Unmasked

The Only Way

Kylo's P.O.V

Pain slid into my heart and rose in my throat like bile. I didn't want to do it.

The fear in her eyes was evident. The idea that she could be defeated had obviously never occurred to her before.

On her knees in the snow, her body covered in cuts and bruises, she squeaked as I let the jagged edge of my saber radiate heat onto her face. Despite the situation, I allowed myself a grim smile.

I thought I could change her in another way, but Pixel will always be Pixel, as I have learnt.

Tamani held an unconcious Hux to her chest and watched in satifaction. She had done her part quite well.

You see, only moments ago, we were all fighting Pixel, and we were all losing. She had sensed something was wrong with Tamani the moment I stepped into view.

I had thrown an old blaster to Tamani and Hux appeared with his own blaster. I stepped up with my saber, and all hell broke loose.

Pixel laughed like a maniac as she easily dogded all the blows.

Her downfall was her confidence.

She kept all her focus on me, knowing full well I was the most lethal. What she didn't expect was that Tamani had a plan.

I stare into Pixel's eyes now, and pure fear has overcome her. She is shaking, and tears stream down her face. She closes her eyes and breathes a sigh of regrets.

When she opens her eyes, something has changed. Slightly, but changed.

I raise the saber...

...Tamani watches in triumph...

...Hux breathes a sigh in his unconcious state...

...and Barnie flickers to life in Pixel's eyes.

I drop the saber at my feet and grab her shoulder, pulling her to her feet. She collapses against me, sobbing in relief and regret.

Her eyes open and recognition flashes as she glances at Tamani.

I hold her on her feet as I realise what she has.

When I was tiring of fighting Pixel, a hum just like the one my saber produced had started beyond the fight. In a flash of white, Pixel had been on her knees.

All her focus had been on me, as she had not expected a close range attack from the others. She did not bet on the fact that Tamani could fight just as well as me.

With Pixel on her knees, Tamani had stood over her with a white Lightsaber in her hand.

Nobody had guessed that she was a Jedi. Not even her own twin brother.

"Barnie." I whisper. "You're back. You're safe. It will be okay."

Her sobs ceased the moment I made a noise.

She was still shaking and tears stained her cheeks, but all was silent in the snowy clearing.

It stayed that way for a while and then I let Barnie go, walked to Tamani, and lifted the limp body from her lap. She stood as well, and began to follow in my footsteps as I walked out of the clearing.

Barnie never left my side the whole time, flinching at every noise as if she might be attacked at any moment.

We reached the base in no time.

In what seemed like minutes but was actually hours, Hux had been put in the hospital ward with Tamani by his side, and I was making my way to quarters, where Barnie waited.

The doors slid open and I spotted Barnie lying face down on the bed. Her back rose rythmically as she breathed.

She was asleep.

I hesitated.

I walked to the other side of the bed and sat down, slipping the worn boots off my feet. My body was rigid and I couldn't allow myself to relax.

So I sat... watching Barnie breathing.

It was so slow amd peaceful...

My eyes grew heavy and my head tilted to the side until it met the pillow.

Then, before it went black, I raised my wrist partially and locked the door.

Just in case.

So sorry for the late update. Been so busy with moving and school and overall... life.

Tell me what you think, okay? This is gonna be the second last chapter so tell me what you think comes next.

Howling_DreamHaunter