Chapter 2

Kylo wakes early the next morning, he lays on the bed, without moving, thinking about the previous days events. With a little effort, Kylo pulls himself from bed, showers and gets dressed. He walks to the door and hesitates for a moment, he understands why the rebels are reluctant but it is still awkward when all eyes are on him. taking a deep breath, Kylo opens the door, steps out and pulls the door shut quietly behind him. Unsure where he's going, Kylo begins walking the halls and hoping to bump into Rey, so it won't feel so awkward. He continues walking and sees Leia. She smiles warmly at him and gestures him to walk with her. Kylo walks beside his mother.

"Did you sleep well?" Leia asks her son

"For the most part." Kylo replies "It's weird sleeping somewhere else after so long."

"I know you might not want to hear this right now," Leia begins "But I do hope that after this is over you'll stay with us."

"At this point, that's the plan." Kylo says "I have nowhere else to go. I think I was overthrown because of my conflict if I'm honest."

"Just remember, you can't keep ignoring that conflict forever, it will tear you apart." Leia sighs

"I know." Kylo replies "It already has. Everything I've done just seems to come back to haunt me. My father is still with me, even when I try to ignore it, I didn't even have the guts to pull the trigger on you after what I did to my father."

"Maybe that's a sign." Leia says

"Maybe." Kylo sighs "There's just so much conflict, I don't know what to do with myself."

"Let it go."
Leia says"There's no point causing yourself suffering. Only you know what you want, and what's best for you. Do whatever your heart tells you."

"I don't know what it wants." Kylo sighs

"You'll know." Leia says putting a hand on her son's shoulder "When the time is right."

"I hope so" Kylo replies"I'm fed up of the conflict now. I'm fed up of battling with myself and not knowing what I want. All I want is this conflict to end."

"It will, but don't prolong it. Let destiny take it's course." Leia replies reassuringly

Kylo sighs, hoping his mother is right. Rey notices Ben and walks over to him. She smiles warmly and invites him to sit with her, Leia leaves her son with a smile and goes off to do her own duties.

"I will be going off to train soon, you can join me if you like?"
Rey asks

"Sure." Kylo replies "Thanks."

Rey leads Kylo off to an open space outside of the base where they could freely train. Kylo takes off his jacket to reveal a black vest top underneath and tosses it aside. They spend a few hours going over lightsaber techniques. Kylo teaches Rey some new lightsaber techniques and Rey shows Kylo some of her own. After a few hours of training, Kylo and Rey retire from training, Rey is panting a little and rather sweaty, but it was obvious the training didn't bother Kylo at all, he came back looking as he did when he went out! Kylo shakes his jacket and throws it over one shoulder so it's resting on his shoulder. Finn hands Rey and Kylo a bottle of water, Rey drinks it like she hasn't had a drink in 3 days. Kylo casually drinks his, rather amused at Rey's turnout.

"Are you always so worn out after training?"
Kylo says with an amused look

"No" Rey pants "I don't usually have someone to train with though."

"Hmm" Kylo laughs a little "I can see that!"

Kylo puts his jacket back on and zips it up.

"So what are we going to do about Palpatine?"
Finn asks

"I have no idea." Kylo replies"Maybe we should ask my mother. She knows more about him than any of us do."

"Well, we should go find out!" Rey says

Rey, Finn and Kylo go to find Leia. She's in her quarters taking care of some business when Rey knocks on the door. Rey stands back a little and waits for Leia to allow her entry.

"Come in." Leia replies to the knock.

Rey, Kylo and Finn enter the room.

"We were wondering if you could help us?" Kylo asks

"Well what can I do for you?"
Leia replies

"Could you tell us what you know about Emperor Palpatine?" Kylo asks

"It's a shame Luke isn't here.
" Leia says "He faced the Emperor more than I did. what I do know, of course is that the Emperor is very manipulative. He will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to take a new apprentice. He will most likely try and turn you Rey, or even try and get you to be his apprentice, Ben. It'll just be a repeat of before, and we don't need so many lost lives. No matter what he offers you. It's all a lie to get you to do his bidding."

"Not a chance I'm letting that wrinkly old bag tell me what to do." Kylo says confidently

"I actually agree with Ben." Rey replies

"Glad to hear it." Leia says "When he rose to power the first time, he ultimately reorganised the Republic and Galactic Empire, invoked Martial Law and declares himself Emperor. That's when he took an apprentice by manipulating Anakin Skywalker into joining the Dark Side."

"So he did the same as what Snoke did to Ben?" Rey asks

"Essentially, yes." Leia replies"The only reason the Emperor was defeated was because Vader turned on him to save Luke's life."

"He was thrown into one of the shafts in the Death Star though?" Kylo asks"How did he survive that? He was definitely alive and well."

"You already know Jedi become Force Ghosts once they die." Leia replies"But those on the Dark Side do not become Force Ghosts. In order to be able to 'come back' is if they store their essence in a Holocron. Also, clones is another way to keep a body. They are more so known for attaching their essence to where they died. But if he got on a ship and left the planet, he's probably got clones and his essence is placed in each clone upon death."

"So the Emperor is a clone?" Kylo asks

"basically." Leia replies"There's no other way he'd have survived the fall."

"When I encountered Luke I remember he stopped himself from falling to the ground using the Force." Rey replies"Could the Emperor have done the same?"

"From that height?" Leia questions"I have no idea. Luke knows more about the Force. I never trained so don't know as much."

"We have to figure out a way to stop him, and for good."
Rey says

"Looks like it!" Kylo replies"This may take a while! Well, until then, we must be ready for whatever Palpatine throws at us."

"Agreed." Leia replies"The Force is very out of balance, it needs to be balanced once more. I feel it."

"As do I." Kylo replies"The Dark Side has taken over a majority of the Force."

"Wouldn't you turning to the Light shift the balance?" Poe suddenly pipes up

Kylo turns around to see Poe leaning against the doorframe with a slight smirk.

"It's not that simple." Kylo sighs

"Sure it is." Poe says with a smirk"More so if you have conflict."

"I haven't even had much time to focus on it. More pressing matters are first priority." Kylo replies

"You have much time to train with Rey though don't you?" Poe says sounding more jealous than anything

"I'm not sure why Force users training is a problem?" Kylo asks

"The point is, people are beginning to talk. People are worried about your intentions." Poe says"Basically, if you're going to fight with us, you should consider turning to the Light."

"I want the same thing you do." Kylo replies

"Then prove it." Poe says"Leave the Dark Side behind you."

"You know it hasn't been easy for me either." Kylo sighs"I understand everyone's concern, but I'm not here to fight you. Turning to the Light is not going to be easy for me, after everything I've done. The Dark Side teaches you to hide all emotions, except anger and hate. I'd have to let in everything else as well and I don't know how I'll take it."

"Everything happens for a reason." Leia replies"I have hope that you'll make the right choice. Only you know what you need."

Kylo smiles at his mother a little and leaves the room. He finds a balcony where he can overlook the afternoon sun. This gives him time to think. Since being at the base he has found that his conflict is stronger. It was expected, but not to this scale. He thinks about his conflict, but thinks about his goal. Kylo thought he could end his conflict by killing his father, but it only made his conflict worse. Kylo knows everyone has a destiny, so what is his? Could this be the starting path of his destiny? Could Ben Solo come back? Would the Resistance accept him? Kylo had so many questions but no answers. One questions only he could answer; Who is Kylo going to be? Kylo Ren or Ben Solo?