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Highness Fright

Highness Fright By Kyla

My mind races. Thoughts collide and scream within the gray matter that is my organ of wisdom. A new and most disturbing emotion dominates above all else: FEAR!

Yes, I, Emperor Palpatine, the Supreme Wielder of Dark Side Power, am frightened by very few things, but now I cannot control the fright. The terror that grips and binds my dark-blessed being. This horror of being destroyed by one of the most hated of foes - that of the Jedi. Until very recently, the Knights, and the light side of the Force, were all but extinguished.

But now I know the actions of my grand design - to rule alone over this galaxy and change her to my liking - has been halted. As these images speed through my brain, I tremble upon my throne. Shaking not from the burdens of my ever-decaying lesh, but from this immobilizing fear of the return of the light; the rebirth of the Jedi.

This trauma I face is focused upon on human. The awesome surges in the Force ,that lead me to believe I could be in mortal danger, emanate from a mere boy! Afraid of a child I am! And one from a backwater desert planet in a tenth rate system no less!

Try as I might to dispel this vulgar and unpleasing vision - this wretched emotion - I cannot! No matter what dark side power I raise forth, nothing can quiet the raging storm that fills me now! It's almost amusing how I normally revel in creating and spreading the energies of fear; and now, I am all but enslaved by it.

This can all be traced back to the boy: the Son of Skywalker!

Yes, I now know the identity of the fledgling Force-skilled youth. I now know it was he who laid waste to my technological terror: the Death Star.

Yes, it was you, young Skywalker, who was among the scant trio of heathen rebels that survived Lord Vader's destructive touch in the trenches. Yes, boy, YOU ARE a child strong in the light side; the side of the Force which I KNOW to be the weaker - but not in your hands - Son of Skywalker.

You could very well destroy me and the beautiful universe I've created by holding this galaxy hostage! One so young, one who learns quickly - you, Luke Skywalker, can destroy me and spell the Empire's doom! And my fear of you grows - as I see you beginning to learn.

Yes, boy, I see you in the not-too-distant future, roaming the endless swamps and bogs of that loathsome jungle planet, Dagobah. Training, with that wretched little Master strapped to your back.

I do not know how you survived my wrath, Yoda!

Luke, you will be learning things I thought I killed off decades ago. Open to knowledge and insights of incredible, potent strength. More powerful you will become with each passing day.

I cannot let you complete what you soon shall begin! If I cannot reach you while you learn, I will prevent you from finishing the tutelage - with that Yoda! I will NOT die in your hands,young Skywalker, but you...

You will die at the hands of your father - Lord Vader. Your own father, of whom you have no true knowledge.

Soon - yes, dying in the grasp of your father. Yes, now is the time to act!

At last my voice finds the strength to speak.

"Guards! Make contact with the Sithlord's flagship - I demand conference with Lord Vader NOW!"

I need only one reply. "At your command your Highness!"

Yes, boy, I look forward to your demise and the final end to the Jedi! The guard returns to me.

"Lord Vader transmitting now, my Emperor!"

   "Good, good, leave me! Vader, rise, my friend."

"What is thy bidding, my Master?"

"There is a great disturbance in the Force..."

"...I have felt it, my Master."

"We have a new enemy: LUKE SKYWALKER!"






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