Your Skills Are Complete
by epithree
Genre: Alternate Universe
Characters: Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, The Emperor
Author's Notes: This is an extreme AU and here is a brief mention of important details-
Ben stuck with Owen's story when telling Luke about his past.
Ben told Luke that Darth Vader was once his apprentice and a Jedi Knight.
Ben didn't reveal the name of his apprentice, so Luke has no knowledge of the name Anakin Skywalker.
Darth Vader didn't reveal the big secret to Luke at Bespin.
Yoda and Ben didn't tell Luke about his relationship with Leia.
Summary: This story explores the outcome of RoJ's epic duel with a twist. Luke has no knowledge that he is related to Darth Vader and Leia.
Disclaimer: Star Wars is not mine. Just playing with the sand.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
~Preface~
Luke Skywalker, the newest and lone Jedi Knight, sat quietly upon the hard durasteel surface of his holding cell. He was aboard Darth Vader's personal shuttle en route to the Emperor's ultimate weapon.
With his legs crossed, Luke had entered into a meditative state. The calming technique had been one of master Yoda's teachings.
A pair of stormtroopers stood outside the tiny prison, guarding the door as Darth Vader had commanded.
The Dark Lord of the Sith was seated regally in his private meditation chamber, anticipating the confrontation that was to come. He knew that the two incompetent guards would be enough, for Luke had no intention of escaping. The boy would see this through, and his compassion for the dark lord would be his undoing.
Luke had recently found comfort in meditating. The young Jedi hadn't opened his eyes since the imperial shuttle had launched from the sanctuary moon. His thoughts still dwelled on his experiences upon Endor. Specifically, he focused on his conversation with Darth Vader.
The intense talk had taken place within the attached bunker of an Endor landing pad. Luke had been taken there by the group of imperials who he had surrendered to. And it was there that Luke had boarded Darth Vader's shuttle for his trip to the Emperor.
During the exchange, Luke attempted to lure Vader away from the hold of the dark side, but the dark lord would not be swayed. He explained that he must obey his master, and that Luke was unaware of the dark side's true power.
Why Luke felt empathy for the dark lord was a bit of a mystery to the boy. Though he was aware of the many atrocities committed by the Sith, he still felt a strange connection to Darth Vader. Perhaps the stories that Obi-Wan Kenobi had told the boy triggered Luke's ability to detect good in the dark lord. Ben had shared much about Darth Vader's past with Luke, and the fact that the dark lord was once a revered Jedi Knight fascinated the boy.
How could a Jedi abandon the light? Luke still felt good in his masked rival, and believed that the Emperor hadn't driven it from him fully.
Was it possible that Darth Vader could be redeemed? Luke was hoping for that to be the case, and triumph over the Emperor would depend on it.
The force was telling young Luke that his strategy would have to be bold. He decided that an appeal to the good left in Darth Vader would be the best tactic.
And so it would be. Luke would endeavor to turn the dark lord back to the light. Once again, master Yoda came to Luke's mind. The boy would either succeed or not, for trying was never an option.
~Entry 1~
Although it was only a quick, realspace trip from Endor to the space station, the flight seemed to decelerate for young Luke.
Yoda's teachings were paying off. Through Luke's meditative techniques, time actually felt as if it were stretching out before the boy. This gave him an ample period in which to focus upon his thoughts and feelings before the predicted confrontation.
It was true. Ever since he had faced Darth Vader upon Bespin, Luke felt a distinct connection with the dark lord. Now, sitting there calmly in his cell, Luke delved into his thoughts, which were still dwelling on the exchange between himself and Vader.
The talk they had within the Endor bunker played out in Luke's head again and again. It was the first time Luke had been face to face with the dark lord since their epic duel on Bespin. And the year between meetings had made all the difference.
Luke was in control during the latter encounter, for the boy had become a Jedi Knight. He was calm and composed, and Darth Vader recognized his mastery over his own fear.
The boy had become a Jedi Knight.
Luke couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as he thought about it. Something Vader had said was resonating throughout the boy's mind. He recalled the line.
"I see you've constructed a new lightsaber."
Yes, Luke's greatest source of pride and honor was his newly constructed lightsaber. The boy was pleased that Vader had taken notice. Up to that point, Luke still had doubts about himself, and what he could accomplish. Again, that conversation had changed everything. Never before had Luke been so confident that he was truly a Jedi.
Luke's thoughts shifted to Tatooine, as he clearly remembered creating the impressive hilt. It was just before his pilgrimage to Jabba's palace, where his new abilities would be tested for the first time.
All of Luke's friends had left to rescue Han from the clutches of the vile gangster. Yes, his friends who meant so much to him. Leia, Chewie and Lando, and the droids had all infiltrated the palace already. Luke would be the last to arrive, and when he did, Jabba would get a taste of his powers.
Luke had desperately needed that time alone, to find himself and hone his skills. He had spent much of the time learning the meditating techniques he was using now. The fact that he had done all this at Ben's Tatooine hut was most special to Luke.
Ah yes, Ben's hut.
It had been a sanctuary for the young boy. The home of his mentor, the hut represented many things to Luke. It was a place where the force flowed freely. Luke had never before tapped into the mystical energy field so easily. His solitude at Ben's hut had allowed him to grow stronger with the force.
Of course, it was also the place where Luke had completed the difficult task of constructing his new lightsaber. Luke welcomed the snap-hiss of ignition when he first turned on the device. Expecting the hilt to explode, Luke took pride in the soothing hum of the saber. It had worked. Knighthood was upon him.
Luke recalled placing the lightsaber hilt within the compartment upon Artoo's dome. Without opening his eyes, Luke smiled as the musing flooded his psyche.
Suddenly, Luke's deliberation shifted back to Darth Vader and Endor. He thought hard about Vader's next line.
"Your skills are complete."
Was it true? According to Ben and Yoda, Luke would not be a full-fledged Jedi Knight until he faced Darth Vader once more. And in a way the boy had done just that. The confrontation at the Endor landing pad had been trying enough. However, Luke knew that the conflict to come would be far more intricate.
Not only would he face Darth Vader again, but he would also be brought before the dark lord's emperor. If that was what it took to become a true Jedi Knight, then Luke would accept it as his destiny. Still, hearing Vader speak those words had caused the boy to brim with confidence. He felt more like a Jedi than ever before.
Luke Skywalker was indeed powerful, as the Emperor had foreseen. He would heed Yoda's warning, and not underestimate the abilities of both dark lords. Luke would not allow overconfidence to become his weakness.
~to be continued