*A/N...Ever think you have a chapter totally planned out and then midway through delete it and start over? No? Just me? Ok, cool! =P*
"Supreme Leader wishes to speak with us."
"Us?" I repeat, any trace of color draining from my face. I stare up at Kylo Ren in terror, the memories of Snoke pulsing through my head. Ren simply nods in response, his hand finding my lower back. With a push as if to motivate my feet to walk, I begin down the hall. The look on Ari's face simultaneously breaks my heart and makes me feel stronger. He doesn't even try to hide his contempt for Kylo Ren, glowering behind us as we enter the makeshift throne room.
The inhumanly large hologram appears in front of the three of us. I shift behind Kylo slightly as he and Armitage step forward. The two even fight to be the alpha male in front of their supreme leader. The sight calms me a bit and I almost giggle under my breath. I stifle it with a quiet cough, earning an inconspicuous slap against my hip from my master.
"Remember your place." His voice radiates in my mind, and I straighten instantly.
"The droid will soon be delivered to the resistance," Snoke's deep, controlled voice echos through the room. "Leading them to the last Jedi. If Skywalker returns, the new Jedi will rise."
"Supreme Leader," Hux, like the good little soldier he is, confidently begins. "I take full responsibility for th-"
"General!" He intervenes, rising to his feet. I flinch, keeping my eyes downcast. "Our strategy must now change."
"The weapon is ready. I believe the time has come to use it." Armitage has this response locked and loaded before Snoke can eve blink. I see so much of our father in him as he speaks. "We shall destroy the government that supports the Resistance, the Republic. Without their friends to support them, the Resistance will be vulnerable. We will stop them before they reach Skywalker."
Supreme Leader Snoke seems to consider this for a moment before waving his hand in acceptance.
"Go. Oversee preparations."
"Yes, Supreme Leader." With a cocksure smirk, Hux marches off. I want nothing more than to slap that arrogant look off of his face. This is the first I've heard mention of any weapon capable of such destruction. Is my brother really so drunk with power that he's created one?
Snoke sits, a new intimacy in his gravely voice. "There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?"
"Yes." Kylo replies, bowing his head respectfully. I follow his lead.
"There is something more. The droid we seek is aboard the Millenium Falcon. In the hands of your father...Han Solo."
My head jerks up, unable to hide my surprise as well as Kylo Ren has. The stories in his journal flash across my mind. I remember the disdain he seemed to feel for his father and his abandonment. Ren's visor tilts up to meet the eyes of the grayscaled creature.
"By the grace of your training, I will not be seduced." The vocoder masks whatever emotion flares up inside of him, but i sense that even without his mask the response would have sounded robotic. He has been preparing for this for many years.
"We shall see.." Snoke ponders, leaning back as the hologram flickers out.
I reach out, brushing my hand against his in the now dark room. He pulls away from my touch instinctively but softens just as quickly, taking my hand in his.
"I'll be by your side no matter what." I encourage, sensing the conflict in his mind. The shadows in the room seem to engulf him, blending with his black robes and helmet.
"Go get some rest. The dark circles under your eyes betray you." The sudden subject change throws me off my guard but I nod in acceptance, too tired to argue.
My room seems larger than usual as I drag myself inside and flop back against the bed, rubbing my eyes with my palms. What has gotten into me recently? The hold Kylo Ren has on my heartstrings is so strong that I was.. and I still am willing to give up everything. My brother, my job, hell at this point I'm existing on this ship solely as his apprentice. An afterthought in the mind of the Supreme Leader. Pathetic. I crawl under the warmth of my quilt, not bothering to slip out of my clothes and bury my face in a pillow. Stop being so submissive. Prove you are worth his time.. I think, closing my eyes tightly and giving in to the inviting pull of sleep washing over me.
A shiver runs up my spine as I stand in the middle of a snow covered forest. Not this again. I look around, instantly recognizing my surroundings. I see Kylo Ren's ship above me and jump to catch the pilots attention. The still acsending door to the ship shows me a glimpse of Ren with the brunette girl. Armitage stares down at me from the cockpit. As our eyes meet, he turns away quickly and the ship rises higher into the air. The planet around me shakes as explosions boom in all directions.
I run at full speed, screaming at the top of my lungs for the ship to come back for me but it's too late. I come to a halt just before a massive crack in the earth and fall to my knees, sobbing as I watch the ship drift from view. A dark laugher sounds in my mind.
"Nothing more than a distraction." Snokes voice rings out.
I bolt up from the mattress, whipping my head around the room as I come back into reality. My heart beats wildly against my chest and I feel hot tears slipping down my cheeks. No. I think, clenching my teeth tightly.I allow myself a few moments to compose myself before crawling out of bed. The clock against my wall tells me it's the middle of the night but I could care less. I'm no ones distraction.
A newfound sense of purpose bursts inside of me and I run through the Finalizer until I reach the training room. I stand in the middle of the room, reaching my arm out and letting the force take over as begin practicing pulling objects into my hand. My first attempt, a bottle of water, falls just shy of my hand and I grumble. Again.. The memory of Kylo pushing me during combat training replays in my mind. I close my eyes, willing myself to try again, but just as before it hits the ground before reaching me.
"You're thinking too hard." Kylo Ren's low voice travels through my eardrums. Whirling around to the doorway, I see him. His shoulder leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest in a casual manner. His usual controlled, intimidating appearance is replaced with a relaxed, almost sleepy demeanor. I run my fingers through my hair, becoming vaguely aware of how ridiculous i must look and smile softly.
"This is an interesting way to rest." He chides.
"I couldn't sleep." I shrug lightly, only kind of fibbbing.
"And that's why you, in your pajama's and with tear stained cheeks, have decided to come train alone?" His long legs carry him closer to me, and he trails his thumb across my cheek, gently. I look into his quizzical gaze, and bite at my bottom lip.
"Do you agree with Snoke?" I blurt out, knitting my brows together. "I don't want to be some kind of burden."
The question seems to surprise him and he frowns. His unreadable expression unnerves me, contrasting with the warmth of his bare hand against my cheek.
"Yes." He states, matter-of-factly, pushing a hair away from my eyes.