When Clary opens her eyes, Luke is nowhere to be found. She sits up, still feeling the ghost of his presence surrounding her. The hut they had spent solitude in feels empty without him. His words echo in her ears, making her feel faint; I'll always come back to you. I love you, Clary. That's how I know I'll come back to you.

She pulls herself to her feet, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, ignoring the ache she feels in her chest as she exits the hut. The minute she steps onto the wooden bridge connecting the rest of the huts together, she sees Han and Leia emerge from the large hut, followed by two furry Ewoks who Clary recognizes to be Wicket and Paploo. Leia's murmuring quietly with Han, but upon noticing Clary, she tears away from him, rushing towards her. Clary barely has the chance to say anything before Leia is wrapping her arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Are you okay?" Leia asks.

Clary hesitates. "I'm fine," she finally answers. Leia pulls away from her, her hands still gripping tightly onto Clary's shoulders. She holds her gaze, analyzing her for a moment, before a soft smile crosses her lips.

"You're getting worse and worse at being convincing with that, you know," she tells her. Clary opens her mouth to retort, but Leia's hugging her again. She's silent for a moment before whispering in her ear, "Luke will come back to us — to you. I know it."

The ache Clary had felt since she woke returns again, now stronger than ever. She swallows the lump forming in her throat, wrapping her arms around Leia's small frame as she embraces her just as tightly. She only nods, unable to say anything.

Leia pulls away again, but as before, she doesn't let go of Clary. She holds onto her shoulders, scanning her face, her expression indescribable. Clary holds her gaze, confused.

"Leia, what's wrong?"

Leia sighs, forcing a smile. "I don't know if he wants me to tell you this," she says. "But you deserve to know. Luke is —"

"Hey, Clary!"

Han's shouting interrupts Leia, cutting her off before she can finish. Clary glances between the princess and Han before shooting Leia a short smile, pulling away from her grasp as she makes her way towards her brother. Han stands next to Wicket, who's chattering loudly with Paploo, and upon Clary's arrival, the two furry Ewoks look up, jumping up and down as they surround Clary, tugging on her clothes as they inspect her.

"What is it?" Clary asks as Wicket pulls at her legs before grasping onto one of them, hugging her tightly. Clary stumbles from his sudden grip, and Paploo moves to her other leg, chittering alongside Wicket.

"Look, I know I told you before I don't want you anywhere near danger," Han starts. Paploo turns, grabbing onto Han's leg, and he struggles to fight against the furry creature and continue with his conversation as he adds shortly, "But I decided that I'd rather have you with me than out of my sight, so you're coming with us to the shield generator."

Clary fights a smile as she holds Han's gaze. "That's very generous of you, brother," she says jokingly. "What happened with you and Leia last night that's made you so kind?"

Han's eyes narrow. "I've always been like this," he retorts. "And never mind me and Leia. What happened with you and Luke last night?" Clary refrains from groaning as she averts her gaze, staring at Wicket, who cradles her, humming contentedly. "And don't think you can walk away from this one, sunshine. I saw you two talking last night. I have eyes and ears —"

"We better get going," Leia says as she approaches the two Solo siblings, R2 and C-3PO right behind her, preventing Han from interrogating Clary any further, much to Clary's relief. "I'm sure our scouts are already at the generator."

Clary nods, reaching for Wicket, as she manages to pry his furry paws off of her leg. "We better hurry, then," she says, rubbing the top of his head affectionately before looking back up at Han and Leia. Without another word (although Han looks as if he doesn't want to cut his conversation with Clary short), Leia leads the way out of the Ewok camp and through the forest, following the directions that the Chief Ewok had given them the previous night.

Upon reaching a ridge, Leia motions with her hand, not looking back at the others as she crouches, hiding under cover. Clary peers, adjusting her blaster, looking out onto the clearing before them — a tall, towering building, which she assumes is the shield generator, looms before them, the Imperial sigil imbedded on its side.

"The main entrance to that bunker's on the far side of the landing platform," Leia murmurs from beside her. "This isn't going to be easy."

"Hey, don't worry," Han says on her other side, nudging her gently. "Chewie, Clary and me have gotten into a lot of places more heavily guarded then this."

Clary nods grimly, staring back out at the bunker. Although those places weren't heavily guarded with Stormtroopers, she thinks bitterly, but decides not to voice her thoughts out-loud as she continues to stare out at the generator.

On her other side, the two Ewoks are chittering loudly to one another. Clary and Leia glance in their direction. Leia frowns, nodding to 3PO.

"What are they saying?" she hisses.

"He says that there's a secret entrance on the other side of the ridge," 3PO translates. Leia gives a soft nod in acknowledgment, scanning the area once more. Across from them, her gaze lights up slightly as she nudges both Clary and Han, gesturing.

"Look," she says. "our squad's right over there."

Carefully, they creep through the thick undergrowth, finally managing to make their way towards the thicket where their squad has managed to find cover. Much to Clary's relief, the Ewoks have finally stopped chattering, and they follow after the group in silence. She glances over at Han, who appears to have a grim look on his face at the sight of the Imperial scouts standing nearby, now that they have a better look at the bunker.

Paploo shoves his way past Clary up to the older Solo, grabbing onto his pant leg. Han glances down at him, and the furry creature chatters away before Han nods, looking back over at the bunker.

"Back door, huh?" he murmurs. "Good idea."

Clary frowns. "Since when did you get so good at understanding Ewok?" she whispers, grabbing onto her brother's sleeve. He looks back at her, smirking.

"Hey, look who you're talking to. I'm a fast learner." He turns to Leia and the rest of the squadron. "There's only a few guards. This shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Well," Leia murmurs. "It only takes one to sound the alarm."

Han's grin hasn't faded. "Then we'll do it real quiet like."

Clary refrains from sighing as she glances over at C-3PO, who is in short conversation with the Ewoks. Before she has the chance to ask what's going on, Paploo jumps up, scampering into the underbrush and out of sight. Clary stares after where he had disappeared, looking at 3PO, who despite having the same expression at all times, still manages to look distressed as he glances between the spot Paploo had disappeared from to the rest of the group.

"Uh, Princess Leia!"

Leia looks over at him, eyes narrowed. "Quiet!"

"I'm afraid our furry companion," 3PO continues in a hushed whisper, the best he can manage. "has gone and done something rather rash."

"Oh, no." A grave look crosses Leia's face as she looks back towards the bunker. Clary follows her gaze, and much to her dismay, she spots the furry Ewok making his way towards one of the speeder bikes. He jumps onto it, flipping switches at random. The bike's engine then flares up, roaring loudly, gaining the attention of the Imperial scouts nearby.

Chewbacca lets out a distressed bark. Han sighs, cursing under his breath.

"Well there goes our surprise attack," he mutters.

The Imperial scouts turn, and one of them moves to grab onto the furry creature, but Paploo's managed to figure out the controls, and the speeder starts forward, disappearing into the forest. Clary stares after where the small creature had vanished, amazed.

"Stop him!" a scout exclaims, pointing in the direction the Ewok had gone. Three of the remaining scouts jump onto their bikes, speeding away in pursuit, leaving only one behind. Clary exchanges a surprised look with Han.

"Well," Han says. "Not bad for a little furball." He adjusts his blaster, nodding to Chewbacca before looking back at Leia, Clary and the rest of the squad. "You stay here. We'll take care of this."

Clary exchanges a glance with Leia before Han and Chewbacca set off towards the bunker. 3PO moves to stand in the spot Han had left, R2 and Wicket close behind him. Clary stares at him, and the bronze droid turns to look at her.

"I have decided that we shall stay here," 3PO says, gesturing towards Wicket and R2. Clary gives a small nod.

"That's...great, Threepio."

On her other side, she hears Leia snort loudly, attempting to hold back her laughter. A smile breaks out across Clary's face as well, and 3PO stares at the two.

"I don't understand what's so funny," he says, but before Clary can reply, she spots Han racing back towards them with an Imperial scout trailing behind him. Immediately, the squad steps forward, blocking the scout's path, and he falls into their barricade, merciless. Clary and Leia rise to their feet, making their way towards Han, who's returned to the front door of the bunker, lifting the control panel and typing out a code rapidly into it.

Behind them, the squad have returned to the cover of the undergrowth, and Clary, Han and Leia step towards the inside of the bunker warily. Leia and Han peer inside before exchanging looks with one another, nodding slowly. As they move, Clary barely manages to catch a glimpse of the inside of the bunker — empty. For some reason, she feels anything but relieved.

Slowly, the group enters the bunker, leaving 3PO, R2, and Wicket standing guard outside. Clary inhales sharply, trying to ignore the wary feeling growing in her chest. For some reason, she can't help but feel as if they've made a terrible mistake. She has no time to voice her concerns out loud, however, as Han leads the way, storming through the door leading to the main control room. Two scouts sit in the room, but before they have the chance to turn on them, the Rebel squad step forward, taking them prisoner.

"All right!" Han exclaims. "Move, come on! Quickly." Chewbacca shoulders his way past the crew. The Rebel troops herd the generator controllers away from their panels, leaving an opening. Clary glances across the screens on the control panel, as a bright red flash grasps her attention.

"Han, hurry!" Leia exclaims, having noticed it as well. "The fleet will be here any minute."

Han steps forward, standing in front of the control panel as he looks around it. He moves to set up a charge, and Clary inhales sharply, the uneasy feeling festering so greatly that she can't control it any longer.

"Han, wait," she says. "I don't trust this. Something's wrong."

Han doesn't bother to glance back at her as he fumbles with the controls. "It's fine, Clary," he says. "We'll be out of here soon."

"No," Clary exclaims, heart racing. "It's a trap. We have to leave. Now —"

Before she can finish her sentence, an Imperial commander pushes his way through the door, his weapon raised. Han pauses, unmoving from the control panel as the commander eyes him.

"Freeze, rebel scum," the commander spits. Clary backs up, bumping into Leia as dozens of other weapons trains on them, forcing them further back into the control room. It seems as if the Imperial troops are never ending as more and more of them pile into the room, proving the rebels to be defenseless. Instinctively, Clary reaches for Han's hand, gripping it tightly. She feels his eyes on her, but Clary can't bear to look at him. Her thoughts are racing violently, making her head spin. She doesn't think they'll manage to get out of this one.

•••

The group are led out of the bunker by the Imperial troops, forced into the clearing. What was once deserted before, is now occupied by dozens of Imperial troops and two large machines that stand on two legs, looming down before them with canons engaged.

"All right, move it!" A Stormtrooper snaps, shoving Clary forward when she doesn't move. "Go on!"

"Hey!" Han snaps as Clary stumbles forward, nearly falling to the ground. "Don't touch my sister."

"Shut it, rebel scum," the trooper seethes, holding his blaster level with Han's neck. Han's teeth grit as he clenches his jaw, holding the trooper's gaze before being forced forward as well.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle echoes throughout the clearing, followed by a string of loud beeps. Clary watches as C-3PO sticks his head out from the foliage, waving, with R2-D2 beside him.

"Hello!" he exclaims. "I say, over there! Are you looking for me?"

The commander who had his grip on Clary lets go instantly, pointing towards the droid. "Bring those two down here!"

"Let's go!" The Stormtroopers that had been guarding them start forward, rushing after the droids. Clary watches with wide eyes as the troopers make their way towards the undergrowth where the droids have been hiding, only to let out a sharp scream as dozens of Ewoks fall down from the trees onto the Imperial soldiers. Nearby, the sound of a horn echoes throughout the clearing, which Clary can only assume is the Ewok's cry to attack.

Dozens of furry bodies fall into the fray against the assembled troopers and onto their two, large weapons. Everything is happen so quickly, that Clary barely manages to catch it all—biker scouts attempt to blast at the creatures, only to be crushed by a volley of rocks being tossed from the trees above.

Taking this confusion as an opportunity, Clary moves towards the bunker, followed by Han and Leia, as they hide beneath the shelter the protruding wall provides. Han stands by the control panel, hastily inputting the code. It lets out a sharp beep back at him, and the metal door remains closed.

"The code's changed!" Leia exclaims. "We need Artoo." She catches the commlink Han tosses towards her. "Artoo, where are you? We need you at the bunker right away!"

Clary inhales sharply, a sick feeling creeping onto her. Her head is pounding loudly, insistently, that she's surprised it hasn't exploded altogether. Amongst the yelling and squabble of the fight pursuing next to her, she can barely make out a faint voice, whispering to her, commanding her: Destroy what destroys you, Clary. Make them pay. Make them all pay.

"We're coming!" 3PO exclaims, although his voice sounds faint. Clary lowers herself onto her knees, blaster left beside her, as she clutches her head, the pain nearly becoming unbearable. All the whispers she's ever heard — from her dreams, from her conversations with Cal and Obi-Wan, all up to her time with Luke last night — jumble together, making her thoughts spin. Clary groans, the pulsing feeling becoming deafening as she grips onto the side of her temples, applying pressure, trying to compose herself once more.

"I didn't do anything," Cal answers. He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "You already had it in you, Clary. I only did what our mom would have wanted for the both us — I helped you realize what you truly are, what we can be together."

Visions flash in Clary's mind as her head feels like it's splitting in two; Han and Chewbacca, flying in the Falcon, only them and the stars — and then, flashes of red, explosions, a faint silhouette of a woman, cradling her, brushing the hair out of her face, eyes red and cheeks stained with tears and dirt — I hope you'll be a fool, Claryssa, she whispers. I hope you'll never know pain, I hope you'll live, not knowing the cruelty of the galaxy, the cruelty of others. I hope you'll be a fool — dark, glittering eyes surrounding her, encompassing her, becoming her — a burning bright light, the gentle hum of a lightsaber, hands stained red...Destroy what destroys you, Clary. Destroy it. Destroy them all!

"Clary!"

Clary's brought out of her thoughts, and she turns to see Leia beside her. She's holding her blaster, thrusting it into Clary's hands.

"Help me cover Han!"

Clary doesn't have the chance to say anything as Leia turns on the Stormtroopers hiding behind the bushes surrounding them, blasting at them with ease. Clary stares down at the blaster in her hands, heart pounding. Make them pay. She looks up, thoughts running on end as she raises her weapon, aiming for the troopers before her. Make them all pay. She fires, and they fall to the floor easily, lifelessly. Make them pay!

"I think I got it!" Han exclaims from the panel, reaching with the wires. He looks over at Leia and Clary. "I got it!"

The wires spark again as a connection is made, and there's a loud noise as a second door crashes down in front of the first, furthering blocking them. Han glances between the door and the wires, frowning.

"Guess I don't got it," he mutters. Clary doesn't have the chance to look back at him as she blasts at the troopers coming for her, mind racing. Make him pay, make him pay — make them all pay.

Suddenly, Leia lets out a sharp cry of pain, distracting Clary, and she falls to the ground, her right shoulder bleeding from the laser blast. Clary glances between her and the trooper that had shot her and she raises her weapon, aiming squarely for his chest. He lets out a sharp cry as she fires, and he falls back into the bushes, dead.

"Oh, Princess Leia!" 3PO exclaims. "Are you all right?"

"What?" Han yells. "What happened?" He moves to stand in front of Leia, reaching to grab onto her, but she shoulders him away, grimacing.

"It's not bad," she says. Clary looks over at her. The wound doesn't appear deep, but the pain that flashes in Leia's eyes says otherwise. Before Clary has the chance to do anything, a Stormtrooper approaches them, blaster raised.

"Freeze!" he exclaims. Clary glances over at him. 3PO raises his hands instantly. "Don't move!"

Clary glances over at Leia, covered by Han. Leia meets her gaze, gripping tightly onto her blaster, and Clary understands. Clary looks back over at the trooper, who has his weapon trained on the three of them.

"I love you," she hears Han say.

"I know," Leia replies.

"Hands up!" The trooper yells. "Stand up!"

Han rises to his feet, slowly, turning, and moves out of the way quickly to reveal the gun in Leia's hand. She aims and fires, disposing of the three Stormtroopers standing in front of them with ease. Clary smiles, but it disappears in an instant as one of the Imperial walkers makes its way towards them. Han glances over at it grimly before looking back at Leia.