Beyond - Legends Beyond the Saga The Wonderful Life of Mara Jade

Greetings all! Remember me? Yes, I have returned to the Land of Fanfic after a three-year absence. I tried my best at writing originals. The ideas are there, but the execution wasn't. What you see after this intro are my first words I've written in those three years. It was an idea I had while re-reading Survivor's Quest. How would Mara react to a world where she doesn't exist? I know! Put her in the Sequel Trilogy! Have her encounter Rey. Chaos ensues! Call it my Star Wars answer to It's A Wonderful Life (hence, the title). My initial thought was, "But I don't write fanfic anymore." Since I haven't written anything in a while, I was afraid that my writing would end up so dormant that it eventually would cease to exist. Like Mara in the Sequel Trilogy. (did I just type that out loud?)

So please be gentle and tell me if I've lost it or not.

On another note, this story has a direct connection to my earlier epic, the Mary Jane Skyler Trilogy. It's in here but because it was posted before the move, it's incomplete. I'm debating on reposting it here, but in the meantime, if anyone is interested I can PM you the link to it on another site. (hope that's allowed)

So, without further ado, enjoy and review as you see fit!

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The Wonderful Life of Mara Jade
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Chapter One: New Information
She took in a quick intake of air. Had it been her first in a while? She felt like it had been. She could breathe. But she couldn't remember. Or could she? She tried opening her eyes. They flirted open slowly. Dim light greeted her. She opened her hearing to sound. Beeping. Mechanical beeping. A life monitor. She was in a med facility. Consciousness was fighting her to keep her from falling back into oblivion. Suddenly, a med droid appeared before her. It spoke in its inhuman speech.

“You are awake. This is good. Can you hear me?”

She slowly nodded. She was fighting against sleep again.

“Excellent. Can you tell me your name?”

She knew it in her mind. Forming it into words turned out to be a challenge. She found her voice, but it was low and scratchy. “Mara. Jade. Skywalker.”

“Skywalker?” The droid blurted out.

“You…sound…surprised.” Her voice was a level below whisper.

“Yes. There has only been one known Skywalker in this galaxy for the past five years. What relation are you to Rey?”

“Uh…who?”

“Rey Skywalker. Unless you are related to the Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.”

She felt herself smile. “Yes. Wife.”

“Wife? There is no record—oh, are you going back to sleep?”

She closed her eyes and muttered, “I think…I am.” Her lips and eyes closed. Her head tilted slightly to the left on the pillow. She greeted Oblivion once again.

Her thoughts stirred. She could not stop thinking that this experience was familiar to her. Too familiar. Strange words formed. She knew them once. She had forgotten. Kavan. Earth. Mobile. Alabama. Mary. Mary…Jane…Skyler. She had a connection to her. She was her. Dark hair. Thin. Mousy. Southern accent. She was in the town of Mobile, Alabama. On the Earth system. She was in Mary's mind. Because Mara died. Yet, she didn't. She had to find out why Mary had been in a coma. Mary was hit by a horse. There was more to it than that, but she couldn't quite remember. The only thing that mattered to her now, more than her own life, was him. She thought of him. Only him.

“Luke!” This time, she was fully alert. Eyes open. Hearing full. Her torso ejected up from the bed. She looked around. Got her bearings. Med room still.

The medical droid whirled over to her. “You are awake again, Mara Jade.”

“Skywalker. Don't forget Skywalker.”

“Yes. There is someone here who would like to speak to you about that.”

“Luke? Is he here?”

“I am afraid not. Do you need water?”

She licked her lips. They were excessively dry and on the verge of cracking. Her throat felt the same. “Actually, yes.”

“Very well.” The droid swiveled its torso and used its arm to claw a cup of water sitting on the bedside table. He handed it to Mara. She grabbed it and started gulping the water as if she had spent weeks without it in a hot desert.

“Your guest will be greeting you shortly.”

“Guest?" The droid didn't reply and proceeded through the door to disappear.

Mara started thinking again. She knew she had just awoken from being asleep. Thoughts of her excursion to Mobile, Alabama filled her head. That was ten standard years ago. Why now? More to the point, how did she fall asleep? Was she just asleep? Cracked lips and throat didn't happen with overnight slumber. And there was something else. Something she just realized. There was a numbing pain in her head. She reached with her fingers to her head. She felt a thick baacta bandage on her right side.

“What in the kriff happened to me?” she uttered.

As if on cue, the door hissed open. In walked a young girl. Woman. Chestnut hair done in a three-pronged ponytail. She wore a beige flowing tunic. Her expression was that of curiosity and wonder. Even better, Mara could feel her curiosity. The Force. She could use it again. The woman eased herself into the room and sat in the chair beside the bed. Mara lay back down. She found that laying down too flat in the bed was not comfortable for a conversation.

“Could you lift my head up a bit?” she asked the girl.

The girl said, “Oh yes.” She went to the controls for the bed and eased Mara's head up to a workable angle. "All right?”

“Fine.”

The girl sat back down in the chair. Mara could detect a slight Coruscanti accent in the girl’s speech. “My name is Rey. I understand that the name you gave yourself is Mara Jade.”

“That's right. That's my maiden name. My married name is Skywalker.”

“Luke?” Mara nodded. The girl continued. “You were his wife?”

“Still am. Is he here?” She suddenly realized the past tense that Rey used and was afraid of her answer.

“No.” The girl hesitated. “As I said, my name is Rey. Rey Skywalker.”

Mara's eyes widened. “And just how are you related to Luke?”

“Well, I'm not really. I sort of adopted his name.”

“Why would you do that?”

Rey raised her head slightly. “To honor him. He taught me about the Jedi and the Force.”

“Did he, now? Mara sneered. “Were you part of his Jedi class on Yavin? Wait, you look too young for Yavin. Ossus? I don't seem to remember you.”

“And I don't remember you. In fact, I don't recall your name at all.”

“Really. I've been married to Luke for over forty standard years. We have a son, Ben. He's over twenty years old now. Why are you shaking your head?”

“I don't…that is we…don't have a record of a Mara Jade. And there is no record of Luke Skywalker taking a wife. Or having a son.”

“What are you talking about? You think I wouldn't know my husband and son?”

“Well. It's not that. Let me explain something.” Rey shifted in her seat. Mara felt her nervousness. It was clear that whatever she needed to disclose to Mara, it wasn't going to be good news. Rey went on. “You were found unconscious on the shores of Scalia. You had a massive head wound. You had no identity on you. No one knew who you were until you woke up earlier today. When you reported your name as Skywalker, I was summoned to speak with you.”

Mara was dumbfounded. “All right. Go back to having no record of Mara Jade. I'm known halfway across this galaxy. Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand, Smuggler Assistant to Talon Karrde. Married to the Master Jedi and hero of the Rebellion, Luke Skywalker. Survived a Yuuzahn Vong poison while giving birth to her son.”

Rey seemed to take in Mara’s information with interest. Better yet, she was taking it in as new information. Mara’s suspicions were verified when Rey asked her, “What kind of poison?”

“Yuuzahn Vong. From the war against them.” Rey shook her head slowly, confirming her ignorance. Mara set up and leaned forward. “How can you not remember the Yuuzahn Vong War? Creatures from the Unknown Territories who repel the Force. Hates all things mechanical. All their weapons and ships are organic. You should be young enough to remember. Not ringing a bell?”

Rey shook her head again. “I've never heard of it.”

Mara blew out a frustrated breath. “So, let me get this straight. You've never heard of Mara Jade or have a record of my marriage to Luke. Or my son Ben. You've never heard of the Yuuzahn Vong or the war they caused. It's like they didn't….” She stopped herself upon realization. Her mind recalled what she had been thinking of while she was asleep. Kavan. Mobile. Mary Jane Skyler. Mara finished her sentence slowly. “…exist.” Rey was about to reply, but Mara interrupted. “How long was I out?”

“About a few hours. You finally woke up—"

“How long since you found me on Scalia?”

It took longer for Rey to reply and in a lower voice. “A few months. You were in a—”

“Coma,” Mara finished.

Mara tried to focus on the Force to help her remember. Why Scalia? How was her head injured? Nothing came. Yet, she remembered Luke and Ben. Just like she had in Mary's body on Earth. She remembered events and wars that had happened since her excursion to Mobile Alabama. She did enter back into her galaxy, but not quite the same galaxy. There were differences. She entered into a different timeline. Or a different reality.

Past, present, and future all define time as one.

Someone had told her that. Who, exactly, eluded her. Yes, there were differences. She reentered the alternate reality through a coma. Just what she had recently experienced. She had a thought of looking at her hair. Same red-gold color, only now with some grey speckled in. Had she entered yet another alternative time? A timeline without the Yuuzahn Vong. No Ben Skywalker. No Luke. Or, not her Luke. She finally uttered. “I don't exist here.”

Rey assured her. “Oh, I'm sure you do exist. It's just that what you're claiming can't be verified yet.”

“It won't be,” Mara sighed. “This is not my time.”

“Maybe it is. There was something that we did find on you. I wanted to ask you about it myself.” She reached under the folds of her tunic to produce a familiar weapon.

Mara almost gasped. “Luke's lightsaber.”

“Yes,” Rey said. “The design is exactly like Luke’s. I know because I've used it several times. Strange thing is what I did to it.”

Mara crinkled her brow. “What did you do?”

“First, I want to ask you from where did you get it?"

Mara looked down at it. And remembered. “Luke gave it to me years ago. Decades before we were married even. It's been mine ever since.”

“That's impossible,” Rey said. “Before I found it, Maz Kanata kept it hidden in her castle on Takodana. I had been using it since then until I made my own. But I buried it.”

“Buried?”

“Yes. Near Luke's home on Tatooine. I buried it along with Leia’s lightsaber.”

Mara frowned. There was only one reason to bury Jedi’s lightsaber. “Rey,” Mara started slowly. “Are Luke and Leia…not with us anymore?” She couldn't bring herself to say, dead.

Ray slowly nodded. “Yes. They are one with the Force, as the Jedi say. It was five standard years ago.”

Mara sat back in her bed. She was also taking in Rey’s information as new. Luke and Leia. Dead. Who else? She thought of Han Solo and his mate Chewbacca. Unfortunately, Chewie also perished by the time Mara entered her new galaxy ten years ago. She then noticed a small note of recognition on Rey's expression.

“Rey. What is it?”

“I felt through the Force. Did you know Han Solo?”

“Oh, yes. He and his wife, Leia. His daughter, Jaina was my Jedi apprentice. Their son Jacen, on the other hand…well, I'd rather not go into him right now.” There was a blank stare from Rey. “Don't tell me. No Jaina or Jacen Solo?”

Rey answered. “The only son Han and Leia had was Ben.”

“They named their son Ben?" That's original.”

“Yes. Ben fell to the Dark Side. He became Kylo Ren in the First Order. Actually, he killed Han.”

“Their son fell to the Dark Side? And he later killed his father? Must be a family trait in any timeline. What is the First Order?” Mara said the last sentence as a yawn.

Rey started to get up. “I'll tell you what. I think you have been on information overload in the past several minutes. Why don't I let you sink it in for a bit? We can give you a history data card to go over later. Much easier to read about it than to hear me trying to remember it all. Maybe something will jog your memory.”

“I haven't forgotten who I am. It's just that my facts are not the same as yours.”

Rey crinkled her nose. “I'm afraid I don't understand.”

“Truthfully, neither do I.”

“Well, I'll leave you alone for now. If you need anything, just call. I'll come back later. I'm sure you'll have more questions.”

“Fine.”

“I'll see you soon, Mara Jade Skywalker.”

“Rey,” Mara called.

“Yes.”

“Could you leave my…Luke’s lightsaber?”

“Of course.” Rey placed it on the bedside table. “Anything else?”

“No.” Ray nodded and left the room.

Mara Jade Skywalker was left alone with her new thoughts in her new reality. Now her goal was to return to her proper one.

tbc

 

Hello! I remember the Mary Jane story LOL and would love to read it again if you repost it. An excellent beginning. Eager to see how or whether Mara returns to her own time.

 

Mara lost here in the NEW verse. Will she return to her own time? Escellent begin of your story

 

That was awesome! Good narrative style! Looking forward to more. Love how Luke's saber was exactly the same in both timelines.

 

The bewilderment between Mara and Rey is so palpable. It's actually so sad to hear all of Mara's achievements and experiences fall on deaf ears. It's like Mara is a proxy of us who read the 'legends' stories long before Disney bought up Star Wars, knowing they went in a very different direction, suddenly feel invalid. This interaction really kind of solidifies how 'uncanon' those stories really are now, sadly. Well done for coming back to writing fan fiction, please write more.

 

Hey all. I got as far as a 2nd chapter. The ideas are now coming at me at a fast pace. Thanks to all who responded. Without further to do, read on fellow readers!

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The Wonderful Life of Mara Jade​

Chapter Two: History Lesson

I don't exist.

Mara pondered that notion again and again while lying in bed at the Med facility. Somehow, she entered into a coma through an unknown trauma and came out into a timeline where Mara Jade did not exist. It was a thought that had occurred to her more than once even before her experiences with alternate realities. Mara Jade was the name Palpatine had given her. How real was that name, considering the many deceptions surrounding the Emperor? She had never seen her official birth certificate. At least not the one before her name was made official. Palpatine legitimized her name when she was quite young. Was it a name given to her by her real parents? Did Palpatine pull the name from ancient archives? At this stage it would be impossible to tell, especially in a world where she was never born.

Which perhaps wasn't exactly true. There may have been a Mara Jade in this reality. Was she even associated with Palpatine here? Maybe she was a smuggler, or an ambassador. An experienced slicer or even a professional dancer. The thought of the many possibilities open to her was liberating. And lonely. She had been lying in bed for quite some time now, at least in her waking hours. She had been in a coma for a few months. According to Rey, she had been there this long and no one came to claim her. Not a mother, father, brother, sister, or husband. No one. Anyone whom she had known was either dead or didn't exist. Luke had existed. So did Leia. And Han. All had perished. The thought of living without them scared her. And Mara Jade did not scare easily.

There had to be a way to get back to her time. She had done it before when she was in the mind of Mary Jane Skyler in Mobile, Alabama. She found a way then to reenter her own galaxy despite a few differences. None of those differences included the absence of the people she loved. She strained to think of how she crossed over. She couldn't even remember how she hit her head and landed on the shores of Scalia in a coma. There had to be a way. She could not endure this level of loneliness any longer.

She decided to occupy her mind with something else. True to her word, Rey left a datapad nearby. She grabbed it from the bedside table and flipped through the screens. It was a history pad. The pads that schools handed out for lessons. She soon found what she was looking for. The First Order. The Galactic War between the Empire and the Rebellion carried out the same way she knew it. But there was a major difference. There had been a fierce battle over the remote system of Jakku. The Rebels fought the Empire’s forces and won. An Imperial Star Destroyer had been disabled and crashed onto the desert surface, among other vehicles and ships. It ended up being the deciding battle that ended the war, and the Empire lost. Instead of allowing the remaining Imperial officers and figures to form their own Imperial Remnant, they were all banished to the Unknown Regions. Big mistake, Mara thought.

It was around 21 ABY when the First Order had been founded. It grew so large that it became its own government and eventually took over the Republic. Mara noted the differences from what she experienced in her reality. There was no New Republic, only a Senate that governed the various regions. Also, she made note that there was no mention of Gilad Pellaeon. And no Pellaeon–Gavrisom Peace Treaty. No wonder the First Order took over. She read on about a leader who was said to be deep in the Force named Snoke. She shook her head. That meant this Snoke was part of the Dark Side. For a faction that dismissed the religion of the Force, the Empire did have its share of Dark Side users as leaders. Snoke trained an apprentice named Ben Solo, who later named himself Kylo Ren. Snoke was later killed and Kylo Ren became the First Order’s Supreme Leader. Mara was still reading when Rey came into the room carrying a tray of food.

“Good evening. Mara. I thought you'd like some dinner."

Mara's eyes widened when she saw and smelled the savory aroma of some roasted meat. “Is that taraffin steak?”

“It is. At least you remember your food.”

“Yes, I'm famished.”

Rey set the tray on a nearby cart and Mara started cutting the juicy steak with a supplied kitchen knife. She took a bite and the thrill of food returned to her. As she ate, Rey noted the data pad nearby. She asked Mara. “Catching up on history?”

“Your history,” Mara said after chewing. Rey raised an eyebrow. Mara could feel the girl’s confusion through the Force. She probably thought Mara's head injury included a mental lapse. “I'm not crazy, you know.”

Rey tried to defend herself. “I never said you were.”

“You're thinking it. Or you’re confused about if I’m sane. I can feel it in the Force.”

“As can I in you. I can feel your confusion as well. What is unbelievable is that you don't think you are in an alternate reality. You believe you are.”

Mara put her knife down from eating the steak and proceeded to say, “Let me give you an example why. In my time, the destruction of the second Death Star also happened the same way I remember. It was destroyed over the moon of Endor. The remains of the Imperials survived for about a decade before they slowly lost their resources and power. There was a Grand Admiral Pallaeon who surrendered to the New Republic. The Pellaeon–Gavrisom Peace Treaty was signed. The Empire more or less had ceased to exist. In your time, the Battle of Jakku ended the Galactic Civil War. The difference was that the New Republic banished the remains of the Empire to the Unknown Regions.”

Rey asked, “How is that different?”

Mara explained. “Your Republic's government isolated what was left of the Empire from the main part of the Galaxy. Punishing them in the process. You left them to their own devices. It gave them time to strategize a plan for their revenge. And they formed the First Order. I assume the Republic were their usual selves and were squabbling about. Getting nothing done in the Senate. Systems noticed. Here comes the First Order with its one system of government. They offer a solution that hides as a dictatorship. And this Supreme Leader, Snoke? He was deep in the Dark Side, was he not?”

Rey nodded. “He trained and seduced Ben Solo. Ben became Kylo Ren.” Rey almost seemed gleeful when she said, “But when he killed Snoke on his own, he saved me.”

Mara snorted. “Oh, Kylo Ren killed Snoke?"

"They blamed his death on me."

"Figures. More Empire propaganda. Still, how very Sith-like of him. I doubt the act was altruistic. Sith Leaders and their apprentices were always fighting each other for control. The Rule of Two.” Mara allowed a space of time to pass so Rey could absorb her words. Even without the Force, Mara could sense that history was not among Rey’s interests. She then decided on another aspect of history. “Speaking of Dark and Light sides of the Force, I want to ask you about Luke Skywalker.”

“What do you want to know?”

“What happened to him here?”

Rey took a deep sigh. “Truthfully, I'm not sure myself. For most of my life, I had been out of touch with the rest of the galaxy. I only heard about the Jedi and Luke Skywalker as rumors and myths. You may be able to tell there isn't much in the history books about the Jedi or the Force. It wasn't until fairly recently that I realized that I had the Force. I'm still learning.”

Mara smirked. “Luke used to tell me that a Jedi is never finished learning.”

Rey nodded and continued. “As far as Luke goes, I can tell you what I know. To start, Ben Solo was one of Luke's students.”

Mara lowered her head. “You don't have to go any further. I’m guessing Luke felt that Ben’s turn to the Dark Side was his fault and he shut down.”

Rey nodded. “He shut himself off to the galaxy and the Force.”

Mara muttered almost to herself, “And I wasn’t here to knock some sense into him and bring him back.”

Not knowing what Mara meant, Rey went on. “Nobody knew where he was. There was a small section of a map that was incomplete. The First Order had the rest of it. We retrieved it and it revealed Luke was on the site of an ancient Jedi temple on Ahch-To. I met him there in hopes of him coming with me to help with the fight against the First Order.”

“Fat chance. Luke never saw himself as a hero.”

“Amazing. That's just what Luke said. But he did end up as a hero. He Force-projected himself across the galaxy so that the remaining members of the Resistance could escape.” She paused before she said solemnly, “The power of doing so proved too much for him.”

Another pause passed before Mara said, “Sounds like he had a lonely existence. Kind of like me right now.”

Rey could sense Mara’s depression about her situation. “Mara, as I said, I was on my own for most of my life. I was left on Jakku when I was quite young. I had no one but myself to take care of me. I was a scavenger. I taught myself the mechanics of ships and vehicles. I gutted most of that Star Destroyer and other ships for parts to trade for food portions. I learned how to defend myself, which was needed on Jakku. I was alone. But I managed. And survived. From only meeting you for a few hours, Mara, I can tell that you are a survivor as well. It wasn’t until I met my new friends when I didn't feel so lonely anymore.”

Mara suddenly blurted, “I don't want new friends! I want the family and friends that I had! I don't belong here!” She buried her face in her hands.

“I know. I’m sorry. You don’t remember anything before you woke up today?”

Without looking up, Mara gave a sobering, “No.”

“There may be some memory-enhancing techniques through the Force in the ancient Jedi texts I’ve read. Maybe we can try those.”

“Maybe. I don’t know what else I can do. It’s strange that I can remember the details of my history, but I’ve blacked out how I ended up on Scalia in a coma.”

For a moment, Rey looked to be considering something. And then she said to Mara, “I have been taking on students here on Ajan Kloss for the past few years. This is where Leia helped me with my training. I've been trying to be as skilled a teacher as Luke and Leia were. There's something here that I want you to see. It may help your memory.”

Mara finally lifted her head out of her hands and asked, “What is it?”

Rey replied, “It's better if you see it for yourself.”


tbc

 

Interesting. Mara learning about the First Order. But what will help her to get back to Luke?

 

Interesting so far. I wonder if Mara will see Chewie? Will some part of Chewie recognize her?

 

How jarring for Mara to hear of Luke's history without her. I echo the question of how she gets back to Luke.

 

Hey, stay out of my head.

 

Oh, wow! I found your Mara Jade/Mary Jane Skyler works on fanfiction.net and I loved them! I'm so happy that you're writing again! I just signed up for this website for the sole purpose of following this new fanfic of yours! Please take your time so we can have the best story with these wonderful characters as possible!

May the Force be with you, always~! ^_^

 

Welcome back folks to another chapter. The writing juices are flowing again, and I have a better plan of where this is headed. Be prepared for a few surprises (If study888 doesn't spoil them first. )
So as always, enjoy and review as you see fit.

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The Wonderful Life Of Mara Jade​

Chapter Three – Tour of Non-Existence

Before Mara could begin any semblance of movement, she actually had to physically move first. She had laid in bed for a few months. Her legs were suspected to be atrophied. She had a faint memory of when she woke up in Mary Jane Skyler's body, she got on her feet and started walking immediately. That was a complete mystery to the doctors in Mobile, Alabama, and now in retrospect, herself. That wasn't the case this time. She could hardly move her legs, though she had some feeling there. It became evident that she would require physical rehab. She worked with a Mon Calamari physical therapist to strengthen her legs. A normal person would have taken several weeks to complete. A Jedi with Force healing abilities only took a week.

Rey would stop by occasionally to check on Mara's progress. She would also keep promising Mara that she still wanted her to see something on the premises. Since Mara refused to use a hoverchair, the surprise would have to wait. When she was finally cleared to walk and discharged from the Med center, Rey entered the room carrying a small fabric bag. She set it on the bed, which Mara was no longer in. She was sitting on the side bench set on the opposite wall.

Rey said, “These were the clothes we found you in, along with all the possessions you had.”

Mara got up from her seat and began to sift through the bag. A basic beige tunic with black pants to match. Her boots. Her lightsaber hook and lightsaber. Her hold out blaster. And the last object in the bag was a small cylindrical flat device. She knew what it was. “Did you turn this on?” She asked Rey.

“No, we didn't touch a thing. I even waited until after you woke up to have you turn on your own lightsaber.”

Mara picked up the object and held it in her hand as if it were precious to her. It was. However, would it be equally precious here? Who would it show? Which version? Mara carefully flipped the switch. A blue-white image projected out from one side of the flat end. A mini holo-projector. Not for communication, For remembrance. The image reflected a man in a dark tunic. Even through the blue-white image, his blonde hair and blue eyes were evident.

Rey got closer in order to study the image. “Is that...?”

“Yes,” Mara said with no small amount of joy. “That's my Luke.”

“Fascinating. He doesn't have a full beard.”

“You knew Luke with a full beard?”

“Yes. How old is this hologram?”

Mara considered. “I'd say about a standard year. Maybe two.”

Rey noted, “He looks...happier.”

“Yes he does.”

“Wait, this can't be two years ago. He died five years ago.”

Her suggestion made Mara wonder. How are we seeing her version of Luke? Why is it here? More to the point, how are there two of Luke's old lightsabers? Questions yet to be answered. Mara immediately shut off the device and Luke disappeared. “I don't know. I stopped trying to remember what had happened to me during my week of rehab here. I can remember events from my past. Except what happened to me. It's like I blocked it out somehow. And I also can't...never mind.”

“What?” Rey injected. “What, Mara? Let me help, if I can.”

Mara hesitated before she said, “Luke and I had what we called a Force bond. We could reach into the Force no matter where we were in the galaxy and touch each other's minds. It was a beautiful thing. Sometimes scary. Whenever we were separated across the galaxy from each other, we could always feel our presence. Luke was always with me.”

Rey said softly. “That sounds incredible.”

“Except now that's gone. I can't feel him anymore.”

Rey put her hands on Mara's shoulders. “We will find out what happened to you, Mara. We will get you back to your Luke.”

Mara mentally shook herself. “I know. Thank you. As you may be able to tell by now, I'm quite persistent.” She paused and said, “Now, what is it you wanted to show me?”

Rey let go of Mara's shoulders and said, “Why don't you get dressed and we can go on a tour of the new Jedi Academy?”

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The facility was expansive with several permacrete huts for shelter and training. Ajan Kloss had a typical jungle terrain with large trees and foliage pretty much everywhere. Rey asked if Mara had ever been to the system before. She had not, but she remembered Ajan Kloss was on a list of possible locations of the Rebel base compiled by Imperial intelligence decades ago. Mara had dressed and they both reached outside in the sweltering sun. Rey informed Mara that she had gathered about forty beings of multiple species who had Force abilities. Rey said she recruited a few of the older students to help her with the lessons. The curriculum was based on the ancient Jedi texts that Rey obtained on Ahch-To. As they strolled past the buildings, Rey would stop and greet a few of her students.

Mara noticed that they only addressed her as Rey. Mara said, “They seem pretty casual. They don't call you Master or even Jedi?”

Rey raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I'm not a Master. Some days I don't even consider myself a Jedi.”

“Didn't you say you made your own lightsaber?”

“I did,” Rey replied cheerfully.

“That includes finding the right kyber crystal.”

“Yes, I found an amber colored kyber.”

“Then you are a Jedi, Rey. Have any of your students made their own lightsaber, yet?”

“Some of the older ones have.”

“How old is your youngest?”

“I believe Anara is ten. I didn't want them any younger than that.”

“Oh, the Jedi of the Old Republic would have loved you.” Mara's sarcasm was in full.

“I know. I read where they took toddlers away from their families forever. Which is sort of what happened to me.”

“And me. I was also taken in at a young age by Palpatine.”

Rey suddenly stopped and faced Mara with an incredulous look. “You were taken by the Emperor?”

“Relax. He never taught me the Dark Side.”

“No, it's not that. It's just...Mara, I have to tell you something. It may come up while you're here. I took the name Skywalker because I renounced my birth name. Palpatine.”

Mara's green eyes couldn't have opened wider “What?”

“Yes. As it turned out, I am his granddaughter.”

“That's impossible.”

“It isn't, actually. I looked through the records. It's true. My parents left me on Jakku as a child. Palpatine later killed them. Can you believe that he had his own son and his wife killed?”

“Oh, that part I believe. I never knew him to have a son.”

“With all due respect, Mara, maybe your Palpatine didn't.”

And there was the problem again. Mara had to start thinking in interdimensional terms. Things that existed in this world may not have existed in hers. Like the son of Palpatine. And for Palpatine to have a son, he would have had to experience the act of…

“All right, never thinking about that again,” Mara blurted suddenly. “Let me just say that you don't look a thing like him. End of discussion.”

“Agreed. What I want to show you is this way.” Rey started walking along a worn path through the forest. They were getting further away from the main section of the Academy. To the far left. Mara noted a few students running on an obstacle course. Another few were meditating with floating rocks around them. Sounds faded as they approached a particular stone structure, standing in solitude among the clearing of trees. As she got closer, Mara realized why showing this to her was significant.

Standing about ten meters tall were the figures of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Solo. They stopped just before the structures, as they both admired it. Luke was standing with his arms folded against his chest. The look that was sculpted on him was both stoic and somewhat intimidating. Mara also noticed that the sculptor tried to render a full beard on Luke's face. It was crude, making it look like spikes coming out of his face. It was still effective. Next to him stood Leia in a long, flowing gown that would have been appropriate for the Alderaanian court. Her arms were to her sides standing in a pose of peace and defiance. Perfect for Leia.

Rey spoke softly, “I give you Master Jedi, Luke and Leia Skywalker.”

“Actually, Leia never used the name…” Mara caught herself. If she corrected everything that was different in each of their worlds, it would be a waste of time. “Never mind.”

Seemingly ignoring Mara, Rey said. “I sometimes come here to honor them. Luke trained me Ahch-To. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Longer story. Leia helped me train here.” She motioned to a spot behind them. “I ran that obstacle course countless times with her supervision. I don't know what I would have done without them.”

“Neither do I. It is impressive. The Academy, too, not just the statues.”

“Thank you. I'm trying to be as good as a teacher as they were.”

“That’s a tall order. But if you managed all of this so far, I’m sure you’re on your way.”

They allowed an honorary silence before Rey said. “I had hoped that by seeing our tribute to them, it would jog your memory of them.”

“It does. Just not the same memories you have.”

“I don't know. The Luke you're describing and the one in your holo-projector doesn't sound like the Luke I knew. The Luke on Ahch-To was abrupt. Disillusioned. He taught me the basics of the Force, yet he never used it in my presence. He said it was time for the Jedi to end. He brought to my attention the mistakes the Jedi have made in the past. He wasn't wrong. It's just not the way I see it, and it's not the way I teach.”

Mara said. “I'm going to ask you something about your Luke. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.”

“Go ahead.”

“Your Ben Solo. Did Luke sense the Dark Side in him?”

“Yes,” Rey answered solemnly.

“And he tried to act on it before Ben could show it.”

“Yes. I'm starting to believe you know the Luke here better than you think.”

“I'd like to think so. I’m beginning to believe that in my travels through different realities, our personalities pretty much stay the same. There is one big difference between your Luke and mine. Me.” Mara cringed. “I know that sounds arrogant. I meant that I wasn't here for him.”

“To love him?”

“That and to keep him in check. Luke tended to use the Force too much. He relied on it. He would overthink things. Add to that his fear of the Dark Side.”

“That tends to happen when your father is Darth Vader.”

“Point. I was there to help him, to keep him focused. He didn't have me here to do that. And then he allowed Ben Solo to fully go into the Dark Side and become Kylo Ren.”

“Just like his father did.”

“Exactly. After that, Luke shut himself off from the Force and hid in exile on Ahch-To.”

“He did admit after it all that he was wrong.”

“After what?”

Rey hesitated and said, almost embarrassingly. “After…he…died.”

Mara smiled. “His Force ghost came to you?”

“Yes.”

Mara winked at her. “Don't worry. It happens to the best Jedi.” She looked around again toward the main area and said, “I'd like to see more of your Academy here.”

“Shall we continue on with the tour?”

“Lead the way.”

As they walked back on the path that they arrived on, the sound of a ship could be heard overhead. Mara asked, “You have a spaceport here?”

“A small one. Enough for a fighter squadron and a few freighters.”

“Big enough.” Mara tilted her head up and shielded her eyes from the sun through the trees. The ship's engines sounded familiar. Too familiar. She caught a glimpse of its shape. Unmistakable.

“Tarkin’s Ghost. It's the Millennium Falcon. That ship never changes no matter what reality I'm in.”

“Oh, Poe is back. Poe Dameron. He's our New Republic General. Leia’s old position. He must have new supplies. Come on. Let's meet him.” Rey started running almost like a giddy schoolgirl. They approached the landing platform and the Falcon had just landed with the korfaise gas extruding from the vents. The ramp started to open.

Mara froze.

She blinked once to make sure her sight was working. An instant memory sparked in her mind from a time when she confronted Luke with bad news. At the time, she was battling a Yuuzhan Vong disease. And all hope was lost. Now that hope was in her sight before her. It was impossible, wasn't it? Not here apparently. Just on instinct, she yelled out his name. A name that she had not addressed in decades. She called it out with joy.

“Chewbacca!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tbc

 

Fantastic conversation. that is one thing I believe and love most about the Luke/Mara pairing. She keeps him grounded and from losing his way and focus on the small and big pictures.

Adore Mara's spontaneous reaction at the end.

 

Now there is one she has seen before. Chewbacca

 

There is a unique quality to Luke and Mara's conversations, even before they married. She definitely kept him grounded. He wouldn't have been a hermit on Ahch-To if she was there, know what I'm saying?
Thanks for following my work. I needed the current confidence booster.

 

Mara is very in-character. Love the wookie wish-fulfillment there!

 

Welcome back readers. The next chapter awaits. There are a few surprises and even more planned.
So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for lightspeed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Wonderful Life of Mara Jade​

Chapter 4 – Dueling Realities

Mara Jade was not known to express extreme emotion in public. Her years as the Emperor's Hand taught her that emotion is the enemy of precision. Her years as the wife of Luke Skywalker, however, negated that idea.

Upon seeing the beloved Wookie for the first time in decades, her emotions got the better of her. Without thinking, she cried out his name and broke into a run towards him on the Millennium Falcon’s ramp. Chewbacca was carrying a piece of equipment and when Mara ran up to him to wrap her arms around his waist, he dropped it.

“Chewbacca, you're here. I can't believe it!” After realizing that he wasn't acknowledging her, either physically or verbally, Mara paused. She felt in the Force the only feeling from him was confusion. Still hugging him, she sheepishly asked. “You don't know me, do you?”

Instead of answering her, he made a series of grunts and growls directed at Rey, who was just now catching up to them. “This is Mara Jade, Chewie. She's the one who was found on Scalia.” Chewie replied. “No, it's not that. She’s just a bit disoriented.”

“He thinks I'm crazy, doesn't he?”

“You speak Shyriiwook?”

“I can get the gist.”

A human male started down the ramp. He was handsome, late 30s, hair was dark, well cropped, and wearing a light brown vest. Mara sized him up as the second coming of Han Solo. “Chewie,” he said. “Who's your new friend?” Chewie replied. “You don't know? Wait, aren't you the one who they found on Scalia beach?”

“Guilty,” Mara said.” She unwrapped herself from Chewie.

“Hi. I'm General Poe Dameron.” He extended his hand for Mara to shake.

She obliged. “Mara Jade Sky—” She stopped with her married name. Less confusion. “Mara Jade.”

Poe noted Mara's head. “Didn't you have a head wound?”

It was the first time since she was with Rey that morning that she remembered the baacta bandage on her head. It was completely gone now. She placed her fingers around where the wound had been. No pain. “Not anymore,” she said. “The wonders of a Jedi healing trance.”

Rey spoke up, “Actually, I did that. I can project Jedi healing much quicker.”

Mara noted. “Interesting.”

Rey said, “You must have known Chewie through Han.”

“You knew Han Solo?” Poe interjected.

“Yeah, he's my brother-in-law.” She winced at her instinctive response. So much for less confusion.

“Your brother in—" Poe stopped and leaned to Rey. “Is she in her right mind now?”

Rey answered, “Well…yeah.”

“You don't sound confident.”

Mara said, “It's not that. I just haven't seen Chewie in a long while.” Which was true.

Rey asked, “Was he in your time?”

Poe snapped, “Her time…What?”

Rey said to him, “It's complicated.”

Mara finally answered. “Yes, he was. My Chewie died a few decades ago.”

Chewie roared something and Poe said, “Yeah, you and me both, buddy.”

Rey went on to explain to them about Mara’s reality alteration when she woke up. Her reality where Luke was her husband, Leia and Han were alive and with grown twins. And one reality where Chewbacca had apparently died. They seem to take the news well enough. So much so that Chewie barked a question.

Rey reluctantly interpreted. “He asked how he died?”

Mara answered with hesitancy, “A moon crashed down on him.”

There was an awkward pause before Poe said, “Well, that sounds ridiculous.”

“It happened all right. I remember when I had to break the news to Luke.”

Poe said, “Anyway,” he shifted his look towards Rey. “We've got about five crates of foodstuffs and equipment. I finally got you a new generator.”

“A Newton-Roush A12?”

“Yep. Only the best for Jedi.”

“Good. I'll have some students help you.” She turned toward Mara. “Did you want to continue with the tour?”

“Actually, I'd like to help.”

“Well, I'm not sure you're up for heavy lifting.”

“No, I meant with your lessons.”

“Oh. Of course.”

“Considering that I've been in bed for the past few months, I need to regain my agility. Where's your lightsaber ring?”

Rey said, “Pretty much anywhere, but we have a designated area over there.”

“Point me there.” Before Rey started to leave, Mara noticed Chewie was back at work with lifting crates out of the Falcon. She got his attention. “Look, I'm sorry for that display before. You must have been embarrassed having a stranger coming up to hug you.” Chewie stopped lifting and began a long series of grunts and whines. He went back to working in the Falcon.

“I didn't get any of that gist,” said Mara.

Poe nodded, smiling. “He said if you show that much emotion to the people you love, you can't be all bad. More or less what he said.”

Mara muttered to herself. “You always were a good judge of character, Chewie.”

The sparring area consisted of a flat grassy area lined with homemade figures and racks of makeshift training lightsabers. There was a group of students of various ages sitting around watching a practice match with a woman and a male sparring. Once Rey and Mara approached, they stopped fighting and each greeted Rey.

“Good morning, everyone. This is Mara Jade. She is a Jedi who was found on Scalia a while back. Let’s give her a good welcome. She would like to train with us. Who would like to start with her?”

“Actually, I was hoping to start with you.” Mara addressed Rey. The cheers from the students grew loud.

Rey smiled. “All right. Shall we begin with training sabers?”

Mara made her way to the center of the arena. “My training was finished decades ago. When you've trained enough, you won't need practice sabers.”

Rey eased to the opposite side of Mara and stated, “Very well.” She raised her own lightsaber and ignited the yellow blade. Mara did the same with hers. Rey eyed her blue-white blade. “It's still strange seeing you with that.”

“Not as strange as when you told me what you did with it. Now I assume you know all Forms of lightsaber combat.”

Rey nodded. “I read the Jedi texts.”

Mara snorted. “You're telling me you read a book about them? There's more to it than that. Let's see if you recognize first positions.” Mara took her arm back close to her right ear with the blade pointing directly at Rey.

Rey answered, “Oh, Form III.”

Mara nodded. “Soresu. Easy. And this?” She lowered the blade to come parallel to her body length with the blade angled down.

Rey answered. “Looks like Form 1.”

“Shii Cho. Correct. How about this one?” Mara brought her blade high over her head and angled the blade opposite her body.

Rey looked dumbfounded. “I don't know that one.”

“I'm not surprised you don't. It wouldn't have been included in a Jedi text. It is Form VII. Vaapad.”

“I thought that was banished.”

“Not entirely. There were very few Jedi who knew it. Masters only. It comes close to the Sith way of combat.” Mara reverted back to the Soresu defensive stance and said to Rey, “Let's see you earn the name, Skywalker.”

They each closed the gap between them. Mara began to angle a few strikes from different positions, and Rey met them well. She began to move her feet while arcing a few strikes from above and below. Rey was forced to meet each one. Mara quickened her pace and started simple thrusts. Rey blocked them efficiently. At one point, Rey pulled her arm back and made a direct forward thrust that was more similar to a lunge. It surprised Mara for a moment, but she compensated by spinning counter to the thrust to block it. With her spin, she ended up on Rey's opposite side. The goal of the maneuver was supposed to have Mara behind Rey with an attack of her own. It didn't work. Her spin wasn't as complete, and Mara lost her balance. She landed on the grassy ground.

“Mara, are you all right?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “Age has withered that move.” Rey took Mara's hand to help her up. Mara immediately asked Rey, “You are impressive, but where did you learn that last maneuver? The strong thrust?”

Rey shrugged. “I don't know. I just use it.”

“Funny you should say that. That is a Vaapad move.”

“What?”

“An aggressive thrust like that is textbook Form VII. Not to worry you any further, but that was Palpatine's signature move. You may very well be his granddaughter.”

It was obvious that Rey didn't know what to think of that, and even more obvious that she didn't want to. She noted to Mara, “Your moves are powerful, too.”

Mara started to speak just loud enough so that her students could hear as well. “The Force is not about power, Rey. It's about guidance. It's supposed to lead you through your destiny, not become dominant in a lightsaber duel. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack. Surely you read that in the Jedi texts.”

“Yes,” Rey admitted slowly.”

“Don't feel bad. Luke thought the same way for the longest time. Except Luke's problem was that he was afraid of power. In himself and others.”

“I understand that now.”

“I knew from the start. Tried to make him see. He was a bit stubborn.”

“Oh, I really understood that.”

“He overcompensated with his lessons on the Dark Side. Hell, he even joined the Dark Side once to defeat a clone of the Emperor.”

“Really?”

“Longer story. It took me decades to shake him out…of that…mentality.”

Her words started to slur, and her head was fuzzy. She felt herself suddenly weightless. She couldn't feel the thud of her body hitting the ground. She opened up her eyes. The bright yellow sun disappeared. Gray skies replaced it. There were new sounds in the air. Water. Waves. Was she nearby an ocean? She tilted her head to one side. Sand. Wet sand. No grass. She started to hear voices. Men's voices.

“Mara! Mara, can you hear me?”

She angled her head up and saw a familiar face. “W…Wedge?”

“Hey, she knows me. Good sign.”

“Or a bad one,” she heard another man say.

“Ha ha. Mara, what happened? We found you on the shore here unconscious.”

“What…system?”

“Scalia.”

“We need to get her to a Med facility.”

“I know.” Wedge told Mara, “Your husband is on his way.”

“Luke,” she answered.

“That's right. Another good sign.”

“I was just with Rey. And Poe. And Chewie!”

“Chewbacca? You were with Chewbacca?”

“She is really out of it.”

Just then, another familiar voice filled her ears A voice that was so sweet to her.

“Mara? Aunt Mara!”

“Jaina?” Her eyelids suddenly felt heavy. They closed. The ocean sounds disappeared, replaced by the sounds of a jungle. She could once again feel the grass underneath her.

“Jaina?” asked another male voice. “Who's Jaina?”

“Not now, Poe. That’s her niece. Mara, can you hear me?”

Mara sighed. “Seems like I'm getting asked that a lot lately.”

“Mara, what happened? You got dizzy and fainted.”

“I was on the beach on Scalia. Wedge was there. Wedge Antilles. Is he in this reality?”

Poe answered, “Wedge? Sure. He's in Rogue Squadron. Good pilot. Wait, what do you mean, this reality?”

“Jaina. I heard Jaina. I heard my niece. She was there. I was there. And now I'm here. Again.”

Poe suggested, “Maybe she needs another Jedi trance.”

Rey said disappointingly, “I don't think that will help.”

Mara sat up and looked around at the new Jedi Academy that Rey Skywalker had established. She could hardly believe that she was on Scalia not one minute earlier. She put her head in her hands.

What is happening to me?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tbc

 

Mara shifting between realities? Nice chapter with the lightsaber fight and meeting Chewbacca

 

This is getting good!

 

Somehow lightsaber duels are my specialty. Also wanted to show just how much Rey knew about it.
And there's going to be more shifting realities coming.
The Chewbacca meeting I had in mind from the beginning.
Thanks for reading! ❤

Yay! More to come soon. Thanks for reading!


Mira Edit: I merged your replies together into one post. No double-posting, please, as per our forum rules.

 

"Patience, you must have."
I finally have a plan for the next chapter after much anxiety. It will be coming soon!

 

Told you it would be soon!
Thanks to all who waited patiently. I've been struggling lately with where I want to go with this story. Which has been my problem for the past few years. Never fear. I'm getting back to my past self. Slowly.
Meanwhile, there is a new chapter ahead.
As always, enjoy and review as you see fit!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Wonderful Life of Mara Jade​

Chapter 5: What You Have Learned

Mara was given a room in an unused makeshift bunker supplied by Rey. To her credit, Rey showed Mara the small bunker, complete with a miniscule refresher, and then left Mara alone. Mara got the sense that Rey could read Mara, either through the Force or by actions, that she wanted to be left in solitude.

Alone with her thoughts. And what thoughts they were.

She spoke to Wedge. Heard her niece, Jaina. And she was suddenly on Seria. It was real. She was there. And then she wasn't. She didn't feel unconscious, though she did feel faint. It was the strangest sensation. She didn't just enter a different place in time. She was transported. Her thoughts went to the head injury that she sustained somehow. She had no memory of it. She could understand if her Force memory enhancement couldn't register a memory of an event from months ago. For her to not remember an injury was beyond her belief. Regardless, her Force-healing technique took care of the injury. That dismissed the traveling by head injury method.

For the first time in a long time, Mara was confused. She recalled another time when she was confused ten years ago. She was in the body of Mary Jane Skyler in Mobile, Alabama on the planet Earth. Were her current travels through realities related? She had wished someone could just give her the answers. Mara mentally shook her head. That was not how she worked. She excelled at putting pieces of puzzles together. The problem was that she was missing several pieces.

Rey had come back in after what seemed like minutes but was in actuality about an hour. She was about to give her greetings until Mara stopped her.

“If you're going to ask if I'm alright, I assure you, you won't be.”

Rey nodded. “Very well. Message received.” She paused before asking, “Still figuring out your…time travel?”

“I don't know what to call it either. And before you ask again, it was nothing like a Force vision.”

“It was like you were there physically. The air, the sounds, the smells.”

Mara looked at the Rey with wonder. “Yes, exactly.”

Rey breathed before saying. “When I first touched Luke's lightsaber at Maz Kanata’s, I was instantly transported to an unknown place. It was a strange corridor with clean walls. Inside there was a large oblong scaffold overlooking a deep shaft. I heard voices. It wasn't until I recalled later that one of the voices I heard was Luke’s. He was screaming, No at something. Or someone.”

From the description of images Rey gave, Mara added them up along with Luke screaming. Something horrendous had been revealed to him. “Sounds like Cloud City. Bespin. It was where Darth Vader revealed to Luke that he was his father.”

Rey’s eyes widened. “Oh. That explains the screaming.”

“Luke told me once that even though he knew it to be true in the Force, he still could not believe it.”

“That was the same way I felt when Kylo Ren revealed to me that Palpatine was my grandfather.”

“Nothing like life altering facts.”

“Yes, well, my point was that when I saw and heard those images, they weren't like in a dream. They were real. I was there.” She paused. “Was that a Force vision?”

“I don't think so. Force visions are much more dreamlike. They are made up of a series of images, but they don't tell the whole story. They're cryptic and hard to decipher. For that matter, they usually don't come suddenly at a moment’s notice. Force visions occur mostly when you're concentrating in a Force meditation.” Mara considered. “On the other hand, maybe the Force was telling you something once you touched the lightsaber.”

“Up until then I had only heard of the Force as this mystical entity. I had no clue that I had that ability in me. I've learned much since then.”

Suddenly, Mara yawned. She had just realized it was late evening.

“Oh, I'm tired of thinking about it now.”

“Do you have any idea what you're going to do now?”

Mara paused and said, “Actually. I'd like to keep myself busy. Do you think I can join in on one of your training sessions tomorrow?”

“Are you kidding? I would be honored.”

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

After a semi restless night, Mara woke up in the morning. Hanging in the closet, Mara found her original black one-piece tunic that she wore when they discovered her comatose on the beaches of Seria. She changed out of the drab beige tunic that Rey supplied and back into her own clothing. This was the first time since she woke up in this reality when she felt like herself again. She attached her lightsaber to her belt and secured her hold-out blaster in her sleeve. She took a bite of nerf strips and then headed out to Rey’s Jedi Academy. She quickly found a small group of students being supervised by Rey. They each were using exercises in the Force control. Several rocks and various objects were floating around each student as they meditated. There were only four students: three males and one female. As Mara approached silently so as to not disturb them, Rey caught sight of her. She motioned Mara over to her. Mara joined her and said, “Good morning, teacher.”

“Morning, Mara. Sleep well?”

“Not really. I see you're starting with the basics.”

“This is routine now. These are the older students. Barad, Shaden, and Kwip are about sixteen. Raena is the oldest at eighteen. How old were you when you started your training?”

Mara winced. “Uh..seven. Palpatine drilled Force training into me early on. My first assassination was at age twelve. A Karpaki sniper rifle. Wish I had that today. Then I was point lead on my first mission at age eighteen.”

“Oh,” Rey said. “I suddenly feel like a novice.”

“You're doing well so far. What exercises are next for them?”

“Lightsaber training. These are the only ones who have built their own lightsabers so far.” Rey looked over at Mara and asked, “Would you like to do some training?”

Mara said. “Why not?”

Rey addressed her students. “Alright everyone, that'll be enough. Well done. Excellent control.” Each of them opened their eyes. The objects that they were controlling fell to the ground gently. Mara could feel their confusion upon seeing her.

Rey called out to them. “Students, I would like for you to meet Mara Jade Skywalker.”

“Is she related to you, Rey?” asked the fair-headed boy named Kwip.

“No.” She eyed Mara before saying, “She was once married to Luke Skywalker himself.” The students emitted murmurs of admiration. Rey continued. “And Mara is a Jedi Master. Mara, would you like to take over?”

Mara always found it difficult easing into teaching mode. Somehow, she didn't feel as hesitant now. “Hello everyone. As Rey told you, I am a Jedi Master. I was taught by my husband, Luke. I know you have several questions. Let them go for now. Focus on your training. I'm sure Rey has told you that Jedi training is not easy. It takes a different level of discipline and a strong commitment. Rey tells me that you are the only students who have built your own lightsabers. That's good. But it's only a start. Let me ask you. Why does a Jedi wield a lightsaber?”

There was a dumbfounded silence between the students as they looked to each other for the right answer. Finally, the dark-haired boy named Shaden spoke. “For combat to use against enemies.”

Mara asked, “Do you plan for all of your enemies to have lightsabers? In truth, the majority of weapons your enemies use will be blasters. Nothing like the blocking techniques of Form 3 and 4. A Jedi does need to know all lightsaber Forms. That doesn't mean that they should use all of them.”

Shaden said, “But what if there is another member of Knights of Ren that comes to attack us?”

“Highly unlikely,” Mara answered.

Shaden replied back, “But we must attack them and destroy them before they kill again.”

“Interesting,” Mara said. “Do all of you agree with that?” Most of the students nodded, except Raena. Mara could feel the confusion in her. That's when Mara got an idea. “You know, I do admit that there is something dark that I can feel in the Force since I've been here. Perhaps there is a dark force user close by. Don't you feel it?”

Shaden, Kwip and Barad agreed. Nothing from Raena. Rey came up to Mara and whispered in her ear. “What are you doing?”

“An exercise. Interrupt us and give them something else to do.” On Rey’s look, Mara said. “Trust me.”

Rey then addressed her students again to say, “Thank you, Mara. Tell you what, why don't we begin our physical exercises? Go ahead and start your run on the course. Concentrate on speed in the Force. Carry on.”

The students reluctantly got to their feet and they each proceeded to run through the nearby course. Rey looked at Mara. “What is going on?”

“Tell me, do you agree with Shaden and the others? If a dark side Force user appears, would you attack first?”

“With everything at my disposal.”

“I was afraid of that answer. Go ahead and watch over them. I'll be in my bunker.” Mara turned and walked back to her room.

Although confused, Rey continued with her training. She also started running through the course. The students and Rey continued to run as fast as the Force allowed them. Jumping over limbs and wide crevices. Some students added flips to the jumps. As Rey ran she wished she had activated the training remote for further experience in the Force. She decided they were already in the duration of the course to bother with it. They ran several laps before they each began to tire out. Rey told them through the Force to keep going. Each of them did. They continued to run.

Until they were stopped.

On the other side of a small crevice. stood a looming dark figure. It wore black loose robes that were ragged and torn. It's only skin showing was its human head that was pale and bald. Darkness circled around the piercing eyes. He finally raised his head to stare at them.

Kwip asked, “Who is that?”

Shaden cried, “That's the Dark Force user that Mara found in the Force.”

“You are correct,” the man boomed. “I have waited a long time to finally find Jedi who are still living.” The snap-hiss of his blood-red lightsaber ignited. “Your deaths will be quick and glorious.”

Rey finally caught up to them. “What is that?”

“Exactly what it looks like,” cried Shaden.

“What do we do, Rey?” asked Kwip.

“We continue to be cautious.”

“Cautious?” Shaden exclaimed. “He wants a fight, so we'll give him one!”

Before Rey could stop him, Shaden ran towards the dark man with ferocious determination. Rey told the others, “Looks like Shaden has already made up his mind. Come on, remember your training, let's go!”

She, Kwip, and Barad quickly ran in attack mode towards the dark man. Shaden struck at him first with a wide, sweeping arc directed at the man's head. The man simply blocked it and followed through with a parry of his own. Shaden blocked it. The others joined in and tried many different areas of attack. The dark man blocked every one of them. At one point, they all swiped at him simultaneously to overpower the man. He simply reached into the Force, and in one motion they were all catapulted backwards into the air. Rey landed near to him. She got up immediately and returned to her attack stance.

The man grinned, showing his rotting teeth. “I really hoped it would be you who was left. Do you think you're a Jedi? You are no more a Jedi than you are a Skywalker.”

Rey’s rage took over and she attacked him. He countered easily and laughed. She continued her attack while the other three joined back in.

“You will not defeat us!” Shaden cried.

The man smirked. “All of you have already been defeated. At least there are four of you brave enough to confront me. There is one who never joined the fight.” The man nodded over to the other side of the crevice.

Sitting with her legs crossed as calm as could be, was Raena. Her long blonde tresses blowing in the wind was the only action on her body. The three boys looked over at her.

Shaden yelled at her. “Raena, come help us!”

Raena simply exclaimed casually, “No!”

“What do you mean, no?” cried Barad.

Shaden said. This is a dark side user. This is what we were trained for.”

“Actually, it's not,” Raena yelled back. “And that is not a dark side user!”

Confused as they were, they turned back at the dark man. He suddenly raised his blade, as if he were surrendering. Then something strange happened. His features began to fade and dissolve. The red lightsaber suddenly turned blue. His bald head grew hair quickly. The color of the hair was soon evident.

Red gold.

Where a disgusting dark side user had been standing before them, Mara Jade Skywalker now stood. She announced, “And that is why Raena passed. And all of you failed. Even you, Rey.”

“I don't understand,” Rey said. “How did you do that?”

Mara shrugged. “A little Force Illusion I picked up from Corran Horn. I haven't used it in a while. I didn't know if I could still do it. I did and it was effective.”

Kwip said sadly, “Does that mean we can never be Jedi?”

Mara answered, “I wouldn't say never. You just displayed aspects unsuitable for a Jedi.”

“What does that mean?” asked Shaden.

By this time, Raena had joined them. Mara addressed her. “What would you say, Raena?”

The blonde teen quoted. “The Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”

“High marks,” Mara said. “The rest of you went against that Jedi code. Aggressive attacks are closer to that of the Sith, not the Jedi.” She looked at Rey. “That might be something that your Jedi texts would have mentioned.”

“I know. I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. You're still new to this. You'll get there.”

“That Skywalker remark was rather harsh.”

“Yes, it was. You may hear it again someday. You have to learn to control your emotions. They can be used as weapons just as easily as a lightsaber blade.” She turned to Raena. “Can I ask you something?” The teen nodded. “Did you know that you had Force potential even before Rey discovered you?”

“Yes, I have known it since I was a child. I had to hide it. Where I was on Chandrila, being a Jedi was not fashionable during the First Order reign.”

“No, it wasn't,” Rey replied.

Mara continued with Raena. “And you studied Jedi lore?”

“As much as I could without getting caught.”

Mara nodded. She then noticed that they all had their blades still ignited. “Uh…guys. Fight’s over. You can put your weapons away now.”

They then shut their lightsabers down.

“Who won?” asked Shaden, wryly.

Kwip said, “I think Raena did.”

Rey stated, “It's not about winning, students. Raena just showed us the discipline in the Force that we lacked.”

Barad asked Raena, “How did you know that wasn't a dark user?”

She shrugged. “I couldn't feel any darkness in the Force. Also, I didn't let my eyes decide for me.”

Kwip asked. “What does that mean?”

Mara answered him as she turned back towards the bunkers. “Your eyes can only interpret what they see. They're not part of your emotions. You have to feel in the Force what is the dark side and light side by being calm and passive.”

She turned back to them, but they were not there. The scene changed in an instant. She was no longer on Ajan Kloss. She didn't faint. She was still standing. Yet, she was now inside a med facility. It was a small room with a medical bed. The sounds of beeping equipment were all around her. The smell of medical baacta was typical in Med facilities. They were all real. She was here. The next thing she heard was the voice that she had yearned to hear for months.

“Well, I'm glad you learned something from my Academy after all these years,” said Luke Skywalker.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tbc

 

Mara rocks and taught a valuable lesson with Raena's astute catching of the point. A WONDERFUL finish there and eager for more.

 

This was a nice lesson by Mara but what is happening in the end? Another shift?

 

The next chapter has been written and is currently being typed in.
Chapter 6 is coming soon!!