The YT-2000 carrying Jedi Masters Eth Das Main, Yan Dne Slater and Jade Star hurtled through hyperspace only minuets behind the shuttle with Darth Evill and the NJX leader Gib Slater, forced over to the Dark side by Evill. Eth was not exactly sure how he and his companions might be able to reach the good man buried and repressed deep inside Gib, but he knew he must face him again and try. Perhaps the combined forces of himself, his brother and the woman named Jade who had once, and apparently still did, have feelings for Gib could be enough to lift the dark veil and let Gib regain control again. If not, then Eth knew he must destroy his old friend.

“We’re coming up on the point where the shuttle dropped out of hyperspace.” declared Yan. “Exiting.” said Eth as he pulled on the hyperdrive levers of the sleek and small freighter. The vortex stopped swirling and the streaks became lines of light, then retracted back into an identifiable appearance of individual stars. The Jedi trio found themselves in familiar territory. “That’s our world!” said Yan with a surprised tone. “He’s come home again.” Eth said. Jade peered out of the subdivided windows of the cockpit to see the planet ahead of them. “It’s beautiful!” She exclaimed. Eth looked slightly back over his shoulder toward Jade. “Wait until you get the close up view, I’m sure it’s not nearly as pretty anymore.” Yan concluded a sensor sweep of the surface. “I’ve got them. They landed at the Temple.” Eth adjusted the controls and the freighter dove toward the planet. It broke through and into the atmosphere. As the clouds parted, Jade could start to see the lush and rich land mass. Green rivers snaked down from the mountains and filled beautiful lakes that were surrounded by rich trees and forestland. “Does that spectacular lake have a name?” Asked Jade from behind Yan’s seat. Yan chuckled a little, “Yes…Jade Lake.” He said with a wink in his voice. Jade smiled.

Eth set Gib’s YT-2000 freighter down in the courtyard of the New Jedi X Temple. There was debris everywhere from Crafft’s punishing attack from orbit. When the ship settled, the landing ramp lowered and the three Jedi stepped out. The stillness in the air was unnerving. A low morning mist hung just above the ground and the still low in the sky sun cast a purplish fading into deep orange hue across everything. Eth led the way toward the entrance of the Temple.

They walked into the open entrance and stood within the grand entry hall. Some of the giant stone pillars that supported the ancient and ornate ceiling had collapsed during the attack. At the far end of the grand hall were wide steps that led up to the main foyer entrance. Two Jedi statues flanked the stairs. The one on the left was toppled and broken in two. Twin waterfalls that ran down the surface of the walls on either side of the stairway continued to flow uninterrupted. The water followed twin, shallow, uncovered recesses along the floor and disappeared into grates along the walls of the entrance to the Temple. Rubble littered the floor as beams of light shone through the shattered windows. Jade took it all in and let out a low whistle, “You guys don’t do anything small do you?” she chided. Eth shot her a look and she fell silent. She was very nervous, and her comment was meant to alleviate her discomfort. Now that she was here, she was worried that they might not be able to pull Gib from the terrible Dark Jedi’s grip. She had gone for so many years believing he was dead and then to discover him alive but terribly altered tore at her. Now she was faced with the very real prospect of having to be the one who put him down for good. Jade leaned on her years of Jedi training and shoved the doubts and fears aside. She mentally chastised herself for allowing them to come to mind in the first place.

Yan Slater followed behind Eth as they entered the opulent entrance to their Temple. His thoughts dwelled on his brother and just how to reach out to him, to help him overcome the guilt and grief he felt over his self declared “failure” at the FreePort mining colony. He would have to find a way to display to his brother that he was not at fault, and it was their parent’s destiny, by the will of the Force itself to have perished that day.

The three walked through the grand hall and approached the great stairs. They were stopped in their tracks by Gib’s sudden appearance at the top of the stairs. His face was drawn and his eyes were dark, he looked almost like a specter of his own self. His arms were crossed across his chest and he held his chin high. “You should not have sought me out Eth.” he said in a broadcasted voice. “You leave me no choice but to destroy you this time. My destiny is clear to me and you will not stand in my way.” Eth Das Main gazed steadily up at his friend and former student. “Gib, you must listen to us, you are being influenced by Darth Evill. These are not your own thoughts or will. It is the will of Evill. Listen to each of us, we are here to set you free.” Gib let out a cryptic sounding laugh. “Fool! You believe that don’t you!? My pain and anger has made me powerful and I will use it to destroy those who would recklessly and carelessly destroy others! My parents deaths shall not be repeated again!” Eth took a step closer. “What you propose is reckless and careless destruction my old friend. Let us reach out to you and help surface the good within you! We can feel him Gib! He struggles within you!” Gib sneered. “You have always been so close minded Eth. I am free now! Moreover, because you persist to stand in my way. I will eliminate you once and for all!” Gib took his lightsaber from his belt, raised it before him, and ignited it.

A Tie fighter spun helplessly out of control, its solar panels ablaze. It then exploded in a shower of flame and debris, the New Republic X-Wing that had tagged it from behind flew through its remains. The battle between Moff Crafft’s fleet, the New Republic, and the Jedi of the NJX raged. Fighters of all kinds darted in and out of each other circling one another trying to get target locks. They swarmed around in a deadly dance with the mighty capital ships blasting at each other serving as a backdrop. The Independence swung about and went gun to gun with Crafft’s command ship the Devastator. Green and red turbo laser fire flew back and forth, spattering against the other’s shields. On the bridge of the Independence the commander called out to the fleet. “Keep a wall between the Jedi frigate and those Star Destroyers, she can’t take another direct hit!” The fleet complied and maneuvered into a blocking position.

Jag Fel twisted and turned his high tech Imperial designed Tie Defender through the maelstrom battle. It had superior speed and weaponry over anything else out there, save the capital ships them selves. He banked and dove under the pointed nose of a Star Destroyer. He looped back up and got on the tail of a Tie Interceptor. He drew the doomed fighter into his sights and pressed the firing node on the flight stick. The Tie Evaporated in flames instantly. Jag kicked up the throttle and nosed after another Imp. RedIce was jostled as laser fire played across his rear shields. “I got one on me at point-oh-three!” “I see him Red, hang tight!” replied KneeGrow. Knee’s NJX issue Z-95 HeadHunter dropped in and behind the fighter targeting RedIce. Knee adjusted his rudder control and sighted the Tie. He fired off two dual laser shots, only one of the four total blasts connected as the Tie weaved to evade. “Blast he’s slippery!” Knee cut back on the throttle and nosed up to continue tracking the Tie. He brought it back in his sites and fired again. This time both dual beams caught the Tie square in the pod and it blew apart. “Ye haa!” hollered Knee.

The New Republic type one Calamarian Cruiser Memorial slid under one of Crafft’s Star Destroyers, and then rolled heavily to port, bringing to bare both top and bottom starboard side guns on the Imperial war ship. The heavy assault took its toll on the enemy ship, and it became racked with internal explosions from stem to stern. Then its hull gave completely away, and it exploded in a billion glowing pieces. Shouts and whoops resounded through the Republic cruiser.

Dar Kre Twel and Olen Garn had teamed up and were hunting down Tie Bombers that were launching proton torpedoes against the Republic cruisers while Skywalker and Kirby “New Obi Wan” Boyd made attack runs on the shield generators of the Imperial ships. Ein Miu Core shook off a Tie Interceptor and then blasted another one that happened across his path. Psy Gon Xann and PatentJedi backed each other up while they made precision strikes on the Imperial Modified Nebulon B Frigate Arachnids engines and stem shaped hull. Crazed Canuck glanced out of his T-Wings canopy and spotted a Tie bearing down on T’ma “Hatchet” Aath K’raath’s YT-1300. “Hat! Incoming from point three four!” “Got it CC, thanks!” T’ma activated the auto turrets on the slim saucer shaped freighter and directed them in the direction indicated by Crazed Canuck. The dual cannons on the turret gun fired and recoiled opposite each other. The crimson fire nailed the Tie before it has a chance to even let off a shot.

Gib Slater did a forward flip through the air from the top of the stairs and landed right in front of Eth Das Main. He took a wide swing with his deep blue lightsaber. Eth ignited and brought up his own blade to block. The two sabers clashed and sparks flew, illuminating the room for an instant. Gib pressed the assault and forcefully attacked Eth. Eth was forced to continue taking steps back and did all he could to keep up with Gib’s lunges and quickly blocked one blow after another. Jade and Yan stood back. The intention was not to kill Gib Slater, but reach out to him. They would only help bring him down if they felt he could not be saved. Eth blocked another attack from Gib and rolled off to one side. He came back up into a defensive posture away from his friend. “Gib! Hear me! Fight him; fight Evill’s grip. I know you are in there and you can hear me! Fight it damn you!” Gib launched himself high in to the air and twisted around; he landed directly behind Eth and swung his humming blade. Eth reached his saber up and over his head, running it down the length of his own back and blocked the hit. Eth did a rolling somersault forward, came up and spun around to face the Dark Jedi, his arms spread wide, lightsaber firmly in hand. Gib snarled and charged forward. Eth raised a palm toward Gib and Force “pushed” Gib. Gib stopped and flew backward, landing hard against one of the broken pillars. “Blast it Gib, I don’t want to destroy you but I will this time!”

Gib was shaken, but came back to his feet. Inside his own soul and mind, another battle was being waged. The Gib that was aware that he was being manipulated and repressed struggled to overcome his very own tormented memories that Darth Evill was forcing onto him constantly. Eth Das Main’s words were reaching him. They gave him strength and he pushed further up out of the depths of his own living hell. The tormented and deranged Gib, controlled in part by Evill still maintained physical control over Gib’s body and actions and he hurtled himself back at Eth again. This time Gib sidestepped left and rolled to Eth’s right side. Gib came up and launched a ball of pure dark destructive Force energy. The blast hit Eth square on and sent him flying across the room. Eth slammed into a stone wall and fell ten feet to the ground in a heap. “Eth!” yelled Jade. She turned and faced the man that she had so many feelings for, past and present. “Gib! Gib! Damn you, you never gave up, you always found a way out! Stop this now! You can beat this!” Inside Gib heard Jade’s voice. ‘She’s here. She didn’t leave me again!’ echoed Gib’s Light side thoughts. Gib was filled with a renewed resolve and pushed harder against Evill’s dark blanket. This time he made a strong advance against the darkness. Evill sensed the surge and tried to subdue Gib back down again. Gib tossed the repressive thoughts from Evill aside this time and pushed harder. ‘No! You cannot contain me much longer Evill!’ Gib “shouted” back at his repressor. Evill started to lose his grip on Gib and it began to show in his physical form. Gib stumbled back and lowered his sword slightly.

Eth slowly stood up and shook off the stars he saw from the impact with the wall. He looked over and saw Jade standing before Gib, her lightsaber still clipped to its belt. He saw Gib stumble back and begin to droop; his free hand went to his forehead. It was working! Their presence and words must have been reaching the good Gib and strengthening him. Now Yan stepped forward and neared Gib, lightsaber also clipped. “Gib, it’s me, Yan. You can do this Gib! You must accept those memories! You are not at fault and you know it! It was the will of the Force, the Force that you cling to now deep inside! Push past the darkness!” Gib continued taking faltering steps back. Inside, Gib was gaining momentum against Evill. The spike of light was slicing through the darkness, dispersing and destroying as it rose to the surface. ‘Yan…my dear brother! You were all I had left from my lost family. You are here for me too…you don’t, you don’t hate me.’ Gib thought to himself. The combined presence’s of Eth, Jade and Yan had strengthened him now, he was nearly able to completely shed the dark yoke cast upon him by Evill. Evill made a last attempt to consume Gib. He forced every bit of hatred and rage onto Gib. Gib let out a scream and fell to his knees. His lightsaber clattered away on the stone floor and turned off. The three people who meant the most to Gib surrounded and stood over him. Eth kneeled down in front of Gib who buried his head in his hands. Eth put his hand on top of his friend’s head and softly spoke. “That’s it Gib, break free, he can’t hold you back now. We’re all here for you.” Yan and Jade also knelt and put a hand each on Gib. They held there for a few terse moments. Then suddenly Gib threw his head back and howled in Dark Force induced pain as Gib’s Light being clashed with Evill’s Dark being and forcefully expelled him from his mind. Gib collapsed to the floor.

Jedi Master Eth Das Main let out a long, relieved sigh. Yan looked up at Eth and smiled lightly. “We did it.” he said. Eth looked down at his old friend who was unconscious but free. “No, he did it. Jade leaned down and scooped Gib up into her arms. She held him across her lap as tears started to stream down her face. She stroked the loose hair away from his face. Then the embodiment of the word evil itself appeared at the top of the stairs. His rage was palpable in the air. “Ethhh!” Darth Evill shouted at the top of his lungs. Evill raised his arms and the room was filled with a howling windstorm. Dust and debris flew in every direction. Eth and Yan stood; both unclipped their lightsabers. Jade bent down and protected Gib from the damaging winds. Eth’s cape and Yan’s cloak whipped in the maelstrom. They started up the stairs towards Evill.