Author's Note: Thought about this idea for a while and decided to give it a shot. Not sure if I'll update this too often but then again its corona time and I'm bored. Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I don't own any properties of the star wars or Disney universe characters, movies, tv shows, plotlines, or whatever else I forgot that I don't own. I do own my own character Carina and any other characters or plot changes I add to the story.
Chapter 1:
Carina regains consciousness slowly. She's scared to open her eyes, scared at what she might find. Mustering up all the courage her small body possesses she cracks her eyes open. But her eyes can't see anything clearly yet, only fuzzy spots of darkness. Sounds trickled into her eardrums, muffled and far away. It may be voices….she thinks. Her eyes start to droop back shut intending to send her back to the oblivion, but fate had other plans. Because suddenly, she feels a malevolent presence tearing through her mind, shredding the flimsy barriers shielding it. It's dark and gravelly voice utters one single command. AWAKEN. Her eyes snap open and readjust to the light. Her body feels wet and she gasps for air while coughing from the sudden influx of air reaching her lungs. Finally able to see her surroundings, her eyes focus in on a woman suspended in the air screaming and a man kneeling in submission before a creature enthroned.
No one notices Carina's existence and curiously the newly revived woman steps closer only to bump into a thick glass wall. Must be one-way glass she thinks to herself as an explanation. Hearing painfilled screams bring Carina back to reality and a med droid takes her vitals while she stares on in horror at the scene that she is a spectator for. Her thoughts begin to run faster than her current murky brain can handle right now. She cradles her throbbing head and feels herself being draped in a short silk robe. Sighing in relief at the feeling of being covered became short-lived when a familiar metal collar and chain are placed around her neck. She feels tears beginning to form in her mismatched eyes but pushes them back wondering, why has he awaken me? Catina cringes thinking about the endless cruel possibilities to her presence being required.
The droid hands the leash to a praetorian guard who Carina hadn't noticed standing there before. They harshly yank on the chain, briefly choking her for a second, before they lead her into the room towards the dais and my nightmare. She passes by the kneeled man who looks up in curiosity at the new visitor in the throne room. He locks eyes with the redheaded woman and looks at her as if he already knows her. She's pulled by her chain again and turns her attention to what torture is before her. Carina hopes and that she's marching to her long-awaited death, but seeing the smug grin on her captor's face those dreams are squashed and out of reach. The guard stops and harshly kicks her behind the knees, presumedly demanding she kneel before this creature.
She falls to the ground and a small painfilled groan escapes from her lips. The monster, Snoke, chuckles lightly. Not surprising Carina at all since her pain always fills him with joy. "Be gentle with Lady Carina, we wouldn't want her to get her." She isn't fooled by his seemingly kind words, his sinister tone tells the real truth about his intentions. That he didn't give a damn if she was hurt, as long as she is alive. After all, Carina is no stranger to suffering. The guard finally gives the chain to Snoke who quickly gives it a test pull. As if he needs proof that She is totally at his mercy and command. Her body jerks in his direction and a dark smile tugs on the corners of his disfigured lips. Snoke finally pleased with his slave's obedience holds out his large hands towards her. And without further prompting, Carina shakily places her hand in his, already knowing the consequences that follow refusal.
Snoke closes his eyes and hums in satisfaction for a moment, relishing in his strengthening power, before opening them to look upon the man at his feet with distaste. "My wayward apprentice," he roughly commands. The kneeling man, Kylo Ren, raises his dark-haired head but makes no move to stand. His brown eyes again briefly lock with Carina's. She can see the questions and curiosity in his gaze. Carina wants to fidget under his scrutinizing gaze but held strong. Right then she vows to herself that if she ever escapes that no one but Snoke will ever cause her to feel fear again. While Carina was making her silent promise, Kylo Ren was examining the strange girl chained to the Supreme leader. His eyes trail over her damp red hair to her striking pale blue and brown eyes. He thinks to himself that she would be beautiful if she wasn't shivering from fear and malnourished. While Kylo was focused on Carina he didn't notice Snoke redoubling his tortuous efforts on Rey until he heard new painfilled screams. His gaze quickly snaps back to the last Jedi seeing her in more agony than before. Confused, Kylo looks back at Snoke and sees him tightly grasping Carina's hand, so much so that his nails pierced her pale and delicate skin. He quietly observes the effects of Snoke's touch draining Carina and weakening her. And then suddenly it all stops. Rey falls to the ground with a clang after feeling Carina's life force start to fade and it seems like Snoke did as well and he stopped before killing her, she was more valuable to him alive after all. Seeing her helpless and chained to his Master, Kylo knew at that moment that they could help each other. She is the key to everything he wants.
Carina cries softly, not from being used, but from guilt at causing the other woman's immense pain. She truly would rather die than help aid in anyone's torture. Rey heaves from enduring Snoke's cruelty and can only imagine what that chained woman has to go through constantly. "Please, master, don't make me hurt again!" Carina's voice brokenly begs. Rey instantly feels enraged when Snoke smacks the redhead demanding her to cease her crying. No one deserves to be used and abused. The smack knocked her unconscious and she falls limp into the arms of a praetorian guard who holds her in place. Like a battered doll.
While Carina remains unconscious Kylo kills the last obstacle holding him back and completes his training. Rey is surprised when she doesn't feel the red lightsaber hit her body but hears another one ignite followed by a loud thump. She staggers trying to quickly stand up and turns around to see Snoke cut in half from her lightsaber. Her mouth falls open in shock but there is no time to stand around and ask why he saved her. They have a hell of a fight in front of them now.
All of the guards start to surround the pair except for the one holding up Carina. Kylo, though focused on the battle in front of him, sees telltale signs of Carina slowly regaining consciousness. He has to make this quick before she can fully wake up. Rey and Kylo fight with everything they have both with a common goal to eliminate the threat. Though they individually have different plans for when the battle is over. With the fast declining guard members, the lone guard holding Carina decides to take action. They remove the remaining half from Snoke's throne and drop her in the seat of power instead before joining in the fight.
Rey is losing to one of the guards and as if hearing her struggles Carina jolts awake in a panic. She immediately sees the danger that Rey can't seem get herself out from. Instinctively, Carina thrusts out her hand and drains the life force from the guard attacking Rey. This allows Rey to throw Kylo her lightsaber to kill the last remaining guard. Carina sags back down into the throne after expelling most of her already spent energy. She breathes heavily, trying to catch her breath and bearings. With her eyes closed in exhaustion, she doesn't see the looks on Kylo and Rey's faces as they are pulled into a force vision.
They see Carina dressed in an emerald green dress made from only the finest thread. On top of her red waves is a crown made up of gold flowers and thorns upon her head. She is seated on a golden throne holding hands with someone enthroned next to her. But the figure never comes into focus leaving them both wondering who would rule beside her. As if noticing their gazes she turns towards them and her crimson lips parts into a sly smile while invitingly holding her hand out. Almost reaching out for them. All to soon, they are ripped away from the force vision and pushed back into reality.
Rey comes out of her force-induced daze first and addresses the redheaded woman. "What's your name?" Carina doesn't respond, too weakened to form a response. But she opens her dual-colored eyes to examine the aftermath of the battle. Rey notices the woman's eyes on the bodies and tries to distract her by saying, "It's ok, you're free now that Snoke is dead." She tries to smile at the frightened woman in a comforting way. Carina moves her attention and locks her tired eyes with the brunette and loses her breath for a moment. Rey doesn't seem to notice the change and switches on her lightsaber before slashing the chain attached to Carina's neck. The collar falls off, finally broken, and clatters to the floor.
Carina smiles at the sight and lightly touches the bruising pattern wrapped around her neck. She grimaces in pain but still brightly beams at Rey, the woman who helped free her from enslavement. Before Rey can say anything the newly freed woman wraps Rey into a hug. Rey is shocked but can feel the gratitude the unknown woman feels for her freedom. Now holding her in her arms Rey can see the clear signs of abuse and neglect this woman has probably faced for years. The redhead shifts in her arms and slightly leans up to huskily whisper in Rey's ear, "thank you." inciting a shiver from the heroine in response. She pulls back and Rey just gives her a strained smile but before she can respond or do anything else, Kylo ascends the steps towards the newly vacated throne.
He looks at the woman who is destined to be queen and holds out his hand to her with a soft look in his eyes. "Be my queen and you'll have more freedom than you can imagine." Carina is confused by this man's sincere and meaningful declaration. I mean how could she be a queen? Seeing the doubt painted all over Carina's face Kylo continues his efforts. "Together we can make the universe a better place. I can give you everything you desire and more only if you let me." Carina feels very conflicted and doesn't know what to say to any of that. But she can't deny that the offer is tempting, especially to a woman who has been enslaved since she can remember.
Rey is shocked by his confession and desperation claws at her chest demanding her attention. She can't let this girl be imprisoned once again no matter how persuasive Kylo can be. Before even getting a chance to decide Kylo pulls Carina towards him using the force and Rey retaliates in kind. She quickly stretches out her hand and tries to pull Carina back. They continue this struggle until they hear the redhead scream in agony and a force pushes them away from Carina. She falls to the ground clutching her arms against her shaking body. She looks at both force users who are knocked out.
Wondering what she should do next Rey suddenly regains consciousness with a gasp. Rey rushes over to Carina and quickly but gently helps her stand up. Remorsefully Rey says, "Sorry about that but I have this feeling that I need to protect you." Wiping the redhead's tears from her face Rey pulls on the woman's arm leading her to Snoke's private ship. Before getting on Carina turns back to the man who offered her everything and reaches out her hand. Slowly Kylo's body began to heal slightly faster allowing him to wake up far sooner than possible. A small gesture of gratitude for the man who killed her abuser. Satisfied that she repaid the debt she climbs into the waiting ship. And soon all she could see were stars flying by their rapidly moving ship. She gazed at her surroundings in wonder and excitement for what's next. Carina begins to laugh hysterically and Rey looks over at the beautiful woman concerned. But soon her confused expression is wiped off her face at seeing Carina's joy and relief at being free. Rey starts to laugh with her.
Meanwhile, Kylo wakes up soon after they escaped and slowly gets to his feet. Almost falling like a newborn fawn. He briefly wonders why he's not in immense pain but soon dismisses that thought upon discovering Carina missing. The new Supreme leader growls in anger and immediately begins thinking of plans that would destroy the resistance and get her back.
And when he has her back..he's never letting her out of his grasp again.