While Luke sat brooding, Obi-Wan appeared to him. "Hello, there."
"Obi-Wan, what are you doing here?" Luke asked astonished to be looking at his former master.
"You seem troubled, young Luke."
"Is it that obvious? How it is that Lord Vader knows my middle name? It's not written anywhere and it was barely mentioned when I was growing up. You lied to me Ben about Lord Vader, please tell me he is not my father, and please tell me that this is some sick plot to get me to join him."
Obi-Wan sighed and seemed to gather his fortitude before informing Luke of his heritage. "Anakin Skywalker was a good man and in all intents and purposes we were brothers. He and I complemented each other so succinctly, he knew all my strengths and weaknesses, and nobody knew me better. We often used to finish each other's sentences and during the Clone Wars were developed sign language of informing each other plan of attack. When he joined the Dark Side and Emperor Palpatine, a part of me died, especially when I had to cripple him on Mustafar. Unknowingly I played right into the Emperor's hands, Anakin was very powerful in the Force, and he could have taken on the Emperor if it weren't for me. It was the Emperor who made him wear that black suit he became Darth Vader completely. His betrayal not only of me but of his wife and of the Emperor fed his rage and his dependence of the Dark Side. It wasn't until he was discovered by Anne did he start to change. So yes, Luke, Lord Vader is your father, he is Anakin Skywalker. That is how he knows your middle name, he and Padmé chose your name. Anne is attempting to heal him so he can win his freedom. Once he is fully healed, the three of you will need to go see Yoda on Dagobah."
Luke was astonished by this turn of events and remained silent as he didn't know what to say. He meditated.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door, Luke answered the door to see an older woman standing there she was very short.
"Lord Vader asked me to come and take your measurements, Jedi Skywalker."
"For what?"
"New Jedi robes please let me inside."
"I am not going to join him." Luke admonished.
"I don't care Jedi Skywalker, Lord Vader asked me to do this and you will not prevent me from doing my job. I've been his seamstress for years, now let's get a move on I don't have all day to stand here and argue with you!" the old woman spat with much consternation.
Luke rolled his eyes and moved aside to let the old woman inside.
She stood on a crate and pulled out a measuring tape and a note pad to write down his measurements.
"I thought Lord Vader didn't need any new clothes."
"What you think all he wears is his armor? He's cloak does need to be replaced from time to time as does his cape. Besides when he's home he likes to relax in a robe. Nobody else can make clothes for him, believe me. He's too ornery."
"I heard that Ms. Strickland." Lord Vader stated as he entered the room.
"Sorry, milord you know it's the truth."
Luke sighed again wishing for the umpteenth time that he were with his friends instead of with a moody Sith Lord, a former assassin, and sweet little girl that seemed to have the uncanny knack of bringing the oddest group of people together under one roof.
"You wanted a picture of the Jedi Robes I want created for my son, Ms. Strickland." Lord Vader handed her a hologram of a young man of a twenty- something, with flowing blond hair and blue eyes, he also had a scar on the right-hand side of his face and long black glove.
"Who's that? Another Jedi you corrupted, Lord Vader?"
Ms. Strickland took the picture and left the room while the temperatures dropped.
Luke attempted to pull up his blanket around his body but felt himself unable to move. Lord Vader took once step towards his most defiant son, only his son could be so bold unfortunately it could mean his death if he managed to enrage the Emperor. Lord Vader allowed his son to continue to be defiant only because he cared very deeply for him and dare he admit it? He loved his son and his daughter Anne and even felt honor-bound to protect Mara Jade. Luke unfortunately didn't know this nor would he ever understand it.
Luke found himself flying towards his bed, most disconcerting feeling but he landed with a soft bump.
"Good night, tomorrow morning dress in the new robes that will be provided. You will start your training young one."
"No I will not. You can go to he. . ." Luke once again found himself unable to speak as he was about to curse.
"Take care young one, I will not warn you again, do not curse at me."
Luke glared hard at the Dark Lord, who seemingly returned the favor, "Do not think that your defiance will continue to be tolerated, Luke."
"What are you going to do, Daddy? Put me over your knee and spank me?" Luke sarcastically asked.
"Do not tempt me." Lord Vader pointed at Luke.
Luke was incredulous; surely he wouldn't go that far? After all, I am nearly twenty years old. He decided that sometimes discretion was the better part of valor and decided not to test the theory. He lay down and went to sleep.
Lord Vader heard his son's thoughts and as he left the room he couldn't help but to laugh for a moment. Anne was taking a long warm swim when Lord Vader entered the gymnasium. "Watch this father!" Anne jumped out of the pool and went to the diving board and force-leapt into the air, bringing her legs to chest and wrapping her arms around them. "Cannonball!" Anne yelled as she caused a huge wave of water completely drenching the Dark Lord of the Sith.
Lord Vader was none to amused he called a towel to his hand proceeded to dry himself. Anne immediately thought, "Uh-oh, I'm sorry." Anne dried herself off and saw Lord Vader looking at her with his hands on his hips.
"I do not appreciate you getting me all wet, young one."
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Anne sorrowfully sent.
"I forgive you Anne. Let's go."
"Can I do another lap?"
"No, you need your rest."
Anne sighed but followed her father out of the room and was taken to bed.
The next morning, Anne was sitting cross legged settee in her father's chambers, he was lying down. She was in deep healing trance as her father relaxed; he had a small oxygen tank at his side with the nose plugs pumping oxygen into his nearly dead lungs. Anne was slowly healing him; every minute out of that helmet was a small blessing, that Lord Vader was grateful. At the end of Anne's healing session he had recovered nearly one-half of his oxygen intakes. She tried to do more, but her father told her to give it a rest.
Anne sighed deeply and obeyed her father and gently pulled herself out of the healing trance.
As Lord Vader donned his mask back on his communication array lit up as Ascaron landed the ship. "I told that stubborn Corellian to remain with the rebels, what in the blazes is he doing here!" Lord Vader bellowed.
Ascaron noted the cold temperature and before he could even get a word out, he found himself being lifted off the ground most disconcerting sure, but at least he was able to breathe. Lord Vader scolded the man and propelled him across the room and landed hard in a chair. Ascaron remained silent as his boss continued his tirade. If it was one thing that Ascaron had learned rather quickly was to never, ever interrupt a Dark Lord of the Sith to allow them to say what they will and wait patiently.
When Luke awoke the next morning, he found a Jedi robe and cloak in his closet, specifically made for him. It was solid black with black leather tabards, black undershirt, and matching black boots made of fine leather. Luke sighed; he supposed he shouldn't be surprised, after all Lord Vader was his 'father' Luke was still incredulous at the sudden turn of events. The uniform was strangely comfortable and it fit him well. He wasn't so sure about the cloak though, it seemed too dark and oppressing. But when he put it on it was suddenly him when he looked into the full length mirror he saw a younger version of his father, similar to the one in the hologram. He sighed and left the room and went to find his father and he entered the conference room.
"Ascaron? You too?" Luke was confused had this man been a servant of the Dark Lord, too?
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed this latest installment; thanks as always for the kind reviews. As always I do not own Star Wars I am merely playing in George Lucas' sandbox.—Darth Gladiator45