Luke force himself to smile before stepping out of his room and joining up with Galen. There is also a horde of Stormtroopers waiting on standby. Today is the day where he'll finally be free, whether it be from his father or death will release him.
"You ready, Luke?" Galen asked.
"As ready as I've ever be." Luke replied.
The two of them began to head down to the lower level of the palace with the Stormtroopers right behind them. Luke has been doing breathing exercises to keep himself calm. The doors open to show the ballroom decorated with Luke's favorite color and about hundreds of guests waiting for the birthday boy.
"Luke."
His blood freezes in fear at the sound of his father's voice. Vader is walking up to him with a smile on his face. The smile would have been warm if it wasn't for the yellow sith eyes Vader has.
"Hello, Father. How was your trip?" Luke politely bows.
"Oh Luke," Vader waves him off before hugging him, "Today is your birthday. You don't need to ask about pointless rebel actives. Just know I crushed a rebel cell with ease."
Luke fought back a flinch on how proud and happy his father sounds on taking innocent lives. "I'm happy for you, father." He lies.
Vader patted his head and walks to the podium. Luke looks around for any signs of his rescuers. Granted he doesn't know how Ahsoka looks like, but he should be able to detect her Force presence. He also noticed all of the Inquisitors are there as well. Vader tapped on the mic, gaining everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the Imperial Prince, my son, Luke Vader!" His father announced.
A roar of thunderer applause erupted the ballroom. Luke felt his face turn red in embarrassment. His father always does this every year. Luke came up to the stage and cleared his throat.
"Thank you for the introduction, father," Luke bows at him and turns to the audience, "And thank you all for coming. Everyone please relax and try to have some fun!"
The audience laughs before clapping. Luke got off the stage and began to walk towards the windows. He didn't get far since Vader puts his hands on his shoulder. "Where you're going, Little One? You haven't opened your presents yet." Vader asked.
The only present I want is freedom, Luke thought. Luke did his signature smile and clasps his hands around Vader's. "Oh father, you know I don't care much about the presents. Being here to talk to other people is enough for me." He says.
This makes Vader frown a bit better returning a smile, "Nonsense Luke, you are the Prince of the Galaxy and you deserve the best."
"...I guess I can open my presents now."
Luke heads to a table where all the presents are behind held. He didn't like how many he's gotten. It mostly his father threatened every single citizen to hand him a present for his little one.
"Go ahead, Little One. You deserve every single one."
Why must he be so close to me? He usually gives me space during my birthday, Luke wonders. That is when he realized there's Inquisitors guarding every door and Stormtroopers keeping a dangerously close eye on the guests. Why of all days did father orders them to be extra vigilant? This would make my rescuing a lot more difficult, Luke thought.
He felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Excuse me, Prince." A young man said.
Luke look at the man, no, a teen maybe. He looked like he's in his late teens or early twenties. He has scruffy looking brown hair and hazel eyes. Luke thinks the stranger is very handsome.
"Why are you bothering us?" Vader hissed at him. Luke winced when his father tighten his grip on his shoulder. The man smiles and puts his hands up defensively.
"No need to be hostile, Emperor. I just needed to let the Prince know his boots are untied and his hair is slightly pulled up." The man said.
Luke's eyes widen at the man's response. Boots untied and hair pulled up are code for the rebel alliance are here. This is it. He has just been told to get ready for the show down. Vader did not look amused at all. He steps in front of the man glaring meneacedly.
"Are you making fun of my son?" Vader threatens.
"Father, it's okay. A prince should always be presentable for any occasion." Luke said. He pushed his bangs to the front, signaling for the man he's ready. The man shot him a wink and excused himself.
"Luke, I think we should open the presents later. I don't want you to leave my side, okay?"
"Not leave your side? I have Galen for that."
"I can protect you better."
"Protect me from what?"
On cue, two metal bombs rolls right in front of them. It's go time, Luke realized. Smoke began to pour out of the bombs, engulfing the whole room. Luke immediately took off running, away from his father.
"Luke? Luke, where are you?!" Vader screams. Luke didn't answer and kept search for Ahsoka's presence. Blasters are now being heard, but he has no idea if they're from a friend or foe. "Protect the Prince!" Vader orders.
About six dark Force presence began to make their way to Luke. Vader activates his lightsaber and uses the Force to clear a pathway to him.
"There you are, my Prince." Second sister said.
Luke's eyes widen in fear as an Inquisitor has caught up with him. She was about to reach her hand at him when she was suddenly pulled back. Luke gasp in fear and begins to crawl away. He didn't get very far since he bumped into something.
Or someone.
The smoke clears a bit to reveal an orange Togruta with white markings on her face and has two lightsabers hook to her belt.
"What are-" Luke was about to ask.
The Togruta smiles and puts her finger to her lip, indicating for him to be quiet. She winks at him and suddenly draws out her white sabers to parrie a pair of red ones. Behind Luke is Starkiller glaring ferociously at the female Togruta.
"Step away from the Prince." Galen threatens.
"Funny, I was about to tell you the same thing." She replies.
Galen lounges forward at her as she does the same thing. Both of them began to attack each other when such skills and grace. And when they were to back away from each other, Luke realized they both have the same stance. Right down to the reverse grip on their sabers.
"Skyguy, taught you well." The Togruta praised.
Wait, Skyguy? Oh my stars! She's Ahsoka Tano, Luke realized.
"I'm his best apprentice Vader has ever taught." Galen replied.
"We'll shall see about that." Ahsoka smirks.
Luke wanted to see them fight with everything they got. But he doesn't want to lose either of them. Lucky for him, he doesn't need to see them fight as a pair of arms wraps around the small boy.
"...!" Luke muffles. He couldn't cried out in fear due to someone covering his mouth.
"Shh, we're helping you, kid." They said. The Force told Luke there's nothing to fear them and let them take him. Luke nodded and let himself be carried off by his mysterious savior. "The name's Han Solo, kid." He introduced himself.
Luke ignores him and turns around to get one last look at Ahsoka and Galen. Galen, Ahsoka, please don't hurt each other, Luke silently prays. He feels so many people losing their lives rather quickly. Most likely by his father and the Inquisitors.
The smoke finally clears out for Luke to see they're almost by the window. He also noticed the man from earlier is the one carrying Luke.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SON!" His father rages. Luke whimpers in fear as he feels his father's darkness radiated from within. The whole room starts to shake, making the windows crack.
"Don't let him take me." Luke pleaded in a small voice.
Han can feel the kid's body shaking against him. This makes Han held Luke even closer.
"Make me, old man!" Han shouts.
Vader lets out a cry of rage before lounges himself at them. Luke cries and hugs Han even louder. We were so close. I don't want the rebels deaths be in vain, Luke thought.
Just as Vader was about to cut Han down, a blue lightsaber blocks Vader's crimson blade. Time has seem to slow down for Vader when he saw a hooded figure pulls down his cloak.
"Hello, old friend." Obi Wan smiles.