Chapter 63 - The Master, the Knight, and the Apprentice

"Alright Han, the ground crews are signaling us to land in the big hangar." Chewbacca informed his co-pilot.

"Where?" Han asked. "Never mind, I'll just follow the kid. He's landing in the Royal Air Field."

"Grr…It's what I said." Chewbacca growled under his breath. It was a pain sometimes, having to talk to someone who Shyriiwook was a second language for. Sometimes Chewbacca suspected Han had been taught it by the same street moles who'd taught him his manners. He was limited to mostly the emotive howls of the main language. None of the technical words of Thykarann made any sense to him.

"What's wrong buddy? Think of how happy Lukey will be." Han said.

And Chewbacca couldn't be mad at Han for long. Not when he looked up to you with those big, pup-blue eyes. Chewbacca playfully rubbed his head. The boy made him proud today.


Earlier, when they'd both left Yavin IV, they had every intention to fly to Christophsis to deliver their cargo, but somehow the decision to do so still weighed heavily on Han's shoulders.

"What's wrong? You know that boy's a good pilot. We taught him well," Chewbacca tried.

"I know. It's just this Giant he's up against. The empire can't be defeated by a little resistance party. But I know Luke. He won't pull out of there until that station goes boom, or he gets shot down trying. If that happens, I don't know if I could live with myself." Han continued adjusting the ship's coordinates. "But you know what's worse. If they do shoot him down, not enough to kill him, but you know, just enough to take him out. He'll still have to watch that station destroy Alderaan. You know, his Father and Sister will be on that planet, don't you? Lukey would never forgive himself."

"Then forget about the cargo. Let's go help our boy." Chewbacca growled and started readjusting the coordinates.

"I'm on it!" Han said. "Wait…"

"What's wrong?" Chewbacca yowled.

"That deal I made, for the cargo back there. I kinda had to sign a contract."

Chewbacca threw his arm and yelled. "A CONTRACT! DO YOU LEARN NOTHING?"

Han put his hands out to pacify him. "I know. Contracts, bad," he spat. "But it was the only way to get in on this deal. It's for a lot of credits, plus, if we make this delivery by the cargo's sell by date, it'll lead to more jobs."

Chewbacca growled. "How long do we have?"

"At this point, it's either or." Han looked timidly at him.

"And what happens if we don't deliver?" Chewbacca questioned.

"If we don't deliver it, we'll be seen as breaking contract and stealing their cargo. We'd be lucky if they don't issue a bounty on us." Han winced.

"So, it's Luke, or the contract." Chewbacca stated.

"I know, I know. If they issue the bounty on us, we'll be back to smuggling. No one decent will hire us. I know you wanted to make the credits to free your people," Han said.

"My people's hearts are as strong as the Wroshyr Tree. I will free them one day, but friendship is more valuable than any credits. I'll let you decide."

Han hung his head. In a few seconds he lifted it and started again at the coordinates. "We're going to Alderaan." Chewbacca smiled, knowing he'd finally taught the boy something.


When they landed on Alderaan, Chewbacca and Han ran off of the Falcon. Luke was disembarking his ship as well.

A crowd had gathered. They pointed up at Luke's X-Wing and whispered to each other. Looks of awe followed.

Luke climbed down and smiled big up at Han. "You came back! I knew you'd come back! I just knew it."

"Well, I wasn't going to let you take all the credit, was I?" Han quickly disparaged.

"Luke, Luke!" Leia ran up and threw her arms around her brother. Han looked away.

Anakin came running out a moment later, followed by Obi-Wan and Yoda. They each took a turn hugging Luke.

"We owe you our thanks too," Anakin turned to Han when his turn with Luke was over.

Han nodded and didn't look up. "I was just in the area, and decided to see how things were going."

Chewy hit Han on the back and growled, "You're our friends, and we don't let friends fly alone."

Han glared up at him.

Anakin laughed. "Well, thanks. You two are friends for life."

"Oh no!" Luke's shout pulled their attention back. It seemed the ground crew was pulling the astromech droid from Luke's ship. R2-D2 was clearly damaged.

"Oh, my! R2! Can you hear me? Say something!" C3-PO, the family's protocol droid, begged the astromech. When R2-D2 didn't so much as blink a response, he turned towards the mechanic. "You can repair him, can't you?"

"We'll get to work on him right away," The technician replied.

You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them," C3-PO offered.

Anakin walked up and looked at the droid. "He'll be fine," he reassured everyone. "R2's suffered worse. He just needs a cleaning, a recharge, and a few screws tightened. He'll be fine."

"Oh good," C3-PO animatedly replied. Luke looked less worried as well.

Chewbacca had seen enough droid repair over the years to know that it probably was more complicated than Anakin was saying, but he understood why the Jedi responded as he did. 'It's always best not to worry your pups.'


It was decided before the attack that at least one member of the royal household would stay on Yavin IV, and Bail Organa ordered that it be Mara. The poor girl, however, had no say in the whole thing, and she protested it as loudly as she could. Galen wondered how he got roped into her guard duty. Then he remembered.

Luke volunteered to fly against the Death Star, and Leia insisted she had to go with him. Which left her team, already limited on man-power after the whole Empire prison stay, another person short. And Juno volunteered to stay too, so there was that.

In the end, Galen used his negotiating tactics to get her royal highness to stay for as long as he could. They'd still left Yavin before they got word from Alderaan. Or lack of word, as the case may prove. Galen didn't want to think like that. 'Of course they'll make it,' he told himself.

As they flew up to the Alderaan system, Juno shouted to their pilot, "Slow down! Space debris ahead."

Galen held his breath, as did Mara. Everyone immediately clambered on top of eachother to get a view.

"It's the Death Star!" Someone noticed the space debris wasn't a planet at all.

"We won!" another officer clapped and cheered.

Galen turned to Juno. "They did it! Luke did it!" He grabbed Juno and gave her a celebratory spin. Then he kissed her.


Anakin was promised any resources he desired to repair R2-D2, but he refused everyone's help. Instead he took over one of the less used benches in the workshop, and set to work himself. R2 was a special droid, and no one knew his circuits better than he did.

While he worked on the Halber's Drive, R2 woke up and blinked in confusion. "It's okay buddy. I'm just fixing you up." Anakin remembered the confusion of waking up on the medic's table after a battle, and he supposed this must be somewhat similar for a droid. "Luke is okay. Thanks for keeping him safe."

R2 blinked an inquiry at him.

"Yeah, the Death Star is toast. We're on Alderaan right now." Anakin turned around to grab a new tool, and turned back to the droid. "Galen and Juno returned with Princess Mara already. Mara wanted to thank Luke right away." Anakin laughed. "You should've seen his face. She kissed his cheek and he went bright red."

R2-D2 blinked a response to that, and Anakin laughed again.

"Then we commed Tatooine. Several other Jedi are on their way to join the Rebellion now."

R2 beeped, asking how Padme took the news. Apparently C3-PO was anxious about it.

"Yeah, that was a difficult conversation. I think it was worse for Obi-Wan. I mean, he married the Pacifist. But in the end, I think they understand the calls we made…"

After a while Anakin pulled back from the droid's inner parts. "Look, I'm finished with your rewiring. I'm going to plug you in, and I want you to power down for a couple hours. Take it easy. You have a brand new battery, but older processors, and I don't want you to burn yourself out."

R2 blinked an affirmation, and Anakin turned to leave the shop.


"Anakin," Obi-Wan greeted him.

"Are we ready?" Anakin asked.

"Everything is set up for a full council meeting by comm. Queen Breha has lent us one of the Palace rooms." Obi-Wan explained.

Anakin smiled. "Good. And Luke and Galen?"

"I told them the Council wishes to discuss the recent events, and they're meeting us on the way there. They don't suspect a thing." Obi-Wan smiled an equally devious smile.

"Good, let's not keep them waiting."


"But Master, I don't understand. Why do I have to face the Council?" Luke asked. "I mean I get that we left without permission and helped the Rebellion and all… But you and Dad came along with us."

"Me and your Dad joined after you started up the Falcon's engines. Our goal has been to keep you out of trouble."

"Please, Uncle Ben," Luke tilted his head for maximum effect.

Obi-Wan sighed. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. The council just needs to get your version of events."

They looked up at Galen and Anakin who were having much the same conversation. "Why isn't Leia here?" Luke asked.

Anakin blinked, but Obi-Wan responded coolly, "Because she's already given her report."

Galen crossed his arms, and Luke sighed.

"Ready to begin, are we?" Yoda walked up to them and asked.

"Yes, we're ready." Obi-Wan responded.

Yoda turned and walked into their make-shift chamber. Obi-Wan followed, with Luke obediently walking beside him. Luke stumbled at first. The room was a lot darker than he expected for a Council meeting. Anakin and Galen followed them. Luke looked with awe at the room. Holo versions of their Council sat around the room. Yoda made his way to his seat in the Chamber, the only member besides his Master and father who was here in person. Obi-Wan bowed and Luke followed his example.

"Master Kenobi, has your Padawan demonstrated Skill, Courage, Spirit, and Insight in the face of great hardship and pain?" Yoda asked.

Obi-Wan moved to stand up while Yoda was talking. Luke was about to follow him when his Master held out a hand to stop him.

"Yes, he has," Obi-Wan answered.

Luke felt relieved. They probably won't be too mad, knowing that he has his Master's approval.

"Mmm. Knight Skywalker?" Yoda extended the question.

"Aye," Anakin answered with a smile he could no longer suppress.

Then suddenly everyone present and in Holo form pulled out and activated their lightsabers. The surrounding Council members spoke as one, "We are all Jedi. The Force speaks through us. Through our actions, the Force proclaims itself and what is real. Today we are here to acknowledge what the Force has proclaimed."

Luke looked up to his Master for help. Obi-Wan stepped in front of him while his father stepped in front of Galen. They held their lightsabers over their Padawan's heads. "By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force." Obi-Wan brought his Saber down towards Luke's shoulder. "I dub thee Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan brought his Saber up, cutting the braid from Luke's head. "Knight Skywalker, you may rise."

"Knight Marek, you may rise." Anakin did the same for Galen.

Both boys looked at each other in astonishment and stood.

Anakin reached out and patted his son's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, boys. You've both earned this."

"Finished, we are not," Yoda said.

Anakin looked back and forth, clearly confused.

Obi-Wan smirked a bit and stepped back to stand in the circle of Jedi.

"Anakin. Kneel, you may," Yoda said.

Luke watched his father obey. Everyone around the room lit their lightsabers again. Luke and Galen still weren't sure what was happening, but they did the same.

"Rival all of us, your skill does. An example you set with courage and spirit. With insight you lead others. And with all of these you teach your students. By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee Master. Rise you may, Master Skywalker."

Anakin's head fell forward. There were tears in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm not crying. I've got sand in my eyes." Anakin recovered a moment later and stood, his cheeks were clearly wet.

"Come on." Obi-Wan opened his arms to offer the new Master a hug.


Chewbacca waited with Han and Leia outside of the chambers. The Wookiee had a deep respect for the girl. She explained the Jedi system of knights and Masters to Han about five times before he finally got it.

"So then…" Han went to ask another question, and Leia gasped quietly under her breath. "Do you and Luke have to call him Master now?"

"No, he's still dad to us. But you definitely should call him Master," Leia answered that second question before it could leave his lips.

Chewbacca Yowled an affirmative. "Oh definitely. You should start calling him Master right away."

Han gulped, then nodded.

Knock Knock.

The three of them turn their heads to see a young female standing in the doorway. "Hello, I work for her majesty, Queen Breha. Are you Mr. Han Solo and Chewbacca son of Atti- Atti-chit-cuk" She stumbled over the Wookiee name pronunciations.

Chewbacca laughed silently. His father's name was always difficult to pronounce to outsiders.

Meanwhile Han spoke up. "Yeah, only we call him Chewy."

"Ahh, Chewy," she sounded relieved. "Yes, and I'm looking for Mr. Luke Skyguy."

Leia smiled at that. She was sure it was a Joke her Auntie Ahsoka must have had a hand in.

"Yeah. He'll be out in a few minutes. And it's Knight Luke Skywalker now." Han corrected her.

"Oh, Knight." She moved to write the correction on her papers. "Tonight the Queen would like to officially thank all of you in a ceremony. You will need to walk up to the thrones and they will present you each with a medal."

"Ohhhh" Chewbacca moaned. "I cannot accept this honor."

"Come on, Chewy. It's their custom." Han tried.

"It's my people's custom not to publicly accept a token of affection. I cannot, I apologize."

"Wait." Leia stuck her hand up. "You can't accept the trophy publicly… Would you accept it privately?"

"Yes, of course." Chewbaca answered.

"And would you be able to walk up to the throne while Han accepts a Trophy?" Leia asked again.

"Yes, I would." Chewbacca confirmed.

This brightened the mood of the Queen's servant immensely. She wrote down a bunch of notes. "Of course we'll be able to accommodate that. I'll tell her highness immediately." She was about to run out of the room when she turned and looked back at the door Luke was still behind.

"Don't worry, we'll tell him." Han promised.

She nodded quickly and rushed out of the room.

The doors soon opened and Five Jedi stumbled out.

"Leia, You won't guess what happened!" Luke grabbed his sister. Leia smiled and Luke frowned. "You know."

"Yes, Master Yoda told me earlier. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to keep it a secret," Leia said.

Han turned to Anakin and bowed. "Master Jedi."

Chewbacca laughed. So did Leia.

Anakin put his hands on Han's shoulders and said. "Thank you. You don't have to. No, I'm still Anakin."

Han looked flushed, but recovered quickly. "Luke, get your knight butt to the throne room. The Queen's going to give us a medal."


Elsewhere in the Galaxy, a certain broken down TIE fighter was recovered by the Emperor's men, and it's pilot was brought before Palpatine.

"My apprentice…" His slimy voice said.

"Master," the apprentice barely lifted his head to utter.

"You have failed me!" The apprentice winced. "But I sense something else has awoken. A power I have not felt for many years."

"The pilot, he is strong in the force," the apprentice placated.

"He is, isn't he? You've spoken about him before, this youngling. The child of the chosen one who once had the power of Kyber pour through him. I want to see him for myself. Bring him to me."

"Yes, Master."

The Sith smiled, "Anakin, I'll turn your spawn and he'll destroy you."

"Master?" The apprentice questioned.

"Dismissed! You have your orders." Palpatine threw his arms with the declaration and his apprentice winced again under the suit.


Well, I guess I'm in the mood for writing out new POV's. Chewbacca's seemed like a rarely used one, so I decided to give it a go. I decided to use more average quotes for him, because even though he's still talking in Shyriiwook, to him it sounds like Basic. And I have a plot bunny in my head that to Chewbacca, Han is like a puppy dog that was in need of a home, so he adopted him. I also decided that Chewy calls himself Chewbacca.

I also wrote an explanation to one of the longest unexplained discriminations of the century. Why Chewy was not given a medal by the Princess too.

A few lines came from the A New Hope transcript, but not many this time.

And I took some of the lines from the knighting ceremony from the Wookieepedia page, though I had to create a lot of it. Especially the Master-ing part of that, which Wookieepedia had no descriptions of. To my knowledge, no one has officially become a Knight or a Master on screen yet. I got really excited as I was writing it, and I hope you all enjoy it too.

And in the last scene, with Sidious… the Apprentice he's got there is still the former Tel-Mac who fell in chapter 24. His name is Vader too. And the event he refers to as Luke having the power of a Kyber pouring through him was from chapter 48. When Luke tapped into that bond with his lightsaber and used its power to help them escape Vader.

All that said, I'm really not sure what will happen next. I'm going to have to wait for the inspiration to strike. I might end up doing a time jump next. But things will no longer follow the movies. You may have to wait a bit for the next chapter.