Author's Note: In this chapter, you will see the effects of the true identity of Rey's mother and how it's going to affect Ben Solo. Later in this chapter, you'll get to know a bit more about the Knights of Ren and how they function in addition to a very important guest coming on board to visit the Knights of Ren.
Everyone in the Holo-Extractor room was shocked at the identity of a now confirmed Rey's mother: Inanna Sabé Ishtari Satine Kenobi Kryze (Codename: IANNA 1515)
"I don't believe it. She's one of you," Finn said, awestruck by this revelation.
Caterous shook his head in disbelief as he looked down. Caterous let out a small sigh before looking back his new friends before turning his attention again at the face of his old friend.
"I was afraid it would come down to this," Caterous said to himself, "Funny, how the Force works in strange ways."
"So, this is really Rey's mother after all. She's a Jedi?" Poe asked.
"Not exactly, we Knights of Mandalore are neither Jedi nor Mandalorian. We're simply followers of the light," said Kal.
"That makes Rey, one of you then," Finn said, taking a much closer look at Rey's mother.
Caterous continued to look at his old friend and thought to himself, So my good friend, Inanna. You're alive after all these years. I thought we've lost you. And now you're serving the dark side along with your very own daughter…I can't imagine what your father thinks of you now.
Caterous, before letting out another sigh, said, "So, this Rey I keep hearing about…you're her friends?"
Poe and Finn nodded in acknowledgment. For Ben Solo, on the other hand…he couldn't take this anymore. "Sorry…but, would you excuse me?"
He ran out of there with small tears coming out of his eyes.
"Poe, should we?" Finn asked.
"We should and…" Poe answered.
Caterous cut him off, "Let me handle this."
Ben Solo ran as far as he could, before stopping himself and stood in front of a window looking out over a vast, blue and shiny ocean.
His left arm shook uncontrollably as the anxiety in his chest began to build up in intensity as Ben's mind was triggered into a psychological episode of uncontrollable thinking and heavy breathing. His left arm continued to shake and used his right hand to grabbed hold of it to stop the shaking.
Ben kneeled down to his knees and began to cry. I can't believe this is happening to me. What has the verse got itself into? Why? Why? Why? Why can't things be different? I wish I was stronger than this. None of this would've happened…if…I..was…as strong…as…
"You're afraid you will not be strong as Darth Vader…YOU'RE A MONSTER… You're not a monster, Ben…I don't care if you're not as strong as your grandfather…I care that you are good man and you must do the right thing…I'll be there for you."
Rey…Rey…Rey…REY! I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I just can't breathe.
Ben took his medication and threw it in his mouth. He took a big gulp and swallowed it, hoping it will calm him done. It did…well, slightly. Ben finally stood up and walked close to the window. He allowed the sun's rays to hit his face, warming him up, and soothe the internal pain inside. Ben had his eyes closed, his feet apart, and his arms crossed over his chest as he took deep breaths.
Ben tried to meditate as a way to calm himself and cope with this struggle. It' more important to focus on more current matters: living, training and preparing the next day for a possible mission. But, every time he got to that mental state and remembered those memories of seeing Rey in pain and her falling to the dark side, it made him weak.
Ben, felt someone coming from his left. He turned hoping it could be a hallucination of Rey, going to touch his cheek and telling him that it's okay. But, instead it was Caterous Endo, the leader of the Knights of Mandalore.
Ben contained his emotions and saw him come forward.
"May I have a moment with you?" Caterous asked.
"Sure, why not," Ben said, looking down at himself.
"So, you're the one who cared for Rey?"
Ben looked down and to his right before returning his attention to answer, "…Yes."
"It's okay. I too lost someone before. Well, three to be exact. My wife and two sons," Caterous said.
Ben looked up with interest and wanted to know where Caterous was heading in this.
"I know we never got the chance to properly get to know each other, but I just want to say…" Caterous stopped for a moment before continued to go ahead and placed his two hands on Ben's shoulders.
"I know what's going in your mind, thinking that you have to take the blame for everything esp. knowing who Rey's mother is now. You are not responsible. What happened to Rey or her mother is something you should not take the burden for. There is no point for you having to redeem my friend Ianna. Let me take care of that for she's my responsibility. Not yours."
Ben looked up and felt his heart lifted and no longer felt the pain residing in him.
Caterous said, "You go after Rey while I go after her mother."
Then, Caterous went on, "I see the look of a conflicted man, brave and trying to do the right thing. A man who has fallen in love with one of ours and for that…Ben Solo, you are a brother to the Knights Mandalore as we are to the Legacy of your family, the Jedi, and the Mandalorians that serve the light."
Ben with nothing to say felt the gentleness of an older experienced man, passing down his experience to a younger generation.
At the Ren Knights Troop Cruiser…
"What's wrong my daughter? You seem frightened?" Lady Ren asked.
Reina thought to herself one second and felt a rush of light thoughts running across her mind. It's like as if there's been a part of her that wants to return to something more harmonious. But, she realigned her thoughts and restored her composure as a dark Knight of Ren.
"Not freighted, mother. Just shocked that this is my heritage," Reina said.
"It is and it is something that we must treasure as our strength, but it cannot be a weakness to be used by others."
"I understand, mother, for we must derive strength from everything even with the dark side of the force."
"That's right, my dear Reina. You are bright as ever…as I want you to be."
"Mother?" Reina asked.
"Yes, my dear?" Lady Ren replied.
"Is Obi-Wan Kenobi my grandfather?"
Lady Ren thought to herself and remembered the first days being told by her mother, Sabé about the stories about Obi-Wan Kenobi and his exploits in the war against the Empire. She remembered looking at books and holopics of her dear father, a damaged man who lost a friend, Anakin Skywalker. Even Lady Ren's first name, Inanna derives from Anakin…Anna, but with the "In" at the front. Inanna was name given by her mother who never knew that Anakin was Darth Vader. In the language of the Gungans of Naboo, Inanna means, "water blossom." For the Knights Mandalore, Inanna means the "turning of a star."
Lady Ren thought about how much her father, Obi-Wan Kenobi was never there for her or her mother. There is a slight pain with anguish in Lady Ren, knowing how much Obi-Wan spent all this time caring for the Skywalkers and never the hers or her mother's well-being.
Lady Ren looked back at her child and said, "Yes, he is. A strong, brave warrior, and an idealist. Always doing what is right. But, he wasn't there for me growing up. It was always been myself and your grandmother, Sabé from the Planet Naboo."
Lady Ren continued, "We were always on the run during my younger years working with my mother to bring the down the Empire. The day she died was the day I felt lost and hopeless. But, then I was rescued by the Knights of Mandalore, rescued by a name who would be your father…Jacob Kryze. He was the nephew of the Great Duchess Satine Kryze, a pacifist who helped bring a new era of peace to the Mandalorians in order to renounce our violent ways. But, renouncing violence was a mistake, for war is part of life and conflict brings strengths. It keeps us fit. In the end, we must embrace conflict for conflict and struggle brings out the best in us."
"What happened to my father, mother?"
"Your father unfortunately perished during a rescue operation to get me out of an Imperial compound. I was alone and helpless until Snoke arrived and show me a new path. A path not even your grandfather, your father, or even the Knights Mandalore knew. The path of the Dark Side refined with a new focus. The problem with the Sith is their sentiment towards things and their attachment to certain things that dooms them. That's how the Empire fell, by the sentiment of Darth Vader, killing the Emperor as Snoke told me. But, attachment at times makes us strong and sacrifices must be made if we seek to live forever in a galaxy always at war. One war ends, another takes its place. Why do you ask, Reina?"
"In order to appreciate my place amongst the Knights of Ren, I want to know more my past, so I can forge my own future. Because without the past, there is no future."
"Very wise words, my dear. Very wise, indeed. I sense Kylo Ren has trained you well."
"He had mother," Reina replied.
"He's a good man. A fine leader, except for his childish rants. But, his removal was necessary to prevent his betrayal…and for you…to rise into our order. His life must be taken if one seeks true power above all others."
Unsettled by this thought, Reina asked her mother, "Do I have to take your life if I desire more power?"
"Would you?"
Reina then said, "No. But, would you?"
"I will not," Lady Ren replied as she hugged Rey into her arm like a mother opening her arms to her child, "For you are my daughter, I made you into this world. I want you to live a life as much as I have. I will never take that away from you for you are of my own flesh and blood."
Reina, upon hearing such words, hugged her mother close and shed tears of joy and happiness. Lady Ren knew her daughter was crying. It's a human emotion that must be released as a means to strengthen one's use of emotions as the key to unlock one's true potential with the Force. Attachment is a strong tool, but only the certain kind is needed…for the dark side of the force.
After a good night's rest, Reina wore her new gear as a Knight of Ren, but this time without a mask for she does not need a mask for she is not a coward. Cowards always hid behind masks. Reina and her mother, Lady Ren, returned to the training hall where the other members of Reina's Seven waited.
Along the way, came a tall armored clad soldier, a chrometrooper that is.
"Well, good to see you Captain Phasma," Lady Ren greeted.
"It's pleasure to see you again, Lady Ren," Captain Phasma replied.
"What brings you here? I'm not expecting any visitors on board," Lady Ren asked.
"Sorry, my lady, but who's this? Is she…the scavenger I've been hearing about?"
Reina Ren took off her hood to reveal her true face to Captain Phasma. Reina, when she was Rey, saw Captain Phasma in action. Sharp with her rifle and can take down twenty men half her size. It's quite funny in Reina's mind that when she was Rey…she hated this woman. But, now as Reina, she sees her as more of a necessary tool of admiration and respect.
"This, Captain Phasma, is my daughter. Reina Ren, my long lost daughter. She's a double agent for us as was Kylo Ren was for Luke Skywalker," Lady Ren said and continued, "She was planted on Jakku when she was young and grew up to be one of the finest warriors in the First Order and now the Knights of Ren."
Captain Phasma was taken back, realizing that she is now working with a former enemy now turned ally.
"It's great to meet you in person, Captain. I can sense in your mind that you have a history of being looked down upon by men and I appreciate your…perspective that women and men perform equally well in battle," Reina commented.
"I'm impressed, Lady Reina and had you been a stormtrooper, you would've become one of the best in the corps."
"Anyways, what is this small problem, you're having?" Lady Ren asked.
"We have captured one of those Jedi Mandalorians. Those calling themselves the Knights of Mandalore. We're doing everything we can to extract intel from him. But, he's resilient to even to the most torturous of methods."
"Intriguing, Captain. I think we can provide the means in doing so since dealing with the Jedi and this Jedi Mandalorian is our specialty. Is this Mandalorian Knight coming on board?"
"Soon my lady. Another shuttle will be arriving anytime now."
"Good. We shall wait, then. My daughter and I are going to train. Want to come along, Captain?" Lady Ren asked.
"It'll be my pleasure my lady," Captain Phasma responded.
"Good. Letting you know that we do…have barbells for you to train with."
"Good to hear, my lady."
At the training hall…
The six members of Reina's Seven were all practicing their stances, and various fighting forms to hone in on their combat skills. Some were training with weights by using the force and pure muscle strength. There's also a few punching a life size dummy version in the appearance of a Jedi.
The six stopped as they were and stood as they heard Lady Ren entering. "Ma'am," all of them greeted.
"At ease," Lady Ren ordered, "We have a guest with us. Hopefully, you remember Captain Phasma."
"Greetings, Captain," everyone cried.
"Today, as I mentioned before, all of you will be training with my daughter Reina on how to fight like one of us and work with you all as your Commander and Master of the Knights of Ren," Lady Ren continued, "If you have other areas to focus on instead, that would be fine. But, please do get the chance to know your new…valiant leader."
"Yes, Lady Ren," the six replied.
"Captain Phasma, come with me, I'll take you to your training station," Lady Ren turned around and tell her about this.
"My pleasure," Phasma replied.
"Knights as you were," Lady Ren ordered.
Two of the six members of the Seven came forward to train with Reina.
"Greetings, Reina Ren," said Smud, greeting Reina with a bow.
"Greetings to you as well, Smud Ren," Reina greeted back, "You must be Asula Ren."
"That I am," Asula Ren said, "You can call me Jeina."
"I think we should begin your training," Asula continued as she spotted Rey's own lightsaber, "I see you have brought your very own lightsaber. Did you build yours?"
"No, Jeina. My mother gave it to me."
"That's very kind of your mother. I really wish I had a mother like her when I was growing up."
"What happened?"
"My mother was abusive and repulsive. She had no care for me or my little brother who at the time was dying from a curable disease. When my father died, she took all of his possessions and sold them, using the proceeds to be spent on vices. She never cared for us. On the day my little brother died, I took my vengeance upon her and ended her life. I spent alone in the next few days, living in the harsh underworld on Coruscant, only to be rescued by whom I called my dear brother and fellow mentor…Kylo Ren."
Reina was shocked by this surprise. Her eyes widened and memories of her former life as Rey, triggered, flushing in the thoughts and feelings of Ben Solo's compassion to Rey when he heard her story of her life on Jakku. Reina shook the thought of and returned to herself as Reina Ren.
"I can't believe such horrid abandonment you had," Reina said.
"It was and it's even more horrid that the Kylo Ren, our dear brother of Ren who saved me, turned out to be traitor who wished to bring us down. I take my trust very seriously with everyone. I don't tolerate traitors and I'm glad that you got the chance to finish him off."
"It was the right thing to do, Jeina. It's what my mother taught me. Want true power…be prepared to take sacrifices esp. those in front of you. But, as your Master of the Knights of REn, I suggest you don't have any thoughts of betraying me."
"I have no intentions in doing so, my dear Reina for you I see as someone of great potential."
"Thank you, Jeina." Reina directed her attention to Smud, "And how about you Smud? Did you have a bad upbringing?"
"Yes, I do. Same here," Smud said.
"Smud, you had good parents. But, you decided to leave them to join us because you were sick and tired of living on some tropical paradise. You're like Kylo, at times, spoiled and always complaining about things not to your tastes. Especially for a big guy like you," Jeina talked back and made a deep stare into Smud's eyes.
Smud grew nervous. He knew that even though Asula "Jeina" Ren is half his size, she can still pull a powerful punch. So, he took back what he said, "Sorry, sister Asula. I'll take back what I said," Smud replied, "I was trying to build bridges between us and our Sister Reina here."
"Well, you better be, or I'll be the one to burn them down."
Smud, gulped and few drops of sweat rained across his forehead. Smud, despite his large size, knew never to underestimate the strength, endurance, and veracity of Asula Ren.
"Now, let's show Reina the armory," Asula said.
Asula, Smud, and Reina went to the armory that stored various weapons of the Knights of Ren. At first, Reina was expecting only lightsabers, but became half-surprised with the assortment of weapons found in the armory. Reina, when she was with Kylo Ren at the caverns beneath the Jedi Temple on Malcor V, was informed that the Knights of Ren do not always limit themselves to just lightsabers. They have to be efficient in all sorts of fighting tools, such as blasters, swords, spears, axes, knives, and even those that fire projectiles, slugthrowers.
"Hopefully, by now that traitorous Kylo Ren has informed you that we Knights of Ren not always use lightsabers," Asula said.
"Yes, I have. I thought this armory will only store lightsaber since lightsabers are a bit more dangerous than traditional metallic swords," Reina said.
"Not these swords, Reina. These are not of metal. They are 'star-steel' forged in the hearts of suns. Resilient and even immune to the strikes of a plasma sword. These are similar to the vibroweaponry of the Mandalorians, but technically they're one and the same," Smud said as he picked up his 12-inch width, 7-feet long, one-sided, broad sword.
Asula in due course, took her favorite weapon, dual-wielding short swords, also made of 'star-steel.' Rey, astounded by their weapon choices, clutched hard to the handle of her double-bladed lightsaber. She thought about the evolution of weaponry, starting from sticks and stones to metal to slug-throwers to laser blasters to now an amalgamation of every weapon thrown into battle.
These Knights of Ren don't play soft. Reina thought to herself. But, I like it.
Reina, Smud, and Asula returned to the training hall and walked over to an open spot to spar. As Reina walked over, she took a quick glance to read each member of her fellow knights.
Kovu, strong, committed, and focused, he used the force to levitate 500 pounds of weights up and down.
Kozu, focused and sharp, aimed his sniper rifle with quick precision and fired at incoming flying discs at him.
Niles, power hungry for perfection, used levitator lifts for target practice and fired his force lightning.
Then, there is Malliek…reading some training manual written by…Kylo Ren.
Reina stopped for a moment and remembered something.
"There is also my student or an apprentice I had…Malliek Ren. He's one of the best I have within the Knights of Ren. He's proactive and always looking over everything I've taught him…including my notes that he compiled into a manual. He always credited my name for each manual he made. It's his way of saying thanks." Ben said
"Well, that's very compassionate of you. Kylo Ben...ha ha," Rey laughed.
"Very funny, Rey…very funny," Ben said before getting toppled by Rey.
Then, Reina heard a voice from her left.
"Reina, what are you doing? Don't just stand there and trained with them," cried Lady Ren, like what a nagging mother always do.
"Yes, mother," Reina said. As she continued walking, she noticed that her mother assisting Captain Phasma in counting dead lifts.
"One hundred thirty-one, one hundred thirty two, one hundred thirty three, one hundred thirty four…" counted Lady Ren.
Captain Phasma, not even a force user herself, showed her rage and battle determination in getting up to two-hundred. With each dead lift, Captain Phasma never backed from pain for her as pain is weakness leaving the body. Reina observed and admire Captain Phasma's strength and endurance. Reina, finally caught up with Smud and Asula "Jeina" Ren and without hesitation, ignited her lightsaber and sparred. Reina became amazed that Smud was right about their star-steel swords, they are impervious to the burning plasma of a lightsaber.
Reina continue to spar and used various force abilities at them, like choke, freeze, and even lightning. Smud and Asula were able to dodge her attacks and even absorb the force blows. In between breaks, Smud and Asula taught Reina some various training techniques to uplift her current knowledge of the force. Reina even learned a few peculiarities about the others along with their strengths and weaknesses. She even learned various Ren Knight fighting techniques, which will be useful since she has a plan to see Ben Solo again.
Author's Note: Captain Phasma is an important guest with the Knights of Ren under the leadership of Lady Ren. If you're wondering if there is something going on between Captain Phasma and Lady Ren…well, that's up to interpretation. According to various sources, it could be likely that some or all of the Knights of Ren are Force Users. If you look up a new line of toys featuring the Knights of Ren, you will see that nearly all of the Knights that makes up Kylo's seven do not use lightsabers. It could be likely they're using what's called "vibroweapons." No, we're not referring to something X-rated. Vibroweapons is an actual Star Wars term for various weapons that cannot be cut down by a lightsaber. Vibroweapons do appear in the video game, Knights of the Old Republic. Before we end this, thanks for all the people who have favorite, followed, and post a review on this fanfic. It's much appreciated and we look forward in posting the next chapters.
[Edit (5/9/2016)]: Like to mention about a part-headcanon / part-theory on possible names for the Knights of Ren. Seeing that the naming convention is [Name] Ren, we went ahead and came up with names that are based on the names of characters from various cartoons and video games, such as Avatar Last Air Bender, Disney's Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and the video games, Knights of the Old Republic I and II. Why we name the Ren Knights this way? This is because of the various similarities in the characterization and narrative behind Kylo Ren/Ben Solo and Rey that are found in these cartoons and video games. For instance, Kovu Ren comes from the character Kovu in Disney's Lion King II: Simba's Pride where Kovu was the anti-hero who fell in love with the female protagonist. Also, Malliek Ren is based off of Darth Malak from Knights of the Old Republic who is a friend of Darth Revan (Proto-Kylo Ren).