Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.


Chapter 3

Galen is hardly breathing heavily as he runs through the snow. Not at full speed, as he wants to ensure the Pevensies don't get left behind, but fast enough to ensure they remain motivated.

Beaver had been leading the group back to the dam where they could plan what to do and prepare for the journey ahead. Unfortunately, their plans got accelerated a little bit when, not too far from the dam, the group began to hear howls echoing through the forest. The howls sounded a lot like the howling of Loth-wolves from Lothal. Beaver was quickly able to confirm that the howls were from wolves, which meant that the Witch must have sent her secret police after them after all.

The five of them finally reach the dam and burst through the door. "Hurry, mama. They're after us!" he exclaims. They no longer have time to take their time and think it out.

"Oh, right," Mrs. Beaver exclaims before she starts rushing around the dam, grabbing various things.

"What's she doing?" Susan asks.

"Oh, you'll be thanking me later. It's a long journey, and Beaver gets pretty cranky when he's hungry," Mrs. Beaver answers.

"I'm cranky now!" Mr. Beaver exclaims.

Suddenly, Galen raises a hand and shushes everyone. Everyone goes quiet and looks at him. He looks anthem and says, "We have company." He pauses for a moment, then says, "We gotta move!"

Galen helps Mrs. Beaver gather up the last few items and bundle them up. Galen then uses some cloth straps to strap the bundle to his back. As he does, they suddenly hear howling and something clawing at the outside of the dam.

Galen looks at Beaver. "Where's the way out of here?" he demands urgently.

Mr. Beaver hurries over to one corner of the dam and pulls open a hidden door. "Hurry!" he whispers.

Everyone quickly hurries over to the passage Beaver has just revealed as the beavers dive in. "Hurry! In!" Galen orders. He helps Susan into the passage, then Lucy. Peter follows his sisters, and Galen brings up the rear, closing the door behind him as he follows the others.

As the group hurries through the tunnel behind the beavers, Peter, Susan, and Galen have to bend over slightly. Just like the dam, the tunnel had not been dug with humans in mind, and is not tall enough for them to be able to stand up straight.

"Badger and I dug this! It comes out right near his place!" Beaver explains to the group as they hurry along through the passage.

"You told me it led to your mum's!" Mrs. Beaver exclaims indignantly. If they weren't in a dangerous situation, Galen might have chuckled at that.

Suddenly, Lucy trips over a small root she hadn't seen in her way. Susan and peter stop to help her to her feet, but all of a sudden, everyone hears something. A noise rising above their own noises. Everyone goes quiet, and they instantly can make it out. The howling.

"They're in the tunnel!" Lucy whispers.

"Move! Move!" Galen orders. He hauls Lucy to her feet and all but shoves the siblings along the tunnel.

Thankfully, it's not much longer until they finally reach the end of the tunnel. At first, it looks like a dead end, until beaver leaps up towards the roof ot the tunnel and into an exit hole they hadn't noticed at first.

The Beavers clamber out first. Peter and Galen help Lucy and Susan out of the hole before Peter climbs up after them, Galen again bringing up the rear. Then, for a stalling measure, Beaver and Peter roll a heavy barrel in front of the hole.

The group finally allows themselves a moment to rest and recover their breath. However, this moment is quickly interrupted as they notice the sight around them. In the snow all around the small clearing they've emerged into are stone statues of various animals. Galen at first is confused as to what they've happened upon, wondering why these random statues are here.

It's not until the Beavers approach one of the larger statues, which seems to have been carved in a posture of fear. Mrs. Beaver pats Mr. Beaver on the shoulder and says, "I'm sorry, dear."

"He was my best mate," Beaver says.

"Wait. This is your friend Badger?" Galen asks. Beaver only nods in response.

A chill runs down Galen's spine. So, the Witch has the ability to turn living things into stone. This is something unlike anything he's encountered before. If this Witch has this power…what other kinds of power does she have that he might not have encountered before?

"What happened here?" Peter mutters.

"This is what becomes of those who cross the Witch."

Everyone whips around to see a red fox standing on a small rock a few feet away. Galen quickly moves in front of the Pevensies, ready to draw his lightsaber if it proves a threat. Mrs. Beaver has to hold her husband back as he tries to move towards the fox, spitting at the fox, "You take one more step, traitor, and I'll chew you to splinters."

"Relax," the fox chuckles as he hops down from the rock, "I'm one of the good guys."

"Yeah? Well you look an awful lot like one of the bad ones," Beaver retorts.

"An unfortunate family resemblance. But we can argue breeding later. Right now, we've got to move," the fox says.

Right then, they can hear the howling of the wolves, slowly growing louder. "What do you have in mind?" Peter asks in a bit of a panic.

The fox smiles slightly. "Get up into the trees. I'll keep their attention off of me and throw them off your trail," he says.

Galen immediately turns to the group. "Come on! Into the trees!" he orders. He quickly starts helping the others into the tallest and thickest tree.

As all of the group but Galen has climbed up into the tree, climbing into the upper branches, Galen turns to the fox and asks, "You sure about this?" All the while, the howls are growing louder.

"Of course," the fox says confidently.

Galen nods once in response before looking up at his new friends in the tree. Deciding it's about time they start to see some of the things he's capable of, Galen crouches a bit before springing upwards, using the Force to boost his jump. The Pevensies and the Beavers watch in shock as Galen flies up all the way to their height, grabbing onto a branch as he does. With almost no effort, Galen swings himself up and onto the top of the branch.

"H-h-how did you do that?" Susan asks in shock. This day has been one event after another contradicting everything she knows about what is possible.

"I'll explain later," Galen responds, looking back at the ground, his attention entirely focused on the incoming wolves.

Sure enough, seconds later, the barrel is knocked aside and the wolves burst out of the tunnel. The fox is trying to act as if he was just out for a walk as he sees the wolves approaching him. "Greetings, gents! Lost something, have we?" he greets the wolves, subtly mocking them while trying not to be too obvious about it.

"Don't patronise me! I know where your allegiance lies! We're looking for some humans," one of the wolves growls at the fox. Those in the tree wonder if the wolf speaking is the leader.

The fox laughs a bit. "Humans, here in Narnia? Well, that's a valuable bit of information, don't you think?" he says.

Galen does not like where the conversation. Then, he wonders to himself, I wonder if a mind trick could work on a wolf if it's sentient. Deciding to take the chance, Galen raises his hand and taps into his powers. He then waves his hand in front of him and whispers, "You're sorry to bother him. He clearly doesn't know anything."

Thankfully, he feels the familiar rush of power he remembers from using mind tricks in the past. Below, the wolves all stop in place, and the lead wolf speaks again, in a slightly nicer tone, "Ah. We're sorry to bother you. You clearly don't know anything."

Even the fox is extremely confused by the wolves sudden behavior. However, this time, as Galen again waves his hand, Peter notices it, and hears Galen whisper, "We'll leave you be. We expect you to inform us if you spot any humans."

"We'll leave you be. We expect you to inform us if you spot any humans," the lead wolf says. Then, as one, the wolves turn and run away, howling again.

Everyone watches the wolves go, utterly confused at what just happened, including the fox. However, one who isn't as confused is Peter, who recognizes that Galen somehow influenced them to leave.

"How did you do that? Can you control their minds?" Peter asks, drawing all attention towards Galen.

Galen looks back at his new friends. All of them are looking at him with a mix of emotions, shock being the most prominent. Galen sighs and says, "I guess I owe you a bit of an explanation about who I am now. But why don't we head down and converse with our new animal friend?"


"I think it's about time you explain yourself, Galen Marek," Susan says firmly.

The group is now seated around a fire that had been hastily built. After briefly conversing with the fox if he was alright and assuring themselves that the wolves were truly gone, Susan decided to get right to the most pertinent subject.

Galen looks around at his new friends, human and animal, and sighs. "Alright. You may not believe what I have to say, but rest assured that what I tell you is the truth."

Galen pauses, then begins his explanation, "I already told you that I came from another world. I'm now pretty sure that I come from a different galaxy entirely. In the galaxy I come from, there are thousands of inhabited worlds, home to thousands of different sentient alien species. Most of the galaxy is ruled by an Empire, ruled by a tyrannical Emperor, followed by his close lieutenant and apprentice, a man called Darth Vader. Once upon a time, I was an apprentice of Darth Vader, his personal assassin and enforcer. It was not until a short time ago that someone helped me realize that I was on the wrong side of a war, and I helped to organize a rebellion against the Empire. It was during a fight between me and the Emperor himself that I was pulled from that galaxy and brought here to Narnia."

The group sits in silence, trying to digest what Galen has just said. It seems beyond the scope of what they previously imagined existence to be. Lucy is the first to speak as she says, "I believe you."

"You do?" Galen asks in a bit of surprise.

"Yes. You've been nice to us, and helped protect us. And you don't look like you're lying," Lucy says.

Galen is quiet for a moment before smiling at Lucy. "You are wise beyond your years, Lucy Pevensie," he says.

"Why would you serve such an evil man?" Susan asks indignantly.

"I was taken from my parents as a child, when I was too young to remember anything. Until someone reminded me of it recently, I didn't even remember my own name. All I knew was the codename I was given: Starkiller. All I knew was the ways of the Empire, and of evil. But it was a freedom fighter that reminded me of my heritage, from a line of people who protected peace, as well as being betrayed by my own master when I was no longer of use to him, that inspired me to leave behind my past life, and embrace the life of a protector and rebel," Galen explains. He pauses for a moment, then adds, "I have lived my life in turmoil, and I never had anything that mattered to me, because that is the way Darth Vader built me to be. But maybe, now that I'm here, I can make a new life."

Everyone is quiet as they listen to Galen explain. Looking at the expression on his face and hearing the tone of his voice, they realize just what level of trauma and conditioning Galen has been through in his life, and that a life of evil was not his choice. Susan feels a little guilty for judging him.

Peter now asks the question that is on everyone's mind. "How were you able to jump that high, and mind control those wolves?"

"First off, it wasn't mind control. Not exactly," Galen says. He pauses, then continues, "In the universe, there exists something known as the Force. The Force…it is an energy field, which is generated by all living things. The Force is what binds the universe together. It is through the Force that life is able to exist, and the universe functions as it does. However, it also has uses. Every so often, individuals are born with a connection to the Force, allowing them to use it to perform certain feats. The stronger a person's connection to the Force, the more powerful feats they can accomplish. The ability to use the Force can also be passed down by bloodlines, but it can also occur randomly."

"So, this Force, it exists everywhere?" Peter asks.

"Yes. Most people would never know it exists, but it flows through the universe, connecting every world, star, and living thing," Galen says.

"What can you do with it?" Lucy asks curiously.

"Well, as you saw, one can use it augment certain physical abilities. You can use to jump to great heights, move at faster speed than is normal, and temporarily increase your strength. The Force can also allow one to sense their surroundings, as I showed back at the dam. And, as I showed a minute ago, the Force can be used to exert influence over the minds of the weak-minded. It's not mind control per se, as it does have limits, and cannot be used on those who are stronger-willed. I doubt it would work on the White Witch for example," Galen explains. He pauses, then says, "You can also do this." He then raises his hand, and to the shock of everyone, two barrels lift off the ground, rising into the air about two feet. Everyone stares at the barrels before staring back in shock at Galen.

"You can make things float?" Lucy asks.

"More than that. I can move things with my mind in all directions. The Force grants many abilities to those who can use it. I mastered many during my learning under Darth Vader. I suspect that it is my strength in the Force, and my skill with a blade, that is the reason I was sent here. Perhaps my strength and skills are what is needed to defeat the White Witch."

"A blade?" Susan asks.

"Ah, yes. I almost forgot," Galen says. He reaches down and removes the hilt of his lightsaber from his belt, holding it out so they can see it. "This is my weapon, the weapon I was trained to use throughout my life. They call it a lightsaber."

"It doesn't look like anything," Susan says skeptically.

Galen grins a bit before holding it upright in front of him. He then presses the activation button, and the blue blade of the saber springs to life with the usual sound of activation. Everyone else jumps a bit at the sudden sound, and stare in shock and disbelief at humming blade of the lightsaber.

"This is a lightsaber. The blade is of pure plasma, and is able to cut through almost any material in existence with incredible ease, and able to deflect projectiles aimed at me. This is the second lightsaber I have used, as I lost my first one. I grew very proficient with it, and was even able to best my master in single combat," Galen boasts a little.

"Wow," Lucy whispers in shock.

"Does it work like a normal sword?" Peter wonders aloud.

"Similarly, but not entirely. It requires far more effort to master. It is also nearly impossible to master using if one is not able to use the Force, as the blade is weightless. Very, very few have ever managed to use one competently when they could not use the Force themselves," Galen says, images of General Grievous and Boba Fett flashing through his mind.

The group is quiet for a moment before the fox stands up. "I am thankful for your help in me avoiding getting bitten, but I cannot remain any longer. I must be on my way," he says.

"You're leaving already?" Lucy asks the fox. As she does, Galen also deactivates his saber and returns it to his belt.

"It has been a pleasure, my queen, and an honor, but time is short and Aslan himself has asked me to gather more troops," the fox says.

The beavers gasp, and Mr. Beaver exclaims, "You've seen Aslan?"

"What's he like?" Mrs. Beaver asks eagerly.

The fox smiles as he replies, "Like everything we've ever heard." He then looks at the three Pevensie siblings as he says, "You'll be glad to have him by your side in the battle against the Witch."

"But we're not planning on fighting any witch," Susan protests, still set in her mindset.

"But surely, King Peter, the prophecy," the fox points out, hoping that Susan is the only hesitant one. Galen looks at the fox intently. He's beginning to realize just how much the Narnians who haven't sided with the Witch believe in this prophecy, and how much of their hope they've pinned on it. They're not going to give up on it easily. And that…that just might be enough.

"We can't go to war without you," Mr. Beaver points out.

Peter looks down, the gravity of the situation clearly weighing on him. He twiddles a small twig in his fingers before he tosses it in the fire and looks back up at the Narnians. "We just want our brother back," he says.

"Then, war may not be something you can avoid, Peter," Galen, using just his first name for the first time. Peter looks to Galen as Galen continues, "I understand you don't want to get involved in a war, and you think you're too young. But by the time I was your age, I was already a seasoned warrior. You are here to fulfill a prophecy. Your brother is held by the White Witch, and like it or not, only by working with this Aslan are we going to be able to get him back." He pauses, then says, "And you have me with you. I might only barely know you, but I was sent here to aid you. I can see that now. I'm here to help you rescue your brother, and help the Narnians reclaim Narnia."

Peter looks at Galen, at first unsure. Then, a look of gratitude comes over his face. And Galen can sense within him that he's very slowly beginning to accept that he and his siblings may have to go down a road they don't want to. But this is now their destiny.


And, I'll end the chapter there.

I hope this was a good one. I know it may seem like the Pevensies believed Galen fairly easily, but after seeing everything they've seen in Narnia, and then seeing some of Galen's abilities firsthand, I imagine it would be a little easier to believe him. Obviously, he seriously summed up his journey, but I didn't want to go too deep into it, and go into things the group would not understand.

Next chapter should be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review and stay tuned.