Disclaimer: I am not Rick Riordan or George Lucas.
Enter Luke and Mara, walking through the streets of Bastion.
As the two Jedi head toward the Petranaki arena, Mara comments on the architecture. However, upon reaching the arena, Luke registers that without Imperial currency they have no way to purchase fizzade at the gift shop.
Mara retrieves Vodo-Siosk Baas's datapad and, after typing a few keys, receives a credcard in return.
Mara. Intergalactic credcard . . . for emergencies.
Luke stares at her in shock.
Luke. How did you . . . ? No. Never mind. I don't want to know. Just keep being astral.
Luke and Mara purchase a couple cans of fizzade, which aid them on their journey. However, they are still hot and exhausted by the time they reach the Ravelin River.
Mara indicates a nearby stone bride.
Mara. This is it. I recognize that from the map. But what do we do now?
Luke. [aside] I'm glad she said we. I don't want to leave her yet. In fact, I'm not sure I can make myself do so when the time comes. Abeloth's words come back to me. Will you fall alone?
Luke glances at the Ravelin.
How are we even going to make contact with this gos Ravelin? I don't really want to jump in. This river doesn't look much cleaner than the Great Western Sea back home. Besides, I remember well my encounter with those river spirits. I don't really care to repeat it. [to Mara] It's about lunchtime. How about we try your credcard again?
Luke and Mara enter a restaurant, which is nearly empty. The waiter who serves them appears surprised to see them ordering lunch this early in the day.
Waiter. [smiles] GA?
Mara. Yes/
Luke. And I'd love a nerfspread.
Waiter. Of course you would, burc'ya. And let me guess: a fizzade . . . with ice?
Luke. Astral.
After she gives her order and the waiter subsequently departs, Mara smiles at Luke.
Mara. I think Bastionites eat a lot later in the day. They don't put ice in their drinks. And they only do nerfspread for tourists.
Luke. Oh. The best Bastion food, and they don't even eat it?
Mara. I wouldn't say that in front of the waiter.
Luke regards Mara for a moment.
Luke. [aside] Should I tell her about my dream involving Abeloth destroying the Praxeum? I dare not. She doesn't need anything else to worry about . . . not with what she is facing. But it makes me wonder . . . What would have happened if we hadn't scared off Tremayne's pirates? Mara and I would have been put in chains and taken to Abeloth's minions. Our blood would have spilled on ancient stones . . . which probably means some big horrible sacrifie on Corellia.
Luke shudders as the thought of what Mara is facing hits him again.
I know it's a horrible wish, but I almost regret that we weren't captured. At least Mara and I would be together.
Mara. You shouldn't feel ashamed. You're thinking about Tremayne, aren't you? Lightsabers can't solve every problem. You saved us in the end.
Luke smiles.
Luke. [to Mara] How do you do that? You always know what I'm thinking.
Mara. I know you.
Luke. [aside] And you like me anyway?
Mara. Luke. You can't carry the weight of this whole quest. It's impossible. That's why there are seven of us. And you'll have to let me search for the Galactic Roundel on my own.
Luke. I missed you . . . for months. A huge chunk of our lives was taken away. If I lost you again . . .
The waiter and serves the couple their lunch.
Waiter. It is a beautiful view. Enjoy, please.
After the waiter departs, Luke and MAra eat in silence.
Mara. You'll have to trust me. You've got to believe I'll come back.
Luke. I believe in you. That's not the problem. But come back from where?
Enter Ravelin and Mazicia Organa, arriving on a speeder bike.
Ravelin. Why, hello.
Mazicia dismounts the bike.
Mazicia. We've had the most lovely morning.
Mara stares at the two immortals in shock.
Mara. Oh, my skies. How . . . how . . . ?
Luke regards Ravelin and Mazicia with greater interest.
Luke. You guys do look familiar. Are you that guy on Republic Medcenter?
Mara. [horrified] Luke.
Luke. What? I don't watch a lot of holovision.
Mara. That's Jellion Broon. And . . . Emperor's Black Bones. Tuatara Lone. I know this holodrama. Zeltrons in Love. But that was fifty or sixty years ago. How . . . ?
Mazicia. Oh, my dear. I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else. My name is Mazicia Organa. I was the mother to Bail and Prestor Organa, thousands of years ago. But you're so kind to think I look as young as fifty or sixty. And this is my husband . . .
Ravelin. Ravelin, god of the River Ravelin.
Ravelin holds out his hand, and he and Luke shake.
Luke. Er, hello. Do you two always look like Galactic Alliance holostars?
Ravelin. Do we?
Ravelin frowns at his clothes.
I'm not sure, actually. The migration of Coreward civilization goes both ways, you know. Bastion affected the galaxy. But the galaxy also affects Bastion. There does seem to be a lot of GA influence lately. I've rather lost track over the centuries.
Luke. Okay. But . . . you're here to help?
Ravelin. My Melodies told me you two were here. [glances at Mara] You have the map, my dear? And your letter of introduction?
Mara. Er . . .
Mara retrieves the letter and the Star Map.
S-so . . . you've helped other children of Ashla with this quest?
Mazicia. Oh, my dear. Ravelin is ever so helpful. He saved my children Bail and Prestor, you know, and brought them to the avian goddess Vergere. Later, when that old king Adas tried to kill me, Ravelin took pity on me and made me his wife. I've been ruling the river kingdom at his side ever since. He's just dreamy.
Ravelin. Thank you, my dear. [smiles] And yes, Mara Jade, I've helped many of your siblings . . . to at least begin their journey safely. A shame all of them died painfully later on. Well, your documents seem in order. We should get going. The Mark of Ashla awaits.
Luke grips Mara's hand.
Luke. Ravelin. Let me go with her. Just a little farther.
Mazicia. [laughs] But you can't, silly boy. You must return to your ship and gather your other friends. Confront the Yuuzhan Vong. The way will appear in your friend Danni's vibroblade. Mara has a different path. She must walk alone.
Ravelin. Indeed. Mara must face the guardian of the shrine by herself. It is the only way. And Luke Skywalker, you have less time than you realized to rescue your friend in the jar. You must hurry.
Luke. But . . .
Mara squeezes Luke's hand.
Mara. It's all right, Luke. I need to do this.
Luke opens his mouth to protest, then changes his mind.
Luke. You're right. Be safe.
Mazicia. [laughs] Safe? Not at all. But necessary. Come, Mara, my dear. We will show you where your path starts. After that, you're on your own.
Mara kisses Luke, then sets off with Ravelin and Mazicia.
Luke sits in his chair and watches as the speeder bike carrying Mara, Ravelin, and Mazicia speeds away from him . . . and toward the quest which has meant death for countless children of Ashla.
Exit all.