Ten Years Later

"Lord Skywalker," a young Imperial soldier said from behind Luke's
shoulder and he turned towards him.

"Yes?"

"A group of rebels have been apprehended."

"Does Lord Vader know about this?"

"Uh, not yet, my Lord," he stuttered.

"Very well. Bring the rebels to the detention center. I'll see to
them after Lord Vader is informed."

"Yes, my Lord. One of the rebels was armed with this."

Luke looked down at the weapon in the soldier's hand. A lightsaber.
The weapon of the accursed Jedi Knights.

He nodded and took it before turning around and leaving.

___________________

Darth Vader looked up as he felt the presence of his son
approaching. He felt Luke's thoughts on the rebels, his unease of
them. The door opened and he watched the cold gaze of his son on
him.

"A group of rebels have been captured."

"I know." Vader nodded and saw the rock cold look on his son's face.

"One of the rebels was carrying this." Luke offered the lightsaber
to his father.

Vader's menacing mask tilted downwards towards the weapon. "A Jedi?
It's not possible. A new Jedi could not have been trained. All of
them are dead."

"Could you have missed one?"

"There is no one to train them."

"Yes, but I felt her presence. She is here, and trained."

"It's not possible."

"You doubt my abilities?" Luke
questioned, his cold gaze questioning.

"You are not trained."

Luke gaze a curt nod but them removed the lightsaber from his
belt. "Shall we decide whether I am or not right now?"

"You think you can defeat me?"

"You know I'm powerful."

"Yes, but you are only a learner."

"Do you truly believe that? Do you believe I couldn't harm you?"

"You do not have the training to harm me."

"Then why are you afraid?"

Vader had nothing to respond to his son as a sly smile crossed his
son's face. "If you fear my abilities than trust them. Do not try to
tell me you don't fear them. I can feel your fear."

Luke hooked the lightsaber to his belt again. "When you wish for the
contest I shall be in my quarters after I interrogate the
prisoners." Luke bowed his head and with a curt, military turn, left
the room.

Leia Organa glanced towards the door of her cell as she felt a presence
outside. It was powerful and dark, yet familiar. Master Yoda had warned her
of the Emperor and Darth Vader, but this presence, this couldn't be either
of them. Or at least she didn't believe so. Master Yoda had warned her that
she wasn't ready to face them but she had been captured and now she had no
choice.

Leia glanced up as the door slid open and a figure stepped inside. She was
shocked to see a young man, no older than she was but dressed in black. An
aura of evil surrounded him. He was so young and she had to wonder how he
could be so evil.

Luke held his hands out. "What, your highness. Do you doubt that I truly am
what I claim to be?"

She glanced at him but refused to answer. She knew the Sith Lords had a way
of twisting their words and fooling others. She did not want to allow
anything to slip loose.

"Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, Alderaan, such a beautiful place even if
foolishly pacifist. It's a pity they were allowed to survive in the great
Empire. Such a weak people."

Leia could feel the anger in her growing at his words. She saw the sly smile
on his lips. "I can feel your anger, your hate. Let it loose and destroy
me."

"Never," she whispered.

"That is your choice. The choice is always open."

"The choice of what? To join you? Never!" She yelled at him, her anger
growing.

"If that is what you want. Your highness, where are the rebels hidden?"

"I don't know."

"Don't play stupid with me Princess, I know that you know. If you will not
cooperate we can resort to more painful measures."

"When the Senate hears of this_"

Luke cut her off with a slice of his hand in the air. "Your beloved Senate
doesn't matter any more. You are the prisoner, the slave, and we are the
masters. I suggest you listen and obey. It may save your life in the end."

Leia glared at him but didn't say a word as Luke acknowledged her resistance
and he left her alone in her cell.

___________________

"Enter, Lord Skywalker," the Emperor's wheezing voice whispered.

"Master," Luke said with a curt bow as he entered the throne room. He
acknowledged the presence of the crimson clad guards and the red-headed
woman.

"The rebels?"

"Yes Master, I have begun interrogating them and they all seem rather
resistant but I believe they will acknowledge the location of the base
soon."

"Good, good, Lord Skywalker. And of the Jedi?"

"She is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan."

"Alderaan?" The emperor mussed to himself, his plan already being formatted.

"She has much hate and fear in her, she will join us or die."

"Are you so certain of this?"

"Yes, my Master."

"How?"

"I have seen it."

Palpatine nodded his head and excused the young Sith Lord but Luke was
halted by the red-head.

"Good evening, Miss Jade."

"Lord Skywalker, would you walk with me?"

"Of course," he offered a slight smile and walked beside her till they were
out of the throne room then turned around to face her.

"The mess hall," she whispered as she led him away.

"What is this about?"

She silenced him and he shook his head in annoyance as he followed her to
the mess hall. When they reached that point she handed him a datacard.

"The Jedi, Leia Organa, is the daughter of Padmé Naberrie Amidala. She was
the Queen of Naboo and wife of the Jedi, Anakin Skywalker."

"Who became Vader, my father. Why are you telling me this?"

"The Emperor wants power over you and he would have had it. When he has full
power is when the future of the galaxy dies."

"Why would the Emperor's Hand save the freedom of the Son of Vader?"

"Because you and your sister are the only ones that can save us."

"Giving me this information could cost your life." Luke warned her.

"Yes, I plan on it. You won't see me again. He already knows."

"Good bye, Mara and may the Force be with you."

"Good bye, son of Vader. Sorry, I don't even know your name."

"It's Luke," he stood up and watched her leave knowing it would be the last
time. They were good friends, they had trained together, been punished
together. They trusted each other because they had had to. She had been a
good friend, nothing more, nothing less, but now it was gone. It didn't
effect him that she was gone, nothing ever did.




Luke gave a curt nod towards the guards as he stormed down the hallway. It
had been a week since the death of Mara Jade. He didn't feel like eating so
he just worked. The loss of her was hard on him, he knew it was but not why,
so he tried to dismiss it. He tried to not think about it. He had other
things to keep his mind occupied. He had promised the Emperor that his
sister would turn or that he would have her head. Also, still there were the
Rebels that evaded them. His sister was giving them nothing of their
location so that left Luke to find it. He would find it, that's what he was
successful at.

"Lord Skywalker?"

Luke nodded his head at the young officer. He knew that most of them had
noticed a problem but none would dare approach him, except for one.

"Yes?"

The officer visibly swallowed and Luke looked directly at him. He knew this
officer and that wasn't like him.

"The Jedi has disappeared," he blurted out.

Luke felt as if the roof was coming down on his head. He nodded towards the
young officer and turned away. The question of how she could escape arose in
his mind.

___________________

His daughter? His daughter! The emperor had known all the time about her, he
had known about Luke. Palpatine would have killed Luke if he thought he
couldn't be molded just as he would mold or kill Leia. It was only by chance
that Darth Vader learned of his children's existence. And even then, Luke
was torn away and molded as soon as he knew. He remembered the child before
the molding, so full of life, but it was gone now. Leia would be the same;
she would become as dark as her brother. There was no conflict left in Luke,
there was no light. How many other children had he stolen? How many other
parents have fallen to his manipulations? Surely, it couldn't be only him.
The Emperor had many Jedi children; he had murdered many. How many were the
own children of his own dark servants? How many had he kept to keep control
over the parents? How many would turn if they knew the love of father and
mother or child?

As he entered the cell he was returned by a hated glare from the Jedi
Organa. He could see the Skywalker fire behind them. He noticed that she
looked very much like her beautiful mother. He could see the reflection of
Padm's face in hers.

"Are you ready to tell us where the Rebels are hiding yet? I quickly grow
tired of this game, my daughter. If needed either Lord Skywalker or myself
will pull the secrets from your mind."

The threat never reached Leia's ears as her mind froze as she heard the Sith
Lord address her as 'my daughter'. She was related to this horrid monster?
How could this thing, more man than machine, be her father? She doubted he
even had a miniscule amount of human emotion. But, she was wrong as she felt
what it was from within. A conflict and hatred towards the Emperor, the
sorrow of a man who had lost his family. His wife dead, his daughter hating
him, and his son_

Son?

Yes, the Dark Lord had a son, and her, a brother. Her brother was evil, but
she could turn him, she knew it.

Leia's anger grew and she used the Force to call the lightsaber from her
father's hand. Before the Dark Lord could react she ignited it and slashed
at him, using that time to escape her cell, lightsaber still in hand.

Luke settled his hand on his belt beside his lightsaber as he stepped into
the cell, The sight before him bewildered him as he knelt down to the Dark
Lord. He noticed his father was having even more difficulty breathing.

"What happened? Where's the Jedi?"

"Your sister has escaped. She's more powerful than I expected."

Luke struggled to his feet and took a glance towards his comlink.

"Lord Skywalker to medic bay. I need a medical team here immediately, don't
delay. Cell D-5333." Luke waited for the affirmation and nodded towards his
father.

"Don't go after her, she's too powerful."

"Maybe too powerful for you, father."

"Luke, you aren't trained."

"Father, now would be a good time to trust those abilities of mine that you
fear. I'll find her and bring her back, or kill her if I must but she will
not escape."

___________________

Leia held the blue bladed lightsaber before her as she turned at a sudden
sound. Stormtroopers would be easy to get rid of so she had no worry. Or at
least she didn't until she saw the single man that stepped out of the
shadows. Wearing the customary black of any Imperial and specifically a Sith
Lord. She could recognize the Sith Lord anywhere.

"You should know by now that there's no escape, my sister."

"Then what's my choice? Stay here and become like you? I'd rather die now."

Luke unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and ignighted it. The calmness
of the fight came over him as he concentrated on that alone. The blood red
blade shining before him.

"Then that is your choice."

Leia brought her blade up into a guard position and turned to face the man,
her brother, for it could be none other. Luke swung at her and she blocked
and parried. The swings from Luke came frequent and harder as he battered
her down to stop the resistance. Leia knew she was losing ground but would
not admit defeat. Not to her brother, not to anyone.

Leia's anger and frustration grew as one blow after another landed on their
spots. He defense was weakening. She knew if she didn't attack soon it would
be the end as she used a moment of hesitance to swipe at him.

She almost yelled in victory when she felt the tip of the blade bite into
the soft flesh of his belly. But, instead of the expected yell of pain she
heard nothing. She could smell the charred flesh but he just straightened up
and looked her in the eye. No sign of pain on his face, not even a whimper
from it. He made no sounds at all but Leia knew how much pain he had to be
in. Why did he do nothing?

She could see where his weakness lied, in defense. He had very little
training in that area. But, still, if he could take that type of pain she
could hardly think about weaknesses.

Yet, there was something peculiar about him. She thought as a Sith Lord
anger and hatred controlled him. But, there was none of the evident, only a
calmness of mind, almost as in meditation.

Luke swung his blade towards her and knocked hers from her hands. "This is
the end of the line, princess."

Luke held the blade close to her throat as his muscles tensed, ready to
plunge it and end his job until a heavy hand fell on his shoulder.

"Your job is only to stop her, Luke." The deep voice of Darth Vader
resounded and Luke turned toward him but not lessening his grip on his
weapon.

"Father, she's a danger to us."

"She will turn my son, now leave her to me."

"Forget it. She almost killed you last time I left her to you."

"I still seem to be standing, my son. Now do as you're ordered."

"Yes sir."

___________________

"I could kill you. I almost did so before."

"You're disillusioned princess. Even if you managed to kill me you'd never
survive."

"You put to much faith in that little slave of yours."

"Which slave? Luke? No, I don't believe I do. I grow old and he will rule
the Empire someday. Perhaps with you at his side. Rule as brother and
sister, come, my daughter, join me and I will show you unlimited power, like
your brother."

"My brother is not all-powerful. He has his limits, as do you."

"Have you witnessed them yet? Have you even witnessed mine?"

"Yes," she swallowed hard.

"I can feel your fear. Let's see how you stand up to my master."

His master, the Emperor. This was the day her fate would be decided.

___________________

He had lost it. Luke angrily grabbed a single statue that was setting on his
desk and threw it at the window. It smashed through it and the glass fell
into the gardens of Coruscant. He had promised the Emperor, had sworn it.
Now he had lost everything. He had lost his prestige in the Emperor's eyes,
the prestige in his father's eyes. Had lost Miss Jade in this all, just
because of his sister.

He didn't want her there, wanted nothing to do with her.

Because you and your sister are the only ones that can save us

"This isn't my job! No!" Luke sank to his knees and held his head in his
hands. "No," he whispered through clenched teeth. "Not her, I will never
work with her. A Jedi?" He asked, his voice full of disgust.

Good? There was no good no longer. He was a Sith Lord, not a despicable
Jedi. He didn't want anything to do with her.

___________________

"Lord Vader, you bring her to me." The wheezing voice of Palpatine hissed.

"Yes, my master, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. She is the Jedi."

"Not Organa, my servant, but Skywalker. Leia Skywalker of Naboo. Come here,
Dark Lady Skywalker. Lord Vader, she will learn to fight."

"Yes, my master."

___________________

Darth Vader slashed at the droid before him. It was never enough of a
challenge, not like a living challenge. Vader shut it down and went to the
quarters of his son. He was ready for the promised challenge from 'Lord
Skywalker'.

___________________

"Come to me child."

Leia took one step closer as she faced Palpatine. What had he called her?
Dark Lady Skywalker, that's what he had called her.

"Let out your anger."

Leia was thrown backwards by the strike of the force lightning. She lay on
the floor in pain and bit down hard to stop from screaming. "Let loose your
anger. Leia, you can become even more powerful than your brother. I will not
waste time on teaching you to stay focused and silent but to draw out your
anger, use it in it's full potential."

"Don't waste your time," she snarled at him.

"Then you will learn, as your father did." He struck her again and again
until attacked with all her pent up anger and hatred. She was thrown back
again. "That is your lesson for today, my young apprentice."

___________________

Vader struck at his son. His calmness didn't remain although his son's did.
He struck him again and again in anger as the blood red blades intersected
again. Vader attacked with all his pent up anger and hatred. He struck
repeatedly until Luke fell victim to his onslaught and suffered as the blade
sunk into his arm and drew away. Vader was staring down at him as he slipped
down and Vader saw the repeated cuts on his son.

_________________

Leia lay on the floor of her room. She hurt too much to move. Certainly it
was a nice room but she was still a prisoner. She shut her eyes but they
snapped open again as she heard the door open and a pair of footstep draw
closer.

She sat up to face the source of the footsteps to look straight into the
young but ruined face of the young Lord Skywalker.

"Greetings, Dark Lady Skywalker."

"That's not my name."

"Yes, I know, but Leia Organa, your true name will soon have no meaning to
you."

"How can you say that?"

Luke seated himself on the bed and looked down at her. "Princess, you
dissapoint me. You don't truly believe I was always who I was, do you?"

"You're an Imperial, that's all I need to know." She snarled at him.

"Until I was eight years of age I never even knew my name. I was still a
child then. Innocent if a bit agressive. Murder had become a game back then,
not a job."

"You're an Imperial, you were never good." She spat at him vicously.

"You served the same Empire I did," Luke rose his voice as he got to his
feet and rounded on her. "The Senate was once Imperial, dare you deny it?"

"No," Leia began before she was interrupted again.

"We were born of the same mother, do you think I was evil at birth? Or was
there no difference?"

"Maybe you were, maybe that's why you were sent away!"

"Just as you were," Luke's voice barely more than a whisper hissed
menacingly through his teeth and lips.

Leia eyed him as he headed towards the door, not turning around once more.