Confronting Fear

Council

How could he know this new dawn's light
Would change his life forever
How can I be lost
If I've got nowhere to go?
Search for seas of gold
How come it's got so cold?
How can I be lost
In remembrance I relive
So how can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?

The Unforgiven 3 - Metallica

"I hope we did the right thing." Luke said apprehensively to the three men and one woman occupying the antechamber of the temple on Ach-To. "I hope she's ready."

"It matters not, coming to her, the battle is."

Luke was not comforted by Yoda's words.

"I think she will do well. She's strong in the Light and it is strong in her. She knows her duty. It's the other one that we need to be concerned about. He's too unpredictable." Spoke the Togruta woman

"No need to beat-around-the-bush, Snips. You can say it, my grandson is a jackass." Chimed in Anakin.

"You're just still testy that he gave you a strong dose of your own medicine." Teased Obi-Wan.

"I don't think you made it any better by meeting with him, Skyguy."

"We must continue to guide them. That is all we can do." Spoke the ever wise Qui-Gon.

"She's accepting her family history quicker than we expected. Sharing your own struggle was of great help." Added in Obi-Wan.

The Council, as they had come to be known, had been trying to guide Rey and to a lesser extent Ben, for the past year. Their Dyad was part of a prophecy known as the Last Hope and they had come together to try and guide them towards that end. Luke and Obi-Wan had been working through Leia to train Rey. Anakin and his former apprentice Ahsoka Tano had been trying to influence Ben with more subtle messages, such as, where to find a temple that contained information about a Dyad. Yoda and Qui-Gon had observed and offered opinions, occasionally stepping in to help. Today was the first time they had spoken to either Force sensitive directly.

"Go to her, on Coruscant, I will." Spoke Master Yoda.

"I think that's a good idea. I know she's your apprentice Luke, but a fresh face might help." Agreed Qui-Gon.

"I will go to Ben at the next opportunity. After all, he is named for me." Added Obi-Wan. "Besides, I'm especially adept at dealing with overly emotional Skywalkers."

Luke nodded. "Then we're all in agreement. Rey needs her new saber and they need to find the holocron."

"And Ben needs a swift kick in groin." Grumbled Anakin prompting a glare from Qui-Gon.

Luke offered a silent prayer to the Light. He still hadn't forgiven himself for losing Ben. He'd be lost for eternity if he failed Rey.

Kylo woke slowly, the throne room of Fortress Vader slowly coming in to focus, the hellish light harsh, the floor in one piece. Every inch of his body hurt, he could feel dried blood in his hair. As the numbness in his mind wore off and his vision returned a figure laying next to him caught his attention. Rey.

She was laying on her back, arms and legs at odd angles like a broken doll. Her breathing was regular, her complexion pink. Kylo breathed a sigh of relief. He tentatively reached out to touch her arm.

Rey jolted awake, scurrying away from him as fast as she could, clutching her left shoulder with her right hand. Her hazel eyes were wide, her Force a boiling cauldron of emotion.

"Rey..."

"Don't touch me, stay away from me!" She screamed, her voice high. He'd heard her scream like that once before, on Starkiller base as he'd ignited his lightsaber through Han Solo.