How TROS should have ended.
The Emperor shot blinding streams of force lighting into the atmosphere.
Displaying the raw, immeasurable strength of the Sith flowing throughout his being. A piercing shock wave boomed loudly, shaking the ancient stone temple as pillars and statues began to crumbled and fall.
A mind-melting hum emanated from the Emperor as he assaulted the sky with endless strikes of white lighting. Causing the ground shake and shatter below Rey and Ben’s seemingly lifeless bodies.
Palpatines eyes were burning bright yellow from under his darkened hood. As he basked, bathed in darkness and destruction and death. Victory, at last victory! The Sith shall rise once again!
Snow white strings of light blended with the thousands of red and green lasers that zipped across the night sky. Cracks of deafening thunder roared overhead as x-wing after x-wing was obliterated. The Emperor cackled sinisterly, force lighting still fizzing and crackling from his reformed finger tips. Striking down the very last of the Resistance.
Rey’s eyes flickered open and were met with immediate devastation. Screams, gun fire, roots of lighting slithering across the stars. She blinked slowly. Her mind still in a foggy daze.
Tears began to well up in her bloodshot eyes. The muffled sound of thundering explosions filled her ears as her heart weakly thumped in her chest. Suddenly a voice snapped her back to consciousness. Not one, but many. She softly gasped and her eyes widened.
Confronting fear is the destiny of a Jedi.
Bring balance to the force as I once did.
We are with you. Both of you.
Ben finally came to with an agonizing groan and scooted onto his side. His face was pale and speckled with various cuts and bruises. A slight sigh of relief wheezed past Rey’s lips.
She panted heavily as she weakly rolled over. Using her bloody fists to push herself onto her feet. Then stumbled to help Ben up. They stood before the Emperor together. Holding onto each other for support as their legs trembled beneath them. Threatening to give out.
Palpatine glared down at them from his throne.
The Skywalker and The Palpatine taking one, last, stand.
“You can’t defeat me! I am, all the Sith!!” He boomed, cackled maniacally. Directing his force lighting towards them.
They screamed in torment as the blazing heat traveling across their skin. Ben took Rey’s hand and clasped it tightly, them both shutting their eyes and calling upon the force. Calling upon the Jedi’s past.
Suddenly, time froze. The screaming stopped. The gunfire ceased. There was utter and complete silence. Bliss. Ear piercing silence filled their minds as they connected. As they became one.
Rey and Ben’s hair began to float above their heads as it turned snow white. The force channeled through every fiber of their being as they slowly levitated off the ground. The ground shattered and the walls crumbled as the force radiated off of them.
“Impossible.” The Emperor spat in disbelief.
Rey and Ben opened their eyes to reveal that they were glowing with blue flames. “And we.. All the Jedi..” Rey growled.
They lifted their palms towards the Emperor and blue lighting shot out towards him. Swirling around him and attacking every inch of his body. Engulfing him in flames. Palpatine let out a blood curdling shout of pain laced with anger as he was burned alive. His skin charring and melting from his face.
Rey and Ben began to shine with brilliant light as their power grew, illuminating the entire temple and blinding the Emperor as they rose higher and higher into the air.
“Noooo!!!!” The Emperor croaked as he faded into ashes. Leaving not even his cloak..
He’s dead. He’s gone. Darth Sidious. The strongest Sith in history, is now no more than a mere pile of ashes. Rey and Ben gently floated back down to solid ground. Their hair went back to it’s natural color and their eyes stopped glowing. They both panted heavily. Sweat dripped down Ben’s forehead and droplets of blood flowed from Rey’s nostrils.
Rey became weak, her breath hitched in her throat as she collapsed. She felt herself drifting as life drained from her body.
“Rey!” Ben exclaimed, catching her in his arms. He frantically brushed loose strains of hair out of her face. He watched as she exhaled her last breath and her eyes glazed over. “Rey!? Rey!?” He shook her gently, tears already rolling down his cheeks.
He pulled her lifeless body into his chest and held her. Held her like he’d never got to, rocking back and forth as his tears soaked her neck. He gazed down at her beautiful face, grazing his thumb over her freckled cheek. His hand traveled down her form and rested on her abdomen.
“Please work.” He begged to himself. He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply, feeling the force flowing through him and into her.
Unbeknownst to Ben. His grandfather was watching him. Anakin Skywalker himself. A blue silhouette in the distance. Giving him the strength to save the love of his life. The way he never could.
He smiled. You’ve done good kid.
Ben jumped when he felt Rey’s warm hand cover his. “..Ben?” She blinked.
“Yeah, yeah it’s me?’ He smiled.
Rey sat up and cupped his face in her hands. Wiping his tear stained cheeks. Getting lost in those bewitching hazel eyes of his. She saw a completely new man. She saw him, truly for the first time. Not Kylo Ren but Ben Solo.
Her lips crashed into his and Ben meekly gasped into her mouth before settling against her lips. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. They relished the taste of the other as their tongues danced. Rey’s fingers tickled the back of his neck as she deepened the kiss. Niether of them wanting to let the other go.
Ben smile and chuckled shyly when they pulled away. Her warmth still on his lips.
“Let’s get out of here shall we?” Rey smiled.
They wrapped their arms around each other and weakly stumbled onto their feet. Limping their way out of the temple.
Rey ignited her newly constructed lightsaber. The blade shot out of the handle with a hiss; revealing it’s vibrant yellow color. “Thoughts?” Rey smirked at Ben, the glow of the saber tinting her smiling face.
She felt a sense of pride over her creation. It wasn’t red, blue, or green. It was yellow. Her color. Rey’s color. She’s declared her individuality to the galaxy. That she will choose her path, and the legacy that she leaves in the universe. Herself and no one else.
An amused grin crept onto Ben’s lips. “It’s nice. Not as cool as mine obviously but.. Yellow suits you.” He folded his arms smugly.
Rey rolled her eyes. “You-”
She was cut off by an elderly woman suddenly approaching them. “Who are you?” The feeble woman asked with squinted eyes. She hadn’t seen a single living soul on this homestead since she was a young woman. Over forty years ago now.
Rey pondered for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. The truth was caught on her tongue. Plastered to the roof of her mouth. Fear laced with shame came over her. ‘Palpatine’ wouldn’t dare leave her lips.
She turned to Ben; her brow knitted together. He smiled softly, giving her a firm nod of assurance.
She peered into the horizon. Two iridescent figure, glowing blue appeared among the dunes. Side by side. Silently giving her approval and soothing her uneasiness.
She puffed up her chest a little.“We’re the Skywalkers.” They declared confidently together.
Ben wrapped his arm around Rey’s shoulder as they watched the binary sunset of Tatooine. A warm orange hue blanketed the horizon, soaking the sand in serenity.
There’s history in these grounds. Generations past. This is where it all began. And this is where it’ll all continue. Home.
“I love you.” Rey murmured, keeping her gaze ahead.
Also posted to ao3: https://www.archiveofourown.org/works/21870346
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