 |
Luke nears the moment of truth. As their Swords clash, Vader is overcome by Luke's superior Jedi skills. In a fit of rage Luke knocks Vader to his knees and cuts his hand off. It is here that Luke discovers that he is becoming his father. With this abrupt awakening, Luke becomes determined not to be overcome by hatred. What happens next is what ordains Luke as a Jedi knight.
The Dark Lord is knocked to his knees, and as he raises his sword to block another onslaught, Luke slashes Vader's right hand off at the wrist, causing metal and electronic parts to fly from the mechanical stump. Vader's sword clatters uselessly away, over the edge of the platform and into the bottomless shaft below. Luke moves over Vader and holds the blade of his sword to the Dark Lord's throat. The Emperor watches with uncontrollable, pleased agitation.
Good! Your hate has made you powerful. Now, fulfill your destiny and take your father's place at my side! Luke looks at his father's mechanical hand, then to his own mechanical, black-gloved hand, and realizes how much he is becoming like his father. He makes the decision for which he has spent a lifetime in preparation. Luke steps back and hurls his light saber away.
Never! I'll never turn to the dark side. You've failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.
So be it... Jedi. Luke stands still, as the Emperor reaches the bottom of the stairs. The Emperor's laughter has turned to anger. He raises his arms toward Luke.
If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed. Blinding bolts of energy and lightning, shoot from the Emperor's hands at Luke. The wounded Vader struggles to his feet, and moves to stand at his master's side.
Young fool... only now, at the end, do you understand.
Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision.
(groans) Father, please. Help me.
Now, young Sky Walker... you will die. Just as the Emperor sends one last barrage of lightning at Luke, Vader grabs him from behind. The Emperor struggles in his embrace, his bolt- shooting hands now lifted high, away from Luke, sending lightning arcs back to strike at Vader. He stumbles with his load as the sparks rain off his helmet and flow down over his black cape. He holds his evil master high over his head and walks to the edge of the abyss at the central core of the throne room. With one final burst of his strength, Darth Vader hurls the Emperor's body into the bottomless shaft. |
Luke
tries to carry the enormous deadweight of his father's weakening body toward
an Imperial shuttle. Finally, Luke collapses from the strain. The explosions
grow louder as Vader draws him closer.
ANAKIN (a whisper) LUKE
Nothing can stop that now. Just for once... let me look on you with my own eyes.
Slowly, hesitantly, Luke removes the mask from his father's face. There beneath the scars is an elderly man. His eyes do not focus. But the dying man smiles at the sight before him. ANAKIN (very weak) LUKE ANAKIN |
