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. Unlike some people, I don't pretend to adhere 100% to canon character portrayals. That's almost impossible, as the only people who totally understand the character are those who created them. I promise to aim for 99, though!

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 whole plot was set after Heir of the Empire but I altered it was to be set after the Vong war. Luke just de-ages as a side-effect. 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, Grandmaster of the new Jedi Order, the first Jedi of this new Era, didn't know what kriffing happened. All he could remember was standing among the dead on the scarred Coruscant, reflecting, wishing that the Vong War could have been averted.

While lasting only four years, a staggering 365 trillion people died as a result of the Yuuzhan Vong War. Many species were slaughtered, with one of the worst encounters being the Battle of Coruscant in which billions died.

His friends and family. Destroyed if not physically than mentally, consumed by depression and horrors. They'd survived but at what cost? Mara may never smile again. Leia and Han either. His son never even met Anakin Solo who died on Myrkr. His nephew, and especially his niece, mourning both Anakin and Chewie's death. Jaina and Anakin were always close, and part of her died the moment he'd perished. She would never be the same.

Acceptance was a natural part of life, and especially of being a Jedi. Jedi would learn to eventually accept what happened and move on. That was different from absolution. It was accepting that one couldn't alter the past and dwelling on it, monopolizing over it changed absolutely nothing. It will only cause you more pain.

But Luke couldn't help it. At his very core, he was a human male, raised outside of the Jedi Order. Accepting came much more difficult than the Grandmaster liked to admit. Simply put, sometimes, his life was too overwhelming for him.

If only...

If only... everything could have been different.

That was his final line of thinking before everything shifted.

'This is your chance.' A voice said in his mind. 'Prepare for sacrifice.'

Luke's eyes went wide. His bonds with his friends, his wife, they didn't snap... per-say, but they were muted, devoid... What just happened? There was no way they were all dead. He would have felt it if his friends died. His sister, too. Something about the whole situation was off.

He blacked out.

He woke in a medical center, that much he'd discerned when he spotted a woman in a medical gown, standing over him.

She looked him in the eyes, and optimism flashed. "He's awake!" She shouted, possibly to her colleagues.

"What happened?" Luke managed hoarsely, his voice weakened through a surprising lack of hydration and possibly whatever occurred before he was sent 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?

"Where am I?" He queried.

"On Naboo." Oh, his biological mother's home world no less. Twisted irony. Luke often spent a lot of time watching her speeches. Not knowing his mother had always been a rough spot for him. At least he'd gotten more time with his father before his death on the second Death Star. His mother died just after he was born. He did come to Naboo from time to time, but it was often to see Padmé Naberrie Amidala's tombstone and mourn the lives that Palpatine ruined. The life that Leia and him have been deprived of.

"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 Head of State?"

The woman shook her head, making him frown, but not in impatience. More so in concern. Why? Naboo was a foreign member since the manifestation of the New Republic. "I'm afraid not. We are under the possible threat of invasion. I take it you're a Jedi by your lightsaber. Maybe you could..." She shook her head. "Well, that's for the Queen to decide."

Another Invasion? Luke had known Naboo frequently attracted bad luck-one way of putting it. 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 that some "dissenters" of the Free Alliances hadn't been acting within the line of the law.

The doctor walked out, 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. Plus, the fact that it was his mother's world did grate on a small part of Luke's nerves.

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 when a Jedi was concerned. Often so, the Inquisitors and whatever else Dark Side adepts that plagued the Empire still occasionally played a factor in raids like this so Luke found himself dragged back into battle constantly.

He glimpsed in the mirror and was shocked. According to his friends, he'd aged well, but he'd looked like he was twenty-eight or so yet again-the added wrinkle on his face now absent. The same age as he was during the Thrawn Campaign. A vision then? Or perhaps he had more of a baby face than he thought?

As he walked out of the room, Luke didn't know where he was going. Something was... off about this. 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, interrupting his musings, "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."

No point in lying to them...

The woman offered a smile but that was it. Wow, that was new. Typically, when he introduced himself to people, they recognized him instantly for better or worse. Luke was relieved more than he liked to admit.

"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. He knew another woman named Sabé. She was in her 70s. He'd met her after he lost his father's lightsaber: a former Handmaiden, and they had many conversations throughout the years-each of which she told him more about his mother and what she was like.

The main question: why did the woman share a striking resemblance to those recordings of Padmé Amidala now that he'd looked closely? She was a perfect duplicate. Tooperfect. Did Naboo women look alike?

Oh, was it another relative that the Jedi hid?

Did that explain why Luke felt the urge to protect the woman with his life?

"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 quickly," said the first, "Sabé".

"Ambassador?" Luke repeated the word. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean?"

A bemused frown crossed her features. "The Chancellor sent a delegation, did he not? The Trade Federation has invaded Naboo and you're here to resolve the issue?"

"The Trade Federation?" He repeated those words too, at a loss of what was going on. He wasn't privy to the 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, now Galactic Federation, as much as he could and avoid the same mistakes made before.

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 joined the alliance to free the galaxy of the Empire's tyranny, while the rest went their own way. 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... until today, it seemed.

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 a military at this time, and now it was the woman who looked so much like his mother...

And he felt two Jedi signatures, somewhere in or beyond the city. One he had never felt before, but another was familiar to him even after all of this time. Ben, or Obi-Wan, Kenobi. Obi-Wan! To his surprise, the signature was younger. Much more inexperienced. Brash.

What was goi-

Oh, Supreme Overlord! 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 descent and subsequent death. Damn, Han wasn't even born yet.

Shock was the first emotion he'd felt, quashing any grief about this revelation for later.

He fought a sigh. How was he supposed to know that prayer would have been taken seriously?

He shook his head. "Very well, lead me."

The rest of the trip was quiet as Luke walked down to the throne room, his heart growing rapidly. He was standing next to the Queen, his mother. She was alive and well! And she didn't... even know.

When the doors opened, he saw the decoy-the real Sabé, along with a bunch of people who were dressed in fancy royal clothes.

"Master Jedi, we're glad to see you're awake," the decoy Queen spoke stoically, much benefiting from her posture-though she eyed him for a moment with a fighting blush. Luke once would have groaned at that. Of course, younger Sabé would be attracted to him.

The Jedi nodded, "Firstly, the term "Master Jedi" is not necessary with me. Just Luke." He cursed himself. If he bloody knew he was back in time, he would never have given his last name! For Corellian's sake, he would come up with an excuse later. "And yes, I'll help your planet in the best way I possibly can."

The fake Queen tilted her head to the right. "Very well, "Luke", what do you think we should do?"

"In my experience, during invasions like these, they will try to conjure up a way to force you to comply with their demands, and then eliminate you."

The decoy remained silent, her eyes widening a fraction. "That's a bold accusation-"

"They need her to sign the treaty," the elderly man added, frowning. "If they do that, they would be compromised-"

Ah, diplomacy. If only it worked during times like these... "Correct me if I'm wrong, but the mining operations on Naboo had only been running for a short time before the blockade happened. Then a motion was made in the Senate that would see the taxation of trade in free trade zones (untaxed) in the outer rim, one of those zones had been Naboo. This was something the Trade Federation was against... they wanted to bully the Galactic Republic and Naboo government into signing a treaty that would protect their economic interests by reducing taxation. Killing the Queen and covering it up as an accident is a great propaganda tool to disrupt any peace that's in the Republic..." He looked at the man, arching an eyebrow as he was unsure what to refer to him as.

What Luke didn't mention was that Sidious wanted the Queen to sign the treaty so that Naboo would be totally handed over to the Federation. Then as Palpatine, he would be able to call for a Vote Of No Confidence in the Senate to remove Valorum-he would have evidence of the Federation invasion, by way of the signed treaty. He most likely never expected the Queen to escape, or for it to escalate into full-scale war on Naboo. But when the Queen got to Coruscant, Palpatine took advantage of the situation to ask HER to call for a Vote Of No Confidence, convincing her that the Senate would be unable to act unless it had a stronger leader. He never intended it to happen like that, but he's very crafty and quick-thinking, and turned everything to his advantage.

"It's Governor Sio Bibble," he said with a nod in his direction but still planted a hand on his chin.

The dark-skinned man hopped on board, standing attentively. Moff Panaka. "Captain Panaka, sir, I am in charge of her Majesty protection. To address your statement, killing a standing ruler will not fly in the Senate. They can't keep such a crime 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 submission." he said. "Or find inconvenient ways to make it seem like she agreed to their commands and make her disappear. Besides, what stops them from having influential allies?"

The staff looked at one another, and back at Luke, most obviously troubled.

Before the debate could continue...

The door opened. A droid with yellow markings on parts of its body entered-two droids at either side of it.

He shoved his hilt back-keeping it concealed and hidden.

"You will surrender your blasters and come with us."

The decoy 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 weapon. I'm simply a... visitor." he half-lied.

The droid's eyes cycled between red and black, saying in a monotone, "Roger-roger." before turning away to complete his final orders. Despite being a Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order, Luke couldn't help the ever-so-slight irritation that filled him. Inside, a small part of him was still that moisture farmer on Tatooine, who cherished competent droids-the same part that vowed to have words with their manufacturers if possible. They should have at least checked to see if he had a weapon. That would be their mistake...

It was so long before they were being led away, most of the Queen's advisors, staff, and others were 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. Nute Gunray. He would usually prefer negotiations, but he knew about this Neimoidian. Have read reports about the Neimoidian's cruelty. Smug to the last. "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 stepped forward, his tone calm and patient. "I do not wish for violence, but I will most certainly protect everyone here."

The droids awaited the command, but they were eyeing Luke. Gunray snorted, not taking him seriously, "And what makes you so special? Look around you. You can't escape us."

His face remained cool and composed. "I advise you to think about this."

The Neimoidian chuckled. "There's nothing you can do. You can't stop us. You'll have to play hero somewhere else..." he added darkly, "if you get out of this."

If he only knew...

Luke's voice became resigned. "One final chance, turn around, take your fleet, and leave."

"You're going to die a fool," he laughed. "You're not in a position to make demands here, Nabooian."

He sighed, "Very well."

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 fire, but he came down on them within seconds. 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 processed what just happened and shrieked in horror, backing away from the lightsaber. "I believe he'll be a beneficial prisoner."

"Please don't kill me!" He whimpered, all bravo and impassiveness gone.

"Do you have transports?" He asked the Captain, allowing the Naboo guards to restrain the Neimoidian.

"In the main hanger, this way." Panaka motioned, taking up the lead behind her.

He kept his lightsaber activated as they walked, admittedly a long way, to the hanger.

At that moment, he felt the Jedi's signatures through the Force approaching. A long brown hair man jumped off of a building, along with a younger man-was that really Obi-Wan?! 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 his right hand before looking at Queen Amidala, the rest of the Naboo... and at last Nute Gunray with some form of weariness.

"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 resisted swallowing. He'd already known what to expect from Obi-Wan... mostly, but meeting Qui-Gon Jinn... well that was something.

"Well, who are you?" One of the guards asked.

"I'm here to help," Luke answered.

"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 managed as bravely as possible.

"We will see," Luke responded.

As they went down the halls, the future Grandmaster of the Jedi Order knew one thing.

This was going to be interesting.