Duel on Cloud City

"*The Force is with you young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.*"
―Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker
This duel takes place in the Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back.

It is a lightsaber duel that took place in Cloud City on Bespin, between Luke Skywalker and the Sith Lord Darth Vader during the Galactic Civil War. Skywalker was very inexperienced and was completely outmatched against Darth Vader and he was defeated, losing his hand in the process. At the end of the battle, Vader revealed to Luke that he was his father.

## The Duel

### **Prelude**

"*I’ve got to go to them”
“Decide, you must, how to serve them best. If you leave now, help them, you could, but you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered*"
―Luke Skywalker and Yoda
The Rebel Alliance had recently been defeated at the Battle of Hoth. As the imperial assault neared completion, Han Solo, Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and C-3PO barely managed to escape in the Millenium Falcon which was undergoing repairs before the battle. The hyperdrive was damaged to the point of being non-functional.

Darth Vader was obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker and turning him into his apprentice. He created a plan to capture his friends and torture them to lure Skywalker to him. He hoped the suffering of Luke’s friends would be felt by Luke in the force and that Luke would come to help them. Vader eventually found and captured Luke’s friends with the help of the bounty hunter Boba Fett.

While training with Jedi Master Yoda on Dagobah, Luke could feel the suffering of his friends through the force. Despite Yoda and Obi-Wan warning Luke that it was a trap by Vader, Luke went to Bespin to save his friends anyway.

After landing his X-Wing starfighter, Luke made his way through the catwalks and elevators of the Cloud City Core. He eventually reached the Carbon Freezing Center, where Darth Vader was waiting for him. Vader taunted Luke by telling him that the force is with him but he is not a Jedi yet. They then each ignited their lightsabers and the duel began.

### **The Duel**

"*You have learned much, young one."
"You'll find I'm full of surprises!*"
―Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker
Skywalker attacked first, initiating two unsuccessful strikes at Vader before regrouping. Luke then attempted an overhand power attack, but Vader blocked it with ease and broke the blade lock by casually throwing Luke to the floor. Skywalker then recovered and engaged Vader in a series of attacks that managed to drive the Sith Lord back, but Vader counter attacked and forced Luke to the head of the stairs. During a subsequent break in the fight, Vader complimented Skywalker on his increased skills in the force. Skywalker arrogantly agreed and immediately struck at Vader again, but Vader deprived Skywalker of his lightsaber with a quick flourish. Vader then struck at Skywalker hoping to drive him towards the carbon freezing pit on the floor below. Luke dove out of the way and rolled down the stairs. Vader followed Luke and began backing him up to the edge of the freezing pit. Vader continued driving Luke back until he eventually made Luke fall into the carbon freezing pit. Vader then activated the chamber with the force, but at the last second Skywalker leaped up before the freezing process began and was hanging on to the gas pipes above the pit. Vader approached the pit, disappointed in how easily Skywalker had been defeated, suddenly heard a metallic crash and saw Luke clinging to the gas pipes above.

Vader was impressed by Luke's agility, and Vader bisected one of the pipes with his weapon in an attempt to dislodge Skywalker. As Vader closed in on Luke, he jumped down and sprayed tibanna gas in Vader's face. With Vader, momentarily stunned, Luke recovered his lightsaber and struck at Vader. Vader blocked young Skywalker's attack with ease. Vader then taunted Skywalker, complimenting him on his ability to control his fear, but then telling him that using his anger and hatred was his only path to victory.

After a series of offensive strikes from Skywalker, he was able to drive Vader back and kick him off of the platform. Skywalker then jumped down and searched for Vader. When Skywalker advanced through the tunnel, Vader suddenly reappeared from the shadows. Vader then began to use his force powers. He threw several objects at Skywalker with the force. Skywalker failed to hold off Vader’s attacks with the force. One of the objects broke a window and Luke was blown out of the window.

Luke manages to hold on to a platform and get back up. He then searched for Vader down a dark corridor. Vader then suddenly appeared and initiated several heavy blows with his lightsaber. Vader had been holding back earlier but now was the time for Vader to show Luke the power of the dark side. Luke struggled to keep up with Vader and was completely overwhelmed. Vader eventually got through Luke’s defense and cut his hand off.

### **Revelation**

"*If you only knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father”
 "He told me enough. He told me you killed him”
 "No, I am your father”
"No. That’s not true. That's impossible!*"
―Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker
As Skywalker was in extreme pain, Vader attempted to turn him to the dark side. To do this, he revealed to Luke that he was his father. At first, Luke was horrified and didn’t believe it but as he searched his feelings he knew that Vader was telling the truth. Luke was in shock and frightened. Skywalker then threw himself off the platform and fell into an air shaft below. Eventually Luke was clinging to a pole for his life on the underside of Cloud City. Luke called out to Leia through the force for help. Leia senses Luke calling out to him and went back to rescue Luke.