Darkness is all Luke can see, he feels a wall against his back, a chain wrapped around his body and his hands in shackles above his head. He remembers fighting Ben on Ahch-To, trying to buy Rey and the others some more time then something happened, he had felt his body go limp and his mind went as dark as the room he is in. Whatever had happened was why he is now in this predicament. He pulls on the shackles and flexes his hands discovering that the tops of the shackles are enclosed, probably to prevent him from using the Force to free himself, and they are bound securely to the wall behind him. He then tries to move his feet only to find that they are bound as well, locking him in this position.

"Grand Master Skywalker," says a sinister voice from within the darkness. "I have you at last."

Luke looks around him despite being unable to see, he reaches out and senses the Dark side of the Force coming strongly from one direction, so he turns his head in that direction. The feeling intensifies and he feels a cold chill creep up his spine, he knows who is coming.

"Snoke," says Luke flatly. "I'm honored that you came all this way to see me."

"No, the honor is mine," says Snoke and then the room is flooded with green light.

For a moment, the sudden flash of light blinds Luke, but when his eyes adjust he sees Snoke holding his lightsaber. He looks at Snoke and recoils slightly at the sight, the creature is taller than him, his skin is waxy and pale even in this light, and his deformed face seems even further distorted.

"A perfectly balanced weapon," says Snoke as his dark eyes roam over the green plasma of the lightsaber. "You did well building it, I've never come across one quite like it. Not even Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber was this well constructed."

Luke says nothing, he knows Snoke is just trying to provoke him.

"You have nothing to fear, Grand Master," says Snoke slowly as his eyes move to Luke's face. "I have no intention of killing you."

"Just keeping me prisoner," says Luke calmly, he recognizes the game Snoke is trying to play here. "You won't break me as you've done countless others."

Snoke's lips twist into a dark smirk. "It has come to my attention that you've been reunited with your beloved daughter. After all this time apart, I find it difficult to believe that you don't already miss her. Perhaps I should find her and bring her here to keep you company."

"Keep her out of this," snarls Luke darkly.

Snoke chuckles, the sound echoing through the room. "And I will, so long as you cooperate. I want you to join the First Order."

"Never," replies Luke, his blue eyes shining with determination.

"Very well then," says Snoke and he turns off the lightsaber.

Suddenly a blazing strip of yellow cuts through the air and hits his torso. Luke screams.


Rey bolts up, her pulse racing and heart hammering against her chest, she sucks in air like she has been denied it for several minutes. It takes her a moment to realize that she is not in the same dark room as her father but in a bright room on a soft bed; glancing down at herself she sees she is wearing a pale blue cotton short-sleeved shirt and she can feel she is wearing a pair of cotton pants. Then she feels the cool air against her hot skin and she realizes she is likely covered in sweat, the dream likely responsible.

She grips the silken blanket and shoves it away then moves to get out of bed, she stands and stretches, examining the rest of the room as she does; it is a decently sized room, with the bed resting against the center of the wall and a wardrobe across from her current position. She looks to her left and sees a vanity with three mirrors on it, and then she sees the source of the cool air she had felt before. There is an open door, the thin curtains billowing in the breeze and she heads for that immediately.

Stepping out of the door she emerges onto a balcony, the tile cool beneath her feet and she breathes in the fresh air, it does not smell salty like the air on Ahch-To that would come from the sea but it is a clean smell she likes all the same. She heads for the stone railing and looks out at the view, all around her there is a city, tall, bustling, and glistening in the sun. The breeze blows her loose hair and it is a welcome feeling. Being here seems familiar to her for some reason.

'Wow! It's so big!' said Rey, barely seven years old as she stared out at the large city, clearly visible from the balcony of her father's room. 'Gatalenta doesn't have anything like this.'

Luke chuckled warmly as he leaned against the railing, looking out at the city as well. 'No, it certainly doesn't. I'm sure by the time you're an adult, it'll be even bigger than this.'

'That's possible?!' exclaimed Rey, amazed and skeptical at the same time. 'How big do you think it'll get?'

'I'm not sure,' replied Luke with a shrug. 'Maybe it'll be like Coruscant and the city will take up the whole planet.'

Rey nodded, she had heard of the place before and now that she had seen her first city, she knew how it was possible for something like it to swallow a planet. 'Would Mommy be happy with how big the city is?'

A look of pain flashed across her father's face but she was too young to understand it completely. 'She would have been very happy, Rey,' he said softly. 'Very happy.'

Rey's heart lurches at the memory, remembering how the conversation had not meant much to her at the time but it means a great now that she is older she understands things a little better. She knows that this place is exactly what her mother had wanted for her people after the planet of Alderaan had been destroyed and she had risked a great deal in order to get them here. It amuses her that the city is indeed bigger than it had been when she visited with her father all those years ago.

"I see that you're awake," says a voice and Rey whirls around, surprised to see a white haired young woman standing behind her. "I trust you slept well?"

"Fairly," replies Rey, her tone guarded. "Who are you?"

The woman seems momentarily surprised but she hides it well. "I am Crown Princess Dehleah Teral, née Calrissian of New Alderaan, daughter of Queen Winter Calrissian née Celchu and Viceroy Lando Calrissian, wife of Lord Rolan Teral. And who exactly are you?"

Rey can tell this woman does not think highly of her, especially by the way she answered the simple question, so she decides to answer in kind. "Padawan-learner Rey Organa Skywalker of Gatalenta, daughter of Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker and Commander Evaan Skywalker née Verlaine, niece of Princess Leia Organa Solo and General Han Solo."

"I see," says Dehleah in a slightly clipped tone. "I heard you were here with your aunt but I didn't believe it, last I heard you were dead, murdered by your cousin along with the rest of your father's Jedi academy."

"You heard wrong," says Rey, grinding her teeth a little, she really does not like this woman. "Why are you in my room?"

"I was told to check on you," Dehleah replies, rubbing the baby bump on her torso, which is carefully hidden by the lavender fabric of her dress. "Your aunt is concerned about your welfare."

Rey's eyes narrow at Dehleah. "Then she should've come herself. Why are you really here, Your Highness?" She manages not to sneer the last part.

"Well, I should take my leave," says Dehleah dismissively. "You'll find a change of clothes in the wardrobe and you're free to explore, I suppose."

Then Dehleah leaves the balcony and Rey stands there slightly dumbfounded and a little confused as to why that woman seemed so antagonistic despite this being their first meeting. Rey decides to brush it off, there are more important things to worry about than some princess with an attitude problem. Her biggest concern is finding and freeing her father from Snoke's clutches and she has no idea where to start.


Following Dehleah's advice, Rey decides to explore the palace after she changes into a column style cornflower blue dress, she is beginning to understand why her mother detested dresses so much; they are far too restrictive and hamper any kind of easy walking. While she walks through the palace, she sees a number of women wearing dresses similar to hers and she quickly deduces that it is the current style, even Dehleah had been wearing one. She tries to be discreet as she wanders, staying out of everyone's way as she looks for a quiet place to think, it is then that she sees an empty garden outside of the nearest window and she can think of no better place to meditate.

She hurries to the nearest door and heads into the bright sunshine, the warmth chasing away the coldness in her soul for just a moment as she goes towards the garden. When she arrives, she finds an empty patch of grass and sits down as she would to meditate, although she has to pull up the skirt of her dress so her legs are not as confined. Once she is in her meditation position, she closes her eyes and begins to breathe deeply and evenly, feeling the Force within her as she attempts to clear her mind. It is difficult for her today; her mind keeps wandering to her dream, vision, and to her father. His face seems to be seared into her eyes.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, she decides to quit thinking about something in nature that is relaxing; instead she thinks of the feel of her lightsaber in her hand and the thrill of wielding it, she imagines a pitcher of blue milk and how good it tastes after a long day in the heat, finally she imagines her favorite holo that her father showed her. That holo had been a family portrait, taken when she was very young and her mother was still alive. She sees her mother's beautiful face smiling at her, her father smiling like he would never smile again, their eyes focused on her before drifting to the squirming baby between them. Rey feels herself smiling a little, the image of her family filling her heart with peace and reassurance. Then it shifts, her baby self is now replaced with her current self, Luke is much older and looks as he does now, Evaan is still there looking about as old as Luke with silver in her hair and a few wrinkles on her face. Rey's heart constricts as she watches the three of them interact, her parents holding her and each other just like in the previous image. It is a beautiful image.

"You can have this," hisses a voice, it is cold and dark like her dream earlier. "Join me and you can have your family back."

Rey's eyes snap open and she finds herself alone, something she finds comforting and terrifying at the same time, she would have rather had one of the masters appear before her but they are probably with her father or do not want to bother with her.

"And why wouldn't I want to bother my granddaughter?" asks Anakin as he materializes in front of her.

She scowls at him. "Is it just a Skywalker trait to read other people's thoughts?"

Anakin shrugs. "It might be, we'll wait to confirm it once you've learned how. Now, you can't do that ever again, Rey."

Rey raises an eyebrow. "Can't ever do what again?"

"Use images you have attachments to when meditating," replies Anakin sternly. "The bond you have with those images can be exploited, and that voice that spoke to you was trying to tempt you into the Dark side by showing you a better image. One you might unconsciously be craving."

"I'm sorry," Rey murmurs as she looks away. "It's just . . . I was having trouble meditating, my mind wouldn't focus on anything except Dad's face and . . . I just wanted to think of something that reminded me of him."

Something strange touches her hand and she looks to see Anakin's hand on hers, she glances up and sees him smiling sadly at her.

"I know you miss him," says Anakin softly. "And it's very sweet of you to want to want to keep him in your thoughts, but you have to be careful. Snoke might use that against you like he did just now." A dark look crosses Anakin's eyes and for a split second they seem almost orange. "The fact Snoke has my son . . . and is trying to get to you . . . he will pay."

"Vengeance isn't the Jedi way," whispers Rey and Anakin's eyes become blue once again. "Do you know where Dad's being held?"

Anakin thinks for a moment then shakes his head as he pulls his hand away. "No, I don't, all I know is it's deeply rooted in the Dark side. He could be on Korriban or Mustafar, or any number of planets."

She frowns and draws her knees up under her chin, glancing up at the blue sky. "I wish I could speak to my father, tell him that I'm coming for him soon." Rey then looks at Anakin. "I know you're supposed to watch over me, but could you relay that message to either Yoda or Obi-Wan? I just . . . I don't want Dad to worry about me."

"He might have good reason to if you're being tempted," chides Anakin. "I would also advise that you don't meditate unless you need to, I know Luke told you that daily meditation is a good thing but given the circumstances you shouldn't unless it seems to be affecting your abilities with the Force. That'll be determined later of course, when you resume training."

Rey blinks in surprise. "Wait, what? Who's going to train me?"

"Me," replies Anakin with a slight smirk. "Considering you're still in the early stages of your training, it would be ludicrous to stop now; especially with the threat of the Dark side looming over you."

"I thought it was always looming," she counters with a smirk of her own.

Anakin rolls his eyes playfully. "According to the others it is, but given your current vulnerability, it may be stronger as it'll try to prey on your more base emotions."

"Are you going to teach me some actual techniques?" asks Rey curiously. "I mean, Dad's been teaching me the basics but I'm not sure they're actually useful."

"You're a tenacious one," chuckles Anakin warmly. "You remind me a little of my own Padawan."

Rey raises an eyebrow. "You had a Padawan?"

Anakin nods. "Yes, a young Togruta woman named Ahsoka Tano." He looks up at the sky. "She was a remarkable girl; loyal, fearless, and determined. She was talented of course and reveled in any opportunity to show off."

"I see why you two got along," teases Rey and Anakin laughs.

"Yes, well, the Council wasn't too happy about that," he says with a slightly somber expression. "They thought Ahsoka and I had grown too attached to each other, they voiced their opinion on that frequently but we hardly cared; she was the little sister I always wanted and I was the big brother she might not have wanted but always needed." He sighs heavily. "I wish I knew what happened to her, the last time I saw her . . . I wasn't myself."

Rey gives her grandfather a sad smile. "I'm sure she lived to cause trouble for the Empire, just like you would've in her place."

A thin smile graces Anakin's lips. "Maybe. Anyway, I'll tell you more about her later, right now, you have some company."

He points towards the palace and she turns to see Finn and Poe walking down the hall, C-3P0, R2-D2, and BB-8 walking behind them.

"Finn!" she shouts and scrambles to get up, sprinting towards him.

Finn starts for a moment then looks in the direction he heard his name, he sees Rey running out of the garden, he smiles and runs for the nearby stairs. "Rey!" shouts Finn as he runs for her, they then collide, clutching each other tightly. "Rey, I can't believe it!"

"What? You thought I was dead or something?" she laughs, trying to stem her tears.

"Well, sort of," says Finn a little sheepishly as they pull away enough to look at each other. "General Organa said you were in a bacta tank because of a blaster wound. She didn't tell me how bad it was but it must've been critical if you were in a tank that long."

Rey smiles sweetly. "I didn't even feel it when I woke up this morning. Thanks for being worried though, it's sweet." She glances over his shoulder and sees Poe watching them, something swims in his eyes, something unpleasant.

'Is he jealous?' she wonders as she and Finn walk back arm-in-arm to where the pilot and droids are waiting.

"Miss Rey!" exclaims C-3P0 and he walks over to her. "It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you, Threepio," says Rey, patting the droid's slightly silver arm then she looks at Poe, his chocolate brown eyes warming when she smiles at him. "Hey flyboy, my aunt mentioned you'd be joining us, it's good to see another familiar face."

Poe smiles brightly as he moves to embrace her. "Glad you're still with us, Skywalker, I heard you took a blaster shot to the back."

Rey nods as they pull away. Through their many days shared at Finn's bedside, they had developed an easy and relaxed friendship; she had been completely surprised by how well they got along, she expected it to be difficult to become his friend but it was astoundingly simple. "Yeah, tends to be a hazard when running from stormtroopers."

Finn looks at Rey then back at Poe then back at Rey again. "What does he mean 'Skywalker'?!"

"Sorry Finn," says Rey with a wry grin. "I guess my aunt forgot to tell you, but Luke Skywalker's my father."

"Fa-Fa-Fa," stammers Finn as he leans against a nearby pillar. "Wh-Ho-?"

Rey has to bite her lip to keep from laughing at Finn's reaction, he looks so surprised that he could be knocked over with a feather. "He's my father," she repeats and he nods several times.

"Okay, I think I can work with that," he says at last and Poe has to cover his mouth to hide his amused smile. "And who's your aunt? Wait, don't tell me: General Organa."

"Actually yes," replies Rey and Finn looks like he is on the verge of fainting. "You seem so surprised, Finn. I took this news better than you have."

Finn recovers from the shock and offers her a sincere smile. "I'm sorry, it's just . . . when you think about it, it's pretty crazy that your family is one of the most influential in the galaxy."

Rey chuckles. "I guess when you look at it that way, it is pretty surprising. Of all the people I could be related to, it just had to be to the man who brought down the Empire."

"Almost like a fairy tale," suggests Poe and she nods.

"I guess it almost is," she agrees then looks at the small blue droid. "Oh, and I'm still sorry about taking your head off that one time, R2. Believe me, I'm a much better mechanic now than I was back then."

R2-D2 beeps skeptically and Rey balks in surprise.

"I am too!" she argues.

He makes a few noises in disagreement.

"Oh, just you wait until you need an upgrade!" snaps Rey in a huff. "Then we'll see who the better mechanic is."

BB-8 chirps in Rey's defense, earning a wide smile from the former scavenger.

"Miss Rey, I wouldn't mind if you worked on my circuits," offers C-3P0 kindly. "I believe I'm in need of a tune up, I haven't had one since Master Han and Chewbacca left."

Pain stabs through Rey's heart at the mention of her uncle's name but she smiles anyway. "Alright, Threepio, I'll give you a proper tune up after I see my aunt." She looks at the two men. "Do you have any idea where she is?"

Poe nods. "I believe she said she was meeting with the Viceroy in the Queen's office."

"Great," says Rey as they start walking towards the nearest entrance. "I just hope he's more agreeable than the princess I met earlier."

"I met her too," says Finn with a slightly wistful look. "She's beautiful."

Rey rolls her eyes and for a brief moment, catches Poe looking at her before he looks down at his droid. She feels butterflies fluttering in her stomach and she wills herself to look at anything else except Poe; her eyes, however, seem to have different ideas.


Leia reads over the tablet in her hand, making changes with her stylus as she goes while Connix speaks with several senators via hologram and Lando begins drafting up a list of supplies and instructing the palace servants about what they need to do to prepare. They are sitting at a round table in Winter's office, tablets scattered all over the surface, holoemitters mixed in as Connix cycles through them. All three are so absorbed in their tasks that the entrance of three young adults and two droids goes completely unnoticed.

"The Senator of Rodia says he might have to send his aide in his place," says Connix as she closes down one hologram. "And the Senator of Naboo is wondering if she can bring the Queen, apparently she is very eager to speak with you."

"That's fine," says Leia as she finishes with her first tablet and moves on to the next one, without looking up. "How are things on your end, Lando?"

"Going well, Princess," says Lando as he finishes the last of the tablets. Then he looks up and sees their new guests. "Leia, we've got company."

Leia glances up from her tablet and immediately puts it down, smiling brightly at her niece. "Rey, it's good to see you." She then stands and hurries over to where Rey is standing, quickly embracing her. "I'm sorry for the less than cheerful welcome, but we've been very busy since this morning."

Rey nods as they head over to the table where Connix and Lando are sitting. "What's going on? It's almost like you're planning a party."

"That's exactly what we're doing," says Leia as she sits down, Rey and the others sit in the empty seats between Connix and Lando. "I need to gather as many allies as I can before the New Republic can and this is the best way to do it."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asks Rey skeptically. "I know we need the allies, but this party would be a great opportunity for someone to act against you."

Leia gives her a worn smile. "I've already assessed the risks, Rey, and it would be much worse to allow the First Order to go unchallenged much longer. If someone wants to strike against me then they are more than welcome to."

Poe leans forward in his seat. "It almost sounds like you're expecting an attack, General."

"I am and please stop calling me that," sighs Leia wearily. "I'm not a general anymore, I'm simply 'Leia' now and you'll be expected to address me as such." She then glances at Lando. "Oh and before I forget, Poe Dameron, Finn Gunner, this is Viceroy Lando Calrissian. Lando, these are my latest group of rebels."

Lando smiles at them, his eyes going immediately to Rey. "It's great to meet you all, Leia's told me so much about you already. Rey, I don't know if you remember me, but I—"

"Gave me the swoop bike for my tenth birthday," finishes Rey with a wry smile. "I remember that, Dad wasn't happy at all."

Lando laughs. "See? I knew you'd remember that. I told Luke and Han that kids always remember the people who give them outlandish presents." His smile falters at the mention of Han. "I'm sorry about your uncle, Rey. He was a good man and my best friend."

Leia gave Lando a reproachful look and he sighs.

"Leia, aren't you over what happened on Cloud City yet?" he asks, clearly exasperated.

"You sold us out to the Empire to save your own neck, Han was frozen in carbonite then given to that bounty hunter, Evaan was tortured to the point of near death and Luke nearly died after losing his hand," snaps Leia sharply, her eyes burning with fury. "So to answer your question, no, I'm not over what happened and I won't be for a very long time. Han might have forgiven you, but I'm not like him."

"That's for damn sure," mutters Lando and Leia pokes him in the arm with her stylus.

"Wait, why did he betray you?" asks Finn excitedly. "And who's this bounty hunter? I thought General Solo went undercover for a year after fleeing Hoth."

Poe nods. "That's what I was told too, I didn't realize he had been in carbonite. I was under the impression that practice died out years ago."

"And isn't Cloud City a mining company?" interjects Connix. "Since when is it a colony?"

"And what happened to my parents?" asks Rey curiously. "How did Dad lose his hand and why was Mom tortured?"

Leia looks at Lando who just grins.

"I guess we left a little too much out of the history books," he says, barely able to keep from laughing. "Who should tell it? Me or you?"

"Me, you embellish too much," replies Leia, her animosity towards Lando melting away slightly.

"But that makes for a better story!" argues Lando and Leia rolls her eyes.

"I would tell it," offers C-3P0. "But I was dismantled for most of it, so I can only recall being brought out of the cell."

Rey, Poe, Finn, and Connix look eagerly at Leia.

"Alright, alright," sighs Leia with a slight smile. "I guess the party planning can wait an hour or two."

The story takes the rest of the day.