Author's note: I got the inspiration for this fic while seeing RotS for the third time, when it shows that shot of Evil Anakin looking out at the lava on Mustafar. I wanted to run out of the theater right then to start writing it, but I just had to see the rest of the movie again! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. No really, I don't.

There is No Emotion

On a balcony overlooking Mustafar's fiery landscape, Lord Vader stood, watching the immense lava flow run off the cliff. The heat was overwhelming, everywhere he looked he saw fire. He recalled feeling like that, not very long ago. He remembers how the flames of passion ate away at his heart. He remembers the feeling of utter dread, the fear of losing the only person who really mattered in his life. He remembers the feeling that his heart was too heavy to bear, that every thought brought pain, that it was all too much, that he would do anything, anything, just to rid himself of the fear, the pain.

Yes, he remembers very well. He does not feel that way now. Now, he feels only power. Nothing will ever take her from him, nothing. He will not let it. He will never feel helpless again. Fear is only a bitter memory, and a fading one at that. What does he have to fear now? The war is over. He has brought peace to the Empire. The Jedi traitors have been eradicated, as have the separatist filth. With his new powers he will be able to keep the ones he loves with him always.

No, he does not feel fear. Nor does he feel dread, or pain, for they are memories as well. They can not touch him now. He is above such weakness.

He does not realize what he no longer feels.

Honor is gone, replaced by pride and arrogance. Justice is gone, replaced by greed and lust for power. Love is not gone, not quite yet. Anger and hatred have not driven it from him fully. A small glimmer of hope remains. But he is oblivious to all of this to all of this. He is so blinded by power he cannot see it slowly destroying the man he once was. That glimmer of hope can not shine forever. It is growing dimmer.

He thinks about Obi-Wan. There was a time when he considered him like a brother. Now, he knows he is a traitor, like the rest. The betrayal would hurt, if he could still feel compassion enough to care.

The heat from the lava made his eyes sting and water. To an observer, it might have looked as if he were crying. But that was impossible. There was no emotion left in him to invoke tears.

Author's note 2: For anyone who's been reading my other story, "Burdened One," the next chapter is not going well. Sorry to leave you waiting like this, but I have writer's block. I'm open to suggestions!