If you see our son, bring him home.
Kylo lay badly beaten and broken. His energy level was so low that he could no longer stand. He waited numbly for death to claim him and usher him into the afterlife.
Suddenly something blurred into view before his eyes. He squinted to make out the shape. It was a person, dressed in white with a blue aura surrounding them.
'Who's there?' He rasped.
'Someone who loves you.'
Tears sprang to his eyes as he realised the form before him was his mother. He tried to sit up but fell back to the ground, exhausted. His mother sat next to him. She tucked her feet under her white robes and smiled lovingly at him.
Kylo felt deep gratitude that his mother had come to him. He didn't want to be alone. He was afraid. As death circled him, he realised how meaningless his pride and selfishness had been. He let all the hate and sadness fall away, and clasped his mother's hand within his.
'Ahh, there you are,' his mother said with a smile brushing a curl of hair away from his forehead, just as she had done so many times when he was a child.
'Mother, you came to be with me in my final moments.'
'These moments will not be your last, my son. I am here to give what is left of my life force to you. Ben, this is all my fault and I'm so sorry. I failed you. I should never have given up the Jedi path. I allowed a fleeting shadow of your death to make my choice for me, but I was deceived. I know now this was Snoke praying on my fears and poisoning my thoughts. If I had had the strength of mind to complete my training and pass what I had learnt on to you, you would not have been turned to the dark. I would have been able to protect you from him and act as your constant anchor towards the light. I allowed him to destroy that future for us, and for that, I am truly ashamed. I enabled that monster to take you from me and then I turned me back on you, as if I had not been the one to allow the horrendous act from the very beginning. I hope you can forgive me, Ben. Let me start to make amends for my wrongful actions.'
Leia closed her eyes and placed her hands on his body. Kylo felt her energy flow through him, calming his mind and easing his pain. He allowed his eyes to close as Leia's last act of motherly love healed his wounds both physically and emotionally. When he opened his eyes once more, he was back in his chambers on board the First Order destroyer. His mother stood up and held out her palm. Kylo placed his hand within hers and allowed her to help him up off the floor. He took a knee and brought his mother's hands to his mouth, placing a loving kiss against her knuckles. Leia put her hand on her son's head, snaking her fingers in his fine hair. She had always loved his hair. So wild and unpredictable just like her beloved son. They felt the Force begin to knit their broken energy back together. Soon the bond was renewed and stronger than ever. Leia felt her son forgive her, and in turn she finally forgave herself. They stayed in place for a few moments, enjoying the intimate contact, until Leia finally spoke.
'Now, go to Rey. She needs you,' she instructed.
'Where is she?' Kylo said, rising up from the floor.
'The Son holds her captive in Mortis. You must go there.'
'How do I get there?' He asked.
But his mother had already disappeared.
Kylo felt her absence like a hole in the Galaxy, but he had little time to grieve, Rey needed him. He pulled himself up to his feet and exited the room. He came face to face with two storm troopers on guard outside his chambers.
'Ready my ship,' he growled at them.
'Sir, you have to come with us,' the troopers ordered, as they made a move towards him.
Kylo was momentarily confused, then he reached out and looked into the soldiers minds. He saw that in his absence, Hux had appointed himself Supreme Leader and had assumed control of the entire fleet. Fury blinded him and with one wave of his arm, he send both troopers hurtling into a wall rendering them both instantaneously unconscious. He lit his saber and started down the corridor to find Hux, but quickly realised if he chose that path, Rey would probably be lost to him forever. He stilled and considered his options.
He couldn't afford to waste valuable time and energy trying to regain his title at the expense of Rey's well being, the fight would have to wait for another day. He extinguished his saber and used his mind control abilities to keep his reappearance a secret from the rest of his troops. He reached the docking bay and managed to take off in a storm trooper transport without being detected.
Kylo ran through his choices. He knew where Rey was, but he didn't know how to get there. He needed more information, but he didn't even know where to start. He had no resources and no men to speak of. There was only one choice left. He was reluctant as he wasn't sure what reception he would receive, but he saw no other way.
Kylo locked onto the coordinates of the rebel base. He had lied to Rey when he told her he hadn't known of her whereabouts. He had always known. The plan had been to extract Rey first, and deal with the rebels later. Now the plan was to deal with the rebels, in the hopes of extracting Rey. Kylo shook his head. The Force had a sick sense of humour sometimes. He opened a communication channel to let the remaining Resistance members know he was on his way. Kylo didn't think the initial meeting would go well, but he was hopeful he would have time to at least explain, before they attempted to blast his head off.
'Mother, if you have any more tricks up your sleeve now is the time to show them,' he announced looking upwards hopefully.
There was no response.
'Fine. But if they kill me on sight, I'm blaming you.'
'Kylo Ren is coming here?' Finn said.
'If the communication I've received is to be believed then yes, he is,' Rose replied.
'What did he say?' Poe asked.
Rose swallowed hard. Tears pooled in her eyes.
'He said... he said that his mother was dead and that Rey had been... taken.'
They had had no contact with Rey and Leia since their departure. It had been decided that it would be prudent to keep their location entirely secret. Clearly the Son had found them despite all of their precautions.
The General was gone, they could hardly believe it. Poe and Finn bowed their heads and Chewie called out in pain, falling to his knees. Rose covered her mouth with her hand as her emotions overwhelmed her. Finn came towards her and hugged her close, pressing a kiss against her forehead and whispering words of comfort in her ear.
Poe bit back his tears and cleared his throat. Though his heart was broken, he knew Leia would want him to keep it together.
'Why does any of this concern him?' Finn asked.
'He wants to get Rey back, and to do that he needs our help,' Rose explained.
'Did he say where Rey had been taken to?'
'No,' Rose replied wiping at her eyes.
'Mortis,' Poe said under his breath.
'What?' Rose asked.
'That's where he's from. The Son. Mortis. I bet you a thousand credits that's where Rey is right now.'
Rose gasped.
'Mortis? The realm of Mortis? How can we possibly follow them there?'
'I have no idea. But I think I know someone who can help us.'
Kylo brought the carrier in for landing on the forest planet that the rebels thought kept them so well concealed. As he exited the ship and saw Rey's friends circling him, he couldn't help but wonder if he was walking towards a blaster firing squad.
Rose was the first one to come towards him.
'I'm so sorry about your mother,' she declared, with a sympathetic look.
He was surprised at her honest outburst of compassion. It touched his light tinged heart. He saw the fear in her eyes which made him appreciate the gesture even more.
'Thank you,' he replied truthfully.
He looked up at the ones called Finn and Poe. They glared at him with their arms firmly folded across their chests. A wall of hostility tightened around him like a vice. It was understandable considering the pain he had inflicted on both of the men in the past. He would endure their anger with quiet tolerance. This wasn't about them, this was about Rey.
He glanced briefly at Chewie's pain filled, knowing eyes, but then the small droid they called BB8 caught his attention. The sadness the droid felt at Rey's disappearance was immense, it momentarily flooded his senses and threatened to drown him. It was curious for a droid to feel so much, but then if anyone could reach the metal encased heart of a service robot, it was his Rey.
An interesting energy lingered around Poe. He tentatively reached out into the pilots mind. His eyes widen in realisation as he searched the commanders thoughts.
He marched up to Poe and stood before him.
'You. You know of Mortis,' he exclaimed.
'I had a vision,' Poe stated plainly.
'Daughter, she chose you. Why? You are not a Force user.'
'No I'm not,' Poe retorted.
'Then why?' Kylo pressed.
Poe let out an exasperated sigh.
'I don't know why she chose me. She wanted to warn us about all of this, but it was all for nothing because now the Son has Rey and we don't know how to get her back. I tried to contact Daughter, but I don't know how,' Poe hung his head.
Kylo's light side sympathised with Poe. Ben pushed an idea to the forefront of Kylo's mind.
'Perhaps...perhaps I can bridge your minds once more,' Kylo suggested.
'What does that mean?' Finn asked.
Kylo turned to look at him.
'Daughters energy signature is faint, but it still lingers within Poe, perhaps I can reconnect them.'
Poe's eyes widened as he caught up with Kylo's plan.
'Then she can tell us how to get to Mortis.'
'Exactly,' Kylo agreed.
'Okay, how do we do this?' Finn asked.
'I will need to render Poe unconscious,' Kylo stated.
'Not. Happening,' Poe vowed.
'It is the only way I can connect your minds. I sense you are eager to see her again, I am offering you that opportunity,' Kylo said in a low voice.
Finn and Rose looked at Poe with interest. Poe avoided their eyes and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
'Okay. Do it then,' He agreed.
Kylo admired Poe for agreeing to the plan despite his very obvious apprehension. When he remembered how he had treated Poe in the past, he felt a strong sense of guilt and shame. Ben was still slowly pushing to the surface, bringing forth emotions he had suppressed for many,many years. He cautioned himself to be as careful as possible with Poe's thoughts during the process. He could not afford to anger Poe. He sensed his alliance with the Resistance was tenuous at best.
He felt a sudden spike of jealousy that Poe might care for Rey more than he had let on, there was a very clear motive of desiring to help his friend, but an even stronger motive of wanting to see Daughter again.
Interesting.
Had Poe fallen for the ancient light wielder? That seemed like a romance doomed to fail. Still, he respected the man for attempting to chase the impossible. He knew what it was like to catch a handful of stardust and become consumed with the desire to possess the star.
Rey, hold on. I'm coming just as I promised.
Rose set about turning one of the mess tent tables into a bed for Poe, while Kylo prepared to contact Daughter. It was an unnecessary task but keeping busy helped her nervous disposition. As she fluffed up the pillows and lay down the sheets, she plucked up the courage to ask Kylo the question she had been longing to ask.
'Why did you come to us?'
Kylo looked at her with sad eyes.
'Hux has assumed command of the First Order. All of my resources are now his. I had to leave and this seemed like the only place to come to get the answers I needed.'
He looked down at his hands as he sat on one of the mess tent benches. Rose bit her lip as she heard the wood creak in protest under his large mass. She hoped it would hold.
'Why aren't you there right now, fighting for your title?' She asked curiously.
'Part of me wanted to do just that, but Rey needs me now.'
Rose lifted her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
'I know Rey confides in you,' Kylo said bluntly.
'We're close. Rey and I. We have a lot in common,' Rose said by way of an explanation.
Kylo nodded but looked, unsatisfied.
'I don't have to be a mind reader to know what you want,' Rose said.
Kylo looked at her with a frown on his face and Rose sighed and came to stand in front of him.
'She does care for you, Kylo. But she won't leave the light, not even for you.'
'I have foreseen her death. If she does not turn to the dark, she will die.'
'Are you sure about what you saw, Kylo? From what I know of the Dark-side, it can be known to mislead its followers. It seems foolish to trust in a Force that is by its own nature multiplicitous.'
Kylo considered Rose's words. Could it be that the Dark-side was deceiving him? It wouldn't be the first time he had been fed false information by his subconscious.
'Perhaps, I was mistaken. Everything seems so different now.'
He thought about the changes that were happening within him.
'You seem different. Calmer. More...more human,' Rose observed.
'My mother came to me. The Son had imprisoned me and I was close to death, she came to me and used the last of her life force to heal me and return me to this world. Her light is within me now and I am very affected by it.'
Rose's mouth fell open and her eyes filled with tears.
'Does Rey know?'
'No. Our bond has been broken for some time now, we were only reconnected briefly by my grandmother,' Kylo ran a hand through his hair and let out a shaky breath.
Rose felt a pang of sympathy for the Ex Supreme Leader. Was he turning to their side? Her heart leaped in her chest. This could be the end of the war. This could be how they won. She cautioned herself to tread carefully.
'Kylo, we're going to get her back,' she said firmly.
Kylo nodded and composed himself.
Ben liked Rose. That was very clear. Kylo found that he respected her and he could appreciate the characteristics she shared with Rey.
Poe and Finn entered the room and Rose and Kylo looked away from each other. Poe clapped his hands together.
'Alright let's get this show on the road,' he said with feigned confidence.
He laid down on the bed that Rose has prepared for him. Kylo stood behind his head and placed his hands near each of his temples.
`I'm going to put you to sleep now,' he said looking down at Poe.
Poe nodded then his eyes closed and his head slouched to the side.
Rose and Finn sat down to the side of the tent.
Kylo closed his eyes and reached out for Daughter's energy.
Finn whispered to Rose as Kylo worked.
'I know that's Kylo Ren and I'm supposed to hate him, but for some reason I have some very strong feelings of affection for him,' he said seriously.
Rose giggled. Finn's Force sensitivity was still very new to them both, but she was trying to support him through it as best as she could.
'It's Leia. Leia healed him with the last of her life Force. What you are feeling is Leia.'
As sad as it was to have lost their beloved General, it was somewhat comforting to have Finn confirm Kylo's story and to know that she was still with them, in a way.
Finn looked relieved.
'That makes sense. I thought I could feel her,' he said thoughtfully.
'Finn, there's something else I should tell you.'
'What?'
'Kylo told me that Hux has taken control of the First Order.'
'So the troopers are now under the command of that remorseless maniac?' Finn shouted standing up.
Kylo stopped what he was doing and shot them both a fierce look.
'Sorry,' Finn mumbled as he sat back down, and they fell silent.
Kylo reached out once more trying to sense Daughter's energy.
Poe jerked on the table and Rose stood up protectively. Finn put a hand out in front of her. She turned to face him and he slowly shook his head not taking his eyes off Poe. Rose sat back down. She trusted Finn's judgement, especially when it came to Poe. The two were as close as brothers and she knew Finn would never put Poe in harms way. Poe's body jerked again. It was difficult to watch.
'It is done,' Kylo said, moving his hands away from Poe's head.
'What do we do now?' Finn asked.
'Now we wait.'
Poe found himself in a Utopian paradise. Colourful flowers bloomed in lush meadows, the sky above him was bright blue with one orange sun.
He looked around him and located Daughter sitting by a pool of water, idly running her fingers along the surface.
She was breathtaking. If only they had more time...
'D!' Poe called out.
Daughter looked up at him in surprise. She came towards him.
'Dameron Poe, how is this possible…'
'There isn't time to explain, D. Listen, Your brother has taken Rey. He has he trapped somewhere within your realm. We need to get in, so we can get her out.'
'It isn't possible.'
'There has to be a way.'
Daughter thought for a moment, then her eyes widened with realisation.
'There is but one chance, Dameron Poe. My brother has tried to escape once before, he did not succeed but it is possible that the Force opening in space he attempted to utilise is still there. You will need someone who is strong with the Force to sense it. If you can travel to that place, maybe I can shield you with my energy and prevent my brother from detecting your arrival at Mortis.'
Poe smiled at her.
'You're brilliant, do you know that?'
Daughter smiled back, delighted at his praise.
'Can you give me the coordinates?' Poe asked.
Daughter touched his cheek and placed her forehead against his.
'You have them,' she said softly.
'Thank you. D. Maybe, maybe if we make it, we could take you with us?'
'I cannot leave this realm,' she answered sadly.
Poe opened his mouth to speak again, then he started to fade.
'No, it's too soon,' he said reaching out for Daughter. She reached out for him in turn and their fingers barely touched as he returned to his body.
'I'm not giving up on you,' he shouted before the connection between them snapped shut.
Back in the mess tent, Poe opened his eyes and sat up.
'I know where we need to go,' he said.
'Then we leave as soon as possible,' Kylo replied.