A/N: After much thought, I finally came up with an idea to bring Anakin back! YAY! Anyway, this will have other chapters (hopefully) although my main story is still Missing Link.
It had been two years.
Tahiri Veila's mind wandered during the memorial service, held in honor of the two years since It had happened. Nobody really talked about It, except at these stupid things. They were always so dreary, so unlike him, that she wanted to scream. At least, if she had still felt anything, she would scream. But no, she had lost her emotions two years ago. It still haunted her dreams, but she refused to feel anything. She felt like slapping the orator to make him shut up. She didn't want to remember. She wanted to continue being a husk. After all, there was nothing else for here to be.
Mara Jade Skywalker studied her newest apprentice with concern. She had tuned out the speaker, knowing that his eulogy would be the same as last year. Tahiri's face was stony, as it had been for a long time. No smile ever crossed it, no pain ever appeared. The jagged scars on her forehead marred her otherwise smooth, flat skin. Mara could sense Tahiri's emotions boiling deep within her, but she knew her apprentice would not let them out. This, Mara knew, was the reason for Tahiri's sudden ineptitude in the Force. She had often told Tahiri to let her emotions flow, but Tahiri would only turn away.
The speech finally ended and the remnants of the true New Rebellion *A/N: Forgive me, I haven't read the latest book* turned away. Most were heading to the reception, but Mara hung back until she spotted her sister-in-law. Trusting Luke to keep Ben occupied, she slipped from her husband's side and went to speak with Leia. Leia's eyes had filled with tears, but otherwise she remained composed. She managed a watery smile for Mara.
"Hey, Leia," said Mara. "Are you okay?"
Leia sniffed and nodded. "It's not so bad, now that I'm used to it." She sniffed again and looked for Han, who was talking to Luke. "How about you?"
Mara shrugged. "What can I say? He was my nephew, but I loved him like a son. But…." She stopped, casting around for words. "He was so promising. It's amazing that he's gone. Even more amazing is that he's been gone for two years."
"I know," Leia agreed. "And that we've managed to keep going."
"Not all of us have," said Mara, glancing in Tahiri's direction. Valin Horn was half-heartedly trying to talk to her, but Tahiri looked like she wanted to run away.
Leia caught the glance. "Tahiri's been far worse about it," she said somberly.
"Anakin was the only one who truly loved her," said Mara quietly. "He was her family, her happiness, her life. The rest of us may care for her, but Anakin was the only one who truly loved her."
"And now he's gone," Leia said, watching Tahiri say good-bye to Valin and steal away from the room. She sighed. "It's a shame. She held so much promise, but it's all gone now. Died the day he died." Mara nodded. Leia hesitated as they started walking to the reception room.
"What?" Mara asked, slowing.
Leia shook her head and kept walking. The room was mostly empty now, except for those who returned it to its normal appearance. "It's silly," she admitted, "but, once, a long time ago, on Bakura, my father's ghost appeared to me."
Mara stiffened, but nodded. "Go on."
"And, well, he told me that if I ever needed him, I could call and he would come." Leia paused, then added, "I've been thinking: what if he could bring Anakin back to us?"
"I don't know," said Mara. "I don't know if that's possible."
Leia laughed slightly. "I know that. But it's a wonderful fantasy, and it keeps me going…"
Mara shrugged again. "Well, that's reassuring. I don't know. Maybe you could try."
Leia nodded. "Maybe I will."
***
That night, when Han had gone to bed, Leia lingered in the sitting room. After glancing around and convincing herself she was not foolish, Leia took a deep breath and said, "Father? You said you would come when I called. Well, I'm calling now, I know it's a little late, but I need help."
She waited for several minutes, but nothing happened. Sighing, she stood up, but fell back down into her chair when a voice said, "Shame on your unbelief."
Leia gasped as a bluish figure appeared in front of her. He looked almost like her son, with a kindly face and Jedi robes. "F-father?"
Anakin Skywalker laughed. "Yes, it's me, Anakin Skywalker. Not Darth Vader, I might add. I see you've come to terms with our relationship."
"Yes—well, um, yes," Leia managed.
He laughed again. "What is it that you may need, my daughter?"
Leia took a deep breath. "You know my son Anakin has died."
Skywalker nodded solemnly. "I have yet to see him. I doubt he is one with the Force already."
"Yes, well, I was wondering if, well, maybe you could help us get him back?" Leia said hesitantly.
Skywalker's face compacted. "I am not sure," he said slowly, "if it is within my power to do so. However," he added, almost to himself, "there might be a way…"
Leia's heart leaped. "How?" she demanded breathlessly.
Skywalker shook his head. "I am not sure it would work, and even then, I do not know how it would turn out…where are you, now?"
Leia swallowed. "We're out on the edge of the galaxy."
"Near…" he persisted.
She shook her head. "Nowhere near the Outer Rim. We're actually very close to where the Yuzzhan Vong entered our galaxy."
"Oh," he said. "Well, my dear, if we do manage something, it may be a very long time before you know…but I will try. I know of someone else who desires to return to the galaxy…perhaps they can both come back."
"So you will try?" Leia whispered.
He bowed. "As much as I can," he murmured. "I may never see you again, Leia. I bid you farewell. Remember that I love you, and pass along my love to your family."
"Thank you," Leia whispered. She blew him a kiss and suddenly realized her cheeks were wet. Anakin Skywalker waved and disappeared. Leia sat, meditating, until the door to the bedroom opened and Han appeared.
"Sweetheart? Are you going to come to bed soon?" he asked.
Leia nodded. "I'm coming, Han." Accepting his proffered hand, she stood and followed him back into the bedroom.
***
Meanwhile Queen Amidala Renétia sat in her chambers, reading a book of Jedi lore. She was about nineteen and could usually be found wearing elegantly ornate dresses and wearing her hair in styles that were even more complex. At the moment, however, her dark hair was unbound and her quick brown eyes scanned the pages. Her face was its normal light brown and she was wearing comfortable pants and a loose shirt, her night attire. She curled up in a plush chair. Two of her best friends (and maids), Allé and Delphi, sat near the door, also immersed in books.
Finally, at about nine o'clock local time (it had been years since the planet had gone by Coruscant Standard Time) she looked up and announced, "You two can go to bed now. I doubt I will be mugged tonight."
Allé smiled. "Really, Your Highness, it's been years since anyone attacked you. We know we're simply an honor guard. We also know that everyone seems to like you. Does it really matter if we're here or not?"
"Not really," Amidala shot back.
"That's what we figured," said Delphi, standing. "Oh, well, back to our quarters, Allé. Guess we're not wanted here."
Amidala shook her head as they left. Her hair flowed down her back. After another moment of sitting, she called, "Whoever you are, just show yourself."
Slowly, the ghost of Anakin Skywalker materialized in front of her. She frowned slightly and set down her book. "What are you doing here?"
The specter shrugged. "I just had a conversation with my daughter, Leia."
Amidala tossed her hair over one shoulder. "And…?"
"She wants me to bring her son Anakin back." Skywalker paused. "Can you do it?"
"We've been working on it…" She stood and began to pace. "We've got a theory, but we'd have to get his body…how badly damaged was he?"
"They cremated the body…but the damages were extensive."
"I don't want to bring him back just to have him die on me," she insisted.
He studied her. "I don't know. But you will try?"
She pushed her hair behind her ears and sighed. "Fine, fine, we will bring your grandson back. But if they want him," she added, "they will have to come get him."
He bowed for the second time that evening. "I will find some way of conveying this to them. Thank you."
"Don't mention it," she said, narrowing her eyes as he disappeared. She sank back into her chair and rubbed her eyes, considering her new obligation. She had a very good idea about how to bring back the young man, but was hesitant to undo what had been done. She did not even know Anakin Solo. Sighing again, she stood and glided into her bedroom with all the poise two years at ruling had brought her.
Two days later Amidala, joined by Allé, Delphi, Handé, Challie, and Jennique (nicknamed the Frog), sat in the medical wing of her palace. A few others with some Force aptitude joined them. Amidala stood at the head of the room while the others sat in chairs. Amidala smiled down at them as they finished filing in. These were her closest friends, people she had known all her life. They were the Jedi protectors of her planet. She adored all of them and knew they would willingly lay down their lives for her.
"All right," she began, "we all know that we've been trying to come up with a way to bring the Jedi Masters to us—"
"Really? Is that all?" called a childhood friend, Tadd.
She attempted to glare at him but broke down into a girlish giggle. "Yes, well, anyway," she continued, still blushing, "we've come up with a way to do it. We think. However, we now have a test subject. The Solos want their son Anakin back. Our job is to bring him here so they can pick him up."
Challie raised her hand. "What if we can only do it once?"
The Queen hesitated. "I've though of that…well, I guess, I—we—just have to hope we get another chance."
"And if we don't?"
"That is not the discussion at hand," Amidala forced out. "Today we will attempt to bring Anakin Skywalker back to life, giving him a body while we're at it."
"How are we going to manage that?" Tadd asked. "After all, his body didn't disappear when he died."
Delphi answered for Amidala. "When you die, your body is slowly returned to the galaxy. We will attempt to obtain it from the galaxy."
"How?"
"We're going to search for it. In fact, you're partially in charge of that."
Tadd looked taken aback and didn't answer. "Delphi will help you. Allé, Handé, Michelle, and I are in charge of getting his soul. Frog, you're going to be our link back to the living. Don't lose your head."
The Frog smiled a cocky, knowing smile. "Have I ever lost my head?"
"Not that I know of," Amidala replied. "Are we all settled? Good. Delphi, your team has to start right away. My team needs to meditate. Dismissed." With that, everyone rushed out of the office and into the bacta room.
Tadd and Delphi gathered the other two Jedi. "I'm assuming you've got a handle on this," Tadd said.
Delphi replied calmly, "All we have to do is reach out with our minds and ask the galaxy for his particles back. It shouldn't be that hard. Do we have clothes for a twenty-year-old?"
"Yes," said a younger girl, holding up the Jedi robes.
"Thank you, Tish. Now-"
"How is he going to be twenty?" Tadd demanded.
Delphi shot his an annoyed look. "When his spirit re-enters his body, the body should alter to match the spirit. It's time."
The four encircled a medical bed, kneeling and holding hands. Delphi relaxed and reached out for Tadd's mind. Are you ready? she asked.
Of course, he retorted.
She sighed as she released herself of her form. Slowly she abandoned her planet mentally, feeling the others' presences beside her. She stopped when she reached their sun, and reached out through it to every star in the galaxy. A deep voice in the Force spoke to them.
What do you wish, puny ones?
Delphi felt extended throughout the whole galaxy. She was aware of the planets crying out in torment under the Yuuzhan Vong. The Force was vitally alive, still, at least in her end of the galaxy; but the dark Yuuzhan Vong patches grew in size. And yet, all the way at the other end of the galaxy, dazzlingly bright patches of life remained. Delphi dimly wondered if those were the Skywalkers, and the Solos, but forcefully brought her mind to the matter at hand.
We wish to recover that which was loaned to Anakin Solo, she called.
Please, Tadd added. Delphi felt a brief stab of annoyance.
The stars were silent. Since they comprised a large amount of the galaxy, it would be their choice whether the body would be surrendered. Is he the one whom the aliens fear? one asked, a bright star, near Ithor.
Feared, yes, Delphi replied. He was killed, but we wish to bring him back.
For what purpose? another star demanded.
Tish spoke up, along with her sister twin Cass. His family wants him, and he may be the key to driving out the Yuuzhan Vong, the aliens, the ones who destroy your planets.
The stars' presences conferred with each other. Finally their sun said, Your request shall be granted. Here, take it with you.
The stars pulled away and Delphi felt something weighing down her mind. Gently, with the others' assistance, she carried the body on her mind, back to the medical bed, where it somehow slipped underneath the covers. Slowly she reentered her body, and sank against the floor, breathing hard.
Amidala, who had been kneeling near them, monitoring their bodies while in their trances, said quietly, "You have been successful. Rest, my weary healers, then go to work. The medics will help." She cast an appraising eye over Anakin's still, calm face, with blood matted in the hair and bruises evident near his eyes. "Dear, me, he got into a scrape."
Delphi stood and joined her. "That's right." She sighed. "Stars."
Amidala smiled. "I don't speak with them often; it's rather tiring. They aren't sentient, in one sense, and yet they are there, in the Force, and capable of communicating. On some planets, in certain religions, it is believed they sing." She smiled again. "I have yet to hear them do that."
Delphi watched the Queen go stand by her team. She knew Amidala had undergone some sort of ordeal when she was very young, and the queen carried that on her shoulders. She spoke with no one about it, though.
A few hours later, Amidala sat with Allé, Handé, and Michelle. Jennique held one of their hands, and they joined their other hands together. "Are you ready?" the Frog asked.
Michelle opened one eye. "Just don't let go."
"I won't," Frog replied.
"Good," Amidala half-murmured. She stretched out and freed herself from her physical form. Allé was right beside her, and Handé and Michelle stayed close behind. Amidala luxuriated in her freedom before calming and focusing her attention on the mission at hand.
Silently she asked, Are you ready?
I hope so, Michelle replied.
Hang on, Amidala "called." Slowly she stretched out until she felt a barrier, which she pushed against and melted through. Dimly, she was aware of the Frog holding on to part of her on the other side.
After a moment of allowing themselves to stare, the spirits of the four girls slowly "moved" around the realm of the dead, stretching out with their feelings to see if they felt anything.
After a moment, a gloomy "voice" called out, Hello?
Hello, Amidala replied. The other three were silent, allowing their leader to speak.
Oh, there is someone there. This did not seem to cheer the voice at all. What did you in?
Allé sent Amidala a puzzled thought. Excuse me?
How did you die? the voice asked again. I watch everyone come through here and listen to their stories of death and depressing subjects like that. Most won't tell me how the war goes. Do you have any news?
No… Amidala replied.
Ami? Handé murmured. Do you think this is he?
I'm not sure.
What was that? the voice demanded.
Nothing, said Amidala hastily. We're not dead.
You're not? the voice demanded. How are you here, then?
We came across the barrier to look for someone, Michelle spoke up.
We? The voice was now surprised. There's more than one of you?
Show yourself, Amidala commanded.
Slowly a face "appeared" in their "vision." A young man, about twenty, perhaps, clothed in torn Jedi robes, appeared before them. Who are you? What do you want?
We want Anakin Solo, Amidala replied. Are you he?
I was, the spirit said dryly. Please excuse my less-than-living appearance. Heh. What do you want with me?
We want to offer you a road back.
Back where?
To the living.
His face became shocked. It took a moment for him to absorb this. How—?
Later, Amidala replied. Come here. She, Handé, Allé, and Michelle reached out with their minds, offering him a grip with which to join them.
Whoa! The Frog's cry was dim, but hearable. Hold back a little.
Anakin jerked. What was that?
Our link back to our world, Handé replied. Are you coming?
Anakin hesitated, then disappeared. Seconds later the quartet felt a new spirit sharing their link. Jennique? Amidala called.
In response, the girl began pulling them back. There was a jolt as they hit the barrier. Anakin cried out as they slowly melted through it. Their grip on his mind tightened. Slowly they dragged him out of the Force and into the living galaxy. Carefully they guided him down to his body, then each went her separate way.
Michelle opened her eyes. She rushed to stand and fell back against the wall. Amidala caught her elbow. "Careful," the queen cautioned. "You're not quite ready to stand, yet."
"Is he here?" Allé asked, coming to stand next to them. Handé joined them on wobbly legs.
"We could go see. They're right over there," said Handé, gesturing to the table Tadd, Delphi, Tish, and Cass were gathered round.
The four young women, forgetting their unbalance, rushed over to the medical bed. Anakin's face was still as stone. "What's up?" Allé whispered to Tish.
The younger girl shrugged. "He's got a faint heartbeat, and there's something there, but he hasn't woken up."
Amidala picked up Anakin's hand and enclosed it in both of hers with a grave face. "Anakin," she whispered, "Anakin Solo. Wake up. I know you're in there."
After a moment he stirred. Ice blue eyes opened and focused in on Amidala's face. She smiled down at him. His blondish hair was now clean and smooth. He blinked several times. "Am I alive?" he whispered finally.
Michelle giggled. "Yes," Tish and Cass chorused.
"Wow." He shook his head and sat up. Luckily, the sheet covering him only fell to his waist. Everyone but Amidala and Tadd dropped their jaws and widened their eyes at his muscular chest. Tish, Cass, and Callie giggled silently and elbowed each other. Amidala sent them stern looks, though she herself was working to keep her face emotionless. "So…" he continued, oblivious to the others' reactions, "um…"
Amidala smiled slightly. "So, what?"
Looking confused, and still staring at the queen, he asked, "Where am I?"
Each person's face broke into a grin. The queen offered him a half-curtsy and replied, "Welcome to Naboo, Anakin Solo."
A/N II: Ooo, cliffie! Mwah-hahahahahahahahahaaaaaa…
Anyway, please go review this, and if you liked this one, go read my other stories please. I do read my reviews, please do not flame me. In fact, if you're really nice to me, I'll go review your stories. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I invented Amidala, but I borrowed the name from George Lucas, as well as almost all the other characters, and the planets, and the bad guys' name, and the Force, and the whole entire galaxy, and I think you get the idea, and I think we realize that this doesn't belong to me, and I am not getting paid, and boy isn't this a long sentence, and I think I'll stop now, and so you need to stop reading this and go review.
*review, review, review…that little button down there…*