Star Wars: A dyad in the Force Chapter 70: Imperial Court - Ben's Trial, a star wars fanfic

Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.

Note: This is a Reylo FanFiction (slow-burn)

「PART II」

「Imperial Court」

「Act 70: Ben's Trial」

Imperial Supreme Court, Galactic City, Coruscant 38ABY

The order was set and accepted; Ben was handcuffed in one of the Imperial Prisoner crafts. At dawn, the Imperial Guards showed up and took Ben to the Imperial Supreme Court in Imperial City on the planet Coruscant. Surprisingly how the Chancellor had already organized the defense system, the legal system, and even Coruscant. The resources were always there, waiting for someone capable and bossy enough to take over. Ben recalled his mother saying decades ago. It seemed that someone finally managed to figure things out.

Entire generations had lived during an era of wars. His generation grew up in a chaotic Galaxy, leaderless and in a complete mess. Now finally, the actions that divided the galaxy had faded into legend. The last of the enemies that tried to bring the galaxy to his doom was brought today to face the law and answer for his crimes. The galactic government rose stronger in this new era, with individual planets retaining authority, old and new alliances being formed, and less military power as possible.

Any ceremony didn't yet honor the great heroes and those who had fallen, but the Chancellor had already set a date after the trial. It would be a rare ceremony that had happened in years that would be put together in harmony. The Galaxy needed a day of celebration and for the Chancellor to announce the galactic government's plans.

The Imperial Supreme Court was slowly filled with the majority of the observers, most of them among the enormous numbers of citizens who had served from the wrath of the First Order; they traveled to witness the trial and finally find some justice. The Imperial Council represented planets from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim; Poe, Finn, and Maz Kanata were part of the Council. The Imperial Council would appear in the trial and was given the authority to cast one vote. One more option would be provided by the jury that decides the case.

The jury consisted of eight individuals familiar with the Common Law and Judge-made Law, and they would judge the case, and their decision counted one vote. The majority of the votes were given to a few of the senators and the Chancellor. They were given the authority to attend trials that were appealed in the Supreme court, as the Supreme Imperial Court was the highest in the hierarchy. That meant that the Chancellor would have the convict's final vote, and she would have the authority to cast two votes.

Ben had showered earlier, and he wore the long sleeves black shirt that his father had gifted him, black trousers, and his default black leather boots. Rey was kind enough to trim his hair and style it. His lightsaber and Anakin's were kept inside Rey's room at Ajan Kloss. He seemed relaxed and calm; nothing could pass his senseless act; he was waiting for this day for years now. And he didn't want to be pitied but fairly judged for the past; he now came to loathe with all his being.

The Imperial Guards led him through the mesmerizing and shiny corridors built with a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with mottlings or streaks of color, that was polished and designed in modern and retro architecture. The building was newly built; Ben could still smell the combination of the entire mixture of chemicals "evaporating" from new paint, sealants, flooring, wood, and other building materials.

'His trial would be the opening of the newly built Imperial Supreme Court.' he laughed at the irony, but it somehow boosted his ego. By entering the courtroom, Ben noted that it was enormous. In front of him were three levels of seats. In the lowest level were set the Imperial Council, with Poe, Finn, and Maz Kanata sitting on the right. Above them, few of the senators elected to be part of the trial, and above them was a central seat, where the Chancellor sat. The jury occupied eight seats; west were there seats, a desk, covered folders, paperwork, and documents. There the prosecutors would sit.

In a square desk, Southeast was Ben seated, cuffed against the desk that was in front of him. Next to him were supposed to establish his attorneys, but Ben never hired anyone. He had fought with Rey and Poe various times. But his answer was always negative. He firmly believed he didn't need an attorney since he would not oppose the charges delivered to him.

In the middle of the court was assigned around footing for the witnesses to take a stand. And South behind the court structure seats for the public. The seats were already filled; in the first row, Ben spotted Rey sitting there, next to her Chewie, Jannah, Commander Larma D'Acy, the droids, and even a few more from the Resistance Base. Those were the only ones who Ben recognized from the crowd. The rest were new faces, angry faces; he was sure most of them had crossed paths with Kylo Ren and had a story to tell.

Rey and Ben exchanged a few gazes, though none spoke. They already had talked about the trial so many times. Rey's emotions were overwhelming, reaching Ben through the Force. He hated that he was the cause of that, but this was his trial now. He would see it through, whatever the consequences. He apologetically begged Rey one more time to remain calm and be next to him before the trial started.

The Imperial Guards slowly sealed the wooden doors, and the trial was about to begin. Silence dropped suddenly all over the place as Dark Rey gestured for the beginning of the trial. "I stand before you today not only as a Chancellor but also as someone who witnessed part of the wars," her voice rang out, clear and robust, "Today we are gathered here inside the Imperial Supreme Court to bring the end of an era of war, hate and conflict. This should be a valuable lesson for us and the next generation, not to repeat the same mistakes. And I hope with this trial, the end of Evil times of the entire galaxy, has come to an end."

She spoke as everyone was taking their seats and paying attention to the strong woman sitting in the middle of the courtroom. Her attire was a combination of royal silk robes, of grey and black, her hair was straight and long, and her face looked dark and severe. The clone seemed older than Rey, so much prettier and mature. The political process she was creating was forged in such substantial ways and was already acknowledged.

"The trial with the case number Z-001-38 begins. Defendant, please rise, state your name, and year of birth for a brief overview for the opening statement." Chancellor asked, gazing at the accuser.

"Ben Solo, previously known as Kylo Ren, year of birth 5 ABY," a hush fell over the crowd at the mention of the name of Kylo Ren; Ben pretended not to notice. He listened to the whispers around his formal name, and a shiver overtook him, and as the angry crowd won his attention.

"Order!" came the Chancellor's voice brutally and loud, bringing silence at once all over the courtroom. "Defender, you stand before the Imperial Supreme Court today accused of treason, destruction of planets, various numbers of murders and crimes, including the murder of Han Solo, and numerous counts of felonies. How does the Defender plead?"

"Guilty," Ben said coldly. The truth crushed him- it left him incapable of everything. For years now, every night, he relived the moments of his crimes, the moment he killed his father, but today his memories would be openly revealed, and although he pledged that he was ready to take the fall, it still was painful to watch.

Poe cast a glance against Ben and sighed. His friend wouldn't take things easy; he already knew it. Today he would bring Kylo Ren to his doom, and although he deserved it, he was also carrying the downfall of Ben Solo. And that Poe wouldn't allow. If Ben wanted to take all the blame because his past weighted too heavy, Poe had decided not to let him.

Rey's dizziness became stronger. For days she was feeling sick, dizzy, and from time to time ready to throw up. At that moment, though, she felt as if someone had pierced her with a lightsaber in her gut. And Ben thought it, causing him to lift his eyes and gaze at her embarrassed. 'Rey, it's the truth!' his thought reached her, and she nodded.

"It is not required that you have an attorney; do you have chosen one? If not, the prosecution has the right to cross-examine you. Testimony should be restricted to facts about the charges against you. You may also present other witnesses at this time." Chancellor Dark Rey requested.

"I haven't assigned an attorney, Chancellor," Ben responded.

"He didn't believe that he needed one!" Poe backfired in a bitter tone as he still couldn't accept that Ben wouldn't want someone to aid him through this trial.

"General, I would prefer If you kept your personal opinions out of this courtroom!" the Chancellor said and continued, "Ben Solo, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. As the defendant, you are not required to present evidence at the trial because of innocence presumption. Your option not to request an attorney is Sustained! The prosecution has the burden of proof to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, the prosecution must present evidence at the trial. Failure to appear for trial may result in the dismissal. The prosecution might proceed."

A blond-haired creature stood up, presenting the evidence before she walked towards Ben; she seemed to be the prosecution team's head. Her name was Nakim, and she was known as one of the best prosecutors back in the day.

"Is it true that on the night of Starkiller base destruction, you met with Mr. Han Solo?" she placed her first questions.

"Y-yes I was," Ben said in a quiet voice; barely anyone could hear him. The crowd leaned in, scooting to the edge of their seats. Until now, Ben's voice was steady and loud, but bringing up as the first case, his father brought him to his knees.

"And is it true," Nakim continued, "that you were the one who took his life?"

Ben lowered his head and nodded.

"I'm sorry, but can you speak up, please." Nakim pinned her eyes against him, waiting for his response.

"It's true," Ben verified as he closed his eyes, feeling his heartache. The room started to buzz with whispers.

"Order in my court," the Chancellor demanded.

"What was your relationship with Han Solo?" she asked next, almost enjoying stripping the truth out of Ben.

Ben rubbed his hand against his face trying to calm down; this trial was way more complicated than he thought it would be. "He was my father!" he answered.

"Can you please describe what happened?" the prosecutor went on, "Why would you kill your father?"

The courtroom felt in silence, waiting for an answer. Poe glared at Nakim, and Rey forgot to breathe. Ben's face had gotten paler, but he faced his fears and said: "I wanted to prove to Supreme Leader Snoke, I was a worthy apprentice, ready to become the next Darth Vader. "

Nakim skipped and leaned over to Ben. "And did it work, did you prove yourself?"

Ben shook his head as he was already torn apart. "No, It didn't!"

"I have no further questions," Nakim said, walking away from the stand with a massive smile on her face.

His tears wouldn't roll down, and the screams wouldn't escape past his quivering lips. The hallucinations would come, Ben killing Han, but they'd not allow him to react. No, not today; he wouldn't let anyone strip away his pride and see his weakness. The memories forced the steam to keep burning him, staining him. And Ben sat there, taking everything in as if he deserved it.

Rey grasped her stomach as it twisted; their connection allowed her to read his mind. Stupid Ben. Ben was in so much pain his complexion was ashen. His natural skin had sunken in tone to something so lifeless it scared Rey just to look at him. He sucked himself into a deeper place to cope. And Rey wasn't sure how long she would last watching him and sensing his torture and pain without interfering.

"Defendant to you wish to add anything, if not, the prosecution might continue to present the next crime," Chancellor advised as her full attention was won by the trial, as Nakim had brought the case from zero to one hundred by only presenting the murder of Han Solo. The rest of the courtroom was also paying close attention now.

"I don't have anything further to add, Chancellor," Ben added, his tone low but steady.

"Okay, now I would like to call my first witness to the stand, the Acting General, Poe Dameron!" the prosecutor said. It took Poe a moment to realize she was asking him. "General, please!"

Poe glared at her. "I never agreed to take the stand," he argued. And Ben gazed at Poe and gestured to him to simply agree.

"You decline to take the stand, General?" Nakim quizzed.

"No, I decline to take the stand in favor of the prosecution!" Poe clarified in determination. The crowd started whispering again at Poe's reaction.

"General, take the stand. It wasn't a question," the Chancellor requested. "Order!"

Poe stood up, almost knocking his fists against the desk, and stepped down in front of the footing. He looked at Ben a few times; his friend already seemed beaten up but kept a calm face. As for Rey, she could feel her anxiety rise even if Poe wasn't force-sensitive.

"General," Nakim began, "When have you met the Defender for the first time?"

"In Jakku," Poe answered, "We first met in Jakku!"

"Why was Mr. Solo there, and why were you?"

"Lor San Tekka owned a clue for the map to Luke Skywalker; I found him in Tuanul, and handed the clue to me. Ben..." Poe paused. "Kylo Ren led his forces to the village of Tuanul, on the hunt of the same clue to find the map."

Nakim walked over to the prosecutor's desk and took more evidence, and offered it to court. "And there he didn't hesitate to hunt Lor San Tekka down and interrogate him. When he didn't get what he wanted, Defendant brutally executed him in cold blood. He captured you, General, and killed many innocent people. Is that how things happened?"

Poe hated her; he hated her. She was doing her job damn well; that's why he had said so many times to Ben to get an attorney so that people would find out not only his action as Kylo Ren but as Ben Solo as well. "Not exactly!" Poe hissed.

"Then, please walk us through," Nakim said.

"Ben... Kylo Ren killed Lor San Tekka and captured me. He didn't kill the innocent people; his troops did." Poe explained.

"But he gave the order General," Nakim increased her voice. "And that means his order killed those innocent people! Isn't it true, General Finn?"

Finn was surprised the prosecutor was so well informed. Finn didn't say anything, only nodded, and Poe took a step closer, ready to attack her. "It's not the same thing,"

"Let's let the jury and the court decide," Nakim interrupted him. "Then what happened after he captured you, General?"

Poe dropped his gaze because his statement until now was hurting his friend "He interrogated me..." Poe admitted.

"By using the Force, by reading your thoughts and memories?" Nakim pushed.

"No, in the beginning, he simply asked me after I didn't answer..." Poe sighed, "He used the Force."

"And you are with us General, because General Finn aided your escape, or he would have killed you?" Nakim concluded.

Poe gathered his fists, "No, he wouldn't. Ben... Kylo Ren never killed ..." Poe tried to explain.

"General, why do you keep correcting yourself, and don't use the name Ben Solo, but his alternative Kylo Ren?" Nakim asked him next.

"Because he was Kylo Ren, Ben Solo would never commit such acts." Poe said, "Ben Solo would easily risk himself for another life than take it."

"It's too late now, General, after the crimes he has accomplished. And Kylo Ren is Ben Solo. Changing his name doesn't change his deets." the prosecutor offered, "Thank you, General, that's all for now!"

"No wait," Poe said, "There is more, you should know. Ben isn't the same person any longer, he..."

"Take your seat, General," the Chancellor demanded, "If the defendant wanted to state more, he should have assigned an attorney."

Poe glared at Dark Rey, "Bitch," he hissed under his teeth as he stepped down and walked back to his seat.

"Next," said Nakim, "I call Jedi Rey to the stand."

Everyone in the room gasped. They turned around to face Rey as she stood and went to the front of the court. Everyone was expecting her to make a statement. Rey had so many encounters with Kylo Ren, and people believed her.

The prosecutor looked over at Ben with a satisfying grin. He went pale as a ghost and sunk in his chair. It wasn't because Rey would reveal more of his crimes, but Ben didn't want to go through the same interrogation that Poe went earlier. The prosecutor was ruthless towards him and the witnesses.

"Rey, may I call you by your first name?" Nakim asked, and Rey nodded.

'Rey, just say the truth,' Ben sent his thoughts to her with a feeling of calmness.

Ben still had his walls up; he was trying to protect Rey, although he was the one that was slowly ripped apart in that courtroom. Everyone inside the court witnessed a cold and calm Ben Solo, though Rey knew the pain he was facing. Stupid Ben.

"Good. Rey, how are you related to the Defendant?"

People could grow strong enough to withstand anything and bend their will, like the craziest magic. That's what love could do: fix souls, fix brains, cure everyone. Rey wished she was mastered that way, but it's hard when she had watched Ben suffering for so long. She sensed his pain, and day by day, it became part of her world as well. No one could understand Ben at that moment more than her, and Rey needed to express that feeling for the others to see. Ben Solo wasn't a monster.

"It's complicated," Rey admitted, "we met first on planet Takodana."

"I see," there was a short pause, "and so you are connected to this story, how?"

"It just happened that day on planet Takodana, our paths crossed. I knew about the map's part to find Master Luke's location, and Kylo Ren figured it out. I ended up as a 'guest' in the Starkiller base. There he tried to extract the information, but he only managed to make me aware that I could use the Force." Rey turned and looked at Ben. "If today I'm standing here knowing that I can use the force, is because Kylo Ren pushed me to that direction. The same day I used the Force to escape."

Nakim interrupted Rey. "You were his guest? I don't understand. He took you without your will, strapped you in an interrogation chair, and forcefully read your memories. And you are saying you were his guest?"

"I didn't follow Kylo Ren willingly," Rey admitted, "But If I knew he would be the reason I connected with the Force, I would have followed."

The crowd murmured uncomfortably as Rey's truths started to become a bit awkward slowly. Ben bit back, throwing one thought after the other telling her to back off, that she was stepping into dangerous territory. 'Rey, you cannot defend Kylo Ren like that; people will...'

'Watch me,' Rey interrupted him with a strong and angry thought. 'I can!'

"Order inside the courtroom," the Chancellor demanded.

"We aren't base our case on if's, Rey," the Prosecutor corrected her. "So you escaped and then what? You watched Ben Solo kill his father, brutally wounding General Finn, and even injuring you. Is that correct, Rey?"

'Bloody...' Rey cursed too many times, yelling into her mind that Ben had to raise an eyebrow at her reaction. "I watched Kylo Ren, in conflict, torn apart as he was trying to face the dark and light side, choosing to kill Han Solo, believing it would bring an end to his suffering. Kylo Ren fought with General Finn and me. Do you understand the difference between a duel and an attack, or should I draw it for you?"

"The witness should answer only the question without attitude," the Chancellor corrected her. And shared with her a glare.

"Fair enough," said Nakim. "I will accept that it was a fair duel. Let's go forward; you were there when he decided to take control of the First Order? Even after Supreme Leader, Snoke was dead?"

"Kylo Ren killed Snoke and saved my life; he helped me come to terms with my past, remember that my parents cared about me, his ways were a bit harsh, but I don't believe Kylo Ren would ever harm me." Rey continued.

"Of course not; he wanted you to rule with him the Galaxy," the prosecutor fought back.

"He did," Rey agreed. "But he was also the one who saved my life many times; me, on the contrary, fought him whenever he crossed my way. Even if he always tried his best to avoid it. I ended up killing Kylo Ren, and even then, he followed me in Exegol. And there he saved me again by giving his life. After that, Ben had put his life in danger every day to save anyone he could. His past is part of him; he never forgot his wrongdoings, every night he relives in terror memory after memory, if you think that punishment isn't enough, what is?"

"I'll not argue with you, Rey, that he is trying to redeem himself or acts as he wants to," Nakim said. "But a punishment base on the law has nothing to do with how the defendant sleeps or does not; that is his problem."

The courtroom went silent. Even the council had his eyes glued on her. Because Rey was trying to show a different part of Kylo Ren, and the prosecutor didn't like it. "Thank you, Rey, that is all for now."

"No wait, there is more," Rey tried to speak up; there were so many truths were not said, Ben was surely not going to explain his part of the story, and the two people who could be stopped.

"Rey, you might be seated," the Chancellor said. And Rey, after a long debate, was dragged down.

After that, the Prosecutor went forth and back, presenting evidence after evidence, speaking about Finn's brutal attack, how many times Kylo Ren was so close to destroying the Resistance, and the destruction of the Resistance's fleet of spaceships. Then she pointed out that he tried to kill General Organa and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. And she didn't stop there; she went on revealing about the elite squad of warriors known as the Knights of Ren, who helped him snuff out the Jedi. He destroyed the Jedi temple and killed the students. That he took control over the First Order and that he was part of the idea of completely wiping out an entire star system to eliminate the New Republic.

The accusations kept piling up, and Ben felt himself falling deeper into the darkness of his wrongdoings. He felt so guilty he even accepted things he had never done. That was exactly what Poe and Rey feared, that he would end up too guilty and take the fall of everything. And that wasn't fair because they didn't have the full picture of Ben Solo until now. They only grasped a small part of him—the damaged one, who had created Kylo Ren.

Her eyes have frozen over like the surface of a winter puddle, robbing them of their usual warmth. Ben wanted to reach in and tell her it wasn't hopeless, but she would not believe him. He tried to rekindle her heat, but her insides were too damp with uncried tears. He could feel her pain rising, and now it was shown in her face. He hated himself that he was the reason to cause so much pain to the people he held dear.

"Defendant, do you agree with the Prosecutor statement until now?" Chancellor requested.

A terrified Ben of his actions gazed at her and nodded, "I do!" he accepted the blame even of the crimes that he had not committed.

Rey and Poe jumped off their seats in disagreement. But their reaction wasn't heard as Maz Kanata spoke, "You cannot put all the blame on Ben Solo, Nakim; you needed to blame someone for all the crimes committed by the First Order. But Ben Solo wasn't even born when the First Order rose. You haven't looked into the reasons that Ben Solo ended up becoming Kylo Ren..."

It seemed that the prosecutor was an old friend of Kanata, "If he wanted his side of the story to be heard, he should have found an attorney!" Nakim interrupted her.

"Ben Solo," came Chancellor Dark Rey's voice, "do you have any witnesses to call in your defense, or will you proceed with your statement?"

Once again, his emotions turn jagged, and his insides tight. Ben wished Rey, Poe, and the rest would forgive him. Forgive him for not defending himself. But he couldn't, he could not stand in front of the court and try to save himself. Because Ben never forgives himself, and if he could punish himself, the conviction he would choose for himself would be worse than the court could choose.

"No, I don't have anything further to say," Ben Solo answered, and he lowered his gaze. The crowd was once again affected by his response. People gasped, and others gossiped, Poe glared at Ben, trying to get his attention to demand from him to defend himself, and Rey had reached her limits and fainted.

The courtroom was suddenly a chaotic mess, Poe shouting at Ben to man up and take the stand, Finn trying to reach Rey, and Ben pulled against the handcuffs when he noted Rey was losing her senses. He would almost break free if Chewie didn't roar to tell him to calm down, and he would take care of Rey. The utter confusion continued as Jannah and Chewie took Rey to the nearest medical unit to be taken care of, and the crowd's chaos and the noise went on.

"Order inside my courtroom!" Chancellor's dark tone once more caused the courtroom to fall into silence and the council to stop talking, "Defender, since you declined to add your statement, and there is no one to stand in your defense, the court will proceed to summarize the case," she added.

"Amazing, every word of what you said was wrong!" came a voice from behind the courtroom; suddenly, a male figure, wearing a grey hoodie that was hiding his face, approached the center of the court. "You'll Find I'm Full Of Surprises," he added with confidence. Now he took the stand and faced the Chancellor, the council, and the jury, "I'll take the stand on behalf of Ben Solo since I have there in most of the offenses you are charging him with. And since the Idiotic kiddo here would never defend himself. I'm here to save him."

The unknown figure had already won the courtroom's attention; most were confused about who he was and how he would hold such information. Ben was speechless, his mind filled with the scene that was unfolding in front of him, that it reached Rey as well, who was slowly getting her senses back, but she was kept in the medical unit for a few more examinations.

Something flashed beneath the surface of Ben's hardened expression, and the male figure hurried to investigate the sudden shift. It was too late; the emotion disappeared before he could identify it. But he smirked like he enjoyed the outcome, as he was waiting for that part to set things right and finally become who he was.

"Order in the courtroom," the Chancellor demanded, "You might take the stand after you identify yourself and tell us what your connection with Ben Solo is?"

Poe was ready to curse the Chancellor as he listened to her to allow the unknown person to take the stand; he rubbed his eyes and gazed at Finn. "What's happening? Did she just allow someone to defend Ben?" Poe questioned in disbelief.

Finn nodded with the same confusion on his face. "She has,"

"The prosecution disagrees; we weren't informed about this witness!" Nakim argued.

"Overruled! The Defense might continue," Chancellor Dark Rey ordered.

"No," Ben said, "I don't approve, I..." He was trying desperately to find a way to stop the man in front of him to testify on his behalf. 'Why was even the court allowing him to speak.'

'It was about time,' Rey threw her thought angrily inside his mind, 'and you better let him speak or you by the Galaxy, I'll come and beat you up, Idiot!'

"Told you, kid, I would always be with you," the male figure said and turned and faced the court, leaving a very dumbfound Ben gazing at him, "I'm..."

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Seventy - One」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 70th chapter.

Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!

And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!

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Feedback is always appreciated!