Author's note:
I want to express my gratitude to all the readers who followed, favorited, and reviewed this story.
Even for those of you who prefer to enjoy the story secretly.
This chapter is a long one. I hope you enjoy it.
Relax and savor the galaxy far, far away :-)
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As the two broke apart from their hug, Anakin said softly, "I think I know why the Force brought us together."
Leia looked at him curiously, a line forming between her brows.
"Why?"
"I need to train you," Anakin answered. "So you can face Lord Vader, which means you need to become a Jedi. The Force has gifted us this place - we don't need to go back to the shelter. We've got plenty of food here and this place is much better and more secure."
"What are you saying?" Leia asked, horrified. "Train me to become a Jedi so I can kill you?"
Anakin shook his head vehemently.
"No, but if the need should ever arise, you must." Anakin said calmly.
Leia clenched her jaw.
She wasn't eager to kill the evil man who had sired her, but if she had to, she knew she would in order to save and free countless lives from the maniac that was the Dark Lord.
The Jedi crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"You may not believe this, but I feel the good in him, the part of me that is still inside Darth Vader."
Leia looked at her father Anakin skeptically.
"After everything he's done?"
"I know. He's done unspeakably terrible things," Anakin replied. "But he isn't completely lost to the dark side. That's why he's chasing after Luke and yourself so strongly - other than to serve the Emperor."
He took a step towards Leia.
"Some part of Vader wants his family back. To rule together as a family. I believe he loves you both, as much as a Sith can love."
Anakin gazed earnestly at his daughter.
"And that, Leia, is where you come in. You and Luke only have the power to save him. If anyone can turn back Vader into the Jedi that I am, it's you two. I believe you can be used to save him, turn him from the path of darkness. It seems the Force has chosen you in an exceptional way to be the one to try and reach him or defeat him."
The weight of Anakin's words hung in the air, the realization that her destiny was intertwined with the fate of Darth Vader sinking in. Leia had a choice to make, and it was a choice that would shape her future and the galaxy's fate...
Me? Leia questioned in her mind.
It all felt wrong, so wrong.
Shouldn't it be Luke here, not me? He's the one who should be standing in my shoes. She thought, her doubts echoing in the quiet corners of her mind.
"But I thought you said I was too old," Leia offered.
Anakin nodded.
"That's what the Jedi Council in my time would say. But in your present, the Jedi are all gone and the closest we have is your brother. Since he's not here with me to have a council, I'm making the choice to train you."
"Why can't I just let Luke deal with battling Vader? He's already training to be a Jedi and has been for quite a while!" Leia protested.
"Because it looks like the Force has other plans," Anakin replied gently. "And besides, I'll be after you too, Leia. I destroyed the whole galaxy for you and your brother. Do you think I'd simply leave you alone and ignore my daughter? You need to be able to defend yourself."
A look of fear rose in Leia's eyes, fear that shot up her spine. She knew what her father was saying was true, even though it all didn't make sense to her. The Force indeed seemed to have other plans, plans that she couldn't comprehend entirely.
And she was tired, tired of running away from Lord Vader, tired of feeling defenseless and vulnerable in the face of the dark side.
The idea of being able to face him, no longer without any real means of defense, brought her a strange sense of ease. It was a daunting prospect, but at least now she'd have a chance to fight back. Though she did not want to kill him. Now that she knew who he was and now that she had forgiven Anakin, she wanted him to be saved. Deep down, she felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, in facing the darkness, there might be a chance for redemption.
Her father Bail had talked greatly about the Jedi and she knew that the way of the Jedi was not to give in to hate or unforgiveness.
She never personally tried to live up to that same level as a saintly jedi would. But now that she knew that she was force-sensitive and the offer of training her to become a Jedi was now placed in front of her, she knew she could not hold on to her anger anymore and that she had to do what was right for the Galaxy and be there willingly to defend it and to try to save her father if she could.
She would be a fool not to accept the offer of training too from the man who would become Lord Vader, even though she felt so unworthy.
"Alright," she said, her voice steady, her eyes meeting her father's. "I'll do it. I'll let you train me, Father, to become a Jedi."
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Later that night, Leia found it difficult to sleep, her mind consumed by thoughts of the start of training that awaited her tomorrow. Anakin lay in another bed nearby, peacefully asleep.
As Leia tried to visualize herself confronting Vader, fear crept over her, but then she envisioned facing him as a Jedi, and that softened the dread.
"No... NO!"
Leia's head snapped in the direction of the voice, and she saw her father writhing in the grip of a troubled dream once more. With her newfound knowledge about him, it struck her personally now how deeply he was tormented by nightmares of her mother's death and the uncertainty surrounding her and Luke's fate.
Anakin found himself trapped in a nightmare, donning the dreaded suit of Lord Vader, witnessing himself commit heinous acts he couldn't control. The nightmare ended and once again he started dreaming of losing Padme and the twins, his heart heavy with the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future.
A gentle touch pulled him back from the abyss, and he woke with a gasp, his chest heaving as he realized he had been dreaming. It took him a moment to orient himself, and when he did, he was surprised to see Leia: his royal daughter standing beside the bed, her hand resting on his prosthetic one.
"Is...Is something wrong?" he stammered in fear, his mind leaping to the worst scenarios as it struggled to shake off the remnants of his nightmares. Had his future self, Lord Vader, found them?
"Only your nightmares, father. How about scooting over and making me some room?" Leia's voice was filled with affectionate humor as she made her request.
A confused line formed between Anakin's brows as he tried to comprehend what she had just asked. When it hit him, stunned and touched, he quickly scooted back, creating ample space for Leia to lie beside him.
Leia giggled, her laughter like a soothing balm to Anakin's heart which was recovering from being filled with so much anxiety.
"I won't be needing that much room. I'm not that big," She said with a smile.
She settled in beside him, her warmth and presence comforting him in a way he hadn't felt in years. She gently cuddled against him, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. In that moment, he felt his heart melt, overwhelmed by the love he felt for his daughter.
That night marked the first time in a long time that the Jedi had fallen asleep with a genuine smile on his face.
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Leia's training with Anakin felt like it had stretched over years, even though the non dwindling supply of food in the temple suggested otherwise. The strange, timeless quality of the planet seemed to warp their perception of time, or time itself, making it both fly by and drag on endlessly.
The training regimen Anakin had designed for Leia was nothing short of brutal. He pushed her to her limits, demanding that she give her absolute best. It was so intense that Leia had vomited and fainted several times during their sessions. Anakin felt a deep pang of guilt every time it happened, but he couldn't let himself go soft on his daughter. He knew the importance of preparing her to face the dark Sith outside, and he was determined to make her as strong as possible.
Outside of their training sessions, father and daughter spent precious moments together. Anakin shared stories of Leia's grandmother and her mother, reminiscing about life in his time. In return, Leia shared tales of her childhood and told him about Luke's bravery and strength, expressing her certainty that he would make him proud.
Every night, the Jedi father would sleep while holding his daughter in his arms, giving him a peace when he woke up from his nightmares.
When the time came for the final stage of Leia's training, Anakin brought her to the chamber where the Kyber crystals in the temple were kept. She had already constructed her lightsaber, no longer relying on the green one he had found. All that remained was for her to choose a crystal to complete her weapon.
"Alright, my princess. Choose wisely. Choose the one that calls out to you," Anakin instructed affectionately, pride filling his voice.
Leia closed her eyes, letting the Force guide her. A serene smile graced her lips as she opened her eyes and pointed at a particular crystal.
"This one," Leia said, her smile growing wider. "I'm glad it's this one! After all this time stuck in Jedi robes and no makeup? Definitely want this pretty thing right here."
Anakin chuckled warmly, understanding her sentiment. He had heard his daughter frequently lament about missing the opportunity to wear something beautiful and have a tube of lipstick at her disposal.
Leia delicately placed the chosen Kyber crystal into her lightsaber hilt and then ignited it.
A vivid pink blade shot out, roaring to life and casting a radiant glow on Leia's face. She couldn't help but smile at the beautiful sight before her, her eyes sparkling.
Anakin's eyes widened in awe as he beheld the vibrant pink blade emanating from Leia's lightsaber.
"It's stunning, Leia," he praised, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "A reflection of your strength and beauty. It's just like its wielder."
Anakin reached out to touch the hilt of the lightsaber gently, his fingers tracing the intricate designs.
"And your lightsaber, it's not just a weapon. It's an extension of you, a symbol of your fierceness and courage. I couldn't be prouder, my dear girl." Anakin's voice resonated with pride and love as he looked at his daughter, his heart swelling with emotion.
Leia, touched by her father's words, blushed and turned off her lightsaber, the pink blade retracting into the hilt with a soft hiss. Anakin's praise had warmed her heart, and she felt a newfound confidence surging within her.
Anakin took her hands in his.
"I can sense you still feel the Force has made a mistake in choosing you for this path. You question Its reasoning."
in shame, Leia opened her mouth to speak, but Anakin continued gently.
"This is understandable, my daughter. But as I've taught you - we cannot expect to know or understand everything the Force intends. We must simply trust in Its will."
The Jedi father gave her hands a warm squeeze.
"The time has come for you to accept fully the mission the Force has given you."
Leia's voice wavered as she confessed her guilt to Anakin, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "I can't help but feel guilty, Father. You're right, but I don't understand why the Force didn't send Luke instead. He always talked about you before he faced Vader. He would have loved to have met you the way I have. It just doesn't seem fair."
Anakin nodded understandingly, his expression softening.
"I know it's difficult to accept, Leia. Consider who you're talking to. Those visions you received showed what happened when I didn't listen to the will of the light side. I tried to save my wife and children through horrible means and ended up with my wife dead and my children orphaned, living in a world of suffering. I didn't trust the Force. It's what you should do, and don't forget, Luke still has a chance of meeting me with your help if you manage to save Vader. Perhaps the Force wishes to use you to gift your brother with the opportunity to know me."
Leia took a moment to absorb his words, the weight of her guilt lifting. She found tremendous peace in the idea that her actions might pave the way for Luke having a connection with their father Anakin Skywalker.
With a determined glint in her eyes she met her father's gaze.
"I'll do my best, Father. For both of us and for Luke. I won't let the Force's plan go to waste."
As the finality of her choice settled in her heart, a shift in the air was palpable, and both Leia and Anakin sensed it. Their time together had come to an end, and Anakin was to return to his time.
"No, Force, no! I want him to stay here with me!" Leia cried out, clinging to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his form.
"I want that too, more than anything, but the Force has other ideas," Anakin replied, his face hardening to prevent tears from forming. He needed to be strong for his daughter. "Leia, remember, if you are left without a choice, don't fear killing Lord Vader. I've foreseen you could. Don't feel any guilt either if it's what fate leads you. You do what you must as a Jedi to help the galaxy have peace again."
Leia wept, feeling like she was losing a parent all over again.
"Leia, look at me," Anakin said soothingly, gently lifting her chin. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and wiped away her tears. His touch was warm and comforting, offering a brief moment of tranquility in the face of their impending separation.
"I'm so proud of you, and I know your mother would be as well. We couldn't have hoped for our daughter to become so wonderful and strong, so kind and brave. Remember all that I've taught you. I've shown you all my weaknesses, but remember my greatest one."
Leia nodded, her eyes wet with tears, recalling that her father had revealed his deepest vulnerability to her: Her.
It would be the same for Vader. Her greatest chance to save the dark lord was herself.
"I love you, Father," Leia whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"I love you too, my sweet girl," Anakin replied, his voice gentle and full of love.
Leia buried her face in his chest, clinging to him as he held her as if trying to etch his presence into her memory forever. She treasured the feeling of touching him one last time while tears streamed down her face.
Suddenly, Leia felt him leave, his presence disappearing from her arms.
She opened her eyes and found him gone.
Hot tears filled Leia's eyes as she covered her face and wept, mourning the loss of her father and grappling with the weight of the mission now solely on her shoulders. The galaxy's fate rested in her hands, and she knew she had to be strong, for herself, for her family, and for the countless lives she would affect.
The princess swallowed hard, her tears coming to a forced halt as she slowly made her way to the bathroom. With trembling hands, she splashed her face with cool water from the sink. As droplets trickled down her chin, she sensed the arrival of a new presence. Leia turned her head, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw the translucent figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Your destiny awaits you outside, Your Highness," Obi-Wan said solemnly, his voice echoing softly in the room.
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The eerie mechanical breath of his respirator was the first thing that greeted Lord Vader when he stirred back awake from unconsciousness under the night sky. When his yellow eyes slowly opened, they were filled with hatred as he remembered what, to him, were mere moments ago—his fierce battle with Anakin Skywalker.
His gaze was met with a disorienting expanse of white, a blanket of snow covering his mask and the rest of his body. Gritting his teeth, he furiously wiped away the snow, his gloved hands moving with precision despite his anger.
Clearly, he had been unconscious far longer than he had realized, and the knowledge of this infuriated him. Another loss to that weakling, another sign of his own weakness.
Thoughts of hatred and self-condemnation flooded the Sith's mind, and he harnessed the power of the dark side, drawing strength from his anger, to rise and stand amid the snow-covered ground. Anakin Skywalker's victory haunted him, and the sting of failure only fueled the burning rage within him.
Once back on his feet, Vader looked up from the cliff he had fallen from. It had been a fall of a good hundred feet or so that he had survived, thanks to the durability of his suit and, undoubtedly, the intervention of the Force.
A dull ache coated his body, a testament to the physical toll the fall had taken on him. Yet, he welcomed the pain, using it as fuel for his burning desire for revenge against Skywalker. The Sith Lord allowed the discomfort to transform into a seething motivation, driving him forward.
The dark lord wondered how long he had been unconscious. Time seemed to blur and rush past him during his time on this nameless, desolate planet. He began to move, making his way back up, relying on the dark side of the Force to guide him once again.
So far, he had been rewarded when he relied on the dark side to guide him on this planet; the last time he had awakened, he was granted the presence of Leia.
Perhaps, in his desperation and thirst for vengeance, he would be gifted with another encounter, another chance to strike gold.
The anticipation of the possibility fueled him as he ascended up the mountain to return near where he had fallen, his mechanical limbs carrying him upward with relentless purpose.
As Vader made his way up the mountain, his path became treacherous and steep.
Halfway up, his foot found a treacherous patch concealed beneath the snow, a hidden rock that sent him stumbling. With a crash, he fell to one knee, his prosthetic limb absorbing much of the impact. The snow, whipped by a gusting breeze, billowed around him, momentarily obscuring his vision.
"It seems like rocks are still your enemy," a warm, feminine voice remarked. The wind died down almost instantly as Vader looked up, his mechanical breathing echoing in the crisp mountain air.
There, before him, stood the young princess, donning a white Jedi robe with her hood drawn over her head. Her lips and cheeks were flushed from the chilly night air, and Vader involuntarily sucked in a deep breath in shock.
He could sense a Jedi was standing before him now. He hadn't known his daughter had been Force-sensitive, which made the knowledge and sight of her as a Jedi all the more jarring.
"Where is Skywalker? The one who did this to you?" Vader demanded in rage. He was proud of how powerful he could sense his daughter had become, but he was burning with hatred at what the Jedi had done to his daughter.
Gone was the daughter he could mold easily, the one he had special power over with his use of the Force. Now, no doubt, stood his daughter who didn't even believe they were related with a target on his back to kill him thanks to that Jedi scum.
Leia stretched out her hand, offering it to Vader. Though his face was concealed, his body language betrayed clear shock at her gesture - the shoulders of the feared Sith lord visibly tensed with surprise.
After a long moment of hesitation, a large gloved hand slowly rose to accept her own.
The Sith dismissed Leia's strange action as merely typical Jedi goody-two-shoes behavior.
Leia used the Force to gather strength, aiding her tall and imposing father to stand.
"Gone," she answered softly, her voice carrying a hint of mourning.
When Vader stood back on his feet, Leia crossed her arms, her hands resting on her elbows in a gesture that seemed to provide her with comfort after the recent loss.
"Good!" her Sith father exclaimed with an evil grin, his yellow eyes gleaming with anticipation. No longer did he have that roach he needed to squash standing in his way.
Now it was going to be just as he had wanted it to be since the beginning of his and Leia's stay on the planet. Just he and his daughter alone together. Now he could get her to try to see reason, and even now, turn to the dark side.
Leia snorted with a laugh, her amusement catching Vader off guard. He had expected anger or resentment, but her response was unexpected.
"You could at least try to seem mournful for my sake, father," Leia quipped. "I know it's like a galactic holiday for you. If only we had some cake and balloons to celebrate."
Again, and in such a short amount of time since the last revelation, the princess had managed to surprise Lord Vader.
The acknowledgment of his fatherhood impacted him like a slap to his face, stirring something in his dark heart.
"F-Father?" the Sith asked, doubting he had heard right.
Leia nodded, smiling.
"I know now, and I remember everything."
The Sith's mouth opened and closed a few times as another wave of surprise hit him.
He didn't know what to do. Should he try to explain his motives for why he had lied to her so she could understand?
Should he apologize for what he had done by having her planet destroyed? Apologize for all the things he wouldn't have done had he known she was his child?
At least, not unless any of these things would have brought her to be with him.
"You could at least try to seem mournful for my sake, father."
The memory of her words came back to him.
Vader contemplated her statement for a moment before responding, his voice filled with authority and a waving pointed finger directed at her emphasizing his words.
"Skywalker has been poisoning your mind. It's of great relief to me that he is gone."
Then he crossed his arms, almost mirroring Leia's stance unknowingly until he did it.
"It... pleases me to know you've accepted the truth of who I am, daughter," he said, his voice carrying a strange mix of satisfaction and emotion.
Leia gazed upon the imposing figure of the Dark Lord, sensing the shroud of darkness that enshrouded him outwardly. Fear, as it always did in his presence, clenched at her heart, threatening to overwhelm her. But this time, now that she had the Force she summoned all her courage to face him.
As she extended her supernatural senses, a shiver ran down her spine. She felt dark side emanating from Vader, and her fear intensified. Nevertheless, she persisted in her quest, determined to peer into the heart of the fallen black figure that stood before her, despite the paralyzing fear that had held her back until now.
As Leia delved deeper into Vader's presence with the Force, she was startled by what she discovered. Her father, Anakin Skywalker, had insisted that there was still a part of him buried within the darkness of Vader.
It turned out he hadn't been joking. Leia could sense a flicker of goodness within Vader, a glimmer of the man who was once Anakin, laying deep within the layers of darkness.
It was a revelation that left her both amazed and touched.
Leia's belief in the possibility of bringing back Anakin from the clutches of darkness's grip intensified greatly.
Without thinking, moved by the overwhelming presence of Anakin before her again, Leia quickly reached out and wrapped her arms around the Sith in a tight hug.
Vader, taken completely off guard by this unexpected action, lost his breath. His yellow eyes wavered with confusion and a whirlwind of intense, conflicting emotions swirled within him as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.
Leia smiled as she felt a flare of goodness surge within Vader's heart, sensing Anakin's presence growing stronger. However, Vader, becoming acutely aware of what was happening inside him and the weakening of the darkness, reacted quickly with his Sith instincts. He felt enraged and offended by this rapid intrusion of light.
"What kind of Jedi tomfoolery trick is this?" He roared, then shoved Leia off of him with a powerful force, making her fall hard on her back, pain shooting through her body.
The Sith father breathed heavily now that that ordeal was over, but then he realized what he had done as he looked down at Leia's small form.
He felt a conflict of guilt and anger warring inside him, and another battle began within him about whether he should help her up or not.
The girl needs to learn not to play games with me, doesn't she? He thought, trying to justify his actions.
"She's your flesh and blood," A voice from the depths of his heart reminded him, causing him to feel a sharp stab of guilt in his chest.
Leia lifted herself up slightly on her elbows, then touched the back of her snow-covered, hooded head, wincing from the pain she felt there.
"I wasn't playing games with you, Father. I just saw the good in you and reacted to it," the princess said in response to the dark side she could sense in him speaking.
"I guess I should know better. If you play with fire, you get burned," she muttered to herself and sighed.
As she began to stand up, Vader stretched out a shaking hand towards her, his arm trembling slightly.
"I-I didn't mean-"
Leia raised a hand to silence him before taking his hand.
She quickly got on her feet again thanks to the dark lord.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I should remember to think before I act."
Vader's brow ridges shot up in astonishment. She was apologizing to him? After he had hurt her? After all he had done to her?
"I guess that was payback for my team kicking you over the edge earlier," she joked. "How are you feeling after that, by the way? Are you in any pain?"
She then gestured with her thumb.
"Because I know a place with medical supplies if you need anything for pain."
Darth could only manage to stare at her as the sound of his breathing pierced his ears. He had just hurt her, and she was concerned for him?
The conflict within him deepened at the unexpected compassion his daughter was showing.
Leia let out an airy laugh.
"Surely, Lord Vader, the man with a silver tongue can't be at a loss for words now, can he?"
Her question had been enough to snap Vader out of his confusion and shock.
"I'm fine. Fate has dealt me worse blows than what that punk Skywalker did to me," he grumbled with a hint of bitterness, his dark aura slowly returning to its usual intensity.
Leia raised a brow.
"Really? I'd love to hear some stories." Leia stretched out her hand, offering it to him. "But first, let's get us inside someplace warm."
Vader stared at her hand and then back at her. Leia could read his bewildered feelings that said, You're a Jedi and I am a Sith. We should be battling to the death or at least trying to persuade one another to join the other side. Did you not learn this from that fool Anakin Skywalker?
Leia laughed.
"Look around you, Father. Do you see the Emperor anywhere? I know I don't, thankfully. What's your rush? We've got plenty of time for all that later. For now, why don't we just get to enjoy each other's company?"
"After everything I've done to you, you desire this, daughter?" asked Vader, his baritone voice a mixture of uncertainty and being overwhelmed by her mercy.
"Well, that's the Jedi way: Forgiveness, isn't it?" Leia smiled at him warmly and stretched out her hand to him again. "Now come on. Are you gonna take my hand this time or not?"
Hand trembling, Vader hesitated for a moment before finally accepting Leia's outstretched hand. The softness in her eyes and the warmth of her smile reached a part of him long buried beneath layers of darkness. As their fingers interlaced, a surge of unexpected emotion coursed through him, thawing the icy grip of the Sith within.
In the hushed serenity of the snow-covered surroundings, Leia led the way, her steps leaving imprints on the pristine canvas beneath. Beside her, Vader followed, his towering figure moving with a surprising grace. The only sounds that accompanied them other than the Sith's breathing were the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots and the distant whispers of the wind.
As they ascended higher, a sense of quiet near companionship enveloped them, allowing the weight of their shared history to fade into the background.
As they reached the mountain's peak, a low hum resonated in the air, catching both Leia and Vader's attention. Their hands broke apart as they turned to look, their eyes narrowing at the sight in the distance.
Against the canvas of the starry sky, a swarm of Nexorax approached, their dark green forms stretching far and wide. Sinister large insect creatures, Nexorax were known for their deadly abilities. With sharp claws, teeth, and the ability to spew corrosive acid, they were a fearsome presence in the galaxy.
These creatures had a particular taste for humans, considering them special treats in their gruesome feasts.
The atmosphere shifted from tranquility to tension as the threat of the Nexorax loomed closer. Leia's eyes narrowed as did her father's.
In unison, the Jedi and Sith drew their lightsabers, the humming glow of energy blades roaring to life.
Leia knew the Temple where she had been taking them was too far away for them to flee to with how quickly Nexorax moved. No, she needed to face the creatures in order to survive.
Leia met her father's gaze with seriousness.
"I know you don't need to fight this battle. Your suit will protect you. If you want, just leave it to me," she said, her voice steady and confident.
Vader regarded her for a moment.
"If it were a smaller amount of Nexorax, I would," he responded, his deep voice resonating with authority. "Knowing you can handle it. But this army would put even me in danger without the suit. I will not risk my daughter losing her life over flying insects."
Leia smirked, a hint of playful sarcasm in her tone.
"So my old man really does care?" She teased, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Vader gave her a quick glance in response, acknowledging her words, and then the two took their stances as the cloud of Nexorax approached rapidly. As the swarm charged at them from all angles, Leia and Vader's lightsabers moved with incredible speed and precision, twirling and striking down many insects before they could get too close.
Leia's pink lightsaber shimmered as she skillfully stabbed, slashed, and spun, cutting through Nexorax with precision. With the Force as her ally, she sent waves of telekinetic energy rippling through the air, creating shockwaves that knocked the insects off balance and sent them sprawling in the air.
Some Nexorax were even lifted off the ground and hurled into the path of their flying companions, causing momentary confusion among the swarm.
Vader's strikes were calculated and deadly, each swing cleaving through multiple Nexorax at once. Through the Force with a gesture of his gloved hand, he crushed many of the attacking creatures.
As the battle raged on, Vader noticed Leia's graceful movements and the radiant pink glow of her lightsaber. It was a stark contrast to his dark side weapon, and for a moment, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. His daughter, wielding a unique lightsaber, was a formidable Jedi. Her skills he could see so far were remarkable, and she fought with the strength of a true warrior.
With the last of the insects defeated, Leia took a deep breath, attempting to steady her racing heart. But before she could fully relax, an acute sense of danger gripped her. She swiftly turned around, instincts kicking in, narrowly evading a lethal blow from Vader's lightsaber. Her own weapon snapped to attention, forming a defensive barrier between her and the Sith Lord. The familiar, chilling fear of Vader washed over her like an icy tidal wave.
"Well done, young one," Vader's voice echoed in the night, carrying an unexpected note of pride. "The Force is strong with you, Leia. Just as it is so with your brother."
With his last words spoken, the princess could understand now the Sith Lord's intentions. When he swung his blade at her, it wasn't with the intent to harm her, at least not in this moment. He wanted to test her skills, to see what she was capable of.
Leia's smirked as she eased more into her stance, her boots sinking further into the snow. With a fluidity that mirrored her confidence, she began to twirl her lightsaber in her hand, the vibrant pink blade twirling it at her side, then behind her back, and then at her front with effortless grace.
The Sith Lord's eyes widened, a glimmer of recognition flickering within their depths as he saw echoes of familiarity in her movements.
"Like that?" she asked, her grin widening. "I learned it from the best. From you; Anakin Skywalker."
"That name has no meaning for me," Vader retorted with a gloved finger. "That man you knew is dead."
Leia chuckled, a sound that carried both amusement and defiance.
"Whatever you say, Father," she teased. With a gesture of her hand, she motioned for him to make a move, her eyes playful yet determined.
Vader let out a scoff, a mixture of exasperation and amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Stubborn child," he muttered, the hint of a smile playing on his lips as he tightened his grip on his lightsaber, raising the humming blade in preparation.
"Where do you think I get it from?" Leia retorted, her words laced with playful defiance.
As her Sith father charged toward her with a burst of speed, their lightsabers clashed with a burst of sparks.
Leia's strikes were precise and fluid, a testament to her training. She started with a series of quick jabs, testing Vader's defenses. He responded with deliberate parries, his crimson blade dancing in intricate patterns to ward off her attacks.
Leia executed a twirl, her lightsaber forming an impenetrable barrier as Vader aimed for her side. The Sith Lord adapted quickly, lunging forward with a thrust that Leia barely managed to deflect. Her pink blade met his with a resounding clash, and for a moment, they locked eyes in a silent battle of wills.
With a powerful shove of the Force, pushing Darth away, Leia broke the stalemate and somersaulted backward, landing gracefully in the snow.
Sensing an opportunity, Vader reached out with the Force, lifting a fallen tree trunk nearby. With a swift motion, he hurled it toward Leia, testing her reflexes. Leia's lightsaber sliced through the trunk effortlessly, the pieces falling harmlessly to the ground. She then used the Force to gather those burning fragments and sent them back at Vader, surprising him.
Vader, undeterred, used the Force to throw the split trunks at nearby trees. The impact shook the snowy branches, showering the area with snowflakes.
Vader advanced, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. Leia used the Force to hurl a wad of snow onto his mask, momentarily obscuring his vision. It was a brief distraction, but Leia seized the opportunity.
She lunged at him, performing a series of acrobatic flips, her lightsaber moving with fast strikes. Vader blocked her strikes with precision but was forced on the defensive.
As Leia attempted a flip in the air over her father, her cry of dread pierced the air as Vader's gloved hand closed around her leg before tossing her, sending her sprawling through the air like a ragdoll.
her side collided with a tree, pain erupting in her ribs on impact. Gasping for air, she clenched her teeth against the pain, refusing to succumb to the agony. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to stay down, but her determination blazed brighter than ever.
With sheer willpower, Leia forced herself to her feet, her breaths shallow and rapid. She could feel Vader's menacing presence advancing toward her, his heavy footsteps crunching the snow beneath his black boots. Despite the pain lancing through her side, she squared her shoulders, her eyes narrowing with fierce determination.
Vader approached, his black cape billowing around him. Leia's grip tightened on her lightsaber, her knuckles turning white. She steadied herself, drawing on the Force to bolster her resolve. The pain in her ribs was a distant echo compared to the fire burning in her spirit.
Despite the pain shooting through her ribs, Leia gritted her teeth and pushed herself off the tree behind her. Bravery blazed in her eyes as she charged at Vader, her lightsaber a bright blur of energy in the snowy forest.
She unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes, aiming for any opening in his defenses.
Vader, his movements controlled and expertise, deflected her attacks effortlessly with his crimson blade.
In a surprising move, Leia then interjected her lightsaber strikes with powerful punches, each one enhanced by the Force. As she knew it would, her fists met Vader's armor with futile impact, but the sheer audacity of her moves impressed him. He could feel the raw power behind her blows, a testament to her connection to the Force. A proud sinister smile tugged at the corners of his lips. She was indeed her father's daughter.
With a sudden and deliberate movement, Leia let herself fall to the ground, her body twisting into a force-strengthened sweeping leg swipe that caught Vader off guard. The Sith Lord stumbled, his imposing figure crashing backward to the snowy ground. Leia swiftly got on her feet and pointed her lightsaber at Vader's throat.
For a moment, the forest held its breath, tension hanging thick in the air. Vader's mechanical breathing seemed to echo the stillness of the moment. Leia's eyes were steady, her grip firm, as she maintained her position.
But Vader, drawing on the dark power of the Force, gathered his strength. With a subtle move of the hand, he force-pushed Leia back, the sheer power of it making her feet skid in the snow, leaving deep grooves in her wake. Darth rose to his feet, extinguishing his lightsaber with a decisive snap-hiss.
Leia mirrored his action, deactivating her own weapon, the pink blade vanishing into the hilt with a soft hum. They stood there, a mere few feet apart, the weight of their confrontation hanging heavy between them. The silence of the snowy forest seemed to amplify the intensity of their unspoken exchange.
Leia let down her white hood, feeling the top of her head heated and moist with sweat from the battle. With her face now revealed, the many moonlight's glow illuminated her features, revealing four very shallow rows of bloody claw marks on her face. A clear, minor injury she had sustained during their killing of the swarm of Nexorax.
The dark lord father felt a stirring of hatred for himself at the sight, a failure to protect her.
"Most impressive, young one," Vader remarked, his baritone voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "You are quite a formidable foe."
Leia, despite her pain, managed a smile.
She was no fool.
The Jedi knew that her father was more powerful than her and had been holding back much of his strength.
Just as she had been during their spar.
Leia gave an appreciative nod, acknowledging his words, a silent understanding passing between them in that moment of shared respect as warriors.
Still smiling at his praise, the princess wiped the blood off of her cheek with the back of her hand.
"Daughter, If you're this powerful after being trained by that measly Skywalker, one can only imagine how unfathomably great you would become if you allowed me to teach you in the ways of the dark side and you become a Sith," Vader said with a raised gloved hand, clenching his fist as he imagined how gloriously strong she'd be as a Lady Sith.
Leia felt the pull and ebb of the dark side waft at her with her father's words, tightening her throat.
She pushed it away with a deep breath.
"Yeah, you would like that, wouldn't you?" Leia sighed, hurt to see what had become of her father Anakin and placing her lightsaber back at her side.
"I can unlock your full potential and your brother's," Vader urged, trying to make her see reason. "If both of you abandon the ways of the Jedi and join me to destroy the Emperor, I know it can be done with ease! If Luke will not turn and only you do so, I know you're powerful enough to slay my master.
Perhaps afterward your brother will change: then we can all rule together as family. We can bring peace like never before shown to the galaxy under our reign!"
Again, the power of the dark side tempted Leia through the words of the Sith who had begot her. This time it surged at her, crashing into her with its enticing offer of power.
Leia closed her eyes, briefly meditating where she stood through the light side of the Force and then cast away in her heart the offer of evil.
The young royal then walked over slowly to Vader, her eyes tender towards him as she did. She stood now in front of her colossal father and placed a hand on his forearm resting at his side.
"What if I don't want to rule with you in darkness or rule at all? What if I just want to be with you, Father?" Leia's voice was soft, carrying the weight of her emotions and her love for the broken man before her.
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Leia's question hung powerfully in the air in front of Vader. All he could do was look at her. Her question had stirred around and increased the lightness in his heart. Her brown eyes looked up at him with such vulnerability and pain that he had never seen displayed by her before.
"It...it is too late for me, daughter," Darth Vader stated slowly, with a softness and remorseful tone Leia had never known he possessed. "You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master."
Leia shook her head, placing her hand softly where the Sith's heart rested while her other hand still lay on his forearm.
"Too late? When I see the goodness in your heart shining brightly in that darkness now, like a candle in the night? Or one of these stars, up there? I don't believe it for one second!" She said adamantly while sweetly smiling at him.
The young woman then took Vader's hand, stepping back and gently pulling him forward.
"Now come on, Father. Let's get to that place I was taking you earlier before we got so rudely interrupted. Remember, not everyone has a suit to keep them warm here," Leia said, her voice warm and reassuring. Vader began to follow her, allowing her to lead him by the hand. He felt the conflict inside him shifting, the goodness within him strengthening.
Leia led him to the outside of the hidden Jedi temple. As she pressed a concealed button on the wall, a hidden passageway was revealed, surprising Vader with its existence.
Leia gestured for him to enter first, and he complied, with her following closely behind. It took Vader more than a few seconds to comprehend where they were standing.
"You've taken us to a Jedi temple?" The Sith questioned, his forehead wrinkling. "How...interesting."
Leia snickered.
"I know, but I didn't feel anything from the Force telling me not to. It's cold outside and it is just us after all, right?"
Vader had to concede to her reasoning.
"Mind if we sit by the fire? I'm a bit chilled," Leia asked as she led him to the Gathering Hall area of the temple. "All that sweat on me earlier turned cold."
I never imagined a day where you displayed manners to me, the Sith's voice remarked sarcastically in her mind.
The princess laughed.
Today marks the day Sith hell has frozen over, Leia mentally returned to him, causing Darth to smirk darkly behind his mask.
Leia took off her white Jedi robe, placing it by the roaring fire of the fireplace to dry it from all the dampness caused by the snow.
A kettle was boiling over the fire. Leia rubbed her hands together by the warmth, trying to chase away the chill of the snow while Vader sat down on a seat, his eyes fixed on her every move. Leia carefully moved the kettle away from the fire and poured herself some hot water into one of the two cups placed nearby the flame.
A tea capsule was already in the cup, releasing a delightful aroma of sweet honey and lemon that instantly filled her senses. After filling her cup, she set it down beside the empty one her father Anakin used to use, allowing the steaming drink to cool down for a moment. The flickering light from the fireplace danced in her eyes, casting a warm glow on her face.
At the sight of her father's untouched cup, she felt a pang of guilt for not offering Vader a drink, but then a question struck her.
"No. I can't take liquids or solid foods through my mouth except when I'm in my meditation chamber," Vader said, sensing her thoughts.
Leia frowned, her curiosity mixing with concern.
"Such a hard life to live when it really doesn't have to be," Leia remarked, sitting down on the floor with her back to the fire but facing him. "You have all the medical science in the galaxy at your fingertips. Why haven't you ever used it?" Her voice carried a mix of frustration and genuine concern for her father's well-being.
Vader's mechanical breathing echoed through the dimly lit chamber, each raspy inhalation a reminder of his humanity encased in cold machinery. His tone, normally cloaked in authority and darkness, now bore a vulnerability as he confessed his innermost thoughts to Leia.
"Because I never saw the point in repairing myself when I learned of your mother's death," he uttered, his voice laced with the sorrow of loss, "and I believed I had lost you and Luke as well. I had never desired to rule the galaxy alone. My master keeps me on a short leash, his watchful gaze unrelenting. Such extensive operations would require meticulous planning, and I would need time to rest and heal. Instead of braving that treacherous path, risking the Emperor's wrath ending me, I have chosen to let my pain fuel my strength in the dark side."
Leia's eyes, pools of empathy, met his, unwavering in her resolve. "It doesn't have to be like this, Father. Can't you see? If you join me and Luke, we'll get you all fixed up. I promise," she vowed, her voice carrying the weight of a daughter's love and determination. "Then you can eat all the best foods the galaxy has to offer. My treat."
In that moment, amidst the crackling warmth of the fire and the swirling tendrils of the Force, the choice hung heavy in the air like the hush before a storm, waiting for the darkened heart of Darth Vader to find its answer.
Leia looked at him with pleading eyes, eyes that screamed of a daughter calling out to her father, saying she needed him. Her gaze bore into him, the same eyes she had inherited from her, stabbing at him with their raw, unfiltered emotion. Each glance was like a shard of glass piercing through his armor, reaching the very core of his being.
He forced himself to look away, the dark side in him becoming enraged.
"Enough of your foolish Jedi tricks and lies, girl!" Vader's voice erupted through the room, making Leia flinch involuntarily, her tea trembling in her hands. His shout echoed off the stone walls of the small hidden Jedi temple, reverberating with the weight of his inner turmoil.
The hurt in Leia's eyes was unmistakable
Vader turned away, his breaths heavy and labored. He clenched his fists, struggling to suppress the storm of emotions raging within him. The conflict inside him was a tempest, tearing at his very soul. For a moment, he regretted his harsh words, but his pride, his allegiance to the dark side, wouldn't allow him to admit it.
Suddenly, Vader's head jerked back thanks to being struck by a physical blow. His yellow eyes stared down at the object that had clattered on the floor—a cup, identical to the empty one that had been beside his daughter moments ago.
Her eyes ablaze with a mixture of fury and hurt. In a surge of anger, she had hurled the cup at him. The Sith Lord couldn't believe it. The room seemed to vibrate with the tension between them, the air thick with unspoken words.
"Lies and tricks?!" Leia's voice quivered with righteous anger. "You think my honesty is a trick?"
"You dare dishonor your father in such a way?" Vader's retort was laced with venom, his gloved hands clenched into a fists.
"You dishonored me first! Your only daughter!" Leia's voice broke, a mixture of sorrow and frustration tainting her words. The accusation hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Vader felt the weight of her words like a crushing blow, his chest tightening with a pang of regret. She was right, and he knew it. The truth of her words sliced through his defenses, leaving him exposed and vulnerable in a way he hadn't felt.
"Your behavior was not that of a Jedi," Vader commented. "Jedi don't use anger as you have just done."
Leia felt her guilty conscience weigh heavily on her. It had been an entirely different thing to expose herself to the cruelty of the dark side in the temple compared to real life. She couldn't just step back and not deal with an offense from the dark side anymore. She had to learn to endure it and continuously not let it wound her so greatly, even though it was hard when hurtful words were coming out of the lips of her own father.
"Yeah, I know. I made a mistake and didn't behave the way I should have," Leia said, crossing her arms defensively in shame. "Perhaps you've done the same? Maybe accidentally helped an old lady cross the street recently? I don't know."
Leia sighed, regaining control of her emotions and cooling off.
"I apologize," she said finally. "I brought you here so we could spend some time together without the inevitable attempt to convert one another and simply have some peace between us for a moment, but it seems I was hoping for the impossible."
The Sith father was stunned again to find her apologizing.
"Quit your apologizing to me, child!" he snapped. "Not once did you bring up everything I did to you. If you had, then I could have apologized and explained how things would have been different had I known you were my daughter. From your point of view, you should have every reason to hate me, but you don't because your mind has been dulled by Jedi nonsense of forgiveness. I know your mind is more brilliant and stronger than that. It is time you give up the ways of the fools and live up to your full potential. Join me and pledge your allegiance to the dark side."
Leia scooted over on the floor before him, her hands trembling with emotion as she placed them on his knee while she kneeled.
"And if I say no?"
"Then you will suffer the fate of Kenobi and the Jedi who were executed under this reign," Vader said slowly, his voice heavy with a mixture of sorrow and resignation, his eyes avoiding her gaze and fixed on a patch of the floor.
"So then you're saying you'll kill me, then?"
"If that is your destiny," he replied, his voice heavy with sorrow despite the cruel tone he was attempting to convey, the agony of his own words etched deeply in his eyes.
Leia, feeling guided by the Force, extended her hand, and with a swift gesture, the Sith's lightsaber flew into her grasp. Vader was momentarily startled, his eyes widening behind the mask. Before he could react defensively, she placed the weapon back into his hands. She held the lightsaber beneath her chin, Anakin's words echoing in her ears, reminding her that she was Vader's greatest weakness.
"Then do it now. Kill me," Leia dared him.
Vader's yellow eyes flared with a mix of emotions behind his mask. He attempted to pull away, to release himself from the position she had forced him into, but she held his hands firmly in place with the strength of the Force.
"Search your feelings, father. You know I'd never turn. Why delay the inevitable? If you're going to kill me, do it now. What's stopping you?"
Vader struggled fiercely, his gloved hands trying to break free, but Leia summoned all her strength, channeling the Force to keep his hands firmly in her grip.
"Make your decision now, father! I feel your conflict. Let go of your self-hatred: I love you! I want my father, Anakin Skywalker, back!" Leia's voice quivered with emotion as she pressed his thumb down on the mechanism that would switch on his lightsaber.
The words echoed in Vader's ears, the weight of her love crashing against the walls he had built around his heart.
She loved him.
She forgave him.
She wanted him in her and Luke's life and he could feel it.
A deafening roar erupted from the suited man, Anakin Skywalker having now returned, conquering and banishing the dark side within him. The transformation was immense, a tidal wave of the light side washing away the shadows. In that moment, the Sith Lord was vanquished, and the redeemed Jedi stood in his place.
Leia gasped in shock and released her grip on her father's hands, falling back onto the ground. Before her she sensed sat a figure bathed in radiant light, the darkness in him obliterated by the overwhelming surge of the light side. The air around them shimmered with the intensity of the moment, and Leia could hardly believe the enormous sense of the explosion of the light side that had just erupted and formed in the black-suited Jedi before her. Tears welled in her eyes after she had witnessed the miracle unfold, her father had returned to the light.
Anakin lurched forward where he sat, his lightsaber falling to the floor with a clatter. The years of harnessing hatred and anger had left him so exhausted and weak. His hands gripped his knees in exhaustion, while his mind stayed on his daughter. His little angel had saved him!
As Anakin slowly tried to lift his head to look at her, abruptly a blue light from the Force covered him, enveloping him in a warm, mystical glow. The Jedi could feel himself starting to transform: The menacing suit of Darth Vader disappeared, replaced with flowing black Jedi robes.
His prosthetics became flesh and blood, the cold metal replaced by the warmth of real skin, and the damage of his burns and scars he had received on Mustafar were miraculously healed. New hair sprouted out. Gone was the elderly face and skin he had acquired through the disfigurement from the dark side of the Force.
What Leia saw now sitting in front of her was the Anakin Skywalker she knew, just older now. One who looked his age, being in his forties.
Strength returned to Anakin, and slowly, he sat up in his chair, his eyes twinkling with warmth, fondness, and pride as he gazed at his daughter below. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and a gentle smile tugged at the edges of his lips.
He rose from his seat and moved towards Leia, his heart full of affection and admiration for being the courageous young woman she was. He reached out, taking her hand, and with a tender, heartfelt smile, he helped the joyously stunned princess to her feet. Then, with all his love, he embraced her tightly.
"My darling girl! May the Force bless your wonderfully stubborn mind, child. You were so brave! I remember everything now. After I left you, I returned to my time, but without those precious memories. Now, I cherish every moment we've shared, Leia. You saved me, and I owe you my life."
Happy tears misted in Leia's eyes, her heart soaring with overwhelming emotion.
Finally finding her voice, she whispered in awe, "...How?"
The wonder of her father's transformation filled her with a profound sense of awe and gratitude. The only explanation she could fathom was that the Force had bestowed upon them an incredible gift, not just for her father's sake, but for hers and Luke's too.
"Well, I owe you mine too, dad. Looks like we're even." Leia smiled broadly, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears of joy as she buried her face against his chest, savoring the feeling of being reunited with him again.
Anakin chuckled, his deep voice resonating with warmth, and then he surprised her by picking her up off the ground and twirling her in his arms as he embraced her. Leia laughed, her heart soaring with happiness at the unexpected and affectionate action. In that moment, the galaxy seemed to fade away, leaving only the father and daughter wrapped in each other's arms, lost in the pure, unfiltered joy of being together once more.
When the Jedi father set his princess down on the ground, a palpable shift changed the air around them, something both parent and child keenly felt. They broke their embrace, exchanging puzzled glances as they tried to comprehend what had just occurred.
Leia looked around and realized they were back in her private quarters at the rebel base, standing in the living room area near the large windows that offered a view of space beyond.
"We're back at my home," Leia breathed in awe, her voice tinged with both surprise and wonder as she tried to explain the situation to her visibly confused father.
The door to Leia's quarters opened.
Luke Skywalker stepped inside, his gaze fixed on the ground as he grappled with the weight of his recent encounter with Darth Vader and the revelation that he was his father.
As Luke's sorrowful blue eyes lifted, they fell upon a man he thought he had never seen before, standing beside Leia. Confusion furrowed his brows, and he turned to the princess, silently seeking an explanation for the presence of the stranger.
But then he could feel it.
He knew who it was, but it didn't make a lick of sense to the noble young padawan.
"F-Father?" Luke stammered, feeling slightly crazy and embarrassed that he was even asking such a thing.
Upon spotting Luke's entrance, Anakin's blissful expression faltered, clouded by the memories of the harm he had inflicted upon his own son and the multitude of sins he had committed against him.
At Luke's question, seeing joy light up his son's eyes despite all the past misdeeds, Anakin understood that Luke had already forgiven him with just that question, if it was truly him standing there. His son cared about nothing but having his father.
Anakin grinned widely and nodded at the young man, stretching his arms out, inviting him for a hug.
"Come here, Son."
Leia stepped back, her heart swelling with happiness as she watched her older brother Luke run over to Anakin with an elated laugh and embraced him tightly.
The young woman then quickly locked the door to her home, giving the father and son the security of seclusion to keep others from barging into their private time. With a smile on her face, the female Jedi then began to walk out of the room, heading for the shower, just in time for Anakin to see and feel that she was giving them their time alone so he could explain everything to her older brother.
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Author's note:
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
About one more left.