(Kylo Ren's 17)
(Starkiller Base)
(Kylo Ren's View)
Training is brutal, but it's worth it. After all my parents hid from me, after all the training and rotting in the Light Side of the Force, I need to train. Train in the Dark Side of the Force. The darkness quickly accepted my presence, granting me power. Pure, sheer, unbelievable power that no one can achieve through the light. This is my rightful place, the Dark Side, just like it was for my grandfather, Darth Vader. This is what my parents hid from me. My family's past, the Dark Side, everything that is now dear to me, they hid from me just so I wouldn't become the person I'm meant to be: A Sith.
But my parents, my past and my love for them is now behind me. I have more important things to do than reflect on my corrupt past. I have to train. Train to slaughter the Jedi like Grandfather did to cleanse the galaxy of these brainwashed freaks. This is my destiny.
Right now, I'm, of course, training in my personal training room with my newly built crossguard lightsaber. The Kyber Crystal is cracked, so this design happened to be the only way to balance out the unstable energy. As I swing my lightsaber, getting a feel of my new lightsaber's movement, Supreme Leader's 20 year old 2nd in command, General Hux, opens the door. I did not know it was him until after I swung my lightsaber towards him. I stopped at the last second, the blade sizzling his neck a bit. He steps back, covers his burnt neck and scoffs. "Reckless, as usual."
"Says the one who didn't knock. What do you want, Hux." I scowl, sheathing my lightsaber, clipping it onto my gray belt and grabbing my mask from the nightstand, slipping it under my arm. Hux scoffs. "I have a title you know. Anyways, Supreme Leader said he needed you for a "lifelong mission" of sorts. And don't ask me what that means, cause I have no idea, okay?" He scowls. I exhale a quick breath through my nose. "Who said I would?" I snap back, pushing Hux aside, slip on my mask and beginmy walk to Snoke's Chambers. Hux glares at me (as I can see him in the corner of my eye) but without a word, pulls on his black, leather gloves before walking away in the other direction. With him out of the way, I causually make my way to Snoke's Chambers. As I enter, Snoke sits up slowly, his sunken eyes glaring into my soul. My heart begins to race, but I hide my nervousness from him as I kneel. Silence rings out until Snoke stands to his feet.
"Kylo Ren…It appears you've built your lightsaber with that cracked Kyber Crystal…How does it feel?" He asks me firmly. "Fine. No problems with the movement." I reply. His face doesn't change. He slowly sits down on his throne. "Hmm…Very well done, my apprentice."
"Thank you, Supreme Leader." I reply. Snoke pauses before rising to his feet. "Kylo Ren…I presume General Hux informed you on your "lifelong" mission I have planned for you?" He asks in an inflected hum. I nod. "Yes, Supreme Leader. I am ready for whatever you plan to throw at me." I reply once more. My heart begins to race slightly faster than before. Snoke grins. "Even to raise a youngling?"
My heart skips a beat. "A youngling? Supreme Leader, I don't think I-." I stutter out, my nervousness showing. Snoke, to my surprise, chuckles, obviously amused. "Yes. A youngling. Let me explain." He hums evilly, sitting back down. "I presume you know about my trip to Dandoran? To meditate at my personal temple?"
"Yes."
"Good. Along the way, I found a youngling in the woods, left there to die. This youngling emitted a remarkable connection to the Force. This is where you, my apprentice, will come in. I am asking you to raise this child as your apprentice." He hums. Under my mask, I look to the left, wondering if he's serious. I mean, me, a 17 year old boy, just introduced to the Dark Side of the Force, now becoming a father? I know I cannot say "no", but this is cranking up my nervousness. What if I do it wrong? What if he or she dies?
"…Yes, Supreme Leader. However, I swore that the Sith obeyed the "Rule of Two." I comment. Snoke chuckles. "Yes, we Sith do. However, your grandfather broke that rule. It isn't unheard of to break the rule. Besides, I am requesting this task." He hums evilly. He then pauses, a frown forming on his face. "Kylo Ren…you're nervous."
"...Y-Yes Supreme Leader. I am." I stutter out. His eyes narrow. Mine, under my mask, widen. This is not good. Snoke then closes his eyes and sighs. "Kylo Ren…I will check on you in three months. The youngling is only three months old. We will discuss its upbringing at that point. You can find her in the room directly parallel to yours." He says. I nod. "Yes, Supreme Leader."
With that said, he logs off. At the instant that the room goes pitch black, I bite my lip and cuss out, stomping my way to the entrance. "Why would he trust ME with a child!? I'm only f*cking 17. 17!" I roar out. "He knows that if I do anything wrong, I'll die for it. Does he WANT me to die?! Does he WANT me to screw up?! That son of a BITCH!" I roar, marching to the youngling's room. After slipping off my mask, I kick the door open, finding a nanny droid holding the youngling in its arms, feeding it. The droid turns to me, rolls up and hands me the youngling. "Your daughter, sir." It hums. The youngling looks up at me with curiosity, her brown eyes seeming to sparkle. I stare into those brown eyes. As I cradle her in my arms, she smiles, reaching one of her tiny hands towards my face. That's when something ripples into my heart, something I haven't felt in so long.
Peace.
And not only that.
Love.
This youngling, this daughter of mine, with one smile, shattered and melted my stone-cold heart. A smile creeps up my face. Tears form in my eyes. As I brush a strand of her black hair away from her face, something pops into my mind.
A name. A name I liked the first time I heard it when I was only a little boy. "Hi there Keisa. I'm going to be your Daddy…It's so nice to meet you." I choke up. Keisa smiles. I close my eyes after this, letting the tears that have welled up fall.
Maybe raising Keisa won't be so bad after all.