Chapter 54- Keeping a Promise, Arrival and Death
A/N: I am still going to do this story and I'm planning for a sequel, but know right now, this storyline has nothing to do with the new storyline by Rian Johnson and J.J. Abrams and has nothing to do with my Rey Skywalker and Reylo stories. I am planning a squel for Lena Skywalker, but it's going to follow the "Legends" storyline with Mara Jade, Anakin Solo, and Jaina and Jacen.
Luke, Lena, and the others left Tatooine in the Falcon and their x-wings. Lena and Luke went in one direction and Han flew the Falcon in the other. "Me and Lena'll meet you back at the fleet" Luke said.
"Hurry. Uncle Cail says the Alliance should be assembled by now," Leia said over their communicators.
"We will," Luke said.
"Hey, Luke, Lena, thanks. Thanks for coming after me. Now I owe you one," Han said and through the Force Lena felt her brother's mirth.
Lena heard Artoo beep. "That's right, Artoo. We're going to the Dagobah system. I have a promise to keep to an old friend," Luke said.
"Luke, how's your hand?" Lena asked. Luke had been shot in his prosthetic hand and now that Lena thought about it, now was the best time to ask about it.
"Good. I don't feel much pain from it," Luke said.
"Well, that's great. As soon as we make the jump to lightspeed, I'm gonna try for some sleep," Lena said as she put the coordinates into her computer.
"Good idea. It takes awhile to get there," Luke said as the stars turned to hyperspace.
Vader stood with trepidation as the emperor's shuttle landed in the hangar. Emperor Palpatine had changed a lot since he had been Supreme Chancellor of the Old Republic and while Anakin had looked at him as more of a father figure than Obi-Wan, Palpatine was rather frightening. He had never fixed what Mace Windue had done to him with the Force lightening so he looked like a man who was more dead than alive.
The emperor's red-clothed guards left the shuttle first, followed by the emperor. Vader and Jerjorrad bowed in obeisance as Palpatine descended the ramp. "Rise, my friend," Palpatine ordered in a low voice.
"The Death Star will be completed on schedule," Vader said as the walked through the lines of troops.
"You've done well, Lord Vader. And now I sense you wish to continue for the young Skywalkers," Palpatine said
Palatine was very good at sensing what others were thinking. There was no point in denying that was what he was thinking. "Yes, my master," Vader said.
"Patience, my friend. In time they will seek you out. And when they do you must bring them before me. They have grown strong. Only together can we turn them to the dark side of the Force," Palpatine said.
"As you wish," Vader said, half-grudgingly. Vader had no desire to corrupt his son and daughter. He would rather them stay in their light side of the Force than become like him.
"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen," Palpatine said before breaking out into a cackle that reverberated in the hangar.
Lena had never been to Dagobah and the murky, chilly swamp made her glad for her insulated Jedi robes. Lena was also grateful for the fire Yoda kept burning in his hut, but it didn't take a Jedi to see that Yoda was ill. "That face you and sister make, look I so old to young eyes?" Yoda asked as he leaned heavily on his gimer stick.
"No, of course not," Luke said, the lie a little too obvious.
Yoda turned from the fire. "I do. Yes, I do. Sick have I become. Old and weak. When 900 years old you sister reach, look as good you will not, hmmm?" Yoda asked with a laugh and hobbled to his bed. "Soon will I rest. Yes. Forever sleep. Earned it I have," Yoda gasped out.
"Master Yoda, you can't die," Luke protested.
"Strong am I with the Force, but not that strong. Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things, the way of the Force," Yoda said as he got into the bed and Luke pulled the cover to Yoda's chin.
"But Lena and I need your help. I've come back to complete the training," Luke said.
"No more training do you require. Already know you that which you need," Yoda said and closed his eyes, breathing heavily.
"Then I am a Jedi," Luke said.
Yoda opened his eyes. "Oh!" Yoda exclaimed with a laugh and cough. "Not yet. One thing remains; Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be. And confront him you will," Yoda said, his voice getting faint.
"Master Yoda, is Darth Vader mine and Lena's father?" Luke asked with a slight hesitation.
"Rest I need. Yes. Rest," Yoda said, turning to face the wall.
"Yoda, we must know. Talon Orran told me, but I have to hear it from you," Lena said.
"Your father he is. Told you both, did he?" Yoda asked.
"Yes," Luke said in a faint voice and nodded his head.
"Unexpected this is. And unfortunate," Yoda said.
"Unfortunate that Lena and I know the truth?" Luke asked, anger and indignation in his voice.
"No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face him, that incomplete was your training, that not ready for the burden were you and sister," Yoda said, turning to face them.
"I'm sorry," Luke said.
"Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware; Anger, fear, aggression, the dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke, Lena...Luke, Lena...do not...do not underestimate the powers of the emperor...or suffer you father's fate you will. Luke, Lena, when gone am I, the last of the Jedi you two and Talon Orran and Cora Orran will be. Luke, Lena, the Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned. Luke, Lena...there is...another...Sk...Sky...walker," Yoda gasped out with his last breath and his eyes closed forever.
Luke looked at Lena stunned and grief in his eyes and both looked back just to see Yoda disappear, becoming one with the Force.