POV: Rey

I was taken aback by Ben's abrupt tone. I stared at him for a beat before beginning to understanding his logic.

The air felt cold between us, it was as if all the warmth and happiness had been sucked out of the air, it made me shiver slightly.

I wasn't sure what changed, but I trusted Ben to have a plan- even if he didn't explain it to me.

I broke out of my shocked state and began to slip the shackles onto my wrists- making sure not to completely lock them into place so I would be able to slip them off when I needed to.

I had already read over the briefings that included what exactly transpired the day that Ben was captured and the day that I had brushed shoulders with death.

According to the holograms, the boarding party had not been successful in even getting remotely close to Snoke's chambers. They were severely out numbered and outgunned. Their only success on their mission was in fact capturing Kylo Ren. Unfortunately, I've stolen even that tidbit of success from them.

I was unsurprised by the outcome- the only ones who could defeat Snoke, was us. They were fools to think they could do it themselves.

My eyes widened as we were approved for landing and we hovered into the Dreadnought's hanger bay.

As soon as we had landed, Ben was up and had grabbed me from my seat, gently shoving me towards the transports exit ramp.

My heart pounded and fear rose in my throat unwillingly as the reflective ground of the hanger came into view, lined with at least a dozen storm troopers in their formation.

Just as we had made it 10 feet from the ship, Hux came into view with a couple troopers at his shoulders.

"Ren. If I'm frank, I didn't expect to ever see you again." His voice came out spiteful, a grimace seeming to form on his lips. "No matter, you escaped- and managed to bring back the scavenger as well." There was no admiration or recognition in his tone, it was just cold.

I could feel Ben tense behind me- the hatred I felt between the two of them could easily spark into an inferno, the air so thick it was hard to breathe.

"Supreme Leader would like to see you, of course. Report to his chamber at once." The words were barely in the air before Hux had spun around and marched away from the pair.

Ben didn't even spare him a glance as he shoved me forward to begin walking.

We walked in a chilly silence, followed by a pair of storm troopers marching at our flanks.

This wasn't an act. He was different.

Fear again flooded up from within me as we arrived at the entrance to Snoke's chamber.

I sucked in a breath as the doors zoomed open to reveal his massive chamber, it's walls covered in crimson.

I noticed the red knights standing motionless in front the blood-like walls, their red armor somehow still standing out against the twin background.

My heart pounded in my chest as I studied their weapons, trying to find possible weaknesses.

"Well done, my good and faithful apprentice." Snoke's voice emanated throughout the chamber as I finally allowed my attention to settle on him. "My faith in you is restored. Although you allowed yourself to be deceived and captured, you have returned... with the scavenger."

I felt Ben's presence behind me grow distant as he allowed me to walk closer to Snoke.

"Young Rey." He attention was now directed at me. "Welcome back." His voice sent chills down my spine although I was able to keep it hidden. I just stared back at him, unfazed. "I had hoped you would be the path to the prophecy that was foretold so long ago, but I see now that despite the trust I gave you to finish your training with Ren- you still were called back to the light."

My jaw clenched as I stayed silent in response.

"So much strength, wasted when following the ways of the Jedi." He continued, "As we have seen- darkness rises and light to meet it. I was not surprised to learn of your betrayal considering this fact, and I had warned my young apprentice that as he grew stronger his equal in the light would rise. However he had insisted that you had changed and that you could be trained in favor of the darkside so I assumed it would be Skywalker instead." He chuckled darkly as he used the force to yank my lightsaber from Ben's hands.

"It is beautiful you know, the lightsaber you created." He muttered as he examined the dual bladed hilt that I had spent weeks crafting. "You would've made an excellent Sith." He growled as he set the saber next to him on the throne and looked back up at me.

"Closer, I said." He uttered and when I made no movement forward I felt him lift me off the ground and bring me towards him slowly.

Despite my heart now throbbing in my throat I alleged strongly, "You underestimate Skywalker.. and Ben Solo.. and me." Anger bubbles up beneath my fear as Snoke's face came into full detail in front of me. "It will be your downfall."

Snoke's face warped into an expression of mock surprise. "Do you know something that I don't? Have you seen something?" His voice seemed to mock me as he continued, "A weakness in my apprentice? Is that why you came? You thought he had turned?" My body seemed to waver as I strained against his hold on me, unsuccessful. I continued to glare at him- there's no way he knew. I attempted to ignore his mockery but it continued as he released an ominous chuckle that echoed through the air eerily.

"Young fool." He could barely contain his laugh as he went on. "It was I that bridged your minds and it was I that allowed Ren to turn when the Rebels came for you. I wanted to test your resolve, to see if you'd actually return to the light." I felt Ben look up from his kneeling position to focus on Snoke. "I stoked Ren's conflicted soul. I knew he wasn't strong enough to hide it from you, I knew he'd go through with it. And you were not wise enough to resist the bait." My resolve was slowly diminishing as he spoke, grief now came up to replace it- with frustration tagging along on account of how stupid I had been.

How could this be?!
I had been so sure... so trusting of Ben... but he had never became Ben at all- he was still Kylo Ren.

I was a fool to believe him- I should've seen it.

The frigid air within our bond that had been recently introduced when we had arrived only solidified that fact.

It had been organized by Snoke.

I was so close I could almost feel Snoke's rancid breath waft over me as he brought me closer and his hand almost seemed to caress my face as he growled. "You will give me Skywalker." I felt his power start to protrude my brain, wracking it violently for the location of the Rebels and Luke. "Then I will kill you... with the cruelest stroke. We will no longer waste any other thoughts of you turning to our side."

I fought him, in my mind I tried to shove him out. To bar him from my thought as I had done with Ben- Kylo Ren so long before.

"No." My voice sounded strained as I continued to fight.

"Yes.." Snoke growled as he launched me to the middle of the air, laying me on my back- seemingly suspended there.

His powers seemed to increase in violence as I felt like something was ripping through my brain as I could barely hear his continued words, "Give.. me.. everything."

I could barely form words as the pain became agonizing and it felt like fire was now passing through my brain synapses.

I screamed- unable to contain them anymore.

All of a sudden, he dropped me.

The pain released as I heard his sinister laughter begin.

"Yavin 4?" He chuckled. "What an idiotic place to hide the rebel base. Hoping that the previous victory experienced there there would bless their proceedings?" I glared up at him from the ground, trying to catch my breath. "No matter, we will succeed where the Empire had failed- those Rebel pests will no longer be a problem." He spat.

I clenched my jaw as I got to my feet and attempted to force yank my saber from him, but it only flew past my hand, behind my head- collided with it, and returned back to Snoke's side. His hand had moved so slightly it was as if the efforts against him had been that of a fly.

"Such spunk. What a Sith you would have made Rey..." He sat back in his throne, regarding me wistfully. "Perhaps we could siphon your power and bestow it on a pupil who is far more receptive.. Your death in the process is of no bother to me obviously, but perhaps you may be of some use to me yet.." He motioned to his guards but before they could move I yanked Ren's saber from his belt and activated it in front of me.

How strange the cross guard felt in my hands, it's instability caused the ray that emanated to waver and hum wildly.

The guards immediately began to form attack positions as I glared at Snoke with more hatred than I had ever felt.

Unfazed, Snoke spoke, "You have the spirit of a true Sith. It still baffles me that you still choose to deny it. However on second thought, I think it is better we end you here and we will use what remains of your body."

My anger turned into fury as I rushed at him, but it was short lived as I felt his force shove me the opposite way- causing me to sprawl on the ground and Ren's lightsaber to slide across it, settling beside him where he still knelt.

How could he just sit there?!

I attempted to call out to him through our bond, begging him to do something.

But there was no response... nothing on his face, nothing sent through my mind.

"Because you continue to deny your true nature, you must die." His ominous words were followed by him jerking me into a hovering kneeled position, and pushing me forward until I was in front of Ren. "My worthy apprentice... son of darkness, heir apparent to Lord Vader. Where there was conflict I now sense resolve. Where there was weakness, strength. You now see that this girl is no ally to us. Her womb may still be of use to us to fulfill the prophecy but it does not require her to be alive. Fulfill your destiny and eliminate what stands between the Sith and our heir."

I watched helplessly as I saw Ren bend to retrieve his saber. He got to his feet and stood in front of me, holding me in his gaze as I felt tears prick the back of my eyes.

I refused to cry. I would not give either of them the satisfaction.

But my heart broke when I heard him utter the first words he'd spoken since we'd arrived in Snoke's chamber, "I know what I have to do."

The words that had been spoken only to his father, before he slaughtered him.

I swallowed my grief as my shattered heart attempted to beat, "Ben.." My voice came out as a whisper- the hope that had kept me so strong, felt almost extinguished as I looked up at him.

I searched for a sign- a sign that he was still there. That Ben was still there. But I was met only by a wall, and I couldn't get through.

I heard Snoke laugh behind me, "You think you can turn him? Pathetic child." I tried to ignore him as he continued, maintaining Ren's gaze. "I cannot be betrayed... I cannot be beaten. I see his mind... I see his every intent."

Ren's still stony gaze met mine as I saw him begin to lift his saber towards me- "Yes... I see him turning the lightsaber to strike true." Snoke's words were a mere echo as I kept trying to get into Ren's mind- looking frantically for the good I had sensed in him so many times. But still I found nothing.

"And now, foolish child... he ignites it... and kills his true enemy." Snoke's words caused a few tears to fall as my heart pounded in my chest- awaiting the searing pain that would arrive soon. I closed my eyes, I decided I didn't want to see it.

The ignition of a lightsaber filled my ears, overpowering the sound of my heart- but there was no pain.

I felt my body get released as I fell to the ground and looked back at Snoke- who sat with one end of my lightsaber protruding through his gut. He glanced down at the blade, anger in his expression but before anymore words could be said the lightsaber sliced through him entirely, flying towards me where I caught it mid-air.

I stood and turned to Ren, relief flooding through me as I felt our bond return to its original warmth.

Ren- Ben, met my gaze and I could almost see the hint of a smile, but there was no time to relish in the moment as I heard the red guard descend upon us.

We turned away from each other as I ignited the other end of my saber, and we engaged in combat.

——————
I'll be honest, there's a lot happening in that fight scene and it'd take awhile to transcribe so just go rewatch it and then come back :) it's the same thing, except Rey isn't using Luke's saber. Also it's one of the only undeniably good parts of TLJ.

Here's a visual I made:

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The last of the guard crumpled to the ground as Ben stood up and gazed at me as I rushed over to him.

"Ben..." I started but I couldn't help but smile at him. "We can go home." I whispered as I reached for my saber that he still gripped in his hand.

My heart seemed to stop as he moved it out of my reach slightly and he broke our gaze to look at the throne that lay beside us.

"Or we could not.." He muttered as he looked back at me, something darker beginning to cloud his gaze.  As I felt myself take a step away from him in horror he closed the distance, gripping my arms and pulling me close enough that I could feel his warmth radiate from him and I saw his passion light his gaze. "We could rule together. You and I- our child. We would rule the galaxy. No one would ever dare stand in our way- no one could ever hurt us. With Snoke out of the way... it's time to let old things die.." He trailed off as I felt a hand leave my arm to settle on my cheek. His eyes shimmered with ambition, but also with a hunger for power that couldn't be easily satisfied.

Tears that had previously thought to have been dormant began to spill over as I looked up at him, my heart shattering all over again. "Don't do this Ben..." My voice broke as the tears fell. "You know I can't do that- Come back to me! You're going down a path I can't follow..." I trailed off as I saw anger spark in his gaze and for a second, as I felt his grip tighten on me, I thought he'd strike me- I closed my eyes in fear but instead his grip disappeared as I reopened them to see him pace backwards in frustration.

"No- no! You're still holding on!!" He spun around so he faced me furiously. He strode over to me quickly as he gripped my shoulders and stared down at me, desperation now in his eyes. "Let it go Rey.. let it all go. The Jedi.. the Sith.. the Resistance.. let it all die. We don't need any of it." His hands moved up to my face again as he lowered his head to mine. "Be with me.." he begged, tears could be seen filling his eyes.

I held his gaze, swallowing my agony and grief as I touched his face softly as I spoke just as gently, "I have no desire to rule.. you should know that. It isn't a life I want for my future child either." I felt myself get stronger as I fought to ignore to longing that lay so heavy in my heart.

How I wished I could say yes..

My hand dropped from his cheek as I alleged, "Only Ben could receive acceptance from me." I saw anger flash in his eyes as his warmth vanished from my cheeks and he backed away from me, hurt but infuriated at the same time.

He seemed to try to push down his emotions as he turned to me again. Anguish was obvious as he held out his hand, "Please." His voice wavered slightly and his features were that of a deep emotional pain.

I sighed as I looked him in the eyes, sorrow streaming across my chest as I slowly raised my hand as if to take his... only to yank my saber free of his belt and towards me, but it never reached my grasp.

We held it there- suspended in the air, each of us struggling to pull it towards ourselves.

Our equal struggles led to the force seeming to push us apart, like the same sides of a magnet trying to be forced to collide.

I could hear the hilt crack as both compartments of the saber seemed to implode, knocking us back so violently it caused us to lose consciousness.

———
I peeled open my eyes as I saw that Snoke's chamber was in smolders and I could feel the ship shake with explosions as I forced my aching body to stand.

Confusion washed over me as I ran to the telescope that lay in front of the large glass that peered out into the stars around us.

I could see Resistance fighters zooming around, a star destroyer in ruins as it sinks below my eye sight in a fiery inferno.

They came.

They must've followed the ship that we had stolen- of course they had put in a tracker!!

Luke and Leia had to of known what we had planned to do... what we were going to do. They counted on it in order to have an advantage over the First Order fleet.

I felt the ground below me shutter as I came out of my state of shock and turned around to see Ben still laying unconscious on the ground.

I walked over to him, regret fighting its way into my chest- but I shoved it down.

I fought off the urge to rush over to him- to hold him- to make sure he was alright-

No!

He made his choice...

And I've made mine...

I would go through with my training as a Jedi.. even if it meant rivaling him.

I glanced at my saber hilt that lay in pieces on the ground and sighed as I tore my gaze away.

I refused to look back at him as I made my way out of the throne room.

I couldn't help but feel like I was leaving a part of myself behind in that room... but I dismissed the feeling quickly and cleared my mind as I refocused on finding an escape pod.

—————

Proceed to the confrontation on Krait considering the Resistance did not actually have the resources to truly destroy the First Order and they had to find a base they could properly defend. They lost most of their fighters in the battle and there truly is not many of them left.

Chewie finds Rey somehow (I don't even know how he found her in TLJ tbh) and it leads to how TLJ ends.

Luke still dies because he still confronts Ren.

Honestly if you rewatch the end- you'll be set.

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THE END

Welp I did it. I have officially ended my book the way TLJ ended. (Yes it took awhile and yes it's long- sorry not sorry)

Although I am so happy to have actually finished it.. my motivation to do so was in order to move on and create an alternative ending to The Rise of Skywalker.

SPOILERS FOR IT AHEAD. DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE NEW MOVIE I DONT WANT TO RUIN ANYTHING

Okay now that they're gone..

As of right now the plan is to leave the story line as it proceeds in TRS.. until the end.

Obviously a few redactions will need to be made.. for example Rey being a Kenobi in my book and her being a Palpatine in TRS... (PS def feel like that was pulled out of their ass but like whatever) and considering that is basically the entire driving force in the movie, it can't really be changed if I want to make alternative ending.

Also the prophecy concerning Rey and Kylo's child probably won't be mentioned again until I branch beyond the constraints of TRS, considering it wasn't a thing- BUT I have a plan for it so don't worry.

But primarily it doesn't really effect anything that happens in ep. 9 (considering they chose to disregard TLJ anyways).

So, R I P Kenobi theory... but on to what is canon!! And what should've been canon..

Anyways, thank you so much for the support on this- I hope you guys enjoyed it honestly because it was such a joy to make! I am so incredibly grateful to be going even farther with you guys into the NOW CANON relationship of Rey and Ben Skywalker.

Until next time... ❤️❤️❤️