Beware the Dark Side
By Jade
~*~*~*~*

Aradia and Jareth put their conversation on hold and glanced out across the desert sand. "We shall continue this later Aradia." Jareth said, with a different look in his eyes. His hands were shaking slightly, a fury and desperation in his eyes. Sarah was gone.

"Where did they go?" Leia asked curiously. "Where did they take, Sarah?

"Probably to Jabba" Jade replied with a grim smile. "Better get a move on before those bounty hunters get back here for the rest of us. Climb up this way, we can get out of the canyon without being noticed." she called down.

The rest of them climbed up and out of the canyon. Looking down, they saw the bounty hunters had returned. Moving along the trail at the top of the canyon, they ducked inside a crevice until they knew the hunters had moved on.

Luke reached out with the force and felt their presence, and the presence of Lord Vader. He knew that Vader sensed him as well. They had to get moving again. Sensing the bounty hunters moving on to the south, he led them out of the crevice and out across the sands of Tatooine. It seemed as though they had been walking for hours on end. Thirst was creeping up on them with no water in sight and no where to go. Everyone was starting to become weary with all the traveling they had been doing. No one expected what was to come.

Jade screamed in agony and grabbed her head. The pain was intense and it seemed as though it would rip in two. Sitting down on the ground, holding her head, she rocked back and forth but still the pain shot through her head.

"What is it?" Aurelia asked, coming to stand beside her.

"Make it stop, Aurelia, please." she begged softly. She cried out once again. *What was happening to her?*

"What's wrong with her?" Han asked walking closer.

Aurelia touched Jade's forehead with her slender fingers. "The Emperor." Aurelia replied, solemnly. "He still has some kind of hold on her. He said that he got much joy out of seeing her destroyed. What if he meant something entirely different than the obvious... Death?" Aurelia asked, glancing at Jade, who seemed to be incoherent by this time.

"Like what?" Han asked.

"What could be worse than death?" Lisa asked.

"Becoming something you despise." Luke added softly. "Maybe the Emperor had this planned all along. Suppose one of us turned. The others would be furious and fight back out of anger. Then we too would follow the dark side. Then he would win." he stated.

"Can he do that?" Aradia asked.

"He can do whatever he sees fit." Aurelia stated then continued. "Did anyone see him touch her when Vader brought her before him?" Aurelia asked cautiously.

"Why? Are you thinking he put some kind of hex on her?" Han asked with a chuckle.

"Han it is possible that her life is still in danger and all you can do is crack jokes?" Leia asked distressed by what she was hearing.

"I did." Lisa stated. "He ran his finger down the side of her face when he was talking to Luke."

"How do we undo it?" Aradia asked, standing next to Jareth.

"I don't know." Aurelia said. "We have to watch her closely. She can't be left alone. If the Emperor finds out we are here, then she will surely be lost to the dark side."

"We better head for cover. There is a sandstorm sweeping in." Luke said, pointing off in the distance. Already the sand had begun to swirl through the air. "I know a place we can go."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Where are we?" Lisa asked.

"Just past the Dune Sea." he replied, leading them to a well-concealed cave. Once inside, they tried to make themselves comfortable and waited out the storm.

"Who's place is this Luke? I thought the Imperials destroyed your Aunt and Uncle's place." Leia said.

"They did. This was Ben's." he said in a faraway voice. *If only Ben were here,* he thought.

The sky growing dark outside, they could still hear the storm raging on. Luke sat in the corner watching. He hadn't told them yet that Vader was here on Tatooine. Stifling a yawn, he looked around to see everyone else asleep and leaned his head back against the wall.

Jade sat straight up, an evil smile on her face. Standing up quietly, she moved to the door. Slowly she turned the knob, gently pulling the door open...

"Jade! What are you doing?" Luke called, waking everyone up.

Jade stood there in silence and looked around. "I don't know." she replied unnerved by what she couldn't remember. She walked back over and sat down. "What's wrong with me?" she asked. She felt everybody staring at her as though she were a bomb, ready to explode.

"You'll be fine. You'll see." Luke said comfortingly.

Jade smiled faintly. She didn't really believe that. The voice she kept hearing in the back of her mind was calling to her. It was not something she could ignore. Grabbing her head again, she felt the pain sweep through once more, but this time it was different. She looked up to see Aurelia's green eyes looking back at her. "Thank you." she whispered. Aurelia simply nodded.

The next morning, they embarked across the desert toward Mos Eisley. There they could get a ship. All the while, they were being watched. Luke sensed something and looked up to see a shadow duck away.

"What kind of tracks are these?" Lisa asked.

"Oh no. Bantha tracks. We have to get out of here." Luke stated, eying Han and Leia.

"What's going on Luke?" Fairy asked, looking around, sensing danger.

"Tusken Raiders." he said, rushing them along. "My saber would sure come in handy right about now." he said, looking to Jareth.

"Oh, alright." Jareth replied, producing a crystal. He tossed it to Luke, but what Luke caught was his light saber. He then tossed one to Leia which was her blaster.

"Hey? What about me?" Han asked dejectedly.

"What about you?" he replied smugly.

"Jareth you can be so intolerable sometimes." Jade said, throwing Han a blaster.

"Thanks, I owe you one."

"Remember you guys, fight only in defense." Luke reminded them.

Jade stood back and smiled wickedly. Cradling a blaster against her chest, she walked up beside Han.

"You sure you can handle that thing?" he asked, playfully, then noticed her demeanor. It wasn't like her at all. "Hey? I thought you were against violence Jade? Maybe you should let me hold onto that for safe keeping." he said, reaching for the blaster.

Jade caught his arm. "I don't think so Solo." she replied in a mocking tone.

"Give it here Jade." Luke said, extending his hand out to her.

Jade glared back at him. Raising the blaster, a shot rung out across the desert. "One down, how many more to go?" she asked, watching one of the Raiders fall to the ground. Jade's face went blank. She appeared to be in a trance like state.

"She is following the dark side now." Aurelia spoke with sorrow.

Luke stiffened. "Vader is here." he said.

"How far?' Aurelia asked.

"Not far enough." he replied, grabbing Jade by the arm and yanking the blaster from her hand. "He knows we are here."

"All of us?" she queried.

"Yes." he replied. "Han, help me." he called out.

"What are we doing kid?" Han asked, grabbing Jade's other arm

"Going to drag her if we have too. The rest of you, come on." he said, leading the way.

"Jareth, can't you use your magic and get us a transport or something?" Fairy asked wearily.

"For you love, anything." he said, then turned to Luke. "What is it you use around here?" he asked.

"Landspeeders. Make it quick will ya? Vader's gaining on us." he said.

In an instant, two landspeeders were in front of them.

"Cool!" Lisa exclaimed. "Can I drive?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Leave the piloting to the real pilots." Han shot back as he climbed into one of the speeders, after helping Luke put Jade in the other.

Luke took the controls of the other speeder. "Ready Han?" Luke called.

"Ready Luke. Let's get moving." Han said, "Everybody going, get in or you'll be walking." Han stated, getting a feel for the controls.

They took off across the desert sand toward Mos Eisley. Vader watched the speeders pulling away. "Soon young Skywalker, you won't be able to protect her anymore. She will be mine as well as the rest of you." he said, turning and walking back to his transport. He knew where they were headed. Right into a trap.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Fairy

Fairy looked around as they entered Mos Eisley. It was as rough and strange-looking as it had been in the movie. She was glad she had shifted out of her senshi fuku- with that short skirt she would just have been asking for trouble. Carefully, she hid her lightsaber in a pack she had been carrying.

Next to her, Aradia gasped. Stormtroopers were waving at them to stop.

Jade looked at them evilly.

Fairy sent a frantic thought to Aurelia. *you're going to have to suppress Jade... should I handle them?*

She looked at her grandniece (don't ask!) gravely. *Can you? Have you the training?*

*Yes, I can.* Fairy replied.

The leader approached Luke. "Give me your identification."

Fairy looked at him. "You don't need his identification."

After getting past the guards, they parked the speeders by the Cantina. Han suggested that they go try some of his sources in there, to see if they could find any info on Vader or Sarah. They agreed. Han, Aurelia, Aradia, Fairy, and Jareth (who changed into something appropriate, though not without whining) entered the noisy place, while Luke, Leia and Lisa waited outside with Jade.

Just as the first group stepped inside the Cantina, Fairy felt a familiar dark presence. Before she or the others could do something, and evil force crashed into them and everything went black. The last thing they saw was that the Cantina was empty save for Vader and his men... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blast 'em outta the sky!!
By Princess Leia (Lisa "PP" King)
~*~*~*~*

"Where the hell are they?" Lisa asked, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"Calm down, they should be all right. Han knows his way around this place," Luke assured her. "We just have to keep Jade safe and away from -" He broke off and stiffened.

"Luke, what is -" Leia began, but broke off as she, too, felt the disturbances in the Force.

Jade began to scream, clutching her head forcefully. Luke struggled to hold her, but she slipped from his grasp.

"Jade! No!" he cried, running after her. She was headed in the direction the others had gone.

"Maybe I'll just stay here," Lisa muttered weakly, just before Leia grabbed her arm and pulled her along.

~~~~~~~~~

"You know, I am getting really sick of waking up in strange places," Fairy mumbled to herself.

"Fairy?" said a voice next to her. She struggled to open her eyes. Aradia and Aurelia were in the smallish room with her. All three had their hands tied behind them.

"Well, at least we're together -" Aradia began, just as the door opened and stormtroopers hustled in and led them away...

~~~~~~~

"Hey, mercenary, wake UP!" Jareth whispered hoarsely.

"Wha - what?" Han mumbled, shaking the last spots of unconsciousness from his eyes.

"Wake up, you fool! They've taken my magic from me, and we're tied up in a cell!" Jareth snapped, pissed off to no end because he couldn't do anything.

"Who are you calling a -" Han started to retort, just as the door opened, and stormtroopers came in and led them away...

~~~~~~~

"Oh, this is not good, not good," Lisa repeated to herself, as she and Leia tried in vain to catch up to Jade and Luke.

"Where is she going?" Leia asked, breathlessly.

"How the hell should I know?" her companion snapped. Leia simply gave the earthling a black look.

Jade led the merry chase all through the streets of Mos Eisley, twisting and turning, around the corners, until Luke finally realized where she was heading.

*Oh, no,* he thought.

"Jade!" he called, hoping beyond hope that she would hear him and listen. "Jade! Stop! You don't know what you're doing!"

~~~~~~

Inside his ship, the Emperor smiled darkly. "This is going very well," he informed Vader. His pupil said nothing, choosing instead to gaze out at the hanger the ship was in. "What is it?" the Emperor asked sharply. "Do you still waver in your loyalty to the Dark Side?!"

But Vader said nothing. He could sense his children drawing nearer, and with them Jade. But there was something else. There was someone else with them...someone who was curiously blocked to his attempts to find out exactly *who* it was...It bore some investigation...

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jade! Don't!" Luke tired again to call his love back from the Emperor's influence.

"Leia! Lisa! Hurry! She's headed toward the Emperor and Vader! We can't let them get her!" Luke called back over his shoulder.

The two women put on extra bursts of speed. But, Lisa began to lag behind (too many hours sitting at a computer, you know)...

Jade reached the hanger of the Emperor's ship, and rushed inside, an animal look in her eyes. She could no longer control herself. There was a driving fear in her. Someone was calling her. Someone who was more powerful than her. She couldn't resist. A tiny part of her mind cried, at being unable to run back to Luke...Luke, her love.

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the prisoners had once again been brought before the Emperor and Vader.

"You are fools," the hooded figure began without preamble. "Utter fools, and once again, I have captured you."

Fairy, Aurelia, and Aradia did not show their fear. Jareth, however, looked extremely terrified, probably because he could no longer use his powers. Chewy roared in indignation at being tied up.

"Oh, hush, furball," Han admonished. "The kid will come through for us again. He's got the power of the Force and all that."

The Emperor laughed hollowly. "He may have the Force, but he doesn't have the power only the Dark Side brings." And a chill swept over the room, as the ship was suddenly rocked by blasts...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lisa! What are you doing?! Where did you find those weapons?!" Leia demanded.

"Over there," the girl said grinning. "I was thinking we could buy Luke some time to help Jade."

"Yes." Leia immediately grabbed a cannon and joined the young listian in shooting at the ship... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Fairy

Fairy sat quietly. She knew that it would be easy enough to use the Force to unsnap their bonds, then her senshi abilities to get them out of there. But she couldn't. They couldn't leave Jade behind, and they couldn't take her with them. She had gone over to the dark side, and they had to redeem her.

She noticed Jareth seething. Quietly, attempting to be inconspicuous, she started projecting a field of calmness and clarity. Anger would put them all at risk. Vader and the Emperor turned to stare at her, and she knew that her time for temptation was at hand... they sensed her talent, and meant to exploit it...

~~~~~~~~

Lisa and Leia continued to fire at the ship. Stormtroopers came pouring out and surrounded them...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Han Solo (Lisa "PP" King)

"You know, I am getting the feeling this was a baaaad idea," Lisa said.

"Why?" asked Leia.

"Well, for one thing, because of THEM!" she said, pointing to the stormtroopers.

But it was over before it began. Lisa and Leia were surrounded, tied up, and brought to where the others were.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fairy closed her eyes in concentration. She knew the Emperor was trying to find a way past her mental shields, and eventually he would. Just then, all heads in the room turned toward the door, as loud commotion erupted in the hall.

"Let me GO, you brainless metal pieces of junk!!" Lisa screamed, kicking and attempting to flail her arms out. She was tied very tightly, though, and only succeeded in making the stormtroopers hold her tightly. One of them bashed her on the side of the head and she went limp.

Aradia gasped in shock. *If those two were caught, then where are -*

~~~~~~~~~

Luke continued to chase after Jade. She seemed to be having trouble finding her way to the room the Emperor was in. But she also seemed to be slowing down... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* What's Going On?
By Laurie (Heather Crandall)
~*~*~*~*

Laurie Antilles and her father trudged into the dirty streets of Mos Eisley tired and dusty. Zara whined insistently that she was thirsty as she followed her father and older sister into the town. On his back, Kane carried a large bundle of tools and findings. The old anthropologist had been lucky that day.

They turned a corner, and were startled to see a huge ship in the middle of the street, with Imperial Stormtroopers swarming about it busily. They were mainly concentrated around one spot, where two figures were struggling hopelessly. Laurie cried out when she realized that one of the young women was Princess Leia, the leader of the Rebellion. Kane noticed as well, and he was about to turn his two daughters away from it when Zara pulled away from her father, and started running towards Leia.

Laurie let out a gasp of fright, and started after her impetuous younger sister. Kane called out to them, but they both did not listen. He drew out his worn blaster, and followed his two daughters.

Leia spotted the two girls, as did Lisa, and they both tried to deter little Zara. It didn't work, and she threw herself into the struggle. A trooper stopped Laurie before she could reach her sister, and she struggled in vain against the strong man to no avail.

Kane stopped short and aimed at the trooper holding Laurie back. She screamed when the shot hit the trooper in the arm, the force from the blast knocking him down. Kane caught up to his daughter, but by that time, it was over. Stormtroopers surrounded the two, forcing Kane to drop his weapon. Leia and Lisa were loosing ground as well, and soon enough, they were tied up. Zara was being held by one of the troopers, but she still fought. Laurie and Kane were brought over to the three others, and beheld a disapproving look from the princess.

Leia frowned at the newcomers. This didn't make matters any better. Now there were three more people involved, people who didn't need to be involved. She thought she recognized the old man. A famous anthropologist who came from Alderaan, with what must be his children.

They were forced into the ship, and were marched down a long hall towards a great room. Lisa started fighting against the troopers, but it didn't work, and he dropped her on the floor unconscious, next to some others who looked like prisoners.

Laurie started struggling again, and she tried to reach her blaster, concealed at her waist. She succeeded, and with a bright flash, she was free. She freed her father, and Leia, who both took weapons from dead Stormtroopers, and started blasting everything in sight. Laurie started loosening the other prisoner's bindings. Soon, they were all free. More Stormtroopers kept pouring in, and the Emperor laughed...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Dark Queen
By Aurelia Destiny
~*~*~*~*

"Just what is it that you think you can do?" The emperor almost sneered.

Everyone looked at each other, hesitant. Then Lisa stepped forward. She hefted her blaster up and aimed it right into the wrinkled face. "Blast your ugly face into the next Galaxy?" Said offered sweetly.

"Really?" The emperor gestured. A wave of power struck everyone, the blasters in their hands flung away viciously from their grip. They scattered into the corners, far from where Lisa and the others could reach.

"I find your faith in the power of the dark side, to be disappointing" The Emperor said, almost crooning. His eyes glittered with amusement and an icy determination. he also seemed rather distracted. His mind elsewhere.

"Oh go shove-Mmmmp!" Fairybite clapped a hand over Lisa's mouth, before the girl could complete her insults.

"Us...No guns. Him, big nasty power. Remember?" Fairy hissed into Lisa's ear. Lisa glared, struggling for a second. Then she went limp, abruptly deflating. Now she was scared.

"Fear is good" Darth Vader said hollowly, staring at Lisa and then the others. "It leads a path to the Dark Side"

"You're really hooked on that notion, aren't you?" Fairy snapped, crossing her arms. Lisa nodded furiously, crossing her arms too. Aurelia was silent. She hadn't said a word, in fact, since they had been captured. If one was to look into her green eyes, they would see that she too-like the Emperor-was distracted somewhere else.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jade! Slow down. You don't know what you're doing!" Luke called after his love. Jade slowed slightly, reeling.

"Luke?" She clutched at her head in agony. "Help me"

He put on some speed, catching up to where she was almost bent over. Something was urging her somewhere so much that she was almost crawling to get there. Luke wrapped his arms around her shoulders, trying to keep her still. She shuddered, leaning into his warmth. Luke frowned as he heard her murmuring deliriously under her breath.

"No, won't come. Get out of my head! Ugh" She writhed around, trying to escape some unseen force. And Luke knew exactly who that force was. He could feel the Emperor's presence in every cell of his body. Jade abruptly went limp, perspiration beading her forehead. "Aurelia. You can't hold him for long"

Luke stared at her. Aurelia? She was...In Jade's head too? Trying to help against the Emperor. Then..Her powers must be vast. Even to block the Emperor for a moment. It was no wonder the Emperor wanted her for his Queen. Not that the other's knew that. Aurelia had told Jade in confidence and Jade...Had told Luke to prove her love.

"Aurelia...Get out. He's too strong! I'm not worth it!" Jade almost screamed. Luke fought just to keep her upright as she began to struggle up the corridor. Luke watched her closely. Now he could actually SEE when the Emperor had control and when Aurelia intervened. It was like a hideous puppet show, with Jade in between.

"Not...Like...YOU!" Jade shrieked. she went still for a moment. Luke relaxed his arms and that was when Jade exploded. Her arm swung around, punching Luke firmly on the jaw. He reeled back against the wall, stunned. Jade's eyes glowed red for a moment, then she turned and ran swiftly away from him.

"Aurelia!" She shouted coldly, "It's too late!"

Luke was horrified. He pulled out his Lightsaber and ran after her as swiftly as he could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A satisfied smile spread across the Emperor's face. Everyone there watched him warily.

"That, uh, can't be good" Lisa muttered to Fairybite and the other girl, who had not given her name yet. Nor the other two that had come with her. Though Leia seemed to know the man.

Aurelia suddenly fell backward, barely caught by Han. "Too late" She murmured, brushing a hand over her eyes. Han steadied her and she stepped away, meeting the Emperor's hard eyes.

"You see, my child. It was all for nothing" He moved closer to them, but stayed still within the protective circle of his Guards. "You are no match for the Dark Side. The Light has always been weak"

"Oh go blo-" Lisa shouted angrily. This THING had hurt them, Aurelia and done something to Jade.

"Be SILENT!" The Emperor roared at her, flinging up a hand. Power surged around his knarled fingers. Lisa was hit with a bolt of red energy and flung back into the wall. She grunted and fell silent.

"This is not a committee meeting. You do not talk and distract me until some poor fool rescue's you" He looked narrowly at Vader. "Skywalker and Jade are coming, you should greet them Vader"

Darth Vader lowered his head subserviently. "Yes, my Master" He turned, his cloak whirling out behind him...Only to find that someone was standing in his path.

"Are you sure you want Vader handling this, Emperor?" A mocking voice inquired. Aurelia stiffened, going white. She fell back against Han again, seemingly without the strength to hold her.

"Marius" The Emperor said, with a mixture of delight and anger. "I did not summon you"

The figure stepped out into the light. Lisa and Fairybite gaped. The man was tall, his long dark hair fell half-way down his back loosely. His eyes, when he looked at them, were as green as emeralds. A darkness was barely concealed within them. His clothes were hidden under a long dark velvet cloak, held closed with a silver broach at the neck. And he was utterly, completely gorgeous.

"Who-boy" Lisa breathed in admiration. Fairy's eyes were glazed as the man's eyes swung in her direction. This guy was even more handsome than Luke! And those eyes...They seemed to devour you on the spot.

*No wait* Fairy and Lisa exchanged a glace, confused. The man's eyes were eating AURELIA alive! And she seemed totally stunned. She looked back at him, silent.

The Emperor glanced between the two, eyes narrowing. "Marius, you know this child?"

"Hardly a Child, Majesty" Marius said softly, watching Aurelia in amusement. Something flashed into his eyes for a moment. "She's far older than she looks"

"Really?" The Emperor looked at Aurelia. As did everyone. "And what of her powers? How much was hidden from me?"

Marius turned his head to look at the Emperor coolly. "Now, that would be telling. Suffice to say, if she truly wanted you dead-and were not restricted by her Mother-you would long ago have been a corpse"

"Marius" The Emperor said in a silent rage.

"I told the truth. Nothing more" Marius said lazily, eyes again on Aurelia. "I need not talk with respect and grovel. I am not a servant of yours, though I helped to bring this about"

"You" Aurelia almost whispered. "You helped him?"

"Why else would I be here?" He inquired mockingly. Green eyes flashed as they both stared at each other. Fairy suddenly saw slight similarities in their dark hair and green eyes.

"Hey, are you two related?" She asked, suspiciously. Jareth rolled his eyes skyward. Only Fairy would have asked that question in such a situation!

"Cousins, actually" Marius said smoothly, walking slowly towards Aurelia. His eyes flashed over Han's hands, which were supporting her. Han blanched as the man's eyes glowed a fiery green. "Take your hands from her, or suffer the consequences, Mortal" He warned.

Han quickly removed his hands, though glared defiantly. The Emperor laughed.

"You see now why I employed his services" He shook his head with mock-pity. "All so...Useless to fight me"

"He speaks truly" Jade's voice came from the shadows. She walked forward into the light, her eyes betraying the darkness inside. The Emperor had gotten to her. Luke came hesitantly after her. His blue eyes betrayed he knew what had happened to Jade, but he wouldn't leave her side.

"Luke!" Leia called out, horrified. He looked in his sister's direction briefly.

"Leia" He said with regret. He would stay with Jade, the Emperor had known that. He had won.

Aurelia started towards Jade quickly. Marius had moved silently closer and reached out. He grabbed her firmly about the waist, pulling her closer.

"Naughty, Princess" He said in amusement.

That gave the Emperor pause. He switched his burning gaze from Jade and Luke to Aurelia and Marius. "A Princess?" He said with dark interest. "You never mentioned this fact"

"I didn't see the need" Marius said warily. The Emperor came closer, eyes on Aurelia's face.

"This changes my plans. As a powerful Jedi, she was almost worthy of me. But as one of Royal blood" He smiled chillingly at Aurelia. "You will be my dark Queen, Princess"

"WHAT?" Everyone shrieked.

"This wasn't what I wanted" Jade said weakly, clutching her head.

"I don't THINK so, buddy!" Lisa shouted at the Emperor.

"What?" Aurelia said faintly, eyes wide and confused.

"Nani?" Fairybite yelled.

"No" A voice said quietly. Everyone looked at Marius. His arms were still about Aurelia, tightly. His green eyes flashing green power. He looked enraged. "She's MINE" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dark Queen, Princess of Life
by Fairy
~*~*~*~*

Fairy's mind started to whirl as the Emperor and Marius glared at each other. She lost control of her feelings, and, of course, the Green Crystal immediately reacted to her pain.

There was a brilliant flash of green light, and suddenly Princess Gwendolyn of Earth stood there, in her pale blue, green, and purple gown (I misdescribed it earlier). The Terra symbol blazed on her forehead, and the Green Crystal shone brilliantly from where it hovered above her hands. Feathered wings sprung from her shoulder blades. As everyone stared in shock, especially Marius (who had obviously had no clue who she was), and she looked at Marius defiantly.

"You cannot have either of them. Not Jade, and certainly not my kinswoman."

His mocking smile returned. "And who are you to order me around?" he inquired sweetly.

"I am the pretty protector of Life, Sailorterra. More, I am Princess Gwendolyn, daughter of Queen Gaia, of the Green Millennium. I am the spirit of Life. I am a soldier within the Force."

Already there was an idea in Palpatine's eyes. "Another princess?! Really, Marius, you fail most horribly! But here is great power," he looked intently at the Imperial Crystal. Then he grinned at Fairy. "You think Life can destroy the dark? Darkness is a fundamental part of it! Learn, Princess. You too are my servant!"

Fairybite- Princess Gwendolyn- reeled and clutched her head, shrieking her pain. Princess Destiny freed herself from Marius and leapt forward... as a man with brown hair appeared and took the girl into his arms. She moaned and looked at him. Fairy/Gwendolyn stared into the man's eyes.

"G-Ganymede? Is that you?"

Suddenly, all hell broke loose.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Confusion
by Fairy
~*~*~*~*

Fairy noticed that the Emperor, Vader, and Jareth had disappeared... but she was busy. Busily liplocked with the man she had called "Ganymede", who was dressed in an outfit that was part-armor and had a sword at his side.

"Oh Ganymede, you finally remembered..." she murmured, coming up for air.

"Of course I did, Gwendolyn... went I felt your pain, I remembered everything... then a crystal appeared in front of me and I was here."

"Excuse me, Fairy, but what is going on here?" Aurelia asked.

"Ohhhh, Aurelia-san... surely you remember Prince Ganymede of Lilith?!"

"Oh, yes..." she looked thoughtful. Suddenly Ganymede cried out, "look out!" as laser bolts began flying. He started singing (what a lovely voice he had!), and sharp pink roses flew at the stormtroopers, blinding them. Raising the green crystal on a winged staff, Fairy intoned "Universal Terra Expulsion." The guards disappeared.

Just then, Jade gave a cry. Her eyes took on that glow again, and she shoved Luke away. A crystal formed, and there was a flash of brilliant light...

And they stood in a mist of swirling greens, blues, and purples. The Emperor, Vader, and Marius stood by Jade, smirking.

Princess Destiny and Fairy looked at each other in dismay. They were in the Time currents beyond the Gate!

Lisa couldn't bear the sight of Jade standing there, looking so evil. She had an idea. A power that she had barely sensed was growing in her...

Suddenly she rushed at the Emperor. In shock, he used his lightning on her... which was exactly what she wanted. As everyone stared, she absorbed the energy and got ready to throw it at Vader...She screamed and clutched her head as the dark side overwhelmed her. Slowly standing, she looked at Fairy evilly, her fists crackling with energy...

And Fin-Quinito, the first Jedi, stepped from the mists, holding out his hand... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Madness
By Lisa
~*~*~*~*

Lisa cackled maniacally, as she threw the strange power she had only just discovered inside of her around. A few bolts actually hit her friends, but she was beyond caring, as she had surrendered completely to the Dark Side...she had always been there a little anyway.

From the mists of time, out stepped a figure. Garbed in a deep brown robe, he held out a hand. "Lisa, don't do this..." he warned.

At the same time, Luke was attempting to force (sorry for the bad pun) Jade back to the side of the good guys.

"Jade, I know that you aren't evil. You are good, and loving, and...I love you," Luke finished, running out of things to say as he concentrated all his might on Jade's mind...

Suddenly she screamed, as one of Lisa's random bolts of power knocked into her.

"Jade!" Luke screamed, feeling his heart break. He ran to her limp form, falling to his knees and cradling her head in his lap. "Oh, Jade..."

~~~~

"Go away," Lisa told the robed stranger.

"No," the man said. "As my name is Fin-Quinto, I shall not let you do this to your friends." With that, he flung out his hand, and Lisa screamed in mortal pain, crumbling to the ground.

Marius, Vader and the Emperor looked on, with amused smiles playing at their mouths.

"How long should we allow this to go on, Master?" Vader asked.

"Until they destroy themselves," the Emperor answered. "For you see, Jade and that foolish young mortal are still our allies in the Dark Side.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Turning Point
By Jade
~*~*~*~*

Luke looked around at the confusion surrounding them. *Have they forgotten why we are here?* he wondered. He saw Aurelia drawing near to him.

Aurelia reached out her slender fingers and touched Jade's forehead lightly. She could feel the struggle between the good and dark side within her friend.

"Enough of this!" the Emperor commanded. The blue energy flowing from his fingertips ripped through the room. "You are now mine." he said.

"You pathetic fools. Do you honestly believe that you have the power to defeat me? I am a part of you all. You will do my bidding or be destroyed. It is your choice. I warn you not to underestimate the power of the dark side." the Emperor said, motioning Vader to retrieve Jade.

Vader took a step closer to Luke, Jade and Aurelia. "It is useless to resist young Skywalker. The girl now belongs to the dark side of the Force." he said.

Luke stood to face Vader. "No. There is still good in her. I have felt it. She is not completely turned so I shall not give her up." Luke stated, his hand on his saber.

"Foolish boy. You can't save her. Even now she is becoming more my servant." the Emperor seethed.

By this time, the others in the room had come to stand around Aurelia and Jade. A few of them had already tasted the power of the dark side. They watched as Luke defied the Emperor's wishes. They had done exactly what the Emperor wanted. Used their aggression against each other to weaken them.

"Is she alright?" Leia whispered to Aurelia.

"She is now." she whispered back with a smile, her green eyes sparkling with mystery.

"What did you do?" the Emperor queried, anger lacing his words. Staring at Aurelia, he again summoned the power of the dark side, sending energy bolts to the insolent pest. They never reached Aurelia, Marius intercepted the flow. He would never allow another to harm his betrothed.

Jade stirred in Aurelia's arms. "What happened?" she asked, softly.

"It doesn't matter now." Aurelia replied glancing at Marius.

Jade scanned the room. *Where are we?* she wondered. She looked up to see Luke, standing between her and Vader. There was only one thing she could think of to do. It was an absolute. Sitting up, she placed her arms on her crossed legs, with her palms facing up. She would put an end to this nonsense once and for all.

"O stars whirling through the inky round..." she began, her voice intoned.

"What is she doing?" Han asked, staring at her. Fairy and Aradia shrugged their shoulders with no idea.

"O power hiding...."

"Vader! Stop her!" the Emperor commanded. His guards would be useless against this action.

Vader took a step closer. "Move young Skywalker or be destroyed."

"....secrets biding in the night..." Jade continued.

Luke didn't move, instead he drew his saber from his belt. "You can't win Vader. I will not let you pass."

"...and the owl's sweet cry..."

Vader ignited his lightsaber and swung it toward Luke, who, guided by the force, blocked his blow perfectly.

"...misty measures of the circling sky..." she continued with everyone watching her closely.

Again, Vader struck out at Luke only to have his blow thwarted.

"Your anger has made you strong young Skywalker. Use your anger now to save your friends." the Emperor said with distinct satisfaction. "Yes, only through the dark side will you be able to save them."

"...fill me with your magic power..."

Aurelia knew what was coming. Jade had enlightened her to the extent of her power, which she concealed well all this time. Sitting beside Jade, she concentrated all her energy into the flow around them. Motioning the others to do so as well.

"Enfold me in your..."

"Vader! Stop that woman now!" the Emperor commanded, for he too knew the extent of her power and what was about to happen. "Strike her down before it is too late!"

"...mystic hour." she finished.

The room began to swirl with untamed energy that the Emperor could not control. Jade's power was not from the force. He knew this when he sensed it during their first meeting. He had hoped to harness it, but now he was faced with the inevitable.

Laurie had found Zara taking refuge in the corner and now held onto her for dear life. Never had she seen anything such as this. She had heard all the stories of the Force and the Jedi Knights, but this was inconceivable.

Jade focused her attention on Vader. Still dueling with Luke, Vader felt himself levitated into the air. Surprised, Luke turned around to see Jade staring blindly at the Emperor with Vader now standing at his side. Marius, struck down in an attempt to save his betrothed Aurelia, now stood off in the distance. In a matter of moments, Marius had disappeared from sight.

Jade continued her control of energy, smiling slightly in the process. The Emperor, noticing her smile, laughed evilly at her. "You are still my servant Jade. You can never escape me." he warned.

"Leia, pick another system that is days away." Aurelia asked quickly.

"Right off hand I don't know."she answered, bewildered by the question. But Han jumped in and offered a system almost devoid of life.

"Good. A little extra time to our advantage." Aurelia stated, looking over at Jade and nodding in agreement.

"Our paths will cross again one day Jade. Next time you will not be so lucky. Next time you will be destroyed." the Emperor raged. An instant later, the room was calm.

Jade leaned against the wall. "Where are Jareth and Sarah?" she queried, glancing around the room. "Now will you tell me how I got here?" she asked Aurelia. She noticed the others to be amused by her question. "What?" she asked smugly crossing her arms.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Search Begins
By Laurie (HC)
~*~*~*~*

With the Emperor and Vader gone, things inside the huge ship returned to low murmur. There were still some Stormtroopers inside the ship, and the group could hear their footsteps all around them, but they knew that without their leaders, they would be harmless.

Luke, Aurelia, Aradia were explaining to Jade how she arrived on the strange ship, leaving her astounded, and ashamed at what she had become during that interval. The others were starting to wonder about the three people, who had been silent till now.

Kane stood up, walked over and checked on his daughters, then walked over to Han and Leia. "Princess Leia, what an honor. I am Kane Antilles, an anthropologist from Alderaan."

"I know." Leia discarded the formalities. She had a feeling about this man, he would reappear again later in the Rebellion's quest to destroy the Empire.

"Lets go find Sarah and Jareth!" Lisa spoke up, addressing the whole group.

"Look, you should leave, it is dangerous here, and staying will only put you and your daughters at risk." Leia stated, concerned for the family.

"Yeah, it'll do you no good to get killed off." Han stated bluntly.

Kane nodded solemnly. "I agree. May the force be with you in your struggles..."

"Wait!" Laurie called out suddenly, running over to them. "It was not coincidence that brought us into this. I want to stay and help." Her bright eyes sparked determinedly. Leia recognized her own determination in the younger girl's words.

Leia nodded silently, eyeing the girl.

"Come on!" Fairy shouted out, and they all started out of the room into a dark corridor to look for Sarah and Jareth.

As they marched along, Leia eyed the younger girl again. She walked along with determination, and fire in her eyes. Her light hair shown in the erie red lights of the corridors. She must have seen more horrible things in that last hour than she had in her entire life.

"What is your name?" Leia inquired.

"Laurie."

"Why are you so determined to stay with us?"

"Because," Laurie paused, and searched for the right words. "Before today, the Empire was just an idea to me, almost as if it didn't exist. But now...." She paused.

"Now you know that it does exist, and that it is truly a terror that needs to be stopped." Leia finished. It was Laurie's turn to eye Leia now.

"Yes, that's it exactly."

"Hey, we've got something up here!" Han yelled from the front. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Fairy

They all caught up to Han- but what he had found was not what they expected.

There stood Artoo Detoo and See Threepio.

"How did _they_ get there?!" Leia sounded extremely puzzled. Fairy sort of smile smugly, before turning to the droids.

"Artoo, search the ship's computer for data about Sarah, okay? And Jareth, if there is any." Whistling and chirping obligingly, Artoo plugged into the port and got to work.

In a moment he found something. Threepio turned to Fairy and Leia, who was standing next to her. "Oh my! It says that there has been a break-in at Cell Block BC-42, on Detention Level 3- the inmate, Sarah, and her rescuer, are trapped in the hangar! If we go this way, we can be there in at most five minutes!"

"Right!" the group rushed down the corridor.

Fairy was musing over Jade's incredible powers. The girl seemed tired, and no wonder; using all that energy must have exhausted her resources. Suddenly she sensed something... strangely familiar. At the head of the group, she turned a corner, and skidded to a stop.

There stood a woman, all in black, with red-gold hair, a fighter's stance, and a keen, discerning eye.

"Mara Jade!" Fairy managed to cry before the others all ran into her. The Emperor's Hand... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Jade

Luke stopped, just before the corner and grabbed Jade by the arm. "Come on!" he yelled, pulling her back the way they came and down another corridor.

"So? Which one of you is Jade?" she asked, sneering at them. Mara had heard her master's plea to eliminate Jade.

The others looked around at each other then glanced back. Luke and Jade were gone.

~~~~~~~

"What are we doing?" Jade asked as Luke pulled her along the corridor.

"Getting you to safety." he replied.

Jade lost her footing and fell forward onto the metal floor. Luke turned around and knew she was tired but they had to push on. Helping her to her feet, he continued pulling her down corridor after corridor until finally she could go no further.

"I have to rest." she said softly. She was exhausted. She leaned against the wall and pulled her knees up close to her chest. "Why me?" she asked.

Luke kneeled down beside her and brushed her hair from her face. "I will not let anything happen to you. I promise." he said, softly touching her cheek. Jade leaned into his arms and found comfort from everything going on around them and he held her tight. He couldn't bear it if the Emperor made good on his threat.

Luke helped her up once more and they continued on their way. Soon they found themselves in the hanger bay and could see Jareth and Sarah off in the distance.

"Stay right here." he told her. Moving siliently, Luke held his saber in his hand, ready for anything. Jedi rule -of-thumb: when outnumbered, attack. This drives the force of the enemy in toward himself.

Jade stayed where she was and watched in awe as Luke took on numerous stormtroopers to help Jareth and Sarah. The battle was over as quickly as it began and she glimpsed him look her way, a broad smile across his face.

"What do we have here?" a voice asked, from behind her.

Jade slowly turned around to see a stormtrooper standing over her with a blaster rifle. All she could do was stare at him. Before she knew it, Luke had already cut him down.

"Are you alright?" he asked concerned.

"Yes." she anwered in a daze.

"Jade, how nice of you to join us." Jareth stated, pulling Sarah along behind him. "Where are all the others?" he asked.

"Well..." she began but stopped.

"We will get back to them when we can. In the meantime, we need to find somewhere where we can hold up and get some rest." Luke stated, reaching out with the force. Soon he sensed the others. "They are fine. It isn't any of them she wants."

"Who then?" Sarah asked.

Luke turned to Jade. "You." he said softly.

"What?" she asked, startled by the news. "What did I ever do to deserve this?" she said quietly, shaking her head.

"I think it is the Emperor that has orchestrated this. Somehow, he has found someone to come and take you out of the game. With you gone, the odds are slightly in his favor." Luke answered.

"Her?" Jareth asked shocked.

Jade shook her head. This isn't what she wanted at all. When she woke from her first encounter with the Emperor, she was relieved that Jareth relinquished Han back to his friends for helping get the Underground back to normal. Then to find out that she was just a pawn used by the Emperor to get to the others, made her ashamed. Now she comes to find out that he intends to kill her? This fact frightened her more than she would let on. She didn't want to die. She has too much going for her now to worry about death. Now, here she was worrying if she would survive this ordeal.

"Jareth, do you have your magic?" Luke asked, knowing that before he couldn't use it.

Jareth produced a crystal and twirled it upon he fingertips, a broad smile crossing his face. He tossed it to Sarah and she smiled when she looked into it.

"Your dreams?" Jade asked smiling softly. Sarah just nodded and looked at Jareth.

"What do we do now?" Jareth asked. "We have to get my listians back and your friends as well." he said, his egotistical self back to normal.

"Well, the only thing I can think of is to lure this person into a trap." Luke stated, looking over at Jade. "The only way is to use you as bait, since you are the one they're after." he said, his voice saddened. She had been through enough.

"You can not be serious. She could be killed." Jareth shot back, unwilling to lose his listian to this nonsense.

"It is the only way I can think of to trap them. If you have a better idea now is the time to say it." Luke said.

"I'll do it." Jade stated.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Who do we have here?" Mara asked, looking at each of them with her blaster pointed at Han.

"Listen lady, we don't really have the time to chat, so if you would be so kind as to step out of the way.." Han started.

"Shut up!" she yelled back at him.

"Hey now I was trying to be nice here." he stated.

"Where is she?" she asked angrily.

"Who?" Leia asked politely.

"Jade." she replied.

"I don't know anyone named Jade, do you guys?" Lisa said casually, looking Mara up and down.

Mara raised her blaster to yet another. Aiming it at a young girl, she smiled. "What is your name?" she asked staring her square in the eye.

"Laurie Antilles." she answered nervously.

"Suppose you tell me what I want to know Laurie." Mara said, holding the blaster steady.

Aurelia stepped in between them. "She is just a young girl. Leave her out of this."

"And who might you be?" she asked venomously, looking to the back of the group at a young girl who looked strangely familiar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Who?!?
By Aradia
~*~*~*~*

Aradia was trying to go to the front to see what was going on when Leia grabbed her by the arm. She was about to turn and scowl at her when she caught the others fear. Aradia turned to the new girl...Mara Jade looked at Aradia. Why did she look famailar?

Aradia looked at the strange girl. She moved toward her even though Han tried to catch her arm.She shugged him off and stepped toward the girl. The girl looked Aradia and went white. Aradia heard her mutter, "Master's daughter!!"

Aradia glanced at the girl then was grabbed by Han. He quickly put himself in front of her. Pity it wasn't fast enough...

Mara's head snapped back as she looked as Aradia, she than said in a reverent whisper, "The Emporer's Daughter..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Let the games begin
By Jade
~*~*~*~*

"Who? Me?" Aradia asked softly with wonder in her eyes.

"Aradia. Don't listen to any of this." Leia said, staring at Mara Jade.

"Fool. You actually think this young girl is that old man's daughter?" Aurelia asked amused.

Mara turned to look at her. "She is." she stated.

"She is not. Her father is aboard this ship and I can guarantee that it is not that evil person that you refer to as master." Aurelia stated, crossing her arms.

Aradia looked at her. "You knew? All this time you knew my father but never said anything?" she asked in a strangled voice.

"It was his wish child." Aurelia stated.

"Enough of this. Move!" Mara commanded, motioning with her blaster.

"Where are you taking us?" Leia asked.

"Well, it just so happens that sooner or later your friend will have to come back for you. Pity. Soon she will be nonexistent, My master will return and all will be back to normal." Mara stated, satisfied with everything so far.

~~~~~~~~~

"So what is the plan?" Jareth asked, still not satified with the decision to put Jade in danger.

"Wait a minute." Luke said, sensing movement ahead of them. "In here! Quick!" he said, rushing into a door, with the others following him.

Luke reached out with the force and grazed Aurelia's presence.

"Luke." she whisphered softly. *Is Jade with you?* she asked mentally. *Yes. I have an idea Princess.* came his reply filling her thoughts.

Jade stood back against the wall. She had put her friends in danger for the last time. If she wasn't so bull-headed, perhaps things would have turned out differently. Slowly walking to the door, she peeked outside to see the group coming towards them. She wouldn't put them at risk any more. Jade bolted from the door drawing Mara Jade's attention.

"Let the games begin." she sneered, raising her blaster.

"Run Jade!" Aradia screamed.

"Get in there!" Mara commanded, pushing them into a door. Locking it, she snickered and turned to follow her prey. Her master would surely be pleased.

"We have to get out of here!" Fairy demanded.

"Hush child." Aurelia said, then without a word, she flung the door from the hinges with just the basic thought of it. "Now let's go get her, shall we?"

"Just like her to do something stupid." Jareth scoffed.

"Shut up! For some reason she thinks that the only way to save us is to sacrifice herself. I will not let her do that." Luke said, angrily glaring at Jareth. "Aurelia, grasp her presence and bring her here." he said, calming slightly.

Aurelia looked at him.

"I know you can do this. I have seen you do it before, when you brought Aradia back. You as well as I know that Jade will not resort to violence. She will be killed." he said, trying to sound as though he were still in control of the situation. "Help me?" he asked softly.

Aurelia nodded slightly, her green eyes burning with fury toward this assassin. Concentrating, she reached out and grasped Jade's presence. A sudden burst of energy and Jade was standing against the wall, a look of surprise on her face.

"You should have just left me there!" she yelled.

"We couldn't let you do this." Han said, looking at her then to Leia and the others. "Could we?"

They shook their heads in agreement and Luke walked over to her. "You can depend on someone else once in a while you know." he whispered.

Jade pushed him away. "You don't understand. You all mean so much to me and I can't stand by and be the cause of your grief."

"Jade!" Aurelia spoke, her features calm and poised. "The only grief you can cause is going off and getting yourself killed. Now I for one am against that. If you argue with me, I will have no choice but to take matters into my own hands." she said, staring at Jade.

"What do you suggest?" Leia asked, stepping forward.

"I will take care of her. The rest of you, stay together." Aurelia stated, moving down the corridor.

Luke walked over and put his arm around Jade's shoulders. "You have a good friend there." he said softly, watching Aurelia as she glided around the corner.

"I know." she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Confrontations
By Laurie (HC)
~*~*~*~*

With Aurelia now gone, supposedly to take care of Mara Jade, the rest started wondering, once again, about Sarah.

"Where could she have gone to?" Lisa asked impatiently.

"Wasn't she in the hangar?" Leia asked.

"No, she was just here." Jareth stated pointing at Luke and Jade who nodded in agreement. Chewie let out a low moan.

"What's that?" Han moved closer to the wookie. "He says that he saw her!"

"What? Where? When?" Jareth asked quickly, worry creasing his face. He sidled up to Chewie. "Where was she? Is she ok?" His persistent questions started getting on Chewie's nerves, and he let out a ferocious roar. Jareth jumped back, surprised, and not a little scared.

"What did I say?" He asked innocently.

"It looks like Chewie isn't very fond of you right now, you better lie low for a bit."

"Uhh... Ok. Sounds good to me."

**********

Aurelia softly strode down the ship's main corridor, keeping her senses alert to Mara Jade's presence. She was ahead of Aurelia, and was furious.

**********

The group broke into two different search groups. Artoo had tapped into the ship's main computer, and reported that Sarah had been reported last seen at two different locations.

Jade and Luke set off down one corridor, followed bravely by Artoo, with Threepio tagging along. Leia followed Luke as well as Laurie, Jareth and Lisa. Han and Chewie, turning off onto another corridor were followed by Fairy and Aradia.

**********

Sarah screamed when she saw the woman. She was tall, and dark, and looked absolutely furious. She headed towards Sarah, with a blaster aimed right at her.

Aurelia heard the scream, and broke into a run. She reached Mara Jade in the time it took Mara to grasp the frightened Sarah by the arm. Sarah struggled fiercely to get away, but Mara just tightened her grasp. She turned around and faced Aurelia.

"I have heard that this... being is what your friends are looking for right now." She sneered, looking Sarah up and down.

"That is true." Aurelia stepped closer. "But what is she to you? She is not why the Emperor sent you here."

"True. Tell me where she is and I will let this one go."

*Mara, hear me. If you cannot get to Jade, make her come to you. Use the girl they call Aradia. Her father will hand Jade over to you for his daughter. When he does, terminate her immediately.* the Emperor's voice rang through Mara's mind.

Aurelia sensed something from Mara Jade. Still, she watched her carefully. Sarah hung in the balance.

A smile creased Mara Jade's lips. Giving Sarah a shove toward Aurelia, she managed to make a break for it. Soon she would have her captive and then only a matter of time before she would complete her master's wish. Jade would soon be dead.

**********

Luke and company ran down the narrow corridor, towards where Artoo had said Sarah was last spotted. Jade looked very tired. They were all hushed, and quiet. They reached the spot, a large, high ceilinged room.

"Where is she?" Jade cried out suddenly, distress strained her voice. All of a sudden, she grasped her head, crying out in pain. Laurie watched in horror, while the others ran to her, to restrain what they thought would next happen.

"What is wrong with her?" Laurie asked, grimacing at the pain she saw written across the girl's face.

"Its the Emperor, he has a hold on her again." Luke struggled to keep a hold of Jade, to no use. With a feral cry, she broke loose, and started running towards a door.

"Aradia!" Jade screamed in horror, fleeing from the room.

"No!" Lisa shouted, as despair seeped into the small group. They struggled to keep up with her as she lead them closer to Mara Jade with each step.

**********

"Wait!" Han called back to the rest of the group. "Listen."

They all stood still, and then they heard it. A cry of great pain. Fairy shuddered. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Aradia

Aradia threw back her head in pain. It hurt.She had never felt this kind of pain before. It was coming from her friend. How dare he! Aradia was not even thinking of herself now. All she felt was rage.

Luke felt the force change. Their was such anger. Never had he felt this all consuming hatred for someone. That was before he received a mental flash from Aradia. She had sent it out to them all. Even the ones who were not force sensitive. "My friends, find and protect Jade. If Palapatine destroys her, we are all damned. Help her." Luke came out of the trance when he heard a shriek from Aradia.

Aradia had been concentrating so hard that she hadn't even felt Mara Jade sneak up behind her and grab her. Aradia felt such fear and then nothing.

Mara Jade held the child. She had fainted. Now knowing her father was among them, the real game could begin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Jade

Jade stopped. Luke caught up to her and pulled her to him. "What is it?" he asked softly.

"She has Aradia." Jade replied, leaning against him. "I heard the Emperor. I don't know how to explain it. He was talking to her and I heard it all. Aradia is blackmail..." she trailed off.

"What are you talking about? Blackmail for what?" he asked softly as the others gathered around.

"Me." she replied in a strangled voice.

The others were shocked. They could scarcely believe it. Jareth seemed uncomfortable with this new information. Another listian in danger.

"Who could they blackmail?" Laurie asked curiously.

"Her father." Leia stated, remembering Aurelia's words.

"Anyone have any idea who he is?" Lisa asked, looking around at each of them.

"We have to get to her before he gets to us." Luke said, moving down the corridor.

"Should we split up?" Jareth suggested.

"Couldn't hurt. We have already lost the others." Lisa replied.

Leia, Lisa, and Laurie and 3PO went one way while Jareth, Luke and Jade went the other with R2 following closely. Not finding anything, Luke suggested taking another route.

"Attention!" came a voice that seemed to surround them. "Bring me Jade or your dear Aradia shall die in her place." the woman's voice stated, with Aradia whimpering in the background.

"She has to be in the control room." Luke stated.

Jade took off down the corridor toward what she thought to be the control room.

Jareth, desparation straining his rational thought, watched Jade move on ahead. Producing a crystal, he hit Luke up side the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Jade glanced back, horror in her eyes.

"Luke!" Jade yelled, running back to him. "What happened?" she asked, kneeling beside Luke, her eyes filling with tears.

"That is easy." Jareth replied grabbing Jade harshly and pulling her to her feet. "There is a psychopath out there with my daughter."

Jade's eyes widened as she realized that Jareth was going to turn her over to Mara Jade in exchange for Aradia. She was as good as dead now.

Jareth pulled Jade down the corridor all the while she struggled to free herself. "Help!" she screamed. "Luke! Aurelia! Somebody help me!!!"

"Shut up!" he said, harshly smacking her across the face. "I am truly sorry about this Jade. I just want my daughter to know her father does care." Jareth said, continuing in the direction of the control room.

~~~~~~~~~

"Luke." Leia spoke softly. "Come on!" she shouted to Laurie and Lisa. Running down the corridor, she followed her senses to find Luke on the floor. "Luke!" she yelled, running to him. "Come on Luke." she said softly, as Luke slowly came around.

Luke glanced around quickly. "Where are they?" he asked, getting to his feet. Rubbing the back of his head, Aurelia and Sarah had come to join their group. "It's Jareth isn't it?" Luke asked, already knowing the answer.

Aurelia nodded.

"He's got her." he said, looking up and down the corridor. "Which way to the control room?" he asked, looking to R2D2.

R2 started down the corridor.

~~~~~~~

"Let me go!" Jade screamed, hitting Jareth with all her might. "Luke! Let go Jareth!" she yelled. She could tell they were almost there. She could feel the icy breath of death upon her neck.

~~~~~~~

Luke's head jerked up sharply. "Jade," he said, running down the corridor with all the others following as best they could. Their paths crossed with Han's group who also followed.

"What's going on kid?" Han called.

"Jareth is going to get Jade killed. He's Aradia's father." Luke called back.

"What?!" Lisa exclaimed in disbelief. "No wonder he always favored her." she mumbled.

~~~~~~~~

Jareth stopped at the end of the hall. He could see Mara Jade and Aradia waiting at the other end. By now, Jade had stopped fighting against his strength, but when she saw Mara, she screamed in terror.

"You must be the father." Mara stated smugly, looking Jareth up and down. "The Emperor knew you were here."

"What?" Aradia asked, looking toward Jareth for an explanation. "My father? He can't be my father." she said, not wanting it to be true.

"It will be alright Aradia." he said, staring at Mara. "What do you suggest now?" he asked, restraining Jade as best he could.

"We will make a swap. Yours for mine." she said, smiling faintly. Oh, how she was enjoying this.

"No!" Jade shrieked, but knew it was inevitable. Calming slightly, as least this way she could save Aradia. Poor child, having to find out about her father this way.

"Promise me that no matter what happens, you will get the others out of here." Jade whispered to Jareth. "Promise me Jareth."

"Oh, alright I promise. I will hate myself forever for doing this to you." Jareth said, softly.

"Please don't. You will only make this worse." she said, tears swelling in her eyes.

"Any time now!" Mara called from the other end.

Jade looked at Jareth one last time. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward. She saw that Mara had let go of Aradia and the child was on her way. Biting her lip, she watched Aradia walk past her, her face full of fear. Looking ahead, Jade was staring at the blaster Mara had raised. This was the end. She could feel it and closed her eyes tight to fight the fear that was swelling up in her chest.

"Come closer Jade. I have been trying to find you for quite awhile now." Mara said, watching Jade walking slowly towards her. "Game over. You lose." she said, her finger grazing the trigger.

Han rushed Mara from behind. Not soon enough, Mara got a shot off in the struggle with Han and Jade fell to the ground.

"No!" Luke yelled, rushing to her.

Han and Leia pushed Mara into a cell and locked it up tight. That would be the last of her for this adventure. Laurie looked at Luke cradling Jade in his arms. She felt sadness overcome her as she slowly walked closer to them. "Jade, come on. Open your eyes." she said softly, wishing this were all a dream.

Han and Leia walked over to Luke. "Hey kid? How is she?" Han asked in a concerned voice.

"She'll be fine. It hit her in the shoulder." he replied, smiling. At least this time it wasn't life threatening.

Jareth stood away from them all and looked at what he had done. He had sacrificed an innocent girl for his own selfishness. Although it was his daughter, he should have not taken things into his own hands. Even now, Aradia wouldn't look at him. How long would it take for her to forgive him?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Written by Laurie (HC)

"It is time for us to go." Aurelia said slowly. She walked over to Jade and touched her shoulder. A bright light encompassed both of them. When it faded, Jade sat up slowly. Luke and Jade embraced each other in relief.

The sun outside was bright and hot compared to the inside of the Emperor's ship. They stepped carefuly down the ramp onto the hot, arid ground of Tatooine.

The combined powers of Aurelia, Aradia, and Fairy sent the Emperor's ship to some unknown galaxy, far from any Rebellion fortresses. In another moment, they were all back outside of Leia's quarters. Jareth sulked in the background.

"We need to be leaving." Aurelia stated, ready to get back to the labyrinth, and relax. The goodbyes were short, except for Jade and Luke's.

"Till we meet again." Jade stated softly, the tears starting to form in her eyes, making them shine brilliantly.

"We will. I know it. The Force has brought us together, we will not be apart for long." Luke whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her for what seemed like and eternity before he had to let her go.

Lisa came up, wrapping her arm around Jade's waist. "Come on Jade. It's time to go home." she said softly, her voice filled with a comforting tone.

They walked over to where Aurelia and Aradia stood, beside an uncomfortable Jareth. Luke came over to where Leia stood, cradled by Han. Tears now shown in his eyes as well. His sister took his hand, and squeezed it, smiling at him brightly. He smiled back. Laurie stood to one side, watching the tearful goodbyes, feeling drawn into the emotions, but also feeling separate from them. She didn't know these people who were leaving.

Tears streaked down Jade's face as a bright light encompassed them all, so bright that everyone turned away. When they looked back, the hall was empty.

**********

Leia stood by the communications hologram. Laurie stood next to her. Kane's worried face appeared on the screen. When he saw his daugher and the princess, the frown relaxed to a warm smile.

"Father," Laurie smiled. "Princess Leia has offered to let me stay with her, and help with the Rebellion!" Kane's smile grew even wider.

"She has made your dreams come true. Thank you, your Highness. It is a wonderful opportunity."

"I know she will do wonderfully." Leia answered, smiling at the bright young girl. "We need all the help we can get. The Emperor is still out there somewhere." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The end or the beginning?
By Aradia
~*~*~*~*

It was a long time until the others left. Aradia had given all her friends long hugs and promised to invite them soon. Before they left though, she pulled over Destiny and Jade.

"Aradia, what's wrong? You look like your thinking!" Jade was trying to lighten the mood but all the other two did was sigh. Aradia took Destiny's and Jade's hand.

"You know that this is not over. It is only beginning in a way. It won't end for a long time. Vader and," Aradia shivered. Along with Jade, Aradia had also been harmed by him, "The Emperor. Don't tell the others, there is no need to worry them. Goodbye for now my friends." Aradia sobbed and hugged them the hardest. They let go of her hands and walked off.

She went up to her rooms and out into the balcony. The wind caught some of her dark hair and waved it behind her. She didn't feel her father come up behind her. "Child."

Aradia closed her eyes before opening them and turning around. She took one of her father's hands into her own small ones. She looked into his eyes, "Welcome your child, King Jareth. She's home." He looked confused. She had forgiven him.

~~~~~~~~

Aradia grinned at her friends. Fairybite, Destiny and Lisa stood there grinning as well. "My dear Goblin Princess, you realize you will get grounded for this?" Lisa asked. The other's noticed that although she had questioned the girl, Aradia hadn't dropped either peach.

Aradia didn't answer, it was Fairy who said, "Screw the rules. Jade and Luke are in pain. This will make it easier...."

~~~~~~~~

Jade was lying on her bed. She had no energy since leaving the Labyrinth. She had four best friends now but it couldn't bring him back. Nothing could.

She was beginning to cry when from out of nowhere a peach dropped. Jade picked it up, where did it come from? A piece of paper floated down from the air.

"Dearest Jade,
We gave you this so now quit moping and bite it! Trust us, you won't regret it...
Your Friends,
Princess Destiny, Princess Fairy, Princess Aradia and Lady Lisa."

Jade wasn't to sure...Ah, what the hell? And she bit in.

~~~~~~~~

Luke was staring off into space and thinking of her. Her smile, her laugh....the way her eyes flashed at him... When his sister walked in.

"Luke, Aradia is on the communit, she wants to talk to you." Leia grinned and walked out. Luke sighed and followed his sister into the room.

There was a projection of the lady_uh the Princess Aradia. She had on a long silver dress with white fur outlining the shoulders. Her hair had turned a soft black and her eyes were glowing. She smiled at him. "My friend, I have a present for you. I think you will like it. It's from, well you will know who it's from." the girl winked at him and disappeared.

Before she left though their was a peach. Luke took it and turned it around in his fingers. It was giving off a force vibration of it's own. Luke smiled and bit in.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jade looked around. This room was more lovely than she had thought. She then looked at her reflection in the mirror. Their stood a beautiful woman in a long gold dress with her hair swept up with little white flowers. She had started to turn when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Luke opened his eyes and blinked. Where was he? Where ever it was, it was beautiful. Hell, he didn't look to bad either. He was in a black suit with his lightsaber around his wast. He turned around and found his love.

Jade looked at Luke and fell into his arms. Neither noticed the group of girls smirking and giggling. Luke was about to kiss Jade when Princess Destiny gathered her friends up and left. Luke and Jade looked into each others' eyes and smiled.

Jade and Luke danced until the sun came up. It had been a lovely evening. At the end, the couple (ahh how SWEET!!) stood watching the sunrise. Jade had put her head on Luke's shoulder and then woke up in her room. She looked around and smiled. Her soulmate and her would meet again. Soon...very soon. After all, forever isn't long at all.

~~~~~~~~~~

Luke woke up in his room. He smiled as he remembered Jade. His attention was snapped when he saw the Princess Aradia grinning from the transport. Her eyes were glowing. Luke had never felt such power come from a child before. "Luke Skywalker, don't forget us or her."

He bowed to the girl, feeling rather silly. He had thought she was a twit and yet here she was helping him. Aradia must have caught the thought for she smirked and Luke would have sworn, that it looked like her father's smirk.

"Remember Luke, it isn't over yet, not by along shot. Jade and you will meet and...well I can't say everything, now can I?"

Luke walked to his bed and plopped down. The last thing he heard was her laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~

Princess Destiny, was listening as Fairy, Lisa and Aradia got lectured. She smiled. Jareth had given Fairy the job of being Aradia's protector until she was eighteen. She was leaning closer when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Marius. He smiled at her briefly.

"I just came to see to my charge. Didn't Jareth tell you?" Auliea couldn't say anything. She just looked at him mutely. "I am to be the Princess Aradia's teacher in magic. He hired me to keep an eye on her." Destiny's shoulders slumped. This wasn't good. No not good at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Palpatine was sitting on his throne. Never had any group of people so thwarted his plans and got away with it. At least it was intresting. It also showed him that he was too cocky of his powers. He was jolted out of his thoughts when he heard both Vader and Mara Jade come into the room. He looked at them, glowering for a second.

"Report" he hissed. He had asked them to get as much information as possible on the the group. Mara Jade looked down, "We know that as Aradia is too young to handle the kingdom, her father will handle it until she reaches the age of twenty-one. As for the one they call Fairy, her father has appointed her to watch over the child. She is to be her protector. Destiny has decided to keep an eye on both Lisa and the Princess Aradia. As for Jade...there is no infomation on her."

Palpatine nodded. He dismissed Mara Jade and looked at Vader, "All of them, Sarah, Destiny, Fairy, Jareth, Jade, Lisa, Luke, Solo and Leia have grown to love Aradia. Therefore, let's reveal just who will be watching her for us.

Marius stepped out of the shadows and looked at the two men and grinned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~End Story One~