8 BBY

SENATE APARTMENT COMPLEX, CORUSCANT

Highly trained commandos outside her room didn't make her feel secure. Sure, they were to be trusted given that her father had chosen them, but what they were defending her against chilled her. The fact they were necessary terrified her. Someone coming to take her life was a real possibility now. Granted, she wouldn't go down easy, but it was quite frightening to consider.

Then again, her father wouldn't have allowed this song and dance if he wasn't sure of her ability to at least defend herself. She hoped this wasn't one of those times where his love for her blinded him.

After she'd gone about her waking routine, most of the thoughts that had kept her up were gone. Until she realized they were gone, of course, which began a cycle of remembering and forgetting.

Leia elected to forego her training until after school as a result. She was tired as it was. After showering she climbed sleepily into her new uniform. The tunic was long sleeved with a funnel collar, and the pants she tucked it into were equally mundane. Stripes ran down the sides of the sleeves and pants, the number denoting her year, she guessed. She almost forgot the lighter vest that went over the ensemble after mistaking it for a pillowcase. The only splash of color on the gray uniform was the school's insignia above the code cylinder pockets- a blue bird.

She was infinitely grateful to all the higher powers of the universe that her favorite boots complied with the dress code- a dark maroon pair of fire-resistant lava eelskin boots from home. They were a gift from her father from some time ago, and perhaps she had chosen them because he was so far away. Leia was embarrassed to admit that she missed him already.

Captain Natha was raring to go, standing a reasonable distance from the door but waiting just the same. "Good morning, mi- Leia."

"Good morning," she yawned.

"Here you are," she said, handing a code cylinder to her. "The droid just finished your breakfast. We should leave in half a standard hour."

Leia eyed the thing before putting it in her pocket. "What's this for?"

"It's your dispensation. For your lightsaber," she answered.

She grabbed her lightsaber from her hip in disbelief. "I wasn't planning on taking this. It's a dangerous weapon!"

Natha bowed her head. "Lord Vader predicted you'd say that. I am to keep you from attending if you don't take it with you."

Well, not using it went along with not bringing it. She'd just put it in her satchel and forget about it, then. Although she was certain that she'd never be able to stop thinking about it. "I'll take it…"

"Very good," she said. Leia could feel the stress building within the young woman.

She took a seat at the dining table where a simple breakfast of gartro eggs, assorted fruit, and a slice of bread. Leia mumbled gratitude to the housekeeping droid and began to scarf it down. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Yes, thank you," she said, resigning herself to observe the Coruscanti traffic.

"Are you from the Core?" she asked after sipping from her glass of water.

The Captain turned to her after a pause. As if she hadn't heard her. "Goodness, no. I'm from Bespin, in the Outer Rim."

"What's that like? Anything like here?"

"No, it's a gas giant, so we live above the clouds in a habitable zone. Everything there is made of white synthstone and so very sleek. It's a modern take on Alderaanian architecture," she explained.

"Sounds beautiful," she said dreamily. Even though it was the site she's been held after her initial kidnapping, Alderaan held a place in her heart. When they came to her attention, she could spend hours looking at images of the snowy mountains, the graceful fauna, and just how elegant even the simplest building was.

"It is."

Artoo came from one of the guest rooms, already trilling his usual greetings. He wasted no time in rolling up to the droid in the kitchen. Captain Natha's ears went red as she averted her eyes from the two.

"These working conditions are outside my comfort parameters," the droid said. Seeing a reprogrammed BX-Series Commando Droid being bullied by Artoo was nothing short of hilarious to her.

Leia couldn't wipe the stupid and curious smirk off of her face. "What did he say?"

"Something… incredibly vulgar about 4A-J0's inferiority to a 'C-3PO.' I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with a droid of that designation."

"That doesn't sound familiar to me either," she said, wolfing down the rest of her meal. Artoo didn't regularly get his memory wiped like other droids, to her knowledge. Of course, that wasn't counting the year or so he'd erased himself. The year she'd been out of her father's possession.

Artoo swiveled toward the captain, beeping slowly. "He says that's for the best?"

"I guess I'll never know."

"Are you quite finished, Leia?" the droid asked.

She raised from her seat and handed her dishes to the droid. All the signs pointed that this would be a good day. It was a new beginning, and nothing would ruin it, despite the mynocks in her stomach.

NABOO

It wasn't to be a pleasant experience. That much was evident from the moment he dropped out of hyperspace. The beacon was directing him to Naboo itself, not an orbiting body like Rori or Veruna.

The Force was being… uncooperative. Only flashes and feelings of what was to come came to him when he sought guidance. They all showed pain. If not for his daughter's security, he might have called off the mission, sending only troopers to deal with the potential threat.

Wishful thinking, he realized as he honed in on the signal. He was coming upon a set of mountains housing a large valley. He hesitated to confirm it as the Lake Country, but eventually he could stomach it. Vader passed over an expansive waterfall, observing the Shaak grazing with disdain. All reminders of now bloodstained happy times.

As he approached the shore of one of the bigger, more familiar lakes, his sinking feeling increased. Still, he approached. In the name of his daughter's safety. Dread nevertheless filled him as he came into proximity with the source of the signal- Varykino- the Naberrie family retreat among… other things.

Vader stabilized his TIE Advanced over the beach before climbing out and leaping feet first in the sand.

The place had become dilapidated, he realized, taking in the exterior's state. It was crumbling as a result of its abandonment. Plantlife had made its home over the walls and through one of the broken windows. Even the beach was littered with driftwood and other debris. Time had not been kind to it. He wouldn't either, he decided, storming to one of the entrances. He sent what was left of a door crashing to the opposite wall.

All of his momentum faltered when he arrived in the dining area. Though it was covered in moss, the dining table brought more than a few memories to his mind.

He found himself unable to quell his own recollections. Though he never had talent with psychometry, the Force echoed to him as he ran a hand over the table.

"Aggressive negotiations? What's that?" Padmé giggled.

He recoiled as if it were poisonous, returning his hand to his side immediately. Out came his datapad, and he waved it around in an attempt to divulge the location of the scout transmitter.

It led him to the sitting room. The hearth hadn't been lit for a lifetime. Vader brushed against the couch as he followed the signal.

"We can't… it's just not… possible," she lamented. Another echo.

"Mn," a grunt escaped his vocoder. It was almost painful how much he didn't want to reminisce. His head throbbed.

When he was certain the room was clear, he absentmindedly followed the signal outside to a balcony. The balcony he'd been betrothed on. Vader accepted he was being distracted by his feelings, but he did not care. They merely fueled the dark fire within him. He reached out his hands to the railing slowly, as if they'd burn him.

Although the sun was far from setting, he was drawn to a time when it had been. When things were simpler. When he had been a foolish boy in love.

"Hands up," a familiar voice said, although he was certain it was no vision or trick of the mind. Even the Force was not so cruel.

Unconcerned and optimistic, he cocked his head slowly and turned to see Her. "Padmé?" was his immediate reply.

Disbelief filled him as he observed her all-too familiar features. It was her in all capacities but the Force. Maybe, if she had lived, she would have changed, like he had, but-

It wasn't possible.

She raised her blaster, brow furrowing and rage brewing. "What did you just call me?"

Vader took a few breaths before taking a step toward her. She opened fire and he nonchalantly dispersed the blast in his palm, tossing her rifle to the wall. The not-so-stranger remained stone faced. Diplomatic and all-too familiar.

"Who are you..?" he asked after a pregnant pause. There was no conceivable way She could be standing before him. Still, a part of him begged to believe it was true.

She narrowed her eyes in a way he'd seen many times before. But… it was off. "You said it yourself. I am Padmé Amidala. Queen… Senator… Daughter of Naboo… Back from the dead to haunt you to your grave," she said.

Vader went from seeing his angel to seeing red.

She began to asphyxiate as he raised his hand. He'd seen that face struggle for breath before. On Mustafar.

"Let her down!" someone cried.

Vader did as commanded as soon as he was back in reality, but his mind remained elsewhere. He flexed his mechnohand a few times while looking at it. At least she didn't go limp as he released her. He hung his head shamefully. "Who are you?" he begged to know.

She scrambled to the wall where her blaster had landed, aiming it at him once again. "You're in no position to ask that question," she said, and he became aware of two other blasters trained at his back.

"Tell me," he begged. "Don't be afraid."

She scoffed. "I'm not afraid," she said, memories of when those words had been said to him on Geonosis. "I'm angry."

Vader scrutinized her further, noticing that despite her age, there were subtle differences to his wife. Miniscule ones. Ones so small he doubted himself even as his accusations were given form in his mind.

"I see it now," he said solemnly. "Padmé is dead. But you wear her face. Speak with her voice." He pointed at her. "You're the Queen's Shadow. A handmaiden."

They stood in silence for a few moments as he engrossed himself in the Dark Side to confirm his suspicions. Although she could not see, he closed his eyes.

"Years ago, on Coruscant, you broke into Padmé's quarters. You wanted to find out what happened to her. What did you learn?" he said, hoping she was just as in the dark.

"What kind of game is this? Padmé fell… and the Emperor ascended," she said spitefully. "He killed her, didn't he?

Vader trained his gaze to a spot on the floor. "That is certainly a possibility I have entertained."

Sometimes when he dreamed he vaguely recalled taking his first breaths through the mask while feeling Padmé's stop.

"Who are you?" she asked again gently.

"A mourner- the same as you," he said, turning to see a man with an eyepatch and another who didn't stand out. He somewhat was familiar too, he thought, as he turned to the handmaiden once more. "I discovered your transmitter in her quarters."

"You're Darth Vader…"

He cocked his head. "And you are Gregar Typho, correct?"

"Yeah," he said disdainfully.

"Why do you care so much?" the Shadow asked. "Why does the Empire care so much if Palpatine killed her?"

"I alone care for this matter. Despite what I've learned, the exact circumstances are still unclear," he said.

The man he couldn't place spoke up. "The Emperor might have killed her?"

"Did he or did he not. What evidence do you have?" the handmaiden asked. "If not him, then who?"

"You all served her. Walked at her procession. I imagine her pregnancy was known to you before the funeral," Vader said. He hadn't exactly been the most discrete around her security. On more than a few occasions they had been caught in compromising situations by staff members.

"Yes…" she said carefully.

"The health of both her and the child were never in question. And yet… I have it from reputable sources that she died in childbirth," he said. Perhaps these Naboo could be his allies. Discover the mystery that had deprived him of peace.

"That's what was reported," Typho said. "Anyone who knew her could realize that was a lie. No way someone as strong as her would up and die of complications."

Unfortunately that was wishful thinking. The Galaxy was highly unfair.

"In that deception there lies another," he began, and the room chilled. "Her unborn child was said to have perished as well. However, I know that to be untrue. Her daughter lives."

The handmaiden lowered her blaster, eyes wide. "What?"

"Perhaps that is enough of my generosity for now," he said, folding his arms. "What do you know?"

They were thirsty for knowledge as he was, but seemed to concede that to be fair. Perhaps the Naboo had come to realize the benefits of a partnership.

Typho broke the long silence that followed. "The… The last time I saw her was on Coruscant. Just after the Clone Troopers burned down the Jedi Temple. She insisted on flying to Mustafar alone…"

"Alone?" he said quietly.

But… Kenobi had been with her. He sensed no deception from the man even after much probing. The entire reason he'd lashed out at her…

Vader clenched his fists.

Typho lowered his head. "She insisted it was personal. I never should have let her go…"

"Mustafar is your domain, isn't it?" the handmaiden asked accusatorily.

Avoiding eye contact by staring beyond them, he raised a hand to object. "I understand your suspicion, but I took control of that world… Some time after her death," he said.

The three exchanged glances and firm nods.

"If we assist you further… You must promise that you'll use it to avenge her, if there truly is someone to blame…" the handmaiden said.

Vader didn't consider himself one for bargaining, but he lowered his head. It was still possible that some amount of foul play occurred. "You have my word," he said, even if it was himself.

"We stole security footage from her apartment. The recordings store nothing you didn't already know. Nothing Typho hasn't said," she admitted. "It's evidence of a pact we and some others took to avenge Padmé."

Vader turned to the unfamiliar man, jabbing a finger in his direction. "And you? What do you know? What is your relationship to her?"

"My turn, then?" he asked dryly. "Tonra. I was in the Security Force until shortly after the Invasion of Naboo," he said.

"And then what?" he asked, semi-impatiently. Why was he here, then?

"She… entrusted me with an undercover mission. I don't see how it's relevant, though."

Flashes of a desert planet with twin suns went through the man's head. "Tatooine…" Vader deduced, much to the man's shock. "One of the Jedi present at Mustafar went into hiding there."

The Naboo perked up. "Anakin Skywalker?" the Queen's Shadow asked.

"No, Obi-Wan Kenobi. How is Tatooine relevant to your mutual history with the late senator?"

"Padmé sent Sabé and I to Tatooine," Tonra said, motioning to the handmaiden.

"When… was this?"

"Just after she became senator," he explained. For now, at least, they were unrelated to Kenobi's presence there. "Skywalker… He was important to the senator. She never forgot that his mother had been left in slavery."

"She sent us to find her," Sabé added.

His heart warmed at that kindness he never knew of. "And… did you?"

"No offense, but does this really pertain to what happened?" Typho asked.

"No," he realized. It didn't. They didn't- and his mother had died. "All you can tell me is that she went to Mustafar alone?"

"You mentioned Kenobi made it off Mustafar- What of Skywalker? Does he live?" Sabé said inquisitively. As if she were waiting to read his mask's facial expressions.

The Dark Side swirled around him, coming to comfort him. They shouldn't care. The lives he had touched as a Jedi persisted even now, just to spite him it seemed. "...Perhaps. I don't know for certain."

"It isn't much, but we did tell you what we know. At least, that's what comes to mind now. I'll get the recordings for you, and anything else I think may help," Tonra offered. "This… daughter you mentioned."

Fair was fair. "She is safe. I discovered your beacon during a security sweep. In preparation of transferring ownership of the apartment to her."

"You've taken an interest in her well-being, then?" Sabé asked carefully.

"Protecting her from the Emperor. The identity of her ancestors has left her in jeopardy…" he offered just as thoughtfully.

Sabé narrowed her eyes, glowering up at him.

"You know, you never specified your connection to Her… To them," Typho added.

Vader felt something that could easily become killing intent from those around him. He took a few moments to compose his thoughts. The situation could quickly turn dicey without his transparency. Perhaps their loyalty to Amidala was a good thing- not just an expertly crafted act to annoy him.

"I am her father."

GALACTIC YOUTH ACADEMY, CORUSCANT

Leia was grateful for her connection to the force as she entered the Academy. She was able to easily center herself in the Universe, easing the solitary feeling she had. People swirled everywhere, rushing to and fro, not unlike the halls of a Star Destroyer. Thankfully, due to the sheer volume of students, she didn't get any looks until she entered her first class of the day.

Though she was loath to admit, her lack of height probably helped.

After triple checking that she had the right room she walked in. It probably wasn't wise to have spent so much time standing there, because in her hesitation she'd become the last one in. The conversation didn't end in the classroom, but she felt the stares as she approached the instructor. Attention was on her.

"Good morning. I'm new here. You're Mrs. Brakk, correct?" she said.

"Ah, yes! I'm Mrs. Brakk," the old woman said, standing up. She smelled strongly of flowery perfume, and not the expensive kind. "Attention! Before we begin, I must introduce you to your new homeroom classmate."

Leia blushed as the one cliche she'd seen in holovids came true. She stood next to the woman, giving a wave of acknowledgement. "Hello," she said, thankful her voice hadn't cracked or gotten caught in her throat. Maybe she should have bowed...

"Her name is Leia Vader," she said, and surprise exploded through minds in the lecture room. "I expect nothing but the utmost respect toward her! Make her feel welcome. Anything to add?"

"Nice to meet you all," she said, feeling smaller than ever.

"Alright. Now…" the woman said, checking the chrono. "We'll be doing progress appointments this morning, so please work quietly while you wait for me to call you."

She cleared her throat politely to get Brakk's attention. "Where shall I…?"

"Over there, the empty seat by Harp," she said, motioning to a taller girl who was staring off into space. Behind her sat a familiar face in Amilyn Holdo. She sighed in relief as she approached them and took her seat.

Amilyn tapped her on her shoulder before she could turn around. "Did you bring your lightsaber?"

"No!" she said a little louder and panicked than she should have. "Look, Amilyn, you might give people the wrong idea saying that."

"Um," the girl to her right said. She looked more nervous than Leia herself. In enthusiasm, though, Leia was beaten. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Harp Allor."

She opened her mouth to speak her own name but elected to nod. "Likewise."

"So… Uh… Amilyn told me something about your father, and well- with your surname... I think she might be teasing me, though…"

Tooka had to come out of the bag sometime. "Darth Vader is my dad, yeah," she admitted. Conversation she hadn't noticed around them halted.

"It's true," Amilyn said rather self-righteously. "I saw them together at the recent commemoration."

A long-haired boy with dark skin scoffed. For an instant her blood boiled. "I've seen Lord Vader at hundreds of functions and never once seen anyone with him."

"I don't usually accompany him to those sorts of things," she said assertively.

He lowered his head. "I meant no disrespect. Merely questioning Amilyn. She's quite the storyteller, you know. Chassellon Stevis."

"Well, Chassellon, we did meet there. That was somewhat of a debut for me socially," she said. She was glad she'd held out so long if the company was so infuriating.

"Well I look forward to your continued company," Chassellon offered. She didn't share his sentiment.

His smug aura set her off. Chassellon's words had only slime behind them, just like every other cutthroat Core Worlder she'd met. They weren't necessarily cruel, just indicative that he passively and unconsciously considered himself better than everyone. In another life, perhaps, she'd have been hoodwinked by his empty charms and gone along with condemning oddballs like Amilyn. Not now, when she was so aware of the feelings being sent out by other sentients.

"So what is it you do in your spare time?" he asked, and she detected a bit of genuine intent there.

"Yeah, let's break the ice!" Harp added tentatively. "What's your hobby?"

That was a good question, in her opinion. At least one that caused her to think. Most of the activities she did often were solitary ones like reading, studying obscure history her family had been a part of, and generally milling about. That would be boring to them, she thought. "I... train."

Amilyn giggled. Leia went red.

"For fun?" he asked dryly.

"Kind of…"

Harp shrugged. "Well, what do you enjoy, then?"

"Storms?" she blurted, and her cheeks darkened. "There's not any weather aboard ships or rain on my home planet."

"I like astrology. Meteorology counts!" Harp insisted.

Chassellon raised a brow. "Train in what exactly?"

Leia flashed the emptiest smile she'd ever given in her life. "Self defense. Weapons and… other things."

Amilyn sat up straight and glanced at Leia conspiratorily. "Say, don't you have experience with swordplay, Leia? Chassellon has a lightfoil, you know."

"Is that right?" the boy asked with a flip of his hair.

"Oh, not much…" Leia said, glaring at Amilyn.

The girl in front next to her was practically ready to explode. "So, what's your home planet like? I'm from Chandrila here in the core. Very temperate and pleasant. Some of the most beautiful constellations in the Galaxy are visible there," Harp said.

"Mustafar," she said, much to their confusion. "It's a volcanic world in the Outer Rim."

Their enthusiasm seemed to dissipate when they realized Darth Vader lived on such a scary planet. Leia hoped that wouldn't damper any further interactions. She was optimistic.

VARYKINO, NABOO

"That's not possible," Typho said through grit teeth, his weapon pointed at the Sith Lord.

Tonra's blaster was prepped for a killing blow as well, though the man found himself speechless.

Sabé observed him carefully, and he made no move. Not even for his lightsaber. He was in no danger whatsoever, but informing them of that wasn't the polite thing to do. Hopefully they accepted his word. He was hopeful. In fact, for the first time in quite a while.

Vader had… lashed out at Padmé shortly before her death, but something told him- maybe his own delusions- that it wasn't him that did her in. He required clarity, even if what he discovered wasn't something favorable.

"I refuse to believe she'd have anything to do with a monster like you!" Typho roared.

But she did. Long before his turn. It still surprised him that he was so lucky. That she was so foolish.

"I desire revenge as well..." he said darkly. More, even, but they could never know.

Sabé glared at him with spite he was more than familiar with. "You're him. Skywalker. You carry yourself the exact same way."

Vader stood breathing for a moment. He was strangely numb to her conclusion. Not many were privy to his secret, but he doubted the few had desensitized him. "Perhaps I was. Who would believe you?" Sometimes even he didn't.

Typho threw his blaster to the ground, clenching his fists. He marched up to the Sith Lord and leered into his lifeless eyes. "How can you stand with the Empire? You were a Jedi!"

"There is much you do not- and cannot understand," he said, jabbing Typho's chest. That enough stopped his approach, but he continued. "Palpatine is behind everything. He cannot be defeated through conventional means. My choice was to join him or die with the rest of the Jedi. To defy him is to die, and should I, my daughter will fall into his grasp."

"He didn't mean to imply anything. Your circumstances are… I cannot pretend that you are no monster, but he is a far larger one," Sabé said.

"All I do is for my daughter," he said. "Above anything in the Galaxy."

Sabé looked him up and down. "You're definitely our best shot at revenge."

Typho glared. "We don't even know this daughter exists! That she's his or even safe! How are you-"

Sabé raised a hand to shut him up. "Gregar, I know how close they were… If even one thing he's told us was true, then she will be avenged," she said, looking to Vader. "I don't like this at all, but someone has to deliver justice."

Vader gave a simple nod, letting the sound of his respirator fill the lull. "You and any other sympathizers should take up arms with the Rebellion."

"The Rebellion?" Tonra asked.

"Unrest has existed since the beginning. There is a larger, more organized movement the Empire is attempting to suppress," he said, fully intending to refer them to Fulcrum. "Make yourselves known, and they will reach out to you long before the Empire takes action."

They all came to their agreements silently. Typho was still filled with anger, and Tonra was more confused than anything.

Sabé spoke up first. "Very well. Making a difference will be a welcome change from chasing shadows. But, Vader…"

"Yes?'' he asked after she did not continue.

"I think there's something we should do in Theed. New questions have arisen from old answers..."