Chapter 9: A New Path For Thad

23 ABY – 11 years before the events of The Force Awakens

An Unexpected Call

While Mara Jade was establishing a new purpose for herself on Tython, her estranged husband Luke was still on Ossus, realizing that maybe his wife was right about Thad, and as such began to make efforts to get things right with the Correlius family.

The holoprojector flickered to life in the Correlius home, casting a blue-tinted image of Luke Skywalker. The room, adorned with mementos of Thad's childhood and achievements, felt heavy with tension. Xavier Correlius stood with his arms crossed, his expression stern, while Yvonne sat beside him, her face a mix of curiosity and skepticism. The flickering light of the holoprojector cast shadows that danced across the walls, adding to the somber atmosphere.

Luke took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation. "Xavier, Yvonne, thank you for taking my call. I know this isn't easy."

Xavier's eyes narrowed slightly; his voice cold. "What do you want, Luke?"

Luke's image bowed his head in genuine remorse. "I want to apologize. I realize now that expelling Thad was not the best decision. I thought I was protecting the Order, but in doing so, I failed your son. I failed all of you. I wish I had handled things differently."

Yvonne's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "What do you suggest we do now, Luke? Thad has already suffered enough."

Luke nodded, accepting their bitterness. "I want to make it up to Thad. I propose a summit meeting with those who have known him all his life. Together, we can create a rotation of assignments that will help him gain the skills and mental health he needs for a productive life post-expulsion. It's also an opportunity for me to apologize to Thad personally."

Xavier and Yvonne exchanged glances. Xavier's stern facade cracked slightly, showing a glimpse of the father who only wanted the best for his son. There was a moment of silence before Xavier spoke. "It's not a bad idea. Thad does need guidance and support."

Yvonne sighed, softening slightly as she looked back at Luke's image. "Fine. Let's see if you can actually help our son this time."

The Summit

A week later, the summit meeting took place in the Correlius home, a place rich with history. Thad's family had lived on this planet for generations, and their home was filled with artifacts and mementos from different eras. The room where they had gathered was adorned with holopics of his ancestors, each one telling a story of bravery and sacrifice. The room was filled with the soft hum of the holoprojector, casting a warm glow on the artifacts and mementos lining the shelves. The scent of fresh-brewed tea lingered in the air, a comforting reminder of home.

The living room of the Correlius home was filled with familiar faces. Xavier and Yvonne sat at the head of the room with Leia, Han, Lando, Chewie, and Lor San Tekka spread out around them. Noticeably absent was Mara Jade. All of them knew she and Luke were having issues in their marriage. While her absence was felt, they all were careful not to mention Mara and focused their attention on finding ways to help Thad.

"Well," Han started with a grin, "I think we should put Thad in charge of the Millennium Falcon's maintenance. He could use some real-world experience, and I could use a break from fixing that hunk of junk."

Lando laughed. "And I can teach him how to charm his way out of a sticky situation. Kid needs to learn the art of negotiation and a bit of flair."

Chewie growled in agreement, adding his own suggestion in Shyriiwook. Leia translated, smiling, "Chewie says Thad could accompany him on a few Wookiee diplomatic missions. It would be good for him to see different cultures and perspectives."

Xavier watched the lively discussion, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Lor San Tekka nodded thoughtfully. "These are all excellent ideas. However, I believe Thad would benefit greatly from spending time with the Church of the Force. It would help him reconnect with the spiritual side of the Force, something he's been missing."

The room grew quiet as Luke cleared his throat. "I've been communing with the Bendu through the Force. The Bendu is quite interested in Thad and wants to help him with his anxiety. If Thad goes to Lothal, he can learn from the Bendu."

Yvonne's eyes welled up with tears, her hands trembling as she clutched a family photo. "I've been waiting for someone to help my son with his core problem. If he goes to Lothal, Xavier and I are going with him. He will need our support."

Xavier put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll make sure he gets through this. We must support him no matter the cost."

Scene: The Apology

As the summit drew to a close, Han Solo and Leia Organa stood together, the weight of unspoken words pressing heavily on them. With a shared glance, they approached Xavier and Yvonne Correlius, who were seated quietly, reflecting on the day's discussions. Han, normally so self-assured, struggled to find the right words.

"Xavier, Yvonne," Han began, his voice thick with regret. "We need to talk about Ben… and what he did to Thad. We owe you both an apology."

Xavier's face remained stoic, though his eyes revealed the pain that still lingered. "Go on," he said, his tone measured.

Leia stepped forward, her usual composure shattered by the depth of her emotions. "Thad isn't just anyone to us, Xavier. He's like a second son to me. What Ben did to him… it was unforgivable. And we didn't do enough to stop it. We didn't protect him, and I'm so deeply sorry for that."

Yvonne's expression softened slightly as she reached out to place a hand on Leia's arm. "Leia, Han, we know that Ben's choices were his own. But Thad… he's been through so much. Losing his son to abduction, losing Sara to the dark side—he's been devastated."

Leia's voice trembled as she continued, "I know. And I can never forgive myself for not being there for him when he needed us the most. I just hope that somehow, you can find it in your hearts to forgive us."

Yvonne sighed deeply and nodded. "We forgive you, Leia. We know how hard it is to navigate these things. But we need to focus on how to help Thad move forward from this."

Han, still subdued, nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Yvonne, Xavier. Let's work together to help Thad find his way again."

As the conversation wound down, Leia's gaze fell on Luke, who stood a short distance away, observing the scene with quiet contemplation. Her expression darkened, and she pulled away from Yvonne, her strides purposeful as she approached her brother.

Scene: Leia Confronts Luke

Leia approached Luke with fierce determination in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was cold, laced with deep-seated anger and frustration that had been building for years. "Luke, we need to talk."

Luke looked at her, sensing the storm of emotions within her. "Leia, I—"

She didn't let him finish. "No, Luke," she interrupted, her voice firm but not as harsh. "You don't get to stand there and pretend like this is the first time you've tried to push Thad out. Do you remember when he was 17? You almost expelled him then too. He was just a kid, and you were ready to throw him away because he didn't fit into your perfect idea of what a Jedi should be."

Luke flinched at her words, guilt flashing across his face as the memory resurfaced. Leia continued, her tone still carrying the weight of her disappointment, but now tinged with sorrow. "Thad is like a son to me—a grown man, yes, but someone who has always looked up to you, trusted you. And you've betrayed that trust more than once."

Luke's expression grew pained, but Leia pressed on, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "You were so obsessed with your vision of the Order, with saving Ben, that you sacrificed Thad. And look at what it's cost him! His son is gone, abducted by the darkness you didn't see coming. His wife, Sara, was consumed by the dark side because you weren't paying attention. Thad's life has been shattered, and you played a part in that."

Luke tried to speak, his voice a broken whisper. "Leia, I know I failed him. I know I failed you—"

"Failed him?" Leia echoed, her voice softening slightly, though the hurt was still clear. "You didn't just fail him, Luke. You hurt him deeply, and you did it again and again. Thad has already been through more than most could ever endure. And instead of supporting him, you kept pushing him away. And now you want to stand here and pretend like you can make it right? It's too late for that, Luke. It's far too late."

Luke's shoulders slumped under the weight of her words. "Leia, I'm so sorry. I know I can't undo what's been done, but I'm here now. I want to help him. I want to make things right."

Leia's eyes softened, though her disappointment remained. "You can try, Luke. But you've lost something every time you abandoned Thad. You lost a piece of yourself, and I don't know if you'll ever get it back. I don't know if I'll ever be able to look at you the same way again."

With that, she turned away, her shoulders trembling slightly as she walked away from him, leaving Luke standing there, burdened by the crushing weight of his mistakes and the knowledge that some wounds might never fully heal.

Thad's Homecoming

Later that evening, Xavier, Yvonne, and Luke waited anxiously for Thad to return home. The sound of an approaching speeder made them all tense. Thad stepped through the door, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Luke's X-Wing parked outside.

His anxiety made him hesitant to enter, but he steeled himself and walked inside, his heart pounding. As he entered the living room, he saw his parents and Luke standing together. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp casting shadows on the walls adorned with family photos and mementos from Thad's childhood. The air was thick with anticipation and the faint scent of lavender from his mother's favorite candles.

Xavier and Yvonne stepped aside, giving Luke and Thad space. Luke took a deep breath and met Thad's eyes. "Thad, I owe you an apology. I'm deeply sorry for everything that happened. Expelling you was a mistake. The Force is still with you, and I want to support you in any way I can."

Thad looked at Luke, his expression unreadable. He took a deep breath, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You say the Force is still with me, but why were you so quick to discipline me and so slow to discipline Ben? Why did you abandon me so easily?"

The room grew silent, the burden of his remorse hanging in the air. Luke struggled to find the right words, his face reflecting a blend of regret and reflection. "Thad, I was wrong. I thought I was protecting the Order by expelling you, but now I see that I failed you. With Ben, I was blinded by my hope to save him, to bring him back from the brink. I handled it poorly, and I'm deeply sorry for that."

Thad, now angered, says, "This has been going on for years, Luke! The favoritism you showed! All the bullying that you allowed! The Luke Skywalker that I idolized as a child would not have done any of those things! What happened to you? Do you even realize what the last few years have been like since I lost Sara and Diop?"

Luke looked down, his shoulders slumping with the burden of his remorse. "Thad, you're right. I failed you, and I failed Sara. I was so focused on my own fears and hopes that I didn't see your pain. I'm deeply sorry for that. I can't change the past, but I'm here now, ready to listen and to make things right. You both deserved better from me."

Yvonne glanced at Xavier, her worry evident. Thad nodded slowly, absorbing the response. "Alright, Luke. Let's talk about this."

Thad and Luke took a walk outside and had a heart-to-heart talk about where things went wrong and what could have been done better.

A Final Farewell

Later, as the night drew to a close, the two stood in the moonlight, the soft hum of the ship's engines creating a gentle backdrop.

Seeing the X-Wing and hearing R2-D2 brought back a flood of wonderful childhood memories for Thad. He remembered when Luke had temporarily retrofitted the droid socket to house him, an 11-year-old Thad, for joy rides in the X-Wing. The sheer joy of soaring through the stars, the exhilaration of the ship's movements, and the comfort of Luke's presence beside him. Luke would regale him with stories of his adventures, from the Battle of Yavin to his encounters with various Force-sensitive beings. Those moments were some of the happiest parts of his childhood, where the galaxy felt full of endless possibilities.

Remembering all of those cherished childhood memories, it was in that moment that Thad Correlius chose to forgive Luke Skywalker.

"I remember word for word the stories you used to tell Sara and me when we were small. How, in the Battle of Endor, you never gave up on your father, always seeing the good in him. Now it's my chance to pay it forward. Just as there was good in Vader, there's still good in you, Luke. I may not fully understand what's going on, but it's clear you're conflicted, maybe as much as Ben is. There is still good in you, Luke. It will always be there. I hope you find your way back to being the hero I adored all those years ago."

"I understand now that my path is a lot different from yours. My Jedi days are over. This new path I'm on is a lot less glorious but one I'm more suited for. Despite everything, Luke, you will always be my hero, the standard for what I believe every hero should be. That will never change," Thad said, his voice filled with emotion.

Luke smiled, a tear slipping down his cheek. They embraced in a tight, heartfelt hug. "Thank you, Thad. That means more to me than you know."

Finally, after twenty tumultuous years as a padawan, Thad Correlius came to terms with his unique path in life and made peace with his Jedi teacher, mentor, and childhood hero, Luke Skywalker. Thad chose not to harbor hard feelings for Luke, understanding that forgiveness and accountability can coexist. He held Luke responsible for his past actions but also recognized that everyone makes mistakes and that true strength lies in acceptance and moving forward.

Luke mounted his X-Wing, giving Thad a final salute before flying off into the night sky. Thad watched as the ship disappeared into the distance, a mix of sadness and hope filling his heart.

It would also be the last time he would see his childhood hero alive.

Thad turned back to his home, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had a long journey ahead, but with the support of his family and the guidance of those who believed in him, he was ready to face it. The path would be challenging, but Thad was determined to make his mark on the galaxy, just as Luke had done before him.