Chapter 21
For the second time in a short while, the Jade Shadow reverted back in realspace. After following the coordinates Ben had given to them, Luke and Reya had finally made it to their destination. They both knew that it must be a trap, but they were prepared. The planet up ahead go closer as they approached, its black and red surface visible even at the huge distance from it. The only thing that Luke knew about the planet dated back to the end of the Clone Wars, though he had never personally seen it before.
However, Luke still felt something familiar about the planet, feeling its presence in the Force. Something had happened here years ago, but Luke did not know what exactly, and he could not shake his strange feeling. He reached into the Force to try to find an answer. The feeling grew stronger and unclear images began to form in Luke's mind. He saw aliens running away from an unseen threat, only to be cut down. He saw a young woman talking to another man, only to suddenly faint. And then there was another presence, one that Luke knew without a doubt. It was the presence of Obi-wan Kenobi. Luke wasn't sure but he knew that somehow the Force had left a lingering message to him, that Obi-wan had once been to this planet as well. He only wished he could identify the other two figures, though he was sure he had seen them before.
"Mustafar," Reya said as she read the planet's history. "It's a volcanic planet with little indigenous life, and of little value. Why would Ben want to meet us here?"
"I'm not sure, but I feel something in the Force," Luke said. "Ben has a reason for all of this, I'm sure. We just have to wait and see."
"Is Ben here yet?" Reya asked.
Luke reached out into the Force. "Yes, he is," Luke said. "He must have left immediately before we did. He is probably waiting for us."
"Where do we have to land?" Reya asked, and at that moment the com beeped. "I think we just got the landing coordinates."
"Then let's meet Ben." Luke said.
The Jade Shadow entered the atmosphere of Mustafar and reached the landing platform. The platform connected to the base of long out of use processing facility, though the shield protecting it from the lava and heat was still operational. There was huge drop to the lava floor below. Even before they exited the ship they already felt the heat from the volcanic activity. Outside lava was in a constant motion as it continuously poured from cracks in the earth. Also waiting outside on the landing platform was Ben, standing calmly in the heat. The boarding ramp from the Shadow descended. Reya walked out and on to the platform, standing a distance from Ben.
"Ben, I-" Reya started.
"Where is Skywalker?" Ben said.
"He's on the ship," Reya said. "I wanted to talk to you first."
"There is nothing to talk about." Ben said.
"Of course there is, Ben," Reya said and took a step forward. "You have aided the Sith in the destruction of the Jedi temple, and I want to know why. You were a Jedi, how could you have done that? You've betrayed everyone that has ever cared for you, even me. I loved you once," She took another step forward. "and despite what you've done, I still do. I know there is still good in you. Please, come with me, you can still return to who you once were." She took another step forward and gazed into his eyes, and he returned her gaze.
"Are you done yet?" Ben said.
"Ben, have you heard anything that I've said?"
"Yes, I have Reya, but your words are meaningless," Ben said. "What I have recently attained is more than anything your 'love' could have given me. I don't care about those kind of things anymore, only power concerns me now. And with my power, I will rule this galaxy. I cannot be stopped. All Jedi will fall by my hand, but I can still give you one chance. Join me, Reya, and the two of us can rule the galaxy together. I have already become more powerful that my Master, and soon, after I am done here, I will overthrow him."
Reya backed away from Ben, eyes wide with shock. "I don't believe what I'm hearing. You're not the person I knew. I'll never join you. You must be stopped." She reached for her lightsaber, but suddenly stopped. Her hands went for her throat, and she gasped, trying to breath. She began to lift into the air.
"You fool," Ben said, his hand stretched out towards Reya. "You think that you could stop me? I am all powerful. No one can match my power." Reya stared at her former love in horror.
"Ben," Luke said as he emerged from the hatch and onto the platform. "Stop what you are doing."
"Father, you've come at last," Ben said. "Isn't it just like the Jedi to use others as bait, then come in to save the day and take all the credit?"
"Ben, let Reya go," Luke said. "You're killing her."
"But she is a Jedi, right?" Ben said. "Let's see how long she can go without air." Ben walked forward, pushing Reya's body away from him as she continued to float in the air under Ben's Force choke.
"Ben, this is your last warning," Luke said, staring daggers at Ben. "Release her."
Ben smile. "You want me to let her go, father?" Ben said. "Fine." With his free hand, Ben sent a push with the Force at Reya, who was still weak from the choke. Luke did not even see it coming. There was no way he nor Reya could stop it. The blast hit Reya, who was already dangerously close to the edge of the platform, and sent her flying over it. She didn't even have time to scream as she plummeted for the lava floor for below, her body enveloped in the flames. Luke stared down in horror and disbelief.
"Ben, what have you done?" Luke asked in shock.
"You always hurt the ones you love." Ben said with a small laugh.
"Reya was right, you have changed," Luke said. "You've been corrupted by the Sith, and you must be stopped."
"So stop me." Ben said.
"I still want too give you one more chance though," Luke said. "Please, Ben, we can still avoid anymore unnecessary bloodshed."
"You don't understand, do you Skywalker?" Ben sneered. "This is no more Ben, only Fier."
There was the brief smell of ozone, and red and blue blades were crossed.