The Force's Shattered Will

by Feanoriel

The Empire's been defeated. Luke sets to work reestablishing the Jedi Order. Worrying over his incomplete training, Luke begins doubting himself. He confronts the Force, admitting the doubts he had, and receives an answer he never would have expected. What is he to do now, trapped in this new era before the Jedi ceased to be? And what in the universe is the meaning of this!

2. Imbalance

First chapter! I sure hope you enjoy.

---

-CW-

*Scribble scribble*

A pause, hesitation.

*Scribble scribble*

So far so-

*SCRAAAAAATCH*

"No, no, no!" Lariss groaned, dropping her head against the desk she was working at. She and Luke had wandered down into the Archives of the Temple in the hopes

that they may find the answers they were searching for.

No such luck.

"This isn't working." Luke sighed, shaking his head as he put away yet another datapad. "I've searched up everything that's come to mind, but nothing has come

up."

"Same here." Lariss admitted, somewhat frustrated. They had been working nonstop, only pausing to snack here and there, but they had found nothing. Luke shared

her frustration, but dispelled it into the Force. "There has to be something." The young woman declared under her breath, scanning through another series of

records. She was about to skip several records when one caught her eye. She stopped what she was doing then pressed the 'up' button, looking for the record.

"Luke!"

Luke jumped up, knowing that whatever had caught his sister's attention must have been important.

"What is it?" He asked, hoping she may have found something helpful.

"I think-" Lariss leaned back in her seat. "I may have found something."

Peering over his elder sister's shoulder, Luke glanced at the screen and nearly reared back in shock. There, on the screen, was a picture of Anakin Skywalker, their

father. Scrolling down, they found several other pictures of Anakin and Obi-Wan, and a familiar Togruta along with plenty of information about everything the 'Hero

with No Fear' had accomplished.

"I don't know about you," Lariss began, eyes glued to the picture of their Father, "But I get the feeling that what we've been feeling has something to do with him."

Luke had to agree. He could feel the Force pulsing as they scanned the information on the screen.

"At least part of it." He said. His Father looked exactly the same as when he had seen him on Endor. His sister was the spitting image of their Father. The same color

hair, the same intense blue eyes, the same facial structure... She was a mini-Anakin. As was Luke, his sister would tell him. Though, his hair was a shade lighter than

their Father's. Leia, Lariss claimed, shared a strong resemblance with their mother. Luke had agreed, having also seen their Mother with their Father on Endor. Padme

had later visited him in a vision to tell him how proud she was of him. Idly, Luke wondered if his Mother was still proud of him. After all, the New Republic was still

under construction, but Luke felt he had already failed. There were many flaws that had yet to be corrected.

"-I'm certain Vader is involved as well..."

Luke blinked when he realized his sister had been speaking and asked her to repeat herself. Lariss rolled her eyes.

"I said, Vader also has something to do with it."

Luke looked to the screen to find a picture of Vader had been pulled up. The Force tingled once again, telling Luke his sister was correct.

"But what do Vader and Father have to do with it? Vader rose twenty some odd years ago..." Luke trailed off, feeling a strong impression that he was onto something.

Lariss bit her lip, her fingers flying over the electronic keyboard.

"Vader died the moment Anakin Skywalker saved you from the Emperor..." Lariss's tone was low, guilt lacing every word she spoke. Luke placed a comforting hand

on her shoulder, knowing exactly where her mind had wandered. She was blaming herself once again.

"It wasn't your fault, Lariss." He tried to tell her, but Lariss would have none of it.

"You always tell me that, Luke. If I hadn't made that mistake...I wouldn't have been incapacitated! I could've...I could've prevented it..."

"It was the will of the Force." Luke said, and Lariss sighed.

"The will of the Force." She mimicked him, spitting the words out with such distaste that it startled Luke. He could sense her rising anger and suppressed the urge to

sigh. She still had yet to release her hold of the Dark Side of the Force. Many feared Lariss, having known her to be a vicious and merciless Sith, but Luke knew

otherwise, having had many run-ins with his elder sister while on the Death Star. She had stayed because of their Father, Luke knew. She couldn't bear to leave him,

despite the monster he had become. When she had discovered Luke and Leia, Lariss fought to protect them, always preventing the Imperials from locating the Rebel

Bases and discovering the Rebels' information during the rebellion against the Empire. She had even hacked into the system and deleted all of the information the

Empire had gathered on the Rebels. When the Emperor discovered Lariss's betrayal, he had attempted to eradicate her and nearly succeeded. Lariss had been

severely wounded but Vader intercepted and managed to send Lariss away. It had been Anakin Skywalker who had saved his daughter's life, which gave the two

siblings hope that they could redeem their Father.

"Perhaps this is enough for today." Luke decided, noting how tired his sister was. He, himself, was also drained of energy. His bouts of insomnia kept Luke from

resting peacefully but no matter what he did, Luke could never get himself to rest peacefully.

"I guess." Lariss agreed, pushing herself away from the desk. "How's everything going for you?" She asked as they left the archives. Luke grimaced.

"Not very well." He admitted, knowing he couldn't hide anything from her. His ever-observant sister could see through Luke in an instant but she never pressed him

more than necessary, which he appreciated. His shoulders slumped slightly as he thought about all of the conflicting thoughts he had been trying to sort through

earlier that day. He could feel Lariss's concerned gaze burning into his back as he walked ahead towards the Gardens.

"What is it, Luke?" She softly questioned, seating herself beside Luke when he plopped down onto the ground. Luke basked in her presence. It was always so

comforting to be near Lariss. He wondered if it had to do with the fact that they had been recently reunited after having been separated at birth.

"I don't know if I can do this, Lariss." He found himself confessing. "Building the New Republic, reestablishing the Jedi Order...How can I? We still haven't

found any Jedi who could have survived the Purges, if any did, nor have we found any Force Sensitives to train. Of course, there are the twins," Luke said, referring to

Jacen and Jaina, Leia and Han's children. "But they are too young to begin training. It feels wrong." He added, brow furrowing. "What can I do? There has to be

something."

Lariss nodded, knowing there was more to it than Luke was admitting, but held her tongue. She could tell Luke was stressed. He was weary and exhausted, having

been working nonstop ever since the Empire was destroyed.

"Have you inquired of the Force?" Lariss hesitantly asked him, averting her eyes when Luke gave her a look of surprise. Normally, Lariss would dismiss the Force,

having firmly declared that she wanted nothing to do with it.

"I've tried...But I only get cryptic answers in reply to all of my questions." Luke leaned back, frustrated.

"Why don't you try again?"

What was the use of trying again? Luke couldn't help but wonder. He wouldn't be receiving any answers any time soon.

Or so he thought.

"You never know..." Lariss shrugged. "The Force may have mercy on you and give you the answers you've been seeking."

"I suppose it's worth a try." Luke decided, straightening himself and preparing to meditate. Lariss shifted beside him. He looked over to her. "You don't have to stay if

you don't want to." He said, knowing his sister didn't want anything to do with the Force. Meditation was a way Jedi would attempt to grow stronger in the Force, and

that was something Lariss no longer wanted. After everything she had gone through, Lariss had decided to do away with the Force. She would no longer use it unless

it was absolutely necessary. After internally battling with herself, Lariss finally reached a decision.

"No." She shook her head. "I'll join you."

This took Luke by surprise.

"Are you certain?" He cautiously asked. Lariss heaved a sigh, reluctantly nodding.

"I want to help you..." She trailed off. "Well, come on. Let's get this over with before I change my mind."

Luke nodded and closed his eyes, banishing every thought from his mind and relaxing. He could sense Lariss doing the same as the two prepared to meditate, his

sister's Force presence fusing with his as they deepened their connection with the Force.

---

-CW-

Hours later, Luke felt ready to give up. He had tried to ask the Force what it was it wanted him to do, but he had received no reply. There was absolutely no response.

Nothing. He could feel his sister growing frustrated, telling him that she, too, had had the same results. He felt her retreat from the meditation, but she remained

seated beside him. She was lending him her strength, Luke realized. His strength, which had been waning as of late, was gradually increasing, his grasp on the Force

increasing as well as he borrowed his sister's hold of the Force.

'Force help me...' He thought to himself as he focused on meditating. 'What is it you wish me to do?'

'Luke!'

Luke started, hearing his sister's surprised exclamation. He was about to pull away to inquire what the matter was but her voice returned to him. 'No! It's working!'

What was working? Luke wondered, before he could feel a shift in the Force. Luke felt his spirits lift from this. The Force was listening! Afraid that the moment would

be short-lived, Luke quickly told the Force everything. He let every doubt spill from his mind, every troubling thought he had had, and asked every question that

came to mind. He could feel the Force swirling intensely around him but never received an answer. Disappointed, Luke tried to think of reasons why the Force would

not reply. He focused even more on becoming one with the Force, relaxing when he felt the Force responding.

"Luke..." A low voice murmured and Luke started. Who had spoken to him? Lariss was the only person with him at the moment, but that voice definitely did not

belong to his sister. An amused chuckle reverberated through the air as Luke slowly opened his eyes. They immediately landed upon the shimmering blue figure

standing before him. He blinked in surprise. The being was tall, his hair long, and he had a beard. His eyes were aged with wisdom and filled with warmth as they

gazed down at him.

"Who are you?" Luke asked. He had only seen his Father, Mother, Obi-Wan, and Yoda on Endor, but never this man.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn." The Blue figure introduced himself. "I was Obi-Wan's Master."

"Obi-Wan?" Luke was surprised by this, his eyes brightening when Qui-Gon mentioned his first Master's name.

"Yes, Luke." A familiar voice resounded from beside Qui-Gon and another blue figure materialized before him.

"Obi-Wan!" Luke smiled widely upon seeing the man. He looked much younger than when Luke had known him, his hair longer than before. How he wished he could

embrace the man! Sadly, Luke remembered, Obi-Wan was one with the Force, so that would be impossible. His death still impacted Luke up to this day. He had

known Obi-Wan ever since he was young. To have lost him while on the Death Star...

"We meet again, young Luke." Obi-Wan dipped his chin at the young man. "I only wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"What do you mean?" The smile slowly faded away when he noted the troubled look Obi-Wan wore. Qui-Gon spared a glance at Obi-Wan, concerned when the young

man remained silent. For a moment, Obi-Wan said nothing, then he spoke.

"Luke...The Force has not fulfilled its purpose." The man began. Luke tilted his head in confusion.

"What? But...How is that possible? The Empire rose, the Empire was destroyed, and Father brought balance to the Force...Wasn't that what was supposed to be

done?" He questioned.

"That is what we believed." Obi-Wan nodded. "But it appears that we were wrong. The Prophecy of the Chosen One has created an imbalance in the Force."

Luke was even more confused. He shook his head, knowing the two Jedi Masters could sense his growing bewilderment. "I don't understand. Father's purpose was to

bring balance to the Force...By converting from the Jedi to the Sith, he was fulfilling the Prophecy...wasn't he?"

Qui-Gon answered this.

"No, Luke. Our interpretations of the Prophecy were incorrect. When I found Anakin on Tatooine, I believed he was the Chosen One we had all been waiting for. It

appears that I was incorrect."

"Anakin was the Chosen One, in a manner of speaking." Obi-Wan added before Luke could speak. "Chosen by the Dark Side."

"There were two who had been chosen." Qui-Gon continued, Luke listening intently to everything they were telling him.

"One for the Light and one for the Dark." Luke stated, rather than guessed. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan nodded. "Who was the other Chosen One?"

"The man was one we all knew well." Qui-Gon elusively said. "However, because we did not understand the Prophecy, the man never discovered who he truly was,

thus, he was unable to fulfill his part as the Chosen One. Only in death, did he come to know the truth. How I overlooked this, I will never know."

"It was not your fault, Master." Obi-Wan assured the tall man. Qui-Gon looked as though he wished to say something, but held his tongue as Obi-Wan turned to face

Luke. "The Force's Will has been shattered, Luke. This imbalance will continue to grow if nothing is done about it." A concerned look graced Obi-Wan features. He

also appeared...disappointed? Upset? Luke narrowed his eyes. He felt he was missing a vital clue here. As though Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had given him a large hint

that he had overlooked.

"Is there anything that can be done?" Luke decided to ask. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan shared another look.

"There is-"

"Then what is it? I am willing to do anything." Luke straightened.

"It will not be easy. The imbalance occurred a few years prior to your birth." Qui-Gon told him.

"If we are to correct it, the past would have to be rewritten." Obi-Wan finished. For a moment, Luke was silent. This was not good. Silence reigned its hold as Luke

contemplated all that he was told. He understood exactly what the two were trying to tell him, but...could it be done?

"How can that be done?" He quietly asked, glancing up at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "If it happened years ago..." He paused. "Can anything be done about it?"

"Yes, something can be done." Qui-Gon said. Luke sharply looked up at him, waiting for the man to continue. "But it would require much time and patience on your

part. It will be difficult."

"I am willing to do anything."

"Luke," The young Skywalker directed his attention to Obi-Wan. "In order to correct this imbalance, we will have to break the Code."

"Break the Code?" Luke repeated.

"If it weren't necessary-" Qui-Gon began but Obi-Wan interrupted, a knowing look gracing his features.

"You would still do it even if it weren't necessary."

Qui-Gon shrugged. "True. You have to admit, my Padawan, that the majority of the rules the Council enforced and the Code were just begging to be broken. It was

because of those rules-our beliefs, and because of us that brought to pass the destruction of the Jedi."

"I won't disagree there..." Obi-Wan murmured.

"And might I remind you that you were not at all the perfect Jedi many portrayed you to be. There were many times you defied the Council and the Code, Padawan-

mine."

"My reasons were justified!" Obi-Wan argued and Qui-Gon arched an eyebrow. Luke looked back and forth between the two. One moment, they were very serious

men, and the next...they were acting like children?

"And mine weren't?"

"This is beside the point!" Obi-Wan waved a hand dismissively in the air while Qui-Gon shook his head. "As we were saying, Luke, the imbalance must be fixed at

the exact moment it occurred. No sooner, and no later."

"So...In order to correct this...We would have to go back to the past."

"Yes."

"That's impossible!" Luke shook his head. What were they even thinking? Time travel? That was, in no way, possible.

"Or so you think." Qui-Gon broke through Luke's thought, and the Jedi raised his head in question.

"Time travel is impossible. No one can travel through time."

"That is where you are wrong." Obi-Wan said, shifting when his Master gazed at him.

"Who could have possibly time traveled? Why doesn't anyone know of this?" Luke wanted to know. Qui-Gon didn't answer, instead pinning Obi-Wan with another look.

Luke caught on immediately, his eyes widening a fraction "You did it?"

"It was an accident!" Obi-Wan grumbled, flashing an irritated look to Qui-Gon, who wasn't fazed in the least.

"So you claim." It was clear Qui-Gon did not believe Obi-Wan.

"It is true! Besides, it was her fault that we ended up there." Obi-Wan crossed his arms.

"Funny...Your sister said it was your fault that it happened."

Sister? Luke repeated in his mind. Sister? "You have a sister?!"

Obi-Wan mumbled under his breath before smiling kindly at Luke.

"You will learn more later, Luke. Now, it is time for you to return. Lariss is getting rather worried."

"Wait!" Luke called before Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan could fade away. "What am I supposed to do? How do I fix the imbalance? How will I know what to do?" There were

so many questions he wanted to ask, but there was no time for answers. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan only gave him mysterious smiles.

"All will be revealed in time, young Skywalker..." Was all he heard before they vanished and Luke was yanked back into the present.

---

-CW-

Luke fell back against the grass, dazed. His vision was spinning and he was feeling rather light headed.

"Luke?" He could hear his sister concernedly calling. Even though his vision was still going berserk, Luke could see Lariss leaning over him, her blue eyes swimming

with worry as she shook his shoulder. "Luke! Are you alright?"

"Fine..." Luke croaked out, trying to raise himself up. His strength failed him and Luke fell back against the ground, immensely tired. Lariss pursed her lips, brushing

away the stray strands of hair that fell over his eyes.

"Anything?" she asked, and Luke wearily nodded.

"Not exactly the answer I was looking for..." He murmured, perking Lariss's interest.

"What'd you find?"

"What we were feeling...Was an imbalance in the Force."

"Imbalance?" Lariss repeated while she was sliding out of her robe. Bunching up the robe, Lariss made a make-shift pillow and placed it beneath Luke's head. He

thanked her quietly before explaining.

"I saw Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan."

"Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Lariss looked surprised. "Wow."

"Yeah." Luke agreed. "They said that the Will of the Force was shattered. It wasn't fulfilled. The imbalance, from what I understand, was created by both the Chosen

Ones."

Lariss raised an eyebrow at this. "Explain."

So Luke did. He recited everything he had been told by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, Lariss listening closely. Learning that there were two Chosen Ones rather than one

caught her attention as Luke went on to explain the Prophecy. When he was finished, it was silent, Lariss pondering over everything Luke had said.

"It does make sense, but that still doesn't quite explain it." She uttered after a moment.

"What do you mean?" Luke asked, turning his head to see her. She was sitting with her legs tucked against her chest, chin resting on her knees, staring out into the

distance.

"That's only another piece of the puzzle, Luke. They didn't tell you everything. So far, we know that the Chosen Ones created the Imbalance, intentionally or no,

and that both Anakin and Vader also have something to do with it. There is more to it, I just know it!"

"The Force?"

"No. Call it a hunch." Lariss immediately replied, and Luke rolled his eyes. Of course Lariss would dismiss the Force. Noting the look in his sister's eye, Luke knew

there was something she wasn't telling him.

"There's more to it, isn't there. You know something." It wasn't a question. It was statement Lariss couldn't deny.

"Yes." Lariss admitted. "I have a feeling we're also involved. I can't help but feel the whole family of Skywalkers is included."

"Wouldn't surprise me." Luke remarked, thinking over the many adventures the Skywalker had undergone during, and even after, the Empire. "I just want to know

what we can do to fix whatever the imbalance is-or was."

"Who knows." Lariss shrugged before standing. "Well, I'm going back inside." She stretched for a moment, stretching her arms up into the air before allowing them to

fall limply at her sides. "You should too." She added, glancing down at him. Luke sighed, content with remaining outside under the peaceful, night, sky, but decided

he probably should go and get some rest. He stood and turned to return to the Temple when he felt a disturbance in the Force.

His eyes darted about. Something was wrong, but what?

"Did you feel that?" He asked in a whisper, hand slowly reaching for his lightsaber. Lariss hummed quietly in response, already gripping her newly crafted saber. Luke

had decided it wouldn't do for her to carry around her Sith lightsaber and managed to convince her to craft a new one. It had taken an extremely long time before

Lariss gave in, telling Luke she would only do it for him and Leia. Sadly, Luke couldn't persuade her to get rid of the red one. Lariss kept it hidden in the folds of her

clothing, supposedly for 'emergencies,' as she had once told him. He knew there was more to it than that. Something about the saber itself that bound Lariss to it but

he never pressed her.

Cautiously moving forward, Luke stretched out with the Force, seeing if there were any uninvited guests hiding out somewhere nearby. There was nothing.

Lariss, sensing something coming up from behind, looked over her shoulder to see what it was.

"Luke!" She hissed and Luke felt it. A shift in the Force. It was subtle and would have been overlooked had he not been searching for it. It was coming from the

Temple and behind them.

"The Temple!"

"Go! I'll take care of whatever's here." Lariss told him, shoving Luke forward. Luke didn't hesitate to sprint towards the grand doors of the Temple but before he could

get far, he heard Lariss crying out. "Luke! Help!"

"Lariss!" Luke skidded to a stop, whipping around to find Lariss struggling against some invisible force. He bolted in her direction, narrowing his blue eyes in order

to find who was attacking her. He could find nothing.

"I can't break away!" Lariss exclaimed, struggling even more. It felt as though her whole entire being was being sucked into some sort of vacuum and there was

nothing she could do about it. She dug the heels of her boots into the ground, hoping to stop herself, but the pulling sensation intensified, causing her to skid back.

Using the Force to enhance his vision, Luke saw what it was. There was a void of nothingness opening up behind his sister, and since it was so dark, Luke had not

seen it until now. "It's too strong!"

"Hold on, Lariss!" Luke threw his hand up, calling upon the Force to yank his sister away. It wouldn't work. He tried harder, his hand trembling from him trying

to battle against the void.

Lariss grunted and shook her head. "It's no use, Luke!" Her dark hair whipped wildly in the wind the void was creating. Luke pursed his lips in determination, forcing

himself to run faster. He was almost there! When he was close enough, Luke reached out to grab hold of his sister's hand.

"Reach!" He called over the howling wind. Lariss extended her hand and that was when it happened. Lariss lost her footing and slipped backwards, having knocked

herself off balance. Her eyes widened as she was lifted up and tugged backwards into the void.

"LUKE!"

"LARISS!" Luke lunged, panic driving him to act recklessly, hoping he'd be able to reach her in time. Just as the void was beginning to close, Luke passed through,

plummeting through the nothingness after his sister.

'Luke?' He heard Leia's voice in his mind but didn't reply. Now was not the time! 'Luke, what's happening? I can sense your panic!' Her worried voice continued. He

did not respond, tucking his arms against his sides and diving after Lariss, who had fallen a great length away from him. His speed increased as he called upon the

Force to help him. 'Luke! Don't you dare ignore me!'

'Now isn't the time, Leia!' Luke hadn't meant to snap, but his worry made him sound rather harsh. He could feel Leia's increasing concern and could imagine she was

ordering Han to hurry it up. Returning his attention to Lariss, he found her being engulfed by a bright light.

"Come on!" He urged himself, worried he wouldn't reach her in time. He caught a glimpse of her momentary surprise and worry as she reached out towards him,

the light brightening even more. Lariss was beginning to fade away before him.

'Luke...'

Then she was gone.

"No!" Luke cried when another intense light assaulted his vision. He was thrown back by some unforeseen Force and grunted, feeling his body jerk back when

another wave of air hit him, sending the young man flailing through the nothingness...

Then all went black.