It was time to find out exactly why Luke traumatized and with the Force; Lord Vader gently peeled back recent memories to ancient memories of his beginning life with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Luke was shy, introverted, and unknowingly used the Force for the daily aspects of his life. Luke was five years old when the abuse started to really make an appearance into Luke's daily life' prior to that it was little things that he was disciplined, minor occurrences really, particularly for a Jedi youngling. Lord Vader continued through his son's life, the fantasies he had about Anakin Skywalker, he knew little snippets from his Aunt Beru. She would hold him and whisper into Luke's ear about his father the hero of the Clone Wars. Somehow, Owen had found out that Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were one in the same.
That was the beginning for an escalation of Luke's life. Even at the tender age of five, Luke worked hard for his meals and for a bit of free time to play. He would take a stick about three feet long and swing it around like a Jedi. That seemed to be his favorite game to play like a Jedi. Luke was fearless; he would take large leaps from the top of the stairs and land feathery light on his feet, still brandishing his 'lightsaber'. He would only play like this when his uncle was nowhere; his Aunt Beru found it endearing to listen to Luke weave stories around his play. The beatings would intermingle from time to time and it came to an ugly head one day, when Luke asked Uncle Owen about the Jedi and in particularly his father. Luke reeled from the backhand of the farmer and cried as he held his cheek. "I'm going to teach you about the Jedi, boy." Luke struggled to run away, but Owen grabbed his arm and dragged him to the garage. "Owen, please!" The door slammed shut and Owen locked it. Luke fell to the floor as his Uncle pushed him. Luke watched as the cupboard opened and curled into a ball of fear. Owen pushed all the tools, parts, and other miscellaneous components off the workbench and lifted Luke, placing him over the large work area.
"Jedi ruined this galaxy, boy. They are not heroes to idolize; they think they are the rulers of men. You are to get this nonsense out of your head or I will beat it out of you."
"But, my father was a Jedi."
Luke cried as the first horrible lash came across his rear-end, "Do not cry, boy. Tears are for weaklings." Luke held in his tears and remained silent as the beating continued. Lord Vader pulled out of his son's memories, disgusted and incredibly angry. Luke would be too weak to carry out the torture; it would be up to Lord Vader to rectify this tragedy.
However, what was Lord Vader to do to help his young son heal? Should he wipe his memories? Should he allow those memories to use as a weapon for the Dark Side? Hatred and anger were easy pathways for greater power, but his son was much too young for that and he didn't want lose Luke to the Emperor. It was a dilemma.
Lord Vader decided to wipe the memory of Luke's cruel routine of expecting a beating each time he had a meal. Lord Vader just realized that Luke would have been better off with Watto. As cruel as Watto could be he never beat Anakin without sufficient reason.
Lord Vader left the room while his son slept peacefully. Dr. Frederickson smiled at the Dark Lord, "How is he?"
"He's fine; he might awaken with a slight headache, allow him to eat as much as he wants. I will have some clothes brought up to him in the morning."
"Very good, milord; have a pleasant evening."
Lord Vader left without saying another word. Dr. Frederickson approached Luke and was amazed to find that all of Luke's wounds healed, completely. Strange, but once again Dr. Frederickson knew very little about Lord Vader's force abilities and his beliefs. He hadn't ever seen a full recovery though; Luke completely healed.
xXx
The next morning, Luke groggily crawled out of bed to discover that nothing hurt, that was odd. The beatings always hurt for a week or more, particularly if he received more than one a day. Luke had suffered with chronic pain for the last four years; how should he feel now? Should he feel relieved? How did this happen? He felt Lord Vader enter his mind last night and seemed to be sifting through his old memories. Luke felt tears prickling threatening to spill, Luke was ashamed, now Lord Vader understood why the beatings had to take place. The Dark Lord of the Sith would merely continue where Uncle Owen had left. Possibly, if he were to do everything the Dark Lord asked and never fail, then maybe he would have a chance. He at least seemed to care for him and made sure that Luke had plenty of food and a warm bed. Dr. Frederickson arrived to see Luke sitting on the bed, fiddling with his blanket; he could tell that something was troubling him.
"Good morning, Luke; how did you sleep?"
"Okay, I guess." Luke responded feeling dejected.
Dr. Frederickson noticed how the young boy hung his head and saw a tear run down his face, "Darth Vader was here last night wasn't he?"
"Yes, what's troubling you?"
"He knows." Luke answered cryptically.
Dr. Frederickson walked across the room and lifted the young boy's head, "Luke, what's upsetting you?"
Before Luke could answer, the door opened to reveal an Ensign of the Quartermasters entering the room, "Good morning, Dr. Frederickson, Lord Vader requested that these be brought to your patient, Luke Skywalker."
"Thank you, Ensign."
Luke saw the package and quickly covered his head, while shaking with great fear. Dr. Frederickson removed the blankets from Luke's head and placed the package on Luke's bed. "I believe its clothing, Luke; nothing in here can hurt you."
Luke carefully lifted the brown paper package into his lap. He pulled the strings, which opened to reveal a long black cloak made of soft cotton, a pair of black pants, and a black tunic. In addition, a pair of ankle boots made of a soft nerf-hide. These clothes were obviously very expensive and would fit Luke perfectly, no more hand-me-downs or white tunics for him.
"These are too good for me." Luke muttered.
"You may want to take a nice shower and change. You'll feel better, trust me." Dr. Frederickson suggested. Luke was skeptical but didn't want it to get back to Lord Vader that he was being uncooperative. Luke entered the refresher and removed his nightshirt and boxers. He twisted the two knobs to find real water! "Wow!" The boy that was Luke jumped into the shower and played in the water, turning it on to very hot to ice cold. Lord Vader entered the hospital room, saw that Luke was out of bed, and heard the yelps of an excited boy in the shower. "He's enjoying the shower, milord." Dr. Frederickson smiled.
"I see." as he saw billows of warm mist come from underneath the door.
"Young one, I think you have played long enough, come out please." Lord Vader called out to him.
"Yes, sir." Luke wrapped a large towel around his waist and drying his long blonde hair. "I never expected a real shower. It had hot and cold water, all we had at home been sonic showers, not any fun." Lord Vader despite it hurting his face smiled a bit, when he had left Tatooine as young padawan learner water had amazed him as well. Luke pulled on his undergarments and watched as the Dark Lord picked up the towel to finish drying the boy's head.
Luke thoroughly amazed by the gentleness of Lord Vader, he never expected such kindness and care; he was certain that Lord Vader would kill him or torture him, but all he had done was seen to his needs. "Lord Vader?"
"Yes, young one?"
Luke wanted to ask but was afraid of the answer so he merely mumbled a never mind and remained silent. Lord Vader could sense many questions rolling around in Luke's mind but the boy was too nervous to ask a single one.
After Luke combed his hair, Lord Vader placed the warm cloak over Luke's shoulders and helped the youngling to straighten his clothing. Luke continued to stare at his feet, the new boots were very comfortable and did not pinch his feet like his old ones. "Come." Lord Vader placed a reassuring hand on the young boy's shoulder as he guided him out of the room.
Luke ran to Dr. Frederickson and thanked him. "You are welcome; you were a very good patient."
Lord Vader could feel the fear rolling off his son, fear of the unknown as well as his fear of having to return to his Uncle's custody.
"You won't ever return to that monster, Luke. I promise you." Lord Vader sent to his son telepathically.
Luke lightly gripped the Dark Lord's hand and as Lord Vader continued the long walk to his quarters, he felt Luke slide behind his cloak every time they came across some stormtroopers and officers.
