Ben felt the darkness tugging on his skin as he entered the void that would serve as the vessel for his test. He knew how these Force-sensitive places worked, they would transmit your greatest fears into a living reality. Snoke had tested him once before in a dream simulator, so he knew what to expect. Yet, knowing what was to come still didn't make the test any easier.
The young Jedi upheld a steady pace as he descended deeper into the cave. The screeches of the wind died away, everything seemed stagnant as he continued forward. He wondered if Rey was experiencing the anything remotely similar.
Blackness was all he could see for a long while, until a speck of light started to appear in his view. The light grew exponentially and before Ben knew it the ground was pulled from underneath him. He was speeding through air currents and falling down into an abyss of nothing. Everything seemed to blurry around him, and before he knew it he was in darkness once again. There was silence and stillness around him, and then he opened his eyes.
He was kneeling on the floor, his fist pushed against hard stone. Ben was panting wildly, for some odd reason his bones and muscles ached as if he'd been strenuously fighting for hours. It had been a very long time since he'd felt this level of exhaustion before, even in his training he didn't extend himself this far.
Ben looked down to see black robes hanging from his body – they were the clothes he used to wear when he was Kylo Ren. Next to his hand was the inhospitable mask that had been the symbol for his First Order reign. Panic rose in his chest because it couldn't be possible. He couldn't be Kylo Ren – he'd left that behind, turned a new leaf. Against his hip was his old, three prong, red lightsaber he used to wield as well. Confusion raked through his thoughts as he tried to figure out how he was dressed in his old robes.
An overwhelming amount of Force energy was gyrating through the room causing the hairs on Ben's arms to stand up – the feeling was becoming cumbersome as the air became saturated. He wondered what was the source of this energy, in all his years he'd never felt a presence so powerful.
The young Jedi finally looked up to see darkness surrounding him in a large, stone chamber. Light was falling like streams of rain from cracks in the ceiling – the only thing that stood out to the Jedi was the familiar silhouette of Supreme Leader Snoke looming over him. His eyes widened in horror and surprise as he realized Snoke was here and it felt so real. The Force energy emitted from the Old Dark Lord was undeniable – it was unlike anything he had ever felt. The times that Snoke had contacted him via hologram on Starkiller Base, he had felt the Supreme Leader's Force energy looping around his limbs making its presence known – but this time his power was overwhelming.
"You've done well, my apprentice," his former master was praising him it seemed. Ben pulled himself to his feet and puffed out his chest as he was about to spit out a retort, but he was silenced by another.
"Thank you, Master. What should I do with the usurper?" It was a harsh, feminine voice that sliced through the tense atmosphere.
Ben turned in all directions as he attempted to find the owner of the voice. It had similar nuances of Rey's voice, but it couldn't be her, Rey would never be that cold. She would never side with Snoke anyways – after all the Dark Lord had murdered her father in cold blood. Rey hated the Supreme Leader with a passion so fiery; Ben was certain that Rey wanted to exact her own revenge on the leader of the First Order.
The silly notion of Rey turning to the Dark Side was pushed out of Ben's head as he let his hand glide over his old saber. He was ready for any conflict that would arise, and he knew all too well an altercation would arrive – especially now that he was considered an outcast of the Dark Side.
"You've earned your place as my new apprentice, Ketla Ren. Now remove this annoyance from our path," Snoke was being very explicit in his orders and Ben turned to his old master. The ancient Dark Lord's face was shrouded in shadows which made him impossible to see or read.
"I won't be defeated, I can't lose," Ben yelled. "I have people to protect, and I need to redeem myself for all the things I've done," he couldn't keep the determination out of his voice as he spoke.
A maniacal laugh blared in Ben's ears as Snoke let out a bone-chilling chuckle that reverberated through the young Jedi's body. "You have lost, Kylo. You were unable to protect one of the most precious things you hold dear."
"My name's not Kylo Ren," Ben spat out. "I won't be your slave, never again."
He knew Snoke gwas giving him a condescending look, but he watched as the Supreme Leader's gleaming eyes shifted to the abyss that was behind him.
Ben's stomach dropped at the sound of footsteps – they were approaching from behind. The Jedi whipped around to confront his opponent, but the his jaw dropped in shock.
A spindle of light shot down and illuminated the face of his opponent, and when Rey emerged out from the darkness – Ben could hardly believe his eyes. He rubbed his fists into his eyes and double checked to make sure his vision wasn't playing tricks on him. Sure enough, it was Rey standing in front of him.
Her expression was scornful as her eyes dug daggers into his skin. The usually joyful smiles that illuminated her features was completely erased. There was not a single reminisce of the person she once was – all that he could see was a woman twisted by hatred.
How could she be Snoke's apprentice? There had to be some mistake, she would never become a tool for the Supreme Leader.
"Rey," Ben shouted, voicing his disquiet of the situation. "How could you?"
"You brought me here, you wanted to impress your master by showing him you captured the Chosen One. And now it's either I become his apprentice, or I die. The choice is easy," she responded, her normally jovial voice was filled with neutrality.
Ben froze. He had brought her here? He would never do something like that, this had to be a lie. They were supposed to be working together to stop Snoke. Ben knew for a fact he would never put Rey in danger.
"We can stop him if we work together," Ben retorted hastily. "We trained with Luke for two months for this very moment, don't throw all our hard work away."
It felt as if someone was taking a knife and jabbing it straight into his heart then twisting the blade in. Why would Rey turn on him after they had come so far together? They had pushed each other to the limit while training, so they could be ready to face Snoke together. What had changed? Could Snoke have used a Force power to twist her against him? He'd never heard of such a power, but maybe the Supreme Leader was the first to wield it.
"The truth is, you're weak. I don't need you. You've never even matched the abilities of Anakin Skywalker," Ben flinched as Rey's words blew away a layer of confidence that he'd built while training with Luke. He had convinced himself that he'd fine-tuned his skills immensely while training with Luke, but maybe Rey was right – maybe he was weak.
After all, Rey was the Chosen One – she would always be the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy. His grandfather had also been the Chosen One, and compared to them he would always seem less impressive, maybe even mediocre.
"You don't mean that," Ben shot back angrily. "I'm just as strong as you," he said it even though it felt like an overexaggerated of his skill. Rey was stronger than him and even she was seeing through his deception.
Rey let out a low, mocking laugh – the likes of which he'd never heard from her. "You're pathetic, Ben. You couldn't even beat me at your own game back in the interrogation room when I was only beginning to understand my power. That's the sign of a truly weak Jedi."
Ben grit his teeth together and closed his eyes, it was as if Rey was trying to stir anger within him. He could feel the sting of betrayal and rage boiling beneath his skin, but quickly he brushed it aside the best he could. If he was going to bring Rey back toward the light then he couldn't be straying in the dark himself. Taking a deep breath, Ben opened his eyes again.
"Rey, we can still beat Snoke together. Why would you side with the man that killed your father?"
"Because the Supreme Leader can help me get stronger, my father chose the Jedi path and look where that got him – he's dead. My grandfather chose the Jedi path and he died at the hands of Vader. Why should I walk in the Light when it only leads to death? I won't end up like my other family members, never. And if that means I have to beat you to prove my loyalty to Snoke, so be it," Rey was yelling by the end of her declaration.
Ben watched as Rey's blue saber flashed out of its hilt and went straight for his face. Without hesitation Ben turned on his flicking red blade and blocked her strike with ease.
"I won't let you go to the Dark Side, you're the Chosen One for damn sake, Rey. You're the person who is supposed to bring the galaxy into balance not chaos," Ben hissed out – sparks were spattering as their blades ground against one another. His muscles were crying for him to stop fighting, but he knew he couldn't. He feared Rey would kill him if he let his guard down.
"Give up, Ben. You won't be able to beat me," Rey cried out.
There was a high probability he would die fighting Rey, she had proven in their training to be stronger than him. But he wouldn't give up on her, she was just lost and confused. Rey had always remained determined to save him, even when he'd been so submerged in darkness many would've seen him beyond saving. But she'd done the impossible and made him realize that the Dark Side was a lonely and painful path – one that he wasn't suited for.
If he couldn't pay her the same courtesy than he shouldn't even have the right to be called a Jedi. Ben had always believed in duty – and honor was a concept he'd forsaken while in the First Order, but Rey had reminded him what honor was about. Though he wasn't supposed to get his emotions involved when it came to duty, how could he be a honor-worthy Jedi Knight if he struck down a friend in cold blood without attempting to save them?
"Maybe I won't beat you, but I'll die trying to make you see reason Rey!" In a flurry of sabers Ben pulled away and swung for a lower cut, aiming directly at Rey's left leg.
She jumped in time and stuck out her hand to push him away. A blast of cold energy surge against his chest causing Ben to fly back. Instantly, he was on his feet again, just in time to feel Rey's blade smash down on his own saber.
In the background the sound of a deep, throaty cackle resonated in his ear drums. "Good, good, Ketla Ren. Use your hatred to subdue him." Snoke was enjoying the fight Ben presumed, his former master's praise only seemed to fuel Rey's power.
This time Rey was pushing him back, her saber was dangerously close to his face. The heat from their blades was causing droplets of sweat to run down his forehead and into his eyes.
"I promised Anakin Skywalker I would protect you from Snoke, and I refuse to go back on my word," he hissed, shifting his head just in time to dodge an impending blade. Rey had broke their stalemate by trying to quickly slam her saber against him, but her brute attack left her defenseless.
The young Solo shouldered the scavenger just enough to cause her to lose her balance. He attempted to strike her, but she blocked him. Their sabers clashed viciously over and over again. Rey's attacks were more aggressive than he ever remembered, the rage behind each hit was apparent.
"Why are you joining Snoke? You promised you wouldn't allow him to turn you toward the Dark Side. Snoke just uses people anyways, he'll use you the same way he used me," Ben said harshly during their fighting.
"People change, their goals change – just like your goals and personality did. I want to become as powerful as I can, so I can bring peace and stability to the galaxy," Rey replied. She genuinely believed that Snoke could bring peace, he could hear it in her voice, the way she sounded so inspired by her new master.
"You know Snoke can't bring peace to the galaxy," Ben retorted. "Things were on the brink of peace before he reared his ugly head."
"Things were never going to peaceful, not while General Organa and Luke Skywalker were involved, they allowed the First Order to be created under their watch. I have no faith in them," Rey countered through gritted teeth.
Ben felt anger rise in his chest as Rey disrespected his mother and uncle, but he calmed himself quickly. Rey was just lost and confused, she was only saying those things to get a reaction out of him. He couldn't allow hatred to rule him during this fight, he wanted his connection to the Force to be untainted. The scavenger looked disappointedly at him between swings.
"I felt that anger of yours roiling beneath your skin, but you extinguished it. Such a shame, I was looking forward to a good fight," Rey jeered.
"I won't allow the Dark Side to influence me ever again. And I promise you, I'll keep you from the Dark Side even if I die trying," Ben cried out as he used a flurried array of attacks hoping to knock the younger Jedi down, but he wasn't successful.
"I won't die, not by your hand," Rey screamed aloud.
Ben quickly found himself on the defensive as Rey's fighting style gained a new vigor. It was hellishly fast, unpredictable and overflowing with dark strength. Their sabers clashed again, but this time Rey twisted her blade quickly causing the hilt of his own weapon to fly a body length away. Now he was at Rey's mercy as she took a step forward – her blade was pointed directly at his chest.
"I know there is still good in you, Rey. Don't allow Snoke to use you like he used me. You said Snoke takes advantage of people's insecurities and vulnerabilities, don't allow him to use your own. You made me stronger than I was, you healed my loneliness and became my friend. You're my hero, Rey. Your are the most strong-willed, intelligent and beautiful person I know, please don't become my villain," Ben now found himself pleading with her, but the scavenger's expression was cold. His words were not soaking into her at all, she was just repelling everything. It was killing him to watch her being a monster, the type of monster he once was.
"Good work, girl," Snoke said in his deep, ominous voice. "Now kill him, so we can move forward with our plans." Upon the Supreme Leader's command the scavenger drove forward.
Ben felt Rey's blade pierce through his chest and exit on the other side of his body. Heat raged through his form and pure agony coiled in his stomach as his organs felt like they were being vaporized. The unadulterated hate that was burrowed in Rey's umber irises was clear. Ben wondered if this was how his enemies had felt before they died, back when he was Kylo Ren – the last thing they had been subjected to was his hatred.
He could see it in her eyes, there was satisfaction there – Rey was proud that she had been the one to kill him. It was undeniable now, Rey had turned into a monster, the type of monster that would kill her comrades to gain an ounce of power. The type of person Kylo Ren had been, he would have done anything for his master's approval. It seemed Rey wasn't the same person he'd encounter in the interrogation room, she wasn't the same person he had trained, she wasn't the same person who had found Luke with him – Rey was truly a Dark Lord in the making.
He had wanted to save her, he'd wanted to be like the Rey he remembered – a person so determined to bring the light out in everyone. She had saved him, but he couldn't save her. Looking into her eyes had confirmed his worse fear, that she was so engrossed by her own desire to destroy anyone that stood in her way.
Tears started to run down his cheeks, as her saber blazed in his chest. But what was really eating away at him was his failure to save Rey, it hurt far worse than any stab wound. There was only one thing left for him to do in this situation, just thinking about it caused fear to weld up in his heart. But the fear of what Rey would become in the future, the torture and misery she would inflict upon others was far worse than any outcome.
Ben sagged against her body as she pushed the blade farther into him. The anguish was unbearable and Rey gripped into his shoulder tightly as she leaned into him.
"You were weak, Ben," she whispered in his ear. Rey's breath was hot against his skin, but her voice was as icy and chilling as the stone that surrounded them. "You could never have defeated me."
"I told my grandfather I would protect you from Snoke, that was all I cared about," Ben coughed and he could taste the irony tang of blood in his mouth. She must have punctured one of his lungs because breathing was becoming a more taxing task too. "And now that I see you've chosen the Dark Side, I will fulfill my promise," he muttered.
Using the last remaining ounce of his strength, Ben grabbed a tight hold on Rey so she couldn't wiggle free. Using a Force pull, he summoned the discarded saber to his hand and jabbed his blade straight into Rey's stomach. A gasp of surprise escaped the Chosen One's lips as the blade penetrated her body. Even with a grip on her, he could feel tremors passing through Rey's frame.
Tears were threatening to run down his cheeks again as Rey unceremoniously pulled the blade from his chest, and took a few steps back. She was clutching her abdomen, completely aghast at what had transpired.
"I promised I would keep you safe, and now I've protected you from the darkness that would've consumed your very life. I wouldn't allow you to turn out how I did," he wheezed out. Ben took one shaky step forward and gently placed a hand on Rey's cheek, wiping away a stray tear rolling down her face. Those amber eyes of hers were still brimming with anger and shock as her hands clawed at her fatal wound – but Ben felt like he'd completed his mission.
He had never wanted to hurt Rey, let alone kill her ever, but her being Snoke's slave was a fate worse than death. The thought of her being consumed by evil and spreading it around the galaxy with Snoke was not acceptable. Though Snoke was still alive, he could no longer manipulate another Jedi to walk down the dangerous path of the Dark Side.
He wished things could have been different, but their fates were sealed.
"You bastard, how could you do such-." Ben was struggling to focus, and soon Rey's voice became background noise.
The forefront of his attention was a translucent figured that started to appear in his line of vision. It was a man with shaggy, muddy hair, brown and black Jedi robes and a silver lightsaber attached to his belt. Ben recognized his grandfather right away as the ghost took nimble steps towards him.
Anakin placed a gentle hand on Ben's shoulder. "You did what was necessary, no matter how painful. I know this wasn't what you envisioned, but you didn't allow anger or evil to consume you, and remained loyal to the Light Side until the very end. I'm proud."
"Thank you, Grandfather," was all Ben could force out as his long waning strength faded away.
Harboring nothing but happiness and a smile on his face, Ben felt his legs finally give out and he plummeted to the stone floor. Rey was still cursing his very existence as consciousness became harder and harder to maintain, but nothing mattered more than what has grandfather had said.
He was proud of him. In all those years as Kylo Ren, he had desired nothing more than to make his grandfather proud. Darth Vader had been his idle, his grandfather had meant everything to him. Killing and delving himself deeper in vile crimes was what he'd originally believed would make Darth Vader beaming with pride.
It was ironic, that as a member of the Light Side, that he, Ben Solo – had finally made his grandfather truly proud. Ben Solo closed his eyes allowing the call of unconsciousness to overtake him.
Ben opened his eyes to find his face planted firmly in the dirt. His body was clammy and dust was clinging to his skin now. He felt so drained of energy as he tried to sit up, but his body was fighting him. After a large amount of strenuous effort he was able to pull himself into a sitting position.
He was back on Ahch-To, the wind was brushing harshly against his skin and the sun light was beating down on him again.
So it had all been an illusion? The effects of his fight with Rey were still plaguing his body. His whole abdomen felt like it was still on fire and his limbs ached as if he'd seriously just died. Everything about that test had felt so real, even the after effects.
The rational part of his brain was trying to remind him it had all been a dream, a test used to fuck with his mind. But how could he face Rey after this whole ordeal? He had literally killed her and even though he hadn't wanted to and he'd felt it was saving her from a destiny that would have ruined her, how could he ever look at her the same? The look of hated in her eyes would forever be etched in his mind, the feeling of being impaled by her lightsaber was something he would never forget either.
Ben pushed his negative thoughts out of his mind, and instead decided he would focus on his mentor. Luke was standing before him, but with the sun blazing in his eyes, and his master's hooded face it was impossible to know what was going on inside the Jedi's mind. Did Luke know what he was forced to endure? Did he know that he killed Rey in his test?
Ben found himself shaking as he waited impatiently for Luke to say something, but his master enjoyed vexing him with his silence it seemed.
Finally after what seemed like ages, Luke finally spoke. "It seems that you both passed, the test you were given," Luke said in an even tone.
Ben had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hasn't noticed Rey was sitting next to him, her eyes were wide in distress and mud was smeared on her cheeks. Tears were dripping from her eyes, and it seemed the water flowing down her face was attempting to wash away the layers of dirt caked on her skin. Rey had her arms crossed over her chest as she clutched tightly to her own form. Visibly, she was trying to calm herself, but even he could see her shaking ever so slightly.
Never before had he seen Rey so shaken up, maybe her test had been more scarring than his own. He wondered what had happened to her, but he wasn't about to ask in front of Luke.
Ben raised his head back up to focus on Luke, and he watched as the Jedi Master bowed to them both.
"Welcome to the Jedi Order, my students," Luke stated. "You two are officially Jedi Knights."
[A/N]: Hey guys, thank you so much for taking the time to read! Again, sorry for the late chapter, I had my final exam for my summer class and massive writer's block last week, it was literally torture. So I spent this whole week writing this chapter, and I hope it didn't disappoint. I wanted Ben's trial to hold the same level of anguish that Rey's did.
I wanted to do a special thank you for this thirtieth chapter. You guys have been so supportive of the story, with reviews and PM's, I literally couldn't ask for better readers. Out of all the stories I've ever written this whole community is just the best. I just have fallen in love with this Star Wars community, you guys are so wonderful and kind. So thank you for being amazing and awesome. :)
I just wanted to give a special thanks to megumisakura, bhut, SaintsFan1, firerosedreamer67, gabysweet10, DaniNatureGirl391, DiamondSapphire, Nila, Hikari216, LovetheKlaroline, tacker23, LadyRedStar, Sheean Kushiashi, Mistyeyesc, SaskeIsReading, Chcosta, Girlwith100names, MisakiLilia, AngelLover88, cmol8806, and all you other guests who have been kind enough to review and give me your feelings and thoughts of the story.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read! Please let me know what you thought of Ben's trial, did it hold the same emotions Rey's did? I hope you guys have a wonderful week, and I hope I'll have an update next weekend! :)