Darkness rises and light to meet it.

'I know it sounds crazy, but…'

'Actually, I believe you.' Rey interjected.

'You do?' Poe said in amazement.

'I met him. I met the one who called himself Son. He came to me as some sort of projection.'

'So it is true,' Poe lowered myself onto a nearby bench in the mess tent. He hadn't really believed it until that very moment.

Daughter had explained everything to him in detail and told him he needed to convey all the information to Rey. Poe had listened intently and promised to do as she asked. He could still see the dazzling smile she had rewarded him with when he closed his eyes. Just before she took her leave, Daughter had leaned in close and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Poe had never felt anything like that kiss. The moment her lips touched his, he lit up on the inside. He felt warm, and happy and hopeful and able to take on anything the galaxy could throw at him. It was an intoxicating, addictive sensation, and he wanted more.

'I thought I was forbidden to touch you?' he prompted when she pulled away.

'You are forbidden to touch me, Dameron Poe, but I may touch whomever I like,' she replied with a coy smile before fading before his eyes.

Poe wasn't sure he knew what love was in the traditional sense of the word. He sent his heart out into the world freely and connected with many diverse people and species from all walks of life. He enjoyed being able to appreciate their differences and their similarities on a sensual, intimate basis. He took what he needed from them, and they took what they needed from him, then they parted ways each mutually satisfied.

The feelings that stirred within him after Daughter had kissed him, were new and confusing. Was this love at first sight? He wasn't sure.

There was only one other he had felt this strongly for. He glanced at Finn. But he hadn't been quick enough to admit his feelings and another had secured his good friends heart. He snuck a peek at Rose. Poe had no bitter feelings towards them, he was happy for his two teammates, but he did envy their closeness. He huffed out a annoyed breath. Why had the galaxy saw fit to send him a gift as tempting as Daughter if he wasn't able to possess it?

Poe was not the kind of guy who sat around and waited for things to happen, he was a take charge, make things happen kind of guy. That made this whole thing all the more frustrating. There was nothing he could control in this situation. Nothing. The only thing he knew with absolutely certainty was that he was hooked. He didn't know if he would ever see Daughter again but he knew he wanted to with every fibre of his being.

'Poe, are you okay?' Rey asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

'Yes, sorry. I'm just having some trouble digesting... all of this, he answered truthfully.

Was he mistaken or did Rey just hide a small smile from him? Had she looked into his mind? Did she know what he had just been thinking?

His fears were confirmed when Rey leaned towards him and whispered, 'Your secret is safe with me, Dameron Poe.'

Poe blushed. He wasn't sure he had ever blushed before. Usually he was the one with the power to make others feel uncomfortable. Sneaky Jedi and their memory snooping powers. She knew it all then. This 'force' thing was a bloody nuisance.

'Welcome to my world,' Rey said wearily in response to his thoughts.

Poe cocked his head at Rey and gave her a sympathetic smile. He was starting to understand why she always seemed like she had the weight of the galaxy on her shoulders. With this 'force' following her everywhere she went, he guessed she sort of did indeed have the galaxy on her very young shoulders. He decided to try and be more understanding of her heavy burden in the future.

Rey was glad to feel Poe's resolve to attempt to learn to be more accepting of her. She felt sympathy for him in regards to his feelings for the one called Daughter. She knew how it felt to want something you could not have no matter how badly you desired it. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new path for both of them.

'Why isn't this 'Son' here right now?' Finn asked.

'He can't break through into our realm. Not yet anyway,' Poe explained, 'Daughter told me that their Father keeps him in check, but he is nearing his end and once he is gone, there will be nothing to stop Son from entering our realm and then? All bets are off. Death, destruction, you name it. Daughter made it sound like he would kill anything that moved just for sport. This guy has lived so long, humanity is just a footnote in some dusty old book to him.'

'What does he want?' Rose asked.

Poe rolled his eyes.

'The usual...totally domination of the galaxy, unlimited power, yadda,yadda,yadda.'

'And me.'

They all looked at Rey.

'You?' Finn stepped forward aggressively.

'Yes. He wants me to join with him. If he makes it into this world, he will stop at nothing to have me.'

'He'll has to go through us,' Rose said.

Rey looked at Rose. Her expression was somber.

'And he will, Rose. I've never felt power the likes of this before. Had he wanted to, he could have killed me where I stood and I...I would have been helpless to prevent it,' she reluctantly admitted.

The room fell silent. Rey was their most powerful fighter. If she couldn't defeat this new threat, what chance did anyone else have?

Poe stood up.

'So what's the plan?' he said looking determinedly at Rey.

'I don't know, yet. I had hoped that Kylo Ren could…'

'Kylo! Are you crazy? That's your big plan?' Finn shouted at her.

Rey's nostrils flared, her anger spilled out at Finn for two reasons. One, because he had the audacity to question her methods when he had no idea what they were dealing with, and two because her bond with Kylo was intimate and personal and a slight against Kylo felt as rage inducing as a slight against herself.

'Like it or not Finn, he and I share something and it's a solid fact that he is the strongest fighter I know. So yes, I had hoped that I could have convinced him to join with me against the Son, who is as big a threat to his existence as he is ours. But I find myself… unable to communicate with him,' she turned away from Finn to try and hide the tears that were forming in her eyes. As much as she loved him, he didn't understand her bond with Kylo and his indifference caused her pain.

She hadn't been able to activate her link with Kylo since her introduction to the Son, but she was attempting to hide the suffering she felt from her loved ones. She had no way of knowing if Kylo was alive or dead, but she couldn't allow her feelings for him to cloud her judgement. There was no time to fall apart. She was their only line of defence against this being of destruction and she had to focus on that one singular purpose, for now.

You're not the only line of defence.

Rey turned to face Leia as she felt her thoughts slip into her mind. The elderly General had been quietly listening during the group discussion until that very moment.

Leia stood up and addressed her fellow rebels.

'I too have felt this disturbance in the Force. Rey and I are the only ones with even the slightest chance of being able to fight this new enemy. I am going to ask you all to do something you are not going to want to do. Rey and I are going to leave this place, and you cannot follow.'

'No!' Rose shouted loudly.

Rey looked at her with loving eyes.

'Rose, Leia is right. Right now, the Son is only interested in me. He will most likely follow me wherever I go. It will be safer for you all if I make sure I am far away from here should he return.'

'I won't let you go,' Rose sobbed stubbornly. Rey enveloped her in a tight hug and spoke quietly into the ear of the only best friend she had ever known.

'Rose, if the Son does return, I won't be able to protect you. I need all my energy to repel him. If you're with me, you will be a distraction and my chances of beating him will diminish further. I need you to think of a plan B Rose, if I fail and he is unleashed within this Galaxy, you have to use that brilliant brain of yours to come up with some other way to defeat him. Other than Leia, you're the only one I trust to protect our people.'

Rose wiped at her eyes and nodded.

Rey released her friend and addressed the entire assembly. Chewie, Finn, Poe, Rose, Leia and BB looked at her expectantly. Even C3PO was unusually quiet.

'I care about all of you, and I am honoured that you care about me in turn, but I have to do this and I need you all to try and understand, and to let me go.'

Each of her friends reluctantly nodded in turn. BB beeped sadly and Rey bent down to rub the dear little droids dome.

You are a true leader, Rey.

Hearing Leia's voice in her head gave her a small dose of sorely needed courage. She looked up and smiled at the woman she had begun to think of as a mother.

Leia let out a deep breath.

'Poe, ready my ship. We depart in one hour.'

Hux sat at the head of the large meeting table and steepled his fingers. He looked at each of the First Order military leaders in turn, building their suspense as to why he had called the unexpected gathering. He fed off their hungry reactions. Smoothing down the front of his shiny black tunic, he lifted his chin, and finally addressed his honoured guests.

'Kylo Ren is missing, presumed dead.'

There were a few gasps and some hushed whispers. Hux cleared his throat and the room fell silent. All eyes returned to him and Hux revelled in their collective attention. Finally everyone was focused on the true supreme leader.

'I have called this meeting to discuss his replacement.'

Hux stood up and walked around the table slowly as he spoke.

'You all know, I worked very closely with our great Supreme Leader. In fact, I often acted as a confident to him in his times of need. You might say we were like brothers to one another. Of course in light of this, you can understand that his disappearance is causing me great emotional distress, but nevertheless I know he would want me to carry on. Because of this, I can say with utmost confidence that I am willing and able to step into his place, permanently if necessary.'

Hux returned to the head of the table and took a seat as he waited for his colleagues to respond to his proposal.

He smiled slowly as one by one each of men nodded in agreement, and Hux was unanimously voted the new leader of the First Order. He trembled slightly as he tried to contain his overwhelming delight.

'Thank you gentleman. I won't let you down. Now then, let's get to the matter at hand, shall we? Have the storm-troopers based in the outer rim fed back anything of interest regarding the current location of the rebel forces?' He desired to change the topic of discussion but had little interest in receiving the Intel.

One of the Generals started to give a report of his findings, but Hux barely heard a word. In his opinion, it was a waste of resources to continue chasing down the dwindling rebels. That was Kylo's obsession, not his. No, Hux had much bigger plans for the First Order, and finally he would be able to see them come to fruition.

He sent a silent prayer out into the Galaxy.

Wherever you are Kylo Ren, I hope you stay dead.

Kylo called out as he once again lost his grip on the cliff face and slid down the jagged rocks, landing with a hard smack onto a nearby ledge.

Resting on his back on the small surface area, he looked at his bloodied hands. He had long since discarded his ruined gloves. He looked up at the unforgiving mountain. He had gained very little ground and though he had no idea how much time had passed since he had become trapped in the bleak barren wasteland, he knew one thing for certain, he was running out of the precious commodity.

Get up, kid.

His father's voice was soft and encouraging. Kylo stood up and once again began to climb. He tried to push away his fears as he focused on the physically exhausting task, but they made themselves known to him anyway.

What if I can't get there?

What if Rey is injured?

What if I lose her?

The last thought hurt more than the multitude of cuts and bruises he had endured during his attempted ascend of the sharp volcanic rock.

You know, for a darksider, you sure do seem to care an awful lot about the little scavenger from Jakku.

Kylo ignored him and grunted out loud as he swung his leg up towards another difficult foothold.

I'm just saying, maybe you might want to examine why that is, one day. You know, so long as we don't die.

'Not helpful,' Kylo managed to grit out as steadied himself to prevent another fall.

Right. Sorry. Got a bit off track there. Just seems to me that you might have feelings for her.

Kylo didn't respond.

You don't want to talk about it, okay. I get that. It's just that if you do have feelings for her, that might be something you want to share with her, when you see her again. You know, when we get out of this mess. Which we absolutely will. I have full confidence in your abilities, son. Go team.

Kylo stopped for a moment and let out an exasperated sigh. He wasn't ready to admit to his father how he felt for Rey, so he settled on a cold, calculated response. It almost hurt to force out the lie, but he knew it would hurt considerably less than it would to feel more vulnerable in that moment.

'It's not about feelings, Rey is my counterpart, and together we will be the strongest force in the galaxy. That is why I wish for us to come together. It has nothing to do with affection, it's a power play. Now can you let me concentrate?'

Yeah sure. I'll be quiet.

Kylo continued to climb but had barely ascended more than a few feet before his father's voice again interrupted his thoughts.

Women always figure out the truth kid, always.

'Maybe you should have stayed behind, Leia,' Rey suggested as she flew them to their mutually agreed secret location.

'And let you have all the fun? Never!' Leia answered back.

Rey smiled. She was grateful for the company though she feared for Leia's life as much as her own. Her mind wandered back to the saber at her hip.

'Leia, why did you give up your training?' she asked.

'I saw something in my future. Something that scared me deeply. I believed if I gave up the Jedi path, then perhaps the images that I had seen would not come to pass.'

'What did you see?' Rey asked.

'The future death of my unborn son.'

Rey gasped. Ben she meant Ben.

Leia nodded sadly.

'Yes, I gave up my training to save Ben, but I lost him anyway, so was it all for nothing? Was the image I saw the truth? Or was it a trick of my own fearful heart? Or was it Snoke manipulating me? Or perhaps it was the Force using me once again for its own selfish ends? I may never know, and now it's too late to make amends.'

'Leia, I'm so sorry. You've had to endure so much.'

Rey's heart bled for her beloved elder. Leia felt her sympathy wrap around her like a shroud. She shrugged it away. She had no time for pity.

'Yes well, No point in dwelling on the past. There is worse to come for you and I.'

Rey sensed that her master wanted to drop the painful subject, so she simply nodded in agreement and fell silent.

Despite suspecting to was a waste of time, she tried again to contact Kylo, but to no avail.

Kylo, where are you?

How could an energy as powerful as his just disappear? Her head kept telling her to prepare for the worst, but her heart encouraged her not to give up hope.

Come back to me. She silently pleaded.

Leia looked at Rey compassionately. They had grown so close as they trained together, she had come to think of the talented girl as an adopted daughter. In no way a replacement for her dear Ben, but as a wonderful addition to her unique Force family.

Her affection for her Jedi Padawan, meant she felt the girls emotions most keenly. She sensed the pain radiating from Rey like a pulsating homing beacon and it broke her heart to feel it.

The young lightsider had been in love with her son for some time now, though she tried to hide it from everyone, even herself. Leia's heart went out to the young girl, as much pain as the loss of her sons energy was causing her, she knew it was worse for Rey. The loss of one's soulmate was a horrible, empty sensation. One she knew all too well.

'We're here,'' Rey announced as they entered the planets atmosphere. Leia began to mentally prepare herself for what they may have to face. She looked at Rey once more before sending out a silent message to her twice lost son.

I'll protect her, Ben. I'll keep her light safe for you, even if it means my life.

Son smiled as he felt his Father's energy weaken further. Soon there would be nothing left to tie him to Mortis and he would be free to enslave the galaxy as he saw fit. The people needed a solid sense of structure and order that only he could give them and anyone who opposed him? Well, there were always going to be casualties of war. It was inevitable.

He sighed impatiently, would it speed things along if he just killed Father now? No. Sister would make things difficult for him then. Better to have her distracted by her grief so she wouldn't interfere with his plans. For now, he would focus on the girl.

He closed his eyes. Rey was relocating. Trying to hide. He chuckled. Foolish girl. She couldn't hide, not from him.

His Father's energy dropped even lower. Son closed his eyes, he saw Father lying in his bed and Daughter at his side weeping on the floor.

So weak.

Not like him and not like Rey. They were strong. They were resilient. They deserved to rule the galaxy side by side.

While his family were otherwise occupied, Son took his chance to escape. He used the Force to connect to Rey's energy and teleport himself to her location. He was excited at the prospect of seeing her again, especially as this time he would be in corporal form. Though he would have limited time as the energy necessary to transfer his body halfway across the galaxy was exponential. He would need to return to Mortis before his life force was extinguished. He hoped to take Rey with him, though he was sure she would put up a fight. He would be disappointed if she didn't. But she would understand soon enough that the Force had connected them for a reason. She would understand that they were meant to be.

I'm coming for you, Rey, and this time, I'm not leaving without you.

Rey helped Leia disembark from the ship. She carried their small pack of supplies to the single stone dwelling situated on the small, uninhabited planet.

It was Leia's idea to choose a desert planet.

'Maybe it will help if we choose a location he wouldn't expect you to choose. If he looked into your thoughts he will know your preference for greenery,' she had suggested.

Rey was sceptical. She suspected the Son would to be able to track her energy no matter where she went, but she didn't have any better ideas. She kicked angrily at the sand as she walked. She hated sand. It reminded her of Jakku. A place she never wanted to return to in reality or in her thoughts.

'Perhaps he only found you by accident, my dear. I think perhaps it was merely Kylo's energy that alerted him to yours,' Leia offered as they walked.

Again Rey was sceptical, but it was the best plan they had.

As Rey unpacked their things, she tried to keep her mind on anything but the Son. She worried continuously that she would somehow inadvertently signal him if her thoughts lingered on him too long.

Her thoughts turned briefly to Kylo but that only brought her more pain. She missed him so much now. She longed for the days she had found his constant interruptions irritating. What she wouldn't give to hear his voice right now. What she wouldn't give to have him with her, holding her, promising to keep her safe.

She turned around to see Leia scrutinising the small room.

'Well it's not ideal, but it will have to do.'

She sat down at the small stone table and folded her hands atop the cold surface.

Rey, sit with me. I need to tell you something.'

Rey sat down at the table opposite Leia.

'I know,' Leia said plainly.

It was clear that she expected Rey to comprehend, but Rey didn't understand.

'What?'

'I know that you're in love with my son.'

Rey went quiet.

'I'm not in love with him,' she protested.

'Rey, I see your heart—'

'I'm not in love with him,' Rey insisted bluntly, standing up and walking to a corner of the room.

It was too raw. She hadn't admitted the truth to anyone and she couldn't admit it now. Not when she didn't know if she would ever see him again. Not when it would hurt the most.

Leia tried again.

'Okay, then I know that you care for him,' she compromised.

Rey turned around and looked at Leia once more. She walked slowly back towards the table and sat down.

'I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, Rey. It feels as if we are heading towards some sort of conclusion, and my worn, sentimental heart just wanted to share it's secrets in case these are to be my final moments. I wanted to tell you that should the fates change, should Ben return to the light and should his and your stars align, I couldn't ask for a better partner for my son, or a better daughter for myself.'

Rey fought back tears. She reached out across the table and took Leia's hands within her own.

'Thank you,' she whispered fervently.

If only things could have been different, why couldn't she have become entangled in the Solo family earlier? She could have had a normal life with a loving family and Ben by her side. Was it her fate to be alone forever?

'Well isn't this touching,' The Son announced as he suddenly appeared in the doorway of the dwelling.

Rey and Leia stood up quickly and faced him. The Son sighed. Why did they have to make everything so difficult?

'Did you really think I wouldn't be able to find you, Rey? That delicate, intoxicating light you emit leaves a comet like trail across the galaxy.'

Rey glared at him. Very well, as his compliment had not been well received, perhaps bargaining was the way to his force mates heart.

'Rey if you come quickly I will let the elderly one li—'

The Son was cut off mid sentence as Leia sent him hurtling halfway across the planet with a force push so powerful it made Rey gasp in surprise at her ageing mentor's strength. She looked at Leia with wide eyes.

Leia rolled her eyes.

'Well don't look so shocked, you're not the only one who can use the force.'

Rey followed Leia as she exited the dwelling. They stood side by side ready to fight the Son upon his return. Rey unclipped her saber and ignited it.

'Leia, if we don't survive this I want you to know that I lo—'

'I know, Rey,' Leia said with a small smile, 'I know.'

The Son reappeared before them.

'I should not have underestimated the mother of Kylo Ren, my apologies,' he said with a slight bow.

'Ben Solo is the name of my son,' Leia retorted.

'You still cling to the lightsider within him? You mortals and your sentimental attachments,' he said with amusement, shaking his head slightly.

Suddenly sand ascended from the earth and swirled around The Son, temporarily impairing his vision. He called out in frustration and rapidly wiped at his eyes.

Leia turned to Rey.

'Run.'

'Did you do that?' Rey asked as they ran.

'Yeah, he was starting to annoy me,' she panted back.

The Son appeared before them once more, stopping them in their tracks.

'I believe that is what you mortals would call a dirty trick,' he said pursing his lips.

'No, that's something my Han would call improvising,' Leia replied.

It warmed Rey's heart to hear Leia mention Han.

Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one listening.

'Han is the one who died by your son's hand is he not?'

Rey felt Leia's anger rise at the Sons taunt. She tried to break through the Generals rage fuelled mist.

Leia, don't listen….

'You told him to bring your son home and instead he pushed him further into the darkness,' the Son said with mock sympathy.

Leia took a step forward.

Leia, don't…

'Ben, Han, Luke...Tell me Leia, does anyone survive the crime of being loved by you?'

Leia held her hand out towards the Son but he instantly immobilised her with the force.

'Leia!' Rey cried and tried to run to her mentors aid. The Son held out his hand towards her as a threat and she stilled before he could use the force on her too.

'I'll go with you, just leave her alive,' Rey pleaded.

The Son smiled a slow smile and released Leia. He reached out his hand for Rey's.

Rey desperately tried to think of a way out of the situation but her mind was as empty as her hopeless heart. She took one last desperate look at Leia before she moved forward and reached out her hand for his.

Their fingers were almost touching, when suddenly her saber flew from her belt and landed in Leia's waiting hands.

Leia turned the fiery blade in her sinewy fingers and lunged forward, she swiped the blade across the Son's outstretched hand, slicing a large cut into his palm. The Son called out in pain.

Leia sensed her temporary advantage and made a move to run the Son through. She charged forward but Son let out a crackle of red force lightning from his fingertips and it sent the old General flying backwards into the sand.

Leia!' Rey cried, running to her side and throwing herself down into the sand. She took Leia's hands within her own.

Tears poured down Rey's cheeks. Leia looked at her with calm acceptance.

'Do not cry for me, Rey,' Leia said soothingly.

'Leia don't leave me,' Rey sobbed.

'No one's ever really gone, Rey,' Leia recited before her eyes closed for the very last time.

Leia felt peaceful as she started to slip away. She knew Han would be waiting for her and she was eager to be reunited with her one true love. There was just one more thing she needed to do. With her very last breath, Leia sent a call out across the force to the boy who had always held her heart. Light or Dark, he was her son and in her final moments she desperately wanted him to know that he was still loved.

Her final message flew amongst the stars looking for its lost recipient.

Rey heard the word echo within her head and she willed it on its momentous journey.

Bring him home.

She pleaded, as she watched her beloved mentor and friend fade away before her eyes.

Please Leia, bring him home.