Clashing green and blue lightsabers strike each other, maintaining contact for a few brief moments before the blue one spins down the green one's shaft towards the hilt. The green one barely has time to move before the blue one is locked with it again, this time the wielder pushes the other back slightly, releasing both blades. The blue blade cuts through the air, the green blade meeting it in a defensive position, the wielder of the blue pulls back just slightly and attempts to drive beneath the green blade. The green one cuts it off and the blue one retreats just slightly before coming back for the attack, the two blades crashing into each other once again. The green one comes charging up, slipping beneath the blade of the blue and touches the hilt, knocking it away from the wielder's hand.
"That's hardly fair, Dad!" protests Rey as she rubs the slight burn on her hand. "I almost had you this time."
Luke grins broadly as he deactivates his lightsaber. "That you did, starshine. It seems you've improved, getting your memory back certainly helped."
Rey nods as she summons her lightsaber while walking over to Luke's position. "I remember dueling with Nyrissa, and you, and Ben on occasion. There were other duels, but you three were the most frequent."
"Yes, Nyrissa was eager to have you as her Padawan," says Luke as they sit down on a flat rock, he offers her a hydropak, which she eagerly accepts. "I was the one who had you duel with Ben, I thought if the two of you dueled and worked together, it might help him fight against the darkness in his heart. It seems it worked, in a way. He did keep you alive, after all."
"I suppose you're right," sighs Rey before taking a long drink of water.
"Can you find it in your heart to forgive him?" asks Luke as he takes a drink of water.
Rey ponders on his question for a few moments. "I'm not sure, what he did to us was a terrible thing. He killed my friends, your students, and kept us apart for the better part of a decade. I don't think I can forgive him yet."
Luke puts a hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't expect you to yet, you're still angry at him for what he's done. I've had six years to come to terms with what happened, you're just regaining the knowledge so you can't be expected to forgive so easily or so quickly. That being said, it would serve you better in the long run to let go of your anger; hate and anger only lead to the Dark side."
"So the Masters have said," says Rey, glancing around for any sign of the Force ghosts. Luke recently taught her how to see and commune with the ghosts, and through that she has gotten to know those who meant so much to her father and her grandfather. "I think Ben had more anger in him than hate. From what I remember, he always seemed so angry when he wasn't pretending to be happy."
"Your memory is definitely returning if you've realized that," says Luke sadly. "You're correct, Ben always seemed to be angry but tried to hide it whenever he was around others. You and I were the only ones who saw how troubled he was; I tried to help him by showing him the ways of the Jedi and you tried to help him by being his friend."
Rey hums. "Dad, do you think there's still good in him?"
Luke looks up at the sky. "I think, somewhere in his heart, is the Ben we know and love. I hope to draw that part out of him and break Snoke's hold on him, but I'm worried."
"Worried about what?" asks Rey curiously.
"Two possible outcomes," replies Luke as he looks at her. "I'm worried that should I help him, I'll fail and Ben will only fall deeper into the Dark side of the Force or that he'll break free and Snoke will attempt to seduce you to be his next apprentice."
Rey puts a hand on Luke's shoulder. "You shouldn't worry about that, Dad. I've already resisted Snoke before, he tried to convince me to kill Ben when I fought him in the forest and I didn't, I resisted."
"I don't know whether to be proud or concerned even more," says Luke with a worn smile. "Regardless, I'm sure you'll be able to resist him when the time comes."
"I'm sure she'll be strong," says Anakin as he appears. "You were able to resist, Luke so I'm sure she will too."
"You were tempted by the Dark side?" asks Rey, her eyes wide with surprise.
Luke glares at his father's ghost. "I'm not proud to admit it, but yes, I was tempted. It wasn't directly; they used Leia as a means of getting under my skin, saying they would try to turn her to the Dark side. It was enough to make me angry enough to fight my father, and in that fight the Emperor told me to kill my father and take his place. I realized that what I was doing was wrong so I refused, saying that I was a Jedi as my father had been."
"Bold words," says Rey with a smirk.
"It runs in the family," says Anakin smiling. "Your mother was pretty bold too, Rey. There wasn't a chance in hell that you wouldn't be."
"Is that a compliment, Grandfather?" asks Rey wryly and Anakin nods.
"We should be heading back home, Rey," says Luke, standing up. "It's almost time for dinner and you still need to study."
Rey rolls her eyes as she stands up as well. "Why do I have to study those kriffing data pads? I remember enough of what I learned before."
"Watch your language, Rey, I didn't bring you up to swear like that," sighs Luke as they head back to the temple. "And secondly, you know the basics but there's more you need to learn and remember."
"Don't worry, I'll help you," says Anakin as Luke opens the door to the temple.
Suddenly both Jedi feel a disturbance and look up, stunned to see the Millennium Falcon appearing in the sky. Rey smiles and looks to Luke who is also smiling although she can see the worry in his eyes, she has a feeling she knows why; the ship should not be here, not even for a pleasure visit.
"I wonder why Chewie's back?" says Rey as the ship begins to land near their position.
"Rey, use the Force and feel who's here," instructs Luke as he begins heading for the ship.
Rey does as she is told and reaches out to the Force, feeling a strong presence aboard the ship, a presence that is extremely familiar to her. "Aunt Leia!" she cries and rushes to catch up to Luke.
The gangplank for the Falcon drops and moments later, Leia and Chewbacca descend. Leia looks around and sees her brother in the distance, with tears in her eyes she runs to him, he sees this and picks up his pace; they collide in a tight embrace.
"It's so good to see you, Leia," says Luke as he holds her, rubbing her back in a comforting motion. "I've missed you so much."
"Luke, oh thank the stars," she says into his shoulder, her tears wetting the fabric of his robes. "I thought I might get here too late."
"Why? What's happened?" asks Luke, pulling away from Leia just slightly.
Leia is a about to reply when she sees Rey coming up to their position and she breaks free from Luke, hurrying over to her niece and embracing her as well. "Rey! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you back on the base. I should've but—"
"It's alright, Aunt Leia," says Rey soothingly as she hugs her aunt. "I'm not angry at you, besides, I've only just recently recovered my memories."
"What do you mean 'recovered'?" asks Leia as they pull away from each other. She looks at Luke and then again at Rey, the two of them looking at each other.
"It seems I have more to tell you, Leia," says Luke as he puts a hand on her shoulder.
In the temple's kitchen Luke, Rey, Leia, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and Connix are all gathered around the small table after a meal of Luke's cooked fish, rations from the Falcon, and a seemingly never ending pitcher of blue milk. Rey sits between her father and aunt, curious as to why she is there is the first place when the Resistance needs her now more than ever. It had, however, been silently agreed between the brother and sister that the important topics would be discussed after dinner had finished.
"Now, why are you here, Leia?" asks Luke as he pours himself an after dinner glass of milk. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I thought the Resistance needed you."
"The New Republic Senate has relieved me of my duties," replies Leia briskly and Rey chokes on her drink.
Luke reaches over and pats his daughter on the back.
"Why?" breathes Rey when she is able to speak.
"They don't trust me," says Leia with a slight sigh. "Now that they know the First Order is a true threat, they want to become involved and since I'm a "loose cannon", as they put it, they need to put someone more reliable in charge. I don't know who it is but what I do know is there's something rotten in the Senate."
"What makes you say that?" asks Rey, wondering at the last second if she is even allowed to ask questions.
Leia does not seem to care. "The Senate is behaving strangely; they want to have you and Luke at their command and the Resistance under their control. They're far more concerned about their public image than they are about stopping the First Order."
Rey is enraged and confused. "But, shouldn't stopping the First Order be their only priority? They've already lost an entire system, how much more do they have to lose before they open their eyes?"
Luke strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps they don't care about stopping the First Order." Leia and Rey look at him incredulously. "Think about it, by having the Resistance and the last Jedi under their control, in theory the Senate has eliminated the two biggest threats to the First Order entirely. They're looking to appease the First Order and Snoke, not fight them."
"And I was the fool who gave them that chance," says Leia shaking her head. "When I left the Senate and started the Resistance, many Populists elected to follow my example and left as well, not enough left to shift the power completely but we lost the majority. With a Centralist majority, there's nothing to stop them from reverting the New Republic back to the Empire. Mon Mothma may have control of the Senate for the moment, but she will still yield to the democratic system. They're in the position to reshape the New Republic."
"Then we have to stop them," says Rey sternly. "Or at least convince them that the First Order is set on destroying them like the Empire never was."
Luke puts a hand on her shoulder. "They wouldn't believe you."
"Besides, this is only speculation," pipes in Connix. "If we're to accuse the Centralists of working for the First Order or at least attempting to, we'll need solid proof against them."
"That's not our concern right now," says Leia firmly. "Right now, we need to protect Rey and Luke from the New Republic. They're getting ready to retrieve you two themselves and I'm not about to let them do that."
"What are you proposing, Leia?" asks Luke curiously.
"Taking you off planet and getting you to New Alderaan," replies Leia. "Due to your association the Alderaanian people, you both have protection. You'd be much safer there than here and the New Republic won't be able to touch you."
Rey nods. "Then we should go there as soon as we can. I didn't leave one prison just to end up in another."
"If it's the only way, then I am inclined to agree," says Luke and Leia is a little surprised that her brother is going to leave so willingly. "Rey, you, Chewie, and Miss Connix need to pack our things. Take what you can to the Falcon, including what you can of the archives, just because we're leaving doesn't mean your training has to stop."
"What about what we can't carry?" asks Rey, somewhat concerned.
"I'll seal the temple against anyone who might try to steal from it," replies Luke calmly. "It was sealed when I first found it and only those who truly use the Light side of the Force can unseal it."
"Then they should get started," says Leia kindly. "As much as I want to know about how you remembered who you are, Rey, that can wait until we're all in a safer place."
"Alright then," says Rey and she stands up, Chewbacca and Connix following her. "It shouldn't take us long, will we be sleeping on the Falcon then?"
"If you want," says Luke with a shrug. "I'll be here in the temple until we leave tomorrow."
Leia seems worried. "We should leave tonight, Luke."
Luke raises an eyebrow. "Why? The New Republic doesn't know we're here and we still have to pack. Besides, it'd be better if we left in the morning when our pilot is more awake."
They all look at Chewbacca who is struggling to keep his eyes open.
"Maybe you should go rest, Chewie," says Rey kindly and Chewbacca nods, making a few weary noises to emphasize the fact. "Connix and I can pack without you just fine, besides you have to make sure that Finn's doing well."
"Threepio has that covered," says Leia. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you again, Rey. He was very fond of you when you were a child."
"I remember him," says Rey with a smile. "He was always fussing about something or other. I think that's why I preferred R2."
Luke laughs heartily and Leia just smiles.
"Go on and pack," says Luke, his eyes sparkling.
Rey leans over and kisses his cheek. "I'll be back in to say goodnight, Dad."
"Alright," says Luke and she and the others leave the dining room. When they are alone, he looks sharply at Leia. "What aren't you telling me, Leia?"
Leia lets out a long sigh, leaning back in her chair, now she knows why Luke agreed to leave, he figured out there is a more important reason to leave than the Senate. "Han always said I wasn't a true politician because I couldn't lie well, guess he was right." She looks out of the window at the darkened world outside. "The First Order attacked the Resistance base on D'Qar."
Luke is hardly surprised but he does not let on, instead he beckons his sister to continue.
"I believe the assault was led by Ben," she resumes. "I could feel him there, his presence was incredibly strong and very angry. He pushed me away from the Force and that's how I knew."
"So the Resistance has fallen," says Luke sadly. "I had hoped it would do well, especially with you leading them. You should take it as a compliment that it fell once you were relieved of command, Leia."
Leia chuckles. "I guess that's one way of looking at it, Luke. But I think he might have attacked to try and figure out your location, they're still after you and now, they might be after Rey. She was captured by them at one point, as I'm sure she told you."
"Yes, she mentioned something about that," says Luke, his eyes hard at the mention of his daughter's capture. "She also said that Ben offered to train her as his apprentice, an offer she obviously refused. Regardless, that shows he has some love left in his heart for us."
"You might be right," says Leia wearily. "Anyway, I suspect that Ben and the First Order will come for you soon, if they get the location. Luckily the only map is with R2 and he's here with you."
"That might not matter," says Luke slowly and Leia looks at him peculiarly. "Leia, when Ben killed my Jedi, he spared Rey and altered her memories completely; he hid her presence in the Force from me just like I did with the students initially. If he was that powerful at that age, then he could only have grown stronger since. He may have found a way of using the Force to extract information directly from someone's mind, willingly or not. I'm assuming that others were in the room when you saw the map?"
Leia nods and then looks worried. "I left my best officers at the base, the ones I trusted to see the map. I had been hoping to bring them over to my new rebellion but I guess that won't happen now. The First Order has probably killed them all."
"Don't lose hope, Leia," says Luke reassuringly, putting a hand on hers. "We've fought a war like this before and we won. Now that we know what we're up against, we should be alright."
"I hope so, Luke," says Leia, squeezing his hand. "We have you and we have Rey back, right now I'll consider that a major victory."
Luke smirks. "As would I."
Early the next morning, Rey wakes in her room, the sun barely rising outside of her window. She rises as she always does and stretches before heading over to the basin and pitcher, she washes her face in the clean water and when she is finished she uses the Force to dump the water out of the window. There is finality to this act that has never been there before; she knows this is the last morning she will spend at the temple, the next time she wakes up it will be on the Falcon and then it will be on New Alderaan. It almost feels like she is leaving her home. She brushes and fixes her hair, making sure to bring the thin braid over her shoulder.
'Are you sure this is right?' asked Rey, looking up at Nyrissa as she touched a thin braid on her shoulder.
The Jedi Knight nodded. 'Yes, you did it correctly. This is a big day for you, sweetling, you're finally a Jedi Padawan.'
'And then I'll be a Knight!' said Rey happily as she looked in the mirror. 'I can't wait to be a Knight, they have all sorts of adventures.'
Nyrissa chuckled. 'Padawans can have adventures too, Rey, especially if they have daring Masters.'
"You were daring, Nyrissa," whispers Rey as she touches the braid. "The way you took on Ben was proof enough. I'm sorry I wasn't able to live up to your example."
"I would disagree," says Leia as she enters the room, dressed for travel. "You're very daring, Rey, just look at all you did to get to this very moment."
Rey lets out a soft snort. "When you put it that way, I guess I was pretty daring." She then turns to face her aunt. "How do I look?"
Leia examines her niece's appearance with feigned scrutiny. "Like a Jedi and like a beautiful young woman." She looks at her sadly. "I didn't think I'd ever get to see you like this."
"Aunt Leia, it's alright," says Rey soothingly as she goes over and puts her hands on her aunt's shoulders. "What matters now is we're together again, you can't keep blaming yourself for what happened."
"I know, and I'm trying," sighs Leia. "I did come here with a reason, I didn't just barge in here to bother you."
"What is it?" asks Rey as she releases her aunt and goes to gather the things she had packed last night.
Leia reaches in to her pocket and extracts a necklace; she holds it carefully in her hands as if it is going to break with the slightest jostling. When Rey returns to her, she holds it out so she can see it. "This was your mother's," says Leia as she places the necklace in Rey's hand. "It was given to her by my mother when she came of age, it was a symbol to all of her status."
Rey looks at the small pendant, it consists of an upside down triangle with interlocking ovals. "Forgive my ignorance, but what does this symbol mean?"
"It's the crest of Alderaan," replies Leia with a touch of sadness in her voice. "I found it among her possessions when I was preparing her funeral and I didn't have the heart to bury it with her, just like your father couldn't stand to bury her with her wedding ring. We both wanted something that was hers we could touch."
"I didn't know that Dad has her wedding ring," says Rey as she puts the necklace on, the metal cold against her warm skin, she tucks it underneath her shirt for safekeeping.
"He didn't make it public knowledge," says Leia. "Han found one that was close enough to the original and that's what Evaan was buried with. We should probably get going, before your father comes looking for us."
"What was my mother like?" asks Rey as they head out of her room.
Leia laughs. "That's like asking me to describe the color of music. She was a brilliant pilot, skilled leader, craftier than most politicians, and had a heart the size of a sun. The day you were born, she told me that the love she felt for you was so great that it had spilled out of her heart and into her soul."
"I wish I could remember her," sighs Rey as they head towards the kitchen. "Dad's told me about her a few times, and I've seen so many holos, yet it doesn't feel like I know her at all. I wish I could go back and meet her, even for a moment."
"I'll tell you more about her when we get to New Alderaan," says Leia as they enter the kitchen where Luke and the others are already gathered, waiting.
"Tell her about who, Leia?" asks Luke and both women shrug.
"What's he talking about, Aunt Leia?" asks Rey with a wink.
Leia shakes her head. "No idea, Rey, I think being alone for so long has started to take its toll on your dear father."
Luke rolls his eyes. "Alright, I get it, it's a private conversation. Now, if you two are finished, I think we should head for the ship."
"Why the rush?" asks Leia wryly. "Don't you want to sit and have breakfast first?"
"We can eat on the ship," replies Luke, his voice strangely distant. "We need to hurry."
Rey then feels something too, something dark on the move. "What's coming here, Dad?"
"Danger," says Luke darkly and at once, they are all scrambling to leave the temple.
When they have their belongings, they go through the nearest door to the world outside; Rey can sense the danger even without knowing who or what it is, the air around them is still and what noise there is, it is minimal compared to normal levels. It is as if the world had stopped turning in preparation of what is headed their way.
Chewbacca, R2-D2, Connix, and Leia immediately head for the ship while Luke goes in a different direction towards the cluster of stone buildings on the cliff, the main entrance of the temple. Rey stops in her tracks and goes over to him, knowing full well what he is going to do.
"Get in the ship," instructs Luke sternly. "I have to go seal the temple and I can't do it from here."
"Let me go with you," insists Rey, the fear rising in her voice.
Luke shakes his head. "No, Rey." He cups her cheek. "It won't take me long, starshine, I'll be back before Chewie even has the engines warmed."
Rey puts her hand on his and squeezes it. "Dad, may the Force be with you."
"And with you, Rey," says Luke, leaning over to kiss her forehead before leaving for the entrance.
She watches him leave and with a heavy heart, heads for the Falcon.
Leia is standing on the gangplank looking out for the stragglers, then she sees Rey approaching but Luke is not with her, and she does not like the troubled expression on her niece's face. She says nothing as Rey walks up the plank, the two share a look that suggests they both are exasperated with Luke at this moment.
"Where's Luke?" asks Leia once Rey is onboard.
"He went to seal the temple," replies Rey as she drops her stuff in the nearest hold. "He said he'd be back soon though."
Leia shakes her head as she heads for the cockpit. "I swear that man has stardust for brains. Chewie, get this ship up and running, I want to leave the moment Luke is onboard."
Chewbacca growls back in response, he too sounding annoyed. Rey sits down in the nearby nook, mentally going over the different fighting styles and what made them unique; she figures Luke is probably going to quiz her the moment they are airborne, so she decides to spend the time preparing. As she sits there, a powerful feeling of anger and betrayal crashes over her like a rough wave, she can feel that it is primarily directed at her father. Rey summons her lightsaber from her belt then leaves the nook and rushes down the gangplank before anyone can stop her.
Luke stands among the stone huts that disguise the main entrance to the first Jedi temple, and he recalls the first time he found this apparent village. It had taken him longer than he would ever admit to figure out that this was the location of the entrance; the stones had been sealed with the Light side of the Force and a true Light side user could only unseal them. Once he had determined that, based on hours of meditation and exploring the Force around the temple, it had been incredibly easy to reveal the entrance. Now he stands at it again, this time to seal it up against possible intruders.
Using the Force, he lifts up the stones around the entrance, spinning them in the air above before binding them together in a piece that will cover the entrance seamlessly. He lowers it with a steady hand, the pieces going together without issue then he concentrates on the Force surrounding the village; he guides it to the entrance in thin ribbons, manipulating them so they fit in between the cracks in the stone. This was how the entrance was sealed when he arrived and this was how he was going to ensure it remained hidden. Replacing the seal over the main entrance will also seal the other ways inside of the temple as well. With the stones sealed together and the entrance once again protected, Luke begins walking in the direction of the Falcon.
Anger and betrayal slam against him like a shot from a blaster, it is strong and intense, he knows without searching the Force who is coming now. He begins running, trying to close the distance between himself and the ship when suddenly a dark ship enters the sky, aimed straight at the island he is on. Luke hopes that it is only one ship.
The ship begins descending directly in Luke's path and he can do nothing except stand there and watch. When it lands, Luke puts a hand on his lightsaber, he knows that whatever is on that ship is not an ally and he has to protect Rey and the others at all costs to give them a chance at escaping. The gangplank drops and down it comes at least a dozen stormtroopers, their blaster rifles primed and aimed squarely at him, the next person to come down sends a cold chill straight to Luke's bones.
The figure is cloaked completely in black, with obvious armor plating along his limbs and torso, Luke tries not to look directly at the helmet; the helmet is black as well with a headpiece that greatly resembles Darth Vader's, although it is thinner and runs closer to the faceplate of the mask. The faceplate is familiar, although there are slight changes to the silver design around the eyes.
"Luke Skywalker, at last," says Kylo Ren as he walks through the line of stormtroopers before coming to a halt just a few feet away from Luke. "You've changed a great deal in six years."
"Not as much as you have, Ben," counters Luke calmly as he stares at his nephew. "Why are you here?"
"That is not my name!" shouts Kylo, expecting Luke to flinch as his troops did when he yells at them but Luke remains calm. "And I'm here for you, Skywalker. My Master wants you and the girl to join the First Order."
"What girl are you referring to?" asks Luke although he knows full well whom he means.
Kylo chuckles darkly. "You can't really expect me to believe that you didn't feel an awakening in the Force not too long ago or have your powers been dulled from lack of use?"
Luke tries not to smirk, knowing it will only antagonize Kylo further. "Your Master must not think so if he's sending you all this way to retrieve me, Ben."
"True," says Kylo as he summons his lightsaber from his belt. "Now, come with me quietly, Luke Skywalker and your friends will not be harmed."
"What makes you think there are others here?" asks Luke curiously, even though he knows that the Falcon is not the subtlest of ships.
"I saw the ship," replies Kylo as he activates his lightsaber. "And I would know that ship among millions. I won't harm any of them if you come with me quietly and willingly."
Luke knows he has no choice now, even if he were to engage with Kylo, the stormtroopers are probably under orders to kill his friends should he attack their commander.
"Dad!" shouts Rey as she comes upon the scene, her lightsaber in hand, and she glares harshly when she sees Kylo and the stormtroopers. "What are you doing here, Ben?"
"The girl!" cries Kylo as he turns his attention to Rey. "Get her, get her now!"
The stormtroopers begin advancing on Rey's position and she stands there frozen, fear in her eyes as she looks to Luke for guidance.
"Rey!" shouts Luke before pushing two of the nearest troopers away from her. "Get out of here! Run!"
Rey is torn between staying with her father and running away from the battle, but the look on his face tells her that she needs to listen to him on this. Reluctantly she begins running towards the Falcon, tears burning her eyes. The troopers still standing continue chasing after her.
"My troopers will bring her back," says Kylo confidently as he turns back to Luke. "And you will pay for lying to me, Skywalker. You've been harboring the girl for some time now, haven't you? Teaching her your pathetic ways of using the Force."
"I was never harboring her, Ben," snarls Luke as he activates his lightsaber, he has to buy Rey and the others more time now that they have troopers on their tail. "You were the one who was hiding her from me, me and your Master."
Kylo activates his lightsaber as well. "It would have been better if you thought her dead, Skywalker, it would have saved you the pain of failing her again."
He charges at Luke and they lock blades, Luke throws him off and retreats a few steps before Kylo engages him again, swiping at him furiously. Luke easily blocks his attacks, he is not out to hurt Kylo only keep him busy until he sees the Falcon in the sky.
"Chewie, stall the engines," says Leia as she leaves the cockpit suddenly realizing that something is terribly wrong. "I have to check on something."
She heads for the last place she saw Rey and curses when she does not see her sitting there, she then heads down the gangplank and observes the flat meadow they had landed on the night before. Leia scans the surrounding area, looking for any sign of Rey or Luke; she can sense that they are in great danger even though she does not see anything to indicate what or whom. Then she sees Rey running at top speed, panic and fear on her face, and then Leia understands why; at least a dozen stormtroopers are chasing after her, blasters firing and mercifully missing her but Leia knows it is just a matter of time before she is hit.
"Start taking off!" shouts Leia from the gangplank. "We've got troopers incoming."
Chewbacca roars in protest.
"Rey's on her way, I see her now, just do as I say!" order Leia and Chewbacca begins preparing for take off. "Rey! Hurry up!"
Rey nods and picks up the pace, the adrenaline in her system kicking in just as more blasts come from behind her. She watches as the Falcon begins to lift away from the surface and drift towards the edge of the nearby cliff, she understands immediately what her aunt's plan is and while she is not thrilled, Rey knows what she has to do. She can feel the troopers closing in and she keeps her eyes focused on the gangplank and her aunt, just as the gangplank moves away from the cliff, she jumps up as high as she can. The troopers behind her continue firing. The brief moments she is in the air feel like years as she uses the Force to bring herself closer to the plank, her hands connect with the edge and she can breathe again.
"Rey!" cries Leia as she leans down to help her niece onto the surface.
When she is standing, they both rush inside just as Chewbacca brings up the gangplank, the two of them then head for the cockpit; Leia stands behind Chewbacca and Rey leans against the nearest wall, exhausted from her escape.
"Get us to New Alderaan," instructs Leia before turning her attention to Rey. "What happened down there? Where's Luke?"
"Ben was there," wheezed Rey, her torso and legs aching from the running she had done. "I don't know why." It then hits her that Luke is not with them. "Dad, he has Dad! We have to go back for him!"
Leia puts a hand on Rey's shoulder. "He wouldn't want that, Rey, you know that." Her gaze wanders from her niece's face to her abdomen and she notices blood blossoming beneath the fabric of her clothes. "You've been hit!"
Rey looks down and when she sees the blood, she slides down the wall to her knees, the pain overwhelming her. Leia is at her side immediately, holding her head against her shoulder as she shouts for Connix and C-3P0.
Rey can feel something comforting in the Force, something that allows her to close her eyes and relax against the pain. "Dad," she whispers before falling into unconsciousness.
