Chapter 28
Rey sent multiple signals to the Resistance. As soon as the girls saw the planet, they sent one final signal to tell them the exact location. They landed and swiftly exited the ship. Saya and Rey withdrew their lightsabers and ignited them. From above them, they could see the fleet of Star Destroyers. Both girls prayed the Resistance would be here soon.
The planet was dark and cold. The only light source was the random strikes of lightning randomly hitting the planet. The girls made their way inside the large structure in front of them. Bayard followed along, walking between both girls. What scared Saya was the feeling of power from all around her. She couldn't pin point it to one person or location. The entire planet emanated with power of the Force.
They entered the structure and they were all startled when the ground started to move. They must have stood on a platform of some kind because they suddenly descended deeper into the planet as large chains moved the ground they were standing on.
Rey and Saya kept their lightsabers armed and ready. As soon as the platform stopped moving, they quickly looked around and took in their surroundings. The place felt like a labyrinth. The girls were faced with many paths they could take.
"Maybe this way?" Rey said, gesturing to the right.
They held their lightsabers close to them as they began walking down the hall. After a few minutes of walking, both girls were startled when Bayard started growling. Saya looked down to him facing the opposite direction. He was hunched down and looked ready to pounce.
Saya turned and she felt her heart pound hard in her chest.
With the wave of his hand, Torin sent Rey flying back several feet. Bayard made a lunge for him. Another wave of his hand and the wolf went flying. Saya heard his yelp of pain as he was slammed into the wall.
Saya gritted her teeth and charged at him.
HOW DID YOU FIND THIS PLACE!? HOW DID YOU FIND ME!?
Torin was able to dodge her attacks. He was able to side step her enough to give her a swift kick to the chest. She fell hard on her back as she heard screaming.
"Saya!"
Saya looked back to see Rey charging forward with her lightsaber. Torin brought his hand to the ceiling above them and used his power to drop large pieces of it between them. Rey was trapped on the other side.
Saya looked back to glare at him.
You bastard!
Saya jumped to her feet and saw Bayard unconscious on the ground against the wall. She needed to get to him so she could heal him.
She tried to lunge to the right but he was faster. He grabbed her arm and forced her to whirl around to face him. Before she could think of something to do against him, he swiftly punched her in the face. She fell to the ground and he kicked her in the stomach. Her lightsaber had flown out of her hand and fell somewhere on the ground. She was in too much pain to call it back into her hand.
Saya groaned as she felt his weight on top of her. She felt another punch land against her face. She was on the verge of passing out. She couldn't concentrate to use her power or even heal herself.
Torin was panting hard and glaring down at her.
"It didn't have to be like this. It shouldn't have been like this"
His weight came off of her and she felt herself lift off the ground. She was slung over his shoulder as he began to make his way down the hall.
She fought to stay awake while he rushed down the halls. Saya felt her body slowly begin to heal but she was still in a lot of pain. She couldn't focus enough to use the Force against Torin. After some time, she felt herself flung to the floor and she groaned in pain.
"Master, I have brought you my sister."
Saya was blinking rapidly, trying to focus her vision to see properly.
"Pathetic child, she came here on her own! You had nothing to do with it!"
She tried to raise her head and look around. Her vision was slowly become clearer.
"But I distracted the scavenger! I brought Saya here before they can do anything against you!"
"You have disrupted my plans! You are useless at a simple task!"
Saya blinked a few more times and she was finally able to concentrate on her surroundings. Saya was lying in a large open area. Several feet in front of her was a large stone throne. To the right of the throne was a large crane, with a crippled old man attached to it. He was the source of the power emanating off of the planet.
It was Palpatine.
The crane moved and the old man was brought closer to her. He didn't seem interested in even looking at Saya. His white eyes were fixated on Torin, who was standing next to her in a rage.
Torin swiftly fell onto one knee. Saya could still see he was angry.
"Master, please forgive me. But she is here, just like you wanted."
Master? He was calling Palpatine master?
"She is. And my apprentice will be here soon"
Torin looked up, angry and confused.
"Your apprentice? You promised me that I would become your apprentice! I did as you asked! You swore-"
"I said you would become my apprentice if you brought the Mahjai to me. She came here on her own, without you!"
Torin clenched his fists.
"I'm a Mahjai as well! Our power is the same-"
"Your power is NOTHING! I need the power of a REAL Mahjai!"
Torin stood. He looked ready to kill the old man.
"OUR POWER IS THE SAME! AND OUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE THE SAME POWER! WE HAD A DEAL-"
"You foolish boy! Why would I allow you two to bring back the Mahjai?"
"You said once you had Saya's power, I could use her to bring back my people! We are the last! We need-"
Torin was suddenly shot with lightning from Palpatine's hands. Torin fell to the ground, shaking in pain.
"And why would I allow your race to return? I was the one who ordered their destruction in the first place"
Both Saya and Torin looked up in horror at the smiling Sith lord.
"Did you really think I would allow such power to return? Power beyond comprehension within an entire race of people? Foolish boy! I am only thankful for your survival so you could bring me the last pure-blooded woman of your people! THEY have the real power!"
Saya glared in rage and slowly rose to her feet. The pain was finally subsiding and she wanted to fight.
You slaughtered an entire race of people!
Palpatine gave her a sickening smile.
"Yes. And now, I'm going to finish it off. Once and for all."
Saya was lifted into the air, then slammed back down onto the ground. She left several ribs break and pain was once again searing through her body. She looked over and Torin had a look of pure sorrow on his face.
He looked over and stared into his sister's eyes with his own tear filled ones.
"Saya… Saya I'm sor-"
Torin was suddenly blasted with Palpatine's lightning and he went flying back through the air. Saya forced herself to turn over and watched as Torin fell into a deep pit that was several feet back.
Torin was gone.
Saya opened her mouth to scream but no noise came out. She forced herself to quickly stand and she faced the laughing old man.
"Yes, I can see the fight in you! I can feel the power emanating off of you! YOU have the spirit and power of a true Mahjai!"
Saya lunged for him. She didn't have her lightsaber, but she wanted to kill this man. With the flick of his hand, she was lifted back up and slammed back into the ground. Saya couldn't stop herself from crying in pain. Her back was broken.
She heard several footsteps come all around her and arms suddenly began grabbing at her.
"Tie her to the crane. This body does not have much time left and my heir will be here soon. I want her to witness the rebuilding of my Empire!"
Saya felt a sharp stab of pain throughout her body as the men in red cloaks lifted her up. Her mind was screaming, then she knew no more.
Darkness took over and Saya passed out.
-!-!-!
Ben landed the ship and quickly looked around. He saw a Resistance command ship not too far from him. Saya and Rey were already here. Above him, the Resistance fleet had arrived and began their battle with the fleet of Star Destroyers and the First Order. He wasn't surprised the First Order was here. He had no doubt Palpatine took control of it while he was gone.
Ben ran with everything he had into the structure. Armed with only a blaster, he was ready to end this. He needed to help the girls. He needed to save Saya.
Ben had to stop himself when he looked down and saw the platform to go down into the planet had already descended down. With a deep breath, Ben rushed forward and jumped. He landed hard on the large chain.
"OW!"
He quickly climbed down, ignoring the pain his body was in from the hard landing. Once he was down into the planet, he took off running in the direction to reach Palpatine.
After turning down several halls, he was forced to stop when four men rounded the corner and stood tall against him. It was four of his Knight of Ren.
The men raised their weapons.
"TRAITOR!" One screamed at him.
Ben took another breath and withdrew his blaster. He was able to shoot one but the other three rushed up to him. Ben felt a hard punch to his face while the other gave him a swift kick. Ben felt his lip split and he tasted blood.
"Were going to make this hurt!" One yelled, kicking down onto the ground.
One man lifted his weapon, ready to kill Ben. But Ben was finally able to get the upper hand and waved his hand, sending the armored man flying back. Ben jumped back up and dodged the swing of the other men's weapons.
The man that was thrown back several feet made another charge at him when he was suddenly thrown back again by a large creature. Ben sent the other men flying back using the force and turned to see what hit the man.
A large white wolf had slammed into the man and sent him sprawling onto the ground. The wolf turned and charged right to Ben. He braced himself for the impact but the wolf stopped right in front of him. He stared into the large red eyes of the wolf.
"…Bayard?"
He knew the wolf. Saya's guardian. Though this was the first time the wolf wasn't growling at him. Ben's attention was drawn to a large handle in his mouth. The wolf dropped it at his feet and Ben's eyes went wide. It was Saya's lightsaber.
Ben swiftly picked it up and the three men began to make their way back over to him. But they all seemed to freeze when they noticed the lightsaber in his hand. He ignited it as Bayard turned and growled at the Knights.
The men looked to one another in confusion, then back to Ben. With a shrug, Ben lunged forward and was finally ready to really fight. Bayard roared in fury and charged as well.
Ben easily took on the two men while Bayard jumped at the third. With a scream, Bayard's teeth crunched the man's neck and he fell down dead.
Ben swore he could feel Saya in her lightsaber. It was as if she was able to give him power while using her weapon. Within a few swings, the Knights were dead. But there were more here somewhere. Ben was sure of it. And he would defeat them as well.
Catching his breath, Ben turned to Bayard.
"Where is she?"
Bayard gave him a hard look, then began running down the hall. It took everything Ben had to keep up with him.
-!-!-!
Rey's heart was beating fast as she ran down the halls. She prayed the entire time that she would find Saya and Bayard before she found Palpatine. She couldn't do this without them.
Rey turned a final corner and she saw a large opening. She walked forward out of the labyrinth and saw the large dark throne. The same throne what haunted her dreams.
She heard the cackling of laughter and looked over. A large crane began descending down with an old man attached to it. A life support system. This had to be Emperor Palpatine.
Rey confidently walked into the opening with her lightsaber ignited and ready for battle. The old man smiled and held out his withered hands.
"Long have I waited… for my great-grandchild to come home!"
Rey felt herself begin to shake but she forced herself to breath and remain calm.
"I never wanted you dead. I wanted you here! It is time for you to take your place beside me, as my heir and apprentice"
Rey gritted her teeth.
"I didn't come here to join the Sith. I came to end them."
"As I Jedi?"
"Yes" Rey answered with confidence.
He chuckled and his crane lowered closer to her.
"My dear, you do not have the power of the Jedi. In your veins flows the power of the Sith! It is your birthright and your destiny. You WILL take your place by my side. Together, we will bring back the Sith to power and destroy the Jedi religion."
Rey's hands shook in anger.
"Yes! I can feel the anger and hatred inside of you! The Dark Side of the Force is strong within you!"
Rey took a fighting stance.
"No! I am who I choose to be! I am a Jedi! And you are my enemy!"
Palpatine sneered.
"Don't be a fool! You are a Sith! Your power comes from me! I will give you one last chance… take your rightful place beside me and my apprentice… or die"
Rey was suddenly surrounded by several men in red armor. She was completely outnumbered.
"Look above!" Palpatine exclaimed, pointing to the sky.
Rey watched as the roof opened up and she could see out into the night sky. Up above her, she could see the Resistance's fleet battling the First order and the fleet of Star Destroyers. But they were severely outnumbered.
"You have brought your friends to their death! And now, only you can save them! You wanted to end this war. And when you stand beside me, you will have the power to do so! Join me, and I will share with you power beyond comprehension!"
Rey watched the sky in horror at the battle overhead. The Resistance was fighting with all the strength they had but it wasn't enough. They were slowly being slaughtered.
Rey looked back to Palpatine with tears in her eyes. He gave her another sickening smile.
"Do you understand now? The war is over, my dear. Our Empire will stretch back across the galaxy. Together, we will bring back the Sith and bring balance to this galaxy."
Rey felt herself begin to shake. She knew she would never stand beside him. She would die first. It was all over.
"Rey"
She blinked. She knew that voice.
"Rey, you're not alone"
It was Luke Skywalker's voice. But he wasn't physically here. However, she was feeling a large amount of power getting closer and closer to her. She truly wasn't alone.
Rey stood tall again and raised her lightsaber.
"The war will end with the Sith!"
Palpatine's smile dropped from his face and Rey began to lunch forward. His life support crane quickly swept him out of the way and the guards descended upon Rey. They all raised blasters and Rey swiftly began knocking away the blasts. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw one of the guards suddenly jerk back and a silver lightsaber went right through him.
A large white flash went next to her and she saw Bayard rush past her and attack an oncoming guard. With another few swings of her lightsaber, the guards were gone. Rey turned, expecting to see Saya. But instead, she saw Kylo Ren holding Saya's lightsaber.
Rey panicked for a moment until she got a good look at him. He wasn't wearing his uniform anymore. His First Order jacket was gone. He wore a black, long sleeved shirt with his black pants and boots. His cloak and black gloves were also gone.
He took several steps forward, looking at Rey with confidence despite the split lip and several bruises on his face. This wasn't Kylo Ren. It was Ben Solo.
"Ben?"
He turned to face Palpatine and raised Saya's lightsaber.
"Where is she!?" Ben demanded to know
Rey also turned to face Palpatine while Bayard stood next to Rey, growling.
Palpatine sneered at them.
"Fools! All of you!"
With the wave of his hand, Bayard was sent flying to the side of the large room and was slammed back into the wall. With a cry of pain, Bayard was knocked out. Rey and Ben began to lunge for Palpatine but he was too fast. Both Ben and Rey were raised into the air and slammed into the ground. Their lightsabers went flying out of their hands and both were laying on the ground in pain.
Palpatine addressed Rey.
"I would have shared my power with you but I see you are too foolish and weak to see the power of the Dark Side! Power beyond comprehension will be mine and mine alone!"
Rey and Ben heard the grinding of machines and another large crane began to slowly descend down. Ben and Rey had to blink a few times to focus enough to notice the small figure attached to the end of it.
Ben felt his heart stop and his anger soared.
"SAYA!"
-!-!-!
Saya felt herself begin to move and she was forced out of sleep. Pain was still emanating all over her body. When she finally stopped moving, she forced her eyes to open and saw Palpatine's sick smile.
"Today, the Sith are reborn! The Jedi and Mahjai will die together!"
Before Saya could even try to do something, Palpatine reached out and grabbed Saya around her throat with his withered hand.
Saya had never felt such pain in her entire life. He was taking everything. Every cell in her body felt as if it was being drained away. Inside her mind, she was screaming. But over her own mental anguish she heard Palpatine's sickening laughter. She watched in horror as his milk white eyes turned yellow. He was becoming younger with each moment and his body began to regenerate.
Saya was flung back and she rolled onto her back a few feet away. Palpatine drained everything. She could hardly stay awake. Palpatine had stolen every last bit of power she had.
She heard his insane laughter.
"At long last… POWER BEYOND COMPREHENSION IS ALL MINE!"
Saya was just able to turn her head to see Ben trying to stand. She could feel his rage but he was struggling to stand.
Palpatine raised his hand and Ben was lifted off the ground.
"As once I fell, so falls the last Skywalker!"
Palpatine jerked his hand and Ben was sent flying back. For one final moment, their eyes met. She saw the regret and sorrow in his eyes. Then, he fell down the same pit that Torin was lost in.
Ben was gone. Her Ben was gone.
Saya felt tears stream down her face. The pain Palpatine inflected when he took her power was nothing to what she was feeling now. She watched as the only man she ever loved was thrown to his death.
Her head rolled back and she tearfully watched the battle that was happening above them.
"Today, my Empire is reborn!"
Saya watched as lightning was blasted into the sky. Palpatine was able to use his power to begin striking down the remaining Resistance ships. All with the power he stole from her.
Saya sobbed as the pain soared through her body. She watched in pain as the lightning continued to soar through the air and attacked the Resistance. All anyone had ever told her was how strong she was. About how much power she had. But what good was it if she couldn't use it?
"Saya"
Saya sobbed and fought sleep. This was all her fault. Her punishment should be to watch the horror of her friends dying. Maybe if she knew how to use her power properly, she could have prevented this.
"Saya, it's alright. Come to me, love"
Her friends were dying and her Ben was gone for good. What else did she have to live for? Nothing. She wanted to die.
"Saya, come to me. Come home"
She couldn't fight it anymore. Saya closed her eyes and darkness took over.
-!-!-!
Saya's eyes burst open and she was suddenly standing in a familiar setting. The ground was covered in snow but she wasn't cold. She seemed to be standing on top of a large snowy hill overlooking a small town. She took a few steps forward and looked down at the small town.
It was Bulvengard. Her ancestral home.
"Saya"
Saya whirled around and was met with a beautiful woman. She had large lavender eyes and long silver hair. Saya knew her face. Ever since she saw it in Torin's memories, she had never forgotten it.
It was her mother.
She gave Saya a large smile.
"I'm so proud of you, my darling"
Saya took a step back, shaking her head.
This isn't real… your gone!
Her mother continued to smile.
"Saya, no one is ever truly gone. And even if this isn't can't we just enjoy this moment?"
Saya considered her words and watched as her mother raised her arms to her.
"Please, let me hold you. I've waited for so long"
Saya felt tears fall from her eyes and she couldn't control her feet. She ran right into her mother's arms and sobbed as she felt her arms wrap around her. Her mother gently stroked her hair as Saya sobbed.
I'm so sorry, Mother! I've failed! I've failed everyone! I allowed Palpatine to take my power and use it to destroy everything! He's killed everyone! My friends are dead, my Ben is gone… Everything is my fault!
Saya's mother allowed her to sob for a few moments while she stroked her hair. After a few moments, her mother took a step back and wiped the tears from her daughter's eyes.
"Saya, you and your friends fought so hard. It's not your fault. And this fight is not over."
She sniffed and gave her mother a confused look.
How is it not over!? I have no power left! Palpatine is using my power to destroy the Resistance! Rey is either dead or dying and my Ben is gone!
Her mother smiled and stoked her cheek.
"Saya… your Ben isn't gone. No one is ever really gone"
Before Saya could respond, she noticed a figure standing behind her mother. Several in fact. She took a step back to see people beginning to appear behind her mother. People she had never seen before. But she knew who they were. The women all had long silver hair and lavender eyes while the men had white hair and dark purple eyes.
These were her people. The people of the Mahjai.
Right behind her mother, Saya noticed a familiar figure.
Father?
He smiled at Saya. "I'm so proud of you Saya"
Saya wanted to run to him. To hold him as well. But her mother addressed her again.
"Saya, we are out of time. Your people have a selfish request to ask of you"
Behind her mother, the people of the Mahjai lifted their hands and placed them on the person in front of them. Everyone was touching, hands on shoulders. All of them were connected while her mother continued to speak.
"Many years ago, Darth Sidious ordered for the extinction of our people. He slaughtered thousands of us. All because he was afraid of our power. Your father and I did the best we could to survive and save you and Torin."
Saya began to speak, but her mother raised her hand.
"What happened with your bother wasn't your fault. Or his. He succumbed to loneliness and pain. He lost his way. I'm sorry we put so much on his shoulders and it made you suffer as well"
Saya wiped away her tears. Her mother had known exactly what she was going to say.
"Saya, your people ask you to avenge us and help your friend Rey bring an end to the Sith once and for all"
Her mother gently raised her hand and placed it on Saya's chest.
"Your friend Rey is the last Jedi. You are the last Mahjai and Gray Jedi. You both are the last hope of destroying the Sith and bringing back the balance this galaxy desperately needs"
Before Saya could respond, she felt heat begin to spread in her chest. It felt small at first, but then quickly spread. Her entire body began to feel as if electricity was spreading all over her.
They were all doing this. They were giving her their power.
Her mother gave her one last smile.
"Saya… show him what power beyond comprehension really means!"
!-!-!
Saya's eyes burst open and she felt the ground begin to shake. Her body was shaking and every cell in her body felt as if it was radiating. She was filled with pure power. She knew if she didn't release it soon, it would completely take over.
She began to stand and looked over to see Rey struggling to get on her feet. Palpatine stopped shooting lightning into the sky and looked in disgust at the two girls.
"Pathetic, both of you! Let your deaths be the final word in the story of rebellion!"
Palpatine raised his hand to Rey. Rey quickly called her lightsaber to her hand and raised it just as Palpatine tried to strike her with lightning. Saya took a quick look to the sky, knowing Rey could hold him off for the moment she needed.
Saya quickly raised one hand to the sky her own power shot up into the sky. The Rebel ships that were losing control because of Palpatine's lightning suddenly regained control and Saya focused her power on the Star Destroyers and First Order ships.
"NO! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! I TOOK ALL OF YOUR POWER! IT IS MINE!" Palpatine screamed.
Saya watched as all of the enemy ships began to lose control and the Rebellion was finally beginning to destroy the fleet.
She looked over to Palpatine and he raised his other hand to her. He blasted his lightning at her and she allowed it to hit her.
Nothing. She felt nothing. No pain at all. He looked absolutely terrified.
Darth Sidious… you will pay for what you have done… to the Mahjai and to everyone else in this galaxy…
Saya's voice wasn't the only one speaking. Her voice seemed to be echoed along with several other voices. The people of the Mahjai were speaking through her as well. She turned to Rey.
Rey… the people of the Mahjai stand with you… Let's finish this…
Rey wasn't looking directly at her but she had heard her. Rey quickly grabbed Leia's lightsaber that was still attached to the back of her belt. She raised it up and crossed it up against Luke's lightsaber. Saya thought it fitting that Luke and Leia were here with them in some way. With a blast of her own power, Rey channeled her own force lightning and began shooting it back at Palpatine through both of the lightsabers.
Palpatine clearly looked panicked but tried to remain strong as he continued to blast lightning at both of the girls.
"You are nothing! The power is mine! I AM ALL OF THE SITH!"
Rey and Saya stood tall.
"And we… ARE ALL OF THE JEDI!"
Rey gritted her teeth and began to blast lightning as hard as she could but it wasn't enough. Saya raised her hand to Rey and blasted her own power.
She gave Rey everything she had. Every ounce of power her people gave her was given to Rey. Rey yelled and began using her increased power to blast even stronger powers back to Palpatine. The man screamed in pain as the lightning basted back to him began burning and tearing his body apart. He drew both his arms to Rey, desperate to stop her. But it was too late. His power was nothing compared to Rey and Saya's combined strength.
Saya gave the last of her being to Rey and Saya heard the final scream of pain. Palatine cried in agony as his body was blasted away with Rey's own lightning. After another moment and another scream, he was gone.
Palpatine was dead.
Saya watched as Rey collapsed in exhaustion. She wasn't dead. She knew that much. Rey was still breathing. Saya knew she gave Rey everything she had. Even her life. All to end this war. She gave a small smile up at the sky as she fell to the ground. Her final vision before darkness took over was the sight of the Star Destroyers and First Order ships exploding.
"Well done, my darling"
Her mother's voice echoed through her mind. She knew it was the last voice she would ever hear. With her final breath, she said a prayer.
…Please let me meet my Ben again up in the stars…
-!-!-!
The final chapter is next! Hope you are all enjoying! Please give feedback and the FINAL CHAPTER will be up as soon as possible!