Luke reluctantly left his sister in tears, as he had sensed Han's approach. He wished with all his heart that events could have worked out differently, that he did not have to go straight into the gloved hands of Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith and one of the most powerful men in the galaxy, but he reluctantly accepted that it was part of his destiny to return to his father.

What would happen when he got there, he hadn't a clue.

But he would not join his father...

He could not.

Luke traveled to the landing platform that was stationed near the Ewok village that he'd just departed from. Luke's Force senses told him that an anxious Vader was about to land upon it, and he abruptly stopped, almost wanting to lengthen his short time as a free man.

It was dark outside on the forest moon, but soon enough an Imperial walker came upon him, and when he was discovered, it pointed its cannons at him threateningly, and a male voice ordered him to halt. As he complied with the command, a pale gray shuttle landed on the platform, much like the shuttle the commando group had traveled to Endor aboard. Luke could sense that Vader was on the shuttle, eagerly waiting to meet his son again.

Luke stayed planted where he was, despite his misgivings, and three Stormtroopers came and cuffed his hands in front of him. They scanned him and took away his lightsaber, the only weapon he had with him, and the superior officer gave him a suspicious look. Earlier, after a small debate with himself, Luke had decided it best to leave his blaster behind.

Not that he needed one...

The scowling dark-uniformed officer demanded, "Tell me where your fellow Rebels are hiding."

"I am the only one here," Luke lied in a monotonous voice, giving the commanding Imperial a hard stare.

A Stormtrooper pointed a blaster at him angrily. "Answer his question."

"I am the only one here," Luke repeated with a hint of impatience, attempting to use Force persuasion to convince them, but his own frenzied emotions were swirling around too rapidly for him to concentrate on a task that wasn't exactly easy on a good day.

The commander glared at him and motioned for the Stormtroopers to move forward.

The Stormtroopers did so, marching in the rear. The officer led Luke and his guards to where Vader was waiting for his presence.

"This is a Rebel that surrendered to us. Although he denies it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area," the gray-uniformed officer petitioned the sinister Darth Vader. Vader looked emotionlessly at Luke while the man continued, "He was armed only with this." Luke's lightsaber was held out in his hand.

Darth Vader took the saber, "Good work, commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me."

No! Luke wanted to cry out, though he refrained from doing so. Was Vader determined to snatch away everything that was dear to him?

His hopes sparked briefly...Many Imperials were incapable of conducting a worthy search. Perhaps this was one of them...

The officer nodded, and Luke thought he could detect the hint of a taunting grin from the man. "Yes, my lord," the officer said before turing and leaving with the silent, white-armored guards.

Vader started walking. Luke silently brooding at his side.

"The Emperor has been expecting you."

Luke looked at him solemnly and managed to find his voice. "I know,...Father." The last was said with reluctant conviction.

"So, you have finally accepted the truth," the Dark Lord purred. His son was clever to know when he was beaten.

Luke was defiant, not willing to give in yet. "I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

And you still are! Luke thought desperately to himself. He knew that to an outsider he would appear to be grasping for straws, but his father still had a glimmer of the Light Side left in him, and both of them knew it.

Vader stopped and gestured at Luke fiercely. "That name," he held the word out, "—no longer has any meaning to me." This boy had better not push him, or he would show him the full-blown power of the Dark Side. Son or not, Darth Vader would only take so much from a Jedi Knight.

"It's the name of your true self, you've only forgotten." It was almost a plea. "I know there's good in you, the Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully." Luke was positive on this matter, and he turned around to look outside into the night, thinking about where his friends were...and his sister...

He continued with more confidence than he felt, "That was why you couldn't destroy me...That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now." It was almost as if Luke were trying to use the Force to convince Vader, as he had done with Bib Fortuna in Jabba's palace, but the attempt would have been pointless. Vader was too deeply involved with the Dark Side to turn merely with a few words, even if they were from his only son.

Vader turned on Luke's lightsaber, adding a green glow to the room. Luke turned his head slightly, watching out of the corner of his eye. He almost wished Vader would cut him down now with it. But he knew that he needed to stall him and Palpatine, so the Rebellion could finally get rid of the two rulers, as well the Empire, once and for all. Luke would do anything to accomplish this, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

"I see you have constructed a new lightsaber." Vader twisted the saber's handle around in his hands, the lasersword humming loudly, as if angry that it was being used by someone other than its creator. Vader scowled beneath his mask. The metal handle looked much like that weaker man's had, Anakin Skywalker's. How could he have ever been such a pathetic fool?

"Your skills are complete." Vader turned and extinguished the lightsaber. "Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen." Yes, his son, his own flesh and blood, a young man full of power and potential...Potential that Vader could turn to his own advantage.

Possibly even against the Emperor...

Luke turned; he had to try at least one more last-ditch effort. "Come with me!"

Vader faced him and stated emotionlessly, "Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don't know the power of the Dark Side. I must obey my Master."

Luke had made his decision, and he would not change it for anyone...Or anything. "I will not turn. And you'll be forced to kill me."

"If that is your destiny." Vader didn't want to kill his own son, and he would avoid it at all costs, but that did not mean he wouldn't do it if he had to.

Luke moved closer to Vader. This was his last chance. "Search your feelings, Father, you can't do this. I sense the conflict within you—let go of your hate!"

The door whooshed open, and the guards entered, starting towards them.

"It is too late for me, Son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your Master now." Vader's tone left no room for argument.

Luke's hurt and dejected eyes looked up at his father. "Then my father is truly dead." He left his statement hanging in the air as he exited with the Stormtroopers, feeling rather downcast.

Vader turned and looked out into the night. He was sure Luke's friends were somewhere out there in hiding...

He felt the sudden urge to sigh. Oh, if only his son would allow himself to fully understand what was at stake...Then they could easily rule the galaxy together, and both would possess more power than a single person could possibly imagine...

Author's Note: As I'm sure you realized, the dialogue and actions are from the movie. The departure from the movie comes soon. :D