Author's Note: I'm probably going to get myself in a lot of trouble for this because now I've got three stories going at the same time. Well...actually four...since there is one I have kind of abandoned, "Lost in Time", which I should also work on. But if I don't get this idea out on paper per se, I'm going to burst.
Just for the record, I did actually finish my first fanfic, "Return to the Light". It was my first one, though, so the quality isn't as good as I would like. In fact, I started to rewrite it at one point but never finished it. I was just trying to figure out my writing style at the time.
Anyway...I have gotten off track so back to it. My first thought was to include part of this concept somehow into "Chance for Atonement", but I have much different ideas now on where I want to take that story now so that is no longer an option. I think it will be better as a separate story.
So...with Star Wars Episode VII scheduled for release sometime in 2015...I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for months now. It's evolved a bit but I think I finally have it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars and do not seek any financial gain for this story. Star Wars was created by George Lucas and is currently owned by Disney. This story is just being written for my enjoyment and hopefully the enjoyment of my readers. Also, to give credit where credit is due, I kind of got this idea from a plot idea I found on website called SuperShadow for Episode VII-IX. It's a very interesting plot idea, if you you're curious to read it; but I wasn't overly happy with it either so this is MY twist on that.
One more thing...many of the characters will be coming from the EU universe and I have only read a few of those books, so please bear with me if you are an avid EU reader. Wookieepedia is probably going to be my friend on this one. I bought a bunch of EU books a few years ago but only read a few of them. I guess I was kind of disappointed in the fact that Vader/Anakin doesn't really appear in them as a Force Ghost as Obi-Wan did throughout Episodes IV-VI. Although, he does briefly appear in "Tatooine Ghost", which I read cover to cover. But not enough for my taste. So part of this idea is coming from that book as well. A good book to read if you always wanted Leia to meet her father and forgive him, by the way.
Correction: "Tatooine Ghost" is still a good book to read as Leia explores Anakin Skywalker's past on Tatooine, very interesting. But he actually appears to her as a Force ghost in the novel, "The Truce at Bakura". My apologies on the error. It's been awhile since I've read these books.
Anyway...my author's note is getting longer and longer by the minute so I think I better end it here.
So on with the story, I would really like to know what your thoughts are on this one.
Prologue
"Rise, Lord Vader." The hooded, black cloaked figure stated as he looked down at the dark blond young man of about 30 years old who was bowing before him.
The young Sith dressed in all black with a long flowing cape looked up at his master with glowing yellow eyes. "Yes, my Master." Vader stated as he got to his feet.
"You have proven yourself ready to take on your next challenge, my young apprentice." The hooded figure told him as he put his right hand on Vader's left shoulder. "You and I will finally have our revenge against Luke Skywalker and his whole pitiful family."
The young Sith sneered at his master as he laughed evilly. "I look forward to that, my Master." He declared and then paused as he looked back at his master with arrogance. "The Sith will soon rule the galaxy again...just as you predicted. I can feel it. It is just a matter of time."
The dark cloaked figure also sneered beneath the cowl of his hood. Yes, Luke Skywalker will pay for his father's betrayal. It will most definitely not go unpunished.
Off in the corner of the cave, the ghostly figure of Anakin Skywalker, wearing brown Jedi robes, gave off a bluish soft glow as he listening to the conversation between these two Dark Side users with utter horror. This can't be happening. How can this be happening?! I must warn Luke! He thought to himself just as he vanished from the cave.
Right after the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker disappeared after witnessing this horrifying and unbelievable conversation between the Sith, Sideous looked out from under his hood with his glowing, yellow eyes at the place where the specter had just been. Yes...go. Go tell your son, Anakin, all about us and our plans for revenge. You are playing right into my trap, my treacherous old apprentice.
Chapter 1
It had been 30 years since the Battle of Endor and the death of his father, Anakin Skywalker; and now at 53 years old, Luke still looked quite young for his age with only a small amount of grey forming at his temples and very few wrinkles.
He was sitting at the kitchen table in his family's quarters at the Jedi Temple on Yavin IV, staring into space with a look of concern on his face, thinking back to the past and wondering what the future held for all of them, especially with the continued threat from the Yuuzhan Vong in the galaxy. The galaxy just seemed to be getting darker and darker with every passing year and the Dark Side seemed to be growing stronger and stronger along with it. It just made no sense to him considering that his father and Palpatine had been the last of the great Sith Lords. Of course, there had been many Dark Jedi he had come across in the years since; but none as powerful as Darth Sideous and Darth Vader had been. So it was greatly disturbing him that he was feeling the Dark Side so strong again in the galaxy. And tonight he felt it stronger than ever and this had him greatly troubled. What has happened?
Luke was so deep in thought that he didn't notice when his wife, Mara Jade, entered barefoot into the room wearing a long silky, green night gown and matching robe. Her long, flaming red hair hung loose over her shoulders. She put her right hand on Luke's right shoulder causing him to look up into her worried green eyes. "Did you feel it too?" She asked him with concern.
"Yes." Luke replied to her as he stared off into space again and put his crossed arms on the table. "There has been a great disturbance in the Force." He paused. "And it has me worried."
Mara sat down in the chair next to her husband and put her right arm around his shoulders. "There has to be some kind of explanation. We will find out what it is and put a stop to it, whatever it is."
Luke looked over at his wife with a small smile and then looked into her eyes with love but still with concern. "I wish I could be that confident."
"Luke, you went up against Palpatine and survived." Mara reminded him and then smirked at him. "And you survived my numerous attempts on your life before I realized how much I loved you." She told him as she put her head on his shoulder and hugged him with her right arm. "We will beat whatever this is together."
Luke looked down and then up at his wife again. He sighed. "But I only survived that encounter with Palpatine because of my father. He sacrificed himself to save me." He paused as he looked forward again with sadness. "If it wasn't for him, I would have died."
Mara kissed her husband on the cheek, causing him to turn his head to look into her eyes. "I know, Luke. But you are much more experienced than you were then and..." She smiled at him with love. "...you have me as your backup."
Luke couldn't help but smile and chuckle at his wife. "Yes...that I do. Whoever they are, they don't stand a chance."
Mara laughed. "They will wish they have never been born." She interjected and then became serious as she got to her feet and kissed her husband on the lips with him still seated. "Well, I'm going to bed. I have to be up with little Ben in the morning. Don't stay up too late, my love."
Luke weakly smiled up at his wife. "I'll be along in a little while."
Mara just nodded and smiled at him before giving him another quick kiss on the lips. She then turned and left the room with her long silky, green night gown and robe flowing behind her.
Luke watched her leave and was about to get up to follow her when he noticed a bluish glowing form start to appear in the corner of the room and then shifted into the image of someone he had not seen since that night on Endor during the victory celebration. He watched in awe as he saw a young version of his father appear in front of him, causing him to gasp as the specter stepped towards him with a look of fear and concern on his face. "Father?!" Luke exclaimed with awe.
Anakin's Force ghost stopped just within a meter from Luke with his hands clasped in front of him. "Yes, Luke. It's me."
"Bu-but, Father. Why haven't you appeared to me since Endor? You did Leia but not me." Luke asked with sadness as he got to his feet and walked closer to his father's spirit.
"I'm sorry, Luke." Anakin said with sadness as he looked at his son. "I should have...but I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me."
Luke looked at his father with shock and sadness. "Of course, I wanted to see you, Father. I've wanted to talk to you and get to know you as Anakin Skywalker." He paused. "And to ask you about Leia's and my mother. Neither of us know anything about her."
Anakin just looked at his son with sadness. "I-I'm sorry." He paused as he looked down and then back up at his son. "I should have appeared to you sooner...but I will make it up to you in the future. I promise." He tried to assure him with a weak smile.
Luke smiled through tear filled eyes. "I would like that very much, Father."
Luke just looked at his father with love and forgiveness as Anakin returned his gaze with that of genuine paternal love. "So would I." Anakin's face then changed to one of worry as at that moment he remembered why he had come to pay his son a visit in the first place. "But Luke...there is something I need to warn you about."
"What about?" Luke asked him with curiosity and concern written all over his face.
Anakin sighed. "I don't know how to tell you this." He paused. "But...Palpatine has found a way to cheat death."
Luke looked at him with shock. "WHAT?!"
"Before he died, he apparently commissioned a clone of himself and me to be created." Anakin looked at his son with all seriousness. "Somehow...Palpatine's spirit has taken control of his clone's body and has trained my clone to serve as his apprentice. He is even calling him Lord Vader. They are planning on killing you and your family for revenge for my betrayal."
Luke's jaw just dropped. "Is that even possible?! Cloning Force sensitives, that is?" He paused as he ran his right, gloved hand through is hair. "I thought it was impossible to clone Force sensitives. That they either die or go mad."
"Apparently, he found a way around that. Perhaps it is because neither of them have the growth acceleration gene that most of the other clones had. My clone looked to be about 30 years old." Anakin surmised as he put his right hand on his chin and looked away in thought.
"That could be a possibility." Luke replied as he mirrored his father's gestures. "But where are they now? How can I stop them?" He finally said as he looked his father right into his eyes with fear and determination.
"You may be able to stop them if you go now and catch them off guard. They won't expect it." Anakin suggested. "They were in an underground cave on the planet of Geonosis."
"Geonosis." Luke stated in thought as he went over to the HoloNet and turned it on, typing in the name of the planet to see where it was. "It's not too far from here. If I left now, I could be there in a few standard hours." He stated as he studied the 3D holographic representation of the Outer Rim Territories.
"Are you thinking about going alone?" Anakin asked with concern sensing his son's train of thought.
Luke looked away from the 3D images back over at his father's ghostly form. "Yes." He paused. "It's me Palpatine really wants and I won't let him use my family against me." He told his father with determination. "And if they know I'm going, they will insist on coming along."
Anakin looked at his son with fear but sighed in understanding. "I understand." He finally said and then sighed again. "I don't like it but I have to agree with you." He paused again. "But I will be with you every step of the way, watching your back. You will not be totally alone, Luke. I wasn't there enough for you when I was alive. I will be there for you now."
Luke gave his father a sad but appreciative smile. "I would really like to have you there with me." He then paused in thought as a thought occurred to him. "But you were there for me in the end, Father. You saved my life."
Anakin looked back up at his son with love. "Yes...I did...and I'm so proud of you...that you were able to do what I had not. You resisted the Dark Side, despite your fear for yourself, your sister and your friends."
Luke just nodded at his father with love. "Thank you." He said as he looked down and then back up at his father with his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He then paused again as he thought about his next plan of action. "Well...I better prep my X-Wing for take off and leave a note for Mara." He smirked to himself. "She's going to 'kill' me if Palpatine doesn't do it first for not letting her come with me."
Anakin just chuckled and then smiled at his son. "I've observed her for many years with you and knew her as the Emperor's Hand before then...you're right...she will 'kill' you." He said with a smirk on his face.
Luke laughed in return. "Will I see you there?"
Anakin nodded. "Yes...I will be there when you arrive."
Luke just weakly smiled at his father. "See you then...soon...Father." Just as Luke finished his comment his father's spirit was gone. Luke then looked over to the wall where R2 had plugged himself into the energy socket to recharge and shut down for the evening in the corner of the kitchen. He walked over to him and turned the droid back on, causing the droid to beep with surprise. "Come on R2. You and I have a mission to do." He paused. "And be quiet."
R2 beeped his understanding and followed Luke out of the kitchen towards the entrance of the Skywalker residence.
Geonosis – 3 Standard Hours Later
As Luke flew his X-Wing into the Geonosian atmosphere, he could feel the Dark Side bombarding his senses in sickening waves. He had already shielded himself from any Force users from being able to sense him well before he exited hyperspace and was now heading towards a rock formation where he felt the Dark Side the strongest. "R2, start landing procedures." Luke told the droid as he beeped back in compliance and Luke proceeded to land his X-Wing near the large outcropping the Force seemed to be leading him to.
Once he landed, he opened the cockpit and took off his helmet to look around before getting out of the ship and climbing down the ladder. As he reached the bottom, he noticed the ghostly form of his father hovering nearby signaling him to following him towards what looked like a cave. "In here." Anakin instructed as R2 beeped something at Luke.
"Stay with the ship, R2." Luke commanded as R2 spun his dome around and beeped in protest. Luke turned to the old droid with understanding for his concern. "I know R2. But I need you to stay here." R2 let out another series of sad whines as Luke continued to follow his father's spirit into the cave. He took his light saber from his belt and ignited the green blade with a snap hiss as he held it out in front of him as source of light.
"This way." Anakin motioned to him as Luke continued to follow his father through a series of tunnels that seemed to be going no where until finally he noticed what looked like a lighted room up ahead. Anakin then raised his right hand up and put his right index finger over his mouth to signal Luke to be quiet. He then pointed into the room with that same finger to indicate that is where he would find the Sith clones he had told him about earlier that night.
Luke immediately extinguished his light saber and crept closer to look around the corner into the lighted room. What he saw just made him want to cringe. He saw a man who resembled Palpatine with sickening yellow eyes looking out from a black hooded robe. "Come in Luke Skywalker. I have been expecting you."
Anakin and Luke just exchanged horrified looks with Anakin giving him an apologetic one. Luke just weakly smiled at his father and reassured him through the Force that he knew he was not to blame.
It was then that they both heard the snap hiss of a light saber and Luke spun around to see to his shock a man who looked very much like the young version of his father who had accompanied him. But instead he was looking at him with glowing yellow eyes, wearing all black and had his red light saber pointed at Luke. "So...we finally meet." Lord Vader said as he sneered at him. "You will pay for my master's death and loss of power over the galaxy."
Luke immediately ignited his light saber again with a snap hiss and held it out in front of him in a defensive manner as Anakin's ghostly figure cautiously watched Palpatine's movements within the room. "I don't think so." Luke retorted with confidence as he waited for the Sith to make the first move.
"Oh yes...you will." Vader exclaimed with arrogance as he leaped towards Luke with a violent blow with his red blade and Luke stopped it from hitting his face. They then continued to fight green blade crossing red as Vader came at Luke with so much fury, he was forcing him to back into the room where Palpatine was, passing right through Anakin's helpless ghostly form as they did.
Anakin shuddered as he followed them into the room to watch and see if he could aid Luke in any way by watching his back as he had promised him he would. They continued to thrust their blades at each other as Anakin continued to watch in horror as his clone fought his son.
Palpatine started to cackle. "Good. Gooooood. Lord Vader, let the anger flow through you. It will make you stronger, give you strength. Let it control your actions."
Luke was in horrified shock as he continued to fight off his father's evil doppleganger. Vader kept coming at him fast and furious and Luke was able to duck out of the way just as he tried to chop his head off. Luke then flipped over Vader's head and landed just behind him, noticing a large power converter that wasn't far behind the Sith. As Vader spun around to regain his balance, Luke took the opportunity to Force push him into the power converters. Vader immediately dropped his light saber to his feet with it extinguishing as it hit the ground.
"NOOOO!" Palpatine screamed as he watched as his new apprentice's body was being electrocuted by the beams from the power converters. He used the Force to shut them down; but it was too late and Vader's body fell to the ground. Palpatine then grew more angry and turned on Luke with rage. He immediately stalked towards him and started using Force lightening on him before he had a chance to block it with his light saber, causing him to drop it to the ground as he cried out in pain. "You will pay for killing my new apprentice!" Palpatine screamed at Luke as he continued his assault on him.
Meanwhile, Anakin watched in absolute horror, feeling completely helpless to help his son. What have I done?! I led my son right into a trap. I should have known better! He screamed to himself in his thoughts as he then noticed a dark spirit emerge from his clone's body and disappear into the Force. He looked over at his son in continued horror and then back down at the body the clone's spirit had just vacated with an idea coming to him. Maybe there's a chance... He thought to himself as he approached the body, kneeling down and waving his right hand over the clone's body to check on the severity of the injuries.
Luke continued to scream in pain as Palpatine continued his Sith lightening assault on him, his body convulsing as the electricity started to fry his tissue. Palpatine then stopped for a brief moment and sneered at Luke's weakened form with contempt. "And now you will die."
But before he could bring his hands up again to deliver the final electric shock to Luke's body, Luke watched in shock as a red light saber blade went through Palpatine's chest and he fell to the ground dead. To Luke's shock, he saw 'Vader' looking at him with crystal blue eyes that suddenly went dull. "That's twice I saved your life." 'Vader' told him as he held two fingers up in front of him. His eyes then rolled up into his head and he fell to the ground onto his stomach unconscious.
Despite his weakened state, Luke managed to push himself up to a seated position with his hands as the realization and shock of what just happened hit him full force. He reached his right hand out towards the still form of the man who just saved his life...again. "Father!"
