The inside of the ship was spacious and accommodated the four Jedi nicely. Ahsoka brought out some ration bars and offered one to Ben who gave a soft thanks.
"Sorry about the lightsaber pull." Ahsoka said. "Today's been strange."
Ben grinned. "You guys keep saying that. What's so strange? Besides the obvious."
Obi-Wan folded his arms before letting a hand rise to his chin. "We received an old Jedi distress code and came to investigate. We were searching for a ship, but we found something akin to a fortress... it pulled us in like a tractor beam. After that all I remember is a blinding white light. Then we woke up here."
Luke frowned. "Last thing Ben remembers is going to bed. I recall similarly. We followed a trail hoping to find someone for help."
Ahsoka shook her head and offered some water to Luke. "Our comms are down but everything else seems okay... Did you see a glowing woman?"
Luke raised an eyebrow. "A glowing woman?" He asked incredulously.
Ahsoka shrugged. "We were met by a woman a few moments after we landed." She explained. "You didn't see anyone at all?"
Luke shook his head. "What did she want?"
Obi-Wan sighed. "She wanted to take us to her father. But an earthquake separated us from her and another Jedi in our group."
"Another Jedi?" Ben asked around a bite in his food. "So we can't leave just yet."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, this place gives me a very bad feeling. Perhaps with your help we will be able to find our friend and get out of here as soon as possible."
"Sounds like a good deal." Luke agreed readily. "Where do we start?"
~~~
The group made sure they had enough supplies before heading out. While packing they had debated whether two Jedi should watch the ship, but Obi-Wan felt it was unwise to split up. He was constantly plagued with a terribly bad feeling and Luke empathized sincerely. Something about this place just was not right. So the four Jedi began their trek.
"Tell me more about yourself, Luke." Obi-Wan said conversationally. "The war keeps me from the Jedi temple, it's hard to keep up with every Jedi friend."
Luke shrugged slightly and racked his brain for an answer. Luke had no idea why or how he was walking beside a very young Kenobi, but he felt it unwise to divulge too many truths. It was a very delicate matter Luke supposed. He had studied the old Jedi order as extensively as he was able with the limited information left behind by the Empire. "I'm a negotiator, a political aide really." He said slowly. "My... padawan and I do not fight on the lines like you, Master."
"Really?" Ahsoka chimed in. "Are you any good with that thing?" She gestured at the lightsaber on Luke's hip.
Luke glanced back at her and smiled humorously. "I like to think so."
"He's being insufferably modest." Ben told Ahsoka outright. "Maybe once we get your friend and get out of here we can have a whole sparring match."
Ahsoka smirked in good sport. "You're on, Red."
Ben rolled his eyes and laughed.
Luke turned his attention back to Obi-Wan. "I'm Jedi Knight Luke Starkiller. My padawan's full name is Ben Jade." He thought quickly, knowing he had not given an official introduction besides his first name. Making one up was far too easy... especially for Ben.
Obi-Wan looked like he bought the lie. "You seem a little old to not be a master." He pointed out.
"Maybe." Luke shrugged. "Not enough time to go to the temple and get promoted."
Obi-Wan nodded in understanding. They continued on, light chatter and even some banter built up and down between Ahsoka and Ben by the time night was upon them. They stopped near a cave and decided to go in for shelter. With their supplies they made a fire and settled down for the night.
Luke was finally starting to drift asleep against his chosen rock when Ben stirred beside him. He could feel Ben starring. Luke exhaled and cracked an eye open. "What?" He asked, not too annoyed to sound harsh.
Ben shrugged. "That's Obi-Wan... the guy you named me after." He whispered softly, the other Jedi were both seemingly fast asleep.
Luke nodded before reaching out and tapping Ben's forehead. Ben rolled his eyes, but after a moment the living bond between them opened up. Ben's thoughts clearly filtering into Luke's head. The boy was not scared, but he was confused and hopelessly lost on the situation. And that was the root of fear. Luke bit his lip in thought.
"I don't have the answers, Ben." Luke admitted. "We must trust the Force. Things will work out."
"What if they don't?" Ben challenged. "What if we're stuck in the stupid Clone Wars for the rest of our lives? With Jedi that aren't allowed to have kids? I want to see Jaina, Aunt Leia and Uncle Han again. Hell I even wanna see Vestara again."
Luke sighed softly. "I do too." He reached his hand out. Ben took it slowly. "We're going to be okay, Ben. I'll get us home. Promise."
Ben did not look convinced. But he nodded anyways and let Luke's hand go. He turned over on the ground and tried to go to sleep. Luke followed Ben's example.
~~~
Luke was floating. Wind ruffled his hair and smacked his face. His arms and legs swung carelessly. Something strong was wrapped around him.
And suddenly something hard hit him. Luke startled out of his daze, biting back a curse as he sat up and found his nose bleeding. However the bloodied nose was quickly forgotten for the surroundings he found himself in. This place was not the cave Obi-Wan had chosen for the night. Luke pushed himself to his feet. He was in a palace. A dark palace that was lit by an ominous, sourceless blue glow. And on a grande throne sat an old man with a long grey beard. On his right sat a glowing woman. Perhaps the same Ahsoka had mentioned. And on the elder's left stood a bald man so pale he looked grey. Luke frowned. The trio were all outlandish in their own right. The woman glowed like a faint star and her hair was green. Meanwhile the pale man had black eyes with glowing red dots for pupils. The elder was more wrinkled than Master Yoda and had blacked out eyes too, but with irises of teal. Luke placed his hand on his lightsaber. "Who are you?"
The elder spoke, his voice was deep. "We are the Ones. And you have brought upon us a great evil."
Luke furrowed his brows. "I don't understand."
The elder stood. Luke took a step back in surprise. The elder appeared to be an impressive eight feet tall. And the Force around him suddenly flared up, making his stature all the more intimidating.
"Abeloth." The elder seethed. "You assisted her return and brought her here."
"Abeloth?" Luke shook his head. "I don't know an Abeloth."
The elder snarled and the grey man took a few threatening steps forward.
Luke took another step back. "I don't understand what you want." He said clearly. "You must explain to me what is wrong, then I can help you fix it."
"Help us?" The grey one laughed bitterly. "You are nothing compared to the monster you unleashed!" He raised his hand as if to strike Luke.
"Brother!" The woman suddenly cried, coming to her feet. "Brother, Father, I implore you both to be patient." She exclaimed. "We don't entirely know what has happened yet."
The grey man growled at the woman and turned back to Luke. Luke glanced at the woman too. "Please, I don't know how I've come to be on this planet... much less this room in particular. I am as confused as you are."
"Perhaps I can shake your memory." The grey man threatened, far too angry it seemed to listen to anyone. He took another menacing step towards Luke.
Luke backtracked and his hand flew to his lightsaber. But before he could even draw the blade the Force snatched it from his hand, throwing the lightsaber across the room. Luke did not even get the chance to react as the grey man's fingers suddenly wrapped around his throat and lifted him in the air. Luke gagged around the hold, the fingernails of his real hand dug into the grey man's skin. His other hand immediately reached for his assailant's face but Luke could not reach him to properly retaliate. The fist around his throat was squeezing. Dare he say it... something was crackling against his skin too. Like electricity. Voices were shouting in the distance. Luke could barely hear them above the blood throbbing in his head. He could not breathe. Black spots burst in his vision as he struggled in vain against the seemingly super human. He cold feel himself being shaken and a presence was attempting to fill his mind. Luke fought back even as unconsciousness and possible death approached.
The last thing he could think of was his son. Would Ben make it home?