Hey! I know, again. Long delay. BUT I was having a very difficult time with this chapter, so I hope it turned out ok. :) So I hope you all enjoy, and jsut so you know, this chapter will lead into some somewhat darker chapters. If you haven't visited my profile recently, I do know how the story is ending...and it's out there, and a tad...out there. Just so you know! As always, please read and review! I'd like to get to 100 reviews this chapter!! Please and thank you:)

And now for...

CHAPTER 10: HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN

Dust clouds rolled out from beneath the landing ship. Luke's eyes squinted involuntarily as he stepped out; the heat already smothering him in its stiff weight.

"My home; hotter than Hades, literally," he sighed and started off towards his old mentor's home.

The door opened from his flat palm and he walked in. He leaned against the door frame, his mind going back to that time so long ago when Ben had first told him of his destiny.

He wondered around, picking things up and then carefully placing them back into their ring of dust.

When he reached Ben's bedroom he tried to imagine Ben, shuffling around, living in here, meditating, his wise old eyes closed in concentration. Luke shook his head and shut the door; feeling as if he was intruding on a private moment.

He placed some of his few belongings in the main room and headed into the city. It was time for him to find out just what it was he had to save in order to accomplish his dream.

Lord Vader briskly walked through the pristine halls of the Death Star. He had always known that the Force had worked in mysterious ways, but this was low….even for the Force.

How dare the Force mess with him in this way. He was dark lord of the Sith! The Force had no right to do this to him; especially after all it had already put him through.

What, did it think he would never find out? Of course he would find out! He was dark lord of the Sith!

He was already in a foul mood and the whole ship was on edge, no one wanting to be the one who had to bring him his paperwork. Three assistants were on the floor, blue-faced and swollen.

His mouth formed an even deeper scowl as he dwelled on this new discovery even more. No way was the Force getting away with this one. No way in hell.

Anakin sat back in his chair, still basking in the cool breeze of his vision. How he loved Naboo. The mind could do wonderful things he decided; even if they brought some pain along with them.

"Mr. Skywalker, sir?" a deep voice came from the doorway.

A slight grin formed on Anakin's face, "Come in, Han."

Han walked in, his face down, not looking Anakin in the face. He sat down at one of the chairs and started tapping his toes.

Anakin drummed his fingers impatiently; he had a lot of work to do and his vision break had already put him behind schedule.

"Is there anything you wanted, Han?" he asked irritated.

Han stayed silent for a second and twisted the end of his shirt. His hand brushed his holster which held his beloved blaster. As if the blaster had given him some insight, he lifted his head, an unknown gleam in his eyes.

"Actually," he said, his voice ever so manly, "I came here to tell you one thing."

Anakin raised his eyebrows, waiting.

"You. Don't. Scare. Me." He enunciated ever syllable with delicate precision.

Anakin got up from behind the desk and walked solemnly around and perched himself on the desk in front of Han. He rested he chin on his hand and nodded, "Oh, is that so?"

Much to Anakin's surprise, Han kept his ground, "Yes. That is…so."

Anakin prodded even more, suddenly ever more irritated that Han was back to his old self, "And what makes you think you have any right not to be frightened of me?"

"Because I have Leia." Han's grin widened as Anakin dropped off. Anakin clutched Han's arm painfully, "If you EVER do anything to hurt her I swear…"

Han pulled back his arm and tripped Anakin to the floor. He stood over him, menacing, "And what makes you think I'll hurt her?"

Anakin jumped up, just seeing how tall Han really was, "You don't want to know," He growled.

Han's hand clenched into a fist at his side, "I don't know what kind of guy you think I am, Mr. Skywalker, but I'm not like that," he jabbed a finger in Anakin's face, "I love your daughter, and I would never do anything to hurt her." He took a step back, a staring contest proceeding. Han gave the 'once-over' on Anakin, "You, however…I can't promise."

The door opened behind them and Leia stepped in, immediately sensing the tension in the air.

"Han…Dad?" she asked cautiously.

"I don't want you to see…him anymore, Leia," Anakin spat.

Leia snapped her fists to her hips, "Excuse me?"

"You are not allowed to see him anymore," his voice held authority, but Leia didn't back down.

"I don't think so." Leia stepped towards her father, her face twisted into a scowl.

Han took a step in front of Leia.

"I don't trust him, Leia."

"Father! You have no right to say that! You don't even know Han!"

"I know enough, Leia. I've seen their types before. You deserve better."

At that, Han exploded. His fist flew forward and slammed into Anakin's cheek, "There is no better than me!" he howled. Anakin fell to the ground his hand covering his pained face, "What the hell?! Did you see that Leia? Are you going to let him do that?"

Leia glared at her father, "Yes. I am. Because you deserved it."

Anakin struggled to get up, "Leia,"

Leia turned from the doorway, her hand in Han's, "No, Dad. No." She walked out, the door slamming behind her.

Anakin slumped against his desk, staring at the closed door. What had he done?

"Are you sure it's him?" the Emperor asked his servant again.

"I am certain, Master. I have seen his Force signature, it is very recognizable."

Palpatine nodded, "Then you must do everything in your power in to destroy him. There must be no one do interfere with out plans."

Vader nodded and bowed, "Yes, Master."

Luke walked into the cantina, memories flooding his mind. He sat down at the bar beside an intimidating blue creature and ordered a drink for himself. He turned to the creature, "Have you seen anything strange around here lately, sir? Any trouble?" he asked, getting right to the point.

The creature's mouth formed a scowl, "Of all the nerve!" a very ladylike voice rang out from beneath the flaps of skin.

Luke blushed crimson, "I'm so sorry, ma'am! I…I didn't… can I buy you a drink?"

The creature's foot came into direct contact with Luke's. She yelled out to the band of people and creatures filling the bar, "This nice young man has decided to buy everyone's drinks tonight!" Shouts of cheer rang up from various tables and the orders started to flood in.

Luke looked at the creature in shook. She smirked and stormed out of the cantina. Luke faced the bartender. He grinned and punched Luke in the shoulder, "Thanks, buddy. I needed a drink." Luke flipped him some credits grudgingly and looked up at the news on the small screen on the back wall.

And in other recent news it seems the fair planet of Naboo as seeing some rather strange robberies.

Luke perked up some and focused all his attention on the screen.

A vast amount of robberies have taken place. Especially near the Naboo palace.

More interesting though is the late Senator Amidala, former Queen of Naboo's grave was recently plundered, her body stolen. Authority's say the plunder was messy and unexpected. So far they have no leads. Interviews with the family will be taking place soon.

A picture of the neat cemetery zoomed in on Padme's grave. The coffin inside the deep hole was opened, vast space filling the interior. Luke's eyes went wide. Padme. His mother. Her grave. Robbed.

He got up and moved closer to the screen. He squinted, "Pause the screen!" he yelled to the bartender in a forceful voice. The bartender fumbled with the remote but managed to pause the screen on the image of the empty coffin.

Luke took a mental picture. At the bottom of the coffin lay a small wooden necklace. An amulet, almost. He had seen it before. But where? His mind shot back to late night conversations with his father. Of course. The japor snippet.

He gritted his teeth; his mind set on finding out who whoever took the body was going to pay. He flew out of the bar into his speeder home. His mission would have to wait. This was more important.

­Vader crossed his arms. Ha, he thought. Beat that, Force.