AN: So, so, so sorry for the delay. Thanks as always for the support. WOW! You guys rock so much! I can't thank you enough! Sadly I struggled so long with this chapter, as it never felt right and I really wanted to add in my favorite theory (which I believe will be canon - there is way too much evidence, a different spin on reverse anidala among others), but at last it's here. There is a big wink to The Last Jedi in this chapter, which still has my heart and soul (in a good way - I'm a big sucker for angst!) and won't give it back until episode 9...probably...hopefully...I need my soul please! Lol...until then I will read and write fanfiction...(my therapy for the movie and in general)

We are still stuck in the past, despite Ben's desire to kill it...;) But I decided to skip using the italics to separate between the Kylo and Ben bickering and the things happening...in the past. It should be more clearer.

Enough with stupid blabbering, on with the way too (and bit long) late chapter!


Chapter twenty six - Words and actions of darkness from a certain point of view

As Ben comes from a long line of stubbornness, Skywalkers, Solos, Organas, Naberries, he won't let a stupid closed door stand in the way of his goal. Despite wanting to knock the door down and burst into his uncle's office, demanding answers once and for all, he settled for polite knocking and said in a pleading voice through the thick wood. "Unca Luke."

Predictably, there was no verbal answer in the dead of night, only loud snores behind the door and the constant rain and wind banging on the window in the dark corridor. A lightning struck and Ben jumped in fright from the noise and the sudden flash of light.

Ben whimpered, he hated storms and wished, not for the first time, that he was back home with his mother who used to comfort him during those, by holding him close to her warm chest and sing for him to calm him down. Even his father, who said his son was overreacting to nothing, would talk to him and try to reason with him that there was nothing to be afraid of and sometimes tell him stories of his old adventures. Too bad some of them were even more terrifying than the raging weather outside which kind of, made Ben regret asking for his help. Yet that help, was better than no help.

Ben flicked his fingers, like he saw his uncle do to open the door. He was desperate to quickly get away before the next lightning came, like it could hurt him physically.

When the door was as unmoving as before, even before the might of the force, no matter how many times Ben flicked his little finger, he tried to pick it with the force. A thing he had practiced when he didn't have his tool to pick locks, as they were sadly left back home as ordered by his mother. When the force-picking didn't even work, he punched the door and kicked it. Thanks to noisy storm and his little stature, he only made dull thuds no matter how much he hit the door and not for the first time, he wished he had a lightsaber to just cut his way through.

But as the lightsaber of his dream, the ancient one, was inside that very office, Ben instead went for his duffle bag on the floor and flung it at the door with the force. Hoping to wake his uncle and plead for him to at least give him some ear plugs. The flying bag landed with an almighty crash on the hard ground and the noise echoed through the hallway.


Crash? I thought it only contained a book and pen? What's in that bag?

KR: Wow, your uncle is really in deep sleep if that didn't even wake him up...

So it could have been me, breaking every bone in my body crashing against that door and uncle would have been none the wiser?

KR: That kriffing jerk...how dare he go to sleep when you need him!

I don't need him...I need something from him...

KR: You need him to hold your hand through the storm.

I certainly do not!


Little Ben was just as shocked at the unexpected noise and even more so that his uncle hadn't woken up despite all that ruckus. When he was about to check out the source in his bag, another lightning struck, lighting up the room. The thunder roared in his ears, like a warning, but for what, he had no idea, as the only danger was having to listen to the storm, alone.

Ben glared hatefully at the door, where his uncle slept behind, who had left him to be all alone in awful storm and with million questions. Of course Ben could've just turned back to his new room, especially after the warning that hung in the air. He could try to get some sleep, by burying himself in the pillow to drown out the sounds of the horrible weather, imagining he was some place else and hoped for some answers in the morning. But there was something very important that couldn't wait till then and especially not when his uncle seemed to be able to sleep through a new galaxy war. Ben picked up the com-link he had managed to swipe from his uncle's pocket and grinned when a brilliant idea formed in his mind.

Since Ben already had a com-link, he only needed his father's number. Then he could contact him to take him home and he would never have to suffer through storms alone ever again. Or at least, he could suffer through them in his own home, instead of far away from everyone he knows. And if his dream was right, he wouldn't be alone as he would always be with her...


Wait, what...? Her...what girl...? Dream...?

KR: Isn't mini-you just thinking about your mother...?

Then why didn't I think that...?

KR: Hmm...

I could be thinking of the chosen one. Didn't I say that was a girl? Did I mean Rey? What dream? And did I honestly believe dad would just come and pick me up? Why was I so sure of that? Where did that weird confidence in him come from? Since when would he throw everything away to get me?

KR: You have never been extremely bright...but always extremely delusional...


As his uncle obviously had no intention of giving the number freely and it would take too much time to search for it, Ben got a new plan. He was going to sneak inside his office from the outside, by going through the window, since the door seemed to be unbreachable. Then he would peek into Luke's mind while he was sleeping, since his guard would be at the lowest then.


KR: What a great plan...

Are you being sarcastic...?

KR: No, I think it's a better plan that you ever had...

This is me...

KR: Was you.

I have a really bad feeling about this...this will end horribly...

KR: Well..duh! You are about to sneak into the last Jedi's office, of course it's a suicide mission!

He's going to kill me!

KR: Literally...?


After a short trek outside in the storm, Ben landed on the floor in his uncle's office. He trembled from the cold as he had ventured outside without a raincoat, since they had mysteriously vanished and only wore his thin robes, which now were soaked from the rain, along with every inch of his body. He quickly closed the window on the weather that had tried to follow him inside. Ben was very grateful that the window could be opened and closed like normal and that he had only had to use a little bit of force tinkering to break in. He was however taken by surprise that the noise of the raging weather seemed to disappear into a vacuum, the moment the window fell completely closed.

Ben looked in envy at window his uncle must have muted somehow after he had slammed the door on him, wishing he had done the same for his room to help him sleep. However, as the magic window could only mute the sound from the outside, his uncle's snoring was still deafing. Ben turned with a scowl towards the snoring and finally understood why his uncle has slept through his attempt at breaking down the door and entering his room. Luke was wearing earplugs, so nothing could disrupt his peaceful sleeping, where he was tucked cosily under a blanket on the sofa. The perfect sight of innocence, lit up by a small light from a desk lamp, close by. The only light in otherwise dark room.

Ben let out a huge breath in relief, that this mission would be even easier than he anticipated. He left muddy footprints all over the floor, as he stomped over to his uncle and took great pleasure in making as much noise as possible, since there was no need to be careful. Of course the obvious footprints would be evidence to hold against him in the morning, but if everything went to plan he would be long gone before his uncle would wake up and see them. Or at least he would have his father to plead the case with him...and against his mother. Ben knew his mom would be very displeased with his adventure in the dark, but he would worry about that later.

On his way to the sofa, Ben noticed the ancient saber still hanging on the wall behind his uncle's desk, as untouchable as before. As much as Ben wanted that saber, he knew that it was not worth the risk, at least not until he had got what he came for.


KR: Now kill him...

That's not fair to kill him in his sleep...I mean no of course I'm not going to kill him!

KR: Take the saber...and strike down your true enemy!

I can't kill you...

KR: Hey, that's not nice to say!

Sorry...not...

KR: Jerk.


At last Ben had reached his fateful destination. Before he reached his uncle's bed or rather sofa side, he let out a mighty sneeze and nearly fell onto him on his wobbly feet. He caught himself in time, but then his mind grew foggy and everything screamed at him that this was a very bad idea. That it wasn't too late to turn back. But he had come way too far, to give up now. So Ben lifted a shaky hand, which shivered from the cold that was rapidly taken over his small body, or something else otherworldly. Something dark. Despite everything screaming at him to back away, even the atmosphere, Ben just kept going. He gripped his hand with the other to steady it, as he held it over his uncle's head and concentrated on getting the information he wanted. He would be damned if wouldn't at least try. Do or do not, there is no try.

Then he heard it, a real warning cry, screaming out to him in force, to get the hell away or he would be sorry. Ben at last listened to the warnings and jumped fast as a lightning back from his uncle's bedside, right before he heard the soft humming and saw Luke's green saber shot out of the blanket, mere inches from where he had stood.

Blue eyes opened wide up and looked shocked to see him instead of something...or someone else. "Ben!"


KR: So much for the stealth mission...

Fuck! I'm dead!

KR: You didn't die there..

I could have! Stupid uncle, who sleeps with his lightsaber!?

KR: I do...or did...

Well, that's to be expected with assassins lurking around every corner...but in a school full of children! What was my uncle thinking?

KR: I guess he didn't expect any of his students to sneak up on him! Not even stupid you!

No, what is he really afraid of...?
KR: You.

Me?

KR: Yes...even I'm a little afraid of you...sometimes...

Really?

KR: Nah...don't flatter yourself...


His uncle turned off his saber immediately, rose from under the blanket and took the earplugs out. "I could have killed you, you stupid, stupid kid!"

The heartbeat pounded in Ben's ears and he lost the ability to speak or breathe as his life flashed before his eyes. Although time seemed to have moved on for Luke, Ben was still stuck in the moment where he could've died.

"Explain yourself!" Screeched his uncle at him and shook a finger at him. "You are in deep, deep trouble, young man! You are grounded for life! Come here, I will kill you...I mean..." Luke bit his lip over that awful wording. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean...come here, son." He opened his arms up for him and smiled fondly at him, which Ben was sure was a death trap.

The memory of the ignited saber which nearly impaled him, had sucked all the air out of his lungs and taking everything away that could be called a coherent thought. Something dark plus his survival instinct told him to get a weapon to defend himself, even though Luke had long since turned off his saber and was now only looking at him with great concern.

Ben started to lift his hand to get the ancient saber with a forcepull from the wall. He wanted nothing more than crash and burn this hateful place down, which stood for everything he hated and hide somewhere far, far from his uncle and his parents who would never believe he did all of that in self-defence. Something dark told him this was the only way out...that a greater destiny awaited him...


KR: Nice darkside.

Shit.


Gratefully Luke grabbed his nephew before he could something he would forever regret. He held him close to his chest, when Ben struggled hard to get away from him, like his uncle was currently the most dangerous person alive and his greatest enemy. Ben cried out in panic.

"Sush, breathe. Everything is okay, now. Just breathe." Luke cradled his nephew and rocked him in his arms. "I'm not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you. Never." He kissed his head.


Liar...

KR: Liar...stupid Luke ruining darkside.

But we went there later.

KR: True, still this was perfect opportunity to end him.

I don't want...to end him...

KR: Loser.


Ben wrapped his arms around Luke's neck, desperate for affection to chase away the darkness in his soul. His uncle soothed him like he was a toddler who had woken up in the middle of the night, as Ben cried his heart out and put snot all over his shoulder.

After a while, Luke patted him on the back. "Feeling better?"

Ben nodded and sat up on his uncle's lap, as he tried to get his crying under control and some of his dignity back.

"What are you doing here? Did you have a nightmare?" asked his uncle gently, like nothing scary had happened for real.

Ben shook his head, still unable to speak. He wiped his face with sleeves.

"Did you try to read my mind?"

"No," choked Ben out, his throat still sore from all the crying.

"Ben, don't lie to me...I could feel it..." Luke changed his tactic, by transforming his stern tone to the softest one possible. "Please, I need you to be honest with me."

"I miss my family," was Ben's only reply.

"I am your family," stated his uncle, as if Ben didn't already know that. "Always, no matter what." He whispered the last part like it was secret between them and kissed the side of his head.

"I miss mom and dad. I miss them so much..." Ben barely held back his tears and rubbed his eyes with the small knuckles.


KR: Don't cry any more. You will drown in snot.

Leave the poor kid alone. He has just been through something traumatizing...and this was hard for me as well to witness again...very hard...

KR: I was talking to you.

Me? I haven't cried once...since I woke up again...

KR: Your mom...

Shut up. Of course I miss her! I'm stuck here and I have no idea if I will ever get back to her...or if I will ever get the answers I need...

KR: Dramaqueen...

Or if I will ever get back to Rey...if not that would suck! Though maybe she would try to bring me back...

KR: In your dreams kid...

That's better than nothing...one can hope...

KR: Urgh enough with that hope bantha poodoo...

You are a bantha poodoo.

KR: I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer...


His uncle gave him a sympathetic look. "I know, kid. This is hard on all of us. We will get through this together. Just get some sleep, everything will be better in the morning...I promise. A good night's sleep is all you need..." His uncle took one look at his shivering form and suddenly it clicked that this was more than just from a fright. "Why are you...so wet...? I mean your clothes, you have been crying a river...and no one can blame you." He clarified as he looked over a huge dark stain on his blanket, that Ben had left behind, plus the water that kept dripping from his robe and hair.

Luke traced the muddy footprints on the floor to the puddle on under the window. "You were outside...? Why were you...? I thought I had locked that window...I was sure I had force locked it like the door...I should have used the child lock," muttered his uncle as he undressed him quickly before Ben could object or asked to do it himself, leaving Ben only in his under-clothes, which chilled him to the bone. Ben wrapped his arms around himself to try to keep his body warm in the cold night.

Luke wrung the drenched robe on the already wet floor and scolded him:"I can't believe you went outside with a raincoat...again. You will get a cold, foolish child. Not that I would have wanted you to be outside anyway, unsupervised and in this storm. What were you thinking? Do you have any idea how furious your parents would be if they found out what you have been up to? But, luckily for you, I'm not going to tell them. It will be a secret between us...so please let me in on what possessed you to behave like this."

Ben didn't answer, as he just stared, shivering, at the way his uncle kept wringing his robe. Deadly afraid that Luke would crush the hidden com-link, the only link to his original plan and braced himself for the crashing sound. But when none came, as his uncle must have not used that much force, or missed the com-link by a millimeter, he sighed in relief that not everything was lost. That there was still a chance. A hope.


KR: More hope? This kid is so stupid.

HEY! But yeah...this was mighty stupid...not there is anything wrong with hope...

KR: You are still stupid.

I knew you would say that! Stupid Kylo!

KR: Stupid Ben!

You are the most stupid!

KR: Na, ah...you are!


"Ben...?" said his uncle when he saw the far away look in his eyes. "Are you okay?" He threw the robe on the floor. "You still haven't explained why you thought it was a good idea to break into my room. Was it a dare by the little knights? Or were you just being naughty on your own?" Luke glowered at him, as he already knew the answer. "It was all you, right?"

"No, Kylo."


Yebb, it was all Kylo.

KR: I knew you would blame me!


"Who...? Ben, it was you and no one else," said his uncle with no room for an argument.

"I tried everything to wake you..." said Ben as the truth of his words stung, so he tried to turn the blame on his uncle for not opening the door for him, instead of his foolhardy plan he should never have tried in the first place.

"What for...? What's wrong? You know, you will have to clean this up in the morning...all long with other things," Luke's voice trailed off when he remembered that Ben already had a punishment cleaning waiting for other his antics. He shook his head in great disbelief over how much trouble one kid could get himself into in only two days. He untied Ben's boots, so he wouldn't muddy his floor more and made them fall on the dirty ground.

"Please can I get dad's number?" Ben twiddled his thumbs. "Then I will leave you alone...I promise...I won't give you any more trouble." He hoped that would be enough and he could skip whatever torturous chore his uncle had planned for him in the morning, to punish him for his night adventure.

"Ben, I'm not your enemy," said his as he wrapped him tightly in a blanket to keep him warm, while he searched for some clothes and a towel to dry him off in the closet.

"You tried to kill me." sneered Ben.

"I didn't know it was you," shot his uncle back, as he took the blanket away to pull the night robe over his head.

"That's no excuse," said Ben as his arms popped out of the sleeves.

"You are right. I'm sorry. I failed you. Can you forgive me?" Luke toweled his nephew's head, as careful as he wanted to dry each hair.

"If you can forget about me breaking in here..." Ben gulped when he took in the full extent of the mess he had left.

"As long as it doesn't happen again." His uncle smiled in agreement and wiped Ben's face.

"It will never happen again," replied Ben solemnly.

"Good." Luke finished toweling him and smiled, that Ben was decent again.

"Since I'm leaving...forever. So give me dad's number, now." Ben smirked, as he was sure his uncle hadn't seen that coming and held out his hand expectantly.

His uncle sighed, as he had seen that move come from a mile away. "You know, your dad can't just come here and get you at the drop of a hat."

"Dad doesn't wear a hat..." said Ben confused.

"You know what I mean..."

"I don't wear a hat...or you..." He pointed at his uncle's bedhead.


KR: I just wear...no wore a COOL helmet...

And you will never shut up about it...

KR: I hope that walking carpet didn't throw it out!

Hey, Chewie's not a walking carpet! He's family!

KR: Who stole my cool helmet!


"That's not what I meant. I meant that he's far too busy to just drop by anytime and get you, it's all up to me...or rather you, when you have finished your training to have him pick you up." Luke explained.

"Me? Well, I want him to come now." Ben smiled victoriously when he found that loophole and added. "You tried to kill me."

"Because you broke into my room and tried to enter my mind. You put yourself in great danger. Do you think he would like to hear about that? He will yell your ears off, tan your hide, ground you for life and break your toy saber. You know what he thinks about you putting yourself in danger...or your mother." His uncle added the last part desperately when he saw how unfazed Ben was over his empty threats, as they both knew that the most his father would probably do was yell at him and hug the life out of him, while his mother was a bit more unpredictable in her overprotectiveness. But that didn't matter to Ben as he knew his mother only cared about one thing in that story, which was what truly scared his uncle out of his wits and he wanted to keep secret at all cost. He looked like he wanted to hide on an island forever, to be safe from his sister's rage if she ever found out the truth.

"We both know they will only care about one part and that's the one where you tried to kill me." Ben grinned, as a true senator's son, who knew for certain when the discussion was won. "Meaning you will be the only one in big trouble, so I win."

His uncle shook his head. "No."

"No...?" Ben's grin vanished. "What do you mean...no?"

"Because they will never believe you." His uncle opened the door with the force, tucked him under his arm and went out the room. "And you can't leave until your training is complete."

"NO! You can't make me!" Ben tried to get out of his uncle's strong hold on him. "I want to go home!"

"Your father can't bring you home yet." Luke picked up Ben's duffle bag he had left right outside his door with his free hand.

"No, you're wrong, dad, said he could be back any time. I would just have to call him and tell him that I didn't want to be here anymore. He told me I didn't have to get rid of the darkness. He told me that!"


What the...? That strange confidence in dad to come and rescue me, seems to come from that dream...but it was just a dream right?

KR: You know it was.

And since when could I count on dad for anything...?


"Yes, you do." His uncle carried him inside the dark room, put him down on the bed and tucked him firmly in so he wouldn't escape again. Luke fastened the window with the force, so he couldn't break out that way or the storm to get inside.

"But I don't even think that's possible! What if the darkness is part of me?" pleaded Ben, as his uncle made sure the room was inescapable and put his duffle bag on the desk inside.

"It's not a part of you. Don't worry, with many years of rigorous training you will get rid of it. You just have to be patient. Trust me." He leaned over him and kissed his forehead. "Goodnight."

Ben tossed around in his bed sheets as they were a straightjacket and yelled after his uncle, who was about to leave through the door: "No...I don't want to stay here, I changed my mind..no I never wanted to stay here, I don't want to stay here...I promise I won't turn to the darkside. I swear it on my toy saber! No, on my mother's life!"


Hey, that was not nice mini me!

KR: Well...she was kind of in danger because of me...

Don't remind me!


Luke returned at once, sat down on his bed and patted his sheets. "Ben, calm down! Never swear on your mother's life...or anyone's life for that matter."

"But, I'm serious...and I would never put mommy at risk," Ben said whole heartily and his uncle mussed his hair.

"That's good to hear...and assume you mean your father as well...and me."

"Of course...I would never hurt anyone in my family."


KR: What an empty promise.

I was a child, how was I supposed to know I would turn to the darkside and put everyone in danger...? Especially him, since he's the Last Jedi...a prick and since he tried to kill me. But mom since you not I, became her enemy! And well dad...erm...that was just personal...I think...I'm still not sure why I acted that way...why was I so...scared when he...arrived?

KR: Maybe the answers are in your memories...something you forgot...or made up...

Nah, I was just pissed he didn't try to bring me home...or did he...? If he did tried that...then why was I so angry with him? Because he left me behind...? Because he broke the promise...?

KR: Possibly...

Sure, that stunk...but it's not like he had any choice...right? Luke told him to leave me behind...if that is the truth...

KR: Maybe...

But why was I so scared when he found us? Doesn't make any sense...did I really think he would kill me? For real...?

KR: You betrayed your whole family by turning to the darkside...just like how I betrayed my family, not voluntarily...by going back to the light side!

Your family?

KR: The supreme leader can not be happy with me...I hope he will forgive me when I bring him the map..and also Phasma...and stupid Hux...and most importantly grandfather...

Why would grandfather have to forgive you for turning to the light?

KR: Duh, Vader doesn't like the lightside! He's a Sith Lord!

Have you asked him?

KR: No...I haven't been able to contact him since I lost his helmet!


"Or anyone else?" asked his uncle sternly.

"What if I had to defend myself...? Like tonight..?"

Luke blushed over the reminder. "Erm...that fell under the family category...no killing...or hurting...it goes both ways, of course." He patted his head to drive that lesson in.

"What if I had to defend someone else...? Not family. That could happen."


Yeah, like Rey.

KR: She is your family.

No, she is...she will be...


"That would be different circumstances...but you should never swear on anyone's life, no matter how determined you are." His uncle narrowed his eyes at him.

"Okay, sorry...but can't you just call dad like right now? He told me to call him if I wanted to go home...and I want to go home, I want to go home..." Ben tossed, turned and kicked his tight sheets, until he got loose from them.

"No!" His uncle stood up dramatically and looked out the rainy window. "Make sure to put on a raincoat if it's still raining tomorrow on so you won't be cold again. I don't want a repeat of yesterday...or just now."

"Yesterday...?"
"Yes, when you tried to run away...not for the first time and I caught you," said his uncle sternly, as he picked up Ben's duffle bag, the one he had packed for his escape and started unpacking his stuff onto the desk in the room, so Ben wouldn't be tempted to run away again.

"Oh...actually dad was the one who caught me that time," corrected Ben him and smiled sadly at the memory.


That's weird, I thought that was just a stupid dream, why do I keep talking about it like it happened for real?

KR: You will see.

Or did it happen...I'm not sure any more...

KR: You will see.


"No, he didn't," said his uncle firmly and threw the empty duffel bag to Ben, who caught the bag it easily and frowned at his uncle.

"Yes, he did and he was very angry that I tried to run away."

"I was very angry," said his uncle.


Could uncle be lying to me...to teach me a lesson? Because I lied...about taking the com-link? He doesn't even know I stole it again! And because I broke into his room...and tried to peek at his memories?

KR: Now, would he really go that far...goodie two shoes boring lightside Luke? Who tried to kill you...?

That was an accidenct...but you are right...he only lied about Vader because mom told him to...

KR: Only?!


"Huh...?" Ben grew even more confused and he tried to piece what his uncle said in his head and make sense of it.


Why am I so sure it happened...? Don't I know the difference between a dream and reality? Is that why I'm still not sure if it happened or not? Or is uncle really lying...no that can't be...

KR: Your head has always been a bit messed up...

Hey, I finally remember we are still here! You said something about the truth about the false memory...dream about dad coming to get me...is that it..?

KR: Maybe...

It better be. I want answers.

KR: You will get some...but you won't like them...

That's nothing new...


"Or well..as angry as a Jedi is allowed to be. Don't do it again. You really frightened me."


Luke was frightened?

KR: He always is...always in hiding...a big COWARD!

That's not what he meant...


Ben looked over his belongings on the desk to make sure nothing was missing. "Umm...okay...sorry...I won't...hey, you broke my TIE fighter...again!" He pointed at the broken model TIE fighter.

"I didn't break it," said his uncle, as if that was the only thing that mattered.
"Yes, you did," said Ben, who grew angrier with his uncle.

"No, I didn't," answered his uncle flippantly, in a similar way to how Ben has replied to his interrogation and suddenly he looked more like a child, than an adult.


Is he trying to mind trick me?

KR: Or just telling the truth...don't you remember how you flung the bag at the office door and the mighty crash that followed?

Oh...but somehow...I remember uncle also breaking it...kind of...when I threw it at him...yesterday...in the memory I mean...

KR: That doesn't sound too unlikely...it probably was a daily occurrence...

True...


"YES IT WAS! And it is broken again! BY YOU!" screamed Ben, who had long since run out of patience with his uncle, who only answered his outburst by force lifting the model TIE fighter to him, fixing it, putting into a box from a desk and sending it back to Ben, before he knew what had happened.

"See, I already fixed it. Good as new." His uncle smiled, while Ben looked astonished over how quick that problem had been solved and his uncle added: "It shouldn't break if you keep it in this box between playing...as long as you take good care of it. No throwing...at anyone or anything."
"Oh...that still doesn't mean you didn't break it." Ben glanced angrily between his newly fixed toy TIE fighter, which he put back into his bag and his uncle, who replied. "From a certain point of view it does..." He smiled at him as if he had won a big legal argument, while Ben just gaped at him.

Then Ben just shook his head as he had no energy to play this game with his uncle any longer.

"You are weird...where is my toy Falcon? Oh, right...I never got it back..."

"What toy Falcon?"

Ben sighed when he saw he wasn't going to get any straight answers from his uncle. "I don't have a raincoat."

"You don't...?" His uncle went over to him to pick up the empty duffle bag and turned it over as if he was expecting a coat to drop out of a void. "But, I remember your mom packing..oh...so that's what happened to them. Stay here." Luke locked the door behind him.

Ben was about to obey for once, but jolted up when he remembered that the com-link was in the robe, left in his uncle's office.

And as Ben had never let any normal lock stand in his way, he picked it easily with the force and soon after went after his uncle, hoping against hope that he hadn't force locked the door again.


"So you see the knights are real jerks," said Ben, when his uncle had turned around and was about to go with a black coat he had found in his office.

His uncle jumped up startled and held his heart. "What...how did you get out? I told you to stay in your room..." Luke looked at the door, he had left wide open to be able to quickly enter and leave and return to Ben with the coat.

He scowled at his naughty nephew. "Really Ben, I would've thought you would know better than to sneak up people, by now."

"I forgot something in my pocket," said Ben innocently, kneeled at the robe on the robe and reached into it.

"Oh, okay...you could've just asked me to bring it to you. What was it?" asked his uncle.

"Just something...I made." Ben hid the com-link behind his back.

"I hope it's not a prank," said his uncle concerned and Ben latched himself onto that lie, by asking the obvious: "Don't you think the knights are jerks?"

"They are just playing around...they are jealous because of your powers. One day, you will show them how powerful you are and then they will be sorry for messing with the Skywalker family," his uncle grinned evilly.

"Really...? Isn't that kind of...darkside...? Wanting revenge?" asked Ben surprised.


KR: Nice, Luke is really tapping into darkside there...again...but you are ruining it...

Still, I was the one who turned...because of him...

KR: And will turn again...

Never.

KR: Yeah, right.

I thought this memory trip would make me hate him...but he's being pretty nice...except the part where he nearly killed me...but that was kind of my fault...and he consoled me after it...

KR: Oh...you will hate him...you will hate him...

I don't believe you.


His uncle got flustered. "I didn't mean it like that. Please don't retaliate. The knights look dangerous." He turned his attention to the coat in his hand. "Here, you can use one of mine. Make sure not to lose this one. I know it's a bit big..." He draped it over him. "But at least it should keep you warm."


A bit? It's like a tent!

KR: A cool black tent, now all that is missing is my saber and my temporary darkside uniform is complete! My saber is just over there!

And you call me pathetic...

KR: You are pathetic...


"It's just like dad did," muttered Ben in a dream-like voice through the night, as he put the stolen com-link in one of pockets in the huge dark coat.

His uncle jolted up as if he had been hit by one of the lighting outside. "Your father?"

Ben looked up and looked concerned at his uncle. "Yeah, when he didn't find my raincoat, he put his me in his jacket. Don't you remember, you were there with us...? It happened just yesterday...how could you forget? He also fixed my TIE fighter which you broke and gave me a new toy."


What's up with that guilty look, was Luke hiding something from me?

KR: He always is.

But why? Why doesn't he just say right away that dad never came and it was just a stupid dream. Why is giving me hope like that? Is there something he's not telling me?

KR: He is just being a prick...like all Jedi...always hiding something or in hiding...


"Uncle...?"

"Umm...okay...I told you that didn't happen...and call me master...or father," muttered his uncle distractedly.

"Yes, it did, stop saying it didn't! Father...?" Ben stared at his uncle as if he had misheard him, but he just shrugged it off as his uncle being deadly tired. "It was freezing cold and DADDY saved ME..."

"This one is mine and you are under my care. You are my responsibility and you are not going anywhere, so you better get used to it. You can wear it on your way to the dorm, that should keep you warm. I recommend sleeping in it as well," said his uncle sternly and pointed at the black coat.

Ben looked down on the coat."Why is it black?" He looked at his uncle as if he was seeing him in a new light.
"I thought you loved black," replied Luke surprised.
"I do...just wondering...isn't it kind of...darkside...?" whispered Ben conspiratorially and his uncle shook his head.

"It's just a color...or absence of it...don't think to deeply about it. The Jedi don't have any dress code, so you can wear whatever you want." Luke patted him on the back, as if it had really worried Ben.

"So I could wear a pink pajamas all day?" snarked Ben and his uncle shook his head again.

"No, because those are for sleeping only. But if you want a pink robe..."

"I was joking. I hate pink." Ben grimaced and shivered in disgust, at memories of being dressed that color when he was a toddler.

"I thought so." His uncle smirked, as he knew how his sister had dressed her son in girlish clothes, sometimes to spite her husband, but most of the times because it made Ben look even cuter. But what his uncle didn't know was that Ben hadn't really minded it that much until people started making fun of him. Then he started to hate it.


KR: You liked to be in girls clothes?

Now, who said anything about that? Pink is a boy's color as well.

KR: Hmm...I'm telling Rey.

What! Says the one who is wearing a dress!

KR: This is not a dress! Knights used to wear clothes like these...I thought a history nerd as yourself would know that.

Then how do you explain the combs in your helmet?

KR: I like to take care of my hair...yours, is that a crime?

I guess not...still, it's very unusual...

KR: Why do everyone have to be the same? That's so boring...

True. That is boring.

KR: Finally, we agree on something...except how cool Darth Vader was!

Erm...about that...


"But I don't plan on staying here anyway, I want to go home..." pleaded Ben and once again it fell on deaf ears.

"This is your new home."

"No it isn't!" shouted Ben and his uncle stopped him when he tried to rip the coat off, in one of his tantrums.

Luke lifted him onto the sofa and sat beside him, as he explained to him why he was there, not for the first time. "You know as well as I do that there is no one at your home. They are always away, that's why they left you in my care. You are safe here...with me...as long as you follow my rules and don't break into my room when I'm sleeping. Why can't you see that? My little padawan?" He patted his head.

Ben pouted, not convinced. "But dad said, I could go home whenever I wanted...when he came to bring me home yesterday...but he had to leave me behind...because you said something to him...but it was just temporary! Or was he...lying...?" A sinking realization crossed Ben's mind. "It didn't happen...?"

"Ben...the truth is...your father never said those things," said his uncle gravely and for the second time this long night, Ben could feel his whole world turn upside down as the dark started to manifest in his heart again.


KR: Duh!

Really...? That's the big truth...I have been seeking..?

KR: I never said that...the truth has many, many...many layers...


"What? Yes, he did. He even left you his number...when he came to bring me home..." Ben's voice trailed off, as if had doubts himself. "That did happen...right? He did come here?"

"No, your father never came to bring you home...from a certain point of view..." His uncle bit his lower lip and turned away from him, as he tried to come up with the next words.

"Huh?"

He turned back to him with a dark look in his eyes. "It was all just a bad dream..."


What...?

KR: He's speaking...the truth...

Certain point of view nonsense...just mean lies and deception!

KR: No, it means the truth, just worded in a different way.

No, I don't believe it! That can't be the truth! There is something more! There must be! Why else would you bother showing me all this...what are you hiding stupid uncle?!

KR: I told you would hate him...


Up next: Just normal Skywalker family stuff...