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Darth Vader couldn’t believe he was back here. He was apparently supposed to track down some unknown Force-sensitive on Tatooine and turn them to the Dark Side. Which was a perfectly fine assignment, but… Tatooine? Sometimes Vader was convinced his Master just wanted to taunt him. Still, he didn’t complain, even when his boots sunk into the loose sand. At least the sand didn’t get inside them… Eventually he reached Anchorhead. Or at least he assumed that’s where this was. Funny how he could know this place like the back of his hand and yet not know anything about it. He supposed that was just what happened when you lived in a place you hated. With no idea where to go from here or who he was even looking for, Vader began absentmindedly looked over the posters on a building wall. Wanted posters, concerts, help needed… podrace tonight?
Vader blinked, trying to shut the memories out of his head. Unfortunately, that method only worked for unpleasant memories, and although he’d never admit it, Vader was quite fond of… some of his old life. After a moment of standing there deliberating, Vader decided he might as well attend. He just hoped his Master didn’t find out about this…
Elsewhere on that same planet, 14-year-old Luke Skywalker was tuning up his podracer. He had just finished when his uncle called.
He sighed. “Yes, Uncle Owen?”
“Just a reminder to be careful tonight.”
Luke sighed. “I always am…” His aunt and uncle had both stepped outside and were smiling at him.
Luke blinked. “Yes?”
His aunt Beru tilted her head at him affectionately. “You know, you take after your father…”
Owen gave his wife a look. Luke didn’t notice, though. He was too surprised they’d actually mentioned his father. “You really think so?”
His aunt nodded. “I really do.”
That night, Luke sat in his podracer as the announcer gave everyone a rundown of the racers. He didn’t even care that his name was read as Luke Lars, he was so happy to be here.
As he took off around the track, he forgot all about the competition as that familiar thrill rose inside him. Racing through canyons and past boulders, the wind in his hair… and tonight, he felt a familiar presence, though not one he’d ever sensed before. Whoever this was felt… different. There was something cold about their presence, yet it was also welcoming… and just as excited as Luke felt.
Maybe it was his father somehow watching over him… stranger things had happened, right?
Darth Vader would never admit it, but he was enjoying himself. Suddenly he felt a Force presence connect with his. He froze instinctively.
Had Palpatine sensed he wasn’t on his mission?
No, this was the exact opposite of Palpatine. Bright, warm, cheerful. It was presumably whoever he’d been looking for. It was one of the racers… he’d been identified as Luke Lars, right?
In the most secret part of Vader’s mind, it gave him comfort to remember his stepbrother. He leaned into the presence without even thinking, it reminded him of… himself.
No. It couldn’t be. He had no family. But the name… Lars…
As Vader watched, Lars crossed the finish line ahead of all the others, and judging from the emotions coming from the boy, he didn’t even realize that part until the announcer shouted, “Well, this is interesting! Tatooine’s second-ever human to win a major podrace. Luke Lars!”
He exited the booth and pulled Luke to a stage, where the audience could get a look at him. Vader gasped when he saw the boy, he couldn’t help it—Luke looked just like he had at that age. Maybe his eyes were a bit larger, and his face a little rounder, but there was no denying it. Luke leaned over and whispered something to the announcer.
“Apparently our winner’s name is actually Luke Skywalker—” he broke off, apparently realizing what he was saying.
Vader could have sworn his heart skipped a beat, though he knew that was impossible thanks to his suit.
The announcer turned to Luke. “Any relation to Anakin Skywalker?”
Luke nodded excitedly. “He was my father…”
Vader completely froze. So it was true. He had a son.
After the ceremony, Luke wandered out into the cool desert night. He almost didn’t hear the footsteps behind him… or the surprisingly loud breathing.
He turned around abruptly to see a tall, black-armored figure staring down at him. He froze. He’d heard people talking about someone who fit this description, and the stories were never good.
And yet… this person was the same person he’d sensed as he was racing…
Luke smiled, ignoring the mixture of fear and excitement he felt inside. “You’re… Darth Vader, right? Can I help you?”
The figure nodded, then paused before speaking in a deep, monotone voice… though Luke could just make out a slight emotion in his tone. “Is it true your father is Anakin Skywalker?”
Luke hesitated before nodding. “Yes. At least that’s what my Uncle Owen always told me…”
Vader stared straight at him for a moment. “Do… do you know what happened to him?”
Luke shook his head. “They told me he died in an accident, but they wouldn’t tell me how.”
Vader looked away. “Of course they would tell you that. Luke, your father is alive. He had no idea you existed… if he knew… if he knew, he would have come and found you… before…”
Luke stiffened. “How… how do you know… are… are you a friend of his?”
Vader hesitated. “No… I was Anakin Skywalker once… You are my son, Luke.”
After a joyful reunion, Luke and Vader had to part ways. Vader had to go make up some excuse for not having tracked down his target, while Luke had to get home. But not before Vader taught Luke a bit about the Force, including how to communicate through it… so they’d never have to be apart again.