The Sith Strikes Back

by Courtesy Trefflin

Vader time travels to Anakin's body on the Invisible Hand, while Anakin time travels to Vader's body after the assault on Hoth, in his search for Luke. Both of them only have a week in the future and past respectively, a week for them to see what could have been and what they can do to change it before they're out of time.

7. Chapter 7 - Day Four: The Empire Strikes

Chapter 7 - Day Four: The Empire Strikes Back

Author's Note: This chapter was reallyyyy hard for me to write for some reason. Hopefully it's not disappointing or just too fast-paced :3

~ Tirana Sorki

---

The room is illuminated with an almost eerie blue glow. Clouds of steam pour up from the carbon-freezing chamber equipment in the room. Anakin stands in the center of it, trying not to let his memories spiral to the last time he was around carbon-freezing equipment. That was the Citadel mission – Fives and Echo were there. Fives who is gone now. It always hurts to remember him.

And now, decades separate those times. He has no idea what's happening to the family he knew here. Where are Echo or Rex or Ahsoka or Obi-Wan or Cody? The only family left now is Luke... who's on his way here. Anakin already received word that a fighter landed and he told them to let the boy come in without hindrance. He should be making his way here soon.

Anakin can't say why this was the room the Force was nudging him to pick for this meeting but – it seemed fitting anyway. Luke will be trying to get down to the containment level and he's going to have to be taking detours to avoid the troops moving around.

He doesn't end up having to wait long. A machine beeps and a platform abruptly rises into the room, carrying someone on top of it.

Luke.

The boy is shorter than Anakin expected him to be – though he looks like he's already about twenty, older than he thought he would be.

The red visors of his helmet make distinguishing Luke's face clearly difficult. But he can still see the blonde hair and blue eyes. Both of those gave him a strong resemblance to Anakin but he can still see the parts of his face that strongly resemble Padme. This is their son.

It never felt quite so real until this very moment, as a wild flush of overwhelming adoration floods through him. This is his child, one of his own blood, one who he could have raised from birth had – had the Jedi not taken him. Or whatever happened. And it occurs to him suddenly that he has no idea if he and Luke have ever had past interactions here or – what.

But he's about to find out. His heart is pounding suddenly, some mix of sudden nervousness and excitement. "Luke," he intones, his voice echoing through the room.

Luke jumps, whipping toward him, eyes widening in surprise. He didn't even sense him right here? Anakin might have been shielding, yes, but clearly Luke's not as trained in the Force as he thought he was.

The boy draws a lightsaber hilt, crossing the room toward him. That's Anakin's lightsaber. The one he had back in the past – how did it get to Luke?

And his son is... drawing a weapon on him. They're enemies and he knows that but it still hurts. And really, he doesn't even know what to say to him. How does he introduce himself to his twenty-year-old son who's potentially a terrorist?

"You won't need that," Anakin says, when Luke stops a few paces away, glaring at him defiantly, stubbornly. "I only want to talk."

The lightsaber in Luke's hands activates with a familiar snap-hiss. He glares back, eyes burning with determination. He's afraid but he's refusing to show it. "Then let my friends go."

"I will."

The look Luke's face is nearly incredulous.

There's nothing familiar about the way he's reacting and that tells Anakin enough. "Do you know who I am?"

Luke stares at him. "There's no one in the Rebellion who doesn't know who you are by now."

"No, that is not what I mean." He sounds like a fumbling idiot. He can lead an army but he can't find a good way to talk to his son. Genuinely. "I don't know if you know of our connection. I... am your father."

Luke goes still, staring at him, incredulity rolling into the Force. He's so bright in the Force, he feels of something earthy and heavy but still bright with life. "No," he denies, taking a step back, hands tightening on the saber, "You're lying."

"I am not. I only realized myself recently. I am... Anakin Skywalker, your father. Search your feelings. You know it to be true."

Luke is gaping at him now, shock slowly turning to horror. "No, no. That's not true – That's impossible," he protests desperately.

Something in him twists uncomfortably. "Luke – " he starts, unsure what he is trying to say. Luke is appalled to be related to him. He is certain of that. What... what has he done, that his son would react like this? He may be brainwashed by the Rebellion, but Anakin is apparently a Sith here so he doesn't know what to think.

"No," Luke chokes out again, desperately.

"I lured you here so we could meet one another," Anakin goes on, trying to say it soothingly but he thinks his vocoder totally ruins the effect. At least it writes out the desperation and fear in his voice. He doesn't know what Luke thinks of him. And... he's not the father of Luke's time, really. And he deserves to know that. He should be truthful about it from the start.

**w**

Visions of a city in the clouds had kept haunting Luke. Something happened to Leia, Han, and Chewbacca. He didn't know what – it didn't exactly feel like danger but the flashes his mind kept supplying indicated they were captured by the Empire and he didn't know that they weren't. Yoda and Ben certainly didn't reassure him otherwise. Everything they've said has only made Luke worry more until he couldn't keep waiting anymore. He has to make sure they're alright.

Which is how he ended up here on Bespin.

But the last thing Luke expected to here was this. He came here expecting to fight Vader to the death and hoping that he'd be able to come out on top with his Jedi training. But –

"I am your father."

His heart feels like it's pounding in his ears. And he can feel the silent whisper of confirmation in the Force. it's true. It's true, it's –

What –

How?

None of this makes any sense. Ben said Vader killed his father. His father was a hero, a good person.

"I am Anakin Skywalker –"

His father wasn't this – this – whatever Vader is. What is –

"How?" Luke demands, fingers hurting from how hard he's holding the lightsaber in front of him. The blade that belonged to his father who's standing right in front of him and apparently the primary person who's been tearing apart the rebellion for a long time now and the one who shot down so many over the Death Star and who killed Ben and what in the name of the Force – what. "You were a Jedi. How could you – Why would you ever join the Empire?"

Vader deflates like a popped balloon for reasons Luke can't begin to identify. "There is more I need to tell you," he says, slowly. Everything he says manages to sound a little ominous though Luke doesn't think this was meant to. "I am still a Jedi. But I am not – not your father from this time period."

Huh?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know this will be difficult to believe but I... time-traveled from the past. From not long before you were born. Or you could say I do not remember the last twenty years. I am still a Jedi, from what I remember. I can prove it."

Luke feels Vader touch him with the Force – but it's not the powerful black hole he felt once. There's a bright tendril of light there even if it's mixed over with traces of darkness. But he's definitely using the Light.

It's not – It does give him some kind of confirmation but he doesn't know what to think. Maybe it's true but Luke is still so confused and mind-blown. He still doesn't know how to process the fact that Vader is his father but is this – apparently the person he actually thought his father was instead of whatever he's become? That makes absolutely no sense at all but maybe – He doesn't even know.

"Then why are you with the Empire still?" Luke demands.

"This only happened a few days ago. I still know little of this time," Vader responds, "Then I heard I... had a son. I wanted to find you."

Luke breathes in and out a few times, struggling to take a moment to just process this. Doesn't even know what to say to this. "I thought you were dead," he blurts finally. But you – you're – You're serious about this time-travel?" He doesn't know how that makes any sense.

"I can't explain it either." He sounds almost amused unless Luke is imagining it.

He very, very warily deactivates his lightsaber but keeps it in his hands just in case. He doesn't think he's lying but – but –

Force.

Is this really Anakin Skywalker? Who apparently is also Darth Vader in the future and also his father. The father he spent so long wanting to actually know.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere more suitable for discussion," Vader advises.

Luke glances around the carbon-freezing chamber. He'd come in here to conceal himself and well – so much for that. "Fine," he agrees very reluctantly. He's already been found out so no option's really better than any other.

At least he gets a moment to try to put his head back on straight as he follows Vader – Anakin? – through the halls of the facility. He's relatively confused when he leads him to some dining room – something, gesturing a hand to one of the chairs. Luke warily clips his lightsaber back to his belt, sliding into one of the seats.

Vader disappears to... somewhere around the corner, returning a moment later with a glass of water, setting it down in front of him before he takes a seat in the chair opposite him.

Luke stares at it like it's poison. Why is he – what –

He cares about their connection. Because this is his father, this is Anakin – actually Anakin, if it's to be believed. Why did Ben lie to him?

Luke takes it, very cautiously drinking it. Doesn't seem poisoned. It actually does wonders for helping to get his head back on straight while he tries to figure to what to say.

"Who trained you as a Jedi?" Anakin is first to speak.

Luke stills at the words, remembering the moment he saw Vader kill Ben. But – then it must be true that his father doesn't remember what happened. He doesn't understand. Ben said they were friends. And he also said Vader was evil. He's so confused and he apparently won't even be getting answers from Anakin but – But this is Anakin. It's not Vader even if he looks like him and his father is evidently still a Jedi now – even if Luke can't begin to wrap his mind around the fact that apparently that changed in the future? – and he can meet his father as the person he always thought he was. Maybe.

"Ben Kenobi."

Anakin's gloved hands twitch. "...Ben? Do you mean... Obi-Wan?"

Luke nods. "He said that was his other name."

The way the helmet slowly turns, the way his gloved hands clench clearly indicates that he's in shock. "Where is he?"

He really doesn't remember, does he? He still can't forget the moment he saw Ben die. "He's... gone."

"Gone?" The word sounds strangled, choked.

Luke nods slightly. Should he tell him what really happened? The respirator sounds the same as it always does but it still feels a bit like his father is panicking. Or something close to it. Maybe he'll save the mention of that later.

"Obi-Wan was with the Rebellion?" Anakin asks finally.

"He wasn't constantly fighting for it, I don't think, but yeah. He lived on Tatooine out in the Dune Sea."

"Tatooine? That is where you... lived?" He sounds shocked for some reason.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I once lived there too."

"Really?" Luke leans forward, curiously. That this conversation is really happening still feels unreal. The knowledge that this is Anakin, not Vader, is probably what's making it easier. He knew that his father lived on Tatooine once but he's always wanted to know more about him. And he's alive. Alive but also apparently with the Empire. Wait, is his memory-issue-time-travel-thing or whatever going to change eventually? "I lived with my aunt and uncle. They never told me much about you. I always wanted to know you but... I thought you were gone."

"There is plenty I can tell you. I would like to hear about your life, as well," Anakin replies, "But first, I would like to understand why you are with the Rebellion."

Right.

Back to that problem. If his father is a Jedi again, why's he holding Luke's friend's prisoner? Maybe he needs to be more wary than he's presently being. "I joined after my aunt and uncle were killed – "

"Killed? They are gone too?"

He nods, grief flickering through him. He hasn't thought of them much but it never really stops hurting.

"By the Empire? Why?"

"For nothing," he bursts out, a familiar anger bubbling up in his chest, "Two droids from the Rebellion crashed on Tatooine. They bought them without knowing it. I was away when the stormtroopers showed up. Everything was burning when I came back."

The respirator cycles several times. "I am... sorry." He reaches across the table slowly. Luke stares at him uncertainly until his father's hand touches his. It's metal but the touch is still surprisingly gentle.

This is the first time he's ever been touched by him before. It's a little awkward because he's only half sure if they're enemies or not but Luke takes Anakin's offered hand, just... holding it.

"And everyone knows the Empire is evil," Luke goes on, "I knew it even before then. The Emperor wants full control of the galaxy and he'll do anything to get it."

Anakin is silent for a long pause. The grip on Luke's hand tightens slightly. "The Empire formed out of the Republic," he says, slowly.

He shrugs a shoulder. "Well, it's not the Republic anymore. That's what we're fighting to restore."

"That is... part of what concerns me."

What?

Luke pulls his hand back, suddenly wary. From the way the helmet moves and how fast Anakin withdraws his hand, he seems hurt but Luke's not sure. "What do you mean?"

"I fought for the Republic for years during the Clone Wars and even before that, Luke. It was corrupted. It was falling apart. The Senate never acted in the best interests of the people. Everyone only fought for themselves. The only thing I ever saw that could give the galaxy strength as a stronger government, one with actual power to do something that could never be done in the Senate."

Luke frowns. "But all the Empire's doing is hurting people!"

"I can't disagree," Anakin replies bluntly, "But I can't believe that it has to stay that way. None of what I have seen it doing is anything worse than what the Republic once was."

But that doesn't make any sense. "The Republic was good, though, wasn't it?" Luke objects, "It might have had problems but not like this."

"You did not live through the Republic," Anakin reminds, though it sounds surprisingly gentle, "The Republic made deals with slavery. They had their own slave army even if they never portrayed it as such. They refused to help countless systems who were being exploited by the Separatists unless it benefited the Republic."

Well.

It is true that Luke never lived through any of that but that doesn't make the Empire any righter. "That doesn't mean the Emperor doesn't need to be stopped. He's a lot worse than that."

Anakin twitches, half looking away. "What if it is the only thing holding the galaxy together? What if it is the only chance at bringing order?"

"I can't believe that," Luke argues. "And the Empire is hunting the Jedi. You are a Jedi, aren't you? How could you stay with them?"

His father sort of deflates a little. "The Emperor still rewards loyalty. He knows I am a Jedi but he isn't concerned about that. He... wants me to bring you to him."

Luke stills. "For what?"

Anakin hesitates. "He knows the ways of the Force. If you come with me, he may let me train you."

His father could train him? As a Jedi? That's what he's always dreamed of but right now it means things he can't agree to. But another thought it starting to form in his mind, even if it's potentially risky. "I'm not joining the Empire," Luke objects, "I'm a traitor to it. How do you know the Emperor doesn't want me just to kill me?"

"No, he would not – do that."

"Not even when I tell him I'm never joining the Empire? Can you really let him do this... Father?" It's weird to say the word out loud but it feels right.

Anakin's hands clench. "I will not let him harm you," he promises at last and there's a fierceness there that Luke knows is genuine. "But I do not believe that is what he intends to do. Perhaps there is a way that... if you meet with him, that this conflict with the Rebellion can be resolved."

And if not, then maybe Luke can find a way to kill the Emperor while they're there. It's definitely a foolish hope but well... if he's going to Coruscant anyway, he might as well make the most of it. He could still try to escape but what if there is a chance that he can kill the Emperor? And – if he fails, maybe his father will help him. "What about my friends?" Luke asks. "You have to let them go." He's not letting them stay in prison.

Anakin hesitates again. "I will bring them with us in our ship. They will not be harmed."

He still can't trust him, even if it hurts. Luke needs to remember he can't forget that even if it's hard because this is Anakin. This isn't what he thought his father was like, though. "I still don't understand," Luke says, frustrated, "The Empire is nothing like the Republic. It destroyed the Jedi. Why would you stand with it for anything?"

Anakin stands, but he doesn't speak immediately.

"I never saw what happened, Luke. I do not know who is right. But I know the weak authority of the Republic was failing everyone. After everything I... did for it, I cannot do something that will destroy it entirely."

Luke slides out of his chair, circling around the table.

Anakin is staring at him, through the helmet. What does he look like under that? "Is it alright if I touch you?" Anakin inquires.

Luke blinks at the sheer unexpectedness of it, especially that he's even asking. "...Yes?"

For all that they're apparently enemies, he obviously has no intention of hurting him. Which should be obvious because he's a Jedi, but Luke's still confused about this whole thing.

His father reaches out slowly, laying a hand on his shoulder. It's gentle and carries an overwhelming warmth that makes his heart flutter with a sudden overwhelming affection. This is what he's waited for so long, even if they're apparently somehow on opposite sides of the conflict. But all he needs to do is make his father see that the Empire is evil, which shouldn't be so hard but – he'll find a way. This is still his father. And if he used to be a hero, there has to be something left of that even if he's confused because his father is Anakin right now. Not Vader.

"Come with me," Luke blurts out, impulsively, "We don't have to face the Emperor now. You can leave and just come with me."

Anakin's grip on his shoulder tightens. "I – I cannot. I have known Palpatine for years. I – "

"Whatever he's told you is a lie," Luke replies firmly, "Don't let him delude you."

Anakin looks away. "It's not about the Emperor," he replies finally, "It is about the Empire, the galaxy. The Emperor may be wrong. I know he is not doing what he promised. I do not know what... the right choice is here."

Luke blinks up at him, the comment catching by surprise. He seemed so certain before, but maybe it was just a front.

"And I do not want this... conflict to divide us."

"...I don't either." He admits quietly.

Anakin doesn't reply. He seems unsure what to say.

"Why are both your hands prosthetic?" Luke asks, as an afterthought.

"I lost one to Count Dooku during the war. The other... I do not remember how it happened."

"...Oh."

"I can take you to see your friends before we go," Anakin says.

That... was an unexpected offer. "Really? Alright."

Maybe this will go better than Luke is expecting. He was trained for a long time already. And his father is here. They'll find a way to deal with the Emperor.

**w**

Something's happening. Leia can't say how she knows but the feeling is burning deep in her heart, a sensation she gets all the time. And then, the door to their cell abruptly opens to reveal... Luke?

Vader is standing right behind him. But Luke doesn't look like he's here against his will. Maybe.

But he's here and possibly trapped and that is not good –

Luke steps inside, the door closing though not locking behind him.

"Luke," Leia breathes, sprinting over to him, wrapping her arms around him. He catches her, squeezing her back.

"Leia," he murmurs, "I was worried – I had to come see if you were alright."

"You shouldn't have come," Leia objects, "Vader is – "

"I know," Luke interjects, "I already talked to him." His eyes have a strange level of brightness Leia doesn't know what to think of him.

"And?"

"It's – a long story," Luke says, "I'll explain it later. But I'm going to meet the Emperor."

Leia freezes. "What?"

"I think it could be a good thing. I've been training, Leia. In the Force."

"For a few hours," Han interrupts, raising an eyebrow.

"No, that's where I was after leaving Hoth. There's another Jedi out there - I can't say more than that. But he's been training me."

"You're talking about facing the Emperor, kid," Han objects, clearly unhappy, "And by yourself."

Chewbacca growls his obvious unhappiness with the idea.

"I don't think I'll be alone," Luke objects, "And... Vader is bringing you along. You'll be on the ship but there might be a way for you to break out. Maybe. I don't know."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Leia says very doubtfully but... It doesn't sound like they have much other choice.

**w**

Anakin's mind is still whirling from the conversation with Luke. He met his son. This is his son and they finally met. He hardly knows him but he still means everything to him already.

And Obi-Wan trained him. Obi-Wan who is dead. How did it happen? How? He wanted to ask so badly but the question stuck in his throat. Maybe he doesn't want to know. Obi-Wan was fighting the Empire. It could have been anyone in the Empire who killed him. The Empire killed Obi-Wan. Who chose to stand with the Jedi who were possibly traitors but that doesn't change that Anakin's trapped in a future where he's dead and how is his older self even able to live with the knowledge that he's dead? He could only be in his forties now and – and for all that Obi-Wan was frustrating sometimes, he always thought they would spend their entire lives together as Jedi, until... well. Age.

It's easier to try not thinking about the desperate, wild grief flooding him at the words and to think about Luke instead. He's almost scared to know what happened to Ahsoka and Rex now. First he hears about Padme, then about Obi-Wan so – he doesn't know that he even wants to know.

Luke is very stubbornly on the side of the Rebellion. His aunt and uncle – Owen and Beru? – were killed because of it. Of course he can't let that go. Anakin doesn't know how to feel about it either. He knows the Empire isn't what he wanted to believe. It's just not. Maybe it can still be saved and this definitely doesn't mean he's planning to turn all his support to the Rebellion any more than he would've turned to support the Separatists instead of the Republic, but – He can't believe in the Empire anymore.

Doesn't know what he should be doing, though. He can't... trust himself to do the right thing.

Taking Luke to Palpatine could be the stupidest thing he's ever done. He's rethinking it obsessively now that they're already in hyperspace but it's late to backout now. The least he can do, then, is... to make sure that he's prepared.

Force.

He wishes there was someone he could go to, to just tell him what to do.

"How far are you in our training?" Anakin inquires, turning to Luke who's been alternating between staring at hyperspace and sneak-peaking stares at him this entire time.

"What – Oh, I... Ben didn't train me for very long but I can use the Force for a lot of things."

Not very long. What exactly does that mean? Because his answer sounds like he's barely begun training. "What about lightsaber training?"

"I trained with a droid for a while. I figured out how to use it to deflect blaster bolts but I've never fought another real opponent with it. It can't be that hard."

"...You have never fought with another lightsaber wielder?" Anakin repeats, almost incredulous, "Not even sparred?"

"...No?"

"...Then how did you intend to fight me if it had come down to it?" Not that Anakin can begin imagining such a thing. He doesn't know what his older-self would have been like, to be fair, but...

"I know what I'm doing. I'm a Jedi," Luke insists.

His overconfidence is a little bit adorable. It's also going to get him killed. He dealt with enough of Ahsoka overestimating her abilities when she was younger, at the start of the war.

"Why don't you show me?" Anakin requests, "It will be good practice."

Luke perks up instantly. "Really? We can spar?"

"Yes," Anakin agrees, smiling. The constant pain is so draining but at least since he's reunited with Luke, he's had something else to focus on for a while.

They go somewhere they won't be disturbed. Luke draws his lightsaber first, and Anakin follows suit, wincing internally at the blood-red blade that springs from his hilt. How much blood is on it? He doesn't want to know.

He just waits for Luke to make the first move. The boy circles him for a moment before he moves forward, abruptly, swinging for Anakin. He parries him easily, not moving.

He circles around him, swinging at him erratically. Anakin parries each of his strikes easily, twisting his lightsaber to the side finally and sending Luke's flying.

He is seriously rethinking taking him to Palpatine, just in case something... happens.

"Your stance could use some... adjustments," Anakin tells him. Genuinely, what has Obi-Wan taught him? He doesn't want to hurt Luke's feelings but he kind of needs to be blunt about his limitations too, so he doesn't get himself killed. "If you were only trained for a brief time, it is a good start. Do you know the basics of the forms?"

"The... forms?"

Okayyyyy, Anakin has a lot of instructing to do.

It reminds him a little of teaching Ahsoka. It reminds him of the constant ache deep in his chest now that she's gone forever. He doesn't know that he trusts himself to teach another apprentice, especially not right now, but this is his son. And Luke is so excited about it and Anakin himself would do anything to spend time with him.

It's also a good distraction from all the questions swirling in his mind and the constant ache in his body. He really wishes he could see Luke's face with his own eyes.

**w**

Anakin's anxiety is growing with each passing moment when they finally reach Coruscant. Luke isn't wrong that Anakin doesn't know what Palpatine intends to do.

"I thought more highly of your loyalty- "

He just doesn't know what to think. Palpatine doesn't feel like the person he used to but he's the only one Anakin even knows and... He doesn't know anymore. But what hits him right off is the Jedi Temple, still the highest building on the horizon. And it's not the Jedi Temple anymore. It's been converted to the Imperial palace.

Sidious had the Jedi destroyed and then just – It feels like a desecration of this place, even if they obviously couldn't leave the building empty with no purpose. He just doesn't know what to think anymore.

The halls feel of the Dark Side as he and Luke go inside, following several guards. Everything here is different. The place has been remodeled. This was the place he grew up in, no matter how hard it was, and it's just... gone. It never truly felt like his home, but –

"Are you ready for this?" Anakin inquires, looking down at Luke.

If he wasn't in so much pain, maybe he'd be able to think this through more clearly. He's exhausted. He really just wants to sleep btu there's no time for that.

Luke looks up at him. "Yes. Are you... Father?"

The title still floods him with a wild rush of adoration. "I don't know, Luke," he says because it's the blunt truth.

They don't have time to say anything more to each other and besides, they probably shouldn't speak much in the presence of these guards anyway.

The room they're led to is the... Council chambers? He recognizes the halls as they reach the door and the guards enter in front.

It's nighttime so the room is dark, the only light from the passing traffic visible outside the windows. There's a far fancy throne at the far side of the room, near where Master Yoda's chair used to be.

Palpatine is seated there, dressed in dark robes. There's a hood over his head, mostly concealing his face but Anakin can still make out his yellow eyes. It makes his skin crawl, no matter how much he hates feeling like this by being in the presence of his once friend. It shouldn't – shouldn't be like this. But Obi-Wan shouldn't be dead either, and he and Anakin shouldn't have been on different sides, and – and – None of this future should have happened.

Anakin has no idea what's expected of him now. This is the Emperor. Not just the Chancellor.

He finally settles for bowing low as he moves to the circle in the center of the room. Luke following behind. His son very pointedly shows no respect.

"Leave us," Palpatine rasps and the guards bow, backing out of the room, leaving them alone.

There's an almost agonizing moment of silence.

Palpatine's gaze on him feels almost the same as when he was standing in front of the entire Council any of many times in the past, as they questioned him about something.

That worthlessness, on edge, like he's screwed up and is wondering what they'll do to him, as the highest authority he serves under.

He shouldn't feel like that in front of Palpatine, the one person who's always stood by him, but he does.

But he's also a Sith.

"I see you were successful, Anakin," Palpatine murmurs at last.

"Yes, your Excellency," he replies quietly, but the vocoder makes it sound loud.

"I have been expecting you, young Skywalker," he goes on, looking to Luke.

Luke just lifts his chin, staring back at him defiantly.

"I see you are not here against your will," he goes on, obviously commenting on Luke's glaring lack of binders.

Not like Anakin was going to put his own son in restraints.

"There wasn't a reason to fight him," Luke replies, glancing sideways at Anakin for a moment. He's staring back at Palpatine defiantly.

"He has spoken to you of joining the Empire, then?" Palpatine asks, scrutinizing him. Why the gaze is making Anakin so uncomfortable, he doesn't know.

"He did," Luke replies, "But that doesn't matter. You won't convert me to your side as you did to him."

"You may find you are mistaken about... a great many things."

"I'm certainly not mistaken about how poorly you're ruling your Empire, and oppressing the people," Luke retorts.

Anakin winces.

He wants to disagree but... he really can't.

Palpatine's gaze jumps to Anakin for a moment. Something about the slipperiness of his Force presence – it's never felt like this before – makes it feel like he's managing to read his every thought. The glint in his eyes is unsettling here in person. And he can't deny that he's scared.

Of – of Palpatine.

And that – what in all the stars has the galaxy come to if he can say that?

"I'm afraid your pitiful band of terrorists has made certain measures necessary. But when you remain here, you will learn."

"I am willing to... train him, Your Excellency," Anakin speaks up. He's afraid to train someone else after Ahsoka, especially with how little he trusts himself right now. This is the Sith master and by the Jedi, the very reason Anakin exists is because he was supposed to kill him.

But he's talking about training his son. He could never turn that chance down, the chance to raise his own child.

Palpatine slowly turns to him. "No. Luke will remain here. I will deal with him myself. The galaxy is too unstable right now. I cannot have you distracted from it."

Anakin opens his mouth to protest, past the sudden flare of desperation. He means to separate him from Luke? Strategically, maybe it makes sense but – This is the only family he has. The only... anything. Other than Palpatine. The truth is, way inside, he doesn't want to leave Luke anywhere near him. But – but it's not really his place to argue with the leader of the galaxy, is it? And if Palpatine plans to train him, that means he's talking about training him as a Sith, and Anakin can't agree to that. But –

Luke is looking up at him now but he can't tell what the gaze means.

"I'm not becoming a Sith," Luke shoots back, "You'll have to kill me first."

Anakin's gut flips at the words.

Palpatine leans forward, studying him. "You say it so simply, as though the Sith are loyal to the Empire and the Jedi to the Rebellion and yet your father is here. You always wanted to know him, did you not?"

Luke's eyes darken. "I don't know what you've said to him, but I don't think he'll be as loyal to you as you seem to think if he knows everything you've done. I know he doesn't know much about this time yet."

"Is that so?" he asks coolly, voice too calm, turning to Anakin.

His heart lurches violently. "I am loyal to the Empire – "

"And yet, I can sense the doubt there," he interrupts. He's angry. Again. Why does he keep totally flipping on him? Before, he never –

"I still don't understand why you're ruling the Empire the way you are," Anakin forces himself to say, past his hammering heart and wild panic. Not this again. He can't have a conversation like this again. But he can't deny the traces of anger creeping through his desperation, remembering how Luke said Owen and Beru are dead because of the Empire. Because of Palpatine. Maybe it's only that Luke's here that gave him that strength to argue back.

"I thought more highly of your loyalty than this – "

Ugh.

"You are still letting the lies of the Jedi blind you," he hisses. Whatever this is about, he suddenly wonders for a moment If there was some conflict his older-self was already having with Palpatine.

"This has nothing to do with the Jedi," Anakin grits out. "It's just – " He should stop talking. This isn't his place. What is he doing? Backtalking Palpatine like this? Especially when he's the emperor and he's – "Forgive me, Your excellency. There is just... things I don't understand. I know arguing with you is not my place."

"And that is why the boy will be staying here with me where he will learn. Right now, you have much learning to do yourself," Palpatine replies.

The wild surge of fury Anakin feels isn't his own. He just feels a numb horror and – He doesn't even know. Palpatine's taking Luke away from him because of this? Because he's having doubts? That's –

Luke flicks out a hand and Anakin's old lightsaber – where he'd taken it to put alongside his Sith one – goes flying, landing in his palms before Anakin can stop it. "I'm not staying with you," Luke retorts, and the blade hisses to life in his hands, "And neither is my father."

Wait, what –

No, what is he doing? Pulling a lightsaber on the Emperor, on Palpatine?

Anakin's gaze whips toward him, staring, heart hammering. What is he doing – why – what –

"Luke," he protests, desperately.

"I've seen Tatooine," Luke replies steely. He's furious. "And I know what this is."

Wait, what is he –

"And what is it you think it is, young Skywalker?" Palpatine asks flippantly.

Anakin knows what he's saying. He knows – But that's not what this is. He should argue but he feels too frozen to find words, to – anything.

"Whether it's in name or no, I know how you're treating him," Luke retaliates, glowering.

"Luke, that is not what this is." The words sound like ash in his mouth. Like a lie. Palpatine doesn't own him. This is just –

So why has it felt like from the moment he came to the future, he can't do anything without Palpatine's constant permission? Why are his medical records under Palpatine's control, as though he is legally his property?

"Isn't it?" he retorts, hotly, "If this isn't what it is, then why are you giving in to him? Why are you siding with him over – over me?"

Anakin flinches back.

He doesn't want to pick sides between his family. He doesn't. But he's being forced to right now and he hates it.

To choose between his son, his very own child, who may be siding with terrorists but who is also siding with the Jedi – and between Palpatine, the Emperor, the Sith Lord behind the war, who was also always once there for Anakin when he needed him?

"Your father simply knows loyalty even if it has been questionable as of late," Palpatine replies, slowly getting to his feet. The gesture sends a stab of panic through him though he's hardly sure why. This is about go very, very badly. He knows it. "Prove to me where your loyalties lie, my boy, after everything I did for you while the Jedi kept you enslaved. Stop this Jedi, this traitor."

No, no.

That's an ultimatum and he can't –

**w**

Luke didn't know what he expected when he came to confront Palpatine. But definitely not this. The way Palpatine was talking to his father is really what tipped him off. The emperor is always like that with everyone under him, but just –

His father is scared of him. He felt his terror, saw the way his posture was steadily becoming more submissive and the sheer knowledge that his father might somehow still be a slave... It was too much.

And now Sidious is demanding that he stop him and he's not going to wait to see what decision he'll make. He has to make that decision for him –

How his father who's so powerful could be a slave he doesn't know, and maybe it's not quite that – Luke doesn't know – but he knows slaves are forced to make decisions they never would otherwise, even against their own family and he's not letting that happen here.

Luke Force-jumps across the room in a swift move, swinging for Palpatine's head.

He is half expecting Anakin to lash out and try to stop him because well –

Slaves and all that.

But it's Palpatine who does first, shoving him back when the blade is only an inch from his head.

Luek skids a few paces back, still glaring.

His father is standing frozen, wild panic pouring into the Force around him.

Palpatine lifts a hand. Luke's expecting the attack to be against him but it's –

A strangled, half choked sound escapes his father and Luke spins toward him to see –

Palpatine is Force-choking him?

"I see you have chosen to stand with the traitors," he hisses.

Luke throws his lightsaber at the Sith without thinking, blinding fury hitting him. The Emperor is forced to break his hold on his father to dodge the lightsaber and Anakin stumbles most ungracefully, nearly falling as he lands.

"Father," Luke urges, "Come. We can win. Together." He doesn't wait, going for Palpatine again.

A blast of bluish-white energy suddenly pours from his fingertips and Luke stumbles back trying to block it from hitting him but fails entirely. The lightning crackles into him, flinging him to the floor. Blinding agony whites out everything around him, and all he can do is scream –

It lets up just as fast and he blinks up at the ceiling, gasping, to see Anakin standing over him, red lightsaber drawn to block the lightning.

Palpatine looks positively furious. "I wasted so much time on you," he hisses, "I can see that now. You were worth none of it."

His father flinches again and still doesn't argue.

Luke forces himself to his feet unsteadily, trying to work past the pain. The anger burning inside of him is fueling him. He tries to remember what Yoda and Ben said to him about that. Can't use that to fuel him. Doesn't know how to use anything else right now.

Luke calls his lightsaber to him with the Force, throwing it at the control panels to the throne room doors, slashing them so they can't be opened. There. No one will be coming in.

"You harmed my son," Anakin says finally.

"That was your choice."

Luke's never wanted someone to shut up this badly in his life. How does Anakin care about this person at all?

Two lightsaber hilts from – where those up his sleeves? – appear in Palpatine's hands and he ignites them, the blood red blades illuminating his scarred face as he jumps at them.

Luke instantly moves forward to join the fight, trying to ignore how his limbs keep spasming from the lightning. It's burning and burning and burning and Force, it hurts. But he can't stop now or he and Anakin are both going to die. Anakin brings up his lightsaber to block Palpatine and everything descends into chaos.

Palpatine is fast and deadly and it's all Luke can do to avoid being stabbed. He tries to call on everything Anakin taught him on the way here as he fights. It's a constant blur of red against red and blue – and he doesn't doubt that if not for Anakin, he already would be dead by this point. But this will have to be enough. They have to end this now somehow even if he doesn't even know how they're going to be able to anymore. Palpatine is so fast despite his age and he's not leaving even the slightest opening for them.

A Force-shove finally catches Anakin, flinging him across the room into the wall. Luke doesn't know how badly he was hurt or not but a strangled near moan escapes him when he tries to stand up and a wild rush of rage floods Luke as he charges Palpatine, slashing at him almost blindly.

Anakin is already on his feet again, moving toward them when Luke tries to take advantage of a brief opening in the Emperor's defenses, attempting to go for his head. But one of Palpatine' lightsabers promptly slashes downwards, cutting straight through his wrist.

Luke staggers back with a cry of pain, falling to his knees on the floor. What – just – what –

For a moment, it hardly even registers why his hand isn't working or why the lightsaber is laying in front of him in a pool of blood and –

He looks away sharply, heart and stomach lurching violently. What just –

Anakin flies at Palpatine in a fury and Luke nearly loses track of them in the fight. He can't keep himself awake and present enough to focus anyway. Everything hurts and hurts and that was his hand and it just – what –

A blast of lightning finally catches Anakin, flinging him across the room and that's enough to snap Luke just slightly back to present. He closes his eyes, trying to focus with everything he has in him as he ignites his lightsaber mid-air, throwing it at Palpatine's back. It slashes deeply across his back as the Emperor whips around to dodge it aside and that gives Anakin the opportunity he's waiting for, rolling back to his feet and running him through the chest before he can block him.

Anakin takes a shaky step back and Palpatine falls to the floor, motionless. Dead.

They just killed the Emperor. They won.

Luke wants to say something but no words come to him, through the haze of pain.

Anakin stands frozen over the body for a long moment before he scrambles across the room, coming over to his side. "Luke," he says, almost desperately, kneeling next to him even though from the slowness at which he does it, it's obviously hurting him.

"Father," Luke rasps weakly.

Anakin reaches for him, very gently lifting him into his arms. Luke lets out a startled squeak of surprise – he expected to be helped to his feet not this. The armor is uncomfortable against his side but his father is holding him and he doesn't want to move anyway and –

The side of his clothes are covered in blood. He doesn't want to look at the end of his right arm. It's broken open and bleeding badly. From the way the helmet is turned, Anakin's obviously looking at it. "We must get you treated immediately," he says. He sounds afraid even through the vocoder.

Luke doesn't want to think about it, what he just lost. That was his hand – It doesn't seem real.

Nor does he have a clue how he'll be getting treated at all when they're in Imperial territory but right now he's content to just sink into his father's arms and let Anakin figure that out. He's in too much pain to think about that anyway.

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