Thank you for everyone reading, especially to those that reviewed. Fanfic's review service isn't working properly at the moment, so my replies will be in an author's note at the end. Also yes, the last line is a Hamilton reference. I know it's not particularly in-character, but I couldn't help myself. We all know I am trash.
Chapter 2
Luke awoke some hours before his meeting with the Emperor, and he was far too anxious to go back to sleep. The sun had yet to rise above Coruscant's sky, but Luke moved about the silent apartment. His father was… well Luke honestly didn't know. 3PO and R2 had yet to turn back on, which Luke was glad for as he didn't want to hear the drones' prattling. He needed some peace and quiet to think.
There was no way Luke's life would ever be the same; even before the meeting he knew that. If he walked out of that throne room without having killed someone it would be a small miracle. For almost seven years Luke had known this would be his fate, but he was not ready for it. Luke didn't want anything to change. He liked his life, loved it even. If the Force had the ability to stop time Luke would live in the pre-dawn light forever.
But he did not have that ability, and not for lack of trying. The universe moved in only one direction-forward. Luke had no choice but to move forward as well, but he didn't have to like it. No one likes change, especially not a change so major. Luke was going to be a completely different person when he went to bed that night, if he even did go to bed. There was always the possibility that Luke would fail as a Sith and be killed.
But what other option did he have? Luke could probably get himself on a ship and offworld, but what then? Was he really supposed to just run and hide the rest of his life? His bond with his father was strong enough Luke would surely be found quickly. Then he'd just be dragged back to the Emperor and things would be far worse.
Even if he wasn't caught what kind of life would that be? Luke would always be looking over his shoulder. Every time he saw a stormtrooper he'd think 'is this it?' And what kind of job would he get? Luke was pretty good at mechanics and flying, but he wasn't about to become a smuggler.
If there was one being in the galaxy that took advantage of Luke's weakness more than the Emperor it was Obi-Wan Kenobi. The old Jedi master had been stalking Luke for years, appearing in ghost form whenever Luke began to question his only family. It was vastly annoying for the teen and yet… yet Obi-Wan had never been anything but kind. He rarely even tried to turn Luke against his father having realized that it was impossible to overcome that love long ago.
"You could always join the Alliance. They would welcome a Jedi, and no one there would expect you to turn to the Dark Side."
Luke laughed at the sheer thought. If Obi-Wan truly believed the Alliance wouldn't lock him up the moment they knew the truth about Luke than he was insane. "If I did that I'd have to fight my father. I can't do that. Besides the Empire isn't that bad."
"But Palpatine is, and you're going to call him Master if you stay," Obi-Wan pointed out. They both knew that Luke doubted the goodness of the Emperor. He'd never seen the Sith Master do anything out of goodness or kindness. Even Vader did things like fight for better schools and an end to slavery. Palpatine never did anything that wouldn't benefit him and him alone.
"I can't just abandon my father! If that means calling Palpatine master, well I've been doing that for years. It doesn't mean I'm loyal to him and I never will be." Luke had spent a lot of time thinking about how insidious Darth Sidious was, and he knew that master or not he would never trust or like the man. He just had to pretend to.
But that was the way with all Sith, and that was what concerned Obi-Wan. "No Sith is loyal to their master. Once you're corrupted by the Dark Side you will care for no one but yourself."
"That's not true," Luke whispered shaking his head. "I know that's not true. You know that's not true! My father cares about me, he loves he. He'd die for me as I would for him! The fact Dark Side doesn't make you evil and uncaring my father is proof of that."
"I hope you're right," Obi-Wan replied knowing arguing would get him nowhere. It seemed highly unlikely to the Jedi Master that the Dark Side could be used without corrupting a person completely. While he could admit that Vader's affection for Luke was odd, that did not mean it changed the nature of the Dark Side. "But that is a chance I never wanted to take."
Luke gave the ghost a dark look. "I know why you stole me and I've forgiven you for it, but you were wrong. I know there are people alive today because my father now has to think before he kills. I know I've made him better. He uses the Dark Side but there is still light in him. It will be the same with me. I know I won't be corrupted."
"So then why are you so terrified to go before the Emperor?"
Obi-Wan's words caused Luke to falter. If he truly was so sure that you could use the Dark Side without being controlled by it then why was Luke so scared? "I don't what things to change, that's all."
They both knew it was a lie, but Obi-Wan did not wish to fight with Luke more. The last thing he wanted was for Luke to be angry when he went before the Emperor. The teen had an impressive control over his temper after seven years of Jedi training. It was possible that he might be able to keep a bit of himself through the encounter, but Obi-Wan wasn't particularly hopeful.
At least there was another who might be able to save them all if Luke fell.
Luke dressed in all black for his meeting, and he suspected he looked quite a bit like how his father had when he turned. Anakin had been a few years older, but not much. Their situation could not be more similar, or more different.
A few courtiers watched as Luke made his way towards the throne room. No one was quite sure what the theoretical-Prince's role was in the Empire, but they did not miss how much he looked like Vader in the dark ensemble. One or two of them were even scared enough that they suddenly remembered other engagements. Luke had no idea the kind of terror they were feeling though. He was too wrapped up in his own terror.
Despite what he had told Obi-Wan, Luke was no calmer about becoming a Sith. He knew on some level that it was not right, but he also knew he had no other choice. He could not disappoint his father, and he certainly could not kill his father.
When Luke was led into the Throne Room, he found himself searching for Rickon. All the Red Guard looked the same of course but Luke knew Rickon's Force signature well. Luke was neither surprised nor disappointed to know his friend was not there. For one Rickon would probably have weeks of training before he was actually set to protect the Emperor. Secondly Luke had enough pride not to want his friend there for this. Luke did not mind kneeling before the Emperor, but he would mind Rickon seeing.
Luke was, however, surprised to find his father in the throne room. Last Luke knew his father was somewhere in the Outer Rim crushing the Alliance. He certainly had not been home the night before.
But Luke managed to keep his surprise from showing as he walked towards the throne and knelt in respect, "Master, Father."
The Emperor motioned for Luke to stand while turning to his father, "Thank you Lord Vader. You may leave for the Death Star at once."
Vader nodded to his master before turning to leave, barely looking at Luke as he passed. He didn't need to look though because he sent Luke a very clear mind message through their Force bond. "I do not know what the Emperor has planned for you, but I know it may be some time before we meet again. When you return we must have a discussion about our future, but for now do as he commands. And Luke, always remember that I lo… I am proud of you."
He could not say the word even through their mental link, but Luke swelled in pride. That was the closest his father had ever gotten to admitting to loving his son. "I love you as well Father. Until we meet again may the Force be with you."
"You may all leave as well," the Emperor told his guards, even the hidden ones, much to Luke's surprise. "I am certainly safe enough with my young apprentice."
The guards did not question it but marched with precision from the room. Once they were completely alone the Emperor finally turned his attention to Luke. He tried to break through Luke's mental shielding, but found the resistance too strong. Of course he could ask Luke to lower his shields and the boy would be forced to do so, but that would eliminate half the fun. "Come here, let me truly look at you."
It was odd for Luke to climb the dais and stand so close to the Emperor that he could see beneath the hood. He looked beyond old, with sickening wrinkles that reminded Luke a bit of a Hutt. His eyes were the truly striking bit though; they shone the deepest shade of haunting yellow Luke had ever seen. The eyes of a Sith. Someday my eyes will be like that.
Despite what Luke was about to do he still found the thought horrifying.
"You truly are no longer a child," Palpatine decreed running a cool finger across Luke's cheeks. "Finally you are prepared to learn the true power of the Force. Pledge yourself to me and my teachings."
Luke knew he'd have to do it, but he still felt slightly sick getting down on a knee. "I pledge myself to your teachings. To the ways of the Sith," he spoke his eyes unable to meet that sickening yellow.
Palpatine did not seem to mind, "Good. Good. The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth…Joch."
Luke knew that he was no longer a Jedi but a Sith, and yet he still did not let in the Emperor's darkness which pushed against him. "Thank you. My Master."
"Rise, Darth Joch," the Emperor demanded and Luke did so, attempting as much grace as he could manage despite his shaky legs. "You are well trained, but there is much more you have to learn. Before you can learn, however, you must prove yourself worthy by completing that which your Father has begun. Then you will be worthy to be my apprentice."
Luke didn't think that made much sense. First the Emperor said Luke was a Sith, was Darth Joch, but then Luke still had to prove himself. He wasn't about to point out the flaw in the logic however. "What must I do Master?"
"You are to tear down the Alliance from the inside," Palpatine answered with a sick smile. "To most of the galaxy you are unknown. You can easily join them, earn their trust. A pilot with your abilities will be gladly accepted, and you can quickly move up the ranks. You need not even report in often, simply sow seeds of mistrust within the organization and watch it crumble around you. Once the rebels have fallen you will truly be worthy of your new name."
Luke shouldn't have been so surprised, but he was. What did he know about being undercover? What did he know about toppling an organization that was only trying to do the best it could? But this was the challenge Luke had to face if he wanted to fulfill his destiny, if he wanted to do what was best for the galaxy, if he wanted to be with his father. "I will not be able to earn their trust if my aim in a battle is always conveniently off."
"You are to be completely undercover," Palpatine told him. "Any Imperial soldier who sees you will shoot to kill, and you are to shoot them back with the same intention. Their deaths will be an unfortunate consequence of this war, but they will be sacrificed for the greater cause. Every member of the military is willing to die to see the Alliance fall. If they die at your hand they are doing just that."
Luke felt a shiver creeping down his spine, and it wasn't just because of Palpatine's dark presence. No, the rationalization of death in war was what worried Luke so, and yet he knew that was the way of the galaxy and he could no longer be a child who pretended otherwise.
"No one will ever know that my true allegiance is to your teachings," Luke managed to say with a deep breath and a nod. "Master."
Palpatine clearly enjoyed hearing Luke call him that. "Good, no go and make your arrangements. I would suggest travelling to the Outer Rim if you hope to find the Alliance enlisting site."
That was certainly a ridiculous thought, but Luke didn't smile as he stoically made his way towards the door. He was almost free of the Emperor's presence when the Sith called, "Smile more my young apprentice. I'll see you on the other side of the war."
Just Anny: I've always been a very prolific writer when I actually sit down to write. It's just that second part I struggle with. Yes the summary basically spoiled the first 2 chapters, but what can a girl do. I'm sorry the sith training itself will not happen, but plots are just annoying like that. And AHH did you watch Rebels? I cried through the whole thing because Ezra is reminding me far too much of Anakin, which is obviously concerning. Thanks for reading!
theLittleKawaiiPen: I'm sorry for having made you wait. Thank you for sticking with me through the wait!
SiriuslyPink: They're not so much estranged as just not together. I know I don't see my parents half as much as I did when I was younger just because I'm so busy, and my parents don't work on the other side of the galaxy. I'll admit there isn't as much Luke/Vader in this fic as the originals, but their connection drives all of the action even when Vader isn't present. Thanks for reading and I hope it doesn't disappoint.
Guest: Thank you for having so much faith in me! I obviously won't tell you how light/dark Luke is, but I think this chapter gives a fairly good indication of where he's at Force wise throught most of the story.
0rigami: Thank you very much!
Also, to whoever the 6th reviewer is thank you and I'm sorry I can't reply. For some reason I can't see your review at all. At least the others showed up in my email if not on the sight. Well that's all for now folks. Don't forget to review and I'll see you tomorrow.
