Summery : Five years after Mustafar, Darth Vader is but a shadow of the powerful Sith Lord he should be. To the point where the emperor must use the apprentice bond to force Vader to act. But why?

Chalk it up to two undaunted women who will not let even death stop them from saving the soul of the man they both loved.

Based on StarWarrior72's "The strength to do for his child"

Force-Speech

*Thoughts*

Disclaimer - I neither own copyright or receive money for anything. I write to improve my ability and for enjoyment.

We all need something to fight for:

Chapter 9: Challenged at the start.

After making sure that Luke had a good drink of water from one of the canteens on the bike, Anakin picked his son up with a cream-colored cloak-sans-blanket that he had found. It would shield the child from the harsh suns and also keep Luke from being burned by his father's armor. For the moment all Anakin could concentrate on was getting away from prying eyes. Sooner or later questions would come up about his actions and he need to consider what to do next.

He knew he wasn't thinking clearly enough, but the dangers were there and growing. His 'master' would enjoy taking the child from him and training him in the Dark Side. That was if Luke could even withstand such training. At his young age Luke was exhibiting a connection to the Light Side of the Force that was truly astounding. Anakin could only remember seeing anything like it in some of the toddlers brought to the temple. Their hold on the Light Side seemed stronger, more pure and true.

To have Sidious taint the Light in his son was almost more that Anakin could bear. He certainly couldn't afford to even think about it for more then a few seconds. To do so called up a choking thick protective rage that made Luke cringe in discomfort. Even so, Anakin's anger evaporated as if it had been pulled out of him and flung towards the darkness that linked itself to him. Sidious, he realized as it seemed to take note and demand more of his negativity to sate it's hunger. Yet he certainly hadn't let go of his anger in the proper Jedi technique, he was far too rattled.

It was Luke that had taken it from him! And the boy didn't even seemed to realize what he was doing! I don't like it when you're mad, Daddy. The 'bad man' can have it if he likes it. Luke confided to him as he started the bike. Where did you learn to do that, my son? I've never heard of such a ability. Anakin sent back to him. Even hidden, he could feel the smile on his son's cherub face. Nobody did, Daddy. I couldn't reach you for a bit cause you were so mad. So I thought if I could take the mad away you could hear me. But I hadda put the mad somewhere. So I gave it to the 'bad man'.

All things were possible in the Force, he'd been told this all of his days at the temple. But Anakin never dreamed it could include something like this! The belief of a innocent child was truly a wondrous thing. And made his son all the more precious in Anakin's eyes. *Force, what did I possibly do right in my life to be gifted with such a son?* he thought in utter bewilderment. He was completely shaken and piloted the bike in a wide arc around Anchorhead mainly by instinctive feel. So out of touch was he at that time that he failed to notice the tiny but growing tremors in the Force signaling danger.

The unlikely pair soon reached the hut that Anakin had seen earlier. Even as he carefully dismounted from the bike, Anakin felt something was off about it. Luke wiggled in his arms as a signal to be let down and Anakin complied. Before the boy could dash off towards the shelter, a heavy gloved hand came down on his shoulder in restraint. "Wait. We should enter together, my son. Something's not right about this place." It was in better repair then he had previously thought, almost too good repair.

And the closer they got to the hut, the more his disquiet grew. It suddenly peaked when Luke started to shiver and his teeth chattered. "Daddy, I'm cold," was all he said. Anakin looked down at his son and suddenly felt the Force signaling a warning. This place was dangerous indeed. It was a trap and Anakin was disgusted at how he had nearly walked right into it blind. They could not leave now, it was the hottest part of the desert day. Even his life support might give out under such conditions. They needed to go inside.

*Well when all else fails, spring the trap.* Anakin though sourly. He spared a fleeting wish that his old master was with him at that moment. Kenobi was somewhere on the planet, of that Anakin was certain. He bent down and scooped Luke up in his arms. "Luke, you must stay hidden. Stay under my cloak and hold on to my back no matter what, okay? Some unfriendly people are waiting for us inside, and they won't be easy to talk to." Luke looked frightened and Anakin bent back down so that his son could duck under his cloak to hide.

Anakin couldn't physically feel the grip Luke had on his shoulder plates, but he could feel it in the Force. His rage was mounting dangerously, cutting him off from the Light Side. Yet Luke's presence gave him the control that he sorely lacked. Anakin had let his anger explode so many times now that it was always out of control when called up. Only his son could contain it and and send it to the 'bad man', giving Anakin the chance to find his grounding in the Light. And he would need all of it, as he heard blasters power up at his descent and entrance to the homestead.

Several bounty hunters turned towards him, confident grins on their faces. There were even a pair of ruby-hued light sabers, held by none other then Savage Oppress. The NightBrother grinned pure malice at him but held off his attack. Under the mask, Anakin raised a hairless eyebrow. *That's not like Savage, he's a beast when it comes to fighting. He's never held back before* Anakin thought puzzled. He quickly set it to the back of his mind however and before anyone could react he had moved to a corner and pressed his back to it. Which kept his hidden son shielded from anything.

"What do you want with me," Anakin growled. One of the bolder bounty hunters moved forward, a gleam in his beady eyes. "Well, we've got ourselves a deal for your head. From Gardulla herself. So whadda say ya make this easy on yourself and die quiet-like. Or else we'll have to have our buddy Savage take your head the hard way." The only answer the bounty hunter received was a fierce Force Push that sent him and all of the other hunters flying. They hit the walls with satisfying thumps, knocking them unconscious. Clearing the way for the two Force users to battle as it were.

Savage snarled at the display of power. "You should not be able to use the Force in here," The NightBrother snarled at him. "Mother Talzin told me her potion to deaden the Force would hold even against the power of a Sith master! Only the charm that I wield can allow one to access the Dark Side!" Anakin shook his head and said quietly, "What makes you think I'm using the Dark?" Savage laughed derisively as Anakin felt Luke shake on his back. "The fearsome Darth Vader speaking as one of those foolish Jedi? A Sith using the Light Side of the Force?" He broke of his laughter and all but roared. "Do not insult me Vader. You are a Sith Lord by your very title. One I shall show that I am more worthy to carry when I bring the Emperor your head!"

"My name is Anakin Skywalker. And I have renounced the Sith!" Anakin snapped back at him, igniting his light saber and waiting for Savage to make his move. *Not smart there Skywalker. Now you'll have to take him out to keep Luke safe.* Anakin thought in disgust. Not that there was any other option really. His very actions would have made the NightBrother suspicious. While an animal on the battlefield, Savage was far from foolish. If he didn't figure out that something was wrong with this picture, he would inform someone who would be able to see the truth. Namely Lord Sidious.

Anakin focused on the here-and-now, calling the Light Side to himself with greater ease then he thought was possible at this point. But it suddenly vanished as he felt Luke slide down his back and huddle into a ball. In moving out of the corner Anakin had exposed his back to one of the bounty hunters that held back in the shadows. Anakin backhanded the hunter with enough power to break his neck as he realized that Luke had taken a stun bolt. Leaving Anakin unable to let go of his anger to reach for the Light! Force no! Not now, not with Luke in danger!

Suddenly he felt Obi-wan's presence and welcomed it. It was if the old team had be reunited

Savage choose that moment to attack with a blood-curling war cry. Ruby blades clashed and disengaged then clashed again.

The battle was fast-paced and furious, with Savage trying to overpower his enemy with sheer brute force. Yet he suddenly switched tactics and Anakin found himself on the defensive as Savage switched over to a type of style that was pure finesse yet relied on power to connect. One Anakin had never seen in any fight. *I have to counter this and fast or Savage will finish me!* He saw his opportunity and took it, knowing he was going to be injured. Even as he swung, both of Savage's blades came down on his right shoulder half-severing his sword arm.

But Anakin's strike had been true and clean. The NightBrother was already in two pieces as his blades carved their way though. And they exstinguished themselves in the process as the NightBrother's two halves toppled in either direction. Even as the white hot pain blasted it's way though him, Anakin noted that the bounty hunters were stirring. He backed into the corner where Luke was, somehow tightening his grip on his blade. The first hunter that came fully awake looked to be a Geonosian. He spotted what was left of Savage and staggered to his feet, clicking wildly. This roused the of the hunters and they scrambled up to face what they thought was a very angry Sith Lord.

Anakin had no intention of prolonging the conflict, however. "Get out now and tell no one where I am. You have ten seconds, or I may change my mind!" his echoing voice boomed in obvious menace. The hunters all but scrambled over themselves to comply. Obviously the NightBrother had been misled, and everyone knew they had no chance against an enraged Vader, even one that was letting them go because of his wounds. That they were being let go, they did not wonder at but took their lives gratefully. Soon the only two living beings in the hut were Anakin and his son.

Anakin backed into the wall and slid down it, his shoulder throbbing in agony. He had barely reached the floor before a tiny whirlwind was in his lap, sobbing hysterically. "Shh, Luke, it's alright," he soothed, bringing his good arm up to hold his son close. "I've had worse injuries in many a battle, little one. We're lucky that Savage wasn't able to finish the strike." Luke continued to cry however, and his father was at a loss. An idea suddenly came to him and he called his son over the bond. Luke, it's okay! I'll be fine. It's only a 'ouchie' that can be fix. Yes it hurts a lot but I'm okay with it. I'm glad you're safe.
Luke looked up at his father still sniffling.

You're not going to go away?

Luke, I promise even if I go away I will always come back. But right now there's no way I would leave you. Now go to sleep youngling. Even as he spoke he felt Luke snuggle into his chest and fall asleep.