It's What Goes On In Here That's Hard (Star Wars AU Fanfiction)

Chapter 19. Face To Face

Leia left Yoda's hut at the lamps and fire place burned out, leaving the little home in darkness. Sniffling she rubbed her nose, taking one last look towards the darkened home of the Jedi.

Slowly Leia made her way back to the Falcon where Han was waiting for her.

"Leia! You had us worried sick!" Han cried as Leia came out of the fog, her eyes red and cheeks flushed.

"What's wrong?" Han asked in worry, coming forward as Leia suddenly enveloped the taller man in a tight embrace, wanting someone to lean on.

Han though surprised did not hesitate to wrap her arms around Leia, holding her tightly. He absently wondered what had happened, guessing correctly when Leia finally allowed Han out of her grip and spoke. "Master Yoda has, passed. It's up to us now."

Han nodded. "But where do we even start?" He asked with a frown.

Leia grimaced as she and Han boarded the Falcon.

"Vader. He has Luke, he's the reason Luke was like that." Leia said with a controlled voice as they entered the cockpit.

"How are you sure?" Han questioned as he took his seat, Leia sitting down behind him.

"I saw Vader, in a vision of some kind." Leia said uncertainly, not sure if Han could understand her visions but she pressed on to keep the former smuggler from interrupting. "He hurt Luke, using some kind of brainwashing agent. He's killing Luke and making something new."

Han frowned as the Falcon began to rise out of the swamp. "So, Luke really isn't, Luke? It's all brainwashing?"

Leia nodded. "A modified kind of brainwashing, I've never seen anything like it."

Han grimaced. "Poor Luke... we're gonna have to work fast before the effects become permanent, if they become permanent."

Leia nodded in agreement. "Let's go back to Yavin 4. I need to prepare."

"For what?" Han asked worriedly.

Leia frowned, not answering as her mind drifted to the Sith, the black shadow that haunted her dreams.

Darth Vader.

***

Vader traveled for several weeks, using his Imperial rank to board with Star Ships to any destination he could think of. But searching like this was fruitless, he needed something more. A sign, anything.

But the Force was silent, as if it did not wish to help Vader find his daughter, and for weeks it stayed silent. Until finally something did happen.

Sullust was a lava planet, not unlike Mustafar but less hot. It was a mining area that the rebels and the Empire had fought over for some time before the Empire drove it's Rebel enemies out. Apparently the rebels had come back to finish the job.

And with them, was a Jedi.

***

Leia spun the lightsaber in a reversed grip, deflecting blaster fire with ease while Han and her Rebel band attacked the defending Imperials.

They were in the factory, large machines of war being made all around them though the systems had been shut down so that the Imperials could better defend against the Rebel forces.

But they had not thought about what to do if a Jedi came knocking on the door. And now the Rebels were advancing on the control room with considerable ease thanks to their Jedi friend.

"Han watch your left." Leia shouted above the blasterfire. Han sidled away from his left and raised his blaster, shooting down the stormtrooper Leia had seen.