AN: Okay, first off, this is a sequel to another fanfic called Changing Times. If you haven't read Changing Times, a lot of this will not make sense at all. If you go and read Changing Times now, please keep in mind that I wrote the first few chapters of that about a year ago and my writing skills have improved immensely since then. When I go back ad reread those first few chapters I cringe. I plan to rewrite them eventually. :) Anyways, this is the sequel it takes place ten years later.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. I am not making any money off of this.
Changed Times: Introduction
It has been ten years since Anakin Skywalker returned to the light. Ten years since he rejoined his wife, and found his children. In those ten years the entirety of the Republic have worked to undo all of what he had once worked for. The Republic has a new leader that has risen through its ranks. Mon Mothma, the new Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, is as uncorrupt as those in power can be.
The Empire, under the command of Emperor Palpatine, has prospered under his rule. Ten years ago, Mara Jade, who was once the padawan of Obi- Wan Kenobi, became 'The Emperor's hand' his newest apprentice, and his most lethal assassin. Only a little of who she once was remains in Mara. She has allowed herself to become consumed by evil and there is little hope that she should ever return from it.
Anakin and Padmé Skywalker have finally been able to live the life they had once dreamed of. Padmé is still the Nubian Senator and enjoys her job. Luke, their sixteen-year-old son, has been Anakin's padawan learner for the last ten years. Luke loves his life as Jedi and wouldn't leave it for anything. Leia, Anakin and Padme's daughter and Luke's twin sister, has been the padawan of Obi- Wan Kenobi for the last ten years. Although she has a strong bond with Obi- Wan, she often regrets being a Jedi and wishes to go into politics instead.
Obi- Wan Kenobi, close friend of the Skywalker family, achieved the formal rank of Jedi Master six years ago and sits on the council. He has become one of the most respected Jedi in The Republic. During the past ten years he and Siri Tachi, a Jedi Knight, had become closer friends than they ever had been before. This new closeness in their friendship had all started when Katana, Siri's deceased padawan, had died at the hands of Emperor Palpatine, and when Mara, Obi- Wan's former padawan, had turned to the Dark Side. The two had stuck together during that time, comforting each other when they needed it.
It is a crucial time for everyone and the difference between peace being brought back to the galaxy, or war all throughout, is dependant solely on two individuals. One is from the light, one from the dark. One is where they belong, the other has chosen the wrong path.
***
Mara Jade had just returned from a mission given to her by her master. She had killed the king of a planet who had refused to comply with his demands. The mission had been easy enough. In her disguise the king had mistook her for his own daughter without question. From there she had poisoned his food when he had had no guards around him and was unsuspecting of any danger. Now, the king was dead, and there would be all to many investigations as the planet would scramble to find out who had really done it. The authorities however, would never find who had done it for Mara was already far away from the planet.
Mara smirked a little as she walked the corridors of the stardestroyer. It was ten years to the day since she had left Alderaan and in her opinion, had wised up quite a bit there after. Through the last decade Mara had changed quite a bit, both inside and out.
When Mara had first joined the empire, she was naïve to the ways of he galaxy. She had hated blood and killing; now, she wasn't even perturbed by it. Her lightsaber and weapon skills had been a mockery; this was no more. She had virtually no kindness, no light, left in her. This was all to be credited to the emperor, her master. Outwardly, Mara hadn't changed quite as much. She now stood at the height of five and a half feet. Her hair was a dark red, not quite as bright as it had been at one time. Her eyes hadn't changed a bit. They were still bright green, and were very difficult to conceal when on a mission. She was strong, both physically and mentally. She could outwit nearly anyone and all her muscles had become strong due to the vigorous training she had had to undergo. She was a completely different person.
Mara finally reached her destination- Emperor Palpatine's throne room. She punched in her admittance code and the doors opened. She stepped inside, the red-clad imperial guards stepped to the sides so she could get through.
"Master." she said, kneeling at the base of a staircase leading to where she knew the Emperor sat. She bowed her head, "I have returned."
~*~
Luke and Leia Skywalker danced across the floor of the practice halls of the Jedi Temple. They were having a practice lightsaber duel while their father, Anakin, and friend, Obi- Wan, watched. Leia struck blow after blow with his practice lightsaber, each time Luke just barely blocked it.
"C'mon Luke! You can do better than that!" Leia said, trying to egg her brother on.
Luke grinned, "I know I can. That's why I'm holding back." he replied.
Leia struck a few more times. "Then why haven't you beaten me yet?" she inquired.
"Because there hasn't been an opening to," he said, parrying her blows, "That is until now." Luke took his practice lightsaber and stopped only inches from Leia's neck.
Leia rolled her eyes and pushed her padawan braid out of her face. "I almost beat you." she said, deactivating the practice lightsaber.
The last ten years hadn't changed her so much. She was still very intelligent and still had long dark brown hair and brown eyes. As she had gotten older she had begun to look more and more like Padmé once had and had begun to act more and more like Anakin. She had grown a little, but was very short for her age and was only five feet tall. She was turning into a very accomplished Jedi, but her true interest was in politics.
"But you didn't." Luke replied, doing likewise.
Over the past decade he had shot up to the height of five foot seven inches, just a little shorter than his father. His hair was still sandy blonde, and had been cut into the traditional padawan braid and short haircut. His eyes were bright blue and displayed all of his emotions no matter how hard he tried to. He lived for the Jedi life. Everything about it enthralled him.
People who didn't know them would never guess them to be twins. Their only similarities in looks were perhaps their face shapes, but other than that, they were complete opposites.
"Very good." said Obi- Wan, approaching his padawan and Luke, "You almost had him there, Leia."
"I'll beat him next time." Leia said confidently.
"I should hope so." Obi- Wan said, grinning.
"Its hard to say." Anakin told them, "My money is on Luke, I mean he is being trained by me."
"Ah, but you forget, Leia is being trained by me." Obi- Wan replied, smiling at his former apprenctice.
"Is that a challenge, Obi- Wan?" Anakin said grinning.
"Of course it is." Obi- Wan replied, drawing and igniting his lightsaber.
"Excellent." Anakin said, igniting his too.
Luke and Leia stepped back near the wall to watch their father and Obi- Wan.
_*_
AN: And there's chapter one! To those of you who didn't read the author's note in the beginning, please keep in mind that this is a sequel, and that this does not stand alone. Please tell me what you think of this. I will update in a week or so.
-Sarah