Luke laughed to himself that night as he waited for sleep to come. It had all worked so perfectly: his shielding of his true nature, the gentle suggestions to Han and Leia. The poor girl didn't have the slightest suspicion, and no one else would with her and her pet pirate to vouch for him.They were all playing right into his hands. From Endor, he could run the Empire while being allowed into the Rebellion's secret councils, allowing him to block every stealth attack they could come up with. The galaxy would belong to the Empire alone before long- and Leia would belong to the darkness. Whatever training she had mysteriously acquired or not acquired hadn't helped her in the slightest against him, although he had felt her fight him just a split second during one of the suggestions. Perhaps that was just her own natural defenses, seeing as she was strong in the Force.

He reached out across countless kilometers to Coruscant and touched his father's mind. The controls he had set in place were working, and the few decisions that needed to be made were easily done. Then, he drew back into himself to consider his situation. The Empire would stay on the defensive and only prevent Rebel attacks until the Imperial Fleet was rebuilt well enough to crush the Alliance in one blow, and until Leia was safely within his grasp. The girl was so trusting, it would be such a pity to have the awful betrayal exposed prematurely. It would break her poor little heart, but once she knew more about the Dark Side and accepted it, it would all make sense to her. The change would not take very much, he surmised. She was wonderfully self confident, even against a Jedi. That just made everything easier, really, because her defenses were down.



Valena withdrew from her surveillance of Luke and shuddered. The boy and his blended partner- or whatever- were so black. She had reached out to him, hoping to find an ally in the Light such as she had not known for years, a mind like hers, understanding the Force and its relationship with the life of the universe, perhaps even an echo of her Anakin. Instead she had found, to her horror, an echo of Darth Vader, more evil even than he, with no hint of goodness.

She realized that Leia had had no hope of victory against such an adversary, and that she was certainly in danger now. And Anakin was threatened too, because the boy had touched him, Valena gathered her strength to reach out to both of them.

First, she examined Leia. The girl was comforted by the presence of her brother, pleased with her success and herself, half-asleep in the arms of her beloved. Valena touched her gently. Leia, listen to me.

Leia seemed to jerk fully awake. Luke? No- who are you?

It's Valena. There are a few things you need to know.

Luke's back with us again! I didn't really have to protect myself from him at all, Leia informed her joyously. He never went to the Dark Side at all. It was just a facade.

Wait a moment, Leia. There is someone else who must hear what I have to tell you. Valena reached through the Force again, using all the strength and skill learned in a generation of intense study. Anakin?

Valena? You still live? The tone was incredulous, pleading, weary, tinged with sorrow and pride. But the thoughts spoke with the voice she remembered so well.

Yes. About your son- your daughter and I must speak to you. She felt his shock and that he was trying to pull away from her. Valena did not allow it.

Daughter?

Your daughter, indeed. Listen to me, both of you. Luke is not reformed from the Dark Side, nor is he loyal to the Empire. He is assisted and sheltered by another mind, a Dark Jedi.

The Emperor! Leia and Anakin reached the same conclusion at the same time.

There is a very good chance of that. He cannot be trusted with Alliance secrets, or those of the Empire. Both of you must guard yourselves against Luke, as he if probably trying to control you.

No! Luke is my son. He is not working against me- you must be lying to me! Valena, you were ever impossible. My daughter- Valena felt him tear away from her touch and clung to Leia's presence in the Force, physically and mentally gasping.

Are you all right? Leia seemed rather shaken as well.

Valena gathered herself. I'm fine, dear. And I apologize for sending you into danger as strong as you are in now. I did not realize he had such assistance.

Leia shuddered, understandably. I know. How can I protect myself from him? He had no trouble convincing me before.

I believe your own wariness can be your best shield, and share it with your most trusted friends. Be on your guard around Luke. Wariness is the shield I gave Anakin, even though he tried to refuse it. Be careful.

I will. Thank you. Valena broke the contact and dropped into a deep meditative trance. She could do nothing more but wait and see.



Vader pulled away from Valena, denying everything she said and herself as well. She stirred so many memories of old times: his first love, his first battles, his first disobedience of the Emperor. And here she was again, disrupting his world once more. Luke would not betray him- but the Emperor would. And if Palpatine was guiding Luke, then he would have to be on his guard. But that was impossible! Still, better safe than sorry.

Daughter. He had a daughter as well as a son. Who was she? Luke's sister, and she must be his twin as well. Did he know about her, who she was? If he did, why hadn't he told his father? The past and the future flooded together, and a little darkness left his heart. He could not hate Valena, not if what she had told him was true. After all this time of telling himself that she was somewhere happily married and had forgotten him, she had reached out to him, and called him Anakin, and twisted the world around on itself.

He still loved Valena, after all these years in which he had not had the courage to love anything or anyone. If she was right about Luke, what could he do? Even the Emperor had feared the boy, and Anakin knew he was no match for his Master. Perhaps she could help him, or some other Jedi.

She was wrong, he told himself. She had to be wrong; there was no other option. He tried to close his mind to suspicions, but he could not. Only time would prove the truth.



The Dark Lord woke with a start and search the pitch interior of his chamber for the stimulus. There was a light, familiar touch on his mind. Luke- it was the boy. The touch disappeared, but Valena's truth had been proved. Luke was controlling him, assisted by the Emperor. But how to counteract them?

After a moment, he relaxed the automatic defenses that had gone up. Luke absolutely knew that he had been discovered, and that could not be changed. Whatever help Anakin could find or would need had to be summoned promptly. The private holocomm in his chamber beeped. Only a very few people had the frequency, and one was Luke. He hesitated, considering his options, then opened the comm channel. The figure of a girl sprang out of the projection pad, and after a few moments his confused mind registered her face. It was the Alderaanean Princess turned Rebel, Leia Organa. What business could she possibly have with him?

"Lord Vader?" He stared in bewilderment at the small blue projection, unable to connect the name with himself for a moment. After Valena's calling him Anakin, Vader was a stranger.

In a moment, he found voice to answer. "Lady Organa? How did you reach me here?"

"This frequency was programmed into the holocomm of the shuttle Luke Skywalker brought to Endor. We need to talk."

"You have my full attention."

"I am Luke's sister." Without his life support systems, Anakin would have fainted. As it was, he inhaled pure oxygen for an entire minute before answering.

"He never told me." There were no words for what must be said, no way to communicate the awful terror he felt at his past actions. How could he apologize to his own daughter for the horrors he had inflicted on her over the years? A lost hand was nothing to a destroyed planet. "I had no idea," he finished lamely.

"I did not either, until the day before the Battle of Endor. We must work together to contain him, because we have failed separately and surely will fail again."

Anakin put aside his shock with force of will. There would be time for babbled repentance later. "I agree. He knows now that he no longer controls me, so we must act swiftly. Do you know where Valena is? I must speak with her."

The shivering figure smiled. "Yes, I do," she said and gave him the coordinates of the Agra system. "You must hurry. We will need every assistance the galaxy can provide, and probably more."

"I will. May the Force be with you. Be careful- my daughter." He cut the transmission and notified several key officers that he was departing Coruscant for a short time. Valena was waiting for him; there was a job to be done. His children needed him, as they must have so many times in their lives since he abandoned his family for the beckon of the Emperor. But this time Anakin Skywalker was coming to help them.



The only habitable planet of the Agra system hove into view. Anakin reached out to Valena. Valena! Where are you?

Anakin? She sounded puzzled, and then hopeful. You believe me, then?

About everything. I felt Luke try to control me, and then I spoke to Leia- my daughter- about this whole mess. She told me where to find you. Anakin attempted his first spontaneous apology in decades.I'm sorry I doubted you.

I understand, my errant knight. Her amusement was evident in her tone. I'll guide you to my home. Shut your engine off. He complied and Valena took control of the ship smoothly, guiding him into the atmosphere, across a great mountain chain, and onto a flat meadow. He nearly ran out of the ship, and she ran to meet him.

"At last." They embraced, the towering black figure and the rather diminutive woman. "If only it hadn't all happened as it did," he said after a few moments of silent reunion. "If only I had been stronger; if only-"

She cut him off, shaking her head. "It's far too late for that now. The galaxy has turned past where it was, and there is work to be done."

Anakin stroked her hair tenderly with a black gloved hand. "There is always work to be done in the worlds. Soon, I hope we can give the burden to the children and trust them to be responsible for it. Now, however, I must do the work of a father, something I've owed the galaxy for years."

Valena heard her own Anakin behind the fearsome mask and felt his pain and shame. "Yes, now is the time to do the work of a father." A flash of foresight came to her, and without really knowing why, she said, "I think it will be a long time before we have earned rest, and that the Force will demand the parental dues from you." She paused, puzzled. "That was not a very cheerful prophecy, was it?" she asked, bemused.

"No, but it was logical." He sighed. "I should expect nothing less, considering my debt to the worlds and two people in particular."

"Why did you never contact me and tell me about your wife?" she questioned, trying to sound nonchalant, but it was hard to hide things from a fellow Jedi.

"I did not know where you were, back during the war, and we were so busy. And then Kenobi spirited off all my extra time, and then me, and I had no access to a comm of any sort until I begged him for months. Once he was sort of satisfied with my training, I returned to active battle and met my future wife. It was wartime, we both needed a reaffirmation of life in the universe, and found it in each other's arms. It was predictable, and neither of us thought much about it. All she and I had need of was a safe person to come home to, I after long periods in battle, and she after long days curing the wounded. We had a short courtship, and I was so full of myself I never thought to tell you." His shame was tangible. "And then, the Emperor- and I didn't dare contact you for a thousand reasons."

"All of them personified in the Emperor," she finished for him. "I can understand that part. How do you feel about your son, now that the Emperor is acting through him?"

Anakin sighed. "It's very difficult for me to consider acting against either of them, and especially the two together. If I didn't have you and Leia to back me up, I would be kneeling at his feet now, I know. My Master is the Dark Side to me, and I can't trust myself around him. Everything just reminds me of all the hate I feel for him, and my dependence on him. I hate to force this on you, but you must be my anchor to the Light. My wife did not suffice, but then she didn't mean as much to me as you do. Please, Valena."

"Of course, Anakin. I should have been there for you as well, and I have a duty that I owe you." She smiled at him, comforting. "Go on, tell me more if you can. The better I understand what your reactions will be, the better I can protect you from yourself."

"Is he my son? My Master? Should I try to discipline him or just obey him? That is my reaction, pure confusion. I dread facing him. Once, I tried to tempt Luke to help me overthrow the Emperor in our own favor, and he chose near death instead. Before he killed the Emperor, he reminded me of that day and accepted the offer. The darkness has him, surely, but it has not held him all that long. If I can turn, my son can as well. That is what I must believe." Anakin's hand shook in Valena's. "If I stop believing that, I may as well go and lay myself at his feet and beg forgiveness right now."

"Believe it, then, with all your heart. Leia needs us now. Your poor children, gifted with the entire complement of Skywalker genes." Valena grinned, but her eyes were sad. "They have all your strength in the Force and all your talents for mischief. I told Leia of your early exploits, and she seemed to understand because you reminded her of Luke. Your boy is so like you, Anakin. Please, let us go to them now. Leia suffered nearly as you did when I told her of Luke's betrayal, you know, but it could not be helped. The Rebel Alliance had to know of the traitor in their ranks. We don't know what he will attempt."

"You may not , but I do. He will try to seduce Leia to the Dark Side, and if she complies he will destroy the Rebellion and retake control of the Empire, with or without me. My shuttle awaits, Lady. They need me, and I need you. Endor calls." They left for the Forest Moon, and talked earnestly the entire short journey.





Luke shook with anger. Somehow, Vader had escaped his controls. He would be a problem, unless Luke could return to Coruscant and take control personally. That could not be done and retain the Alliance and Leia's faith, however. But something had to be done; now that Vader was aware, subconscious control of him would be nearly impossible.

The Rebellion was too much of a distraction, but he could not destroy it outright. Something could be done to free himself of the pests, though.



Mon Mothma looked up when she heard a knock on her office door. "Come in!" Luke Skywalker entered. "Good morning, Commander. What can I do for you?"

"I came to speak with you about something I discovered. As you know, I recently spent some time on Coruscant with a high security clearance, and I discovered a breach in the defenses." Mon Mothma's face lit up.

"Is that so? Very interesting, sir. I will notify Admiral Ackbar of this shortly. Go on, Commander. What are the specifics of this breach?"

"The Emperor apparently had a bypass built into the Imperial computer system," he told her. "I discovered the passkey for it in a hidden file, as well as information. This bypass disables the planetary shield as well as the majority of its weaponry. The Emperor apparently wanted his capital to die with him in case of treachery onplanet."

"That sounds much like him," she mused. "I will call a strategy council for this evening so that our people may discuss the best way to use your information. Thank you, Commander. You are dismissed."



At the council that evening, Leia was very anxious. Vader- no, Anakin, ought to be arriving shortly with Valena. Luke was lulling nearly the entire Alliance into believing in his trapdoor, but she had warned Han and Wedge about the Jedi persuasion, and they seemed unconvinced. There was a very good chance that Luke was trying to send them all into the best defended system in the galaxy blind and weak. Leia shuddered. They would all die, unless she could bring them back to their senses. It would be no easy task.

Her reverie was broken by a call. Leia! Come quickly.We have arrived. She slipped out the door silently; only two pairs of eyes noted her departure. Once she stood on the suspended pathways of the Ewok village, Leia lit a handlamp and hurried towards the hangar field.

I'm on my way, she replied. The ladder was rather treacherous in the pitch dark, but she could see the light of a ship below and reached it safely. Even the deck officer was at the meeting, she supposed, and there had been no one to stop their landing. Only a Jedi could have done it safely in the crowded hangar field, though. She shone her lamp around, looking for her visitors. It reflected off of a white robe, and she ran towards Valena impulsively and embraced her. "Thank you for coming on such short notice." She became aware of a second presence behind Valena, and bowed formally to her father. Images of Alderaan's destruction, the attack at Hoth, and Han's freezing in carbonite flashed across her vision, but she repressed them. "Thank you for coming as well. We need all the help we can get."

Valena flicked on a handlamp of her own and illuminated the trio. "Leia," she said softly, "introduce us to your friends, won't you?" Leia turned to face the balcony and waved her lamp across it. Han, Wedge and Chewie stood there. Han had a blaster trained on Anakin. Leia nearly dropped her lamp, but let her diplomatic training take over instead.

"General Han Solo, Commander Wedge Antilles, Chewbacca, I am pleased to introduce the Jedi Mistress Valena Dyreth and- and the Jedi Anakin Skywalker." Her voice shook a little, but she smiled through it.

Total silence fell on the clearing. Han found his voice first, but Leia could tell that it was full of false bravado. "Pleased to meetcha, Lady Dyreth. Mr. Skywalker, haven't we met?" Leia could feel Han's shocked confusion as if it were her own.

"I believe so, General Solo. Now, I come to bring assistance against a common foe. Please accept me as an ally for this time."

Wedge spoke next, his tone wary. "You're going to help us against Luke? All right, I suppose. Are you sure, Leia?"

"I am positive, Wedge. May we come up?" She shone her lamp directly on Han's weapon and he lowered it, a bemused look on his face.

"Of course." Wedge lowered his lamp to illuminate the ladder, and the trio ascended carefully. "Welcome to Endor, Madam, Sir."

"Thank you, Commander," Valena responded.

As they crossed the dimly lit scaffolding to the meeting hall, Han nudged Leia and muttered, "Skywalker?" under his breath incredulously. She nodded.

"My Skywalker. I should start collecting them." Han grinned weakly.

The group heard Luke shout, "Who is with me?" as they approached the open door. The Alliance members cheered loudly.

Mon Mothma asked, "Are there any objections?", but she did not seem to be doing anything more than holding to the accepted patterns. Leia saw her chance, however.

"Yes," she said simply and stepped into the doorway. Silence fell.

"We object as well, Madam," Han said as he and Wedge stepped up to flank Leia.

Protocol took the place of shock. "On what grounds, General?" Mon Mothma looked truly amazed, but that was only sensible. Leia, Han and Wedge had always been Luke's staunchest supporters.

"On the grounds that Commander Skywalker has been influenced by the spirit of the Emperor," Leia declared. Luke's hateful glare burned into her like a dagger in her heart.

"Do you have any proof, Lady Organa?" a Rebel called out snidely, twisting the title into a grave insult.

Valena entered the beam of light next to Han, and Leia could hear her father next to Wedge. Leia gestured to her. "Valena Dyreth, Jedi Mistress."

Valena nodded, accepting the introduction. "Luke Skywalker has become the target of a Dark Jedi's anchoring. This is a power that all Jedi learn as part of their training: how to hold to a living person at their own death and escape oblivion. The subject of this anchorage is usually aware of it, whether at the time it occurs or later on."

A burst of light filled the room and the Alliance members gasped. Anakin stood fully in front of Leia with his lightsaber ignited in his hand. Blue electricity crackled around the blade, and Luke's hand still pointed at Leia. "Is this proof enough for you, madam? Get out of here!" The Rebels streamed out the door, and Luke glared at his assailants.

He laughed horribly. "Pitiful. You cannot stop me. Do you want to die quickly or slowly?" Leia felt him draw on the Force and throw a wave of disruption at her, but Anakin blocked most of it. A tinny, unearthly shriek filled her ears for a split second and the world went black, and then her vision cleared. A figure wreathed in blue light stood next to Anakin now, strengthening his defenses.

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin asked. "I'm so sorry-"

"Apologies later." The visible aura grew around the figure as he blocked an attack on Valena. "We must close the circle around him so that nothing can escape."

Luke laughed again. "Old man, you were useless to me in life, and I do not fear you in death." His tone lost its edge and became soft and persuasive. He stepped sideways so that Leia could see him around Anakin. All his overt attacks ceased. "Dear, sweet sister. You do not begin to know your own strength. Come, let me show you. I can give you the galaxy. Do not fear me; join me." She felt her own legs responding to the beckoning tone, but fought it.

"Luke, you are not yourself. Deny the Emperor, drive him from you. The Dark will destroy you, come back to the Light," she pleaded, wishing she had some small measure of the control voice he possessed. "You are blinded by the lure of false power."

"No, Leia," he corrected her gently, "you are the one who is blinded. Your weak Light can do nothing for you, and I know you.The Dark Side can give you what I know you want. Your blood desires power. I can give it to you." Luke extended a hand to her, beckoning.

Leia tried to block the suggestions from her mind, but it was a hundred time harder that practicing with Valena. Luke was stronger and fighting with all the persuasion he owned. Leia stepped towards his extended hand, oblivious to the world. She only stopped when she encountered a black wall. The wall grabbed her shoulder. Anakin told her, "Go no farther, Leia." As he maintained his grip on her shoulder, the masked man turned to his son. "Refuse the Emperor, Luke. You know what became of me when I heeded his call. Do not follow the foolish path I did!"

"Foolish father." Scorn and anger marked Luke's tone. "Your mistake was in the forsaking that path, and disobedience. You will pay for that soon. If you continue to defy me, you will die here and now." The scorn vanished, but impatience replaced it. "Will you join me, Leia? Must I destroy you as well?"

Leia shook her head. The glamour had passed, but she knew that it could come again. "I won't go anywhere with you, Luke, until you have left this madness." Luke scowled and raised a hand to point at her. His eyes burned like coals.

"Dear Leia, don't be any more reckless than you must. I will not hesitate to kill you. Do not toy with me. Come to my side, now, or die." Leia stood firm. A crackle of energy flew towards her, but Obi-Wan caught it and diffused it. "Old man, you have brought me nothing but hindrance since we first met. The only use you ever had was to train my future students." A chill fell over Leia's heart as she realized that the Emperor was speaking directly through Luke. "Step aside, specter, and let the living decide this."

"The living alone must decide their fate. Leave the boy or the living will end his life. Take your place in the past, in the Force. There is no place for you here, as there should be none for me." The voice of the discorporated Jedi echoed through the Force. "We had our chances. Let crude matter go."

"Never!" The word was a hiss as dangerous as a lit lightsaber. "Death means nothing to me, and it has brought me youth again. The galaxy is mine, as is the boy. You left him green, and I have taught him so much more."

There were voices in Leia's ears, whispering comfort and reassurance. The Force shone nearly visible even in the eyes of Han and Wedge. "Let yourself join the Force," Obi-Wan said. "None of those that die are gone." Blue light enveloped Luke's body, and Leia understood what he was saying. All the Jedi were helping them, they were not gone, but part of Life. Luke screamed, vocalizing the death of a star. There was a flash as if lightening had struck him and he fell to the floor and did not move. The blue light was gone, as was Kenobi.

Leia ran to her brother, knelt beside him, and took his pulse. "He lives," she said hoarsely. The room was silent and strangely empty, suddenly, and a weight she had not known was there had lifted from her mind. The floor had several scorch marks upon it from Luke's attacks of lightening. Anakin touched Luke's forehead.

"The Emperor has left him. We cannot know the state of his mind until he wakes." There was a sense of defeat, even more than of victory, but it was a victory, Leia thought. Wasn't it?

"Someone ought to inform Mon Mothma of was has happened," she said quietly. Wedge left the council hall without a word. No one else spoke or moved.

Eventually, Wedge returned with Mon Mothma. She surveyed the scarred room and its shocked occupants. "Your objection is accepted, Madam Organa," she said quietly. "Your proof is more than sufficient." Then, seeming frightened, she asked, "How did you come to be here, Lord Vader?"

"I came for my son." Anakin stood and gestured at the boy at his feet. "He needed me- as you did, Senator. This matter is not done, but this chapter has been finished. I now know what to do. The Empire must be dissolved peacefully." Valena stepped to his side and embraced him.

Mon Mothma stared at the pair. "Son? Dissolve the Empire? Are you serious?"

"Eminently, madam. The Senate will rule again; the throne of the Empire is too much for any one person to hold, and its master has abandoned it for good. Military garrisons will be removed from many worlds, but I am no administrator. I have only authority to do things, not the plans to do them correctly." He held Valena tighter. "The wars must pass soon. Until they do, I request your assistance."

Mon Mothma staggered back several feet, feeling behind her for a chair and sitting in it abruptly. "The Senate? I would be honored to help you with the Senate. Will they meet on Endor?"

"No, on Coruscant in their traditional hall. Any Imperials who object can desert, but all of the ships they leave are for the Alliance."

Luke stirred and interrupted their conference. His eyes did not burn with the same hatred as before, but he seemed marked somehow and changed. His sister bent over him, and he asked, "Leia, are you all right?"

"Yes," she reassured him. "Don't worry."

Luke sat up. "I could never forgive myself if I had hurt you. I was foolish; I am no Jedi. Who have I killed, unknowing and reckless?" His eyes filled with tears and he covered his face. Leia embraced him, sighing.

"No permanent harm has come to anyone, Luke. You are a Jedi, don't discount yourself. Some good has come, too. The Empire will be dissolved and the Senate reinstated." Luke wiped his eyes and sought his father.

"And will you be a Senator again, Leia?" He sighed. "I must leave you, for now at least, but where should I go? The Dark Side is so close to me." He shuddered, covering his face again. "I don't feel safe with myself, I feel that I may hurt you or someone else that I am close to if the slightest thing happens."

Valena knelt by Leia and spoke earnestly to Luke. "Agra, my home, is a safe refuge. I am willing to take you there, and watch you, if you are willing to come. Will you?"

Luke's face lit up. "You would take me in, Lady? Aren't you afraid of what I might do?"

Valena laughed. "No more than I am afraid of what your father might do. We can leave tonight, and you will be away from anyone who fears you. The Dark Side will never leave you, but you can leave it and I will help you." Leia bit her lip, and Valena looked at her quizzically. "Whatever is the matter, Leia?"

"I will not be able to see you, if the Senate is alive again. You will be across the galaxy."

Mon Mothma tapped her shoulder. "You are granted one month of leave that you make take in whatever time you like, other than the midst of battle. Madam Organa, the galaxy owes you that much."

"And the offer of return still stands," added Valena. Leia smiled.

"Then I will go with you to Agra to learn for a few days or weeks." She looked at her brother. "You don't mind, do you?"

He looked uncomfortable. "I will have to be careful, but come along."