***Author's Note***
Okay; so. Super long chapter tonight. Loads of plot, and so on, but epic battle scene, also!
Ben woke the next morning to find himself sill intertwined with Rey. As he watched her sleep, he knew that his heart had never been so full. He had never felt this way about anyone; he expected to feel fear at the realization. But he didn't. Instead, he felt a sense of peace, and even joy. He smiled and wound himself tighter around Rey. There came a beep at the door, and Rey stirred. Ben hurriedly gestured at the door, shushing the intruder.
"Oh, crap! I could have gone the rest of my life without seeing that," whispered Finn. "I think I've been scarred for life, now." Ben shook with silent laughter.
"What do you need?" He whispered back.
"Your mother wants you. Both of you. We're getting ready to depart for Endor."
Ben and Rey grunted an affirmative, and Ben clamored out of bed as Finn hastily exited the room. Rey took something made from the same gray fabric as er robes, and laid it on the bed. "Your mother sent these for you; she thought we should match. I mean, it makes sense; we're not Jedi, but we aren't Sith, either. We're...neutral. Try them on."
Ben shook out the pile of fabric to find a set of robes that exactly matched the one Rey was hastening into. He slipped first into the loose trousers, slipping the fitted dark gray boots on over them. Next, he pulled on the tunic, belt, and robes before turning to examine himself in the mirror. From top to bottom, the robes darkened from the palest of grays to nearly black; it gave the impression that he was wearing liquid mercury. Ben found that he rather liked the effect. He clipped his cross-section light-saber onto his belt regretfully.
"I need a new light-saber," he pondered as Rey wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek on his arm.
As though in answer to his musings, the door to their room wooshed open to admit Luke, who carried with him a satchel that seemed rather weighty."Sorry for no knocking, but I wanted this done quickly. So; without further ado, here." (Luke thrust the satchel at Ben.) He glanced at his Uncle, confused. There was...something inside; it was calling to him softly, seductively. Ben opened the satchel and gasped. Slowly, reverently, he lifted out a flawless Force crystal; glancing into he satchel, he found enough saber-hilt parts for at lease two new light-sabers.
"Uncle...Thank you. I am very touched." Ben managed to choke out.
"I figured you wouldn't want to keep your old light-saber, and you always did favor a two-handed fighting style. There should be plenty of time between now and when we reach Endor."
The three of them left together and headed for the mess hall. As they entered, a hush fell over the assembled mass of people, followed by the hiss of whispers that spread throughout the hall like wildfire, accompanied by fretful glances in his direction.
"Are you okay? I can tell you've been hurting since yesterday. Is there anything I can do?" Rey asked anxiously.
Ben smiled down at her and cupped her face with his cybernetic hamd, "You did plenty last night." Rey blushed at his words; Ben chuckled and kissed the top of her head. They glanced up as movement just in front of them caught their attention.
"Sir. Here is the readout for the personnel accompanying you to Endor." Ben took the proffered datapad and began to look it over. "Also, Master Solo," Ben looked up with a raised eyebrow, "I would like to apologize for our...altercation yesterday. The thins I said about your sister; they were uncalled for and cruel." The Captain flushed with shame as he spoke.
Ben cocked his head to the side, considering him. Ben, he's being genuine. I can sense his embarrassment, and...something else. He wants to ask you something. Cam Rey's thoughts. I agree, he responded.
Ben sighed and the tension slid off of his face as he smiled wryly. "I understand. I was expecting some difficulty when I returned to my mother's side. While we are on the subject, I also owe you an apology. I could have killed you yesterday. I should have better control of myself; please accept my apology as well, Captain..." he raised his eyebrows in question as he held out his right hand.
"Morris...Captain Morris, and of course I accept your apology," he replied as he shook Ben's hand. "I had a favor to ask of you; I know we're full up, but I was hoping I could accompany you. I think it would be good for me to get to know you; to fight beside you."
Ben smirked, "You think? You mean my mother thinks?" He glanced a this mother, who was watching the exchange anxiously. "As it happens, I agree with my mother on this. I'd be glad to have you, Captain. I have many sins for which I must atone."
Morris looked surprised. "Thank you, sir. I look forward to the learning experience." Ben dipped his head graciously as Captain Morris snapped a sharp salute before returning to his breakfast, looking for all the world like a man who had just escaped the firing squad.
Just then, Poe hurried over to them, "We're all sitting over there," he pointed to a nervous-looking group. "They all wanted to get a look at you; most of them have only ever heard horror stories about you. I thought it would be a good opportunity to begin briefing them. Sir." Poe added with a sheepish grin.
"Thank you, Poe. That is an excellent idea." Poe looked bemused at the compliment."
"Nope; still not sure what to think of you."
Ben smiled. Captain; please come join us for a preliminary briefing over breakfast. Ben watched, with some amusement, as Captain Morris' head shot up and snapped around to catch Ben's eye, upon which he promptly paled. He leaned over to mutter some excuse to his friends and colleagues, and hurried over. "Welcome, Captain." Ben said, his eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter, sitting as the Captain came near. "I didn't mean to startle you; I only thought it would be faster for me to summon you mentally." Rey caught his eye; Liar, she thought at him. The corner of his mouth twitched in response. Ben brought up the area map of the Endor bases on the datapad and handed it over to Poe. "Please circulate this among the troops. The datapad Poe is bringing around to each of you now has the planetary readouts of the Endor bases. The larger of the two is the youngling training ground. The smaller is our first target. The plan is to beak the older students out first; they will be able to help us liberate the younglings. The First Order will have at least two contingents of Stormtroopers a each base, but I want to plane for four contingents. There will also be Knights of Ren stationed there, both as teachers and guards, which is why Rey, Uncle Luke, and I will go in first. Each of the encampments is surrounded by a massive wall; only a Master of the Force could manage to clear it with a Force-Jump, which is why they aren't worried about escapees. Not to mention the few that have tried are cut down before they even reach the wall to try. Make no mistake; this is no easy task. I will do my level best to make sure that as many of you return as is possible. But I won't lie to you: some of you will die. If you aren't willing to continue, you are free to go." No one stood to go; they seemed transfixed by Ben's voice. Ben nodded.
"Very well. Meet me in the briefing room in twenty minutes, with your gear. We leave immediately after the full briefing." Ben caught Rey's gaze I must confess, I am impressed. They are, every last one, ready to die for people they most likely have never met. I'd forgotten what it is like to be so deeply cared for by strangers. Rey smiled and brought her forehead to rest against his.
"That was a pretty nice speech, Sir. I think you've impressed them so far. I hope you meant what you said about protecting them." Said Poe, giving Ben a sidelong glance.
"Of course I did, Poe. Is the shuttle ready?"
"Yes, sir! Only a few last-minute things to see to before we take off. Am I attending the brief?"
Ben nodded, "You have a crucial role, and I need to be sure everyone, including you, is clear on the plan."
"Of course, sir. I'll go gather my things." Poe hurried off in the direction of his quarters. Only Finn, Luke, Rey, and Ben were left sitting at the table now.
"He's beginning to like you, Ben. I'm impressed. You certainly seem to have turned over a new leaf. I should not have doubted you." Luke smiled fondly at his nephew.
"That's alright, Uncle. I need to go and prepare for the final brief." Rey went with him to the briefing room to await the others, clasping his hand. He could sense from her that she knew full well how dangerous this mission was, and she did not want to waste a single moment she had with Ben, just in case one of them did not survive. The thought made him shudder. Ben set his satchel on the table, turning to her, and pulling her gently around to face him. "Rey, there's something I need to say, and I need you to listen." She nodded, confusion on her face. "Rey, before you, I was lost and drowning in my own darkness. But the first time I met you, it was like someone had left open a window in a house left too long sealed up. There was a thin splinter of light where before, there had been none. You shone in the darkness like a beacon. At first, I hated you for your light. But then, I was faced with the decision to have you dead, and I realized that I had come to depend on that light. I saw your defiant glare in my mind, and I knew then that I could never allow any harm to come to you. You have been my redemption, my center, and my Light. Wherever you go, I will go, and if you die, I will follow with the souls of as many of our enemies as I can bring with me, as quickly as I can. I love you, Rey, as I have never loved anyone."
Rey's breath caught in her chest, and she realized tears were running down her face. "I love you, too, Ben," she gasped. Ben let out a watery laugh and kissed her. The universe could have ended just then, and neither of them would have cared; never had there been such joy in such dark and uncertain times. There was a nervous tittering coming from the other end of the room, followed by Poe's loud exclamation of "Awwwwwwwww!" That ended the nervousness as the whole room burst into laughter, followed shortly by Ben and Rey.
"How long were you lot standing there," Ben asked.
"Pretty much from the word 'go'," Said Poe, still laughing. Ben sent a low-level Force blast towards him, so that it felt like a burst of air in his face, which sent Poe into hysterics again.
"That will do," came Luke's gentle but authoritative voice from the door. "I am glad there is such joy to be found in such a time, but now is the time to be serious; Ben?"
"You're right, Uncle. Ben waved his hand and the table whirred to life, displaying the readouts of the surface of Endor. A you can see, I have pinpointed the two bases. The more heavily guarded of the two is also the smaller, though it certainly contains the more precious prize. Our number one priority is to get as many of the children out alive as possible. We are going to liberate the older Force-Sensitives first, based on the assumption that they will want to help us fight; many will want to return to their families. Some may even have children or younger siblings in the youngling camp. Our most enthusiastic goal is to rescue all that we can get out alive and bring them here for training. Luke, Rey, and I will Force-Jump over the wall and hold off the enemy forces until we can open the door to admit you, and the process will be repeated when we reach the younglings. Are there any questions? No? Good. Proceed to the shuttle. Poe? Please finish prepping the shuttle immediately." The company saluted sharply as they turned to go.
Fifteen minutes later, a crowd was assembled in front of the shuttle as they finished filing onboard. Ben saw his mother hurrying towards him and paused before entering the shuttle himself. She flung her arms around her son, "I love you, my son. You are the only child I have left. Make sure you make it home."
Ben smiled and pulled his mother closer. "Yes, ma'am," He replied into her hair. "Rey and I will see you when we get back." Ben turned and strode quickly into the shuttle. "Is everyone ready? Good. Poe! Let's get going." Ben kept his eyes on his mother's face as the shuttle's bay doors shut. He sank down onto the floor in a comfortable meditation stance and arrange his crystal and the hilt parts around him, closed his eyes, and began his meditation. Instantly, his crystal split into many different pieces and hovered slowly around Ben, rotating in slow circles with him as their center. Whether time passed or stood still, Ben would never be able to recall. Finally, he shot his hands forward and caught his two new light-sabers. He stood slowly and turned towards where he had sensed Rey waiting for him. He looked towards her and lit both sabers. "At last," Ben said, as though to himself, "I am whole once again." Ben removed his cross-section light-saber from his belt and Force-Threw it against a wall, where it shattered. He sighed in relief.
Rey beamed at him. "It's about time! You were under for three days. We're going to be making our approach in a few more hours. You should rest. You'll need it. Ben staggered, and he realized that he had little choice but to rest. For the rest of the trip, Ben slept peacefully, until he shot upwards. Ren was pleased. Everything was going exactly as it had been planned. Ben raced into the bay, chest heaving. "Ben, what's wrong?" Cried Rey.
"They know," he choked, "Somehow, they know we're coming. Rey...they're going to kill the children." Rey gasped. "How close are we to landing?"
"Not close enough," Rey replied shakily.
"Are we at least in the atmosphere?" Rey nodded. "Then get ready, my love. There's been a change of plan. Listen up! Things have changed. They know we're coming, and are planning to kill the children. Therefore, Luke, Rey, and I will jump now, hopefully landing in time to save the children. Don't worry about us, just come along behind. In theory, by the time you reach us, we will have the gates open for you."
With that, Ben strode confidently to the bay doors and opened them with a wave of his hand, took Rey's hand, and jumped out of the shuttle, clasping arms and legs to his side and bringing his legs together so that he looked like a man-sized arrow, vanishing into the inky black night. They hurtled towards the ground, all three using the Force to dramatically slow their speed. They somersaulted neatly in mid-air and landed neatly between several Knights of Ren and the children. Ben had a wolfish smile on his face when he shouted to the children, "Get behind me and close your eyes!" At that moment, one of the Knights lunged forward, and Ben neatly blocked the saber.
With that one movement, the spell seemed to break. The Knights lunged forward as one, and the children huddled behind Ben as Rey and Luke landed beside him. The two joined him and renewed their assault. Ben felt time and again the unmistakable bite of a light-saber in his shoulder, thighs, sides, and so on. It seemed that anywhere an enemy could reach, Ben had a small wound. One by one, they were managing to drop the Knights, but it wasn't fast enough. Finally, he sensed the others were in position. "Now, Luke!" He cried. He watched his Uncle Force-Jump over the advancing Knights and land gracefully by the gates, which he threw quickly open before re-joining the fray. At long last, the battle seemed to turn in their favor. The Knights began to stumble backwards in the face of the ferocity of their onslaught. After what seemed like an eternity, there were only three Knights remaining. Rey countered her opponent's furious blows expertly, twirling her violet saber-staff first one way, then the other, and always stopping just in time to block her opponent's blade. After a complicated series of blows, she trapped her opponent's blow and jammed the other end of the staff into the Knight's gut. He crumpled to the ground, dead.
Luke was similarly handling his Knight. With his usual flair, Luke advanced far more than he defended. He moved with such grace and fluidity that it seemed as though he was dancing with the Knight, until with a final slash, the Knight fell and moved no more.
At last, only Ben's Knight remained. They circled each other like a pair of rabid dogs. "Traitor" said the Knight. Ben only smiled and made no reply. They lurched forward together, and sprung apart, testing each others' defenses. The Knight slashed, and Ben parried. Ben lunged, and the Knight knocked his blade neatly aside. Around them, they were oblivious that the battle had ended; the Stormtroopers all lay dead around them. The remaining fighters stood watching the deadly dance. Ben feinted high with his left and swung low with his left. He spun around, bringing his sabers down with all the strength he could muster, only to find each strike blocked or knocked neatly aside. At last, Ben lashed out with his left and neatly severed the Knight's right arm. Ben then spun and, with his right arm, cut through the Knight's neck; his head wobbled for a moment and then fell to the ground.
Still, Ben sensed that the surprises of the night were not yet over. With horror, he knew what their plan was. "They're going to kill the rest in their sleep!" Rey and Luke looked stricken, and the children began to cry. "Uncle! Calm the younglings! I have an idea. Rey, I need you!" Rey rushed over to him, and they sank onto the blood-churned ground. He took both her hands in his own, and together, they sank into the Force. She gave him a boost so that he could reach further. With no time to differentiate between child and adult, Jedi and Knight of Ren, trained, and untrained, Ben pushed his thoughts into every Force-Sensitive mind on Endor. Wake. Wake up! GET UP! That's it. Get up. They're coming for you. They plan to murder you in your sleep! Wake up, and fight! Fight! Don't let them kill you so easily! Good! Hold out as long as you can; we're coming to get you! Ben sensed a great, boiling anger from the adult camp, and he knew that he had at least bought them a little time. Poe! Come and usher the younglings into the shuttle, and bring us to the adult base. We must hurry or they shall be overrun by Knights! Ben and Rey came out of trance to find Poe already rushing the survivors into the shuttle.
"You might have asked nicely!" Poe joked, and Ben and Rey chuckled. They sprung up and raced to the shuttle.
"Ben managed to reach the adult Force-Sensitives and wake them up before they were murdered. They are fighting now, but I'm afraid they won't hold out for long." Rey shouted to the others. Together, Rey, Ben, and Luke rushed to the shuttle, and found themselves to be the lat ones to board.
"Poe! Take off and fly low. Leave the bay doors open. Hold on, everyone!" The shuttle lifted into the air, and before long, they were above the adults' camp. "Children! Stay here with Poe!" With that, Ben jumped again from the shuttle, and the three of them landed right in the thick of things. The adult Force-Sensitives grew heartened at the sight of three fully-trained Force Users and let out a ragged cheer, redoubling their attack. Together, the last of the Knights were dispatched, though there were many new wounds amongst the rescuers. Ben watched the last of the over-fifteen Force-Sensitives ambled docilely onto the shuttle, smiling to himself. As the shuttle took off, everyone seemed to realize that they had done it. A great cheer went up, in which Ben shared. He was reveling in the feel of Rey's mind so close to his own when he felt something was terribly wrong. Ben's back arched in pain as Master Ren's rage pulsed through him.
"What do you mean, 'all the Force-Sensitives have been taken'?" Supreme Leader Snoke trembled before his Master's rage. "I warned you what it would mean if you failed me again!" With that, Ren brought his light-saber down and hacked off Snoke's head. "You have failed me for the last time, Apprentice."
Master Ren watched Snoke's body fall to the ground. "I will find you myself, then...Kylo Ren..."
***Author's Note***
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! As always, thanks for reading!