The Empire strikes back
What if… Luke went back in time to stop his father?
-I'm going to end this, once and for all!
-You can't. He must stand trial.
-He has control of the Senate and the court. He's too dangerous to be left alive!
-I'm too weak. Oh, please, don't kill me.
-It's not the Jedi way. He must live.
Palpatine turned towards Anakin, his swollen and battered face expressing helplessness and suffering. Master Windu hesitated, sword held high above his head, torn between the dictates of his own order and the desire to take down Palpatine once and for all. Anakin's gaze darted between the master to sith lord: he had already decided what to do, but fear gripped him and he still hoped that, somehow, he wouldn't have to choose between Padme and the Order.
Then the Jedi felt a disturbance in the Force and noticed the hooded figure a moment before they intercepted the jedi master's lightsaber with their own. The stranger wore a black cloak, which made it impossible to see their face, but his sword was bright green. Anakin hesitated, uncertain of if they were friend or foe.
-Who are you?- Windu asked. The hooded man didn't answer and instead fixed his gaze on Anakin.
-I am here to bring balance to the Force- he replied, pushing both Jedi back a few steps. Anakin immediately went on the offensive but his opponent anticipated him and in a few blows the Jedi fell to the ground, disarmed and stunned. Palpatine attacked Master Windu at that moment with his lightning, but the master managed to partially shield himself. With a gesture of Force the stranger gripped the dark lord's hands and turned them against him. For a few agonizing seconds they let him writhe in pain, before letting him go. The Dark Lord laid helpless on the ground, smoking and gasping. Windu soon recovered enough from the pain to raise his sword to finish Palpatine. The hooded figure, however, intervened again with their lightsaber, repelling the attack.
-What are you doing? He's the Dark Lord of the Sith! If we don't kill him we will never bring balance to the Force!- the jedi master screamed.
-Not like that- the stranger replied -Anakin is right. The Chancellor must be judged and condemned in front of everyone.
-What!? It's too dangerous!
-Control your anger, master. Trust in the Force.
Windu stared at the stranger in confusion. But then Anakin went on the offensive again, recovered from the previous confrontation. The masked individual managed to escape the attack, and then threw the two Jedi against the opposite wall.
-Enough!- he shouted -This has to stop now.
-It can't end as long as the Dark Lord lives!- Windu replied, assuming a fighting stance.
-Yes, it can.
The stranger turned off his lightsaber and lowered his hood, revealing a young face.
-Who are you?- Anakin asked.
-I am Luke Skywalker, Grand Master of the Jedi Order, son of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala.
Anakin paled, while Windu's face was overwhelmed with outrage.
-You betrayed the Order- he hissed angrily at Anakin.
-The Order has betrayed itself, master- the young Skywalker intervened -I come from a distant future where the Sith have almost wiped out the Jedi, precisely because of the weakness and blindness that has spread among its ranks during the last years of the Republic.
-The Order will not fall- Windu insisted.
-Yes, it will- continued Luke -It will fall if it doesn't change. Putting the Dark Lord on trial and publicly condemning him will be the first step. The war and the long years of closure have made the Order incapable of evolving. The Order must be reborn, it must rebuild itself. Or the mistakes of the past will crush it.
-And why should I believe you?- Windu replied -I have no proof of what you say, only words!
-I have faith in the Force- Luke replied. For many long seconds none of the Jedi said anything. They eyed each other, tense, ready to lunge at each other at the slightest provocation. Then, finally, Windu lowered his weapon.
-All right. But your violation of the code will have to be discussed by the Council, Skywalker.
-I am part of the Council!- Anakin retorted.
-This too will have to be decided by the Council.
The younger Jedi let out a sound of frustration. Luke placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
-Everything will be fine, father. Trust the Force.
Anakin stared at his son's face, so similar to his mother. Then a tear escaped his eyes and he bowed his head. At that point Luke stepped back and the time lines began to vibrate around him.
-What are you doing, young Jedi?- Windu became suspicious
-It's time to go back to my time. My interference with the flow was very dangerous and I don't want to risk my further permanence compromising its course further - he explained, staring at both of them with apprehension - The future is yours. And may the Force be with you.
A bright light blinded him. He had to cover his eyes with his hand to be able to adjust. When his sight adjusted, he was in for a surprise: he was in a large room, richly furnished. His bed was immense and sweetly asleep next to him he found a woman with fluffy red hair. Her breathing was calm and her face serene. Luke felt himself blush at the sight of her. However, a sense of uneasiness soon clouded his thoughts and the young Jedi returned to contemplating his surroundings. There was something too flashy about the room. Then he saw it: a gigantic painting, well-kept and magnificent, portrayed Anakin, Padme, himself and Leia sitting next to each other on large thrones, wearing bright and imposing clothes.
-My lord- a voice called him. Luke turned and saw a young man, dressed like a page, looking out of the bedroom door.
-What's happening?- asked the Jedi, more to himself than to the boy. However, the young man misunderstood, thinking he was talking to him, and came forward, almost kneeling.
-The Republic army is advancing towards Coruscant, sir. Imperial forces have lost control of the corridors leading to the capital. Your throne is in danger.
-My… throne?
-Hey, my emperor- the woman said at that moment. Luke turned to look at her and met her loving gaze. The page bowed, offering him a missive. The Jedi took it in his hand and felt like dying as he read the heading: To Emperor Skywalker II.
-What have I done...- he murmured in shock.