Title: Jedi in the Underground

Fandom: Labyrinth

Parts: 18

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in labyrinth, lucas owns star wars, any

EU stuff that's mention belongs to that respective author...just assume I

own none of the star wars stuff, I just give my interpretations on it.

Summary: cross over with star wars. Jareth brings back the emperor who in

turn takes over the labyrinth and requires assistance from a listian to

get it back (surprise, me, heh)

*************************************

Jedi in the Underground

Ch. 1

            Jareth sat sprawled across his throne, entranced by a collection of

books he had -borrowed- from Ziggy...he had taken them with the intent of

getting her mind of the stupid series, but he was fast becoming

intrigued, especially with some of the villains. That Admiral Thrawn

was a genius. He was especially impressed with the Emperor, though...what

power! What control! And no one dared to make stupid remarks about his

wardrobe.

             The king sighed while he turned the page of Dark Empire, lazily

conjuring a crystal and rolling it in a hand. "This guy is just

amazing...I wish I knew how he did it..." He paused as the throne room

suddenly filled with light, and he realized in horror that the crystal

had dissolved. "Wait! I didn’t mean to..."

            "Whether you meant to or not is of no concern to me...all that

matters is I’m back." Jareth’s eyes widened as he looked at the figure of

the cloned Emperor before he found his composure.

            "Yes, well, you are in -my- kingdom..." Jareth said quietly, his

voice like icy steel.

            "Really? And who are you?" The dark-robed figure took a few steps

closer, still dead serious and imposing. Jareth was determined to stay

seated...he wasn’t going to have this guy think he was actually afraid of

him.

            "I am Jareth, King of the Goblins, Guardian of the Labyrinth," he

said haughtily. He knew he had added onto the title, but Goblin King just

didn’t compare to Emperor of the Galaxy. "I wished you here, and I

demand to know how you keep your subjects in line. You will tell me, or

I’ll throw you in the Bog of Eternal Stench before you can blink!"

Palpatine narrowed his eyes at the king’s insolence before extending a

hand and clenching his palm into a fist. Jareth suddenly couldn’t

breathe, but the man wasn’t even touching him!

            "I use fear, Jareth...fear and the Dark Side of the Force...and that

is all you need to know. Now that I am free I plan to add more territory

to my Empire, which I will reform. You will help me, or you will be

destroyed. What is your choice?" The startled king could barely gasp a

reply. Palpatine continued his grip, unconcerned about the king's fate.

He gazed into Jareth's eyes steadily, as if he could read every single

thought which flashed through his mind.

            Jareth really didn't want to get this guy any angrier than he

already was. "I’ll help...just let me go!"

            "Good...I knew you’d see it my way...I will need reinforcements...

bring me Thrawn and his crew, my navy, Xixor, and Fett...they will be a

good start to my plan." He released his fist and Jareth slid from the

throne to the floor, gasping air.

            "And what exactly is your plan?"

            The Emperor gave a cold, chilling smile that looked deadly even on

his younger form. "I am going to conquer Earth." His attention was

diverted by the silver cover of the technical guide sitting on the

floor. He picked it up and paged through it, laughing when he came to

the blueprint of the Death Star.

            "Fools! They print these plans and distribute them freely! Now I

have a sure way to regain control. I need stormtroopers; construction

must begin at once...or maybe you will conjur the Death Star for me, instead.

            "What about your Hand and Second?" Jareth asked, hoping he’d fall

for it.

            "Mara Jade and Lord Vader? Ah, they are not the most loyal servants

of mine...no, this time I will do things myself, with loyal servants.

Now, bring me my fleets and my Death Star!" Jareth nodded, for the first

time scared out of his mind by the one figure in front of him.

*****************************

            I sighed as I clicked my way through the SW homepage...I’ve been

more than a little depressed ever since I found out I wouldn’t get to see

Episode One on opening day. With a start I realized that it was almost

four o’clock...time for madrigals! I headed out of the computer lab and

into the building across the way.

            After class I headed home as usual, but stopped for a brief detour.

The husband of my Jr. High School gym teacher, who happens to go to my

church, was planning to have a garage sale, and he is a huge Star Wars

fan. Although the sale wasn’t until the weekend, he had invited me to

come take a look at a few items, mainly a chrome replica set of the

original Topps series cards...I have all but one-hundred or so of the

originals (there’s 800 all together) and I adore them.

            I pulled into his driveway and stepped into the yard to meet the

figure waiting for me. "Hi, Selah...the stuff is in here," Chris said,

motioning me into the garage. I reminded him that I was mainly there to

look (and drool) because my funds were limited. He nodded. "I know, but I

wanted to offer this one piece to you before anyone else." I stopped and

gaped at what he was pointing to.

            "Is that...an R2-D2 soda holder?" I gaped, remembering how I had

fallen in love with the enormous thing in Schnucks during the Special

Edition mania.

            "Yup, I got it yesterday, but I really can’t keep it...I think

whoever sold it to me did some detailing...they must have sealed up the

top and repainted it, because this looks a lot more like the real thing than

it should!" I nodded in agreement...I wouldn’t have known what it was,

except for the Pepsi logo emblazoned on the side.

            "How much?" I asked, cringing...the classifieds had asked for two-

hundred dollars for one, and I just couldn’t afford to shell out that

much.

            "Well, I know what it’s worth...but you’re dad did get that SW

Passport and the Taco Bell toys for me...so how about fifty dollars?" I

about fainted at the figure...that was incredibly low!

            "Definitely!" I replied, not caring about what my parents would

say...maybe I could talk them into letting it be an extremely early

birthday gift. I pulled out the cash I had secretly put in my wallet

that morning and paid Chris. Together we managed to stuff the thing

into the cargo space in my Volvo wagon, tying it down with ropes.

Grinning at my find, I hopped into my car and drove home.

            After a LOT of huffing and puffing, and a little cleverness I

managed to get the R2 soda holder into my room...luckily the rest of my

family was gone for the evening. It was a little dirty, so I filled a tub

with cleaning solution and sat down before my latest addition to my

collection. I scrubbed the surface lightly, confused as to why it felt

so much like metal, when the Pepsi logo pealed off in my hand.

            "A decal!!?? What a rip-off!! That’s it! That’s the last time I

buy from Chris!!" I slammed the cleaning rag down in the tub, splattering

the fake with water. My eyes widened as it responded by shaking its

head and giving an indignant whistle. "What in the...R2?" I asked, way

surprised, but even more delighted. He rocked back and forth in a nod

and beeped.

            "How in the world did...oh, never mind how! Sorry about the water,

but I didn’t know!" He gave a string of beeps and I grinned. I glanced

down and noticed a restraining bolt. "Hmm...I bet you want that off...but

don’t you go and run away on me!" I said, turning to my sewing box and

taking out a pliers...hey, when you’re a puppeteer/puppet maker you gotta

have a whole bunch of different stuff at your fingertips! I frowned as I

noticed a pale Imperial insignia on the metal...what was going on?

-Suppose I’ll find out soon enough!- I thought as I gripped the metal

knob and yanked. It gave way and I landed on my back from the effort.

Righting myself, I stared into the light of a holorecording. Oh, man,

what -was- going on!?

            "Ben...don’t ask how all this is happening, but we need your help.

The Goblin King has brought the Emperor back and he has taken over the

place we are at now...the Underground and plans to attack some place called

earth...in desperation the king has called upon Han, Luke, and myself to

help, but we have been captured by Palpatine’s forces...our last chance is

if you were brought back as well and get this message...help us, Obi-wan

Kenobi, you’re our only hope..." I frowned as the image of Princess Leia

faded away. Jareth...go fig...so he was the one who had stolen all my

comics and books!

            "Do you really think Ben is out there?" I asked the droid in front

of me.

            "I am...but you are the one who is going to help them..." Startled,

I turned to see glistening bluish form beside me...that looked exactly

like Sir Alec Guiness.

            "Uh, excuse me...sir? But what do you mean?"

            He chuckled lightly. "You may call me Ben...Jareth wanted to see

what made Palpatine great, and received more than he bargained for...he

called on the heroes of what you know as the Star Wars Trilogy...

specifically from the Return of the Jedi. The Emperor, on the other hand,

has brought villains from many of the sequels, villains the Alliance has

no knowledge of yet. I figure you have thirteen hours to get to the Rebel

Base that has been established at the Castle at the Center of the

Labyrinth, destroy the Death Star that has been constructed, and defeat

the Emperor before Imperial forces come to your planet."

            I nodded, lost in thought. Oh, was -that- all I had to do. I

really couldn’t be too mad at J...it sounded like it had been an accident,

but still, what had he been thinking!? Intrigued, I glanced up at the

spirit. "So, why me? Why not George Lucas, or any of the actors or

anyone else?"

            "Because, you have a vast knowledge of the Underground and Star

Wars...and there is the fact that you have the Force in you."

            "What? That’s a new one on me! I admit there have been times I’ve

thought I could have ESP or something, but the Force?"

            "Most definitely...you are earth’s one chance to keep from being

obliterated by the Death Star, or becoming a subject to the Empire."

"Why not bring in Callista or Mara Jade?" I asked, pushing down the

jealousy I felt boil up. Ben gave a knowing smile.

"Because the main group has no knowledge of them...they are from the time

period just after the last movie, not the sequels. Besides, it is your

planet, and those two have no knowledge of the labyrinth." I relaxed

slightly at that statement, but another doubt formed in my brain before

I could accept.

"How do I know I’m really Jedi material?" Ben smiled and nodded to R2.

His hidden compartment opened and out popped a lightsaber.

            "Go ahead, it was mine...now it is your turn to use it." I took the

handle in my hand and examined it, oblivious to the gesture Ben made. I

turned quickly and ignited the saber, deflecting the plastic miniature

missles that had been launched from my Hoth playset. They crackled

against the blade and disintigrated.

            "I didn’t even hear them coming...how? The Force." I said,

convinced. I had felt a presence all around me, controlling my actions.

            "Yes. Very good, you show much promise. Will you help?"

            "Of course! Why would I say no?"

            "Most people in your world would think this was all a figment of

their imagination...that is another reason you are a perfect choice; you

believe."

            "Well...yeah, I really have never told anyone, but yeah, I think

that the characters and places in the stories could really exist in a far-

off galaxy. Well then...enough talk! I guess I’ve got a mission!" I

walked over to my dresser and pulled out a crystal J had given me when I

had returned home from the week at his castle. "I knew this would come in

handy...are you going to stay with me to help me or do I have to go it

alone?"

            "You will never be alone, Selah, you have the Force." I grinned;

once again, Ben was right.

            "All right...come on, R2, let’s get going!"

            "Good luck, and May the Force be With You!"

            I watched as Ben disappeared before returning my attention to the

sphere in my hand. "I wish R2 and I were in the Underground, right

now!"

****************************

Chapter 2

            I glanced around the hill by the labyrinth’s gates. My, but

Palpatine had been busy. A few shuttles lay ignored by an Imperial base.

Glancing up at the sky, I shivered at the sight of hundreds of Star

Destroyers, Super Star Destroyers, and one gigantic Death Star. I

glanced down and grinned at my attire: black pants, black tank top, grey

blazer, black knee-length boots and my lightsaber hooked to a belt.

Very Jedi-ish...even if I hadn’t even begun training yet. I motioned to

R2 to follow as I ducked behind a bush at the sight of stormtroopers.

            "Do you think this plan is going to work?"

            "Of course it will...the Emperor’s back in control!"

            "And we have the rebels aboard the Death Star...not to mention that

guy with the big hair."

            "He said he was a king, but he looks more like a singer with an

identity crisis!" I refrained from laughing at the two stormtroopers’

conversation. Now that I knew where they were, all I needed to do was

get to a ship.

            "What about that droid that disappeared?"

            "Thrawn said we would get him when we took over earth...the king

wished him somewhere, but even he’s not sure where he ended up." -Little

did he know..- I thought, grinning. I wondered just how much control I

had over my new-found powers, but decided that not trying would be worse

than never finding out. -Do or do not...there is no try- I thought,

concentrating as I pointed at the two guards. The two troopers rushed

over to the gates.

            "Did you hear that?"

            "Yeah, that can’t be just a drill!" Yes, it had worked! I jumped

up and ran to a stock freighter, followed by my droid partner. I bolted

into it and headed for the cabin. I only hoped I would be able to pilot

the thing.

            "Okay...uh, R2, I think I’m going to need some help!" I moaned at

the huge array of knobs and switches. I tried to clear my mind, but it was

difficult when you were right next to an Imperial base. I frowned as I

heard a familiar voice.

            "You will know when you are calm..." I shrugged and slowed my

breathing, clearing my mind. Opening my eyes, I immediately recognized

the patterns of switches from my technical journal...a book that was committed

to memory (hey, you never know when the opportunity to pilot a star

destroyer or an X-wing will arise!). My hands flew over the controls

for the engines and hyperdrive. My pulse quickened as I realized that

the stormtroopers were pretty much aware of my existence...and they were

bringing their friends. I gulped, but continued working the controls

until the ship was up in the air. I managed to get the shields working

by the time the base started firing at me. I decided not to worry about

returning fire at the moment, and punched the hyperdrive, setting a

course for the Death Star in the nav. Computer.

            "Well, too late to turn back now!" I said, giving the droid a

lopsided grin that would rival Solo’s. R2 gave an excited beep in return

and I laughed as I watched the stars become starlines.

            After about a half an hour of travel, we began to arrive in Imperial

air space. I gulped, hoping I could pull this off. Heck, it had been a

while since I had read Timothy Zahn's Dark Force Rising. I only hoped I

could remember how Luke and Mara rescued Talon Karrde from Thrawn.

            "This is the Death Star to unidentified shuttle...identify yourself,

shuttle."

            "Right...I’m here to drop off some supplies that Thrawn wanted over

here." I hoped I wasn’t too far off. I had disguised my voice, dropping

it in pitch and gruffing it up a little.

            "Where have you been? You were due an hour ago!"

            "Sorry, ran into a little trouble on the ground...you gonna let me

unpack this or what?"

            "You’ll have to wait...we’re unloading another ship right now...we

should be done with you in about two hours." Perfect.

            "Well, all right, maybe I’ll get some shut-eye."

            "Whatever...Death Star out," the controller said, more than a

little disgust in his voice. Somehow, I figured the Empire didn’t care

for smugglers. I landed the freighter in a hangar in the Death Star, glad

that everything was going well so far.

****************************

Chapter 3

            "All right, R2, you know the drill: be sure you keep watch on the

garbage masher!" He beeped a reply and I grinned. I was beginning to

understand the little guy quite well. I slipped into a smuggler’s

jumpsuit that was on board and walked out, glad I had taken all those

acting classes. With as much indifference and casualness I could muster

I led the droid to a control room that we had found using the logs in

the ship. I stopped as the door opened, taking in my surroundings. R2

bumped into me and gave a frustrated whistle. 

"Shh...sorry, just keep watch over the computer!" I said. I watched as the

droid plugged himself into a panel and gave me the cell numbers I

needed. "All right...I’ll be back as soon as I can...keep the door

locked!" I called, slipping into the corridor.

I glanced, glad I had gotten the changing of the guard times from the

notes in the shuttle’s log. I found the floor grate I was looking for

and sliced through it with my lightsaber. I jumped down and landed with

a splash in a room filled with garbage...man, and I thought the Bog was

bad! I wrinkled my nose and waited for Artoo. Finally, the walls began

to close. I made my way to the opposite end of the room, hoping we had

calculated the distance right. The walls stopped inches from my

shoulders. Taking a deep breath, but not too deep (I didn’t want to

pass out from the smell!) I got into a rock chimneying position and

began scooting up to the next level. When I reached the top I sliced

through the grate carefully and quickly lifted myself out into the

corridor. Now all I needed was a more suitable disguise...

            Which I found quicker than I thought, right as the stormtrooper

rounded the corner and came face-to-face with me.

            "Uh, hi!" I said. He started to raise his rifle, but he was so

surprised that I managed to yank it away from him. Immediately I

smacked it against his helmet, sighing with relief as he hit the floor.

I really didn’t want to have to kill if it wasn’t necessary. I dragged

the body into a supply room and quickly donned the armor.

            "Luke was right...you can’t see a thing in these helmets!" I

muttered, hoping my size didn’t give me away. I strutted out into the

hall and headed towards the cell blocks.

            "I have orders to get the prisoners," I said, deepening my voice as

I spoke to the commander in the room.

            "What orders...who authorized this?" he asked, suspicious.

            "Well, so much for being subtle!" I said, pointing a hand at the

com board, extremely relieved when it flicked off. I turned back and hit

him and the other two officers in the room with a stun bolt. They

crumpled to the ground and I rushed to the computer to make sure the group I was

sent to rescue was still here. They were, but they wouldn’t be for very

long if I didn’t do something. Palpatine sure didn’t waste time with

termination orders.

            I stepped over the bodies and made my way down the hall.

Fortunately, they were all in one cell. I quickly punched the buttons on

the wall next to the room and waited as the doors slid open.

            For a moment no one realized that the door was open, and I was much

too surprised to tell them. Jareth was there, but I was much too busy

staring with awe at the other members of the group. They looked exactly

like their actor counterparts, but even more like the characters.

That's the only way I can explain it...they looked more genuine, if that

was possible. There they were: Han Solo, Leia, Chewie, See-Threepio,

and...Luke Skywalker. I tried to stop my poor heart from jumping out of my

chest, as my gaze reached him. He was actually the first to notice that

I was standing there, probably because of his keen Force sense, but Leia

was next and the others almost immediately after her. He stood and took

a few steps towards me. I managed to stay collected, but could only

stand there, returning his delicate blue-eyed gaze. Jareth, Han,

Chewie, and even Leia were much more suspicious, but Luke just stood

there calmly.

            "Oh dear, oh dear! They’ve come for us!" Threepio whined, breaking

the silence.

            "I’m not so sure...let him explain," Luke said quietly, gazing at me

with a thoughtful expression. Good lord! Even the voice sounded more

genuine than Mark Hamill's...this was going to take a little getting-used

to.

            "What? Oh, that’s right, the armor! Sorry!" I said, embarrassed,

removing the helmet. The look on Jareth’s face was priceless, but the

others were also pretty surprised that the "he" was a "she."

            "Right, I’m Selah Specht and I’m here to rescue you!" Dumb as it

sounded,it was the first thing that came to mind.

            "You’re who?" Han asked.

            "What are you doing here! We need some real help!" J complained,

exasperated. I rolled my eyes. Some things never change.

            "Ben sent me-"

            "Ben? Where is he?" Luke asked immediately

            "Come on, I’ll explain later!" I motioned for the group to follow

me into the hall.

            "Wait a minute, how do we know we can trust her?" I winced at Han's

accusation. Not that I blamed him, but for heaven's sakes it wasn't

exactly the best time for it!

            "Look, you really haven't got a choice!" I answered, not turning.

            "It's all right, Han, she has the Force in her...I can feel it."

I was a little startled at Luke's statement...I hadn't even known he had

been probing my mind. I mentally decided to block off anything that I

wasn't ready for him to find yet, specifically my undying adoration for

him. I turned and noticed the questioning glance he gave me...he had felt me

block him out of a portion of my mind, but for the moment I ignored him.

I put the helmet back on and planted myself at the back of the group,

rifle pointed at Chewie's back. I gulped, slightly nervous at the

Wookie's "don't you dare try anything or I'll rip all your appendages

off" stare. I gave directions for the grate I had used earlier, making

sure there weren't too many other stormtroopers in the hall. I turned

as I heard a yell.

            "There they are, stop them!" Great, it looked like I hadn't moved

fast enough. Han took out his blaster and immediately returned fire while

Luke deflected bolts with his lightsaber. I mentally cursed myself for

leaving mine inside the stormtrooper's armor. I found the grate and

lifted it, exposing the hole.

            "Come on, we've gotta hurry!" I glanced down into the garbage

chute. There wouldn't be enough time to chimney down...we'd have to jump.

            J looked at the hole with disdain. "I am NOT going down there."

He ducked as a laser bolt came close to frying his hair.

            "Fine, then stay here and entertain the Emperor's little friends.

If you want your labyrinth back you'll do as I say! Now into the garbage

chute, Tights-boy!" I bellowed, kicking him in. I struggled out of the

armor as the others followed Jareth. I glanced over to where Chewie was

covering for me while I stripped down to my Jedi fatigues.

            "Thanks, I owe you one!" I said, jumping into the hole, trying not

to gag as I landed in a pile of slimey refuse. I immediately got to my

feet, not wanting to stick around if there was a dianoga in this

particular masher. I gestured for everyone to quickly make it across...it

wouldn't take long before the guards figured out which way we went.

            "Why do we always seem to end up in garbage on these rescue

missions?" Leia asked, frowning at the smell. I smiled wryly and took out

the comlink I had taken from the ship.

            "R2, come in! We need you to open the door, and quick!" I smiled

slightly at the beeping from the other end. I sighed as I realized

everyone was looking at me.

            "Like I said, I'll explain later...now really isn't the time!" I

relaxed slightly as the door to the garbage masher opened, and we ran out.

Just in time, too. As soon as Chewie had cleared the door the huge walls

slammed shut. "Great work, Artoo, be sure to meet us at the ship!"

            "Oh, how horrid! We could have been killed!" Threepio wailed. I

rolled my eyes...he was a lot funnier in the movies.

            "But we weren't, so let's get moving!" I yelled, starting for the

hangar bay. I jumped back in alarm as a group of white-armored guards

charged towards us. I immediately ignited my now-accessible lightsaber

and deflected as many as I could, trying to concentrate on the Force and

not the possibility of death. Unfortunately, these guys had a lot

better aim than the ones in the movies.

            "Will you stop wasting your time with them and hurry up? We have

to save my kingdom!" I rolled my eyes at J's whining.

            "Look, I'd love to leave, but I don't think we're gonna be able to

just walk out of here! Besides, I've got as much on the line as you,

Jareth! Once thirteen hours are up old Palpy there is gonna head for earth!"

When most of the stormtroopers had been taken care of, we headed for the

freighter, which was now guarded. I vaguely noticed Artoo standing in

the doorway, hidden by the shadows. He must have gotten in right before

the guard was posted.

            "Stop! You're not going anywhere!" the stormtrooper in front of the

ship said, taking aim. Without thinking, I ignited my sword and

deflected the laser bolt before slicing him in half. I stared in shock

as the body hit the floor, severed at the waist. The impact caused the

helmet to fall off, showing a black-haired, blue eyed male face that

looked only a little older than myself. I covered my mouth with a hand

and backed up a few steps.

            "Oh my-what have I done?!" I whispered, oblivious to the blaster

fire all around.

            "Someone grab the kid! We’ve gotta get out of here!" I heard Han

yell, and it took a few moments for me to realize that he meant me. I

felt a tug at my wrist and saw an impatient Wookie looking at me with

understanding, but impatient eyes. He barked softly and I knew I had

only a few seconds to make it to the inside of the ship.

            "All right...I’m coming. I’m sorry." I murmured to the body on the

floor before allowing Chewie to drag me up the ramp and into the

freighter. He motioned me over to the couch in the living area and I sat and

strapped myself in, feeling slightly nauseous as we hit hyperspace.

**************************

************************

Chapter 4

            "Darling, buck up, we’ve still got my kingdom to save!" Jareth

impatiently reminded me from a chair across the room. In irritation I

started to jump up, but the crash netting and a hand on my shoulder

kept me in my seat.

            "J, might I remind you that I’m here because of you? Do me a favor

and shut up!" I growled, laying my head in my hands. "I can’t believe

I killed him...I always thought I might be able to, but I never actually-"

            A soothing, empathetic voice interrupted me. "It’s all right...you

did it in self-defense. I know that doesn’t make it any easier to live

with, but if you hadn’t struck back he would have killed you and then

come for us." I looked up into gentle blue eyes and really had to

force myself to keep my mental wall up. The part of me that was

accessible to the Jedi felt a slight presence, almost like a soft hand

squeeze, coming from his direction. I nodded slightly at Luke before

sighing and leaning back against the couch. I closed my eyes and

composed myself. When I opened them I watched as Han and Chewie came

in to join the rest of us.

            "Well, we’ve lost them!" he said, triumphant. I smiled softly as I

watched him sit next to Leia, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, to

which she responded with a slight blush. That’s right...if they were

from ROTJ they weren’t married yet...I made a mental note to keep Jareth

away from Leia. "Now how bout telling us what’s going on, kid?" I

nodded and began my story.

            "Well, I bought Artoo from a friend of mine who also collects Star

Wars stuff..."

            "Star Wars? What’s that?" Leia asked, intrigued. I frowned

thoughtfully; this was going to be a little harder than I had thought.

***********************

            "So that’s how I met Ben...and after I wished myself and Artoo here, the

rest was pretty much remembering what I’ve read...and how to deal with

all the different villains..." I said, finishing my tale. The characters

around me nodded, incredulous. I had tried to tell them as quickly as

possible about the mania of the Star Wars movies and the sequels,

leaving out a few choice tidbits, of course.

            "So we have thirteen hours to get to the base and destroy the death

star?" Leia asked.

            "And defeat Palpatine again," Luke added, and I could tell that he

wasn’t looking forward to another confrontation quite so soon.

            "So this all started because of J here getting power hungry, huh?"

Han asked, throwing a glance at the irritated king. Depressed though I

was, I held back a smile; the smuggler knew how to push all the king’s right

buttons. How do you two know each other, anyway?"

            J gave me a wicked grin before answering. "We’re lovers."

            "No We Aren’t!! Jareth, that is not funny...how many times do I have

to tell you I’m not going to sleep with you!"

            "I thought you liked me..." he pouted.

            "Not that much!" I argued.

            "What?" Leia asked, fighting a smile at my reaction.

            "I’m a member of this Labyrinth List...sort of a fan-club that

writes stories about the Underground...J here visits us occasionally, and

he seems to think that entitles him to certain... privileges.

            "You are my listians, after all," he argued, crossing his arms over

his chest.

            "We’re the Labyrinth List, not the Egotistical Magic Fae King With

An Identity Crisis List! I’m not getting involved with anyone in that way

until I’m married...do I have to put it on a recording for you? Besides,

I’m a Star Wars fan first and foremost...I’ve been for seven years,

compared to the two I’ve been a hard-core laby lover. So guess where I

stand when it comes down to it?"

            "Traitor."

            "Shut up, I’m helping to get you’re kingdom back, aren’t I?"

            "Still, I don’t see why-" Jareth was cut off by an irritated growl.

He slowly turned around to come face to face with a perturbed Wookie.

            "What does that mop want?" he asked, glancing at Han nervously.

            "He says you better leave her alone or else you might find yourself

flying back to your maze without a ship...and I’m inclined to agree with

him," Han said, throwing me a lopsided grin.

            I smiled slightly as Jareth sighed and gave it up. And here I

thought chivalry was dead...it now just happened to come in the shape of a

seven-foot walking carpet.

            "Well, how are we going to go about this?" Leia asked, and I could

tell she had set her mind to business-mode.

            "We can't just fly to the castle, there's way too many star

destroyers and fighters out there," I said, relating what I had seen

earlier. I frowned slightly at a sort of warning that went off in my

mind.

            "What is it?" Leia asked me.

            I let my mind reach out across the ship, searching for what I had

sensed. "There's a tracking device somewhere on board...I'm not sure

where, but it's on the ship." Jareth raised an eyebrow at my

statement.

            "This part of your Jedi intuition? You haven't even started

training yet, dear, I seriously doubt your opinion is of any importance

right now-"

            "No, she's right, it's hidden really well, though. It would

probably be best just to ditch the ship outside the wall of the labyrinth

and go through it to the castle." In response to Luke's suggestion Chewie

gave a series of barks.

            "Chewie has a point, that would take a lot longer...and how do we

know we'll make it through?" Han asked.

            "Because you have me. It's my labyrinth and it'll be easy for me

to solve it," J declared, arrogant as ever.

            "I'm not so sure, J. The Emperor is smart...did you happen to give

him any crystals?" The goblin king blushed slightly at my question.

After an uncomfortable silence, he finally decided to answer me.

            "Well, yes...a few...but I thought he was going to kill me!" Jareth

protested, trying to defend himself.

            "Well he was. If I hadn't dropped by you would be being scraped off

a wall by the nice guys in the armor right about now," I said, smirking

as the king paled slightly.

            "Still, with one full Jedi and two Jedi-in-training, plus Jareth, we

should be all right," Luke said, smiling at my reaction.

            "Two Jedi-in-training?" I frowned...Leia was one, but who was- oh,

yeah, the second one would be me!

            "That’s right, unless you have any objections," he said. I still

couldn’t get over that voice! I smiled at Luke, noticing Jareth's

glare from the corner of my eye. Oh, this was going to be better than

I thought!

            "Of course not!" No way was I about to pass up an opportunity like

this!

            "Well then, we have a little while before we get back to the

ground...let's get started."

**************

            I reached out with the Force, trying to sense the movement of the

remote hovering in front of me. Or at least I was pretty sure it was

in front of me...it was a little hard to tell with the blast-shield down

on the helmet I was wearing. Still, I wanted to get this right.

Putting aside all my inhibitions I let myself go.

            "Good...that’s it...let it flow through you." Luke’s voice just

barely registered; instead, I felt what it was he was trying to tell me.

Sensing a change in the remote’s intent, I raised the lightsaber and

deflected the bolts that I knew would come...and where they would come.

It still never ceased to amaze me how awesome the Force really was.

            "Lucky guess...you must be helping her; there’s no way she could do

that on her own," an obnoxious accented voice cut through my calm, and

suddenly I was stopped by a piercing pain in my arm.

            "Hey!" Irritated, I removed the helmet to glare at Jareth. "Stop

it; you’re breaking my concentration!"

            "If you were a -real- Jedi then it wouldn’t matter," he said, his

voice mock-sweet. I started to issue a retort when I remembered anger

wouldn’t get me to where I wanted to go. Pushing away my lingering

sadness over the stormtrooper and my anger at J, I silently flipped the

helmet back over my head, determined to prove myself.

            "No...don’t go at it that way...that’s aggression...calm yourself,

then you will be with the light side. " I heard Luke’s words clearly this

time. Nodding, I exhaled slowly and took in a deep, cleansing breath. I

raised my sword and immediately responded to the ripples I felt in my

mind. I lifted the helmet off my head and smiled slightly.

            "Very good, you’re learning fast." the Jedi said and I smiled at

the simple praise. From a Jedi, that was a huge compliment.

            "Still, deflecting light beams isn’t like being in real combat!"

J said, still trying to annoy me.

            "Listen, glitter boy, I used to be a skeptic, but the Force has

come in pretty handy at times...why don’t you just can it and let them

practice?" Han said, glaring at the king. I could tell this was not

Jareth’s idea of getting his kingdom back, but he had started the whole

thing.

            "Very well...since you do learn so fast, maybe we should try some

dueling," Luke said. I raised my eyebrows.

            "Are you sure I’m ready for that? It is kind of different than-"

            He shook his head. "It’s not different at all...just like size

doesn’t matter, the task doesn’t matter, as long as you use the Force."

I shrugged and decided I might as well start learning proper combat.

I'll admit that the thought of sword fighting absolutely intrigues and

excites me. Xena fan that I am, I've begged my parents to get me a

broadsword. My mom was actually all for it; she took fencing in

college and loved it. Heck, I wouldn't say no to a foil. However, my

dad cringes at the thought of me wielding a long, sharp object; I think

he thinks I would enjoy it way too much (he's right). Plus there is

the fact that there are no instructors in our area. I guess that's why

the lightsaber is my favorite weapon. Blaster rifles do have their

merit, but there's nothing like a weapon that requires its wielder to

think.

            I pushed away all my excitement, though as I ignited the lightsaber

and turned to face Luke. Frowning slightly, I extinguished it,

remembering that a Jedi never attacks. He nodded at me in approval

before igniting his own. I followed suit and got into position,

opening my mind. Blue and green blades reflected off each other for a

few moments, and I let my gaze stay on his eyes. I've read that one

thing that all swordsman must have is the attitude that they cannot

possibly be hit, or at least not think of that possibility; otherwise,

they are too paranoid to properly fight. As soon as he felt I was

calm, he struck.

            Instantly I reacted, blocking his attack inches from my face. He

turned and delivered a side blow which I also deflected easily, knowing

from where it would come. I lunged and the Jedi parried the blow.

Round and round we circled, moving forward and back, using all the

space available. I strained to keep up, ignoring the sweat that formed

on my brow. He was much better at it than I was, but I ignored my lack

of training and concentrated on the Force. That was one thing I knew

to do; if the Force left me, I'd be lost. I gave myself completely to

its flow, blocking each attack Luke made. Suddenly, I brought my blade

around and up and swept down diagonally, knocking the tip of his green

blade of light towards the floor with as much strength as I could

muster. Before it could hit though, I used Force-increased speed and

skill to swing my saber around and underneath his, forcing it back up,

putting a sudden strain on his wrist. The sword flew up uncontrollably

and the Jedi was forced to let go, letting his lightsaber deactivate

and fly across the room and land on the couch. Smiling, I saluted Luke

before deactivating my sword and hooking it back onto my belt.

            "Very good...quite impressive," he said with raised eyebrows,

turning to call his weapon back into his waiting palm. I chuckled lightly

at Jareth who watched the handle float through the air and land in Luke's

hand in amazement.

            "Maybe...but I'm not a Jedi yet...besides, that was a lucky move...

I'd read about it years ago and knew it would take you by surprise. It

wouldn't fool you again."

            "True, but even before that you had good control...and you did the

right thing, you knew your opponent's weakness and took advantage of

it. All in all, quite a good start." I blushed slightly at his

remarks. Han got up as a beeping sound rang from the cabin.

            "Looks like we'll be landing soon...or not," he added grimly. I

joined the others as we hurried to the cockpit. Gulping slightly, I

glanced at the fighters that were coming up from the Underground's

surface, ready to do battle. 

            "This thing doesn't have gun turret's like the Falcon...we're gonna

have to outrun 'em!" Han barked, working the controls of the freighter

with ease. I leaned over his shoulder to adjust the shields as the

ship rocked with the strain of a blaster bolt hitting the hull. The

smuggler looked at me in amazement before shrugging and returning to

the controls. We suddenly slowed and I watched in horror as the

starlines became stars.

            "Oh no! They knocked out the hyperdrive!" Threepio yelled. Artoo

whistled to him.

            "Be quiet you walking bucket! And watch your language!" The golden

droid retorted.

            "Anyone got any ideas?" Jareth asked, frowning at our impending

doom. Chewie roared and jumped up, motioning for Luke to take his place.

            "He's gonna try and fix it," Han translated.

            "Then he's gonna need help. Come on, Artoo!" I said, running down

the hall after the Wookie.

            "Artoo, wait! Don't leave me!"

            "Shut up!" I grinned slightly as Han yelled at the droid. Even in

the midst of a crisis things managed to be a little entertaining. I

entered the engine room and came face to face with a surprised Wookie.

            "Hey, look, everyone needs a hand now and then, and I do know a

little about this stuff...although it would be easier if we were on the

Falcon." The tour provided on the Behind the Magic CD Rom shows you

where everything is kept; all in all, very helpful, but not for this

freighter. Chewie barked his agreement as he lowered himself down into

a hole in the floor to examine the hyperdrive. Artoo went over and

plugged himself into a computer to see if he could adjust things that

way.

            I assessed the situation from the edge of the hole. "Here, here's

a hydrospanner," I said, picking up the object from a box of tools near

the pit and handing it to Chewbacca. He nodded in approval and hurried

to fix the damaged part. As the ship rocked again I dived for the box

and caught it right as it was ready to smack the Wookie on the head.

Artoo gave a string of beeps and whistles, and after a few moments of

heavy cooperation, we had everything in working order.

            "It's fixed! Punch it!" I shouted towards the cabin, hoping Han

heard me. He must have, because the ship suddenly lurched forward with

speed and I went hurtling into the hole to land on a very startled Wookie.

He softly growled in amusement and I flashed him a grin.

            "Thanks...I guess I owe ya another one." He gave me a good-natured

roar that definitely meant "you better believe it!" before setting me

on the ship's floor. I helped him cover the hole and walked to the

cabin. My ears perked up as I began to hear snippets of the

conversation, though.

            "Well, at least we lost 'em! Looks like we'll be landing in the

Underground quicker than we thought, Glitter-boy," Han said, and I

could almost hear J's frown. "I've gotta hand it to the kid; she knows

her stuff!"

            "Yes, Mistress Selah is quite knowledgeable, for a human," Golden-

boy agreed. I rolled my eyes and glanced at Chewie, who was doing the

same. I continued towards the cockpit slowly, even more intrigued as

the conversation took an interesting turn.

            "She's very good with the Force as well," Leia was saying. "So,

Luke, what do you think of her?" I had no intent of interrupting the

conversation by that time.

            "Well...she seems nice enough and is definitely Jedi-material."

            "I don't think that's quite what her worship meant, Luke. Come on,

what do you think of her?" I had almost reached the cabin doorway when

I stopped again and glanced back at Chewie. He quickly muffled his

laughter so that I could hear.

            "Han, I've been trying to concentrate on the mission. She's

talented in the Force and will be a big help...I really haven't had time

to think about her in any other way." Darn. I lightly shoved the highly

entertined Wookie beside me as he noticed my reaction and almost had

another fit of laughter. But even I had to strain to hold it in as I

heard the next speaker.

            "Good," Jareth said simply, but his voice had quite an edge to it.

I quietly stepped into the doorway and leaned against one of its sides,

intent on hearing the rest. Luke glanced over to where J stood beside

him before glancing over at Han and grinning.

            "Well, you know, stranger things have happened...we might be from

different galaxies, but I don't know...what do you think, Jareth? A

girl like her and a guy like me-"

            "No, I don't think so at all." He crossed his arms over his chest

and glared. Han could barely contain himself and Leia and Luke exchanged

amused looks. Threepio was turning from one to the other, probably

about ready to say how he never understood humans, when I interrupted.

            "Well I think Luke's right; we've got more important things to

worry about right now. Jareth, you must remember, though, that you don't

own me...the last time I checked I was my own person and can decide

things for myself." I laughed out loud at the king's startled

expression. Luke looked guiltily towards me before smiling once he

realized that I wasn't offended. Han returned my grin as he started

the landing sequence.

            "Well now that that's settled, why don't we go on a tour of ol'

Glitter-boy's labyrinth?" He frowned as a squadron of stormtroopers

rushed out, but a round from the freighter's lasers quickly silenced them.

            "Well, now that that's taken care of, shall we?" the smuggler stood

up and extended a hand to the princess.

            "Delighted." Smiling, she took his hand and they walked towards

the opening door. The droids followed them, leaving me standing in the

ship with a Jedi, a Goblin King, and a Wookie. Jareth looked at me

expectantly and I stole a glance at Luke who was frowning at the

monarch.

            "You guys coming or you want us to do all the dirty work?" Han's

voice came from outside the ship. Not wanting to start a confrontation (I

really didn't feel like admitting my feelings for Luke right then and

there. I had a mission; there was, after all, a time and a place for

everything. Besides, I would probably never see him like this again.) I

turned towards the shaggy beast standing next to me.

            "Shall we join them?" I asked, grinning at Chewie. He gave me a

knowing look before barking in acceptance, taking my hand and leading

me out the door and down the ramp. I turned and watched an amused Jedi

and a scowling gk walk down to meet us. I flashed Jareth a huge

Cheshire Cat grin and thought, *Gee, J, even though you have bunches of

listeans falling at your feet, you just don't know everything about

women yet!* Luke must have sensed the thought because he laughed

quietly to himself. Frowning, I strengthened the mental wall over the

portion of my thoughts ever-so-slightly. I must have been getting the

hang of the Force, or Luke really wanted me to hear his next thought.

            *I wish you'd quit doing that...* He wasn't angry, and not even

annoyed; just a little confused. I felt guilty about it, but I knew

how the cycle of stories ended up, and I wasn't ready to be rejected

quite so soon.

            *It isn't anything of importance; just something that would get in

the way,* I silently assured him, trying to push my guilt to the very back

of my mind. He nodded, probably thinking I meant the death of that

stormtrooper. I was upset about that to, but I couldn't dwell on it

forever; just like at the moment I couldn't dwell on my feelings for

Luke. I stopped as our group came to the gates.

            "Okay, J, let us in," I said, turning towards the king. He started

to form a crystal, then lowered his hand, frowning.

            "Well?" Leia asked, impatient.

            He tried again, but nothing happened."Blast it! That Emperor must

have used a crystal to block my magic!"

            "Fantastic, so now how're we going to get in?" Han asked

sarcastically.

            Luke looked at me thoughtfully before answering. "Selah, I think

now would be a good time to practice your Force skills...open the gates."

            "What?" I asked in disbelief.

            "You can do it. Open the gates," he urged. As much as I didn't

want to disappoint him, I seriously doubted I could do it.

            "But they're so-" I stopped at the look he gave me and smiled

sheepishly. "Sorry, size matters not...they're just so intimidating!"

            "That doesn't matter...it's just a set of doors...move them." I

nodded and stepped in front of the others. Facing the gates, I closed

my eyes and extended a hand. I opened myself to the Force and

concentrated on picturing the gates in front of me. Slowly, I pictured

them opening: first the doors would shake a little, then they would

slowly creak open, dragging the dirt on the ground with them a little

ways before coming to a stop as they completely opened to show the

inside of the maze. Mist would pour out, adding to the magic of the

place. Thinking it and causing it to happen were two different things,

though. I kept the flow of the Force up, trying not to strain myself.

Finally, I just knew they were open. Slowly I let my mind be drawn

back to the present and opened my eyes, gasping. Jareth stood there

gaping at me. The others were used to such acts from Luke, but even

Han and Chewie looked impressed.

            "And you think I'm going to be able to do that in the future? You

must be joking!" Leia said.

            "Trust me, you will." I managed. The fatigue was well worth it when

Luke gave me a smile, though.

            "See? Once you set your mind to doing something, you can do it;

there's no need to just try when you have the Force." I nodded, wiping

the sweat from my brow as I mentally filed the lesson. Once I had

regained my breath I turned back towards the open doors.

            "Well, it's now or never," I sighed, and started into the labyrinth

**************************************************

Chapter 5

            "What in blazes has happened here!!" Jareth yelled in disbelief.

I covered a smirk with my hand. I had to hand it to Palpatine, he really

knew how to make himself at home. There was almost no hint of the

original maze left. Instead of the slimy walls that had once been

there, stood the sterile silver of Imperial durasteel.

            "Looks like the Emperor has done a little redecorating to your

kingdom, Glitter-boy," Han said, grinning at J's reaction. The

scoundrel felt perfectly safe harrassing the king, now that he didn't

have his magic. J muttered something under his breath and pushed in

front of us.

            "Well, if he hasn't changed the right path I'll get us through here

in no time...follow me." He took a few steps and paused.

            "What's the matter, J? All this monotany causing you to get lost?"

I grinned at the gk innocently.

            "No...I'm just trying to decide which way would be best," he snapped.

            "I thought you said you knew!" Leia said, exasperated.

            "Well, it seems the Emperor has decided to make things a little

difficult for me!"

            "Touchy..." Han muttered.

            "Come on, Jareth, we are on a schedule," Luke tried to say as calmly

as he could.

            "Yeah, would you go left...or right?" I quoted, grinning at his

glare.

            "If you are going to quote the entire movie I'll throw you into the-"

            "The what? If Palpy has revised this entire maze then I seriously

doubt the Bog even exists anymore." I was loving this more by the

second. I turned to look at Artoo as he beeped.

            "Artoo says that the castle appears closer if we head in that

direction," Threepio translated, pointing to the right.

            "Yeah, well, things aren't always what they seem in this place, so

you can't take anything for granted." I honestly had not meant to quote,

but it sort of popped out on its own. I watched in amusement as Jareth

gritted his teeth and turned to face me.

            "Will you shut up!?" He yelled, but quieted down pretty fast as he

noticed the Wookie's shadow in front of him. He turned around and came

face-to-chest with Chewbacca, who uttered a quiet, gutteral, warning

growl.

            "Let's just go this way," Leia said, and started off to the left.

I nodded in agreement and followed, not wanting to waste anymore time.

We walked along in silence for about five minutes.

            "What is this, the straightest labyrinth in the galaxy? I thought

this thing was supposed to have turns and dead ends!" Han bit out,

getting another glare from the king in return.

            "I don't know...right here there should be a hidden turn...let me

see if I can find it." Eager to get his dignity back, J started towards

the steel wall, confident in knowing the turn was there. Unfortunately,

Palpatine had done a lot of changes. He jumped back immediately after

ramming into the hard wall. Chewie couldn't resist; he laughed so hard

he started crying.

            "Shut up, fuzzball!" The Wookie immediately sobered at J's insult,

and Han actually had to hold him back....or try to, anyway.

            "Your Highness, I should warn you that it isn't wise to upset a

Wookie," Threepio said, trying to be helpful. J was too busy rubbing

his nose to reply.

            "Well, now what?" Leia asked, sighing.

            "There has to be a way through here...I can feel it," I said,

coming closer.

            "You're right...there's a panel of some sort," Luke confirmed.

            "Here, I've found it!" Jareth cried, triumphant as he pushed down a

hidden button in the wall. Immediately warning bells went off in my

head.

            "No wait!" I cried, lunging for him, but it was too late. I gulped

as the walls gave a foreboding creak before they started to close in on

us.

            "Great, as if a garbage masher wasn't enough," I muttered "Come

on!" I shouted, shaking the others out of their trance. We started to run

down the path as fast as we could.

            "Wait for us!" Threepio shouted, scuffling along far behind us.

            "Hurry up, Goldenrod, or you're going to be just a heap of scrap

metal!" Han shouted back, still running. I knew there had to be a way

out...then again, Palpatine was a lot more ruthless than Jareth ever

could be. I tried not to panic as the walls came closer. I looked

around for something to brace them with, but the Emperor was pretty

efficient. Taking my lightsaber in hand, I tried to cut through...no

such luck.

            "Now what?" Han asked, knowing better than to draw his blaster.

            "Rowrrrarf!" Chewie roared, pushing in a wall with all his might.

It wouldn't budge, except to move forward. He moved to the other side and

leaned in...and promptly fell through.

            "There's what we're looking for! Through that wall!" I shouted,

jumping over theWookie to get through in time. Quickly, humans, Fae,

and droids rushed through, and made it...right as the doors slammed

shut.

            "That was way too close..." Leia managed, leaning up against a wall.

            "Sorry, Princess, but it looks like there's a lot more where that

came from," Han said grimly, glancing at the building on the horizon. I

couldn't really tell what it looked like, but it had changed.

Shrugging, I figured I'd find out soon enough. I looked around at the

section we had entered. It looked exactly the same as the regular

stone maze sequence...but I knew better than to assume anything.

            "Something's not right here," Luke said, stretching out with the

Force. I nodded, trying to feel exactly what it was, when a blaster

bolt came sizzling over my shoulder.

            "What the-" Jareth started.

            "BOUNTY HUNTERS! Great, just great!" Han yelled, ducking behind a

stone wall before returning blaster fire. I gulped as figures started

to make themselves known. We were definitely out-numbered. Greedo,

IG-88, Bossk, Boba Fett...man, no one was left out. Chewie gave a

startled roar at the appearance of one specific bounty hunter.

            "Greetings, Solo. Did you miss me?" Fett said in his chilling

voice, turning to where Han was hidden behind the wall.

            "Fett? What are you doing here!? You're dead!"

            "Uh, I guess I forgot to tell you that in a short story he escaped

from the Sarlaac," I said quietly. "Don't ask me how Greedo's here,

though, unless he's been brought from the first movie." I turned to

look at the others behind me, really not caring to stare into Fett's

drawn blaster rifle. Alarms went off in my head as I turned to Luke,

able to make out the very tip of a blaster rifle peeking in front of

another wall, aimed at the back of his head.

            "Luke, look out!" I shouted, tackling the Jedi knight right as the

blaster fired. I winced as we hit the ground hard, but happy that the

bolt flew over our heads, a miss. Leia immediately turned to cover for

her brother, but the blaster had vanished. I gulped, knowing only one

other person was probably just as accurate as Fett himself.

            "Xixor..." I mumured.

            "Who?" Luke said, still beneath me.

            "A Falleen prince who's the leader of-"

            "Black Sun," Han finished for me.

            "How did you know that? Shadows of the Empire was written long

after Return of the Jedi?"

            "Still, I am a smuggler, after all. I have my illustrious reputation

to keep up," Han said, not daring to come out from behind the wall.

            "Looks like it's the end of the road for all of you," Fett said,

satisfied. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Solo come out from behind

the wall, a rifle pointed at his back. Greedo would finally get his

revenge.

            "I've been looking forward to this for a long time, Solo," he said

in Rodian, but obsessed fan that I am, I knew what he was saying.

            "We all have been looking forward to this," hissed a new voice, and

I glanced up to see the Falleen prince coming out of the shadows, his

human-replica droid Guri at his side. As beautiful and human as she

looked, I knew she could kill with a single blow and without remorse.

And Luke had beaten her in combat at the end of the book. Xixor looked

intensely at Leia, and I knew all these bounty hunters wanted their own

type of revenge.

            "I bet you have," said a new voice before a barrage of laser fire

swept over the area. Greedo went down again, along with a few others,

but Xixor, Guri, and Fett easily dodged it. I looked up to see two

familiar figures coming forward.

            "Calrissian!" Fett hissed, taking aim.

            "I wouldn't do that if I were you," said the gambler. "You see, if

we go down, you're coming with us."

            "What do you mean?" Guri asked, scornfull.

            "What he means is this," Wedge said from his side, revealing the

object that sat in his hand.

            Xixor's eyes widened at the object that had destroyed his palace.

"A thermal detonator!"

            "That's right, and it's not set...that means if I let it go, we all

die."

            "You wouldn't dare...you wouldn't leave the Death Star in tact or

let the Empire go after earth," Fett said, disgusted.

            "You're bluffing," Guri added, stepping closer.

            "Let's find out," Lando said, grinning. He nodded to Wedge who

raised the object before hurtling it at a wall.

************************************************************

Ch. 6

            The bounty hunters ran for dear life at the sight of the silver globe

flying through the air. Even I was about ready to have a heart attack

at Lando's decision, but the ball didn't explode.

            "Well, that was a fun reunion. I think we'd better leave before that

thing goes off, though."

            "You hit the deadman's switch?" Han asked, grinning.

            "Of course. I'm not that crazy. We only have five minutes to get out

of range, though, so let's beat it!" I quickly followed his advice and

pulled myself up off of Luke, suddenly realizing how close we'd been

all that time. I turned red and he gave me a quick grin before running

out of the stone maze.

            We ran quickly, putting as much distance between us and the bomb as

possible. Even when it did go off, the force of the blast was enough

to push us forward. We were alive, though. Not too much harm in that.

 At least, that was my opinion. I picked myself up off of Luke for the

second time (this was getting to be really embarrassing) as I listened

to J's ranting.

            "MY LABYRINTH!! YOU MORON, WHAT DID YOU DO??!!" Jareth shouted,

furious. Han grinned at the king.

            "It looks like Lando and Wedge just saved your life, Tight-boy!" I

suppressed a laugh; Han was having way too much fun teasing Jareth.

The king gave me an accusatory stare.

            "Hey, don't look at me like that! I didn't give him any ideas; he's

just observant!!" I shot back.

            "Hello, what have we here?" Lando said, coming towards me and flashing

me a dashing grin. Luke and Han rolled their eyes, but Jareth, who

didn't know that the gambler behaved like that with every female, began

to turn colors. Lando was one who could definitely rival him on at

least fashion sense.

            "Selah," I replied, smiling sweetly as I extended a hand.

            "A pleasure," he replied smoothly, pausing to kiss my hand. "I'm-"

            "Lando Calrissian, I know." He raised his eyebrows slightly and

grinned.

            "She knows a lot about us, Lando; I'll explain it to you later. Right

now, we've got to get moving," Han said, removing my hand from Lando's.

I said hello to Wedge and turned to face two doors and a dead end.

            "So at least he's keeping up the theme," I said wryly.

            "Thanks for the help, buddy. How did you get here, anyway?" Han asked

Lando.

            "I'm not sure...one minute Wedge and I were on Endor, and the next

minute we're here."

            "But we do know that we've got only thirteen hours to take the Emperor

down before he goes after another planet," Wedge added.

            "Right...and the only way out of this part is to choose one of these

doors. Any ideas?" I asked, turning to Jareth. Alph and Ralph were no

longer there. The doors were the sliding Imp design with the control

panels at the sides.

            "It's this one!" he said, coming forward to punch a button beside the

right door.

            "Are you sure?" I asked, skeptical.

            "Of course, come on!" We followed him into the path until our entire

band was between the walls.

            "What did I tell you, I was right-" he was cut off as the ground

underneath us promptly gave way.

            "Way to go, Tights, you managed to get us into another fun situation!"

Han muttered, removing himself off of Chewie. After we had untangled

ourselves we paused to look around the dark tunnel. That's right, it

wasn't an oubliette, but a long, dark tunnel.

            "I have a really bad feeling about this," Wedge remarked.

            "Yeah...let's just get going," Luke advised, igniting his lightsaber

to provide light. I did the same and started down the path, but paused

when I heard a roar.

            "Uh, Chewie, that wasn't you, was it?" He growled nervously and shook

his head. "Oh, boy." I squeaked.

            "What it is?" J asked.

            "Well...whatever it is, it's big. And there's only one really big

animal in the SW universe that I know of that lives in tunnels..." As

if on cue the gigantic Titan Space Slug came slithering from behind us.

            "RUN!!" Han yelled, taking out his blaster and shooting at the huge

beast. The shots only made it mad, though, and it sped up in its

pursuit of a meal.

            "Oh my goodness!" Threepio yelped, shuffling as quickly as he could.

Artoo gave an excited whistle and sped past the golden droid. Briefly

I realized that we were doing an awful lot of running in this

adventure. We followed the tunnel with the pink slug right on our

heels until we came to a ladder attached to something that looked like

the wall of an asteroid.

            I watched as Han, Jareth, Leia, Lando, Wedge, and Chewie hurried up to

the surface. I turned to Luke and the droids, wondering how in the

world we were going to get them out. Luke nodded to me and I suddenly

understood what was needed. I extinguished my lightsaber and returned

it to my belt. Calming myself, and trying to ignore the roars of the

slug, I extended a hand and pictured Threepio levitating to the

surface.

            "Oh my stars! What is going on?" he cried. I barely noticed, though.

 I was too involved in trying to get him out of the tunnel. When I

knew I had succeeded I opened my eyes to see both him and Artoo waiting

at the top.

            "Come on!" Luke urged, grabbing the ladder. I was right behind him,

and got out right as the slug reached the surface. It was too big to

shove all of its bulk out of the hole, though, so it growled in defeat

and slithered back down to the tunnel below.

            "Well now, wasn't that fun?" I asked sarcastically.

            "Bunches. I can't wait to see what trouble we can get into next,"

Lando remarked.

            "Jareth, who all did you wish into the labyrinth?" I asked out of

curiosity.

            "Well, keep in mind I was desperate, so I sort of wished the entire

Rebellion here."

            "The ENTIRE Rebellion?" I echoed.

            "Yes! Why must you keep reminding me of what happened!?"

            "Because it's your fault...but I think for once you actually did

something right, J. At least we'll have reinforcements," I replied,

heading into the hedge maze. It seemed that Palpatine had decided to

give us a short break. The paths were narrow, though, so we divided

into smaller groups to go through in a semi-line. I let Jareth lead,

and watched as Han, Luke, Wedge, and Lando followed so that Han and

Luke could let the other two men in on what was going on. I hung back

with the droids and Chewie, thankful for a moment's peace. Although a

portion of my mind and emotions was still blocked, I smiled slightly as

I let my gaze drift to Luke.

            "And what are you thinking about?" Leia asked, grinning. I hadn't

even noticed she had come up beside me.

            "The mission, what else!" I forced a chuckle, but sobered at her

knowing look. "What?"

            "I may not be a full Jedi, but even I can tell you're hiding

something."

            "What in the world are you talking about?" I asked, playing dumb.

            "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." Another knowing

look.

            "How did you figure it out if even Luke can't break through my mental

wall?" I asked quietly.

            "Because I'm a woman and I have a sixth sense about these things," she

said, smiling.

            "Look, it doesn't really matter what I feel...who knows what's going

to happen once the mission is completed...besides, there are other

matters that I have to take into consideration."

            "What, Jareth?"

            "No!" I said, giving her an exasperated look. "Please, there is no

way I could put up with him long enough to ever get involved in a

serious relationship with him. He's not my type, no matter what he

thinks. Besides, he has quite a harem going back on earth, and I doubt

he would want to give it up."

            "So, why the hesitation?"

            "Because there are subplots in the sequels I didn't mention..." I said

quietly.

            "So?"

            "So! I'm not the one he ends up with, okay? I don't want to have to

go through that painful realization more than I have to! Let's just

destroy the Emperor and leave it at that. For right now he's a friend

and a good instructor, and that's all." I glanced down to study the

ground.

            "But those are just stories that you talked about...it doesn't mean

they'll happen," Leia protested.

            "They're already written!" I snapped, kicking the ground lightly

before realizing what I had done. I stopped walking and looked up at

the princess. "I'm sorry...I'm just a little touchy about this kind of

thing."

            "I understand, but you've got to take risks...besides, this is your

story...why not make the most of it?" she said, resting a hand on my

arm and giving me a soft smile.

            "Because I know that in that respect it won't have a happy ending," I

said ruefully, picking up the pace slightly. Sensing that the subject

was closed, the princess merely nodded.

*******************************************************

            Han finished explaining the situation to Wedge and Lando and paused,

waiting for the goblin king to get out of hearing range before

continuing the conversation.

            "Well?" he asked, turning to the Jedi beside him.

            "What?" Luke asked, coming out of trance he had been in.

            "Well, it's been pretty uneventful lately, so have you had time to

think?"

            "About what?"

            The smuggler rolled his eyes in exasperation. "About the price of

Bantha meat increasing...what do you think I mean?! About her!"

            "What? Han, I told you, I'm too preoccupied with what has to be

done!"

            "So you don't mind if I take a shot?" Lando said from behind him,

grinning.

            Han turned to the gambler and returned the knowing grin."I guess he

doesn't, pal...I must say you're lucky. No competition, except for

Tight-boy, but she obviously doesn't care much for him...if I didn't

have Leia, I'd give you a run for your money, but I guess she's all

yours."

            "Don't I know it! What a catch...attractive and a Jedi-in-training.

Well, if you'll excuse me..." he started to turn to walk back down the

path, putting a debonair smile on his face.

            "Wait a minute! What are you doing?" Han grinned at Lando as Luke

stepped in front of the gambler, stopping him.

            "What do you mean? I'm going to talk to Selah, unless you have any

objections."

            "We have a mission!"

            "Kid, we're on the mission, and there isn't any danger at the minute,

so why shouldn't he test his luck?" Han asked innocently.

            "Because...because now just isn't the right time!" he bit out.

            "I knew it!" the smuggler crowed, triumphant.

            "What?" Luke asked.

            "I think you know what I mean," Han answered, his grin broadening.

            "Look, it really doesn't matter...she'll be gone once the mission is

over."

            "Not if you ask her to stay," Lando pointed out.

            "Look, I appreciate your concern, but we really do have more important

things to deal with," he said, glancing back at the young woman who was

talking to his sister. Briefly, he wondered what she was hiding, but

knew better than to push it. He sighed and turned back around, but

upon noticing the gambler's mischevious grin he stopped and made his

way back to the end of the line.

            Han watched as Luke walked back to Leia and Selah. "Sorry, buddy, but

I guess that's your luck!"

            "He's not going to do anything, though," the gambler pointed out.

            "I'm not so sure...I think that maybe if we let things develop on

their own, something might just happen." Han gave a lop-sided smile to

the man by his side before continuing down the path.

**************************************************************

            The Emperor stared out into the blackness of space from his throne

inside the Death Star. Soon...soon he would have his revenge. If it

wasn't for the thirteen hours rule of this place, he would have already

had earth under his control...but it was of no importance. He had

almost beaten Skywalker before, and he would succeed this time. He

knew the boy's weaknesses and his fleets would soon quiet the band of

Rebels forming in the Underground. He sneered as he thought of the

Goblin King...such power, wasted on a man like that. But not

anymore...no, now the Underground was his, and soon earth would be,

too, and then that entire pathetic galaxy would be in his clutches.

Patience was a virtur, after all. This time, he was younger, and a

better match for young Skywalker. True, the arrival of the girl had

been unexpected, but she wasn't fully trained. Palpatine was sure he

could seduce her to the Dark Side easily.

            The cloned Emperor turned around as the ripples in the Force changed

slightly to see Grand Admiral Thrawn standing before him.

            "Go to the Chimara and wait for further instructions...the Rebels will

attempt to strike the Death Star soon enough, but this time they will

not succeed."

            "Of course, your Excellency. My fleet is at your service, as always."

            "You are a good officer, Admiral. Clever and loyal."

            "Thank you, your Excellency. But what of the Jedi on the surface? No

matter how few they are, they are still a threat."

            "I will take care of them soon enough."

            "I have no doubt you will...but it might be wise to shake them a

bit...maybe even in a way so that they will never make it to the Rebel

base."

            "And what do you have in mind?" the Emperor asked calmly, raising an

eyebrow.

            Thrawn smiled slowly, letting his red-eyed gaze match the Emperor's;

an act that most aliens would never dare to do. "Have you heard of the

ysalimiri, your Excellency?"

*************************************************************

Ch. 7

            I didn't really pay much attention to the two doors at the end of the

hedge maze. Jareth was vehement in that he knew where he was going, so

he punched the button on the door that had housed the door knocker with

the ring in its mouth.

            "This way," he said, stalking through the door. He hadn't been very

talkative lately. I think he might have been just a little intimidated

by the others, but I couldn't be sure if it was that or jealousy. I

shrugged and followed the others through, smiling slightly as Luke

allowed me to pass before him. I briefly grew suspicious as Han turned

back and flashed a grin in our general direction, but I decided not to

give it a second thought.

            Without warning, my Force sense went blank. I blinked, totally taken

off guard for a few seconds before realizing what had happened. I

turned to where Luke and Leia stood and saw that they had similar

reactions.

            "What happened?! I can't feel the Force!" Luke cried, alarmed.

            "Calm down...now I know the Emperor is making use of Thrawn."

            "What do you mean?" Leia asked.

            "He was the one who discovered how to use the ysalimiri," I answered,

frowning as I searched the trees.

            "What's that?" Luke asked, still edgey.

            "This, would be a ysalimir," I said, pointing at a fuzzy

salamander-like creature with legs that sat peacefully on a tree

branch. "It's a creature that's found on the planet Mrykr...the

Emperor probably transported a group of trees from a forest there.

Their claws dig into the tree-branches there, which are rich in metal

and nutrients they need. They have the strange capability to produce a

Force-repelling bubble about ten meters in radius...the Force doesn't

exist inside the bubble, therefore, while we're in range we can't use

the Force," I stated, ending my lecture on the animal.

            "How is that possible?" Luke asked, drawing closer to the creature

that merely blinked at him in response.

            "I'm not sure; I only know it's true. And from the looks of things,

we're not going to get the Force back until we leave this forest," I

said, pointing to the trees that were infested with the animals.

            "Right. Let's get moving," Wedge said, nodding. Although he wasn't

Force-sensitive, I knew the pilot trusted Luke's capabilities and

wouldn't want to do something that would impair them. We started

moving again but didn't get very far when we heard a twig crack.

            "What's that?" Leia asked, turning towards the noise, her Return of

the Jedi-era commando poncho flapping in the breeze.

            "It can't be the fireys...why would he keep one part of my labyrinth

but change the rest?" Jareth mulled, frowning.

            "He didn't...and these guys are all right...if they hadn't wanted to

be known they would have struck without warning. Now, remember what I

told you about the sequels earlier?"

            "Yeah, so?" Han asked.

            "Well, don't make any sudden moves, and whatever you do, don't attack.

 They're friendly to the Rebellion, no matter what they seem like.

It's all right, you can come out!" I called to the creatures that just

had to be hiding in the forest. Silently, a small band of figures

began to come forward. They were about the size of Jawas, but had grey

skin and nightmarish faces...they were trained predators, after all.

But to the Alliance, they were friends. The Noghri had befriended the

New Republic in Dark Force Rising and Last Command. Formerly ruled

over by Vader, they worshipped Leia as his replacement. For years the

Empire had taken advantage of their skills, claiming to be cleaning

their home planet in return, but in fact they were killing it. After

Leia had shown them the Empire's true plan, they switched sides.

            "Hello...you do not know me, but my name is Selah, student of the Son

of Vader," I said, keeping myself formal in these creatures' presence.

"May I present to you our party: the son of Vader, Luke Skywalker;

Jareth, the Goblin King and ruler of the labyrinth; the Wookie

Chewbacca; our droids C-3PO and R2-D2, pilot Wedge Antilles; General

Lando Calrissian; General Han Solo, consort of the Lady Vader, and the

receiver of the Noghri debt, the Mal'ary'ush." I motioned for Leia to

extend her hand like I had told her earlier, and shook my head at Han

as he reached for his blaster. The princess followed my instruction

and let a member of the group sniff her hand carefully, identifying

her.

            "We welcome you, Mal'ary'ush," he mewed. "We realize we are not from

the same times, but we respect you just the same, for we know you are

our savior. We will do whatever the Alliance requires to destroy the

Empire." Leia nodded, slightly uneasy, which was understandable.

            "Excuse me, but aren't you Khabarakh?" I asked, recognizing the main

Noghri talked about in the books.

            "Yes, I am he. How may we serve you, Lady Vader?" he asked calmly,

bowing before Leia. The others followed suit.

            "You...you may act as our guard throughout the rest of our journey to

the Rebel Base," she said, quickly adjusting to her regal attitude.

            "As you wish, Mal' ary' ush," Khabarakh said, nodding. He gave orders

to the rest in the Noghri tongue, and they vanished into the trees,

ready to join us as a perimeter defense. Khabarakh would stay with his

savior, though. It was only right that one would accompany our group

closely, and he was the best choice.

             We started through the forest once more, wanting to get away from

the Force-resistant bubble as soon as possible.

            "We're lucky to have you along," Luke said quietly, coming up to walk

beside me.

            "What do you mean?" I asked.

            "We wouldn't have made it this far without you." I chuckled slightly,

but he was quite serious.

            "Sure you would have...you're a Jedi, and all of you are smart enough

to find your way through."

            "Even Jedi have their limits..we wouldn't have escaped in time if you

hadn't rescued us. Besides, you've gotten us out of a lot of scrapes

that we wouldn't have been able to...like right now, we wouldn't have

known these creatures were friendly...I wouldn't have been able to

sense it without the Force, and who knows what would have

happened....thank you." It was incredibly hard to keep up my mental

block when I was looking into those blue eyes. He smiled softly and I

had to glance away. We reached an incline and started over a steel

wall, when suddenly we were falling.

Ch. 8

            I winced as we hit the ground in a pile. Great, we just had to land

by...I looked up in horror. This definitely wasn't the Bog...and it

definitely had Palpatine's flair written all over it.

            "What in blazes is THIS?!!" Jareth yelled, noticing the pool of lava

flowing where the Bog had once been.

            "It looks like someone has been busy," I sighed. "Well, are we going

to cross it or what?"

            "What!? Are you crazy? We'll be killed!" J cried in protest.

            "I must agree with his Highness...this is much too dangerous!"

Threepio cried.

            "Oh ye of little faith...look, we only have so much time, and we still

have a death star to destroy and an Emperor to beat. Besides, the

Force is back, we're out of the ysalamiri's range," I said, walking

closer to the lake of fire. But not too close. "Besides, there's

always a way," I added, raising an eyebrow at my teacher.

            "Definitely," he said, smiling as he walked over to me. I closed my

eyes and raised a hand, concentrating on what was in the lake...slowly

I began to find the rocks and draw them up to the surface. Through my

mind's eye I saw the others crossing. I opened my eyes and took a deep

breath before starting out across the lake. Slowly, though, because I

was still using the Force to control the waves of fire that sloshed

around my feet. Luke followed, a stone behind me. I got to thinking

how much this scenario was like the time Luke went looking for Jedi

students in a Kevin J. Anderson series...except that had been slightly

different.

            My eyes widened with horror as the lava behind Luke began to bubble

with movement and a gigantic sea-creature like thing rose up from the

flaming liquid. Not thinking twice, I ran across to the shore as fast

as I could. I turned and watched with increasing terror at what was

happening. Luke was trying to divide his focus between controlling the

waves of lava and fighting off the creature with his lightsaber.

            "Luke!!" Leia screamed, starting towards him.

            "Easy, princess, you won't be able to help him if you go out there!"

Han said, catching her by the arm.

            "But Luke-"

            "You calm down, I'll help Luke!" I bellowed. Without thinking what

could happen, I charged back towards the lake of fire. The fireworm

was enormous: it had the head of a viper, its scales were silicone and

glittered in the light and covered the entire creature, its eyes glowed

like living jewels, and insulated airtakes deep inside the creature

sucked in air and brought the rest of its huge form to the surface. It

roared at Luke, a sound which was too terrible to even attempt to

describe. The surrounding area shook with its voice. It reared up and

spewed molten rock at the Jedi. He ducked, avoiding it, but had

trouble keeping his footing.

            "Hang on!" I yelled, running as quickly as I could along the rocks. I

breathed in shallow gasps, trying not to inhale too much of the gases

that were coming from the magma. I jumped to the stone just behind

Luke's and ignited my lightsaber, waving it to distract the monster's

attention. It noticed me right off, and turned its attention away from

Luke.

            "Go!" I yelled to him.

            "But-"

            "Just go!" I quickly turned back to the fireworm. It reared its head

and struck. I pushed all my fear away as it charged towards me, its

teeth at least as tall as I was. Using the entire stone I was standing

on, I backed to its edge and struck out with my lightsaber. The sword

only managed to break through a single silicone scale, but I knew it

would be enough. The worm roared in protest and dove back under the

lava. I glanced over to see that Luke had made it to the shore and

relaxed slightly. At least, I did until I realized I was on fire.

            Apparently when the fireworm dove back under the upset waves flew up

and brushed against the arm of my blazer. Trying not to panic, I cried

out in shock more than pain and quickly ripped the garment off and

threw it into the lake where it burst into flames. I made sure that

nothing else on me was burning and calmed down, searching for the

monster in the lake. Now that I was wearing only a tank top, the heat

was more bearable, but only slightly. Suddenly, the worm shot up out

of the lava, screaming in pain.

            "What's going on?" I heard Han yell.

            " The lava got into the worm through the slashed scale...it's eating

it alive from the inside out!" I called back, my mind still intent on

controlling the waves around me that were almost out of control.

            "Get out of there before you're killed!" J yelled at me.

            I had no time to answer because at that moment the worm raised its

entire form to the surface of the bubbling hot liquid and exploded. I

crouched down, shielding myself as much as I could, not daring to move

more than I had to. As the noise and falling debris died down I stood

up slightly, but immediately wished I hadn't. Part of the worm's

carcas that was now in flames flew over towards me, ramming against the

rock I was standing on. It might not have been so bad except for the

fact that the piece of the carcass was the strong silicone armor. The

stone underneath me crumbled, and another sweep of the dead animal sent

me flying. There was no way I could keep calm. I knew that a full Jedi

could resist the lava...but I wasn't a full Jedi, yet. Besides, even

that took a few seconds of preparation...a few seconds that I didn't

have.

            Everything was moving in slow motion. I vaguely heard shouts from the

shoreline, but my main concentration was watching the bubbling lava

come closer to my falling form. I closed my eyes and waited for the

fire to envelope me, trying not to scream. *Well, if I have to go this

way, might as well do it with some dignity,* I thought, preparing to

enter the afterlife. Unable to keep my eyes shut, I opened them and

watched in horror as the lava came closer...and closer. I was inches

from my doom when I suddenly stopped falling, literally suspended in

the air. I blinked in confusion; I knew I wasn't doing it, I was too

exausted and too scared. I glanced over to the shore and gave a huge

sigh of relief to see Luke concentrating with his arm outstretched,

holding me afloat with the Force. Slowly, I rose up and away from the

lake and drifted towards land. When my feet touched solid ground I

never thought I could be so happy. Drained, I let my legs crumble out

from under me and knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

            "Darling, are you all right?" J, said, coming towards me. I nodded,

unable to speak momentarily. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes,

concentrating only on breathing.

            "Yeah...just .....just shaken," I managed in between gasps for air.

It was an incredible catharsis, but no tears would come. All I could

do was kneel there on the ground, breathing and living, realizing how

close to the end I'd been. I didn't resist as I felt comforting arms

fold around me and a gentle hand brush over my head. I leaned into my

source of protection, letting whoever it was hold me close. I relaxed

as I felt warm energy run into my mind, providing emotional comfort and

assurance.

            "It's all right..." I felt Luke murmur to me and I nodded. I almost

gave in to the urge of dropping the wall right then and there. In fact,

I started to, but upon realizing what I was doing, immediately stopped

and put it back up again. I just couldn't risk it. The Jedi wasn't

thrilled at the gesture, but he said nothing, understanding that I

wasn't ready to let him know everything yet. Finally collecting

myself, I started to get to my feet, wincing slightly as I noticed the

singe marks on my arms.

            "Thank you," I said, looking up at Luke, meaning it with my entire

being. I had never been so grateful. He smiled softly and nodded,

pausing to brush a strand of hair from my face.

            "Your welcome, but I should thank you, as well. You saved my life."

I shrugged at the statement, trying not to melt under his gaze.

            "Anyone would have done the same."

            "But only you could succeed," Khabarakh said, coming over to where I

stood. "Truly, you are a warrior at heart. It would give the Noghri

much honor to accept you as a member of our squad. I nodded, knowing

this was not something to be taken lightly.

            "I thank you, Khabarakh. You may call me Selah clan Specht."

            He brightened at the suggestion. I knew they had a thing about names.

 "Yes, that is very good. We accept you into our hunting party, Selah

clan Specht," he mewed, bowing slightly. I returned the gesture

solemnly.

            "You really had us worried for a while, kid. How did you know you

could handle that thing?" Han asked, coming over to me.

            "From my reading...but, truthfully, I wasn't absolutely sure. I just

knew I had to help Luke," I said quietly, turning my gaze to the

ground.

            "Well, on behalf of the Rebellion, I thank you...and as Luke's sister,

I thank you even more," Leia said, smiling as she hugged me tightly. I

returned the gesture, but sobered as I pulled away.

            "Speaking of the Rebellion, we've got to get going-ugh.." I groaned as

I took a few steps. I hoped I hadn't done any serious damage.

            "Are you sure you're okay?" Lando asked skeptically.

            "Positive...just a little sore around the edges. Nothing I can't

handle," I replied, forcing a smile.

            "Well then, let's go," Han said, pausing to look over at Jareth.

"Okay Tight-boy, where to next?"

*******************************************************

            Jareth plunged ahead on the path with a vengence, whacking aside

foliage that dared to get in his way. Things were not going as

expected. *First, that supposedly wonderful Emperor takes my kingdom

after I practically give him life, then I'm taken prisoner by the

Imperials and my magic is blocked...then when I'm finally rescued, it's

by a listian, and now I'm being ordered around by a smart-aleck

smuggler!* he thought, swatting at another leaf.

            The king turned partially to see Luke walking with Selah, his arm

casually draped around her shoulders. *And then there's that!* he

thought bitterly. It wasn't enough that she had to be their rescuer;

he knew she was smart and she did know a lot about Star Wars...but she

didn't have to practically melt at the Jedi's every move! It was

enough that now she was his student...but he knew what her feelings

towards the other man were, and he did not like them one bit. The only

consulation Jareth had was the fact that she had no intention of making

those feelings known. However, he still planned to make the farmboy

suffer, one way or another. It just wasn't fair...

            "Great, now I'm starting to sound like a mortal!" he muttered under

his breath.

            "Hey, Tights! Less chatter and more action!" Jareth clenched his teeth

at Lando's remark...as if one smart-aleck scoundrel wasn't enough. He

had briefly thought about trying to seduce the princess, but without

his magic he was limited...and there was the fact that Solo wouldn't

let her out of his sight. This was not turning out to be a fun

adventure.

            "At least things can't get much worse," he sighed to himself. The

next thing he knew, he was flying up into the air. When he stopped

moving he looked around and realized that he was suspended upside-down

in a net of some sort.

            "What now?" Jareth moaned, not knowing how much more of this he could

take.

********************************************************************

Ch. 9

            I watched in amusement as the party of Ewoks came out of hiding at the

sight of Threepio. Much to Jareth's dismay, they knelt in front of the

droid and began worshipping him. I suppressed a grin for as long as I

could.

            "What is going on down there!? Someone get me down!!" he yelled

impatiently.

            "Don't get your tights in a bunch, J...we'll have you down in a

minute." I watched as Khabarakh took out a knife and ran it along the

ropes of the net. Jareth came crashing to the ground, landing very

unregally.

            "Not a word!!" he growled, sitting up and picking leaves from his

blond mane.

            "I didn't say a thing," I said innocently, unable to keep the grin

from my face.

            "Shut up!" he bit out, stalking back to the front of the group. "Out

of my way, you scrap heap!" he said, shoving Threepio aside. The Ewoks

that had joined us didn't take kindly to that kind of treatment to

their deity, and Wickett was able to get at J with a spear.

            I really had to fight to hold it in as he screamed in shock, turning

around to face the teddy bear-like creature. Upon noticing a tear in

the sleeve of his shirt and a small cut on his arm, the monarch raised

a fist, but Han caught it before he could strike.

            "Easy, there Glitter-boy...they may be a little annoying, but they

helped us take down the Empire once, and could be of help again." J

merely glared at Han before snatching his fist back, tugging at his

glove, pouting. I waited patiently as it was decided the band should

come with us, mainly to help guide us through this section of forest.

We got through it soon enough, though, and slowly approached the gates

to what was once the goblin city.

            "See, what did I tell you? And we have plenty of time to take down

the Empire...easy!" Jareth said, his ego returning quickly. However,

his smirk of triumph faded as a low rumbling growl was heard.

            "Please tell me that's not what it sounded like!" Leia said, groaning.

            "Sorry, sweetheart, but I think we just keep getting luckier." Han

responded grimly. I watched as the doors swung open, and out came a

humongous, hungry beast.

            A rancor.

            "Oh, this is fun!" Lando said, backing away.

            "Yeah, things just keep getting better and better!" Wedge agreed.

            "Any ideas?" I asked, not really wanting to kill it. It wasn't its

fault the Empire was using it to get rid of uninvited guests...it was

just hungry. On the other hand, I really didn't want to become its

next meal. I gasped as it reached towards Jareth, but he was quick on

his feet and got away. Han turned and fired at the beast, catching it

on its clawed hand. The rancor roared in anger and turned towards the

smuggler.

            "I'm not sure..." Luke said, looking at the arch above the closed

gates.

            "Well somebody think of something fast!" Han yelled, backing away and

firing again.

            Luke nodded and I could feel himself open up to the Force. He ignited

his lightsaber and threw it, but instead of it just arching and

falling, it flew up to the arch, made a few cuts around its support,

and returned to Luke's hand before deactivating.

            "Back it up!" he advised. Han threw him a look, but did as he was

told, running towards the beast and firing. Before the thing could get

even angrier, Chewie joined Han's efforts, taking aim with his

bowcaster. The rancor was angry, but was also surprised as Lando and

Wedge joined the team. It started to back up slowly, and when its back

finally bumped against the gates, the arch suddenly gave way, burying

the beast under a pile of rubble.

            "Come on, let's get out of here before it gets out!" Leia said,

running to the gates and pushing. It took all of us to open them the

manual way.

            "Well, at least we're in," Jareth said, looking around the quiet city,

which was now looking very much like Mos Eisley.

            "Yeah, but do we want to be?" I asked quietly, keeping my senses tuned

to the Force. Suddenly, a shower of blaster bolts came towards us and

we had to split up. The Noghri and the Ewoks hid behind buildings

while the humans and droids and Wookie ducked behind a few parked

landspeeders, returning the stormtroopers' attack.

            "Don't these guys ever get tired of harrassing us?" Han asked

bitterly.

            "Apparently not," Lando answered before hitting a stormtrooper in the

chest. I winced as I watched him fall, but knew it couldn't be helped

now. I followed Luke out into the battle, deflecting bolts with my

lightsaber and occasionally cutting down the stormtrooper that wandered

too close. I whirled as I noticed J firing at the white-armored

enemies with a blaster rifle taken from a fallen body. I shrugged; it

was weird, but he was a pretty good shot. When the streets were

finally safe, we proceeded to the castle...or rather, what had been the

castle.

            "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CASTLE?!" Jareth roared at the new building. I

could tell he wasn't happy about all the changes that were being made.

            "Uh, I think for right now it's the rebel base," I answered, trying to

be helpful. It was interesting to see the giant Massassi temple from

the first Star Wars movie in place of the king's palace. But, it was

as good a place for a Rebel base as any. I looked at the large

triangular building covered with plant life in admiration; it was even

more amazing in person than it was in film. We made our way towards

the enormous building and eventually got inside. I followed Leia as

she led us to the war room, drinking in every inch of the building.

            "Sorry to be late, but we ran into some complications," she said to

the figures that were already gathered. I tried not to gape as I

recognized Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma, leader of the entire Rebel

Alliance.

            "It is understandable," she said somberly. "We only have a little

time before the Empire moves on to earth...and we've run into

complications of our own."

            "What are you talking about?" Han asked.

            "It seems this new death star is impenetrable. There are no openings

from construction," Admiral Ackbar said bleakly.

            "But what about the exhaust port?" Luke asked.

            "We've already sent a squad up to try that method...they didn't

succeed," Mon Mothma said, frowning.

            "Proton torpedoes aren't working on it," the Admiral said, pausing for

breath, "and we don't know what else to use." I frowned, thinking.

            "He must have used magic to prevent its destruction," Jareth said

thoughtfully. I thought harder, before brightening slightly.

            "I think I know how we can destroy it," I said.

            "What do you mean? We've tried everything," Mon Mothma said,

perplexed.

            "With all due respect, I think we have to fight magic with magic." I

motioned for Artoo to come closer. He did, whistling cheerfully, and

popped open his secret compartment. I smiled, taking out the crystal.

"We'll only have one chance, but if you attach this to a torpedo, it

should destroy the space station."

            "You mean you had that all along!!??" Jareth shouted, exasperated and

incredulous.

            "Well, when I found out you didn't have your magic I figured I should

save it until we really needed it...and I guess that would be now," I

said calmly. It was the other crystal J had given me once I had left

the castle after staying a week.

            "That just might work..." Admiral Ackbar said thoughtfully, carefully

taking the sphere in his flippered hands. "I'll get our people on it

right away...meanwhile, start preparing for battle."

            "Will do, Admiral," Lando answered, switching from scoundrel to

general mode. I smiled slightly, then realized Luke had vanished. I

ducked into a corridor and found the Jedi knight standing in the hall.

I frowned, knowing what was coming.

            "You're leaving, aren't you? To fight the Emperor."

            "I have to," he replied, sighing.

            "I know it's tough...but you can beat him. But there are things about

this Emperor that you don't know...please, let me go with you," I

added.

            He shook his head. "I can't do that...you've only begun you're

training-"

            "But I've learned so much! And what good is it all if I don't put it

to use? Look, this whole mess is partially my fault...those were my

books Jareth got a hold of...let me help you. Please." I resisted the

temptation to take his hand, so I settled for giving him a pleading

look, instead. He stayed silent, pondering the decision. I could feel

him reaching out to me with the Force, testing to see if I could handle

the test that awaited. I frowned, suddenly sensing coldness and death.

            "There's something outside the temple...something evil."

            "Then that is where you must go," he replied, expressionless. I

nodded, resting my hand on my lightsaber's handle, when I remembered

the words of Yoda.

            "Will I need my weapons?"

            "No." Even though my common sense was screaming at me to keep my

lightsaber, I trusted Luke. I made myself remove the weapons belt and

hand it to him before stepping out into the clouded day outside the

temple. I could have sworn I saw a crystal rolling along the ground,

but maybe that was just the Force using an image from the Underground

as an aid. I spun at a noise and my mood darkened as I saw my two

former high school directors walk into the light.

            "Hello, Selah," one said, smirking. I clenched and unclenched my

hands, wishing I had a thermal detonator. I calmed myself and let the

Force wipe away all traces of anger, knowing that if I wanted to be a

Jedi, I had to have control.

            "Hello," I said simply.

            "So, you're still trying to be a performer," the other one said in

disgust.

            " I am becoming a performer, there is no try. Look, you guys hurt me

very much when you wouldn't cast me because you favored another for her

checkbook, and don't deny it because I know it's true...it hurt me even

more when you told me I wasn't strong enough to be a performer and that

I had no talent...but I've gotten beyond that...I forgive you."

            "What?" both of them said, taken aback.

            "I forgive you, both of you. You gave me a glimpse into how hard the

business will be, but it is my choice, and I choose to be a successful

actress. I may start out doing other things, but I will make it. I

don't give up. I'm sorry if someone once told you that you wouldn't be

able to fulfill your dream, but I don't accept that from you. I will

succeed, because that is what I choose to do...and I will do it." I

finished calmly. "I'm sorry if I've upset you, but there is nothing

more to say," I added, waiting for what would happen next. Before my

eyes, the two figures faded into nothingness and I turned in surprise

to see a smiling Jedi behind me.

            "You're right...there's nothing more to say. Now it's time for

action."

            "What?"

            "You've proven yourself capable; you're coming with me." I grinned at

the statement, happy to have crossed another milestone.

            "You most certainly are not!" Jareth protested, coming outside. "I

forbid it!"

            "Jareth, if I don't the entire Underground could be destroyed or at

least ruled by the Empire forever...do you want that?"

            "No..." he said darkly.

            "Then I have to go. I do appreciate all the things you've done for me,

but I've got a different path right now...one that you need to let me

take."

            "Fine," he said bitterly. Before I could reply with a thank you he

turned on his heel and stalked back into the temple. I sighed.

            "Don't worry about ol' Glitter-boy there, he'll be all right once he

gets his kingdom back!" Han said, coming out of the temple. He turned

to address Luke. "Do you really want to do this...after all, you just

fought the guy," he said, referring to the Emperor.

            "Han, I really don't have a choice...and at least I'll have help,"

Luke answered, smiling at me.

            "All right, then, I guess we'll see you after everything's over...but

at least take the Falcon."

            "Han-"

            "Look, we're going to be on one of the command ships...take her,

you'll need the speed and besides, the kid here hasn't had the

privilege of riding in her yet!" He gave me a lopsided grin which I

returned.

            "Thanks, you really sure?"

            "Positive, just make sure to bring her back in one piece!" the

smuggler said, partially joking, partially serious.

            "Right...well, I guess I'll be seeing you later, then."

            "Of course you will!" Han replied, grabbing Luke and hugging him.

"Good luck, kid."

            "You too."

            "And you," he said, turning to me, "take care of Luke here, all right?

 Don't let him do anything stupid!" Before I could respond he grabbed

me in a bear hug.

            "Right," I replied, chuckling. "I think I can take care of all the

stupid, death-defying acts of shameless bravery."

            "That's not what I meant!"

            "Yeah, yeah, they're going to be needing you in there, and you're

delaying us!" I laughed.

            "Right...well, good luck you two, and May the Force be with You," he

said, giving us another smile before ducking back into the temple.

**************************************************************

Ch. 10

            I glanced over the controls on the Falcon, making sure the nav.

computer was set. I nodded to Luke and he activated the hyperdrive.

It was exillerating to actually be inside the Millenium Falcon. I'd

never thought I'd actually get that privilege. As the stars turned to

starlines I turned to Luke.

            "So, do you have a plan, or are we just making it up as we go along?"

I asked.

            "I'm not too sure...anything I should know?"

            I frowned, mentally going over the plotline of Dark Empire in my head.

 "Well...in that story you end up serving the Emperor for a time-"

            "What?!"

            "Because you think that learning the secrets to the Dark Side will

help you destroy the Empire. It ends up not being as easy as you

thought and you're almost completely seduced to the Dark Side when Leia

saves you. It takes you years to fully recover, though," I said

ruefully, hoping that for his sake it was just a story, but I knew

better than to cling to false hopes. "So just don't let yourself be

tempted...for the sake of the Rebellion," I said, mentally adding to

myself, *and for my sake, as well.* I quickly checked the block I had

up in my mind and strengthened it slightly, out of habit.

            "Can I ask you something?" he asked me, frowning slightly.

            "Uh, yeah, sure, I guess so."

            "Why in the world do you keep part of your mind closed off to me?" he

asked, turning to face me.

            "Well, some people don't exactly appreciate being an open book!" I

said. "Sorry...I didn't mean it like that...it's just that I can be a

very private person and there's some things I don't like to go blurting

out."

            "I can understand that...but you aren't a spy or something, are you?"

he teased, smiling that grin that made my heart do gymnastics.

            "No! It's nothing like that..."

            "You know I can't read every thought in your mind...Jedis aren't mind

readers."

            "I know...but this has to do with feelings, too, and I just don't want

them to be known right now," I sighed, leaning back against the

copilot's chair. "It's just like you wouldn't want to go blurting out

that Darth Vader was your father right now," I said. Realizing that

that might not have been the most appropriate example, I blushed. "I

am so sorry, I didn't mean to-"

            "It's okay, you're right...but I trust you."

            "You do?"

            "Of course! I have no reason not to. You just have a secret...and

that's not a big deal."

            "Thank you for understanding," I whispered, turning back to stare at

the inky blackness ahead of me, wishing I could reveal what I was

hiding. He reached out to touch my mind lightly and I smiled slightly,

letting myself return the gesture ever-so-slightly. At least we were

friends. That would have to be enough. I tensed as we drew closer to

the death star, coming out of hyperspace. We became caught in its

tractor beam and allowed the ship to be drawn into a hangar.

            "Well, I guess this is it," I said, standing.

            "Right...I don't know how this will turn out, but..."

            "But the Force will be with us," I finished firmly. He smiled and

nodded before taking my hand and leading me towards the hatch. We

stepped out slowly and into a group of stormtroopers that immediately

took our lightsabers and cuffed us. Luke and I silently followed them

towards our fate. We knew where we would be headed; there was no way

we wouldn't go to Palpatine.

*****************************************************************

            As we stepped into the darkness of the Emperor's makeshift throne

room, I tried to remain calm, but my nerves and fears were quickly

taking over. This guy wasn't like Vader; he didn't have any good left

in him. He was evil. I forced my breathing to become even and glanced

over at Luke. He nodded reassuringly and turned back to face forward as

we were escorted towards the throne.

            "Leave us." He hadn't turned around yet, but the voice was different

than the one in the movie. It was younger-sounding, deeper, but still

every bit as menacing. The guards left, their crimson armor fading into

the darkness.

            "Welcome, Skywalker and young Specht...I've been expecting you." I

wasn't sure how to reply to that, so I remained silent. I could feel

Palpatine feeling my mind, trying to use everything he found to his

full advantage. I knew that I had wasted a lot of energy keeping the

mental wall up, and I could be a lot stronger if I dropped it, but I

was stubborn and scared. Slowly, his chair turned around to reveal a

young man in black armor and robe. He had the look of the older

Emperor, not just in his features, but in his demeanor: his presence

was foreboding, yet it also drew one in. I strengthened myself,

drawing myself up to my full height and looked at him without emotion,

knowing that any curiousity could be my doom. He wasn't

two-dimensional like the comic book drawings, though, and his skin

wasn't green like the pictures, either. He was a perfect blend between

the comics and the actor who played the Emperor in the movies.

            He smiled coldly at me. "I'm glad you approve of me, young one. I

will be glad to finish your training."

            I shook my head. "No. I will not have any alliance with the dark

side. You'll have to kill me. I have only one plan for you."

            "Such confidence," he said, chuckling throatily. "I can assure you we

are perfectly safe from the Rebellion here. And Grand Admiral Thrawn

will take care of the Rebel fleets."

            "Your confidence is your weakness," I automatically stated.

            "Your faith in your friends is yours," he replied, sneering as he came

down the steps towards us. I resisted the urge to back away from the

compelling figure.

            "Ah, so you do fear me," he said, looking directly into my eyes. I

swallowed hard before answering.

            "I fear many things, but not when I have the Force. Through dangers

untold and hardships unnumbered, we have fought our way here to your

death star, to take back the land you have stolen, and to prevent you

from stealing another. My will is as strong as yours, your

Excellencey, and the Light Side of the Force is just as great, if not

greater. You have no power over me." I knew it wouldn't destroy him,

but at least it would make him mad.

            "You think not? You are nothing...a mere child compared to me. It

was your carelessness and infatuation with silly things that brought me

here. You cannot destroy me; you can't even control yourself." As if

to add to the temptation of his mocking, he gestured and our cuffs fell

to the floor. "You will become a dark Jedi, and you will call me

master."

            "The only one I call master is the God of heaven and earth," I

snarled, very close to charging him. I fought the urge, knowing that

my lightsaber was still on his throne.

            "Good, I can feel your anger...soon you will be one with the dark

side," he said.

            "No she won't...if you want your revenge, take it out on me," Luke

said, stepping forward.

            The Emperor stared at Luke quietly, as if seeing how strong he really

was. "We shall see, Skywalker, we shall see. But right now, I am

curious about this young one. Tell me, do you think you are really

more than a little girl?" he asked me, grinning as I clenched my teeth.

 My father uses that phrase all the time to patronize me, and I

absolutely hate it.

            "You will not destroy the Rebellion...even if you destroy us, the

cause will go on...there are others on earth besides me who will fight

you."

            "Really? You all are so in love with what you think is fantasy, that

you don't even realize the consequences! You are no match for me,

Selah. Come over to the dark side, there is nothing else you can do."

The weight of his mind on mine was fantastic, and I struggled to keep

him away. "Good...with each passing moment you become more and more my

servant."

            "I wouldn't count on it," I countered, letting an edge seep into my

voice.

            "Why? You are too weak to do anything else," he said, smiling. Right

then and there all I wanted to do was wipe the sneer off of his face.

"Go ahead, strike me down, and your journey towards the dark side will

be complete."

            "Don't do it," Luke warned, trying to ease the stress on my mind.

            "Yes, do what your teacher tells you...after all, he did fall victim

himself...he does know best...and you can't take care of yourself, so

just do what he says." With that, I couldn't help myself. Enough was

enough. I gave somewhat of a primal scream and charged towards the

throne, extending my hand and watching with satisfaction as my

lightsaber came to me. I turned back towards the Emperor, but had

another problem to deal with before I could even reach him. My eyes

widened as I looked into Luke's face, his blade crossed with mine, and

pure evil in his eyes. I glanced back to the Emperor and a shocked

Luke. Glancing back to my opponent, I nodded.

            "Luuke," I said quietly.

            "Ah, so you are familiar with Thrawn's present to me, then? A clone

of a Jedi, much like myself, but extremely effective just the same." I

knew I couldn't kill it...it was too much like Luke, but it was evil.

I also knew that Luke had been seduced, so why shouldn't I give myself

as much strength as I could...use all of the Force to my advantage.

Growling in frustration, I attacked.

***************************************************************

            Palpatine looked over at the girl who was engaged in fierce combat

with Skywalker's clone in satisfaction before turning to the Jedi.

"You see, Skywalker, one way or the other, you are mine. And now you

will pay for daring to destroy me!" he hissed before activating his own

lightsaber and charging towards the young man.

            "You will never be rid of me!" he whispered, deflecting a blow from

the boy.

            "You cannot win...the light side conquers the dark."

            "Fool! Then why am I not dead now? Why is the Rebellion unable to

destroy this superweapon!?" He lunged, narrowly missing Skywalker.

            "In one way or another, by someone, you will be destroyed," he

answered calmly.

            "There is only one way you can get rid of me, boy. By using the dark

side...only if you learn its secrets can you be rid of me." He paused

and smiled as Skywalker looked at him with confusion. This was going

to be easier than he had thought. 

******************************************************************

            I slashed my blade fiercely at the clone, wanting to be rid of him.

He just fought back silently, adding to the madness in my soul. No way

were the Imps going to have my planet, or the Underground, or anything

else that I held dear! Suddenly, with renewed power, I was unbeatable.

 Agressive and powerful, I would win, no matter what I had to do.

            "You will not have anything of mine!!!" I yelled, jumping forward and

slicing my blade across the clone's swordarm. He looked at me with

stunned eyes as the hand fell to the floor, smoldering. I pointed my

blade at his throat, then turned slightly as I heard the Emperor's

triumphant laughter.

            "Good, I knew you had it in you! Your anger has made you strong! Now

finish it! Strike him down with all of your hatred and take Vader's

place at my side!" I momentarily pictured myself in control of my

planet, of the galaxy, having hundreds of minions to do my bidding. I

smiled cruelly at the thought, then paused, remembering a scene from

Labyrinth. Jareth, in control of hundreds of minions, but they were

dumb as rocks. The king walked across the throne room, kicking goblins

when he was angry. What was supposed to be power came across as

childishness. The same childishness the Emperor had, though it wasn't

very clear. But it was there. He would never succeed, not with such

an evil attitude. But he would never change. I frowned. *If I don't

want the Emperor to have anything I hold dear, then why am I giving him

me?* I thought, glancing down at Luke. He nodded slightly, and I knew

he had sent me the vision to help me. I returned my focus to the clone,

staring at me with large eyes. Large enough that I could see my

reflection in. A strong woman with wild eyes, ready to commit murder

in cold blood. That wasn't me. I would defend the galaxy, but I would

not do it for evil. The supposed order of the Empire was just that:

evil. I turned back to the Emperor, deactivated my lightsaber, and

threw it down.

            "Never. I will never join the dark side." I said, breathing heavily.

 I looked to Luke who smiled slightly, but was still in combat-mode,

not knowing what the Emperor would do. I suddenly felt whole, and I

realized that all this time, my journey through the labyrinth had been

exactly what Leia had said it was. My story. And I had finished my

quest for wisdom. I was complete. It was much faster than what it

should have been, but I knew the feeling of wholeness couldn't be

anything else. I turned and walked down the steps towards the Emperor,

not caring to feel the coldness of the dark side ever again. "You

fail, your highness...you fail. I am a Jedi, like Luke, like his

father, and like the many others you have destroyed. But you will

never destroy them completely, because we are all one with the Force."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

            "So be it, Jedi. If you will not join the dark side, you will be

destroyed." He reached out a hand and shot blue lightning bolts of

energy towards me. Back with the light side, I ducked quickly, knowing

it was coming. The bolts soared above my head and caught Luuke across

the chest, sending him falling to the floor, immobilizing the clone.

            "You see, your Excellencey, you cannot win. Even if we do not come

out alive, you will not succeed.The more you strike out, the more the

light side will claim."

            "Do you really think that the light side is stronger?" he asked,

lowering his lightsaber. "Then perhaps you need a demonstration of my

power." I braced myself for what would happen, but was shocked at what

he did. Turning, he smiled cruelly at Luke before sending a current of

dark energy through him. I screamed as he fell backwards onto the

floor.

            "Do you still think you're stronger, Skywalker? You are paying the

price for your overconfidence, then. You may have bested me once, but

you will never do so again. If you will not join me, then you will die." He sent another series

of lightning into Luke. Unable to stop myself, I ran over to the two,

ignoring my lightsaber on the ground.

            "NO!! You can't kill him!!"

            "And why not? Why is he so important?"

            "The Rebellion needs him-"

            "If you believe what you say, then you should feel confident in the

fact that the Rebellion will carry on without him. Why should I spare

Skywalker?" He sneered and turned back to face the light Jedi, and

sent another bolt to him. I cringed as I watched the blue lightning

twirl around every part of Luke, even being reflected against his teeth

when he opened his mouth to scream in agony.

            "Because I love him!" I blurted out, suddenly finding no reason to

keep my feelings hidden. I would need my full potential to get both of

us out of there alive. I let my emotional wall crumble, sighing

slightly as I glanced over at Luke, who had managed to raise his head

up in surprise. Without hesitation, I knelt by him and lightly placed

my hands on his temple and shoulder, using the rest of my strength to

send healing energy to the Jedi.

            "Love...a foolish emotion. You are a fool, young Jedi," the Emperor

said quietly, raising a hand to finish Luke off. "And now young

Skywalker, finally, you will die." With that sentence, he started to

form more sparkles of electricity in his palm, sure to be his strongest

yet. There was no way I could reach my lightsaber in time, and I was

too weak to try to deflect the bolts with my hands. There was only one

other alternative. As he sent the bolts out, I flung myself in front of

Luke, letting them hit me full in the chest and stomach.

            I had expected it to hurt, but the pain that I experienced was

phenomenal. Not just physically, but emotionally. It felt as if hate,

fear, and anger were eating me alive. After Palpatine stopped briefly,

he gazed at me, his eyes filled with contempt. "Foolish Jedi," he

muttered, sending another round to claim me. I cried out as it hit me,

unable to move away. I slid backwards a few yards; the energy was that

powerful. I barely managed to raise my head a few inches off the floor

to catch one last glimpse of Luke before everything went black.

*****************************

Ch. 11

            Leia inhaled sharply at the feeling that broke through her thoughts.

She glanced over through the viewscreen of the command ship to look at

the Death Star, still as imposing as ever. Something had happened.

She wasn’t sure exactly what that was, but she had felt it. There had

been triumph, then pain, and now silent peace. The princess wasn’t

sure if she wanted to know what that meant.

            "Leia, what is it?" Han asked, walking to her side.

            "I’m not sure... I thought I felt something," she murmured.

            "Luke?"

            "He was there... but I’m not sure if it was him I felt."

            "Are they all right?" He was quite serious now, and his eyes turned

dark.

            "I just don’t know... "

*************************************

            Lando sighed as he watched the readouts from the nav. Computer.

They would have only one shot at this, and they needed the specialized

torpedo to succeed. He pulled himself out of his thoughts as the comm

unit beeped.

            "Calrissian here," he said grimly.

            "Prepare to lead the attack... we can’t wait any longer," Admiral

Ackbar’s voice said.

            "I agree... all right," he said, switching frequencies. "All squadrons,

prepare to make the jump to lightspeed on my mark." He waited as the

fighter pilots checked in before pulling the lever. Then they were

off, and there was no turning back and no room for failure.

***************************************** 

            Thrawn smiled as he watched the Rebel forces coming towards the fleet

of Star Destroyers. This time, there would be victory for the Empire.

He turned to Captain Paelleon.

            "Where are they headed?" he asked, his gaze and voice even.

            "Sector two... the death star. What is your advice, Admiral?"

            "We will hold them off until the rest of the fleet is assembled, then

we will let the death star finish them." There would be no premature

death this time; Rukh, the Noghri that had assassinated him had been

dealt with, and now he was going to take care of the remains of the

Rebellion. He would not let the idea of vengeance get in the way,

though. After all, he was much too smart and artistic for that.

Smiling slightly, he leaned back in his chair, waiting for the prey to

come to the net.

***************************************

            Luke slowly stood up, carefully though, for he was still weak from the

Emperor’s dark energy blasts. He turned to look with shock at the

figure sprawled out on the ground a few yards away, motionless.

            "You see, Skywalker, you cannot win. There is only one way to defeat

me. Join me, and I will give you the knowledge to destroy me,"

Palpatine said, triumphant.

            He looked at the Emperor, then back at the woman on the floor. He

knew it was a trap... but still, maybe it was the only way. He started to

turn back towards the Emperor, when a memory surfaced. Selah, giving

him a pleading stare, telling him not to give into any of the Emperor’s

temptations, no matter how right they sounded. They were lies. He

drew in a deep breath and turned to face the other man.

            "No, I will not join the dark side. I will never become what you want

me to be."

            "But you do, Skywalker, in another tale, true, but you do."

            "That’s not the same person as I am right now... maybe I can’t prevent

that, but I will not give in now." He straightened slightly, and

watched as the Emperor’s face darkened in anger.

            "Then you will die... there is no one to save you this time." He was so

close to the shaft... maybe if he could just get enough energy to run and

push him over...

            But Luke knew the Emperor would sense it coming. Besides, he doubted

he could draw up that much energy. He needed to survive. For the

Rebel Alliance. *And for her,* he added silently, glancing back at the

body lying on the floor. He only hoped it wasn’t too late.

            Emperor Palpatine raised a hand and Luke braced himself, gathering

enough strength to start to form a protective forcefield. He didn’t

need to use it, though. Right as the Emperor struck, a figure ran from

the shadows, pinning the ruler’s arms to his sides. Luke gaped at his

clone in utter astonishment; he hadn’t thought the thing had survived.

The Emperor screamed in defiance, but the clone would not release him.

He inched them over to the shaft in the off-center of the room, and

suddenly pushed them both against and over the railing, giving his

original a final, haunting stare before doing so. Luke felt a

hurricane of emotions from the clone: knowledge that he had to make

things right, a longing to live; a desire to put a stop to the madness.

 He was still of the dark side, but for a moment the light had shined

through, right as the clone's life had been spared... So they had

reached someone, after all. Luke watched silently as the two fell

towards the death star's core, the Emperor screaming in anger all the

way. As they disappeared from sight, a blast of released dark energy

came whooshing up the shaft and into the throne room where it

dissipated.

            The light Jedi breathed in relief before going to the other Jedi's

side. He slowly felt for any signs of life: a pulse, working emotions

or thoughts, breathing, anything. He relaxed slightly as he felt a

pulse and saw that she was breathing. She was alive. Now all he had

to do was get them to the Falcon before the entire space station was

destroyed. Without hesitation he reached down and gathered her into

his arms before heading towards the hangar bay.

******************************************************************

            "Anything?" Han asked, grimacing.

            "No... wait, they're leaving in the Falcon."

            "They made it... both of them?"

            Leia's eyes took on a distant cast as she searched with her mind.

"Yes... they're both all right!" she said, sighing in relief.

            "Great! What about the Emperor?"

            "I don't sense the darkness that was there... there's a residue of sorts,

but nothing concentrated," she said frowning.

            "Well, at least they're out... now all we've got to do is blow that thing

up," he said, giving the princess a lop-sided grin.

            "Just?"

            "Well, with the entire Alliance out there, at least we've got some

help."

            "True... but I don't know," she sighed, glancing over to where Admiral

Ackbar was giving orders.

            "Well, I do, your worshipfullness! We'll be all right... we have to be

if the sequels that the kid talked about are going to happen," he said,

his grin broadening.

            "What are you talking about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

            "Well, if we're going to settle down and have three kids, I think we

need to live through this," he chuckled, winking.

            The princess blushed before returning the smile. "Well, it's nice to

know we have a happy ending waiting for us... if we survive this." Han

rolled his eyes before catching her lips with his.

**********************************************

Heeheehee...bet you'd love to know what happens next, huh? Well, I am

sorry, but I won't be able to post until Monday, so you'll have to live

with the anxiety until then! Do I really end up getting killed off? I

did think about that...but I'm not telling. Does J blow up out of

frusteration? Wouldn't you like to know! Well, that one won't happen,

cause I am trying to be a little nicer to him...key word: little.

Anywho, till then, May the Force and Bowiedom be with you!

Ch. 12

            Slowly thoughts began to form in my mind... I wasn't going to die

after all. I let the emotions and thoughts well up for a few minutes,

riding them like a wave before pushing them back in order. Slowly, I

began to move my head and other body parts, testing to see if I was still in

complete working order. I was still sore, and felt incredibly weak,

but I had made it. I briefly wondered if I was still in the throne

room, but I pushed that thought away, concentrating only on becoming

conscious. First, I let myself become accustomed to the smells of the

place: musty air tinted with the scent of oil and tools. Then, I

allowed the sounds of controls clicking and an engine softly roaring

enter my brain. Moving on to touch, I discovered that someone was

pushing hair out of my face as gently as possible. So I wasn't still

in the death star. I reached out with the Force, testing my strength.

I still had it, but I was incredibly tired from the battle, and I

needed to rest. I smiled slightly as I felt another Force sense reach

out to me, filling my being up with healing energy. Slowly, my aches

and pains began to subside. Deciding I should complete my efforts, I

flickered my eyes open, waiting for a few seconds for the images to

stop blurring. I immediately looked away as I realized Luke was

sitting next to the cot I was on.

            "Thank you for rescuing me... " I whispered.

            "Your welcome," he replied simply. I sighed, but didn't look at him.

            "Look, do me a favor and just forget about anything I said back

there, please."

            "You know I'm not going to do that... why didn't you say anything

before now?"

            "Because of the stories!" I bit out.

            "I already know about those... "

            "You do... how?!"

            "Jareth seemed to have left summaries of all of the plots here in

the Falcon logs." I groaned.

            He continued. "Look... those are just stories... they may really

happen, I don't know, but I do know that they are separate from each other

in a way... the Luke in those isn't the same as me, and never will be." I

nodded, still looking away.

            "Did you really mean what you said back there?" He asked me quietly,

and my heart almost broke at the tone in his voice. I chanced a slight

glance to him, but looked away again before I let any of the images

register, deciding that the ceiling was a much better place to focus my

gaze on.

            "Of course! My lord, I've loved you ever since I first saw the

movies... not the actor, but you!! I love your integrity, your honesty,

your sense of justice, the way you talk, the way you move, everything

about you! How could I not? I still haven't finished the last novel

after I found out that you ended up with Mara... she's a good character,"

I added hastily. "Definitely the best choice in the books... but

still... yes I love you." I about wanted to cry, but I held it in,

knowing it really wouldn't get me anywhere. I cringed at the silence.

"Go ahead, do what you need to do," I sighed.

            "What?" he asked, confused.

            "Go ahead, laugh your heart out or say what you need to say to get

rid of me. It won't change the way I feel about you, though. But if it'll

make you feel better, go ahead and do it."

            "Are you sure?" he asked me quietly, and I tensed, fighting to speak.

            "Yes, go ahead and get it over with... I'm a big girl, I can handle

it." -I hope- I thought to myself. I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for

whatever he had to say. Luke remained silent, though. Briefly I

wondered what was going on before I felt a hand against my cheek and a

warm, incredibly pleasant sensation play across my lips.

            Luke backed away only a few inches and smiled at my dumbfounded

expression. "I've been wanting to do that for almost thirteen hours

now," he said softly, brushing a few fingers through my bangs.

            "What... you mean-"

            "The feeling is mutual, Selah," he said, grinning gently and this

time I allowed myself to melt at his tender blue gaze.

            "You mean all this time-" I paused as he nodded. "Well if that

doesn't beat everything!" I said, chuckling. "But... what about when the

story ends?"

            "I don't know... I suppose we'll figure that out when we get there."

            "You're right... have you really been wanting to do that for thirteen

hours?" I asked, slightly suspicious.

            "Actually, no." He paused, leaving me hanging, his blue eyes

sparkling. "I've been wanting to do this for almost thirteen hours,"

he said, pulling me up into a sitting position and taking a seat beside

me. He kissed me again, and as our lips met our minds melded together,

echoing ripples in the Force back and forth. His kiss was much

different that Jareth's; he really, truly meant it. It was gentle,

loving, and passionate all at the same time, but also incredibly

personal, due to our connection with the Force. I didn’t feel at all

inadequate in responding to him. I smiled slightly as he stroked the

edge of my jaw and my neck with his fingertips and just enjoyed his

presence. When we finally parted he held me close, still healing me

with his energy. I sighted, perfectly contented for once not to have

to rush into battle... that thought jerked me back to reality.

            "What now? Are they going to need us in battle?" I asked quietly,

pulling away slightly.

            "I don’t think so... I’ve set a course for the Underground, avoiding the

fighting, of course... it’ll probably all be over by time we get there."

            "Yeah, but will it be over the way we want it to be?"

            "I don’t know... but I don’t think there’s anything we can do," he

murmured against my hair.

            "Except wait," I sighed, leaning against him and closing my eyes.

****************************************

            Jareth grimaced at the smuggler who sat next to him in the ship...

why couldn’t he have stayed at the base? Why in the world was he forced

to take part in this suicide mission... especially with him! Lando glanced

over at the copilot beside them and they both grinned at the king.

            "What, not enjoying the ride, Glitter-boy?"

            "Will you stop that!? I am a king, and I demand to be treated with

respect!"

           "Sorry, but your on my ship now, and the Lady Luck ain’t the

labyrinth, so keep quiet."

            "Why am I even here?"

            "Because hopefully you can help us if the crystal doesn’t work"

            "I’m not sure I’d want to... " he muttered, conjuring a crystal out

of habit and rolling it around his palm.

            "Hey... look," Lando said quietly from beside him.

            "What?" Jareth stared dumbly as he realized he had actually conjured

a crystal. "My magic... the Emperor must be destroyed!"

            "Great, so now you can help us out?"

            "Oh, I don’t think so... good luck, you’re gonna need it!" Jareth

said, chuckling as he disappeared from the ship.

            "Oh, brother... I suppose that’s what we get... but do I really

care?" Lando sighed, rolling his eyes.

*************************************************************************

            Jareth paced back and forth in the war room... what was taking so

long?! So they had to go blow up a stupid weapon... why didn’t they just

get on with it? He smiled slightly as he remembered that at least one issue

had hopefully been taken care of... he had slipped pages of summaries of

all the sequels into the Falcon right before Selah and Luke had left...

now all they had to do was come back alive. He frowned at that... he

had never lost a listian due to such horrid circumstances... but she was

stubborn and had insisted to go take on that moron who had taken over

his kingdom... it was her own fault if she got killed! He looked up as

the leader of the Rebel Alliance came into the room.

            "Anything?"

            "No... the fleet hasn’t even reached the death star yet... and we

have one hour before our time runs out. What are you doing here? I

thought you went with General Calrissian."

            "I finally have my powers back, and I decided to leave the idiotic

rescue missions to the idiotic. One hour, that’s all!?" The king’s

frown deepened as he realized he had completely lost track of time.

The woman nodded in reply.

            "And if we don’t succeed, the Empire is going to have another galaxy

to add to its collection."

            She paused at a noise coming from the comm unit in the center of

the room.

            "All wings, report in," Lando was saying. Each of the members of

Rogue Squadron gave their status.

            "Lock S-foils in attack position," Wedge said, his voice metallic

through the speaker. "Let’s go boys, we’ve only got one chance at this!"

            "I’m going in!" Lando replied from the stock freighter he was

piloting. It was similar to the Falcon, but without the add-ons.

            Mon Mothma looked up at Jareth to see that his face was just as

anxious as hers. "This is it... "

            Jareth nodded, his throat suddenly dry. He produced a crystal and

watched the happenings through it, but the Rebel leader was too

entranced in keeping track of the battle via the comm unit to realize

what was going on.

The king moved to a corner of the room before focusing on the image in

the crystal... the image of his listean and her Jedi teacher... anger

boiled up inside him as he witnessed their kiss. -How did he convince her to

share her feelings! No one seduces my listians except me!!- He paused

as inspiration hit him. -Well, now... won't this be interesting... I

suppose I'll have to have a welcoming party ready for them once they reach the

surface,- he thought, suddenly having an incredibly brilliant and evil

plan in mind. Yes, that farmboy would have quite a surprise waiting

for him...

*****************************************************************

            Lando gritted his teeth as he watched the TIE fighters approach.

Nothing could ever be easy. And now with Jareth gone, there was no

hope of a shortcut. He instinctively moved the ship in a bank,

ignoring the protests of Nien Numb, his copilot. The smuggler grimaced

as he watched a group of X-wings explode... before turning to see what

blocked their path to the death star. The entire Imperial Navy. Star

destroyers, super star destroyers, TIEs, TIE interceptors, headhunters,

every kind of ship imaginable... they would never make it. 

*************************************************

            Han frowned as he noticed all the Imp forces. "How much time?" he

asked Ackbar.

            "Half an hour," the Admiral replied grimly.

            "And we're heading right into a holocaust," Leia said softly.

            "We still have ships left, princess, we can't give up yet!" the

smuggler replied, grinning weakly.

*************************************************************

            Thrawn smiled slightly at the incoming Rebels... they would never

stand a chance. Finally, the Empire would be restored to its former

glory. He frowned as he noticed a message from the death star... it couldn't be

true!

            "No... " he whispered

            "Admiral?" Captain Paelleon inquired.

            "The Emperor... has been killed."

            "What!?"

            Thrawn sighed and closed his eyes, pausing to collect himself.

"Very well, it was unexpected, but we shall continue... " He paused to

send a message back to the space station. "Wait until my order to attack."

            "But they'll be here any sec-"

            "Captain, trust me... I have a little surprise for the Rebellion,"

Thrawn said, sitting back in his command chair. As disappointing as it

was, he was not about to give up yet. He still had a card to play...

************************************************************************

            Lando's eyes widened and he quickly pulled the ship away from the

fleet. "Pull up, pull up!" he shouted into the comm unit, but it was

too late. The death star had taken out three-fourths of the Rebel

forces.

            "Anybody out there?" he asked grimly.

            "Lando? We're here, and Rogue Squadron is still in tact, but other

than that... " Han's voice answered back from the command ship.

            "Is there any chance we can still have a go at this?"

            "I doubt it... Wedge has the torpedo, but there's no way we can get

past that blockade... we need a miracle."

            -Or the Force,- Lando thought grimly. He switched on the

comm unit to the Squadron's frequency to give the order to retreat,

when the impossible happened.

            "What is that!?" Wedge asked.

            "It looks like our miracle has arrived... " Lando said, almost

completely dumbfounded.

**************************************************

Ch. 13

            "Identify yourselves, approaching fleet," Admiral Ackbar said into

the comm unit of the command ship.

            "Sorry we're late, Admiral, we just got word of what was going on

from King Jareth... you probably don't know me yet, Solo, but I'm happy to

help!" a deep voice said from the lead ship.

            "Who in the world is that?" Han asked in confusion.

            "Talon Karrde and friends, at your service! Now, if you'll excuse

us, I believe we have some work to do... " Han stared at the comm unit,

completely miffed as the message ended.

            "I don't believe it... "

            "Well, Selah said we do know him in the stories... maybe Jareth

decided to help us out, after all," Leia offered.

            "I don't know... there has to be something more to it than that...

I guess we'll just have to wait and see... for right now, let's get back

in the game," Han said, brightening as he turned to look at the viewscreen.

"Look... New Republic ships."

            "What? That’s... Bel Iblis? But he was dead!" Leia exclaimed.

            "I think maybe we need to get our hands on those books Selah keeps

telling us about... " Han said, shaking his head.

**************************************************************

            "Calrissian, you coming or what?!" Lando stared as the Wild Karrde

sped into the mass of Imperial ships, along with the rest of his gang.

It looked like a few other smugglers had joined together to help out

the Alliance. Incredible. He only wondered why Jareth was being so

nice... something had to be up. There was no other way they could have

gotten assistance. But, now was not the time to think about it... now was

the time to act.

            "Right, let's go!" he said, grinning at his copilot as they

accelerated towards the Imperial fleet.

********************************************************************

            Jareth smiled in satisfaction as the tide of the battle began to

turn. The last thing he wanted was to lose his kingdom... and to get it

back the weapon had to be destroyed the manual way, within the time

limits. He wasn’t such a bad guy... maybe a little hard to understand, but at

least this should put aside any hard feelings Selah would have when she

found out what else he had done.

********************************************************************

            Admiral Thrawn frowned as he watched the appearance of Karrde's

forces... how had they gotten there so fast?! It was of little

importance, though. They were out-numbered, and he wouldn't let the

Imperials lose.

            "Admiral, what do you want us to do with the new equipment that

arrived a few hours earlier?"

            "Equipment?" he turned and glanced at the officer in front of him.

            "Yes, from the Underground's surface... something to do with

important forest resources."

            "Forest?"

            "Yes, the same one we set the ysalamiri loose in."

            -What in the world?- He stopped, suddenly realizing what it could be.

            "Did you let the ship deliver it?"

            "Yes, sir. It's in the cargo bay."

            "Don't let it out! Seal all the doors!" he commanded.

            "But Admiral-"

            "Don't let it out." His voice was quiet, but dangerous. He knew his

opponents, and knew that he couldn't risk anything with that race.

            "I'm afraid it is already too late for that, Admiral," a voice

behind him mewed. Thrawn turned in surprise to see Rukh standing before

him. "The base on the surface was not to my liking, so I decided to

return to the ship... to defend the Noghri honor," he stated simply, before

walking away.

******************************************

            Paelleon looked on in confusion... why did the thing just up and

leave? The officers on the bridge were either too intent with the battle

or too confused to go after him.

            "Admiral, what now?" he asked, glancing up at Thrawn before letting

his mouth drop open in shock. The admiral's pristine white uniform was

ruined by a bloodstain and the handle of a knife protruding from his

chest.

            "Ah well... what's done is done... and at least he hasn't lost his

artistic touch... " Thrawn murmured softly upon noticing the captain's

expression. Then, the Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the few aliens to

command Imperial fleets and a genius, closed his eyes and breathed his last.

He wasn’t concerned, though... he always had a plan. He would never let a

little setback like death get in his way.

            "Find that Noghri!" Paelleon shouted.

            "Too late, he's jumped ship... Captain, the smuggler forces took

advantage of our diverted attention... we've lost the TIEs and they've

taken down two of our star destroyers!" The captain watched silently as

the Rebels bounced back from their near-defeat.

            "What about the death star?"

            "They're powering it up, but it will take time!" The officer was cut

off as the Chimera rocked with Rebel fire.

            "Then its up to them now... there's nothing more we can do... get to

a ship and get out of here," he said, before taking one last glance at the

fallen admiral and leaving the bridge.

************************************************************************

--------

Ch.14

            Wedge licked his lips in anticipation... the smuggler forces and

Bel Iblis were holding the Imperials at bay... now was his only chance.

He veered off from Rogue Squadron, taking a couple other X-Wings with him

to cover his back. They swooped down onto the death star, engaging the

towers in a dance with the laser beams they shot. The pilot grimaced

as one of Rogue Squadron was taken down... life truly wasn’t fair. But,

it had to go on. He pushed his craft into the trench, remembering the

last time he had been on a similar mission. He wasn’t a Jedi,

though... so he would need all the help he could get.

            He smiled slightly as he brought the targeting computer forward,

pausing momentarily to check the readout from his R2 unit... everything

would be fine if he could just get the blasted thing into the exhaust

port.

            And suddenly, his hand was on the trigger. "What?" he mumured.

According to the computer, he was still far off... he gaped as a strength

that wasn’t his own bid his finger to pull the trigger... .

            "NO!!" He cried, helpless as he watched the torpedo fly towards the

death star surface. In amazement, he witnessed a hidden panel slide

open, and the true exhaust port was revealed. The torpedo with the

crystal on it hit its target easily.

            "All wings, get out of here; this thing is gonna blow!" he shouted

into his comm unit before pulling up, away from the space station. As

he did so, he felt a presence leave his mind... and he suddenly knew what

happened.

As he watched the explosion of light and debris as he sped away, he

could only utter one phrase. "Thanks Luke... I owe you one." Now he

definitely believed in the Force... and maybe in magic.

*************************************

            I smiled slightly as the Underground came into view. We had done

it. I had felt the death star explode, even if I didn’t see it.

"Everything worked out," I said quietly to Luke, who still sat beside

me. "That was quick thinking... guiding Wedge like that. But isn’t that

of the dark side?"

            "Only if you manipulate the mind... I suppose muscle coordination

is of the mind, but it’s not really the same... or maybe I’m just making

excuses," he said, smiling and holding me close.

            "So now what?"

            "I don’t know... let’s not worry about it until we absolutely have

to... we still have clean-up work to do; catching the remaining Imperials

and bounty hunters, celebrating, that sort of thing. Right now, I just

want to be close to you without having to worry about it."

            "Hey, you’ll get no argument from me!" I laughed, and didn’t object

when he kissed me again. As far as sequels go, this one was turning

out quite nicely. He had to leave my side to land the Falcon, but I

didn’t mind too much. J would be angry, but I knew he’d probably get

over it... he really never did anything too rash.

            "Shall we?" he asked me, taking my hand.

            "Of course," I answered, grinning at the Jedi. I knew the fleet

wouldn’t be back yet, but there were still others around to

congratulate. We walked out the hatch and into the sunlight. The

temple and Star Wars influence was still there; I doubted things would

return to normal until everything had been dealt with and the

characters returned to their stories. Pushing that thought away, I

followed Luke to a figure who was waiting for us.

            "Jareth," I said quietly. "It was really nice of you to bring in

reinforcements... thank you for all your help."

            "Don’t mention it... anything to help the cause. My, but don’t you

make the happy couple! I must congratulate you on your work... I wouldn’t

have my kingdom back without you!" he said, and I wondered what was going

on. His sweet voice had a slight edge, and he looked too pleased with

himself. Besides, things didn’t feel right.

            "Well, I couldn’t have done it without help," Luke said, smiling at

me and squeezing my shoulder. He, too, though sensed something was

different. I frowned as my eyes spied a ship that hadn’t been there

before.

            "What’s that?" I asked Jareth.

            "Oh, that’s just a surprise I have for you two... I thought a

reunion wouldn’t be complete without one more special person!" I gaped as

I began to realize who he meant.

            My dread was confirmed when a tall, drop-dead gorgeous woman with

firey red hair and green eyes came towards us. And by her demeanor, I

guessed that it was the version from Vision of the Future.

            "Who’s that?" Luke asked in confusion.

            "Why Luke? Don’t you recognize her? This would be Mara Jade, your

fiancee," J said, gesturing towards the smiling woman. He turned and

grinned at me, and I could sense his thought... *for your own good, dear,

for your own good.* Pushing my horror and fury away, I knew what I had

to do... I could never compete with her, anyway, but she was his intended.

            "Excuse me!" I managed, before running off into the undergrowth of

the Endor-esque forest.

Ch. 15

            I raised my head up from my knees and cursed myself mentally as I

tear trickled down my cheek. It just wasn’t fair... it wasn’t fair at

all...

             "But that’s the way it is... " I whispered, not one to argue with

fate. If that was the way things had to be: so be it. But I wouldn’t be

returning any time soon... I needed to be alone, and I needed to figure

out how I was going to explain my behavior... and what I’d say to Jareth.

Say to him, that was what I needed to do... somehow, I didn’t think

bashing his head in would be great behavior for a Jedi. I shifted my

position in the tree I was in, glancing back at the Ewok hut that also

occupied the area. I looked up as a furry body leaned over the railing

and looked at the branch I was sitting on. From the fur I could tell

it was Logray, the medicine man.

             "Gunta, Logray... " briefly I explained what happened and why I was

there. He nodded his agreement to my asking for privacy before suddenly

pricking up his nose.

             "What is it?"

            "Hunta... tangowa! Eechawawa!" he muttered before sliding down a

rope to the ground. I shrugged and leaned my head against the trunk,

wondering how I would ever get on with my life.

******************************

            "You did WHAT!!!???" Han asked, unable to keep his temper when

Jareth related the tale once introductions had been made. Chewie bellowed

his shock from behind the smuggler. Glancing around, it seemed that none

of the members of their party were too thrilled at the king’s actions,

including the newcomer, Mara. Luke and Leia had gone inside the temple

to talk... that was probably for the best. Now he could rip into the

monarch without any complaint.

            "It’s not my fault! I didn’t know she’d run off!" Jareth protested,

but seemed to be a bit distracted by the woman standing beside him.

Not that any man wouldn’t be, but it wasn’t the time, the place, and

definitely not the right person! "I tried to be sensitive, but she’s

so stubborn! Not that that isn’t a good thing... but I was merely

concerned for Luke," he added at Mara’s disapproving stare.

            "Uh-huh... look, enough arguing, shouldn’t we go looking for her?

From what I’ve heard, there are still Imps and bounty hunters out there,"

she replied, giving J’s suggestive look a glare. "You staring at

something, Tights?" That was definitely a priceless reaction on J’s part!

            "Uh, no, of course not!" he stammered.

             "Good, then let’s get going. Lando, Chewie, and Glitter-boy here’ll

come with me... we’ll call for back up if we need it... Mara, why don’t

you stay here... I have a feeling there’s some things you want to work out,"

Han ordered, giving the king a glare of his own.

            "Right... May the Force be with You," she said before heading

for the temple.

            "Hmm... maybe I should stick around to mediate," J suggested,

trying to sneak off after Mara.

            "I don’t think so, Tight-boy! Come on, you’re coming with us!"

Lando said, stepping in front of him.

            "But-" Jareth stopped as he was cut off by an angry Wookie bellow.

"All right, all right! Let’s hurry up and find her!"

************************************

            I hummed softly as I watched the leaves in front of me dance in the

breeze. Maybe I would just stay up here forever... it was quiet and

peaceful, the Ewoks could bring me food, and there were no goblin kings

to ruin my tranquil daydreams... or my life. I let a sigh escape, knowing

that I would have to come down sometime... but not soon. My Force sense

perked as I recognized a group of familiar presences coming closer... I

slowly turned to glance out from the leaf canopy that was hiding me and

frowned at Lando, Chewie, Han, and Jareth trekking past the trees next

to mine. Chewie called to Chief Chripa, and the group conversed for a

bit... aided by Threepio, who was coming up behind them.

            "He says he hasn't seen her, but he hadn't been aware she was in the

vicinity... " Threepio said as Logray waddled towards the group. Oh no...

            I held my breath as Threepio questioned the ewok, but I wasn't

really interested in his answer anymore, because the glint of sunlight on

armor had captured my attention. I was ready to jump on the

unsuspecting stormtrooper when Han turned and saw him, taking him down

quickly with a blaster bolt when the guy tried to attack.

Unfortunately, the trooper had brought reinforcements... I gulped as a

bunch of renegade stormtroopers got up from their hiding places and

surrounded my friends.

            "Now listen, guys, do you really think this is a good idea? After

all, you are outnumbered, and remember what happened the last time... "

Han said, grinning at the Ewoks that snarled at the Imps.

            "You always let fuzzy animals fight your battles for you, Solo?" a

metallic voice asked as Boba Fett, Xixor, and Guri emerged from behind

the stormtroopers. Guri made a gesture and even more reinforcements

poured into the forest.

            "Now who's outnumbered?" Guri asked, smiling smugly.

            "You are.." Jareth said with satisfaction, producing a crystal. I

gaped as a legion of fireys appeared on the scene... this was getting a

little weird.

            "Hey, who are all the tin cans?" one asked.

            "I don't know, but maybe we can take off their heads... like this!"

another answered, letting its head bounce off and on its shoulders.

That even surprised the bounty hunters.

            "Get em!" one stormtrooper cried in alarm as he was jumped by the

red animals, and pretty soon a full-scale ground battle was underway. I

watched as the Ewoks, fireys, and the Rebels kicked Imperial rear. I

used my hiding spot to my advantage and yanked away stormtroopers'

blasters and getting in a few unnoticed shots. I laughed out loud as a

group of fireys and Ewoks swung across on a vine, both species

bombarding the white-armored Imps with firey heads. The enemy really

was unprepared for that... I suppose flying, talking heads just weren't

covered in their training. Well, there weren't any boulders on hand,

so the Ewoks had to make due with what they had! I laughed again at

the sight of a stormtrooper chasing after a firey, trying to smack it

with its own leg... this was too much! Soon though, the Imps were under

control, and J wished them back to whence they had come using a crystal.

            "Well, at least that's taken care of... " he sighed, wiping sweat

away from his brow... he had actually grabbed a blaster and pitched in

with the fighting. He wasn't all that bad, once he stopped trying to be the

center of attention.

            "Not yet, Hair-boy, not yet... " Fett growled, throwing a firey

off of his arm and turning his blaster to the Rebels. I swallowed as I

watched Xixor and Guri close in from the other sides.

            "Finally, we get our revenge... I've been waiting for this moment

for quite a while... " Xixor hissed, aiming his blaster at Lando.

            "Well, you're just gonna have to keep waiting!" I cried, letting

myself drop on top of him, quickly igniting my saber once I got up to

deflect bolts from Fett. Jareth ducked as Guri took a swing at him and

quickly produced a crystal.

            "I wish the bounty hunters would be back in they're stories, right

now!" he bellowed, and suddenly they were gone.

            "Not bad kid... thanks," Han said, grinning at me. I suddenly

became aware that I had given away my location... exactly what I had been

trying not to do.

            "Yeah, well, no problem, see ya around-" I stammered, backing up.

            "And just where do you think you're going?" J asked me.

            "I'm not talking to you!" I bit back.

            "Well fine, but you've gotta talk to Luke," Han insisted, stepping

behind me to prevent my escape.

            "Why?"

            "Because he seems to have the crazy idea that you love him, and I'm

inclined to agree with him!"

            "He has Mara, end of story!" I snapped.

            "Not end of story, you have to work things out," Lando added,

blocking the path in front of me.

            "I'm not going back there... and you can't do anything about it!

I just want to contemplate things... "

            Chewie roared. "He's right... you'll be contemplating till you

turn to dust if we let ya... come on!" Han insisted.

            "Uh, Han, can we actually force her... she is a Jedi... " Lando

reminded the smuggler. I smirked at Han's frown.

            "I think I may be able to be of assistance," J said, a wicked

grin on his face as he produced a crystal.

            "I think you've done enough already-what in the world!" I yelped as

my Force sense went dead. My eyes widened as I noticed that Han, Lando,

and Jareth were wearing nutrient frames with the corresponding

ysalamiri. "Why you... I'm still not going!" I muttered, crossing my

arms over my chest.

            "Oh, no? Chewie, care to lend a hand?" Han asked the Wookie.

He barked amusement.

            "Hey!!!" I yelled as the beast slung me over his shoulder and

began to head back towards the temple. "Put me down!!! I know this sounds

terrible, put this is so not fair!!!"

            "You say that so often-" Jareth began.

            "Shut up!!!" I yelled, sighing as I realized there was no escape.

Ch. 16

            Luke sat quietly on the roof of the Massassi temple, reaching out

through the Force to try and find a vision of the future. It refused

to come, though. Every time he thought he finally was getting close to

an answer, it would slip through his grasp, leaving him right where he

started. Finally out of frustration the Jedi settled for watching the

sunlight play along the horizon.

            "Life's never easy, is it, even if you are a Jedi." He felt the

presence before she spoke, but that didn't make it any less surprising.

 He turned and smiled slightly at Mara, although his apprehension was

apparent.

            "Look, I'm really sorry you got dragged into all this-" He was cut off

by a roll of her eyes.

            "It isn't your fault," she said quietly, pausing momentarily to size

up the situation before sitting next to him. "I'm not angry, by the

way."

            "You're not?"

            She gave a rueful smile at that comment. "Some things never

change...so you really were convinced of your incredible importance to

everything in the galaxy even at this age, huh?" She chuckled slightly

at his reaction. "Look, it really doesn't matter...you're not the same

as the Luke I'm engaged to. He has his purpose and you have yours.

Whether you're the same, just in different times and universes, or

possible outcomes, nothing will change that. I'm close to him because

of all we've been through together, not just because he's the Jedi

Master Luke Skywalker...and he'll be waiting for me once I return. So

it's really not that much of a problem...hmph, I didn't realize you

worried this much at this age...here I thought that was an aquired

trait.

            "So you're really all right with this?"

            "Of course...I'm glad I got to meet you during this period of your

life, but I don't lay claim to you or anything..."

            The Jedi paused for a moment before speaking again, a question nagging

at the back of his mind. "The Luke you know...what's he like?"

            "Why do you ask?"

            "I don't know...when I was scanning over some of the sequel plots...it

just seems as though most of my life is going to be so depressing...am

I really like that in the future, or whatever it is?"

            She frowned slightly, trying to put feelings into words. Mara had

been around the galaxy quite a few times during her days with the

Empire and then Karrde's organization, but this was one of those

completely odd occurances that had managed to take even her by

surprise. "Well...he has your honesty and compassion...but he's been

through a lot more...he's had to deal with some difficult fights,

especially within himself..."

            "Well, that's comforting," the Jedi couldn't help but reply.

            "And he's got that same annoying habit of using subtle humor when you

least need it," she added, frowning at him. At his chuckle, though,

she relaxed slightly and smiled.

"So, are all your fears put to rest now?"

            "Almost..." Luke answered quietly, reaching out with the Force to try

and locate the young woman that had fled into the forest. Nothing.

That could mean a few different things, but he didn't like some of the

possibilities, especially after he had sensed a battle in the same

area.

            "Besides...I don't think I would interfere anyway...I have my

soulmate...and I think yours might be a little different. She needs

you." She watched with slight fascination as he contemplated that

remark in silence. "And you need her," she added, sighing at his

confused look. "None of us knows how this will end...but things aren't

just going to fall back into place...stop worrying about the future and

do what you feel is right. Or has your intuition failed you, Jedi

Skywalker?"

            Luke rolled his eyes at that remark. He wasn't sure what his feelings

were towards Mara, but he didn't doubt that his future or other self

had found a perfect match in her. And he would just have to wait until

his match was made known again to do something. He glanced back at Mara

and frowned as a glint of metal caught his eye. The lightsaber on her

belt...his old lightsaber...or rather, his father's.

            "Where did you get that?" he asked her.

            "It was a gift, from a friend," she replied, smiling slightly at a

memory. "Care to duel?"

            "What?"

            "We've got nothing to do but wait until the others get back, so we

might as well do something, or are you afraid I'll beat you?"

            "Very funny...let's go," he answered firmly, gesturing to the ground

below. Nodding, she stood and followed him across the roof and to the

ground. As safe as she seemed, the Jedi wasn't about to try and fight

her on a rooftop if she got overzealous.

************************************************************

            I grimaced as Chewie put me down in a section of forest within viewing

distance of the temple. I folded my arms over my chest, raised an

eyebrow in curiosity and glanced at Han. 

            "All right, we're gonna settle this once and for all before we get

back," he stated bluntly.

            "Fine, he's a egotistical moron," I said without emotion, not

bothering to look at J. "That's settled, I'm going." I tried to stomp

back into the woods, but was held by a strong furry hand.

            "Egotistical moron?! I'm not the one who went running off to face the

entire Empire!" At that remark, I turned and glared at the king.

            "I did it to help you out!!" I snapped, trying to defend myself.

            "And I did what I did to help you out."

            "You've got to be kidding!!" It took every ounce of my composure to

not scream.

            "I was just trying to protect you...show a little compassion," he

answered calmly, trying to take on an innocent look. I looked at him in

disbelief.

            "COMPASSION? You wouldn't know compassion if it bit you on the-"

            "Uh, yeah, I think we get the point: you two have issues," Lando

interrupted, and I grimaced as I realized he was fighting a laugh.

            "I think that may be the understatement of the year..." Han muttered,

and I almost yelled with exasperation at his amused grin.

            "If I may interrupt, General Solo, I am also a trained mediator and

might be able to offer some assistance," Threepio offered.

            "Sorry, Goldenrod, I think this might be a little out of your

league...okay, I'm going to handle this the best way I know how.

Tight-boy, apologize." Jareth stared in shock at the smuggler's order.

            "I don't think you realize who you're ordering around-"

            "And I don't think you realize that I don't care about your title or

your magic. If I tell him to, I've got a Wookie who'll gladly rip your

tights off and your legs with 'em ...now apologize." J almost said

something else, but Chewie's glare silenced whatever intended comment

he had.

            "Oh all right...I suppose I was a little offended...and I still think

your choice is ridiculous, but maybe I went about it in the wrong

way...I'm sorry," he ended in a mutter.

            "Close enough," Lando said, rolling his eyes. "Now then, how about

you?" he asked me.

            "What do you mean how about me?"

            "Are you going to hold this against him forever, or forgive and

forget?"

            I turned to Jareth and sighed. "Fine, you're forgiven, but I'm not

going to forget this right away..." I added.

            "Fair enough, now let's get moving," Han said, nodding to Chewie. I

gave a shocked yelp as I was again hoisted onto the

Wookie's shoulder. "Sorry, kid, but in this situation I don't trust

you not to run off...just taking precautions." I snorted and crossed my

arms against the Wookie's back.

            "I should have expected this from a former smuggler!" I bit out,

knowing it wouldn't really wound him, but I wasn't about to keep

silent.

            "Damn right!" he laughed and I sighed as we continued down the forest

path.

            "Oh, darling...now that we've got this settled, isn't it only proper

that we should kiss and make up?" I was glad I was being restrained

because Jareth was not making things any easier with his comments and

that blasted grin. If I would have had access to the Force, I would

have levitated him up to a tree and left him there. He shut up at the

warning glance from Lando, though.

            "I'd be quiet if I were you, Glitter-boy. Chewie isn't going to be

holding her for long, and these ysalamiri aren't going to be around

forever."

            Threepio glanced at Jareth, then at me, then at the two scoundrels.

"I'm afraid I just don't understand humans," he declared, and I

couldn't help but chuckle.

********************************************************

Ch. 17

            Leia watched with slight concern as her brother and Mara dueled in

front of the temple. She supposed she could trust her, but she just

wasn't sure. Still, it was slightly amusing to see the woman get the

better of her brother from time to time. Occasionally he would even get

exasperated, an emotion that was quite rare from Luke after he had

confronted Vader for the first time. She looked on as the two Jedi

lowered their weapons and called a truce before Mara strode up to where

she was sitting.

            "I still doubt I'll ever be able to be a Jedi," she sighed, glancing

at the red-haired woman. "I just don't have the time or as much

ability as-"

            "Stop right there...of course you do, you just have to open yourself

up to all the possibilities. Where I come from you're in charge of the

entire New Republic."

            "New Republic?"

            "Mm-hmm...things have gotten into something that halfway resembles

order, and you're the one who leads it. You're a good leader, Leia,

and you'll be a Jedi, but only if you'll allow yourself to be."

            "I suppose that's what Luke's been trying to tell me, only-"

            "It seems more annoying when he says it...I know, I've been there. It

took me the longest time to actually devote myself to it...my freedom

was too important. And even now I'm not exactly sure if I want to train

other Jedi...but trust me, it's worth it...even just to have the

decision to be a Jedi or not is something...not everyone has the

talent, Leia...you should make the most of it." The princess nodded,

making a mental note to think the issue over in full detail later. Both

women looked up as Luke walked towards them, but none had time to speak

before Han walked out of the forest.

            "Where have you been? Luke said he felt a battle!" Leia said in

relief, rushing to his side. He grinned before kissing her lightly.

            "Sorry, princess, we were delayed a bit by some old friends..."

            "The ones in the armor?"

            "That would be them...anyway we took care of them, and we're back."

            "And?" Luke asked.

            "And we've brought you a gift," Lando replied, coming up to join Han,

with Jareth and Threepio close behind.

            "What?" Luke asked in confusion.

            "What is it?" Leia asked, stepping back to look at Han.

            "A present," he replied, his grin teasing. Jareth merely rolled his

eyes at their conversation, but upon noticing Mara he perked up and

made his way over to where she sat.

            "Come on, Luke...I think we'd better leave the others here to make

sure Tight-boy doesn't get sliced in two by Mara," Han said, laughing

at the woman's expression as the king made his presence known.

Shrugging, Luke followed his friend back into the undergrowth.

**************************************************************

            I sighed and tried to look back at the Wookie who still had me flung

over his shoulder. "You know, it's not like I can do anything with

that thing around," I said, pointing to the ysalimir on the tree

nearby. J had generously allowed the other two to return to their

place of origin, but Han had insisted that one stay until his full plan

had been executed. "Come on, can't you put me down?" Chewie chuckled

and shook his head. This was getting just a tad annoying. My ears

perked up as I heard the rustling of leaves. Someone was approaching.

I felt my face redden as I watched Luke follow Han towards the place

where I was being held captive. As if I hadn't suffered enough in one

day.

            "Very inventive, Han," he said, smiling in soft amusement as he came

round to face me. I was glad Chewie was still holding me; I almost

melted then and there. He frowned slightly as he noticed the animal in

the tree. "But do you really think the ysalimir's necessary?"

            "Well, I wanted to make sure she didn't tear into Jareth...and

besides, I thought you might like to take advantage of her position,"

he replied, grinning from ear to ear.

            "Very funny, Han...can you tell the carpet to PUT ME DOWN?" I rolled

my eyes at the chuckles that got.

            "And how do I know you won't high tail it back to the woods?" the

smuggler asked me.

            "I think I can prevent that from happening," Luke told him before I

could speak. Nodding, Han motioned to Chewie.

            "Okay, buddy, let her go." I sighed with relief as my feet touched

solid ground. Turning, I watched as the Wookie and the smuggler went

back to the temple before I shyly glanced at Luke.

            "So..." I said quietly, sitting down on a nearby rock.

            "So." I looked away as he crouched down directly in front of me. This

was a lot harder without the Force...there was no way for me to even

get a glimpse of what he might be thinking.

            "Shouldn't you be getting back to Mara?"

            "And why would I want to do that?"

            That was enough to get me to look at him. "She's your-"

            "She's my friend...anything else she might be she is to another

Luke...I'm not exactly sure when, where, or how, but I know she isn't

meant for me. Not in this episode," he added, grinning slightly.

"There's only one person who can fit that role."

            "You mean..."

            "Selah, I told you I loved you...why can't you believe me?" he asked,

serious, his blue eyes holding me captive.

            "I do, I really do...I just got scared...everything was going so well

and then...I'm just sort of new to this."

            "You and me both...but maybe we can learn together." I wanted nothing

more than to agree with him then and there, but still...

            "But what about when all this ends?" I asked, my face clouding over.

            Luke shook his head and took my hand. "I don't want to think about

that now...I'm acting on the moment, for once, and I'm not going to

ignore the way I feel about you."

            I nodded and smiled. "I understand, and I feel the same way about

you....and I really do believe you." I believed him even more as he

leaned in and kissed me tenderly. Even without the Force I could tell

what his emotions were.

***************************************************************

Ch. 18

            I gave J a sideways glance as the doors to the temple's throne room

started to open. I supposed I really wasn't too angry with him

anymore, but I wasn't about to jump into his arms, either. He had acted

on impulse, something I would be a hypocrite to condemn him for.

Sighing at the whole mess, I cleared my mind as we both started up the

aisle, the entire Rebellion and smuggler forces on each side in a close

replication of the ending scene in a New Hope. I had tried to refuse

any kind of reward, but Mon Mothma wasn't one to compromise very

easily. That was probably why she was so good at her job.

            We stopped before the Rebellion's leaders after we had climbed the

stairs to the room's front. I glanced off to the side where the droids,

Chewie, Han, Lando, Leia, and Luke were standing, all smiles. I threw

them a grin before turning back to Mon Mothma, who was as regal as

ever. The king beside me and I bent our heads slightly as a medal was

slipped around our necks before turning back to face the gathered

assembly of fighters, smugglers, and other "rebels." I smiled again as

Luke reached out to me with the Force. Jareth scanned the crowd until

he found Mara, standing next to Karrde, and shot her a grin, but her

only reply was to narrow her eyes. Startled, he quickly sobered.

            I chuckled silently before reaching out to his mind with the Force.

*Sorry, J, she's engaged, remember? Besides...I'm sure you'll find

someone someday...you've still got the list!* I tried my best not to

show my surprise as he flashed me a wicked grin. *Hey, now, I never

said that was an offer!* I turned back and just allowed myself to be

satisfied with everything that had been accomplished as everyone in the

room broke into applause.

***************************************************************

            I came over to my close group of friends after saying good-bye to

Wedge, Karrde, the Ewoks, the Noghri, and other characters that had

already been returned to their stories. The temple and other

influences were still there, but they wouldn't be for long.

            "I can't believe I have to say good-bye..."

            "You're not! We'll be back, every time you watch one of those movies

or read a book about us," Han offered.

            "It's not the same!"

            "Well, kid, it's a big universe out there and with the Force and

magic, I can't help but think that you'll be seeing us again."

            "Just don't forget us," Lando replied, smiling softly.

            "Forget you?! Why would I ever want to do that?" I suddenly remembered

the ending of Labyrinth, where Sarah decides to get on with her life.

"Look, I may have own life, but you guys are a part of it...no way am I

going to forget about you." I turned to face Artoo and Threepio. "Hey,

I'm glad I got to know ya, Threepio, even if I really didn't get a

chance to talk to you...you're okay."

            "Why thank you, Mistress Selah, I must say, for a human, you're quite

clever."

            "Thanks," I said, laughing as I gently slapped him on the back. I

turned and bent in front of Artoo. "I wouldn't have gotten this chance

without you, buddy...you sure have a way of getting some of the most

interesting adventures started. Behave, okay?" I laughed at the string

of cheerful whistles and beeps he replied with, but sobered as he gave

one long drawn-out whistle.

            "He says he'll miss you." Threepio translated.

            "Same here, buddy, but I'll be back, somehow." I stood and turned to

Lando.

            "Good luck...no matter what business ventures you get into...you'll be

all right after a while...and don't let the Empire throw ya around," I

told him.

            "You can count on it, kid, you can count on it," he gave me a devilish

grin before pulling me to him in a hug. "Don't let Tight-boy get to

you, okay?"

            "Right," I answered firmly before pulling away.

            I gasped as Chewie pulled me into a Wookie-hug. "Whoa, boy, don't

break anything!" I shook my head as he laughed. "Yea, I know, I'm

gonna miss you, too...just not being hefted around by ya!" I chuckled

at his reply.

            "I'm sorry you're not taking the position you were offered, but I know

why," Leia said. "Now all I have to do is explain it to Mon Mothma!"

I nodded in reply. As much as regretted having to turn down a chance to

fly with the Rogues, I couldn't very well take it.

            "Don't worry, Leia, you'll be a Jedi someday...and a good leader, and

a fantastic wife and mother." She blushed as she glanced at Han. "Just

keep going, and things will work out."

            "I know...thank you, and you'd better take your own advice!" she said,

chuckling as we hugged. 

            "As for you," I said, turning to Han. "You're one of the most

obnoxious people I've ever met...and you certainly don't know how to

leave well enough alone...and I thank you for it." He laughed and

returned my grin with a lopsided one.

            "You're okay, kid...really good in a fight. And I'm gonna miss ya." I

nodded as he pulled me close.

            "You won't have time to, what with fighting the Imps and being a

father of three," I teased him. "Take care of Leia, all right?"

            "You don't have to tell me that, kid! You just keep Glitter-boy in

line!" I frowned as I pulled back.

            "Speaking of J, where is he?"

*************************************************************

            Mara gave the king a hard stare. "Will you just get me back to my

time, Tights? I've got things to do."

            "Fine, you're loss. I still don't get what people see in that

farmboy."

            She rolled her eyes. "I love him because of everything we've been

through...I admire him for fighting his dark side..."

            "Dark side? What are you talking about?"

            "You need to read your comics closer, Tights...I think it's in Dark

Empire where he turns to the Empire and the Dark Side...now can I go?"

            "I suppose so," the king said, mentally filing that

information...maybe he could use it to prove to Selah that her beloved

wasn't so great after all. But that would have to wait. "You sure you

want to go back?"

            "I don't care if you can make my dreams come true, I have my place,

now SEND ME BACK!!!" He really didn't care for the way she was brushing

her hand against her lightsaber. Conjuring a crystal, the king quickly

returned her to Vision of the Future. 

            He turned as he heard his name being called. "Everyone's back except

for you," he told Lando, Han, Leia, Chewie, and the droids as they

approached. "Where's Skywalker?"

            "Give him and Selah a few minutes, all right?" Han told him. "Isn't

there any way you could..."

            "She has her life, and it would disrupt things if I were to allow him

to stay here. These things have to be symmetrical, after all. Earth

wouldn't take kindly to a Mark Hamill look-alike with Force powers, and

she's needed here," the king insisted.

            "I figured...but you'd better be good to her, or else we may just have

to find a way to have Chewie come back and teach you a lesson!" Jareth

rolled his eyes, but stiffened at the growling Wookie beside him.

            "All right, I promise. Ready?" The group nodded.

            "I wish you were back in Return of the Jedi, right now."

**************************************************************

            I tried not to cry as Luke and I stood watching the sun set from the

roof of the temple.

            "Figures...I finally fall in love and I have to say good-bye forever,"

I sighed.

            "Not forever...besides it isn't really-"

            "If you say 'that long at all,' I'm leaving right now," I teased him.

He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me. "What do you mean, anyway?"

            "Now that your Force-sense is activated and you're a Jedi, you have a

duty to your planet...maybe one day we can get earth to join the

Alliance."

            "I'd like that..." I frowned as I remembered the lightsaber.

Unhooking from my belt, I handed it to him. "I guess you should have

this...I think Ben would've wanted you to-"

            He shook his head. "No, a Jedi needs a lightsaber, and you've earned

it. Besides, I wouldn't want you to think this never happened...that's

why Jareth's letting me give you this." I gaped as he handed me a

hardback book. There on the cover were pictures of the main

characters, but I was with them! Turning it over, I found J's image as

well. "Jedi in the Underground?" I asked, reading the title.

            "It's your story...and whenever you really need us, you can wish us

here from this book, and we'll be able to remember each other and what

happened. So we can still be together, in a way." I couldn't help but

shed tears at that. Luke turned and gently brushed them off my cheeks

before placing his lips on mine.

            "I love you," I finally said once we had parted.

            "I know." I rolled my eyes. Oh, well, a Star Wars story just wasn't

complete without the quotes. "I love you, too," he added, turning

serious.

            "I know," I said, smiling softly. He squeezed my hand and closed the

distance between us again, kissing me for a time that was both forever

and way too short, brushing my Force sense with his own. When we parted

he silently handed me a crystal and nodded. Gathering my courage, I

held it up and smiled at him, mentally squeezing his hand. "I wish Luke

was back in his story, right now..."

*******************************************************

Epilogue

            I walked up to Jareth slowly, looking at the restored Underground.

"Well...that's that." He nodded slowly. "Thank you for this," I

added, raising up the book.

            "I figure it's what I should do to thank you...I still don't agree

with everything you did, but I suppose everything worked out, after

all. Just don't wish them here every time you come," he added,

frowning. I chuckled.

            "What, you mean you don't miss Han, Lando, and Chewie?" I laughed at

the face he made. "All right...I won't bring them here

constantly...does this mean you hate Star Wars more than ever?"

            "Some of it's okay...and I still want to study some of the sequels..."

I frowned at the way he said that, but he hid whatever motive he had

well when I reached out to him with the Force. "You won't be able to

show that off often...probably only here in the Underground."

            "Or when I absolutely need it..."

            "By the way, I returned everything I borrowed from you."

            "Thank you...do you mind if I go on home? I'm kinda tired and I need

to think." He nodded, conjuring a crystal. "I'm not angry, J, just

still a little hurt...but I understand you were jealous."

            "Jealous!? Of a FARMBOY?! Of course I'm not jealous! I just didn't

want you to get hurt when they had to leave!" I really had to hide my

grin at his face...somehow, I just didn't believe him. I quickly took

the offered sphere and wished myself home before he could do anything

else.

***********************************************************

            I walked into my room and smiled at all my posters, stand-ups, and

action figures. I didn't see how Sarah could put everything away after

her journey...if anything, mine only encouraged me more. I briefly

reached out with the Force and levitated my figure of Artoo...yep, the

Force was still there. Setting it back on my dresser, I turned to a

small chest I had made for an english project on The Count of Monte

Cristo. Finding the key, I unlocked it and took out the false bottom.

It would be as good a hiding place as any. I quietly set the medal and

the lightsaber in it and replaced the shelf and locked it, rehiding the

key. As for the book...well, I always like to have a good story handy.

I smiled at my image on the cover, but frowned as I heard a voice.

            "The Force is with you, Selah...and should you need us..."

            "I'll call, Ben...I'll call...and I'll always need you guys, the

Force, whether it's a life Force, or God's love, or whatever, I need

it. I need it, and magic, and love...I won't forget any of it, or

you...ever." I whispered, raising my head to see if the spirit was

there. He wasn't. But I knew I wouldn't be forgotten. I walked over

to my dresser and paused to smile at my Luke Skywalker stand-up. "I'll

always love you," I whispered, gently pressing a hand against my lips

and then to his face. I smiled and turned back to my bed. I had all my

homework done, so now I could get some reading done. My hand reached

for my story, but stopped. There was one more book I had to finish

before I got to that one. I grinned and riffled under my bed until I

found the library's copy of Vision of the Future. Turning to page one,

I plopped down on my bed and began to read.

The End 

***********************************************************