STAR WARS: EPISODE XII – DESTINY OF THE FORCE

by Matthew Holmes

The Star Wars saga concludes in Episode XII of my fan fiction trilogy, set 21 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….

STAR WARS

Episode XII
DESTINY OF THE FORCE

The SITH Lord Tyro is destroyed! Yet, war rages on between his FREE ORDER and THE GRAND REPUBLIC, with the Jedi Knights on their way to Corellia in an attempt to rescue Jedi Master Skywalker and expose Head of State Thrackan Sal’s evil plans.

Meanwhile, Tyro’s two SITH Apprentices, Darth Faero and Lady Ziyra, are searching in the CHAZRACH Galaxy for Abeloth, a mysterious dark side Force user.

Wanting more dark powers for themselves and needing guides, the two SITH have followed Tyro’s final orders and are nearing the planet of the Flow-walkers….

STAR WARS: DESTINY OF THE FORCE

57 ABY: 57 Years After The Battle of Yavin

The Unknown Regions of wild space are harder to navigate than the crew of the Aggressor initially thought. The coordinates that Lord Tyro gave his two Sith apprentices, and subsequently the ship’s crew, have them flying past a planet that looks like a thick jungle covered in the Chazrach growth, colors of green and orange. After that, they hyperspace jump to a cluster of asteroids that had seen better days, there are stations and ships, but are obliterated. Makin Marec, who is one of the leaders of the bounty hunter mercenary team that was hired to escort the Sith, has finally enough of the mystery and gets out of his pilot’s seat to go ask the two Sith in the main cabin what in the world they are doing out here and why there is so much destruction everywhere.

Darth Faero and Lady Ziyra are in the main cabin, still trying to come to grips with the fact they felt a flash of energized anger that Lord Tyro died at the hands of the Jedi. Darth Faero is lying down on a bench, and Lady Ziyra is sitting in a shaking meditation. Makin Marec hastily intrudes on their alone time and blurts out, “What in the tauntaun’s behind are we doing out here!?” Both Sith do not answer or even look at him, as if he isn’t even there asking them a very important question. Makin speaks again, “All I want to know is, are we going to be getting there any time soon, and is my crew going to be safe?” Lady Ziyra answers angrily, “I’ve been to this galaxy, as you can see out the window, and took care of the Chazrach. You’ll be safe with us out here, bounty hunter.” Makin gives Darth Faero an upset look. “I’m not worried about Chazrach. I’m worried about where we’re going and why you aren’t telling us anything about it. I don’t like to fly blind to an unknown place in an unknown galaxy with an unknown plan. It’s too many unknowns, my Lords.” Lady Ziyra sternly says, “Go back to flying, Marec. We’re almost to the Storms of Chazra.” Makin, wide-eyed, repeats, “Storms of Chazra? I don’t even want to know.” He leaves them as they both look at one another, smirking. Darth Faero says, “I like being a bad guy. It’s easy and you don’t have to care about other people’s feelings.” Lady Ziyra says jokingly, “I second that, my Lord.”

Corellia is the center of the galaxy. All remaining systems capitulate to the Free Order once news of Coruscant being sacked by the Bothans and the capital planet being locked down, with all Republic government officials arrested and imprisoned. Chief of State Fyzo Rodron formally steps down, relinquishing his position on the Holonet for all Republic citizens to witness. Republic systems and planets follow in surrendering, knowing what was left of Republic forces couldn’t defend them. Many leaders think Head of State Thrackan Sal is not such a bad switch, considering he’d been a part of the Republic for so long anyway, and the hope is it will be business as usual. Especially because news had come out of Bothawui that Tyro was killed by so-called ‘Rogue Jedi’ and the galaxy is better off with a man like Thrackan Sal, who’s not a Force user, to be in power and lead. Most politicians and citizens reason he is not bad like a Sith Lord or Sith Emperor, thus bolstering his reputation in the galaxy.

Jumping out of hyperspace at the edge of Corellian territory is the Republic Naboo Fleet. In the lead ship are the Jedi Knights. Mace has been quiet on the long ride from Bothawui, and everyone has given him space and time since losing his father during the battle. C-3PO is talking to R2-D2 and the Jedi Knights about their adventures with BB-8, who perished in the battle alongside Finn. C-3PO is telling the tale of the Battle of Crait and how they reunited there, and against all odds, Luke Skywalker had saved them. “Yes, R2, I was just getting to that. Master Luke winked at me, and I was rather speechless. I had not seen him in so long,” 3PO is saying. R2-D2 beeps at him, cutting him off, telling him how they then met up at the Falcon as the last of the Resistance at that moment in time. 3PO finishes with “How do you say? Those were the good old days? Is that it, R2?” R2 beeps in approval. The group of remaining Jedi sit quietly, thinking about their current situation and not being able to reunite with their lost loved ones.

On the Corellian planet, Rey’s trial is in recess, and she’s sitting back in her cell, awaiting the next volley of accusations and attacks. Earlier, she had attempted to escape, so there were triple security guards and advanced security droids in the hall and outside. With time on her hands, she had tried to summon any possible way to talk to Finn or any other Force ghost that wanted to talk, but she had been unsuccessful. Yet, something feels peaceful to her; she feels that her son and the other Jedi are okay and are close by, so she took a seat in the cold prison cell. There is a knock at the locked door, and a fuming Thrackan Sal comes storming in, shouting at Rey, “he’s dead! Your stupid Jedi killed Tyro! What am I going to do now!?” Rey answers mockingly, “I don’t know. Head of State, maybe you should stop this insanity and restore the Republic and let me go.” Thrackan says, “Ha, very funny. You do know your son and his friends are at the edge of our system right now. I can blow them all away with one order.” Rey stands up and says, “I have a better idea. You stop this war. You become the hero. The Republic is yours. As long as you let there be a democracy, release your political prisoners across the galaxy, and let the Jedi serve in peace. I will support you and Corellia. Call it whatever you wish. Your own Grand Free Order or anything your heart desires. What do you say?” Rey reaches her hands out that were cuffed in a gesture to shake hands on it. Thrackan Sal takes a long, hard look at the Jedi Master. He motions over one of his guards to unlock her hands. She is freed by the guard as her cuffs fall to the ground. He reaches his hand out to shake her hand, startling her, and with a determined look, says, “Why not, Jedi. It’s a good deal.”

The Storms of Chazra are difficult yet successful for those onboard the Aggressor as the ship did not short-circuit, nor has it lost its flight through the powerful storms. The ship has already passed Tyro’s moon planet, and they are heading further into the unknown. Darth Faero makes his way to the cockpit. He tells Ailyn Vel, Makin Marec, and their uneasy crew his orders that “you’re only needed for the return journey, so you’ll wait on the ship, and Lady Ziyra and myself will not be disturbed on the planet of the Flow-walkers.” The crew nods in quiet agreement as Makin spots up ahead a clouded planet with mist wrapped around it and ascending into a light source. He points and says, “Up ahead. I think that’s the place, my Lords.” Darth Faero gives a nod and replies, “good bounty hunter. See, that isn’t so hard. Take us in.” Ailyn comments, “we must be the furthest anyone has ever been from our galaxy.” Lady Ziyra states, “I’m sure Grand Admiral Thrawn has the record.” Darth Faero replies, “I believe you’re right. The Imperials were so expansive that if they had stayed in power, our known galaxy could have been filled with even more riches and splendor.” Makin says, “and I heard they paid the best, too.” Ailyn continues his line of thought, sharing, “my father, Boba Fett, would tell me the riches he could fetch working for them. What a time to be a bounty hunter back then in the golden age of the Empire.”

The Aggressor flies into the clouds of the bright planet that is lit up by a massive energy source above it. Between the Storms of Chazra and the bumpy entry to the new planet, Ailyn and Makin worry for the ship and their survival getting out of this unknown galaxy of dangers. The clouds finally part as the Aggressor’s view is a misty sky with a mountain-filled landscape, and on top of that, it’s snowing. Also, it looks like the mountains reach up to the light energy above them, and the ship’s crew and bounty hunters are stunned in amazement. Lady Ziyra is the first one to comment, “What an interesting place.” Darth Faero delights to see what looks like a settlement ahead up the slope of one of the largest mountains, and he says, “up there. Take us in and remember not to leave without us, or you’re not going to get paid by Thrackan Sal.” Ailyn answers, “of course, my Lord, we understand the job.” The ship lands near the settlement as the two Sith exit the ship and walk out in their black, blue, and red robes, each with their hoods up. It starts snowing harder, but there’s no wind. Lady Ziyra questions Darth Faero, “How can we be so high up in elevation, and there’s not even a slight breeze?” He answers, “I’m not sure, but it looks like you can ask the locals about it yourself,” as a species of white bony plated beings are walking towards them. They have two legs and two arms and are clawed and have long tails. Their heads are armored with two large eyes, no teeth, but they have numerous tongues. Once close enough to the two Sith, the group of beings stop, and there is complete and utter silence. The falling snowflakes are the only movement. One of the beings starts clicking its tongues together in different noises and continues doing it for a while. A frustrated Lady Ziyra finally yells out, “we can’t understand you!!! Can you speak!!??” Then out of nowhere in Lady Ziyra and Darty Faero’s mind, a loud voice booms in their galactic basic language clearly, saying, “CAN YOU LISTEN?” After the initial shock fades, Darth Faero asks, “How did you do that, and who are you?” Again, the being starts clicking its tongues, but this time its voice is directly heard in their minds. “We can speak through the Force. Once I heard your language, I adjusted my frequency so we may understand one another. We are the Aong-Tai, and we are the guardians of the Force.”

Lady Ziyra had her initial doubts about all of this, but she realizes there’s a possibility that what Tyro had instructed them to do could be true. She looks at Darth Faero as he nods in approval to begin to weave the tale they had practiced while on their way to the desolate planet of being the good guys in front of the Flow-walkers. Lady Ziyra begins to speak gracefully, “My name is Ziyra, and this is my friend among the stars, Faero. We have come to you in peace, but we are hoping you can take us to where you brought our Master years ago. His name is Tyro. Do you remember or know of him?” The Aong-Tai, who spoke to them first, speaks through their minds again by use of Force powers, replying, “my name is Bahua, welcome Ziyra and Faero, and we know of Tyro, quite well. He came a generation ago wanting to understand the ways of the Force and had an interest in going with us to the realm of beyond.” Darth Faero interjects, “so, he did go with you?” The Aong-Tai, Bahua, answers, “yes, he did, and at the beyond, he defied our rules of observation and opened a portal with his powers and a being who calls itself Abeloth, who answered his calls for power. Once we returned home, we banished Tyro from entering the beyond again due to the rule breaking, and then he left us. Fearing the threat of the dark being, we decided to close the path by shutting our flow-walking gate and practices to prevent Abeloth from ever fully entering our realm, but its growth and life did come to our galaxy, and with his new abilities from the beyond, Tyro created the Chazrach. An extension of Abeloth’s energy and power. Ever since, we have not known what else to do, but to guard our home and protect this balance.” Darth Faero blurts out, “but that is exactly your problem. You’re scared of a whole other realm of existence because of this Abeloth beings’ power? Surely, if you believe there is a balance, there are both dark and light possibilities within this realm. There’s no need for fear or worry, my friends. We’re here to return to this great beyond and defeat Abeloth with you together! That’s what Tyro’s last orders were for us before he tragically died.” Bahua looks at them puzzled and replies, “I suppose we Aong-Tai don’t know as much as we think.” Lady Ziyra steps up closer to Bahua and says, “Take us, and we promise to fix your problem. Faero and I are strong in the Force, and we can do what Tyro could not. Trust us to bring balance to the great beyond and find what else there is in that realm besides Abeloth. We can free you from your doom!” Bahua turns and looks at his group to signal to huddle. They click their tongues together, talking in a language only they can understand. The group turns to face Lady Ziyra and Darth Faero and speak as one in their minds, “we will permit you to enter, but you both will do so at your own risk. If there is darkness, there must be light. We hope you can help us bring balance to the beyond. Bahua will be your guide.” Darth Faero gives Lady Ziyra a facial expression of satisfaction and comments, “lead the way, my Aong-Tai Masters.” Their deceptive plan has clearly worked.

The Jedi Knights are surprised by an incoming message from Thrackan Sal, explaining to them that he has canceled Rey’s trial and a new peace has been agreed to, as long as they do not attack Corellia. Thrackan says in the message, “the newly named ‘Galactic Alliance’ by yours truly will go forward, and politicians on Coruscant will also be freed on the condition that they immediately move to our government, with me as the Alliance Chief of State. I don’t like you, Jedi, and you don’t like me, but we have no other choice, as your powers far exceed my own personal capability while my forces exceed yours. I will see you soon and send my condolences about your losses. That is war, and we must move on for the greater good of the galaxy,” with the message ending on that note. Lewbacca is the first one to speak up and roars, “it looks like Rey finally got to Thrackan.” Anna angrily comments, “if we had only taken out Tyro earlier.” Saba, who is a reptilian Barabel from Barab I and the newest member of the Jedi Knights, replies, “it’s not good to dwell on what-ifs, Anna. I know it hurts, but the sacrifices made by your loved ones have gotten us to the point where we’re at now. I’m glad things are finally settled.” Mace is sitting on the floor to the side of the group as Soles walks up and sits down beside him. “How are you feeling, Mace?” she asks. “I’m proud of my Dad for what he sacrificed for us, but I already miss him.” Soles answers, “I miss my family too. I know distance is not as permanent as death, but ever since I left my family and home to become a Jedi, it feels like in a way I have lost them, or maybe they lost me. I don’t know, but it doesn’t feel good, and I struggle with it.” Corran is looking out at the stars but is close enough to hear the conversation and adds, “I have lost a lot of relationships. None have hurt more than the Chazrach killing my boyfriend Dazan a year ago. I even gave myself the title ‘The Chazrach Hunter’ because all I wanted was revenge for what they had done to him. I guess I feel like there’s a part of me I’ll never get back, but I’ve learned we all have to do the best with what we have left, which is the people around me here.”

Bahua led the Sith above the Aong-Tai settlement to the top of the mountain. Among the mist and clouds is a bright white light of energy shining all around them. A circular structure with massive rocks standing up is the gate that Bahua had explained to Faero and Ziyra while on their trip to it. “Please, now lay down on each side of me in the middle of the gate to the beyond, and I will join you,” explains the Aong-Tai guide. The three settle down on the stone ground, and Darth Faero asks, Noww what?” At each rock pillar, Aong-Tai appear and begin to use the Force, turning the large stones in different directions, and the floor begins to rotate. Sounds of rock grinding and energy begin to swirl around as the two Sith are slowly spinning with the rock while on the ground. Bahua says, Holdd on to my sides, close your eyes, and think about releasing your feelings. Make sure to steady your breathing, and I will lift you up from your body.” Lady Ziyra startlingly questions, “Wait, what? We’re lifting up from our bodies? That’s flow-walking?” The Aong-Tai replies, “no more questions, but yes, we leave our physical self behind when we go to the great beyond. I hope you’re okay with out-of-body experiences.” Bahua chuckles with personal delight.

As their Force Ghosts are being lifted out of them, Darth Faero, Lady Ziyra, and Bahua’s bodies go limp, cold, and motionless. The gate shuts off, and their faded outline of life energy, yet still themselves in appearance, begin to float up towards the light. They hold onto Bahua as they ascend, flying up and feeling weightless. Once they enter the light of the new realm, the clouds above the mountain planet become darker and darker. The white light begins to fade into grey clouds with a heavy mist that surrounds their Force Ghosts. “We are almost there,” echoes Bahua to the two Sith. They break through the thick grey clouds and settle on a surface that their Force Ghosts land on. “What is this place?” Lady Ziyra asks. In front of them is a lake with no waves, currents, or ripples on it, and above it is a swirling black hole-looking portal. Bahua answers, Thiss is part of the realm of the beyond. This reflecting pool holds those who have come or been lost to this part of the beyond. You may approach the reflecting pool to see if any spirits will speak to you, but we are here for Abeloth and not spirits.” Darth Faero and Lady Ziyra walk to the edge to look down into the calm and quiet clear water. A face rises to the surface as if someone is coming closer to a mirror.

It’s a Jedi Knight, Chase Brakiss. The young slain Jedi’s face reaches the surface, and he says, Helloo, Raef and Forisa. I’m sure you probably don’t want to see me right now, but there are some important things you must know before going any further.” Lady Ziyra says, “Chase, I’m sorry for what happened, but you didn’t give us any other choice.” Darth Faero says, Doon’t apologize to him, Ziyra. I didn’t think I’d see you again.” Chase looks at him, sadly. “I know you ended my lif because you were lost and hurt by a corrupt teacher. You aim for power with your greed, ye I still forgive you, Raef. I miss both of you and so do your friends.” Darth Faero looks at him, confused and speechless, not thinking that was what he was going to say to him of all people. Chase continues, “I must warn you about Abeloth. She’s a powerful being and has taken over this realm. You must leave now.” Lady Ziyra answers, “we’ll take our chances,” and Darth Faero comments, “typical Chase, always worrying even in the afterlife, so long Jedi.” The two Sith Force Ghosts leave his face in the reflecting pool as they join up with Bahua as the Aong-Tai points up at the portal that is beginning to swirl and move. “We can still go back if you want,” says Bahua. “Not a chance. We’ve come a long way to meet this Abeloth,” Darth Faero replies, grinning.

“I’m not feeling so good,” Lady Ziyra says as her Force Ghost begins to convuls, and her eyes turn white. “What’s going on, Bahua!?” Yells Darth Faero. The Aong-Tai says, “beings who aren’t strong enough in the Force are susceptible to Abeloth’s powers, my dear friend of the stars, Faero.” Lady Ziyra screams and begins to swirl into hersel, becoming a bright white light of energy that shoots through the air into the portal above the calm waters of the reflecting pool. Back at the gate, Lady Ziyra’s body convulses and is electrocuted in front of the watching, helpless Aong-Tai. “Abeloth is here,” Bahua sadly comments. A dark figure floats out of the portal where Lady Ziyra’s beam of light had just gone. The shadow figure flies down, approaching the two remaining Force users. It transfigures into Lady Ziyr but has white glowing eyes and longer hands with claws. The being says, “I am Abeloth. Thank you for the energy, Forisa. Her powers are most welcome. Hello, dark side chil. Youu are powerful enough to join me in my crusade as your Master Tyro had done. Now Bahua, do you really think you can keep me here forever?” Bahua answers, “that’s the plan!” The Aong-Tai jumps at Abeloth, but the being grabs Bahua and begins to electrify his Force Ghost. Bahua calls out to Darth Faero as he struggles, Helpp me, young one, we must stop Abeloth, please…” Darth Faero stands in silence and watches.

Abeloth throws Bahua away as the Aong-Tai guide blacks out from the struggle and is suspended above the reflecting pool lake. Darth Faero looks at her and says, “I know the way back. Let’s go.” Abeloth smiles and says, “lead the way, my dark side child.” They leave Bahua behind and fly fast downward to the gate to the beyond. Darth Faero’s Force Ghost goes right back into his body, and he wakes up. He looks to his side, and Bahua’s body is unharmed, but Lady Ziyra is nowhere to be found. The gate is powering down as the movement comes to a complete stop. Bahua is left in the realm with the gate now closed. Also, there’s no Aong-Tai around to reopen the gate. Below the mountain, Darth Faero can see lightning and hear thunder and explosions at the settlement where the Aggressor is waiting as he leaves Bahua’s body behind and begins running down the mountain.

Darth Faero makes his way down to the Aong-Tai settlement and finds them spread about dead from electrocution. He hears the engines of the Aggressor fire up and sprints to the ship. At the landing ramp, there are bodies of the Aggressor crew, but Ailyn and Makin aren’t there. Abeloth is waiting at the top of the ramp for him as Darth Faero approaches her cautiously. In the form of Lady Ziyra, the being says, Helloo again, my dark side child. Your realm is not what I thought it would be at this point in time. It’s full of weakness.” Darth Faero replies, “that’s just the Jedi way, and I abandoned it for Lord Tyro. He told me you could bring us power to conquer and rule this realm.” Abeloth smiles wide with her sharp teeth as Lady Ziyra’s robed body is slowly transforming into more of Abeloth. She says, Wheree is Tyro now?” A surprised Darth Faero says, “the Jedi somehow killed him, but his body is on Bothawui.” Abeloth answers, “then we will go to Bothawui, and Tyro will join us. The power you seek will soon be rewarded to you, my young Faero. Now, come and join me on my new ship.” He agrees as they walk up the ramp and to the cockpit as a very worried Ailyn and Makin are in the pilot and co-pilot’s seat. Abeloth yells at them, Youu will fly us to Bothawui or die!” Ailyn looks over to Makin and reaches her hand out. He holds it softly, and they have a moment together, looking into one another’s eyes. Makin then lets go of Ailyn’s hand and nods in assurance that it’s going to be okay. He finally replies, Nextt stop, Bothawui.” Seeing the full exchange from the two people, Abeloth says, “love is so pathetically weak in every realm.” The Aggressor takes off and leaves Bahua and the dead behind.

Corellia has changed from a battleground to the central hub of galactic peace talks. The Jedi Knights and Naboo Fleet were welcomed to land safely on thecapitall grounds of Corellia, and Thrackan Sal has accepted Rey’s truce and is running with it, knowing Tyro is dead. Thrackan declares his new title as Chief of State of the new ‘Galactic Alliance’ that will hopefully bring the galaxy peace. On Coruscant, the Senate and other political prisoners, including Fyzo Rodron, the former Chief of State, are freed and on their way to Corellia to unite with Thrackan’s government. Many leaders and high officials of prominence are coming together from numerous planets and systems to celebrate the end of the short-lived, costly war that nearly destroyed the democracy they had fought so desperately to achieve against the First and Final Orders a generation ago.

Rey is out of prison clothes and back in her Jedi robes, with her lightsaber attached at the belt, waiting for her son Mace and the Jedi group to enter the government plaza where the speeches and celebrations have been going on since the announcement by Thrackan. The Jedi are told they’re free from government rule and will not operate as a branch of power, but rather as its own autonomous group who will have enough authority to assist the Galactic Alliance as its peacekeepers. Now, with the Jedi Order having an established role going forward, Rey feels a slight sense of relief and is looking forward to reuniting with the Knights, especially after losing Finn, whose heroics helped save the galaxy. The crowds are large, and it takes a while for Mace, the Jedi, and the droids to get to the plaza, but once they do, Mace and Rey hug it out, and a teary-eyed Mom apologizes to her son for not being on Bothawui. “I’m sorry, Mace. I’m sorry. I wish I had been there,” Rey says while they’re hugging. Mace replies, “Dad loved us, and he knew what had to be done, but I wish I could have saved him.” Rey replies, “we both have to be strong now.” The other Jedi walk up to the two, and Rey hugs each Knight one at a time, talking with them in grief. After the hugs, she explains to the group who are now closely standing around her, Youu took down Tyro and saved our galaxy. Ican nott tell you how proud I am of each of you,” as she smiles with tears running down her cheeks. Just then, trailing behind, C-3PO and R2-D2 are seen by Rey. The golden droid 3PO was explaining to R2, Noww see all of this celebrating because of Master Finn and BB-8,” R2-D2 chirps back beeping, “but I miss them.” 3PO answers, “Me too, R2, and we were most fortunate to survive.” The two droids see Rey, and 3PO begins waving in the air at her as the two make their way to the group. “Over here you two,” Rey calls out to them. 3PO replies, “Master Skywalker! Good to see you indeed! Thank the make. Youu are okay!” R2 sends out many happy beeps seeing her. As they are united in the plaza, the Jedi Knights and mostly 3PO tell Rey about what they had been through, catching her up with all that had happened since she was locked up on Corellia.

The crowds dissipate once the speeches and revelry are over, and the Jedi are told by Thrackan’s soldiers that the Republic delegation is on their way and they show them to their quarters. That night, the Jedi sleep in luxurious accommodations, and it’s Rey’s first night out freely in the galaxy without her husband, Finn. The emptiness she feels is only filled by Mace snoring on the couch, Soles and C-3PO making dinner, and R2-D2 setting the table. She enjoys being out of her prison cel and away from the cement slab she had called home ever since Thrackan locked her up. Now, she’s staying at the best comfort dwelling Corellia has to offer. The times were strange indeed, she thinks to herself, but she has her son, the Jedi, and the droids to take care of and be with. The Jedi are having fun together in one of the rooms down the hall. Pillow fights, dancing, and games of truth or dare ensue, and Lewbacca is roaring so loud with delight that the Corellian hotel security checks on them to see if everyone is okay. It’s a fun time to be a Jedi with the war seemingly over as their partying continues into the late night.

In the late morning, the Jedi gather outside and make their way back to the plaza. The plan is to meet up with the former Chief of State Fyzo Rodron and the other Republic officials who arrived at Corellia during the night. It seems like everything has worked out thanks to the sacrifices and struggles they all had endured, bu suddenly, Marieene runs up to the Jedi, startling all of them. “I have really bad news, my friends,” she says sternly and continues to explain, “the Sith and a being calling itself Abeloth are now on Bothawui!” With a concerned tone, Rey asks, “Marieene, where did you hear this?” The long-time librarian of Obroa-Skai replies, “I heard you were here, so I came as fast as I could fly. Kyle visited me in a dream and told me about what the Sithhade been up t, and they released a dark side Force user called Abeloth!” Anna comments, “what a unique name.” Hal says, “I knew Raef and Forisa were up to no good.” Soles shakes her head in frustratio and says, “I guess we now know even Tyro answered to something bigger than himself.” Corran asks, Aree you sure they are on Bothawui?” Marieene answers, “according to Kyle, that’s where they are, and they mean to take over the planet and our galaxy.” Rey says, “then there’s no time to waste. We have to get to Bothawui and end this darkness.” The Jedi look at one another and nod in agreement. Rey continues, saying, “and I know just the ship to get us there the fastest.” Everyone perks up, knowing what Rey means in getting back the Falcon from Thrackan, and then C-3PO excitedly says, “maybe we could get the Millennium Falcon back and take it to Bothawui!” The Jedi look at the droid, and everyone laughs at his delayed response. “Way to state the obvious, 3PO,” a smiling Mace says. “To the Falcon!” Shouts a happy Temiri. Marieene says, Andd I’m coming with you. This is personal.”

Bothawui is a bright blue and green-colored planet, with grassy plains, large mountain ranges, and scarce polar ice caps. There are settlements, urban areas, and large plazas where the Aggressor has landed close by under the orders of Diabaloth, who is still possessing Lady Ziyra’s body. Abeloth is sensing Tyro’s body on Bothawui, closing her eyes and ordering Ailyn and Makin where to fly the ship. Nobody on board dares to question it. Darth Faero assumes, in his thoughts, that in the realm of the beyond, Tyro and Abeloth connected in powerful ways. The two surviving bounty hunters, Ailyn and Makin, have other thoughts about what to do. They secretly signal to one another that once on Bothawui, they’ll do everything in their power to get out of this dangerous situation. Tyro is dead, and they both know payment is likely gone as well. Since the horrors back at the flow-walking planet as they helplessly watched their entire crew be zapped to death by Abeloth, it was survival mode for the two bounty hunters.

They arrive on the planet, and Darth Faero and Abeloth go down the ramp of the Aggressor and onto the grassy field beneath them. Ailyn and Makin know this is their only chance of escaping. They don’t even close the landing ramp as they fire the engines up and launch their ship into the sky. While on the grassy field looking up at the Aggressor, Darth Faero comments, Whatt shall we do with them?” Abeloth doesn’t answer and begins to hover off the ground, moving towards Tyro’s grave in the near distance.

Flying high up in the sky, a smiling Ailyn looks over at Makin and shouts out, “looks like we’re going to retire after all!” Makin reaches out for her hand, takes a hold of it, looks in her eyes, and profoundly in the moment asks, Willl you marry me?” A surprised and relieved Ailyn replies, “yes! Of course! Yes, Makin!” Once they enter the space above Bothawui, Ailyn yells, Okayy, my love, go to lightspeed in 3… 2… 1… now!” The two bounty hunters push the levers together and away the Aggressor goes, disappearing into space.

Tyro’s body was buried and decayed, and his wounds from the Jedi’s lightsabers had mangled his body to a certain extent, but to Abeloth, it did not matter. The dark side Force user rips the corpse up and out of the ground and is hovering above Tyro’s body. Red electricity begins releasing out of Abeloth all around the area. Darth Faero looks around in confusion, not knowing what’s happening, but he’s seeing his true fears and failures in his mind. Above Tyro, Abeloth’s energy transfers from it to Tyro in an explosion of power, leaving Lady Ziyra’s body to fall out of the electrified air and land on the ground. Darth Faero snaps out of his scary visions. He runs over to Lady Ziyra to see what happened to her and kneels down to see if his long-time friend is alive. He checks her vital signs, hoping she outlasted the possession, but she’s dead. “What have you done!?” He yells out as Tyro’s body turns into a blistering white and red with Abeloth’s white eyes opening. The body of Tyro sits up, and his mouth begins to widen with sharp teeth protruding from his face as red electricity is sparking in the air around it. Claws begin to grow where once Tyro’s hands had been as he becomes larger in size and stature than that of any human. Darth Faero looks at Abeloth in horror and then looks up to the sky. The once calm blue atmosphere begins to turn dark red with swirling clouds and wind. Abeloth, who is now Tyro, yells out angrily, “Forisa was a weak child just like you! With my new powers, I, Tyroth, will now take over this world and all worlds!” Darth Faero yells out, “Tyroth!? What are you going to do!?” Tyroth looks at him and says, Thee first thing I’m going to do is kill you!” Darth Faero jumps up, pulls out his red lightsaber, ignites it, and replies, “over my dead body!” Tyroth comments, “that’s the idea, foolis, weak child!” Darth Faero runs at the being and swipes at it missing dreadfully. Tyroth puts out its clawed han, and Force-grabs Darth Faero out of the air from his position as it has a hold of his chest. Gasping for air, he yells out, Pleasee! Spare me! I’m on your side, Tyroth!” The powerful being says, “I don’t need anybody on my side!” He digs his claws into Darth Faero’s chest with his sharp fingers extending into the young man’s body, crunching into his rib cage. Darth Faero feels himself as Raef again and valiantly yells out in anguish, Longg live the Jedi!” Upon hearing this, Tyroth gets even angrier and electrifies him with his red energy blasting into his body, and Raef’s face goes blank, and his struggling stops. Tyroth pulls his claws out of him, and his dead body hits the ground next to Forisa.

“Stupid Jedi! I hate them!” Tyroth yells out and walks towards the city, positioning his clawed hands down to the ground. Tyroth starts to transfer his energy onto the surface by emitting more of the red Force electricity. Red and black growth replaces the lush yellow fields and grey plaza structures. The skies are turning into an apocalypse of red darkness and storms. The mountains in the distance begin to shake and turn from snow-covered tops to black rock cascading down with eruptions of smoke and lava. Bothans begin to panic in the cities, trying to escape buildings shaking and earthquakes with lava rising up from underneath them. Many structures are falling into the planet’s core as openings are being created by the shifting planet’s mass. Emergency escape ships begin taking off and are hit by red lightning strikes in the churning dark skies, exploding them in the air. Nothing is getting away from Tyroth’s powerful energy. “There will be no survivors! I am Tyroth!” Yells out the combined Force powered up Abeloth who is now walking down the main street of Drev’starn city, attacking Bothan civilians and soldiers by shooting out electric red energy beams at them. The shots fired at Tyroth are bouncing and ricocheting off of him as a Force field of energy surrounds and protects him. Bothan ships fly down in attack formations at Tyroth, yet are being hit by thunderstorm red lightning strikes in the sky and crashing into buildings. The planet is engulfed in darkness and explosions that kill life and destroy nature. The dark side is becoming a visual reality for Bothans to see before they die as Bothawui transforms into Tyroth’s planet of explosive energy in the skies and destruction on the surface.

Meanwhile, Bahua’s body lay lifeless on the ground at the center of the gate on top of the mountain in the Chazrach galaxy. The planet of the Flow-walkers is dark, cold, and shrouded in a heavy fog. The once gatekeepers of the realm of the beyond are no more, and the bright light of the realm above has since disappeared. Bahua’s head twitches, and his chest begins to slowly move up and down as he breathes. His arms and hands, which have been down at his sides, are moving out in a wide open stretch. He starts to mumble through his many tongues, words that can not be heard, but is saying, “I am the Force. I am the Force. I am the Force. I am the Force.” There is a small ball of light that appears from the dark black sky above him. It grows in size, and from this ball, it sends down a beam of white light that touches and connects with Bahua’s chest. He stops mumbling, and his body stops moving. The ball of light expands more and more, becoming a cloud of light over him and the mountain. The energy is so powerful; its swirling winds begin to lift Bahua’s motionless body up from the ground and pull him into the cloud’s light. The energy flows into Bahua, and his eyes open as he stares into the whiteness of the beyond, floating up into the sky. He disappears into the cloud. The bright white light suddenly explodes out into nothingness and disappears, leaving the planet dark, cold, and in a night of cloudy fog.

The Millennium Falcon is handed back over to the Jedi on the one condition that it can’t be owned by anyone but will belong to a museum on Corellia for the galaxy to see and visit. As long as the mighty ship is not needed in galactic emergencies, that’s where it will reside. Presently, Rey is flying the Falcon, streaking through hyperspace on the way to Bothawui with the Jedi, droids, Marieene, and the former Chief of State of the Republic, Fyzo Rodron, on board. In the main cabin, Marieene is showing off her metallic gold lightsaber to the Jedi. She had built it with help from Kyle back when he was alive, and they had trained and sparred together for a year while they lived on Coruscant. When Marieene turns on the orange bright blade along with the gold hilt, it lights up the whole section of the ship. “It’s beautiful,” comments Soles. “I didn’t know a lightsaber could be so bright,” says Azuree. “I say we do a lightsaber swap,” Temiri jokingly offers as they laugh together. “Not a chance,” a smiling Marieene replies. Off to the side, Mace and Chewbacca are drinking caf to see who could drink the fastest, with R2-D2 beeping at them in delight. Rey, Fyzo, Corran, and C-3PO are in the cockpit of the Falcon, hanging out and listening to Fyzo’s story of what had happened on Coruscant.

The Millennium Falcon is so incredibly fast that the trip to Bothawui from Corellia feels like a skip and a jump to a system far closer. They come out of hyperspace, and the view of Bothawui is grim. The planet is a deep red with black clouds covering portions of it, and flashes of red lights and electrical charges of energy are pulsating everywhere. “Are you sure this is Bothawui? It looks more like Mustafar,” comments Fyzo. Rey checks the navigation and answers, “I can’t believe what we’re seeing. It’s Bothawui, alright.” A worried C-3PO says, “I believe we may be in great danger.” Corran, who had been quiet for a while, speaks up and replies, “you could say that, 3PO, but we’ve come to do a job, and we should see this thing through.” Rey says, “Corran is right. I think the best starting point will be the city of Drev’starn where there are the most Bothans and their defense command.” Fyzo adds, “I don’t know, Rey. It doesn’t look like there’s anything left of the defense force or the planet.” Rey replies, “Well, we will have to start somewhere, Fyzo, so I’m going to take us in.” The crew in the cockpit braces for a bumpy ride as Corran goes to the main cabin of the ship to tell the others where they’re going and explains to them the situation as the Falcon makes its way to the planet. The bumps and jolts begin instantly as the ship enters the atmosphere, and loud bangs and pops of electrical charge are all around them. Rey was flying as best she could as the Falcon was dodging and maneuvering through the darkness of red and black clouds. Soles enters the cockpit as she’s curious about what is going on and sits down behind Rey. “Hold on, everyone! We’re going in hot!” she yells out as she pushes the Falcon harder and faster towards what is left of the city. They finally break through the dark clouds and red electrical storms. “Everything is destroyed,” comments Soles, looking out at the unfolding scene on Drev’starn. “Oh dear, it doesn’t look safe to land anywhere. What should we do?” says C-3PO. “Where there is a will, there is a way, 3PO,” Rey replies. She brings the Falcon down, flying over what is left of the buildings and structures, looking for any signs of life. “Does anyone see anything out of the ordinary?” she asks. The crew is quiet and doesn’t answer as they begin to see bodies of the dead strewn throughout the streets, most of them burnt, and vehicles on fire. Also, large cracked openings of the planet are everywhere. They keep on flying above the once bustling and beautiful city, but low enough to see if there’s anything other than the carnage and wreckage of what the Sith had apparently done to the planet. “Abeloth must be stronger than we thought,” says Rey. Nobody comments as the crew continues to look out at what is left of the city.

Rey has an odd feeling inside her as she slows the Millennium Falcon down to a hover at the edge of Drev’starn city, and below lay the bodies of Raef and Forisa. “Oh my goodness,” C-3PO exclaims upon seeing them. With a serious tone, Rey says, “I’m taking us down and be on the lookout. We don’t know if this is a trap.” The Falcon settles on the surface but shakes as the ground is unstable. “3PO, stay here and get ready for anything. Let’s go see what happened,” Rey says as she, Fyzo, and Soles make their way to the main cabin where the rest of the group is awaiting instructions. “It doesn’t look good out there. Raef and Forisa appear to be dead, but I don’t know if it’s a trap or if they were killed by Abeloth.” The Wookiee Lewbacca roars his sorrow, and Azuree hugs Soles. Temiri and Corran look at one another and shake their heads. Marieene asks, “What are we going to do, Rey?” She replies, “I don’t know yet. I was thinking we should head out as a group and hope for the best.” Mace says, “Mom’s right. We go together.” Everyone slowly and cautiously walks down the landing ramp of the Falcon, besides the droids who stay on the ship. They look up at the sky, and its dark red, with black clouds swirling around and mountains in the distance exploding and pouring out lava. The city behind them is on fire, with ships that had crashed into buildings, and there are blown-up vehicles. Bodies of Bothans are strewn out in the streets, torched and burned. Raef and Forisa are dead, their lifeless bodies lying next to one another. The group is quiet, trying to make sense of the whole awful scene. Rey squats down next to her two former Jedi apprentices and begins to weep, with the group watching her from behind. The two bodies disappear into nothingness, surprising Rey and the group. Rey looks back at the group and says, “they have moved on into the Force.” Looking around, Soles comments, “I’ve never seen so much carnage.” Mace follows her up with, “the planet is being completely destroyed, but by what?”

Six figures blast out of the ground in a large circle around the Jedi. “I shouldn’t have asked!” Shouts, Mace. Rey calls out for everyone to pull their lightsabers out and ignite them in a defensive position. Fyzo pulls out his side blaster, ready. The six beings all resemble Tyro but are larger and have glowing white, yellow, and red eyes, elongated arms, and large frightening claws. “We are Tyroth! You will all die!” Rey yells out, “Take defensive positions!” The six Tyroths reach out their arms and claws, and red electricity fires at all of the Jedi. They deflect and block the blasts with their lightsabers and use the Force. Soles manages to block a blast with her lightsaber while Force pushes another blast out of Marieene’s path. They regroup as a battle pair and run together at one of the Tyroths. The others also group up in twos and charge at the Tyroths. The battle erupts all around the area, with Jedi lightsabers missing and connecting with the evil beings, flying all around them. Energy and sparking bolts flash upon hitting the Tyroths, but it isn’t destroying them. Azuree and Corran get knocked down by two of the Tyroths swiping at them. Anna, Hal, and Temiri are fighting one, but Temiri gets electrocuted from behind as another Tyroth attacks him. Rey uses the Force and drives another Tyroth onto the ground, holding him in place as he yells with his large mouth full of sharp teeth. Fyzo’s blaster only ricochets shots off the sixth Tyroth, while Lewbacca, Saba, and Mace are trying to surround him. They and the others are being hit with more red electrical charges, wounding them on their arms, legs, and sides that knock them down onto the ground. Everyone is struggling, whether they have the upper hand on a Tyroth or not. The surface is being blasted and destroyed all around them in a windstorm, with the sky getting darker and darker. Rey yells out, “I don’t know how long we can do this! They’re too strong and there’s too many of them!”

A bright white flash lights up the sky, and the red coloring instantly disappears all around the Jedi, the Tyroths, and the area around them. Above the planet, a gigantic light appears and is expanding out as a mass of clouded energy with mist falling down through the atmosphere. “It’s bright light side energy,” says Rey, “but where is it coming from? And, how?” The six Tyroths stop attacking and look up in anger at what’s forming above them. Beams of surging white light shoot down and connect with the surface next to each person, and from the beams, the shapes of figures can be made out standing on the ground next to each of them. Walking out from the light towards Marieene is Jedi Master Kyle Phyto’s Force Ghost. Appearing in front of Rey is Finn’s Force Ghost and Poe Dameron’s Force Ghost. Azuree sees a smiling Force Ghost of Chase Brakiss walking towards her from the light. Corran’s boyfriend, Dazan, appears as a Force Ghost, startling him in happy, shocked relief. Raef and Forisa walk out of the light as Force Ghosts next to Anna and Hal and nod their heads in smiling support. Saba is greeted by her father’s Force Ghost. Next to Fyzo, the once Chancellor Cala O’Taz walks out of the beam as a Force Ghost, and pleasantly says, “We see you all could use some backup down here.” Fyzo, with his mouth dropped open with surprise, asks, “How is this possible?” O’Taz smiles again and points up to the sky in the middle of the reunited group, and a large beam of white energy shoots down, and Bahua appears out of the light.

The Flow-walker, back from the realm of the beyond that is now above Bothawui, speaks out into the Force with a booming voice: “My name is Bahua, and we’re here to take back this galaxy and the beyond realm.” The Tyroths rage in reaction to Bahua appearing and all run and fly at him! The Jedi and their loved ones Force Ghosts intercept each Tyroth as lightsabers and white lightning energy blasts at the dark side beings, who are finally being hit with massive amounts of Force powers. Poe and Finn grab one Tyroth and hold him down while Rey and Mace swipe at him with their lightsabers. Bahua blasts another one apart with Force lightning powered from the realm above. Marieene throws her lightsaber at another Tyroth, and Kyle electrifies it in mid-air with his Force electricity that hits the dark being blowing him out of the sky. Corran, Dazan, Raef, and Forisa run at the Tyroth that hurt Temiri and take him out with more electrified lightning, and Corran’s lightsaber finishes that Tyroth off. Chase begins to heal Temiri with a Force touch powered from the beyond with Azuree, Anna, Hal, and Soles hacking down another Tyroth with their sabers. Saba and her father jump on another, clawing at him with all of their might. One by one, a Tyroth is being taken down and destroyed, disappearing into thin air, leaving the original Tyroth as the only one left. “This is outrageous! Stupid Jedi! Your loved ones belong to me! I will not be defeated!” Yells out Tyroth as he shoots out red electricity out of his legs and arms, hitting the ground all around the group of warriors and the surrounding area in red beams of lightning. The ground begins to shake and break with rocks cracking and shifting, but large white figures appear at the places where the red electricity is hitting the ground, and they are Flow-walkers from the beyond. The lightning hitting the ground begins to turn white as their arms reach out with their own Force powers, pushing back Tyroth’s red lightning back at him! All around the area, the beams of red are turning white, with light energy flying through the air, going back at the evil dark side Force user. In a stunned moment of hate and surprise, Tyroth turns back into Abeloth screaming in angry terror as she’s hit and electrocuted in all her physicality with a dozen beams of white lightning hitting and exploding her body outwards in a gigantic blast of energy into nothingness.

The Flow-walkers stand in silence at their positions around the group of Jedi, and Bahua speaks out through the Force into the minds of the Jedi, “Abeloth is now gone. It is time to heal this planet of its wounds and your own wounds with your loved ones.” The Republic leader Fyzo, who witnessed the entire battle, asks, “What are they saying? Is it destroyed?” Kyle’s Force Ghost says, “Yes, it’s gone for good, and so is Tyro.” Rey tells Finn, “I miss you so much.” His Force Ghost smiles, replying, “I miss you too, Rey.” As the Flow Walkers sound out a collective voice, saying, “may the Force be with you all, Jedi,” as they look up and watch the Flow-walkers fly up into the white light of energy above the planet, back into the realm of the beyond. Just at that singular moment, the sky begins to turn blue, and the dark clouds lift to a lighter gray of scattering clouds surrounding Bothawui. The massive bright light of the realm of the beyond is channeling itself into the planet. The rain and mists of energy, along with rushing waters, begin to pour down, and upon touching the surfaces from the mountains to the cities, it puts out fires and lava flows. Also, new vegetation growth replaces the dark rocky surface as the planet’s natural life sprouts back up. It’s a beautiful sight for everyone to watch as they’re comforted by their loved ones and friends, seeing the magnificent scene unfold across the landscape. Marieene and Kyle’s Force Ghost sit down together, looking up at one another and up at the sky in awe. Finn’s Force Ghost is chatting to Rey about achieving balance in the Force, Mace and Soles are sitting and cuddling while watching the light side powers all around them. Poe, Lewbacca, Temiri, Anna, Hal, and Azuree are all talking and congratulating one another with Raef and Forisa’s Force Ghosts. Fyzo is walking around in amazement with Cala O’Taz’s Force Ghost at his side, reassuring him the galaxy is going to be okay, and Corran is catching Dazan’s Force Ghost up on everything he had gone through and how much he missed him. Saba and her father’s Force Ghost are reminiscing about old times. Chase is in the middle of Raef and Forisa’s Force Ghosts, smiling, talking, and watching the planet transform into beauty. Eventually, they’ll all have to move on with their lives without their loved ones who passed away, but not on this day. On the day they saved the galaxy, they got to be with their loved ones again.

As the New Jedi Knights’ story of saving the galaxy would become legendary alongside the heroes of the Rebellion and the Resistance, their bravery gets told and celebrated throughout the Galactic Alliance for generations of current and future citizens and Jedi Knights. They achieved victory together, defeating the dark side of the Force and restoring the light side of the Force, thus bringing a balance and this destiny of the Force to the galaxy.

THE END

Thank you for reading my Star Wars fan fiction trilogy of stories, and I hope you enjoyed them. May the Force be with you. Sincerely, Matthew Holmes