Simultaneously on the swamp planet of Dagobah...
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Far from Bespin, located in the Sluis sector of the Outer Rim, was the mysterious, mist-shrouded. swamp planet Dagobah.
Dagobah was a remote world of swamps, bogs, lagoons, and forests, that supported many exotic creatures, and plant life, but was devoid of any advanced or indigenous civilization of sentient life-forms. Because of this, Dagobah was often ignored by the majority of the galaxy for being a wild and unruly planet that seemed to serve little to no purpose.
However, nothing should be judged solely by it's appearance. Despite the planet's seemingly useless, inhospitable, and unremarkable presence, Dagobah was one of the purest places in the galaxy; very strong with The Light Side of The Force. The remote world of swamps and forests, served as a refuge for the 2-foot tall, 800+ year old, Jedi Grand Master Yoda during his exile after the Jedi Purge, and the destruction of the Jedi Order.
Towards the end of the Clone Wars, Yoda was guided by the spirit of the late Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn to Dagobah, to learn about the greater mysteries of The Force. There, Yoda was given the spiritual task of learning how to become one with the Force and achieve immortality, like Qui-Gon had. During his visit, Yoda entered a cave tainted by the Dark Side, and experienced a vision showing him the extent of the Sith's tightening grip on the galaxy, the impending destruction of the Jedi Order, and the presence of Darth Sidious.
At the end of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Great Jedi Purge, Yoda entered into exile in the swamps of Dagobah after facing Darth Sidious. Having experienced visions of the impending destruction of the Jedi Order during his first visit to Dagobah, Yoda had decided long before that if this dark future should become a reality, he would return there. By choosing a remote world that no one paid any attention to, and living on a planet vibrant with The Light Side of The Force, Yoda remained completely undetectable. He also lived near the Cave of Evil, which negated his light side presence, and further hid himself completely from the Sith.
Yoda remained here in exile for over 20 years, until Luke Skywalker finally arrived to begin his Jedi training. Despite Yoda's reluctance to train the boy in the ways of the Jedi, Luke had been persistent, and the Force Ghost of Obi-Wan manged to finally convince him to train Luke. Despite Luke being too old to begin his Jedi training (even older than Anakin was) he had shown perseverance, determination, and dedication to become a Jedi. Luke had proved his dedication many times over with his growing Force Abilities under Yoda's tutelage.
Because of his training, Luke was now able to clearly see the Force Spirits of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (whom he recently met during his training on Dagobah) and they too helped Luke with his training as much as Yoda did.
Yoda had recently introduced Luke to the power of Force Visions which enabled him to see into the past, the present, and the future. Luke experienced a vision of his friends in danger on Cloud City. Despite Yoda's warnings to stay on Dagobah and complete his training, Luke had already made up his mind. He was going to go save his friends on Cloud City, unaware of the trap that was waiting for him there. Luke was also concerned about that strange vision he had in the cave of evil. Why did I see my own face in Darth Vader's helmet? What did that mean? Luke often thought.
The diminutive ancient Jedi Master Yoda was watching the scene unfold before him; Luke (dressed in the fatigue suit he wore underneath his X-Wing pilot's uniform) was training with his lightsaber against training remote droids, the ghost of Obi-Wan instructing him. Far ahead of them, the blue-and-white astromech droid R2-D2 was cleaning and repairing Luke's X-Wing Fighter which had recently been levitated out of the swamp by Yoda.
Yoda had taught Luke how to levitate objects with The Force, but Luke had trouble lifting the ship out of the swamp. Luke had doubted and lacked belief in order to use the Force to levitate the ship out of the swamp. Despite Yoda's chastisement about his reluctance to believe in The Force and feel it around him, Luke momentarily gave up, believing it to be impossible. It wasn't until Yoda levitated the X-Wing out of the swamp that Luke finally understood Yoda's warnings against doubt.
(Luke) "I don't believe it."
(Yoda) "That is why you fail."
Luke learned his lesson to never doubt again. Despite his almost constant struggles, Luke was still excelling in his training.
Yoda looked first at R2 as he faithfully cleaned and repaired the X-Wing Fighter, preparing it for space travel. Hhmm, faithful that droid has been to Skywalker. Father and Son. Yoda thought, remembering how often that loyal droid had accompanied Anakin throughout the Clone Wars and even helped Yoda during his journey to learn the deeper mysteries of the Force. R2-D2 was an extremely put together little astromech droid having fought though multiple battles aiding in the service of the whole Skywalker family. R2 had certainly come a long way ever since he was a humble service droid on Queen Amidala's starship over 30 years ago; from a service droid to a veteran of multiple wars. Yoda too was fond of R2, despite that squabble with the lamp...
Yoda felt a little nostalgic as he saw the boy train. He often missed the younglings he used to train in the old Jedi Temple on Courscant. Seeing young Skywalker train reminded him of that more peaceful time, before the Clone Wars and before the reign of the Sith. In his mind, Yoda could recall one of the last conversations he once had with Anakin; Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not, miss them do not. That was one of many things he had come to regret in the past since the Jedi Purge.
Yoda still held on to many of the old Jedi ways, some of them still held precedent, while many them reflected the ways of ancient times and no longer applied to the galaxy as a whole. Yoda often missed and mourned for the loss of friends in the Jedi Purge. Maybe if events had been different, and the Order had been more flexible, maybe the Jedi could have survived the Clone Wars and Anakin could have fulfilled his destiny as the Chosen One. Both Obi-Wan and Yoda, doubted that anything of Anakin was still left in the dark armor of Darth Vader. Yoda's long green ears drooped down a little as he sighed heavily, remembering the past, and fearing about the possibilities of the future.
"Anakin still lives within the shell of Darth Vader. He still has yet to fulfill his destiny as The Chosen One. He needs to be brought back to the Light in order to do it."
…Said the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn breaking Yoda's train of thought. Qui-Gon then materialized into a presence next to him. Qui-Gon Jinn looked same as he did when died on Naboo 30 years ago.
"So sure of that, you always have been, Master Qui-Gon." Yoda responded.
Qui-Gon Jinn, unlike his old apprentice or old Master, never doubted the Anakin was always the Chosen One. Even after the horrible loss of the Jedi Order when Anakin fell to the Dark Side and became Darth Vader, Qui-Gon could still see the bigger picture; he always saw Anakin's emotions and passions were not a weakness but a strength. Those emotions and passions had been manipulated by Darth Sidious, in order turn Anakin's good soul toward evil. While both Obi-Wan and Yoda could agree with Qui-Gon's point of view, they still could not help but fear for Luke since he would soon face the same temptations Anakin did all those years ago.
"I hope right, you are." Yoda said, after a moment of silence.
Luke trained using his father Anakin Skywalker's old Lightsaber from the Clone Wars. The lightsaber's bright glowing blue blade contrasted against the dark swampy surroundings. Luke had inherited the old lightsaber from Obi-Wan Kenobi years ago saying that Anakin would have wanted him to have it. Yoda and Obi-Wan had no doubt in their minds that, if events had been different, Anakin would truly have wanted his son to have his lightsaber.
"Concentrate Luke, and calm yourself. You will be able to seen the remotes much clearer if you let go of your aggression and remain peaceful, even in the heat of conflicty" The ghost of Obi-Wan instructed Luke as he continued his practice drills. Obi-Wan looked the same as he did when he let go of his conscious self on the Death Star a few short years ago.
Luke's lightsaber skills were improving after his previous encounters with Darth Vader on Cymoon-1, the battle with the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the ruins of Obi-Wan's home on Tatootine, and being used as the pawn of Grakkus The Hutt on Nar Shaddaa. His skills against training remotes were also improving since his the first time he used them on the Millennium Falcon. Instead of training with 1 remote, he was training with 8 of them. His movements with the lightsaber in defense and attack, were becoming faster and more intense. He was determined to be the victor in his next confrontation with Vader.
"Luke will eventually see what Padmé and I see. There is still good in him. Anakin will return and bring balance to the Force." Qui-Gon continued as he and Yoda watched Luke train from afar.
"Master Qui-Gon, only so much could we do to prepare Luke. Only so much we can do for him become the Jedi he should be." Yoda responded with much worry.
"There is only so much a teacher can do for his student. A teacher may teach, but the student must learn and apply what he has learned to his own life and trials." Qui-Gon tried assure Yoda, and put his mind at peace.
Yoda was also worried as to what Luke would do when he learns the truth about his Jedi heritage and the temptation of the Dark Side. "Only so much we can do to prepare him for the truth of his Father. So much like him, he is. Impatient, reckless. The last of the Jedi, is Luke. If fall to the dark side he does, then...all is lost what we have fought for and suffered." Yoda spoke seriously and solemnly.
Qui-Gon repsonded again with wisdom and hope; "Not the last of the Jedi, but the first of the new. He will help Anakin find himself again. Children are not complete reflections of their parents. Luke will learn from his father's mistakes and resist the Dark Side, and doing so Anakin will be inspired by Luke to do the same and again become the good man we know he is."
Yoda nodded slowly, and then responded; "I hope right you are, Master Qui-Gon."
Yoda made a gesture in The Force which deactivated the training droids, hobbled forward leaning on his cane, and rested atop a large tree root. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan disappeared into the darkness, and the training remotes floated down to the ground.
Luke caught his breath and pointed the lightsaber's blade down. He directed his attention to the ancient Jedi Master. "What now, Master Yoda?" he asked.
"Meditate you must, with me Padawan. Further perfect your mediation skills, you must." Yoda sat down, rested his cane in front of himself, crossed his legs on top of the tree, closed his eyes, breathed calmly, cleared his mind, and reached out with The Force.
Luke deactivated his lightsaber and placed it down on the ground in front of him. Facing Yoda, Luke sat on the ground, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, breathed calmly, cleared his mind...
...the spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn spoke to Luke as he meditated...
(Obi-Wan) Let go of your conscious self...
(Qui-Gon) Concentrate on the moment...
(Obi-Wan) Stretch out with your feelings...
(Qui-Gon) Feel, Don't think...
(Obi-Wan) A Jedi can feel The Force flowing through him...
(Qui-Gon) Be mindful of the Living Force...
...and then Luke reached out with The Force...
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The Byzantine Knight: Luke Skywalker's previous encounters with Darth Vader on Cymoon-1, Boba Fett in the ruins of Obi-Wan's home on Tatooine, Holocrons, and Grakkus The Hutt on Nar Shaddaa, all happened in Star Wars #1-12 (Marvel, 2015)
Yoda's adventures on Dagobah and learning about the secrets of The Force, happened in Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 6 episodes Voices, Destiny, and Sacrifices.
Luke's lightsaber training against 8 remotes is a scenes written and eventually cut from The Empire Strikes Back. This scenes is still considered canon, since it also appeared in the film's novelization and comic adaptation.
Once again, credit goes to Wookieepedia for the descriptions of planets, spaceships, and other stuff I know about, but they were able to describe better on a technical level.
As with the last chapter, The Empire Strikes Back is still happening; so The Empire has arrived on Cloud City before the Rebels have, and Luke has experienced his vision knowing that his friends and that they are in danger. Luke has decided to postpone his Jedi training, to go save his friends from the danger that awaits them, against Yoda's protests and warnings.
I can't recommend enough that you read those comics; although certain circumstances in those comics have been altered here. Also, watch The Clone Wars in case you haven't already.
Brooke Page: I loved narrating this chapter. Once again I loved the use of Expanded Universe, and that Qui-Gon Jinn was in here. Was this one of those examples you gave about the Original Trilogy having more Prequel content?
BK: Thanks Brooke, and yes it is. The first major change I made to the continuity in the films, connecting the Prequel Trilogy and Original Trilogy, is presented here in this chapter; Luke knows about Qui-Gon (this will be a important plot point as this story progresses). When Disney initiated the continuity reboot of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, what I looked forward to the most is stories that connected the Prequel and Original trilogies better than the old EU did. One of those story concepts I have been looking forward to the most, is Luke learning about the Old Jedi Order. That has incredible story telling potential, but so far there is not much happening with that yet.
BP: I think we will see more of that happen soon. I know I really want see if Luke eventually learned about Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Ahsoka Tano, and what Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda were like when they were younger. Luke learning about the Old Jedi Order has great story potential, but I think they are saving it until later.
BK: I hope so. It would be a shame and a waste to have this whole new sequel trilogy era pass, and not have Luke learn about the Jedi Order of the Old Republic. I know that they can also do stuff like that in printed media, but I prefer to see that on film. The new Marvel comics and Star Wars Rebels are doing a great job of connecting the PT and OT together, I just wish the Sequel Trilogy was doing it better.
BP: So now that we have been to Dagobah...now will get to go to Ever After High?
BK: NOW we get to go to Ever After High! There, we will be re-introduced to our friends there, and then the actual crossover begins!
BP: Hat-tastic! Can you tell me (and the audience) a little more before we start?
BK: The only thing I will tell you is that the one of the most loved couples in Ever After High, Dexter X Raven, is the key to all of this. They are the reason this whole crossover happens in the first place.
BP: OK this is off-the-page; I'm getting excited again! Are they the ones who find the Holocrons? How are all the other characters are involved? How do the Ever After High students get to the Star Wars universe in the first place?
BK: (In Yoda's voice) Hmmm. Difficult to See. Always in motion is the future. (normal voice) We will have to see, and find out, in the next chapter...