Remember me (a Kylo Ren story)

VI.

After disposing of Phasma, I reported to Leia that the shields were down. "Poe's on his way with the fleet. You guys be careful." Her voice on the holopad fades as we walk into the junction area of the base. "We'll use the blasters to knock down the door, I'll go in and draw their attention." Finn explains his plan. "Are you sure you're up for this?" I ask, worry growing inside me. "Hell no, but if it helps us locate Rey, I'm down for anything." Finn locks eyes with Han, who uses his chin to motion our attention to something.

"Why are you doing that? I'm trying to come up with a plan here." Finn became irritated. Han uses his hands to whip around Finn. The window behind us shows Rey climbing up the side of the base. "Come on, this way." Finn takes off towards a hallway, Rey turns around the corner, colliding with Han. "Hey kid, you alright?" Han asks as Rey looks at us. "Emery, Finn, what are you doing here?" She pulls Finn into a hug, then me. "We came back for you." Finn explains. "It was all Finn's idea, he came up with the mission to come and get you." I noticed the red color coming to Finn's cheeks. "Talk later, let's get off this thing." Han instructs as we run towards the entrance.

After pulling our coats back on, we truck into the snow and head for the Falcon. X-wings and TIE fighters soar over our heads, guns sending blasts in all directions. "Han, they're in trouble. We can't just leave." I glance between him and the fight above our heads. "Chewie, you still got those explosives?" Chewie raises the bag he was carrying. "Then let's use them." We race back to the base. Rey and Finn team up to hack the system and open the doors to the center of the base, near the junction area.

This time when the doors open we are met with several stormtroopers and the sounds of their blasters. My green saber comes to life as I bounce back their shots, ricocheting into their vital organs. Once we're inside the main frame of the base, Chewie pulls out his bag of bombs, handing them out like candy to Han and I. 

"We'll set them on every other column in this place." Han looks at Chewie who's nodding his head and groaning softly. "That sounds like a much better plan. Chewie take the top, Han and I will take either side of the bottom and meet back on your level." Chewie pushes the detonator into my hands before pushing past me up the stairwell. Han pats my shoulder before crossing the ravine to the other side. I side step around the columns, doing double takes each time I stick a bomb down. My palms are sweating so much I almost drop two of the explosives.

"Emery, are you guys almost set? The sunlight is almost completely gone." Rey's fear is present. "Almost, just a few more." I back away from the last column and go to cross over to Han when I froze. "Find them." His voice like venom, coursing through my body. I frantically wave my arms, desperate to get Han or Chewie's attention. Stormtrooper's footsteps echo in the wide open space. 

I look up to see Rey and Finn on the final level of the base, just near the exit. Chewie's shadow dances behind a column and Han follows suit. That's when I saw him. Crossing the bridge that connects the two sides of the base. His hands in tight fists by his side, his cape billowing behind him and his saber swinging at his hips.

"BEN!"

 Han's shout fills the space. Kylo freezes. He turns around "Han Solo." The helmet masking his tone. "I've been waiting a long time for this day." Kylo's fists opening and closing. I can feel his rage flowing through his body. I'm so focused on Kylo and Han, I didn't even notice Chewie was now by my side. "Take off that ridiculous helmet. You don't need it." Han's heart rate is increasing with each step he takes toward his son. "What will you see if I do?" Kylo stands still. 

"I'll see my son." Kylo's hands fly to his helmet, a small shake of his head once it's completely removed. "Your son? He's dead. Weak and foolish, much like his father. I destroyed him." The helmet hangs from his hands: the grip is tight, unwilling to let go. "Snoke wants you to think that. My son is very much alive." I can see out of the corner of my eye that Chewie takes a small step forward, placing his hand on the railing.

"You're wrong! The Supreme Leader is wise." Kylo's anger grows. "Snoke is only using you for your power. He'll drop you when he gets what he wants." Han's voice is stern. I can see Kylo's confidence falter. His thoughts tell me that he knows his father is right. "It's too late." Kylo's voice softens, his eyes fall to the floor of the catwalk. "It's never too late. Come home, your mom and I miss you. Emery misses you." Han says, Kylo's eyes lifting at the mention of my name. 

"He still cares about me." My heart aches as my cheeks redden. "I'm being torn apart inside, I need to be freed of this pain." Kylo's voice cracks, revealing a scared Ben still lingering inside him. "I know what I have to do, but I don't think I have the strength to do it. Can you help me?" The pain in Kylo's voice rips through his father.

Han steps toward his son. "I will help you." His voice is warm and welcoming. Kylo unclips his saber, extending it in front of him. For the first time in eight years, I sense light in Kylo. It's barely noticeable but I can feel it. Han smiles as he wraps his hand around the deadly weapon. The light in Kylo is fading, and fading fast. "Han, No!" I scream. The ruby light cuts through Han's chest like paper. 

"No! Han!" My vision is blurred with tears. Kylo deactivates his saber and shoves his father's lifeless body off the catwalk. Chewie's head falls back in agony. He growls furiously, raising his blaster, aimed for Kylo. "Chewie! Wait I lov-!" I tug at his arm, just as he pulls the trigger. Kylo fell to his knees, his hand on his side. Chewie throws me over his shoulder as I see Kylo start to stand, my own anger overtaking.

"You monster! He loved you Ben! He only wanted what was best for you! I wanted what was best for-" My voice fades as the volume of explosions increases. Chewie set off his detonator, my own going off moments later. The white blankets of snow come into view as we exit the base. Chewie sets me down as he moans about needing to get off the planet. 

"You go get the Falcon fired up, I have to find Rey and Finn." I dart into the forest, as he heads up the hill. I stop for a second and feel for Rey. I can see her and Finn running through the bare tree, but someone else is there. "Kylo." I start to hear the faint sounds of his saber, my feet flying towards it.

"We're not done yet!" His voice is filled with rage and violence. "You're a monster!" Rey's voice is pained. My feet are still carrying me towards them, but not fast enough. "It's only us now! No Han Solo to save you!" He screams. As I approach them, I see Rey raise the blaster she's holding, her aim set for Kylo. She freezes, Kylo's hand is extended, he holds her in place before sending her flying backwards. Her body appears lifeless as she lands. "Rey!" Finn and I's words blend together. Finn and I both reach her body at the same time, and I shake her trying to wake her up from her unconscious state.

"Traitor!" Kylo shouts as he walks towards us. The blue light blinds me, Finn's hold on Luke's saber tightens as he stands. "That lightsaber belongs to me!" Kylo's mind is flooded with images of Luke and the Jedi temple. "Come and get it." Finn counteracts. I watch as they both charge for each other, the red and blue beams colliding with a bright plasma spark. Kylo's combat skills are impressive, his many years training under Snoke paying off. 

Finn surprisingly blocks and deflects all of Kylo's attacks. I hear Rey groan as she comes to, pulling her to her feet as we watch the battle before us. Finn and Kylo switch back and forth between offense and defense, the two sabers lock and send ambers flying. Kylo overpowers Finn, and burns his shoulder with the crossed base of his saber. Finn cries out before pushing Kylo off, using the shove to his advantage, Finn grazes Kylo's arm.

Kylo swings and again the sabers lock, Kylo pushing Finn back. Finn has no time to recover as Kylo sends blow after blow, spinning Finn around and burning a vertical line up Finn's back. The saber flying from his hands, my own is drawn and ignited.

 Rey takes off towards her friend, my line of sight goes back to Kylo. His hand is outstretched for Luke's saber, trying to pull it to him with the force. My own hand following suit. Though the saber is lodged in the snow, it shakes under the pull coming from both sides. Suddenly, the saber comes flying past me, the sound of it hitting someone's hand is deafening.