Alarms, distant explosions, and the running of imperial personnel evacuating were all that Vader could hear around him. The successful strike made by the rebels on the second Death Star caused the space station to be on the brink of destruction. With no time to spare, Luke desperately tried to carry an injured Vader to safety toward one of the shuttles still left in the hangar bay. As Vader and Luke approach the ramp of a Lamba-Class shuttle, Vader collapses to the ground. Luke quickly crouches down to try to pull his father back up.
Vader stops him. "Luke…help me…take this mask off".
"But you'll die," Luke says worryingly.
"Nothing…can stop that now. Just this once…let me look at you with my own eyes." Vader refutes.
Luke pursed his lips and proceeded to slowly take off Vader's mask, only to see then the scarred face of his father. Vader puts his hand on Luke's shoulder.
"Now…go, my son…leave me", Vader says weakly.
"No, you're coming with me. I won't leave you here. I got to save you," Luke says denyingly.
Vader looks up towards Luke, "You already…have Luke…." Vader rebuts. Luke looks back at Vader grimly. "You were right about me. Tell your sister….you were right about me…."
"Father! I won't leave you!" Luke shouted.
Suddenly, the distant sounds of explosions grow closer and closer. Both Luke and Vader feel the rumbling of the dying space station. Hurryingly, Luke tries to grab his father once again in an attempt to take him aboard the shuttle. Vader, sensing there isn't any more time left, uses the last bit of strength to force push Luke into the shuttle.
"NO, FATHER!" Luke screamed as he was flung into the ship.
"GO, MY SON, SAVE YOURSELF!" Vader shouts as he closes the shuttle's ramp with the force.
Luke pauses for a moment in hesitation, "DAMN IT!" he yells out frustratingly. He then rushes to the cockpit flicking different knobs and buttons, bringing the ship to life. Luke then grabs the control stick and pilots the ship out of the hangar into space, all the while thinking if only he was able to bring his father with him.
From inside the hangar, Vader looks up towards the shuttle with relief as it blasts out into space. At that moment, Vader falls to the ground. After using what little strength he had to save his son, he felt his time was almost up. Vader could feel himself soon becoming one with the force. Suddenly, Vader senses a presence near him.
He turns to his side, "Obi-Wan?" Vader says perplexingly.
"Hello there, my old friend. It is not your time to become one with the force yet. There is still more to your journey", said the old force ghost.
Before Vader could reply, he suddenly heard the voice of a young girl call out to him, "…the wisest, strongest, and most beautiful familiar, I summon you!"
"Wait! Kenobi!" Vader yells as he stretches out his arm toward the blue ghost. Suddenly, Vader felt fatigued, and his vision slowly became more and more blurry as he lost consciousness.
Beautiful rays of sunshine shine over the Tristian Academy of Magic. The campus itself was a castle in the middle of a vast meadow and was shaped like a pentagon, with each corner tower differently colored to represent a different subject. Inside the academy itself, many students lived in dorms, ate, and mingled with each other on various topics or gossip. Many of them were together, and only a few of them were ever seen by themselves. One of these students was Louise de la Vallière.
Despite being 16 and a second-year at the academy, Louise was quite petite and young looking for her age. She had long pink hair and pink eyes. Though she was the youngest daughter of three, she was very prideful and arrogant even though she wasn't close to having the talent that her older sisters had in magic, which garnered her the nickname of "Louise the zero" by her peers in the academy, because of her inability to cast any spell and any attempt to do so will only end up in an explosion. Many of her peers' insults hurled towards her in the past would've affected her, but not today because today was the day of the familiar summoning ritual in which the second-year students will participate. The summoned familiar would then be bound to the mage and become a life-long companion for them. But this day, in particular, was her chance to prove all of her fellow classmates wrong, she thought to herself. Their mocking insults would fuel the fire of her resolve. Perhaps this could also be her chance to outdo Kirche, the one who started that nickname of "zero," by summoning an even greater familiar than her.
Just as Louise was finishing memorizing her incantation for the spell, Professor Colbert stepped out into the courtyard, calling for all the students. "Gather around everyone. It's time we begin the summoning ritual." Many of Louise's classmates started to head toward the courtyard where the professor was. As they were gathering, Louise followed along with them saying to herself, "this is where the fun begins."
As time passed, all the other students in Louise's class, one by one, summoned a variety of familiars ranging from small and cuddly creatures to even a dragon. Now lastly, it was down to Kirche and herself, who had yet to summon a familiar. Even though Louise hated the thought of it, she was genuinely curious about what Kirche would summon as a familiar.
"Next is Kirche Von Zerbst", Professor Colbert called out.
Kirche then took her stance and readied her wand. She then speaks out the incantation and a bright sphere of light appears. When the light dissipates, out comes a fire salamander.
Professor Colbert, impressed by what familiar Kirche had summoned, congratulated her, "most impressive Kirche." He then takes a look at his list and calls out, "lastly, Louise de la Vallière, you're up next."
Suddenly, all the students nearby grow weary after the professor calls out Louise's name. One student in the crowd speaks up and says, "professor, I don't think that's a good idea."
Kirche then added, "That's right, professor, Louise the zero will only be bound to failure," she said mockingly.
"Nonsense. Louise, step up and go ahead with the summoning ritual," Professor Colbert said confidently.
Now with even more resolve than before because of the insulting remark made by Kirche, Louise steps forward and readies her wand. "Oh, great familiar from beyond the cosmos…." Louise chants.
Confused murmurers begin to arise from her fellow classmates, "that's not the right words," one student whispers to another.
"I call upon the wisest, strongest, and most beautiful familiar. I summon you!" Louise yells out.
Almost immediately, a dark, cold fog begins to appear around Louise's surroundings. The students around Louise start growing more and more nervous. Usually, whenever Louise would go for a spell, it would just blow up in her face, but this time it was different. This fog was something new, and it had everyone on edge. Even Louise, who's in the center of the fog, is tense and doesn't know what's going on or even if she summoned a familiar at all. Professor Colbert and the other students wait anxiously as they try to peer through the dark fog surrounding them. Suddenly, inhuman breathing can be heard echoing throughout the fog. Slowly the fog around Louise and the students begin to clear up, revealing Louise standing in front of a tall black figure, clad in black armor from head to toe.
"What is that thing?", "Is that a golem?", "Is that even a man?" the students murmur to one another.
Professor Colbert was taken aback. In all his years teaching, he had never seen a familiar quite like what Louise had summoned before.
Quickly, Professor Colbert calmed himself and glanced over to Louise. "Alright, Louise, now all you have to do is complete the final step to complete the familiar-mage contract."
Louise gulped in fear, "O-ok, I'll try, sir."
As Vader gradually regained consciousness, he found himself standing in the middle of a courtyard within a primitive structure. He was surrounded by young teenagers in odd attire, all of whom stared at him intently. Vader could sense their uneasiness through the Force, but he also knew he was not in immediate danger.
He soon realized that his mask had been restored, along with his missing prosthetic. As he surveyed his surroundings, he noticed a pink-haired young woman standing before him. She was significantly smaller than the others, almost child-like in stature.
Vader observed the girl as she exchanged words with an older human male. Their language was unfamiliar, neither Galactic Basic nor any other he recognized. Nevertheless, the Force enabled him to deduce that the older man had issued a command of sorts. Vader addressed the girl in front of him with his cold, menacing voice.
"Tell me who you are, or suffer the consequences," he threatened, his voice resonating with a bone-chilling intensity.
Vader's booming voice struck fear into the hearts of the surrounding students. He sensed their growing terror but also realized that they didn't understand his words. Unexpectedly, the pink-haired girl in front of him raised her wand, and a magical circle materialized beneath Vader. He felt a searing pain surging through his body as he fell to his knees, losing consciousness once again.
As this transpired, an enigmatic symbol materialized on the back of Vader's hand. The mark piqued Professor Colbert's curiosity, though he couldn't pinpoint its significance. The presence of the symbol only heightened the air of mystery surrounding the formidable figure that now stood before them.
Later that evening, Vader once again regains consciousness, only this time, he's in what appears to be a small room with a bed, window, and other pieces of furniture. He then glances to see the same pink-haired girl from earlier in the same room brushing her hair in front of a mirror. Vader then spoke, which startled the young girl.
"Who are you, and where am I?" Vader's voice boomed as he walked toward her.
The young girl sighed in annoyance in response to Vader. This confused him. Why was she annoyed by his presence when only recently she was afraid of him like the others he saw in the courtyard? The young woman then proceeded to grab a strange stick nearby and began to chant something incomprehensible toward Vader. Suddenly, Vader sensed a surge in the force surrounding the girl, but before Vader could react, an explosion occurred, causing smoke to fill the room momentarily.
Once the smoke cleared up, the young woman said in victory, "finally, now that I've done that spell of silence, I don't have to hear that stupid loud voice of yours again."
Vader is then caught by surprise by what the young woman said. He was actually able to understand her this time.
"So, you're able to speak basic?" Vader questioned as he looked down at her. His expression was cold and menacing.
The young woman was taken aback by his tone.
"What? But I did the spell of silence. How can I understand you?" the young woman said, confused.
"Now that you're able to understand me, who are you?" Vader asked menacingly, towering over her.
Vader's stature intimidated the young woman. He looked at her, and his expression was unreadable. Through the force, Vader sensed the fear within her slowly rise.
"W-Well, my name is Louise de la Vallière, I'm you're master, and you're my familiar," Louise says with a slight nervousness in her voice.
"Master?" Vader growled.
Was he to be enslaved once again? Vader's mind rushed to the memories of him as a small slave boy living with his mother back on Tatooine. No, never again, he thought to himself. Vader was enraged by the thought of becoming a slave once again. His eyes narrowed, and his grip tightened as he prepared to unleash his fury.
Louise suddenly felt the room slowly shake around her and it growing colder, causing her fear to rise even more. Vader then raised his hands toward Louise. This frightened Louise, not knowing what Vader might do to her. She then slowly started to walk backward away from Vader in fear. Suddenly, Vader's gloved hand shot out and grabbed Louise by the throat, lifting her off the ground. Louise gasped for air, her eyes bulging. She struggled to break free, but his grip was too strong.
At the last moment, a memory flashed through his mind. He saw himself on the second Death Star, facing his son, Luke Skywalker. He heard Luke's words, pleading with him to turn away from the dark side and return to the light. He felt the conflict within himself, torn between his loyalty to the Emperor and his love for his son. And then he saw himself, at the brink of death, as Luke removed his mask and revealed his face for the first time. He saw the compassion in Luke's eyes, the forgiveness in his heart, and the hope that he represented.
Vader hesitated, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. He stood there for a long moment, his mind filled with conflicting thoughts. He was a Sith Lord, powerful and feared, yet here he was, sparing the life of a mere child. Vader then composed himself. Vader realized that he had a choice to make. He could continue down the path of the dark side, or he could choose to follow the light, as his son had. He knew that his destiny was in his own hands and that he had the power to choose his path.
Vader then released his grip on Louise and walked away to the door, his cape swirling around him.
"I am my own master," Vader said as he looked at her with disdain as he left the room, slamming the door behind him.
"H-Hey, wait! You can't just leave!" Louise yelled, struggling to catch her breath, to Vader as he exits the room.
As Vader left the room, he walked through the hallway of the dormitory, his cape billowing behind him. Along the way, he sees a young blond male flirting with a young brown-haired woman in the hallway, but he pays no mind to them. At that moment, the young blonde man notices Vader walking down the hallway.
As Guiche saw Vader, he smirked and said, "Ah, the infamous familiar that Louise had summoned. I have heard so much about you, but I must say, you are quite an eyesore."
Vader said nothing, his eyes fixed on Guiche as he continued to walk toward him. Guiche's smirk faded, replaced by a look of fear and apprehension.
"Huh? D-Do you think you can scare the great Guiche? Know your place, peasant," Guiche stuttered in fear.
Vader said nothing, his silence more menacing than any words could be. Suddenly, the cold air that followed Vader hit the couple like a tidal wave, instantly making them freeze with fear. Guiche stumbled back, trying to regain his composure, but his bravado had been shattered. Vader stopped in front of Guiche, his imposing figure looming over him.
Without warning, Vader lunged forward and grabbed Guiche by the neck. The nobleman's eyes bulged as he struggled for breath, his face turning red. Guiche clawed at Vader's armored fingers, but it was like trying to pry open a vise. As Guiche's vision began to blur, Vader tossed him to the ground like a rag doll. The nobleman lay there gasping for air, his face contorted in pain.
The young brown-haired woman screamed as she backed away in fear as Vader stood over Guiche.
"Mock me again, and you will not live to regret it," he said in his menacing voice.
Guiche gasped for air as he lay on the ground, clutching his throat. He looked up at Vader as he walked away, realizing the severity of his mistake.
Guiche trying to keep his brave appearance towards the young woman, boastingly says, "D-Don't worry, madam, I let him off with a warning," all the while trying not to show that he was not scared as well.
As Vader made his exit from the building, he ended up outside in the courtyard. Vader then notices the night sky as he looks up at the many stars as well as the twin moons. These moons looked familiar to Vader. They reminded him of his home of Tatooine with its twin suns. Suddenly a familiar blue force ghost appears next to Vader.
"Reminds you of home, don't they?" Obi-Wan asked.
Vader turns to the ghost. "Obi-wan, what is this planet, and why am I here?" Vader asked.
"Well, my old friend, the force works in mysterious ways, and it seemed that your time was not to end aboard the second Death Star. You may think that this is some punishment for your actions. But in actuality, this world may also be a blessing in disguise. This could be your chance for redemption. Well, from a certain point of view, that is." Obi-wan explained.
"Redemption, you say?" Vader responded, unconvinced.
"Well, think about it. You've been brought back to the light by your son. He sensed the good within you even though the dark side of the force had you within its grasp for years, and now you've been given a chance by the force to start anew. So, my advice to you is to stick around and see what this planet has to offer. I'm sure you won't regret it." Obi-wan retorted as he slowly vanished away.
Vader stayed silent for a moment, contemplating this new revelation from his old master. Having another chance? Vader thought to himself. After all the unspeakable things he's done as the fist of the empire. Despite all that, his son, Luke, was able to show him the light Vader once thought was unreachable to him again. Perhaps his old master was right. Being summoned to this world could be his opportunity to start a new life. At that moment, Vader then loses his train of thought as he hears Louise calling out to him while running toward him. Vader turns to Louise as she stops right next to him, out of breath.
Louise took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I...I just wanted to say that...that I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean to offend you."
Vader stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Apology accepted. But understand that I am not your servant."
"I know," Louise said quickly. "But as my familiar, you are bound to me. You can't just leave like that."
Vader's expression darkened. "I am bound to no one," he said firmly.
"But a familiar has to stay with the mage that summons them," Louise protested. "That's how the bond works."
He then considered leaving, but something held him back. He knew nothing of this planet or its inhabitants, and perhaps this woman could provide him with some answers.
He loomed over her menacingly, his voice low and dangerous. "I will stay for now," he said, "but do not mistake my presence for obedience. I will not be your puppet."
Louise nervously smiled, fearful of his intimidation tactics. "Of course not," she said. "But I think we can still be of use to each other."
Vader's eyes narrowed. "I am not a familiar," he said. "And you are not my master."
"I understand," she said softly. "But...can I at least know your name?"
Vader regarded her for a moment before speaking, "You may call me Vader."
And that's a wrap of the first chapter. I had this idea for a kind of what-if story with two of my favorite series, "Familiar of Zero" and "Star Wars." I honestly had a lot of fun writing it in general. Keep in mind that this is my first Fanfic, so give me all the criticism. I'd appreciate it. Till the next time.