Book 2:

The Last Jedi

Chapter 3: Casino's and Revelations

Rey, "still can't reach the Resistance?"

Chewie shook his head no.

Rey, "keep at it. If you get through, check their status. And ask about Finn."

Chewie nodded at Rey as she left, but was left to tangle with a bunch of Porgs messing with the stuff in the cockpit.

Padme was snickering as she heard the whole thing going on, but was busy playing at the chess table with Mara.

Rey stood next to Owen as they looked out to the sea.

But that's when they felt the connection once more!

Kylo, "why is the Force connecting us? The three of us?"

"You mean four?"

They all saw Padme approaching, an unreadable expression as she saw her cousin.

Kylo, "hello Jaina."

Padme, "hello nerf herder."

Rey interrupted, "murderous snake. You're too late. You lost. We found Master Skywalker."

Owen, "you failed, you and your Master!"

Kylo, "did he, Jace or Jaina tell you what happened? The night I destroyed his temple, did he tell you why?"

Owen, "Padme and I were there you bastard! We see everything you and your knights did!"

Padme, "you left us for dead out of pity!"

Rey, "I know everything I need to know about you."

Kylo, "you do? Ah, you do. You have that look in your eyes. From the forest. When you called me a monster. A murderer."

Rey, "you are a monster."

Kylo, "yes, I am."

And with that, the connection ended. Leaving the trio alone together once more.

Later, we see Owen watching Rey train with her staff as she swung it back and forth, trying to emulate the skills of a Lightsaber. Then Rey stopped, gazing at the saber in her bag.

She took it out and ignited the beautiful blue blade.

Owen said, "such a beautiful weapon. That may be one of the last relics of the Jedi era."

Rey, "what about your saber?"

Owen, "dad took each student to build their own sabers. Carrying on the tradition."

Rey, "this saber belonged to Anakin Skywalker. Shouldn't you be the one wielding it?"

Owen, "a saber isn't really an heirloom. And I think you've earned it."

Owen pulled out his own saber.

Owen, "now, I suggest we do a bit of training, in order to hone your skills with it."

Rey nodded as Owen ignited his own saber.

Soon, the two began dueling one another. Not out for blood, but aggressive enough to put up a fight.

But as Owen dodged the blade, Rey sliced the huge rock she had been training near in half, sending it off the edge of where they stood, smashing one of the caretakers carts.

Rey, "sorry!"

Owen, "so, how's it feel?"

Rey, "it feels lighter."

Owen, "good. The lightsaber is an extension of a Jedi. Even the Sith knew this when crafting their own. Treat the blade as an extension of yourself, and it won't fail you."

Rey smiled as she leaned in and kissed Owen.

Rey, "that's for being a great teacher."

Owen, "any time."

….

Rose, "okay. We get in, we find this codebreaker, we get out. Easy peasy?"

Finn, "do you know this town? Canto Bight?"

Rose, "from stories. It's a terrible place filled with the worst people in the galaxy."

Finn, "great."

Rose, "I suggest we land in that tall grass, that way we don't get spotted by anyone working for the First Order."

Finn, "great idea."

After they did so, the trio found themselves in a large casino. Many aliens gambling with one another.

Finn was amazed by such a place!

Finn, "aw, yes! This place is great!"

Rose, "okay. Maz says that this Master Codebreaker would have a red plom bloom on his lapel. Let's find him and get out of here."

The group began to spread out and search for their target, but seemed to come up empty handed.

Rose, "come on!"

Finn, "we've covered this whole casino. Zero red plom blooms. Where is this guy?"

Rose suddenly spotted something outside.

Rose, "were those what I think they are?"

Rose ran out to a balcony, with Finn running behind them.

They saw a race track with large rabbit-like creatures running around it.

Finn, "what are those things?"

Rose, "Fathiers. I've never seen a real one."

Finn, "look, this whole place is beautiful. I mean, come on. Why do you hate it so much?"

Rose, "look closer."

Finn looked through a machine that allowed him to see one of the creatures getting whipped.

Rose, "my sister and I grew up in a poor mining system. The First Order stripped our ore to finance its military... then shelled us to test their weapons. They took everything we had. People like the ones around us were the cause. They only have one business."

Finn, "war."

Rose nodded as she said, "seeing this kind of place reminds me of what happened to my home."

Finn gave Rose a side hug, making her feel better.

That's when they spotted something!

Rose, "Red plom bloom!"

Finn turned and saw an older man dressed in a white tux and cape, with a red plom bloom on his lapel!

Finn, "Red plom bloom!"

Rose, "the Master Codebreaker!"

And they both got a closer look at the man.

And both were shocked by who it was!

It was none other than Lando Calrissian!

Rose, "no way!"

Finn, "General Calrissian?!"

They both ran towards Lando, who was playing a game with two women close by.

Finn, "um, excuse us?"

Lando, "not now kid, I'm in the middle of a game."

Rose, "Admiral Ackbar sent us!"

Lando immediately stopped his game.

He turned to them and said, "meet me on the balcony in a few minutes.

Finn and Rose nodded their heads.

A few minutes later, Lando approached the two of them.

Lando, "so, I take it you two are from the Resistance?"

Rose, "yes. We're all in danger!"

Finn, "they sent us to find someone to help us sneak aboard the First Order Star Destroyer chasing us down. Maz Kanada told us to seek out the, 'Master Code-Breaker."

Lando smiled, "as much as I'd like to help, the First Order is well aware of who I am. If I were to help you, things could go south fast."

Finn, "then what are we supposed to do?"

Lando, "I have a solution. I have an operative working for me. A young man named DJ. Unfortunately, he's stuck in the brig for the night."

Rose, "how come?"

Lando, "the lad has talent, but he got incredibly drunk and started a fight with some redneck alien. So, if you wanna get on that Star Destroyer, you'll need him."

Lando gave a small device to Rose.

Lando, "there's a hidden tunnel that leads into the prison. Go, get DJ, tell him Lando sent you, and save the Resistance."

Finn, "thank you General. You won't regret this!"

Lando, "I will never regret helping my friends."

Finn and Rose gave big smiles to Lando as they and BB-8 ran off to complete the next stop in their mission….

….

Luke, "lesson Two. Now that they're extinct, the Jedi are romanticized, defied. But if you strip away the myth and look at their deeds, the legacy of the Jedi is failure. Hypocrisy, hubris."

Rey, "that's not true."

Owen, "the Jedi did great things! You, Ahsoka, Yoda, Obi Wan, they all did great things!"

Once again, Rey felt something familiar when she heard that last name.

Padme, "you had us growing up with these legends!"

Luke, "at the height of their powers, they allowed Darth Sidious to rise, create the Empire, and wipe them out. It was a Jedi Master who was responsible for the training and creation of Darth Vader."

Rey, "and a Jedi who saved him. Yes, the most hated man in the galaxy. But you saw that there was conflict inside him. You believed that he wasn't gone. That he could be turned."

Owen, "you turned mom from a dark path. And the Jedi who could see their flaws lived on…."

Padme, "even some of our fellow padawans, you helped keep them off of a dark path!"

Luke, "and I became a legend. For many years, there was balance... and then I saw Ben. My nephew with that mighty Skywalker blood. The blood shared by Owen and Padme. And in my hubris, I thought I could train him, I could pass on my strengths like I did with my own children. Han was…. Han about it, but Leia trusted me with her son. I took him, and a dozen students, with Owen and Padme being my best ones, and began a training temple. I had help from any remaining Jedi. Ahsoka Tano. Cal Kestis. And guidance from the spirits of Jedi long passed. By the time I realized I was no match for the darkness rising in him, it was too late."

Rey, "what happened?"

Luke, "I went to confront him. And he turned on me."

Owen detected something hidden in his father's words, but didn't press forward.

Padme knew the truth, but would wait for her father to reveal it in time.

Luke told them of how Ben had tried to bury him under a huge pile of rocks.

Luke, "he must have thought I was dead. When I came to, the temple was burning. He had vanished with a handful of my students. I found Padme, broken and beaten, but alive, and took her with me. Mara found Owen and kept him safe. They slaughtered the rest. Leia blamed Snoke, but it was me. I failed. Because I was Luke Skywalker. Jedi master. A legend."

Rey, "the galaxy may need a legend. I need someone to show me my place in all this. And you didn't fail Kylo. Kylo failed you. I won't."

Luke gave a sorrowful look.

Luke, "I have something to tell you. Regarding who you are."

Rey gave a confused look.

Luke, "in my many talks with Ben Kenobi, he told me one secret, that I have only told a select few."

Owen, "and what is that?"

Luke took a deep breath, "during the Clone Wars, he held a burning love with Duchess Satine of Mandolore. And they kept a secret from the Jedi Order, and her people."

Rey, "what was the secret?"

Luke, "they had a daughter."

Both of them were shocked.

Padme nodded, confirming the old man's words.

Luke, "a child, strong with the Force. Who grew up in safety on Naboo. One day, she met a young man, and the two had a child."

Owen and Rey could connect the dots.

Rey, "it was me?"

Luke nodded and said, "you are the granddaughter of Obi Wan Kenobi."

Rey felt something inside her fill with hope.

She was a descendant of a great Jedi Master!

Owen couldn't help but smile as he saw the joy on Rey's face.

The smile was infectious, making Padme smirk.

Rey, "I will not let you down Master SkyWalker. I will live up to my family name!"

Rey ran out, leaving father and son alone.

Owen, "you didn't tell her about why her parents left. She may know her people, but she still doesn't have an answer to that."

Luke, "she must learn that on her own."

Padme, "as must we all, when it comes to our family."

Owen, "I do sense she will learn that soon enough."

Luke, "and I only told her half of what I knew."

Owen, "and what is that?"

Owen, "I only told her of her mother's side of the family. I did not tell her of her father's."

Owen, "and who would that be?"

Luke, "if you knew, it could threaten to separate you two. You will both learn in time, I'm sure."

Owen, "I only hope she finds the truth about why her parents left her on Jakku…."

Padme, "I have foreseen some part of it. But what her reaction will be, it still alludes me."

….

Peavey, "the main cruiser's still keeping beyond range. But their medical frigate is out of fuel and its shields are down."

Hux, "the beginning of their end. Destroy it."

As they blasted the medical frigate apart, the pilot sent a message to the Resistance.

The pilot, "the last of our crew has been evacuated and heading your way. It's been an honor, Admiral. Godspeed, Rebels!"

Connix, "Admiral, fuel reserves at six hours."

Holdo, "Maintain our current course. Steady on."

Ackbar, "we must hold out until the team we sent succeeds in their mission, so we may use the remaining transports to escape."

Poe, "Finn, Rose, where are you guys?"

….

We see Finn and Rose sneaking into a prison from a nearby manhole in the ground.

Rose, "Finn, the fleet is running in fumes. If we don't find this guy soon, everything we've worked for will be over."

Finn, "we'll finish our mission, I promise."

And that's when they came across a cell with one man sitting in it.

Finn, "hey, are you DJ?"

DJ, "d-depends. Who s-sent ya?"

Rose, "Lando Calrissian. He said you could help us sneak onto a Star Destroyer?"

Finn, "you don't look like much."

DJ, "yeah. D-D-D-Don't let the wrapper fool you, f-friend. Me and the F-F-First Order codeage go way b-back. And, if the price is right, I could break you into old man S-S-S-Snoke's boudoir."

Finn, "well, we'll take what we can get…."

Just as the two of them were about to break him out, DJ muttered some words, and instantly unlocked the cell.

As he walked out, he turned to the others and said, "well? You coming?"

Finn and Rose nodded as they ran with DJ.

As they ran through the halls, they saw BB-8 shooting a bunch of gold coins at the cops within the place.

DJ, "d-d-d-did you do this?"

Finn turned to DJ and said, "BB-8 will take you to our ship. We'll meet you there as fast as we can!"

DJ, "g-g-good luck."

As BB-8 and DJ ran down the hall, Finn and Rose took the manhole in the ground.

A little while later, they found themselves climbing from another manhole into some stables.

Finn, "ah, that smells much better! Woah!"

Rose turned to see one of the large rabbit-like creatures pop their head out.

It was the same one they saw whipped.

Rose and Finn both held smiles, until they saw three kids nearby.

One of them was about to press an alarm!

Rose, "no, wait! Please stop! We're with the Resistance!"

Rose showed off a ring she held with the Resistance symbol on it.

All three kids grew instant smiles as Finn said, "we need your help."

….

We see Finn and Rose riding the Fathier they saw, with all of the other ones following behind.

They had basically torn up the town, much to Landos amusement, who had watched the whole thing from his own ship far away.

Soon, Finn and Rose dismounted the creature, letting them all run off as they quickly made their way into their ship, passing DJ and BB-8 along the way.

They had to hurry if they wanted to complete their mission.

….

Luke was sitting by Mara, the two of them enjoying the silence around them.

But that's when Luke heard a voice.

"Luke."

Luke gasped as he said, "Leia."

….

Owen and Rey were standing together as the clouds started to slowly roll in.

Padme joined them a few moments later.

That's when they felt the connection open up once again.

Rey, "I'd rather not do this now."

Owen, "the feeling is mutual."

Kylo, "yeah, me too."

Padme, "this keeps getting worse."

Rey, "why did you hate your father?"

Owen, Padme and Rey all cringed as they saw Ren without a shirt on.

Rey, "do you have something, a cowl or something you can put on?"

Owen, "agreed. I don't wanna see you like that, let alone my girlfriend see you like that."

Padme, "I would prefer going blind from hyphenation sickness."

Rey, "why did you hate your father? Give me an honest answer. You had a father who loved you, he gave a damn about you."

Owen, "Uncle Han was willing to help you Ben! And you gutted him like a Taun Taun!"

Kylo, "I didn't hate him."

Padme, "and yet he's gone!"

Rey, "then why?"

Kyko, "why, what? Why, what? Say it."

Rey, "why did you... Why did you kill him? I don't understand."

Kyko, "no? Your parents threw you away like garbage."

Owen, "don't talk to her like that!"

Rey, "they didn't! I know who my grandfather was! They must've known what my future would be!"

Owen rubbed her back. He too wanted to know why her parents left her on Jakku, and he prayed it was a good reason.

Padme felt bad for the girl. Not knowing the fate of your family.

That hurt quite a bit.

She knew from experience."

Kylo, "they did. But you can't stop needing them. It's your greatest weakness. Looking for them everywhere... in Han Solo... in Kenobi…. now in Skywalker."

Owen and the other's were shook for a moment.

He knew Rey's story as well.

That frightened them.

Kylo, "did he tell you what happened that night?"

Rey, "yes."

Owen, "more than enough!"

Kylo, "no. He had sensed my power, as he senses yours. And he feared it."

Rey, "liar."

Owen, "my father saw the good in everyone!"

Padme stayed silent.

She didn't know if she could believe what Ren said.

Kylo, "let the past die. Kill it if you have to. That's the only way to become what you were meant to be."

….

Later that night, Padme, Rey and Owen visit the dark place from Rey's vision.

All three jump down into the dark place.

But they all experienced something different.

/

Rey found multiple versions of herself in a long line. Each doing the same thing as the one behind it.

/

Owen found himself in a large hall, lightning crackling in the distance.

Thousands of cloaked people were there around him.

/

Padme found herself on the bridge of a Star Destroyer, seeing a huge battle outside.

/

Rey found herself in front of some sort of mirror.

But no reflection.

/

Owen saw a figure approaching him.

It was Rey…. But, not.

She had glowing yellow eyes, sharpened teeth, and a double bladed red lightsaber.

Her face seemed to shift from her own, to a face that Like had only described to him.

The Emperor.

Owen backed away as the vision grew closer.

It slashed at him, making him squint his eyes in fear.

/

Padme witnessed the carnage of multiple ships meeting their end, and as she turned around, she saw countless bodies surrounding her.

/

Rey, "let me see them. My parents. Please."

A figure on the other side of the glass crept forward, but all Rey saw was herself.

Tears streamed down her face.

/

All of them woke up suddenly, right outside of the hole.

They lept to one another and let their tears flow for a good couple of minutes.

Rey asked, "what did you see?"

Owen felt like his vision of Rey becoming the emperor was trying to tell him something.

Owen said, "a dark place. It tried to twist my feelings for you into fear. What about you?"

Padme, "a furious battle. One filled with so much death."

Rey, "I tried to find my parents. But all I saw was myself."

Owen, Padme and Rey looked at one another.

For once, they needed guidance from someone unexpected.

….

Rey and Owen sat together. Padme was on another seat next to them.

Rey, "I should have felt trapped or panicked. But I didn't. This didn't go on forever, I knew it was leading somewhere. And that, at the end, it would show me what I came to see."

Owen, "I saw myself in a cold place, filled with the Darkside. It twisted my vision, making me afraid of or for the people I love."

Padme, "I saw pure carnage, bodies surrounded me as a space battle waged on."

Rey, "I don't think we've ever felt so alone."

Owen, "so hopeless."

Padme, "so afraid."

Kylo, "you're not alone."

Rey, "neither are you."

Owen, "It isn't too late Ben."

Padme, "you can still make things right."

All four of them reached out for one another.

Luke, "stop!"

The hut exploded around them.

Ren was gone, leaving Luke's kids and Rey to stare at Luke, with Mara nearby.

Rey, "it is true? Did you try to murder him?"

Mara looked at Luke with wide eyes.

Padme, "tell us dad!"

Luke, "leave this island now!"

Luke turned, ignoring their words.

Rey, "stop. Stop!"

Owen, "don't walk away from us!"

Rey hit Luke with her staff causing him to fall, stopping him from running off.

Owen, "did you try to kill him?"

Rey swung again while Luke used the force to grab a nearby antenna, blocking Rey's attack. Owen grabbed a nearby stick to help Rey as they exchanged blows with the Master.

That was until Rey summoned her saber with the force.

She almost attacked, but Owen and Padme grabbed her shoulders, stopping her.

Rey, "did you do it? Did you create Kylo Ren? Tell me the truth."

Luke sighed in defeat, "I saw darkness. I'd sensed it building in him. I'd see it at moments during his training. As much as I wanted to see the good in him, the darkness seemed to overpower it. But then I looked inside... and it was beyond what I ever imagined. Snoke had already turned his heart. He would bring destruction, and pain, and death... and the end of everything I love because of what he will become. And for the briefest moment of pure instinct... I thought I could stop it."

Owen and Mara were shocked by the story.

Like many Jedi before him, Luke had made a mistake in judgment.

Luke, "it passed like a fleeting shadow. And I was left with shame... and with consequence. And the last thing I saw... were the eyes of a frightened boy whose master had failed him. This mistake caused my spiral into what you see now. A pitiful man, haunted by his mistake."

Rey, "you failed him by thinking his choice was made. It wasn't. There is still conflict in him. If he turned from the dark side, that could shift the tide. This could be how we win."

Owen, "I felt some form of good within him when we connected. Like when you felt your father inside of Vader."

Luke, "this is not going to go the way you think."

Rey, "it is. Just now, when we touched hands... I saw his future. As solid as I'm seeing you. If I go to him, Ben Solo will turn."

Padme, "the Jedi he was meant to be will rise!"

Luke, "Rey, Owen, Padme... don't do this."

Rey, "then he is our last hope."

Rey walked off.

Before Owen could go after her, Luke rose to his feet and said, "Owen, wait."

Owen turned to his father.

Owen, "what?"

As the stood there, Luke said, "I'm not sure if we'll see each other again. I wanted you to know, I'm proud of you son. You've become a better Jedi than I ever could."

Padme, "dad, are you?"

Luke nodded, "kneel, please?"

Owen kneeled, confused for a moment.

Luke, "please hand me your saber?"

Owen handed the saber to his father.

Luke ignited it, and proceeded to knight Owen.

Luke, "by the right of the council, by the will of the force, dub thee i do, Jedi. Knight of the old Republic."

Owen felt some sort of pride as he rose to his feet, Luke handing him his saber.

Luke, "I cannot convince you kids to turn away from the Jedi. So, as my last action as your Master, I knight you as I did Padme a few years prior."

Owen gave alike one last nod before he ran after Rey.

Padme gave her father a pained look as she said, "I can't stay here any longer dad. I need to be there for our family. If you are still the great Jedi you once were, you'd do the same."

Padme gave her father one last loving hug before she ran after Rey and her brother.

All that were left standing there were Mara and Luke.

Luke gave his wife a look and said, "well?"

Mara walked forward, and gave her husband a lingering kiss.

As she pulled back, she said, "I know we may not meet again, at least not in this life. I want you to know, I love you. I will always love you. And I hope you make the right choice in the end…."

Mara gave her husband a long hug before she raced after the others.

Leaving the Master alone as he saw the Falcon leave a few moments later….

….

Reviews:

Guest: your idea could work. And yeah, those are some interesting, (and kinds weird), plotlines.

Amanny: thanks.

mmat: I haven't really paired her with anyone. Although I have a sliggt pairing vetween her and Poe. And yes, Owen gets the truth, the same as Rey.

….

Alright, I hope I made Canto Bight more enjoyable. Like having Lando be the code-breaker, but he can't help the group, but tells them of his ally, DJ, who they need to break out. That's how they do the whole prison thing.

Oh, and Luke reveals part of Rey's heritage, being the granddaughter of Obi Wan Kenobi on her mother's side. But we know who her father's father was, so that'll be a double twist!

Padme and Mara leave with Rey and Owen.

And we all know who's gonna show up to see Luke….