Anakin but also not?!

The return to Coruscant was met with the usual pomp and ceremony that had become routine since Anakin's rise as Emperor. Yet, as he stepped off his shuttle, his mind wasn't on the grandeur or the assembled dignitaries waiting to greet him. Instead, his thoughts were focused downward—on the neglected lower levels of the city-planet, where sunlight was a myth and hope a fleeting dream.

Standing at the edge of the Senate Plaza, he gazed into the distant depths, the glow of his vision illuminating his next objective. "No one deserves to live in eternal shadow," he muttered to himself.

Over the next several weeks, Anakin dedicated himself to the first phase of his "Clean-Up and Reform" initiative. While his advisors fussed over logistics and funding, Anakin cut through the bureaucracy like his lightsaber through durasteel.

"Start with the essentials," he instructed. "Food, water, medical supplies. Basic shelter where there is none. And bring in construction droids—thousands of them. If they can build star destroyers in orbit, they can repair the foundations of this world."

The changes began quickly. Massive convoys of supplies streamed into the undercity, guarded by clone troopers and led by Republic loyalists eager to earn favor with the Emperor. Entire sectors of the lower levels were cleared of rot and decay, replaced with modern infrastructure and open spaces. For the first time in living memory, artificial sunlight began to illuminate the depths, driving back centuries of darkness.

Anakin made personal visits to oversee the progress, his presence galvanizing the people. To the downtrodden masses of the lower levels, he became not just a ruler but a savior. They called him "Lord Skywalker," a title that carried an almost religious reverence. Children waved makeshift banners, crowds gathered to cheer his arrival, and countless voices rose in unison, thanking him for their newfound hope.

Word of the Coruscant transformation spread rapidly across the galaxy, inspiring similar efforts in other core worlds. Anakin's vision was clear: no more slaves, no more forgotten sectors, no more exploitation of the weak by the powerful.

"Justice and prosperity are not privileges," he declared in a holotransmission to the Senate. "They are rights. And as your Emperor, I will ensure that every being under my rule enjoys them."

The Senate's response was overwhelmingly supportive. After all, a prosperous Empire meant a stable one, and the image of Anakin as a benevolent ruler silenced even the most ardent skeptics—for now.

Amid the flurry of progress, a holocall from Master Yoda interrupted Anakin's plans. The diminutive Jedi appeared as a shimmering figure, his voice as calm and enigmatic as ever.

"A test for you, I have," Yoda said, his large eyes narrowing slightly. "Your resolve, your path, it will challenge. Come to Dagobah, you must."

Anakin raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "Dagobah, huh? Sounds like you're not just asking me to drop by for tea."

"Tea, I have," Yoda replied with a small smirk. "But not why you are needed, it is."

Anakin chuckled. "Fine. I'll come. But give me a little time. I've started something here, and I need to make sure it's in motion before I leave."

Yoda nodded. "Patience, I have. But waste it, you must not."

After weeks of preparation, Anakin finally left Coruscant. The reforms were underway, with Padmé overseeing much of the process in his absence. Before departing, Anakin ensured she had all the resources and authority needed to continue their vision. Their goodbye was brief but affectionate, a reminder of how far they'd come.

The journey to Dagobah was uneventful but gave Anakin time to reflect. He remembered Luke's journey to the shadowy cave on the swampy planet, where he had faced a manifestation of his own fears and darkness.

"The cave..." Anakin murmured as he piloted the ship. "If it's there waiting for me, I'll confront it head-on. No more running from what I was—or what I could become."

The dense, humid air of Dagobah hit him like a wall as he stepped off his ship. The swamp was as alive as he remembered it from his fragmented memories—teeming with life, buzzing with the energy of the Force. Yoda's small figure awaited him, seated on a moss-covered log.

"Welcome, you are," Yoda said, his voice almost drowned by the cacophony of the swamp.

Anakin nodded, striding forward. "Let's get to it. What's this test you've got for me?"

Yoda gestured toward the dense fog beyond the clearing. "Face it, you must. What lies within, only you will see."

Anakin took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing on him. He stepped into the fog, each step carrying him closer to the unknown.

The interior of the cave was oppressive, the darkness clinging to him like a second skin. Anakin ignited his lightsaber, the blue blade casting flickering shadows across the damp walls.

A figure emerged from the gloom—tall, imposing, draped in black. It was him, but not. The red glow of a Sith blade lit the dark visage of Darth Vader, a twisted reflection of what he could have become.

"No words?" Anakin asked, circling his shadowy counterpart. "Fine. Let's settle this."

The fight was fierce, their sabers clashing in blinding flashes of light. But as Anakin fought, he realized the truth: this wasn't just a duel. It was a confrontation with his own doubts, fears, and anger. Each strike brought clarity, and with one final blow, Anakin disarmed the specter and plunged his saber into its chest.

The shadow dissolved, leaving only Anakin, his breathing steady, his resolve stronger than ever.

When Anakin exited the cave, he felt different—lighter, yet stronger. Yoda watched him intently, his expression unreadable.

"Faced it, you have," Yoda said. "Stronger, you are. Ready, perhaps, for what lies ahead."

Anakin nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Master. Now, let's talk about what's next."

Dagobah had tested him, but Anakin emerged not just victorious, but more balanced than ever. With his mind clearer and his purpose reaffirmed, he was ready to continue shaping the galaxy—not as a tyrant, but as a true leader.