Author´s notes: Argh! I´m so sorry! So sorry! Here´s the chapter – I´m just so sad it´s gonna be over soon… oh, well. Two more chapters to go, but I promise they will be up tomorrow or the day after that… anyway, they´ll be up soon! Beware the cliffhanger!

ultimate-seto-fan – heh, thanks. Here you go.

Dragonsdaughter1Yay! Someone likes my sarcasm! Hehe. Read on!

Mara look-a-likeThanks, here you go!

Urazz – Thanks! Thanks! Horray, an update at last!

lightman – interesting idea, but Luke is too LS at the moment. Thanks and read on!

Pandora-MooHey, I like the Dark Side!

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Chapter XVI

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The battle was actually getting quite vicious… I wasn't sure if it was because Skywalker was getting better or because Vader´s age was catching up with him. But it certainly was fun to see him fall down the stairs.

"Good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy! Let the hate flow through you." The Emperor crowed, with a sharp laugh.

Skywalker, the proper little Jedi scout he was, realized that he was doing something wrong and relaxed slightly, deactivating his lightsaber. I could almost feel the Dark Side flowing away from him as Vader stood up.

"Obi-Wan has taught you well." Vader noted, emotionless, toneless.

"I will not fight you, father."

He clearly knew little of Vader to think such a statement would move him "You are unwise to lower your defenses."

Vader attacked, more swiftly this time. I think he realized that this wasn't going to be as easy as it was before and that now, it wasn't a wanna-be-Jedi he was fighting. Eventually, however, Skywalker flipped back to the catwalk above him.

"Your thoughts betray you, father. I feel the good in you...the conflict."

"There is no conflict." That sounded almost like a line from the Jedi Code.

"You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me now." I wouldn't underestimate Vader… especially when he´s being mocked.

"You underestimate the power of the dark side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny."

With a flick of his wrist, his lightsaber was flying at the catwalk, missing Skywalker´s head by inches and cutting the support system. The catwalk collapsed and Skywalker rolled away right when Vader caught his saber and went to search for him

"Good. Good." I still didn't get what the Emperor was planning, even as he laughed next to me.

Vader stalked through the low-ceilinged area, searching for Skywalker in the darkness… in vain.

"You cannot hide forever, Luke."

"I will not fight you."

"Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends." Yeah right. And I´m Empress Teta. "Yes, your thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for..." Vader stopped sharply. I have never sensed such a wave of surprise from him.

"Sister!" Yeah, I figured that was the reason. "So...you have a twin sister. Your feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the Dark Side, then perhaps she will."

"NEVER!" I guess that hit a nerve.

Skywalker ignited his saber and I didn't envy Vader in that moment – he was forced to back away with each blow, each attack. His moves were almost slow, without any real strength. I wonder why. But still, he seemed shocked and tired, even as he was forced to his knees.

Geez, Skywalker looked like he was trying to kill an insect – all those lightsaber attacks. Eventually, however, even the slight defenses Vader still had broke… and with a final blow, Skywalker sliced his hand off (Force knows how many limbs that guy lost over the years) and his sword fell into the shaft nearby.

At this point, however, I could sense the intensity of the Emperor´s gaze on me. I took this as a signal to come with him, so I nodded, following him like an obedient shadow.

"Good! Your hate has made you powerful. Now, fulfill your destiny and take your father's place at my side!"

I was actually expecting this – I have heard how the Emperor was getting angry with Vader, how he ceased to trust his really most loyal servant… there was something there, something created when Vader learned he had children. I´m not sure if there was much humanity left in him, but I suppose that whoever the woman who had the great misfortune of having children with him was, he cared for her. Not a desirable trait in a Sith Lord.

Skywalker was panting, glancing from Vader to the Emperor, then to me. But he gazed at the smoking wires that were Vader´s wrist… and then at his own hand. I knew Vader had cut it off a year ago at Bespin, but I wasn't sure why he was remembering it now.

As a final shock, he deactivated the emerald blade and threw his lightsaber away.

"Never." He said, unnaturally calm. Did he actually know he was facing certain death? "I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me."

Touching as that was, it wasn't what the Emperor wanted to hear. With an eerie grace, he reached the bottom of the stairs, looking at Skywalker with nothing short of contempt.

"So be it… Jedi." he spat. "If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed."

I was half-expecting that he would kill Skywalker personally… but it seemed even the last of the Jedi wasn't worthy of that. Palpatine turned to me, the anger reserved for the other two morphing into a horrifyingly satisfied smile.

"At long last, your dreams can come true, Mara." He summoned Skywalker´s lightsaber and I had to catch it in my left hand. My own saber was automatically in my right.

"Kill the young fool first. I want Lord Vader to see his son die, knowing the same fate awaits his daughter, if she chooses to defy me again." He hissed, partially at me, then at Vader, "The Skywalkers are mine."

My eyes widened slightly, with various emotions. Surprise, glee, excitement… shock. Conflicting emotions passed through me as I looked at the sabers in my hands.

This was my lifelong dream. This moment was what I have been waiting for all my life. To take my rightful place at my Master´s side, to kill Vader, to be what I was meant to be. The way of the Sith was clear… all I ever wanted was within my grasp!

I glanced at Skywalker, who was still panting. I suppose he was expecting this when he said that only I could make the choice what I wanted to be. This was the end.

I ignited the lightsabers - the blades were well balanced in my tight grasp.