The Precinct was a cylinder, with a walkway that ran straight down the middle. In their current situation the Stormtroopers were surrounding them from both the circular walkways and the walkway in the middle. Rey didn't like their odds, but she had seen Kylo Ren fight before. He was ferocious like a savage beast, as if every fight was his last and he was going to utilize every ounce of his power.
Within seconds the troopers were blasting away at the former Dark Lord. "Get behind that beam," Kylo instructed Rey, with his synthetic, commanding voice.
She knew he wanted this to be non-negotiable, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Kylo's side – to leave him fending for himself. The Stormtroopers as well as this Captain Phasma were relentless in their attack on Kylo. They were strategically landing all their fire on him, trying to catch him off guard, but Ren was defending himself admirably. It was unintentional, but Rey felt her eyes widen in shock. Ben was fighting like a true Jedi Knight; he was moving his saber so fast even she was having a hard time keeping track of his movements. Ben was rebounding their shots – a few of the Stormtroopers fell over the ledge and tumbled down into nothingness.
Rey could feel the heat as blaster shots whizzed right past her side. She was still standing behind Kylo wanting to defend her friends. These trained killers, these Stormtroopers had tried to kill her at every turn. These First Order soldiers were responsible for the attack on Maz's castle, and for nearly killing her on Jakku.
Rey turned around to see Han and Chewie on her right tightly tucked away and Finn on the left – they were all using the metal pipes in the Precinct to hide behind. Han was particularly aggressive, his face locked in a focused, and dangerous state. Finn looked quite seasoned for this too, it was good to see her friend excited to fight back. The three of them were blasting away the soldiers from the circular scaffolds, which was releasing pressure on Ben.
Rey rolled to the left and pressed herself against the metal pipe and Finn. She stood up to get a better view of the soldiers, and that's when Rey's hand collided with a metal object on Finn's belt. Eyes wide, Rey saw the lightsaber from Maz's castle, the lightsaber that had called to her, Luke Skywalker's old lightsaber. Unable to control herself, Rey found herself reaching for it and plucking the blade right off Finn's belt.
The metal hilt was cold against her skin, but it felt so right to hold the blade in her hand. The first time she had Luke's rightful lightsaber she'd been terrified, still shaken from her vision. The Force that had been emitted from the saber had frightened her, but the strength of the Force coursing through her veins now was empowering.
Her brown eyes shot up and settled on Ben. She had practiced for this: blocking shots, stopping bullets in the air, using the Force to push enemies away. A meek smirk danced across the scavenger's lips as she realized she was ready for this – to accept the mantle as a Jedi. She was a rare Force-sensitive being, the daughter of a Jedi Knight, a man with honor – and she was going to honor him.
Rey walked out, the feeling of blaster fire soaring past her face startled her momentarily. The sound of the lightsaber's rhythmic humming was helping to relax her as she took her place next to Kylo Ren. The blue from her saber mixed with the unstable red which illuminated off Ben's mask. He was still blocking the Stormtroopers shots, his head focused straight ahead. The troopers were keeping their distance from them, so they had removed the element of close combat. Instead her and Ben were put on the defensive blocking shots was the only form of attack.
The walkway to her and Kylo's current position was narrow for the Stormtroopers to cross. Rey smiled as an idea jumped into her thoughts. Instantly, she outstretched her palm as a wave of Force energy was dispelled from her hand. The troopers on the scaffold were knocked down and two tumbled over the edge. Not given much time to revel in her victory, Rey pulled her lightsaber up to block a blasted that was flying at her.
Now the Stormtroopers were taking a keen interesting in both her and Kylo equally. Even Captain Phasma had fallen back as her soldiers were felled. Now the captain was using them as a shield, forcing them to defend herself as if her life mattered more than theirs. It was good to see that even with numbers on their side the captain still wasn't confident enough to challenge them. Both her and Kylo slowly were creeping along the center walk way – it was minute but it was progress.
That's when the scavenger heard a scream resonate off the metal walls of the Precinct. It had come from behind her – she tried to stay focused but Rey found herself turning around to see Finn clutching his side in desperation. Helplessly, her friend fell to his knees, and his fingers sunk into the metal grating of the floor. Blood was flowing down and dripping into the nothingness below them.
No. No, no, no! Her head was spinning and Rey wanted to run over there to help her friend up, but she couldn't. If she stopped blocking shots she could get hurt, or worse they could hurt her and Ben.
Sorry, Finn, you will have to wait a few minutes, she told herself reluctantly.
Rey's eyes zoomed in on Ben, his position had advanced passed hers. His saber was soaring through the air like a bright red beacon as he slashed through his enemies. That's when she noticed Ben had cleared the last of the Stormtroopers off the center scaffold. The sound of his boots smashing against metal was intense. Rey saw Kylo charging at the nearly unguarded Captain Phasma. Her eyes widened as Ren sliced through the last two troopers defending the Captain. The savagery in his attacks were well noted, he was determined to get to this officer.
Phasma was about to try an escape but Ben's hand flew forward, stopping the big-boned officer in her tracks. The captain was paralyzed – Rey knew how hopeless it felt to be trapped in Kylo Ren's forceful grasp, it hadn't been terribly long since she'd been caught in his ability.
"You're not leaving Phasma," Rey watched in horror as Ben lifted her off the ground. The officer's hands unconsciously went to her throat as she struggled for freedom.
"You thought you were just going to run away and hide behind Hux. Well you're wrong." To Rey's surprised Kylo said it with high levels of malice. She could feel the former Dark Lord was enjoying how much power and how helpless Captain Phasma was in his clutches.
Fear was stirring within her, she remembered the anger that had radiated from Kylo when he'd held Hux in his grasp. She had felt those waves of hatred that had possessed him; Ben held the same level of contempt for this officer. He wanted to destroy her, Rey could feel it in the pit of her stomach – the disgust that roiled within Kylo Ren was powerful.
"Kylo, this isn't about revenge," Rey reminded Ben in a steady voice.
Even through his mask Rey could hear him scoff. "You think she deserves an sympathy? She would've shown us none. It's cruel but we need to kill her."
Rey hated to admit it, but Kylo was right about somethings, Phasma probably wouldn't have shown them a drop of mercy. But that was the way of the First Order, no mercy and no compassion. Part of Rey wanted the girl dead, but destroying every enemy in their way wasn't the Resistance's path or the Jedi's.
"Death doesn't scare me Kylo, kill me now if you dare," the captain declared valiantly. There was no doubt about it, even in the face of death the officer wasn't afraid. She sounded far too confident for that.
The silver-armored officer spoke again. "Remember when I told you that the people in the First Order are wicked people, Lord Ren? Well, there is no changing a wicked person, and you were the most wicked of us all. No matter how hard you try to change for these Resistance traitors, you'll always be a monster."
But before Rey and Kylo Ren could say anything Captain Phasma attempted to break free of Kylo Ren's grasp. She would have been successful except for the fact that Kylo Ren tossed her a little sideways so when she hit the ground her feet were on the edge of the metal scaffold. It was quick but the captain's footing was a shy off balanced. Before they could even do anything Captain Phasma slipped and she was tumbling toward nothingness. Her silver armor blazed a brilliant trail as she fell straight down into the misty endless Precinct.
Joints locked from shock, Rey finally found the energy to look up at Ben. He seemed equally surprised at how things had transpired, about how he'd lost his grip on Phasma – the scavenger could see it as his fists were balled so tight. Rey wanted to comfort him, but they needed to escape.
Rey turned her saber off and attached it to her belt. In the corner of her eye she noticed Ben had turned his blade off too, but he was still holding it in his hand tightly; his eyes still fixated on where Phasma had fallen.
Rey found her feet directing her back to Finn, Chewie and Han. Her knees knelt to the metal grating as she looked in despair upon her friend. How could she have allowed Finn to be hurt? How? The scavenger had thought she'd lost Finn back on Takodana, but watching him almost bleed to death was far more painful. She reached out to stroke her friend's cheek when a hairy hand stopped her.
Chewie grasped her hand and let go immediately. He picked up Finn from the floor and tucked her friend in his arms. The Wookie let out a massive roar, Rey knew Chewie wanted to get out of here so they could get medical help for Finn.
"Let's head back to the ship now, while we can," Han commanded. "As soon as we get out of here, we are blowing up this joint."
As Rey followed them out of the Precinct and into the cold, her feet felt like metal bricks. Finn was badly wounded; she hadn't been strong enough or diligent enough to protect him. She thought once she'd become a Jedi she would have been better at protecting her friends, but maybe that wasn't the case. Rey finally heard Ben fall into step behind her, as they entered the frozen woods and headed back to the ship.
The sound of the hyperdrive springing into action rang in Rey's ears as she knew they were approaching D'Qar. She had felt the tremors of Starkiller Base as they had taken off – there was no way that base was still intact. Ben Solo had succeeded in helping them shut down the shields and obliterate the First Order weapon. Rey was ecstatic; no longer was she in the hands of the First Order and she could continue on her goal to find Luke. She only wished Ben was as excited as her.
Since they had boarder the Millennium Falcon Ben had been silent. He still hadn't removed his mask or even stopped clutching his saber tightly. It was as if he was caught in a stupor and was unable to release himself. The slits of his mask were directed straight at Chewie who was attending to Finn's wounds. She didn't know why he was so incessant in his staring at Finn, it was as if he wanted her friend to burst into flames and turn to dust.
"Ben are you okay?" Rey inquired meekly; her voice was lacking it's normal strength.
Finally after a few seconds, the former Dark Lord turned his head toward her. "Do you think I'm a monster, Rey?" He said only loud enough for her to hear.
Caught by surprised, Rey was unable to come up with an answer. Her mouth was frozen in a slack-jaw expression. "No," she finally forced words out of herself. "You're the antithesis of a monster, Ben."
It was obvious that her declaration hadn't ease his feelings of despair. "Ben, you've changed. Don't allow some stupid officer deter you when you've worked so hard to fight the darkness," Rey exclaimed. "I believe in you, I know you're a good person Ben."
"I killed Captain Phasma. She knew I would kill her because I'm a monster still. I can't fight the anger sometimes," he muttered in defeat.
"It seemed more like an accident than anything. You're a better person Ben, you saved all of us and most of the Resistance," Rey tried to console him. She wrapped her arm around his side quickly and awarded him a side hug. The former Dark Lord was unresponsive.
Ben Solo remained silent and Rey wasn't certain she could say anymore to lift his spirits. Instead she watched as Chewie tried his best to attend to Finn's wound. He had bandaged it, but what her friend truly needed was a doctor and soon. Rey was worried for him, she wished he'd never been injuried in the firefight, but she had been proud of how he'd fought back.
The feeling of the Falcon landing stirred both her and Ben from their seats. She watched as Chewie picked up Finn and carried him over to exit. Han came from the cockpit, his steps were filled with extra bursts of energy. The smuggled turned to his son and smiled.
"You're mom is waiting for us, she asked me to bring you home. She'll be so happy to see you," he said in a gravelly voice.
The door to the ship opened – bright light streamed in illuminating the whole dull interior of the Falcon. Chewie was the first one to walk out as he carried Finn to medical transport. Rey declared that she would visit him very soon, just as soon as the young Solo had settled in.
Rey, Han and Ben were the next ones to step out of the Millennium Falcon and right away she saw an older lady waiting for them. General Leia Organa, the legendary war hero and the commander of the Resistance. Her hair was braided up top in an old style that Rey didn't recognize, but the general's face seemed to have aged beautifully.
There were no words exchanged as the father, son and mother stared at each other, but Rey could feel this electric and exciting tension escaping into the air. Kylo remained still, his shoulders tense and his statue was almost imperial in nature. Han had a crooked smile on his face, his body was lax as he took one more step forward.
"You told me to bring him home," Han said with a ghostly smirk on his lips. "So I did."
That's when Leia rushed over to her husband and son grappling them in a tight hug. Rey watched the reunion with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.
Thank you, Rey. For giving me the strength to come home. The words rang inside her mind – she knew it was Ben.
So this is what a happy family reunion looks like, Rey thought to herself. She wondered if she would ever have the chance to meet any of her family, with her father dead and the whereabouts of her mother unknown she doubted it. At the very least, Rey was glad she had helped to reunite a broken family. A family that had been torn about by a mad-man lusting after the power of a boy who had been unsure of his place in the world.
Rey looked up at the soldiers around her and realized that most of the people on the base were staring at Ben who was still wearing his dark robes and mask. Rey saw two soldiers walked toward Kylo. One tall, adorned in a bright orange uniform. The other was an average height, his uniform was a dark gray. They both had guns in their hands, and their steps were regal.
They went to Kylo directly, the soldiers grabbed Ren's arms and tore him from his mother and father. They forced him straight to the side of the Falcon where one officer cuffed him. "Kylo Ren, we are placing you under arrest on the orders of the Galactic Senate of the New Republic."
"Get your hands off my son," Leia instructed them forcefully. The general outstretched her hand and reached for their guns, but the officers dodged her.
"Kylo Ren is marked as a top ranked criminal to the New Republic. He is to be detained," the tall one said immediately. From the way the two soldiers were looking at Leia, they weren't going to be told what to do.
"The Republic's home planet was destroyed, so I think his bounty can be nulled. I've waited seven damn years to see my son. I'm ordering you to stand down," Leia was almost hissing at them now. Rey liked how fiesty the general was being – she was fighting for Ben as if her life depended on it.
The two Resistance guards held their ground, refusing to even budge as Kylo was tightly clasped in their hands.
"He helped us blow up Starkiller Base, by bringing down the shields. Doesn't that mean something," Rey shouted her question at the two officers.
"That's not for us to decide, that's for the Galactic Senate to decide," the one in the gray uniform replied.
How could they arrest Ben? He'd been so critical in making sure that the base on D'Qar was safe, and now they were tossing the very idea that Kylo Ren could be a hero into the mud. Rey was about to step in and stop them, but that's when she heard Ben's words resonate in her mind. Rey, stay back. If I cooperate this will only have a better outcome, I hope.
The scavenger bit her lip. Ben I won't let them take you away, not after everything you did to help us blow up Starkiller Base.
Finally the young Solo spoke, before Rey could even move another muscle. "Mother, I'll go willingly. We will see each other again soon, I promise." As the guards pushed him along, Kylo looked directly into Rey's eyes. She couldn't see his face behind that ebony helmet – she wanted nothing more than to see his face now.
And just like that, Rey watched Ben Solo be dragged away. Her eyes were wide with fear – how could this have happened? How could the Resistance not see the good he had done? Had she made a mistake in bringing Kylo Ren home to his family? Could the Resistance prove to be as volatile as the First Order? Rey hoped not.
[A/N]: Hey guys, I totally apologize for this chapter being posted so late. I had finals, graduation, moving out and also working colliding together for the last two weeks, it's been stressful to say the least. I do apologize from not getting back to some of you guys, I'll be working on that over the next few days.
I just wanted to give a special thanks to megumisakura, bhut, Sabrino21, Stephycats7785, SaintsFan1, firerosedreamer67, gabysweet10, fabercastel, DaniLV, DiamondSapphire, Nila, LovetheKlaroline, Lucy, Solangelo Lover 292, PattSkywalker, StarWarsFan, tacker23, LadyRedStar, kat, SaskeIsReading and all you other guests who have been kind enough to review and give me your feelings and thoughts of the story.
I hoped that the chapter didn't seem mediocre, but next chapter will be much more intense, with some real reunions and an interrogation. Please let me know what you guys thought, I hope the chapter didn't disappoint. Again, thank you so much for reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! :)