Chapter Text
The Past
Ezra felt him before he heard him. The deep, mechanical breathing and the heavy footsteps.
“What is this place?” Demanded Vader, making Ezra sigh.
“This,” His voice was old, “is the world between worlds.”
Vader froze as the Padawan stood up, taller than he should be, before turning. An old man stood where the Padawan should be.
“Surprised?” Asked Ezra, his hand clasped behind his back.
“Who are you?” Demanded Vader, activating his lightsaber.
Ezra chuckled, “My, my, you are full of questions.”
Vader swung and Ezra dodged, laughing.
“I cannot answer your questions if I’m dead.”
Vader stopped, seething, “Where is my son?”
“Luke?” Frowned Ezra, “Last I saw, he was teaching his students, ten years after your death.”
Ezra felt Vader’s anger spike, “I mean that literally, time has no place here.”
As if on cue, voices from the portals all started speaking, but to Vader, one was louder than the others.
“Anakin, your arrogance blinds you.”
Vader walked towards the portal, watching Obi-Wan train him, showing him his mistakes and how to correct them. Anakin had ignored him at the time, fully believing himself to be better than everyone else.
Another voice spoke.
“You’re a slave?”
“I’m a person, and my name is Anakin.”
Vader went to the other portal, his first meeting with Padmé. It all clicked in his mind, he could get his revenge, he could rule the Galaxy undisputed.
But that’s not what you want, is it? Said the voice in the deepest corners of his mind. Vader’s thoughts went to the corner it came from. He could save everyone, he could convince Obi-Wan to protect Ahsoka, he could save Padmé, Qui-Gon. His own mother. He could have his brother and family back.
He could prove himself to the Jedi and become the greatest of them all.
“I wouldn’t advise changing the past.” Said the old man, Ezra, Vader corrected himself, “I don’t know what the consequences could be.”
“I will let you know when I find out.” Said Vader, stepping through the portal.