Episode IV: Chronogirl
These days when I'm losing track of time
These days when I'm burning up inside
These days when I'm lost I search the skies
Ben Solo knew his own stupidity like the back of his hand.
When he was a teenager and he said the word green that was colored red, read "red," he realized his mistake so fast with pink ears and a laugh from his father. Or that time he used his Supernova's special power within the first thirty seconds of taking on his alter-ego, promptly de-transforming five minutes later without realizing it.
This time his stupidity cost him dearly.
She was right there, with her Supernova on her delicate earlobes, kissing him, and he was too awe-struck to realize the golden opportunity to just take Kira's Supernova. It was right fucking there.
He hoped to have other opportunities, though he wasn't sure if he was thinking of being kissed by her again or to getting close enough to snatch her Supernova.
Ben fumbled around with his ring, silver in its neutral state. Unassuming, blending into the world without scrutiny. He knew what her Supernova looked like when it was equally docile. White crystals. He supposed he would have to awkwardly stare at the lobes of every woman he came across.
The problem was the newest trend of fashion was a replication of the style of very old earrings Kira wore.
When he first caught sight of a pair of earrings on a woman in the same style and cut of gemstone, it was on Kaydel Connix. Aquamarine blue that complimented her braided hair. Then he saw Rose wearing earrings. Then Rey. Even Bazine.
While he went to the copy machine to print out a different model schematic, he passed by Rose and Rey's shared spaces. Rey was flushed and out of breath and looking particularly irritated.
"That stupid no-good Kylo Ren asshole and his stupid destruction and Kira having to clean up his fucking messes is constantly making me late to work now. Why can't he choose a better time to inflict Corrupted on us?"
Rose laughed. "Funny how I'm on time but you're not."
"You leave sooner than me," Rey grumbled. "I just have bad luck. Fucking Kylo Ren."
He flinched. He started in the mornings sometimes because the rush and tiredness of people on Mondays was ripe for negative emotions taking hold. Like today, when he Corrupted a man who had his suit soaked by spilled caf. End result was a blockade between the building and the metro, thus making Rey late.
The guilt of his actions impeding on his co-workers, especially one so bright and full of sunshine like Rey, made his mouth run before his logical brain caught up with the impulsivity.
"Would you like a ride to work?" he asked.
Rey stared at her hot supervisor.
Did he just offer to take her to work every day?
"Sorry what?" she asked, trying to make sense of the words coming out of Ben's mouth.
"I have a car and room, if you need a ride to work. Save on fuel and all that," he said.
Rey thought she was going to die of overthinking and being ridiculous. She was just being offered a nice ride to her job, not being proposed to. It was too much, far too much.
She chanced a glance at Rose who was wide-eyed and mouthing to her to take the hot man's offer.
"Either of you interested?" Ben said.
"Sure, I'm interested," Rey forced the words out of her mouth.
"I'm down for it," Rose said.
A small grin adorned Ben's pretty mouth. "Great. It'll pick you two up tomorrow. Just send me your address."
Rose sent a sly smile at Rey. "Maybe you'll get up at a better time for once."
Rey's face was on fire.
At lunchtime, Rey decided to splurge after over a month of a sugar-less existence and bought a soda from the vending machine.
She saw Kaydel Connix sprinting down the hall, her hair a mess, not in the usual tight blonde braid wrapped around the top of her head. She was frantic, saying hi to Rey in passing before stopping in front of her team leader, Bazine Netal.
"You're late, again," Bazine said, her voice clipped and harsh.
Kaydel straightened her back. "I know, I'm so sorry. The Corruption this morning caused massive traffic jam and my phone was dead—"
"I'm sick of your excuses, next time you're late again I will report you and your job will be on the line, got it?" Bazine snapped, stepping past Kaydel and walking into her office.
Rey winced as Kaydel stood there. She heard a sniffle.
"You okay, Kaydel?"
Kaydel wiped her eyes. "I'm fine Rey. I just need a moment."
She didn't give Rey a chance to comfort her, opting to walk away and into a single-bathroom, locking it.
Rey sighed, wishing she could console her coworker, and throw hands in her honor.
Ben felt the turmoil of emotions rolling over Kaydel Connix, who set the time tables and deadlines. She was good at rounding up estimates of everyone's work and making it function well. Every minute was precious. The thirteenth floor would be squirreling their time away if it wasn't for the combined efforts of Kaydel, Ben, and Bazine, with Kaydel at the crux of it all.
Kaydel prided herself on being early, the only other time she was late was due to a pet-sitting emergency.
Ben had to shove aside his guilt, the messy feelings that his actions caused. Not one thing came without consequences, good or bad. He had to remind himself that what he was doing was for something greater. A little bit of pain went a long way.
He could ignore it for now.
The time was nigh, no room for guilt, only drive.
On the fifth floor, the restroom was always empty and conveniently, had no security cameras in its purview. He slipped inside, taking a shaky breath. It was lunch time and they had work to do, but this was his golden opportunity and he couldn't waste it. Rey or the rest of his team would console Kaydel and that would be the end of that before the end of the day. Time wasn't on his side, but it was about to be.
Within minutes, he was dressed in his typical black, a red butterfly sitting in his palm.
The butterfly took off into the vents, straight to the source of misery.
Kylo Ren spoke, feeling that tethering connection he had with all his underlings. "Hello Chronogirl. I offer you something in return for being able to change time. Help me get Kira's Supernova and you can change time at will with just a touch of your fingers."
Hmm, you drive a hard bargain, Kylo Ren.
He de-transformed, opting to reveal his presence outside.
Rey munched away at her sad salad, trying to ignore the triple deluxe burger with onion rings that Poe was eating a table over.
The door to the eating area was busted down and standing with a dramatic pose was a woman with blue visors on, her boots armed with twin blades.
Uh oh.
She squinted at the intruder, shifting her chair backwards to minimize her presence in the room.
"Kaydel?" Finn asked.
Rose grimaced. "I don't think that's Kaydel anymore."
"No one will get hurt," the intruder in electric blue spoke, her voice echoing across the silent room. "If you give me your time."
"Uh, who the hell are you?" Poe demanded.
"Chronogirl. You might be familiar with my employer, Kylo Ren."
"Of course it's that asshole," Rey muttered, glancing at the side exit. If she could get out of the room…
Chronogirl took a step forward and seemingly disappeared before appearing in front of Poe. With a touch of her fingers to his arm, he froze in place, fading away.
"Shit!" Rey made a mad dash for the exit, grabbing her chair and throwing it at Chronogirl as she strolled toward Rose. The chair set her off balance and Rose was able to escape along with Finn. "Everyone leave now!"
Rey slammed the side entrance shut, everyone fleeing for the elevator.
"Rey come on!" Rose tugged at her sleeve.
"It's fine Rose, someone has to help before Kira arrives," Rey said, stepping back and grabbing a spare table and shoving it against the side exit once everyone loaded in.
Rey made her way down the stairs, knowing how many stories there were. There were security cameras everywhere, even in the stairwells. Bloody perfect.
Rey huffed for air at the bottom, stepping out into the crisp autumn air in the back alley. She ducked behind the dumpster. "I am Supernova," she said, transforming in a small shimmering light to reduce her visibility in broad daylight.
Kira watched as everyone fled the building from the front. Chronogirl had managed to make her way to the first floor, teleporting to each person.
"No!" Kira cried out, watching as Rose, then Finn, then the others, were picked off one by one. She stepped out from the wall of the building and drew her staff, igniting it.
Chronogirl whirled around and narrowed her eyes. "Oh you're finally here. It's about time."
"What did you do to them!?" Kira demanded.
"I borrowed their time. With enough of it I can go back and change things to my whims."
"You cannot change the past!" Kira declared. "Trying to do so will lead to worse consequences."
"Oh, that's where you're wrong," spoke Kylo Ren behind her. Kira rolled her eyes. Just peachy. "Chronogirl won't go back, if you hand over your Supernova, sweetheart."
Kira whirled around in her outrage. "Seriously? That's your ultimate bargaining chip?"
Kylo shrugged. "I know you wouldn't want consequences on the timeline."
She pointed her finger at him in her fury. "You arrogant bastard! You think you can act like you know me but maybe I just don't want to go around messing with timey-wimey things! Ever think of that? And to stoop so low as to use this as leverage!"
"So are you actually going to give him your Supernova or not?" Chronogirl asked behind her.
Kira scoffed. "Hell, no."
"Then I guess I can go back in time and stop you two before you made me late for my own job," Chronogirl said.
Kylo's eyes widened. "Wait, that was not part of our deal—"
"Oh please, what did you expect, Kylo Ren. You're the reason I am like this, do you think I wouldn't use the powers you granted me for revenge?" Chronogirl explained. "I just need one more person and then I can swipe both of your time and the city would be in a better place!"
Kira whirled around to talk Chronogirl down. "That would devastate the entire," she gestured to the air, "Everything!"
Chronogirl looked at her nails. "I don't know. Maybe you just don't know anything about how time works. Or the wondrous Butterfly Effect, not to be confused with the butterflies Kylo uses."
"That's just a theory!" Kira yelled. She looked back at Kylo. "Right?"
His stance was infuriatingly indifferent. "Doesn't your master teach you anything?"
Before Kira could retort with a confident yes, his molten eyes widened and he dove after her, twirling around and stilling, with her in his arms.
Her world came crashing down. Time froze for Kira, watching as a thousand contradictions shattered and her heart broke. She gasped as she stared into his eyes, frozen and unmoving.
"Well," Chronogirl said behind him. "I was going to take your time but his will do too."
Kira was paralyzed as her enemy-once-hero faded away before her eyes.
He actually saved her. He threw his life away for her. She backed away from Chronogirl, her brain trying to catch up with this twist of events. Fleeing was the only option to recover from her pounding heart and spinning head.
Luke had some major explaining to do.
She swung her lightsaber at Chronogirl, grazing her elbow with a light burn, aiming at her knee and getting in a hit as well. Chronogirl hissed in pain, clutching at her elbow and kneeling down from the pain. Kira ducked behind the building, sprinting down the back alley, her staff out in case Chronogirl decided to teleport again. Kira couldn't take any further risks. If she was touched, then Chronogirl would destroy everything, unchecked.
Once she was at least five blocks away, she de-transformed behind a dumpster. One street away from Luke's. She took a speedy stroll, glancing around for any sign of Chronogirl. Rey pulled her phone out and checked the holonet, and as predicted, the news feed was keeping track of Chronogirl, noting that she was teleporting and blinking in and out of existence.
Her feet had taken her straight to the steps down into Luke's apartment. Shoving her phone into her pocket, she went down the steps and banged her fist on the door in urgency.
Luke opened and looked like he saw a ghost. "Oh hell, you're here," he said, as if she shouldn't be here and off fighting the Corrupted running rampant through the city.
She crossed her arms. "You got some explaining to do."
He ushered her into the apartment. She sat down on the cushion at the table while Luke rummaged around in a box for something.
Rey took a moment to think about what just happened before launching into a rushed explanation to avoid the hell out of one particular detail she really didn't want to think about. "Luke, Chronogirl steals the time away from anyone she touches. If she had touched me it would have been over. She touched her own creator. Kylo Ren is no more."
Luke froze, turning around and looking at her with raw fear in his aged eyes. "Say it isn't so."
Rey nodded. "He um…" She fidgeted with her thumbs. She didn't want to think about the implications. Nope. Not now. "He threw himself in front of me."
Luke raised an eyebrow, but said nothing else, which she was super grateful for. "Give me a moment."
He dug around and pulled out an emerald and black box. He sat down across from her and set the wooden box down in front of her. "This is the collection of Supernovas, passed down from my grandmother to my father then to me. One day I had hoped… Never mind. This situation is so dire that I am considering something that I thought I wouldn't have to do."
The box opened up and pieces of jewelry all sat in neatly organized clear glass cases.
"Consider what exactly?" Rey asked, observing each piece of jewelry. Notably, the glass cases with the zodiac symbols for Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Ares, and Pisces were empty. Her eyes dragged over to a pretty stopwatch, intricate in its design with little swirls lining the silver edges.
Luke reached for the stopwatch. "Did Kylo say anything about time?"
Rey crossed her arms, nostrils flaring in annoyance. "He was vague about it. Chronogirl said something about the Butterfly Effect, but that's just a fake theory, right? If Chronogirl goes back in time that's the end of everything."
"Not exactly. Time is messy and full of many possibilities. It doesn't entirely snap, but little things can make big sweeping changes, hence, the Butterfly Effect. For all we know the world will end tomorrow."
"That's so helpful," Rey grumbled. "Kylo didn't expect Chronogirl to go rogue though. She went back on their deal and blamed him for causing this mess in the first place."
Luke held out the stopwatch to her. "And that's why I need you to use this Supernova and go back in time."
"Wait, what?" Rey gawked at the silver watch. "Why?"
"Kylo Ren isn't the type to have a villain let loose who won't listen to him, is he?"
She groaned. "You're implying that I have to work with him."
Luke shrugged. "Not implying, but stating."
"Do I have to?" Rey whined. She rather throw herself into the nearest lake than have to work with the man that she forced herself to kiss a week ago before he killed her.
"If you want a chance at beating Chronogirl, then yes. You'll have to use this Supernova, the Gemini Supernova. There is a danger to it though, it can mentally affect you, having this much power in your hands."
"How does it work?"
"It will send you back in time. You're not as strong yet, so like your Leo Supernova, it will de-transform you and snap you back to the time you left. You'll have fifteen minutes."
Her little time constraint would definitely force her to begrudgingly ask for Kylo Ren's help. Lovely.
Rey reached for the stopwatch. She nearly dropped it with trembling hands as she heard a voice speaking to her.
Ah. Kira. You require my temporary assistance.
Luke had a smirk on his face. "You'll get used to the voices."
"I plan not to," Rey said. "I'll bring this right back when it is all set and right."
She ran out of the tiny apartment, ducking into the nearest backalley. She set the clock down and transformed into Kira. Then she picked it up, rubbing her finger over the silver backing.
"I am Supernova," she said. The clock shimmered and her golden nails were tipped electric blue. She looked into a stray puddle on the ground and saw her golden makeup was bedazzled with the same electric blue hued-rhinestones.
Huh.
Think of the event you want to travel to and set the watch.
Kira reached for her staff, trying to think what time she should go back to fix this mess.
Her first thought was to this morning, prevent the fight between her and Kylo from ever happening so Chronogirl wouldn't be created. But wasn't that what Chronogirl in her anger wanted? And only Kira would remember, Kylo wouldn't. And he would probably make the same mistake anyways in a different way, with the Butterfly Effect resulting in something much, much worse.
She thought of the time, pressing down on the button on top of the watch. A portal of blue appeared, and she stepped into it.
Kira was back in time by about forty minutes, standing on a building overlooking… Herself, halting Chronogirl in her tracks.
Kylo Ren was in front of her on the roof, about to jump down and make his dramatic ass apparence.
Not today.
Kira leaped down and tackled him to the ground. He was caught off guard, the wind knocked out of him.
"What the hell?" he grunted, trying and failing to get back up, but Kira pushed all of her weight onto his back.
"Hello Kylo," she whispered in his ear. Maybe trying to keep her voice low wasn't the best idea, because the greeting was almost seductive. "I'm Kira from the future here to fix the mess you made. Chronogirl is going to turn on you and attack Kira and you're going to be a self-sacrificial dumbass and jump in the way."
He stilled for a moment and was that a chuckle? "Sounds like me alright."
She rolled her eyes. "I cannot deal with her by myself, and since she goes rogue, you've got little options."
He considered her for a moment. "Hmm. I believe you. Now please, get off of me? As much I like having your body against mine."
Kira really wished she could solo this just for that remark alone. She rolled off of him like he was on fire.
He got up and looked her over with a supposed innocent tilt of his head. Like he was innocent at all, for all the harm he caused thus far. Though his self-sacrifice was an oddity she would have to revisit later.
"She teleports," Kira began. "If she touches either of us with her hands…"
"She takes our time away. Which means we need to keep our distance from her and keep moving. We will have to lean on the Force."
She blew a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Great."
There was a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. "You're stronger than you know."
Kira felt only her heart beat increase as he brushed past her to wave his hand and knock the other Kira to the side to get Chronogirl's attention.
"Not interested in you turning on me today," Kylo said.
Chronogirl squinted her eyes right at Kira. The other Kira, thrown aside, got back up, taking several steps away from Chronogirl, glancing to her future double and Kylo then back to Chronogirl.
"There's two of you, which means you managed to go back in time," Chronogirl said. "Huh. What was that about messing with timey-wimey nonsense?"
Kira rolled her eyes. "If it means stopping you, then I will do whatever it takes."
"Guess I'll just have to find others to take their time away." Chronogirl teleported down the street, searching for her next victims, which was any random passerby.
Kylo looked to Kira with a nod. "You might want to inform your past self of the details. I'll track down Chronogirl." With that, he leaped off the roof, chasing after his rogue underling.
Kira looked at her confused double. "You might want to make your way to our master's."
Her double regarded her with a nod. "Uh, yeah. Good idea."
Ten minutes till she snapped back.
Kira let out a sigh of relief, igniting her lightsaber and jumping up onto another roof, scanning the streets for Chronogirl. People stood, frozen, fading away, their time and lives stolen. She caught eye of Kylo making quick jumps and leaps up a wall, a natural display of his parkour skills. It was one thing to watch it on the news feed, it was another to see it live.
Kylo was now across the street from her. "Chronogirl is being followed by the newsfeed to the park, where lots of citizens are."
"She'll try to steal their lives. She cannot be allowed to go back in time."
He nodded. "Yes. How long do you have?"
"Eight minutes."
"Then let's finish this in five."
Kira ran out of rooftop, so she lowered herself down to the grass with the Force. Kylo was the same. Trees dotted across the fenced park where Chronogirl teleported to each and every citizen, adults and children alike. A type of rage bubbled up in her throat as a small girl faded away.
"Just because I'm working with you," she said as they both sprinted across the grass, "Doesn't mean I forgive you for this or any other prior related incidents."
"Believe me, I'm disgusted too."
That almost stopped her in her tracks. Was that more humanity displayed by Supervillain Kylo Ren today? Was the hero still within him?
No, he squished that beneath his heel and let it crumble away. He wanted the negative reception and image, because he was a monster.
"Climb that tree. I'll distract Chronogirl. You leap out with your saber and she'll be forced to defend herself with her daggers," Kylo informed her.
Kira nodded, not bothering to question his plan despite every fiber of her being demanding she fight him on principle and not trust his not-sorry irredeemable ass. She scrambled up a tree, perching herself on a thick branch.
Chronogirl reached for a crouching child, about to steal their time away, when Kylo jerked his hand in a wide fashion, his fingers taut and his stature was straight and clenched in raw anger. Kira hadn't seen that since last week, when he was in his murderous mode, but this time it was more controlled rather than raw, as if he was trying to keep his composure.
"You would honestly stoop so low as to attack children, who have so much precious time left," he said, his voice laced with venom. "Hand over your watch, Chronogirl."
She scoffed, realigning herself from being shoved away. "No thank you. Is it my fault or your fault that children are a big boost to the clock?"
He ignited his lightsaber. "Better me than them then." He stalked closer to her.
Chronogirl reached down to her boots, grabbing twin vibroblades, electric blue energy dancing from one end to the next. She was on the defensive, knowing exactly the power and strength Kylo held. "Where's your girlfriend? Still busy trying to inform her skeptical double of the Butterfly Effect?"
Kira launched herself off the branch, one hand out and locking Chronogirl in place, the other holding her golden saber staff. Chronogirl barely had any time to twist around and block the incoming blow, the twin vibroblades clashing in a fit of sparks against the golden blade.
"I happen to have friends who know more than I," Kira quipped.
Chronogirl's eyes widened as she took one dagger off the golden saber, blocking Kylo's red saber with a trembling hand. She teleported, throwing Kira off balance. She stumbled forward. This was it, this was how she was going to perish, her time running out.
A soft, light feeling flooded her limbs, like an invisible person was latching onto her shoulders and hands to steady her footing. A yelp and sizzle of pain cut through the haze and Kira managed to look behind her to see Chronogirl stumbling back, clutching her fingers. The red of Kylo's saber was near her back, the heat penetrating her wraps.
He had saved her life. Twice.
Kylo, with expert ease, flicked his hand again and Chronogirl was immobilized by her hands with the Force. Kira watched the display with awe, the Force strong and swirling around him. She could have sworn she could feel his emotions rolling off of him in waves. Anger. Fear. Guilt.
Affection.
With a snap of his fingers, he lunged forward and tapped Chronogirl's watch with one finger. The watch fell to pieces in ash to the grass. A wave of nostalgia hit Kira like a train.
Two years ago. Every villain was defeated whenever Kylo managed to use his Supernova's ultimate ability on the key object holding an innocent in Corruption.
"Kira?"
She was so engrossed in the scene before her, she forgot she was also a player in the foray. She snapped her fingers, a light dancing out from her palm and cleansing the Corruption from Chronogirl, before flying off around the park and the city, restoring people's time.
She looked at Kylo, who seemed so relieved and… Calmed. In his element. Like he still belonged in heroism before he threw it all away.
He turned to look at her. "You and I make a great team."
She crossed her arms. "We do. Doesn't change much though. You're still a criminal."
His eyes glinted with a twinge of sadness before returning to mirth. "Yes, but we are a force to be reckoned with together, sweetheart."
Her heartbeat should have calmed down by now. "If you think I'm considering joining you in this insanity, you're wrong. I'm never giving up my Supernova."
A subtle scrunch of his eyes. "We'll see."
The electric blue on her fingertips faded away. Kira imagined the rhinestones lining her eyes were gone too.
Kylo took a step back. "Until next time, Kira. I find you look more lovely in gold than blue personally."
Lovely.
He called her lovely.
It shouldn't have ignited heat in her cheeks.
With that, Kira found herself back in the alleyway, her memories of confusion at seeing herself teaming up with Kylo melding together with Kylo's rampant compliments and seeing him display his small acts of heroism up close and personal.
She slumped down against the wall, letting her first transformation run out. Rey couldn't be bothered to get up, the epiphany she should have had several weeks ago plaguing her confused and dizzied brain.
Kylo Ren was in love with her.
Rey didn't even pay attention as she made her way to the car waiting for her outside of her apartment. Rose was already seated in the backseat. Rey couldn't even take stock of the car's model or how nice the leather seat was.
Rose raised an eyebrow at her. "You okay? You've been a space case since yesterday."
Rey stared out the window, still lost in thought. "Yeah. I mean, I almost lost you guys."
Rose placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Kira saved us in the end. We're here, in the now. That's all that matters."
"Yeah. That's what matters."
The relief of finding Rose and Finn and Poe and the rest of her coworkers was a balm in the heat of Kylo's feelings. It was so confusing to her. She thwarted his plans several times, but he seemed to take it all in stride, aside from that one moment of panic during their very first duel when his Supernova ran out on him. Why the hell would he like her? Why did he flirt with her every chance he got? Was it to lead her on and trick her? It had to be it.
Or maybe she led him on by accident with that stupid life-saving kiss.
Rey would never admit to Luke that she had a high-suspicion that Kylo had feelings for her. She could only imagine the lecture she would get. As if she would ever like Kylo. He was a menace, he was her enemy. He caused pain and trouble for people of a city he had turned his back on. She would never, ever date his ass ever in her life, much less develop feelings for him. She just wanted to steal his Supernova and go, leaving the world a better place and he could go on with his miserable existence with nothing to empower him.
If only she could stop thinking about it. In a way, she supposed, it was quite flattering that her kicking his ass and making snide remarks hadn't deterred him from getting the hots for her. What a strange, strange man.
Rey stepped out of the car and finally took stock of her transport. It was super shiny and new. A classic-style of the current year's model Whisper, the ground version and compliment to the space-craft Silencer. Made by the company.
"So how'd it go?" Ben spoke behind her and Rey whirled around, all thoughts of Kylo forgotten. Ben today was wearing all black, for some reason it looked like the color was made for him.
"The ride was wonderful," Rose said. "Wasn't it, Rey?"
Rey blinked. "Y-Yeah. I didn't even notice. And I'm on time for once."
Ben gave a shy smile. "Well, uh, good. I was hoping to incorporate a company carpool. You two are my guinea pigs."
"So I'm also adorable?" Rey said before she could stop herself.
He chuckled. "Yes."
Rose ribbed her on the way up in the elevator, but Rey didn't care. She was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.
Who needed crushing supervillains when she had her sweet, broody supervisor.