A/N - Welcome back to the story!
Guest - I am not abandoning this fic! But I will note that it is almost over...
ldsrsc - Trust me, I enjoyed writing Hux's ass-kicking just as much as you enjoyed reading it.
oldestj1 - I imagine this moment looking very much like the scene from TROS... except without the death.
Rey couldn't help but smile as reinforcements burst through the throne room doors, welcoming the hope that the new arrivals brought with them. The attention of Snoke's men was diverted as they were torn between pursuing her and Ben, and trying to fend off the new threat that had poured into the room.
Rey was bracing herself for the leap down from the table when Ben appeared beneath her. His face was bloody, his plain black clothes torn and ragged, but he appeared to be okay. Though she sensed violence in his set shoulders and locked jaw, she could tell that he was not giving in to the darkness.
Knowing he would catch her, Rey leaped from the table and into Ben's arms. He took a moment to press a quick kiss to her lips before setting her down. Their gazes drifted to Snoke, who still sat on his throne at the front of the room.
Ben and Rey approached him together, drawing their lightsabers as they moved to face the Supreme Leader while the Resistance fought the guards.
"You are a dyad, aren't you?" Snoke asked with a callous laugh, though it was more a statement than a question. "Tell me, boy, do you know what happens when one half of a dyad dies?"
Ben didn't react, but Rey noticed the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"A part of you dies as well," Snoke continued. "You become hollow and numb, a shell of what you once were. You fill the void with anger and hate, and you destroy everything within your reach."
Rey tightened her grip on her saber, but saw that Ben was faltering for some reason, his fear suddenly palpable.
"I've changed my mind," Snoke said briskly. "Kylo Ren will be far more destructive and far more effective once he loses the other half of his dyad."
"That is not going to happen," Ben growled, taking a protective step in front of her.
"Oh, but it is," Snoke crowed. "And you will be the one to do it."
Snoke's hand shot out before him, and Rey cried out as Ben's body seized up.
Slowly, Ben turned towards her, a look of pure horror in his eyes as Snoke began to manipulate his body. Ben's feet dragged him towards her, his steps slow and precarious, as Rey backed away from him towards the throne where Snoke sat cackling.
"Ben," She said nervously. "You can fight this."
"I… I can't," He groaned out, clearly trying his best to fight Snoke's control. "Rey… you have to kill me."
Rey shook her head vigorously.
"No, Ben," She pleaded desperately. "I can't."
"You have to," He demanded, and she dodged him as his lightsaber came slashing towards her. "Before I kill you."
"Now, now, we can't have that," Snoke scolded. His other hand shot out and Rey was dragged towards him, lightsaber clattering to the ground as she was forced onto her knees in front of the throne. He spun her around to face Ben as she fought his ironclad force grip on her body.
Ben's eyes were wild, and they grew more panicked with every step he was forced to take towards Rey. Finally, he was in front of her, lightsaber raised for the killing blow.
"Rey," He managed to get out, tears in his eyes. Rey wanted to cry; she knew that these were her last moments, and knew that it would kill Ben to be the one to end her life.
"It's okay, Ben," She comforted him, as the tears began to spill down her face. "It's okay."
"I love you," He whispered, as his hand brought the lightsaber level with her chest.
Rey reached out and clutched his free hand, even as his fingers couldn't move to wrap around her, savoring the feel of his skin for the last time. She desperately wanted to close her eyes, to spare herself the sight of the love of her life killing her, but instead she met his gaze head on, trying to convey all of the emotions that her words could not.
"Kill her," Snoke ordered coldly.
Rey braced herself for the blow, but it never came. She glanced up at Ben, who was slowly lowering his lightsaber with great effort. Her gaze dropped to their intertwined hands.
Stronger together.
"What is this?" Snoke demanded. "Kill her!"
Instead, Ben pulled Rey to her feet.
"Don't let go," She told him. Ben just smiled.
"I wasn't planning to."
Once more, they turned to face Snoke, hands intertwined.
Snoke snarled, thrusting both hands in front of him as he attempted to wrest control away from them. Rey felt the power flowing between them, the power of their bond, and a wave of energy pulsed forth from them, throwing Snoke back in his throne.
"How can this be?" Snoke demanded as Ben and Rey took purposeful strides toward him, one step at a time.
"You underestimated Ben Solo," Rey told him. "And me."
Moving as one they leapt forward, the Force swirling around them as together they delivered the final blow.
Silence fell over the throne room, and Resistance fighters and stormtroopers alike turned to stare as Snoke's body crumpled to the floor.
Ben turned to her, pulling her into an embrace, seemingly not caring who was watching. She shook against him, clinging to his solid frame as he held her flush against his side. His hand trembled as he brushed the sweat dampened strands of hair back from her face. She simply stared at him for a moment, basking in the feel of him.
A small breath escaped her, he was the only thing she could see, the only thing she could feel as he kissed her firmly in front of the entire Resistance army.
Ben pulled away reluctantly, stepping back to survey the room. The few soldiers that had continued to fight had been taken down. It seemed that when Snoke had been destroyed, most of the guards had given up the fight. They were pushed against the opposite wall, their weapons on the ground at their feet and their arms raised in surrender.
There was a new leader now.
A/N - Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
As always, please leave a review with your thoughts, suggestions, and predictions, and I'll see you in the next chapter!
~ Elizabeth (FanOfDeliciousFlavour)