Birth of a New Knight

So, this is Megami Hisui. I looked over at the woman behind the wheel. Yeah, she's got the red-gold hair and green eyes. I opened the holopicture album and gazed at Mother and Father's wedding picture.

"Is that me and your father?"

"Yes."

I flipped to a dark-haired man with dark eyes.

"That was my mentor - he's gone now."

I thought to myself, She doesn't know that he's alive, and that he's my uncle. Boy, she's going to be in one deal of a shock.

She stopped the car at a large Victorian house. "Here we are, Ben. I'll show you to your room, and we'll start training tomorrow." I turned off the album and grabbed my things. Later, after I had put away my things, I relaxed in the warm San Francisco sun on Mara's beach. It was very relaxing and calming as the waves rushed against the rocks. I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, where I began to dream.

What's this? A white mist, I hear a horse in the distance, and it's freezing cold. Wait a second, I'm in California, how can it be cold?

"Ben!" Mara's voice called to me, "Ben, time for dinner!"

Dinner - I awoke from the dream. I got up and followed her into the house. She had set down a dinner suited to feed a family of seven.

"Mara, do you have a horse?"

Mara put down a bowl of salad. "No. Why?"

I took a nibble of a steamed lotus bun. "Just wondering, that's all." I paused, then decided to ask her about what she was like. "Mara, what were you like when you were young?"

Mara cast her eyes down. "Spoiled, but somewhat alone. After I came back to the States from living in Japan, I became an actress, then realized that I was Sailor Vjun. But I can't wait for the day to see your father. I bet he hasn't changed a bit."

I gulped down some green tea. "Uhm, Mara. Something happened to Father."

Mara's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

I began to tell her what happened before I was born. "You're not going to like what I am about to say. It's a long story, but you are going to catch a terrible disease."

Mara's eyes widened. "Nani?! No! I want to fight the bad guys. how do I get this ridiculous disease?"

I began to calm her down. "One of the aliens that you fight has an eye that shoots Coomb Spores."

Mara slammed her fist down. "Kisama!"

I snapped, "Oh, don't be like Uncle Ve-... I mean Han." I had to keep my mouth shut because I wanted to surprise her.

She sat with her arms crossed, scowling at me. "Well, do I live?"

I calmed her down. "Don't worry, you beat it."

Mara sighed, "Okay, carry on."

I continued with the story. "Father decided to become a scientist. One day, he decided to try a certain herb. It was from Endor - they call it Maidenspade. Some accidentally fell into his tea, and his hair turned blue."

Mara let out a giggle. "Blue? That's all, his hair is blue! I thought he was possessed or was part android or something."

I began to laugh and sat back in my chair. "No, he's still the same silly farm boy that you fell in love with. But you guys argue a lot."

Mara smirked. "Ahh, I love a good healthy argument." I looked at her - she had his smirk, and the insults to go with it.

I continued on with the story. "I'm telling you what my father told me about what happened and how I came to be."

"What's with the towel?" she said.

Father gave her a half smile, then asked her, "Mara, would you still love me if I had changed?"

Mom took his hand. "Luke, you're a lousy cook, you're the most hideous thing I ever seen, but you're a wonderful teacher, a great fighter, a man who can fly and repair anything. I'm proud that you're my husband. Even if you had to change something, I'll love you, no matter what." She gave him a smile.

"All right, Mara, but it's permanent, I can't do anything about it." Dad began to lift the towel off his head, showing Mom his blue locks.

Mother was surprised. "Luke! Your hair is blue!"

She paused, and Father turned away. "I knew you wouldn't like it."

Mom embraced him. "I love it, but you're still the ugliest thing in the universe."

That made Father laugh. "Why thank you, Mara."

Mother held him for a while. "You're welcome, my mate."

Three months after, Mother sensed another heartbeat, a heartbeat from inside her. The Jedi Healer who was helping her could feel the other presence too. "Mistress Skywalker, are you all right? Is it the disease?"

Mother placed a hand on her stomach. "It can't be, but it is. " Tears rolled down her cheeks, and Mom said softly, "I am going to have a child."

Later, at lunch, Mother was stuffing her face more than ever before, and Dad was eating with her. "Mara, what's coming over you? You're on a feeding frenzy. Please, chew your food - you look like you're inhaling it. Slow down, we're in public."

Mother shook her chopsticks at him. "What about you? You're about as piggy as I am. No wonder Callista never married you - you can be a big hog if you want to."

Father crossed his arms. "That wasn't a nice thing to say, Mara. Please, be nice to me - I had a bad day. Borsk Feyla called me a mutant."

Mother growled, "Hmph - don't listen to him, my love. Oh well... eat now, kill later - besides, your brat that I am carrying needs to eat."

Father dropped his fork. "Huh?"

Mother gave him a smirk. "You heard me. I am going to be making weird food requests in the middle of the night, I am going to be having crazy mood swings that you wished I haven't had, and things will be changing very quickly, your worship! Be afraid."

Dad could be pretty cocky. "I'm not afraid."

Mom looked at him darkly. "Good, 'cause you will be, you will be."

Father started to cry tears of joy. "I'm going to be a daddy! I can't wait to tell Han, Leia, and the others!"

Two months after, Mother was becoming a monster. "Servant man, fetch me a drying cloth at once!" she said from the bathroom.

Father was talking to Aunt Leia on the holophone. "Excuse me, Leia. There's a towel in the bathroom, Mara, you know where it is!" he yelled away from the phone. "I'm telling you, Leia, I don't know what's wrong with her - it's like she's another person. The other night, she had a golden aura surrounding her."

At the beginning of my birth, she got very nervous. "Luke, what if I lose the baby, or if what if the disease hurts him or her in any way."

Father calmed her down. "Don't worry, Mara, the little prince is going to be fine."

Mother dried her eyes. "Prince?" Mom whispered.

Father smiled. "I had a dream about our children, Mara. A handsome young man sitting regally on a throne; then I saw a girl teaching at the Jedi Temple. Don't worry my beloved, everything is going to be just fine."

Mom nodded in agreement.

Then she had those weird cravings at night. "Servant man, bring me some Braised Bantha, a big bowl of fruit, chocolate caramel candy fudge ice cream and sushi from the Menari, I want a pizza with everything on it too, and ramen - a big fat bowl of ramen!"

Father yelled, "Mara, I am not your servant!"

Mom gave him an evil hiss. "Do it now or else."

Father was defeated. "As you wish, master."

The nine months had passed. Right in the middle of a Jedi Council meeting - "Luke, my water broke!"

Father sighed - the ordeal was over.

No - it was just continuing. Now they'll have to deal with diapers and baby mess.

Mother was rushed to a birthing room, moaning, cursing Father and all men. "Skywalker! Get this brat out of me now! Heh, heh, were's Feyla, I feel like killing or blasting something! Agh! Make the pain go away!"

Father thought, She's delirious, it must be the disease and the labor. Hold on baby, be strong! With a labored breath, Mother passed out. "Oh no, Mara!" Father shouted.

Meanwhile, at a hospital somewhere in Japan, Vegeta stood by his wife's side.

"Vegeta! Get this brat out of me now!"

Vegeta looked down at her. "The doctor is here, Bulma!"

Bulma snapped, "You look like you're in a galaxy far, far away! Oww!"

Vegeta knew that she was still out there. "Bulma, I'm going to stay with you for a while, but there is something that Kakarott and I have to do."

Bulma cried in pain, "Please Vegeta, don't go."

He held her hand tightly. "I'll be back - I just have to take care of a family matter."

Bulma's eyes widened. "You found Endaibu? How?"

Vegeta smiled at his mate. "I feel her pain, Bulma. I know where she is."

Tears flowed from her eyes. "All right, Vegeta. But you have to stay for the birth of your child."

He looked deeply into her eyes. "I will, my mate."

Bulma screamed in pain again. "Vegeta, he's going to be coming out soon!"

Mara Jade-Skywalker's spirit was in limbo. She saw a bright light above her. "No, my child, not yet - it's not your time."

She whispered, "Who are you?"

A man's voice told her, "It is I, your father. You must live - there has to be one of us to protect this galaxy. Fight this pathetic scourge - do it for the pride and the dignity of your galaxy. I want you to promise me that you will fight this! You have accomplished so much; you are of royal blood, the strongest line on our planet! Child, you must be there for your mate and your son."

She shouted, "I will! For I am Mara Jade-Skywalker, Princess of Vjun and Jedi master! I shall not be defeated!"

Mom regained her energy and slowly opened her eyes. Dad, Winter, a nurse, and a doctor were standing around her. "It's gone, Luke, the disease is gone." Mom gave a look of concern. "Where's my baby?"

Luke put a hand on her shoulder. "He's coming."

Mom suddenly remembered the pain, and it hit her at once.

Father growled. "For the god's sake, Mara, cool it! Stop yapping and start pushing."

She began the breathing process; Mom screamed and grabbed Dad's hand and began twisting it, and his face went from scarlet to a whiter shade of pale. An hour after, I came out.

"He's so devilishly handsome - the girls are going to be eating out of his hand!" Mom had tears in her eyes. Father told her softly, "He's quite normal - blue eyes, peaches and cream skin, and beautiful lavender hair." His eyes widened as he saw a brown furry tail wrap around his wrist. "Honey, he's got a tail! That we'll need to get rid of before Han or Leia sees it."

Mom gasped. "No! Don't remove the tail! I had a tail once - then that creepy Emperor had it removed."

Megami broke the conversation. "You had a tail, Ben?"

I gave her a half smile. "Of course I did. But Father had it surgically removed. The Emperor just cut Mara's off. Imagine if the Emperor had found out about the tail's real use. He'd still be running the galaxy, because I don't think X-Wings would be any use against a giant ape."

Megami nodded. "Vegeta used to tell me that when the Saiyans were working for Freezer, they would use their tails to transform into giant apes whenever there was a full moon." Mara sat back. "So, you're saying that I was reborn a Saiyan."

I nodded. "Yeah, and you still have a tail. I'll tell you about it once you stop interrupting me. You can't interrupt me, even when I tell you about the biggest shocker that is about to come." Mara sat quietly as I continued the story.

Mom and Dad decided to name me Benjamin Vegeta. Father sighed. "I can't believe that you named him after that long-dead Saiyan that trained you before you became a senshi."

Just then a voice shouted from nowhere, "Dead? I'm still here, and in better shape than I had ever been."

Father gazed at the dark haired man in front of him. "Who are you?"

The other man gave him a scowl. "Hmph. I am Vegeta, Prince of the Saiyans. My ally Kakarott and I are here to see an old friend of ours."

Mother was in shock; tears started to flow down her face. "Vegeta! My dearest friend! I missed you so much! And I see that you've brought the former King of Vjun with you. Hello, Kakarotto!"

Goku kissed her hand. "How is my former queen?"

Mara giggled. "I'm doing just fine. How's Chichi and the others?"

Vegeta crossed his arms. "They're doing fine - we're training to get ready for the androids. To let you know, my wife Bulma just had a child." Mara and Vegeta started talking for a long time, and Vegeta smiled down at me. "He's going to be a great warrior, just like my son. Aren't you glad we married two of the biggest loudmouths in the universe?"

Mara chuckled. "They're the reason why we keep on living. By the way, Vegeta, who were my parents?"

Vegeta didn't know what to say just yet. "I'll tell you later. Right now, you have just given birth and you need your rest."

Luke gazed at the tall man in the orange gi. "I remember battling you on Vjun. You were once a ruthless king who killed me in a past life. What happened?"

Goku gave him a weird look. "Uhm, I fell down and hit my head really hard when I was a baby."

Father let out a little sigh and took me from my mother's arms. "Mara, I'm going to send Ben to have a check-up to make sure he's okay, and to have something taken care of."

Vegeta paused. "You named him Ben?"

Mother touched his hand. "I named him Benjamin Vegeta - I let the loudmouth have dibs at the first name."

Vegeta looked at Father. "What is the loudmouth's name, anyway?"

Mother watched Father leave. "It's Luke Skywalker. He's a Jedi Master."

Vegeta had heard about the Jedi when he was young, but he thought it was a myth, just like the legendary Super Saiyan. "He uses his ki differently. Your mate is very strong - I could feel his power."

Mother sat up in her bed. "A Jedi uses the Force - it's something that binds all living things together."

Goku added, "That's what ki is. So, we're not that different at all."

Mother smiled at them both. "How long are you guys staying? If you do, you'll be able to meet my in-laws."

Vegeta and Goku sat beside her. "Goku and I will stay a little longer. Besides, you may need our help."

A day after, everyone was there to see me, even Threepio. "Oh, my, he's got lavender hair." Threepio looked at the two strange men. "Oh, hello."

Goku had to throw in a greeting as Vegeta stood silent.

Aunt Leia and Uncle Han were surprised by the two strangers. "Luke, who are those men?"

Father said, "Friends of Mara's - although the shorter one happens to look a little like her."

Leia whispered, "You're right. Is that Ben?"

Father had me in his arms. "Here he is, Leia. Isn't he cute?"

Aunt Leia smiled at Father. "He's very beautiful, Luke, but he looks a lot like Mara."

Han slapped him on the back. "Good going, kid! He looks strong, like his mother."

Wedge rushed in. "Guys, I have some news to report. The Vong have been destroyed, but Anor is still on Belkadan with some of his men."

Mom whispered, "I will defeat him and his remaining men, once and for all."

Vegeta looked at her. "Woman, are you serious?"

Goku had his fists clenched. "A fight? I don't want to pass this up - let me at him!"

Father took her by the shoulder. "No, he'll get you sick again."

Mother looked at him silently and made her way to the closet to get her old combat gear. Mara glanced back at Vegeta. "Vegeta, you're coming with me, Kakarotto, you are to be back-up - stay here with Luke and the others."

Goku whined, "But Mara..."

Vegeta glared at him. "Do what she says, Kakarott!"

Father stood by her. "Very well, I'll help you prepare for battle." Mother told him to hold her armor as she put on her jumpsuit. Father tried to reason with her. "Mara, I still think you're nuts!" Mom didn't say a word as she pulled her gloves on. "You just had a baby and beat a fatal disease."

She plaited her hair. "I need to finish something, Luke."

Father put his hand on her shoulder. "Well, then let me come."

Mom shook her head. "No, I must finish this alone. If I don't come back, you'll have to be there for Ben."

Father gritted his teeth. "You arrogant woman! You're just like your friend here."

Vegeta gave him a dirty look. "Don't worry - she's got me, and if you must know, I am the strongest.

Mara pulled him back and walked towards Father. She kissed him sweetly. "Baka, it has to be done."

Tears ran down his face. "I love you, but please promise me that you'll return."

Mother let him go. "Don't worry, I'll be back. Forget about that past stuff I said - I'm going to return."

Mother had taken a lambda class shuttle and headed for Belkadan. Dad looked out at the fleeing shuttle. "You better come back," he whispered.

Goku stood beside him. "Don't worry, she'll be back. She's got Vegeta with her - she'll win. Uh, maybe I should go too."

Luke grabbed his arm. "No, you're not disobeying her wishes, not yet. I need to talk to you, Goku. Explain to me about what is going on and why my son was born with a tail."

Goku scratched his head. "Well, your wife is a Saiyan! We're members of the Saiyan race - we're born with incredible fighting power, and we can turn Super Saiyan. Watch me!" Goku turned into a golden warrior, while Father stood amazed at the power he was giving off.

"Sweet burning stars! I'm overwhelmed!"

Mom had landed on Belkadan, and Anor was standing near an old base. "It's you, and you look better."

Mother crossed her arms and smirked. "Well, all those push-ups, sit-ups, and drinking a lot more juice have worked for me. But I must say that you have gotten more disgusting since the last time I saw you."

Anor hissed. "Charming to the last. And who is this with you? Is that your friend? Did he come to die here too?"

Vegeta snickered. "Ugh, what an ugly creature. What is that thing, Mara?"

Mother whispered to Vegeta, "That's Anor, the creep that got me sick, killed millions, and enslaved our galaxy."

Vegeta growled. "Sounds like another Freezer!"

Anor motioned the last of his men. "Attack them!" The remaining Vong used their weapons; Mother was slicing them with her saber, while Vegeta was blasting them away.

One of the Vong hit Vegeta really hard. Mother shouted, "Vegeta!"

Vegeta shouted, "I'm all right!" Vegeta turned Super Saiyan and blasted his attacker with a ki beam until there was none left. The only ones standing were Vegeta, Mother, and Anor.

Mother was beginning to change; pure anger began to rise inside of her. "You almost killed my friend, you killed millions of people, enslaved other beings, and you tried to kill off the Jedi. You will not get away with this anymore!" Storm clouds thickened, the ground shook, Mother screamed and she too became a golden warrior.

The evil tyrant hissed. "Well, maybe I just have to kill you two on the spot instead of having you suffer."

Mother sneered and kicked him in the face, then ax-handled him in the back. "You're finished - we are going to fight you!"

Anor got up. "Fighting is not for me. This is." He began to touch an area near his only eye. Vegeta formed a small ki beam that hit him in that eye, destroying it. "Ahh, you stupid apes! That was my prized eye!"

Mother gasped. "Ape? Where do you get off calling us apes!" Then, tapping into the Force, she opened up and enveloped the evil tyrant in a beam of light.

"What are you people?!" he screamed.

Mother yelled, "Ally to good, nightmare to you!" Mother put one hand out and the other hand on her wrist. "Final Flash!" Suddenly, she was joined by Vegeta. "This is for all the grief that you caused!" they shouted. His beam joined hers and the evil despot was turned to ash.

She turned to Vegeta. "Thank you."

Vegeta walked over to a nearby tree and sat against it. "Mara - or should I say Endaibu - come here." Mother sat beside him. "Are you going to tell me about my parents?"

Vegeta took her hands in his. "Yes, I am. You come from a very strong line. Your mother died after you were born, and your father thought it would be best if he sent you out so you wouldn't fall into Freezer's hands like your brother did."

Mother was anxious. "A brother, I have a brother! What happened to him? Where is he? Who is he?"

Vegeta looked her deep in the eyes. "Mara, I am your brother."

Mother was surprised, "Vegeta!"

He kissed her on the forehead. "Endaibu, I found you at last!" Something hit Vegeta on the head. "Vegeta, look - my tail, and the moon is so big."

Vegeta grabbed Mother quickly and ran to the ship. "We'd be better off if we left now." He and Mother left the planet.

She came back a day after; Father was happy, and Mother held him tightly. "Luke, there is something I must tell you."

Father smiled. "I know - you're a Saiyan."

Mom whispered, "That's not all. Vegeta is my brother."

Father looked back at the prince, then back at Mother. "I do see a resemblance, and you do have his attitude. But there was the golden aura, the feeding frenzies, the insults! The neck bite that you gave me the first night we were together. Goku told me everything about your people - they were used, then just killed off, and you guys are the only ones left."

Mother put her fingers to his lips. "Shh, quiet. Enough about the past, my Luke. Those things that I say - you know I love you. You're my mate now. You're mine, and all those others were a bunch of weaklings."

Something brushed up against Father's leg and wrapped around his waist. "Mara, is that a tail? Let me go get my lightsaber."

Mother's tail uncurled. "I don't want you to cut it off."

Father almost had a fit. "I have a reputation in this galaxy. If they find out that my wife is an alien with a tail that makes her turn into a giant monkey on a full moon, what will they think?!"

Mother snapped, "It would be better if I hide it, and only our tight circle of friends could only know about it."

Father shouted, "No and no!"

Vegeta nodded. "Endaibu, maybe it's best if you lose it. We have a habit of caving in to our mates."

Mother snapped, "Not I! I will not cave in to some man's demands! Especially an ugly, blue-haired, stupid, vulgar loudmouth like him! I am the Princess of the Saiyans!"

Father held a frying pan in his hand. "Oh really! You've forgotten that I am the son of Anakin Skywalker and the hero of this galaxy!"

Vegeta shouted, "Endaibu, do what he says - he's armed!"

Mother was now defeated. "All right. Cut it off - Vegeta doesn't have one, and neither does Kakarotto. But I can go Super Saiyan!"

Father put his frying pan back. "Great. Well, off to get that lightsaber!" Father hurried out the door as Mom let out a short sigh.

Vegeta and Goku watched Father leave. "We have to go, Endaibu - our mates are going to kill us, especially mine."

Mother gave Vegeta a hug. "See you later, Vegeta. Thank you for everything, and don't worry - we'll visit." She let go of him and looked up into Goku's eyes. "Farewell, my Kakarotto. Chichi is one lucky lady to have you."

Goku said softly, "Goodbye, Endaibu." He kissed her softly on the forehead. Goku took Vegeta's hand and put two fingers to his head, and in an instant they were gone.

Father had come back in. "Where did Goku and Vegeta go?"

Mother turned to him. "They had to go back home - they have mates and brats too, not to mention a galaxy that they have to save."

Father was confused. "How did they leave? I didn't see a ship."

Mother put two fingers to her head. "It's called Teleportation, a trick of Kakarotto's that I learned when I was training back in the old days. Bye Luke!" Mother vanished.

"Hey! Come back here!"

She reappeared, holding a pair of goblets with her tail and Menari champagne in her hands. "I'm back!"

Father gave her a glance. "You're crazy." Father forgot all about the tail and decided to have it hidden behind long Jedi robes or wrapped around her waist, hidden by her obi. It was their little secret - well, among their closest friends too. There was a big celebration - Aunt Leia and Uncle Han finally got to meet Uncle Vegeta and Aunt Bulma.

Bulma got to fly the Falcon, and Krillen became good friends with Lando. Father and Goku had a sparring match for the Orphans of the Suncrusher charity. Aunt Leia glanced at Mother. "You have a great story to tell, Mara."

Mother nodded and smiled at her brother. "Leia, if it wasn't for Vegeta's help, Anor would still be here. I'm proud that he's my brother."

Leia nodded. "I'm so glad that the galaxy is finally at peace."

It was a happy time - the galaxy was free again. My parents raised me well, taught me the ways of the Force and martial arts. Then, two years after, Bebi came. Now, Dad is getting ready to wind down a little, although he's a member of the Saiyan Mates Brigade on Earth. Mom is still a spitfire. Well, she has to be - like brother, like sister. I'm doing well in school; Mother wishes that I marry a princess, and Bebi is on her way to becoming a Jedi Master like Father.

Dinner was finished, and we were having dessert. "Now, I'm here talking to you, Mara."

"I can't believe it - Vegeta's my brother. She wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm glad you turned out so handsome. Well, I am going to clear the table."

I got up also. "Let me help too, Mara."

Mara nodded. "Thanks, Ben. We'll clean the dishes, then we'll begin our training tomorrow."

I gave her a smile. This is going to be some adventure.