Fractured Silence [Star Wars: The Force Awakens Fanfiction]

Family Ties

Grass crunched under my foot as I took the final step off the ship. Wind brushed my hair over my shoulder, and I breathed in the crisp, clean air. Finn, Rey and the others followed soon after, all piling off the ship.

Luke had not lost the look of shock that crept onto his face as soon as Rey told him the truth about who she was. Once we had put the stories together, it seemed obvious. He took the news surprisingly well, and he and Rey and shared a long embrace. I could feel the bond growing between them.

Han and Leia greeted us as we stepped off the ship with warm words and hugs, their ship having just landed beside ours.

"I'm so proud of all of you," Leia said, wrapping her arms around my frame. I hugged back, careful not to set her trademark bun askew.

"I've got to admit," Han added, staring down at us. "I underestimated all you kids."

We all shared looks, grinning from ear to ear.

"What's going to happen to the Knights?" asked Sewart softly, seemingly shy in the presence of people of such renown.

Sensing his distress, Leia bent down until she was at his eye-level, and answered with kind words, "They will be placed in a prison, where they will never hurt anyone again. We will not kill them -- we aren't the First Order."

Sewart met her eyes, and nodded his understanding.

Han's eyes flicked to something over my shoulder, and he clapped his hands to draw our gaze. "Now, Kerr." The youngest of the group jumped to attention, excited at getting addressed directly. "I have a surprise for you. I was made aware that you had a pretty awful time at the Menagerie, and I decided to make it up to you."

Kerr's face lit up as Han placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around slowly. I spun as well, eager to see what was waiting for him.

As the crowd parted, I saw three people standing off to the side. There was a woman with black hair, and a man with blond, both around the age of thirty. The other was in his early twenties, and dropped to his knees at the sight of Kerr.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Kerr ran forward as fast as his legs could carry him. "Alotti!" He launched himself into Alloti's arms, and his parents dropped down beside him. They all embraced each other, a jumble of arms and legs.

Warmth filled me, and I turned to Han, wiping a stray tear from my eye. "How did you find them?"

Han shrugged, but I saw a smile playing on his lips. "I have my ways."

After a moment, the group broke apart. Kerr's mother and father stood, one of each of their hands clutching one of their sons'. "Thank you, Mr. Solo, sir!" cried Kerr, his eyes bright and watery. "Thank you so much!"

A smile broke on Han's face, and he gave a laugh. "No problem, kid."

As the reunited family walked away to talk privately, arms still intertwined, I felt someone step beside me. Luke placed a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to face him. 

"Now, Lora," he said with grave seriousness in his tone. "Will you promise to listen the next time I tell you to do something?" His expression broke into a smile, and I gave a small laugh. 

"Okay, I'll admit it: maybe going there alone wasn't the best idea." I wrapped my arms around him, and this time, he didn't resist. "Thanks for saving us back there."

"You're very welcome," he replied, drawing away to beam down at me. "I think we all learned a valuable lesson. About trust, friends . . ." Luke moved to the side, wrapping an arm around Rey's shoulder. ". . . and family." Rey smiled up at him, and the connection tying them together was almost tangible. 

A moment later, Finn walked over, talking eagerly to Poe Dameron. The Resistance pilot was still wearing his uniform, helmet clasped in one arm while the other hung loosely at his side. 

"The Resistance would like to thank all of you for your bravery," Poe said, looking at each of us in turn. "We cannot express our full gratitude."

"We wouldn't hesitate to do it again," I assured him. 

Finn let out a breath, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. "Well . . ." he began slowly. "What do we do now? Kylo Ren is still out there and so is the First Order. We can't just sit here."

Turning to Finn, Rey clasped his left hand, addressing him as well as the rest of us. "We're going to do what we've been doing for many years: resist the Dark Side."

"That's not all." Luke gestured to the Sewart and Arthet, as well as Kerr off to the side. "We have a purpose now. It is our duty to train new Padawans." He looked at Rey and me. "You can help me to teach them the ways of the Force. Using the Jedi Temple, we will locate those strong in the Force all throughout the galaxy. 

"And you're not leaving me behind this time!" Poe exclaimed, placing his free hand on his hip. "A Resistance pilot can't hurt your cause."

"Of course," Luke replied. "And when we find those with the Force coursing through their veins . . ." Luke's voice grew deep and deliberate, and our eyes were drawn to his face, "the New Jedi Order will arise."

Aaaaaaaannnnnnd that's a wrap on Fractured Silence! Thank you all so much for all your support throughout the process, and I'm so glad to have shared this story with you! It was an amazing experience to write this story with such adoring fans over the course of three months. 

Sad news is I'm probably not going to write a sequel :( I really liked the way this all came together, and I don't want to stretch the story out too much. 

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'VE SEEN THE LAST OF ME! I have some pretty big stuff planned . . .

I might do some more fanfiction, but I also have some ideas for short stories, realistic fiction and even fantasy. I'll definitely keep you posted. I might also be entering into some contests as well, so keep on the lookout for that. 

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of my fans. A major thanks to SelenaBarrows12 for all of your support (and awesome comments)! I couldn't have done this without you. Also, thank you to Elrabbit , radiantprimrose , and ladies_of_starwars for all of your votes, love and support. I can't express my appreciation for all that you guys do :)

And I think that about wraps it up! How do you like the way I ended the book and tied it into Crimson Light? Leave a comment below! Don't forget to vote for this chapter!

This is Wizinator, signing off on Fractured Silence.

Updated March 8, 2016