No Love Lost (Reylo, Star Wars)

Chapter 15

Ben's POV

"What are you waiting for? Come at me, noob!" the trooper yelled at me, weapon at the ready.

I screamed and stabbed my blaster at him. I grunted at each stab. It felt good. So good. I could already feel my anger draining away as I smacked at him with my weapon.

"That's enough, FN-2200." Phasma said to me.

I reluctantly stopped. Both FN-2183 and I were breathing heavily. He threw a tired punch at me with his shield, causing me to fall from the unexpected hit.

"I said that's enough!" Phasma repeated.

Not that she tried to stop him. I grunted and got up, picking up my blaster. I placed it on the weapons rack and sat down heavily next to the others. I took off my helmet, hair falling everywhere in sweaty strands.

'One day, I'll be better than all of you imbecibles! ', I thought, seething with rage from the hit. One day.

I looked up and saw Phasma staring at me. I stared back. After a few moments, she turned her attention to two of the others.

"FN-2187 and FN-2199!" Phasma called.

The two got up simultaneously and both grabbed batons. They put on their helmets and waited for their cue.

"Ready. Aim. Kill!" the Captain called in quick succession.

One of them lunged at the other. I think it was FN-2199. His baton made an awful crackling sound in the air as it narrowly missed 2187's head. He attempted to hit again, but the other leapt back. Nines kept trying to hit his opponent but each time, the other backed up until he was off the training ring. They automatically restarted in the default position. No one said anything. This time 2187 tried to stab at Nines. A sizzling sound occurred when the baton made contact with armor. For some reason, both of the fighters staggered back. Nines clutched his side and desperately swung his baton. All I could hear was the sound of the weapons crackling and the ragged breaths of the two troopers.  I was actually starting to get kind of worried. Nines was staggering dangerously to the side and I could even hear him breathing under that helmet of his. Some of the others cast glances at the Captain to see if she would try to stop the fight. She didn't. At last, Nines fell loudly as the handle of 2187's baton hit his head lightly.  Groans emitted from both him and the spectators.

After a few moments, Phasma finally stepped forward. She nudged Nines in the side with her foot. She was met with a cry of pain. Phasma nodded at 2187.

"Get him to the medical. I want a stat on him by the time the next training round starts." Phasma directed.

2187 nodded solemnly. He took both batons and quickly put them away before slowly helping his comrade up.

"FN-200", Captain Phasma said, looking at me.

Several heads turned to follow me as I left with her. I rolled my eyes and pushed back my hair, trying to look confident.

Phasma and I made our way down many corridors before stopping at a familiar set of double doors. The Captain stationed herself beside them. I could sense something like anxiety, or was that anger? Fear, perhaps? I shrugged off the idea that a person like Phasma could be fazed by anything. Upon entering the room, I realized where I was. It had been a little over a year ago when I was last here. The same halo of light was in the middle of the room, but no Snoke, not yet anyway. As I slowly made my way down the long pathway, a hologram started to appear under the light and a slightly faded image of Snoke started appear. When I reached him, I bent down on one knee.

"My Master, Supreme Leader Snoke." I said awkwardly.

He gestured.

"Rise...Ben."

I widened my eyes in surprise as I stood up. It had been so long since someone had said my name and not a designated identification number. Snoke laughed creepily, having probably read my thoughts.

"You're training has been coming alone nicely", Snoke commented as he sat back. "Or as Captain Phasma reports."

'Was that a hint of contempt in his voice? ' I wondered.

I found myself clinging onto every word my master was saying. Snoke smiled.

"However", he continued, "I think it is time you have a real taste of the Dark Side."

Snoke's smile had turned into a full-out grin of glee. I forced myself to smile with him.

"Yes, sir...but what do you mean by that?" I dared to question.

The Supreme Leader didn't seem to mind as he answered, "You are being promoted to the Knights of Ren."

I gasped. Thoughts buzzed in my mind.

'The Knights of Ren? But they're a fable! Do they really exist? What an honor. Am I good enough to be one? Oh, yes definitely. Wait, why is Snoke doing this? '

A voice interrupted.

"Indeed. You are being promoted because you can learn nothing of the true power of the First Order if you are stuck with our stormtroopers. You will do much better with the Knights...I hope." Snoke said, enunciating the last two words.

I kneeled once more to Snoke.

"My master, this is such a great honor. I promise you I will be greater than your expectations."

Snoke waved a hand lazily.

"Promises get us nowhere. Now go to the forges. It's about time you got your new uniform." He paused. "And lightsaber."

I smiled genuinely now.

"Do not fail me- Kylo Ren." I heard.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the connection was lost and Snoke's image was gone. Now there as once again, only light on the platform where he had been.

'Kylo Ren.' I thought.

It sounded like a formidable name. A memorable name. A name of the person who could potentially spread terror and darkness throughout the galaxies.