A/N: I usually don't do these, but I thought it would be fair to warn you that this ending (no spoilers) is a little unconventional and doesn't quite fit the canon universe. However, I felt that it brought the necessary closure for the story, and I am sorry if it is non-canonical. Let me know what you think in the comments.

I also wanted to thank everyone who went on this journey with me. This got a better response than I could have ever hoped for! You all are fantastic and I love you all. I will come out with an epilogue shortly to give this story the send off I think it deserves.

For now, enjoy!

~~F~~

With the second attack, Lando weaved through the star destroyers with his fighters close by. He glanced out the window and came up with an idea. While the Death Star was still shielded, they could at least do something about that fleet.

"Move as close as you can and engage those Star Destroyers at point blank range," Lando instructed. At least they could take a few out of the equation. It might be the difference between surviving for dying.

"At that close range, we won't last long against those Star Destroyers," Ackbar argued through the intercom. Lando shook his head and leaned in closer.

"We'll last longer than we will against that Death Star, and we might just take a few of them with us," Lando countered before the admiral followed Lando's instructions. The rebel fleet flew closer with the fighters attacking the Imperial ships head on. Nien glanced at Lando, unsure if the general knew what he was doing.

~~F~~

Han grabbed one of the commlinks from the walker and called into the bunker, informing the Imperials inside that the Rebels were retreating and they needed help with the pursuit. He could hear some cheering as the rebels prepared for the troopers. The door opened as the officers and troopers were surrounded by the rebels, easily taking the bunker again.

Han and Chewie ran inside the bunker with their charges in hand. They covered the bunker with the explosives before retreating again to the outside, just barely getting out of the way of the blast zone. They took cover as the bunker exploded behind them, taking the shield down with it.

~~F~~

As the attack continued, Admiral Ackbar could see something change on his screen. He looked down and smiled as his faith had paid off.

"The shield is down! Commence the attack on the Death Star's main reactor!" he commanded as he leaned into the commlink.

"We're on our way!" Lando answered before instructing the red and gold group to follow him. The Falcon led the wave as they passed the star destroyers and made their way to the battle station.

Lando smiled at his copilot as Nien was relieved that his copilot seemed to know what he was doing. Han had made it through, and their plan still had a fighting chance. They crossed the surface of the battle station and found the unfinished portion that they were briefed on. This was how they were going to get to the generator.

"Here goes nothing," Lando groaned as they flew into the narrow shaft. He could see on his scanners that there were TIE fighters behind them, meaning that this was going to be more difficult than they had thought. "Now lock onto the strongest power source. It should be the power generator."

"Form up and stay alert!" one of the leaders commanded. They raced through the tunnel as the TIE fighters started to pick them off. Lando pursed his lips before a new plan formulated in his head.

"Split up and head back to the surface. See if you can get a few of those TIE fighters to follow you," Lando instructed as pilots obeyed. Three TIE fighters broke off with a few of the x wings with only two enemy fighters following the Falcon. They weaved in and out of the way of the pipes and connectors as they got closer to the center.

They finally emerge into the large chamber as the last of the TIE fighters are blasted away. The x wing fighters finish their job as Lando flew close to the generator. After the x wings are out of the chamber, Lando fired the missiles on the generator, sparking a chain reaction. The Falcon flew back into the tunnel as explosions followed them.

Lando heard the admiral instruct the fleet to move away from the Death Star as they emerge from the battle station. Not a moment before they were a safe distance away, the symbol of power in the Empire imploded on itself behind them. They had won, and Lando relaxed. The Empire as he knew it was dead.

~~F~~

The rebels on the moon stared in awe as they watched the Death Star be destroyed. Cheers erupted throughout the crowd as Chewie celebrated with the Ewoks. Han looked down at Leia, who looked worried.

"I'm sure Luke and Padme weren't on that thing when it blew," Han soothed before Leia glanced down as if she were in a trance. He studied her as she gave a slight smile.

"They weren't. I can feel it," Leia reassured as Han held her close, bringing her in for a kiss.

Moments later, an Imperial shuttle appeared on the horizon, heading straight for them. Han and Leia jumped up with the Ewoks on their tail as they approached the landing platform. Leia told them to hold their fire as the ship landed in front of them. When the ramp descended, Luke and Padme appeared. Leia ran to them, embracing them both. Luke and Padme held onto her tightly as Leia glanced to see a figure beneath a dark cloth.

"We won," Luke whispered as Leia pulled back. She could feel that something felt off about them both, but she wasn't sure what had happened.

"Is that…" Leia asked, unable to finish the question.

"Our father died saving me," Luke explained as Padme nodded, her cheeks still wet. Leia embraced them again before Han caught up. She was confused to hear that the man that had hunted and tortured them all had been the one to save the day in the end. "He killed the Emperor with the last of his strength."

"I never would have thought," Han exhaled. He felt conflicted, wanting to mourn with them as well as celebrate the death of the Empire. Leia agreed, still unsure about how she felt about it.

"I wouldn't have either," Padme whispered before she stepped away. "I think it would be appropriate to give him a Jedi's funeral."

"I'm not sure that-" Leia went to argue before Luke agreed with his mother.

"Leia, he may have been Darth Vader, but Mom and I agree that he died as Anakin. I think that a Jedi's funeral is a good idea," Luke added. Leia grimaced, but nodded.

As the Ewoks celebrated, Chewie helped Han and the Organas build a pyre for the fallen Jedi. Padme watched as they worked together, and she found closure for the first time in a long time. She wished that it hadn't involved Anakin's death, but she knew that there was little she could do about that now. Once the pyre had been built, Chewie and Luke brought the body and placed it on top of the wood. Leia and Padme watched as Han brought a torch and gave it to Padme. With it in her hand, she walked forward and lit the pyre.

Leia and Luke watched as Padme stood close. She silently cried, hoping that her tears wouldn't bring a misunderstanding. It would take years for the anger and fear in her heart subside, and she was glad to be rid of that pain. But in the end, she found that she missed her husband still and wished that she could forgive him before he died. Soon, the fires died, and she found herself alone in the forest with only the stars above.

Padme walked back to the village once the light from the embers were gone. It was easy to find by the number of bonfires and cheering that sounded through the forest. She found herself wanting to celebrate as well, but her heart still felt too heavy. Too many emotions had flooded her in such a short period of time, and she felt completely exhausted.

She kept to the sidelines as she saw her droids dancing with the Ewoks with Chewie as well. Han and Leia were enjoying their time together as they ate. Padme smiled, glad that Leia had found Han in the end. Lando had arrived as well with Luke as they greeted the others and joining the celebration. Padme watched from the edge as she felt peace and calm for the first time in a long time. They still had a long way to go, but at least it was a start.

Padme went to join the feast when she felt something familiar behind her. She turned to find Anakin standing behind her, and he looked just as he did on Mustafar so many years ago. Although instead of fear and hatred, his eyes shown with regret and hope. She watched him as he glowed a faint blue, and she knew that he wasn't really there. Luke had mentioned Obi-Wan appearing before him on Dagobah, but she didn't expect to see a Force ghost herself. She swallowed as a lump formed in her throat.

"Anakin," she whispered, greeting him. He bowed his head and took a hesitant step forward.

"I am glad that you've found some peace," he smiled as she turned fully toward him. As she stared at him, his smile disappeared. "I owe you an apology for everything I have put you through. I am sorry."

"Thank you," Padme answered quietly, hugging herself. She found that she still couldn't forgive him for what he had done, but his apology was a start. "Have you found peace as well?"

"I'm not sure I will ever find peace after everything that I've done," Anakin replied. Padme found herself satisfied with that answer. After the torment she had been through, a small part of her was glad that he would suffer as well. "What will you do now?"

"I'm not sure, but I think we'll want to start rebuilding the Senate for starters," Padme shrugged as Anakin chuckled. "What?"

"You haven't changed," he explained with a sad smile. Padme smirked and nodded.

"I think Leia will help me with that, but she's a lot like you. Dramatic and passionate," Padme mentioned. Anakin flinched at the name, but he nodded. "I wish you were there for them."

"I wish I had been, too," Anakin muttered. He no longer blamed her for protecting their children. The Emperor would have used them as he had used him. He had blinded himself with power and anger then but now he could see her reasoning. "I am proud of how they turned out. They are good people, like their mother."

"They are. Even if the face of uncertainty, they never wavered," Padme agreed, glancing back at her twins. "Do you think this will be a lasting peace?"

"I believe so," Anakin nodded as he smiled. Padme watched as he started to fade. "I think you will have peace and prosperity from now on."

"Are you leaving so soon?"

"I can only stay for so long," he answered. Padme exhaled shakily. He smiled, his eyes shining again like they did when they were young. "May the Force be with you, Padme. I will miss you."

"I think I will miss you as well," Padme murmured before Anakin faded away. She held her breath to keep back a sob before Luke came up behind her.

"Are you alright?" Luke asked as she turned to face her son. She knew that he had seen her speaking with his father. She could tell in his voice. Nodding, she went into his arms and hugged him tightly. Luke soothed his mother before she wiped her eyes and stood straight.

"We're at a party, aren't we?" Padme reminded as she plastered on a smile. Luke grimaced before leading her back to the bonfire. She glanced back to see Anakin briefly again, but he was standing with Obi-Wan and Yoda. Luke turned as well to see the three there as well. Padme smiled and dipped her head respectively towards the two Jedi masters. Luke nodded as well before they turned back to enjoy the celebrations.