Author's Note:
Time travel is a relatively new concept to Star Wars, but I'm not making this up—the World Between Worlds is current SW canon. It made its first appearance in a multi-episode plotline at the end of the Rebels cartoon my boys watch (Darth Sidious searches for portals to enter the World Between Worlds, and the good guys find one in a Jedi temple on a besieged world). Think this is a one-off? It's not. On Rebels, you access the portal in the Jedi Temple through a painting of the Mortis family characters from the Clone Wars cartoon. And every hard-core SW fan knows that George Lucas himself did the whole Mortis story arc from Clone Wars. But is it just a Dave Filoni self-reference, you ask? Nope. The World Between Worlds also apparently appears in a new Darth Vader comic book (Lord Vader is trying to construct a portal to the World Between Worlds at his Mustafar castle so he can use it to see Padme).
Now, there's always been plenty of EU Legends craziness going on and I am by no means an expert on it all. Plus, I'll be honest-when the World Between Worlds concept first appeared in Rebels I was not a fan. It just seemed like a convenient plot device, sort of like the Force bond idea. But then I thought about it not as a means to control or change things in the current reality, but merely as a way to escape it. I am struck by the concept of sad, still conflicted Darth Vader building a tuning fork shaped castle to focus the Force and find his lost love. Just like lonely Kylo Ren goes into the Force looking for company and advice. These men can have any earthly possession they want. But, naturally, they want the things credits cannot buy and power cannot achieve. This is the yearning that Dark power cannot fulfill and the isolation it tends to amplify. In my AU, I'm assuming Vader did construct a portal at his Mustafar castle and his grandson Kylo has found it.
The point is that this story continues my goal to do in-universe fan fiction. Wherever possible, I like to stay in canon. I just prefer to look at the SW canon from the Dark point of view and that can dramatically shift the meaning of characters and events. Point of view matters. Whether it's politics, race, gender, class, religion, whatever—we all view and experience the world differently. Those competing viewpoints—which are often rational and sincerely held—explain a lot of the conflicts in life. It's why right/wrong arguments fail to persuade me personally for all but the mortal sins of life.
Separately, I should apologize in advance for this totally unplanned, off the cuff story. Normally, I never start a story unless I have a general sense of where the characters are going and why. A few stories (Fulcrum, Darker) were reverse engineered and the ending was written first. Not this fic. I have nothing, folks. No clue except a few vague thoughts here and there. But I write for stress release and I really need that currently. Mr. Blue was in an accident days ago and now has a right leg broken in five places. That has turned our life upside down and so I find myself reflexively reaching for my phone to type out random story bits. Right now, escaping into Reylo is more appealing than dealing with reality. So bear with me if this fic appears in fits and starts. If it truly meanders nowhere, I will just delete it. So please lower your expectations. I was going to start this story under a pseudonym just to make it easy to disappear. But creating multiple accounts got tricky and takes time and I gave up. Please lower your expectations for this one.
Rey is a long, long way from Jakku. That has more to do with who she is now, than where she is. For her experiences have changed her.
What is there good to say about her brief intense stint with the Resistance? Not much. It forced her to confront the long buried, much repressed truth about her parents. That got her off Jakku. There was no reason to remain there waiting in vain for a family who will never come.
And maybe that is the true meaning of her time with the Resistance: it matured her. She's moved past fairytales of good versus evil and love conquering all. They are moral fantasies that don't hold up in the real world. Rey has also put away childish dreams of being rescued from her circumstances. She will have to save herself and make her own future. There is no one to help her now. And while she still wishes she could belong to someone or some cause, she will choose more wisely next time. She was foolish to rush headlong into war only to see her new friends slaughtered before her very eyes.
She had a lot of anger about that at first. Then, she became mired in survivor's guilt. Finally, she accepted what happened and moved on. Rey no longer wants to be a hero. She's given up on the Force. She won't risk opposing the First Order any longer. For what is the point? Kylo Ren had the perfect opportunity to choose the Light and he declined. Short of killing him, what can she do? Change comes mostly from within. She can't make him see things differently if he refuses.
Rey understands Luke Skywalker much better now. She herself lived two months with the Resistance before she gave up the fight. Luke Skywalker stuck with it for far longer than that. What must it have felt like for Master Skywalker to spend his whole life at war? Watching his friends die while he grew old? Seeing his star student turn on him? No wonder Luke Skywalker retreated to Ahch-To. He had done all he could do, and it still wasn't enough. The legacy of the Jedi is failure, she remembers him saying. In the end, he was right. Because when Rey herself tried to be a good Jedi, nothing went as planned.
In hindsight, Rey sees how foolish she was. She was a bystander who got caught up in a war. She stayed involved mostly because it was her ticket off Jakku and a chance to make real friendships. The Resistance offered her a home and an opportunity to belong to something bigger than herself. Rey had been dazzled by the chance to be a noble Jedi Knight. She was taken in by romantic dreams of fighting for truth and justice against all odds. Impressed too by the esprit de corps of the underdog, ragtag band of Resistance members. That this was happening to a nobody like herself fueled her belief that the Force had chosen her as its champion. The orphan scavenger Rey of Jakku would be the one to convince the prodigal Skywalker heir to return to the Light. Because with hope and help, surely Ben Solo would seek redemption. Right? If Kylo Ren's beloved grandfather Darth Vader would do it, then surely he would too.
Yes, she had been a fool.
In the end, her grand gesture only enabled Kylo Ren to kill his Master and consolidate his power. He moved quickly to eradicate what remained of his opposition. Then he set up his capital on Coruscant and began running the show.
For two years, Rey has watched from a distance. There are no more connections between her and Kylo through the Force. After Crait, she effectively shut down the strange bond they shared. It had sputtered and flickered a few times afterwards before it ended for good. That had been a great relief. It meant Rey was back to being what she should have been all along: an onlooker to galactic events. Not center stage in a starring role.
Kylo Ren's reign looks okay if you squint your eyes, but up close the truth reveals itself. His Second Empire is as repressive as Rey feared it would be. It's supposedly peacetime now, but the ranks of civilian leadership on all the major systems are full of First Order military personnel. Their official party line is fascist doublespeak that stonewalls the truth very effectively. The resulting culture of fear has people holding their breath for what's coming next. For the First Order brought peace and order but at great cost. After what happened to Hosnia, nothing is unthinkable now.
The trappings of the new regime ape the throwback ways of their predecessor Empire. There is even a new Imperial Senate. Suddenly everything retro is chic again. But it's all a little wannabe, like the First Order is trying too hard for legitimacy. There is widespread sentiment that these guys are a bunch of losers who never would have cut it back in Palpatine's day. People fear them, but they don't respect them. And that matters far more than the First Order will admit.
The rumors of Kylo Ren's violent rages and mental instability don't help matters. A good portion of the populace finds the thirty-three-year-old Supreme Leader a bit of an embarrassment. The conventional wisdom holds that he is in way over his head. The Core World news media considers him pathetic and worthy of contempt, but still extremely dangerous. Like an incel with an assault rifle blaster walking into a school, he'll soon go out in a nihilist blaze of glory, they predict. But he'll take plenty of innocents with him, and that's the problem. It's why two years after Crait, the galaxy is still in wait-and-see mode.
Except for Rey. She's moved on from her disillusionment and disappointment. She's gotten used to people letting her down. First Luke Skywalker wasn't all she hoped for, then she faced the truth about her parents' betrayal, and finally Ben Solo wasn't who she wanted him to be either. So, Rey is done with placing her faith in others. She will depend only on herself. Now, she lives an anonymous, quiet life working an average job. She's nothing now, like Kylo once said himself. But all in all, it's not a bad life. Rey is far more secure and much less alone than on Jakku. It ought to make her happy, but it doesn't. But it's good enough for now.
There was a cute guy on third shift who she was friendly with awhile back. He met her for caf and they chatted a few times. But he must have lost interest and then he sort of disappeared. So far no one else has caught her eye. Maybe in time, she thinks. Rey still wants a family. And if there is no family to claim her, then she will make a family of her own to love. One day she'll meet a good guy and they will settle down and build a life together. Maybe have some kids. But she's still waiting for all that. And, well, Rey of Jakku is very good at waiting. There's no rush.
Things were going just fine on Dantooine until half an hour before the end of her shift when a bunch of black armored First Order shock troopers flooded through every factory exit. In all, twenty men came for her. Rey was face down on the floor in handcuffs before she knew it. Her horrified supervisor called after her as she was hustled out: "Is there someone I should call?" Rey shook her head. Because as usual, at every crisis moment of her life she has been alone. Loneliness is her lot in life.
They never ask her any questions. They never give her any formal charge. She never sees a judge. She just boards a heavily armed shuttle for a long ride to Coruscant. And that leads her to this moment. Rey is marched forward shackled hand and foot into a fancy throne room that can only belong to one man.
Sure enough, there is the fallen Skywalker prince seated on his high throne. He has his helmet on. She can't see his face. Rey remembers the first time she saw his face. She had been startled by the openness of his expression beneath the mask. Kylo Ren turned out to be young and disarmingly attractive, not at all the deformed monster who would merit covering. But soon, Rey would learn that even handsome princes can be monsters. The mask this man wears doesn't hide his true self, Rey now knows. It reflects who Kylo Ren truly is.
Looking around, she sees how sparse the room is. Maybe it is supposed to appear elegant, but she finds the effect cold. This is a space that is decorated mostly with guards, after all. Rey sizes it up, taking in the giant red and black banner of the First Order that hangs as a focal point over the high chair. "Where are the red curtains?" she wonders aloud as she is unceremoniously shoved to her knees. "This place needs the Snoke touch," she indulges in a little snark.
"Shut up, woman!" the guard at her right growls. Then, he snaps to attention and presents her to the Supreme Leader himself.
"The Resistance girl from Dantooine, Sir."
"Uncuff her," Kylo Ren orders.
While the guards do his bidding, Rey shoots him a look. "Where's the sparkly golden bathrobe? You look underdressed for that seat. Or maybe you're overdressed," she reconsiders. "I'm not sure . . ."
"Hello Rey," Kylo purrs from behind his mask.
"What do you want?" Resentment drips from her words.
"Did you miss me?"
Is that a real question? She responds with an emphatic "no."
That answer somehow pleases him. "I like that you're not afraid of me," he observes. And, it's true. Rey is far less afraid at this moment than she is annoyed. Truthfully, this guy gets under her skin. She has very mixed emotions about Kylo Ren. Lots of anger, tons of disappointment, some regret, and a surprising amount of pity. It's complicated between them, and always has been.
"I thought I was done with you. It's been—" she pauses to think.
"Two years and three months," he readily supplies the answer. "Why haven't you done anything with your life?"
"I have a life."
"Dantooine seems a bit dull for you. Quality control at a droid factory?"
She shrugs. "It's an okay job."
"Really? For a woman of your talents?" He is mocking her. "I hear you have worked your way up to night shift supervisor. Maybe in another two years you'll get promoted to the day shift. In thirty years, maybe you'll earn a pension and you can retire to a wreck on Jakku—"
"Why am I here?" she interrupts. It's a bit rude and probably disrespectful too, but Rey is direct by nature. Growing up on Jakku taught her to get to the point fast. She's never been one for small talk and social niceties.
Kylo sits forward in his chair. "Don't be a stranger, Rey. Like I told you, you have an open offer to join me. I can give you much more than the droid factory."
"No, thanks."
"You are not acting in your own self-interest," he observes.
"Actually, I am. Staying far away from you is the safest choice I can make," Rey informs him. "Everyone I have ever cared for is dead thanks to you." That last bit comes out a bit choked at the end. Truthfully, Rey tries not to look back on those moments because they are so painful to relive.
Naturally, Kylo Ren has no remorse. "Let the past die. Move on."
"I have," she snaps. "I'm not saving the galaxy or learning the Force. And I'm damn sure not saving you."
"I liked you saving my soul," Kylo says softly. And was that sarcasm or not? Rey is unsure. "You didn't come to kill me, you came to be killed. My uncle would have been proud."
Actually, Luke Skywalker told her not to go. But Rey keeps her silence. The less said about their confrontation on Snoke's ship, the better.
"So . . . you're making droids. Is that your vocation now?"
Rey lifts her chin. "Yes."
"You could be so much more."
"No, not really. I have no education. I have no degree and no credentials. But the droid factory is steady work and it pays the bills." Rey is defensive and it shows. But she decides to own who she is. "I work with my hands and I am unashamed of that. Did you drag me here just to make fun of me?" she demands. "Because I really don't care what you think."
"I have an offer for you."
"I already told you no."
"This is a new offer."
"I won't be your Apprentice."
"I want you to be a Senator."
Rey blinks. She didn't see that pitch coming. "A politician? No, thanks. I'm not joining the First Order party. I was Resistance until the end, remember?"
"That's why I want you as a Senator," he tells her cryptically.
What's his angle on all this? Well, it doesn't really matter. "Dantooine already had its election. Your offer is a bit late."
"I'm the Supreme Leader. I can't be too late. I am appointing you to the Senate as an At Large member from the Rim."
"So, no election?"
Rey can sense his smirk behind the mask. "I'm not much for democracy."
"Which is why I really don't belong in your sham of a Senate with its gerrymandered elections," she retorts. "Am I supposed to be some sort of token opposition? Is that it?"
"Basically."
Rey's tone is scathing. "I won't be your pawn."
"I don't want you for a pawn. I have a Senate full of pawns already. I want you for a foe."
Huh? Rey still finds this offer befuddling. That makes her suspicious. Why go to all the trouble to destroy the Resistance if you're just going to appoint its members to your Senate? She scowls at Kylo. "Look, I'm done saving the galaxy. You won. Do what you want. But don't expect me to help you."
"I want you for a foe," he repeats.
"No, thanks."
"This is an offer you can't refuse," he warns.
Rey cocks her head and raises an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're gonna kill me if I won't serve in your Senate?"
"No, I'm going to kill someone else." Kylo turns to some official looking guy in a uniform standing nearby. "Bring the children in."
That doesn't sound good, Rey thinks with a gulp. And now forty kids in school uniforms are led in by their silent, stone faced teachers and chaperones.
"What is this?" Rey demands, looking from the school group to Kylo Ren and back again.
"These are second graders who have a class field trip to the palace today. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Rey turns outraged eyes on him. "You wouldn't dare—"
"Of course, I would." As if to prove his point, Kylo abruptly stands and lights his sword as he jumps down from the dais. Grabbing the nearest child, he turns to Rey. "Shall I start with this one? She looks like a little version of you. It's sort of fitting."
"No! Stop!" Rey instantly objects. "Stop!"
"You have reconsidered?" Kylo asks as the little girl quakes and squirms in his grip. The crackling buzz of his sword is the only sound in the room for a long moment as everyone holds their breath. "Well?" Kylo prompts.
Rey starts bargaining. It's an old habit from Jakku. "What do I have to do as Senator?"
"You would live here on Coruscant and participate in all legislative proceedings. Probably sit on a few committees and task forces. Make speeches. Meet with lobbyists. Schmooze. That sort of thing."
That sounds like Hell for an introvert like herself who gets anxious in social situations and is self-conscious about her lack of formal schooling. Rey sort of shrinks now as she says in a small voice. "I can't do any of that. I'm not qualified to do that."
"Who cares? Now, if that's your final answer, let's get to it." Kylo raises his sword above the terrified child's head.
"No! No! Stop!" Rey rushes over to intervene. The guards who escorted her in hasten to tackle her, but Rey throws them away with the Force. It's an automatic gesture, made without thinking. For the Force never deserts Rey when she needs it most. And now again, she can sense Kylo's smirk behind the mask.
"Yes?" Kylo asks as he waves away the guards who stalk over with weapons drawn.
"I'll do it," Rey answers quickly as she stares into the silently pleading face of the captive little girl.
Kylo's response is downright smug. "That was easy." He deactivates his sword and releases the child. Then, he dismisses the entire school group. Turning back to the man in uniform standing nearby, Kylo orders, "Administer the oath."
"Raise your right hand," Kylo's minion instructs as he steps forward and pulls out a datapad to read from.
"Er . . . what?" Confused, Rey looks to Kylo.
"It's your loyalty oath," he explains. "You are being sworn into my Senate."
"Right now?"
"Yes. After you are sworn in, this man will take you to the Chancellor's Chief of Staff. He will tell you what you need to know." Kylo commands again, "Administer the oath."
"This is a mistake," Rey tells him between gritted teeth.
"Maybe," Kylo allows, "but it will improve your resume considerably."
"Repeat after me please," Kylo's henchmen speaks up. "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Second Galactic Empire against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . . "
"I used to be your enemy," she hisses at Kylo.
"Shall I fetch the children again?" he asks innocently. It's a not so subtle threat. These are the sort of stunts that make capricious Kylo Ren notorious.
With a rattled sigh, indignant Rey says the words. Then, Kylo's flunkey continues his prompting. "That I will bear true faith and allegiance to our beloved Supreme Leader Kylo Ren . . ."
Those words in particular stick in her throat. She hesitates.
"What was that, Rey?" Kylo snickers. "I can't hear you." Clearly, he's enjoying this little scene immensely.
"That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Supreme Leader Kylo Ren," Rey edits a bit while she glares.
"That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion . . . "
"Does coercion count?" Rey wonders aloud.
"No," Kylo responds gleefully. "Say the words."
She does.
"And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of Senator of the Imperial Senate," the flunkey concludes.
With marked lack of enthusiasm, Rey completes the oath.
"There. Now you are the youngest member of my Senate," Kylo decrees, sounding very pleased. "Go forth and make seditious speeches, Rey. You're my new Mon Mothma."
"You mean Leia Organa," she corrects. And that might be a low blow, but he deserves it.
"No, that's too weird," Kylo grumbles. "Way too weird. You're nothing like her." He drops that topic and now begins making threats. "To be clear, you serve at my pleasure, but your appointment is otherwise for life. Should you shirk your duties or attempt to run away, there will be consequences. Meaning I will vent my anger on whatever batch of kids are here touring my palace that day."
Rey is furious at having been kidnapped and manipulated in this fashion. "You're a petty monster!" she rages.
He shrugs. "You knew that already." Then, he drops the sarcasm and suddenly sounds very sincere. "It's good to see you, Rey. I think this will be good for you. You're capable of far more than you realize and you're in a rut on Dantooine. I think you might like this once you get used to it."
"I highly doubt that," she retorts acidly. "I'm now a prisoner of your Senate with a life sentence, right?"
"No," he counters. "You are free to live your life so long as you do your job. This is the bright center of the universe, Rey. Coruscant beats Dantooine any day and it's a big step up from Jakku."
"Why are you doing this?" After two years, why has this man walked back into her life in such a dramatic fashion?
"Balance," he answers. "When Darkness rises, Light must meet it."
"I'm not the Light. I've given up on the Force," she gripes.
"You threw my men around easily enough," he points out. "If you're rusty, it doesn't show."
"I'm not the Light. Not anymore." Rey gave up all that two years and three months ago. Like Luke Skywalker sulking on his island, Rey has conceded. It's a lesson she originally learned back on Jakku: don't pick fights you can't win. "Find someone else," she disavows her role, "because I'm not the Light."
"Of course, you are," Kylo counters. "If you weren't, that little girl would be dead." He steps closer now. He is surprisingly empathetic. "You can't help being who you are any more than I can, Rey. So stop fighting it. Congratulations, Senator," he tells her. "Welcome to the regime. You are dismissed to go make all the trouble you want."
"You actually want me to publicly oppose you?" Rey is still confused.
He nods. "Bring it on."