Star Wars: A dyad in the Force 「A Reylo FanFiction」

Act 75: A Gathering of the Lost Ones

Galactic City, Coruscant 38ABY

Poe Dameron, once Pilot and now general of the Resistance, stood on the edge of an arena clearing on Galactic City, a multitude of officers and crewers on either side. Next to him stood Finn, Jannah, Lando, and the droids. Their heads were down, and their hands clasped. But Poe could see them staring at him, and one another. Just as he could see the way, they shifted uneasily from foot to foot. They felt as if they didn't belong there, but today they were there to place their honor on the fallen ones.

To the west stood Rey, wearing a long light blue gown with the matching robe and Ben and Chewie on her left. Ben's attire, black as always, only a more lightweight grey robe, was resting on his shoulders. A few hours earlier, the group of friends was in a panic as they found out that the ceremony had a dress code. Thankfully some gowns, robes, and suits were sent to the mansion for them, and they managed to arrive on time.

To the majority of the observers, most of them among the enormous number of citizens who had traveled to be part of the trial and decided to remain for the memorial ceremony and concert, the many senators clustered in the stands would appear to be a sign of solidarity and strength. Humans wore the cloaks, robes, and proper gear of countless different cultures as they watched the ceremony alongside species.

Chancellor stepped forward and nodded at C-3PO, who signaled in turn to a cam droid for the ceremony to begin. The hovering droid accompanied her as she stepped forward and looked down at the audience that waited for her to speak. The droid's sensors tracked her gaze, and its lens focused on her. She turned to face them now, automatically waiting for the whir of the cam droid as it repositioned itself in front of her. She stared into its lens, her gaze steady.

Everyone applauded. Many cheered.

Ben's gaze was lost; he could recall a few of the ceremonies he attended as a child with his parents. Leia hated those things, and Ben could not blame her. Rationally. Galactic politics has always had its parties, factions, and divisions. It always will. Not every ideological conflict leads to a complete governmental breakdown. He knew that Leia would guide him through lessons; he still rebelled not to listen and imagined piloting the Falcon.

The Chancellor gave her speech first about the Galactic Republic, the new generation that they have to aid to find their way in a Galaxy of peace and prosperity, and she continued with her latest projects of creating a Jedi Academy and a few more projects that would offer a better future to the new generation. Then she stepped aside and called Peo to give part of his speech.

"Many that stood with us during the war cannot stand with us today." Dameron said, "As proud I am to think of their courageous stand against the First and Final Order, against the evil that was dwelling around the Galaxy, I also feel the grief and sorrow that they can no longer be with us."

The audience fell into a sweet silence listening to Poe as he spoke about the Resistance, the War, and the people they lost, and then finished his speech by mentioning Leia. "I'm the last person to point out what General Leia Organa meant to the resistance, to the Galaxy, and to the people. During countless Senate sessions she had given, she would be better referring to this memorial ceremony, but she couldn't be with us; she gave us one legacy more precious than any other—galactic peace. All of us here today have inherited the responsibility to preserve that peace from this day forward. Only by doing so can we truly honor and remember her."

Applause and cheers welled up, deafeningly loud, in a display of enthusiasm greater than any Ben had seen in a long time. Had people heard Poe's message? Did they understand how fragile peace was? Then he listened to the high, silvery sound of X-wing fighters overhead. The military air show had begun. And with that, the memorial ceremony came to an end.

Behind the theater stood a high stone wall that was newly built; the names of those who lost their lives were carved there. Those who had families would receive a medal and credit for their bravery. But also those who were alive wouldn't be forgotten.

As the show with the X-wing fighters continued, Poe stepped aside, taking a deep breath. C-3PO turned his face toward him and soon walked and stood next to Poe. For a moment, he worried that the protocol droid might chime in with some story about General Organa and Han Solo being extraordinarily reckless -despite being programmed for etiquette and protocol, C-3PO had a singularly awful sense of diplomacy. But thankfully, the droid remained next to Poe without saying anything.

There was a small concert after the show, and it was already afternoon when the ceremony had finished, and the crowd slowly took its leave. Rey was holding Ben's hand throughout the ceremony. Hearing Poe speak about his mother caused Ben to shut himself down. Memories of his childhood sprang alive, recalling Leia spending time with him; she was smiling way too often when Ben was around. How had he forgotten those moments, his mother, his mother loved him, and he knew it.

Streaming tears cleansed his red cheeks. Few droplets remained, forgetting their way as the path was swept from beneath them, consequently blurring his vision with waves of sadness only the broken encounter. The salty release calmly flowed into his mouth so that he could taste his sorrow.

Bitter. Unforgiving. Pain.

Then he started to remember new memories. Her smile. Her voice. Her face. Memories are flooding back into his head. His mother exited his life when he was young, so abruptly, leaving him so vulnerable and lonely. That mother was important for so many people, the same mother who offered her life to save him.

So Ben was left reminiscing and indulging in his past, ignoring his unverified future. And only for today, he wished to remain broken into that past, remembering his mother Leia Organa, and paying his respect to her, in his way. While falling into...

Bitter. Unforgiving. Pain.

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Seventy-Six 」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 75th chapter.

Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!

And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!

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