What I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door, should I open it for you?
Yeah, what I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven too?
The Unforgiven 2 - Metallica
Rey jolted into conciousness with a gasp, on her feet before her brain caught up to her body. She inhaled a few deep, shaky breaths, centering herself in the Force. Upon regaining her composure, she took in her surroundings. She was in a rocky cave, the unnatural light casting dark shadows across the walls. It wasn't overly large but it wasn't cramped either. The far wall curved inward on the right side, hinting at some sort of tunnel or trail. Maybe Kylo landed further down?
Rey broke out in cold sweat as she realized she couldn't feel his presence in her mind. For the first time in over a year, she was completely alone. How was this possible?
No, no time to think on that now. She needed to get out of here. Steeling her will, she began to follow the twisting rocky corridor hoping it eventually led out of... wherever this was. Mountain, cliff? She paused as she heard a sound above her; a crackling sound like electricity, mixed with.... laughter.
NOOOO! Panic took over as Rey began to run through the shadowy cave. She sprinted around a narrow turn and ran straight into.... herself.
Rey hit the ground hard, feeling/hearing her left shoulder crack as it collided with a boulder on her way down. Her cry of pain stifled as she stared up into the Sith's hood, her own face staring back. Rey jumped to her feet, forcing the pain of her dislocated shoulder into the back of her mind, an inconvenience to be dealt with later.
One advantage of her harsh upbringing was her ability to tolerate pain. She'd experienced every imaginable injury and been forced to carry on in spite of them. She ripped her saber from her belt, pressing the activator. Instead of the familiar beam of blue light, the hilt emitted.... nothing.
Dark Rey chuckled. "It's all right. Don't be afraid of who you are."
Rey reached into the Force, shaping it into a powerful wave to be unleashed against the Sith, but it had no effect.
In response, Dark Rey activated her blood red saber, double-sided like Rey's quarterstaff, an evil grin on her lips. Panic took over as Rey scrambled backwards, tripping again. Instead of the ground she felt strong, large hands steady her. With a sigh of relief, she found herself looking into a familiar face. "Kylo, thank the Maker."
Her relief was short lived. Something wasn't right. She could see Kylo but she couldn't feel him. The dyad connection wasn't there. And what happened to his eyes? his usual brown pools had turned yellow. With a sinister smile he ignited his own unstable saber, stepping around her to join Dark Rey. She watched as though in a trance as they embraced, their weapons carefully crossed, guarding each other. They turned again to face her. What was she going to do, she knew she couldn't fight her way out of this in her current state.
It was Kylo who spoke next, "The dark side is in our nature. Surrender to it."
In our nature? You're a Palpatine, you belong here, with Kylo. You're bonded, give into it. It's what the Force wants. It's what it created you for.
Time stood still as a strange hand reached out of the shadows, twisting her right wrist as it pulled her through a doorway of light.
Finding her footing on the other side, the young Jedi was flooded with relief. Rey once again found herself facing Kylo. Real Kylo!
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Confronting Fear
Fanfiction"When I offer you my hand again, you'll take it." What if Kylo Ren had been right? What if Rey had taken Kylo Ren's hand when he offered it the second time, deciding her best chance at defeating Palpatine and saving the galaxy was with him? But can...
