Spark of Hope

Chapter XX

The caged Ysalamiri closest to him stuck its tongue out at Ben; as childish as it was, he wanted to stick his tongue out back at the tan lizard. It was the Force-repelling creature's fault he was in this situation: under Hux's orders, the Knights of Ren had traveled to Myrkr in secret to capture five of the lizards, use them to subdue Ben and overthrow him, and give the title of Supreme Leader to Amitage Hux.

Hux had desired the position from the beginning; Ben should've known he would attempt something. But there was no one in the First Order he could've relied on to have kept tabs on the sleazy General. He had always been alone, given the false sense of loyalty, when the Knights of Ren had been answering to him all along.

The betrayal burned Ben's soul.

"What is taking her so long?" Hux asked of the air. He looked at him. "You didn't get a message to your little rebel, did you?"

Ben longed to spit in the former-General's face or, better yet, to torture him with Force Lightning, but the ginger was too far away and the blasted Ysalamiri prevented his Force abilities. The two Knights of Ren flanking him wouldn't allow him to even twitch, so he couldn't beat Hux's face in either. Ben just smirked, hoping it would unnerve the cocky bastard.

Ben knew Rey was here, along with the others who had received reports on how the Resistance's attack was coming along. Even though he wished he could've told her not to come, she would've anyway. Too stubborn and headstrong. With the caged lizards prohibiting all Force use—the Knights of Ren couldn't use it either—perhaps Rey had a chance of standing toe-to-toe with them—he had trained her enough in lightsaber wielding. If only he could get free to assist her...

Sound of the elevator stopping drew all eyes—even the lizards looked, sensing a change in the air. Ben's breath caught in his throat.

Rey appeared when the doors fully opened and she stepped through. Her eyes immediately located him; he gave a small nod to reassure her that he was okay—slightly battered and bruised from fighting the Knights of Ren, but okay. Those sharp hazel eyes swept the Throne Room, taking in the six Knights of Ren dressed in all-black like him and hidden behind different-styled masks, the Ysalamiri locked in cages scattered throughout the room, and the pale and red-headed General Hux—or as he would prefer to be called now, the Supreme Leader of the First Order. Her gaze locked on him on the throne as she walked further in. She looked as beautiful as always, but was undeniably pissed.

Ben held in a chuckle. Hux has gone too far this time and will soon get what is coming for him.

"Thank you for finally joining us, Rey," Hux said.

"So, do I have you to thank for the courteous reception?" she smarted back.

He laughed. "Why, yes! All command truly comes from the Supreme Leader."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Oh, that's what you are! I was under the impression that Ben Solo—sorry, Kylo Ren—was the Supreme Leader, seeing as how he and the previous Leader were Force-users, and you're not."

Hux's jaw tightened—a telltale sign of his anger.

That's it, Rey—get him mad so he'll be reckless, Ben thought.

She put a hand on her hip. "Let me tell you what I see: six Knights of Ren and a bound-Ben Solo, powerless." Her eyes glanced at the Ysalamiri. "I may not know the name of those lizards, but I know they prevent the Force since my access to it was stripped as soon as the elevator opened.

"So, it looks to me like you're afraid of the Force; afraid of it being used on you because you have no defense against it. You wish to be in control, so you took away the only thing you can't manipulate. Some fearsome Supreme Leader you are."