The Fourth Cycle

STAR WARS:  The Fourth Cycle

*SPOILER ALERT*

The Fourth Cycle begins roughly 50 years after Return of the Jedi.  It is another set of three trilogies taking place in the era after the final defeat of the New Republic by revolutionaries.

ERA ONE:  TWENTY YEARS AFTER EPISODE XV:  Light of the Rebellion.

The first era takes place decades after the ultimate defeat of the New Republic and the waves of massive anarchist revolutions that sweep the galaxy.  

The Senate and military have been replaced by a Galactic Peoples Council and a Naval Alliance of Systems, known collectively as The New Confederation of Systems, or just the Confederation.  It is run as close to non hierarchically as possible, they are the work of many devoted revolutionaries who spent the last twenty years working to build a new free society, one which has, for the most part, avoided the pitfalls of the previous post revolutionary periods.

Even so there are many systems outside The Confederation, there are various empires or zones held by crime lords.  However, within the inner core and into large areas of the outer rim, the revolution has succeeded in overturning ten thousand years of patriarchal structure, sustained by revolutionary fervor and autonomous organization. 

Now, a new form of the Galactic Republic is resurging in the Outer rim, lead by the feared Jedi Master Revan, the New Republic Remnant launches a series of attacks against The Confederation, leading to a new conflict between the revolution and resurgent Imperialist forces.  Revan's close childhood friend, Bane, another Jedi master, leads his forces with ferocious aggression.

Jedi Master Revan

Jedi Master Bane

At the same time, the shadowy Jedi Master Nihilus has appeared with his group of fanatical Jedi followers.  They seek destruction and purity in a blood thirsty campaign of war and terror across the galaxy, ultimately threatening the ambitions of Revan.  

Jedi Master Nihilus

Mace and Ara are senior masters in the new Jedi Order on Coruscant, they have a family and are the ideological leaders of the Jedi.  Jinn Solo and Mathew are married and also have a family, Jinn has followed in the footsteps of the Ancient Sith masters, and after years of training, has now founded her own Sith order and is a prominent and respected member of their community.  

Another Jedi Master has surfaces and puts forward a direct challenge to the ideology and teachings of both the Sith and Yavin Jedi, she is Master Treya, a former Yavin temple Jedi who rebels against their ways and advocates more direct methods (sort of Maulist like but more pragmatic than fanatical).

Jedi Master Treya

Each set of rival forces represents different aspects of the ideological spectrum, The Yavin Jedi and Sith are oriented more towards a Lawful Good side (Lawful in the sence of Moral).  Revan and the New Imperial Remnant Represent Lawful Evil.  Nihilus Represents Chaotic Evil. Treya Represents Chaotic Good.

The Story will follow Jinn, Mathew, Mace and Ara as they struggle to confront the realities of a post revolutionary society, and the new forces of reaction that threaten everything they struggled for.  It also follows their children who struggle to find place and meaning in this new world.

Magnus Torrell-Right wing politician who leads a republican coup against the Peoples Council on Coruscant.

STAR WARS:  Episode XVI:  Shadow of the Republic

Movie begins with Revan's back story, showing him growing up as a slave in a factory,  He befriends Bane, a charismatic young man with a talent for fighting.  After Revan is severely injured by a chemical burn, they escape and train as Jedi on Coruscant.  Revan is forced to wear a full body protective suit.   Later they become disillusioned with the post revolutionary confederation and journey into the outer rim seeking power.  They help found a New Imperial Remnant and Revan ends up in charge with Bane as his second in command.

We then move to Mace and Ara who lead the New Jedi on Coruscant, they face a rising threat from a charismatic politician who calls for a return to conservative politics and republican principals.  With the New Remnant a rising threat, the politician uses the threat of war to build support for reactionary politics.  Jinn comes to Coruscant with her allies to help deal with the problem.  Revan begins a massive invasion of confederation systems, prompting a military response, Mace and Ara lead the Jedi while Jinn leads the Sith into battle against the New Remnant.  At the same time the conservative politician attempts to create a new central government.  The alliance wins the battle sending Revan and his forces retreating back into the outer rim and they return to Coruscant and help destroy the fledgling empire.

STAR WARS:  Episode XVII:  The Mask Of Madness

Themes:  Emergence of Nihilus as a chaotic destructive force causing everyone to ally against him.  Nihilus is main focus of the episode, his past is mysterious and he is a force user of incredible power.  He is able to command the perception of his victims and appear or dissapear at will.  He wears a terrifying mask and no one has ever seen his face.  Under his command are a legion of mercenaries who he presumably controls through the force.  He spreads to threaten the New Remnant and the free systems as well, causing everyone to join forces and finally defeat Nihilus at the end of the second cycle.

Bane is a more easy going personality than Revan, who is torn with bitterness and pain.  Bane is absolutely loyal to Revan but willing to work with Jinn and others, not ideologically interested in the New Empire but more personally loyal to Revan whom he sees it as his duty to protect.  When working together to confront Nihilus, Bane is able to bridge the gap between Jinn and Revan and create a workable alliance.

In the final battle, Revan, Bane and Jinn confront Nihilus, the battle is hard fought and Bane is killed.  Revan and Jinn manage to kill Nihilus together.  After Banes death Jinn and Revan are inevitably doomed to go their own ways.  

STAR WARS:  Episode XVIII:  Path of the Jedi

Themes:  The final confrontation between the Rebellion and the New Remnant, Treya, a radical and violent Jedi from Yavin, is the main focus as she is in competition with Jinn, Mace and Ara to command the loyalty of the revolutionaries.  Her philosophy is much more aggressive and seeks to wage a relentless war against the remnant and liberate the remainder of the galaxy, where as Jinn and the others are more conservative and want to play it safe.  In the end they must find a way to work together in order to defeat Revan and free the rest of the Galaxy.

SECOND ERA:  TWENTY YEARS AFTER EPISODE XVIII:  Path of the Jedi

Second Era takes place about 20 years after the first, Revan and the New Remnant have been defeated and most of the Galaxy liberated.  Most of the main characters are still alive including Jaina, Jacen, Poe and Finn, but they are in there 80's and so not a central part of the story.  Jinn is in her 50's but she has the secret of Immortality.  Mace and Ara are still alive as well though aging and less active, their children take a more central roll.

The main plot revolves around the invasion of the Galaxy by an Empire from another Galaxy.  The Emperor Tenebrae is a dark force master of incredible power, his age is unknown but he has conquered multiple Galaxies and now attacks with a massive fleet unlike anything previously seen.  

Tenebrae's powers are unique, he is able to teleport himself around to some degree, a process more resembling folding space in upon itself.  He is also able to control the minds and bodies of his victims and manipulate time.  He is known as The dark lord of many faces as his appearance is somewhat fluid.  He usually appears as a towering and shadowy lord whose face is unseeable.  When you look at his face the very fabric of the universe seems to expand and grow to immense proportions, he seems melded with everything around him.

Emperor Tenebrae, Dark Lord of Many Faces

The fleet arrives and begins destroying systems, Tenebrae's command ship is a massive pyramid shaped destroyer.  Then Tenebrae appears out of no where and kills the entire command of a right wing militia fighting against Jinn and the confederation of systems.  

Jinn is able to resist his power in some way, limiting his ability to appear at will in friendly territory.  This slows his attack but only in a limited way.

There is also some sort of powerful ancient adviser who journeys from another Galaxy to tell Jinn Tenebrae's history and secrets and to instruct her in fighting him.  

Ultimately they are able to defeat Tenebrae's army and fleet and force him to retreat back where he came.

STAR WARS:  Episode XIX: The Threat of Nightfall

Story Begins featuring Jinn and her 40 year old Son Dane who is a prodigal Jedi and fighter pilot.  Jinn has mastered the Sith art of Immortality and is still youthful despite her growing age.  She helps lead a band of Jedi and warriors who are fighting a right wing militia that has taken over several systems in the outer rim, plunging millions into tyranny and slavery.  

The fight is underway when suddenly a massive fleet of ships emerges from hyperspace in a nearby system and obliterates it.  One of the ships is a massive pyramid shaped planet killer.  The fleet starts moving from system to system, capturing and enslaving them.  Shortly after the dark lord Tenebrae is revealed to be in command of the fleet, he has come from another Galaxy where he rules a massive empire of many Galaxies he has conquered.  Tenebrae is extremely ancient and is a powerful force user capable of transporting himself across space.  You first see him use this power to destroy the leadership of the right wing militia.

Tenebrae then tries to destroy Jinn but she is able to resist him through Sith training, she pushes him back and he is unable to transport himself at will in Confederation territory.  

Jinn and others break into the pyramid ship and steal the schematics, fighting their way out at heavy cost.

The Invasion starts making its way strait for Coruscant and they must destroy the Pyramid ship to prevent it from blowing up the planet.  To do this Jinn must lure Tenebrae away from Coruscant and then fighters find a way into the super structure of the ship and are able to blow up the power core, destroying it.  The loss of the Pyramid ship and psychic defeat at the hands of Jinn cause Tenebrae to retreat back to the outer rim.

STAR WARS:  Episode XX:  The Dark Fortress

With the destruction of his capital ship, Tenebrea moves his headquarters to a planet in the outer rim, there he constructs a massive fortress.  From there he continues to launch his war with his still powerful and massive fleet.

Jinn struggles with confederation allies to fight off the ever encroaching threat, though destruction of the planet killer has slowed the invasion, defeat is imminent and the situation worsens every day.  

A mysterious woman approaches Jinn, she is ____, another ancient Jedi from the same Galaxy as Tenebrae, she tells Jinn details of his origins and powers, also showing her a way to use the force to wound him.  

The fight continues and the confederation is forced into a more and more desperate situation.  Finally, there is a terrible battle, many are killed and Dane, Jinn's son is captured.

STAR WARS:  Episode XXI:  Dawn of the Rebellion

Episode begins with Jinn and others going on a daring and costly mission to rescue Dane, destroying several of Tenebraes powerful generals and warriors in the process.

Final battle against Tenebrae, the fleet is defeated and Jinn wounds Tenebrae with the force technique, he retreats with his forces back to his home Galaxy.

THIRD ERA:  TWENTY YEARS AFTER EPISODE XXI:  Dawn of the Rebellion

The third era takes a more light hearted turn, it features the main heroes journeying to another Galaxy to investigate a mysterious artifact.  The characters investigate the ruins of a massive Galactic civilizations which was destroyed leaving no one alive.  It is revealed that the artifact is a force powered weapon which destroyed the whole civilization.

A group of Neo Imperialists has followed the protagonists in search of the artifact.  They hope to use its power to conquer the Confederation back home.  Jinn and the other heroes must race to find the artifact before the Neo Imperialists.

There are three main villains, one is a rich high society type who is more or less the brains behind the operation.  The second is a hard nosed military commander responsible for the groups tactical maneuvers.  The third is a slimy sadistic Jedi who is the priest true believer seeking the artifact.



STAR WARS:  Episode XXII: The Sands of Time

Begins with Ty Solo, Granddaughter of Jacen and Karona who is an archaeologist and adventurer.  She is asked to join a project to search for a legendary lost artifact in another Galaxy, The Eye of Curio.
After they journey, they arrive at the new Galaxy to find a massive but ruined civilization devoid of sentient life.  Soon after, they also discover a massive force of New Imperialists who are also searching for the eye, led by a trio of sadistic villains.

The first is an infamous organized crime figure named Balashar, he is the main benefactor of the project.  There is also the military Admiral Garring, commander of the New Imperial Fleet.  Then finally the sadistic and insane Jedi master Bandon, who is the philosophical and spiritual heart of the project, obsessed with the Eye, he is responsible for convincing the others to journey to the other Galaxy to search for it.

Ty, her family and the other members of the project struggle to survive the ruthless Imperialists grasp, vastly outnumbered and isolated from any allies, they desperately seek the Eye before the New Empire can get it first.

Following a series of clues and puzzles, the group finds their way to an ancient temple where they find the Empire hot on their heels, they battle to reach the Eye, then, a monstrous sentinel appears, eating many Imperials including Admiral Garring and Balashar, as well as Ty's husband Jasper and many of her allies.  The monster wounds Master Bandon, before Ty is able to overcome it.  Victorious and with the Empire in retreat, Ty and the others head into the ruins expecting to find the eye.

Instead, they see a mysterious figure, an ancient knight who tells them the eye has been recently stolen from under his guardianship.  He is a prince from long ago who fought in a war against his brother for the throne.  He stole the Eye from three Jedi sisters who were its original owners.  Attempting to destroy his brother, he lost control of the Eye and wiped out all sentient life in the galaxy except for a few Jedi powerful enough to resist its force.



STAR WARS:  Episode XXIII: The Lost Temple

Begins with Ty Solo seeking the three Sisters in an ancient lost temple.  She meets a young man name Gwyn who is imprisoned by the Imperials.  He tells her he known the location of the temple and Ty frees him.  Together, they find the temple and reach the three sisters, who are immortal ancient Jedi of great power.  They reveal many secrets to her and tell her they have the eye.

The sisters once guarded the eye in order to protect the Galaxy from its power, however with the Galaxy's destruction, they are willing to trade the Eye...for Ty's 10 year old daughter whom they want to train as a new apprentice.  Ty cannot trade her daughter, even for the Eye, and so leaves, feeling unresolved.

The expedition is ready to leave, they feel they have failed and want to give up, Ty feels there is still a danger from Master Bandon and the surviving New Empire.  She goes off on her own seeking an alternative power to resist the Eye.

Ty and Gwyn search ancient records for some way to defeat the Eye's power.  They stumble upon an ancient legend of a Jedi known as the Sculptor.  The Sculptor lives in a cave on a planet in a remote system.  Together they seek the Sculptor, who they find after a dangerous journey.  He is an ancient Jedi who spends his time in a deep cave sculpting hideous statues which he lines the tunnels with.

Ty asks him how to defeat the Eye, the Sculptor tells her she must be able to see the living force in order to survive, that is how the ancients are able to resist its power.  Without becoming an ancient, Ty has no way to defeat the Eye.  However, the Sculptor tells her he can grant her vision of the force which will allow her to fight against the Eye as if she were an ancient, however, the cost of this power is one of Ty's eyes.  Ty accepts.  With the power to see the force, Ty can now protect herself and her allies from the Eye of Curio.  Gwyn is captured by the Imperials.

Master Bandon reaches the lost temple, he finds the three Sisters and agrees to trade his son to them for the Eye.  Becoming all powerful he unleashing the Eye and kills all the members of the expedition who are not nearby Ty under her protection.


STAR WARS:  Episode XXIV:  Eye of the Force

Isolated and desperate, Ty struggles to protect her family from the New Empire who are hunting them down ruthlessly.  The New Empire is establishing a base of operations in this Galaxy preparing to invade the Home Galaxy.

Master Bandon has become all powerful using the Eye to accomplish anything he wants.  He musters his forces for the attack. After rescuing Gwyn, Ty confronts Master Bandon and tries to destroy him, however, despite surviving multiple attempts to destroy her, Ty cannot defeat Master Bandon.  She retreats in defeat, seeking a way to fight.

 She journeys to a distant planet and climbs a mountain to find an ancient master, known as the Gardener, he lives on the peak of the mountain and uses his force powers to warm a section right at the top, creating a green oasis amid the snowy drifts.

Ty asks him how to defeat Master Bandon, the Gardener tells her she must train in a force technique which will allow her to destroy the Eye.  He agrees to train Ty in the technique.

Ty confronts Master Bandon and after a battle, destroys the Eye, rendering him powerless.  She then blows up the command center and sends the Imperials retreating.  They return to the home Galaxy.