(A/N). Hello everyone. Welcome to the second chapter of my Star Wars fan fic. Just want to say thanks for the support and reviews. Means a lot to every writer, really.
Right then, on with the chapter.
"What?" Obi-Wan looked to his former Padawan before then looking back to his old Master. "With all respect, Qui-Gon, what you are suggesting is...impossible." He voiced his doubts with honesty. "To bring Ben Solo back to life would break all natural laws."
More receptive to the idea, Anakin looked to Qui-Gon. "You speak of resurrection?"
"Not exactly." Qui-Gon Jinn shook his head. "That would be more akin to necromancy."
"Then what?"
Admitting his own uncertainties, Qui-Gon sighed. "I'm not sure. But it would not be a case of bringing back what was...but in remaking him, whole and intact."
"How?"
Qui-Gon turned around and looked to the ground, finding himself a comfortable spot (knowing that this could be a long explanation). Sitting down on the ground, Qui-Gon took a deep breath and looked to the sand beneath him. It felt good to be here, in the world of the living. He ought to cherish this moment... But he knew he had a task that must be done...
"Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan slowly walked towards his old Master.
Smiling gently at his old Padawan with fondness, Qui-Gon proceeded to explain. "How many times did I speak of the Living Force, Obi-Wan? How often did I remind you to always be mindful of it?"
"Many, many times." Obi-Wan returned his old Master's smile.
"It is that Living Force, that will of the Force that has brought us all here tonight...and presented me with the last bastion of hope for the Jedi Order." Qui-Gon looked to Anakin. "But make no mistake...it will take all of us to achieve it."
Having already made up his mind, Anakin responded without any hesitation. "What must we do?"
Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan, wondering if his old Padawan was willing to trust in his words.
Obi-Wan's only gesture was to give a small, confirmatory nod of his head before slowly sitting down next to Qui-Gon.
Walking towards them, Anakin slowly sat down opposite Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan...
Unable to meet Anakin's gaze, Qui-Gon looked to the ground for a moment, wondering on how best to word the truth... Finally, he realised that he could no longer dance around the subject. "To restore life to Ben Solo...would rob us of our place in this world."
Obi-Wan's face expressed slight confusion.
Continuing to explain, Qui-Gon continued. "These spectral forms which allow us to retain ourselves in this world beyond death would be...lost." He met Anakin's almost calming gaze... "Forever."
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Luke Skywalker was feeling nervous. There was no other way to put it, really. Not on seeing Rey, exactly...but on being confronted by his past... So many years had past. So many, in fact, that he scarcely felt like the same person who had lived a life here on Tatooine... As he gazed to the entrance dome, Luke closed his eyes, willing himself to remember the good, not the bad... Suddenly, he heard her voice. A memory, an echo.
"Luke!"
On hearing his aunt Beru's voice, Luke opened his eyes and found himself on the lower level of the Lars homestead, having spirited himself closer towards Rey. With a sharp intake of breath, he took in the sight before his eyes...
He was home. Finally, after so many years of wandering, fighting and finding a new family in the stars...Luke Skywalker was home. Here, in the very place where his epic journey had begun. Summoning up the courage to smile softly, Luke knelt down and touched the sand beneath his feet before gazing to his surroundings once more... It was then that he heard it. Heard what?... A small beeping sound.
Peering out from the dining area, BB-8 looked forward in confusion, unable to make out what was clearly before him. He knew something...or someone was there, but he couldn't work out what it was.
"Why hello," Luke remarked in a quiet tone before slowly getting to his feet. "I'm looking for a mutual friend of ours. Rey."
BB-8's only response was to hesitantly roll forward, his small head looking this way and that.
Now realising that BB-8 could not fully see or hear him in this form, Luke spoke his next words in a clear, calming tone. "I'm a friend."
As though hearing this, BB visibly relaxed before instantly perking up.
"There we go." Luke smiled down at the little droid before suddenly catching sight of a figure in the corner of the room, laid down in a heap at the rear of the dining area... "Rey?" Luke whispered her name before walking forward. He only made it a few steps before realising that Rey, after countless sleepless nights, was finally asleep.
Looking to Rey and then to Luke in mild confusion, BB-8 hummed softly.
Luke briefly looked to the droid before emitting a sigh. How could he wake her? How could he tear her away from a restful sleep and rouse her when she had been plagued by thoughts of Ben for so long?... He was just about to turn away and leave when Rey suddenly jerked her head to the left, almost connecting with the stone wall as she did so.
With a grimace, her eyes tightened and Rey let out a small groan.
Now realising that this sleep was not so restful after all, Luke found himself gazing into her dreams... Except, they were not dreams at all. Only nightmares. Nightmares of Palpatine, her lineage, the Dark side of the Force...and of Kylo Ren. Not Ben Solo, you understand, but Kylo Ren. And it was his scathing words that were causing Rey such pain. It was as though the entire nightmare was a way of Rey punishing herself, blaming herself for not saving Ben from death.
"Ah!" Rey exclaimed softly, her head shaking more violently now.
Unwilling to stand by and do nothing, Luke carefully extended his left hand towards Rey and closed his eyes...
Within mere seconds, Rey visibly relaxed and let out a deep breath, as all the nightmares simply faded away...
Contended at having soothed Rey's dreams, Luke opened his eyes and let out a sigh... He smiled once again at BB-8 before turning around and making his way towards the exit. He only made it a few steps, however...when he heard a voice speak aloud his name.
"Luke," Rey whispered...
Stopping in his tracks, Luke slowly turned around to face Rey.
"Master Skywalker?" Rey then uttered in slight confusion, as she opened her eyes and beheld the sight of his shimmering form.
"Hello, Rey." Luke took a deep breath in order to compose himself before walking back over towards her... "I didn't mean to wake you."
"I...I felt a calming presence and-" She locked eyes with Luke and suddenly realised that he was the cause of that... "W-what are you doing here?" Rey wiped her eyes with her hands before sitting up. Despite the fact she'd managed a couple of hours sleep, she still looked exhausted.
"Why do you think?" Luke let out a small sigh, an almost look of disapproving on his features. "Rey, I-". With a small shake of his head he sat down on the table, his left hand instinctively running across the tabletop, allowing himself this small moment of nostalgia... Emitting another sigh, Luke turned his attention back to Rey. Deciding that he shouldn't beat around the bush, he skipped straight to his main point. "What are you still doing here?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" Luke smiled slightly with incredulity. "You know, when Leia and I came back here we were filled with...joy, I suppose." He found the word fitting for his state of mind at the time. "Not just because we'd won and Palpatine had been defeated once and for all, and the First Order had been vanquished and a path to rebuilding the Jedi Order had been made..." He paused for a brief moment. "I mean, that did help us feel a little better, yeah." He afforded himself a small chuckle.
Rey smiled fondly at his words...
"No, we...we were overjoyed that you had survived, Rey." Luke's tone turned more serious... "When we watched you burying our lightsabers and then...declaring yourself to be a Skywalker, well...I felt immensely happy and...proud." He looked away from Rey, his eyes misting over slightly... "I know Leia feels the same way as I do." He smiled at the mere thought of his beloved sister, before quickly turning his full attention back to Rey again. "But we didn't think you were planning on making yourself a home here in this...hovel." Luke shook his head once again, the disapproving look on his face appearing once more.
"Hovel?" Rey seemed offended on Luke's very own behalf. "This was your home. This was where you grew up."
"I know that and I'll always cherish the memory of this place, but...look around you, Rey." Luke gestured with his left arm to their surroundings. "This isn't a home anymore... You can't stay here."
"I don't need a lecture, Master Skywalker." Rey's tone of voice turned ever so slightly aggressive.
"Rey, you have friends out there. Family." Luke stressed on that word... "I'm not lecturing, I'm just-"
"You know, when I saw you and Leia on that day when I first arrived here...I thought it would be the last time I'd ever see you. I didn't want that to be the case, but that's what I believed." Feeling emotional, Rey tried to stop herself from being overwhelmed and paused for a minute... Realising that she needed to get out of here for a while, Rey quickly got to her feet before marching towards the outside, but then suddenly came to a stop at the far end of the table, realising that she couldn't run away from this anymore...
Looking up at her in puzzlement, BB-8 hummed quietly.
"I'm not fully sure that little droid trusts me." Luke let out a small chuckle before standing up...
"He's just curious," Rey responded in a dazed tone, her mind clearly elsewhere... Taking a deep breath, Rey finally found the strength to speak from her heart. "I'm sorry, Luke. I just...can't be what you need me to be."
Folding his arms and furrowing his brow, Luke slowly approached Rey from behind... "You know, after you left Ahch-To, I...I said practically the same thing to my old Master."
"Your old Master?" Her interest suddenly piqued, Rey glanced over her shoulder towards the Force Ghost.
"Yes." Luke nodded. "Yoda... It's thanks to him I realised I was wrong. He helped me to see that I couldn't go on that way. That I couldn't allow myself to be haunted and dominated by fear and regret." Considering his next words carefully, Luke came to a stop beside the young woman, both of them now gazing up at the blanket of stars overhead... "But I know this isn't just about fear, Rey."
"What?" Rey uttered in a barely audible whisper, already fearing what his next words would be... All it took was for him to utter one word. That's all it took. One word to break her resolve. A name...
Knowing she must hear it, Luke formed the name on his lips... "Ben."
Closing her eyes, Rey lowered her head, a wave of emotions crashing into her all at once.
"You know, when I first sensed the connection, the bridge between you and Ben...I didn't believe it was real."
"Was it?" Rey questioned in an almost hopeful tone, as though willing that Snoke's words had been fully true, and that his actions (along with Palpatine's, of course) were the only reason behind their connection. Because if that were true, and the bond between them was fake, perhaps the feelings she felt right now were also fake. Feelings that would, in time, fade away... But in her heart...Rey knew that wasn't the case.
"You already know the answer to that question." Luke walked a few steps forward before turning to face Rey. "And it's a good thing. Pain reminds us that we're alive, Rey. And I know that I made many mistakes." Luke suddenly cast his gaze downward, his thoughts turning to that fateful night on which Kylo Ren had been born... "I know I failed him."
Instinctively, Rey raised her right hand slightly in an attempt to reach out to Luke and comfort him, but suddenly stopped, wondering if it would be possible to touch him in this form...
"I was also wrong in wanting the Jedi to end," Luke continued, his gaze still cast downward... "But I was right about the old Jedi Order. Because they were afraid. Afraid of feelings of the heart." Luke looked back up and into Rey's eyes. "To love and to grieve is to be alive. To shut out those feelings is wrong. You don't have to run from them, Rey, or feel ashamed of them. Embrace them...because they do you credit."
Understanding now that she had to confront, accept and embrace those very feelings, Rey smiled slightly at Luke before whispering. "Thank you."
"No." Luke shook his head slightly. "I should be the one thanking you, Rey."
Rey cocked her head slightly in confusion.
"It wasn't all down to Master Yoda," Luke explained with a wry smile... "The hope the galaxy has now is thanks to you and your friends... And that's why I don't want to see it fade away again."
Realising that she must get to the very point of the matter, Rey lowered her head... "You want me to train a new generation of Jedi, don't you?"
Seeing no point in denying it, Luke responded with a nod. "Yes." Sensing the fear in her, Luke reached out his hand and placed a finger underneath Rey's chin.
Looking up and facing him, Rey's face became stoic, her hazy thoughts making it unable for her to answer in the affirmative or negative.
His arm dropping to his side, Luke's face expressed concern... "Are you all right?"
Rey gave a small, solemn nod of her head. "Yes." Determined to put Luke's fears to rest, she forced herself to smile... And knowing that she must shoulder this responsibility, she continued. "And yes... I will do as you ask."
Luke's only response was to give a soft smile, knowing how hard this was for her.
"I only wish that...-" She closed her eyes, unable once more to speak aloud his name.
"Ben was here with you," Luke spoke softly. "By your side."
Grateful to Luke for giving voice to what she wanted to say, Rey nodded. "I still find myself wishing, hoping that...that one day I'll close my eyes-" Doing just that, Rey closed her eyes and turned her head to the side. "open them...and he'll be there." Slowly opening her eyes, Rey found herself looking at a wall and nothing else... "I know it's probably harmful to myself...but I still do it. Every day... Even though I know it will never happen... It will always be a dream." Desperately feeling a need to somehow lighten the mood, Rey turned back to face a concerned looking Luke. Smiling, she remarked. "I suppose the chances of that happening are about the same as seeing raindrops on this planet."
Appreciating her attempt at cheering herself up, Luke reciprocated Rey's smile.
Suddenly feeling curious, Rey then asked. "Does it ever actually rain on this planet?"
"It would be forgiving to regard it a once in a lifetime event, according to my Uncle."
"Did he see it?"
Luke responded with a small, sad shake of his head...
Suddenly recalling what Leia had told her about Luke's aunt and uncle, Rey sighed... "I'm sorry. I know what happened to them."
Now feeling slightly overcome by emotion himself, Luke merely gave a small, grateful nod of his head... Speaking aloud his true, yet mostly unorthodox beliefs (at least in terms of what the Jedi teach). "I believe I'll see them again someday. When I finally...can let go of this world." He spoke the words with a kind of longing, as though it was physically draining for him to be here in this form.
"I do not...know how things operate in the world beyond this, but...-" Rey suddenly fell silent, unable to speak the words.
"Neither do I, fully." Luke had to confess. "But I know what you're asking, Rey, and...I cannot give you an answer."
Rey gave a small nod of acceptance and understanding...
"But if you're asking me if I believe you will see Ben Solo again someday...yes. Just as I believe I will see my aunt and uncle again someday." Luke's spoke his honest words of comfort... "Do you?"
"I...-" Rey fell silent once more, before turning around and walking a few steps back indoors, somehow not expecting this question... "I'll...never stop believing and...willing it." She let out a sigh... Suddenly sensing that Luke was on the verge of leaving, Rey's eyes widened slightly. "Will I see you again?"
"Yes." Luke's voice suddenly sounded distant and otherworldly
"Really?"
"I promise."
Quickly spinning around, Rey saw nothing but sand and the surrounding walls of the Lars homestead... On hearing the sound of BB-8 beeping in confusion, Rey turned towards the little droid before casting a sad smile in his direction.
(A/N). And so we come to the end of the second chapter. I had intended to wrap this story up in three chapters, but now we may be looking at four chapters. I was going to make this chapter a bit longer, but didn't want to keep people waiting any longer, so decided to upload it now as a small Valentine's Day treat from me to you.
So yes, basically there will be another couple of chapters to come. I will try my best to get chapter 3 up within a couple of weeks.
Once again, thanks for the support. It is very much appreciated.
All the best.
Bye for now.