Author's Note: Thanks for visiting my story page! Star Wars has always held a very special place in my heart. It was the one thing that I was able to use to escape from a boring childhood. Over the past two years, I've noticed a divide in the fandom. I loved The Force Awakens, but The Last Jedi left a hole in my heart I can't really explain. Star Wars has grown into something each of us cherishes differently. Whatever your feelings on Star Wars currently are, I hope you can enjoy this story I've created. Star Wars was always meant to be a myth, and over time, myths change. Its my hope that I can provide a story some of you can find enjoyable. I know I have loved writing it so far! In this story, you will see it is very similar to TFA. That was my point. I wanted to make it familiar, but at the same time different. There is an OC character, who will be one of the focal points of this trilogy, along with Rey. I despise characters who have no flaws whatsoever. I've attempted to fix some of the characterization from TFA. Enough of me jibbering though. Hopefully you want to read my story! Without further ado, here is Star Wars: The Force Awakens!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away

STAR WARS

EPISODE VII

THE FORCE AWAKENS

Luke Skywalker has vanished.

In his absence, the sinister

FIRST ORDER has risen from

the ashes of the Empire

and will not rest until

Skywalker, the last Jedi,

has been destroyed.

With the support of the

NEW REPUBLIC, General Leia Organa

has sent her most daring spy

On a secret mission to Jakku,

Where an old ally has discovered

A clue to Luke's whereabouts.

She is desperate to find her brother,

and gain his help in restoring

peace and justice to the galaxy…

Chapter I

Leia was tired. She was tired from always having to be the one to speak her mind, to be the leader. In the past she had embraced this role as her calling in life. But now, as she got older, it wore her down even more. She had no idea how Mon Mothma had been able to do it all those years ago. Leading a rebellion may have been hard sure, but it was much easier too. At least they all had agreed the Empire needed to be toppled. Now it was difficult just to decide where their next session of Congress would be held.

She had thought it would be much easier now with many different voices. She assumed that because the people had a say in the galaxy, things would improve. And they had, for a time. While it was easy to rebuild planets and the economy of the galaxy, it was much harder for the intangibles to take root. She had begun to realize power hungry individuals were beginning to take hold again and that freedom would soon be lost if something were not done. She had resigned from the Senate and taken up a role in Intelligence branch strictly because of this. But she needed help. She needed her brother. If he wasn't dead of course.

She had insisted not to be trained as a Jedi. She had told him she did not want that extra burden. He respected her decision, but still showed her the basics of the Force and to help her understand her powers. She knew he was not dead, because she surely would have sensed his passing. Her spy had uncovered a clue to Luke's whereabouts during one of their extractions. This spy was the right one to go of course, as they were experts at retrieving information and people from almost anywhere in the galaxy. Even from the rising threat of the First Order.

Even if others mocked her for her fear of them, she would not allow this threat to be taken lightly. Others may have forgotten the Empire, but she certainly did not. She remembered the fear, the death, the total destruction. She would never allow such a thing to happen again. Not when she could stop it. She would need to conduct a war in the shadows to stop them until the Republic was brought to its senses.

So the spy was sent, along with a pilot, to retrieve the information and extract the individual responsible for it. She needed all the help she could get in finding her brother.

"Finding one man should not be too difficult general," Insisted one senator from the Mid-Rim. "There are only so many places to hide in the galaxy."

"Perhaps," she had replied. "But Luke Skywalker is more than just a normal man."

The senator had offered no other argument than that, except for the spy chosen of course. They had claimed he was too young, but she had argued his experience more than made up for it. She looked herself in the mirror before stepping out into the command room. She noticed her age but still saw a young woman who had helped lead a rebellion. But now was no time to reflect. The First Order was on the march and ever an increasing threat to the galaxy. Even if war had not officially broken out yet, Leia knew, as so few others did, that they would need to be prepared for the eventual conflict.

Where is Luke?

The massive Star Destroyer Finalizer emerged from hyperspace. Like a moth to a flame, it was drawn to this planet to carry out its deed. It was constructed in secret away from the prying eyes of the New Republic. The Treaty of Coruscant had forbid the Empire from building vessels of this size ever again. But that did not stop the First Order. They had waited for a time and many fanatical followers grew impatient to test out their devastating weapons of war. The Supreme Leader had preached patience, but even in all his power, he could not hold them back. He gave his blessing and instructed his enforcer to do his bidding. Nothing would stand against the might of the First Order.

Transports belched from the belly of the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. These vessels had the role of landing troops to wherever the Supreme Leader demanded. Ocean worlds, dense jungles, barren deserts, it did not matter. The troops they transported would perform their roles with brute efficiency. Without mercy.

The inhabitants of the barren planet Jakku below had no idea what was about to visit them. On board these transports, the white-armored troopers prepared for assault. They had been briefed on their mission here. There was silence everywhere. Sure, there were a few adrenaline surged moments where troopers talked about facing the enemy. But the officers and squad leaders kept it under control.

Weapons were armed and double-checked. Troopers made sure to inspect the dull white armor of their neighbors. One trooper in particular was worrying. He had felt different for several days now, had even talked about it with his squad mates. They told him he was going crazy, but he did not believe that for a second. His one comrade had suggested to talk about it later, but that never materialized. Something had changed, what that was, he did not know. He attempted to get confidence from the trooper sitting right next to him, but the only noise that could now be heard was the thunder of the transport making its descent.

A squad leader issued a command. "Prepare for landing!" At this command, no trooper would dare talk now. Their weapons at the ready and their bodies tense, they realized the change in pressure meant they were about to land on the surface. They knew what they were about to do.

There were villages spread out all over Jakku. Some of them were centered around trade with other villages. Some were dependent on the massive ship graveyard that the planet had become since the end of the Galactic Civil War. And others preyed on the weaker villages, to steal what was not theirs. But not this village. Not on the watch of Lor San Tekka.

He had once been a teacher, so protecting his students translated easily towards protecting an entire village. It was a peaceful place, despite the bleak landscape. Villagers farmed and exchanged goods with others. All were welcome here, as long as they did not incite violence. That would not be proper of course.

This night would be a cold one. Despite the fact Jakku was a desert world, the nights often became miserable here. Clouds were moving in and a slight breeze was blowing. One could hear the native life off in the distance. But this was not the concern of a small droid. The droid had a small round head that floated on the top of a larger sphere. It was white with intense orange markings on its sides. Its name was BB-8 and in this moment, the droid was very concerned.

Thanks to enhanced reconnaissance optics, the droid could see much farther than a normal human could on a night like this. Way off in the distance, the droid observed multiple light points. It could mean nothing, perhaps just traders who lost their way in the dunes. But tonight was not a time to make mistakes. The droid knew it to be something else entirely.

Making calculations as it sped back to the village, the droid became increasingly panicked. It knew its friends were in trouble. BB-8 had to warn them. The mission was dangerously close to being compromised. This eccentric little droid would not allow that to happen. It rolled through the outskirts and into the main part of the village.

The village of Tuanul, described by locals as "the peaceful jewel" was home to many species of people. They all watched as this small droid made its way through the village, beeping so they would know it was directly below them. Some of them cursed this tiny machine, while others found it amusing. BB-8 dodged and weaved through the throng of people and trade goods in an effort to reach its destination. Birdlike creatures in cages meant to send messages pecked at the droid as it rolled by. They inflicted no damage of course, as they were locked away in cages. BB-8 shrieked at them regardless and continued on.

The residence he was trying to reach was home to the leader of the village, a weathered old man with eons of information about all happenings in the galaxy. How he had obtained such information, the droid did not know. But BB-8 needed to reach its occupants if they hoped to make it off this planet alive.

Though they were exhausted, Cade and his pilot, Poe Dameron, tried not to show it to the old man. They had come a long way for this information through difficult and dangerous circumstances. They were ordered here by General Organa and she trusted them entirely to complete the mission.

Cade looked over at his pilot and friend for a moment. He realized throughout their time together that he was able to maintain his dark, thick waves of hair. He had no idea how he had done it. And Poe did not look tired at all, which Cade knew to be a façade. Somehow, he had remained confident throughout their entire mission. Those who did not know Poe personally would assume this just to be arrogance. But Cade knew his friend was one of the best damn pilots he had ever met and that he was just confident in his abilities. His brash nature was what made him unique.

Unlike Poe, Cade was oftentimes quiet and reserved. He was in his early twenties, with a light beard and intense blue eyes. He was good at getting people out of sticky situations and had made a career out of it. He did his job well. He didn't feel the need to show off. He had no clue how Poe had become his friend. He was still wearing the red and sand-colored jacket Cade had given him when they first met. Even though he did not like it at first, it was just the type of person he was.

From the moment of their arrival, they both had remarked how small and isolated this village was from the rest here on Jakku. But that was only a testament to the ability of its leader, Lor San Tekka. He had made it prosperous and the villagers were happy. Cade met Lor at a young age and the two developed a friendship that would last until their dying days. He was relieved when the general had informed them they would be extracting him. Though their visit had been brief, he had enjoyed his time with an old friend. Cade only wished it had come at a better time.

They were seated in Tekka's hut. It was small but comfortable. It personified the man sitting in front of Cade and Poe. He reached out to touch Cade again and gave him a small leather sack. Cade took it in his hands and smiled, knowing what it was, its importance.

"This is all I can do these days. I wish I could give you more Cade." He sighed. "There is much that needs done, but I'm afraid in my age, I won't be much help. But… this will begin to make things right."

As he withdrew his hand, Cade gave a reassuring look to Poe and tightened his grip around the bag. He was careful, as he knew this was their only lead to finding Skywalker.

"I don't know how you did it, but you can still do it at your advanced age. We are incredibly grateful." Cade said, smiling at his former teacher and friend. "But you need to come with us. There's still so much more you could offer the Republic."

Tekka shrugged and looked him straight in his eyes. Cade knew it was his way of expressing his true meaning. "I offer them nothing but what I have already taught you Cade. This is my way of assisting. I can no longer ignore the anguish and fear that threatens the galaxy once again. Something must be done. Without the Jedi, there can be no balance in the Force. The dark side will once again be victorious." He gave Cade a serious, foreboding look, one he had not given him in a long time. "You must find Luke."

Poe observed Cade and realized his friend had adopted a look of dread on his face, as if he did not want to say the words that were coming out. "I know."

Before they were able to continue the conversation, a metal sphere burst into the room. The droid began spewing chatter at Poe before the three of them exited and rushed towards the village center.

Poe reached for his quadnocs and began scanning before he and Cade stopped running. He aimed them towards the direction of the sky BB-8 had indicated. He allowed the automatic tracking feature to take hold on numerous targets. Without turning towards him, Poe spoke to Cade.

"It's the First Order. Troop transports, carrying about eighty soldiers. We need to leave."

Cade looked at Tekka, with the old man already attuned to the situation without the need for quadnocs.

"You're coming with us, I won't let you be slaughtered by the First Order. They have a kill order against you."

Tekka was unmoving in his response. "No, you must leave me. I'm an old man with my purpose already fulfilled."

Cade was hesitant in his response, saying something Poe had never heard him talk about before.

"I won't leave you, not again—"

The older man cut him off. "You were a child then. Now you are a spy with a mission, a duty to protect others. My life is nothing compared to the atrocities the First Order is capable of committing. Now go!"

Cade and Poe hesitated a moment longer before saying "May the Force be with you."

Tekka nodded and turned away to see to the defense of his village without looking back. Cade and Poe took this as their cue to leave. BB-8 paced them effortlessly as they weaved through dozens of armed villagers. Poe wondered how they had come into the possession of these weapons, but decided it would be better not to ask. They had finally made it to their ship.

It was well hidden below an outcropping of rocks. But this would not hide their U-Wing from more advanced search gear for long. They needed to exit the planet, and fast. Cade unlocked the ramp door and Poe rushed for the cockpit. BB-8 went to the droid socket located directly behind Poe. Cade took his normal spot at navigation. The warm-up started and the various controls started to flare up.

"All systems green, we're good to go." Announced Cade.

From his vantage point in the cockpit, Poe could see figures in white armor emerging from the transports and firing on the villagers. Their weaponry confirmed their identification. Elite Stormtroopers. They fired without mercy on the defenders. The brave villagers stood little chance against the training of the First Order. Troopers began to set fire to various structures of the village. Poe was outraged. He saw no reason behind it. But to the First Order, there need be no reason other than to create fear and terror.

He was interrupted by an anxious BB-8. "We're going, Beebee-Ate, we're going! Almost there…" He thumbed another control and the landing lights snapped on. The engines whined to life. He was about to roll clear when suddenly, the ship started to rock. A pair of Stormtroopers had come up to the ship unseen and began to fire on the engines. They were disabled without any resistance

Cade reacted quickly and grabbed his weapon, a Blastech DH-17, a favorite among Rebel Alliance marines from many years ago. He opened the hatch and was able to fire off two quick shots, taking down both of the troopers. The threat handled, he returned to find BB-8 and Poe frantically trying to repair the engines with no luck.

"I've got no power to the main thrusters, Beebee-Ate see if you can root power to the auxiliary drive!" BB-8 complied, but was met with no results as the power dampeners shocked him and launched him across the bay.

"The engines are completely shot, there's no way we're getting off this rock." Said Poe, desperate for any other alternative.

Cade looked at Poe, then back at the village under assault. He reached in his jacket pocket and grabbed the small leather bag. "Take this with Beebee-Ate and run." He placed the artifact inside a pop-out tray in BB-8. "Get to Niima Outpost, it's not far from here. Find a transport, find a way back to the Republic." Poe stared at him dumbfounded. When a few moments passed between them, Cade continued giving orders. "You need to complete the mission commander. I'll hold them off for as long as I can. You're our only hope."

Poe looked again at Cade, worried this would be the last time he would see his friend. He decided the mission was more important. He and BB-8 began running for the dunes before looking back at Cade. "Good luck!" he yelled over the chaos of the battle. Cade gave him a quick finger salute and headed off to join the village defenders.

The fight in the village was brutal. While the inhabitants were clearly outmatched, they would not surrender willingly to the First Order. They fired back and would continue to do so until all hope was lost. One trooper was shot straight in the chest and went down like a rock sinking in a lake. His companion rushed to his side, worried about his comrade-in-arms. A bloody hand reached up and touched the trooper's helmet. He had no idea combat would be this kind of hell.

The fallen trooper quickly lowered his hand, and as quickly as he was shot, his life faded from him. The trooper who had rushed to his side was in shock. His weapon hung at his side, unfired. He stumbled off, beginning to see some of the village defenders being rounded up. He watched as madness ascended around him. He watched his fellow troopers commit atrocities he could never have imagined. Something had gone terribly wrong and for the first time in his entire life, the trooper felt helplessly alone.

Cade rushed forward into the fight, taking shots at Stormtroopers whenever he was given the opportunity. He rallied around some of the defenders and when they had eliminated the troopers in their immediate vicinity, they advanced, hoping to find others who would be willing to fight. Homes were burning and voices cried out in terror. Cade was not accustomed to war on this level. Sure, he had heard stories from his father about war as a child, but nothing prepared you for something this brutal. He was an expert at extraction and information, not taking the enemy head on.

Cade immediately started to scan the defenders to see if he could find Lor. He knew he would be disappointed in his choice, but there was no other way. He had to hold them off for Poe and give them time to escape. Maybe, just maybe, they would be able to hold them off. His hopes were dashed when he heard a shuttle approaching, one that looked and sounded imposing. He knew who was on that shuttle immediately. His worst fears were realized when troopers came from behind them and took out two of his party. Cade and the remaining defenders of the village had no choice but to surrender.

Lor San Tekka was escorted to the center of the village by two Stormtroopers. He had felt the darkness as soon as the shuttle entered the atmosphere. It landed and a tall hooded figure emerged from its ramp. He advanced without wavering and Tekka was resigned over his fate. The figure stood within feet of him, examining him much as one would examine an artifact from a long time forgotten. But he was not afraid. He stared back just as hard.

The figure was covered in a black robe with the concealing his head. Covering his face was a black mask, with a slanted forehead and a breathing apparatus that was not needed. It covered the man known as Kylo Ren. Once, Tekka had been a teacher to the man underneath the mask. But now he had become someone else, something else. An agent of evil.

Ren was the first one to speak, without ceremony, as he had wanted this meeting for a long time. "The master has at last been captured by the student." The voice was distorted, sounding almost human-like but sounding more in tune with a demon.

Tekka had been expecting this. "Something far worse has happened to you my friend." He was not fazed by any of this, in fact he wanted to toy with Ren for as long as possible. But words had no effect on this faceless creature. There was only impatience.

"You know what I've come for."

Before Tekka could respond to this, two troopers deposited Cade beside him. He gave his old teacher a look of "I couldn't help myself" and a shrug. Tekka only returned sadness. The one trooper said "We found this Republic spy with the villagers sir." Before moving away back into formation around the villagers.

Cade then turned his attention to Kylo Ren a few feet away from him. Before he could come up with a barbed insult, Ren began to laugh ever so slightly. "Really? How fitting that two of your former students should see you fail."

Once again, Tekka was not intimidated by Ren. To Cade, it looked as if he was simply meditating as he once did many years ago on the Bazarri Mountains. "You do not belong with them" Tekka said calmly. "I knew you before you were known as Kylo Ren. I know the man is still there, somewhere."

From behind the mask came a growl: feral, but distinctly human. "Careful. The map to Skywalker. We intercepted the transmission this spy sent you." He gave Cade a look that brought back numerous terrible memories. For a moment, Cade did not know what to say. "We understand you've acquired it. And now you're going to give it to the First Order."

Tekka responded as he always did, with thought and purpose. "You must feel the light's pull inside you, to know darkness is not your path."

It was at this moment Cade decided to be involved in the conversation. He spat at the feet of Kylo Ren, but this meant nothing to the dark warrior. He continued on with his first interrogation, impatient at the turn it had taken.

"How is it possible that a conversation becomes so tedious, so quickly?" He motioned to the village and its inhabitants. "Do not make this a tragedy for these people." A hint of sadism emanated from the voice behind the mask and Cade did not like where this was going. "Hasn't your presence done enough for them already?"

"I made my peace with these folk long ago. To turn away from your heritage is the true tragedy."

Ren stiffened as he approached Tekka even closer, his rage becoming ever more apparent. "Enough witless banter old man." He held out his hand, like a child demanding a toy. "Give it to me."

"You may try," Tekka responded with defiance, "but you cannot deny the truth that is your family."

Kylo Ren seemed to not be bothered by this statement. But Cade could feel the rage coming off him. It was like a massive tidal wave crashing against a beach. His rage flared and before Cade could realize what was happening, a lightsaber appeared in one hand, flaring to life. It was an unstable crimson blade notable for the two smaller projections at the hilt: a killer's weapon. This dark warrior's fetish of choice. "You are so right."

And just like that, Cade witnessed his former teacher be cut down by a monster filled with rage.