A/N: I do not own Star Wars
Chapter 9: Facing your Destiny
Ilum. 3 ABY.
While Leia was within the crystal caves of the frozen world Ilum, right above the planet, an Imperial shuttle passed swiftly through the security shield of the battle station under construction.
Unlike the usual Lambda-class shuttles, this one was a Theta-class T-2c shuttle, the personal shuttle of one particular person. The vessel entered the docking bay that was filled with arrays of the Imperial military, raging from the officers and stormtroopers, to pilots and Navy troopers in their black uniforms. Darth Vader stood right before the landing shuttle. Once the gangplank descended, the Imperial guards in the red armour and robes emerged, taking their positions. After that, Darth Vader knelt before the most important visitor that those who served on the Death Star had ever beheld.
Important, and fearful… the Emperor.
Leaning on his black crooked cane, the Emperor was a tall man wearing pitch-black robes and his head covered by a hood of the same colour. His whole face was pale and disfigured, while his eyes were dreadfully glowing yellow. Behind him were the Emperor's viziers, members of the Imperial Ruling Council.
"Rise, Lord Vader." the Emperor spoke in a deep raspy voice, installing more dread within the Imperial garrison. "I wish to speak with you."
Rising up, Darth Vader followed his master as they walked down the landing bay, escorted by the guards. "The Death Star will be completed on schedule, my master."
"Yes." Emperor Palpatine replied. "You have done well. Now, I have heard you have stopped your search for Young Skywalker."
"I'm afraid, the son of Anakin Skywalker has perished on Hoth shortly before our attack on the Rebel base." Darth Vader explained.
"Ah, but his sister lives." the Emperor argued. "I sensed a grave disturbance in the Force. Young Skywalker may be dead, but we still have a new enemy who could bring about our destruction. The young Princess of Alderaan, is also the offspring of Anakin Skywalker."
"Obi-Wan and Viceroy Organa did well, hiding her from us." Darth Vader growled, anger filling him. "She may not be a Jedi, only a girl, but she was taught by Yoda himself, my master."
"Ah, Yoda." Palpatine breathed out. "The aged Jedi master. I've read your report, Lord Vader. He lives not anymore. He did well hiding from us all these years. Too bad that it was not I who gave him the fatal blow."
"With Yoda gone just like Kenobi, there are no more Jedi to train her, my master." Darth Vader continued. "Yet, with the Force so strong within her… she could be a powerful ally, if she could be turned."
The Emperor grinned malevolently. "Yes… yes, she would be a great asset."
"She will join us, my master…" his apprentice continued. "… or die! I can sense her presence here, on Ilum."
"Patience, my friend," the Emperor then told him. "In time, she will seek you out. And when she does, you must bring the Princess of Alderaan before me, she has grown strong. Only together we can turn her to the Dark Side of the Force, or destroy her, my servant."
With that, the Emperor chuckled across the docking bay, and at the sound, from the vast array of troops in the docking bay, even his own scarlet-clad private guards, there was an imperceptible shiver. Which was replaced by a very definite relief when the pair adjourned to the control station chamber specially converted into a temporary throne room.
While Han Solo and Bren Delsin were preparing the Rebel troops for the upcoming attack on the planetary Imperial base, Leia Organa was once again meditating, floating above the cold snow of Ilum. The young princess of the destroyed world was lost. She now seek the Force for answers. It was clear from Yoda's teachings that the Sith must be destroyed in order to bring peace to the galaxy. He said that she must face one final task before she could become a Jedi. But what was it?
Leia despaired. Master Yoda wasn't supposed to die. She needed his help, to complete her training.
"Strong with the Force are you, but not that strong. Still, trained well you have. No more do you require. Already you know that which you need."
Hearing the familiar voice, Leia looked around and gasped. The spectre of Yoda was sitting on a rock, while the spectre of Obi-Wan Kenobi stood above the old Grand Master.
"Master Yoda? Master Kenobi?" Leia asked. "But… how? Darth Vader has slain you both!"
"No," Kenobi shook his head, chuckling. "we are part of the Living Force, Leia."
Leia nodded, finally understanding what the old master meant. "You said that I require no more training." she then said. "Then… I am a Jedi?"
Yoda shook his head. "Not yet." he answered. "One thing remains. Vader… Vader you must confront. Then, only then, a Jedi you will be."
Leia shrugged at this revelation. Yes, she knew she expected that she must confront the Sith, but Vader, as much as she hated for what he has done to the galaxy, he was her father. The only one left of her family. Her biological family. Since childhood, Leia knew that she was adopted by Bail Organa, and always wanted to know who were her parents.
"Obi-Wan," the princess looked up at the Jedi masters. "Why did you lie?" Silence followed, so Leia continued. "Shortly after we destroyed the first Death Star above Yavin, Luke told me what you told him about our father; that he was Jedi knight betrayed and murdered by your apprentice Darth Vader, but these two identities are the same person…"
"I was going to tell Luke when he has completed his training." Obi-Wan excused. "But then he died."
"You lied to him. Why?" Leia asked accusingly.
"Your father, Anakin, was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force and became Darth Vader." the old Jedi master explained, stroking his beard. "When that happened, he betrayed everything that Anakin Skywalker believed in and destroyed that good man forever. What I told your brother was true… from a certain point of view."
"A certain point of view!" Leia spat.
Kenobi continued. "Leia, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to defend greatly on our point of view, but I don't blame you for being angry. If I was wrong, it certainly wasn't the first time. You see, what happened to your father was my fault" he then joined Yoda by sitting on a rock. "From a certain point of view, when I first met your father around ten years before the Clone Wars, he was just a young boy full of life, but already a great pilot. But what amazed my mentor, Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and then me, was how strongly the Force was with him. When Qui-Gon perished in a duel with a Sith Lord, I kept my promise to him and took it upon myself to train Anakin in the ways of the Jedi." he sighed heavily. "My mistake was thinking I could be as good as teacher as Yoda. I was not, and so, when the Emperor sensed Anakin's power, he was able to lure him to the Dark Side. My mistake has had dire consequences for the galaxy."
"If I had been more patient," he then spoke with deep regret. "If I had trained him better…"
"There is still good in him" Leia then said. "I saw a vision of my mother telling that to you shortly before she died."
Kenobi sighed. "Once, I too thought Vader could be saved, that he could be turned back to the Light… but he could not. Now he is more machine than man, evil and twisted."
"Masters, please," Leia begged. "I cannot kill him."
Yoda, who sat in silence, spoke again. "A great weakness, you carry now. Fear for you, I do, yes. Fear."
"Then the Emperor has already defeated you." Obi-Wan then declared in sadness. "Darkness will prevail. He knew, as I did, that the Force runs strong in the Skywalker line and that one day both you and your brother would be a threat! Luke is dead, and you've been revealed to him."
"There must be another way!" Leia argued.
"You cannot escape your destiny, Leia" Kenobi remained firm. "You will have to face Darth Vader. You are the last Jedi."
"Of the Emperor, beware." Yoda then added. "Do not underestimate his powers, or suffer your father's fate you will. Remember, last of the Jedi you are."
With that, the Force ghosts of Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi vanished, leaving Leia Organa alone and deep in thought. Standing up, Leia strolled back to the camp. She saw that some Rebel troopers were on watch, while the majority of the strike teams were inside the tents, resting and gaining energy for the battle tomorrow. The princess then saw Han, Chewie and R2-D2 by the fire. When Han looked up and saw her, he quickly approached her. His smile faded when he saw the despair on Leia's face.
"Leia, what's wrong?" he asked with deep concern. Instead of answering, Leia leapt at Han, hugging him. The Corellian returned the hug, comforting her. After some time, Leia released the hug and looked up at the former smuggler.
"Han, there is something I need to tell you." she spoke. Han was filled with worry.
"I'm listening." he answered, already not liking what Leia was about to say.
"I am not going to join you in the battle tomorrow," she answered. "Now before you say anything, please listen. Yes, I have a lightsaber now, but I'm still not a Jedi. Not yet." she sighed. "Darth Vader is her on Ilum, Han" Leia took a deep breath. "I can feel his presence, but he can also feel mine. As long as I'm with you and the others, I endanger the whole group and our mission. He has come for and I have to face."
"What?!" Han almost yelled. "Leia, you can't. We need you. He'll kill you, even if he is your father…"
"Don't worry, Han" Leia cut him off. "He won't kill me, nor he doesn't plan to. But in order to bring peace and justice to the galaxy, I must face the Sith. It is the way of the Jedi, Han. He is my father, Han. I have to confront him."
"There's something more to this, isn't it?" the Corellian then asked. Leia smiled at his deduction for a second.
"I know this may sound bizarre," Leia began. "But, I had a vision where my mother died. She believed that there's good in him. He won't turn me over to the Emperor. I still doubt it myself, but if I can turn him back to the Light, I must try, Han."
Leia looked up and almost gasped when she hears tears glistening in Han's eyes.
"Whatever happens tomorrow," the princess then continued. "Be safe."
"I have a bad feeling about this." Han commented only.
"Same." Leia admitted and before anything more could be said, both Han and Leia leaned to each other and their lips met. The kiss lasted only for a minute, but to them it was like an eternity.
"I love you." Han whispered to her once their lips parted.
"I know." Leia answered. Smiling at the Corellian once again, Leia parted ways and began her journey to the Imperial base. To meet her destiny.