Searching for the Balance

Disclaimers: Star Wars and all of their characters belong to their respective owner Mister G. Lucas. However, this is just a story to settle my curiosity on what could happen if Mister Lucas would create the episode 7, 8, and 9.

Since he has said more than likely he would not, this is my possible take and other ventures in my own imagination. There are a few characters that I claim as mine, other than that here we go!

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Chapter One

The past twenty-five years has brought joyous times at the fall of the Galactic Empire. The Sith had been defeated and the Jedi Knights had returned to the galaxy. With the guidance from the past and foresight for the future, Luke Skywalker has rebuilt a new Jedi Temple and a new place for younglings to learn and grow to become the next generation of Jedi Knights. Luke had taught his Twin Sister Leia Organa how to use some of her abilities she was born with from their father but she decided to remain in politics.

She had continued to be a strong influence in the New Republic as they call it, she was now serving as the President of the Republic, and her first term was almost at an end with the possibility of a second. It was slightly a different pace for her husband Han Solo, he was not use to settling down in a role as the husband of a president but he had his hands full for quite some time with their five children but they have all grown to be adults. Less worry, probably not…since they did take after their reckless parents.

Their eldest son, Owen…named after Luke's and Leia's uncle that had lost his life when the Empire was in pursuit of the two driods. Also following that honor did they name their second child, Murrue, their Aunt Beru would be proud, but Han didn't like the name Beru so Leia compromised keeping the sound as similar as possible. Their middle child was named Juliana, Leia had always loved that name, and hence why their second daughter was named so. Their second son, the fourth child held the name of Daren and the youngest was named after his grandfather, Anakin. Owen would follow after his uncle and was now a Jedi master at the age of twenty-four. Murrue and Juliana followed after their mother in politics and being a leader of the people. Daren chose to relax and stay close to his father. All of their children were separated at least by a year in their age gap and their youngest had also become part of the Jedi but was only a knight for the moment in time.

Peace was a great deal, a wonderful gift, and a joy for all of those that have come to love it for all that it is worth. There was another that was a certain apprentice that would take on the Skywalker name, Luke's adopted daughter Lana. She was similar in age of Anakin and the two fought like cats and dogs. Sometimes one wondered if the two would ever get a long. Two years separated them in age, but skill was another story…for another time.

Within the temple was a training session, Owen Solo stood watch as Anakin and Lana went for another sparring match. Owen watched in amusement as his uncle walked into the room to arch his eyebrow in amusement. He only shook his head and walked further into the room. He could not understand why the two could not get along but they were good for each other in a sense that they kept one another on their toes. The training was always intense and Luke finally realized that Anakin was the spitting image of his grandfather but the dark hair is what divided them.

"How long have they been at it," Luke asked Owen, who in turn just shrugged at the sight of the battling two. Luke sighed in defeat, he had many apprentices that have come under his wing and Owen had been no different but once he became a Knight he had taken on his youngest sibling and then of course Lana had been also training at the same time. Luke had to make the exception to the rule of only having one, but the spirits of those passed on approved of his decision. "I wonder if training at the same time has anything to do with this?"

"Uncle, they like playing these games with each other if you ask me," Owen said simply. "Besides, at the time when you first began rebuilding the whole Jedi Council it was only you as a Master. I was fortunate enough that you let me become a knight when I did, although I wished you did have someone else here. Training under you was not easy, I would gladly have any of the new masters here."

Luke ruffled his nephew's hair, "But you wouldn't be a master when you were if it weren't for the training I passed onto you. You got the whole idea of what Master Obi Won and Yoda had taught me."

"So did the others, but they are not half as strict as you were," Owen smiled warmly. "I wonder if it is the Skywalker charm to scare their apprentices."

"Very funny," Luke said as he clapped his hands together and the sparring two looked over to him. They bowed and Luke motioned for them not to do such a thing. "You two keep pushing each other, I might have to put you in time out."

"Very funny," Lana said simply as she retracted her light saber into the hilt of the sword. Luke noticed her smirk and shook his head.

He had found Lana during one of his missions to find new younglings to train to become the future of the Jedi and he had found her in her dying mother's arms. She had grown very beautiful in the past eighteen years; she was just a new born when he found her and as she grew even as an infant showed powers of using the force. He was amazed and received council under his father, Obi Won, and Yoda to ask if he should train her due to the fact he was training his youngest nephew. They said it was alright to begin training for they sense nothing but good in her.

How right they were, she had completely sworn her life to the way of the Jedi and refused to think other wise. But the way of the Jedi was not going to come back quickly and there had been many discussions among the other council members about having marriage as a possibility for the Jedi. However, it would go against tradition and yet it made others wonder. The force was something that no one wanted to make imbalanced and yet …

Luke cocked his head to the side, Lana had strong wisdom set in her and wondered if she would have a suggestion for them. Lana had just recently been declared a Knight but she did always have good ideas. "Lana…"

"Yes father," Lana looked up to him.

"If you have finished fighting with Anakin, I would like you to accompany me…" Luke said simply as he stood up. Lana looked at her father's retreating back with questioning eyes but did not bother to say anything. She quickly followed after him and Anakin and Owen looked at each other wondering what could be going on. But then Owen quickly leapt over to his younger brother.

"It's been a while since we sparred," Owen said with a smirk and Anakin was quick to response.

"As you wish," Anakin smiled as they quickly went into a sparring match.

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Solo Residence

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"How was the meeting?" Han asked as Leia walked in with a tired expression. She smiled as she hugged her husband and looked over at their friend Chewbacca. "Oh Chewy stopped by from visiting the Jedi Temple."

"Good to see you Chewy," Leia said with a warm smile. "Oh by the way, the meeting was boring."

Han just chuckled, "They are all usually crazy, old, stuffy men that think they know everything. What did you expect that they would have changed over the past two decades?"

Leia growled, "I could have hoped, where are Murrue and Juliana?"

"They said something about some memorial service for your home world," Han said with a shrug as he sat down on their couch. "They should be back within a few days; they have Jedi Knights escorting them due to Luke's request."

Leia just smiled, "You know he means well. Besides he probably sent the elder ones that are less likely to hit on your daughters." Leia enjoyed the fact that Han had become a protective father of his two daughters. He still had his gruff attitude even after all of these years. But she was happy it didn't, it would have not been any fun these past few years even after the birth of their children. They had helped many of the planets and other systems that had civil wars after the end of the Empire.

"I am guessing that Luke will be spending time in that Temple," Han said simply with a shrug. "I miss hanging out with the kid."

Leia laughed, "Luke is just worried…"

"I know, he was talking about some nonsense about the dark force returning…" Han rolled his eyes, "I really don't believe much into that stuff. But hey we have Jedi back into society. Not only does he have the respect of everyone once he announced that he rebuilt a place for the Jedi to regroup."

"This planet is mostly just a training ground for them and the reason the New Republic decided to have the meeting hall here is because we have a planet with mainly just Jedi." Leia said simply, "I have to admit I do a feel a little more secure because of that fact."

"Uh we do live here too, but, whatever…what did you want to have for dinner?" Han asked as he went over to see what they had for food. "I could always ask Lana to come over and cook for us. I didn't realize that they taught culinary skills at the temple."

"Oh shut up," Leia said simply as she laughed. "We can't always depend on Lana's cooking for the rest of our lives. The boys do just as fine job…"

Han gave her a skeptical look, "I have to disagree with you there, Lana is a much BETTER cook."

"If you want Lana to cook, you can ask her yourself. I'm sure her and Anakin are already at each other's throats." Leia said in defeat and then noticed a confident smirk on her husband's lips, "What?"

"You do remember, we didn't get along very well either," Han said chuckling.

"Lana and Anakin are both Jedi Knights, they are not allowed to get married…" Leia said simply…

"Then you haven't been paying attention to what Luke has been saying," Han said with a knowing smile on his lips.

"What," Leia asked very interested in what she might have missed. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't know," Han said in a mocking tone. Leia fumed knowing that Han enjoyed knowing something that she didn't know. Han continued to tease his wife as he tried to contact Lana about making dinner for them and he enjoyed watching Anakin and Lana get into their arguments. They continued their little banter as Lana showed up in the transmission from R2-D2 and 3CPO appeared before her.

"Miss Lana," CPO said with glee though his expression was blank.

"Did Leia and Han want something?" Lana asked with a curious look on her face.

"Yes, they had mentioned something about asking you to come over for dinner and maybe you could prepare it for the family," CPO stated flatly.

Lana laughed, "I'll go right after my father lets me go for the evening."

"I'll inform Miss Leia and Mister Solo," CPO said as the image of Lana faded from the scene.

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At the Jedi Temple

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"What was that about?" Luke asked with a smile on his lips.

"Just Leia and Han asking for me to cook dinner," Luke laughed at his daughter's answer. He had to admit, that his sister and brother-in-law were quite helpless when it came to the kitchen. They fought great battles together and brought down the Empire together and they have yet to succeed in making a decent meal for dinner time.

"Father," Lana said softly but it had caught his attention. "Why are you leading me to the council chamber?"

"The council would like to ask your advice on a certain matter, but now that you mention it let us go speak with some of my old friends," Luke led her to the Force Spirit Chamber. If one was fortunate enough they could speak with those that had passed on. They entered and the soft glowing light beamed down and three forms appeared before them.

"Luke, what brings you here…" Obi Won asked with a smile, "Lana has grown beautiful and is strong with the force."

"Yes, lovely she has become," Yoda said simply. "Powerful, indeed. Strong…she is, and…wise as well."

"Thank you," Lana bowed and was blushing at their compliments.

"What brings you here my son," Anakin Skywalker asked and Lana saw the strong resemblance between him and Anakin Solo.

"I was planning on leading Lana to the Council Chamber but I thought it was best for me to ask Lana the question we have been debating and you as well." Luke said simply and Lana looked at her father with curiosity in her eyes.

"Ask," Anakin said simply as the other two waited.

"Some of the other members have grown concern due to the lack of future younglings to learn to be apart of the Jedi. And some have come to question the one tradition about no marriage within in the Jedi," Luke stated simply. "Many have suggested that we allow marriage but fear that if we do…attachment would become too much and we could have struggles within our order."

"Tradition easily broken, it is not. What does…young Lana, think of this?" Yoda turned his gaze upon the young female knight.

"If marriage were to be allowed within the Jedi order, then it should be approved by the council if the couple should wed. It would seem that the marriage idea is coming from the lack of younglings and for our own to breed future Jedi," Lana said simply and the others just nodded. "Again, to lead the couple to marriage and to have children, the marriage should be approved by the council. And even a trial for the couple to go through to see if they are able to love and let go when the other's time has come."

"It could work if this council so chooses, but even when choosing a husband or wife," Obi Won paused. "They must use the force and using the force the council should use in approval."

"Try you must, to see if all will fall into place. Only then answers you seek will be clear," Yoda said simply.

Anakin nodded, "I know I broke the rules in my time but if you do pass it with these rules I think it will be possible for future Jedi not to make my same mistakes."

Luke then nodded, "Thank you for your guidance and Lana for your input."

"Yes, wise you are and even more so than I might have been. Lana, do not be tempted…may the force be with you," Yoda gave a knowing smile over to her and as the other two.

Luke and Lana took their leave as the three faded back into one with the force. The door closed and Luke sighed, "Lana you may go ahead and retire for the day. I'll go speak with the council with these ideas. It might help ease many of their minds."

"I was glad I could be of help," Lana bowed and took her leave.

Once she was out of the sight did Yoda appear before him in the hallway, "First she will be. Her destiny is to fight the new Dark Lords but… love she must learn as well."

"I do not understand Master Yoda," Luke said with a curious look.

"If tradition is to happen, first she must be." Yoda then paused, "There will be one that will be consumed with the dark side, he will be. I fear that soon the test of the force will be given. Be cautious Luke…"

"Yes master," Luke said simply as Yoda faded from sight. Luke walked down the hallway; he had feared that the dark lords would arise once again. He could not see clearly of what could happen but he knew that the dark side of the force wanted to be alive once again and it would not be an easy journey. However, there will be a time to when the Jedi would be tested again. Hopefully like the time they were tested in the way when the Empire came to power.

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Elsewhere in the Temple

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Lana walked down the temple steps. She looked around her and it was busy with younglings running back inside from their training to make curfew. Lana smiled, she remembered all those times she would want to stay out longer for just a few more hours to train. She would be punished every time that she was late but it did not bother her, she had the drive to follow the laws of the Jedi in their entirety. Even if they were to change a few rules here and there, it would not change how she felt about the previous ones.

She continued her way down the steps as all the children waved at her, Lana was famous with all of the younglings. They all looked up to and they even enjoyed the sparring matches between her and Anakin Solo. They thought it was amusing but would try to learn all of their moves and techniques but were always told to return to their studies. Lana happily walked down the last few steps as she noticed some of the elder masters mumbling on how they were late for the meeting.

Lana laughed; her father was quite strict about being on time. She couldn't figure out why since he was always the one late. But if you beat him to the place then you had no worries but if he was there and you were late, there would be some price to pay. It was interesting how things would turn out but one could not complain about the situation. Lana quickly made her way to a motor-speeder and made her way over to the Solo home. She knew that Murrue and Juliana were off on a memorial trip. So it would be her, Han, Leia, Owen, Daren, and Anakin…the last name made her cringe. She did not know why they could never really get along but there was something about him, ever since she was child bothered him. They were both infants when her father planned to take Anakin as his apprentice but…why did she have to be there at the same time.

Lana sighed as she found herself already at the doorsteps of the Solo home. She walked in to see Leia and Han already fighting about something. Lana just made her way over to the kitchen and began making dinner for the family, it was such a normal routine that they did not even noticed she arrived till they smelt the dinner cooking. Daren walked in with his bag slung over his shoulder, he had gone out scooping the area, he had grown quite bored staying on such a boring Plant of politicians and Jedi Knights and wannabes.

"Hey Lana," Daren greeted and Lana replied back. Leia and Han quickly went to help with dinner preparations. They forgot what they were fighting about and began helping to set up the table. Owen and Anakin could recognize the smell of Lana's cooking anywhere. It smelt like food unlike the junk they would try to make.

"Hi guys," Han greeted his sons with his trademark smirk. "How was the oh great temple?"

"It's was fine," Owen said with a smirk as he put some of his things down on the couch. "What's for dinner, Lana?"

"Nothing too special, when I saw Chewbacca's speeder outside I thought I make one of his favorites," Lana said with a smile and a happy Chewbacca came out. He hugged the younger girl in show of his appreciation. "You're welcome, Chewy!"

"I'll try to stomach your cooking," Anakin said teasingly only to get hit in the head with a pillow. He turned to look at his brother who just pointed the finger at Lana. "If you weren't cooking I would do something back right at you."

"You wouldn't win," Lana fired back as she began cooking other elements for dinner. "Besides, I am the one cooking the dinner here; if you want anything to eat at all you will behave."

"Alright you two," Leia said simply with a smile. "Where is your father?"

"He might be a little late tonight, at least that is what I think." Lana said simply, "He has a meeting with the council this evening and some of the members were rushing in late when I was leaving the temple."

"Him and those meetings," Leia said simply as she began serving some of the meal that Lana had finished. "At least you got one of you; you two have been so busy that I haven't gotten to have dinner for about a month."

"Sorry about that," Lana said with a smile.

Chewbacca let out a laugh and began eating what Leia served. He was quite content in eating what he was given and it was his favorite dish that Lana cooks. Han just smirked, the whole gang was almost back together but Luke was off doing his Jedi business. Even though he didn't get married he got to adopt a daughter at least and she does carry his last name.

"Well, lets EAT!" Han shouted happily.

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Jedi Council Room

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"So are you saying that if we allow marriage that we should have trials like when one has come to terms as being a Knight," a council member asked.

"Yes," Luke replied with a curt nod. "If we do that and use the force to make sure the couple will make a compatible pair for the world of the Jedi."

"This would work out well, but who would be the first to set the proper example?" One asked as he stroked his beard as he went into his thought process.

"We all must take our time for this," Luke said simply as he remembered Yoda's words in his mind. "We'll just wait for the first couple to show signs of wanting marriage and then we can go from there."

"I agree with Master Skywalker, then we must prepare for the challenge that the couples will face," another said openly as he received the popular vote nod from everyone in the council.

"Then we must prepare and start gathering ideas!"

"Yes, only time will tell if there are things meant for beyond the hopes that we may have."

"Still, who shall be the first?"

Luke sighed as they continued to make arrangements on who would be the couple to take the first risk. Luke had an idea from what was told to him but it still mad his wonder if it all were to be true. The question still remained who would be the first?

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Well here is chapter one, I hope all of you enjoy it. It's just something that I created from imagination from just watching the movies.