A/N: Hey, I realized I was a little behind in updating over here, so guess what? You get two chapters for the price of one! Okay, so they're both free, but you know what I mean. Big, big, huge thanks to all the readers who are still with me on this story...GreatOne, SHAWN PROVONCHA, Sassie826, Sithspawned, LCO100, steffles24, JadeAlmasy, Vashkoda, Jaina, Tigerdrake, Jadeddiva, platypusred, shadow131, BlueSaber, Katey of Maychoria. Your reviews do mean so much to me!

And I have excellent news! This story is DONE! I have finished writing it! (dances around the room like a crazy loon) Wooo-hoooooo! I'll be posting every Friday from now on...course, after these two, there's only two left. So this won't take very long, will it? (laughs at own self) Anyway, thank you for all your patience and support.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Luke awoke to the stark black walls of an Imperial prison cell. He was lying on his side, facing the back wall of the cell. Stifling a groan, he rolled over and sat up on the edge of the bunk. His hands were still confined in the binders and he stared at them blankly for several long minutes, the reasons for his lack of consciousness coming back to him painfully. Luke winced as he remembered the rush of anger that had washed over him at Arica's goading.

Great, Skywalker, as if you're really going to be able to resist the Dark Side if that little bit of annoyance can make you lose it, he thought ruefully. He closed his eyes and let his head hang low as he rested his forearms on his knees. All of his strong words to Mara about refusing to turn to the Dark Side, and the first time he was tested, he failed miserably.

But he had already failed even before that, hadn't he? Luke had really felt, with everything in him, that he could sway his father, that he could convince him to return to the Light side. His mouth twisted in a bitter grimace as it hit him hard how utterly naïve he was.

He's a Sith, and so will you be after this is all over.

Arica's taunt pounded in his brain and Luke sighed heavily. Now he was about to face his worst fear…Palpatine. Luke vividly recalled that horrifying encounter with the Emperor's spirit, Force-presence, whatever it was, onboard the Home One months ago. That malevolent being was waiting for him somewhere on this battle station, and Luke truly didn't know if he had the strength to resist him.

Strong, you are, not because of who your father is, but because of who you are. At a crossroads, you are now, Luke. Difficult decisions, you must make. To follow your father's path…or to serve the Light. On you, everything depends.

Luke straightened as he recalled his Master's words. No, he would not give in so easily. He was a Jedi, the last of the Jedi, and he would not allow them to take that away from him. The Dark presences of the Emperor and his father were hovering around the edge of his senses and he knew they would be coming for him soon. Inhaling deeply, Luke recited the Jedi code silently and calmed himself.

When the cell door slid open, and Luke gazed up into the dark mask of his father, he was able to face him with a composed expression. Vader stepped into the tiny space, seeming to fill it with both his physical presence and his presence in the Force, and looked down at his son.

"Come. The Emperor has been waiting impatiently to meet you."

Luke nodded and rose to his feet, not bothering to reply to his father's words. Vader stood to one side to allow Luke to precede him out of the cell and the two of them walked in silence down a long corridor. Luke noted that there were no stormtroopers accompanying them and thought somewhat resentfully that his father knew there would be no need for them. For the first time since he'd started to hope that his father might be turned back, Luke had the realization that his father could, and possibly would, kill him without a second thought.

It was a chilling conclusion to come to.

Vader turned his head slightly towards him as they walked and Luke wondered if his father was able to read what he was thinking. He tightened his shields as much as he could against the Dark Lord, knowing that Vader could probably storm right through them if he chose to do so.

"It will go much easier on you, my son, if you simply accept your fate," Vader advised.

Luke had to fight down the swell of bitterness that rose in his throat. As much as he wanted to ignore his father's words, he could not.

"Is that what you did, Father? Right before you killed all your friends and fellow Jedi? Accepted your fate?"

Luke nearly flinched under the wave of anger that emanated from Vader and he could hear leather creaking as the Dark Lord clenched his fists. They continued to walk down the corridor, even though Luke had the sensation that Vader was resisting the urge to backhand his son.

"You should not speak of things you know nothing about," Vader's voice nearly hissed.

There was silence between them for several more seconds before Vader spoke again. "I would merely like to prevent causing you unnecessary physical pain."

Luke tried to ignore the shiver of fear that went through him at that. Physical pain did not sound good, not at all. Would he be tortured then? Luke swallowed nervously and hoped that his father couldn't sense his unease.

"I would rather endure the pain than give in to the Dark Side."

"You are too stubborn, just like your mother," Vader commented idly.

All right, that comment he certainly could not ignore. Luke stopped in the middle of the corridor and whirled around to face his father.

"My mother? How dare you bring her up to me now. Did you kill her as well?" he demanded.

Luke never saw the blow coming. Vader moved astonishingly swiftly and the back of his fist struck sharply across his son's jaw. Luke stumbled to the side and fell to one knee, his eyes snapping back up to the form towering over him. The flood of anger he felt from Vader this time dwarfed the surge at the mention of the Jedi. Only now, the anger was oddly tinged with traces of sadness and regret.

"You try my patience, boy! Again, you speak rashly about something you have no knowledge of. I loved your mother and would never have harmed her," the Dark Lord said harshly.

As gracefully as he could with his hands bound in front of him, Luke got back up to his feet. He stared at his father in quiet defiance, ignoring the trickle of what must have been blood at the corner of his mouth. He remembered the visions he'd had of a beautiful dark-haired woman with brown eyes and the despair on her face. Brown eyes, something important about those brown eyes…unable to figure it out, Luke pushed it away for now

"Perhaps you never harmed her physically, but you broke her heart, didn't you? Did you never think of what it did to her when you embraced the Darkness?"

The connection between father and son had never been so strong or so overwhelming as it was at that moment. Luke felt battered by the strength of Vader's emotions, and yet he stood firm and faced him down. Vader seemed unsure whether he wanted to strike Luke again or not. Indeed, he could sense his father's uncertainty, period, and hope suddenly expanded in Luke's heart once more.

"For your information, it was the Jedi who killed your mother," Vader said fiercely.

Luke frowned, about to protest what had to be an erroneous assumption on his father's part, when the Dark Lord abruptly lost the last bit of patience he had.

"Enough of this foolish talk! Your new Master awaits." As he spoke, Vader reached out and grabbed Luke by the arm, dragging him forcibly down the corridor towards a turbolift.

Wisely, this time Luke kept his mouth shut.

As they stepped off the turbolift, Luke's eyes darted around the room, trying to take in as much as he could of his surroundings, trying to be prepared for what he was about to face. The area was dark and gloomy, hidden lights casting shadows over everything. The crimson-robed Royal Guards were a shock of color in an otherwise bleak atmosphere. A cold sweat broke out over Luke as he heard a low laugh echo through the room.

Unwillingly, his gaze was drawn to the figure sitting in a high-backed throne at the top of a flight of stairs. All he could see was a form draped in a dark cloak and Luke attempted to push his fear away as he beheld Emperor Palpatine for the first time. Luke and Vader moved forward until they were standing at the foot of the stairs, gazing up at the Emperor. The young Jedi breathed slowly in and out, focusing strongly on every lesson Master Yoda had ever taught him.

"Leave us!" the Emperor's voice seemed to fill the entire room as he dismissed the Royal Guard and Luke wondered briefly if that was a manipulation of the Force.

Palpatine stood and moved forward a few steps, looking down on his captive. Luke clenched his jaw to keep from gasping out loud at his first glimpse of the despot's face, which was twisted and distorted, with blazing yellowish-colored eyes. Luke wondered if his horrific appearance was a result of his immersing himself so completely in the Dark side.

Standing this close to the evil one, Luke nearly suffocated in the utter Darkness of Palpatine's presence, and he had to concentrate fiercely to hold on to his own Light. Again, the Emperor chuckled and Luke's nerves were set on edge.

"Welcome, young Skywalker," he said silkily. "I look forward to completing your training."

"I will not turn," Luke stated defiantly.

"Ah, you are so naïve. Soon you will serve me willingly and soon this pitiful rebellion will be a thing of the past," Palpatine said with a wicked smile.

"You're wrong. Soon I will be dead and you with me," Luke said confidently. His plan to turn his father back to the Light may have failed, but the Alliance would succeed in destroying this battle station, of that he was certain.

Palpatine gave him a mocking look of pity. "Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack by your rebel fleet? Oh, I assure you, we are quite safe from them here. A legion of my best troops await your friends on the forest moon. Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design," he snapped. False sympathy dripped from his voice as he added, "I'm afraid the deflector shield will be very much operational when your friends arrive."

Luke tried to keep the horror he was feeling from showing on his face as he realized what the Emperor's words meant for Mara and Han, for Lando and Wedge, and the rest of the Alliance.

Unwilling to let Palpatine see how rattled he was, Luke said boldly, "Your overconfidence is your weakness."

Palpatine gave him a look of loathing and turned to walk back towards his throne, throwing his careless retort over his shoulder as he did so, "Your faith in your friends is yours."

The Emperor sat back on his throne and leered at his now thoroughly unnerved young prisoner.

"You won't need those anymore," he said casually, and the binders fell away from Luke's hands. Luke glanced down at them, unsure of what he should do or say. He was trying to maintain his composure, but in the face of Palpatine's arrogance, it was difficult.

"Come, Skywalker. I sense that your rebel fleet has just arrived. We will be able to observe as they meet their fate."

Vader put one hand on Luke's shoulder and prodded him up the stairs. Refusing to look at his father, his dread growing with every step, Luke slowly moved towards the Emperor's throne. When he reached the top, he started slightly in surprise at seeing the still figure standing in the shadows just behind the throne. Arica. He hadn't been able to see her from his vantage point below. She stared silently back at him, her expression carefully bland, and he could barely sense her over the bond they shared, almost as though she were purposefully muting her presence.

Palpatine cackled in delight at Luke's discomfiture. "Ah, yes, you have met my Hand, haven't you, young Skywalker? She is a most loyal servant, as you will soon be."

Luke didn't reply, his gaze holding Arica's for a long moment, before he sadly turned his head away. Unfortunately, that brought the giant viewscreen that was near the Emperor's throne into his focus. Trying to still the near-panic that was racing through his system, Luke watched as the Imperial forces began engaging the Alliance fleet. Every time a flare of light burst out, Luke flinched, wondering if that had been someone he knew and cared about.

"From here, you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance and the end of your insignificant rebellion," the Emperor said.

Luke turned to glare at him and for the first time, noticed his own lightsaber lying on the arm of the throne. His fingers twitched reflexively and the young Jedi had to suppress the immediate urge to call the weapon to his hand.

The Emperor's eyes gleamed with a sadistic delight at Luke's confusion. He reached over and stroked the weapon softly. "Yes, you want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon and strike me down with it. Give in to your anger."

Luke was struggling fiercely with the rage that threatened to overwhelm him. This disgusting creature was responsible for so much pain, death and destruction. Han, Mara, Wedge, Chewie, and the entire Alliance were all in danger because of Palpatine. Should Luke not take this opportunity to rid the galaxy of such an evil being? No, that was not the way, that was the way of Darkness, not the way of the Light, and he had sworn that he would die rather than turn.

"No," he muttered harshly as he stared at Palpatine.

Rather than show anger at his refusal to give in, the Emperor smiled at him, almost indulgently. "It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. With each passing moment, you make yourself more my servant. You, like your father, are now…mine," he hissed, the words seeming to crawl over Luke like the Darkness itself.

Resolutely, Luke turned away from them and stared back at the battle taking place above the forest moon. He would not give in. Han and Mara; Wedge and Lando; they were fighters. They weren't giving in and Luke would take courage in their example.

The conflict was too far away for Luke to tell if each tiny flare of light that indicated someone dying was friend or foe, but the sheer number of Imperial ships present gave him a sickening realization that the battle was not going well for the Alliance. They were hopelessly outnumbered, as they had been many times in the past, but this time there seemed to be an element of finality about it.

"As you can see, young Skywalker, your friends have failed," the Emperor said and Luke reluctantly turned to face him again. The menace in Palpatine's voice increased unbearably as he continued, "Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station!"

Sheer terror flooded Luke's senses as the meaning of the Emperor's words became clear. His head whipped back around to the battle above them, knowing what was about to happen, helpless to stop it, the sick feeling of dread growing in the pit of his belly until he thought he might vomit. Vaguely, he heard Palpatine give an order to fire, and only moments later, a deadly beam of light shot out from the Death Star and touched one of the Alliance cruisers, vaporizing it instantly.

Luke turned to face Palpatine once more, his breathing harsh, the Dark side seeming to clamor at his heels, seeking to claim him in triumph, and again saw his lightsaber lying so close, gleaming with anticipation at being in his hand. Palpatine smiled maliciously at the young Jedi's torment.

"There is no escape, my young Apprentice. The Alliance will die, as will your friends."

Being called the tyrant's Apprentice sent a cold wave of shock through Luke and, unable to stop himself, his gaze flickered over the two servants standing on either side of Palpatine. Was there nothing he could do to keep from becoming just like them? Was it his destiny to follow his father's path? NO! I will not! Luke thought to himself, desperately now trying to find the calm that seemed to have deserted him eons ago.

The Emperor's low laugh reverberated through the room, sending more shivers of fear through the young Jedi. "Good. Good! I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon and strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the Dark side will be complete!"

It was too much to expect of one person, Luke rationalized to himself. The Darkness surrounding the Emperor was burning his senses and all he wanted to do in that moment was eradicate that Darkness forever. He turned back to stare at the clash of Alliance and Imperial forces, slowly surrendering to the conflict waging in his own soul. He was already moving before consciously realizing that he had given in.

Luke whirled to face the throne and his lightsaber was in his hand, raised and ignited within a heartbeat. He drove it downwards, pushing with all his might, intending to cleave the demon in two. Instantly, his father's crimson blade was there, blocking his strike, and the two of them remained frozen for what seemed an eternity as the Emperor laughed.

Vader shoved Luke's blade with his own and the Jedi was forced to backtrack or have his lightsaber knocked out of his hands. Warily, the two combatants circled one another, each knowing that this confrontation had been a long time coming, knowing they had been destined to meet again ever since they'd parted ways on Bespin.

Simultaneously, they lunged forward, their blades clashing, sparks flying as the battle truly began. Luke felt a rush of pride that he was able to match Vader blow for blow. There would be no repeat of that uneven battle of Cloud City.

Forcefully, he used his own blade to thrust the Dark Lord's saber upwards, and reached out to kick his father square in the chest, sending him tumbling down the flight of stairs in front of the Emperor's throne.

Vader emitted a grunt of surprise as he fell, before landing in an undignified heap at the bottom of the stairs. He struggled back to his feet immediately, and stared his son down. Luke held his gaze, unafraid, and for the first time, took a taste of the Dark power that was swirling around him.

Such energy! It was like a jolt of electricity throughout his body and Luke absorbed it eagerly. Possibilities that he had never before considered began to rush through his mind with the speed of a Tatooine pod-racer. He could take this power. He could use it, mold it to his own liking, have every little thing he'd ever desired. The galaxy itself could be his to command if he wished it.

It was intoxicating, and indeed, Luke felt drunk with the power he suddenly found available to him. He didn't have to just hold his own in his battle with Vader…he could defeat his father. He didn't have to bow before the Emperor…he could take the tyrant's place.

A low chuckle from behind him interrupted Luke's visions of his destiny.

"Good! I can feel the Dark side flowing through you! Now, finish this duel and take your father's place at my side."

Luke hesitated, half-glancing over his shoulder, the reality of what had just happened washing over him like an icy blast of wind on Hoth. What am I doing? he thought in horror as he realized the dangerous path he had started down. Strengthening his inner resolve, Luke looked back down at his father. He lowered his lightsaber, shutting it off before speaking in a clear voice.

"I will not fight you, Father."

Darth Vader rose to his feet as gracefully as he could after his ignominious plunge, humiliation seething through his senses, followed quickly by anger, both at his upstart son and at his Master's words. Of course, he had known all along that his Master intended to use his own son against him, but to hear it stated so plainly was infuriating. As for Luke, well, he hadn't considered the fact that the boy might actually best him until this moment. It was a sobering realization.

It only added insult to injury when Luke deactivated his lightsaber and announced that he would not fight. Who did the little brat think he was, anyway? As slowly and as menacingly as he could, Vader began to walk back up the stairs, pleased to see a look of uncertainty cross his son's face.

"You are unwise…" he began and swiftly brought his saber up, igniting it as he did so, and slashed viciously at Luke, "…to lower your defenses!"

Luke's blade was there in time to block his blow, as Vader had known it would be. His son might be naïve, but he was not a fool. Luke stayed on the defensive as Vader pressed him backwards and this only angered the Dark Lord more. How was he supposed to get the boy to turn if he wouldn't use his aggressive feelings?

Vader increased his attack, moving Luke back towards the edge of Palpatine's throne room. Their lightsabers locked together and Vader noted the grimace of effort on his son's face. He smiled grimly under the mask. You will turn, Luke, he thought, and found himself trying to ignore the twinge of Anakin Skywalker's conscience.

Luke's eyes widened fractionally as though he might have heard his father's inner struggle and Vader cursed silently as he slammed his shields up tightly. Angered, he swung his saber in a wide arc, intending to hurt the boy a little. Instead of simply blocking, Luke somersaulted backwards onto a support strut and then flipped back again, landing on a catwalk that surrounded the throne room.

Again, he turned off his lightsaber and moved slowly a few steps down the catwalk, looking at his father with a knowing expression. At that moment, Vader came close to truly hating the boy.

"Your thoughts betray you, Father. I can feel the good in you, the conflict," Luke said softly.

"There is no conflict," Vader replied stonily.

"You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before and I don't think you'll destroy me now," Luke said and his quiet confidence was like a thorn in Vader's side.

"If you will not turn, you will be destroyed!" the Dark Lord snapped and abruptly threw his lightsaber.

The blood red sword spun as it flew through the air towards Luke's head. The young Jedi ducked, instinctively raising one arm to protect his eyes, and the saber cut through the supports of the catwalk, sending one end of it crashing down to the floor. The lightsaber's intended target rolled down the impromptu ramp and disappeared into the blackness of the lower regions of the throne room.

His lightsaber falling neatly back into his hand, Vader stepped cautiously into the dark shadows beneath the throne. He turned, casting his Force-sense outwards, trying to discover where Luke was. Vader frowned as he realized Luke was not lying in wait to ambush his father, as one would think…no, the boy was hiding! Luke's stubborn refusal to face his destiny infuriated the Dark Lord and a rumble of dissatisfaction rose in his chest.

"You cannot hide forever, Luke."

"I will not fight you."

Luke's disembodied voice floated around the depths of the chamber, coming from nowhere and everywhere, preventing his father from homing in on him. Angrily, Vader pushed harder with the Force, seeking that signature that had become so familiar to him over the last year. There you are! he thought in triumph as he sensed Luke. The ebon helmet tilted to one side as he noted his son's agitated state, and it didn't seem to be because of the duel with his father.

Something else…no, someone else.

There was another presence, very faint, but in pain, instinctively crying out to Luke. His son was attempting to silence it, to push it away, to hide it, but it was insistent, demanding to be heard.

Jade! Mara Jade! Vader nearly crowed with delight at finding Luke's weakness. His son was enamored with the little fireball from Alderaan.

"Mara Jade! So, you are in love with Mara Jade and she is Force-sensitive. If you will not turn to the Dark side, then perhaps she will," Vader said slyly.

"NEVER!"

Vader turned sharply at the enraged cry, his saber coming up at the last second to block Luke's furious blow. The young Jedi's attack pushed his father back towards the Emperor's throne and all the Dark Lord could do was attempt to block the hammering blows. He found himself purely on the defensive, stunned at the ferocity of the assault. And the look on the boy's face…

It was a mask of rage and anger, the blue eyes that were so like his own blazing with incredible fury, completely unlike the young man that Vader had come to know - as much as he'd been able to know Luke while being his enemy.

For the first time in what seemed like a lifetime, Darth Vader found himself at the mercy of a Jedi Knight, but he had no time to think about fiery lava and another battle many years ago with a once-upon-a-time friend and mentor, as Luke's strikes were coming ever faster.

Then he was stumbling, falling to the floor of the throne room and Luke's lightsaber was slashing downwards again and again and again. He cried out in surprise and agony as his son's blade sliced through his forearm, severing the limb and sending his own crimson saber flying Force knew where.

It should not have hurt, but somehow, it did. The arm was artificial, after all, but the pain reverberated up into his shoulder as though it were real. He blinked away tears behind his mask, surprised that they were there as he stared up into his son's face, the tip of the boy's weapon at his throat. His child's eyes were clouded with hate, and Vader could sense the Dark side swirling strongly around the boy.

You did this to him, Vader! You did this! Anakin's voice screamed in his ear. For once, Vader didn't silence the words of his past self, as he knew a moment of profound sadness for having driven his son to this point. It was what he had wanted - Luke, consumed with anger, so that he could be turned to the Dark side - and yet, now that he could see his son standing on that precipice, Vader (Anakin?) wanted nothing more than to yank his child away from the edge.

YouAnakin's voice screamed in his ear. For once, Vader didn't silence the words of his past self, as he knew a moment of profound sadness for having driven his son to this point. It was what he had wanted - Luke, consumed with anger, so that he could be turned to the Dark side - and yet, now that he could see his son standing on that precipice, Vader (Anakin?) wanted nothing more than to yank his child away from the edge.

His respirator wheezed painfully, overtaxed by the exertion of their duel, as father and son stared at each other, both of them breathing heavily, and the moment was ripe with expectation. Of what, neither seemed to know exactly.