Star Wars: Edge of Hope

Chapter Twenty Eight: All Our Missing Pieces...

Ben and Rey stood looking down at Ahsoka, the golden sunlight turning the drops of cold clear water into tiny falling stars as they cascaded down hair, face, and hands. Ben could feel Rey start to shiver as the wild winds swept in off the sea. Responsively, as if it were something he'd been doing for years he tucked her in closer putting his body between her and the breeze. Rey looked up at Ben and smiles, they both look into each other's eyes seeing the reflections become reality. Ahsoka smiles offering a hand to help Rey down, holding onto her elbow Ben helps Rey down to the edge of the mosaic. The feeling in the Temple had shifted, the images of the Darkside, the old ghosts still clinging to a past that would never again rise to the surface, were driven out by the Light now filling the room. Ahsoka takes her white robe and drapes it over Rey's shoulders tucking it in around her chin. Rey's teeth chattering as Ben jumps down splashing water onto Ahsoka as he does. Ahsoka cocks one of her eyebrows and motions to Ben...

Ahsoka: Really? Skywalkers...

Ben: Sorry....

Ahsoka knocks the water off her mumbling as she does. Ben moves over to take a seat next to Rey as Ahsoka begins to explain what lays ahead for them. And the importance of them standing together, holding the line and never letting go of each other, or of the Bond they share. Ahsoka's face widens with a hopeful smile, and then looking across the room Ahsoka sees Anakin still looking off towards the corner of the room. Padme is gone...the ghost of not only Ben and Rey's past...but a haunting reminder of what he'd lost when he allowed the Darkside into his mind. Ahsoka had never felt so much sorrow for her former Master, for someone that had taught her strength, and probably the most important lesson she'd ever learned.

Choice.

Ahsoka: All this means is you both are ready for what comes next. You've chosen the path that leads to each other, and that bond will be what sustains you when we're no longer here.

Rey: Wait! What do you mean? You're leaving? I...You can't go...There's so much left for me to learn. Ahsoka you and Luke and Leia, you have a strength to control what's inside you...I've never had that. I don't know how...I'm so different from any of you...I've never had someone to lead me down the right path. How can I lead others?

Luke: Rey, you focus too much on the things you don't know. You have to give yourself time and be patient. Anything that you will need...you already have inside you. What you don't...Ben will show you...two halves of a whole, Rey. Together you are stronger in the Force than anyone who's come before you. That's why the choices you make will be the most important ones. You have to find the Balance between mind and spirit, body and soul, and truth even when it's hard to see.You two must carry our Hopes into the future. Nothing lasts forever, Rey...All Jedi move beyond themselves and become one with the Force, when they've learned what they required. But that doesn't mean you stop learning...

Ahsoka: Should you ever need us, look inside of yourself, and you will always be able find what you need.

Luke made his way over to Ben, Ben looked up at his uncle with no fear and no anger, nothing but perfect peace. Ben stood Luke held out his hand, Ben took it and Luke pulled him in giving him to a tight hug. Clapping him on the back Ben could feel the lump in his throat of all the things he needed to say, all the things he'd wanted to say, and now couldn't find the way to bring the words to the surface.

Ben: I'm so sorry...for what I've done...what I did. I should have...

Luke: No. No, Ben...I am proud of you, Ben. I'm sorry that I couldn't be guide you needed me to be. That I couldn't be stronger or wiser for you when you needed my help. My failings...the inexperience of being the teacher was where I let fear of what could, not what was, overtake me. I never thought there could be someone like you...but I should have known...if there would be a New Hope to rise in the Force. It could only have been Leia's son...You've made the both of us, very proud...your father as well.