Chapter 9

No one's ever really gone...

Rey shook Ben's body and watched with horror as his head dropped to the side, lifeless. He was gone. She had just got him back and now he was gone.

Tears rolled down her face as she steadied herself and placed a hand on his stomach, Leia had tried to teach her Force healing, she wasn't sure if it would work but she knew she had to try. She had only practised the ritual on beetles and butterflies. Kylo was so much bigger. She closed her eyes and imagined her life Force flowing from her fingers into him. She started to feel light headed. She recognised the feeling. It was working. She opened her eyes, but he still wasn't moving. Disappointment filled her heart.

Poe put a hand on her shoulder.

'Rey, I know this is hard, but this isn't over,' he said.

Daughter came towards them and stood in front of Rey as she tried again to heal Kylo.

'He was so strong. He saved us both. I am forever in his debt,' Daughter said with tears in her eyes.

'Sister, stand aside,' Son ordered.

'I won't! You have done enough! Stop this!'

'Shouldn't you be with our Father? Crying for his fading soul? None of this concerns you.'

'All of this concerns me. You are my Brother and I care for you. Please, do not make me do this.'

'Poe you need to go,' Rey said as she watched the exchange between the two powerful siblings.

'I'm not leaving either of you.'

'You have to. We have to try and stop him and you need to get out of here.'

'I'm staying.'

Stubborn fool.

Rey turned to Poe and cleared her mind. She focused on one singular thought and spoke it out loud to him.

'You will return to the Falcon, set a course for the rebel base and take off.'

Poe repeated her words back to her, then ran in the direction of the ship.

Thank you.

Rey heard Daughter's grateful voice in her head.

She looked back at Kylo's body. She couldn't part with him. Not yet.

She faced the Son with Daughter at her side.

He laughed maniacally. The smell of his burnt skin still hanging in the air. Rey fought hard not to wretch.

The Son looked at Kylo.

'He gave his life for yours, it was the ultimate sacrifice. I will ensure that his death holds true meaning. As you have mutilated my body, I shall take his.'

Rey felt nauseated at Son's suggestion.

'You will not touch him, brother.'

Daughter moved forward, but Son quickly rendered her unconscious with a strong Force attack.

Rey stood between Kylo and the Son with her saber drawn.

'If you want him, you'll have to go through me.'

'I don't want to hurt you Rey, but I will.'

'You're going to have to do more than hurt me. If you want to take his form, you'll have to kill me first.'

'He...he died?' The little boy wailed in disbelief.

'He did.' His mother confirmed sadly.

'Why?'

'He died for her, young one.'

'Is that the end?' The little boy looked distraught.

'That's up to you, my darling.'

'What?' His little brow furrowed as he got out of bed and stood up.

His mother smiled down at him. She leaned towards him and brushed a curl away from his forehead.

`I've always loved this hair.' She said with a sigh.

'You can stay here if you want, Ben. Your journey is over and you are at peace now. You can stay here with us, forever, if you wish.'

Han walked over to Leia and put his hand on her shoulder. Leia smiled up at him, then they both looked at their son.

'Hey kid.' Han said softly.

Han's eyes now met with the eyes of his adult son. The absolved man who had given his life to save the woman he loved.

'Dad.' Ben murmured as a thousand emotions distorted his features.

Han smiled at him and all their years apart fell away. Without a word spoken, the bond between father and son was reformed and the love they had for one another flowed with ease through the Force between them and twirled around the reunited family like a swirling galaxy of stars.

'I don't know about you kid, but I think you have some unfinished business,' Han said with a raise of his eyebrows.

Ben nodded purposefully.

'How do I get back to her?' He asked.

Leia put her hand on her son's cheek and smiled wistfully at him.

'Just open your eyes, darling.'

'Kylo, come back to me, please...

Ben frowned as the two opposing voices blended together and he couldn't make out either one clearly.

'What?' He said.

'Open your eyes Ben, she's waiting for you.'

'What do we do now?' Rose whispered to Finn as they worked their way through the bowels of the ship to the Troopers barracks.

'How the heck should I know I didn't think we would get this far!'

Rose sighed as she picked another internal door lock.

'You have to think of something to say to them.'

Finn reached out for the Force around him. He hadn't always realised that he was sensitive to its influence, but now that he did, he felt so much more at peace with himself.

'This way,' he said confidently.

'You're better than a sonar tracker.'

'I'll take that as a compliment.'

'You should.'

They turned a corner and came face to face with a collective of First Order officers. The men shouted at them to surrender and drew their weapons.

Rose looked around desperately, then pointed to an elevator. They dived for the doors as blaster shots narrowly missed them all around.

As they made their desperate leap for the transport device, Finn's head connected with a hard metal panel. He crashed into the floor of the Turbolift just as Rose secured the doors shut.

'Finn!' Rose called, but her voice sounded so far away...

He tried to respond to say that he was okay, but then everything went black.

When Finn awoke, he was back in the desert. He looked around. Was this? It couldn't be...

'If this is Jakku I'm going to…'

'Hi.'

A small boy appeared before him. He had sandy coloured hair and tanned skin.

'Hi.' Finn replied.

'You need to wake up.'

'I do?'

'Yes, you really do need to wake up now.'

'Who are you?'

'Just someone who knows what it's like to be taken from his family and expected to do what everyone else tells him to do.'

Finn nodded sympathetically.

'They'll listen to you Finn. Just be honest and speak from your heart. They want to listen, they just need a leader. The right leader.'

The boy stepped forward and Finn instinctively dropped to one knee. The boy grasped Finn's hands. Finn looked into the small child's eyes and saw years of pain and loneliness but also a small glimmer of hope.

'You're that leader, Finn. Go to them.'

Finn opened his eyes and he was back in the elevator with Rose embracing him.

'Thank goodness you're okay.'

'Guess this hard head of mine has its uses.'

He sat up with Rose's help. She looked worried.

'We're in trouble now, they know we're here.'

'We're only in trouble if we can't convince the Troopers to join us.'

'Do you know which floor we need to go to?'

'Yeah, the lowest,' Finn said dryly as he pulled himself to his feet and pressed the button.

'Do you know what you're going to say yet?'

'Speak from the heart and hope for the best.'

'I hope this works.'

'I hope so too.'

They reached the stormtrooper quarters and looked at one another.

'Here goes nothing,' Finn said as he opened the door.

'Sir? A transport that was reported missing has been located in the docking bay. This was found onboard.'

The hairs on the back of Hux's head stood on end as the officer handed him a black cape which looked like it belonged to Kylo Ren.

'Search the ship and report to no one but me, do I make myself clear?' Hux hissed.

'Yes, Sir,' The Trooper responded, before exiting the observation deck.

Hux took a deep breath. Had Kylo Ren returned? If Kylo was back, he would want to reestablish his leadership and probably punish Hux for usurping him. Hux was sure that the punishment would end in his painful, drawn out death. He started to panic.

He considered his choices. He could stay, or he could run. Running seemed like the best option, but he would need a disguise. He was too conspicuous in his officers uniform. A slow idea formed in Hux's mind. He left the observation deck and entered the Turbolift, heading for the stormtrooper quarters. Hopefully one of the mindless minions would wear his size.

'TZ!' Finn cried as he spotted his old training buddy.

'FN-2187! We thought you were dead,' the soldier exclaimed as she came towards him and the two old friends embraced tightly.

'Actually I just go by Finn now.'

'Really? I go by Jannah these days.'

'Jannah, I like it.'

Rose felt a pang of jealousy but she held it at bay. Of course Finn was happy to see his previous colleague. The fact that she was a beautiful woman with plump full lips and a head of amazing dark curls was an insignificant detail.

The two pulled apart and the female trooper looked at Rose. Finn took Rose's hand in his and pulled her forward.

'Jannah, this is Rose.'

'It's nice to meet you, Rose,' The woman said with a sweet smile that held no hint of regret. Rose felt silly about her previous anxiety.

Jannah looked at Finn.

'So you did it, Finn. You did what you always said you would. You got out of here and got yourself a life. I'm so proud of you.'

'And I've come back for you and the others, just like I promised I would.'

'Like I've told you so many times before Finn, we can't just walk out of here, it's not that simple.'

'We're not going to walk out of here, Jannah. We're going to explode out of here. First we take over this ship, then we'll infiltrate every First Order starship in the galaxy. Without the troopers to do their dirty work, they'll be utterly defenceless.'

Finn saw the excitement in Jannah's eyes.

'What do we need to do?' she asked.

'First, we need to get Hux…'

Finn was interrupted by a sound near the entrance. They all turned to look at the doors to the quarters as they opened and General Hux walked into the room. He looked momentarily shocked and tried to leave, but Rose swiftly stepped forward and tasered him. They all watched as he crumbled to the floor.

Rose looked down at Hux then turned to address Finn.

'If I didn't believe in the Force before, I sure as Hays Minor do now.'

Kylo's first thought was pain. So much pain. There wasn't a part of his body that didn't ache. He tried to open his eyes but it felt as if his lids were fused shut. He felt cold stone at his back. He had returned.

He could feel Rey's energy within him, healing his wounds. She had brought him back by gifting him a piece of her own life Force. If it were possible, he fell in love with her even more.

Kylo had retreated though he still felt him within. He understood that this part of their story belonged to Ben. In death he had seen the life they were meant to live together and the balance that life would bring to the turbulent Force.

Ben thanked his alter-ego for allowing him to return to the world. A voice growled back telling him to stop wasting time and get up and fight for Rey.

Then Ben heard a saber ignite.

Rey.

'Don't you touch him!' he heard her yell.

'What use is this form to you now, girl? He's gone. Accept it.'

Ben heard footsteps move closer to him.

'No!'

She was still alive and she was fighting. Fighting for him. Even in death, she refused to let him go. But then, hadn't he just made the same choice? He could have chosen eternal peace, but instead he chose her. This sedimented his theory that they were meant for each other, as their actions mirrored one another once more.

Ben remained still and tried to locate his blaster. It was near.

He reached out with the Force, and rejoiced when he felt it slide into his waiting hand.

'Come now my beloved, don't you see? I need you more than he ever did. He has passed over. He is at peace with the Force at last. He has no need for this outer shell. Let me inhabit it and we can be together.'

'You will never replace him! He is worth more to me than a thousand of your kind!' Rey cried out.

Ben's heart sang as he heard Rey defend him. Time to get up and finish this. Side by side.

He slowly rose up off the floor.

The Son looked at him in surprise.

'How can this be?' he wondered aloud.

Rey followed the Sons gaze and turned to see the man she loved standing behind her. She held her tears at bay. There would be time later for that. Her heart soared as it reconnected with its counterpart but there was something different, there was light, so much light within him it almost exceeded her own. This wasn't Kylo, this was…

'Ben.' she released the words as a half sob, half whisper on her lips. Despite the danger they were facing she couldn't stop the brilliant smile that spread across her face. A smile that was only for him. Ben Solo had returned to the light, he had finally come home. For her.

He nodded to her briefly as he came to her side. Rey stared up at him in awe. His scar had disappeared and his once guarded eyes that contained so much pain, were now open and gentle. There was so much she wanted to say to him, but there was no time.

Maz's words to her so long ago floated in her euphoric mind…

There's someone who still could…

The belonging you seek is not behind you...it is ahead.

She finally accepted that the force had a plan for her, and that plan was him.

'This is a charming reunion,' Son drawled.

Rey and Ben turned towards him. Rey held her saber high as Ben simultaneously pointed his blaster at the being.

The Son held out his hands towards them.

'Now this is a dyad in the force, it is most impressive, I feel your energy, it is perfectly in sync. But I digress, unfortunately this changes things for you and I, Rey. I cannot sway your mind now and I can no longer allow you to exist. You are both so strong now and I feel your resolve. You mean to kill me. If I am to achieve my goal of conquering the galaxy, I must first rid it of you both. Unless you would consider joining me?'

Ben and Rey took a united step forward.

'So be it,' the Son snarled before firing lightening at the pair.

Rey moved in front of Ben and blocked the attack with her saber, the blade absorbed the crackling lightning with ease as Ben used the force to form a barrier around them making sure the lightning only had one channel to flow through.

Ben managed to fire off a shot and used the planets strong energy source to propel the laser blast forward through the air before the Son could deflect it. The shot hit the Son in his abdomen. He stumbled backwards and his hands went to his stomach. He looked at them both in disbelief.

Ben and Rey looked at each other. The bond between them was complete now. Unbreakable. They heard each other's thoughts, felt each other's feelings. They could do things that no other Force sensitives would dare to try. They turned to the Son once more who looked at them both with fear in his eyes.

'This isn't over,' he said.

With a wave of his hand, Rey and Ben found themselves removed from Mortis and free-falling through the atmosphere of an entirely different planet. Ben reached out with the Force to break his fall as he slammed into the ground right in the middle of the rebel base. Rey landed on top of him. They looked at each other.

'What happened?' Rey asked.

'We've been exiled from Mortis. He wants to heal before he meets his again. Unfortunately for us, that won't take very long,' Ben answered.

Rey's face softened as she looked down at Ben. She took his face in her hands.

'I can't believe it's you,' she said with a smile.

Ben put his hands over hers and smiled back. He looked at her face as if he was trying to memorise every freckle, every dimple…

'You were gone,' she said as a tear escaped down her cheek.

Ben brushed it away with the pad of his thumb.

'I'm not going anywhere and neither are you,' he vowed.

He interrupted her thoughts with the heartfelt promise and she leaned towards him and pressed their lips together.

They both melted into the kiss. Ben grasped her neck needing the contact to keep him grounded, if he hadn't already died once that day and been able to account for the experience in great detail, he would have sworn he had just entered the afterlife as her bliss-filled kiss washed over him.

Someone cleared their throat. Rey and Ben looked up to see a circle of Resistance members had formed around them. A few of them were whispering, some giggled and others glared. Rey blushed furiously but Ben just laughed out loud and it felt wonderful. He laughed long and hard and felt the years of oppression start to fall away. Then he stilled. Chewie stared down at him. Ben and Rey got up off the floor and stood before the ancient Wookiee. Not wanting to be parted from Rey for a moment, Ben took her hand in his gaining some much needed comfort from the small action.

'Chewie…' Ben started to say then trailed off, because what could he say? After all they had been through together an apology didn't seem like enough. So much time had passed, and he had caused his father's closest friend so much pain. The words would be hollow and meaningless now. He had turned his back on Chewie just as much as he had turned his back on his family. He deserved more. Ben decided he would take whatever Chewie decided to throw at him, then attempt some peace negotiations after the dust had settled.

Chewie just stared at Ben.

Ben nervously waited for the infamous Wookiee to unleash years of pent up aggression on him by hurling hurtful words of abuse or even by taking aim with his bowcaster.

Instead, his beloved uncle came towards him and rested a hand on his head. He left it there for a moment, before pulling Ben and Rey towards his chest and wrapped strong furry arms around him both. Ben was instantly transported back to his childhood. So many memories of riding on his Uncle Chewies shoulders, laughing until his throat was hoarse. He decided sadly that though he could no longer hug his parents, hugging Chewie was the next best thing.

Rey smiled against the Wookiee's fur as she felt him heal another hole within Ben. Another bridge that Ben thought burnt forever, had been resurrected stronger than before. Perhaps they were never destroyed in the first place, perhaps Ben just couldn't see them when he lost his way she mused.

Chewie released them and Ben looked at Rey once more. The love in his eyes almost floored her. She sighed longingly. Maybe one day the threat of impending death wouldn't be hanging over them when he gave her that look.

'What are we going to do now?' she asked, trying to focus on their mission.

'Do you still have the Jedi texts?' Ben asked.

'How do you know about those?' Rey asked.

'Rey, I made it my business to know everything about you,' he said with a meaningful look.

Rey blushed, then a thought popped into her head

'What's the dagger of Mortis?' She asked Ben.

An image appeared in her mind of a metal knife with an elongated spearhead shape. The handle displayed an intricate gold and red pattern intertwined.

'An ancient weapon, that the texts make mention of. I think it is the only way we can kill him,' Ben explained.

'You want us to find it.'

'Yes.'

'And you know where we should start looking.'

'Yes.' Ben said with a delighted smile as Rey began to pull thoughts from his now willingly open mind with ease.

'Okay, what do we need to do?' she asked eagerly.

'That's the tricky part,' Ben said with a sigh.