Chapter 7 – Laying the Trap

Author's Note: The climax begins in this chapter! There'll be one more chapter followed by an epilogue after this. :D

We have finished a second tribute for Vader on our YT channel. Check it out if you're interested. :P No spaces in the link: youtu . be / TrRylvLR0fE

~ Amina Gila

"It has been done, my Lord," Cody informs Vader, standing at attention.

"Good." Vader can't keep the satisfaction from filling his voice. After four long months on this planet, they're finally ready to confront the Emperor. "Go prepare the troops. Ready everything for the coming assault."

"Yes, sir." The clone salutes before hurrying out of the room. All of them are getting older now, but that hasn't prevented them from serving him with just as much fierceness as they did during the Clone Wars. Really, it's almost a shame that the Emperor decided to stop using clones. They were much better warriors than the current stormtroopers ever could be.

Vader stands there a moment longer after Cody leaves before making his way to main conference room to speak with the others. He can feel Luke's anxiety through their bond; his son is hardly even trying to shield it. Leia's emotions are closed off from him entirely. While they certainly aren't close, not nearly as much as he and Luke are, he's proud that they've achieved a level of tolerance for one another. It's much better than constantly aggravating each other.

"Father!" Luke is out of his seat even before Vader has entered the room. "When will they arrive?"

Vader rolls his eyes behind the mask. "I would have thought that hours of meditation would have given you more patience, young one," he chides. "I do not have an answer to that question, but I expect it will be within six hours, especially if the Emperor arrives with a Star Destroyer. If he arrives alone, it should be sooner."

"Great. We'll just sit here and try not to panic in the meantime," grumbles Leia, scowling.

"Panic you should not," Yoda tells her severely, tapping his stick on the floor for emphasis. "Calm your mind you must, young Skywalker."

"I'm not a – oh, forget it!" Leia glares at him before obediently closing her eyes and trying to keep herself calm during the wait.

Rex, Solo, and the Wookie, Chewbacca, are with the clones. They'll be supporting them and leaving the Force sensitives to deal with the Emperor. Yoda is completely shielding his presence, while Vader is concealing Leia's. He wants to get the benefit of surprise, at least as much as he can. All the Emperor currently knows is that he – and his son – just returned to the Mustafar fortress, which is true because they were assisting the Rebels on a short mission a few days ago. It wasn't strictly necessary, but they went so Sidious wouldn't sense any lies in Cody's words.

Luke shifts around, looking between his sister and Yoda – both of whom are meditating – and Vader who is slowly pacing the room. Theoretically, Vader could meditate too, but he's too tightly wound for it. They cannot make even one mistake, because if they do, all of them will die, and everything he's planned will be for nothing. Finally, he forces himself to still at the window, looking out at the lava fields beyond without really seeing them.

It doesn't come as a surprise when Luke comes to stand next to him. "I can't wait for this to be over," his son murmurs.

"Nor can I," Vader admits, after one respirator cycle passes. Turning, he opens his arms in silent invitation. Luke throws himself at him, hugging him as tightly as he can with Vader's armor separating them.

"It looks like I'll be missing all the fun," an all too familiar voice comments wryly, breaking the moment. Vader sighs silently in exasperation before tilting his helmet to look at the Force ghost of his former master. Obi-Wan is leaning against the wall, watching them with an almost wistful expression on his face.

"You should be glad," Vader throws back. "If you were here, you would be training Leia in Master Yoda's place, and she's worse than me."

Obi-Wan gives him a look of mild alarm, eyes flicking to Leia before focusing on Vader again. It had taken weeks – months – of Luke being an intermediary before Vader agreed to speak to Obi-Wan in person. Their conversation had been long, exceptionally long, and just as painful, but he doesn't regret it. There was so much which was left unsaid, emotions which they finally got to release. It had been cathartic, and Vader no longer minds when Obi-Wan randomly pops in to offer advice or just chat.

"I think," the Jedi Master states candidly, "That it would be hard for anyone to be a more troublesome, yet endearing, Padawan than you, Anakin."

Vader stops breathing for a moment. He's not comfortable with his old name, but Obi-Wan still uses it occasionally. If he accepts his former identity, that will permanently alter him. He doesn't want to accept his deeds, though they weigh heavily on him at times. War is thrilling, but the consequences not so much. He can't have one without the other unless he fights crime empires – imagine the irony in that.

"Perhaps too soon to say that it was Master Kenobi," Yoda observes, ears twitching slightly as he watches them with something akin to mirth.

"Not helping," mutters Vader, shaking the words away. It's something he can't afford to think about right now. He knows that he's more Anakin than Vader many times, even on this dark planet, but it no longer concerns him. He has power; he has his children and if he has his way, the Emperor will fall by the end of the day.

"Relax," Obi-Wan says after a few minutes of silence. "You are all the most powerful Force sensitives in the galaxy, and you're ready to confront and destroy Sidious." He includes everyone in his words, giving Vader one final searching look before he disappears. Vader knows he's nearby – he can sense the Force presence in a vaguely just out of reach sort of way.

"Meditate together you should," suggest Yoda finally. "United you must be." Vader knows that Yoda has accepted what Obi-Wan did months ago, that Anakin was slowly coming back. He's tried numerous times to help Vader, even going so far as to speak to Leia about her attitude towards him. It's mainly because of Yoda and Luke, and that Vader and Leia are at this point in their relationship.

Vader concedes to the suggestion, sitting down at the head of the table. Luke joins him, taking the chair to his right. Leia is next to him, while Yoda is on the other side. Together, they delve into the Force, bolstering themselves for the struggle which is yet to come.

**w**

The blaring alarms jolt Luke out of his meditative trance. In an instant, his father goes from calm and almost peaceful to tense and worried. He feels Vader reaching out and securing shields over Yoda and Leia so tightly that even Luke can't sense them – though he can feel Leia slightly because of their bond.

"Come," Vader orders, motioning to Luke. "He knows that I have sensed his presence. We have nothing to gain by staying here." Exactly according to plan.

Luke gives Leia a reassuring look before he follows their father. She tries to smile, but it falls flat, fingers nervously fiddling with the lightsaber. She has Obi-Wan's old lightsaber, and Luke tries really hard not to think what it meant that Vader not only kept it but put it in a place of prominence in his meditation pod. He immediately knew it was a sign of an attachment which Vader was ardently denying. That was the main reason why he'd worked so hard to help mend the differences between Obi-Wan and his father.

Luke forces himself to stand still next to his father immediately inside the doors of the fortress. Vader had predicted that the Emperor would land on the outside platform instead of demanding access to the private hanger bay – which is where the Falcon is being stored. "He is not alone," Vader suddenly says, tone laced with concern. "He has come with one of his Hands."

"What?" Luke cautiously reaches out senses a less prominent Force signature along with the overwhelming darkness of the Emperor. "This will change everything."

"Be calm, my son," Vader admonishes. "The Hands are well trained, but you or your sister can easily keep one of them occupied while the rest of us deal with the Emperor."

They don't speak, waiting silently together as the clones open the doors to admit Sidious into the fortress. Following him, aside from four of his personal guard, is a hooded woman. Luke can't see her face – it's concealed under the hood – but he can feel her malicious stare as the pair approach him.

"Your Highness," Vader acknowledges, tipping his head slightly. That he doesn't use the title master is telling. It's a subtle hint of insubordination, which Luke is certain Sidious won't miss. "What brings you to my home?"

"You," snarls Sidious, "Are too dangerous to remain at liberty. You have committed treason against your Emperor, and as you know, Lord Vader, treason is punishable by death."

"I feel so honored that I have attracted so much attention from you personally," Vader retorts sarcastically, crossing his arms.

The Sith Lord cackles. "When you are dead, your son will take your place at my side. He will see the true power of the Dark Side, and he will learn to embrace it just as you have."

"Uh... no," Luke states flatly. "I decline the offer." He gives Sidious a fake-cheerful smile, which he knows will aggravate him. He trusts his father implicitly, and Vader won't let him come to harm.

Sidious raises his hands, and Vader ignites his lightsaber, pushing Luke behind him as he effortlessly deflects the lightning which his erstwhile master begins raining down on them. Luke slowly backs away, following the plan as he hits the button to open the door into the main entrance hall of the fortress. Not only will it be easier to fight in there because the size gives extra maneuverability, but also, it's necessary for the clones to carry out their part of the plan.

The lightning attack ends, and Luke ignites his lightsaber, holding it defensively as his father moves to join him, eyes fixed warily on Sidious and his Hand. "You will fail," the Sith promises darkly, a red lightsaber hissing to life. Then, he lunges.

His Hand follows right behind, and as her hood falls back, Luke sees a pair of cold green eyes staring at him, in stark contrast to her bright red hair. Unlike Sidious, her lightsaber is purple. Vader reaches out through their bond. "That's Mara Jade. She is the most powerful of the Emperor's Hands." Luke sends him a feeling of acknowledgement but doesn't bother replying. He's been training for this moment for months. He can do it.

He repeats that silently as Jade's lightsaber clashes with his in the same moment Sidious attacks Vader. His father flicks a hand, and the lights turn on, casting a glow throughout the hall. From the shadows, Leia and Yoda step forth, lightsabers igniting. Their unexpected appearance is enough to temporarily take Sidious by surprise. Luke feels shock ripple through the Force followed by a burning rage. The Sith Master hadn't expected Vader to get other allies, or maybe he just realized that he was outmaneuvered. Serves him right.

"Surprised?" Yoda asks, a hint of mocking in his voice. He flips through the air, green blade clashing with Sidious's as he joins Vader. Leia doesn't hesitate, immediately streaking to Luke to defend him from Jade.

"Are you truly so weak, Lord Vader, that you would turn to the Jedi for help?" Sidious sneers scornfully.

"Better to underestimate than overestimate," Vader retorts smoothly. Luke glances at him briefly, still in awe of how his father fights, lightsaber weaving around him so fast that his eyes can't even track it.

Jade says nothing, but her gaze promises murder. Luke reaches out to Leia through the Force, sending her his silent support, encouragement, and love as they attack the Hand together. They might not have much training, but they are both Skywalkers, and they – he at least – are proud of it. This is a fight they cannot afford to lose. Blue against purple, the duel begins in earnest.