Rey looked out as the public transport ship she was on used its repulsors to ease itself into a courtyard landing field. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about the view—it had once been the site of the Jedi Temple—though all that allegedly remained of it was five skyscraping spires that had become the pinnacle of a large sprawling group of blocked edifices with sloping facades. No—what remained here was undeniably the Sith monstrosity that was once the Imperial Palace. She had great difficulty imagining this area as anything the Jedi could have ever inhabited—especially after having been to Ach-To.
These days the site served as a museum—to the Jedi—to the Republic—to the Sith—to the Empire. It was meant to inspire the inhabitants of the galaxy to not repeat the worst mistakes of the past. The entire complex was meant to be an elaborate warning.
Rey disembarked with the rest of those onboard. It was this place to which Rey was drawn after having come across Imperial artifacts in some of the lower and abandoned levels of Coruscant earlier. She briefly closed her eyes to shut out that episode and her disturbing behavior during it. Though she was currently playing the part of the tourist, even going so far as to join a tour group, she could not shake the ominous feeling of anticipation that had been plaguing her since she left Ach-To. It was only growing stronger.
Following after a school group that was comprised at the end of its line of two giggling younglings, a Human and a Twilek, Rey was suddenly struck by the idea of Jedi younglings walking this space. They entered the main doors and were suddenly in an impressive reconstruction of the Main Hall of the Jedi Temple. The tall columns and sculptures were intimidating and it would almost have even been convincing, if not for the absolute feeling of wrongness Rey felt upon viewing it.
Suddenly, a humanoid in golden brown robes and an identity concealing mask stepped in front of them—igniting an imposing lightsaber pike, which was a thick double-bladed weapon that produced a yellow blade. The anonymous sentinel was a Temple Guard.
The students squealed in excitement and started muttering amongst themselves in hushed tones.
For half a second, Rey had felt an urge to ignite her own lightsaber at the implied threat. However, it quickly became apparent to her that the creature in front of her was only a museum employee acting a part. He or she was not Force sensitive in the least, as far as Rey could tell.
Prying her hand off of her concealed lightsaber, Rey reluctantly followed the group, the false Temple Guard letting them all pass to enthusiastic applause from the public. It made Rey sick to her stomach.
The ensuing tour was interesting, but enough to make Rey doubt her own feelings. She felt that perhaps she had been too hasty and foolish in listening to what she felt was the stirrings of the Force. Master Luke would surely have preferred for her to stay on Ach-To instead of haring off on an ill-conceived scavenger hunt. Everything Rey had seen thus far was only museum displays punctuated by a guided tour. There was nothing that would warrant leaving her training, such as it was, to investigate.
Just like the Jedi Temple Guard they had seen, the sudden sight of two red clad Imperial Guards at the end of the corridor they were in served to intimidate. Their crimson cloaks and full face masks were intimidating enough, but their height, their utter stillness, and their Force pikes sent Rey's heart racing. The Force pikes had black handles and were long staff-like melee weapons with a vibro-edged head. Like the Temple Guard's lightsaber, Rey was certain these weapons were also real.
While passing between the two sentinels into the room beyond, the entire tour group was disturbingly silent, as if everyone present acknowledged the oppressive feeling such guards obviously inspired in all who saw them. The room they entered was as expansive and soaring as the corridor preceding it; however, it was darker with the walls and plinths left unadorned by art or statuary. In fact, the only thing in the entire room was an unassuming chair on a slight dais.
Rey let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her voice a mere whisper. "The Emperor's throne room—"
The red glow of a lightsaber ignited behind them, and more than one of the younglings in Rey's tour group whimpered and jumped in fright. Rey whirled around only to spy a double bladed red lightsaber with a circular hilt, spinning mesmerizingly in front of the wielder. The person was obviously a woman, wearing an all black Imperial uniform with a helmet that covered her face.
An eerie distorted voice echoed from the masked woman. "Hello, younglings. None of you would happen to be Force sensitive, would you?"
Emphatic denials rang out all around.
Rey was hardly paying any attention to the rest of those in her group. Despite her best effort, Rey felt a ball of dread form in her stomach. She suddenly felt as if her heart had stopped. This. This was—familiar. Angling her body away slightly, Rey felt the cold dread coil within her and spread outward. She felt as if she couldn't move or breathe properly.
The red lightsaber suddenly shut off and the woman laughed disturbingly. "An Inquisitor's weapon. Would anyone like to hold it?"
The younglings seemed reluctant and some of the other adults in the group tried, unsuccessfully, to urge a few of them to hold the weapon. Their grins and teasing had some of the younglings claiming they weren't afraid, though they still eyed the weapon dubiously.
The false Inquisitor stopped directly in front of Rey. Her voice sounded mocking. "How about you? Would you like to hold it?"
Even though the Force was blaring a warning to her, Rey, hardly being aware of her own actions, reached out a hand- much like she had when at Maz Kanata's- and lifted the curious lightsaber from the woman's hands. Immediately, Rey found herself in the midst of a vision.
The woman in front of her was suddenly someone else, though dressed much the same, with her face revealed. She was a Mirialan woman with light green skin, glowing yellow eyes, and a cruel smirk. "Well, who doesn't want to be a mother?" She quipped before resuming a fight with a female Torgruta with twin white lightsabers.
It had to have been a memory of the one that had owned the lightsaber she held. However, within the span of an eye blink, Rey was on Jakku, her surroundings so clear, she was certain she was actually there instead of experiencing a vision.
Taking stock of her surroundings, Rey found herself on top of a dune overlooking the village of Tuanal. She never approached them or wanted anything to do with their ways. Trusting that many strangers was folly on Jakku. However, they did always seem to be a cheerful lot. It was that which often drew her as close as she dared, cheerfulness being something in which Rey was often lacking. The experience felt more like memory than vision, though she could not remember experiencing any of it, she was left with a feeling of certainty that she simply must have repressed it.
"They are a bunch of fools."
The voice belonged to an old man Rey had seen before. His robes were black and his face looked haggard and weary.
Rey chose to say nothing but continued to stare down on the village. She did not necessarily disagree though.
The man continued conversationally, clarifying his topic. "The Church of the Force—"
At this, Rey let out a snort. "The Force!"
The man's voice turned sharp. "It's real, girl. However, it is pointless to learn of it from those that do not have it."
Feeling censured, Rey side eyed the man. Her tone was slightly apologetic. "I hear they talk of Luke Skywalker. I think he's a myth—"
The man's voice was slightly gravelly in its derision. "Oh, he is real enough. Another fool, that one—"
Rey shook her head slightly in disagreement. "Assuming he exists, how is it foolish to help others as the Jedi do?"
Though she could hardly conceive of the notion herself. Helping others on Jakku generally wound up with the helper being killed. She was slightly disgusted at the awe in her voice, as she had said the word 'Jedi'. It betrayed her youth in a way nothing else could.
The old man noticed and looked at her seriously. 'Where are the Jedi now, girl? For all of their power, what did they do with it?"
Studiously avoiding eye contact, Rey didn't have an answer to that and was silent for a long moment. She focused on the village and its goings on with more attention than would normally be the case. When she looked back, the old man was gone. Her interest in Tuanal was suddenly diminished. She needed to get back to her AT-AT anyway.
In the next moment, Rey was in yet a different place. With great regularity, Rey found herself at the site of the Inflictor. The ship still served to inspire some twenty-nine years after the Battle of Jakku. To Rey though, the items she found within the wreckage were more useful as a means of trade for her very survival.
Today, Rey was there and was now securing said items to the net in her speeder when the old man's voice rang out from behind her.
"The remnant of a once great Empire, reduced to the pickings of a scavenger—"
Rey's shoulders tensed. She had thought she was alone out here today. "Perhaps they should have managed it better then—"
His voice sounded slightly amused. "Perhaps. Tell me, girl, why are you here—"
At this, Rey turned to look at the man. He was looking at her affably, but there was something about it that set her on edge. It was like he was testing her. She didn't like it. She thought about deliberately misinterpreting his words but then thought better of it. "What's it to you? My family—they'll be back—"
The old man sported a look of pity on his face, but didn't spare her, his voice spiteful. "They're dead. You know it. They were nothing. What I mean is if you have ever wondered what more you could be—about your destiny?"
Rey had been living too long on Jakku to believe the old man to be sincere about her welfare. Rey shrugged noncommittally.
His smile could be deemed friendly, but it had a quality to it- a biting edge. "Maybe you could be another Gallius Rax—"
At this Rey shook her head and let out a bark of incredulous laughter. Everyone on Jakku had heard of Gallius Rax- the slave that escaped, met an Emperor, and helped rule an Empire. While Rey had idolized the Resistance, Gallius Rax was a legend on Jakku that every scavenger wished they could be. His story was one in a million. She thrust her spear into the netting. "Maybe you're delirious!"
She turned around to glare at the man, but he was already gone. It was typical Jakku. Rey thought nothing more of the encounter.
Suddenly Rey found herself at yet another location on Jakku. More often than she'd like, Rey would go to Niima Outpost. Standing in line to see the Blobfish- only to be denied a proper amount of portions- served to punctuate her desperate circumstances.
"I can feel your anger from here."
The old man sounded entirely too delighted by the prospect.
Rey turned and gave him a glare. "You'd be angry too if you were cheated, yet again."
His eyes were hooded under a cowl, but his voice was abrupt. "Indeed. You could learn to use that anger constructively—"
Rey gave the old man a dubious look. "Really—"
Rey was now back in the throne room, the room entirely empty except for the figure of the old man seated upon the throne. He was looking directly at her. She felt rooted to the spot. "I'm looking forward to completing your training. In time you will call me master—"
More borrowed words from Luke Skywalker came to her lips, but Rey was not anything like the Jedi had been in temperament in that moment, sharing none of the dispassionate composure he had once exhibited in similar circumstances. She snarled in indignation, tears coming to her eyes. Her voice was venomous and full of hubris. "You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me—"
The old man, whom she undeniably recognized now as the Emperor, sat forward in triumphant mockery. "Oh no, my young Jedi. You will find that it is you who are mistaken about a great many things—"
Rey's eyes snapped open in horror and she gasped for breath. With shaking hands she looked down at the lightsaber in her hands.
The woman in front of her spoke in a concerned tone. "Hey- are you alright?"
However, Rey wasn't listening to her. No. No, she wasn't all right. None of it was real. None of it. Every bit of it was a lie. It had to be. However, what she just experienced had felt more real than her having been on Coruscant, akin to waking from a dream only to find herself back in the unpleasant reality that had been her existence for the majority of her life. She had met the old man many times, though she had thought nothing of it. He had simply been a crazy old hermit to her. How was it even possible though? The Emperor was dead. Yet, hadn't Master Skywalker told her of his experiences with Force ghosts? Is that what she had experienced? Closing her eyes briefly she shook her head. She was fine. She swallowed thickly, bile coming to her throat. She had to get out of there. Clenching the lightsaber in a death grip, Rey took a step back.
The false Inquisitor was suddenly not so friendly. "Hey! Give that back! That's museum property!"
Rey turned and ran from what she knew was the truth. She fled through the halls of the Imperial Palace paying no attention to those that were yelling and chasing after her.
The false Temple Guard was in her direct path, lightsaber ignited, the double-bladed yellow glow meant to deter Rey from her course out of the building.
Desperate in her attempt to leave, Rey instinctively ignited the double-bladed weapon she was carrying, the twin red blades punctuated by a hiss and then a loud hum, going into an offensive position. She ran at the Temple Guard and brought one of the blades down from a high swing, which the other individual was barely able to block.
The Temple Guard backed up slightly, only to come back at her with a stabbing motion.
Rey pushed the creature away with a clash of her blade and angled the hilt so that the other blade grazed its arm before coming back into a perfect defensive stance.
It hissed in pain and clutched its arm.
The tourists in the museum were applauding as if she was part of a demonstration, but the museum employees were attempting to edge into Rey's line of site to cut her off from the exit.
Rey knew she needed to leave immediately. Extinguishing the double-bladed lightsaber, she took a running leap over the Temple Guard's head and was out the main entrance like a blaster shot. She ran quickly across the courtyard and into the first open door that she could find on the other side.
The room was a cafeteria full of tourists, where all of the workers were wearing Jedi robes. It was a jarring site to see so many people wearing Jedi robes when the only other person she'd ever seen wear any had been Master Skywalker.
Rey abruptly stopped, breathing hard, and placed the rounded lightsaber hilt into the pack that rested against her hip. Why she insisted on keeping it, she didn't know, but to her it was much the same as keeping the other lightsaber she had found in such a way. It was significant enough for her to hold on to at any rate. She walked quickly through the crowd inside, dodging tables, and made her way to an exit on the other side of the cafeteria.
Looking back, she noticed that she was no longer being followed. Either they were lying in wait or had assumed that she had already escaped the premises altogether. Rey was going with the latter conclusion. Most would assume she would have already left, which is exactly what most people would attempt to do anyway. Regardless, the population of Coruscant was such that it would be practically impossible to find her without putting in a real effort, or so she hoped.
Rey needed to find a way out of the palace complex but it was massive. She paused before another entrance that looked a lot swanker than the cafeteria had. It proclaimed itself to be the Imperial Officer's Club. If it was truly as upscale as Rey was hoping, she was certain it would have an entrance to the outside of the complex because the wealthy didn't necessarily want to mingle with tourists.
Upon entering, Rey immediately felt underdressed. The décor was just as fancy as she had thought it would be and the lighting was darker and more intimate. The patrons were all dressed in expensive clothing, even the ones that had made an effort to seem more casual- a sartorial affectation Rey had only ever seen certain wealthy individuals pull off successfully- not that she came across such people on a regular basis. Her own clothing didn't necessarily scream desert scavenger anymore, or even a Jedi vibe for that matter, but her new grey garb definitely evoked a more natural and earthy vibe that was out of place in not only the establishment in which she found herself, but on Coruscant altogether.
Rey weaved through the crowd self-consciously, her clothes drawing what she considered the wrong kind of attention. However, she felt that she had few options at this point. With only a slight hesitation, Rey lifted her chin and strode purposefully toward the bar. There had to be an exit somewhere and she was determined to find it.
Literally everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at her as she walked by.
Rey repressed the urge to shiver. 'They're beneath you, Rey,' she told herself. 'You're the dangerous one.' The thing was, Rey didn't feel so dangerous at the moment. She felt vulnerable.
The barkeep was looking at her snidely from his place behind the bar. "May I help you?"
Sauntering directly up to the bar, Rey gave the barkeep a coy smile and leaned forward as if confiding a secret. She felt like sneering, but instead, lowered her voice and hoped to whatever deity was out there that it sounded sultry. "Where is—"
It was at that moment a bunch of holo-screens activated around the establishment with Rey's face prominently displayed, followed by footage of her using a lightsaber. "Attention! If anyone has seen this woman, report her to security immediately. She is armed and presumably dangerous."
Everyone in the establishment began muttering and some were pointing at her. However, the barkeep became flinty eyed. "I need you to stay where you are—"
Rey chose to do the only sensible thing in such circumstances; she turned and ran.
Dodging startled patrons, Rey ran fast towards what she hoped was the back entrance. Instead it led straight down a corridor that housed the extremely fancy freshers-which she had discovered after trying all the doors. In frustration, she headed back in the opposite direction; however, she could tell there were others up ahead. She dodged behind a giant decorative plant that was placed strategically next to a decorative curtain that framed the entrance to the corridor itself.
Rey's heart became lodged in her throat when she noticed a Human male standing at the entrance to the corridor. Quickly assessing him, she noticed that he was clad all in black and was tall with thick dark hair and dark eyes. He had definitely noticed her. Those eyes arrested her when they looked directly into her own.
Ever so slowly, he ran his eyes over her body before coming back to stare at her intently in the eyes.
Rey had never experienced such a blatant display of whatever this was by anyone. It made her feel exposed. Her whole body suddenly felt heated. She lifted her chin defiantly. Every instinct Rey had told her that this man was dangerous.
The barkeep came running up to the man along with what was obviously a security detail. "Sir," the man panted, "you haven't seen a girl have you?"
The man seemed to reluctantly turn his head to face the newcomer. Tall, dark and dangerous was sure to give Rey away, however, his response surprised her. "What girl?"
The barkeep looked at the dark man incredulously. "The one that stole the lightsaber! The one in the footage! It's only been all over every holo-vid in the vicinity!"
Whatever look the dark man gave the barkeep had him backing up quickly. "However, no worries. You've obviously not seen her. Would you like me to seat you?"
The dark man sounded nonchalant. "No. I think I'll take my business elsewhere tonight—"
The other man trembled in fear and dissembled. "Ah- very good sir. However- we'd be more than happy to offer a drink on the house if you change your mind—" At whatever look he received, he took off quickly before waiting for a response.
As the dark man turned around again, Rey caught him mid smirk. He raised a brow questioningly at her. "Are you coming?"
Staying frozen to the spot, Rey looked at the man incredulously. However, he had already turned and was walking away, in a completely different direction than Rey had come from before. As if waking from a stupor, Rey regained her senses and ran after him demanding, "Why did you do that?"
Shrugging, the man simply replied, "Did you want to be caught?"
Rey frowned. "Of course not—but—"
The man waved his hand dismissively. "But nothing. Listen, I'm hungry. I don't feel like hanging around here. Do you have a speeder sitting around out there?"
Rey shook her head slightly. "Well, no—"
He shrugged in her direction. "Then you can either come with me or stay here. It doesn't matter to me either way- it's your choice- but I'm leaving now."
He was far too blasé to be serious about her not going with him, in her estimation. Upon further assessment, Rey noticed that the man had a very distinctive blaster rifle that she'd seen before- from when Han Solo had stolen the Millennium Falcon back from her and Finn. It was strapped to a thigh length leg holster in an almost arrogant fashion. Rey didn't trust the man before her at all and was wary. "You're not with Kanjiklub, are you?"
The man smirked at her. "No. But the fact that you're familiar with Tasu Leech's 'Huttsplitter' here has just made you even more interesting. Do you have a Kanjiklub problem in addition to stealing lightsabers?"
Rey glared at him. She deliberately ignored his quip about lightsabers. "Had a Kanjiklub problem. Not that it's your business. And they didn't really have a problem with me- per se. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyway- I can take care of myself—"
Now the man looked genuinely amused. "I'm sure you can—"
He was infuriating, Rey thought idly.
He threw open a discrete looking door and then they were outside of the temple complex.
It was approaching dusk. The view was breathtaking, if Rey was being honest. The sight of the endless city that was Coruscant was captivating, and Rey couldn't help but take it in for a moment. The traffic, the bright lights, the impressive architecture of the upper levels, and staring down where the city went on endlessly below her- she could almost believe they were back in time. This city didn't sleep and moved on no matter the state of the galaxy. It was reassuring in its own way.
Rey's eyes followed the man as he kept walking until he approached and sat on a speeder-which technically wasn't a speeder at all- but a swoop bike. To Rey it seemed to be a very dangerous choice for riding around on Coruscant. However- those bikes were rare and very nice looking.
Rey could not help but be impressed by the sleek, black mint condition swoop. She was certain her eyes showed her envy. The things she could have done with such a swoop on Jakku! Her voice was a cross between awe and derision. "That's a Mobquet Zephyr-G—"
The man motioned to the space behind him and patted the seat, making it clear he expected her to sit there. He looked at Rey in obvious challenge. His voice was lofty. "And she knows her bikes—"
Rey glared even harder at his audacity, curled her hands into fists, and then came to an abrupt decision. She was likely going to regret this. She let out an annoyed huff and crossed over to the bike and sat down roughly behind him, practically throwing herself onto it. She gripped the seat beneath her defiantly and put as much space between them as possible.
Hands already on the controls, he looked over his shoulder at her with a raised brow. "You're going to actually need to hold on to me—"
He revved the engine and sped off. The bike was angled in such a way as to free-fall at least a mile down, cutting across established traffic lanes.
Her stomach dropped and she was terrified. Rey had no time to retort before she was forced to bring her arms around his torso and hold on for dear life, leaving absolutely no space between the two of them. She felt his body heat and beneath her hands that were fisted tightly in his garments, she felt the hardness of his abs and could even smell his scent. Rey blushed red; glad the man in front of her couldn't see her mortification. Other than Finn constantly attempting to hold her hand back on Jakku- this was the closest Rey had ever been to another being since before she could remember. Her heart was beating madly. She closed her eyes tightly to ward off these unexpected feelings she was suddenly experiencing, but it did her no good.
Even though he didn't say anything, Rey somehow knew he was amused. It was like she sensed he knew what she was experiencing and she hated it; however, the compulsion she had to follow the Force was still strong. She was meant to be here as terrifying and mortifying as it was.
Down, down, down they descended. Even with the Force, Rey was so disoriented she could likely never recall exactly where they were on the planet any longer. One thing was clear; this level wasn't as well to do as the top levels, yet it was far from the worst the planet had to offer.
After feeling as if she had been falling forever, Rey was aware of them slowing down, before the man finally came to a stop and parked the bike on an active street full of cantinas, diners, and clubs.
Her heart was still pounding and Rey was struggling to regain her equilibrium, her breathing also uneven. The ride had not been exhilarating so much as it had been completely terrifying, with her short and lonely life having passed before her eyes. She scarcely contemplated that her hands were still clenched in a death grip on the man seated in front of her, when he gently pried one of her hands away from his person.
Still holding on to her hand, he gave her a smug grin over his shoulder. "You can let go now—"
The skin-to-skin contact had her gasp at the feeling, and it was confusing in that it was not unpleasant, as she usually could not stand such things. Rey pulled her hand back out of his grasp quickly, further mortified to notice that it was shaking uncontrollably. She opened her mouth to express her outrage, only to discover that her voice was tremulous. "Are you insane? You could have killed us—"
The man momentarily stilled as if the touch of their hands affected him also. However, his response was to bring attention to the fact that she still had a death grip on his person with her other hand- by grabbing it and pulling her smoothly off the back of the swoop. Tugging her along gently, the man's eyes seemed to soften even as he teased her. "You'd think a girl that dealt with Kanjiklub and stole lightsabers wouldn't let a ride on a swoop bike get to her—"
Rey almost tripped over her own feet. She could feel her pulse quicken. She quickly looked away from him, certain she was blushing again. She let him drag her along a second longer before disengaging her hand from his with a huff. He was incorrigible.
A pounding bass rhythm sounded from a darkened cantina next to them.
Rey's eyes immediately turned to it, the only thing she could see from the entrance being lights of different colors illuminating the place sporadically, multiple beings dancing, and the smell of death sticks wafting outside. Despite herself, she brought herself closer to look. Jakku did not have places like this. Even Maz's was not like this. Entranced, she moved closer and soon found herself standing just inside the entrance. There were beings that Rey did not even know existed here. However, there were enough that she did recognize, and many were dressed scandalously to Rey's eyes. They were moving in ways against each other that evoked more carnal activities, which Rey was certain should not be public. Her feet moved her further inside before she knew what she was about.
The crowd pulsed around her in time with the music.
Rey was not used to music, but the bass sound was oddly mesmerizing even though the music itself was much too loud for her taste. Her senses blared a warning to her even as a blond Human male around her age came up to her and started pushing against her in a gross parody of a dance that had her backing up quickly. Her disgust was palpable and she immediately grabbed the blaster at her side that Han Solo had given her and pointed it right between his eyes, her survival instincts kicking in. She growled at him in warning. "Get away from me—"
The man stopped and held his hands up in surrender before snarling at her. "Crazy schutta! You'd better watch yourself. Think a blaster will help you down here?"
He started coming towards her again.
Rey was now angry. She backed up warily. "I mean it. I'll kill you if you try anything—"
She backed right into a solid and tall presence. At first, she thought there was another person that meant her harm, but then she had an immediate reassurance from the Force that it was the man that had saved her at the Temple.
Her companion was glaring evilly at the other man. He looked very angry and intimidating.
Now the man that had pushed himself onto her looked nervous. He immediately backed off. "Hey- man- I didn't know the girl was with someone—"
Suddenly- he looked as if was being strangled and couldn't get enough breath. He was gagging and holding a hand up to his neck as if to ward off an unseen attacker.
Rey could not understand such behavior, but she could not believe it to be normal, limited though her interactions with others had been. She felt her lip curling up in disgust. "Ugh—what's he doing?"
The man behind her didn't answer, but he did put a hand on the small of her back. He spoke softly into her ear. "Come on—let's get out of here. This isn't where I wanted to take you—"
Dropping her arm and holstering her blaster, she let her companion continue to guide her out of the dodgy establishment, with his hand on her back the entire while. She felt tingles go up her spine at the contact. She felt his direct stare. He was intense. She titled her head to the side shyly. She didn't try to pull away from him this time.