Darkness At Dawn • Kylo Ren [1]

XLV

"There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go."

∫

Kylo was too wrapped up in finding Rey to tell General Hux and the stormtroopers of Elara's return to the light.

Not that she ever left, he scowled to himself.

It caused his stomach to become uneasy. She was there to save him from what he was so sure he had become. Around her, he wasn't the sinister Kylo Ren that the galaxy feared, he was Ben Solo, the hero from another time. Bellamy and Jude were another piece that came into play, he was there father. In spite of himself, he hated the fact that he wasn't there to watch them grow up and because of him, they had witnessed too much for children.

He stormed into the cavern in which Snoke's hologram waited patiently for him. He dropped to his knees, his helmet falling off.

"Rise."

Kylo stood up, holding his heart in his hands. "Supreme Leader, I cannot rid of these thoughts."

"The Light side is powerful but not as powerful as the Dark!" Snoke reminded him, in a desperate attempt to pull him back in. "Do you think Lord Vader had these thoughts when drawn to the most powerful darkness?"

Kylo's eyes widened. "Of course not."

"Don't be foolish Ren!" Snoke almost yelled but remained uncomfortably quiet. "Lord Vader killed his wife and was willing to slaughter his offspring."

"He didn't mean to kill Padmè-" Kylo stopped, dropping his gaze to the ground. "And Skywalker still lives."

Snoke stood up from his chair, which caused Kylo to freeze. "I will kill you myself if you do not finish what you said you would do!"

Kylo looked completely torn. His mind was being tortured from the amount of thoughts that were overriding his brain. His face became sticky with sweat and his raven hair was messy. He could have a family and forgiveness if he returned to the light but he could have extreme power and control if he continued on.

"No response?" Snoke bellowed. "If you do not care if you live or die, perhaps destroying your own offspring will be arranged."

"You will not touch Bellamy and Jude." Kylo raged, pushing himself to stand up. "I have learnt from your teachings Supreme Leader,"  He shuddered, breathing rapidly. "If it means that you will leave Bellamy and Jude alone, I shall do what has to be done."

"Fear me Ren." Snoke snarled. "And with that fear, it will give you power to become stronger than Lord Vader."

Kylo reached down to grab his helmet. "Is that all?"

"The Resistance has begun to attack the First Order, be quick with your doings."

∫

"Red squad, blue squad, take my lead." Poe commanded, flying his X-Wing over Starkiller base.

"Dropping out of lightspeed." Responded Yolo Ziff.

Poe took a deep breath. "Almost in range! Hit the target dead center, as many runs as we can get!"

Poe checked his shoulder, expecting no less from the First Order. "Let's light it up!"

"That's a direct hit!" Someone from red squadron commented.

"But no damage."

"Yeah, we gotta keep hitting it! Another bombing run! Remember, when that sun is gone, that weapon will be ready to fire! But as long as there's light, we got a chance!" Poe encouraged, taking another go at the base.

BB-8 began to beep, letting Poe know that they were no longer alone. Immediately, multiple squadrons of TIE-fighters came out of nowhere.

"Guys, we got a lot of company!"

But not too far from the fight, Rey had been found though she never believed that she was lost. Han, Rey, Finn, Chewie, Bellamy, Jude and Elara all found time to have a quick reunion.

"Are you alright?" Han questioned Rey.

"Yeah," Rey nodded. "I am."

"What happened? Did he hurt you?" Finn quickly asked.

Elara sighed, hoping he hadn't.

"Finn? What are you doing here?"

"We came back for you." The unlikely hero replied.

Rey's eyes gleamed and she smiled. Chewie said something that only Rey could understand, causing her to hug Finn.

"What did he say?"

"That it was your idea!"

"How did you escape?"

Elara's head perked up. How did Rey escape?

"I can't explain it, and you wouldn't believe it!"

Elara poked the hugging two while Han grumbled. "Escape now. Hug later."

The group of heroes ran out into the snowy battlefield, watching the TIE-fighters and X-wings fly past each other. The Resistance was becoming outnumbered, they couldn't win.

"They're in trouble. We can't leave." Han sighed, turning to Chewie. "My friend here has a bag full of explosives. Let's use 'em."

"I'm coming with you." Elara declared, pulling out her lightsaber.

"I wasn't expecting anything else." Han smiled...well sort of.

"I trust that you will keep them safe." Elara turned to Rey, lowering her voice. "With your new ability and all..."

Rey's eyes sparkled and she nodded, rushing out with Finn, Bellamy and Jude.

Han, Elara and Chewie were quick to change their course, only to find three stromtroopers approaching the Maintenance Hatch. Instantly, Chewie takes out the middle one with his Bowcaster. Han and the other two stormtroopers open fire at each other, but Han's aim is true.

The three enter a dark, large and miserable looking area. Han emptied out the pack of explosives and distributed them equally amongst them.

"We'll set the charges at every column." Han explained.

"That's a horrible idea." Elara shakes her head and Chewie agreed, adding something.

"You're right. That's a better idea. You take the top. I'll go down below and Elara will take the middle." He handed Chewie something. "Detonator. We'll meet back here."

Elara quickly hugged Han and he pressed a kind kiss to her forehead. "It's good to have you back in my life kid."

Elara takes a step back. "I missed you Han Solo." And then she's off, running in the opposite direction.