Guess who's back with a new plan for this story! I had planned it out already but after seeing TROS I've decided to take things in a new direction. Obviously it will not follow that film exactly. On that note, if you haven't seen The Rise Of Skywalker yet.. major spoilers ahead! Read at your own risk! Otherwise, enjoy and I hope you like the new direction this is taking!! I'm sorry it's taken me until the new film to continue Stella's story!
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Kylo blinks rapidly; his eyes adjusting to the darkness surrounding him. He instinctively reaches for the lightsaber at his hip and begins moving into the shadows of the cave-like dwelling.
"You had the potential for greatness, Kylo Ren..." A gravelly voice pulses around him, sending chills up his spine. "The new Empire needs a leader, yet you would give it up for a girl. Pathetic."
Kylo pauses at a large opening in the cavern, decorated with massive stone statues, keeping his back toward the wall. His fingers tighten around the hilt of his weapon.
"Who's there?" He shouts, almost flinching as his voice echoes throughout the cave.
"You were destined to rule the galaxy!" The voice growls as though directly behind him. Kylo whirls around, slashing the lightsaber through the air. He grunts as it collides with a solid slab of rock.
"Who are you!?"
A deep, ominous laughter reverberates through the cavern. "Every voice in your head.."
The scene in front of him shifts and moonlight illuminates the stone walls. The massive space is full of black robed creatures, chanting together in a language unfamiliar to Kylo. His brows knit together as an ominous figure is brought toward him, attached to countless wires. It couldn't be… He thinks, adjusting his stance in preparation of an attack.
"Kylo…" A second voice, broken and pained, startles him.
"No.." Kylo murmurs, gritting his teeth. He trails his eyes around, desperately searching until they land on her. His star. Terror overtakes his features as he focuses in on her. "Stella.." Blood dripping from her mouth and nose, she attempts to uncurl her fractured body from its place on the ground, only to fall back with a whine.
The figure reaches a mangled hand out, holding her in place with the force. "You cannot escape your destiny Kylo Ren." Lightning shoots from his fingertips and Stella's body begins seizing and twisting in agony. A shrill scream escapes her lips, drowning the manic laughter and cheers of the robed audience. "The Sith need a leader. Fulfill your destiny.."
Kylo Ren shoots up from the mattress like a bullet out of a gun; his breathing frantic and labored. The throbbing pain of a force vision lingers against his forehead as he replays everything he just saw. With a quick glance to his left, checking that Stella is still sound asleep and unharmed, he crawls out of the bed and begins pacing a hole in the floor.
"No no no no.." he whispers sharply into the universe. "You won't take her."
The laughter from his vision penetrates his mind once more and Kylo balls his hands into fists. No harm will come to Stella. He begins rushing around the motel, tugging his clothes on and gathering his few belongings. Stella shifts against the mattress, sighing softly as she blinks her heavy eyelids.
"What's going on?" She slurs in an attempt to fight her exhaustion. Kylo purses his lips. He moves to the side of the bed and traces a fingertip along her warm cheek.
"Nothing star. Go back to sleep." If she had only been a bit more conscious, he's certain she would have noticed the way his voice broke as he lied to her. She definitely would have seen the darkness pooling in his once soft eyes. But the allure of sleep pulls her quickly back into a cozy dreamland. As her breathing steadys and Kylo is sure she's asleep once more, he presses a soft kiss against her forehead and quickly sneaks out of the motel room.
The ship Tervo acquired for their original escape plan is just behind then building, exactly in the agreed upon location. Kylo scoffs, almost shocked that the crook had followed through on their deal. He climbs into the aircraft, ignoring the pain of guilt shooting through his stomach, abs without a second thought, launches the craft into the atmosphere.
"Goodbye Stella."
The starfighter he insisted on is fast, traveling much lighter and quicker through the inky black of the galaxy than the TIE ship they had arrived on. His mouth sets into a hard line at the sight of the Steadfast, another of the First Order's flagships. There is no going back to the Finalizer, but here he can't carry out his plan unencumbered by General Hux's nonsense.
The Star Destroyer hangar opens, allowing the unfamiliar ship entry and Kylo effortlessly lands it. He stalks out onto the platform, biting back a smirk at the thoughts of the stunned stormtroopers lining the hangar.
"Supreme Leader!" One shouts, standing quickly at attention. The rest follow suit as he shoves by and toward the bridge. Their feigned allegiance, while empowering is nothing more than an irritation right now.
"Allegiant General Pryde." Kylo's voice commands the room, startling the officers.
The harsh faced general tightens his jaw at the sight of Kylo Ren. He should have known Hux's little plan would backfire. "Supreme Leader," Pryde nods, straining to control his obvious irritation in the presence of a force user. "to what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
"There has been a change of plans, General. Summon our highest ranking generals and my knights to this ship at once. I'll brief the entire Supreme Order at one time."
The grey haired General jerks his head toward his commander, silently passing the order off to someone else. "Yes Supreme Leader."
Kylo turns sharply on his heel, leaving the hangar as he begins to sense a presence he's grown accustomed to. As he enters the hallway, the world around him slows to almost a halt.
"I thought you were coming back."
"Something more pressing came up."
Rey crosses her arms over her chest. Kylo's pull to the light is dimming, a new wave of anger and hatred taking over his soul. "And what could that be? Ben, what has changed?" She pins him with her eyes.
His expression falls blank. "I left Stella on Corellia. See that she's taken care of." For a moment, as the vision of Kylo Ren disappears from her sight, Rey is certain she spots true sadness in his darkened eyes.