The Author Who Likes To Ruin All The Things: Hello friends. I know, the last chapter and this one are kind-of slow comparatively to the crazy "metaphorical shit" chapter. However, next chapter... I really like next chapter. There's a scene with Kylo Ren and Chewie... and something kind-of fucked up happens... and there's some insight on our favorite duo, Hux and Phasma. So... hang in there just a little longer while we develop some story (you know I like developing everything in the most crazy, drawn out ways) and let's have fantastic time.

Also. Just because it hasn't happened yet. Doesn't mean it won't. That's my subtle... hint. or something?

Your continued support; whether it be reviews, dm's, favorites, follows, whatever it is. I love hearing from you. I cannot stress that enough. You are what makes this story what it is, without you and your comments, this story would have stopped ages ago. So please, keep them coming. We're in this for the long haul.

Speaking of long haul, someone asked how many chapters I had planned... uhhhhhhh... I honestly never thought of it. I typically end stories at 30 and... we are almost at 50 so... Let's just assume never until further notice. K?

Ash opened her eyes, feeling something strange in the room as her eyes locked on this very small and furry creature that was lying on Kylo's chest. She stared at it; big eyes and small beak, it reminded her of a bird mixed with a pudgy little cat or something. "Get it off me before I kill it." He said quietly and as calmly as possible.

Ash smiled, sitting up as she picked up the little creature that was lying on Kylo's chest so peacefully. "I think it's cute, whatever it is."

He sighed. "You would." With a grunt, he sat up. His side still sore, but he'd live.

"How do you feel?"

"Fine." Short answers were always better when it came to hiding his pain. The creature chirped, the noise sounding like a siren, but a little quieter. "Stars, it's annoying too."

Ash rolled her eyes, holding the little thing in her hand as Kylo Ren put his shirt back on. "We should name it."

Ren frowned as he adjusted his shirt. "No, once you name it, you won't get rid of it."

"You are so grumpy, you know that?" Ash replied, sticking her tongue out. "No fun allowed on Ahch-To." The little creature flapped its wings, chirping at Kylo Ren. "He doesn't like you either."

He gave her a pointed look. "Can we go start our day please?"

Ash grinned, taking the creature with her as the two got ready. Upon leaving the hut, one Force User beaming, the other glaring menacingly, and a cute bright eyed creature that chirped loudly.

Outside the huts sat Rey, cleaning her blaster as Chewie stood idly by her side, perking up when he saw the two new faces. He roared, looking at Ash thoughtfully before glowering at Kylo Ren. Something he'd just simply have to get used to at this point. "Morning!" Ash said with a smile, holding out her new, puffy friend in her hand. "The heck is this thing?"

"That's a Porg." Rey informed her. "They're native to this island too; vermin if you ask me. They're everywhere and very annoying."

"Finally, something the scavenger and I agree on." Ren noted distastefully. Rey glared.

"Well, I think he's cute." Ash interrupted what could have been a fight as she placed the Porg on her shoulder. The Porg chirped as Ash wandered over to Rey, sitting down next to her. "So, what's the plan?" She was asking the group as a whole, hoping someone had an answer.

"For starters, he could tell us what's going on." Rey spat at the thought of him.

Ash looked at Kylo Ren for some help in the situation. "Please?"

Kylo Ren rolled his eyes as he began to walk over to where Ash and Rey were sitting. Chewie roared, not liking the gesture as Kylo Ren was forced to sit across from them, keeping his distance thanks to the angry Wookie. "We're taking down Snoke."

"Got that part." Rey replied dryly.

He narrowed his eyes at the scavenger. "We need three artifacts to do so. However we don't know where they are and unfortunately, Luke is the only one who can guide us."

"Why is that unfortunate?" Rey asked, perplexed with his wording.

Kylo smiled sarcastically. "I'd rather not have to ask him for anything, scavenger."

Rey snapped. "Call me scavenger one more time-"

"Okay!" Ash yelled, interrupting the two as the Porg on her shoulder chirped. "Explain why we need these artifacts." He was still glaring. "Please." She was getting tired of saying the word.

In that moment, he hated that he'd do anything for her. He'd rather not have to bring the scavenger along and finish his mission with Ash. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. "There are three stones made from kyber crystals; they were used centuries ago by some of the first Force Users. Created in the image of Light, Dark and Grey; each with their own unique abilities." Ash was genuinely interested, staring intently as Kylo Ren told the story. Rey, although she would never admit that Kylo Ren was doing something interesting, was also intrigued. "Combine them? They create something truly special."

"These will help us defeat Snoke?" Rey asked, trying to hide some of the skepticism in her tone, but failing miserably.

"Snoke is something different; he's ancient. He's lived through centuries within the darkest parts of the Force. We can't beat him on our own." Ren explained.

Ash nodded, trying to sound somewhat hopeful. Mostly to keep the Light and Dark users from killing each other. "Great, so where do we start in finding them?"

He shrugged. "He has no clue." Rey remarked. "He doesn't know and who's to say he's even telling the truth?"

"He is." A voice said; the group turned to see Luke finally exiting his hut. "However, you three, even with the stones, are far from ready to take on Snoke."

Ash made a face. "But, with them we can?"

Luke snorted. "No." Ash's hope suddenly dropped almost as fast as her face did. "You won't be able to wield the stones if you are not worthy of them. Light, Dark and Grey; you need to know your place in all this."

Rey looked hopeful still, she was getting used to Luke's harsh way of teaching things. "Can you teach us?"

Kylo Ren scoffed. "He can't teach anyone." The two were now arguing across the way at each other, ready to kill the other at a moment's notice.

Ash groaned, looking at the nervous Porg on her shoulder and standing. "Well, when you two are done acting like children, come find me. I'm going to go try and figure out what the heck we need to do." Ash stormed off, taking the Porg with her.

"We're doomed." Luke chimed in, throwing his arms up in the air and walking his own way.

"Now look what you did." Rey accused.

"What I did?" Kylo scoffed as Chewie roared. "You stay out of this."

"Don't yell at him!"

The arguing didn't stop.

Ash was angrily talking to herself, although she'd argue that she was actually talking to the Porg, as she stomped around the rather small island of Ahch-To. This plan was already proving to be a disaster. Kylo Ren and Rey couldn't work together; that was obvious. She had a lot more work on her plate than she would have liked.

"I told you this wouldn't be easy." Ash glared at the Force ghost next to her.

"It would be if they would just cooperate!"

Anakin gave her a sympathetic smile. "Unfortunately, they're never going to stop hating each other."

Ash looked at him skeptically. "What do you know?"

"Only the uncertainties of the future; and in every future, the only certain is their disdain for each other."

Ash groaned. "So, this is my life now?"

Anakin shrugged. "You're the balance between them."

"Why did we come to this island anyway?" Ash asked, looking around at the emptiness surrounding her. "There's nothing here."

"Ah, young Force User." Anakin grinned. "Perhaps you need to learn to be in touch and listen to the Force around you."

Ash frowned as Anakin disappeared. "I am in tune." She grumbled, only to sigh as she realized just how childish that sounded. Taking the moment to channel the Force within her, Ash let go of everything, the dueling Force Users back at the village, the absent Luke Skywalker, the angry Wookie… and breathed in. She began to feel it. Something lying within this island was speaking to her, calling to her. "Son-of-a-bitch…" She murmured; the Force Ghost was right. Ashlyn soon found herself answering the call and began walking towards the voice.

The First Order imperial ships suddenly appeared in the sky above D'Qar. The base was under attack with little time to evacuate as everyone ran around in a panic. Alarms blaring from the base as instructions to evacuate were made known to all Resistance personnel.

Poe Dameron ran through the base, followed by the orange and white droid, dodging and ducking around the panicked Resistance members. He had to get to his X-wing and fast. They needed a distraction, they needed time to get away. So, Poe assembled his fighters. That's what heroes did and Poe Dameron was a hero.

With Imperial Destroyers; the First Order fleet was dangerous. The Resistance had no backup now that the Republic was gone. While the intentions of the Republic were all but genuine, at least they had the gun power to help them.

Poe jumped into the cockpit of his T-70 X-Wing, BB-8 was lifted on board and the two took off as quickly as possible. He was followed by several other X-wings, ready to fight as the Resistance ships tried to get away.

Flying up into the atmosphere, Poe stared in horror at the sheer size of the First Order army that came to attack them. They were disgustingly outnumbered. It didn't matter, they had to fight. They needed to get the main ships away. "Red Squad, Yellow Squad; take out the cannons on the Destroyers. Blue Squad, you're with me. Let's take out some TIE Fighters." Poe ordered, receiving a chain of 'Roger Black Leader' from each pilot.

The ships spread out, ready for their plan of attack as a swarm of TIE Fighters emerged from the Finalizer and the other Destroyers. The fighter ships now in a heated battle as Resistance bombers came to the atmosphere. They were going to take out whatever they could.

The battle raged on with cannon fires and pulse torpedoes littering the space around them as red and green lights flashed all around. TIE Fighters and X-wings were blowing each other up, explosions lighting the dark void of space as Poe continued to lead his battalion onward.

"We need airspace, Commander." He heard the General's voice said over his radio.

"We're outnumbered, Ma'am. You need to get out of here the first chance you get." They were running out of time and force; things were not looking good for the Resistance as the numbers began to add up.

"General Damar." One of the First Order personnel on the Finalizer said. Damar reeling in his second promotion of the week. "We have them surrounded."

Damar grinned wickedly. "Leave none alive."

"Sir." The personnel agreed, sending out the command. However, something strange happened when an unknown fleet jumped from hyperspace and near the Resistance. "Sir-" The personnel quickly corrected. "We have unknown ships flying in."

Damar knew what this meant as he glared out at the war before him. "Take everyone down."

A TIE Fighter blew up in front of Poe's X-wing, however, he hadn't expected that as a ship similarly to a TIE fighter flew by. Except, the colors were off. There wasn't a First Order insignia on it, there was a red symbol, one he hadn't seen before.

Poe's radio had interference as a voice came over; a voice that interfered with all transmissions within the Resistance. "We are the Ascension." The unrecognizable voice said. "We're here to help."

Poe, his face lighting up in excitement as he saw the new battalion racing forward to meet the First Order. "Yeah!" He cheered as the battle raged on.

"The Raddus is clear for takeoff, once we clear, get out of there Commander." General Organa ordered.

"You got it, General." Poe said, taking the X-wing upward and spinning away from two attacking TIE Fighters.

While the sanctity of the Ascension was in question, Poe Dameron didn't take the time to ask any of those burning questions then. Their prayers were answered when their new friends arrived and once the Raddus took off, they had their orders. The Resistance pilots disappeared into hyperspace, jumping to the same location. However, the Ascension was nowhere to be found. It would seem this war wasn't so one sided anymore.

Ash awkwardly stared at the large dead tree in front of her; it was covered in fog and surrounded by rocks and hidden deep within the island. "This is where you wanted me to go?" Ash asked the absence of nothing as she looked at the shaking Porg on her shoulder. "If there's a monster, I'm throwing you at it. Sorry." The Porg chirped unhappily as Ash grinned at her joke.

She walked forward to the tree and upon closer inspection she saw that it was hollow, a large opening on the side. Cautiously, she entered the tree, the voice calling to her from inside as she walked deeper to see an altar of sorts. On that alter sat five rather large books.

Her legs felt heavy as she walked towards them, stopping in front of the altar and reaching for the gold bound book. She pulled it out of the lineup and opened it on the altar top. "What is this place?" She asked.

"This island was an old Jedi Temple." A voice answered. Ash turned, looking back at Luke Skywalker as he walked into the tree. He followed her; he was intrigued by the Grey User, and now just for the indifference in the power she held, but also what she was doing to his estranged nephew, albeit unintentionally. "I had found it in my search for Force Users, after the fall of the Empire."

"Kylo mentioned you tried to start a new academy."

Luke replied knowingly. "Did he also mention that he burned it down?"

Ash grimaced. "He did."

Luke was actually somewhat shocked. "It was my fault. I saw Darkness in Ben when he trained with me. I was a new Master, I should have never been teaching students. I wasn't ready. I didn't understand then that my nephew was supposed to hold such Darkness. It was what the Force wanted, but there were others who wanted to expose that darkness for something much more devious." Luke explained, walking over to the altar and looking down at the book Ash picked. "There are so many Legends from the Jedi, all fabricated from stories from unnecessary glorification. The time of the Jedi needs to end, there is no such thing as Jedi and Sith any longer."

Ash made a face. "If that's so, if all of this is nonsense, then why are we here?"

He smiled. "Because the Force is what brought us here. While most of this is misconstrue nonsense and gibberish, there is some fact to it all. The Light, the Dark and the Grey, all formed to stop the darkest of beings. We are all part of a balance, a way of life to the Galaxy and all the living creatures within it."

Ash looked down at the book. "You said I shouldn't exist outside of the Force… is that true?"

"To an extent; yes. Your purpose isn't so simple, Ash. You're just as important as the Dark and the Light, maybe even more so." He explained. "You're balance. You're what bring the harmony of the Force together. Without you, the Light and Dark could never survive."

"How am I supposed to bring balance?" Ash asked.

Luke flipped through a few pages of the gold book, opening to a picture of a triangle with different symbols and words Ash couldn't make out. "Within this triangle, the Dark, Light and Grey create balance. Here, we have the Darkness, an expression of hatred like the way Ben and Rey feel towards one another. Here, the power of Light and companionship. A feeling of trust and hope, like the way you and Rey bonded. Then here-" Luke pointed to the third line. "Here is where passion, intimacy and affection lies."

Ash understood. "Like Kylo Ren and myself."

"Exactly." Luke said somewhat excitedly that Ash was beginning to understand. "You three have been thrown into something beyond what I can teach you, beyond what any other Force User could ever comprehend."

"Then how do we find the artifacts? How do we take out Snoke?" Ash was begging for some sort of answer.

Luke flipped through few more pages; three stones sat on the page and stared back at Ashlyn. A strange comfort rushed through her as she looked at the stones. "Each stone was designed in the image of the balance it was made for; Light, Dark and Grey. Only together can they defeat Snoke. The stones were separated and lost so long ago, but there are clues hidden in the galaxy on their whereabouts."

Ash pursed her lips. "Do you think we can do this?"

"Only if you bring them together; teach them to exist in the same space."

"That seems impossible." She sighed in defeat.

"It might be." Luke agreed.

"Will you help me?" She asked, noticing the hesitation in his face. "I can't do this alone, I need to be shown the way."

Luke thought for a moment, he thought back to his lessons with Master Yoda and how the way of the Force lived through him and through his teachings. Perhaps it was time to come out of retirement, the Galaxy needed their help; it needed Ben, Rey and Ash. "Maybe."

Ash frowned. "Wow, you really are kind-of an asshole."

Luke shrugged, smiling slightly as he turned to leave the tree. "You have much to learn, young one. Best start learning how to deal with immovable forces now."

Ash gave a knowing look to the Porg on the altar before understanding that she already started her first lesson with Master Skywalker without realizing it. With a sudden burst of excitement, she grabbed the gold book, put the Porg back on her shoulder and ran out of the tree to tell Kylo Ren and Rey what she learned.

Upon reaching the village, Ash noticed there was a new hole in one of the huts, along with lightsaber burns in another. She stared at it in disbelief before walking down the hill to find Rey standing on the edge of one of the cliff sides, practicing with her lightsaber. She was clearly aggravated, it showed in the aggressive way she was swinging the light sword.

Cautiously, Ash walked down to her, standing at a distance to avoid any accidentally lightsaber slashes. "I have a book about the artifacts." Ash tried.

Rey stopped swinging the saber before looking at Ash. "He's impossible, he's aggravating and a child."

Ash grimaced; this wasn't good. "Well, yeah he can be but-"

"I'm sorry, Ash, but there is no hope with someone like that."

"But we have to work together and-" She saw the hesitation in Rey's face. "I'll talk to him."

"I doubt it'll do any good." Rey said, returning back to her training as she began to swing the lightsaber again.

With a defeated sigh, Ash went to look for the other stubborn Force User on the island. She found him sitting on the hill by the TIE Silencer and Millennium Falcon, staring out at the ocean that surrounded them. He had sensed Ash was coming closer; he could feel her stress over everything. "Your friend tried to kill me."

"You probably deserved it." Ash replied honestly as she plopped down next to Kylo Ren. She removed the Porg from her shoulder and placed it on the grass in front of them along with the gold book.

Kylo Ren's brow quirked upward as he watched her. "You still have that ugly, little creature?"

They watched as the Porg hopped forward, playing in the grass. "He's not ugly."

He rolled his eyes and focused on the book. "What's that?"

"It's a book I found in some tree." He gave her a weird look. "It has information on the stones, the Force; all that good stuff."

"Ah, yes. 'That good stuff'." He replied teasingly.

Ash smiled, nudging his arm with hers. "How's your side?"

"I may have done some more damage to it after fighting with the scavenger." He answered truthfully.

"How about you just don't fight with Rey?" Ash suggested, her shoulders slumping again. "We have to work together whether we want to or not. We have to gather the stones and-" She paused, realizing she actually didn't know what they had to do with the stones.

Kylo Ren smirked knowingly as he reached forward, wincing slightly as he opened the book and flipped through it's pages. He opened to the page with the stones before explaining. "They're powerful kyber crystals. We can use their power to help us defeat Snoke."

Ash made a face. "That I understand, but how?"

"What else do you know uses kyber crystals?"

It clicked. "Besides StarKiller, our sabers."

"Exactly." He said. "Our sabers are already an extension of us; this is an extra power to help us combat the power within Snoke."

Ash bit her lip. "If he's so strong, why hasn't he shown that?"

There was that intuitive nature again. "You've been paying attention. However, not well enough. He has been interfering with us; with all of this. While they're mostly subtle ways, he has been. Alternately, as such a powerful being; if he constantly used his power, his body could eventually deteriorate. He's lying dormant; waiting. He knows of the prophecy, he knows we're coming for him. He's been preparing for it."

"We have to beat him." Ash avowed, looking at Kylo Ren again. "You know we have to, you've said so yourself. But we need Rey, and I think you know that too. We need to work together otherwise this won't work."

"I don't play well with others." He replied flatly.

Ash laughed. "Clearly."

Kylo smirked as he leaned closer to Ash. She leaned back as he began to hover over her. "I play well with you." His voice a low growl.

Her heart raced in her chest as she looked into his beautiful, dark eyes. "That's debatable."

Ren's smirk widened into a full out grin now, knowing the effect he had on her and relishing in it. "Is it?" He asked teasingly as he full on tackled her; ignoring the pain in his side as the girl below him yelped in surprise before laughing.

He propped himself up on his elbows as she tried to speak through her laughter. "You'd think I'd be expecting your attacks by now."

"Yet you never seem to learn. You're unteachable." Ren joked, unable to hide his cheshire grin as Ash wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her so she could kiss him. There wasn't much he wouldn't do for her, he knew that. They both did. And as much as it killed him to get along with Rey, he agreed, but only for her. "I will try and work alongside the scavenger."

Ash rolled her eyes playfully. "It's the best deal I'm going to get right now."

"And only until this is over." He added.

Ash scoffed. "You can't alter the deal!"

"I just did." He grinned wickedly. "Pray I don't alter it further."

She groaned. "What am I going to do with you?"

He thought for a moment before coming up with a suggestion. "You're going to kiss me and then we're going to figure out where the stones are."

"That I can do." She wasted no time leaning up to kiss him, their lips interlocking once more.

In the distance, Rey stood on the hill and watched the scene before her. Her expression a mix of concern and uncertainty as Luke Skywalker joined her, ready for an argument. She had none. "Where do we start; how do we find the stones?"

Luke gave her a knowing look. "I thought you didn't trust him?"

"I don't." Rey said, still looking at the scene before her.

"What changed?"

"The way he looks at her." Rey explained. "It's like he's a different person."

Luke nodded. "A person can hide any and all intentions, but their eyes always speak the truth. You are currently seeing the eyes of Ben Solo pushing through to the surface. She brings out a side to him that Kylo Ren believes is dead. While the Light doesn't fully exist in him any longer, some of it still reflects to the surface when she's around."

Rey frowned. "Is it possible for someone to come back from all he's done?"

"I think you know the answer to that." Luke said, backing away from Rey and started back up the hill. Rey continued to watch the two other Force Users in the distance, thinking that maybe… just maybe, this could work.

Final Thoughts: Oh, it's the end of another chapter already? Sheesh, these seem really short. I'll make the next one longer... considering there's a crap-ton of drama to be had with Ren and Chewie... and then the other scene I won't spoil... anyway. Remember to review and see y'all next time.