Thirty-five years later

Mara Jade stalked into the Grand Audience Chamber at the Jedi Academy. Her green eyes crackled in annoyance. In the middle of the chamber, a head straightened up in alarm. Ice blue eyes met hers in concern. After a moment, a hand beckoned her to come closer.

Mara approached the center of the room where a small group was gathered. A pair of blue eyes followed her every move. She suppressed a grimace at her husband's over-protectiveness.

Mara nodded her head in acknowledgement to the three Jedi around Luke. Streen, the oldest of the group, who was lost in thought, failed to recognize Mara. Tionne's opalescent eyes regarded Mara thoughtfully as a knowing smile crossed her serene face. Mara did not smile back, but her expression softened. Her gaze then fell on Kyp Durron, the youngest Jedi present. Kyp tried to avert his dark eyes from Mara, but when she tapped her foot impatiently he stopped. An uncertain and sheepish grin crossed the young man's face. Mara had made her dislike of Kyp well known in the past, so the young man was uncertain of how to act.

Mara motioned for Kyp to scoot over. He slid over to the right quickly. Mara sat down in the open space. She stared across the circle at Luke. Her expression was grim. Mara ignored Luke's questing thoughts. She wanted words for this situation so everyone could openly participate. She needed the support of the others. Tension grew in the lingering silence.

Luke's eyes narrowed as he sent his thoughts at Mara with renewed effort. Mara ignored Luke's compelling pressure. She sensed an edge of anger creep into Luke. He took a deep breath.

"What's the matter Mara?" Luke asked slowly.

"Nothing terribly important, dear," Mara said in an alarmingly sweet tone of voice, "I just came to remind you of a promise."

Mara suppressed a wry grin at the sudden change in Luke's presence. She felt his anger bleed away and embarrassment take its place. Such nervousness was a lingering effect from his childhood days. Luke broke the silence tentatively.

"A promise?" he asked even though he knew what Mara meant.

"Yes, a promise," Mara said bluntly, "You promised a trip off this rock two weeks ago. You don't have any pressing concerns at the moment. We should leave right now before the new semester begins in four weeks. I know you need to be here for that."

"What about the students already here?" Luke asked, "I should be here to monitor their progress."

"Luke," Mara said with an edge of exasperation, "Most of the students went home for the break. Only a handful of the trainees is currently here on Yavin 4. You need a break; you have been taking on too much responsibility here. Streen, Tionne, and Kyp can handle things for you while you're gone."

"She's right, Master Skywalker," Kyp said, "You'll only be gone for two to three weeks. Tionne and Streen have been in charge of the Academy before. Most of the students still here are the ones I tutor. The three of us can handle things. Right?"

"You do need a rest, Master Skywalker," Tionne said in a reassuring tone, "Mara and you need some time alone."

"What do you think Streen?" Luke asked.

"What?" Streen asked in confusion, "Oh, I believe Kyp and Tionne are right. Things should run smoothly at the Academy. We'll let you know if there is an emergency."

Luke sighed as he resigned himself to the inevitable. He knew how much Mara disliked Yavin 4, but he was not in a hurry to leave. Luke did not want to return to his childhood home, but he knew how much Mara wanted to visit there. Mara had become increasingly interested in his past. Luke did not understand Mara's sudden interest, but Luke saw no harm in letting Mara have her way in this matter.

Luke sighed, "All right. I'll go, if we stop by Coruscant for a couple of days before heading to Tatooine. Leia has been asking me to come visit rather insistently."

Mara's eyes flashed in victory. She smiled at the small group. She turned to leave the Grand Audience Chamber. She marched resolutely towards the door. Suddenly, Mara pivoted and turned to face Luke. Her fiery hair swirled around her face. She looked accusingly at Luke.

You're not telling me something, Mara thought towards Luke, What's wrong?

I'm concerned about one of Kyp's trainees. He shows too much of a hunger for control.

Kyp can handle the kid. He is quite capable at instructing students.

I thought you didn't approve of Kyp and his methods, Luke thought in confusion.

Mara broke off the mental conversation. Her next action surprised everyone in the room. She walked up behind Kyp and placed her hands on his shoulders. Kyp tilted his head back to look at Mara. His dark eyes were open wide and he seemed to be on the verge of trembling. A sad smile crossed Mara's face. She had discovered the secret of his undoing.

"Luke, Kyp Durron can handle any student here. The students respect Kyp for his experience, but they are more comfortable with him for his youthfulness relaxes them. Kyp is more human than you because the students know all about Kyp's downfalls. Kyp knows how to deal with anger, helplessness, and even hate in the students. He experienced those feelings and can handle any dark side attempt they may unleash against him. Only one thing exists that Kyp cannot handle and the student you're worried about is unlikely to come across that thing."

"Th-thanks," Kyp gasped, "I think. I thought you hated me."

"Hate is not for the Jedi," Streen responded.

"Streen is right, Kyp," Mara answered, "I don't hate you. I can never approve of what you did nine years ago, but I acknowledge your progress since then. I may not call you friend, but I certainly do not call you enemy."

"What is the one thing that can stop Kyp?" Tionne asked curiously.

"Fear," Mara and Kyp said at the same time. Streen rubbed his scrubby beard thoughtfully. He looked at Kyp sternly. He then looked at Luke inquisitively. Mara suddenly smiled, reducing her intense features. Luke's confusion and Streen's suspicion seemed to amuse her.

"Master Skywalker," Streen began slowly, "You always say that fear leads to the dark side."

"It does," Luke responded.

"Most of the time," Tionne corrected.

"Most of the time?" Luke asked.

"There are documented cases in which Jedi or untrained Force adepts have not been able to use the Force because their fear blocked their abilities. Your own niece and nephews experienced this phenomena when they were much younger," Tionne responded.

"That's true," Luke reflected, "What evidence is there to suggest that Kyp is in that type of situation?"

Mara hesitated before answering, "When Kyp's family was captured, he didn't do anything to stop their captors because he was frightened. We all know what Kyp did when he was angry or hateful. A trip with the Sun Crusher illustrated that fairly well. Kyp was never afraid of you, Luke. That is why Exar Kun, with Kyp's help, could defeat you. Kyp was a little afraid after his bout with the dark side, and that's why he couldn't use the Force very well right after his return to the light. Similarly, since I am something Kyp fears a bit, his abilities take a brief dive when I am around him.

"Did you know that this happens?" Luke asked Kyp.

"I was unaware of the dive, but I know that I tensed up when Mara was in the room. It did seem a bit harder to manipulate the Force, but I did not put the two together. That doesn't seem to be happening now."

Tionne smiled, "Yes, but Mara has just relieved your fear. You were afraid of her hate, but you discovered that hate was not real. Your ability dive has been cancelled."

Streen looked alarmed. The former hermit shook his head slowly. He appeared to be in a trance-like state. He focused his eyes on Kyp. Kyp fidgeted under the relentless stare. Luke watched the pair thoughtfully, but Mara stomped her foot impatiently. Streen's head snapped up, breaking his eerie stare. Streen looked at Luke.

"Master Skywalker?" Streen began.

"Yes, Streen?" Luke responded.

"What will happen when Kyp's enemy learns of his weakness?" Streen asked.

"My what?" Kyp asked.

"Your enemy," Streen replied firmly, "You do remember him."

Kyp cocked his head uncertainly. Streen's last comment had not been a question, but Kyp did not know who Streen was talking about. Tionne sensed Kyp's uneasiness and confusion. She posed a question to Streen.

"Who is Kyp's enemy?" Tionne asked.

"Gatore," Streen whispered.

Mara Jade whirled around. She scanned the Grand Audience Chamber with her blazing green eyes. A menacing presence loomed in the chamber. Suddenly, Mara could sense only three Jedi behind her. She knew instinctively whose presence had been blotted out. The shadowy presence seemed to shake in laughter and then dissipated.

Mara held her guard for several long moments before she turned back to the group. Tionne, Streen, and Luke were in a triangle surrounding Kyp. She could almost see the strong Force barrier they had erected about the youth. Kyp was crouched upon the ground shaking. Mara tried to probe Kyp's mind, but it was as if nothing was there. The only sound was the ragged gasps of Kyp's breath.

"If the mere mention of Kyp's enemy causes that kind of reaction, I, for one, don't want to meet him," Mara said dryly, "Don't just stand around doing nothing. Let's get Kyp to his room instead of leaving him on the floor."

Luke slowly stood erect. He turned off his lightsaber. His blue eyes, full of worry, looked at Mara. Mara raised an eyebrow inquisitively. Luke shook his head slightly. He could not sense Kyp either. Meanwhile, Tionne had knelt down beside Kyp. Tionne's light fingers reached for Kyp's wrist. A frown marred Tionne's fragile features. A relieved smile crossed Tionne's face as Kyp's breathing slowed. She pulled him up between her arms until he was sitting up. Kyp's head lolled listlessly. He appeared unconscious except for his staring dark eyes.

"His pulse is fairly erratic," Tionne addressed the group, "I managed to place him in a healing trance, but he resisted me though I failed to sense him using the Force to do so."

"It was not Kyp who was resisting you," Streen said vaguely, "It was the shadow man."

"Exar Kun is dead, Streen," Luke said.

"Not him," Streen said, "Kyp's enemy is the current shadow man."

"I think we should take Kyp to his quarters," Tionne said, "He may feel more relaxed there."

"Someone should keep an eye on him until he snaps out of this," Luke said.

"I will," Mara responded.

Streen looked at Mara askance and began to chuckle softly. Tionne smiled softly and volunteered to take the second watch. Luke gazed at Mara with such innocent confusion that Mara allowed herself a brief laugh.

"It's only logical that I watch Kyp first," Mara explained, "Tionne has to instruct the remaining trainees in Jedi lore, Streen has to fill out the requisition for more supplies and notify the Chief of State that he will be in charge of the Academy for awhile, and you, Luke, have to get some rest before we leave."

Luke sighed, "I knew you wouldn't let me forget about that."

"What are Jedi for?" Mara responded as she helped Tionne carry Kyp back to his quarters. Streen remained seated in the Grand Audience Chamber after Luke left. The old Jedi was not about to let the shadow man back into the Academy while he could prevent it.



A little while later

It was hot. The heat shimmered in the air while twin hot suns sent down waves of fresh heat. Sand shone all around the modest moisture farm. Only the top of the stark white home showed; most of the homestead was underground to escape the menace of heat.

The scene dazzled white and then returned. It was the same yet horribly different. A noxious smell polluted the air as billows of black smoke escaped into the atmosphere. A closer look at the moisture farm revealed the remnants of greedy flames among the charred ruins of the home. Two blackened skeletons lay amidst the ruins, frozen forever in the throes of death's agony. The nightmarish scene blurred while a voice screamed roughly. The last thing Luke saw as he returned to awareness was a pair of opaque green eyes staring at him, eyes narrowing in front of a background of malevolent laughter.

Blue eyes snapped open. Luke lay shivering in cold sweat. The room was dark as Yavin 4 slept through the night. He slowly sat up. He pulled his Jedi cloak off the end of the bed and wrapped himself in it. The cloak warmed him, but emotionally he continued to shiver.

Luke left his quarters and began walking down the silent corridors of the Jedi Academy. He made his way through corridors, turbolifts, and stairs until he reached the top of the temple. He stepped out into the living Force. He felt a night breeze gently tease his cloak. Down below in the jungle, predators stalked by night, creatures slept, died, and were born. This was the place Luke went when troubled. Here he felt more connected to life in all its stages.

Luke sat on the edge of the temple, dangling his legs like a child. His breathing slowed, his eyes fluttered shut as he relaxed and lowered his guard. He sought within for the answers for why this nightmare troubled him. On the surface the answers were clear-the memory of his aunt and uncle's death was disturbing, but it was more than anger at their untimely demise. Luke searched beneath the surface to the murky truth below. It was something about the end of the dream, about those eyes watching him. He knew those eyes.

Then the memory was gone as Luke felt a mind quest towards his. Mara had sensed his unease. Luke withdrew from the trance-like state he had been in. He smiled, glad that he was not alone.

Are you all right, Mara asked, What happened?

I had a memory, Luke replied, from a long time ago. I'm going to be fine. I just needed to focus and think. How's Kyp?

The same, Mara said, except he finally shut his eyes. I think he is sleeping. Tionne will take over shortly. I'll be up soon.

Okay, Luke said breaking the connection. He sat on the edge of the temple and watched the faint edges of dawn creep up on the horizon.