Chapter 1

"You cannot hide forever, Luke." Darth Vader taunted, his red lightsaber activated by his side, searching for his son who is still in hiding under the dark staircase.

He had much of Anakin Skywalker within him and Vader hoped Luke would join him so together they kill Darth Sidious and control the Empire the way they want it to be. With Vader's battle arts and the Force, and the Jedi having learned much since their last confrontation, Vader thought that wouldn't be a big of a challenge. Vader wondered if his Jedi Knight son had found holocrons of the old Jedi Knights and Masters in ordered to continue his training. He probably had managed to obtain a few, considering Sidious never did destroy the holocrons because they are "rewards" to give himself some sort of sick satisfaction at killing the Jedi and deceiving them all those years ago.

Deep down within him, Vader hoped that Luke will manage to save Anakin Skywalker. His compassion and strength were admirable... like someone Vader once knew so well... someone who Vader had once cared for so well.

As for Vader, he had been through too much in his miserable life. And most of it was all of his faults; losing his mother, losing his Padawan, losing his wife, losing his limbs and being placed into this suit, and fighting his Padawan years later and nearly killing her. While it may seem like he hates everyone, the one person he truly hates is himself for what he is forced to do.

He knew that Anakin Skywalker was rising again, but like always Darth Vader tries to close him out. However, his son is the only one who'd awakened that man again from the deep hole of absolute darkness. Only once before, Vader was almost swayed and that was when he had faced Ahsoka Tano when she had cut his mask, but he managed to close it out before and is trying to do it now, but it just wouldn't be forced out and instead only gotten stronger.

It was proven when he saved Luke from the Emperor's corruption by blocking his saber just when he was about to kill the Emperor. Easily, Luke could have turned had Vader not prevented him from killing Sidious fast enough, but the dark side will make him into somebody else - somebody worst then who he is. The act of defending Sidious from Vader was not to defend his master from his son to save his life, it was to stop Luke from becoming somebody which Vader had become when he struck Master Windu's hand off and allowed the man who he is now forced to call his master killed him. In his wounded heart, emotions and much feelings a true Sith should never have were radiating off of him.

The boy was hidden away from him well. "I will not fight you." The son of Skywalker said determinedly.

Luke Skywalker, son of Darth Vader, newly appointed Jedi Knight, the last known Jedi, hidden in the darkness as it starts running through his soul. He knew that Vader would find him eventually and that he couldn't hide forever in this area, for the Force runs through him. Luke still believes that his father can be saved and turned to the light. Originally, he never thought his life would have been this big. He has grown up from birth by his uncle and aunt. The machine in front of him, who is likely the source of their deaths, is his father.

The Jedi had lied to him by saying Vader betrayed and murdered Anakin Skywalker, and now Luke is in this dark place in hope to awaken the seeds of his father from the darkness. But the darkness was strong in this place and it was almost too much for him but he called back to Yoda's training about the dark side and it kept him from tapping into it.

Vader tried to find his son's location, knowing that Luke cannot hide forever, "Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you." Vader taunted yet again. "Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for... a sister. So, you have a twin sister! Your feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the Dark Side... then perhaps she will..."

What happened next was what Vader least expected.

"Never!"

Caught off guard, Vader only barely managed to see the green blade hissing to life. His red blade rose, luckily in enough time, to deflect a strike that could have impaled the Sith Lord. As Luke begins striking in all directions, he was backing the Sith Lord up on the defense. Luke continues to hack away at Vader with such power and adrenaline in each of his strikes. As much as Vader can easily destroy the boy even with him using all of his hate in his ruthless harsh attacks, Vader knew that he can never harm the boy for he is his son and too conflicted to send a real strike. It was green and red dawn the halls, their lightsabers bouncing off the walls.

He can hear his master's anxiousness to see how this would end, and Vader continues to parried and allowed himself to be knocked back. Many Jedi had fought him with perhaps even more hatred than Skywalker and was unable to beat him, despite them attacking him with all of their might, but this boy managed to pushed him back. The boy is like Anakin Skywalker, such as when Anakin Skywalker was fighting Count Dooku. The hatred nearly matched Anakin's power himself. As he managed to get a good look in Luke's eyes, he can see the corners of his eyes burning yellow like Vader. His eyes were dark and his face seems to become much darker.

As much as Vader won't admit it out loud, it truly terrified Vader to the soul and it brought him to the ground and he was secretly hoping his son can resist the darkness or it may swallow him as a whole like it did Vader. Vader did a slight counter to Luke's saber, but it didn't even affect the boy, as Luke continues to hack away at him, moving his blade up and down, left and right.

Vader tried to focus on the Soresu form that can help him like it had done many times before or he may lose to this boy. Vader sends a few pathetic strikes. He had to find a way to knock the boy's blade out of his hand, but it was not enough to defeat Luke Skywalker. Vader may have killed many Jedi and those who were lucky to escape him is still in hiding, never wanting to face him, but now Luke, a boy who trained for three years was knocking him back, whereas Vader trained twenty-three years after being crippled from Obi-Wan Kenobi and thirteen years before that.

Luke struck at one of the railings as Vader barely again managed to block the green blurred... or it seemed to be from the Sith's point of view, as it came towards him. Luke hacked up at his blade. Forced on the manner of defense, Vader countered again and nearly fallen to the ground but his gloved hand made contact towards the railing, which forced him to do anything but block his angry son swinging wildly at him until Vader couldn't felt his hand and pierced to the side to see it was gone and were greatly shocked. He was never placed into this position before as the Dark Lord. He was supposed to be the fearless mighty Darth Vader, one who no one can never truly defeat - but instead, he is now defeated and at the mercy of Luke's green blade pointing down towards his armored neck.

'Luke, no.'

The Emperor's evil cackle was heard behind him as Luke drowned into darkness, Vader hoped that message reached him through the force as his son aimed his emerald blade towards his chest. He heard Sidious's dark laugh and saw him walking down towards him and his son, "Good!" Sidious cackled. "Your hate has made you powerful! Now fulfill your destiny, take your father's place at my side!" Vader read Luke's emotions like they were a book. He can see the boy was trying to force the anger and furious emotions out, clearly trying to not end the life of his father.

Suddenly, the Emperor begins descending the stairs to the two Skywalkers - one defeated, and the other standing with his lightsaber ignited, highly conflicted. For some time, Vader had wondered what would have happened had he not turned and betrayed Master Windu all those years ago, and allowed Windu to kill him, or finished him off himself. He may have been already a Jedi Master and haven't become such a monster and one of the most feared men in the galaxy.

Vader had once been a man too. It was those times when he was a man, and not the Emperor attack dog. He had once been a man who many depended on. He briefly remembered a time when he was happier, hadn't been one of oppression and served for a greater good instead of serving to kill for Darth Sidious. He was Anakin Skywalker, The Hero Without Fear, and would protect many lives. Once, he had been the galaxy's hero before he was corrupted by Sidious. Now, he is the second most feared man in the galaxy. But no one knows who is truly behind that mask. It was something that the galaxy wanted to know but rarely anyone can see him behind the mask and gets to live.

Sidious has taken everything that defined him yet the boy seems to be so determined in saving Anakin Skywalker. Vader felt emotions burning in him that he hadn't felt for a long time. Luke stares at his robotic arm then stared at Vader's lost limb which had wires and saw they were linked.

Luke was much like his father, and at that moment, he realize that he is going to have to stop or he will walk down a dark path. One misstep forward and Vader would be dead and he would be swiped at the Emperor's feet due to Luke accidentally killing him. Slowly, he pulled his saber up and retracted the emerald green blade and threw it against the ground. "Never," Luke said confidentially, turning towards the Emperor bravely like no one ever did before; even Vader after all his years of serving the Emperor himself. He always bowed to Sidious due to fearing the punishment of not doing it. "I will never turn to the dark side. You have failed your highness. I am a Jedi like my father before me."

Vader felt a fit of slight jealousy at the boy. Luke has managed to resist him despite the Emperor pressing him, but Vader was unable to resist Sidious and he was forced to bow down from before him. If Vader can take a second chance, he would do it, but there is no way to change the past. The Sith Lord knew what was coming. He never has seen absolute shock and horror on the Emperor's face and waving off of him in the air, not even when Master Windu had him cornered all those years ago. The boy was everything Anakin Skywalker only wished he could have been.

"So be it, Jedi," Sidious said evilly. Moments passed and the silence of anticipation was thick in the air. Luke was standing tall, not showing any signs of fear before Sidious. Darth Vader laid on the ground, defeated and weaponless, and truly harmless for once beside when he was placed in the suit all those years ago.

The Emperor's anger burned through the force. Still laying against the bridge railing beside the elevator's shaft, Vader watched the Emperor extend his gnarled fingers and unleash blinding bolts of blue lightning from his fingertips. The lightning struck Luke, who tried to deflect the crackling bands of energy but was so overwhelmed that his body crumpled to the floor.

"No," Vader thought. "No. Not like this." As the Emperor continued to strike Luke with his barrage of Sith lightning, Vader struggled to his feet. One leg was broken, and the other wasn't working right. Moving awkwardly, he shifted his bulk to stand beside his long time master.

"Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side." Sidious bellowed calmly, his hands still outstretched to the boy. Sidious released more lightning to Luke and he collapsed to the ground on his stomach. Vader continues to stare at the boy, wondering what he can do. He was supposed to be completely loyal to Darth Sidious but never did such a task came to the Sith Lord's shoulders. Can he allow the Emperor to bring a lasting end to the last known Jedi? Mostly, his son. Is he that loyal to Sidious?

Sidious's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You will pay the price for your lack of vision!" Sidious hissed menacingly, releasing more lightning to the young boy that seems to only get more violent.

On the floor, Luke writhed in agony, and was on the verge of death as he groaned, "Father, please! Help!" Luke cried out, the pain of the Force Lightning passing through his body. "Help me!" Vader watched Luke curl into a fetal position as the Emperor hurled an even more staggering wave of lightning at his victim. Vader did not doubt that Luke was about to die. His son screaming has gotten even louder.

Vader had witnessed a familiar scene like this before. Many years ago, instead of being the one on the top, the Emperor was on the bottom at somebody's mercy. The two scenes match, and in the one before with Master Windu and Darth Sidious, the Chosen One again stood at the side, watching.

Would he have to choose as he had done in the Chancellor's office of that night that swayed his destiny? Will he have to stay back and just simply watch? Should he stay back and allowed his master to finish this deed?

With the death of Luke, the last Jedi will be destroyed, and the Rebellion will soon follow. The Empire shall live forever, and no one would ever be able to rise to challenge it.

But still, this boy was his son.

"Not just my son..." The Emperor unleashed another round of lightning towards the boy, completely ignoring Vader's presence at the moment and focusing mainly on the young boy.

"...or Padmé's son..."

Luke screamed louder. No doubt the pain was becoming too big and passing through his body. He shall be dead soon and he knew his death was nearing.

"...but my son... who loves me." Luke's clothes began to smolder as his body involuntarily spasm.

Suddenly, Vader realized he was no longer concerned about his future. He knew he could not stand by and allowed the Emperor to kill Luke. And then in a moment, something changed.

He remembered something he'd heard in his youth a long time ago. An ancient prophecy of the Chosen One who would bring balance to the Force. The vague outline of two figures; one named Shmi Skywalker and the other named Qui-Gon Jinn, appeared in his mind after so many years of closing them out to composed his position as Darth Vader.

Then there was one figure that burns into his head that he would shamefully never see again, Padmé Amidala. And his undying love of someone he once knew well. Despite all of the terrible, unspeakable things he'd done in his life, he knew he could not stand by and allow the Emperor to kill Luke.

And in that moment of awareness, he was Darth Vader no more.

He was Anakin Skywalker.

At that moment, Vader sprang up and grabbed the Emperor from behind, pinning Palpatine's underarms towards his torso. It took all of his remaining strength to seize the Emperor from behind. Weaker than he ever been, Vader had laid still these last few minutes, focusing his every viper of being on this one concentrated act. The only action's possible. His last if he fails. Ignoring the pain, ignoring his shame and his weakness, ignoring the bone-crushing noise in his head. He focuses solely and sightless on his will - his will to defeat the evil embodied in the Emperor.

The wretched Emperor continued to release lightning bolts, but they veered away from Luke and arced back to crash down upon all in all directions, including him and his insurgent apprentice. He hailed the Emperor's over his head and with a final spasm of strength hurled him into the endless abyss. Sidious screamed as his body plummeted down the shaft. It was all over. Emperor Palpatine is dead now. He has already made his choice. Luke Skywalker shall live, as will the Skywalker's legacy.

Still trapped within Darth Vader's armor, Anakin collapsed at the shaft's edge but heard the explosion of dark energy that consume the fallen Emperor coming up the endless abyss. Hearing his breathing as a raspy rattle, Anakin knew Vader's respirator have been broken, and that he was going to die. But the evilness was gone. The Empire shall shortly fall with his and Palpatine's death, and a new Jedi Order would be born by his son that will last for many generations. Except Lord Vader's name would never truly be healed. He shall be known as one who stayed behind the Empire until the end. Unfortunately, there is no time to make up past amends and no chance to fix his past mistakes.

Despite his injuries from the Emperor's Force Lightning, Luke managed to haul his father to the hangar that contained Vader's shuttle. The journey was made even more difficult by the fact that the Rebels had disabled the energy shield projector on the Sanctuary Moon, and the Death Star was now under heavy attack.

Trying to keep his legs steady as the battle station was wracked by explosions, Luke dragged his father to the shuttle's landing ramp before he collapsed from the effort. Anakin glanced up towards his son as his breathing begin to come to a stop. He wanted to see the last part of his son for once and last time in his life. "Luke, help me take this mask off," he said wearily, wanting to remove the helmet he has been forced to wear since his defeat by his old master on Mustafar.

Luke's eyes softened. "But you'll die," Luke muttered sadly.

The redeemed Sith Lord knew that he was going to die. Nothing that Luke can say or do will change that, but he wanted to see Luke without the mask on. "Nothing... can stop that now." Anakin stammered. "Just for once, let me look upon you with my own eyes." He pleaded, knowing that he was on the verge of death and is barely containing his life-force now, but he wanted to see the one who saved him from the darkness without the mask.

He has been a slave his whole life and never had true happiness; not even with the Jedi. Vader was nearing death and would no longer have to be in this miserable life. This was his last moment, and he will finally be freed. In Anakin's opinion, he should die a more painful way. What about all those deaths that were because of his blade or his use of the Force?

Vader deserves to die a torturous way because he has committed endless deeds. So many he has killed throughout the years. So many families who been separated from their own family because of Darth Vader. He has killed his own master, killed children, torture his daughter, choked his wife, and kill many good people.

Luke nodded solemnly, beginning to remove the headpiece of the mask than begin to remove the mask of Darth Vader as an entire. The remaining of Anakin Skywalker shall not be burned to ashes and he will not die with that miserable mask on. He saw the sympathy in his son's eyes at seeing this was his father's face. Luke, for the first time, saw the remaining of his father. It's a shame he would never see his real appearance.

Luke stares at Vader's sun-deprived skin, where a big gash was in the middle of his head. To Vader's amazement, Luke didn't recoil as others would have. Unmasked to see a frail man, who was consumed by the darkness, as Luke's hand went to his shoulder.

"Now go my son, leave me." He said, his voice cracking as a smile now coming on his lips at his kin from with the mouthpiece. His eyebrows as were his once other handsome features were no longer there. Anakin didn't remember the last time he had a smile but it felt good. Almost as if he was out of that black hole he was living for the past two decades. For far too long, he has been trapped to do Sidious's whim.

Luke shakes his head in desperation, tears beaming down his usual calm blue eyelids, "No, you're coming with me." He replied determined. "I'm not leaving you here. I got to save you."

Vader remembered himself and Padmé on Mustafar. She had pleaded for him to come back and run away with her - to stop the Empire and to live out their remaining lives in peace instead of in an opposition. Had he listened to her then, or had been more of a Jedi, and not fall to that manipulator's game, he would have been perhaps beside Padmé right now with their two children.

"You already have, Luke," Anakin told him. "You were right; you were right about me. Tell your sister you were right." He felt his eyes beginning to close as he realized that death was nearing faster then he wanted. He realized that his daughter hated him and think her real father died on Alderaan. He will never even get a chance to form a relationship with her. He only got to know very little about Luke but yet he still loved him.

"Father," Luke pleaded, slightly shaking him in a panic. Anakin didn't respond and he slowly begins falling back on the platform, without even hearing Luke's last plea, his Force presence slowly beginning to fade away in the Force. "I won't leave you." Small salty tears cascaded down Luke's face. Anakin wanted to stay with his son, but he knew that he couldn't. His method of breathing was destroyed by the Emperor's lightning, but at least his son would live and continued to be with the rest of his friends and those who he'd called his family. The last he ever felt was his head falling, his last physical touch in the real world.

Anakin's essence passed in the Force. With the help of his old master and Yoda, he has managed to learned eternal life to live in the afterlife. He was grateful that the two allowed him to see his son and the Rebellion's celebration. For far too long, the entire galaxy, as well as Anakin, have been entrapped to Sidious, but now they are all free. And it was all because of Luke Skywalker. Anakin watched his son's future and saw what he has done. He has proved to lead the Jedi for generations to come. Eventually, his daughter and Han Solo has gotten married and had few children and lived the rest of their lives together. Luke also got married to a beautiful girl who was once the Emperor's firsthand and yet he has managed to free her from the dark side and like his daughter and smuggler live the life they deserve together.

Anakin thought about how many people he'd reunited with. Thanks to Qui-Gon, he managed to return his wife and mother's life force into joining the others in becoming one with the Force. While both had forgiven him, others did not. Currently, they're bonding in endless time that is the afterlife but Anakin and the two ladies always talk, though there is a slight pain in both of their voices every time they engage in conversation.

"Anakin, you have been given a chance to see the future of your children," his old master stated. Obi-Wan Kenobi looked the same as the last time he... no Vader had seen him, but now he is in the afterlife. "Yet, you feel like you should be given a second chance."

Anakin turned to him and frowned. "Yes, I'm sorry but just because of me saving my son from Sidious does not put those deaths in vain. I should have died in vain. Think about all whom I kill, all who suffered at my blade or thin fist, and all who would think Anakin Skywalker died at the Jedi Temple by Darth Vader. The name, Darth Vader, still will be spat on. I cannot ever be in true peace with me knowing all that I had done. I had choked my wife, fought you two times and nearly killed you the first and finishing you off at the last, nearly killing my Padawan, and harming many innocents and Jedi blood. While I may have saved my son, those deaths are still at my hands and I'm not sure if I would ever find true peace."

"So if you were given a second chance, would you take it wisely?" Another voice ring out, and Anakin turned to see it was none other then Qui-Gon Jinn, who looked the same as the last time he has seen him all those... wait, they are in the afterlife. It could have been 33 years ago, or 60 years ago. It was a very long time, that's what he knows... if such a thing exists. In the afterlife, time doesn't seem to end. But Anakin is still recovering from the trauma in the real physical world and had begun thinking of what he can do. If Vader can somewhat make up his amends and not make all the choices he could have.

"Yes," Anakin said softly.

"Very well, you will be given a second chance," Qui-Gon replied, shocking Anakin as he never expected to be granted a chance. "But know this you are going to have all of your power, including the dark side. You are balanced with it, but the Jedi will sense the darkness. Do not allow them to get in your way, Anakin. You must stop the Sith again and hopefully lead the Jedi Order and Republic in a new path. But the Jedi will never listen to you. You must proceed on carefully."

"Can I tell anybody about my experience?" Anakin asked curiously.

"That is up to you but only tell those who you can trust, Anakin. You will be suitless, but Sidious is still powerful with the Force." Obi-Wan warned. "Defeat him a second time and balance will be restored. Just because you have all of these powers doesn't mean that you are invincible."

"Act carefully, Anakin, he is a master of manipulation. Tred on carefully." Qui-Gon added. "You have the choice to what time of the past do you want to go to, but I'm not telling you, I'm warning you: do not go to the time for the Chancellor's office with the confrontation. By then, it is too late and the Republic is already an Empire. My suggestion is to go back to the month before your mother was capture, which is around the time where you started watching Padmé. If you travel back then your mother's death can be avoided. You will have all of your knowledge and power but there are difficult choices that are to come, unfortunately. Shamefully, the Jedi have lost their way during the war."

Anakin was deep in thought, contemplating what to do during this time. His eyes then went wide when he realized what Qui-Gon was saying. Qui-Gon wants him to leave the Jedi Order. But surely, he can wait until Ahsoka becomes his apprentice. Plus, he cannot leave the Galactic Republic completely.

"You will see Ahsoka again, Anakin. You two will inevitably meet because she is another being who aids you in power." Qui-Gon assured, giving a reassuring smile towards Anakin though by the expression on his face it was clear he wasn't done.

"I'm coming with you, Anakin, I made mistakes before in training you but we can be equals with all of our current knowledge and bring an end to Palpatine and maybe lead the Jedi and the Republic into a new direction," Obi-Wan says in a hopeful manner, wondering how much death can be avoided with him accompanying Anakin on his journey. Throughout the years on Tatooine, the Jedi Master always thought about how many he lost but stood strong for Luke. He didn't even know Anakin had a little light in him nor he could've been redeemed.

Anakin nodded and smiles, glad that his brother figure will be joining him. This time though, Obi-Wan will be helping him and the two will be masters and equals this time around, not going to let each other down.

"We're ready." Anakin pronounced as he and Obi-Wan stood beside each other before a white light blinded them.

Arthur's note: The Sequels are not referenced because they're not important nor canon to me.

I was wondering if I should have had Obi-Wan and Anakin going together on this one, and after watching some Clone Wars, I decided to do just that and have the two trained. Even in one of the scripts, Padmé was supposed to go with them, but I decided not to. Unlike other Fanfics where Anakin and Obi-Wan stay in the Jedi Order and just make different decisions, this will be different, and the two will be gray Jedi.

No, this is not a Anakin x Obi-Wan story and don't even ask it because a few hugs they will make, but they'll be like family and have a sibling relationship. For one thing, Aniobi is not my style and disgusts me to this day. But a certain Duchess will be seen with Obi-Wan in this story as would Padmé. Anakin will have struggles and not be unlimited powerful but will be super powerful, however, he will have his flaws and slight struggles, especially controlling himself around Palpatine and Tarkin. ;)

Also, they will have different lightsaber colors and possibly hilts. I wanted to have a double-bladed Anakin lightsaber wielder for a bit but I'm not sure the concept will be used in this story though if I go down that route, it will be unique and will possibly have different colors on both sides. Obi-Wan may be single-bladed still but they will not have the same blue lightsabers and will likely ditch them sometime along the way.

Always did I want to write a story of Anakin going back in time but was nervous and reluctant because I didn't know which time I should send him on. Part of me was going to send him to Mandalore to save Satine, the other part of me was sending them to Umbara, another was going to send him to before Ahsoka was framed, and the other was going to send them after Mortis. However, I decided to have Anakin saving Shmi with Obi-Wan's assistance this time because poor Anakin needs to be with his mother and wife to accomplish true happiness. Let's hope they wouldn't have to slaughter the Raiders, but that will be determined in the next chapter.

I know I'm writing a lot of stories, but I'm trying to fill my time. I also can't wait until Anakin and Obi-Wan have a 'little experiment' with the 501st and 212th clones and something in their heads sometime in this story. I saw writers who have more stories than me coming to Star Wars so I would start writing a little bit more to hopefully busying myself.

May the Force be with you all always.