We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If
Volume 7:
Chapter 40: All But Over
The battle rages on. Stormtroopers fire on Ewoks with sophisticated weapons while their furry little adversaries sneak up behind the Imperial troopers and bash them over the head with large clubs.
A walker marches through the undergrowth blasting Ewoks as it goes. An Ewok warrior gives the signal, and a pile of logs is cut loose. The logs tumble under the walker's feet, causing it to slip and slide until it finally topples over with a great crash.
A scout bike races past and is lassoed with a heavy vine. The other end of the vine is tied to a tree, and the bike swings around in ever-tightening circles until it runs out of rope and crashes into the trees with a huge explosion.
Chewie swings on a vine to the roof of one of the walkers. Two Ewoks and King cling to him. They land with a thud on the top of the lurching machine, then hang on for dear life.
King peeks through the window and yells, "hey kids! Wanna see a dead body!"
Walker Pilot 1 yelled, "look!"
Pilot 2 yelled, "get him off of there!"
The walker pilot opens the hatch to see what's going on. He is yanked out and tossed overboard before he can scream. The two Ewoks and King jump into the cockpit and knock the second pilot unconscious. The three are thrown violently as the mighty machine careens out of control. Outside, Chewie is almost knocked overboard; he sticks his head into the hatch with a series of angry barks.
King yelled, "sorry! Sorry!"
The Ewoks are too busy and frightened to
listen to the Wookiee's complaint. Chewie slips inside the walker.
Chewbacca's walker moves through the forest, firing laser blasts at unsuspecting stormtroopers, and destroying other Imperial walkers. The Ewoks and King shout and cheer as the giant machine helps turn the tide of the battle in their favor.
HK works furiously at the control panel; wires spark as he attempts to hack the door. HK motions to Han and Leia, who are blasting away at some stormtroopers.
HK said, "statement: I think I got it. I got it!"
The three wires spark as the connection is made. a second blast door crashes down in front of the first. HK turns back to the wires again. Leia exchanges shots with stormtroopers in the bushes, then suddenly cries out in pain, her shoulder hit by a laser blast.
Han asked, "Leia, are you okay!?"
Leia said, "it's not bad."
"Freeze!"
They all freeze.
C3-P0 said, "oh, dear."
A stormtrooper said, "don't move!"
Leia holds her laser gun ready, behind Han, out of view of the two stormtroopers moving toward them. Han and Leia's eyes lock; the moment seems suspended in time.
Han said, "I love you."
Another shared look between them, as she smiles up at Han.
Leia said, "I know."
The second stormtrooper yelled, "hands up! Stand up!"
Han stands up slowly and turns, revealing the gun in Leia's hand. She disposes of the stormtroopers in a flash. As Han turns back toward Leia, he looks up to see a giant walker approach and stand before him, its deadly weapons aimed right at him.
Han said, "stay back."
The hatch on top of the walker opens and Chewie sticks his head out and barks triumphantly.
King yelled as he popped up, "this is so wizard!"
Han said, "Chewie! King! Get down here! She's wounded! No, wait…. I got an idea…."
….
Sam, Luke and Vader all held their lightsabers tightly in their hands.
Malakis stood there, grinning like a madman.
"Your time is over Malakis", Sam said.
Malakis said, "on the contrary…. My reign is far from over!"
Vader growled, "it wasn't short enough."
Malakis activated a second lightsaber and he jumped towards the three.
Thus began a furious duel between the four force users.
Malakis tried to strike Sam, but Vader quickly blocked it.
Vader growled, "you're not gonna win this time."
Malakis grinned evilly as he made a pipe fall towards Luke.
Sam turned into his beast form and stopped the pipe.
Sam growled, "oh no you don't!"
Malakis growled in anger.
Malakis had clearly met his match.
He threw force lightning towards Sam.
Sam quickly blocked the lightning.
Malakis yelled in anger.
He yelled, "why can't you just die?!"
Sam let out a growl as he pushed back the lighting.
Malakis yelled, "you cannot stop me, Skywalker!"
Vader and Luke ran towards Malakis in an attempt to stab him.
Malakis yelled as lightning began to fill the room.
It hit both Luke and Vader as they were sent flying to the ground.
Sam did his best to stand his ground.
Malakis growled, "if I cannot kill you…. Maybe I'll kill them instead!"
Malakis then began to run towards Luke and Vader.
Sam yelled, "NO!"
Vader saw Malakis running towards him and Luke, so he shielded Luke from being stabbed…. Vader then opened his eyes…. And he gasped at what he saw….
Sam was stabbed in the stomach!
Vader and Luke yelled, "SAM!"
….
The two armadas, like their sea-bound ancestors, blast away at each other in individual point-blank confrontations. A Star Destroyer explodes. The Rebel victor limps away, its back half alive with a series of minor explosions. The Rebel cruiser manages to move in next to a second Star Destroyer before it explodes completely, taking the Imperial Star Destroyer with it. The Falcon and several fighters attack one of the larger Imperial ships.
Lando said, "watch out. Squad at .06."
Hunter said, "I'm on it, Lando."
Wedge said, "good shot, Red Two."
Lando said, "now…. Come on, Han, old buddy. Don't let me down."
….
Controllers watch the main viewscreen on which a vague figure of an Imperial walker pilot can be seen. There is a great deal of static and interference.
They said, "it's over, Commander. The Rebels have been routed. They're fleeing into the woods. We need reinforcements to continue the pursuit."
The controllers cheer.
The control room commander said, "send three squads to help. Open the back door."
The second commander said, "yes sir."
As the door to the bunker opens and the Imperial troops rush out, they're surprised to find themselves surrounded by Rebels, their weapons pointed at them. Ewoks holding bows and arrows appear on the roof of the bunker. The Battle droids and Bounty Hunters point their weapons as well to the Imperials. The Imperial troops throw down their guns as Han and Chewie rush inside the bunker with explosive charges.
Han, Chewie, and several troops rush into the control room and plant explosive charges on the control panels and rush out.
"Throw me another charge", Han said.
….
Sam falls to the ground, groaning as he clutches his stomach in pain.
Luke and Vader quickly attend to Sam.
Malakis said, "give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your brother and friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for…. Sister! So…. You have a sister. Your feelings have now betrayed her, too. Obi Wan was wise to hide her from me. Now his failure is complete. If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."
Vader and Luke yelled, "NEVER!"
The two activated their lightsabers and ran towards Malakis. They furiously dueled the Emperor. Sparks fly as Luke and Vader
fight Malakis in the cramped area. Their hatred forces Malakis to retreat out of the low area and across a bridge overlooking a vast elevator shaft. Each stroke of Luke's sword drives Malakis further toward defeat.
The Emperor is knocked to his knees, and as he raises his saber to block another onslaught, Luke slashes Malakis' right hand off at the wrist, causing blood to fly from the stump. Malakis' sword clatters uselessly away, over the edge of the platform and into the bottomless shaft below. Luke moves over Malakis and holds the blade of his sword to the Dark Lord's throat.
Malakis growled, "good…. Good…. Strike me down, and you'll finally be one of us!"
Vader held Luke's shoulder and said, "no…. Don't…. You'll only give him what he wants…. Let me end his reign of terror."
After a few moments, Luke slowly backed up and deactivated his saber.
Vader pointed his own blade at Malakis.
Malakis growled out, "I always knew you were a failure Vader…. You could never live up to being a Sith!"
Vader said, "you're right…. I am a Sith no longer…. I am a Jedi…. I…. Am…. Anakin Skywalker…."
….
Han, Eda and several of the fighters run out of the bunker and race across the clearing.
Han yelled, "move! Move!"
Eda yelled, "run like children!"
A shock wave knocks them flat as the bunker explodes, followed by a spectacular display as the huge shield-generator radar dish explodes along with the bunker.
….
Ackbar, sitting in his control chair, speaks into the radio.
He yelled, "the shield is down! Commence attack on the Death Star's main reactor."
Lando said, "we're on our way. Red Group, Gold Group, Ebon Hawk, all fighters follow me. Haha! Told you they'd do it!"
The Falcon, Ebon Hawk and several smaller Rebel fighters, heads toward the unfinished superstructure of the Death Star.
….
Vader said, "you've lost, Malakis."
Malakis growled, "no…. No…. No! You have lost!"
He tries to shoot lightning at Vader, but he quickly stabs him in the chest and lifts him over his head!
He holds his evil master high over his head and walks to the edge of the abyss at the central core of the throne room. With one final burst of his once awesome strength, Vader hurls the Emperor's body into the bottomless shaft.
The Emperor's body spins helplessly into the void, arcing as it falls into the abyss. Finally, when the body is far down the shaft, it explodes, creating a rush of air through the room.
"He's finally gone", Luke said.
Sam then started coughing out blood. Luke and Vader quickly ran back to Sam.
Vader cried, "Sam! Oh no. No, no, no!"
Sam coughed, "d-dad…. Luke…. I…. I w-want you to…. Take c-care of…. L-Leia…. And m-my husbands…. And wife…."
Luke cried, "no! Sam, please! Just hang on! There's gotta be something we can do!"
Vader then looked down, coming to an unknown decision.
He then quickly placed Sam's head on his lap.
He began to concentrate.
He placed his hand on Sam's wound.
Slowly…. The wound began to heal!
Luke watched all this with awe in his eyes.
Then Sam's wound was gone.
Sam gasped as he sprung back to full health.
Vader smiled weakly.
Sam turned to look at his father. He smiled at his dad.
Vader smiled weakly as he collapsed to the ground. Sam and Luke gasped as they quickly helped their father to his feet as he groaned.
"Come on, we have to get to the ship", Luke said.
….
Rebel fighters follow the Falcon across the surface of the Death Star to the unfinished portion, where they dive into the superstructure of the giant battle station, followed by many TIE fighters.
Wedge said, "I'm going in."
Lando said, "here goes nothing."
Bendy said, "let's do it!"
Three X-wings lead the chase through the ever-narrowing shaft, followed by the Falcon, Ebon Hawk and four other fighters, plus TIE fighters who continually fire at the Rebels. Lights reflect off the pilot's faces as they race through the dark shaft.
Lando said, "now lock onto the strongest power source. It should be the power generator."
"Form up. And stay alert. We could run out of space real fast", Wedge said.
The fighters, the Falcon and the Ebon Hawk race through the tunnel, still pursued by the TIE fighters. One of the X-wings is hit from behind and explodes.
"Split up and head back to the surface. See if you can get a few of those TIE fighters to follow you", Lando said.
A pilot said, "copy, Gold Leader."
The Rebel ships peel off, pursued by three of the TIE's, while Lando, Hunter and Wedge continue through the main tunnel. It narrows, and the Falcon scrapes the side dangerously. Two other TIE fighters continue to blast away at them.
Lando said, "that was too close."
Nien Nunb agrees.
Ahsoka commented, "if I had a credit for every time I heard that!"
The battle between the Rebel and Imperial fleet rages on. Several cruisers fire at the giant Super Star Destroyer.
Ackbar said, "we've got to give those fighters more time. Concentrate all fire on that Super Star Destroyer."
X-wings pilots head across the surface of the huge battleship.
….
Admiral Piett and a commander stand at the window, looking out to the battle. They look concerned.
A controller said, "Sir, we've lost our bridge deflector shield."
Piett said, "intensify the forward batteries. I don't want anything to get through."
The commander is looking out of the window where a damaged Rebel fighter is out of control and heading directly toward the bridge.
Piett yelled, "intensify forward firepower!"
The commander yelled, "it's too late!"
The Rebel pilot screams as his ship hits the Star Destroyer, causing a huge explosion. The giant battle ship loses control, crashes into the Death Star, and explodes.
There is excitement on the bridge as the battle rages on all sides. They cheer as the giant Star Destroyer blows up.
….
Chaos. For the first time, the Death Star is rocked by explosions as the Rebel fleet, no longer backed against a wall, zooms over, unloading a heavy barrage. Imperial troops run in all directions, confused and desperate to escape.
Luke and Sam try their best to help their father to the ship.
Finally, they collapse from the strain, right next to a ship. The explosions grow louder as Vader draws them closer.
Vader said, "Sam…. Luke…. Help me take this mask off."
Luke asked, "what?"
Sam said, "no, we're getting you out of here."
Vader said, "my time is short. Just for once…. Let me look at you both with my own eyes."
Slowly, hesitantly, Luke removes the mask from his father's face. There beneath it…. Is Anakin Skywalker. His eyes do not focus. But the dying man smiles at the sight before him.
He smiled and said, "now…. Go, my sons. Leave me."
Sam and Luke hug their father as they refuse to leave him.
"No dad…. We're not leaving you…. You're finally free and you can be with your family…. With us", Sam said as tears were in his eyes.
Anakin said, "don't cry…. I won't truly be gone…. No-one's ever really gone…. I'll always be there for you…. Like Obi Wan…."
Sam kept crying as he hugged his father.
He cried, "I love you dad…. And I forgive you…. For everything you've done…."
Anakin smiled weakly as he wiped Sam's tears.
Anakin said, "you saved me…. You were right about me. Tell your sister…. You were right."
Luke cried, "Father…. We won't leave you."
Darth Vader…. Anakin Skywalker…. Sam and Luke's father…. Dies.
A huge explosion rocks the docking bay. Slowly, Luke and Sam rise and, half carrying, half dragging the body of their father, stumble toward a shuttle.
….
The Millennium Falcon and Ebon Hawk lead a swerving bomb run through the immense superstructure of the half-built Death Star. The StarRunner and over cruisers outside continually bombard the huge station. And each direct hit is answered by resonating, chain-reaction explosions within the station itself.
Lando's crew fires away at the pursuing TIE fighters as the dashing Baron of Bespin and his alien copilot home in on the main reactor shaft. It is awesome. A lone X-wing is just in front of the Falcon.
Wedge yelled, "there it is!"
Lando said, "alright, Wedge. Go for the power regulator on the north tower."
Wedge said, "copy, Gold Leader. I'm already on my way out."
The X-wing heads for the top of the huge reactor and fires several proton torpedoes at the power regulator, causing a series of small explosions.
The Falcon and Ebon Hawk head for the main reactor, and when they dangerously close, they fire the missiles, which shoot out of the ships with a powerful roar, and hit directly at the center of the main reactor.
They maneuver the ships out of the winding superstructure just ahead of the continuing chain of explosions.
Ackbar and other Mon Calamari lean on the railing of the bridge, watching the large screen showing the Death Star in the main briefing room.
"Move the fleet away from the Death Star", Ackbar said.
An Imperial shuttle, with Luke and Sam in the cockpit, rockets out of the main docking bay as that entire section of the Death Star is blown away.
Finally, just as it looks like the Falcon and Ebon Hawk will not make it, Lando and Hunter expertly pilot the crafts out of the exploding superstructure and whizzes toward the Sanctuary Moon, only a moment before the Death Star supernovas into oblivion.
Lando and Nien Nunb laugh and cheer in relief.
Bendy cheers as Ahsoka and Hunter share a kiss.
….
Rex, Eda, Padme, Sam's husbands and wife, Ventress, the bounty hunters, Han and Leia, Chewie, the droids, the Rebel troops, battle droids and the Ewoks all look to the sky as the Death Star reveals itself in a final flash of self-destruction. They all cheer.
C3-P0 yelled, "they did it!"
Eda spins Padme around in joy. Latz Razzi grabbed Dengar and pulled him into a kiss.
Han looks down from the sky to Leia, a look of concern on his face. Leia continues to look at the sky as though listening for a silent pair of voices.
"I'm sure Luke and Sam weren't on that thing when it blew", Han said.
"They weren't. I can feel it", Leia said.
Han said, "you love him, don't you?"
Leia smiles, puzzled.
She said, "of course. They're my brothers."
Han is stunned by this news. She smiles, and they embrace.
….
We then see the Imperial shuttle, piloted by Luke and Sam land on the planet of Endor.
They both held bittersweet looks. They both carried their father's body outside. They knew he deserved a proper farewell….
….
Luke sets a torch to the logs stacked under a funeral pyre where his father's body lies, again dressed in black mask and helmet. He and Sam stand, watching sadly, as the flames leap higher to consume Darth Vader…. No…. To consume Anakin Skywalker.
Sam hugs his big brother.
Luke hugs back as both cry bittersweet tears.
In the sky above, fireworks explode and Rebel fighters zoom above the forest.
….
Throughout the galaxy, various planets are celebrating.
From Coruscant, to Naboo, to Cloud City, everywhere!
….
A huge bonfire is the centerpiece of a wild celebration. Rebels and Ewoks rejoice in the warm glow of firelight, drums beating, singing, dancing, and laughing in the communal language of victory and liberation.
Lando runs in and is enthusiastically hugged by Han and Chewie.
Luke and Sam arrive, and they are hugged by their friends and family.
Sam is kissed by all of his lovers.
They stand close, this hardy group, taking comfort in each other's touch, together to the end.
Rebels, droids, bounty hunters and Ewoks join together in dancing and celebration. The original group of adventurers watch from the sidelines. Only, Luke and Sam seem distracted, alone in their midsts, their thoughts elsewhere.
They look off to the side and see three shimmering, smiling figures at the edge of the shadows.
Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker.
Slowly, Revan appears next to the other three ghosts and gives a thumbs up.
Sam and Luke smiled. They then went to rejoin the others.
The force ghosts kept on watching as everyone celebrated.
Obi Wan said, "finally. The Empire is in shambles."
Anakin said, "now they just need to deal with the last remnants of the Empire."
Yoda said, "and rebuild the Republic, they must."
"And the Jedi Order", Revan said.
The others all nodded.
But for now they knew the galaxy would now be at peace once again….
….
Reviews:
SuperSentai199: yeah, I liked that change we made.
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