It happened so quickly–one moment they were walking along the coast of Naboo, the next it was a blur of their lightsabers swinging through the air, blaster fire rocketing through the open. Screams mixed with each sound of the battle, two against a group–maybe a dozen or two–that were heavily armed. They planned to take no survivors, a risky move attacking the Emperor and Empress. Side by side, they fought off their attackers, Kylo quickly doing his best to make sure Kira was safe, each of them more focused on protecting the other rather than themselves. The things Ren would do for his Empress. He finished off a soldier before turning to take out another one–feeling a sharp pain rise through his gut. How did he not see them? His focus blurred for a moment, glancing over his shoulder to see who got the lucky shot. That familiar face, that traitor. A low growl slipped from the emperor before trying to return the favor, his lightsaber only missing a vital blow–yet it would leave a nice scar on the traitor’s chest later. A mix of voices called out, one calling out the traitor’s “name” and another calling out his. Spots began to form around his peripheral vision, weakness starting to overcome his body. As the two remaining attackers quickly ran, Kylo’s body gave in to the growing fatigue, collapsing in place. He didn’t hit the ground, his fall stopped as she held onto him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She was calling to him, calling out for anybody, somebody. Dark eyes turned, attempting to focus on her face. She looked worried, making him frown. Weakly he lifted up his hand, gently caressing her cheek. He could feel her lean into it, could feel the wet tear slip between his bare fingers. “Rey. . .” He hadn’t called her that in years, his mind starting to slip even further into the darkness of eternal sleep, “Kira,” he corrected himself, his voice sounding as if he hadn’t gotten any sleep in the last few weeks and he was going the pass out, “Don’t. . .” Kylo held back a cough, tasting blood, “don’t cry. You’ve come so far. . . from being nothing. You’re going to do wonderful, as Empress of the Galaxy. . .”