Alena slung the sniper rifle over her shoulder and climbed. Off in the southern landing strips, she could see the distinct flurry of red and blue lightsabers. Her palms, elbows and knees scraped into the bark, as she angled for a better vantage point.

Finding a sturdy perch, Alena zeroed the sights on her weapon, firing at some wreckage 20 yards away. Satisfied, she quickly trained her scope on Kylo Ren. Her heart pounded in her chest, as she wondered if the weapon would be enough to stop him.

It has too. She thought, wiping the sweat from her brow. One last, terrible act.

"So we can be together, Poe. For us." Alena whispered, calming her breathing. The clone thought of the charming pilot that captured her heart. His smile and sometimes cavalier attitude won her over. She could imagine a life with this man — if she escaped the First Order forever.

Kylo Ren had his back to her; his attention was drawn to an approaching figure. This was it; her opportunity to be free from this monster.

Alena hoped to catch the Sith off guard. The First Order couldn't recover; not from this. In between heartbeats, she gently pulled the trigger.

The red bolt exploded from the muzzle and the whole rifle kicked back. Her shoulder braced the brunt of its recoil, making her wince in pain. The bolt cut through the air with a slight howl, breaking the sound barrier.

In a blink, Kylo Ren was down. He fell in a black heap, but Rey was thrown back much farther.

"Kriff." She cursed, seeing Kylo Ren get up immediately and cradle the Jedi Knight.

"Damn." Alena shouted, turning the rifle to it's side to look at the recharge gauge. The display slowly moved from left to right.

"Come on!" She yelled at the weapon, practically falling out of the tree. Her breathing was ragged again, as she felt her window to kill Kylo Ren vanishing, with each second.

Over her earpiece, Alena heard Poe's voice cutting in and out.

"I've been hit," he cried out, over the crackling communications. She froze, fearing the worst.

"Down to one engine…" Poe stated, as Alena scanned the skies for Black One. Off in the distance, she saw an X-Wing struggling over the northern treeline. Alena raised the rifle, using the scope to track the fighter. Finding the dark grey X-Wing with orange command stripes, she panicked.

He wasn't going to make it to the landing zone.

"BB-8, get ready to…" he called out, before his transmission ended.

"Poe!" she yelled, slipping off the branch and falling awkwardly on her feet. Alena hobbled onto her twisted ankle, limping across the thickets. The pain in her lower extremities was dulled by the rush of adrenaline. Her fear of losing Poe willed her along.

Alena prayed to the Maker, that he ejected in time.

— — —

Finn knelt next to Rey, as she wept. Kylo Ren was in her lap, bleeding profusely from the neck. Rey tried to stem the bleeding with her vest. The Resistance warrior couldn't help but wipe away tears himself, feeling so relieved that she was alive.

All around them, debris fell from the sky. It was dangerous to be out in the open like this, especially with the battle closing in around them. Another shock wave hit the forest ground, rattling the trees. Finn couldn't be sure, but either another Star Destroyer or Resistance cruiser got hit. He gave Rey a desperate look, clearing his throat.

It's only Kylo Ren, he thought, staring intently at her scrunched features. She'll get over him. He tried to convince himself. Deep down, Finn knew it wasn't true. As much as he hated to admit it, Rey would always be in love with Kylo Ren. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow; he loved the Jedi so much. She loved him too, but not in the same way.

"Rey...we have to go. The First Order will be here any…" He stopped, listening to her cry louder. Finn clenched his jaw, fighting his urge to simply rip her from Kylo Ren.

"Hold the Humanitarian Star," Finn said, standing and talking into his comm. He could see Tie Fighters in the distance. The Resistance was out of time. "We have two more coming on board." The commander waved both medics to step forward. They crowded Rey's side.

"Get Kylo Ren aboard the Star. Save him." Finn said, sharply. "I don't care what it takes."

— — —

"Still no word..still no word on Poe." Admiral Choi said, lowering his voice mid-sentence. Leia, pulled him into one of the few empty hallways.

"How the hell did this happen?" She asked, leading him away from the crowded facilities on the Humanitarian Star. There were Resistance bodies all over the ship and Leia's thoughts were a mixture of guilt and despair.

"It appears as though one of their Destroyers lost its polarity and collided with the Thrive. Whether or not that was intentional or by our own hands, is anyone's guess. It left too many ships in the vicinity without cover," Choi admitted.

"We need to focus our efforts on saving every survivor here and throughout the fleet." Leia said, burying her hand in her palm. She was merely talking out loud, trying to clear the noise in her mind. The General knew her crews were already doing everything they could. The escape from Dantooine had been far too costly for the Resistance.

Choi nodded and pulled out a fresh pair of gloves.

"I'll get back to it." He said, leaving her with the report.

Across the spacious aide vessel, Rey watched Leia closely. She had a difficult time controlling the Force right now, as it vibrated unstably through her body. The Jedi could feel the pain of these survivors, many of which wouldn't survive until morning. It left Rey feeling desperate for fresh air, unable to breathe or process it all.

She could have ended this — all of it — weeks ago. But Rey was stubborn and tried to save Kylo Ren instead. Rather, she tried to save Ben Solo. The Jedi could have accepted his hand on the Finalizer. Finn and Poe would have hated her for it. But her friends would be alive today, had she given in then.

Looking out at the vast sea of casualties, gave her perspective. The Jedi knew what the right call was, at least for her. Perhaps she always did, but it wasn't until Rey spoke with Kyle Katarn that she admitted it.

As much as she wanted to become a Jedi Knight, it seemed like a selfish pursuit in the wake of these tragic events.

Rey took one last longing look at Kylo Ren. He floated peacefully, bobbing in the medicated water, ever so slightly. She placed her hand on the bacta tank, feeling the movements of his chest in the subtle vibrations on the glass.

"The best thing I ever did, was give my life to save yours," she spoke softly, leaning in and kissing the cold glass. "I wish I knew whether or not you could hear me. Can you still feel me, Ben Solo — even when I can't feel you?" Rey asked, turning away from her love. "I can only hope so."

The Jedi made eye contact with General Organa, who was walking around the perimeter. The two could feel each other's Force signatures. Rey sensed a woman that was deeply mournful, barely hanging on—because she had too. Leia sensed a young woman who was at the end of her line. Rey's cold expression spoke volumes. She had made a choice.

The Jedi looked down at the three lightsabers on her belt and sighed.

Leia parted her lips, noticing that Rey left something near her son's Bacta tank. The Jedi Knight didn't look back, heading for the emergency docks. The General resisted the urge to call for Rey, knowing that this choice was her own.

Finn rounded the opposite corner a few minutes later, looking exhausted. His bloodshot eyes had dark bags underneath them. He was in some discomfort from his fight with Kylo Ren, but was trying his best not to show it.

"It's not the best javine, Rey, but..." his voice trailed off, noticing that Rey was gone; nowhere in sight. He stopped by the stool, planted in front of Kylo Ren. Instead of finding Rey hunched in an uncomfortable position, he saw the Skywalker lightsaber.

The hilt sat on its base, waiting patiently for someone to summon it.

He dropped the hot cup of javine on the floor and took off running for his friend.

— — —

On the surface of Dantooine, Commander Kody approached the site in question. His clones scoured the battlefield for hours, looking for signs of Rey or Kylo Ren. They tore apart the entire Resistance base, searching for their leaders. It seemed like a busted excursion; a failed mission that the clones wouldn't accept.

Until a lightsaber was discovered.

"We may have something here." One of the troopers said, kneeling by two distinct pools of blood. Kody bent down and retrieved the crossguard saber of Kylo Ren.

"This sample is definitely his," the stormtrooper continued, testing the blood for a second time.

Commander Kody looked down at the lightsaber and inwardly groaned. He wouldn't have left his weapon here, unless there was a serious issue.

"Where the hell is our Empress? Where the hell are they?" Kody asked rhetorically, kicking at the grass and revealing another few droplets of blood. The Commander tapped on his helmet to contact General Phasma.

"It appears the Kaminoans were correct. I have the misfortune to say, that Kylo Ren is gone. M I A." He said over the open transmission.

There was a long pause over the communication. The crew of the Finalizer fell completely silent.

"And the Empress?" Phasma asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. She feared the response.

"There's no sign of her. Her blood, however, has littered the forest ground. It doesn't look promising, General. I don't believe someone could have survived these wounds. Even someone as powerful as the Empress," Kody replied.

The clones kneeling on the ground, looked up to their commander. Kody was quickly surrounded by the rest of his squadron, that had separated into search parties.

"What do we do, sir?" One of them asked, looking down at the pools of blood.

Kody killed the transmission to the Finalizer, flipping open his forearm display. He started swiping through old Imperial Orders, finding the last batch issued by the Remnants.

"Order 394," he stated, reading the details. "The Remnants of the Empire are to track down a powerful Force user and..." Kody stopped, getting interrupted.

"That won't be necessary," a voice said, coming up the small hill. Her fingers drifted in the thigh high grass, as she walked. The surface of Dantooine still smelled of fire and war.

Kody lowered his wrist as the figure approached. His fellow clones surrounded him, taking a defensive formation.

"As I understand, you have already acquired a fleet." Rey said, lifting her hand.

Commander Kody and his squadron were raised in the air; their bodies dangled helpless and paralyzed by the Force.

"Empress!?" Kody croaked, feeling his neck tighten. She dropped them hard, letting the forest ground break their fall. The clones struggled to get to their knees and bow before their sworn leader.

— — —

"Rey!" Kylo shouted, startling himself awake.

Kylo Ren woke disoriented, feeling like he escaped a terrible nightmare. The darkness closed in and strangled him, twisting his abstract dreams. Even now, he wondered if he was awake or still dreaming. It felt like he slept for an eternity. He'd hear voices and whispers. People from his past. Voices he didn't know or recognize, coming in at all hours of the day.

But there was one positive image that he struggled to remember. A picture that kept slipping away; whatever it was, it didn't seem so bad at all. Reaching for it, only seemed to push it further from his grasp.

I can't remember, he thought, searching for that imagery.

Still groggy, he strained to fix his blurry vision and get his voice back. Kylo's arms were stretched wide, in chains. That's what brought him fully awake, sharpening his sights and drying his mouth out. The rattle and clanking of thick, crude metallic chains. They were attached to outdated bindings around each wrist.

As daunting as the restraints may seem, he was a Sith Master. It would be no problem to get out of these.

Only…

"What the hell?" He cried, trying to summon the Force. He flexed and fought, unable to get the locks to budge. Again and again, he grimaced, trying to find the strength to break the archaic restraints. But the power wasn't there.

His heart raced and eyes bulged, as a terrible panic swept his core.

"The Force…" Kylo whispered. "It's…it's…gone from me." His voice failed him. With his arms stretched, he shifted uncomfortably in his seated position. The bench was digging into him; numbing his ass and thighs. It was clear he had been sitting in this position for hours. Whoever placed him here, was not concerned that he would be escaping.

"What the hell have you done to me!?" Kylo shouted to the heavens, more desperate than ever. The restrictor was gone; he remembered that part. And then the real panic set in — he couldn't feel Rey either. The Bond was gone.

"What is this? What the kriff, is going on?" His voice shook.

"Hello Ben," a small voice came out of the shadows. It made him jump.

"Rey?" he asked, eyes welling up with tears. She stepped closer, allowing the dim light to cast a harsh shadow over her face.

"Rey, I was…completely wrong," he groaned, fighting the chains to get closer to her.

"I know." She gave him a small, half-hearted smile. For the first time that Kylo could remember, Rey was wearing lipstick. He wanted to compliment her on it, but found himself tongue-tied. This was so out of character for her. It darkened her naturally rosy lips. Those lips he'd lose himself in.

"It's funny isn't it?" Rey asked.

"What?" He replied, wishing to read her thoughts. His eyes pleaded with her to release him.

"You did all of this to save me. Destroyed the Jedi Academy; turned to the Dark Side.

You sacrificed your own life for mine. And here we are; unable to be with each other.

Missing the Bond that drove us together. Ships passing in the night. That's the legacy of Kylo Ren, I suppose. For better or worse."

She took a slow step forward, allowing more of herself into the light. Rey was cloaked in mostly black; in something resembling more of a dress than anything else.

Kylo wanted to protest, his mind racing and stumbling over his thoughts. He tried to open his mouth, but she held his jaw with the Force.

Rey arched an eyebrow at his stunned expression. "I have more to say. I've done everything to save Ben Solo. The lengths people go, to save the one's they love. For years I was alone on Jakku, never knowing that you were out there — looking for me. Maybe next time we can collaborate. It might go smoother." She released his jaw and he glared a little at her.

"Next time?" Kylo sighed, cranking his stiff neck. "I'm not Ben…anymore." He swallowed hard.

"That's too bad. Because I love Ben Solo very much. Without him, I'd never gone down this incredible journey," Rey said solemnly.

Kylo looked at his knees, "I don't know how to be anyone, other than Kylo Ren." She took a few steps closer to him, just out of arm's reach.

"The galaxy doesn't need Kylo Ren. He died on Dantooine. Let him rest there," Rey said, firmly. Kylo's eyes closed at her remark, feeling his neck tightening. That awful feeling, just before a downpour.

"It could however, use Ben Solo," she continued, her voice cracking on the name. Rey cradled the side of his face, brushing her thumb along the scar she gave him. Kylo closed his eyes, savoring the contact. He needed her touch; it eased the tension from his shoulders.

"I can't feel you. The Force has abandoned me. It's like I'm missing a limb, or worse... my soul," Kylo mourned.

His love nodded, her eyes sparkling in the faint light.

"The same thing happened to me, when you destroyed the Jedi Order. When I saw Ben Solo in that awful mask… my friend, disappeared forever. The Force left me."

Kylo Ren understood this to be the case and fell silent.

"When you landed on Jakku, I think it all changed. The Force stirred in me; it awakened. You were so close to me again. I think we missed an opportunity that we weren't ready for." Rey said, biting her lip.

Kylo shut his eyes, unable to hold her stare.

"You wouldn't want me now… not broken like this," he sounded completely deflated.

Rey sighed and climbed into his lap, straddling his waist. Kylo's breathing hitched and his scared eyes shot open to find hers.

"Why would you say that?" she asked, giving him a kiss on the neck.

"I can't feel the Force. It could take years to get it back. Or maybe never; like Plagueis," he stumbled, as she cupped his face with both hands.

"I know," Rey replied, giving him a quick peck on the lips. Pulling back for a beat, she leaned forward and gave Kylo a deeper kiss. It felt so sweet; like it had been ages since they did this.

"Mmm. I missed these lips," she moaned, pulling away and getting off his lap. Her hand lingered on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

Kylo lazily opened his eyes, "How long was I out?" Rey looked away at the question, as it became clear that something weighed heavily on her; she seemed to be acting so different from the woman he knew and loved.

"Two months," Rey said, giving him a concerned look.

"Oh, Rey," he said in shock, reeling from the news. It was difficult to fathom Kylo felt guilty for being out of it for so long; for making her worry.

"A lot can happen in two months. I certainly did miss you," she said, tracing her finger long his collarbone. "But you're awake now and that's what matters. I couldn't stay away… knowing that you regained consciousness."

"What does that mean?" he asked, throwing his head back in frustration. Staring at the ceiling, Kylo was overcome with a powerless feeling. The Sith Master wasn't accustomed to feeling so weak.

Rey didn't answer. After a few seconds, Kylo Ren heard her footsteps along the staircase. He sprang to his feet, catching one last glimpse of her.

"Rey, no! Wait! What about the baby?" he called out.

Kylo began yelling, thrashing in the cell. His cries echoed throughout the freezing base.

— — —

Rey stood at the top of the stairwell, keeping her expression as stoic as possible. Listening to her lover shout and sob was incredibly difficult. It took self-control to refrain from returning his calls. Rey's body language and resolve may have been convincing, but her saddened eyes gave away her true feelings.

General Leia Organa approached, making sure to keep some distance from the young woman.

"You didn't tell him about the babies?" Leia asked, guardedly. This was the first time in weeks that she had seen Rey. The General didn't want to push her away, but they needed to start a dialogue.

"He needs time," Rey answered crisply, turning to leave.

"Rey, I can't condone this course you're on. It's… dangerous," Leia warned, hoping this time that the message would get through to the young woman. "Stay for a little bit and talk with us."

On both sides of the barrax stood soldiers, with blasters at the ready. Behind Leia were Republic marines; ready to fire at a moment's notice. Chewie and Finn were out in front and watched Rey longingly.

Rey kept her lips pressed tightly together. Backing her up were the fearsome Gray and Reds. The Empress faced General Organa with a scowl on her face.

"If I were you, General, I'd stop picking former Rebellion bases to hide on," Rey cautioned, her gaze as frigid as the Hoth system.

One of the clones stepped forward and helped Rey into a thick, furry black coat.

Leia was at a loss for words as Rey slipped behind the Clone Army. The mother of her grandchildren disappeared from sight. Chewie called out desperately, but his friend wouldn't stop to listen. The Grey and Reds said nothing, backing out of the barracks.

One soldier stayed behind, staring at Leia and the Resistance in a challenging way.

Commander Kody kept his weapon pointed down, but his arrogant posture said plenty. He wasn't afraid to take them all on, should his Empress demand so. Kody finally turned to leave, giving the Resistance an uneasy, collective sigh.

Leia sighed. The Empress belonged to the Clone Army now. General Organa hated this helpless feeling, as Finn and Chewie approached her.

"We can't just let Rey leave. Look at her!" Finn said, swinging around to face the General.

Chewie purred in agreement.

"We don't have the forces in place to stop her; not yet anyway. Rest assured, we're not letting it end here," Leia vowed, feeling it weighing heavily on her chest.

— — —

After a half hour, Finn came bounding down the steps and entered the makeshift cells. He had a blaster clutched in his hands.

Kylo Ren didn't respond to his presence, staring at the stone floor.

"You're a fucking disaster," Finn said, clicking the safety off the weapon. Finn wiped his brow, finding it strange that he could be sweating in these conditions.

"Tell me, Finn. Do you ever hear a voice in your head?" Kylo asked softly.

Finn just blinked at the question, raising the weapon. He clenched his jaw, breathing deeply.

"Once, maybe twice. When Rey left in the Falcon, to screw that restrictor into your neck," he admitted.

"The Dark Side," Kylo gave him a crooked smile. "You've kept it from Rey, I assume?"

"It changes nothing," Finn snapped, rocking in his stance a bit. "She gave herself over to the Clone Army. Are you happy? Rey doesn't just have to dress up and pretend to be something she's not. They expect her to act like you! Like some pissed off, entitled prick on an ego trip. The Clones expect her to act like the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine."

"Well, she is the granddaughter of Palpatine," Kylo replied. "Would you like to kill me now?"

Finn took a step closer, pointing the blaster right at Kylo's head.

"Don't play mind games with me, Ren. Do you know what this bullshit is doing to Rey? Did you see it in her eyes, when she came down here? Everyone seems to think that you can be of use somehow; that maybe you can help get her back. I think that this was your elaborate plan to bring her to the Dark Side."

Kylo chuckled a little at the insinuation. "I can't… feel her. Our Bond is lost. There is a part of me that has been ripped away."

"First the Jedi Order, then Starkiller Base, Han Solo, and now this. Do you really expect me to feel sorry for you?" Finn asked incredulously.

"Of course not. I'd gladly welcome death, to be free of this hollow pain." Kylo said, closing his eyes and leaning back. The fallen Force user tried one last time to contact Rey, but it was fruitless.

"She really is lost... to me," Kylo complained, defeated. He hit the back of his head on the wall again.

Finn took aim with the blaster. Without another word, he fired twice.

— — —

Rey sat in the back of the command shuttle, fussing with her dress. She preferred to be alone, but Commander Kody knelt in front of her. He showed her data on a holopad, hoping to lift the Empress' spirits.

"We just received word from our spies. General Nujaris and his limping Star Destroyer have been found near Lut Tanto. No doubt, the rest of the Resistance fleet will be joining him there," Kody said, sounding proud of his team.

"He should never have evaded your forces for so long. Send the Destroyers, all of them. Eliminate Nujaris before he contacts the Resistance," The Empress ordered.

"All? Of course, Empress," Kody replied, lingering. He didn't understand why she would want to send the entire fleet, but would not object.

"Is there more?" Rey asked, sounding annoyed. She arched her eyebrow in a threatening manner.

"We could have wiped them all out right there, Empress. We could have taken back Kylo Ren, all in one move." Kody lowered his helmet, feeling the heat from her gaze.

"Those were not the arrangements. We stick to our word—do we not, soldier?" she asked, rhetorically. "The temporary cease fire will offer them only false hope. Once the three hours are up, move in on their convoys."

Commander Kody resisted the urge to look up, merely nodding.

"Of course," he bowed slightly and slinked away. The devoted officer wanted to tell her some additional good news. The capture of Alena Calligan, would certainly brighten her mood. But not today; Kody was confident the Empress would want to make a public example of the woman that nearly claimed her life.

"Kylo Ren is dead," Rey said sternly, turning her face to the rear of the ship.

The Empress hid her wet eyes from the rest of her men. She rested her hand over her womb, fighting back the flood of emotions boiling deep down.

Rey couldn't afford to cry in front of the soldiers, but she doubted that policy could endure throughout her pregnancy.

— — —

Kylo looked surprised, lowering his freed hands near his waist.

"This isn't over, not by a long shot. I need a Knight to get Rey back." Finn stated.

"Where is Master Skywalker? Don't tell me he left again," Kylo snorted.

"For Ahch-To, sure he did. You mucked it all up and now Rey has to act the part. If the clones don't think they are dealing with Palpatine's heir, they will kill her," Finn said, gravely.

"Well, Luke may find he has some company this time around. And Rey can handle herself. She doesn't need a hero in shining armor."

"I agree. It's a good thing you only wear black," Finn hissed. A handful of armed marines came down the stairs and interrupted them. Their commanding officer lowered his weapon and turned to face his men.

"Sir, we have to get off this system. We can't hold it any longer and we're approaching our three hour window."

Leia chose the Hoth system as neutral ground to meet with the Empress. The Resistance knew they couldn't hold the system for more than a few hours. So the cease-fire was intact for just a brief time. And as it turned out, Rey used her visit to check on Kylo Ren. Nothing more. The moment the deal expired, the Hoth System would be swarmed by the Clone Army.

"Good. I hate the cold." Finn replied, shaking the gun and gesturing for the stairs. "Let's go, Kylo Ren." The Knight glared at Finn, but did as he was told.

As they walked, Poe joined Finn. Using crutches, the daring pilot worked quickly to keep up with his best friend. They kept Kylo Ren out in front while conversing quietly.

"This is a terrible idea," Poe muttered, under his breath. The confident pilot had changed since his crash, becoming disenchanted with the Resistance. Poe had shaved his head and was having a tough time sitting on the sidelines.

"We have to try something," Finn countered, steering Kylo Ren towards the mobile command.

Pamich Nero saw Kylo Ren approaching and dropped her datapad.

"How do you know it's a terrible idea, anyway? I didn't tell you my plan yet," Finn quipped.

"There is a plan, though?" Poe hissed, feeling the pain in his knee slowing him down.

"Ben?" Leia said, bewildered. "What the hell is he doing out of his cell?" she snapped her fingers for two marines, who ran to her side.

Finn started to talk, but Leia immediately interrupted him. Kylo ignored the bickering Resistance, catching something in his peripherals. The ensuing argument faded into the background, as he scanned the old Rebellion base. He stared off into the opened blast doors, fixating on the bitter blankets of snow. A small blizzard was starting outside, building momentum in the horizon.

The disgraced Sith Master walked towards the shield doors, seeing something faint in the budding flurry. Leia yelled at him in the distance, but he kept walking. At one point he was shoved to the ground, feeling at least one body holding him down.

He kept his eyes on the snow, straining to keep his face upward. There was a light there, hiding in the wisps and drawing his attention. A single snowflake made it all the way to his nose.

Lying on his stomach, Kylo saw the vision that eluded his dreams.

This is much more than a dream. He realized, as both arms got yanked behind his back.

From the snow, a beautiful woman with long, dark brown hair walked toward him. She had flowers lovingly placed in her locks and had incredibly kind eyes. The woman held out her hand, as if to reach for him. Kylo couldn't help himself. Despite the people restraining him, he tried to reach for this woman. He fought to get control of his hands.

She made him feel wanted, loved and whole—all at once.

A shimmering blue spectre crossed through him and grabbed his grandmother's open hand. Anakin Skywalker held her hand and kissed it gently.

It brought tears to Kylo Ren's eyes. The Force was here… guiding him in this frozen wasteland. Showing the fallen Knight that it was possible to come back from the brink; Even in death, Padmé found her way back to Anakin.

Leia was shouting at the men surrounding her son and she suddenly stopped, feeling something change. The Force spoke to her, begging the General to let it in.

"I knew she was beautiful," Kylo whispered, seeing how happy Padmé was. He felt his chest bursting with warmth. This was the indeed the image from his dreams. The image he spent two months in a coma trying to unscramble.

The voice calling him to awaken was his grandmother's.

"I needed to see," the gaping hole is his soul solidified, as the Force entered his fingertips.

"So, you found her after all?" He chuckled between sobs of relief, sniffling at the angel before him.

"What the hell has gotten into this guy?" one of the marines asked, feeling Kylo Ren starting to get up. A stun baton was being jabbed into Kylo Ren's side, but it had no effect.

The Knight exhaled, exploding with the Force and throwing all four men off of him. A fifth marine charged in, but immediately veered off—fearing the Sith Master. Kylo Ren climbed to his feet, standing taller than ever.

"I need my lightsaber," he said, watching Padmé and Anakin walk away. They faded blissfully into the building snowstorm.

Perfect. So perfect. I wish you could have seen this, Rey, he thought, hoping to send the message across their connection.

A stunned crowd had gathered around Kylo Ren, unsure of whether to jump on his back or give him room. Maz Kanata worked her way through the crowd, clutching a wooden box in her arms.

"My lightsaber," he insisted, looking into the snowstorm.

"We didn't find that unstable, ludacris sword," Finn shot back, keeping his blaster trained on Kylo Ren. As he said this, Maz flipped the box open.

Kylo turned at the waist and stretched out his hand. The Skywalker lightsaber rested in the box, gleaming in the dim lighting. It stayed perfectly still and the Sith reached again. The hilt started to shake, vibrating furiously. It flew into his hands, fitting perfectly in his grasp—just like his days at the academy.

Every blaster in the group was now trained on the Knight.

"At last," he said, eyeing the legendary weapon carefully.

"Kylo Ren, put down the lightsaber," Poe ordered, trying to ease the tension in the small group. They all needed to escape Hoth, before the blizzard made it impossible. The Clones may not risk coming down in this weather, but they could take pot shots from space.

"Is the Falcon here?" Kylo asked, looking to clip the hilt onto his belt. He found he was in a ratty old flight suit. "What the hell am I wearing?" Kylo turned around, looking at the get-up that was a little too short for him. He found it amusing that he hadn't noticed the odd clothing.

"Ben, put down the sword," Leia commanded, stepping out in front of everyone.

"You can have it back after I've finished. Actually, that's not entirely accurate. Rey will want it back," he said, shifting his gaze around the group. Two marines tried to feint in from behind, jumping back the moment Kylo Ren flinched.

He inhaled deeply. "That won't work out so well. Do not stand in my way, please."

"Please?" Finn blurted out, starting to ease off the trigger.

"Fine. Move, or I shall move you myself," Kylo threatened, keeping his tone eerily matter-of-fact. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"Calm down, everybody." Maz yelled, trying to get the crowds attention. She set the box down and stood on top of it.

"You're not going back to the First Order or the Empire. It's over, Kylo Ren," Finn shouted, inching closer. He wanted to reach for the General, to pull her out of harm's way. She took a step forward, as if sensing his intent.

"The galaxy doesn't need Kylo Ren. It needs the Jedi," the Force user replied, igniting his lightsaber. The blue glow bathed Kylo's face as the weapon moved closer to his shoulder.

Finn and Poe both shot each other a puzzled look.

"Now, I am going after Rey. I need to bring her back, before she's lost forever."

Ben Solo took a defensive form, as the Resistance troops wavered. He could feel the tension in the air; he could feel their fear. They were right to be afraid, but only if they delayed him further. Ben exhaled and all at once, the Resistance troops lowered their weapons.

His calm, seemed to pacify the entire group.

"How is this possible?" Finn asked, dropping his blaster in disbelief.

"I am one with the Force. But I can't do this alone," Ben replied, looking to his mother.

"Ben!?" Leia said softly, tilting her head and looking into his eyes. For the first time in many years, she knew him. Ben was standing right there, before her. She inhaled, placing a hand over her chest.

"I will need a fast ship," Ben answered, seeing a tall figure stepping forward. Chewie purred, making his way to Leia and wrapping a paw around the General.

"Yes, Chewie, and a change of clothes," Ben Solo killed the blade to the lightsaber and waited for his mother to respond.

Awestruck, the small group of marines and Resistance personnel waited for the General to give them orders. Many couldn't believe that the man standing before them—claiming to be Ben Solo—was once the feared Kylo Ren.

They should want him dead… but there was something different about this warrior.

Leia stood in silence, having a hard time believing her own eyes. She knew in head and heart, that her son had returned. The Force was telling her as much, but still she hesitated.

"Get the Jedi Knight what he needs," Leia finally ordered, with a small smile that chased away her worry lines.

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