In ESB and again in RoTJ, Yoda makes the comment that "There is another". If Luke
were to mess up, there was still hope for everyone. This story takes place in an
alternate universe where Leia truly is the *last* hope for the galaxy. Darth Vader has
captured Luke, and it is up to Leia to save everyone. This story was inspired by Valerie
Vancollie's "Father and Son", which is a wonderful what-if story about Luke's future.
There's not much going on in the first chapter, but it'll get better... I hope. :) Be sure to
let me know what you think of it so far.
Disclaimer: All of the characters belong to George Lucas. He invented them, I'm just
playing with them. :)
The Final Dawn
by: Star Bunny
rated: PG
Chapter 1
---
The halls of the star cruiser were silent save for the methodical clicking of the passing
squad of stormtroopers. The stark white of their uniforms was in sharp contrast to the
dark interior of the ship, and one might have been mistaken in thinking them good for the
mere fact that they were not only dressed in white, but that they were the army of the
Emperor.
In the few short years since Palpatine had decreed himself the Galactic Emperor, there
had been few noticeable adverse affects to the everyday citizen of the galaxy. The
average person had yet to realize what a harsh and cruel man was in control of their
lives. In fact, aside from the quite disturbing genocide of the Jedi - which had yet to be
linked to Palpatine in any concrete way - the reign of the new Emperor had been
relatively smooth.
But any casual observer to that particular space cruiser would have noticed that the
figure that followed the storm troopers down the hallway was anything if not an evil man.
His dark suit, heavy breathing, and the sheer massiveness of his form alone were
enough to unnerve even the most strong-willed person, but there was an air of pure evil
that seeped through the beady black eyes of his mask.
He followed the squad as far as the command room, where he stopped to send a
transmission to the Emperor. The mission that he was on was of the utmost importance,
and he wanted to make sure that all of the plans were running smoothly.
"My lord," he bowed reverently as the image of the Emperor flickered onto the
holograph screen.
"Rise."
"Are you sure that the child will still be there upon our arrival? The guardians will not
attempt to move him?"
"Patience, Lord Vader. I have foreseen it. They think that we do not know of the boy.
He will be there."
"And when I capture him?"
"Bring him to me. The son of Skywalker must be dealt with very carefully."
"As you wish," Vader bowed again. The image faded, leaving a very pensive Darth
Vader. It was still a bit strange to hear his son spoken of as "the son of Skywalker". It
wasn't too long ago that he himself had been the very same Skywalker, and the boy had
been his son. But that was before his enlightenment, before his encounter with the Dark
Side of the Force. Family no longer mattered, save for the link that he and his son would
share now that they would be on the same side. His son would not be raised as a Sith -
at least not to begin with, because there could only be two at a time. But perhaps he
could be taught about the Dark Side.
The mechanical heart that beat within his armored body refused to change its pace to
suit his emotions, but had he the choice his heartbeat would have remained exactly the
way it was. Darth Vader was excited by nothing.
The plan was to raid the home of Owen and Beru Lars, kill all inhabitants, and take their
foster child, Luke, as their prisoner. Even at five years, Luke was amazingly strong in the
Force. Much like Anakin had been at that age... but that was years ago, and he had been
another man. And soon Luke's life would be changed in the very same way.
Vader's previous mission of annihilating the Jedi had been cut short for this express
purpose: to take back what was rightfully his. The boy's mother had been found dead
somewhere on the Alderaan system, presumably at the hand of a bounty hunter. The
Queen of Naboo was not very popular in these days. With the mother - his hardened
heart could no longer bring himself to even think her name - dead, the child belonged to
him. And after this mission was accomplished, he would return to his search for the last
remaining Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the great Master Yoda. They could not hide from
him forever.
Satisfied that nothing could ruin his plans, Vader made his way over to the control room
window to simply watch the millions of systems, over which he now had control, fly past.
---
Tatooine was a barren planet by nature, with its lashing sandstorms, fiery double suns
baking the already dry land, and the endless sea of sand which was not conducive to any
form of life. But the quaint little moisture farm near the town of Anchorhead seemed to
defy any and all stereotypes of the planet it called home. Owen and Beru Lars had done
a wonderful job of making their farm homey and full of life. Something was always
happening on their farm, and they liked it that way. And now that Luke was in their lives, it
seemed like the farm had truly blossomed into a rich and vibrant place to live. Luke
brought with him such a strong life force that Beru was sure that he made everything
around him seem more alive, more vital.
That morning, before the suns rose, Beru had set out to make breakfast for her "men".
After they ate, Owen would head out to the fields while Luke would either join him,
pretending to help, or run around the house playing star pilot or whatever happened to
suit his fancy that particular day.
She had just begun to set the cups of juice on the table and was about to call them to
breakfast when she heard a noise outside the living quarters. She set down the cup in
her hand and went outside to see what it was. No sooner had she stepped outside the
kitchen than she was faced with an entire squadron of stormtroopers headed by none
other than the Emperor's right-hand man.
Many people had yet to realize where the galaxy was headed, but Beru Lars understood
enough of why Luke lived with them to know that no good could come of this man
invading her home.
"Can I help you?" She managed to keep her voice steady, but was prepared to do
anything she needed to save her adopted son.
The large black-clad man was the one to speak, and his voice chilled her to her very
core.
"You and your husband are under arrest."
"For what? What have we done?" she asked, her trembling voice betraying only a
fraction of her fear.
"You have committed high treason against his excellency the Galactic Emperor. If you
come quietly, you will be spared your lives."
"You have no proof," came a voice from behind them. Owen now stood behind Beru, an
utterly calm look on his face. "You cannot arrest us."
"What more proof is needed? You have willfully housed enemies of the Empire and
hidden the Emperor's own son. You are guilty, and will be given only one more chance
to leave peacefully."
"The Emperor's son!" Owen cried. "Anakin, what has become of you? How can you
use your own son like this? Luke is innocent in this matter. Are you prepared to turn him
into what you've become? He's only a boy!"
Vader stared at the man he used to call brother through unsympathetic, unchanging
eyes. "Kill him. Maybe the woman will be more reasonable when she sees what
happens to traitors."
"NO!" Beru clung to Owen as one of the stormtroopers began to drag him away. He was
dead before he had crossed the threshold.
"Where is the boy?" Vader asked Beru slowly. "Or we will burn this house with the both
of you inside."
Beru was not a brave woman. She was meek and subservient. But something about
this man disturbed her. Owen had called him Anakin, and if that was correct then he was
Luke's father.
A man like that did not deserve to be Luke's father.
Beru's eyes narrowed, and she lifted her chin defiantly. "You can't have him."
Vader lifted a hand, and she immediately raised her hands to her throat, gasping and
choking.
"I will ask one last time - where is the boy?"
Beru summoned her last ounce of courage in what would be her final stand against the
corrupt Galactic Empire and spit on the great Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
With a furious snort, he flung her across the room to where her husband now lay. He
then turned to his troopers. "Set your weapons for stun. Find the boy and bring him to
me. I want him alive." As the men hurried to do their bidding, Vader turned to look at the
lifeless bodies of Owen and Beru Lars and calmly wiped the spit off of his face.
---
Several minutes later, a young boy of about five years, dressed in pajamas, and
obviously just out of bed stumbled in the room followed by three stormtroopers. The
boy didn't seemed to be fazed at all that big white men with guns and a very large black
monster of a man were surrounding him. He was not afraid.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Where did you get that funny mask?"
"I was born with it." He was about to tackle the question of who he was when Luke
suddenly noticed the bodies of his aunt and uncle on the floor.
"You killed them!" he cried.
"I did not kill them. They killed themselves, Luke."
"How do you know my name?" he asked tearfully, still suspicious of the big black man's
involvement in their deaths.
"I know your name because your father sent me."
"My father didn't send you," he stated surely. "My father was Anakin Skywalker. He was
a navigator on a space freighter. I want to be a pilot when I grow up."
"Your uncle lied to you. He wasn't really your uncle. Anakin Skywalker is not your father.
The Emperor is your father. You are the Emperor's son." He held his hand out to Luke,
but when he hesitated to take it, Vader grabbed his hand and began to drag him out. He
turned to the stormtroopers as an afterthought. "Burn it to the ground."
As the group headed back to the space cruiser, Luke frequently looked back to see the
only home he had ever known go up in flames. He looked at the man that the white men
called "Lord Vader" and felt hate for the first time in his young life.
---
Coruscant had been called the city that never slept. True, it was really a planet and not a
city, but the distinction between city and planet on Coruscant had disappeared hundreds
of years ago.
As the space cruiser approached the city, Luke stood at the window in awe. He had
never before seen so many buildings at the same time. In fact, he had never actually
seen a building other than the sandstone huts of the Lars' moisture farm. He was now
surrounded by huge metal structures that were taller than the largest cliff or dune and
seemed to stretch farther than the great deserts of Tatooine.
The cruiser came to a stop on one of the nicer landing platforms in the area. Luke felt a
moment of apprehension at what was to become of him, but curiosity eventually won out
over fear, and he hurried off the ship to explore the new planet. Just off the end of the
ramp was a shriveled old man wearing a dark, hooded robe. His eyes were sunken and
soulless, and he carried a twisted cane to help him walk. The man's lips turned up in a
cruel smile at the sight of Luke, and he cackled silently as he approached the ramp.
"Welcome, young Skywalker," he said. Luke shivered at the sound of his voice;
something about this man made him uneasy and cold. "We have been expecting you."
He gestured with his cane, and one of the stormtroopers caught hold of Luke's arms.
He hoisted him up so that he was riding on his shoulders. The dark hooded man's lips
curved once again, and he stated in a very pleased voice, "Everything is proceeding as I
have foreseen it."
---
Please review! Chapter 2 will be out soon. Let me know what you think.
Bunny ^_^
were to mess up, there was still hope for everyone. This story takes place in an
alternate universe where Leia truly is the *last* hope for the galaxy. Darth Vader has
captured Luke, and it is up to Leia to save everyone. This story was inspired by Valerie
Vancollie's "Father and Son", which is a wonderful what-if story about Luke's future.
There's not much going on in the first chapter, but it'll get better... I hope. :) Be sure to
let me know what you think of it so far.
Disclaimer: All of the characters belong to George Lucas. He invented them, I'm just
playing with them. :)
The Final Dawn
by: Star Bunny
rated: PG
Chapter 1
---
The halls of the star cruiser were silent save for the methodical clicking of the passing
squad of stormtroopers. The stark white of their uniforms was in sharp contrast to the
dark interior of the ship, and one might have been mistaken in thinking them good for the
mere fact that they were not only dressed in white, but that they were the army of the
Emperor.
In the few short years since Palpatine had decreed himself the Galactic Emperor, there
had been few noticeable adverse affects to the everyday citizen of the galaxy. The
average person had yet to realize what a harsh and cruel man was in control of their
lives. In fact, aside from the quite disturbing genocide of the Jedi - which had yet to be
linked to Palpatine in any concrete way - the reign of the new Emperor had been
relatively smooth.
But any casual observer to that particular space cruiser would have noticed that the
figure that followed the storm troopers down the hallway was anything if not an evil man.
His dark suit, heavy breathing, and the sheer massiveness of his form alone were
enough to unnerve even the most strong-willed person, but there was an air of pure evil
that seeped through the beady black eyes of his mask.
He followed the squad as far as the command room, where he stopped to send a
transmission to the Emperor. The mission that he was on was of the utmost importance,
and he wanted to make sure that all of the plans were running smoothly.
"My lord," he bowed reverently as the image of the Emperor flickered onto the
holograph screen.
"Rise."
"Are you sure that the child will still be there upon our arrival? The guardians will not
attempt to move him?"
"Patience, Lord Vader. I have foreseen it. They think that we do not know of the boy.
He will be there."
"And when I capture him?"
"Bring him to me. The son of Skywalker must be dealt with very carefully."
"As you wish," Vader bowed again. The image faded, leaving a very pensive Darth
Vader. It was still a bit strange to hear his son spoken of as "the son of Skywalker". It
wasn't too long ago that he himself had been the very same Skywalker, and the boy had
been his son. But that was before his enlightenment, before his encounter with the Dark
Side of the Force. Family no longer mattered, save for the link that he and his son would
share now that they would be on the same side. His son would not be raised as a Sith -
at least not to begin with, because there could only be two at a time. But perhaps he
could be taught about the Dark Side.
The mechanical heart that beat within his armored body refused to change its pace to
suit his emotions, but had he the choice his heartbeat would have remained exactly the
way it was. Darth Vader was excited by nothing.
The plan was to raid the home of Owen and Beru Lars, kill all inhabitants, and take their
foster child, Luke, as their prisoner. Even at five years, Luke was amazingly strong in the
Force. Much like Anakin had been at that age... but that was years ago, and he had been
another man. And soon Luke's life would be changed in the very same way.
Vader's previous mission of annihilating the Jedi had been cut short for this express
purpose: to take back what was rightfully his. The boy's mother had been found dead
somewhere on the Alderaan system, presumably at the hand of a bounty hunter. The
Queen of Naboo was not very popular in these days. With the mother - his hardened
heart could no longer bring himself to even think her name - dead, the child belonged to
him. And after this mission was accomplished, he would return to his search for the last
remaining Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the great Master Yoda. They could not hide from
him forever.
Satisfied that nothing could ruin his plans, Vader made his way over to the control room
window to simply watch the millions of systems, over which he now had control, fly past.
---
Tatooine was a barren planet by nature, with its lashing sandstorms, fiery double suns
baking the already dry land, and the endless sea of sand which was not conducive to any
form of life. But the quaint little moisture farm near the town of Anchorhead seemed to
defy any and all stereotypes of the planet it called home. Owen and Beru Lars had done
a wonderful job of making their farm homey and full of life. Something was always
happening on their farm, and they liked it that way. And now that Luke was in their lives, it
seemed like the farm had truly blossomed into a rich and vibrant place to live. Luke
brought with him such a strong life force that Beru was sure that he made everything
around him seem more alive, more vital.
That morning, before the suns rose, Beru had set out to make breakfast for her "men".
After they ate, Owen would head out to the fields while Luke would either join him,
pretending to help, or run around the house playing star pilot or whatever happened to
suit his fancy that particular day.
She had just begun to set the cups of juice on the table and was about to call them to
breakfast when she heard a noise outside the living quarters. She set down the cup in
her hand and went outside to see what it was. No sooner had she stepped outside the
kitchen than she was faced with an entire squadron of stormtroopers headed by none
other than the Emperor's right-hand man.
Many people had yet to realize where the galaxy was headed, but Beru Lars understood
enough of why Luke lived with them to know that no good could come of this man
invading her home.
"Can I help you?" She managed to keep her voice steady, but was prepared to do
anything she needed to save her adopted son.
The large black-clad man was the one to speak, and his voice chilled her to her very
core.
"You and your husband are under arrest."
"For what? What have we done?" she asked, her trembling voice betraying only a
fraction of her fear.
"You have committed high treason against his excellency the Galactic Emperor. If you
come quietly, you will be spared your lives."
"You have no proof," came a voice from behind them. Owen now stood behind Beru, an
utterly calm look on his face. "You cannot arrest us."
"What more proof is needed? You have willfully housed enemies of the Empire and
hidden the Emperor's own son. You are guilty, and will be given only one more chance
to leave peacefully."
"The Emperor's son!" Owen cried. "Anakin, what has become of you? How can you
use your own son like this? Luke is innocent in this matter. Are you prepared to turn him
into what you've become? He's only a boy!"
Vader stared at the man he used to call brother through unsympathetic, unchanging
eyes. "Kill him. Maybe the woman will be more reasonable when she sees what
happens to traitors."
"NO!" Beru clung to Owen as one of the stormtroopers began to drag him away. He was
dead before he had crossed the threshold.
"Where is the boy?" Vader asked Beru slowly. "Or we will burn this house with the both
of you inside."
Beru was not a brave woman. She was meek and subservient. But something about
this man disturbed her. Owen had called him Anakin, and if that was correct then he was
Luke's father.
A man like that did not deserve to be Luke's father.
Beru's eyes narrowed, and she lifted her chin defiantly. "You can't have him."
Vader lifted a hand, and she immediately raised her hands to her throat, gasping and
choking.
"I will ask one last time - where is the boy?"
Beru summoned her last ounce of courage in what would be her final stand against the
corrupt Galactic Empire and spit on the great Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
With a furious snort, he flung her across the room to where her husband now lay. He
then turned to his troopers. "Set your weapons for stun. Find the boy and bring him to
me. I want him alive." As the men hurried to do their bidding, Vader turned to look at the
lifeless bodies of Owen and Beru Lars and calmly wiped the spit off of his face.
---
Several minutes later, a young boy of about five years, dressed in pajamas, and
obviously just out of bed stumbled in the room followed by three stormtroopers. The
boy didn't seemed to be fazed at all that big white men with guns and a very large black
monster of a man were surrounding him. He was not afraid.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Where did you get that funny mask?"
"I was born with it." He was about to tackle the question of who he was when Luke
suddenly noticed the bodies of his aunt and uncle on the floor.
"You killed them!" he cried.
"I did not kill them. They killed themselves, Luke."
"How do you know my name?" he asked tearfully, still suspicious of the big black man's
involvement in their deaths.
"I know your name because your father sent me."
"My father didn't send you," he stated surely. "My father was Anakin Skywalker. He was
a navigator on a space freighter. I want to be a pilot when I grow up."
"Your uncle lied to you. He wasn't really your uncle. Anakin Skywalker is not your father.
The Emperor is your father. You are the Emperor's son." He held his hand out to Luke,
but when he hesitated to take it, Vader grabbed his hand and began to drag him out. He
turned to the stormtroopers as an afterthought. "Burn it to the ground."
As the group headed back to the space cruiser, Luke frequently looked back to see the
only home he had ever known go up in flames. He looked at the man that the white men
called "Lord Vader" and felt hate for the first time in his young life.
---
Coruscant had been called the city that never slept. True, it was really a planet and not a
city, but the distinction between city and planet on Coruscant had disappeared hundreds
of years ago.
As the space cruiser approached the city, Luke stood at the window in awe. He had
never before seen so many buildings at the same time. In fact, he had never actually
seen a building other than the sandstone huts of the Lars' moisture farm. He was now
surrounded by huge metal structures that were taller than the largest cliff or dune and
seemed to stretch farther than the great deserts of Tatooine.
The cruiser came to a stop on one of the nicer landing platforms in the area. Luke felt a
moment of apprehension at what was to become of him, but curiosity eventually won out
over fear, and he hurried off the ship to explore the new planet. Just off the end of the
ramp was a shriveled old man wearing a dark, hooded robe. His eyes were sunken and
soulless, and he carried a twisted cane to help him walk. The man's lips turned up in a
cruel smile at the sight of Luke, and he cackled silently as he approached the ramp.
"Welcome, young Skywalker," he said. Luke shivered at the sound of his voice;
something about this man made him uneasy and cold. "We have been expecting you."
He gestured with his cane, and one of the stormtroopers caught hold of Luke's arms.
He hoisted him up so that he was riding on his shoulders. The dark hooded man's lips
curved once again, and he stated in a very pleased voice, "Everything is proceeding as I
have foreseen it."
---
Please review! Chapter 2 will be out soon. Let me know what you think.
Bunny ^_^
