We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 4:
Chapter 2: Growing Up
Vader was attending to his duties as Emperor.
The official story given to the Senate was that Belos had died of a heart attack, and thus, the title of Emperor fell to him.
Vader then made the story of the Jedi trying to seize control of the Republic.
The galaxy bought it more out of fear, rather than truly believed it.
Vader had also stated that any Jedi that survived were to be executed.
Imperial scouts were sent all over the galaxy to uphold this order.
….
Vader was currently trying to get Sam into a black outfit.
Sam fussed as he didn't want to wear it.
The baby seemed to hate any of the outfits Vader tried to dress him in.
"Come on Sam", Vader said.
Sam whimpered.
"Little one, we have to be ready in 5 minutes", Vader said softly.
Sam wouldn't stop fussing.
Vader sighed as he tried to figure out what to do. He just couldn't get his son to comply.
Then Vader spotted a small dress.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "nah…. Couldn't work…."
Vader then picks up an outfit for Sam.
A small black shirt and pants. Hopefully he would like this one.
Vader then puts the outfit on Sam.
Sam pouted the entire time.
"And there", Vader said.
Sam whimpered.
"I'm sorry Sam, but you need to look your best", Vader said to his son.
Sam just kept pouting.
An imperial officer asked, "my lord are you ready?"
Vader nodded as he held his son.
The imperial officer then led Vader to where he would be making his speech.
A huge crowd had formed below.
"Citizens of the Empire, Emperor Vader has a speech to make", the Imperial officer said.
Vader walked forward.
The air was thick with tension.
Vader then began to make his speech.
"Attention, members of the Galactic Empire!"
The crowd stayed completely silent as he gave his speech.
Sam whimpered as he clutched his father's arm.
He didn't like crowds.
"I have something to reveal to you all", Vader said as he then held Sam for everyone to see, "behold! My son and heir to the throne: Samuel Vader!"
The crowd gasped. They weren't expecting Lord Vader to have an heir!
Sam whimpered as he waved his hand.
The crowd found him adorable.
"He's so cute!"
"Adorable!"
"He looks like a little angel!"
Sam managed a small smile.
A reporter asked, "my lord, who is the boy's mother?"
Vader held himself back from using the force to choke out the reporter as he said, "Samuel's mother passed away in childbirth…. And who she was is none of your concern."
The reporter backed away scared.
Vader growled, "any other questions?"
The rest of the reporters back away.
Sam begins to whimper at the mention of his mother.
Vader gently cradled him.
"Also here's a warning to everyone….", Vader growled.
The crowd looks scared. They were terrified of what Vader would say.
"Every single being in the galaxy, better respect my son. And for those who dare to harm him, or even make him cry…. I will personally snap their necks", Vader growled protectively.
The crowd nodded and began to quickly disperse as fast as they could.
Sam tugged on his father's shirt.
Vader looked down to see Sam pointing to his mouth.
Vader said, "alright, let's get you some milk."
Vader then walked back inside the Imperial Palace.
Aka: the former Jedi temple.
Vader then made it to the kitchen.
He got some milk out for his son.
Vader then poured the milk into a bottle.
He began to feed his son.
Sam squealed as he drank the milk from the bottle
He was much happier now.
Soon Sam finished drinking his milk and Vader placed his son's head on his shoulder.
He pat's Sam's back.
Sam let out a light burp.
Vader smiled. He was happy to see his son like this.
Sam then yawned.
"Time for your nap, my little one", Vader said.
Vader brought Sam to his room.
The father then placed Sam in his crib. He tucked the baby in.
Vader then kissed Sam's forehead.
Sam smiled as he dozed off.
Vader smiled and then he quietly left the room.
As soon as he left, he sighed.
He can still remember his son whimpering at the mention of his mother. It seems they both missed her dearly.
"Padme", Vader whispered.
He desperately missed the woman he loved.
….
Back in Sam's room….
A glowing figure was watching the infant sleep.
Sam snored lightly as the figure lightly touched his cheek.
"Sam", the figure whispered.
Sam smiled in their sleep.
"You will do wonderful things in the future…. Little one", the figure whispered.
Sam continued to smile whilst he slumbered.
The figure was none other than the force ghost of Revan.
One of the most well known figures in the history of the Jedi order.
Revan was once a Sith lord, but it was thanks to Bastila Shan that he returned to the light side.
And now, it appeared he was going to be guiding this boy.
"Your mother…. Believes that you and your siblings can bring your father back to the light side…. And she says hi, little one", Revan whispered.
He smiled under his mask as he looked down at the sleeping infant.
Revan then slowly faded away.
But this wouldn't be the last they saw of one another….
….
Meanwhile….
Bail had seen the news on the Holonet.
He was horrified to know that Sam was now in the clutches of his father.
What had happened to the crew that was supposed to deliver Sam to Ahsoka?
He shuddered at the idea of what could have happened.
Now he was worried about the future…. Would Vader train his son to be a Sith?
Or would the boy figure out that he needed to leave his father?
"May the force be with us all", Bail whispered.
….
We then see a 1 year old Sam playing with his father in his room.
For a man who had the entire galaxy under his control, he acted so gently towards his son.
Sam giggled as he crawled towards his father.
Vader smiled as he picked Sam up.
"Dada", Sam said.
Vader smiled even wider.
Vader hugged his son close to him.
He loved him so much.
Vader asked, "want to go on a walk, my little one?"
Sam squealed and waved his arms around.
Vader chuckled and said, "I'll take that as a yes."
Vader then stood up and walked out of Sam's room.
Sam was in his father's arms, as he looked around in awe. He loved seeing all of the sights around him.
Vader smiled at his son's excitement.
It was always a warm sight, seeing his son so happy.
Sam then cooed in awe as he pointed to a picture
Vader saw that his son was pointing to a picture…. Of Padme.
Vader gave a sad smile.
Sam titled his head confusion at the picture.
Vader walked over to the picture.
He sighed in sorrow.
Sam cooed.
"This woman in the picture…. Was your mother, Sam", Vader said to his son.
Sam placed his tiny hands on the picture.
Vader looked away and whispered, "I can never forgive myself for what I did to her…."
"Mama", Sam cooed.
Vader hugged his son closer.
"Mama", Sam cooed as he kept staring at the picture of his mother.
Vader closes his eyes in sorrow.
"How I wish you had been able to meet your mother, Sam", Vader whispered.
Sam felt his father's sadness and hugged him.
Vader smiled softly. His son was the only joy he felt nowadays.
"I promise you Padme, I'll honor your memory by protecting our son", Vader whispered as he stared at the picture of his wife.
But little did Vader know of what the future would hold….
….
We then see a 3 year old Sam playing in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace.
As Sam was running around he bumped into someone.
"Sorry", Sam said.
The person he bumped into was one of the younger and more arrogant scouts.
Sam now looked scared.
He slowly began to back away.
The scout looked angry.
He asked, "what the Hell are you doing?!"
Sam tried to run away, but the scout grabbed his arm.
Sam cried in terror.
"DADDY!"
Rumbling was heard in an instant.
The scout looked around in fear at the sound.
He was then suddenly pulled up by his cape!
He saw Darth Vader snarling at him like a wild animal.
He was wearing his mask, which with the glowing red eyes, made him look like a demon.
"Daddy", Sam cried as he ran over to hug his father's leg.
Vader rubbed the top of Sam's head.
"Daddy! This mean scout grabbed my arm, he was going to hurt me", Sam cried in fear.
Vader glared at the scout.
"You are going…. To regret…. Trying to hurt my son…. And making him cry", Vader growled
Sam said, "daddy…. Please don't hurt him…."
"Why shouldn't I? He nearly hurt you and made you cry", Vader growled.
Sam said, "but killing people is wrong!"
Vader turned to look down at his son.
Sam looked up at his father.
Vader could see glimpses of Padme in their son, as she too was against Violence.
He couldn't expose his son to such bloodshed at this age.
Vader then released the scout.
The scout rubbed their throat as Vader said, "this is your only warning, scout. Your job is to keep the peace, not bully a toddler. Understood?!"
The scout nods their head in fear.
Vader growled, "now head back to your post."
The scout then ran off.
Vader sighed as he looked back down at his son.
Sam asked, "Daddy?"
Vader picks up Sam and holds him close.
"Come on Sam, let's get you inside", Vader said.
Sam nodded.
….
We then see Sam inside his room, playing with someone.
Sam asked as he looked around, "Uncle Revan?"
Revan then phased through the wall in front of Sam.
Sam squealed and ran to Revan.
Revan chuckled and knelt down to hug Sam.
"Uncle Revan, I'm worried about my daddy", Sam asked.
Revan sighed and said, "I know you are, my boy. I know."
"Why does my daddy want to kill the scouts? It's not right", Sam exclaimed.
Revan said, "your father is a complicated man. He thinks he needs to do bad things to help others. But there is good in him, never forget that, alright?"
"I won't, Uncle Revan", Sam said.
Revan smiled and said, "good boy."
Sam smiled as well. He felt like a good boy.
….
We then see a 4 year old Sam with his father on Naboo.
They were approaching the tomb of Padme Amidala.
Sam was holding flowers in his hands.
He wanted to leave them at his mother's grave.
Sam and Vader then stood in front of the statue of Padme, that stood in front of her tomb.
Sam looked at the statue in awe.
Sam asked, "why is mom's tomb bigger than the others?"
Vader explained, "she was such a loved and respected figure on Naboo, that they felt it best to honor her with a tomb like this."
"Oh", Sam said.
"Not only was your mother a senator for Naboo, she was once a queen for her homeplanet", Vader said with a smile on his face.
Sam gave a look of pure awe.
Vader smiled at his son's adorable face.
Sam had the gift of being so cute and adorable.
And so, the little boy put the flowers on the grave.
"Mom", Sam whispered.
He knelt down and closed his eyes.
"I wish I could have met you, dad says you were so excited to meet me", Sam said sadly.
Vader sighed as he stood nearby.
Sam then stood up and his father walked towards the tomb.
Sam looked up at his father, and could tell he was sad, even with the mask on his face.
Vader only ever took off the mask when in private.
Vader then removes his mask and tears were in his eyes as he said, "my sweet Padme…. I miss you so much…."
Sam then hugged his father.
Vader said, "thank you, son."
Sam smiled and said, "I love you daddy."
Vader replied, "I love you too."
Vader puts his mask back on and then he picks up his son in his arms.
"Let's go on a walk around Theed, you're going to love it Sam", Vader said with a smile on his face.
Sam nodded with a smile on his face.
Vader gave one last look at the statue of his wife and then he walked away with Sam in tow.
….
We then see Sam in his class.
Sam was homeschooled and his teacher was a woman named Lilith Clawthorne.
She was a kind but stern woman who taught Sam everything he needed to know.
Sam really liked Lilith.
She was currently the closest thing she had to a mother figure.
And he loved hearing stories about Lilith's crazy sister.
Sam giggled, "really? She did that?"
Lilith said, "indeed. She stuck Bump, our old teacher, to the wall!"
Sam let out more giggles.
He said, "you and your sister had quite the crazy times, hmm?"
Lilith smiled and said, "yes. I do hope Eda is doing well nowadays…."
A droid then walks inside.
"Prince Sam, your father wants you to come to the training room", the droid said.
Sam nodded and said, "okay TeeCee Thirteen. Sorry Lilith. I have to go."
"It's alright, be careful", Lilith said.
Sam nodded as he went off.
Sam then made it to the training room.
His father stood in the center of the room.
"Dad", Sam said as he walked inside.
Vader said, "welcome, my son."
Sam asked, "what kind of training am I going to learn today?"
Vader said, "a very important lesson…."
Sam asked, "which is?"
"Learning how to be aware of your surroundings", Vader said.
Vader thrust his hand towards a nearby crate.
Sam watched as the crate began to lift into the air.
"You need to be aware of your surroundings, in order not to be taken off guard", Vader said.
Sam nodded.
Vader then lifted more crates into the air.
Vader said, "try to stop these crates before they can hit you. I'll go one at a time, in order to start small."
"Okay dad", Sam said.
Vader nodded and slowly sent a crate towards his son.
Sam reached a hand out, trying to stop the crate before it got close!
"Focus Sam", Vader said.
Sam nodded, closed his eyes and focused.
And sure enough, he was able to stop the crate.
Sam opened his eyes and smiled!
"I did it", Sam cheered.
Vader said, "well done. Let's try another one."
Vader then sent another crate slowly towards his son.
Sam was able to quickly stop it with the force.
Vader said, "good. Now, shall we go a little faster?"
Sam nods his head. He then began to focus.
Vader then sent another crate to his son.
Sam held out both hands.
And he quickly stopped the crate.
Vader nodded and sent another crate.
Sam quickly stopped it with the force.
Vader said, "good."
Sam smiled proudly. He was so proud of himself.
"That's enough training for today", Vader said.
Sam nodded.
Vader walked over and picked up his son.
Sam smiled at his father.
Vader smiled back at his son and he nuzzled his face.
"Daddy", Sam giggled.
Vader chuckled lightly.
"Because you did so well today, you're getting a lot of cuddles", Vader said.
Sam giggled in joy.
He liked cuddles.
"Let's go to your room, and there you'll receive your cuddles, little one", Vader said with a smile on his face.
Sam nodded as his father took him to his room….
….
We then see a 5 year old Sam celebrating his birthday.
He looked so happy.
Vader was next to his son as a chef brought over the massive birthday cake.
Sam clapped when he saw the cake.
Vader smiled at his son's excitement.
His son was all that really mattered to him anymore.
"Here you go my prince", the chef said.
Sam smiled in joy.
"Go on, Sam, blow out the candles", Vader said.
Sam nodded before he closed his eyes to make a wish.
Sam then blew out the candles as he wished for…. Peace. He wanted the galaxy to be at peace.
Sam had known that the Empire was doing…. Evil stuff to the galaxy.
And so, he wanted the violence to end.
Vader then sliced a piece of cake for his son.
Sam happily dug in.
Vader smiled at the sight.
He was happy to see his son enjoying his birthday.
"Oh little one, let me clean your face", Vader said as he grabbed a napkin and cleaned his son's face.
Sam giggled at this.
Vader then finished cleaning his son's face.
He then hands Sam another slice of cake.
Sam was happy to take another slice.
Soon after that, Sam opened all his presents.
Mostly new clothes and toys, with a few wood carvings his father had made him.
"They are so pretty", Sam said as he held one of the wood carvings.
Vader smiled with a sense of pride.
"Thank you son", Vader said.
Sam said, "you're welcome."
….
We then see a 6 year old Sam crying.
The reason being is that he tripped and he ended up scraping his knee.
Lilith had come to the rescue and taken Sam to get some bacta gel for his wound.
Lilith asked, "what happened, Sam?"
"I tripped", Sam whimpered.
Lilith patted Sam's head and said, "I'm so sorry. Don't worry, the bacta should heal your wound."
Sam winced as Lilith started to put Bacta gel on his wound and then she bandaged it up.
She asked, "better?"
Sam nods his head.
Lilith smiled and gave Sam a hug.
Sam hugged Lilith back.
He needed a good hug.
Vader called out in the hallway, "Sam? Sam? Are you there?"
Sam and Lilith ended their hug as Sam said, "in here, dad."
Vader walked inside the room.
He hurried over to Sam.
Vader asked, "what happened, my little one?"
Sam said, "I tripped and fell. Lilith helped me up."
Vader picked his son up.
"Thank you Lilith", Vader said.
Lilith nodded and said, "you're welcome, Lord Vader."
Before leaving, Lilith pats Sam's head.
She said, "stay safe, Sam."
"I will, bye Lilith." Sam said as he waved his hand.
Lilith waved back as she left the room.
Vader asked softly, "does your knee hurt Sam?"
Sam said, "no, it's fine now."
Vader gave his son a kiss on the top of his head.
Sam giggled. He enjoyed that.
….
We then see a 7 year old Sam wandering the halls of the Imperial Palace.
He was looking for his father.
Sam kept on walking until he heard…. Something?
It sounded like…. Chuckling? And…. Something else….
Like someone…. Crying in fear.
Sam slowly made his way towards the noises.
Sam then came across a room.
And what he saw as he peeked inside would stick with him for years….
He saw some people dressed in black wielding…. Red lightsabers?
They all stood around a green-skinned Rodian man on the floor, dressed in robes of some kind.
Sam had a look of fear on his face. He hasn't seen such brutality before.
"You Inquisitors are…. Heartless beings", the Rodian growled.
A large Inquisitor with yellow skin and a red robotic foot said mockingly, "aw…. I think we hurt the little guy's feelings…."
Sam then saw a female Inquisitor with green skin.
She said, "these Jedi filth will say anything to get out of pain."
Sam whispered, "a Jedi?"
Another inquisitive with pale skin, red markings on his face and yellow eyes stepped forward and growled, "we're giving you one last chance to join us…. I suggest you take the deal…."
"Never….", the Rodian said.
The yellow Inquisitor said, "can I squish his head? Oh please, please, please?!"
Sam covered his mouth to prevent himself from gasping.
The green Inquisitor quickly turned her head, but Sam was able to hide himself before she could spot him.
Sam then heard the sound of a lightsaber activating.
He closed his eyes, hoping beyond hope that nothing bad was going to happen!
But then…. He heard the sound of the Rodian gasping.
Sam didn't dare look!
Sam felt tears fall down his face.
How could something so terrible happen?!
Sam then ran off.
He couldn't bear the scene any longer!
Sam ran into his room and locked the door.
"Oh little one, I'm so sorry you had to see that."
Sam looked up and saw Revan. He then cried as he ran to Revan.
The force spirit held the boy close as he wept.
Sam sobbed, "why? Why did they do that? Who were those people?!"
Revan sighed and said, "those were the Inquisitors…. Warriors of the dark side, sent to hunt down any remaining Jedi."
Sam whimpered, "why would they do that?"
Revan sighed knowing he had to tell Sam the truth.
He said, "the emperor before your father had them trained to hunt down the Jedi. And your father continues to have them do his bidding."
"NO! That can't be true", Sam cried.
Revan sighed and said, "how I wish it weren't…. Your father has lost his way…. And you and your siblings will be the only ones who can save him."
"Siblings? I don't have any siblings", Sam asked, confused.
Revan said, "yes you do. Not even your father knows they live. A brother. And a sister."
Sam asked, "a brother and a sister?"
Revan nodded and said, "that is all I can say, for now. But you must not let your father know of them."
Sam asked, "why not?"
Revan said, "it could lead to very bad results. The will of the force will guide you to them, I know it."
"Thank you, Uncle Revan", Sam whispered.
Revan replied, "you're welcome, little one."
Sam asked, "now what do I do?"
Revan said, "for now, get some rest."
Revan then laid Sam down on the bed and then tucked him in.
Sam was finally calm enough to sleep.
Revan rubs Sam's back as the boy sleeps.
Sam smiled as he drifted off.
Revan would make sure when the time comes, he would help protect Sam.
But that wouldn't be for quite a while, it seemed.
….
We then see an 8 year old Sam.
The incident with the Inquisitors still weighed on him.
Sam could still hear the Lightsaber activating in his head.
The cackling of the Inquisitors.
The dying gasp of the Jedi.
Sam then heard the door to his room open.
Sam looked up to see who it was.
It was his father.
"Hi Dad", Sam said.
Vader said, "hello son. I have a surprise for you."
Sam sat up, curious as to what the surprise was.
But then Sam's face went pale as he saw…. The Inquisitors.
The Inquisitors were pulling something.
Sam tried to keep himself calm.
Sam asked, "what is that?"
Vader said, "I found your mother's old wardrobe and thought you'd want to take a look."
Sam asked, "my mother's wardrobe?"
Vader nodded.
Sam then saw one of the Inquisitors approach him.
Sam tried to keep calm as best as he could.
But when their hand was about to touch Sam's shoulder, the boy flinched and backed away!
Sam then felt like he couldn't breathe.
His eyes darted around the room!
Vader asked, worried, "Sam?"
Sam's breathing grew frantic.
Sam saw the female Inquisitor approach him.
"NO", Sam screamed in fear.
Vader held his hand up.
Sam then started sobbing and crying as he kept screaming, "GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The Inquisitors looked at one another in confusion as Vader suddenly said, "leave us."
The Inquisitors then left the room.
Vader sighed as he took off his mask.
Sam kept on sobbing and shaking.
He was utterly terrified of the Inquisitors.
Vader then picked up his son. He held him close.
"Shhh…. Shhhh…. Sam, it's okay, it's okay", Vader soothed.
Sam's breathing slowly grew more calm.
Vader asked, "my child, why were you so scared of the Inquisitors?"
Sam wasn't sure if he could answer.
Vader rubbed his son's back. He hoped he would calm down soon.
Sam then calmed down. His breathing was back to normal.
"My little one", Vader whispered.
Sam looked up at his father.
"Dad…. I…. I….", Sam tried to say.
Vader said, "It's okay, son. You can tell me anything."
"I…. I just felt scared around those people", Sam said.
Vader asked in confusion, "the Inquisitors?"
Sam nods his head.
Vader asked, "why were you scared of them?"
Sam gulped. Could he really reveal what he saw?
'Don't tell him Sam', Revan said through the force.
Sam heard the words and quickly had to think of something!
Sam then thought of something and he said, "I just don't feel…. Safe around them."
Vader asked, "how come?"
"Well…. Cause…. I…. Can just…. Sense it", Sam stuttered.
Vader nodded when he heard that.
"Okay then, I promise from now on, I won't let them anywhere near you, my son", Vader said.
Sam nodded and said, "thank you dad."
Vader smiled and hugged his son close to him.
Sam smiled lightly.
Vader asked, "want to look at your mother's wardrobe?"
Sam nodded.
Vader then held Sam's hand as he led his son over to the wardrobe.
A variety of different outfits and wigs were seen.
Sam found them to be so pretty.
He had discovered he preferred women's clothing to that of men's clothing some time ago.
But his father said he was still too young to be wearing those clothes.
But he saw no harm in allowing Sam to look through the clothes.
"Pretty", Sam said in awe.
Vader chuckled.
"Mom had an amazing sense of style", Sam said.
Vader gave a light nod.
"It's getting late. It's bedtime, little one", Vader said as he picked up Sam.
Sam gave a light yawn.
Vader then laid Sam down in his bed.
Vader then covered him with the blanket and kissed his son's forehead.
Sam smiled.
"Have sweet dreams, my son", Vader whispered.
Sam drifted off.
Vader smiled and then he left the room.
He put his mask back on as he did so, and Sam was left to peacefully sleep.
Sam then opened his eyes.
Sam then asked, "Uncle Revan?"
That's when Revan appeared.
Sam gave a small relieved smile.
"Uncle Revan, I just don't…. Feel safe here…. Anymore", Sam said.
Revan sat by the bed and said, "sometimes…. When faced in such a situation…. You must do what you think is right…."
Sam asked, "Uncle Revan, are you saying that I should…?"
Revan said, "only if you think it's the right thing to do."
Sam asked, "okay then, when should I do it?"
"When you turn 9, it's when you will do it", Revan said.
Sam nodded and got to sleep as Revan vanished….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: same here. So happy you've been enjoying it.
….