The Falcon swerved right before hitting lightspeed, the X- and Y-wings swerved left, as Luke and Leia promised to hurry.

Luke led Leia through the swamp and forest to where Yoda's little house was. They left the droids with the ships and waded unhurried through the swamp. They found the little house, with the small occupant still there. Luke did his best to hide his expression at how weak the small Master looked. Luke and Leia were crammed into a corner of the house, spacious if one was a half-meter in height, horribly cramped otherwise. Leia let him do the talking.

Yoda commented. "Hmmm. That face you make? Look I so old to young eyes?"

Luke's woeful expression instantly transformed itself to a guilty looking serene expression. "No. Of course not."

Yoda chuckled. "I do, yes, I do. Sick have I become. Old and weak." He pointed a crooked finger at the pair. "When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" He hobbled over to his bed and sat down with great effort.

Luke glanced at Leia, who sat quietly.

"I've come back to complete the training. We need your help."

"No more training do you require, either of you. Already know you that which you need."

Leia spoke suddenly. "Then we are Jedi, he and I."

Yoda sighed, lying back on his bed. "Ohhh. Not yet. One thing remains. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, Jedi will you be. And confront him you will."

Luke glanced at Leia again, then screwed up his courage. "Is Vader really our father.?"

An odd sad smile crossed Yoda's face. His eyes were tired and full of compassion.

"Know you must, must you?. Your father he is. Told you, did he?"

"Yes." Luke answered."

A new look of concern crossed Yoda's face. "Unexpected this, and unfortunate."

"Unfortunate that we know the truth?" Leia asked.

"No. . . . . Unfortunate that you rushed to face him. That incomplete was your training, young prince. That not ready for the burden were you, neither of you."

Luke stared at his feet. "I'm sorry."

"Remember, a jedi's strength flows from the Force . But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny." Yoda's voice grew faint. "Luke, Leia. Do not . . . do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor or suffer your father's fate you will. Work together. The Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned. Train your children."

Before their eyes, the ancient green creature caught his breath, closed his eyes, and disappeared.

Luke and Leia walked back in silence to the swamp where the ships were sitting, R2 and the prince's green droid beeping greetings at them. Their depressed masters ignored them, and finally just sat down on a log.

Luke commented to Leia. "I guess I know how you felt when Kenobi died. I guess I didn't expect Yoda to die. I thought he'd be here."

Leia smiled sadly. "We forget things change. On the other hand, at least we aren't completely alone. Imagine if we didn't have each other."

Luke nodded. "That's true, but it still seems like an awfully big job."

Leia looked over her shoulder and nudged Luke to look. Obiwan Kenobi was approaching them through the mist, himself little more than a glowing wraith. He sat next to them on the log.

"Yoda will always be with you, as will I."

Leia tried not to look accusing. "Why didn't you tell me in all those years. You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father."

"Your father was seduced by the dark side of the force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man that was your father was destroyed. So what I told you was true. . . from a certain point of view."

Leia snorted. "A certain point of view?" then she stopped. "I really wasn't ready, was I?"

Kenobi's answer was kindly and comforting. "No, you weren't ready. Your father was a good friend. When I first knew him, he was already a great pilot. We were amazed at how strongly the Force was with him. I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought I could instruct him just as well as Yoda. I was wrong."

Luke said suddenly, "There is still good in him." Leia stared at him for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Kenobi answered.

"He's more machine than man now. Twisted and evil."

"I'm not sure I can kill him anymore. I think Leia agrees. We're not sure we can kill our father. A year ago, two, no problem, I wouldn't have thought twice. Now, I don't know."

Ben's ghost turned to Leia and noted the same expression on her face.

"If you cannot defeat Vader, then the Emperor has already won. You two are our only hope. I know Yoda admonished you to train your children, but that will be too late. But when you face him, you must bury your feelings deep. They do you credit, but can be made to serve the Emperor."