Hello again, this chapter is late… like by a month. I'm very sorry, but time flew away from me. In return this chapter is the longest so far with 5,739 words.
Um… Darth Disney, I'm sorry please don't kill me. Star Wars belongs to you, right? Will you stop haunting me now?
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Leia groaned as she woke up. Drowsy and not fully awake she climbed out of the bed and stumbled to the door, or where she thought the door was. Grimacing in pain, she stopped and looked around her room, wondering why the door had moved. To her surprise, she was not in her room or any place she recognized.
Fear filled her as she looked around, trying to understand what was happening. Near her a couple of items began to shake. Leia backed away slowly, as the items began to move more rapidly. Then everything stopped.
Leia looked up hesitantly, to see Lord Vader. He stood there for a moment, lacking his normal cloak and surveyed the room.
"What do you want for breakfast Leia?
Leia blinked stupidly, "Breakfast?"
He stared at her and left the room and she could have sworn she heard him say, "This is going to be a long day."
She stayed still, as she heard him leave and again surveyed the room. The last thing she could remember was falling asleep at the medical facility. Despite her best efforts, she could not understand where she was or how she got here. She rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe out the last remnants of sleepiness.
The room was very drab and lacking anything besides the basics. On the side was the bed she had slept in. There was nothing special in the room or indicative of where she was. Perhaps she was in prison, but it was rather doubtful the door would be unlocked then or that she would have a bed. From what she understood, the Empire did not provide care for their prisoners. It was pointless to waste money on someone who would soon be dead.
Her stomach growled loudly causing her to wince. Perhaps she should have some breakfast; she couldn't remember the last time she ate. Slowly she walked up to the door, which easily slid open. The hallway she entered was just as depressing as her room.
"Who decorated this place?" she muttered to herself.
A voice spoke next to her, "I know, like seriously is there anything here which isn't white, black, or some shade in between?"
Startled Leia turned around and recognized Tim. He was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed in front of him, in an imperial uniform. A cocky grin, one which she was beginning
to associate with him, adorned his face. Leia looked at him curiously, as she felt his apprehension, but overwhelming happiness.
"Where am I Tim?" She asked as her stomach grumbled again.
Tim laughed and walked up to her to ruffle her hair, "I think you need some breakfast."
She nodded, as he began to lead her away. He hadn't told her where she was. Following Tim, she took notice of her surroundings, which were increasingly bare. The farther she went from her room, the less there was to see. Before there had been the occasional window or painting of the Emperor, perhaps a fine piece of art. Now there was nothing, but the Imperial logo.
Leia's nose wrinkled involuntarily, as she entered the room. Noise permeated the air and struck her ear drums. The area's primary use, seemed to be for droids in the preparation of food. A droid whizzed past her carrying a large container, which she assumed had food. Tim, having walked deep into the dangerous layer of machinery, returned with a small plate.
Shouting over the loud din, "Let's go somewhere else to eat."
Vigorously nodding, Leia took her plate and left the room. There was no reason for her to stay in the kitchen. Tim led her to another room, which contained a large table and a screen in the back. Tim smiled at her, sat down in a chair, and put his feet on the table. He happily ignored the glare Leia shot him and began to fiddle with his uniform, much to Leia's annoyance.
Sighing she took a seat and began to eat her breakfast, which was surprisingly tasteful. She still did not know where she was. Finishing her meal with gusto, she looked at Tim who appeared to be in his own world. Every now and then a goofy smile would creep on his face.
A cold feeling warned her that Lord Vader was near and she turned to look at the door. Next to her Tim continued to stare off into distant space. Leia took the opportunity to study Tim. The man was a complete mystery to her and instinct told her there was more to him than met the eye. He seemed to never have a care in the galaxy, and consistently disregarded everyone else, yet danger clung to him.
The hiss of Lord Vader's respirator drew her out of her musings. He was standing in the doorway in all his dark glory. He had reacquired his cloak and his lightsaber dangled on his belt ready for use. Vader stared at Tim, who had blinked his eyes open, but only clenched his hands. Seeing that Tim maintained his leisurely posture, of having his feet on the table, Vader began to choke him.
Leia stared at Tim in horror as his hands came up to his throat to pry off the invisible fingers that gripped there. Tim had shown blatant disrespect, but Leia didn't believe that he deserved to die from asphyxiation.
"Please don't," she whispered.
Lord Vader turned to look at her and dropped Tim. He stared at her silently for a while and Leia shifted uncomfortably and averted her eyes from the dark mask. Danger hummed around him unlike all their meetings in the Senate. Darkness was swirling around the cyborg and Leia could feel that today he was not to be trifled with.
Finally Vader spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "The Emperor calls. You have free roam of the premises, but I expect you to adhere to the guards and not enter restricted areas," he paused and turned his head, "Clean the room. I will be having a meeting here later."
Leia nodded mutely and watched him leave. Part of her wanted to call out and wish him good luck or at least to be safe, but she didn't. When the dark presence completely vacated the room, or subsided to normal amounts, Leia realized she had forgotten to ask where she was.
Leia rounded on Tim, who was still recovering on the ground, "Where am I?"
Tim stood up gingerly and rubbed his throat, then opened his mouth, which he closed with audible snap. He then continued to rub his throat, completely ignoring Leia.
"Tim! I could berate you for being such an idiot, but I won't, for now, if you tell me where I am!"
Tim looked up and grinned cheekily, "You care Princess? I'm surprised, but anything can happen. And for where we are, well it should be obvious as Darth Worshipfulness was strutting about, we're in the Lair of DOOM!"
Leia crossed her arms, unimpressed, "The Lair of Doom? I don't know, but couldn't you have come up with a better name than that?"
Tim gave a theatrical sigh, "I'm afraid not Princess, as I'm woefully understaffed and therefore do not have enough time to come up with an appropriate name. If you want you may make a generous donation to NamServ Inc. so that I may increase our staff and find a better name. Until then, Vader's palace will be known as 'The Lair of Doom'."
A shudder went down Leia's spine as she regarded Tim, who continued to rant about being underemployed. Either Tim was the galaxy's greatest genius and the greatest master of deceit since the Emperor or a hopeless idiot. Tim may act like an idiot, but Leia had seen that he did behold intelligence and she worried at the implications.
"Tim," pausing hesitantly and then began to shake her head desperately as Tim jumped on the table, "Stop that! Do you want to be killed?"
He, the nerf-herder, smiled at her and jumped down gracefully, "Nope. I should clean up your breakfast though because we don't want to be here when Lord Darthness shows up again and sees a dirty conference room."
Whispering slightly, "Tim?"
"Yes Princess?"
"Please tell me you don't have a crazy convoluted scheme which requires you to act like an idiot." Leia said almost praying that such was not the case.
Tim stepped back and brought his hands over his heart, "You wound me Leia! How can a Princess strike such a mortal blow?"
He then left the room with the dishes. Leia shook her head, not missing the fact that Tim hadn't answered her question, again. She was definitely not reassured. Pushing thoughts of the roguish man, who had saved her, from her mind, she sought out to explore the dark brooding castle. The logical part of her said that inanimate objects didn't brood, but there was no other way to describe the feeling that hung in the air and clung to the walls of the corridors.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Bail Organa sat in the small cafe where he had met Mon Mothma last time. She was late. He took another sip of his Caf, as he glanced outside the window observing the Coruscant skies. A long time ago he would marvel at the sight of tall gracious buildings and colorful speeders flitting through the sky. Now, the sky was dull and lifeless. The buildings still stood tall as before, but they had lost their shining appeal. The sky was filled primarily with the dull gray imperial shuttles transporting lowly people. The bright and lively speeders were nearly extinct, belonging only to the rich or senators.
"Senator Organa?" interrupted a voice.
He turned around to face the cold face of an imperial, "Y...Yes"
"I will have to ask you to come with me."
Bail's eyes widened, "Excuse me? I'm hoping to have lunch with a friend."
The imperial smiled at him coldly, "Senator Mothma, I know. We have already taken her in."
"We?"
"Other members of my organization," the man stopped talking and grabbed Bail's arm,
as he began to pull him out of his seat.
Outraged, Bail yanked his arm back, "I will not be manhandled! Where are your orders from even? I'd love to speak to your superior."
A pair of cuffs slapped on his wrists, "The Emperor."
The two words rung through his head and he stopped resisting. Possibilities ran through his head at what the man could want. Yet, was the Emperor a man. He had with one command slaughtered the Jedi Order. He had given life to the monster known as Darth Vader. Yoda had been defeated by him. Nothing could stop the Emperor.
The Emperor. The two words sent chills down his spine. He wondered if the Emperor had discovered his illicit activities. Dread settled in his stomach, they had Mon. Perhaps they hadn't been as careful as they believed. He had no doubt the Emperor could tear the information out of his mind. If he did that, then he would know of the Skywalker twins. The last hope in the galaxy to defeat the Sith would be destroyed. Vader would find Obi-Wan and destroy him, Yoda would follow suit soon after.
Leia. She would suffer the most. Vader already had her in his claws, but if the monstrosity thought that Bail had more information, the he wouldn't hesitate to hurt her. Leia. For her sake he would have to be strong, to hold onto the faint distant hope. He was manipulative, but she was his daughter and he loved her. He wanted what was the best for her. Perhaps if he died, then she would be safe, but there was no guarantee. He would do what was best for Leia. She was his anchor.
"I'm sorry Leia, for failing you," he whispered. The Imperial marching him to the shuttle, looked slightly confused at him. If Bail made it out alive, he would put aside his differences and make sure Leia was safe. Already plans hurtled through his head. He would have to deal with Vader, but on the other hand the last time he had seen Leia items had been rattling like crazy around her.
He had been such a fool, an idiot as Vader had called him and he realized it now. He was dragging Leia into a fight she hadn't chosen. Leia was her own person and he shouldn't be making decisions for her. She should choose her fight. In his desperation to turn Leia from the rebellion to the reinstallation of the Republic, he had overlooked that Leia was a young girl. Due to his mistake Vader had control over her. What his intentions to his daughter were, Bail did not know. Vader knew she was Force-sensitive which was already dangerous, but he had also ranted against Bail for being an idiot, repeating the same spiel that Obi-Wan had given him. It made him wonder if he could actually care for her. Yet the idea was so ludicrous, that he had to disregard it. Vader was a power hungry monster who enjoyed other's pain. His only interest with Leia was her Force-sensitivity and the ability she gave him over Bail. Vader knew that Bail cared for his daughter and must have given that little spiel because Bail had thrown a wrench in his plans. He had to free Leia from that monster before he tried to turn her into a Sith.
The Imperial shoved him rudely out of the shuttle, having landed before the Imperial Palace. The tall walls loomed around him, striking fear in his heart, which was probably the point.
A small buzz caused the Imperial to pause and pull out of his comm. He listened for a minute before turning it off and facing Bail again.
"It seems that the Emperor has taken, well let's say, a personal interest in you. So instead of being held in the detention center along with all the other Senators, you will be shown to the Emperor's luxurious throne room."
Bail swallowed and stared the guard in his eyes, "After you then my friend. I'll be sure to inform the Emperor of your woefully wrong mistreatment of me."
"Yes, be sure to do that," the Imperial hissed back.
Walking through the entrance, Bail took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and began to raise rudimentary shields against mental probes, as Yoda had taught him. At the last second, he turned back to look at the sky, knowing very well he might never see it again. The sky no longer was the vibrant thing it had been during the times of the Republic, yet it was the sky and that was mattered. His only regret was he never got to make it up to Leia or kiss her goodbye.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Darth Vader kneeled in front of his Master, his cape settling evenly around him. The artificial limbs pushed against his bones, driving lances of pain at him. Vader steeled himself to remain in such a position and tucked the pain behind his carefully constructed mental shields.
"What is thy bidding my Master?"
His Master leaned forward from his throne, blue Force-lightning weaving between his feathers, "Report Vader."
Vader inclined his head further in submission, "My home was attacked and the Princess also suffered injuries. I'm still investigating who planned the attack as they had inside information. I've also acquired a Jedi. He is being rather... uncooperative."
"So he is still alive?"
"Yes Master."
His Master reclined in his chair and murmured to himself, "So that must be the disturbance I've felt."
Vader almost sighed in relief, knowing Leia was safe from his Master.
"And what of the Princess," his Master asked.
Any relief Vader had felt disappeared, "The Princess?"
His Master gave a low chuckle, "Why, my spies inform me that you took her to your home. I wish to know why."
"I," he bowed his head further down, "I suspect her father might have had dealings with those that attacked my home. The Jedi was also after her. Organa is desperate and I do not know what stunts he will pull, so I thought it would be for the best that the Princess remains with me until the situation is dealt with."
A blast of Force-lightning knocked Vader to the ground and he hissed in pain.
His Master walked closer to Vader's prone form, "You, Vader, must learn your place. You're like a small child, pushing the boundaries and the only thing that will retrain you is firm discipline."
Vader pushed himself slightly off the ground to face his Master. He was no child.
"My dear apprentice, you grow weak. The Princess is weakening you. Does she remind you of something you lost? Do you think that by protecting her you can atone for murdering your unborn child? Padme begged you to let go as you choked the life out of her. She died at your hand Vader, never forget that."
"Stop!" Vader yelled unleashing a powerful Force-blast.
His Master replied by increasing the amount of Force-lightning, "Stop what? The truth? You killed her. You killed your child. In your anger you destroyed her and ripped the life out of her body. She was your enemy, so you killed her. And do not deny it. She'd hate you, hate everything about you. Didn't she already hate you?" he paused thoughtfully, "Kenobi and her betrayed you. What did she ever love about you?"
"No," Vader refuted, "She loved me and I loved her."
"A slave boy? Really? What are you, an idiot? She was a Queen, a successful Senator, a beauty that caused all beings to turn around in envy. You had nothing to your name. There was nothing you could offer her. You think she wanted your love?" his Master asked, spitting out the last word like venom.
"She accepted my love. It was good enough for her."
Laughing, "You were a tool to her, a slave to her whims. She made you weak!"
The Force-lightning relented and Vader resumed his kneeling position. Every word that the Emperor spoke tore a hole through his heart. His traitorous mind whispered to him, that his Master was right. He had been just a slave, from an outer rim world. What could an angel ever want with him?
The Emperor sat back down, "Now you seek to replace the girl you always wanted... I will destroy your weaknesses. My apprentice cannot be weak," he paused and continued on a different trend, "I'm not entirely displeased with your acquisition of the Princess. This will prove fruitful for my plans. Before our guest arrives, I would like to remind you of the upcoming ball. You'll be required to attend, despite any problems in the military. The government will be fine if you take a break for one evening."
"Guest, Master?"
"Oh you know him Vader, just wait."
His Master's words did not placate Vader, but he remained silent. It would be wonderful to kill the old man, if just to avoid attending social functions. There was no purpose in his attendance. It would be a frivolous function with numerous senators in attendance who would grate on his nerves. The pests would swarm him and try to leech off him, with the worst trying to appeal to him. His body shuddered as he remembered the last social function. Padmé may have betrayed him, but he would not do the same. She was his wife first and foremost.
The door behind him, slid open and Senator Organa stumbled inside with his hands cuffed. Vader bit back a snarl as he saw the man. He sent a light probe towards Organa and found basic shields. He sighed in relief, knowing that his Master would not find out about Leia's Force-sensitivity.
"My my," exclaimed the emperor, "Why is the dear Senator in cuffs? What is he going to do, run away?"
"Yes," Vader mumbled, but the Vocalizer caught the sound and both Organa and his Master heard it.
"I'm not going to run Vader. I'm sure that you'd love me to do so because then your Master will let you off your leash to play fetch."
Vader scowled at Organa and vowed to kill him as soon as possible, no one could blame him if the man unfortunately suffered cardiac arrest.
His Master glared at him, "Why can't the two of you be nice to each other? I'll be very displeased if any other altercation happens between you two. Bail is our friend."
Glancing at Organa, Vader noticed that he was wearing a skeptical look. Considering the senator's position, Vader would also be.
The Emperor waved his hands and the cuffs fell off Organa's hand, "Now why don't you all be polite and introduce yourself to each other."
Organa walked forward with his hand outstretched, "It's such a pleasure to meet you Lord Vader. I adore your charming personality."
Vader glared at the offered hand, his Master had not given him permission to rise, and Organa knew that. The Senator offered a hand that he could not accept.
"Why Senator I find your techniques charming. Perhaps you should consider another occupation where I'd prefer your skills."
The Emperor let out a little groan, "Both of you are acting like children! I thought Imperial Center was the place of the civilized."
Vader turned to Organa, "My apologies. It's just your wonderful personality and I felt I needed to compliment it."
Organa glared at him back, "Sometimes I forget who I'm talking to because you remind me of an old friend."
Vader felt his anger rising and released a Force-push that threw Organa against a wall. The Senator groaned and struggled to his feet.
"Vader!" Palpatine shouted.
"Sorry Master," Vader replied not meaning it at all.
The hard look in Palpatine's eyes warned Vader that he would be facing consequences soon, "Let's get back to business, unless you wish to create more disturbances."
"No Master."
"Good," His Master turned to face Organa, "It has come to my attention that there are treasonous parties in the Senate… I'm sure that you are not among them, but with how nefarious dissenters are becoming, people may be upset. I'm afraid that with your name on the Delegation of Two Thousand, certain people will suspect you. I of course applaud the actions you took, as it proves your loyalty, but others might not see it in the same way."
Organa bowed to the Emperor, "I am humbled by your trust in me, but what am I able to
do? I'm just a lowly Senator."
Vader rolled his eyes, secure in the fact that they were hidden behind the cursed mask. Both of them were playing the game of politics, saying words only to please. Each gesture had another meaning and was bait for a well concealed trap. Organa had foolishly walked into his Master's trap.
"Well," began the emperor, "I do wish to secure your safety. Lord Vader has been kind enough to take your daughter, Leia I believe, in custody for her protection."
The senator shot a grateful look at Vader. The corners of Vader's lips lifted upwards, knowing his plan had succeeded. His Master believed him and was unlikely to pry her Force-sensitivity from the Senator's mind.
His Master continued slowly, "I must agree with Vader. Your daughter will be safe with him from any people who may target her. It is for the best that she stays with him for now, at least until this entire matter is settled. The citizens of the Empire won't doubt your loyalty as much if you were seen spending more time with the… loyalists. Of course I need proof of your loyalty… I require you to simply support a couple of bills I'm passing."
A small frown appeared on the Senator's face, "I will do that. You're a very generous Emperor."
The Emperor smiled cruelly, "I expect your loyalty Bail. You'll find betraying me to be very unpleasant… for yourself and your daughter. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Organa replied, fear washing off of him in the Force.
"Then you are dismissed."
"Thank you," Organa bowed again and made a hurried departure.
Once the doors of the throne room were closed, Sidious blasted his apprentice with Force-lightning, "You dare to oppose my wishes Vader!"
Vader wisely remained silent.
"Let me make something clear, you live at my consent. Without me you are nothing and you'd be wise to remember that."
"Yes Master."
The Force-lightning ceased, "Yes Master. You really love saying that as if it will ease your punishment. Perhaps you should learn some respect, and how to give it!"
"I will strive to do better Master."
"Oh, you will try Vader… or you will face the consequences… Now go!"
Vader stood up and gave his Master a short bow, grateful that he was finally able to leave. His limbs felt as if the fires of Mustafar had taken a liking to them again. Just as he reached the door, from where he could finally escape his torture, his Master spoke again.
"And Vader, I wish to see the Princess before the ball."
He stood still in front of the door. If Leia did not learn to control her Force ability by then, his Master would find out about it and he'd be severely punished. His Master would also take her away to train, twisting her beyond recognition. Vader still wasn't sure what he wanted for her in terms of Force powers, but he didn't want her anywhere near the Emperor.
"It'll be done Master," he said.
The door closed behind him and Vader leaned against the wall, trying to ease his pain. He had to get to his Palace soon and retreat into his room. His vision was already starting to swim.
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Leia stared in awe at the giant egg. Her exploration of Vader's palace had been rather fruitless. Security had stopped her at every turn and she had nearly been carried off to the detention center. It made her wonder how anyone could get through Vader's security or if an upgrade had taken effect after the attack. Finally she had investigated the locked door at the end of an unguarded hallway.
Perhaps she should have taken the locked door to mean "Stay Out," but curiosity had driven her forward. To enter the room, she had to get past the lock. The only problem was that she couldn't find the place to palm the door. It had therefore been a shock, when the door had slid open on its own.
The room was sparse and Leia had been initially disappointed there was nothing of interest behind the mysterious locked door, except the giant egg. The egg was black, contrary to its surroundings.
Slowly Leia crept forward and hesitantly touched it. The surface was smooth, allowing her fingers to glide along the surface easily. Her exploration of the egg revealed a deep groove. She followed it around the egg and returned to where she started. She presumed that it was possible for the thing to open. The question was how.
Further inspection of the egg revealed no results and Leia was becoming discouraged. It
was boring if the egg did simply nothing, a waste of her time. She gave the door a longing look, but sighed and looked back at the egg. The egg was the first thing she had found that was interesting, and she was not going to give up because she didn't know how to open it. The thing surely had an opening mechanism somewhere in the room. She should be able to find where it is.
For the next few minutes Leia combed the room for any hidden mechanism. Finally she sat down behind the egg, trying to figure out a new plan. It was then that Leia heard the door sliding open.
Leia held herself deathly still as she waited, then came the eerie sound of Lord Vader's respirator. She pushed herself against the wall as she waited, hearing her own heart thrum in her chest. Then the man stumbled.
Perhaps it was the knowledge of the stumble that caused her to observe Lord Vader and risk detection or perhaps it was the knowledge she couldn't escape. Whatever the reason, it did not change the fact that Lord Vader was stumbling into the room, leaning against the wall. He leaned against the wall for a second before shoving himself again.
Leia watched in horror, someone had been able to hurt him. He projected an image of invulnerability, of strength. It was inconceivable that he could be hurt.
Lord Vader let out a sound that sounded similar to a groan, followed by a chain of words in a foreign language. For the first time Leia wondered upon his origin, if he was always the black menace. Could it be that he had once been another person, someone who had loved? Perhaps he had been like her father, but she didn't believe that her father would ever change himself into something as cold and ruthless as Lord Vader. What could push him into such desperation, to commit his heinous acts?
Without thinking Leia ran forward to help support Lord Vader. He gave no reaction but to lean on her. She grunted slightly at the unexpected weight, but remained standing. A wave of his hand caused the egg to open like a giant maw.
Stumbling, Darth Vader clambered in and fell into the chair in the center. Immediately the egg began to close. Desperately Leia tried to run out, but a hand clamped on her wrist prevented her from moving. The egg closed and robotic arms began to move around Lord Vader and a hissing sound dominated the room. Leia did not understand the purpose of the egg, but she didn't wish to risk staying inside it. Already, she was beginning to feel dizzy.
Lord Vader groaned next to her, and sat more upright. His black helmet turned and the soulless eyes of the helmet gazed at her. She winced internally, as he stared at her. She broke eye contact as the world seemed to sway again around her.
The egg opened up again and an invisible push caused her to stumble out. The door opened again and Leia ran, as the egg closed again.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Vader gave an inaudible sigh of relief, as he watched Leia flee. He would have to question Leia later on how she had gotten into his room. Nobody got into his room.
The machinery whirred around him, taking off his helmet and treating the burns caused by the Force-lightning. Resigned to a long wait, he began to meditate.
He was on a ship, with dead men lying on the ground. Around him Stormtroopers bustled around, presumably taking prisoners. His body moves on its own accord and he grabs the neck of one of one of the officers as he holds him against the wall. An imperial officer rushes up to him.
"The Death Star plans are not in the main computer."
His fingers tighten around his victim's neck, "Where are those transmissions you intercepted?"
There is no reply and the scene swirls out of focus. Now he is walking along a dark corridor, flanked by two imperial officers. Behind him floats an interrogation droid, a design he was not yet familiar with. They stop in front of a door and it slides open to reveal Leia's frightened face.
Once again the scene swirls out of focus, despite Vader's best attempts. He needed to know what was happening. This time there was a banquet laid out on a table in front of him. In the corner he recognized the familiar suit of armor of the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett. The door began to slide open and he regarded it with dread. What would it show to him now?
Leia stood beside a young man, who had taken out his blaster and began firing at him. The scene paused and Vader looked around, noticing the wookie and strange caped man who were also there. He moved and nothing happened. Indecision hung in the air and Vader hoped desperately that it meant that he could change the future.
He did not want to think about Leia betraying him. She had no reason to be loyal, yet he was attached. There was something there, and he did not believe she'd willingly hurt him. He had been wrong before, he thought bitterly, Padmé betrayed him.
He moved forward and nothing happened. He began to walk closer to Leia, to look at her and see her face. The young man's hand grasped her arm, seemingly having shoved her behind him. Vader wasn't sure how he felt about that. Leia's face revealed nothing incriminating, just surprise. The dinner party hadn't been prearranged apparently. The scene began to move again, but this time slowly. Her face morphed into fright, but then another Leia lept out and ran into Vader's arm. Another took the young man's gun, while another ran away and got shot down by Stormtroopers. Possibilities ran before Vader, some preferable and some driving a lightsaber into his heart.
Possibilities…
A smile crept onto Vader's face. He would be able to influence this scene. It was up to his discretion. He wondered what he wanted, but one image wouldn't leave his mind. Leia running up to him and hugging him, while the young man hesitantly lowered his gun and looked on in confusion.
He had a chance to decide his future for once, and he would take it, once he knew what he wanted. Vader wasn't weak, but Leia hugging him and he stooping down to return it, touched him. There was something special about it, and contrary to what his Master would see, Vader did not see weakness. He saw strength… and love.
Darth Vader slowly exited his meditation as the pod opened. The mask was once again covering his face, but he looked around and for once he wasn't feeling dejected. He had hope, an unusual thing for a Sith, but he had it and he clung to it.
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Will saying sorry help? It's actually funny, people were reviewing please update and I thought, "Didn't I just update… Oops?"
I hope everyone like this chapter, which mostly functions as a filler chapter, but I feel as if there is more stuff happening in it than normal. Until next time, hopefully sooner than later.