So much potential for these two... Squandered. If they let him live, they could have made a new movie or Disney+ series based on discovery, redemption, and balance. The could have called them, "Star Wars: The Dyad of the Force" or "Star Wars: True Balance." It truly was a test for both of them; to be able to connect despite being practically dyads of the force. Damn man. I'm glad there are Fanfics out there that bring these two together and/or provide better stories because I was deeply unsatisfied with RoS. And not just because I'm a REYLO fan. I've already read at least 3 fanfics that provide better story and closure. It would have been better if, instead of Ben, Leia sensed what he was doing to save Rey, and in order to save her son who had finally conquered his fear, uses the last of will to take his place. I can see her crouching next to him and placing her hand over his, without him even knowing and sacrifices herself for both Rey and Ben. The two that were almost, if not quite literally the personification of balance within the force. There are two sides of the force, and when two who represent these two sides connect on a level so profound, only then can there be true balance. No more Jedi. No more Sith. Just two sides working together to make the universe a better place.
Here's my version of it:
She felt it. Han's will. His light. The same one she could never stop loving. However, what came next took her breath away as she found herself standing in the rain, in an instant, she saw Ben finally throw what was left of Kylo Ren away. A smile spread across her face. Her son finally conquered his fear. However, it was short lived. As soon as he turned around to face her, he was gone, but she could still feel him. His will. His life. In an attempt to hide her distress, Leia rushed to her quarters and sat on the floor. She then closed her eyes and listened. Focused. Searched for her son's light. She finally did.. However, what stood next to his light was an even fiercer light that shined more so than even Luke's. Although said light was beginning to fade. All of a sudden, flashes of Ben and Rey fighting and the smug look of Palpatine's face and near lifeless body raced through her mind. However, Leia kept her focus on Ben and Rey. Their connection. It was beautiful; a force to be reckoned. Soon, though, the flashes finally stopped only to find herself standing behind Ben. He sat there with his eyes closed and his palm laid gently upon Rey. Leia didn't need to check. She knew what he was going to do; she could feel Ben's light trying to pull Rey back, but he seemed to be having difficulty with it. And you know what? Leia thought she could lend a hand as any loving mother would. She slowly walked up to her son and knelt down beside him. She looked at him before she closed her eyes and placed her hand over his and poured every ounce of her will and life to pull Rey back. She focused all of her energy into her palm until finally she could see a light flicker on and begin to build. Leia finally opened her eyes and looked over at Ben. Her son. He still had his eyes closed. A tear ran down her cheek, and a smile graced her face, and the last words she spoke before she joined Luke and Han echoed through Ben.
"I love you, Ben."
Ben's eyes snapped open upon hearing her voice and looked to the side, but nothing was there. His breathing began to shudder until he felt someone stir in his arms. He looked down at Rey and couldn't stop the smile that mirrored hers. Off to the side, unbeknownst to Ben and Rey stood the force ghosts of Leia and Luke.
"Thank you Leia."
"No. Please thank Rey."
I mean, really people. They kill off the entire family only to have Rey take on the name? Nope. Not for me I'm afraid.