Title:My Own Eyes
Author:Storm
Feedback:Sure.
Rating:PG
Category:Drama
Timeline:Trilogy/ROTJ
Archive:Certainly, just let me know where
Disclaimer:Star Wars places and characters are figments of George Lucas' imagination. I'm only visiting.

Vader stalked the catwalks, thrusting his mind out into the shadows, seeking. He could feel the warmth, the glow of 'selfness' that spelled out Skywalker. The boy was there, ahead of him. Behind, the dark heat that was his Master pulsed and streamed, and pushed on Vader's mind, moving him ever forward, his lightsaber lit and ready.

"You cannot hide forever, Luke."

*My son*

A hoarse voice came out of the the dark. "I will not fight you!"

"Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for..." and Vader paused, as the truth of Luke's thoughts sank into his conciousness.

Covered by shadow, Luke squeezed his eyes shut in a desperate, anguished attempt to block his emotions.

" Sister! So...you have a twin sister."

*I have a daughter*

"Your feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me."

*My old friend*

"Now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."

*We have a daughter, my love*

Luke surged out of the darkness in terror and desperation. "Never!" he roared at his father, his saber swinging in attack. His frenzy drove him to an unprecedented fierceness, as the Darkness of his anger took control. Vader could feel the enjoyment of his Master as Luke's emotions took over, and as he fought the double vision of both their emotions pressing down on him, he fell back before his son's attack. Luke blade smashed repeatedly at the Dark Lord's arm as he backed up against the edge of the catwalk. Nerves long since dead sent phantom pain surging through his mind as his son's lightsaber cut cleanly through his wrist, severing connections and wires, and sending his own lightsaber flying out into the nothingness below. The fight stopped suddenly, Luke's blade at his throat, as Vader looked at his arm in shock, and Luke did the same.

Vader watched as Luke's eyes went from his own hand and back to his father's, and saw the confusion.

A chuckle broke through the sudden silence. The Emperor moved nearer, near to shaking with pleasure.

"Good! Your hate has made you powerful. Now, fulfill your destiny and take your father's place at my side!"

As Vader drank in the vision of his son's face, he saw Luke's eyes clear of the black insanity. A certain peace came over both of them as Luke turned to the Emperor, and casually tossed his own lightsaber over the edge of the catwalk.

*oh my son*

"Never! I'll never turn to the dark side. You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me. "

Vader saw the sideways look Luke turned on him, and felt a wealth of buried emotions nearly choking him. The ever present anger swirled with regret so deep he couldn't breathe, and the heartache denied for twenty years rose and blinded him with it's brillance.

*oh my love*

The Emperor's pleasure turned to a snarling anger in an instant.

"So be it...Jedi." And raising his arms, the cowled Emperor called upon the power of the Dark Side. "If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed." And the blue force lightnings crackled out of his fingertips with ease. Vader knew Luke could not stand against the power of the Emperor, and he watched the boy's legs buckle under him in agony. He pulled himself to his feet with his good arm, and without concious thought, took his traditional place at his Master's side. His son's screams filled his ears, and over all that, he could still hear the unholy glee of the Emperor.

The bolts of electricity stopped momentarily as the Emperor chortled once more. "Young fool...only now, at the end, do you understand."

And Vader's vision again was double. Who was the young fool? He couldn't remember, his thoughts were troubled. He saw a young man, a young man he should have loved, and another young man, one who looked down on a squalling infant held in a beloved's arms.

*Our daughter is dead, Anakin. And I am giving our son to a better future than we can give him. Hold him once, my love. Once, before you leave me. Before you leave us. Give him the last of your love, and then I will release you from your promises. Hold your son*

The Emperor's energy bolts were tearing through Luke's body. His screams of pain were echoing in Vader's mind. "Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision."

*And the crying infant quieted, as the baby's eyes focused on his, and he stared at his father with intensity, and Anakin Skywalker touched his tiny hand with a bewildered wonder. Tears held back made his voice harder as he handed the infant back." Take him, then, and go. You are the one who breaks vows and promises, not I. It is you who leave me"*

The boy called Luke Skywalker could bear the pain no longer. He held his hands out to his unmoving father. "Father, please! Help me!" he cried out in agony.

*And the beautiful young woman raised her eyes to his one last time, tears rolling unheeded down her face." You are his father. Never forget that"*

Vader looked at his son. He turned his head so that his sight encompassed his Master, then turned back to his son again. The Emperor gathered the energy of the Force one more time. "Now, young Skywalker...you will die."

Although it didn'tseem possible, the outpouring of energy from the Emperor's fingers increased in intensity, the energy itself making a sound that screamed through the room. Luke's body writhed in pain.

*"You are his father. Never forget that"*

And Anakin Skywalker reached past Darth Vader and picked up the Emperor as if he was a toy. Complete and utter astonishment was felt from the Sith Lord as his apprentice, with a burst of clean, clear Light Force sweeping through him, raised the evil Emperor over his head and threw him over the catwalk.

*He is the Chosen One. He will bring balance to the Force*

And Darth Vader fled into the darkness of the void with his Master as Anakin Skywalker collapsed on the catwalk.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Luke supported the heavy weight of his father with his failing strength as they made a mad try at escape from the Death Star. Stormtroopers and aides alike rushed past their fallen leader with no recognition, and Luke knew with joy that Darth Vader was truly gone for good, if his underlings no longer recognised him even in black armor and cloak. At the bottom of a ramp, Luke collapsed in exhaustion. He gulped air in, and reached for his father again.

" Luke, help me take this mask off."

Luke stared. " But you'll die!"

"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once...let me look on you with my own eyes."

*Not since you were a tiny infant have I seen you my son*

Slowly, hesitantly, Luke removed the mask. He gazed down on the face of an elderly man, one whose eyes cannot focus,yet the dying Anakin smiled. His voice, when he spoke, was weakened. " Now...go, my son. Leave me."

" No! You're coming with me. I can't leave you here. I've got to save you!" Luke was adamant.

And Anakin Skywalker smiled again. " You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right."

" Father... I won't leave you!" Luke was anguished. And Anakin Skywalker closed his eyes in peace.

~*~*~*~

Luke set a torch to the funeral pyre. He watched quietly and alone, as the flames leaped and danced under the Endor sky.