A Lost Legacy

Chapter One: Rise of a Demon


She stood resolutely staring at the podium that would soon raise her up into the great arena overhead. The sounds of countless voices echoed down into the large chambers in which she stood, but she found herself easily blocking out the meaningless noise as she focused on what she was going to say.

Winter silently ensured that the President of the New Republic appeared flawless, and she gently readjusted the shimmering white cloak that rose to just beneath her bare shoulders so that it was even. She offered her childhood friend a warm smile.

"You always were more beautiful." Leia finally broke the silence as she smiled with amusement as her friend made sure her appearance was impeccable.

"Not at all M'Lady. I never was one for politics. That arena is your place, not mine."

"You're lucky, Winter, had any of the diplomats on Alderaan not been corrected and told I was the Princess you'd be in my position."

"If you were not strong enough to face the Senators you would not have lasted this long as President. Now, you need one final touch." She smiled warmly as she held out a small container, and she gracefully removed an expensive looking necklace made from a rare Alderaanian crystal.

"I… where did you get this? It's… beautiful…" She whispered as she felt the other's hands clasp it firmly in place around her neck.

"I was told to give it to you when you needed it most. I was bidden to keep it from you, but I believe that now is quite an appropriate time. I was also supposed to give you a message. It is from your husband."

Leia offered her another smile, but her attention was suddenly drawn to the door as it slid open.

"I'm not sure I've ever seen you appear so breathtaking. Maybe I'm just not ready to let go of that fiery young Princess…"

"Eventually we all have to grow up." Leia smiled as she quickly kissed her husband.

"Sometimes I wish we could leave this all behind us…"

"What would you do without the excitement? Without the adventure?"

"Hmm… it's called relaxation…"

"Yeah, right. We both know you'd hate sitting around the rest of your life… not having anyone to chase after… not having any battles to win."

"I suppose you're right… but I think you have quite a few beings waiting for you."

"It's time." Winter confirmed in her simple tone as she reminded the two of the events that were about to unfold in the vast arena above.

"I love you, Leia. More than life itself…" Han whispered as he kissed her gently before turning to leave.

"Han… I love you too."

"I know. Now, go on… and may the force be with you… 'cause you're going to need all the help you can get…" He smiled at her before he turned and left the chamber securing the door silently behind him.


Leia stood resolutely in the middle of the podium. She heard the loud noise of the endless sea of senators clearly as the ceiling to the antechamber opened in silence. Her eyes scanned over the mass of beings that were waiting for her. And as soon as they appeared the senate arena vanished.


The shimmering reflections of the pristine panels suggested that the ship was not only well maintained, but also of high importance. The graceful curves gave it an aesthetic feel unmatched by few other ships in the galaxy. It stood in stark contrast against the heartless lava that soared high into the sky before falling back into the raging red river below the landing platform. Two lone figures stood alone, their bodies clear outlines against the dark sky. It was a few moments before their voices

"Oh, Anakin, he said such terrible things about you!"

"About me? Who would want to say bad things about me? Who would dare?"

"Obi-Wan. He said- he told me you turned to the dark side, that you murdered Jedi… even younglings…"

"Obi-Wan's alive?"

"Y-yes-- he, he said he was looking for you…"

The pain in the woman's eyes was evident. Tears fell freely as she tried to find any remnant of the young man's soul. Nothing could comfort the anguish of finding nothing but seething hatred.

"Did you tell him where I am?"

"No, Anakin, he wants to kill you. I didn't tell him anything-- I wouldn't!"

"Too bad."

"Anakin, what-"

"He's a traitor, Padmé. He's an enemy of the state. He has to die."

"Stop it, stop talking like that… you're frightening me!" Her voice rose, as his grew deeper, and more full of hatred. The woman's voice was nothing but that of despair, and shattered hope.

"You're not the one who needs to be afraid."

"It's like- it's like- I don't even know who you are anymore…"

"I'm the man who loves you, I'm the man who would do anything to protect you. Everything I have done, I have done for you."

The horror of his comments immediately sunk in and her response was no less desperate, "Anakin, what have you done?"

"What I have done is bring peace to the Republic."

"The Republic is dead, you killed it. You and Palpatine."

"It needed to die."

More tears fell as she heard what he was saying against her will. She was slowly being crushed by what had happened to the man she had clearly loved so deeply. "Anakin, can't we just… go? Please. Let's leave. Together. Today. Now. We can return to Naboo. Before you- before something happens-"

"Nothing will happen. Nothing can happen. Let Palpatine call himself Emperor. Let him. He can do the dirty work, all the messy, brutal oppression it'll take to unite the galaxy forever- unite it against him. He'll make himself into the most hated man in history. And when the time is right, we'll throw him down-"

"Anakin, stop-"

"Don't you see? We'll be heroes. The whole galaxy will love us, and we will rule. Together."

"Please, stop- Anakin, please, stop, I can't stand it…"

"You…" There was no mistaking the fury in his voice, but it was no longer directed at the woman standing beside him.

"Padmé, move away from him."

"Obi-Wan? No!"

"You, you brought him here…" Now the rage in his voice was aimed at her, and she trembled even more from the stress. Tears flowed freely as she grew more anxious, clearly needing the man she had loved to be there for her.

"Anakin?" Her voice wavered with the slight question. She didn't know who this enraged human before her truly was. She didn't know what had happened to create the monster standing before her.

"I would thank you for this, were it a gift of love."

"No, Anakin- no…"

"Palpatine was right. Sometimes it is the closest who cannot see. I loved you too much, Padmé." Suddenly his hand was extended into the air, and her entire body was lifted from the ground. Slender, gentle hands hopelessly clawed her neck, but there was nothing to grab hold of. Air was slowly pushed from her body as she tried to saw 'I love you' one last time.

""Let her go, Anakin." The voice was stern, and even a hint of fear could be heard as he watched the woman slowly suffocating.

"Never!"

"Let her go, Anakin!" the threat in his words was not veiled, and he reached for the shimmering handle of his weapon.

"You will not take her from me!" But as he said it he allowed her body to crumble down against the cold, heartless stone of the landing platform. The two circled around the landing platform until it was safe for the Jedi to check her pulse

"Anakin- Anakin, what have you done?"

"You turned her against me." His breathing was erratic, and his brows were furrowed in pure wrath. His eyes that had before been blue burned yellow and orange, just like the flames of lava that spewed forth into the night sky.

"You did that yourself."

"I'll give you a chance, Obi-Wan. For old times' sake. Walk away."

"If only I could."

"Go some place out of the way. Retire. Meditate. That's what you like, isn't it? You don't have to fight for peace anymore. Peace is here. My Empire is peace."

"Your Empire? I will never have peace. It was founded on treachery and innocent blood!" His voice answered in shock at what he was hearing. This was not the man he knew; that man had clearly been destroyed by some monster.

"Don't make me kill you, Obi-Wan. If you are not with me, you are against me."

"Only Sith deal in absolutes, Anakin. The truth is never black and white. Let me take Padmé to a medcenter. She's hurt, Anakin. She needs medical attention."

"She stays."

"Anakin-"

"You don't get to take her anywhere. You don't get to touch her. She's mine, do you understand? It's your fault, all of it- you made her betray me!"

"Anakin-" He was stopped at the sight of a long, blue blade flashed out, a source of light against the darkening sky. With slight hesitation he pulled his own lightsaber free, and the two blades remained motionless, silhouetted against the black and fiery red background. He knew there were to be no more words of meaning, and prepared himself for a fight that should never have had to happen. "I will do what I must."

"You will try."

Soon they were swinging their blades back and forth, their attacks swifter than any that had been seen in a millennia. He knew that his friend was gone, replaced by some horrifyingly powerful demon. Each time their blades clashed he couldn't help but notice that, while Anakin was clearly dead, he still wasn't just facing a Sithlord. No, if he were, his blue blade would be clashing with a red one, that matched the empty hatred of the lava.


Suddenly she was back in the Senate Arena. The great pedestal, still carrying her upwards into the center of the room, beneath the great transparisteel dome. Her mind raced to try to understand what she had just seen. The two men fighting in a fierce battle of wills, until one had made a foolish move, and ended up losing an arm and both legs. It was then that the names returned to her, the realization of what she had just seen dawning on her. The death of my mother, Anakin's fall… Obi-Wan having to face the monster that was Darth Vader all alone.


Nothing stirred in the bushes where the pyre still stood. The terrifying black mask was all that remained of the ashes of a redeemed man. No living creature ever ventured close, except for Luke Skywalker, and his sister. Now another being stood in the clearing; a being who had long ago discovered how to manipulate midi-chlorians to create life. He stood, with a dark hood covering a face that hadn't been seen for countless decades. As he stood in the clearing a dark ball began to form over the black mask. It grew larger as it sucked in more light from the surrounding dusk. There was not a single sound on the forest moon of Endor as the ball of pure darkness continued to grow.


Han carefully entered the Millenium Falcon. He was greeted only by silence, a silence that was there because of the loss of a beloved friend, and his own son. Tears flooded his eyes as he remembered how he had left Leia and the twins, and somehow had ended up stranded on some strange planet, in a run down cantina.

The man was clearly the one he had heard of. He had followed the Millenium Falcon for the past four weeks, wondering in bitterness why the man had left his family behind.

Han slowly looked up at the man who sat across from him. He was wearing a dark, frayed cloak, but the neatly trimmed beard that showed from beneath the hood hinted that this man was no hermit. Curiosity got the best of the man who was trying to forget the pain within him. Anakin, his beloved son, was dead, as was his closest friend, Chewbacca. Both had been killed by the ruthless Yuuzhan Vong when they had invaded the New Republic.

"Why do you sit here, in pity and mourning for the dead, while those that love you are beginning to waste away?"

"What would you know about it?"

"I know what it is like to lose a loved one; I lost a daughter, long ago. I tried to save her, but I failed, and I have no hope of seeing her again. Do not let go of the ones you love, and those who love you in return, for that pain is even greater when they are still alive."

"You don't know how hard this is, you can't know."

"Your wife needs you now, more than ever Admiral Solo. As do your remaining children. Do not let them down."

"How- how do you know my name?"

"I know much about you, Admiral, even more about your family."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Because I have always cared for your wife, though you do not know me, I was close to Leia, long ago. Then she became a Senator, and joined the Rebellion. I have already paid for your ship's needed repairs, and it is ready to take you back to Coruscant."

"How can I face them, it was my fault?"

"Leia would not hold the death of your son and friend against you. She loves you more deeply than you shall ever know."

"I know, you are right, but it's just so hard."

"It is always hard, losing a child, but you will find a way through it. You will get through this."

"Yeah, I guess I ought to leave now, I can't describe how much I miss seeing her."

"I miss her as well. I wish for you to give this to her, it is a rare crystal, you should reserve it for a time when she needs it most."

"Who should I say it's from?"

"It is from you, and you shall tell her as much. I must only ask, that you tell her nothing of me. It would do no one any good, and could only bring more pain to your family."

Han smiled, he had found several valuable, breathtaking paintings of Aldera on his ship as well as a painting of an unknown palace. That was one he admired most, and he was almost certain it wasn't a real building. The peaceful appearance of the red marble stones, and soft, turquoise domes that stood serenely atop a mighty cliff, and surrounded by roaring waterfalls and tall luscious trees. He still wondered about the man who had given him such a strange array of gifts, but he could think of no one that it could've been.


"Rise, Lord Vader. Rise, and fulfill thy destiny to destroy the Jedi."

Suddenly the black orb engulfed the mask, and after another few moments the black orb was gone, leaving behind what had once been a valiant Jedi, who was now clad in dark black armor, and a flowing cape that seemed to suck in light. Once more the terrifying breath was filtered through the hideous mask.

"Where am I?"

"You are on the forest moon of Endor. I, have taken it upon myself to bring you to life once more through the midi-chlorians that all beings are made of."

"Where is my son?"

"I have yet to locate Skywalker, but your daughter, in her insolence, has rebuilt the Republic, and recreated the Senate. It is your duty to destroy this insurrection at once, and to restore the rightful power to your Empire. The New Republic must fall."


"Senators of the New Republic, we are still in need of each others' friendship, for our difficulties have not yet ended. We are still at war, with the ever dangerous threat of the Imperials, and we must continue our efforts to rebuild what we hold dear. Many lives were destroyed by our enemies. Many homes and cities were crushed and ravaged."

She paused dramatically, and pleased with the silence she continued, "The New Republic shall not falter now. Not now that we have fought for our entire lives to gain our freedom. We will fight, and we will stand strong! For every home they destroy let us build ten more!"

Cheers erupted as many Senators clapped, however, the clear sounds of booing struck at Leia's heart. She knew, deep down, that some would always oppose what she said, but she also knew that they had the right to share their voice. There was nothing she could do to quell that voice, and if she tried, she would have found herself to be no better than the late Emperor Palpatine.


"High Admiral Carresan!" Her head turned slightly to the side to acknowledge the ensign who was running quickly towards her. Everyone knew how hard it had been for her to reach her position, and while many who did not know her said it was because of her looks, those that knew her knew she was not someone they would ever wish to fight in a battle. Her intense brown eyes watched the young man as he carefully handed her a report. She was wearing a white jumpsuit, with beige, sleeveless tunic that bore the insignias of her status as High Admiral of the 1st Royal Navy of the New Republic. Her dark brown hair fell in slight curls gracefully down her back as she confidently looked over the report.

"Thank you, for your prompt delivery of the status report on our fighters. You may return to your post." She dismissed him with a slight nod, before turning around to look back out the viewport of the bridge.

The Vanquisher was the capital ship of the entire New Republic army. Few ships could match its size, let alone its firepower. It was nearly twice as large as a Super Star Destroyer, yet it could maneuver just as easily. Santé Carresan watched as another squadron of X-Wings flew in formation above the front hull of her ship. Everyone on the bridge jumped when they saw something slam harmlessly against the shields of the ship.

"Gantarri, locate where that shot came from, have Alpha Squadron land immediately, and send out Delta Squadron to investigate. We're going into evasive maneuvers until we locate where that blast came from!"

Olan Gantarri immediately scanned the radar screen before him, searching for any sign of where the blast has come from.

"Admiral! We have numerous TIE Fighter Squadrons approaching along with a single Star Destroyer. They just came out of lightspeed, and are heading right for us!"

"All, right, let's use caution, I want a warning sent to the rest of the fleet, as well as to President Solo, and the other fleets in the immediate area. Now, send out Delta, and Theta Squadron immediately."

"What about the Bravo Squadron?"

"I don't want to take chances just yet, Commander Gantarri, these TIE Fighters came from another ship, and my guess is that there is a whole force of Star Destroyers just about to arrive. We just don't know where, and until we do, I don't want all of our fighters caught in a trap."

"Yes, Admiral, consider it done." He turned and relayed the orders through the com-link systems. His voice immediately echoing through the various halls and decks.

"All crews to battle stations, moving into maneuvering position now, all crews to their respective flight decks. This is not a drill, repeat, all crews to their battle stations, we are under attack."

Just as she had predicted dozens of Star Destroyers emerged from lightspeed rather close to The Vanquisher, but by the time they had arrived more cruisers had arrived for backup. Shots flew back and forth as more ships joined the fray, while various freighters and cruise ships did their best to maneuver around the fast firing blasts.

"Alright, send out Alpha Squadron, they're mission right now is to protect as many civilians as possible, and to take out as many TIE Fighters as possible. I want Theta and Delta Squadrons keeping those Fighters away from our own ships, and send out Bravo and Echo Squadrons to start taking out those Star Destroyers. Also, have those two Blockade Runners get themselves positioned just below, and to the side of those two closest Star Destroyers, and have them focus their firepower on the bottom Shield Generators!"

"Admiral, we have contacted Admiral Solo, and he wants to know what's happening up here!"

"Then inform him! You may tell him that I'm currently unavailable, I'm sure he will be quite understanding." She returned her focus immediately back to the battle taking place outside the massive viewports. "Have those Mon Calamari Cruisers move closer to that Star Destroyer, and have a squad of B-Wings help take it down!"

"Admiral, we have several Star Destroyers heading towards the planet!"

"Why would they attempt that? Surely they know it's suicide… unless… I want Bravo Squadron and Delta Squadron to go after those Star Destroyers! I'm guessing they have some special device that'll get them through that shield."

"Admiral, that's hardly likely…"

"When you're going up against our fleets and attacking someone's capital you don't send your ships on a suicide mission. Now, I need you to contact the main hangars on Coruscant, and tell them to get all the ships and fighters they can spare off the ground in case those Destroyers make it past the shields!"

"Consider it done, Admiral. The Senate is in session now, should we alert them to evacuate the Arena? It would be a prime target for the Imperials to try and destroy."

"Yes, we need to make contact with the President and alert her to the situation if she hasn't been already. Once you're done with that, I want a message sent to the Jedi Temple on Yavin IV to alert the Jedi to this attack."

"Right away."

Carresan watched solemnly as one of the five Star Destroyers heading towards the planetary shield exploded in a massive flash of brilliant white and orange light. "They need to move faster, I want Theta Squadron to split up, have half of them get over there to help finish off those Star Destroyers, we can't have them get through those shields!"

"Admiral, Echo Leader reports that there may be a Super Star Destroyer nearby, but he couldn't verify it."

"Well, it's not in the battle yet, but I want everyone on alert in case it does decide to join this battle."

"Copy that Admiral, and the transmission has been sent to President Solo, as well as a message to Master Skywalker."

"Good, now let's focus our starboard firepower on that Star Destroyer's bridge, and see if they can withstand our firepower. Are Helix and Cipher Squadrons back yet?"

"No, but we have them on our scanners in Sector 6, they should be here soon."

"Good, now, I want a visual to see if there really is a Super Star Destroyer in the vicinity."

"Right away, Admiral."


Leia raised both hands for silence, and after a few moments it was quiet enough within the Arena for her to clearly hear the transmission. She bit her lip, before turning her attention back to the thousands of gathered Senators.

"Senators, I have just received disturbing news; the Imperials have mounted an assault on Coruscant. How they managed to get past our sensors is unknown as of yet, and the 1st Royal Navy is currently engaging the enemy. Reports are looking good at the moment, but for matters of safety and security, this session must be cut short, and the Senate building must hereby be evacuated until the battle is over. We will reconvene soon, but for your safety we will be evacuating the building now, so if you would all, please cooperate we can do this quickly, effectively and quite painlessly."


"Admiral! Those Star Destroyers are at the Planetary shield!"

"Take the last three out now! I want them stopped!"

"They're sending four more Destroyers in that direction…"

"What in the hell is that thing that heading towards the shield?"

"I don't know, but order Bravo Squadron to take it out now! Then have Helix and Cipher squadron move down past the shield and have them waiting in case they do get through the shield."


"This is Bravo Leader, we have a new target. We should be confirming visual on the ship they want us to take out momentarily."

"Roger that Bravo Leader."

"Alright, Bravo Two, loosen formation, Bravos Four and Five I want you two covering our backs in case any Fighters come along."

"Roger that Bravo Leader."

"There's our target, that odd shaped ship heading right towards the shield."

"What is it doing?"

"I'm betting it's got some device on it that will short out the shield long enough for these Star Destroyers to get into the atmosphere and reek havoc on Coruscant. Now, I'll move in first, I want everyone locked onto that ship with their targeting computers unless you're covering the others."

"Proton Torpedoes ready to fire, Bravo Leader."

"It's almost in my range, firing four Proton Torpedoes." They watched as the four missiles headed straight for the ship. "Come on, come on, take it down…" he whispered a TIE Fighter sacrificed itself and took out one of his missiles. He swore quietly when the last three hit the ship only to explode harmlessly against its shields. "Alright, Bravos Two and Three, your turn, hit it with everything you've got. If they don't finish it off then Bravos Six and Eight move in. After your strike run you immediately pull back to cover the others making their runs."

"Roger that Bravo Leader, we're moving in now."


As soon as he had heard the report from The Vanquisher on the battle above he found himself behind the pilot's seat of the Millenium Falcon and heading straight towards the Senate Arena. Han Solo had already lost two loved ones, and there was no chance that he wasn't going to make sure Leia was safe and secure before helping with the battle far above.

Leia sighed as she waited for the podium to begin its descent back down into the antechamber and she the Senators leaving the Arena with only the slight mumbling of protest reaching her ears. The images of the woman she had seen in her vision lingered in her memory, the name Naboo permanently etched into her mind.

"Alright, regroup, we're going to make another run at this damn ship! Bravos Two and Three, you're making the first run with me, once it's in range hit it with everything you've got!"

"Bravo leader, we've got Interceptors heading our way!"

"Damn, pull back. Command, we need back up here!"

"Have Echo Squadron get there now, make sure they take that ship out!"


"Admiral, Bravo Leader confirmed that at least twenty Proton Torpedoes hit that ship, and didn't even scratch its hull."

"Get some B-Wings there then!"

"Admiral!" Gantarri called from across the deck, "We just lost all reading on the Planetary Shield!"

"Damn it, tell Bravo Squadron to refocus their efforts of those Star Destroyers! Are Cipher and Helix Squadrons in position?"

"Yes, Admiral, they're in Sector 8 right now, and they're moving into position to intercept the Star Destroyers."

"That's too close to Sector 1. We need keep them from getting any farther."

"Alright, Bravo Leader, what's the plan of action?"

"Those Star Destroyers are our primary target again, if they reach the Senate Arena in Sector 1 they could reek havoc. Echo Squadron is on their way, and Helix and Cipher Squadrons are moving into position to help us out as well."

"Any word on Rogue Squadron?"

"Not yet, but I suspect we'll be seeing Wedge and his gang around soon. Let's just take these Star Destroyers down before they can cause too much damage."


Han watched in horror as the Star Destroyers began their race towards the Capital. He immediately increased the speed, and silently prayed that Leia wasn't still within the Senate Arena. "Come on, baby, you gotta move faster. She needs us…"


To Be Continued…