DESTINY
by Marcher
PG
Chapter 12
The small Rebel group approached the Emperor's lair. The staircase leading to the main entrance was still in good repair, but it lacked the lustre of it's glory days when the Jedi Knights advanced from this very place. The same could be said for the rest of the Temple. Even though it still stood tall and unbending above the Coruscant skyline, the sun rarely seemed to cast it's rays upon the spotless metal and the tranquility which once reigned was now long gone.
The irony of his return to the Jedi Temple was not lost on Anakin. How odd, the quirk of fate which now brings him back to resurect the home he destroyed and dispose of it's master. Just as history shows how he brutally attempted to rid the galaxy of the Jedi, it would now require the death of his only son, and possibly his own life, in order to restore the Jedi and bring about peace.
Solo walked behind Vader with Leia at his side, surveying their eerily quiet surroundings. The lack of guards was suspicious to him, more and more he believed this to be a lure of deceit and death. He glanced uncertainly at the Princess and whispered, "No welcoming committee? Don't you find that a little strange?"
"Who better to lead us inside than Darth Vader." Leia reassured in a whisper to match his. "We look like prisoners."
"Prisoners?" Han mocked. "Isn't this whole deal about Vader going in here to kill Luke and the Emperor? From what I've been able to work out, they're supposed to be expecting us!"
"Perhaps they are. But I think you'll find that what's about to take place is more than just a skirmish against the Rebellion. It's about power and pride."
Vader stopped and turned to address Captain Solo, "They are expecting us. We will not be hindered in our approach and we will find Luke exactly where he waits for us. The Emperor will be close by."
"Great!" Solo quipped. He turned to Chewbacca and Lando who guarded their backs, "Chewie, you stay close. Lando! You'd better stay with the Falcon and keep her ready for quick getaway." Lando argued briefly, but ultimately he was happy to follow Solo's instructions and returned to the Docking Bay.
Vader eyed the weapons held by the Corellian and the Wookiee, "Those will be useless in this matter. Do not draw them unless we are defeated and your escape route is blocked."
Han again looked at the Princess and adopted a look of despondency, "Great, again!"
For the first time since this plan was hatched Leia herself, offered the Corellian a glance of trepidation and reached for his hand. Vader turned back to the Temple and commenced climbing the stairs to the entrance. The remaining trio stood quietly, hesitating for just a moment before Han squeezed Leia's fingers and Chewbacca growled his readiness to proceed. They followed Vader's ascent, slowly pacing behind him amid what appeared to be the calm before the storm.
A single blaster shot was heard from above and Chewbacca slumped to the walkway behind them, howling with pain! Blood seeped from the side of his chest and within moments Solo had dragged the Princess to the ground, sheltering her with his body while he tried to attend to his friend. Looking high into the Temple he saw the familiar duel blasts emitted from the jetpack of his old adversary. However Boba Fett's renowned escape was hampered by a Force push from Vader and the Bounty Hunter was fleetingly seen to lose control of his direction and spun visciously into the wall of the Temple. From here Solo lost sight of him and there was no telling if he'd survived or not. Either way, there was no time to be lost considering Fett's outcome as Chewbacca lay critically injured, his head resting in Solo's lap.
"Chewie!" Han lightly touched the Wookiee's shocking wound, grief and repulsion swirling together in his gut as his fingers touched his friend's blood soaked fur. Looking to the Princess for some type of guidance which he knew was impossible, he caught sight of Lando returning towards them, almost crouched as he hurried to their aid. "We've gotta get him back on board the Falcon!" Solo barked. Again turning to Leia, he took hold of her wrist and ordered, "And you're coming with me! I'm not gonna let you walk in there with him!" His last word was drenched in hatred and directed uncompromisingly at Vader.
Leia looked up at her father and the faith she held in him withstood the present tragedy. "No. I must go forward." Han began to argue bitterly and she gently touched his forearm and spoke with unfeigned emotion, "Chewie will have all the help he needs with you and Lando. I must go where I'm needed!" Han's eyes betrayed his sorrow and confusion and he looked down at his old friend in desperation. Leia lifted his chin and lightly kissed his lips. On parting she offered a gentle smile and promised, "I'll be safe. Just trust me! Care for Chewie and I'll be back before you know it."
Solo watched as she stood and rejoined Vader's side. Underneath his breath, he muttered a vowed revenge should either Leia or Chewie die, then together with Lando, gently lifted the Wookiee. Struggling under his weight, the pair began an arduous return to the Millenium Falcon, while the father and daughter disappeared through the doors of the ancient temple.
****
Inside, the temple was as deserted as it's grounds. Nontheless, with Fett's attack fresh in her mind, Leia trembled slightly attempting to keep pace with her father. Anakin neither glanced left or right, but maintained a steadfast stature while he lead his daughter through the hallways he knew so well. Sensing her unease, he abruptly stopped and turned to her, "Your fear will be the cause of your defeat if you do not push it aside now!" She nodded her compliance, then was surprised by the sudden tone of annoyance in his voice. "No one will hinder us on our approach. Fear is their ally. Do not let them use it."
Leia couldn't find her voice to reply, she was totally consumed by the gloved hand pointed directly into her face. As he continued to order her to control the depths of her feelings, she couldn't help but wonder if it was Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker which stood before her. Running her tongue over her dry lips, she glanced up into the dark mask and utterted two words, "Yes, father."
Vader lowered his hand and leaned down to her and quietly studied her features for moment. "We are expected. Luke and The Emperor are waiting for us further on." He raised himself to his full height and resumed leading the Princess towards the confrontation, speaking slowly as he walked, "Remember. Luke is unaware of who you are."
Leia was trailing a distance behind, but on hearing this she quickened her pace to catch up and responded in an accusing whisper. "Why would you tell me something like that, then expect me to conceal it only moments before we face him?!"
"All you need to do is bury your feelings."
****
The doors to the Throne Room opened automatically as Anakin and Leia approached. Two armed Red Guards exited through the doors and stood sentry either side. They presented no obstacle to the pair, allowing them to pass freely inside. Once across the threshold, the doors slid shut, leaving the guards in the corridor. Leia looked about the room in search of Luke but saw nothing. The chamber was cold, sterile and empty.
A brittle, mocking voice came from the shadows, accompanied by the sound of a cane tapping the steel floor in a steady, rhythmic fashion. Squinting in order to see into the half light, Leia saw the Emperor for the first time, stepping calmly into view. "I see you've brought me the prize, Lord Vader."
Leia's heart stopped as she awaited Vader's response! Time seemed to suspend itself in eternity before she heard his words. "I offer you no prize this time. I have come to claim my son!"
"You will have no such victory today, Father!" Luke's voice echoed from high above them and Leia strained her neck to catch a glimpse of him.
"Son!" The giant appealed softly to the boy, "The darkness which so quickly claimed you, once held me prisoner. Death can be avoided here if you lay down your hatred and let me lead you from this place."
"That was your promise when I joined you the first time!" Luke spat in complaint, "You can't be trusted, Lord Vader!"
"You will receive no such satisfaction in this place!" The Emperor had moved into clear vision and Leia was repulsed at the sight of him, along with his ovbious detestation of her. His yellow skin and hollow eyes were a chilling vision, but he was smaller than she had envisioned. His iniquity overflowed as he continued to approach, "You are lost, Lord Vader! You have betrayed the master that gave you power and glory."
"Obi Wan was betrayed by my foolishness, yes. But I feel his presance now." replied Anakin ."It has become clear to me now that all you gave me was a life of servitude, to you and the darkside. To pain, hatred, suffering. I was once better than that. And will be again!"
Palpatine glared at him in an evil, silent reply.
"I know now the true power of the Jedi. The ability to control the force, not become it's slave as you are. Being master of it's power and using it for good. The ability to control my fear, pain, anger is a greater power than any you have given me. I am Anakin Skywalker and the force is my ally. You are nothing but a mere servant."
Violent, unrestrained anger flared in Palpatine's eyes. It was abundantly clear to Anakin and his daughter that the full fury of his rage was simmering just below the surface of his choking silence, waiting to engulf them. Still, Anakin stood unwavering, ready to face the inevitable. His determination seemed to lift Leia's heart enough to encourage her to fly an accusation of her own. "You have destroyed everything, Palpatine! My mother died trying to rid you from the galaxy and I've spent my life dedicated to finishing her work!
"Your mother was a fool!" He fought, then turned his face to her companion, "And so is your father! If you wish to die under that pathetic name, then so be it! He spun around turning his back to them, then leaned his head over his shoulder, his voice laden with contempt, "Anakin."
Luke paced back and forth above them, intently listening to the churlish declamations. Palpatine's comment regarding Leia's father caught his attention more than anything else that had been said. He smiled wickedly at the realization. "Today my family truly does die!"
The still air was broken by the hum of Luke's lightsabre igniting and he jumped from his height, landing only meters in front of Leia and Anakin. Leia gasped at the expression on his face and instinctively took a step backwards. As she did, her father's own red blade glowed before her. It seemed to raise itself above her head, held firmly in black gloved hands as it hovered back and forth waiting to strike. Somewhere in her mind she could hear the Emperor's chilling laugh but it seemed secondary to what was about to take place. Her father and brother prepared for a battle that could only end in death. Anakin remained steadfast, waiting. Luke was impatient. He mounted his attack with a forward lunge, his sabre suddenly and sharply striking downwards. The clash of the blades echoed throughout the room as one by one, each blow by Luke was matched by Anakin.
Leia backed herself against a wall, uncertain of what to do. She reached for her blaster, intending to end this combat quickly and decisively. As her fingers wrapped around the handpiece, she felt an invisible weight press down on her. Her breathing and movement were fiercely restricted, she was even unable to turn her head in search of it's source. Then before her stood the sickening features of the Emperor, smiling at her. Smiling! His perverse expression dominated her sight as she struggled for breath. Then he spoke. "The result of this confrontation will be decided by weapons less clumsy." He released his hold on her and Leia slumped to the floor, breathing deeply to stave off unconsiousness as Palpatine's voice continued to bombard her, "You will not interfere again! Now watch the demise of your brother and await your own fate!"
Brother! She sat in confusion, letting the full meaning of Palpatine's statement settle over her. Even now he completely expected Vader to triumph over Luke and destroy him. That her father would turn again. She looked up to question him, but he had already resumed his place on the Throne. Turning her attention back to the unrelenting battle between father and son she could only make out the glow of the lightsabres. Sith and Jedi had moved into the darkened corners of the Throne Room and only the lunge and parry of the blades could be seen. It was impossible to distinguish between the flashes of red brandishing down on one another. Occassionally one or the other would spin full circle in the blackness as it's owner avoided injury. Nothing was obvious except the fact that this was a no-holes barred, hostile encounter. She looked again to the Emperor, her stomach rolling at the sight of his perpetual, insidious grin, and assumed he had a better vantage point in which to view the conflict. However, his earlier declaration made it impossible to know who had the upper hand. Was Luke failing? Or was her father?
****
Han leaned over his faithful friend, urgently soaking his chest wound with the pitifully small amount of bacta fluid he kept on board while Lando held an oxygen mask to the Wookiee's face. The Corellian cursed loudly at his inability to control the blood loss, but continued his vain attempt by pressing the gauze over Chewbacca's injury, discarding each one as it became soaked with blood in favour of a clean one. The process was unrelenting and futile. The wound was fatal!
Chewbacca shook his head violently to free himself from Lando's attentions and painfully raised his hand to his Captain's shoulder. Blood gurgled in his throat as he attempted to speak and he choked and coughed under the copious amount of thick red fluid oozing from his mouth. Solo placed a calming hand to Chewie's forehead, offering encouragement and urging him to allow Lando to replace the mask. His words ended abruptly on seeing the pleading look in his friend's eyes and he directed Lando to step back. Chewbacca grunted inaudibly. His hand dropped from Solo's shoulder and he became still. The bloodflow from his chest lessened greatly when his heart ceased beating. A sorrowful silence descended upon Han and Lando and the two men stood in grief and disbelief over the body of Chewbacca.
****
With a flash of red, Luke appeared into the light, spinning effortlessly through the air and landing perfectly on his feet. He held his attention above him and within seconds Anakin leapt from the railing to join his adversary on the sterile grey floor. The criss-crossing of sabres continued unabated, their gnashing drowning out the labored breathing of both men. Anakin had truly returned, this was apparent in his method but Luke was wearing him down, fighting with hatred and anger and an overwhelming desire to prove himself to the Emperor.
Leia's eyes never left the battle. Anxiety grew within her as she was forced to watched her father's attack falter into defence. Luke was bearing down on him with a ferocity she would have never believed had she not seen it with her own eyes! Anakin stumbled backwards, tripped and fell. Luke offered no quarter, lunging his sabre deep into Anakin's shoulder. The din of the lightsabres was replaced by an anguished, injured cry and Leia jumped to her feet! Without forethought, she scurried across the floor to her father's side in a desperate attempt to shield him from Luke's attack. She raised her hand to her brother, surrendering an acute plea for him to stop!
Sideous watched the turn of events silently. Slowly, he descended the staircase, step by step his eyes fixed firmly on the unexpected proceedings. "Your lack of faith and wisdom has made you weak, Lord Vader. It appears you have failed to secure your son, who will now take his place by my side!"
Anakin lay panting. His respirator was malfunctioning and the heat contained within his armour was overbearing. Painfully, he was succumbing to exhaustion. How ironic that what could possibly be the last vision set before him was one of his daughter desperately pleading his son for mercy on his life. Her words echoed around him, "Luke! Please, stop!" but it appeared Luke would first slay his sister in order to destroy to him. He watched helplessly as Leia again foolishly brandished her blaster in Luke's face, vowing to defend her father. Within an instant she was engulfed in the Emperor's force lightening and flung across the room into the steel wall, held metres above the floor screaming at the agonizing torture!
PG
Chapter 12
The small Rebel group approached the Emperor's lair. The staircase leading to the main entrance was still in good repair, but it lacked the lustre of it's glory days when the Jedi Knights advanced from this very place. The same could be said for the rest of the Temple. Even though it still stood tall and unbending above the Coruscant skyline, the sun rarely seemed to cast it's rays upon the spotless metal and the tranquility which once reigned was now long gone.
The irony of his return to the Jedi Temple was not lost on Anakin. How odd, the quirk of fate which now brings him back to resurect the home he destroyed and dispose of it's master. Just as history shows how he brutally attempted to rid the galaxy of the Jedi, it would now require the death of his only son, and possibly his own life, in order to restore the Jedi and bring about peace.
Solo walked behind Vader with Leia at his side, surveying their eerily quiet surroundings. The lack of guards was suspicious to him, more and more he believed this to be a lure of deceit and death. He glanced uncertainly at the Princess and whispered, "No welcoming committee? Don't you find that a little strange?"
"Who better to lead us inside than Darth Vader." Leia reassured in a whisper to match his. "We look like prisoners."
"Prisoners?" Han mocked. "Isn't this whole deal about Vader going in here to kill Luke and the Emperor? From what I've been able to work out, they're supposed to be expecting us!"
"Perhaps they are. But I think you'll find that what's about to take place is more than just a skirmish against the Rebellion. It's about power and pride."
Vader stopped and turned to address Captain Solo, "They are expecting us. We will not be hindered in our approach and we will find Luke exactly where he waits for us. The Emperor will be close by."
"Great!" Solo quipped. He turned to Chewbacca and Lando who guarded their backs, "Chewie, you stay close. Lando! You'd better stay with the Falcon and keep her ready for quick getaway." Lando argued briefly, but ultimately he was happy to follow Solo's instructions and returned to the Docking Bay.
Vader eyed the weapons held by the Corellian and the Wookiee, "Those will be useless in this matter. Do not draw them unless we are defeated and your escape route is blocked."
Han again looked at the Princess and adopted a look of despondency, "Great, again!"
For the first time since this plan was hatched Leia herself, offered the Corellian a glance of trepidation and reached for his hand. Vader turned back to the Temple and commenced climbing the stairs to the entrance. The remaining trio stood quietly, hesitating for just a moment before Han squeezed Leia's fingers and Chewbacca growled his readiness to proceed. They followed Vader's ascent, slowly pacing behind him amid what appeared to be the calm before the storm.
A single blaster shot was heard from above and Chewbacca slumped to the walkway behind them, howling with pain! Blood seeped from the side of his chest and within moments Solo had dragged the Princess to the ground, sheltering her with his body while he tried to attend to his friend. Looking high into the Temple he saw the familiar duel blasts emitted from the jetpack of his old adversary. However Boba Fett's renowned escape was hampered by a Force push from Vader and the Bounty Hunter was fleetingly seen to lose control of his direction and spun visciously into the wall of the Temple. From here Solo lost sight of him and there was no telling if he'd survived or not. Either way, there was no time to be lost considering Fett's outcome as Chewbacca lay critically injured, his head resting in Solo's lap.
"Chewie!" Han lightly touched the Wookiee's shocking wound, grief and repulsion swirling together in his gut as his fingers touched his friend's blood soaked fur. Looking to the Princess for some type of guidance which he knew was impossible, he caught sight of Lando returning towards them, almost crouched as he hurried to their aid. "We've gotta get him back on board the Falcon!" Solo barked. Again turning to Leia, he took hold of her wrist and ordered, "And you're coming with me! I'm not gonna let you walk in there with him!" His last word was drenched in hatred and directed uncompromisingly at Vader.
Leia looked up at her father and the faith she held in him withstood the present tragedy. "No. I must go forward." Han began to argue bitterly and she gently touched his forearm and spoke with unfeigned emotion, "Chewie will have all the help he needs with you and Lando. I must go where I'm needed!" Han's eyes betrayed his sorrow and confusion and he looked down at his old friend in desperation. Leia lifted his chin and lightly kissed his lips. On parting she offered a gentle smile and promised, "I'll be safe. Just trust me! Care for Chewie and I'll be back before you know it."
Solo watched as she stood and rejoined Vader's side. Underneath his breath, he muttered a vowed revenge should either Leia or Chewie die, then together with Lando, gently lifted the Wookiee. Struggling under his weight, the pair began an arduous return to the Millenium Falcon, while the father and daughter disappeared through the doors of the ancient temple.
****
Inside, the temple was as deserted as it's grounds. Nontheless, with Fett's attack fresh in her mind, Leia trembled slightly attempting to keep pace with her father. Anakin neither glanced left or right, but maintained a steadfast stature while he lead his daughter through the hallways he knew so well. Sensing her unease, he abruptly stopped and turned to her, "Your fear will be the cause of your defeat if you do not push it aside now!" She nodded her compliance, then was surprised by the sudden tone of annoyance in his voice. "No one will hinder us on our approach. Fear is their ally. Do not let them use it."
Leia couldn't find her voice to reply, she was totally consumed by the gloved hand pointed directly into her face. As he continued to order her to control the depths of her feelings, she couldn't help but wonder if it was Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker which stood before her. Running her tongue over her dry lips, she glanced up into the dark mask and utterted two words, "Yes, father."
Vader lowered his hand and leaned down to her and quietly studied her features for moment. "We are expected. Luke and The Emperor are waiting for us further on." He raised himself to his full height and resumed leading the Princess towards the confrontation, speaking slowly as he walked, "Remember. Luke is unaware of who you are."
Leia was trailing a distance behind, but on hearing this she quickened her pace to catch up and responded in an accusing whisper. "Why would you tell me something like that, then expect me to conceal it only moments before we face him?!"
"All you need to do is bury your feelings."
****
The doors to the Throne Room opened automatically as Anakin and Leia approached. Two armed Red Guards exited through the doors and stood sentry either side. They presented no obstacle to the pair, allowing them to pass freely inside. Once across the threshold, the doors slid shut, leaving the guards in the corridor. Leia looked about the room in search of Luke but saw nothing. The chamber was cold, sterile and empty.
A brittle, mocking voice came from the shadows, accompanied by the sound of a cane tapping the steel floor in a steady, rhythmic fashion. Squinting in order to see into the half light, Leia saw the Emperor for the first time, stepping calmly into view. "I see you've brought me the prize, Lord Vader."
Leia's heart stopped as she awaited Vader's response! Time seemed to suspend itself in eternity before she heard his words. "I offer you no prize this time. I have come to claim my son!"
"You will have no such victory today, Father!" Luke's voice echoed from high above them and Leia strained her neck to catch a glimpse of him.
"Son!" The giant appealed softly to the boy, "The darkness which so quickly claimed you, once held me prisoner. Death can be avoided here if you lay down your hatred and let me lead you from this place."
"That was your promise when I joined you the first time!" Luke spat in complaint, "You can't be trusted, Lord Vader!"
"You will receive no such satisfaction in this place!" The Emperor had moved into clear vision and Leia was repulsed at the sight of him, along with his ovbious detestation of her. His yellow skin and hollow eyes were a chilling vision, but he was smaller than she had envisioned. His iniquity overflowed as he continued to approach, "You are lost, Lord Vader! You have betrayed the master that gave you power and glory."
"Obi Wan was betrayed by my foolishness, yes. But I feel his presance now." replied Anakin ."It has become clear to me now that all you gave me was a life of servitude, to you and the darkside. To pain, hatred, suffering. I was once better than that. And will be again!"
Palpatine glared at him in an evil, silent reply.
"I know now the true power of the Jedi. The ability to control the force, not become it's slave as you are. Being master of it's power and using it for good. The ability to control my fear, pain, anger is a greater power than any you have given me. I am Anakin Skywalker and the force is my ally. You are nothing but a mere servant."
Violent, unrestrained anger flared in Palpatine's eyes. It was abundantly clear to Anakin and his daughter that the full fury of his rage was simmering just below the surface of his choking silence, waiting to engulf them. Still, Anakin stood unwavering, ready to face the inevitable. His determination seemed to lift Leia's heart enough to encourage her to fly an accusation of her own. "You have destroyed everything, Palpatine! My mother died trying to rid you from the galaxy and I've spent my life dedicated to finishing her work!
"Your mother was a fool!" He fought, then turned his face to her companion, "And so is your father! If you wish to die under that pathetic name, then so be it! He spun around turning his back to them, then leaned his head over his shoulder, his voice laden with contempt, "Anakin."
Luke paced back and forth above them, intently listening to the churlish declamations. Palpatine's comment regarding Leia's father caught his attention more than anything else that had been said. He smiled wickedly at the realization. "Today my family truly does die!"
The still air was broken by the hum of Luke's lightsabre igniting and he jumped from his height, landing only meters in front of Leia and Anakin. Leia gasped at the expression on his face and instinctively took a step backwards. As she did, her father's own red blade glowed before her. It seemed to raise itself above her head, held firmly in black gloved hands as it hovered back and forth waiting to strike. Somewhere in her mind she could hear the Emperor's chilling laugh but it seemed secondary to what was about to take place. Her father and brother prepared for a battle that could only end in death. Anakin remained steadfast, waiting. Luke was impatient. He mounted his attack with a forward lunge, his sabre suddenly and sharply striking downwards. The clash of the blades echoed throughout the room as one by one, each blow by Luke was matched by Anakin.
Leia backed herself against a wall, uncertain of what to do. She reached for her blaster, intending to end this combat quickly and decisively. As her fingers wrapped around the handpiece, she felt an invisible weight press down on her. Her breathing and movement were fiercely restricted, she was even unable to turn her head in search of it's source. Then before her stood the sickening features of the Emperor, smiling at her. Smiling! His perverse expression dominated her sight as she struggled for breath. Then he spoke. "The result of this confrontation will be decided by weapons less clumsy." He released his hold on her and Leia slumped to the floor, breathing deeply to stave off unconsiousness as Palpatine's voice continued to bombard her, "You will not interfere again! Now watch the demise of your brother and await your own fate!"
Brother! She sat in confusion, letting the full meaning of Palpatine's statement settle over her. Even now he completely expected Vader to triumph over Luke and destroy him. That her father would turn again. She looked up to question him, but he had already resumed his place on the Throne. Turning her attention back to the unrelenting battle between father and son she could only make out the glow of the lightsabres. Sith and Jedi had moved into the darkened corners of the Throne Room and only the lunge and parry of the blades could be seen. It was impossible to distinguish between the flashes of red brandishing down on one another. Occassionally one or the other would spin full circle in the blackness as it's owner avoided injury. Nothing was obvious except the fact that this was a no-holes barred, hostile encounter. She looked again to the Emperor, her stomach rolling at the sight of his perpetual, insidious grin, and assumed he had a better vantage point in which to view the conflict. However, his earlier declaration made it impossible to know who had the upper hand. Was Luke failing? Or was her father?
****
Han leaned over his faithful friend, urgently soaking his chest wound with the pitifully small amount of bacta fluid he kept on board while Lando held an oxygen mask to the Wookiee's face. The Corellian cursed loudly at his inability to control the blood loss, but continued his vain attempt by pressing the gauze over Chewbacca's injury, discarding each one as it became soaked with blood in favour of a clean one. The process was unrelenting and futile. The wound was fatal!
Chewbacca shook his head violently to free himself from Lando's attentions and painfully raised his hand to his Captain's shoulder. Blood gurgled in his throat as he attempted to speak and he choked and coughed under the copious amount of thick red fluid oozing from his mouth. Solo placed a calming hand to Chewie's forehead, offering encouragement and urging him to allow Lando to replace the mask. His words ended abruptly on seeing the pleading look in his friend's eyes and he directed Lando to step back. Chewbacca grunted inaudibly. His hand dropped from Solo's shoulder and he became still. The bloodflow from his chest lessened greatly when his heart ceased beating. A sorrowful silence descended upon Han and Lando and the two men stood in grief and disbelief over the body of Chewbacca.
****
With a flash of red, Luke appeared into the light, spinning effortlessly through the air and landing perfectly on his feet. He held his attention above him and within seconds Anakin leapt from the railing to join his adversary on the sterile grey floor. The criss-crossing of sabres continued unabated, their gnashing drowning out the labored breathing of both men. Anakin had truly returned, this was apparent in his method but Luke was wearing him down, fighting with hatred and anger and an overwhelming desire to prove himself to the Emperor.
Leia's eyes never left the battle. Anxiety grew within her as she was forced to watched her father's attack falter into defence. Luke was bearing down on him with a ferocity she would have never believed had she not seen it with her own eyes! Anakin stumbled backwards, tripped and fell. Luke offered no quarter, lunging his sabre deep into Anakin's shoulder. The din of the lightsabres was replaced by an anguished, injured cry and Leia jumped to her feet! Without forethought, she scurried across the floor to her father's side in a desperate attempt to shield him from Luke's attack. She raised her hand to her brother, surrendering an acute plea for him to stop!
Sideous watched the turn of events silently. Slowly, he descended the staircase, step by step his eyes fixed firmly on the unexpected proceedings. "Your lack of faith and wisdom has made you weak, Lord Vader. It appears you have failed to secure your son, who will now take his place by my side!"
Anakin lay panting. His respirator was malfunctioning and the heat contained within his armour was overbearing. Painfully, he was succumbing to exhaustion. How ironic that what could possibly be the last vision set before him was one of his daughter desperately pleading his son for mercy on his life. Her words echoed around him, "Luke! Please, stop!" but it appeared Luke would first slay his sister in order to destroy to him. He watched helplessly as Leia again foolishly brandished her blaster in Luke's face, vowing to defend her father. Within an instant she was engulfed in the Emperor's force lightening and flung across the room into the steel wall, held metres above the floor screaming at the agonizing torture!