Chapter Text
Sirens, Sirens, Sirens, Vader- no Anakin couldn't hear himself think over those blaring sirens. He scowled in pain underneath his mask
Anakin's mind was going haywire 'Where was Palpatine, he wouldn't allow for such distruption.' Anakin had paused for a moment 'Oh that's right, I killed him for some reason.'
Anakin could barely piece together the events that just occurred before he was set onto the ramp of a shuttle. He was pulled back to the present when his son's arms wrapped around him. All of a sudden he could feel his failing lungs, his faulty organs and wiring, he knew there wasn't much time left for him
Anakin took a deep breath before pulling his son closer. "Luke, help me take this mask off." he said in as low of a whisper this damned suit would allow.
He heard Luke give a small weak reply. "But you'll die?"
Anakin was fading and he knew it. "Nothing can stop that now. Just for once... let me look on you with my own eyes."
Anakin hears the latches of this force forsaken helmet undo. He couldn't have prepared himself for the sight before him. Luke, his son looked just like her- like Padmé. He felt like crying but he couldn't, all he could do was give a weak smile. He mustered up enough strength to speak. "Now...go, my son. Leave me." Anakin's voice was weak and broken, pleading for Luke to get out of here. Luke was not satisfied with his answer. "No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you here. I've got to save you." Anakin could hear the desperateness in his son's begging voice. Anakin used the last of his strength for one reply, he hoped it was enough. "You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right."
Anakin could feel his life force slipping rapidly. He could hear Luke say something more but he couldn't tell what. All Anakin could focus on was the force and the light side surrounding him. For some odd reason he could sense Obi-Wan?
Obi-Wan's Force Ghost made himself present to his former student. "You have brought back balance Anakin, I think it's time fore one more lesson." Even in death Anakin could hear the sly grin on his old masters face.
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Over the next few years Anakin would devote his time to balancing himself in the Force. Understanding how to use the dark without giving himself to it was difficult but useful, especially when Ahsoka was on the edge of death. Luckily being a ghost in the Force Netherworld meant that he could accidentally stab himself and he would be fine.
It had been nearly 6 years since he died when it happened. It started out as a pull, like a youngling pulling on his robes to get his attention. He ignored whatever it was so it began to tug on his presence, which was very annoying. Then it began to hurt and Anakin couldn't ignore it any longer. He allowed whatever it was to take him. He figured that he could take a page out of Obi-Wan's book and negotiate a way for this thing to stop pulling on him in exchange for his time.
The feeling was weird, like time itself had stopped, but also like it was moving faster and slower at the same time? But before he knew it, it had stopped. Anakin was standing, but on nothing? This was all so confusing for him.
A Voice started speaking arrogantly"The One to bring balance to the force, relegated to a simple ghost."
Anakin recognized the Voice but he couldn't remember who it was.
Anakin was quick to defend his pride. "Yeah, that's what happens when you die" far from his best comeback but it was true. He still had no clue what was going on.
The Voice responded with a question "Are you The Chosen One because you're Anakin Skywalker or are you Anakin Skywalker because you're The Chosen One?"
Anakin didn't even react to the question, it was so stupid he didn't even know how to answer.
The Voice spoke again but this time it rephrased it's question. "Was what made you Vader a prophecy forced upon you or was what made you return your own will."
Anakin suddenly realized what the Voice was talking about. A frown marked Anakin's face as he spoke. "I turned because I was too arrogant to ask for support from my friends, but I returned for my children."
Anakin suddenly realized where he remembered the Voice from.
Quickly with malice in his voice he began to speak. "The Son, I thought you died on Mortis."
The Son replied with Feigned hurt "Oh, my sweet child. Sides of the force don't just die, we always find a way." The Son appeared behind Anakin in a puff of smoke.
Anakin Turned to meet The Son with his eyes but when he turned all he saw was... his old quarters on the Resolute? Okay now Anakin was getting mad, this was dredging up old wounds Anakin thought he delt with.
The Son's voice appeared in his mind with a snakes tounge. "Don't mess it up this time."
Anakin's whole Body felt like pins as he stood. Still reeling from what had just happened Anakin decided to just sit down for a few minutes. Anakin wasn't used to a normal body, he was used to being a intangible ghost or a cyborg in constant pain. But now he felt odd because everything was organic except his right hand, which oddly enough felt more like his than the actual parts of his body. It was the only part of him that didn't feel foreign.
While Anakin was resting he heard his comlink beep. He answered purely out of Instinct.
Obi-Wan was the first to speak, his voice laced with concern.
"Anakin, are you okay? You've been locked in for a long while."
Obi-Wans voice was unmistakable, for all he knew his former padawan had locked himself in his room for several hours.
Anakin froze, there was no way he was hearing this right. In his time Obi-Wan chose to be a old man while he was a Force Ghost. This person had to be some form of imposter or something. Anakin decided to respond before 𝘖𝘣𝘪-𝘞𝘢𝘯? could.
"Yes Master, I'm fine. I was just sleeping is all." Anakin knew that was a dumb reason, he barely slept during The Clone Wars. Hell he barely slept before!
Obi-Wan could tell this was a lie but chose not to call him out, accepting his response before continuing. "Alright, we're nearly at Coruscant to drop off Master Plo and the remains of the 104th, you should come up here to see them off."
Anakin was Thoroughly Confused. Whatever The Son had done left him in either some illusion or he was in the past, Anakin wasn't sure which and now he had a gigantic headache.
"I'll be right up Master." Anakin was already falling into old habits. Anakin really didn't want to leave his room but he said he would.
Before Anakin could get up he started hearing a voice in the back of his head, figuring it could be The Son giving some form of explanation he decided to listen.
The Voice definitely wasn't The Son, in fact it sounded just like him, just younger? The Voice shouted at him. "HEY, GET OUT OF MY BODY!"
Anakin's headache was only getting bigger. Now he was hearing himself. He must be going crazy or something because it was that or this was the consciousness of this time period's Anakin Skywalker .
Figuring he had nothing to lose he allowed the Voice to take control over his body. And then Anakin was even more confused because it was actually the consciousness of Younger Anakin himself.
Holy shit, he was actually in the past.
Anakin allowed his mind to fall into the background and let Young Anakin take control. He could still see what was going on and he could take control if he wanted but he decided to observe.
Young Anakin quickly stood up, patting himself down trying to figure out what had just happened. After a few minutes of shock he figured he was over reacting and headed up to the bridge to Meet with Obi-Wan and Plo.
Anakin watched as his younger self left the room and made his way to the bridge, passing by many familiar and unfamiliar clones. Anakin felt a deep shame for what he had put them through.
At this moment Anakin realized something. He could take down Sidious, he knew his plans and he knew he was strong enough to beat him.
Anakin knew it was his purpose to destroy the sith.
He should probably introduce himself to his younger counterpart but he didn't know how. I mean he wouldn't exactly believe if a voice in his mind started saying 'Oh hi I'm a future version of you, your grandfather figure is actually your enemy and you need to kill him' plus it would also be confusing to have two Anakins walking around in the same body.
Maybe he could start calling himself Vader again, he had negative thoughts towards the name but that was mostly because of what he was like then, maybe this time around Vader could be a name of hope instead of fear.
Anakin decided on it, he would be Vader once more but without the Darth title. It would be an adjustment but he'd get over it. It was convenient for everyone.
Vader decided that he would introduce himself later but for now it was time to observe
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Young Anakin, 'well just Anakin now,' walked up to the bridge to Meet up with Master Plo and Obi-Wan. He was still a little confused about his out of body experience earlier but he just assumed it was what happened with the Malevolence getting to him.
The Kel Dor Master welcomed him, clearly still grieving over the loss of 90% of his men. Obi-Wan just gave him a concerned nod.
Anakin was a little taken aback by it but chose not to say anything. He was here to oversee the landing on Coruscant and brief The Chancellor over the loss of the 104th.
As the Venator exited Hyperspace Anakin preparer himself for what he would say to The Chancellor, he cared for the man greatly but he could tell he didn't really care about The Clones which made this harder.
The Venator finished docking and the three Jedi headed off to The Executive Building to brief The Chancellor.
Ahsoka met them as they were leaving the Venator, she stayed practically glued to Plo's side for the rest of their journey.
When Vader saw Ahsoka through Anakins eyes all it did was remind him of how young she was when everything went to shit. He hoped he would be able to save her from most of the trauma that comes with war.
They ended up leaving Ahsoka in the temple as they headed off to The Chancellor's office for the briefing.
The Chancellor greeting them warmly and Anakin was glad to be in the presence of his friend. Vader however saw through The Chancellor's facade and was glad he wasn't in control.
The Chancellor began the conversation. "General's I've heard about the destruction of the Separatists super weapon. I must say that is wonderful news."
Master Plo was The first to respond. "Yes Chancellor, it was imperative to destroy the weapon so they couldn't wipe out more of our fleets. Even if it did cost us the vast majority of my Battalion."
Palpatine Feigned sadness at the news. "Well Master Jedi, I'm sure the 104th Battalion was happy to fight for their cause to the end. We should be able to replenish your troops within a few cycles."
Master Plo was disgusted hearing about the Chancellor talking about the replacement of his men as if they were droids. But Plo released it into the force and tried to not let his emotions control him.
Obi-Wan decided to speak next. "Chancellor, I regret to inform you that General Grevious escaped and is likely mounting an assault at some point, we should up our defenses on critical systems."
Palpatine turned to Obi-Wan. "While it is unfortunate that Grevious wasn't destroyed along with his ship. I agree that we should up our defenses. I'll be sure to send more Clones to the Rishi system and around Coruscant."
At some point Anakin started zoning out. He would have to get the recap from Obi-Wan later. He stood up to leave along with The two Masters and proceeded to leave before Palpatine could call him back for a chat, for some reason today he wasn't in a chatty mood.
He walked up to Obi-Wan matching his pace. "Master what are our new orders."
Obi-Wan Instinctively brought his hand to his face. "Of course you lost the end of the briefing, The 501st and 212th are to head to the Bothawui system to look out for Grevious in case he attacks. Rex and Cody are to head to the base on Rishi's moon to make sure it is running properly in case Grevious attempts to attack Kamino."
Anakin listened, and took in his new orders. Vader realized that Rishi was where Fives and Echo were before they got taken into the 501st. Vader remembered that Fives and Echo lost their batch that day and he decided that he would save them.