A/N: I do not own SW.
Emperor Palpatine cracked an evil smile. "Now we shall see who is the strongest and most worthy of being my servant." Darth Tyranus and Darth Vader stood at opposite sides in darkened room, filled with many obstacles in order to test their skill and grace.
The sound of breathing could be heard. It was a low kind of hiss, a sound that could send shivers up anyone's spine. "I will not fail you, Master." Vader spoke through his black skull-like mask.
Tyranus smirked. "We shall see about that. I defeated you the first time we met and I can do it again, Skywalker."
"Skywalker does not exist anymore." Palpatine reminded him, not wanting Vader to remember who he really was. Vader knew but he was supposed to forget his past. "Ignite your weapons."
Vader ignited his newly constructed lightsaber. Out of it sprang a brilliant red beam. A low humming noise filled the air. Tyranus turned on his own lightsaber. It too was the color of red. The two blades clashed with each other, sending off a loud crackling sound.
"Fight your hardest, and fight...to the death." Palpatine announced. "Begin."
The two dark lords attacked each other, each using their own style of fighting. Tyranus used an early type of fighting while Vader used his own skills and knowledge of dueling from the Temple. Tyranus cut to the right; Vader blocked him. Tyranus tried to attack him from the other side; Vader blocked him again. Vader blocked all other moves made against him in hopes of his opponent tiring himself out. Then Vader would attack him mercilessly.
Tyranus charged at him, lightsaber held high but he brought it down before Vader could stab him in the chest. Vader bumped into the wall and dodged Tyranus's blow to his head, leaping over a large metal box.
Tyranus ran after him, calling out to the Dark Side of the Force. A huge wind knocked two metal pipes off the ceiling, sending them flying towards Vader. He cut them in half and reached out to the Force as well. He caught Tyranus by surprise by knocking him off his feet. Tyranus thought Vader would assault him with more heavy objects.
Vader ran to Tyranus and the two Sith began attacking each other wildly, each hoping to kill the other.
Tyranus felt his strength failing. He was much older than Vader who was still in his late twenties. It was too late to turn back. Too late...
Vader sensed the weakening of Tyranus and grim satisfaction grew in him. He waited for the right moment...the time had come. Tyranus mistakenly held his lightsaber below him too long. Vader plunged his sword into Tyranus's chest, the blade reaching the heart. Tyranus looked at him, a triumphant smile across his face, and then fell forward, dead.
Vader wondered vaguely why Tyranus had smiled but decided it did not matter. He breathed heavily, exhausted by the battle. Darth Tyranus, formerly known as Count Dooku, was gone forever and Vader remained alive. Alive to serve Emperor Palpatine, a dangerous influence and a cunning man.
Had Vader truly won?
"Uncle Owen, Ben told me about my father and the Jedi." Luke said at the dinner table.
Owen stiffened at the mention of Luke's father. "Don't listen to a word he says, you hear me? The Jedi don't exist anymore. There are more important things to worry about, like the next harvesting season." He did not want Luke to become a Jedi. What if he turned out like his father?
Luke looked at him. "Did you know that my father was killed by Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader?"
Beru looked at him, surprised. That was not the truth. Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader. "Luke-"
Owen cut her off. "Yes I knew. You don't have to worry about Palpatine and Vader. They won't come here. Tatooine is not of any concern to them.
Beru quickly looked down at her food when Luke looked at her. She did not want him to see the shock in her eyes.
Luke sighed. He took his dishes to the sink and then excused himself to go outside. He looked at the twin suns, descending in the distance. He sighed again, and then went to shut some of the droids down. He had to concentrate on his chores, not issues that had nothing to do with him.
Leia yawned, sick of doing homework for her schooling. She had a personal tutor who gave her homework almost everyday. It seemed boring at times but Leia knew she had to grasp each subject quickly and understand it if she wanted to enter politics. And pass each grade.
'I wish mom were here. She'd be able to explain things better. Well at least I have father and mother here.' She thought, wondering if Bail or his wife was busy right now. She decided to find out.
She was about to get up when Luraia entered her room. "Hello Miss Leia." Luraia smiled. "I brought you a little snack." She held a small plate with a special dessert, Leia's favorite.
Leia smiled. Luraia always knew how to make someone smile. "Thanks and you don't have to call me "Miss" Leia." She took a bite. "Anyway, aren't you supposed to be with Shaye?"
"He is sleeping, and so is Jed. He found out how exhausting a baby can be." Luraia chuckled. "Are you almost finished your homework?"
"Yes but I needed some help from father or mother."
"Mrs. Organa is already asleep and Bail is eating a late meal."
"Can you help me then? I'm having trouble with this question." Leia said and Luraia read the question and explained the answer to her. "Alright, next question." Leia looked at the holopad. "What species of alien resides underwater on the planet Naboo and has made peace with the residents of Naboo? Well that's easy. Gungans." Leia punched in the answer. "Speaking of gungans, do you know what happened to Senator Binks?"
Luraia responded. "You should know, remember? It's part of your mark to keep up-to-date with certain events."
Leia rolled her eyes. "I know, but I forgot."
"Senator Binks has retired and returned home." Luraia replied.
"And it's not really much of a Senate over there on Coruscant. Everything is just chaos, chaos, and more chaos." A voice added dryly. It was Jed, holding Shaye in his arms. He had been looking for Luraia.
"Jed! What're you doing here?" Luraia asked.
"What? Not happy to see us?" Jed teased her. "How are you doing, Miss Leia?"
Leia grinned. "Call me Leia. I'm doing okay now. Homework is done!"
Jed grinned back. "That's good. You know, Senator Binks still lives in Otoh Gunga..."
Luraia looked at him pointedly. "And what are you suggesting?"
Leia jumped up. "Can I go visit him? I miss him. He always made me laugh!"
Jed handed Shaye over to Luraia. "I don't see why not. You've got a break coming up and you haven't been off planet for a long time. However it is a big risk with Palpatine searching for Jedi." 'And for you.'
"All the more reason for her to stay." Luraia said sternly. "It is a HUGE risk. I do not think Senator Organa would allow it."
"True but it could be an educational field trip..." Jed looked at his wife with pleading eyes. "What do you say, Leia? I will accompany you."
"I'm all for it!" Leia exclaimed. "I'll be safe with Jed protecting me. No one has found him and he could still conceal himself."
"Jed Willston, that is not how a Jedi should act." Luraia frowned.
"Please? I promise I won't go off planet again until I'm much older." Leia begged.
'Suppose Vader senses her?' Luraia glanced at Jed and she could tell he was thinking the same thing. 'Maybe Jed can conceal her as well...' "You'll have to ask your father."
"I am going to tell him right now before he goes to bed." Leia declared. "I'm sure he'll say yes."
"Very well." Jed began. "If he does, I'll go with you and you can see Jar Jar Binks. We'll leave as soon as your break comes up."
"Yes!"
