10 years later...

"Keep your blade up, Luke, and guard your left side a little more closely," Obi-wan instructed as they dueled. They exchanged a quick flurry of thrusts and parries before stepping back, evaluating one another. Luke suddenly surges forward and aimed an overhead blow at Obi-wan violently, thinking he could catch his teacher off-guard. He should know better. Obi-wan easily deflected the blow and took advantage of the momentary slip in Luke's defenses, disarming the young teen.

"You did well, Luke. But you have to remember that Djem So is a violent form, and its emphasis on offense often leaves a breach in defense which could be used to your opponents' adavantage," Obi-wan lectured. Luke sighed but nodded. He had come so close to winning this time.

"Don't sweat it, son. You'll beat Obi-wan someday. He's getting old, after all," Anakin joked before picking up his own lightsaber. "Not old enough to stop beating you, my impertinent former apprentice," Obi-wan returned the jest, and raised his blue lightsaber challengingly. Anakin attempted to land a blow on his Master's left arm, and the duel between the longtime friends commenced.

Luke sensed the duel through the Force in amazement as the two of them fought. His bladework, although coming along nicely, was nothing compared to theirs yet. They danced in the Force, emitting powerful auras. He could sense that they were predicting and anticipating each other's movements, something that came easily to them considering how long they had trained together.

As they fought to a stalemate, Luke reflected on the past decade. The Republic had considered Luke's case and finally repealed the unjust law. The other Jedi had initially been wary of Luke, especially given his background, but they grew to accept him. Padmé and Anakin had been reluctant to let Luke live in the Temple, but they gave their consent after they determined that they could visit anytime they wanted.

It had been hard to convince the Council to allow a youngling contact with their parents, but Anakin had been stubborn. Quite frankly, the Council was also a little too busy dealing with a war to really care, so they had allowed it. Luke had always thought himself a lucky man, to have three of the most powerful Jedi to ever live instructing him. Meanwhile, Leia had become the senator for Coruscant, one of the youngest ever. She didn't find dealing with politicians nearly as annoying as he did, although she complained about the Senate's inability to pass any measures relating to the war effort.

"Luke? Something wrong?" Obi-wan asked, concerned. Luke shook his head and joined his father and Master as they strolled through the meditation gardens. The scent of freshly planted flowers filled Luke's nostrils, and he breathed it in. "Nervous for your first mission in the war? It's a big one, Luke," Anakin reminded him.

Luke rolled his eyes. "No kidding, dad. Going undercover as Sidious' apprentice totally isn't a big deal." Luke felt Anakin stiffen next to him. He hadn't approved of the assignment, but everyone had agreed that Sidious needed to be taken down. Taking him down from the inside was possibly the only way to end the war, as he was more powerful than even Yoda.

"Luke, this is no laughing matter. Sidious is more powerful and manipulative than you could possibly imagine. Trust me, I know. He almost turned me to the dark side," Anakin said sternly. All three of them fell silent at the sudden reminder. "Remember your training, and don't lose yourself, okay?" Obi-wan told him, his voice far gentler and yet, it had more weight. "You are a light, Luke. Never forget that part of yourself, come what may."

Luke nodded before going to his quarters to freshen up.

He arrived in the Council Chambers as quickly as he could. "Masters," he greeted, bowing at the waist. Fondness and affection filled the air through the Force. Luke Skywalker was not only one of the Temple's most eager students but also one of the Masters' favorites.

He had a likable personality, was powerful in the Force, and he never made excuses despite his disability. It was impossible not to like him, despite all the trouble that his father caused in his youth.

"Know what your assignment is, do you? Hmmm?" Yoda asked. "Yes, Master. I am to "accidentally" be captured by Sidious, and pretend that I am willing to join the dark side if it means I can get my eyesight back. Once Palpatine lets me get close to him, I'll eliminate him, so the power vacuum in the Empire created by his death will allow the Republic to gain the edge and win the war."

"A difficult mission, this will be. But trained you, I have, and know, I do, that ready, you are," Yoda said, looking at Luke proudly. Luke tilted his head in acknowledgement, displaying the modesty expected of a Jedi Padawan. He left the room, preparing for his siege on Ryloth which was to lead to his capture. He had a big day ahead of him.

"Do you have to go?" Leia questioned, wringing her hands and looking at him concernedly.

She always reacted like that when he had to go on a dangerous mission. Leia knew that it was his duty as a padawan to serve the Order, but she worried about him sometimes. He was her brother, after all. It was her job.

"Yes, Leia. There's nobody else that can do this; nobody else Sidious wants as his apprentice more than he wants me," Luke responded, touched by his sister's concern.

"But Luke, he might see through it and just decide to kill you! Or you might actually turn to the dark side. I mean, what if he can really give you your sight back?" she asked him, treading into dangerous territory. Luke's sight... it was the one thing they never discussed.

Luke hesitated, before answering, "I will do what I must. The temptation of sight is long past me, Leia. I am not that weak," he replied tersely, and Leia knew that she had touched a nerve. "I'm sorry, Luke, I didn't mean it like that. You're the strongest person I know. It's just... I worry, you know?"

Leia pulled him into a hug, one which Luke gladly returned. "I know, sis. Please, don't worry about me. Focus on your work in the Senate. I heard you and mom are fighting for better treatment of the clones and soldiers. You can make a difference there, just keep at it," he encouraged.

Luke pulled away and slung the duffel bag over his soldier, giving Leia a tiny salute before getting into his ship, guided by R2-D2. How Luke managed to participate in battles, firing shots without knowing where his target was, Leia had no idea. The Force, he once told her. She was told that she could learn its ways as well... but Leia declined. It just wasn't her destiny. It was Luke's.

Sighing, she waved to her brother though he couldn't see it, hoping that he could sense her thoughts through the Force. She had a bad feeling about this...