Luke leads Rey on a snaking path up to the highest point on the island. There, they step inside the crumbling ruins of an ancient stone structure. Light falls in through gaping holes in what's left of the ceiling, illuminating walls that are covered in strange symbols.
Some walls are bright with dark text, others are dark with light text. The ruins open up on a central room that has completely lost its roof. In the center of the floor is a small pool of water. The bottom of the pool is split. One side is white, and the other is black. However each side reaches slightly into the other. A white limb reaching into the black, and a black limb into the white. A mirrored figure of white and black sits between the two.
"These ruins, as far as I can tell, are all that's left of the very first temple of the Jedi order," Luke explains. "I found the starmap to this place just before Ben...turned. He doesn't know about it. I had hoped we'd come here together, but..."
"What exactly happened to him?" Rey asks. "Why did he really turn?"
Luke stiffens.
"Luke...you're going to have to tell me at some point."
Luke looks back at her. After a moment, he sighs.
"...fine. I suppose you deserve to know."
Rey stands up straight , giving Luke her full attention.
"I wish I could simply say that it was all Snoke. That he forced Ben to turn, manipulated his mind. But to say that wouldn't be telling the whole truth. Ben always had darkness in him. Even as a youth. Leia and Han did their best raising him but...well he had a mother who was trying to piece together a broken galaxy, and a smuggler for a father. Seeing that side of the galaxy he did at such a young age...well lets just say it tends to have an affect on you.
"Han he...well he wasn't around as much as he wanted to be. Han was Han. He was always going on dangerous mission for the New Republic, trying to keep the old days alive, I think. Han offered to bring Ben along, but Leia would never let her kid do something risky like that." Luke laughs weakly.
"I think that might be part of the reason Ben started to resent him. When he was a teenager the two of them had a big fight. I don't know all the details, but after that, Leia sent him to me. I'd already started to train other students but Ben, he surpassed them all in no time. He was just so eager to learn. And I was so eager to teach. So eager I didn't notice things I should have. Like how he was mostly interested in how to use the force in battle. Or his fascination with his grandfather. At first I thought He admired Anakin Skywalker for his return from the dark but..." Luke shakes his head.
"...he didn't care about Anakin Skywalker. The one he really admired was Darth Vader, dark lord of the sith. I should have noticed sooner. Noticed how much his hunger for power was growing. Ben wasn't the only one, either. Some of my other students, Ben's friends, followed his lead. Together, they were a team of some of my strongest disciples. I often sent them off together on missions to look for ancient Jedi artifacts. But over time they'd all becomed fascinated with the dark side.
"When I realised what was happening, I confronted Ben. Told him that he was going down a path of pain and destruction. He called me a stubborn old fool that cared more about my Jedi Order than the galaxy. We both lost our temper that day. Maybe if I'd been kinder...but I can only wonder. Ben left in a rage. He and his friends took a ship and went to search a patch ruins in the outer rim we'd learned about. I let them go. I've regretted that decision to this day."
Ben and the other students are walking through a dark temple.
"What happened in that ancient temple, I don't fully know. But, I do know that's where they met Snoke."
There is the sound of a lightsaber igniting. Ben and the others are bathed in red light. They react with shock, and fear.
"Whatever he did, it pushed all of them over the edge. Into the dark. When Ben and the others returned, they were different..."
Ben and the others walking out of a ship. They are wearing dark cloaks and have haunted looks on their faces. Luke stands with a group of young men and women, outside of a series of stone huts. Luke walks to Ben and the others, face lined with concern.
"...He said he understood now. That the galaxy needed to change. And that they were the ones who would do it."
Ben says something, that makes Luke take a step back in shock.
"I begged Ben to stop, tried to get him to turn back before it was too late..."
Luke is holding out his hands, in a pleading motion. Ben stares back with a blank expression. Then, Luke watches in horror as Ben pulls out from under his cloak, a crossguard-hilt lightsaber. Luke stumbles back, staring at the weapon. Ben activates the lightsaber. Its main red blade shoots out, along with its two exhaust streams from the hilt. Ben's face becomes lit by red light.
"...but it was far too late for that."
Luke gives Ben one last look of desperation. Ben raises the lightsaber to swing. Luke with a pained expression, pulls out his own lightsaber. He activates it, and the green blade lights up his own face. The two lightsabers clash in a crackle of white light. At the same time the rest of Ben's team charges Luke's other students. The two groups clash around them, wielding staffs and pikes. But, Luke and Ben just stare at each other. Luke with a look of pain, Ben with one of anger. Ben shoves Luke back, causing him to stumble. Ben advances, swinging the Red blade at Luke's head. Luke blocks, retreating back. Ben thrusts and Luke deflects. Luke parries another strike, and tries for a counter-attack. Ben catches the strike along his own blade and shoves Luke back. Luke shuffles back. Ben stalks forward. Luke stands back, holding his lightsaber defensively.
"I should have been able to defeat him easily..."
Ben launches a series of blows against Luke's guard.
"...I had decades of experience on him..."
Every clash of their sabers forces Luke back another step.
"...but I couldn't stop seeing him as my student..."
Luke is pushed back against the wall of one of the stone huts. He ducks under a slash of Ben's saber. The blade slices into the stone, leaving a red mark of molten rock in the wall.
"...as my nephew..."
Ben punches Luke, staggering him.
"...as my friend..."
Luke falls to one knee. He looks up at Ben, with a sorrowful expression.
"...but the Ben I knew was gone."
Ben glares down at Luke with hateful eyes. He yells and throws out his hand. Luke flies back, crashing through the stone wall. The stone hut crumbles collapsing on top of Luke. All goes black.
"I wonder if he thought I was dead."
There is a hazy image of the battlefield from Luke's perspective. The image becomes more clear. Ben is walking away. Around him the battle continues, though Ben's team have defeated many of Luke's students. Luke is mostly buried under stones, only his face and one arm uncovered.
"Or maybe he just hoped I was."
Ben strides through the scene, his lightsaber held low.
But, either way, my student was gone..."
One of his followers breaks from the fighting and hands Ben something. A black helmet. Ben raises it to his head and puts it on.
"...He was Kylo Ren now."
Kylo Ren spins around, cutting down one of Luke's students. Luke tries to rise but the stones are too heavy. Kylo grabs another of the students and runs him through with the red saber. Luke reaches out towards Kylo. His hand shakes. Luke's face is desperate. He reaches out further towards Kylo, who continues his slaughter. He struggles. But...nothing happens. Luke's hand drops. The last of Luke's students fall. Luke blacks out.
"When I woke up the next morning. Kylo and the others were gone, and I was left with only ashes."
The flashback ends. Luke is looking distant. Rey looks on with a sympathetic expression.
"The force failed me that night. But I failed Ben long before then." Luke says.
"Luke." Rey says.
He looks at her.
"I'm not going to end up like Ben." She says firmly
Luke stares at her. "I...I wish I could be so sure about that. I failed to keep Kylo Ren from turning to the dark. I won't train another student that I think will do the same. So if this is going to work, I need you to swear to me you will never go near that cave, or the dark side ever again."
Rey grips the lightsaber in her hand.
"I won't go anywhere near the dark ever again. I promise." She says.
Luke stares at her for several long moments. "...very well."
"So, what do we do first?" Rey asks, excitedly.
"Sit down in front of the pool." Luke instructs.
Rey sits down.
"Now meditate."
"How do I do that?"
"Reach out to the force. Like before, but this time reach inward. Search your own feelings instead of your surroundings."
"Alright, I'll try." Rey says, nodding.
"There's no trying, just doing. That's the first lesson."
Rey shrugs and closes her eyes. Luke starts to walk away. Rey opens her eyes and turns to him.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Fishing." Luke replies without stopping or turning around.
"But what about me?"
"I told you. Meditate."
"For how long?" Rey asks, a confused expression on her face.
"I'll tell you when. 'Til then, don't stop."
Rey looks on, incredulous, as Luke walks out of sight. She sighs, and turns back around. Then, she closes her eyes and begins to meditate.
Crait
Finn walks down a stark white hallway. He turns into a room where a meeting of Resistance fighters is being held. Poe nods as Finn enters, then turns back to the briefing. Leia Organa is leading the meeting, with Admiral Ackbar standing at one side, and C3PO on the other. Leaning in the far corner is a being in dark grey armor. Finn quirks his head at this one, but soon returns his focus to Leia. A holographic display of a planet appears next to her.
"...the planet Canto Bight is now under attack from the First Order, for supporting us. The planet is attempting an evacuation, but on their own, they will be unable to break through the First Order's blockade. So, we will provide interference long enough for the citizens of Canto Bight to escape to another system. It seems that First Order forces have already arrived on the surface, so unfortunately, we'll have to engage them on the ground. But our main priority is the save departure of civilians. As such, we've hired an expert in extraction." Leia motions to the armored being.
The grey clad creature nods slightly, in acknowledgment. Finn looks at the creature uncertainly, then refocuses back on Leia. She gets a hardened expression on her face.
"I do not want a repeat of our last raid. No unnecessary risks. In and out. We can't afford to lose anymore people. Am I understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" Comes the chorus of the room.
"Alright, get to your stations, then." Leia says.
Most of the Resistance members file out of the room. Finn starts to approach Leia, who is now talking to Ackbar and the armored being. C3PO stands off to the side.
"Um...General?" Finn says tentatively.
"Yes?" Leia asks, turning towards him.
"I do not believe you were called to be apart of this mission." Ackbar points out.
"I wasn't." Finn says.
All three stare at him.
"...but I'd like to be." He admits.
Ackbar grumbles. "We'll let you know when we have something..."
Leia shrugs and they start to turn.
"W-wait!" Finns says, almost desperately.
Ackbar turns back angrily. Leia only looks curious. Finn sighs, and seems to be searching for the words.
"I'm...a soldier." Finn says, sincerely. "Just give me a duty, assignment, something. Its all I know. Please."
Leia gives him a searching look.
"Oh, just let him do something already, Leia." Poe says from behind.
Finn turns to look at Poe, who has walked up to the group as well. Leia narrows her eyes at Poe. He puts up his hands defensively.
"...General, he just wants to help. He's a soldier, give him something to fight."
Ackbar grunts. "I'm against making him a combatant this early."
Leia looks at Ackbar, then back to Finn.
"...how about medical, then?"She says finally "Threepio? Does medical need any help?"
"Oh, yes ma'am! I believe the medical staff could always use more hands. If you ask me the maintenance crew could also use some help! My last oil job..."
Leia turns away from C3PO as he continues his rant.
"How about medical ,Finn? You know any first aid?"
"Part of basic training." Finn confirms.
Leia gives Ackbar a questioning look . He stares at Finn for several seconds.
"I suppose we need every hand we can get..." He sighs, turning to the armored being.
"What is your opinion? He'll be on the ground with you."
The being looks at Finn. He looks nervous under the helmeted stare.
"...as long as he doesn't get in the way." A female voice says from under the helmet. "What's your name, soldier?"
"Finn." He says, looking uncomfortable.
"Lorn," She replies. "Don't screw up Finn, or I'll shoot you."
Finn swallows. "I will try not to screw up, then..."
"Well!" Leia interjects. "I guess that settles that. Finn report to the medical bay to join up with the other medics."
"Thank you, General." Finn says saluting.
"Finn?" Ackbar says.
"Yes sir?"
"Don't make us regret this."
Finn nods slowly. "I won't sir."
He then turns around and leaves with Poe.
"Thanks." Finn says.
"Don't mention it." Poe replies. "Besides, it's probably just gonna end up being boring anyway. How exciting can medical really be?"
Ahch-to
The sky is beginning to darken on the island, and dusk quickly closes in. Rey still sits with her eyes closed, but she radiates an aura of aggrivation. Luke walks up with a large fish over one shoulder. Rey's brow twitches as he walks up, but her eyes do not open. Luke sits down and lays the fish on the ground next to the pool.
"Well?" Rey says.
"Well what?" Luke replies.
"I've been sitting here for hours!"
"Yes, that's very good work," Luke says, nodding. "Keep doing that."
She opens her eyes, looking exasperated. "This is getting me nowhere! Why can't you just show me how to throw things around with the force, and use a lightsaber? Instead of this meditation nonsense!?"
Luke sighs. "You talk about those things like they are different."
"Aren't they?" Rey says, confused.
"Not really. Meditation is a way of strengthening your bond with the force. The stronger your bond with the force, the easier the rest will come. How effective you are at moving things around and using a lightsaber, is dependent on your connection to the force." Luke explains.
"Well I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere." Rey says, with indignation. "I look inside and it's just a big jumble. I don't know what to do with that."
"Sort it you don't know who you are then you can't know your place in the force."
"How do I do that?" Rey asks.
"Close your eyes again." Luke says.
Rey, reluctantly, closes her eyes.
"Now take a breath."
Rey takes a breath.
"Now what do you feel? What is the first emotion that comes to you?" Luke probes.
"I feel...anger."
Luke nods, slowly.
"At who?"
"Not at one person. At the whole galaxy."
"Why, are you mad at the galaxy?" Luke asks.
"Because of what its done to me...and what its made me do."
Luke hesitates before continuing. "...what happened to you Rey?"
"I had to fight to survive my whole life. Scavenged old imperial tech tor trade for food. Almost fell to my death dozens of times crawling around in old star destroyers."
Rey laughs without mirth. Luke just stares at her, disturbed.
"Usually that was enough. Sometimes...sometimes it wasn't. I couldn't always find tech that was worth anything. Sometimes I went weeks without eating. One time, I don't know how long it had been since I'd eaten, I found an imperial communications relay. It was worth enough rations for a month. I was so excited. But, on my way back, some other scavenger, snatched it from me. It was a boy not much older than me. I'd worked so hard to find something like that, only to have it snatched away. I felt so...angry. So, I chased him. Despite the hunger, despite how small I was, I needed that relay. When I caught up to him, I didn't even think. I just hit him, as hard as I could with my staff. He went down, I grabbed the part and ran. He wasn't moving when I left him in the desert. I don't know if I killed him. I'll never know..."
Luke looks disturbed.
"...that makes me angry, Luke. What he did, what I did. What the galaxy made us into. How it created a place where children have to fight to survive. I'm angry that a place like Jakku exists, and that the rest of the galaxy isn't much better."
Luke looks down, quiet.
"The galaxy is a hard place." He eventually says. "It can be cold and unforgiving sometimes. But it also can be warm and soft. It is a place of unspeakable horrors, and breathtaking beauty. Everyone has something that they hold dear. Something that gives them hope. Dig down Rey. Even though you've had a painful life, there has to be something that makes you happy."
Rey thinks.
"...Finn. He's the first real friend I've ever had. He told me that this wasn't his fight, that he just wanted to run, to survive. But in the end he snuck into Starkiller Base just to save me, even though he was scared. He's a lot braver than he thinks he is."
She smiles.
"Go on." Luke says.
"There's also...a dream. A dream that I can become a Jedi...like you."
Luke looks unsure of how to respond.
"What...what else?" he asks.
"There's also an...emptiness." Rey says. "I'm not sure how else to describe it."
"What's causes it?" Luke asks. "Is it from something you're missing?"
Rey concentrates.
"My...parents." She says sadly. "I don't know anything about them. Where they went. Why they left. Why did...why did they abandon me? Was I just..not good enough for them?"
Rey's eyes, still closed, starts to tear up.
"And...Han. I didn't get to know him for very long but... he made me feel like I mattered. Like I belonged somewhere. But the galaxy took him too. And now I don't know what to do..."
Luke sighs, nodding. "That's enough Rey. you can open your eyes."
Rey opens her eyes, and wipes a tear away from her eye.
"There's nothing wrong with pain." Luke says. "But you can't let it consume you. There is darkness in the galaxy, but there is also light. That's the way of the force. To be a Jedi means to believe in that light. To believe that even on the blackest day, there is a ray of hope. That is what will hold back the dark. Hope instead of despair. Bravery instead of fear. Love instead of hate."
"But...did it really work? Am I closer to the force now?" Rey asks.
"You tell me." Luke says, pointing past Rey.
Confused, she turns around. Rey gasps. All pieces of stone and rubble inside the ruins are floating in the air. After a moment, they teeter and fall back to the ground.
"I did that?" Rey asks, astonished.
"You did." Luke affirms. "It won't always be that simple. But, you coming to terms with your inner conflict will help."
"So...what now?" She asks.
"Now," Luke says, raising the knife. "We make dinner."
Crait
Finn enters the medical bay. It's filled with hover-stretchers, bacta tubes, syringes and other unidentifiable equipment. He stands awkwardly as people move around through the room. Eventually one of the medics, a woman of tan skin and dark hair, notices him. Her face lights up and she scampers over to him.
"Wow, what's a hero like you doing around here?"
"Hero?"
"Yeah, don't you know? Your famous! Finn, the hero who single handedly saved Poe Dameron from the clutches of the First Order! And helped blow up Starkiller Base!"
"I guess that's technically true...sorry what did you say your name is?"
"Oh, I'm Rose. So what brings you around here?" she asks perkily.
"Uh, I'm supposed to be helping you guys during the mission."
"Wow!" Rose says enamored. "I never thought someone like you would help with such a lowly task."
"Well here I am..." Finn says, clearly uncomfortable. "Hey, wait I come around here pretty often from my injuries. How come I've never seen you before?"
"I've been pretty busy off on other missions lately." Rose says, waving her hand, dismissively. "But now I'm going on one with a real Resistance hero!"
"Right...could you just tell me exactly what we're going to be doing?"
"Oh, right. So apparently the fighting on the ground is gonna be pretty serious, so we've got to evac anyone who gets injured in the fighting. There'll be not just soldiers, but civilians also in danger so we've got to save as many lives as possible!"
"ALL MISSION PERSONNEL TO STATIONS NOW! REPEAT: ALL MISSION PERSONNEL TO STATIONS NOW!"
"Oh that's us!" Rose says excitedly. "Quick grab one of those med-packs, we better get on the ship!"
Finn grabs one of the med-packs that Rose indicates and follows her out the door.
"So how often do you do this sort of thing, Rose?" Finn asks.
"Oh, I've been on a few dozen of these kind of field missions. But, I'm sure it's nothing compared to the kind of experience you've had!"
Finn winces. "Actually I've only ever been in real combat about four times. And on my first field mission, I didn't fire my blaster even once."
Rose looks taken aback. "Wait but...you're on the Resistance's best agents aren't you? Why else would they choose you to infiltrate a star destroyer and rescue Poe Dameron?"
FInn looks confused at first, then his eyes widen. "You mean you dont know that I..." He pauses, considering his words.
"You what?" Rose asks, looking perplexed.
"...I was on that star destroyer for another reason." He says finally. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"Oh..." Rose says looking downcast. "But wait! You still did end up saving him! And you helped take down Starkiller Base! Even if you weren't some kind of super Resistance fighter before, you really did those things!"
"Those things just kind of...happened." Finn says, dismissively. "And nothing I did was as impressive as you make it sound."
Rose still looks somewhat disappointed. They continue out of the hallway into the hanger. Rose perks up again when she sees Lorn talking to some resistance soldiers."
"Wow, she's so cool. I've heard all about Lorn. They call her 'The Hand.' She's supposed to be some famous bounty hunter that the Resistance hired. She must be amazing in battle..."
Finn grunts, avoiding looking at the armored woman.
"What? Do you have something against her?" Rose asks as they walk up a corvette's landing platform.
"No. Nothing she did." Finn says. "Just reminds me a little too much of someone I used to work for."
The Supremacy
Captain Phasma stands before dozens of stormtroopers, lined up in the Supremacy's hangar bay.
"Men, today you are representing the First Order!" Phasma declares. "Recently, there have been questions about the effectiveness of the stormtrooper program. They have said that you are not a capable fighting force for this military. But I know they are wrong! All the First Order has comes from the discipline and hard work of each and every soldier. So I want to you to go out there today and bring glory to the First Order, and show our Supreme Leader why the galaxy fears stormtroopers!"
"SIR, YES SIR!" The stormtroopers respond.
"Dismissed." Phasma says.
The stormtroopers salute, then disperse. The group breaks into single file lines leading into transport ships. Phasma watches them march. A door opens at other the end of the hanger. Phasma turns to see Kylo Ren walk out.
"Captain." He says, striding up to her.
"Kylo Ren." She replies. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"I'm going to join your men on the ground today." Kylo explains.
Phasma tilts her head. "Snoke's orders?"
Kylo's fists tighten, but he doesn't say anything. Phasma stares at him a moment longer, before nodding to one of the shuttles.
"The 23rd will be in the center of the action. I imagine that's where you'll want to be."
Kylo nods, and marches over to the shuttle. Phasma watches him go and shakes her head.
"He better not get those men killed..." She says quietly.
Then Phasma steps onboard another nearby shuttle. One by one the shuttles take off and fly out of the hanger bay. They fly towards the planet below, Canto Bight.
The Chimera
Thrawn stares out at Canto Bight. Armitage Hux walks up to stand beside him.
"General. I would have expected you to be commanding the Finalizer." Thrawn says turning to face Hux.
"My men should have things well in hand." Hux says.
"That still does not explain your presence on this bridge." Thrawn points out.
Hux gets a sour expression. "...I suppose I was curious about your method of command."
Thrawn smiles slightly. "Very well, you may stay here if you wish."
Hux grunts.
"You failed to share with me exactly what kind of preparations you made this time." Hux notes.
"Yes. That was deliberate. The strategy I am setting in motion has the possibility of wiping out the entire Rebel fleet for good. I am making absolutely certain the details of this plan remain obscure."
"I suppose, I shall just have to wait to see then." Hux says, with a hint of annoyance.
"I suppose you shall. Unless of course, you've figured out my plan yourself?" Thrawn says, raising an eyebrow.
Hux's eye twitches, but he says nothing.
"I thought not," says Thrawn.
Crait
Inside the Resistance base hanger all of the ships are preparing for flight. The landing pad of the medical team's corvette, closes with a hiss. Inside, Finn grips onto a nearby railing, looking agitated.
"Nervous?" Rose asks.
"Nervous? Who me?" Finn scoffs, nonchalantly. "...yeah a little bit."
"Do you not ride in starships often?"
"Starships? Sure all the time. But combat? Not since..." Finn's voice trails off.
"Since when?"
"Since Kylo Ren almost cut me in half with his lightsaber."
"Oh." Rose looks both disturbed and fascinated.
"Yeah." Finn says with a sigh.
"So...you fought Kylo Ren?" She says excitedly.
Finn blinks. "...yes. Yes I did." He stands up a bit straighter.
"Wow..." Rose says, with awe.
Finn looks outside, to see the corvette taking off, along with the rest off the fleet. They fly out of the hanger, and into space.
