Stand_down.mp4

Kirtag Gothic

* You wake up. Every door and window is closed, the blinds are still shut. You already hear music. No matter how loud you turn up your TV or music, you can still hear it. It will not be ignored.

* Maybe you will go to church, or at least, your body will. You can’t remember where you left your soul.

* You order food. Your hopes are as low as they have always been.

* You see children with packs of cigarettes, puffs of powder coming out. It doesn’t worry you, you did the same when you were their age. They take a bite.

* The music stops. The sound system creaks. The musician makes a sexist joke. “Please, no more,” you cry out. He doesn’t listen. He increases the offensiveness. Everyone around you laughs. You feel someone’s spit on your arm.

* Your grandma secretly gives you money. “Buy yourself something nice,” she tells you. You buy something alcoholic.

* There’s suddenly an assortment of pastries on your table. It’s been the same since forever. Coconut flakes and pink icing. You know this because it even inspires a sense of nostalgia in your grandma. You wonder how old the pastries on your table are. You take a bite anyway.

* The music gets increasingly louder. You hardly know the song. Everyone is singing along. The words even spill over your own lips. It happens automatically.

* You’re still waiting for your food. 

AU where Xanatos is "redeemed by the power of cute," but it's actually a psychological whammy caused by Obi-Wan being supernaturally adorable as a species-specific juvenile defense mechanism, and is functionally immediate brainwashing by the 13yo who doesn't know that's what he's doing.

Tbh this is mostly just Defense Mechanism that makes Xanatos harmless, but in a way everyone finds very concerning and uncomfortable because it's kind of mind control.

Someone (@dracothulhu) asked if it was related to Mimic Spider AU, and it is not! Mimic spider AU is just "ohhhh you wanna fuck me so b--PSYCH! EATING YOU."

This is more "I'm a little baby, I'm SUCH a little baby, you don't want to hurt me, you could never hurt me, I'm so adorable I'm so cute doesn't it just kill you to think about hurting me?"

Mimic spider AU is just Hot and Confident. This is straight up Mind Whammie.

@threebea also thought brood parasitism, and offered:

I'm trying to figure out a reason for the Stewjoni to have like brood parasitism where they will stick their young with other families for awhile before picking them up Used to do it to Mandoalorians all the time, and it's part of the reason the Mandalorian adopt anything stereotype got so strong. Stewjoni looking at Jedi: those seem parent shaped here you go

Which is great, except I actually started with the idea of it being kind of the inverse!

(That said, I won't actually say no to the brood parasitism option.)

Xanatos: had been about to kidnap and put him on a deep sea mine now is feeding him pudding Is it he's acting normal but doing weird things or is he suddenly talking to Obi-Wan like he's an adorable puppy

He's kind of zoned out.

Xanatos: look at him so cute Omg Obi-Wan: standing there Xanatos: kriff I don't have a camera - also from threebea

Also cuddles! Which Obi-Wan actually Does Not Want. But if he's Very Very Still then maybe Qui-Gon will find him and fix this.

Like if a tiger held and groomed you and you just were waiting Very Still for the zookeeper to distract it and/or load up the tranq.

After the days he's had he'd perhaps like a cuddle but not from this guy Lol Xanatos: so soft The effect only works on humans and near humans so it didn't work on the hutt and (can't remember the other species) on the ship

We can say it works through the Force and that's why the Hutt is immune.

"Stewjoni are targets of slavers" but specifically for illegal adoptions. It's lucrative, because most bounty hunters last about twenty seconds before they give the crying baby back where it wants to go.

And most of the immune ones get caught by planetary defense forces.

So if you CAN steal a baby, the profit margin is insane, since it's so damn hard to do, but the baby up for illegal adoption is sooooo cute.

(…this concept would be hilarious with one of those "Tor adopts baby Ben Kenobi to turn into a weapon" AUs. Still a shitty childhood bc Death Watch can justify a lot under the umbrella of Teaching Self-Defense. But interesting.)

IF YOU HAVE READ TWILIGHT: do you remember the bit about vampire babies being so cute that people would let them slaughter entire villages without a qualm?

It's like that, except Obi-Wan doesn't have dreams of mass slaughter and it only really activates as a Threat Response.

I guess the evolutionary trigger is it's kind of a paralytic You can't move far from where you stole the kid

Which is exactly right!

Luke skywalker centric fic rec list!

Before I rec: this is a self indulgent rec list, with fics that I personally liked. The tags before the summary are mostly from the ao3 tags, but some are added by me after having read the fic. Enjoy and let me know if something is amiss!

◇Lighthearted, humor, fluff

Small Talk by starshipsilmaril Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa & Darth Vader, child luke, fluff, 1k finished. On the annual Imperial Life Day ball, Luke and Leia are left unsupervised by their nanny. Of course, they promptly go and find their father, interrupting his conversation.

halfway, and before I even argue by OldEmeraldEye Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, 182 words finished. Being from a desert planet, Luke lacks a certain degree of experience with seafood. Leia is happy to help.

no one can stop me, not even gravity or nasa by magneticwave Leia organa/Han Solo, humor, 8k finished. “Fuck you,” Leia says. “Who said anything about getting married? Did Luke say anything about getting married?” “Luke is not involved,” Luke says, not looking up.

An Unwelcome Guest by bornofstars Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa & Darth Vader, child luke, fluff, 5k finished. Two thieves break into an innocuous looking apartment in Imperial City, expecting an easy raid. To their surprise, (and horror) they find it occupied with an infamous Sith Lord, and his two young children.

Fan Mail by evilmouse holonet, fluff, humor, 4k finished. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker answers some questions for his fan club. What could possibly go wrong?

A Little Help, Here? by vader_incarnate Luke Skywalker & Han Solo, humor, 1k finished. There’s a lot of things you just don’t learn, growing up on Tatooine and then spending young adulthood as a fugitive. But isn't that exactly what friends are for? Or: Han is flummoxed by Luke's lack of driving knowledge, but Anakin can commiserate.

Worlds Apart by StupidFatPenguin Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, fluff, humor, dimension travel, 5k finished. Owing to a failed attempt at clairvoyance through the Force, Luke is sent into an alternative universe where everything is the same... except, there are two toothbrushes in his refresher and a Mandalorian in his bedroom.

Civic Duty by rosepetalfall Owen Lars & Luke Skywalker & Beru Whitesun, Biggs Darklighter & Luke Skywalker, worldbuilding, 1k finished. Teenage Luke Skywalker grudgingly sits through one of Anchorhead Freeholding's bimonthly Council meetings and does his civic duty.

The Emperor Skywalker Conspiracy by loosingletters humor, outsider pov, memes, 3k finished. (Note: a media centric fic, so it's longer than 3k.) The Emperor is dead and so is Darth Vader. So. Uh. Who exactly inherits the Galactic throne? Or, the Holonet discovers the existence of one Luke Skywalker and promptly makes it a meme.

you knock me out, i fall apart by nintendoes Padme Amidala/Anakin Skywalker/Obi-wan Kenobi, fluff, slice of life, 64k unfinished. “The falling out, the drama, the violins playing in the background…” Ahsoka lays another card on the table. “He gets it all from Anakin.”( rather: non-linear moments in the lives of the skywalker clan. )

The Force Does Not Pick Favourites (Except When It Does) by PrinceJakeFireCake Luke Skywalker & the Force, grandpa force, fluff, 3k unfinished. Part of my Anakin Skywalker being a stay-at-home dad series, but separate so people who don’t want to read my strange theories on the Force being a grandparent don’t have to read it :D

Sith Lord Swell by AMournfulHowlInTheNight Luke Skywalker & Ben Solo, crack, time travel, outsider pov, 42k unfinished. "Well, looks like we're all Sith Lords, now. I hope you've all been practicing your most menacing laughter for our first run in with the Jedi Council." Why did Jedi politics and time travel have to be so difficult?

Darth Vader Has A Thing for Me? by captainofbrooklyn Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, crack, 2k finished. “Vader's disgusting, that’s what it is. I can’t work with a man with his...tastes.” “What tastes?” In which Luke Skywalker believes Darth Vader has a crush on him.

Waves by gayspacecowboy Luke Skywalker/Han Solo, fluff, 1k finished. Luke sees the ocean for the first time. Han has a startling realization.

A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away (series) by Bopdawoo Luke Skywalker/Wedge Antilles, fluff, slice of life, 1k finished. In the Skywalker-Antilles household, Luke is the one who deals with all the creepy-crawlies.

ferned habitation by deniigiq Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, emotional hurt/comfort, humor, 5k finished. Loth-cats were the worst idea. Din should have thought this out better. He should have gone back to the Tuskens and asked for the runtiest runt that ever had runted among the massiffs. At least those things had respect for their fellow cohabitants. These cats? Not a damn lick of respect to be found.

Sitting Ducks by SpellCleaver Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, humor, outsider pov, 2k finished. There is a Rebel outpost on Naboo. Luke Skywalker has never seen wildlife the likes of which Naboo has to offer before. Somehow, that becomes an Imperial spy's problem.

◇ Angst, Hurt/comfort, character study

L.D. Helmet: The Early Years by Seasider Luke Skywalker & Red Five Helmet, 3k finished. L.D. (aka Red Five's helmet) has stories to tell about his former pilot-head and about the fateful day on Yavin when he meets his new head, Luke Skywalker. He's immediately feeling protective about the floofy blond hair.

From Orbit by astolat Luke Skywalker/Leia Organa/Han Solo, 4k finished. “You’ve got to quit doing this,” Han said. Luke glanced at him. “What?” Han made a wide impatient sweep of his arm. “This. Standing in the bay staring out into the void. It’s creepy, kid. Come on, it’s dinnertime. The fleet can make it into hyperspace without your personal supervision.”

After the Last War is won by Tenshi (external link) Luke gestured with his left hand, the other lost in the folds of his cloak, and perhaps in his mind he saw the former glory of the Temple, and not a maze of toppled columns, disfigured statuary, and sprawling Huttese graffiti. "It's where I belong."

for a hundred miles through the desert by wreckageofstars Luke Skywalker & Han Solo, angst, 6k finished. [“There's no water, on Tatooine,” Luke said finally. “I mean, no large bodies of water, like you have on other planets. Pools, lakes. Oceans. So,” he said, face carefully blank, like it so often was these days, “I never learned how to swim.”] Han has a hard time coming to terms with Luke's fall to the dark side during Dark Empire; so does Luke.

Luminescence by vader_incarnate Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, sith luke, major character death, 2k finished. They call him the Sun Lord, because he will not let them call him Emperor. After the Endor disaster, Princess Leia meets her brother for the last time, and the cycle begins anew.

That Place Where Darkness Dies by DragonflyonBreak Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, hurt/comfort, whump, 10k finished. Weeks ago, Luke Skywalker vanished without a trace.

Thaw by spqr Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, angst, hurt/comfort, 6k finished. That’s what hope does to you, Luke remembers now. It lingers at the back of your mind, whispering maybe, maybe, so that knowing a plan is stupid isn’t enough to keep you from trying it.

Same Heart, Same Blood by loosingletters Luke Skywalker & Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker & Cody, angst, suicidal thoughts, 8k finished. The Emperor made a clone of Luke Skywalker, who died as a mere five-year-old. The rest, as they say, was the Will of the Force.

fire building up inside by imadetheline Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, hurt/comfort, 6k finished. He’s not sure how long he stays in a daze, watching the ship spark and burn in the shallows, sand and smoke burning his eyes and lungs. Or: Luke crashes, and the planet's atmosphere is not exactly conducive to his survival.

Rat-at-at by FoiblePNoteworthy Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, dark, psychological torture, 4k finished. "You do not wish for my company,” Vader said. “I understand. I’ll leave you alone from now on.” “Wait!” Luke turned towards the door, nauseous horror seeping into him, just as it slid shut.

Mind Games by FoiblePNoteworthy Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, pov outsider, torture, 33k finished. Two truths and one lie: Luke Skywalker is still loyal to the Rebel Alliance. Luke Skywalker was gravely injured protecting them. Luke Skywalker is a spy.

the death of luke skywalker by peradi Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, Rey/Finn/Poe Dameron, major character death, 6k finished. Years after the revolution, some stories end. Others begin.

Waiting for The Love of a Traveling Soldier by Duck_Life Luke Skywalker/Biggs Darklighter, major character death, 1k finished. Biggs asks for Owen's blessing.

undeserving fall (this kind of sunlit love) by loosingletters Luke Skywalker/Sheev Palpatine, crack treated seriously, 9k finished. A Naboo proverb says that it takes seven steps to fall from grace or climb towards glory. Sheev had never understood why the fall wasn’t considered a victory, when he had fallen towards the dark side with laurels adorning his head. And then a Jedi Knight, who should be nothing more than a nuisance, accompanies him on a mission and Sheev finds himself wanting. (Note: the ship might make you raise an eyebrow but hear me out. This fic is actually great.)

A Hungry Growing Boy by FoiblePNoteworthy Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, monster luke, child luke, 3k finished. General Veers surveyed the latest roadblock; some sort of creature guarding the entrance to the smugglers’ lair.

◇Just the right length (around 10k words)

listen, there's a hell of a universe next door by storm_petrel Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, bamf luke, 12k finished. Luke Skywalker solves a number of life-or-death problems, makes some new friends, falls abruptly in love, and gets shot into space, all in the same day.

Master Skywalker: The Absolute Worst by PrinceJakeFireCake Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin/Boba Fett, humor, 8k finished. Din got to his feet. He patted Boba on the shoulder affectionately. “You should watch the recording of Skywalker fighting the death troopers,” he said. Boba watched the recording. He was pretty sure he would never be the same again. He was positive that he never wanted to meet Skywalker ever again.”

Plain Sight by planningconquest Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, humor, 11k finished. Luke is hiding from Darth Vader in the best place possible. Plain sight.

got my love jumpstarted by lacecat Rated E, Luke skywalker/Din Djarin, alternate universe - modern setting, 9k finished. Din frowns. “What are you talking about?” “I’m kind of famous,” Luke admits. (in which Luke is a celebrity, Din is not, and they both assume the same for the other)

Close Quarters by planningconquest Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, sickfic, fluff, 10k finished. Luke and Vader trapped in a subterranean city to wait out a snowstorm.

Professor Bug by spqr Din Djarin/Luke Skywalker, alternate universe - academia, cults, 7k finished. “I saw your notes for your lecture on the Jedi Order,” Luke says quietly. “And I know you’re very good at what you do, babe, but I want you to know that like half of it is wrong.”

Tired Agents (series) by planningconquest Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, humor, outsider pov, 15k finished. Spies are personable and agreeable, and hate the fact that their targets get into more trouble than they can handle. Also, gossip magazines have a better intelligence network than most intelligence agencies.

Relatively Forceful by planningconquest Luke Skywalker & Wedge Antilles, eldritch luke, 9k finished. Being the offspring of the Force means more than anyone thought it was. Being half of an Eldritch being means being related to more than one Eldritch being. On a routine mission for the Alliance; Luke Skywalker runs into a semi-distant relation and a not so distant relation.

A Warrior Dance by twoseas Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, misunderstandings, 14k finished. Luke reacts strangely to Din’s bared face and an overheard conversation leads the Mandalorian to believe the Jedi thinks he’s ugly. Things spiral out of control from there.

Lurking Hunger by planningconquest horror, eldritch luke, 9k finished. Captain Tagett intends to collect the bounty on Luke Skywalker...provided they all can survive the night.

Separation by atamascolily Luke Skywalker/Callista Ming, daemon, 5k finished. Soft wings brushed against his face, then faded as Vel crawled down his shoulder. Her proboscis tickled his collarbone as she lapped at the sweat-stained edges of his coveralls, which had flopped free in his last desperate scramble from the Sand People into the unlikely sanctuary of the Eye of Palpatine's gun room. "A moth daemon?"

Five Days on Yavin by rinwins Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, 7k finished. He’d seen so many different versions of Luke by now-- implacable knight, patient teacher, fearless pilot, loyal friend; the Jedi master who could move a starfighter with his mind and the Tatooine farm boy who laughed at his own ridiculous jokes. And they were each, somehow, still the true Luke, none of them contradictory-- all except this version, the exhausted young man asleep in the bed.

Magic Baby / Lost Child by Seasider Luke Skywalker & Tusken Raider, Luke Skywalker & Owen Lars & Beru Whitesun, child luke, fluff, 9k unfinished. It was not The Demon. It was a baby. A baby from the Other’s species, yes, but it appeared incapable of harm. She shook it hard and it made a tiny squeak. Alive and with a spirit, when it should not be. No wilding had ripped it apart and consumed it. It appeared like a gift from Her of the Desert.

Present by WhatisWithin Luke skywalker & Darth Vader, fluff, 5k finished. Luke sometimes forgot how scary Daddy was to other people. It was a weird problem to have. And a stupid one too. He should remember that kind of stuff. Everyone was scared of Daddy. After being rescued by his father from the streets of Mos Espa, ten year old Luke adjusts to life on a Star Destroyer.

The Family Tree by frodogenic Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, 12k finished. In which Luke Skywalker is stranded in a tree waiting for a flash flood to recede. Too bad he's got company...

The Monster in the Mist by SilverDaye Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, horror, eldritch luke, 10k finished. Ever since Luke first saw the image of Darth Vader on the holonews, he's been haunted by nightmares of a monster in a mist-filled landscape. He soon realizes that this monster is Darth Vader, who starts to hunt Luke in and out of the dreams.

sit down, breathe, and just listen by andfollowthesun Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker, 13k finished. “Of course we’re married.” Anakin is blinking at the camera guilelessly. “We’ve been married since before the end of the Clone Wars. What are you on about?”

Compromising by samvelg Luke skywalker & Darth Vader, humor, outsider pov, 12k finished. Five times Admiral Piett misunderstands the nature of Luke and Vader's relationship, and the one time he doesn't.

◇Solid plot, nice way to spend the evening

Repair by BananasAreForParties Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, hurt/comfort, whump, fluff, 20k finished. Mara Jade came to Aran to trade. She acquires nutcakes, Imperials, and one Luke Skywalker, condition: damaged. (Note: ugh this one's so good)

Inherited Royalty by planningconquest Luke Skywalker & Owen Lars & Beru Whitesun, Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, angst, hurt/comfort, major character death, 42k finished. Prince Luke Palpatine flees into the dark of the night when Lord Vader mounts an assault on the Imperial Palace. Lord Vader searches endlessly for the missing prince.

Sibling Revelry by frodogenic Leia organa & Luke skywalker, Darth Vader & Luke skywalker, humor, 24k finished. After Bespin and before Endor, Darth Vader is shocked to discover that Luke and Leia are twins. Especially since Imperial Intelligence just told him that Organa and Skywalker are, erm, a tad closer than previously suspected...

Limpet AU (series) by frodogenic Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Darth Vader & Firmus Piett, Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, fluff, humor, 89k finished. Newly returned from the Unknown Regions with Darth Vader, Admiral Piett doesn't expect much of a welcome from the New Republic. And not in a million lifetimes would he have predicted that their very first guest would be Luke Skywalker. After all, Skywalker and Vader are still mortal enemies...right? (Note: highly recommend. This series is amazing.)

I’m Here to Rescue You by Tairona Biggs Darklighter & Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Luke Skywalker, sickfic, 29k finished. Unbeknownst to Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi has saved his life more than once. And unbeknownst to Obi-Wan, today is the day when Luke will pay him back in kind.

Strange Bedfellows (series) by celinamarniss Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, fluff, action, 37k finished. Luke joins Mara (and her crew) on a not-date in the Penumbra Sector to watch the popular, dangerous, and very illegal Ewok swoop races. Trouble, as it always does, finds them.

I Am Almost Certain You Shouldn't Put That In Your Mouth by foldingfacets Luke Skywalker & Han Solo & Leia Organa, autistic luke, 73k unfinished. Luke has always put things in his mouth. It just felt right. When Darth Vader sees his son with the lightsaber in his mouth at Bespin, he's absolutely terrified that Luke found out Vader was his father and was going to kill himself.

Luminous Creatures by celinamarniss Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, daemon, 30k finished. Luke is the last of his friends to have his dæmon settle. Speculation drifts through his childhood. What sort of animal do you think your dæmon will choose? asked by adults with indulgent smiles and between children as their dæmons flit from form to from in impromptu races across the desert sand.

Nub Saar by JediMordsith Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, whump, horror, 21k finished. If taking on a derelict space station and unknown Dark presence are what it takes, he's there... except that the Darkness wants Mara, too. How far is each side willing to go to have her? They're about to find out.

Deathmark by SpellCleaver Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker & Beru Whitesun, alternate universe - fantasy, amnesia, 38k finished. In a world torn apart by magic, necromancy and war, Luke wakes up in a strange place with a strange mark on his chest and no idea how he got there. Some people recognise him and some people want to help him. Others do not.

where you plant a rose (a thistle cannot grow) by Icarus_is_flying Luke Skywalker & Obi-wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa, child luke, 48k unfinished. Leia knows exactly who she is--princess, Organa, rebel in training. But when she stumbles onto a strange boy in a hidden garden, their instant connection draws her into a house full of secrets. Secrets Luke is reluctant to share.

Legally Blind and a Menace to Society by foldingfacets Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa & Han Solo, blind luke, 21k unfinished. Luke Lars, a visually impaired teen, left Tatooine after landing a prestigious job as Assistant to the Royal House of Alderaan through accidental-yet-convenient means instead of trying to get into the Imperial Academy. Darth Vader is very loath to admit that he has, Force forbid, a friend -- one that he didn't quite choose but is stuck with nonetheless.

Between Flight and Longing by Sheila_Snow Luke Skywalker & Han Solo & Darth Vader, hurt/comfort, 50k finished. Attempting to find a cure for a critically ill Luke, Han travels to a backwater planet in the armpit of the galaxy, piloting an aging freighter discarded by the Alliance because it was unsafe to fly. With time running out for Luke, Han figures things couldn't get much worse. He's been known to be wrong before.

Retirement (series) by celinamarniss Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, old married couple, outsider pov, 20k finished. Jedi apprentice Asha is sent on a quest to find the legendary Luke Skywalker. She thought he was a myth!

Under the Cover of Darkness by randomlyimagine Mara Jade/Luke Skywalker, time travel, 57k finished. (note: it's finished, but it's kinda left on a cliffhanger and continued into a sequel, which is unfinished.) Being sent back in time, getting to see the Old Jedi Order, Ben, his Father…it was an opportunity Luke had never dreamed he’d have. If only he and Mara hadn’t been pulled back in the middle of a mission where they were undercover as Sith.

nursery 'verse (series) by philthestone Luke skywalker/Mara Jade, fluff, 75k finished. Han and Leia decide to build a nursery in the Falcon. Things progress from there. AU for the EU.

In Loco Pirates by izzythehutt Luke skywalker & Darth Vader, humor, 34k finished. A down-on-his-luck Hondo Ohnaka manages to capture the unicorn of all bounties--Luke Skywalker, which sends Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, on a painfully familiar trip to the planet Florrum to collect his prize.

Memento Mori by planningconquest, Slx99 Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, angst, 13k unfinished. After deposing of his former master, only one thing stands in Vader's way to absolute power: the young Prince Luke Palpatine. But there is a lot that Vader does not know about the prince.

◇ Long. Will make you lose track of time

The Son of Suns trilogy (series) by blank101 (Into the Storm, In Shadows and Darkness, At the Brink of the Dawn and the Darkness) Luke Skywalker/Mara Jade, sith luke, whump, angst, 148k/254k/319k finished. When Darth Vader's plan to turn Luke is rebuffed he falls back on more desperate measures and hands his son over to Palpatine, who begins to systematically take apart Luke’s life to create a new Sith, turning him against his allies, his father and his beliefs with devastating consequences for both the Empire and the Alliance, as events cascade beyond anyone's control. (Note: fucking love this trilogy.)

Force Bond (series) by kittandchips Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, teenage Luke, fluff, major character death, 858k finished. This series is an AU about Vader raising a teenage Luke. Or, Vader has his orderly expectations of parenthood repeatedly destroyed by the bundle of adventure and love that is his offspring. Luke dares anyone to suggest they have problems when his father is a Sith Lord who works for evil incarnate.

Missing and Presumed Dead by LadyVader23 Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Leia Organa & Luke Skywalker, whump, hurt/comfort, 219k finished. Three months after ESB, Luke Skywalker is still reeling from the revelation of his parentage. When he finally cracks and tells Leia, she comes up with a plot to get Darth Vader off his back: stage his death.

What Lurks in the Dark by DragonflyonBreak Luke Skywalker & Wedge Antilles, Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, horror, whump, 89k unfinished. A simple mission to check out an abandoned weapons factory turns into a dangerous fight for survival. Trust is broken, loyalties will be tested, and dark secrets are brought to light. Because sooner or later, the truth always comes out.

The Heir by SpellCleaver Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Luke skywalker & Sabé, angst, fluff, 105k finished. Darth Vader just killed his master and learned a galaxy-changing truth: the child Palpatine adopted, the Imperial prince and heir, is actually Vader’s son, raised by Palpatine to torment him.

Tell Me About Your Mother by OffBrandLightsaber Luke Skywalker & Sabé, 147k finished. “Luke Amidala. Is that any relation to the Naberrie family?” She asked, looking up and meeting Luke’s eyes. It's a Luke is raised by Sabé AU!

In The Faces Of Our Children by soulshrapnel Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Wilhuff Tarkin/Darth Vader, Wilhuff Tarkin/Natasi Daala, co-emperors tarkin and vader, post-anh au, 109k finished. Surprised by Emperor Vader on what should have been a routine training mission, and prompted by a strange impulse in the Force, Luke Skywalker surrenders to save his friends. Vader seems strangely uninterested in hurting him, but Luke doesn't know how long that will last, or just what to expect. He's definitely not expecting "I am your father."

The New Sith Order by Chi-chi-chimaera (gestalt1) Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker & Various Inquisitors, dark luke, 334k finished. Ten year old Luke Skywalker has no chance of fighting back when two Imperial Inquisitors stumble across him on an accidental visit to Tatooine. His family dead and nameless as any other stolen child, the only way to survive is to excel in his Dark Side training and become a fully fledged Inquisitor.

all the echoes fade by aradian_nights Luke Skywalker/Ezra Bridger, dimension travel, slow burn, 453k unfinished. Luke's exploration of some old Jedi ruins goes terribly wrong after he meets a strange man named Ezra. He finds himself in another world where his father and mother are very much alive, and, unfortunately, so is the Empire.

Back from the Future: Episode VI The Clone Wars by Ariel_Sojourner Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader, time travel, 108k finished. In which Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader travel back in time together to the Clone Wars era, have amazing adventures, and save the galaxy.

A swap au you say?

mhm... something like that :)

Came across another debate about the "inhibitor chips vs. no chips" storyline for the clones. Saw the usual complaint that the inhibitor chips are a cop out to absolve the clones of any responsibility for their actions.

Thing is...

For a long time, practically none of the clones knew their actions during Order 66 were influenced by programming via implanted brain chips. Omega was the first clone who for sure knew the chips were even a thing; Tech figured it out and Rex finally understood and fully accepted Fives' claims during Order 66; the rest of Clone Force 99 eventually accepts the truth; and I'm sure Rex got through to the clones who became part of his network.

But that's a tiny fraction of the clones who make up the GAR. (We find out over a decade later in Rebels that apparently the story of the inhibitor chips had circulated, but we don't know to what extent the story spread or if it was ever validated to the general public as more than a rumor.)

So, during Order 66 and for years thereafter, the clones thought they were acting of their own accord.

We never see the clones using the chips as an excuse for their behavior, likely because most of the clones don't even know about them.

And frankly, I find it even more tragic that these loyal, honorable men thought they had freely chosen to turn on the Jedi and others who had been their allies, genuinely thought they were stopping a Jedi coup, when they really didn't have much of a choice at all, not even the option to stop and think about what they were doing before they did it.

And even those clones who DO know what's going on are too horrified by their behavior to even entertain the notion of excusing themselves.

Just look at Rex's face when he's about to shoot Ahsoka. He's conflicted, he's terrified. Rex later talks about the chip and tells the Bad Batch it's not something they can control if it activates; but even then he's sharing that to convince them to choose to remove the chips, not to give them an excuse for their behavior.

And can any of us mistake Wrecker's shame over his actions while the inhibitor chip was activated as him justifying himself? He describes what it felt like, and we know as well as he does that he literally had no control over himself, yet he still apologizes for what he did.

AND THEN we have Crosshair, Mr. "Does it really matter when I got my chip removed?" -

Crosshair knows about the chip, knows what it was supposed to do, had it removed, and still insists that he was in full control of himself and his decisions all along. Even later, when he admits to making mistakes and having regrets, he never blames the inhibitor chip for his actions.

Basically - I have no issue whatsoever with the inhibitor chip plotline. I actually prefer it. Not even taking into account the fact that it makes a ton of sense that Palpatine wouldn't leave anything regarding something as pivotal to his plans as Order 66 up to chance, the inhibitor chips add another layer of tragedy and complexity to the clones in that while we the audience know they have more of their autonomy stripped away from them, as far as the clones are aware the chips don't even exist and they are in full control of their own actions; and the clones who DO know about the chips tend to acknowledge their effects while still not using them to justify their behavior or refuse any responsibility.

Mark Hamill and Dave Prowse light saber practicing at Elstree studios for Empire Strikes Back

@retro-star-wars-strikes-back

I have a vision.

Okay, so, we all love Star Wars time travel fics. They're great, and I've read like, 50 of them in two days.

So. Obi-Wan travels to the future. From the Clone Wars to, oh, 10 years into the Empire era. Directly to Mustafar. Directly to Darth Vader's private chambers. Right in front of Darth Vader, who is currently helplessly floating in a bacta tank.

And the first thing he says is "oh Force, Anakin! What happened to you?"

And the first thing Darth Vader says is "You did this."

From Obi-Wan's perspective... well. Obi-Wan can feel it in the Force that the Jedi are gone. Anakin is grievously injured in every way possible, and he's telling the truth that Obi-Wan was responsible. They are on a remote planet, on which Anakin is obviously hiding.

Obi-Wan puts two and two together and gets twenty-two.

"I Fell. Didn't I, Anakin? I did this. All of this."

Obi-Wan explains away Anakin's obvious Darkness as a result of the trauma of watching his Master, brother and best friend become a Sith Lord. And, because Obi-Wan is duty-driven, selfless and above all a man who loves punishing himself, he immediately agrees to help Anakin hunt down his older self. Actually, he suggests it.

Darth Vader is caught in a conundrum. On one hand, he hates Kenobi almost as much as he hates himself. On the other hand, Kenobi is willingly admitting that this was all his fault and not Vader's (which is what Vader already believes anyways, and it's nice to have validation even if Obi-Wan is, technically speaking, wrong), and if he can just keep Young Obi-Wan on his side, he could overthrow Sidious...

Hilarity ensues. Vader tries to keep Obi-Wan from finding out the real truth while desperately lying to himself and Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan is too caught up with blaming himself to actually look at the situation they're in, and, of course, if Vader just managed to be honest with Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan was able to return to his time, this whole mess could be averted.

Impermanence is not insignificance

By the way, I moved all of my prints to Inprnt (better quality than Redbubble); you can get a print of this piece here!

I’m gonna just throw this out before it happens:

Even if Sabine somehow “unlocks” the force through hard work, the Jedi were STILL RIGHT to only recruit force sensitive children.

There has only been one episode of Sabine learning to be a jedi so far. Look at how terrible of a time she’s having. She’s making zero progress, and we know she spent a long time with Ahsoka before quitting because she was making no process.

Why is she putting herself through all this grief with no reward? No idea. That’s another post.

But the point is Ahsoka isn’t even teaching Sabine what younglings were usually taught. She’s not trying to get Sabine to deflect blaster shots (bc she’d never be able to) and she’s not trying to teach Sabine how to move things with her mind (bc she’d never be able to). It’s just lightsaber lessons. Something Kanan taught Sabine already just as a Mandalorian wielding the dark saber. Sabine would be doing so much worse if she was in a normal youngling group.

Sabine has only gotten this far because she is a natural warrior. And she still already quit once. Ahsoka’s really not helping at all. She’s just telling Sabine to “feel it”

And sure! The other jedi masters did that. But they did that knowing that their students actually had a natural ability to feel the force!! Their students knew what they were trying to feel.

For someone who went through the public school system with dyslexia I honestly felt so frustrated and bad for Sabine last episode. Ahsoka and Huyang are telling her to do things she just has no ability to do. At least Huyang is being honest with her about why.

There is nothing more frustrating when you’re struggling and someone tells you to just. Do it better. Huyang and Ahsoka are not giving her any real instruction. Bc there is no instruction. There is no shortcut like there was with reading.

But unlike me and reading, Sabine does not have to be a jedi. She does not have to learn how to use the force. So why is Ahsoka putting her through this? Why is she putting herself through this?

Imagine if the Jedi order did that with little kids? Kids who may not have the option to quit like Sabine did? That would so so terrible for them. It’s already terrible for Sabine. How long did Sabine try the first time around? How terrible did it get, not making any improvement for so long, before she quit the first time? She doesn’t have to be a jedi. If you’re not force sensitive there’s no reason to force it. (Hehe, get it? Force it?)

If Ahsoka wanted a padawan she should have found someone force sensitive and trained them. Honestly this whole thing feels like a cruel joke on Sabine: someone who works hard and is naturally talented at many other things.

emperor palpatine is so fucking cringe dude he doesn’t even have a court jester