#Anakin Skywalker doesn't fall to the dark side

[kittystargen3]

Story Summary: Alternate Universe- What if Anakin's mother survived and Anakin never went dark side. Padme has the twins on Tatooine and survives. Anakin tries to help the surviving Jedi, while still keeping his family secret. Meanwhile Darth Sidious has been crowned emperor and is going after the remaining Jedi. Rumors have it he's looking for a new apprentice. Anakin gets to be a daddy.

I've published a 99th chapter to Return of the Survivors. Below is a small selection, but please do click on the links to read more.

Chapter 99 - Begging

“Angel Please,” Anakin begged.  If he was able to, he’d put down the commlink he was holding and bow before his wife’s holo.  He’d already explained to his wife about the risk to Tatooine, and sent a ship to pick them up.  His mother and step-family were already on their way out of the system.  

“Ani, this is the first time in all of its history an elected council has formed on Tatooine.  I can’t abandon it now.  We have massive evacuations to plan, and a refugee settlement to set up on Utaruun.  I have to make sure everyone gets transport offworld, even the Tuskens and poorer moisture farmers.  I will be there, once our work is finished.  I promise.”  Anakin nodded.  He knew his wife would try to get out, but he also knew she wouldn’t leave anyone behind either.  It was one of the reasons he loved her, but today, it made him worry.  He would worry until he got that message from the rebellion officers saying his wife was in transport offworld.  

“I understand.  Hurry, okay.” 

“Okay love,” Padme blew a kiss at the holo, and then with a blink, she vanished.  

Anakin ran to another room, and instructed the men who were working, “Tell me you have news.”  

“No sir, not yet.” 

Anakin had sent a team in to verify intelligence they were receiving from the rebellion, suggesting the Death Star 2.0 was unfinished, and still inoperable.  He sighed at the lack of news.  “Alright.”  It was looking like they were going to have to leave to attack it soon, even without the data.  Especially when an Imperial Flagship was detected on its way to Geonosis.  

The door opened and a gray-haired Obi-Wan walked in.  Anakin knew why he was there.  He left the men at their info-booth, and walked towards the Master.  “No news yet.  You have any luck?”  

Obi-Wan put on a very tight face, and responded.  “No.  Satine is determined to start a government on a soon to be dead world.”  

“Uh huh.  Padme too.  Well hopefully we will be able to do something about that soon.”...

[fellthemarvelous]

It pisses me off to see the way some Star Wars fans are so dismissive of Reva, Third Sister.

She's complex. She's interesting. She's clever. She's intelligent. She's strategic. She's conflicted. She's traumatized. She's scared. She's angry. She's a survivor.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series literally opens with her and her friends watching one of her Jedi mentors get gunned down by clone troopers during Order 66.

She was a FUCKING CHILD!!! They were in the middle of a lesson when the clones walked in and started shooting everyone!! These were Anakin Skywalker's troopers and they were executing every single Jedi around them.

These children had NO idea what was going on. They were scared and they tried to run to safety.

We remember this scene from Revenge of the Sith and we all immediately knew what it meant.

These are the same bodies that Obi-Wan Kenobi found when he and Yoda returned to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant after having to kill so many of Anakin's clone troopers just to survive.

These are children that the Jedi Council wasn't there to save.

Palpatine snuffed out the light of the Jedi in one swift act of terrorism and then blamed the Jedi for their own genocide after taking over the entire galaxy.

And in times of war, the weakest among everyone always suffer the most.

This is what Reva, Jedi youngling, remembers most about the end of the Clone Wars.

Anakin Skywalker, hero of the Clone Wars and former padawan of the great Obi-Wan Kenobi, murdered all of her friends and injured her.

She had to play dead amongst the dead bodies of her friends, and that's how she survived. She witnessed Anakin Skywalker murder all the Jedi in the temple with no one there to stop him because the other Jedi Masters were being executed in a war they had never wanted to enter into in the first place.

She blames herself for not being able to save her friends because she wasn't strong enough to fight back. No youngling was ever going to be strong enough to stand against Anakin Skywalker. She wanted revenge against Anakin Skywalker, and she was just as desperate to get to Obi-Wan Kenobi as he was. She wanted to kill Anakin Skywalker just as badly as Darth Vader wanted to kill Obi-Wan.

She was alone in a galaxy that tortured and executed surviving Jedi. She spent ten years plotting her revenge against Anakin. She was angry at Obi-Wan for not being there to stop Anakin, and rightfully so.

The Republic fell. Reva and her friends were left unprotected. She was the only person she relied on because everyone else failed her. She was only a child when she lost everyone.

And it's clear she was conflicted by her role as an Inquisitor. She doesn't have the training the other Inquisitors do because she volunteered to be an Inquisitor while all the others were tortured and terrorized into falling to the dark side. She only wanted access to Anakin so she could get justice for what he did to her and her family.

Unlike Anakin, Reva couldn't find it in herself to harm a child. She was seeking revenge solely against Anakin Skywalker. Luke and Leia are the same age she was when she watched her friends and family die in front of her.

Yes, she was prepared to torture Leia, but she consistently hesitated, and when Tala walked in, Reva turned away. She stopped. Yeah she was mad, but she didn't have to go through with it. She'd already planted a tracker on Lola. She was already planning on allowing them to escape so she could locate their secret base. She just needed to bait Obi-Wan. Her plan worked perfectly, and she didn't even have to hurt this child who was annoying the shit out of her (not realizing she was dealing with Anakin Skywalker's offspring).

She went to Tatooine to kill Luke, but she couldn't. She hunted him down without bothering to kill Owen or Beru. She only cared about one thing. Getting justice for what happened to everyone she had been unable to save at the end of the war. She was only a child, and when she realized she was about to kill a defenseless child just to get revenge, she couldn't do it. She saw her face when she looked down at Luke and cried when she realized she couldn't do it.

She was so horrified by what she had been prepared to do and returned him to Owen and Beru alive. She fell to her knees and sobbed because she thought she failed her family in the end.

Obi-Wan was there for her this time. He reminded her that by showing mercy, she was giving her friends and family peace. She was not going to become the monster that Anakin Skywalker was.

Obi-Wan helped her and reminded her that she gets to decide who she wants to be from this point forward. She refused to become Anakin Skywalker, and a weight was finally starting to be lifted from her shoulders. A weight she had been carrying for ten long years.

She did what she thought she had to just to survive. She had only been a child with no guidance because everyone she loved died. She survived by joining the ranks of the enemy so she could plot her revenge. Obi-Wan showed her mercy at the moment she needed it most. He wasn't angry with her. He was compassionate. She survived Order 66 just like he did, but she had been defenseless when they were thrust into a galaxy that tortured and killed Force sensitive individuals and those who helped them. He had failed Reva during Order 66, and he wasn't going to fail her this time.

She is getting a second chance at finding her path in life despite the bad things she did. Everyone deserves a second chance. She was robbed of her childhood and had to grow up overnight. She had to learn how to survive. And that's exactly what she did. Just not in the way she expected.

[gffa]

Here's why I don't think Qui-Gon could be the magical answer to "How do you solve a problem like Anakin Skywalker?" because of this right here. Qui-Gon directly witnesses Dooku's anger at the Senator who is oppressing the people of his planet, that he uses the Force in anger, he's literally Force-choking people right in front of Qui-Gon's eyes, and that's the same kind of thing Anakin does, the big red warning flag. So what does Qui-Gon do about it? He gets the Senator's son to help calm this specific situation down, puts a hand on Dooku's shoulder and gently says, "It's over now." But beyond that he doesn't really step in to make Dooku do anything, which is especially understandable here, but even as a Jedi Master we see that he never really stepped in to do anything with Dooku. Which isn't Qui-Gon's fault, this is not a castigation of him or saying he was wrong. Because it's Dooku's choice to not deal with his darker feelings. Because we see that Yaddle does try to reach out to him but it still has to be Dooku's choice, she couldn't make it for him, Qui-Gon couldn't make it for him, all they can do is handle what's in front of them in the moment and be there if the person reaches out. They have to trust and believe in the person that they care about. Which Qui-Gon very obviously does! You can hear it in his voice and see it on his face in these scenes! And what I'm getting at is--that's exactly what Obi-Wan does with Anakin as well. He reaches out to talk to him, he makes himself available, we see that in AOTC, in TCW, in ROTS. We see on his face that he cares so much about Anakin! We see others make themselves available for Anakin to talk to, but that it has to be his choice still. Qui-Gon cared about Dooku, who was falling to the dark, just as Obi-Wan and Padme and Yoda cared about Anakin who was falling to the dark. Qui-Gon could not have magically solved Anakin's fall to the dark side because we already see he couldn't magically solve Dooku's, because it has to be that the person wants to make a different choice, they have to want to open up and be vulnerable. There's so much sympathy to be had for why Dooku or Anakin made the choices they did, that's why these characters love and care about them so much, because their motivations are sympathy-inspiring. But no one could save them from themselves if they didn't want to make the choice themselves, and Qui-Gon would not have been that magic save for Anakin, any more than Obi-Wan could have been a magic save for Dooku, if they'd been introduced sooner, not with the way Star Wars' narrative intentions work. I do believe that, in different circumstances (ones that mix-and-match Qui-Gon and Yoda and Obi-Wan's influences in their lives) people might have been inspired to make different choices, but it wouldn't have been a magic save. It would still be down to that the characters are responsible for their own choices and that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and Yoda are all generally equally able to/not able to save others. Qui-Gon wouldn't magically save Anakin from falling to the dark and couldn't save Dooku from falling to the dark, because he doesn't magically strip them of their own agency. That doesn't mean Qui-Gon cares about them any less, just like I honestly believe that Obi-Wan would have cared deeply about Dooku if places had been swapped, but he couldn't have magically saved him, either. Obi-Wan loved Anakin and did his best. Qui-Gon loved Dooku and did his best. And both of those beloved people still made their own choices, because all you can do is make yourself available and believe in them, whether they come through or not.

[marinamar4]

i think the most unreal thing about the sequel trilogy isn't anything about rey… it's the fact that ben didn't know his grandfather

and i don't mean the fact that he was vader, but that, having proven the existence of force ghosts, i'm 100% sure that anakin would have done the impossible to keep an eye on his only grandson

(and cry to obi-wan for being so good to leia that he even named his son ben. obi-wan keeps an eye on him too, but less, he's dealt with enough skywalkers in life to continue stressing out in death, even if baby ben doesn't do any crazy maneuvers yet)

(i imagine him flying toys and spaceships over baby ben to make him fall asleep, and when he grows up, teaching him mechanics and how to deal with r2-d2 and c3-po)

(leia wouldn't be too happy about that, but hey, she's a free babysitter and she knows how to deal with a sensitive little one. the force. anyway, if anyone can figure out how to shoot a ghost with a blaster, it’s her)

(luke has played mediator more times than he can count between father and sister)

so when snoke starts whispering to ben, well, the kid doesn’t pay much attention. he’s heard enough stories about the dark side from his grandfather anakin and his grandfather obi-wan to believe him blindly

and then the darth vader reveal happens. and the first thing ben does is not demand answers as to why he wasn’t told sooner, but laugh. because he finds it funny that one of the most feared creatures in history is the same one who disappears when his mother gives him a dirty look, who looks like a scolded puppy when his friend tells him something, who runs away from a green goblin so he doesn't hit him with a cane, and seriously, why doesn't anyone believe ben when he says he's seen darth vader's ghost cry during sad moments in romantic holo-movies?

and when snoke insists that his grandfather would want ben to continue his "legacy" of oppression, ben dismisses him and says "yeah, no. all my grandfather wants is for me to continue flying spaceships and fixing droids. oh, and also, the only thing he agrees with my mother on is that I should get a good girlfriend, marry her, and have lots of babies. for something they both agree on, i'm not going to ignore that!

[darthjess-writing]

The Mask of Darth Vader

I'm sure other people realize this and have thought of this before, but as I've been writing my Star Wars fanfic I've come to understand something that feels a bit profound. At least to me.

Darth Vader IS the mask.

He is the mask that Anakin Skywalker wears to DEAL WITH WHAT HE'S DONE.

Because the truth is, Anakin Skywalker is not actually capable of committing the absolute horrors attributed to Vader. If you think about it, Anakin CARES and FEELS MORE DEEPLY than anyone. And while his love for Padmé drives him to embrace the Dark Side, he does not do it lightly. He falls to his knees, saying, "What have I done?" after (quite literally) disarming Mace Windu, which very quickly leads to the Jedi Master's death.

He only accepts the Dark Side and becomes Sidious's apprentice because he truly believes this is the only way to save the woman he loves. But what Sidious asks him to do to become powerful enough in the Dark Side is so awful and goes against everything Anakin ever stood for or believed in. So he creates this second persona, VADER, who has the strength to do what Anakin could not.

And I think this is why Vader hates Anakin: because Anakin didn't have it in him to do what needed to be done to save his (their?) wife. Because Anakin honestly doesn't have it in him to do what Sidious asks him to do.

This is why it's so shocking to everyone who ever knew Anakin that he turned to the Dark Side. Because once gain, HE JUST DOESN'T HAVE IT IN HIM. He is too caring, too loving, too empathetic to do the things that Vader does. And I think that NEVER STOPS BEING THE CASE.

Of course, Anakin and Vader are the same person, and deep down Anakin realizes that Vader is not actually real. But the Vader Persona protects him from the pain. Vader allows Anakin his innocence, Vader takes all the blame. Vader doesn't wallow in grief, Vader turns his pain into rage and uses it to protect the Empire.

Vader is the coping strategy Anakin uses to survive what he did. To survive his wife's death. And it's only fitting that once Luke brings Anakin forth once more, Anakin becomes one with the Force. Vader was the only thing keeping him alive.

This is why I love writing about Vader. His cognitive dissonance is horrifying and wonderful.

[to-proudly-go]

"...but it sounds like it's crying."

Based on this and it's ANGSTY y'all

Context: The Force grants Obi-Wan his wish to undo everything that happened to the galaxy and make Anakin happy, but the price is heavy. Obi-Wan chooses to pay.

In a galaxy far, far away, Anakin Skywalker is found and trained by Qui-gon Jinn. He doesn't fall to the Dark side, he marries his angel, and there is peace in their time. But what nobody knows is that all throughout Anakin's life, he hears gentle and loving whispers in the wind, guiding him and showing him the Light. There is always a protective touch on his back, and glimpses of sad but proud eyes in his periphery. Sometimes, he wakes from his dreams with tears in his eyes, a terrible melancholy that is not his own settling in his chest.

He wishes he knows the name of the being in the Force, but nobody can give him an answer. How can they, when the name Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn't exist?

[cookybananas]

This Wasn't The Plan (Former!Anakin Skywalker x Reader)

Angsty. Spoiler alert: main character dies

summary: When an old friend reaches out to you asking for help, but the mission doesn't go as planned.

This is set 9 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith. Your former lover, Anakin Skywalker, has turned to the dark side and had become a Sith Lord by the name of Darth Vader. But you don't know that. You believed in Obi-Wan's lie that Anakin had died on Mustafar and that the Republic had fallen into the hands of the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious who had created the Empire. The hunt for surviving Jedi ensues. This forces you and Obi-Wan to go your separate ways and into hiding to protect yourselves from the inquisitors who are on the hunt for the both of you.

I packed some rations in my bag, the last thing I needed before heading out. I looked at my lightsaber that was on my bed, deciding if I should bring it or not. After putting some thought to it, I sigh to myself, clipping it to the belt of my old Jedi robe I was currently wearing. I set out to meet up with Obi Wan at the coordinates he had sent me. It had been 9 years since I had seen my good friend. I didn't think he would ever contact me again, especially through the force. But apparently this was an urgent matter.

Obi-Wan told me there wasn't much information given to him when he reached out to me. Apparently he had gotten a holographic message from an unknown individual, saying that there were some former Jedis needing our help on the planet of Kashyyyk. I was hesitant at first about the mission, but he convinced me to come along with him. Plus, it's not like I had anything better to do with my life. I was a scavenger, I tore apart ships and weapons from the Empire and resold the parts to make a living off of them. I didn't earn much, but it was enough to keep me alive.

The Jedi had fallen years ago from Order 66. My masters, my fellow Jedi who I had trained with, the younglings whom I taught, most of them didn't make it from the purge--they were all killed. Anakin, the love of my life was killed right before the Empire had rose to power, I lost my best friend; Padme. Obi-Wan and I had gone our separate ways and went into hiding. Just when we thought everything was going well at the time, that glory had dissolved as if it were nothing.

There have been many times I had cried myself to sleep at the thought of losing Anakin. Part of me still believes that he's alive somewhere in the star system and part of me wants to believe what Obi-Wan has told me; that Anakin is truly dead and that I need to move on to live for myself. As much as I wanted to reach out through the force to him, I couldn't. I was worried that an inquisitor was nearby and could sense me. Or worse, the belligerent Darth Vader who has been in a pursuit of killing Jedi since they had they had fallen. I had to close myself off the force many years ago. Now that Obi-Wan needs me, this puts the both of us at risk of falling into the hands of the Empire and Darth Vader.

-

"It's good to see you again my old friend." Obi-Wan said, embracing me into a tight hug, to which I happily returned. Obi-Wan aged quite a bit the last time I saw him. The wrinkles around his eyes were prominent now, his beard grown out and untamed.

"And you as well Obi. Maker...it's been so long." I said, getting a little teary-eyed at our little reunion. Obi-Wan looked at me with sad eyes, nodding in agreement.

"Well, we have a long way to Kashyyyk, that should give us time to catch up Y/N." He gave me a small smile, as we made our way into his small ship, setting course to Kashyyyk to help our Jedi brothers and sisters.

"Do you have a plan?" I spoke up, breaking the long period of silence between us. Obi-Wan scoffed at my question.

"Well of course I do Y/N, you didn't think I would go in blindly would you?" He replied, smiling to himself. I snorted at his response, reminding me the many memories I have of him, Anakin, and I back in the days of the Clone Wars. Anakin and I were the ones that would go guns-blazing in during missions. Obi-Wan would always be the person coming up with the plans beforehand, to which sometimes Anakin and I did follow, sometimes.

Obi-Wan runs over the plan with me. The coordinates that he was provided had given us a location at a base in the lush forests of Kashyyyk. Apparently that's where the Jedi are said to be located. Once we land, we would split up to find any remaining Jedi and relocate them back to Alderaan. Obi-Wan had been in touch with Bail Organa since the fall of the Republic and had informed him about this mission.

The ship lands on an empty landing pad that was located outside the entrance of what looked like an abandoned temple. Obi-Wan and I exit out the ship, taking a look around our surroundings.

"I've got a bad feeling about this" I spoke up, scanning the environment.

"Meet me back here in an hour. If you can find any Jedi, we'll relocate them to Alderaan." Obi-Wan said.

"Sounds good to me." I responded. We both make our way into the temple, going separate ways once we enter.

-

The Sith Lord stands tall as he gazes at the stars through the windows of the ship. He ponders to himself, when all of sudden he felt something in the force. Assuming that the presence was belonging to his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Vader smiles to himself for being able to finally have Obi-Wan walk into his trap after what he had done to him all those years ago. But then he felt the pull become stronger and stronger by the moment. No... it can't be, the Sith Lord thinks to himself. It couldn't possibly be her. Y/N... You died 9 years ago. The remnants of your ship were in pieces when he had searched for you. You couldn't have survived the impact at the state of ship he found it in. When Anakin--Vader, had found the japor snippet that he had given you was on the ground, it pushed him further to believe that you had died on impact. He believed your clones got to you when Order 66 occurred. He blamed himself for causing your death. You deserved a better fate. But at the same time, he didn't want you to see what he had become.

Vader pushed his thoughts to the side. Still believing that you had died all those years ago.

-

A good amount of time had passed. I wasn't sure how long it had been but it surely has been over an hour. I hadn't seen any Jedi yet, yet alone any traces of any Jedi being here. Something isn't right, I know it isn't because the force has been trying to tell me something since we landed.

I felt another presence in the force. It didn't feel like it was Obi-Wan. I froze in place, hearing footsteps in the distance; becoming closer and closer to me. I turn around, igniting my lightsaber as I was met with an inquisitor standing behind me with their double-bladed lightsaber already ignited.

"Well, well, you're not definitely Kenobi. But I'll gladly take you in as well." The inquisitor said, stepping closer to me as I took a step back. I wasn't fit to fight them. It had been years since I last fought with my lightsaber. Without thinking, I immediately turned around and ran away from the inquisitor. I took out my comlink to get a hold of Obi-Wan as I ran to find the exit.

"OBI-WAN, IT'S A TRAP!!" I yelled into the comlink, but I was met with static in response. The connection wasn't strong, perhaps the inquisitors had intercepted our communication or the connection on Kashyyyk just wasn't as good.

I found myself in what looked like an abandoned throne room. I hid myself behind the throne, trying to catch my breath as I tried to disconnect my force signature so the inquisitor wouldn't find me as easily. I cursed myself for agreeing to come along with Obi-Wan on this fallacious mission.

As the footsteps of the inquisitor drew nearer and nearer to the room. I overheard the inquisitor's voice, as if they were talking to someone else. I peaked my head over the throne to see the inquisitor in the doorway talking to a holographic figure on their wrist.

"Lord Vader, it's important that you know that not only one Jedi has fallen into your trap but two." The inquisitor said boastfully, holding up a hologram of Lord Vader.

"Very well inquisitor. Locate them now. I will deal with Kenobi and his friend accordingly. I want them alive." Lord Vader's mechanical voice booming through the hologram.

"Yes my lord." The inquisitor turns off the hologram, scoffing to themselves and kicking a pebble off the ground. "Why do they matter to you this much?" the inquisitor says under his mouth.

I held my breath, hoping that the inquisitor doesn't walk into the room I'm in. When I don't see them in the door way I make a run towards the door, only to be stopped by the inquisitor.

"Nice try, but I have orders to follow Jedi scum." the inquisitor spat at me, blocking the doorway. I furrow my eyebrows, igniting my lightsaber again.

"You won't take me alive."

"I wish I didn't have to, but I have orders from Lord Vader himself." the inquisitors says before swinging their double-bladed lightsaber. Our lightsabers clashing with one another. I try catching my breath as I fight the inquisitor, but the 9 years without fighting, has made me lose some abilities in my Jedi skills.

"I see the years have not been kind to you. You're out of shape grandma." the inquisitor comments. I grunt in response and roundhouse kick the inquisitor, sending them flying across the room. The inquisitor gets back on their feet again and darts towards me.

Just when I think I can take them down, the inquisitor's blade makes contact with my shoulder. I cry out in pain as I'm thrown off balance. I step back, grasping my shoulder that was just cut. The cut was bright red and burning.

The inquisitor laughs at my pathetic state. Determined to take down this inquisitor, I run towards them with my saber. I was able to dodge their first swing, but on the second swing, the inquisitor's blade had found itself impaled through my stomach. I let out a gasp. The inquisitor looking surprised at themselves at what they did.

The inquisitor draws their blade back. My saber falls out of my hand and rolls away from me as my body hits the ground. I clutch the part of my stomach where I had been just stabbed.

I try to control my breathing as I watched as the inquisitor walk out the room without saying a word to me. The building starts rumbling, as if it was starting to crumble down.

Then next thing I know, I see Obi-Wan running into the room, running up to me.

"Y/N!" Obi-Wan kneels down and cradles me in his arms. He brushes a strand a hair away from my face, his hand now holding one of my hands.

"Y/N stay with me now. I'm gonna get you out of here." Obi-Wan looks at me and looks down at my wound. His eyes were filled with panic with the hole inside my stomach.

"O-Obi Wan, you have to go." I said weakly, looking at him.

"I won't leave you here Y/N." He responded, squeezing my hand and body tightly.

"Y-you'll die here." I said as the building starts to crumble piece by piece. Pieces of stone and debris falling from the ceiling.

"Don't say such nonsense, we have to go" He pleaded.

"Obi-Wan...My place is here.. and... he's here...I can sense him." I breathe out. The hole in my stomach making it harder for me to breathe.

Obi-Wan's eyes widen. He knew he was here as well. Obi-Wan was about to lift me off the ground until I spoke up.

"Leave me here Obi-Wan...Get out of here...S-save..your..self" I huffed out my last breath.

-

Your body goes limp in the arms of Obi-Wan. The last thing you saw was a dark figure, watching from the doorway before your body succumbed to your injury. Vader... You whispered under your final breath before dying in the arms of Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan lets out a strangled cry. He closes your eyelids as the feeling of guilt creeps up on him. But the mourning over his good friend was short-lived. Obi-Wan freezes in place as he feels Vader's presence nearby. When he looked up, he saw the Sith Lord standing by the doorway, menacingly. Obi-Wan, lays your body down on the cold stone floor, now towering over your body to square up with the Sith Lord.

Vader who had been watching the entire situation unravel, his breathing became heavier as he starts to hyperventilate. Causing the temple to shake even more, pieces of the temple fell down around them. He had felt you, he felt your pain. Your first cry was enough to have the Sith Lord come and look for you, but your second cry was enough for him to feel the amount pain you were in.

"What have you done?!" Vader's mechanical voice barked, echoing through the room.

"This was your doing Anakin!" His former master retorted. Vader slowly makes his way over to him, striding menacingly to where Obi-Wan and your lifeless body was.

Obi-Wan backs up away from Vader. Vader kneels next your body and touches the nape of your neck to find a pulse to confirm that you weren't dead, but it was too late. He clenched his fist and lets out a booming cry. Obi-Wan couldn't see it, but he was crying under the mask. The building continue to shake more under his agony.

"Leave. Now." He said, glancing back up at his former master. Obi-Wan was hesitant at first, but soon nodded in response and made his way out of the crumbling building towards his ship.

Vader scooped up your body and carried you bridal style out of the building, making sure to give you a proper burial once he landed on a planet worthy of your funeral. As he makes his way out, he and Obi Wan look at each other one last time before Obi-Wan takes off in his ship.

Vader boards his ship, laying your body down on the table. He takes off his helmet, revealing his long blonde locks and handsome face that were still in pristine condition. He examines your face for sometime. Forgetting how beautiful you were. The years have not been kind to you. He noticed how your cheekbones are more prominent now, perhaps due to lack of food and having to remain in hiding. He brushed your hair with his gloved hand and started whispering all the things he wanted to tell you. He wanted to start a family with you after the war was over, but it is far too late for that now. He wanted to raise his family on Naboo, or Alderaan. The life he dreamt with you, had diminished the day he founds the remains of your ship.

He started to feel guilty for being the reason of causing you a great deal of suffering and now, he was now the reason for your death. He sat next to your body and had held your left hand that still bore the wedding ring he made for you. You both had gotten secretly married on Naboo, just right after the Clone Wars had begun.

After a good amount of time had passed, Anakin--Vader had eventually gotten up from his seat and took off his cape to cover your body with it.

This wasn't how the mission was supposed to go. He didn't expect you to be here, let alone be alive. All he wanted was his revenge on Kenobi, but little did he know that you would be caught in the middle of it.

The guilt that Obi-Wan had felt was unbearable at first. He wished he didn't rope you into this mission. He didn't think for one second that this could have been a trap for himself and for the both of you. Obi-Wan lives out his days with a heavy heart for being the reason you died.

Vader spends the next several years alone, wondering about the day he will kick the bucket. It isn't until one day, a new hope emerges and relieves from him the dark side. Where he would redeem himself and be reunited with you as your force ghost had waited a long time for him to join you in the afterlife. Together, you both spend an eternity together without having to suffer ever again.

[captn-trex]

fall of an empire

Rex [no pairing]

word count: 1.4k

description: Rex never knew what truly became of his General, but when he finds out as the Empire are driven from power, his galaxy becomes a little bit smaller.

warnings/tags: angst basically, mainly just Rex's internal monologue

a/n: okay. I’ve had this idea for ages and basically held off because I didn't think I'd do it justice (idk that I have), but I guess I just bit the bullet lol. This is really more of a little think piece ? than anything. aaah i get nervy talking about Anakin because I know people have strong opinions about him (me included) so I hope this doesn't tread on any toes lol. For the sake of this, Rex and Luke are kinda familiar with each other

masterlist | join my taglist

23 years.

It had been 23 years, almost to the day.

Rex had made his peace with it a long time ago, he had accepted the death of his General, he had done his grieving. He had grieved his friend, the Jedi, the Republic; in many ways, he had grieved himself. Yet here he was, with his General, a Jedi, and the promise of a new Republic to rise and take the place of the Empire.

There was an undeniable sense of accomplishment in the air, a thick blanket of hard-won peace that settled over the rebels and lifted their spirits. Everyone was more at peace than they had been, maybe ever. Rex felt it too, he had been fighting the Empire too long to not recognise the significance of the day's events. Though now, the feeling was bittersweet, overtaken by a melancholy that Rex was sure might never leave him, at least not in the life he still had left in him.

Stood in front of the pyre, watching the fire climb higher and higher and reaching up into the night sky, Rex couldn’t help but feel conflicted. The man that was laid out before him, body engulfed in flames, was both someone he had once known, and someone he hoped he would never meet. Now faced with the truth of who he was, both sentiments still rang true.

He was disturbed at worst, confused at best, more by his own state of mind than the turn of events. He had held such contempt for the creature that enacted the Emperor's will, but he had such love and respect for his General, even long after his assumed death. It left him in a strange place, where the recent triumph no longer felt so triumphant.

It was simply unfathomable that they were the same person, that his friend had fallen so far, turned towards such evil. When he had been told that his General had not only survived the Jedi purge, but enacted it, and gone on to rule at the side of the Emperor, his first instinct had been to deny it. It was out of the question.

He tried to cast his mind back to the war, to find threads of that evil sewn into the memories that he held close to his chest, but he couldn't find it. While the war was certainly not all sunshine and rainbows, it wasn’t so unendingly awful that he would have missed the lick of icy dread that ran through his veins when in close quarters to dark side users. Without even considering that, it seemed out of the question.

General Skywalker was caring, if not a little absurd in his approach to battle, and despite how it could drive him to distraction, Rex wouldn't have changed anything about him. He knew him to be a man of simple ingenuity and fierce courage, and occasionally foolish bravado, but that was nothing like the animal that had come to spread fear and terror across the galaxy.

Rex watched the dying flames, flickers of memories contained in the way they danced with the wind whipping at them. His hands clenched into fists, not in anger, but because he felt the need to ground himself in this moment. He needed to focus on what was real, what he knew to he true, and put unfulfilled notions of futures that could have been behind him. What was done was done. It couldn't be undone, and that was something he would have to come to understand.

Rex had always felt the need for justice, that people should be dealt back what they put into the galaxy, and the finality of watching Vader's body burn in front of him seemed like an obstruction of that. In spite of that, he mourned the man beneath the suit. He would take back every evil thing he did to the galaxy, but selfishly he'd take it back just to spend one more day with his friend, with the man he was before he became twisted by darkness.

The pyre had burned almost fully, leaving smouldering wood and ashes spread around the base. It was a fitting end, perhaps. The Empire had been reduced to ashes, and Vader with it. The memory of their atrocities lingered in the air, like the smoke clinging to his clothes and anything else it could reach.

A hand on Rex's shoulder drew him from the deep pit of his thoughts, and he turned to look into the eyes of the Jedi. They were his eyes, undeniably. Deep blue and shining with wisdom, hope and confidence. Rex had never believed they were qualities that could be passed down by way of genes, but with those eyes watching him carefully, he couldn't see anything else.

“I hope you can find some peace, friend” he spoke with a startling sincerity, a small noble bow of his head accompanying his words.

Rex managed a ‘thank you’ before the young Skywalker patted his shoulder, walking away from the smouldering pile of wood and leaving him alone.

That's how he felt; alone.

Everything he had ever known in his life had been lost to the Empire. His brothers, the Republic, the Jedi, and now he had come to know the truth that his General had been seduced and corrupted by the dark side. It was alienating. He'd always just tried to take everything in stride and hold his head high as he moved on, but the sheer weight of everything that had happened to him throughout his life was crushing.

His days as a cadet, the early days of the war, the immediate aftermath of order 66, fighting to free his brothers from Imperial imprisonment; it was all so tinged by something sinister, immoral. The clones were created for war, so it wasn't a surprise that he didn't know anything else, but a life lead just to die wasn't one that he wanted to live anymore.

Rex realised then that his life had always belonged to Skywalker in some way. First, as his commanding officer, then as a tyrant of the Empire, the reigning power that forced clones into subservience. Though now, he was free of him completely. He was a free man, no question about it, and it was refreshing to acknowledge.

He had never felt like a prisoner under Skywalker's leadership, even looking back after he had come to understand that the clones were essentially slaves to the Republic. Anakin could have ordered him to do anything, and he would have. Rex recognised that was an immense power to have over someone, but even if he could be headstrong sometimes, his general would never have ordered him to do anything outrageous.

Perhaps that's what was the most confusing about having watched his mutated form burn before him. Skywalker was generous, but all he had known of Vader was how much he took from people; their lives, their children. It scared him, but it also proved to him how truly evil the Emperor must have been to be able to twist someone so caring into a monster like that.

He was then overwhelmed by sympathy. Vaders actions were inexcusable, and Rex didn't know that he'd ever fully come to accept the truth of who he was, but he knew that whatever Anakin had gone through to end up so twisted and removed from himself, was most likely more abhorrent than he could imagine.

For that reason, putting him to rest like this felt cathartic, and despite the shock of his true identity, it felt like closure. Really, he was putting two grievances to bed. His General was finally at peace, and the creature that had wreaked havoc on the galaxy could do so no longer.

Rex breathed in deeply, filling his lungs with the cool night air as he looked to the sky. He was free. His life was his own, no longer at the mercy of Skywalker, Vader, the Empire or anyone else. He was still conflicted, and it would probably take him another lifetime to fully process everything, but looking into the ashes that once made up the form of his friend and oppressor, he could already feel a heavy weight lifting from his shoulders.

taglist: @darthnihila @cdblake1565 @heidnspeak

[david-talks-sw]

As a quick addendum to this recent post:

Could the Jedi have done more to help Anakin? Sure. There's myriad more things that could've been done. For example, Mace could've sat Anakin down in the Council Chamber and gone "Skywalker, tell me what's really going on."

But it bears mentioning that the above scenario ⬆️ likely wouldn't yield any results. Because, well, Anakin barely ever opens up about his feelings or fears or past trauma.

He doesn't do it with Yoda, when the latter asks for more tangible information so he can tailor his advice.

He barely ever opened up to Ahsoka.

He barely did so with Obi-Wan.

And by Revenge of the Sith, he's even shutting Padmé out.

(Yes, part of it is due to the secrecy surrounding his marriage, but I've already explained my thoughts on why it's an unfounded fear at that point in time, and it's not the only factor behind his silence as he already didn't open up as far back as Phantom Menace, nor is it his only secret)

The only person he does confide in is Palpatine, who:

keeps enabling Anakin's flaws instead of letting him learn to overcome them,

keeps isolating him from everyone else.

And Palpatine's both the most powerful Sith in history and the leader of the free world, so he's always gonna find a way to worm himself into Anakin's life.

As long as Palpatine's in the picture, no matter what the Jedi or Padmé do, he'll be right around the corner, ready to undo it.

So at some point - short of Palpatine tripping into an empty elevator shaft and falling to his death - the only person who could've gotten Anakin out of that mess... was Anakin himself.

Would it have been difficult? Hell yes.

But as Shmi Skywalker (who let go of her attachment), Padmé Amidala (disciplined and principled), Obi-Wan Kenobi (refused to give in to anger upon losing the love of his life), Ezra Bridger (rejected the Emperor's promise of power and reunification with his loved ones), Luke Skywalker and Quinlan Vos (pulled back from the Dark Side against all odds) have shown us... it wouldn't have been impossible.

"All of my movies are about one thing, which is the fact that the only prison you’re in is the prison of your mind. And if you decide to open the door and get out, you can. There’s nothing stopping you." - George Lucas, SirusXM, American Voices, 2012

[vodika-vibes]

Hello friend! I have a request if you have the time, and it doesn't have to be very long.. here's the idea: During the early days of the clone wars Anakin is teamed up with a Jedi that wars blue robes, and Rex is immediately intrigued, cuz you know, 501s blue. His intrigue grows into admiration and then infatuation. He's crushing real hard. And this Jedi feels the same way.

So yeah maybe the kiss maybe they don't, whatever you like (it'd be great if the kiss 👀).

Again, only if you have time. Thanks 💙

Alright There, Captain?

Summary: Rex falls in love.

Pairing: Captain Rex x F!Jedi Reader

Word Count: 946

Warnings: Mentions of Fives' death

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: Hihi! I hope this is close to what you wanted. I was trying to make it seem like snapshots into Rex's life as he slowly falls in love, but I'm not sure I pulled it off. Happy reading!

So far as Rex is aware, Jedi only wear black, dark brown, light brown, or white. Of course, his only evidence for this is General Skywalker and General Kenobi, but it seems to hold true. Based on some of the conversations he’s had with brothers in other battalions, at least.

As far as Rex is concerned, it might as well be a rule. Jedi wear muted colors.

And Rex genuinely believes that…right up until the day a young woman arrives on the Resolute in her small ship. She’s obviously a jedi, based on the lightsaber hanging on her hip and based on how enthusiastically General Skywalker greets her, but she doesn’t look like any jedi he’s met before.

For one, the only part of her outfit that could be considered “robe like” is the cloth belt around her waist. For another, her belt is the same shade of blue as his armor.

“Ah, Rex! There you are.” General Skywalker calls him over with a bright smile, and then he turns to the woman, “This is my Captain, he’ll show you someplace where you can change. Are you sure you don’t need to go to medical?”

“I’m fine, Anakin.” She says with a laugh, “You worry overly much.” And then she turns her gaze to Rex, “Alright there, Captain?”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He replies politely.

She smiles kindly, “I just need someplace private to change back into my robes before I give my mission brief.”

“Of course, right this way.”

When she came out of the private fresher, dressed in blue and white robes, Rex couldn’t help his interest. She’s unlike any other jedi that he’s ever met. 

But he’s still a clone, and they are still a galaxy at war. So, while he makes a mental note of her name, he figures that this will be the last time he sees her. 

So far as he’s concerned, they’re just two ships passing in the night. A shame, but such is his fate.

The next time he sees her is several months later, when she rescues him and some of his brothers from a surprise attack.

She appears from nowhere, emerging from the surrounding forest to take out the droids as though she had been summoned. And, in spite of all of the physical activity, and in spite of the danger, she looks calm and composed.

Her hair is neat, as are her robes, and she doesn’t move more than she has to.

Rex can’t help but compare her to General Skywalker, and with some shame, he admits that his General is lacking when compared to her. Anakin would never be so calm and composed in a situation like this.

She commands the battlefield like she’s a goddess of war…and Rex finds himself smitten with her.

Once the fighting is over, Rex expects her to leave, to return to her mission, like what Anakin would do. But she surprises him, by taking the time to make sure that the men are okay, helping them to their feet, and patching up the ones who needed it.

And then she’s at his side, a warm smile on her pretty face as she kneels next to him, “Alright there, Captain?”

“Yes ma’am, just a little dinged.” Rex replies as she helps him sit up, “Thanks for helping.”

“You don’t have to thank me for caring, Rex.” She looks around, “Where’s your General?”

Rex’s face falls, “I…don’t know.”

Her face remains calm, “Not here then. That’s alright, do you mind if I take charge until he arrives?”

“I’d appreciate that General,” Rex says, as he stares at her face.

She favors him with the warmest smile, and Rex feels his heart skip a beat, “Rest now, General.” She says as she presses her hand against his shoulder, “I’ll take care of everything else.”

And, as she walks away, Rex can’t help but wonder if this is what love feels like.

The night after Fives dies, Rex is in a bar. He’s not drunk, but he doesn’t want to see his brothers. He doesn’t want to see anyone. Not Anakin. Not Obi-Wan. Not any of his brothers from the 501st.

For one night, he just wants to stop being him.

He lifts his head when a pair of delicate looking hands, with blue nails, appears in his line of sight. He follows the deceptively frail looking arms up to a familiar face.

Her smile is sad, “Alright there, Captain?”

He releases a shuddering breath, “No. Not really.”

She nods and slides into the booth next to him, her body soft and warm when pressed against his side, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I just…I want to stop being me, just for one night.” Rex admits as he looks at her. 

Her hands come up and cup his face, “I wish I could take your pain from you.” She whispers.

Rex stares at her, at her pretty face, at her stunning eyes, at the way she still wears his colors—

“I’ve always loved how you wear my colors,” Rex admits as he lightly touches the blue part of her robe. “You look good in them.”

Her smile is warm, “Blue has always been my favorite color.”

“It suits you.” Rex murmurs, his hands come up to cradle her face, “Can I kiss you?”

Her smile widens slightly, “I’d like that a lot.” She whispers.

It’s all she needs to say, as Rex leans in and presses his lips against hers. She’s warm and soft and everything he’s ever fantasized about and more. And, for the first time in a long time, Rex thinks that maybe everything will be alright.

[percabethsong]

One of the discourses I hate the most in Star Wars fandom is the "Anakin wouldn't fall to the Dark Side if Qui-Gon trained him"

He absolutely WOULD, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he falled EARLY.

If we consider the Legends version of Qui-Gon Anakin would be full dark side at 19. We are talking about the man who left his 14 years old Padawan in a WAR ZONE, alone. So, yeah. He was really a jerk in Legends.

But I do know that any of this is canon, so, ok, let's look at canon Qui-Gon. Was he a bad person? Not, nothing indicates such. Was he a good teacher? Well... Not quite.

Bear with me, ok? I understand that Obi-Wan was indeed ready to be a Knight in TPM. But early in the movie, Qui-Gon leads to believe that HE doesn't think so, saying Obi-Wan still has much to learn. And then, Anakin shows up, Qui-Gon gets invested in the whole "Chosen One" thing and promptly says infront of the Council that he'll take him as his student. Yes, I am aware that he then explains that even though Obi-Wan has still much to learn, he has nothing else to teach him. But think for a minute. How would that look like to Obi-Wan? He didn't have this conversation earlier, explaining what he would do. It would be totally understandable to feel like a second thought in his master's head. Now think about Anakin Skywalker, known to be a jealous and insecure person, in a situation like that. Don't you think he would feel rejected, alienated?

Then we go to the Extend Universe and things get worse. In the Padawan novel, in which Obi-Wan is 16 and struggling with self-worth, he mentions that his master, although calm, is very hard to read. He barely knows when he is doing something that Qui-Gon approves or not. Obi-Wan is constantly criticised in this fandom for being overcritical with Anakin (which I don't fully agree because Anakin was very hard to deal as a teen), but he also praises him a lot when he gets things right, and that's canon. Now imagine Anakin in this situation. He would go insane. Still in the same novel, it's stated that at the time Obi-Wan was 16, Qui-Gon still hadn't move past the basic forms of lightsaber with him, and they basically only did meditation. Now, I don't think that's a bad thing as a Master. But just imagine Anakin Skywalker, the "it's all Obi-Wan fault, he's jealous, he's holding me back" if he had that guy as a Master. Do you really think his relationship with Qui-Gon would be better than his with Obi-Wan? Yes, Anakin and Obi-Wan fought a lot, but they were close. Qui-Gon would be distant, and that is just fertile ground to Palpatine manipulation.

[kittystargen3]

Story Summary: Alternate Universe- What if Anakin's mother survived and Anakin never went dark side. Padme has the twins on Tatooine and survives. Anakin tries to help the surviving Jedi, while still keeping his family secret. Meanwhile Darth Sidious has been crowned emperor and is going after the remaining Jedi. Rumors have it he's looking for a new apprentice. Anakin gets to be a daddy.

I've updated Return of the survivors with a new chapter. Below is a small selection. Please go to one of the links above to read more.

Chapter 102 - Darth Zoon 

“Clear.  Clear.  All clear.”  The men called out as they went through the facility.  Ahsoka tried to listen to the troopers as Anakin and Obi-Wan filled time with their usual chatter on their way to the battle.  She remembered how when she was younger she used to follow them adding to their debates without another care in the world.  My, she really had grown since the clone wars.  

“Alright, here it is.” Anakin announced when he came up to a square vent on the wall.  “Pass me a Torque Wrench.”  He held out his hand expectantly.  

One of the clones went to pull the tool out of a satchel they’d brought with them.  

“Wait a minute.”  Cody tilted his head, looking at the vent another way.  “Sir, how exactly do you plan for us to go through there?”

“You’d crawl through.  There’s plenty of room.  Here watch.”  Anakin was  about to bend over to demonstrate.

“No, I see it.”  Obi-Wan nodded to Cody.  “If we crawl through, and there’s someone on the other side, it will be hard to defend when on your hands and knees.”  

Anakin shook his head.  By his expression Ahsoka could tell that he was running out of patience.  “How else do you suggest we get through the eight heavily occupied levels between us?  He’s my Son, Haar’chak!  Take your time, or come through if you're brave enough.  I’m going in.”

And Obi-Wan did try to grab him before he went through, but he slid into the vent shaft before he could get a grip on his arm.  Obi-Wan turned to say something, his words falling flat on his tongue.

“I understand.  Go after him.  We’ll try to push through the long way.”  

Obi-Wan nodded and with a parting, “Force be with you.” He crawled down after Anakin.   

“And with you master.”  Ahsoka muttered her prayer quietly before looking up at Cody.  

[scoobydoodean]

I just perused your tags about Dean’s narrative heart, and Sam’s motivations, and I’ve been full of thinky thoughts. There’s nothing to really disagree with in your premise, but I am trying to piece that together with something external to the story.

I knew before I watched the first episode that Sam was The Chosen One, but I didn’t really start watching until s12, and had some catching up to do. So I’m trying to wrap my head around making your Chosen One act so… morally grey. It’s a risky move, but I feel like if Kripke’s story had enough to keep us all so fascinated more than a decade after his personal involvement, maybe there’s a deeper reason Sam seems so young.

Maybe that’s just it, though. Whatever we think we know about his childhood, and Dean’s parentification, Sam is only 22. He’s not sheltered, but he is still maturing.I’m showing my creaky bones here, but to me, Sam behaves consistently with his age group. BUT he’s deliberately not presented against a backdrop of college kids, and Dean leaning into the macho party boy in the first few years sort of deflects from that, like sleight of hand.

And so Sam sliding from the Chosen One straight into addictive behaviours does make a strange kind of sense, because there’s part of the wound the addiction is patching up.

I’m sorry for rambling into your inbox, but I’m pretty interested in your thoughts on this.

I think maybe it helps to know that one of Kripke's influences was Star Wars and to consider this through that lens. Dean was partly based on Han Solo, and Sam was partly based on Luke Skywalker. Luke matures over the course of the original Star Wars trilogy, but he had some growing to do between episode IV and episode VI (and the fact that he has matured is something the characters specifically make note of in the jump from "The Empire Strikes Back" to "Return of the Jedi".

I also think it's reasonable to think Kripke decided to take Sam in a sort of hybrid Luke/Anakin direction after he completed the pilot (Star Wars Episode III where Anakin turns to the dark side came out in May of 2005, and Supernatural began airing that Fall). Playing out the Chosen One trope with Sam, in a Star Wars context means that him going grey and then dark is exactly what you want, because that's exactly what happens with Star Wars' Chosen One, Anakin. When we consider that the only people actually calling Sam The Chosen One in Supernatural are demons... well. Sam, the "chosen one", is actually destined to be used by the dark side (demons). He just doesn't know that in season 4 (or doesn't believe it).

In Star Wars, anger and hatred are considered primary tools of The Dark Side. Anger and hatred are big motivating factors for Sam in season 3 (where he really starts to turn morally grey) and 4, and season 5 is in some sense supposed to be about Sam maturing and learning to let go of some of his anger because it's something Lucifer (The Dark Side) can use (5.10, 5.11, 5.20). I'm not a big fan of anger being treated as "the bad emotion", but it is a big deal in Star Wars, and it helps make sense of what it means for Sam to have a chosen one storyline over the first 5 seasons.

Within that whole framework, there's also definitely a lot about growing up and becoming more mature (like Luke Skywalker did) and the tension of whether the protagonist will be consumed—essentially—by the ghost of his father (just like Vader initially tried to lead Luke to the dark side).

There's an intersection somewhere in this ask with "being the main character" I think? But I don't actually consider Sam to be the sole lead of Supernatural. From a story perspective, that simply hasn't ever been true whether Kripke intended it or not (and I don't even think he did. I think Sam functions as the sole lead in the pilot episode just like Hughie functions as the sole lead in the pilot for The Boys as a relatable vehicle for the audience to be introduced to the world. After that, we get Butcher and Homelander and everyone else and realize it's an ensemble show). Beyond the pilot, there is simply nothing that materially or narratively distinguishes Sam as a sole lead beyond Jared's name being first on the call sheet. He doesn't get more screen time than Dean (Dean gets more in almost every season and there are several episodes Sam is barely in), Sam doesn't get more dialogue than Dean, the found family does not center around Sam (it centers around his brother). He isn't even centered as the most competent fighter in action sequences. I don't say that to suggest Sam isn't a lead, but that seasons 1-5 are about Sam and Dean, and both are leads, which means Sam can be morally grey and even unlikeable at times (and so can Dean) as long as the brothers contrast/oppose one another in those circumstances so the audience doesn't become totally alienated. If Sam was actually the sole lead in any material way, they wouldn't have had the space to explore Sam's "dark side" this deeply, I think. At least not without entirely reframing what kind of story Supernatural is/what it's about.

[gffa]

(Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi: "From a Certain Point of View")

"You left me! Don't leave me! You left me! Don't leave me. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll kill you. I'll--!" Yes, yes, AND YES. This is Obi-Wan's perspective on that moment when he's thrown into the netherworld of the Force after his death, revisiting the moment that Vader killed him, hearing and feeling Anakin's thoughts--I hate you, how dare you still believe in me, you don't know what I've done, I hate you, you left me, don't leave me, I hate you, I love you, I'll kill you, don't leave me, I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll--! This is what makes Anakin Skywalker such a tragic character, this is what makes his relationship with Obi-Wan hurt so much, why it's so perfectly tied in with the OWK series, where he's obsessed with Obi-Wan because he loved Obi-Wan and now he hates him and loves him and can't accept Obi-Wan's forgiveness or love, because he can't forgive himself, but he can't stand to be alone, that's always been Anakin's core fear--he can't stand being alone. But he can't tolerate having people love him anymore, either, so he can only reroute everything into hating Obi-Wan obsessively, because as long as he's hatefully obsessed with Obi-Wan--and trying to make Obi-Wan hate him back--if you really loved me, Obi-Wan, you would hate me like I hate you, because I really loved you and now I hate you--so that Obi-Wan will be tied to him forever, so Obi-Wan won't leave him. He can't accept Obi-Wan being with him out of love, because he doesn't believe that it could be true, not after what he's done, so the only way he can make Obi-Wan stay with him is by trying to force Obi-Wan to hate him back, but Obi-Wan won't hate him back, Obi-Wan won't stay in the dark here with him, so Anakin hates him, hates him for leaving again, for not being here in the pain and misery and suffering of the dark side with him, so he'll kill Obi-Wan, he'll kill him, kill him, kill him, even if it means: FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW:  THERE IS ANOTHER by Gary D. SchmidtAnd it was right at that moment–at that exact moment–that Yoda felt Obi-Wan grow suddenly stronger, and stronger, and stronger, and then move in a quick burst into the netherworld of the Force.  And Yoda felt Anakin fall even more deeply into painful loneliness.  A loneliness so terrible that Yoda almost felt pity for him.

[phoenixyfriend]

Put together a rec list for a reddit question but I can't get the list to post so I'm trying it this way instead.

r/SWFanfic • 1 hr. ago zephrry Star Wars long fics where Anakin doesn't fall to the dark side? I'm looking for well-written/characterized, Anakin-centric long fics (or series) where he doesn't become Darth Vader/turn to the dark side. I don't have a preference for whether or not the Republic stands or falls in the AU. Bonus points if Ahsoka is a major character, though this isn't necessary. Just no time travel fics, please!

---------------------

Here's a couple, though I admit I played a little fast and loose with the definition of 'longfic' here, and I wasn't entirely sure if you wanted just RotS divergence fics.

THIS IS THE BEST MATCH FOR YOUR REQUEST:

Well It Goes Like This by orphan_account - Anakin changes his mind at the last moment and doesn't go to confront Palpatine with Mace Windu and co, rather saves a creche clan and escapes Coruscant when the clones invade the Temple.

into the desert by That_Ghost_Kristoff, TheElusiveBadger - Author describes it as A very expansive "Anakin doesn't go to the Dark Side" AU that will, hopefully, extend into the sequels, so very much a match.

The rest of these are just in order of how they appeared in my bookmarks:

In Your Dreams! by Exonerin - Obikin - E-rated

Speak no Evil also by Exonerin - Obikin - E-rated

Sigil of the Krayt by rejectedbard - gen, but takes place mostly in the period immediately post-TPM

Echo's Invitation by Sherlockian_nonsequitur - Anidala, Anakin/501st, fem!Anakin, E-rated

I will be keeping our memories by IronCannon - Obikin, E-rated, omegaverse

Ner Kar'ta by Loveobiwantobits - Jangobi - contains both E-rated and sfw fics - omegaverse

Ghost of Tatooine by SarcasticSketches - this is... sort of applicable? Vader exists, but so does Anakin. This fic works on the idea that Sith *literally* kill what is left of themselves, and so the good Anakin is haunting Luke

Sith Lightning, Paperwork, and Other Extreme Sports by DeadStarsRising - ongoing but the planned result is Anakin not falling - background Anidala

edge of providence by adiduck (book_people), whimsicalimages - this is an AMAZING fic, one of my favorites, starts a few years prior to AotC but ends around then - Jangobi

The Creche by Blue_Sunshine - Obikin, sfw

Skywalker Seduction Method by Revna14 - sfw (it's all chatfic) - Anidala, Blyla, and various background ships

Kneading by Threebea (Beewaggle) - G-Rated, Jangobi

Accidental Verd’alor by BairnSidhe - Jangobi, sfw

light by loosingletters - spans Anakin's apprenticeship and largely circles around the Jedi doing their best for him

Binary System by Cimila - Jangobi E-rated

Jedi Shmi AU by MirandaTam - what it says on the tin

Conceal Me Verse by Himboskywalker - Obikin, omegaverse, E-rated

Legally Blonde Jedi AU by Trixree - Lawyer!Obi-Wan/Maul raising Anakin (Maul has been rehabilitated, none of them are Jedi but they're also not dark)

Deliver Us AU by Bittodeath - while it's Jangobi, the fic is SO heavy on the way Obi-Wan is raising Anakin, and it's over 400k words

between pole and tropic by Anonymous - non-fallen Anakin, fallen-in-RotS!Obi-Wan

Viridescent Skies by DarthSnug (themikeymonster) - ageswap of Anakin and Obi-Wan

Senator Obi-Wan AU by BeanieBaby - eventual Obikin, but it's got a very fun Anakin characterization

Soft Wars by Project0506 - not all the fics, but plenty of them

Be Careful What You Sith For by 11paruline44  - backward Anidala and Obitine, but it’s not a major focus

[wickedwitchofthegalaxy]

☞︎𝐿𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝐻𝑜𝓅𝑒☜︎

𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔: 𝑨𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝑿𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈: NSFW, Dark Themes, Psychological manipulation, Power dynamics, BDSM themes, Angst, Canon divergence

𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉: 1.1K

𝒮𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎: Anakin Skywalker is running out of options. The Jedi Council has sent him to you. He doesn’t want your help, but you are the only one left who can keep him from falling too far. In a game of control and defiance, you’re his last hope.

𝒩𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈: Little somethin’ somethin’🤭 I’d like to write a whole BOOK about them but I’ll let y’all tell me if it’s worth it. As always, banners by @cafekitsune !

𝐸𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎 🖤

The room was sterile. The Council sat in a circle in the center, their robes shifting like ghosts in a cavernous, cold room. The hum of the air seemed to steal all warmth, all life, from the space. Shadows clung to the corners like secrets, but their faces—detached, disassociated—were illuminated under harsh lighting. No one spoke at first, as if the weight of the decision had already crushed the life out of them. And it had.

"Anakin Skywalker," Master Windu began, his voice a low rasp, "has proven himself to be... unreliable."

A pause. The room tightened like a fist around the words.

"Unorthodox," Obi-Wan added, barely a whisper, but it carried the sting of a reprimand. "Dangerously so."

The soft buzz of the air returned, heavy with the lack of fear and disappointment.

"Slipping he is," Master Yoda's voice cracked through the silence, old as time, yet still absolute with the weight of truth. "Too close to the edge. The dark side... waits for him."

So this is why I’m here, you thought. You were part of the machinery, an unseen piece of the puzzle, but always necessary when the Jedi couldn’t keep their prodigal sons in line. The Council had you in their back pocket, only pulling you out when their precious Jedi grew too unruly.

"A test," Windu said. His eyes were sharp as they locked with yours. "The same as before. Anakin Skywalker will need... guidance. From you. Like you once did for Obi-Wan. It’s already been decided, there is nothing more to say at this point."

Your eyes flicked over the Council. All of them—distant, cold. One by one, their eyes turned away. The truth wasn’t theirs anymore.

"Then consider it done," you replied, your voice soft yet stark. "He’ll come. They always do. We both know what happens when a Jedi doesn't follow the rules."

The room fell silent again.

Your role was set. His punishment had been decided.

Anakin wasn’t used to being told what to do, in battle or in life. And certainly not by someone like her.

Her eyes didn't twinkle with the promise of submission. No. They were cold, calculating, like an executioner who knew his work was necessary but hated it all the same. She stood there, calm as death itself, under the dim lights of her ‘sanctum’- as she called it.

He walked in without permission, not bothering to wait for an invitation. His boots hit the ground hard, the thud echoing in the room. "So," he sneered, crossing his arms. His presence seemed to fill the room, every crack and cranny filling with his superiority. "This is what the Council thinks will solve my problems? Not a Jedi. Not a Master. Just… you.” He spat the words out like it was bitter. Like it tasted wrong in his mouth.

You had seen men like him before—heroes in their own minds, lost causes in the making. It didn’t phase you anymore—not that it did much to begin with, but even less nowadays.

“You think too much of yourself,” you reply, voice flat. “You think too much in general, and that makes you, Skywalker, a problem.”

His nostrils flared, a fire sparking bright in his eyes. “I don’t need you to fix me. I don’t need fixing. You think you can control me?" he said, his voice low and challenging, as his shoulders tense.

You smiled, but it wasn’t kind and your gaze never wavered. You tilt your head, the faintest smile curling at the edges of your lips. "Control is an illusion," you say softly. "But understanding... that’s something else entirely. Tell me, Skywalker. How much are you willing to sacrifice to maintain your power?”

His lips parted, and for a second, you saw it—the anger, the desperation. And just underneath it, that flicker of fear he was too afraid to confront.

Got him.

“You’ll come to me willingly, in the end,” you say, voice a whisper of a promise. You stepped forward, slow and deliberately, meeting his broad stance. “Not for the Council, and not because you’re broken. But because you need someone who’s stronger than you. Someone who knows your limits better than you do.”

He laughed, that hollow, bitter sound, as he shifted his weight. “I’ve fought wars, faced enemies most would run from. I’ve been trained by the best. No one knows my limits better than I do.”

“No one,” she agreed, “is willing to push you the way I will. So… shall we begin?”

The door to her ‘sanctum’ slid open with a whisper of metal, and Anakin stomped inside, his boots hitting the floor with deliberate thuds. The air was thick with tension, heavier now—like a storm that had been brewing. He was here again, whether he wanted to be or not.

This time, he came with a plan. He wouldn’t be anyone’s puppet. Not hers. Not the Council’s.

You stood in the middle of the room, your posture as poised and perfect as ever. Your sharp eyes locked on his the moment he entered. She’s wearing that outfit again, the same one as before, all black and smooth, some kind of material that water would just flow off. He thinks, before shaking his head to focus on the words he had practiced before coming in.

“I’m fine,” he establishes, his voice steady, but even to him, it sounded hollow. He stopped midway across the room, trying to stake his ground. "I don’t need you."

Your lips curved, just slightly, a smile full of disbelief. “Really?” Your voice laced with knowing, but your expression remaining calm. “Then tell me, Anakin, why does every fiber of your being scream for something more? Why do you feel so... unsettled?”

He clenched his fists, the muscles in his jaw tightening. He couldn’t look you in the eyes. Every time he tried to hold your eyes, his focus and his thoughts scattered, and he found himself lost in that damnable calm of yours.

“You’re losing yourself,” you continue, as if you had seen it all before. You stepped forward, closing the gap he had tried to place. “And that scares you. You’re losing the thing you thought you had a handle on, that piece of you that made everything make sense. But you can’t stop it. Am I getting warmer?”

The words hit him like a physical punch. His breath came faster, chest rising with every inhale as he crosses his arms over himself. You watch him closely, your gaze never leaving his face. There was no cruelty in your eyes, no mocking. Just an understanding so deep it unsettled him even more.

“Thought so,” You counter to his silence, your voice almost a whisper now, yet laden with the gravity of galaxies. You stepped even closer to him, narrowing the space between you. Your presence is suffocating, even if you were inches smaller than him, and your closeness makes his chest tighten.

“Kneel, Skywalker.”