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 Twelve

"They seem like they are going to have fun," Lana said with a small smile and looked up at Anakin. "How are you feeling?"

"I got a few bumps and bruises," Anakin replied. "Let's get you to the med bay first to check those slashes on your legs."

Lana nodded in agreement as they walked side by side, "Why do you think Daren wants me to be his?"

"If I knew that, I would be the richest man in the galaxy," Anakin answered as they walked at a comfortable pace. "Daren has always been more distant from the family, I never knew why."

"I wonder if it was because all of you knew from an early age what you wanted," Lana said aloud and caused Anakin to look at her in surprise. "Sorry I didn't mean to say that but…"

"No what do you mean," Anakin asked.

"Well, think about it. You and Owen knew from an early age that you wanted to be Jedi, Juliana and Murrue took a life in politics, and from what I remember Daren really didn't want what you four had but he wasn't really sure what he wanted," Lana said with a shrug. "He just decided that he would be different but didn't know how he would be."

"He works as a merchant that keeps him from home for long periods of time," Anakin told her with an arched eyebrow. "I don't know what is so pleasing about that."

"We all have to follow our own path, and in our own time…"

"That might be true, but sometimes if we don't follow the right direction we will forever be lost," Anakin looked down at Lana. The two stopped as they stared at each other, getting lost in each other's eyes as they stood there in the empty hall way.

"Are you lost," Lana asked as Anakin slowly leant down and Lana's eyes began drooping down.

"I can ask you the same thing," Anakin whispered as their breaths mingling with each other's. They were inching slowly, slowly together, their eyes completely closed as they got lost in the simple moment. Just as they were about to touch…

"Lana…"

"Yes…"

"Anakin!" Owen's voice rang in the hallways, the two separated from each other as Owen came into their location. Owen looked at them strangely but bothered not to say anything. Owen however noticed their bodies were very close to each other's and had not separated much in distance. "Anakin, why don't you hurry up and get Lana to the Med Bay."

"Will do," Anakin said with a salute. He then lifted Lana into his arms as he carried her off to the Med Bay. Owen just watched with a look of interest as Anakin carried a willing Lana off to Med Bay. He knew that he just missed something between them and wanted to know what was going on. Owen would just have to find out later as he walked back over to Luke, the only reason he came out was because Luke wanted to make sure Lana got to the Med Bay.

"Those two," Owen shook his head.

XXX

Lana had fallen asleep in Med Bay as Anakin just stood over her. They had quickly healed her wound and only left a small scar for the time being. Anakin ran his fingers through her hair, the Med Bots told him they would take her to her room after they finished putting her once again into their records. Anakin then kissed her forehead and left the room. He walked down the empty hallway as he recalled memories of Lana and him when they were much younger. Their childish laughter cold still be heard echoing through the halls of the temple and in certain places of the planet.

How time has passed from their early childhood years into a young man and woman. Anakin then saw a holo-picture on the wall; it was of him, Luke, and Lana. The picture was of when Lana was still an infant but Anakin recognized that look in Luke's eyes. The eyes of a proud father looking at his daughter lovingly and he stood there at the side a small toddler with curious eyes.

Anakin laughed, it was interesting to see how far he had come as well as Lana. Luke had always been such a wonderful mentor to the both of them. Then when Lana starting changing and Owen had become a young master, he went under his brother. He didn't know if that had been a good or bad thing, but it might has well been in some way. He was in love with Lana…he admitted to himself that he was…he had almost kissed her, what would have become of that? Would they be the first couple…well that was no. His grandfather had been married but even though the council had an idea about it they never spoke about it.

His mother though never becoming a Jedi, she had the ability to use the force. She had married his father and his mother remained in politics. No one really knew why or how things turned out the way they did but they do as they please. Each and every decision they had made till now has had an effect on everything around them today. He then continued walking down the hall towards wherever his feet were taking him. He didn't really know where he would end up but he would just go there.

He ended on the steps of the temple but there was a hooded figure waiting for him. Anakin sensed danger and readied his light saber, "Who are you stranger?"

The figure just laughed, "Am I stranger now Anakin, your own brother?"

"Daren," Anakin hissed. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on Lana," Daren replied as he walked up the steps. "What you are going to harm your own brother?"

"You are not allowed beyond these steps," Anakin warned as Daren pulled his light saber out as well. "

"Or what?" Daren asked with his head cocked to the side, "You going to kill me?"

"If I must, then I will…" Anakin replied as he prepared for battle. Daren did the same and the two quickly went into a battle. Anakin was able to close the doors behind him but the sense of danger and of a battle had awakened the temple including a woman in Med Bay. The rush of Jedi Knights and Masters to the door to see Anakin fighting a figure under the hood Lana was able to rush her way up, but already the door was crowded by people.

Luke saw his daughter and motioned for her to join him on his side; Lana ran over there (still in the dress) and stood by his side. Lana looked out and began to worry she knew who Anakin was fighting and didn't like the feeling of it.

"How long has this been going on," Lana asked her father.

Luke just looked straight out to the fight, "I don't know. I just arrived myself…Owen is trying to get the doors opened."

"Why would Daren come back over here," Lana asked with concern written on her face and within her voice.

"I don't know, but…" Luke saw the doors fly open but it would a little late…

Daren stabbed Anakin in the shoulder, "NO!" Luke held Lana back as she shouted in response to the scene before her. Luke held onto her as Anakin didn't cry out in pain but his body grew rigid at the feel of the saber.

"What do you want Daren," Luke shouted. Daren just looked up at him as the rest of the knights prepared for battle and to take him out.

"My demands are simple, Anakin comes with me…to Amora, but if you want him back all I ask for in exchange is Lana," Daren said with a smile. "So make sure Lana goes with you to Amora on your next trip Uncle Luke."

"How do we know that Anakin won't be harmed," Owen asked as he came out to the scene.

Daren just laughed, "He is after all my brother, and I won't harm him more than I already have…besides…" Daren looked up at Lana's face seeing her pain and fear, "I would not want to see Lana's hurt expression from what it already is now."

"You'll regret hurting him," Lana looked at him and Anakin looked at her. Lana stared hopelessly as Anakin was dragged by Daren.

"We'll be off, so Lana I'll be seeing you soon," Daren waved as they were met by a small ship. He took Anakin and shoved him on the ship and Lana watched as her father had a firm hold on her. They would have to fight another day, but right now they had to plan wisely on what to do…especially since they still had their plans within R2.

"I think we need to meet," Luke told the council. "Also all the knights that are here and get a signal to our knights on Amora, we need to start planning carefully."

"Yes," the others quickly disappeared from the scene and trying not to frighten the younglings as they went about it. They quickly went to work on different things, Luke assured his daughter back into the temple, and he sensed all of her worry for Anakin. This time the council would not be able to stop her from going, she needed to go to Amora whether she was ready or not. Anakin's life depended on it.

"Lana," Luke whispered softly to his daughter. Lana just looked at him empty, "Why don't you go get changed and join us in the council chamber." Lana nodded and went to her room that was in the temple. Luke sighed and made his way to the council room but an image of Yoda was before him.

"Troubling it has become," Yoda said as he looked up at Luke. "The dark side, stronger it grows."

"Lana is being pulled into the middle of it because of Daren," Luke knelt down to the smaller master.

"First she is, to start tradition anew," Yoda told him with a smile. "Love learn she will on this trip to Amora. Trust she will as well, but be warned…asked she might be to be queen…"

"She's already been asked by Daren to reign as his queen…"

"No, not for Daren…for Amora she will. Her answer decide will it of the planet," Yoda said firmly. "

"But then we will not have the Jedi Marriage to start for the Jedi Order," Luke looked at him confused.

"Another there is, for the position of ruler…" Yoda told her, "A cousin who will be suited but identity is yet unknown."

"How will we find him then?"

Yoda nodded as his image faded, "Use the force…may the force be with you…"

Luke then stood up and thinking about the words Yoda just spoke to him, but then he quickly made his way to the council chamber. He really didn't have much time to think but if they didn't really make enough moves at the right moment…they would surely lose. The battle for Amora in reality was a difficult one and with the countess constantly recruiting new members to her army there wasn't much of a chance if they did not survive.

Luke swiftly entered the chamber there everyone was assembled, the only piece he was waiting for was Lana. But they would have to wait till she arrived then again…Luke began the meeting discussing the information from R2 and the reality of the things they saw on Pleasure Planet. They as a council began discussing on how many more Jedi should go and the whole thing of Lana…

Lana was the real target Daren wanted but they did not know if Anakin would survive long enough for a rescue. They really couldn't trust Daren now that he had turned to the dark side and it wasn't really any thing they could change it. They sat there for a moment as they quickly made a decision to move next. Their decision would be made quickly due to the date found in R2.

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Amora

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"Why are we the only two here?" Lana asked as they landed on Amora in separate ships.

"We don't need to risk the lives of any more Jedi," Luke responded as they jumped out of their ships. "Also R2 is better off staying at the temple as the other try to decipher the rest of the data."

"So are you saying that you and I are suppose to help the Amoraians here and the Jedi knights currently risking their lives," Lana asked with an arched eyebrow. "While all in making a plan to rescue Anakin?"

"That would be it," Luke answered as they began walked towards the Southern palace.

"I do not understand how we are going to do two things at one time," Lana replied to her father as he just laughed.

"Well, hopefully we can rescue Anakin first while trying to win this war," Luke answered and Lana just gave him that 'you are crazy' look, which only caused more laughter from her father.

"Hello there Luke," Jarek greeted him as they reached the palace gates. "I'm glad to see you have made it safely…And Lana, good to see you again."

"Like wise," Lana responded as they entered the palace.

"Your Jedi knights and the reinforcement from the Republic are doing well up in Space, most of northern space forces have returned to the planet," Jarek told Luke as they walked down the hallway towards the throne room which was now a council room.

"I'm glad that one part of the situation has been resolved," Luke replied as they looked at the holo-map of the northern kingdom. "How are the ground forces?"

"That is more like a stalemate if you ask me," Jarek replied. "We were able to drive them to the border that has been there for centuries but it either comes back to us or we force it further north. Either way, that should be our main concern if we cannot take control of the battle there…then…."

"Then we might as keep the border where it is," Luke answered, "But neither kingdom wants that and we are the side of good, while they are the side of evil."

"What about Anakin," Lana asked as Jarek changed it to the holo-image of the northern palace.

"Our spies on the northern border that have gone undetected so far were able to report that Anakin is being held in the throne room with the countess." Jarek showed her the image of Anakin being held against the wall like a pet for the countess. "The intelligence report just states they are keeping him alive until Lana is handed over to them. Others say Anakin might just be the countess new play toy for other means…"

"Other means," Lana not liking the sound of that gave him a strange look.

"The countess is trying to find a suitable mate to have a child with," Jarek handed them both a pad filled with all the information. "She wants to make sure that there is a child born from purely the dark side, but the male has to be almost her equal in that sense."

"How can Anakin be her new suitor if he is a Knight," Luke asked.

"He can't be, but if the countess can use some of her energy to flow through his body long enough for them to consummate, then she would have the child she wished for," Jarek answered. "Apparently she has been doing that to all of her new followers, we call them the dark knights."

"What do you mean," Lana asked.

Jarek looked at his biological daughter, "She can use the force to flow through other people, she is able to do that in some sort of contact…since Daren is the strongest, we believe he has some intimate contact with the countess in order to achieve his perfect fighting skills."

"That is disgusting," Lana said with a look of pure disgust. "And he wants me to be his after being with her?"

"Do you think we can get in and save Anakin," Luke asked.

"There is a chance, during the attack tomorrow you can sneak past the left side of their forces, you should be able to enter the palace to no problem," Jarek informed him. "However, she keeps her dark knights at the palace."

"Alright then," Luke said. "Lana and I will go through the left side of their forces, but that would mean the rest of you will have to do some heavy distracting the other groups. We'll have speeders ready to go when there is any sign of trouble…"

"That sounds well enough. Are you sure you want to go back there with Lana," Jarek asked as he looked at her.

"I can handle myself thank you," Lana replied but her curiosity became the better of her. "What happened to Anwarzarwe?"

"He was killed on the front lines," Jarek shrugged. "The countess couldn't deal with his failure and sent him to the front lines to fight us. One of the soldiers shot him as he got scared in the mist of battle."

"Sorry excuse for a king," Luke shook his head. "To think I once trusted them."

"Not your fault Luke, they were just waiting till the right moment to show their true colors," Jarek patted him on the shoulder.

"Well, then I guess Lana and I should prepare a plan of action," Luke looked over at his daughter. Lana nodded in agreement as they began charting their plans through the holo-maps.

XXX

"Why do you want to keep him alive," the countess asked staring up at Anakin. "He is a handsome work of art but I can't use him, he's too pure and won't take any of my power…"

"He needs to live in order to get Lana here," Daren replied. "I'll let her think she has rescued him but in reality I'm going to kill him before her eyes…she may care for him, but she doesn't love him…"

"Very well," the countess said with boredom. "I don't see what you see in that girl…"

"What do you mean," Daren asked as he looked up at the countess.

"She still is young and doesn't really seem to have interest in you," the countess simply looked at her nails as she propped herself on the throne.

"She will fall for me," Daren said simply. "Didn't you say that it would be easier for her to fall into your power?"

"That was until I saw her at that planet you liked so much…"

"What do you mean?"

"It was obvious that the doubt is still there, but her heart will not waver as easily as before," the countess smirked. "She has fallen for your younger brother on that wall."

"That is a lie, she can't have…they always hated each other!"

"Or is it, did you see the way the two were looking at each other? The way he held her, even though it wasn't a full embrace?"

"NO!" Daren went over to his brother and punched him in the stomach. Anakin coughed as the impact hit him with such strength causing him to almost retch. "How dare you!"

"Now, now we can't blame him…after all he has probably been in love with the girl for some time now but doesn't really realize it…"

"You…you're…wrong…" Anakin forced out and stared his brother down. Daren just looked at him angrily, "I…do….love her….but … she doesn't….know…"

"SHE'S MINE DO YOU HEAR ME!"

"She'll never…truly be…yours…"

"I'll have her and I'll make sure you watch every moment of it!"

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Daren turned to look at the countess as she walked down the stair case. "I need him to insure I can make Lana on our side, he is our key to getting her to be yours."

"I cannot stand him any longer," Daren felt the countess touch him.

"Then come with me, we'll release your anger…" the countess whispered and the two left the throne room. Anakin just looked at them in disgust and after they left he heard slashing noises. He looked up to only meet the floor…

"Anakin," a soft voice whispered and felt water being poured into his mouth. "Drink up…"

He did as he was told as his blue eyes met the soft brown of Lana's. Anakin smiled as Luke showed up behind her as he was readied to fight anyone that would come in. "How did you get in here?"

"Don't ask," Luke responded as he just kept on searching around him for any signs of the countess and Daren. "I do not want to fully know what she does to him."

"Father," Lana turned her head to look at him with a look of disgust.

"What," Luke said with a shrug. "How is the medicine working?"

Lana looked down at Anakin, "He should regain most of his strength to walk in a few minutes."

"I don' think we got a few minutes," Luke told her as he went off to fight a few dark knights. "Hurry it up!"

Lana felt motion in Anakin, "I think we can move out."

"I don't think so," The trio looked over to see a slightly unclothed Daren standing there. He was just in his pants and boots. Daren's eyes were burning brightly and unusually bright amber was looking at them trying to pierce into their soul. "Thank you for bringing Lana here, take Anakin with your Uncle Luke."

"I don't think so," Luke said dangerously as he readied his light saber and Daren did the same. "Lana, take Anakin with you…get out of here!"

"What about you?" Lana asked as Anakin stood up. He didn't have his fighting strength yet but he could walk, well in this case run.

"GO!" Luke yelled as the two ran out of the room. Lana had to do most of the fighting for them, but Luke knew that they would be fine.

"NO!" Daren shouted but Luke blocked him. "You shouldn't have done that Uncle Luke! You are going to DIE!"

"If I die there will be another to take my place," Luke told him as they began a slashing battle of light sabers. The two were more than enough evenly matched as they battled in the throne room. The countess walked into the room to see the battle and smiled as she ran through the hallways in her night gown. She was going to search for the young couple…

XXX

Lana and Anakin hid in a corridor as Anakin was trying to regain some more of his strength. Lana was breathing heavily due to the amount of fighting she had to do to get them through the number of soldiers and dark knights that were ready for them at every turn. Anakin looked at Lana and smiled but only inwardly, she had beauty beyond belief in his eyes but not the outer appearance but the inner portion of her heart. If only one of them were going to make it out, it would be her, he would not let her fall prey to his brother twisted by the dark side. Nor would he allow her to be a prisoner in this side of the planet, she needed to survive in order for the Jedi order to live on…after all she is a Skywalker.

"Are you ready," Lana asked as she looked up to his blue eyes.

"Yeah, I think I will be able to help you fight," Anakin replied but then saw the worry in Lana's eyes. "I'll be fine."

"Alright, let's go…" Anakin and Lana ran out of the hallway. Anakin felt Lana toss him a light saber and he began to rush after her. They were a dominating duo as they rushed through the number of dark knights that were waiting for them. Anakin then grabbed Lana as they jumped over the balcony into a desert like area of the Palace. They ran while defending themselves in the process.

"Going somewhere," a voice asked behind them. The two turned around to see the Countess looking at them with eager eyes. She was smiling hugely as she slowly stepped over to the two Jedi looking at her with flat expressions. She just laughed as she made the ground shake beneath their feet.

"What do you want," Anakin asked as he steadied Lana. Lana just looked over at the countess ready to fight but her light saber dropped when the ground began shaking…Anakin still had a hold on his but he had brought the blade back into the hilt of the saber.

"I want you dead," the countess the created a cliff as Anakin and Lana fell in. Lana was fortunate enough to land on a ledge but then quickly moved to grab Anakin's hand. She held onto him as he held onto her hand as well. The countess stood up there with a huge smile and began laughing even more. "You have to chose little girl, join me or let him die!"

"I will never join you," Lana shouted back as she was losing grip of Anakin's hand. She looked at him with desperate eyes and Anakin looked up into hers.

"Lana, let me go…" Anakin whispered to her causing Lana to look at him disbelief.

"No, hold on…just use your powers to get up here," Lana told him still struggling to hold on to him.

"Do you trust me," Anakin asked and Lana looked at him with tears rolling down her face as she nodded. "Good, remember…I Love you…" With that said, Anakin let go of Lana as he slipped through her fingers. Lana looked with wide eyes as his body fell deeper into the hole that the countess created and she laughed in victory. She then made her way from the sight but a tearful Lana came from the both and picked up her light saber which just happened to still be there waiting for her.

She readied for a battle and the countess looked at her in utter delight, she prepared her light saber as well. "Awwww…is your boyfriend dead?"

Lana's tears just stained her face as they no longer fell as she began her battle with the countess. The countess was enjoying it in full, as Lana had grown stronger and yet she was not full of the doubt she had planted in her. Much to her disappointment but however, if she could Lana to follow after her she would be excited to have a fellow Amoraian on her side. She would enjoy this to the full potential…

XXX

"Give up Uncle Luke," Daren told him as they were at a stand off. "I would hate to kill you, then what shall I tell Lana if that was the case?"

"You won't kill me forever," Luke told him as they continued to fight. "I've lived a good life and I will become one with the force if it means my physical body dies."

"You talk of useless things," Daren shouted as he pushed off Luke and prepared to strike him down but Luke pushed him off of him using the force. Daren went flying back but he flipped and stood up on his feet. "You are a much more interesting opponent than my brother, I am enjoying this!"

"Lana will never be yours," Luke told him as he stood up. "Anakin will make sure of that!"

"SHUT UP!"

XXX

"AH!" The countess yelled as Lana was able to land a hit on her arm. The countess looked at Lana and saw the determination the girl had, she would not quit until her demise. However the countess knew a secret that she didn't and she moved out of the girl's way.

"COME BACK HERE!" Lana shouted and the countess laughed as she faded from sight. Lana screamed in aggravation but she would cry out for another reason…Lana felt the desperation her father was feeling. Lana then began looking towards the palace and felt her father fading from life… she tried to run back to the palace but she would be blocked off a force field.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

XXX

"Good bye," Daren said as he cut off Luke's head. But his body faded from sight and Daren looked around in anger. His cape was there but there was no longer a body. Daren looked around the throne room and knew he had to be dead. He could not have survived…the countess showed up and only looked at the floor.

"You killed him," the countess asked in disappointment and anger. "You were not suppose to kill him, that was my luxury not YOURS!"

"He was fighting me and not you," Daren replied as he was thrown back by a powerful force and saw her angered face.

"He was mine," the countess shouted him. "For this you will pay, I'll make sure that Lana will never be yours due to your treachery!"

"You will not harm her!" Daren shouted but it would be in vein as she used more of her power to hold him back on the wall.

"I will have a Skywalker and if it has to be his adoptive daughter, then I will have it!"

"You can't! You promised!"

"Promises can be broken, especially since you took my kill from me," the countess shouted as she let him down. "Dark Knights, go gather them here in an hour. I want to prepare for a new plan to help this stale mate finish once and for all."

"As you wish," Daren said darkly.

XXX

Lana arrived at the camp with a heavy heart and the others just looked at her. They did not know what caused her to return alone, but knew it wasn't good. Neither Luke nor Anakin returned with her…they were gone. The knight all bowed their head as the girl arrived and she knew that they already sensed what had occurred, especially when Luke died his energy faded from the scene. A general approached her and caused Lana to wonder what else happened while she was gone in the Northern palace.

"What is it," Lana asked as she was handed a scepter.

"My Lady, King Jarek died today on the front lines," the general told her as he bowed before her.

"What?" Lana asked breathless as she dropped the scepter.

"We are to believe that this was actually part of the Coutness's plans to have a rescue for Anakin Solo and as King Jarek was at the front lines…have him killed," the general told her. "You are the rightful heir to the throne, so the people of Amora ask you know to be our queen…"

Lana looked around as the Amoraians all bowed before her and she looked in shock at all of it. The Jedi knights followed suit and Lana did not know what to say. She was just being told she was a ruler of a kingdom that she wasn't really sure about and basically the knights here were also signaling that it was ok for her to turn away from the Jedi ways to take at least temporary control of being a queen.

"I will take temporary honor of being your Queen until this is war is over, then there must be another who is able to reign as your ruler," Lana said softly but not with full confidence as she would have liked but it was something for now.

"Then we shall prepare for the ceremony," the general told her as some women came out and rushed Lana off. The people all stood up as they watched the young Lana being rushed off into the palace. They knew the ceremony would be a new start for Amora, a younger leader to give hope to the southern kingdom and hopefully the fall of the northern kingdom that the countess had control of.

"We should inform the council that Lady Skywalker will be a temporary ruler of the southern kingdom," one knight told the others. They all nodded as they went off to inform the council of what was going on in the southern kingdom. The council would be shocked at the occurrence of a death of a Master who helped build the Jedi Order and the other a young knight that had yet to receive the rank of master.

This day was a sad one for the Knights but they would not mourn but rejoice that they are now and forever more one with the force. The Amoriaians had something to be joyful about, they had a new queen to help with the war efforts, but it was also favorable to the council that someone who understood the Jedi ways could help the situation a little more carefully.

However…somewhere in the distance….

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