Cold Heart - Book One

Chapter Twelve

Hey guys! One chapter left after this ;) By the way, I just uploaded a new Star Wars fic titled, "Lost", so definitely go check that out! It about Poe, and who doesn't want more Poe, honestly?

Alright, here you guys go.

Chapter Twelve

It had been a one month since Ben had been captured. He tried not to think about it. Most of it was a bad memory. Luke had told him that suppressing the memories would only hurt, but Luke didn't understand. He didn't know that when Rey died, she took a part of him with her.

Luke had been gracious enough to let him train, even after what Ben now dubbed, "The Incidents" of his past. Luke wasn't concerned with his past. He kind of reminded Ben of Rey in that aspect.

He didn't like to think about Rey very often. It only made him sad. He had tried to focus on the happy memories, them kissing underground, her talking to him day after day while he was in the cell. It was hard to focus on the good without the bad, though.

He blamed himself for it. He should've told Finn to keep the door open. He should've told her that the First Order was coming sooner, but he hadn't. He could've saved her, but he didn't. And when those thoughts crept in during the hours of the night, he couldn't help but hate himself for it.

Now, he was a Jedi in training. The First Order had lost a lot in that short month. Captain Phasma was dead and they had no force-users at all. Snoke was the the only powerful one left. If Ben could defeat him, the Resistance would win and peace would return to the galaxy.

Ben was the only one who knew the capacity of Snoke's power. It was greater than anything he'd ever seen before. The only thing that kept his hope alive was the promise he made to Rey. He would defeat Snoke, no matter what the cost of it was.

"Ben," Luke sighed as Ben tried to levitate a large boulder. It was only a few inches above ground. "The First Order is planning an attack in two weeks time. Snoke will be there."

Ben let the boulder drop. "I'm sorry, Master." he huffed and concentrated again. Closing his eyes, he focused his entire mind on the boulder and nothing else.

"Ben!" Luke shouted excitedly. "Open your eyes."

As he did, his focus almost came unraveled. The boulder must've been at least three stories up. "Holy crap." Ben said, astounded at himself.

Luke chuckled and put a hand on his shoulder from behind. "You're learning quickly, little Padawan. Soon, you'll be more powerful than ever." His eyes glistened with sadness, but happy sadness. "Rey would be proud."

Ben nodded. He knew she would be. She would be happy that he had fully embraced the light. All Ben wanted to do was make her happy. Love makes you do things you would've never dreamed as possible.

"Thank you," Ben said. "I couldn't do this without you, Uncle."

Luke embraced the boy. "You know, Anakin would be proud of you for doing this," he told him. "In the end, he chose to join the light, too. He gave up his darkness for someone he loved, too."

"For you?"

"Yes," Luke replied fondly. "Darth Sidious was going to kill me. Anakin intervened and saved me." Luke pulled away from the hug. "You're a lot like him."

Ben didn't say anything. He looked out at the ocean from where he was standing at the peak of the mountain. "Luke, were you ever in love?"

Luke joined him at the edge. "No," he told his nephew. "I never did."

Ben sighed. "It hurts," he said, tears forming in his eyes. "I miss her so much."

"I'm sorry, Ben. I can't relate to how you feel, but I can sense your pain." Luke put an arm around him.

"Some days, I forget she's gone and I imagine waking up and seeing her next to me. But she never is," he wiped his cheek. "I feel like I'm being crushed from the inside. Like, there's a weight attached to my soul pulling me down and I can't even breath."

"Time will heal you, Ben," he answered. "But don't forget. Your past makes you who you are. You must cherish the good times, while still remembering the bad."

"I know," Ben replied. "It's just hard sometimes."

"Ben," Luke said suddenly. "I have a proposition for you, if you're willing."

"Anything," Ben breathed. He wanted to get off this island as soon as possible. "What is it?"

"I haven't seen your mother in years," he said. "I'm offering you a chance to finally meet her. Along with you meeting her, they're planning to invade the First Order's ship. This will be the last battle of the war. You're strong, Ben. We can win this."

Ben thought about it. He killed his father, who was to say that his mother still cared about him? She could hate him. The more he thought about it, though, the more he wanted to see her. He needed to make things right.

"Yes," Ben agreed. "I'll do it. When will we leave?"

"Now," Luke responded. "C-3PO has already gathered our things."

"That's where my brush went," Ben muttered.

~~~~~~~

"Are you sure she'll want to see me?" ben asked timidly. Of course, Leia knew her son and joined the Resistance, but they hadn't made any contact.

"I'm positive," Luke reassured. "She loves you no matter what, Ben. Don't worry."

Shaking his head, he sat down in the co-pilot's seat. He could see the landing strip from above. They would arrive in seconds. "I don't know if I can do this," Ben stuttered.

"Calm yourself," Luke commanded. "You will be fine." They had landed now. The door opened and Luke stood up. "Let's go," he said. "We'll meet her outside."

Ben nodded, trying to appear as calm as possible. They exited and Ben spotted a familiar woman. "Luke?" She asked, tears forming in her eyes. "Is it you?"

Ben's Uncle nodded and the woman raced towards him, enveloping him in a hug. "I missed you, brother," she whispered, holding him tight.

"I missed you too, sister," he said. "I've brought someone with me." He pointed to Ben who was standing there awkwardly. He gave a slight wave.

"Mom," he said. "I'm-"

Leia interrupted him by hugging him. "Ben!" she cried. "I missed you so, so much. I'm so happy you're here!" She said into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. "I knew you would come back."

"I'm sorry mom," he replied, a few tears leaking from his eyes. "I love you, and I'm so, so, sorry."

Leia pulled back but held his hands tight. "Son, the past is the past. You're a different person now. I love you. I can just be glad that I have you back." She paused for a second. "What are you doing here?"

"As I recall," Ben asked his mom, grinning. "We have a war to win. And I'm here to help."