Ben Solo was truly a rare child since birth. He was balanced in the force, and he was special. He possessed the mighty Skywalker blood. His grandfather was the evil Darth Vader. His uncle was the mighty Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. What would he become?

As the young boy grew, so did his strength in the force. Noticing that his powers were reaching dangerous levels, Leia decided to shut her son off from the force. She didn't want her son to experience the horrors of her father. As she fought to contain the growing darkness in her son, it fought back. Unknowingly, she had doomed him.

One dreary night, Ben Solo awoke to the darkness. It called to him, beckoning him closer. It showed him unspeakable atrocities. It showed him the familiar pain he felt. His parents were never around, so he was often alone. The loneliness, the anger, the pain. It lead him to a dark room. Inside, was his uncle. He begged him to cling tightly unto light. "Don't give into the darkness, Ben!" Luke shouted, desperately. But, it was too late. Giving into the deep hatred he held in his heart, he struck his lightsaber at his uncle. "Don't do this Ben!" Luke pleaded, saddened by his nephew's actions. "It's not too late."

But he kept going. Fueled by pure rage, Ben struck at his uncle with all of his might. With every strike, he released his fear, his anger, and his pain. He thought it would all end, by lashing out in the darkness. But it became so much worse. His darkest memories flooded his mind, haunting his soul...

"He's becoming too strong." Leia said, afraid. "He has too much of my father in him." Han protested, "He is not Vader, Leia. He's our son. Besides, he wants to be a pilot, like his dear old dad. What's wrong with that, Princess?" Leia replied, slightly annoyed, "He needs to control his powers. He needs to train with Luke." Han asked, "Have you ever asked him what he wants? He's 'supposed' to be this legendary Jedi, but what if he doesn't want that? What if he wants to be normal?" Leia paused for a second. Should she tell Han about her visions? Leia replied, afraid, "I had a vision of our son..." Leia paused. She wasn't sure she could finish. What she saw was horrifying. "Killing innocent people. If it means I can prevent it, I will. He needs Luke's help." Han reluctantly agreed. He wanted what was best for his son, even if it meant going against his son's wishes.

...

"Ben." Leia said, calmy. "What do you want." Ben sneered. He hated what his mother had done. Not only was she scared of her own son, but she also thought becoming a Jedi was the solution. As much as she wanted to hide the fact, Ben knew. From the first time he had overheard that fateful conversation to that fateful day at the Jedi Temple, he knew he was different. He knew they feared him. The progeny of Darth Vader. Leia replied, sad, "I just came to see if you were alright." Ben snapped, "Why didn't you tell me!" He was beyond angry. Not only did his mother fear him, but now his friends did as well. He felt distant. All he ever wanted, was to be normal. He wanted to follow in his father's footsteps: to become a pilot. Although he occasionally got to pilot the Falcon, it wasn't enough. Most of his days were bogged down with Jedi training. When he wasn't training, he was reading. He barely had time to talk to his parents, especially his father. All because of her. "They see me differently now." Leia tried to calm her son. "Ben, I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner." Ben shouted, "I never wanted this! I just wanted to be normal."

...

"Look, Voe." The young padawan sneered, venomously. "It's Vader's grandson. How pathetic. He can't even stand up for himself." As Ben stumbled up, he was struck down by a group of padawans. Every attempt to get up was futile. He was outnumbered. Voe, angered by the other padawan's actions, sent for Master Luke. Ben was getting angry. He had enough of people telling him who he was. He was no one. Harnessing the hatred he had for his attackers. Using all of his might, he thrust his attackers unto the cold ground. By the time Master Luke arrived, Ben was gone. In his place stood several incapacitated bodies on the ground. Luke was worried. Had he failed his nephew?

Finally, the memories faded into dust. What remained was a group of force ghost that surrounded him. Some were familiar. Others, he had never met. Speaking up, Yoda replied, "Growing darkness I sense, young Solo. Bring yourself into balance, you must." "But, I don't know how!" Ben replied, scared. In that moment, his soul felt as if it was tearing itself apart. "Help me!" Ben screamed. He was in so much pain. He couldn't explain it. He had not been physically injured. No, Ben thought. It's the dark side. The force. The force was punishing him. He went too far into the dark, and he didn't even try to stop himself. Looking into the mirror, he noticed a cruel scar had formed on his face. A constant reminder of his failure.

He needed to run away. Retreating to the Outer Rim, he decided he could disappear there. Where no living being could find him. Hoth.

Although his mother had an old base there, he supposed she wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. The place was intolerable for most. But it would be perfect for him. There were enough rations left there to last him several lifetimes. The plan was set.

Before he could head into exile, he was stopped by Poe. He was one of the only friends he had left. He couldn't ask him to spend the rest of his life on Hoth, with him. He deserved to be alone, to suffer. "Ben, don't be so hard on yourself." Poe stated, genuine. "I know what you're going through is tough, and I'm never going to understand it...but you don't have to go it alone." Ben replied, concerned, "I can't let you throw away your dreams just to try and help me. I'm a lost cause, Poe." As much as Ben persisted, so did Poe. Flight Academy had always been Poe's dream, but he felt his friend's well-being was more important. "You're being impulsive." Ben stated, hoping one final time to dissuade his friend. "I might be, but sometimes it pays off." Poe grinned. He would not give up on his friend, even if everyone else had.

The next several years brought Ben into a deep depression. As much as he fought, it fought back. The nightmares haunted his dreams. The darkness seeped into the empty cracks in his soul. He continued down the dark path, transforming into a creature of darkness until Ben Solo was no more.

Ben Solo was dead. Kylo Ren was born.