Chapter 31: Trust the Force
Slowly, the hanger began to fade back to its empty self. Where the entire US military was at rally, the gray panels on the ground and the construction tools were now as visible as the sun at noon. The echoes of chants and cheers from the President's speech had all died out. Now, Ryder and Katie sat alone.
The two sat on a plastic table and faced the Rogue Shadow as they sat in silence. Both contemplating their relationship and the dangers that faced them with the upcoming war. Ryder was wearing his usual clothes: dark gray shorts, a navy short-sleeve t-shirt that had a high collar, and Adidas shoes with white, crew socks.
Even though Ryder changed his outfit every so often, Katie didn't. This was something that he had noticed for a while now. She was wearing short, khaki shorts with a red flannel tied around her waist, a blue sports bra, and a dark green tank top that was cut a few inches beneath her breasts.
Breaking the ice, Katie said to Ryder, "Well, I think this breaks the record of the longest silence between us two."
Ryder did not say anything in reply. He only sighed.
Keeping eye contact with the floor, she said to him, "I know you went through a lot of painful things, Ryder. I know that there probably isn't anything that I can do to help either. But, everyone has been able to feel your continuous fall to the dark side." She finished talking and looked up at Ryder who was looking at the ground too. His pale, white hair hung past his lustrous blue eyes.
Without facing Katie, Ryder murmured, "I had to. It was the only way to survive that prison. I've led countless people to their death. No matter what path I choose, it's always a broken one. Never the right one. Because of that, I had to accept that those broken paths are who I am. My path will always be broken, and destruction or death will lay in my wake. That why I have to do whatever it takes to make sure that the people that will inevitably die, won't be the ones that I care about."
Katie reached out and put her hand on Ryder's. It was cold. She felt like she was touching a corpse, but she firmly grasped it.
"People follow you because you are a great leader, Ryder. We are in war. They know the possible outcomes, but they still choose to follow you because they know that you will make the right choices. That's why, me, Hunter, Blair, Skibo, Murdoch, and even Nero won't leave your side."
Katie smiled as Ryder tilted his head towards her. His white hair hung down as one of his blue eyes appeared. However, it wasn't looking at Katie. It was looking past her. Confused, she turned her head to where Ryder was looking and saw General Rodan standing at the door.
"Thank you, Katie. I have to go, but I'll see you later," asked Ryder?
"Of course, but don't make me beat a smile on your face," she said with a chuckle.
A small smirk appeared on Ryder's pale face. He stood up and walked to General Rodan. The two walked through the hanger doors and continued down the hallway.
Katie leaned back and laid down on the plastic table. Looking up at the ceiling, a sense of wariness for Ryder washed over her.
Ryder followed closely behind General Hall as they walked towards the elevators. They reached the doors without saying a word to each other. Rodan pressed the button then looked at the digital screen that said what floor the elevator was at. It read, '34.'
Knowing it would take a long time to get onto the elevator, Rodan decided to start the conversation. "How do feel about the upcoming war?"
"We've been in war," responded Ryder quickly. "These are just the final battles. But, to answer your question, not too great."
Shocked with the answer, Rodan fired back, "And why is that?"
"ISIS has more quality and powerful abilities than we do, and we don't even know Hannibal's ability or even abilities," said Ryder shaking his head.
"But we have heart. Something to fight for," said Rodan.
Ryder looked up at his former teacher and said, "The more I fight, the less I believe that having heart actually matters. Someone could have all the heart they want, but when they come across a Jinchuuriki that wields the Mangekyo Sharingan, unless they have power, they will only meet despair."
The elevator doors opened, and Ryder walked in.
"I get what you're saying, trust me, I do, but hope is also something that lend more strength to someone. It could be courage, a little more physical strength, or even some more chakra or whatever. That's why having you talk and look like this is not good for morale. I know that there is nothing that you can do about your hair, but your attitude can change. Regardless of what you think, we need… I need you to look at least a little bit happier around the other people. Because people did notice how you weren't getting into the President's little pep talk earlier, and you're a key figure in this war."
Ryder sighed then lifted up his head. "Okay. So, what is it that you wanted to talk with me about?"
The elevator doors opened to floor, 19.
"Ah yes," said Rodan walking out. Very few people were in the hallway since this was the dining hall floor. "I wanted to get your input on our strategy for down there."
"What did Ziggy find down there," questioned Ryder?
"So, there will be two or three major battles. There is a ship factory in Chicago, and a few miles away is an ISIS academy. Ziggy thinks that the ship factory is bait for a surprise attack on us, so we want to hit the academy when they least expect it. Zakee sensed your brother there for a long period of time, so we think that he heads the forces there." Rodan paused and looked at Ryder's reaction.
You aren't ready for him. He's too powerful, said Anakin's voice from deep within Ryder.
"Ziggy should lead them," said Ryder. "His sagejutsu would be a big help. He also knows the more ins and outs of the area."
Surprised by the answer, Rodan asked, "I thought you would have wanted to fight your brother?"
"Not yet," said Ryder. "There are things that I have to do before I can fight him."
"Hmmmm. Okay," said Rodan opening the cafeteria doors. No one was inside. "Next, the only other place that they are stationed is in the Rockies in Colorado. That's where there main forces are."
The two sat down at a table while Ryder began thinking about a strategy. 'Two groups are a must,' he thought. 'But it would be more beneficial to have groups categorized on the range of their abilities. Also, since two groups will be diverted to different locations, we would need a way to stay connected. That means that we need a communications group too.'
Make two groups of close-range combatants and two groups for people that can go mid-range to long range. Then take one group from each and combine them, said the once general from inside.
"What about people with just long-range abilities," asked Ryder?
Make a group for them and send them with the groups that are going straight to Colorado. Open field battles are going to be the main focus for those groups and the long-range fighters will prove to be a better suit there than in an academy, explained Anakin.
Ryder looked back up at his former teacher and explained to him the strategy that the Dark Lord inside just thought of.
"I see. I see the advantage to having two groups of close and mid-range combatants. Who do you think should be a part of the communication team," asked Rodan?
"So, I would have President Reed there for sure. He doesn't have a power, but leadership and tactics are very good. Then I would have Dr. Rogers and Jerry there too. Lastly, Janice, Katie, and you," explained Ryder.
"Why me," asked Rodan?
"Because while everyone else is smart and can form a strategy, they need someone with real battle experience that can anticipate what the enemy will do when building a certain strategy. If we need you, then Jerry can just teleport you, too," said Ryder convincingly.
"Okay, so we would a group of close and mid-range guys attacking the academy, and the other half, along with the long-range troops, will attack ISIS in an open field fight before we get to the Rockies," asked Rodan?
"Yeah. Once we win those two fights, we'll regroup communication and all a mile or two out from their main base. The next day would be the final fight," explained Ryder.
"Will you be able to fight Khilor if Ziggy doesn't succeed," asked Rodan?
"If Khilor doesn't kill him, I think we could beat him if we team up," said Ryder.
"Do you think Khilor will kill him," asked Rodan?
"I'm not one-hundred percent sure, but I don't think he will. He'll want to rub it in my face how much he can toy with us. Hopefully Nero and the others will be able to force him to retreat. That way, everyone would be able to leave without having to worry about an attack."
Rodan didn't say anything after that explanation.
"What we really need is to figure out Hannibal's power is because he is our biggest threat," said Ryder.
"You're right. We have an idea of what his cabinet members powers are, but we know nothing about him. All we know is that he has some sort of power or influence over everyone that makes them fear and respect him," said Rodan.
"Question," announced Ryder.
"What is it," answered Rodan?
"Do you think Zakee is at his peak power? Will he get stronger," asked Ryder?
"He is at a limit right now. The only way for him to break through the sealing is by somehow learning a new chakra type or stronger jutsu," said Rodan. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, to put it bluntly, He and I are the strongest soldiers we've got. If he is at a ceiling, then I need to acquire a new power that will be able to help us defeat Hannibal," explained Ryder.
"How are you going to do that," asked Rodan?
"Maybe I have another power that the Roxy didn't pick up on. Like how it only knew that Murdoch was a Shinigami and not a vampire too. I just need to meditate on it," said Ryder.
"Okay," said Rodan. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Let me know if you come up with anything or have any other ideas. The President and the generals have a meeting, and I'll convey to them what you have said."
"Sounds good," said Ryder.
General Rodan stood up and began to walk towards the double doors. When he reached the doors, Rodan turned back to Ryder and said to him, "Make sure your team is ready. They will play a big role in upcoming battles."
Ryder nodded, and Rodan left with a soft smile.
'I need to find a way to get stronger,' thought Ryder.
'Go to the training room,' said Anakin. 'I have a few things that I want to show you.'
Without saying anything back to the Force being that resided within him, Ryder left the cafeteria and walked to the elevator.
"Zakee. Report to the briefing room. Again. Zakee, report to the briefing room." The intercom cut off with a scratch.
Zakee was with Clayton, Jackson, Sarah, and Daisey in a lounge relaxing before they had to get ready to leave.
"What do you think they want," asked Sarah next to Zakee?
"No clue," he responded standing up. "They might just want to know more about the academy."
"I'm assuming that you'll be leading a group that is going there," said Jackson.
"I doubt it. Khilor is there, so Ryder might want to fight him," said Zakee.
"That makes sense. He kind of scares me now, with his pale hair and depressed demeaner. Do you think that he's ready to go and fight," asked Daisey?
"He's one of our strongest guys," said Clayton. "I know that he's only been back for a few days, but he has to be ready. I know that if I was him, I'd want nothing more than to take my revenge on them."
"In all honesty, I bet he's training right now," said Zakee. "I need to get going. I'll catch up with y'all later."
Zakee left the lounge and walked down the hall to the elevator. Right before he pressed the button to call for the elevator, he felt a deep, strong vibration beneath him. "What the hell is that?" Zakee muttered. "I bet it's someone training."
To ease his curiosity, Zakee decided to pay the training rooms a visit and see who want emitting this power.
The doors opened to the training rooms, so Zakee walked down the hallway peering into each room. Each room was empty, so he kept walking. At the last room, Zakee could feel the power stronger than ever. He looked through the window and saw Ryder releasing his aura.
Ryder looked different than his normal self. His hair was the same, but it seemed as if he gained muscle mass and height. He looked stronger, in the sense of physically and mentally. He looked ready for war.
'How did he gain that muscle so quick,' thought Zakee? 'I saw him two hours ago, and he did not look anything like this.'
Suddenly, a robot walked up to Ryder. Using the Force, Ryder lifted weights within it that allowed him to access any dueling partner. "Anakin Skywalker, please."
A blue gel-like aura surrounded the droid, and it began to take the appearance of the legendary Jedi.
"Difficulty change," said Ryder.
"Options," said the robot in Anakin's voice. "Level one through fifty."
"Fifty," said Ryder grabbing his lightsaber.
"Good luck," said the robot monotonously as it ignited its blue lightsaber.
In a blur, the two fought. Every so often, it looked as if the robot had the advantage, but Ryder would perform a counter to even everything back.
'Wow. He's gotten good. Really good. I need to get going though,' thought Zakee. He turned around and walked back into the elevator.
On the way up to the briefing room, Zakee began to think of ways that he would be able to get stronger.
"Well, I don't have a kekkei genkai, and I don't have the ability to acquire any sage of six paths chakra. Is the only way to get stronger by learning stronger jutsu? I might need to go visit Natsu and see if they can teach me anything."
The doors opened to KA-7 ready to greet Zakee.
"Welcome, Mister Zakee. The generals and the President are ready to meet with you at the table." KA-7 gestured towards the large table that he had sat by so many times.
"Thanks, KA," said Zakee walking past him as if he never saw him.
KA-7 looked behind Ziggy expecting to see his nemesis, Ryder's R2 unit. "Thank goodness that pile of junk did not come," said KA-7 walking back to the bridge. "I have had up to here with that thing."
Walking up to the table, Zakee was immediately told to take a seat by Rodan. 'A day and a half until war begins. I wonder what they want know?'
"Zakee," began the President. "We have been thinking about strategies for this war. We have received ideas from each general and even other students. We have decided to combine General Rodan's plan and Ryder's plan. Everyone else will hear this when we land on Earth, but we want to inform you about it because you will be a leader for the assault on the academy and even for the next battles."
"The two of us will be spear heading the operation against the academy. We are planning a surprise attack on them. However, we aren't ignorant. A full on battle his highly likely to break out," said General Hall.
"At that point, you will be taking a squad and bust into the academy. While you do that, General Hall will be leading the ground assault in the front. The goal is to split their forces in two and divide their stronger soldiers. Because of you, we know that Khilor will most likely be there. We want you to be the one that fights him. Your sagejutsu will do better against him than General Hall's Metasume or Nero's ghoul powers and string-string fruit. Once the academy is taken care of, you two will lead everyone just south of Colorado Springs. There is a large area covered by sand dunes. It's called: Great Sand Dunes National Park. We will camp out on the eastern side of it. The next day, we will attack their main base."
"There is a total of four groups. Group one will be close-range combatants. Group two will be mid-range combatants. Group three will be made up of long- range combatants. Finally, group four will be in charge of communications and strategy. We will be staying back during a fight unless we are needed," explained the President. "Groups one and two will be split into two squads. That way a group of each will be at the academy and at the field battle."
"The field battle," interjected Zakee. "What's that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like it is," responded the President. "There will be a battle at the academy, but there will also be one in the middle of Kansas most likely. We will have more troops at that one because they will bring a lot of soldiers there."
"Who will be heading that fight," asked Zakee?
"General Fox and Lane. Ryder will also be a big part, but the two commanding captains will be these two," said the President.
Zakee nodded in understanding. "Have you split the troops into their respected groups?"
"No, we are doing that now. We wanted to ask you if there was anyone that you wanted at the academy specifically," replied Rodan.
Zakee paused to think, then responded with names. "Clayton, Hunter, and Murdoch."
"Interesting," responded General Hall. "I understand why you would want to have Clayton. He's smart, and the two of you have great chemistry. But, why the other two?"
"I want Hunter because of his wide variety of weapons. He's truly a ninja that is very capable within close quarters. I want Murdoch mainly to be out front with you and Nero. Him and Nero have good chemistry and trust. Also, he is an expert swordsman that spars with Ryder, and he know a wide variety of Hado and Bakudo spells."
"Solid choices, Ziggy," responded the President writing on his note pad. "We will make sure that they are with you at the academy. In the meantime, make sure that you are ready to go. Well rested too." President Reed looked up at his young ace then nodded with a gentle smile. "That's it. You're free to go."
Zakee gave his superiors a small bow then left for the elevator.
Down in the hanger, Katie was finishing up repairing the Rogue Shadow along with R2. She was on the top of star ship when her blow torch suddenly stopped working. She twisted the gas knob, but nothing was coming out.
Katie lifted her welding hood and looked down at her tanks and saw Ryder standing next to them with his hand on the main gas knob. He was wearing black ninja pants with black ninja sandals. His ankles and shins were taped white. A white hoodie with cutoff sleeves covered his torso. Parts of his white hair blended in with the cloth. Around his waist was his black Jedi belt with two lightsabers hanging from it.
Sighing with a smile, she said down to him, "Can you open the valve. I'm almost done."
In a voice that sounded like a plea, Ryder said, "You've been working non-stop, Katie. You need rest too."
"But I'm so close to finishing," she begged.
"R2, what time is it," he responded.
After the astromech droid voiced a series of beeps, Ryder looked back up to girl he was in love with. "You heard him. It's one in the morning. Come on. Your brain will be thankful."
Slowly, she removed her welding hood and placed it next to her blow torch. "Fine. I'm coming down."
Katie walked to the ladder that was leaning against the ship, and she climbed down slowly. Once she reached the bottom, she removed her leather gloves and threw them at Ryder playfully.
"Ow!" he said as he wrapped his arms around his chest to protect himself.
"Shut up, wimp," she replied shaking her head.
"Hurtful," Ryder responded with a high-pitched voice as she walked past him and to the door to the hanger.
Ryder rushed after her and put his arm around her. She turned her head to him and their eyes locked. Ryder stopped walking and asked her, "Hey, are we okay? I'd be stupid if I said I haven't changed, and I know I have. But I'm the same guy you met in the elevator after the academy first got attacked. And I still feel the same way about you."
Katie let out a breath while slowly blinking. Her light brown eyes reminded Ryder of a bowl of smooth, warm honey. "First, I'm sorry if I was really harsh on you earlier. The change was just very sudden and different," she said trying to find the right words to say. She then placed her hands on each side of Ryder's neck and let out a soft chuckle. "Second, yes we are okay. I know that you're the same guy that I met on that elevator after ISIS first attacked the academy. The same guy that hated the meetings with the President and the Generals just as much as I did." When she finished talking, Katie leaned in and gave him a kiss.
She pulled away then grabbed his hand. "Like you said a few minutes ago, let's get out of here. It's late."
As the two walked out of the hanger and into the elevator, Ryder could help to think of the last time that the two of them kissed, but he a time didn't come to mind. He smiled knowing that this person, this simple mechanic, was someone that he had to protect to matter the cost. The elevator closed with Ryder looking like he was in bliss.
Nero woke up the next morning and immediately opened the curtains to his window. The sun shined brightly and made the trees and grass around their ship seem to glow. Nero smiled.
He walked to his closet and threw on a dark green t-shirt and some white gym shorts. Without any shoes on, Nero walked out of his room and to a door that was about four down from his own. He gave it three hard knocks.
"Hold on!" yelled a voice from within.
"Hurry up Murdoch! You said you'd be ready to do a little sparring. I even let you sleep in until nine!" yelled Nero loud enough for another student to come out of his room to 'shush' Nero.
Without hearing anything from Murdoch's room, Nero leaned into the door to listen harder. Hearing Murdoch's and someone else's voice, Nero laughed to himself then slowly opened the door.
Quickly reacting to the door being opened, Murdoch threw a large blanket on top of his bed.
"Oh, hey Nero. I'm almost ready," said Murdoch stumbling with his words.
Nero smiled at the fact that there was a human-like hump underneath Murdoch's covers. He laughed then said to Murdoch, "Whatever you say, man. Meet you in the training room in ten?"
"Yeah, sure," he said quickly then glancing back at his bed.
Still smiling, Nero began to walk out of the room. Just before he grabbed the door and began closing it, he said back, "Hey Liz."
'Damnit,' thought Murdoch.
"Hey Nero," Liz responded before Nero shut the door.
"Aw come on," said Murdoch as his door shut.
Liz threw the covers from her face and began laughing.
"What's so funny to you?" Murdoch asked visibly upset.
"He knew the whole time that I was here. I'm sure he doesn't care either," she said sitting up in the bed with the covers covering her chest.
Tying his laces, Murdoch said in reply, "Yeah, but know everyone is going to know, and they're just going to crack jokes the whole time."
Acting like she was offended, Liz said, "Are you embarrassed to be with me?!"
Murdoch immediately stopped and began shaking his hands at her. "No no no no no. I'm not I promise."
"I kidding, Murdoch," she said laughing at him.
Murdoch accepted the defeat then finished tying his show. He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be back later."
As he left the room, she yelled to him saying, "I'm taking a shirt!"
Murdoch did not responded as he began to sprint past some other students that were in the hallway on the way to the elevators.
"Was that Murdoch that just ran by?" Hunter asked Skibo and Blair looking through a window.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was. I heard that he and Nero were going to spar this morning. I bet he overslept," responded Skibo taking a bite of his cereal.
"Speaking of, what are you two doing today?" asked Blair.
"I don't know man," said Skibo leaving his spoon in his bowl. "I kind of just want to relax. I mean, war starts tomorrow."
"Technically, its already started," said Hunter. "ISIS could attack us at any moment."
"I kind of want to go walking around outside," said Blair.
Surprised by the statement, Skibo questioned Blair saying, "Never really thought of you as the guy who takes walks outside. What makes you want to do that?"
"Like Hunter said, we're in a war. I could die tomorrow. If that does happen, I'd like to remember the green pastures here. The smell of the dew in the morning paired with the sight of the sun reflecting off the wet grass."
"Holy shit," said Hunter to Skibo. "Blair that was poetic as hell."
"You learn to appreciate the simple things in life," he responded.
Skibo leaned in to Hunter and said, "To be honest, that sounds really nice. I think I'm going to go with him."
Thinking of other possibilities while gently nodding his head, Hunter looked at Blair and asked, "Okay. So, when are we leaving?"
Ryder opened his eyes and rolled over to hopefully see Katie next to him. She wasn't there. He let out a sigh and thought, 'Ha she couldn't wait on fixing the ship.'
He got out of bed and immediately took a shower. While bathing himself, Ryder began to create an itinerary in his.
'First, I'll go eat breakfast. See if anyone else is in there. Then, I need to meditate. I still can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something. Once I finish, I'll meet up with the shadows to talk about the war. Make sure that everyone is okay and ready to go.'
Ryder finished in the shower, and began to dry off outside.
'Listen,' said a familiar voice from within.
At first, the sudden voice startled Ryder, but he did as he was told and began to listen with the Force.
Ryder could hear the footsteps of the students fill each hall of the Slipknot. He could hear Nero and Murdoch sparring with each other while Nero was making fun of Murdoch for sleeping with Liz. The hum of the cloaking device filled his head.
'Listen deeper. Listen to the Force itself,' said the Force spirit.
Ryder slowed his breathing even farther. After a few seconds, he felt something. This something felt like a bubble who's surface was vibrating. Sudden spikes would appear randomly on this bubble. Suddenly, Ryder could feel multiple bubble that were behaving the same way.
'Ryder,' said a voice from one of the bubbles.
He began to search for the sound. It felt familiar. Ryder searched and searched, but the voice never came back, and he couldn't pinpoint the correct bubble.
Ryder opened his eyes and realized that he was still naked in his bathroom. Using a wind style jutsu, he completely dried himself off within a few seconds. Going through his drawer, Ryder picked out a pair of white, Nike gym shorts and a black shirt with the word 'SUPREME' written in white inside of red box. He then laced up red and white tennis shoes.
Ryder opened his room door and almost left before he remembered to grab his Jedi belt and lightsabers. Attaching it around his waist, he was finally off to complete his first task, breakfast.
As Ryder was about to walk into the cafeteria, Hunter, Blair, and Skibo walked out. "Oh hey, Ryder. Whatcha up to?" asked Skibo.
"Just gonna eat some breakfast then go meditate. What about y'all?" he asked back.
With an awkwardly smug expression, Hunter said, "We're going to take a walk outside. Enjoy the smell of the dew on the ground."
Confused, Ryder said, "Have fun?" He turned and walked into the cafeteria.
"You idiot," said Skibo as they walked to the elevators. "Don't steal Blair's words."
Nero and Murdoch sat down breathing heavily. "So, if you're a vampire too, how can you die?"
"No clue. I guess someone could stab me in the chest with a pike or shoot me with a silver bullet," responded Murdoch.
Nero began to laugh a loud. "Thank goodness Liz isn't a vampire cause I'm sure you stabbed her with your wood a few times."
Falling to his back, Murdoch said, "You have got to be kidding me. That's just nasty."
Still laughing, Nero said, "I'm just messing with you. I'm glad y'all are together. I knew y'all had some chemistry. I didn't know you like her." He put emphasis on the word, 'didn't.'
"Yeah well, when we got back from the Council's academy, we just kind of picked up where we left off," explained Murdoch.
"Are you going to tell everyone else?" Nero asked.
"Probably, just to get it over with. Doesn't Ryder want to meet up with everyone tonight?"
Nero tilted his head to think. "I'm pretty sure, but he'll let us know if he definitely wants to."
Sitting back up, Murdoch said, "By the way, I like how you're incorporating your String-String Devil Fruit more. It's been a while since I've seen you use it."
"Yeah. It's hard to find a way for the ghoul and string power to complement each other. But I did find out that I can use my string to manipulate others as well."
"Holy shit, Nero. That is hype. That can be very useful while you're far from battle."
"Yeah. I just need to get better at it."
Ryder was finishing his lunch just as the intercom turned on for a ship-wide announcement.
"Everyone aboard. Please note that the ship will leaving for Earth at twelve midnight tonight. We will be arriving at our destination at ten in the morning. In the meantime, eat well, and make sure that you are prepared. Thank you."
Ryder let out a deep breath and said to himself, "I hope everyone is ready for this."
He put his tray over near the trashcan and made his way to the training rooms. He walked past Nero and Murdoch fighting against each other. It was remarkable how great they had become. He let them be.
In the back corner of one of the training rooms was a meditation room that Ryder enjoyed going to, so he made his way to the room and sat Indian style. His mind has been focusing on the voice that called out to him since first hearing it.
"Anakin," said Ryder aloud.
Slowly, a blue, fog-like essence began to emerge from Ryder's chest. Gradually, the blue fog gathered together and formed into another person sitting mirrored to Ryder. Opening his eyes, Ryder saw the Force ghost of Anakin sitting peacefully in front of him. He wore the same Jedi robes that he donned before his fall to the dark side.
"I heard it too," he said.
"Where do you think it came from?" Ryder asked.
"There only one way to find out," explained Anakin. "Let's both listen. I will calm the Force around you so that you can search farther and deeper."
Ryder drew in air through his nose. As the air rushed in, the world began to open up. Instead of immediately focusing on the people and ships around him, Ryder became aware of the planets and stars around him. He could feel the spin of the planets, and the gases burning within the stars. The heat coming from the sun was hot, but it was calming yet violent.
His view of the solar system expanded, and the paths of the planets that orbit the sun suddenly appeared. The planets and sun seemed like they were breathing as the moved or flickered with fire.
"Ryder," said the same voice as before.
Ryder directed his attention to a small planet that was towards the bottom of the solar system. It was practically a floating rock with very limited vegetation. Taking another breath through the nose, Ryder sank farther into the Force. This allowed him to become one with the Force as it moved through and around the planet. By becoming one with the Force, Ryder was able to perceive what was on the planet. Feeling the Force call and lead him, Ryder found himself staring at a secluded cave on the side of a large rocky mountain.
Ryder could feel power permeate in the cave. The Force was strong there.
'I know this presence,' Ryder thought inching closer to the inviting mouth of the cave. 'This aura feels so familiar.'
"You've finally come, Ryder."
Ryder immediately opened his eyes and looked down at his watch. It read, '8:24 pm.' He looked up at the Force ghost of Anakin, who was still meditating. "What do you think it means?" he asked Ryder.
"I'm not sure, but I feel to need to go there."
"The day before the war for your planet begins?" asked the legendary general.
"I'm not sure!" yelled out Ryder frustrated. "I feel like I'm once again leading my comrades to their death. If I'm not there to protect them, they will die!"
"Coming from someone with experience, that sounded fairly arrogant. The only tip I can give you is: follow the will of the Force. It will not lead you astray," said Anakin as his Force ghost slowly began to turn into the same blue smoke and enter Ryder's body.
"Remember. Let the Force guide you," said Anakin from within.
Ryder stood up and left the room. Walking towards the elevator, the doubts that clouded his judgement vanished, and Ryder knew what the will of the Force was for him. He pulled out his phone and sent an SOS message to the Shadows for the them to meet in one of the conference rooms near the classrooms.
Within fifteen minutes every Shadow was present in the room. "What's up, boss. I thought this meeting was going to be a bit earlier to be honest," said Skibo.
"I'm sorry everyone. I got caught up while meditating. The subject of this meeting is actually what I discovered while meditating," replied Ryder.
"What happened?" asked Nero curiously. After finishing his sparring session with Murdoch, he saw Ryder in the meditation room. Wanting to talk to him, he almost opened the door, but the aura coming from him was strong. Nero knew that he was deep in his meditation.
"I was able to dive deeper into the Force than I've ever been, I think. I felt it move and breath throughout the solar system like it was a living being. However, I've been hearing someone say my name while meditating, and I think I've found where it's coming from. I believe it's coming from a cave on Xena 2. I was really torn about if I should go or not, but I decided to fall the will of the Force, and it's telling me to go. I know war quite literally starts tomorrow, but I have to go and see who and why this thing has been calling out to me. I plan on leaving right away so that I can get back to Earth as quickly as possible," finished Ryder.
No one in the room questioned their leader's decision. They knew that if it was something worthy of him missing this important war for, then it was just that important.
"Go, Ryder," said Katie.
"Yeah, man. He can handle the battlefields until you get back," said Murdoch with a thumb up.
"Okay," said Ryder. "Blair, I do want you to tag along though. I think everyone else will be able to handle themselves on the field, and there are a few things that I want to teach you."
"As you wish," replied Blair bowing his head.
"I look forward to joining you in the battle to come. Meanwhile, do not hesitate or doubt yourself in battle. Collectively, we are the Seven Shadows of Hell. I'd say the most fearsome group of soldiers this solar system knows. What they don't realize, is that even when we are separated, we are still not people to mess with. Nero: the shadow of Cthulhu. A cosmic entity whose power is unrivaled. Murdoch: the shadow Abaddon. The Angel of Death. Katie: the shadow of Tartarus. The source of torment and suffering in the underworld. Skibo: the shadow of the Balrog. The demon of might. Hunter: the shadow of Cerberus. A ferocious beast of darkness that guards the gates of the underworld. And lastly, Blair: the shadow of the Dragon. A beast that can entice terror with only a stare. You are these shadows for a reason. Do not believe that any of y'all are powerless, because if you were, you would not be here right now. Fight well and bring victory us and death for the enemy. While I'm gone, Nero will be the head of the Shadows. If any of the generals ask about my where abouts, tell them that I had to leave, but I will be back as soon as possible."
Ryder looked at Blair and said, "It's time to go."
Blair nodded and followed Ryder to the door.
Before they left, Nero yelled out, "You better gain a new power or something. Our sparring has been too boring lately."
Ryder laughed and said, "It's only boring because you keep losing."
Blair followed Ryder out the door and through the hallways.
"Well everyone," started Nero. "Get ready for battle. We leave early in the morning." With that being said, the remaining Shadow left the room and went to their own room to finish preparing. Everyone except for Katie.
She rushed through the hallways and down to the hanger where Ryder and Blair were preparing the ship for take-off. Ryder, sitting in the pilot's chair turned to Blair and asked, "Are you ready?"
As he said that, Ryder saw passed Blair to Katie who was standing by the hanger doors. Without saying a word to Blair or even listening to his response, he jumped out of his chair and ran down the loading to embrace Katie in his arms.
"I can't believe that you were going to leave without saying good-bye," she said into his chest.
"Hahaha I'm so sorry. I have a lot on my mind. I'll be back before you know it," Ryder said comforting her.
She leaned away from him and kissed him on the lips. "You better be or else no more of those," she said smiling.
"Well obviously I can't live without them, so count on it," Ryder replied.
"I love you," she said after a moment of silence.
A soft and gentle smile stretched across Ryder's face. "I love you too." He leaned in and kissed her again.
"Now get out of here and hurry back," she said as she slapped his butt when Ryder turned to go back to the ship.
As she watched Ryder board the ship and fly out of the hanger, she couldn't help but to feel worried for him. He's in a fragile state right now. Very mendable. All he has from turning to the dark side for good is the Shadows. 'I hope the thing he's looking for with fulfill this curiosity that is taking him away from us,' she thought.
While Nero was packing a small bag of spare clothes and food pills, a loud dock came from his door. He walked over to the door and opened it.
"Where the hell is the Rogue Shadow going and who's on it?!" Rodan frantically asked.
"It was Ryder and Blair. They're going to Xena 2," explained Nero as he turned to continue packing.
"Why? We leave for war in the morning!" yelled Rodan.
"He said that the Force wants him to go there. He meditated about it for about seven hours today. He said that someone or something has been calling out his name from a cave there."
"Do you know when he will be back?" asked Rodan.
"Nope. He said that he will make it back as soon as he can though. That's all that matters for me," replied Nero.
"Damnit! He is a key part of our strategy. He can't just come and go as he pleases!"
With his red ghoul eyes, Nero glared back at Rodan and said, "Actually, he can do what he wants. The guy has sacrificed EVERYTHING for this country and has become the strongest soldier the US has to offer. Not only that, you are asking him to go out there and kill is only living family member. You've treated this man like a weapon, and now that he feels like he needs to do something, y'all are really going to try to stop him? Only days after living the most excruciating torturing, something so painful that it's changed his hair color. I suggest you plan on him not being there for the beginning, but he WILL show back up. Now, please leave me to my packing. You have things to discuss with the generals." Nero turned back to his bed and began putting more pills inside his bag.
Speechless, Rodan only nodded then walked back to the elevators reflecting on what Nero had said.
