The Dark Path (What if Vader didn't turn at Endor?) FINISHED 1/6

"Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
--Yoda, Jedi Master

* * *

"I?ll never turn to the dark side. You?ve failed, Your Highness.

"I am a Jedi, like my father before me."

Were it not for the pain and exhaustion he felt, Darth Vader might have been amused by his son?s foolish words. A Jedi. His father is no Jedi, the Dark Lord of the Sith thought vaguely as he tried to shunt the pain that enshrouded his senses. He called on the dark side, tapping into the enormous anger that filled his mind and soul.

He heard the Emperor?s response. "So be it . . . Jedi." The rage that accompanied these words was palpable, and Vader knew that his son was teetering on the brink of destruction. Luke?s stupidity heightened the feelings of anger; Vader used these feelings to begin to resuscitate himself. So much potential, and now he refuses to use it?

The Dark Lord moved his gaze to his right arm, and the frayed wiring that was all that remained where his mechanical hand had been. He remembered well when the tables had been turned, and it was Luke whose hand and lightsaber were sliced neatly off and sent falling into an abyss. But this time his son had come with such power, such fury. The fear Vader had felt when he realized he was outmatched had been accompanied by a swelling of pride. The son of the chosen one. Of course he is powerful. So why must he turn his back on the great power that is at his fingertips?

"If you will not be turned," the Emperor, Vader?s master, cackled, "you will be destroyed." With that, a tremendous surge of Force lightning leapt from the Sith Lord?s withered fingertips and slammed into Luke. Vader felt anger rise against Palpatine for harming his son, but knew that he could not overcome his master, not now. And the anger he felt against Luke for being such a fool was still greater.

The injured Dark Lord struggled to his feet as the lightning barrage continued. "Young fool . . . only now, at the end, do you understand." Vader looked at Luke, writhing under the assault, and wondered if his son, even now, did understand. The might of darkness was obvious . . . but Luke seemingly refused to accept it.

"Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision."

Luke?s pain was unbearable. Vader could feel it. His gaze on Luke, he almost pitied his son as the young Jedi groaned. "Father, please. Help me."

Luke, you must help yourself. Give in to your hatred. You can still defeat him!

Vader did not know if his son heard the silent words. The Emperor, all but ignoring his servant, continued to cackle gleefully as he blasted Luke with the deadly bolts. Then the Sith Lord paused to speak. "Now, young Skywalker . . . you will die."

Luke looked pleadingly at his father. Use the dark side! His son showed no signs of doing so, lying there, passively awaiting death. The Emperor resumed his barrage with even more ferocity. Vader watched the currents arc over his son?s body. He slowly moved his gaze to the Emperor, saw the malicious grin on his wrinkled face, then looked back to Luke. Son!

In a blinding storm of electricity, Luke?s body finally became limp, and the pained screams ceased. Vader felt a sense of loss . . . but more than that, a burning rage that his offspring would waste his potential in such a pathetic manner and die without accomplishing anything worthwhile. He could have done so much. We should have ruled the galaxy together. But . . .

He does still have a sister.

"My friend."

Vader turned to face his master. The Emperor?s disdainful gaze was still on Luke?s now lifeless form. Finally he met Vader?s mask-covered eyes. "Come with me."

The Emperor effortlessly called his cane into his hands from somewhere in the large chamber and then moved slowly toward the turbolift adjoining the throne room. Vader paused, struggling to use the Force and at last managing to retri

 

Great idea for a fic... great post... POST MORE!

--Mr. P

 

I agree, great idea.

It will be interesting to see where this goes now . . . will the Rebels still be able to destroy the Death Star . . . will the Executor survive, and how about the rebels on Endor?

Neat.

 

Wow. What a story. Please, continue soon? I've never read anything like this before.

 

The TIE Fighters came on relentlessly. With grim determination, Wedge Antilles piloted his X-wing fighter through the narrow tunnels of the Death Star II's unfinished superstructure. Behind him, a couple of his fellow Rebels split off to head back to the surface, and they managed to draw a few enemy craft with them. But several red blips still showed up on Wedge's sensors.

At the Battle of Yavin, Wedge had been forced to break off and return to the base after his snubfighter had been damaged. That was not an option here. The long, winding tunnel seemed to close in on his X-wing from all sides as he spun and maneuvered past countless thick beams. The strong power source that was the reactor core drew nearer . . . but so did the TIE Interceptors in their hot pursuit. And these Imperial pilots seemed to fight with both more hunger and greater precision than the ones at Yavin.

Laserfire streaked in behind Wedge, turning parts of the structure into slag. He was not in much danger of being hit, as the Millennium Falcon flew between his craft and the enemies. Lando, however . . . "I'm taking damage," the Rebel general said over Wedge's comm. "I can't shake these guys." This was followed by a high-pitched exclamation from Lando's Sullustan copilot. The bright green blasts intensified, and Wedge began to wonder whether they could make it to the core before being overcome by the Imps.

I've got to think of--

"Hold on back there, Lando," Wedge said. "I'm going to try something." He set a single torpedo to delayed detonation. Furrowing his brow in concentration, Wedge fired it and watched as it streaked forward and then stopped amid a tangle of metal. He increased his throttle, counting down the seconds in his head.

"Wedge?" came Lando's voice. "Our shields are--"

A sudden explosion ripped through the tunnel. Lando cursed before letting out an excited whoop. "That got 'em," muttered Wedge. Sensors showed just one TIE left, and the core dead ahead.

As the massive reactor finally came into view, Wedge turned to port and cut back on his throttle. He watched as the heavily modified YT-1300 freighter owned by Han Solo shot out of the tunnel and into the core. It was followed by a sleek Interceptor--which drifted directly into Wedge's sights. He smiled, unleashing a crimson barrage, and the pursuing craft was destroyed.

"Thanks, Wedge," said Lando. "Now go for the power regulator on the north tower."

Wedge lit his engines back up and quickly acquired a lock. "Copy, Gold Leader. I'm already on my way out." He dumped off a pair of torpedoes toward the power regulator and then aimed his X-wing toward another tunnel that would take him back to the surface. As he re-entered the tight superstructure, he noticed that still more TIEs were coming. . . .

Wedge focused in on the task at hand: making it out of the giant, doomed station alive. He cut power from his weapons, putting it into his shields and engines as he raced through the tunnel. This one did not seem quite as congested as the one he had entered through, fortunately enough. Several TIEs remained on his sensors, but would not come into range before he was clear of the station.

Wedge ducked his figher under one last beam, then smiled as a starfield filled his viewport. He roared out into space, trying to get as far away from the Death Star as he could. Its explosion could come at any moment.

As Wedge zoomed away from the station, he noticed an Imperial shuttle flying ahead of him, a bit above and to starboard. Something about it looked unusual. He closed the range, and his targeting brackets moved over its engines--

A flash of green light momentarily blinded the Rebel pilot. Alarms lit up in his cockpit, and he dove away from the incoming fire. More beams lanced toward him but missed. That was no ordinary shuttle! He wondered who was in it, just as an enormous yellow-orange light appeared out of the corner of his eye. There went the Death Star! For the second time, Wedge was witness to the destruc

 

"Luke wasn't on that thing when it blew."

Leia Organa, looking into Han Solo's eyes, could see the mixed emotions there. Most of all there was hope, hope against hope that somehow their friend had escaped the Death Star before it was destroyed.

But he hadn't escaped. Leia, even though she had no tangible means of knowing what had happened up there, knew this to be true deep within her heart. "Leia?" Han prodded, worry creeping into his voice.

"He's gone," she said, looking to the ground as tears began to form in her eyes.

She could feel Han's horror. "I--I know how you felt--" he began.

"Luke . . . he . . . was my . . . brother," Leia finally managed to choke out. She looked back up into Han's eyes. "I never even knew until last night, and now . . ."

Her voice trailed off, and she buried her head into Han's shoulder. He had the good sense to remain silent as he held her and gently stroked her long hair. Even in the warm embrace of the man she loved, Leia had never felt so empty. Luke!

She had heard somewhere that dead Jedi could communicate with people who had been close to them from beyond the grave. Perhaps his spirit, at least, was still out there somewhere. Luke, she cried desperately. Hear me.

But there was nothing.

 

Wow, love the story so far. Can see a million great possibilities coming out of it, and you've done a great job so far. Keep it up.

 

I'd imagine the Emperor would be pretty peeved now - loosing another trillion dollar death star.

I wonder what happened to Luke . . .

 

WOW! Awesome idea, excellent writing!!

After you killed Luke (though part of me still hopes he survived somehow - at least Obi style), I was really afraid you were going to kill off Wedge too! Whew!!

I wonder how Leia will deal with the knowledge of being Vader's daughter on her own?? There's no Jedi left to help her...

 

Me, kill Wedge? Look at my icon! Still, you never know...

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Now on with the story.

* * *

Darth Vader stood on the bridge of the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Avenger, staring out through the large transparisteel viewports as he awaited his master's orders. The sky was vast, dark, and filled with stars. Deep in interstellar space, no large objects were visible other than the warships of the Imperial fleet.

A dozen Star Destroyers had escaped Endor intact. By far the largest of them all, the Executor, hung in the middle of the fleet. It dwarfed its companion vessels, but black scars on its hull bore witness to the heavy damage it had taken when the Death Star exploded and the Super Star Destroyer had been within the blast radius. The Executor would not be in combat condition for several months . . . but that would not stop the mighty Imperial Navy from crushing the remaining Rebels.

The sound of a holo-communication system being activated entered Vader's ears, followed shortly by Admiral Piett's "My lord?"

At last. The Dark Lord of the Sith turned to face the oversized hologram showing the cowled visage of Emperor Palpatine. "Lord Vader," the rasping voice began. "I must return to Imperial Center. You will take the fleet back to Endor and eliminate any Rebel scum that remain in-system. Do not fail me."

"As you wish," Vader replied, feeling a smile appear beneath his mask as the holographic image disappeared. Chances were that his daughter, the Princess Leia Organa, would still be on Endor with the rest of the cursed Alliance. And his master would be parsecs away, unable to interfere.

"Admiral," he said. "Set a course for Endor, and prepare the fleet for the jump to hyperspace."

* * *

The celebration was loud, raucous, cheerful. Rebels and Ewoks danced in the torch-lit night as the drumbeats and voices of the small Endor natives filled the air. Starfighters streaked overhead, lighting off fireworks that exploded into bursts of color. All the noise only served to give Leia a massive headache.

She could not share in the joy of her friends. The Death Star was gone, but that hardly mattered when Luke was too. And no one had actually confirmed that Palpatine had been aboard at the time.

Leia sat off to the side on a large log, along with Han and Chewie. Occasionally someone would come by to congratulate them, but her two companions had little trouble convincing these well-wishers that the sentiments were not welcome here. Leia held her head in her hands, rubbing her temples, trying to drown out the cacophony that filled the forest. Trying in vain to sense her brother's presence.

A nudge from Han caused her to look up. Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles were making their way through a large crowd, all the members of which seemingly wanted to give them handshakes or pats on the back. The two pilots brushed off the other celebrants and came to stand before the sitting trio.

Lando's usual charming grin was absent from his face, and the Corellian starfighter pilot beside him looked even more grim. "I . . . wanted to express my condolences," Wedge began. "Luke was a great friend, and probably the best pilot I've ever known. I never thought this would happen . . . it's a tragedy."

Leia nodded. "Thank you," she said, knowing the words were heartfelt, even if they did little to improve her condition. Lando began to speak, when a cold chill ran up Leia's spine.

She looked up into the sky, searching for something that was not there but . . . would be all too soon. And with a shock of realization, she knew--"We have to get out of here. Now."

 

OMG! You do know how to leave us hanging for more, Jeff42. Great story!

 

I've had too many authors (the professional ones included!) kill off favorite characters to trust anyone any more. But sill I'm happy that Wedge lived to fight another battle, at least for now.

It's good to see Leia starting to feel the Force on her own. I hope it's enough of a warning to get the Rebels out of there in time!

 

Sounds almost Hoth-like...but I know it'll be different. Great post. I love it.

 

This is very well written and very good. Please continue.

 

This is great! MORE! Hmm... will Leia fall to the Dark Side?

Not that I'm expecting an answer...

--Mr. P

 

Rebel transports and starfighters streaked upward through the Endor sky. Aboard one of the shuttles, Leia stood by a viewport and watched the Sanctuary Moon recede behind her ship. The fires of celebration in the Ewok village became faint points of light against the green before disappearing completely. Soon, she knew with a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, the entire forest might be set ablaze.

The other Alliance leaders had listened to her plea and agreed with it, even if they did not necessarily understand how she knew that leaving was so urgent. Not that she completely understood either . . . I have much to learn, that's for sure. But it was certainly logical that the Empire would strike back quickly after their defeat.

A growl from Chewbacca took Leia's eyes away from the shrinking moon. "Good point, Chewie," said Han, who stood beside her. "What is going to happen to our little furry friends?"

"I don't know," replied Leia in a mournful tone. "We simply don't have the means to evacuate them in the time available. I can only pray that the Empire will have mercy."

Chewie, a former Imperial slave, snorted loudly at that.

"If they are killed," said a middle-aged, bearded Rebel commando who sat in an acceleration couch on the other side of the compartment, "the situation could be used to our advantage. Think about the sympathy that would be generated to our cause if that race were wiped out."

"Yeah, they're cute, aren't they," muttered Han.

The man's argument was valid, Leia knew. But a part of her was sickened by it. If the Ewoks were slaughtered, and the Alliance did make an effort to get the news out, would they be doing so to make sure that the Endor natives' sacrifice was not in vain? Or would it in reality be a cold, uncaring method of using another race's suffering to their advantage? It was hard to say--

Leia suddenly felt as if a hydrospanner had been smashed into her skull. She spun to see a fleet of Star Destroyers appearing mere klicks away from the fleeing Rebel ships. And then a deep, powerful voice entered her mind. Leia.

Luke, is that you? she thought desperately. This odd voice did resemble Luke's somewhat; perhaps the difference was due to his no longer being physically alive.

The power of the Force is within your grasp, continued the voice, and Leia realized that it could not be her brother. But who? She stared at the Star Destroyers, which had opened up with their scores of turbolaser batteries. The green energy beams lanced in, but the Rebel ships' acceleration was already too high. They were safe, for now.

"We're about to go to hyperspace," called the pilot from the shuttle's cockpit. Leia prepared for the jump, looking again to the forest moon. The Star Destroyers were already beginning a heavy orbital bombardment.

The celebration of the Death Star's destruction would be short-lived. Especially for the Ewoks.

 

I love it so far (especially the Leia foreshadowing). More soon, please?

 

Poor little fury Ewoks...Sniff.


Great post!

 

Great story Jeff 42!!!! It is so sad though. Luke and now the Ewoks!

Oh well, I cannot wait to see what happens next!

 

Yay! A new post... but the ewoks, I am afraid, don't look like they will be showing up again...

Anyway, it appears that Vader is going after Leia right away -- good!

--Mr. P

 

"If the Ewoks were slaughtered, and the Alliance did make an effort to get the news out, would they be doing so to make sure that the Endor natives' sacrifice was not in vain? Or would it in reality be a cold, uncaring method of using another race's suffering to their advantage? It was hard to say-- "

Deep thoughts indeed. There really are very few purely noble acts in war and politics.

I worry for Leia. It looks like she'll escape physically, but already Vader is attacking her mind. What affect will Vader's appeals have on her resolve? She must already hate Vader on some level for participating in Alderaan's destruction and orchestrating all the pain and suffering brought down on her friends and loved ones. Will her hate for him intensify further for killing Luke and thereby open her to the dark side?

Surely she won't have Luke's conviction that there is any good left in Vader, and that will make it much easier for her to hate him openly. Yet that might also help her resist his appeals. She's not likely to be all that hung up on the "father" bit.

Okay, enough of my musings. More please.

 

Wow, I didn't know people would be so upset that the Ewoks died! Thanks, everyone. Now on to the next scene.

Ugh. Stupid Microsoft Word changed all the [ i ]'s to [ I ]'s, and stupid Snowboard didn't recognize that as markup coding.

* * *

Leia was greeted by the familiar face of Mon Mothma, accompanied by Admiral Ackbar and General Crix Madine, when she stepped out of the shuttle and into the bright docking bay aboard Home One. "Welcome, Leia," Mothma said with a smile. "We?re relieved to see you with us . . . and you, General Solo," she added as Han followed Leia down the transport?s ramp.

"Thank you, Senator," replied Leia, still using Mothma?s now non-existent title?perhaps out of hope that it would one day be restored.

"We will be making another jump shortly to avoid any possible pursuit," Ackbar said. It was a good idea. The Imperials could have tracked the Rebels? escape vector out of Endor?s system, which would give them a line on which to search for the fleeing fleet. Another jump on a different heading would make finding the Rebels all but impossible, at least temporarily.

Mothma then nodded at the bearded human who stood to her left. "And now General Madine has something to say . . ."

"Yes." Madine led the group over to a computer terminal as he spoke. "An interesting work of fiction has just been put up on the Holonet News." He entered a few commands to the terminal, and a glowing, bold-faced headline appeared on the screen.

EMPEROR PALPATINE ESCAPES REBEL SABOTEURS

Leia rolled her eyes. As usual, the Alliance was made out to be the villains, even though it was the Empire that had been constructing another planet-destroying battle station. Her eyes moved down to the sub-headline, which read: Cowardly attack causes trillions in damage.

"So how many trillions in damage were done when they took out Alderaan?" asked a sarcastic Han. Chewie growled his assent.

Leia had not had a whole lot of time to just think about things in the past hours, but now her mind turned to those who had been responsible for all the horrible events. Such as . . . her father.

It would certainly not be difficult for Leia to hate Darth Vader. He was responsible for the deaths of millions . . . billions even. Alderaan. Grand Moff Tarkin had ordered the destruction of her homeworld, but in Leia?s mind the blood was equally on Vader?s gloved hands. And now Endor, and Luke. Her brother had thought that there was still good in their father, but he had been wrong, and he had paid for that error with his life. Vader was pure evil; Leia did not doubt it. But now that she knew the awful truth about her lineage . . . could she truly bring herself to kill the man who had brought life to her?

Emperor Palpatine, on the other hand, she would feel no inhibitions against killing. It was he she despised most of all?Palpatine had made her father into the evil thing he was, and now he had destroyed her brother as well. She knew that he was powerful. He ruled the galaxy with an iron fist, and it seemed that his power in the Force matched his political might. But if Leia could learn about the Force . . . her father, her brother, they were strong with it . . . maybe, just maybe she could gain enough power to somehow overthrow the galaxy?s tyrannical ruler.

"I know very well what the Empire?s propaganda machine can do," General Madine was saying. Leia shook away her thoughts and plans for the time being, noting that, as a previous defector from the Imperials, Madine did know what he was talking about. "But both sides can play this game. If we spread the word about what happened at Endor, many throughout the galaxy should sympathize with our cause."

"We are in major need of resources," Mon Mothma admitted. "We will begin the efforts as soon as we arrive at our next destination."

"Good," replied Madine with a nod. Then?

"Mistress Leia!" a familiar voice called. What now? Leia thought, turning to see the golde

 

Awww, poor Wicket.

 

Well, at least one Ewok survived.

"...maybe, just maybe she could gain enough power to somehow overthrow the galaxy?s tyrannical ruler."

That desire for power, no matter how well intentioned the motivations are, could be Leia's downfall.

 

Wicket lives!