Chapter Text
The sunset burned Finn’s eyes as he watched Rey walk up to Luke Skywalker. The last Jedi that could destroy the First Order once and for all.
For some reason, Finn thought he’d recognize the man, maybe his eyes or the way he felt in the Force. But Finn felt nothing. Nothing .
He took the lightsaber in his hands, and Finn felt almost empty without it on his belt or in his grasp. But it was never his to begin with. It belonged in the hands of a Skywalker.
Luke’s blue eyes stared down at the saber before looking between the two of them. Something relaxed in his body, like a weight off his shoulders. But then he locked up again in the blink of an eye, a wave of anger washing over him.
And he threw the damned saber over the edge of the cliff. A scared object like it was just trash.
Rey almost flinched, a frown coming to her.
And Finn…didn’t know what to do. But he knew that wasn’t good.
Skywalker stalked past them, not saying a word as his cape billowed in the wind.
Finn shared a look with Rey. Utter confusion is all he felt. Was this a dream? Or was this the death of the galaxy?
The Resistance was screwed without Skywalker. No one could match the Force users of the First Order. Maybe against their army, but no Ren or gods forbid Snoke if he made an appearance in battle.
Rey held her staff with a tight grip, following after the man and leaving no choice but for Finn to follow her. “Master Skywalker?” Bewilderment painted her voice.
They followed him back down the sketchy terrain, almost falling multiple times. They had to grab each other, irritating their lingering injuries from their battle with Ren.
They followed Skywalker to an abandoned settlement of sorts. The huts were made of slates of rock, no doubt from the mountain sides. They lost sight of him which made Finn grumble.
But they heard a door creak and slam shut.
Finn approached the door. “Skywalker? We’re from the Resistance.”
Rey stood next to him. “Your sister Leia sent us. We need your help.”
There was no response.
Rey looked up in hopes of finding sight of him through the rocks somehow but she came up empty handed. Finn put a hand on her back.
Leaning her ear close, Rey tapped her staff on the door like a small child would to not disturb anyone unnecessarily. “Hello?” she called, her voice echoing.
Finn pulled her back from the door. This wasn’t going to get them anywhere.
Rey held his arm. “We need to get the lightsaber.”
Finn raised a brow. “And if it’s in the water?” he joked.
“Not funny.” She marched back on the trail, and Finn followed her without complaint.
This wasn’t the Luke Skywalker everyone raved about. Not the miracle that was the Force user that saved them from the Empire. Not even the son of the legend Anakin Skywalker. He was a shell that had no interest in them.
Finn could only guess how the clones would react when he told them.
Rey tracked the lightsaber like a massif, gently clutching it. Birds stood near it, a pretty mix of orange, black, and white, chirping at them happily. Finn risked running a finger over one of their backs, making the creature preen.
They sat on the ridge. Rey handed him the lightsaber. Finn only hesitated once to grab it.
Anytime he touched it he couldn’t help but remember his vision. The way he watched as history unfolded. The two Jedi battling on a planet of fire. Order 66 taking the clones and their Jedi alike. The sinister voice that haunted his dreams.
Finn looked down at the blue ocean. The waves smashed into the sides of the rocks but that wasn’t what grabbed his attention. Through the depths, a hank of metal sat. He stared at it long enough to determine it was an older X-wing generation. He pointed it out to Rey silently.
“A ship,” she noted.
Finn nodded. “Imperial era. The Rebellion pilots flew them. It’s probably the one he used to destroy the first Deathstar.”
Rey played with the blades of grass. “He…wasn’t what I was expecting,” she whispered.
Finn leaned into her side. “I’m with you there,” he sighed. “I keep thinking Leia made a mistake sending us.”
Rey grasped his hand, pulling him up. She led them back down straight to Luke’s hut. Finn held back his sigh.
Rey knocked with her staff. He waited a moment before knocking himself.
“Go away,” came the bored snap from inside.
“He speaks,” Finn grumbled. “This is bullshit,” he whispered to her. “I’m getting Chewy.”
Rey nodded. “Good idea.”
Finn started his hike downward, the sense of disappointment and shame coming over him. He couldn’t even convince a man to save the galaxy he tried so hard to protect once before.
A failure.
Before he could reach the Falcon, a hand grabbed onto him. His body recognized it before his mind did.
Cody held his chin up, tracing his face. “What happened?”
Finn’s skin prickled with anger. He didn’t say anything, refusing to take it out on them. He focused to lean into the touch a small bit. Anymore and he would just phase through him and kiss the dirt.
Another hand rested on his shoulder blades. “Kid,” Oddball urged.
“I think his only words were ‘go away’,” Finn said stiffly.
The clones whispered amongst each other.
Rex hung his head, crossing his arms. “Damn it.” The captain locked eyes with him. “Finn, I’m sorry. I…I thought…”
Thought he’d live up to his name. His reputation.
Finn was appreciating the Jedi less and less. It wasn’t fair of him to do so, but his anger was winning.
“This is bullshit,” Finn whispered.
“Finn,” Ordo warned in that al’verde voice. “I know this is frustrating. And we don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do, you know that. But just try, gedet’ye.”
Finn nodded. It was the least he could do for his salvation.
“I need to get Chewy.”
He walked up the ramp, walking to the cockpit. Chewy warbled at him, worried.
Finn sighed. “Skywalker won’t talk to us. Figured you’d have better luck.”
Chewy followed him with a hand on his shoulder, saying mindless things Finn didn’t understand but he knew were comforting. He leaned a bit into his side in a self-indulgent way to soothe the burn of his anger.
Rey leaned against the stone hut, arms crossed.
Chewy knocked once, always receiving a ‘go away’. He grumbled, taking a step back and gently nudging Finn away. Chewy front kicked the door in, watching the piece of metal fly into the opposite corner of the hut.
Finn was nothing but impressed.
“What the hell?” Skywalker said from inside. He froze as Chewie stepped in the doorway, almost pale but not from nervousness. Familiarity. “Chewy, what are you doing here?”
Chewie growled.
“He said you’re coming back with us,” Rey answered.
Luke glared at the three of them. “How’d you find me?”
“Long story," Finn said loudly. “We’ll tell you on the Falcon.”
Skywalker flinched, head turning. His hair almost fell over his eyes. His eyes softened. “Falcon?”
Chewie warbled.
Finn felt tears sting as the Force warped around them. Crippling sadness.
Rey sadly looked at Chewie.
“Wait,” Luke grumbled. “Where’s Han?” he asked Chewie slowly.
“Outside,” Finn suggested softly.
Luke followed them out, collapsing on a large stone. Rey sat near him, leaving Finn and Chewie standing. Finn watched as the Jedi’s chest rose and fell heavily, like his did when he got nervous.
“Where’s Han?” Luke repeated sternly.
“In a coma,” Finn whispered. “We infiltrated Starkiller where they created another deathstar but with much more power.”
“Why the hell would you do that?” Luke snapped at them, hands forming fists. Chewie said something that made him bristle and turn to the Wookie. “Oh, whatever Chewie.”
Rey continued. “We were trying to leave with the charges set to blow the core of the weapon up. But Kylo Ren, a sith in the First Order, got to him first.”
Finn sighed. “He stabbed Han, causing a lot of damage. When we left, he was still…out.”
Luke deflated, a hand holding his head.
“There’s no light left in Kylo Ren,” Rey decided firmly. “He’s only getting stronger.”
Finn shifted his feet. “The First Order will control all the major systems within weeks if we don’t do something. But we need your help.”
“We need the Jedi Order back,” Rey insisted. “And you’re the only one that can do that. You did it once before.”
Finn watched as the man in front of him didn’t move. “We need Luke Skywalker .”
Skywalker turned his head with narrowed eyes. Still cold as ice, giving nothing away. “You don’t need Luke Skywalker,” he drawled.
Finn’s anger rose once again. “Did you hear a word we just said?”
“You think what?” he laughed. “I’m gonna walk out with a laser sword and face down the whole First Order?” Finn clenched his jaw as the man rose to his feet. “What did you think was going to happen here?”
Finn snorted. “I don’t know, maybe you’d give a damn?”
Irritation went across his face. Finally, something for him to work with. “You think I came to the most unfindable place in the galaxy for no reason at all?” He turned his back to them again. “Go away.”
“We’re not leaving without you!” Rey challenged, and now Finn was inclined to agree.
He’d get the Jedi off this planet if it was the last thing he did just to piss him off .
Chewie grumbled at them, pulling them toward the stairs toward the Falcon. Finn lingered for a while, watching Luke’s form disappear to his hut. He muttered multiple curses under his breath as he followed.
Rey and Chewie discussed quietly, worry lacing their tones. Finn couldn’t care less.
They made their way back into the comfort of the Falcon. A chill still cut the air, making him want to curl into the comfortable place the clones had carved into their brotherhood for him.
Rey headed to the small medbay, pulling out a few painkillers. She was in more pain than he thought.
Once she swallowed them down, she turned to him with determination. “We follow him around tomorrow.”
Finn nodded. “Give him no choice but to come with us or die from his irritation."
She sat on the bench with him, leaning into his space. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he put an arm over her shoulders and back.
“Not how I thought this would go,” Rey whispered.
Finn leaned his cheek on her head. “Go to sleep, I’ll comm Poe to see how things are there.”
Rey nodded, heading to the bunkroom. Chewie had already left for his quarters as well.
Finn put in Poe’s chaincode. It took a long time for the connection to establish, seeing as they were so far apart.
“Dameron. Finn? That you?”
Finn sighed at his voice. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“ Are you safe? Did you find Luke?”
His stomach curdled. “No…not yet,” he lied, wincing as he did so. “We landed and it’s too dark to see anything. We’re starting early tomorrow morning. Are you safe?”
Poe sighed heavily. “We’re evacuating before the First Order can block us in. I don’t even know where to yet, possibly. Yavin, or maybe Hoth, I don’t know. But…Han’s still down.”
Finn’s hope slithered away. He’d been waiting for that piece of information.
“ I’m sorry, Finn.”
“It’s okay,” he whispered.
“ I promise I’ll make sure he’s still stable throughout the journey. I swear.”
That meant more to him than Poe would ever know. “Thank you.”
“ I’m getting yelled at. Finn, I…be safe. Please.”
“Same to you.”
The line went dead. Clones sat around the room, not saying anything or even looking at him. Just settling for the night.
He did the same, collapsing into the bunk across from Rey and closing his eyes.
He saw something interesting come across his vision. It was very bright, it stung his eyes sharply.
A circular and empty room. He was standing to one side.
A dream, he determined. One he’d never had before.
No longer did he see snowflakes, trees, and a dark horizon. Red surrounded the room with a durasteel seat at the focus of the room. A throne.
Finn’s vision went blurry.
Two figures stood at the center, one in black and the other in gold. He could barely make out what they were saying.
“The Resistance will soon be in our grasp.”
Knights stood around the perimeter, in the deepest of red plastoid. They stood still like statues, not even appearing to breathe.
Nausea built in Finn’s stomach, like he rocked on choppy waters.
“I saw what all masters live to see. Raw, untamed power.”
Finn sank to his knees with a whine. His head swam. Everything shook out of control around him.
“The potential of your bloodline.”
Finn collapsed fully, chest constricting tightly.
“A new Vader.”
Just when he couldn’t take anymore, he was ripped away.
It was dark once again. Cold.
Lightning crackled to his left.
The rock was hard on his back. His body hurt. He was injured. But how? Nothing felt right. His body felt wrong .
Lifting his head, he saw something he’d never wanted again.
That same spiky throne. One that he’d seen in a dream before. One that had his clones’ bodies, dead, around the space. And younglings. And anyone he cared about.
More lightning crashed down.
A sinister and evil laugh bounced off the walls.
“Now, young Skywalker, you will die,” the man said.
Finn sobbed into the stones, his body feeling like a live wire.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
“...Unlimited power…”
…
“I thought you said Skywalker could solve this,” Crosshairs drawled to Rex.
Hunter jabbed him in the side in warning. Fighting wouldn’t solve anything and would no doubt wake their charges.
Finn was and would always be their priority. Their souls were tied to him, after all. But no one could question the care they had for the young woman that saw wonder everywhere in the galaxy. For the little girl that was abandoned to the sand of Jakku with no one to care for her.
Rex shrugged, leaning his head back. “I thought he could. The Luke that I heard of and briefly witnessed wanted to stop at nothing to take down the Empire, even if it killed him in the process. Something happened…or maybe…Jedi change.”
Wolffe growled. “Some don’t.” His Jedi had been true until the very end.
Rex pointed his older brother a stern look. “You know damn well I’m aware of that. Your Jedi didn’t become a Sith.”
The venom scared the others. Rex always avoided the discussion of Anakin Skywalker whenever he could, the sting still too bitter for his heart.
Doom cocked his head. “Look at it this way—Luke’s the last trained Jedi. Unless there’s others out there in hiding. But he only had Kenobi as a fucking ghost.”
“He had the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders,” Wooley added from his place next to his commander.
Bacara hummed. “That fucks with a kid’s head.”
Fives sighed. “How do we make sure Finn doesn’t kill him? Serious question. He’s ready to snap, and Skywalker's pushing his buttons like only a Skywalker can do.”
Ghosts of smiles and laughs went across the GAR. At the memory of the young general who grew up too fast and for the life he could’ve had.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of stumbling from the bunk room. Every clone immediately shut up, backs going straight.
Finn held his head tightly as he stepped out, quiet cries lodged in his throat in an effort to not wake anyone up.
Helix jumped up, pulling him into his arms. Finn folded into the touch immediately, face going to his shoulder.
“Another dream, love?” the medic asked gently, supporting his weight.
Finn nodded. He gasped multiple times, trying to regulate his breathing on his own.
Helix sat him down in the center of the floor. Comfort did wonders for night terrors. “You’re okay.”
Finn melted as phrases in Mando’a were thrown his way. “Mother fucker .” He rubbed at his temples.
Ordo watched him carefully while everyone else relaxed now that he could breathe. Some things never changed.
Coric and Helix whispered to him, making sure there was nothing permanent. They others just silently waited as the medics fussed over him softly.
Finn’s tired eyes stared past them at the wall, eyes going blank. They could tell his head still throbbed by the pained pinch in his brow.
Keeli stepped out of the bunk room. “Rey’s still sleeping.”
A’den ducked his head to Finn. “Kih’vod?”
Finn rubbed his brow, thinking very hard about whatever he saw.
Rex grabbed one of his hands. Finn’s fingers jerked a bit, like residual shocks. He grasped his jaw gently. “How real was it?”
Finn’s chin trembled. “Pretty fucking real,” he rasped, locking eyes with him. Scared.
Gregor sat behind the boy, putting his arms around his waist. Finn leaned back into it.
They gave him time to think and put it into words.
He stared up at the ceiling. “There—There was a room. A red one.”
The clones shared looks with each other and scooted closer.
Finn’s fingers drummed on his thigh or maybe it was a twitch. “Two people were there. I only heard one.”
Thorn cocked his head. “What did they say?”
“Something…” Finn frowned, trying to grasp it. “They’re hunting for the Resistance. I think he was talking to…Ren. That he’s the new Vader.”
The clones shared side eyes.
“Not good,” Waxer muttered.
“Very not good,” Echo finished.
Finn held his head. “I thought the blast would’ve killed him.”
Bacara analyzed him. The other specs ops did as well.
“Did you want him to be dead?” Sev asked carefully.
Finn thought it over, leaving them in silence once again. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “He’s a threat. A dangerous one. But…” He fell off, ducking his head.
Hunter squeezed his leg. “Hey,” he prompted with a whisper. Finn peeked up, holding tightly onto the arm around his waist. “We’re never going to be mad at you for that.”
Finn’s defiant brow raise told them otherwise but hope shone in his eyes.
Comet spoke up from where he was curled up in Sinker’s embrace. “The Jedi were peace keepers first, warriors second.”
Rex nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to preserve life, ad’ika.”
“I’m not a Jedi,” Finn whispered.
The room hesitated.
“Love…that’s the path you’re going down,” Cody explained gently.
Finn looked so young as he looked at them. “What?” he whispered, looking at all of them.
“You now have a heavy burden,” Mayday explained carefully. “You’re Force Sensitive."
Finn shook his head but out of fear. “N-No. I’m not a Jedi.”
Pity went over all of them.
“Trust us, we don’t like this anymore than you do,” Howzer soothed.
Seventeen pushed himself off the wall without phasing through it, taking a few steps closer. His eyes were guarded carefully. “You have an ability that not many do. And I’m not just talking about you having the Force.”
The clones knew what the burden of being Force sensitive did to their Jetii. For the good they did, the clones saw what they tried to hide. Their fear. Their visceral reactions to strong emotions around them. How they felt their failures to the galaxy on a cellular level.
“Kih’vod, you…you and Rey are most likely the last two Force users that have the ability to take down the First Order.”
Finn shivered. “I was locked in a cell for weeks and you want me to try and do it again ?” The snap in his voice fell flat because of fear. They could read it like a book.
Ordo couldn’t take it anymore. He pulled Finn to his chest. “We know how terrifying this is for you,” he whispered. “Truly, we do. But the horrible truth is, if it isn’t you and Rey, no one will stand a chance against the First Order.”
Finn closed his eyes tightly, hiding them away from his brothers. “This is crazy,” he whispered with a shake.
Ordo’s hand went over his back. “I know.”
“What happens if I die?”
The question startled all of them.
“Are you fucking kidding?” Wolffe asked with a growl.
Finn pulled his knees even closer to his chest as he hid away in Ordo’s shoulder. “It’s a serious question. What…happpens?”
Tup held his hand, leaning their heads together. “Whatever you believe,” he whispered.
Finn peaked at him. “And all of you?” he asked.
No one had an answer for him.
“We don’t know,” Fives said honestly.
Finn went silent after that. Silent enough that he finally started to fall asleep.
Ordo urged him to stand up in Mando’a, leading him out of the room. Finn mumbled a few things back, his accent still decent even with his exhaustion.
Fives felt Thorn’s stare on the side of his head. He tried to ignore it. “What?” he ended up snapping.
No one else paid attention, purposely distracting themselves.
Thorn’s face remained neutral. “Will you talk to him?”
“No,” Fives answered plainly. “He shot me.”
Thorn sighed but didn’t continue to argue.
Fives felt Tup press their legs together. He pressed back.
…
The morning came too early for Finn. He curled further up under the covers of the bunk, tired eyes watching Rey slowly begin to wake up as well. They stared at each for a long moment where they laid across from each other.
They quickly exited the ship, leaving Chewy behind. The birds chirped as they flew overhead.
Rey and Finn donned cloaks to combat the chilly winds. They made their way up the stairs, ignoring the burning pain from their injuries.
In the distance, they saw Luke’s form climbing up one of the peaks. On his back, he carried a large pack. They followed after him from a distance.
It was difficult to traverse the mountain side, neither of them used to such terrain. Skywalker carried on without a care in the world, heading for the cliffside.
They weren’t trying to fool the Jedi—they were aware that he had clocked their presence the moment they stepped off of the Falcon. His shoulders stiffened, showing his anger silently.
He dropped his pack carelessly on the ground before approaching a very large…stick.
Finn watched with confusion as the man vaulted himself off the other side of the narrow cliff to land perfectly on the steep rocks, barely able to cling on.
Was he insane?
“Careful!” Rey cried in pure terror, approaching the edge. Finn kept one hand up, ready to pull her back to safety.
Luke wasn’t phased at all, only annoyed.
He messed around with the large stick for a while, lifting it up before slamming it back down into the water. He maneuvered a very large fish up toward him with nearly no effort shown. He slung it over his shoulders, tiptoeing back toward safe land. He brushed by them, reviewing his luggage well before continuing onward back toward the huts.
Finn flinched as thunder cracked over the sky. No murmurs of Mando’a reached his ears nor a soft hand on his back to nape to assure him he was safe.
Rey slipped her hand into his, lifting her hood up as rain came tumbling down before gingerly doing the same to his. She lingered only a moment before leading them along Skywalker’s path.
The rain made everything soupy and wet, meaning they had to work twice as hard to not fall over the edge.
Luke escaped into his hut, the flap of leather replacing his damaged door. Rey and Finn retreated to the Falcon, the door hatch lifting behind them.
They settled at the table together, sharing a heavy blanket.
Rey fidgeted with the beacon in her hand. Leia had slipped it to her before they departed, explaining it was their way to find the Resistance after they reached Luke to bring all of them home.
Finn wasn’t sure if they’d be returning empty handed or not.
Finn huffed as his commlink chimed. He retrieved it from his pocket, seeing a message and not an incoming transmission.
“The Resistance is on a new base. We’ve updated the beacon with the new coordinates. No casualties. We’re hoping it’ll keep the First Order busy for a while trying to track us. Both of you be safe.”
Finn held it so Rey could read it for herself. Rey pressed their sides together, trying to fight the cold away.
“What if we can’t do this?” Rey asked quietly.
Finn held her close. “We have to,” he whispered.
That wasn’t the right thing to say because his clones grumbled. He hadn't even noticed.
He sighed, trying to form it the right way. “The Resistance needs us here. We might be the only ones able to convince him.”
“Because of what we are.”
Finn looked forward at the ghosts. “Yes,” he admitted.
He didn’t know what they were. Not truly. All of it confused him. He’d grown up knowing his life meant nothing. That there was nothing special about him.
“Finn…”
He waited for her to continue but she never did. She fidgeted under the blanket, keeping her head down. Her hair was damp where her head rested on his shoulder.
“What is it?” he murmured to her.
“Do you…ever feel something . Something in the air, an energy, that just shouldn’t be there?”
His heart pounded, body going cold. He couldn’t lie to her, but he also feared her reaction. The clones said nothing. Giving him another choice to make for himself .
“Yeah,” he whispered. “Sometimes.”
“I felt it. On Starkiller when I escaped.” She flinched at the memory, frowning deeply. “But it didn’t feel evil. Or wrong. Not like Ren. It felt…”
“Safe,” he finished.
He saw how the mushy expressions were aimed at him, thousands of emotions across the GAR.
His salvation. That was what they would always be to him.
A heavy cloud rested over him. Something was wrong with the galaxy and it wasn’t just the First Order. He could feel it in his soul.
But his ori’vode would keep him safe.
Ori’haat.
Haat, ijaa, haat’it.