On the Wings of Valkyrie

Chapter CLV

Luke was falling.

Honestly, it sounded a lot more concerning than it actually was, even if he was falling through pure darkness and had no idea when the ground would come up to meet him. He trusted the Force would give him a good idea of when to start cushioning his landing, which it did. Soon enough Luke found himself standing in a dark chamber beside his father, their lightsabers providing the only light. Vader quickly set off at a brisk walk, following what the Jedi could only assume was the quickest path to the Emperor shown to the Dark Lord through the Force, a guess that came about from the fact he was feeling colder the longer they walked. The area was unnervingly abandoned, though he supposed that was likely due to the distractions outside.

It didn't last forever. Eventually they started running into people—or more like people started running into Vader. Or more like running into Vader's lightsaber or Force sense because the Imperials didn't have a chance and the Sith just kept on walking without breaking stride. Luke eventually decided to trade his lightsaber for his blaster to cover their tale as very occasionally someone would try to come at them from behind. Vader had their front well covered after all.

So maybe it shouldn't have been surprising when they made it to the Emperor's location with little trouble. It was dimly lit, and its most promenade feature was a large throne haloed with giant thorns and covered in shadows.

"Lord Vader, I must say I am very disappointed in you," a voice croaked from somewhere in the darkness of the throne. Luke found his attention caught by two glowing yellow eyes staring at him from the shadows of the dark seat even as a dozen or so black robed guards with red armor—armed with either a red saber pike or a double sided vibroblade—stepped out of the shadows, surrounding the two Skywalkers on all sides. "One would have thought that after all this time, you would know better. Perhaps if you had returned to me sooner, we could have....worked out our differences. Alas, you've made your disloyalty quite clear."

"You've never had my loyalty, Palpatine," Vader growled, marching forward. Luke followed behind his Father as he once again traded weapons. "This ends today."

"So it does," the Emperor agreed, his eyes focusing on Luke and sending an involuntary silver up the Rebel's spine. "I suppose I must thank you for bringing me your replacement. Welcome, young Skywalker. In time, you will call me Master."

"You are gravely mistaken. You will not convert me as you did my Father," Luke declared, allowing his own lightsaber to snap to life.

"We shall see."

~*~

"Forward!" Leia shouted as she led her troops against the coming Imperials. She counted a few of the Emperor's Hands among the ground troops, but it appeared as though Luna had successfully made her attack the priority problem. A few Hands were still a few too many, but Leia could conceivably handle that number provided only one came at her at a time.

"We have a plan other than charging, right Princess?" Han questioned as they took shelter behind a well placed boulder.

"You know the plan," Leia hissed.

"Yeah, but how precisely do you plan to get rid of all the Hands that have decided to target this side of the battle rather than Luna's?"

"One at a time."

"Really wish that I could just blast them."

"Didn't you start learning the basics just because you couldn't shoot them?"

"Just because I have a lightsaber with me, doesn't mean I want to use it."

"....That makes two of us."

"Wonderful," Han grumbled, his sarcasm tangible as Leia activated her saber.