Crouched below the landing platform, Luke and Anakin were concealed in the brush, watching an Imperial ship take off towards the Death Star and a group of stormtroopers slowly approaching their location. Anakin looked over at Luke, whose face looked void of emotion as he studied the scene.

"Are you sure about this Luke?" Anakin asked the boy. Luke glanced at him, still ever wary after finding out that he was his father. It was shocking of course, but it just didn't make any sense. Luke had been so optimistic that Vader had a good side, but he just hadn't been expecting someone so like himself.

"Yes. Of course I am. This is my destiny." Luke said firmly, biting his lip.

Anakin sighed, noticing Luke's tense shoulders. "Just relax. We'll be fine."

"I know. But...what if you blow up the galaxy or something simply by being in the same room as Vader? Maybe I should just go alone like I planned before." Luke said.

Anakin scowled at that. "Luke, we've already discussed this. You are not going on your own and that is final. I saw what Vader did to you...your hand. I will not let you get hurt again. My job right now is to protect you."

Luke snarled suddenly and surprisingly. "And why does it matter? If I die, you'll eventually go back to your own timeline where I haven't even been born yet. Your real son will be there waiting for you, won't he? I'm nothing but a test for you. To show you your future. I'm nothing."

"Luke." Anakin snapped, taken aback at the boy's abruptness. How could he think so lowly of himself?

The young Jedi suddenly began choking on his onslaught of tears. "I...I'm just so scared father. What if...what if I fail and turn to the dark side? Or what if I die? I don't want to do either. I just want to save you."

Anakin grasped the boy in a tight hug, not wanting him to lose control of his emotions when they were about to go on a very dangerous mission. The only reason Luke went on these sacrificial missions was because he felt he had to. The Jedi had convinced him of that.

A spark of anger lit up in Anakin because of that, but he quickly squashed it, knowing it wouldn't help his son. "Luke, you are very important to me no matter what timeline I'm in. No matter what happens, I will not let you get hurt, okay?"

Luke sniffed and looked into Anakin's eyes, so familiar, yet completely alien.

A curl of dread wormed its way into his stomach and he swallowed tightly. "Of course."

Anakin smiled weakly. "Now come on. This was your idea after all."

Luke nodded and then got to his feet, Anakin following suit. It took almost a second for the stormtroopers to notice them and then shout in surprise, aiming blasters at them and shouting to put their hands up.

There was no turning back now.

***

As the morning sun rose over the lush treetops of the forest moon of Endor, Darth Vader watched from the railing of an Imperial landing platform, smiling to himself as he felt the presences of the ones he had been waiting for. And they were coming to him willingly just as his Master had predicted. However, he was also fearful, dreading the arrival of his son and his past self. What exactly did Palpatine have planned?

His thoughts were interrupted as a door slid open behind him, one of the Imperial officers entered the hall with two stormtroopers behind him holding two very familiar prisoners tightly by the arms, their wrists clasped together with binders.

The officer strode up to the Sith and lowered his head in acknowledgement. "My lord." In his hand were two lightsabers, one painfully familiar and the other surprisingly new to his eyes. "Rebels that surrendered to us. Although they both deny it, I believe there may be more of them, and I request permission to conduct a further search of the area."

Vader nodded numbly at the Commander's words, his eyes too riveted on the calm, impassive faces staring at him from behind the troopers. His son, slightly older from when he had last seen him...and himself. The time-traveler's bright blue eyes staring into his soul with what seemed like hatred, whilst Luke radiated hope and slight fear.

"They were armed only with these." The Commander said, interrupting his thoughts again. He held up the sabers and Vader took them both, clipping them to his belt by his own. He studied the new one, the one he guessed was Luke's, and smiled lightly under his mask in pride.

He allowed one cycle of his breathing apparatus to pass by in the silence before he decided to speak. He tried to push back his emotions, grating his teeth at how un-Sith like he was acting. His past self was doing this to him, he was sure of it. 'Bury the memories back.' He growled to himself.

"Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring their companions to me." Vader said tightly. The Commander saluted and walked off with the troopers, leaving the Rebel prisoners with the Dark Lord.

There was another elongated silence, the respirator sounds and the natural sounds of the forest blending together to create the perfect tension in the walkway. Vader kept his eyes mainly on Anakin, still trying to wrap his mind around the concept of walking through time. And had it been intentional or had Anakin arrived here on accident, the Force trying to show him his future?

Finally, unable to handle the stares and silence, Vader spoke up. "The Emperor has been expecting both of you."

Luke responded first, Anakin remaining still and silent behind him, watching protectively. "We know, father."

Vader blinked at the title, glad Luke had finally come to terms with his heritage. However, he had a small feeling that his past self had more to do with it than anything, especially if Luke already knew who Anakin was from the past. "So, you have accepted the truth."

"I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father." Luke said firmly, his gaze challenging. Vader stiffened slightly, glaring at his past self once again. So he had corrupted the boy just as Obi-Wan and Yoda had.

"That name no longer has any meaning to me." Vader growled, meeting the determined blue irises that had to look far up to meet the imposing height of the Sith Lord.

Anakin finally stepped forward, one arm wavering beside Luke in a protective gesture. "It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten." He said lightly, looking disappointed and full of sadness as he stared at the Sith that was inevitably his future. He of course had seen Vader in Luke's nightmare, but seeing him in person, the intimidating air of him and the pure hatred that rolled off in waves, was almost nauseating. How could he ever become this thing?

Vader blinked at the words, not knowing what to say until Luke spoke up once again. "I know there is good in you, Father. Anakin here is enough proof, isn't he? The Emperor hasn't driven the real you from you fully. That is why you couldn't destroy me on Bespin. And that's why you won't bring us to your Emperor now."

Anakin looked at the boy with a prideful smile and Vader felt a surge of jealousy. How dare this man, this old version of himself who didn't know Luke nearly as long as he had, claim his son as his own? It didn't matter that they were the same person, Luke would be his and only his.

Quickly, he changed the subject, unclipping Luke's saber off of his belt and inspecting it. Both Luke and Anakin studied him warily, wondering if Vader would actually just kill them without a second thought. Anakin knew that Vader knew that if he died, so would he, so he wouldn't dare make a move against him. Luke however...

        Anakin clenched his metal fist, tense and ready to defend his son with his life.

However, the Sith simply studied the design, almost awed. "I see you have constructed a new lightsaber." He said simply, his words aimed towards Luke. Luke blinked at the sudden question but answered truthfully with a small nod, humoring his father for now. Vader ignited the blade and stared, mesmerized at the glowing green rod. "Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."

Anakin scowled at that. Emperor...Emperor...he had heard the name a lot since he had time-traveled, but he still wasn't sure exactly who...

'Is it possible to learn this power?'

'Not from a Jedi.'

Palpatine.

     He must have successfully corrupted me back during when Master Windu was about to kill him. And somehow...take out all the Jedi as well... Anakin thought with wide eyes. Right before he had time-traveled he had ignited his saber...his intentions solely on that of Master Windu and not the Sith Lord. He almost choked on his thoughts, unable to believe how close he had been to the dark side...how close he would be...

He caught Luke's eyes looking at him briefly to make sure he was alright before he faced Vader once again, trying to stay focused. Then, with a deep breath, Luke spoke his deepest desire to the Sith Lord, hoping it would work. "Come with us."

Both Anakin and Vader seemed taken aback by the statement, staring at the boy in equal bewilderment. Surely he knew the Rebels would not take in Darth Vader so easily, no matter what his relations to the Alliance's grand hero. However, Vader simply sighed, a strange sound with his mechanical breathing, and pressed the ignition plate of the blade, allowing it to power down.

"Obi-Wan once thought as you do." Vader said, his deep, baritone voice portraying more emotion then it should. Anakin, still shuddering with internal horror, looked at himself with concern. Obviously, Vader's emotions were conflicted, his loyalties shuffling back and forth between his master and his son. Luke bravely stepped closer to the Sith, despite Anakin's hand reaching out to try and stop him.

Vader looked Luke in the eyes, a tense feeling in his chest as he considered his options. He had been so determined before to take his past self, the one who had caused him all this pain, and simply turn him over to the Emperor. But doing that also included Luke...his child with similarities much to close to his own and his mother's. "You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master."

Luke's shoulders visbly slumped at the sentence. He glanced back at Anakin, who looked away, unsure what to say. Before, he had been so good at comforting Luke, but now he seemed to have lost the ability.

Luke bit his lip and looked back at Vader. "I will not turn...and you'll be forced to kill me."

Vader looked alarmed at the words, despite the mask over his face, and he sent his glare back at Anakin, the one he truly wanted to kill...but couldn't. It was true what they said about being your own worst enemy...

With that burst of anger fueling his fire, Vader simply turned from Luke, unconcerned at his hurt expression. "If that is your destiny."

He could practically feel the anger rolling off Anakin after that, the man quaking in overprotectiveness and self-hatred.

Luke, on the other hand, was still determinedly putting his foot down, trying to get Vader to listen to his words. Luke had been fearful, but now he felt a surge of confidence. "Search your feelings, father. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate."

"The only conflict there is, my son, is that...man you brought with you. He is not your true father. Simply an image, a childish dream you had as a boy. This time-traveler didn't even know you until he arrived...and you have brought him here as if you have known him your whole life."

Anakin's azure irises lit with rage and he stepped forward, Luke the only thing preventing him from attacking the Sith in blind anger.

Vader simply turned away from the men, striding back towards the doors. "Besides...it is too late for me.cThe Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force and then take care of this impostor. He is your master now."

"Over my dead body." Anakin snarled from Luke's wavering grip.

Vader turned and scowled at himself. "I can arrange that."

"You wouldn't risk your own neck to kill me." Anakin snapped, his previous calm completely gone.

Vader smiled lightly at that. "Do not doubt me Skywalker. If killing you rids my son of your Jedi poison, I would do it in a heartbeat."

And with that, two stormtroopers entered once again and grabbed the prisoners tightly, one being unlucky enough to get Anakin's snarled curses thrown his way.

Luke lowered his head in sadness and worry. "My father is truly dead." He whispered to himself.

Anakin heard the words and froze, wondering just exactly how much Palpatine, like everyone else he knew, had changed in 23 years...

Or if Luke would ever be the same after this.

•••

A/N

I KNOW IT'S BEEN SO LONG AND I AM SOO SORRY!!!

I've been pretty busy lately, but I promise I am  working on this. I only want the best, thoroughly edited chapters for you guys so you all can enjoy it more. :)

I'm super hyped for TFA (4 days *squeal*) and I can't wait to keep writing Sacrifice. The grand finale is slowly approaching...*evil smirk*

Anyways, Vader angst, Anakin feels, Luke trauma...the usual. And don't worry, we'll get back to the Battle of Endor as well.

Love all you guys and I can't thank you enough for all the followers, likes, reads, comments, and overall love that i've received for my writing, both Redemption and Sacrifice, over the past few weeks. :)

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

May the Force be with You,

- lucky_ducky_123