“Yoda?”
“Yes young Skywalker. For you, time to join us it is. Let go now of your physical form and become one with the Force.”
“But what about Ben’s training?”
“Trained he will be.”
“How? I’m the last Jedi. Who’ll teach him?
“See to it the Force will.”
“But...,”
“Join us Luke,” Obi-Wan said.
Luke sighed in defeat. “Yes Master.”
As the intense pain conquered him, Luke knew that he should accept the fact that it was time to let go of this frail, human torso and join his Masters in the Netherworld, but he still resisted. There was something more he had to warn Ben about. It was something to do with his nightmares. He had such a bad feeling about them. Luke just couldn’t seem to grasp their meaning. Nonetheless, Luke Skywalker’s heart suddenly seized and failed to beat. As Luke’s soul exited his outer shell, he prayed that young Ben understood just how urgent it was that the Jedi Order be restored.
Chapter Six
- Farewell to a Hero -
~18/02/01 ABE: Eighteen years, two months, one day after the death of Palpatine.~
Artoo and Threepio rushed into the room just as Ben regained consciousness. He assisted the droids while trying to save his uncle’s life, but they were too late. They’d failed to resuscitate Luke. Young Ben and Padmay were devastated.
Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca arrived on Tatooine not even a standard hour after Luke Skywalker’s death. Lando was beside himself for not arriving in time. He grieved with the twins, trying to comfort them in their loss.
Tears matted Chewbacca’s fur as he helped Lando and Ben set up the pyre to cremate Luke’s body in the tradition of the Jedi. All stood quietly as the teen set the wood aflame and watched as the fire roared to life. Ben broke down as he watched Luke’s body being consumed. He screamed out in intense pain and anger, “What good is this so called power we possess if we can’t keep our loved ones from dying and leaving us all alone? I can understand why grandfather gave in to the Dark Side. At least he tried to do something.”
“Don’t you dare say another word Ben,” Padmay whispered in warning. Only the family knew that Anakin Skywalker had turned to the Dark Side.
“I don’t care Padmay. Why did Uncle Luke have to be taken from us? What good is the Force if it can’t save someone’s life?” Ben asked in grief.
“Death is a part of life Ben. We’ve got to believe that Uncle Luke is in the Netherworld now and he’s not suffering anymore. We have to be thankful for that.”
“I know I should be grateful, but I feel completely lost without Uncle Luke and I know you do too. I’m going to miss him so much,” the teen sobbed.
Padmay went over to Ben and hugged him. Lando did the same. So did Chewbacca and Threepio. Artoo even attempted to embrace the twins with the appendages stored in his hidden compartments. They stood together silently watching the smoke curl up towards the heavens. Tears were shed by all.
After the pyre burned out Lando and Chewbacca assisted the brokenhearted boy gather his uncle’s ashes. They mourned with Ben and Padmay as Luke’s remains were interred into the ground next to his father. They quietly said their private farewells as they stood by his gravesite mourning their loss.
Neighbors who investigated the smoke billowing in the sky learned of Luke Skywalker’s death. Word spread quickly and soon the small, common room was full as people came to pay their last respects.
Ben called Lando aside and told him that he needed to speak with him privately. They excused themselves and went into the renovated garage where Luke spent much of his time in his youth. The teen looked around the workbench and touched the tools his uncle often used. Somehow Ben felt closer to Luke here. After a few minutes of reflection, he said, “I want to apologize for my behavior earlier Uncle Lando. I didn’t mean to lose my temper like that.”
“That’s all right son. I know how upset you are.”
“How can you understand how I feel? No one can comprehend the pain I’m going through. Not until they’ve lost their entire family,” Ben spat out angrily. “Our family has always considered you one of us, but we both know we aren’t really related. Padmay and I have lost our only surviving blood relative. How can you or anyone else understand that kind of loss?”
“I do know how you feel. So do a lot of other people. Especially the ones who lost family members during the Rebellion,” Lando replied softly.
Ben hung his head in shame. “I’m sorry Uncle Lando. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“There’s no need to feel ashamed for your outburst Ben. I can understand your anger. It will pass in time. So will the pain.”
“Will it? When? How much time does one spend grieving? A standard month, one year, ten? How can misery be measured in time?”
“You’ve just lost your uncle today son. Give yourself time to mourn. The pain will lessen. Though it seems impossible to you now, your sorrow will be easier to deal with each and every day. Trust me.”
Lando noticed tears falling down the Ben’s cheeks once more. He was worried about both Ben and Padmay, but Ben concerned him more. He’d been extremely close with Luke. More so than Padmay. The boy’s emotions were always closer to the surface than his sister’s. Not that Padmay kept her feelings to herself when she got upset. It just took more to induce her anger. Ben had a harder time controlling himself as a child. He had been easily provoked. He had quite a few scrapes with his schoolmates until Luke took him under his wing and taught him how to control his anger. Lando hadn’t seen him lose his temper like this in a very long time. He hoped it would soon dissipate.
Ben finally got his emotions under control and apologized to Lando once again. “That’s not the reason I brought you out here Uncle Lando. Uncle Luke wanted to tell you something important before he..., he wanted me to tell you if...,” Ben choked back sobs and took a few, deep breaths before continuing. “Uncle Luke wanted you to know the truth about our family history before he passed on into the Netherworld.”
“What truth is that?”
“The truth about our heritage. I know Luke told you about his father. Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi Knight. He fought by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s side during the Clone Wars.”
“Yes he did, but what has that got to do with anything? What did you mean before when you said something about the Dark Side? Luke used to mention it quite often, but I never really understood what he was talking about.”
“I shouldn’t have said anything about the Dark Side. I let it slip out and I’m sorry I did. That’s not how Uncle Luke wanted you to find out about our history, but he felt it was important that you know the whole truth. Let me continue and you’ll understand everything.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I just don’t understand why you’re talking about your grandfather. Luke told me all about him.”
“He didn’t tell you everything!” Ben exclaimed. He took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he continued. “It was important to Uncle Luke that you know everything about his father. He told you that Darth Vader killed Anakin. In a twisted way, that’s the truth. But Vader didn’t kill my grandfather. Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader.”
“What?” Lando yelled.
“Emperor Palpatine deceived my grandfather. He was really a Sith Lord by the name of Darth Sidious. He’d manipulated Anakin for years. He finally convinced him that the Jedi were evil. It was one of the reasons he turned to the Dark Side. When my grandfather pledged himself to Sidious, the Sith Lord gave Anakin the name Darth Vader.”
Creases wrinkled Lando’s brow as he asked, “Are you trying to tell me that Luke’s father was really Darth Vader?”
“Yes. Uncle Luke wanted to tell you himself, but you didn’t arrive in time.”
Lando shook his head in disbelief. “That’s absurd! There’s no way you can ever make me believe this.”
“It’s the truth. We’ve never revealed our true heritage t
o anyone. The only reason I told you was because Uncle Luke made me promise to if he couldn’t. Something about cleansing his soul.”
“It can’t be true!”
“It is true Uncle Lando.”
“It’s impossible. Vader was evil. How could someone as pure hearted as Luke be related to a being as malicious as Darth Vader?”
“He wasn’t always that way. Anakin was once a Jedi Knight.”
“I know. Luke told me that, but no matter what you say, you’ll never convince me that Luke Skywalker is Darth Vader’s son. I just can’t see it and I never will. Luke must’ve been mistaken.”
“I wish you were right about that, but Uncle Luke said he heard it from Vader himself. When he asked Master Yoda and Ben Kenobi if it was true, they didn’t deny it. Why would the Jedi lie about such a thing?”
“Who knows? Maybe they were afraid to confront Vader themselves. Maybe they needed someone as naïve as Luke in order to con him into killing Palpatine’s “Ambassador of Death.”
“You don’t actually believe that do you?”
“I don’t know what I believe. I don’t know anything about the Jedi or this Force Luke always raved about. I only know what he told me. He could’ve been fooled. Who knows? I sure as blazes don’t know.”
“Luke told me the Jedi were honest to a fault. They had no reason to lie to Uncle Luke. They didn’t want him to learn about his heritage at all. They kept it from him as long as possible. If Vader hadn’t told Luke, they probably wouldn’t have either.”
“If the Jedi were so damned honest, why didn’t they tell Luke who his father was when he was old enough to understand?”
“Probably because they knew he’d confront Vader before he was ready. They knew he’d have to face him eventually. They just wanted to make sure he was prepared for it when the time came.”
“Apparently he wasn’t. Whatever Vader did to Luke on the first Death Star led to him having a weak heart.”
“Vader didn’t cause Uncle Luke’s heart condition. Darth Sidious used Force lightning on him. That’s what damaged his heart. I guess we’re lucky he survived this long.”
Lando sighed. “I just don’t understand why Luke did it. He never should’ve gone up against Vader, especially alone. I wish I could have done something to help.”
“Like what? Uncle Luke told me you were a little busy at the time. He said that you were leading the assault against the Imperial Fleet.”
“Yeah, but if I knew Luke was on board the Death Star maybe I could’ve stopped him.”
“There’s nothing you, nor anyone else, could do to prevent him from facing Vader. It was something he felt he had to do. If he hadn’t faced his father, the Emperor would probably still be alive. If Vader hadn’t killed Palpatine we’d still be under the Empire’s thumb.”
“Now wait just a darn minute! Are you telling me that Darth Vader killed Palpatine? Luke didn’t kill him?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Darth Sidious was trying to kill Uncle Luke. Vader turned on Sidious to save him. By killing his master, as well as sacrificing himself, Anakin Skywalker destroyed the Sith and restored balance to the Force. Just like the prophecy predicted.”
“Darth Vader killed Palpatine! Now I’ve heard everything. Somebody shake me and wake me up. I’ve got to be dreaming!”
“I realize this is a lot to take in, but it’s all true. I wouldn’t lie to you about anything. Especially about something as serious as this.”
“I just don’t know what to believe any more Ben. I thought I did before we started this conversation, but now I’m totally lost.”
“I’m sorry Uncle Lando. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just told you because Uncle Luke made me promise.”
“I realize that son. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll get over it soon. It’s just that this is such a shock. It’s damned hard to believe.”
“I hope you understand why no one told you sooner. I hope you can forgive us.”
“Of course I forgive you. I can certainly understand why Luke never told me. I wouldn’t want anyone to know I was related to the galaxy’s most brutal assassin. Who else knows about this?”
“Only the immediate family. We didn’t tell anyone. Not until now. I hope you’ll keep it to yourself. I don’t think too many people would be as forgiving if they knew our true heritage.”
“Nobody would believe it. I didn’t. I’m still not so sure Luke was right. It’s got to be some kind of mistake. Who would ever believe that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father?”
“I would never have believed it myself if it hadn’t come directly from Uncle Luke. It is rather inconceivable.”
*
“Luke Skywalker. Jedi Knight. The renowned hero of the New Republic recently passed away after a long illness from a heart condition,” the Holo-Net reporter stated as the holoscreen focused in on the Jedi Temple in the background. “This is the former Jedi Temple that once housed these great protectors of the peace. Now, it is a grand hotel hosting their clientele in luxurious surroundings..., ” the journalist continued, using this to go into a commercial.
Lando was standing in the living room of the Solo’s apartment on Coruscant watching the report. He sneered as he turned the holoscreen off. “As if any normal person could afford to stay there.” Shaking his head in disgust, he asked, “That’s it? That’s all they have to say about Luke?” He started pacing back and forth ranting all the while. “They’re blind, ignorant fools. That half-witted reporter didn’t even bother to mention why Luke had a heart condition. He didn’t mention why Luke was a hero. He didn’t bother to say that Luke saved the entire Republic from Emperor Palpatine’s tyranny, nor Darth Vader’s wrath. That’s the only reason he died so young,” Lando snarled. “Whatever happened to Luke on that Death Star nearly killed him. He was never the same after that. Never!”
Chewbacca growled loudly in agreement with Lando.
“Calm down, the both of you,” Padmay told the disgruntled pair. Uncle Luke wouldn’t want you acting like this. He was always uncomfortable when people made a fuss over his role in the fall of the Empire. He didn’t like being called a hero. You’re aware that’s one of the reasons he went home to Tatooine.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that Luke gave so much of himself. It seems as if no one appreciates all he did for them.”
“I know, but you must realize that people have short memories. They don’t know how much he suffered. Besides, the war is over and has been for quite a long time. People seem to have a way of forgetting things they don’t like to think about. They don’t remember how many people gave their lives for our independence. They forget the importance of events that transpired so long ago.”
“You make it sound like it’s ancient history. It wasn’t all that long ago that the Empire fell. People shouldn’t be allowed to forget. Too many lives were sacrificed in order to give these ungrateful louts the freedoms they take for granted every day. When I think about the hell Luke went through it makes me so angry. I can just imagine what Darth Vader did...,”
Padmay cut him off in mid-sentence. “You know Uncle Luke wouldn’t approve of you speaking of his father that way. Anakin saved his life. Luke did forgive him.”
“I still have a hard time believing that. Don’t forget. I knew Darth Vader. It just doesn’t seem possible that anyone so wicked could be Luke’s father. Let alone save his life. It’s not the kind of thing Vader would do. He hated the Jedi.”
“Darth Vader did not save a Jedi. Anakin Skywalker saved his son’s life.”
“Vader. Skywalker. What difference does it make? They were still the same evil person. For the life of me, I can’t see him saving anyone. It just wasn’t in his nature.”
“How do you know Anakin’s true nature? Are you privy to some information we weren’t? Are you saying that Uncle Luke lied about our heritage?”
“No. That’s not what I’m saying at all. It’s, I, err...,”
Padmay interrupted him again. “My mother said she knew it was the truth when Luke told her they were twins. Leia was certain that Darth Vader was her father. Luke felt it. So did she.”
“Luke must have been mistaken. That’s the only explanation. It’s just impossible that Vader was his father. Luke was such an honorable man and Vader was so vile. Even you have to admit that it sounds highly unlikely.”
“I’ll admit to no such thing. And please do not refer to my grandfather as Vader. His name was and still is Anakin Skywalker. A name that I am very proud of. A name Uncle Luke was proud to bear. You seem to forget that Anakin Skywalker was a hero of the Old Republic before he turned to the Dark Side!” Padmay was fuming.
“So I’ve been told by Luke many times,” Lando sighed. “Look. I’m not saying that I don’t believe Vader’s your grandfather. It’s just that I’ve seen him in action. He was short tempered and believe me, he couldn’t be trusted. He killed anyone who got in his way without a second thought. I know that for a fact. I just can’t see how Luke could be related to such a monster.”
Padmay gave Lando a menacing look as she said, “I guess that makes me a monster too. Darth Vader’s blood runs through my veins as well.”
“Okay, okay. I give up. You win again. As usual.” Lando huffed out, throwing his hands up in total surrender. “I guess you carry a lot of your mother inside you too. You’re just as stubborn as she was. Once Leia made up her mind she was like a rock. It was impossible to get her to change her mind.”
“On that point I have to concur.” Padmay knew Lando was right about her mother’s stubbornness, as well as her own. Even though he’d upset her, Padmay couldn’t stay mad at him. She cared for him too much. Lando and Chewbacca had been a part of the Solo’s lives since before she was born.
Lando and Chewbacca. They were always together now that her parents were gone. “Uncle” Chewie frighten had always frightened their friends because he looked so ferocious, but Padmay and Ben had always thought of him as an affectionate creature. They loved him dearly. Chewbacca was extremely loyal to those he loved and would protect them with his very life.
“I’m glad we finally agree on something. Even if it has to be a damned stubborn streak,” Lando teased.