A/N:
I'm not even gonna try to make an excuse for posting a week late. All I'm saying is that I have too much access to Netflix.
Disclaimer: I forgot to do this for the other chapters so - I don't own any Star Wars characters, unfortunately. I wish I did.
Ben's POV:
That encounter had been . . . interesting, to say the least. Rey and I were a little shocked, and embarrassed, and had gotten a bit of a bruise on our pride, to say the least. We agreed to pretend it never happened.
Rey and I headed back to base, still holding hands as the old ships flew to another plant for restoration, now to be used for trade. A member of the resistance, unknown to me, approached us. He seemed to be quite a bit nervous, but didn't waver.
The man turned to me and said "Commander Poe Dameron has requested that Ben Solo speaks at General Leia Organa's memorial ceremony on Saturday morning." He spoke in a formal way, never stumbling over his words.
"Wow . . . uh . . . okay" I said, hesitant as Rey gave me a look saying You ok? I gave her a small nod, and released her hand. She understood I needed to be alone.
I walked away toward the more secluded part of the woods, my thoughts spinning. I'm going to speak. In front of the whole Resistance. They all know me as Kylo Ren. And to speak for my mother? I could have very well killed her according to everyone here . . . just like my father.
I was so focused on my thoughts, I failed to notice the orange glow a little way off. I knew it was a crashed TIE fighter . . . it just didn't register in my brain . . . unfortunately.
I turned around, deciding to head back to base. A hot cup of tea might do me some good. And then . . . oh fun . . . I have to write a speech.
Hux's POV:
I was mad. Very mad. Extremely mad.
I was so mad I crashed my stolen TIE fighter.
At least I was at the right place.
I should have been dead. But no, I wasn't. I dodged a bullet - literally - then faked my death. The storm troopers that came to dispose of my body . . . let's just say they got two things. A bit of a shock, and a one-way ticket to the afterlife. I disposed of their bodies and stole a TIE fighter. I've been watching from the sidelines for a while. The hate just grows.
I don't care what happens to me, or the rest of the world. All I know is that Kylo Ren's life will be taken . . . in one way or another.
Vengeance will be mine, and I will rule the First Order as the Supreme Leader.
SATURDAY MORNING
Rey's POV:
I could only watch as Ben paced back and forth behind the stage. It's been going on for the past half hour. By now I'm honestly gonna puke. It was making me too dizzy.
It was the memorial ceremony and Ben looked dashing. He was dressed in a white, high collared shirt and a black formal coat with matching shoes and pants. I wore a long, flowing white gown with long sleeves that had a slit to my elbow, allowing them to hang past my waist.. To top it all off I had on a floral beaded necklace, earrings, and bracelet.
I mentally counted the seconds on the clock. In three minutes it would be Ben's turn to speak. I was only back here for emotional support. Poe suggested it and it was definitely a good idea.
The minutes went by too quickly. My heart nearly burst out of my chest as I gave Ben a good luck squeeze. I walked over to a seat that had been reserved for me, nervously fingering my bracelet. How will it go? Will everyone accept him?
There were quite a few gasps and murmurs as Ben took his place at the podium. I knew he knew the speech by heart, he had practiced all day, every day, but still, I was a bit terrified.
"I know what a whole lot of you are thinking right now," he began, "That I'm Kylo Ren. The person that issued the command that killed your friends and family. Kylo Ren. The monster, the terrorist, the murderer."
"But I'm not here today to ask for your forgiveness. I'm here to honor a hero, even though she refused to call herself one." As Ben continued, he started to grow more confident. "My mother. General Leia Organa. The person who gave me the name Ben Solo. And I intend to never change it again."
"She always believed that this small group of people were a spark. A spark that lit the fire that would burn down the First Order. And she was right. Her hope did just that. Her hope made that hope for peace and justice, and, most of all, for her son to return," His voice broke, and I could tell some people were getting a little misty eyed.
"And I did return. I did the moment she breathed her last breath. She called out to me. Just one word. My name. Ben." There wasn't a dry eye in the entire crowd, "And so she continues to light sparks today - sparks of hope. I just wish she was here to see this. See what an impact she made - see every spark burning inside each of us."
The entire crowd was in tears - including Ben and I. I gave him a hug as he sat down beside me. "You were amazing," I whisper and he gives me a teary smile.
Finn's POV:
The party was a complete hit. Xylina singing, the crowd inhaling mountains of food, the dance floor full - it was incredible.
Rey and Ben were on the dance floor with every other couple - of course, and that same little bug came back. Stupid jealousy bug. Ugh.
I found Poe flirting with a giggling group of girls. Typical. One look from me and he excused himself. "Let me guess," he began. "Rey and Ben are dancing with all the couples."
I nodded. Poe just rolled his eyes and dragged me over to the quickly depleting buffet table. "Get a drink," he said, "it might make you feel better." I sighed but finally did reach out for a bottle of soda.
As Poe went back to the group of girls, something caught my eye. A young man, skinny, orange hair, kinda pasty.
Wait . . . that wasn't right. He's dead. He should be dead at least.
I trashed my soda and grabbed Poe's arm, dragging him over to where Rey and Ben were dancing.
"Guys," I said, the fear apparent in my voice, "We have company, should've-been-dead company." Poe, Rey, and Ben both look hopelessly confused. "It's Hux," I said, "Hux is alive."
Their eyes all widened. "Where did he go?" Ben demands. "Backstage," I answer as Ben sprints away, leaving me, Poe, and Rey to follow him.
Long story short, the door was locked. "He must've locked it on his way in, but don't worry, this is what hairpins are for," Rey says briskly, pulling out a pin, letting a strand of hair fall loose. "Hurry," Poe says, on the lookout for anything and everything.
Ben's POV:
Rey finally managed to get the door open, and we all ran inside - to be greeted by total darkness. I pulled out Luke's lightsaber, "always be prepared," I smirked, igniting it. To my surprise, Rey pulled out Leia's lightsaber from a fold in her dress. I was impressed.
The lightsabers lit up some of our surroundings, but not much. We continued to run along the dark hallways, the music from the main stage muted. We stopped at a dead end. A large, empty room. We decided to split up, Poe coming with me, and Finn with Rey.
I walked ahead, nearly falling over what seemed to be a practice stage. As I held the lightsaber above my head, I was greeted by a very familiar face looking down from the platform. "Kylo Ren," he smirked, "I've found you at last."
"Hux," I snarled.
A/N:
Cliffhanger! Don't sue me! ;)
Yes. I post a week late and give you people a cliffhanger. You're welcome :)
Ok, so, other news. I've pretty much given up on keeping to a schedule. I need inspiration to write, and that doesn't exactly stick to a schedule. I'm aiming for sometime this week and hoping for about Saturday . . . but idk. Anyway, tell me what you guys think! If you have any ideas for future chapters - please, please, please, I'm begging you to message me or something so I can post a little sooner with longer chapters. Bye for now! :)
