Chapter Text
Everything hurt. Anakin Skywalker was used to pain. From his childhood as a slave, where it was all but expected and learned to endure, to his two decades as Darth Vader, where it had fueled him and given him strength. Pain had always been part of his life. Part of who he was. He was so accustomed to it, he could recognize and name each of its different flavors. And right now, it was the agonizing flavor. The lethal flavor.
Every single molecule in his body felt like he was back on that lava bank on Mustafar, the flames engulfing him, every nerves set ablaze. His respirator was failing, dying as slowly and surely as him, and breathing was a torture in itself, the little oxygen he managed to inhale burning his damaged lunges. The lenses of his helmet were glitching, as his armor succumbed to Sidious' lightings. The various beeps the suit emitted to inform him of the numerous crashing life support were barely audible over the blaring emergency alarms resonating throughout the Death Star. Despite it all, he couldn't bring himself to care. The pain would come to an end soon enough. It would end for good.
Anakin was vaguely aware of being dragged across the floor as Luke no longer had the strength to carry him. Finally, out of breath, his son stopped. Through the damaged lenses, Anakin recognized a hangar. Groups of Stromtroopers and Imperial officers were running for their lives, completely ignoring them. From the angle of the floor against his back, he understood Luke had brought them to a shuttle.
As his son straightened him up, Anakin managed to say :
« Luke...help me take...this mask off. »
Concern flared in the young man's eyes as he responded :
« But you'll die.»
« Nothing can stop that now. Just for once, let me...look on you with my own eyes. »
And Luke, empathetic as ever, understood the urgency and the desperate need in his father's modulated voice. With little confidence but carefully, Luke reached for the helmet's upper layer and lifted it up. Then he removed the remaining part.
The light blinded Anakin's eyes as, for the first time in two decades, he saw the world as it was, and not as the red crude rendering of technology. His Qabbrat was the only place where he could and that was not the world, just another carefully self-crafted prison. But now, he could truly see. See the man before him. His bright, marvelous son. So full of light ! Luke, who didn't even flinched at the sight of his scar-marred face and livid skin. Luke, who immediately saw beyond it and smiled as he truly looked at his father for the first time. Luke, who had his clear blue eyes and blond unruly hair. Luke, who looked so much like Padmé ! He had her nose, and her jaw, and her smile, and the same untamed hope shining in his eyes ! How could he have not seen this before ? His son, Padmé's son !
And, for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, Anakin smiled. A real smile, full of love and tenderness and pride. The kind of smile that only Padmé ever saw.
“Now, go, my son. Leave me.”
As he said those words, Luke started nodding his head in disagreement.
“No, you're coming with me. I'll not leave you here, I've got to save you !”
Such determination. The idea of leaving him there to his rightful and deserved end wasn't even an option to him ! How could he love him so much despite everything, Anakin couldn't comprehend but Force! how grateful he was for his son's unlimited ability to do so. For it was precisely what gave him the strength to snuff Vader out of existence, to turn back to the light after having been so completely lost in the dark for so long.
“You already have, Luke.” he said and before Luke could argue he added “ You were right. You were right about me. Tell your sister, you were right.”
His sister...He'd never get to know her now. Perhaps it was for the best...He couldn't hurt her now, as he would certainly have. Or more certainly already had. But the thought of her and the presence of Luke brought him to that oh so long searched peace, and another smile graced his lips as he left the life finally leaving him. As his forces vanished for good, he slowly collapsed against the shuttle plank. He didn't deserve the tears Luke was shedding for him as he assured him he would not leave him.
Oh Luke, my dear Luke, may you live forever in happiness and in the light, with those you love and who love you back.
Consciousness left him and he felt his heart stop, yet he strangely was more aware than ever. The Force was cradling him gently and he understood that he was becoming one with it. It was all around him, within him. He was a young child again in the loving embrace of his mother. Yet...he was not alone. Next to him, a presence he now realised he had craved for all those years. Obi-Wan. And also, somehow...Yoda. They were both there, guiding him to the Netherworld of the Force. All he could see was light, but he clearly heard the voice of his former master:
“You have earned your rest, my padawan. But...not yet.”
“Much to do, you still have” Yoda added in a compassionate tone.
What ? It didn't make sense. He fulfilled the prophecy, he destroyed the Sith. He died. What more could be done ?
“Everything.” Obi-Wan replied. “I'm so sorry to ask this of you Anakin, but this is not over. But worry not, my dear friend. We will be with you. Always.”
Anakin didn't understand their meaning. He was at peace, at long last. He called himself Anakin and not Vader anymore. He was done. Please, let him be done.
But when had Anakin ever had what he wanted ?
The Force shifted around him. The light dimmed. Everything felt more solid. The ground beneath him was rough, and the air was hot. Voices were calling out to him. He smelt sulfur. Sulfur...Lava...Mustafar !
His eyes jerked open.