The Other Solo

Chapter 21

"This is it..." Jaina sighs landing the shuttle directly in front of the Jedi temple.

It has been over 3 years since the last time she was here. Sensing the area is clear of anyone or anything she carefully opens the shuttle door and steps out. The greenery has overgrown the garden beds and vines crawl up the columns. It's hard to believe there was so much life bustling inside just three years ago.

Guardedly, she walks up the steps and pushes the grand door of the temple open. Birds chirp and fly around the once exquisite foyer. All the bodies from the massacre have been cleared in the years since. No one would have guessed such a tragedy occurred within the walls, the building just looks abandoned.

Jaina ends up on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Tears well in her eyes as she thinks back on the nights she sparred with Ben here and the times watching Anakin play with the other younglings. Closing her eyes she takes slow prolonged breathes to try to steady herself. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea. Lowering herself to the floor she gives way to her emotions weeping.

She hears the sound of children laughing and playing. Suddenly, Anakin runs into her arms, his cheeks rosy from playing a game of tag with his friends. He smells of fresh grass and plums. She pushes back his messy blonde hair and kisses him gently on the forehead. He giggles pushing away and runs back into the courtyard where he disappears.

She awakes lying on the cold marble floor covered in dust and leaves. Through the trees of the courtyard she sees the crimson and purple of the sky as the sun is setting. Sitting up she debates whether to head back to the ship for the night or to continue further into the temple. Knowing she probably won't come back in if she leaves now she makes her way to her old room.

The door is pretty much non-existent due to the fact it was blasted open the last night she was there. She manages to climb over the debris into the room. The window had also been broken leaving the room open to the elements. There are leaves mixed with broken furniture and her smashed belongings sprawled about. Not able to spend the night in there she moves on to the next room... Ben's room.

The room is stagnant from non-use. She takes a lamp out of her bag and places it on the desk lit. Opening a window slightly to let in some fresh air, she begins shaking out the blankets on the bed disturbing the layer of dust on everything. It pains her to see one of the walls slashed just like the wall in Ben's old room on New Alderaan. Luke was right, Ben had been struggling for some time. How did she not see it?

"You came back..." A deep voice echoes behind her.

Jaina feels the blood drain from her face and the rapid beat of her heart. Gradually, she turns to see the hooded figure before her.

"Ben..." She gasps.

"I've been waiting for you. I'm glad to see you are recovered."

"Are you?" She squints angrily at him. "Was it not under your order?"

"Of course not!" His voice booms throughout the room. "My intent has never been to hurt you."

"So Hux was operating on his own? You have quite the handle over your subordinates." She mocks.

Ben huffs, "Trust me... If I had it my way he'd be dead. Supreme Leader Snoke sees potential in him... but he will pay... I will make sure of it."

Jaina rolls her eyes, "I'm sure you will...What do you want from me?"

"You know what I want... Come to me, join the First Order. Snoke will finish your training." Ben answers calmly.

"Hux told me Snoke wants me dead..." She replies drily.

"Hux has no idea what he is talking about." Ben waves his hand dismissively.

"Nevertheless... I want nothing to do with Snoke, Hux or the dark side..."

Ben moves closer to her, "Be careful... My patience is wearing thin. I know Luke has abandoned you and I sense you have not been keeping up with your use of the force. I could easily over power you. I don't want it to come to that, I want you to come on your own accord. But don't think I won't resort to any means necessary to get you on my side."

"Your threats are empty..." She spits. "Don't underestimate me...I will do whatever it takes to get my brother back. The light always wins."

"We shall see..." He whispers then disappears the same way he came, into the shadows.