New Jedi Order: Avenger
Summary: AU starting at the end of Star by Star. The Rebellion's darkest secret comes to life as the Sith Lord Starkiller resurfaces just in time to aid the Jedi Strike Force. Can they work together to stop the Vong, or will Starkiller's interference only make things worse?
AN: This uses a concept similar to the one in my Dark Galaxy fic. I want to know which one you think is better, and which one should I continue? Or should I work on both?
Chapter 2: No Longer Forgotten
Fire?
Is that fire?
Am I going to be burned?
But I'm alive!
Am I?
Aren't I?
Can't anyone hear me?
Luke Skywalker, Grand Master of the Jedi tried hard to not choke as he looked at the body on the funeral pyre. It was hard to believe that only a few hours ago, Anakin Solo's soul prematurely became one with the Force. Even more disturbing was the news of the mysterious warrior who had saved the strike force, only to turn on its leader.
No one else wanted to speak. It was time to finish the ceremony.
Picking up one of the four torches that gave light to the small circle, he stepped forward, intending to light the pyre. The flames of the torch neared his nephew's chest…
… and instantly went out.
A powerful Force presence suddenly manifested itself to the group, making most of them stagger in surprise. The other three torches went out, and Mara Jade Skywalker instantly ignited her blade.
"I recognize your presence," Luke's wife shouted out into the darkness. "Why don't you show yourself instead of hiding?"
"I have nothing to hide, Mara Jade," a voice answered, sounding eerily similar to that of Darth Vader's, only a different pitch. "You already know who I am. You just need to remember what you have forgotten."
A younger Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand, surveyed her quarter's in Mos Eisley. Come dawn, she would go to Jabba's Palace, posing as a dancer to fulfill her Master's command.
"You will kill Luke Skywalker."
She sat down on the bunk, taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. Focusing, she reached out through the Force to contact the Emperor.
Only she couldn't. It seemed that anything outside her room had vanished in the Force, leaving a void. Then a voice spoke out.
"Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand."
"That voice…" Mara trailed off, becoming tense. Sensing her distress, Luke activated his own blade, raising it high to reveal the newcomer almost five meters away, his sinister armor adding extra weight to Mara's next words.
"Darth Starkiller."