HEROES AND VILLAINS By Kondoru.
Alternative ending to RotJ
Standard Disclaimers.
Thanks to Budgie for Beating.
This is a Vader Lives! Fic. I have read several fics about the redemption of Darth Vader, few of them satisfying. I believe saving him would be as long and a painful road as him falling to the Dark Side...If he can be saved.
And certain people do not want to see him saved at all.
Chapter One; In Which Darth Vader is Gibbeted.
Captain Hemmel looked around himself. He looked uneasily at his fellow Stormtroopers. He looked at the crowds of idle curious. He looked at the bright cityscape of Coruscant; capital of the Empire.
Which was now undergoing a slight political reshuffle.
The Emperor was now dead, and the esteemed leader of the Rebellion, Princess Leia Organa had declared Herself the honorary temporary de facto leader of the Empire.
(Whatever that was.) The 501st were now working for her, which at the moment meant keeping to barracks and not under her feet.
All except the Captain and his handpicked squad who were doing sentry duty.
He then looked at the item he and his squad had been ordered by this red haired young tyke to guard.
Things were not going well for a certain ex-Sith.
Darth Vader, the Emperors Fist, had not done at all well in the upheaval. At least, he had been courteously allocated a new job. His new role was of Dire Warning To Those Who Would Defy The Princess.
He was currently hanging in chains from a gibbet outside the Imperial Palace.
This gibbet was the final resting place of many a traitor to the Empire. That Darth Vader was still alive was a delicious truth, since he could now enjoy the irony of his fate.
He had been dangling now for nearly four days. Seemingly lifeless except for his breathing and a few words.
Every so often Princess Leia would come out and admire her handiwork. "Still alive, Vader?" she would ask.
"Good morning, Princess" He would reply.
"It's afternoon," she would reply, "your sanity's slipping." She would tell him.
"Do you want me to pledge my allegiance to you today?" He would ask with extreme politeness.
"That's very noble of you, you Hutt spawned walking junk heap, but I'm sorry I do not require your services." She replied. "Anyhow, you are doing just fine strung up."
"I'm so happy to be of service." Darth Vader never begged, he never pleaded for anything. By now he should be dying of thirst, at least. (Was there even a man underneath the suit?) "Don't you like me?"
"I would like you much better if you vomited in your mask."
At that she would leave; smugness in every step.
Captain Hemmel had a good scan around again.
He came to a decision.
Unslinging his canteen he stepped up to the Gibbet. But how to get it into his limp charge?
He held out the canteen. "I have water." He announced, "can you tell me how you drink? You do need to drink, don't you?"
"Captain..." the word came out with a sigh. "I cannot see very well...it is Captain Hemmel is it? I remember your voice."
Of course he would.
"Did I ever issue you an order?"
"Sir!"
"My mind is...Unreliable...I told the 501st that in future they would take orders from Leia Organa...Yes?"
Captain Hemmel was weeping underneath his helmet.
Darth Vader gave a shudder. "I distinctly remember this." He gave a big sigh under the grim mask. "She told you to guard me."
"Yes, Master."
"Did she say anything about giving me water or nutrients?" He paused menacingly, "I may of course be mistaken, can you remember what she said?"
Captain Hemmel was really in for it now. "Something like `Hang that heap of junk in chains outside the Imperial palace gates, and guard him; see that he is given no succour by his sympathisers.` she said."
"I remember now." Darth Vader agreed. "I want you to remember such terms as `heap of junk`, `succour`, `none of that` and `possible sympathisers`? Please do not tell me you are a sympathiser?"
Captain Hemmel didn't rise to that.
"Can I humbly request as a prisoner that my guards listen to their superiors?" He paused, clearly exhausted, "It is a very poor thing when guards reinterpret orders. I would not have stood for it when I was in charge."
There was a hint of pressure around Captain Hemmels neck (or was he imagining things?)
But nothing more happened.
Princess General Leia wrapped her cloak more firmly around her. (Not General Princess, which would have sounded silly.) Time for her daily prisoner inspection.
Darth Vader never rose to the jibes of his daughter. Except once.
She strode down the steps trailed by her smirking guard (an untidy mix of Rebels and 501st.)
"I hope you are not getting into any mischief?" she asked Darth Vader.
"I was not," protested the captive Sith. "I was contemplating my role within the Galaxy, which is to hang here and remind the Empire of Your Greatness."
In reply to that she gave him a little push, so that he swung back and forth.
"Also I was telling Captain Hemmel here about war crimes."
"He was my lady." The Captain agreed with improper swiftness.
"What did I say?" Darth Vader prompted.
"Um, that war crimes trials are customarily conducted by the WINNER, that is, not us Imperials." Hemmel said.
Darth Vader gave a nod. "And that `only obeying orders` is not considered a valid defence. This means me...And everyone else."
"Don't worry, my lord, I am issuing pardons to all of the 501st." Leia said sweetly.
"And may they serve you as well as they ever did me."
Captain Hemmel pointed to his charge. "He's an honorary member of the 501st."
Darth Vader would have face palmed if he had been able.
Princess Leia had to smile. "What does he do?"
You could hear the smile in Captain Hemmels voice "He's our mascot, Princess. Seeing as he doesn't move around much." He gestured to his squad "Isn't that true?"
His squad all nodded their agreement.
Leia put on a thoughtful look. "That's nice, boys...Would you be so kind as to lend him as a figurehead for my new Super Star Destroyer?"
Mentally Darth Vader was cursing the ingenuity of Captain Hemmel.
Luckily this encounter had no unfortunate results.
Luke Skywalker came and visited his father every day. He was deeply disturbed as to Leia's harsh treatment of her nemesis. He hoped this was just a phase, when his twin found that their mutual sire wasn't going to rise to her bullying tactics, she would lose interest.
Everything was as it had been the previous day. The chained and dangling Dark Lord, and his Stormtroopers who guarded him…But from what?
Darth Vader whimpered in the first sign of suffering he had given since he was strung up, several days before.
"Luke...I'm not your father." He said.
"But..." strangled Luke.
"I'm not worthy to be yours or anyone else's father. I'm a disgrace to you, to your sister and I have dishonoured all Jedi." He snarled in self-loathing. "Leia's quite right to string me up like this."
"You saved me...And in return you almost died." Luke sobbed. "This is pretty poor payment for saving my life."
Darth Vader would have shrugged if his bonds had allowed him to. "Political upheaval, Commander Skywalker," he said. "Sadly it also affects the economy." Darth Vader paused. "Rampant inflation. Currently it stands at a Super Star Destroyer for a drink of water...The entire 501st Legion for some of my nutrient drip...Coruscant, the wealthiest planet in the Empire for the privilege of being hung upright...And half the galaxy for the right to a trial."
Luke shook his head in sadness.
"That is what I have been reduced to." He paused. "I want you to publically disown me."
"No!" Luke took a step back in shock. "After all the years I have spent waiting for you!"
Darth Vader grunted in disgust. "You waited for Anakin Skywalker…Did you not?" He gave a rictus grin under his mask. "I doubt very much you wasted your time waiting for the Dark Lord." He nodded to himself. "I want you to disown me…Before the public confuse you with me and my crimes."
"No! I have you now and I won't let go!"
"And it was me who always got those lectures on Non-attachment?"
The next day his father was pensive…And silent.
Luke waited for him to start.
"So what do they intend doing with me?" Vader asked finally.
Luke gave a shrug. "I don't know yet." he sighed "I don't like to see you hung up like a trophy."
Darth Vader sighed. "I'm not anything other than your general's trophy now; my cybernetics are wrecked and I cannot move. I'm a useless, broken thing."
"This is so unfair! You should be treated like any other defector!"
"I'm not any other defector." His father reminded him. "My crimes are so terrible it's not like I can just walk away from them."
"There!" Leia gestured grandly. "He's all yours."
A stranger stepped from behind the Princess General, she was a distinctive turquoise skinned Twi'lek, with a huge predatory smile on her face. "Good afternoon, my lord." She smirked.
This was Etsi Yanadai, a currently popular talk show hostess. Darth Vaders heart sank. "And what are you up to now?" he asked. This notorious celebrity would have rare sport with him. (As she did with all who encountered her.)
"I'm here to speak to you about current affairs…Seeing as you are uniquely placed to assess them." The scoundrel opened.
"Oh."
"Behave yourself you kriffing bastard, and no swearing in Huttese in front of the holos." Leia warned sternly.
"Echuta!" Darth Vader said boredly.
In reply Leia gave him a massive shove that sent him swinging back and forth, chain groaning.
Captain Hemmel stepped forwards and silently stopped the unwanted pendulum motion of the 501sts mascot. Miss Etsi laughed mirthlessly.
Darth Vader knew when he was defeated. "Where do we start?" He said in bemusement. "The problematic relationship of me and my daughter?"
"I was wondering if you had to say anything about the Princess Generals policies."
"Regarding me?" He paused "Or something more general?" Darth Vader shook his head. "She's a bossy young lady who has been involved in politics since before she was potty trained."
Etsi had to smile. "Is that true?"
"Oh, yes, like her mother, Leia is a thoroughly political animal…A Nexu, possibly. One who jumps on her prey and shakes it to death." He gestured with his one remaining hand. "I have always tried to avoid politics…Yes, I know that might be a strange statement from the Emperors Fist…I have never had a policy of my own beyond doing his will." He told her firmly. "I was simply the man who did his will."
The young Twi'lek was a little disappointed at that. "Is that all?"
He gave a raspy sigh. "I offered my expertise in enforcing to the Princess…And she told me she did not require my services." He shuddered. "Leia is such a hard as nails bitch that she doesn't need the likes of me to bully for her." Vader sighed. "She then kicked me in the unmentionables. I have well armoured unmentionables, but her kick hurt."
Even Captain Hemmel laughed at that. Darth Vader smiled under his hame. He had broken the ice.
"So…Now I'm happy."
"Happy?"
"I'm happy to have the Emperor out of my head, I am happy to be free of the Dark Side, I'm happy my 501st are being looked after." He nodded slowly. "I'm really doing very well of late."
"Are you?" She asked.
"In my life I have suffered so horribly that I have to cherish the few crumbs of goodness fate may dole out to me. And I have a son…"
"Luke Skywalker is your son?"
"He is the son I do not deserve. He comes and visits me every day, -not to poke and taunt, like the Princess, but to reassure me. He holds my hand." He sighed, "I cannot feel it, my cybernetics were fried in the battle on the second death star, and they are just inert lumps of metal now. But I appreciate the kindness." He shook his head. "My sons become a Jedi," and there was wonder in Darth Vaders voice. "He's following in Anakin Skywalkers footsteps, and will now devote his life to peace and justice. A father could not want better."
"And your daughter?"
Darth Vader gave his gruffing laugh. "My daughter, who I never like to speak of, is indeed the person who takes after me…and not her mother."
"Your Princess is putting you on trial."
"So it's been decided then? Ah well. Just as I was getting used to the view." He sniffed. "I hope she isn't going to waste too much of the taxpayers money on me."
"Do you think you deserve a trial?" Etsi asked.
"Oh ho! Deserve a trial! I am the Emperors Palpatine's enforcer! When he orders me to make an example, I go out! I blow things up! I destroy! I kill all before me!" Darth Vader paused, pleased at his outburst. "I don't fuss over legalities!" He was silent for a minute. "Now…Do you think `I` deserve a trial? My crimes are heinous and plain for all to see."
Etsi shook her head sadly. "Do you believe that this trial will be fair?"
Darth Vader shook his head. "How could anyone be objective about me? I'm a Sith…Even to overlook my acts…Which I will admit have been awful. The Emperor made me into a monster." He paused. "I'm afraid that due to centuries of Jedi propaganda, the Sith have a bad name."
"So you have doubts as to the legal process."
"I have no doubts as to the legal process…I have doubts about the sentients of the Galaxy. Let me give you a simple demonstration." He looked from Etsi to Captain Hemmel, a dire plan forming in his mind. "Lady…Why don't you take a blaster off of the guards. Hemmel, will you kindly lend Miss Yanadai yours?"
Captain Hemmel stepped forwards. He handed his blaster to a reluctant Etsi. "Safety's here" he pointed it out. "Triggers here."
"There!" Darth Vader said triumphantly. "I am heavily armoured. My breathing apparatus is my vulnerable spot. There, under my chin. One point blank shot will destroy it…Even if the blast doesn't penetrate my mask and into my brain. Go on."
Etsi Yanadai for once in her garrulous career was lost for words.
"Go on. It's not like anyone will take legal action…Except perhaps to reward you for disposing of a nasty piece of rubbish." Darth Vader paused. "How does it feel to have the Galaxy's most notorious criminal at your complete and utter mercy?" He flexed under his bonds. "Feels good doesn't it?"
She whimpered.
"Power. That is what every living being craves. Power…And power over living beings. Can you think how I feel? I was born a slave. That was the start of my life. The first thing I learned was in the Galaxy there were only two types of beings. Can you guess what they are?"
"Slaves and Masters?" offered Etsi, hands shaking. She thumbed the safety back on.
"Yes, and do you know what I am?" He laughed grimly. "I was never the Master. I gained the power of the Force. I became the Emperors Fist…And yet I knew that if I ever displeased him…I would die. Often, I was stripped of my armour and beaten just to teach me my position in life. That is the Dark side, you have everything stripped of you, to teach you your desserts." He paused. "I lost my mother, my home, my friends, my lightsabre, my wife and children, my good health…I have lived in this suit now for over twenty years…Years that by rights I should not have. I had my name taken."
"What was your name?" Etsi felt suddenly very sorry for her victim.
Darth Vader shook his head. "The name of a man who was so above me that he would not lower himself to spurn me in the face. A man so great that I cannot even think of him, lest I remember how shameful I have become. He was the greatest Jedi to ever live. I am not him. Do not sully his memory by telling him what he has become." He snarled angrily "He would rather die than fall to the Dark Side as I have!"
"Tell me!" She brandished the blaster.
"Ask Luke Skywalker!" Was Darth Vaders reply. "So you don't want to kill me?"
She handed the blaster back to Captain Hemmel. "I'm not you."
"No. I hope you are a better person than me." Darth Vader showed no emotion over his close brush with oblivion. "I hope you remember the day you had the Dark Lord in your power…And let him live." He twitched. "Trial? I hope Leia enjoys herself with it. Me, I'm happy to remain here, watching the crowds."
This morning it was just not Luke, but Admiral Akbar and Mon Mothma…Two individuals who had been conspicuous by their absence these last days.
Luke took one look at his father. He said nothing, but his face was very grim.
The two Alliance leaders stepped forwards. "You are Darth Vader, the Lord of the Sith?" Mon Mothma asked.
"I hope there's been no mistake." Vader growled.
"Don't play the fool with us!" Mon Mothma gave him a shove.
"Could be anyone under the mask" Darth Vader said sadly. "Why, it might be someone you know, my Lady, someone like the `Hero With No Fear`" He laughed at the very idea of the Poster boy of the Jedi being under his mask.
Both of them knew each other from the Clone Wars.
"We will see." Growled the Senator. She turned to Akbar.
Admiral Akbar brought a flimsy out from under his arm. He unrolled it. "Darth Vader, the amount of serious crimes you have committed is beyond the belief of decent sentients everywhere. If we were to try you for them all, we would be here for the next several hundred years." He paused. "We are being unusually lenient and charging you with just one."
Darth Vader sighed. "I hope you have the decency to charge me with something worthwhile?"
The Admiral nodded. "Crimes Against Civilisation."
"Thank you! I was hoping for something worthy of my considerable talents!" The Dark Lord replied with grim pride.
"Don't act the ass, father." Luke folded his arms. He looked both satisfied and sad.
"And should I be found guilty…What is the penalty?" Darth Vader asked unhelpfully.
"We are working out something." Mon Mothma said, equally unhelpfully.
"I do want to know. I'm sure your worthy sister is sitting up all night plotting a dire fate for me, yes?"
Luke stomped off.
Mon Mothma looked sad. "I'm afraid the death penalty is definitely an option."
"Please don't patronise me by saying that!" Growled her victim. "I know you want to see me meet a sticky end!"
The Admiral lowered his pink head and blinked. "We won't talk you to death, I promise."
"It will be quick." Mon Mothma added. "We are not cruel."
Darth Vader nodded. "I plead guilty."
"Very well. Thank you for being co-operative." Akbar smiled all over his shiny face.