Kylo Ren's arm was around General Organa, the blade of his lightsaber singeing the peach fuzz against her jugular. "We trade on the count of three," he bellowed at the small group of rebels standing opposite the cluster of storm troopers.

As she stood amongst the rebels, Rey's fingers formed a fist, her chin proud and uplifted. There had been so many things leading her to this point in time. Unbidden, the memories flooded back to her.

"One," Kylo's voice rang out through the alterations of his mask.

The edges of Maz's eyes crinkled with sympathy. "There's someone who could still come back for you, but that person is not who you think. The belonging you seek is not behind you; it is ahead."

"I'm never touching that thing again. I don't want any part of this," Rey cried before she fled. She hadn't asked for the lightsaber to choose her! In that moment, she craved the familiarity of Jakku, anything but this battle against the darkness, this looming big black hole that threatened to swallow her whole.

"Two."

The gruff and unshaven fallen hero stared at her with sky blue eyes, seemingly focusing on Rey for the first time since she had arrived on the planet. It was as though he was seeing through her, tapping into some forgotten instinct. Rey might have been nervous at his probing, but she saw something in him that she recognized and honestly opened herself to him. "There is something inside of me that has always been there, and I don't know what to do with it."

"Three."

"I can show you the ways of the force," Kylo Ren had promised with his lightsaber pressed against hers. In the palm of his hand, she saw the chance to mean something to someone. It became evident that his chance was contained there too when desperation touched his tone as he hissed, "Join me. Please."

Rey didn't need to turn to see torment twist Finn's features. She didn't need to hear Chewie's moan of displeasure or Leia's tears to remember them. The faces of those few individuals who had been deeply woven into her life would be emblazoned in her heart forever. Rey strode toward Kylo Ren, entirely ready to face her fate.

Kylo released his prisoner, attempting to replace her with Rey, but Rey spun away from him, lightsaber blazing.

Kylo activated his own lightsaber, assuming a wider stance. Then, he stared at her as he leveled his lightsaber at her head. "Rey, you'll want to come quietly," he warned.

She stood her ground, chin jutting out in defiance.

Giving a war cry, he ran at her. He feinted left and swiped right.

Rey ducked and skillfully parried his next attack. When she lunged to strike, their blades illuminated imperturbable focus across her features.

In the background, the rebels and the storm troopers traded blasts.

Kylo led with his chest as he launched a barrage of wild blows. His dark locks tumbled wildly with his movement.

Rey was lighter on her feet like a dancer as she twirled and swiped with her blade.

They both heard the rebel ship's engines roar to life. In that moment, Rey's arms flew open and her lightsaber landed on the ground as Kylo Ren savagely kicked her in the head with his heel.