With considerable ability, Lord Vader linked his mind with Luke's and Mara Jade's and with Herculean effort they pushed the Emperor away from Anne's mind and a half galaxy away the Emperor flew head over heels toppling over his throne chair.
Anne slept deeply as Lord Vader set up an impenetrable mind shield against any intruder; unfortunately it left her no ability to access the Force. Once the Emperor was defeated, he would be able to remove the barrier. He cried his daughter Anne had been through enough, she didn't need to suffer further. Luke sat back amazed; he never imagined that Lord Vader would cry or that he would ever see it.
"I must meet with the Rebel Alliance, Mara. You will need to stay here and watch over her. Most likely she will sleep, do not leave her alone even for a second. The Emperor could attempt to take over her mind again."
"Yes, Lord Vader it will be done."
"Thank you, Mara Jade. Luke, I will meet you in the hanger bay."
"You aren't wearing that are you?" Luke smiled as Lord Vader realized that he was still wearing his pajamas. Lord Vader sighed. "Do you still have a plain black uniform, Luke?"
"Yes, do you want me to change out of my Jedi robes?"
"We cannot go looking like twins, my son. It would be too disturbing."
Luke agreed, he liked his father but ah, no, he didn't want to be caught wearing the same outfit.
Lord Vader never knew why he kept the spare set of Jedi robes, especially since he had been a Sith for over twenty years, but maybe some part of him still had a bit of nostalgia for the way things used to be. He sighed as he opened up his large trunk and found a neatly wrapped bundle of brown paper tied up with string. He removed the package and closed the trunk lid. It had been such a long time indeed. His seamstress, Mrs. Strickland had made these for him and she didn't even question his motive.
He dressed and when he looked in the mirror it was almost as if time had stopped. He looked the same before that fateful duel with Obi-Wan, where he lost his humanity. He hooked lightsaber unto his belt pulled on the new cloak and left his quarters. Luke was completing a pre-flight check on the Tyderium. She was a fine ship. Lord Vader caught his son's thought, "Yes, she is."
Luke smiled at his father and looked at him, "Hey, you look like that guy on those old Clone Wars video, 'Hero with No Fear' was his moniker.
"You don't say." Lord Vader smiled.
"You are him aren't you?" Luke stuttered.
"That was a very long time ago, Luke." Lord Vader noted sadly, it was quite ironic really for Anakin Skywalker did have fears, the fear of losing his family, something that the Emperor knew and used to manipulate Anakin Skywalker to becoming Darth Vader. Old habits die hard they say, for at times he felt like every inch of the Dark Lord of the Sith, only with his daughter Anne could he release that dark persona and allow him to let his guard down.
Anne was floating in a strange cocoon of warmth, light, and she felt intense love surrounding her like a warm sun rays dancing on her skin. She was happy here and at peace, she was picking beautiful wild flowers and weaving a wreath. Qui-Gon saw the child; she was in the netherworld of the Force.
"Hello Anne."
"Hi!" the child enthusiastically replied.
"What do you have there?" Qui-Gon squatted down to Anne's level.
"I'm weaving a wreath of flowers, aren't they pretty?"
"Yes."
Anne smiled and laughed as she placed them on her head and twirled around she felt so happy and at peace. No more pain, grief, sadness, but then she sat on the grassy knoll. Realizing that this wasn't real, she began to cry.
"Anne, you must go back. It's not your time."
"I like it here; it's so warm and there's no Emperor."
"That's true; but your father needs you."
Anne smiled, "My father is human again. I healed him."
"Yes, but now he needs spiritual healing that only you can provide."
"It hurts to go back, Master Qui-Gon."
"I know young one, I will help you gain your strength again." Anne awoke to see Mara Jade sitting by her bed. She was sleeping but instantly opened her eyes when she saw Anne looking at her.
"Let me get Lord Vader."
Anne shook her head no, Mara felt her fear.
"He isn't going to hurt you, Anne."
Even though subconsciously the young girl knew that her name was Anne, all she felt was that she was an unworthy slave who really wasn't worth all this trouble.
xXx
Prince Xizor of the Black Sun Syndicate was summoned to the Emperor's side, personally. Though he was Falleen and not susceptible to feelings, he did feel nervous and incredibly apprehensive. He didn't even have a moment to say a word or to bow respectfully to his Emperor, before he felt blue-white lightning coursing through him draining him of his life-force.
"You have failed me for the last time, Prince Xizor, now you will die." The Emperor pumped all his anger into the lizard and reveled in the lizard's agony. All too soon it was done and the body was taken away.
xXx
After a long day of deliberations between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire, Lord Vader was irritated, irate, and was on the verge of losing his patience. This is why he absolutely hated politics, he would rather do what needed to be done and get it over with. Luke sensed his father's anger and called for a recess until tomorrow morning.
"We must finish this, we cannot continue on this way." General Madine responded to Luke's request.
"We are all tired and hungry, General Madine, we need a fresh perspective." Mon Mothma replied.
"I need a command crew to go to Endor and shut down the field generator protecting the Death Star."
"You will have it General. This meeting is adjourned until tomorrow morning at 0900." Mon Mothma responded. Lord Vader left the table his cloak a swirling black of midnight fury as he stormed away from the negotiation table. Luke quickly followed him.
"Father?"
"Leave me alone, Luke. I rather not talk right now." The threat was unmistakable.
"Lady Mon Mothma, I do not trust Lord Vader, he could be leading us into an elaborate trap. Don't you find it a bit coincidental that the entire Imperial fleet is merely a parsec away? Why would the entire leading army follow Lord Vader to rebellion unless it is to crush us?"
"You point is valid, General. However, Luke doesn't sense any deception from Lord Vader and remember he is a Jedi."
"There's something underlying there too. Luke is very naïve he could be trapped into believing this hoax as much as we are."
"What would you have me do, General?"
"I think we should ban Lord Vader from any and all strategy meetings."
"I do not agree, General. If there is one thing that I know of Lord Vader, he greatly dislikes deception and lies."
"You did not see his treachery first hand, milady. I have and it isn't pretty."
Luke silently followed Lord Vader to his ship, nervously chewing on a fingernail.
"Stop biting your nails, son."
"What happened in there, you could cut the tension with a knife."
Lord Vader sighed deeply and looked at Luke, "I want you to go to the Endor moon with the rebels."
"It isn't up to me."
"I do not care, volunteer. They wouldn't be able to resist a Jedi and rather naïve one at that."
Luke rolled his eyes, "Do you always have to refer to me as being naïve? I really do get tired of everyone saying that."
Lord Vader ruffled his son's blond hair and boarded his shuttle.
Anne was sitting on the floor near the window of her bedroom, holding her teddy bear. The floor was cold and hard, she saw a shuttle approach the landing bay, Lord Vader was returning. "Fear him, you should young one." The memory of the Emperor's voice seemed to repeat in her head. Lord Vader was greeted by the most pathetic sight he had ever seen, his daughter prostrating to his mercy. He helped her to her feet and carried her over to the bed.
"You are still running a temperature, you should be in bed."
Anne struggled in his arms as he lowered her into the soft bed. "No, please. I am not worthy."
Lord Vader soothed the child witha calming technique, he was still a little rusty, as it had been a very long time since he had used the light side of the Force.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay folks, real life has been interfering once again. I appreciate all your reviews and compliments on this tale. I know that this chapter is incredibly short, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.—Darth Gladiator45