Chapter 13

''There are a lot of people waiting for you'' mumbled Luke, seconds before the main gate opened.

Coming down the Falcon, she didnt expect the whole resistance to had appeared for her. But they had. Most of them. She could only remember about four to five of them.

Leia approached her first.

''I felt the Force Rey. It is incredible.'' she said while scanning her. ''Not even my father was this powerful. But lets talk food first.'' She changed the subject as soon as she saw Reys tired reaction.

''We will have to put you immediately under cammo Rey, im sorry for that. You have around four to five days to enjoy, but you need to continue your training with Luke. For the sake of all of us'' Leias face, as unreadable as it was, showed a bit of remorse.

She was ecstatic but mainly overwhelmed. She knew almost none of them until she spotted Finn and saw how he had changed. He headed towards her, his face tall and proud. what has he been up to? He was definitively more confident, and more built than he was two years ago. He didn't grab her hand this time. She missed that.

She prepared for a storm of questions, seeing that he had started to talk five metres before he even reacher her.

''You have made everyone worry so much? me! Where had you been gone? Luke said he sent you on a mission, but thats so dangerous! After what? one year of training! You werent here when I woke up! Imagine how I felt, after the girl I risked my life for is somewhere else studying mojo jojo Force magic stuff?!'' He said, joy clearly radiating off his face.

She leaned and hugged him. That would make him shut up.

''I missed you Finn!'' she said grinning. ''I missed a face that can express emotions..you have no idea!''

''I do. Bare in mind that I have to work with some of the Skywalkers too.'' he started whispering, '' You know they say that she didnt cry when Han Solo died?''

''Finn!'' Rey shushed him, embarrassed and appalled that he would dare say such things about his General when she was standing ten meters away. They walked towards the base, as everyone had already scattered to their daily duties. Luke and Leia had already gone, even before she'd said another word to him.

''Is true! No wonder their children have issues!'' He was now clearly joking to make Rey feel more welcomed and comfortable. But it did the opposite.

She was caught off guard.

''Children? They have more than that creature that is trying to wipe us all off the existence'' her skin pinched at the thought. She was confused, ''No one-...''

''Yeah, they have one other daughter. Completely Leia. Unapproachable. Made of steel. Never heard her speak a word to someone that is not a commander'' His joy wasnt gone however, ''So Ive just stick with Poe, Poe Dameron, the BB8 unit guy, remember him? Hes fun.'' She really did miss Finn. Something about him made her feel so secure and free. In his eyes, she was unbeatable, and that gave her strength.

''Finn, I will need to take a rest. I am exhausted. Ive been flying the Falcon for most of the time, with all the other ships trying to fetch us to the First Order.'' she felt bad. she really missed him and what he represented. His carelessness. Her innocent self. She didnt wanted to leave him like that. but her eyes and her nerves were giving up.

''Of course, let me show you to the rooms, yours is next to mine. I book it every week in case you come'' his face was glowing. She loved him. He is the nicest person she ever knew. And he came from that forsaken place.

Entering the room, she didnt even think of washing her face. she went straight for the bed. Her first image, was that of the last day she spent at that Temple. None of them had spoken to each other that day. She visited the garden as she would every day, and meditate there. Then, him, having felt Luke's presence, showed up at the door in front of the garden. She had felt him too and glanced at him.

Hed changed into his First Order clothes. She realized she didnt like that. Everything was on but his mask. just like that? you change your clothes and suddenly youre a monster? She knew he could hear her thoughts. They didnt break eye contact until Luke's presence was undeniably strong. He put his mask on and left the porch. She didnt like the image of him, dressed all black, in a mask, in their garden. The contrast was unsettling. It felt foreign. It felt wrong.

Part of her was glad that he didnt stay long after he put on the mask. he is the enemy. again.

He is the enemy.

He, is the enemy...is he?

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Am I the enemy?...Rey?

Soon she dove into the deep dark arms of her sleep.

Control. Breathe.

Control your energy Rey. You should not expose yourself.

Be aware. Breathe.

But she wanted to leave. She had never been bound for so long to something, or someone. And Luke's voice felt like her own now. He was there, in every moment of her day. She wanted to help at the resistance. really help. She hadnt seen Finn in five months, and he wasnt allowed to leave the base, to visit her. She felt alone most of the time.

Not the same as in Jak'ku. In Jak'ku, she had a purpose. She would make small talk from time to time with travellers, or refugees from other planets, she would listen to their stories and legends, and she would imagine going on those adventures too. And she did. Only it wasn't like she expected. Luke was powerful, and he helped her overcome many fears and obstacles, but he was not one someone she could have a casual conversation with. Is not that Luke wasn't fun...he tried, but neither of them gave to much thought into anything that wouldn't help the training sessions. And apart from that, his jokes were extremely outdated.

She already knew everything there was to know from him. She learned everything there was to learn. She knew it. He knew it. then why arent we proceeding with our plan? She was scared that he had maybe changed his mind, than maybe she wasnt, in the end, the Chosen One.

Focus Rey. Your mind is wandering again.

Almost every session would end like this. Four hours into meditation, and she would her thoughts would trail to the usual case. She opened her eyes.

From the hill she stood on and to boulder beneath her legs, she had learned the location of every single rock there was. And so with the next hill, and so with the next. nothing is new. Everything is always the same. Like Jak'ku. Why did I leave? At least there it doesn't rain twice a day.

But her impatience didnt spring from that. She was used to waiting, for thats whats her days in Jak'ku consisted of. But that was it. In Jak'ku, she had a motive. Someone to wait for. Something worth waiting for. Something to look forward.

Not that the war against the First Order wasnt worth it. It was on the contrary, all she could think about. But she had no say in anything. She was not allowed to be in public. She was never allowed to travel due daytime, she was not allwed to participate in their missions. She was not allowed to see them. Not even Finn. She thought she would see more of him, once they reunited at the Resistance base. But Finn would travel all the time in his missions, and yet she, the most so called powerful Jedi to ever been talked about, she, was hiding in a deserted planet. All in due time. Luke would say. All in due time.

She got up and left the boulder she was standing on, mentally searching for Luke. He would probably be near the sea, meditating. he is a good man. give him a rest. she thought. He had tried, all his young life, to redeem Darth Vader, and then Kylo Ren for the rest of it. And she could feel the remorse he felt every time one of their names were mentioned. His life did not belong to him, and he would have had accepted that, if it wasn't for each of his kin, dedicating their lives to the darkness.

Darth Vader, the gruesome powerful being that she'd heard of only in her most faint memories of her nana's fairytales. She always thought he was a character created to put kids to sleep. A dark being that would haunt you if you gave in on the evil. But she had been sitting with Luke near the fire in a lonesome night, with bright shining stars, and had the privilege of listening to the whole story, as detailed as one can be, of how one man came to a full circle of light and darkness.

Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, had more than enough reasons to turn to the dark side. talk about self fulfilling prophecy. But, no matter how much she asked, or how much she dug into it, nothing would make actual sense, as to why Kylo Ren would abandon his name, his family, and Luke, just so he could taste the dark side. Had he been that foolish? Just because of a caprice?

The thought of leaving your family behind, would anger her initially, when she first heard of Kylo Ren, but now it didnt matter to her anymore. For whatever reasons he did it, it didnt matter why or how. One thing mattered: He was her enemy, and she had to beat him.

Not just him Rey.

She turned her head, and saw Luke following her on her meditative walk. But he wasn't intimidating. She almost never saw him as a frightening fighter. He had exceptional skills, and his Force was in a perfect balance, but she could not get herself to be intimidated by the old man. Life had been unjust to him, but the spark of hope had never left his eyes.

''I know,'' she said out loud. ''Is Snoke and his Knights of Ren that we have to defeat, then the army, then the General and so and so...'' her voice monotone.

''Is not just the Knights of Ren. Each of them is as skilled as Kylo Ren. Each of them is as deadly and will not hesitate to kill you in an instant. Each of them had to do a horrible deed like Kylo Ren did, in order to earn their place. Do not underestimate none of them Rey.'' Luke always took a stern voice when it came to them. poor man. what have they done to you.

'' Then why did he spare me?'' She was genuinely puzzled. After theyd left that Temple, she heard of how the First Order had wiped out yet another civilization of innocents, under, of course, Kylo Ren's orders. ''You've never answered me this. You say they are lethal, yet he didn't...'' She knew he was lethal, and every day, if not Luke's, or Leias, someone else's suffering energy would remind her of it. But, she could never point as to why, why he spared her. Not only spared her, but healed her, feed her...

''I do not know Rey. He has completely blocked me, which, on the other hand is also fortunate for us. But he is cunning and a very manipulative being Rey. He will not stop until he gets what he wants. He is... a determined man'' Luke looked at her. His eyes always filled with sadness when he talked about him.

She knew silence was about to take over now, so she didnt push further.

''How is it going? Anything exciting this week? Some boulder challenged you this time?'' Even though his wide smile never failed to lighten up his whole face, Finn seemed distracted. He kept looking around him, as if he was waiting for someone.

''Oh you know, the usual. I lift things, and then throw them'' Rey rested her face on her arms, as she smiled at the small hologram on the table. ''Is not that hard, mr newbie pilot of the Resistance'' her eyebrows arched, and a devious smile went across her face.

''What!? You know?'' His expression was priceless. ''Who told you? Come on!''

Rey started laughing. ''What? You know I know everything right? Better not lie to me mr Pilot'' her giggles filled the room.

''You ruined a perfect surprise thats what you did you... Scavenger!'' After holding an angry face for some seconds he gave in and started laughing with her.As they were talking, Poe joined in, putting his left arm across Finn.

''This guy, he has a gift I tell you. So fast, agile and deadly like, wpheew'' he said, as he mocked a flying shuttle with his other hand. ''Dude's got talent. But his teacher deserves all the credit'' he said as he winked at Rey. Poe's charms and swagger could cut through the hologram. No wonder everyone was in love with him.

''I suppose this teacher is the best pilot of the galaxy?'' Rey played along.

''Man, do you have to interrupt each holocommunication we have? I am trying to have a conversation here!'' Finn artifice whining made her smile.

''Yeah.'' he said, clearly content, while trying to avoid Finn's pseudo punches.

Rey looked at the galactic sensors in front of her. Her expression changed slightly.

''Boys, I gotta wrap it up'' but they were too busy bickering for whatever reason they were talking before. ''Guys, guys...Finn...Finn! I gotta go'' she couldnt help but smile when both of them took a stance and greeted her, military style. ''Okay now, you goofy nerds, I have to say goodbye, something came up. See you when I see you. Finn, take care of Poe, dont let his hair get too tangled on that helmet of his'' she waited for their response, while chewing the last snack there was left.

''Goodbye Rey, take care of yourself. I mean it!'' Both of them moved closer for each to say it properly, until the hologram switched off.

She checked the sensors again, and immediately felt Luke's presence approaching. He had been waiting for her conversation to end.

''Did you see it?'' They looked at each other.

''I felt it.''

''Do you have any idea what it is?''

''No, just that it is strong enough to cause a shift in the Force'' Luke's eyebrows narrowed together. ''It seems familiar to me...Im not gonna lie''

''Do you think its him?'' Her eyes were shining. She felt guilty to admit that she had longed for a proper fight for a long time.

''I am not sure. I will go after it, you sta-''

''No I am coming Luke!'' Rey was angry. ''How many days have I spent doing nothing but monotone training, in which I have excelled at? You know I can handle it! You know I am strong enough! I am stronger than you Luke. You know it!'' her nostrils were flared.

''You are not coming, and you know it.''

''This is nonsense, what have you been training me for so long? To lift up rocks?''

''Rey, when will you understand what an asset you are to us! I cannot spare your life for something this petty! You are their last hidden card. We have to be careful!'' for the first time that month, Luke raised his voice again.

Rey looked at him frustrated and disappointed. Mostly disappointed. whom did he mean by we?

But he didnt wait for her to say more. He left the room, his lightsaber following his hand.

He is impossible. When am I ever going to.. to be of use? What did he mean by we on top of all that. What was all that?

She turned around to the screen again. The sensors were off the charts. What ever was approaching, it was approaching fast. And it was about to make an entrance. Rey sat down letting out a sigh. when will that old man understand? no one restrained him from his fate.

He is not restraining you, he is sparing you. That voice again. It was not the same voice that spoke to her usually. This one was more amicable, familiar, soothing.

What is he sparing me for? But no answer came to her this time.

She focused on Luke but was trying to block her. Luke let me help you. She felt his fear. He was frightened. Scared of what? or Whom? Why? What was it out there? She tried to focus on the other Force. Then she learned the reason why. Why Luke dreaded this day. Her eyes widened.

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Authors note: So sorry I am so late. No i have not abandoned the fanfic, is stronger than ever i just didnt have time to edit and reread the chapters in order to make them ready to publish. Life hits you hard with uni work and especially when you have 4 subjects you need to give. Anyway, i want to clarify something as for this chapter. First of, yes I Kylo Ren has a sister and i will go into that detail later, but im basically going by their universe with this one. Second, as I said im trying to make Luke feel like an old grandpa friend so I will not make him an asshole.

Third, well i hope you all enjoyed the dvd release of TFA and have a great weekend.

Comments and Feedback as always are much appreciated. Love to ya'll

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