Hey everyone! Sorry for being absent for a couple of weeks - I needed to get ahead on editing, and my laptop crashed on me. But now I have everything back in order and should be getting back on schedule!

Luke

Luke woke to bright sunshine on his face. Opening his eyes, he realized it was already late into the day. Getting up slowly, Luke decided to see if Tason was outside and see if he could find some breakfast, or potentially lunch depending on what time of day it was.

"Tason?" Luke poked his head out the door to find a guard. "Oh. Hello."

"Your highness. Can I assist you?"

"Is Tason or Hal around?" Luke asked.

Confusion bled through the Force. "I'm afraid I don't know them."

"Oh. Uh. I think Tason goes by "Shadow" and Hal is the Major."

"Oh! The Major is taking a tour of the palace, and the shadow I believe is with Lord Vader. Is there something you need?"

"What time is it?"

The guard checked his watch. "Ah, it's just past 11 now."

"Then I guess I was hoping to find some lunch."

"Of course. The medics also wanted to know when you were awake – Lord Vader ordered they send someone to you today. He left orders for you to rest in bed."

Vader must have taken the orders yesterday seriously. Nodding, Luke went and climbed back in bed, finding a show to watch.

True to his word, lunch arrived along with a medical droid who checked his arm again quickly and gave him another shot.

"Here. Take one of these every twelve hours until the bottle runs out, and let us know if you have any problems." The droid left him with a prescription.

Settling back with his lunch, Luke picked through it slowly while drowning himself in shows. Considering he had been starved of any kind of entertainment back on Tatooine, it kept him occupied for quite a few hours combined with the slight sedative in his pain killers.

Right as he was getting slightly bored, a knock came at the door. Checking the time, he realized it was now time for dinner.

"Who is it?"

Entering, Hal grinned over at him. "How are you feeling, Luke? I heard there wasn't any excitement today."

"No, I've had enough excitement for a lifetime." Luke offered, getting out of bed and stretching as best he could without jostling his arm.

"I thought we could have dinner here together and talk about school arrangements." A droid came in as soon as Hal spoke as if waiting for a cue, bringing both their meals to a small table in the room.

"School?" Luke came and sat down.

Passing him a pamphlet, Hal looked genuinely pleased. "This is one of the best schools in the galaxy. When your arm is healed, we will get you enrolled."

Crestfallen, Luke nodded slowly. "Let me guess – I'll be stuck in school all the time while my father is off world on missions?"

"I'm sorry, Luke. I know this is a lot for you to handle right now-"

Standing up, Luke walked over to one of the windows in his room. There were french doors to a balcony outside, but there wasn't enough room for a ship to land. "I don't want another apology. I just…" How was Luke supposed to explain that he needed to be with his father to change him?

If Luke was stuck here going to school and making "friends", then who would be there to influence his father to change for the better? Plus, there was the lingering feeling that the rebels would stop at nothing to get him. Not even Coruscant being the capital would be enough to scare them off, just like how they had been willing to sacrifice everything to get the Death Star plans before. Even Leia had not been safe – Luke had needed to rescue her before because she sacrificed herself to keep those plans safe.

Right now, he was the new Death Star that the rebels were desperate to quell in hopes of saving the galaxy from Palpatine, and he had no idea how to change that.

"Well, let's not worry about that for now, alright? Let's just focus on getting better and taking things one day at a time."

"Really? Just one day at a time?" One day at a time already felt flung right out the window – just a few weeks ago, Luke had still been on Tatooine with his Aunt and Uncle, and now here he was at the Imperial Palace.

"Yes...we are actually on a bit of a tight schedule. The Emperor wants to announce you as Prince at the upcoming banquet next week."

"Banquet?"

"Yes, the Emperor is quite excited to announce the Empire's new Imperial Prince."

"So I have a week to become a prince?" Luke asked doubtfully.

Luke was not sure how he felt about becoming a Prince – it was not something he had expected, but nor was it something he was truly surprised about. It didn't seem like it would really affect him much besides his public appearances, but just being Darth Vader's son would have garnered a lot of attention.

Again, the smile did not fade from Hal's face. "No, of course not. You will have additional lessons after school to learn imperial etiquette, but no one expects you to take over your duties right now. You are just a child."

"My mother was queen at fourteen." The statement fell out of his mouth before Luke could stuff it back inside. Why he was suddenly thinking of his mother, he wasn't sure, but for a brief moment he wondered how different life would have been should she have lived and stayed at Anakin's side. Maybe her death was the final push his father had needed to succumb, and if she had survived, he would have had the strength to come back.

The smile finally faded. "Well, you aren't fourteen yet. Also, if you value your father's feelings, you should not mention her around him."

"Why? I just want to know about my mother!"

"I know you do, Luke. But your mother betrayed your father and this Empire. She hid you away on Tatooine and let your father believe for twelve years that you died. She wasn't a good person, Luke."

An ache formed in Luke's heart. There were zero memories of Padme from before; he had barely had the opportunity to learn who she even was. "But at one point, he loved her, didn't he?"

"I can't answer that, Luke. I don't know. But what I do know is that Lord Vader cares very deeply for you."

Luke wasn't so sure that the Major was right. Perhaps he was a useful tool for his father, but how could a Sith Lord love? Briefly, Luke thought of the last moment he and his father had shared, but even then Luke wasn't sure he could call that emotion love.

"I need to get back to the offices – will you be alright here?"

Nodding, Luke glanced back towards his bed. Was this what the next week was going to be like for him?

"It's going to be alright, Luke. You'll see." Hal reassured him as he headed out the door.

Much to Luke's chagrin, Vader expected the next week to go how Luke had expected: slowly, and without excitement. Though it was nice to have a chance to settle in, Hal was too busy to keep him company and Tason was oddly absent. The guards weren't allowing him to leave the room, and Vader was more often absent than not.

Unable to bear another holovid show, the only respite Luke had left was the banquet that would be happening that night. Currently, he was at the medics after begging to be allowed to go to them, the actual doctor looking over his arm at the moment.

"Hmm...well, it looks like it's healing well. I don't see why you couldn't go without the sling for the party, but make sure to put it back on after, alright?"

Nodding, Luke was about to answer when his father stepped through the door. "I will ensure he stays safe today, doctor. Thank you for your advice."

The doctors and nurses in the room bowed to his father, Vader herding Luke away.

"What are you doing here?" Luke asked curiously. The past week, his father had been extremely sparse.

"We must get ready for the party. I had someone make an outfit for you." Vader began to lead them in the opposite direction of their private quarters.

"Where are we going?" Luke glanced behind him, not seeing any guards. Mac had escorted him to the medics, so Vader must have dismissed him.

"We will get ready in a more public area of the palace. I do not wish to open our quarters to just anyone – it takes a great amount of security to keep people out of that area." Vader seemed to be taking smaller strides today, Luke able to keep up easier.

Brought to a dressing room of sorts, Vader abandoned him just inside the door. "Do not fret, my son. I will pick you up before we leave for the banquet."

Glancing at the time, Luke was about to protest – the banquet was still well over three hours from beginning – but his father had already left him.

"Greetings, your highness." A man dressed impeccably greeted him, several droids also there to assist him.

"Um...hi?" Luke did not know how to greet anyone.

"Right this way, your highness. We will make sure your entrance to society is absolutely dazzling!" The man gently herded Luke to the center of the room, the droids pulling down all varieties of clothing from the hover racks they had brought.

It did not take long to realize why they needed so much time to prepare for the banquet – for two hours the designer tried various outfits on him, frowning and muttering to himself the entire time. Nothing he said made much sense, so Luke mostly tried to drone him out except when he was asking him a question.

After two and half hours of torture, Vader returned for him, the designer finally seeming pleased with his work.

"My lord." The designer greeted Vader, who was dressed in his usual black.

Wishing he could harangue his father for not even trying to dress up for the banquet, Luke still gave him a pointed glare that his father purposefully ignored.

"Good work. Come, child. We will be late."

Following after his father, Luke was somewhat surprised when his father brought them to a speeder. "Isn't the banquet at the palace?"

"Yes. But unless you want to spend the next two hours walking, we will take this."

Getting in without another word, Luke was definitely not about to walk that far again. The first day had been painful enough.

The speeder only took ten minutes to arrive at the hall, Vader allowed to park in a private area where the guards did not even glance towards them. That probably had more to do with the fact that his father was the most recognizable figure in the Empire, but no one else was allowed even near where their speeder was parked.

Entering, Luke found a dining table that felt like it had no end in the center of the hall. Countless other tables were placed among the large banquet hall, a single table at the very front set for three. Gulping, Luke had a feeling he knew exactly who those three were.

"Stay with me, child. Do not stray from my side." Vader ordered as they entered.

Nodding, Luke pulled once more at his collar. Dressed in all black, he felt like the manikin the suit had arrived on.

People were everywhere in the hall. Dinner had yet to be served, so everyone was simply mingling among themselves. The ladies wore long evening gowns and gloves up to their elbows, sipping on drinks that were so many different colors Luke couldn't believe they had so many different options. The men and woman had sequestered themselves off into their various cliques and groups, the men boasting and talking business while the woman gossiped and in some cases were belittling each other with false compliments. The Force was screaming at him from all angles, Luke knowing he was going to have a very heavy headache later.

Just as soon as he thought his head might actually fall off, it all went silent, Vader pulling Luke into a little bubble with just the two of them.

In the near future, I will teach you to shield yourself in the Force.

Jaw dropping, Vader had to turn toward Luke and place a hand on his shoulder to remind him to close it.

What? Is it so shocking to learn that I can speak to you through the Force? You can as well if you focus.

Closing his eyes, Luke tried to trace the feeling that Vader was showing him. LIKE...THIS?

Vader flinched away from him, Luke hearing a low chuckle from his father. Yes, but you do not need to shout. I can hear you just fine.

Oh.

Amusement filtered over the Force from his father, Luke stifling a grin until he realized where they were headed.

Um...isn't that...the Emperor?

Where did you think we were headed? In order for the Emperor to announce you as Prince, you would have to be presented.

Feeling Luke's panic, Vader paused, his helmet turning down towards him. "Relax, child. Everything will be alright, I'll be right besides you."

For a moment, inside of Vader's Force bubble, Luke thought he caught a glimpse of a bright, beautiful woman offering the same kind of comfort before his father quickly and efficiently hid the memory away.

Trying to still his heart that was thumping against his rib cage, Luke nodded. "I'm not afraid."

Amusement was all he received in answer, his father bringing them to the head table. Bowing to the Emperor, Luke followed suit.

"Your Majesty." Vader greeted him.

"Lord Vader, a pleasure to see you this fine evening. And young Skywalker...how are you faring child?"

Say that you are well, and thank him.

"I am well, thank you." Your Majesty! "Uh, your Majesty."

Chuckling, the Emperor regarded him with his ghastly yellow gaze, Luke wanting to hide underneath his father's cape to escape it. It felt like it was scalding him like he'd spent too long under the twin suns of Tatooine.

"Very good, child. Very good. Shall we announce dinner?"

Gesturing towards the announcer, the announcer played a few chords on a trumpet to gather everyone's attention. When the hall had fallen completely silent, the man cleared his throat. "Dinner is served."

Somehow, despite the multitude of people, everyone seemed to know where their seats were. Everyone continued to glance towards the Emperor's table, curious as to why for the first time in twelve years there was three table settings at the head table rather than two.

Before the first course was brought out, the Emperor stood up and cleared his throat, clearly about to make an announcement.

"It brings me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Imperial Palace for this grand event." The Emperor's voice brought Luke no comfort. If anything, it made Luke want to cower away from view and run. Reading his intentions, Vader's hand came and clamped down on Luke's shoulder, a clear warning despite the fact that both of them were still sitting.

Gulping, Luke watched as the Emperor's gnarled hand gestured for him to come closer. Standing, Luke felt like he was out of his body as every eye in the room turned to him. Before, he was simply a shadow attached to Vader, but now he was becoming an identity – someone who would either be of upmost importance, or someone about to be brought to ruin.

The problem was, though everyone else would think becoming a prince was a high honor to be bestowed a child, it still did not ensure Luke's survival. If anything, it made his survival all the more fickle – now, not only would the rebels be after him, but those hungry for power.

"I wish to introduce you all to our new Imperial Prince, Luke Skywalker!"

The announcement came at a complete surprise to all the guests, but the roaring applause came at no hesitation.

The gnarled hand from earlier landed on Luke's shoulder where his father's had been earlier. "What do you think, child? Is this enough attention for you?"

Turning to answer, Luke gulped as he met the Emperor's eye. "What do you mean, your Majesty?"

Snorting, the Emperor let Luke go. "I forget how young you are. You will understand what I mean in a few years...let's enjoy dinner, child."

Nodding quickly, Luke sat back down at his father's side.

The courses were brought out in waves, but after an hour it was finished, the Emperor not speaking to Luke again. Rather, he spoke candidly with Vader over Luke's head, seemingly entertained by purposefully excluding Luke.

Not taking it to heart, Luke was simply relieved when the desserts were brought out and people began to stand and head towards the ballroom.

"Come, Luke." Vader also lead them to the ballroom, Luke lingering by him as his father spoke with several important looking men. Without Hal or Tason around to talk to, Luke felt out of place, not seeing anyone else his age among the guests. Either they hadn't been invited, or they were too afraid to come introduce themselves to Luke, but that was not true of everyone else.

Now that he had been introduced to everyone, wave after wave of people were coming to meet him. Vader was unable to scare away many of them, most brave because of how public the event was.

"Hello, your highness."

Luke did not realize how much tension he'd been carrying when he heard her voice. Turning, Luke grinned as the Princess of Alderaan approached with her mother.

"Leia!" Luke, forgetting all manners, grinned brightly to her.

Also forgetting her manners, Leia rushed up to him, grabbing his hands between her own. Glancing down, she raised an eyebrow at Luke's cast, but didn't say anything direct, instead simply making sure to be careful. "Luke! It's so good to see you!"

"Leia!"

"Luke!"

Both Vader and Breha scolded them at the same time, Breha scolding her daughter while Vader scolded his son.

Flushing, Leia stepped back behind her mother, Luke taking a small step back as well, shoving his good hand into his pocket. A heavy note – far heavier than the paper it was written on – now sat in his pocket.

"Well, I see the children missed each other, my Lord. We simply wanted to offer our greetings from Alderaan." Breha bowed, Leia bowing beside her.

"Yes. Did his Majesty not come tonight?" Vader asked about Bail, Breha doing an excellent job covering up a flinch.

"No, he was unable to travel due to unforeseen concerns on Alderaan."

"That is unfortunate."

Luke realized Vader would have to be extra careful in the public eye – despite being able to make up any reason to execute someone under his command on the spot, it was different for important political figures.

"Yes. He, too, sends his regards. Come, Leia."

"Goodbye, your highness." Leia offered.

"Goodbye." Luke was unsure if he needed to use her title as well, but Vader said nothing as they walked away.

There was an urgent need to read the message, but he couldn't do so in this crowd of people, nor could he right in front of his father. It would have to wait until after the banquet.

After another four hours of greetings, Luke glanced up at his father blearily.

Getting the hint, his father suddenly wrapped Luke in his cape.

"I'm afraid it's past the Prince's bedtime." Vader announced, the Emperor cackling behind them in amusement.

"Of course, Lord Vader. We must look after the well being of our Prince."

"Thank you, your Majesty. Come along, Luke." Vader did not have to weave through the crowd that parted for him like a great shadow blocking out of the light. When they were safely out of everyone's view, Vader unwrapped the cape from around Luke.

"Thanks." Luke was unable to stifle a yawn. "What are we doing now?"

Laughing, Vader gestured towards Luke's guards. "They are going to escort you to your room so you can go to bed. It is well after midnight, child."

"But what about you?"

"I must return to the party. The Emperor requires my presence."

"How long do parties normally go?" Luke yawned again, unable to stop himself. At this rate, someone would have to carry him to his room.

Mac appeared seemingly out of no where. "Hello, your highness."

"How are you so chipper?" Luke groaned.

Chuckling, the guard shrugged. "I just came on duty."

"I will let you escort him back. Goodnight, Luke." Vader turned back toward the banquet hall.

"Goodnight, Father."

There was a slight pause before Vader disappeared back into the hall, Luke too exhausted to try and figure out if his father was feeling anything in the Force.

"Would you like a ride, your highness?" Mac was teasing, but still bent down to let Luke hop on for a piggy back ride.

But Luke shook his head. "I'll walk."

"Are you sure, kiddo?"

"Yeah. Someone might see me."

Feeling self-conscious, Luke let Mac lead the way, Mac taking them to a set of Imperial speeders to get back. A driver got into the first speeder, Mac getting in beside Luke while the other guards took the other speeder.

The drive did not feel as long as the one to the banquet hall, the driver opening Luke's door for him when they arrived.

Mac opened the door to the palace, leading Luke to his room and bowing before letting the door shut.

As soon as he was alone in his room, Luke pulled out the note burning a whole in his pocket.

We must speak – urgent message for you. 0000 tomorrow, the west palace entrance pad.

Biting his lip, he went and sat on the bed for a bit, still in his party clothes.

Breha and Leia did not seem overly harmful to him – but then again, he never would have imagined that the rebels would already be after him, either. This could be a trick to get him out into the open to make another attempt on his life. But there was no way Breha would involve her daughter in an assassination attempt, whether her part was simply delivering a note or not.

Without knowing who sent the rebels originally, it was a risk going, but if they had something important to tell him and he didn't go...that could be just as bad.

Placing the note inside his desk, Luke went and lay back on the bed with a groan. It had been far too easy in the past week to get wrapped up in just being a kid and not remembering his mission: helping his father and this galaxy.

Darth Vader

The banquet was considered a success, though Vader felt unsettled.

"Come now, what is it, Lord Vader?" The Emperor, holding a glass of champagne, raised it towards him before taking a sip. "You should relax a little – your son is a prince!"

"Thank you, Master. I will take your advice to heart." Vader said somewhat absent minded.

Sighing dramatically, the Emperor set his mostly full glass aside, a servant coming to take it. "Lord Vader, what is the matter?"

"Nothing, Master. I just...feel something in the Force."

"Mmmm. Yes. I agree. Perhaps it just requires some meditation."

"Yes, Master. I shall do so at once."

"Yes, yes. Go back to your son – but Vader."

Vader froze, not liking the Emperor's tone.

"Do be careful with that child of yours – it would be so terrible if something were to happen to him."

"You keep mentioning this, Master. Is there a deeper meaning I'm missing?"

The Emperor always smiled. Vader was more attuned than anyone else to the Emperor's true emotions, but for the first time in a long while Vader watched as the Emperor's lips twitched into a frown and he had no idea what the man was feeling.

"Lord Vader, I am simply stating the obvious."

A shiver ran through Vader's spine. If he still had toes and fingers, he would have sworn that his nerves would be tingling as well, but metal did not feel.

"Yes...Master."

Trying not to look like he was fleeing the banquet hall, Vader felt his heart speed up, his respirator having to pick up just slightly enough to be noticed. Ignoring everyone in the hall, Vader hopped in his speeder and raced back to his wing of the palace, following his son's force signature like a beacon of light.

The guards were startled when he came rushing up the hall, Mac already at attention.

"My lord."

"Is he alright?"

Entering the room without knocking, Vader found Luke dead asleep a top the covers of his bed, still in his formal clothes.

Relief flooded him, Vader feeling a mixture of embarrassment from rushing over with the prickle of unease that the Emperor had left him with. Of course the Emperor wouldn't make so obvious a threat and than openly go after his son – there would be no hiding it.

Then again, there was little that the Emperor actually needed to hide to get away with.

Going over, he gently tucked his son underneath a blanket, unwilling to wake him by removing his uniform.

"Keep a close watch tonight. The palace was open to the public, and I don't want any strays in my wing."

"Yes, my Lord!" Mac saluted him, Vader leaving for his own room.

Settling himself in his meditation chambers, Vader tried to find the answer he was seeking, immersing himself into the Force like the flow and ebb of an ocean. Finally, he found a piece of rock to stand on in the middle of the vast waves, Vader glancing around in confusion.

Pieces of a memory...no, a vision, were coming into play, Vader feeling his heart clench. Luke was grown, dressed in black, dying under the hands of his Master's lightening while Vader watched on in stony silence.

How could he abandon his son like that? How could he watch in silence as he withered away under the hands of Palpatine?

The vision continued. Vader finally made a move, picking Palpatine up and throwing him...somewhere...but it was too late. Luke was gone, and Vader, now damaged from the lightening, faded away with him.

But the vision was faint, like he had just grasped a wisp of it. Even now, it was fading away slowly, like the future was changing.

Danger.

Yes, it would be dangerous of Palpatine was left alone with his son. His influence alone would destroy the boy, just like he had Ana-

What am I thinking?

Vader shook himself. That man was a weak fool who lost everything that meant anything to him – the Emperor was who guided him to his true strength: the dark side. That being said, now that he had been guided, the arrogant fool Palpatine did not realize that once Vader found his full strength again that the current Emperor would no longer be needed for the galaxy. Now that he had found his son, the strength to survive had returned, the death and pain he felt before from his wife turning bitter.

It was his wife that abandoned him. It was his wife that hid the child away from him, and his wife that could not bear a life with him where he wielded the power and respect he deserved.

Now all he had left was his son, and if Palpatine was a threat, he would need to be eradicated.

DANGER!

The Force shoved into him, knocking him from the rock he'd been grounded on. Falling down, Vader expected to hit the ground when his eyes opened again, finding himself kneeling in his quarters.

The danger he'd been feeling wasn't for the vision he'd seen, but for real life. Checking the time, he realized in shock he'd been pulled into a meditation for almost twenty-four hours.

Danger!

Following the pull of the Force, Vader's heart stopped. Luke was at the center of the danger – his son was in danger and he'd only just noticed. Though "danger" may have been a slight exaggeration – something urgent was pulling him in that direction, but Luke didn't seem to be afraid or in any pain.

Rushing to his son's room, he found the guards out front like usual, but could not feel his son's presence in the room.

"Where is Luke?!" Vader demanded.

The guards glanced towards each other in confusion. "He has not left his room, my lord."

Storming in, Vader found the room empty, the guards also confused and going to check the refresher for him. The Force tugged, Vader going forward to find a note on the child's bed. Picking it up, if he could pale, he would have in that moment.

Turning on his heel, Vader fled towards the west of the palace, praying that he was not too late to save his foolish child.