Disclaimer: All Star Wars characters are property of Walt Disney. Some minor characters were created by me to compliment the story.
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, favs, and follows last chapter! This is a long one, longer than I intended but this is where the plot begins to form. Enjoy
The Return
The streets were full as chatter buzzed through the crowd. Everyone was heading to the same direction of the Conference Center. Some walked in a rush, some even ran, but everyone was in a hurry. No one knew for sure what this Special Announcement from the General would be, but since they were in the middle of a war it was sure to be important. Jessika pushed past person after person until she finally found the one she was looking for.
"Alright what do you know?" she asked Poe who kept his pace and eyes straight ahead.
"Same as you, we'll find out more at the conference, now come on."
"Poe I'm serious" she kept up with his pace but kept her voice quiet from the others around them. "People are saying they saw him."
"There's been false sightings for years, can't believe everything you hear." Poe replied simply.
"Since when did you start keeping secrets from me?" Jessika asked.
"Since I became captain" Poe replied.
"So you do know something!"
"Jess.."
"You've never been a good liar."
"And you've never been patient. You'll know everything in like 2 minutes, chill." He felt something brush his leg and looked down to see BB8 rolling next to him. BB8 then gave a few beeps to Poe to which he responded immediately.
"Right, here I come" he turned back to Jessika, "Brace yourself it's gonna be big" he gave her a wink as he ran ahead with BB8 leaving a curious Jessika behind.
"Yo Jess!" She turned to Blaine and Jack catching up to her.
"Have you heard?" Blaine asked
"Yeah the towns buzzing with this rumor" Jessika replied.
"This ain't no rumor, he saw him." Jack pointed to Blaine.
"No lie. He's real and he's alive" Blaine confirmed.
"This is going to be huge for us" Jack said looking at Jessika who had a smile building on her face.
"Let's get to that conference!" She yelled and dashed forward with her two team members following right behind her.
Finn's run came to a stop as he finally arrived at the docking. There in front of him was the Legendary Millennium Falcon. The ship he didn't realize would change his life forever; the ship where he was introduced to a new path, a new purpose, and new friends. And there next to the ship, was the one that began the journey on Falcon with him.
"Rey…Rey!" Finn shouted as he jogged straight ahead.
Rey turned toward to voice and saw a cheerful face that brought joy to hers. "Finn!" she yelled as she jogged to meet him half way.
The two came closer ready to embrace one another until Finn was scooped up by a pair of giant harry arms. Chewbacca lifted Finn high as he screeched with joy bringing him into a tight squeezing embrace.
"Oh hey Chewie, good to see you too big fella" Finn said being put back to the ground.
Chewbacca roared and cocked his head to the side as if waiting for a response. Finn could only blink as the rest of his body stood stunned with confusion.
"...er right." Finn said as he looked around hoping to find an answer to this foreign speech. "Um good, yourself?"
Chewbacca roared more and waved his hands in animated fashion.
Finn stood wide eyed and confused but decided to give it another try. "Yeah man uh crazy but hey I'm just glad you're all back."
Chewbacca gave out one last roar before he patted Finn on the back and moved back to the ship to grab more baggage.
"Good guessing" Rey said in between her giggles.
Finn scratched his head as he gave a response, "Yeah well I didn't want to be rude, he seemed like he was being nice."
Rey nodded, "He was" she confirmed.
For a moment they just stood there, staring at each other, until they finally came in for a slow hug. They held the hug for a moment, both of them happy to see each other under a much more pleasant circumstance than the last time they saw each other. Rey came to a realization and broke the hug.
"Your back, you're walking" She stated happily. "I was so worried."
"Yeah they fixed me up pretty good and they even sowed my jacket!" Finn turned around to show Rey.
"Great, it suits you" Rey said.
"Oh, really?" Finn turned back around quickly and gave his head a scratch.
"Yes and I'm just really glad you're alright."
"Thanks. You look good." Finn said returning her compliment.
"Oh, well" Rey looked down shyly.
"You have the robes." Finn continued, "You're a Jedi!"
"Yeah! Well I'm in training, but I can do some cool stuff." Rey stated with her excitement growing.
"Can you fly?"
"No." Rey began to make hand gestures to help her description, "But I can move stuff with my mind and throw them."
"No way!" Finn said wide eyed.
"Yeah want to see?"
"Yeah come on I'll take you to the Training Center."
"Ok!" Rey said as Finn took her hand and they began to rush off.
"Ahem!" Leia cleared her throat quickly gaining their attention and bringing them to a stop.
"Oh hey General" Finn realized their lack of professionalism and released Rey's hand but tried to play it off. "Please let go Rey." Finn said which caused Rey to glare at him for the false accusation.
"Come, I'm sure everyone will want to know Luke Skywalker is alive." Leia stated and began to walk toward the Conference Center.
With all her enthusiasm suddenly gone, Rey followed. Behind her Chewbacca and R2D2 followed and then Luke who Finn realized he somehow forgot.
When they arrived at the Conference Center they entered through the back. The guards greeted Leia but seemed starstrucked at the site of Luke. Leia proceeded to move forward with the others behind her, she didn't feel the need to address anyone's curiosity at the moment since everyone would know the truth soon enough. Once they got close to the stage, Leia turned to Luke.
"I realize this may not have been the first thing you were expecting, but considering we are in war, time is of the essence. I figure it is best to let our fighters know they're efforts are making progress" Leia said.
Luke nodded, "Let me see" he peeked around the corner to see the large crowd that he could hear the moment they arrived at the Conference Center, hesitation hit him for a moment. "I must admit, it has been a long time since I have spoken to such a crowd but what has to be done has to be done" he said to Leia. Leia nodded and left the group to approach the podium at the center of the stage.
"Attention" she spoke into the microphone yet it was still difficult to have her voice heard over the enormous crowd that was still loud with several conversations going rapidly. "Attention! Listen up!" The General's voice and presence was finally noticed by the audience where some voices could still be heard but for the most part had quiet down.
"As you all know, a big reason for this war is the loss of Jedi in our Galaxy to protect us. Recently I gave a mission to follow a lead to help locate and retrieve a Jedi rumored to have been seen on a distant planet. I am proud to say that the lead was accurate." Chatter rose again in the crowd causing Leia to raise her voice, "This is sure to be a sign of great things to come as we now have the Jedi among us."
Leia left the Podium while the crowd noise continued. She walked back to the others leaving Luke the opportunity to speak. Both Rey and Finn watched in wonder as Luke slowly began to walk to the podium. As Luke came into sight, the audience fell silent for the first time during the conference; his footsteps could be heard until he finally reached the podium. Luke adjusted the microphone and looked up at the crowd; the large Conference Center was filled corner to corner with various species staring at him in awe. Luke took a moment to reflect on the fact that he once walked amongst this kind of crowd before the war began. His hesitation ended and the Jedi Master finally spoke.
"Hello, my name is Luke Skywalker. I am a Jedi of the Old Republic that defeated the Empire in the previous war" if it were possible, Luke saw eyes grow even wider as he confirmed their suspicions. "Many years after that war and before the one today, the Dark Side still lurked amongst the galaxy searching for vengeance and power, as a result, I had a student who went rogue." Luke paused for a moment and glanced at Leia who stood strong but cast her eyes at the floor. He looked back at the crowd and continued, "He was strong by nature and was corrupted by the Dark Side, his name is Kylo Ren a member of the Knights of Ren, an army of Snoke. Snoke is someone who wishes to birth a new Empire so he used Kylo to ambush his fellow young Jedi leaving just me and him to be the only ones remaining." Luke paused again trying not to be affected by his own words and memories, he forced himself to continue. "Even with this, Snoke's army was not strong or large enough to rule without the element of surprise. So they went off to grow their army. The citizens of the Old Republic had to relocate for safety and for the safety of the people I had to leave. I was the last Jedi, anyone around me would be in danger." Luke scanned the audience to see the reaction of his last statement, one that he hated to be true but it was the truth nerveless. The audience stayed silence and patient waiting to hear more, Luke continued. "So I left in hopes that they would find me and I would and I would bring them down. Since then I have met Snoke and the Knights of Ren a few times only to consistently find us in a stalemate. I regret to inform you that I failed my goal and now Snoke's army has grown into the First Order which you now fight. They are your enemy, Snoke is your enemy" Luke gave another quick and reluctant glance at Leia, "Kylo is your enemy. Their numbers are great but I see the Resistance has grown as well and I have returned to join you."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause at the end of the speech. Luke left the podium and rejoined the group as Leia approached the podium to address the ecstatic audience. "Attention everyone. Attention! I want to confirm my confidence that this will elevate our chances greatly. There will be more news to come but for now carry on with your daily tasks. Dismissed."
Leia left the podium for the final time to approach the group, "Luke, if you'll come with me we have matters to discuss. Finn if you'll please show Rey around. I'll find you both later.
Rey didn't understand, in fact she was upset as she watched Leia immediately walk off with the guards and Luke following her.
"You alright Rey?" Finn asked.
Rey turned back to him to respond, "Yes just big news."
"I know, this is great. Just look at the reaction for you two" Finn said.
This made Rey smile, he said two, she thought.
A series of beeps went off as a BB8 rolled up toward them much to Rey's delight.
"BB8!" she kneeled down next to droid. More beeps went off rapidly to which Rey responded, "I know, I wasn't hoping to be gone so long but I'm glad to see you." Another series of beeps followed, this time Rey grew full of humility as she turned to Finn with her face beaming.
Finn looked as if he was caught in headlights, he had to act fast. "I don't know what was said but I think I have an idea because we've been through this before" Finn said as he glared at BB8 who rolled behind Rey for safety.
"Anyway" Finn continued as he scratched his head, "If BB8 gave any idea that I was waiting for you, it's only because I wanted to thank you, for defeating Kylo."
"I only returned the favor" Rey said standing up to meet him. "You stood up to him first, to protect me."
"Well of course" Finn voice cracked which he played off as a cough. "I mean that guy is bad news, I know his history.
"How much do you know?" Rey asked suddenly turning serious.
"What do you mean?" Finn asked surprised at this quick change in tone. Before she could answer a voice interrupted.
"There you are buddy" Poe said from the doorway, "Come on we got business to take care of, Finn I'll catch you later." BB8 rolled out to catch up with Poe who already left in a rush.
Rey relaxed and turned back to Finn, "Actually a tour sounds great if you don't mind."
Leia entered her office followed by Luke. She turned to her brother, the one she grew up without and the one she hasn't seen in years. It wasn't an ideal family, but they were family and she missed him.
"You did well out there" Leia said.
"Yes, actually I'm surprised at their reaction since I've been gone so long" Luke replied.
"You're a hero Luke, that is a legacy that will never be forgotten" she said firmly.
Luke sat down before responding, "That was long ago, time has changed and my failure has brought consequences."
Leia decided to take the conversation in a different direction, "How were things with Rey?"
Luke looked up at Leia, "The training itself has been successful, she's a strong one." He paused before continuing, "I'm not strong enough to defeat the Dark Side and I'm not strong to talk to her, if those people out there knew this, they would not be cheering."
"Don't say that!" Leia cried. "We didn't ask for this life, no one prepared us to deal with all of this. No one taught you, no one taught me, no taught Han-" she stopped to compose herself.
Luke stood up to embrace her in a hug, "It must have been rough for you" he said.
"So you did know?" Leia asked.
"At one time we were very close, I felt his disappearance" Luke relied as he recalled the memory. I'm sorry I couldn't return then, there would be too much attention drawn for a proper burial."
"He was a good man" Leia said causing Luke to release her and raise his eyebrow. "Well not a saint but you know what I mean." The two siblings shared a laugh as they hugged each other once more in silence as they took a moment to remember their friend.
"Han Solo definitely left his mark" Luke stated as he released Leia again.
"That's for sure" Leia replied doing her best to regain her composure, "And we can't let his death be in vain, there is work to do. I actually have some news you'll be glad to hear, there is another Jedi for you to train."
Luke was surprised but greatly interested, "Who?"
"So you can use the Force that's what I've been feeling" Rey nearly shouted after Finn broke the news to her.
During their tour, Finn and Rey took the opportunity to catch up with each other, mainly talking about after Finn woke up from his coma and what life in the Resistance was like. Rey was fascinated by the daily routines, people, and training that Finn described. They came to a stop by the shore of the River when Finn mentioned being Force Sensitive.
"Are you doing Jedi training?" Rey asked.
"Sort of, with General Organa" Finn replied.
I guess that's the name I'll have to get used to now, Rey thought as Finn continued.
"She never took up the ways of the Jedi but she's been teaching me to enhance my Force awareness, that's how I knew you all arrived."
Rey just nodded.
"Hey what about you, you been training with the great Luke Skywalker!" Finn shouted in excitement.
Rey took a step around in thought before responding, "Yeah, I imagine your awareness must have already been awakened if she helped you enhance it" Rey said avoiding Finn's comment, which slightly surprised him.
"Yeah guess that's how I kept myself alive all these years" Finn said. Rey just nodded and stayed quiet so Finn decided to switch up the conversation.
"Hey so show me what you got, I want to see some mind throwing."
This perked Rey up, "Ok but I can't lift anything heavy yet" she stuck her hand out and closed her eyes.
"If you can lift a pencil I'll be impre.." Finn was cut off by seeing a rock floating in front of his face, followed by a second, both swirling in the air until one shot forward and glided through the river.
"That's amazing!" Finn shouted. Rey laughed keeping her eyes closed. Finn felt around the rocks as if looking for invisible strings.
"What are you doing?" Rey asked opening her eyes.
"It's incredible" Finn responded.
"Finn! My eyes are open; I usually have to seriously concentrate." Rey said making Finn chuckled as he was still in amazement. "Are you helping?" she asked. "No this is all you" he confirmed.
"See how high you can throw one" Finn suggested.
"Ok stand back" Rey dramatically crouched down and swung her arm to launch the remaining rock up high in the air with great speed.
"Woah it's like a rocket." Finn watched the rock disappear in the sky.
"We should move in case it falls" Rey suggested.
"Oh right" Finn replied and followed her lead to taking a few steps over.
"Man can you imagine the possibilities with this? You don't have to get out of your chair if your thirsty, just bring the cup right to you" Finn joked while still looking at the sky causing Rey to laugh.
"What an imagination" she said.
"Hey what's the point of powers if you can't have fun once in a while?" Finn offered to which Rey nodded.
"Good point. You have got to learn how to do this" she said.
"Yeah you think Master Luke will teach me?" Finn asked.
Rey's smile stayed but her eyes fell along with her demeanor, Finn noticed.
"Or Master Rey?" he offered.
Rey's eyebrow raised at this question.
"Come on I'll put this stuff to way better use than you" Finn teased.
"Oh really?" Rey asked while put her hands on her hips.
"Yeah and not just for fun, I'll be Finn, hero of the galaxy!" Just then the rock from earlier fell to the ground hard behind him causing him to jump startled.
Rey burst out laughing, "Nice bravery hero"she doubled over and continued her laugh, a laugh she long forgot she had, a laugh so pleasant Finn had to join in.
The bar was lively that night, full with familiar faces and even some new ones. To Rey this was all new, she stayed by Finn near the bar stand taking in the scene before her. Everyone wore a smile on their face, drinks were everywhere, and there was even a short curly haired guy attempting to dance on the bar stand.
"Is every night like this?" Rey asked
"Only when we have something to celebrate" Finn responded.
"What are we celebrating?"
He turned and made a gesture toward her and replied, "Our new celebrities."
"What?" Rey said pleasantly surprised. "I doubt anyone even knows I'm here."
Just then the man on the bar stand pointed to her and began to sing into his bottle.
"For she's a jolly good fello!"
"Damn it Blaine!" Jack yelled and marched up to bar stand and grabbed his friend to put an end to the foolishness. Rey watch the scene in shock yet amusement until a voice came behind her.
"You're more popular than you think" Rey turned to see the owner of the voice.
"Welcome aboard Ms. Jedi" Poe said sticking out his hand.
"Thanks but you can just call me Rey" she replied shaking his hand.
"Cool, I'm Poe Dameron but you can just call me the best pilot in the universe."
"Always talking it up for the girls huh Poe" Jessika said as she walked up to the three of them.
"Hey I was always taught women appreciate honesty" Poe joked and winked his eye at Rey.
Finn immediately stepped in the middle "Haha good one buddy." Poe and Jessika shared a grin understanding what Finn just did.
"Well hope you're willing to step down Finn cause tonight we got a new champ" Jessika said extending her hand to Rey, "Jessika Pava" her hand was accepted and given a response. "Rey" And that's the only name she was willing to give.
"That's cool with me, I prefer Finn anyway" Finn stated.
He received an elbow shove from Poe, "It does have a nice ring to it. "Come on Jessika I owe you a drink."
"And your drink is on me tonight champ. Just put it on my tap" Jessika said to Rey before walking off with Poe.
"Guess I'll make it easy for her, water please" Rey said to the Bar Tender.
"One for me too" Finn said causing Rey to turn to him.
"You don't drink?" she asked.
"Nah in the First Order alcohol was smuggled in and usually resulted in troopers fighting and being too sluggish for training so I never got into it" Finn replied.
"I see, on Jakku I also saw the negatives of alcohol. It usually increased the stupidity of the already dumb" Rey said in disgust recalling some people she was glad to not be around anymore.
"Well then how about the coolest toast of the night" Finn passed Rey a glass while raising his own, "To health!"
"And wisdom!" she followed bringing her glass to his.
At the end of the night, the liveliness finally died down. Finn and Rey said their goodbyes for the night and Finn showed Rey to her quarters.
"Here you go." Finn said when they arrived and stepped aside to let her enter.
"It looks nice" Rey commented. It was a simple wide room with a soft bed and small closet, nothing fancy but to Rey it was, "luxurious" she finished.
"Yeah and it's all yours" Finn said.
"Where will you stay?" Rey quickly realized how her question could be misinterpreted, "I'm only asking because I haven't been here in a while and not too familiar with the area."
"Ah well you remember the Mess Hall I showed you? I'm the first house next to it. I figured it be easy to navigate in the area by being in the center" Finn replied.
"And it's close to the food" Rey stated.
"Hey, a man's gotta eat" Finn said causing Rey to laugh.
"I don't blame you" she said. They then stood there for a moment not sure of what else to say.
"Well then, uh good night Rey" Finn said backing out the door.
"Good night Finn" she held her smile for a moment after he left. She then turned back to her bed when she heard a knock at the door.
"Yes" Rey asked curious to who would be visiting her. She was surprised to see Leia enter her quarters.
"I was hoping to catch you before you went to bed" Leia said, but Rey said nothing in return. "It's good to see you dear" Leia embraced her in a hug that Rey was reluctant to return.
"I wanted to talk earlier but we had business to take care of, I hope you understand."
She didn't.
"Look at you. You turned out to be so strong" Leia said finally giving a comment that made Rey respond.
"I had no choice" she replied with a serious tone.
Leia's face fell as she tried to find the right words, "I hated that you were so young. But we can't change the hands that we are d.."
"It's been a long day" Rey interrupted, "I was hoping to turn in and get an early start. There is much business to take care of."
Leia fell quiet for a moment as Rey turned toward her bed. "Yes, good night dear" Leia said walking out.
Author's Note: This chapter signifies a few things: Rey's return to Finn based off the end of TFA, Luke's return to the New Republic, and the return of Jedi to the Galaxy. I did my best to show the importance of each. What did you think of everyone's reactions?
The minor characters I made will not have a significant role or appear in every chapter, I just wanted to give the Resistance some life and personality. Also, what do you think of Jessika? She's in a unique situation because her character is so popular yet we don't know much about her which gives me a lot of freedom to write.
Lastly, I want to note that I don't have a problem with alcohol use but considering Finn and Rey's upbringings, I figured they wouldn't have been in many environments like that. So when I wrote the bar scene I found it to make sense that they would isolate themselves and rather just enjoy each other's company. Plus, you know you like that toast!
Till next time, Later
