Chapter Eleven: Rise of the Skywalkers
Bastila was a bit worried as she walked alongside Revan to the opera.
She'd chosen her Jedi robes, and convinced Revan to wear his. She hadn't been expecting his invitation. But after what happened, she hadn't wanted to alienate anyone else. And it was going to be Zegil's private box.
Even so, she was worried as she held Revan's hand. "Revan, is this really within the bounds of the code?"
"We've been invited by the head of state, as have the Jedi Masters," said Revan. "If Kreia feels a desire to attend, surely it is alright for us."
"Well, yes, but she is a Master. It may be that-" began Bastila.
"Our feeble minds are not prepared to understand the history I already know?" asked Revan.
That was right, Revan would have known of this. "If you must put it so harshly, yes. The Council has always discouraged us from reading too heavily into other mythologies."
"Well, don't worry, most of it won't be in common anyway," said Revan. "So, you can just admire the costumes and pretend as though you're listening."
Bastila shifted. "...Perhaps I will."
"Fine by me," said Revan.
On they walked. The title of the play was 'Rise of the Skywalker.' Bastila was aware that Skywalker was Revan's last name, as well as Zegil's. But she wondered what it would be like? It had seemed to have a more mythological tone when they referenced it. "What... exactly is the Skywalker? I mean, I know you're family was named after them, but I have not... well, that is to say, I have not researched the local mythology."
"It's not mythology, Bastila," said Revan. "It's religion. You don't think that everyone shares the Jedi's understanding of the universe, do you?"
"Well, no," said Bastila. She'd been aware the universe as a whole did not possess the same understanding as the Masters. But she didn't want to say it. It would only alienate others.
"Good," said Revan. "Then don't call it that while you're here." He paused and looked up as they made their way into the crowds. A lot of people were going here, weren't they? "Skywalkers the messengers and agents of the Force Gods. They look down upon the universe. When they see a worthy warrior, they send forth Skywalkers to collect their souls. They then take them to a higher plane of existence.
"Those unworthy are consigned to darkness. Cowards and traitors, usually."
"Then it is a metaphor for becoming one with the Force and succumbing to the Dark Side?" said Bastila, finding common ground.
Revan put his face in his hands as if she'd said something foolish. "No."
"But well... surely..." began Bastila.
"It is a story about how the Force Gods send their agents, the Skywalkers, to collect worthy servants. They give them eternal new life as warriors," said Revan. "While cowards and traitors are cast down into oblivion. There, in the darkness, they are nothing. There are probably Sith and Jedi alike who end up chosen."
"But the Sith-" began Bastila.
Then Revan hurried on. "Hey, Malak! You're up!"
Bastila looked up and saw Malak, clad once more in garments. He looked the very image of health. "Yes, well, I should be able to see this at least."
Bastila ran forward, feeling guilt. Meetra's words had hurt. And they were true, after a fashion.
"Are you feeling alright? Any headaches or..." began Revan.
"I am fine," said Malak.
"Listen, Malak, I... I'm sorry that you had to go in my place I had to-" said Bastila.
"Don't worry about it," said Malak, too quickly. "I wasn't planning on growing hair anyway."
"Um, well, thank you for your... forgiveness," said Bastila, feeling awkward. She had the feeling he had said it out of habit and because he was obligated to than anything else.
Kreia appeared very suddenly. "They're both of you are. Zegil awaits us. I believe Malak will be the first Melinda to step within this theatre. So this will no doubt serve some ceremonial purpose."
And she led them away.
As they walked, Bastila felt uneasy. Why had she never heard of any of this from Revan and Malak before? "Revan, why... why haven't you ever mentioned anything about these Force Gods?"
"I talked about them with Zhar, and he suggested I shouldn't bring it up," said Revan. "I haven't prayed to them in years anyway."
"You still believe in those?" asked Malak, surprised.
"Yes, Malak, I do," said Revan.
"I haven't thought about them in years," admitted Revan.
"This seems a worthwhile topic of discussion. If only to pass the time," muttered Kreia as she showed her tickets.
"Who are they, and what do you believe?" asked Bastila suddenly.
"Well, their nature is inconceivable to us. They created the universe for their own entertainment," said Revan. "They go by many different names and vary in how they interact with our world. Sometimes they merely gaze upon our actions and deeds from afar. Other times they directly intervene.
"Some say that, if there are different universes," said Malak, "each one has a Force God looking into it. But that's just speculation."
"Often Daan's run into other cultures with similar deities to themselves. Usually, they claim that their deity and the others are one and the same," said Kreia. "Merely a different aspect of the same being, if you will.
"It's a policy of synchronization that allows them to avoid religious wars."
Bastila supposed that such a policy would help. But surely such beliefs couldn't be better than an understanding of the Force. Even so, she didn't want to say anything as they were led into Zegil's private booth. It overlooked the opera house from a high ankle. But there were also holograms showing it closer before them.
Zegil was sitting with only a bodyguard. His hands were clasped before him, and he wore armor. His bodyguard stepped in front of them. Several other officials were around them. "Ah, Lady Kreia, Padawan Bastila, Malak, and Revan," said Zegil.
"What is a-" began an official, seeing Malak.
"I ask that you conduct yourselves with proper respect in the company of the Jedi, sir," said Zegil. "We must be diplomatic."
The man went white and Bastila sense fear, absolute terror. Then he controlled himself and nodded. "Yes... yes, General Zegil."
"Please, sit down," said Zegil, motioning to the front seats.
"Now, here we begin."
The theatre went dark as Bastile looked down at the stage. A spotlight appeared on the stage, and holographic clouds appeared. They flashed with fake thunder. With one more flash, a figure appeared, veiled in swirling light. Great booming voices spoke in a language Bastila could not understand at all.
"The effects are excellent," noted Kreia.
"We have spent a great deal on this theatre," said Zegil beside her. "It is a place where all classes can go." The voices continued.
"What's going on?" asked Bastila, looking at the shimmering figure.
"Rey, a Skywalker of the King of the Force Gods, has rebelled against him," said Revan. "She has been given orders to weave the future of the universe in a certain way. But in her hubris, she has cast aside his designs. She sought to make herself at the center of all.
"In so doing, she has waged war in heaven against him, that sews the seeds of conflict within the universe."
"And so she is condemned to take on the form of a mere mortal," said Kreia. "Yet the King of the Gods allows her a choice of what form she will take.
"Rey is cunning. She chooses to take on the form of a human who is impossible to defeat in battle. She is without flaw or inherent selfishness. Unable to make herself the God of creations, she has taken the third option. Instead, she has created an avatar of incorruptible purity and power. One in humble circumstances to begin with. But who bears the power of command.
"Or so she believes." There is a roaring sound, and the lights vanished to reveal a beautiful woman. She spoke aloud, proclaiming something as though to the audience. "It is her hope to turn herself into a messiah that all the sentient races will worship as God. And in so doing, take the mantle of God."
"What is she saying?" asked Bastila.
"In short?" asked Revan. "People keep saying that they know me. No one does. Or something along those lines. This is a bit on the nose, Zegil."
"It's intended to be pretentious," said Zegil flatly.
Thunder roared from above, and the booming voices continued. They were all saying the same thing, Bastila realizes. She looked to Revan, who shrugged. "The King of the Gods agrees but warns her that this defiance shall only cause her to fall further.
"Rey ignores his warning, and he allows her choice."
"So it is that she chooses her fate," said Kreia. "I begin to see the narrative behind this opera, Zegil."
The scene changed.
Light came into it, and a new background appeared as Rey vanished from the story. A background appeared of a fortress against a red sky. Men could be seen, firing artillery barrages at the walls. In return came shots that exploded around them.
Two actors marched across the stage. The first was a blonde woman in armor, with short hair. The other was a dark-skinned soldier who cowered at her approach.
"Now, the scene changes," said Revan. "That's Phasma, the lieutenant of Kylo Ren. She has caught a soldier, Finn, trying to steal some of the pack animals. Even now, she is ordering that he be shot."
Then Kylo entered, a handsome dark-haired man all in black. He raised a hand and waved them off, Phasma nodded and Finn groveled. "Kylo has ordered him pardoned, owing to the sheer terror of the battle."
Kylo and Phasma began to walk and speak as Finn skulked off. Bastila looked with interest. She liked Kylo, no one deserved execution, no matter what their crimes. The Masters had taught her that.
"They speak of the war between Daan and Melinda. It has waged in a neverending cycle for centuries," said Revan. "The records of why they first fought have been lost to time. Now there is now only a neverending cycle of hatred and death.
"Kylo, however, belongs to neither side.
"His father was a smuggler who became a great hero for Mileena, who won many great victories. Yet his mother was the daughter of a powerful Daan general. He was taken years ago before she ever knew and killed him in battle without ever knowing her heritage. When it was revealed that she had killed her own Father, the family was shamed and stripped of their titles. His mother ended her own life in despair."
"But surely she was on their side," said Bastila.
"Family is important," said Revan. "If you can't rely on family, who can you rely on?
"Mileena, becoming triumphant, began a weak an inefficient reign. It left billions in abject poverty while rich elites dined on vast feasts. And Kylo became a mercenary who sided with Daan and became among the greatest of their agents.
"Now, the war is reaching its height as they siege one of the greatest forts."
Then the walls exploded inward on the hologram. Kylo and Phasma turned ad pointed to the light show as men cheered. "And look! The walls have broken in the bombardment! Now Kylo leads his men forward into battle to seize it! He leaves Phasma behind to guard the rear."
The scene changed against as many actors clad in armor rushed onto the stage. A battle scene occurred as Kylo fought valiantly. Wherever he went, Mileena soldiers fell. Soon they surrendered. As the stage was cleared, a messenger arrived.
Kylo heard him, and fell to his knees, clenching his fist in rage.
"Phasma is dead," said Revan. "Finn murdered her from behind as the charge was launched. Now he has taken her armor and sword and skulked away toward enemy lines."
Kylo rushed from the stage as the scene changed to that of a snowy forest. Finn fled, carrying the weapons and armor with him. But Kylo appeared before him, blade in hand. Finn raised the sword, but it was knocked aside with ease.
He fell to his knees and begged for mercy.
"He is pleading for his life," said Revan. "Begging for mercy."
"But he can't just kill him when he is-" began Bastila.
Kylo struck. But as his sword fell, it clashed with Rey, who had appeared out of nowhere. This was it. Kylo and Rey halted, fighting and arguing.
"What's going on?" asked Bastila.
"Ren is proclaiming that Finn is a deserter, a murderer, and a traitor," said Revan. "Rey proclaims that he has no right to kill one who is surrendering. So they are fighting. Even though Rey has never held a sword, she is an absolute master."
Kylo parried and thrust, but is ultimately overwhelmed as Rey put his sword to his throat. She said something, and Bastila looked at Revan. He sighed. "She's saying that Kylo is also a murderer and has killed far more people than Finn. She then spares her life, and she and Finn leave, but leave behind Phasma's armor as a peace offering."
The scene then changed once more. A pyre was built, and soldiers stood around it as it burned brightly, Phasma's armor and body upon it. Bastila watched, feeling sad. Any death was a tragedy, and that this one had led to further bloodshed was worse. Kylo kneeled by it, hands clasped in prayer.
"He's praying to the King of the Gods for victory against Melinda," said Revan. "For victory and vengeance." Then there was a flash, and a red mask appeared within his hands. Kylo bowed his head and donned it, his face hidden from view. "The mask represents vengeance."
This story was spending a lot of time on Kylo, wasn't it?
Things changed and Bastila saw Rey arriving with Finn in a white place of flowing fountains. She was greeted by an old woman and hailed with flowers. Revan put his face in his hands as the old woman, wearing a crown, embraced her. "Though they have been defeated utterly, Mileda hails Rey as a messiah. She is embraced as a daughter by the Queen of Mileena-"
"Queen?" asked Bastila.
"These are older times, in the days of the monarchy," said Malak.
"She is embraced as a daughter by the Queen of Melinda. All hail her for her defeat of Kylo," said Revan. "One among them, a soldier who fought heroically named Poe, scorns her. He points out that she was not present for the real fighting. Why should Rey gain such credit, when all she has done is fail to kill an enemy?
"Everyone turns on Poe, who steps back as they scorn him. Bastila thought that was unfair; he had a right to his opinion. But Rey stepped between them, as Finn stood on the outskirts.
"Naturally, he is sentenced to death, only for Rey to make a great show of her mercy," said Revan. "Poe is promoted and given a position of authority beneath Rey."
"An uncommonly charitable portrayal of Milenda," said Kreia.
"They sentenced him to death for having an opinion," snapped Malak.
"Yes," said Kreia. "But Poe was portrayed as having some inherent virtues. This is comparatively progressive."
"I am working for peace," said Zegil. "That requires acknowledging them as human. So the first act concludes."
The scene changed to Poe speaking with a number of men. Many were wearing bandages, and behind them, Bastila saw the image of a battle. Revan listened keenly, speaking, as they did. "Mileena is in full retreat. Poe has been ordered to pull his men back, but he is convincing them to defy the orders. He knows that if they retreat now, the line will be overwhelmed."
The men cheered. What was he doing? He should be trying to save his men's lives. Surely if such a sacrifice was necessary, it would be ordered or asked. Then came the Daan soldiers, rushing over the walls. Poe and his men fought valiantly, struggling to hold them back. Gradually, they were pushed off the stage. They left behind them a wall of bodies.
Then Poe stood before Rey on a throne. Rey motioned at Poe, who glared back at her as people condemned her. "He is condemned by Rey and demoted because he sacrificed the lives of his men. Now Poe is arguing that men are sacrificed every day. He says that to condemn him is to spit on their sacrifice. But Rey proclaims that one wins wars by protecting what we love, not destroying what we hate." Revan looked like he wanted to throw up. "Anyway, Rey ignores him and summons a spell of illusion to hide their retreat. From there, they flee to the capital. There she plans to call on the people of the countryside to assist her in stopping Kylo."
Hiding someone from sight, or making them not noticed was one thing. But making it so an entire army would be invisible to people you weren't even aware were there? That was insane!
It would be like surviving in the vacuum of space and flying through an open airlock! Or lifting mountains without any training! Or projecting an image of yourself across lightyears!
"That's not how the force works!" said Bastila.
"This is mythology," said Revan flatly.
"Right, right," said Bastila. She supposed that poetic exaggeration was a natural part of any mythic cycle. And it did play into the theme of Rey being the savior, Poe ought to have trusted in her just as Jedi were meant to believe in the Jedi Council.
The scene changed again to a view of Rey from a tall tower, looking down. She is speaking with her officers.
"Kylo and his armies assemble outside of Rey's fortress, and not one man has come to help her," said Kylo. "Far from it, the people have flocked to aid Kylo. His army has swelled to numbers and weapons far greater than ever before.
"Rey looks in despair and rages about how they have no right to set themselves against her. He sycophants disregard all who question her as blind bigots and heretics. But now they see that her reign is failing and have abandoned her.
"She attempts to hire mercenaries, but Finn has fled with the treasury. In desperation, Rey commands that Poe be given back his rank, but Poe has already defected in disgust. He and his followers have joined with Kylo, opened the gates to him, and declare him the rightful King."
The gates were thrown open as the armies of Kylo stream into the fortress. Rey's advisors fled from her to hide, as Kylo entered, clad in his mask. Finn was dragged forward and beheaded with a stroke of Kylo's sword.
"But," Bastila paused, "the King of the Gods promised Rey that she would never be defeated in battle."
"There was no battle to be defeated in," said Revan. "Rey's ideological posturing ensured her own defeat. Kylo's practical leadership led to everyone regarding him as credible. Her aura was only effective when she was present.
"Now, her powers are broken."
Bastila felt a horrible lump go into her throat as arms guards moved forward and grabbed Rey. Her clothes were torn from her body, leaving her naked. A collar was put over her neck as she was led away. The final scene then shifted to Kylo seated upon a throne, his blade in hand. Rey was chained to it, a muzzle over her face and guards around them.
A narrator walked forward, speaking an epilogue.
"Rey is made a slave to Kylo for the rest of her life, and dies in bondage," said Revan. "However, her bloodline is used as the fuel to create a new line of heroes. Her descendants are prophesied to establish an empire that stretches across the galaxy. As for Kylo, he has conquered a Skywalker and ensured his bloodline will have the divine within it. From there, he changes his last name to Skywalker.
"Thus was the will of the Gods fulfilled."
Bastila stared as thunderous applause broke out throughout the cheering. Many people were calling for an encore. What just happened here? She stared at Revan. "So... Kylo wins?"
"Yes," said Revan. "What were you expecting?"
"I was... expecting a happy ending," said Bastila.
"Congratulations," said Revan. "You got one."
"Yes, I confess I was surprised by the twist," said Kreia. "I find the message quite distasteful."
But I mean... um... wasn't Rey the hero?" said Bastila, at a loss.
Everyone stared at her except for Master Kreia, who merely sighed.
"What could possibly make you think that?" asked Zegil.
"Well, the show is called 'Rise of Skywalker,'" said Bastila.
"Ah, you seem to have misunderstood the title, which is Rise of the Skywalkers," said Zegil. "Skywalker is our family name. Kylo Ren is a mythological hero whose descendants, in turn, became many great heroes.
"Of course, he may not have even existed. But a common means of establishing a right to rule over a given place claims descend from Ren. Even among the Melinda, it is the case; they merely claim that he was on their side.
"I suspect, if there was such an individual, he was on his own side."
"Even ignoring the title, what does Rey do that is heroic?" asked Malak flatly.
Bastila paused. "She saves Finn."
"Yes," said Zegil, "and as a result, he betrays her in turn and steals the treasury. Sealing her defeat. She brought a traitor into the midst of those who trusted her. In so doing, she engineered their destruction.
"Never trust a traitor, nor bring him into your confidence, lest he betray you in turn."
"Surely Poe was also a traitor," noted Kreia. "and Kylo with him."
"Well yes," said Zegil, "but he was a great leader of men. One who had been condemned by a distant and ineffective government. When a leader ceases to care about the affairs of his dominions, they are no longer legitimate.
"Finn isn't always all bad," said Malak. "The way I heard it first, he was stolen from his home and brainwashed. But he defected back over to Melinda. He killed Phasma in single combat and freed many of the beasts that Kylo was relying on to carry his supplies.
"This slowed his conquest a great deal."
"I wonder why that was cut," said Kreia.
"There are thousands of stories about Kylo, Poe, Finn, and Rey," said Zegil quickly. "I had the task of bringing the important ones into a cohesive narrative. Poe already served the purpose of delaying Kylo. Finn, as a cowardly deserter helped me send the message I desired."
"Trust no one?" asked Kreia.
"Something to that effect," said Zegil. "No one who acted like Rey would last five minutes in a leadership position."
"But I mean..." said Bastila. "Rey ended up as a slave for the rest of her life! That's horrible!"
"Honestly, I think it was too good for her," said Revan.
"Revan!" said Bastila.
"It was." agreed Malak. "We had to clear minefields and eat rations that made us sick. Living in luxury as the favored consort of a legendary hero is positively tame. And her stupidity led to a period of Daan dominance.
"She was lucky she didn't end up beheaded."
"This isn't a heroic story, Revan," said Bastila, feeling very angry. "It's a tragedy."
"This is a Daan Opera, Bastila," said Revan. "It's supposed to end in tragedy."
Bastila strove to speak and realized she was going to start yelling. So instead, she stood up and stalked out in a huff. Making her way out of the theatre, she walked outside and slipped her hands in her pockets.
Master Vandar had said once that myths are the values of a culture personified. By hearing them, you could understand how they thought. Now Bastila had an idea of how the Daan thought. They lived in a world where virtue was determined through victory. Kylo was entitled to turn Rey into a slave because he was the victory. His ruthless brutality was right, purely because it led to victory.
What disturbed her was this was a progressive take on the legend. Zegil had taken steps to ensure it portrayed his enemy as human. Still, she shouldn't be out here. Bastila reminded herself that this place was not safe. So she turned around-
Bastila saw a figure, clad in black armor with his face hidden behind a mask. Flanked on either side were two white-clad figures.
"Well," said the figure, "this is a stroke of luck. See Canderous; I told you seeing some culture would be worth our time."
Before Bastila could do anything, he raised a hand. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Collapsing to her knees, she found her mind going sluggish.
Everything went black.
Author's Note:
So if you actually look at the story structure, this opera follows the beats of the sequel trilogy. I removed all irrelevant aspects of the story and changed the trappings that weren't a rip off of A New Hope. As it turns out, the sequel trilogy of Star Wars is about the triumph of the First Order. By the Last Jedi, the Republic is destroyed, the Resistance has been reduced to a dozen guys with no equipment. Luke is dead for no good reason, and all hope is basically gone.
The principal difference is that in my version, Rey actually has some agency. Finn could have been a good character, but the film only ever portrays him as cowardly, weak, and whiney. So I ran with that. Daan is a militaristic society. A deserter with his qualities would be the antithesis of their values.
Also, note that I was able to remove the original cast from the plot completely. And nothing of importance was lost. Mainly because Luke, Han, and Leia were brought into the story as glorified redshirts. They existed to shill the new cast for a bit, then be murdered so Disney didn't have to pay Lucas for their likeness.
Poe, meanwhile, was that one kind who is designated wrong, even though his decisions are all right. In fact, Poe destroyed Starkiller Base and blew up the Dreadnaught. He did far more damage to the First Order than Rey. Holdo has just told him that general outline of the plan. Something which the entire crew deserved to know, there would be no problem.
So I figured I'd have Zegil portray him as the 'good Melinda.' That one guy who exists as a token character to demonstrate the enemy side isn't all bad. Sort of like the token black character. Or the token female. Or the token Asian. Or literally every character in the Sequel Trilogy.
On a separate note, if I had the job of making the Rise of Skywalker, I have an easy way to fix the whole trilogy.
Just have Kylo Ren win.
Seriously. Kylo is the guy who has to struggle to overcome the odds. Kylo is the dude with a character arc. If he won, in the end, it would fix the narrative.
If Rey beats Kylo twice and then beats Kylo a third time, no one cares. But if Kylo wins after losing twice, it is the culmination of his character arc. That would make the story actually about Kylo from the beginning, with Rey, the antagonist. He had to build himself up from a whiny loser into a legitimate badass and prove himself worthy of filling Vader's shoes.
It would also let us see Kylo murdered the new cast, paving the way for a soft reset. We can also give the ReyLo shippers their precious toxic relationship, with Rey the slave.
God, the Sequel Trilogy was a waste! There were so many ideas in it that could have been interesting! All so they could shill Kathleen Kennedy's personal Mary Sue!
Well, at least Disney is on the verge of an abyss. So that's something.
