Chapter Text
Kashyyyk
Han watched from a discreet distance as the Wookiee medic and the droid attached a new hand to Mara Jade. The assassin had not mellowed during the trip to Kashyyyk, and Solo had worried that she would get free and accomplish what she threatened to do - kill everyone onboard. Freeing her, even temporarily to use the refresher or eat, made Han nervous. The Corellian was certain Chewie and Bail were on hand to guard her when he undid the restraining straps. While she had not attempted to escape, her constant, taunting insults were getting on Han's nerves. If she wasn't a women, he would have hauled off and given her a crack on the jaw.
"Looks as good as new," Han commented as Jade flexed the fingers.
"It will never be like my real hand," she snarled back. "It feels strange."
"It will take time to adjust to the new sensation," Two-fourteen said as his glowing eyes turned toward the human female. "The prosthetic hand is the latest in technology, and should last at least thirty-five standard years before a replacement is required."
"Is it stronger than a regular human hand?" Jade asked, suddenly interested.
"Yes, you will have to learn to adjust your grip so as not to accidentally bend or break objects," the droid instructed.
Jade looked at Solo and sneered. "So you've given me a nice new weapon. Thanks, fool."
"Listen, Jade," Han snapped at the ungrateful woman. "I still have the upper hand, so to speak, in this situation and if you don't start behaving you're gonna find yourself in chains on our next little hop. And if you don't quit callin' me names, you're gonna need more than a hand to replace."
"Oh, dear," she said, eyes growing wide in mock-fear. "The pilot of the junkiest ship in the galaxy can get offended. I was starting to think you didn't understand half the insults I was throwing at you."
I swear, maybe Luke is better off without this woman. I don't know what he ever saw in her. Maybe I'll just space her out an airlock and go fix Luke up with someone nice, someone who deserves the kid, not this piece of work, Han thought as he glared at Jade. "Chewie, let's put her in binders and take her back to the Falcon. Then you can go visit your family for a few time-parts before we leave. Sorry your visit is gonna be so short this time, pal."
*That's alright, Han,* Chewie woofed. *I was just here for a long visit, and I'd be too worried about leaving you alone with her very long anyway.*
Solo smiled up at his tall friend and realized how much he missed his constant, gentle protector by his side for the past five years. Maybe Yoda was right. Maybe what's happening to me goes way beyond just saving Alderaan.
Yavin 4
"This place will do very nicely," Vader said to his children as he looked around at the abandoned stone buildings. He walked over to a ledge that overlooked a vast rainforest. A distant rainbow arched in the green carpeted distance, glittering in the morning dew. The moon was teeming with life, but when Vader shut his eyes and reached out, he found an underlying current of evil here, too. Something that lurked just below the surface - waiting for the right opportunity.
Dagobah
Han maneuvered his ship down past the crackling electrical storms that shielded Dagobah from the casual space traveler. Only those truly determined, or desperate, would want to risk heading past the currents that protected the swampy surface.
When the murky green planet finally came into view, Mara Jade snorted in disbelief. "Are you serious? The place is nothing but a bog. No Jedi Master would live here."
The Corellian spared a glance at Jade's reflection in the cockpit window. Despite protests from both Chewie and Organa, he had allowed Mara to roam free on the Falcon since leaving Kashyyyk. Solo was basing this mostly on his knowledge of Mara Jade from the future. Luke had once told him, shortly before his marriage to Jade, that Mara had only killed on direct orders from Palpatine, never of her own volition. Therefore, Han hoped rather sincerely that the Emperor had not communicated in any way with Jade and given her an "order" to kill whoever she was with. He suspected they were fairly safe, since five days had passed and everyone was still alive. "He's down there - trust me."
"That's the last thing I'll ever do, Solo," she said, sneering.
He shook his head and sighed. She might not have killed them, but her attitude sure hadn't changed. Solo settled the ship as close to Yoda's hut as space allowed. He wasn't interested in anymore long hikes if he could prevent it. "Well... here we are," he announced with a sweep of his hand. "Home sweet home."
"I'm not going out there," Jade informed them. "If a Jedi is out there, he'll have to come in here."
Solo swiveled in his seat to face her. "What's the matter, Jade? Are you afraid your pretty red hair will get all frizzy in the humidity?"
With lightning speed, the assassin jumped up and pinned Han against his seat, her knee pressing painfully against his groin, her new hand holding him at his throat. "I'm really tired of being jerked around by you, Solo. I could've killed you a hundred times by now. I could kill you right now, or I could just make sure you never sire any children. That would certainly be a blessing to the galaxy."
Chewie gave a angry roar and instantly pointed his bowcaster at Jade, warning her off. Han looked directly into her hard green eyes. "But you won't, will you?" he said quietly, no fear showing in his eyes or coming from his emotions. "You don't like killing, do you Jade? Not really. Besides, you can't figure me out...can you? If you kill me, you'll never know why I know so much about you, an' that would drive you crazy. You can't stand a mystery, an' I'm a mystery to you."
The Corellian felt the pressure on his throat ease, and she removed her knee. "You're playing with fire, Solo," she warned. "The odds are you're going to get burned."
Rubbing his neck, Han stood up and waved Chewie to put his weapon away. "I never much cared about odds, Jade. You want to meet this Jedi. I know you do. So quit being stubborn, and let's go find him."
*Do you want us to come with you?* Chewie asked as he stood up.
Han looked at the very silent Viceroy, then back at his partner. "No, you stay here with the Prince and watch the Falcon. Me an' Jade get along so good that we don't need a chaperone, do we Red?"
Red? I just assaulted him, threatened to kill him and he has the nerve to call me by some annoying nickname!? Jade felt like screaming in frustration. She glared up at the tall Corellian. "I'm the last woman in the galaxy that needs a chaperone. Idiot." Giving Han a push, she stormed past him out of the cockpit."
"Been nice knowing you, Solo," Bail said dryly.
Yavin 4
"There is evil here," Vader hissed as he watched his children practice with their lightsabers while the two droids stood off to one side.
Surprised, Luke held up his hand at Leia to stop. "Evil? Where?"
"Evil?" Threepio chimed in. "Did you hear that, Artoo? I knew we shouldn't have come to this place. Why do we always end up in the wrong places!"
Ignoring the droid, Vader continued. "In the nearby temple. It radiates of the dark side. Something is there, restless and waiting."
"Then we should avoid that place," Leia said. "Maybe we should leave Yavin altogether."
"I couldn't agree more, Princess Leia," Threepio concurred.
"No," Vader disagreed. "This is the place where we need to be. Whatever is there cannot harm us as long as we do not awaken it."
"Do you know what's out there?" Luke asked.
"Not yet, but I will meditate on it, as should you." With that, Vader stood and left the large chamber.
Leia turned her eyes to Luke. "Do you think we made a mistake coming here with him?"
"Absolutely! We should leave at once," Threepio said, not caring if the Princess hadn't been addressing him. "Don't you agree with me, Artoo?"
Artoo only made a mournful sound, before rolling closer to a troubled Luke.
Dagobah
"I hate you," Jade said as she followed Solo around a murky pond, slapping at insects. "What makes you think you know so much about me? You're nothing more than a two-bit smuggler with an inflated ego."
"You hate everyone, Jade," Han said and rubbed his shoulder where the backpack was digging into his skin. "Maybe, someday, I'll tell you why I know so much about you, but it ain't gonna be today, so quit griping."
"I could kill you," she said hotly.
Han spun around, his eyes flashing in anger. "Go ahead, Jade. Make good on your constant threats and kill me. What are you waiting for, anyway? I haven't kept you tied up or confined, and you're right - you've had plenty of opportunities. So go ahead, take your best shot. I won't even try to stop you."
Surprised showed on her flushed face. "You're crazy."
"What else, Jade? I'm a two-bit idiot smuggler. I'm crazy. I have an inflated ego. I have a junky ship, and I'm a lousy pilot. What else?"
She stared at him in silence for a moment. Then Jade started laughing, and continued laughing until she had to sit down, holding her side while her outburst subsided. "I never said you were a lousy pilot."
"I fail to see the humor here, Jade," Han commented in a irritated tone.
She wiped away tears of mirth, leaving a muddy streak on her cheek. "I've never been in such a bizarre situation, Solo. You'll have to excuse me if I find this all surreal. Here I am, running for my life from the Emperor, hiking around in a swamp with a crazy smuggler while looking for a Jedi Master, and now the crazy smuggler is telling me to kill him. I'm sorry. I just find this too funny."
Sighing, Han sat down next to the woman, shrugging off his backpack. "The Jedi is here somewhere. Unless he up and died on me. He was kinda old."
"Look this good at nine hundred you will not!" an indignant voice said from behind them, a stick jabbing Solo hard in his side.
"Damn it!" Han yelled and tried to grab the pole.
Yoda was too fast, pulling it back. "Back you are, I see. Brought yet another Force-sensitive with you. Daughter of Palpatine is this one?"
Her eyes wide with surprise, Mara Jade turned on her hip to look at the short creature. "This is the Jedi Master?" she asked, shocked.
"Judge me by my size do you?" Yoda huffed.
"I wouldn't recommend annoying him, Jade," Han grumbled, rubbing his ribcage. "That sharp stick is a match for any of your weapons."
Quickly, Jade got to her feet, glaring down at the being. "I'm Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand."
Yoda's eyes narrowed and he looked at Han in disdain. "Former Emperor's Hand," Han amended with a cocky grin. "She quit her job just the other day and it really ticked off her employer. I've brought her to you so you can train her, too."
"What has become of the children of Vader?"
Han got to his feet and backed up a few steps, just to be on the safe side. "Well... it's a long story."
"Time we have plenty of."
Biting his lower lip, he said carefully, "Jade here was sent by Palpatine to kill them when we got to Coruscant. But Vader came to their rescue, and so, well, see..."
"What?" Yoda snapped.
"Luke and Leia went with Vader to finish their training," Han finished as fast as he could. Then he stepped back another foot, watching the stick warily.
"Allowed this to happen, did you?"
"Allowed? I didn't have much to say about it," Han defended himself. "Luke has always insisted Vader had good in him. If he did last time, why can't the two of them bring him back from the dark side this time, before it's too late?"
"Last time? This time?" Jade questioned, confused. "What are you talking about, Solo?"
"Told this one you have not," Yoda stated flatly.
"You and Leia are the only ones I've told on this trip."
"You are both crazy," Jade said, looking up at the moss covered branches.
"Wait you will while Solo and I talk," Yoda instructed as he turned and hobbled away.
Han turned to Jade. "Just sit and rest. I'll be right back."
"Threats, threats."
Yavin 4
The long strides of Vader made it difficult for Luke and Leia to keep up the pace through the tangled underbrush of the jungle. Vader's red lightsaber slashed at the foliage, clearing a path toward their destination. Eventually, a vine covered ancient temple came into view. "A Massassi temple. This is the place," Vader said softly.
"What's here?" Luke asked as Leia gripped his arm.
"A dark energy sleeps here. A spirit of a Sith, waiting to be called."
"I don't really think we should be the ones to give him a wake-up call, do you?" Leia questioned sharply.
Vader looked at the young woman who reminded him so much of Padme. Behind his mask, he smiled. "I would agree with you, Princess. Waking this Sith would not be wise."
"I'm glad we finally agree on something."
Dagobah
The Jedi Master shook his head at Solo's explanation, and sighed. "The wife of Jedi Luke Skywalker this Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand, becomes?"
"Yeah."
"Allow Jedi to marry the Old Order did not. Forbidden it was."
"Luke's New Order allows it, so you'd better get used to the idea. I think the Old Order had too many stupid rules, anyway," Han replied with a shrug.
"Know nothing of the Old Order do you! Jedi you are not," Yoda said, annoyed.
Han squatted down so he was eye level with the Jedi Master. "I know enough. I've spent thirty years around Jedi, and my kids were...I mean are Jedi. And I'll tell you one thing you'd better believe...If I had lived during the time of the Old Order, and some arrogant Jedi Master came knocking on my door to whisk my kids away from me to teach them to become Jedi, I'd have fought them with my last breath. No one, pal, not you, not Obi-Wan, not anyone, would have stolen my children from me. You would have had to kill me, and I'm not joking."
"Foolish you are," Yoda said shortly.
"No. Foolish were the Jedi of the Old Order. You can't fight hate if you forbid love." With that, Han stood and walked back toward Mara.
Mara looked up as Han strolled casually into her view, a few steps in front of the Jedi Master. "Train you I will. Easy will it not be," Yoda said as he followed Solo into the clearing. "Temper you have, and temper you must learn to control. Do this first will we, before further training begins."
"Think you can handle becoming a Jedi, Red?"
Jade jumped to her feet and in four strides stood in front of Solo. "I can handle anything, idiot!" she snapped, poking him in the chest with her finger.
"Much work do we have," Yoda sighed.
Yavin 4
"Leia?" Luke asked as he sat down on a boulder, resting from a long run that Vader had instructed them to take.
"Yes?" she replied, winded and hot.
"Do you think it was a good idea to send Han to Dagobah with Mara?"
"Han thought it was a good idea."
"And you believe him? He's not even a Force-sensitive, so how can he judge whether Mara Jade would make a good Jedi?"
The Princess opened a container of water and took a sip, trying to formulate a good response to Luke's question. It certainly wouldn't be a good idea to tell Luke about Han being somehow transported from the future, and that he knew Mara would eventually be his wife. "What do you think we should have done about Jade?"
"I, well, I guess I don't know. It's just that.."
"What, Luke?"
"What if Mara and Han fall in love?" he said quickly.
Leia's deep brown eyes held amusement. "You like her. The woman tries to kill us, and you like her."
"She's not evil," Luke insisted. "I don't understand it myself. When she was laying there, unconscious, I just felt something I've never felt toward anyone before."
"So this isn't about the fact she doesn't have potential to become a Jedi, is it? It's about her being on Dagobah with Han, and not you. Chewie and Bail are both there, along with Yoda."
"I know other people are there. It's all stupid, so just forget it, alright?"
Reaching over, Leia took Luke's hand. "Listen to me. Mara Jade can't have Han, because he's mine. If she even tries, I'll fight her all over again." Mine. He's mine. The idea pleased her more than she ever thought possible. "I love him, and he loves me. He won't steal Mara from you, I promise," she said with a smile.
Leia's matter-of-fact statement relieved Luke, until he thought of a different problem. "How is, I mean, how will your father Bail feel about you and Han? Han's, well, he's not exactly..."
"Royalty? Rich?"
"That sounds snobbish, but other people will say things like that," Luke looked down. "I feel like Han's the older brother I never had, but will he be able to handle the way people talk about him? It won't be very nice."
"He'll be able to deal with the snobs of the galaxy, Luke. He already has years of experience behind him on that."
"I hope so. I want you to be happy, Leia. I want Han to be happy, too."
"Luke, you are a kind, sweet person. I love you," she leaned over and kissed his cheek before standing up. "Race you back to base." Without giving her brother a chance to respond, Leia took off down the winding path.
Four months later.
Coruscant
The messenger bowed deeply to the old Sith. "My Lord, one of the satellite probes we've been sending over systems has finally indicated something. Perhaps this system is the one you seek."
"Which planet?"
"Not a planet, a moon. Yavin 4."
The Emperor snorted. "Fool. Yavin 4 was the old Rebel base. If a few stray signals are still coming from that system, it would only be something they left behind."
Nervously, the guard nodded. "That is possible my Lord. Pardon me for my error."
Palpatine flicked his wrist, sending the kneeling man crashing into the far wall with such force his bones and internal organs pulverized on impact. "You are forgiven."
The ancient Sith went to his window and stared out at the busy traffic. Yavin 4... the last place I would suspect. He turned his head and looked over at the dead body of the messenger. Perhaps I was too hasty in judging you. Not that it matters.
Dagobah
"Why do I have to carry you every time I run? Why do I have to run all the time?"
"More questions you have than both Skywalkers together," Yoda said evenly. "Have I taught you nothing in these months?"
"I've learned not to be too vain about my looks," she conceded, glancing down at her torn, filthy clothes.
Yoda gave her a light slap on her ear. "Vain you shall not be."
Her eyes narrowed as she rubbed her ear. "I've learned not to kill Jedi Masters that hit me, poke me, and chastise me non-stop."
"Good," the Jedi nodded. "All is not lost."
Mara picked up the pace and quickly returned to the small settlement, pleased to see that Solo had brought over lunch from the Falcon. "Something smells good," she said, kneeling down and allowing the Jedi to wiggle out of the backpack.
"Hey," Han grinned. "Red says I what I cooked smells good. I swear that's the first compliment she's given me in all these months."
"It's just a sign of how desperate a person can get, Solo," Jade shot back. "You get to go back and sleep on your ship while I have to stay here night and day. It's hardly fair."
"I'm not the one training to be a Jedi. You have to expect to make some sacrifices, Red."
"Yoda tells me you camped out on the ground with Luke and Leia when they were here training the entire time. You never slept in your ship."
"That was different."
"Different? How? Because I'm not a Princess?"
"Chewie took the Falcon to Kashyyyk the first time," Han said as he handed her a plate of food. "So most of the time, my ship wasn't even here. Don't tell me you're afraid to be alone out here."
"I'm not afraid, and I'm not asking you to stay with me," Mara said hotly. "I wouldn't want you here, anyway."
"Not alone is she," Yoda put in.
Han laughed. "No, she's not. You're here."
"You love her, that's why you stayed here," Mara said unexpectedly. "She's the one that saved you."
For a moment, Han remained quiet. Then he said, "In more ways than I can count."
The former assassin gave a wane smile. "I've never known love. I have no idea what the emotion would even feel like."
"You'll know it when you feel it," Han said with a smile, "Maybe sooner than you think." If I have anything to say about it. " I'd better get back to my ship. I'll see you later."
Mara watched Han head off, and swallowed a bite of food. "He's one of the strangest people I've ever met."
"Finish eating, then meditate, you will," Yoda instructed, ignoring her comment.
"Yes, Master Yoda."
Yavin 4
In the cool night air, Vader watched over Luke as he slept. Powered-down for the night, the two droids were silent and still in the corner of the stone room. Neither of his children had embraced the dark side, even though Vader had encouraged them to experiment with its power. But he had not pushed the matter for fear of turning them away from his instructions. He could be patient and wait. Eventually, if he earned their trust, perhaps they would embrace the truth, the true power of the Force. Obi-Wan Kenobi never understood that true Power. None of the Jedi did, and that was why they were defeated. Both Luke and Leia were strong-willed, but kind and caring. Like Padme. How can I defeat the Emperor with only two young Jedi? They need to feel the power of the dark side or they will not survive Palpatine. They don't understand. They just don't understand their destiny.
Dagobah
Death. Destruction. Star Destroyers raining down death and destruction on a quiet, green system. The face of Luke Skywalker, bloodied and pale, as he carried the limp body of his sister through the trees, trying to escape. But there was no escape. Mara Jade's eyes snapped open. Trembling, she focused on the Jedi Master who sat in front of her. "The Emperor knows," she said quietly. "He knows where the Skywalkers are, and he's going to kill them. They're on Yavin."
"A vision you saw," Yoda nodded in approval. "In touch with the Force you are."
Jade got to her feet. "How can you be so calm? Didn't you hear what I just told you? Palpatine is going to kill Luke and Leia!"
"Care about them, do you?"
"I.." she stopped. "I don't know. There's no reason I should care. Except they're my only chance at living my life without running and hiding forever."
"Only reason this is for caring?"
"I don't know!" she yelled. "But I'm telling Solo what I saw. He'll go to Yavin - he loves the Princess."
"Always in motion is the future," Yoda said cryptically.
"Thanks for your sage advise, Master Yoda," Mara said as she gathered up her few belongings. "I'll be sure to keep all this mystical prattle in the front of my mind when I deal with Palpatine."
Yoda watched as Mara Jade headed towards the Falcon. "Strange this new Jedi Order this will be."
Less than an hour later, the Falcon rose through the turbulent atmosphere of Dagobah, leaving behind a rather disgruntled Prince Organa in the care of Yoda. If there was one thing Han was certain, Leia would be furious if he took her father with him into a dangerous situation. "I promised Leia I'd protect you, sir. Taking you with me would be breaking my promise," Solo had explained to the Viceroy.
Of course, if no one survived the upcoming battle, Organa would be forever trapped on Dagobah. Unless I end up starting all over again. In which case, I might just lose my mind. Gritting his teeth, Solo pulled back the lever and the Falcon made the jump into hyperspace.
"I hope we don't get there too late," Han said in the silent cockpit. Like Luke was too late to save me on Bespin. These visions don't seem to leave too much time to spare.
"You claim this piece of bantha crap is fast, so prove it."
Han turned in his seat to face Mara. "Can I ask why you care all of a sudden about Luke and Leia?"
"You can ask. I don't plan on answering."
Shaking his head, Han turned back to the streaking stars. I hope it's because you've softened up, Jade, and not because you plan on helping Palpatine.
Yavin, two days later
"We must leave, immediately," Vader told his children as he interrupted their lightsaber practice.
"Leave? Where are we going?" Leia asked.
"Don't question me! Get your things together. Now."
Luke turned off his lightsaber. "We're not questioning you, Father. But something is wrong, isn't it?"
"Palpatine is coming. I feel the presence of people - stormtroopers - very close. We must hurry."
"The Emperor? Stormtroopers?" Threepio said, frightened. "Oh, my!"
Quickly, the twins gathered their few belongings and along with the droids, followed Vader toward the distant building that held his needle-shaped ship. A flash, brighter and far more intense than lightening, tore down from the night sky. The hanger that held Vader's small, personal ship blew into a million small chips of stone, forcing the young humans to duck down and cover their heads for protection.
Vader did not duck down, or cover his helmeted head. He only stood, staring at the large hole where his ship had been moments before. "We are too late," he said simply.
The Emperor stared down at the night side of Yavin 4, feeling the fear from the young Jedi on the surface. Broken, yellowed teeth showed as he grinned in glee. "Prepare my shuttle," he ordered his red-robed guards. "I wish to see the faces of these traitors as they die."
"We have to hide," Leia told Vader as she grasped Luke's arm. Her eyes drifted up to the blinking lights of incoming shuttles... shuttles that were carrying dozens of stormtroopers.
"He will find us," Vader replied.
"So what do you suggest we do? Just stand here and give up without a fight?" Luke questioned, his voice rising in volume.
"No. We will go to the temple of the Sith. There we will make our stand."
"The Sith temple? Why? That doesn't sound like a good place to hide," Leia argued, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.
"I happen to think a Sith temple sounds like a terrible, awful, horrible place to hide," Threepio said as he gave his unasked for opinion.
"The temple was created to hold Kun. It has powers even the strongest Sith cannot defy." Not looking to see if Luke and Leia were following, Darth Vader headed toward the Sith temple.
"I don't trust him," Leia whispered to her brother.
"It doesn't look like we have a choice anymore," he answered softly as he pulled Leia to follow.
"Why us?" Threepio lamented as he tagged behind.
As soon as the stars came into focus, Han felt his skin crawl. "Star Destroyers," he whispered. "We're too late, they've already been blasting the surface."
"But they've stopped now," Mara pointed out. "Look at the shuttles heading down." She shut her eyes briefly. "Palpatine is on one of those shuttles."
Chewie gave a roar, turning to look at Han. *Can Jade use the Force to guide us to Luke and Leia?*
"Chewie wants to know - " Han started as he looked over at Mara. She sat silent, eyes shut in concentration. Han stopped talking and waited.
She opened her eyes. "I can get us very close. Will you let me fly?"
Han sighed, reminding himself that the red-head is a good pilot. "Fine," he said as he stood up to trade places with her. "Just don't get used to piloting my ship."
Mara sat down in the worn pilot's seat, grinning back at Han. "Don't worry. I'm sure any idiot can fly this pile of junk."
A chill fell over Princess Leia as they entered the musty temple walls. There is evil here, she thought, forcing herself to stop from shivering. Even Threepio had fallen into a fearful silence.
"What if we accidentally awaken this Sith?" Luke whispered to his father.
"We will not be the ones to awaken it, Palpatine will, and if he does..." Vader trailed off.
"Then what?"
"Then there will be the ultimate battle for rulership of Sith. Only one will survive the fight."
"Won't the victor be even stronger when it's over?" Leia questioned.
"That is why you must obey me now, without question." Vader turned and looked down at Luke. "I will lure Palpatine into this place and challenge him. While he is occupied with fighting me, you and your sister will use the Force to seal us into the antechamber. The same powerful forces that hold Exar Kun's spirit within this temple will also prevent Palpatine from escaping."
"But, then you'll be trapped as well," Luke said softly. "I can't allow that."
"You are questioning me."
"I can't do what you're asking of me," Luke protested. "I ... I love you father. I can't kill you."
Vader was silent for a long time before he spoke. "I brought both of you here to turn you to the dark side, to convince you of your rightful place by my side in ruling the galaxy. I knew the three of us could defeat the Emperor. Palpatine knew this, too."
"We haven't turned to the dark side," Leia said, confused and afraid. "We told you we would never do that."
"I know that, now. Palpatine needs to be stopped, and I won't allow him to destroy the only good thing I've done in my life, which was to create you. It isn't my destiny to rule the galaxy... it's my destiny to stop Palpatine. That is what I was chosen to do. If you defy me now, we will all die."
Luke felt tears sting his eyes. "We can seal Palpatine in this tomb, and try to get you out. We can save you Father."
"Luke, my son. You believed in my goodness when no one else did. You have already saved me."
"We'll do as you ask, Father," Leia said quietly, tears coursing down her face.
"Thank you, Leia," Vader said as he put a gloved hand on her face. "Thank you for finally calling me 'father'.
"I'm signaling with an Imperial code so we don't get blown up as soon as we land," Jade informed them as she maneuvered into a clearing. "But I don't know how long they'll buy it."
"They seem to be buying it so far," Han nodded from his seat behind Chewie, looking up at the dark night sky. "How far are we away from Luke and Leia?"
"About two klicks."
"Two klicks?" Solo protested. "We could be too late by the time we hike all that distance."
"We can't land closer, or the Imperials will see this isn't just a shuttle."
Han sighed. "I know, I know. I just can't be late. Leia can't die," Not again. My heart can't take it.
"You really love this Princess, don't you?"
"More than words can describe, Red."
"She's lucky, then. I wish..." Mara stopped.
"You wish someone loved you?" Han smiled. "It'll happen, trust me."
"Shut up, idiot."
The Imperial Shuttle landed close to the old temple, and Palpatine walked carefully down the lowered ramp. So you are challenging me, Vader? the old Sith thought as he reached out across the distance. You think your power is stronger than mine? Even with your weak offspring to help you, it is nowhere near my power. You will now die for this betrayal, and so will your children. There will be no more Skywalkers after today.
The Emperor made his way through the jungle, with his stormstroopers clearing a path and providing protection for their Master. Soon, Palpatine stood before the vine-covered, crumbling temple. "They are here," he declared. Frowning, he felt a stirring of something strong and evil. This can't be Vader.. he never projected such hatred. If he had, he would have destroyed me years ago. He turned his yellow eyes to several troopers. "Six of you enter that chamber. Then return and tell me what is in there." The stormtroopers hurried to obey. Palpatine waited. And waited. Where are those fools? He ordered a dozen more to enter and bring back a report. Those dozen disappeared, just like the first six.
"Those worthless clones. Must I do everything myself?" Palpatine held up his twisted fingers. "Half of you shall come with me, the remainder stay behind and guard the entrance."
Holding up a glow rod, the lead trooper made his way into the gloom of the entrance tunnel. Turning the corner, he entered the large antechamber, stumbling over an obstacle. He aimed the lamp down. Twisted bodies of stormtroopers lay scattered on the floor, blood oozing out from their uniforms. "Emper -" He tried to warn those behind him, but the lantern dropped to the ground as the stormtrooper grasped his throat, choking on his blood. His knees buckled and he dropped. He never saw the remaining stormtroopers that accompanied the Emperor die in the same manner.
Only the Emperor remained unaffected by whatever power destroyed the squadron. Casually, Palpatine flicked on his own lamp, casting an eerie light. Skeletons, along with the many recently deceased stormtroopers, lined the uneven floor of the huge room. A wicked grin spread across Palpatine's wrinkled face. "Show yourself, Vader. I know you're in here, with your weak offspring. If you think you can destroy me, prove it."
A red lightsaber lit up the far side of the room, the black cloaked figure making a flickering shadow on the moist stone wall. Behind Vader was another chamber, this one sealed with a round, carved stone, warning people from entering the tomb of Exar Kun. "I am the Chosen One," the hissing, deep voice told his former Master.
"Chosen to serve me, and now that service has come to an end," the Emperor laughed. "You cannot defeat me. Where are those worthless children of yours?"
"This is not their fight. It is mine."
"Then fight, Lord Vader." The Emperor raised his hand, and lightning jumped from his fingers toward his apprentice.
"We're almost there," Jade panted as she sprinted through the underbrush, slashing anything in the way with her lightsaber.
"Good, 'cuz if we have to run much further, I'm gonna drop dead before we get there," Han gasped, holding his side while trying to keep up the fast pace. Chewie, reluctantly, had again stayed behind, waiting for word to raise the ship and land much closer to the action.
"Wait!" Mara held up her hand, coming to such a fast stop Solo nearly collided with her.
"What's the matter?"
"A battle is taking place. Intense hatred. Anger. Fear." Jade shuddered and shut her eyes. "There's something here even more evil and powerful than the Emperor, and whatever it is, it's regaining awareness."
"Awareness?"
"It's like its been sleeping, or captured for a long, long time. This battle I'm sensing is waking it up."
"Oh, that's just swell. So now I've created a chain of events that's waking something even more evil than Palpatine? Hopefully this isn't some giant, cosmic test I'm gettin' graded on, 'cuz I keep flunking. I wonder how many do-overs I'm allowed."
"What are you talking about?" Jade snapped.
"Never mind, let's just get moving."
"It's time, Leia," Luke whispered from their vantage point high on top of the temple. "We have to use the Force to seal off the main entrance, before Kun or Palpatine escapes."
"Vader will die," the Princess said quietly. "Our father will die."
Luke nodded, feeling a crushing weight of sadness. Taking her hand, he shut his eyes, and Leia joined her Force strength with his. Concentrating, the boulders that sat above the entrance to the antechamber began to shudder and shake.
Vader parried the Force lightning with his lightsaber, sending the charged bolts careening into the walls of the ancient temple. The carved rock doorway behind him was starting to tremble, with small rocks falling from the ceiling and the walls around the sealed entrance.
"A powerful Sith is waiting to come forth, Vader." Palpatine laughed. "Perhaps he will join me by taking over your body. Then I will have an apprentice worthy of serving me."
"Exar Kun will not accept being your servant, Palpatine," Vader rumbled in warning. "He will kill you and gather all the evil in the galaxy to his side. He will make you look like a kindly grandfather."
"Is that why you lured me here, Vader? So you could serve Kun instead of me? How very clever of you. Which one of your children will you sacrifice for his new body? Probably the boy, since I don't believe Kun would enjoy being female, but he will certainly enjoy the Princess once he has a new body."
Furious, Vader went on the offensive.
Solo grabbed Jade's arm as the came into view of a stone temple surrounded by stormtroopers. "This seems to be where the action is takin' place."
"Thank the Maker!" Threepio's voice called out from the gloom. "It's Captain Solo! See, Artoo? I told you we'd get rescued." Artoo responded with a disbelieving twitter.
"Threepio?" Han asked, incredulous at seeing the droids. "Why are you here?"
"Master Luke and the Princess asked us to hide in the forest while they climbed to the top of the temple."
"Climbed to the top?"
"Look," Mara pointed up into the gradually brightening sky. Following her arm, Han could see Luke and Leia hiding on the temple roof.
"What are they doing?"
"Trying to seal off the doorway with the Force."
"Miss Jade is correct, sir. Vader has lured Palpatine into the temple, and told Master Luke and Princess Leia that they needed to use the Force to send rocks in front of the entrance to trap them," Threepio said helpfully. "Apparently, the temple holds the spirit of a Sith named Exar Kun, and it needs to be sealed before he escapes."
Solo slapped himself on the side of the head. "Kriff! Exar Kun! How could I have forgotten?"
"You've heard of him?" Mara asked, puzzled.
"I just have way too much on my mind, Jade," Han sighed.
"You have a mind?"
"Funny. Maybe Luke and Leia could use some extra help sealing that temple. What do you think?" Han suggested to Mara with a lop-sided grin.
"Maybe." Jade shut her eyes again, adding her Force strength to the children of Vader. The rocks, which had been trembling, began rocking violently back and forth. Suddenly, an avalanche of debris crashed down in front the entrance, sealing it, crushing most of the stormtroopers in the pathway. The spirits of Palpatine and Exar Kun were safely trapped inside the temple.
"It worked," Luke said as he looked down at the destruction. He felt overwhelmed with sorrow. "We've killed our father."
"It had to be done, Luke," Leia said, her throat tight with grief. "He sacrificed himself, not only for us but for the galaxy."
"It doesn't make it any easier to take."
"Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you sense someone else, right before the stones crashed down? Someone using the Force to help us?"
"I thought it was my imagination."
"It wasn't." She looked down at the remaining stormtroopers, milling around and trying to fire blasters at the huge rocks. "They have to be stopped from opening the entrance." No sooner had the words left her mouth then well aimed blaster bolts from the jungle starting firing on the already frightened troops. Confused by the sudden lack of direction from the Sith Emperor, they fired back randomly for a few seconds before fleeing in the opposite direction. "That's our cue to get down from here." She pulled on Luke's hand. When he didn't respond, she touched his face. "Luke. He'll always be our hero. Even if no one else ever knows, we know. In the end, what we thought of him was all that mattered."
Luke followed his sister down the rocky side of the temple until they reached the ground.
"Leia!" Solo's voice called from the underbrush. Han ran out and gathered the Princess in his arms. "You're safe," he murmured into her hair. "You're safe."
"You do like these last second rescue operations, don't you?" she laughed against his chest.
"Those are the exciting kind," he answered with a chuckle as he bent to kiss her, pleased when she eagerly responded. "I love you, Princess. Will you marry me?" he asked when he broke away from the kiss.
"You're proposing right now? Here?" Leia asked, looking back at Luke and Mara's reactions. Luke smiled shyly at Mara, while Mara stood there, arms folded, with a scowl on her face, feigning disinterest in the reunion, and in Luke. You've changed from the last time I saw you, Mara, Leia thought happily. You're the one who helped us by using the Force.
"It's better than the last place I asked you," Han laughed softly at Leia's question.
"Does my father Bail approve of you?" she teased, still not answering his proposal.
"I have to ask for his permission?"
"Not really, but it would be considered polite," Leia answered, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice.
Solo gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine. I'll ask. But if he says no, don't blame me if I go all Sithy on him."
Onboard the Millennium Falcon, five hours later.
"After we pick up the Viceroy, can we go to the Duro Sector and get my Aunt Beru?" Luke questioned as he slipped into the booth across from the Wookiee.
"Of course, kid. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you again."
"And we have to contact General Dodonna as soon as possible. Now that the Emperor is gone, they can move to take Coruscant," Leia added as she stood next to Han, who was sitting in the chair across the room from the game table.
"That's still gonna be a lot of work."
"I, for one, will be glad to get to a system that is civilized," Threepio said primly. "If I never see another jungle world, I will be quite happy."
"Do you suppose you can lend me a ship, Princess?" Jade asked carefully from the doorway, not looking at the young man who held such a mysterious and powerful attraction for her. "I don't have a place in the galaxy anymore. I would probably be prosecuted by your people if they find out what I did in my past."
"No one will ever know, Mara," Leia assured the young red-head. "But I will get you your own ship, and it won't be a loan, either. You helped save our lives, so you can consider it a small token of appreciation."
"Thank you," she said briefly, then left the hold.
She's leaving, Luke thought, despair flooding his spirit. I don't want her to leave. I'll never see her again.
Chewie gave a puzzled roar, and Han looked over at an unhappy Luke. "Kid, I strongly suggest you go after her."
"What am I suppose to tell her?"
"Start by telling her she has a place in the galaxy. She's a Jedi now, too, ya know. If you're gonna rebuild the Jedi Order, you can't let one of the few remaining players leave the game, can you?"
Luke looked at Han, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled. "Alright. I will." He got up and followed Mara.
"You're really sure about this, Han?" Leia asked warily as she watched Luke walk away.
Solo pulled her down into his lap. "Positive, Princess. Absolutely positive."
Dagobah
"Home, this is. Leave it I will not," Yoda said.
"But Palpatine is gone. You're safe to come out of hiding," Luke persisted gently. "I could use your help in rebuilding the Jedi. There's so much I don't know."
"A clean slate is perhaps best for the Jedi," Yoda answered. "Go, and rebuild with your sister and your wife."
"Wife?"
Yoda was silent. "About this ask your friend, Solo," he finally said as he hobbled off.
Alderaan
"My dear niece," Tia cried out as she gave Leia a breathtaking hug. "We were so incredibly worried about you and Bail." Leia looked out from her aunt's tight grasp, and saw Rouge and Celly hugging Bail and crying in happiness.
"Everything is fine now, Tia," the Princess reassured her aunt. "Can you let me breathe?"
"Sure, honey." Tia back off and Celly came forward.
"You have to understand we never thought we'd see you again after finding out about Lord Jarmon," Celly told Leia.
"Farrel? What does he have to do with anything?"
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry you don't know," Rouge cried out. "Alderaanian security found out he was sending secret messages to the Emperor, with the help of one of our own security guards, if you can believe it! He betrayed you, and we didn't know until after you disappeared. We feared the worst."
"So he's in jail?" Han asked, trying not to smile.
"I'm afraid that's where he'll be for years and years," Tia answered sadly.
"Damn. That's a shame," Han replied, unable to stop from laughing.
"Han!" Leia chastised. Then she turned to her aunts. "Aunt Tia, Aunt Celly, Aunt Rouge, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé - Han Solo."
"Your... fiancé? He's not even Alderaanian!" Tia spluttered out. "What, exactly, do you do for a living, Han Solo?"
"Ex-smuggler," Han gave her a lop-sided grin. "I'm a Corellian, by the way."
"A...a Corellian smuggler?" She looked to her brother, while fanning a paled Rouge who was now being physically supported by Celly. "Bail? Is this true?"
"Very true, Tia. Han Solo will marry my daughter in two years."
"TWO YEARS?" Han yelled, ignoring the babbling aunts.
"Han. It's royal tradition to be engaged for two years," Leia told him firmly.
"We find it prevents many unhappy marriages, and usually gold-diggers are discovered long before the two years are up," Bail explained, then added with a grin, "Not that I think you're a gold-digger, Han."
Solo sighed. "Oh, what the hells. I waited a lot longer last time."
"What LAST TIME, Solo?" Mara shouted at him. "I'm going to Force-choke you if you don't explain yourself!"
"Mara!" Luke admonished with a grin, as he stood between Aunt Beru and Jade. "Jedi do not Force-choke people. It's not nice."
"Oh, and by the way," Leia added with a sly smile. "Aunts, I'd also like to introduce Luke Skywalker to you. Luke is my twin brother."
No one was surprised when Rouge fainted.
Epilogue
Alderaan, Wedding Day.
The warm morning sun felt good on Han's back when he woke. Stirring slightly, he smiled and reached for.. nothing. Han sat up, confused for a moment. Then he remembered what day it was - Jaina and Jag's wedding day. Leia had been up for hours already, making preparations for their daughter's big event. She's twenty-one already and getting married, Han thought, amazed. I'll be a grandfather before I know it.
He and Leia had celebrated an event of their own last month, twenty-eight years of marriage. Even though Han had to wait two years, he still had married Leia when he was thirty-one, long before some distant Prince forced the issue. It had felt good to never have to worry about the Hapans blackmailing Leia, or fighting for her heart on Dathomir.
Children were a different problem. Han didn't want to change the future in any shape or form when it came to his kids, and Leia had agreed to wait until the "right" time to have Jacen and Jaina. Sure, the holo-reporters had been relentless in constantly asking when there would be a "little" Prince or Princess. Seven years later the twins were born, and then a year and a half after that Anakin had been born.
Han quickly showered and dressed before heading toward the large breakfast room. "I see I'm not the last one to arrive," Solo commented as he sat down at the huge, almost deserted table.
"I saved some food for you, Dad," Anakin laughed and passed a huge platter of eggs over to Han. Solo took the plate and smiled at his youngest son. Another thing he had managed to alter was the Yuuzhan Vong War. On Han's advise, Leia had waited much longer to assume the Presidency of the New Republic, and when she finally did, the new President enlisted the aid of scientists and trusted allies to prepare for the Vong invasion. She had also relentlessly pursued the Imperial remnants into an alliance with the New Republic, pushing aside those Senators that accused her of "sleeping" with the enemy. President Organa-Solo knew the Imperials were not the enemy they needed to worry about, so the Vong spies and sympathizers were flushed out long before they could do much damage.
Luke and Mara had taken their twelve year old daughter Marla, Jacen, and several other young Jedi, and searched out the "living" planet before the invasion occurred. Because of these extensive preparations, the Vong War lasted less than two years. The loss of life still ranged at over half a million, but it was a small fraction of the number that died the 'first' time. President Leia Organa-Solo would go down in history as the greatest leader in the New Republic for her foresight in preparing for the Yuuzhan Vong War. At times, Leia felt guilty about the all credit she was given, when many of her decisions had been made by simply listening to her husband's counsel. Han never seemed to care that she was the one showered with love and devotion from the beings of the galaxy while he stayed in the background. Shortly after the end of the war, Leia had resigned as President and the Solo clan moved back home to Alderaan.
Luke and Mara entered the dining area, with Mara carrying her two-year old son, Ben. "Hey you two," Han smiled as he watched Mara put Ben in a high-chair. "Sleep good?"
"Great," Luke nodded. "Ben was a little restless. He's used to our own home on Naboo, and I think he picks up on the different cycles when we're not there."
Naboo was the system where Luke and Mara settled after getting married, less than a year after Han and Leia's wedding. After setting up a Jedi training facility in an unused Palace, donated by the people of Naboo, they turned the many rooms into spacious apartments. The newlyweds had searched for Force-sensitives and invited them to come live and train on Naboo. Families were welcomed, and if they did not wish to live in one of the apartments, the Skywalkers helped settle them in a nearby town. Because of this extensive work, Luke and Mara had taken even longer to have children than the Solos - another five years had passed after the twins were born before Marla entered the galaxy. Now, at sixteen, she was a striking girl with sky blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair, and every bit as fiery as her mother. Ben had been a 'surprise' baby, born only months after the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War. A celebration of life and victory, Leia had called him. Han had thought a little differently. Apparently, the Force doesn't need my help in making certain things happened the second time around. It's a good thing, too. I'm not about to tell Luke and Mara when to make a baby.
"Where's Marla?" Han asked as he spread jam on his toast.
"She's with Jaina," Mara replied. "You wouldn't believe how excited she is to be in a Royal wedding. She hasn't even complained about wearing a bridesmaid dress, if you can believe it."
Han laughed. "I have a hard time picturing your little tomboy in a fancy dress, Red."
"She's not so little anymore, idiot," Mara shot back with a wicked grin.
Luke and Anakin both shook their heads in dismay. Over the years, they had gotten used to Han and Mara constantly calling each other by those odd, insulting "nicknames." "I have to go see Tahiri, Dad," Anakin said as he got up from the table. "Can I be excused?"
"No excuse for you, kid," Han snorted. "Get going before your girlfriend goes into boyfriend withdrawal an' starts hyperventilating."
"Dad!" Anakin protested, flushing slightly. "See you later, Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara." He quickly took off before his father could embarrass him further.
"That'll be the next one to get married," Luke pointed out to his brother-in-law.
"I'm sure that's true. Jacen needs to start looking at Danni before she starts looking elsewhere. That boy has more girlfriends than he can keep track of, and none of them compares to Danni. She's the one he needs to settle down with, if you ask me."
"Oh, I'm sure you can arrange that, Han," Leia said from the doorway. "You've played matchmaker for almost everyone else in our circle of friends."
Han turned in his chair and grinned at his wife. "Hey! Someone has to do it. If everyone just got their acts together, I wouldn't have to keep interfering."
"You love interfering," Mara smirked.
"I guess I do," he conceded before asking Leia, "Have you seen Chewie and Malla yet this morning?"
"Yes, dear. Stop worrying. They were just out taking a morning stroll in the gardens."
Solo nodded. Chewbacca had returned to Kashyyyk after Han and Leia's marriage, at the Corellian's insistence. They had made a deal - if Han left Alderaan to go anywhere besides Naboo, he would first pick up Chewie before heading out. That way, Chewie would be able to stay with his family at home and at the same time fulfill his lifedebt to Han. The arrangement had worked out well.
"This caf is cold," Leia said as she poured a cup.
"I'll make a new pot." Han volunteered. He got up, walking into the spacious kitchen and poured the tepid beverage down the drain. Solo looked up at the clear blue sky, thinking, it's gonna be a beautiful day for Jaina's wedding, when a white cloud formation caught his eye. They were the only clouds in the sky, and they spelled out the words... WELL DONE... before drifting apart and dissipating in the clear morning air. Perhaps the first time around had been the real illusion all along.
THE END