Rescue for a Sith Princess

Chapter 12

As the Millennium Falcon became caught in the Death Star's tractor beam, Luke went over the plan in his head again. I am going to surrender to the Empire. I know they've been expecting me. Ben will hide and guard the ship so that when I have Leia and Han we can make a quick escape. Luke closed his eyes and felt the Force flowing around him and through him. He focused on the Light, allowing it to bring him to peace.

"Luke." Obi-Wan interrupted his meditation. "Remember to protect yourself from the Dark Side. There are three powerful Sith on this space station, and the Dark Side is very seductive. But the darkness never truly wins."

The young Jedi gave Obi-Wan a small smile. "I know, I'll remember Ben."

Obi-Wan's heart ached a little, realizing that this duel would probably strip Luke of the last of his naivete and innocence. Facing darkness can do that to a person, and Obi-Wan knew from personal experience.

"Does Han know where I will meet him?" Luke asked.

Obi-Wan frowned. "He never picked up his commlink, so I don't think he does. Hopefully Leia will help you find him once she's turned back."

"Do you truly believe Leia will turn?" Luke asked, a hopeful expression on his face.

The Jedi Master patted Luke on the shoulder. "As I said, the darkness never truly wins."

~~~

Han spluttered and doubled over as an Imperial officer kicked him in the stomach. He thought he caught Leia wincing as he fell to the floor.

"Captain Han Solo. My apprentice informed me that you are a traitor, who has been trying to turn her back to the Light and thus sabotage the Empire" the Emperor spat at Han. Han was surrounded by stormtroopers and Imperial officers, and he faced Emperor Palpatine on his throne. Leia and Darth Vader stood by his side. "How foolish. There is no chance of turning my apprentice. She has become more powerful each day, and once she kills her brother her training will be complete."

"You are wrong, Your Majesty," Han bit out through the pain in his stomach. "There is still Light in her. And once Luke faces her, the darkness will no longer have a hold on her. I tried to save her...but I failed." Han added the last part quietly with sadness. He looked up at Leia and noticed that her eyes were watery. Han felt his heart split in two, threatening to cry himself. He couldn't imagine the pain she was going through inside.

When Leia saw him staring at her, she quickly blinked back her tears. Her eyes returned to their fiery state and her expression became like steel. How was it possible that the same girl had melted in his arms only a short time ago?

"Indeed you did fail. You wasted your life on her," the Emperor said.

Han waited to reply until he locked eyes with Leia once again. "It wasn't a waste."

Leia's eyes widened, her mouth gaping slightly. Han felt his own emotions abandon him as two tears began to slide down his cheeks. "It was worth every moment," he whispered almost to himself.

"I will not deal with you right now," the Emperor barked. "Instead, I will imprison you until Lord Tochter can kill you herself. Take him away."

Leia let out a small gasp, her emotions spinning. She painfully watched as stormtroopers dragged Han away. He never broke his gaze with hers until he disappeared through the door.

~~~

Luke rushed Obi-Wan to one of Han's smuggling compartments as they waited in the hangar of the Death Star.

"Just wait here. Before you know it, I'll be back with Han and Leia by my side," Luke told him. He turned around to exit the Falcon.

"Wait, Luke!" Obi-Wan called to him. "Bail told me to relay a message from him to Leia. Remind her that he loves her so much. Tell Leia that he misses her and wants his Princess back home again. She has to know that he never stopped loving her throughout all of this."

Luke nodded solemnly, a sort of maturity descending over him. His head whipped around as he heard clicking stormtrooper armor approaching the ship.

"And remember, the Force will be with you. Always," Obi-Wan stated one last time before bringing the compartment cover over his head. He heard the ramp lowering and mumbled conversations as Luke surrendered and was taken away. As Obi-Wan waited in the compartment, with stormtrooper boots marching overhead, he reached out through the Force, searching for a signature he had not felt in a long time.

Finally, Obi-Wan discovered a dark presence not far away. However, the darkness had a small core of light inside of it. There was still a trace of a cheerful boy winning a pod race, a young man rolling around in a meadow with his love, and a Jedi overwhelmed with emotion when he found out he was going to be a father. There was still a trace of Anakin.

~~~

Vader's breathing hitched when he felt a strange presence in the Force. Leia noticed the slight change and looked up at the towering figure beside her.

"Are you all right, Lord Vader?" She asked. Vader almost laughed. When was the last time someone asked him that question? There was genuine concern in her eyes, and a little piece of Vader's twisted heart warmed. My daughter. 

Vader shook the thoughts out of his mind and focused on the presence in the Force. He never thought he would feel this signature again. His master, his best friend...traitor.

"Do you feel an unfamiliar presence in the Force?" Vader asked her.

Leia closed her eyes and searched out with her feelings. After a moment, she nodded her head. "I think I feel...Skywalker. He has arrived, Master."

Vader didn't respond to Leia. Of course he had felt Skywalker's presence as well. He had been searching for Skywalker while the three Sith waited in the Emperor's throne room for his arrival. But Leia did not notice his former master's Force signature. He was connecting with Vader personally.

"I will return shortly," Vader stated briskly. He stepped down from the Emperor's platform and moved for the exit hastily.

"But Skywalker will be here any minute!" Leia shouted at him. He turned and was shocked to find that Leia looked hurt. It was almost like she wanted him to be there for her, to support her during her first duel. Like he was a father abandoning his child when she really needed him.

Vader turned back towards the exit and rumbled, "I will be back before he arrives."

The Dark Lord followed the strange Force signature throughout the many hallways of the Death Star, his breath quickening with each step. Eventually, Vader turned a corner and directly before him stood a man he had not seen since his days in the Light.

"We meet again at last, Obi-Wan Kenobi."