Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of the amazing characters

Hello every one sorry for the delay in updates. I promise I'm gonna try to do better in the coming days. I'd like to put the rest of this book out before the end of this month. (Hopefully a lot sooner than the end of the month). Anyway Kylo and Rey are back from their solo mission. Let's see if anyone noticed they were gone. R and R and as always enjoy!

Kylo

Upon their return to Vodran, Kylo and Rey had been bombarded with problems. It seemed that things had gone horribly wrong in the two days that they were gone.

From the moment they stepped foot back on the planet until well into the next day, Kylo and Rey didn't see each other again. Kylo was pulled away by Bell and Nik while Poe and Leia had come for Rey. They were both scolded for leaving the planet of course but there were too many fires to put out for anyone to remain mad for long.

It turned out that the rebels didn't want to share space with the former First Order soldiers, who were admittedly just as apprehensive about sharing their home with the rebels. The rebels wouldn't listen to Bell or Nik and Leia had been too busy dealing with more important issues to deal with arranging sleeping quarters, so Kylo was going to have to deal with it.

After several hours of talking to both sides, Kylo almost lost his temper and hurt someone. It would be several more days before he could finally get the rebels and former First Order soldiers to come to the terms that not only were they all on the same side now but that they would likely be occupying the same space for the foreseeable future.

Finding places to put people led them to finding that parts of the castle had collapsed in on itself, some of the plumbing needed to be updated, and the whole place really needed a good once over.

Kylo then set to putting together a team to start working on the parts that would be used as residences. That caused more fights because half of the team were rebels and the other half were former First Order. At the end of it all Kylo really wanted to kill something.

While that was also going on Cade and Zer-o had been nagging Kylo and Rey about getting combat classes back up and running. Neither Rey nor Kylo disagreed but at the moment neither of them had the time or energy to attempt to start teaching again. Hearing the two knights of Rey ask about Kylo teaching, some of the rebels began asking about Kylo's school lessons.

It seemed that they were getting it from all sides.

Rey was dealing with similar issues in the hanger as the forced comrades had issues working together not just sleeping in the same area. She had dealt with it the same Kylo had with the sleeping accommodations; she had to force them to see that there was no other option.

Even as Rey pressed the point, Kylo could feel how uncomfortable she was with the whole thing.

What if someone decides to leave and goes straight to the First Order, she had asked him?

Then we will deal with it, but I trust these people because Bell and Nik picked them. And they stayed when Nik and Bell decided not to go back to the First Order. I think they're loyal, he assured her.

He felt that the Force would warn them if they were going to be betrayed. Non-Force users wouldn't be able to hide their true intentions from the two of them. He wanted to ask her if she was sure about her people, but he didn't want to put that doubt in her mind while she was still settling into having her own darkness.

Aside from that the Jasmenerthians were having issues setting up their weapon's manufacturing factory just because none of the buildings were tall enough for most of the giants. Rey sent Chewie, Finn and Rose on a mission to get materials they would need to build a factory for them.

It took about three weeks for things to settle down. Then Kylo was able to find a large enough classroom to begin teaching lessons again. A few former first order soldiers, naming themselves Bobby, Roger, Benny and James began helping when it became clear that Kylo wouldn't be able to teach lessons and help with the combat training. Then came the most difficult task the pair had yet to face, getting Cade and Zer-o and Falbell and Nikhoah to work together.

"Why do we have to train with Sunshine's newbies," Falbell asked as they walked to the training ground, Rey had prepared for their use.

"Because we are one unit. You need to know how the other members of the Grey Ember Order think and fight, so you don't get someone killed when it's time for a real fight," Kylo said.

He could feel that neither of his friends was happy with him for making them join in the training sessions.

"We're veteran Force Users I'm sure we could pick up the newbie's moves in the heat of the moment," Nik said with an attitude. "I'm sure I could take any of them easily," she said haughtily.

"I thought that about Rey when we first faced each other. She had no experience and almost killed me like I was the novice," Kylo said as though their first meeting on the battlefield was a fond memory.

As they got closer to where the group was practicing, Kylo hid their presences in the Force from everyone other than Rey.

"You aren't honestly saying that one of these baby Force users could seriously take on either of us," Bell asked, gripping his pike.

Kylo shrugged and stopped just as Zer-o did a flip through the air, catching Taliki's whip with the tip of his inverted purple blade, right in front of the path Kylo had led the other's to the clearing on.

All over the field the members of the Knights of Rey had paired up and were sparring under Rey's watchful eye.

Kylo could feel the wonderment of his friends as they took in the different colors and types of light saber being used on the field. Kylo looked on with pride as the group performed a slew of different Force abilities unaware that they were being watched.

After a moment Kylo walked forward, letting the others feel him.

"I guess you just couldn't wait until we got here," he asked Rey.

"They were just warming up Kylo," Rey said from her spot on a large rock.

"It took you long enough," Zer-o growled at Kylo.

Kylo knew the Zabrak male didn't mean him any ill will but Nik and Bell visible bristled at the sight of the male.

"Is there a problem," Cade asked coming up beside Zer-o.

Nik's mouth actually dropped open at Cade's smooth tone and precise word pronunciation. He winked at her and she actually blushed a little, which pissed Bell off to no end.

Well, this isn't going well, Rey said into his head.

He nodded his head in agreement but moved to stand between the two pairs.

"Guys this is Falbell Ren, my second in command and his wife Nikhoah Ren," Kylo said, looking pointedly at Cade, whose playful demeanor had disappeared as soon as he introduced the pair he was with. "Bell, Nik this is Cade and Zer-o. That's Arca Gearsky, and Asera over there," he said pointing them out. "And that's Eshreal, and Taliki." Bell didn't look away from Cade, so Kylo stepped in front of him and said, "Cade was just messing with Nik, I'm sure he's got no intentions on your woman. We will all have to learn to get along and work together."

The rest of the knights came over to listen to Kylo.

"None of you liked or trusted me when I first came to the Resistance, and I won't lie and say I felt any differently but after a while that changed."

Every member of the Knights of Rey nodded.

"Nik, Bell you both said you wanted to join the Ember Order with the rest of us. That means training with us. That also means learning to embrace the light again," he explained.

Nik looked at him incredulously.

"You can't mean that?"

Bell put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't you see the difference in him? I mean I noticed it when they first came back but I figured it was from that weird Force bond thing Snoke forced on them, but lookin at him now." He paused and looked Kylo over long enough for him to begin to feel uncomfortable before saying, "I can see it's her, but it's his own light too. This man might as well call himself Kylo Solo."

Bell laughed at his own observation as though it was the funniest thing he had ever heard, and Nik rolled her eyes.

"So, do you like meditate for hours on end and shove all of your emotions into a tiny box that you shove up your ass," Nik asked in a dry tone.

Essie made a sound that said she was offended.

Kylo laughed a little, remembering all the times they'd all made fun of the Jedi once they'd left Luke's.

"It's just something that we used to say when we were young and foolish," Kylo said with a smile. "But no, we aren't like the Jedi in that way. We know that some emotions only enhance your power, not dampen them."

"And embracing both sides of the Force affords you even more power than either one side could provide on its own," Rey added.

"That's why we take the best of the light and the best of the dark, so that we protect the galaxy from the forces of evil," Essie said coming to stand beside Cade and Zer-o.

Kylo didn't miss the way Falbell's eyes looked Essie over. He knew it was just to get back at Nik for her reaction to Cade. They hadn't changed all that much from when they'd been teenagers.

How does their relationship work with them being so spiteful, Rey asked immediately after the thought had appeared in his mind?

It keeps things exciting for them, he replied. When she looked at him, he shrugged and said, That's what they told me at least.

"Do they always just hold whole conversations privately like that around other people," Nik asked.

She and Falbell were staring at Kylo and Rey.

"Yeah," Zer-o said.

"All the time," Cade said.

"It's creepy but you get used to it," Essie said. "Can I go back to beating Cade up," she asked excitedly.

"You were not beating me up," he said in a dry tone.

Zer-o looked at the two of them and shook his head, "I'm staying out of this."

"Sorry," Kylo said to Nik and Bell. "Okay guys, light sabers away for the moment."

This earned Kylo a groan from the group. He shrugged and looked to Rey who was smiled encouragingly at him. She already knew his plan, so she let him take the lead.

"I thought this was training," Nik said folding her arms over her chest and her lips a thin line. "If it's not combat training, I'm out. I already did the whole find the Force thing with Luke just like you. We could possibly help out with training them, but we aren't gonna be your students."

The quiet that fell over the group was eerie.

She was testing him, trying to see how far from the dark side he had ascended.

Kylo's eyes darkened with anger. His spine straighten and he stood to his full height. He walked to stand so that he was right in front of her. He glared down her at and watched as she tried to maintain her angry, defiant attitude but the longer he stared at her the more it crumbled.

"You forget who is your better. Rey and I are the only Force Users powerful enough and skilled enough to have the rank of Master. Until you get to that point you will be a student and will have things to learn," he said, grabbing her throat with the Force. "Never forget who is Master here. And never test my inclinations for punishment. You and Bell don't fall under the same rules as the others," he hissed so that only Nik could hear him.

He held her throat, waiting for her to acknowledge his words.

She was holding fairly still for someone who was having the life choked out of them. Her eyes were watering and her face was turning a dark purple color. She finally nodded when Kylo thought she might actually pass out before would concede.

Rey's eyes had gone wide and Falbell had taken a step toward him. Kylo pinned him with a look.

"You remember the rules, don't you Bell," he called to him.

Falbell looked from Kylo and Nik to Rey. The look that came over his face said that he did remember the rules and the punishments for breaking those rules. He looked to Nik.

Kylo let Nik go only after he was sure his threat had been made. She slumped to the ground and Falbell rushed over to her, glaring up at Kylo.

Was that necessary, Rey asked.

Kylo could tell the rest of the group was a bit uneasy now. He sighed. Back on Olara, Kylo had thought he was getting better, but maybe he had just been fooling himself.

All they know is what I showed them, what Snoke showed me. They don't have the benefit of being connected to such a powerful light source to help them what to be better. I will have to be hard on them until they start to want to do better on their own, he told her.

"I want everyone to get to know each other so why don't you all have a seat," Rey said. "Essie, why don't you start."

"Um, okay, but uh Rey, you know how most of our stories go," Essie warned.

"I do but I think they need to hear them," Rey said.

"My name is Eshreal Mecca, I am from the galaxy next to this one, from a planet that was called Quycury. We were a peaceful people until the Jedi showed up and showed us how to harness the Force. That opened my people up to the dark side as much as the light. Not long after I began my Jedi training, I was taken to Ilum to get my light saber with a group of other students. While we were there, Snoke ordered the destruction of my planet and the assassination of all Force sensitives from my planet. I only lived because I was able to hide from the stupid storm troopers. I lived on Ilum for over 14 years on my own until those three came along," Essie said pointing to Arca, Cade, and Zer-o.

"My name is Cade Hacduel, and I was born on Uvena 3. My people were slaughtered by the First Order. I don't think I'll ever know the real reason why. The only reason why I lived was because my mother made me hide, I watched as she was killed. I was rescued by a bounty hunter who took me back to guild. I trained there with Zer-o until our master died, killed by the First Order. We left the guild not long after in search of the Resistance." Cade's sophisticated tone had slipped only a little in the short retelling of his past.

"My name is Zer-o. I was run out my homeland after Snoke revealed that my mother was teaching me the magical ways of my people. They killed her, and I roamed around aimlessly until Cade and our master took me in. You know the rest," the Zabrak said in a gruff voice.

That was the most Kylo had ever heard the male say at one time. He had turned away from them all when Cade had been speaking and hadn't turned back to the group yet. Cade put his wolfish hand on Zer-o's shoulder.

"My name is Arca Gearsky and I was Snoke's first apprentice. My mentor was killed when he smuggled me on to Cade and Zer-o's ship to get me away from Snoke and the dark side," Gear said taking Kylo and the two knights of Ren by surprise.

Gear didn't talk much if it wasn't about science. And he really didn't talk to Kylo at all if he could help it so there hadn't been time for them to really get to know each other on a personal level. But even from a distance Kylo hadn't been able to feel any trace of Snoke's taint on him at all.

"The first order killed my mother; the first order destroyed my planet. Blah, blah, blah. Your people must have been weak if they were so easily wiped out. But you were the anomalies, and that is why you survived to grow stronger. You were the only ones that mattered," Bell jumped in before Taliki or Asera could even begin to tell either of their stories. Rey, and her knights all looked at Bell in a type of horrified, shock.

Kylo could feel Rey's anger and outrage at Bell's dismissal of the pain her team had been through.

Kylo looked at Rey, How are his words any different from what I told you back in Snoke's throne room.

Her hazel eyes snapped to his, It isn't different, Kylo. Your backhanded compliment crushed me in that moment. If you had worded it any other way, I may have even taken your hand that night. But again, they don't have the Force Bond to force them to consider the words anything other than a slap in the face.

Kylo recoiled and Rey flinched. The bite in her words had wounded him and the truth in them made him question if he even deserved to have her. A thought he hadn't had in forever.

I'm sorry, Kylo. I didn't mean it that way. I know you were just trying to help me come to terms with what I already knew but…

Rey trailed off, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Ren, I suggest you muzzle your dog before I put a hole in his chest," Cade said, his light saber already loaded into his customized blaster rifle. "The First Order destroyed my home world and killed my mentor, the woman who was like a mother to me. I am not kriffing better for that. I am not stronger for that pain. My need for justice makes me stronger, and I didn't need personal tragedy to want to fight for justice. The Sith, The Empire, The First Order and now the Neo Order, all commit atrocities every day. Someone needs to stand up to them. Now that Luke is gone, it's up to all of us to keep the balance in the Force."

Essie nodded. She unfurled her wings and shook her bangs away from her antennae. Plants began curling up her legs.

"Enough," Kylo said snapping out of his private conversation with Rey. I'm sorry Rey, he said to her. "Bell, Nik, I see that this isn't going to be easy for you, we shut ourselves off from the light for so long that being Forced to see the light is the only way for it to happen. The fact that neither of you have fallen completely to the dark side there is still hope for you. Join me, I mean really take in the light to balance your darkness. You agreed to join the Ember Order, but I don't think you understood what that really meant."

Falbell and Nikhoah looked at each other and then back to Kylo.

"I found Kylo's light in the center of his darkness. I would assume the same is true for the two of you. You will have to find this light within yourselves because we don't share the same connection that Kylo and I do," Rey said before either of them could protest.

"I really never thought I would be following you back into the light," Nikhoah said.

"Things change. The point of listening to their stories is to relearn compassion. It is important," Kylo and shrugged. "Now ladies if you would continue," he said to Liki and Asera.

Nik and Bell listened and said nothing. Kylo hoped they were considering what it must have been like for each of their new companions to have experienced those events. He hoped they would eventually find their light again. Otherwise he didn't have much hope for the others.