Sorry for not updating in a bit. I wanted to take a little break and I was also finally able to see Rise of Skywalker (Yay me!) I won't go into what I like and what didn't like because everyone has their own views and opinions. All I'm going to do is move forward with my own story, so bear in mind, things may not be the same as ROS. Rey is taking a back seat here (Sorry Rey, this is Saya and Ben's story, not yours)

It's time to wrap this story up.

Thanks! Hope everyone enjoys!

Chapter 21

For several weeks, Kylo scoured the galaxy, trying to seek out the phantom Emperor and end him for good. If he hadn't heard the voice himself, Kylo never would have believed the Sith was still alive. He was a threat.

Ever since the first time he heard the old man's voice in his head, he continued to hear whispering in the back of his mind:

"Come to me on Exogol… Come to me and you will fulfill your destiny!"

Kylo wanted to find the man and kill him just for the uneasiness of him in his mind. Snoke whispered the same words to him as a child. To follow him and fulfil his destiny. As far as he was concerned, his destiny has been fulfilled.

Kylo Ren was ruler of the galaxy. The only missing piece was Saya missing by his side. But that will happen very soon. He was sure of it.

The name Exogol echoed through his head more than any other words the Sith lord burned into his mind. He ordered his Generals to scour the galaxy for any map of such a place. It took several weeks for them to finally find the legend of a known Sith planet on the outskirts of the galaxy.

The map was the biggest pain to obtain. The planet it was on was guarded by many who collected and protected old Sith and Jedi relics. They did not interest him. He easily slaughtered the guardians and took the small device from them.

After the several weeks of searching, he placed the map in his ship and followed the coordinates to the planet the Sith had been calling him to.

The planet looked completely dead. There seemed to be no life on it what so ever. That didn't bother him.

Kylo made his way forward until he stood on the platform that would lead him down into the planet. He withdrew his lightsaber, ready to kill the Sith lord.

As soon as the platform descended down, Kylo couldn't deny the chill that went down his spine. He walked several paces before a voice called out to him.

"At last… you have finally come to me…"

He looked around but it was too dark to see anything, even with the light of his lightsaber.

"Snoke has trained you well"

He gritted his teeth and swung his lightsaber towards the voice.

"I killed Snoke… I'll kill you!"

"My boy, I made Snoke. I have been every voice… you have ever heard… inside your head…"

Those weren't only the Sith lord's voices. There were other voices as well. He recognized Snoke's voice. But he couldn't place the other one.

Finally, he heard a noise from behind him. Kylo swung his lightsaber around and he finally faced the Sith lord.

The man was nothing like Kylo imagined. His face was withered and his eyes were milky white. He could also see the large machine he was attached to. A life support system.

Good. An easy kill.

"How are you still alive?"

The old man raised his hands. "The Dark Side of the force… is a pathway to many abilities that some consider to be…. Unnatural. My body was destroyed… but my mind and spirit never died… my body was recreated here…."

A flash of lightning lit up the room and Kylo saw plenty of laboratory equipment and medical supplies. He also realized the old man was surrounded by others who seemed to be working to keep him alive.

"Alas, this body is still weak. But my work is not done. Only you can avenge me"

He continued to hold his lightsaber up to the old man.

"And why would I do that? What could you offer me?"

The Sith lord had a sickening smile.

"Everything… a new Empire…"

The planet began to shake and Kylo looked to the opening in the planet to see the sky. Ships had rose from the sea and now covered the skies. A fleet of Star Destroyers.

"Complete my work… avenge me and I will give you everything. A new Empire… for you and your love…"

He gripped his lightsaber tightly in his hand.

"What do you know of her!?"

"I know… that a Skywalker and a Mahjai together… is an indestructible force…"

He gritted his teeth.

"I said… WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF HER!?"

"I can feel her power even across the far reaches of the galaxy. She cannot hide it from me… I thought the Mahjai were gone…. Extinct like the Jedi…. But I was wrong. She is the last of them… with power beyond comprehension… With her beside you, NOTHING will stand in your way. The power of the Mahjai and the power of Skywalker will bring the galaxy to its knees."

Kylo still didn't lower his lightsaber.

"What do I have to do?"

Again, that sickening smile.

"The scavenger girl… is the last of the Jedi. Your Mahjai is the last of the Gray Jedi. Bring your love over to the dark side… and kill the scavenger. Bring an end to the Jedi order! Kill the girl and become what your grandfather Vader could not."

Another flash of lightning and Kylo turned to see a large throne across the room. It was dark and made of stone. Nothing like his on his Star Destroyer.

"End the Jedi and it is yours. Kill the scavenger and bring the Mahjai here to rule beside you. With my fleet, you will have the galaxy bending to your will."

Kylo lowered his lightsaber and turned to the Sith Lord after several moments.

"I will kill the scavenger…"

The old man pointed a withered finger at Kylo.

"But be warned… the girl is no mere scavenger…"

Kylo raised a brow "Who is she?"

"…many years ago, I sired a son… and his son had a child…"

Kylo's eyes went wide. "She's-"

"A Palpatine… my great grandchild… That's how she has her power… the power of the Sith flows through her…"

"…You want me to kill your great-grandchild?"

"She is a means to an end… choosing the path of the Jedi is an insult I cannot take. Kill her and end the Jedi. Kill her and become the new Emperor of the galaxy… Emperor Kylo Ren…"

His eyes went back to the throne. He imagined himself sitting on it, ruling the galaxy. Saya would be beside him. Or perhaps she would sit in it and he stand beside her. It didn't matter. He would be Emperor.

And Saya would be his Empress…

Kylo turned to the Sith lord who had a sickening smile.

"The scavenger will die. I will bring Saya over to the Dark Side."

He wasted no more time with the dying man. Kylo made his way back to his ship, his thoughts going in several different directions.

Once he was on board his ship, he grabbed his communicator.

"Summon my Knights of Ren. We have work to do."

-!-!-!

Several weeks of training passed by for the Resistance. Saya had been haunted by the voice she had heard but it seemed as if Rey had never heard the voice. Perhaps it was only she and Kylo who heard the phantom emperor speak. Or maybe it was a dream.

She didn't know. Either way, Saya didn't see the need to worry Rey or anyone else. Especially since Rey had become so restless the last few weeks. Every day, Rey disappeared into the woods to train. Leia had even been trying to help Rey train as best she could with the minimal training she once did with her brother Luke many years ago. Both girls were surprised when Leia revealed her secret of once training to be a Jedi to them.

Saya decided to step back and asked Leia to train exclusively with Rey. She hoped Leia would help Rey be more at ease with herself. She asked Rey over and over what was wrong but she said nothing.

In her heart, Saya knew something was happening across the galaxy. She hadn't even felt Kylo try and connect with her at all. She had to admit, she missed hearing his voice.

She missed Poe, Finn and Chewie as well. Leia dispatched them two weeks ago with the word that there may be a spy in the First Order. Everyone was on their toes and prayed for some good news. All of them longed for the end of the war.

Saya had just finished her own meditation when she heard crashing in the woods not too far from her. She quickly rushed through the trees with Bayard and the Fowling close behind her. Saya finally ran through a bunch of bushes when she saw a frantic Rey trying to get a tree off of BB-8

Rey! What happened!?

Rey turned and Saya could see the tears in her eyes. Saya quickly waved her hand and the tree was lifted off the droid and fell onto the ground. Rey was on her knees with her head in her hands, trying to breathe.

Saya rushed over and sat next to her.

Rey, please talk to me. What is wrong?

They both sat on the ground while Rey took several deep breaths.

"I… I keep having nightmares. About a throne. A dark throne. I see myself standing beside it. With everyone I care about dead all around me…"

Saya could see Rey start to cry and she quickly took her hand.

Rey… I had a similar dream once. Where I turned to the Dark Side and killed everyone. Where killed all of you. But I know that isn't me. And I know that isn't you.

Rey wiped her face and looked up to Saya

"How do you know that?"

Because we chose this path. We choose the Light Side of the force. We may walk different paths of the Jedi, but we still chose the light over the darkness. We choose this, Rey. We are who we choose to be.

Rey stood and the girls hugged each other.

"Thank you"

Saya smiled as they broke apart and they began making their way back to camp. As soon as they saw the huts and people hustling about, one of the members approached them.

"We have some new members joining us!"

The girls quickly ran to the newly landed ship and watched several people exit with crates of supplies. Leia was standing at the entrance of the transport ship, greeting all those who were exiting. Saya and Rey made their way to the front just as a small creature with large glasses over her eyes exited the ship.

"Oh, Maz is here!" Rey said with a smile.

Sorry, who?

"Maz. She's been an ally to the Resistance for a long time. I haven't seen her in a while though."

Rey walked forward to greet her and Saya stood back with Bayard and the Fowling. The Fowling was happily looking around with curious eyes at everyone. Saya smiled as he happily smiled and waved at everyone.

She looked up and was startled to see the creature, Maz, directly in front of her. Leia and Rey stood behind her with smiles.

"Saya, this is Maz Kanata." Leia said with a smile.

Saya held her hand out.

Nice to meet you

Maz didn't shake her hand but rather gently took it and pulled Saya closer to her. She dropped to one knee and watched as Maz slid the large glasses above her eyes and on her head.

Saya felt as if Maz was looking into her very soul.

"I've never seen eyes like your before… who are you?"

Saya took a breath. She didn't know why she felt so nervous.

My name is Saya. I was once with the Healers Order but I've committed myself to the Resistance and follow the path of the Gray Jedi.

Maz was silent for several moments as she continued to study Saya's eyes.

"What are you? Where do you come from?"

…I am a Mahjai.

Maz actually looked stunned for several moments.

"… I heard the legends… I never believed them. But it's true. I can feel the force emanating off of you."

Saya suddenly felt uncomfortable and stood, taking a step back.

Maz looked behind Saya and walked to the Fowling who was staring right back into Maz's eyes. He held a small hand out to Maz and she smiled and gently took it. She then glanced over to Bayard who was looking rather bored.

Maz looked back to Saya.

"You have a very interesting family, Saya of the Mahjai"

Before anyone else could speak, a rush of wind startled everyone and they all turned to see the Millennium Falcon landing in the distance.

The tension seemed to be broken and everyone began running towards the Falcon. However, all smiles faded when they got closer to the ship.

It was on fire. On fire and falling apart.

Poe, Finn, and Chewie all quickly ran out while the Resistance hustled to put the flames out.

Saya could have felt Rey's anger from miles away.

"What happened!?"

Poe and Finn dusted themselves off as they approached Rey and Saya.

How did it go?

Poe smiled but still looked nervous.

"Bad. Really bad."

Rey snapped again. "What did you do to the Falcon!?"

"We uh… we may have had to light speed skip a bit-"

"You can't light speed skip in the Falcon! Are you insane!?"

Poe and Rey were suddenly stepping into each other's faces. Finn and Saya quickly stepped between them, trying to calm them down.

Rey, the ship can be fixed! It will be ok!

Rey took a deep breath and looked to Poe, still angry.

"Is there any good news? Do we have a spy?"

Poe and Finn finally had real smiles.

"We have a spy. Leia already has the information from R2"

Everyone smiled and rushed to Leia, ready for some good news at long last.

-!-!-!

Kylo knew his Generals would already be assembled. His Knights of Ren were assembled and ready for his commands. He no longer had the need to send them out and hunt Resistance allies.

No, it was time they returned to him.

Kylo walked into his conference room with no patience. He easily dropped the head of the traitor on the table in front of everyone and made his way to the front of the room.

"We have a spy amongst us. One that has leaked crucial information to the Resistance."

The Generals looked to one another, then back to Kylo.

"We found a traitor before, Supreme Leader. We will find this new one and destroy them"

Kylo stood at the head of the table.

"Soon, it will not matter what information has been given to the Resistance. With the fleet given to us by Palpatine, the galaxy will completely fall to the First Order."

One of the Generals cleared his throat.

"Supreme Leader, can we trust this phantom emperor to truly give us such a fleet? He may have his own plans and betray the First Order."

Another one of his Generals glared across the table to the meek man.

"The First Order has been given a new fleet of Star Destroyers and you want to question it? You QUESTION our Supreme Leader!?"

The little man started to look panicked.

"No! I would never-"

Kylo had enough of the bickering. He quickly raised his hand and the blabbering General was slammed into the ceiling and fell back down onto the table.

"Our labs will continue creating the clones to add to our army. You will all gather our soldiers and prepare for our forces to finally conquer the galaxy. My knights and I are going to hunt down the scavenger and find my wife."

He wasted no more time. He swiftly exited the room and left the Generals to their own bickering. As long as they followed his instructions, he did not care what they blabbered on about.

It was time to hunt down the scavenger and bring Saya to the Dark Side.

-!-!-!

More to come as soon as I can! Please review!