The next day, the atmosphere was noticeably colder as Vader and Louise walked toward class. As they made their way through the dimly lit hallways, passing other students along the way, they could hear the whispers and murmurs amongst them as they stared with a mixture of fear and curiosity at the two. Vader, clad in his black armor, could sense the eyes of the other students on him, and he reveled in the fear he inspired. Louise felt the weight of their gazes upon her, a tinge of fear and resentment palpable in the air. She tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the steady thump of Vader's mechanical footsteps, each step echoing like the beat of a dark symphony.

By now, the entire academy had heard about the duel between Vader and Guiche. Even though he wasn't severely injured, Guiche was still recovering and hadn't returned to class yet, and opinions began to form amongst the other students. Vader felt no guilt for what had happened; he believed that Guiche had deserved the punishment he received. He was not bothered by the students' reactions, but he knew that Louise should not be subjected to this kind of treatment because of his actions.

Finally, Louise and Vader entered the classroom, the door ominously creaking open. Almost immediately, the class fell silent as they all turned to look at the two, their eyes wide with apprehension. With all eyes on them, Louise quietly walked toward her seat with her head down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Vader followed right behind her, his menacing presence casting an even darker shadow in the room. He chose not to sit next to her, but instead stood beside her, a silent sentinel, a chilling reminder of the consequences of challenging him.

Once everyone had arrived at the class, Professor Chevreuse called for everyone's attention. "Alright, now that everyone's present, we can begin today's lecture. Today we are going to learn about the four basic magical elements. Now I know that most of you can only perform one of these four elements," Professor Chevreuse explained.

Suddenly, Kirche spoke up, her voice dripping with contempt. "But professor, in actuality, there's only one student who can't perform any magic elements at all, and that's Louise, the zero."

Instantly, everyone's gaze darted straight toward Louise. Louise's cheeks burned with shame and anger, but she kept her eyes downcast, not wanting to meet anyone's gaze. She could feel Vader's presence beside her, an impenetrable fortress of support in the face of her tormentor.

On the other hand, after hearing Kirche's remark, Vader felt a twinge of anger and annoyance at the way Kirche was treating Louise. The air around him seemed to grow colder, and sinister energy emanated from him. Although he found Kirche's behavior tiresome and irritating, he knew that lashing out would only make matters worse for Louise. He clenched his fist, allowing his silence and the chilling aura he emitted to serve as a warning to Kirche and the others.

"In any case, all of you should strive for higher levels of magic regardless," Professor Chevreuse said firmly, clearly trying to defuse the situation. She continued on with the lecture, but the tension in the room remained, the icy chill of Vader's presence a constant reminder of the consequences of crossing him or those he cared for.


Afterward, when all classes had finished for the day, Vader and Louise made their way back to the dorm room. The air seemed to grow colder as they walked together, the echoing of Vader's mechanical footsteps accompanying them. Once inside, Louise flopped onto her bed, exhausted. The entire day was filled with more insults hurled towards her and resentful gazes from the other students. Before, Louise was too prideful to let things like that get to her, but she was beginning to crack under the weight of all that had happened so far. Sensing her turmoil, Vader spoke out to her, his voice cold and detached.

"Louise, why do the other students ridicule you?" Vader asked.

Louise turned to Vader and sat upright on her bed. "It's just that, for some reason, I'm not able to perform magic like the other students. Every time I try, it always ends up in an explosion," Louise explained.

Vader was perplexed why she wasn't able to perform magic. Through the Force, Vader could sense a notable amount of the force present within the other students when they performed magic, but specifically in Louise, when she performed magic, the force presence within her skyrocketed, even higher than her peers. One would think Louise would be extremely adept with magic because of this, but it didn't seem to be the case. Something about Louise was different from the other students, but Vader couldn't figure out what.

"In any case, I don't really like talking about it. But more importantly, there's something I need to know. Vader, tell me, what are you? Are you even human? What were those abilities you used when you fought with Guiche? And where do you come from?" Louise questioned.

Vader paused for a moment, his silence somehow more menacing than his words. In truth, she had a right to know. With all that Louise had been through so far, Vader contemplated telling her everything. However, he remembered how primitive this world was, and knowledge of the greater galaxy might be too much for her to handle at this moment. Vader then looked back at Louise, his mask concealing any emotion he might have felt.

"I will answer your questions one at a time," Vader said, his voice cold and detached. "Firstly, I was once human, but now I am something else."

Louise wasn't sure what to make of his response. It wasn't exactly a straightforward answer, but despite his evasiveness, Louise couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in Vader's presence. Something about him seemed otherworldly and dangerous, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"How about those strange powers that you have?" Louise questioned.

"It is called the Force, and it's what gives me my power," Vader said as he used the Force to levitate Louise's wand to his hand. Louise looked at Vader, confused, as he gave her wand back.

"My old teacher once explained the Force to me as an energy field created by all living beings. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. But what I find more peculiar is how the magic of this world goes hand in hand with the Force," Vader explained.

"Magic and this Force thing are connected?" Louise asked curiously.

"Yes, it seems the magic of this world is a different utilization of the Force," Vader hypothesized.

"But can I learn how to use the Force!?" Louise persisted, her excitement growing.

Vader's mask tilted slightly as if he were considering her request. "No," he said finally, his voice dark and forbidding.

Louise deflated a little at his answer. "Ughh, what a letdown. Alright, for my next question, what about that strange armor you have on? I've never seen you take it off." Louise asked.

Vader paused for a moment before responding, his voice even colder than before. "It is necessary for my survival," he said, his words measured and precise.

"But what happened to make you need it in the first place?" Louise pressed.

Vader clenched his fist tightly. Memories flooded his mind, painful ones he had long tried to forget. He remembered the searing pain, the feeling of his flesh burning away, and the overwhelming sense of fear and hatred. The suit had saved him, but it had also condemned him to a life of constant pain and isolation. It was a reminder of what he had lost and what he had become. Vader took a deep breath, pushing the memories aside.

"I was...injured," he said, his voice growing colder and more menacing. "This suit was the only way to keep me alive."

Louise could sense the tension in the room and decided not to push the issue any further.

"Ok, last question then. Where do you come from?" Louise asked.

Vader's voice was deep and chilling as he replied, "That is not something I wish to reveal."

"Why not?" Louise asked, her curiosity piqued.

Vader wavered for a moment before saying, "It would not benefit you to know where I come from. Knowledge of my origins could bring you more harm than good."

Louise hesitated, sensing the dark and foreboding aura that seemed to surround Vader. She realized that perhaps there were some things better left unknown, and she decided not to press him any further. Instead, she lay back on her bed, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with her.

Vader stood by her side, an imposing and sinister figure shrouded in darkness. He understood that he would need to protect Louise from the threats that seemed to plague him wherever he went. As long as he was beside her, none would dare challenge them.

"Vader, you need to tell me. After your duel with Guiche, I need reassurance that something like that won't happen again," Louise said, her voice firm.

Vader remained silent for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal the whole truth about himself. The greater galaxy, his origins, and his past misdeeds were all deeply buried secrets. Although she deserved to know, there were aspects of himself that he couldn't divulge.

"There are certain aspects of myself that are better left untold," Vader replied in a chilling, emotionless tone.

"When you fought Guiche, you...you nearly killed him," Louise said, her voice trembling slightly. "After what happened, how can I trust you won't do something like that again?"

Vader's eyes hardened, and Louise sensed the anger simmering beneath his facade. She feared she had pushed him too far. However, he took a deep breath and spoke in a low, cold voice.

"I cannot promise that I will never use my power again," he said. "But I can promise you that I will only do so when it is absolutely necessary."

Louise frowned. She had hoped that Vader would provide the reassurance she needed, but he seemed unwilling to make any guarantees. "I just...I don't know if I can trust you completely if you won't even tell me about your past."

Vader remained silent, and Louise knew she wouldn't get the answer she sought. Nonetheless, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at her.

"I guess...I guess I just need some time to think about things. I'm going to bed now." Disheartened, she turned and walked away, leaving Vader alone with his thoughts.

Louise changed into her nightgown and prepared for bed. Once she was settled, she lay down facing away from Vader, not uttering another word to him.

Through the Force, Vader sensed her dissatisfaction. He knew he had hurt her by not being more forthcoming, but he couldn't bear to reveal the darkest parts of his past. Not yet, anyway. Perhaps someday, he would be ready to share his story with her. Determined to ponder this further, Vader stealthily left the dormitory and ventured to the courtyard.


Once Vader stepped out of the dormitory and into the open air, he gazed up at the twin moons above. He couldn't help but reflect on everything that had transpired thus far. How could he have allowed his dark instincts to resurface when the Force had seemingly granted him a chance at redemption? So far, it seemed that his actions had caused more harm than good. Was it truly too late for him to change? If that were the case, his son Luke would never have been able to sense any good within him. Vader found himself at a crossroads, the weight of his past actions bearing down on him. Suddenly, he sensed a familiar presence and turned to see Obi-Wan materializing before him.

"I sense your turmoil, my old friend. Tell me what troubles you," Obi-Wan said with a hint of concern.

"It concerns the girl, Louise. My actions have placed her in a precarious position, and now she must face the consequences," Vader admitted.

"I see. That is quite the predicament you find yourself in," Obi-Wan acknowledged.

"Obi-Wan, I am uncertain. How can I know if I am taking the right course of action?" Vader inquired, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.

"My old friend, the answer is not clear, and I cannot tell you exactly what you need to do. But I can advise you to have faith in yourself and in Louise," Obi-Wan suggested.

"How can I trust myself not to fail again?" Vader questioned, the weight of his past looming over him.

Obi-Wan offered a gentle smile to his former apprentice and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Long ago, you were prophesied to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force. Despite the dark path you followed and the destruction you wrought as a weapon of the Empire, you ultimately fulfilled that prophecy when you vanquished Sidious and restored balance to the Force. Though the path ahead may be uncertain, the final destination remains the same. It is up to you to forge that path," Obi-Wan elaborated.

"I understand, Obi-Wan," Vader said, his voice steadier.

"Until we meet again, my old friend," Obi-Wan said with a warm smile before fading away.

Vader now felt a surge of resolve within him. Obi-Wan's counsel had given him a fresh perspective on his circumstances, enabling him to grasp what he must do next. He strode back to the dormitory and Louise's room with renewed purpose. As he neared her door, a red-haired woman rounded the corner and met him with a cunning grin. He recognized her as the one who had insulted Louise earlier in the day – Kirche. Through the Force, he discerned that she desired something from him, or rather, she desired Vader himself.

"Well, if it isn't Louise's familiar, Vader. Despite all the negative chatter about you around the academy, I find you rather intriguing. So, I have a proposition: abandon Louise and become my familiar instead," Kirche suggested coyly.

Vader had no interest in Kirche's overtures and proceeded to walk past her without uttering a word.

"Hey! I wasn't finished speaking!" Kirche shouted, gripping Vader's arm.

Vader stopped, turning to face Kirche. Her audacity ignited a slow burn of anger within him, but he quickly regained his composure and wrenched his arm free from her grasp.

"Out of my way," Vader commanded, his voice resonating with menace.

"If you choose me, I can make it worth your while," Kirche purred, lowering her shirt to expose more of her cleavage to Vader.

Vader remained unimpressed by her advances. With a swift gesture, he sent Kirche hurtling across the hallway, her body colliding with the wall in a gruesome impact.

Moaning in pain, Kirche struggled to rise. But Vader was already towering over her. "You will leave me be," he snarled. "I have no tolerance for your idiocy."

Kirche's eyes widened with fear, and she scrambled out of the hallway, humiliated and defeated.

Vader watched her retreat, his expression inscrutable. He had no use for the likes of Kirche and would not be swayed by her allure.

He pondered her motive for wanting him as her familiar, but whatever the reason, he was adamant about not participating. He felt an obligation to Louise due to the consequences of his actions, and abandoning her was the last thing he would consider. Upon returning to Louise's door and opening it, he found her standing on the other side, arms crossed and brow furrowed in anger. Vader sensed her ire and was puzzled by its cause.

"Thanks to you and Kirche being so loud outside my door, I woke up and overheard your conversation. What was that about her trying to seduce you?" Louise demanded.

"Kirche proposed that I become her familiar," Vader replied, his voice cold and steady. "I refused."

"Good, you should have. I don't want that vulgar woman anywhere near you. You're MY familiar, understand? The last thing I need is for you to act like a love-struck fool for Kirche," Louise snapped.

Vader's countenance darkened. "I am no one's lackey, Louise. Though you summoned me, I remain my own master."

Taken aback by his chilling tone, Louise stepped back.

"I accompany you by choice, not because I am bound to you," Vader growled, his voice low and menacing. "Forget that at your peril, for if you do, I will depart, and you will be left without a familiar."

Louise shivered, finally grasping the need to respect Vader and treat him as an equal rather than a mere servant.

To defuse the mounting tension, Louise hastily changed the subject.

"Regardless, tomorrow is Void Day, and we have a task to accomplish. We'll need to rise early and be prepared. Understood?" Louise commanded.

Vader was intrigued by the significance of the upcoming day and what he and Louise would be undertaking. However, he decided to maintain an open mind regarding the events to come.

"Understood," Vader replied, his voice maintaining its menacing undertone.

Louise nodded, somewhat relieved that they had reached an agreement. Though she was still wary of the power Vader held, she now understood that they needed to work together and treat each other with mutual respect.


The following morning, Louise and Vader approached the stables to retrieve a horse. Vader, having traversed the galaxy, had encountered a plethora of creatures, but his curiosity was piqued by the horse and their departure. As Louise readied the horse, Vader approached her.

"What is our destination, Louise?" Vader inquired, his voice cold and mechanical.

"We are venturing to the nearby town to procure a weapon for you," Louise responded.

"And why, pray tell, do you deem it necessary to arm me?" he questioned, his unyielding gaze concealed behind his helmet.

Louise hesitated before answering. "I want to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed," she finally admitted.

Vader arched an eyebrow beneath his mask. "To what end?"

Taking a deep breath, Louise explained, "I'm well aware of your capabilities, Vader. But I also know you can get ahead of yourself. I don't want you to kill someone out of spite, like you nearly did with Guiche."

Vader's anger simmered beneath the surface upon hearing her words. "So, you believe that by providing me with a weapon, you can restrain me?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

Louise was startled by his response but held her ground. "Yes, I think having a weapon will give you something to focus on, rather than lashing out with the Force."

Though still bothered by the insinuation that he needed to be restrained, Vader reluctantly agreed to go along with her plan. As he considered her reasoning, he recalled the deadly focus he had whenever he wielded his lightsaber. Perhaps acquiring a weapon would indeed help him maintain control.

Once the horse was prepared, Louise and Vader mounted it and commenced their journey to the nearby town, with Vader's cold and menacing presence ever apparent.

Afterward, when Louise and Vader arrived at the town, Vader was surprised to see the bustling nature of the town. Vader's eyes scanned the area, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling town. He saw people milling about, shops with colorful signs, and even a few children running around and playing games. Even though this planet is primitive compared to the greater galaxy, it is still full of life, and this place was proof to Vader of that fact.

As Vader and Louise were walking through the town, their presence immediately drew the attention of the locals. People stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the towering figure in black armor and the pink-haired woman walking beside him. He sensed their fear, their unease, and their hostility. But he paid no mind to it. He had grown accustomed to people's reactions to his presence over the years.

As they continued down the street, the stares of the townspeople intensified. Some people crossed the street to avoid them, while others muttered under their breath. Vader could sense the hostility growing, but he remained stoic, not letting the emotions of the people affect him. Finally, they reached their destination, a small shop on the outskirts of town. Vader stepped inside, and Louise followed closely behind him.

Once they entered the shop, the shopkeeper turned and greeted them. "Welcome, my friends," he said with a smile. But the moment the shopkeeper looked at Vader, he was taken aback, and Vader's presence made the man feel uneasy toward him.

"F-feel free to look around," the shopkeeper said slightly nervously.

As Louise went to the shopkeeper and discussed purchasing a weapon, Vader sensed something peculiar in the Force. Something in this shop was called out to him. Curiously, Vader walked around the store, observing the different weapons displayed. He saw many intricate swords, spears, shields, and so on. It wasn't until a crate filled with various pieces of broken swords and other scrap metal caught Vader's eye. Vader could sense the anomaly in the Force radiating from there. He then knelt down, rummaged through the crate, and pulled something from within it. Vader then took what he got from the crate and brings it over to where Louise and the shopkeeper are.

"This is the weapon I require," Vader said while presenting the object to Louise.

Perplexingly, both the shopkeeper and Louise examine the strange-looking device. Upon closer inspection, the object in question looks cylindrical in shape, with a metallic hilt.

"Vader, what is this? We came here today to buy a proper weapon, and not some random piece of garbage lying around," Louise questioned.

Vader's expression darkened. "This is more powerful than any weapon you could imagine," he said.

Louise hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But she knew better than to cross Vader. She picked up the lightsaber and handed it to him, still unconvinced of its value.

"Why would you want that when I can easily get you a better and proper weapon? Like that one on the wall there," Louise said while pointing to a golden sword decorated with many types of precious gemstones.

"Ahh, yes, you have a good eye. That sword on the wall is the most expensive one that I have, and it costs the equivalent of five thousand gold coins. But the one that your friend has chosen, I was going to throw out anyways so you can have it for free," the shopkeeper said.

"I am adamant on this for my weapon," Vader said strongly.

With how strongly Vader wanted that hilt, Louise felt reluctant for him to have that strange hilt but conceded regardless. On the bright side, she saves money instead of getting that expensive sword the shopkeeper talked about, Louise thought to herself.

"Alright, fine, but if you complain about not having a good weapon, I'm not getting you something else," Louise scolded.

"That is acceptable," Vader answered.

Once they finished their business in the weapon shop, Vader and Louise exited the store. As they approached the town's outskirts where they left their horse, Vader sensed a disturbance in the Force as if they were being watched. Vader noticed that there were fewer and fewer people in the part of town they were in. As they kept walking, they found themselves on a deserted street. Suddenly, bandits ambushed the two of them from the shadows, startling their horse that was nearby tied to a post and causing it to run away.

"Well, what do we have here? That uniform means that you're a noble from that snobby academy. So, if you know what's good for you, you're going to hand over all your valuables," the bandit leader ordered.

Vader could sense the tension rise within Louise as the group surrounding them started to approach. Vader then stood in front of Louise, his massive figure blocking her from the bandits. He didn't draw his lightsaber, but the threat was clear.

"Stand back," he said in a low, menacing voice.

"Vader?! What are you doing?!" Louise yelled.

The bandit leader notices Vader stepping forward in front of Louise and draws his sword at him.

"Woah there, don't think you can get cocky when we surround you," the bandit leader threatened.

"The only thing I'm surrounded by is fear…and dead men," Vader said ominously.

A wave of cold air almost instantly surrounded Vader, sending chills down the bandit's spines. He then unclips the hilt from his belt and flips a switch on it, igniting the white lightsaber as the bandits approach, their weapons drawn. Louise could only tremble as she watched.

"You should leave," Vader warned, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "This is not a fight you want to have."

The bandits only sneered, their eyes fixed on Louise. One of them lunged forward, his sword aimed at her throat. But Vader moved with incredible speed, cutting the blade effortlessly with his lightsaber and delivering a swift slash to the bandit's chest.

The others attacked, but Vader deflected their strikes with ease. His lightsaber hummed and crackled as he dispatched them one by one, his movements precise and deadly. Louise watched in awe as the bandits fell, each one defeated by the dark lord of the Sith. She felt safe behind him, knowing that no harm would come to her while he was there.

Finally, the last bandit lay motionless on the ground, and Vader extinguished his lightsaber. He turned to Louise, his mask hiding any hint of emotion.

"Are you injured?" he asked, his voice gruff.

She shook her head, still trembling slightly. "No, I'm alright. Thank you."

Vader nodded, his cape billowing behind him. "Come, we must leave this place."

Since their horse was gone, they were forced to walk. As they made their journey back to the academy on foot, Louise glanced back at the fallen men, feeling a twinge of sadness. But she knew she was alive because of Vader, and that was enough.

Vader then noticed the curious look on Louise's face as she stared at his lightsaber, which he had just used to protect her from a group of bandits. He knew that she had never seen anything like it before.

"A lightsaber is a weapon of the Jedi and the Sith," Vader explained.

Louise listened intently, fascinated by the strange weapon. "How do you use it?"

Vader's eyes narrowed behind his mask. "It takes years of training to master the use of a lightsaber. The weapon is an extension of the wielder's body and must be treated with respect and caution."

He deactivated the lightsaber and clipped it back onto his belt. "A lightsaber can cut through almost anything and can be used both defensively and offensively."

Louise nodded, impressed by the weapon's power. "It's amazing. Do you think anyone could learn to use one?"

Vader regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Not everyone has the ability to wield a lightsaber, and it requires a strong connection to the Force, which is a rare gift. But a lightsaber can be a powerful tool for those who possess the skill and the discipline."

Louise stared at the lightsaber, feeling a sense of awe and wonder. She knew that she might never be able to use a lightsaber, but she was grateful to have seen one in action, and it was a memory she would never forget. But Louise couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in the presence of the imposing figure of Vader. Despite this, she was intrigued by his mysterious past.

"I see, so that's why you wanted that thing from the weapon shop. But you said that they were used by people that are Jedi and Sith. Who were they?" Louise asked curiously.

Vader glanced at her, his eyes hidden behind his mask. "The Jedi were a group of peacekeepers who used the power of the Force to protect others. They were skilled in combat, diplomacy, and the use of the Force."

"And the Sith?" Louise pressed, eager to learn more.

Vader's tone grew darker. "The Sith were an order of dark Force users who sought to dominate others through fear and oppression. They were known for their mastery of the dark side of the Force and their ruthless tactics in battle."

Louise shuddered at the thought of the Sith, imagining them as a shadowy and terrifying force. "Were they enemies of the Jedi?"

Vader nodded. "The Jedi and the Sith were bitter enemies, locked in a never-ending conflict. The Sith sought to destroy the Jedi and rule the galaxy with an iron fist."

Louise frowned, feeling a sense of sadness at the thought of such a destructive conflict. "But what happened to them? Are the Jedi and the Sith still around?"

Vader's voice grew distant. "The Sith wiped out the Jedi in a brutal war. The Sith were also thought to have been destroyed, but rumors persist that they still exist in the shadows.

He turned to Louise, his expression grave. "It is a dangerous world we live in, Louise."

Louise nodded, understanding the gravity of Vader's words. She knew that she was lucky to have him by her side and felt a sense of gratitude toward the enigmatic warrior.

But Louise couldn't help but wonder about the true identity of the imposing figure who had saved her from the bandits. As they walked through the deserted streets, she gathered the courage to ask him the question that had been on her mind.

"Are you a Jedi or a Sith?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Vader's mask hid any sign of emotion, and he remained silent for a few moments. When he spoke, his voice was low and measured.

"I am neither," he replied.

Louise wasn't satisfied with his answer. "But you said that the Jedi were the good guys, and the Sith were the bad guys. Which one are you?"

Vader stopped walking and turned to face her, his imposing figure towering over her. "The world is not always so black and white, Louise. The Force is a powerful and dangerous tool, and it can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals."

He paused for a moment as if considering whether to reveal more. "What matters is the choices we make and the actions we take. That is what defines us."

Louise was taken aback by his response, unsure of what to make of it. She knew that there was more to the story than Vader was letting on, but she didn't want to push him further.

"I understand," she said softly, feeling a sense of respect for Vader. "Thank you for protecting me, no matter who you are."

Vader nodded, and they continued their journey back to the academy, their shadows stretching out behind them.


And cut. Now first things first, I'll try to keep posting on a more consistent basis, but I can't make any promises because of, you know, life. In this chapter, I thought of Vader getting the talking sword like in the original anime, but I wanted to shake things up. I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say I got some exciting stuff planned for this story, so stay tuned. (And, of course, tell me your thoughts on my Fanfic)