Star Wars: Malignant Metamorphosis

by Forcechild

  When Ben had his first lessons with a lightsaber it was like playing an exciting game with a new toy. Luke scolded him for having thoughts of fame and glory. He’d said that it marred the weapon’s true meaning.

  The shame of that day came back to Ben full force as he recalled Luke’s harsh lecture. His uncle had said, “You must take your lessons seriously little man. You have to learn that a lightsaber is not only a weapon to guard and protect our freedoms; it’s also a symbol of what the Jedi stand for. This is a weapon for the pure of heart. It’s never to be used in anger or fear. It’s not to be misused for personal gain. A lightsaber is not to be used in pride or self-fulfillment. It’s not merely a weapon to defend yourself. It’s to be used to protect the innocent, as well as keep the peace. It is never, I repeat, never to be used for anything but the purest of reasons. Anything less will dull its color. A lightsaber shines according to the purpose it’s used for. The more honorable the purpose, the brighter it shines. The brighter a lightsaber shines, the more strength it exerts. You have to learn this if you want true control over a lightsaber young man. Treat it with disrespect and your weapon may fail you.”

  Ben hung his head in embarrassment as Luke continued the lecture. “The Sith’s rage is what empowers their lightsabers. Their weapons glow bright red. Red is the color of hate and anger. Red is also the color of blood. There’s nothing the Sith like better than spilling innocent blood. It sates their unholy appetites, but never completely quenches their thirst. The Sith are never satisfied.”

  The youth looked at Luke while he continued his speech, wearing a stern expression. “Always remember this, my young padawan. It is the way of the Sith to deceive. Be wary Ben. The Sith are well practiced in ways to entice you to the Dark Side. They‘ll use any method to gain your loyalty. Every individual they lure to the Dark Side makes them stronger.”

  Ben meekly replied, “Yes sir. I’m sorry. I’ll never do it again. I promise. I really didn’t mean to cheapen the honor of such a weapon. It’s just that I feel so powerful while holding one.”

  “Granted, but you’ve got to be extremely careful Ben. The temptation to use a lightsaber for your own goals can mislead and ultimately destroy you. Don’t forget what having this ability did to my father. That’s only one reason why it takes special training to wield a lightsaber. We only use it when absolutely necessary. Your knowledge of the Force gives you the responsibility of dealing with people with intellect, instead of violence. Never use a lightsaber in anger. You’re a Jedi. Use your abilities for good deeds, if not, it will lead to your downfall.”

  Ben had been very contrite when he replied, “I promise I’ll remember everything you said Uncle Luke.” And he did. Everything Ben learned that day came flooding back to him as he practiced with the orb. Not only the lecture from his uncle, but every move, every thrust, every feign came back to him. It was as if he’d never put his lightsaber down. How he wished his uncle could stand by his side when he faced this new Sith Lord.

  *

  Lando was waiting for Ben to return to the observation deck. He’d left quite a while ago with the two droids, saying he’d be back later. Lando was glad for the time alone. He wanted to think about their situation. Could what Ben said be true? Was Padmay really turned into an evil monster like Vader once was? Was there really an army of Vader’s clones awaiting them on Geonosis? Did Darth Vader really reincarnate, and if so, how? It wasn’t possible for anyone to transfer physically into another being.

  Lando told Ben that he didn’t believe in the Force, nor that there were any Jedi left alive to protect them. He continued to think that way. After all, Vader had killed them all.

  Ben certainly believed in the Jedi though, as well as believing in this so-called Force. Was the lad fooling himself like Luke used to? Luke often spoke of this Force, and relied on it heavily. He got involved in serious situations that he shouldn’t have escaped from, but he’d always managed to somehow. Where was this great Force Luke constantly raved about when he lay dying? It hadn’t helped him then!

  As Lando stood at the viewport wondering if he should give the order to turn back, an overpowering need to sleep overcame him. He barely had time to sit before falling into a deep slumber. He instantly went into a dream state. While in this dreamlike trance, Luke Skywalker came to him. He told Lando to believe Ben and have faith in the Jedi. There really was a Force that empowered the boy.

  While Luke was relating this, a tall figure, cloaked in a white robe joined him. “I’m glad to finally see you again Lando. I want to thank you for all you’ve done for my son. Your friendship meant a great deal to Luke.”

  “Who are you?” Lando asked. “I’ve never met you before.”

  “You don’t recognize me as I appear now, but we have met before. Our meeting was under very different circumstances. We met on Bespin a long time ago. I’m Luke’s father. I’m Anakin Skywalker. You know me as Darth Vader.”

  “You can’t be Darth Vader. I don’t feel anger or hate flow from you as it did from him. If anything, I feel a calming sensation emanate from you. You are not Darth Vader.”

  “You’re right. I’m not Darth Vader anymore. The vengeful part of my soul is gone from me forever, but who and what I am is of no consequence right now. You doubt the Jedi. You don’t believe we’ll be able to protect you. You have to leave that doubt behind Lando. Your life, as well as the lives of many others depends on your belief in us. The Jedi will be there to protect and defend the future of all mankind when you face this new Sith Lord. I know this is a lot to ask of you. You’ve led a life that relies on facts, but for just once, you must have faith in something other than what you can see with your eyes alone.”

  “How can I do that? I’ve been a skeptic my entire life. I’ve never been able to put my trust in anything or anyone. Every time I did I ended up a victim.”

  “I know all about your misgivings Lando. You used to be a carefree, happy lad who’d give the shirt off you back without a second thought. You were a trusting soul, but the one person you thought you could trust the most betrayed you. It changed your life completely. Your best friend overheard your father speak against Emperor Palpatine. He divulged this information to the territorial governor. Because of his traitorous act your entire family was arrested and placed in a work camp.”

  “You had a younger sister whom you felt protective of. You were devastated when you witnessed her being tortured. You were thoroughly disgusted with yourself, thinking yourself a coward for not trying to rescue her. She died at the hands of her captors, just as the rest of your family did. You’ve never been able to forgive yourself for their deaths, though it wasn’t your fault.”

  “If it hadn't been for me being so trusting, my so-called friend wouldn’t have overheard my father speak against Palpatine and reported it. My family would’ve never have been arrested.”

  “You can’t blame yourself for the acts of others. You must find it in your heart to forgive yourself.”

  “That’s something I’ll never be able to do.”

  “You were a mere child when this happened, chained and guarded. You had no means to help your family and no means of escape. There was no way you could save them. If your family doesn’t place blame for their deaths on your head, you shouldn’t either.”

  “How do you know they don’t blame me?”

  “I can sense it through the Force.”

  “I don’t believe in the Force.”

  “I see you need further convincing. After years of hard labor, you escaped from the death camp and eventually found this betrayer. Your need for revenge was sated when you killed him, but his death never really eased your conscious. Since then you led a reckless lifestyle. You joined a motley crew of smugglers and risked your life for meager profit. You had very little regard for yourself or anyone else until you managed Cloud City. You’ve convinced yourself the only reason you took charge was for your own self-interests, but through your leadership you helped many people.”

&
nbsp; “How could you possibly know all this? I’ve never told anyone about being in that prison camp, or about avenging my family. Not even Chewbacca.”

  “I already told you. Through the Force. I know everything about you Lando. Do you think I’d risk putting my grandson’s life in your hands if I didn’t trust you fully?”

  “You trust me? Why?”

  “You’ve saved my children’s lives on more than one occasion. Would you do any less for my grandson?”

  “No. I love that kid. I’d do anything for him.”

  “Then believe what he tells you. Learn to trust your feelings again Lando. Learn to believe in the Force, and in the Jedi. We are here to help you.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s nothing to say. It only matters that you believe in us.”

  Lando didn’t know what to think. He hadn’t been able to trust in anything or anyone for so long. He shook his head in confusion, but finally replied, “I’ll try, but I still can’t completely accept what you’re telling me.”

  “There you go again with the doubt,” Luke sighed.

  “I’m sorry Luke. I just can’t help it. I find it hard believing in anything anymore.”

  “You may say that you don’t believe in the Force, or the Jedi, but I know for certain that you finally do.”

  “How can you possibly know that?” Lando scowled. “I didn’t say that I believed, just that I’d try.”

  “But you do believe everything now. I can sense it.”

  “The way you two bicker it’s a wonder you ever became friends at all,” Anakin chuckled.

  Luke smiled and joined his father in his mirth. Their laughter slowly faded. The two figures slowly disappeared.

  Lando awoke with a feeling of calming peace, wonder, and awe. Did he actually see and speak with Luke and his father? It was just a dream, wasn’t it? Yet deep in his soul Lando knew that he’d really spent time with his close friend. He knew he’d just spoken with Luke’s father. Anakin Skywalker, not Darth Vader. He couldn’t understand how it was possible, but he was positive that it actually happened. Lando Calrissian did fully believe in the Jedi and the Force.

  *

  Shortly after Lando had his dream, Ben walked through the turbolift doors. The instant he saw Lando he knew something wonderful had taken place. He walked up to him and asked, “Luke and my grandfather came to you didn’t they Uncle Lando? You believe everything I told you now. Don’t you?”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I just do.”

  “I guess you sensed it through the Force, just like Luke used to be able to do.” Lando shook his head in bewilderment. “Well, you’re right. Luke and your grandfather came to me in what I first thought was a dream, but the more I think about it, I’m positive that I actually talked to both of them. I know it sounds like I’ve completely gone off my rocker, bur I swear by the stars that I just spoke with the dead.”

  “And now, you finally believe in the Force, and in the Jedi.”

  “Yeah. I guess I do. I don’t pretend to understand how or why, but the moment I spoke to your grandfather I knew the Force was something tangible. I can’t describe how it’s made me feel Ben. All doubt is completely gone from my mind. It’s totally blown me away.”

  “It makes you feel kind of special knowing its real, doesn’t it? The Force is very powerful Uncle Lando. That energy can be very dangerous when used by the wrong hands, as you well know. Look at what having that ability did to my grandfather.”

  “You can’t blame the Force for what happened to him Ben.”

  “I don’t blame the Force, but if Anakin Skywalker didn’t have the ability to draw all that power, he wouldn’t have been able to do all the evil things he did.”

  “You don’t still hold that against him, do you?” Lando asked before laughing loudly. “Listen to me, will ya? Can you believe that I’m actually taking Darth Vader’s side? Who would ever dream it possible that I, Lando Calrissian, would defend Darth Vader? But that isn’t who your grandfather is anymore. I’ve learned that much.”

  “So have I Uncle Lando. I was just trying to warn you how strong the Force is, as well as how easily it can be misused.”

  “I can see how having that much power can corrupt someone. It must be extremely hard to stay on the straight and narrow. I know I would’ve never been able to do it. I understand so much, thanks to your grandfather. I truly believe in him, in Luke, the Jedi, and in the Force. Anakin Skywalker convinced me it’s all real.”

  “That means a lot to me Uncle Lando, but I think we better find Captain Brant and come up with some kind of plan. I sense the time is near.”

  Chapter Twenty Three

  - Entering Orbit -

  Ben and Lando were in Captain Brant’s quarters when Ben asked, “When will we be entering the system sir?”

  “Very shortly. I’ve given instructions to be notified when we do,” Brant replied.

  “Are you certain about this Ben?” Lando asked with concern in his voice. “I don’t want you going to Geonosis by yourself without support.”

  “I’m certain. It’s too dangerous for anyone to come with me, including you. Besides, you’re needed here.”

  “What about Padmay? Will you be able to rescue her?”

  “I don’t know. It all depends on her. She’s one of them now. She’s pledged herself to the Sith. She’ll do whatever he tells her to do. If she defends him, I’ll have no choice but to fight her.”

  “Even if it means you might have to kill her?” Lando wasn’t sure the lad had it in his heart to take his sister’s life, or even if Ben could defeat her.

  “I pray it won’t come to that,” Ben sighed. “Padmay is my sister and I’m certain she still loves me. I won’t allow myself to believe that she’ll kill me in order to protect him. I’ll find some way of breaking through to Padmay. I just have to!”

  “There’s no way I’m going to allow you to face them alone,” Lando stated firmly.

  “You don’t have a choice Uncle Lando. You’ve got take charge when the Solaris goes up against the Star Destroyers. You’re the only one that’s faced more than one destroyer. You led the attack over Endor. You not only had the Death Star to contend with, you had the Empire’s full fleet to deal with as well. Forgive me Captain Brant, but you don’t have enough experience to lead an assault against eight, enemy vessels.”

  Brant asked, “How can you be so sure that there are just eight destroyers in this system? How do you know they don’t have a whole damned fleet of ships waiting to ambush us?”

  “I’m positive that's all that’s left of the Empire’s fleet.”

  “How can you possibly know that for certain?”

  “Believe it Brant. He knows,” Lando stated.

  The comlink buzzed. “We’re coming up on the system now sir. Should we enter into an orbit around Geonosis?”

  “I’ll get back to you,” Brant replied to the disembodied voice. “Well? Are we going ahead with Ben’s plan Admiral?”

  Lando looked over at the youth who’d be facing death very shortly. He’d sent men into perilous situations before, but none whom he loved and thought of as his own son. Could he really send this boy into such danger? The Admiral saw the grim look of determination on Ben’s face and knew he had no choice. Ben’s mind was made up. He was going after Padmay no matter what anyone said. “Yes. It’s the best strategy we can come up with under the circumstances.”

  “Very well.” Brant replied and notified the helmsman to enter into an orbit.

  *

  “Ben’s here Estrus. Are you prepared to face your brother in battle?”

  “Yes my Master.”

  “Will you defeat him?”

  “Yes my Lord.”

  “Will you kill Ben if I ask it of you?”

  “Yes Master.”

  “Are you willing to sacrifice your life for me if the need arises?”

  “Yes my love. Gladly.”

  �
�Good.”

  The Supreme Ruler couldn’t wait for Ben’s arrival. He was anticipating the expression of despair on his grandson’s face. He knew just how much the boy dreaded facing his sister and felt his anguish. I’ll drink deeply of his misery and enjoy it immensely, the man thought with glee. How dare the boy think he could confront him! Ben actually believed he stood a chance of defeating him. It was absurd. Even with all the Jedi’s help, his grandson had neither the strength, nor the knowledge to vanquish him. The youngling was even too weak to defeat his sister. Lord Vader would never give Ben the chance to harm Estrus, of course. She must live on to give birth to their child. “Soon my foolish boy, I shall have you within my grasp too. You may think you’ll be able to resist me, but you have no idea how strong my resolve is to turn you to the Dark Side. If you refuse me you will surely die.”

  “What did you say Master?”

  “Just speaking aloud my love. Just speaking aloud.”

  *

  “It’s time Ben. Are you ready? Have you truly forgiven me in your heart? If you haven’t we can’t proceed.”

  Finally comprehending fully why his grandfather turned to the Dark Side, Ben was willing to forgive Anakin for all the atrocities he’d committed as Darth Vader. Luke learned to love his father deeply and had absolved him. If his uncle had it in his heart to pardon him, Ben knew he could forgive him too.

  “Yes grandfather. I was ashamed my entire life due to your acts while alive, but now I understand exactly why you turned. You were duped into believing you could save your wife. You let your heart rule you.”

  “It was a mistake I paid dearly for, as well as Padme. Thousands suffered due to my error in judgment. If it weren’t for Luke, I may have continued to serve Palpatine and destroyed even more innocent lives. I appreciate your forgiveness more than you can comprehend, but now I have to know if you’re ready. Are you prepared for the battle ahead?”