Author's Note: Updating as quick as I can but I know I suck at it! Sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. Never have, never will. I simply play in their world.

"Loving you was wandering

into chaos and calling it beautiful.

Loving you was seeing things for

the first time and seeing them

whole: the pain, the scars, the

faults, and knowing that they are

perfect.

Loving you was loving everything

wild and free.

Loving you was the breath before

the laugh and the sadness in

every falling tear.

Loving you was maddening, and

perfect, and maddeningly perfect.

Loving you."

-Ariana

Rey

Has everything I endured been for nothing?

It feels as if time has moved backwards and I'm once more a helpless little girl who can't stop her world from crumbling.

"Up."

A flick of his hand, my spine stiffening as I'm forced onto my feet. I feel like a puppet on a string dancing to his tune.

It was the same when I tried to face Snoke on my own.

Talon's digging into my brain and I scream at the violation, unable to move...to fight back...

I'm not helpless! The Force is my ally and I'm stronger now than when I faced Snoke.

Anger burns away my subservience and I dive for the lightsaber. The sting of hard metal in my grip calms my rage and I see a smile curving dead, white lips.

"Good. You still have some fight left in you."

A flicker of doubt shadowing in my mind.

What is it about my anger that pleases him so much?

No time to second guess myself.

"Call off your armada! I said I would take the throne."

"You're not ready. When you take the final step then the fleet is yours."

Final step? What is he talking about?

"Enough of your games!"

Tears close my throat as another ship falls from the sky. Is it Finn? Poe? How much longer can they last against those Star Destroyers?

"Good...I feel your despair growing."

I stare at this monster and clench my fist. He's using the death of my friends to torment me.

But why?

"Give into your anger and strike me down. Only then will my power pass on and you will be ready to ascend the throne."

He wants me to kill him. I shudder and take a step back, revolted by the mere thought of having any part of him in me.

He's mad. Utterly insane.

"No."

"No?" A sneer twists his mouth as he lifts his hand to the sky, "Then watch your pathetic allies die. You have yet to comprehend the truth. No one is coming to save you and you cannot save anyone without me."

He lifts his hand and I brace for the pain I know is coming. But there is no lightning, no screaming of my nerves. Only the distant sound of gunfire and sonorous chanting of people who dwell in the crumbling Citadel.

I look up and he's watching me through grave eyes and the weight of his regard is suffocating. I realize his hand is extended out to me and bile crawls up my throat. Curved, yellow nails against white flesh and the stink of rot is stronger.

"You are all alone." Mocking sympathy as if my pain is something to be savored, "But not for long. Take my hand, embrace your destiny and the Sith will live on in you, my granddaughter."

I hate how he's right. I am alone and no one is coming for me.

I can't save anyone. I can't even save myself.

I thought I was a Jedi. I was wrong. I'm just a girl from Jakku who thought she could play at being a hero.

It's over.

"Finally you see the truth. Let the ritual begin!"

I shiver hard as icy fingers wrap around my soul suffocating my spirit.

Palpatine's voice blends with the chanting, the Force building like an impending storm.

He speaks of becoming one with me and in our union the Sith will be reborn.

"The Jedi will die and the Sith shall rule forevermore!"

I've just destroyed whatever hope the universe had of being free.

Tell me you're not actually listening to his pompous nonsense sweetheart.

Shadowed starlight in my mind as a kiss of rain touches my soul, melting the ice as fiery heat whispers through my veins.

The bond blazing to life as Ben's voice pushes back the darkness encroaching around me.

I see him so clearly as if he's only a few meters away and all I have to do is reach out and touch him.

I've never seen him like this. His eyes are clear and I burn beneath the dark fire in his gaze. His torn lip curves up into a knowing smirk despite the fact that he's on one knee.

You're here...you found me...

I'm...I'm not alone. Terror, my constant companion since I was a child abandoned in the desert, flees at the sight of him.

I will always find you. Didn't I tell you there is nowhere you can go I won't follow?

Longing and love swim in my blood as his words caress my mind.

I will never be alone so long as this man lives.

Shadows move as the dark side of the Force surrounds him like a living current.

I sense six of them ready to oppose him.

He's in danger.

Ben! Behind you!

He tucks into a roll, thrusting his hand out to scatter his opponents. I look for his crimson saber and realize he's come here with nothing but bare hands.

Where is your saber? You can't fight all of them without a weapon!

Of all the reckless stunts he's pulled this has to top them.

I swear I hear his laughter just as a shadow knocks him off of his feet.

Ben!

Again he's on one knee looking up at me. The blow left a streak of crimson across his right cheekbone where it cut through his guard.

My heart climbs into my throat and I think I've forgotten how to the breathe.

The malevolent energy surrounding him is familiar and I know who he's facing.

The Knights of Ren. I remember their sickening presence in the Force from when I was on their transport.

Ben in taking on his Knights with nothing but the Force and bare hands.

You idiot! Why didn't you bring your lightsaber!

A slight shake of his head and I sense his enemies gathering their strength to confront him.

I have left that life behind me.

I blink as the implication of his words sink in. His lightsaber is red and he's no longer a Sith.

I shift my weight and Leia's saber taps my thigh and hope blooms in my heart, kindling my soul.

Now I understand why Luke insisted I bring two lightsabers.

Somehow he knew Ben would come here needing his grandfather's.

The one I hold in my hand.

Pressure building in the cavern and I hear Palpatine screaming at me but his is a distant voice as a memory stirs...

...cool leather on my neck, a touch of hesitation before the beaded necklace is ripped away...disappearing...

I had forgotten our bond allows us to affect each other's space.

There's a way I can even the odds and make sure Ben survives this fight but there is a greater risk if I expose us to Palpatine.

Ben I have your lightsaber but he'll know...

We're a Dyad? Let him, he'll learn soon enough.

He picks up my thoughts with such ease he might as well be reading them.

A tickle in the back of my throat and it feels like laughter at his cocky arrogance.

Fine but you owe me one.

He lifts a raven eyebrow in my direction.

For what?

I lift my saber as if to strike at Palpatine see his yellow eyes blaze in triumph.

For keeping me waiting.

Dark laughter caressing my soul and I can't understand how I could have felt so lost.

I am never lost, not when he's here with me.

Once I give him the saber all bets are off. Palpatine will know I have no intention of becoming a Sith or taking the throne.

Only a slight nod of his head but I can feel the heat of his battle-lust emerging.

My lover is ready to fight. Adrenaline spikes my veins in anticipation.

"Strike! Make the sacrifice and be reborn! Do it now!"

Palpatine's screaming demands at me, trying to force my obedience.

It was time to make an end to this farce. Whatever fear I might have felt for him has been burned away by Ben's presence.

I take a step forward and lift my saber behind my back just as Palpatine's sneers turns into satisfaction.

Strong, calloused fingers wrap around my own and I tremble to feel his touch.

Now!

The Force surges between us as time and space bend to our will.

Palpatine's hand drops and I get the satisfaction of seeing shock replace smug countenance in his creepy eyes.

"No! What have you-KILL HER!"

Palpatine screaming as the saber disappears. Guards emerge from the shadows.

They have the same bearing as the Praetorian who defended Snoke.

Sith have no imagination.

I bare my teeth and pivot, Leia's saber in my grasp as adrenaline kicks in. A hailstorm of fire erupts and I'm already shoving blaster bolts away.

Don't get killed sweetheart.

Ben's snarky voice in my head makes me laugh and I feel more alive than ever.

With him at my side how could I possibly lose?

You worry about your own ass. I can handle this.

He has his Knights to deal with. These guards are nothing compared to that and I don't need him distracted.

I feel him in the back of my mind. His strength bolstering my own, his fighting prowess augmenting my skills. Two guards come at me and I grab one with the Force and throw him across the cave, twisting as another tries to break through my defense.

I curve the saber behind my back protecting my rear as I pivot and slash through his blaster.

Another one down and four more to go. The cavern is awash in red and the Force moves through me, whispering of danger.

I tuck into a roll, coming up on the balls of my feet as the guards close in around me.

Turn and slash. Pivot as I thrust out my hand, the sound of armor breaking as it hits solid rock.

A whisper and movement out of the corner of my eyes.

Behind me!

A twist of my saber and blaster fire bounces off. A spike of adrenaline and the kiss of battle-lust channeling through our bond.

Ben is not holding back against his opponents and I almost pity his Knights.

Almost.

My distraction costs me as a guard breaks my defense and I pull up the saber in time to counter the swing of his plasma-blade.

Damn! I grunt as my feet slide back, his sheer size overpowering me.

Three more press closer and I realize what Palpatine is doing.

He's trying to wear me down by sheer numbers.

"Like hell!"

I twist my saber just as Ben did to me on Kef Bir, reversing my position so I'm on the offensive.

The guard grunts as I slam my foot into his unprotected abdomen. I hear the crunch of bones as he drops to the ground.

Two more come at me.

Rey!

Sweat dripping in my eyes as Ben's frantic voice sends a jolt of adrenaline through my blood, shoving away the fatigue.

I'm...fine!

I spin the saber blocking another blaster bolt as I wrap the Force around a guard, slamming him into another one emerging from the shadows.

Gods they just keep coming.

The stink of ozone and the Force screaming at me as I bend backwards, a hot pulse of energy cutting through the air where my head had been.

Too close!

I snap upright, ready to cut down the guard who shot at me when I see him yanked off his feet and slammed into the cavern wall by the entrance.

The sickening crunch of bone as his spine snaps and the guard falls lifeless to the ground.

That...wasn't me.

Ben standing in the entrance, his chest heaving as the glow of his saber illuminates the darkness.

My lungs are burning and my muscles feel like jelly but it's the sight of him standing there threatening to turn my bones to water.

Ben...oh sweet gods...Ben...

His eyes find me in the flickering gloom and all I want is to run to his arms and have him hold me. I want to touch his face, kiss his mouth and make sure I'm not dreaming.

But I can't move. I don't even think I'm breathing.

I left him on Kef Bir certain I would never see him again in this life.

I love you.

The words crowd my throat, spilling into my mouth and yet I can't say them.

His raven eyes look at me with ardent love and somehow he knows.

We've always been able to speak to each other in the silence.

He crosses the cavern and he's inches from me now. I can see the cut on his lip bleeding freely, the gash along his right cheek.

His left eyebrow is also cut, a thin tear of crimson down the side of his face.

He hasn't spoken a word but I can feel his love, his tender worry about my well-being in every taunt line of his body.

This man walked into hell for me.

"Skywalker! You were foolish to come here."

Palpatine sneering at Ben and there is pressure in my head, my bones aching from the heavy weight of the power he's gathering.

I can feel his hate for Ben like stinging insects against my skin.

Ben lifts a ragged eyebrow in my direction, an annoyed sigh leaving his lips.

My lips twitch in response. Trust him to treat Palpatine like an afterthought instead of the creepy nightmare he is.

I gaze into his dark eyes and feel his soul twine around mine.

Are you ready?

I feather the question to his mind and feel his response stroke my soul with gentle intimacy.

Always.

We turn in unison, our sabers ready to strike down the emperor once and for all.

Rage and madness alight in rotting flesh as yellow eyes find me.

"You are a disgrace!" Saliva flecking his lips, "how dare you turn on your Master!"

"You are not my master!"

Anger simmering beneath my skin and I want to cut him down and dance on his corpse.

Calm down. He's feeding on your negativity. It's how he gains power.

Ben's quiet words flow into my mind and I take in a shuddering breath.

"So the last Jedi has finally arrived to save this worthless scavenger. She is nothing! You are nothing! You're interference will be your death!"

Palpatine turns his vicious sight on Ben, his hand raised as black lightning crawls through the air to strike him down.

I'm already moving to intercept the blow. The lightning hits my saber and my hands go numb from the impact but I manage to hold on.

Charred ozone in my nostrils and my stomach heaves. I grit my teeth against the nausea as Ben crosses sabers with mine and our combined strength throws off the dark lightning.

Palpatine screams as his power redoubles on him. His robes begin to smoke and I shake my head, sweat burning my eyes.

I hear Ben's labored breathing and neither one of us are up for a prolonged fight.

We have to end this now.

"I won't be defeated by the likes of you! Fight together then die together!"

Pressure in my bones, a pounding in my head and my blood feels as if it's boiling. I scream as I'm thrown off my feet, my head cracking against the ground and stars explode in my eyes.

The world is nothing but a blur, a hazy darkness as I stare up into crimson sky, something hot and wet trickling down my mouth.

I think Ben is calling for me but his voice sounds distorted and my vision swims and all I want to do is sleep.

Get up! Don't you die on me!

A jolt of energy rushing through our bond, my vision coming into sharp focus and I gasp hard, rolling onto my side as I spit blood from between my teeth.

The throbbing in my head has lessened and I no longer have the need to sleep. I look up just as Ben slams into the ground next to me, saber rolling out of his grip.

"Ben!"

Lightning arcing in the air, ready to hit both of us as Palpatine's mad laughter fills the cavern.

"The blood of Skywalker is no match for my power!"

Furious rage veils my vision red and I don't think, I'm up on my feet as black lightning descends and I thrust out my hands.

I scream as my skins burns but I hold onto the power.

I am not a Jedi and I am not a Sith.

I am something else.

"How dare you get in my way! Move aside you filthy scavenger, it's Skywalker I want!"

The emperor's mad ravings have torn him loose from the apparatus holding him. He hobbles towards me and the lightning disappears.

My legs shake as my hands throb with pain. How did Ben make it look so easy in the desert?

No time to think. I glance behind at Ben but he hasn't moved and panic flutters in my soul.

"Get up Ben! I need you!"

I back up guarding Ben against the emperor.

Sinister laughter crawling over my skin and I turn my attention back to Palpatine.

"Foolish girl, don't waste your life. Give him to me!"

I thrust out my hand and Leia's saber is in my palm.

"Never! I won't let you hurt him!"

He stops and sneers at me. "A Palpatine in love with a Skywalker? You disappoint me with your weakness."

I bare my teeth at him and cross the weapon over my body.

"I don't give a damn what you think and I'm not a Palpatine! Only you would consider love a weakness."

"T-that's it sweetheart. You tell him."

Relief surging through me at Ben's shaking voice and I hear the scrape of dirt, a slight cough and he's on his feet.

The hum of a saber and once more blue light pushes back the darkness as we stand side-by-side.

Palpatine stares at us and murderous calm descends.

My throat tightens and I grip my saber with sweaty palms.

I can feel it, Palpatine's rising power and a pulse in the Force.

He's preparing his final strike.

This is going to end one way or another.

Ben is at my side and I can't imagine anywhere else I would rather be than right here with him.