Me and my bipolar wrote this one together. 3

I own nothing

Thank you too Mj Mink for helping with grammar :)

Chapter Three

The Gift Of Pain

Scarred eyes focused carefully on the monitor in front of him— his usually masked face was free of the claustrophobic helmet which encased him. It was times like these inside his hyperbaric chamber where he was allowed relaxation and solitude. His scarred lungs were unable to breathe without his mask, but inside the highly oxygenated decompression chamber he was allowed to rid himself of the mask and do what others took for granted. He could eat— not like he'd ever want too, his suite provided him with all the basic necessities he needed to stay alive— through intravenous injections and supplements, it was easy to forget he was human.

Human? It was such an alien concept to him now— for so long he'd thrown away basic human needs, believing himself not worthy of such luxuries— not able to ever feel the touch of warm flesh again— the faulty receptors in his prosthetic limbs made feeling anything near impossible. The reconstructive team had truly failed him in that regard. The incessant rasp of his own breathing made it near impossible for him to get a night's sleep let alone rest, never allowed him a moment of silent contemplation; and when he did managed for even a— second to close his eyes, it was a horrific hellscape of jumbled images and sounds, another life. A life where an infant could be heard screeching in a toxic wasteland of scorching lava and profound sorrow—a world where its mother lay an asphyxiated heap on the ground and its father a seething monster whose wife had just betrayed him and their child for his so called best friend.

His wife…

"Ani." She whispered, she rolled over and gently caressed his bare chest.

"…what?..." he rubbed his tired eyes.

"Ani the babies moving!" She grabbed his non prosthetic hand and placed it upon her swollen belly.

He gasped as the flesh of her belly moved firmly against his hand. "Wow…" he whispered, astonished. Their baby was strong, he could feel it—a sense of pride threatened to overwhelm him, his blue orbs remained transfixed on her swollen belly. They'd created that—they'd created this wonderful life which lay incubated and protected by its mother's womb, their love and passion had created this wonderful gift which caressed the palm of this hand—his baby knew its father, somehow it knew, and he couldn't wait to meet their little bundle.

He reached up to kiss her lips and trailed towards her ear. "I can't wait to meet our baby. I have no doubt they'll be as perfect as you ,my angel," He whispered into her ear before placing a kiss just below it.

She blushed; her gorgeous pale complexion glowed from the effects of pregnancy, she looked-breath-taking—her brown hair curled gently against her back and the loose gray nightgown she wore emphasised the growing swollen lump where their child grew.

She timidly kissed him back, her lips remained on his for a moment before they parted, her perfect brown orbs stared into his blue ones. "I love you so much, Ani." She placed her hand over his hand, as if to hold their unborn child.

He pressed his head against her. "As do I, more than there are stars in this galaxy," he murmured back.

The rasp of his respirator increased in volume, his eyes shut tightly as he buried that memory, deep, deep down. He was weak back then, a weak fool—he'd allowed his love for her to cloud his judgement—destroy him. But her loss had given him a gift—pain and that pain had made him stronger, no longer was he so easily manipulated, she was dead— he'd destroyed the man he'd used to be and her along with him. She'd lied and he wouldn't allow himself to cry over her—wasn't even entirely sure that he could anymore, wasn't sure if he still had tear ducts or if they'd been removed in the horrific surgery to rebuild him from the broken man he'd used to be.

All he knew was that he hadn't cried in twelve years…

Even in his hyperbaric chamber— the only place where he could be rid of that heavy suit and incessant breathing which ate away at his sanity one rasp at a time-he was consistently tormented by the memories of a dead man— Skywalker. The very name was like acid in his mouth, scorching and blistering his already scarred and horrific flesh, a constant word which nagged at his psyche and only served to infuriate him. The Only way he could cease the constant torment was to bury him deep down and destroy him, denying himself any such pleasures which reminded him of the weak fool he'd used to be.

Kenobi!He had no such words to explain him, the man who stole his wife from him, claimed to love him, claimed to be his brother, claimed to want to save him, had cut off his remaining limbs and left him for dead, watched as he slowly cooked alive in a maelstrom of his own agony, screeching profanities and howling as flesh pulverised from his form— he'd stolen his lightsabre, Stolen his wife—no— not his, Skywalker's.

His hand clenched in fury and his breathing quickened. The supports of his hyperbaric chamber protested such a ruthless display of force, and unclenched his fists. He would find him, for twelve years he'd tormented him, served as a catalyst for his instability— he'd never once slept in twelve years, Kenobi was always on his mind, how to slaughter the man who'd claimed to love you and then left you for dead? He had a growing list of possibilities—scenarios in which his former master would be shrieking and begging for him to kill him. He'd thought about setting him on fire, making him feel the agony he'd left him in; the list was getting quite long.

He reached for the controls to his chamber. A large claw-like machine came down from the top, placing his helmet securely back into place, and he watched through artificial red lenses as the chamber opened. He punched in a quick code and watched as the screen in front of him came to life. A small humanoid with a cyborg databank implant appeared, its body and mind sacrificed for science.

"Greetings, Lord Vader. Shall I proceed with today's report?"

"Proceed." He replied with the flicker of a hand, the unusually chirpy voice of the droid nagging at his fragile patience.

"Inputted planet 60512 subject = Raxus Prime also known as Raxus or Raxus minor according to my databanks currently resides in the Outer Rim Territories, System = Raxus System—Sector = Tion Hegemony- Current population = unknown, inhabitants vary from Human to a multitude of different species, no current native species has been identified. Current dialects identified = Galactic Basic + Jawa Trade Language."

BEEEP

"Accessing planetary diagnostic for subject 60512, Current suns = 1—Moons = 0—Rotation period = 22 standard hours—orbital period = 388 local days"

BEEEP

"Accessing Planetary physiological diagnostic for subject 60512. Class = Terrestrial—Diameter = 9.330 Kilometres—Atmosphere = Type 1 breathable planet, though multiple methane gases have been identified, Climate = Temperate and Poisonous—Gravity = 1.2 standard."

BEEEP

"According to my databanks Raxus Prime's primary function is that of a junk planet, highly polluted, its toxic waste pools have highly corrosive properties. No known Jedi activity has been reported on Raxus Prime."

BEEP

"Accessing the Imperial database of wanted Jedi."

BEEEP

"Here is a list of currently known Jedi presumed to be alive."

His eyes throbbed as the monitor's artificial light created an irritating glare on the poorly designed red lenses of his mask. It was a long list of over 50 names—50 potential threats to his masters empire, but fortunately 50 arrogant fools whose power was no match when compared to that of the dark side. They'd challenge him— he was no fool, they all did but in the end they all learnt that he couldn't be destroyed, couldn't be defeated, couldn't be challenged and couldn't allow them to live.

11350 jedi had already learnt their lesson, but only when faced with the searing end of his blade. Only then did they beg him or an absolution—an end that he was more than willing to offer; driving his saber deep into there still squirming bodies he'd watch in sick satisfaction as the light dimmed from their eyes and the stench of putrified roasting flesh filtered through the breathing apparatus of his mask— a stench that once terrified and repulsed him now reminded him that everything anyone ever held dear was but a forgotten concept— doomed to fail. A smell so horrific it now defined him—made him stronger. Strong enough to petrify fear itself.

His eyes meticulously scanned through every name before handing on one name in particular— one name which stuck out, one name which turned the blood in his veins to scorching acidic lava which clawed at every crevice in his body—demanding the right to ravish and destroy; Kenobi. He clenched his fists, the rasp of his respirator lagged as it struggled to keep up with the rapid strike of heart against his chest cavity.

"Kenobi." He hissed. Spitting the name out of his mouth as if its very existence was the most potent of poisons; turning his saliva to acid in his mouth.

"Ah, yes, according to my databanks Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi was last seen on Coruscant shortly after Operation Knightfall. My databanks contain no more information on his whereabouts after that."

Items and walls trembled as his full fury threatened to unleash itself in a pattern of horrific violence. They wouldn't know—couldn't know, his master had been very thorough in his elimination of all information pertaining to the man he'd used to be, in a way he resented his master for it— resented him for holding him back, withholding his right to revenge from him—lying to him. He remembered the fury, the pain- how within a matter of hours his life was changed for the better. He remembered how his master had shown him his place and how he'd despised him for it, the humiliation of such a dangerous lack of control...

Items ricocheted off of the walls, droids exploded into nothing but oil and metallic parts, medical fluids splattered onto the floor and up the walls. The horrific sound of his own breathing rattled around in his head as his breathing intensified one rasp away from a frenzy. His scorched and charred lungs ached and throbbed in agony as his respirator forced oxygen into the destroyed and useless tissue.

"In your anger, you...killed her." He heard the faint cackle of his master aged vocal cords, whisper fake sincerities into his artificial ears which had melted away under the Mustafar heat. Nothing about him was real anymore.

His body still felt sluggish and weak from the horror he'd endured—but in a moment of pure unadulterated rage he tore his arms free from metal cuffs pinning and restraining his body to the operating table. He stumbled upon prosthetic legs, forced into what felt like 800 pound weights tied to each ankle.

His heart throbbed and his thoughts scattered, but in all his pain and his suffering he managed to scream—or so he thought, the sound which tore from his vocal cords was a commanding robotic baritone which transformed his wretched heartbroken scream into a single word "no."

He turned to blast his master 2 meters into the air and watched as his body crumpled to the ground in a pathetic heap of pale skin and black fabric.

He turned to his master in a fury "No! You promised me—you promised me that you could save her!" He roared, the baritone of his voice bellowed and shook nearby objects. It was strange, the voice in his head was a faint whisper, nothing at all like the robotic commanding baritone voice which translated and spoke for him.

His master sneered at him, his blackened teeth stuck out demonically past his lips as he rose to his feet. "In your rage you chose...another path." He taunted, raising his hands defensively.

"Arg!" He screeched as his already thoroughly scorched body was assaulted by a wave of red hot lightening, which set every cell in his body on fire, his veins and arteries circulated the lightning around every cell and crevice of his body, scorching his already thoroughly ravish form with a fire ten times more intense than the one which had thoroughly traumatised him on Mustafar-he couldn't think, couldn't feel anything at all but the agonising onslaught of molten hot lightning. He felt himself weaken, all he could do is bellow out horrific screams from his already torn and scorched vocal cords. He made the mistake of looking at it and howled as his already destroyed eyes ached against the blue flashing of his masters lightening.

Using the force his master summoned his saber from his robes and ignited the blade, pointing the red blade towards his convulsing form he finally ceased his onslaught.

"I understand that today has been rather...traumatic for you, but if you ever use the force against me again, I will finish what Kenobi could not." He threatened, pressing the blade to his shoulder and crackling in delight as it burnt through his suit and cooked his already burnt flesh.

He was silent

He disengaged the blade and sighed "It is not over my friend, her demise has given you a gift...pain—it is up to you whether you accept this gift." He explained

He bowed his head in defeat and groveld at his master's feet "I-i need her." He pleaded.

His master shot him with another wave of lightning, this time shorter— a warning, yet somehow he couldn't bring himself to react, wasn't sure he could anymore. Had he built up an immunity to pain? he couldn't remember how it felt to not feel pain anymore.

"No! Anakin Skywalker needed her, he was weak—you, Lord Vader are a sith. Now do you accept this generous gift and rise as Darth Vader a Lord of the Sith, or will you...die?" His master explained.

Anakin Skywalker… that was right, his master was right, he still thought of himself as Anakin Skywalker—but Anakin had failed one too many times, hit the ground too hard. He wasn't Anakin Skywalker anymore, could hardly remember ever being him, ever remember a life where this horrible pain was but a premonition. Anakin Skywalker was weak, a child—blind. And He, Darth Vader, had destroyed him and in it's place risen a being more powerful and terrifying than Anakin Skywalker could ever possibly imagine, and it had been his undoing- Anakin Skywalker lacked an imagination whilst Darth Vader did not.

He bowed "I accept, my master." He monotonously replied.

His master smirked and grinned in sadistic satisfaction "Good…now let's put his horrible misunderstand behind us,we have an empire to rule." He reached to grab him from the floor.

"As you wish, my master." He replied

He reached into a poached attached to his utility belt at the waist and retrieved a data chip.

"Decode this." He commanded, placing the chip into the monitor.

"Very well, Lord Vader. Running decoding diagnostic."

BEEP

"According to the chip provided, the decoding provides a list of Jedi the Emperor suspects to be hiding out on Raxus Prime. Do you wish to see this information?"

He waved his hand "Proceed."

"Very well Lord Vader here is the list."

Subject = Jedi Master Coleman Kcaj
Subject = Jedi Master Taron Malicos
Subject = Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis
Subject = Jedi Knight Cere Junda
Subject = Padawan Learner Cal Kestis
Subject = Padawan Learner Katooni
Subject = Padawan Learner Jin-Lo Rayce
Subject = Jedi Initiate Kajin Savaros
Subject = Jedi Initiate Genel
Subject = Jedi Initiate Jiro
Subject = Jedi Initiate Nable
Subject = Jedi Initiate Onkya
Subject = Jedi Initiate Kennan Taanzer
Subject = Jedi Initiate Seddwia
Subject = Jedi Initiate Sidirri
Subject = Jedi Initiate Ashla

"Tell me everything you know about them."

"Very well,Lord Vader, looking into my databank."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank, Jedi Master Coleman Kcaj was a member of the Jedi High Council; he is of the Ongree species. His last known whereabouts remain unknown since the formation of the Empire; it appears he is extremely well at remaining undetected."

BEEEEP

"According to my Databank Jedi Master Taron Malicos' last known whereabouts was in the Dathomir System; extensive planetary searches of Dathomir have been orchestrated in the past but have yielded no results."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis was the apprentice of Jedi Master Yaddle and a member of the Jedi High Council and his species is Thisspias. His last known whereabouts remain unknown, he has not been sighted again since the formation of the Empire."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank Jedi Knight Cere Junda was the Apprentice of Jedi Master Eno Cordova. She and her Padawan Learner Trilla Suduri were placed into imperial custody on the Fortress Inquisitorious on the moon Nur approximately 8 standard years ago. Cere's Last known whereabout were on Bracca where Second Sister reported she left with Padawan Learner Cal Kestis."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank Padawan Learner Cal Kestis was the apprentice of Jedi Master Jaro Tapal. He has long been suspected dead as his command ship blew up just above the planet Bracca. His last known whereabouts were on Bracca where Second Sister reported that he was a part of the mining guild, he reportedly left the planet with Jedi Knight Cere Junda."

BEEEEP

"According to my Databank Padawan Learner Katooni is of the Tholothian species. Her last known whereabouts are unknown as she has been suspected dead; her body has never identified."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank Padawan Learner Jin-Lo Rayce was the apprentice of Jedi Librarian Jocasta Nu; we have suspected him to have died in the purge but upon the death of his Jedi Master Jocasta Nu; we were told he was alive."

BEEEP

"According to my Databank eight of the Jedi Initiates listed were a part of a Jedi Initiate Clan called The Soaring Hawkbat Clan; they are suspected as being alive as none of their bodies were found to be in the Jedi Temple after Operation Knightfall."

BEEEEP

According to my Databank Jedi Initiate Ashla was of the Togruta Species and a member of the Jedi Initiate Clan called the Mighty Bear Clan. Her body was never found; as of now she is suspected as being alive."

He let the information sink in. It was a lot of names, some of which he recognised and many whose masters he'd killed—they'd have to be destroyed too. It was only a matter of time before he eradicated the Jedi once and for all and brought peace to the empire. Many would call him heartless and perhaps he was. He didn't care for the opinions of others; the only opinion that mattered to him was that of his masters. Many of the Jedi he'd killed were children, but children had the tendency to grow up rather Quickly, he had to terminate the threat before they became old enough to challenge his master.

He turned to the monitor once more, his respirator had returned to its usual cycle, with his rage subdued and the beast once again caged he could concentrate. "Put me in contact with Captain Piett." He commanded.

"Very well Lord Vader."

The screen flickered before shifting to the bridge, its dark sterile interior panned to a large open void of monitors and datapads—like the floors the imperial officer's attire was a perfect image of order and perfection. The faded grey tunics were ironed out and buttoned neatly, with medals of rank clip uniformly to their tunics—hair trimmed and shaven and hats on heads, not one hair out of place.

He shifted his artificial lenses to his captain in command—Piett who shuffled uncomfortably but held himself with determination and class.

"Greetings Lord Vader." Piett greeted, saluting him, his voice wavered with uneasy, yet he had a captivating aura of sophistication about him- and an intelligence beyond his years.

"Dispense with the pleasantries Admiral I have orders for you." He gruffly replied, his prosthetic fingers tapped his armrest impatiently.

Piett nodded in understanding "Very well Lord Vader." he straightened himself out and awaited orders.

"Contact the strike team and tell them to orbit Raxus Prime we will meet them there." He explained, the commanding baritone of his voice modulator left no room for defiance and he preferred it that way—Piett had never defied him so far and he'd been Admiral of his ship for 5 years now, Piett knew his place, if not he'd make sure that he learnt it very quickly.

Piett raised a brow in intrigue "Raxus Prime sir?" He questioned. He tried not to let his surprise and uncertainty be projected through his words, for he knew the consequences of such an embarrassing display of lack of trust. He's killed children for less.

"Many Jedi hide there, and I do not want them escaping me this time." He replied.

"As you wish Lord Vader, I will personally make sure that no Jedi leave Raxus alive." " He saluted and the monitor turned to static.

"I hope so for your sake admiral." He replied. piett swallowed his tongue and shifted uncomfortably.

"W-will that be all my lord?" He asked, before clearing his throat, trying to maintain an aura of calmness to which he admired— Piett never snivelled and wallowed at his feet, he was strong willed and self assured, always completely certain of his next move. Truely a useful asset indeed.

"You are dismissed, Admiral." He replied with the flick of a hand.

He bowed "Very well Lord Vader, we should arrive at Raxus in about 0900 hours." He replied and took his leave, the monitor left behind a static.

He'd find them all—kill them all, every single one of them until they led him right into the arms of Kenobi, he did not care if he had to slaughter more children to find him, if that was there destiny then so be it. He would find his former master—find him and destroy him, subject him to years of torture and suffering until he begged him to kill him—begged him to slice off his flesh and limb from his body one by one until he finally understood that there was no redemption for him—Kenobi's optimism would be his undoing. He'd thrown away that chance the second he left him for dead and destroyed his life. All he knew was that he looked forward to watching Kenobi suffer and break.

Their compassion for each other would be their downfall, and when they did fall, he'd make sure that they led him straight to Kenobi.

The ceiling to his hyperbaric chamber closed around him, encasing him in it's darkness.

A rare comfort he noted.

Heat. Scorching unbearable heat.

He should be used to the feeling by now. Growing up on Tatooine meant your skin was constantly blistered and golden and your clothes pungent and soaked with sweat. Yet it seemed to affect you ten times worse when you were starving and exhausted, he noted...

His droopy blue orbs starred at the hundreds of vendors around him, each protected by a thin sheet of cloth on the roofs of their stalls- protecting them from the harsh relentless onslaught of the Tatooine suns. Every stall had a different species selling an endless supply of ship parts at ridiculously high prices. He felt like a bantha to slaughter, the harsh glare of the golden sand and lack of water accumulated in a throbbing migraine which pounded and clawed at his retinas relentlessly-his feet throbbed from walking the long distance from home in nothing but sandals.

He stood in the middle of town and stared at the environment around him in wonder, suddenly shy. His tired eyes focused on the thousands of foreign dialects jumbling around his brain. He felt out of place in such a lively world. Back home his Aunt never allowed him to travel into town, it was strictly forbidden- yet now that he was here he felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people, as he was introduced to such a strange new world.

He'd thought about going to Biggs' house and living there for a short while until he got his head together, but he doubted that Biggs would want him- ever want to see him again, after their argument Biggs had been suspiciously quiet. He was bound to know that he was missing by now, surely his Aunt would've gone and told the Darklighters, surely, right? And yet- nothing. Complete silence on the mysterious disappearance of Luke Lars family disappointment.

How had he managed to mess his life up so badly in one day? How had no one cared enough to come looking for him? He wasn't even broadcasted on the HoloNet of missing children- it was almost as if he'd never even existed...never really mattered. Now that he was filthy, starving and alone he wondered if he'd made the right decision to run away in the first place. He wondered if anyone even cared that he was missing.

He was so hungry, his stomach ached in protest against his involuntary hunger strike, he'd brought what little food he could find with him but by day five he'd eaten it all; he truly wished that he'd thought this whole thing through a bit better. His dry eyes religiously scanned through every stall he could find until he came upon one selling a fruit of some sort. It was a strange fruit he noted, he'd never seen anything like that before and wondered if it was safe- it's red and orange contrast was so unlike anything he'd ever eaten on Tatooine. After a quick scan of the label he managed to piece together that it was a Meiloorun fruit.

He frowned, he'd never heard of it before, on the farm his diet consisted of Bantha stew and blue milk, mainly because fruit was so expensive and not grown here. He looked up at the vendor, a strange blue bug-like creature with tiny wings and a strange snort, it's yellowed teeth protruding out from it's mouth in a permanent sneer.

He bit his cracked lower lip and gently tugged on the creature's clothing "Can I have one?" he asked, pointing towards the Meliooruns.

The creature's shiny black eyes burrowed into his small form and sneered "Only if you've got credits." He frowned, his accent was strange, he could barely understand what the creature was saying to him and wondered if he was speaking Basic. Growing up on Tatooine his knowledge of Basic was basically zero, he knew of it, his school taught him only a little bit before his Uncle unenrolled him; something he never understood and was still slightly bitter about.

He bit his lip and winced at the uncomfortable cramping of his stomach in protest of his hunger strike. "I-I haven't eaten in a couple of days." He pleaded.

The chubby creature waved him off, large bug eyes stared at him "Not my problem kid, go back to ya parents." the creature replied.

He removed his hands from the creature "But I don't have parents." he replied, he was lying of course, everyone had parents but he wasn't entirely ready to accept that his had been a monster- wasn't even sure if he was ready to so easily accept that what his Uncle had told him was true. He was so conflicted, his Uncle always lied and yet he'd ran away because of what he'd done to them in the refresher-he couldn't bring himself to hurt them again, he couldn't even remember how he'd done it. All he knew was that he felt like he was becoming the same monster his father was, and he had to do everything within his power to stop that.

The creature eyed him for a moment before waving him off "Fuck off kid." the creature hissed back.

He raised a brow in confusion "Fuck off?" he asked, he'd never heard that word before, wasn't even sure that it was native to Tatooine- he wished he hadn't been unenrolled from school so soon, he couldn't really use them desert survival classes right about now.

The creature cautiously eyed him as if he was some kind of sheltered fragile creature, as if he wasn't native to these parts, just because his vocabulary was so lacking didn't mean he was stupid he blaunched "Go away, scram, get it? Bother someone else." the creature replied.

It was no use, no one would listen to him. He was beginning to regret his decision to run away real badly, at least at home he got regular meals and a good night's sleep. He'd been walking the streets of Mos Eisley for over a week now and had long since eaten through all the food he'd brought with him and now begun to beg.

In one final act of shame he asked "How do I get credits?"

The creature eyed him in disbelief. He couldn't help not knowing stuff, he was only 12 afterall, it was as if this creature expected him to know everything by now, his Aunt and Uncle never taught him how to survive on his own they did everything for him because he was to young to be wondering the streets alone- he knew that, yet here his was Luke Lars certified runaway, to naive and stupid to know what credits were and how to get them. He was useless

"You work for them, didn't ya parents teach you anything?" the creature asked.

He pouted and crossed his arms over his chest "I told you I don't have parents." he replied

The creature sneered at his immaturity "Fine, whatever, whoever's looking after you, didn't they teach ya anything?" the creature asked.

He shook his head "My Aunt and Uncle never let me enter the city, they brought everything for me." he explained, it sounded silly he knew- he was a big boy now, twelve was old right?

The creature rolled his eyes at him and analysed his filthy form "Welcome to the real-world kiddo, it's cruel and nothing is free." the creature snipped back sarcastically.

He bit his lip and shuffled uncomfortably under the intense gaze. "How can I get work?" he asked.

He looked him up and down, a strange glint in his eyes. "What's ya name?" it asked.

He frowned, he thought about giving a fake name but didn't really see a reason too, this creature had been nice to him so far and maybe he could help him find work so that he could get off this rock and find his father, if he was still alive.

"Luke Lars." he eventually replied.

The creature nodded it's head "How old are ya?" it asked.

He smiled "I just turned twelve, it was my birthday last week." he boasted back.

The creature snorted and rolled it's eyes "Good for you."

He looked towards the Melooruns again and groaned, his stomach hurt so much- he'd never been this hungry in his life and kind of hoped that the creature would take pity on him and feed him, they were now friends right? Friends helped other friends- well Aunt Beru always said that they were supposed to. "Can I have one?" he nervously asked.

The creature smiled, he shuddered- it slightly unnerved him, he;d never seen the creature smile before and quite frankly it didn't suit his face all that well- he looked funny. "Only if ya willing to work for it." the creature replied.

He smiled and stuck out his hand "Deal." he cheerfully replied.

The creature ignored his hand and cautiously looked around before turning back to him "Come with me." He motioned with his finger to the back of his shop. He reluctantly followed only after the promise of food and water.

Once in the creature's home they were silent, an awkward silence as the creature prepared him a drink. He stood in the middle of the room and fiddled with his hands, not really sure what to do. He looked around to distract himself, the creature's home was a shop of some kind, droids and other miscellaneous parts were thrown disorderly on the floors and walls, the place was quite frankly filthy- he groaned and hoped that his job wouldn't be to clean up this mess. He turned to stare at the creature again, drink in one hand it flew towards him. "You have a nice house." He tried to start small talk.

The creature ignored him "Sit." it motioned to a wooden stool near the desk of his work space.

He took a seat and smiled at the creature who blankly stared at him back, no longer social, he noted.. "So what will I be doing?" he asked.

The creature stared at him for a while before asking. "Are you good with your hands?"

The beamed and smiled back, bouncing excitedly on the stool which creaked in protest. He bounced for a little while before deciding he was too thirsty and tired to keep it up "The best, I can fix anything!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.

The creature blankly stared at him before he managed an uneasy smile. "Good."

He frowned "I'm not going to be a problem am I Sir?" he shaily asked.

The creature gave an inviting smile "Hopefully not, here." He handed him a drink of water.

He took it before guzzling it down, the sweet, sweet coldness massaged and soothed his dry and scratchy throat, his eyes drooped slightly—he didn't really realise how tired he was until he'd taken a sit down and had something to drink, how long had it been since he'd had a good nights sleep? One day—a week maybe? He wasn't entirely sure anymore.

The Togarian stared at him whilst he drank.

They sat in silence, the only sound between them was the sound of his frantic gulps- he savoured every drop of water and wasn't sure when he'd be getting another drink, all he knew was that he was grateful to the creature for its help, he turned to it and smiled "Thank you for—for being so kind to me Sir." he replied, his voice wavering slightly- he was just so tired all of a sudden.

"Sure kiddo." the creature mumbled back.

He yawned and placed the cup onto the counter next him. He felt weirdly tired as if all his energy had suddenly evaporated leaving behind a heavy dead weight-strange.

"I feel sleepy." He muttered

"Really? Have you slept recently?" the creature mumbled back, placing a calloused weird hand to his forehead- or so he thought, he couldn't really tell, his vision was all fuzzy and his body felt heavy.

He managed a nod, his limbs felt heavy and numb—what was happening to him? "Not good sleep." He mumbled back his words, slurring slightly.

The creature smiled, an empty smile he noted "perhaps ya ought to sleep then kiddo."

He weakly shook his head, his eyes blurred as dark spots appeared in his eyes. "No—not sleep please…" he slurred incoherently, his head hit the counter in front of him as his consciousness left him and the cold embrace of sleep overtook him.

"All too easy."

I hope you all liked this chapter, it was a little insight into our favourite brooding dark lord of the sith! Please review and tell me what you think I do very much enjoy hearing from you all.

Thank you to all who reviewed, Favourited and Followed guest and user alike. :)

Tuesday 7th April 2020