Everything was quiet. Eerily silent, devoid of any sound, then a scream. A scream that could strike a man to his core, a call to the light... Was it her? The scavenger from Jakku. Within seconds of plunging his saber into his father's heart he thought he had heard his mother screaming out through space and time, attempting to reverse the untimely death of her lover. But it was Rey, a person who had known Han Solo for only a moment, yet had somehow formed a heartbreaking bond.
It was this girl who had only just awakened the Force within her, having never brandished a light saber, only to slash a white hot scar across his face with his own grandfather's weapon. How disgustingly ironic. He had given everything to the darkness. He had proved his loyalty to the First Order by killing the only man he ever loved, and yet he sat in the shuttle, heavy as a stone as medical droids worked non-stop to repair the damages to his body. He turned his head, gritting his teeth through the pain that seared across his skin.
The scene before him was a mass of fire, the Star Killer was imploding. The destruction of the war 1planet had left thousands of the First Order dead, and hundreds more stranded in space. Their ships hung in suspense as the magnetic pull of the dying planet crashed their navigational systems. But somehow General Hux had managed to find him and pluck him from the forest floor, bloodied and defeated. Apparently Supreme Leader Snoke still had plans for him. And they had managed to fly far enough out of the planets gravity only to watch the onslaught of death and destruction. It wasn't the lives lost that concerned Kylo Ren, it was the time, the planning, and the weaponry that would take years to rebuild.
He too, would need time to recover, to re-center and to realign himself with the darkness. He was not ready, he still felt himself being torn in two. He closed his eyes as blinding light filled the room. A droid rushed to the wall, pressing into the panel that lowered metal shutters. Kylo Ren kept his eyes closed, even as he heard the click of boots treading in his direction. Felt the seething hatred of General Hux, the anger, the blame, the jealousy, all directed at him.
"Supreme Leader Snoke has made contact." Kylo Ren shot up from the bed, two droids rushed to his side to stabilize him. He whipped his hand through the air, sending a droid crashing into the farthest wall.
"Try to remain calm, we only have so many droids at our disposal, and with your face looking the way it does, we'll need all the technology we can get." Hux smirked, his eyes running over the freshly scorched skin that now covered the Sith Lord's face.
"I think it rather suits me, I may keep it." Kylo Ren pressed his palms into the bed, steadying himself.
"It definitely gives you a reason to wear that absurd helmet." Hux shot a glace towards the corner of the room at the eyesore a storm trooper had actually risked his life to collect. The helmet lay firmly pressed into the ship's floor. Even with the trembling turbulence and shifting of the room, it remained unmoved. Hux crossed his hands behind his back and threw a mocking glance towards Kylo Ren.
"Was there a message you were ordered to relay to me? Or were you simply stopping by to admire my attire?" Kylo Ren lifted his gaze to the General. If it was a battle of wills, he would win. He began to invade Hux's mind, pushing feelings of doubt, fear and uselessness into his brain. He watched the expression on the man's face change, his posture slumped, his head drooped and he began to slowly speak the words that the Supreme Leader had relayed.
"Until you have proven that you are fully aligned once again with the darkness, you will not be permitted to complete your training. The Supreme Leader commands that you not only repair your mind, but that your body be restored entirely. He has stated that until he is able to fully sense your force signature, you will be grounded to the planet of Kashyyk."
"What?" Kylo Ren shot up, his anger alone stabilizing his body. "And what exactly am I supposed to do on a planet full of beasts? This is a waste of time!" His energy shifted and he was no longer concerned with bending Hux's mind. He was infuriated. He wanted to slash into something living. So far Hux was the closest being to him. He stepped further, lifting his hand.
Cease Kylo Ren. Supreme Leader Snoke was now speaking to him directly.
You will do as I say, apprentice. While your hatred is inspiring, there is still much to do. Until you are realigned with the Darkness, you are useless to me. Kylo Ren swayed, now unsteady on his feet. Snoke's energy was suffocating; he was barely able to stand from the weight of it.
"I am not useless!"
As of now, you are. You WILL take this time to heal. I know you are capable of Force healing unlike any other Sith in the past. To do this you must maintain total concentration and isolation. I will not endure your childish tantrums any longer. If you truly wish to complete your training you will do as I say. Kylo Ren gritted his teeth and nodded.
As I heard, the plannet of Kashyyk has been inhabited by many species besides the Wookies. Vast cities have been erected since. There should be no trouble finding activities to keep you preoccupied. But remember, you are still a leader of the First Order, ensure that the natives understand this and collect anyone who may be of use to us. Now silence your mind and heal your face. I do not wish to see a constant reminder of your humiliating defeat by a scavenger girl.
"Yes, Supreme Leader, it will be done." The connection was cut immediately and Kylo Ren was propelled backwards onto the gurney. He gasped for air, clutching at his chest, thankful that it was only him inside his head again. At this time he was alone in the room, the droids and Hux had left during the conversation. Kylo Ren growled as he lifted himself onto the table, his crossed his legs and planted his palms firmly on his knees. He closed his eyes and centered himself to the Force in deep meditation. He was now drifting in space, without a ship and in total darkness. He focused all his energy on the burnt flesh of his face.
The wound will heal, and the flesh will be new. He blew air from his lungs slowly. The wound will heal, and the flesh will be new. He lifted one palm to his face and repeated the mantra. His skin began to crawl and itch as the nerves repaired themselves and the bones in his nose reconnected. He opened his eyes, and scanned the empty room. A mirror and a sterile sink station were built into the far right wall. He stood and made his way over to the corner. Just as he had said, the wound was healed and the skin on his face was new. The Supreme Leader was right, he would loathe seeing the deep scar embedded in his skin each day. It would be a constant reminder of his weakness and failure.
The planet of Kashyyk had grown immensely since the reign of the Wookies. Massive cities had been erected and every manner of species frequented its streets. The First order had seized a building on the outskirts of the city and it was now using it as a mini-base and lodging for any members assigned to the planet. Kylo Ren was allowed an entire floor as he would require space for training and meditation. Cells were built in the basement of the building designed for interrogation, holding or torture. So far, they had not been used as the storm troopers had yet to collect beings of interest for the First Order.
Kylo Ren had been on the planet for just a few weeks, and within that time he was beginning to feel his full strength yet again. He had regular communications with the Supreme Leader, and was mastering Force healing without the need to meditate. Lately, however he had felt a pull, a presence calling to him to the city. As it was his duty to investigate, he would be scanning the area at nightfall. A group of three men would accompany him dressed in civilian garb as to not alert the population. Kylo Ren cracked his neck as the group he had assembled buzzed around him. He was not amused by their excitement to scout the city. They were also unaccustomed of being out of their storm trooper suits and were babbling like children over their clothing.
He had decided on a charcoal gray tunic and same colored trousers with black bindings at the ankles. He twitched and shifted uncomfortably in the fabric. He fingered the cotton like texture at his sleeve and found it too soft for his liking. He preferred the heavy wool robe and thick-ribbed sleeves of his uniform. It grounded him. He gloved his hands and gathered the group, cloaked with a malicious scowl. The flight headed out as the planet's three moons began to rise in the sky. They had heard locals and tourists speaking of a popular bar named Constellations and Kylo Ren knew immediately that this place was their target.
As they entered the establishment Ren was immediately irritated by the noise and liveliness of the crowd. There were far too many people, and the dim lights of the club made bumping into patrons a common reoccurrence. He had to clench his fists to keep from parting the crowd with the Force. Ren chose a table towards the back of the room close to the stage. A waitress dressed in very little greeted them almost immediately. The soldiers all looked to Kylo Ren before they dare order anything with alcohol. He sliced his eyes at them lifting his index finger in the air.
"One, no more." The soldiers ordered a brew local to the planet, coincidentally it only came in pints. The Sith warrior drummed his fingers across the table, waiting for anything to happen. Then he felt it, a powerful tug in the direction of the stage. The lights dimmed even further and the crowd went silent. Spot lights on the stage turned blue and the curtains were pulled back to reveal a girl. Apparently no introduction was needed as not a single person in the crown uttered a syllable, hundreds of eyes glued to the stage.
A stringed instrument began to play as the girl swayed slowly back and forth. She was petite, olive-skinned and her metallic hair was fashioned in a braid atop her head that hung down to her waist. Her face was covered by a thin veil, but the crowd could see her eyes were closed. The costume she wore was nothing so scantily as the waitresses, but a flowing gown of slithering silver wisps. With each movement the material rose and flew away from her in a ghostly fashion. And then she spun, and with her liquid from around the bar gravitated around her like watery vines. She lifted her hands the fluid responded, arching its tips upward and flowing out like the top of a tree on the rounded ceiling of the bar. The crowd gasped and clapped in delight at the magic trick. One of the storm troopers whispered across the table to another.
"I wonder how she does that AND with her eyes closed, magnets of some sort you think? Metal in the water?" The other trooper shrugged, tossing his head back to finish off his beer.
"Are you all so foolish as to not recognize the use of the Force?" Kylo Ren hissed. The troopers responded by lowering their heads, too afraid to utter another word. "This is exactly why we are here. This woman is a Force sensitive individual, and we are going to detain her. She may be of use to us." They turned their gazes back to the stage as the young woman finished her dance. She kneeled on the floor towards the crowd, her head bowed low. Everyone stood, cheering loudly through their inebriated state. Kylo Ren leaned forward, his eyes piercing her, and she met his gaze. Her eyes widened with fear, she stood slowly.
ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE PLEASE FOR LADY PYXIS! A voice boomed and the crowd responded with ear splitting cheers and then began to crowd the stage. It only took a second for the girl to spin on her heel and disappear behind the curtain. Kylo Ren shot up, roaring at the troops to seize her. They ran towards the stage, but struggled to push past the crowd. He smashed his fist into the wooden table, cracking it. He flipped it over and stalked out the front entrance.
Pyxis had never felt such a strong and malevolent presence in her life. As soon as her eyes met the man with the raven hair, a spirit of fear enveloped her. She ripped her costume off her, twisted her braid into a bun over her hair and grabbed the nearest cloak she could find. She needed to run. There were no exists in the back of the club, so she flew up the stairs and into the only office in the building. It had a single window and a drain pipe that scaled the length of the wall. She threw her bag down to the ground and swung a leg out of the window. There was just enough space between the wall and the pipe to safely slide down. She reached for the pipe, steadying her feet on the windowsill. She wrapped one leg around the pole, then the other, until she slid down. She didn't have time to think before she hit the ground hard. She snatched her bag off the ground and ran towards the gate. Just as her fingers were inches from the fence a tall dark figure appeared on the other side. She screamed, snatching her hand towards her chest, gripping the fabric of the cloak.
Ren stepped closer to reveal his face. Pyxis' look of confusion only amused him as he began to prod her mind, ensnaring her senses. Her vision went black and she crumpled to the ground. She scraped at the dirt beneath her, attempting to crawl away from the man. She hadn't fully begun to panic until she heard the crunching of metal in front of her. He had broken through the fence and was now descending upon her. She began to tremble in the darkness as tears ran down her face. She could feel the icy presence of death.
"Did you really think you could escape the First Order so easily? As if sneaking out of a window would trick a Sith." Pyxis' jaw opened slightly, was this THE Sith fighter, Kylo Ren? The murderer of countless innocents? The apprentice to the Sith Leader, Snoke? It could not be, what had she done to attract the attention of the First Order. It must have been something truly grievous, and she knew she would surely die in this alley.
"You will be detained at our head-quarters and held until further instruction by the Supreme Leader." Her vision was restored and the man before her was clear. A younger man with black curls, matching ebony eyes, a heavy nose and full lips was hunched before her, inches from her face now. His appearance was definitively not what would be expected of a warrior on the Dark Side. He raised a hand to her face, every instinct in her was screaming for her to run but she unable to move. Her lip trembled as she tried to beg, but her throat would not permit it. His gloved hand drew nearer.
"Unless you attempt to escape or resist, no harm will come to you. Sleep." His deep voice echoed in her mind. Then the ground came up to meet her and a tunnel of black began to form around her vision. She felt two arms slide underneath her before she felt nothing at all.
