"General Phasma, what are your orders?" the controller asked, turning to look at her. Everyone on the command bridge fell silent, hearing the same set of orders that she did.
The General was quiet for a moment, processing the message from Kylo Ren. The First Order needed to abandon the attack.
It should have been as simple as that, she thought.
According to Kylo Ren, the Empress was on the ground and could get killed in the attack. But the First Order was already putting everything into the assault. Even if it cost them every ship, the Empire could still rise again. The Resistance would be eliminated at all costs. That was the original plan—everything she and Kylo Ren specified over the past few years.
For the first time in her career, Phasma felt compelled to disobey a direct order. They were so close to victory.
The problem was… the Clones were on the Finalizer.
General Phasma could feel eyes burning a hole through her neck. She wished she had her chrome armor and helmet, so she could mask her face and blushing complexion.
Commander Kody, of the Grey and Reds was standing behind her. He was fiercely loyal to Kylo Ren. And the General knew the consequences of mutinying. General Nujaris for one, tried to defect. Of course, that was a different story entirely.
Nujaris hated the kamikaze plans and actively sought to reach out to the Resistance.
The clones rushed the bridge and presumably, took the ship back or crashed it into a moon.
Phasma wanted to eliminate the Resistance. It was her sworn charter. This was the time. But she couldn't be sure the Grey and Reds would support her decision. After all, Kylo Ren was also on Dantooine's surface. He didn't seem concerned for his own well being, not that he ever was.
But the clones would definitely object, if they felt she was endangering him as well.
Commander Kody got immediately in the General's face.
"General Phasma! My team can retrieve the Empress and return her to the Finalizer," he stated confidently, slinging his weapon back over his shoulder.
The General sized him up and cleared her throat, "You have a half an hour. Extract our Empress and get back here before the TIE bombers reach the Resistance Base. Take your entire squadron and let nothing stand in your way."
Commander Kody bolted from the bridge, flipping open a panel on his wrist. He pulled up schematics on the Dantooine Base. For a split second, Phasma wondered if she had access to the same intel.
Well, that's one distraction eliminated, she thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
The General strolled across the catwalk, checking to make sure her short hair style was pristine. Her reflection stood out, even among the faint explosions of war in the distance. It almost looked liked a collage of dying stars, shooting every few seconds.
"We'll give them thirty minutes. Disable the dead man switches on all TIE fighters and have them regroup with wingmen. Focus the fleet's firepower on the Thrive," Phasma ordered.
The Resistance needed to suffer the loss of their flagship, at the very least.
Poe Dameron entered the battle above Dantooine, looking to unleash crimson hell on the First Order. While the battle cruisers locked side to side, trading punishing blows, the majority of the TIEs had vanished.
"What gives?" called out the Red Leader. Kropp searched frantically out of her window. She took her pink gum out of her mouth and slapped in on the top of her helmet. The small pilot practically bounced in her seat, looking for any signs of the TIEs.
The next wave of enemy fighters came into view, just as she blurted the phrase over the com.
"They've got their escorts back," Red leader called out. The TIEs were in their usual aggressive formations; working in close knit pairs.
"Maybe these one's aren't carrying explosives," Poe wondered, putting some distance between the TIEs in front of him.
"Red Leader head to 34.92 and shake that incoming fighter. I want to see what we're dealing with," he ordered.
"Roger, that Poe." She called back, out maneuvering the TIE on her six. The Black Leader lined up his shot, making sure Captain Kropp was in the clear.
"Alright," Poe fired twice, hitting the TIE fighter. It sparked and sputtered, starting to list and then spin. He fired again. It exploded in an orange fireball, breaking up in the planet's upper atmosphere.
"Did you see that, Red One?" Poe asked, unable to hide his jubilation.
"I saw it, Poe. Red squad, Gold squad. Engage targets at normal depths. This round of TIEs doesn't have the extra explosives on board," Kropp responded.
All three squadrons pulled in tighter, engaging the enemy swarm. Green and Red streaks littered the low orbit of Dantooine.
"Poe, copy." Gold Leader said, noticing a distant string of ships breaking for the surface.
"Go ahead, Gold One," he replied.
"It looks like a landing party is headed for our base," Gold leader continued, "On your six."
Poe swung Black One around, noticing the vague outlines of TIE escorts and possibly a Landing Cruiser. They were far in the distance, practically out of visual and scanner acuity; quickly obscured by the curvature of the planet.
"I'll handle this," Poe stated, setting in a course to pursue. Something in his bones told him this group was from a different Destroyer, farther from the fray.
"All squads, the Finalizer has entered the battlefield," he called out across the fleet.
And he was right.
Rey ran like the wind, with the sun warming her face. There was a refreshing breeze in her hair. Finn and the Republic marines struggled to keep up.
"This way!" she shouted over her shoulder, heading towards the distinct signature of her fiancé, Kylo Ren. Her voice was barely audible over the echoing sounds of explosions and blaster fire.
Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker were fighting; she was certain. The Force told her that Luke was in trouble, but deep down, she worried for them both. Rey realized she was running straight for the Resistance Base; which only worsened the sickening knot in her stomach.
How many of her friends would Kylo Ren kill, before she got there?
Just past the dogleg, an A-wing fighter came limping into view. Twenty feet up, the wounded vessel smoked trails of black death. Rey stopped in her tracks, noticing a red and blue flicker near the back end of the falling A-wing.
The Jedi did a double-take, realizing someone was standing on the back of the fighter. Cloaked in black, the individual plunged his red lightsaber into the engines, one last time.
He did a backflip off the fighter, landing safely on the ground about thirty yards in front of her.
Rey couldn't believe her eyes, inhaling sharply.
This had to be a Knight of Ren. Only… Kylo Ren said he killed them all, when he slayed Snoke.
No, this was definitely a Knight of Ren, she thought.
The mysterious figure dropped his cloak on the ground, staring straight at her.
"Jedi!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Rey narrowed her eyes at the brash Knight, as he arrogantly strolled towards her.
The man was tall; almost as tall as Kylo Ren. He had a similar walk—that arrogant mixture of flare and not giving a fuck. This individual had definitely taken his cues from the Sith Master, at some point.
"Time to die Jedi," he shouted, twirling both lightsabers in each hand. He had a red, synthetic crystal powering one, and a clean blue crystal—burning in his left hand.
Finn caught up with Rey and immediately raised his blaster at the threatening stranger.
"Who's this lunatic?" Finn snorted, squeezing on the trigger.
Rey placed her hand on top of Finn's weapon, making eye contact with him. Finn gave the marines a nod, to get them to hold their fire.
"I will handle this," she said confidently.
Finn gave her a perplexed look and opened his mouth to argue.
"Finn, there's no time. Master Skywalker needs your help at the southern landing strips. Go," Rey said firmly, turning back to the approaching Knight. The Jedi wasn't going to discuss it further.
Finn clenched his jaw but obeyed. He and the marines cut across the last group of trees, heading east.
Rey took a defensive form, igniting her lightsaber and keeping it right in front of her. The glowering Knight stopped ten yards away, starting to circle the Jedi. He appeared to be muttering under his breath and finally cleared his throat.
"I am Cavex Ren, the Second Knight," he boasted, dragging both lightsabers into the brownish grass.
Rey followed him, rotating her base to keep him squared to her form. She preferred to keep her footing on even ground.
"You… scavenger. Jedi whore. He threw it all away just for you! The entire galaxy could have been his and yet, he walked away from it," Cavex hollered.
"Hmm. You are out of the loop, it would seem," Rey responded, refusing to be offended or drawn into further verbal sparring.
"My Master Snoke gave one final order… I, Cavex Ren, must kill you at all costs. Even with my last breath, I'm to ensure that Kylo Ren stays in the darkness."
"Excuse me?" Rey snapped. Now she was pissed, changing stances to an attacking form, teetering on Vaapad in thought and purpose.
"I shall speak slowly, so you understand me," he said, mocking her. "When I kill you, Jedi scum, Kylo Ren goes Dark Side; full-time." He chuckled a bit, showing his blood red gums as he did so.
Rey wouldn't allow this. For everything he had done or might be planning to do; she was convinced that Ben Solo could be saved. The Jedi was prepared to fight Kylo Ren, in order to save him. Just like her mother saved Kyle Katarn. Like Luke saved Vader.
The so called "second knight", wasn't going to stop her. Nothing could stop her.
Looking at the lightsabers in each of his hand, made her heart race.
"Where did you get those!" She yelled, over the sounds of additional A-wings taking off. The intricate design work was unmistakable. These were the ebony and ivory lightsabers that Kylo Ren designed, specifically for her.
"I snuck aboard the Finalizer and stole them. I know these were a gift for you. He worked on them on and off for a year. So, what were they? A sappy declaration of love, or a wedding gift perhaps?" Cavex chuckled menacingly. The shrill of his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"How far the mighty Kylo Ren has fallen!"
"Those lightsabers… belong to me," Rey glowered, leaving her level ground to challenge him.
"You don't deserve them, Jedi whore," he shot back, pulling both hilts together. "It should have been me by his side, ruling the galaxy. It was my right to be his apprentice. Not some scavenger from Jakku."
Rey's eyes darkened at the petty claim.
With a twist and a snap, the filigree patterns on the hilts lined up. Both blades combined to become a double-bladed lightsaber; one blue side and one red.
"You don't deserve such a weapon. Never, has something like this existed. The versatility is beyond your skills, temptress," Cavex taunted, twirling the double-blade in a flourish.
Rey felt something deep in her stomach. A darkness that had been shadowing her lately. A pit of hate; she despised this fool. Cavex had sullied something she cherished, with every twirl of the combo lightsaber.
Was this what Kylo Ren felt, when she and Finn were on Starkiller? Was this what he felt, when she summoned his old lightsaber?
"Very well, Knight of Ren. You are standing in my way," Rey gritted out, riding the feeling.
Cavex hissed at that, running towards the Jedi Knight. Rey brought her weapon down, channeling the Force and countering his furious strikes.
Kylo and Luke were a blur of red and blue, dashing across the southern landing strips. The last of the A-wings were taking off around them. The pilots had their orders, but most wanted to stop and help Master Skywalker.
It was too dangerous to get in the middle of their fight. The sorcerers, were moving too quickly to risk taking a shot. It was a helpless feeling, even for the marines nearby. They had objectives to carry out and needed to protect the shield generator.
An A-Wing taking off hovered over the pair, contemplating doing a pass to eliminate Kylo Ren. The fighter lingered too long, letting the Sith Master catch him out of the corner of his eye.
Kylo locked his blade into Luke's, bearing down on the wounded Jedi Master. With a quick gesture, Kylo pulled the A-Wing towards them.
The Force Pull caused the A-Wing to barrel roll. Kylo Ren shoved Luke to the ground and leaped out of the way.
Luke killed his saber and caught the A-Wing with the Force, just before it crashed into him. From his back, Luke grimaced and struggled to sit up. He set the craft down as gently as he could.
The pilot stared at him, wide-eyed and in shock. His hand trembled on the stick, causing the flaps to lift and fall.
Luke gave the young man a small smile, before seeing Kylo Ren flying over the top of the A-Wing. The Sith twisted through the air, bringing his lightsaber downward.
The Jedi Master rolled out of the way and ignited his blade again, blocking the vicious downswing of his former apprentice.
"You will die, Luke. Then nothing will stand in our way," Kylo gritted, determined to end this here.
"Accept the Light and Rey will be yours," he struggled, pushing back against Kylo Ren.
"That is the only way."
A blaster fired nearby, burning some of Kylo Ren's hair off and just missing his head.
"Traitor!" Kylo yelled, sensing it was FN-2187. He didn't need to look for confirmation.
The Sith broke the stalemate and with a quick hand, threw Luke into Finn's direction.
The Jedi Master soared, colliding with Finn in a crumpled heap. Kylo could feel his anger surging and wished to summon emerald lightning… but the skill had been clipped. It was an infuriating feeling.
Kylo seethed, feeling the back of his hair. It was hot; his ends singed off. But there was still plenty of hair for Rey to grab onto. And that's what mattered; that his love, could tangle her fingers in those dark locks.
"This is the end, FN-2187," he growled, stalking towards the crawling bodies of Finn and Luke. The Sith Master slowly clawed his hand into a closed fist, choking them.
The marines accompanying Finn, spread out, giving their commander cover fire.
Kylo blocked each shot, swatting the bluish bolts like annoying insects.
"Is this the best the Resistance has to offer?" Kylo mused, deflecting bolts back into each marine. They fell systematically, one after another.
"No…" Luke said, struggling to get up—fighting to break the Force Choke. Kylo Ren was powerful, even with the Restrictor. It was his worst fear, that the device wasn't enough.
"Our best, is still better than you." Luke rose to his feet, throwing a Force Push at his nephew.
Kylo smirked, thinking about Rey. He blocked the strike with his hand, allowing the last few marines to open fire. The Sith Master caught those shots too, creating a building shockwave—like the first ripple in a pond.
Finn got up to his feet and unleashed rounds at Kylo Ren. The Sith Master responded with all the Force he could exert, causing a shimmering, slow bubbling forcefield between he and his enemies. Luke gave everything on his end, watching the shock wave build.
The radius expanded, a mixture of pure Force and blaster fire. Suddenly, the shock wave exploded, kicking blaster fire and kinetic energy in every direction. Like a bomb, it rattled the entrenched combatants.
Kylo went tumbling backward, recklessly out of control. Luke, Finn and their reinforcements were scattered across the tarmac in all different directions.
Finn saw the sky and the ground trading places. He was spinning through the air and would black out before landing. Luke felt a sharp pain in his good hand, a split second before smashing his face into the pavement.
His left hand had a hole burned straight through it.
For a long time, no one moved.
Alena waited behind the crawl space of the large, horizontal pipes.
Frantic to find Poe, she wanted to make a break for the surface. There were people running in all directions, as she spied through the separations of the pipes. Alena thought for sure that Marines would be scouring for her, but there were bigger problems to deal with.
The armory, she thought, seeing an opening to dart down the hall.
She slipped toward the unsecured room, staying tight along the walls. Alena waited for a moment, as two marines came running out. They never looked in her direction, heading straight for the surface.
The clone ducked into the armory and immediately changed into riot gear. With her helmet on, no one would recognize her.
The clone changed with a ferocious pace, working past her trembling fingertips. "Kriff." She stuttered, pulling on a chest protector that was too large. The riot gear was clearly made for someone taller, but that didn't matter now.
"Okay. Find a ship, get to safety. Contact Poe," she breathed, grabbing a blocky communicator from the supply cages. She put an earpiece in, monitoring the Resistance's hectic conversations.
Alena sat down and got her boots back on, lacing them tightly. Then she heard it.
"We have confirmation…Kylo Ren is on the ground." A voice came over the radio. Her heart pounded.
"What?" Alena spoke aloud, hearing the garbled communication.
He's here. And he's close. She thought to herself. A chance to make things right.
Most of the weapons were gone in the armory, but a single sniper blaster remained. As a clone, Alena had fired just about every firearm during her brief time growing up.
"Kylo Ren," she muttered, grabbing the sniper rifle and slinging it over her shoulder. Escape was now the furthest thing from her mind.
Rey returned every parry Cavex tried. He was fast and strong, brutally merciless with his strikes. But she was elegant and precise. The Jedi was also, much quicker.
Every breath and every footstep was calculated, like a choreographed, deadly dance. One wrong step and she would lose a hand and most certainly, her life.
The Force flowed through Rey, guiding every strike and every counter. She never truly considered her legacy. The granddaughter of Palpatine and Kenobi; the daughter of Katarn. Rey was the best of them all. She grew up with nothing and had made it so far.
Ben Solo was perhaps the worst parts of his lineage, but he loved her.
And it all clicked in that moment. A soon to be bride, fighting to save her groom. An expectant mother, protecting the child she was carrying.
Cavex felt the shift in the breeze; the winds picking up and blowing against him. She was faster and stronger willed. He could feel it; his training wasn't enough.
In desperation, he cried out, "I will kill you!"
Rey spun around, deflecting his feral strikes without looking. Her blade was faster than both of his. The Force had made its decision.
The Jedi ducked under his backhand, winding up with an uppercut. The Force exploded from her fingertips, catapulting the Knight of Ren into the sky. She landed gracefully on her feet, like an angelic dancer. Rey's fierce stare and heaving chest however, showed the galaxy that she was a warrior.
The ebony and ivory double-bladed lightsaber fell harmless on the ground. Cavex Ren landed awkwardly on his shoulder, shielding his head. He was still for a beat, as Rey tried to calm her breathing.
"You tried to take Ben from me," she said, voice shaking.
The Knight clutched his left shoulder, getting up to his knees. From his expression, it was clear he wasn't all there. Shoulder dislocated, he stretched his right hand to summon the still burning combo saber.
It vibrated in the grass, struggling to will itself to his command.
"You tried to kill my baby," Rey said, running her hand over her womb.
There was a feeling in her core now. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt. Rey's fingernails started burning, straining to leap out. It was as though, they wanted to carve this man's eyes out.
And then it happened…a spark. Then another.
Cavex leapt forward in pain, stretching out desperately for the saber. It rolled toward him, he raised it just in time.
Rey looked at her hand, stuck in its clawed position. The blue light sparkled in her eyes and the raw power supercharged her veins. It made her hair stand-up. Her signature tendrils uncurled. Her bows struggled to keep their shape, fighting the static charge.
The Jedi reached for Cavex, unleashing the fury of emerald lightning. It exploded from her fingertips in condensed streams of electrified light. A loud thunderclap sounded, shaking the ground.
The second Knight raised the saber and barely hung on. He needed both hands, as Rey walked the deadly stream towards him.
She couldn't forgive; not this time. All the things the Cavex tried to take from her. Rey knew why such things were forbidden in the Jedi Order. Love in all forms, beyond compassion.
Oh, what she would do to this fool.
Cavex cried out, trying to deflect the lightning in return. It was futile, the emerald streaks angling the lightsaber blade back towards him. The blinding heat arched closer; unyielding.
Lightning deflected into the trees along the side. One stray bolt, shot clean through a petrified tree right behind him.
Rey closed the gap, narrowing the sizzling, crackling bolts.
The immense power overloaded the red synthetic crystal. Without warning, half of the combo saber shorted out. The Second Knight howled in pain, twisting backward. A lightning bolt fried his dislocated shoulder, neck, and the left side of his face.
Cavex struggled to breath. His skin boiled and flaked off. The Knight crawled from Rey, inching across the ground. It was a twisted form of justice perhaps, that Cavex was conscious and had to feel the pain.
"This feeling. This power. No wonder why Ben likes it so much," she hissed, closing her eyes. Rey's lips parted and she was breathing through her mouth, still erratic and emotional.
Cavex whimpered, sounding like an animal begging to be put out of his misery. He clawed into the dirt and grass, making little progress, even with his feet kicking. The Knight's body was in trauma and he'd probably die from the injuries in minutes.
Rey calmed herself, running her hand over her midsection again. Was it her son causing this? Ben swore it wasn't. That it was all him…but now she wasn't sure. Emerald lightning could only be unlocked by a Master; usually a Master from the Dark Side.
The Jedi wondered if that's what she had become.
Overhead, a large explosion cut through the sky. It appeared to shake Rey out of whatever bloodthirsty trance she had drifted too.
"The Thrive," she breathed, sensing the flagship had taken a critical blow. Her attention turned to Cavex again.
"You won't kill me… Jedi," he sputtered and spat, his breathing getting worse.
She didn't answer. Rey narrowed her eyes and picked up the combo saber. The ivory end was still burning, so she retracted the blue flame into its hilt.
Rey held the combo saber, appreciating its craftsmanship. In comparison to her lightsaber—or Kylo's for that matter—this truly was a work of art. She fondly recalled the night he showed it to her. It was incomplete and missing crystals. That same night, they fought, survived two giant primates and made love for the first time.
"It was under three moons," she whispered, finding herself again.
The Jedi twisted the staff in the center, releasing both ends into separate hilts. He made this just for me. Ben started working on it, right after she scarred him on Starkiller. The man definitely had a singular focus at most times.
Cavex continued to back away, as the petrified trees nearby began to weaken and crumbled at its base.
"No," he shouted, hearing the sounds of the closest tree; breaking and beginning to fall.
Rey clipped the ebony and ivory hilts onto her belt, keeping the Skywalker saber firmly in her dominate hand. The Jedi walked up and stood about ten feet away from Cavex.
"You called me a Jedi whore," Rey put simply, knowing where the tree was going to fall. She stepped over his withering body. The choice to leave him there was an easy one.
Cavex twisted on the ground, trying to look at Rey as she passed. The tree listed on the brink, cracking and splintering at the bottom. The heavy top came down and crushed his body, before he could spew a vile comeback.
The last of the Knights of Ren were gone.
Well, almost, Rey thought, dashing to help Luke Skywalker.
Kylo Ren stood up first, his tall frame casting a menacing shadow over his Uncle.
"This is the end, Luke Skywalker," Kylo said, spinning his lightsaber arrogantly.
The Sith Master lifted his hand, levitating his Uncle in the air. The Jedi Master felt his neck tightening, as he traveled higher in the sky.
Kylo's face twitched and tightened, his eyes becoming bloodshot, as Luke tried to counter the stranglehold. The Sith Master, grimaced, squinting both eyes.
Luke's metallic hand twisted, ripping apart piece for piece. The Jedi Master cried out, the pain allowed Kylo Ren to deepen the Force Choke.
"It's over. This is what the Jedi Order has allowed itself to become. You could have been by my side. I offered you salvation, so many years ago. Wise Master Skywalker, who pushed me down the stairs and stole my lightsaber. My birthright. Who abandoned my love, on a wasteland."
Kylo reached back with his crossguard lightsaber and flung it at Luke's heart.
The crimson saber boomeranged, cutting through the air. The Jedi Master's eyes shot wide open, seeing the fiery blade closing in. With a low rumble and a whip, Luke was pulled out of the way.
"No!" Kylo hollered, watching his saber sail wide, hitting nothing but air. The Sith whirled around, to see his love, Rey, standing behind him. She gracefully, swayed her arms, letting Luke Skywalker down gently.
Kylo's lips pursed, impressed that she had awoken without him noticing. She came so close to him too, masking her presence.
"My love. You… cloaked yourself, but I feel you now. Stronger than ever." Kylo stared at Rey in wonder, reaching his hand out to recall his errant throw. The crossguard disengaged and zipped into his hand, without him needing to look at it.
Kylo's eyes wandered down her body. He couldn't help it, he desired her so. Stopping at her belt, He noticed three hilts attached.
"You are full of surprises," the Sith said, his eyes narrowing. "I have been dying to see…just how good you handle my staff." His eyebrows raised in a teasing fashion.
"You'll have to wait, Knight of Ren." She said flatly, walking towards him with a confident stride.
"I don't want to wait, my love," he said, unsure if Rey wanted to kiss him or cut his throat. Sometimes it was tough to tell. Kylo advanced towards her, just the same.
They both stared at each other, Rey's sparkling eyes capturing his darker ones. Kylo wanted to read her thoughts but they were guarded. She had a barrier around their connection and wouldn't let him in.
"You aren't all powerful," she said, tight lipped. "And there is a thing or two that I can teach you."
"Well, thanks to you, I'm weaker" he snapped, still bitter about the restrictor. "What would you teach me, my love?"
"How to come back…to the Light." Rey said, keeping the connection tightened.
"Oh?" Kylo asked, smirking some. "I don't have to be redeemed for us to be together, remember? The path is there; the road paved," he practically growled, reaching a hand up to caress her cheek. His fingers stopped just shy, hoping she'd close her eyes or give him some sign that she still wanted him.
"You've made choices for us, without giving me a chance to decide. So consumed with absolute power," Rey said flatly.
"And would you prefer to die in my arms?" he barked. "I wouldn't allow it."
"Have you looked around, Kylo Ren?" Rey replied, inching closer. The scene looked familiar, but it hadn't dawned on him.
"You've caused all of this and yet… you can't see where we are," Rey searched his eyes.
Kylo's lips parted, but his gaze darted in every direction, unsure of what he was missing.
"I would die in your arms… if it saved you," Rey vowed, reaching up and brushing one stray lock of hair from his forehead.
Kylo would have kissed her there, but a tremor in the Force ripped him away.
A shot rang out from the tree line. Alena pulled the trigger, watching the red bolt surge towards Kylo Ren.
The Sith turned, wide eyed, to block the sniper round. He was pushed out of the way, by Rey's smaller frame. He shouted, falling to the ground.
For what seemed like an eternity, Kylo fell.
His love was struck in the midsection and went flying backwards twenty feet.
Kylo was up in an instant and at Rey's side, cradling her in his arms. Finn cried out in horror, getting to his knees to see Rey struck by the blast. He ran faster than he ever did in his life.
"I need a medic, NOW!" he cried, hovering over the pair.
Kylo didn't notice Finn, hyperventilating as Rey lay bleeding in his arms.
"Why? Rey, why?" Kylo practically sobbed with Rey's forehead pressed against his lips.
Teary eyed, he recognized the scene, as it came flooding back. It was just like this; their vision. He held her in this exact spot.
Overhead, the Thrive came crashing down, breaking apart. Thousands of tiny and large pieces slammed into the atmosphere, catching fire and exploding. Bursts of red, yellow, and blue exploded in the sky.
"It… wasn't fireworks, Rey. I told you... this was what I saw," he stroked her lower jaw, turning her towards him. His cheeks were stained red now and his eyes were on fire.
"Maker, it's entirely my fault. I ordered the attack… this was exactly what Anakin warned me about."
The gleam of Rey's lightsaber caught his eye as he quivered, inconsolably. For the first time in years, the legendary lightsaber called to him.
Anakin's elegant weapon flew into his palm and it all became clear.
"You once asked, if you were enough… or if I needed to conquer the galaxy, too," he sniffled, igniting the Skywalker blade.
He whispered the answer into her ear. "It's always you, a billion times over. I choose you."
Kylo held the elegant weapon up and brought it down behind his neck. The searing blue blade carved into his flesh, cutting into the restrictor. Crying out, he was in more pain than anyone could endure. But the Darksider kept digging, for Rey. The pain was nothing compared to losing her. And maybe this was the lesson she wanted him to learn.
Impossible as it seemed, he kept slicing. The restrictor fell to the ground, as Kylo saw stars. On instinct alone, he collapsed onto Rey, his bloody hand resting over her mortal wound.
Kylo Ren focused on his love for her. Even as his power returned to its full, it barely was enough to drive him forward. The Sith struggled to stay awake, his hand warming up. The skin under his palm glowed like an incandescent bulb.
Then there was nothing… only the Force.
Jolting awake, Rey gasped. She sat up with a heavy weight on her chest.
"Maker, Rey!" Finn shouted, sliding to his knees with medics at his side. His face was a mixture of fear and relief. His cheeks were puffy and swollen.
"You're alive. Rey, how is this possible?" his voice trembled. He looked over Rey, searching her body in disbelief. She was gone; Finn was sure that his friend had died right there.
"Finn?" Rey cried in shock, realizing that Kylo Ren was in her arms. She looked more terrified than ever, trying to recall where she was.
"What the… Kylo, wake up!" Rey ordered, wrapping her arms around his large shoulders. "Oh, Maker." She whined, feeling the blood flowing from the back of his neck.
"What did you do? BEN!?" she screamed at the top of her lungs, pulling him tighter.
Rey sobbed and cradled her fiancé against her chest. In her arms, Kylo felt weightless. It was the adrenaline perhaps, taking care of his tall, muscular frame. She smelled his hair, crying openly into his ears and neck. She never cried like this. The Jedi couldn't be understood, but she pleaded with someone… anyone… to bring him back.
The Force can't have you yet, Rey choked, desperate to find their Bond.
