"You didn't fail, Kylo." Rey said standing up. "Kylo failed you. I won't."
Luke was shook as he looked back at the woman. How she stood with such conviction, the fierceness in her eyes. She had looked up to him with such admiration.
Horns could be heard in the distance. Rey and Luke turned to the coast and investigated.
Rey peered down at the island as the ships sped across the waters.
"It's a tribe from the neighboring island." Luke stated, joining Rey by the cliffside. "They come here once a month to raid and plunder the caretaker's village."
"Come on, we've got to stop them!" Rey said, breaking into a run.
"Do you know what a true Jedi knight would do right now?" Luke asked, remaining as still as a statue by the cliff. "Nothing."
"This is not a lesson, they're going to get hurt! We have to help!" Rey protested.
Luke turned back to her, the wind coursing through his hair. "If you meet that raiding party with force they'll be back next month in greater numbers and with greater violence. Will you be here next month?"
Rey turned from Luke back to the island. The ships were approaching closer.
"That burn inside you," Luke said over Rey's shoulder, "That anger thinking of what the raiders are going to do. The books in the Jedi library say ignore that, only act when you can maintain balance. Even if people get hurt."
Rey broke away from Luke and began sprinting down the cliffside, "Rey, wait!" Luke's voice trailed behind her.
Rey vaulted over the edge of the cliff, using the Force to spiral down the rocks. She landed onto flat land with a thud. Rey broke into a full sprint, igniting her lightsaber as she ran. She couldn't allow them to do this. How could Luke allow them to do this?
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Rey let out a ferocious cry of war and slashed the bamboo gate apart, kicking the door open as she entered the village, ready for any and all resistance she would meet. She froze.
The entire village was brimming with life and animation. A vibrant bonfire sat at the center of it, surrounded by the several huts that loomed over the fanatic caretakers adorned in bright lights. Lamps and torches further illuminated the encampment, while the "raiders" entered, bearing large beads and ropes. Loud music played in the background while everyone danced and celebrated.
Everything broke into a dead silence as Rey broke through the gate. The caretaker's faces produced gaping expressions as all of their eyes fixated on the woman ahead and the bright evanescent lightsaber that was raised above her head.
Rey lowered her lightsaber up as her eyes scanned the encampment in both confusion and apprehension.
One of the caretakers gestured to Rey with the rope.
Rey's eyes shifted from the caretaker to her lightsaber before looking back at the caretaker.
The caretaker swung her rope again in response.
Rey rolled her eyes and then proceeded to wiggle her lightsaber in the air.
The caretakers cheered and life sprung back into the encampment. Rey exasperated as she disengaged her lightsaber. She turned her gaze over towards one of the huts in the encampment. In it sat both R2 and Chewbacca, surrounding a campfire endowed in beads and ropes.
"Seriously?"
***
The party and music continued as normal after Rey's interruption. Luke stood by at a nearby balcony, staring off into the moonlit ocean while the festivities went on. Rey approached.
"Raid and plunder?" Rey questioned, annoyed.
"In a way." Luke replied with a shadow of a smile blooming on his lips.
"Was this a joke?" Rey asked furiously.
"Sorry, I didn't think-" Luke burst, barely able to contain his giggles. "You ran so fast..."
"I thought they were in danger. I was trying to do something." Rey said, her words edged with frustration.
"And that's what the resistance needs." Luke responded. "Not some old, failed husk of a religion. Do you understand now?"
"I understand that across the galaxy our real friends are really dying!" Rey exclaimed, barely able to hold back the anger and pain from seeping into her voice. Luke frowned, saying nothing.
"That old legend of Luke Skywalker that you hate so much– I believed in it." Rey spat bitterly. "I was wrong."
Rey walked away. Luke watched her go.