Chapter 17 - Mortis

Author's Note: In which the Skywalker family ends up on Mortis in a shared vision. ;)

~ Amina Gila

Everything feels... different. Not wrong different, but still different, and not entirely natural. It feels Light in a way that Leia never remembers feeling in her life, but there's something distinctly calming and soothing about it, and she never wants this feeling to end. Being alone on Naboo is lonely, no matter how close she is with Pooja and Jyn and Qi'ra or even Han. Even for how much she loves the planet itself. It's still lonely.

"Leia?!"

It's at the sound of her twin's stunned voice that she pulls her eyes open, blinking up at the bright blue sky. It's beautiful, and the grass is so green. It looks like some kind of paradise. Is it real? Somehow, she doesn't think so.

"Luke?" she asks, blinking a few times, and he comes into view. "What – where are we?" He was on the fronts, wasn't he?

"We're in a vision," Anakin interrupts, "Though I've never seen anything like that before."

"A vision?" Luke echoes, spinning around. Leia pushes herself up, accepting her brother's proffered hand to pull her upright. This is... strange. Very strange. She and Luke haven't had joint dreams with each other in years, since they started learning to shield themselves, and that was when they were little. And never once have they had one with Anakin, at least not one so vivid.

"It's not fully real," he confirms immediately, "It's too..."

"The Force is strong here," Luke supplies.

"Too strong," Leia agrees.

"Though it's so peaceful."

"Yet there is a source of conflict somewhere in this world," Anakin replies, "I can sense it."

"Are you the One?" a voice asks, echoing, and Leia whirls around. Luke turns, too, and Anakin instantly steps protectively in front of them as a figure approaches.

She's dressed in gold and white, and her hair – is that really hair? Leia has no idea, but it vaguely resembles it – is green. Most of all, she's glowing. Leia has never seen a sentient creature that can glow before, and the figure feels the same way in the Force. It's more unnerving than anything else.

"Who are you?" Anakin inquires.

"I am the Daughter," she replies, "Are you the One?"

"The – what?" Luke asks, stepping forwards.

Leia is still cautious, wary, mostly because the sheer strength of the Light doesn't even feel possible. Then again, it is a vision, and very, very strange things can happen in visions. Anakin has told her that before.

"Come," she replies, "I will take you to him."

"Wait, to who?" Leia asks, darting forwards as the strange figure turns to start walking away. She has never faced quite this strange before. Somehow, she doesn't think any of them have.

"The Father, of course," she answers cryptically, "We are the Ones that guard the power. We are the beginning, the middle, and the end."

"What does that mean?" Luke asks, confused, looking at Anakin, who just shrugs. Clearly, he has no more ideas either.

"I don't know," Anakin confesses, "I've never heard anything about this. This vision is... unusual, but the Force is trying to tell us something. We need to let it take its course."

Leia's never had a vision before, at least not like this. It's... not like she thought it would be, either.

There are towering mountains everywhere, and the place looks like some kind of paradise. It's beautiful. But what really strikes Leia as odd is how the plants are changing color as the time passes – it could be a few minutes, or a few hours, it's hard to say, considering it's a vision. They're growing darker, as plants do in summer, and now, they're starting to turn orange, shades of fall.

And something is shifting in the Force, growing darker, a darkness that is nearly overwhelming but at the same time, so very familiar.

There's a sudden flare of warning in the Force, and Luke tackles her out of the way as a massive bolder crashes down onto the narrow path where they were walking a moment before.

"Thanks," she says, panting a little as he pulls her up again.

"That was close," he replies, "I don't know what caused that."

"This was my brother's doing," the Daughter replies, turning around. There's a gap in the pathway now that the boulders fell, separating them from Anakin, but they can still see each other.

"Your brother?" Leia inquiries incredulously. "Why would he try to kill you?" She can't imagine that. Family is important. Why would anyone ever ruin that? How could someone not believe that?

"It's his nature," she replies, and Leia just stares at her with near incredulousness because she has no idea how someone can be so casual about this. Is this normal, or...? "Do not leave this place. The unbalance is growing. I will speak with my father alone. He is the only one who can help you."

"It's not safe here," Anakin objects immediately, but she's already walking off. He turns back to the twins with a sigh. "We should go after her."

The distance is long, but not too long, and drawing on the Force a bit, Leia can make it easily enough. Luke, as practiced as he is, lands even smoother than she does.

"There's a darkness to this planet," Luke notes, "I never noticed it before."

"Yes," Anakin agrees, eyeing the rocks, "We should move. I suspect it will come back."

Leia agrees wholeheartedly, though it doesn't make sense. Why would a creature of Light tell them to stay somewhere that there's such obvious danger? If this is a message, she can't figure it out.

**w**

It's nightfall by the time they make it to a towering building, standing out against the darkened sky and pouring rain, lit by a shimmering, diamond-shaped rock floating above, and the constant flashes of lightning in the background.

"This is where we need to go," Anakin tells them because he senses it. Idly, he wonders how much time is passing in the real world, if any. He doesn't know. This is new to him, too, and it's... unsettling.

"Finally," Luke calls over the storm, "I was starting to wonder if we'd even find any life." Which is fair, considering this is a vision, and aside from the Daughter, Anakin has yet to see any signs of life except plant life. And the plants died when night fell, and the storm started.

The climb takes a long time, but Anakin is starting to have legitimate questions about whether the area is shifting and morphing as they move, because most walks don't take as long as he thinks they should. It's hard to tell, though.

They enter the building, taking shelter from the rain, even if none of them minds it. The lightning is dangerous, though. Possibly deadly.

Inside, on a throne-like chair, is a strange aqua-clothed figure. His hair is white, and he looks nothing like the Daughter, but somehow, Anakin is certain he's the Father she was speaking of. Maybe it's partly that he feels similarly in the Force, only gray instead of light.

"Welcome," he says as they approach.

"What do you want with us?" Anakin inquires. He's careful to show it off as curiosity, even if it's a vision – that's instinctive. He's cautious, but he doesn't need to let anyone know.

"To learn the truth about who you really are," he replies. "One that maybe you have known all along. One you all must believe in, in order to fulfill your destinies."

Anakin sense Luke and Leia's uncertainty. They want answers just as badly as he does, but he's understood long ago that especially in ways of the Force, things can take... a long time to be answered. "Are we really here?" he inquires instead. "Where are we?"

"This planet is referred to as Mortis," the Father replies, "It is where the source of our power resides, between known time and space."

"You warped reality to bring us here?" Luke asks incredulously.

"It is late," he says in lieu of answering, "You will be my guests tonight."

Anakin finds himself studying him uncertainly anyway, even as they move towards the rooms he pointed to them. He feels a strange sort of... connection to the Father, and it's not something he's sure he likes.

The danger lingering in the Force is mostly from outside, though he isn't sure why – Anakin hasn't felt unnerved by storms in years. Leia usually loves storms – she always wants to go outside when it's raining. He remembered that about her, because it drove Padme crazy when she was little – but even she seems cautious.

Sleeping in visons isn't really possible, so Anakin settles down to meditate, instead. Not as if there's much to see or feel, short of the strange and downright unnerving connection he feels to the Father. It's like... looking in a mirror. It's smoked over, and not entirely the same, but it still feels like looking at himself.

The sheer energy level of the planet itself is refueling him, and it's slightly unnerving.

It's been a while before Anakin finally goes back out to where the Father is. He can't sleep, even if Luke and Leia are curled up together in a way that reminds him so strongly of when they were young. They miss each other, and it's so, so easy to see how much right now. It's unfair that the war took them apart.

"Who are you, really?" Anakin queries, stepping into the main room again. "You're not a Sith, but I feel the Dark Side in you."

"I am far more," he agrees, "And so are you."

Idly, he thinks that sounds like something Palpatine would say.

"Some call us Force-wielders, but few still know of our existence."

"You're not in this reality," Anakin muses, piecing together the bits of information he's gathered. "But what are you? I know you're real, even if I don't understand this. And you..." Something about the strange pain he feels in the Force gives him an odd sense of déjà vu, though Anakin could swear he's never felt like that before. It's... more flip-flopped, like something futuristic. "You're upset," he deduces.

"My children and I can manipulate the Force like no others," he explains, and oh, isn't that something Anakin can relate to? "Therefore, it was necessary to withdraw from the temporal world and live here as anchorites."

"As a sanctuary," Anakin deduces, "And a prison." He feels strangely unnerved.

"You cannot imagine what pain it is to have such love for your children and realize that they could tear the very fabric of our universe," he continues. "We are a family in balance, as are you. Light and dark, day with night. Destruction, replaced by creation."

He can't fully make sense of the strange, icy fear coiling deep inside him. "Then what is it you want with us?"

"I brought you here, to see if you are the Chosen One."

Anakin doesn't like thinking about that – he never has. That was all the Jedi accepted him for, and it always feels as though he doesn't belong with them. "It's a prophecy," he denies, "There might be some truth to it, but that doesn't mean it's real."

"I should very much like to know," the Father replies, "Why don't we find out together? Pass one test, and we shall know the truth."

He doesn't like it, but the Force brought them here for a reason. There must be something, and Anakin needs to know what.

**w**

Luke isn't scared of the dark. That would be ludicrous, but still, he doesn't like this. Being close with Leia makes him feel better, same for Anakin – he misses when they could all be together, because that never happens anymore – but there's a strange, deep-set worry that won't go away.

And he can't figure out why, either, until he wakes at a sudden danger. Darkness is more accurate, but he hardly has time to open his eyes before a giant black thing with glowing red eyes grabs him. Luke doesn't have time to let out more than a startled yelp before the creature flies through the window, carrying him with it.

Considering everything else that's happened here, he shouldn't be surprised about this.

Still, it seemed calm enough that he let his guard down, and he lashes out with the Force, trying to pry free, but the grip is too strong.

The black creature reminds him a bit of how the Daughter felt in the Force, just dark instead of light.

The creature is holding him tightly, though not enough to actually hurt, as it lands in the courtyard of the monastery.

Across from him, a similar white and green creature carrying Leia lands – she doesn't look any happier about the predicament than Luke himself is.

"Let them go!" Anakin's voice yells, and Luke twists, eyes landing on the upper platform in the courtyard – that's where their father is.

The Father is there, too.

"Only you can make my children release them," he replies, voice echoing. The Daughter was like that, too, and Luke still doesn't know what it means.

There's a strange darkness to the Father – it's not a natural light, not that Luke himself has a problem with it. But there's still something about him that Luke doesn't like.

Across from him, Leia jerks against the white creature's grip – it's the Daughter. Luke recognizes its presence, though he doesn't understand why she would do this.

Anakin approaches them, moving towards the center of the courtyard. He's angry. Luke is, too. He doesn't know what's happening, but either way, he doesn't appreciate being held hostage or anything of that nature by this giant creature of darkness, or any creature, period.

"Which one will you choose?" the Father asks, his voice ringing out across the courtyard. "Your son, or your daughter? The darkness, or the light?"

At the threat against Leia is when Luke bristles most, glaring at him. "Let us go!" he yells furiously.

"Pass this test, and you may leave," the Father replies, eyes on Anakin.

Luke feels the way the Force is gathering around his father. There's a strange strength and depth to it that he's never felt before. It's... nearly strong enough to be overwhelming, and Luke has always known that he's never seen more than a tiny fraction of Anakin's full power, but it's being unleashed right now.

Or is about to be.

It's not Dark, or Light. It's both, and something else entirely. Something fueled by love and passion in a way that reminds Luke of how he uses the Force, coupled with a strangely overwhelming calm – that is not something he's ever really felt.

Not after the war started and Aunt Dorme died.

"You will let them go," Anakin says steely, firmly, and his voice is echoing just as much as the other beings' were. He lashes out with a nearly visible energy burst, knocking both the Ones back and ripping their grip free with a touch of the Force, the same way Luke was trying to do earlier, only for him, it seems so... easy.

Touching the dark being had been nearly overwhelming for Luke, enough that he pulled back as if it could somehow hurt him.

He draws his lightsaber instinctively as the dark creature swoops towards him, igniting the blade.

Across the courtyard, Leia raises her hands, ready to lash out with the Force if she has to, but Anakin catches both creatures, pulling them back.

Above, the sky is going from the light of day back to the darkness of night. Crystal spots on the ground are glowing, shining upwards, dotting the ground as much as the stars in the sky. Clouds are swirling overhead, and lightning flashes, occasionally lighting the area even more.

Not that it needs to be.

Anakin is standing in the center on a white-outlined circle that's glowing brighter than anything else. Luke can't help thinking, as he watches in blinding awe, that it's oddly appropriate.

Anakin throws the flapping creatures across the courtyard onto the ground.

"On your knees!" Anakin yells, voice echoing with sheer power. It's nearly enthralling to watch, at least it would be if the circumstances weren't so tense.

After a few moments of resistance, both creatures kneel and shift back into their... more humanoid forms. The Daughter, and... a creature of darkness. The Son? He draws the light into himself, looking nearly black despite the bright daylight that's swirled back overhead.

Visions, Luke concludes, are very weird.

"And now you see who you truly are," the Father says, approaching, "Only the Chosen One could tame both my children."

Luke turns to watch him, hesitantly putting his lightsaber away as Leia comes over to join him. He doesn't think he likes where this is going.

"Perhaps," Anakin concedes grudgingly, "I know I am... different from the other Jedi."

Luke senses a strange amount of danger, though he doesn't know why. He doesn't see anything amiss.

He doesn't have time to think before the Son shifts again, lunging at him.

It happens so fast.

He yelps as the Son grabs his arms and takes off again.

**w**

Something about this place is dark. The Son left him chained to the wall before flying out, though Luke doesn't think he's gone for some reason. He senses the Darkness everywhere here, and it's difficult to tell what's real and what isn't. Then again, that's always true in visons.

He's never been alone like this before, and he's... scared. Luke knows nothing about these Force-beings and considering that this one seems to be an embodiment of the Dark Side, he could do literally anything.

"You can't keep me here!" he calls into the darkness, either way. "My father will find me."

"You have been left to die," a voice says. It's not the same as the Son, at least it doesn't look the same, though Luke can still feel its distinct darkness.

His eyes narrow on it. "You can't keep me here. He'll come for me. So will Leia."

"What make you so sure?" the creature asks, pattering forwards, climbing the wall next to him.

Luke glares back at it for even suggesting that. "We're family."

"Are you, now?" the creature muses, and suddenly the chains snap free. Luke steps forwards away from the wall, and he'd rub his wrists if the cuffs weren't still on them.

"Thank you," he tells it grudgingly. "What are you?"

"I've been here more years than I care to remember," it continues, "The chains are the easy part. It's what goes on in here that's hard." It points at its head nearly dramatically, and suddenly, the bad feeling he has doubles.

"Where is this place?" Luke demands. He needs to get back to Anakin and Leia, but he doesn't know where he is. If he tried hard enough to wake up, could he get out that way? Somehow, he doesn't think it's that easy, or he would've made himself wake up already.

"Don't you see, child?" the creature replies, "You are alone now. If you are to survive, you must embrace the darkness that was always in your destiny and forget your family." It moves forwards suddenly, sinking its teeth into his arm.

Luke yelps, jerking back. "What did you do?" It's not just the pain – it feels like darkness is creeping through him, numbing him inside out, and it's the most unsettling feeling he's had ever.

The creature shifts, transforming into the Son, and he can feel the darkness wrapping around his mind, as though trying to force him back and take control instead. The uncontrolled fear clawing at him only seems to be feeding the darkness, making it easier for whatever the Son is trying to do now.

"You are mine," he laughs, voice cold and dark.

And that's the last thing he remembers.

**w**

Leia feels it from far away when her bond with Luke suddenly goes dark. It's not like he lost consciousness – it's something much, much worse than that, and all she can do is look up at Anakin in wide-eyed horror. "It's Luke," she breathes.

"I know," Anakin replies, nodding, hand pressed to his forehead – whatever is happening is hurting her the same, too. "The Son is doing something to him."

"He is trying to escape the planet," the Daughter realizes. "We must stop him."

"But I thought you couldn't leave?" Leia asks.

"If he possesses the body of your brother, it will be possible," she answers.

"We must ask him to stop," the Father says, "Or contain him. Darkness cannot spread across the galaxy."

"I will carry you," the Daughter offers, shifting into her bird-like form again. It's odd, considering that she just flew off with Leia not long ago, but under the circumstances, she doesn't have time to worry about that. All that matters is getting to Luke and making sure he's safe.

Leia can't feel him at all, and it's terrifying. That's never happened before. It isn't even natural.

Anakin lets her climb on first – it's hard when the Daughter is so big – but he climbs on behind, and they take off. As they fly, the sky clouds over, and it starts raining again. Leia loves rain, most of the time, but right now, it's just... it's different. Everything is different here, and it's downright eerie as opposed to the brilliant paradise it was at first.

The Son's castle is as towering as the Father's was, though the top is yellowish green instead of blue and gray. It reminds Leia a bit of the castle on Serenno if she's being honest.

The Daughter flies them right inside the entrance, crouching so they can get off, and transforming back into her human form. She leads the way through the halls, until they reach a room, pushing the door open.

Luke is inside as well, though he looks... different. Feels different. Dark.

"What you intend to do will destroy the fabric of the universe," the Father warns, stepping forwards.

"You have no power to keep me, old man," the Son snaps, "This planet is not my destiny. Not anymore."

"Brother, don't do this," the Daughter protests. Leia still can't understand how family could have such problems with each other.

"I'm doing what is right," he retorts, "Or wrong, depending on your point of view."

"I will ask you one last time to stop this," the Father warns.

The Son lashes out in response with a furious snarl, unleashing a barrage of bright red Force lightning on him. The Father blocks it, and Leia steps around them, towards her brother. "Luke?"

His eyes are a dull yellow when he turns to face them, lifeless but also too aware of his surroundings. "He's right. About everything," he replies. His tone sounds off, deranged almost.

"Luke, this is not you. Fight him," Anakin protests.

"Isn't it? I feel more like myself than I ever have," he retorts.

"You don't know what you're saying," Leia objects. It's unnerving to hear this in his voice, even if she knows he's being controlled.

"If you don't let him escape, he will kill me," Luke retaliates.

"I will not let him," Anakin replies, fiercely, stepping towards him.

"Then you will meet your destiny," Luke snaps, drawing his lightsaber, lunging at him.

Anakin stumbles back a step, barely managing to block him in time. Leia stares at them, feeling momentarily frozen. They're fighting, and she can't believe –

"How do we break this?" she demands, spinning to the Daughter.

"Use your bond with him. You have one like no other," the Daughter instructs.

"How?" Leia queries desperately.

"You must reach out to him," she answers, "He is your brother. Your souls are connected as one."

She looks to where the Son is fighting the Father, desperate uncertainty and fear clawing in her chest as she sees the Father slowly weakening. He can only hold out so long, and Leia needs to intervene before the distraction gives way, and the Son unleashes himself – and Luke – on the galaxy.

And she tries her hardest not to think about how Anakin and Luke are fighting in the background, either.

Closing her eyes, Leia reaches out towards Luke. There's a dark haze covering his mind, but she pushes harder. "It's too dark," she protests as the icy cold energy starts overwhelming her.

"You must heal it," the Daughter tells her. "Let my energy flow through you."

The Daughter hasn't actually hurt them, and though Leia can't say she trusts her either way, she accepts it without a second thought. She has to – this is about Luke. She has to help him. Save him.

Leia kneels in the center of the courtyard, and the Daughter kneels next to her. The brilliant light is overwhelming, but Leia reaches out and grasps it, channeling it towards the bond in her mind. Give my brother back, she pleads desperately and teaches out.

The Son fights furiously against it, snarling and thrashing, but they rip the darkness free, and Leia feels it more than she sees the moment the connection breaks. Luke stumbles, and Anakin catches him, lowering him to the ground.

She's exhausted when she fades back into herself and looks up to where they are. The Son is... unconscious, she thinks, at least stunned. Luke is sitting, and Anakin is crouched by him, a hand on his shoulder.

She pushes herself to her feet, moving to her brother's side. "Are you okay?" she asks, almost desperately, reaching to take his hand.

"Yeah," he says, blinking a few times, "What's going on?"

He doesn't remember. Somehow that's – it's relieving, because seeing Luke with yellow eyes was so terrifying and wrong. He's not supposed to be dark. He's her brother.

"We need to leave," Anakin says, looking up at the Father, who Leia senses approaching.

"You must leave," he confirms, "But now, you know your place in the universe."

"Do we?" Anakin queries.

"You are the Chosen One," he replies with certainty, and Leia looks up at him, though she stays pressed close to Luke's side. "You have brought balance to this world, and you will do it again for the galaxy."

"What about us?" Leia inquires, "What does it mean for Luke and me?" Somehow, she has the feeling that she doesn't want the answer to that, but there had to be some reason they were here, too. They deserve to know.

"You are the Darkness and the Light," the Father explains, "To find balance, you must remain together."

She feels Anakin reaching out with the Force, wrapping it around them, preparing to finally pull them out of the vision, back into the real world. Back to where they'll be apart, exactly what they shouldn't be. But it's – there's no real way around it.

There's a blinding flash of bright-white light that blocks everything out.

When she opens her eyes again, it's to her familiar room in the Nubian palace.

**w**

He reawakens to the dark, familiar room at the Temple. They're on Coruscant, which is most of why Anakin has no idea how he and his children had this vision. It wasn't as though they were in a Jedi Temple, or a planet strong in the Force, at least not enough to trigger something this massive. And he... is afraid to know what, precisely, the Father was trying to tell them. Or maybe it's that he knows, but he doesn't want to believe it. He doesn't want to accept everything it implies.

Luke got... possessed. The Son easily could have used their connection to return to the physical world, and Anakin understands the desire to do so after being trapped on Mortis for so long, but that – he could've lost his son. Luke. He –

It's nighttime, but Anakin still wants to call them, just to see if they're okay.

He doesn't have time to wonder about it before his comm beeps. Anakin answers it instantly.

"Father?" Luke asks. He sounds scared, a little, and it reminds him instantly of what happened back on Mortis.

"I'm here," Anakin answers immediately, "I saw it, too."

"I'm sure Leia will be calling any minute now," Luke murmurs.

"Yeah." He hesitates for a moment, sensing the uncertain longing from his son for a moment before just asking. "Do you want me to come over?"

"Yes," Luke replies, immediately, "Can you?"

"I'm coming," he promises, ending the call, and heading to where his son is immediately. Luke is at Padme's apartment, where he usually stays when they're on Coruscant, and the flight is short. It only takes a few minutes.

Coruscant looks and feels nothing like Mortis, though he can't stop remembering, either.

Luke is waiting for him when he finally gets there. "What was that?" is the first thing he says as Anakin pulls him into a tight embrace.

There are probably endless things he could say to that. "The Force showed us something... important," he replies, "I don't fully understand it, either." Luke wouldn't – couldn't – go dark like that. It's not – it doesn't make sense. He's, well, Luke, and he may no longer be as light as he once was, but Anakin still has the feeling that there's something he's missing.

They settle on the edge of the bed beside each other, before calling Leia. Anakin knows she must be just as shaken over this, and she's alone, far away from them.

Predictably, she answers immediately. "I would have called you already," she says, almost sheepishly, "But it was nighttime there."

"We all woke up," Luke shrugs. "Are you okay?"

There's a pained look lingering in her eyes, and Anakin has never wished so desperately that she could be here with them, too. It's not fair to anyone that his daughter is on the other side of the galaxy constantly, even if she's safe on Naboo, even if she is helping people. (It's terrifyingly easy to see how Leia could be the Light that the Ones kept speaking of. He doesn't want to think about that.) "Are you?" she inquires.

"I'm fine," Luke replies, "But I'd still like to know what that was all about."

"Whatever future the Force intends for us, it will lead us there in its own way," Anakin tells them. That's the most he really knows. What that says about his children, though, he doesn't know. But they're supposed to stay together, and that means he... shouldn't have to fear them being separated.

"I'm not sure I like this," Luke says, the first to voice all of their concern, though Anakin doesn't know if he fully understands everything himself and Leia saw. He hopes not, because that's not something his son should have to worry about.

"Me either," Leia agrees.

"We'll be fine," Anakin says, Luke pressing close to his side, desperately begging the Force that this be true. "As long as we stay together."

Which doesn't help when Leia's not with them, and... yeah. Somehow, he has the feeling that the conflicts in his life, both personal and on the galactic scale, are about to get far more complicated.

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