18 Years Earlier
Rey was not sure what she thought Jedi training would be like but this certainly wasn't it. When she had imagined studying under the legendary Luke Skywalker, Rey had pictured herself mastering the skills of a Jedi with ease. In her head, she learned to wield the force without struggle. She became an expert with a lightsaber in a week. This imaginary Rey was the greatest Jedi to ever live. The reality of the situation was quite different. Training with Master Luke meant meditating in the cold rain for hours on end. It meant spending an entire day trying to move a rock. It meant living in damp cave. It meant listening to Skywalker prattle on and on about letting go of all attachments, about being one with the force. Rey tried to listen and to learn, she really did. But she had begun to wonder if this was really the life for her. As a scavenger, she'd had no choice about what to do with her life. Now that she had a choice, Rey was afraid she was choosing wrong.
"Rey, you aren't very focused this morning." Master Luke looked up from his meditation, focusing his intense gaze on his pupil. It always made Rey nervous when he looked at her that way, as though he could see in to her soul.
"Sorry Master," said Rey guiltily. "I'm just tired, is all." She attempted to return to her meditation but was unable to clear her mind. Rather than finding her center, Rey found distractions.
"Rey, I think we need to have a talk." Master Luke rose to a standing position and motioned for his student to do the same. He led her over to a flat, grey stone on the edge of the cliff and sat down. Rey followed suit. "I have noticed that you seem restless, unsure. I worry that you are regretting your decision to come here." He looked at Rey with such kindness that she felt she had no choice but to be honest.
"I… well training is just not how I thought it would be. I was trapped on Jakku for so long, with no options. I wonder if maybe I didn't fully examine my options before I committed to this." Rey looked at Luke nervously. "But don't want to give up, I don't know what I want."
"I'd like to be able to give you an answer but only you can decide. If you decide to leave, I understand. The life of a Jedi is difficult and lonely, it's not for everyone." Master Luke squeezed Rey's hand briefly. "If you choose to stay, I expect you to be fully devoted to your training. Whatever you choose, just make sure it's right for you." He stood up and turned to face Rey. "Why don't you take a day to decide? I'll give you some time alone." He walked off, leaving Rey more confused than ever. She sat on that stone for what felt like days. Did she really want to be a Jedi? She thought she did, she thought she wanted it more than anything. But maybe not, maybe it was just what everyone expected of her. Were her motives for beginning training completely pure? Was it because she wanted to truly belong to the light side of the force or was it something darker? Maybe this was about revenge, about avenging Han Solo. Perhaps she this was about Kylo Ren. After all, training with Luke Skywalker would be her best chance of defeating the monster. That horrible creature who had stabbed his father, who had put Finn in a coma. That monster, with his big dark eyes. With his sad, soulful face. His gorgeous raven curls, his impossibly tall frame. Rey shuddered and it had nothing to do with the cold air. She wouldn't think of him anymore. But what to do about training? If she wasn't a Jedi, then who was she?
Before she knew it, night had fallen over the island. The air had grown even colder but the clouds had cleared, allowing the stars to shine brightly. It was very quiet; the only sounds were the waves crashing on the rocks far below. Rey got off the stone, she knew what she had to do. It may break Master Luke's heart, but Rey had to do what was best for her. The former student began to walk in the direction of the cave, where Luke was waiting. She never made it. Rey had only taken a few steps when she noticed a small ship flying silently above the island. It landed just as quietly as it had flown, three black cloaked men got out. They started towards Rey. She reached for her lightsaber, only to discover she had left it in the cave. One of the intruders pulled some sort of weapon from his belt. It resembled a blaster, but when he fired it at Rey it shot her with some sort of electrical impulse. She fell to the ground, twitching and unable to speak. The pain blurred her vision and made it impossible to think. The men gathered around her, looking at her as though she were a grand prize they had won. "Hello Scavenger," one of them snarled. "Our master is quite eager to see you." Something struck Rey on the head and everything went black.