AN: This is the final chapter outside of the epilogue, this covers the final fight between the Rebels and Empire, I thought briefly of taking it into the sequel trilogy but I feel that would be overkill as the Skywalkers deserve happiness in my mind, I may make a sequel, but I would like to get this and The Skywalker Clan finished with for my new story, The Senator and The Supreme Commander, a brief rundown is that it starts off at AOTC time and Padmé has long since accepted the fact she could have feelings for Anakin, meaning she wouldn't fight his desires to be in a relationship with her as much, though there is but one condition, her family and Obi Wan must know of the relationship. But enough about that, Enjoy!
Training Room, Executor, Riflor System
"Very good Leia, your offensive attacks are very unique and had I been less experienced, you would've had me, your defensive manoeuvres could use some work, but they are very good after all," Anakin Skywalker told his daughter who was on the matt yet again after a sparring session between them in preparation for the fight against Sidious, the training room door opened and Padmé peaked her head inside.
"Sorry to interrupt but High Command want us on the Rebel Ship to discuss the plan one last time," Padmé told them, they nodded in understanding as Anakin pulled their daughter up and filed out of the room to go to Rebel Ship.
Rebel Command Ship
"We have stolen 2 Imperial Shuttles, Anakin and Leia will use one to get onto the Death Star itself, while Grace and Luke will use the other to access the shield generator and destroy it, is that understood?" Mon Mothma questioned, everyone but Bail Organa nodded in understanding, he however glared at Anakin.
"Are we sure trusting him is smart? He's also taking my daughter out into the…" he couldn't continue as Han Solo shot him in the back, causing gasps to erupt, Padmé and Mon especially as they remembered the time that Cad Bane had killed another Senator the same way, Han shrugged his shoulders.
"Forgive me, but that guy was really getting on my nerves, also I could tell at least 4 of our Skywalker friends want him dead, also considering how he refused to acknowledge Anakin as Leia's father and dammit it got real annoying," Han explained to the dumbstruck Rebel leaders, the Skywalkers in the room just had impassive faces, not giving any reactions as they would likely be jumping for joy at this moment in time due to Bail's death, the Rebel Leaders got looks of understanding after his explanation.
"He always was an irritancy," Mon Mothma mused, this caused some smiles to grow on the faces of the Rebel Leaders and the Skywalkers, though the latter had sheepish smiles whereas the Rebels had genuine smiles.
"Who's going to be leading the space forces? We have the ground forces sorted, but who's going to lead our boys up in space?" Anakin questioned, Han stepped up.
"I have an old friend who while at points can be rather fickle about who he trusts, he trusts me implicitly and won't let us down," Han stated simply, if not a little smugly as a dark skinned man walked in, he was fairly old, he looked to be older than Han but younger than the eldest Skywalkers, his hair was done in an afro and he had a moustache, no beard, he wore a cape and the attire of a Rebellion General, Anakin thought he recognised this man, though he wasn't sure, the man stood at the podium and cleared his throat.
"For those confused about who I am, I am Lando Calrissian from the planet Bespin. For those curious about how I got my rank of General, I have harboured Rebels since the battle of Alderaan, namely Mon Mothma when you lot were searching for a new base just after Alderaan, I was also the one who suggested Hoth and Riflor here as bases and rendezvous points, I have also proved myself a capable fighter, remember Kothlis when those Bounty Hunters arrived?" the man, Lando questioned, a collective grimace was seen at the mention of that battle. "Yeah, that was me who got rid of them, considering they were after an Anakin Skywalker, all I had to say was that I'm holding him and his family in my city, Cloud City, I took them to the false address and had old friends other than Han here, blast them all, my shady past is a source for mistrust but I'm offering my services, take it or leave it, but I'm offering." Lando concluded, all the leaders had impressed looks on their faces, Han rolled his eyes at the last part, knowing Lando for being ridiculously smug, the Skywalkers analysed him through the force and otherwise. Anakin sensed this man was sincere and nodded to Mon Mothma, who strode up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We welcome you, General Lando Calrissian," Mon Mothma said with a warm smile, Lando smiled back.
"Thank you, Mothma," Lando replied graciously, he noticed Anakin Skywalker staring at him critically, Mon nodded as Lando slowly approached Anakin.
"Master Skywalker, good to meet you," Lando greeted, Anakin nodded.
"Likewise, Mister Calrissian," Anakin replied, Lando smiled and noticed the other Skywalkers (except Owen who wasn't there) were all looking at him curiously, Padmé approached him first.
"Padmé Amidala Skywalker, good to meet you Lando," she greeted, Lando shook her hand, he then turned to Leia, Grace, Ben, Bella and Luke.
"Leia."
"Grace."
"Ben."
"Bella."
"Luke."
Sheesh, they've been busy, Lando thought, Anakin heard it as his eyes iced over, Lando felt the temperature drop significantly as he looked into Anakin's icy blue eyes, Lando stiffened as Anakin slowly approached him, fortunately he was saved by Padmé who placed her hand on his arm.
"Ani," she chided, Anakin pouted but fell back causing his wife and children to giggle, Lando gave her a grateful look.
"So, what ship are you flying Lando?" Anakin asked, changing the subject, Lando smirked.
"I'm taking my ship the Millennium Falcon," Lando replied, smugly, Han rolled his eyes.
"Basically; Lando here was the last owner of the Falcon and still thinks of it as his ship, me being Corellian as you know, wanted that ship because of not only its origins, but also the fact that my father used to work with that type of ship after he left Imperial service, I was awe struck by the ship's design and her evident speed, he wagered the ship twice in games of Sabaac, the first time he wagered it, he won meaning nothing happened, the second time he was drunk beyond belief and wagered it yet again, he accuses me of taking advantage of the fact he was hammered but I told him he needed to learn how to control his liquor better, I won the ship, the only reason Lando is leading the boys in space is because of the fact he's flying the Falcon again." Han explained, looking pointedly at Lando, who shrugged innocently.
"Hey, it's a damn fine ship and you bloody well know it Han, you may have performed the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, but it was a team effort, you know that," Lando shot back. Anakin shook his head at their banter and raised his hand, silencing them.
"Amusing as this is, we need to get moving and win this war, Han, go get your squad ready, same to you Lando, Leia and I will go up to the Death Star to deal with Palpatine personally," Anakin ordered, they nodded in understanding.
"Yes sir," they said in unison, conceding to his orders. Leia gave her father a worried look.
"Dad…do you really think we can best Palpatine?" Leia asked nervously, Anakin smiled fondly at his eldest daughter, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"A wise Jedi once told me to be prepared for anything and face my destiny no matter what, I thought at first he was a mindless philosopher but I believe it now and treat that saying like the law, you should heed that advice Leia, it will never lead you wrong," Anakin explained simply and confidently, a gentle tapping could be heard and Anakin's jaw dropped as he slowly turned around, he was greeted by the smiling face of an aged Master Yoda, who chuckled at the disbelief they were all feeling at this point.
"Unexpected, my arrival was, thought aid I could provide against Darth Sidious, fought him I have, know his ways of fighting I do, want to aid I do and aid I will," Yoda declared with a finality to his voice, Anakin snapped his jaw shut.
"Master Yoda…how did you find us?" Anakin asked in astonishment, he hadn't expected this, he thought Master Yoda was dead for all these years, for he hadn't been told and he had no idea where to begin searching for the old grandmaster, Yoda chuckled.
"A long time it has been, young Skywalker, not so young anymore though, going grey you are," Yoda teased him, Anakin reddened a little, subconsciously reaching up to try cover up his grey hairs, he had more than he had in the three years since he met his eldest children, getting caught up into war again had been most stressing on him and Padmé who also tried to cover her grey hairs, she had more due to the fact that she had turned 50 years old a few months back, their sudden subconsciousness caused their children and allies to laugh, Yoda turned serious a little bit after.
"Sent me a report, Obi Wan Kenobi did," Yoda began, he felt Anakin and Padmé get angry as soon as he mentioned Kenobi but they wanted the truth, "Confused I was, thought exiled by the Alliance he had been, appears it seems that tried to undermine Anakin's role in the Alliance through Bail Organa, his plan was, concerns he has for you remaining in the light." Yoda concluded, Anakin, Padmé, their children and Han all shook with anger at hearing this.
Han had never particularly liked the old Jedi, but this was beyond what even he was thinking that old man was capable of, Anakin had told them all once that he and Obi Wan had considered each other brothers at one point, but that had changed when Anakin had fallen to the dark side, Obi Wan had been devastated and even after reuniting with Anakin couldn't believe he was redeemed, Han understood to a point but that didn't mean he approved of such deception, he could tell Anakin, Padmé and Luke especially were hurt badly by this because they had the most trust in him before and now that trust was irreversibly damaged, Leia had always disliked Kenobi because of his deception, his arrogance and distaste for her father, Grace had often cursed him for those reasons because she was much closer to her father than the other children, Ben was a little confused by his behaviour but didn't really like it, usually though he paid Obi Wan little attention because there were other things to do, Bella and Owen never cared because other than the one time they met him on Naboo, he hadn't gone anywhere near them due to their parents keeping him away, Anakin trembled, his voice was highly angered as he spoke.
"Where is he?" he asked, an icy calmness to his voice that intimidated everyone except Yoda and his family, Yoda pointed toward the door and saw Kenobi enter, Anakin stormed over and slapped him across the face, Obi Wan stumbled, not expecting it.
"Anakin! What was that for?!" Obi Wan asked, stunned and rubbing his face, Anakin gave him a knowing look and urged him to find Bail, he obliged and saw the blaster bolt in his back, he looked up at them and none of the Skywalkers except Padmé and Leia carried blasters, he then looked to Solo and noticed his amused look.
"Care to explain Obi Wan?" Han asked with a smirk, Obi Wan's blood ran cold at the sight of Bail's dead body.
"Why General Solo?" Obi Wan asked icily, Han shrugged.
"I don't know, maybe because of his irrational behaviour, lack of proper judgement in a war scenario, the political mumbo jumbo he spouted to make our Skywalkers here look like fools, a lot of things really. But the main point I feel, was how he constantly tried patronising and berating Anakin over here and don't give me the same bullshit he gave us Kenobi, Master Yoda came and told us of your plot to try undermine him as some kind of revenge for what he did all those years ago, if Yoda can forgive, if I can forgive, if these guys can forgive, then you should be able to as well," Han explained, cold calmness to his tone, Obi Wan picked his lightsaber from his belt and deflected some shots Han fired at him but he didn't count on Anakin getting in his way, he ignited his own saber and blocked Obi Wan's blade, Anakin smirked at him.
"Just like old times isn't it?" he replied darkly, sweeping his blade low, but he was blocked, he used his strength to break Obi Wan's guard with a kick to the stomach that sent him flying backwards, he then pulled him back to him with the force and sighed sadly.
"Sorry it had to be this way brother," Anakin said sadly as he plunged his saber into Obi Wan's chest, but then the body just vanished leaving his cloak and lightsaber, he steeled himself from his shock then turned to the rest of the crowd.
"Let's finish this," Anakin declared, as the rest dispersed to play their part.
Second Death Star, Endor System
"Admiral Ozzel, move the fleet to the far side of Endor and send our guest Prince Xizor here, he will be paid handsomely for the resources he provided to finish this magnificent battle station," Emperor Palpatine ordered in his sickly voice, the holo of Ozzel nodded.
"Yes, my lord," he replied with noticeable contempt as the holo faded, Sidious knew Ozzel hated Vader and anything that reminded him of Vader was considered a travesty to the Empire and he had considered doing away with the man for years, but he couldn't and it wasn't because Ozzel was good at his job either but because he had the most influence in the navy, he reached for his glass of Nubian scotch and was about to take a sip when it was crushed right in front of his face. Snarling, his throne turned to see two dark hooded figures, one noticeably taller than the other and both his guards' heads had fallen at these people's feet, they lowered their hoods revealing Anakin and Leia Skywalker.
"Good to see you Sidious," Anakin said sarcastically, his lightsaber in his hand but not ignited, Leia's was too, Sidious glared at them both angrily.
"Anakin Skywalker…I cannot say I'm surprised to see you here, but I thought your son was the better choice," Sidious drawled, the comment angered Leia and she immediately ignited her lightsaber, the amethyst blade shining the dark throne room, Sidious stood up and ignited his blade, the crimson and amethyst making him almost nostalgic for a moment before smiling wickedly at Anakin.
"Remember the Jedi Mace Windu Anakin?" Sidious asked mockingly, he got a slight nod in response, "This reminds me of that, 2 combatants, one with a purple blade and me with a red blade, you know what they say about history? It repeats itself in the same way as previous encounters, your daughter will lose her hand and die by my hands!" he screamed maniacally before charging at Leia furiously. If one had asked if Princess Leia could ever best the Emperor in a fight, they would have been called a lunatic and foolish for suggesting that a Sith of Sidious's power could fall to a young woman. Now, with her brutal training regime under her father, Anakin Skywalker who had trained her in all aspects of combat, blasters, blades that weren't lightsabers, assassination, poisons and most importantly the force and her lightsaber had the most priority, Leia's use of the force was powerful though she leaned more towards empathy and mind control than a full-on warrior, she was good enough, using trickery and deception that would impress even Palpatine. She made a double feint with her blade that sent him to her left and right, right after the other and she kicked him in the back, he fell face first to the floor, Leia called the lightsaber he used to her hand and ignited the blade, holding them to his neck.
"Ironic, isn't it? You never even considered me a threat, you know what they say about appearances Lord Sidious, they are very deceiving," Leia sneered, as without hesitation she sliced through his neck with both blades, Anakin then raised his comm link and heard Lando's voice.
"Is his wrinkledness dead yet?" Lando demanded, Anakin and Leia laughed at his description.
"Yes, Lando he is, how's the space battle going?" Anakin asked back, Lando sighed.
"Wasn't going very well at first, but it's on the up and Han just got the shield down and we're going in, get out of there boss!" Lando shouted, Anakin and Leia nodded.
"Understood," Anakin said and shut off the comm, he and Leia ran back towards their shuttle in the hangar, once they were inside they got the chance to collect their bearings, before Anakin took his eldest daughter into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, Leia," Anakin said softly, tears pricked at Leia's eyes.
"Thanks Daddy…for everything," Leia replied, sniffling, both father and daughter cried together as they weaved down to the surface of Endor and found the whole family waiting for them, including an impatient Padmé who runs over to them both and embraces them tightly, there no words, for none are needed, this is the Skywalker family, and as the saying goes.
Actions speak louder than words.