Star Wars: Edge of Hope

Chapter Twenty Four: Trials & Choices...

Luke stood watching the fireball expanding through the breach in the black ships hull as it hurdled toward the cliffs craggy edge. He watched the Falcon complete its eliptic and then swing back towards the wide stone pad to land. Luke could hear the echoes of Rey's voice reaching out through the Force. But there was no voice responding to her calls, and in that instant Luke felt the world begin to shift. He could feel the Darkness rising up from beneath the island reaching out towards Rey. As it grew Luke felt himself being pulled away, the blue hue of energy started to stratify and fade into emptiness.

"Ben? Ben! Answer me...please! Ben!"

Luke: Can you feel that? It's...Are you sure this is going to work? Because from where I'm standing...I have a bad feeling about it..

Luke reaches out his hand, as he struggles to hold back the plummeting craft, and the darkening of the shadow within the belly of the island. Then another hand comes in frame. Not a Force Ghost, but flesh and blood. And Alive. The White cloak slips back as she stretches out her hand and focuses in on the falling TIE fighter. Her eyes close, her face is calm and measured, and through the sounds of tears falling...She taps into the bond they share and she hears his heart beat, her smile grows and her blue eyes flash open as she holds onto the ship. 

Ahsoka: Come now, you're not even trying, Master Skywalker. Surely, you can do better than that...

Luke rolls his eyes sarcastically as Ahsoka shuts her eyes again regaining her complete focus on Ben's ship.

Ahsoka: I saw that...

Luke: Of course you did...Is there anything you can't see, Lady Tano?

Ahsoka: Yes, I can't see her...I can feel him and us...but there's nothing from the girl. Not even an echo...I can sense fear and pain...and anger, so much anger...but there's nothing beyond that.

Luke: She's there. I can hear her...but I'm afraid she maybe too weak for us to attempt the trial. She has been holding on for so long that now her grip is beginning to pull the cords apart. I don't know how much more they can take before they break, Ahsoka.

Ahsoka: They're stronger than you know, Master Skywalker. A lot stronger....We can't wait any longer, the wheels of fate are already in motion, if we don't want to fall behind we have no choice. We must trust the Force to guide us and them through what comes next. We can't protect them any longer...it's up to them now.

Luke: This isn't going to be pretty...

Ahsoka: I was afraid you were going to say that. Well, let's get down there...we'll start with the boy...and then the girl.

Luke: He's going to be a handful, just warning you...

Ahsoka: Since when have Skywalkers never been a handful?

Luke: Right. But remember in his heart...he's a Solo...

The craft lowers to the ground the metal hull squeals as it impacts the earth. The flames hiss and whine as the wind blows them into the spray of the sea. Luke quickly pulls the front half of the cockpit off and pulls a slightly worse of wear, but undamaged Ben Solo out. Luke stands over him reaching farther into the Force and focuses his whole mind on Ben. Ben can feel him as he searches through the darkness to bring him back to the surface. The shrieking of the Darkside energy lashes out as Luke taps into his consciousness. Ben's eyes fly open and he see's Luke's Force Ghost kneeling beside him.

Luke: Hey, Kid...

Ben reaches for his saber, but as his hand brushes it, the triblade flies away from him into Ahsoka's hand.

Ahsoka: None of that, young Solo. I'll hold onto this for now if you don't mind.

Ben: You've been busy. Even making new friends, isn't that nice? Didn't realize this island was so popular...