The Power to Save Her
Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any lines form Empire Strikes Back.
Important Note: I will not follow comics/legends characters or concepts closely, if at all. My knowledge is strictly on the that of the movies and a more mainstream knowledge of Star Wars. Though I may reference events and things outside of the movies, I do not claim to know the material on a deeper level.
The skies were turning orange as Padmé maneuvered the ship towards the lake country. Throughout the journey, the officer with her was quiet, but he observed the green mountains as they passed over. She landed the craft near the edge of a clearing, the grass underneath shifting in the turbulence. As she exited the cockpit, she saw that the house was dark and slightly overgrown. She frowned at its state but continued forward, motioning to the officer that had come with her. The younger man looked confused as to why they were in the countryside but didn't object. She was important to Vader after all.
They approached the house, the cobbled ground crunching under their feet and Padmé glanced to the place she and Anakin had gotten married. It too was overgrown and weather-beaten. Back when her family had cared for the grounds, they'd never let it become this unkempt, though she supposed it was this way due to disuse by the current monarch.
The heavy wooden doors of the main entrance were shut, carvings of the royal history etched in it. The officer heaved it open for her with a grunt and she entered, quietly thanking him. The house was silent, except for the sound of some dripping water, somewhere within the building. The archways were beautiful and the marble floors unscratched, though everything was covered in a layer of dust. The evening sun filtered in all the windows.
A feeling of uneasiness filled her core, but she continued forward. Though her family hadn't used the main door, didn't mean they weren't here. The entrance halls and foyers of this place were all for show anyway. The real home was towards the back, where the gardens were. It was once a place she'd imagined having her children's nursery, or something like it. Those memories were long ago, and she grieved for having missed it, but she continued on searching.
She stepped into the sitting room, finding it empty, no sign of a disturbance. The balcony doors were all closed, and the furniture covered in cloth. Next, she entered the kitchen, finding its cabinets bare, and likewise covered in dust. The back door was sealed, the control panel even completely shut off. The sense of unease grew now as she slowly began to realize that her family wasn't in any of the main living spaces.
They never had been.
Despite this, she had to continue. Knowing that there was one last place to check, quite dreading finding it empty, she turned in the direction of the nursery. The officer followed but his confusion was apparent on his face. She arrived before the doors of the nursery. It was another wooden door, ornate like the front door. In one motion, she pushed it open, and walked right through. She expected to find the same musty smell in this room but was surprised by the open balcony doors.
She quickly realized her wish to find the room occupied was the opposite of what she should've hoped for.
In the darkest corner of the room, away from the fading light of the day, was a hooded figure. The cloth covered most of the figure's face, though Padmé could see the pale jaw peaking from beneath. Then there was a smile, only growing the longer she stood there.
"Emperor Palpatine.", she greeted, voice even, though she felt cold.
"At last, the elusive Padmé Amidala.", came the gravely voice of the deformed man. The hood lifted and she beheld a pair of yellow eyes. The face was pale, greatly contrasting the black of the hood.
"I'm assuming that you led me here.", she remarked, trying to remain calm.
"There's no fooling you.", came the response, almost scornful. The eyes watched her. "Even after being dead so long, you've forgotten none of what I taught you."
"I'm afraid not. You clearly have no wish to kill me now.", she responded, eyes never leaving him. "What is it that you want to know without your apprentice nearby?"
"To set eyes on an old friend.", came the mocking voice of the Sith.
"Well I'm here. Alive.", she reported, watching the Sith's face carefully. His expression revealed very little, but she detected curiosity. "Very much so."
"An event which transpired by the power of the Force.", replied the Sith gliding towards her. She stiffened but held her ground, even as the Emperor walked out of her line of sight.
"You seem surprised."
"The power to cheat death is unnatural.", spoke the hooded figure, circling her.
"I cannot reveal to you what I don't know.", she replied, keeping her face forward, refusing to show fear. "I can only tell what I experienced. It was almost like waking up."
"This powerful Force event was… providential.", came the response of the Emperor. She could hear the question.
"Is it surprising that there are things about the great mystery that you yourself don't understand?"
This caused the Sith's expression to turn angry.
"The power has been mastered by one other.", he stated, quite certain. He gave a rather condescending smile. "Its existence has been known for decades."
"And yet, you yourself long to understand.", she replied, shaking her head. "Because you want it for yourself."
There came a mocking laugh as he walked past her.
"The Force is beyond your comprehension.", he dismissed, and she did not respond. The Sith continued. "Soon both your husband and son will be mine."
"You only wish it to be so.", she countered, not being able to resist the jab. She clenched her jaw as she spoke. "You're done hurting my family."
"Your idealism will be your undoing.", came the harsh voice of the Sith. The room was growing darker. "Vader has been mine for decades. He is beyond your help."
"Then why do I see your fear?", Padmé replied, some heat to her words. She could see he was only toying with her. "You've clearly drawn me here for a reason, and it's not to taunt me."
"You are the weak link that will be your husbands undoing.", revealed the Sith, revealing an unseemly smile. "He will witness your fall, at the crucial moment."
"If I die, he will stop at nothing to kill you.", Padmé responded, not feeling fear. She'd already died, though she worried for the state of her loved ones. Anakin would have to move on again.
"Good. Let him try.", the Sith replied, not disturbed by the notion.
"It won't go the way you think.", she continued, eyes watching him pace like a predator. "He will stop you and bring an end to your dictatorship."
"Your faith in him is misplaced.", snapped the Sith, eyes narrowing at her.
"You may say so, but I'm certain that you cannot not kill him.", she responded, not knowing where this confidence came from. "You fill fail."
"Perhaps you do not fear my cruelty.", the Sith sneered glancing past Padmé. "But others do and will suffer for your blindness."
Only then did she remember that the young officer was still with her. She turned, only to see a red guard take the man by the throat and drag him out of the room. She only watched paralyzed as the officer struggled with the guard. It was quick, but she could hear as he cried out and then be silenced quickly. Padmé turned her gaze back at the Sith, and instead of fear she clenched her hands, feeling an intense anger fill her core.
"One day, you will pay for the lives you've taken.", she declared, her voice steady.
"Or perhaps, once more, you will die senselessly by my hand.", replied the Sith, his sneer more pronounced. "And your little family will be mine. Forever."
Vader had turned away from Luke, mind urging him to return to the palace hanger. He no longer heard the voice of Luke, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. In a daze he started walking in that direction, fear rolling off him in waves. He didn't disguise this fear, and clearly Luke felt it too.
"What is it?", Luke asked, from behind him.
"The Emperor. He's here.", replied Vader, evenly, though he barely heard his own voice.
"He has her, doesn't he?", asked Luke and Vader didn't even have to ask who he was talking about.
"Yes."
"Well then," Luke replied, came up beside him, rather boldly. Vader could see the determination in his eyes. "We'd better go find her."
"No Luke.", retorted Vader causing the boy to pause. "He's unlike anyone you've ever known. Do not underestimate his power."
"If she is who I think she is, I have every right to help.", he replied, his voice growing heated.
"Then you'd know she'd never want you to risk yourself.", Vader stated, briefly imagining his son controlled by the Emperor's hands. "Neither do I. Now go."
"But—"
"No. Escape while you can.", Vader commanded, pointing in the direction out of Theed.
"You can't take him alone.", insisted Luke, his voice, strangely concerned.
"No… I cannot, but you are unarmed and not ready.", Vader replied gravely, noting the blaster but no lightsaber. "And she must get out, no matter what happens to me."
The silence was heavy between the two and Vader turned to leave.
"Don't…", Luke paused, not knowing what he was saying. He furrowed his eyebrows and continued. "Don't get yourself killed."
Vader felt a sense of warmth at the sentiment and simply walked away, leaving the conflicted boy behind. Thankfully the Jedi didn't follow. It felt like an eternity to get there, but at last the palace hanger was in his sights. Even as the people scrambled past him, and explosions continued overhead, he pressed forward. Within the hanger, he found the shuttle where he left it, and entered without any of his men. Swiftly, the shuttle rose out of the hanger, and into the sky filled with TIE fighters and X-Wings.
He surged past them, the TIE fighters maneuvering to protect his shuttle while he escaped the skies over Theed. In silence, he watched as the countryside turned into lakes and several beautiful homes blurred underneath them. Finally, Varykino was in sight, it's windows dark on in the setting sun. Like a haunting beacon, it invited him, and he landed the ship in the clearing next to Padmés.
He felt sick at the sight of the empty vessel but drew closer to the building.
The front doors were open, and he could see the footprints of two people through the dusty foyer. Though he followed them, he did not need them, for he had the Force to guide him to her and an overwhelming darkness that nearly cloaked her. He was nearing the back of the home, and noticed an open door and just outside it, the body of a young officer that had probably come with her.
The silence was heavy.
Vader passed through the door, immediately finding Padmé standing near the entrance. She was still, watching something, and he lifted his gaze to the Emperor who was lying in wait. She must've heard the sound of his footsteps, for she glanced over to him. Vader knew it was unwise to take his eyes off the threat and kept his gazed fixed on the Sith in the dark corner of the room. The Emperor's hands were held up, almost coiled and ready to strike.
Vader subconsciously stepped in front of her.
"What is the meaning of your presence here?", Vader asked, his voice even, though he was terrified for his wife. Sidious clearly sensed this fear, for he glided closer from across the room. Vader stepped back, pushing her behind him.
"To see Amidala of course. For I know you would've hidden her for as long as possible, my friend.", Sidious replied mockingly. Vader didn't deny this. "And back from the dead! You've discovered the secrets of Darth Plagueis."
There was silence.
"Come now, you've traveled all this way to Naboo. Surely, you'd want to see your family?"
"They're gone." Vader spoke, mainly doing this to inform Padmé. He felt her relax in the Force. "The Rebels ensured their escape."
"What a pity, though you'll see them, in due time.", smiled the Sith, turning his gaze about the house and then finally zeroing back on them again. "This is a place you wished to raise your son."
Vader glanced to the veranda where the guards were still. He could feel Padmé grip the cloak around his shoulders. Silently, Vader did his best to protect her mind as well as his own. Sidious was clearly feeding off her thoughts.
"Luke Skywalker, not a Jedi, but very powerful.", continued the Sith, closing his eyes. "And… oh, he's here?"
Vader hissed in a breath.
"Yes, Lord Vader, what you've said is true.", Sidious's eyes were still closed. His voice grew lower. "He could be a powerful ally. Though it seems you have failed your mission."
"He evaded me with the help of Rebels.", Vader began but the Sith wasn't having it.
"If this was true, you would have chosen to continue hunting him, not save her.", retorted the Emperor eyes opening. His sneer was directed towards Vader. "Yes, your feelings on this matter are quite clear."
"What do you want from me?", Vader asked, tired of waiting for him to get to the point. Padmé drew closer behind him. The Emperor stepped back. His pale face was visible in the dark room.
"I'm only here to remind you of your place Lord Vader.", Sidious growled, narrowing his eyes. His gaze shifted to Padmé who he could sense was masking her emotions. "Remember your failure on Mustafar and why your feelings blind you to true power."
Vader grew silent, his anger simmering.
"She would make a fine piece of Imperial influence, would she not? The might of the Empire has only grown and will continue to grow with her help.", Sidious claimed, though his face remained mocking. "It would be a shame if something should squander that potential."
"Your threat is clear.", returned Vader, staring him down.
"Very good, my friend.", replied Sidious turning towards the veranda that displayed the moonlit lake. The red guards shifted as he breezed past them, to overlook the waters. "I don't want there to be any misunderstanding between us."
"There's more to this than just taunting us.", Padmé remarked, watching the Sith carefully, who's back was to them.
"I will be keeping an eye on your little family.", the Emperor stated, turning back to them. His eyes glinting in the dull light. "Even now, my agents search Theed for the boy, they lie in wait for him by their ship. He, like Vader, will be mine."
Vader's mind felt something at his statement, something cold. Swiftly, he reached out into the Force, for the mind of his son. The boy was hiding, somewhere away from stormtroopers, and he could feel the fear as he sensed his father trying to contact him.
Luke, he called out, not hiding the urgency of the message. Be mindful of your surroundings. The Emperor is here and has a trap waiting for you by your ship. Do not fall into it.
The connection closed, but Vader knew that the boy had heard him.
As did the other Sith in the room.
"Warning him away?", snapped Sidious, eyes flashing to Vader. "You will pay for your lack of vision."
Immediately, coils of lightning surged from the Sith's fingers, and Vader took a full brunt of the burning hot energy. Padmé cried out in horror, and the Emperor ceased his abuse. He simply cackled at the disheveled heap at his feet, backing away. Smoke was rising from his form and Vader could only look up in a daze at the man he'd once called his friend.
"Foolish to the last, but not useless… yet.", remarked the Emperor who'd lost his smile. Vader was slowly trying to rise to his feet, the respirator quite damaged, but to no avail. His muscles were twitching from the aftershock. "You will not hinder me now, not when you have only minutes to save yourself."
Then the Emperor turned away from them, with his red guard, and left them behind. Vader could feel Padmé clinging to him, her emotions sorrowful. He again tried rising to his feet, using all his might to breath, despite the pain. Padmé straightened, despite her tears, and helped him to his feet. She struggled under his weight, having only just started recovering, but got him to his feet, nonetheless.
"The hyperbaric chamber… on the ship.", was what he could manage, spots forming before his eyes.
Slowly, they exited the house, and Vader could feel the presence of the Emperor drifting away. The darkness of the night made the way difficult to navigate, but Padmé pressed forward. Vader could hear her heavy breathing and did everything in his limited power to lift the burden. Finally, the ships were in view, but his vision was fading in and out. They stumbled into the ship, and by that point he couldn't feel the air in his lungs. The sight of Padmé was fading, even as she watched him with worry.
"We're inside the chamber Anakin!", she cried her words getting further away.
He simply pointed to a button, which she pressed quickly, and the chamber closed around them both. The air filled the special room and Vader struggled with the mask in this state. It would only hinder him now, and she seemed to catch on. She lifted the helmet first and then reached for his face covering. It too came back and immediately a rush of air could fill his broken lungs.
He'd been deprived of oxygen so long, that he couldn't see Padmé at first, for which he was thankful. His vision was blessedly full of darkness. Slowly however, the vision returned to him and noticed the outlines of her face returning. To his surprise, she was watching him with concern, but no traces of horror or disdain.
"He's gone after Luke.", she stated, and Vader only nodded, focusing on his son.
He's coming for you, son. Get out now, he warned, screaming this warning in the Force.
Then, he slumped forward, the world going dark.
Luke heard the warning of his father and a great weight settled on him. His shock only lasted a minute, for he reached out in the Force to sense his friends. Leia was alright, but for Han, he sensed danger lurking. Immediately he turned on his comm unit.
"Han! Han, do you read me?", he called out with urgency.
"I read you kid.", came the quick response of the smuggler. "What happened?"
"You've got enemy targets heading your way!", Luke called out. "I don't know where, but you're in danger."
"Enemies, what—Oh, I see them!", Han called back, and Luke could hear the roar of the Falcon's engines. "I'm coming to get you kid."
"No, find Leia and then trace my comm.", Luke ordered sliding behind a wall. "I can get out of a tight spot."
"Fine, but don't get yourself killed.", came the gruff response of the smuggler. Chewie roared in the background. "I'm closing in on them now. Stay hidden."
"I will.", Luke replied shutting off his comm.
Luke walked into an open courtyard, waiting on the edge it for the Falcon to land. While waiting, he could feel the presence of something much darker approaching. Panic began to fill his being, but he admonished himself, releasing his feelings into the Force. Immediately he was comforted despite the presence that sought to hunt or destroy him. Artoo beeped worriedly next to him and he patted the droids head comfortingly.
It was ten standard minutes later, but it felt like an eternity.
He heard the roar of engines, and he let out a sigh. The Falcon landed in the courtyard and stragglers scrambled out of the way of the impromptu landing. Quickly both the droid and Luke approached the ship. Artoo immediately rolled into the lowered ramp and Luke made to follow up. He was about halfway up when an invisible force dragged him down. His body slammed onto the cobbled ground near the bottom of the ramp.
"Luke!", Leia cried, and he scrambled to turn while on the ground.
The young Jedi grew fearful, witnessing the source of the pull, trying to quell the dread rising within him. On the other side of the courtyard, stood a cloaked figure, darkness emanating from him. At his sides were guards dressed in red, waiting back as the old man approached. Luke didn't know whether to run or to confront. He was sure that either option wouldn't end well for him, so he stood paralyzed in fear.
Then, as if a sign from the Force itself, a blaster shot rang out.
Sidious deflected it in surprise, but then came several more from his friends on the Falcon. There was also the gun from the Falcon. Knowing that this was his chance, and that his friends were saving him, he raced back to the ramp while the Sith was deflecting the weapons. He'd barely made it up the ramp, when several of his friend's blasters were pulled from their hands. Nonetheless they ducked inside once Luke entered. Han grabbed on to the back of his shirt, keeping him anchored, and then shouted.
"Get us out of her now!"
The ramp closed and the sight of the man with glowing eyes was cut off from Luke's view. He stumbled as the ship jostled, rising into the air, and raced with Han to the cockpit. The Falcon was straining.
"What do you mean there's a drag?", demanded Han, after Chewie growled a response. "From where?"
"The Emperor.", Luke answered, and they both glanced down at the courtyard from the window.
"Now that's not fair.", muttered Han to himself.
The cloaked figure was there, hands raised, and pulling at their ship. Behind him, Luke could feel the fear of his friends, and the new passengers, and knew he had to act. Luke centered himself once again and remembered the knowledge that Yoda had passed to him. He reached out, feeling the living beings of the planet, the Force in between them, and felt for the statue at the center of the large courtyard. Its weight was heavy, but he knew that it could be done.
Size matters not, he reminded himself, and the object shifted, but didn't fall.
"Artoo, get the coordinates ready!", Han called, his voice distant to Luke.
You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you... me... the tree... the rock... everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that ship!
Luke furrowed his brows and concentrated on this energy, truly feeling it between the Falcon and the statue. He had seen it done before, and he believed it could happen now. Through the Force, this was possible.
Suddenly, the metal effigy of the Emperor, toppled and was sent falling directly down towards the Sith. Immediately the Falcon shifted as it was let go, while the Emperor was distracted. Luke fell back, breathing heavily, and Han laughed.
"And we're out of here!", cried the smuggler. "Great job kid!"
Luke only breathed steadily, only briefly thinking of what had just happened. Silently, he focused on reaching out in the Force for the presence of his father. It was there, weakly pulsing in the Force, but there. With all his might, he tried letting his father know he was alive, not really knowing why. He only got to feel his father's presence for a moment before the Falcon shifted into hyperspace. The presence of his father was beyond reach now.
Vader woke briefly, breathing while in the chamber. Padmé was in the cockpit, moving the vessel, but that was no what woke him. He felt Luke reach out for him, and he was only able to answer with his living presence. Then there was a sense of emptiness the moment Luke escaped. Despite this, he let out a sigh of relief.
The world around him went dark as he succumbed to exhaustion once more.
A/N: And this is sort of a cliffhanger-ish, though I hope this chapter ended on a more satisfying note than the last. What do you all think of my writing of the Emperor? His motivations aren't difficult to imagine, but his manipulations are. He's one of the few villains that tell the truth even while manipulating someone, which I find very fascinating.
Special shoutout to RyanSquad, MMM73181, ichigo urahara Shihoin, Jeda31, and Reconzilla117 for reviewing the last chapter! I appreciate all of your continued feedback! And a big thank you to those who've favorited and followed my story! I still love seeing that my story is enjoyed, and I hope you all will continue to enjoy where this goes! If you enjoyed, please don't hesitate to let me know! Thank you all for reading :)