Chapter 4-Training and surprises
Luke stirred awake from his slumber as he got up from his bed feeling no better or worse then when he came on board with the infamous Darth Vader. The Sith Lord in question was sitting on a plush chair in the room not too long ago waiting for Luke to wake up. It was only natural since it wouldn't be long before they docked with the Executor and it would be time to start Luke's training before they went to Naboo to visit his mother's grave. "Good you're finally awake," said Vader as he tossed Luke some clothes and a black robe with hood to cover his face.
"What's this?" said Luke holding up the robe like it was something he had never seen much less worn before.
"Those are the robes of a Sith apprentice young Skywalker and that is what you are by the orders of my master, the Emperor himself. You are to train under me for as long as possible and then when I am done teaching you all that I know, the Emperor will then proceed to complete your training," said Vader as he turned to exit the room.
"I thought I told I wasn't ready to become you're Sith apprentice and that I only trusted you enough to come with you," said Luke feeling somewhat betrayed again only this time by Vader.
"I know young Skywalker I know. However, I have learned from my experience that one does not disobey the Emperor and come out of it unscathed. I cannot disobey my master and besides it could have been worse. He could have ordered me to kill you even in your sleep, but he didn't and for you should feel grateful," said Vader as he left the room and the door shut behind him leaving Luke to get dressed in his new attire.
(Moments Later)
With the help of an ill looking Imperial officer waiting outside the room by the order of Darth Vader, Luke made his way to the bridge. He was wearing his new black boots, pants, and tunic covered entirely in his new black Sith robes that he felt uncomfortable in. When he got to the bridge he noticed the mighty form of Darth Vader looking out the window at the stars around him deep in thought. Everyone on the bridge who saw Luke with the robes paled considerably at first thinking it was the Emperor for a moment then even more when they realized it was another Sith to be trained by Darth Vader. "So how do I look?" said Luke as he slowly walked up to Vader side starring out into the stars like his new mentor was.
Vader turned to see Luke and was shocked yet happy to see that his son looked so much like himself when he was Luke's age before what happened on Mustafa. "Impressive. Most impressive young Skywalker, but your not a Sith yet. You now merely look the part, but with me training you will make you become the part," said Vader handing Luke his Lightsaber that was originally his before Obi-wan took it after their fight on Mustafa.
"How long before we meet up with the Executor?" said Luke as he found himself being more comfortable around Darth Vader then he expected.
"Within the standard hour young Skywalker so in the mean time why don't you go into meditation while I handle things here on the bridge. When we get to the Executor we will begin your training my...apprentice," said Vader who saw Luke give a slight bow out of respect for his new master before leaving with the same officer that had escorted him to the bridge in the beginning.
(Rebel fleet rendezvous point-3 days later)
Leia was getting nervous as she was now on the Rebel Mon Calamari ship known as the Enlightener that was the temporary flagship of the Rebel Alliance. She had been pacing around in her room before like an animal trapped in a cage only this animal was more worried then fierce at the moment. None one had seen Luke or come in contact with him since he was on Yavin 4 talking to Vader. She fear that Vader had Luke and had either tortured him for information, killed him for being a Jedi in training, or most like done both for both reasons. 'High Command said they had declared Luke MIA and that they will find out what they can on the Holo Net with their Bothan spies. They said they would be hacking into it to find Luke while searching for key and vital information. Even that Astromech droid that was C3PO and was in Luke's X-wing during the Death Star run had gone missing. What do I do?' thought Leia only to hear her door open has Han Solo entered her room seeing her worried expression on her face.
"Hey you're Worshipfulness I just talked to several people and they said that you were in here ready to have a nervous breakdown. I came in here with my casual smuggling charm to ease your mind," said Han as he went from joking to serious the moment he saw her face scowl with tears come out of her eyes.
"You're not helping Han. In fact you're making it worse," said Leia who resisted the urge to pick up something and throw it at him.
"Is this about us possibly leaving Luke? Come on Princess if I didn't leave when we did we would have been target practice for the 501st. VADER'S...PERSONAL...ARMY! I don't know about you, but I wasn't about to get taken down like that," said Han not realizing he had made it worse.
"Oh no I'm sure you would prefer to get taken down by a couple of Bounty Hunters after a Sabacc game on whatever backwater planet you came from with that walking carpet you call a co-pilot!" said Leia who shoved Han out the door before shutting and locking it preventing him from entering.
"Jeez and I thought it was Darth Vader who had a temper," said Han as he saw Chewie laughing slightly at his partner's misfortune.
(Space-The Executor)
Luke was thrown down yet again for the third time in the practice duel he and his master Darth Vader were having in the sparring room. Luke's training was being sent directly to the Emperor for study and to see the boy's progress as he began learning from what he could from the Sith Lord. "You're not trying hard enough my apprentice and I also sense you're also hold back. Why?" said Vader as Luke got up from the ground and summoned his scattered Lightsaber to his hand with the Force.
I don't want to be consumed by the Dark Side as you are because I don't want to hurt the people I still care about. If I become like you I may destroy my friends like you did with my father," said Luke who was panting heavily while Vader it seemed was completely calm and in control like he wasn't even trying.
"Only if you lack control of the Dark Side will it be so my young apprentice, but I will tell you what the Emperor told me about the Force. He told me that if you let the darkness take you, but command obedience like officers that demand obedience from his troops, then you will achieve complete control of it. In truth YOU will be the master not the Force as one might believe...like the Jedi believed," said Vader as he motioned for Luke to try again.
Luke let out a sigh of tiredness from the beating he had been giving from each duel and in the last two before this grand defeat Vader had his blade point at him less then 3 inches from his forehead. "I don't think I can use the Dark Side like you want to...master and even if I did I don't know how I cold command it to obey me," said Luke as he tried to attack Vader who blocked and parried each attack Luke brought on him while he just wielded his red Lightsaber with only his right hand.
"You must reach out through the Force and release your own evil nature within your own heart and then channel it through your body as a river channels water. Then through your passion that you feel from the darkness you will be set free...your chains will be broken," said Vader who pushed back Luke yet again only this time Luke didn't fall over like the last three previous times.
Vader was surprised as Luke just stumbled slightly he regained his composure and went back into his fighting stance ready for more. "All right I'll do what you want, but I don't think you'll like it," said Luke as he closed his eyes and went to calling on the Dark Side of the Force and channeling it through his body like a river like his master said.
'Impressive! He has gotten stronger in just a short time of a little over three days and he keeps getting stronger. He may be meeting the Emperor sooner then later,' thought Vader as he felt his son call upon the Dark Side of the Force so easily.
Before he could think any further Luke struck with a furry that made the Emperor who was watching as well as sensing the duel smile with pride at his decision of letting the boy live. Luke's attacks were actually making Vader actually try and defend himself from his son's attacks forcing him to call upon his power to out due his own son and the two eventually reached a stalemate till Vader out matched Luke in strength and knocked the Lightsaber out of his hands before Force Pushing his son into the wall taking the wind out the young Sith in training. "Not bad huh?" said Luke who felt exhausted from the such a harsh endeavor as he felt tired from using so much power.
"Yes. That is all for now since we are near Naboo and our shuttle is being prepped in a few hours. Go to your room and meditate till everything is ready for our departure so you can regain your lost strength," said Vader who realized he would have to do the exact same thing in his quarters as well since he lost more strength then he though.
"Yeah I kinda gathered that myself," said Luke as he limped out of the room while Vader waited for the door to shut behind his son.
"How did you like the session with the boy my master?" said Vader turning to the two way Holo-vid system.
"Most impressive Lord Vader the child's skills are growing well under your tutelage and I foresee he will be ready soon to know the truth about his family," said Palpatine smiling as he enjoyed ever bit of that duel Luke had with Vader.
"When do I tell him?" said Vader who couldn't help, but be curious as to know when it would be time to tell his son that he was his father.
(Rebel Base-Hoth)
The blistering cold was bad enough in the day time, but the night ones were sure ways for some one to freeze to death regardless of having three layers of thermal clothing. That was what the Rebel's felt as they started making their base within the mountain while the rest of the scattered Rebel fleets tried to find each other. They had set up the Shield and power generators up first while they expanded and explored the different sections of their new mountain fortress they were using as a base. It had taken some doing and some old fashion hard work, but they got the place up and running. Nearly every facility set up and running with everyone pulling their weight and then some as new Snow Speeders were being made to be used as fighters for the terrain should the Empire ever attack them with their forces like they did at Yavin 4.Leia went to her quarters as she had to get a few data pads that she had left in her room that were going to be used for a conference with Rebel leader inside the base. It was at her door that Han was leaning against the icy wall waiting for her with a serious look on his face. "Han what are you doing here?" said Leia with clear surprise and curiosity in here voice.
"Hey I just wanted to tell you we made contact with some of our Bothan spy buddies that were trying to find Luke for us after the 501st came and nearly kicked our asses out," said Han seeing Leia's expression grow to that of hope.
"Well what did they find out?" said Leia hoping for some good news for once rather then bad.
"Well to be honest they couldn't find anything on Luke in the Holo Net or any of there usual spots for information. So they figured that he was still alive and in Vader's clutches still so they've been following the Super Star Destroyer that is Vader's prized ship. You know the one dubbed The Executor? Well it seems it is headed for Naboo, which just so happens to be the Emperor's home world. Apparently there is a new guy in the COM area of the Super Star Destroyer who can't seem to keep his mouth shut. In fact he likes telling rumors if not the gossip he hears and broadcasts it to his buddies and fellow officers that are all over the place in other parts of the Imperial navy. Well according to the Bothan's information that they picked says that Vader has acquired a Sith apprentice, but no one knows who the guy is. Apparently though he's one bad dude and is constantly training with Vader when he's not eating, sleeping, and meditating," said Han looking at Leia with a dangerously serious look on his face.
"Any you think its Luke? That he joined Vader because he became infatuated with those stories the Sith Lord told him?" said Leia in a near accusing voice.
"All I'm saying your Worshipfulness is that it's more then just a coincidence and that it is possible for someone...even someone like Luke can break. Especially if they try and go up against a guy like Darth Vader from the stories I've heard. Apparently there isn't a man, beast, or alien that Vader hasn't met and broken under his will without too much trouble," said Han pessimistically.
"Don't say that Han! Luke is different and you know as well as I do he won't be like that because it would dishonor his father and Obi-wan. Both of them were Jedi, who died at the hands of that monster and I know Luke wouldn't let them down," said Leia hopefully even though something told her she was wrong.
"It doesn't matter who you are Leia whether you're able to wield the Force or not if Vader gets you in his grip you either submit or die and in some cases they're both," said Han who had heard the smuggler stories before about Vader and his painful methods of interrogation that not even a Hutt would dare try.
"Well until I see Luke again with a red Lightsaber blade cutting down our comrades I still consider him my friend regardless. If you believe what is being sad around the glow lamp at night then go ahead, but I don't and I'm sticking by Luke's side. Whether you believe those stories or not," said Leia as she pushed Han aside and went into her room forgetting about the Data pads.
(Naboo-Private Residents of the Amidala's)
When Darth Vader arrived at the home of the Amidala's with Luke beside him it gave the family an unneeded heart attack that sent them backing away in fear of their guests. "Do not mind us we are merely here to pay our respects to an old flame," said Vader as he and Luke entered passed them to the other side of the house leading to the vast grassy plains in the back with the waterfall and the luscious and growing trees.
Vader and Luke walked along the grassy surface till they stopped at a small marker stone where Luke's mother was buried. "Here lies Padme Amidala Skywalker. May she rest in peace with her loving husband and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, who became one with the Force," said Luke out loud as he knelt down near the marker examining it carefully with his right hand.
"I haven't been here since after I was fully able to walk and move around with my cybernetic limbs. Even then I did feel I was even set foot on the grass here to see her at her grave to pay my respects fully, but now that you are here I find I can truly do so," said Vader as he longed to have his wife by his side and hold her in his arms and never let go.
"I sense she is happy, yet sad that she died with a pain in her heart that I can't yet explain even with the Force," said Luke as he slowly got up from the ground.
Vader sighed as he knew now was possibly the only chance he had to tell Luke the truth away from the prying eyes of others. Though the Amidala family he was sure they knew and were just too terrified to say anything to Luke under the assumption that Luke knew that Vader was his father. Now he would know, but on his terms even if he was pressured by the Emperor to do so ahead of schedule. "Luke...there is something you should know that I have kept from you and have not entirely been honest with you about me and your father," said Vader as he secretly unclipped his Lightsaber from his belt as he spoke.
"Oh? What might that be...my master? I knew you were hiding something, but up till now I didn't know what it was," said Luke who felt something big in the form of information was about to hit him with the strength of the Death Star's Super Laser.
"Luke...I didn't kill your father in the way that Obi-wan and I told you about and in truth of the matter Luke is...that I...am your...father. Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader...are both one being, in one body, and are one in the same," said Vader as he readied himself for Luke attack.
Luke was shocked beyond belief as this news hit him to a point where he thought he was going to black out from the news. His own father who was supposed to be the greatest Jedi Knight in the history of the Order was the very same Sith Lord the Rebel's captured on Yavin 4. The very same Sith Lord who had butchered millions of people and made billions more suffer under his black Sith hand. "You...are my...father? You mean...I have been...living a lie...a lie about my father...being a hero? That what you told me on Yavin 4...was the truth...hidden behind...well placed...lies? WHAT KIND OF FATHER ARE YOU?" said Luke as he attacked Vader with everything he had.
Vader was prepared as he ignited his Lightsaber almost at the same time Luke did only he found himself on the defensive for the first time in a long time. "Stop it Luke you don't understand," said Vader as blocked a blow several inches from his face.
"Oh I understand perfectly! You lied to your own son just like Obi-wan did to me! As far as I'm concerned you're just like that old hermit. I bet you did killed my mother and you never even loved her," said Luke as he pushed Vader back near the Waterfall stream.
At those last words Vader called forth the Dark Side and pushed Luke back with the insult Luke had given him about his wife and son's mother. "I LOVED PADME! I DID EVERYHING IN MY POWER BOTH LIGHT AND DARK TO SAVE HER! DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK SUCH LIES AND DON'T YOU COMPARE ME TO THAT TRAITORIOUS JEDI LIAR!" screamed Vader who pushed Luke back where in a brief moment of weakness in the boy's defense Vader's anger helped him as he severed Luke's right hand at the wrist destroying the hand and his Lightsaber that was once his when he was Anakin Skywalker as it exploded halfway down the Waterfall.
Only hearing Luke's scream of pain did Vader snap out of his rage as he then looked at the damage he had done to his son. He turned off his Lightsaber while still looking at Luke who held his wrist where his hand was once connect as he looked at his father. "I...I am sorry...father. I didn't...mean what...what I said about you not loving mother. I just...I just couldn't help myself over the fact my father is the same man had supposedly killed him. It's just...so much to absorb," said Luke who felt torn between hugging his father and to punch him with his one good hand.
"I know...son. When the Emperor told me I had killed your mother in my anger I wanted to kill myself to with my own Lightsaber so badly there were several times I instinctively reached for it even though I didn't have one at the time when I was put in this armor. I know you're hurting inside, but if you continue to trust me I will be the father you have always wanted just I want you to be the son I always dreamed of," said Vader extending his hand to Luke who took it with his left.
"I trust you...father," said Luke who did the only thing he could do at that moment and that was hug his father, which was something Vader didn't mind have happen to him.
(A/N: It may take a little longer then usual to update this story as I have other things and projects that need to be taken care of. Don't worry I'll try to write as much as possible. That's why I made this chapter longer then the others so it would appease you for now till the next one is ready. Next Chapter involves more of Luke's training and the hunt for the Rebel on Hoth with Luke leading the campaign. Also Master Yoda may make his grand entrance of an appearance though I'm not sure if he will or not. Keep on reviewing!)