Author's note: This is going to be bit of a long chapter since it is very action based with a lot fighting and death going on. It is advised, but not have to be followed that you are more than welcome to listen any Star Wars sound track when reading the battle scenes in this chapter, such as "Clash of Destiny" from Star Wars: The Old Republic or "Battle of the Heroes" from Revenge of the Sith. Trigger Warning: Mentions and descriptions of violence and gore are present.
Several hours earlier on planet Heinlein Prime…
Two Knights of Mandalore, doing night patrol, were just walking several feet away from the back gate of the Mandalorian base.
"Halt who goes there?" asked the Knight of Mandalore pointing his gun at an incoming stranger.
"It is I, don't you remember me?" said the red-and-black robed woman.
She took down her hood and took off her Mandalorian Knight helmet.
"Ianna 1515? I don't believe this. You're alive?" asked the other Mandalore Knight.
"It is indeed my friends. It's been far too long. I have much to tell to your Garrison Commander. Please haste…I have much to tell about the First Order and the whereabouts of their secret facility."
"Yes, my lady. We'll bring you in at once," said the astounded Mandalorian Knight.
"We should tell the others about this. This brings great news to us," said the other Knight of Mandalore.
"Not yet, my dear friends. My safety and the delivery of this knowledge must come first. We don't want any nearby spies to know of my presence," said Lady Ren.
"Of course, Lady Ianna."
At the Garrison Command Center…
"Commander Sael, Commander Sael!" said the Knight of Mandalore.
"What's the meaning of this, Tanis? How come you are not at your post?" asked Commander Sael sitting his chair in front of a computer terminal.
"Don't worry, Commander I got someone to cover me. But, look," Tanis replied giving the floor for Ianna 1515 to come forward.
Ianna 1515 walked forward and revealed her face.
"Ianna 1515. I don't believe this. Is it really you?" asked Commander Sael.
"It is indeed, my dear friend, Sael 1878."
"You even remember my code name."
"That is correct, my friend. But, please there is much to tell you along with the others. Our brother, Habaiel Tayo has been captured. I know where they are taking him along with a secret First Order facility capable of amassing ships."
"Yes, at once my lady," Commander Sael said.
After gathering every personnel in the command center, Lady Ren who was disguising herself in own former persona the whole time, explained what had happened with Habaiel Tayo and how he risked his life for escape.
"This is terrible news, Lady Ianna. Do you know where they are taking them?" asked a Female Knight Mandalore.
"There will be taking them to this star system where the First Order are building their latest super weapon, the Foundry," said Lady Ren, using a handheld holoprojector to show the map of a galaxy and zoomed in on the Foundry's location.
"We must inform the others, including Caterous Endo at once," said Commander Sael.
"Certainly, but first, I have a gift for all of you," said Lady Ren, handing each Knight of Mandalore a cup with of this tonic, "For good luck."
"Hmm, this is…quite tasty. Not like the previous tonics you used…" Commander Sael began to cough and cough incessantly he did as blood came out of his mouth.
"By the force, what's wrong with him? What have you…" Tanis began to cough as well as everyone does the same thing.
All the Knights of Mandalore inside the commander began to convulse in agony as blood saliva, excreted from their mouths. Lady Ren looked at each one with spite in her eyes.
"Ianna, what have you done?" asked a Knight of Mandalore.
"That name is nothing for I am Lady Ren," Lady Ren Force Choked the dying Mandalorian Knight in the air and threw him to a nearby wall. The Knight hit the wall head first, snapping his neck into two.
Lady Ren laughed and said out loud, "The light is blinding and full of lies, but the darkness shall cleanse it away." Lady Ren then walked over to the intercom and radioed Captain Phasma. Lady Ren flipped a few switches to lower the shields and disable the planetary defenses.
"Phasma, this is Lady Ren."
"I read you, my lady," Phasma responded.
"I have lowered the shields and disabled their automated defenses. You may commence the attack now."
"Yes, my lady," Captain Phasma turned off the radio terminal and ordered the trooper cruiser's helmsman to commence strategic orbital bombardment.
A rain of missiles and super lasers obliterated the fortress walls and guard towers. Transport ships of stormtroopers and Ren Knights reached the surface and began their assault at the Knights of Mandalore base. Lady Ren knowing her away across the facility went inside an armory to place a trap.
Other Knights of Mandalore rushed into the same armory to pick their weapons. One of the Knights of Mandalore picked up his assault rifle only to reveal a bomb placed on the weapon rack. The bomb exploded destroying everyone inside. Explosions rock back and forth as the surviving Knights of Mandalore grabbed every available weapon to fight back the invading forces.
Within the Mandalorian base, there was an underground facility, housing the Basilisks: tall mobile armored tanks, used during the Great Battle of Malachor. Several Knights of Mandalorian ran inside to commandeer the basilisks as a way to aid their brothers and sisters in battle. But, before any of them get on board, the lights went off and a red lightsaber boomerang across them. It beheaded few of them, while making others without arms and others without legs. The lightsaber, then, boomerang back to its owner as the lights came back on. Instead of coming to the palm of her hand, it floated few feet away from Lady Ren's right shoulder.
One of the Knights of Mandalore, with one arm gone, was shocked to his horror at the sight of the attacker. It can't bem the Knight of Mandalore thought, Ianna 1515…she's with the First Order and the Knights of Ren. He got up, pulled his out his smoke grenade, and threw it on the ground. Gas grenade exploded, using the gas as cover for him and few others to evacuate their wounded brethren off to safety. But, this was a big mistake.
Lady Ren knows this tactic all too well. She threw a flammable cocktail, turning the gas into one giant flame. The gas-turned flame blazed across the armor and clothing of the injured Knights, burning them where they were. Screams of agony roared in the air. Once the fire subsided, Lady Ren went to each one and used her levitated lightsaber to finish each one off.
Lady Ren went inside each basilisk and activated a self-destruct sequence. She left the facility with such grace that nothing matters to her anymore. The underground exploded, creating a mushroom cloud of dirt and metallic material in the air. A gust of wind and smoke and blew the bottom part of her long coat as Lady Ren casually walked away, unfazed.
On the ground surface, several Knights of Mandalore with their handheld heavy machine guns fired volleys of not lasers, but sharp projectiles right at an advancing column of stormtroopers charging through big hole in the wall. The projectiles ripped through their armor, as scores of blood and bone came out and fell into the floor below. The stormtroopers yelled in agony as the survivors were ordered to pull back, pull back.
Then, Ren Knight Snipers who infiltrated into the base pulled out their sniper rifles and fired headshots at the machine-gunning Knights of Mandalore. Their rounds pierced the Mandalorian helmet and exploded, leaving behind a headless armored knight, falling to the ground.
Meanwhile…
"Okay, my brothers and sisters…make sure your para-gliders are ready," said Caterous Endo briefing his troops for the upcoming mission to liberate and save as much of their people as possible.
Caterous used his holopad to illustrate where they're launching their attack, "Once we are just above the fortress, we'll glide across the air and land ourselves right into the middle of the base here."
Caterous continued, "We'll use everything on our disposal to eliminate the First Order threat: grenades, guns, vibroblades, vibrospears, and lightsabers. It's likely that platoons of Ren Knights are in the area. So, remember the last time we had with them on Malcord V: Quick and brutal killing. The Knights of Ren do not play around and neither do we. Poe Dameron will lead his squad of A-Wings and X-wings along with our Mandalorian Death-hunters to distract the Force Order ships, orbiting around the planet. Thus, allowing us to safely reach the surface. Any questions?"
Everyone stood quiet.
"Okay, then get ready to drop," Caterous Endo said.
Ben Solo, sat where he was, watching the rest of the Knights of Mandalorian inspecting every piece of their arsenal. He's amazed at the level of readiness of the Knights of Mandalore. He continued to examine and inspect his own constructed lightsaber. It's an exact replica of his grandfather's lightsaber that he built for himself just so the original will remain safe back at the resistance base. The thoughts of Rey went over his mind as anxiety slowly came up inside him. As a former Master of the Knights of Ren, he must think of every possible scenario to prepare for. However, thinking about was painful. The only scenario he wished to see, resulted in convincing Rey, now Reina Ren to come back to him.
Then a sudden thought of seeing his blue lightsaber penetrating Reina's chest made him shrieked in fear. He slapped to the side of his face as a way to snap himself out of it. Ben told himself to not delve into the fear. The Force is strong in me. I shall not fear. Fear is the path to suffering. I must not fear.
He took three deep breathes before seeing the Caterous Endo in front of him. Ben wondered what he'll say next.
"I see you're still having trouble," Caterous observed.
"How do you know?" Ben asked.
"I see it in the way you compose yourself, your stature, your breathing, and even how you clenched your hands closely to that lightsaber of yours."
Ben did not say a word. He just wanted to let it be as is. He did not care what everyone is thinking him or going to say about his predicament. He just wanted to get it over with even if it pushes him on the verge of insanity.
"Hey, it's all right. Anxiety before any battle is normal. You just think about what you are going to do and all contingencies in case something gets wrong."
"That's the thing, Caterous! I can't stop thinking about having to kill Rey or even her mother if that is the only outcome…It's just…I…I can't afford to lose her. She's everything to me."
"Ben, I know. It's how I felt even before I lost my wife and my two sons in various missions against the Empire. But, now, the only thing you can do is to do the best regardless of the outcome. No one is going to blame you for everything. Look, you have your mother, your uncle, your old friend Poe with you. You even got us. No matter what happens we'll be there for you. Don't worry. We Knights of Mandalore are tough warriors. We have your back for the light is our ally. We will give the First Order and Knights of Ren a run for their credits."
"That's easy said than done, Caterous. I already have too much blood on my hands, my uncle included. I try to believe there is still good in Rey. But, with the fact that her Mother is the both a Knight of Mandalore and a Knight of Ren makes her a powerful person. Thus, making Rey very close to the dark side. I have a bad feeling there's hardly any good in Rey. She brought me back from the dark side, but how I can do it for her if that's where she's born."
"There is always dark and light in each of us Ben. What matters the most is how we use it to elevate our development with the Force. Light and darkness cannot live without each other. If she was your light, and you were her darkness, then use the power of dark and light to get Rey back to you. To bring someone back from the dark side, there's got to be that one thing. That one thing that you two have together to make her remember that her place is those who truly loves her not those who will use her for those like Snoke."
Ben thought about his words and began to remember something Poe said about a Force Bond.
"I remember talking with Poe about some sort of force bond I had with Rey. A Bond that might bring her back. I know whoever Rey is now with the Knights of Ren. Her new identity has shut off that connection with me. I know it's gone forever. But, what if..."
Then, a bright thought went into his mind. There could be a way.
Caterous sense the uplifting in Ben's hearts and see the warmth of hope in his eyes. "Ben, before heading off to battle, I want you to have this."
"What is it?" Ben asked.
"You're very own Mandalorian Knight battle-armor with the combined insignia of the Old Jedi Order and the Warriors Mandalorians. Here put it on."
Ben quickly removed the excess Jedi robes on him and put on the shining grey armor of a Mandalorian Knight. During their trip Heinlein Prime, Ben had read many holo-books on the history of the Knights of Mandalore that was provided to him from Caterous. Ben was fascinated that in sometime in the ancient past Jedi and Mandalorians had several occasions were allies in the fight against the dark side. They're like family together. There was no need for animosities. They both have a code of conduct to preserve life at any costs and learn to let go and appreciate the loss of their love ones when death came upon them.
"This armor is amazing, who crafted this? Was it you?" Ben Solo asked.
"No, Ben. Quite actually, this armor is thousands of years old. Well preserved and passed down over the centuries. It was made by an ancient Mandalorian Warrior, name Canderous Ordo. He made it as a gift for his long old friend, who disappeared to the Unknown regions. Many legends told that after he ordered Canderous Erdo to create his army, he returned to the Dark Side. Some say he died during an assault to overthrow the emperor of an ancient Sith Empire. Canderous mentioned in his journal that this man was once a former Jedi and Sith. He was able to use both light and darkness to his will. Like you Ben, during your days as Jedi and Knight of Ren. And now you're one of us…a Knight of Mandalore. Now, nobody knew the real name of this man, but there was one name that many of us revered him as," Caterous explained.
"Who was he?" Ben asked
"Revan."
Revan…Kylo thought. He remembered studying about a Darth Revan. Yes, a Darth Revan or Revan after his redemption. During his early years under Snoke's tutelage, he examined a Sith holocron and decipher its meanings about the teachings of a Prodigal Knight, calling himself Darth Revan.
Many years ago…
"Good, Kylo Ren. What have you learned from that holocron?" Snoke asked.
"Many things, Master. It's just this man who was able to bend dark and light to his will. I really like the aesthetics of his attire. It inspires fear and terror to the minds of his enemies," a young Kylo said.
"Very well, my student. I want to craft you into the image of that…Darth Revan. For we the Knights of Ren must follow his example to bring order to the galaxy," Snoke replied.
Ben thought himself back to the present and look at his ally and friend, Caterous Endo. "I studied much about him. In fact, I modeled myself after much of what was Revan."
"That I see, Ben Solo. Some religious sects who worship the Force would say that you could very well be the reincarnation of Revan, himself. Whether that is true or not, that's not me to discuss. But, I know one thing…there is absolution with the dark, nor with the light. Only the line in between…for in the very end, there is always Grey, which is something we Knights of Mandalore try to achieve, but we have to stay very close to light in order to avoid falling to the dark side."
Meanwhile…before the strike on Heinlein Prime…
On board a specialized Ren Knight shuttle. Asula "Jeina" Ren, Smud Ren, Kovu Ren, Kozu Ren, Niles, Malliek, and Reina Ren prepped up for their assault. Smud fashioned his vibrogauntlets, designed to grab hold the plasmatic blade of a lightsaber, while the others inspect their arsenal for battle. They also brought out their ID tags and wore them around their neck.
"What are these for?" Reina asked.
"ID tags. All Knights of Ren used them to identify our fallen brothers and sisters," Smud said.
"Each ID tag has our call sign," Asula explained and continued, "I am the called the Rogue. Smud is the Heavy. Niles is the Monk, Kovu is the Armory, Kozu is the Sniper, and Malliek is called the Guard."
"What am I then? Do I have a call sign?" Reina asked.
"Yes, you do. I made this for you," Asula looked through her vest pocket and pulled out Reina's ID tag and place it around her neck, "You are the Kira."
Kira, then, Reina thought, An honorable title for the likes of me, a servant of the Dark Side, just like my mother before me.
Then, over the intercom, the pilot informed the Seven that they're approaching their target location. "Seven, prepare for drop off," the pilot said.
"Okay, everyone, you know the drill. We're going behind enemy lines to infiltrate the base. Once inside we'll assist our brothers and sisters of Ren in battle. I'll lead the way. Reina you'll be my second in command since this is your first battle as a Knight of Ren," Asula said.
"Sure," Reina replied.
"Afterwards, we'll rendezvous with Lady Ren as she's the key for total annihilation of this secret base," Asula continued.
The rest of the Seven, including Reina nod their heads in confirming their understanding of the mission. The shuttle landed, the back door opened and Asula ran out first, followed by a single line of Reina, Smud, Malliek, Kovu, Kozu, and Niles.
Reina, examined her red body army, designed in the image of the former imperial knights of the Galactic Empire. My mother made this very well. It's battle ready and it does not impede my movements in battle.
Asula scanned ahead with her binoculars and witnessed the carnage that their assault has brought upon the Knights of Mandalore. Black smoke was reaching the night sky as sounds of explosions rocked with laser fire going everywhere. Screams and roars of stormtroopers, other Knights of Ren and the Knights of Mandalore were heard.
Jeina spotted a gutter that leads to the sewers beneath the base. "Everyone, follow me," Asula ordered.
Each one while under the cover of darkness made its way into the circular opening, leading to the sewers. Each one with their own weapons drawn, paid close attention to their surroundings. So, far so good, as they confirmed that the automated defense systems were deactivated before the assault began. The Seven ran passed many corridors and tunnels in the sewers. Using nothing, but the force, Jeina guided the rest of the Seven to find an entrance into the base.
But, then, several Knights of Mandalore appeared from the shadows and tossed grenades and throwing knifes at them. Reina froze these in place and threw them right back. The Knights of Mandalore went back into shadows to take cover from the explosions. Then, each one sprang back and drew out their lightsabers and vibroblades. The Seven and these Knights of Mandalore collided in close combat. Kozu (the Sniper) and Kovu (the Armory) fired their guns at these Mandalorian Knights. Their rounds hit their armor, but the Mandalorian Knights kept on coming. Some of the Mandalorian Knights used the force to increase their speed and to come up and attack the Seven.
Asula Ren (the Rogue), Reina Ren (the Kira), Smud Ren (the Heavy), and Malliek (the Guard) were the first to parry and deflect the Mandalorian Knights' attack. Asula, dual wielding two vibroblades, used gymnastic techniques to jump on top of a Mandalorian. She wrapped her legs around the Mandalorian's neck and spun him around to the ground. Once the Mandalorian went down onto the floor, Asula Ren went on top of the downed Mandalorian rammed her vibroblade into his neck. She twisted the blade to kill the Mandalorian and pulled it out. Then, Asula ran into a lightsaber-wielding Mandalorian where she dodged an incoming swing and thrust one of her vibroblades into the Mandalorian's arm. The Mandalorian felt the pain, causing his lightsaber to drop. Asula went by spinning behind the Mandaloran's back and stabbing her blade into Mandalorian's back, killing him.
Smud Ren (the Heavy), using his heavy broad sword, pressed a button on his handle to heat up his blade. Smud's weapon is not like any ordinary sword before. It's a heat blade that once it turned hot red, it can cut through most of the hardest metals. It can even withstand against the hot temperatures of a lightsaber. Smud swung his large blade around at two Mandalorian Knights. The Knights dodged Smud's attack before landing their blades with Smud's. Instead of being blocked by the Mandalorians' vibroblades, Smud's hot blade went right through them and beheaded the Mandalorians in front of him.
More Knights of Mandalore jumped from a top ledge to attack them. The Guard, Malliek Ren, rushed in with his electro-combat staff and quickly disarmed the combatants before smashing the end of his staff into the visors of a Mandalorian Knight. It blinded the Mandalorian as Malliek finished him with a big swing into the helmet, cracking the skull inside.
Reina Ren, along with Niles who caught up with her, used their Force Lighting at the last set of Mandalorian Knights coming at them. The Mandalorians activated their laser shields to absorb the lighting. What they don't realized is that the lighting was a distraction strategy for Kovu to force push Kozu the Sniper into the air, allowing him to rain down his modified armor piercing rounds. The rounds punctured the armor of the Mandalorian Knights and into their flesh and bone. The Mandalorian Knights fell where they stood as blood oozes from their wounds.
Asula continuing to use the Force found an entrance into the base. She opened it and a stormtrooper was blown into them from a nearby explosion. The Seven avoided the falling stormtrooper just before Reina Ren caught him. The stormtrooper was barely alive.
Reina looked at the stormtrooper's designation number. It was FN-2289. Reina then had a flashback of her time as Rey, having fun with Finn, who used to be called FN-2187. Reina snapped out of it and asked the Stormtrooper, "What happened?" "What's going on?"
The Stormtrooper was not able to speak through his helmet since it was badly damaged. Reina took off the helmet and asked her one more time.
"FN-2289, listen to me. What happened here?"
FN-2289, pointed his finger out to the doorway and said, "Wings! Wings! Wings!"
FN-2289 collapsed into Reina's arms, succumbing to his wounds as Reina and the rest of the Seven looked out and saw a flock of armored, humanoid wing beings flying down. They dropped explosives while others were already on the ground slaughtering stormtroopers and other Knights of Ren left and right.
Few hours earlier…
"You know the drill, Ben Solo?" asked Caterous Endo.
"I do. You and your Knights will swoop in and engage the enemy while I'm dropped off at a nearby guard tower to provide cover fire with this slug-rifle," Ben replied.
"Good. You really are a military commander. Once you are done firing your rounds, get down from the guard tower and help us engage the enemy."
"I will, Caterous."
"I'll see you on the ground, Ben," Caterous said as he turned his attention to his battalion of eighty-one Knights of Mandalorian, equipped with angelic wing-like para-gliders, "Okay, my fellow brothers and sisters! Prepare to jump!"
The Mandalorian shuttle reached an altitude of a thousand feet. The hatched opened and Caterous made the call.
"Jetii Mando'a!' Caterous cried as everyone screamed 'Jetii Mando'a' as well before batches of them at a time jumped.
Their para-gliders deployed, giving each Mandalorian Knight the appearance of angels, striking fear and torment in the heart of their enemies.
On the ground surface below, bird-like screams were heard as the Stormtroopers looked above and stood in fear of an incoming aerial assault. Several stormtroopers pointed their laser rifles in the sky and began firing. The Mandalorian Knights dodged the incoming barrage as several of the them dropped improvised explosives, blowing up stormtroopers as they stood. Meanwhile others already flew down to the ground service and began to attacking nearby Knights of Ren and stormtroopers. One Mandalorian Knight, after landing, threw two throwing knifes penetrating into the helmet and skull of a stormtrooper while another with his vibrospears and stabbed to the belly of a Ren Knight.
Ben Solo got dropped off at a nearby guard tower and went inside. He broke a hole into a window and placed the barrel of his slug-rifle inside the hole. Ben positioned himself and began firing metallic projectiles at stormtroopers and Ren Knights at a distance. Firing metallic projectiles allowed Ben the advantage of concealing his position for it's hard to detect the origin of an incoming projectile compared that of a big laser bolt. The only downside was that slug-rifles have limited ammo, so Ben must make every shot count. Ben did however bring over some ammo cartridges just enough before he can head down with the rest of Mandalorian Knights in fighting the enemy.
Ben kept firing his gun as he witnessed the veracity and the brutality of how the Mandalorians fight their enemies to the death. He saw one Mandalorian Knight swoop down to pick up a stormtrooper and toss him hundred feet in the air before plunging to his death. Then, he saw a Mandalorian Knight on the ground aggressively dodging several Ren Knights' attacks before throwing his a spear and entering through the helmets of five Knights of Ren.
Ben saw some flametroopers shooting flame cannons at Caterous. However, Caterous, a Force User himself, threw a kinetic force blast, pushing the flame and the flame-trooper back to a group of other stormtroopers. When the flametrooper landed, his tank exploded, incinerating nearby stormtroopers. Ben saw more flametroopers coming and fired two rounds at the flametrooper's flame tank and exploded.
Meanwhile in outer space, Poe Dameron inside his A-Wing fought off the small TIE Fighter escort that were accompanying the Ren Knight Trooper Cruiser. His squad of X-wings along with the Mandalorian Death-hunters engaged the Ren Knight Troop Cruiser itself. Being the best pilot in the resistance, Poe Dameron increased the speed on his A-Wing and flew fast to outmaneuver not one, not two, but five Tie Fighters and blasting each one away in one clean swoop and causing another TIE Fighter to accidentally fire at his own wingman.
Captain Phasma onboard the Ren Knight Troop Cruiser realized that the cruiser can't stand much longer as the combination of X-Wing and Mandalorian Death-hunters began to pound away at its shields and gun turrets. Captain Phasma had to make a quick decision. She can either leave the system to re-group with more reinforcements, but at the risk of leaving behind Lady Ren and her ground forces. Or, stay and die fighting.
Captain Phasma radioed in Lady Ren, "My lady, this is Captain Phasma."
"What is it, Captain?" asked Lady Ren.
"Our entire fighter escort is gone, our laser turrets are damaged, and our shields are failing. I need to leave you, so I can regroup with additional reinforcements. But, it'll take more than an hour since the nearest supply depot is two parsecs away."
"Please do, Captain Phasma. You did all you could. My Knights of Ren and I can manage it from here."
"Yes, my lady. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't," Lady Ren turned off her communicator and said to herself, "This will be interesting."
Then, she felt something in the Force. That feeling…yes, he's here along with those that I…despised.
Inside the Ren Knight Troop Cruiser, Captain Phasma ordered to jump into hyperspace. The cruiser jumped as Poe Dameron shouted over the intercom that they've won. Now, the only thing that's left is to patrol around the area for any incoming reinforcements while the Resistance and Mandalore Knights were on fighting on the planet's surface below.
At Reina's Location…
"By the Force, they're slaughtering our fellow knights. We must give them a merciless killing," Smud cried.
"I know...Everyone follow me!" Asula cried, but was immediately stopped by Reina Ren.
"No, wait. I have a plan," Reina said.
"What's your plan then, Kira?" Asula asked, staring at Reina's red and black helmet.
"I think it'll be better if we split up," Reina suggested.
"Split up, why? Do you think that's unwise? We are an elite a force. We are strong when we're together," said Malliek Ren, the Guard.
"I know. That's why I think it's best to draw out these Mandalorians from different points here, here and here. It's a divide-and-conquer strategy. Monk, Armory, and Sniper will help the main bulk of our fellow knights by attacking from the North, while Heavy, Rogue, Guard and…"
Then, Rey sensed something. Rey looked ahead at a guard tower. It's him. He's here.
"Kira, what's wrong?" asked Niles Ren, the Monk.
"Nothing…again, Monk, Armory, Sniper will fight from the north while Heavy and Guard will fight from the south, while Rogue and I will fight from the east."
"Do you go by this, Rogue?" Malliek asked.
Asula the Rogue thought for a moment. She did sense something odd when Kira paused in her statement, but she trusted Kira's instincts.
"I do. Let's go for it," Rogue answered as the rest of the Seven nodded and immediately split up to their assigned areas.
At the north end of the Mandalorian Knights base, the Armory, the Sniper, and the Monk, went to their position undetected. Piles of bodies of Mandalorian Knights, Ren Knights, and stormtroopers lay across the floor.
The Armory with his small gun in one hand and a vibrobaton in the other watched three Knights of Mandalore behind a wall shooting their laser rifles at their fellow Ren Knight brothers and sisters. He attached a small handheld grenade to his gun and fired the grenade at the Mandalorian Knights. The grenade exploded, killing them, allowing the Armory and the rest of his team to head over.
When Armory stepped out into the open, few metallic slugs went across his face.
"Ahh, we're getting shot at!" Kovu, the Armory, exclaimed as the Sniper, Monk, and he immediately run to the building where the three Knights of Mandalorian once stood, "Where did those shots come from, Sniper?"
Kozu Ren, the Sniper, used his force sensory perception to pinpoint the origin of the shot. He looked out and saw muzzle flash coming from a guard tower.
"I found it," Kozu the Sniper said.
The Sniper took up his sniper rifle, looked through his scope and saw a familiar face, Kylo Ren?! He's alive!
"Armory, give me your dagger-bombs. I think I saw Kylo Ren." Sniper requested.
"Kylo Ren, I thought he was dead," Kovu replied.
"No, he's not…now give me that dagger-bomb."
The Armory passed over a dagger-bomb, which is an ordinary dagger, but with explosives placed inside the handle. Sniper placed the handle part of dagger-bomb into the barrel of his laser sniper rifle. He switched his sniper rifle to grenade launcher mode, so the dagger-bomb won't explode inside the rifle upon firing. Instead of looking out of their hiding place to fire, Kozu Ren the Sniper looked around and saw a nearby stack of stairs several feet to his left, leading to a two-story building.
Meanwhile, explosions lit up the night sky as lasers rifle went everywhere. Caterous Endo's Knights of Mandalore cut through the Stormtroopers and Ren Knights like an angry hot knife through butter, showing no mercy to their enemies. Enemies' limbs were broken, necks snapped, and the cries of pain echoed the night air as Caterous' Mandalorian Knights kept fighting like a pack of wolves on their prey.
Ben Solo provided cover fire from his position in the guard tower. Ben Solo kept firing at every stormtrooper and Knight of Ren in his view. Ben Solo, empty his clip before reloading another one. Before he could reload, something stabbed into the window. Ben recognized at first glance what it was and ran to the stairs below.
The dagger bomb exploded, creating a shockwave that forced Ben out into the open. Ben looked up saw some familiar faces walking towards him. Kozu, Kovu, Niles,Ben thought.
"Well, well, isn't our Kylo Ren…our old Master of the Knights of Ren," Kozu said, pointing his Sniper rifle right at him.
Kovu Ren the Armory grabbed hold of a handheld grenade, waiting to throw at Ben Solo while Niles Ren the Monk took off his cape and waited to hail bolts of energy at Ben.
Ben Solo stood and activated his blue lightsaber. Ben Solo, in his fighting stance, looked at each of the Knights, strategizing what to do. Then, he had an idea.
"Well, we meet again my fellow brothers. Kozu, Kovu, Niles, as your former Master of Ren, what makes you think you can defeat me?" Ben asked.
Ben then kicked up some sand up in the air and used the Force to a large dust devil. The dust devil hurled across at Niles, Kovu, and Kozu, blinding the visors on their helmets. Ben used the force speed to ran away from them as fast as he can before hiding behind a small cargo container. Niles, Kovu and Kozu wiped off the sand of their visors and ran to find Ben.
Niles, Kovu, and Kozu walked by in area filled with different cargo containers. Ben using the power of force lifted up five behind the three Ren Knights and threw right at them. Niles, Kovu, and Kozu were surprised, but not off guard as Niles fired his bursts of powerful force lighting and disintegrated the containers. Ben came out from his hiding place and charged his lightsaber right at them.
Kozu Ren fired his sniper rifle at Ben Solo, but each round deflected by Ben Solo. Kovu tossed his grenade at Ben Solo, but Ben deflected it with the force and had it thrown to the side of a wall and exploded. Ben made a big force push, creating a large kinetic shockwave that blasted Niles away to the wall behind him.
Ben Solo came right at Kozu the Sniper and swung his lightsaber before landing a stab at Kozu's leg. Kozu, using his lightsaber-resistant rifle blocked the Ben Solo's stab and used the butt end of the rifle to head butt Ben. Ben fell several feet back away.
"What's wrong…oh…Kylo Ren, the Force got you down. I thought you were strong in the Force, but I guess I'll be the one finish you off. How ironic isn't it? A gun finally defeats the saber," Kozu said.
Ben laid there aching in his pain as Kozu Ren the Sniper walked towards and directed his rifle at the head of his former commander, Kylo Ren. But, this was all part of Ben's plan. His reckless attack and sustaining a head wound was part of a strategy to deceive his fellow Ren Knight. Hidden inside his sleeve was an extendable Mandalorian vibrospear, found inside the small cargo container he was hiding behind. Ben with haste parried away Kozu's sniper rifle away with his left hand and used his right hand to press a button to extend the vibrospear into Kozu's flesh. Ben Solo knew the weaknesses of his Ren Knights' armor and penetrated the spear into Kozu's weak spot.
Kozu the Sniper screamed in pain as Ben Solo ignited his blue lightsaber and chopped off Kozu's head. Ben Solo channeled the dark side energy inside himself and in a control manner, proceeded to attack Kovu the Armory. Kovu Ren quickly threw every grenade at Ben, but Ben froze them in mid-air and threw them right back at Kovu's feet. The grenades exploded, shredding Kovu's leg apart. Kovu fell on his back, aching in immense pain. Ben Solo used the Force to lift Kovu in the air. Instead of choking Kovu, Ben instead crushed Kovu's rib cage, causing massive internal bleeding. Then, Ben Solo tossed Kovu to a nearby wall, killing him upon impact.
Niles the Monk finally got up, witnessing the horror of his comrades death. He ran at Ben Solo and fired Force Lighting at him. Ben Solo used his blue lightsaber to absorb the Niles' lightning as he walked towards him. Ben Solo then channeled the dark energies of the lighting in his lightsaber and fired back a intense ball of energy at Niles. Niles tried to block it with the force, but it was too powerful. Niles was blown away again, hitting his back to another wall. Before he managed to get up, Ben's lightsaber already went inside his heart.
"You're strong Kylo Ren, but you will not be as strong as Reina!" Niles shouted just before Ben pulled out his lightsaber and sliced across his chest.
"No, I might not be strong, but never underestimate my knowledge of the Force," Ben said to himself as he looked at the lifeless body of Niles the Monk.
Meanwhile, outside the perimeter of the Mandalorian Knights' base, Resistance ground forces, led by General Organa and Luke Skywalker, waited for the go ahead to begin their assault. Caterous Endo who was fighting tirelessly activated a beacon for the Resistance. They saw the signal and General Organa finally gave the order to rush into the Mandalorian base. The Resistance ground forces ran and were able to make it inside and began securing vital positions.
Luke Skywalker with his green lightsaber ignited began to slay down stormtroopers with ease and even levitating one in one area and tossing him to another group of stormtroopers. Luke rejoined with Caterous Endo as they began to combat both stormtroopers and Knights of Ren. Caterous Endo asked Luke to help take off his damaged para-glider as other Mandalorian Knights provided cover against enemy fire. Luke took off Caterous' damaged glider allowing Caterous more range of movement in combating the enemy. Luke Skywalker saw some Ren Knights coming across a tower building. Luke then used the Force to collapse the building on top of them and cause it to explode.
As this was going on, Finn, with his lightsaber in one hand and blaster in another, led his squad of resistance fighters to capture another guard tower in order to get the higher ground in defeating the stormtroopers and Ren Knights below.
In a nearby building, Lady Ren watched through a porthole to observe the entire battlefield. Two Knights of Ren stood beside her, waiting for orders. Lady Ren finally found the Jedi and the Mandalorian Knight that she felt through the force. Lady Ren clenched her left fist in anger as she continued to stare at the elderly Jedi, slaying her fellow Knights of Ren.
Lady Rey ordered her two Ren Knights to follow her as she has a plan to dispatch her fellow opponents.
Luke and Caterous fought courageously as they cover each other's back in deflecting laser bolts and using various force abilities to defeat their opponents. Then, Caterous caught something in his eye. He recognized a familiar face. It's her, Caterous thought.
"Luke, come with me. I think I found Rey's mother," Caterous said as he and Luke ran across the raging battlefield as they went inside another building where Lady Ren was located.
Luke and Caterous with their lightsabers in front of them walked cautiously inside the building, using the force to detect and avoid traps. Fortunately, no traps were found. Luke and Caterous made their way to Lady Ren's presence. They opened a door and entered into a large assembly hall used for speeches and festivities. The room was dark, but filled with the presence of the dark side emanating in the room. The lights turned on and stood in front of them was Lady Ren's with her back towards them.
Lady Ren turned around and greeted her fellow guests, "Hello, Garlic Knight. It's good to see you again. And you farmer boy what makes you come all the way here? This base is only for Mandalorian Knights not outsiders like you."
"This is how you greet your friends with insults?" asked Caterous Endo.
"I greet however I want esp. with you Luke Skywalker, my father's favorite son."
Luke rebutted, "I am not Obi-Wan's son. I am the son of Anakin Skywalker. You are the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the mother of Rey Kenobi."
"Anna Kenobi to be exact, a name I always wanted to give to my daughter had I been with the light side of the force. But, now since I am allied with Supreme Leader Snoke, Reina Ren should do."
"Then, what do you call yourself now, Ianna 1515?" asked Caterous.
"Well, Endo 529, you can call me as Lady Ren for I am Lady Ren of the Knights of Ren."
"Endo 529?" Luke asked, remembering seeing Ianna's code name back at the holo-extractor room.
"We, members of the Knights of Ren have a designated code name. A code name that that signifies who we are as unique individuals within the Knights of Ren. Unlike the stormtroopers of the Empire nor the First Order where they used serial numbers to reflect the expendability of stormtroopers. But, we, the Knights of Mandalore on the other hand we're not."
"You're wrong, Caterous! That's not how it went down for me! For I have been abandoned and not been treated seriously many times from our superiors within the Knights of Mandalore!"
"What are you talking about, Ianna?"
"The name is Lady Ren!" Lady Ren screamed as she channeled the dark side of the force to thrust Caterous' entire body down to the ground. The room shook as she did so.
Caterous got back up on his feet and said, "Fine Lady Ren. But, what are you talking about? How can the greatest carer and master infiltrator like you turn your back on us? I thought you were dead all those years ago esp. the day I found the body of your late husband, Jacob Kryze, at the imperial facility where you were captured. How could you do this? What would your parents, your friends, and even your husband think of you if they're here now?"
"You know nothing…Caterous Endo. I provided care to those who lost their love ones as a way to cope with the loss of my mother, Sabé. I will never forget what happened to her and how she died," Lady Ren continued, "Even though I was taught by the greatest Jedi Master within our order to detach our emotions, but the problem is…I can never let my mother go. We were always on the run for so many years. I never forget her face, her care, her warmth until the day she was taken from me."
Tears went down Lady Ren's eyes, as she brushed them off and resorted to anger and hate towards the two men in front of her. She went on, "Yes, I was a prodigal follower of the light and master infiltrator. But, I only did so due to the lack of support to my requests. They treated me like I am something special like I know everything. Just because I am the daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi, does not mean I'm always the best at everything. You were never there when I argued with my superiors on when to strike at various secret bases and where to divert our resources. However, because I was a Kenobi, I was expected to do all myself since it was something my father was always good at."
"I remembered, Ianna, but that's no excuse to join the dark side. We were taught from the get go to always resort to more unconventional tactics and better weaponry and gear to fight the Empire."
"But, I wanted more than that. The Empire was getting stronger day by day and our reliance on the Rebels to carry much of the work only weakened us. When I requested for more infiltration agents, my request was denied. When I requested for some new gear, my request was denied. It's all probably because certain members within the Knights of Ren felt it was all Obi-Wan's fault in letting Satine Kryze to die and allowing the birth of Darth Vader. Had my father saved Satine Kryze or even killed Anakin Skywalker I would be spared of this…infinite sadness."
"I never knew this was happening to you. But, you should've spoke up about it to me and your late husband. We could've done something for you."
"What difference does it make? My husband and you were only low ranking members of the Knights of Mandalore while I was some special fish that needed no help in saving the galaxy."
Luke heard this and began to realize that this is the same issue that he and Ben Solo had in raising a new Jedi Order. He recalled the accusations about how he and Ben the descendants of Anakin Skywalker brought ruin to everything, esp. in bring about the rise of the Empire. Luke even recalled the secret missions Ben Solo was involved that resulted in the death of many classmates and tutors in investigating the presence of the dark side. Now, Luke began to realize why Obi-Wan Kenobi never communicated much with him during his meditation. It's because of his abandoned daughter that he never knew and now serving the very thing he swore to destroy. Obi-Wan's ashamed that he failed two people in his life: his own daughter, Lady Ren, and now his granddaughter, Rey Kenobi.
"What happened to your mother then, Lady Ren?" Luke interjected changing the subject in hopes to find some way to console Lady Ren's pain and hopefully, find some way to redeem her.
"Good thing you asked, Luke Skywalker," said Lady Ren, raising her eyebrows at Luke, starring at him in spite.
"My mother, Sabé…an agent of the Rebel Alliance. The same rebel alliance founded by Leia's real mother, her foster father, Bail Organa, and others like Mon Mothma. My mother was on the run when she had me. She raised me and taught me everything that is there to know in the galaxy. When I was twelve years old, it was the day she died. We were running away from stormtroopers led by your father, Darth Vader. My mother went into an alley and ran into dead end. She found a small alcove, small enough only for me to enter. I went in and was given a data disk containing the locations of secret laboratories across various sectors in the galaxy. Then, once she was found, Darth Vader and his stormtroopers killed her. I remembered my mother trying to fight back with only a blaster in her hand. She fired one bolt that was deflected back to her. Other stormtroopers came by and fired more rounds, making sure she's really dead. Then, Darth Vader and his stormtroopers left. I got out of the alcove and saw that my mother was barely alive. With one small breath, she said to me… 'Stay strong, sweetheart. You know what to do. Get the data disk to the rebels. They'll need it.' Then, she was gone."
Lady Ren continued, "From then on, I struggled in the lower levels of Coruscant, trying to find my way to a secret rebel base that my mother knew. It was right then I was found by my late husband, Jacob Kryze, and the rest was history."
Luke Skywalker, shocked by this revelation, now understands Lady Ren's hatred towards him and to the Knights of Mandalore.
"Then is that why you joined the Knights of Mandalore? Just so you can continue your petty revenge against not only Darth Vader but also his descendants who happened to return Vader to the light? You're mad. And by joining the very groups you swore to destroy, you've become no better than Snoke himself," Caterous said in outrage of this revelation.
"Then, you know nothing!" Lady Ren screamed as a shockwave of her force power knocked Caterous and Luke back to the ground, "I am of the Order of the Knights of Ren. I've joined them so I can have something in return in garnering our victory in conquering the galaxy. For it was he…Supreme Leader Snoke who showed me a new path to the dark side of the force."
"You're wrong. There is no new path in using the Dark side. Do you think after conquering the galaxy, would Snoke allow you to be at his side? The dark side only knows absolute and there can be only one true wielder of the darkness. I have heard much about Snoke that he is much more of a man fighting for himself. Once he has gathered enough power from you and anyone else, Snoke will remove you from sight," Caterous cried.
"What makes you think he will, Caterous? I am his right hand after all and what he wants is what I want, esp. for my daughter's sake."
"Really, and what's that?"
Then, Lady Ren said calmly, "Something you'll never understand." With a snap of her two fingers, the entire room lit up in flames.
Two Knights of Ren appeared from the shadows and attacked Caterous and Luke Skywalker. Lady Ren took out her three red lightsabers from her coat and levitated them in midair. The floating lightsabers ignited and move in a circular motion around her.
The two Knights of Ren jumped from the ceiling and collided their lightsabers with Luke's and Caterous'. The two Knights of Ren were no match for the experienced Caterous Endo and Master Skywalker. Caterous sliced off the arm of a Knight of Ren and pushed him into the flames. Master Skywalker did the same, but went for the force choke instead, killing the Ren Knight in front of him.
Then, Lady Ren fired powerful lightning bolts from her hand, pushing Luke and Caterous out of the room. Lady Ren walked slowly as pieces of the ceiling fell behind her. Luke and Caterous decided to draw her out in getting the advantage in fighting her at a different location.
Luke and Caterous ran out of the building and into a hallway of another. Lady Ren walked into this other building and with her three levitating lightsabers parried with Luke and Caterous. Luke and Caterous were amazed by Lady Ren's mental concentration in wielding all three red lightsabers in the air at the same time. Luke and Caterous waited for the right moment to attack.
Caterous struck first with his long-saber going for a jab at Lady Ren's right side while Luke swung at her left. Each of the two red lightsabers floating in front of Lady Ren blocked Caterous and Luke's attack, allowing her third lightsaber, floating above her, to slash across Luke. Luke immediately parried the incoming struck and Force pushed Lady Ren. Lady Ren blocked the force push and redirected its kinetic energy at Caterous. Caterous used his gauntlet to activate his light-shield to block the redirected force before swinging his long-saber at Lady Ren.
Luke came back for a second round with his lightsaber and decided to use some several tricks at her. He saw some chairs and desks behind her and force threw at the Lady Ren's back. Lady Ren detected this as and used her third levitating lightsaber to cut down them down. More came right at Lady Ren as she immediately cut each one into pieces. Lady Ren having enough of this nonsense used one of her special powers to cause ground to shot up like an explosive geyser. One exploded behind Luke Skywalker, knocking him out cold while Lady Ren and did a powerful electric force blast, pushing Caterous Endo out through a window.
Leia Organa, who happened to be nearby fighting with her troops, felt the presence of her unconscious brother. Even though she knew that any emotional attachment to her brother would spell doom to this mission, Leia felt that she's needed with them. Leia informed her troops that she had to help her brother and assigned one of her lieutenants to take command as she ran off to find Luke.
While fighting outside, Lady Ren's dark powers were even more powerful as fire spurts came out of the ground knocking Caterous off balance. Caterous tried to use his Force powers to temporary blind Lady Ren before going for a strike. But, one fire spurt went in front of him, knocking him on his back. Caterous got up and threw a kinetic force blast to blind and pushed Lady Ren many feet away. But, Lady Ren blocked it with her three lightsabers suspended in the air. Then, Lady Ren returned the favor and duplicate that kinetic Force blast, pushing Caterous was a wall behind in a nearby alley. Then, Caterous felt a lunge of one of Lady Ren's red lightsaber entering his left shoulder, pinning him to the wall. Caterous tried to throw another kinetic force blast, but before he could, another of Lady Ren's lightsaber went through Caterous' right shoulder.
Instead of his shoulders right melting through the lightsaber, Lady Ren held them as they were to hold Caterous in his place. Caterous watched as he saw Lady Ren walking over with confidence.
"This is what happens when the Mandalorians served the Light. Our Mandalorian ancestors were strong when they served the darkness," Lady Ren lectured
"You're wrong! Mandalorians were torn apart when they're exploited by the dark side. And that was an important lesson that was passed down by Revan, the prodigal Knight himself," Caterous rebuked.
"Revan! That former Jedi and Dark Lord of the Sith. What's so important about him? If he was that important, the Sith would've died thousands of years ago. It's quite ironic isn't it…that the darker side in him was so strong that Revan became the very inspiration for much of Kylo Ren's training until the very moment of his betrayal!"
"Then, you are lost!"
"So, say yourself!"
An additional lightsaber levitated above Lady Ren's and immediately went for strike into Caterous' heart. But then…
It stopped mid-way, never getting any closer to Caterous' Mandalorian chest plate. Lady Ren shocked. How could this be? She thought. Another woman stepped in, old but tough. She stepped in with her pistol in her right hand, pointing at Lady Ren and her left hand, preventing Lady Ren's lightsaber from getting any closer to Caterous.
"Leave my friend alone. I know who you are," General Organa said.
"Well, isn't the daughter of Darth Vader? I've been waiting for this moment ever since your son, Kylo Ren joined us and tried to hurt my daughter, Reina Ren," Lady Ren said, darting her beady eyes at her.
"That makes the two of us. The daughters of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker."
"How dare you say their names? I despised Obi-Wan for leaving my mother behind. I even despised what your family has done to everything I've known in this galaxy."
"Your father never knew, Ianna. How can you join the dark side when your family has always been with those of the light?"
"Enough!"
"Well, that settles it. Let Caterous go. Your fight is with me, Inanna Sabé Ishtari Satine Kenobi Kryze!"
"Fine…Leia Amidala Organa Solo," Lady Ren, using her force abilities, pulled out all three of her lightsabers and levitated them in a circular rotation around her body.
"Caterous, go to the others. I'll hold her off," General Organa said.
"But, how? She'll kill you," Caterous mentioned due to fact that Leia was only wielding her laser pistol and no more.
"The Force is my ally. I came prepared."
Caterous examined a hidden wrist mechanism, holding the lightsaber inside her sleeve. He understood what Leia was doing. So, he got up and walked away, leaving Leia and Lady Ren to have their dual of the mothers: the Mother of Ben versus the Mother of Rey.
Lady Ren had her levitating lightsabers in a triangular position around her body. She pointed them at Leia for a potential strike. Lady Ren watched Leia walking towards her. Leia marched forward with one pistol in hand pointing upward with her right hand placed at her waist. Lady Ren walked forward as well with confidence in her eyes that this could be an easy match.
Committing suicide, you are, Lady Solo. Is that why you bring a laser pistol to battle, Lady Ren thought to herself.
Leia continued to march forward and then began firing her laser pistol right at Lady Ren. Lady Ren, using her floating lightsabers, deflected each bolt flying at her. Leia continued to keep firing, annoying Lady Ren.
What is she trying to do? What makes her think she can defeat with me just a useless pistol? I am a Lady of Ren. I am of the Mandalorians who served the Dark Side. Lady Solo is insulting my abilities.
Then one bolt came right at Lady Ren. Lady Ren deflected it right back at Leia. Then, Leia just stopped where she stood and waited for one precise moment. She lashed out her lightsaber and quickly re-deflected the laser bolt. The bolt returned back to Lady Ren at super luminous speeds, catching her off guard. The bolt went past and grazed deeply into Lady Ren's left cheek. The cheek started to bleed.
Lady Ren placed her left hand on her grazed cheek and saw blood dripping out. Lady Ren was astonished. How can this be?
"Impossible," Lady Ren said.
At that very moment, Leia dropped her laser pistol and ran towards Lady Ren. With her right hand, carrying her white lightsaber, Leia swing her lightsaber right at Lady Ren. Lady Ren regained her focus and in due haste, her two floating lightsabers collided and blocked Leia's attack. The top red lightsaber came downward at Leia's head. But, Leia quickly grabbed the hilt of Lady Ren's saber with her left hand as her mind was locked in a mental battle with Lady Ren.
"You're strong, Lady Solo. But, not as strong as me," Lady Ren said with anger focused on Leia.
"The name is Skywalker and I am my father's daughter!" Leia cried and with the strength of her force abilities, telepathically pushed Lady Ren away.
Leia still gripped Lady Ren's red lightsaber and with the anger flowing into her left hand, turned off the switch and crushed the handle before letting it fall to the ground.
Lady Ren was on the floor, but her two red lightsabers still suspended in mid air. "I'm impressed Lady Solo. Your brother, Luke trained you well."
"I've learned enough to stand on my own," Leia replied.
"Then, withstand this!" Lady Ren shouted and ran towards Leia with lighting shooting out of her both hands.
Leia used her lightsaber to absorb the force lightning and immediately did a force push right at Lady Ren. Lady Ren was taken aback by Leia's strength and decided that enough is an enough.
Lady Ren commanded her two floating lightsabers to come straight at Leia. Leia parried them to and fro while Lady Ren focused on her surroundings. Finally, Lady Ren found what she was looking for. Large debris, several feet behind where Leia stood. Lady Ren waited until she felt something nearby…a potential advantage to exploit against Leia
Leia managed to cut through both Lady Ren's lightsabers just before feeling a sharp pain in her gut. It was a sensation of that something must have happened to someone she knew.
Before Leia could react any further, Lady Ren levitated the debris above the ground and threw it right behind Leia's head. Leia was knocked out cold as her lightsaber fell onto the ground. Lady Ren walked over and examined the damage Leia had done to her lightsabers. The lightsabers will do. But, for this…I can't believe I've been beaten by a Skywalker. Damn you Vader for breeding such a powerful creature. And…damn you father for favoring the Skywalkers over me and my mother.
Lady Ren felt two familiar Ren Knights coming towards her. It was Smud Ren (the Heavy) and Malliek Ren (the Guard).
"Lady Ren, we've brought news…"
Few hours earlier, Kylo Ren, after eliminating Niles, felt a familiar presence in the Force. He realized that by killing off Kozu the Sniper, Kovu the Armory, and Niles the Monk, it alerted the other members of the Seven to find him. Kylo Ren needed to head over to another area in the base to give him the higher ground. Ben Solo ran up the stairs on where he was and found himself on top of a flat, opened area next to another guard tower. Before he could get inside, Ben heard a familiar voice, calling behind him.
"Ben!"
Ben Solo, fearing for the worse, turned around and saw figure wearing dark and red robes. It's exactly the one he saw in his dreams.
"Snoke?"
"No. Someone much worse."
"You, it' can't be. I don't believe it!"
Then, figure took down its hood, revealing an all too familiar and feminine face. It was Rey. She took off her robe, revealing a black and red color pattern gear, similar to that of the Imperial Guards of the old Galactic Empire. It was exactly as Ben remembered from his dreams…the one who will take away his love…is his lover, herself…Reina Ren.
He took in some deep, slow breathes to calm himself. Reina Ren stepped forward and began to speak, "Hello, Ben Solo…"
"Hello…Rey…it's you. You had that…that…device on me, so I can find you here," said Ben Solo, feeling not sure of himself on what to do next. Is she with the light or has she been succumbed to the darkness? Ben thought.
"What about the device, Ben?" she replied.
"The tracking device! The one I recovered from the knife that you lodged into my leg…so…I can rescue you," Ben said, cowardly but prepared for the worse.
"Rescue me? What makes you think that? I think you're the one that needs to be rescued so you can come back to your 'other' self."
Ben felt a something was wrong as he felt heaviness in his chest. His mind was even more shocked as he couldn't believe what he's hearing.
"What's wrong, Ben? Can't believe your very eyes?" Reina asked.
Ben answered, "It is as I feared. You're not Rey anymore. You're the one in my dreams who took her away."
"That's right…Kylo Ren. Funny, how the force works. What I saw you in your dreams was the coming of my arrival. It's like what I said before. Rey's gone. She's only a mask, a false identity. It's Reina Ren now. This is the real me for I am also the Kira, the Killer of Light and Master of the Knights of Ren. Any affection you had for Rey is gone. Rey was preprogrammed in me when I was born. I was left on Jakku at a young age, so my hidden true self can be nurtured to have very the foundation of anger and hate needed to become a full-fledged dark force user. It's like how you were before. And thanks to you Kylo Ren, your training has awakened me."
"No! I refused to believe it. Rey is still in there, locked away," Ben said.
"You're wrong, Ben. Rey no longer exists," Reina laughed.
"Then, why stabbed me with the tracking device in the first place?"
"So, I can have you back and take your place as Kylo Ren. Come with me, Kylo. Your fellow students like Malliek Ren need your teachings. I will convince the others to reinstate you within our ranks as the one and only Master of the Knights of Ren. In return, I will serve you on your side as it should be. Take back what was once yours: the title, the power, and entire army at your disposal. Be like your grandfather, Darth Vader and rule the galaxy that way he wanted it. Besides I really need you…Kylo. There is much to learn from you."
"NO! Never! I've infiltrated the Snoke's Order, so I can end him and bring justice to those I've lost. Just so the dark side will never rise again."
"Oh, really…why do you think of that, Ben? Do you really believe the light will always prevail against the darkness? Remember our time in the caves looking at those murals? There was one that mentions that before there was light, there was the void. A darkness that existed before the light and will continue to exist after the last star dies. The only real truth in about the force as that its fullest potential is within the darkness and there is nothing the light can do when the darkness finally achieves absolution."
Ben continued to breathe deeply and rapidly as his mind, his memories, everything he knew of Rey was all wrong. But, Ben refused to give into his belief and remembered the wisdom of Caterous Endo.
There's still a connection between you two, Ben…use it against Reina and bring Rey back. Ben thought to himself as he calmed his mind and channeled the Force through him.
"What are you doing, Ben…" Reina just had a loss of breath before saying her last word, "…Solo"
Reina felt strong warmth in her body something she felt before…at the time when she was called, Rey. Reina placed her hands on her chest as she felt something was trying gnawing its way out.
Then Ben opened his eyes and looked at instead of Reina Ren, but the woman he once knew. Ben channeled more of the energy that was connected between Rey and him.
"Rey, I know you're in there. I know you're trapped. You're confused between what you've known and what you have been told by the Knights of Ren. There's no need for us to fight. Luke, Finn, Poe, Leia, Jessika Pava, everyone within the Resistance misses you. They need you Rey. Whatever promises given to you by your mother and the Knights of Ren are lies. They want your power and once they do, they'll get rid of you."
Reina, through these words, felt her mind began to clear up and the fog of noise of that she knew from being with the Knights of Ren and her mother faded into the background. Reina felt pieces of darker herself subsiding and allowing another part of her to come through…the part that was light, the part that was Rey.
Reina Ren collapsed on her knees as her already ignited red double-sided lightsaber, deactivated and dropped on the floor. Rey began to cry.
"Ben!" Rey cried.
"It's okay, Rey. I'm here," Ben said as he ran over to comfort Rey. He looked into Rey's eyes and saw tears…the same tears he remembered during Rey's seduction to the dark side on Malcord V.
"I'm not leaving you, Rey. I'm not leaving you!" Ben said.
"Ben…" Rey said, as more tears began to poor down as she continued to sob away at the confusion, the chaos, the conflict that she's been having for some time.
"Rey, it's okay. I'm here."
"Ben…you would not believe the things I've done and the things I've been through. It's like I'm not myself, but yet I am. It's all confusing to me. I supposed to hate the First Order and the Knights of Ren, but at there's a part of me that relishes their power. I know I should not relish their power, but I do. I don't know what to do, Ben. I'm scared, Ben. I'm so scared. Knowing I was born from the dark side, the darkness is growing strong in me. I tried so hard to contain it, but it's not working for me. Ben, help me…."
"Don't worry. I will. I know what it feels like. I've been there before. I can help you. Just come with me, Rey. Just come with me. If we have to get away from this war…then we will. I will always be there for you. I will not leave you. Rey…I…I…I love you."
Rey looked up to Ben's eyes and finally realized the true meaning of those last three words. He really meant it, Rey thought.
Then, she let out just two words, "I know."
Rey got close with Ben and landed a kiss. Feeling the strong warmth of energy between them, Rey and Ben gave in into each other's affections as sounds of explosions and laser fire echoed the night sky. Rey pressed her two hands on Ben and violently pushed him away. She stood up and ignited her double-sided red lightsaber. Ben looked at Rey in bewilderment.
"Foolish, Ben. Do you think that Force Bond you had with Rey will allow you to win over me? There is no connection between us. The bond you had was severed the day I was born."
"No!" Ben screamed as he stood with his saber ignited.
"Look at yourself, Ben. I sense your fear. The fear that you never be as strong as Darth Vader, but it will be that same fear that will help you get back to the dark side and our true family, the Knights of Ren. That way you will become the next Darth Vader!" Rey said as she stood in her fighting stance as she ignited the other side of the double-sided lightsaber.
"No, Rey. You're wrong! My fear is…losing you. I don't want to fight you. I don't want to kill you. My life with the Knights of Ren is all a lie. A lie that nearly destroyed the Ben in me. The same way it destroyed your mother, your real mother. She's not the mother that everyone knew. Caterous of the Knights of Mandalore told me this. You believed that the darkness is your family. You're wrong. The Darkness was never your family. It all it does it takes; it takes, and it'll keep taking until there is nothing in you. What would Snoke, the First Order, and the Knights of Ren do when they're done with you? They will deceive you. They'll disobey your commands and they will betray you the moment you are no longer needed."
"LIAR!" Reina screamed as she jumped at Ben with her double-sided red lightsaber.
Ben activated his blue lightsaber and blocked and deflected every strike form Reina. Reina increased her speed and fought ferociously in stabbing at every opening that Ben had. Ben also increased up his speed as he parried every strike coming from Reina. Ben climbed up the stairs in the guard tower as Reina slashed her way through. Every wall was filled with holes and scratch marks from their lightsabers. Ben reached to the top and used the force to throw debris at Reina, slowing her down.
Reina, getting tired of Kylo Ren's parlor tricks, fired a strong stream of force lightning at Ben, pushing him out of the tower. Ben felt himself smashed through the windows and fell to the ground. Ben regained his focus and created a force field around him to absorb his landing. Ben got up and immediately deflected another parry from Reina's double-sided lightsaber as Reina fell on top of him.
Reina threw another force push to Ben's chest, but Ben blocked it with his. Ben and Reina's hands came closer and closer as the intensity of each other's force power grew strong. The two opposites was so immense it Ben and Reina apart. Ben landed on his back while Reina landed against the wall of the guard tower. Her head also hit the wall as a small drip of blood, came down the back of Reina's head.
Ben stood up with his lightsaber in front of him as he waited for Reina to do the same thing. Reina stood and took several deep breaths before making her move. She slowly walked over to the front of the entrance that leads into guard tower.
Rey took few steps forward and said, "You're strong, Ben. But, not that strong. If you strike me down, I'll become more powerful than you can ever imagine."
Hearing these words, Ben saw a vision of someone who said those exact same words before. It was a vision of an old man fighting his grandfather, Darth Vader on the Death Star many years ago. Rey, Ben thought, you're just like you grandfather…Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it saddens me that you have fight with the dark while I serve the light.
"What is now, Ben? Would you submit to the dark side or would I do it for you?" Rey asked.
"I rather die than swore my life with the Knights of Ren," Ben replied.
Ben was ready to parry as Reina ran up to him. Before Ben could block Reina's attack, Reina jumped away, allowing then Asula "Jeina" Ren, the Rogue, to appear out of no-where and thrust her vibro-heat blade. Asula's heat blade went passed Ben's Mandalorian chest plate and into his heart.
Reina stood as she were, witnessing to what Jeina done. Reina, instead of feeling joyful in witnessing an end to the once great Kylo Ren, she stood there, feeling a sense of regret. She couldn't believe what Asula "Jeina" Ren has done.
Jeina, this is not part of the plan. What have you done? You're supposed to stun him. I want him with us. Not kill him…I never wanted this. This is not what I want...What have I done? Reina thought to herself as she looked down at herself in shame. Then, a flow of bright energy seeped into Reina's mind as she came to a realization: Ben was right, they can't be trusted. They'll disregard everything I have to say. I give them orders and they turn the other way. But, I can't back down now. I am Reina of Ren, this is my calling. I am the Kira. I must fulfill the destiny that's bestowed upon me.
Ben stood in agony as he watched the two heat blades melting his chest blade and entering into his flesh. "You're alive all this time, brother. This is payback. Thus, is the fate of traitors to the Knights of Ren," Asula said as she watched Ben Solo's dying eyes gazing at her.
"Asula...Ren," Ben said as he slowly collapsed onto the floor.
"Good Jeina. Good. Go and help the others. I'll take care of him," ordered Reina.
"As you wish my lady," Jeina obeyed and left the scene.
Reina ran towards a dying Ben. Drops of tears slowly dripped across her right eye, damning herself on what has transpired. Part of the good side that is Rey came through her senses. Reina, placed her hands on Ben's wound and channeled bit of her life force into Ben giving him more time to live. Then, she held Ben's forehead close to hers and mentally transferred thoughts, images, visions, memories into his mind. Not before long, Reina placed Ben's head down. She stood up and looked back at him one more time before walking away, feeling the conflicting turmoil inside her.
Meanwhile back where Lady Ren stood, Malliek and Smud Ren continued their report to Lady Ren.
"Kylo Ren is struck down by Asula and Reina. The Star Destroyer Vindicator and the Finalizer have arrived," the Knight of Ren said.
"Good, how about the others?" Lady Ren asked.
"Kovu, Kozu, and Niles are dead. Slain by Kylo Ren."
"So, he survived. That's too bad. Very well, then. Take this prisoner for she may have some use to us," ordered Lady Ren.
"Yes, Lady Ren," Smud and Malliek obeyed her command used only the powers of the force to lift Leia in the air and carry her unconscious body to a nearby shuttle that is descending upon the surface.
Meanwhile, in outer space, Poe Dameron, inside his A-wing detected saw more ships coming out of the hangars of the Vindicator and the Finalizer. Poe ordered everyone in his squad for evasive actions and counter maneuvers.
After the arrival of the Finalizer and the Vindicator, Lady Ren radioed in Captain Phasma. "This is Lady Ren, inform General Hux that the secret Mandalorian base is destroyed. Have the shuttles and troop transports ready at these landing sites, I'm ordering our forces evacuate."
"Yes, my lady. I'll inform General Hux," replied Captain Phasma as she walked over to General Hux.
On board the Finalizer was General Hux as he stood, gazing through the windows of the bridge. Captain Phasma walked towards him informing him of such news.
"Very well, Captain Phasma. As much I prefer Lady Ren over Kylo Ren, your close interactions with that Lady, esp. the fact that the scavenger is her daughter, is starting to trouble me. Are you two involved in something that I need to know?" Hux asked.
"Sir, do not question my loyalty to my troops and to the First Order. The Knights of Ren, despite being an independent organization, are aligned with us and they are much as an ally as we are to them. My relationship with Lady Ren is a professional one and my work with her is to ensure that the Knights and our Stormtroopers fight together as a cohesive unit. In case you do not realize General, Lady Ren is Snoke's right hand. If any harm comes to her, Snoke will have you in no time."
"Certainly," said General Hux, being uncomfortable with that last thought.
The Vindicator and the Finalizer deployed a transport ships and shuttles along with a fighter escort of TIE Fighters and TIE Interceptors. The TIE craft went ahead to engage the Resistance, providing a distraction for the transport ships and shuttles to reach the planet's surface, safely.
On the planet's surface, the battle was nearly over as remaining stormtroopers and Knights of Ren fled the Mandalorian base. Once the transport ships and shuttles landed, the Knights and stormtroopers went on board and strapped themselves in. After the last ones were picked up, the troop transports and shuttles took off and returned to their respective Star Destroyers.
Poe Dameron along with what's left of his squad along and the Mandalorian Death-hunters flew took care of the last TIE Fighters and Interceptors. But, it was already too late as they saw the leaving shuttles and transport already returned to the two Star Destroyers. The Star Destroyers Vindicator and Finalizer then re-positioned themselves and jumped into hyperspace. Poe Dameron then ordered everyone to reach the planet's surface.
The surviving Knights of Mandalore and the Resistance soldiers salvaged as much as they could from the battle while others treat the wounded. After landing, Poe Dameron walked around to find General Organa, but she was nowhere to be found. He soon found Luke Skywalker and ran towards him.
"Luke, where's General Organa?" Poe asked as he ran to a Luke Skywalker being escorted by Caterous Endo.
Luke, with a piece of gauze pressed on his forehead, had no words to say, only grief. Then, Caterous became the bearer of bad news, "She's captured, Poe. Taken Lady Ren and the Knights of Ren."
"No, that can't be."
"It is, Poe. It is as I have feared. When Caterous resuscitated me, it was right then Lady Ren had taken her away. Rey's mother is stronger than we thought." Luke interjected.
Poe looked down and around and saw Finn helping with medical officers in treating the wounded. Then, more Resistance medical officers came by, carrying a barely alive Ben Solo on a stretcher. Luke ordered the medical officers to halt as he walked over to inspect him. Caterous came along as well.
"Ben," Luke said, looking at his face like a caring uncle.
There was no response except for Ben's moans and Ben's mentioning of the word, Rey…
Luke sighed and told Ben, "Don't worry, Ben. We'll get you up in no time."
Luke looked straight ahead and saw the devastation of their latest fight with the First Order and their Knights of Ren.
Author's Note: Hopefully, you enjoy that encounter and the brief exchanges between Ben's mom and Rey's mom as they tried to duke it against each other like two angry mothers fighting each other over their misbehaved children. (Yes, naughty Ben and naughty Rey. Imagine a crazy sitcom AU of Ben and Rey really hating each other's throats at school and having to visit their school principal from time to time.) Anyways, stay tuned for some more chapters.