The news of Kylo Ren's defection spread quickly. Leaving the First Order, though rare, was certainly not unheard of. After all, FN-2187 had fled the previous year. But he'd been a lowly Stormtrooper, a fairly insignificant cog in the machine. There were plenty more like him. Kylo Ren was a different story. He'd been Snoke's protégée, his star. He'd been Master of the Knights of Ren, a high ranking commander. He was the grandson of Darth Vader. Ren's defection was not only an embarrassment; it was a tragedy for the First Order. Though it pained Hux to admit it, Kylo Ren had been extremely important to the organization. The intimidation factor alone had made him worth having around. The loss was devastating. And what had he left for? To go home to his mommy? It was completely pathetic. Hux said as much to the Supreme Leader. He'd gone to Snoke as soon as he heard the news. Of course, the Supreme Leader already knew. To Hux's surprise, he hadn't seemed overly concerned. In fact, he'd seemed almost calm. He'd laughed at Hux's bewilderment.
"You seem confused General," he chuckled. "What was it you were expecting from me?"
"I just...I'd been expecting you to be a bit more upset." Hux prayed he hadn't offended the Supreme Leader. He could be unpredictable. Luckily, the giant had only smiled.
"And why would I be upset?" he'd asked.
"Well, though I didn't care for Ren personally, he was an important figure for the First Order. We've lost a lot."
"We've lost nothing," Snoke insisted. "This is temporary."
Hux was even more perplexed. "Temporary? What do you mean, Sir?"
"Exactly what I said, General. Kylo Ren won't be away for long. Do you think he'll be accepted by the resistance? His mother will take him back of course, his uncle will as well. But the average resistance fighter? Of course not. Returning home will not be what he imagines. Kylo Ren craves acceptance, recognition. He won't get it there."
"So you believe he'll return?"
"I'm certain of it. Even now, the dark side calls to him. Sooner or later, he'll give in."
"Supreme Leader, what if he doesn't?" Hux dared to venture. "I know it's unlikely but…"
"He will." Snoke looked almost nostalgic, as if recalling a fond memory from long ago. "I brought him over once, General. I can certainly do it again."
Far away, on the resistance base, Kylo Ren lay in bed. They'd given him private quarters, plain and somewhat small but much more than he deserved. He should have been in a cell or maybe an execution chamber. Coming home had been hard and things were only going to get worse. They'd kept everyone away from him today, allowing he and Leia some privacy for their painful reunion. But that couldn't last. Tomorrow, he'd have to face everyone. His mother and uncle had been bad enough. Luke had spoken in a low, calm voice, explaining that he understood the temptation. He said the dark side was powerful and its call was strong. He'd said Kylo must be incredibly strong to have broken away. Uncle Luke said he was glad to have him back. He'd hugged him. Leia had been even worse. She'd cried, something she hadn't done in Kylo's memory. She'd said she loved him. She'd said she was sorry for any pain she may have caused him. She said she forgave him. She'd hugged him too and kissed him on the forehead, the way she did when he was a child.
He knew he didn't deserve their forgiveness; he didn't deserve their love. But he also knew that coming home was the right thing to do. It had all become too much, he'd lost touch with himself. He'd begun to let the darkness consume him, to turn him in to something he wasn't. It was the scavenger girl that had woken him up. He'd seen himself in her eyes, seen the monster he was becoming. He couldn't get her out of his head. Her light called to him, drawing him away from the dark. Now he was back. It was time to face what he'd done, no matter how painful it might be.