ABSOLUTION
EPISODE IX
Long long ago in a galaxy far far away an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance raged. Rey a former scavenger now apparently the last Jedi escapes from Crait with the remaining resistance members to Ach Too onboard the Millennium Falcon. Meanwhile Kylo Ren now the Supreme leader of the First Order struggles against the growing turmoil and the constant call to the light. General Hux, Kylo Rens rival questions Rens alliances following the mysterious circumstances surrounding Snokes demise. Sensing an opportunity to seize control of the First Order and possibly eliminate his rival once and for all and could very well shift the tides of the force.
Chapter 1
The Red General
[Three weeks after the events of The Last Jedi]
Craits twin moons brightly illuminated the white landscape casting shadows over the newly reconstructed and finely furnished First Order outpost. The mountains appeared to be carved out of fine marble and the beautiful midnight sky boasted the presence of all its visible stars, they looked like a billion rare jewels scattered on a deep black blanket. The sky was always his first love, as a young boy Ben Solo would stare at the heavens for hours pondering his future, his place in all of it, how his actions would shape the future of the galaxy.
That was a long time ago, all that remained now was Kylo Ren, mass murder and Supreme Leader of the First Order. That was his truth, his legacy, that's all the galaxy would remember him by.
Snokes ravaged command ship was visible from where Ren was sitting, events that occurred just a few weeks ago still fresh in his memory. Memories of dismembering Snoke and fighting alongside the scavenger, he was certain she would join him after saving her from his former master. He pleaded and reasoned but she refused, twice. They fought for control of Luke Skywalkers lightsaber, it didn't end well for the lightsaber.
Then the battle on Crait, this planet was where he thought he would rid the galaxy of its last light users, the resistance and his mother. They despite all circumstances managed to escape through their savior; Luke Skywalker. He was blinded by rage the moment he laid eyes on Skywalker, so angry that he didn't even realize that Luke had been deliberately stalling him via force projection. He felt a disturbance in the force the moment his uncle faded, he knew his uncle died, but he didn't seem to get any satisfaction from it. If anything happened he seemed to become more distraught.
His thoughts drifted back to the scavenger, the girl, the one who had sought to redeem him. He had tried over the past few days to reach out to her through their force bond but to no avail. Even though there was no Snoke he could feel her force signature.
It was almost cliché the way their last force 'Skype' ended, there he was kneeling holding his father's golden dices just as their force bond opened. He looked up with a lost gaze in an almost manner, she looked him dead in the eye with what he could only make out as disappointment before closing the Millennium falcon doors immediately cutting off their force bond, just as the dices faded from his grasp.
He grinned, it almost seemed like everything he held this days faded away just like the dices.
Ren broke himself from his current train of thoughts, doubt would only beget regret which would lead to sympathy which led to weakness. He was doing this for the galaxy, trying to create a galaxy with order, a safer place for all, the galaxy would thank him in time.
He got off the small rock he rested on and began his slow descent to the base. Stormtroopers were patrolling the vast interior of the former rebel base, the hallways were usually empty at this time of night.
That's when he felt a pair of sharp eyes glaring at the back of his head as someone called him. Ren reluctantly turned to come face to face with the last person he wanted to see.
HUX POV.
General Hux had been searching that petulant man child Ren all evening, the High Council had been waiting for reports of what exactly happened to Snoke. Hux himself had been pondering on the question as to what exactly happened in the throne room. Dead praetorian guards were obviously a no-go so Hux inserted a few scouts amongst the salvage unit to search the Command ship's security system for recordings.
Maybe Ren was telling the truth that somehow the scavenger single handedly slayed a 7 foot Sith Lord, a handful of highly trained praetorians guards and knock out that numbskull Ren, if that was the case then the scavenger was getting stronger. (But he still believed that the whole excuse was rantharshit).
Hux forced himself to appear visibly neutral, ''Supreme Leader the High Council requests your immediate presence, they having been put on hold for over 3 hours''.
Ren shot Hux a glare'' What do those under par bantha fodders want?'
''Supreme Leader they wish to discuss they wished to discuss former Commander Snokes death and your future plans.'' Hux gritted his teeth as he said so.
'They can go ride flaming diaongas on Hoth for all I care I answer to no one'', Ren replied menacingly all the while strolling down the main hallway like a smooth criminal.
How dare he insult the High council, did he know how much it costs to the run all of the F.O operations, how much his family supplies to the Order' thought Hux.
''WHHAATT, REN ARE YOU FRACKING RETARDED, DO YOU REALISSSSS'' that was as far as Hux's outburst went as he felt a shortage of oxygen. The ginger general could no longer feel the ground under his feet. The dark spots were slowly forming in his vision just as he looked at Rens dark eyes and right outstretched hand force-choking him.
REN POV.
Kylo was seeing red, Hux needed to be taught a lesson, a fairly long and painful lesson. This was longer a case one up trivial fights not at the level of power he was in. This time around if he were to say jump Hux would say how high.
The General had managed a measly ''Forgive me supreme leader'' before Ren tossed him against the wall and stared down the general. Kylo Ren walked with vigor as he fed of the fear oozing from his stormtroopers who had witnessed the incident.
HUX POV.
Hux had gotten the memo and backed off from Ren to avoid further injuries via force assaults. Hux was personally insulted at the devilish treatment and was seething hate for the commander, but he had calmed himself, he would have his time soon.
The dysfunctional general waited for reports from his scout team. After a few hours Hux received Intel from his scouts that they found what he was looking for. They sent the files via private links and were instructed to scramble all related sources immediately.
The General scrolled through the databanks and clicked on several clips before stumbling upon the footage when he had been searching for. It was then that he found a file titled KOR.
General Hux strolled down the cavern towards the council room with purpose. Millicent the cat was at his side and kept up with its deranged ginger master. The council will be wanting to see this, Hux thought to himself as his mind began to predict what this information would mean for him.
In the council room….
''As you can tell from the footage honorable members of the council Kylo Ren is a traitor and a resistance sympathizer therefore his continued rule as Supreme Leader must be revoked and we must dispense of him immediately before the situation gets out of hand''. Hux was grinning from ear to ear as he relayed his message to the council. Ren would now feel the full brunt of the First Order.
A large screen played out the final moments of Snokes life as the council members witnessed Kylo Ren's and Rey slay everyone other force user in the throne room.
The council member's holograms illuminated the small conference room as they discussed the matter.
''How do we deal with this, this he is beyond our control' Lord Webb said.
'' We can't let this walking liability live, if he defects to the resistance, his knowledge of our future plans would give them numerous advantages.'' Another chipped in.
''I say we strand him here and blow up the planet' 'Lord Pyro stated.
'No, no, no, death is too kind, I say we restrain him and torture him indefinitely until he breaks'' Baron Jorx yelled out with a malicious look in his eyes.
''Maybe your dumbass should be the one to strap him down, he is an experienced force user for crying out loud'' Lady Qulin said.
'' Maybe you can seduce him long enough more me create a Death Star to blow you both into non-existence, you ugly hag'' Jorx fired back.
The members quarreled with each throwing expletives over whose solution was the most logical.
Hux finally spoke up. '' We could mobilize the Knights of Ren''
There was an immediate silence amongst the members who visibly tensed at the words and began to whisper amongst themselves.
'' I thought the knights were killed during the invasion of Dorvalla'' Said Lord Mien said out loud.
Hux had all knowing grin as he said his next words ''Ren fabricated that lie to cover up the true story. ''
Hux switched the screen to show one with the title K.O.R. He opened the file before turning his attention back to the council.
''Kylo Ren had to compete for the position of becoming Snokes apprentice. Now there were seven knights in total when Ren betrayed them he killed one then imprisoned his rival and four others knights on Mustafar, that was six years ago and I don't anyone else who would like to destroy Ren more than them.'' Ren finished with a smile.
Lord Pyro spoke with the other members before turning back to General Hux ''It appears you have a plan General Hux, should you be able to dispose of the traitor you will be granted a seat on the council and the title of Supreme Leader, I hope you know what you're doing so don't disappoint us''.
Ren POV
The cave walls was littered with red lines as Kylo Ren was practicing forms with his lightsaber to help calm down and think. He didn't know how to handle a whole armada of soldiers, he wasn't leader material he was just the commander of a handful of units at least.
He switched his light sabre off and sat down to meditate Immediately his thoughts drifted to his mother, had it been a different life she would been proud of him for achieving such an honor. ''It was too late to turn back now not after Han and Luke' Ren said to himself.
''Funny thing about that is that it's never too late my nephew'', a voice called out.
Ren visibly stiffened as he remembered the owner of that deep voice then quickly stood up.
Indeed the force ghost of Luke Skywalker had been haunting him like he said he would when he was alive.
''Don't they have padawans in the afterlife to keep you busy'', Ren said in a vile tone to help stir bad memories that would hopefully make him leave.
He scanned his surroundings for Luke when he felt someone behind him. He didn't turn but tilted his head enough to see the light of Luke's force ghost illuminate the cave.
Luke Skywalker grinned and then laughed a melodious laugh. ''Ahh my nephew you've always been a rebel without a cause always sneaking in those low blo.' Ren enraged by his former masters' words immediately turned around in a violent fashion to strike the Jedi only to cut down a stalagmite. The force ghost was gone and once again he was left alone in the darkness. His crossguard lightsaber humming loudly as he breathed deep ragged breaths
This was only the second occasion the Skywalker had visited him, the last time around he had nearly cut down two Stormtroopers that stood where Luke had. His uncle thought he could share a few jokes, talk about the good times and expect he to run back to mummy crying about everyone he killed.
He was stronger than Anakin he would rise above the illusion that was called love. The illusion that caused Vader to turn and prevent him from achieving the true power of the darkness.
He powered down his lightsaber and proceeded to go take a long, warm bath. All he wanted now was some sleep. A lot had happened today and he deserved a long rest.
When Ren was making his way to his quarters he had noticed a lot more security than usual. He shrugged off the thought and entered his room. The thought crossed his mind again as he lay on his bed but he didn't think twice as the darkness soothed him into a deep sleep.