Yoda meditated trying to gain some insight into the darkness that surrounded Lord Vader, it wasn't easy. He had very tight shields from not only from Darth Sidious but from anyone having the ability to see into his heart. The only person that he fully allowed access was his daughter Anne. Anne was a sweet and endearing child, despite the swirls of constant darkness around her; she remained steadfast in the light. Yoda was amazed by this and even incredulous of the amount of love she had for her father, both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, she saw them as one in the same. "Maybe Qui-Gon is right; perhaps it is possible for Lord Vader to become Anakin Skywalker again." Yoda pondered.
The weeks had passed and soon Anne was allowed access to her father's private vault. Anne spent most of her time training and studying; mostly the healing arts. Lord Vader went to his castle on Vjun, bringing Anne with him. Anne liked the castle, but the planet swirled with dark side energy, almost overwhelming her; Lord Vader compassionately wrapped his daughter in a cocoon of Force energy to protect her until he taught her further mind shields.
Anne was sitting next to the fireplace, watching the yellow, orange and red flames consume the logs. She lay on a bear skin rug huddled in her father's favorite cloak.
"Time for bed, Anne."
"Yes, father." Lord Vader lifted her into his arms and took her to an upstairs room.
"You will need your rest and I don't want you to become overly tired and push too hard to heal me, okay?"
"Yes father I know."
"Good night, young one."
"Love you father." Anne stated as she fell asleep. Lord Vader never replied the words were difficult, he merely sent warm feelings across their bond and the child reacted with it.
xXx
Emperor Palpatine sat on his throne listening to his advisors when Prince Xizor requested an audience. The advisors were dismissed as the Prince entered and bowed to the Emperor. Prince Xizor was a means to an end for the Emperor, he didn't like aliens but Prince Xizor was useful and therefore allowed to operate secretly within the Empire as the leader of the Black Sun Syndicate.
"Good afternoon, Eminence."
"I do not have time for pleasantries, Prince Xizor. You will succeed where Lord Vader has failed me. I have two missions for you, one will bring Luke Skywalker to me, ALIVE. The other is that you will kill Anne Skywalker and bring her heart to me on a silver platter. If Lord Vader dares to interfere with either plan you will kill him. I do not care how or in what manner."
Prince Xizor was shocked by the third plan, "My liege, how do you suppose I do that? Lord Vader is very strong and he could snap me in two."
Palpatine had enough, he raised his hands and blue-white lightning shot from his fingertips and sent Prince Xizor waves upon waves of agony so profound that Prince Xizor actually cried out, "Yes I will do what you ask."
"Failure will mean your death you overgrown lizard! Now get out of here!"
The red robe guard who was secretly working with Lord Vader was surprised by the turn of events. Lord Vader had always been loyal to the Emperor. Once the Red Guard's shift was over, he would send a message to Lord Vader.
xXx
Luke, Hobbie, and Wedge were playing Sabacc when Leia approached them.
"Luke I must talk to you."
"Sorry, guys. Princess calls."
Leia told Luke about what she heard from the Bothan Spy Network. "It seems that the Emperor wants you, Luke."
"You're pulling my leg, Leia. What would the Emperor want with me? I'm just a simple farm boy."
"You are also the son of a powerful Jedi who perished in the Clone Wars." Leia emphatically stated.
"Leia, you worry too much. The Bothan's probably got their messages mixed up; the Emperor is not interested in me."
"You are wrong, Luke. You fired the shot that destroyed the Death Star and nearly defeated his second in command, Darth Vader."
"It would only make sense if Darth Vader wanted me dead, not the Emperor."
"That's just it both of them want you alive!" Leia yelled as Luke turned away to return to his quarters.
"Alive? Did you say alive?"
"Yes, Luke." Leia sighed and watched as Luke's eyes rolled in the back of his head and passed out cold from the shock. Han Solo gathered the boy into his arms and took him to his quarters.
While Luke was unconscious he dreamed: He was in a large green field with beautiful blooming flowers and waterfalls. Luke coming from a desert planet was always amazed by large quantities of water and was fascinated the large lakes. He sat on the bank mesmerized by the beauty. He then felt a cold presence in this dream it was Lord Vader or was it? Luke came to his feet and saw a man wearing a large black cloak that obscured his features. He was wearing black robes with black tabards and a long black glove on his right hand. A familiar hilt was hanging off his belt; it looked exactly like Luke's lightsaber. When the man lowered his hood, Luke saw bright blue eyes peering back at him.
"Who are you?" Luke whispered.
Lord Vader answered the vision of Luke, "I am your father."
"He's dead. Vader betrayed and murdered him."
"Who told you this, young one?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi told me." Luke defiantly stated.
"Obi-Wan lied to you. I am your father; I am still alive though you might recognize me through this form." Anakin shifted from his human form into the deadly Sith Lord Darth Vader.
"Noooo! My father was hero of the Clone Wars, you are a liar."
"Search your feelings, Luke you will know I speak the truth."
Luke broke and sobbed and Leia was shaking him and when he came around he clung onto Leia and cried.
"Luke?"
Luke only clung harder to her not letting her go; not wanting to believe what Darth Vader had said, though he picked up no deceit from the dark lord. His heart told him that it was the truth. Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader were one in the same, Luke cried. His dreams of his father were shattered, he always sensed that his father was out there somewhere in hiding after the Jedi Purges. When he was a kid he used to write stories about the great adventures he and his father would have if he ever found him. To have those dreams shattered broke his heart. "Sometimes the truth hurts, Luke. But lies and deceit hurt much more in the end." The words of his Aunt Beru came back to him; his late Aunt had told him all that she knew of Anakin Skywalker and his heritage, obviously leaving out the part about Darth Vader. His aunt didn't know that Anakin had turned to the dark side to become a tool of evil by the Emperor.
Luke finished sobbing and knew that he would have to leave soon; if Darth Vader sensed him here his friends would be in grave danger. The few days that followed, Luke resigned as leader of Rogue Squadron to leave for Dagobah to start his Jedi training. Mara Jade knew that she couldn't allow him to leave, so that evening she slipped a tranquilizer into his tea and carried the unconscious boy to her own ship and left before anyone was the wiser.
Author's Note: Ha, ha, cliffhanger! In any case I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As you also know that I do own Star Wars, I am merely playing in Lucas' galaxy. Thanks also for the kind reviews—Darth Gladiator45