This is a one-shot fanfic I wrote maybe a year or two ago, set immediately after the end of Return of the Jedi. I hope you like it. 
STAR WARS: AFTER ENDOR
As the party continues on the forest moon of Endor, Luke Skywalker settles down, reflecting on the past few years of his life. In a comparatively short time, he'd gone from innocent farmboy to unexpected hero, Rebel commander, and finally Jedi Knight. But he'd also lost people he cared for, most notably his uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, friend Biggs Darklighter, and now his father. The latter was someone he barely knew...and yet, Luke felt a closer connection to him on board the second Death Star, than he imagined any child could have with their parents. Seated on the ground amongst a few trees, Luke watches the others celebrate from a distance. The Ewoks dance around their campfires, while fellow Rebel soldiers share stories about the battle. Lando and Han share tales of their previous victories, which Luke suspects are probably nonsense. As for Leia...she's near Wicket the Ewok, using Threepio as a translator to speak with him better.
Leia...how Luke's thoughts and feelings had changed toward her in just a few years. He felt an immediate connection to her, when he first saw her in the Death Star's detention cell...but chalked it up to hormones and little else. A year later, she had kissed him to make Han jealous...and while that wasn't Luke's first kiss, it still felt different than he expected. Lost for the right phrase, all he could think of was "energetic"...but that still sounded wrong. And then to discover she was actually his sister...well, that definitely changed him. Luke was disappointed, sure...but at the same time, grateful for someone he still had a family bond with. He also respected Han, and knew the smuggler was more than capable of handling the former Princess' defensive temper. But the revelation about Leia from Obi-Wan had transformed a potential romantic love into something even Luke could not have prepared himself for. It also cleared up the certain mystery of why she heard him, when he called for her from Bespin.
To be honest, he wasn't sure why of all people, she had come to his mind after that battle with their father. At the time, he assumed it was probably confusion from the pain - having a lightsaber slice your hand off wasn't something that happened to most people. While he was grateful for the bionic replacement, there were still times when it felt different to him, compared with the remaining natural one. But after five years of war, it was finally over - the Emperor was dead, and the galaxy was better for it. Lost in reflection, he almost didn't hear the rustling of leaves nearby...and he reflexively reached for the hilt of his lightsaber. Turning quickly, he activated it...only to see his loyal droid R2-D2 behind him. Sighing in relief, Luke sat back down, and gently touched the top of Artoo's head.
"I can't understand you without the translator...but I want you to know you're just as much a hero as the rest of us. You helped me during my attack on the Death Star, braved a sea creature on Dagobah, and hid my saber for me at Jabba's palace. Thanks...very much."
The droid simply whistled in response, a cheerful tone to his sounds. Suddenly, a human voice echoes through the stillness; it is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Luke, it seems I owe you an apology", the deceased Jedi Master said, his shimmering Force ghost appearing from thin air. "Neither I nor Yoda believed Anakin could be redeemed, even by someone as pure of heart as yourself." "That was him, wasn't it?" Luke asked. "The young man I saw with both of you." Obi-Wan nodded. "His form is now that of his true self, as he was before he fell. Yoda and I never experienced that, so we retain our older appearance." "Has anyone else ever been rescued from the Dark Side?" Luke wondered. "No...Anakin was the first. And for that, we have you to thank."
"You give me credit I don't deserve", Luke says, bowing his head almost in shame. "I came so close, Ben. I was seconds away from being exactly like him. Your warning helped snap me back, about him being more machine than man. At least I only lost a hand, and not half my body."
At that, another voice sounds...and though Luke has only heard it briefly, he recognizes it immediately. "My deepest loss went far beyond the physical, my son. I surrendered my soul to the darkness, giving up a future with my beloved wife, and what I could never suspect were two children. My hatred of myself was insurmountably stronger, even than my hate of Palpatine. It blinded me to who you and Leia were, on our first encounters...and fueled my desperation for power in the later ones. As much as I could say it was all my master's doing, I am equally to blame for the pain I caused...both to you, to Leia, and to the galaxy."
Anakin's form appears now, next to Obi-Wan...prompting Luke to stare at him. The resemblance is definitely there, and yet there's a sort of aged wisdom in the eyes of his father's spirit. But before anyone can say more, a branch snaps...and Luke turns back the way he'd been facing. Leia stands there, her expression one of concern and curiosity. "Brother," she says, and then smiles in spite of herself. "Wow...that's going to take some adjustment." Moments later, her smile fades, but its not replaced with anger of fear. "Luke...who were you talking to?"
"You don't see them, Leia?" he asks. In response, his sister simply shakes her head. "No, just you and the trees. But it sounded like the conversation was...interesting." Luke notices she chose that word carefully. Looking her in the eyes, he speaks calmly. "Many powers are unlocked through the Force, Leia...and one of them is communication with certain people who have passed from this life into eternity. I can't do it at will, with everyone...but I was speaking mostly to Obi-Wan."
"Mostly? Who else is there?" Leia asked. Turning back, Luke sees the spirits of Kenobi and his father, the latter nodding his head. "Its okay, Luke; you can tell her. She's strong enough to handle it." Sighing, Luke returns his gaze to Leia...and with some hesitation, reveals the truth. "I was also speaking to Father."
This hits Leia completely out of the blue. "Vader?! You told me he died on that station when it exploded!" "Please, Leia...calm down. Yes, his mortal life ended just a few hours ago...but his spirit remains connected to the Force because of his redemption. Therefore, I can communicate with him...or more accurately, he spoke to me. If you wish, I can train you someday, to do the same."
"No." she says, her voice now trembling. Suddenly, she speaks loudly toward the tress, almost in a scream. "I don't care how purified you may be now - you're still a monster to me! You destroyed my family, and whole planets of innocent people! You tortured me, and did the same to Han just to get Luke on your side! Stay away from me!" Shaking, she breaks down, sobbing into Luke's arms. Turning back, Luke sees both Obi-Wan and Anakin, sad expressions on both their faces. But the latter's confidence remains unchanged. "Someday, son...she will understand. And I know a large part of you feels the same way. Don't be afraid to face those feelings, but don't let them control you either. I am here, for both of you, whenever you call for me." And then suddenly, as soon as he appeared...the ghost of Anakin Skywalker is gone.
STAR WARS: AFTER ENDOR
As the party continues on the forest moon of Endor, Luke Skywalker settles down, reflecting on the past few years of his life. In a comparatively short time, he'd gone from innocent farmboy to unexpected hero, Rebel commander, and finally Jedi Knight. But he'd also lost people he cared for, most notably his uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, friend Biggs Darklighter, and now his father. The latter was someone he barely knew...and yet, Luke felt a closer connection to him on board the second Death Star, than he imagined any child could have with their parents. Seated on the ground amongst a few trees, Luke watches the others celebrate from a distance. The Ewoks dance around their campfires, while fellow Rebel soldiers share stories about the battle. Lando and Han share tales of their previous victories, which Luke suspects are probably nonsense. As for Leia...she's near Wicket the Ewok, using Threepio as a translator to speak with him better.
Leia...how Luke's thoughts and feelings had changed toward her in just a few years. He felt an immediate connection to her, when he first saw her in the Death Star's detention cell...but chalked it up to hormones and little else. A year later, she had kissed him to make Han jealous...and while that wasn't Luke's first kiss, it still felt different than he expected. Lost for the right phrase, all he could think of was "energetic"...but that still sounded wrong. And then to discover she was actually his sister...well, that definitely changed him. Luke was disappointed, sure...but at the same time, grateful for someone he still had a family bond with. He also respected Han, and knew the smuggler was more than capable of handling the former Princess' defensive temper. But the revelation about Leia from Obi-Wan had transformed a potential romantic love into something even Luke could not have prepared himself for. It also cleared up the certain mystery of why she heard him, when he called for her from Bespin.
To be honest, he wasn't sure why of all people, she had come to his mind after that battle with their father. At the time, he assumed it was probably confusion from the pain - having a lightsaber slice your hand off wasn't something that happened to most people. While he was grateful for the bionic replacement, there were still times when it felt different to him, compared with the remaining natural one. But after five years of war, it was finally over - the Emperor was dead, and the galaxy was better for it. Lost in reflection, he almost didn't hear the rustling of leaves nearby...and he reflexively reached for the hilt of his lightsaber. Turning quickly, he activated it...only to see his loyal droid R2-D2 behind him. Sighing in relief, Luke sat back down, and gently touched the top of Artoo's head.
"I can't understand you without the translator...but I want you to know you're just as much a hero as the rest of us. You helped me during my attack on the Death Star, braved a sea creature on Dagobah, and hid my saber for me at Jabba's palace. Thanks...very much."
The droid simply whistled in response, a cheerful tone to his sounds. Suddenly, a human voice echoes through the stillness; it is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Luke, it seems I owe you an apology", the deceased Jedi Master said, his shimmering Force ghost appearing from thin air. "Neither I nor Yoda believed Anakin could be redeemed, even by someone as pure of heart as yourself." "That was him, wasn't it?" Luke asked. "The young man I saw with both of you." Obi-Wan nodded. "His form is now that of his true self, as he was before he fell. Yoda and I never experienced that, so we retain our older appearance." "Has anyone else ever been rescued from the Dark Side?" Luke wondered. "No...Anakin was the first. And for that, we have you to thank."
"You give me credit I don't deserve", Luke says, bowing his head almost in shame. "I came so close, Ben. I was seconds away from being exactly like him. Your warning helped snap me back, about him being more machine than man. At least I only lost a hand, and not half my body."
At that, another voice sounds...and though Luke has only heard it briefly, he recognizes it immediately. "My deepest loss went far beyond the physical, my son. I surrendered my soul to the darkness, giving up a future with my beloved wife, and what I could never suspect were two children. My hatred of myself was insurmountably stronger, even than my hate of Palpatine. It blinded me to who you and Leia were, on our first encounters...and fueled my desperation for power in the later ones. As much as I could say it was all my master's doing, I am equally to blame for the pain I caused...both to you, to Leia, and to the galaxy."
Anakin's form appears now, next to Obi-Wan...prompting Luke to stare at him. The resemblance is definitely there, and yet there's a sort of aged wisdom in the eyes of his father's spirit. But before anyone can say more, a branch snaps...and Luke turns back the way he'd been facing. Leia stands there, her expression one of concern and curiosity. "Brother," she says, and then smiles in spite of herself. "Wow...that's going to take some adjustment." Moments later, her smile fades, but its not replaced with anger of fear. "Luke...who were you talking to?"
"You don't see them, Leia?" he asks. In response, his sister simply shakes her head. "No, just you and the trees. But it sounded like the conversation was...interesting." Luke notices she chose that word carefully. Looking her in the eyes, he speaks calmly. "Many powers are unlocked through the Force, Leia...and one of them is communication with certain people who have passed from this life into eternity. I can't do it at will, with everyone...but I was speaking mostly to Obi-Wan."
"Mostly? Who else is there?" Leia asked. Turning back, Luke sees the spirits of Kenobi and his father, the latter nodding his head. "Its okay, Luke; you can tell her. She's strong enough to handle it." Sighing, Luke returns his gaze to Leia...and with some hesitation, reveals the truth. "I was also speaking to Father."
This hits Leia completely out of the blue. "Vader?! You told me he died on that station when it exploded!" "Please, Leia...calm down. Yes, his mortal life ended just a few hours ago...but his spirit remains connected to the Force because of his redemption. Therefore, I can communicate with him...or more accurately, he spoke to me. If you wish, I can train you someday, to do the same."
"No." she says, her voice now trembling. Suddenly, she speaks loudly toward the tress, almost in a scream. "I don't care how purified you may be now - you're still a monster to me! You destroyed my family, and whole planets of innocent people! You tortured me, and did the same to Han just to get Luke on your side! Stay away from me!" Shaking, she breaks down, sobbing into Luke's arms. Turning back, Luke sees both Obi-Wan and Anakin, sad expressions on both their faces. But the latter's confidence remains unchanged. "Someday, son...she will understand. And I know a large part of you feels the same way. Don't be afraid to face those feelings, but don't let them control you either. I am here, for both of you, whenever you call for me." And then suddenly, as soon as he appeared...the ghost of Anakin Skywalker is gone.
