I wanted to upload a second chapter because the first one is so elusive(and not really a chapter). I want to give the forewarning that it does jump often from preTFA and postTFA, and I'll make sure I label it for clarity.
Thank you already for the HUGE response! I can't believe it already.
10 years ago.
It was a beautiful day in the city of Alessia. The skies were a warm red and gold, and the colors mixed together in a exquisite display of the atmospheric winds. The weather was perfect and crisp, and in the air, it almost seemed as if there were bits of stardust twinkling everywhere you walked.
The planet Angria was known for its gorgeous fields of red flowers that endlessly appeared everywhere you stepped. Even in the towering city, red flowers danced upon buildings and towers and homes. It seemed to be impossible to find a place where these red flowers did not grow.
However, standing in the very heart of the bustling city of Alessia was The Palace that had no red flowers, but that of gold.
Golden flowers surrounded The Palace for what seemed like miles, separating the kingdom away from the city and yet somehow being in the very center of it all. The Palace was made of moonstone, shining always in a bright, white light and causing everything around it to have a soft glow. It seemed as though The Palace was a force of Light, and that it was the reason why Angria shimmered so brightly in the sky.
Approaching The Palace were two gentlemen, a Padawan and his Master. They were heading down a long stone pathway, surrounded by golden flowers and a small stream of water lining the walkway. The gentlemen were visitors of another world, traveling to Angria for a very special exchange.
"Master Luke," the younger of the two spoke as his long white robes swished around his ankles,"I don't mean to prod, but why are we here?"
The older golden haired gentlemen frowned a bit, shifting his belt and saber hilt,"The King of this planet owes me a favor from several ages ago. His treasury has some ancient objects that only provide worth to a Jedi Knight, and he offered to present it to me. His library, too, provides extensive knowledge on our past that both of us must fully study."
"I see."
"We will spend some time here learning about our history, as I believe this collection will be the largest we will find."
The raven haired boy remained silent.
"Ben Solo, do you not wish to be here?" Luke pressed in a firm tone, crossing his hands over his chest as they strolled.
"I do wish to be here, Master Luke."
"Then why are you facing apprehension to my words?"
Ben shook his head,"It is not apprehension. I simply wished to continue our previous trainings."
For the past 7 months, Ben Solo had been training in the ways of The Force. He had been alongside Master Luke all over the galaxy, learning how to move objects, manipulate will, and read into another person's mind. He had been learning the Jedi Code, ways to fight, and ways to defend. For 7 months, Ben Solo felt like he was training to be a Jedi Knight, and that on this path, he would rapidly become everything he wanted to be. And yet now, they were stopping for a study break.
Master Luke often had random excursions, yet they were mostly interesting. This one; however, seemed like a bore.
"That will come in time. You must be aware of why you are the way you are to grow." Luke wisely spoke as the two approached The Palace's gates. The beautiful, shining Palace seemed to sparkle brighter as they neared. Ben's dark eyes seemed to glow, as if they were soaking up the light, and instantly, he felt that he could breath freer. His steps became easier and his garb lighter.
"It's the effect of the moonstone," Luke informed, taking in his own deep breath as he referenced The Palace's construction,"It is said to be created from The Light, and that those who practice the ways of The Light will be granted clarity and release when nearby."
Suddenly, the pounding of hooves on pavement became apparent. The two men's eyes fell on a pair of figures approaching from the outskirts of The Palace. They were moving dangerously fast, and when they neared, it appeared to be riders on guarlaras. The horse-like being, a guarlara, came from the northern mountains of Naboo, and were seen to be majestic, royally bred creatures. They stood 7 feet tall with long, swooshing tails and large hooves that moved at amazing speeds.
One guarala was a slate gray with white hooves and mane, mounted with a gold seat. The other, however, was different. It was pure white, mounted in a same silver seat.
"I've never witnessed such a creature," Luke murmured, his bright eyes watching the white beast near. His eyes focused in on the rider, and simply smiled. Of course.
Ben beside him spoke,"I cannot read who they are."
It was unlike Ben to be unable to practice the most basic Force training. Normally, he was amazing at reading who someone was before they neared; however, the approaching figures were like a blank wall.
Luke chuckled lowly and placed a hand on his Padawan's shoulder,"You cannot read them until you are much stronger. They have had much practice blocking out basic tracking with the Force." The guarlaras stopped a few feet before the two vistors, and the riders dismounted.
The first that approached was a large man with dark raven hair swinging by his shoulders. His attired was that of golden armor, shaped and formed to a tight, muscular body. His face was pale, and his eyes were shinning an emerald green. He stood tall, and his presence was overbearing.
"King Sarthar Graze," Luke said aloud, standing a bit taller to match.
The King gave a hardy laugh,"Luke Skywalker, I thought you'd be dead by now."
"And I thought you would've aged after 10 years," Luke retorted, flashing a smile. The atmosphere was calming, but Ben found himself unable to believe that a King would start on the conversation of death as an introduction.
Luke's eyes fell on his pupil and he introduced,"My Padawan, Ben Solo."
Ben weakly smiled and stepped forward,"Your planet is beautiful. I have never seen air glitter the way it does here."
"It is a thing you get used to," A light voice chimed in from behind the King. Ben's dark eyes floated to that of a woman approaching. She wore a golden riding jacket, adorned with white plates of armor. Trailing behind her was an off-white cape made of what seemed like the softest of fabrics. Her pants were tan, and her boots were a caramel chocolate, clicking against the stone as she stopped before the two visitors.
He thought she was a warrior with the improper way she spoke, and based on the long, gleaming sword attached to her hip. It was a weapon to kill, not simply for show. Perhaps she was the protection to The King. How did she get away with being so informal? However, Ben couldn't stop watching her.
"Speak kindly, Princess," The King gently warned, holding his arm out to introduce his own.
"Luke Skywalker, Ben Solo, I'd like to introduce you to my daughter Princess Kai."
Thump thump.
Ben thought this 'formal' act was going to be simple. He thought this would be a trip of study and just that from his conversation with Master Luke. He knew that Jedi could not feel the emotion of passion, desire, or need. However, when Princess Kai stepped forward, Ben found himself in conflict.
She was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen.
Her skin was that of moonlight. He thought it had to be made of white silk from how smooth it appeared. Her eyes were colored like the deepest part of the sapphire oceans, and sparkled as if she had the stars in her eyes. Her round face was adorned with a tiny nose, rosy cheeks, and red lips that were so perfectly placed on her face. Ben found his breath get trapped in his throat, and found swallowing became increasingly difficult.
He tried to look away to avoid the awkwardness that came with being 17 and in the presence of Princess Kai, but he couldn't. She was unreal.
Ben; however, frozen when he found her eyes watching him just as he was watching her.
Princess Kai's gaze was trained on his face, and her lips parted ever so slightly that Ben nearly choked.
Was there something on his face? Was she staring at his larger nose in comparison to her small, petite one? Was she confused? Why was she staring? Could she tell that his heart was beating faster and was about to fall out of his chest?
Her expression was soft, and almost mesmerized as it washed over him. Time seemed to freeze. They were no longer on Angria, or surrounded by golden flowers and a King and Jedi Master. It was just the two of them, and she didn't look away from him as he didn't look away from her.
Ben Solo didn't know what to do in that moment as words were lost, so he did what he heard of in fairy tales from his mother and father. He grabbed Princess Kai's hand, and without words or introductions, kissed it.
Present Day.
Kylo Ren awoke with a start.
Breath returned to his body and he instantly became alert. No longer was he on the snowy landscape left to die, but in a bed. A familiar bed. His own bed on a First Order ship. Obviously not the Starkiller Base, as it was destroyed, but a new one. A sigh escaped his throat as his eyes floated over to his mask, set down on a table beside him. So The First Order did come and save him. They should've left him to die.
Kylo Ren let his eyes fall shut. What a nightmare to be outdone by the scavenger girl. He would make her pay. He would slit her throat with his lightsaber and watch the red blood pool from her tiny body. He'd do it in front of all the Resistance and show them how weak they were. He would show them revenge for making him look foolish.
The man reached to his face, remembering the blood wound that was left in remembrance of his loss. However, when he went to feel the coarse scar that would be left behind, he felt nothing but unmarred skin. His gloveless hand roamed his cheekbone and felt nothing unusual under the pads of his fingers.
How was that so?
He remembered the scavenger ripping apart his face, and now there was nothing there of the sort. Healing was only an art of the Light, and therefore he found it difficult to believe that anyone on the First Order ship would be able to completely remove the wound and scar. Kylo Ren frowned deeply, removing himself from his bed. It was a petty thing to think about such trivial things.
Quickly, he dressed himself in his black cloak, trousers, and armor. Surprisingly, he felt no soreness and no pain from his near death experience. He felt amazing. He felt strong and focused. He felt lightness in his movements and acuity in his thoughts. Kylo Ren gazed down to his mask, grabbing a hold of it and covering his face.
He strode out of his room, and up a few flights to the great, big, steel gray doors. With a wave of his leather gloved hand, the door clicked and an low echoing sound preceded the doors opening before him. Kylo Ren walked down a large black pathway, only to be halted by the appearing hologram of his master.
"Supreme Leader," Kylo Ren began, speaking through his filtered mask,"I am awake and await the next assignment."
The hologram frowned. His skull-like appearance and sunken expression seemed to grow darker. "Are you so sure?"
The masked man responded quickly,"I am, Supreme Leader Snoke."
"I do not think so."
Kylo Ren froze. What did he mean? Of course he was ready to get back out there— he felt amazing and was full of rage against the scavenger.
Snoke then bellowed,"You have been touched by light."
The masked man felt his heart unusually thump in his chest. "What do you mean?"
"You do not remember," Snoke pressed. Kylo Ren felt the room's air grow thicker, and the mask became more of a burden to breath. What was the Supreme Leader speaking of? What light? The last thing he remembered was being left alone in the cold snow to die… There was no light in that. Only sadness and anger.
"The source of light is great to ensure your forgetfulness," Snoke murmured, his sunken eyes narrowing. Kylo Ren swallowed, his hands tightening in anger. These riddles were not helping. And if he defended whatever Snoke was trying to accuse him of, he would be slaughtered on the spot.
"I wish to be placed on my next assignment, Supreme Leader," Kylo Ren insisted through his mask. He was thankful the mask concealed his beads of sweat brimming on his hairline.
The hologram was silent for a moment. The old face seemed to be thinking. It was several long, painful moments before Snoke spoke,"Kylo Ren, show me how an interaction with the scavenger will not destroy your purpose. Let the universe burn."
"Yes, Supreme Leader."
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