The Jedi Academy

(A tale of Byss and the Emperor Reborn)

Ch. 1: The Call

" Master? Master Skywalker," Kyp Durron called jogging through the academy now stationed on Yavin IV. The master had been distant lately. It seemed as if he knew something but he wouldn't tell him what it was. Sometimes the masters' illusive manner annoyed him to no end.

"Here Kyp.," Luke replied from behind him.

"Ah! Master finally Mara wishes to speak with you immediately.," Kyp said.

"Well I'm afraid I'm gonna have to decline. I have a matter that needs attending too at the moment.," He answered walking into the thick green forests of YavinIV.

What will I tell Her Kyp sighed striding back into the temple and up its narrow staircase. There were lifts but he needed time to gather himself before conversing with a sure to be seething Mara Jade.

Forest

Please let this all be a bad dream. Luke prayed tromping through the thick vegetation of the forest floor. It had returned the voice of the emperor. Every night in his dreams he could hear him calling his name. Demanding respect and threatening vengeance. But he's dead he can't possibly have survived the blast of the Death Star. Unless of coarse the rumors were in fact true.

Among the higher-ranking imperials there existed a theory of a cloning facility. One hidden away to be opened at the appointed time if the need arose. That need being of coarse the death of the notorious Emperor Palpatine. The story went that he would return three years after his fall. Re-recruiting his past servants and returning to power unchallenged with the forces of every fallen Sith Lord in his grasp.

Now three years later he Luke Skywalker had begun to both hear and feel his beck and call. His summons was quickly becoming a sense of alarm. He could not do what he had those few years ago. He had friends family a duty to the New Republic and to the new Jedi order. What to do? Should he answer for surely if the emperor had indeed returned he would come looking for the supposed assassin of him. Though he could guess he found it odd that the Emperor's call had extended to himself Luke Skywalker his most lethal enemy. Perhaps he still wished to turn him, or finally destroy him once and for all. That was the reason for this journey into the Forest of YavinIV he needed to prepare himself for this ordeal. He could not fall, again…

Meanwhile in Temple

"So? Where's Skywalker," an irritated Mara Jade spat.

"Well he's um sort of kind a indisposed at the moment," Kyp explained, bracing himself for the torrent of anger that was sure to come.

"He's what! Indisposed huh? I can't believe this what private business could he hope to conduct on this planet," Mara raged.

"I am not sure but he has been acting extremely distant lately. Streen and Kirana Ti teach most of his classes now. He's even left the Academy a couple of times. It's kind of unnerving but I would almost say he's afraid of something. Though what it was I couldn't personally tell you," Kyp replied.

"Afraid of something hmm? I think I'm going to seek Skywalker out. He shouldn't isolate himself like this when he's got a problem," Mara answered striding off in the direction of the Forest.

In Forest of Yavin IV

Come to me Luke. Remember the feeling of power in your hands, The power to loose your strength to its farthest reaches. It was for but a moment yet you enjoyed it. I know. Finally after all of those years of war you were able to vent your anger hurt fear hate and aggression upon the Father who seemed to curse you from the day you were born. Remember and be ready for the time is near for my return.

No this can't be happening. Luke frantically reasoned for all Palpatine had said rung true deep within his gut he felt the need for a release of some kind. He'd pushed shoved and buried his feelings for far too long. Now he felt as though a bomb lay between his ribs instead of a beating heart. Picking himself up from the ground where he had fallen Luke began to run. He must be prepared.

"Skywalker? Skywalker," Where is that man . Mara seethed. Then she found him in a clearing. It looked as though he were training but a closer look found him deeply troubled. Luke oblivious to her presence continued his vigorous routine. Sparring with twenty remotes blindfolded.

In this way Luke became more and more in tune with his force sense then suddenly; the images came… Uncle Owen aunt Beru charred burned to a crisp, Ben Kenobi cut down before his eyes,.. The thundering voice of Vader Luke I am your father NOOOOOOooooo! His hand lost flying into the Abyss that was cloud city.. X-wing attack pattern watching as his friend was blown apart by Vader's TIE advance…. Devin poor kid dying in his arms aboard a fluties ship of burns he could not stop…etc. as each image flashed across his eyelid Luke's movements became faster more frenzied desperate angry and saddened. Until suddenly in a blast of power he destroyed them all. He had come so close again. Why couldn't he seem to keep these feelings from the surface any more?

Emotionally and physically spent Luke collapsed onto the ground and began weeping bitterly. Watching his display Mara suddenly felt sympathy for the great warrior lying on the ground. As a leader he felt that no one should know of this deep pain he held deep within himself.

"Luke, Luke what's wrong? Mara asked stepping out from the protection of the trees.

"Mara? What.. what are you doing here," Luke choked.

"Came to check on you farmboy. Your sister and company were getting worried about you. As am I. Tell me Luke please what troubles you so much that you must weep so bitterly and alone for that matter," Mara asked.

"Something is coming Mara. I can feel it and from where I am standing it's not looking good. And I am not sure if I can resist this time. I'm unsure of my position in this whole thing. I don't want to fail yet I feel myself doing so! Soon I shall have to leave and none can go with me. Whether or not I succeed I do not know.," Luke answered.

"What kind of talk is that? Geeze some one would think you were hearing the voice of Palpatine or something," Mara sighed.

At her last comment Luke stiffened ever so slightly.

"Don't tell me you are? How can this be when I myself have not heard a thing at all," Mara questioned.

"I don't know Mara. Perhaps he knows my secret," Luke accidentally mused allowed.

"Secret? What secret? Skywalker have you been hiding something from me?" Mara whispered malice and curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"Mara look I well I you just wouldn't understand okay? And it's not because I don't trust you because I do it's just something I never wanted anyone to know all right.," Luke said.

"Really then what makes you think old Palpatine knows about your secret? Could you at least tell me the nature of it.," Mara asked.

"Well the secret sort of came out in the throne room as I was dueling Vader told me about a part of my lineage I had never heard of before. Yet according to him I and I alone held the attributes from this elite thing through the choice of some being I have yet to discover. Palpatine could have overheard and filed it away for later use.," Luke replied evading the answer.

"Just come to me if you find yourself slipping Skywalker don't bury it alive. Talk to me I'll be there listening always," Mara said in an odd show of concern.

"Thanks I'll do that," Luke replied.