The Force Prodigy 3

Author's note : I'm back dear readers ! Sorry for the delay, this chapter has been a tad more difficult to organise. Loving all of your reviews so far, I thank you all ! Now … let's go back to our boy Ben Solo.

Next morning, Ben woke up tiredly in the rich brown sheets of his bed. His mother had brought him in her private apartment on Hosnian Prime, understanding the weight of his son' journey from the Jedi Academy. Unfortunately, Ben found little rest during the night. He had been plagued with many dreams, and images Snoke probably tried to push in his mind, through his barriers.

Solo had trained himself, in his past life as the Master of the Knights of Ren, to discipline his mind and harden his mental defence to prevent any psychological attack during the day, and even in his sleep. But Snoke was relentless : he pushed, every minute, every second against the boy's shield to break through.

Ben sneered briefly. How desperate must be the Supreme Leader, trying to get back his dark influence over the 'frightened and weak Ben Solo'. But Ben would never bow to any master again : he made sure of it when he became Supreme Leader himself last time. He thought he would gain freedom, only to find himself manipulated once more by none other than Darth Sidious.

Rising slowly from the bed, Ben headed to the fresher, relaxing his still tense muscles and mind under the hot water, contemplating what he had to do next.

First, it was clear he needed to train more : if his mind still carried his past life's experience and knowledge, his body was nowhere as strong as he was in his prime as Supreme Leader. But Kylo Ren, using a heavy, corrupted cross-blade lightsaber, fought quite differently then Ben Solo. He would then need to find the proper combat style, reflecting his exact state of mind and commitment to destroy the Sith. Vaapad was the only logical way to go, but its only master was long dead and Luke had only taught his students about Djem So. The Archive on the Jedi Temple of Coruscant could then prouve useful, especially since the First Order had not, at this time, gathered everything from the Empire of this planet.

Stepping out the shower and back in his bedroom, Ben smiled briefly as he watched his mother putting a pile of fresh clothes on his bed. She turned to greet him, offering him a tender and loving look.

"Good morning Son," she simply said. She seemed tired, with dark circles under her chocolate eyes. "Did you sleep well enough ?

"I'm not exactly sure," Ben confessed. "I still see the Temple burning and the corpses on the ground when I close my eyes."

Leia nodded slowly, resting on the edge of the bed. "I'm here if you want to talk about it. The horrors of war tend to darken our heart despite our best intention. Trusting each other is the only way to recover and prevail."

"And yet, here you are trying to, once again, save the galaxy on your own," Ben grinned.

Leia rose in chin proudly, "Well, what can't I say, I'm the best there is for such job."

"An exhausting job," Ben grabbed the pile of clothes and went back in the bedroom, speaking louder. "As a senator, your voice has more commanding force than as a General in a group of resistant. Let the other fight," he paused as he returned. "Let me fight for you. This isn't your war. Pass on what you have learned, be the wise leader you were meant to become."

She fell silent at his sight for a moment. "How much do you know … I want the truth. If you want to gain the trust of my colleagues and the New Republic, you must share your informations."

But Ben refused to answer. How could he tell her ? Others would assume the Force whisper privately into his ears, giving him a clarity only rivalled by the old gods. But Leia couldn't be fooled. She had trained for a while with Luke, and her strength, even now, could shake the First Order's resolve.

He simply turned, watching himself in the mirror, wearing the black tunic with matching pants and boot. He mused about he was still wearing black, despite all his rejection of Kylo Ren. But he didn't deserve to wear light yet. He had to acknowledge his anger for his enemy, his pain, his loneliness. A heavy burden he had to carry.

"You do look great in black" Leia just said, with a loving smile as she passed him a warm brown Alderaan cloak, closing around his neck like a leathered gorget.

"I promise," Ben called before she left his room, "I'll tell you everything when Dad arrived."

"How do you know he's-" Leia's eyes beamed. "Never mind. You are a much better Jedi than I ever was."

"It won't be easy to hear, Mom," Ben warned.

"As long as we trust each other," Leia replied. "We can overcome everything."

Deep in the Unknown Regions, away from the scrutinising eyes of the New Republic, stood a privy and mysterious abandoned space station. It was consisting of a central sphere, homing luxurious vegetations, encircled by a number of black metal rings. Its creators had built the station in an area strong in the darkside of the Force, attempting to create an oasis of the light, here, in the middle of the darkness. To control and hold back the depth of the darkside. However, darkness remained. The stronger the builders had tried to deny the very nature of things, of life, the deadlier the fauna and flora became. Until one of the two opposing forces perished ultimately.

Snoke lodged himself in a wooden like throne above his domain, capturing the dark power echoing from the plants and animal surrounding him which filled his own anger. The boy did not come to him, despite years and years of seduction, and secret scheming. He thought he had gained Solo's trust over Skywalker. Perhaps he still did. But the attack on the Jedi Temple terrified the young Jedi, who ran back to his mother. Ben Solo was still a child after all.

A simple delay in his grand plan, he thought. However, the deformed Supreme Leader was much more troubled by the new found strength of his target. He had been barely able to feel the young Solo in the Force, and faced mental shield impermeable to his own powers. A side effect of Organa's presence at his side probably.

With the perfect timing, Snoke would be able to contact Ben Solo again : it wouldn't be long until the son would be disappointed by his absent parents. Even more if he dared to bring the truth into light. Ben would be chased away, or worse.

And of course, Snoke would be always here to welcome the boy in his caring arms.

Snoke sneered darkly briefly, before the secret hologram before his throne ignited on its own. A deadly silent took hold of the entire station, as well as in the Supreme Leader's heart.

"There is a great disturbance in the Force," the holographic spectre announced gravely. "Have you felt it ?"

"Yes," Snoke replied, his body tensing on its own.

"The boy's power have grown immensely," the dark voice added. "He could destroy us."

"He's just a boy. Skywalker will no longer help him."

The spectre paused, his blind eyes seemed to stare at the Supreme Leader for an eternity. "But the Princess of Alderann will."

"Once they are informed of what has transpired," Snoke shook his head in denial, "they will cast him aside. He'll have no choice but come to me. I have foreseen it."

"How convenient," the spectre snarled, " to have a servent offering me his insights." The darkside of the Force inside the station seemed to growl. Snoke even saw some carnival plants turning menacingly toward his direction.

"All according to your plan, my Master," the Supreme Leader bowed in defeat.

"Even so, we must prepare for the unforeseen," the hologram explained. "Shall Ben Solo refuse to hear my call, we must take preventive mesures to assure our victory. Gather the Knights of Ren, and bring them to me. I shall complete their training."

"It will be done," the other replied.

"Snoke," the transmission became unclear, indicating the end of the communication. "Do not underestimate Skywalker. Our secrecy is still vital to my grand plan."

"I will not fail you, Lord Sidious," the Supreme Leader assured as the spectre disappeared from the holodevice. The First Order would soon be ready for an open war and Snoke looked forward to destroy the enemies of the Sith. The pieces were soon at their perfect places, and Ben Solo would be the one to plunge the galaxy's hope to the depth of the darkside of the Force, forever.

Later in the afternoon, Leia tried to solve a rising dispute with her Alderann' partisans after the affront she had suffered from the other senators. Thousands of them, including one of her bestfriend, Winter Celchu, were quite enraged, stating that the reveal of her true parentage, as the daughter of Vader, had been nothing but a plot from the First Order to annihilate any effort in preventing the upcoming war. The most audacious of them even pushed Leia to vote for a complete dissolve of the New Republic's Senate and engage in a new campaign, thus cleaning the corruption already threatening the democracy in the galaxy.

A bold move, that she would have considered a few days ago, remembering how her own biological grandmother, Padmé Amidala, used such action to shake the Senate … Only to be manipulated by none other than Sheev Palpatine himself. But now, with Ben at her side, and with seemingly valuable information able to turn the tide of power, she didn't need to step away from the New Republic.

She took a mental note, as she closed the communications with her associates, that she needed to fly to D'Qar and announce her new plans. The Resistance wouldn't be disbanded, not yet, as an assurance. But as Ben said, the New Republic had to prepare for war. One way or another.

"Princess Leia," Threepio appeared at the entrance of her private office, "Senator Ormes Apolin of Kuat is requesting a meeting for you."

"When ?"

"Oh !" The cyborg rose both arms to the air, as alarmed as always. "The Senator is already here."

Leia sighed loudly as she pushed herself up from her comfortable seat and motioned the droid to lead the way. She already felt the exhaustion of the previous debates and conversations, she had planned to relax for a moment, enjoying some warm tea and chatting carelessly with her son until Han came home. But no, her prime and most resilient opponent in the First Senator decided to add even more tension during this everlasting day.

Apolin was proudly waiting, standing still, in his pure immaculate long and tight white robes contrasting with the warm blue colours of Leia's furnished apartment. Both hands resting on his durasteel cane, which many suspected could be used as a weapon if needed, he simply nod his head as Organa arrived behind the golden cyborg.

"Good afternoon, Leia," he gave a warm, respectful smile, pulling his dark skin around his cheeks. "I am sorry to arrive unannounced, but I was passing by. I hope I am not disturbing you."

"Of course, Ormes," Leia grinned politely, offering her colleague to seat in the official lobby, a small secure area in the left wing of the apartment to receive and hold professional, yet small meeting like this. "What can I do for you ?"

"Actually," the senator of Kuat pushed himself deeper in the velvet armchair, "I came to announce you that the Centrist Party will propose to postpone the election of the First Senator. After all that happened to your friend … An official period of mourning is the only natural thing to have."

Leia smiled sadly, "I do believe Senator Garr would have us continue the election despite everything. He knew the cost of sacrifice."

"A brave man," Apolin nod. "And a great opponent. Though I never understood why you were so fundamentally opposed against the creation of a First Senator. After everything you've been through, I believed you would have back up he election of a strong leader to protect the New Republic."

"We simply remembered all too well the last time the old Republic did as such, when Palpatine rose to power."

"And yet, you and Senator Garr had such a tremendous campaign in this election," Ormes grinned a bit.

"Had I been elected," Leia replied carefully. "I would have been the first in the frontline against the fear and corruption that are already taking hold in the Senate."

Apolin snickered almost angrily. "You really think I want to rule as an Emperor, like Palpatine ? After all he did to me ? After all he did to Kuat ?"

"To the galaxy," Leia pressed.

"I was there," he added. "The day he became Emperor, you know. I was the first aid of Senator Giddean Danu, at the end of the Clone Wars. He was the bravest man I knew."

"He plotted against Palpatine, with Amidala and Organa, » Leia smiled.

"He died for freedom," Ormes nodded. "I was too proud and arrogant to be his successor, appointed by none other than the Emperor himself," he laughed hollowly. "I thought it was the greatest honour of my life. I was too blind to realise Palpatine was favouring Siennar while flattering me."

"Palpatine played everyone," Leia brought her hand on his old arm. "Perhaps the strongest Sith Lord the galaxy has ever suffered from. There's no shame in defeat, my friend."

"Yet, I was very proud to learn that many Kuat starships led victory against the Empire," Ormes grinned at her. "I wish I had the courage your parents showed in their own battle."

"And yet," a deep voice suddenly came from behind Leia. She already knew her son had decided to step in the conversation the moment the Senator came here. "You refuse to see the upcoming war. A war that would be greatly beneficial, economically, for Kuat."

"Ormes, this is my son, Ben Solo," Leia sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "As you can see, he is as forthcoming as I am."

Ormes chuckled, not intimidated. "I will not partake in battles just to bring our past glory, young man."

Ben stopped before them, standing tall and imposing, in his black attire still completed with the brown cloak on his back, hugging his strong figure. Leia felt the Force swirling around her son in such power that she felt her bones trembling.

"The First Order is currently and actively gathering their strength, stealing children in the galaxy, breeding them into elite stormtroopers while you rest in your new cradle of power. The war will come for you, Senator. If you do not prepare, the New Republic will be reduced to dust in a blink."

After a long heavily silence, the elder Senator stared sternly at the former Supreme Leader. "And how come Ben Solo, Jedi learner, know about all of this ?"

Ben smirked. His memory of his past life still intact, he realised he could prevent many major events. If he failed to save the Jedi Academy, he would succeed in protecting the New Republic. "If I bring valuable proof to the Senate, will you listen ?"

"I will. But the Senate might not listen to the grandson of Darth Vader," Ormes warned, sending an apologising look at Leia. "I might suggest giving the information to a more …. neutral agent."

"I will give them to you," Ben emphasised, his dark eyes deadly focused. "You will have to show the courage to unveil the shroud of betrayal in the Senate, specially among your Centrist colleagues."

"What have you discovered ?" Leia asked her son.

"The senator of Arkanis," Ben started. "Lady Carise Sindian did not reveal our true bloodline just to become one of the best Centrist candidates for the First Senator elections. She is motivated by a deeper hatred, and funded by none other than the Supreme Leader Snoke."

"Senator Sindian is my major adversary in the Centrist party," Apolin frowned. "But she is devoted to the Republic. I can vouch for her."

"You've been deceived," Solo added. "She is behind the assassination of Senator Garr, and will try to plunge the Senate into separatism. A perfect opportunity for the First Order to gain the support of the Centrist World."

The Senator of Kuat whitened, but Leia threw an accusing finger at him : "Ben is just confirming the rumours in your side, Ormes. Do not deny it, not to me."

"You have proof of all of this ?" Ormes passed a tired hand on his bald head.

"I do, I will bring them to you," Ben promised. "In the mean time, I urge you to command a financial control on Sienar Fleet System. With the elections campaign, you all failed to notice they are secretly bypassing the New Republic arms restrictions against selling weaponry to the First Order."

"I can't do that," Ormes refused. "Kuat is their main concurrent, it will be too suspicious."

"Then ask a Centrist Senator you trust with your own life," the former padawan implored. "I can't do it all alone."

Ormes Apollin sighed heavily, the heavy news weighted on his all body, sinking deeper in the cough.

"If you do this," Leia exhaled slowly, unable to understand how Ben knew all of this. Perhaps Luke did send him to secret locations to investigate ? "I can push the Populist party to vote for you, as First Senator. Our political differences no longer matter, if this is all true."

The elder man nodded slowly. "We're going down a road none of us are actually prepared. We will multiply our enemies"

"But we can lead both party to victory," Leia assured.

Ormes looked one last time at the imposing Ben Solo, still towering him with all his height. "You look so much like him, you know."

"Who ?" Ben asked, surprised by the genuine praise of the senator.

"Anakin Skywalker," he smiled. "I met him once or twice during the Clone Wars. He and Kenobi were my heroes. You seem to bear alone the same burden to carry the galaxy on your shoulders. After all … Anakin Skywalker did so many great things," Ormes plunged his eyes into Ben's. "Terrible yes, but great."

"I am not alone, Senator," Ben gently bowed his head. "I am fairly certain Senator Danu is very proud of you, at this moment."

Ormes seemed very surprise, and offered him a childish grin, delighted even. "We must stay true to our predecessors then," he said, firmly grabbing Solo's hand as he rose.

After checking his holowatch on his wrist, the Senator grabbed his coat and cane, gently bowed to Leia and excused himself before leaving. When he reached for the exit door, he turned one last time : "If the galaxy was led by someone like your son, my dear Leia," Ormes offered one fatherly smile. "It would be a much, much better place. Goodbye now. I'll wait for you, Ben Solo."

The moment the door of the elevator closed on the Senator of Kuat, Organa stood promptly and elbowed her son gently : "Do not interrupt a meeting with a Centrist Senator without telling me before, Ben."

"I knew you'll forbid me to, if I had warned you," Ben grinned, turning to stare at his mother.

"Force you're right ! You just gave vital information to my most cunning opponent during the campaign," Leia scowled. "Who knows if Apolin won't use it against us now."

"Oh he definitely won't," Ben assured. "Apolin will do everything to erase all the rumours about the Centrists' ties to the First Order. He is a bitter old man now."

"Ormes Apolin may be the only Centrist senator I could vote for. You don't know the Senate as well as you'd like to think."

"Maybe so," Ben crashed in the previously occupied seat. "But I know the First Order better than anyone. Ormes Apolin came to pose as our ally, as a defender of the Republic his predecessor died to defend, but the reality is much different, Mom. Apolin is a cunning power-hungry man."

"He's an old idealist," Leia countered.

"Two years ago, he competed against Snoke and Grand Admiral Rae Sloane for the leadership of the First Order," Ben confessed. "He obviously lost, which made him quite bitter against Snoke, hence why he wants to become First Senator. To hold power."

Leia collapsed in the other seat, defeated. "And you just told him our plan about Senator Sindian ? Why ?"

"A cur's weakness, properly manipulated, can be a sharp tool" Ben repeated the lesson Snoke had said in his throne room back then. "With the evidence I'll gather, we will expose them all. Apolin thinks he is safe, he will do everything to innocent himself and so help us in many ways. But ultimately, he will have no choice but to resign, to save his face before the Senate. His successor must become our ally, and Kuat must rearm the New Republic."

"I can try to ask for a meeting with Income Incorporations," Leia informed. "They continuously push the productions of the T85 X-wing."

"It's a good start," Ben nod.

Leia paused, rubbing fingers on her temples. Everything moved too fast since her son came back. "You need to come to me on D'Quar. To meet the Resistance."

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," Ben laid his hands on the armchair. "As Apolin demonstrated it, the Senate will regard me as a Jedi. Sending a Jedi to the Resistance might aggravate the mistrust of the Republic toward your friends. This would be counterproductive."

"What's your plan then ? You'll scour the galaxy for clues, on your own ?"

"I'll need Dameron," Ben confessed. "He's well respected in the navy, and he has enough authority to legitimise our missions."

"Alright," Leia acquiesced, not even bothering to ask how Ben knew how Captain Poe Dameron. Answers would come, in time.

"And I was counting on Dad too," the son grinned.

Organa rolled her eyes. "I was afraid you'll say that."

"Say what ?" a rough quiet yet playfully voice echoed from the elevator, followed by a loud roar of a tall Wookiee.

Leia beamed as she rose to meet her husband Han Solo, and his lifetime friend, the mighty Chewbacca, while Ben took a moment to calm himself, swallowing hard as he felt his father entering the room.

Soon, a strong hand came to gently grab his shoulder : "Hey Kid," Han said with a loving smile. "I've missed you son."

Tears threatening to fall from his eyes, Ben jumped from his seat and hugged strongly his father, well and alive. He still smelled of hydro-oil, and worn out leather as Ben buried his head in the brown jacket.

"Dad …" Ben simply said, finally staring at the famous smuggler.

Han simply smiled as he gently caressed his son's face. "I know."

Author Note : And I'm gonna end it here, on this caring touch ! Sorry this chapter is a bit slower, but it'll set the next important scenes in the future. Don't worry, we'll hear about Rey in the next chapter !

Until then, may the force be with you, in this difficult times !