Thank you SO SO SO SO SO much for your fabulous reviews! They make me feel so happy!
korrd: Thank you! This is kinda an AU fic, so I'm not sure if the ROTJ events are going to be the same. Mara will meet Luke before, though. And about Luke's claws, since Leia and Elena have them, Luke should to. They all have the ability to copy the superhero's powers. Hope you like this chapter!
ShortOfDaybreak: Your reviews encourage me so much! Thank you, and I hope you like this chapter!
Angel Sanada: I hope nuts means you like it. Thank you for your review!
Chiara Sholuk: Thank you! Here's the update!
typewritter 15: Thank you for reviewing my story, I'm glad you like it! Thank you for the complements about my writing, I really appreciate it. Hope you like this next update!
Disclaimer: See chapter one
Dedication: This chapter is hereby dedicated to all of my wonderful reviewers!
Chapter... uh... hang on... oh yeah, 13
After Elena had finished changing into something more suitable, she walked out of her room and found her father waiting for her in the main hangar bay. He put an arm around her as they entered a speeder, and she couldn't help but give a small smile.
That's better, Vader thought. I think we're making progress.
"So... what's ol' geezer like?" Elena questioned as they zoomed through the city. "Other than being evil, cruel, horrible, old, old, and...uh... more old?"
Vader sighed. "He is the ruler of the galaxy and–"
"Tell me something I don't already know," Elena interrupted dryly.
"And..." Vader seemed to glare at her through his helmet, "He is powerful, strong, and a Sith lord."
Elena rolled her eyes.
"Don't give me that, young lady," Vader warned. "You might be serving under him when you get older, that is, if you don't take my place. I will probably die of a heart attack when you go do something incredibly foolish."
Elena glared at him and scrunched up her nose. "Hey, that's not nice," she chastised.
"I'm not supposed to be nice," Vader retorted sternly, "I am a Sith lord and the Right hand to the Emperor. You should not forget that."
I never do, she thought sadly, falling into a moody state again.
Vader saw her becoming depressed and decided to say nothing more, in case she got even more down. He was extremely glad when they arrived at the Imperial Palace. "Come," he ordered, and quickly strode off into the huge palace.
Elena glared at him, but followed, catching up to him quickly. Following one of the guards through the endless halls, she and her father said nothing, but Vader desperately wished he could give her some encouragement before they entered the throne room.
Just before they got to the doors, he turned around abruptly and said, "Elena, listen to me. Before we go in there, I just want to say, don't worry. I'll take care of everything."
She glanced up at him. "You won't let him hurt me?" she questioned softly.
Vader studied her for a second. "No," he assured her, before some internal debating.
She managed to crack up a smile. "Thanks," she finally answered. "Come on, let's get this thing over with."
He nodded, and they both entered the throne room, which was very dark. Elena looked around, and noticed a large chair, with a smaller figure sitting in it. She could only guess that this was the Emperor.
The chair slowly turned around to face them, and a pair of yellow eyes glittered evilly at Elena, observing her closely. She glanced down for a minute, but then wracked up the courage to meet his gaze. Looking up, she returned the stare boldly.
The Emperor chuckled. "So..." he said, voice silky smooth, "This is your daughter, Lord Vader. Come here, young one," he said, beckoning to Elena.
Elena glanced at Vader before walking forward, until she was about eight feet away from his chair. He stared at her, with a look of interest and cunning. "And what is your name, child?" he asked her.
"Elena Skywalker," she stated boldly, realizing that she had nothing to fear from him. Except that he was the Emperor and ruled the entire galaxy... and could also create lightning...but other than that.
He smiled a little bit, a devious, cold smile. "You may go now, Lord Vader," he said finally, not keeping his gaze from Elena, "I wish to have a chat with your charming daughter."
Vader instantly went on red alert. "Master, I think that I should–" he began frantically.
"Have no fear, Lord Vader, the child will not be harmed in my presence," the Emperor assured him. "I assure you, she is quite safe here."
Vader looked at Elena, who said to him, Don't worry Father, I'll be fine. I can take care of myself.
He mentally sighed before bowing and leaving the room dejectedly.
The Emperor continued to study Elena. "Have a seat, young Skywalker," he said, motioning to a nearby chair.
Elena shrugged, walked over to the chair, and sat down abruptly in it. She felt angry, sullen, and cold at first, but then she thought of trying a different tactic. I wonder how this is going to turn out.
"So, Elena," the Emperor continued, turning his chair towards hers, "How old are you?"
"Almost fourteen. Your Excellency," she quickly added.
He nodded, still smiling evilly.
Boy, he sure gives me the creeps, Elena shuddered.
"And are you glad that your father found you?" The Emperor asked. "I have heard from him that you were a slave." When she nodded at this, he went on, "Your father was a slave, also. I doubt he told you that."
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, it doesn't make any difference. I mean, I've only known him for two weeks."
"And has he trained you at all?" the Emperor demanded coldly.
She nodded and replied, "Yes he has. I have already known about the Force, and now I'm learning how to use a lightsaber." She failed to mention that she used two lightsabers, but she thought that was beside the point.
He nodded again. "Very good," he said, but she didn't think that he meant what he said. "You have much anger in you... you resent your old master. And do you know what your father has done? If you knew, you would think much differently of him."
"I already know what he is and what he's done," Elena cut in sharply, "He's a Sith lord, as are you, and he uses his anger to channel his power. And even though I do resent my old master, I know that nothing's going to change the fact that he owned me once. That part of my life is over, and there's nothing I can do about it."
The Emperor glared at her. This was definitely not the reply he was hoping to get. "And do you like your father?" he finally asked her.
Whoo! Cliff hangar! That's just a plot to get you to review. Nah, just kiddin'! I'm just doing that to keep you on the edge of your seats! I ONCE AGAIN DOTH COMMANDE YE TO... I think you know the drill!