Remember, I'm not very familiar with Star Wars and understand their ways and philosophy. So, any information you read to being false, know that I only made it up. Plus, the Wookiee doesn't have the whole information on the website; some being from Legacy, that hadn't been brought up in the movies/TV series. Others, because they're still new and aren't much information to go through until, hopefully, in the future.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter! ^^
She's kneeled in front of her bed, looking through her small-satchel.
She has to make certain that they're all still there, before they leave Sarvchi.
She only gotten barely an hour of a dreamless sleep, before her body woke her up by forcing a harsh cough to irritate her lungs to make her squeeze the air out of her body.
As soon as she woke up, the two baby Porgs decided to run to her and squeal for her to feed them. Luckily, she stored her remaining rations from last night very well and fed them her stale food, which they didn't minded.
It was better than the alternative, should she not have a peace offering to prevent them from tearing at her bed. Chewie, sadly, suffered that consequence when he didn't give in to their demand.
The seven books and scroll of the Sacred Jedi Texts, as she last inspected, are all accounted for and unharmed. It's been barely two weeks since she pulled one of the books out to do some reading, but her lack of sleep caused a bit of paranoia to develop in her head, thinking that somebody would find the Jedi Text and either destroy them, or hide them away from her.
She'd shown Leia the eight Sacred Jedi Texts, as soon as they settled on Ajan Kloss. Of course, while some parts of the texts are in Basics, most have been in Tionese, Coremaic and Protobesh. Luckily, See-Threepio is able to translate the words. Though, not wanting to trouble the droid when he's needed to work alongside Leia, he had been teaching her how to read, speak and understand the three languages in barely three months on Ajan Kloss.
Now, she's able to read the text with ease, as if she were reading one of the many manuals she could find in Jakku to identify ships she would scavenge parts and components that are the best parts to exchange for portions.
So far, she only read "The Chronicles of Brus-bu", which gave her a description of a technique that helped her learn how to repair a damage Kyber Crystal. Of course, while most of the pieces went together like a missing puzzle piece, when she tried to combine the two large pieces to form as one, they wouldn't go together. Although, it's likely because she didn't put all the broken pieces back together, which they wouldn't, for some reason.
Until she figures out why, for the time being, the rest of the Kyber Crystal in the small-leather pocket on her belt, underneath her clothes.
Right now, all seven of the books and the one scroll are all accounted for, putting her paranoia to rest. At least, for now.
Rey gently stroked one of its covers, smiling sadly at the sacred books. The last of the very few items left of Luke Skywalker.
A low-chuckle left her, triggering a nagging cough to wanna come out.
'...You were right, Master Skywalker.' She thought, pulling one of the books out, it being white and cover almost be mistaken for carvings from bone. 'The Jedi Order needed to die... It was time for it to die.'
Then, with curiosity of a loth-cat, she opened the book and started to skim through the pages. She wasn't really in the mood for reading; just looking through its pages to see what will catch her attention.
So far, from what she can tell from the pictures, most just showed training basics that aren't very appealing to her at the moment: Fighting stances that's effective for Jedis to perform, Force exercises to increase the strength of lifting heavy objects, and one that allowed her to use the Force to secretly see what another individual would see from half a mile radius.
Just as she reaches the back of the book and was about to put the book away, a title and picture caught her attention.
It showed an image of two people, standing and facing each other... Their hand, extended out towards the other, as if reaching out to grab hands, as a thin line stood in their way.
In top, the title reads: Force-Bond.
Her body froze, her eyes glued to the title, as her hands trembled.
Rey never knew about the Force-Bond, until Snoke told her and Ben that he bridged their minds. Then, while on Ajan Kloss, she asked Chewie on what bridging mind with another meant. When he asked her why and she told him what happened on the Supremacy, did the Wookiee revealed that she and Kylo Ren formed a Force-Bond with each other.
Sadly, he doesn't know much about it, only know how it connected Luke and Leia's minds and are able to reach out to each other. Of course, Luke had blocked the Force-Bond for six years and severed himself from the Force, so his sister wouldn't be able to find him.
Rey's mind pondered to her conversation with Luke, on how she couldn't see him, feel him when the Dark Cave Mirror on Ahch-To called out to her.
'He severed himself from the Force, without Leia knowing. She didn't know that he was still alive, besides her bond as his twin telling her he still lives. Is there a limit to the usage of the Force-Bond? If so, how long will I be able to block B-... Kylo Ren, before he breaks through...? Is there a limit that he could use his usage of the Force to contact me?'
With those thoughts, she finds herself sitting against her bed, reading the topic on Force-bonds.
"A powerful connection between two Force-Sensitive individuals that bridged their minds, is known as a Force-Bond. The Force-Bond allows the two individuals to communicate through the Force, both visually and emotionally. The range of the bond is vast; it's known to even span the galaxy, keeping the two united in the link, despite the physical distance between them. As a result, both parties can manifest in each other's location at the same time, making it possible for them to see, hear and feel each other through their bond."
So far, Rey was intrigued and amazed by the description, finding the text revealing the situation to a tee between her and B-... Kylo.
She let out a tiring sigh, leaning her head against the hard cushion that feels shifty than her bed was on Jakku. She wonders if she'll ever stop fumbling her words and call him by the name he goes by now.
In her heart, she knows the answer is no.
A shiver ran through her body, prompting her to remove the grey-blanket and wrapping it around her trembling, thin body, before she continues to read the book. Hoping for some good news on how to solve the issue of their Force-Bond.
"Despite its advantages, however, a bond can be manipulated by a user of the Dark Side of the Force. A strong Force User has the power to initiate secret bond with others, in order to manipulate them. Even if the unwanted bond was detected, it could still be extremely difficult to break."
She grumbled underneath her breath.
"Of course, it wouldn't be that easy to break." She muttered, skimming through the line to see how difficult it would be to break the bond.
She noticed a few pieces of paper attached to the page, written in Basics and appeared to be newly written. The nineteen year-old took some the pieces and began to read it, hoping it'll give her an answer she seeks.
"Force Bonding is to also be something that manifested itself in such techniques, the ability to demoralize or inspire the minds of others, or in the practice of feeding upon the Force. Many Jedi don't fully form such connections because of their discipline, because they're forbidden to open their lives to the passions around them, and therefore few of them even realized the extent to which it was possible... Which, to my conclusion and horrifying discovery, that Force Bonding is an inherently ability of the Dark Side of the Force. As such, it's both easily created and manipulated by a Dark-Side wielder. It's also possible to create secret bonds with others, who were unaware of their connection, making it easier to corrupt the target and influence their judgment."
Rey's hazel-eyes widened at the note, realizing that Luke had written it on his thoughts on his discovery through the Jedi Text. And when she reread that he learned that the Force-Bond is made from the Dark Side of the Force, gives her more and more proof to see that the bond she has with Kylo Ren is a lie.
...That her feelings for him, what she felt towards him, could also be a fat lie. As Snoke revealed to them that he bridged their minds. And, when re-reading that the false bond can corrupt and influence judgement towards the target of one or both of the individuals, made her stomach turn inside out.
'If given the chance, if Kylo were to learn how to use it... If Snoke wanted to... Would either one of them be able have me turn against the Resistance? On my friends?'
"I saw something, too. I know that when the time comes, you'll be the one to turn. You'll stand with me, Rey."
Rey suddenly felt sick, placing a hand over her mouth and, on shaky legs, ran out of her room and off the ship, dropping to the ground and puking out bile, water and digested food.
His words back then made her uncomfortable, even somewhat fearful. And now, they haunt her to the reality of something awful.
'...He can still do so...' She thought, as she dry-heaves over the grass covered in her mess. 'He can use the bond to turn me against my friends. Chewie... Leia.'
"Peanut!"
She hears Finn's voice, along with the sound of feet running towards her way, as she dry-heaves a few more time before she's left gasping for breath, on her hands and knees.
Her friend laid a hand on her back, gently stroking her spine in comfort, while Rose went around her mess to grab her shoulder, helping her keep steady if her limbs were to fail on her.
Behind Finn, she hears Beebee-Ate's frantic, worry beeping sounds, while Poe and Jessika explained to him that her Silicosis made her threw up.
Connix, Rey sensed, went running for the Resistance transport. No doubt, went to get Dr. Kalonia.
...Then, she felt more eyes, from a distance, glaring towards her direction. Which, she knew, was the other Resistance members. Judging her. Sneering at her... Hating her, even more.
Her focus shifted to her brother-figure, who laid a hand on her forehead and had her head to face him.
"Rey, are you okay?" He asked, still a bit frantic on having to see her run down the ramp and dropping to the ground to puke her guts out. "Do you feel out of breath? Do you need water? Kay went to get Dr. Kalonia. She's on her way."
Hearing that the healer is coming, Rey pulled away from Finn's hand.
"No!" She replied, trying to get to her feet and kept still on her knees from both him and Rose keeping her down. "I'm okay! Really!"
Neither them, nor Poe, Jessika and Beebee-Ate were convinced in the slightest.
"No, you're not, Rey." Rose stated, having the younger-girl to face her. "You're not okay. You're sick. Very sick."
She hated to be reminded that she's sick. That she's weak.
Rey couldn't hold back her emotions.
"I know that I'm sick, Rose!" She yelled, angry tears starting to form. "Of course I'm sick. For Force Sake, I'm kriffing dying!"
The twenty-two year-old woman flinched from Rey's yelling, but remained firm on her hold.
Finn tried to get her to calm down, knowing that she shouldn't get stressed out in her condition.
"You're not going to die, Rey." He firmly stated, but doesn't sound very confident to his words. "We're gonna get you help. Maz will-"
"She'll do what, Finn?!" She argued, turning her glare on the twenty-four year-old, coughing into her hand when the nagging cough build up from her raised voice. "Get me to a hospital, where no one will think for a second to contact the First Order on where I am?! Keep us hidden on Takodana, where many would recognize our faces and not turn us over for the bounties on our heads?! -She laid her right-hand over her right-temple, her fingers clenching a fist full of her hair.-Find a way to help me break this cursed bond I'm forced to have with Kylo Ren, so that I don't turn on the Resistance?!"
Her words truly startled them; the only time she ever yelled, is when she's in a fight or isn't happy that somebody grabs her hand and pulling her to follow them like a child. Of course, with how everything is going downhill for them and the Resistance feeling to be on separate ground with each other, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise that she's just as frustrated and stressed out like the rest.
...But then, they should've known not to believe she'd be like Luke and the Jedis from the past, who would keep their emotions in check and push back their fears and anxiety.
Poe went over to stand in front of her, barely stepping in where she puked, as she coughed hoarsely into her hand.
"Don't worry about it too much, Rey." He said, laying a hand over Rose's hand on Rey's left-shoulder. "Maz will find a way. She'll be able to help you with your disease and cut off your connection from Kylo Ren."
Beebee-Ate rolled towards them, beeping at the girl in-between Poe and Finn, trying to tell her that everything will be okay and will soon have a home to go to.
That, however, didn't make her feel any more happy. And had, in fact, made her feel even more alone than ever.
...Reminding her, that she and Chewie will be leaving for Ahch-To soon and the moment they're gone, the Resistance will take off for a new planet to hide in before reaching Takodana. If they ever do get to Takodana, that is.
Before she could say anything, though, Kaydel came running back, with Dr. Kalonia following from behind.
"Lay her down!" The doctor ordered the three.
Immediately, Rey tried to reassure the doctor that she's okay.
"I'm fine, Dr. Kalonia. Honest." She insisted, as her friends firmly and gently forced her to lay on her back. "I'm oka-"
"No, you're not." Harter cut her off, pulling out a small-scanner and ran it over her chest, checking on Rey's heart rate and the breathing of her lungs.
While her heart is a bit fast, the crackling sound for each breath she took, was anything but okay. And, when the nagging cough came out, it made painful cracking, scratching sound.
Even when it died down, her small-gasps of breath told the doctor and her friends she's out of breath.
Expecting this to happen, Kalonia pulled out a small-breathing device that was the size of a binocular and placed the breathing mask over her face.
Rey, not wanting something small and close to her face, turned her head away and struggled to sit up.
"Rey, no." Finn slightly-grunted when she tried to pull away, grabbing both shoulders and pinning her on the ground.
Rose, thinking quickly, got to her head and held it gently in place, allowing Harter to place the mask over Rey's nose and mouth.
Rey, panicking and feeling she's suffocating, started to kick and muffle, when Poe pinned her legs down.
"It's okay, Rey. You're not suffocating." He grunted, knowing she's feeling claustrophobic; he had similar incidents in the past that had him be pinned down and needing a mask to help him breathe better, when he felt the exact opposite.
From underneath the mask, Rey's breathing picked up, making whimpering sounds like an injured predator that was going to die.
"Breathe, Rey." Kalonia ordered, keeping the mask in place. "Breath in. Breath out. Deep breaths, Rey. You can do it."
The nineteen year-old could barely hear the doctor, from the rushing of blood and pounding of her heart slamming in her eardrums.
'Get off me.' She begged in her mind, struggling and failing on breaking free. 'Let me go. Let me breathe!'
"She's not responding well, Doctor!" Poe yelled.
Harter cursed underneath her breath, before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a sedative.
"Keep her still!" She demanded, pulling the cap off and, quickly locating a vein, injected the serum into Rey's right-arm.
Hazel eyes widened in pure terror, feeling the cold sensation traveling up her arm and into her neck.
Her body tensed, freezing her in place, shivering from the sedative starting to take its effect on her.
"...C-... C-Cold..." She hissed underneath the mask, as the pulling of the darkness clouded her vision.
Somebody's hand petted her head, trying to be comforting.
"It's okay, Peanut. It'll be okay."
Before the darkness took over, her last thought echoed in her mind.
'...No... It won't... With me around...'
Hours Later...
"I'm telling you, Leia, this isn't getting any better!"
An angry voice was the first thing Rey hears, as she slowly wakes from her slumber. Her vision started out groggy, but quickly cleared and finds herself back in her bed, on the Millennium Falcon.
"I know, Harter. Which is why I'm willing to let her and Chewie go to Ahch-To, so she'll have a few days to herself and away from all this stress."
Another voice, gentle and strong, told the angry voice.
...It being Leia's voice.
Rey let out a tiring sigh, relieved to hear she's allowing her and Chewie to leave, but also a bit hurt to hear the non-concern in her voice.
In fact, she sounded a bit happy.
The angry voice, realizing it being Harter Kalonia's voice, helped her learn why Leia was okay with them leaving.
"Just so she can find a more 'appropriate' area to contact Kylo Ren? So she can stop being viewed as a traitor to the Resistance, after hearing your conversation with Finn and Rose when they found Luke's note about the Force-Bond?! Leia, this is just going to get worse for Rey! She's dying, and all you can think about is having her convince the Supreme Leader to form a treaty with us and reconnect as mother and son?!"
If words could kill, Rey was certain that Leia's words had just murdered her soul and caused her heart to feel numb and to stop beating at any moment.
...She should've known, should've seen it a mile away, just like before in the past. Just like the others before her had done, who had entered her life.
Once again, nothing but a tool... Once again, reminded that she's Nothing. Absolutely nothing to Leia, to the Resistance... To Kylo Ren... To anyone.
"This war has to end, Harter. Too many of us had died, in what we fight for and our belief." Leia stated, defending her reason. "And, if my son is still reaching out to Rey, that shows he truly cares for her. Loves her, Harter."
Rey felt nauseous, curling in on her side to face the wall.
'...No... He doesn't love me, Leia...'
"I read the notes Luke written, too, Leia. And, if what he written about the Force-Bond is true, then what he and Rey feel towards each other is actually the result of the Force-Bond, every time they're near and/or reach out to each other!" Kalonia argued. "That isn't love, Leia! Kylo Ren doesn't truly love her! He could very much be using the bond, to manipulate her feelings towards him, and break her heart when she fulfilled her usefulness on taking us down!"
"That would be true, Harter... Unless, from what Rey had told me, of them physically capable on touching each other through the Force-Bond, they're a Force Dyad."
That was a new word she never heard.
'"A Force Dyad"? What is that?'
Sitting up from her bed, she found the book had been placed at the end of her bed and, sliding to the ground, grabbed the book and quickly flipped through the pages to where she last read in hope to find anything that talks about Force Dyad.
It wasn't until she was seven pages from the end of the book, that she found the title "Force Dyad".
When she saw an imagery on the page, she was taken back to see that it was the same imagery she saw on Ahch-To, when Luke was teaching her the second lesson he wanted her to see was false about the Jedi Order: A silhouette of a person, sitting in a meditation position. One side black, while the other side is white.
The figure appears one, but to Rey, the figure seems to be of two people becoming one. She begins reading, blocking out Leia and Kalonia's conversation, needing to learn what a Force Dyad is.
"Force Dyad, A Dyad in the Force, is a phenomenon that occurs when two Force-Sensitive beings share a unique Force-Bond with each other. Physically, they're two separate individuals, but in the Force, they're one. Two that are One. This form of connection makes it possible for the bonded individuals to communicate with each other across great distances. The power of a Dyad is as strong as life itself, and the individuals who form a Dyad shares a connection that spans across space and time. In term, the definition of a Force Dyad had been classified to what would best be compared to as Soulmates to the two Force-Sensitive individuals. Though, it can vary, depending if the bond they share is platonic, mentor and student, or even lovers."
Her heart picked up a bit, as a blush started to spread on her face when she read the last part. And, when Leia stated that her son very much has feelings towards her, Rey wondered if what the general said was true.
Though, she pushed back those thoughts and kept reading.
"The bond between Force Dyads is an exceedingly rare connection that makes it possible for them to communicate across light-years. The bond is, also, known to give the Dyads the ability to see and feel what the other experienced in their past and/or is currently experiencing, and gives them a clear sense of the other's thoughts and emotions. Through their bond, when in battle, both in a Force Dyad can sense each other's next actions. The strength of their bond becomes increasingly powerful when the Dyads fight together, with their Force powers mirroring and amplifying each other."
If Rey had any doubt of her and Kylo being Dyads to begin with, it instantly vanished when she read what had happened between the both of them.
Them touching hands through the Force, on Ahch-To, and her seeing as much of his past that played in her mind. Along with his memory of Luke, standing over him, with his lightsaber in both hands. Giving him a look that showed his fear and rage towards his nephew, before bringing it down to strike.
How she was able to feel Ben's own feelings. The disbelief. The fear, and betrayment towards his uncle. The hurt towards his own parents, for casting him aside and viewing him as if he was Darth Vader, himself.
And, when they fought against Snoke's Elite Praetorian Guards. How they both were able to fight, while able to avoid hurting each other and to defend the other. As if they were able to sense each other's movement. As if they were dancing, while fighting for their lives.
Again, her heart sped up and the heat in her face grew, making her start to breathe a bit quicker, both from her emotions and feelings on the matter that she and Ben formed a Force Dyad with each other, and the Silicosis making her overheat and slightly harder to breathe.
'Could he-...? Had he felt my emotions, when we touched hands? Seen what I had endured, on Jakku? Took noticed how we fought, together, on the Supremacy...? Did he, actually, hold any feelings towards me...? Was I anything towards him?'
"You have no place in this story. You weren't suppose to exist in the first place. You came from nothing. You're Nothing."
As soon as she recalled their conversation months ago, made her see what she had always known, her heart plummeted and her eyes to burn. And, recalling that the Force-Bond they had is made by Snoke and how it can manipulate either one of them of their true emotions and feelings, made the pain in her heart and soul even more so.
Even when she remembered him adding "But not to me.", as soon as he just called her nothing, she's still convinced that he meant stating of her usefulness to his benefit. And, having to just read that, as a Force Dyad, their powers will increase and the bond will grow stronger, the more they fight together and stay together.
There's no doubt in her mind. What they feel, what few precious moments they had together, it was all fake. Built on a complete lie.
...And yet, her heart cries for it to be true. That Kylo Ren... Ben Solo truly does l-...
Rey slammed the book shut, looking away from it to find her satchel and put it away. And, as soon as it sat at the bottom, she grabs the two books and scroll she had yet to read.
She needs to know how to undo what Snoke did to them. How to break the bond.
She was nearly halfway through the one that had a black cover with eight copper-x marks, when she heard footsteps heading for her.
She can sense who it was.
"Rey."
She kept her back to the person, not wanting to see her... Not after hearing why she even wants her around, and is letting her leave for Ahch-To.
"General." She replied, whispering, as she keeps reading through the book.
A hand laid itself on her left-shoulder, causing a shiver to travel through her body but made no move to pull away from the hand.
"Are you feeling better?" Leia asked, unable to read Rey's mind due to her shielding her thoughts.
As if to remind them of her illness, the nagging cough came out and Rey coughed into her hand, resulting dark-brown phlegm to cover her hand and to wipe on her pants.
"Considering my disease, I'm as good as I'm ever going to be." She answered, flipping through the few pages before she forced herself to turn her head and look up at the gentle smiling face of Leia. "If you wish to know if K-... If your son made contact with me, recently, I'm afraid the answer is no. But, knowing him, he'll try to do so, soon."
The nineteen year-old knows that's the only reason why she bothers to come see her, if the conversation she had with Kalonia wasn't enough evidence.
And, of course, she sees the flash of disappointment in the fifty-four year-old's eyes, but it was quickly pushed back with the same mockery of hope.
"Knowing my son, he'll be waiting for the right opportunity to talk to you. And when that happens, he'll want to know how you're doing."
She wasn't completely wrong to that, but she isn't right to everything she just said; she only knows the child she once raised, before he was sent away to his uncle at the age of ten... The man before her, once was her child... Who murdered his own father, her husband, isn't the son she knows, anymore.
Leia then slowly kneeled, getting close to eye-level with Rey.
"I know these past months had been very hard and difficult for everybody in the Resistance. Let alone, the galaxy. But, Rey, I can feel something is going to happen, soon. And, that you'll help bring peace to the galaxy. And, help my son be free from the First Order and to come back home to us."
Rey could hear her really saying "Come back home to me.", as any mother works respond on having their child returned to them.
Oh, how she wished her mother would be the same. To want her. To love her.
...To not have despised her presence, keep her distance and only give her their scraps, when she and her husband barely remembered they had a child to care for when they were too drunk to even remember their own names.
Rey wondered if they were so drunk, when they chose to name her Ray, they'd written an 'e' instead of an 'a' when spelling her name and decided not to correct the mistake they made. As if being a reminder to her that she's a mistake.
A mistake that should've never existed.
Rey chose to change the subject.
"Have Chewie asked if we can go to Ahch-To?"
"He did, and I believe some time away will do some good for you."
She knew Leia really meant it'll do good for them. For the general, and the Resistance, as soon as she leaves.
She knows what was going to happen, and why... And she understands; it's the same way she had to live by. The same way all on Jakku live by.
"While you were resting, Chewie, Poe, Jessika and our few mechanics checked over the Falcon and they find everything to be functioning as it should, which means there shouldn't be any problem for you and Chewie to get to Ahch-To."
while Rey is happy to hear some of her friends and Chewie checked over the Millennium Falcon, a small-part of her wondered if the mechanics did find everything to be functioning properly. Or, if they only said that, just so she could leave and if something were to go wrong with the ship, she and Chewie will go missing... Die, even, and the Resistance won't have to worry about them returning, ever again.
She mentally kicked herself for having such thought.
'They hate you, but they wouldn't go so far as to kill you.' She scolded to herself, as her eyes continued to skim through the pages. 'They're not like those on Jakku. They're not like Plutt, the Teedos or even the Dead-enders.'
She pulled her hazel-eyes away from the page to look up at Leia, who still had that calm, gentle-smile on her face. The nineteen year-old gave her a force small-smile.
"Thank you, General." She said, before turning away to cough into her left-arm, as she closed the book and put it back into her satchel. "Hopefully, with us gone, everything will go back to normal and everybody will be more at ease."
She, also, put away the scroll and then reached for the brown-covered book, appearing to be similar to the white-covered book she read about the Force-Bond, when one of Leia's hand went over hers and stopped her from putting away the book.
...Then, to Rey's shock, she finds herself being pulled towards the fifty-four year-old woman. Wrapped in her arms... In a hug.
Like a trapped animal, Rey could only freeze still, as she feels herself slowly turning to lay a bit more comfortably against the middle-aged woman.
It's been over six years since she's been hugged like this, before. Embraced, as if she was truly loved by somebody close to being a parental-figure... Since somebody close to feeling like Big Sister's warmth, had held her as such.
Leia laid her chin on top of Rey's head, slowly closing her eyes and slightly rocking them a bit. Imagining she was holding her own child, in her arms, once again... Embracing a child she has come to see as her own... Who, in her mind and heart, even forming a Force-Bond and being a Force Dyad with her own son, is her daughter.
Sadly, instead of being overjoyed by the attention and feeling, it only brought pain and bittersweet emotions for Rey.
The last time her own mother hugged her, was the very day both of her parents handed her off to Plutt, when she was crying in fear of Plutt's appearance and pulling her away from the two adults. The hug was very short, and wasn't warm or loving in the slightest, but still a hug. And, after hearing the lie that they'll come back, she was shoved back to Plutt and watches the two enter a ship.
When being raised and taught by Big Sister*, her hugs were hesitant and awkward at first, before they grew to a calm, safety of a gentle warmth... But, after her death, Rey went without the comfort of the warmth for six years, until Finn broke the cycle when he, Han and Chewie came to Starkiller Base to save her.
...Though, in her heart, she felt that Kylo Ren, Ben Solo, was the one to embrace her, first, when he used the Force to make her fall asleep and carried her away on Takodana.
And on D'Qar, after the destruction of Starkiller, the first time she and Leia met, she felt a motherly-aura from the middle-aged woman and ran to embrace her. She didn't know what drove her to hug the stranger, but in her heart, it could be that she's the last of Han Solo that still lives and, losing her chance to embrace the first father-figure that came into her life, embracing his wife is going to be the closest she's going to get. Besides Chewie, of course.
But now, the woman that Rey views as a mother, revealed she wants the girl, in terms using her, to help bring her son back to her, that gotten her own husband killed, has now became like those who sees her as just a tool. And the warmth of her embrace, feels suffocating and almost as if she's burning her skin than the sun on Jakku does in the burning Summer.
"You'll both be leaving in the morning." Leia whispered, laying a hand over the left-side of Rey's face. "That'll give you plenty of time to say goodbye to your friends, before you depart for Ahch-To. If you can, please give my thanks to the Lanais, for taking care of Luke."
Rey swallowed past a lump in her throat, feeling a tear wanting to form from the mentioning of Luke but pushed down her emotions.
"...I will." She choked out, barely able to keep her voice calm and clear.
When Leia finally released her from her grasp, the nineteen year-old forced herself to her feet, keeping her head low to avoid eye-contact with the general. She then used the Force to call for her quarterstaff and her Lightstaff.
"I need to go train." She announced, immediately forcing her feet to move her out of the Millennium Falcon. Away from Leia.
When she walked down the ramp, she finds the sky having an orange, blue and pink coloring, signaling the day is setting.
She didn't think, before she took off running for her training spot, ignoring the exhaustion and lightheaded feeling of gasping for breath already building up.
'Hurry!' She yelled, coughing into her hand. 'Get there, before it's gone!'
Running on low energy from the lack of food, breath quickening with her racing heart and nearly tripping over her feet, Rey pushed herself to hurry to her spot. She needs to get there, before it leaves.
She needs to watch the suns set, witness the lights vanish, before it leaves her in the dark... To say goodbye to the day she's in, and wait for the next one to come.
By the time she reached her training spot, the colors in the sky turned darker, but sull showed some light remaining.
The nineteen year-old smiled at the air, forgetting that she's out of breath and her body had grown a bit warmer, as she allowed her body to drop and quickly folded her legs underneath her body.
She laid both her quarterstaff and Lightstaff on top of her lap and, after shifting in her spot a bit, got comfortable and simply stared at the changing colors. This is one of her most favorite thing to do. The only thing that brings her any joy.
Even when as a toddler, back on Jakku, she would watch the colors in the sky change color, telling her that the day is going to end. And, before dusk, she'd go sit on the highest spot of her home and watch as the sky go dark and bring in the stars and, depending the cycle, the two moons. And still, to this very day, she continues the cycle that begins her a brief moment of comfort.
She even did this with Big Sister, when she was still alive... When she left her...
...When she-...
Rey's hands grasped her leather-wristband, but her hazel-eyes remained staring off towards the horizon. Watching the suns sink, one over there waters and the other behind the mountains from afar distance.
'I wonder...' She pondered, lost in thought. 'Did she get to see the sun set, before she died...? Did Master Skywalker ever watched the day turn to dusk...? Did he say goodbye to the sky, to his sister, before he passed away?'
Her heart went slow, feeling a bit heavy, but not from the claustrophobic heaviness of the Silicosis, or any form of feeling dread or fear from the thought of their deaths.
It was the feeling of longing... The anticipation on what was to come.
'...Will I get to watch the sun go down... When I-...?'
She felt her breath feel a bit lighter, as the last ray of light touched her face and stroked her exposed skin. As if it was telling her 'goodnight' and 'to have sweet, comforting dreams'.
She remained sitting, watching the sky turn dark, left to her thoughts.
...Unaware that three Force Ghosts are there, watching her from behind... As a fourth ghost kneels beside her, wrapping his arms around her small-form.
Two of the three Force Ghosts turned to the third ghost, small and slightly hunched over his cane. Both, silently, asking what they should do.
The small-figure hummed lowly, his eyes closed and head bowed.
"Lose Rey, we must not." He stated, making his voice clear on what they need to do.
The Next Day: Late Morning...
"You sure you'll be all right, Peanut?" Finn asked, for the ninth time since they came to eat breakfast with her and Chewie. "We can go with you two; probably be nice to get away from all this stress."
"Yeah!" Rose insisted, beaming at the younger-girl. "It'll give us girls a chance to have actual girl time! Even for a great time for a double date for us four!"
"Plus, we wanna see where these adorable little guys came from and see I'd we can get done of our own." Connix added, petting one of the Porgs that she fed since of her meal with before letting it go when Chewie growled for it to come into the Falcon.
Rey simply only gave them a tiring smile, waving them off.
"I'll be fine, Finn. I swear." She reassured, folding her arms behind her back. "Chewie will be with me, and the natives will make certain that we have a hut over our heads to weather the storm. And, if we run out of rations, they'll certainly share their meals with us. Besides, the island we're going to will be too small for all of our ships to land on and, honestly, the less people know where they are, the better; the Lanais are very private and don't enjoy having so many outsiders visiting their planet."
Poe pouted from the news.
"That's a shame," he grumbled. "We were hoping to catch a break from all these sour Happabores, before we leave for our next destination."
The nineteen year-old gave out a nervous laugh, triggering a cough to come out.
"If you did, you'll have your ships broken into by those little fluff-balls you guys love so much and have your wires pulled out, seats torn with holes and find unnecessary nests builds in your engines; those little guys nearly drove Chewie insane and almost ate them, before one of them guilt tripped him to stop eating chicken-based product."
Jessika giggled at the news.
"Yet, he gives them chicken-food names," she commented. "But, Yeah, when you put it that way, Poe would hunt every single Porgs off of Ahch-To, should he find a single scratch or dent done to his ship."
The others joined in to laugh, while Poe gave his girlfriend an annoyed look, before letting out a deep breath and let it go.
Connix was the first to speak after they finished laughing.
"Still, you sure you'll be okay, Rey?" She asked, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Why not go to the nearest village with us, for a little errand run, before you and Chewie leaves?"
Rey did considered on going with them to the village for a few happy memories to think of, before she leaves for Ahch-To... Before she-...
Chewie even suggested she spends time with her imprinted-kins, and she decided to listen to his advice.
Just as she opened her mouth and give them the approval to the idea, in the corner of her eyes, she sees Gial and his group heading towards the direction of the village. All giving her a clear glare that tells her that they know what she's thinking about and aren't going to let her go the same location they're going.
They wanted her gone, ASAP. And not a second later than they have to even see her in their presence.
Immediately, her answer shifted, shaking her head.
"I'm good," she insisted. "The Sarvchi and Chiss won't care of us being here, so long as we stay away from the perimeter of their villages and towns, but I don't want to risk anybody to recognize me and put them in danger if somebody were to turn our location to the First Order."
They may not be able to hear, from how far they are from the Falcon and the group, but Rey can sense the satisfaction on their faces when they see her shake her head and, with smug looks on their faces, head for the village. She didn't need to use Theran Force-Listening to figure out what they're saying to each other, or even listen to their thoughts on what they're thinking.
And despite the cruelty and the rejection they have towards her, the nineteen year-old still wish them to be safe.
"I should get going," she informed her friends. "The sooner we leave, the better it'll be for you guys and the Resistance to leave Sarvchi without any issues."
Her five friends frowned to her announcement to leave, but they knew she was right and want her to get away from all this going on around her.
Connix was the first to start the goodbye, walking up to Rey and gently pulling her into a hug.
"Be safe, and don't do anything that Poe would do." She joked, earning a "Hey!" from Poe and getting everyone to laugh at the truth in her words.
Jessika came up next, giving her the same treatment.
"If something goes wrong with the Millennium Falcon, contact us, immediately." She urged, as Beebee-Ate rolled towards her, beeped a few times and rubbed his body against her leg, prompting the nineteen year-old to kneel to his level.
He was begging for her to let him go with her and Chewie, and how he doesn't want to miss her when he can be with her to keep her company.
Rey smiled gently at him and, seeing the same antenna when they first met had bent, reached over and fixed it to as it should look like.
"You're needed with Poe, should anything goes wrong, Beebee-Ate." She reminded him, laying a hand on top of his head. "Poe can't do anything right without his little buddy there to keep him out of trouble, especially when Jess isn't with him."
The oldest in the group wouldn't minded if his droid goes with the youngest of their group, but with the few bugs going on with his ship, the Black One, and until he can get the parts to get them fixed, he really needs Beebee-Ate to be with him when they leave Sarvchi.
The little droid lowered his head a bit in disappointment. Rey gave him a sympathetic look.
"Can I count on you to keep an eye on the others, while in my absence, Beebee-Ate?"
Her request had the droid raise his head and, taking a moment to stare up into her hazel-eyes, beeped happily at her. Confirming that he'll do what she asked of him to do.
The nineteen year-old giggled happily at the droid, then got to her feet to hug a cheerful Rose.
"Enjoy yourself, Rey." She lightly ordered, kissing her on the right-cheek. "And don't worry, I'll make certain you won't come back and find Finn and I married, when we intent to have you as our maid of honor."
Hearing the announcement had Finn blushing a deep-shade darker.
"It's early to be thinking about that, Rose." He sputtered, very nervously.
Rey turned to her friend, her first brother-figure. Curious as to what was going on.
"...Finn?" She asked, very much taken back by Rose's words. "...Are you two-...?"
All he did was rubbed the back of his head, stil having that blush that made his face seem a bit darker than his natural color.
"...We were taking what we hope would happen, in the future. It's too soon to be considering, but-..." He cut himself off, knowing they would all have the idea on what was going on.
Poe, Jessika and Connix all smiled like mad to the news, with the girls squealing with an equally excited Rose and Poe patting a still blushing Finn on the back.
"I knew you had it in you, you big lug!" He teased, pulling him into a bro-hug. "You better have me as your best man, or I'll have Beebee-Ate stun you everyday until your big day!"
As if to prove a point, Beebee-Ate rolled towards Finn and shocked him, making him jump and yell "Hey!".
While this was going on, Rey watches the interaction with happy, but saddened eyes.
'I haven't even left, yet, and they're already moving on with their lives.'
She truly is happy that they are... It'll make her departing from this world much easier, knowing that'll continue on without her. Though, she is sad that she won't be there for their weddings.
Which hurts just as much as her deepest desire to have her own wedding will never be a reality, when hearing what it was from Big Sister.
Marriage on Jakku are extremely rare, and only happen between individuals who can provide for themselves and, if capable, one or two children. But, even then, they don't marry out of love or commitment; it's either because of a contracted engagement, or a forced arrangement when one of the individuals had been bought for such an event.
She knew Plutt was going to sell her off, as soon as he finds a Pleasure Tent who can use her as an unbred whore... After he has his way with her, and has his 'doctor friend' use his medical skills to have her tubes tied.
Unconsciously, she laid a hand over her stomach. A agonizing feeling of dread eating at her soul, to never get the chance to be mother.
Poe, noticing Rey being quiet, came to her and, with extra care, pulled her into his embrace.
"We'll contact you and Chewie where we're seeking refuge, should you not be back before then." He promised, before patting get on the head. "And hey, when we get to Takodana and things settle down, we'll have a race and see who's the best pilot."
It would've sparked such a shrill of excitement to such an offer that brings her joy. Yet, she knew they'll never get the chance to do so.
She simply smiled at him.
"And if we don't ever race, you best make certain to never let anyone beat you for that title. Even if you and Jess end up tying the knot and end up going slow when you have kids of your own, Poe." She replied, earning a smirk of a chuckle, patting him on the left-shoulder and pulling away from each other.
Then, she turned to Finn. The last of her friends. The first to become her brother. To care for her, since left to fend for herself for six years.
Her heart sped up, having her start to pant a bit from the fast paste of the beating organ and a small-flush to spread over her cheeks.
Still, that didn't stop the twenty-four from going over to the scavenger and puking her into his gentle, strong, reassuring hug.
Rey laid her head on his right-shoulder and closed her eyes, memorizing the hug that brought her relief and safety. The warmth that reassured her that she'll be loved, no matter how far she is from her friend.
"You're going to be okay, Peanut." He whispered, laying his head against hers, pressing his lips to kiss her temple, before pulling away to look her dead in the eyes. "Promise me, that you'll come back to us."
She saw the hint of a light in his eyes, as if he knew what she was thinking and wanted her to not go thigh with it... What her intentions are.
When she learned how he left the First Order and, willingly, helped Poe to escape, she found it very peculiar as to how he snapped out of his brainwashing and Stormtrooper Programming, and the other Stormtroopers didn't, after the assault on Jakku. And how he never held a lightsaber and/or sword-based weapons in his life, yet was able to wield it with ease than she did for the first time. Most of all, all the recent headaches he had months ago and continues to have from time-to-time, claiming to hear voices of different people, was the most astonishing of all.
'Is it possible? Could Finn be-?'
She wasn't certain if it was possible, but knows that the Force could've been at work before it decided for her to be granted with its powers. She only hopes that Leia would take notice, and figure out if her friend could be Force-Sensitive.
"Rey?" Finn's concern brought her out from her train of thought, and immediately answered the question.
"I'll try, Finn. With my illness progressing, it's hard to say if I'll be able to be okay before somebody we can trust will help cure me of my Silicosis. -She then turned her head to the side and coughed hoarsely, before she looked back to her friend and gave her a forced smile.- Even so, I can only say that I'll try and be okay."
It wasn't the answer Finn nor the others wanted to hear. Especially him. And the way she smiled at him, it didn't settle right for him.
But, he couldn't call out her lie and hurt her like the Resistance had with their words and distrust.
And so, he smiled back at her and accepted her response.
"Good," he said. "Cause when you get back, I'm probably going to need you to mop the floor with me, should I end up doing something upsetting towards Rose and not know what I did wrong, before she uses her taser to stun ne for a week."
That earned him a playful smack upside of the head by his girlfriend, before she grabbed for the collar of his shirt to pull him for a chaste kiss.
"I think you'll be just fine with the punishment, as soon as Rose wakes you with a kiss, Finn." Connix stated, giggling at how much of a sap he's becoming to the short-girl.
Poe, Jessika and even Beebee-Ate joined in on teasing the twenty-four year-old, while Rey stayed quiet for a moment to simply watch them.
Then, she noticed Leia, walking out of the transport, looking towards their way. Directly at her.
She offered three girl a kind-smile, which, while it made her feel hesitant and awkward, forced herself to return the gesture.
"May the Force be with you, Rey." Leia's voice echoed in her mind, indicating that she'd using the Force to communicate with her. "And should my son reaches out for you, please give him my message and contact me, immediately."
The forced-smile fell, almost immediately, from Rey's face when she heard the rest of the message, as she watches the general head back into the transport. Apparently, she only came out to see if her student left yet and give her the message, before leaving her with her friends.
The fifty-four year-old only gave her the same phrase she told her before she left to find Luke, an old way to wish her luck, as if she was going into a deadly battle. But, doesn't tell her anything else to let the nineteen year-old know she'll miss her, or to at least give her an order to be careful and when to report back to the Resistance.
It shouldn't have bothered her, now she knows how Leia truly views her as, but it did.
And just like that, Rey decided it was time to go.
"I better get going," she announced H her friends. "I'll make certain to try and contract you guys as soon as I can, when we get a clear signal on Ahch-To."
Her five friends were very much confused by her sudden change of behavior and swiftly telling them goodbye.
"Oh... Okay..." Rose replied, her mood instantly dropped.
"We'll try and stay in touch, Rey!" Poe called out, as the girl walked into the Falcon and the ramp pulled up.
"Be careful out there, Rey!" Jessika yelled, as the engine of the ship turned on and slowly raise to the air.
"We love you, Peanut! Remember that!" Finn called out, waving his hand to wave goodbye at the window to where Chewie is more or less likely is at. "Take care of her, Chewie!"
The ship hovered in the air, slowly turning its head to aim for space.
Rey, joining Chewie in the control room and sat in ther co-pilot seat, stared out of the window and see her friends, smiling up at her and waving her off.
She makes certain to remember every detail, as she and Chewie flew further and further from the ground.
Knowing they'll jump into lightspeed soon, having to be given the reports from their few allies that no First Order fleet are near the Unknown Region to pick up their signal, Rey slowly waved back at them.
'Goodbye, my friends. Whether you guys succeed at bringing them down or not, may you all live a happy, long life.' She prayed.
As soon as there ship had been turned, it shot straight into the sky and find themselves in hyperspace.
She leans back in her seat, feeling physically and mentally drained, despite having to just woke up an hour ago and having a few bites of bread for breakfast.
A Porg, running into the cockpit, squealed loudly and bumped itself against Rey's leg, prompting her to lean forward and have the little creature held in her hands. With barely two strokes from her two fingers, the Porg nestled in her hold, curling up against her flat stomach, purring in content.
Chewie, looking over at the girl cuddling with one of the Porgs, seeming to be at peace for the first time in a good while, let out a low-purr. A reassuring sight in his eyes that gives him hope that there's still time to help her heal. To fix whatever damages he can repair, where Leia had failed to do and caused more damage to be done on the child.
He let out a few grunts.
"Go rest, Little Light." He suggested, slightly tilting his head out of the cockpit.
Rey didn't seem to be on board to the offer. Plus, she's gotten comfortable in her seat, especially with the Porg cuddling with her and sleeping in her hold.
"I'm fine right here, Chewie." She insisted, flashing him a tired smile. "I've already missed out on seeing the stars up close in the past, because of my past, fatigue and illness. I don't want to miss any more of that. Including right now, when I want to see Ahch-To, again. -Underneath her breath, she muttered a whisper.- One last time."
The Wookiee would rather she go back in her bed, where she'd be more comfortable to properly rest in, but seeing the calm and ease made him change his mind and grumbled in approval.
"Okay," he replied. "Still, if you're tired, do rest."
The nineteen year-old leaned back into her seat, again. This time, getting comfortable with her little companion to keep her occupy at the moment.
In her mind, she should continue to look in to the Jedi Texts to figure out more on the Force-Bond... On how to break the bond she has with Kylo Ren.
She feels a faint vibration within her mind. A low hum, but not strong to tell her that he's trying to force his way to contact her. Possibly grazing to detect if she's awake and/or is keeping her mind shield.
Of course, she pushes against the bond at full strength. Despite the attempt would leave her with a searing headache, blurry vision and severe vertigo.
'I need to break it.' She thought, as the vibration in her head left, after it lingered for a moment. 'I can't keep blocking him, every time. He'll eventually overpower my block, and it'll be difficult for me to get him to leave when the Force connects us.'
She coughed into her hand, slightly jostling the Porg a bit, but the little creature immediately went back to sleep, snuggling into Rey's arm and against her stomach. It and its flock had gotten used to her continuous coughing, that it became nothing more than a fly zooming over their heads.
The dark-brown phlegm smeared on her hand, which she simply wiped on her left-shoulder, as she slowly turned on her left-side, curling herself around the Porg.
'There most be something within the texts. Something to stop this bond from keeping us connected. I can only hope, with me gone, the Resistance will be safe and will be able to leave Sarvchi, without being detected.'
Unknown to Rey, Chewie and the Resistance, on that very same day she left, when Gial and his group went into the village, something unexpected happened.
As Finn and his group made certain to stay low and not draw attention when entering the village, Gial and his group were in such high spirits that they neglected to take precautionary measure to hide their faces. Which, as they left a shop that had parts they needed for the X-Wings' laser cannons, didn't take the time to notice a pair of yellow-eyes staring at them.
And, after three hours of walking through the village, collecting parts, a few extra equipments and even a little helping of food for themselves to celebrate the departure of Rey, the yellow-eyes followed them from the shadows and watches them head for the hills.
The figure, a cloak that shields their face, held up a device-like watch from her left-wrist. A hologram appeared, showing a face of a person that doesn't show to being any of the five men. The figure flipped their finger across the imagery, scrolling through the pictures of the many faces that are in display for bounty.
...Then, they stopped at a picture of Gial. Pressing the imagery, his picture popped up. A written notice of him appeared below his mugshot.
Admiral Gial Ackbar
BOUNTY: 750,000 CREDITS
Specie: Mon Calamari
Wanted: Alive (Extra Five-hundred thousand Credits, if brought in, alive)
Crimes: Defying against the First Order, assisting the Resistance, multiple counts of treason within First Order Territory, multiple counts of killing members of the First Order and concealing Rey of Jakku from the Supreme Leader.
Last Seen: Crait
IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the few to be within General Leia Organa-Solo's group. If alone, subject must be maintained, UNHARMED. If found with group, contact First Order, immediately.
A snake-like smile spread on the figure's face, as they silently follow the group to see where they're hiding. And, to see if they'll lead her to the biggest prize, before she makes the call for the First Order.
TBC
*: From his reputation and how he treats her and the others, I can't see Unkar Plutt, actually, raising and caring for a five year-old toddler. Because of that, I believe he had somebody else care for Rey and teach her how to scavenge, before he put her to work. And, since she's precious cargo and doesn't want to risk somebody damaging his property, it would more likely be a female that had raise her (Remember, on Jakku, there are smugglers, thieves and murderers. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if there are any other certain people that come to Jakku. I even heard [Don't know if it's true, but, again, can be very likely to being true.] there are... Certain adult places on Jakku.).
R&R