The Sith Strikes Back

Chapter 12 - Day Six: Revenge of the Sith

When Vader awakens, it's to sense that something in the Force is different. It's humming with a sense of change – he's going to be going back to his time soon. It's only a matter of hours now. He knew it was coming. That doesn't stop the anxiety deep in his gut. He's not ready. Even if he knows he can't stay.

But he feels rested again. It's such a strange sensation to wake up to. Though this morning may be the last morning he ever does. He doesn't deserve this body – this freedom from the pain. (Right?)

Rex and Ahsoka come to find him right off.

"General," Rex greets, obviously happy to see him.

"I missed a lot. I'm getting reacquainted with all the boys," Ahsoka tells him cheerfully. She looks so happy, so much freer than she has in so long.

He nods. "That's... good."

He's not ready. He's not. But he needs to think about what else he wants to do before he goes. Truthfully, he doesn't know but he – He wants to make it easier for Anakin whenever he comes back. He never wants another to face what he has, for all that there's been so many moments that all he can feel is a wild jealousy that there's anyone who has freedom or a family or – or a body because he has nothing. Absolutely nothing. He has never truly owned himself but it never felt quite as literal as it does now.

"Is everything alright, sir?" Rex asks, frowning slightly.

"I – I am leaving. Soon."

They both freeze.

"Now?" Ahsoka asks, "So soon?"

"Yes. But you will have your Anakin back. That is for the best." He tries to ignore the desperate ache in his chest as he says it.

"But what about you, sir?" Rex objects, "Will you be alright, back in this future?"

"I am used to it. I will endure."

He's not ready to think about that yet. He will be nothing again. Unless Luke and Leia want him.

"Endure?" Ahsoka repeats, unhappily, "Listen, I don't know what I'm like in the future, but I'm sure the older me would be happy to have you back unless she's stupid."

"I can say the same," Rex adds, dryly.

"I do not know where you are."

"I wish there was more I could say," Rex says, sighing, "But I'm certain we would... stay with you."

He's never seen Rex in the future. He doesn't know what happened to him but he must be out there somewhere. And he knows Ahsoka survived Malachor. She's alive. Somewhere. Maybe he can find them. Maybe.

But he can't do that until Sidious is gone. "My master still lives," he adds quietly. He's terrified at the thought of facing him again even if – Maybe not quite as much as he was before. But it's not death he fears. It's the pain of what he will go through if he fails to defeat him. He knows what Sidious does, knows it would be far worse than anything he's done before and that is – He does not want to think about it.

"I wish I could come with you, to kill him myself," Ahsoka says, a scowl twisting her face. She must be able to see his fear.

"You've known him for years. You know his great weaknesses, right? There has to be something," Rex points out. "Maybe now is too early to act. I – I don't know, sir."

"He will see it coming. He likely already does but I will deal with it." This is one thing they can't help him with. He wouldn't want them too anyway. If anyone dies, it'll be just him.

"I – I'll miss you," Ahsoka blurts out.

Vader stills. "But your version of Anakin – "

"You're a version of the General too," Rex interrupts, "I wish you both could be here."