The battle seemed to be even more futile the longer that the two Jedi watched. Rebel ships were being destroyed at an alarming rate, and the light from each explosion reached the Death Star, though not enough to light up the room. However, amongst the destruction, they could hear none of it. It was completely quiet in the throne room. The strike team that Han led was running out of time, and they both knew it.
"Your fleet has lost," the Emperor's chilling voice cut through the stillness in the dark room. "And your friends on the Endor moon will not survive. There is no escape, my young apprentice. The Alliance will die...as will your friends."
Anna watched as Luke's face contorted with rage, and it scared her. She was used to seeing him so calm, in control of his emotions. He was a rock compared to her, yet it seemed as though the roles had been reversed. However, it was not to say she didn't feel hatred for the Emperor as Luke undoubtably did. If she was given a chance, she would snap his neck, and it would be as easy as breaking a twig. The only thing that was holding her back, save for the restraints that cut her off from the Force, was the call to the Dark side. Killing the old man would result in a complete turn, and even though the Dark side was powerful, it was incredibly dangerous. The end result of one such Jedi stood faithfully by his master's throne.
She wanted to call to him, to warn him off of the Dark side, to tell him that it wasn't worth it, but she couldn't. Not with the Emperor and Vader standing mere feet from her.
"Good," the Emperor mused. "I can feel your anger. I am defenceless. Take your weapon! Strike me down with all your hatred, and your journey towards the dark side will be complete."
Anna's eyes went wide as she saw Luke spin on his heels, his arm outstretched. His lightsaber flew into his hand, and he engaged it, ready to bring it down on the Emperor, but was met with a glowing red blade. Sparks flew as the two blades clashed, and the Emperor laughed. She winced as the sparks flew from the two opposing blades struck, partially from the light, but also because she didn't want to see Luke taking that first step into the Dark. She saw as Luke turned to look at his father, and in that moment, he slashed at the Sith Lord.
She fought against her restraints, but to no avail. All she wanted to do was to tell Luke to stop, as witnessing him becoming engulfed by the Dark side was painful to watch. He was so Light, it was overwhelming at times, and she could feel that energy getting tainted, slowly blackening with every vicious strike he unleashed upon Vader.
It was a much different battle than the one on Bespin almost a year ago, and Luke was much better in his technique. He was light on his feet, and the power that he drew from his anger made him a force to be reckoned with. Vader was on the defensive, but still held his ground over his son, not ready to be knocked out of a duel so easily.
Next to Anna, the Emperor was smiling. He seemed to be taking great pleasure in watching the father and son duel it out, completely opposite to what she felt.
"Your evilness is immeasurable," she said frightfully. He didn't even turn to look at her.
"You intrigue me, girl," he said calmly, as if nothing else was going on around them. "A year ago, you were unknown to your abilities in the Force. Now, you have used it to fight for the Light. Should you turn, you would be powerful, just as the boy."
Anna shifted in her restraints, the sound of blades clashing echoing around the room, and sparks flying as they met. "I am of no interest to you," she said. "I am not as strong as you think I am, not in the slightest."
"I know," he said, turning to face her. She refused to look at him, opting instead to watch as Luke attacked Vader. "You are a pawn in the scheme of getting young Skywalker to turn. I never expected you to be brought before me, not when I initially saw it. I saw young Skywalker wanting to seek his father out, but you, you had no part in this plan. I knew of your existence, I knew that you had great potential,, but your powers are still nowhere near those of his. Still, you do proclaim yourself to be a Jedi, and I'm sure you know what happened to them over twenty years ago."
Anna closed her eyes. "The Great Jedi Purge," she said sadly.
"Correct," he said, almost proud, and it made her stomach turn again. His presence was sickening, almost as if he was a poison to her. "I knew that the Jedi should not be allowed to continue, and my view still stands. Tell me," he stood up and she turned to look at him, fear evident in her eyes, "Your parents. They did not approve of you, did they?"
The question was rhetorical.
"That is none of your concern," she spat.
"Oh, but you have questions about them," he said, circling her. "Why, after eight years, did they decide to turn on you? The answer is simple."
She closed her eyes, knowing that she shouldn't let this man taunt her. However, the question he asked did intrigue her.
"You know the answer," she said, resigned.
"I do," he said. "Did you know that you have a sister?"
That got her attention, and she turned her head over to face him. "What?" she asked, shocked.
"I thought not," he said. "She is a Rebel, much like yourself. Or at least, she was."
"How do I know you're not lying?" she challenged.
"Because you've wanted to know this for a long time," he said. "You've had an idea of your past, but it was not always true. You filled in the gaps with events that you remember, but you never knew the intention. Your parents did not approve of you for only one reason; at the age of eight, when they found you were Force sensitive, they wanted you to stay away from everyone and everything. You were not their child."
"What are you saying?" she asked.
"Exactly what you've needed to hear," he said, and turned away from her.
"All you've done is leave me with more questions than answers," she hissed.
"And in time, they will be answered," he said. "But only if you turn, and embrace the Dark side."
Anna looked up as she heard Vader let out a stifled yell. She saw Luke standing at the top of the stairs, and her eyes went wide. His anger coursed through him, and even though she was incredibly conflicted, she could feel the darkness emanating from him, and it scared her. The Emperor's laughter filled the throne room.
"Good!" he called to Luke "Use your aggressive feelings, boy! Let the hate flow through you."
In that moment, she felt Luke relax. He looked back to the Emperor, then back to his father, as if he knew that the power he had just channeled was the Dark side. He disengaged his lightsaber, looking down the stairs as Vader slowly got to his feet. She felt the darkness leave his being, and for a moment, she relaxed herself, hoping that he would return to the Light.
"Obi-Wan has taught you well," Vader said.
"I will not fight you, father," Luke said, watching as Vader climbed up the stairs.
"You are unwise to lower your defences," Vader said powerfully, and engaged his lightsaber, forcing Luke to go back on the defensive. He was able to block the attack, but at the same time, they were back duelling again. Anna didn't know how much longer it could all go on. Luke couldn't fight forever, and neither could the Rebel forces that warred outside.
So, a lot happening in this chapter! I wanted to cut it short because of that, and also because it's one of the more backstory-focused chapters so I didn't want it to drag. Do you think the Emperor is telling the truth about Anna's lineage? Only time will tell…
I hate to do this, but you'll have to wait a week until the next update (probably). I'm most likely not going to have any internet connection until the 3rd of June, but by that time I should have finished all of the chapters and I'll update on a daily basis.