POV: Kylo Ren

What was wrong with her?

When I had told her I would teach her, I didn't think she'd ever actually agree to it.

A part of me knew I should be glad, I mean this means I don't have to kill her. Not because I actually care about her, but because it would be a ton of work to drag her carcass back to Snoke.

For some odd reason, I wasn't glad.

I half wished her to stay pure and untinged by the dark side's power. I was actually furious that she would give up so easily.

She had to be pretending. It was the only explanation.

Her indignation of me hadn't budged an inch, I made sure of that when I touched her. Her repulsion was obvious and I hadn't been able to quell the disappointment I felt that came with it.

I suddenly realized that I was still gripping Rey's arm as we strode to Snoke's chamber. I could feel the warmth radiate from her skin before I abruptly dropped it as if it were aflame. I put on my mask quickly, not wanting her to interpret my emotions.

I half expected her to bolt as soon as I had released her, but she seemed to not even notice as she continued to follow me silently.

I could feel her fear start to amass as we reached the aperture. I fought down the urge to snatch her hand and pull her far away from this place.

Stop it! You've gone soft!

The voice in my head scolded me as I shoved Rey into the room.

As soon as we entered, the hologram of Snoke appeared, looming over us menacingly.

"The scavenger." Was his only greeting, curiosity could be seen on his face though his voice was sonorous and eerie. Despite the fact that I have been under his training for what seems like forever now, I still got chills when I heard him.

I waited for his disappointed scowl patiently.

"She came willingly? Pity you weren't strong enough to catch her yourself. She had to come to you." He growled as he narrowed his eyes.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Rey beat me to it.

"He knew I was coming. You should at least give him credit for setting a trap for me. He was pretty thorough." I looked down at her, shocked that she had known it was a trap, but also that she was making any move to defend me.

I almost jumped when I heard a crude laugh crackle from the hologram. "The fact that you knew it was a trap, would mean it wasn't a good enough trap." He rasped as his stare bore down on her.

"What does it matter how I got the girl? She's here and I brought her to you, like you told me to do." I stepped in front of Rey while anger bubbled up in my throat. "I even delivered her alive."

"Don't get smart with me! You've grown too arrogant, boy." He thundered and I felt myself pale under my mask. "If you think you're so great, kill her." He smirked darkly as he gestured towards Rey's tiny frame.

She looked up at me with scared, wide eyes, but I looked away. "You told me to bring her! Why would-"

"I said present her alive or dead. Turns out, I prefer her dead after all." He rumbled as he narrowed his eyes. "Now, kill her. If you fail and she defeats you, she will be my new apprentice."

I stood there stunned for a moment before looking back at Rey who was struggling to get to her lightsaber that was buried inside the Stormtrooper armor.

I couldn't let her take this away from me.

I reached out and gripped her whole body so she was held stiff. Tears had started to form in her eyes as I held her with the force and heard Snoke chuckle darkly behind me.

Suddenly I ripped the armor off her body violently, freeing her enough so she could reach her saber.

"What-" She started as stood there shocked and she looked at me stupidly.

"Don't just stand there, pick up your saber. I want a challenge." I cut her off as I ignited my cross-guard and spun it threateningly.

"Stop showing off and finish her!" Snoke was getting impatient.

I lurched forward just as she had activated her double blade and her blue met with my red inches above her face.

She groaned as I felt a huge force fling me backward where I landed heavily, but still on my feet.

"You've grown stronger... but so have I." I pulled off my mask, irritated by how it limited my vision, and let it drop heavily to the ground with a loud clank.

Her eyes seemed to widen at the sight of me, but she quickly narrowed them in defiance as she stood poised and at the ready.

I smirked and flung myself at her as we became locked in combat.

Despite the little time she has spent training, she nearly matched my skill with a saber. Trying to dodge her double blades made it even more difficult.

Still, she was no match for the darkside of the force.

Before she could launch herself at me again I reached out a hand and held her by the throat. Her strangled cries could be heard as she was lifted from the ground.

"I've grown tired of games." I muttered as hatred seeped through me and I gripped her tighter.

I heard her lightsaber deactivate and fall to the ground, colliding with the metal. The sound brought me out of my red haze and I now saw the girl I was crushing.

My eyes widened as I released her and she fell and collapsed on the ground, unmoving.

"Good. Very good." I barely even heard Snoke's praise as I looked away from at the broken lump quickly and up at the hologram, but couldn't help but glance back at her.

A wave of relief washed over me when I saw her flank rise and fall shakily.

"You've succeeded well in your trial. I believe you are ready to take on your own padawan." I looked up at him, surprised he was considering this a success. She was still alive. Wasn't the point to kill her?

"Her dying was just a formality. The point was to determine if you would actually follow orders and if you were able to learn anything this year." He muttered. "Take her to a medical droid. She is your responsibility now." His gaze seemed to burn into my skull right before his hologram disappeared completely.

I stared at the unconscious girl for a few seconds, not really sure what to feel.

I shook my head violently as I bent down and scooped her up. She was so light I barely even noticed her presence apart from her body heat that enveloped me.

This was good right? This is what I wanted.

I would have to train her in the ways of the darkside. I would have to be sure she could become one of us.