Killer woke up in her husband's arms. They were sleeping on their brand new comfy bed of their new house. She sat up and put a robe on as she opened the curtains of her window, welcoming the sun in. It was great to be back on Coruscant. She remember living here years ago at her apartment with Vader. She was finally home again.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Vader spoke behind her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Yes, it is. I love our gardens outside." Killer said.
"I knew you would. That's why I made sure we would have them."
"Thank you. You make me so happy."
Killer turned around and kissed her husband. Vader returned the kiss but suddenly pulled away.
"What is it?" Killer asked.
"I sense something."
Leia bid goodbye to Ryoo, Rick, and Tamal, promising to return. They had tried desperately to talk her out of going to Coruscant, but Leia said that she had to for she had an important mission. She did not tell them what that mission was, however. She was not ready to tell the truth until she had all the facts, which was why it was important for her to leave. She was going to Coruscant to learn more about her birth mother. She was then going to return to the Rebel Alliance to see Han, but also to see Threepio. She wanted to know if he had anything to do with her parents because she was sure that the visions she had meant something. She was then going to find her foster parents and question them about her past and her heritage. She knew that none of this had anything to do with her fight as a Rebel leader, but she couldn't get any of it out of her head. She needed answers, and she was going to make sure she got them.
Leia cut her hair shorter and placed two green eye contacts in her eyes. She knew that this wasn't a thick disguise, but it was the best she could come up with for the time being. When Leia reached Coruscant, she snuck into the Information center. It was still early morning and it would be a couple of hours before the place opened. Droids were all around working and Leia had to wait until she could enter the database room. Finally, when a droid opened the door, Leia stunned it with her blaster. She then ran into the room and found a computer. Leia then sat down but immediately froze when she heard a familiar sound. It was a mechanical breath...
"Step away from the computer, Leia." Darth Vader said.
Leia sat up and turned to face her enemies. Both Vader and Killer were standing at the entrance. Leia was horrified. How did they know she was here? What were they doing here? Were they waiting for her at this place? Did they somehow know she would come here?
"You know, this wouldn't be a good place to hide." Killer said smugly. She found the whole situation amusing.
"I didn't come here to hide." Leia said through gritted teeth.
"Take the eye contacts off." Killer said coldly. "They do not disguise you."
"Obviously." Leia said sarcastically, before removing them. She knew now that she had moments to live.
"Why did you come here?" Vader asked.
"It has nothing to do with the Rebellion." Leia answered.
"And you expect us to believe you?" Killer asked.
"Oh that's right, this would be the place to go find the Rebellion. I'm sure our information can be easily found at the Imperial capital." Leia retorted.
Killer was not happy. "Do not think you can fool us. You would not risk your life if you weren't trying to find out something relevant."
"It was personal."
"What could be personal for you here?"
"None of your business."
"Where's Luke Skywalker?" Vader asked.
"I have no idea."
"Don't lie!"
"I'm telling the truth. We got separated when we were on Bespin. I don't know where Luke went. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"You are a fool to defy us." Killer said menacingly.
Vader pulled Leia to him from the force and grabbed her arm. Leia tried to struggle, but it was no use. Vader was too strong. He led her out of the building as the droids stared at them curiously and with Killer following from behind. Outside, stormtroopers and Imperial guards were positioned by. Vader brought Leia to one of the guard, "You know where to take her."
"Yes, my lord." The guard answered and grabbed Leia. He shoved her into a speeder and got into it himself. He then drove off.
Leia sat in the speeder, cursing herself for coming here. It may have all been worth it if she had at least found the information she was looking for, but she didn't even get the chance to for Vader had already been waiting for her. How he knew she was headed there, Leia couldn't understand. But the fact of the matter was now she was caught and at his mercy. She would soon be killed.
Suddenly, the speeder jerked and Leia gave a yelp. It then came to an abrupt stop and crashed down. The Imperial guard stepped out and pulled Leia out as well.
"Are you alright?" The guard asked.
"Why do you care?" Leia snapped.
The guard ignored her and tried to figure out what happened to his speeder. He opened the engine and checked for broken parts. Leia seized the opportunity. She grabbed his pistol from his pocket. The guard turned around quickly, but Leia stunned him. He fell to the ground right by his broken speeder.
Leia wasted no time. She sprinted down the street and arrived where her ship had landed. She got onboard and left Corusant.
Her mission failed, but at least she managed to escape Vader and Killer. Leia decided not to return to Naboo. She was not ready to go back there, not when she didn't get the information she wanted. It was too much of a torture to see images of her parents without understanding their story or to talk with their family when she couldn't tell them who she really was. Leia needed to find a desolate place to hide and think on what would be the best course of action to take next. When she reached a planet that seemed very foggy, it piqued her interest. Leia searched on her navigator and found that she had reached the Dagobah system. Why did that system seem so familiar?
Luke was practicing his lightsaber techniques with Obi-Wan when he felt a cold chill going down his spine.
"Something is happening." Luke said. "I feel strange and cold."
Obi-Wan pulled back. "Do you see anything around you?"
Luke looked around and then jolted when he saw the figure of Darth Vader. "It's Vader!" Luke exclaimed.
Obi-Wan looked where Luke was looking and said, "There's no one there."
"But I see him! He's right there!" Luke said, pointing at the spot where Vader was.
"It's only a vision."
"A vision?" Luke asked, confused. And then he saw Vader turned around and walked away. Luke followed the vision, unsure where it was going to lead him and what was going to happen. He knew the vision couldn't hurt him or otherwise Obi-Wan would have stopped Luke from following.
The vision of Vader led Luke through the forest and into a cave. Luke hesitated before he decided to enter the cave too. When Luke entered, he not only saw Darth Vader, but Star Killer too. She was glowing and standing there with an evil smirk on her face. She then held out her hand.
Luke backed away, and then Vader said, "Join the dark side. Come with us."
Luke's eyes widened and he backed away further. "Never!'
"Don't be a fool!" Killer said. "I've seen your powers. I know what you can do. You would make a fine apprentice for my husband."
There was something enchanting about this Killer image. Luke felt frightened but couldn't leave. A part of him wanted to stay here forever and stare at the image of Star Killer.
"Don't make us destroy you." Vader said.
"No, I won't join you!" Luke shouted out.
"It is your destiny. You cannot escape."
"No! You killed my father!"
Vader and Killer looked at each and then bursted out laughing. Luke grew more furious and found his temperature rising.
"Do not laugh! My parents are dead because of you!"
"That's what you think." Killer said and then the two images faded.
Luke was alone in the cave and he stared at the spots where his enemies were. What did Killer mean? Vader did kill his parents. Or was this entire vision a meaningless dream? Or was it planted by Yoda to test Luke and how he handled his emotions. Luke stepped out of the cave when he realized that the visions were not going to come back. It took awhile before Luke made it back to Obi-Wan and Yoda.
"Well?" Obi-Wan asked.
Luke told them everything that happened. When he got to the part where Killer said her last word, he asked them what she meant. "Why would she say that? 'That's what I think?' Vader murdered my father, didn't he?"
Obi-Wan and Yoda looked at each other and Luke didn't miss the furtive glances they gave each other.
"What's going on here?" Luke asked with some edge to his voice.
"Vader is responsible for your father's death." Obi-Wan said.
Luke noticed how Obi-Wan did not say Vader killed his father straight out this time. "Responsible? What do you mean?"
"That your father is dead because of him."
"Does that mean he didn't directly murder him?"
Obi-Wan hesitated before saying, "No. Vader killed your father."
"Then what did Killer mean?"
"That was just an image, Luke."
"But it meant something, didn't it?"
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps?"
"Luke, that image just showed the temptations of the dark side and the danger you are in because of Vader."
"Why do you always divert from the truth? What is it that you are not telling me? Haven't I proven myself worthy?"
"No, you haven't." Yoda said, unexpectedly.
"Well then how do I prove myself worthy of the truth?" Luke asked, angrily.
"When you control your emotions. When you realize your purpose. And when fulfilled that purpose is."
"And then you will tell me everything?" Luke asked, skeptically.
"Luke," Obi-Wan said, "You are correct in that I haven't told you everything yet. But there are good reasons for doing so. I don't want to divert you from your purpose."
Luke was angry. "If you can't trust me with the truth, then I don't see why you are putting your efforts into training me!"
Luke walked away with fury burning in him.
"You allowed her to escape?" Vader rumbled, menacingly.
"My speeder broke and she grabbed my pistol." The Imperial guard fearfully replied.
"Why weren't you careful? Why did you allow her to steal your weapon?" Killer asked. She was very angry. Leia had escaped one too many times.
"Please, my lady, I know I should have. I know I have failed you. B-b-but the speeder broke, you see. And I-I needed to...I was preoccupied with...ahhhhh."
The guard gasped for air as an unseen force was choking him. He then collapsed and fell to his death.
"Do you think she has left the planet?" Killer asked.
"Most likely, but we will conduct a search just to be sure." Vader said.
Leia landed on Dagobah and began walking through the marshes and the forest. She did not encounter a single human being yet, though she was grateful for this. This certainly did seem like a desolate planet and Leia mused that it could be a good place for a Rebel base. Leia walked for several hours through the forest and the mud. Her stomach growled as she grew hungry. She hadn't eaten since Ryoo's breakfast. Leia painfully thought about her parents for a moment. She had faced the murderer of her mother. Why didn't she lash out? That was her opportunity. But she knew she was no match for Vader. He was too strong. And she had been too terrified and surprised from being caught that she lacked the impulse to do something. Leia felt disappointed and angry with herself.
Leia came to a stop when she saw another figure sitting down on a rock. Leia quickly hid behind a tree and peeked out to observe the person. She then recognized who it was.
"Luke!"
Luke was sitting down on a rock, agitated by Obi-Wan and Yoda. Why did they treat him like an innocent little child to protect? They wanted him to defeat Darth Vader, yet they wouldn't answer his questions. Luke was pulled from his frustrated thoughts when he heard a familar voice calling his name. Luke turned around and saw Leia coming towards him with a bright smile on her face. She flung her arms around an astonished Luke and Luke returned the embrace.
"Leia! What are you doing here?" Luke asked.
Leia let go of Luke and said, "It's a long story. So you have been hiding out here? Dagobah! That's right. I knew this place was familar. This is where you and Obi-Wan have been hiding."
"Yes, I've been training in the Jedi arts here. Yoda, a Jedi master, lives on this planet. That's why we came. But how did you get here?"
Leia explained the ordeal at Coruscant and that she needed a desolate planet to hide in.
"But why did you go to Coruscant? What were you looking for?"
Leia looked away. "It was information about my birth parents."
"Birth parents?"
Leia explained how she was adopted and expected Luke to chide her for risking her life, but to her pleasant surprise, he didn't.
"I understand." Luke said, compassionately.
"You do?"
"Yes. I too don't have all the answers to my history and I know how frustrating that is. But I know where the Rebel Alliance is. R2 made contact with them."
"That's excellent!"
Luke and Leia's conversation got interrupted as it started to rain.
"Come on. We need to get inside." Luke said as he pulled Leia.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me."
Leia followed Luke as they reached Yoda's hut. The two went inside as Leia was introduced to Yoda. Yoda looked at Leia curiously. Leia was relieved that she was now safe and with Luke. And Luke was glad that Leia was with him again. He had always felt safe and content with her. His fustration subsided. Leia had always managed to make him feel calm and at peace. He didn't know how she did it but somehow her effect on him was tremendous.
Obi-Wan handed blankets to Luke and Leia to dry off. The two sat by the fireplace and snuggled together. Yoda and Obi-Wan sat across them.
"So what brings you here, Leia?" Obi-Wan asked.
Leia was a little taken aback that she had not been called by her title, but explained her situation. Obi-Wan and Yoda looked displeased.
"Risked your life, you have." Yoda said, disapprovingly.
"I wanted to know about my past." Leia said, defensively.
"But succeed you did not. Pointless, it was. On Naboo where safe were you, stayed you should have."
"Lay off of Leia." Luke said. "Some of us can't just ignore the questions we have."
"And then in danger, you place yourselves in."
"Yoda is right." Obi-Wan interjected. He then brought two bowls of food to Luke and Leia, who ate hungrily. "Both of you are bright and brave. Yet you both are impulsive. You cannot foolishly place yourselves in such danger."
Luke and Leia were both annoyed that they were being talked to as young children, but they then noticed that Obi-Wan was staring at them fondly. To an old man, did they seem like children?
"I care very much about you both." Obi-Wan said.
"Why?" Luke asked.
"Because you are both strong and decent people. And the fate of the galaxy rests on you two. That is why it is important for you to be mindful of your safety."
"I suppose you're right." Luke admitted.
"It's really horrible that we live in this time where everything is so bad." Leia said, thoughtfully.
"Yes, it is." Obi-Wan said sympathetically.
"But you were there during the good times, right?" Leia asked.
"Yes, there was a time where everything seemed good. But once the Clone Wars started, well, I'm not sure if that was any worse with how things are today."
"May I ask a question?"
"Certainly, Leia. You don't mind that I call you 'Leia?' It's just that I've been good friends with your father."
"No, it's not a problem. But my question is how was it that you managed to survive when all the other Jedi died?"
Obi-Wan looked down. "That's an excellent question. I did have the battle of my life. It was the most painful battle I ever had. It was a duel with Darth Vader."
"You fought him?"
"Yes, he was my apprentice. We fought on Mustafar and he fell into a lava pit. His body burned and he almost died. It was because of this, he is forced to wear an armor suit."
"Wow, I never knew that." Luke said.
"How come he didn't search for you after he survived?" Leia asked.
"Perhaps he did. But I remained hidden. There could be other reasons too." Obi-Wan said.
"Like what?" Luke asked.
"I think I remind Vader of his past as a Jedi. I don't think he ever wants to be reminded of those days."
"If he was a Jedi, how could he turn so evil?" Leia asked.
"Lust for power. He was seduced by the dark side of the force."
Leia looked away and muttered, "I hate him."
"Leia, beware of your aggressive feelings. This battle you have is not the fight of hatred, but the fight of freedom."
"How can I not hate him after everything he's done to me?"
"You may hate him and I don't blame you for that. But do not allow that hatred get the best of you or control your actions."
"Obi-Wan, do you know how Vader knew I was going to Coruscant?"
"Yes, he sensed your presence through the force. The force allows him to foresee certain things."
"And that's how I knew you were on Bespin and in danger." Luke said to Leia.
"The force is incredible." Leia said, awestruck.
"It certainly is." Obi-Wan said.
"I have another question."
"Ask away?"
"When you were fighting in the Clone Wars, did you ever meet a woman named Padme Amidala?"
Obi-Wan seemed surprised by this question and asked, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just I heard she was a heroine at that time. And I just wanted to know if you knew her."
Obi-Wan took a moment before he answered as he seemed to study Leia hard. He then said, "Yes, I knew her. She was my friend."
"Really?"
"I knew her since she was the Queen of Naboo. I was actually assigned to protect her."
"Wow." Leia knew that Obi-Wan might find it odd for Leia to ask her next question, but she needed to know. "Was she ever married?"
Obi-Wan looked away quickly and Leia could tell he felt uncomfortable. "She was a friend, but I didn't know too much about her love life. If she was involved with anyone, she kept it a secret."
Leia could tell that there was something Obi-Wan was not telling her, but she decided to let it go. She then noticed that it had stopped raining.
"I think it's time for me to return to the Rebel Alliance." Leia said.
"Yes, I'm going to go back too." Luke said.
"Then you shall." Obi-Wan said. "But remember to return back here for your training, Luke. And Leia, you be careful. No more trips to Coruscant."
Luke and Leia bid farewell to Obi-Wan and Yoda and left separately on their ships to meet at the Rebel Alliance.
After Luke made the jump to hyperspace, Leia pressed the button to do the same. But when she did, it didn't work. The controls were jammed.
"Oh no!" Leia exclaimed. She tried desperately to fix the problem, but it was no use. She was going to have to land somewhere to get the ship repaired. Leia landed on the nearest planet, Kamino. Not many people lived there, so it was a good place to stay low. She was going to have to wait until morning when she could go to a shop to fix the ship.
When Leia got to Kamino, she rented an apartment by the sea. She knew Luke would be worried about her, but maybe he could sense through the force what happened. She was so excited to see Han and she had wanted to see Threepio too so she could ask him if he knew her parents. But now her plans were hindered and all of that was going to have to wait. It could be worse, she knew. At least she wasn't caught. Leia stepped outside of her apartment on the balcony and leaned on the rail. The waves of the water was so soothing that it relaxed her nerves.
She was so relaxed that she didn't noticed that someone was staring at her. In the distance, the bounty hunter Boba Fett grinned as he saw Leia. He had no idea that his visit back to his home planet would be so rewarding. He pushed a button on his wrist and sent a hologram.
Luke returned to the Rebel Alliance.
"Luke!" Han said, happy to see him. He embraced his friend.
"Did Leia come here yet?" Luke asked.
"No. Is she coming?"
"Yeah, we both met up on Dagobah and left to come here. She should be here shortly."
"That's fantastic!" Han said, happy that he was going to be reunited with Leia.
"Luke!" Bail Organa came up ahead as he shook Luke's hand.
"Leia is coming here." Luke explained.
Bail sighed in relief. "That's wonderful. I'm so relieved that she's safe."
"Me too."
Bail looked around to make sure no one was listening and then said in a low voice, "Listen, I need to know where on Dagobah Obi-Wan is. There's something very important that he needs to know. This is extremely major."
Leia saw a cliff up ahead from her balcony. It would be a good place to go to get closer to the water. Leia decided to take that luxury. She left her apartment and sat at the end of the cliff, enjoying the view of the waves crashing on the rocks and the cool atmosphere of the evening.
"Hello Leia." A familiar and cold voice said.
Leia shut her eyes tightly. This couldn't be happening, not now. She knew who that voice belonged to. Did Vader sense her here again? Leia stood up and saw Killer and Vader.
"Do not try to fight. It would be pointless." Vader said as he came menacingly towards her.
Leia momentarily forgot that she was at the edge of a cliff and backed away instinctly as Vader came towards her. She then lost her footing and slipped. Leia screamed as she caught one of her hands on top of the cliff, but she was slipping away. Her heart raced in fear. She was going to fall to her death. She then heard both Vader and Killer scream "NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Vader grabbed Leia's hand that was clutching onto the cliff. Leia knew this was it. He was going to drop her. But instead, to Leia's surprise, he said, "Give me your other hand!"
Leia didn't know why Vader was trying to save her. She then saw Killer appear behind him and for the first time, she saw fear in Killer's eyes.
"Hold on, Leia!" She said.
Leia struggled to reach Vader's other hand, confused as to why he was helping her and afraid for her life. Finally, Vader managed to grab Leia's hand and he pulled her to safety. Leia then collapsed right into Vader's arms.
"She's alright." Vader said softly to Killer as she breathed in relief.
Several hours later, Leia's eyes opened. She gasped as she realized that she was lying down in a speeder on Coruscant. Leia remembered everything that happened as she gazed at the lights of the city. Vader brought her here. He now had her captive. But why didn't he let her die when he had the chance? She couldn't believe that he had saved her. That was the most shocking thing he ever did. But then Leia remembered that Vader and Killer wanted her to have a public execution. Leia then felt disgusted. They had saved her because they wanted to kill her themselves and in front of an audience. How sick was that?
The speeder finally stopped and three Imperial guards pulled Leia out. They had reached a large mansion and Leia was surprised that she was not brought to a prison. The Imperial guards brought Leia inside and up a flight of stairs. Leia didn't know how long she had to live. Would they wait until morning to kill her or were they just going to kill her now in this mansion.
Leia was brought to a large room. It was decorated beautifully with vases of flowers and a large fluffy bed in the center. Was this the room she was going to stay in?
Leia noticed a young woman standing inside with a hood over her head. She looked like a handmaiden. The Imperial guards left Leia inside with the woman and closed the door.
"There's a bathroom over there if you want to wash up." The handmaiden said and then handed Leia a long white dress with silver embroidery. "Darth Vader and Star Killer wish you to wear this."
Leia took the dress, surprised. What was going on? Why were they holding her in such a luxurious room and giving her an expensive and beautiful dress.
"Killer will be here shortly." The handmaiden said and then left the room.
Leia took her tattered clothes off and put the dress on. She was so confused by what was happening. She did not understand what Vader's and Killer's motives could be. Were they going to come here to kill her? Will they torture her? And how was she going to die? Leia sat at the edge of the bed as she was terrified of what was going to happen. It was very frightening to know that you were going to die soon. No matter how many times Leia felt it, she could not help but be scared. She was holding onto every single moment, regretting what was to come.
Then, the door opened and Vader stepped in. Leia stood up and looked at Vader fearfully as he stared at her. Leia waited for him to speak as he took several moments. He finally said, "You look beautiful."
If there was anything Leia expected him to say, that was the last thing. "What?" She asked, bewildered. She must have heard him wrong.
Before Vader could answer, Killer ran into the room. She took one look at Leia and there were tears in her eyes. She then ran to Leia and threw her arms around her.
"Oh, Leia!" She said.
Leia stood frozen in spot. Why was Killer hugging her? Leia expected to be killed, not this. What were they doing?
Leia pulled away from Killer and asked, "What are you doing?! What is all this?"
"You will join the dark side. You will become my apprentice. And you will help us rule the galaxy." Vader said.
Were they insane? "Are you crazy? What makes you think I would ever join you two?"
"Because Leia," Killer said as she smiled, "I am your mother." The smug look returned as the look of concern disappeared.
"And I am your father." Vader said.
Leia's eyes widened in shock as she looked at Killer and then at Vader, stunned beyond reason.
Vader and Killer are now going to tell Luke and Leia the truth. Please don't forget to leave me some reviews!
