Chapter 65: A Bright Future

The end of the peace talks came with many changes, not all of them good.

Although they had caught Cronos while in transport to prison, he had been rescued by a band of bounty hunters. To make this matter worse, Luca's body was never recovered, so although he was presumed dead, Rey couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had in her stomach. Although any remaining Dark Apostles were now at the top of the Galaxies Most Wanted List, Luca's final words had left a deep impact inside her heart. The Sith had ruled for decades, and it was truly unknown how many hidden forces they had developed during that time.

On a more personal note, with the peace talks over, there was no more need for Rey to have an aide. Although Emi had only been following her for a little more than a week, they had experienced so much together that she felt like they were old friends. Since she was not a delegate, there was no reason for her to stay on Curasuant longer than necessary, and thus, she was on one of the first New Republic ships scheduled to depart.

Rey took her off and, at the boarding ramp, couldn't help but hug the android and blurt, "I'm going to miss you so much."

When she pulled back, the woman was monotone as usual and responded, "On the bright side, you won't have to worry about critiques anymore."

The Jedi nodded, becoming a little teary, and asked, "What are you going to do now."

Emi held her bag with both hands in front of her and responded, almost looking, "I'll be assisting Lady Organa with the merger negotiations." Her expression became a little happy as she closed her eyes and fantasized, "It will truly be wonderful to work with people who know what they're doing again."

Rey scolded and pushed the woman's shoulder, "Don't lie; I know you love me."

The cyborg stood still for a moment but then hugged Rey and responded, "It's been an honor, Master Jedi." She pulled away from the shocked Rey and bowed before turning to board the ship.

Rey waved very happily and called, "Safe travels. I know you can do it."

Emi looked back and regained her faint smile while offering a final small wave before entering the ship and disappearing from view. The Jedi was left sad, but it was a strange, happy sad that was as baffling as it was sweet. She turned to leave but bumped into a pair of unified soldiers heading toward a triangular craft.

All three people were stunned, and it was the Jedi who broke the silence with a smile, "Jay, Didi, what are you doing here."

It was the blue-haired Jay who recovered first and happily responded, "We're on our way to the Bavory; we'll be stationed there for a while." He smiled happily and added, "We watched you on the holo-net. You were amazing."

Rey blushed at this while DiDi Sydney blurted, "Aug, I'm sorry for ever doubting you."

She jerked forward and hugged the Jedi, causing her boyfriend to hold back a laugh. Rey patted the young woman's back and responded a bit awkwardly, "Ah, no problem."

Didi pulled back a little teary-eyed and added, "We didn't think peace was really possible; thank you for proving us wrong."

Jay hugged her with one arm and nodded, "Same here. You really proved us wrong."

Rey smiled at this and responded, "Well, it was my honor." Her eyes grew more serious but still mostly playful as she added, "But we're not out of the woods yet. These next few years are going to be crazy."

They both nodded adamantly with wide eyes, though at this point, a loud whistle rang out. They both grew a bit panicked, and Jay blurted, "That's our cue."

Didi nodded but dragged her boyfriend over by Rey's side, held out a small camera, and blurted, "Say peace." She took the photo before the Jedi or boyfriend could adjust, capturing a rather hilarious image. After this, she grabbed Jay's arm and began to run with him while waving back to the Jedi, "Thanks for everything; I hope we meet again someday."

Jay quickly adjusted his pace to keep up with her and waved back as well, "Good luck doing Jedi stuff."

The two disappeared into the crowd, leaving the Jedi still a little startled but also very happy. The attitude of the two young imperials had changed so dramatically in just a matter of days, though she knew this was all due to the fact that, possibly for the first time in their lives, they had hope and something to look forward to. Rey smiled to herself and left the platform, boarding her transport and returning to her room.

Here, BB-8, Chewie, and a few other old friends from the Resistance days waited.. They, along with the Minimum Falcon, would be leaving in the afternoon, and they decided to catch up before then. As much as Rey wanted to depart with them and continue her life of spying and hunting Sith Cultists, it was now time for her to settle down and focus on rebuilding the Jedi order. She would be checking out an Uber of possible planets once Primidian gave her the list, and that would be a full-time venture.

They had a good time and hugged many times before finally departing. The only person who did not leave with the herd was Chewie, who was staring solemnly out the large window of her room. In his fuzzy paw was an old photo that Rey stole a glance at. It was of his Rebel days, and Luke, Laia, Han, and many other people piled together inside the Falcon, posing happily. She let out her own sigh and offered some comforting words, "They would be proud of us. We've finally finished what they started."

The Wookie nodded to himself, letting out a sad growl before opening his eyes with a fury arm. He proceeded to give Rey a literal bear hug before letting out a long sequence of emotional growls. Rey coughed at this and responded in a crushed voice, responding to his worried inquires, "I know… I'll miss you… No, I won't try to kill any of the padawans… Ok, Fama's an exception."

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He let her go just as the Jedi felt she might pass out and patted her on the shoulder, nodding to her. He let out a final growl, and Rey held out her thumbs up, "Of course, friends forever."

They bumped fists, and the Wookie left happily cradling his old photo, leaving the Jedi to recover from her grievous injury. A few minutes passed before her door opened, and Fama skipped in happily. She sat by her master and asked, "Did you say goodbye to Emi?"

Rey nodded, "Yah."

Fama then asked, "Poe and Minerva are too busy to breathe."

The Jedi nodded, thinking back to a short chat she had with them this morning as they frantically planned a follow-up meeting and responded, "Yah."

The girl smiled and asked, "And the war buddies."

Rey nodded again, "Yah. You say goodbye to your daycare friends."

Fama leaned over and nodded, "Yah. Did Finn leave already?"

The Jedi sighed at this, irritated that her friend and Padwan had elected to flee from her under the disguise of following Marcus to a diplomatic meeting back in the New Rubic. He had made peace with his Padawans and took them with him, though Rey was concerned he wasn't handling his emotions as he should. In a frustrated voice, she grumbled, "Yah." She eyed the child and inquired, "Have any more stun beads hidden away."

The padawan crossed her arms and responded, "Lots, and you'll never find all of them."

Rey rolled her eyes and roughly rubbed the child's head; she then calmed down and added, "You did good. I don't say it enough, but I'm so proud of you." Looking at the girl, she added, "I'm not the best teacher, but you have always stayed on the right path. You probably teach me more than I'm managing to teach you." She sighed and finished, "Thank you."

Fama was pushed to the brink of tears and cried out, "Master." She hugged Rey slightly and bared her head to the Jedi side, adding, "You're an amazing teacher." She thought for a while and blurted, "I realize what my purpose is."

Rey comforted the girl and smiled happily, "And what would that be."

The girl looked up with water but with passionate and focused eyes, "To be a Jedi and help people."

Rey's heart melted a bit at this, though not as a sister; she now felt like a teacher seeing their student grow and prosper. She nodded happily and responded, "I'm glad to hear that…" They sat in silence for a moment before she added, "But you're still grounded for the next week."

Fama deflated and grumbled, "Fine."

The Jedi was relieved she would have to fight the girl, though, at this moment, a familiar voice called, "Forgive me, I didn't think I would intrude on such a touching scene."

Both Master and Padwan jolted up at this as Admiral Primidian hovered by one wall in a gray uniform. Rey became confused and blurted, "How did you get in here?"

The man shrugged, "The Remnant Generals are paying for your stay. Why wouldn't I know the building's secrets." He smiled, then added, "Strictly for personal use, of course."

Rey sighed, shaking her head and refocusing, "Well then, touching moment over, how can I help you?"

Primidian walked over and took a seat across from the Jedi and held up an information chip, "I came to deliver this." He tossed it over and added, "Our deal isn't finished, but it should have enough for you to set up your temple and guide you in training your padawans."

Fama was the one who actually caught the chip and asked, "When do we get the rest."

The Admiral smiled wryly at this and looked to Rey, "I don't know, how soon do you think you aster can get her first Padawan under control."

Rey sighed and complained, "He's just hot-tempered. Once things settle down, if he's not willing, I'll drag him out of the senate myself."

The man shrugged and responded, "I would prefer sooner, but I'll have very little spare time to nag you about it in the coming days." She smiled warmly and added, "You've both done well." He focused on Rey and added, "You would have made your masters proud."

Rey smiled at them but suddenly grew curious and asked, "How did you meet Luke?" She had seen him in a photo with Leia and, as a political man, didn't doubt the two had met before, but Luke was a far more enigmatic figure.

The Admiral's smile turned a bit fake as he responded, "It was a chance encounter." He sighed as irritation appeared in his eyes, "Luke and I had a disagreement on some matters, though that's an old story." Rey grew very curious and confused; if Primidian knew Luke, she couldn't imagine he would just let the last Jedi choose exile. She was about to dig deeper, but he held up a hand and responded, "If he didn't mention it to you, then he clearly didn't think the matter was important in determining your destiny."

Rey's brow furrowed as she responded, "That's a very vague and ominous reasoning."

Primidian almost laughed and responded, "It is, isn't it…" He refocused and added, "But that is the nature of the Force, is it not." He rose to his feet and went on, "I haven't much time, though I'm glad I had the chance to meet you face to face." His expression grew very warm as he stated, "Rey, I'm very proud of you. I know you did not entirely agree with my methods, but you still performed spectacularly. It is great, thanks to you, that we were able to achieve victory at these talks."

The Jedi smiled back and responded, "Hey, don't forget to thank the Dark Apostle. As much as I hate it, if they hadn't shown up, everyone would have just been fighting amongst themself the entire time."

Admiral Primidian's gaze grew curious as he asked, "You really think that."

Rey considered and nodded, "I guess…" She then looked back at the man and responded, returning to her happy state, "Though I think someone's scheming also played a big role."

The man coughed into a fist and responded, "We both had the best of intentions at heart. I believe that is what truly matters." The two made contact for a moment, and Rey felt a strange shock shoot through her body, though the Admiral then added, "Well then, I won't keep you. I'm sure you both will be very busy these coming days."

He turned to leave but was trapped by a hug from the Jedi Master. She put her forehead against his back and spoke quietly, "Thank you for everything. For my past, my parents, and everything during the concord." She sighed and finished, "I hope I can be more like you someday."

Primidian froze for a moment but then turned around with a gaze full of such warmth. The Jedi froze up. He put a firm hand on her shoulder and responded, "Don't be like me…" With soft and meaningful eyes, he concluded, "Be better." He revived his hand after a second, then nodded to Rey, "Master Jedi…" He nodded to Fama, "Young Padawan." He smiled and started with a voice full of hope, "May the force be with you."

The Admiral turned at this and made his way to the door, leaving like a normal civilian. As he moved, Rey and Fama both responded, "May the Force be with you."

He looked back at the door with a smile and let out a sigh before exiting and closing the door behind him. Rey took the data chip from Fama excitedly and squealed like a little girl. The actual little girl put her hands on her hips and nagged, "What are you so excited for."

Rey held up the chip and stated, "This, my dear Padawan, is hope; it's the spark that will let us reignite the legacy of the Jedi Order."

The past few days had been stressful, hectic, and dangerous. There were many times Rey felt like she might start a war, and many times, she didn't even think peace was achievable. But now things were different. Through the combined efforts of the Peace Seeker's Alliance they had reached the hearts of the people and made a real difference. Not only this, they had done the impossible and, against astronomical odds, established a foundation for a better future. A future where people of all backgrounds could live in harmony once again. A future of peace, comradery, and compassion for one another.

Rey unknowingly walked to her window and looked out at the endless city just in time to see the sun rising from behind another skyscraper. She smiled and let out a sigh that contained all her worries regarding the past. She savored this moment as Fama snuck in to stand by her side. They looked out together, not just at the city and its people but beyond towards a bright future.