Darkness… a state of absolute awareness. Darkness, the state in which one
can SEE. In Light, one is blinded. In Darkness the pupils dilate- the
mind expands…and one can see the candle in the dark- in the Light…the
candle is lost. Hope is lost. Darkness does not produce lies… it
produces…
Luke blinked, where were these thoughts coming from? He blinked again.
Nothing.
The room was black and he-- he pulled gently with his arms, was tied to a chair.
"Great…" he mumbled to himself.
Of all the places in the galaxy to be- Luke Skywalker had to end up tied to a chair.
He squirmed to gain a better feel of the situation of his numb limbs. He was firmly—
"Ow."
And painfully- tied down.
He twisted his shoulders rubbing his tingling back against the metal chair. He wasn't wearing a shirt.
He inhaled deeply and blew out an annoyed breath, the air passed over his legs.
He wasn't wearing any pants either.
He frowned and wiggled a bit more. In fact, he wasn't wearing a damn thing.
A sliver of light sliced across his features as the wall before him parted, a slim figure stood silhouetted against the blinding white.
Luke inhaled deeply.
"Shit."
~
Vader paced like a mad animal, his golden trimmed cape following him faithfully.
How had it come to this? How could he have been so blind? Why couldn't he just shed the slime that was Darth Vader and just be the boy's father?
Palpatine.
Vader scowled as the name flooded into his thoughts. He should have known that the man wouldn't simply give up- and when he returned… he shouldn't have been so weak.
He was the Emperor now… and he, unlike Palpatine held the admiration and love of the masses. True, he had much to thank Luke for in that front, but his name still flew on their hand painted banners.
He was not only the Emperor of their state, but also their hearts.
He sneered at the romantic thoughts pouring forth from him; he was not weak. He was not—he sighed, he knew that he lied to himself.
Vader had a weakness; and that weakness was his son.
He growled in frustration. He didn't even know where his son was- Palpatine had cloaked him from the Force… no one could get in, and the boy certainly couldn't get out. So, wherever he was… he was going to be there awhile.
Vader's step brought him across the plush carpet one final time- and then he stopped.
A resolve settled within his chest.
The mental coronation of Emperor Vader was over; the giant stalked from the room with a newly kindled determination.
"Palpatine had better not have any more bodies up his sleeves. I grow tired of these repeated killings," he growled, "When I was young, once did the trick."
~
They had power in numbers, they had firepower, they did not, however, possess will-power. The masses flocked to the Imperial Palace, surrounding it with the flesh of its subjects. The souls of dominance. Yet they loved it. They called out to it… they called out to him.
The child of the Force. The child of Light. The child of Darkness. The blood of the forsaken, the flesh of the saved.
Luke Skywalker.
Or so their banners read.
High above the chaos of celebration, a figure stepped out of the darkness. All eyes in the room followed him- pilots, smugglers, aliens, and royalty alike. The figure was striking- it commanded respect. They watched him walk to the large bay window and look down upon the city.
"They know naught of what they rejoice," the form spoken lowly. "They believe it's over, when in fact… it's just begun."
Silence answered him, as he'd expected. He remained, his hands clasp behind his back, gazing at the city below.
He heard one of the rebels step closer, "Who are you?"
He smiled at his own reflection in the glass. Solo, leave it to him to speak first.
His head tilted, allowing the group behind him a view of his profile and left eye.
Solo cursed and stepped back again.
"Forgive my rudeness," His voice purred, "I am Grand Admiral--"
"Grand Admiral?" Han cut him off, "You're not even human!"
His eyes narrowed, "Does that make me incompetent?"
"Not to me, but to Palpatine-- yes."
The silhouetted feature's mouth curved into a bitter smile.
"Yes, he is prejudice when it serves his purpose."
Smuggler and princess exchanged frowns. "What'd ya mean 'is'? Look, I hate to tell ya, Buddy, but ol' wrinkle-ass is dead."
The figure turned and faced the group completely, his eyes losing none of their power in the darkness. "For a superior human, you are very foolish," he replied ironically.
Han met the gaze of the luminescent eyes, their red glow seemed to dig into his very being-
"He's alive…" Han breathed the words as the horrifying realization played upon his features. He took a desperate step forward, "Does Luke know?"
The Grand Admiral pressed his pale lips together, "Skywalker did not know when he announced Palpatine's death to the galaxy… your guarded escort and locked door suggest that he now knows."
Leia's fingers pressed to her lips, suppressing a cry, "Do you know if he's all right?"
The figure before them shook his head.
Leia blinked, her eyes resembling those of a gentle animal, "Why are you here?" she whispered.
The red eyes looked to the floor, a modest gesture, "I came to Coruscant to pledge my loyalty to Skywalker and Vader… I seek to make what they promised a reality."
The group stared at him in silence for several moments until Leia stepped forward, extending her hand, "I am Princess Leia of Alderaan, my companions," she gestured around her, "Captain Han Solo, his copilot Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and the Rogue Squadron…" she paused.
The other smiled, "I am Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Star Destroyer Chimaera," he bent his head over the Princess's extended fingers as he took them into his own, "The honor is mine."
~
Luke watched wearily as the figure approached, as it moved forward another—familiar—form replaced it in the doorway. The slim body stopped before him as a dim set of lights illuminated the bare room. He looked up with narrowed eyes. A woman. Her golden-red hair framed her face as she smiled coldly down on him. Luke's eyes widened as she began to unbutton her tunic.
"Wait. Stop. Please! I—"
His protests ceased as she covered his mouth with her own. He pulled away and glared at the robed figure behind her, "What are you doing!"
Palpatine smiled, "I am merely ensuring my… re-inheritance of the throne."
Luke's eyes widened, "What?"
Palpatine smiled and directed his attention at the woman standing over him, "Carry on, Hand."
Luke pulled desperately at his restraints, looking up at her with wide eyes he begged in a whisper, "Please. Please don't do this."
She smiled and kissed him again. Playfully she licked the single tear that glistened on his cheek.
~
Vader strode dangerously towards Palpatine's quarters. He WOULD have his son, and that old bastard WOULD die this time. He came to a halt as he felt Luke's presence suddenly unveil several floors below him. His eyes widened in amazement as he felt Palpatine's force presence, in turn, fade.
Not again.
He immediately went to a turbolift, dropping like the forsaken angel he was—towards his son.
~
He strode down the corridor towards the shimmering presence of his son. He reached out to caress his mind and stopped dead both literally and mentally when Luke stalked around the corner.
His son's jaw was set tightly, his mouth a thin line, his eyes narrow slits of ice.
"Luke—"
"There is a woman," Luke cut him off with a voice the chilled even the Sith, "A woman with red hair and emerald eyes—the Emperor's Hand."
Vader nodded, "Mara Jade."
Luke sneered, "Yes. She needs to be found… and destroyed. Immediately."
Vader studied his son intently, "Where is Palpatine?"
Luke's face tightened further in disgust, "Destroy Jade—and you will destroy Palpatine."
Vader frowned, all pride aside, he asked, "Luke, what the hell are you talking about?"
"FIND HER!" The young prince roared, pushing past his father.
Vader turned and followed his son, reminded of his days with the insufferable Tarkin— on a leash—as Leia Organa had so lightly put it.
Vader fell into step beside the young man, throwing a side-long glance at him.
The light smear of crimson lipstick along his son's jugular did not go unnoticed.
[A/N: Well, there is it—the update I've been contemplating for a few weeks now—I hope it was worth the wait. If not, well…. Nah nah nah nah nah. Hehehehe]
Luke blinked, where were these thoughts coming from? He blinked again.
Nothing.
The room was black and he-- he pulled gently with his arms, was tied to a chair.
"Great…" he mumbled to himself.
Of all the places in the galaxy to be- Luke Skywalker had to end up tied to a chair.
He squirmed to gain a better feel of the situation of his numb limbs. He was firmly—
"Ow."
And painfully- tied down.
He twisted his shoulders rubbing his tingling back against the metal chair. He wasn't wearing a shirt.
He inhaled deeply and blew out an annoyed breath, the air passed over his legs.
He wasn't wearing any pants either.
He frowned and wiggled a bit more. In fact, he wasn't wearing a damn thing.
A sliver of light sliced across his features as the wall before him parted, a slim figure stood silhouetted against the blinding white.
Luke inhaled deeply.
"Shit."
~
Vader paced like a mad animal, his golden trimmed cape following him faithfully.
How had it come to this? How could he have been so blind? Why couldn't he just shed the slime that was Darth Vader and just be the boy's father?
Palpatine.
Vader scowled as the name flooded into his thoughts. He should have known that the man wouldn't simply give up- and when he returned… he shouldn't have been so weak.
He was the Emperor now… and he, unlike Palpatine held the admiration and love of the masses. True, he had much to thank Luke for in that front, but his name still flew on their hand painted banners.
He was not only the Emperor of their state, but also their hearts.
He sneered at the romantic thoughts pouring forth from him; he was not weak. He was not—he sighed, he knew that he lied to himself.
Vader had a weakness; and that weakness was his son.
He growled in frustration. He didn't even know where his son was- Palpatine had cloaked him from the Force… no one could get in, and the boy certainly couldn't get out. So, wherever he was… he was going to be there awhile.
Vader's step brought him across the plush carpet one final time- and then he stopped.
A resolve settled within his chest.
The mental coronation of Emperor Vader was over; the giant stalked from the room with a newly kindled determination.
"Palpatine had better not have any more bodies up his sleeves. I grow tired of these repeated killings," he growled, "When I was young, once did the trick."
~
They had power in numbers, they had firepower, they did not, however, possess will-power. The masses flocked to the Imperial Palace, surrounding it with the flesh of its subjects. The souls of dominance. Yet they loved it. They called out to it… they called out to him.
The child of the Force. The child of Light. The child of Darkness. The blood of the forsaken, the flesh of the saved.
Luke Skywalker.
Or so their banners read.
High above the chaos of celebration, a figure stepped out of the darkness. All eyes in the room followed him- pilots, smugglers, aliens, and royalty alike. The figure was striking- it commanded respect. They watched him walk to the large bay window and look down upon the city.
"They know naught of what they rejoice," the form spoken lowly. "They believe it's over, when in fact… it's just begun."
Silence answered him, as he'd expected. He remained, his hands clasp behind his back, gazing at the city below.
He heard one of the rebels step closer, "Who are you?"
He smiled at his own reflection in the glass. Solo, leave it to him to speak first.
His head tilted, allowing the group behind him a view of his profile and left eye.
Solo cursed and stepped back again.
"Forgive my rudeness," His voice purred, "I am Grand Admiral--"
"Grand Admiral?" Han cut him off, "You're not even human!"
His eyes narrowed, "Does that make me incompetent?"
"Not to me, but to Palpatine-- yes."
The silhouetted feature's mouth curved into a bitter smile.
"Yes, he is prejudice when it serves his purpose."
Smuggler and princess exchanged frowns. "What'd ya mean 'is'? Look, I hate to tell ya, Buddy, but ol' wrinkle-ass is dead."
The figure turned and faced the group completely, his eyes losing none of their power in the darkness. "For a superior human, you are very foolish," he replied ironically.
Han met the gaze of the luminescent eyes, their red glow seemed to dig into his very being-
"He's alive…" Han breathed the words as the horrifying realization played upon his features. He took a desperate step forward, "Does Luke know?"
The Grand Admiral pressed his pale lips together, "Skywalker did not know when he announced Palpatine's death to the galaxy… your guarded escort and locked door suggest that he now knows."
Leia's fingers pressed to her lips, suppressing a cry, "Do you know if he's all right?"
The figure before them shook his head.
Leia blinked, her eyes resembling those of a gentle animal, "Why are you here?" she whispered.
The red eyes looked to the floor, a modest gesture, "I came to Coruscant to pledge my loyalty to Skywalker and Vader… I seek to make what they promised a reality."
The group stared at him in silence for several moments until Leia stepped forward, extending her hand, "I am Princess Leia of Alderaan, my companions," she gestured around her, "Captain Han Solo, his copilot Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and the Rogue Squadron…" she paused.
The other smiled, "I am Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Star Destroyer Chimaera," he bent his head over the Princess's extended fingers as he took them into his own, "The honor is mine."
~
Luke watched wearily as the figure approached, as it moved forward another—familiar—form replaced it in the doorway. The slim body stopped before him as a dim set of lights illuminated the bare room. He looked up with narrowed eyes. A woman. Her golden-red hair framed her face as she smiled coldly down on him. Luke's eyes widened as she began to unbutton her tunic.
"Wait. Stop. Please! I—"
His protests ceased as she covered his mouth with her own. He pulled away and glared at the robed figure behind her, "What are you doing!"
Palpatine smiled, "I am merely ensuring my… re-inheritance of the throne."
Luke's eyes widened, "What?"
Palpatine smiled and directed his attention at the woman standing over him, "Carry on, Hand."
Luke pulled desperately at his restraints, looking up at her with wide eyes he begged in a whisper, "Please. Please don't do this."
She smiled and kissed him again. Playfully she licked the single tear that glistened on his cheek.
~
Vader strode dangerously towards Palpatine's quarters. He WOULD have his son, and that old bastard WOULD die this time. He came to a halt as he felt Luke's presence suddenly unveil several floors below him. His eyes widened in amazement as he felt Palpatine's force presence, in turn, fade.
Not again.
He immediately went to a turbolift, dropping like the forsaken angel he was—towards his son.
~
He strode down the corridor towards the shimmering presence of his son. He reached out to caress his mind and stopped dead both literally and mentally when Luke stalked around the corner.
His son's jaw was set tightly, his mouth a thin line, his eyes narrow slits of ice.
"Luke—"
"There is a woman," Luke cut him off with a voice the chilled even the Sith, "A woman with red hair and emerald eyes—the Emperor's Hand."
Vader nodded, "Mara Jade."
Luke sneered, "Yes. She needs to be found… and destroyed. Immediately."
Vader studied his son intently, "Where is Palpatine?"
Luke's face tightened further in disgust, "Destroy Jade—and you will destroy Palpatine."
Vader frowned, all pride aside, he asked, "Luke, what the hell are you talking about?"
"FIND HER!" The young prince roared, pushing past his father.
Vader turned and followed his son, reminded of his days with the insufferable Tarkin— on a leash—as Leia Organa had so lightly put it.
Vader fell into step beside the young man, throwing a side-long glance at him.
The light smear of crimson lipstick along his son's jugular did not go unnoticed.
[A/N: Well, there is it—the update I've been contemplating for a few weeks now—I hope it was worth the wait. If not, well…. Nah nah nah nah nah. Hehehehe]