I was just a child when you took me in – strictly under your Master’s dying command – and gave me your version of life. You rescued me from what would have been my doom, gave me a home, and gave me a chance to be someone. I thank you greatly for that. Eventually, you became the father-figure that was never in my life.
But though you took me in, you held me at a distance. You were aloof – full of praise when I did something right, but aloof nonetheless. And I idolized you. I always wanted to be like you. But you… you loathed me because I was the one he wanted. You said you were ready, but you weren’t much more ready to leave him than I was to leave my mother.
And you knew I would be great. You knew it. And still you held me back from being the greatest. You were afraid of my power, but your fear could not contain me. Master Yoda was right about one thing.
“Fear leads to Anger.” Your fear of me made you angry. It was your anger. Your anger over not being the best.
Anger leads to Hate.” A mutual hatred, I’m sure. By the time I was sixteen, I knew I had surpassed you. I had learned all I could from you, but you wouldn’t hear of it. You couldn’t have your own pupil upstage you. By then, I hated you as much as you hated me.
“Hate leads to Suffering.” Oh yes…you will suffer. The entire order will know the sweet sting of pain, and the humiliation of crying for help. Their pleas will not go unheard, but will not be answered.
I can make it happen. After all, I am the Chosen One.
There was a time when I’d have given my life for you. I’d have done anything to have you accept me. Want me. Love me, even. But you had given your life to the order. The only person you loved was yourself.
Yes, I know that now. I know that you knew you weren’t the best though I had hoped with all my heart you were. I hoped it so you could teach me to be better than the best. But you weren’t able. I know that you knew how hard it was going to be to watch me succeed where you failed. But here’s the thing, Obi-Wan… I have, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it now. I’m over you in a way you could never be over me. You are the subservient now. I will tell you what to do.
Your kind is dead. A defunct society of ravers and lunatics. Those who guarded their secrets so well – so fiercely. Those who guarded peace and justice.
It appears to me that you let your guard down.
Chancellor Palpatine knew I would be great. He encouraged me. He loved me the way you never could. And now the universe is his – a plaything for the wicked and cruel.
He brought me back from the edge of destruction. He took my ruined body and fashioned a new one, gave me life and breath once more – pulled me from the grasp for The Force and made me great. He handed me the universe to care for. The planets are but puppets, and I am the puppeteer. I control it just as I will control you.
Yes, Obi-Wan. I will control you. I will have my way with you, and yes, I will be the death of you. Just give me time. My plans will succeed. I have destroyed your life, just as you have mine. I will ruin your will. Then, I will annihilate you.
I am greater now than you could ever hope to be. Just to stand in my presence makes mere mortals shudder with excitement. I am.
Chosen.
That doddering old fool you called Master was right about one thing – I am The Force. I control it – bend it to my will and break those that would stand in my way. Just as I will break you. Just wait, Kenobi.
You loved me? I was like your brother? Mere tools of the force used to confuse me; to muddle my mind - words are so unnecessary. You would have been better off to turn and leave me, rather than spout such obscenities. I AM DARTH VADER. You have no power over me. You took my mother from me. You tried to drain my power. You took my wife, and you left me for dead.
I know your plans. I know where you hide, and the secret that you keep. I know that child you watch is my son – the light of the Force to me, just as she was. But you ruined even her – made her the monster which you knew I would fear.
Then you stole my child from me – ripped him from my grasp like expensive robes from the hands of a beggar. One day, dear Master, he will come to me. He will be my son, not some hopeless prodigy you hope to train into bringing balance to The Force.
He is not the chosen one.
But I am. I am the prophecy. I am the balance. And one day, I will prove that. I will fulfill my destiny, and you will be helpless to stop me. You will beg at my feet. The universe will bend to my command. Even you.
In time, you will learn to call me Master.