Part I: Wookie
Chewbacca, a courageous Wookie, piloted the Millennium Falcon, a bizarre, yet powerful starship, towards the planet Ahch-To, where his long-time friend and ally, Luke Skywalker, had gone into hiding years before. Not only that, but Chewie's co-pilot and newfound friend, a young scavenger by the name of Rey, intended to begin training with Luke to become a Jedi, a symbol of hope across the galaxy, and bring down the galaxy's most powerful force: the First Order.
As much as Chewbacca was excited for Rey to meet Luke Skywalker, the Wookie had other things on his mind. The red glow, the fall, the rage, the destruction…
…the death of Han Solo, the best friend Chewie ever had, had certainly taken its toll. Losing the person who cared for him the most was something he just couldn't forgive or forget, and neither was the unstoppable, destructive rampage he went on immediately afterwards.
And the worst part of it all, was that it wasn't just anyone who murdered Han. It was the man's own son, Ben Solo, now known as Kylo Ren. Ben had already been edging closer and closer to the dark side of the Force, but the termination of his own father had sealed his fate.
Chewbacca could have killed Ben on the spot for that. He had his bowcaster, he had his motivation, and he had his anger. And yet, he didn't; the combination of grief, rage, and pity for both father and son drove him to inflict a less fatal wound: shooting Ben in the abdomen, harming him, yet allowing him to survive.
Injuring Ben Solo didn't make Chewbacca feel any better. It made him feel a lot worse, to be honest. So did the death and destruction he inflicted towards the Starkiller Base and its Stormtroopers minutes later. And now, sitting in the pilot's chair of the Millennium Falcon, Chewie had it figured out: violence doesn't end violence, it only creates a never-ending cycle of blood and hatred. Still, he had to fight—not just to avenge Han Solo, but to ensure that the galaxy will have a better future, as well.
Looking at his co-pilot, Rey, Chewbacca felt an odd emotion. Something that told him, "Everything will get better. Don't give up!" Chewbacca had a good feeling what this occurrence in his mind was. It was hope. A new hope.