So just a heads up - this is the sequel to "Off Guard" so if you haven't read it, this won't make any sense. That said, I hope those that have been waiting for the end of "Off Guard" enjoy! This story will be 5-6 chapters.

Waking was difficult. Bits and pieces of memories were haunting him even in his inescapable rest, Luke Skywalker wishing fervently that he could wake himself from the nightmares. Time was impossible to decipher, nor could he remember what brought him here to this place seemingly between that of the living and the deceased.

"Stop, you're killing him!"

Walking through the black, blank land he found himself in, Luke walked up to a memory hanging in the air, a blurry face dressed in white begging in the distance. Blurry figures stood around them, but Luke could not make out who they were. At the moment, he did not care either way if he discovered who any of them were.

Choking, sputtering, lungs withering as they begged for a breath of air. Crackling electricity as wires shorted and failed. Shouting, crying, pleading falling on deaf ears attached to the darkness incarnate squeezing the life out of him.

Vaguely, Luke was aware that it was him dying in the memory, and that a more rational person would perhaps be afraid. Instead, he was watching curiously. What had brought him here to see such horrid things? If he was dead, was this death? Was this where he would spend the rest of his existence, rewinding his final moments, over, and over, and over?

"I'm...sorry…"

Sorry? Sorry for what? Who was sorry?

Reaching towards the moment with his hand, Luke flinched back as it shifted slightly, a presence swirling around him like a white mist on a dreary morning. Anxiety bubbled up in him as the mist became a fog, Luke no longer able to see anything. Pulling his hand into his chest, Luke squeezed his eyes shut, shoving the presence away from him harshly. As he pushed, it felt like a string attached to his heart snapped, Luke falling down, down, down...

Gasping, Luke shot up as he finally woke in a dimly lit room, laying on top of a biobed that was quietly monitoring him. Every inch of him felt covered in a thin sheen of icy sweat, his heart thrashing in his chest as he tried to get a hold of himself. Jumbled emotions, thoughts, and memories were thrashing around in his brain as if begging for a chance to escape, Luke moaning as he had to shut his eyes to try and gain control of the chaos.

"Your Majesty? Have you awakened?"

Cracking his eyes open, Luke found a medical droid standing just outside the room, peeking in at him as if curious. They seemed to be waiting for permission to enter.

Wait – your majesty? Sitting up, he turned to look around the room quickly, but Luke found himself to be alone. There was no one else the droid could be speaking to.

"Your Majesty? Is everything alright? May I come in to check you?" The droid tried again.

Tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, Luke finally managed a small nod. Entering, the droid read the machines quickly before running a scanner over Luke, the feeling making Luke tingle and itch. "It seems everything is healing nicely, your Majesty. You were immersed in a tank of bacta for three days, but due to your exhaustion you've slept another three days."

"Are you saying I've been out for a week?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Why are you calling me that? My name is Luke….just Luke." Ringing his hands in his lap, Luke felt unusually anxious. "Where is everyone? What time is it?"

Tucking the blanket around his legs again as if he were a child, the droid tried to placate Luke. "Please relax, your Majesty. I am programmed to refer to you as your title. I am unsure who "everyone" is, but it is currently the middle of the night cycle, so I would assume they are asleep. I was told to inform-"

"Is he awake?!" Rushing through the door still in a robe and sleeping clothes, Admiral Firmus Piett entered without asking, seeing Luke sitting up in bed.

"Admiral?" Luke was feeling even more anxious after the droids botched explanations to his questions, and the arrival of the Admiral only furthered his confusion. Was he aboard the Executor again? All of the windows were shuttered, so Luke could not tell based off his surroundings where he was. Briefly, the thought of using the Force to decipher his surroundings entered his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. Something about the Force made his stomach churn. Perhaps he was just too exhausted to use it.

Bowing, the droid dismissed itself. "Excuse me. I will allow you to have your conversation. Admiral, your Majesty."

"Why is the droid calling me your Majesty, Admiral?" Luke asked quietly.

Despite Piett's normally stoic expression, Luke caught the conflicted expression that crossed the Admiral's face at his question. "Perhaps you should sleep some more. You're still unwell-"

"Admiral." Luke tried to glare menacingly, but he wasn't sure it came across as even threatening. With how his heart was racing, he was sure it mostly appeared desperate. "Please."

Sighing, Piett came and sat down in a chair besides Luke's bed. "Both the Emperor and Darth Vader passed away in a tragic accident, leaving you, the only Imperial Prince and Heir, as the newly appointed Emperor."

Blinking, Luke frowned. "But...that's not what happened. And the rebels were there - "

"Both the leader of the New Alliance and the people of the Imperial galaxy wish for the only child of Padme Amidala to become their new Emperor. It was decided that an official coronation would take place after you healed from your injuries."

"New Alliance? When did that happen – who is the new leader? And why would they want me to be Emperor?" Luke was aghast. How much could change in a single week?

"Princess Leia Organa is their leader."

"Leia? Admiral, this isn't making any sense." A steady throb was starting behind Luke's right eye, his brain unable to keep up with Piett's prattled nonsense. If the rebels saw what happened, they should have taken over then and there.

"How much do you remember, your Majesty?"

"I believe I remember everything up to my father's…" Luke trailed off, unable to finish the sentence without choking up. "I know he died...but I don't remember how."

"He was so engrossed with you at the time, he was off his guard and someone managed to get a shot at his life support box."

Nodding, Luke felt something wet hit the back of his hand. Rubbing it off with his thumb, another drop fell. Reaching up, he found tears spilling from his eyes.

"Please, your Majesty, we can continue this talk in the morning. Do not leave this room until someone comes to get you in the morning." Piett wasn't truly giving Luke an order, it felt more like he was begging Luke into some form of compliance.

Nodding slowly, Luke lay back on the bed, sinking down into the pillows. Staring up at the ceiling, he did not remember when he eventually fell into a fitful form of rest, but he was easily startled awake the next morning by a droid with a tray of breakfast.

"Good morning, your Majesty. Please let me know if you need anything else." A droid placed the bed tray across his lap, lifting the cover to reveal a simple breakfast consisting of a slice of toast and a bowl of plain oatmeal.

Stomach rumbling, Luke remembered he had not eaten anything for a whole week. Digging in, Luke was quickly appreciative of the fact the breakfast was bland, his stomach clenching uncomfortably around the food after being empty for so long.

The door slid open with a rush of air. "You should slow down, Young one. It will still take a few days for you to recover." Obi-wan Kenobi stepped through the door, wearing simple brown robes befitting that of a Jedi Master.

"Mast Kenobi." Luke greeted him. "Please, come sit."

"How are you feeling today? I heard you woke up late last night." Obi-wan settled himself comfortably besides Luke's bed.

Simply shrugging, Luke was not sure even he knew how he was feeling.

"I'm sure you will be better in a few days. I believe the medics have already cleared you to leave this morning after breakfast."

Well, at least he wouldn't have to sit in the medical bay bored out of his mind for days on end. "Are only you and Piett here...um, where are we?"

Laughing, Obi-wan went over and opened the shade on the previously covered windows. "We are still on Coruscant, in the Imperial Palace's medical wing. Leia, Han, and Chewie are all still here as well."

Nodding slowly, Luke was about to ask another question when a knock came at the door. Piett stood in the doorway with rather fancy looking clothes in his hands. "Good morning, your Majesty. I brought you some robes to change into, and then everyone is waiting so that we can fill you in on everything." Holding them up, Luke saw they were a very dark green, so dark they almost looked black. The material appeared to be silk, the fabric shimmering as Piett unfolded them.

Appreciative that they at least weren't black, Luke went to get out of bed and take them only to stumble forward violently. No one was close enough to catch him, Luke wincing as he felt himself bruise his knees on the hard marble floors.

"Luke!"

"Your Majesty!"

Both Piett and Obi-wan called out at the same time, Luke laughing lightly as he slowly managed to get his feet underneath him. Expecting the weakness this time, Luke found his balance with a little help from Obi-wan.

Still looking very worried, Piett placed the robes on the end of Luke's bed. "Let me call the medical droid back-"

"Can we please just go see everyone? I'm sure I'm fine." Luke pleaded, Piett closing his eyes before slowly acquiescing to his request.

"Fine...but if you fall again, we are coming straight back here! I'll find a droid to help you with your robes."

Obi-wan helped Luke back so he could sit on the edge of the bed. "You must be careful, Young one."

"Thank you." Luke managed, already starting to feel smothered.

Piett and Obi-wan both stepped out as the droid came in. Luke was dressed quickly, the dark green a startling contrast to his blond hair and blue eyes. Black had always been a very intimidating color for him to wear, but the dark green added just a touch of relaxation to his appearance. Whoever had picked this color had a great understanding of color and fashion.

Piett and Obi-wan were waiting right outside the door as Luke came out, Piett turning crisply to guide them out of the medical wing and deeper into the bowels of the palace. Every hallway they came to, anyone walking stood to the side and bowed to Luke, Luke swallowing down his discomfort. Thankfully, there weren't too many people between them and the conference room they finally arrived at.

Entering, Luke found himself immediately engulfed in a hug. They grabbed him so quickly, he could not even see who it was at first. "Luke! Thank the galaxy you're alright!" Leia was the one who had grabbed him, waiting beside the door like she had anticipated his arrival. Han was sitting with his feet up at the table, but he quickly stood at Luke's entrance.

Grinning, Luke returned Leia's warm hug, Han coming over and ruffling his hair while Leia was still hugging him. "Kid! You gave us all quite the scare."

Finally letting him go and stepping back, before Luke could say a word to either of them, Chewie engulfed him in a furry embrace as well, sneaking up from behind.

Laughing, Luke felt a sense of peace being reunited with his friends that he'd forgotten he was missing. How long had it been since he had last been with them all like this? "I missed you guys so much."

Clearing his throat, Piett gestured towards the table. "Shall we begin? I'm sure you're curious as to what you've missed out on."

Nodding, they all headed back to their seats, Luke freezing when they left the head of the table open. Piett gestured towards it again. "You are the one of highest rank, your Majesty."

Sinking into the seat, despite that fact he was surrounded by his friends, Luke felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he took "his" place. After sitting through so many meetings where Vader had sat in the very same spot, it felt eerie to be taking the dark lord's place.

"Yes, well, I believe the largest announcement already happened – you have become the Emperor of the Imperial galaxy."

"Yes. Um...about that...why did the Alliance not take over to reinstate the Republic? Who in the galaxy decided to make me Emperor?"

Sighing, Leia shook her head. "As wonderful as that would be, we can't. Not right away at least. Right now, the entire galaxy is under imperial rule. If we try and reinstate the Republic over night, it would most likely fall to all the war lords and lap dogs Palpatine gave power to."

"What do you mean?"

Piett gave it a go. "What the Princess means, your Majesty, is that if the empire simply dissolved, what would ensue is a galactic wide power struggle as someone else tried to take it all over. Much to the rebels disbelief, not everyone hated the Imperial Empire – there were and are many planets that are still in support of it, although most support it because they have something to gain."

Nodding, Luke processed this. It made a certain sense – if the Alliance simply took over and tried to thrust all the planets back into a democratic system, it would be easy for someone else to start vying against them for power. "What do you propose we do then?"

"Over time, we will slowly dissolve Palpatine's policies and reinstate the Republic. I've proposed that the first step will be to create a galactic senate once again."

"I see." Frowning, Luke stared down at his hands, twiddling his thumbs. "But...that does not mean that it has to be me that becomes Emperor." Inside his chest, his heart was beginning to hammer at the thought. How was he, an eighteen year old subterfuge expert, supposed to become a leader?

Reaching over, Leia lay a hand over his own. "Just take it a day at a time, Luke. You'll be fine."

"Yes, do not fret, Young one. We will all stand beside you." Obi-wan offered his own reassurances.

"The New Alliance is behind you as well." Leia agreed.

"What is the New Alliance? What does that mean? Are you working for the Empire now?" Luke asked, confused.

Shaking her head, Leia sighed. "The New Alliance is made up of all the planets that joined us against the Imperial Empire before. We speak on behalf of them. You are Emperor of the planets that were still under Imperial rule."

"Which means we have the planets that are ruled by those that all want to become Emperor." Piett added. "Basically, our job is to reign in Palpatine's lap dogs."

Luke nodded. "So we need to drive out all those with power that wish to take Palpatine's place."

"Exactly. It's not going to happen overnight, either. If we aren't careful about it, the entire galaxy could suffer an infrastructure collapse that would set us back decades if not centuries." Leia sighed.

"I see. So...besides becoming Emperor to the known galaxy, any other bombs we should take care of right now?" Luke tried to make it come across as a joke, but he wasn't sure his strained tone was very lighthearted.

Han coughed, Leia blushing after he asked. Even Chewie let out a grumbled roar, Luke finally realizing the Wookie had chosen to sit by Obi-wan rather than Han.

"Am I...missing something?"

"LeianIgot...ied." Han spoke so quickly, Luke couldn't make out anything he was saying.

"What?"

"Oh, for stars sake," Leia rolled her eyes. "Han and I got married."

Pausing, Luke glanced at everyone, waiting for someone to burst out laughing. When a full minute of silence passed, Luke realized that no one was joking. "How...long was I asleep?"

Chewie grumbled again, making Obi-wan chuckle. "Still only a week, Young one. Chewbacca here is put out because Han and Leia eloped without telling anyone."

"Oh. Well, congratulations?" Luke hadn't meant for it to come across as a question, but his brain was still trying to process this information. Somehow, it was now making more sense for him to be an Emperor than for Han and Leia to be suddenly married.

"You could sound happier," Leia huffed, but it was clear she was just teasing him, her eyes softening as they met Han's.

"Perhaps when things have settled, we could arrange a party for you both." Obi-wan suggested.

A knock came at the door, droids entering with trays. Surprised, Luke realized it was now already lunch time.

Piett took over from there, finishing the meeting with any other minor details Luke needed to know. Feeling almost dizzy by the amount of information he was trying to process, Luke hoped not all meetings would be like this in the future. Ending the meeting, Leia and Han dismissed themselves while Chewie and Obi-wan went off together as well. If Luke's mind wasn't already spinning, he would have wondered about all the new dynamics going on, but for now he was simply content that he was still standing on his own.

"Allow me to escort you to your new quarters, your Majesty."

Piett and Luke stepped out into the hall, Luke finding four men waiting for them. Following Piett, Luke found the men following them as well. Stopping, Luke turned towards them in confusion. "Do you all...need something?"

One of them stepped forward, bowing. "We are your newly appointed guards, your Majesty."

"Guards?" Turning back to Piett, Luke raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no you don't – don't give me that look! Even your father had guards-" Piett froze at the slip of his tongue, gauging Luke's reaction carefully. "I apologize. I did not mean to mention him."

Shaking his head, Luke ignored the slip up, his mind heading off in a new direction that he had been pointedly avoiding so far. "Piett. Did the funeral already happen?"

Shocked, Piett shook his head quickly. "Of course not! We would not dare hold it without you, your Majesty."

"Oh. Good."

"I've kept your schedule light for the next few days, but you will have several important meetings to attend. Tomorrow is the one discussing your father's funeral. But before you manage to get me off topic, the guards are not negotiable, your Majesty."

Too exhausted to argue anyway, Luke nodded. "Very well. Also, must you always call me your Majesty?"

Continuing down the hall, Piett nodded. "I have always referred to you by title, your Majesty, and there is no reason for me to stop now."

Entering a set of elegant, wooden doors, Luke's jaw dropped as they walked through. Luke was used to having a taste of elegance due to Vader's position, but if that was elegant, this was straight up luxury. It was a whole suite of rooms decorated lavishly with brown curtains and gold accents overlooking the city complete with a balcony. If he thought of something he needed, he could find it somewhere in the room just by looking for it.

"I've had your personal droids draw you a bath. Someone will come fetch you for dinner later tonight. I will also get you a pad for your reports soon, but tomorrow we will have the meeting discussing the funeral details in the morning and then in the afternoon we are meeting with a tailor to order you new robes."

"Thank you, Admiral." Luke was still awestruck, wandering around his room in admiration.

"If that is all-"

Luke interrupted him before he could dismiss himself. "Admiral, where is the Executor currently?"

Taken aback, Piett had to quickly look it up on his pad. "Ah, it's docked here on Coruscant. Why, your Majesty?"

"I would like my personal ship brought to the palace."

"Your...personal ship?" Piett sounded confused. Luke could not tell if he was pretending to be ignorant or if he actually did not know.

Anxious, Luke hoped they had not already trashed his beloved ship. "My Nabooian starfighter."

"You mean...the one that was destroyed?"

"Yes. I want to fix it."

Blanching, Piett looked horrified. "B-but why, your Majesty? We have plenty of ships here in the palace for you-"

Shaking his head, Luke stared out over the cars flying over the city. "I want to fix my ship. It was my home, after all."

Still looking uncertain, Piett nodded slowly. "I will arrange for it to be brought, your Majesty."

"Thank you. That will be all."

Bowing, Piett left, all the guards remained out in the hallway, leaving Luke alone. Exploring the suite some more, he finally found himself outside on the balcony, looking out over Coruscant. It had not been long since he had arrived to this planet, and this was the first good look he'd gotten at it. The sky was an endless stream of speeders and shuttles. Luke could already tell it would be difficult to see the stars at night. The buildings towered to the point where Luke felt himself grow dizzy as he looked down, unable to even spot the ground. Walkways were attached to the sides of the buildings for people to get around, but this planet was unlike any he had ever been to before.

"Your Majesty?" A droid stood in the doorway. "Your bath is ready."

Nodding, Luke followed the droid back into his rooms, the droid bringing him to a large bathroom where half the room was devoted to his bathtub. Sarcastically, Luke wondered if they had accidentally brought him to a pool rather than a bath.

"I'll be fine by myself, thank you." Luke dismissed the droids, who all left the room after bowing.

Bowing. That was something he would have to get used to. Even though he had been in a rather lofty position aboard the Executor, nobody had ever bowed to him before. Most of them just pitied him for having gained too much of the dark lord's personal attention.

Sinking down into the warm water, Luke groaned as his muscles automatically started to relax and release. The water had been brought to the perfect temperature, and heaters were placed throughout the whole tub so that it would not grow cold.

After a few minutes, Luke forced himself to scrub himself clean first before allowing himself to sit back with his eyes closed once more. But as his eyes closed, he could sense the Force lingering in the back of his mind. The whole palace seemed to thrum with the very essence of it – which made only too much sense, considering it used to be the Jedi Temple. Closing himself off from it, Luke felt a pinch in his chest at the thought of everything the Force had done to him. If it were not for the Force, his entire life would have gone differently.

Aunt Sola would be alive, and he could have finished growing up on Naboo with interference. As he grew, he would have been able to become anyone he wanted rather than a shadow desperately trying to survive. If his father had not once been a Jedi, his father would not have fallen, and perhaps even his mother would have lived.

Now because of that wretched Force, he was to become Emperor of a galaxy where half the people probably wanted him dead.

When his fingers and toes began to shrivel, Luke dragged himself out of the bath, his limbs feeling awkward and heavy. The droids had hung a fresh formal robe for him to wear, Luke drying himself off with a soft towel and dressing himself. This robe was made of a fine royal blue silk, sliding over his skin like the tide caressing the shore.

Stepping back into the front of his suite, Luke found the two personal droids waiting right outside of the bathroom doors.

"If you are finished, sir, we will clean up the bathroom."

"Ah...yes, thank you. What are your names?" Luke realized he had forgotten to ask earlier.

Bowing, Luked noted that they were both high class silver protocol droids. "I am J-309, and my companion is Z-D04."

"Then thank you, J-309 and Z-D04."

"Oh, there is no need to thank us, your Majesty. We are just doing our duty!"

Luke allowed the droids to get back to work, going to sit down on a couch set aside in a little alcove. On the one wall, a bookshelf had been built in, lined floor to ceiling with older tombs that Luke would be afraid to touch should they fall apart under his fingers. It appeared to be the place he could bring his personal guests should he want to visit with them. Somehow, the thought of bringing people here felt like he was putting up a facade – Luke Skywalker did not live this way. Luke Skywalker thrived out among the stars and exploring the planets, getting himself into a spot of trouble here and there. This fancy room was just another reminder that Emperor Luke was not the same.