Chapter Text
“I can complete your training. Join me, and embrace the full power of the dark side.”
His father’s voice echoed within his eardrums. His father. Whenever he attempted to process such a fact, his mind swam and the Force constricted around him, solidifying their relationship and thickening the certainty that this man was indeed related to him. He was the parent Luke Skywalker had always pondered about, and yet, Darth Vader was certainly no dream come true.
“It is the only way.”
He was trapped within a city in the clouds, Vader’s armor reflecting the atmosphere they were in with shimmering flashes of white and grey, Luke grasping onto the metal antenna station with the hand he had left. His entire body was shaking. With his lightsaber now gone, it had fallen to the depths that Luke believed he soon would as well. The exhaustion had caught up with Luke all too swiftly. He had no fighting chance now against the other man, or rather, the shell of his father in front of him, wondering what such a person had existed as before dark entities wrapped themselves tightly around the heart of a broken, mistreated human being. It was then, in that moment, that Luke had felt something.
Something good, an image, a grasp of righteousness, and it was such a pull that began to draw him in towards Lord Vader.
He seemed to take note of this now, stepping closer towards his son, understanding such a movement in the Force but not yet its intent.
“You have nowhere to run, young one.” Darth Vader spoke, his voice echoing in the atmosphere of Bespin around them. Despite the expansive area they remained in, Luke knew he was stuck. Deep within the walls of his mind, however, he had an inkling. An idea, something to blossom into what he knew was fate. Vader reached forward, extending his hand to his son. “Come with me. It is your destiny.”
Luke, after a moment’s time, reached forward as well and took his father’s hand.
Between them, the tension in the air had shifted into something different. Something stronger, but Luke couldn’t pinpoint the situation quite yet. He held onto the other man with what strength he had left in him, making a small noise of surprise as he was helped to his feet and back onto the platform too easily, legs trembling from where he stood. He had proved he stood no match for Vader, at least in a physical sense, though he pushed aside his stubborn thoughts for the grand scheme of it all.
He was no fool. He was certain that Darth Vader was aware that he wasn’t seduced or convinced by the dark side, but with Luke now accepting the beginning of an invitation, he didn’t seem prepared in letting that go.
“You are weak.” Vader observed, but it was more a fact than an insult. Luke certainly felt weak, anyhow, a form of fatigue that he had only observed after training, and now, battles such as these. His mind was still trying to process the idea that he no longer had a hand, grasping onto Vader with his left one.
Luke had nothing to say, thinking of Han and Leia, Chewbacca and Threepio, even Artoo, all of his loved ones that he may not see for a while with his chosen decision. He wanted to trust in the Force, now more than ever, that he was here for a reason. What reason, other than this, could have led him here?
He followed Vader along, accepting his help for the moment’s time as they headed back towards his ship, the invisible black cloud of darkness practically emanating within the Force from the Imperial establishments alone.
By the time they had reached Vader’s ship, Luke could barely carry himself along, grasping at his father’s arm and cape in an almost awkward manner. He never would have expected himself to willingly walk onto Darth Vader's ship, but Luke held no plans of giving up nor giving in, most especially to the dark side.
“You shall be fully rested when you face the Emperor.” Darth Vader directed, helping his son up the landing platform and into the ship as the doors began to hiss closed. “He has been expecting you.”
Luke directed his stare up at the other man’s mask, stumbling in his step, this time nearly falling. It was Vader who caught him, moving an arm forward and around his son’s frame, Luke releasing a sound of pain at his near-tumble. “I know.” He said almost silently as he regained himself, his words being amongst the first of things that he had spoken to his father since he had taken his hand. “But you will not turn me over to him.”
Vader seemed taken aback for a moment, continuing to bring Luke along once he knew he’d be able to walk all right once again, guiding him in the direction of a hatch that would lead to a small resting room. It amused Luke to think about his father ever sleeping. “I was aware of your incomplete dedication in learning the dark side of the Force, but I did not believe you to speak such foolish words as you have now.”
As Luke was assisted to the bed, he finally sat down at the edge, barely oncing-over his nonexistent right hand in favor of focusing on Lord Vader. “There’s good in you.” Luke claimed, glancing up at his father with certainty in his expression. “I can feel it.”
“You are wrong.” Darth stated, and the Force between them shifted once again. There was almost… hurt, from Vader, and yet, only a flash, soon directed into that of mild rage. Luke resisted such sensations, settling his stare upon the reflecting molds of his father’s mask.
The young Skywalker tore his eyes away, not out of weakness or shame, but rather pain. His arm was still burning white-hot from where it had been cut off by the lightsaber, momentarily distracted from his injury with Vader’s words.
“I have requested that a new hand be created for you.” He explained.
“You could have just let me keep my real one.” Luke spoke up, his tone as serious as ever, despite the underlying sass behind it.
“Your actions have cost you such loss.” Vader said firmly, beginning to help Luke to lay down. Luke, however, had flinched away at the touch on his arm, a mental barrier in the Force rising steadily at the movement. “I will not hurt you now. It would be futile, my son.”
My son. Luke felt the hurt within him flare up and burn at the core of his chest, feeling closed in once more, and yet, it was different than before, not as physical. “Why didn’t Ben tell me?” He mumbled, looking up to his father from where he had sat upon the bed.
“Obi-Wan was attempting to hide you from your true destiny.” Vader said, as if he knew it for a fact. “There is anger in you. I can feel it.” He repeated the words his son had to him, just moments before. “Give in to it, Luke. There is much I can teach you.”
“Teach me? Hate, and despair? Is that what you call knowledge?” Luke bit back, the roots and branches of his Force aching for Vader to take a step back in giving him breathing space. Vader seemed successful thus far in stirring Luke’s developing rage.
“Perhaps you are right.” Vader said, Luke taken aback for a moment before the man had spoken up once more. “I may not possess such knowledge… But the Emperor does.” He claimed. “And when you are brought to him, he will be your new master.”
Luke was unable to respond for the moment, eyes growing heavy-lidded, aching for some form of bacta or healing for his hand.
“We will concern ourselves with such things when we arrive.” Vader explained, hesitant to reach out now as he placed a hand upon Luke’s arm once more. “A droid will be in soon to help you with your wound.”
Glancing up to him again, Luke allowed his exhaustion to finally consume him, laying back in eagerness to rest now, sleepiness clouding his expression.
Leia's expression tightened where she had sat within the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, moving to sit up in her chair where they had just escaped the city. Lando didn't notice at first, trying to keep the ship in motion with Chewie, situating himself down within the pilot's chair.
"He did it," She breathed out, her grip tightening upon the arm of the seat.
"Who did what?" Lando asked, briefly allowing his stare to shift over towards her, though he was primarily focused on getting them out of there.
"Luke," Leia blinked. "He went with Darth Vader."
Lando looked at her now, a narrowed expression upon his features. "How do you know?"
She shook her head, just a tad. "I just do."
"Well, we can't go after him now." He suggested in return. "Our main focus is getting the hell out of here."
Leia knew that it'd be fruitless to go after Luke as well. They still had Han to worry about, and with Luke in Vader's grasp, they were currently on their own. She moved back in her seat, still tense and attempting to figure out just how Luke had reached out to her in such a way. Deep down, however, she already knew.
Luke had awoken sometime after a nurse droid arrived to take care of his wound. His brain felt fuzzy, like the environment around him wasn’t entirely real despite how painfully aware he was of his father’s presence on his ship. Every so often, he would feel the other man reaching out to him just momentarily, before backing away upon realization of Luke’s own mental fortitude. It tired him out, in all honesty, consciously and constantly holding acknowledgement of it all.
Their journey had been longer than expected. The Emperor still felt far, far enough that Luke latched onto some sense of safety, watching in exhausted wonder as the droid created a false hand for him. It was mechanical by nature, though part of him was still able to feel the way it moved connected to his wrist, the healing process allowing his injury to feel a lot less painful than it had before.
He tested out his new hand in hopes of an obstruction from the reality he was in. Worry pierced his brain, concern of being unable to convert his father causing a slight sense of despair in Luke’s chest. He had hope, however, much hope that he would be able to at least make a mark, to adjust some sort of a change in him.
He was drawn from his thoughts at the sound of a thud just outside of the sealed door, Luke’s brow furrowing and tightening at the dark forces briefly surrounding his brain. Such movements in the Force had come from his father, Luke now realized, Darth Vader angry at one of the clone troopers aboard his ship for seemingly not doing as told. He eyed the door in curiosity, finding his body growing tense as it hissed open.
Vader was at the entryway, and behind him, a trooper upon the ground attempting to catch his breath. “It appears my ship has not been properly tended to after sustaining damage on Bespin. We cannot jump into hyperspace until it is fixed.” He explained, waving off the nurse droid, who bowed and waddled away from Luke’s bed, the young Skywalker now sitting up with his legs dangling off the side.
Luke watched him as he approached, sitting up a little more, Darth Vader feeling impeccably tall, especially while he himself was sitting.
“Your new hand,” Vader began, reaching out to take Luke’s false one into his own, examining it. “Do you like it?”
He settled his stare down upon it, observing the way the metal fingers twitched within his father’s gloved grasp. It all felt rather foreign. “I think it says ‘Sith Lord’ a little too much for me.” He admitted, glancing back up to Vader.
“As I said before,” His father continued, “It is your destiny. Soon, you will be more powerful than ever before.”
Luke drew his hand back to himself, trying to search his thoughts for a proper response. Vader, however, seemed to take immediate note of such process.
“You have much doubt within you, my son. I have felt it.” He spoke slowly, almost calculated. “Part of you knows you will be unable to bring me away from the dark side. It has consumed me. And soon, it will consume you.”
Luke shook his head now, trying to remain as calm as he possibly could. “It is you who has doubts. You know that I’m strong enough to turn you.” He suggested, eyes glistening as he stared up at the other man.
“This bickering and nonsense will not get you anywhere.” Vader scolded. “With the power of the dark side, you will be able to save your friends.”
It was then that Luke paused, his mind filtering to Han, betraying himself as he thought of the other man. He knew now, Han was no longer safe, currently being transported to the very planet Luke used to call home. He ached for the other man to be safe, knowing that one way or another, he’d have to save him.
“Ah,” His father began, taking just one step back from his son, “The scoundrel.” He hummed, almost satisfied with the information he had been able to obtain, just by entering Luke’s thoughts. “You love him.”
The young Skywalker felt himself pale, tucking in a little closer to himself. With how his mind had been intruded, he felt personally invaded, like Vader had held a file with all of Luke’s thoughts stored into it. He placed up that mental barrier once again, no longer allowing his father such access.
“You can’t hide from me, Luke.” Vader threatened now, and as he stepped forward towards his son again, Luke’s eyes flew shut, his hands coming up to his temples at his father’s attempt to invade his thoughts once again. “You are strong; but I am much stronger.”
“Stop,” Luke managed to breath out, a sound of displeasure slipping from his lips, anger beginning to flare up in his chest, Vader taking obvious note of it. He only persisted, edging the walls of Luke’s mind with perseverance.
“You are mine now.” He spoke firmly to his son, Luke’s agitation growing with every second.
Vines and tendrils of dark matter surrounded Luke’s brain, causing his head to ache and his mind to constrict, unable to take much more of it. Vader was more powerful than Luke had originally believed, but he was one with the Force as well, and with his stubborn nature, he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
“I said, stop!” Luke yelled, finally relinquishing the rage in his chest to break not only through Vader’s attempt at securing his thoughts, but his father’s mind as well. His eyes widened as images flashed before him, of a beautiful young woman with a bright smile, chocolate curls that stretched down past her neck and rested at her waist, as well as a young man beside her. Luke didn’t recognize either of them, the vision transforming into that of something darker, something angrier, a voice reaching out through it all.
Anakin, you’re breaking my heart.
Luke was diving further and further, attempting to grasp at the image of this woman, his curiosity allowing him to venture much too far. He was suddenly drawn out of it all completely, almost thrown back in the figurative sense, the image of the young woman escaping him entirely. His eyes widened when he had finally come back to himself, remembering where he was on Vader’s ship.
With his power, Vader had been thrown back, but in the more physical sense compared to Luke’s. He seemed taken aback, shocked at the recoil from his son, slowly beginning to rise to his feet as Luke attempted to catch his breath.
“Who was that?” Luke asked, becoming consciously aware of it all. “What did you do to her?”
When Vader had gotten back up to his feet, there was something different about him. Luke sensed a significant rise in his temperament, as if he had truly pressed all of the wrong buttons, eyelids still flown wide as his father approached him once more, must more hastily, a swift rage to his movements as his cape swooshed behind him.
Luke had little area to back up, only having the chance to lean backwards as his father surrounded him with his anger and fear, surprised to ever feel any sense of fright from him.
Even as Vader approached, however, he made no advance to hurt Luke. His son stared up at him with an outspread expression, trying to figure out what it was that his father was feeling.
“You shall never speak of her.” Vader said firmly. “Do not bring her up again, or you will face much worse than what I have done to you already. Do you understand?”
Luke tried to regulate his breathing, but he wasn’t giving in so easy. His stare widened, however, at an epiphany, taking his words as empty threats. “You loved her.” He concluded. “She was my mother.”
Vader blinked, astounded, and now he was the one to back up a step or so when Luke hopped off of the medical bed.
“And you killed her.” He continued, the only logical explanation for what he had felt within Vader’s Force cloud. “You feel guilt for it.”
“Stop this, Luke.” Vader spoke firmly and harshly now, leaving no room for the calmness of his voice that he had held before.
“You can’t hide from it any longer. You-” Luke opened his mouth to speak, but after a moment, his words ceased to spill from his lips. In fact, he soon realized he was unable to breathe, Vader’s hand now risen, fingers clenched into a fist. He reached for his own neck, his actions futile, feeling as if something was tightening around his throat when it had only been the Force from his father.
“You know nothing of what you speak.” He growled, the edges of his words dripping with indignation, though the very sound of Luke struggling to breathe was enough for him to release his chokehold. As Luke gasped, having to take a hold of the medical cot to stabilize himself, Vader finished speaking. “I will hear no more of this.”
He left his son to himself for now, stepping out of the room to wave the door shut behind him, Luke winded as he did his best to allow air to enter his lungs once again. It was hard enough, seeing that he was already injured.
Luke had done much to steadily avoid Vader after that as time passed by with their slow journey into space with no hyperspace available for the ship. He had to remind himself that this man was no longer Anakin Skywalker, the man who was once his true father, a man who previously held so much potential for good. He still felt it deep within him, but every time he reached forward to grasp at it, his father would shut down and reestablish the barricade against his emotions and thoughts, leaving Luke in apparent silence.
He had, at one point, been left a change of clothes. They were a shade of solid black with boots to go along, and as little as Luke wished to be in the robes he was used to, he couldn’t deny the way he was drawn to them. They appeared quite comfortable, and such aspects were solidified when Luke had finally stepped into them.
He had had enough of the silence, however, and it wasn’t long after that his feet had carried him off of the medical bed and towards the entrance, opening up the door to his room.
Two storm troopers had been guarding his room, turning to him with blasters in hand as Luke appeared. “Stay there! You have been instructed not to leave this room.”
Luke looked between them, a calm expression collected at his features, moving his hand around subtly just once. “You will take me to Lord Vader.” He wasn’t afraid of Vader. It was the very opposite, in fact, no matter how hard Vader would try to place any sense of fear within him.
The both of them looked to one another, before the one on the right had said, “We will take you to Lord Vader.”
The slightest bit of a smile pulled at the corner of Luke’s lips, following after the troopers as they began to escort him to the cockpit, where Vader was likely flying his own ship. It wasn’t a relatively large ship, seemingly a personal vehicle that Vader had taken as simple transport, but with heavy enough structure to fly through deep space. It was a lot less warmer than the Millennium Falcon, not quite as comfortable.
The storm troopers opened the hatch to the cockpit, stepping aside to allow Luke through. “Lord Vader, Skywalker has requested to see you.”
Vader didn’t turn in his chair, seemingly unsurprised that Luke had arrived. “Leave us.” He said simply to his troopers, who gave a nod and closed the door once Luke had come in.
Luke approached the front of the cockpit, leaning himself against the head of the empty co-pilot chair, admiring the view of the stars. His father remained silent for some time, the Force that had been surrounding them quite stable at the moment. Luke allowed his stare to shift over to the other man, tilting his head just a bit.
“Weak minded fools.” Vader exhaled.
Luke smiled a little more.
“Sit, my son.” He directed, the anger from before now dissipated. Truthfully, Luke wasn’t too eager on irritating him any further, for being choked wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. “Your clothing… It suits you.”
“I like them.” Luke admitted, making his way around the chair to take a seat, sitting himself down. As much as he wanted to make himself comfortable, it wasn’t easy with his Imperial Sith Lord Father by his side.
“They are the true color of a Sith Lord.” Darth Vader pointed out.
“I certainly don’t feel like one in them.” Luke hummed.
Another silence overtook them, his fingertips prying gently at the leather of the co-pilot chair. It was Vader once again who spoke up first.
“Your powers are strong.” He observed, his hands still gripping at the steering wheel, sparing his son a glance from where he sat. He had been verbally gesturing towards the way Luke had been able to get into his mind before. “Stronger than I remember.”
“I’ve had training.” Luke replied, though he kept his mind shut off to Yoda’s whereabouts, none too eager to share such information with his father. “And soon enough, I will return to finish it.”
“You allowed your friends to get into the way of your mastery.” Vader suggested, and when Luke didn’t reply, it only verified such a fact. “Yet again, they are your weakness.”
“Not my weakness.” The blond responded. “They keep me strong.” He added. They make me feel safe.
“And yet, your friends are no longer safe themselves.” The Sith Lord pointed out.
“There’s no use in upsetting me with that.” Luke said. “I have faith that I will bring them to safety again soon.” He glanced down to the wheel, and then returned his eyes to Vader once more. “And I realize now that I was trying to do the same thing to you before… With my mother.” He explained, voice dwindling towards the end. “You’re right-- I don’t know anything about her. But I want to.”
“Luke.” His father’s voice had risen, almost as a warning.
Luke heeded it, turning his eyes away now, giving a small nod.
His bright blue stare wandered to the map that Vader had in place, curiosity growing within him over the passing moments before he finally spoke up again. “I don’t think I can face the Emperor just yet.”
“You have little choice in such a decision.” Vader replied.
“No, I mean… Physically.” Luke explained. “I have no lightsaber.”
His father remained silent for a moment, briefly turning his head to glance at Luke in similar interest.
“But I know where I can get one.” He continued.
“You know by now, son, that Ilum has been torn apart. It is nearly inhabitable for us to visit.” Darth Vader stated. “As are Jedha and Lothal.”
“Not Ilum.” Luke shook his head. “Tatooine.”
He appeared confused, and so Luke continued.
“Obi-Wan gave me your lightsaber at his home there.” He elaborated. “But there was another one in his chest. I think it belonged to his master. Everything’s still there. If we could just go…”
“The Emperor is anticipating your arrival. Our lightspeed should be up and running shortly.” Vader said curtly.
“Which means we can take the trip.” Luke attempted to convince, feeling awfully like a little kid in a speeder again, asking Uncle Owen to turn around so they could go back to Tosche Station for just one more part. This was different, somehow. Maybe not as warm, but it was something familiar, and Luke did his best not to latch onto it. “I can’t take yours. Every Jedi needs a lightsaber, just as every Sith lord does.” He cocked an eyebrow over towards him.
“Tatooine.” Vader repeated cautiously. “The very planet your Han Solo is on.”
He was silent for a moment, unable to say much in response.
“You must think me a fool to fall for that.” He scolded.
“Search your feelings.” Luke replied, but his tone was not forceful. “You know that I must have a lightsaber, and with little to no planets left for me to harvest any crystals, it’s the only place we can go.”
Darth Vader knew of the lightsaber Luke was talking about. It had to be Qui-Gon Jinn’s, Obi-Wan’s beloved master, the very man who had helped Anakin Skywalker from his life of slavery. He would not forget such a face, no matter how much of Anakin he had buried away. Without a word, he changed the location upon the digital map, adjusting their new route to Tatooine instead.
Luke’s face brightened, similar to that of a ray of sunshine, the wisps of his blond strands of hair only aiding in such an appearance. “Thank you, Father.”
He paused at the use of Luke’s title for him, though quickly overcame it. “As soon as you have it, we head directly to the Emperor.” Vader said strictly. “We are already late as it is.”
The ride to Tatooine was a short one by the time they had managed to have the ship’s lightspeed in order. The closer Luke had gotten to Tatooine, the more he sensed the presence of his loved ones, even Leia, who felt closer than she had before on Bespin. He ached for them to be okay again, knew deep down that he’d have to go after them, but under close watch of Vader, he wasn’t sure how exactly. Han was easily running through his mind, Luke still doing his best to keep his concern over him under control, especially under the scrutiny of a man such as his father.
Arriving within the atmosphere of his home planet again caused Luke’s thoughts to continue to spiral. Although it had been a place of decent memories, finding the corpses of his beloved Uncle and Aunt, the very people who had raised him, had been enough to haunt him for a lifetime. He was learning, however, learning to let go of his feelings and do his best to accept that things didn’t always go as planned.
He was here now with his father, and although circumstances weren’t ideal, Luke still had a feeling that by the end, it would be all right again.
Vader landed the ship with precision after Luke had observed a good place to set down the vehicle within the sand, Ben’s place not very far from what he had remembered. He could feel his resistance within the Force, his hesitancy to even set foot on the planet, Luke rising from his place at the cockpit.
“Are you coming?” Luke asked, though he already knew the answer to his question.
“This is a journey you must make alone.” Vader said. Just as the Jedi on Ilum had. “I trust that you will return to me.”
Luke watched him for a moment longer before giving a nod, exiting the cockpit as he began towards the entrance of the ship.
He was struggling to believe that it had only been just some time ago that he and Ben had been sitting within his hideout, talking of the Clone Wars and sharing stories of past lives. The landscape was quiet as Luke made his way along, and he was a lot less frightened the first time around, much of the life surrounding the canyon near-silent for the day. It hadn’t been long before he had brought himself to the entrance of Ben’s settlement, his eyes wandering the small, comfortable room, just as untouched as it had been when Luke was first there.
”Luke.”
Obi-Wan’s voice flooded his ears as he began his short search, turning on his heels to glance at the wispy silhouette of the man he had watched his very father kill. “Ben,” Luke said, perking up a bit.
”Vader is not someone to be dealt with lightly.” He warned. ”You must be careful. The dark side is a powerful force of seduction.”
Luke felt a smile pull at his lips now. “You don’t understand.” He shook his head, beginning to head towards the chest now, crouching down to open it up. “I know there is good in him. I can feel it.”
”He hurt you.” Ben examined.
“But he didn’t.” Luke replied. “He was scared, and it was the only way he knew how to react.” He said, gradually opening the top of the chest, the lightsaber that had accompanied Obi-Wan’s exactly where he had left it.
”Soon enough you will face him. You cannot do this without completing your training.” He advised calmly. ”Be careful, Luke.”
Luke looked up to respond, but Ben’s presence was gone from sight and far from mind. He released a soft exhale, slightly down-trodden that he had been the only one to believe in any form of good for his father, though he was positive he’d be able to do it. He just knew.
Turning back to the now-open chest, Luke gazed down upon the lightsaber that rested inside. Voices echoed within his ear, a reminder of who this had belonged to, the very man who had trained Obi-Wan himself. There was much pain surrounding the Force of the lightsaber, but also evident light that scintillated even Luke’s very mind. He reached forth, grasping at the hilt with his real hand, his eyelids fluttering shut upon contact. It felt different than when he had previously held his father’s, much history behind it, but not quite as dark as Anakin’s had felt the first time. Luke hadn’t understood his feelings then, but now, everything was so very clear.
When he opened his eyes, the lightsaber rested within his grasp, Luke getting a feel for the weight of it in his palm. Perhaps it wasn’t quite the same as searching for a kyber crystal as Obi-Wan had told him about, but it still felt just as special, wishing deeply that he hadn’t been so foolish in losing his father’s lightsaber from the start.
He rose from his spot at the chest, examining the hilt as the weapon spoke to him, igniting it in front of him. Green light bathed his features, Luke maneuvering it within his grasp skillfully, taking in the sight in admiration.
Amidst his feelings, however, Luke sensed a disturbance. A frown pulled at his lips, the center of his brow pulling taut as his eyelids fluttered shut for a moment.
Leia - She was going to arrive here, on Tatooine. She was coming for Han Solo…
“They’re in trouble,” Luke breathed out to himself, staring down at his lightsaber in fearful wonder of what might happen had he left his friends where they were. He had to save them.
He shifted on his heel as he extinguished the lightsaber, tucking it onto his belt, pausing in his tracks to grasp one of the brown cloaks he had spotted aside, knowing it’d be foolish to appear anywhere with his face showing now. He had been so occupied with his thoughts that by the time he had turned for the entrance, he was startled by the sight of his father as soon as he had exited the hideout, tumbling backwards in unexpectancy to have found him here, following him. How had he not sensed him through the Force?
“You once again allow your friends to cloud your judgement.” Vader’s voice came harshly from his helmet. Had he stepped into Obi-Wan’s home, his helmet might have brushed past the ceiling.
“Father-”
“I explicitly told you that we are to head directly to the Emperor once you have acquired your lightsaber.” He reminded. “Now that you have done so, we must leave.”
“But-”
“That is enough, Luke.” His father stated firmly. “On your feet. We must return to the ship.”
Releasing a shaken breath, the young Skywalker brought himself to stand again, knowing that Vader would never allow him to go. If he didn’t, however, his friends might as well be as good as dead.
Vader turned on his heels to head back to the ship, Luke’s own mind running wild with worry. He glanced down to the lightsaber before eventually following after, weighing the decisions of his mind carefully, a frown pulling at his lips upon knowing what he had to do.
He stepped in front of Vader once they had made it to the floor of the canyon, looking up to him with an unknown expression. “If you allow me to save my friends… I will train with you.” He said, his own words spilling from his lips near foreignly.
Darth Vader stopped in his tracks, staring down at him inquisitively, almost searching Luke for any evidence of falsehood. Luke stared right back at him through the dark rounded eyes of his helmet, honesty in his expression, tone, and heart.
“Not with the Emperor- But you.” Luke certified. “I will not resist. I will learn what you have to teach me. I will do whatever it is you ask of me, but please… Let me save them.”
His father observed him for a moment longer, the next drawn-out breath from his helmet a bit heavier than the last, before his voice fell from behind his helmet in ways of agreement.
“Take this as your first lesson, my son.”