shadowversejc

[shadowversejc]

Dance with Me (Allurance One-shot)

CASTLE OF LIONS – Season 6 Episode 5

“Okay, looks like we have the power we need to attempt a system restart!” Coran shouted, swinging back and forth upside down like a pendulum on the holographic screen. He slowed to a standstill, still upside down, clearly enjoying way too much of this at such a critical moment. “Allura, begin the reboot sequence!”

Allura stared at the hologram blankly. Her arms were crossed, tight against her chest.

“Allura!” Coran cried. “Can you hear me? Is this thing on mute? There’s a lot of blood rushing to my head so I keep hitting the wrong buttons!”

Still, she just gazed into the hologram, no life in the bright blue skies of her eyes. She looked a million light-years away, lost in some alternate reality. Lance glanced at her from his console. She did not stand upright at her post as always. Her back was slumped. Not a very good sign.

“Allura?” he said.

She flinched. “Oh, right! What is it you need?” She tried to sound upbeat but after all this time, Lance could see right through the façade. He knew what it was like. His whole life has been a façade.

Until Allura.

She mindlessly, perhaps even carelessly typed the sequence on a cyan keyboard that materialized from thin air.

Again, not a very good sign.

Before long, Coran again screamed over the intercoms that they ran into another snag and the Castle was still not operational. In that moment, Lance swore Coran sounded like a flock of ravens back home on Earth. And ravens usually signify some sort of incoming negative outcomes.

“I’ll head down to assist with repairs,” Krolia said. The tapping of her feet against the floor gradually faded until a sliding door closed behind her.

The hologram of Coran vanished, basking the room in deafening silence. Lance realized they were now alone. Lance. And Allura. Alone. Not often this happens.

Not long ago, he would probably start riffing off age-old pickup lines. But he was different now. She was different now.

No, she wasn’t different. He just opened his eyes. Finally looked around, for the first time. She was always Allura. Once just a hot alien reward. Now? Everything he could ever hope to be. The best version of Lance McClain. The bravest, awesomest person he ever met. Also the one who, by the looks of it, needed someone right now more than ever.

Sweat stained his palms. Her heart started galloping. He teetered over to her. “Allura, are you okay? You seem a little distracted.”

She stared at the ground, motionless, but closed her eyes in regret. He knew that look. He wore it his whole life. “I’m just so angry at myself for allowing this to happen. I played right into Lotor’s hands, and I fear my actions have placed us right into this dire situation. All of this is because of me.” Water glistened in her eyes.

Lance shook his head. “You didn’t put us in this situation. It was Shiro who went rogue and released the virus in the Castle. I thought I knew who he was.”

“No. This is my fault. I trusted Lotor. I helped him build and empower his ships, granting him unlimited access to the Quintessence field and put the entire universe in jeopardy. How can the Coalition ever be expected to trust me when I’m not sure I can even trust myself?”

Lance furrowed his brow, a wave of compassion coming over him. He desperately tried to come up with words of support. Honestly, he never had to do this before. “Allura, it wasn’t just you who trusted Lotor. We all did. I had more reason than anyone not to trust him, but he did everything right.” At this, she finally glanced up at him. Her eyes were big and bright and blue and more imposing than ever. A needy Allura. What a nightmare. He gulped. “He didn’t just fool you. He fooled us all.”

Suddenly, she threw her arms around him. He froze up for a moment, not expecting her to go so far so quickly. She snuggled her head against his shoulder and held onto him for dear life, as if they were both falling into the abyss. But maybe they would fall together.

He took a second to memorize her warmth, and honestly, it was the best second of his entire life. Somehow, they connected on a deeper level than ever before. She was okay with letting down her impervious walls. She was okay with baring her vulnerabilities. She was okay with him.

She was the rock that held the universe together. The force that ignited Voltron’s iron heart. The one who gave up everything she was for everyone else. Maybe, just maybe, Lance McClain is how the universe gives back. Someone who held her together. Someone who gave up everything he was just for her. It was ridiculously poetic, but if that was his lot in life, he wouldn’t even blink. He would run down that road with every fiber of his being. She was worth it.

“Let me tell you,” he started, “as someone who has made a million mistakes, all you can do is get up and try to make it right. We need you. The universe needs you.” Her shattered breaths shocked his shoulder. She weakened against him, letting him support her.

How much better could this day get?

No. Shut up.

He quieted down that old smelly Lance and held her all the more.

“Thank you, Lance,” she croaked. She pulled away and looked up at him, her eyes wet but far firmer in their glory than before. She grinned, a rainbow in the rain. A sun shining through a storm.

The entire room quaked and static overpowered the comms. They both jumped. Just as suddenly, a hologram appeared and displayed some random gibberish. Lance raised an eyebrow.

“Now playing: Lance’s Playlist.”

Lance shrieked. “Shit! I mean, quiznack! Quiznack!”

Instantly, the comms blared American Pie by Don McLean. One of his favorites. It reverberated against the walls, causing the room to vibrate and tremor.

Do you believe in rock ‘n roll? And can music save your mortal soul? And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Lance cringed, afraid to look at Allura, but what he found was pure, childlike wonder. She grinned sheepishly. He reddened in embarrassment.

What the quiznack was the Castle doing hacking into his playlists? Is this like the time the Castle tried killing everyone?

Well, I know that you’re in love with him ‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym You both kicked off your shoes Then I dig those rhythm and blues!

How metaphorical. He hated to give in but the classic seduced him easily. He started tapping his feet and bounced his head this way and that. Worse, he was snapping his fingers to the beat.

Allura just watched him, an awkward smile etched on her face. “Is this Earth music?”

“Great, right?” he returned. He drowned himself in the melody and literally, despite the hell going on outside, broke into a dance. He loosened and twisted his knees this way and that. His shoulders rose and fell in a cyclic jig, giving way into a ballerina-like spin. He laughed at the sheer absurdity of it all.

And while the king was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown

Allura kept smiling, but Lance swore she blushed a little. Maybe it was imagination, maybe it was legit, or maybe it was out of sheer second-hand embarrassment. Who knows? Maybe it’s all three.

“I never knew you were a dancer!” Allura said.

He smirked. “Come on, Allura!”

She shrank away and stiffened her arms timidly. “Oh, no, no. Me? This is not the time—”

He slid in front of her and grasped her hand tenderly. “Nuh uh, don’t ‘this is not the time’ me. Come on. You need this. What else are we going to do?”

Her frown flipped into a grin. She loosened and watched his movements, trying her best to copy. Earth’s dances were really weird and erratic.

Or maybe this is just Lance’s form of dancing. Yeah, that’s probably right.

She held his hand while they faced each other, doing a silly jig by moving their arms in synchrony up and down, side to side. She felt herself blush, but he was definitely red as a tomato. Her stomach went into annoying knots. She felt them before. With Lotor.

We were singing, bye, bye Miss American Pie Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry The good old boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye Saying, ‘This will be the day that I die’

He pulled her into a twirl then switched sides and pulled her back again. She spun again with a happy laugh and brushed against him. Her eyes exploded in a breathtaking supernova of white and blue. She looked more beautiful than ever. Happier than ever. Honestly, sometimes he forgot how young she was. She was really supposed to be like nineteen or whatever. If you didn’t know her, you’d think she’s ten thousand years old.

Oh wait.

Without any warning, he took her other hand and slowed into a gentle rock just as American Pie did as well. He clenched his jaw as they swayed side to side.

Don’t make this awkward. Don’t make this awkward. Don’t make this awkward.

She looked up at him, almost as if she heard his thoughts. Her dried tears on her cheeks shone like diamonds held to light. He warded off a gulp. How did they even get in this position? Face to face with Allura like this was not something he expected to happen today. And that’s after Lotor turned out to be Zarkon 2.0.

“Allura, I . . . I just want to . . . I want you to know . . .” Her eyes widened a bit, even more enveloping than before. He had to channel every ounce of Paladin strength to avoid being consumed by them. “I wish I could take the pain away. I wish I could make it all better, but I’m just some stupid boy from Cuba.”

“Lance—”

“It’s true. What I mean is, you’re not alone. You don’t have to suffer alone. You have all of us. You have . . . you have me, I guess.”

“No. You are more than that. I believe you are more than that. You are a Paladin of Voltron. You . . . you are so much like my father but you don’t see it.”

He made a face. “I don’t get it. How could I be anything like King Alfor? He’s Alfor!”

She grinned slightly and grasped his hands tighter. He was sure he was red as a tomato but couldn’t care less anymore.

“You are brave. You are strong, you know who you are, you give up your life for so many others, you love m— I mean . . .”

They both tensed at the same time. Her eyes widened into bowling balls. She flustered and looked away.

Too late. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Wait, was she going to say what he thought she was going to say? How did she know that?

What? What? What?

The mice.

Those savages.

“Allura—”

Keith’s voice screamed over the intercom.

Interrupted, again.

[shadowversejc]

Late afternoon shots ☀️ | | | #starwars #starwarsmemes #starwarsfan #photogram #photographers #photographylovers #photography #urbanphotography #nature #naturephotography #darthvader #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #traveltheworld #meme #memes #explorepage (at Orlando, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNK0m_6sgHu/?igshid=10wirlqqql4t2

[shadowversejc]

Northern Winter Sky with Pleiades ✨ | | | #starwars #starwarsfan #photography #astrophotography #starwarsmemes #lmao #lol #memes #meme #memesdaily #prequels #prequelmemes #travel #nature #darthvader #starwarsmeme #dankmemes #photographers #instagood https://www.instagram.com/p/CMc2tumAYp8/?igshid=1vt8nv9uykxzj

[shadowversejc]

Going to start posting every day | | | #photooftheday #photographers #photogram #photographylovers #photograph #astronomy #astrophotography #photography #fyp #stars #nightphotography #nightskyphotography #nightsky #galaxy #universe #space #traveltheworld #travel #travelphotography #nature #naturelovers #naturephotography #travelling #travelblogger #photographyeveryday #amazing #beautiful #mobilephotography #googlepixel https://www.instagram.com/p/CMZ04v_gfma/?igshid=2bf4czsqikip

[shadowversejc]

This was taken right off a traintrack between forests. It's like a path through the wood. 🌲 🌄 🏞️ #photooftheday #photographers #photogram #photographylovers #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #astrophotography #forest #forestphotography #naturelovers #travelphotography #travelgram #travel #trailrunning #traveltheworld #trail #earth #outdoors #adventure #explore #fyp https://www.instagram.com/p/CLZlWHMg-Rq/?igshid=bagy1lbakhjq

[shadowversejc]

This is actually a pretty dope picture. Traintracks are some of the coolest places, I swear. There might've been a lot of light around, but I got quite a bit of stars out there. ☄️ 🌠 🌃 #photogram #photooftheday #photographers #photo #photography #photographylovers #urbanphotography #urban #cityscape #travelphotography #travelgram #train #astronomy #astrophotography #nightphotography #nightskyphotography #nightsky #starwars #stars #explore #goodnight #fyp #milkyway #travel #traveltheworld #mobilephotography #earth https://www.instagram.com/p/CLVXfQ2gRZ8/?igshid=16ovjqkucjktz

[shadowversejc]

Well, here's my first photography post! This is the Winter Sky in the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. It was taken on my Pixel 4a phone and came out beautiful. The number of stars that night was indescribable. ☄️ 🌠 🌃 #starwars #starwarsfan #writersofinstagram #author #photography #photooftheday #photographer #astrophotography #astronomy #stars #nightphotography #nightsky #nightskyphotography #photographers #galaxy #universe #naturephotography #nature #photographylover #photogram #photo #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #mobilephotography (at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRyGoogF7L/?igshid=15btoiw5746tq

[shadowversejc]

The wide-open expanse of the land at this place was surreal. | | | #photooftheday #photography📷 #photo #photographers #photography #photographylovers #photogram #bluesky #skyphotography #sky #astrophotography #mobilephotography #incredible #stunning_shots #travel #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travelgram #bookstagram #instabook #writingcommunity #books #naturelover #nature #naturephotography (at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKmGVS7L1P8/?igshid=p0jckonfyl2r

[shadowversejc]

Fall and winter trees in the evening is indescribable 🌲 🌃 🏞️ #photooftheday #photography📷 #photographers #photographyislife #photographylovers #photography #photogram #photographyeveryday #mobilephotography #astrophotography #naturelover #nature #naturephotography #nature_perfection #trees #tree #beautifulday #bluesky #beautiful #stunning_shots #winter #smalltown #photographersofinstagram #googlepixel #bookstagram #instabook (at Sanford, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKUINyRAP3L/?igshid=tlvrv4ccmk55

[shadowversejc]

For some reason the colors of some stars are blue. I don't really care though, I don't have time or willingness to edit my pictures 😂 💫 🌠 🌃 #photography📷 #photooftheday #photo #photography #photographers #photographylovers #photos #photogram #photographer #astrophotography #astrophoto #astronomy #universe #milkyway #nightsky #nightphotography #stars #mobilephotography #nightskyphotography #cosmos #inspirational #stunning_shots #astrophotographer #naturelover #nature #nasa #nature_perfection #bookstagram #writingcommunity #writer (at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKRpdtLA1W3/?igshid=xgtd1iuc7qra

[shadowversejc]

I do be liking how these came out. They were taken off a railroad that cut through a forest. ☀️ 🌲 🏞️ #photooftheday #photography📷 #photographers #bluesky #beautifulday #forest #forestphotography #naturelover #nature #naturephotography #trees #trail #woods #photography #peace #landscapephotography #photographer #nature_perfection #mobilephotography #instabook #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #trails (at Sanford, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPXVdzgQ7b/?igshid=1010tblbcezhl

[shadowversejc]

☀️ #photography📷 #photooftheday #photo #photos #photographers #photogram #photographylovers #photographer #photography #sunnyday #sunny #stunning #bluesky #beautifulday #adventure #explore #train #florida #books #instabook #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #stunning_shots (at Sanford, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKNDSh0g0l_/?igshid=enjj1xwzaps6

[shadowversejc]

This one really came out well. That's me holding up my phone 😳 💫 🌠 🌌 #photooftheday #photography📷 #photographers #photo #photographyislife #photography #stars #nightsky #nightphotography #space #photography #milkyway #astronomy #astrophotography #universe #mobilephotography #unedited #potd #life #astro #astrophoto #books #bookstagram #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #instabook #photographer #photogram #stunning (at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMbez3A9PG/?igshid=1oyofvac0nqx6

[shadowversejc]

Doesn't Lord Vader look beautiful? | Shot on Google Pixel 4a | #starwars #starwarsmemes #darthvader #darthmaul #darthsidious #themandalorian #rogueone #lordvader #vader #photooftheday #photography📷 #photographers #photogram #photography #sith #lightsaber #starwarsphotography #babyyoda #wow #authorsofinstagram #writingcommunity #photographylovers #photoshoot #mobilephotography #googlepixel https://www.instagram.com/p/CJe_RmcgVog/?igshid=kxuq8tss6jkh

[shadowversejc]

I hope everybody had a great Christmas! 🎄 🎄 🎄 #christmasdecor #christmaspictures #christmastree #christmaslights #downtown #urbanphotography #photooftheday #photographers #photography📷 #photography #mobilephotography #unedited #christmas #beautifulday #nightphotography #cityphotography #wow #blue #photographylovers #photo #books #bookstagram #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #authors #instabook #town #2021 (at Sanford, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJXAm6ag3lq/?igshid=9w2al9ba4xy

[shadowversejc]

Merry Christmas 🎄 | | | #photography #photooftheday #photographer #merrychristmas #merrychristmas🎄 #christmas #happyholidays #2020 #photographylovers #smalltown #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmaspictures #christmaslights #lights #christmaseve #holiday #photography📷 #picoftheday #urbanphotography #mobilephotography #photographyeveryday https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMmw2uAqJY/?igshid=4i1n1vet8t0e

[shadowversejc]

STAR WARS Episode X: The Search for Skywalker (REYLO)

CHAPTER 1

Kylo Ren’s voice: You . . . a scavenger.

Snoke: You have the spirit of a true Jedi!

Han Solo: There’s more to it than that, kid.

Palpatine: Empress Palpatine.

Han Solo: You’ve got a lot to learn.

Palpatine: It is your birthright . . . to rule.

Luke: She saw your spirit, your heart.

Palpatine: It is in your blood. Our blood.

Obi-Wan: Rey!

Luke: Some things are stronger than blood.

Kylo Ren: We are a Dyad in the Force, Rey.

Darth Vader: If you only knew the power of the Dark Side.

Kylo Ren: Two that are one.

Darth Vader: Join me, and together, we will rule the galaxy!

Kylo Ren: Join me.

Qui-Gon Jinn: The Force is behind you, Rey.

Palpatine: A scavenger girl is no match for the power in me!

Kylo Ren: You’re not alone.

Palpatine: I am all the Sith!

Yoda: Alone, never have you been.

Luke: The Force will be with you. Always.

Palpatine: You are nothing!

Kylo Ren: But not to me.

After the onslaught of voices, everything went silent. Until, that is, Ben Solo’s whisper echoed. “Rey.”

Rey awakened with a jump, the face of Ben imprinting itself in her mind. Realizing the sheets were soaked in sweat, she pushed herself up and out of the cot she slept on. Darkness would have reigned in her quaint, mostly empty bedroom had it not been for the dim, golden nightlight in the corner. Feeling weak with sadness, regret, and a tumbleweed of other emotions, Rey collapsed beside her bed.

As a sliver of morning light, courtesy of the Twin Suns, fought through her thick window shades, Rey curled up in a ball on the floor, remembering Ben’s sacrifice for her and her alone. One tear fell to the ground, then another, then another, until they gushed like a river, staining her usual starry white interlocking garments. Her whimpers drenched the room in gloom. As was typical, she could not stop herself. The whimpers increased into wails, which caused Finn, wearing Poe’s signature copper jacket, to storm into her room.

“Rey!” he cried. He turned on a light and looked around, spying her on the floor. Her face hid behind her hands. “Rey, what’s wrong?” She continued her cries and did not answer. “Please, tell me!”

She looked up to him, her red, swollen eyes calling out for help. “I can’t.”

He sighed and looked downward defeatedly. “Nightmares again.” Partially succeeding in catching her breath, she nodded and sniffled. Her hair buns were out of sorts. He bent down and laid a hand on her shoulder. “You need help, Rey. I can’t stand to see you like this. It has been weeks and now it’s getting worse. Like you have an opened wound or something.”

“Because it is,” she replied. He glanced at her, seeking an explanation. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“No, maybe I do,” he responded.

She shook her head. “You don’t.”

“OK, then is there someone who does? Someone who can show you a path out of this?”

She sniffled again and stared into space. “There was.” She paused and glanced at him, wiping dried tears away. “I’m OK. You can trust me. Wait for me outside. We’ll start the next lesson.”

“Are you sure, Master?”

She huffed a laugh. “I told you not to call me that.”

“Sorry, Master,” he joked again. He helped her stand. She smiled lightly and grasped him into a hug.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied.

When she pulled away, he flashed a smile and left, looking back once. He closed the door with the Force. Her eyes widened. His connection to the Force was increasing.

Suddenly, a voice echoed so loud in her mind that it seemed real. “Rey Skywalker, come and see.” She jumped and turned around. No one was there.

“Hello?” she whispered.

“Rey . . .” a deep voice murmured. It was not the same as before. She recognized it.

“B-Ben?” she replied. Her heart pounded mercilessly. She gulped. A strange, indecipherable word — almost a scream — silently resonated from seemingly everywhere.

Just then, Poe Dameron barged in. “Hey! Well, uh, there’s free breakfast today for you at Chalmun’s. Finn wants to eat first before training.”

Rey grinned, then glanced back into the empty room. A shroud of mystery descended. “Oh, nice. Thanks.” Poe nodded once as she hooked her lightsaber on her belt and followed him to the world outside.

Stepping out of her yellowish house and onto the matching sands of Tatooine, Rey walked through the bustling streets of Mos Eisley, full of aliens of all kinds. For the last month, she lived a peaceful life here, hoping to disconnect from the closing war with the First Order.

Once she meandered around four-legged, enormous creatures that smelled like dung, she reached Chalmun’s Cantina, where dozens of the populace welcomed her in with clapping and celebration. Finn and Poe made sure to embrace the crowd's love, but Rey simply pasted a smile to mask her bleeding heart. They ate a hearty meal in the same booth where Han Solo shot Greedo, then left. Poe headed to a nearby Resistance base, while Finn and Rey went off to train in the ways of the Force.

~~~

Thirty minutes later, Rey brought Finn to Lars Homestead, the original home of Luke Skywalker. In the last month, she used it as a place to hone her skills thanks to the strong Force energy around the igloo.

“No, try it this way,” Rey said, adjusting Finn’s stance. She placed her lightsaber on the sand. “Now, close your eyes.”

He breathed in and out, wiping the beads of sweat off his forehead. “All right, I’ll give it a shot.” Reaching out with his hand, he could feel a magnetic pull towards the object. “I feel it.”

“That’s the Force!” she yelped in joy, almost trying to imitate Luke when he trained her on Ahch-To. “Now, lift it up. Just a little bit.”

He obeyed. As his arm strained and trembled to channel the Force, Rey’s lightsaber began to lift slightly off the ground. As she watched his focused expression, Rey smiled. It kept rising inch by inch until Finn opened his eyes.      It floated a foot from his nose.

“Yes!” Finn shouted. His arms shot up into the air. As a result, the lightsaber fell into the sand. “Oh, uh, sorry.”

“You did great,” she replied, waving him off. “Now, lift that.” She pointed to their hovering speeder.

His jaw dropped. “What? You’re joking, right?” She didn’t answer. “Right?”

She shook her head and smiled. “Just do what you just did.”

“What I just did? I lifted a lightsaber! This is . . . totally different!”

“No, it’s only different in your mind. You can do it. I know it. See? Watch me.” She reached out and began to channel the Force. It ran through her fingers, her hair, her clothes like a never-ending rush. As she started to lift the speeder higher into the crisp, vibrant blue sky, the surroundings vanished. Everything went black.

Far off in the void, she noticed a black figure. She squinted, moving closer to it. Yet, the closer she walked, the farther away it seemed. After a minute of this, Rey became frustrated. “What is this place? Who are you?” Suddenly, a familiar surge of Force energy fell upon her. She could feel his presence. Somehow. “Ben? Please, if it’s you, tell me! Show me!”

The figure, although still far away, turned around. It appeared to wear a long-sleeved black shirt and matching pants. Her heart skipped a beat and increased tempo as if in a panic attack. Was this a Force Bond?

“Rey . . .” it said. As suddenly as it happened, the figure vanished, and she was left alone once again.

“Find him, find me,” a new voice whispered. “Come and see.” It reverberated around her, growing louder in amplitude until Finn screamed into her ears.

“Rey!” Finn shouted. He shook her ruthlessly.

When she came back to reality, Rey let out a resounding cry. She was still standing where she was before. She fell to the sand, desperate to catch her breath. Her eyes watered. Her strength abandoned her. She gave in and fell to the ground. Finn caught her. “Finn, stay close to me. Please.”

He bent low and held her neck steady, holding her body in his arms much like how Ben did on Exegol. “I’m here. I won’t leave you.” She nodded and grinned. Her eyelids almost totally covered her brownish-green eyes. “Just tell me what happened.”

“Ben . . . Ben is alive. I need to find him.”

Finn’s eyes widened. Maybe she was going insane now and the PTSD was creating a slew of other mental issues. “Rey, I hate to tell you this, but Ren is gone.”

Rey looked at him, clearly in a daze. “But, but he said . . . no one’s ever really gone . . .” she murmured. “Luke wouldn’t . . . he wouldn’t lie.” And then, she succumbed to the chokehold of slumber.

~~~

Hours later, Rey awoke after noon. She found herself back in bed like before. Thankfully, they were all fresh and clean. She checked her surroundings and looked both ways before pushing the sheets away and sitting on the side of the bed. “Be with me,” she mumbled. “Be with me. Be with me.”

“Rey,” a voice spoke. Frightened, she jumped up and ignited her yellow lightsaber. A blue-tinted Force Ghost wearing tan Jedi robes stood at the other end of the room, in front of a closed window. His chin was narrow and his wavy, whitish hair reaching to the shoulders. He had a short gray beard.

“Who . . . are you?” she asked, gulping. “I’ve never seen you before.”

The figure smiled. “I am here to be with you, and to help you in the quest you are destined for. A quest you and you alone must take. My son guided you once. Now I, Anakin Skywalker, will complete your destiny. Since Palpatine’s demise, you have been split in half, but I know how to make you not only whole, but one once more.”