Chapter Text
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
The Clone Wars has come to an end. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who had been controlling both sides, has found a new Sith apprentice in the young Jedi Anakin Skywalker. The Republic has reshaped into the Galactic Empire, with Palpatine as it's Emperor. The clones who fought the war on the behalf of the Republic have been instructed to betray and kill all Jedi.
What the Emperor doesn't know is that Skywalker remains loyal to the Jedi, instructed by his former masters to gain the Sith's trust to later assassinate him, when the time is right. The former Jedi is to walk the line between the light and dark side of the Force, not allowing Palpatine to suspect any disobedience. The stakes are made even higher when Padmé Amidala, Skywalker's wife, gave birth to his twin children, the future of the Jedi.
Nineteen years after the end of the Clone Wars, Skywalker is now closer to the Emperor than ever. Meanwhile, his children continue to train to become Jedi, getting ready to take action and rebel against the Empire….
Chapter 1
Luke ran his hands through his hair, pacing his lavish sleeping quarters inside the Imperial Palace. It was his nineteenth birthday— he was supposed to be happy. Instead, he was a bundle of nerves, trying to fight off a panic attack.
He looked at the wrapped box on his bed, a birthday present from his twin sister, Leia. He already knew what was inside. After all, she had been hinting at getting him a new jacket for months, constantly disapproving of Luke’s simpler, more basic style in contrast to her own lavish clothing. She got her taste in fashion after their mother. In return, Luke had gotten her a necklace with a kyber crystal pendant.
He had considered talking to Leia about his nerves. He could sense through the Force that she was currently just as anxious as him as she waited down the hall in her own quarters. How could they not be? They were expected to attend a birthday dinner with the Emperor within the hour.
But they hated the Emperor.
Luke and Leia had heard the stories many times growing up about how the Republic fell. Their father, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, was groomed from age nine by Palpatine, becoming the Jedi’s father figure of a sort. Then, the Clone Wars started, which allowed the at-the-time Supreme Chancellor to gain even more power.
Towards the end of the war, Palpatine revealed himself to be a Sith Lord and offered Anakin an apprenticeship. Instead of accepting, the loyal Jedi went to the Jedi High Council for guidance, where they came up with a long-term plan. He would become a mole, becoming Palpatine’s apprentice, while staying loyal to the Jedi. He would use the dark side, but not turn completely. So, when the time was right, Anakin could kill Palpatine.
The plan had a rocky start, to say the least. Nobody had anticipated Order 66, where the clone army turned against the Jedi, killing them and forcing the survivors into hiding. The Jedi Order fell along with the Republic. The only hope left was for Anakin to kill Palpatine. Nineteen years later, that has yet to happen.
There was also a concern about their father falling to the dark side. There had never been a Jedi who had dabbled in the dark without falling completely. But if there was one person who could do it, it would be the Chosen One.
Luke had always disliked the plan devised before his birth, which he had first heard about as a child. Late at night, when no one could hear, he and Leia would often come up with alternate plans, better plans. Ones that would be quicker and more straight forward. Ones that would prevent their father from turning to the dark side completely and permanently, which was their worst fear.
As Luke open his present and slipped on his new jacket made from dark bantha leather, there was a knock on his door. He knew before answering it that it was his sister.
“Hey,” she gave a half-smile. She was wearing a shimmery white dress, her new kyber crystal necklace around her neck. “You look nice. Are you ready?”
“I’m not, no,” Luke frowned. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“We’ve had many dinners with the Emperor before, this is nothing new.” Leia tries to reassure her twin brother.
“Yeah, but this time, something’s different. I just… know.”
Leia took Luke’s hand. “We’ll be okay. We always are.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Leia immediately felt a wave of nausea as they entered the Emperor’s banquet hall, her nerves starting to get to her. She heard Luke’s voice in her mind as he telepathically spoke to her, sensing her anxiety.
Try to relax. Remember our training. He sent memories into her mind of their father teaching them about different meditative techniques to control their emotions.
Easier said than done, Leia thought back to him.
The twins both stare at the ground as they take their seats across the table from each other, with Luke sitting next to their mother and Leia next to their father. Their parents gave them both kind smiles and wished them a happy birthday.
Anakin leaned in and talked with a hushed voice. “When the Emperor comes in, don’t speak unless spoken to. And don’t offer any information he doesn’t already know.”
Leia knew what her father meant: Make no hint towards her family’s true intentions to betray Palpatine. Make no mention of her disdain for the Empire. "We know, father."
Her mother, Padmé, quickly added, “And remember to be polite!” Of course. After all, being impolite to the Emperor could result in death.
Then, the large double doors opened, and a hooded figure dressed in a dark robe walked in. The four Skywalkers rose to their feet and took a quick bow, only sitting down after the figure had taken his place at the head of the table.
Leia tried to ignore the putrid feeling of the dark side that had filled the room the moment Palpatine entered. There was always a hint of it while around her father, but it was much, much worse around the Emperor. She tried to keep her face blank of any emotion except a small, polite smile. She felt Luke touch her mind with the Force to comfort her, but she was too angry to respond to him. It was anger towards the Emperor, towards what he did to her father, her family, and the galaxy as a whole.
If the Emperor felt Leia’s anger through the Force, he didn’t show it. Instead, his pale, deformed face curled into a wicked smile, as he looked at her and her brother. “You two are nineteen now, correct? Yet. you two have hardly advanced in your training.” His yellow eyes looked at Anakin. “Have you been continuing to train your offspring in the ways of the dark side, Lord Vader?”
Anakin nodded, showing no emotion. “I have, my Master. Both my children are very powerful in the ways of the Force.”
“And yet they are hardly as powerful as you were at that age!” Palpatine snapped. “Even under the training of those pitiful Jedi, you were still powerful when you were nineteen, even taking on an apprentice of your own not long after. Your children should both be powerful Sith by now!”
Even with the Emperor shouting, Leia kept her face stoic, not daring to show any emotion. “Forgive us, your highness. Unlike our father growing up, my brother and I have not been focusing solely on our training with the Force. I have been following in my mother’s footsteps with my interest in politics, while my brother focuses on his piloting skills. Though when the time comes for one or both of us to take our father’s place, we will be ready.” Even she was surprised at the confidence in her own voice.
Palpatine nodded, not at all detecting Leia’s half-lie. Anakin had been training his children, yes, but in the ways of the Jedi, not the Sith. This included the ability to mask their true intentions in the presence of the Emperor.
"I've heard of your interests in politics, my child. Perhaps then you'd consider shadowing me with my work. As you know, I have a plethora of political experience." The Emperor gave another wicked smile.
"No," Leia said too quickly. "I mean, I appreciate the offer, but I think my mother is a great teacher, and I've already been shadowing her work as a senator."
"But there is only so much I can teach you, dear," Padmé interjected. "Maybe shadowing the Emperor would be beneficial for you."
Leia had to fight against giving her mother a dirty look. What was she thinking?
It's a chance to get closer to Palpatine, Luke's voice entered Leia's mind as he gave her a sorry look. This offer means that he has a great trust in us, and in you. We can use that to our advantage.
She bit the inside of her cheek, though she understood his perspective. The galaxy was descending more and more into darkness with each year under its fascist ruler. The best chance they had of changing that was to get closer to Palpatine. Even Anakin was unable to be truly close to him anymore, due to his near constant missions off-planet.
"I'll accept your offer. Thank you for this opportunity, Your Highness," Leia said, offering the Emperor a polite smile.
The rest of dinner was mostly filled with meaningless small talk and the Emperor gloating about how great the galaxy was doing under Imperial rule, which Luke had to turn away to roll his eyes at. Oddly, Anakin hardly spoke at all, quietly brooding to himself. It's only towards the end of the night that Palpatine brought up the twins' future once more.
"Until one or both of you are ready to take Lord Vader's place as my apprentice, there are other ways you can be a part of the Empire. For example, Luke, I can see you being a great Imperial officer." He ponders for a moment. "Or, perhaps you're interested in becoming one of my Hands."
"Master…" Anakin warned, obvious disapproval in his voice. It was the first time he had spoke up since the beginning of dinner.
His father's objection only made Luke curious. Though he loved Anakin, Luke was sometimes too willing to disobey him. "What do you mean, Your Highness?"
Palpatine was clearly pleased at the young man's curiosity, leaning in closer. "There are many Emperor's Hands, though I do have my favorites. They are my own elite covert operatives, ranking above everyone else in the Empire, excluding me and Vader, of course." He brought a comlink to his lips. "Mara, you are needed in the banquet hall."
After a few moments, a young woman entered the hall. She was around the twins' age, maybe a little younger, with red gold hair and emerald eyes. Black armor covered her shoulders and torso, making her seem a bit broader than she actually was, though there was no mistaking how muscular her bare arms was. Despite her young age, she looked as tough as nails, showing no emotion on her face whatsoever. "Yes, Master?"
"This is Mara Jade, one of my most distinguished agents," The Emperor motioned to the young woman. "She does work for me that needs to remain a secret, such as spy work and assassinations, often involving Rebels or even corrupt Imperials. Anyone who I need to be dealt with, really. Like you, she was trained with the Force from a young age, though her training also included many other areas of expertise."
Both Luke and Leia stared at the young woman, realizing there were still parts of the Empire they have yet to know about. Meanwhile, their parents both stared down at their laps. It's clear that their was something about the Emperor's Hand that they disapproved of.
I don't like this. Luke heard Leia telepathically tell him. They both felt a shiver go down their spines as Mara Jade's steely gaze remained on them. Performing secret operations of the Emperor, himself? I'm aware we must make sacrifices for the good and future of the Jedi, but I feel like that's taking it too far.
I know, Luke thought back at his sister. But we must keep him pleased and unassuming, even if it means doing some very bad things. Our mission as Jedi rely on it, Leia.
Late that night, Luke and Leia whispered to each other under the blanket of Leia's bed. Neither of them had listening devices in their living quarters, but they preferred to remain extra cautious.
"Something has been off about Father," Leia said. "He has been acting more serious lately, and there's more darkness coming from him through the Force."
"I agree," Luke nodded, though he didn't seem as worried. "But you must remember, he does need to use the dark side, just as much as he uses the light. He's like a gray Jedi, I suppose."
"Being a Gray Jedi isn't possible," Leia said bitterly, slightly annoyed Luke was brushing off her concerns. Her thumb pressed against a sharp point on her necklace until it stung. "There's a reason why one has never existed before. Using the dark side automatically corrupts the Force user. I fear it's only a matter of time before Father passes the point of no return. Maybe we should call Obi-Wan."
Luke didn't know what to say at first. He had the same worries, himself. "We just need to trust he knows what he's doing, Leia. There's no need to bother Obi-Wan about this. I'm sure father keeps him updated."
There's a few minutes of silence before one of them speak again.
"I'm considering going on a mission with an Emperor's Hand," he said, not making eye contact with his sister. "I know it sound crazy, but I think I could do something to lesson the damage caused by the Empire, under the radar, of course. I already talked to him about it after dinner, and he said he could keep me on Coruscant for the mission."
Leia pursed her lips. She knew she'd be a hypocrite for turning down his idea, considering she already agreed to shadow Palpatine's political work. "Would you be working with that Mara Jade woman?"
"I guess I would. She is supposedly the perfect example of the role, after all. Who better to learn from than her?"
"I don't trust that woman one bit, Luke," she frowned. "I mean, I don't trust any Imperial, but especially her.
"I don't either, but it's a necessary evil to work with her. I'm sick of waiting around and doing nothing but training in secret, Leia! Our whole lives we were told by our parents that we're destined for great things, and that we'll save the galaxy one day. I'm kriffing tired of waiting! I'm ready, we're ready!"
Leia let out a sigh. She felt the same way, though she wasn't nearly as reckless about it. Taking her twin's hand, she used the Force to try to calm his mind. "I know we're ready. Just be careful, especially with that Emperor's Hand woman. She was trained by Palpatine, himself, after all."
"I'll be careful," Luke promised. Already, he felt anxiety bubbling inside him from just thinking about what laid ahead. "As long as you'll be careful working with Palpatine."
"I can handle that old man, don't worry," Leia teasingly rolled her brown eyes as she laid down in bed, pulling Luke down with her. They used to sleep in the same bed as children whenever they were afraid of the galaxy around them, so the situation felt nostalgic. "Can you handle working with a pretty girl?"
He snorted. "I have way more to worry about Mara than her being pretty. She seems like the type who likes to kill people for fun."
"She seems like the type of person who would keep the heads of her victims as trophies."
They both laughed, the light banter being enough to ease some of their anxieties. Feeling safe next to each other, they quickly fall asleep.