want with him?" Anakin asks, expression guarded, holding Obi-Wan's hand tightly. "Where are you taking us?" His fear might be well shielded to most others, but Vader can still sense it as strongly as ever. It feeds back into the Force, fueling the Dark Side, fueling Vader.

"He was my master, too," Vader replies, considering the question. He doesn't know how the Jedi will feel about what he's planning, though he'll go through with it regardless.

"Luke told me," Anakin answers, warily, "But what happened to... yours?"

A fresh wave of pain runs through him, as memories of that moment flicker to the front of his mind. "He's gone."

Anakin's hand tightens almost instinctively on Obi-Wan's, and Vader longs for nothing more in that moment than to be with Athair again.

"We were fighting another Sith – Darth Sidious –" Vader doesn't miss how Anakin perks up at that name. He'll ask him about that later. "- Because we knew he would destroy the galaxy and the Sith Order, if he continued to rule the Empire. We won, but not without cost."

"I'm sorry," Anakin says quietly. "I can't imagine a life without him."

"I couldn't, either," Vader admits, "Until he was gone. That is why I spent years searching for a way to return to the past and change it. But we came here instead."

"You'll take him with you?" Anakin asks, dread coiling within him.

Vader glances down at their master, then back again. In truth, he's not sure. He assumed so before, but... he doesn't know if his master would want to go. "Perhaps," he answers finally.

"You can't!" Anakin hisses. "He belongs here!"

Vader can feel his fear. He's afraid of being alone – something Vader himself knows well. He still is, though he has a family now. He has no reason to fear losing them. "You can come."

"It's not that simple. I – we have a life here. I have a padawan. I'm married and – and I can't leave the Order. I'm needed here. The Jedi need me. Obi-Wan would never leave the Order, either. You can't take him away from that."

"If what we're planning works, that will not be a concern."

"What will you do with him?"

Vader dodged the question earlier, but he doesn't know how to now. "Nothing for certain," he replies. "I will not take him from you. I know the pain of that loss, and I will not cause it to another. Not to you."

"You're a Sith," Anakin replies doubtfully. "Why would you care?"

"We feed off pain," he answers consideringly after a brief pause. "Yours fuels the Dark Side, the strongest of all those I have ever known. We are strong in the Force. Your pain is... unnatural. The Sith of previous generations have caused destruction to satisfy the Dark Side's demand, but we turn to helping others."

Anakin seems... uncertain. "The Sith here are not like that," he says, at length.

"I imagine not. There are not many who are," Vader replies. "We changed after we destroyed Sidious. We wanted freedom he was unwilling to give us. The galaxy flourished under our rule."

Anakin seems to be considering that, likely comparing it with the state of his own reality. There's a lot more for them to discuss – because Vader has every intention of bringing up the Dark Side – but he thinks that can wait until after he has Athair back.

***

When the ship finally comes out of hyperspace above Mustafar, Angelus doesn't think she's been more relieved to feel the Dark Side so strongly. She was beginning to get worried that maybe Rapax was right about it being a Light Side nexus.

The planet looks the same it did in their reality from space, but she keeps an eye out for anything different as Vader directs the shuttle down for the surface, towards where the Dark Side nexus was strongest in their own reality. The place does look a little different, and some of the structures here definitely weren't in their reality, but that's hardly a surprise.

"Someone has been here," Vader says suddenly, glancing over at her and Rapax.

Angelus frowns, reaching out with the Force. It takes her longer – unsurprisingly – but she quickly picks up on what Vader was sensing. The Dark Side isn't still here, as though it's hardly used. An active user has been here recently.

And there's apparently only two Sith here, which means it must be one of them.

Not that it really matters since they'll be going back to their own reality, but it is possible they could encounter an unfriendly Sith Lord while they're here. They should be able to handle it, but Angelus can't forget what happened when they fought Sidious.

He wasn't the last Sith they fought, but he was by far the most powerful and unforgettable. And she has no way of knowing what the Sith here might be like. They can handle almost anything, but fighting Sidious taught all of them a lesson not easily forgotten. No one came out unscathed, even if the costs were different.

The cybernetics in her spine, and her metal leg won't let her forget it, even if they occasionally give her some advantages.

Anakin is still looking none too happy about the situation, but he doesn't bother to argue with them again as Vader carries Obi-Wan off the shuttle.

Angelus finds it beyond weird to see such a young version of her husband, especially one who's a Jedi. He's not much older than Luke at this point – Anakin is twenty and Luke is fourteen – but he isn't Vader, so it doesn't matter.

"You can stay here if you don't interfere," Vader tells Anakin, as they prepare to start the ritual.

It will work, and then... Athair will be back, after all these years. It's been so long, she's long since moved past his death – she never knew him that well, anyway – but Vader never did, and now the moment has finally come.

***

The Force surges around Vader, and he reaches steadily deeper into it, feeling Angelus and Rapax doing likewise. They were prepared to give Athair his memories of what happened in case they didn't land at quite the right time they intended to – it was always a possibility – so he knows how to do it. Transferring his memories to this other Obi-Wan is a little more difficult – and Vader imagines it may be initially a little confusing when he wakes up – but it's working.

Luke, Leia, Mara, and Anakin are watching, though they stay out of the way, even if he can feel Anakin's... wariness over what they're doing. He doesn't let that distract him, focusing only on the moment he's been waiting for all this time. The last time he used the Force this deeply was when they reality jumped in the first place.

He feels it, the moment the transfer is complete. He lets the go of his hold on the Force, letting the whirling currents fade back to normal.

Obi-Wan still doesn't move, but his presence feels different now, in the Force. He's not Light like he was before, but he isn't dark the way Athair was either.

And he can feel the long broken bond there in his mind again. After fourteen years... he's back. This is what they've worked for all this time.

Obi-Wan finally stirs, opening his eyes. They're yellow, Vader notices instantly.

"Master," Vader breaths, past the surge of emotion swelling inside of him. He takes a step closer, kneeling on the floor. He's his master, after all, and the highest ranking Sith now. The others immediately follow suit – other than Anakin, obviously, who's standing on the far side of the room with his arms crossed, though Vader is too distracted to pay him much attention right now.

Athair stands, after a few moments, glancing briefly around the room. "Rise."

They stand up, and Vader finds himself at a sudden loss for words. For Athair, it hasn't been any time since his death, but for him it's been fourteen years.

"You've grown up," his master observes.

"I – I missed you," Vader breaths, and for a fleeting moment, he almost feels like a child again. Athair steps closer, wrapping his arms around him, and he hugs him back tightly, almost afraid he'll disappear again if he lets go. It's been so long; he's missed this so much.

"How long has it been?"

"Over fourteen years," Rapax replies, "We did kill Sidious, though."

"I knew you would," Athair replies, as they pull apart – much too soon – and he looks to the three youngest Sith. "These are... your children?"

"Luke and Leia are," Vader answers, "And Mara will be Rapax's apprentice."

Athair turns to eye him again, looking... he can't label it. "You're as old as I am."

Vader doesn't know what to say to that. It's strange, but he hardly cares. At least he's here again. It must be far weirder for Athair, though.

"It took us a long time to figure out how to do it," Angelus explains, "And we still ended up in the wrong reality."

"We were intending to come to the past, but it didn't work how we expected," Vader adds.

"I do not find that a surprise," Athair says, with mild amusement, "What happened after Sidious died?"

"Sabe became the Empress," Rapax replies.

"Did you intend to return?" he inquires.

"I don't know," Vader admits, "We knew it was a possibility that we would not and Sabe is prepared for us not to return, but I was under the assumption we would. What do you say, Master?"

Athair looks past him, gaze setting on Anakin for a moment, who's still standing in the corner, looking a mixture of wary, uncertain, and uncomfortable.

"We can restart here," Athair replies, "The galaxy is in chaos and will destroy itself in time if no one prevents it." Vader expected as much. He doesn't mind staying. Starting over here with his mater will be... easier than going back to his own universe, and him assuming control of the Empire after it's already been known for so many years that he's dead.

"But," he continues, "You must know that Sidious here is alive."

Vader freezes, heart rate spiking. No. They can't have come this far, only to lose someone else when they have to destroy Sidious again. They're far more powerful now, and they'd be able to defeat him far easier, but that doesn't stop his rising fear. They can't go through that again, not after he has his master back.

Athair reaches over, resting a comforting hand on his arm. "We don't know if he's the same. So much about this reality is different, and he's far less powerful than you are now," he reassures, "Defeating him here should not be as difficult, and I know how he fights. He won't be expecting it." Of course, Athair would know, because Sidious trained him, after his first master had died. In some ways, Vader thinks that's why Sidious was so bent on killing him – as a final act of revenge for his apprentice betraying him. But he wasn't Sidious' apprentice here, so the Sith shouldn't see it coming. Or so he can hope.

"One of the Sith has been here recently," Angelus interjects, "But we didn't take the time to investigate."

"First..." Athair steps past them, stepping towards his other former apprentice. "Anakin?"

Anakin starts, moving forwards. His wariness spikes into the Force. "Yes?"

"Come with me," he requests.

The two of them head out of the room, and Vader finally turns his gaze back to the others. He misses being near Athair already, but he knows he'll be back soon enough. For now, they have planning to do.

***

Anakin doesn't know what to think of any of this. Whatever the Sith did to Obi-Wan, he now remembers his lifetime with them too – Anakin can't blame Vader for his determination to bring his master back; he would do the same, would have done the same for his mother if he knew how – but now Obi-Wan is a Sith. Or at least Anakin thinks he is, if the color of his eyes is anything to go by. He feels a lot darker too, even if not as much as the other Sith.

He... technically just betrayed everything the Jedi believe in, but at the same time, he remembers an entire life as a Sith, so that's not really a surprise. But Anakin doesn't know how to act or what to say. This isn't the same Obi-Wan he was fighting alongside only hours ago. He's different, and... Anakin doesn't know where his loyalties lie or anything.

He walks alongside him in silence until they're out of earshot of the rest of the Sith. He probably doesn't need to be so on edge right now, because this is still Obi-Wan, but... He doesn't know what to expect or what to say.

"Anakin, I imagine you have questions."

"How can you do this?" he blurts out. "You're a Sith, Master. Aren't you? You know I..."

"Where I lived," Obi-Wan replies, "We had a prophecy of the Sith'ari much like the Chosen One. I imagine you know what that said."

Anakin nods slightly. He can guess, and he doesn't want to think about it.

"I need time to sort this through," he continues, "But I have seen more of the Force now. I would like to teach you, if you are willing."

It's only through sheer willpower that he doesn't back away. "You want me to learn the Dark Side." It's so outrageous, Anakin isn't convinced this is no more than a terrible nightmare. He wants it to be.

"I don't want to change who you are. I have Vader already, but if you are willing..."

"I'm a Jedi," Anakin snaps. "Just as you taught me. I won't leave this path."

"So long as you don't fall with the Order, it matters little. The Jedi lack the strength we need to survive in this galaxy."

"Now what?" he asks, hating how vulnerable he feels. Anakin knows the Jedi will never allow these Sith to remain on the loose in Republic territory. "What will you do? Will you stay here?"

"I won't leave either of you," he answers. "We must decide our next course of action, but I'm not leaving you."

Anakin is not entirely certain if he should be relieved or worried about that. He doesn't know what to think about anything anymore, and he hates this. Obi-Wan is not acting particularly hostile towards him but it's hard to say what he wants, and the others haven't made a move to hurt him, but it's hard to say what they're playing at. For all Anakin knows, they could be trying to gain his trust.

"What are you planning?" he asks, warily.

"We have to stop Sidious, and the war," Obi-Wan explains, "But we must confirm his identity first." It sounds fine, but... Anakin doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know if he's going to like whatever the Sith will have in mind to do, even if from what he's seen so far, they aren't evil. They're just... different. The Jedi say all Sith are evil, but these are nothing like Dooku or Ventress. Still, he has no delusion that they can be dark if they feel the need to be.

"You might know who Sidious is?"

His expression darkens. "I know who he was in the other reality, but I do not know if he is the same here. Speculating is pointless, until we know for sure." Which sounds like a roundabout way of saying that he doesn't want to tell him right now, which Anakin can understand.

At least this will bring them one step closer to ending the war, but it raises so many other problems. "You know what the Jedi will do," Anakin points out.

"There is nothing they can do against us, as long as they can't find us," Obi-Wan replies, "And by the time they do, we must be ready."

He does not like how Obi-Wan says it. His unhappiness must be obvious enough, because his former master keeps talking. "Our goal here is the same as the Jedi, Anakin, but we can achieve what they will never hope to. I have no desire to fight them. If we do, it will be because of them."

That's only mildly reassuring, but at least hopefully,this means they don't have any intention of starting a fight with the Jedi. If they did... He doesn't want to think about it, what he should choose in a situation like that. He doesn't like how things have changed so much with Obi-Wan, but still he can't fault Vader for what he did.

"I know this is... not an easy situation for you, Anakin," Obi-Wan says, laying a hand on his arm.

"I... I don't know what to do," he confesses.

"You wait here, until we figure out what to do. You cannot go back to the Jedi right now, without leading them to the others." He's quiet for a pause. "I won't put you in a situation that you aren't comfortable with." Maybe he does understand what Anakin's so worried about.

He doesn't know if that will really be within Obi-Wan's control, though. Still, he remembers his life as a Jedi. Whatever he's planning to do with the other Sith, it wouldn't be... bad, would it? He can only hope.

***

They leave the three younger Sith with Anakin, and Rapax and the other three head somewhere privately so that they can talk. She doesn't know what to think of Anakin – except that they reallyought to get him to join them – but for as long as he's a Jedi, she won't let herself trust him. She doesn't think he would betray them, or at least Vader and Athair must not think so, but it's not worth the risk. It's better if he doesn't know more about what they're planning than he needs to.

"Right now, no one knows about us," Angelus points out, "We need support if we intend to rule the galaxy."

"The Republic and Separatists are too taken up with the war right now to focus on anything else," Athair declares, "We would likely get little attention from either side. You would have to start elsewhere."

"Perhaps in the Outer Rim?" Vader proposes, "That is where we should start, if we mean to destroy slavery."

"We were working on this in our own reality already," Rapax declares, "Assuming it's the same here, it will give us the foreknowledge we need."

"It would give us the support we need, over time," Angelus agrees. "With what you said about the Republic, even if the Chancellor is overthrown, the Senators will still have no interest in restoring peace unless they are forced to. The only thing that will unite the galaxy is an Empire."

"The Hutts are allied with the Republic, but if they actually needed help, it's unlikely the Senate would spare any resources for them, especially if there was no obvious involvement from the Separatists," Athair continues.

"Then we can begin there," Vader decides, "What about you, Master?"

"We will have a greater advantage in taking over the Republic if I remain on the Council," Athair replies, "I will have to return to Coruscant with Anakin. We can tell them that we... escaped."

"Are you planning to turn him?" Vader asks.

"If he does, it will be by his own choice."

Rapax frowns. That's... not what she was expecting to hear. She doesn't think Athair before he was merged would have cared about that, but he is different now. She's not sure how much she likes this change.

"He already knows enough that it could be risky for us," Angelus objects.

"If he's as powerful as Vader, his help will be appreciated," Rapax agrees.

Athair's expression very much implies he has no interest in arguing about this. "He will not betray me, and I will not force him down this path unless he chooses it."

"It will only make him stronger."

"It will hurt him," Athair corrects, "And I have no desire to do that."

"You hurt me, sometimes," Vader replies quietly. "You said it helped me learn. That it made me stronger."

"Sometimes," Atheir corrects. "This boy is... much older. It would take breaking him entirely to turn him. That is how it is for all Jedi, save the younger ones. He has been brainwashed by their ideals. The most we can hope for is that he accepts our ways, and perhaps eventually, comes to us."

"You've changed," Angelus realizes incredulously. "You are not the same Sith who led us years ago."

"I lived my life as a Jedi, too." He smiles, though there's no humor in it. "There is much to learn from the Jedi, even if the Sith are stronger."

Chapter Text

The adults wanted to talk in private, but Leia is pretty sure the main reason she, Luke, and Mara were shooed out was to keep Anakin occupied. She doesn't mind, though, because she finds him... intriguing. She's never been around a Jedi before, and she's not really sure what to expect. He doesn't seem terribly happy about being here, not that she's really surprised about that, even if he's hiding it well.

"What's it like to be a Jedi?" she asks, her curiosity getting the better of her. She ignores the unimpressed look Mara is giving her.

"We help people," he answers, after a pause,

"Father did that too! It's what we all did in our galaxy," Luke objects. It's true, even if Leia isn't sure that the Jedi here would see it that way. The only way to ever ensure peace in the galaxy was to rule it themselves.

"We're not a family like you are, but we...work together." he continues. "We all live together, and everyone knows one another."

That's... not at all how the Sith operate. Or how the Jedi in their galaxy are either, since those still alive are scarred across the galaxy, in hiding. "It's different with the Sith," Leia comments, "We live all over." It would never work to have them all in the same place at the same time. Sidious may have been intentionally creating rivalry between them, but even so, too many Sith in the same place tends to spell trouble, unless they're all working for the same goal.

"Who is your... Grandmaster?" Luke asks curiously.

"Master Yoda," he answers, carefully, eyeing them. Leia wonders if he's wondering if they're probing for information, which... she is not. She's genuinely curious, even if it would be nice for them to give this information to the others, they probably already know from Obi-Wan.

"Do you know our mother?" Leia asks, slightly awkwardly, but she is curious.

"...yes, I do," he confirms. "I did not realize she was Force-sensitive. She's a Senator here."

"She isn't trained?" Luke squeaks in surprise.

"No. She's the Senator of Naboo. I met her when we were young, and we've been... friends since."

"Father met Mother when he was nine," Leia comments, "When the Trade Federation – do you have that here?"

He seems to perk up a little at the mention. "I met her when the Trade Federation blockaded Naboo," Anakin confirms. "My master and his master, at the time, were sent to Naboo to negotiate. They escaped with Padme but their hyperdrive was damaged, so they came to Tatooine to replace it."

"That's what happened with us, too!" Luke exclaims. Leia can sense how curious he is, perhaps overly so. Her brother has always been one for stories and excitement – not that she can't say the same for herself. She loves stories of war and battle, but she knows none of it is as light and cheerful as she wants to believe. Her family has experienced first-hand the tragedy of war, too.

"Obi-Wan's master found me there, and I was with them while they destroyed the blockade before I was brought to become a Jedi."

"Athair found Father on Tatooine," Leia relates, "He was helping Mother with the Federation Blockade because the Emperor wouldn't do anything, even though Naboo was his home planet. That's when she realized we couldn't let him keep ruling, because he didn't care about the galaxy." She's heard the details of the story many times over, and in a way she's almost glad she never saw what the galaxy was once like before her parents took over. (Even if Luke seems to think the battles would be exciting to live through.)

"What happened to the Jedi there?" Anakin wonders.

"They were killed off decades ago when the Empire formed," Luke replies. "The youngest were raised in the Dark Side."

"It made them stronger," Mara comments, speaking up for the first time.

Leia immediately notices his... something close to discomfort. "Do Sith see everything in terms of power?" Anakin asks.

"In order to survive or help anyone, you have to be powerful," Luke counters, "And the Dark Side is stronger."

"Is it?" Anakin asks. "Can Sith love?"

"Most emotions are rooted out of the Dark Side," Leia answers. "The Light has very little emotional depth."

"That's why Jedi don't have emotions," Luke says in a tone implying that's the most boring thing he's ever heard. Never mind that saying that right to a Jedi is a little... rude. Normally Leia wouldn't care, but she likes Anakin. He is another version of their father, after all.

"They control their emotions so it does not cloud their judgment," he corrects, though she thinks he's... actually thinking about what they're saying.

"The Jedi fear the Sith," Mara speaks up, "That certainly clouded their judgment. That's why they were destroyed in the end."

"I don't know what things are like here," Leia replies, "But the Jedi saw the Sith as evil. Some of them did need to be stopped, but not all Sith are the same. We use our emotions to make us powerful. It's our intentions that matter."

"What are your intentions?" For some reason, there's a small part of her that almost wants Anakin to stay Light because she likes how he feels, but it would be better for him if he embraced the Dark Side. The way he's avoiding replying to her comment makes her wonder what he's thinking.

"Whatever Father decides," Luke chirps.

"We'll help," Leia agrees. In their own way – a way the Jedi may not understand. "However Father says."

***

Tracking down the building owned by the other Sith isn't difficult. Vader stops in front of the tall structure, looking it up and down. The outside of it is built securely, and he imagines there's security measures in place in case someone comes here tampering. They'll have to be careful.

He raises his hand, unlocking one of the side doors with the Force, and is mildly surprised when no alarms of any kind go off as he and Angelus step inside. There's no sign of any life here, but the building has to be for something.

"Even if no one is here, they may have information of some kind," Angelus murmurs.

"Yes," Vader agrees, "And there may be droids here." Even if no one lives here, there's no way it's completely unoccupied.

She nods, hand resting on her lightsaber as the two silently start forwards. They step into a long main hallway that stretches far in either direction.

They make their way methodically through the building, checking out all the rooms. As it turns out, there are droids here, though most are shut down. They carefully avoid the others.

"Why are there cribs in here?" Angelus asks almost incredulously, stopping by one of the doors.

Vader turns, approaching her. Sure enough, there are, but it doesn't feel like anyone's been in here recently. "Perhaps they are preparing for something." Like kidnapping younglings? But if they really believe in having only two Sith, he doesn't know why they would be.

A quick sweep of the room reveals no more information, so he moves on down the hall. "There is... operating equipment in here," Vader observes, moving past her to the next room. Something tells him there might be a connection, though he isn't sure what. Does this Sidious experiment on people? Or is Plagueis still alive? Vader remembers that he used to do that. Athair had told them that's what happened to many Jedi when the Order was destroyed when Plagueis formed the Empire. The older Jedi who weren't killed were taken to be his... experiments. All of the much younger ones were indoctrinated with Sith ideals, Athair included.

From there, they make their way to what looks like a main control room. "I will see what I can find," Vader decides, stepping up to the controls. He hacks into things all the time and his knowledge of future technology should make this easier.

"There have been numerous transmissions from... Coruscant?" Where the Chancellor is. Do they even need a further confirmation of his identity? It fills him with fear and anger as he remembers his own reality back then. Sidious had been the Emperor, and he has no doubt Palpatine has the same goal. They will not let him succeed this time, and they won't lose anyone when they do.

All of the transmissions have been deleted immediately, but splicing through lines of security defenses, he's actually able to pull up an old recording. The quality is bad so he can't hear much, but he would recognize that hooded figure anywhere. And the voice – even without words – is enough to send a chill down his spine.

It's him. There's no question about it.

They might be far more powerful now then when they fought him before, but... Vader doesn't think he'll ever forget holding Athair's body in his arms. It haunts him even now that he has his master back.

"I knew it," Angelus murmurs, yellow eyes flashing dangerously. He can feel her fear and anger, too. She was trained as an acolyte by Sidious, and Sidious was far worse a master than any other Sith that Vader has met.

"We must inform the others," Vader declares urgently.

***

None of the others are surprised to hear, and it doesn't change any of their plans for now. This does give them a better idea on how to take over the Republic, though. They'll work out the details later. For now, they need to focus on forming the... Outer Rim Alliance.

"Anakin will not be happy to hear this," Athair muses. It's surreal to be discussing things with him again, almost as though he was never gone.

Vader frowns. "Why?"

"He knows the Chancellor well," he explains, "They're... friends."

What? "How did he become friends with the Chancellor? I thought Jedi did not get involved in politics on that level."

"Palpatine asked to see him after Anakin saved his planet, and the Council found their relationship... useful."

Well this... could be a problem. It means Anakin could easily blow their cover, and they can't risk that. "We should tell him. It would be risky not to." He deserves to know. The man is his friend, after all, even if Vader can't imagine any universe where he was friends with someone like Sidious.

Athair hums his agreement, and they go to find him.

Anakin is standing outside, watching the lava river when they approach. "You were asking about Sidious," Athair begins.

"Yes," Anakin agrees, cautiously. He's been guarded since the moment they left Felucia – unsurprisingly – but it's been worse since Obi-Wan remembered his other life.

"In our reality, Palpatine was Sidious. I confirmed he is a Sith here as well," Vader relates.

Anakin just... stares, his shock and disbelief radiating into the Force. "No, he – he wouldn't," he denies.

"Think about it," Athair interjects, "Dooku told me the Sith was in the Senate. He'd have to be in a position of power to get what he wants in the end: the entire galaxy reunited under his rule."

"We must stop him," Vader asserts.

Anakin takes a step away from them. "No, you – you're Sith too. How is what he's doing any different than what you want?" It's a fair question, Vader supposes, for someone who knows nothing about their reality.

"He will destroy the galaxy," Athair replies.

"You don't know that."

"In the other reality, he was my master, Anakin. I know him. Those here may not be completely the same, but they are similar. If he cared for the galaxy, he wouldn't have caused this war."

Anakin seems unsure how to reply, but his disbelief, pain, and betrayal echo loudly enough in the Force. And his fear of... losing someone else.

Vader can't explain why he's filled with a strong urge to protect him – maybe it's because of their very strong bond, and that he's close enough in age to his own children? – but he doesn't know what to tell him. Not when, for him, there's none he hates more than Sidious.

"He is not who you think he is," Vader points out, "He will destroy the Jedi as well if he is not stopped."

"And you won't?" he challenges.

Athair sighs. "I told you before Anakin, I have no quarrel with the Jedi. They are... misguided, but we have no intention of destroying them. We only want to restore peace, even if we have to go to extents that they never will."

Anakin... doesn't look very convinced. "What do you mean?"

That is not something Vader or any of the others have any intention of completely sharing with him, but they have to tell him something.

"We will... begin in the Outer Rim. The Hutts have ruled for far too long," Vader replies. Letting him know this much shouldn't hurt.

He seems surprised. "You are going to free the slaves?"

"We will start there," he confirms.

He looks a mixture of hopeful and relieved now, though his emotions – especially about Palpatine – are still raging. He requires time to sort through it before returning to Coruscant. They can't risk anything alerting the Council. Or Sidious.

***

"Are you certain the Council will believe it?" Vader asks. Although truthfully, it's not the Jedi Council he's so worried about. Sidious has definitely heard by now about the Sith who appeared out of nowhere. And besides, he isn't in a hurry for Athair to leave. He just got him back and now they're saying goodbye for the indefinite future.

"We already discussed this. They have no reason to suspect otherwise," Athair reiterates, pausing at the bottom of the ramp, "But I know that isn't why you're asking."

In truth, he wants to stay with him at least a few moments longer, but that much is clearly already obvious. "You will be on the same planet as Sidious."

"He has no reason to suspect anything. This time we will have the element of surprise."

Anakin does not look comfortable by this line of conversation, but Vader doesn't know what else they can say to him at this point. He'll have to accept it in time on his own.

"I know."

Athair eyes him. Likely, he knows what's really bothering him right now. "It will not be long," he promises, stepping forward, pulling him into his arms again.

Vader hugs him back tightly, for a moment, before they pull apart. He doesn't want them to leave yet, when he's spent so long apart. But once this is over, they'll be together, ruling the galaxy together as they always should have.

Athair turns to walk up the ramp again, and then Vader abruptly remembers something else. "Anakin?"

The boy pauses, looking back. "Yes?"

"I apologize if this is a difficult topic for you, but what happened to your mother?"

Anakin stills, a sudden wave of pain, grief, and... guilt? crashing into the Force around him. Likely, Vader can only sense it so well because of their bond. "She's gone," he replies quietly.

So they share that in common too.

Athair steps over, laying a comforting hand on Anakin's arm. "It happened ten years later for him," he tells Vader, before the two disappear onto the ship.

Vader almost wants to ask for more details, but it doesn't matter. Shmi is dead. He'll never see her again – any version of her. Not that he expected otherwise. He long since let go of her, even if for a fleeting moment he had still hoped.

He doesn't think he'll ever be able to shake the images of that day from mind. He'd been in Watto's shop with her, when Athair had arrived with Padme – who had yet to be trained as a Sith – looking for parts for their hyperdrive. He was helping her with the Trade Federation blockade of her planet – since the Empire was doing nothing about it.

Athair had tried to free him and Shmi from Watto, and... something had happened with the transmitters. It detonated in front of him. Athair had started electrocuting Watto – he's pretty sure he electrocuted him to death for that – and Padme had pulled Anakin out of the shop to try and help him calm down from everything, if that was possible. Athair took him along when they left.

He may have been raising him more as a Sith apprentice, but he was the only parent – father – Vader knew for the next ten years, and Athair didn't hesitate to show his own affection, even if he was... often harsh.

Vader looks down when Leia reaches over, taking his hand, her brown eyes regarding him with... near worry. Both his children usually notice when something is bothering him, though now Luke is too busy bouncing with excitement to notice.

"Time to leave," Angelus declares, looking to the others.

Vader nods, turning away from watching the receding ship. They have a mission to accomplish. They freed the slaves in the outer Rim once, and now they'll do it again.

***

Anakin still doesn't know what to think about this. They're asking that he betray his beliefs, principles, everything. He knows he shouldn't, that he should remain loyal to the Council, but he can't imagine turning Obi-Wan in. He – he doesn't want to do that. He can't imagine doing that, and he... supports what the Sith are doing right now, if they can truly help where the Jedi can't, though he fears what will happen with the war effort.

His Obi-Wan is gone though. The Sith took him away, and for as much as Anakin wants to be upset with Vader for that he can't bring himself to be. Maybe he should.

He's been told his whole life that his destiny is to destroy the Sith, and he has no idea what that makes for their future now. He didn't ask for this. He didn't want it. Obi-Wan is – he's gone. He might look the same, but he is not the same. Not anymore.

How are they supposed to go back to the Temple and pretend nothing happened?

Obi-Wan – unlike normal – seems to sense his distress. "Anakin," he asks. "What's bothering you?"

"How am I supposed to act as though nothing is wrong?" he demands.

"Where does your loyalty lie?" he asks. "With the Jedi Council or with your family, your friends?"

"I..." Anakin looks away. That's not as easy a question as he wishes it was. "You taught me to be loyal to the Council," he reminds.

"Yes, but you have always cared for your friends. Perhaps too deeply. Vader was the same way. We must do this, the same as we did everything else."

"You're not him anymore," Anakin replies bluntly.

Obi-Wan sighs quietly, leaning over to touch his arm. Maybe it's supposed to be comforting, but all it does is hurt. It's not soothing or grounding as it once could've been. He isn't... scared of him exactly, but it's close enough to be left unsettled. He hates how he can't trust this person not to hurt him. "We all grow and change in life."

"You remember an entire life I know nothing of. We are not... we cannot be the same as we once were."

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan concedes, "But you are still Anakin, and I remember you."

Yes, he knows that, but it's still different. Obi-Wan is nothing like he once was, even if he looks the same. "I know, but you're... different." For a moment, he misses his own Obi-Wan so much, even if it makes no sense when he's sitting right beside him.

"I am not who I was in Vader's reality either," Obi-Wan replies, "I remember a life as a Jedi and a Sith, and I... cannot be either."

What does that mean? "Aren't you a Sith?"

"Yes, but not like I once was." He can feel the Force shift around him, and his eyes fade back to blue. The Dark Side that Anakin has felt on him from the moment the Sith did that ritual disappears, and if he didn't know better, he could almost think that nothing has changed. He feels more or less like he always has. Of course, he'll have to project that or the Council will know immediately something's wrong. Obi-Wan pauses briefly, and he seems... not exactly uncomfortable, but close. "This has not changed how much I care for you, or Vader."

... okay, if Anakin had any doubts as to how similar Obi-Wan is to the one he remembers, they're definitely dispelled now, because he doesn't say things like that. All he can do is stare.

Obi-Wan dares to look momentarily amused at the probably incredulous expression on his face. What? What is he supposed to say?!

"You were... more to me than just an apprentice. Both of you."

Anakin just gapes at him, for a few moments, because what. He does not talk about things like this. He just doesn't. "Master..." he trails off, unsure what he's trying to say.

"I know as a Jedi I did not show it, but you... you meant so much to me."

What –?! He has no idea how to react to this, but it's... something a part of him always wanted to hear, even if he knew he never would. Because Obi-Wan had always seemed like a perfect Jedi, and never liked it when Anakin made it obvious he saw him as more than just a master, even if he didn't seem to dislike it either.

He's different now, though, and even if he doesn't entirely feel like his Obi-Wan anymore, he... still is. Apparently, half becoming a Sith made him far more willing to talk about this?

Anakin hasn't let himself think this much about what he does see Obi-Wan as in a long time, and the emotions whirling through him are almost more intense than he can handle. And he suddenly has no idea what to say, how he should react to what Obi-Wan just said.

Obi-Wan stands, and Anakin stands opposite him, uncertainly. It might be strange because this Obi-Wan is technically still a Sith, but when he doesn't say anything, Anakin finally steps closer, wrapping his arms around him.

He's wanted this from the moment the Sith took him, when he was so afraid that he was going to lose him. For a moment, it almost feels like he has his own Obi-Wan back, even if that's not entirely true.

His former master slips his arms surprisingly tightly around him. Obi-Wan doesn't say anything else, but the affection Anakin senses through their bond says more than any words could have.

All Anakin knows now with certainty is that there's no way he can tell the Council about what's really going on. For a fleeting moment, he can't help but wonder if this was Obi-Wan's intention from the start because he's a Sith, after all, but Anakin doesn't want to let himself think like that.

This... It's what he always wanted to hear for so long – even if thinking about attachments this deep is not the Jedi way – and he doesn't want to consider that it could be for nothing more than to manipulate him. No, his master means it. He's certain of it. Besides, what he can feel from him in the Force is not fake.

He won't tell the Council, and he can only hope this is the right choice.

Chapter Text

Nal Hutta is exactly as Rapax remembered it from before. It's as hot and humid as before, with nothing but swamps covering the entire surface, except for a few towns and capital city located near each other. All things considered, the population on the planet is pretty small, and that will make their job easier.

She didn't remember her way around, but finding a holomap of the capital city, Bilbousa, was easy enough. There's hardly any places of significance anyway.

She moves silently through the street, with Mara trailing along behind her. Her robes would make her stand out if anyone knew what Sith were, but apparently they don't, so it makes it easier. Hiding the explosives in clothes like this is simple enough. No one casts them more than a sideways glance.

Okay, almost no one. The only... glances she's getting undoubtedly have more to do with the fact that she's a Togruta than anything. Everyone knows the status of most Togrutas, after all. And wandering around alone is generally never a good idea, even if one is free. Not as if that's a concern for her. It only disgusts her, and she's itching for action.

"There's the next tower," Mara observes quietly, stopping.

"Go on," Rapax nods, and they continue forwards. The fact that they're trying to remain hidden is unspoken – they both know it, anyway. It's best not to attract attention to themselves lest they cause a scene.

She throws a calculated glance around, to make sure no one is watching before moving to lean against a nearby wall, pretending as though she's just watching and waiting for something. Not as if people don't do that all the time. Mara takes a position a short distance away, and Rapax discreetly slips a bomb out from under her robes, maneuvering it across the ground with the Force, then lifting when it reaches the foot of the tower, fixing it in place.

If they're going to free the slaves, all the towers that control the slave chips must be destroyed first.

Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Mara setting one of her own explosives. As soon as they've gotten all of them in position, Rapax starts off down the street again.

Only to nearly run right into a half-drunk human. His gaze focuses on her instantly, and he stops walking. He spews out something in only half-coherent Huttese as he reaches for her. Anger and sheer disgust fill her, and she kicks him hard into the wall next to them. He lets out a furious exclamation, catching his balance and lunging at her again.

Fine. It's not as if people like this deserve any mercy anyway. They're the kind she came to eliminate. She tackles him, slamming him against the wall, wrapping her hands around his neck. And maybe she uses a touch of the Force as she snaps it, letting his body fall to the ground before turning away.

"Come on," she calls, looking back to Mara.

The younger girl nods determinedly, and the two take off down the street again.

If anyone saw, no one will question it. The entire place is full of mercenaries, bounty hunters, and other such scum. It would be strange if people weren't murdered in the streets all the time. It does make this part of their job easier, though.

Time to finish these towers.

***

Getting into the main communications tower is going to be more of a challenge, but planting the bombs so far has almost been too easy. No one noticed anything. Rapax and Mara should be able to handle the rest of the towers.

Following his father, Luke stealthily makes his way towards the main tower, reaching into the Force to see if anyone is watching. No one is close by, and none of them seem practically interested in them. It's not a fail safe method of making sure they won't be caught, but it's a good way of doing it without looking suspicious. Not that they couldn't fight off anyone who attacked them, but his father was adamant that they don't want to make a scene – they need to get in and out without being noticed. If they're spotted, it will only lead to more unnecessary resistance.

The perpetual fog hanging in the air makes it easier, though Luke really thinks he could do without the rain.

Vader opens the door with the Force and they slip inside, letting it close behind them. No one is here, but a communication blackout will be noticed immediately. "Keep watch," Vader instructs him, before moving to the control panels, getting to work.

"I won't even get a chance to dry off," he grumbles, heading for the door. It's not like he can see if someone is approaching from the inside.

"You will once we get into the palace," Vader tells him flatly, keeping his attention focused on the controls. It's going to take a while for them to undo whatever his father is doing to them, especially when the fighting breaks out so no one will have time.

He slips back outside into the fog, tensing imperceptibly when someone pauses to look at him. He doesn't think they noticed where he was, but... After eyeing him for another moment, the person moves on, and Luke breathes out a quiet sigh of relief. No fighting yet, his father had said, and even if he's... eager for it, it's better when it's on their terms.

Only a few minutes later, the door opens again and his father comes out. "All communications should be down," he says, in a low voice, "We must reach the palace before they have time to start repairing it."

Luke nods, and takes off down the street, trying not to move overly fast as they make their way to the main Hutt palace. A number of the leaders are here right now, which is why they timed their attack for when they did.

Bounty hunters and mercenaries – one's directly working for the Hutts – are milling about everywhere as they get closer and closer to the palace. Luke pointedly ignores all of them, walking as though he belongs here, the same way Vader is. Often, that's the easiest way to be ignored.

The excuse for a palace is sitting at a somewhat higher elevation than the rest of the surrounding area, the lights from some of the higher levels lighting it up through the fog. People are moving about everywhere, occasionally being stopped by the guards for questioning. They're approaching it from the back side, where there isn't much movement, but being seen is practically a given. It's only a matter of taking down the guards before –

"Stop," a voice orders from behind them.

They both casually turn around to face the guard. "Yes?" Vader asks, calmly.

"What are you doing here?" the guard demands. A Nikto, Luke observes. There's a lot of them here. He should be easy enough to handle.

Vader lifts a hand, manipulating the Force around him, and he promptly collapses to the ground, fast asleep. The next person to see him will wake him up, but they should be long gone by then.

"We must move quickly," Vader warns, sprinting forwards for the back entrance.

"When don't I?" Luke quips, racing to catch up.

The guards at the door instantly raise their blasters, but Vader blasts them back into the wall hard enough to knock them unconscious before they can shoot.

Luke raises a hand, pushing the door open with the Force and they hurry past, into the building. He can hear people moving around very close by, and someone is probably about to come around the corner any moment.

He reaches for his lightsaber, concealed beneath his robes, though he doesn't pull it out as they hurry through the back halls of the palace, dodging any guards as much as they can as they head for the area where the Hutts keep their... pets. A rancor, and maybe a couple others that Luke doesn't care to identify.

Now, from here, Luke just needs to make himself scarce until he's needed again. He backs away into a corner, leaning against a wall where no one will notice him right away, and waits.

Only moments later, a loud snarl fills the air. The floor beneath him suddenly shakes and he hears a far off very loud crash. He can't help but smirk to himself. The rancor and the others are free – being controlled by Vader through the Force – and no one will even realize they are the ones behind it until it's too late, if at all.

The floor shakes again, and he hears close shouts of alarm. Moments later, guards run into view as the rancor comes barreling around the corner.

Luke instantly uses the opportunity to his advantage, turning and sprinting away towards the higher levels of the palace. The slaves he's supposed to be getting to safety are everywhere, but he'll start on the main level where many are near the Hutt Council.

All out chaos breaks loose after that. The guards are running everywhere, trying to stop the animals, but they're too fast to be slowed down, and most of them get eaten before they can fire off more than a few shots. Luke's pretty sure they're panicking too much to notice that the animals seem to mysteriously know precisely where to go and what to do – and that they aren't hurting any of the slaves.

People are running everywhere through the halls, and Luke hastily sprints forwards, pulling several slaves – he's certain they are from how they're acting and their species – to safety near the wall as the rancor thunders past. Personally, he wonders how much of the palace is even going to last with this.

"We can't stop it!" One of the guards shouts desperately, shooting at it again, right before it dives down, chomping him in two.

Several more guards race around the corner, shooting at it.

One of them grabs a Twi'lek who's attempting to flee out of its path, throwing her in front of it.

Which wouldn't have worried Luke too much because he knows the rancor wouldn't hurt her, if not for the sudden flare of warning from the Force. No, they're planning to –

"No!" Luke cries, running forwards, but he doesn't move fast enough.

Her slave chip detonates, the explosion ringing out loudly, and... He turns away from what's left of her, glancing up at the rancor. It rears back, growling. It's injured, even if not much.

"It's working," one of the guards realizes gleefully, "There's more!" he gestures to the slaves that Luke had pulled to safety before.

Anger rushes through him, and he ignites his lightsaber, charging the guards.

They let out exclamations in Huttese that he doesn't take the time to listen to, cutting the first two down. The third reacts quickly, shooting at him as he backs away, and several more come around the corner. Their surprise and confusion echoes loudly in the Force, but they immediately draw their blasters, shooting at him.

The rancor storms past behind them, and all the guards try to dive for safety, though it steps on two of them very intentionally as it goes by, running into the main room where the Hutt Council is located, blasting the entrance door off its hinges.

Luke hastily cuts down the guards in the hallway, sprinting into the main room right as the rancor dives for Gardulla. The other present Hutt Council members frantically try to move across the room away from the angry animal – right as the other exit to the room brusts open and a second animal charges inside.

He runs through the chaos, trying to get as many of the slaves to safety as he can. They're panicking too much to ask him why he's doing it, but that's probably for the best since there's no time for a drawn out conversation right now.

He rips the controller away from one of the guards before they can blow up their slaves, and then he promptly starts shooting at him. Several more guards flock towards Luke, shooting, and for the first time he feels a sudden prickle of fear – past the thrill of fighting. They're coming at him from multiple angles, and there's too many people in here for Vader to send one of the animals to the rescue, especially given his position. He doesn't even have his back to the wall, which is making it harder to keep up with the fighting.

There's a sudden flash of red, and Mara – what?! Where did she come from?! – lands behind the guards, slashing two of their heads off as she hits the ground.

"You looked like you could use some help," Mara calls, moving to stand back to back as they keep on attacking the guards.

"I had it under control," Luke shoots back.

"If by under control you mean 'about to get shot', then yes. I don't think your father would take that well," Mara retorts, spinning her blade to deflect a shot that might have taken off his head. He jumps forwards, cutting through the next guard in front of him, deflecting a shot away to hit another fatally.

"What are you doing here?" Luke calls, above the commotion.

"Everything else is... ready," she replies.

"Well, then you're right on time, because we're almost done here."

As if in response, the rancor chomps the head off the last Hutt in the room. It's the only animal left, the others having already been killed or too injured to keep moving.

Luke and Mara charge for the last remaining bounty hunters in the room – there's probably a few stranglers left in the place they need to go through and take care of too – as the charging animals run for the main entrance of the palace. Luke hastily finishes with the guards before running to the front to open the door, letting the creatures out into the main street.

He doesn't know where Rapax is, but she's obviously watching the palace, waiting for her moment to act. He feels the slight shift in the Force right before it happens.

A deafening explosion fills the air, and all across the landscape he can see the brilliant flashes of light as the towers across the entire capital city explode in unison, along with a few other key positions that would be best destroyed – the ones they could take out without hurting the slaves. The ground trembles violently from the force of the explosion, and then Rapax jumps over the edge of a building, landing easily on the ground as the animals begin charging down the street.

All the bounty hunters milling about in the streets instantly turn and start shooting at the rancor. Time for another fight.

***

Vader keeps himself deeply immersed in the Force, connected to the mind of the last living animal – the rancor, as it runs through the streets of Bilbousa.

He might have destroyed this entire place in his own reality, but it's no less satisfying to do it a second time. He remembers very little from before Tatooine, but the faint images of the foggy surroundings, the feel of the hot humid air, and the memories of... the beatings he and his mother endured are still forever burned in his mind, even if most of it is nothing but impressions now.

He lets the amount of pain of all forms he can sense fuel him. The entire place deserves to be destroyed. It will take time for them to actually gain full control of the planet, but they're prepared for it. Bounty hunters have little loyalty, after all. And the populace doesn't need to know his plans for the slaves... or for the slavers. Many of the slaves likely won't want to stay on Nal Hutta – or Tatooine where Angelus and Leia currently are – but they'll deal with that later.

From what he can feel, it's mostly mainly the slaves left in the palace now. Most of them are still panicking, but when they realize what this means for them, they'll be relieved.

He can feel it when more blaster shots repeatedly strike the rancor, injuring it further. It's already been hit badly, and he knows it won't last for much longer. The other three should be able to handle it if anyone tries to use the slaves as bombs against the rancor.

Vader's connection on the rancor abruptly snaps. It must be dead.

And that means it's time for them to finish up the rest of the plan. He strides out of the area where the animals were being kept – he had to stay there where no one would see him so he wouldn't get his concentration broken – heading for the outside of the palace.

The slaves are eyeing him warily, but none of them approach him. He'll deal with them later, but first, it's time to announce to everyone that he's the new leader of Nal Hutta.

Now that the animals are dead, the Hutts' still living guards are starting to make their way towards the palace entrance. Rapax, Luke, and Mara are standing in front of the entrance waiting for him.

"This place is no longer under control of the Hutts," Vader tells them lightly, in response to their inquiries, and demands to get into the palace – whether to check on the Hutts, or on their... "property".

"It's still the location of the Hutt Council," the guard challenges.

"No longer," Vader replies sharply. "We are in charge now."

"Step aside," warns the guard in front, in a tone implying he's out of patience, "Or face the consequences."

A blood red blade hisses to life in Vader's hands.

"Jedi?" exclaims one of the others, incredulously. Of course, they're shocked, because the Jedi have never bothered helping those in need like they claimed to.

"We are not Jedi," spits Rapax, activating her twin blades and lunging forwards.

"Lock the palace down," Vader orders, looking over his shoulder to Mara.

She nods, spinning around and sprinting away into the building. Moments later, the main gate slides closed, and he knows she's more than capable of handling the rest, and any remaining bounty hunters who might be inside.

Luke is stronger than she is, so it's better if he stays out here, at least for now. There's a few dozen guards out here, and more will probably be coming, but once they realize they're losing, many of them will probably flee. If the slavers did realize what they were planning to do here, they would never stop coming to attack them, trying to wear them down until someone slipped up, but they don't know it, and won't until it's too late.

The guards open fire, and Vader and Luke stand close together, deflecting the shots away. Rapax's blades move in a blur as she attacks the guards, cutting through a few who come too close before she falls back a few steps, to keep up with the barrage of shots coming at them from all angles except behind.

Mara has to keep everything in the palace under control, because right now, that's the only safe angle they don't have to defend themselves from.

Vader flicks his free hand, throwing the first line of bounty hunters back. He instantly uses the momentary pause in fighting to his advantage, wrapping the Force around several of their necks, snapping them without a second thought. Luke charges forwards, slashing through several of the guards, dodging a shot that nearly hits him in the head before he resumes deflecting shots. He's handled the situation very well, for how young he is.

Sure enough, more bounty hunters and guards keep on coming, but they're falling almost as quickly now. The three of them have already advanced a short distance away from the palace, cutting through more quickly now – though Vader can tell that Luke is starting to get worn out. His fighting is getting a little sloppier now, and Vader can feel his exhaustion in the Force.

They need to end this fight, and soon.

Suddenly he hears the familiar sound of aircraft approaching, and looks up sharply to see several smaller ships flying towards them. They'd destroyed some of them already, but others had been left, either because of their position or potential use later.

The first one fires, and Vader deflects the shot back at the craft. The wing explodes and it spirals out of control, crashing amidst the guards.

The next few ships shoot down at them anyway, and Vader casually deflects the shots back at their source. It's right as both of them explode, though, that he suddenly feels the flare of pain from his bond with Luke.

He looks over his shoulder, for a moment, to see the boy stumble back a step, a blaster wound obvious on his shoulder, even through the darkness of his robes. He dropped his lightsaber when it happened, and another blast nearly takes his head off, but Rapax is quick to deflect it away.

No. These slavers will not touch his son.

Vader lashes out with the Force, sending the last of the ships crashing to the ground before turning to the bounty hunters. There's only about a dozen left, and he reaches into the Force, drawing on it to crush their necks in a second. The last remaining ones turn and run, disappearing down the street. Maybe they'll try to get reinforcements, but they'll be more than ready to deal with them when they return.

"Luke!" he calls, hurrying to his side.

"It's not bad," he insists, though his relief is clear as Vader leads him into the palace, and the gate closes behind them.

Mara is standing on the other side, a slightly worried look on her face when she eyes Luke. "I locked down the whole place. The only people left are slavers," Mara reports, "I... explained to them why we're here."

"Good," Vader replies, "We will tend to any wounded and before we proceed."

***

Working across the planet a bit at a time, freeing all the slaves and dealing with the slavers is tiring, but they're making progress quickly. It's easier now that some of the frees slaves have been more than eager to stay and help them. Some of the bounty hunters have stuck around too, whether because of money or otherwise, Rapax doesn't know or care, but she's keeping a close eye on them in case they try anything.

They're keeping it a tight secret as much as they can about what's really happening on the planet. No one needs to find out about it until they have a much more substantial movement in the works. It's too much risk that the Hutts will strike back – even if they normally wouldn't since it's... bad for business.

But they have a semi stable government here for the time being, even if it's hard for anything to function properly since there's so much chaos right now. It's going to take a lot to get the planet back in working order again, and after they do, they can deal with the former slaves who don't want to stay here anymore.

But they've been working here long enough, and it's time to see what progress Angelus and Leia have had on Tatooine.

"Perhaps I should stay here," she remarks, staring out at the foggy covered planet. She hates the planet just as much as she did before, but it will only be temporary. "Until things are more... established."

Vader nods his agreement. "Perhaps you should," he agrees. "There is still resistance among the slavers, and as soon as they find out we have left, they could try something."

"I'll keep Mara with me," she decides, "You can take Luke and go to Tatooine."

Chapter Text

The Tatooine suns burn brightly overhead as Angelus and Leia circle around the side of Jabba's palace, away from the front gate. It's hard to do it without being noticed, but they're good at that. Angelus remembers destroying this place before, except last time Vader was here. It shouldn't be hard to do it without him this time, though.

Jawas are scurrying about, and they're likely to raise an alarm, but by then, they'll already be inside the palace.

"We can go in here," she decides, coming to a stop by one of the back walls.

Leia nods, igniting her lightsaber, and stabbing it into the wall. Angelus immediately joins her, cutting through the wall in a circle. Leia kicks in the stone when they finish, climbing through the hole with Angelus close behind.

Several guards inside are already aiming their blasters and start shooting. Angelus spins her blade, deflecting the shots back at their source. A couple of them go down, and Leia lunges at the next one as he shoots again, stabbing him. Angelus finishes off the last one and they take off down the hall.

They need to get to the main room with Jabba, but taking a side route and making sure no one can sneak up behind them will make it easier.

They stride side by side down the hall, holding their lightsabers ready in front of them. Several more guards spot them instantly and start shooting. One of them retreats down the hall, probably to warn others that there's intruders in the palace. Angelus lifts a hand, yanking him back towards her with the Force before he can, stabbing him through with her lightsaber as Leia takes down a couple of the other guards in the hall.

They finish cutting their way through them, continuing forwards.

Right now they can handle it, but Angelus knows that won't last forever. There's so many here it will be easy to get overwhelmed. That's why starting out here is easiest.

If things do get too far, they can let loose the rancor. On second thought, maybe they should do that anyway. Angelus was only hesitant because they wouldn't be able to control the destruction while fighting off the guards at the same time – and it might end up eating some slaves – but if it's staying in the lower levels of the palace, it will provide sufficient distraction.

More and more guards try to intercept them, but they cut their way through all of them, pressing on for the room where Jabba is.

Angelus waves a hand, opening an entrance with the Force and the two stalk into the room. All eyes in the room immediately turn to them. "Who are you?" Jabba demands, in Huttese.

All blasters are immediately trained on them, and Angelus isn't foolish enough to think they couldn't be overwhelmed by the number of people in here. Leia is strong, but she doesn't have the experience the older Sith do. She can't overestimate either of their abilities. She knows Leia won't need the reminder, though – Angelus and Vader have drilled that into their children's heads over and over, not to let the Dark Side blind them into taking completely unnecessary and unreasonable risks, because they're blinded by the power enough to think they can handle it.

"Your rule is at an end, Jabba," Angelus warns.

Jabba's eyes narrow and he lets a furious noise. "Kill them!" he snarls, and the guards fire.

They have their backs to the door, so they can only be attacked from one direction, and they'll leave a way to retreat if they actually need to, since they cleared that area of the palace first. Their red blades move in a constant flurry of motion, deflecting the blasts back at the bounty hunters one after another.

One of them hurls a vibroblade at them, but Leia slashes it aside with her lightsaber and they keep pressing forwards. One by one, the bounty hunters and guards start to fall. None of the ones with non-blasters for weapons can get close enough to attack them right now, without risk of being shot, which makes it easier.

One of the doors on the far side of the room starts to open, and Angelus jumps across the area, plunging her blade through the controls, before it can. It slams closed again, sealing them out.

The room is almost completely blocked off, so it will take a while for any more reinforcements to get into the room. She immediately fights her way back to Leia's side again, as they continue moving through the room.

She raises a hand, unleashing a barrage of Force lightning on the closest bounty hunters, and all of them go down. Even if they do get back up, some of their weapons were probably short-circuited by that.

Jabba squirms his way off his platform as the fighting only intensifies, trying to head for... she doesn't care where, but they have to stop him. Except there's no way they can, because there's too many guards blocking their way. Angelus throws several back with the Force, ducking part way behind a wall to give her a moment to concentrate, then flips the control on the covering the rancor pit. The grate over the opening promptly falls open, and all the guards standing there fall down screaming.

Several of the guards are totally caught by surprise, and Angelus uses their slight moment of hesitation to throw them all down into the pit too. She can hear the rancor roaring gleefully as turns her focus back to attacking the guards when they swarm towards her.

Leia lifts a hand, and Jabba suddenly stops mid-movement. His tiny arms wave around desperately as he tries to breathe, and Angelus hastily positions herself in front of Leia so no one can shoot her while she's focusing.

A couple shots have grazed Angelus in the fight, but she pushes past it, letting the pain fuel her determination to win this fight. Another catches her in the leg – though not deeply – and she stubbornly ignores it, continuing to fight.

Leia tightens her Force grip, and within moments the Hutt is dead.

"Jabba is dead," Angelus calls, above the firing, and for a moment, the remaining ones in the room pause in their shooting, "You can continue to fight in support of his corpse and die, or join us."

The guards exchange glances.

"What do you want?" demands Bib Fortuna, Jabba's majordomo.

"What did Jabba want here?" Angelus replies easily.

"You plan to rule?" one of the other bounty hunters asks skeptically.

"Of course," she scoffs.

"The Hutt clans will never let you get away with this," retorts one of the guards – one who traditionally works for the Hutts.

"I think they will," Leia retorts, "Starting a war is bad business, and who wants that?"

The guards look between them and each other, indecisively. There's only a little over a dozen or thereabouts left in the room now – aside from the slaves cowering in the corners.

"Lay down your weapons," she instructs.

They look at each other again, and then several promptly fire. Angelus swings up her blade, deflecting the shots back at them. The first couple go down quickly, and one of the other bounty hunters draws their own weapon, shooting the last couple standing ones.

Well, this is almost going better than she expected. Almost. But she knows none of them had any true loyalty to the Jabba – and most of those who did are dead now.

"We must determine the loyalties of the others here. Eliminate those who will not comply," Angelus orders.

She reaches into the Force to see what their true intentions are. Most don't care who the leader is, and while she can sense dishonesty in at least one of them, they should be able to handle all those who will stubbornly continue to fight.

But first... "Will you be willing to work for us the way you did Jabba?" Angelus queries, turning to the Twi'lek. At least for now, they need to keep some level of stability here.

She can feel through the Force, the thoughts whirling through his mind. He's... has his own interests at hand, but he knows he'll never be able to fight them if he wants to... take control himself, for instance.

"I will," he agrees, at last.

"Good," Angelus replies lightly, "Then secure this room, and we will deal with the rest."

She pauses for a moment, eyeing the other slaves in the room. They'll deal with them next, once the palace is officially taken over. There's still a way to go, and she knows it will take time, but the hardest – actually, it's probably the easiest – part is over for now.

***

Finding any traces of the anti-slavery movement here is next to impossible, but Leia knows that's how it should be, or they would have been found a long time ago. If they're even hard for a Sith to track down, it means they're doing a good job. But she does wish she was having a little more success at locating them.

They won't be able to free an entire planet with just the two of them – and even when the other four get here – so they'll need assistance from people who are actually loyal. So far, she doesn't know how loyal any of their new guards or an occasional bounty hunter are going to be when it comes to that.

Reclaiming the rest of the palace had taken time, but they managed to do it while keeping around a dozen or so of Jabba's guards still alive. And they were able to free all the slaves in the palace, but right now, they'll need outside help to do much more. If the slavers realize what they're really up to, she doubts any of those guards will stand by them – and again, they can't risk it until her father and brother get here, for certain. There's only two of them right now, and they don't want to risk the entire economy on Tatooine collapsing completely. That could far too easily lead to starvation and no water at all, and then no one will be surviving this. Nal Hutta is easier in some ways, because at least their resources are more readily available. Here, the slightest mistake could lead to mass chaos.

The anti-slavery movement will have people who have been doing things like this for a long time, and they know how to do it. They're have the tools to do it it to – like how to find and remove the slave chips, even if she knows it's complicated because the frequencies the chips emit change constantly.

But she's finally managed to locate two people who she's pretty sure are contacts.

The two figures raise their weapons instantly, pointing them at Leia. It would be easy enough to handle them if she has to, but she has no intention of making this end in a fight. "I'm here as a friend," she declares, holding up her hands in an attempt to be placating.

Neither of the two look convinced. The wind whips around them, in that moment pulling back at the hood that the woman had somewhat obscuring her face. The man Leia doesn't recognize, but the moment she can clearly see the woman's face...

"Sabe?" Leia blurts, without thinking.

To her credit, she only jolts in slight surprise before her expression immediately steels. "Who are you?" she demands.

"My name is Leia," she tries, "I just came to Tatooine with my mother to help the slaves. I presume that's what you're here for too?"

"Then how do you know that name?" the man demands, eyes narrowed. She ignores how unsettling it is to have both blasters pointed at her and not from the same directions. She could easily duck the shots if they fired, but still.

She can't easily explain that she's from a different reality. No one would believe her, and it's better if no one knows, either. It's not a risk they can take. "I know a lot about Naboo," she answers, evasively, "My mother is from there."

The woman perks up a little. "You're Nubian?"

"Half. My father is from here. That's why we came to help," she explains, sending them a reassuring nudge through the Force. Hopefully, that will help in convincing them she isn't here to attack.

After a moment, the two start slowly lowering their blasters, but they still look and feel visibly wary.

"I'm not going to ask your names," Leia continues, after a moment, "Whatever you tell me is up to you. But I'm here to help with the anti-slavery movement. We have resources to stage a more major operation, but we're just getting organized and it would be easier if we could work with the existing movement." The Force whispers to her that she can trust them, and besides, she knew Sabe very well in the other timeline.

She was like an aunt, and Leia suddenly finds herself missing her, especially because she knows she'll never see her again. Even if there's a version of Sabe here, it's not the same. She's not the one who remembers them, who Leia grew up with. They often didn't have much time with each other – and the goodbye she said to her before leaving had been... with an obvious note of finality – but now she almost wishes she could see her again.

"Can you prove it?" the man asks, suspicion coloring his tone. To be fair, neither of them could have survived this long here if they weren't suspicious.

"I can help you with your next mission," she offers. It's too risky to tell anyone anything more right now.

They exchange glances. "We would appreciate any help," Sabe replies, carefully, "How can we contact you?"

"Here," Leia replies, passing over an encrypted comm. They can call directly to the palace from here, and no one will be able to trace it. It's the most she can do right now, but at least they have contact with the movement.

Neither of the two offer what names they're going by here, not that Leia was expecting any differently. If she does enough digging, she could probably figure it out on her own, but it's hardly necessary. They know as much as they need to. It's time to get to work.

***

If Leia was a little younger, she'd be practically bouncing with excitement when she sees the familiar ship landing outside Jabba's former palace. She's still eager anyway, because it's been much too long that they've been separate. They've made progress on freeing the slaves on Tatooine in the meantime, but it will be easier once they can do it more openly. Already, people are starting to wonder what's going on, because they've picked up the pace with it so much.

The ramp descends and her father walks down, with Luke following, who looks to be equally bursting with eagerness.

"Father," she exclaims, darting forwards, throwing her arms around him. Maybe she has been very busy, but she still missed them.

He embraces her tightly, kissing her forehead. "Are you alright, little one?" he asks. Now is really not the time to point that she is not that little, so she keeps any comments to herself. And besides, she kind of likes it.

"We're doing fine, but I'm glad you're here," she murmurs, into his robes. After a moment, she steps back. "Are you all alright? Are Rapax and Mara here?"

"We're fine too," Luke chirps. He looks like he's bursting with excitement, probably because they're finally together again, and because he knows they'll be back to some fighting soon. He's always eager for that.

"They stayed behind on Nal Hutta, to keep things under control," Vader replies.

She nods, stepping around him and briefly pulling Luke into a hug, poking him when he tugs her braid.

"You have sand all over your hair," he tells her cheerfully.

"Trust me, you're going to in minutes," she shoots back.

Vader watches them with mild amusement. "What is the situation here?"

"I got in contact with you know..." she trails off, and he nods, "And Mother is in control at the palace for now. Most people don't care that Jabba is dead, but they're all... trying to figure out what we're going to be like as rulers." Which means lots of trying to pull favors and attempts to impress them, like by giving them gifts of slaves. Because apparently that is supposed to impress them?

"Where is she?" he inquires.

"In a meeting with the newest mayor," Leia replies, "But I'm starting to like him even less than the last one."

"What happened to the last one?" Luke asks.

"He... had an accidental appointment with Prince," she replies.

"Who's that?"

"The rancor," she chirps.

"It's still alive?" Vader queries.

"You named it?" Luke echoes.

"Why not?" Leia asks, "Just be glad I didn't name it 'Luke'. You two are actually quite alike."

He rolls his eyes. "Riiiight."

"No, I'm serious! Both of you are very noisy while eating, and – "

"Hey!"

"– and you like fighting and make sure everyone knows about it."

"Rancors are usually peaceful, unless they are starved," Vader interjects.

Luke smirks at her.

"My point still stands," she insists.

"Alright," Vader interrupts, clearly amused, "We have much to discuss and plan, and we must move quickly." He looks past them, staring out at the sand dunes in all directions. She can clearly feel his turbulent emotions about being back on this planet again. They spent a lot of time here in their own reality when they were freeing it, and she knows that there's a part of him that will always see Tatooine as a home of sorts. That doesn't mean most of his painful memories aren't centered around the planet, so she knows he certainly far from enjoys being here.

"Of course, Father," Leia replies, reaching out to take his hand again as they head into the rest of the palace.

"We will need a capital for our Alliance," Vader remarks, as they walk.

"Anywhere but Nal Hutta, please," Luke offers cheerfully.

"Was it that bad?" Leia asks teasingly.

"I never want to see rain again!"

"I think you'll change your mind soon," she shoots back.

"I believe Tatooine may be the most ideal location," Vader continues, "The terrain and climate will make it... challenging for anyone who wants to attack us." Right. Because even if no one cares a whole lot right now, that isn't going to last. Not when they start expanding and making their true intentions better known. When that happens, they have to be ready to defend themselves. That's why she so urgently needed to get in contact with the anti-slavery movement that already exists here.

"Where are we going next, Father?" Luke inquires.

"Once Tatooine is under control, there are other Hutt controlled worlds nearby. We will take over them one by one. We already have many who support us and more will come when they realize there is hope."

"Oh, something else you might want to know," Leia says, lowering her voice, even though she knows no one is close enough to hear, "This reality's... Aunt Sabe is here."

"Really?!" Luke exclaims. "Wait – she isn't a Jedi, is she?"

"No," Leia hastily assures, "I don't think she's trained in the Force."

"I would like to meet her," Vader declares.

***

Vader makes his way through the familiar streets of Mos Espa through the area that they haven't moved through yet. They'll be getting here soon enough, but for now, life is continuing more or less the way it always did – though he knows the word of what's going on has definitely already spread. If anyone realizes who he is, he's likely to get attacked, not that he's concerned.

He's out here for a reason. He's been helping personally free many slaves and deal with the slavers, but this, in particular, is... personal. He remembers these streets far too well. It may be another reality and ten years in the future when he once passed through here every day, but so little has changed he could almost feel like he's in the past again.

Are any of his old friends from Tatooine around here? Did Anakin know Kitster? Is this reality's Kitster still alive? He'll look for them, maybe, once he has the time.

Finally, the much too familiar shop comes into view, and he approaches, pausing in the doorway, taking in the scene. The sudden rush of memories swell to the front of mind, of that day. He could never shake from his mind, the image of – of after his mother exploded. And then Watto had literally been irate with Athair for ruining his property because the explosive hadn't been intentionally set off – though he thinks the Toydarian was hoping it would kill Athair when it happened, which of course it didn't.

Vader's gaze narrows on the familiar figure of the Toydarian as he flies out from the back of the shop, shouting orders at someone mostly out of sight. Taking a step closer, he can make out the figure of a younger Rodian boy cleaning parts the same way Vader himself used to. The way Anakin did in this reality.

A burning fury and hatred surge in him at the sight, He will end this slaver, here and now. This Watto may not be the one who killed his mother, but he knows he hurt Anakin and Anakin's version of Shmi over and over again. Vader remembers the beatings and... everything he and his mother had been through here, whether because of him or not, and he knows Anakin was no better off.

"Whaddya want?" Watto demands, flying towards him, and to his credit, he actually looks a little unnerved at the sight of him in the doorway. "Who are you?" he continues, wings beating furiously as he narrows his eyes, "You look... familiar."

"I'm surprised you remember me," he retorts, coldly.

The Toydarian's eyes narrow. "You look like Ani, but you're too old to be him."

"I may not be the one you kept enslaved, but close enough," he says, darkly, and he feels another flicker of uncertainty and wariness from the Toydarian in the Force, even if the only obvious emotion in his gaze is suspicion.

The Dark Side calls to him, demanding blood, and he finally lets himself give into it. The Rodian boy just stepped out to the junkyard in the back of the shop, which is definitely for the best. He does not need to see this.

"Whatever ya want, I'm sure we can work out a deal," he says. What? Does he think Vader is here after some debt? In a way he is, and he's going to repay that debt here and now.

For Anakin. And his – both of their mothers, from both realities.

All of his own anger against his former master burns through him, demanding release and he lets it. He lifts a hand, letting the Dark Side rush through him, pouring it into the blueish-white Force lightning as it engulfs the Toydarian.

His strangled screams fill the air, and within moments it's over, the body falling to the floor.

Vader drops his hand back to his side, breathing hard as he stares at the body now on the floor. It's over, and it was a horrible way to die, and he'd made it fast for that reason, but it still feels like it wasn't enough. He still remembers much of what happened on Tatooine in his childhood. It... was what he'd used to fuel him when he was young and first started using the Dark Side.

Finally moving past, Vader heads for the back of the shop where the Rodian was – or more accurately is, cowering behind one of the scrap piles. He remembers well how shaken up he was after Athair did that, so he can hardly blame the boy for his fear.

"Come," he tells him, gently, "You're free."

Chapter Text

Danger ripples sharply through the Force, and Vader is awake in a flash, jolting upright in bed as he instantly scans the darkness of the bedroom. A droid is buzzing only inches above his head, ready to – He doesn't wait to find out, reaching out and crushing it with the Force, letting it fall in sparking pieces to the floor.

Angelus is already sitting up reaching for her lightsaber next to their bed.

He knew an assassination attempt was coming, but how they managed to get into the palace without being discovered is a different story.

The Force is still humming with danger, though, and he can feel... the Dark Side. The disturbance he's been noticing since the previous night, except that it's –

The sound of activating lightsabers fills the room, and a dark robed figure leaps out of the shadows, twin red blades aiming for his head.

The droid was never intended to kill him, was it? Only meant to throw off his senses, thinking that that was the danger.

He lashes out with the Force, throwing the figure back off the bed and igniting his own blade.

There's only three known Sith here, Athair had said. Sidious, Dooku, and his assassin. And he highly doubts either of the Sith lords came here, and even through the darkness, he can see enough of the figure to be fairly certain she's female.

His blade hums to life in his hand as the assassin leaps at him again. Their blades clash and he shoves her back. She lets out a snarl of rage, slashing furiously at him again. Her hood falls back, to reveal a gray-skinned, female Zabrak. Ventress.

Angelus flips over the bed, landing on Ventress' other side, swinging for her.

Evidently, though unsurprisingly, they've caught Sidious' and Dooku's attention. He's not even surprised about that. They're the leaders of the rest of the galaxy, after all, and the Republic had an Alliance with Jabba. But for Sidious to go so far as sending someone to assassinate them... Well, it's a good thing they're almost ready to go to Coruscant and deal with him in person.

Ventress parries his and Angelus' blows, backing away a few steps

They're more than a match for her, he realizes quickly, as he presses his attack. She's quickly forced onto the defensive.

Vader twists one of Ventress' lightsabers from her hand, sending it flying. She tries to spin her other blade around to meet his next blow, and Angelus' blade slashes across her other arm, though not deeply.

Ventress falters for the briefest moment and Vader lashes out with the Force, throwing her against the wall. Her hilt falls from her hand as she lands, and she hastily tries to push herself back up, except he already has a blade leveled at her neck.

The door to the room abruptly swings open, Luke and Leia appearing in the doorway, darting inside as soon as they see the scene in front of them. "You're Asajj Ventress, aren't you?" Angelus demands.

She only scoffs, staring defiantly back at them.

"Dooku sent you, didn't he?" Vader asks, almost rhetorically. They already know as much, and they know what she was here for. It's only a question of what now. They could kill her, but it would serve little purpose. She was merely following her master's instructions; she doesn't know them; it's not as if she could have something against them on her own. Whether she's dead or not, the other Sith likely will send someone else after them.

No, if they're going to solve this, they need to go straight to the Sith themselves. They aren't ready for Sidious, but Vader could speak with Dooku. They'll have to handle him eventually either way, whether as an ally or enemy. From what Athair said, the apprentice is always ready to betray their master, so presumably the same is true for Dooku. Especially since he's the head of the Separatists, Dooku would be more useful as an ally if they could get him to turn on Sidious, and... for that matter, so could Ventress. She has skill, even if she's far from an actual Sith Lady.

"How did she get inside?" Leia demands angrily.

"Your little fortress here has very poor security," she drawls.

"That's why you're defeated now," Luke shoots back.

"She could be of use to us," Angelus remarks, looking to Vader, who nods.

Ventress scoffs. "I won't tell you anything."

"There is nothing you need to tell us," Vader replies, "We know who your master is." He won't add that they know Sidious' identity, too. He doesn't know if she knows, but it's better if no one knows that they know. It's far too risky. "Why did he send you here? When you are already at war with the Jedi, it would seem... unwise to start a conflict with other Sith."

"You aren't true Sith," she retaliates. He might find the reply insulting if it wasn't so amusing. "There can only be two."

"Then what are you?" Angelus asks, "You aren't his true apprentice, if there can only be two, unless your master is planning to betray his."

Her eyes narrow. "My master is loyal," she retorts.

"If he no longer had use for you, he would dispose of you," Vader reminds.

"That is the way of the Sith," she retorts, "The apprentices must prove their worthiness."

"But you are not his apprentice," he amends, "And neither is he training you as one." Well, he doesn't know that for certain, but it seems clear enough. Stil, though, he has to wonder. Is Dooku training with Ventress with the intention of overthrowing Sidious? If he is, he doesn't think he's told her that – it would be foolish, anyway. "You can never become a true Sith like this. As soon as you are no longer of use to him, he will cast you aside."

She glares at them, but he thinks it's because he can sense a sudden degree of unsettledness in her now. "Whatever you want from me, you aren't going to get it," she retorts, instead. Trying to change topics. Yes, clearly it is affecting her.

"As I said, we need nothing from you," Vader replies, "We are true Sith as much as your master is. The line of Bane is not the only claim to being a Sith."

"But it is what your master believes, and he will never see you as a true apprentice," Angelus continues.

"We could teach you the true power of the Dark Side," Vader offers.

Ventress wavers, but only for a moment. "I would be no less expendable to any of you," she retaliates, "I will not betray my master."

Naturally, she's reluctant. He'd be questioning teaching her if she wasn't, because that would definitely mean that either she had no issues with loyalty or she was never trained properly in the Sith way. The apprentices are always loyal to the masters, until they kill them – though that aspect of Sith is far less common in their own reality... or at least it was in their family.

"What do you owe him loyalty for?" Angelus challenges.

Ventress hesitates for a moment. "That is none of your concern," she snaps, finally.

"Sith strive for greater power," Angelus continues, "Your style is... amateur, and you must learn more of the Dark Side. If your master intended to teach you more, he would have already."

"And if I refuse to join you, what then?" she shoots back.

"You will remain here as... an unwilling guest," Vader says, dryly. A decision like this is probably something she needs time to consider, so he knows she won't agree on the spot. "You will have plenty of time to consider our offer."

He steps back, deactivating his lightsaber, and moving to pick up hers. For now, they can escort her somewhere... well-guarded, and let her think over the decision. Even if she does decide to try and escape – she'll probably fail – and succeed, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't know anything that would be that damaging to them.

"What are we going to do now, Father?" Luke queries, as Vader heads back to the bedrooms after leaving Ventress under watch. She isn't exactly a prisoner, but the guards will try to intercept her if she tries to escape. And, of course, they'll be told immediately. He doesn't think she'll try, though. She's definitely having doubts, and she doesn't have her lightsabers, either.

"I need to speak with Dooku," Vader replies.

"... to ally with him or to eliminate him?" Leia asks.

"That will be up to him," Vader replies, "We cannot have him interfere when we go after Sidious."

Angelus nods her agreement. "We should go immediately. It's almost time for us to deal with Sidious."

"I can leave in the morning," Vader decides, "You will remain here." They should be fine while he's gone, and Angelus is more than capable of handling Ventress if she causes trouble.

He doesn't know if the Count seriously thought Ventress would be able to take them down, but he may not have known how many were here, or how powerful they are.

Either way, he won't be expecting that Vader is the Sith'ari. The most powerful Force user, equal to Anakin. (Apparently, that still didn't matter when they fought Sidious, but this is his apprentice, Vader has had almost twenty years more experience.) He should be able to handle him.

***

Getting onto Serenno is much easier than he was anticipating although the castle is heavily fortified. There's droid security everywhere, but most are stupid and easy to fool. He crushes the nearby droids with the Force, cutting his way into the building through a wall to avoid setting off any alarms. He'd rather keep this as quiet as possible.

He steps into the dark hallway, glancing up and down to make sure no one is there before he starts off, staying in the shadows, using the Force to guide him. He makes his way up to the upper levels and splits into the Count's office, congratulating himself on his success.

He doesn't have to wait long. The door slides open, and Dooku enters. "I expected you would be here," Dooku greets calmly, unsurprised.

As Vader expected. "Your security leaves much to be desired," he retorts, "As does your... assassination plans." Not that he's advising him to try again. It's simply a fact. He didn't either know who he was up against when he sent Ventress, or he way overestimated her skills – neither of which are becoming of a true Sith. Unless he didn't intend for her to succeed.

"I presume you are here to... settle your score," he answers, still looking unconcerned.

"Why send an assassin after us when we have no conflict with the Separatists?" Vader asks. Not that he doesn't already know.

"The disturbance you have caused could prove a threat," he responds, simply. "Are you... former Jedi?" He's clearly pretending he doesn't know where they're really from – or maybe he doesn't know because Sidious never told him – so Vader will play along for now.

"Jedi?" he repeats disgustedly. "We're Sith."

"There can only be two Sith – a master and an apprentice."

"Yet you train an apprentice of your own," Vader replies.

"She is but an assassin."

"And you believed her able to defeat true Sith?" Yes, Vader is really beginning to wonder if this wasn't Dooku's point: to try and lure him here. The attempt was far too sloppy, especially for someone like Dooku. He knows very little about him, but just from his demeanor, he looks like someone who is... undeniably clever. He started a galactic wide movement and instigated a civil war, after all. He must know what he's doing.

"What are your intentions here?" the Count asks, not answering, "Who are you? If there were other Sith, my master and I would have known sooner."

Does he really not know, or is he just playing for information, trying to see how much Vader will say? "We concealed ourselves the same way the line of Bane once did." He'll tell him nothing more than that. Even if Dooku is trying to see how honest he'll be, this isn't something he can risk. For all he knows, Dooku will report this to Sidious the moment he's gone.

"Then why reveal yourselves now?"

"Why did your master reveal himself?" he asks, rhetorically, "You instigated the war. What are you planning?"

"The Republic has fallen too far," Dooku responds, after a moment, "The only way to bring peace to the galaxy is to begin again. and the Jedi will only interfere."

"I agree," Vader replies, "The Republic as it is will never stand. You intend to rule it?"

"I intend to unite the galaxy," he replies evasively, but it's answer enough. He could be an ally, but Vader still doesn't know what he's playing at.

"Did you truly believe Ventress would succeed against all of us?" he inquires, "Or did you intend to lure me here from the start?"

"It was," Dooku admits – assuming it's truthful, "I knew if you defeated Ventress, you were truly the Sith you claim to be."

"Then why not come speak to me on Tatooine? You had no need to attempt murder, or is that the only language you speak?"

"My master wants you eliminated," he admits, after a brief pause. Vader can see the calculating look in his eye, the way he's analyzing every word.

"And you do not?"

"We could be... allies," Dooku replies, "If you desired it. The war was inevitable but continuing to prolong it was not my choice."

"You do not agree with his plans," Vader observes. Or at least, that's the front he's putting on. He's pretty sure at least some of it's genuine, but the question is how much.

"He is destroying the galaxy and will continue to do so if he's allowed to rule," the Count replies.

"Then why have you not eliminated him? That is the way of the Sith." Or at least here it is.

"He is... powerful. I cannot do this alone."

If Dooku assisted, it would help them, but again, he doesn't know if he can truly trust him. "We can work together," Vader agrees, "But I will not involve the Outer Rim Alliance in your war. We will remain neutral." They have enough without getting involved in a stupid, pointless conflict.

"Of course," Dooku replies magnanimously. "We cannot move against Sidious without ceasing control of the Republic. The Jedi will interfere if we try to forcibly gain control of Coruscant, but we must be prepared for the political backlash if we fail to destroy him."

"Very well," Vader agrees. He has no intention of telling him that they're just planning to go ahead and kill Sidious – especially in case this conversation is reported to Sidious because he still can't be certain Dooku isn't planning to double cross him. He probably is; Vader is too. But they can still discuss a few potential political details for the future.

Perhaps they can use Dooku as a tentative ally after all. And he doesn't need to know that Ventress is still alive and will likely have agreed to join them by the time Vader gets back. He'll leave that card... unmentioned for now as well.

***

"I can't believe she was able to break into the palace and then try to kill Father and Mother," Luke grumbles. In their sleep. It's inevitable that assassination attempts will happen, but that doesn't mean he's not mad at Ventress.

"I can't believe she thought she'd succeed," Leia replies.

"Me either." That's the stupidest part, and the only reason Luke can tolerate her presence here.

They step into the hall where Ventress is staying, to see her leaning against her room door, watching them. "I hope you're enjoying your stay," Luke remarks.

"Even your rancor could use a better home than this excuse for a palace," she drawls. If she thought that would offend him, it really doesn't.

"Seeing that it used to be Jabba's, that's not surprising," Leia chirps.

"You're all Sith here?" she inquires suddenly, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Us and our parents," Luke answers. She doesn't need to know about Ahsoka and Mara. And speaking of that, he misses them. Hopefully they'll be done on Nal Hutta soon enough.

"How do Sith have families?"

"Why couldn't we?" he shoots back.

"Here, Sith are –" Leia hastily cuts herself off, "The Line of Bane sees things differently. Being a Sith doesn't mean only hate and anger and ambition. Any form of passion can be used to fuel the Dark Side."

"It's a weakness," Ventress replies, though there's an obvious hint of doubt in her voice. She's only repeating whatever her not-even-master told her about 'caring', after all. That doesn't mean she... truly believes that herself. And she might just be saying it to argue with them.

"Only if you have no self-control," Luke says, pointedly.

She scowls at him. "You're all loyal only to each other?" she asks.

"Mostly," Leia agrees.

"And if your interests don't align?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Luke asks, giving her an odd look.

"We respect Sith of higher rank," Leia answers, with a shrug.

"If they deserve it," Luke adds, under his breath. Because higher rank or not, Sidious deserves no respect whatsoever.

Ventress looks thoughtful, as though considering their words. Perhaps they are getting through to her. Luke didn't entirely care, but Angelus said they should try since the Zabrak would be more inclined to listen to them than another adult Sith who she'd just want to fight with. "Your father resembles Skywalker," she comments, abruptly changing the topic entirely.

Of course, she noticed, and denying it will only make it look more suspicious. "They're brothers," Luke blurts. Leia shoots him a 'seriously?' look, and he replies with a glance equally unreadable to outsiders of 'well it's true.' Genetically, they're identical, but they are not the same person. Anakin is not his father, but he does have the same parents as Vader.

"Brothers?" she echoes, surprised.

"Yeah."

If she noticed that their mother looks much like Padme, she doesn't ask. Or maybe she doesn't know this reality's Padme in the first place. They leave the conversation there and go in search of their mother. "I think she's thinking about it," Luke reports. "She was asking us a lot of questions, but she didn't indicate either way."

"Good," Angelus replies.

"I think she's a little too proud to outright ask if she can join us," Leia adds.

"Try speaking with her again later," Angelus advises, "Then you can ask her if she is interested. She will likely be far more willing to cooperate with you than if I go to her."

"Shouldn't be a problem." Luke doesn't know what to think of Ventress, but she's far less hostile around them – probably because her pride was seriously injured when his parents defeated her. But if they do succeed in getting her on their side, they'll have one more ally against Sidious.

***

Sometimes Rapax wishes they'd kept that rancor alive on Nal Hutta, because she'd like nothing more than to feed some of these greedy, dishonorable idiots to it. Running them through with a lightsaber almost doesn't feel fast enough for the headaches they're giving her as she tries to get things back in working order on the planet. The government is mostly stable for the moment, or at least it should be able to last with her off planet, and she's more than relieved when Vader finally calls her, asking if she has time to come to Tatooine yet.

She's more than happy to oblige. It's been long enough since they were separated, and long enough since they first started building their Empire out here. It's time for their next move.

Rapax steps off the ramp of the shuttle outside the palace, Mara trailing behind her, to see Vader waiting for her. "I can't believe you left that nightmare for me to deal with all alone," she deadpans, stopping in front of him.

"You seemed to have it handled," he tells her, dryly.

"Even all of my Sith training was easier than that," she retorts, "And now I see why leveling the whole planet is much simpler."

"Your training was easier than most," Vader reminds. Yes, she knows that much. Vader was always... too 'soft' on her, according to most other Sith who ever saw them working together. She thinks Athair may have agreed to a point, even if he never mentioned it. But it worked in the end anyway, so she doesn't see what the others were so critical about. And the Sith here seem even worse in that regard.

"Even so," she huffs, "Where are the twins?

"In the back. We... may have a new ally."

"A new ally?" Mara echoes, speaking for the first time.

"Dooku sent Ventress to kill us –"

"– And then you became best friends," Rapax deadpans. She can already guess where this is going.

"I formed a tentative alliance with both," he replies, "Angelus believes her trustworthy enough to join when we go after Sidious. Dooku was already intending to overthrow him – or so he said – and I imagine she'll feel similarity."

Rapax nods, following Vader around to the back where a Zabrak around her age is sparring with Luke and Leia. The sand whirls around them as they furiously trade blows, and for Ventress being a Sith assassin, the twins are still doing very well against her.

Ventress doesn't fight with the same control her, Vader, or Angelus do, but any help is useful against Sidious. "If she's joining us, someone will have to train her," Rapax remarks.

"Yes," Vader agrees, "I will speak with Athair about it."

"You're going to ask him to train her?" she exclaims. How would he even have time for that?

"None of us can."

"True," she concedes. They already have apprentices, after all.

"If you are ready, we must prepare to leave," Vader decides, a certain tension settling over him. Any lightness she was feeling before disappears.

It's time. They're going to leave to fight Sidious, and... She could never shake the memories of what happened last time from mind. She can still remember the feel of his lightsaber as it slashed across her eye. Anything could happen this time too, but they're as ready as they'll ever be.

Within the hour, all of them are gathered outside the waiting ship. None of the younger three ask if they can come. For once, they know better than to press in this situation.

"We'll be back before you know it," Rapax blatantly lies.

"At least try to say something believable," Ventress snarks, and Rapax shoots her a glare.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of everything," Leia promises.

"I'm sure you will," Angelus replies.

"Nothing will happen here that we can't handle," Luke agrees.

"Be careful," Vader warns.

Rapax watches them for another long moment – she refuses to believe it will be the last moment they spend together – before she heads onto the ship to fire up the engines. It's time to go.

A sense of grim determination settles over her, as her hands move over the controls. They're more prepared than they were last time, and Sidious won't see them coming. They'll win. They will, and they'll all come out alive and in one piece. (If only she truly believed that.)

Chapter Text

It's been a couple months since everything happened, and if not for the rumors they're hearing from the Outer Rim – about a faction of people attacking the Hutts – Anakin could almost have forgotten the strange group of Sith.

Of course, there's also Obi-Wan. Now that they're back with the Jedi, he mostly acts exactly the way he always did. But sometimes, he notices the obvious indications that he's different. There's moments that he's... more caring, and other times when they're on the battlefield, and he'll see Obi-Wan do something especially violent that reminds him how, yes, he is a Sith now. Although maybe it's just that Anakin never paid much attention to his violent streak before.

But otherwise, he's still so Obi-Wan. Anakin has... gotten used to it. Sometimes he wishes things were the way they used to be, but he's come to accept it. He still could never blame Vader for what he did. He... must admit that he likes how Obi-Wan seems more openly affectionate than he used to be.

He banishes the thoughts from mind, though, as throws himself into battle, and for a moment, everything feels as it always did. He, Obi-Wan, and Luminara fight side by side, pressing their attack on the Geonosis factory, and he can only hope the droids are too distracted to find Ahsoka and Barriss inside.

"Ahsoka, do you have the bombs in place?" Anakin calls into his comm, above the constant blaster fire around him. The droids are closing, and they're running out of time.

"I'm sorry, Master," she replies, quietly, "We have the bombs in place, but we can't make it out."

No. Horror and denial crash through him, because this can't be happening. "Can't make it out?" he asks, panic rising inside of him, "Ahsoka, wait!"

She promptly cuts off the call.

"Ahsoka!" he calls again, desperately, but there's no reply.

No, no, no – She can't be about to –

He feels it when the ground suddenly trembles, and an explosion ripping outwards as the tower in front of them starts to collapse.

Debris fly everywhere, and instincts immediately kick in, as they all scramble for cover from the collapsing structure. He's on his feet again even before everything is starting to settle, running to the edge of the gaping crevice in the ground where everything fell. Where Ahsoka still is. Where – he can feel her in the Force, but he doesn't know if she's okay or even if she is, for how long.

"Ahsoka?" he tries calling into his comm, "Ahsoka, come in!" No response. Nothing moves in the debris down below either.

Panic and denial claw at him, this can't be the end. Obi-Wan approaches him, laying a hand on his shoulder. It does little to help, but at least it keeps him slightly grounded in the moment.

Luminara walks closer, kneeling at the edge of the slope. She could have lost her padawan too, after all. Or maybe she did, because Anakin doesn't have any way of knowing if Barriss is still alive, and neither of them are answering –

"Don't worry, Master Luminara," Anakin attempts to reassure.

"Be at ease, Skywalker," she replies.

What?! "At ease?" he echoes incredulously, "We need to act now. They may still be alive down there!"

"I already sense them drifting away," she insists, "There's not enough time."

What?! How is there not enough time to try and save the other's lives?! It's not as if they're risking a mission to save them, either.

"Come, Anakin," Obi-Wan cuts in, "We can lift the debris. If you can sense Ahsoka, then she's still alive. We need to move quickly."

Anakin nods gratefully, stepping closer to the edge and delving into the Force. Obi-Wan joins him, helping him lift the debris, and after a few moments, Luminara joins. They lift the pieces away from the bottom of the factory, and he frantically scans it for signs of Ahsoka. He doesn't see her, but he can sense –

There's a sudden movement down below, and some of the debris moves. Ahsoka shakily steps into view, followed by Barriss. They both look injured – minorly – but at least they're alive.

They climb up the slope, and Anakin scrambles to the edge to help Ahsoka. He's never been this relieved to just see her alive, and if they didn't have an audience, he'd probably hug her. He's come close to losing her before, but never like this. "I knew you'd come looking for me." She looks up at him with a smile.

Obi-Wan eyes them for a moment. "With this... taken care of," he finally interjects, "The gunships are arriving." It's time for them to leave the surface temporarily. After they're done resting and recovering – Obi-Wan is still injured from when he crashed earlier, even if not significantly – they still have a long way to go in claiming Geonosis.

***

The mission for the padawans to take medical supplies to Dantooine was supposed to be simple, but Anakin suddenly can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong. They should have checked in by now, and a small delay might be understandable, but this...

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks suddenly, catching him by surprise, "Is everything alright?" He... often tends to notice when something's bothering him, and it's... admittedly unusual, because he certainly never used to.

"Something is wrong," he replies, "With Ahsoka." But what could have gone wrong this time? If anything, she should be away from any danger!

He frowns, moving over to the viewport, and attempts to contact the cruiser. No response.

"Something happened," he asserts, trying to quell his rising panic. He nearly lost her once already, it can't be about to happen again, this time when he's too far away to help.

"It is certainly most unlike either padawan to lose contact," Luminara agrees.

"There is nothing we can do but wait," Obi-Wan points out, and Anakin sighs, trying to release his worry into the Force as his master has always told him in the past. Obi-Wan is right. If Ahsoka doesn't answer, there's nothing they can do but wait. (But he senses the danger she's in only growing.)

As it turns out, they don't have to wait too much longer for a transmission, only to hear that her ship is infested with brain worms, and she might be the only one who isn't at this point. "We must find a way to stop them," Anakin says, attempting to remain calm. Ahsoka needs him levelheaded, but he has absolutely no idea what to do. "Poggle should have some answers." Hopefully. Because he has no idea what to do to stop this, and Ahsoka can only hide for so long.

"Yes," Obi-Wan agrees, "But he has been most uncooperative. Perhaps I can try speaking with him alone."

Why doesn't Anakin like the way he says that? Luminara is on the other side of the bridge and isn't paying attention, but Anakin doesn't miss the undertone in his voice. "I'll come up with you," Anakin decides. They have to get answers. Somehow.

"Very well," the Jedi-Sith Master agrees, though he sounds... not entirely pleased but not exactly displeased either. It would unsettle Anakin more if he wasn't so scared for Ahsoka right now.

He nudges him comfortingly through the Force, as they head to Poggle's cell. "Leave us," Obi-Wan instructs the clone guards, as they enter the room alone.

"You will answer us," orders Anakin, throwing a Force suggestion into his words.

Poggle clicks disgustedly. "Mind tricks don't work on me, Jedi," the protocol droid translates.

"I will get an answer whether you cooperate or not." Obi-Wan sounds smug now.

Poggle makes a noise that's probably intended as a Geonosian version of a scoff.

He steps closer, lifting a hand towards the bug's head. What he's doing isn't a mind trick. It's – he's invading his mind. Only a couple months back, they'd done something minorly similar to Cad Bane, when he'd kidnapped future Jedi younglings, but this is... far more invasive.

Poggle screams, flapping his wings desperately as though that can somehow shake off the grip on his mind.

It makes him feel sick to watch. Jedi always do what they need to, but now is yet another reminder of how Obi-Wan is a Sith. This is something harsher and far more brutal than he's done in the past. He should say something maybe – This isn't how they're supposed to handle a situation like this. It's nothing like what Anakin had in mind either. They need answers, and Ahsoka could be about to die, but – this is... extreme.

After several moments Obi-Wan finally pulls back, looking much too satisfied. "They're affected by the cold," he announces, "They needed a new host after the Queen was destroyed, so they likely infected some of the clones before they got on board."

"I will tell Ahsoka," Anakin says a little shakily, hurrying from the cell.

***

Vader can sense the Dark Side the moment they reach Coruscant, even if the glaring brightness of the Light Side from the Jedi here is more glaringly obvious.

The planet looks surprisingly similar, other than that – not that he takes much time to think about it right now. He only has focus for one thing.

He directs the shuttle to the location in the Works, landing it a short distance away. The four disembark, keeping their hoods pulled up over their heads as they close cover the rest of the distance to Palpatine's... whatever it is. The place is probably full of security and Sith traps for people not entering, but he knows how to handle both.

He circles around to a back entrance of the place, cutting his way into the building. If Palpatine thinks they're trying to sneak in, he'll probably fall for the trap. Hopefully.

The Sith's presence hits him full force as they step into the hall. He felt it far too much throughout his childhood, and he never wants to again. It sends a chill through him, even as he steels himself against it. The Sith feels exactly the way Sidious did in his reality.

Silently, they start making their way through the building. It isn't hard to try and trace down what might be an office of some kind, and he leaves Angelus and Ventress to stand guard in the doorway as he slips inside and starts looking for any information they could use against the Sith. Not that they need it. It's just a sure way to get his attention.

They don't have to wait long. Vader senses it instantly when the Sith's presence suddenly feels dangerously close. He's shielding himself well, but he can still feel it.

"He's here," he says, stiffly. He won't let himself get distracted by the fear he's truly feeling. He'll only use it to fuel him – along with all the hate and anger he's felt for the Sith all these years for everything he did.

The others nod, and they leave the office into a larger room that's far more suitable for a fight. The door on the far side of the room hisses open and the familiar, dark hooded figure strides in. The hood obscures most of his face, but Vader would still recognize him anywhere.

The Sith raises his head just enough that Vader can make out his yellow eyes through the darkness of the room. And for a moment, Vader doesn't feel as old as he is. He's never been more relieved that Athair isn't with him, though, because he doesn't want him anywhere near Sidious again.

"So... you have chosen death," the Sith hisses, and maybe it's just the sound of that voice that promptly brings up the memory of last time.

***

For all the advantages Athair had said they had, Vader isn't seeing any of it now. Sidious is fighting with a never-ending supply of energy, and he hasn't slowed even if there's no way he's not starting to tire with how long they've been fighting. He's feeding off their fear and pain, and it's far too easy for him right now.

Angelus is already down, and Vader can only desperately hope that her injury isn't fatal. She lost a leg, so she definitely won't rejoin the fight, and Sidious' lightsaber might've hit her spine. Rapax is just starting to push herself up from where a stray bolt of lightning had thrown her off. He wants to check on them, but there's no time.

Vader's covered in lightsaber burns of his own, even if they're not serious. He and Athair continue fighting furiously, pressing their attack against Sidious, but somehow, he knows what's about to happen. Athair falters, and Sidious takes advantage of it instantly. He cuts downwards sharply, running him through.

"Master!" Vader screams.

Somehow, Sidious' cackle rings out louder. "You will all die, my failed apprentice," he sneers, his gaze on Athair.

A cry of rage, denial, and desperation escapes Vader, and he lunges for the Sith, attacking him furiously. Rapax flips through the air, landing right behind Sidious and nearly taking his head off. If Vader was holding back before, he certainly isn't now. He attacks in a blind rage, with no regard for his own safety.

Sidious blade slashes upwards, striking Vader's face. He gasps sharply, staggering back a step, the burning pain searing across his face. One of his eyes is – it hurts too much to open, though he doesn't know if it's damaged beyond that.

Sidious lunges for Rapax, nearly cleaving her in two, throwing Vader back into motion again. He attacks the Sith Master in a blur, letting the Force see for him. And then he finally finds his opening. The Sith spins his blade to the side, hitting Rapax across the face – it happens too quickly for Vader to fully register – but he lunges forwards, slashing deep into his side. Sidious twists around, blade cutting through Vader's arm before a blast of lightning slams into him, hurling him backwards.

He hears Rapax scream furiously, and then the lightning ceases. He can feel it as Sidious dies, but it's hardly his focus anymore. He's slipping closer to unconsciousness, but he struggles to fight it off. The only thing that even makes it possible is the horror and desperation he's feeling, because he knows Athair is –

Vader twists around, trying to push himself up with his still moving arm, scooting closer to Athair. He can see the injury clearly, enough to know he'll never survive it even if he got help immediately.

"Master," he gasps out, nearly collapsing back to the floor again. Even past the nearly unbearable physical pain, it's somehow worse emotionally, and it floods him with an overwhelming self-loathing. He failed. Sidious is gone, but he wasn't strong enough to save the person who matters more to him than anyone. Everything he'd trained for was for naught if he couldn't do this.

Athair doesn't speak, but he turns his head so their eyes meet. His expression is tensed with pain, but after a moment, he moves his arm ever so slightly, hand reaching up to brush his cheek. The look of adoration in his eyes says more than any words could, even if his master was capable of speech.

Vader doesn't even have the energy to cry, or he would be. Or maybe it's that this hurts far worse than something tears could express – he's about to lose the one person who was always there, the one person who he thought he never would, because they were and always will be an integral part of each other. And without him –

All he can do is watch as his master – his father – slowly goes limp on the floor, and their bond breaks. And he thinks it's the unbearable agony of that which finally sends him spiraling into unconsciousness.

***

When Vader opens his eyes again, he finds himself in a medbay. And he instantly wants to close his eyes and slip back into the momentary relief of unconsciousness the moment he feels the gaping emptiness in his mind. The bond that was always there, stronger than any he ever had. Which is now gone.

They knew going after Sidious was dangerous, but Athair had maintained that it would be worth it, that they would never be free until he was gone. It might have been true, but for an agonizing moment he can't help but wonder if it was really worth the cost it brought.

Athair is gone.

His father, his –

The pain runs too deep to cry over. Instead, he lets it fuel the Dark Side. It's not enough. He can't let go of him like that. He can't. He can't imagine a life without him. Only a day ago – how long has he been unconscious, actually? – and now...

He's supposed to be the strongest Force sensitive ever. He should have been strong enough to at least save his master's life if nothing else.

"You're awake!" exclaims a voice next to him, and Vader shifts to see Rapax stepping up to the side of his bed. Her face is bandaged, including the area where her eye is. She's obviously still healing from it – assuming she even will be able to heal from it.

"Hey, Snips," he croaks, slowly pushing himself up, only then suddenly becoming aware of how he feels nothing in his left arm. Looking down, he sees the gold metal. It feels unnatural, wrong, and he can feel an occasional flare of pain where his human arm ends, but that's hardly his biggest concern right now. "How long has it been?"

"You've been out since yesterday," she replies quietly, sitting on the edge of his bed, reaching over to take his hand. He can see the pain and anger in her one visible eye. "Angelus is still unconscious too, but she'll be okay."

Yesterday. A day since...

"Sidious?" he asks, letting all the loathing he feels towards the dead Sith surge to the surface. He took his father from him, and Vader wants to kill him again.

"Sabe showed up. We disposed of... what was left of him."

Vader stares vacantly at the wall across from him. "We should have been more prepared. I should have..." He doesn't know.

"It's not your fault," Rapax whispers.

"It doesn't matter," he answers distantly, "I – I have to bring him back."

She blinks. "How could you?"

"I do not know. But I will find a way." He won't rest until he does.

***

Vader ignites his lightsaber, and Angelus, Rapax, and Ventress immediately follow suit. They're far more skilled than last time, but he refuses to lose anyone to Sidious again.

There's a reason he left Luke and Leia on the far side of the galaxy, after all. If Rapax had been more than a mere apprentice when they attacked Sidious in the other timeline, if he'd been more prepared, it could have been different.

But there's no looking to the past anymore. He has Athair back – even if it will never make up all the years he lost with him – and Sidious will die for what he did. Again. It's a fitting revenge.

"Coming here was a mistake," warns Sidious, and two hilts – were they seriously up his sleeves? – appear in his hands. He ignites them but doesn't make the first move. Probably assessing his odds and how he can win against them.

Vader doesn't give him the time to consider it; they can't risk that. He lashes out with the Force, throwing him back. Sidious instantly throws up a Force shield, but Vader presses against it, and it gives way, hurling Sidious back into the wall.

Vader only skids a few feet, recollecting his balance, and then charging forwards. Sidious is already back on his feet, swinging his blades up to block Vader. He attacks the Sith ceaselessly, who parries his blows, backing a little way down the hall. The others move forwards, but with the furious blur of fighting there's no room for them to get involved.

He remembers this, remembers the panic and fear he was feeling last time, but he feels none of it now. Only determination and loathing. The Sith will not survive this. He will make sure of it.

Last time Sidious had been doing far too much cackling and taunting, but he's doing none of that now, only focusing on the fight. It means he can't feed off their fear – because Vader isn't afraid. Not anymore. He won't lose anyone to him this time. He won't.

But he won't get overconfident, either. The Sith seems pushed to his limit as they duel furiously in the middle of the room, unless he's intentionally holding back, waiting for the moment to strike.

Their blades clash into a saberlock, and Vader tries to twist one of the other's lightsabers out of his hands, but he pulls back too quickly, obviously seeing it coming. Not like that's a surprise. He flips backwards, a blast of electricity pouring from his hand at Vader. Vader casually deflects with his hand, right back at him. Sidious deflects it aside into the wall, then lunges forwards.

Rapax, Angelus, and Ventress instantly use the opportunity to their advantage, running to join the fight. They attack Sidious from all sides, and he moves in a deadly blur, blocking their attacks. He kicks Ventress across the room, before lifting Rapax and Angelus in a Force choke. Vader sends a blast of lightning at Sidious before he can kill them. The Sith Lord hastily drops his grip on them, throwing them in the way of Vader's lightning. It makes him sick to see them go down, but he doesn't let it get to him. He lunges at Sidious instead.

It's time for this to end.

Vader lashes out with the Force again, throwing Sidious against the wall, holding him there. He can feel Sidious fighting against his grip, but he draws on all his hatred and anger against the Sith, holding him there.

He's the strongest Force user ever, and skill or not, there's no way Sidious can defeat him.

Rapax is in front of him before the burst of lightning can hit Vader, deflecting it aside.

A ripple runs through the Force as the Sith goes still, and Vader lets the body drop to the floor. It's over.

He's dead.

Finally.

For a moment, all he can do is stand there, breathing hard. He can't believe it's over. Sidious is gone, the galaxy will be theirs soon enough, and his family is safe.

"For how badly you needed my help," Ventress snarks, first to break the silence, "You could have at least let me do something."

"I asked you to come because I assumed you were skilled enough to do something," Vader retorts. She starts opening her mouth for an equally snarky comeback, but he ignores her, taking off to Angelus' side. Everyone knows how dangerous lightning is for her. Too much could easily kill her if her cybernetic parts are destroyed.

Angelus lets out a muffled groan, moving to try pushing herself up. Her robes are singed minorly from the lightning, but she looks mostly okay otherwise. "Are you okay?" he asks, worriedly.

She nods, wincing.

"I did not mean to – "

"It's alright," she waves him off, as he gives her a hand, helping her sit up.

Rapax has already shifted into a sitting position, so he can tell that she's alright too.

"Word will spread quickly," Vader asserts, finally standing up, "We must be ready."

Chapter Text

Anakin senses it immediately, the sensation of a bond in his mind ripping apart. He... didn't even realize it was there, but he knows immediately who it is.

Palpatine.

He's – He's dead, gone.

He doesn't want to believe it, wants to believe that he's just imagining what he feels right now, because how could he have died?

He knows the answer to it, though. The Sith were going to go after him once they were ready. Apparently, that time is now. He just... he knew it would happen, but he hadn't known what to do about it.

Palpatine was a Sith, and he hasn't talked to him since before Felucia, but... Obi-Wan is too. Obi-Wan should know what he's talking about, saying that Palpatine was evil, but – He doesn't want to accept it. He can't.

He was his friend. He looked out for him for years, even when Obi-Wan only lectured him for his feelings. Palpatine always listened to him. He was –

The Jedi would have done the same, though. They would want him killed for what he was doing. He did start the war, though, with Dooku, and... Anakin can hardly say that's good, no matter what his reasoning was. But...

He... he needs some time to think about this and sort through his whirling mess of emotions and he doesn't know where to start. He excuses himself the first chance he gets, disappearing to his room.

It hurts. It hurts so much even if it shouldn't. Palpatine did start the war and the other Sith are trying to end it – so there is a difference between them. But that doesn't make it easier.

He knows what Obi-Wan would have said before. That he just needs to let it go, that he shouldn't be this attached to him in the first place, because he's evil and a Sith, and it's what Anakin's duty would have said anyway, but that doesn't help. It doesn't change that he cares.

He doesn't know how long he's been sitting here when the door suddenly opens and Obi-Wan appears in the doorway. "Anakin?" he asks.

He doesn't want to talk about this right now. He doesn't really want to talk to anyone right now, especially not one of those responsible for this.

"Not now, Master," he requests.

"I sensed it, too," Obi-Wan replies, and to his credit, at least he doesn't sound satisfied – like Anakin knows he feels.

Sidious was his Sith master and he can't imagine that was pleasant, so he can't blame him, but still. This entire situation is... He doesn't know how to handle it, and there's no one he can talk to about it. No one knows, other than himself and Obi-Wan.

He doesn't know what to say.

"I know he was your friend, but – "

He's evil and he deserved it. He already heard that and hearing it again won't make it any easier. "We spoke of it before," Anakin interjects.

"Yes, but I know you are... upset."

"If you are going to tell me it would have been my duty as a Jedi, I know that," he replies, bitterly. Or if he's going to tell him the more Sithly reason he had to be stopped. He quite frankly doesn't want to hear anything his master has to say right now.

"I wasn't," Obi-Wan replies, crossing the room – still stubbornly, and unsurprisingly, ignoring Anakin's request to be left alone – and taking a seat next to him. "How are you?" There's genuine concern there, he thinks, which makes it even harder to come up with an answer.

He doesn't know what to say. It would be easier if he wasn't talking to one of those responsible for Palpatine's death in the first place. How can he tell him this while knowing how Obi-Wan himself feels? He doesn't know if it makes it harder or easier that the same would be true whether or not Obi-Wan had merged. The Jedi would have found out eventually who Palpatine was, and they would have killed him.

"I... I'll be alright," he answers finally, though he knows that says nothing.

Obi-Wan sighs. "You can talk to me, Anakin."

How can he? "I don't know what to say."

He's quiet for a few long moments. "Alright." He doesn't speak again, and they sit together in silence.

***

This is the part Angelus has been eagerly waiting for from the start, and she's more elated that the time has finally come. The rumors are everywhere about how Palpatine was probably kidnapped and murdered by the Separatists, and the Senate and public are in uproar.

There's too much of a commotion about that, really, for people to pay much attention when she drops by to pay her counterpart a visit. Kidnapping her from near the Senate building won't be easy, but it's nothing she can't handle.

It's late in the evening now as Angelus waits outside the building, where she knows her younger counterpart will be passing shortly. She's watched for a few days, trying to get a better idea of her routine. She needs to know enough that she'll be able to impersonate her to the public.

Of course, it won't be nearly that simple once she actually does take up her role in the Senate, because all her allies will notice something is amiss. There's no way she could truly know what Padme's relationship with her Senate allies is like – or even who all of them are – although she's been able to figure out enough by snooping around and with Vader's assistance.

Of course, Padme's staff will definitely know that something's wrong, and she's already contemplating how to deal with that. All that matters is that she uses her new position to push the Senate into forming an Empire. With the help of the Force, most should agree easily, even if they wonder after the fact why they voted for what they did in the first place. Once she's the Empress for life, nothing else should be a major hindrance.

The news that she's not the real Padme will probably get out eventually, but so long as they've already gotten the galaxy to support them, it shouldn't be much of a problem. They've already considered many of the problems that could arise, and have plans for... most of them.

Finally, Angelus sees Padme walk into view. For a moment, she could almost think she was looking at a younger version of Sabe from how familiar it is. Now she knows how Vader feels when he's around Anakin. It's also a little... unnerving, even if she knows this Padme isn't her. It's probably what she would have been like, more or less, if Sidious hadn't decided to train her.

Athair had helped a lot with that – and she much preferred his teaching methods, but then again, any master would be better than Sidious – which was what enabled her to spend so much time around Vader when they were younger.

Angelus shakes the irrelevant train of thought from mind, stealthily moving forwards. Getting Padme before she gets to her speeder will be easiest, even if there's a risk of someone seeing. It would be far less visible than attacking her in her apartment or while she's literally in traffic. And at least this way she's alone.

For the moment. It's time to act now.

She moves out of the shadows, approaching Padme.

Padme looks up in surprise as she steps in front of her. "Hello?" she asks, a distinct note of wariness flaring into the Force around her. She obviously notices that something isn't quite right, even if she doesn't know what. Clearly, she's Force sensitive in this universe too, even if never trained.

"You're Senator Amidala, aren't you?" she inquires, pretending to just be curious.

A flicker of surprise crosses her face at hearing how similar their voices sound. "I am. Who are you? Can I help you?"

"Yes," she agrees cheerfully, "You can." She reaches out with the Force, manipulating the Force around her, forcing her abruptly into a deep sleep. She catches her before she falls, moving away into the darkness to where the others are waiting.

Now would be a good time to practice her first attempt at impersonating her. Once she's out of sight of any building, she hastily pulls off her Sithly robes, revealing her more... "Senate style" clothes underneath. (This would be so much easier if Vader had agreed that she could bring her clothes from the other reality. She still isn't happy that she had to give them all up, and no there is nothing childish about it – as Rapax claimed.)

With her hood off, she'd already prepared herself to look more or less how Padme does now, and then heads for her waiting speeder. The driver notices nothing, and she rides in silence as they head for the apartment.

Getting inside is easy enough, and no one pays her much attention. She just discreetly uses the Force to mind-read enough to figure out their names, and get a general impression of how Padme usually acted around them.

"What would you like to eat, milady?" Drome inquires.

"I already have at the Senate," she says, smiling ruefully, "At one of the meetings." It's late, so it's a good excuse.

She nods. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, thank you," she replies, "I believe I will retire for the night."

She excuses herself at that, heading to Padme's bedroom. Dorme comes along to help her – as if she needs it – but she thinks it would be weird to act otherwise. This is obviously normal.

She can sense Dorme's... concern, though. "Is everything alright, milady?" she queries, finally.

She isn't surprised that she noticed. There's no way she can impersonate Padme this perfectly when she doesn't even know her. "There is a lot going on in the Senate now, with Palpatine's disappearance," she explains.

"Yes, of course," Drome agrees, instantly side-tracked into talking about how that could ever happen and who could possibly be responsible. Just as she confirmed from the outside, no one has any leads, but they're thinking the Separatists must be responsible.

She ends the conversation as quickly as she can, and Dorme disappears from the room. The apartment is set up so she'll have a lot of privacy unless she calls someone, which is good.

Time to look into Padme's Senate documents. She has a long way to go before she'll be able to sleep tonight. Actually, she doesn't think she's going to get that far.

***

Hiding out in Sidious' home is not what Rapax had in mind for their stay on Coruscant, but at least he has a sense of style and fashion. She thinks it's the only thing about him that is even remotely human. But they shouldn't be here for much longer, so she can at least tolerate it.

For now, they have to deal with their very grumpy guest. At least they will when she wakes up. It's extremely awkward, because while she knew Angelus from another reality, Padme is an entirely different person. It will be extremely difficult to make her see reason.

A sudden movement catches her attention, and she spins around just in time to see a figure darting past into the shadows on the other end of the hall.

She doesn't even have to ask who it is.

Padme.

She escaped. Somehow.

Rapax instantly goes in pursuit. She gathers the Force around her to enhance her speed, catching up to her before she can get anywhere close to an exit. "Going somewhere?" Rapax asks, lightly as Padme spins around. Both exits to the room, Rapax could reach first.

Her eyes narrow at the hilts on Rapax's belt. "You're a Sith, aren't you," she accuses.

"What makes you think that?"

"You couldn't be a Jedi," she shoots back, "And I heard the rumors."

There's no use pretending otherwise. "And if we are?" she asks, flippantly. This is so weird. Angelus is much like a mother to her.

"What do you want with me?" Padme demands. "Taking a member of the Senate hostage right on Coruscant – "

"That would be a problem if someone noticed you were missing," she replies lightly.

"What do you mean?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.

Telling her about what's going on – to a limited extent, of course – shouldn't hurt, because there's no way she'd be able to escape. "We needed your seat in the Senate, for a short time," she replies.

From the flare of confusion, surprise, and alarm flares around Padme, Rapax is pretty sure she rapidly figures out what they did. She would have seen Angelus, after all.

"It won't work," Padme retorts, "Someone will notice." Though she doesn't sound fully convinced of her own words.

"Not when the one in your place is another version of you."

She opens her mouth to reply, then closes it again, her emotions raging in the force. "Who are you?" she demands, at last. "Ahsoka told me you looked like..."

"That I look like her?" Rapax finishes, "Because we are... from another reality."

"That's impossible," she protests, though she sounds... uncertain.

"You never learned the ways of the Force," Rpax replies with a shrug, "But don't worry. Your seat is in good hands."

"What are you intending?" she asks, suspiciously, somehow managing to sound authoritative even though she's the prisoner here.

"We want to help the galaxy, and the way the Republic was doing it isn't going to work," Rapax explains, "And I don't believe you would ever support the idea of an Empire."

"An Empire?!" she demands, half-hysterically, voice rising. "You can't do that! The Senate will never agree to it."

"I think they will," Rapax replies, "Look, the Republic is about to fall apart. It's only a matter of time. I know you're an... idealist, but you need to look at it practically. The only democracy that still exists in the Republic is a sham."

"That's not true," Padme retorts, "There are still those who do what's best for the people."

"Of course, there are," Rapax agrees, "But not enough. The system will never work. In the end, all democracies like that have fallen."

"All Empires fall eventually too."

"All governments fall eventually, but that's beside the point. There's so many systems in the galaxy that have monarchs. You were a queen too. What makes this any different?"

Padme seems to consider her answer. "I was elected," she replies, icily, "And those are only planetary governments. They aren't intended to forcibly control the entire galaxy."

"That is not our intention, either," Rapax retorts. Why do people always assume that an Empire is going to be an oppressive government? They didn't rule that way in their own galaxy – and even though many complained, they were just relieved to have someone other than Sidious in control – and there's no reason they would be oppressive here either. "But this discussion is pointless. I know you will not change your mind. That's why we had to do it how we did."

"The public will never support it," she warns again, though whether to make herself believe it or try to convince Rapax, the Togruta isn't sure. It doesn't matter, anyway.

She has no time or desire to continue this argument. They have what they need. They just need to carry it through to the end. And for that to happen – and make sure no one finds out – she'll have to take Padme off of Coruscant, especially after her near escape attempt.

***

The morning comes quickly, and before she knows it, Angelus is standing in the Naboo Senate pod.

Mas Amedda is leading the Senate in Palpatine's place, and she wastes no time in putting in her bill for the formation of the Empire.

And then she stretches out with the Force, silently suggesting the minds of the Senators to think in support of it. Vader and Rapax are here too, somewhere though she isn't sure where – she can feel it – helping in the same way.

The response is... favorable. It's almost a surprise, but she did put every reason she could find into the bill about why an Empire was a good idea. They'll be able to bring peace and effectively control crime, and that was good enough reasons, especially since she didn't outright say she would deal with... corruption. They need a new way to keep the Republic together and to reunite the galaxy now that Palpatine is gone. Everyone knows he was one of the... strongest leaders in decades, whether for better or worse.

And as soon as the Senators have agreed they want to go through with it, they start the vote for who the Emperor should be.

This is the extra hard part, because so many people considered Padme a radical, so getting enough votes for her to win won't be easy.

But it works.

In the end, it works.

The Republic has been transformed into the First Galactic Empire, with her as the new Empress.

She pointedly ignores any calls from definitely angry allies for the moment – there will be a time to deal with them later – instead focusing on what she needs to do most to stabilize her position as Empress.

It will take a lot of time, but they've been planning this for months. She's more than ready to handle it. It will be complicated when people start to realize she clearly isn't Padme, but they've... prepared for that. Still, she knows they still have a long road ahead of them before their rule will be firmly established.

Although what Angelus is really wondering right now is why there's so much Sith art right here in the Chancellor's office and none of the Jedi who come here all the time have noticed anything. Apparently they're stupider than she thought. Or has the fact that the Sith have been gone for so many years allowed them to become this complacent? Have they forgotten all of their history? Especially with how they found out the Sith returned only a little over a decade ago, she would have expected them to be more on guard for things like this.

Either way, it definitely makes things easier for them, since they clearly aren't as good as they used to be about tracking down Sith. And since she's the Empress, she can just order them not to go after any Sith in the Outer Rim Alliance or the Empire.

They probably won't take very well to the idea of an Empire, though, but there isn't much they can do unless they're asking to be accused of treason. They tend to be stupid much of the time, but she can hope they'll see reason when they realize that they're only trying to help the galaxy.

If not, well... they may just have to be dissolved as an official organization. She's going to look into a bit about the rules the Jedi do have already, though, because there's no reason all strong Force sensitives should be forced to join them. They're going to expand their own Sith Order too, eventually, after all.

If the Jedi do start creating a major problem, it will only turn the public against them. And, of course, there's the fact that the Empire has its own personal army, although she doubts they would ever turn against the Jedi since they've worked with them for so long. Speaking of that, from what she's heard so far, the clone troopers are literally property. Owned.

If they're planning to fight slavers and free the galaxy from them, they can hardly do it with a slave army of their own. She'll have to do something about that, too.

Yes, she has a lot of work to do.

***

"I wish we could have gone," Luke huffs for what has to be the hundredth time, pacing back and forth.

"You know what Mother said about that," Leia reminds. To be fair, she wishes she could have been there too, but they've heard enough about what happened last time, and their mother said their presence would probably just distract their father. He'd be too worried for them, and then, the operation could go downhill even if the fight would normally go perfectly fine.

"I know, but when will we ever hear what happened?!"

"If it... didn't go well," Leia says, fear flaring in her, "We would sense it."

"There's four of them there," Mara speaks up, "They should be able to do it."

But there were four last time too. No one mentions it.

It's been several days since they left, and there's no way the battle isn't over by now, right? They would have attacked immediately. She doesn't know, but nothing feels wrong in the Force. Quite the opposite, in fact. She can only trust in that the way she always has.

They've had more than enough to do while they're here anyway, because managing a still-forming Alliance is far from easy. Especially when people don't think they need to take a fourteen-year-old seriously, although that hasn't been a problem... for the most part.

It's right then that someone suddenly appears in the doorway of the room, reporting that they have a ship incoming. Hope flares inside Leia, and she jumps to her feet, hurrying outside with Luke close behind. Maybe the others are finally coming back now.

Sure enough, their shuttle is landing, though when the ramp descends, only Rapax walks off, followed by a very, very grumpy looking... someone who looks very much like their mother, just much younger.

"You're back!" Luke exclaims.

"For the moment," Rapax agrees, "I'll be leaving to pick up the others if you think you can... handle this."

"Why couldn't we?" Leia quips.

Rapax shrugs. "Maybe you've been too busy vacationing in the time we've been gone."

"Hey, you have no idea what kind of disasters we've been dealing with!" Luke protests.

"Nothing too serious, or I imagine you would have already told me. Or the palace would be on fire," Rapax retorts.

"So, this is where you've been hiding?" Padme asks.

"We've actually been living here quite openly," Rapax snips, "Now, unless any of you need my help, I'll be leaving. Keep an eye on her."

"Go ahead," Leia assures, "We can handle it." Probably.

She watches as Rapax boards the ship again, before turning to Padme. "Well... why don't you come inside," she suggests.

"Who are you?" Padme wonders, eyeing her, "You look..."

"I'm sure you already met our parents," Luke interjects.

"I met your mother... briefly," she replies. She does not look happy, and any politeness she's showing right now is mostly a front, Leia can tell. Although she definitely is also curious.

"You look just like me," Leia comments, hoping to move the topic in a... less hostile direction. She can tell how upset Padme is, and she... wants to make her feel better, even if she knows what her parents did was necessary for the galaxy. She is still another version of her mother, after all, even if Anakin's presence was more attractive.

"The... Ahsoka?" Padme begins.

"Rapax," Luke corrects.

"Sith name?" she wonders, and they both nod. "She said your mother was another version of me?" She sounds completely disbelieving.

"She is," Luke agrees, cheerfully.

"And your father is..." she hesitates. "Another version of Anakin?"

"Yeah," Leia agrees, "We came here for a different reality."

"Rapax mentioned it, but I don't understand how that's possible. What do you want here?" She sounds more business-like again.

Leia exchanges a glance with Luke. "We have things here we lost in our own reality," she answers, evasively, "But we stayed to help."

"Help?" Padme repeats, "By forming an Empire?"

"It's the only way!" Luke retorts.

"By their nature, an Empire will always be oppressive in the end."

"It depends on the ruler," Leia asserts, "Wouldn't you trust another version of yourself to lead properly?"

Her expression hardens. "I don't understand how she could ever think this is right."

"At least this way we can end the war, which the Republic was doing a very good job at on it's own," Luke insists, sarcasm unmistakable.

"And we'll have the resources to continue freeing slaves like we were before," Leia continues. Because simply put, if they want to expand any further, they need help. The resources on the planets are already very limited, and when they are trying to get the former slaves settled down, it's making things even more difficult.

Padme falls silent again as she follows them, maybe she doesn't know to continue arguing, or maybe she simply doesn't care too. She's taking in her surroundings with interest.

"This was Jabba's palace, wasn't it?" she inquires, "I was on Tatooine twice before."

"Twice?" Luke asks, interestedly, "Was the first when you met Anakin?"

She eyes him in slight surprise. "Yes."

"You and our parents met similarly," Luke adds, with a shrug, And then, Leia suddenly wonders something. Aren't relationships forbidden for Jedi? Could Padme and Anakin – Never mind, she does not want the answer to that question. It's known of her business and it feels inappropriate to ask, even if they aren't her parents.

"I know you don't want to be here," Leia says, finally, changing topic, "But I hope we can at least make you comfortable here."

"How long are you planning on keeping me here?" she demands.

"I don't know," she admits.

"Whatever our parents say," Luke answers.

Padme doesn't look happy about that answer, but she doesn't say anything else, as they lead her to where they're going to be staying. Leia doesn't mind the chance to get to know her, but she knows they'll have to keep a close eye on her at all times the same way they did Ventress. She may be another version of their mother but she could create an enormous problem for everyone if she escaped.

Chapter Text

Padme doesn't even know what to think by now. Her entire life has changed so dramatically in the past few hours, and it isn't until now that she's sitting alone in the room she was given at Jabba's former palace does she truly have time to let her guard down and start thinking it through a little.

The Republic was literally just turned into an Empire, or at least they're trying to turn it into an Empire. Would the Senate really agree to that? She doesn't want to believe it, but something tells her that the Sith wouldn't be so certain it would work if it wouldn't. And she has no idea what to do about it.

All of her life's work revolved around democracy – even her home planet elected their queens – and this is entirely different. She can't stand for it. She has to do something about it, but she doesn't know what or where to start.

And nor does she know where she could even begin, if the Sith literally replaced her with an identical look alike in the Senate. If she escaped from here and told the public what really happened, it would throw a lot of questions on everything and the Emperor – or Empress? – might be removed. Maybe. Or it could make it worse.

Regardless, even if she tried to do damage control now, she doesn't know how much good it would do. The claim that there's another version of her impersonating her is so outlandish, it's hard to say how many people would believe it anyway.

But none of that matters unless she can find a way out of here. A way past the two teenage Sith guarding her, who are apparently her children. Well, not hers, but biologically they would be.

Luke and Leia.

The names fit perfectly, exactly like those she can imagine her and Anakin choosing for their own children, if they ever had any. She'd be lying to say she doesn't want it, but with their jobs, it's impossible. Their marriage would be discovered, and even if it wasn't, she wouldn't have time to raise children. Anakin wouldn't either, not when he's gone so much because of the war.

Still, now that she saw the two children, it reminded her again of how much she wants that. And she can't quite shake the thought from her mind, no matter how hard she tries.

***

Anakin knew Palpatine's death was going to have enormous ramifications on the public, but he never would have expected to return to Coruscant to find out that the Republic was turned into an Empire.

And apparently Padme is the Empress?! Elected by the Senate?!

He... doesn't know what to feel about that. After seeing so much of how the Republic truly operated, he had admittedly begun to question if it could work. In the end, he thinks an Empire actually is going to be much better at keeping the galaxy in order. The Senate is not doing what it's supposed to be – it's far too corrupted – and the only way to do anything about that is by having someone who has some control over them who can do something – someone who isn't corrupted themselves.

He definitely agrees Padme is the perfect option for that, though he's surprised and confused on why she would agree to such a thing. He knows how much democracy means to her. It doesn't make sense. Something is clearly wrong.

Somehow this is definitely connected to the Siths' plans, but he doesn't know how they got her to agree. Or maybe she doesn't actually realize it, and they used her to do it somehow? He doesn't know, but he can talk to her about it later. All he can think of is if the Sith did something to her, but... he doesn't want to believe Obi-Wan is willing to hurt her.

The Council doesn't seem to share the same opinion of the situation whatsoever, though.

"We cannot allow this," Mundi declares, anger clear in his voice.

"The Senate voted on it," Windu declares, "Although I sense a darker hand may be behind it."

"There is little we could do that would not be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate," Obi-Wan reminds. Anakin isn't surprised that he's trying to pacify them without outright making it obvious that he agrees with it.

"Mmm, grave care, we must take," Yoda cautions, eyes drooping.

"Senator Amidala herself was the one who put in the bill," Windu comments, "I find it... strange that she was then immediately elected as Empress."

"I would not have expected her to agree to something like this," Shaak Ti speaks up.

"It must be a conspiracy," Mundi declares, "The Sith themselves could be behind it." Anakin forces himself not to react and Obi-Wan's expression doesn't change. His control is admittedly surprising.

"I find it difficult to believe Senator Amidala would be in collusion with the Sith," Obi-Wan frowns.

"It's unlikely, but we must consider everything," Windu agrees.

"Speak with her we should," Yoda decides, "Perhaps persuade her to reinstitute the Republic, we can."

"I agree," Windu replies, "She already called for talks with the Separatists to bring the war to an end. Perhaps as soon as it is over, she can be persuaded to hand her powers back to the Senate."

The debate goes on for a while longer, with all of the Council members clearly unhappy with the situation. And they're literally implying that they might need to take... forcible action against her, even if they aren't outright stating it. Anakin can read between the lines enough to know what they mean, though.

And he really doesn't understand it. Why does it matter so much if what she's doing will help the galaxy? Of course, such power can be abused, but he knows Padme wouldn't do that. What the Jedi are insinuating could be considered treason. It makes him more than a little uneasy to think about. He can only hope that Obi-Wan can stop them from doing anything drastic, because if they do decide to do something against the government... He doesn't know what then.

Still, he needs answers himself, so as soon as he's sent out of the Council meeting, he heads for the Senate. Time to talk to her about this in person.

***

He's been apart from Athair for far too long again, so Vader is more than eager when he shows up at the door of where they're staying.

"Master!" he exclaims, a wave of emotions rushing through him as he steps inside. He moves closer and is immediately pulled into a hug.

"It has been a long time," Athair replies, a lingering affection in him.

"I... missed you," Vader murmurs, when they finally pull apart. A few months isn't that long compared to how long they were separated before, but still.

"You have done well," he responds, and Vader looks down, a smile tugging at his lips.

He might be as old as Athair is, technically, but that doesn't mean his praise doesn't matter to him. "We found a new ally," Vader comments, after a moment, "But she'll need someone to train her in our ways."

He raises an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Ventress."

"Ventress?" Athair repeats, almost incredulously, "How did you get her to join you?"

"Dooku sent her after us in the sloppiest assassination attempt in history. And we talked her into joining us because she will never be a true Sith as long as she stays with Dooku." He pauses for a moment. "Do you know her?"

"We fought a number of times on the battlefield," Athair responds, "So yes, you could say we... know each other."

"She's here with us, but I didn't tell her anything about who we really are," Vader continues, slightly hesitantly. He can't exactly tell how Athair feels about it. "I... thought you could train her?"

"Me?" he repeats, sounding both amused and... something else. "Perhaps. Do you believe she can be trusted?"

He hesitates again. That, he doesn't know for sure. She certainly had no problem killing Sidious, but that doesn't mean she'll be loyal to them at all. "She doesn't like the Jedi, and she technically betrayed Dooku," he answers, finally.

"We would have to reveal to her who I am."

"I thought now that Sidious is dead it wouldn't... matter," he offers.

He seems to consider that for a few moments. "It should be fine. She has no liking for the Jedi. We can speak to her about it now."

Vader nods, leading him out of the room to where the others are.

Ventress looks up as they enter, expression going comically shocked. "Master Kenobi!" she exclaims, smoothly, "And here I was wondering when I would have the pleasure of meeting you again."

Vader senses the slight shift in the Force as Athair lets his eyes bleed yellow. "Yes, the pleasure is all mine," he replies, looking decidedly amused as Ventress gapes at him.

Wait, are they flirting?! Or at least something close?! Maybe he's just overthinking it.

"What are you – you're a Sith?!" she demands, sounding a little hysterical. If she really knew him as a Jedi Master in the past, that's hardly a surprise.

"I am," he agrees lightly.

"Of all people, I wouldn't have expected someone like you to betray the Jedi," she snips.

"Times have changed," he retorts.

"Enough that the perfect Jedi has become a Sith Lord?" Ventress crows. "My old master would have wanted to hear this."

Seriously, how well do they know each other? And the conversation is making Vader seriously uncomfortable.

"You expressed a desire to join our Order," Athair interrupts, "The others already have apprentices. If you do, I will be your master."

Ventress just stares for a moment, then scoffs. "You are going to train me to be a Sith?" she asks, derisively, "When did you even become one?"

"That is none of your concern," he says, sharply and for a moment, her sassy smirk falters, "I am the Master of this Order."

"Isn't that something. Imagine if the Jedi Council knew," Ventress drawls.

"Are you interested or not?" he asks, sounding a little irritated now. Hardly a surprise. Vader is surprised he's put up with her attitude this long.

"You expect me to call you master?" she asks, incredulously.

"If you truly desire to join us, yes."

She looks... slightly taken aback by that answer, and falls silent for a few moments, considering. "Very well. I do want to learn more about the ways of the Sith," she decides.

Athair turns for the door. "We will discuss this later. I must return to the Temple soon." Vader suppresses his surge of disappointment at that. He hasn't really been here that long, and he was hoping the reunion could last a little longer, but at least the longest period they'll be apart is over now.

"Riiiight. You wouldn't want the Jedi to catch you, would you... 'Master'?"

Vader nearly winces at how mockingly she says that word. Seriously, she has no respect whatsoever, or maybe she just isn't taking it seriously yet what it means to have him as her master, because Vader highly doubts she acted like this towards Dooku. But he does know he's not very impressed with her attitude, even if it's maybe understandable.

Athair breezes out of the room without another word, and Vader heads after.

***

"What is he to you?" Ventress queries, pausing next to Vader shortly after Athair leaves.

He gives her an odd look. "What do you mean?"

"The way you act around him," Ventress answers with a shrug, "You... look up to him. A lot."

"He was my master," Vader replies, almost without thinking. Okay, maybe he shouldn't have told her that, because –

She frowns. "What? You look like you're almost the same age!"

"Rapax isn't much younger than me," he hastily backtracks. It's not like she knows how old either of them is specifically, so hopefully that will be believable.

She seems to buy it. "I never saw that coming from him," she admits.

"How well do you know him?" Vader wonders.

"Enough to know that he was the typical self-righteous, blockheaded, blinded-by-the-Council type of Jedi," she snips.

Vader glares at her. "Don't speak of him like that."

"You really do respect him a lot," she observes.

"Of course, I do. He was my master," Vader snaps. My father. Though he thinks Ventress' problem is that she's still seeing him as the Jedi Master she met before. "And he is yours now, as well."

She sobers a little at that, thankfully. "What's he like, as a Sith?"

How does he even answer that? "He's a good teacher, but he is... strict," Vader answers, finally. The best teacher, the best master he could have asked for. There were things he often wished were different between them, but in the end, Athair will always be Athair, and he couldn't ask for anything else.

She hums in response. "So, all this time, he pretended to be strict to the Jedi Code, he was actually strict to Sith ideals."

He nods. It's been true of the last couple months, anyway. She can't know the truth yet. Not until they know they can trust her. In the end, it's unimportant anyway.

"Similar to Dooku I presume, then," she muses.

They fall silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts, before Ventress speaks up again. "What's your goal? What are you planning?"

"An Empire. The galaxy will never have peace unless someone is able to direct it that way," Vader replies, "Soon, I will be returning to Tatooine to continue our work there."

"What planet are you planning to move to next?" she asks, curiously.

"I have not determined for certain," he replies, "There is Zygerria, but that is far away."

"And Rattatak, but I suppose that's far away too," Ventress responds.

From the way she says that name, it's obvious of some significance to her.

"I am not familiar with that planet," he admits.

"I grew up there," she replies, with a shrug, "I ruled it for a while before Dooku found me, after my previous master was killed by pirates. He was a Jedi." She adds the last sentence as an afterthought.

"You used to be a Jedi?"

"Yes. Ky Narec found me, but we didn't have a way off the planet. I doubt if I would have ever been accepted by the main Order." The bitterness and hatred is obvious in her words. "The Order abandoned us."

"You Fell after he died?" Vader guesses, and she nods.

"I already knew a little about the Force when he found me, maybe from my time on Dathomir."

"You were a Nightsister?" he asks. That explains why she was never taken to the Temple. "Then how did you end up on Rattatak?"

He isn't entirely expecting her to answer, but she does. "My clan gave me to my first... master," she replies, "In exchange for protection for the tribe."

Oh. Oh. She was a slave, then. No wonder she seems eager enough to help on Tatooine. He isn't surprised.

He scarcely talks about his past to anyone, but sometimes it's... different when he's speaking to someone who shared somewhat similar experiences. Especially now that they'll both be Athair's apprentices. "Athair found me on Tatooine. That's when I became his apprentice."

"The same time the Jedi found Skywalker?" she wonders. Right. Because she thinks they're brothers. Well, it's not entirely inaccurate. They do share the same parents, so maybe they are.

"Yes," he replies. Moving away from this topic is probably for the best. He doesn't want to say something that will make her begin to question if she's missing something, and besides, they have work to do.

***

Anakin knows something is wrong. He did even before he came to Padme's apartment, but now that he's close, something about her Force-presence is wrong. It's shielded far more than it ought to be. It's dark, and now that he thinks about it, it reminds him of Angelus. "I would like an explanation," he begins. It's not a good way to start a conversation – it's too confrontational – but he's confused and worried and admittedly a little bit angry. If Padme really changed her mind about something this major, she would have spoken to him first. She would've – and he doesn't entirely believe she did, either.

"Of all people, I would have thought you to be more open-minded about this." No, it's not her.

"Why?" he repeats.

"The Republic could not stand. You yourself know how they lack the ability to help those in need."

"You're not her," he accuses finally. "What have you done with Padme?"

"She is quite safe, I assure you," Angelus replies. "You have nothing to fear. She is in good hands."

"What have you done with her?!" he snaps.

"I? Nothing. She is quite safe. What more could you want to know?"

Her nonchalant attitude makes him furious, but he tries to remind himself that it's probably what she's going for. She's a Sith. He wouldn't put it past her to try turning him, and while none of the Sith have done anything to hurt anyone yet, Anakin has no reason to trust them.

He can't even trust Obi-Wan, who is his only hope at getting any answers.

"You destroyed everything she worked for," he replies icily before spinning around and heading for the door.

"Don't let her hold you back," Angelus calls after him. "Don't let her desires and ambitions define you."

"She's my wife," is all he says in response to that before he walks out.

He heads straight to track down his master – it's not easy, but eventually he successfully tracks him down in his quarters.

"What is it, Anakin?" he asks. He doesn't sound as annoyed or impatient as he once may have.

"Where is Padme?" he demands. "Is she alright?"

"I really hoped we wouldn't have to explain this," Obi-Wan sighs. "We did what we had to. She should be safely with y – the apprentices. No harm will come to her, I assure you. I know how much she means to you."

They were all in on this? It stings even though Anakin knew from the start he wouldn't be in on it. Part of him wonders, not for the first time, if he should just tell the Council. They would know what to do. Maybe. Hopefully. Master Yoda would at least, and Anakin wishes he could tell him, but... he didn't at first, and he's afraid of what would happen both to him and Obi-Wan if he did. Especially now. He has no doubt Vader would go on a mass-murder if something happened to his master again, and quite frankly, Anakin would probably join him.

"You destroyed everything she worked for."

"Did we?" Obi-Wan counters. "Does she not care for her people, for justice? For peace? Where are they in the Republic as we know it? Perhaps there was, once, but no longer. Freedom died a long time ago. Perhaps it never truly existed."

Anakin shakes his head, turning away. He feels completely drained from the past... everything. It's too much too quickly. He doesn't know what to do.

"I want to see her," Anakin demands, finally. If nothing else, he needs to make sure she's alright. He doesn't trust the Sith with her at all. He doesn't know what to say about the rest of this right now – it's not as if his former master is interested in hearing what he has to say about either. He just expects him to accept it.

"Of course," Obi-Wan agrees, "But she has been taken off planet – "

His eyes narrow. "What did you do with her?"

"I told she's fine," he replies, which does very little to reassure him right now, "We took her to Tatooine. Everything is too unstable right now to risk anyone realizing what happened."

The words do little to stop his swell of bitterness, but he doesn't argue the point. It will change nothing. The only way he can actually stop this is if he takes everything to the Council, and... He doesn't think he can do that, even if maybe he should. He... can't turn on Obi-Wan, even if sometimes he hardly feels like the one he used to know. But what will the cost be if he doesn't?

"I can have the Council give you leave time, and you can come with us to Tatooine for a short time," he offers.

Anakin nods curtly, turning away.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan calls, before he can walk out.

He pauses, looking back, though he's half-tempted to just walk out anyway.

"I understand you are upset, but – "

"Upset?" he snaps, "You ruined Padme's entire career!" Upset is an understatement.

"I knew you... might not be happy, but I thought you would understand the need for an Empire."

"I can understand the Empire," he retorts, "But you didn't have to do it like this."

"It was the simplest way we knew," he replies, maybe in an attempt meant to be calming, but it only upsets him more, "It is... unfortunate that Padme was caught in the middle, but we had few options."

"Tell me when we can go," he answers shortly, walking out without looking back. He knows he needs to talk to Obi-Wan again about everything, but not right now.

It hurts how it feels like he doesn't even know him anymore. He thought those feelings were starting to disappear, once they were fighting side by side again, but now he's starting to question it again.

He draws in a deep breath, trying to bring his raging emotions under control. He just needs to make sure Padme is alright, and then take it from there.

***

Angelus is not surprised when the top Jedi Council members – Yoda and Windu – show up at her office the next afternoon. She knew this was coming eventually, and immediately tightens her shields. They'll probably sense that something is wrong, and she's already been thinking how to deal with the Jedi if – or is it a when? – they become a problem, but still, there's thousands of them, and she knows the Sith could easily be overwhelmed in sheer numbers if it came down to a fight to the death. There's no use making that happen any sooner than it might otherwise.

"I presume you are here to discuss the Empire," she gets straight to the point.

Of course, they promptly launches into a surprisingly polite way of saying that while the Jedi are sworn to uphold the Republic, this is not the Republic anymore.

"This is the only way to bring a quick end to the war and destroy the corruption in the Senate," Angelus replies, firmly.

"Dangerous, this power is, for anyone," Yoda replies.

"We understand that you mean for the best, but we request that you restore the government to a Republic once the war is over," Windu asserts firmly. It's worded like a request, but it sounds more like an order. Or maybe a threat.

"If I did, another war would only start," she replies, "Tensions are running too high, and the Senators have already more than proved they are incapable of taking care of matters such as this on their own."

The Jedi masters exchange glances. "The Republic stood for a thousand years without an Empire," Windu argues, "I believe it can stand again. You once believed this yourself."

"I lost faith in the system after seeing how ineffective they are," she responds, "The Senate does not have the focus necessary to lead the Republic. The formation of the Separatists is a clear enough sign of their failure. I see no reason to repeat this. With an Empire, someone will have the authority to do what is necessary to help the galaxy. The Jedi will actually be able to help those truly in need instead of waiting for the Senate. Is this not what you desire?"

She will never understand why the Jedi who claim to be so wise are incapable of seeing this. A government of many will never work, and she has no intention of backing down.

At least they're being polite about it for now, but she supposes anything else could be considered treason.

Unsurprisingly, the conversation doesn't get anywhere. The Jedi won't back down, although they clearly are running out of arguments by the time she dismisses them and moves on to far more important matters.

Like continuing the negotiations with Dooku. His first demand is to recognize that the Separatists are a legitimate government, which she's perfectly fine with doing. Once the Separatist systems see that the Empire is a far better system, they'll join willingly on their own.

And in time, the entire galaxy will be under their rule.

Chapter Text

As far as Rapax is concerned, this is the craziest plan her master has ever come up with in his life. In order to officially show the unity between the new Empire and the Outer Rim Alliance, Vader and Angelus have decided to have a second, but this time public, wedding ceremony.

Personally, she thinks Angelus just wants an extra good excuse to wear a very unnecessarily fancy dress – not that she ever needs an excuse for that.

Although Rapax never did get to attend their last wedding since she didn't meet Vader until a couple months after that, so she doesn't mind. Even if it seems like overkill.

Especially considering that the Jedi are aware that the leader of the Outer Rim Alliance is a Sith, and they're going to be attending, since this is... public.

There's quite a few people attending, mostly for political reasons or in the hopes of gaining favors, but she still doesn't miss the clear feeling of malevolent eyes on her as she moves through the crowd. She isn't keeping her lightsabers in plain sight, but there's no way her shielding is good enough that none of the Jedi pick up on it.

Because, yes, there are a few of them here, though she isn't sure if just as a polite political statement or because they're trying to feel them out, get a clue on how they operate before they take action against them. She has to wonder. Although such action would be foolish, and they have to know it. But she doesn't think they're actually going to back down, even if they don't do anything openly.

She brushes the thoughts aside, though, turning her attention to the front of the room once the ceremony finally begins.

And when it's over, Vader and Angelus are officially married... again.

Whatever.

They're both insane, as far as she's concerned. But as long as it will work to their benefit...

***

It's finally time for them to return to Tatooine, something Vader is eager for, especially since Athair will be coming with them, though he can't stay long.

Anakin is following him as they approach the shuttle, expression guarded, though Vader can feel how uncomfortable and... upset he feels in the Force.

He glances at Anakin for a moment, meets his eyes briefly with an equally unreadable look before he looks away.

"We are ready to go," Vader tells Athair instead, heading up the ramp with them following.

Anakin freezes the moment he steps into the hold. "What is she doing here?"

"Bringing Skywalker here too now?" Ventress crows, reclining lazily in a seat in the corner, "And here I thought at least the Jedi's precious Chosen One wouldn't be 'corrupted by the Dark Side.'"

Anakin flinches back. His emotions flare into the Force, a mix of hurt and anger and guilt and...

"That's enough, Ventress," Athair snaps, which surprisingly, shuts her up, as he turns to Anakin, "She... decided to join us."

Anakin opens his mouth, then closes it again, saying nothing, but his unhappiness is loud enough that there's no way everyone can't feel it.

"She was a valuable ally in defeating Sidious," Vader offers, though he doesn't think that changes anything, before he disappears to the cockpit to fire up the engines. It's time to go.

Once they make the jump to lightspeed, he steps back into the main hold.

Rapax and Ventress are busy in the corner doing... something. He doesn't pay attention to what, instead moving to take a seat next to Athair. Anakin is nowhere to be seen.

Athair is scowling, which is normal, and Vader has long since learned to read whether it's a grumpy scowl or a 'you are in very big trouble' one, but right now he seems more... unhappy, almost. Not hurt, really, but...

"Is... something wrong, Master?" he asks, quietly.

"Anakin is... not taking this well."

Oh. He knew Anakin wouldn't be happy with the plan, but Athair had seemed fine with it before, so they'd gone through with it. "He was raised as a Jedi. He... doesn't understand," Vader replies.

"Yes," his master agrees, "He is very much like you and will always put his family first, but I trained him to be loyal to the Council and to shun his attachments. And I taught him that the Sith are evil."

Vader winces. He can't imagine what that would be like, really. To be taught that he wasn't allowed to care about anyone, not even his master? The way Athair treated Anakin must have been... quite different.

The sudden change must be strange for Anakin, to say the least. Especially since he's been trained to hate the Sith.

"Do you think he would tell the Council what's really happening?" Vader asks.

"I don't," Athair replies, "But he is..."

Not taking the change well, understandably. If it's clashing with everything he believes in, Vader can understand it to a point, but he can't even imagine such a life.

Then again, if after Athair merged over, he'd been determined to go by Jedi beliefs, Vader has no idea how he would handle it. He doesn't want to imagine it, and this, he supposes, is probably a little like how Anakin is feeling.

"If you... had remained a Jedi, it would not be easy for me either," he admits, "But I would still know you care."

Athair's hand drops to Vader's arm. "As a Jedi, I never showed it."

He can't even imagine what that would be like. And he doesn't know very much about Jedi training, but if he still treated Anakin much like he treated Vader...

"I can see now it... hurt him," Athair continues, "But he no longer sees me as the same, so I cannot change it." Not like that's a surprise. Vader wouldn't see him the same either if he suddenly started preaching about the Jedi Code, and "letting go" and whatever.

"I could talk to him," suggests Vader.

"Yes," Athair agrees. "That may help. He needs support, and he trusts no one."

The door to the room Anakin is in hisses open as he approaches it. The boy is seated on the bed, in much the same way he was right after they'd first taken his Obi-Wan. He looks up sharply, eyes narrowing, as Vader enters. "What do you want?"

"Merely to speak with you," he replies, moving to sit across from him.

Before, Anakin had been afraid, afraid of losing his master, and Vader thinks that to a point he believes that's what happened. His bitterness and wariness now speak for themselves.

And... Vader can't deny that there's a strange connection between them. He feels... strangely at home around him in a way that makes no sense, especially because of how Light he feels. Comes from how they're the same person, he supposes. "If it's worth anything, I am sorry about how this turned out for you," Vader says finally.

Anakin nods, conceding the point but doesn't speak.

"I took your master from you."

"What do you want?" he asks tiredly, suspiciously. He sounds worn out.

"Athair told me you were struggling." This entire situation is immensely awkward, and he doesn't know what to say to him. He's never been good at words, but he feels at a complete, utter lack of anything to say whenever he's near Anakin. It happened last time, too.

"I don't know what there is to say."

Part of him wonders what would happen if he did try to turn Anakin, if he showed him the truth of the Force like his own master did years ago. Athair had told him not to, but Vader wonders if it would help him, anyway. He doesn't know what else could help. It would be so easy for him. He could manipulate him so easily if he wanted to, but... Athair had wanted to keep him Light, just as he is now. Vader doesn't understand it – thankfully. Neither of his children are Light, or he doesn't know what he'd do.

Darkness isn't evil, despite what Anakin has been led to believe, and Vader doesn't know how to show him otherwise. "Sith are little different than the Jedi," he points out. "We both believe in the greater good."

"What is it?" Anakin asks. "And who decides? And what of those who aren't benefited by it? Don't they still matter?"

"I asked my master all those questions when I was young." Vader keeps talking before he can slip back into the memories. Dwelling on the past will do no good. "We can only do so much, but what matters is how we do more than the Jedi."

"The Sith only care for themselves," Anakin shoots back.

"Really?" Vader asks, "We rely on our passion to make us stronger. We have families – unlike the Jedi. We care for each other far more than anyone in your Order. Tell me, Anakin, when was the last time the Jedi did something for you?"

"They freed me," he answers, eyes narrowed.

"After leaving you a slave for... nine years? Or was it more?"

"They didn't leave me. They had no control on Tatooine. They had no reason to help me. No way to know I needed help, and they had no reason to help those on Tatooine. They cannot outstep their role. To interfere would mean taking on a role greater than that which the Jedi are meant to hold."

"We do not fear our own powers as the Jedi do," Vader replies. "We embrace them. Use them. We let them bring us to a level where we can do more and make a difference."

"How long?" Anakin asks. He's being stubborn, the same way all Jedi are. At least he's not being downright arrogant and self-righteous like most. "How long can you gather and contain more power before it corrupts you? Before it consumes you, and you destroy everything you now care for?"

"My powers are contained," Vader replies sharply, slightly irked. "They are controlled, fueled by my family. We can love. We have everything that we dreamed. But tell me – if you truly believe the Jedi are selfless, how?"

He's tense now, clearly uncomfortable. "We devote our lives to others."

"Because you know no other way," Vader reminds. "You never had a choice, did you? None of you have. You had your free-will ripped away from you and were brainwashed into a system where you knew no other life. How can you protect others if you don't understand what out there is worth protecting?"

Anakin narrows his eyes. "It is not my place to question this. The Order has stood for thousands of years and is built on experience. I can't question that."

"Even a well-established system can be wrong," Vader replies, "The Sith in our reality changed much too, for the better." At least their lineage did. He can't say the same for all the others.

"The Jedi do their best," Anakin repeats, though Vader can definitely feel that... he has some doubts even if he's long buried them. He can probably only sense it because they're the same person.

"Perhaps," he concedes, "But there are still many whom they do not help – whether it is by their choice or not. If other Force users are willing to help them, why should they be considered the Jedi's enemies?"

"The Dark Side is dangerous," he retorts, narrowing his eyes.

Force, this conversation is getting nowhere. He doesn't know if Anakin is just being stubborn or if he truly believes all of this, but it's no wonder he's having such a hard time being around Athair now if this is how he views the Sith. Because Obi-Wan taught him to be that way. It's hard to even believe that any version of his master could raise another version of him like this.

"It can be, if we don't learn to control ourselves," Vader replies, "The Dark Side is nothing more than our deepest desires and emotions. Even love is strongest in the Dark Side. The Light has little emotional depth, and I know you want more."

Anakin crosses his arms, a clear sign he's feeling uncomfortable. "It's not the Jedi way."

"But you still want more," he reiterates, and Anakin doesn't deny it. "There are Sith out there who believe family and love are nothing but weakness, but in the end, they always destroy themselves. My master told me... that he used to believe the same, until after he found me. And... he told me that as a Jedi he taught you to shun your attachments to people as well, but in the end, in the end, I know he still loves you, and you him."

"How is that relevant?" he demands, a hint of... something in his voice. Something a little like longing, perhaps?

"Feelings of that nature only make you stronger. You know that, even if you don't want to see it. Your master sees that now too that he has seen both lives. Perhaps he would have seen that eventually, even as a Jedi." Although, personally, Vader doubts as much, though he simply can't imagine a world where Athair wasn't like that.

Anakin says nothing, but Vader can see he's definitely thinking about it, even though he probably doesn't want to be.

"He... has not changed as much as you might believe. He has merely seen past the flaws of the Jedi – and all living beings have them. You can't deny that. I know you want more than a life as an ordinary Jedi – "

"How would you know that?" he retorts. It sounds like a denial, but Vader knows better.

"I can sense it. And I know we may not be the same, but we are similar. I always wanted more than to only be a Sith, as well. And eventually that's what... changed my master."

Anakin doesn't reply immediately, and Vader lets the silence settle between them. Whatever he's thinking, he's unlikely to share with a Sith anyway. Vader doesn't know what more he can say to the boy – not without outright trying to turn him. Maybe he already was, or at the very least, feeding his doubts about the Jedi. He can't even imagine how someone could be so thoroughly convinced that love is wrong.

Or no, that isn't what Anakin believes, but... It's what he's constantly been told. By Obi-Wan. And maybe he's also just being stubborn, because to be fair, Vader would be too if he was arguing with a Jedi about his own beliefs.

"I know you want more from your master," he says, standing, "More than you should ever have as a Jedi. Accepting and getting a family shouldn't have to mean sacrificing all your beliefs."

He leaves it at that, heading for the door, though he can feel Anakin's eyes on him all the way out of the room.

Although he had hoped otherwise, Vader isn't really surprised when Anakin doesn't leave the room for the rest of the trip. He clearly has a lot to think about. And to be fair, Vader wouldn't feel very comfortable being around Anakin's Jedi family – not that he has one.

They finally reach Tatooine, and Luke and Leia run out to greet them immediately. Vader pulls them both into his arms, holding them close.

"How have you been?" Vader inquires.

"Some Tuskens attacked nearby," Luke chirps, "But we dealt with them."

"I think there's still some slavers hiding out in part of Mos Espa. There's been some... disturbances," Leia adds.

Vader nods. "We will deal with that later." He steps aside as the others finally come down the ramp. Anakin is in the back, and both twins instantly brighten when they see him.

"Why are you here?" Luke asks, bouncing past them over to Anakin. They're... surprisingly eager to see him. Maybe it's because he's technically like they're uncle. (Just a disturbingly Light one.)

His expression is guarded, but he lightens a little at the sight of them. "I'm here to see Padme."

"Oh," Leia replies, and maybe she sounds a little disappointed, "Maybe you can stay for a little bit?"

"Perhaps," he agrees.

"Instead of cooking ourselves out here," Rapax cuts in, "Why don't we go inside?"

***

Anakin can't get his mind off the conversation with Vader. Most of it he could try to dismiss, shrug off as the Sith trying to manipulate him – to be fair he probably was – but not everything. He... made the Jedi and Sith sound quite similar, and it is true that these Sith are very different from the ones he's otherwise encountered.

And... as far as family is concerned, he can hardly deny that Vader is right. In the end, that's all he's ever wanted, and it's always felt like he'll never have it. He can't, really, if he ever wants to be a true Jedi. But he still can never imagine a time where family wasn't the most important thing to him.

And now, he actually has a chance to truly consider Obi-Wan a part of it.

But at the same time, the Dark Side is dangerous. He knows that for a fact. And... He lets out a quiet sigh, past his frustration and confusion. He doesn't know what to do.

"Ani?" Padme steps around the corner, and he doesn't waste a second, hurrying over to her the moment they're alone, hugging her.

"Angel," he murmurs, "I was so worried about you."

This is what Vader meant. About family. Why should having one be wrong? His mind traitorously whispers. Because in truth, it's something he's never understood either and never will.

"What're you doing here?" she asks, pulling back, "How did you know where to find me?"

"Because of Obi-Wan," he admits, "He – he's a part of them."

"What?" Padme exclaims, eyes widening.

"I don't know what they told you, but they are alternate versions of us from a different reality," he begins.

She nods slowly. "So they told me."

"And Vader... he merged his master over with mine."

"... Oh."

"I didn't know they would do any of this," he continues, "They didn't tell me about any of their plans, but Obi-Wan told me... that they were only trying to help the galaxy."

"They seem to truly believe they are," she admits, frowning, "They might be trying for now, but I can't stand for the Empire."

He really doesn't want to get into the politics right now. "I know. Are – are you okay?"

"I'm fine. They didn't hurt me," she assures, "It's been... strange meeting our children."

"They technically aren't ours."

"No, but close enough."

"Yes," Anakin agrees, with a faint smile. He doesn't know what to think of the twins. He would be lying to say he doesn't... care for them, and he can't deny the connection he has with Vader either – likely a result of their bond.

Padme steps closer, laying a hand on his arm and she looks almost hesitant. "We could have that someday," she says quietly, and Anakin freezes, his breath catching in his throat.

"Maybe," he finally gets out, "But you're –"

"I'm not in the Senate anymore," she says, a bitter smile on her face, "But I don't want you to leave the Order for me either way. But perhaps someday, we can."

He wants it. He does, more than he could admit, especially after everything lately. Maybe someday. But in truth, it's not something they could have without him leaving the Order.

He wanted to do that once, because he thought he'd be able to help people better if he wasn't a part of it, but Obi-Wan had persuaded him to stay. And now... he can't believe he's thinking about it again. Maybe Vader's words are really getting to his head right now, but everything is just so confusing.

Still, he could never leave Ahsoka. She's his padawan, his responsibility, and he would never leave her. He can't leave so long as the war is going on either, but there appears to be a ceasefire in effect for now, though knowing how chaotic and volatile the galaxy is, it's truly hard to say how long that will last. Of course, there was always Obi-Wan, but leaving the Order wouldn't mean leaving him anymore.

Assuming Obi-Wan even is Obi-Wan. He still doesn't know what to think about all of that. He doesn't exactly feel the same, but... the entire situation is frustrating, and he much prefers not to think about it.

He leaves the conversation with Padme at that, and eventually finds himself moving through the palace on his own, just taking some time to think.

He... misses Obi-Wan again, honestly, and... he could talk to him. Maybe. He doesn't know if it would help or change anything. Personally, he doesn't know what he'd even say, but he wants to be around him. The changes have been already made, and his master is no longer the person he once was. Sometimes, Anakin thinks that might be a good thing – at least it gives them a better chance at some sort of future together, but it also means he doesn't truly know this person.

He should stop thinking about a time that has gone – it's the future that matters now. And regardless of what he wants, he still has Ahsoka to take care of. That's what matters most of all – not how badly he craves to have another mentor in his life. Maybe... he should leave the Order. At least it wouldn't feel quite so much as if his loyalty to both sides were tearing him in two. What he's not sure of is how to go about that – or how he can leave when he has a padawan, a responsibility.

Someone to think of beyond himself and Padme, because everyone else in his life is gone – except Rex. Rex and the boys deserve justice, which Angelus has given them. Oddly enough, it was the Sith who gave them their freedom, not the Jedi.

If he's going to spend the next few weeks or however long it is here, he's going to have to figure something out with the Sith, whether he likes it or not.

***

The Council is as predictable as ever, of course. Athair had expected they would make a stupid move from the start, which of course, they did. Only they don't realize they have a Sith in their midst, monitoring and waiting to hear every plan they make.

Vader may not have been the happiest about it, but it's why he knew Athair had to remain on the Council despite the dangers. He knew the Jedi would try to take down the Sith even if they were completely minding their own business – it's simply the way Jedi are. If Athair were there, he'd know all the depths of their plans in and out and would be able to warn the others accordingly. It's a good thing they followed those instincts, or they would never have been forewarned about the Council having a very serious discussion about turning all their efforts to locating the Sith.

The Jedi don't know everything, though. They have yet to decide on anything, but they're walking a fine line. One wrong move, and Angelus will have a very good reason to order their... removal. It's something Vader knows Athair hopes to avoid, but it may prove necessary.

"Their foolishness is astounding," Vader declares flatly when he hears. "I suspected it would come to this."

"No," Athair objects sharply, "I have no intention of destroying them unless we must."

"Because of Anakin?" he asks. He may have sounded slightly bitter about that, but he thinks it's excusable. Being with his master again is... not entirely like he expected, either. Athair has changed for Vader, too.

"Everything I have done is for you or him. You have two children of your own. You know how it is."

"Yes." That is not the terminology Vader would use, but he concedes the point. "Either way, they have made their last mistake if they come for us."

Truly, there's nothing left in the galaxy that he could want – everyone he cares for is here, and those from his former reality are part of his past. They have the galaxy in their grasp now, and they'll use it to help people, as they always have.

Chapter Text

Anakin may have been planning to keep silent before, but especially after what happened with Padme, he doesn't know that he can. His loyalties to his master and to her and the Republic are tearing him apart, and he doesn't know what to do. Obi-Wan obviously trusts that he won't tell the Council, but... he's not his Obi-Wan anymore.

And they technically destroyed the Republic. Anakin himself doesn't know that he's against the idea of an Empire – with the Senate, he doesn't understand how they get anything done, simply because they don't – but it's... they've destroyed Padme's entire political career. He can't just do nothing about that. And with a Sith the head of the Empire... He can't keep silent. No matter what he decides, he's certain he's going to regret it, and he doesn't know what to do.

If he can't go to Obi-Wan for advice – which obviously he can't – there's really only one other person he can go to. Going there still feels like a betrayal but staying quiet is no less of one. What if people are hurt and he had the chance to stop it, but didn't? This is what the master who raised him would have wanted, isn't it?

(What if the Jedi decide to kill the Sith, Obi-Wan included?)

"Troubled, you are," Yoda observes, as Anakin settles across from him in his quarters.

"Yes, Master," he acknowledges. Now that he's here, there's no backing out. He can only hope this isn't a mistake. His guilt swells instantly, as he thinks of what he'll have to say now. That he knew this all along and said nothing. "I – I should have come to you on this sooner," he begins.

"On what, hmmm?" Yoda prompts.

Anakin doesn't know what the Jedi are going to do to him, either, for keeping this a secret, but... "More happened on... Mustafar than we informed the Council," he begins finally, past his hammering heart. This – it could be disastrous.

"Questioned this, I did," Yoda replies, and he sounds... not-so pleased, but waits for him to continue.

"The Sith, they – merged Obi-Wan's mind with his Sith counterpart. He... Fell, Master. He told me to conceal it, and I – did. I apologize for my deceit." He draws in a breath, trying to control himself.

"Working with the Sith, he has been?" Yoda asks.

Anakin nods. "But they – they do not want to fight with the Jedi," he adds, hastily, "I did not believe them at first, but they are... insistent that they do not. They want to restore peace to the galaxy, and they have. But... the Empress is not Senator Amidala. It's – that universe's version of her. They have her somewhere else where she is safe, but... I do not know what to do. They are Sith, but they have done nothing to give us a reason to fight them. The Sith are too strong for us to take action against regardless, and they all protect each other above all else."

Yoda taps his stick on the floor. "Told me this before you should have, but not too late, it is."

"What will you do, Master?" Anakin asks, warily. It feels like what he did was a betrayal, but not telling on them wasn't any better. He doesn't know what's right anymore. (He just wants Obi-Wan back.)

"Meditate on this, I must," the Grandmaster replies.

The instant urge to defend his master rises, if nothing just to make sure that they won't decide to imprison him or worse. "Obi-Wan still remembers his life here. He is – not lost to the Dark Side. He is... using it far less than he did in that time."

"Dangerous, this path is. Once start down the Dark path you do, forever it will dominate your destiny."

Anakin nods, breathing out quietly. Was this a mistake?

"Speak with Obi-Wan, I will," Yoda decides, and Anakin tries not to visibly tense, "Tell him that know the truth, I will not," the Grandmaster assures, "Perhaps time away from this, he needs. And keep him on the Council, we cannot."

"Yes, Master," Anakin murmurs. He can't ask for anything more. Maybe Obi-Wan does just need some time to sort everything out. He can't believe his Jedi side is that gone. Unless his Sith side was far worse than Anakin knows of. He has no idea, and... It hurts, and for a moment he wishes that everything could have stayed simple like it was before, without these interdimensional visitors.

They've helped people, though. Things the Republic would never have done. Besides, Vader only wanted his master back, and Anakin can't begrudge him for that, even if he's not happy with how it turned out.

"Meditate on all of this, you must as well," Yoda adds, and it's left at that. Anakin can only hope he made the right choice.

***

Vader isn't exactly surprised when his master calls him, though he didn't expect it to be so soon. "I'm being sent on a mission," Athair tells him, "I'll be off Coruscant for some time, I imagine."

Vader frowns. That is risky, to be sure. If the Council is going to take action, it would be better for them to have a forewarning. He isn't stupid enough to think the Jedi couldn't cause serious damage if they were to truly try. "You will still attend Council meetings, right?" Vader queries.

"We can hope," his master replies, "If there is a chance they suspect me, they might find a way around it. We would never know. I have been careful to cover my tracks. I cannot imagine I left a lead for them."

Vader hopes that means they won't have to worry. "Then they should not have a reason to suspect you, unless Anakin said something."

"He wouldn't," Athair replies firmly. "I know that much. He is loyal to me."

But if he thought Athair wasn't the same as his Obi-Wan? Vader, truthfully, has no idea what he would do in the reverse situation. He would never have told the Sith Council, to be sure, because that would be suicide, but he doesn't know he would be able to look at him as the same anymore, either.

To be fair, this Athair isn't the same as Vader's, either. He's... lighter. It's not as though his master was... overly dark at the end, but he was brutal, and he was terrifying.

And before, Athair would definitely not have tolerated a version of his apprentice being a Jedi simply because he didn't want to... hurt him. The Dark Side is pain, though, and Vader learned it through pain. He had known pain on Tatooine. He learned it, lived in it. Athair took that and used it to shape him, make into something stronger. He taught him to utilize it.

Sith training was always grueling, and he remembers, more times than he can count, forcing onwards, stubbornly, because his master was watching and expecting more – because he always wants more – every inch of his body aching. Athair had taken that and used it. It had taken... time for Vader to accept the ways of the Sith, and it had taken even longer for him to understand how much his master was shielding him.

Athair's repeated attempts at minimizing Vader's successes, all of them, tried to get him to stop trying, was because he feared Sidious would see it. Sidious was always there, lurking, threatening to take everything from them. Athair wanted to control him, in every way he could – because Sidious did the same to him. "Mercy is a weakness," his master had said, hand laying on his shoulder on their first mission together – Vader had been ten, just learning the Force. They were attacked by pirates and... his master showed no mercy.

And despite that, he can still remember the feel of Athair's arms around him, holding him against his chest when exhaustion overtook him. He remembers feeling his master's grip, tight, possessive, and only years later, does Vader wonder if that was his fear of loss. He knew Sidious could take Vader from him, too, if he wanted – that Sidious could take Vader as his own.

"I may not be able to communicate while I am gone on the mission," Athair adds, "I... suspect that something may be amiss, but it could be nothing. I do not think I will have time, regardless."

Vader nods, past his disappointment. He wishes they could be around each other more – they were with each other almost constantly once, to the point a part of him sometimes wanted space – and the change is so jarring. "We will... speak later, then."

"Yes," Athair replies, "And if I can, I will come here as soon as the mission is over."

***

"Will you be alright, Snips?" Anakin asks, standing near the ramp of the shuttle. He's on leave right now, and Ahsoka is going on a relatively simple mission with Barriss and Luminara – to help clean up the chaos left behind.

"Of course, Master," she chirps. "I'll be back before you know it. You're the one who might be chasing down Sith Lords without me."

Anakin can only be glad he's so good at keeping his expression neutral. "That is not likely. And if I was, you would go, even if you were here."

Ahsoka nearly pouts. "I could still help, Master."

If Ahsoka knew what it was he told the Council... He can't imagine how she would feel about it. Maybe he doesn't think the Sith are dangerous, but he knows he doesn't want her anywhere near them.

"Master?" Ahsoka's voice cuts through his thoughts. She's frowning up at him. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am, Snips," he promises, immediately. Has it been that obvious? "Why?"

"You seem... distracted," she offers.

"There is much at stake right now," he answers, which is the truth, before sending her onto the ship.

Now that Ahsoka's gone, he can leave for Tatooine without having to explain himself. It's been weeks since he was last there, and he needs to make sure Padme is okay.

"If it isn't Skywalker again," Ventress drawls as Anakin steps off the ship, outside what was once Jabba's palace.

"Anakin," Vader greets, giving her a pointed look as he approaches.

"I'm here to see Padme," he answers shortly.

Vader nods. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you want, without raising suspicion from your... Council."

He has no reason to suspect anything, and Anakin keeps his expression and emotions as unaffected as he can. The betrayal is still bothering him, but the Council hasn't actually done anything that he knows of, except for sending Obi-Wan off on that mission. He's been gone for a couple weeks now, and Anakin hasn't heard from him. "I am on leave," Anakin replies, "They have no reason to suspect anything." Talking to and being around any of the Sith is uncomfortable right now, remembering his conversation with Yoda, so he leaves his other self as soon as he can, going to talk to Padme.

***

Leia sensed Anakin showing up and would be a lot more excited about it if she wasn't feeling so miserable and cranky right now. No thanks to something monthly.

"I thought you'd be more excited about this," Luke says.

Ugh. Boys. "I am," Leia snaps, burying her head against the arm of the couch.

"Come on. You're a Sith. Pain only makes us stronger."

Leia flicks a hand, throwing one of the pillows on the couch at him with the Force. He tries and fails to duck. He throws it back at her head, and she doesn't bother trying to move. It's too much work anyway.

"Get up and walk around, and you'll be just fine," Rapax crows from the doorway, as though they haven't had stupid arguments about this a million times over already.

"Get out, both of you," Leia growls. For a moment, she suddenly misses Aunt Sabe. The one here isn't hers and never will be, and at least Sabe had the decency to be nice sometimes. She doesn't feel homesick for the other reality much, but sometimes... Sometimes, she misses how everything used to be. Her father was far more... depressed before, though, but she was used to it.

"Fine," Luke retorts, "But I'm drinking the rest of the blue milk without you."

"Whatever. I don't care." Because right now, she really, really doesn't.

"Don't say I didn't tell you," he chirps, breezing out of the room. She really wants to punch him again. Like very badly. She hears the other two walking out, and shifts a little, trying in vain to find a slightly more comfortable position.

"Are you all unaware how to treat someone who is... unwell?" she hears Anakin saying, from out in the hall. He sounds just like her father, but she can always tell which of them it is, even if she's not nearby.

"She's not sick. She'll be perfectly fine," Rapax says, from somewhere out of sight.

Anakin steps into the room, approaching her. His face is... strangely closed off, and she can pick up on his conflicting emotions immediately. Something's wrong. "Are you alright?" he asks.

"Will be," she grumbles, miserably, "You can stay here if you want." She thinks she's the one most excited about him being here – though she supposes she doesn't really know how her father feels towards him.

He sits on a chair next to her, expression strangely far-away.

In spite of herself, Leia shifts her position, reaching over to touch his hand. "Are you okay?"

Anakin takes her hand, squeezing it lightly. "I am."

"Uh-huh." She tightens the grip on his hand a little. "You're upset. About... all of this, I'm sure. I know it can't be easy." She can't explain why she cares so much even, but she does. She doesn't like seeing him upset, even if the answer may be for him to join them. She doesn't really want him to do that either – it's nice when he's Light. Even if no one else agrees with Athair on that, she does.

For a moment, he looks worn. "I have seen what you are doing for the galaxy, and your father only wanted his master alive. I cannot... fault him for that."

She frowns. "Did Athair – Obi-Wan – really change that much?"

"He... has."

"He's changed for Father, too. Father said Athair was much... darker before. But he's still him, isn't he? I know it's not the same, but..."

"Do not concern yourself with it," Anakin advises quietly, running a thumb across her hand. It's the same gentleness her father always treats her with. Technically her and Anakin don't really know each other, but in some ways, it still feels like they do.

"Is that really how Jedi are with each other?" she demands. She can see why Anakin wouldn't be comfortable talking to her about it, but... It's like he doesn't really know how to either. "I know you're different than my father but you're still... family."

Anakin blinks, guilt suddenly flaring into the Force around him.

"What?" she presses, "What happened? What did you do?"

"It's complicated, and not really important."

That feels like a blatant lie. She can't believe he thinks she'd fall for it.

She fixes him with a pointed look, and he looks away, sighing quietly. "I just did something I'm afraid Obi-Wan will be upset at me for. It's not... important."

"It must be if it's bothering you," she points out.

"It is not something you can... help with."

"Fine," Leia sighs. The conversation is wearing her out, anyway. "You're as stubborn as my stupid brother."

Anakin huffs out a surprised laugh.

"But you're... Light. It's – the Light is weak but..." Why is she telling him this? "It feels nice." She must have lost all sense of articulation thanks to the pain.

"Does it?" he asks.

"It's peaceful," she offers, "But I don't know how you can do it all the time." She finds herself far more curious than she should be, and maybe she's too annoyed at Luke and Rapax to care right now.

"Jedi must be calm," he replies, but somehow, it's not in that same arrogant way she always thinks of Jedi as talking, and it reminds her that he's teaching a student himself, "We cannot allow emotions to cloud our judgment."

"Isn't it more like... you can't have emotions at all?"

"We must learn to move past them." It's weird to think he's repeating what Obi-Wan taught him.

"Well right now, I should probably 'move past' my emotions of pouring blue milk over Luke's head," Leia offers. Okay, maybe she's being unnecessarily cranky, but she doesn't care right now.

Amusement flickers across his face. "You... want to feel the Light Side?"

"Maybe." What is she doing? "How do I do it?"

Anakin gives her brief instructions on how – sprawling on the couch is a strange way to try mediating, but whatever. Cautiously, Leia reaches into the Force, trying to find a center of calm, instead of automatically reaching for her emotions. It's strange because she never has before, but the Force responds to her call just as easily.

The feel of Light floods through her; it's easier with Anakin's brilliant presence burning next to her. It's just like her father's, only his is often like a black hole, albeit one that's still strangely gentle.

It does feel nice, even if she can't imagine only using the Light. It's like what she's been taught: it doesn't have nearly the same emotional depth.

That's about as far as she gets, though, because she senses the others approaching.

***

Luke feels the strange sudden lightness in the Force, and he almost instantly realizes that it feels like it's from... Leia? What?! Why does she feel like that?

He makes a beeline to the makeshift living room where she'd been before, to see her still sprawled on the couch, though she's holding Anakin's hand, and they both feel Light.

"What's wrong with you?" Luke blurts, eyes wide.

Leia jumps slightly, pulling back, the Dark Side flooding through her again as she eyes him. "Did you really skip out on all those biology classes?"

He groans. "That is not what I'm asking about!"

"I touched the Light Side," she replies.

"You – what? Why?!"

"I wanted to know what it would be like," she offers cheerfully, "You can calm down. It's not like I'm becoming a Jedi."

Okay, okay, he can get the curiosity of it, even if he wouldn't do it himself. That doesn't make him feel any less hysterical though, because the Jedi are still their enemies, even if they don't need to be hostile to each other. "I should hope not, or I'm definitely finishing all the milk without you."

"Isn't it strange the only Jedi we know is less irritating than you?"

Luke rolls his eyes, crossing the room over to the couch, and half-pulling her into a hug, as much as he can when she's still laying down. Okay, maybe he wasn't being very nice earlier, but he doesn't get what the big deal is. 'You have no idea how lucky you are,' she snaps at him almost every time.

Leia huffs. "Don't crush me."

He tugs her braid. "You're tempting me. I'll leave you in your... misery here now, unless you'll become a Jedi while I'm gone." He'd like to address the point a little further, but he frankly has no idea what to say. Leia was using the Light Side. What is he even supposed to say?!

"Yes, you're very kind," she snorts.

Luke pulls away, pausing to look at Anakin for a moment. "I'm glad you're here again," he says, and Anakin nods, giving him a small smile. He doesn't know if the feelings are entirely mutual, but he doesn't think the other is unhappy either. Maybe.

Luke leaves it at that, slipping from the room. He has things to take care of, and maybe he'd like a few moments to think about Leia's newest strange form of insanity. Though there's a curious part of him that almost wants to do it himself now, so he's definitely losing it.

He's working on one of the ships in their private hanger – that has tons of modifications from their future technology in the other reality, so it's far improved. He'd rather go flying right now, but he needs to get this fixed up first. Though his mind keeps wandering back to how weird Leia felt when she was touching the Light.

"You seem rather unfocused," Mara observes, stopping behind him.

A part of him is bursting to spill, and he can't help it. "Leia used the Light Side!"

"What?" Mara demands.

"She only... touched it, actually," Luke corrects, shrugging awkwardly.

"Why?"

"She wanted to know what it would feel like." He ignores the stupid part of him that almost does too, only because she did. He's a Sith, though. That's hardly a Sithly thing to do. That's far from what either of his parents taught him to do, so he won't.

Mara is staring at him like she's thoroughly convinced Leia grew two heads. "Why would she even care to know that?"

"Have you never been curious before?"

"Why would I be?"

Luke shrugs again. "Don't tell me you've never been tempted to do something only because you know you aren't supposed to."

"Not with this."

"Well, sometimes..."

"Don't tell me you're curious, too! Just because we have a Jedi around, doesn't mean they aren't still our enemies!"

"Hey, calm down. I was joking."

"If you're really serious about Leia, I think we should tell your parents."

Luke rolls his eyes. "It's not some big secret. And it was only for a moment, anyway."

Mara sighs. "Fine. I'll let you worry about it, but I don't think this is something you should even be considering."

"It's not." He doesn't know why her reaction is making him want to try it out even more. "Care to join me?"

"Sure." She moves closer, passing him the tools as he gets to work. The incident is still burning the forefront of his mind though, and maybe he will have a chat with Father about it afterwards. He doesn't really know what to think of it, and Mara isn't entirely wrong.

***

"I don't know what to think about having him here," Rapax huffs, as she, Vader, and the twins sit on the top deck of the palace, overlooking the surrounding sand dunes. Interacting with Anakin is... interesting, but it's still weird because he's too Light. He's a Jedi, and that's what matters most of all to her. It's only a concern if that's less true for the others.

"It is fine," Vader replies, sounding surprisingly unconcerned with Luke and Leia snuggled up against him on either side. "His presence here is not a problem for us."

"Leia using the Light isn't a problem for you?!" Rapax demands, straightening.

"I already spoke to her about it," he replies. Her master has always been lenient, more so than any Sith she's ever known, but she would expect more of a reaction about this.

"She is right here," Leia says loudly.

"And she is being corrupted by her Jedi uncle," Rapax complains. Leia glares at her.

"Rapax, that's enough," Vader interjects, "I once understood the... curiosity for the Light Side too."

"You did?"

"Once. We know what is stronger and that is why we will always choose it."

"So, you can all stop panicking," Leia huffs, though Rapax gets the feeling she's feeling a little more uncomfortable about everyone's reactions than she's letting on.

"If you're done making noise," Luke interrupts, "I think I hear a krayt dragon."

Now that he mentions it, Rapax can hear the noise, too.

"You're the one who makes the most noise here," Leia whispers.

Luke tries and fails to kick her, because he can't reach her properly with Vader between them.

Rapax snorts. "I think you'll have to save that for later."

"Save what?" asks Luke innocently.

She scoffs. "I think you are well aware of what. And see, Leia? I told you, you would be just fine."

"I do not believe your advice is of much help to her," Vader says flatly.

"Because she never follows it!" Her 'home remedy' advice on what to do is perfectly effective, thank you very much, and how precisely would Vader know anyway?

"You really have to talk about this now?" Luke asks loudly.

"This time, I agree with him," Leia mutters.

Rapax snickers, but they fall silent at that, and she silently watches the stars shining brightly above them.

Chapter Text

Anakin's heart is pounding when Obi-Wan's shuttle lands. He wants to speak with him again, but after he told Yoda, they only interacted once before his master left on a very extended mission. If his master suspects anything, he will be furious. He can't let his master sense his fear, though, so he struggles to let it go.

Obi-Wan looks slightly irked when he arrives, not as though that's surprising. "That was completely unnecessary," he grumbles, "I had no reason to go on that mission."

"The Council wouldn't have chosen you if there weren't a reason, right?" Anakin objects. He can't help how jittery he feels.

His master huffs. "Sometimes, I wonder if they're just trying to spite me."

Anakin can't help a faint smile. The one he gives feels mostly forced, anyway, though. "Maybe."

"Are you alright, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks softly, "I can feel how withdrawn you are."

He needs to be careful. He can't deal with Obi-Wan's reaction to discovering Anakin betrayed him. It makes him feel sick knowing that he did it as is and facing his master's anger or disappointment or betrayal would be too much to handle. "It feels like I don't know you anymore," he says instead, nothing he hasn't said countless times before. It feels like he's slipping into a bottomless pit of depression in which he's only doing more and more things he'll forever regret, but he doesn't know how to stop it.

Obi-Wan lays his hand on Anakin's shoulder, warm and comforting. "I know. I am sorry you have to go through this. We never intended to hurt you. I wish I knew what to do. We can only spend more time with one another."

"Time doesn't do much," Anakin replies, closing his eyes briefly, "Master, you lived an entire life without me."

"I lost years with Vader, too. I understand this."

He loathes even more how it feels as though he's been stuck in this, and hasn't been able to get over what happened. He's been trying to help Ahsoka through the continued war – it's not easy. He would try harder to help Obi-Wan through this, too, if he knew what to do. But every time he thought of what Obi-Wan is now, he... couldn't. His master is a Sith, and that's everything he taught Anakin to destroy. Except, he can't do that if... it's his family.

Maybe he should leave the Order. Ahsoka is the only thing stopping him. He doesn't want to leave her.

"Little one," Obi-Wan says softly, "You are not alone in this."

The endearment warms something in his heart. It also makes him want to cry, because this is the affection he's wanted so much, but now that it's being offered, he doesn't know if he can accept it. "It always feels like I do," he confesses, "I can't call you my master anymore. And you..."

"I know I was... often harsh with you, even as a Jedi," Obi-Wan replies, "And I regret that, but we can't change it."

Anakin can't help briefly wondering if he should tell Obi-Wan himself that he, technically, betrayed him. He can't imagine being able to admit the entire thing, of how deeply his conflict was tearing him apart until he did... that. One thing he'll never be able to forgive himself for. The Obi-Wan he knew would be furious at him for it, and with the changes, he might not be, but that would be worse. It would be far worse if his master wasn't angry at him and understood it, because his guilt would destroy him.

"I don't blame you," Anakin promises, except he'd like to think he doesn't, but he can't say that with certainty. He is upset about it, often. He should let it go, but there are some things that will never go away.

He doesn't think he could feel any guiltier than he already does, though – he feels dirty. Obi-Wan trusted him, and he betrayed that. He should have... he doesn't know, but his master is being so gentle and he's...

"What's wrong, Anakin?" his master inquires softly.

He breathes in and out shakily. Nothing will prepare him for this discussion, but he can't help it. "I told them," he blurts out in a rush. "I told Master Yoda. I think that's why he sent you on that... mission. I don't know what they're planning. I'm sorry, I – I didn't know what to do."

Obi-Wan pulls back, blinking a few times. He looks... overwhelmed. Hurt. Somehow, that hurts even worse than him being angry. "If the Jedi came to us on Tatooine," he says, his voice almost deceptively soft. "If one of us were harmed, it would be on you."

Anakin looks away. "I know. I have no excuse."

His master turns away, pacing a short distance, his conflict warring in the Force, before he turns around again. "I will not deny being angry at you for putting us at such risk, but I can understand your reasoning. I... was torn for a long time. I wouldn't betray either of you. A part of me wanted to tell the Council, but I have been under other's control for too long. I have lived under fear for too long. When I had Vader, I feared Sidious would take him from me. I was willing to do anything to prevent that. I don't truly care for an Empire. I never have. Only him, and you."

Obi-Wan is searching his face for something, but Anakin has no idea what. "I'm sorry," Anakin says again, softly. He doesn't know what else to say.

"I know. We knew it was a chance we might have to take. I will not tell the others. Vader would understand, but I imagine the others would be... upset."

Anakin nods slightly. "Thank you. That's... more than I could ask for."

"I am inclined to agree."

***

Vader isn't surprised Athair wanted to talk to him privately – he's been expecting it, and he's still overwhelmed with the fact that his master is alive. He didn't quite expect to get pulled into an almost crushing embrace the moment they're alone though. Vader returns it with equal fierceness. "I know your... younger days were difficult," his master says, holding him at arm's length, "And I am sorry for aiding that. I was so blinded by my fear of Sidious taking you."

"I know," Vader tells him, and he does, but having his master say this leaves him speechless. What could he even say to it? This is Athair. He – he never apologizes. He doesn't need to. He's the master. Everything they do is his choice. Yes, Vader had little say in it, but it doesn't matter. He understood it. It hadn't been until after Athair died that he realized exactly how little control he had of anything, and...

"I know you forgive me," Obi-Wan says, "But forgiveness doesn't change the past. I raised Anakin different from you, but I was loyal to the Code with him as well. Seeing the damage it has caused to you both is..."

"I cannot fault you for it," he replies. It still upsets him though. It probably always will, but he understood that Athair was his teacher as much as his father, if not more, which made it hard.

"You may be a Sith, but you still have Anakin's heart." He smiles, though there's a pain lingering in his eyes, and Vader hates seeing him like this. Athair was always like that, in many ways – he always had other motivations for his actions. He was always in pain. He was always afraid. "You will always let go of wrongs if they're done to you."

"Mom taught us to be that way," he murmurs. Even years later, speaking of her hurts. He highly suspects in part that was because they were slaves, and they couldn't afford to hold grudges. It would only bring more harm both to them and others.

"That is another thing you and Anakin share," Athair says, a faint smile on his face. "He was raised by his mother until he was nine also. He... struggled at the Temple for a long time. He was never able to understand the Jedi's teachings of letting go. You are right that he would be easy to turn, but I don't want to do that to him. I wish I hadn't done it to you."

It leaves him taken aback, because what? His master had always tried to make him more powerful, tried to push him farther so he could be better. "I... don't understand."

His master smiles again, but it's pained. Vader loathes when he looks like that, but he often seems to. "I lived a second life as a Jedi," he points out, "And I cannot judge my own actions in either life based on the beliefs of the other, but I know I hurt you. I was afraid for myself, but that doesn't right the wrongs I did to you, or how you believe it... normal."

"It is normal."

"You were harsh on Rapax, but never like I was on you."

"You were lenient on me compared to what Sidious did," Vader protests. It's not as though he hasn't seen the lightning scars his master has, and it's slight disturbing to know this version of him lacks those, though it's also relieving to know he didn't suffer as much.

"Yes, I was." Athair reaches out again to pull him into a hug again. He seems to be feeling abnormally... snuggly. "I know I gave you what I could to keep you alive, and that will have to be enough."

"It is," Vader promises. "I don't need anything more."

***

Vader is still thinking about his conversation with Athair when he and Anakin sit down to have their first... conversation. It's technically the first one not prompted by anything, just because he wants to get to know the boy better – he wants to understand what it is about him that his master cares for so deeply.

So deeply, that he wouldn't even risk... doing what he did to Vader, but then again, he doesn't know how much of it is the Jedi part of Athair versus the fact that Sidious is finally dead.

"Athair told me you were also on Tatooine until you were nine," Vader comments.

"I was," Anakin replies, slightly awkwardly. He doesn't seem to know how to talk, and to be fair, Vader doesn't either. He doesn't have casual conversations with people. He never has.

"What was he like for you?" Vader inquires.

"He didn't want me there," Anakin answers. There's a hidden pain in his presence that Vader can still sense acutely. "He didn't want me as a padawan. He took me because his master asked him to, and his master... died right after we met. It wasn't an easy time for either of us."

"Athair had to keep me out of Sidious' eye," Vader tells him. It's ironic and almost amusing to see the similarity yet stark differences in their lives. "He and his master were... as you can imagine. Sidious was brutal and he passed much of that on. I... was wary of him for a long time."

"I was, too. Sometimes," Anakin confesses. That old habits die hard, and they'd been through enough on Tatooine to always be wary is something that goes unsaid, and Vader wonders idly if it was as bad for Anakin as it was for him, or if he even wants to know. "But I knew he was a Jedi, and he would never hurt me. I... slept next to his bed for months afterwards because I couldn't stop thinking – I knew his master, and I'd just lost Mom."

"My master lost everything when he was a young child," Vader says, "I can't imagine a world where that never happened. He was an Initiate when the Order was destroyed. Sidious turned him himself. It changed him a lot. Many of his friends never made it through, and those that did were... changed. He was alone."

Anakin winces. "That explains his darkness. How did he... get yours? I know we have natural dark tendencies, but..."

Vader makes an annoyed sound – he can't help it. "Do we?" he challenges, "For years, all I heard was how I was 'too Light'. They were wary to let me train Rapax, even."

"Honestly, I'm surprised the Council is letting me train Ahsoka," Anakin adds, smiling faintly. "Obi-Wan gave her to me because he was... or I should say I highly suspect he was being petty and trying to even the score."

Vader snorts. He can honestly imagine this version of his master doing that, too. "Athair wanted me to train an apprentice. Now, I suspect it was also to keep me hidden and slow me down, because if I held my powers back, it would draw less attention. He was afraid Sidious would realize I was the Sith'ari, and it would be over for all of us. For Athair, at least, because he was careful to keep me to himself."

"Obi-Wan and I never talked about what we were to one another," Anakin continues. "We never... thought to put it to words. He was something like a father to me, though. I loved him. I still do."

"It was similar for me," Vader replies, "But he did talk about it, eventually. Once he accepted love isn't weak." He can't imagine how it would feel if his master didn't talk about it. He would have been... lonely, to be sure, and it would've hurt. His master was the only person he had until he met Angelus, and their bond took far longer to form. It didn't quite have the same intensity and closeness as Athair and him had, even in the beginning, and that never changed.

"I wish he'd told me," Anakin murmurs quietly. There's a lingering note of pain there, and it's so confusing and jarring not to sense it being used to fuel the Dark Side the way Vader himself is so accustomed to. "I thought it never really mattered to him. That if I kept trying, maybe I'd finally be enough for him to notice. Someone worth his time."

Vader has to physically restrain himself from telling him to use the Dark Side and lessen the pain. To let it strengthen him and... but no. He's not supposed to do that, and his master has lost so much already. He doesn't want to "take Anakin from him, too" – and he can finally understand, somewhat, what it's like. Leia drew on the Light, and it seemed to make her happy. "I understand that well," he admits, "I struggled with it for a long time as well. I can't imagine why he would have treated you that way, though."

"Maybe I did need to be more. I don't know. It doesn't matter, anyway. He's gone now." He smiles, but it looks somewhat forced. "I'm glad you, at least, get the chance to be happy here. To settle down."

"You can, too, you know," Vader points out, "Padme is here. You can leave the Order and stay with us. We would welcome you." And truthfully, he would find it far less awkward for Padme to be here if Anakin was as well. She may be nothing like Angelus, but they have the same personality and look and a disturbingly similar presence and being around her is... extremely weird and downright unsettling.

Anakin is already shaking his head. "I would like to, but what of Ahsoka? I can't leave her just because I want to be happy here. I can't abandon her. What if something happens? She'll have to get another master, and she already took so long to get used to me..."

"Well," Vader says with a conspiratorial smirk – he can't help it, okay? "I guess your master giving her to you didn't work out so well for him, after all."

Anakin laughs. It's odd to hear, odd to talk to him at all, because this is himself, but he finds he rather enjoys it. "True enough, but I can't imagine he would leave the Council, anyway. He can make a difference here, and... but I don't know."

"He only cares about us," Vader reminds. "I think he would be quite relieved to leave everything so we can live together – not as if we could ever manage such a life."

Anakin is smiling somewhat wistfully when Vader glances at him again, no doubt trying to imagine what a family would be like. Vader can't imagine not having one, even if it felt like it was only part of one, one half thrown together in a desperate attempt to make up for what was lost, but there was nothing and no one that could replace Athair. Not even close. "That's true," he agrees, "Jedi aren't supposed to seek out adventure, but it always seems to find us."

"Are you sure it's unintentional?" he asks dubiously. Though he can say the same for his own lineage. They did occasionally go on missions that were supposed to be low-profile and not draw attention, but predictably, one of the three of them would mess it up and chaos would break lose. Either because Athair offended the wrong person and it blew up in everyone's faces, Vader overlooked something stupid and obvious, or Rapax wanted a bit of adventure too badly.

"Well, we like to think it is."

"Keep telling yourself that, then."

"I will," Anakin replies lightly. Not for the first time, Vader can't help wondering if there's something else there, something that happened that he's not admitting, but Vader doesn't press for details. If it's important, his master will figure it out and tell them. It's not something he needs to concern himself with. If Athair says they can trust Anakin, they can. They don't need to be concerned about it.

***

Being here with all the Sith, while silently knowing what he did is... hard. Especially so thinking of how Obi-Wan reacted to it, and the way Leia was talking to him only days ago. She called him family. It means a lot more than it should – whether she's a Sith or not. He cares for the twins, himself.

And he can't get his mind off the conversation with Vader either. The others keep calling him the twins' uncle – Vader's brother – and maybe that is a little what their relationship is like. It's not as if he would know what a biological sibling is like. He never had one, even if he sometimes wonders what his life would've been like if he did have a sibling. It's not something he can imagine in actuality, though.

Seeing the others together makes him miss his own Ahsoka, though. Really. He wishes she could be here, but Ahsoka would never accept the Sith any more than Rapax would accept the Jedi – she hasn't even been around Anakin himself very much for that reason.

The others are gathered in a room here that they converted to a... living room. Anakin is mildly impressed with how much the years of misery lingering on the walls has begun to fade already. Likely it's only because of the total change in atmosphere. The Sith probably feed off it too, or however that works. He doesn't know how that makes him feel. It's... nice to know that they can transform generations of misery into something useful and help the people move on, but it's against everything he was taught as a Jedi, and he doesn't understand.

All of them but Rapax and Mara made it perfectly clear that he's welcome here, so he hesitantly goes in to join them. He wishes all of this didn't have to be so complicated. He almost wishes he hadn't told the Council. But... it was the right thing to do, wasn't it? Obi-Wan wasn't really angry at him for it, though he was definitely hurt.

Ever since he returned from that mission, he's seemed a little more... There's been more traces of the Jedi him there. Is there more of his own Obi-Wan left than he thought? It's still hard to accept, with how he's gotten used to it feeling like he's gone, but maybe there's a little more of him still there than Anakin thought. Even if he'll never be the same again.

(Does he really want Obi-Wan to go back to that... detached attitude he had before? He wants things to be normal, but... not like that. Never like that. He doesn't think he could survive such a drastic change in attitude again.)

Anakin takes a seat next to Obi-Wan, trying to ignore that awkwardness of being in this... family, when it still doesn't feel like he belongs here. If he doesn't belong here, he doesn't belong anywhere, after all.

"Now I wish Prince could join us," Leia comments cheerfully. She and Luke are seated by Vader, who's on Obi-Wan's other side.

"You said he chews loudly. You really want than in here?" Luke argues.

"I think we could do without... an occupant of that size," Obi-Wan replies dryly.

"Their third sibling," Rapax drawls.

"I do not recall adopting it," Vader objects.

"You did as soon as you decided to keep that thing alive," Ventress retorts. Anakin still doesn't know what to think of the fact that she's here, too.

"Then perhaps we should bring it in here," Rapax smirks.

"I am inclined to agree with... Obi-Wan," Anakin speaks up, for the first time. He thinks using his master's not-Sith name makes everyone falter for a moment.

"Angelus would not appreciate it," Vader agrees.

"I wouldn't appreciate it," Padme says flatly. She came in here, too, even if she isn't sitting next to Anakin – although only because there isn't enough room.

Obi-Wan reaches over, lightly touching his arm, and in spite himself Anakin hesitantly leans into the touch. He wants it, but it's... still strange. And uncomfortable when he's in a room full of people, because affection of any kind is something he's so accustomed to hiding except in private. None of the others are hesitant about it, though.

Vader meets his eyes for a moment, a look of... he can't name it. But he's happy to have him here, Anakin thinks.

He's already snuggled against Obi-Wan's other side, so Anakin finally gives in, leaning closer until they're touching, lightly resting his head on his master's shoulder.

He can feel Obi-Wan's affection, and he reaches for his presence, intertwining them – Vader is already doing the same. For a moment, it almost feels like his Obi-Wan is still here, and he lets himself hold onto that feeling, even if maybe he shouldn't. He's tired of missing him, especially when this Obi-Wan is giving him much of what he always wanted.

Anakin really wishes Ahsoka could be here now, because everyone else in his family is. He doesn't know how they're going to work this out, given that so many of them are Sith, and the Council might decide to take some action – Anakin can only silently hope that they won't, because if they do, it is true that all of it will be on him, but then, so would anything the Sith do to hurt people – but he doesn't want anything to ruin this.

Ever.

The twins and Rapax are squabbling about something epically stupid, and Anakin can't help wondering if that's what his and Padme's children will be like with Ahsoka. He wonders what it would be like for his future children to meet Vader and Angelus' children. Will they be Luke and Leia, too? He doesn't know.

This family seems... happy, despite how chaotic it is and that they're all Sith. It shouldn't be possible, but somehow it is, and that's all he's ever wanted. Likely, that's all any of them have ever wanted, and... he's grateful they're finally having their chance at it.