Darkness.
Luke opened his eyes slowly. and blinked, clearing the haze from his surroundings. He inhaled deeply trying to recall where he was. he slowly tried to move-and stopped. His memories came rushing forth.
The lighting.
The son.
The damn lighting.
He groaned as he pulled at his restraints. he was firmly tied down to a chair. AGAIN. Though he found some comfort in that he was clothed this time.
Luke stained against his bindings, trying to see the offensive device holding him, "Sith forsaken piece of shit."
"Tsk, tsk."
Luke's head snapped up at the sudden sound, his blue eyes wide.
Out of the shadows his "son" stepped, a dark smile upon his soft features. He moved gracefully towards the tied down Skywalker, sitting down in the plush chair across from the captive; he crossed his legs and smiled.
"What a pleasure it t'was to finally meet you, Father."
Luke merely glared at him, not bothering to answer.
Mortimer smiled and leaned forward, "Although I am quite disturbed that you do not seem so pleased to see me." "Listen to you, "Luke growled, "You speak like a monarch."
The child shrugged, "And so I shall be."
Luke shook his head slowly, "No. I will NEVER allow you to destroy the galaxy again."
Mortimer leaned forward, a leering smile played upon his lips, "And who will stop me? You, Father?"
Luke bent his head forward, glaring at the young man with every ounce of power he possessed, and whispered, "Stop hiding behind my eyes."
Mortimer straightened, pulling his face away from Luke's, he glanced uneasily over the other's shoulder, back at his eyes, and then away again. Slowly, reluctantly, the intense blue of the child's eyes faded away to reveal the true dire yellow eyes of the child's core. The child's face twisted into a bitter ironic smile, "Happy now, Skywalker?"
Luke leaned back in his seat, relaxing against the restraints, "You stole my son's body. you destroyed his soul."
Palpatine smirked, his true visage shinning through his eyes.
Luke frowned at Palpatine's silence, "Why did you take me? What do you gain THIS time?"
The child's body leaned back, crossing it's arms smugly, "Bait."
Luke blinked, "What?"
"Bait. 'Emperor Vader' has come to the end of his reign," Palpatine leaned forward with a deep malicious smile, "And you, My Prince, will have a short rule due to a rather. unfortunate accident."
Luke's jaw set into a tight line as he glared at the child before him, "How many times are we going to have to kill you, Palpatine?"
Palpatine smiled, "The Dark Side will always preserve me."
Luke raised an eyebrow, "Trust me, even the Dark Side will get sick of you eventually. I sure the hell am."
Luke managed a quick laugh before the child shot to his feet and sent Luke and his chair hurtling into the wall.
~
Grand Moff Thrawn stood patiently behind the pacing form of his Emperor. Even since his son's disappearance two days before, Vader had done nothing but search-and blame himself.
Thrawn noted, with great interest, that the young princess stayed by him at all times. The Princess' actions especially intrigued the Grand Moff; he knew of her connection to the prince, but her history with Vader was anything but friendly.
"Have your men found anything?" Vader suddenly turned to Thrawn, who had been patiently standing at attention in the doorway to the prince's office, Vader had taken to spending his time there. perhaps comforted to be in the room in which his son spent countless hours.
Thrawn nodded, he never came to his Emperor empty handed, "We have reports of the ship in which Jade and her son fled being spotted entering the atmosphere of Tatooine."
"TATOOINE!"
Leia, seated in front of the desk, jumped at the Emperor's exclamation.
Thrawn remained unmoved by the outburst and continued, "Yes, Highness, but such a destination most likely means that Jade and her son have laid a trap."
"Traps do not concern me, Thrawn, I want my son."
Thrawn nodded solemnly. In the past ten years he and Vader had worked hard to create a working and just government. he and Vader understood each other very well-and Thrawn knew the seriousness of this situation for Vader.
If there was a trap, Vader would walk straight into it, and if Vader was the Vader Thrawn had grown to know so well, he'd also walk back out without so much as a scratch. His son, on the other hand, was another story. He always came out looking like a Rancor had mistaken him as a chew toy.
Thrawn bowed his head, "My Emperor. your orders?" Vader turned, his cape fanning behind him, "Prepare my ship."
~
Luke woke up with the worse headache he could ever have imagined.
"I've gotta stop doing this," he murmured, blinking.
He didn't even try his hands this time, he knew he was tied, he opened his eyes, looking into his own lap. and frowned. But he didn't expect to wake up in a tux.
Luke blinked a few more times and looked around, he was lying on a bed.
With a thud, Mara fell next to him.
"Morning, My Prince," she cooed.
Luke groaned.
"Are you ready for our big day?"
Luke looked at her with annoyance in his eyes, "What are you babbling about now?"
She leaned forward, grinning maliciously, "Our wedding, Darling."
The color in Luke's face drained as he stared at the grinning woman next to him, "You can't be serious."
She nodded, standing with a smile. Luke blinked as he realized that she was wearing a shimmering white wedding gown.
To Luke she appeared as a snake would wrapped in a mouse fur; ridiculous.
She spun around, displaying her dress to the groom.
"Jade, you shouldn't attempt to be pretty, it just doesn't suit you."
Mara ceased her spinning and scowled at the man tied down to the bed.
"There you go!" Luke praised with a mocking smile.
Mara stalked to the bed, leaning down to glare into her husband-to-be's eyes, "You won't be so lively when your father shows up."
Luke merely smiled, "I'll be more alive than you."
Mara twisted her lips, "Charming."
Luke smiled bitterly, "That's me! Prince Charming!"
Mara unlocked his hands from the bed and bound them together, roughly she pulled him to his feet, "Come on."
Luke stubbornly trotted behind the fuming bride with a triumphant grin, "What happened to 'Darling'?"
"Shut up, Skywalker."
~
The massive Executor hung in orbit above the sand-swept rock, Tatooine. Vader glared down at the planet.
"Why did it have to be Tatooine?"
"Because Palpatine knows you will react like you are," Leia scolded him softly.
Vader turned from the window to look at his daughter, "Thanks a lot."
Leia smiled softly, "You need to set you emotions aside and focus on Luke; he needs you."
Vader nodded, looking down onto the planet once again.
*Luke.*
Silence. Vader shook his head. It was stupid for him to even try.
*Father?*
Vader's body went rigid as he felt his son's presence flood into his senses.
"Luke!" He whispered aloud.
*Father. I wish you'd hurry.I'm about to get married to the most intolerable woman I've ever met.*
Vader's eyes narrowed,* Jade.*
*That'd be the one,* Luke's voice returned.
*I'm in orbit.*
Vader felt Luke's acknowledgement, *You need to be careful, Father,* Luke warned, *Palpatine and Jade plan to assassinate you and I so that Palpatine can reclaim the throne.*
Vader felt the rage within him boil.
*Peace Father,* Luke commanded, *Palpatine is counting on your anger. He will use it to his advantage.*
*Just don't say 'I do', Luke. I will be there soon.*
*I'll still be a bachelor when you get here. May the Force be with You, Father.*
*And you, My son.*
Vader turned from the window and stalked to the landing bay, Leia, Han, and Thrawn followed, unaware of his mental ally.
~
Luke stood, Mara at one side, his 'son' on the other, at what was quite literally a blaster-point wedding. A Tatooinian Justice stood before the family of adversaries being prodded on by Mortimer and Mara to hurry while Luke delayed it as much as he was able.
"We gather here today-"
"Mara, where are you from, Darling?" Luke mocked. "Aren't we suppose to wed on the home planet of your parents?"
"My parents are dead," Mara bit out through clenched teeth, "Continue!"
The Justice jumped and obeyed the foul tempered red-head.
Luke rolled his eyes as he recited yet another tradition to stall for his father.
~
The shuttle was landed and Vader disembarked before the others even knew where they were going.
"Vader!" Han yelled at the retreating form, "We don't even know WHERE Luke is! Stop! Hey, WAIT!"
Vader turned suddenly, "I know where Luke is."
Leia frowned as her words at Bespin were echoed back to her.
"We must hurry," Vader turned and strode off. Han and Leia exchanged looks and ran after him.
"Hey Pops! Wait for us!"
"Someday Solo," Vader mumbled to himself, "I'm going to strangle you with your own intestine."
*I heard that Father,* Leia scolded through the Force.
Vader grinned.
~
Mortimer suddenly turned to his mother and smiled, "He's coming," he said softly. Luke paled a bit, but managed to hide his discomfort.
He had an idea of what he needed to do, but wasn't sure if he'd be able to do it when the time came. He glanced down at his 'son' who once again displayed his stolen eyes. Luke's resolve hardened.
Palpatine would be destroyed once and for all.
~
"What's the plan, Milord?" Thrawn asked quietly as they walked.
Vader tilted his helmet slightly to look at the man next to him, "Leave it to me, I've taken care of everything."
Thrawn made a rare gesture of rolling his eyes, it was not missed by the Emperor who smirked secretly.
"Milord," Thrawn continued, "My confidence in you is infinite, but perhaps a course of action should be laid forth. for those of us less enlightened?"
Vader smiled at Thrawn's diplomacy, "This will go very smoothly, old friend, trust me."
Thrawn ran a hand through his hair, also a rare display, "I see."
Vader mocked the gesture, running a hand over his helmet, "Good."
Wedding bells suddenly rang out.
The Emperor broke into a dead run. Thrawn shot a quick look at Han and Leia, and the three followed.
TBC
A/N- I AM SOOOOO SORRY about the delay!!! FORGIVE ME!!!! *crosses arms* And save the tomatoes! I hope to finish this in the next chapter. We shall see! Love you all! ~ Moy
Luke opened his eyes slowly. and blinked, clearing the haze from his surroundings. He inhaled deeply trying to recall where he was. he slowly tried to move-and stopped. His memories came rushing forth.
The lighting.
The son.
The damn lighting.
He groaned as he pulled at his restraints. he was firmly tied down to a chair. AGAIN. Though he found some comfort in that he was clothed this time.
Luke stained against his bindings, trying to see the offensive device holding him, "Sith forsaken piece of shit."
"Tsk, tsk."
Luke's head snapped up at the sudden sound, his blue eyes wide.
Out of the shadows his "son" stepped, a dark smile upon his soft features. He moved gracefully towards the tied down Skywalker, sitting down in the plush chair across from the captive; he crossed his legs and smiled.
"What a pleasure it t'was to finally meet you, Father."
Luke merely glared at him, not bothering to answer.
Mortimer smiled and leaned forward, "Although I am quite disturbed that you do not seem so pleased to see me." "Listen to you, "Luke growled, "You speak like a monarch."
The child shrugged, "And so I shall be."
Luke shook his head slowly, "No. I will NEVER allow you to destroy the galaxy again."
Mortimer leaned forward, a leering smile played upon his lips, "And who will stop me? You, Father?"
Luke bent his head forward, glaring at the young man with every ounce of power he possessed, and whispered, "Stop hiding behind my eyes."
Mortimer straightened, pulling his face away from Luke's, he glanced uneasily over the other's shoulder, back at his eyes, and then away again. Slowly, reluctantly, the intense blue of the child's eyes faded away to reveal the true dire yellow eyes of the child's core. The child's face twisted into a bitter ironic smile, "Happy now, Skywalker?"
Luke leaned back in his seat, relaxing against the restraints, "You stole my son's body. you destroyed his soul."
Palpatine smirked, his true visage shinning through his eyes.
Luke frowned at Palpatine's silence, "Why did you take me? What do you gain THIS time?"
The child's body leaned back, crossing it's arms smugly, "Bait."
Luke blinked, "What?"
"Bait. 'Emperor Vader' has come to the end of his reign," Palpatine leaned forward with a deep malicious smile, "And you, My Prince, will have a short rule due to a rather. unfortunate accident."
Luke's jaw set into a tight line as he glared at the child before him, "How many times are we going to have to kill you, Palpatine?"
Palpatine smiled, "The Dark Side will always preserve me."
Luke raised an eyebrow, "Trust me, even the Dark Side will get sick of you eventually. I sure the hell am."
Luke managed a quick laugh before the child shot to his feet and sent Luke and his chair hurtling into the wall.
~
Grand Moff Thrawn stood patiently behind the pacing form of his Emperor. Even since his son's disappearance two days before, Vader had done nothing but search-and blame himself.
Thrawn noted, with great interest, that the young princess stayed by him at all times. The Princess' actions especially intrigued the Grand Moff; he knew of her connection to the prince, but her history with Vader was anything but friendly.
"Have your men found anything?" Vader suddenly turned to Thrawn, who had been patiently standing at attention in the doorway to the prince's office, Vader had taken to spending his time there. perhaps comforted to be in the room in which his son spent countless hours.
Thrawn nodded, he never came to his Emperor empty handed, "We have reports of the ship in which Jade and her son fled being spotted entering the atmosphere of Tatooine."
"TATOOINE!"
Leia, seated in front of the desk, jumped at the Emperor's exclamation.
Thrawn remained unmoved by the outburst and continued, "Yes, Highness, but such a destination most likely means that Jade and her son have laid a trap."
"Traps do not concern me, Thrawn, I want my son."
Thrawn nodded solemnly. In the past ten years he and Vader had worked hard to create a working and just government. he and Vader understood each other very well-and Thrawn knew the seriousness of this situation for Vader.
If there was a trap, Vader would walk straight into it, and if Vader was the Vader Thrawn had grown to know so well, he'd also walk back out without so much as a scratch. His son, on the other hand, was another story. He always came out looking like a Rancor had mistaken him as a chew toy.
Thrawn bowed his head, "My Emperor. your orders?" Vader turned, his cape fanning behind him, "Prepare my ship."
~
Luke woke up with the worse headache he could ever have imagined.
"I've gotta stop doing this," he murmured, blinking.
He didn't even try his hands this time, he knew he was tied, he opened his eyes, looking into his own lap. and frowned. But he didn't expect to wake up in a tux.
Luke blinked a few more times and looked around, he was lying on a bed.
With a thud, Mara fell next to him.
"Morning, My Prince," she cooed.
Luke groaned.
"Are you ready for our big day?"
Luke looked at her with annoyance in his eyes, "What are you babbling about now?"
She leaned forward, grinning maliciously, "Our wedding, Darling."
The color in Luke's face drained as he stared at the grinning woman next to him, "You can't be serious."
She nodded, standing with a smile. Luke blinked as he realized that she was wearing a shimmering white wedding gown.
To Luke she appeared as a snake would wrapped in a mouse fur; ridiculous.
She spun around, displaying her dress to the groom.
"Jade, you shouldn't attempt to be pretty, it just doesn't suit you."
Mara ceased her spinning and scowled at the man tied down to the bed.
"There you go!" Luke praised with a mocking smile.
Mara stalked to the bed, leaning down to glare into her husband-to-be's eyes, "You won't be so lively when your father shows up."
Luke merely smiled, "I'll be more alive than you."
Mara twisted her lips, "Charming."
Luke smiled bitterly, "That's me! Prince Charming!"
Mara unlocked his hands from the bed and bound them together, roughly she pulled him to his feet, "Come on."
Luke stubbornly trotted behind the fuming bride with a triumphant grin, "What happened to 'Darling'?"
"Shut up, Skywalker."
~
The massive Executor hung in orbit above the sand-swept rock, Tatooine. Vader glared down at the planet.
"Why did it have to be Tatooine?"
"Because Palpatine knows you will react like you are," Leia scolded him softly.
Vader turned from the window to look at his daughter, "Thanks a lot."
Leia smiled softly, "You need to set you emotions aside and focus on Luke; he needs you."
Vader nodded, looking down onto the planet once again.
*Luke.*
Silence. Vader shook his head. It was stupid for him to even try.
*Father?*
Vader's body went rigid as he felt his son's presence flood into his senses.
"Luke!" He whispered aloud.
*Father. I wish you'd hurry.I'm about to get married to the most intolerable woman I've ever met.*
Vader's eyes narrowed,* Jade.*
*That'd be the one,* Luke's voice returned.
*I'm in orbit.*
Vader felt Luke's acknowledgement, *You need to be careful, Father,* Luke warned, *Palpatine and Jade plan to assassinate you and I so that Palpatine can reclaim the throne.*
Vader felt the rage within him boil.
*Peace Father,* Luke commanded, *Palpatine is counting on your anger. He will use it to his advantage.*
*Just don't say 'I do', Luke. I will be there soon.*
*I'll still be a bachelor when you get here. May the Force be with You, Father.*
*And you, My son.*
Vader turned from the window and stalked to the landing bay, Leia, Han, and Thrawn followed, unaware of his mental ally.
~
Luke stood, Mara at one side, his 'son' on the other, at what was quite literally a blaster-point wedding. A Tatooinian Justice stood before the family of adversaries being prodded on by Mortimer and Mara to hurry while Luke delayed it as much as he was able.
"We gather here today-"
"Mara, where are you from, Darling?" Luke mocked. "Aren't we suppose to wed on the home planet of your parents?"
"My parents are dead," Mara bit out through clenched teeth, "Continue!"
The Justice jumped and obeyed the foul tempered red-head.
Luke rolled his eyes as he recited yet another tradition to stall for his father.
~
The shuttle was landed and Vader disembarked before the others even knew where they were going.
"Vader!" Han yelled at the retreating form, "We don't even know WHERE Luke is! Stop! Hey, WAIT!"
Vader turned suddenly, "I know where Luke is."
Leia frowned as her words at Bespin were echoed back to her.
"We must hurry," Vader turned and strode off. Han and Leia exchanged looks and ran after him.
"Hey Pops! Wait for us!"
"Someday Solo," Vader mumbled to himself, "I'm going to strangle you with your own intestine."
*I heard that Father,* Leia scolded through the Force.
Vader grinned.
~
Mortimer suddenly turned to his mother and smiled, "He's coming," he said softly. Luke paled a bit, but managed to hide his discomfort.
He had an idea of what he needed to do, but wasn't sure if he'd be able to do it when the time came. He glanced down at his 'son' who once again displayed his stolen eyes. Luke's resolve hardened.
Palpatine would be destroyed once and for all.
~
"What's the plan, Milord?" Thrawn asked quietly as they walked.
Vader tilted his helmet slightly to look at the man next to him, "Leave it to me, I've taken care of everything."
Thrawn made a rare gesture of rolling his eyes, it was not missed by the Emperor who smirked secretly.
"Milord," Thrawn continued, "My confidence in you is infinite, but perhaps a course of action should be laid forth. for those of us less enlightened?"
Vader smiled at Thrawn's diplomacy, "This will go very smoothly, old friend, trust me."
Thrawn ran a hand through his hair, also a rare display, "I see."
Vader mocked the gesture, running a hand over his helmet, "Good."
Wedding bells suddenly rang out.
The Emperor broke into a dead run. Thrawn shot a quick look at Han and Leia, and the three followed.
TBC
A/N- I AM SOOOOO SORRY about the delay!!! FORGIVE ME!!!! *crosses arms* And save the tomatoes! I hope to finish this in the next chapter. We shall see! Love you all! ~ Moy