Chapter 3 Painted Black

Rey sat next to Ben as he was asleep. The quiet lakeside palace was calm and inviting. The Queen of Naboo did grant the last of the Resistance fighters asylum but only for the time being. At some point they would need to leave and rebuild elsewhere. In the other room Rose was recovering from her injuries as Fin stood in the hall trying to monitor Rey and Rose. Leia walked into Ben's room seeing her son was still asleep. Rey looked up to Leia as the General sat down.

"How is he?" Leia asked and Rey didn't answer and continued to watch over Ben. Once he had gotten off the Falcon he passed out and hasn't woken since. The medical team provided by the Queen looked at his wounds and started to the healing process but it was going to leave a very large and deep scar. "Just give it time." Rey nodded and stood up. She couldn't sit here all day because nothing was going to happen. It was about time and to take their time.

Ben walked in a large field of green grass as there was a quiet breeze. It felt good on his skin. The air was clear and clean. He could breathe and feel the warmth of the sun. He reached out to touch the tall grass feeling it in his hand. But then he felt someone was behind him. He looked down seeing he was in white linen that moved with the wind. As he turned around a woman stood behind him. She was clad in a beautiful blew dress that appeared to made of water. Her long brown hair cascaded all around her with flowing loose curls. Her eyes were soft and loving. Ben moved to her as he seen this woman before in dreams. Sometimes when he was at his most alone and deep pain she would appear and hold him. She felt like his mother when she hugged him. She felt close and she felt of peace.

Ben walked to her as she remained there waiting. Once he stood before she reached out and placed a hand on his scar. He closed his eyes feeling comfort and peace. He opened his eyes again as she remained there before him. She then brought him in for a loving hug. Now more than ever he really felt her spirit as if she was real and with him. He felt a knot in his throat and his eyes began to burn a little. He felt safe and felt quiet.

Ben's eye flickered opened and he slowly looked around seeing people around him. His vision wouldn't clear though and he felt as is he was floating. He could hear the people speaking but it was all muffled. They were all in white standing there. He turned his head and a face appeared and cleared. He saw Rey and he tried to focus on her.

"Rey," He managed to say but it was weak.

"What's wrong with him?" Rey asked the medical personal.

"Infection," One man spoke up. "You said you came from Crait, while it is full of salt and salt can counter infection it's the red sand underneath the salt. It holds bacteria that feeds off the dry air." The man explained. "The planet is covered in it and it feeds off salt, we humans do carry salt in us." Rey looked back at him.

"Can you help him?" Rey asked as the medical persons continued to look on.

"It's going to take some time." A woman spoke up meaning yes they can but it will take time. Another woman came over and injected Ben with something and he began to fall back to sleep.

The last of the Resistance sat together in the dark as night had fallen. They were all in a room together looking around as Leia was quiet. They were reduced to a room of people. How do they rise above this? But they had another problem though and that was Ben or Kylo Ren. How and where does he fit in all this?

Finn looked around the room as everyone was quiet so he stood up to start the conversion.

"Can we trust him?" Finn asked. "We'll start there. He may have gotten us out of Crait but now what?" And they looked at one another. But no one here knew what happened before Crait though. Rey did and she might be the only one to defend Ben right now. Leia was going to let everyone talk then she would go from there.

"He got us away from the First Order." Rey pointed out.

"He killed Solo, he destroyed the Senate." Fin added and Rey looked to Poe and he shrugged because all that was true. "He hunted us until Crait." Rey couldn't deny what Ben has done but there was one thing she hasn't mentioned.

"He killed Snoke." Rey spoke up and that caught everyone's attention quickly. Rey took in a big gulp and looked around. "I was there, he killed Snoke and then he came with me."

"The Darkside manipulates," Finally Leia spoke up and everyone looked to their leader. "Taking out Snoke means he is now the Master and a contender for the throne." So maybe Ben was playing them.

"Yes but when I talked to Luke," Rey started.

"Where is Luke?" Poe asked because that was another burning question.

"When I spoke to Luke, before Ben had went to the Darkside, the darkness within him was pulling but Ben fought back. Out of a mistake thinking Luke was supposed to end it by killing Ben did he turn. Snoke manipulated Luke and Ben." Rey finished looking around. "We bonded within the Force, I could see him across the galaxy as clear as day. I could see his future." Rey looked to Fin and then to Leia. "He could have sat on the throne but he didn't. He took my hand and we came to you guys."

The room was silent once again and now what was going to be said.

"How's his condition?" Leia asked to Rey since she had been at his side the most.

"I don't know," Rey answered. "It's a bad infection." That was all she knew.

"Don't Jedi heal fast or something?" Poe asked and no one could give him answer though. Rey shrugged because she didn't know. "Well, we may not have to actually kill him and something else will." No one said anything but that was true. "Ok, we'll deal with Ben, Kylo Ren who or whatever he calls himself later. For now, how the hell do we get back on our feet?"

Ben was alone again standing in room; it was al blue, beautiful furniture of soft colors. The sun was shining through the large window. Ben walked around the room and then out the window. It was a giant city before him and in the far away distance he could see a tower, a beacon. As he stood there he looked down and he was no longer wearing the white linens but robes. He was in his old brown Jedi robes. The belt, the lightsaber holster, the brown boots, the long robe around him; it was all there. He then turned around as another person was before him.

Ben knew it was a man but the black hood head his face as she stood there. The man was dressed the same as Ben except his robes were a darker brown and black. The man then removed his hood showing his face. Ben saw a scar on his eye; it nearly mirrored his own scar on his face. The man looked young but conflicted, torn. He looked familiar like a brother. Ben knew him somehow.

"Most of the galaxy doesn't remember me this way, I barely do." The man spoke and then looked to the wooden table and a most recognizable helmet sat there; the old Vader helmet.

"Skywalker?" Ben asked.

"I know who you are Solo." Anakin began as he stood there. "I know you because I was you. The hate, the fear, the power." Ben stood there. "I ruled, I won and for what…?" The silent room filled with emptiness as the grandfather stood before the grandson. "I never asked for any of this."

"You brought order to the galaxy." Ben added and Anakin shook his head no.

"I killed all my friends, I slaughtered children and I even killed my own wife. And what did it do?" Anakin asked looking to his grandson. "I gained nothing and if it wasn't for Luke and Leia…my soul was saved but I paid for it in pain and death." He finished as Ben stood there. "You too will pay for it if you continue down the dark path and when you do it will burn and you die alone and you will be alone. I was saved and allowed to be reborn in the Force but I am alone, I can't even be with my wife." Anakin finished as Ben stood there. Anakin walked a little closer. "I became everything I swore against, I became the very thing I hated. The very evil I try to keep out found it's way in."

"And this pull to the dark?" Ben asked.

"You have my blood, you carry my sins and my strengths. I want this to end, this hate and war." Anakin then started to walk around the room. "Snoke, he was able to show you incredible things right? Sidious did the same for me." Anakin started. "You could have anything and everything you wanted. But having it all…without Padme…" Anakin trailed off. "It meant nothing."

"Are you saying I need a girlfriend?" Ben asked and Anakin now looked annoyed. Was he like this?

"You're really campaigning for Asshole of the Year, aren't you?" Anakin asked as Ben stood there

"As defending champion, are you nervous?" Ben asked and Anakin was about done with this kid. Anakin then got right into his face.

"You need something to fight and live for." Anakin started. "Go ahead, do nothing, die alone and be alone for all eternity." Anakin then walked away. "Kylo," Anakin stood there for a moment. "Interesting you took both names."

Ben's eyes opened again as he looked around but felt paralyzed. He felt hot and his chest felt heavy. He wanted to get up but couldn't. He tried to look around and everything was still blurry and dark. He tried to take in a gulp of air but he felt like he was breathing through a small tube.

"The mighty Kylo Ren," Ben heard a voice as he stood in blackness. It was Snoke's voice as he looked around. "All this power, this unlimited power and you do nothing!" Ben turned around trying to find Snoke. "Weaken by a girl, choosing the Resistances over destiny."

"Where are you!" Ben screamed into the blackness.

"I am everywhere!" Snoke's voice rise in the air. "You were no Vader, you were always weak! And now, you lay on a table dying." Ben then looked behind him seeing himself on a table motionless. He walked to himself looking at the body. His face was still recovering from the bruises from Star Killer Base. The scar was done healing and he would carry it. The blaster wound on his side was oozing out blood. He could see himself dying. The light and dark was pulling to his death. He had to choose one. He was going to choose his own damnation.

Ben was screaming out in pain trying to get up. He was incoherent and babbling. The fever was burning him up. The medical personal were holding him down but it was failing. Down the hall Leia and Rey raced to see him. The head medical personal ran down to meet them.

"His condition is worsening." The man informed the two ladies. "The fever, we're trying to control it but," He then showed the two women Ben thrashing on the table screaming. "It's his mind, the fever is causing damage and he's delirious."

"What can we do?" Leia asked as Rey watched in horror.

"He's in pain." Rey added softly seeing Ben trying to get up.

"There's a few options," The head medical personal started as Rey looked to Ben. The options were probably bad too. "We continue to try and bring the fever down before he starts to seize or have a stroke." Rey continue to look at Ben as he was suffering. "We hope the anti-medications work and continue to give it to him." Leia looked to her suffering son. "Or, we put him on ice, hopefully cooling the body, help it to relax."

"What's the guarantee that any will work?" Leia asked and she was ready to hear an answer that was less favorable.

"I will be honest General, you may want to say good-bye. The infection is in his blood and if he's at this state…" It meant death was coming.

"He's seizing!" A woman called out and the head medical personal looked to Leia for the final word. Leia didn't know what to do. It sounded like no matter what nothing was going to work so she might as well try something.

"Put him on ice." Leia answered as she stood there with her eyes getting glassy. The medical personal nodded and headed over to the scene and started to give orders. Rey stood there watching him die. He was dying an agonizing death in pain. Rey then walked over to him as he shook, his body ridged and shaking violently. Rey looked to him as eyes were open but he probably couldn't see anymore.

"Ben?" Rey asked as she continued to shake and convulse. Rey let out a tear, no one should have die like this. She reached out and placed her hand to his forehead for some sort of comfort. He was sweating and drenched and so hot to the touch. He was burning from the inside out. She then closed her eyes to reach out to the Force, to find him.

Rey looked next to her and saw Ben standing there and on the table before them was also Ben shaking and in pain.

"You're dying." Rey spoke and Ben nodded and she looked up to him.

"So this is it." Ben looked to her. "This is how it ends." And Rey shook her head no.

"You can fight this Ben," She couldn't let him give up.

"I feel it, I feel the pull of both; at least I can choose." Ben then looked to his dying self. Rey then got closer to him placing her hands around his arms.

"Ben, it's not over you can fight this." She started.

"What's the point?" Ben wanted to know. "I was never loved and I will soon be forgotten." Rey's eyes stared at him and the sadness fell away and angry hit. She backed away and then took a swing punching him in the face. Ben went down to the floor and held his nose as it was bleeding.

"You're mother is at your side! She's crying!" Rey yelled. "We're both watching you die!" Ben sat on the ground. "You can save yourself from all this, you can redeem yourself, right all your wrongs! I can be there to help!" Rey then let out some tears. She has never seen someone die before and she didn't want to you. "Your grandfather failed! Luke failed! But you don't have too!"

Ben wiped some of the blood away from his nose as he looked to the table seeing his dying body. "You can change all this!" Rey then backed away for a moment looking to Ben on the table. "Snoke wanted you for a reason meaning you could kill him and did. You can fix what Vader did. You can do something about it." Rey then quickly wiped the tears and sweat away and she no longer looked upset just disappointed. "But if you die now, then you die a monster."

"Please, leave," Ben begged and Rey nodded knowing what choice he made. Then she walked back to him and kicked him just out of anger.

"You can't…" She paused again. "You can't just come into someone's life! You can't do that! You can't come into my life and make me care about you and then leave!" Ben looked up to her. She stood there, towering over him. "Burn then." Rey then back away and faded away. Ben sat up alone in the darkness. Everything was darkness, his heart was darkness and he was about to die alone in the darkness.

Rey stood next to Leia while the ice was being placed on a bed. Ben had stopped seizing but his body was at the breaking point and one more high fever could be the end. A bed hovered in with monitors beeping and lights flashing. He was hooked up to all kinds of tubing and a mask was over his face forcing oxygen into his lungs. He was stripped down all but a pair of pants. The blaster wound on his side was covered up. Rey could see the long scar from his face down his chest still deep.

The medical people with easy took him from the medical bed and into the bed of ice. They laid his motionless body there as the machines were keeping him alive more than anything now. Rey then felt Leia squeeze her hand and she squeezed back. This was it, if his body wouldn't cool down the infection was going to burn him out. Everyone stood around the table as it was true, the might Kylo Ren, the son of legendary Han Solo, the son of the Princess, the air to Skywalker barely hung to life.

"Can I have a moment alone?" Leia asked and everyone began to file out. Rey looked to Ben one last time and left. Once the room was empty and it was just Leia and Ben, she let out her sobs finally. She had to be strong for others but now she could cry. Leia walked over to her son and grabbed his hand and leaned over kissing his forehead letting her tears fall on his face. She pulled away looking at him just like the first day she saw him when he was born. All those memories flashed through her head. "I've always been proud. I still love you Ben." She whispered in the silent room. "Please, if this is it, you can let go. There will be no more pain. I promise, I'll be ok." She then squeezed his hand and leaned in to kiss the forehead of her son one last time.

Rey sat in the hallway. A few tears rolled down her face and she didn't bother to wipe them away. As she sat there she heard footsteps and looked up seeing Fin standing before her. He knelt down and then sat next to her and reached out pulling her close for a much-needed embrace. The two friends sat there comforting one another. This was either the end for Kylo Ren or Ben or maybe even both. The turning point for the galaxy was at hand.

A/N: So, who dies Kylo Ren or Ben or both? I will update sometime next week. What do you guys think? What happens next? Let me know in the comments and as always you readers are awesome.