Elluin Taeganaen, a blond-haired elf with a keen eye and the son of Taegan, Janet's friend from the First World, couldn't make it to Aslan's meeting on the planet Zafna. It turned out Corin was keeping him at the realm, the Land of Dragons, saying he wasn't ready to take on Vitiate by himself. So, Elluin was stuck playing babysitter in the Land of Dragons, for Eliza made sure to keep the main base of the Renegade Alliance there, while she was gone, until Vitiate was defeated, or something else happened.

Glorfindel, a golden-haired elf who cared a lot about his charms and his agility, agreed to stay with Elluin and watch over him. That is if Elluin let him. Such was the life of an elf.

Aslan waited until the three families – Melena's, Parker's, and Janet's – were gathered around a larger table in the war room, before beginning the meeting. "Welcome." He smiled at them, knowing what they were doing was a suicide mission. "Where you're going is dangerous. I don't ask much of you. This mission is not to defeat Vitiate. I know that is your intention, but someone else will defeat him. He is still too powerful for any of you to face, including you, Parker." He looked at the red dragonoid, hoping he would seek reason. So far, Parker's expression was hardened.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot let him win," Parker said, admitting frankly.

"You're still recovering from being the dark lord," Corin told him, shocked. "If you go there now, you'll be vulnerable to Vitiate's attacks! Whether or not he lets us go will be another question."

"I'll ensure he will let you all go," Aslan said. "The Emperor is strong, but not strong enough to combat my powers and that of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. My Father wouldn't allow it. That I can assure you."

"Well, I'm not going," Qua'ra said, announcing her claim to the Shadow Empire's throne. "Someone has to stay on Zafna and watch over these people. These shapeshifters need us. My family is staying." She said, feeling all eyes on her.

"That was the plan," Melena said, grateful for her younger sister's courage.

"Yeah!" Zeena inquired, admitting forthright. "I should stay, too, and help. After all," she faced Qua'ra, Melena, and Tack with encouragement, "this family did get separated for a reason. And apparently, not all of us are here, at this meeting."

"Kat'ka didn't want to come," Qua'ra announced, sadly. "She has her own business to attend to, getting our scarred lion and lioness army ready for the next mission."

"Ah. So, she has a job," Zeena said, impressed.

"As does Qua'ra's husband and Kat'ka's fiancée," Melena said promptly. "Kat'ka will be wed in a few weeks."

"Maxin and I were planning on getting married, too," Anabeth announced, clasping her fiancé's hand. "I don't know how quickly we want to get married." She asked Maxin, curiously.

"We'll get that sorted out, as soon as we defeat Vitiate," Parker said, determination in his eyes. "Weaken him. Something!"

"Parker, it's too risky," Corin said, sharply. "You don't know what you're getting into."

"Look, Vitiate betrayed me!" Parker said, seriously. "All I can ask is to have some vengeance for what he's done. He's responsible for turning me evil and for helping me break his connection. Well, that's what happened. He just let me go!"

"I get it. You're angry. Just don't take your vengeance out on someone whose more powerful than you!" Corin said, louder and more precise.

"He's right. That's what I've been telling you," Qua'ra spoke to Parker, trying to give him one last chance to turn back. "Parker, you're Emperor of this Shadow Empire. Your family can live on if you choose. What you're asking to do will change you. You won't be the same."

"I'm going," Parker said, keeping firmly to his decision.

Aslan nodded. "Then let it be so. We're going as soon as everyone's ready." He walked out of the war room, heading to the hangar. He waited until Parker, Eliza, Anabeth, Janet, Maxin, and Corin joined him, after Parker and Qua'ra dismissed the group. Qua'ra followed them, hoping for a final confirmation about her new position.

"Parker," Qua'ra watched Parker as he faced her, noticing that his scars were fading on his body. She pleaded with him, "don't go. You're my best friend. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I'm not coming back. Not yet. You're Empress now," Parker said, walking on ahead. He stopped, facing her. "If I do come back, remember me as I am now and not what I once was."

"I'll wait for your signal," Qua'ra nodded, heading back to the war room to be with her family.

It would take years before Parker returned to Zafna. For now, he met up with his family and Janet's family, as well as Aslan. They found a personal ship, Parker's ship, with is red and grey metallic plating and disc-like shape. They boarded it as soon as possible, turned on the engine, and with Aslan's help, Parker steered his ship out of the hangar and into space.

Their next stop: Dromund Kaas, where Parker turned to the Dark Side once, before he was redeemed hours later.