Redemption: A Reylo Story

The Incubation of Betrayal

Kylo/Ben

"NO!" I scream, then "no," I state more pitifully.  The Force bond ends too soon.  I need to look at her with my own eyes, kiss her with my own lips.

My body is still coming down from our encounter, but I remember why I originally went to see her— to give her a warning.  To tell her that Darth Sidious wants her dead and I am going to succeed him in becoming the new Emperor of the galaxy.  Most of all, to tell her to stay out of my way, at least until I have killed Sidious.  I have other plans for her after that, but she doesn't need to know them for now.

I never get to tell her any of it.  When the bond initiates, the sight of her standing in front of the fire barely covered ignites such desire in me, I forget myself.  From there, she seduces me so completely, I would give her anything she wants. 

While undressing out of my full uniform, I drop my breastplate on the floor.  The letter and picture from Fortress Vader has become dislodged and now peeks out of the hidden pocket.  I pick them up and place them on a table beside my bed; not sure if I am ready to read any kind of letter penned by my grandfather.  I know the picture is of him and my grandmother, Padme, before he becomes a Sith Lord.

Vader keeping the picture after so many years tells me he is not the purely evil, dark lord Snoke told me about.  A glimmer of light still lingers in him. I am not ready to face that he and I have so much in common. 

Years ago, when Oberlin first regaled me with stories of his conquests, I idolized him. Strong, relentless, and unforgiving, he was a master of the dark side that helped the Emperor rule the galaxy.  They were both killed when the second Death Star was blown up by the Resistance.  My parents and uncle played key parts in their demise.

After becoming Snoke's apprentice, I vowed to continue what my grandfather started.  Many truths about my grandfather's legend had begun to surface lately. My long held beliefs crumbled a little more everyday.

No, I can't take anymore truth right now.

        
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REY

Having a hard time coming down, I keep reliving this evening's activities and abrupt ending. That desperate look in his eyes when he tries to get his mask off is almost like looking into Ben's eyes again.

I decide to attempt reading more of Luke's journal writings.  I want to find something, anything to do with a Sith Wayfinder.

Ben had no idea, but when the bond was completely open the night before tonight, his thoughts wandered. He believed I was already asleep. I knew he went to Mustafar and recovered a Sith wayfinder with intentions on traveling to Exegol.

Having almost made it to the end of one of Luke's journals, I turn the page and right before my eyes is a drawing made by Luke of a pyramid shaped object. To the side, it is labeled wayfinder.  It looks like the object from Ben's memory.  My heart begins hammering in my chest as I read what follows.

      "I was never able to locate a wayfinder. I was on the trail of one on the planet Pasaana, but the trail went cold in the Forbidden Deserts. With belief that only two wayfinders still existed, I continued my search. I received a tip a few years ago that the one belonging to the Emperor himself was located in the mangled wreckage of a command Star Destroyer on the planet Patar. Due to other happenings in my life, I never followed up that tip."

Patar, that is where I will start my search.

Sleep comes slowly tonight.  I keep reflecting on my encounter with Ben. I even think about contacting him tomorrow and asking him to meet me in person.  I smile at the thought as it slowly darkens around the edges.  The things I want to do to him.

Dreaming, I find myself in a dark temple. Almost like a giant stone arena, it is full of dark hooded figures chanting in a language I do not quite understand, but sounds very familiar. At the head of the arena is a huge black throne with a seat at least two meters wide.

Lightning strikes close to me, and I look away startled.  When I look back at the throne, two hooded figures sit on it, side by side. One figure is very large and one much smaller.  They each hold a small bundle on their lap. As I draw nearer, lightning strikes again and illuminates their faces.  I scream as I realize the figures are me and Ben, and the bundles they hold are our dead children.

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LEIA

Sitting alone in my quarters, I worry about Rey.  I have felt the darkness growing inside of her lately. The galaxy must not lose her to the dark side.  She will destroy everything I have fought so hard to protect. I know the easiest solution is to kill her, but I have grown to care so much for her.  She has become like my daughter. More importantly, she is the only other person in this world besides me, that loves my son.

"Leia."  I turn to the familiar voice.

"Luke," I whisper into the air.

"Leia, you can't make the same mistake I made with Ben.  Rey is not whole and until she is again, her path to the dark side is set. You can help her. You are the only one who can.  Ben can't do it because he has too much darkness still in him." Luke's Force ghost explained.

"But how Luke? My powers have never been as strong as yours."

"When the time comes, you must fill the emptiness inside of her with hope.  It will take a great sacrifice..." Luke's voice was beginning to become distant, losing his connection with the living world, "...It will take everything you have left."

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Rey

"I don't want you going to Patar alone. It looks lovely at first glance, but a closer look reveals that underneath it is a cesspool of crime and slavery.  I want you to take Finn, Poe, and Chewie with you," Leia orders.

I have already Force connected with Ben earlier today to ask him to meet me on Patar in two days time.  My dark thoughts are getting the best of me. 

Three other males definitely do not fit into my plans.  The mission is going to be tricky.  I will be forced to hide Ben from Finn and Poe, and hide my search for the wayfinder from Ben.

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Kylo/Ben

I will tell her about the Emperor and some of my future plans while with her on Patar. I am surprised when she contacts me, wanting to meet me alone. She behaves nervously and keeps blushing. She is shielding her thoughts, so I do not know what is on her mind.

What has gotten into her? What is making her so bold? Then I remember the darkness I feel growing inside of her, and what the Emperor revealed to me regarding her parentage.

"Have you eliminated the girl yet or are you planning to betray me?" Emperor Palapatine asks sternly.

Speaking to him through the holocron, I answer, "No, I have located the Jedi and will be closing in on her in two days time."

Technically, this is not a lie.

"Good, good," he cackles. "Don't fail me like Vader did."

The holocron communication ends abruptly and I make my way to my quarters. Suddenly, I am assaulted with a vision of the Sith throne.

The Emperor is dead and all the Sith Eternal are kneeling in reverence to their new master. Initially believing it is me, I draw nearer to the throne, but it is already occupied. Choking on my next breath, I take in the scene. Rey sits on the throne dressed in a dark hooded robe. She looks up at me, and I can see her eyes are completely yellow and glowing. She is pure Sith now. She has killed the Emperor and taken his place. Giving me a devious smile, she extends her hand and states, "Hello Kylo. Are you here to join me?"

Jealousy envelopes me and I wrap my hands around her neck. Squeezing until I feel her bones begin to pop, the life leaves her eyes.

The constant ache in my chest, that has dulled considerably as of late, roars back to life. Clutching my sternum, I take out my anger on a pair of cleaning droids that just so happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.