Chapter 7

Exegol was unlike anything Rey had ever seen. They were greater by an impressive fleet of Star Destroyers that the Emperor had been building. It was utterly terrifying. She and Ben piloted the Millennium Falcon with ease and were able to land safely on the planet's surface. Rey couldn't help but smile to herself at how well they were able to fly together. As they stood up, she turned to her friends as she took Ben's hand with her own, something she was so comfortable with that she felt as if she had been doing it her whole life. "Ben and I will go to the Emperor alone. You three need to call out to our allies to send reinforcements. I know Leia has been sending out transmissions and will continue to do so as we speak," she spoke with a clear tone. Perhaps one day she could be a true leader in the Resistance as Leia had been pushing her towards. Ben was proud to be standing next to such a strong woman and squeezed her hand gently. Rey squeezed back and looked at everyone surrounding her. They all meant so much to her, more than they could truly understand or know. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't know how best to put it. She took a deep breath and decided on how best to deliver her message.
"May the Force be with us all."
Chewie roared out in agreement and gathered them all into a huge embrace. Once they pulled away, Ben and Rey made their way off of the Falcon and towards the entrance of the nightly Sith temple. Rey shuddered at the sight but felt her fear dissipate with Ben beside her. Lightning struck all around them as they walked onto a platform that slowly began to lower them deeper and deeper into the temple. The platform froze once they reached the bottom and they continued to walk towards the throne room. As Rey reached the entrance, she was suddenly pulled back and found herself in Ben's arms, his lips on hers so quickly she didn't have time to say anything else. She sank into the kiss and wrapped her arms around him, letting her fingers grip his wavy locks. They pulled away in heavy pants as Ben looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms.
"I want you to know Rey, here and now, that I love you and I will always be with you," he spoke quietly, pressing his forehead to hers. Rey reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently.
"I have always loved you, Ben, and always will," she replied. Ben sighed and kissed her once more before they headed into the throne room. In the middle of the room stood the throne of the Sith, which both of them had seen in visions. Their visions told them they would be sitting on the throne together through the Dark Side. How wrong they were. More lightning continued to flash as a soft chant started to build. Rey and Ben turned and found that there was an assembly of hooded figures surrounding them.
"Long have I waited, for my grandchild to come home," an old, menacing voice rang out suddenly, echoing across the throne room. Ben and Rey slowly turned towards the voice, chills running up and down their spines. There he was - the Emperor.
"You have fulfilled your destiny and have done what your grandfather couldn't, boy," the Emperor spoke with a grin. "You have brought my grandchild home to me, even though you did not kill her as I asked. Do I sense a change in you, Kylo Ren?" Rey stepped forward in front of Ben and stared down her grandfather.
"We are not here to join the Sith. We've come to end them," she spoke with confidence in her voice. "Oh my child, it is your birthright to rule. You will ascend the throne, Empress Palpatine," the Emperor replied. Rey shuddered at the name but didn't back down.
"I refuse to accept Palpatine as my name."
"Oh? And just what would you name be then, you filthy scavenger? You are nothing without me." The Emperor spat these words with such venom but Rey still stood proud and strong. She drew her lightsaber, the blue tint lighting up her face brilliantly.
"I have everything I could possibly want. I have found the family I never had," she replied. Taking a deep breath, she raised her lightsaber as a knowing smile spread across her face.
"I am Rey Solo."