Star Wars Episode VII: The Search For Skywalker

Facing An Enemy

Han draped his son's arm over his shoulders, while Rey stood on the other side of him. He was furious with the First Order for what they had done to his son. Luke had always warned him against anger, according to him it was "the path to the dark side," maybe it was a good thing he didn't have the Force because he probably would have turned in that moment. At least, he wanted to destroy every part of the First Order, he wanted to tear all of it to shreds. But he supposed that it was the natural way for a parent to feel after finding that their child had been tortured.

He had never wanted to be a father, but now that he was he felt just as protective of Ben as he was of Leia. To his surprise, he was even willing to give up the Falcon for Ben, as painful as that would be.

Chewie stood in the lead, shooting down any stormtroopers who stood in their way.

Finally they made it outside onto the white blanket of snow. Ben shivered as the brisk air hit his cheeks. Instantly he thought of Rey in her desert clothes. Her rubbed her bare shoulder to warm her. "Are you cold?"

"A little," she confessed.

Han smiled and pulled off his jacket, passing it to her.

"Thank you," she answered.

Han smiled. "That's what father's are for. I love you both," he hugged them.

Ben smiled. "I know, dad."

Han smirked, he'd taken after him after all.

Rey smiled, overflowing with joy and affection. This was what she wanted more than anything. "I love you too."

Han smiled at her. Then they made their way through the thick snow covered forest.

Suddenly a large platoon of stormtroopers emerged from the trees.

Han looked at Rey. "Get Ben to safety, Chewie and I will handle these bucket heads."

Rey's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure?"

Han nodded. "Me and Chewie have handled more than this in our time."

Chewbacca growled in agreement.

Rey nodded reluctantly, then pulled Ben in the opposite direction.

They ran towards the Falcon as quickly as they could with Ben's injuries.

Suddenly they both halted to a stop as a dark presence overtook them. The pure white snow before them turned crimson red as a lightsaber was ignited. A chrome figure emerged from the tress and approached them. The red light of her saber reflected on her shiny armor.

Ben quickly drew his own bright green lightsaber and stood ready to fight.

Rey looked at him, worried. He could barely stand, let alone fight.

She pulled out the lightsaber she'd found on Takodana and ignited the brilliant blue blade.

Ben turned to look at her. "Where did you get that?"

She smiled. "I'll tell you later."

He nodded, turning back to look at Phasma.

"Did you really think that you could escape the First Order? And now you've brought this scavenger whom you seem to care about so much to her death," Phasma's muffled voice seemed to echo in the silence.

"No!" Ben screamed. "I won't let you hurt her."

Phasma charged forward, bringing her lightsaber down on him. He quickly brought his own up to block her attack.

Their lightsabers sizzled as they locked together.

Phasma pulled her lightsaber back and hammered her blade down on him in an aggressive assault.

Rey quickly realized that he was having trouble keeping up with her. She could feel the pain that each move caused him because of his wounds. Instinctively she stepped forward and blocked Phasma's lightsaber just as it was about to reach Ben's head.

Phasma swung her lightsaber again, this time they both blocked it together as their blades crossed to stop hers. They pushed her back, together and she fell back into the snow.

She stood and Ben brought his saber down her head. He jolted slightly as he was met with resistance, his lightsaber hadn't pierced her helmet. He couldn't stop the look of confusion that appeared on his face.

"No lightsaber or blaster can pierce my armor," she lifted her lightsaber and slashed it across his face. She laughed cruelly. "It's too bad you don't have a helmet of your own."

"Ben!" Rey screamed horrified.

He fell to his knees in the snow.

Rey tried to run to him, but suddenly felt her body freeze as if paralyzed.

"You'll have to watch him die, then I'll kill you," Phasma said.

"No!" Rey screamed.

Ben mustered all of his strength and came to his feet. He had to protect Rey, no matter the cost. If he was going to die, he might as well take Phasma with him.

He stabbed his lightsaber into the small gap in her armor on her stomach.

Phasma gasped in pain, she reached out a gloved hand and sent a jolt of Force lightening out of her hand and into his chest. He screamed in pain, and fell backwards.

Phasma continued electrocuting him, not realizing that her pain had broken her hold on Rey.

Rey came up behind the chrome armored Sith, filled with anger. She hammered her lightsaber down on Phasma knowing that it would do no good to penetrate her armor.

As Rey was about to bring her lightsaber down on Phasma for the third time, she turned and brought her crimson blade up to block her.

Rey glanced over at Ben who laid unmoving in the snow. She returned her gaze to Phasma, glaring at her fiercely.

She was full of anger for what she had done to Ben, and she used that anger, attacking Phasma with all of her strength. But it wasn't enough, Phasma was still stronger than her.

Soon they moving across the forest in an endless series of strikes and parries. The vrooming sounds of their lightsabers clashing together echoed through the forest.

Rey was getting nowhere. She wasn't losing, but she wasn't winning either. She dug deep, mustering all of the hate and anger within her to unleash a final attack on Phasma.

"Rey, stop!" she heard a familiar voice yell in her mind. It was the voice of Ben's grandfather. "Anger, hatred... they are dangerous. They might make you powerful for a moment, but once you've had a taste of that power you'll never stop until you've lost everything."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" she asked silently.

"Use the Force, Rey."

"But I don't know how, and she's stronger than me," she answered.

"Hate will never be stronger than hate. But love...there's nothing stronger than that. Use that feeling, it will fuel the power within you for good."

Rey focused on thoughts of Han and Leia, and how wonderful it felt to finally have a family. She thought about Finn and Poe, the friends she'd always longed for. Then she thought about Ben, the one who had been there for her all along. She could still hear his words echoing in her mind... I love you.

As his grandfather had promised, the love she felt for others fueled her power for good. She wanted to stop Phasma, not for revenge but to save those she loved.

Allowing that feeling inside of her to guide her, she swung her lightsaber in a wide arch, forcing Phasma back.

Phasma stepped back to dodge yet another strike, unaware of the ravine behind her. She screamed as she fell hundreds of feet into the deep gorge below.

Rey watched for a moment to make sure that she wouldn't climb back out, but there was no sign of any movement.