Thank you for the reviews, favorites, and follows.

I pulled heavily from Legends and TCW for this chapter. I hope the information is accurate.

The first half of this chapter is more a flashback that takes place twelve years after Palpatine's death. Then the second half takes place a few months after the last chapter. I hope some of the drama in the second half of the story isn't a turn off for some. I've worried about that.


Chapter Two

The Prophecy

Twelve years after the death of Emperor Palpatine...

The fall of Dathomir took seven months, two weeks, and three days. It had started with a blockade.

Years earlier, Mother Talzin had begun opening up Dathomir's contact with the outside Galaxy. The Vaders initially thought this would be an effective move. However, they had forgotten that Dathomir had survived for many centuries without the outside Galaxy. So the blockade didn't seem to effect them, at least not quickly enough.

So the Imperial Navy began to drop bombs followed by heavy ground assaults.

The ground assaults were tricky due to the magick of the witches and their Rancors. Magick was a supernatural technique that allowed a practitioner to wield great powers connected to the Dark Side of the Force.

Vader knew this would be hard. Some even said impossible, but he was determined to do the impossible.

While there said to only be maybe 5,000 beings on Dathomir, the power of the witches magicks made them an unstoppable force. They would unleash Rancor attacks on the men. They would play tricks on trooper. Make them see terrifying creatures and other things that were not actually real.

After seeing the mutilated bodies of the troopers—a lot of it was believed to be self mutilation—Padmé wanted to pull out. However, Vader refused. He would not back down. He did not want this to be his first defeat. He would never hear the end of it. It would be a stain on his legacy.

Vader had lost many teams of men. According to Amedda, his office had estimated 520,000 Imperial men. That was the most he had ever lost during one of his conquest or any mission. Even under Emperor Palpatine Vader never lost so many men. They were still unsure on the number of Dathomirians lost, but Vader believed they only lost 1,000. Which was about twenty percent of their population.

After a few months, the Empire came up with a gas weapon that was harmless to humans, but would kill Rancors. Vader reluctantly sent out his Force sensitive pupils, including Starkiller to use the Force to block of the witches' magick.

Finally, the Empire had control over the entire planet. The conquest of Dathomir was considered complete when a large group of Dathomirian clans surrendered. A few Nightsisters were even among them. Most of the Nightsisters, including their leader, Mother Talzin were killed years ago by General Grievous. Now mostly just witches, enslaved men, Zabraks, a handful of Kwa, and Rancors occupied the planet.

Still, the Dathomirians and few remaining Nightsisters put up one hell of a fight. For a time, even Vader doubted if there would be a victory.

"Allaya would be proud," Vader said recalling their history.

The planet Dathomir had a long history with the Force. Many beings on the planet were Force sensitive. During the time of Darth Bane, there was even a Sith Academy somewhere on the planet.

Then around 600 years ago, a female human Jedi Knight named Allya was expelled from the Jedi Order. She was exiled to a penal colony on Dathomir. There she encountered other human exiles who were hunted by native Rancors. Allya used the planet's strong life energy to teach the colony's women to master the Force. Soon they tamed the Rancors and enslaved the male population. These women became the Witches of Dathomir. They followed the Book of Law created by Allya and over time divided into numerous clans. Though they were mostly peaceful with one another. Their use of the Force evolved into spells and magicks, but use of the Dark Side or nightspells was punishable by exile. Eventually, a group of these exiles banded together and formed the Nightsisters.

Padmé had always wondered about so called Book of Law. Apparently Allya had based it on the Jedi Code and teachings. The Book of Law's last line said: Never concede to evil, lest you be consumed by it. Yet they had enslaved half their population. It made her curious about the latest world they had conquered. Even if she didn't agree with their philosophy.

With Starkiller and a team of following her, Padmé had been walking around the last few hours. Looking around at the captured witches. A few children were among them. She even saw a group of six or seven male slaves. She hoped they would now be better off.

She, Vader, Amedda, and the Council had yet to decide what to do with the remaining Dathomirians.

Normally she and Vader left civilians to their own leaders or rulers. However, Dathomir had been chaos since Mother Talzin's death. There were a few clan leaders left but no definitive ruler. Also the witches were arguably dangerous. Vader feared they would one day retaliate against them.

While yes, they should be punished as Vader suggested, Padmé didn't believe they all deserved to be imprisoned or die. Such as the children who were too young to know better or even fight and the male slaves had no choice in the matter.

But Vader had pointed out, "If you leave so much as a sapling in the ground, one day it will grow into a vengeful tree with a million troopers behind him."

Padmé knew he was not wrong, but she was torn.

From several meters away she saw him with Captain Pellaeon. They were talking with some of the captures witches. Perhaps they would help change his mind.

For some reason one young woman in particular caught her eye. Maybe it was the red gown that made her stand out in the dirty and grimy crowds of witches and troopers. She wasn't standing near the other Nightsisters or even the witches. Judging by their wrinkled noses and scared faces, the others didn't want to be near her.

Her guards and Starkiller standing closely by, Padmé approached the woman. "Who are you?"

She was dressed in a red gown that reminded Padmé of the clothing she had seen Mother Talzin wear in old holos.

The woman bowed, "I am called Zalem, daughter of Mother Talzin."

Padmé would later learn Zalem was also the name of Mother Talzin's predecessor and possibly her mother. While this girl was Talzin's firstborn daughter, she was often secluded from the rest of the Nightsisters clan and Padmé would soon discover why.

"So you're Mother Talzin's heir?" Whatever remained of the Nightsisters Clan had been in disarray since Talzin's death at the hands of Grievous. The Nightsisters were the most powerful clan on Dathomir and with Talzin being their leader, many considered her the leader of Dathomir until her death.

Zalem paused, "...I don't know. Maybe..." She was Mother Talzin's only living daughter. "I've always been...kept away from my sisters." All members of the Nightsisters and even the witches called each other sisters. Whether they were blood or not. "Mother thought it was best and because of that," She gestured over at the other Nightsisters. "They fear me."

"Why?" Padmé asked with a raised. Under her heavy robes, the girl was skin and bones. She didn't seem that dangerous to her. However, they were dealing magick and other things Padmé did not quite understand.

"My gift." Zalem closed her silver eyes and clasped her hands together. "If it pleases you, great one, to show you peace, I offer you my gift."

"Your gift?" Padmé asked with small hesitation. What kind of gift?

"My site...sometimes, I can see into the past, present, and...and the future."

"Really?" Padmé wondered if she really could or was this a trick? Perhaps even a trap.

"Yes, though it can be powerful...and dangerous." Zalem seemed to ponder this for a moment. "I believe it is the reason my mother nearly died giving birth to me."

"Did she now?" Padmé said in a political voice. What a pity. If Talzin had died, she never would have given birth to Zalem's little brother, Maul. Which would have saved Padmé's husband, Vader so much pain.

Zalem stretched out her hand, "I can show you."

Padmé paused. She didn't know if this was a good idea, but reluctantly put her own hand into Zalem's. She was curious about the future. Who wasn't? She wondered if they could keep the Empire together? Would Luke be a good successor? Would Leia be better? Would it be for them co-rule like they had discussed so long ago?

"Empress..." A young Starkiller swallowed. He wasn't sure about this.

Padmé held up her other hand. That was the signal to wait. "It's alright."

Starkiller didn't like this at all, but what could he do? He couldn't tell the Empress "no".

The Empress may have been his Master's wife, but she was always kind to him. She always made sure he had enough to eat, warm clothes, and she got him a new holo screen for his chamber. Starkiller often thought of her as a mother.

Starkiller looked over his shoulder at his Master. Unsure what to do. Starkiller turned to see his Master wasn't even watching. The Emperor was looking at some civilians. Possibly planning their executions or perhaps pardons? Should he go get him?

Then he turned back in the Empress's direction, hearing an awful and alarming sound.

The Nightsister, Zalem was screaming at the top of her lungs. Her eyes were glowing red. She was floating in midair, about a meter off the ground. There was almost this...air bubble around her. Smalls streams of lightning radiating around her. Though Starkiller wouldn't call it Force lightning. Possibly magick? It was different from things he had seen in battle.

Then the Nightsister said something to the Empress, but no one could understand. They were too far away.

The Empress was shuddering. Her eyes bulging with terror.

Some of the lightning began to hit the Empress, who began to scream. She then began float off the ground.

"PADMÉ!" Emperor Vader screamed as he began running in his wife's direction.

Lightsaber ignited, "PROTECT YOUR EMPRESS!" Starkiller cried to his men. Without even thinking, he extended an arm. Using the Force, he pulled the Empress away from the Nightsister and back towards him.

Then shots were fired.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

The bubble seemed to protect the woman.

"CEASE FIRE!" Vader yelled as the first of the blaster bolts ricocheted off the bubble.

The troopers did cease fire, but because they all fell to the ground. The blaster bolts ricocheted back and hit all the troopers. They were all either dead or gravely injured.

Thankfully, Starkiller and Padmé—minus some cuts seemed unharmed. Also thanks to Starkiller's use of a lightsaber and the Force. Then again, they never fired at the bubble.

Teeth clenched, Vader suspected this was all some sort of magick. Hadn't they taken away enough men?

Already furious, Vader's raised his fist into the air. He closed his eyes...he broke the bubble with a popping sound, but the Nightsister, Zalem remained in the air.

As the bubble broke, it was like Zalem woke up. Her eyes returned to their normal state. She quickly realized her situation.

She began clawing at her neck.

"Wait!" Padmé cried as she reached for her husband, but he was too enraged to listen.

But it already too late.

The Dathomirian witch's body fell on the ground. Her neck was unnaturally twisted off to the side .

Padmé ran towards the body. "What did you see?" While in her head, she knew the Nightsister was dead, she desperately tried shaking the body. "WhatDidYouSee?" She said frantically.

Vader didn't know what the Nightsister said to his wife, but would not tolerate any of this.

"Padmé...Padmé, are you alright?" Vader put his hand on her back.

"...uh-huh," Padmé ran her fingers through her hair.

Vader studied her cuts as he helped her to her feet.

Vader stood there for moment, then looked around. "Captain Pellaeon," Vader called out.

Gilad Pellaeon nearly ran to the Emperor, "Yes, Lord."

"Take my wife back to the Executor." There would receive the best medical treatment. Also Vader had a feeling the man would not approve of what he was about to do.

"Yes, sir!" Pellaeon gave his best salute which was acceptable since Vader was also Supreme Commander of the Imperial Forces. He then bowed for Lady Vader and offered her arm.

"Regardless of whatever she may say, stay close to her until I arrive," Vader ordered.

"...of course, sir," Pellaeon couldn't help but feel the Emperor was trying to get rid of him.

Vader watched Pellaeon escort Padmé to the closet ship.

"You two," Vader said noticing the two TIE pilots. "Go with them." He wanted to make sure they got there safely. He didn't need anymore problems with magick.

"Yes, sir!"

"Right away, Lord!" The two got into their cockpits and followed the ship closely.

Vader watched the ships disappear into the atmosphere and turned his back to his apprentice, Starkiller.

Starkiller fell to his knees. "Master, I beg your..."

Vader narrowed his eyes as he physically grabbed Starkiller by the throat. "Your hesitation caused needless deaths and the endangerment of my wife!"

Starkiller began to turn blue. He closed his eyes. Probably expecting to die.

Vader thought about finishing off the boy. He had killer officers, troopers, and even civilians for less.

However, he was feeling merciful.

Vader silently cursed himself. He blamed Padmé and their children for his weakened state.

"Do not fail me again," Vader said.

Also Vader did want to waste years of time and training by killing the boy then having to find and train another being. Yes, he had other pupils. However, Starkiller was the eldest, the most promising, and his favorite. In some ways and unlike the others he was almost like an adopted son. However, Vader would not hesitate if something like this ever happened again.

Vader released his grip.

Starkiller deeply gasped, "...y-yes, M-Master." He coughed, "Thank you, Master!"

Vader waited a moment for Starkiller to regain his breathe and composure. "Do you want to make this...error up me?" He looked back at the Dathomirians.

"Of course, Master." Starkiller looked at him with the biggest eyes. "Anything!"

He sounded like a child. Then again, he a was child. He was only seventeen maybe?

One who had killed time and time again.

"Put your new lightsaber to use."

Starkiller's new lightsaber was actually an old lightsaber of a Jedi he had slain, Master Rahm Kota. It used to have a green blade, but he had recently put a red synthetic crystal inside.

"Master?" Did his Master mean...

"NO SURVIVORS," Vader yelled at the troopers guarding the captured Dathomirians.


Four years later...

A few months after the death of Jabba the Hutt...

Prince Luke and his girlfriend, Dani Blue were sitting in the smaller sitting area on the east side of the Imperial Family's private living quarters of the Palace.

Dani was sitting on the largest sofa in the room. Her feet were resting comfortably on the low table in front of them.

The snacks bowls and drink cups from earlier still laying on the table. Dani hadn't picked up the dishes yet since Luke had barely eaten. Luke was laying on his side with his head resting on the Zeltron's lap. He looked terrible.

Blue was a Zeltron, a near-Human species. They were physically distinctive by their skin which came in different shades of red ranging from light pink to deep red, and hair which could be red or blue. Most of them were considered highly attractive by Human, near-Human, and even some non-humanoid standards. They were also known for being extremely gullible as Luke had learned in recent months.

Though she won't be for long, Luke silently thought.

"You're really cute when you're grumpy," Zeltron smiled. Playing with his shoulder length golden hair.

"I'm not grumpy." Luke mumbled. A word the Prince was not used to hearing.

"You are!" Dani smiled as she craned her head towards his grumpy looking face to make eye contact.

"I'm just...tired." Luke finally said. "I...stayed up too late sparring with my father."

Dani thought about pressing the issue, but decided against. "Alright, if that's all." If something were really bothering him, surely her boyfriend of over four months would tell her. Right?

"That's all," Luke looked up at her. Trying to put on his best smile.

They were about to kiss, when they heard a voice, "Ahem!"

Luke lifted his head to see his mother, the Empress.

Dani got to her feet and bowed. "Your Highness."

"Dani, it's wonderful to see you again." The Empress gave her best smile. The Zeltron seemed like a nice girl. Though Padmé quielty wished she would wear more clothes as she eyed the girl's bare midriff then her son. "Luke, I think it's time you said goodnight. It's almost time for dinner."

Luke sensed he knew what that meant. That she wanted to be alone so they could talk. His frown grew, did they have to?

"Ooh, what are you having?" Dani said cheerily.

Luke gave a clueless face as he looked at his mother.

"Shaak," Padmé said with an almost terrifying look.

Dani made a face. She was a vegetarian. "Hm, guess I'll talk to you tomorrow." She pecked his check then lowered her head before she left the sitting area. "Goodnight, Lady Vader."

"Goodnight, Dani." Empress Vader nodded. "General Rex," She looked over her shoulder to see the captain of the household meters away.

"Milady?" Rex had some papers and other holo documents in his arms.

"Will you escort Miss Dani to the turbolift?"

"Of course," Rex lowered his head. He shifted his paperwork into one arm as Dani looped her arm over the other.

Dani looked up at the man curiously. Then she smiled, "You're a clone!"

"I am," Rex said as his face began to turn pink.

Padmé sensed even he was not immune to her youth and sensuality.

She watched them go and made sure that they the turbolift doors sealed shut. She then looked back and saw Luke was about to leave the sitting area through the other doorway. "Wait," Padmé commanded in political voice.

Luke huffed, "What?"

"Sit," Padmé ordered as she shut the double doors. She didn't want one of his siblings or a servant eavesdropping. "You were not out sparring with your father." He had stayed in and now that Padmé thought about it, he had gone to bed quite early. Had he even eaten?

"Eavesdropping, thanks Mom." Luke growled as fell back on that same sofa again.

Padmé came closer to him. Sitting on the edge of that same sofa. "I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but really Luke, what is going on?" She placed hand over his forehead. "Are you feeling alright? You've been like this for days. Is everything alright between you and Dani?"

Luke looked almost pale. "I screwed up." He muttered quietly with his eyes shut. He couldn't meet her gaze. He knew what she would say. What he would say... "Dad's gonna kill me." He remembered the sermon they had given him a few months ago.

Padmé raised a brow. What had he done? "Your father loves you. I love you." What could be so bad? Had attacked a member of the HoloNet? Given away private information to a date?

Luke remained silent.

"What is it? Tell me." Padmé said as warmly and patiently as she could.

Luke remained silent though it looked like he was trying to speak.

"...Luke?"

"I got a girl pregnant."

Padmé breathed.

In and out...

In...

Out...

Her hand covered her mouth. She thanked the Force they did not have an audience. Padmé could only imagine the look on her face. She then looked back up and took a moment to regain her composure, "Dani is pregnant?" She certainly didn't seem like an expectant mother. She seemed to eat like any normal adolescent. Hell, her midriff was showing.

"No, Mom...not Dani." Luke weakly answered with a shake of his head. "Her name is Akanah Norand Goss." He finally sat up. He pulled up his knees up to his chin. "I went out with her a few times awhile back and...while Dani went back home for grandfather's funeral." Her home was on Zeltros, the homeworld of the Zeltrons. "We started seeing each other again and we..."

Padmé could not believe what she was hearing. How could he? While she was not a fan of Dani and her clothing style, she certainly did not approve of cheating. Especially during a time of mourning. "Luke..."

Luke could hear the anger and disappointment. "I know...I know..."

Padmé remained silent. Maybe there was hope. "Are you sure its yours? There's a lot of credits to be made in paternity claims." Between the attention, attorneys, the HoloNet, and so on. It was a vicious cycle. She and Vader knew all too well.

Years ago, an unknown Twi'lek woman filed suit against the Imperial Family. Claiming that Emperor Vader had fathered her newborn son. Thankfully through DNA and the timing the conception, the Vaders and their army of attorneys quickly and quietly silenced the fraudulent claim.

While in her head, Padmé knew the child was not her husband's. In her heart, it had stung and always made her worry.

At one time, her greatest fear was that her husband would replace her with a younger, more beautiful woman. Which she was foolish because no one could match politically her.

However, that fear now seemed silly. A few years ago, after a visit to Dathomir Padmé realized what her other fear, her greatest fear was. A Dathomirian Nightsister came to her and said that the Throne would be usurped.

"I've dreamt of a being walking alone. His sky blue eyes were full of rain, but no one heard his grief. His house empty...in ruin. A stranger steals a chair?" Padmé remembered being violently grabbed the woman. Her long fingernails left scratches and bruises. "The half breed will destroy everything!"

Before Padmé could even ask what in hell she meant, Vader killed the woman. Padmé remembered begging him to stop, but it was too late. Vader killed the Nightsister without hesitation. She didn't believe her husband heard the story. Padmé later told him what the Nightsister said, but he brushed the story aside.

She didn't believe that her husband had been unfaithful though she could not help but worry. After all he was the most powerful man in the Galaxy and power made women such as her go mad.

Now it was coming true. Only through her firstborn son, the heir. This child could later cause problems. Maybe not now, but for Luke's future legitimate heirs.

Even now, the child would cause problems. An heir fathering a child out of wedlock would be a huge scandal.

Luke swallowed hard, "She's not like that."

I'm sure... Padmé had never met this Goss girl, but she had heard the name. Weren't they a social climbing family from the Outer Rim? Then again, most she encountered were social climbing.

"I'm sure I already know the answer, but she's planning to keep the child?" What had he and the girls discussed? Had they planned anything yet?

"Yes and..." Luke trailed off.

"What else has she said?"

Luke looked almost pained.

"What did she say?" She would not ask again.

"She's wants us to get married."

Of course she does... Padmé silently fumed. That schutta.

Even if Luke actually wanted get married, she wouldn't allow it. They were both too young. Any marriage at such an age would be a disaster.

After taking a moment to calm down, Padmé opened her mouth, "You are not going to get married." In any case, due to their young age, the pair would each need permission from at least one parent. There was no way in hell they would get from either her or her husband. "You will remain silent. You will not breathe a word of this to anyone, including your siblings. Even Leia." His own twin and probably his closet confident.

Luke nodded as he looked at his mother.

"You will do exactly what I say and when I say it," Padmé commanded. "Do you understand me?"

She wasn't speaking to him as his mother, but as the Empress.

Padmé ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't this leaking to the HoloNet. I also don't need every baby mama on Coruscant coming out of the woodwork. Claiming that you also fathered with their offspring." It would be an absolute nightmare. "Do you understand?"

Luke lowered his head, "Yes, mam."

"You will leave everything to me."


Reviews please.

Trivia: Akanah is a character from Legends and brief love interest. In Legends, she lied to Luke about knowing his mother.

Grievous wiped out most of the Nightsisters in the Maul comic.

According to the Book of Sith, Talzin nearly died giving birth to her first daughter and she united the Nightsisters after the death of Zalem. Little else is known about her backstory. Everything else I made up.

I was going to have Vader find out at the end of the chapter, but I decided to put that in the next chapter.

Next: Padmé speaks with Akanah next chapter.

I'm also trying to work on Renaissance.