Parallel Shadows

Chapter 5 - Onset of Darkness

The Emperor's presence burns at the edge of Luke's mind constantly, and it makes him more than a little hesitant to actually indulge in his own thoughts too much. Snoke already has such a deep connection with Luke's mind after all and looking back, he has to wonder why he never suspected it before.

It's like Snoke always knows his every thought, like he knows everything about him, and it's more than a little unnerving. He may have a deal with him, but that doesn't mean he trusts him at all. (Is this how Vader felt? Was the same true for him? Is that why he said he had to obey him?)

It's easier for Luke not to think anyway, because he... refuses to dwell on any of the doubts that keep creeping into his mind over what he's about to do. Leia will be furious with him, but... he will make her understand. Later.

The first thing Snoke actually teaches him is about bleeding his crystal. Luke sits in the center of the room, letting the Dark Side flow through him channeling it into the crystal in his palm.

It cries in protest, but he presses onwards. He makes it feel the pain he feels – the pain his father apparently knew every day of his existence for who knows how many years.

Finally, Luke pulls back, looking down at the now faintly tinged red crystal in his hands. He lifts the parts, reassembling them, pulling the hilt back to him and igniting it, to reveal a blood red blade.

It fits.

It's what he is now.

He doesn't want anything to do with the Jedi anyway.

"If we are to form any deal with the Alliance," Snoke tells him, as soon as he goes to see him again, "Those who will resist must be eliminated."

Eliminated? He means...

He's going to kill them.

Well, Luke already knew that was coming, but something inside of him protests instantly. He can't... But he knows this is inevitable.

"I sense your reluctance," Snoke hisses.

"I merely question... if that's entirely necessary," he dares to admit.

"There is only one path forward, Lord Sicarius," Snoke replies, "They must be eliminated. Begin with the rebel leader who was on Endor. This is the only way to restore order to the galaxy. Do what must be done. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. Only then will you be strong enough in the Dark Side to bring back your father."

Luke doesn't question it again.

The leaders on Endor... it's because of them that his father died. Some of them were there; he was arguing with them about it. They gave the order, and they do deserve to die. Nothing excuses what they did there, no matter who Vader was.

***

"Commander Skywalker?" one of them asks, looking up in surprise.

Luke doesn't reply, igniting his lightsaber. His hood is pulled low over his head, but he isn't surprised they recognized him.

It wasn't hard for him to find them. He remembers when he was talking to them on Endor when they refused to help him. He remembers every bit of his emotions that day, how everything that happened then still haunts him constantly.

Just doing this... it's wrong, he knows, but he knows why he has to do it. It's worth it in the end. It is.

"What are you doing/" one of them asks, warily now, as they eye his red lightsaber.

Blood red like the blood that will soon cover it. Luke lifts a hand, closing all the entrances to the room with the Force, locking them so they can't escape. At least not easily.