Arthur's note: I have written so many stories where Anakin is the protagonist. I'm kinda tired of them so I want to play Luke as the main protagonist. I'm not going to claim that this is going to be the most realistic Luke story, nor would it be the best, but I have been gripped by the urge to do it.
As there's a lot of Luke DC time travel fics, I really can't find one with EU, so I have decided to make one myself. This would be set after Heir to the Empire where Luke would be mostly balanced, but he would still have much to learn. I really don't like the idea of Sidious returning in the EU either, so it won't be mentioned.
Chapter 1
Boop. Boop. Boop.
Luke Skywalker, self-appointed Grandmaster of the new Jedi Order, Representative of the New Republic under Chancellor Mon Mothma, and the last Jedi of the Republic, didn't know what kriffing happened. All he could remember was a mission for the New Republic. It had been a while since the defeat of Thrawn. Ever since then, aside from dealing with the remnants of the Empire, Luke had been busy with training himself, attuning deeply through the Force.
Just when he had been in his AA-589, the last he'd remembered was white, before everything went dark. His bonds with his friends, they didn't snap not per-say, but they were muted, gone... He would have felt it if his friends died. His sister, too. He was pretty sure of it. But, something about the whole situation was off.
He was in a medical center, that much he'd deserved when he spotted a woman in a medical suit, standing over him.
She looked him in the eyes, and relief flashed. "He's awake!" She shouted, possibly to her colleagues.
"What happened?" Luke managed hoarsely, his voice weakened through the lack of hydration and possibly whatever occurred before he was set to this strange place.
"The guards found you outside of the Queen's palace. Must have been some acts of foreplay." Ah, so he was on a world of royalty or some sort?
"Where am I?" He queried.
"On Naboo." Oh, his biological mother's home world no less. Ironic. Luke often spent a lot of time watching her speeches. In some ways, not knowing his mother hurt more. At least he'd gotten more time with his father before his death on the second Death Star. His mother died before he was born. He wasn't above coming to Naboo, but it was often to see Padmé Naberrie Amidala's tombstone and mourn the lives that Palpatine ruined.
"I see. Thank you for your assistance." Luke replied politely, sitting up from his chair. He was surprised that he felt no wounds on his body. "Do you have any way I can get into contact with the Republic?"
The woman shook her head, making him frown, but not in impatience. More so concern. Why not? "I'm afraid not. We are under possible threat of invasion. I take it you're a Jedi. Maybe you could..." She shook her head. "Well, that's for the Queen to decide."
Another Invasion? Luke had known Naboo had had a hand in getting under bad luck. The blue shadow virus and the Second Invasion of Naboo back in the Clone Wars, then the very first one. He didn't know what happened. What it all meant. But he knew the Empire's remnants have been restless with the death of Thrawn in the Battle of Bilbringi so he'd supposed that it would make sense for them to target the planet.
The doctor walked out politely, along with her fellows, allowing Luke to fit on his black robe and cloak. No matter, he would discover what happened here and help these people. He had an obligation to the galaxy, to redeem the Skywalker's name after all of the blood his father wrought as Darth Vader.
He gripped his lightsaber standing on a nearby desk and placed it on his belt, knowing that he might have to use it soon. Unfortunately, more likely than not. People didn't surrender, even to the face of a Jedi. Often so, the Inquisitors and whatever else Dark Side adepts that plagued the Empire often played a factor in raids like this so Luke found himself dragged back into battle constantly.
As he walked out of the room, Luke Skywalker found himself not knowing where he was going. Something was... off about this scene. He didn't know exactly what, but the Force just felt entirely different now that he looked deeply. Among this, there were signatures through the Force he'd never felt before. Strong. Light. But there was darkness too. The Dark Side of the Force lured, waiting to treacherously take its grasp over the galaxy, over many innocent fates.
"Hello," a voice said from behind him, "are you the Jedi?"
He turned to look at a young woman standing ahead of all others.
"Yes, yes I am." He smiled politely, sensing no threat from her. "My name is Luke Skywalker."
The woman offered a smile but that was it. Wow, this was new. Typically, when he introduced himself to people, they recognized him instantly for better or worse. Luke found himself relieved that she didn't.
"I'm Sabé."
Lie. Lie. Lie. Rippled through the Force. For some reason, she didn't disclose her real name to him. He didn't know why. The main question: why did the woman shared a striking resemblance to Padmé Amidala now that he'd looked closely? Did Naboo women look alike? He knew Leia matched her description more or less, but she looked perfectly attuned.
And why did Luke felt the urge to protect the woman with his life? He would want to protect all, but this woman, he cared about her so intensely for some reason. There was an urge in the shield her from any and all threats.
"I'm Saché," said the second woman in orange.
"I'm Yané," added the third.
"And I'm Rabé," contributed the fourth.
"The Queen would like an audience with you, as we didn't expect an ambassador to come so shortly," said the first, "Sabé".
"Ambassador?" Luke repeated the word. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean?"
"The Chancellor sent a delegation, did he not? The Trade Federation has invaded our peaceful world of Naboo and you're here to resolve the issue, correct?" The woman responded.
"The Trade Federation?" He repeated those words too, at loss of what was going on. He wasn't big on history of politics, but he still did take his time to read about events of the past with Leia so he could help with the New Republic as much as he could and avoid the same mistakes.
The Trade Federation should no longer be a concern. Following the Clone Wars, Acting Viceroy Sentepeth Findos who was on Neimoidia resisted the Empire's control but was forced by Stormtroopers to sign a peace treaty with the Empire only a few days after the Clone Wars ended. This gave all of the Federation's resources for the disposal of the Empire and the Federation was placed under the oversight of the Imperial Senate, where they continued to operate at limited capacity until they sank with the body when Palpatine dissolved the Senate. However, there was still some resistance, when the Rebel Alliance was formed, some former members of the Trade Federation had joined the alliance to free the galaxy of the Empire's tyranny, while the rest went their own way.
Those few Trade Federation remnants that survived until the Galactic Civil War would enter into associations with the Alliance to Restore the Republic. The Neimoidian Trade Defense Force Captain Blox Hatha was refused formal Alliance membership but became a renowned privateer bearing a Rebel letter of marque and reprisal.
Trade Federation holdouts remained after the Battle of Yavin. Fanatical loyalists, zealots, and avengers affiliated with the Trade Federation remained on this planet, where they were considered enemies of the Royal Naboo Security Forces and the Nal Raka Criminal Empire led by Borvo the Hutt. In fact, the Nal Raka Criminal Empire assumed control over the Old Trade Federation Route following the Invasion of Naboo.
Now, they were pretty much irrelevant, relics of bygone eras. Luke didn't know what was going on. But he felt the same sensation from earlier. The churning in the Force made Luke wonder. First, it was the Force auras, then it was the Trade Federation apparently being relevant enough to have an army, now it was the woman who looked so much like his mother.
And he felt something. Two signatures. One he had never felt before, but another was familiar to him even after all of this time. Ben, or Obi-Wan Kenobi. The signature was younger. Much more inexperienced. Brash.
If this was the truth, if Luke Skywalker was somehow brought back in time, that would mean that he was brought before it all. Before his and Leia's birth even. Before the rise of the Empire. Before... the Jedi Order's destruction. Before Anakin Skywalker's fall. Damn, Han wasn't even born yet.
The thoughts filled him with horror because that meant he lost all of his friends, but Luke steadied his connection to the Force, his breathing, and he calmed.
Maybe, with the information he knew, he could guarantee a better future. It was unlikely he would be able to kill Palpatine and change the Jedi, but he could save Anakin Skywalker from becoming Darth Vader, could save his mother from being killed by Tusken Raiders, could save the Jedi who would want to be saved. Whatever the purpose, Luke Skywalker was determined. But first, he had to help these people.
The rest of the trip was quiet as Luke walked down to the throne room. He was standing next to the Queen, his mother. She was alive and well! And she didn't... even know.
When the doors opened, she saw who must be the decoy, along with a bunch of people who were dressed in fancy royal clothes.
"Master Jedi, we're glad to see you're awake," the fake Queen spoke stoically, much benefiting of her posture. "We believe with your assistance the Trade Federation would be removed from the planet and answer to the courts to atone for this."
The Jedi nodded, "Firstly, the term "Master Jedi" is not necessary with me. My name is Luke Skywalker." He cursed himself. If he bloody knew he was back in time, he would never give his last name! He steadied his breathing again. He would come up with an excuse later. "I'll help your planet in the best way I possibly can."
The fake Queen tilted her head, frowning, but nodded. "Very well, "Luke", what do you think we should do?"
"Given the army comes in a massive, my recommendation is to leave the planet," Luke replied. "During invasions like these, they will try to find way to force you to comply with whatever demands they have in place."
The fake Queen remained silent.
"They need her to sign the treaty," the elderly man said, frowning.
"No, they need to give off the impression she did. Without her presence, they could be able to farce a signature. I have seen such things before." He said with a complete seriousness, sending a slight tremor through the room. "They could cover up her death as an accident, sir."
"It's Governor Sio Bibble," he said with a nod at his direction, but still planted a hand on his chin.
The dark-skinned man hopped on board, standing attentively. "Captain Panaka, sir, I am in charge of her Majesty protection. To address your statement, killing a standing ruler will not go over well with the Senate. They can't keep it hushed up."
Oh, how Luke wished it was that easy.
"I'm afraid they can. Kill everyone in here, paint it as an accident, falsify the signature," he suggested. "Or find inconvenient ways to make it seem like she agreed to their demands. Besides, what stops them from having powerful friends in the Senate or those at least influential?"
The words left their impact.
The door opened, and squads of droids poured in at that moment. A droid with yellow markings on parts of its body entered, two other droids at either side of it.
He kept his lightsaber hidden under his belt.
"You will surrender your blasters and come with us."
The Queen looked at Luke who nodded slowly. Not yet...
Gradually, their weapons were placed on the floor. When a droid passed by him and demanded a weapon, he dismissed, "I don't have a blaster. I'm simply a... native." he half-lied.
There was a noise that "Roger-roger." Luke couldn't help the irritation that filled him. At his heart, he was still that moisture farmer on Tatooine, and he'd programmed better droids than these! They should have at least checked to see if he had a weapon. He shook his head. That would be their downfall.
It was so long before they were being led away, most of the Queen's advisors, staff, and others sent ahead in a different platoon to be 'processed'. The guards under Captain Panaka, Sio Bibble, and Queen Amidala were kept under severe watch.
They were met by a Neimoidian near a grand stairway, one he'd seen in recordings before. "Greetings, I'm Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation."
"How will you explain this invasion to the senate?" Bibble snapped.
"The Queen and I will sign a treaty to legitimize our occupation here," Gunray replied, "I have assurances it will be ratified by the senate."
"I will not cooperate," the Queen replied stubbornly.
"Now now your highness, in time the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view," Gunray taunted. He turned to a droid. "Commander."
"Yes sir."
"Process them."
"I'm afraid that will not be happening," Luke Skywalker stepped forward, his tone calm and patient, despite how one would interpret that differently. And he'd heard the Handmaidens stifling giggles as they knew what was about to happen. "We do not wish for a conflict, but I would most certainly protect everyone here."
Gunray snorted, not taking him seriously, "And what makes you so special? Look around. You're surrounded by droids."
"I advise for you to think about this."
The Neimoidian chuckled. "There's nothing you can do. You can stop us."
"I was hoping to avoid this."
He would usually prefer negotiations, but he knew about Nute Gunray. Have read reports about the Neimoidian's cruelty and knew when to draw upon his lightsaber.
In a flourish of movements, he had his green lightsaber out, striking down the droids' security staff. Only several were able to raise their blasters and fired, but he came down on them without hesitation. The captain and guards grabbed the weapons on the ground and aimed.
When he dispatched the last droid, Luke turned to his allies as the Viceroy shrieked in horror. "I believe he'll be a useful captive."
"Please don't kill me!" He whimpered, all bravo and impassiveness gone.
"Do you have transports?" He asked, allowing the Naboo guards to restrain the Neimoidian.
"In the main hanger, this way." Panaka motioned, taking up lead behind her.
He kept his lightsaber activated as they walked, admittedly a long way, to the hanger.
In that moment, he felt two signatures through the Force. A long brown hair man jumped off of a building, along with a younger man. A creature - a Gungan - was holding onto the edge of the building until he fell off clumsily.
They both eyed him and the lightsaber he had in hand before looking at Queen Amidala and the rest of the crew, and at last Nute Gunray.
"We are the ambassadors to the Supreme Chancellor," the older man introduced himself. "I am Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Luke swallowed. Now, Qui-Gon Jinn was standing in front of him.
"Your negotiations seemed to have failed, ambassador," Sio Bibble noted flatly.
"The negotiations never took place," the Jedi replied, "its urgent we make contact with the Republic."
"They've knocked out all our communications," Panaka stated.
"Capturing me won't change anything," Gunray stated as bravely as possible.
"We will see," Luke responded, resolved.
This was going to be interesting.