We're Wizards, Not Warriors: What If

Volume 5:

Chapter 12: We Won't Fail You

We then see the group back on Anch To.

Rey, Ani and Finn were with Luke at the temple.

Luke said, "lesson Two. The Jedi are often romanticized. But if you strip away the myth and look at their deeds, the legacy of the Jedi is failure. Hypocrisy. Hubris."

Rey said, "that's not true."

Ani said, "the Jedi did amazing things! Our family, many other Jedi, Revan, the list is endless!"

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

Finn said, "I've heard so much about the Jedi, and there's more good than bad!"

Luke said, "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."

"And two Jedi who saved him", Ani said.

"Yes, the most hated man in the galaxy. But you and your brother saw that there was conflict inside him", Rey said.

Finn said, "you both believed that he wasn't gone. That he could be turned."

"And I became a legend. For many years, there was balance….", Luke said.

Finn asked, "so what happened?"

Luke said, "... I saw Ben. My nephew with that mighty Skywalker blood. The blood shared by Ani. And in my hubris, I thought I could train him, I could pass on my strengths like how Sam did with his own children and students. Han was…. Han about it."

Ani gave a light chuckle.

"But Leia trusted me with her son. I took him, and a dozen students, and began a training temple. By the time I realized I was no match for the darkness rising in him, it was too late", Luke said.

Ani said, "I remember that night…. You went to confront Ben, since he had grown close to that stranger who had joined the order…. Malakis."

Finn and Rey gasped in shock.

Luke nodded and said, "I went to confront him. And he turned on me. Buried me under a pile of rubble…. He must have thought I was dead. When I came to, the temple was burning. He had vanished with a handful of my students. And slaughtered the rest."

Ani said, "I remember it…. I was able to save a handful of students before fighting Kylo…. I got knocked out and woke up on the Falcon."

Luke said, "Leia blamed Malakis, but it was me. I failed. Because I was Luke Skywalker. Jedi master. A legend."

Rey said, "the galaxy may need a legend. We need someone to show us our place in all this."

Finn said, "and you didn't fail Kylo. Kylo failed you. We won't."

"Please Uncle Luke…. We need you", Ani pleaded.

Luke looked down and sighed.

Ani held Luke's hand and said, "please!"

Rey was looking around the temple and she saw something on the walls.

It was an image of a figure in a white cloak and red metal mask, wielding a purple lightsaber.

Rey had seen this figure before in her vision. He was standing in a strange realm.

"Now that is strange", Rey said.

….

Meanwhile, on Naboo….

The group were in Theed.

Poe said, "okay, I think we have everything."

"Then let's get back to the ship", Padme said.

But as they did, Collin noticed Rose staring at something.

Collin walked over to Rose and asked, "what's wrong Rose?"

Rose sighed and said, "I just…. I miss my sister…."

Collin felt sympathy for Rose.

He said, "I know how ya feel…. I lost my family when I was a little kid."

"You lost your family? I'm so sorry", Rose said.

Collin said, "it's okay…. Through tragedy, I gained a new family…. Sam and Alastor found me. They saved me and raised me. I'm proud to be a Skywalker."

Rose smiled at Collin.

She said, "thanks for telling me this, Collin…."

Collin smiled and said, "no problem."

The two began following the others as they walked by a mural.

The mural depicted an old man in blue robes, a woman with flowing green hair and glowing skin, and a man who looked very similar to the Grand Inquisitor.

"I have seen those before", Collin whispered.

Rose asked, "really? From where?"

"I'm not sure where…. But they feel familiar", Collin said.

Rose simply shrugged as she and Collin followed the others.

The group then made it back to their ship.

Padme said, "let's get this equipment to Polly, ASAP."

"You read my mind Padme", Poe said.

HK-50 said, "disappointed statement: I wish there had been more Scout Meatbags for me to shoot."

"Sorry HK", Collin said.

Rose asked, "why is he so blood hungry?"

HK-50 said, "answering statement: Padme made me play tea party one too many times…."

Padme let out a small giggle.

This made the others laugh.

The group then went inside the ship.

Colin said, "let's get back to the fleet before anything bad happens…."

….

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

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

….

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

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

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

Ackbar said, "maintain our current course. We must hold out until the team we sent succeeds in their mission, so we may use the remaining transports to escape…."

….

Back on Anch To….

Luke was sitting on his own, when he heard a familiar voice.

"Luke."

Luke gasped as he said, "Leia."

….

Ani, Finn and Rey were standing together as the clouds started to slowly roll in.

Then the three felt the familiar feeling.

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

Ani said, "the feeling is mutual."

Kylo said, "yeah, me too."

Finn said, "this keeps getting worse."

Rey asked, "why did you hate your father?"

Ani, Finn and Rey all cringed as they saw Ren without a shirt on.

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

Ani said, "agreed. I don't wanna see you like that, let alone having Rey see you like that."

Finn nodded in agreement as he said, "thank the force Breha ain't here to see this."

"Give us an honest answer", Rey said.

Finn said, "you had a father who loved you, he gave a damn about you."

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

Kylo said, "I didn't hate him."

Rey hissed, "then why?"

Kylo Ren asked, "why, what?"

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

Kylo asked, "no? You and that scout were thrown away like garbage."

"We weren't", Finn said.

Kylo said, "they did. But you can't stop needing them", he looked at Rey, "your parents", he looked at Finn, "your family…. It's your greatest weakness. Looking for them everywhere…. In Han Solo…. In the Resistance…. Now in Luke Skywalker."

"Shut up", Ani shouted.

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

Rey said, "yes."

Finn said, "more than enough."

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

Rey hissed, "liar."

Ani said, "my uncle saw the good in everyone!"

Finn said, "you're just trying to trick us!"

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

"Grandpa thought the same thing until he realized his mistake and returned to the Light side", Ani said.

Kylo growled, "Grandpa Vader would be disappointed in you."

Ani corrected, "Grandpa Anakin would be ashamed of what you've done, Ben…."

Kylo Ren clenched his fists.

And then suddenly, the connection was severed.

Ani clenched his fists.

Rey asked, "Ani, are you okay?"

Ani sighed and said, "I dunno…."

Finn asked, "why does Kylo Ren not understand that Vader turned to the Light side before he died?"

Ani said, "my dad's think Malakis twisted the truth when he seduced Ben to the dark side. Telling him that our grandfather was still a Sith before he died."

Rey asked, "can you tell us more about Malakis? Who is he, Ani?"

Ani called over three logs for them to sit on as he said, "Malakis…. I'm not sure what he is. One day he showed up at Uncle Luke's temple. He claimed to be a surviving Jedi who'd been tortured by the Empire, explaining his mechical parts. He was like Belos, hiding his true intentions and the fact that he was a Sith. He formed a close bond with Ben, making him question the Jedi, twisting the truth, etc. Just like what Belos did to my grandpa…."

"Oh my goodness", Rey said.

Ani nodded and said, "Malakis basically tore my family apart a second time. Uncle Luke banished himself, Ben became a Sith, Aunt Leia and Uncle Han split up…. Sigh…."

Finn asked, "but didn't you say…. You still had contact with your grandfather's…. Spirit?"

Ani nodded and said, "yeah, I do."

Rey asked, "then how come he hasn't tried to speak with…. Ben?"

Ani said, "I dunno…. Maybe he's waiting for the right moment…. Maybe Malakis is keeping him from doing so. I'm not sure. But he has spoken to me and my father…. When Uncle Luke vanished…. My Father was in a depressed state for a week…."

Finn asked, "and your grandpa helped pull him out of that state?"

Ani nodded and said, "my grandpa has always valued his family above all else. He's still there for my father, even now…."

"That's so sweet", Rey said.

Ani gave a small smile.

….

We then see Luke walk over to the stone.

He sighed as he looked upon it.

Luke closed his eyes as he began to focus.

His mind drifted.

"Luke."

Luke opened his eyes.

He gasped, "Sam…."

….

We then see Ani, Finn and Rey walking down the island's rocks.

They felt a dark presence in the air.

Ani asked, "is that what you two felt?"

Finn and Rey nodded.

The trio then arrived at the spot.

It looked like a pit covered in pitch black moss and mold.

Rey then knelt down to touch it.

As did Finn and Ani.

The three looked down the pit and saw water.

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.

….

Ani found himself in a large black void, standing upon a glowing white bridge.

….

Finn found himself on the bridge of a Star Destroyer, seeing a huge battle outside.

….

Rey's voice echoed, "hello?"

….

Ani started walking along the bridge.

….

Finn walked closer to the windows.

….

Rey found herself in front of some sort of mirror.

But no reflection.

….

Ani 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 his father had only described to him.

The Emperor.

Belos.

Ani backed away as the figure grew closer.

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

….

Finn witnessed the carnage of multiple ships meeting their end. He turned around and saw countless bodies surrounding him.

….

"Rey."

Rey heard a voice call out her name.

It came from behind the mirror.

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

A figure on the other side of the glass crept forward, but as Rey swiped away a layer of frost, all she saw was herself.

Tears streamed down her face.

….

Ani began to hear a dark cackling, but as he turned, he was suddenly pulled out of his vision!

….

Finn soon got a good look at the planet the battle was on…. Lothal….

….

"Rey! Finn!"

Finn and Rey gasped awake.

Rey asked, "Finn?"

Finn asked, "Rey? Are you okay?"

Ani, who had been the one to wake them up, said, "oh, thanks for asking about me…."

Obvious sarcasm is obvious.

Rey then hugged Ani as tears fell down her face.

Ani held her close and kissed her temple as he said, "sorry. Now's not the time for sarcasm…."

"Let's go back to the hut", Finn said.

Ani and Rey nodded.

We then see the trio back at the hut.

Rey was hugging Ani.

Ani rubbed her back as he said out loud, "I saw a dark place. It tried to twist my feelings into fear. What about you?"

Finn said, "a furious battle. One filled with so much death…. It was on Lothal."

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

Ani kissed Rey's forehead as he kept rubbing her back.

Rey said, "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."

Ani kept hugging Rey close to him, as he kept comforting her.

"I thought I'd find answers here. I was wrong. I've never felt so alone", Rey cried.

Ani said, "I felt so hopeless."

Finn said, "so afraid."

"You're not alone."

They all looked to see Kylo sitting across from them.

"Neither are you", Rey said.

Ani said, "it isn't too late, Ben."

Finn said, "you can still make things right."

Kylo Ren remained silent.

The trio reached out their hands.

Kylo Ren slowly reached out his hand as well.

As their hands were all about to touch….

"STOP!"

The trio turned around to see Luke and the hut around them was destroyed.

Breha had run over with a shocked expression.

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

Breha looked at Luke with wide eyes.

Ani exclaimed, "tell us, Uncle Luke!"

Luke growled, "leave this island, now!"

Luke turned, ignoring their words.

Finn said, "stop. Stop!"

Ani yelled, "don't walk away from us!"

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

Finn asked, "did you try to kill him?"

Rey asked, "did you do it?"

Ani asked, "did you create Kylo Ren?"

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

Finn nearly ran in, but Breha stopped him.

Rey then summoned her saber with the force.

She almost attacked, but Ani and Breha grabbed her shoulders, stopping her.

Breha said, "tell them the truth, Uncle Luke!"

Luke sighed as he said "I saw darkness. I'd sensed it building in him."

The others didn't like where this was going.

Luke continued, "I'd see it at moments during his training. Mainly during his time with Malakis…. As much as I wanted to see the good in him, the darkness seemed to overpower it. I went to confront him, and when I looked inside…. It was beyond what I ever imagined. Malakis had already turned his heart. He would bring destruction, 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."

Ani and Breha were shocked by the story.

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

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

"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", Rey said to Luke.

Finn said, "this could be how we win."

Ani said, "I felt some form of good within him when we connected. Like when you and dad felt grandpa inside of Vader."

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

Rey said, "it is. Just now, when we touched hands…. I saw his future."

Ani said, "it was as solid as we're seeing you. If we go to him, Ben Solo will turn."

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

Breha gave a hopeful look. Could her brother be redeemed?

"Ani…. Rey…. Finn…. Breha…. Don't do this", Luke said.

Rey said, "then he is our last hope."

Rey walked off.

Before Ani and Finn could go after her, Luke rose to his feet and said, "you two, wait."

Ani and Finn turned to look at Luke.

Luke rose to his feet in front of them.

Ani asked, "what is it, Uncle Luke?"

Luke took a moment to say, "if you confront Ben…. Do either of you have lightsabers?"

"I have my grandfather's lightsaber", Ani said.

Finn said, "I got nothing."

"Follow me", Luke said.

Finn followed Luke as Ani stood by Breha.

Finn asked, "where are we going?"

Luke said, "my hut. I've got something you're gonna need."

The two then made it to Luke's hut.

Luke picked up something that was wrapped up.

Luke then hands it over to Finn.

Finn then unwraps it..

It was an old lightsaber!

Finn went wide eyed.

Finn asked, "is this…?"

Luke nodded and said, "this lightsaber belonged to my first master…. Obi Wan Kenobi."

"That is so epic", Finn said as he held the lightsaber in his hand.

Luke nodded and said, "hopefully it'll do you well until you get your own lightsaber…."

"Thank you master Skywalker", Finn said as he bowed.

Luke nodded and said, "may the force be with you."

Finn nodded as he ran off to where the others were.

….

Later….

Before leaving, Ani gave his uncle a hug.

As did Breha, Chewie and King.

Luke then watched as the Falcon took off into the sky.

He sighed solemnly.

….

We then see Luke with a torch in his hand as he walks up to the tree.

Looks like he intended to destroy the tree.

But Luke then felt something or someone behind him.

He turned, and saw four familiar faces.

A small green alien, an old bearded man, a middle aged man with gray hair and a woman with long brown hair.

The spirits of Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala.

Luke said, "Master Yoda. Ben. Father. Mother."

Yoda said, "young Skywalker."

Ben zaid, "I wish we saw each other in better instances, Luke."

"I'm ending all of this", Luke said, "the tree, the text. I'm going to burn it down."

Anakin said, "heh, go right ahead."

Luke was shocked for a moment, but turned to the temple to complete his goal.

But he hesitated.

That's when all three Jedi used their power to destroy the tree with a strike of lightning!

Luke then fell backwards.

Yoda began to laugh.

He said, "ah, Skywalker, missed you, have I."

Padme said, "they can still find ways to surprise you, hmm?"

Luke tried to run in and grab whatever was in the temple, but was launched away by the fire.

As Luke sat up, he said, "so…. What does this mean?"

"It's time for you to let go of the past", Obi Wan said.

Padme said, "and look to the future."

Yoda said, "time it is…. For you to look past a pile of old books, hmmm?"

Luke yelled, "the sacred Jedi texts!"

Anakin said, "oh, you read them?"

Luke said, "well, I…"

Yoda said, "page-turners they were not. Yes, yes, yes. Wisdom they held, but that library contained nothing that the girl Rey, the boy Finn and your family do not already possess."

"Skywalker…. Still looking to the horizon, never here and now, hmm? The need under your nose", Yoda said as he smacks Luke's forehead with his cane.

Anakin said , "sadly, you got that from me."

Luke said, "I was weak. Unwise."

Ben said, "we have all made mistakes. Every Jedi has."

Anakin said, "Obi Wan is right. I mean, look at me and your mother…."

Padme hugged her husband.

Luke felt tears in his eyes.

Ankin and Padme knelt by their son.

"Luke…. You must return to the others…. They miss you so much", Anakin said.

Luke asked, "how can I look any of them in the face after what I've caused…."

Anakin and Padme then placed their hands on Luke's shoulders.

Luke looked up at them.

"Luke…. They aren't mad at you…. They truly miss you…. See for yourself", Padme said.

Anakin and Padme pressed their hands to Luke's head.

Luke gasped as he saw flashes….

….

The first flash was of his brother.

He saw Sam with a tear filled face. He was being held by Alastor and Prime.

"I've searched everywhere but I can't find Luke", Sam cried.

Prime said, "we'll find him. I promise."

"It's going to be okay", Alastor said.

Sam continued to cry as the vision changed….

Luke could then see Leia….

She sat in an office, alone and sullen looking.

Leia whispered, "why? Why did this happen?"

The vision then changed to one of Han….

Han said with tears in his eyes, "how could I fail Leia…. And my own son?"

Breha, Eda, King and Chewie came and gave Han a big hug.

Then Luke saw Sam being hugged by their father.

Anakin said, "we'll find him, I promise…. My baby boy."

"I failed Luke, dad! I knew I should have kept in touch with him! Then he wouldn't have vanished", Sam sobbed.

Anakin said, "it's not your fault."

Anakin kissed his son's forehead and kept comforting his son.

Luke then saw a vision of Sam's kids….

Padme asked, "where is Uncle Luke?"

Ani asked, "why did he leave?"

Sam sighed and said, "it's difficult to explain…."

A 2 year old Angela began to cry.

Sam cradled his daughter close.

"Shhhh…. Shhhhh", Sam whispered.

….

Then, the visions ended.

Luke had tears in his eyes.

Padme said, "see…. You mean a lot to our family."

"Luke…. They need you", Anakin said.

Luke asked, "but how can I help them from here?"

Ben said, "I'm sure you'll think of something, Luke…."

Yoda said, "lost Ben Solo, you did. Lose Rey, Finn and Ani, we must not."

Luke said, "I can't be what they need me to be."

Yoda asked, "heeded my words not, did you?"

Luke asked, "always be afraid of seagulls?"

Yoda said, "no."

Ben asked, "sticks are better than bacon?"

Yoda said, "no…."

Anakin asked, "don't fall asleep while training?"

Yoda said, "no."

Padme asked, "how to make snake stew?"

Yoda said, "idiots, you all are! No, pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery. But weakness, folly, failure, also. Yes, failure most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is. Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters."

Ben said, "as I trained Anakin, Sam and you, I faced that burden as well."

Anakin said, "as did I, when I took Ahsoka under my wing."

All four master's and Padme stood together as Luke contemplated on what he would do next….

….

Reviews:

SuperSentai199: same here. Always cracks me up. Glad you liked it.

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