"Happy birthday Sith-spawn!"
These were the first words Han woke up to before something wet flew through his hut's window and splattered across his face. Han spat out mud and stared out the windows. Cam and his friends were running away in a fit of giggles. The young Padawan angrily jumped out of bed and considered running after them before he noticed his desk and scrolls were also splattered with mud. He tried to brush most of it off, but the parchment remained stained.
"I'm so stupid- I knew I should never had-" He ran towards the door, yanked it open and froze. Rey looked down at her son, in her hands was a brown paper parcel. Her smile disappeared when she saw the mud covering Han's face.
"Han! What happened?"
"Those so-called 'fellow Padawans', as you called them, decided to give me a wake up present!" He shoved past her and began storming down the grassy hill.
"Han." Rey called out, running after him. "I'm they didn't-"
"Didn't what, Mum!?" He threw up his arms, ignoring the glances from a group of younglings nearby.
"Han, I know this must be difficult-"
"Difficult? Difficult?" He repeated, feeling his face go red with anger. "It's impossible! Those Porg-brained rats have had it in for me ever since they arrived here! I know you want me to make friends, but it's hard to make them when nobody wants to be your friend in the first place!" He began to walk down the hill again but half-way he stopped and spun back around. "And do you wanna know why? Huh? Because my mother had a child with a freakin' MURDER!? SO IN THE END, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
The words slipped out before he could stop them and his heart tightened when he saw the hurt in his mother's eyes. She mumbled something, something along the lines of, "I know." But he didn't stick around to find out. He dashed out of view, leaving Rey standing by herself, the brown parcel still in her shaking hands.
Younglings and Padawans stared silently as Rey struggled to stop the tears from forming in her eyes.
Han ran to the cliffs. An area which Younglings and Padawans restricted to go to, unless they had adult supervision. Anger still burnt in his chest, but the minute he stopped moving and stood by himself at the entrance do a dark tunnel, the anger turned to guilt. Waves roared against the cliff side, sending ice cold droplet onto his cheeks as if the ocean was crying for him. He walked to the edge of the cliff, his bare toes hanging off the side.
Although the sky was a perfect blue and the sun shone brightly, the waves were grey and violent. "Where there is a powerful light, there is an equally powerful darkness." His mother's voice, a memory from when they'd first opened the Jedi Temple, echoed in his mind.
"Why can't we just have one Mummy?" He'd replied.
"Because, my young Fathier," she'd always used to call him Faither, the name of what Rey believed to be the most noble steads known to man. "Without the other there cannot be balance."
"Balance?"
"Balance can be found everywhere. See the Porg's that nest by the cliffside?"
"Mhm."
"They will have children who will grow, but soon the Mama and Papa Porg will pass on. Their bodies will decay and fresh grass will grow from where they lay, which will feed the next generation. That's what the Jedi fight for. For balance." Rey had put one hand on Han's shoulder and the other was fiddling with his hair.
"I thought the Jedi were one with the lightside of the force and the Sith with the darkside?"
"They are?"
"But in your teachings, you said that for centuries, Jedi and Sith had fought? Why did they fight? Couldn't they live side by side?"
"Unfortunately, the Sith didn't want to live side by side. They wanted complete control over the galaxy, and didn't care how many lives they took to get it." Han shivered, from both fear and cold.
"Mum? How many lives did Dad take?" Rey stared down at him, thinking over her words carefully and brushing a tear from his cheek.
"Your father... made some bad choices and lost his way. He was manipulated by a bad man and when that man was gone... your father thought it was too late to turn back." She kneeled down, so she could look him straight in the eye. "Everyone deserves a second chance, and he finally took it. Han, your father may forever be known as Kylo Ren to the galaxy, but to me." She paused. "To me he was a hero and the love of my life. And he loved you very much."
"Where is he Mum? Can't I meet him?"
"I'm afraid not. For his safety and for yours, I can't risk it. Maybe when your older."
"You promise?" She had never replied, instead she had led him back to the temples quietly. A real tear fell down Han's cheek. He had to apologize. Grunting slightly, he climbed back up the cliff side and ran to his mother's chambers. Classes had been dismissed because of his birthday and he wasn't sure where else she'd be. He opened the door. "Mum?" He called out, walking inside. There was no response.
No one but him was in the room. Subconsciously, he began to look around the room. The parcel Rey had intended on giving him was on her desk, she must've come in earlier then left. He picked it up, it was surprisingly heavy and a white card had been put under the string that kept it together. Han sat on Rey's bed and unfolded the card.
Happy Birthday Han!
Your father gave me this parcel before he went into hiding.
He wanted me to give it and open it with you when you turned 16.
Whatever it is, I hope it'll show you how much your father cared.
- Rey
Han stared down at the parcel. Did his mother know what it was? The thought continued to spark his curiosity. His father had left him something? Why hadn't she told him? His hands ripped open the paper. Inside was a lightsaber handle, fully built and even included a Kyber crystal. Another card fell out and Han's eyes widened when he read it.
Dear Han 'Sky' Solo,
The last time I saw you was shortly after the Final Order was defeated,
and I was force to go into hiding.
Through my I have, had many regrets,
but my biggest regret, has been missing watching you grow.
I hope this lightsaber, which was mine when I was 16,
will help to light your way.
Remember that no matter how dark times may get...
You are not alone.
- Ben Solo
Han turned his father's lightsaber in his hand before activating it. A stream of blue light, shot out from the handle, casting a cool glow on the dim room. A small tickled Han's lips. A small chink snapped him out of his trance. A small object had fallen from the wrapping paper and onto the stone ground. Looking down he picked it up and gasped. It was a Cloaked Binary Beacon. What was it for? Where would it lead?
Would it lead to his father? Ben Solo?
Han clutched the lightsaber in a hard grip as he remembered his mother's card. His father had wanted them to open it together. Should he tell her? Did she already know? Should he tell her? If he did, would he let her come? He heard footsteps and quickly threw away the wrapping, attached the lightsaber to his belt and covered it with his shirt and clutched the Binary Beacon out of sight. A maid walked in but barely glanced in his direction.
Han took this moment to run outside and towards his hut, but he stopped shortly when he noticed a familiar spacecraft landing in the fields nearby. Younglings came running out of no where, and began hugging Chewbecca, who'd climbed out of the Millennium Falcon. The ship had once belonged to his grandfather, who'd he'd been named after, Han Solo, who was also a well-known scandal and war-hero, before he'd been killed by Kylo Ren.
Han pushed the thought aside. Rey was walking towards Chewbecca but Han got their first. "Great uncle Chewie!" He grinned. The Wookie wasn't his actual uncle, but he'd been the best friend of the previous Han Solo. Chewie gave a happy roar and wrapped him in a big hug. Rey smiled slightly, the words from Han and her argument still hurt.
"You should've told me you were coming. Where Poe and Finn?" She asked and nodded at the Wookie's reply. "Of course, Poe would be busy training the new pilots at the new flying Academy."
"I, on the other hand, wouldn't miss a surprise visit for the world!" Finn grinned and the two best friends hugged, for a little longer than necessary. Han looked down at his feet as some of the Padawans giggled. Both Rey and Finn blushed before he walked towards Han. "Hey there birthday boy!"
"Finn, not in front of the others." Han whispered, embarrassed.
"Right, sorry. Too cool for the Jedi School!" He commented, winking and holding up his fist for a quick fist bump, which Han happily returned. "Gotten lots of presents?"
Han blushed, for two reasons. One, because of the gift he'd secretly received from his father and two, because of Cam and his gang who were smirking in his direction. Mud from earlier could be found on his shirt. Chewie gave a loud grumbled. "You said it Chewie. Where can we find some food?" Finn said, makin Rey giggle.
"Follow me. How long are you staying?" She led them off.
"Just for the night, we'll be leaving in the morning." Their voice trailed off.
Han stared at the Falcon and could feel the Binary Beacon in his palm. He would need some sort of transport, maybe it'd be best if he arrived in his grandfather's ship? Would Finn and Chewie let him take it?
Han didn't bother wondering if he should tell Finn about the gift from his father. The last time Ben Solo had been brought up, he had gone on a full rampage about what he would do if he found that, 'Son of Moof-Milker!' And Han couldn't risk telling Chewie, who would immediately tell Rey, who would most likely refuse to let him go. This was journey he'd have to take alone.
"Looks like it's just me." He sighed opening his hand and staring down at the small metal object.
"Hasn't it always just been you?" Cam walked up to him smirking.
"Go away Cam!" Han spat, quickly closing his hand again. But Cam had taken notice of the quick yet subtle action. "What cha' got there?"
"Nothing!" He replied, a little too quickly.
"Well if it's nothing, let me see your hand." The Padawan jumped forward his hands outstretched as he tried to pry open Han's fingers one by one. Cam was slender, but was surprisingly strong. "Get off!" Han yelled, attempting to tug his hand out of Cam's reach.
But Cam, as well as stronger, was also taller than him by a great deal and easily regained his grasp on Han's hand. The Beacon was pulled out from between his fingers and Han watched helplessly as Cam inspected it. "What is this-"
"Give it back Cam!"
"A Cloaked Binary Beacon?" He tutted and Han hoped he hadn't guessed what it was for. "Well, well, well. I've heard rumors of Rey having a map to the Sith traitor, but I never thought... what were you doing with it?"
"It's mine!"
Cam titled one of his eyebrows. "Oh, really? What were you planning on doing with it? Attempting to have a quick family reunion? I can't believe Master Rey hadn't turned this in! Some Jedi, to have a map to murder yet keep it hidden!"
Han lunged at Cam. "Shut up! Don't say another word about my mother!" Cam dodged out of the way and kicked Han, causing his to fall over. The midday sun burned down on Han's back and he stood up. "She has nothing to do with this."
"Isn't this hers?" Curiosity stained Cam's voice and Han wanted nothing more than to slice that smug smirk right of his face with his lightsaber.
"No, it was a gift!" Han ran at Cam, struggling to get the Beacon back. But Cam flicked him off like he was just an annoying fly.
"A gift from who?"
"A gift from my father that's who! Now give it back!" For the second time that day he'd said too much. Cam's jaw dropped. "You mean... your father, the Sith traitor... sent you a tracker that would lead you straight to him?"
"Yes." Han panted. Everything seemed to go deathly quiet. But the silence was broken by laughter, Cam's laughter as he doubled over. "Your father must really be at his wits ends."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
After taking a few short breaths Cam replied. "It means he's just begging to be found, for someone to end his meaningless life I suppose." He shrugged. Han didn't attacked, instead he controlled himself and held out his hand. "Give it back, please."
He couldn't believe he'd actually said 'please'. Cam barely seemed to notice. "No." He shook his head. "Unlike you, who is just like his Sith-blooded father, I'm going to hand this in to Commander Finn."
"No! Please no!" The shame of having to beg made Han's cheek flush red. "I need to see him and this is my one chance, if you hand it in I'll never be able to find him!" Something made Cam stopped. A thoughtful look crossed his eyes and he was silent for a second or two. "Fine. You can have it." He handed it over to Han, but before he could grab it he pulled away. "As long as you take me with you."
"What? Why would you wanna come? To kill him?" Han asked, looking confused.
"Kill him? Possibly." Cam shrugged. "But really, I wanna get out there, see the galaxy you know? I've been stuck here way too long and honestly I'm way ahead of my class, I can skip a few training sessions."
"So, you want me to take me with you... because your sick of training?"
"Don't say like that!" Cam hissed, holding up the Beacon. "Do we have a deal, or not?" Han glanced between Cam and the device and gave a silent curse.
"Fine!" He snatched the Beacon. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 3am." He said, walking off towards the Temple, where the others had gone to. Many thoughts whirled around in his head but one thing was clear.
There was no way he was taking Cam with him!
