In the Dark of the Night
Summary: (Anastasia AU, Part 2) Darth Vader is holding a ball to announce he has found his long lost son and heir. Luke is unsure if he wants to become a prince to the Empire, but doesn't want to leave his newly found family. On the night of the ball, when an attractive young woman lures Luke out into the gardens, Luke goes willingly . . .
Luke followed the two handmaidens down the hall. Two royal guards walked behind him wearing their bright red armor and cloaks. He still wasn't used to this. To any of this. He wasn't used to the Imperial Palace and its grand hallways. The wall was decorated with marble and real wooden columns inlaid with gold detail. Rich rugs with intricate details ran the length of the hall. Small fancy tables were placed every couple of feet, and on each was placed a fresh flower arrangement or a decorative statue.
They came to a set of large double doors, that slid open as they approached. The two guards followed Luke in but then stationed themselves against the wall near the door. They weren't the only red guards here. Another set stood by the door as well. Luke ignored them as he walked through the grand rooms of the personal suite. He walked past a sitting room, down a hallway, and to another room. The handmaidens stepped aside and nodded to indicate Luke could enter. He entered by himself as the handmaidens stayed behind to give him privacy.
The bedroom matched the rest of the suite. It was large and beautifully decorated with fine furniture and fresh plants and flowers. There was a large bed in the center of the wall to the left where a small woman sat. She was leaning against the large plush cushions. There was a smile on her lips as she watched Luke approach.
"Luke," she said, and she held out her hand.
Luke took it and smiled back at her. "Hello. Moth-mother," he said. He still wasn't used to saying it. It felt so odd on his tongue. So was the idea of having a mother. He had gone all of his life without parents, and now he had both of them. "How are you feeling?" Luke asked.
"I am feeling pretty good right now," she replied. The Empress was not healthy. An illness had been plaguing her for two decades, or ever since he was born. She spent a lot of time confined to her bed and rarely made public appearances. Even when she did, it was always with her husband lurking right at her side.
She tilted her head as she looked at her son. "How are you feeling?"
"I uh . . ."
Why was it so hard to talk to his mother? Because she wasn't just his long-lost mother he never knew he had? She was also the empress of the galaxy? Wife to Emperor Darth Vader, who was also Luke's father. Who Luke had thought died before he was born. And now they were on separate sides of war with Vader ruling the Empire Luke was fighting to destroy as a Rebel.
His mother squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry I haven't been there for you during this period of transition," she said. "I hope your father hasn't been too overbearing."
"Heh."
"That bad?"
"He is . . . overwhelming at times." As well as overwhelming and terrifying.
"He has a good heart," she said.
Luke made sure his face didn't twist as he wondered if Vader really did have a good heart. He often wondered what his mother saw in him. A man who ruled and controlled such a cold and evil Empire. A man who had allowed the Death Star to be built.
"It's there," she said as if sensing Luke's thoughts. He wondered if perhaps she was Force sensitive. "You just have to look."
Luke gave her a smile, but it felt weak and unconvincing. But she smiled back and nodded.
"So I hear you are preparing for the announcement ball," Padme said and leaned back against the nest of pillows resting against the headboard.
Luke groaned and rolled his eyes. Finally, now he'd been here a month, Vader was going to publicly announce Luke as his long-lost son and heir. There would be a grand ball to go with the announcement. Luke was not looking forward to it. He had been forced to take etiquette lessons and dancing classes. He'd been poked and prodded with needles far too many times as the tailor prepared a whole new wardrobe for him. He told his mother all of his royal misadventures.
"Does it really matter how to sip wine?" Luke asked.
Padme smiled and was about to answer when the door slid open. Luke shivered as he felt the now familiar cold presence of Emperor Vader. The even sound of his respirator filled the room. His helmet tilted down to look at his family as he came to a stop at Padme's bedside.
Vader and Padme didn't share a room. Luke wasn't completely sure if it was because of his mother's illness or because of what hid behind Vader's suit. His mother had only mentioned it once. It was a life-support suit. Vader couldn't live without it. His black-gloved hand slowly moved and took Padme's. She smiled warmly up at him and squeezed his hand. The sharp coldness that generally rolled off Vader had disappeared.
If it wasn't for the black suit, this could look normal, touching moment between husband and wife. Vader's helmet turned to look at Luke.
"I would like to speak with you," he said in his deep booming voice.
Luke nodded. He gave his mother a small smile before he turned and walked to the door. However, as he reached it, he realized his father wasn't following. He turned around. Vader was holding Padme's hand in both of his. He was bent over. His mask lingering right by her face. Padme was looking up at him lovingly.
Luke's cheeks burned. He quickly turned around and left the room. He didn't have to wait long before Vader caught up to him. The sharp, clawing coldness had returned as well.
"I was told your lessons are progressing," Vader said as he looped his thumbs into his belt. Luke had come to recognize this as Vader's "relaxed" stance.
Luke didn't respond. He took a sharp breath instead. Was he becoming more of a prince? They had entered a luxurious sitting room. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the back wall. Luke looked out at the sprawling cityscape and lines of traffic beyond.
"Can I ask you a question?" Luke said. He looked up at the fearsome mask. His father was silent for a short moment before he inclined his mask ever so slightly. "I asked P- Mother. She said that your suit is a life-support suit."
There was a slight pause before Vader answered. "It is," he rumbled.
"So you can't leave it?"
"Not unless I have suitable life-support equipment."
"So you . . . and mother . . . you don't actually touch . . ."
Luke heard the hitch in Vader's breathing. Clearly, this statement had caught Vader off guard.
"Sorry," Luke said looking away as his cheeks flushed with a fresh wave of heat. "I saw you two earlier and how you held hands . . . I just thought it would be better if you didn't have that suit on . . ."
A long awkward silence stretched out. Only Vader's even mechanical breathing broke it up.
"It would be better," Vader said at last. His voice felt softer. Sadder?
"Haven't you looked into . . . I don't . . . something else? Organ transplants? Cybernetics? Cloning? You're the Emperor. Surely there are medical advancements out there that can help you."
"There are not," Vader growled. The sudden change in tone felt like a mental whiplash. "I assure you, my son, I have looked into if not tried every procedure and surgery available. You think I wish to live like this?" Luke could hear the disgust dripping from Vader's voice. "Yet no matter what, it always fails and I am forced to continue living like this."
Luke didn't know what to say, so he looked away at the window. What had Vader looked like before? He had to be human. Luke was human, and he had been told he looked like his father. What had happened to put Vader in the suit?
"The preparations for the ball are continuing smoothly," Vader announced. He put a large, heavy hand on Luke's shoulder. "Soon the galaxy will bend its knee to you and recognize you as the prince you have always been."
Luke's lips formed a tight line. He wanted to frown. He didn't want to be the prince of the Empire. He knew he should smile, but couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" Luke was ready for this father-son bonding to be over.
"No," Vader said. "Come. Follow me."
Luke followed Vader out of Padme's apartment. His guards returned to their post and followed him. Luke wondered why Vader didn't have guards following him. Then again,he probably didn't need any? They didn't have to go far, before they entered a new set of doors. Another apartment? The guards didn't follow.
The contrast in decoration between this apartment and the rest of the Imperial Palace was stark. Everything was in monochrome greys, blacks, and whites. Every now and then Luke would see a small bit of red. There were no decorations, it was all sharp and hard angles. It matched Vader perfectly. These must be his personal apartments.
Vader didn't pause as he moved past the entryway, through a large and rather empty sitting room, and down a hall. Luke quietly followed him. He glanced through any open doors they passed. He saw an office, what looked to be a mechanical workshop, a rather large empty room with a strange large sphere in it, and then there were a few closed doors until they came to the door at the end of the hall.
Luke followed Vader into a large, empty room that extended at least two stories up. The floor and walls were made out of metal paneling. Luke looked up at his father expectantly, but Vader wasn't looking at Luke. Instead, he marched over the wall to the right, which was just as bare and nondescript as the rest of the room. As Vader waved his hand, the panel slid open. Behind it were racks of lightsabers.
Vader reached in and pulled one out. Luke instantly recognized it.
"That's mine!" he said as he stepped forward, his hand out to grab it.
"It is mine," Vader corrected.
Luke's face twisted, but he relaxed as Vader held out the lightsaber to his son.
"It was mine," Vader said. "It now belongs to you." Luke eyed the weapon. "Take it," his father ordered.
Luke slowly took it out of Vader's hand, grabbing it with both hands. The metal felt good. He ignited the blue blade and waved it around.
"This is a training room," Vader said.
He used the Force to casually close the panel with a wave of his hand. With another wave, two panels on the other wall slid open to reveal military-grade droids. They turned on, their eyes glowing, and marched into the room.
"I . . ." Vader started, but then stopped. Luke looked up at him. Vader's mask faced Luke. He could his father's eyes on him. "Did you wish to train?" Vader asked. "In how to use your lightsaber properly?"
Luke blinked. Had he heard Vader correctly? Had it even been Vader that had asked that question? His voice had sounded off. But there was no one else here. Unless one of the droids had said it. Luke looked back down at his still-lit lightsaber.
"Sure," he said.
"Listen, Kid," Han said, pulling at the tight Imperial-styled collar of his all-black suit. "I tried being an Imperial once before. It didn't work out for me well that time, and I don't see it workin' out for me this time either."
"It was either this or prison," Luke said as he pulled at his own outfit. It was the fanciest thing he had ever worn. It was made of fine materials in black, silver, and with a few accents of bright red. Han had said he now looked like a real prince.
"Isn't this just a fancy prison?" Han muttered.
"I am sure Emperor Vader could easily arrange for you to go to the not-fancy prison."
Han paused for a moment. Vader had allowed him freedom if the smuggler swore his allegiance to the Empire. "Nah," he said. "And miss this party? No way."
"You actually want to go?" Luke asked. Han shot him a sly devilish smile. "Han," Luke said.
"Listen, my intuition says this party might get real excitin'. That's all."
Luke frowned. "Exciting how?"
"I don't know," Han said with a shrug. "Maybe a certain Alderaan princess might be in attendance." Han wagged his eyebrows at Luke, who rolled his eyes. "Chewie would just stick out too much, but I know that big oaf is on this planet, plotting a dozen different ways to break us out of here."
Luke looked down at his hands. Isn't that what he wanted? He didn't want to be a prince or heir to the empire. He felt so awkward and out of place already and the only person here was Han. Didn't he want to go back to the Alliance?
He recalled his mother's warm smile. His father's awkward attempts at bonding, usually through lightsaber training. His mother had been right. There was still some good left in the man who was once Anakin Skywalker, but it took a lot of work to dig past Vader's shields. Luke didn't know what he wanted anymore.
"Well, I'm going to go out there and check who's here," Han said as he smoothed out his suit. He nodded, gave Luke a big smile, and walked out the door.
Luke went over to one of the large sofas and sat down. This was the same room where he'd met his parents for the first time; the dark large room at the end of the VIP hallway that secretly looked out at the ballroom below. The ballroom was filled with people, and Luke wondered if perhaps Leia really was in attendance down there.
He heard the door behind him slide open. and the all too familiar clacking of the guards' boots as they walked to their position by the back walk. Once they stopped, he heard soft steps and the rustling of fabric slowly approach him. He turned and smiled weakly as his mother rounded the coach. She smiled back and took a seat next to him.
She was dressed in a beautiful white and gold gown. There was a cream-colored cape with a high collar that sat on her shoulders. Gold details in swirling patterns were sewn onto it. The dress was white with matching gold designs from the cape. As the dress flowed to the floor, Luke noticed there was some subtle design in the fabric in slight matte white.
Her hair was curled up into an elaborate braided bun. White crystals sparkled in a gold headpiece that stood out against her brown hair. It wrapped around her head with pieces that looked think of feathers that dropped down by her ears. She looked every bit an empress, and he realized she would stand out against Vader; she dressed in white and gold, and him in his harsh suit.
"Nervous?" Padme asked.
Luke nodded. Padme reached over and grabbed his head.
"I did try to talk him out of it," she said. "I said it was too soon. You still needed to adjust, but . . . he's stubborn and determined. He's waited a long time for this. For you. His son." She squeezed his hand. "He's loved you ever since there was a you to love. I hope you know that. He just wants to make up for all the lost time he never had with you. And he wants the galaxy to know you're his son. He's very proud of that. Proud of you."
Luke felt his cheeks burning and looked away.
"I'm very proud of you," she added, giving his hand another squeeze. "And if you wish to step back, you still can. It isn't too late. I'll support whatever decision you make. I'll help you tell him if need to."
His head snapped back to her. His mouth was slightly open. She knew. She knew how he felt.
"I . . ." He took a steadying breath. "I don't know. I don't know what I want anymore. I don't think I could make a good prince, but . . . I still . . . I still want to be your son. And I don't know how to balance that out."
Her smile grew. "Luke, you will always be our son. That will never change."
He smiled back at her and tried to collect his thoughts, just when the door opened again. Luke tensed up, ready for Vader to stroll in, but it wasn't him. He smiled as he recognized Sabe. She was wearing a navy blue gown with silvery-blue lace on top. The shoulders and short sleeves were nothing but lace and a lace cape flowed all the down to the floor. Her hair was swirled up and pinned with a few blue lace flowers and silver pins. She walked around the couch and bowed deeply.
"Your majesty," she said to Padme. Then she bowed to Luke. "Your highness."
"Oh, please, don't call me that," Luke stuttered.
"Yet," Sabe said, smiling as she straightened up. "I suppose it is a bit premature, but you best get used to it. You'll be hearing it all night after the proclamation."
Padme squeezed his hand again. He looked at her and could see her offer still lingered in her eyes. Luke nodded at her and squeezed her hand back.
It was then that Vader arrived. A coldness seeped into the air the moment the door slid open. His steps were large and heavy as he made his way over. Luke was surprised to see Vader had dressed up, at least as much as he could. He still wore his suit, but the shoulder armor had gold detailing. His tabards, which were usually black and blended in with the suit, were of a much finer fabric with gold trim. His cape was heavier and looked nicer. A thick gold border rimmed the bottom with a few gold designs, accented with red gems.
"So you do have something else besides plain black in your closet," Sabe said waving her hand at Vader. "Black with a bit of gold."
Vader's helmet had first looked at Padme then to Luke, then it snapped to Sabe. Luke noticed the tension within Vader had sharpened as he focused in on her. Only then Sabe bowed, but not as low or genuine as she had for Luke and Padme.
"Your majesty," she said.
There was an awkward static noise from Vader. A grunt? A huff? It was hard to tell. "Sabe," Vader greeted.
She straightened back up and stood fearlessly looking at the Emperor. Luke was always impressed with how bold she was around him.
"My Emperor," she said in a light voice. "I am glad you're here."
"What is it you want?" Vader barked, his deep voice booming.
"I was hoping to borrow your son," Sabe said, nodding at Luke.
Vader's helmet turned to look down at him. "No," he said.
She rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to take him down to the ballroom. It would be good for him to see this world before everyone knows his face and name. To see who changes their behavior toward him most once they know his importance."
There was a pause as Vader considered her words.
"If Luke doesn't object," Padme said, her voice so quiet and soft compared to the other two, "I think that would be good for him. Of course, you can stay here if you want."
You could stay and talk to your father, were the words that went unsaid.
Everyone was looking at him, waiting for his response.
"I think I would like to go with Sabe," he said looking up at his father.
Sabe smiled with approval. "That would mean without the guards," she added.
"Absolutely not," Vader growled, turning his attention back onto her.
"The point is to go in unnoticed. He can't do that with guards in bright red armor trailing him. You can stay up here and watch him. Have the guards behind the door."
A tense and cold silence fell between them. He felt his mother shiver beside him. Vader's helmet slowly turned to look down at Luke. He looked into his father's black lenses knowing he was looking into his eyes. Luke nodded. He wanted to do this. He needed to know he could do this. He still had some control over his life.
There was the slightest tilt of Vader's helmet before he looked back at Sabe. "You will be at his side the entire time," he said as he pointed a gloved finger at her. "I will be watching from here. The guards will be on alert. If anything happens to him-"
"Yes, yes," Sabe interrupted. "It'll finally give you an excuse to slice my head off."
Padme stiffened and a frown instantly formed on her face.
"Go," Vader said, waving his hand in the air.
Luke got up and followed Sabe out. When he reached the door, he turned to look back. Vader had knelt down to one knee and had grabbed Padme's hands. A soft pain blossomed in Luke's heart. He turned away letting his parents have their moment and followed Sabe down the hall, past the other VIP rooms, and down the long staircase.
They entered the crowded ballroom. Instantly, Luke felt eyes on him. No doubt it was his father watching from behind the hidden windows. Luke glanced up to the wall where he knew the windows were, but was amazed at how well they were camouflaged. Sabe looped her arm through Luke's. She pointed out people of importance, speaking quietly:. "That's General Tagge," she said, nodding to an Imperial officer. "He was on the Death Star, but had the sense to leave before you shot it down."
"Wait, how did you know it was me?" Luke said.
"Of course it was you. Who else could it have been? That smuggler friend of yours, who's lingering by the bar?"
Luke craned his neck to try and look at the bar, but it was blocked by people.
"That's Admiral Ozzel. He originally gained his position through Palpatine. I'm surprised he's lasted as long as he has under Vader. We both know Vader does not like incompetent and weak leaders. General Veers is the one over there, talking to Captain Piett. Unlike Ozzel, who comes from a well-known family, these two have earned their positions through their own merits."
There was a flash of red. Luke tilted his head and saw her. He instantly recognized her. The red-head he had seen when he was waiting in line with Sabe at the previous ball. The one who had looked at him with such hate. She took a sip from a martini glass when she turned her head and looked directly at Luke. She smiled at him, and Luke couldn't help but smile back.
But then he lost her as Sabe pulled him onward, and the crowd thickened again. He had stopped paying attention to Sabe, as he tried to catch a glimpse at the red-head.
"And that horrible creature is Doctor Cylo," Sabe muttered. "Your mother tells me he is the one behind your father's suit. She obviously doesn't think highly of him."
Luke looked at the man with the cybernetic eye who was chatting to a woman.
"Standing next to him is Moff Tarkin," she continued. "The daughter of the late Grand Moff who was in control of the Death Star. He was the one who ordered it to blow up Alderaan without your father's approval. Honestly, I think Vader had returned to the Death Star to kill Tarkin, but then he got distracted with some rebels showing up."
She smiled and winked at him. Luke couldn't help but wonder how much Sabe knew. How well connected was she to the Rebellion?
"Excuse me," a voice said.
The breath was stolen right out of Luke as he looked up into a pair of brilliant green eyes. It was her. The red-headed girl. She wore her hair long and loose. She had a long black dress that was tight at the top and then flowed out into a large skirt. It was a simple gown, but she made the outfit.
"I couldn't help but notice all those stares you've been shooting my way," she said. "Care for a dance?"
Luke could feel the tips of his ears burning. He wasn't sure how long he stood there looking like a fish out of water before Sabe spoke up.
"He would love to," she said as she gave him a small push.
He stumbled forward. The girl was holding out her hand expectantly, and he took it. She smiled as her hand tightened around his. They moved through the crowd to the dance floor in the corner by the band. She moved with grace as she assumed an opening position with her hand on his hip.
"I only just learned how to dance," he admitted as he took the lead. He knew his footwork was sloppy.
"You're not too bad," she said. "I've danced with worse."
"I, uh, didn't catch your name."
"Mara. Mara Jade."
"Luke," he said.
"And what brings you here to this ball, farmboy?"
Luke misstepped. "Farm- farmboy? How did you know?"
Mara laughed. "Oh, that was just a guess! But are you really?"
His cheeks burned red. They continued to dance until the song ended, and then . They traded small talk while they did, and Luke's smile grew and grew. His eyes couldn't stop looking at her dazzling green eyes. As the second dance ended, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Heat exploded on his cheek and rushed through the rest of his body.
"Looks like you could use some fresh air," Mara said with a twinkle in her eye.
Luke nodded as he let himself be led off the dance floor to the back wall, where the large multi-story windows were. The lower windows also functioned as doors, that opened onto a balcony overlooking a garden. They weren't alone. Other guests were out there also enjoying the fresh air.
"You never did tell me what you were doing here? You were at the last ball, too. Got to skip in line."
"I recall you glaring at me," Luke said.
"I had been standing there for an hour and you waltz up and walked right past the line," she said. "So how does a farmboy get direct access into the exclusive royal area of the ballroom?"
"It wasn't me," he said. "It was . . . my . . . the lady I was with. It was all her."
"Mmhmm," she said. She looked over her shoulder. "Speaking of which, she is coming right at us."
Luke looked over his shoulder. He could see through the windows Sabe was indeed making her way through the crowd directly for them. Behind her, he could see the crowd parting for two red royal guards. Luke moaned. Mara grabbed his hand and the two were suddenly running across the balcony, down the steps, and into the gardens. They ducked into the hedges as Sabe and the guards rushed onto the balcony.
"Luke!" Sabe shouted as she looked this way and that. The guards marched down the balcony and the guests scattered.
"Come on," Mara whispered as she pulled Luke along the path. They were both hunched over, to avoid being seen.
"Mara, I don't think-"
She spun around, grabbed his face, and kissed him. His eyes widened and he froze. But it didn't last long, until he melted into her and enjoyed the feel of her lips on his. She pulled away with a wicked smile.
"Want more of that? Then let's go."
They snuck deeper and deeper into the garden, far away from the ball, until they came across a small artificial lake. They crossed a bridge to the small island that sat in the middle. There wasn't much to it. A few trees, flower bushes, and a single bench. Luke tried to relax, but the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end. There was a coldness growing behind him. Somehow his father was angry.
"So . . ." Luke said awkwardly, not even able to look at Mara. The cold was growing worse. He sighed. "Listen, Mara. I need to go back."
He finally looked up at her and paused. The warm smiling face he had seen all night was completely gone. Her face was hard and sharp with a fierce scowl. He could feel the anger rolling off of her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She let out a sharp hiss. The hairs on the back of Luke's neck stood on end. Something heavy was pulling at his heart.
"You have absolutely no idea, do you?" she growled.
"Did I . . . Do something . . . Wrong?" His mind was racing over everything they had done tonight. Had he stepped on her toes? Maybe his hand brushed alongside a more sensitive area? He had no idea why she was so angry at him.
She straightened up and held her chin up high. Her green eyes glared down at him.
"Luke Skywalker." The last word dripped with disgust. Even her face twisted while saying it. A fresh chill ran through Luke.
"How do you know my name?" he asked.
"I've known your name since the moment you blew up the Death Star."
There was a ringing noise in his ears. Everything in him had gone tense.
"How- how do you know that?" Was she a member of the Alliance? Was Han right? Was Leia or the Alliance planning on breaking Luke and Han out?
"My master does thank you for destroying it so it was no longer in the hands of that traitor. Vader never supported or wanted the Death Star. He stole it like he stole everything else! He only used it to keep certain officers in line. It was my master who whispered to Erso and that rebel pilot about the plans. He would not have his masterpiece fall in the hands of Vader. And who would have guessed Vader's long lost brat would have been the one to deliver the lucky shot?"
Luke was silent. His hands ached for a blaster or his lightsaber. He had neither. This wasn't about some social faux paus. She'd hated him all along. That was why she had glared at him at the first ball. She knew. She knew who he was.
"Who are you?" Luke asked. "Who is your master?"
"My name is Mara Jade," she said. He couldn't explain it, but there was a note of truth in her words. "My master is Darth Sidious, though you might know him better as Emperor Sheev Palpatine."
She bent over, reached into her skirt and pulled out a lightsaber. Luke did not know where or how she was keeping it under her skirt. The lightsaber hilt was smaller than his or his father's. It was made from a light-colored silver with gold swirls on it. It looked fancier. More elegant. She activated it, and the red blade snapped out. It hummed as she slightly waved it back and forth as she looked up at it.
"Your father killed him," she said. "He finally decided to be a real Sith. My master can't fault him for that. It is the apprentice's fate to eventually kill the master, but my master had never planned on dying." She lowered the blade and looked at Luke. "He planned on living forever. He would be the ultimate power in this galaxy, this universe. His plans on achieving such immortality were not yet completed when Vader struck. But my master did not go easily or quickly.
"My master threw himself into the Force. He summoned the power and the Dark Side to him. He formed a pact with his very soul. He would not rest until he had his revenge against the one who had killed him. Vader would die a slow and painful death. His body would constantly fail him until he was nothing but a mind in a broken husk."
Was that . . . was that why nothing had worked in healing Vader? There was some . . . curse?
"But," Mara sighed, "there is always a catch to these things. The Dark Side agreed to this curse only if it consumed all of the Chosen One's bloodline. And with it, it would grant my master his life again. However, my master didn't know at the time that you had lived."
"Wait, but what-"
"Ugh! Your ignorance is aggravating! Your father, Anakin Skywalker, is the Chosen One! And with you alive the curse couldn't be completed. Vader still lives in somewhat decent health."
"And my blood must be consumed for Vader to die," Luke said slowly.
"Glad you caught on quickly," she purred.
"You're here to kill me."
She smiled. "If I had wanted to kill you, farmboy, you would be dead by now. Alas, my master wanted to save such a task for himself."
"Your master . . . but Palpatine is dead! You said so yourself."
"I also said he would not rest until he's had his revenge. He's been living in limbo all these years, eagerly waiting for when the curse could be completed."
"What are you even talking about?"
The lightsaber snapped off. Mara let out a scream as she held out both hands. The lightsaber hilt floated right in front of them. Slowly, piece by piece, the lightsaber rotated and separated into floating pieces. In the middle was a glowing red crystal. There was something wrong about that crystal. There was a coldness coming from it, sharp and oily. A nasty feeling seemed to ooze from it.
Suddenly, it began to glow brighter and brighter. Luke had to shut his eyes. The bright red light only lasted a moment, before it died down. Luke opened his eyes and a hunched over man stood between him and Mara. He wore black robes with a hood pulled over his face. Luke could just make out white skin that seemed off and disfigured as if it hung in clumps of the man's skull. Gold eyes glowed in the depths of the hood.
"We meet at last," the man said in a rasping voice. "Luke Skywalker, your Imperial highness. Look at what the years have done to us. You are a vibrant youth, and me . . ." The old man waved at himself. "A rotting corpse!"
Was this . . .
"Sheev Palpatine?" Luke asked.
"Sheev Palpatine," the man responded in a mocking tone, but it quickly turned into a hiss. "You shall call me Emperor, boy! Destroyed by your despicable family! But . . . what goes around comes around, and around and around . . ."
The former Emperor raised his hands and bright blue lightning zapped out of it. It struck Luke, and he immediately fell to the ground screaming in pain. He could hear the Emperor laughing through it all. The lightning stopped. Luke heaved in deep breaths of air. His body screamed in pain. There was a burnt smell in the air. He grit his teeth and glared up at Palpatine. He slowly pushed himself to his feet.
"I am not afraid of you," Luke grunted.
"I can fix that!" Palpatine said with a twisted smile. Lightning shot out of his hands again. Though he had tried to prepare himself for the onslaught, he still fell to his knees screaming. "Say your prayers, young Skywalker! No one can save you!"
"Want to bet?" a deep voice boomed.
The lightning stopped and Luke recovered just in time to see Palpatine thrown to the ground. He hissed as he pushed himself up. There was the snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting, and Luke looked up to see his father marching towards him, his free hand raised in a curled fist at the Emperor. Vader stopped as he took a protective stance in front of his son.
"How endearing," Sidious rasped. "Together again for the last time!"
The lightning came again, but this time Vader blocked it with his lightsaber. The blue bolts crashed against the blade.
"Luke," Vader said, his voice strained. "Go!"
Luke crawled backwards. He didn't want to leave. He had to help. But he . . . He had no weapon. What was he going to do?
"Go!" Vader bellowed.
Luke climbed to his feet. He glanced at the small bridge and the palace beyond the garden. The windows still shone with golden lights. There was a sharp pressure. A warning. Luke jumped just as a red light flashed at him. Mara screamed. The silver and gold lightsaber was one piece again and she was stabbing it at him.
"Luke!" Vader shouted.
It was the distraction Palpatine needed. A single bolt of lightning slipped past Vader's saber and struck him. He let out a pained shout and his saber lowered. The lightning now freely hit Vader all over.
"Long live the Emperor," Palpatine laughed. "Love live the Skywalkers!"
Luke dodged another blow, but he wasn't going to be able to keep this up. Not without . . . He saw his father's lightsaber laying on the ground right next to his hand. Please, Luke whispered to the Force. He reached out for it. Not just with his hand, but with the Force. Please, he repeated. Come to me!
The saber rattled. He wasn't looking at Mara, but knew she was coming. He could feel her determination. Her hatred. Her bloodlust. It was all aimed at him.
"Farewell, farmboy!" she shouted as she swung her blade down.
Please!
The saber shot across the grass and into Luke's hand. He managed to catch Mara's blade just in time.
"That won't save you," she growled as she put her weight behind her blade pushing the two lightsabers closer to Luke.
"Maybe not in the end," Luke growled back. "But it might help."
A surge of adrenaline pulsed through him. He threw himself forward and pushed Mara off of him. He briefly looked over his shoulder to see Palpatine still shooting lightning at Vader. This wasn't good. Luke needed to go to his father's aid, but Mara was coming at him again. He blocked her blow and pushed her blade aside. He swung his blade at her, she parried, he dodged, and just like that they were dancing again. This, however, wasn't the joyful dance of two blushing partygoers. No, this was a much deadlier dance. It was one Luke didn't want to be a part of. He could feel his father's pain. He let out a frustrated shout as he ducked under Mara's arm and slashed up. When his saber slashed through her hand and the hilt of her lightsaber, she screamed. The lightsaber hit the ground with a loud thud.
That was when Luke noticed the silence. There was no lightning. No cruel laughing. No screaming. He looked up. Palpatine was glaring at him . . . No, not at him. He was glaring at the lightsaber that was now missing a small chunk on the end. Luke bent down and picked it up before Mara or Palpatine could grab it.
"No!" Palpatine hissed. He rushed over, toward Luke. It was almost comical looking.
The other lightsaber felt so cold in Luke's hand. He wanted to drop it. It felt so twisted.
"I will rip you apart, boy!" Palpatine shouted as he quickly approached.
Luke looked at the lightsaber in his hand, then at Palpatine, then at his father, and eventually at Mara who was cradling her injured hand to her chest.
"Skywalker!" Palpatine screamed. His steps away. His hands were out ready to grab the lightsaber. Why hadn't he just zapped him? Why . . .
He wasn't sure if it was the Force, but suddenly it clicked; he knew what he had to do. Without hesitation, he tossed the lightsaber in the air. Then with a swift and smooth slash, he cut it in half with his father's red lightsaber. His aim was true. He cut right through the middle of the red crystal in the center.
Palpatine screamed as he fell to his knees. Red glowing lines started to crawl all over his body as if he was cracking. Then suddenly the red light consumed him, but the screaming didn't stop. As the light died down, all that was left was a skeleton that soon faded away into dust. All that was left was a black robe.
Mara let out a pained and angry sob. Luke ignored her.
"Father!" he shouted as he ran over to Vader's side.
Vader's breathing wasn't its normal strong repetitive rasp. It was uneven.
"Luke," Vader said softly. "You . . . You are . . . fine . . ."
"Yes," Luke said. He grabbed his father's large hand and held it in both of his. The lightsaber lay forgotten next to him, in the grass. "Don't worry. I'm going to go get help. You'll be ok."
"Luke . . ."
"Just wait here," Luke said as he stood up. He let Vader's hand slip through his. "I'll be right back."
"Luke!"
Time slowed to a crawl as he watched Mara run at him. Her hand held Vader's saber she had used the Force to summon. It was lit and aimed right at Luke and Vader. They were both going to die . . . Luke ran forward and leapt. The red blade sliced easily into him. The last thing he saw was an explosion of red and the last thing he heard was his name being screamed across the stars.
Luke followed the two handmaidens down the hall. His royal guards followed quietly behind. He had made this trek so many times now, it felt like he had worn a path into the fine rugs and tiles. He could walk this route in his sleep. He soon entered his mother's apartment. His guards and even the handmaidens fell away as he approached his mother's bedroom. He paused in the doorway.
Padme was in bed, which was now surrounded by various medical machines. Tubes and wires came out of the machines and were attached to his mother. Standing next to the bed holding her hand was Darth Vader. But no longer did he wear the dreaded mask. His head was completely visible. It was pale and scared. A clear breathing mask sat over his mouth and nose.
Palpatine's curse had been lifted. Vader was finally able to heal, but sadly Padme's health had taken a turn for the worse over the past few weeks. Was she also affected by the curse? If so, why was she weakening?
Vader stiffened as he straightened up. He looked over his shoulder at Luke, who smiled shyly as he walked over.
"Luke," his mother said in a soft voice, barely more than a whisper.
She pulled her hand out of Vader's and Luke took it. It was soft, but also cold. Padme looked up at Vader and gave him a slight nod. He frowned, but then bowed his head. He gave Luke's shoulder a quick squeeze before he left without saying a word.
"I wanted to talk to you," Padme said.
"Are you feeling up to it?" Luke asked.
She closed her eyes. Luke watched her chest rising and falling. He thought she'd fallen asleep, but then her eyes opened again.
"It doesn't matter," she said. "There are some things that must be said. Things you must know, Luke."
He couldn't help but frown as something cold wrapped around his heart. He didn't like hearing her talk like this.
"I'm afraid," she continued, "I haven't been very truthful with your father. Even now . . . Even now I cannot bring myself to reveal what I have done. I do not think he would forgive me."
Luke shuffled closer to the bed. Padme paused as she looked up at her son.
"Luke . . . I . . . I lied to your father, or from a certain point of view, I simply did not tell him the truth. The whole truth about you and your birth." He squeezed her hand tighter. "Your father he . . . he had fallen to the Dark Side. Betrayed the Republic by joining with Palpatine. He had . . . done . . . so many unforgivable things . . . But at the time, please know this Luke, at the time I could not believe it. The Anakin Skywalker I knew would have never done those things. So when I learned the Jedi were hunting him . . . were going to kill him . . . I went to him to warn him. I did not know that the Jedi had stolen aboard my ship. When Va- when your father saw, he was overcome with a vicious rage like I have never seen. He . . . attacked me . . . thinking I had betrayed him . . ."
"He did what?" Luke asked.
She took a deep breath. "It's in the past."
"It is not in the past! He attacked you!"
"And he has regretted it ever since and has apologized a thousand times over. Yes, he attacked me, while I was pregnant. I could have held on to that bitterly, to my hatred of what he had done, but I chose to let it go. I didn't want to become what your father has become."
Luke nodded slowly. He understood and was amazed at his mother, at how she could continue to love and stand by this man.
"The Jedi and Vader dueled, and Vader lost and was gravely injured. The Jedi returned to me and brought me to a nearby med center. They induced labor fearing for my health and that of my unborn child. It was . . . So hard . . . I fought to hang on. But I could not. I died on that table moments after you were born. And yet, somehow . . . I survived. I was in and out of consciousness for five years.
"Meanwhile your father thought I had died by his hand . . . And somehow he discovered I still lived . . . there was nothing in this galaxy that was going to stop him from finding me . . . And he did . . . He brought me here. Placed me with the best doctors this galaxy could find. For a long time, he didn't speak to me. The only sound I heard of him was his breathing. Until one day, months, perhaps years later, he finally asked what had happened . . . what had happened to our baby. I could feel his guilt. He knew the reason for my current state was from what he had done, and he also thought our baby's life was gone due to him."
She leaned back and closed her eyes. "I couldn't lie to him. He would know. Somehow he would know . . ." She opened her eyes and looked up at her son. "I had to tell him, Luke. Please forgive me. I had to tell him I gave birth and that our child lived. We had a son. And of course, he wanted to know where our son was. I told him you were taken . . . by the Jedi who attacked him and had taken me to the med center . . . "
"Ben . . . " Luke whispered.
"Vader was determined to find you. I think that learning you were alive was the push he needed to finally get rid of Palpatine. Once he assumed the throne, he started his search in earnest. And well . . . then you came to us."
Luke smiled.
"I knew," she said. "I knew the moment I saw you. Hearing your name only confirmed what I already knew in my heart. I am so glad you found us. I am so proud of you Luke. You have become such an extraordinary young man."
Pressure was building behind Luke's eyes. He blinked, trying to avoid crying, but his eyes were getting watery.
"But I lied," Padme said. "I didn't tell him, Luke . . . Forgive me. Please, forgive me."
He shook his head. He didn't understand.
"I had to choose," she said. Tears were now running down her face. "I had to pick which child to tell him about, knowing I could keep the other a secret. Keep them safe."
Luke furrowed his brow. What was she talking about?
"I feared . . . I feared the worst if either of you were found, especially from Palpatine. And even after he died, I could have told your father . . . but he was still the same . . . still so cold . . . Until you came . . . oh if I had known what change you would have brought!"
"What do you mean either of us? Is there . . . another . . .?"
She nodded her head. "Yes, Luke. You are a twin. You have a sister. A twin sister."
"A twin sister . . ."
"Please, forgive me . . . That I revealed you instead of her . . . but . . . I knew you were well hidden . . . You had a chance to stay that way. I feared what would happen if Vader or Palpatine discovered your sister . . ."
"You know where she is?" Luke asked. Hope filled his heart.
"Yes," Padme said with a smile. "I knew it the moment I first heard her name. And I had to make the painful decision to keep her hidden. I never revealed myself to her, nor did I ever tell your father of her existence. I thought it was for the best. She . . . she was happy and well cared for."
"That's good," Luke said softly.
"She is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan."
For a second, everything stopped. Even time seemed to freeze around those words. Then it all slammed into him. The lights, no, the stars, no, the galaxy itself spun around him. Leia . . . Leia! Leia was his sister! The galaxy stopped as things fell into their rightful place including the fact that he and Leia were twins.
"Bail Organa was a close friend of mine," Padme said. "He and his wife wanted a baby, but couldn't conceive. I am glad he took Leia in and cared for her. But you see now, why I did not reveal her. If your father found her on Alderaan . . . Bail . . . Breha . . . possibly even the whole planet would have felt his wrath. And she was so close. Bail was still a senator of a core world, and later Leia took up that role as well." Padme paused as she smiled. "I am surprised your father never realized who she was."
A small silence fell between them.
"Luke," Padme said. "I am a horrible mother."
"No! No, you're not a horrible mother! You did what you thought was right. I don't hate you for that."
She smiled weakly at him.
"You do not need to defend me," she said. "I know what I have done, but I am glad to have your forgiveness. But, Luke . . . Leia . . . She is here. She needs your help."
"What do you mean?"
"She showed up at the ball. Tried to get your friend out, and got captured by the guards."
Han had been right. Luke could see it now. Leia sliding up to him in a fancy ball gown. Slipping him a small blaster she had strapped to her leg. The two tried to walk out, but the guards stopped them. They both pulled out their blasters and started to fire, only to be overwhelmed and stunned.
"Where is she?"
His mother smiled and this time it was wide and strong.
Leia and Han still wore their ball outfits, though they were now wrinkled. Perhaps they should find a change of clothes. The outfits stood out too much. However, it didn't matter. They had taken the lift out of the detention center, but when the doors opened up, Emperor Darth Vader met them with a squad of stormtroopers.
"Darth Vader," Leia growled.
"Who helped you slip your guards?" Vader asked Luke, completely ignoring Leia.
Luke didn't want to tell his father that his mother's handmaidens had helped him.
"Take them," Vader barked, waving at Leia and Han.
Luke threw himself in between Leia and the troopers. "No!" he shouted.
"Stand down," Vader said. A sharp cold was spreading through the hall. "Leia Organa is a wanted fugitive, traitor, and known rebel."
"And?" Luke asked. "So am I!"
"You were."
He could feel Leia behind him. Unlike Vader, who was nothing but an inky coldness, Leia was a burning fire of determination and fearlessness.
"What do you plan to do with her?" Luke asked.
"Execute me?" Leia demanded. Luke wasn't looking, but knew she was giving Vader a death glare.
"It is befitting of your crime," Vader said. "Now step aside, Luke."
Luke took a deep breath. "No," he said. The coldness spiked and worsened all around him. He took a deep breath. "Father," he said. Leia flinched behind him. "If you can pardon my crimes, you can pardon Leia's."
"I will not."
"Why?"
Leia said, "Luke, you do not need to defend me from him. I am a rebel and a traitor."
"She admits it herself," Vader said satisfied. "She will be dealt like the pathetic scum she is."
Luke rushed forward and grabbed Vader's arm. The cold suddenly seemed to ease away. Vader looked down at Luke's hand.
"Father," Luke said softly. "You can't do this."
There was a slight pause before Vader answered. "I can," he said.
"Father . . . Please . . . for me."
"I spared your smuggler friend, and look how he has repaid your kindness. He attempted to run back to the rebels."
Luke took a deep breath. "Father," he said. His voice was calm and even. "Leia is my sister."