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[charliedawn]

DEFECTIVE GOOD PART 18

Kylo was brutally brought back to his body on the Finalizer and gasped for air as he suddenly fell forward in front of none other than Supreme Leader Snoke himself. His master didn’t seem pleased at all as he seethed.

"What were you THINKING ?! You almost let that useless trooper sway you away from the Dark Side, Lord Ren !"

"I..." Kylo began. But Snoke didn't let him get a word out.

"You idiot ! You fool !" His rage was evident. "Did you...Did you really think that girl was worth throwing away everything ? Your legacy ? Who do you think you are ?!"

Kylo remained silent. He couldn't really say anything in his defense and he knew it.

"However...There is one good thing that came out of this...A single good thing..." He looked down on Kylo Ren. "You have just shown me something...I didn't realize..."

Supreme Leader Snoke chuckled darkly to himself.

"It would seem that that stormtrooper is more than capable than I thought she would be…" He then looked down at Kylo Ren and glared at him. "She almost destroyed all the hard work I put into shaping you into my powerful apprentice…"

"No." Kylo glared up at him. "That’ll never happen." He forced himself up, despite the weakness in his knees, despite the shaking in his hands. "...She won't break me...She won't change me..."

"I am afraid she already did, my dear apprentice. But do not worry…" The door of the throne room locked behind them. "…It will be the last time she will ever succeed into putting doubt into you."

Kylo felt a cold shiver wash over him as the door closed.

"What do you...?" He began.

Suddenly, Kylo Ren was hanging three feet away from the ground and Supreme Leader Snoke smirked evilly as he held his apprentice high above the floor and with an iron fist.

"I shall SHOW YOU why you should never turn your back on the Dark Side."

Kylo gritted his teeth as he felt himself being held up in the air. The Dark side of the Force was coursing through him as anger washed over him, and he struggled vainly to resist it.

"Please..." He whispered, more for his own sake than because he thought he could win this. "Have mercy…I will serve you...I promise..."

"SILENCE !" Supreme Leader Snoke tightened his hold on him.

Kylo screamed as his body was squeezed even tighter, the Dark side of the Force making his anger grow all the more. He let out a yell of anguish and rage as he struggled to free himself, to even just take a single breath...

"Feel ! Feel the power of the Dark Side ! Feel it ! Embrace it ! Let it feed you !" Supreme Leader Snoke commanded. Kylo's face scrunched up in pain as he felt the sheer power of the Dark side. Anger. Hate. Rage. Pain...Everything he had been suppressing for so long...It all came back a hundredfold.

He let out a grunt of pain as his struggle grew even more desperate.

"DO NOT RESIST IT !" Snoke yelled and Kylo screamed in agony, struggling with every fiber of his being...Yet still, the Dark side continued to flow...All around him...Through him...Suddenly, his grip on the Dark side...It grew stronger.

He felt himself growing even more powerful...And he also felt an urge to obey.

"Here. That’s it, apprentice." Supreme Leader Snoke smirked. Kylo gasped for breath as all the suffering he had endured faded. Now... Now, he was stronger...And he felt it. He knew it.

"Yes..." He growled, "I...I can feel its power."

"DO YOU ?! WILL YOU EVER DOUBT THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE AGAIN ?! WILL YOU REJECT YOUR LEGACY ONCE MORE OR EMBRACE IT FULLY ?!" Snoke boomed and Kylo Ren immediately submitted.

"I embrace it." Kylo replied. "I embrace the Dark side..."

His face was a mixture of pleasure and rage as he let the power run into his soul.

"I won't let her corrupt me again..."

Supreme Leader Snoke finally released him and Lord Kylo Ren fell to the floor.

"Good. Now, get out of my sight and FIND ME SKYWALKER !"

Kylo coughed as he lay on the floor, the Dark side still flowing through his veins as he crawled to his feet. He took a deep breath as that urge...That urge to obey, to serve came back in full force.

"Yes, Supreme Leader..." He said obediently, as he made his way out the door.

A few minutes later:

General Hux frowned as he received a message from Lord Ren. He sighed before going towards Kylo Ren’s quarters.

He knocked.

"Lord Ren ?" The door opened and General Hux came inside. Kylo Ren slowly turned around to look at General Hux who had remained stoic. JR-6025 was gone. Rey was too. And yet, he was still standing. A rat. A weasel to a fault. Kylo had many things to say about General Hux—but one thing stood up above anything else…He was a survivor.

True First Order product.

"Tell me, general…After having spent so much time with her, how did it slip your notice that JR-6025 was FORCE-SENSITIVE ?!"

General Hux’s eyes widened at the news and shook his head.

"Impossible. You’re wrong. It can’t be."

General Hux had spent months with her. She had never shown any ability. She had been trained and regularly examined throughout her childhood. But what Hux meant as a fact came out as judgement in Kylo’s ears. He looked back at him and his eyes alone made General Hux realise his mistake.

"Are you questioning my words, general ?"

He gulped and shook his head.

"No, sir. I would never. I simply implied that you might have been…confused ?"

Before he could continue, Kylo Ren raised his hand and proceeded to strangle him.

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I AM CONFUSED NOW, GENERAL ?! BECAUSE I WOULD GLADLY SNAP YOUR NECK TO PROVE HOW CLEAR-MINDED I AM !", he boomed and General Hux had never missed JR-6025 more than at this very moment. It brought him flashbacks of the last time Kylo Ren had dared use the force against him. She had acted so rashly and confidently. He had mistaken it for foolishness, but oh…How he missed that foolish girl now…General Hux could only gasp for breath, his throat closing up as Lord Ren gripped it even tighter.

He couldn’t say anything. He couldn’t even fight back. He was at Lord Ren’s mercy yet again...And there was clearly no mercy to be had. He could feel his eyes start to water, and the urge to scream came back as he struggled once more.

"You…" He choked out, "You don’t have to do this…"

Ren pulled his hand away, watching Hux scramble for air. His face was red and sweaty, his uniform dishevelled and hair disheveled. He looked like a scared little boy. Ren stepped forward, his eyes burning with rage.

"How dare you question me," he spat out. "I am Lord Kylo Ren, apprentice of Supreme Leader Snoke. You will show me some respect."

"…Yes…Yes, you are..." General Hux said fearfully, trying to contain another sneeze as he desperately tried to breathe. "And I respect you...I do ! I simply..."

He coughed.

"I thought...I only thought..."

His eyes began to plead.

"I thought that you had made a mistake...That maybe she couldn’t possibly..."

"SHE IS FORCE-SENSITIVE ! AND YOU WERE THE ABSOLUTE BLINDED FOOL THAT MADE HER GO ON A SPYING MISSION WITHIN THE REBELLION !" Kylo Ren raged on and lit up his lightsaber. "YOU ABSOLUTE MORON ! YOU WASTE OF AIR !"

General Hux flinched as Ren’s lightsaber ignited, and he took a step back instinctively. His eyes were wide, and his breath was still shaky, like he was just waiting for the end.

“No...No...No ! Wait ! Please !" He begged, his eyes beginning to tear up again. "I didn’t know ! I’m sorry !"

"I COULDN’T CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR APOLOGY ! OR YOUR BEGGING ! OR YOUR PATHETIC GROVELLING !" Kylo Ren stomped on General Hux’s back, his lightsaber an inch from his neck.

General Hux screamed out in pain as Ren stomped on his back and brought his lightsaber close to his neck. The pain was unimaginable, and General Hux couldn't hold back his tears anymore.

"I'm sorry !" He begged desperately, his face growing redder as he struggled to survive, "I'll do better ! I'll do better ! I swear !"

Kylo Ren had his lightsaber over his neck…He could get rid of him right here and now. He had every right to. He certainly deserved it. But then, he remembered the promise he had made to JR-6025 about protecting the fool…

He sighed before turning off his lighsaber.

"Get up."

General Hux gasped for breath when Ren's lightsaber disappeared, and he struggled to get up as he felt the pain in his back and could barely breathe from the pressure upon his throat.

After a moment, he finally managed to get to his feet.

"Would you EVER question me again, I shall not hesitate to cut your head clean off, understood HUX ?" Kylo Ren took him by the throat again for good measure—making him float just a few inches above the floor.

"Yes…sir. You’ve made your point.", he finally submitted and Kylo Ren held him a few seconds more in the air before finally dropping him. General Hux took a few big gulps of air before Kylo Ren’s boots came into view.

"Tell me, Hux…Why do you think she left with them ?", he asked and General Hux didn’t answer at first—hiding his true feelings from Kylo Ren. He wouldn’t admit they had had deep conversations about stars and a life after. He wouldn’t confess how much he felt betrayed and thought she would never leave—the fear urging him to make damn sure she never would. But, that all his plans to make her stay had failed. And that he was probably the reason she was gone. He slowly stepped back up and shrugged.

"She believed in the First Order…until she decided that the First Order was no longer worthy of her dedication.", he replied as emotionlessly as possible and Kylo’s breathing picked up significantly after his answer before he started walking away.

If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was liars.

Why ?

Why did JR-6025 try to protect this fool ?!

Kylo Ren thought before turning around swiftly to face General Hux once more.

"You understand nothing.", he spat and General Hux’s eyes widened at the ferocity in which he had pronounced those words. But then, what Kylo Ren told him next made his saliva stuck in his throat. "She wasn’t staying out of loyalty to the First Order. She was staying for you, Hux. And she left because she realised your only real love is and will always be power.”

Kylo Ren took a step forward and his hatred for General Hux showed as he added spitefully.

"And this is why I haven’t killed you yet. Because I know of your utter and disgusting loyalty to any force above you. You would lick any boot—as long as it would get you what you want. You would never fight me or betray me, because there is not a single ounce of bravery in your entire body. And I can’t believe it took JR-6025 so much time to realise it was just best to leave such a lousy coward behind."

General Hux was absolutely speechless.

Every word that had come out of Ren's mouth seemed to have landed right in the bullseye.

He felt his face burn with shame and embarrassment as he took a step back, completely at a loss for words.

General Hux couldn't remember the last time he had felt this much like a worm...

Kylo Ren stepped right up close to General Hux, their faces just inches apart. "You are nothing," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "Just a sniveling worm who cowers behind his rank and title."

Kylo's hand rose and he grabbed Hux's chin roughly, shaking his head back and forth. "You aren't loyal to the First Order," he spat out. "You're loyal to yourself."

General Hux could only lower his head as he looked at his feet.

It was true.

He wasn't loyal to the First Order…He wasn't even loyal to the Dark side. Deep down...All General Hux ever cared about was himself.

He had been loyal to the First Order for so long because the First Order gave him the power he so desired...But in the end, he would sell out even his own mother for a shot at the throne. Suddenly, General Hux smirked before looking up at Kylo Ren and slowly crossed his hands behind his back with an air of superiority on his face. General Hux’s expression shifted slightly as he looked up at Kylo Ren with a dark shadow in his eyes—but he quickly regained his composure and spoke in a very composed way.

"Of course she cared for me. Why do you think she was so easy to manipulate all this time ?"

Ren's eyebrow raised. He hadn't expected General Hux to try and talk back...

"Manipulate ? You didn't manipulate her...She manipulated you." The Supreme Leader sneered. "She saw right through you... She was always one step ahead of you..."

"Maybe so…but she did manage to make me look good and be useful while under my service." General Hux said and pretended to be completely unbothered by the news of her betrayal. "She was a good pet while it lasted…"

"You actually believe she was your pet ?!" Kylo laughed, not quite believing what he was hearing.

"You really believe that you had her under control ? That you had her completely enslaved ?" He continued mockingly, slowly stepping closer once more. "You’re more delusional than I thought."

"A loyal pet remains a loyal pet. She will return to me. In time." General Hux claimed confidently and Kylo Ren laughed out loud.

"Return to you ?" He sneered mockingly. "You honestly think that, don’t you ? That she still cares about you ? That she’ll miss you ? That she didn’t want to leave ?"

"…She is a pet. With a leash. Of course she’ll come back. She remembers where she belongs. And who she belongs to…" General Hux didn’t seem bothered and stayed stoic under Kylo Ren’s degrading speech.

Kylo laughed again.

"It’s almost funny…How naive you are. She never belonged to you, General. She only ever pretended to belong to you..." He suddenly got very close, his hand once more reaching towards General Hux's throat as he kept laughing.

"And you were the one on the leash this entire time..."

General Hux slapped Kylo Ren’s hand.

"You think that I am the only one on a leash ? Don’t think for a second that I do not know how attached you’ve become to her. Ever since she saved you when the Starkiller Base was destroyed."

Kylo’s smirk faded as he took a step away in surprise. General Hux had seen the truth, just as he did often enough. He knew of the connection him and JR-6025 had formed.

"That doesn’t matter," he said, not wanting to admit his feelings. "That doesn’t mean she'll come back either."

It was General Hux’s turn to jeer as she chuckled darkly.

"She is a stormtrooper, Lord Ren. She will always be a stormtrooper." General Hux said confidently. "She will find her way back, as they all eventually do. We will find JR-6025. And FN-2187."

"Maybe..." Kylo pondered, as if questioning his own words. He shook his head and looked away for a moment.

"But either way...Whether she comes back or not...Whether we find them or not..." He said as he suddenly stepped in close again, his voice filled with anger. "You will never have her again. And that is something you will just have to accept."

General Hux narrowed his eyes at him.

"She is mine, Ren. Don’t you forget that. Supreme Leader Snoke gave her to me."

"Then you should be even more humiliated…For you have failed to keep what was given to you." Kylo mocked. "And don’t you forget that."

He was enjoying this. General Hux’s reaction was exactly what he needed, and he looked forward to seeing more of it. To crush that pathetic little pest under his foot…

"Lord Ren…I think you are mistaken." Armitage stepped forward. "I. Never. Lose."

"No ?" Ren asked, with a smirk.

"Then please, do tell me...Have you won yet ?" His voice was sarcastic, mocking and full of bitterness. "Do you have JR-6025 ? No. Do you still command the Starkiller base ? No. Are you the Supreme Leader ? No."

General Hux remained silent, but his eyes spoke volumes.

"I should kill you here and now for what you've done," Kylo Ren continued, his eyes burning with hatred. "You're nothing but scum, Hux. A sniveling, pathetic weasel who thinks he's better than everyone else."

General Hux gritted his teeth before replying.

"Well then…How about a bet then ?"

Kylo Ren raised his eyebrow.

"A bet." He smirked. "That seems like a strange request coming from you. But, I’m not against making you look even smaller than I already do."

His eyes were still burning with hate as he spoke.

"So, tell me...What would this bet be on ?"

"…JR-6025. What is the saying again ? Ah. Yes. Finders keepers, is it ?" General Hux extended his hand forward towards Kylo Ren. "Do you agree ?"

The Supreme Leader smirked as his own hand reached forward.

"I agree," he said, "Finders keepers it is..."

General Hux smirked, but before he could retrieve his hand—Kylo Ren pulled him towards him and whispered in his ear.

"I hope you do have a plan to get her back. Or I swear that I will rip your heart out."

General Hux felt a shiver run through his body as the Supreme Leader whispered in his ear. He was beginning to wonder if he had made a mistake...But, he quickly quashed that thought.

"Do you really believe I haven’t already made a plan ?" He asked, his voice as confident as ever. "I would never let someone like her…A mere stormtrooper…slip from my grasp so easily..."

Kylo Ren gave him a hard look, the threat still hanging in the air like a dark cloud. "See to it that you do not fail. Like always."

General Hux returned the glare evenly. If Kylo Ren thought he would simply bend the knee just because of some flimsy empty threat…He was clearly mistaken.

"Your intimidation tactics are not going to work on me, Lord Ren." He spat. "I’ll get what is mine."

The sith lord scoffed at General Hux’s pretentious response. Kylo Ren then bumped his shoulder purposefully on his way out. It was almost ironic. Kylo Ren would have gladly given up any connection he had with the force to have her—while Hux would have gladly sold her out for only a taste of his power…but she had chosen him nonetheless.

He didn’t see however when he walked out of the room the way General Hux almost stumbled forward and pressed a hand to his chest. He had never felt such pain in his entire life…He waited until Kylo Ren was far enough before punching the wall next to him—leaving a tiny dent there.

General Hux then spent hours looking over JR-6025’s past examinations—desperate to find an answer to this omission. At the end, he clenched his teeth and swept the content on his desk to the floor and walked to the main gate—looking over the planets and wondering which one she had taken refuge in. He should have put a leash on her, a tracker at least. He had done everything to gain control over her, to protect her. And how had she repaid him ? She had betrayed him. And lied to him. And hid things from him. And he had been blind to it all.

General Hux tried his best to think rationally, but he couldn't.

He was furious.

He was hurt.

He had felt so confident. So confident she would never leave. So confident he could keep her if he wanted her to stay. But now...Now he realized that he had been the one on a leash this entire time. And it hurt him to admit that to himself, but it hurt even more to know that he had been so wrong. The memory of her lying to his face about returning, the deception still stung Hux, and he clenched his fists in frustration. He had been the fool, trusting her word, and yet she had betrayed him. The pain of betrayal was bitter, and he vowed never to make the same mistake again.

How could he have been so blind ?

Was he that naive to think that he could control her?

Was he that naive to think that she would actually want to stay with him?

What had he been thinking ?

Once he was back to his usual composed self, he called for Captain Phasma whose first question was:

"Sir...What is our next move ?"

He didn’t know, but something was for certain…JR-6025 would return to him.

"...Find JR-6025 and bring her back home."

Captain Phasma nodded in agreement.

"As you wish, sir." She said, ready to begin the search. General Hux thought about the hunt…He wondered where she could be.

She could be anywhere.

But that didn’t matter. He would find her.

She had no chance of eluding his grasp.

Hux watched as the stormtroopers dispersed, his fists still clenched tight with a mixture of anger and determination. He would bring her back, no matter the cost.

He would bring her back.

That was the one thing he was sure of.

She would pay for her betrayal.

And when she did come back…She would see how much power he held over her. He would see her beg for mercy, for forgiveness.

And he would give her none.

Meanwhile with Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren’s anger was still simmering just beneath the surface. He wanted to lash out, to hurt something, but he controlled himself. Instead, he stalked through the hallways of the base, his fists clenched tight.

He didn’t really care if she was a traitor. But, she had left HIM. And it made him think of all the times they had shared things he had never been able to…How had he been so stupid as to confide himself in her ? She had made him talk about his old life, who he really was inside…and now, he couldn’t help but feel betrayed.

He had tried to warn his mother about Han Solo.

He had tried to warn Rey about Luke Skywalker.

And then, he had tried to warn JR-6025 about Armitage Hux.

How was it that every time he tried to warn any woman in his life about the dangers they were facing ? The treachery surrounding them ? He would always FAIL !

He suddenly punched the wall of the elevator and let out a powerful scream of frustration.

Kylo Ren screamed in frustration, his power starting to slip through the cracks.

He was always failing…Always…

No matter how hard he tried, he always ended up losing.

Whether it was to Armitage Hux, to the Resistance or to JR-6025.

He had failed to convince his mother about the dangers of Han Solo.

He had failed to convince Rey about the dangers of Luke Skywalker.

And he had failed to warn JR-6025 about the treachery surrounding her.

And now…He had failed to keep her by his side.

She had left him.

He failed to keep her…To make her love him…To make her loyal to him.

And his failure was eating at him from the inside, making him more furious than ever.

He had done everything he could to win her confidence…To keep her loyal to him. He had given her advice, told her his deepest secrets and fears, opened his heart to her…And yet she had left him anyway. She had let go of him…

He hadn’t seen it coming.

He was sure that she was on his side.

And now…She was gone.

Gone because of Hux.

Because of the First Order.

Because of the Skywalker.

Because of the Jedi.

Because of everybody.

They had all pushed her away from him.

"Damn the Rebellion. Damn the First Order. Damn Hux. And damn this entire galaxy !" He shouted, his hands clenched into fists. His heart was filled with nothing but pain and anger. But no matter how hard he yelled…The reality would remain. She was gone. She was gone and there was nothing he could do about it.

[charliedawn]

DEFECTIVE GOOD PART 17

JR gasped for breath and fell on the ground. Luke quickly came to her and cradled her in his arms as she started sobbing against his tunic. JR slowly began to regain her breath, while still sobbing. It took her a minute or two, but she finally managed to catch her breath. She felt Luke's arms around her, his hand reassuringly rubbing her back.

She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears.

"Please…Please teach me. I don’t want to see him or have him in my head anymore. Please." She begged him.

He remained there as she sobbed against his tunic, his hand still rubbing her back, and his other arm holding her in place as he cradled her in his arms. He did not say a word, as he simply remained there, simply holding her and being there for her, as she struggled to catch her breath and recover from her emotional and physical shock.

JR closed her eyes and passed out.

As soon as she had lost consciousness, Luke continued to keep her cradled in his arms. He remained there, sitting on the floor of her hut, cradling her body as he stroked her hair soothingly with his free hand.

"I am sorry…So sorry." He whispered as he kept holding her. Rey arrived a few minutes later and gasped as she saw the marks around JR’s throat.

"JR ! What happened ?" He quickly looked up as Rey entered the hut, his hands still holding Jr. against his chest.

"He..." he began, before stopping for a moment, unable to actually find the words to adequately describe what had happened. "He...was here."

"He ?" Rey frowned before realising and she shook her head. "No. You mean…Ben Solo did th—?"

"KYLO REN !" Luke interrupted her harshly and his eyes hardened. That wasn’t Ben. "…Kylo Ren did that."

Rey's eyes immediately widened as Luke said the name. Luke closed his eyes and sighed.

"I was so scared about training a stormtrooper…I…I didn’t think…" He held JR’s body closer to his as he gritted his teeth in frustration. "I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I just…"

"...Do not blame yourself, Master," Rey said, as she slowly kneeled down next to Luke. "There is only so much one can do..."

Her eyes widened again, as she suddenly glanced down at JR's throat and noticed the bruises around her neck…

"Is...is that...?"

"Kylo Ren…" Luke seethed through gritted teeth. Rey knew he was dangerous and murderous…But even she never would have thought he would go so far as to try to kill JR.

"...Is she gonna be alright...? Is she alive...?" She asked—concerned to lose her friend. Luke's grip tightened around her body.

"...Alive, yes..." He muttered angrily. "...But barely."

Rey could feel the swings of anger and regret in her master and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You couldn’t have known…"

He shook his head and sighed.

"I should've..." Luke snapped at her suddenly. "...I should've expected something like this."

Luke laid JR on her bed before looking back at Rey and his eyes held determination in them.

"I won’t allow Kylo Ren to destroy another life."

Rey nodded slowly, with a look of fierce determination on her face as well. She then looked back at JR.

"How long will it take for her to fully recover...?"

Luke sighed before looking back at JR.

"I do not know."

Rey's smile faded, but her determination remained.

"...We will get her back to full health as quickly as possible. And if that means that it takes weeks, even months..." Rey spoke fiercely. "...I will be by her side throughout the whole thing."

Luke nodded before looking back at JR.

"Watch over her. I need to go somewhere to retrieve important pieces for your training."

"Yes, Master." Rey agreed. She remained there, carefully looking over JR as her master left the hut. He nodded back before leaving and taking the millennium falcon to the planet Ilum. Rey stayed there, carefully watching over JR as she slumbered, her hand resting gently on her shoulder.

"…Wake up, JR."

A few days later:

JR slowly woke up and straightened up. She sighed and raised her hand to her neck where she knew the marks of Kylo Ren’s fingers remained. When Rey entered her hut, JR instinctively reached for her blaster and pointed it at her. She was scared and once she realised that it was Rey, she slowly lowered her blaster.

"I…I’m…"

Rey held her hand up in a placating manner.

"It's okay, JR. You do not need to explain."

She quickly got closer to her, and then kneeled down next to her.

"How are you feeling...?"

JR sighed and shook her head.

"I don’t know…I don’t know."

JR held her head in her hands.

"I just…"

She had trouble getting words out of her mouth and felt tears come to her eyes.

"…He wanted me…to come back. To…To return to the First Order. No. To return to HIM. I just…"

Rey immediately wrapped her arms around and gently pulled JR into a comforting hug.

"I just…" JR sighed and pressed her forehead against Rey’s shoulder. "…I am scared, Rey. I am TRYING to escape the First Order. But it seems that no matter what I do, I will always remain a stormtrooper."

"No..." Rey replied quietly. "You may have been a stormtrooper once...." She paused. "...But the person you are now...and the person you are becoming…Those are your choices...and neither Kylo Ren, nor the First Order have any right over those..."

JR returned her hug.

"He is in my HEAD, Rey. I cannot escape. I am not like you. I cannot fight him."

"But I can teach you." She softly replied. "I can teach you to fight him. How to keep him out of your head..."

"How ? I just…" JR gritted her teeth. "I am not a Force user. Or a Jedi. I am just…"

"But that does not change anything," Rey said soothingly.

"I can still teach you. How to build blocks..." She paused. "Walls. Walls to protect your mind. And to build them strong...so strong that not even Kylo Ren can break through them...or even the First Order..."

JR sighed and nodded with a smile.

"Okay…"

Rey smiled back before standing up.

"Wait here. I’ll go search for something for you to eat."

Rey left the hut, leaving JR alone. She slowly sat up, slowly rubbing her head as some of her memories of Kylo Ren re-surfaced. She quickly covered her arms with her hands, as she began to feel some of the old panic and terror return.

She suddenly stormed off and stopped near the shore. She sank her arm in the ocean and smiled as she saw small fishes come dance around her fingers—unafraid. They were maybe the first creatures to not cower in fear before her. She stared at them and smiled at how their silver scales seemed to shine with the sun’s light.

She then started weeping.

She didn’t know why she started crying, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She proceeded to take off her gloves and throw them in the sea. She then looked at the blaster in her hands.

…As long as she was a stormtrooper, the world would only see her as a threat. The First Order had made sure of it…She gritted her teeth and her tears pooled at the bottom of it, mixed with the salty water of the sea. She then let out a loud painful scream of frustration before raising the blaster—ready to throw it and let it sink at the bottom of the sea. But, she still hesitated. Her hand was shaking and she closed her eyes shut. She had been conditioned to love and live for the First Order. That was all she had ever known.

Finn had followed by fear, she had followed because she genuinely believed. So, of course it would be easier for him to let go of the helmet. But, she was stuck.

JR sighed, opening her eyes once more...She looked at the blaster she was still holding, tears flowing down her face. She was ready to throw it away...Yet, she froze again. The blaster was a sign...A symbol of her entire life...

All the horrors she had seen...

All the death she had survived...

All the pain she had felt...

It was all part of her history...And she was still holding on.

JR kept staring at the blaster in her hands...and at the helmet of her beloved stormtrooper armor. The tears kept flowing down her face, as her old fears and habits slowly came back to her. She had thought that she was getting better...that she had finally began to heal...

But the truth was...that she had only managed to bury her past and fear just for a little while.

"Well well well…Seems like you woke up. Finally." She heard his voice in her head and she turned around to find Kylo Ren standing in front of her. Her eyes watered.

"Why won’t you leave me alone ?"

Kylo Ren's smile appeared in her head the moment JR glanced his way.

"Come on, JR-6025..." He said, his voice mocking and taunting. "You know you can't actually escape me. We both know that..."

The blaster bolts just phased right through him, not hitting him at all. He merely laughed at her feeble attempt.

"That's not going to work on me, JR..." He said in a mocking, taunting tone. "Don't you see it just yet...? Or do you really think that your little blaster can do any harm to me...? I can destroy an entire squadron of rebel ships...You think this puny weapon could hurt me...?"

She sighed and looked back at the sea before she slowly stepped back towards it.

"I know a place…you won’t follow me to."

Kylo Ren laughed even more as he realized what she was planning.

"And where is that, little stormtrooper ?" He asked, mockingly. "Do you think some filthy little ocean will keep me away ?

She started running towards the sea to jump in the water. She hoped he wouldn’t be able to follow her there. Kylo Ren's smile disappeared at the sudden motion. A few moments later, JR was already in the water. Yet, she didn't try to swim away...she was just letting herself get sucked in deeper.

Immediately, he appeared in her head again.

"Do NOT do this." Kylo Ren said in an urgent, angry tone.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD !

"You still don't get it, do you, JR..." He said, his face now contorting into pure rage as he continued to speak. "No matter how hard you try...I will always be with you..."

He paused and looked at the sea with a grim and sinister glare.

"Everywhere you are. Every move you make."

She kept sinking and tried to get up to the surface, but she was too weak to do so. She suddenly realised how stupid an idea it was and kept trying hard to get the strength to swim to the surface. Finally, she felt as if her body was being controlled by someone else and she suddenly had the power to swim back up.

Once she was out of the water, she started coughing and spitting out water. She then heard Kylo Ren’s voice next to her.

"Foolish trooper…"

JR collapsed on her back, her breaths coming out in short, sharp gasps...tears flowing down her face again. She felt absolutely powerless...she was still trapped in the grips of Kylo Ren's power over her...and she realized that he would never leave her...

"Don't ever try that again..." The voice in her head said, his tone cold, unmerciful. "Or the next time, I won't save you..."

She closed her eyes and started crying frantically.

JR's whole body trembled. Fear...despair...terror...sadness...these were all emotions that tore through her as they started to overwhelm her.

Finally, she spoke, her voice now trembling.

"I..." She paused, gasping for breath as her sobs grew stronger. "...I just want to be free..." She said in a whisper.

"Free...?" The voice said in her head, his tone now sounding more mocking. "But, you have no idea what true freedom is, do you...?"

She closed her eyes and retorted.

"…Do you ?"

There was a long, menacing pause.

"Freedom," Kylo Ren said slowly. "To make your own decisions without anyone stopping you. Without anyone...and I mean, no one, telling you what to do..."

His voice turned more sinister and mocking.

"But you..." The voice paused again. "You...with your weakness, your...helplessness...you are nothing more than a puppet. Who do you really think you are, little stormtrooper...?"

She suddenly snapped her eyes open to look at him and she hissed.

"I am JR. I am not a pet. I am not a puppet. And I AM NOT SCARED OF YOU !"

He smirked in spite of her bold and confident reply.

"Oh, but you should be," The voice said in a condescending tone. "Because...you have no idea just how many things I could do to you..."

She grinned before walking forward towards him.

"Funny. If I am only a helpless little stormtrooper, then why do you seem so concerned about my future ? Or me joining you ?" She smirked. "You know what I think ? You are AFRAID. Afraid of being alone. Because you know that at the end, you will be."

The voice paused. A look of pure rage appeared on the apparition's face for just a brief moment...before he regained his composure. He then slowly stepped forward as well, until they were just a few inches apart.

"Afraid...? Me ?" He laughed mockingly. "Afraid of being alone ?"

He smirked again.

"Is that really what you think, stormtrooper ?"

His smirk grew even wider.

"No...I am not afraid of being alone, JR-6025. For I have ALWAYS been alone." He laughed. "It is you who should be afraid..."

JR gritted her teeth in frustration and took a step closer.

"You know that Rey will never join you ! You know that General Hux hates you ! You know that your father is gone and that your mother has lost faith in you !" She was face to face with him when she spat. "The only person left is ME. The poor little stormtrooper who was stupid enough to care about you and listen to you. You have NO ONE else."

Kylo Ren went silent for a few moments...before he smirked again.

"You...are right..." He replied. "All of the people you just mentioned have either betrayed me...or...will do it sooner or later."

His voice grew colder.

"And the truth is..." He grinned sinisterly. "...I do not need anyone else...because I have you, my poor little stormtrooper."

She laughed humourlessly.

"Have me ? No…Never. You can call me yours. Or treat me like I am nothing. Make me feel like I am just a pet…but you are no master of mine. Because here is the painful truth. You need me more than I need you."

Kylo Ren’s eyes narrowed into a grim, terrifying glare.

"Need you ?" He repeated the words, not believing what he was hearing.

"Need you ?" He laughed in an almost crazed manner. "...You really think I need you, don't you ? You think you have any power over me...any influence...?"

He took a few more steps closer to her and began to laugh even more...a more menacing laugh this time.

"You are so wrong, JR-6025..."

"Am I ?" She challenged before kicking his leg and Kylo Ren instinctively dropped to his knees on the rocks. "There was a time where I was alone too. When I was within the First Order. When I had NO ONE. But now ? I have friends. I have people who CARE about me. And it is scaring you, isn’t it ?"

She then gripped his throat from behind.

"You were talking about a leash, right ?"

Kylo Ren’s eyes widened at the sudden attack. He tried to grab her hand to get her to let go of his throat...but he was surprised by the power of her grip. He looked back up at her...and saw pure rage in her eyes.

"You...think..." he coughed as her grip tightened around his throat. "you think...that you...have control over me ?"

"Do I ?" She squeezed and suddenly grabbed his chin to make him look at her. "This is MY head, Lord Ren. And even though you are a powerful Force user, I know that you also have no idea what freedom means."

She grinned.

"You were raised in a palace. You then went on to be Skywalker’s apprentice, then Snoke’s. Finally, you just became another cog in the great First Order machine…You speak of freedom as if you know what it means. But you never even had it."

Kylo Ren went silent for a moment, staring straight back at her. For a brief moment, JR felt as if his grip was starting to loosen...

"So what if I never knew freedom...?" He said finally, in an angry tone. "So what if I never learnt what it meant..." He smirked, his grip on her wrist loosening even more. "Because you know what I know...?"

He paused again as he felt JR tighten her grip around his throat even further.

"I know how...to take it."

Her eyes widened and she suddenly let go of his throat. She sighed before dropping to her knees right in front of him.

"…Everyone knows how to take freedom, Lord Ren. It is harder to have it. Because some people have it and do not even know they have it, while some do not and do not even care if they have it or not…"

Now it was his turn to be silent for a few moments. JR had a point...

"But...it matters not..." He finally protested in a grim tone. "Because once I take control of you...over your mind...and your life..."

He paused.

"Then I shall have it...and you will have nothing."

"…And what will you have exactly, Lord Ren ?" She sighed. "What will your ownership of my freedom give you ? You will only have an empty shell to rule over…"

He sighed. She also had a point there as well.

"But..." He said, his voice gaining a menacing tone. "At least I would not be alone."

Her eyes widened at his words before she slowly released his throat. She sighed and just laid down on the rocks. "…I am tired."

Kylo Ren's expression softened as he saw her laying down.

"I am tired as well..."

She sighed again and patted the space next to her. For a moment...Kylo Ren seemed about to decline...But then he sat down beside her. He then sighed and rested his head against her shoulder.

She let him. He closed his eyes.

"I am...so tired..." He repeated, still resting his head on her shoulder. JR hesitated before speaking.

"I know I should hate you. It is in my right. It would make sense…But I have learnt to see you through the anger. Through your mother’s eyes. Through our many conversations. And learnt to see the world through your eyes and what I saw terrified me far more than what you have become because of it."

She pressed her forehead against his.

"You must have been so lonely."

The words caused his heart to skip a beat and he froze. He had been alone for so long...And she had managed to see that. She could see past his anger...His rage...His hatred. She could see past all of that and see what lay underneath...

"I was..." He admitted. He then remained silent as he thought about her words...His chest...It hurt...He didn’t understand. She was speaking and acting with such empathy. She seemed so different from the other stormtroopers. She had succeeded in developing a soul in such a world.

Kylo Ren remained silent for a few moments, digesting her words.

"You have no idea..." He paused, closing his eyes again and taking another deep breath. "For so many years...I have felt so alone....so...so empty..."

He then grew silent again...

"You know, when I first heard about you, the General's "pet"... I thought you would be just another soulless, obedient trooper."

She chuckled bitterly.

"And ? Disappointed ?"

He still remained silent...Then he took a deep breath and said, in a softer, less sinister tone:

"Not disappointed. Surprised. You...have a soul. A real soul. No one that I ever met in my entire life, in the First Order had one...you were the first..."

A quiet sadness settled over the two of them as Kylo thought about all the hurt he had felt so alone in carrying. And she was right…he had been so alone. He had the First Order, but they had only ever viewed him as a power piece, something to wield against the Resistance. They didn’t understand him. They didn’t know the real him.

She was different. She understood him in a way they never could. She saw him for who he really was, and that was the scariest part of all.

The two remained silent as they thought about this...Kylo's eyes were closed, and he continued leaning his head against her shoulder.

"They never understood..." He finally said in a quiet, somber tone. "Not really...no one did..."

He paused again.

"Except...you..."

He lifted his hand to her throat and wrapped his fingers around it—wondering if she would fear him…Kylo Ren then spoke up:

"So much compassion. So much kindness. So much...Love. How can a creature like you even exist ?"

She did not pull away when he wrapped his hand around her throat. She let him hold her life in his hands.

"I am simply...human." She smiled and cupped his face in her hands before whispering. "And so are you…"

His heart skipped a beat as he felt her hands against his cheek. This was too much...She was giving him something he didn’t deserve...He didn’t deserve kindness or warmth... He was a monster...How could she not see that ? Look past it ? And yet…And yet she did. She saw past it all…

"No. No, I am not." He shook his head.

His heart seemed to skip a beat as he felt her hand on his face. He shuddered slightly under her touch, feeling a wave of unexpected emotions.

"I am not human..." He whispered back, his voice sounding pained and frustrated. "You...don't understand. I cannot be...I have..."

His voice trailed off. He felt ashamed. He was too afraid...Too afraid to explain to her...Too afraid of what she would think after he told her...

"Yes. You are." She repeated with conviction and Kylo Ren restrained tears.

"I am not." He spoke firmly. "I have committed acts that I will never be forgiven for..."

Her words...The way she looked at him was dangerous to him...It made him want to believe that he could be something more...That he could leave all of this behind.

He looked away as he spoke again.

"I have been consumed by the darkness...I am beyond redemption..."

As Kylo said those words, JR's throat felt like it was closing in. She could feel the pain in his voice, and it broke her heart. She could see the way he turned away from her touch, avoiding her gaze. She could see how much he hated himself, how much he believed that he was beyond saving. She wanted to hug him, to hold him close and convince him that there was still hope for him. She wanted to make him see what she saw—that he was worthy of love and redemption.

"I...I am beyond saving..." He said slowly, his voice quiet and hopeless. "I..."

JR couldn't see the expression on his face...but...she felt a wave of despair and pain coming from him. His heart seemed to have shrunk inside of himself. But her warm and comforting tone had an obvious effect on him. His shoulders seemed to relax, and his expression grew less angry.

He continued, but his voice became less cold and more calm.

"Even if I was redeemed...I would not deserve it..."

"You are deserving ! You are not alone, Kylo Ren." She tightened her grip on him and forced him to look her in the eyes. "I shall not hate you. I will not ! I have killed. For the First Order. And I know that the war turned us into people we were never meant to be. And I want to fix it. Let me fix it. Please."

"You are not responsible for fixing anything..." He squeezed his eyes shut as his throat went tense. What he had done was irredeemable. And yet...Here she was—trying to convince him.

But, it was already too late for him...

"It is too late..." He insisted and she frowned.

"No !" She surprised him by raising her voice. "I do not believe that. I refuse to."

"Then you are a fool..." His voice raised as well...He hated the sound of it...The harsh, cold tones of a monster. He wanted to be gentle...To speak softly...To make her understand…But it didn't matter...He was lost.

"There is no saving me...Don't you get that ? I have gone too far...I have gone too far into the darkness."

She shook her head.

"Lord Ren. I shall rip you away from the shadows myself if I have to ! You call me a fool ? Well, maybe I am…but I am a stubborn one !"

He could not help but chuckle a bit as he felt his heart thump. He was starting to hate this feeling...He was starting to hate that she could make him feel so much...

"You are foolish..." He whispered in response and held back a heavy sigh. "A complete...fool."

He paused again, shaking his head.

"...you cannot save me..." He repeated in an almost angry tone. "You are simply wasting your energy...your life..."

His voice grew softer again.

"...you are wasting it on me."

"Then so be it…" She smiled through her tears. "Let me waste away then."

Her words made him want to cry. He had never been spoken to like this before. Someone refusing to hate him. Someone insisting he was worthy of redemption. Her stubborn determination to save him...It felt like a stab to the heart. He couldn’t let her do it. He needed to stop her before she went too far.

"Do not be so kind !" He said in the most angry tone he could muster. "Do not think you can change me ! I am beyond saving."

"I won’t give up. You cannot force me to give up." She claimed and refused to give in.

"You cannot rip me away from anything..." He forced down any trace of warmth in his expression. "...I belong to the shadows...To the Dark Side. I am a monster..."

She must not waste her life away...not on me...not on this useless attempt to redeem someone like me...

He wanted to hate her for trying to redeem him but he couldn't bring himself to feel that way.

It felt wrong...

"You can't save me..." He repeated, not quite sounding angry but more resigned to the fate he had chosen. "You are just making a fool of yourself..."

"Stop." She whispered and her eyes met his with a soft smile. "No one belongs to the shadows. Do you remember what you said ? You wish to create a new path with Rey. You have no right to let the darkness wipe away who you are or your goal, Lord Ren."

"...She rejected me." His words were but a weak whisper in the air. "Rejected...My words...My plans...My intentions..."

He closed his eyes as he felt his throat tighten again. He had tried to open the eyes of the scavenger girl and make her side with him, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t want to.

"Everything I told her...She rejected it all."

There was silence before JR’s fists tightened by her side.

"…Then what ? It’s over ? Is that it ? You wish to quit ? Let the Dark Side take over your mind, body and soul ?" She shook her head. "I won’t allow it."

"You really think you could stop me ?" He asked. The idea that someone as weak as her could stop him was almost laughable in his eyes. He refused to give in to hope or the weakness of the heart. He had felt that way about Rey, and she had rejected him. What made this any different ?

"No one can stop me from doing as I see fit..." He seethed and JR—far from feeling intimidated—grinned at him. She took his hand and squeezed it.

"Good. Take that strength and keep fighting, Lord Ren. Because I know that it is not over. And if not for Rey, then put your faith in me. Please." She looked at him. "I am no Force user, but I promise to become important. To become something that will help you. I will not let you or General Hux become overwhelmed by darkness or despair…"

Her words...The sheer hope she had within them...It was almost contagious...

Almost.

His heartbeat quickened and he remained silent and still as he listened to her words. He was running out of reasons to oppose her. The urge to simply agree was starting to take over.

She wasn't making it easy for him.

"...I..." He sighed and closed his eyes, suddenly feeling very tired.

"You will only get hurt." He whispered softly.

It was as much of a warning as a plea.

"I am...beyond...saving..."

"If not for Rey..." He added sadly as he continued speaking. "...Then no one..."

"For me." She uttered in a whisper and her face was so close to his that he could see the desperation in her eyes. She truly wanted to help him and it showed. "I know I am not worth it but, if not for Rey ? Let me try. Please."

Her words were so filled with unconditional kindness and hope...And he hated it.

He hated the idea of her "saving" him...

"Don’t." He whispered back. "It is more than you can handle..."

"…If no one will fight for you, then I will." She claimed out loud—determination in her voice.

She was a food...A dumb and dangerous one at that. At least in his eyes...But...He hated that he was starting to agree with her. He hated what she was doing to him...The feeling she was giving him.

But...

Maybe...

"And if you end up getting yourself killed...?" He challenged with a stern voice. She looked up at him with the same determination written all across her features.

"…I am prepared to die for what I believe in. For all the lives that deserve to live and find peace. I am fighting for them."

His voice quivered slightly as he held her gaze. She was a fool...A fool in the purest sense of the word...Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her. He could. He should. He felt his heart beat increase again as he kept his gaze on her.

"All of them ?"

She smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes. All of them."

He couldn't hide it. He could not hide the feeling of warmth that started to spread through his chest. Her words made him feel like she truly cared about people...About the galaxy...Like she wanted to see it change for the better.

"Even me ?" There was a slight hesitation as he asked.

"Even you." She answered with no hesitation whatsoever.

The words made his chest feel so tight. He wanted to say something...To oppose...But, he couldn't. Not this time.

"You are so foolish..." He tried to insist—but they both knew who was the victor of this verbal match.

She smiled.

"I know."

That smile...All she had to do was smile...And everything changed...

Kylo looked up and huffed a laugh.

"Do you even know how ridiculous you are ?"

She tilted her head and her grin didn’t falter.

"I know."

"And yet, you will still try anyway..." He concluded and his eyes met hers.

"Yes." She leant forward. "I may be foolish, crazy and even mad…but I will succeed, Lord Kylo Ren. I will stop this war."

"That is not reasonable..." He argued softly.

"I don't care." She replied shortly and Kylo Ren sighed in disbelief at her stubbornness.

"It will get you killed." He warned.

"I don’t care." She repeated.

"You cannot succeed." He tried to dissuade her one last time, but his will felt weakened by the hope-filled stormtrooper. Never in all his years had he ever encountered someone so stupidly stubborn. But, he couldn’t stay away.

"I can." She said confidently, and he found himself wanting to believe her.

"It is not possible." He argued, and she smiled again.

"Oh." She said, and everything about her manner expressed total belief in what she said next. "Then I shall MAKE it possible."

He was trying his best to argue...To fight against the growing warmth in his chest...

But she made it so hard.

How could she be so...so determined...so strong in her convictions...How could she have so much faith that she could save him...Him, of all people. He felt his willpower draining with every second...Every second she looked at him with that warm and hopeful gaze...

He felt something stir inside of him...Something that he had not felt in a long...long time...

"How can you stay so positive and hopeful despite everything ?" He asked and his voice betrayed disbelief and even admiration.

"I care too deeply and I will not stop fighting until I am dead." She replied with a smile.

"Care too deeply, huh ?" He had to admit...That sounded like her. She felt everything more...Intimately...Than anyone else. "It is...Very dangerous caring for others, especially when it comes to people like me..."

"Yes..." He whispered in response, keeping his eyes fixed on hers. He was starting to feel a lot of things all at once...But nothing made him feel as uneasy as the growing warmth in his chest...

"You are too idealistic." He whispered back. "Too...kind..."

He sounded almost angry for no clear reason. Maybe it was because he wanted to reject her kindness...To push her back into the darkness with him.

But...But he wanted to accept it as well...

"What if I stand in your way ?" He finally challenged her and JR didn’t cower in fear.

"…With all due respect, Lord Kylo Ren…" She smirked. "…I won’t let ANYONE stand in my way. I will bring peace to the galaxy if it is the last thing I do."

She seemed to have an answer for everything...

"And if I decide to fight you ?"

"I would fight back."

"You would lose." He warned.

"I don't think I would."

"Trust me...you would."

Another silence fell, but something in the way she spoke—her confidence and determination—made him feel like she was telling the truth.

"If you decided to fight me..." He said, and her smug look was all he could think about. "I would defeat you."

She was...challenging him...And he hated it. He hated it because she was so stubborn...So determined...So terribly hopeless.

"I am stronger than you." He said, feeling his anger grow. "And if we fought, you would lose. That is the truth."

"Maybe is it the truth for you. But I…" She pressed her forehead against his. "I believe…that there is another way. I believe in…you."

The mere idea of this girl believing in him made him want to push her away. It made him want to crush her hope underfoot. He could not stand that she looked at him that way and saw something worth saving.

"Do not believe in me." He almost hissed the words out through gritted teeth, and she simply smiled again.

"Or what ?"

He couldn't help but tense up under her touch as she pressed her forehead against his. Her words...They were starting to cut through his walls...

"Or what ?" He repeated her words, his tone growing angrier. "Or I will have to prove to you that I should not be trusted…that..."

But that's not what I want to do anymore...

"I am not a good person !" He finally hissed it out in frustration...With all the rage and self hatred he could muster.

"Or what, Lord Ren ?" She insisted with a grin.

"I will hurt you..." He warned her. "Do not think I can't...Do not think that I won't..."

This stupid girl and her stupid smile, her stupid optimism…he couldn’t stand it. It made him so angry, he couldn’t see straight, and he knew he should say something. But instead, he just stood there—hands clenching into fists—as he breathed rapidly in and out.

"I told you…" he said slowly, "to not believe in me."

She kept smiling and just closed her eyes as she kept her forehead pressed against his. She started humming.

She was...She was...so infuriating. She won't back down...She won't listen to reason...

He hated the way his heart was starting to race...the way his stomach churned...

How could one person be this infuriating...?

Her humming only made him more annoyed.

"You will stop, or..." He left his words hanging as he clenched his fists tighter and tighter.

"Or. What ?" She stood her ground and smiled softly at him.

He was being mocked, he knew it.

He was being made a fool.

"Or I shall—" His anger made him want to lash out. "Or I shall do something about it.”

"What ? Come on. Tell me. What will you do ?"

His rage was growing at her taunting.

"What will I do ?" He repeated her words in the most mocking tone he could muster.

But he was losing the fight.

And she was trying...so damn hard...to get under his skin...

"I..." He wanted to say something—anything...But nothing was coming out...

"I shall..." His fists clenched ever tighter in his palms. "I shall..."

He wanted to hurt her. He wanted to shout. He wished she would stop smiling.

But he didn't know what to say.

There was nothing he could do to her. This stupid, kind, fool of a girl...there was nothing she was afraid of. His rage was gone, replaced with hopelessness. He couldn't stand this anymore. She was so strong, so damn willing to believe in him...He hated it...Hated it because...Because it made him think he could be saved...And he couldn't handle hoping again...Not when he knew the hope would crush him in the end...

She smiled and hugged him tightly.

The girl was an idiot.

A stubborn, hopeless fool who didn't know when to quit, who thought she could change him. He let out a choked, involuntary grunt in surprise as she wrapped her arms around him.

But, he didn't push her away.

"Idiot..." He muttered, letting out another soft grunt as she hugged him. He still wanted to push her away...He wanted her to stop...He wanted her to leave...But he couldn't make himself do it...

He did not push her off of him.

She buried her face in his chest.

His anger slowly melted away, and the fight went out of him. She still held him and he couldn't understand why his body wouldn't respond in kind.

Push her away. Tear free.

But he didn't. He stood perfectly still, heart pounding, as she held him.

...Why can't I move ?

His initial anger slowly melted away as she held him. He was still in disbelief as his body's natural instincts failed him. As if he did not have the will to break free or push her away...He could feel her warmth against his skin as she kept her face buried against him...He didn't push her away...He stood still...So still that he was afraid of breathing.

"Let. Go." He finally managed to say.

"…Ok." She replied, but kept holding him nonetheless.

"Did you not hear me?" He hissed, trying to keep his tone harsh, but failing. "I said..."

...

But his heart was beating so fast he could barely talk.

"Let go...Let go of me." It sounded awfully like he was begging her this time.

I am not meant to feel this...I don't deserve it...

"Ok." She repeated, but didn’t move.

"I don't need your care." He continued. "I don't need your understanding. I don't need your love."

He couldn't stop himself. "I am not what you think I am. I am beyond saving. I am not like you. I am—"

A choked sob cut short the rest of what he intended to say, and he buried his face in her shoulder.

"Ok…" She repeated once more and held him tighter. She didn't push him away and he couldn't push her away. He knew he should...He knew that he didn't deserve her kindness...But...But...He took a deep breath and held her closer.

"I am...not worth your time..." He whispered. "I am not supposed to be saved."

His legs almost gave way. He was so close to losing control. He felt like a fool. Like...like...a child.

"No..." He muttered as tears welled in his eyes, his shame boiling over.

"Sshhh…It’s okay." She stroked the top of his head.

He broke. His chest heaved with the weight of his emotions. Tears streaked down his cheeks, and he clung to her like a frightened child.

Stop ! You're making this worse ! You're showing her your weakness, you pathetic fool !

He didn't care. For once, he didn't care what she thought of him.

It was liberating.

"I'm so…" he choked back his tears, "I'm terrified..."

Her eyes closed and her heart ached as he said that and she kept holding him.

"I know…It’s okay."

"...Don't let me go." The words left his mouth before he realized what he said. His mind screamed that he was being foolish. It screamed that he was showing his hand and now his enemy would exploit that weakness.

He knew it was true...but he couldn't care less.

All he wanted right now was her.

All he wanted...was to not be alone.

"I...I..." Even his grip was weak. He was so desperate to keep her there. He didn't want to let her go. "I..."

All he wanted was not to be alone. He just needed her. Just one person in this cruel and uncaring galaxy...Just one person who could provide a small source of light.

"Don't leave me..." His voice was broken as he whispered the words.

"I am here. I am not going anywhere…" She held him closer against her. "I am here."

The tears were still streaking down his cheeks, and he squeezed her tighter every time she spoke.

"Don't...Don't leave..." He begged. "Please...Don't leave..."

He felt so pathetic. He was crying like a child...like someone weak...All he needed was her...Just her...The light in his darkness...His chest heaved with every breath he took, and she could feel his heart beating like a drum in his chest.

She...she cared for him. He was sure of it now.

"I will. I am here." She smiled and her own tears rolled down her cheeks as she kept holding him…

"Good..." He mumbled in response, as he squeezed her even tighter. His fingers dug into the fabric of her clothing and his grip tightened even more as the tears continued to pour out of his eyes. He tried so hard...So goddamn hard to stay in control...But, not this time...This time...He was letting it all out...All of his fears...His sadness...His shame...All of his pain...He was sobbing like a child...Like someone weak...pathetic...little boy.

She smiled and hugged him tighter.

"It’s okay. It’s going to be okay."

"It...It's not okay...It..." He stuttered as he struggled to form the words, as his voice cracked and his body shook.

"It will never be okay. Not for me..." He managed to speak. Though his voice was broken.

"It will be." She buried her face in his shoulder and smiled as she pressed him closer. "It will be…"

"No..." He mumbled. "No...It..."

He was fighting so hard...So damn hard to remain strong...But...But...But he was failing...

She was right...

It would be okay...

It would get better...

She was there...

And with her...With her...Maybe...

Maybe he'd be alright.

JR was still holding him when she suddenly felt a Dark Force join them and she shuddered as she heard a voice.

"No !" Suddenly, she felt something or someone trying to wrench Kylo Ren out of her grasp. She held him tightly and refused to let go.

"No ! No ! Let him go ! Stop !" She cried out and used all of her strength to keep him with her—but the voice boomed once more.

"LET GO OF HIM, YOU WEAKLING !" The ominous voice screeched.

"I will not." Her words of determination were nearly shaken by the presence of the strange Force that had joined them. She would resist. She would not let it take him from her.

She felt it trying to take him. She felt its anger—its rage. But she would not budge.

"NO !" She screamed, and for a moment she felt her grip on him falter, but she kept him in her arms, even as the voice tried to wrench him away. Suddenly, there was chaos around them as a mysterious force tried to separate them. But she wasn't having it.

She tightened her grip on him and wouldn’t let him go no matter what.

She screamed out her determination as she refused to give in.

"NO !" She echoed in defiance, her grip on him never faltering as she managed to hold him closer.

"I will not let him go." She shouted once more as she felt the force trying to separate them. And she wouldn't...She held on to him while tears ran down her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt the Dark Force trying to separate them and she cried as she desperately tried to keep Kylo Ren with her.

"NO ! Kylo ! No ! Please !" She begged, but she wasn’t strong enough and finally, the Dark Force succeeded in cutting the connection and JR was brutally brought back to reality.

"BEN !" She screamed his name.

She gasped and looked up to find Skywalker above her—holding her.

He seemed breathless and panicked.

"Are you out of your mind ?! The Dark Force almost got you ! What happened ?!"

JR's eyes flew open as she was pulled back to the present. She was on the ground with Skywalker above her...He seemed shaken...Worried...She felt the tears welling up in her eyes again as she recalled what happened.

"Ben..." She breathed the name. "Ben Solo." JR took a few shaky breaths before she spoke again.

"Ben Solo is still alive. I...I saw him. We need to save him."

"That...Dark Force...what was..." He muttered, but his concern was quickly overpowered by his surprise.

Ben Solo was still alive. What ?

"Ben..." he repeated, suddenly forgetting about the strange presence that had just tried to take him away from her.

"He's really...alive ? You saw him ?"

"Yes..." She whispered, as if suddenly realizing the full extent of what had happened.

"Yes ! I...I saw him."

The tears were once more welling up in her eyes as she nodded.

"He's still...alive...We can still...We have to..."

She took another shaky breath as the realization set back in.

"...Save him."

She took Luke’s hands in hers.

"Teach me. Teach me the Force. Please. I am sure I can bring him back. Please."

Luke's breath caught in his throat as he stared down at her...She really believed it...She really thought she could save him. And she was asking him to teach her the Force...

"You...You really believe you can do this ?" He asked.

"I can learn ! I will learn ! Please…" Her eyes watered, but suddenly, Luke shook his head and looked away.

"I cannot. It was a mistake to let you stay."

"What ? No ! I can learn, I know I can." If she were allowed her place in the light and learned more about the Force, then maybe she would be able to help Ben.

"Please..." She pleaded. Luke couldn't refuse her. She deserved a chance. She was worthy. He believed in her, and she deserved the same.

"Let me stay. Let me learn. I can..." She sobbed. Luke sighed as he looked away.

Was it a mistake to let her stay...? She could learn, that much was true. Luke was tempted to say no...But her words...His heart ached as he saw the desperation for change in her eyes.

She deserved a chance. A second chance...A chance to do better.

"...All right." He finally breathed. "...But I'm not going to just hand you a lightsaber and say, 'Good luck.' You'll have to work for it."

She smiled and was about to hug him, but decided otherwise.

"Thank you ! Thank you !"

"Don't be too thankful just yet." Luke smirked. "I'm not going to be an easy teacher."

"I will learn everything I can ! I will be a sponge ! All you have to do is feed me knowledge !" She promised and smiled.

"Hm." He muttered. "Then I'll make sure to give you plenty."

He took a few moments to think.

"But there's still one problem."

She gulped.

"What we just...Experienced..." Luke hesitated to even put it into words. "There are still things I do not understand."

"I'd like to know..." He continued. "How you were able to...To reach out to Ben...? To get through to him...?"

She sighed.

"I don’t know. I just…I just saw that he was in pain and I wanted to help. I told him that he was worthy of redemption and that he needed to hold on. I just…wanted to give him a little hope."

"You..." Luke had to take a few moments to process her words. "You just...You just reached out...?"

She nodded and Luke hummed thoughtfully.

"Do you know how rare that is ? How powerful that is ?"

"What ?" She frowned in confusion.

"To be able to reach someone through the Force...To be able to show him that he's worthy..." He paused. "To give someone like Kylo Ren hope...Do you have any idea how rare of an ability that is ?"

"Through the Force ? Wait…" She deadpanned. "…Are you saying what I think you’re saying ?"

"I...I am." Luke replied calmly. "You're Force-savvy. Not quite Force-sensitive, not yet...But you're on the border. You have the potential. And I think...I think that's part of the reason that dark presence tried to take you."

JR was stunned.

"You have the potential to be Force-sensitive..." He repeated. "You showed that right now. The Dark Side is going to target you because of that...because you could join the Light. Because you do have potential...Because..."

Luke went silent once again as he mulled over his own words.

"…Hum…Luke ? Are you saying that I could become a Force user ?! Like…really ? Become a Jedi ? Like Rey ?" She was truly stunned and huffed a nervous laugh. "No…It can’t be. I am not…I can’t be. The First Order makes us pass tests when we are kids. They would have…I can’t be…It’s impossible."

"The First Order..." Luke muttered and sighed. "Of course, they would."

"JR..." Luke took her hands. "Did they ever tell you what happened to anyone...Who ended up Force-sensitive...Once they discovered it ?"

"What ? No. Never. I just…" She frowned. "I heard there were special stormtroopers Force user units. But I never actually saw them."

"...If someone who’s Force-sensitive is discovered..." He sighed. "The First Order...They don’t take kindly to it. They think that those individuals who are Force-sensitive are a weakness...Someone who might switch sides or...Or might be corrupted. They don’t take the chance."

Her eyes widened.

"You mean…"

"They're afraid." He continued. "Afraid that someone might join the enemy...That someone might betray them...That someone is a weak link."

He sighed once more.

"They do away with anyone...Anyone who might be suspected of being Force-sensitive."

She felt a chill run down her spine as she then said knowingly.

"…I am never going back to the First Order now, am I ?"

"...No." He shook his head. "...No, you aren’t."

He paused as an ominous feeling washed over him. "...There's only one problem."

"What now ?" She sighed.

"...There is no way that the First Order won't come looking for you." Luke said simply.

She sighed again in frustration.

"If you have to choose between training Rey or keeping me. Just keep Rey, okay ? She deserves it. And she’s maybe the only one who can put an end to this war."

"You do realize that if I choose to train you...That it wouldn't be at the expense of Rey..." He said calmly. "There's nothing...No reason why she couldn't remain my apprentice...And I could still train you..."

"Besides..." He hesitated. "...Rey doesn't need me...Rey has the books...And she's got the Resistance...She's got people to teach her...People to look out for her...She'll be fine. You..."

JR looked away.

"I know…"

Luke let go of her hands and looked up and away...And he was silent for a little while as he seemed to deliberate his next words...

"...I could train you. But there would need to be rules."

"Like ?"

"No...No going over to the Dark side." He said firmly. "No allowing your past...Or your anger to consume you...No embracing hatred."

He took another breath.

"If I'm going to train you...Then you need to be able to resist the First Order...To resist...Darkness."

JR sighed before nodding.

"I shall…cut ties. I promise. I shall stop all of my communication with the Dark Side or the First Order."

"...That's a good start." Luke smiled. "But there's another rule."

"Which is ?"

"No going after Ben Solo." He replied. "You’re not strong enough yet...Even if you were able to bring him back...You’re not strong enough to defend yourself should...Should the Dark Side try to rip him from you again..."

He sighed.

"...Nor will you be strong enough for a long time…If ever."

"Okay. I won’t. But…How do I keep him away ? He literally just appears in my mind whenever he wants to…"

"That..." Luke paused once again. "The Force has a way of drawing people together...It’s possible that as long as the connection remains..."

He paused.

"...He’ll always have a way of reaching you. And you a way of reaching him."

"But is there any way to block him out ?"

"Yes. I can teach you...But you’ll have to do that yourself." He paused. "You’ll have to learn to cut that connection yourself."

"How ?"

"You can’t learn that by being taught...You learn through practice." He sighed. "You have to learn to control the connection and sever it when necessary...But it takes time. And it takes focus."

"I am willing to listen and learn."

"And I will help you." He said it firmly. "But you'll also need to be patient...This isn't going to happen in a day. Or with one lesson."

She nodded before taking a big breath.

"To save Ben Solo ? I would spend a 100 lessons…"

"And that's what it will probably take." He nodded. "Like I said...I'll make sure you learn. We'll start with the basics...And then we'll build from there."

She nodded and closed her eyes.

…Hold on, Ben Solo…

[charliedawn]

DEFECTIVE GOOD PART 16

Warning: Long.

JR-6025 was in her hut when she looked down at the transmitter around her wrist. She sighed.

It was time…

She called General Hux.

She tried to mentally prepare herself, but it was impossible. The transmission came through quickly, and General Hux's face appeared on the screen.

"Trooper..." He said, his tone more authoritative and slightly harsher than usual. Her eyes widened. That was the face of a very angry and displeased man…What had she done again ?

"Sir." She greeted back.

"Where are you ?" He interrogated. "You haven't been responding to my communications for the past few days..."

"…I apologise. I have been busy." She replied—thinking about how she had had to spare with Rey every single day because she wanted a fighting partner and how Luke Skywalker had been breathing down her neck ever since she had set foot on his island…

"Busy doing what, may I ask ?" He responded sharply with a raised eyebrow. "Or could it be that you had other intentions ? Other communications ?"

He continued, the subtle accusations clear in his tone and not lost on her experienced ears.

"…Excuse me ?" She frowned in confusion.

The general’s expression hardened.

"Well, you have been rather late with your responses over the past few days..." He said and clicked his tongue. "And I do know that you have had difficulty dealing with your...doubts."

Her eyes widened and she tightened her grasp around the transmitter.

"…What would you know about MY doubts, general ?" She asked and there was underlying fear in her voice as she wondered what the General could have poss heard.

Hux leant forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. She could feel hid silent judgment—even if she was only facing his hologram.

"You thought I wouldn’t know about your feelings towards the Rebellion ? That I haven't had my suspicions about your loyalties ?" He asked and JR clenched her teeth.

"…I see." She took a deep breath. "I haven’t forgotten my mission, if that is what you are insinuating."

"Oh, I am well aware that you haven't forgotten..." General Hux responded in an emotionless voice. "But I am also well-aware that you let your doubts continue to exist and fester within you instead of simply suppressing them in favor of your loyalty to the First Order..."

She looked away. It was true she had had her doubts but…She had never thought of betraying the First Order.

"…Now, how would you know any of this, sir ?" She asked with suspicion in her gaze.

"That is of no importance." General Hux snarled in response to her question. "What matters is that I know exactly how you have been acting over the past few days, and this is not behavior that I will tolerate..."

"Pray tell. How have I been acting exactly ?" She replied with a frown.

"You have been hesitant, and you have been slow to respond to my calls..." He responded with an unimpressed expression. "You have simply not been as loyal as you were expected to be..."

"I have been trying to gain the Rebellion’s trust. Isn’t that what you wanted ?" She retorted with a hint of disbelief. What more was she expected to do ?! He frowned, clearly irritated by her answer.

"Yes, you have been attempting to gain the Resistance's trust..." He said slowly, carefully choosing his next words. "But there is no reason for you to show this kind of hesitance while doing so..."

"What hesitance ?" She challenged and he took a moment to remain silent, attempting to maintain as much patience as possible.

"You haven't been showing the same devotion to the mission as you have previously..." He uttered calmly yet sharply. "And I can't help but notice that you have been taking longer to respond to my communications..."

"I cannot be 24/7 communicating with you, General." She replied shortly and with a small twitch of the corner of her lips. "I am on an island with Rey and Luke Skywalker. I am trying to gain information and get as close as possible to the scavenger girl. And you still expect me to be at your beck and call ?"

His expression darkened visibly at her statement.

"Are you implying that I am interfering with your mission ?" He responded, his tone becoming slightly more threatening as an edge of anger laced his sentences.

"I am implying that I wish you would trust me more !" She finally burst out and he glared at her with a scowl.

"I would trust you more if your doubts and fears didn't hold so much sway over your actions..." He retorted.

"What doubts and fears ? I cannot be communicating all the time with you, general !" She protested.

General Hux gritted his teeth before replying: "But you have the time to communicate with Lord Kylo Ren ?"

Her eyes widened and General Hux huffed mockingly.

"Yes. I am aware that you have been communicating with Ren."

JR sighed. Of course. Now, she knew where he had gotten the idea from…

"He has been invading my mind with the Force, sir. I cannot exactly push him back…"

He remained silent for a few moments, his gaze narrowing...

"So, you've been letting him invade your thoughts..." He murmured. His voice then took on a mocking tone. "Is that the real reason why you haven't been responding to my messages ? Because your mind was busy with other things...such as him ?"

"What am I supposed to do ?!" She replied—exasperated by the general’s lack of understanding. He sighed, his voice filling with a hint of irritation.

"You could have attempted to find a way of resisting him..." He responded and JR’s eyes widened in disbelief at his words. "Did you even try to suppress his influence ? Or did you simply let him do as he pleased ? Or did you secretly like it...did you secretly enjoy his little mental invasions ?"

She was stunned. Was he accusing her of talking to Kylo Ren ?!

"What ? You know I have only been loyal to you. Only you. I cannot help it that Lord Ren has the Force and uses it to enter my mind now, can I ?!" She shook her head and sighed.

The First Order General's eyes narrowed even further as he listened to her. His voice became more hostile and more agitated.

"Just how often has Lord Ren's presence been invading your mind ?" He asked, his tone taking on a slightly more threatening edge.

"…Three times. Maybe four." She shrugged.

"And each time, you let him invade your thoughts unimpeded, as though you had no problem with his presence..." He uttered sharply, each word carrying an implicit accusation with it. JR took a deep breath to calm herself.

"General Hux ! He is a Sith Lord. He has been spending his life training with the Force ! I cannot exactly just shut the door of my mind in his face !" She was starting to get annoyed ans angry at Hux’s accusations. What did he expect her to do ?

His jaw tightened as she said that.

"Yet you made no attempt to do so..." He spoke slowly. "You just let him enter your mind without even trying to resist..."

"What would you have me do ?! How could I possibly stop a Force user from entering my mind ?!" She couldn’t believe the discussion they were having. The absurdity of it…

"There are ways of resisting the Force..." He gritted his teeth. "Ways of maintaining your mental fortitude. Yet you never sought out training for such a purpose...instead you allowed Lord Ren to invade your mind as he pleased, again and again..."

"And who would train me ?!" She finally asked and looked up at the ceiling—wondering if maybe if she stopped looking at general Hux, the situation would turn out more bearable…

"I have the best instructors available in the First Order at my disposal..." He replied coldly. "What stopped you from reaching out to me for training ? Why did you allow Lord Ren to do whatever he pleased ?"

"Last time I checked, he can get into YOUR head too ! I am a stormtrooper ! He is a Sith Lord ! I am on a mission ! To spy on Rey and Luke Skywalker ! And you would have me come back to the ship to get training on how to resist Lord Ren’s Force powers ?!"

He leaned forward in his seat.

"You are a stormtrooper, but you are supposed to be one of my soldiers..." He muttered. "And I would much rather have you learn how to resist a Force user's influence than allow you to continue being mentally invaded by one..."

"Sir. Are you seriously jealous ?" She finally asked and he blinked in disbelief as he heard what she said.

"Jealous...?" He echoed, his tone becoming even harsher. "Jealous ?! ME ?"

His play of the shocked or confused or offended didn’t work on her. She knew General Hux well enough to decipher his different moods and emotions. And right now ? There was no doubt in her mind…

"Is that it ? Really ? You are jealous that I have been talking to Lord Ren ?" She insisted and General Hux remained silent for a few moments, his jaw tightening once more.

"I am the General of the First Order..." He muttered tightly. "I am in command of the entire First Order military...Why would I be jealous of a mere stormtrooper such as you...just for having occasional communications with Lord Ren ?"

She arched an eyebrow at him, but didn’t dare say more on the matter.

"Then what is it ? Lord Ren is a member of the First Order ! We are all on the same side !"

"And yet he is invading your mind and having his way with you..." He uttered sharply. "Would you also let me enter your thoughts like he does, if given the opportunity ? Would your mind be open towards me in the same way it is towards him ?"

She closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

"General…What are you…?"

"Would you let me enter your thoughts ?" He repeated, his tone taking on a threatening edge once more.

"YOU ARE NOT A FORCE USER !" She finally said, but immediately regretted her words. "No wait…That’s not what I…"

His eyes narrowed, and the threatening undertone to his tone grew stronger.

"Are you implying that if I was a Force user, you would let me enter your thoughts ?" He asked, his tone a combination of threatening and accusing.

"I am not letting anyone enter my thoughts. Lord Ren just…invites himself in, sir." She replied and was starting to get tired of the conversation. Couldn’t he see that she couldn’t do anything ?

"And you have done nothing to stop it..." He muttered. "Nothing to push him out..."

"Which begs the question..." He continued slowly. "...Do you allow him to invade your mind so easily because you enjoy his presence there ? Do you enjoy having him in your mind, and the feel of him in your thoughts ?"

She huffed a laugh of disbelief.

"Are you listening to yourself ? Do you really think I enjoy any of this ? Do you think I enjoy being on the enemy’s side and having Lord Ren violate the privacy of my own mind ?"

"Then why haven't you found a way of keeping him out ?" He responded sharply. "It doesn't make sense. If this is truly something you are unhappy about, then why haven't you found a way of keeping him out of your head ?"

"I AM ON AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH A JEDI MASTER AND REY ! WHERE WOULD I FIND SOMEONE TO TEACH ME HOW TO KEEP LORD KYLO REN AT BAY ?!" She remained silent for a moment before she came to the sudden realisation. "Oooooh…"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh...?" He repeated with a slight frown of confusion and JR sighed before explaining.

"Hear me out."

He remained silent for a moment...

"Fine..." He replied, his tone filled with curiosity. "I am listening."

She licked her lips before thinking about it and saying.

"…Luke Skywalker is a Jedi Master, right ?"

He nodded once.

"Yes, he is..." He replied slowly—wondering what she was getting at.

"…What if…I asked him to teach me…how to push someone out of my mind ?"

His jaw tightened as he listened to her suggestion.

"You would ask Luke Skywalker, the Jedi Master who is currently housing Rey, how to keep Lord Ren out of your mind ?" He uttered before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation and disbelief. Was it really possible to be that astoundingly stupid ? "And you see nothing wrong with that proposal ?"

"…Well, what else do you propose ? I am stuck here. Might as well try and see if I can make Luke Skywalker teach me a thing or two ?" She suggested. It seemed as if he was thinking about it before he shook his head. He remained silent for a few moments, his tone taking on a threatening edge once more.

"Have you lost your mind...?" He muttered. "You do not even have the slightest idea of how dangerous it would be if you openly revealed to Luke Skywalker that Lord Ren has the ability to enter your mind..."

She winced.

"I…agree. But I could hide it. Say that it is just for safety purposes. To help Rey. To keep enemies at bay ?"

He narrowed his eyes as he listened to her.

"You honestly believe that he would fall for that ?" He uttered. "Or do you honestly believe that Luke Skywalker will not notice your true reason for asking this of him ?"

"Alright then ! What is your brilliant idea then ? I am all ears, general !" She huffed in irritation. His tone immediately shifted to one of annoyance, as well.

"Keep Lord Ren at bay yourself !" He shouted. "It can't be that difficult...! Surely you just have to find a way of pushing him out...and keeping him out when he tries to return...like a defense mechanism of sorts...."

She blinked twice.

"…Are you serious ?"

He didn’t relent.

"Of course I am serious..." He responded harshly. "Am I supposed to believe that you cannot even find a way of pushing him out of your mind on your own ?!"

"I feel like I am repeating myself here…He is a damn SITH LORD !" She repeated and pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation.

"And you are a member of the First Order, a loyal soldier !" He shouted before muttering under his breath. "One who is supposed to be my best..."

JR was stunned for a second before she smiled. He froze for a second, before he noticed that she was smiling and his eyes narrowed...

"What are you smiling about...?"

"~Nothing." She hummed with a small smile still playing on her lips.

"Speak." He commanded her. "Tell me what exactly is making you smile right now."

"…You just admitted that I am your best soldier."

There was a brief moment of silence as his gaze fixed upon her.

"And why, exactly, did that make you smile ?"

"…I didn’t know you held me in such high esteem. That’s all." She replied with a small shrug. He was silent for a few moments. His expression softened, though he remained silent...

She smiled again.

"…I am glad to know it now. But, even though you think I am a good soldier, I cannot force Kylo Ren to keep away without training, sir. And I think my best shot would be to ask Luke Skywalker to teach me. With…your permission. Of course."

He remained silent for a few moments, and then leaned back in his seat...

"Fine." He muttered. "You may ask him...I give you permission to do so..."

She smiled again.

"Thank you, sir. And…I’ll try to communicate with you more often. I promise."

His expression softened slightly, and he nodded once.

"Good..." He muttered. "Now, see to it that you do your job. And be careful...do not let Luke Skywalker become suspicious of you or of your intentions..."

She smiled and nodded.

"Well noted, general."

She then looked away.

"And…thank you."

His eyes narrowed once again.

"Thank me...?" He responded slowly. "For what, exactly ?"

"For…worrying about me."

His lips tightened.

"I merely gave you permission to talk to Luke Skywalker..." He responded. "I am merely asking you to see if you can use this as an opportunity to gather some of the information we need...that is all..."

He sighed.

"...Do not let such ideas of sentimentalism fill your head..."

"Right right. Never." She agreed, but was still smiling.

"Good." He replied, his voice once more becoming cold and emotionless. "And if Lord Ren does try to enter your mind again before you have spoken to Skywalker...you will immediately inform me...and not Luke Skywalker..."

"Yes, sir." She smiled before she was about to end communication. His eyes narrowed once again.

"One last thing..." He said.

"Yes ?" She looked at him.

"Before you go..." He paused for a second. "I wish to know...when was the first time Lord Ren invaded your mind ?"

"Oh ! Hum…It was…I think it was after I talked to his mother. General Organa. Why ?"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"You spoke to Lord Ren's mother ?" He echoed. "When ?"

She shrugged.

"A few days after I infiltrated the Resistance."

He remained silent for a few seconds.

"And...what did you speak to her about ?"

JR hesitated. She didn’t want to say anything personal about Lord Ren to General Hux. He became slightly irritated.

"Tell me."

"Sir…I don’t think it is of any importance. Really."

His face contorted into a grimace of annoyance.

"I will decide whether it is insignificant or not. Now tell me..."

She sighed.

"…We talked about…Ben Solo." She closed her eyes. His jaw clenched tightly.

"Ben Solo...you mean to tell me that you discussed Kylo Ren's past with his mother ?"

"…It was just…a conversation. Nothing more." She tried to justify herself.

"A conversation...about Kylo Ren's past." He repeated slowly. "With General Organa, who happens to be...his mother, yes ?"

"…What is your point, general ?" She said and he remained silent for a moment—thinking.

"What were the specifics of the conversation ?"

She shrugged.

"Memories. Childhood memories. Just…whatever you would expect a mother to talk about when talking about her son. She just wanted to know that her son was alright…"

"Yes, and what about you..." He hissed. "...Why were you interested in hearing about his childhood and his past ?"

"I was just trying to gain her trust." She said and looked away. She wouldn’t admit to General Hux that she had actually been interested to know more about Kylo Ren’s past…

"By asking her about her son's childhood...Memories from before he joined the First Order..." He sighed. "I see..."

"Yes." She nodded.

"And what did you learn about him ?" He muttered slowly. "What did she tell you about her son..."

JR thought about it. What could she say ?

"…That he was a happy child."

He leant forward in his seat for a moment.

"...Nothing else...? Nothing more..."

"No, sir."

"You expect me to believe that you and General Organa talked about Kylo Ren's past..." He hissed, his tone filled with suspicion. "...And the only thing she told you was that he was a happy child ?"

"I mean…What else could she have said ?" She protested.

"I do not know !" He shouted. "Were there no significant events in his childhood ?! Or something embarrassing ? Something…useful ?"

"Why would you want to know ?" She frowned slightly. "General…Are you…trying to find some kind of emotional leverage against Lord Ren ?"

He paused.

"What makes you think that ?" He murmured and slowly turned his head towards her and JR knew he was upset by the way she thought his eyes held fire in them. "What are you trying to insinuate ?"

She frowned. It was one thing to be ambitious and bold, it was another to try to gain the upper hand on a rival through emotional manipulation.

"…I believe it is best I end the communication now, sir. I need to…get back to the mission."

He remained silent for a few moments.

"...Fine..." He grunted. "Go do what you need to do..."

"Yes, sir. Goodbye."

He glared at the transmission for a few moments, before he cut the connection.

"...Goodbye..." He nodded once and immediately ended the transmission, sitting there in silence for a few moments...

As soon as the call was over, JR-6025 let out a sigh of relief and she looked up at the ceiling of her hut…That was tense. She then looked outside and saw Rey training. She was getting better day after day. JR then looked for Luke, but saw no sign of him…At that moment, the door to her hut suddenly opened, as Luke Skywalker stepped inside. Luke took a few steps towards her, the door slamming shut behind him as he approached...JR instinctively took a few steps back—her hand instinctively reaching for the blaster she had hidden underneath her bed.

"M-Master Luke. To what do I owe the pleasure ?" She forced a smile. He remained silent for a few moments, before responding slowly.

"I know who you have been communicating with..."

Her smile faltered slightly.

"I…I don’t…"

He took a few steps towards her.

"Don't try and deny it..."

She sighed. "It…isn’t my fault. Lord Ren has been entering my mind by force. I would like to be able to push him away. But I cannot…I need…I need your help."

He paused.

"...Lord Ren has been entering your mind...?"

She closed her eyes and nodded. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"When did this begin...?"

She sighed.

"A few days ago. But his appearances have been more frequent recently…"

"I see..." There was a moment of silence as Skywalker thought about it.

"And why did you not tell me about this...as soon as you noticed it...?"

She sighed.

"I was afraid you would…ask me to leave."

"So...you thought it better to keep a secret from me instead...of simply telling me about it...?" He clenched his jaw tightly.

"I am sorry. I know I was wrong. I just…Everyone already sees me as a traitor and I didn’t want Rey or you to have any more reasons to doubt me." She explained and he sighed.

"I see..." He remained silent for a few moments, his voice softened slightly. "I understand how you may have feared...but you should have told me..."

"…I know. I apologise. But, I need your help."

He raised an eyebrow.

"...And what exactly is this 'help' you are requesting of me...?"

She hesitated. "Could you…teach me ? Teach me how to keep him at bay ?"

She waited for his answer and Luke huffed before turning around to leave.

"No."

"What ?!" She exclaimed before following him. "What do you mean no ?!"

Luke paused for a brief moment as she followed him.

"...You want ME to teach you how to push away Lord Ren from your mind ? After all..." He looked back at her. "...You still communicate with the First Order..."

JR’s eyes widened.

"Wait a second…How do you know that ?"

He merely blinked once.

"I..." He paused for a moment.

"Were you…spying on me ?" She asked with a frown and crossed her arms over her chest.

Luke rolled his eyes before mimicking her.

"Ironic coming from a spy."

She remained silent for a moment, and then scoffed.

"Right, I was a spy, so what..." She shook her head. "...Anyway...back to what I was saying...what do you mean you cannot teach me how to push away Lord Ren...?"

He humphed.

"You have got a LOT of nerve."

She smirked as she sighed.

"You didn't answer my question..."

"Let me see…" He started counting on his fingers. "You are a spy. Lord Ren keeps entering your mind. You are a stormtrooper. You have infiltrated the Rebellion to spy on Rey and on me. I am currently THIS close to just throwing you over a cliff for the fish to feast." He showed a narrow gap between his finger and thumb to illustrate his words.

JR raised an eyebrow at him.

"Then why haven’t you ?"

Luke’s jaw twitched before be sighed.

"Because if you had told the First Order about where I am or what we are doing, then the First Order would already be here. But, you haven’t. And I see…something in you. For some reason. And my sister saw it too since she sent you to me."

There was a sudden silence. For a while, at least. JR was silent for a while. Then, she chuckled.

"So despite everything," She spoke slowly, as if processing her own words. "...You haven't thrown me over a cliff, simply because you see something in me...?"

Luke raised an eyebrow at her. She chuckled again.

"If you really do see something in me," she spoke slowly, a hint of a smirk on her face. "...What would you call it...? Is it something good ?"

"Haven’t figured it out yet." He replied truthfully and she remained silent for a few moments.

"So...you see something in me, but you don't know what, exactly...?"

Luke frowned.

"Be grateful that I have even allowed you to stay. Stormtroopers are normally unwelcome on my island. Actually, everyone but me is unwelcome. But, especially stormtroopers."

She scoffed.

"If you are still figuring out what this 'something' is..." She paused shortly. "...Why do you not simply teach me how to push away Lord Ren's intrusion ? What do you have to lose ?"

Luke huffed mockingly.

"And help a member of the First Order ? Great idea. Why don’t I teach you how to use the Force next, why don’t I ?"

"I don't want to learn the Force..." She muttered slowly, rolling her eyes. "But I do want to learn about ways to stop Lord Ren from invading my mind..."

She paused for a moment.

"You do have a solution, yes ?"

Luke hesitated.

"…Perhaps." He stood before her—looming over her. "But…I do not teach stormtroopers."

"Oh ?" She smirked, stepping up to face him in a mockery of his stance. "...Can't you make an exception ? For me, at least ?"

At this point, she was just playing confident. She was scared that Luke would actually send her away without helping her. But she thought that by being honest, he would at least consider it.

"And pray tell, why would I do that ?" He raised a quizzical eyebrow at her. She remained silent for a few moments, before grinning.

"Because I am special ?" She replied coyly.

Luke chocked on a laugh and waved her in a dismissive manner.

"Arrogant. So very arrogant…"

She shrugged.

"Well...what can I say...I am special..." She smirked.

"And since you still 'cannot figure out what this something is' that you see in me..." She took a step closer to him. "...Perhaps...you might consider teaching me..."

"Nice speech. But, as I have said before…I do not teach stormtroopers." He repeated stubbornly and she frowned, her fists clenching.

"But as you said..." She raised her hand to point at herself. "...I am special. So...Perhaps you might reconsider."

Luke rolled his eyes. She made him think of Han Solo…Stubborn prick that he was…Luke shook his head at the memory of his old friend.

"I am afraid I already have a student that I need to be FULLY committed to."

She remained silent for a few moments, frowning once again.

"...You mean Rey ?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes. Rey. And if I recall correctly, you begged me to train her." Luke said and looked into her eyes. "Would you really risk HER training to get yourself some lessons ?"

JR frowned and looked away. She hesitated. She remained silent for a while, thinking over what he said.

"...No." She muttered quickly, her tone a mix of guilt and resignation. "...I wouldn't..."

Luke’s expression softened as he realised that the stormtrooper genuinely cared about Rey. He sighed before looking away.

"I…do not teach stormtroopers." He repeated before walking past her, but he then stopped and looked back at her. "But…I am willing to try. If you are no longer one. If you cut all ties with the First Order. And if you abandon their ways. If you truly commit to Rey and the Rebellion. Then…Maybe…"

JR closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. She thought about General Hux and years of fighting for the First Order. She would have to abandon all that…She would have to say goodbye to them…Her face froze.

"...You mean...I would have to fully defect to the Rebellion...? You are really giving me an ultimatum ?"

Luke didn’t say anything. He only left her with her thoughts and JR closed her eyes. She had promised to stay loyal to General Hux. She had pledged to the stormtrooper creed. Her whole life had been linked to the First Order.

She couldn’t possibly…

She remained silent for a few moments, her mind racing.

The First Order...General Hux...Years spent as a loyal stormtrooper...

A part of her thought she couldn't do it. A part of her thought that there was no way that she could turn her back on everything that she had known up until now. But another part of her also thought of Rey...JR looked at the transmitter in her hand and her eyes started filling up with tears. She would have to say goodbye to her old life. She would have to say goodbye to General Hux and Kylo Ren and what she had always been…She held the transmitter close as tears silently streamed down her face.

She suddenly felt a pang of loneliness as she realised just how close she was to...well, just everything in her past life.

The First Order...General Hux...Kylo Ren…Everything...

She started walking back to her hut and sat down. She remained silent for a few moments, trying to keep her cool. As difficult and impossible as this mission was, her loyalty was still to the First Order. Or she tried to convince herself it was…

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine.

She didn’t even need to turn around to know that she wasn’t alone anymore…

"Lord Ren. What is it you want ?" She spoke slowly, trying to put on a stoic and emotionless demeanor, as was expected of a good and loyal stormtrooper.

"How far is Rey in her training ?" He asked and she restrained a heavy sigh.

She frowned.

"She is..." She thought for a moment. "She is making good progress, I would say..."

She turned around to face him and was surprised to find him wearing his mask again.

"Lord Ren. Is there a particular reason for your…presence now ?"

He scoffed.

"I simply wished to see how much 'progress' she had made..." He paused for a few moments. "...And because I wanted to speak with you."

She tensed up. "About ?"

He smiled.

"About your mission. And about the progress you have made with Rey."

JR sighed before asking.

"Couldn’t you use the transmitter to contact me ? The one General Hux is using ? Instead of coming and going in my head."

Kylo Ren chuckled—but the modified sound was echoing within her mind and made her quiver slightly.

"And why would I do that ? When I can have ALL the information I want right from the source ?"

JR’s jaw twitched at his words.

"Then view it as a request, Lord Ren. Would you…please…stop…entering me mind ?" She closed her eyes.

"And how do you intend to make me do that...?" He smirked. "If you want me to stop, then make me."

He chuckled.

"It is not as if I enjoy entering your mind without your consent...It is just the quickest and most effective way to communicate and ensure your safety."

Liar…He was having a blast. And she knew he couldn’t care less about her safety.

She thought to herself. She felt anger bubbling deep inside her.

"Stop."

He scoffed. "Just 'stop' ?" He smirked tauntingly. "Do you really expect me to simply stop because you tell me to...?"

"Please." She insisted and he shook his head.

"No," He replied bluntly. "I shall enter your mind...whenever I feel the need to."

"Lord Ren. Please. Just…Please. Leave." She tried again, but he simply glared at her, his temper starting to rise.

"And what makes you think that I am going to do as you ask ?" He snapped and she shuddered.

"Because I am asking you. Because I am asking you to let me take my own decisions and leave my mind at once."

He glowered at her.

"Your mind is not simply your mind. If it was, I would not be able to enter it. Therefore, I am well within my right to continue entering your mind, 'whenever I feel the need to'. That is my final answer."

She gritted her teeth and glared back at him.

"Nobody trusts me because they know you are in my mind ! General Hux is having doubts about me ! Luke Skywalker is having doubts about me ! All that because of YOU !"

"That is your issue," He snapped. "Not mine. So I shall continue to do what I want."

He folded his arms over his chest like a child and glared at JR. She sighed and shook her head. She now understood General Hux’s strife now more than ever.

"You cannot blame me for everyone distrusting you. You yourself gave the First Order reason not to..." He started and she saw red.

"I have been nothing but loyal all my life ! I have tried to be a good stormtrooper ! And you keep trying to get General Hux to see me as a traitor ! To make the whole world believe it so ! Why ?! Why, Lord Ren ?!" She shouted and immediately regretted when she saw the way Lord Ren was now so close to her. He was looming over her and she had never felt so much like a mosquito right now…

"...Did it ever occur to you that I want to keep you safe...?" He finally claimed and remained silent for a few moments, a hint of guilt suddenly appeared in his voice. "And for the record...I did not try to get General Hux to see you as a traitor. He is the one who thinks that and came to that conclusion on his own..."

She huffed a mocking laugh.

"Right…And how did he learn that you could enter my mind at will ? You told him. Of course you did…"

His expression suddenly hardened.

"I had to tell him..." He snapped. "Besides, that does not matter..."

"IT DOES MATTER !" She protested and Kylo’s breathing picked up.

"No it does not. Not in the slightest. You were suspicious from the beginning." He glared at her as he took a step closer to her. "And yet you are angry at me for informing your superior...."

"Of course I am ! Because I thought I could trust…" She admitted and sighed softly. "…because I thought I could trust you."

Kylo Ren was momentarily surprised before there was a small static noise that JR recognised as a mocking huff—a barely stifled laugh.

"And, tell me, JR..?" He paused as he took another step closer to her. "What made you think that you could ever trust me...?"

She gulped and took a few steps back.

"Right. I was obviously wrong…"

"Well...you are not entirely wrong..." he replied, a playful tone suddenly filling his voice. "I did tell him about our...special connection...but not much more."

She took a deep breath and turned her back on him.

"…There is no connection. You are just an intruder in my own mind. An intruder that I will find a way to get rid of somehow…"

"Do you truly believe that...?" He asked, moving closer to her. He suddenly reached out and held one of her shoulders.

"The bond between us is real...You cannot simply get rid of me..."

"I can. And I will." She refused to let him play with her mind. He smirked and chuckled.

"And just...how exactly do you intend to do that...?" He tapped her cheek with his glove finger tauntingly.

"…I will ask for help." She swiftly turned around to stare at him. "…from Skywalker."

He raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"From..." He laughed. "...From Luke Skywalker...?" He scoffed. "Why would that old fool help you...?"

"…Because I told him I would defect." She gritted her teeth. "Because of you ! I have no choice…You got what you wanted. I cannot be free and even my own thoughts and feelings do not belong to me anymore since you obviously seem to find my mind amusing to haunt and ruin…"

He folded his arms over his chest as he smiled.

"So, basically..." He paused in between words. "...you are going from one leash to another ?"

She huffed.

"Better his than yours."

She glared at him.

"I was General Hux’s pet. Now, I am yours. And soon, I will be someone else’s. Congratulations. You have succeeded in making me realise that no matter where I am or with whom, I shall always be just a pet to all of you ! Yes. Congratulations, Lord Ren. Thank you for enlightening me…"

She felt tears fill her eyes and suddenly, Kylo Ren removed his mask to look at her properly. He remained silent for a few moments, his facial expression suddenly darkening. He took a step closer to her, and grabbed her arms tightly.

"You are not my pet. Do you understand ?!" He spoke forcefully. "I am not like General Hux. He may have treated you like a pet...but I..."

He paused, clenching his fists.

"You…WHAT ?!"

He remained silent for a few seconds before looking away. He took a deep breath.

"I..." He paused again. "I..." His voice suddenly grew quieter, the anger in his expression fading. "I would never treat you...like...like a pet..." He whispered. "I would respect you..."

"Respect me ? Respect me, Lord Ren ?" Tears ran down her cheeks. "You keep violating the privacy of my mind, you keep making me doubt about everything. You keep trying to manipulate me and making me believe that I can trust you…but I cannot, can I ? I cannot trust ANYONE."

He remained silent for a few moments. Then, he slowly looked back at her. He seemed to have regained his composure.

"You cannot trust anyone," He agreed. "But..." Again, a long pause followed. "You can trust me."

He moved a step closer to her.

"I told you, that I would never treat you like a pet...And I meant it..."

"Liar…" She pushed him away. "Liar."

He remained silent for a few moments.

"Say what you want about me," He said, remaining calm in the face of her hostility. "But I have never lied to you, JR-6025."

"LIAR !" She screamed and her breathing picked up. "I am done. I am done with you. And General Hux. And the First Order ! I want to be free ! And if defection is the price ? Then fine !"

"Is that your final answer...?" He mumbled quietly, a bitter edge to his voice. "If so..." He paused. His eyes suddenly flashed with anger. "Then defect. And see how long you last without me to protect you..."

She gritted her teeth and stood closer to him before seething.

"When did you EVER protect me ?"

"From..." He paused and seemed to stop himself before continuing. "...From General Hux. I have had to listen to his thoughts...for months...And during that time, he...did...not think kindly of you...He wanted to hurt you."

Her eyes widened slightly before she shook her head. No…She wouldn’t let him influence her again.

"Well, at least he was always honest about his feelings towards me ! General Hux never pretended to care about me ! He was always faithful to his beliefs ! To the First Order ! And I admire him for it ! But you ?! You are so confused and trying to be someone you obviously aren’t just to pretend belonging to the Dark Side ! And you wish me to join your side ?! But, what is your side, Kylo Ren ? You have no side !"

He remained silent for a few moments, looking away from her, his expression darkening again.

"Yes, I am confused," He whispered. "And yes, I may be trying to figure out who I want to be. But at least I have not simply obeyed and done as I was told all my life."

He slowly turned back to her, still holding on to her arms tightly. "I want to be better than the First Order ever was," He finally confessed. "And you..."

"…What about me ?"

He moved slightly closer to her.

"You..." his expression softened for a moment as he paused. "You want to be free...free from the bonds of the First Order...and from General Hux."

He took another step forward.

"I...can offer that." He then extended his hand forward—hoping she would take it.

She sighed and shook her head.

"You cannot. You are as much a pet as I am, Lord Ren." She huffed. "Same leash, different master."

"I am NOT a pet," He muttered, his voice starting to raise, his temper gradually rising again. He lowered his hand. "And at the end of the day, I am nothing like General Hux. I do not seek power for power's sake, I have motives other than self-serving."

"Yes ? Such as ?" She asked.

"Freedom," He whispered. "And the eradication of the past…the fall of the First Order. I seek to rebuild a new Empire…"

"A new Empire ?" Her eyes widened in horror. "A new Empire…That is your big plan ? To re-build a system built on terror and destruction ?"

He remained silent for a few moments, before speaking in a firm, low voice.

"And the Rebellion…?" He laughed. "What is their plan ? Re-building a system that did nothing but maintain a broken and dying Republic…? No. A new Empire would actually benefit the galaxy. And besides…" The anger returned again. "…it would give us new meaning..."

She remained silent and shook her head before turning her back to him once more. He paused for a moment in silence. He then stepped closer to her, and spoke in a softer, more desperate voice than he had been previous.

"...Please..."

She sighed.

"I genuinely thought…we could be friends. But, all you seek is power. Just like all of them…"

"I do not just seek power," He snapped. "I seek purpose. Freedom. And a better future. But I cannot have that..."

Again, he paused before speaking again.

"Not unless you help me."

"…I cannot help you, Lord Ren. I am sorry."

"And why not ?" His voice was louder again, almost filled with some form of rage. "I am offering you freedom ! Freedom from the constraints of the First Order, freedom to make your own choices..."

"No. What you are offering me is a brand new leash and a golden cage. And with you on top."

"...At least that leash would be of my own making," He said, his voice barely above a whisper now. "And..." He took a deep breath. "...In time, you would not feel as if it were a cage..."

"…But it would still be a cage—no matter how beautiful or luxurious you make it."

He remained silent for a few moments.

"Yes. It would be a golden cage, perhaps. In time, you would even grow to appreciate it. You would learn to enjoy the comfort of it. And would you not prefer that, instead of the leash of the First Order ?"

She shivered as she felt one of his arms wrap itself around her midsection from behind as his fingers wrapped around her throat.

He remained silent for a few moments.

He loosened his grip on her throat, but he did not remove his arm.

"Tell me..." He spoke quietly, barely above a whisper. "Would you rather this leash...or that of the First Order ?"

She closed her eyes and the dry trails of tears on her face felt like lava.

"Just…stop."

"Answer the question," He replied calmly, although the grip on her throat remained. "Do you choose...a leash of my making...or the leash of the First Order...? You...will have a leash no matter your choice...only this way you could have some degree of control over your situation..."

"I do not want a leash…" She uttered in a whisper.

"Yet you will get one, regardless," He replied. "That much you should already know. The leash of the First Order...Or...a leash of my making."

She gritted her teeth and tried to get out of his grip, but she couldn’t.

"Please. I don’t want one. I don’t…"

Kylo Ren tightened his grip on her.

"It could be an invisible leash. A sweet one. One you would learn to love to have." He whispered in her ear. "One you won’t want to live without…"

"I could be gentle," He spoke quietly. "Tender even. You would barely notice the leash, and you would not even want to remove it..."

JR felt her breathing pick up.

"…I don’t…"

"Or..." He spoke softly, gently pulling her closer to him and his fingers tightening around her neck. "…I could also tighten the leash."

He paused.

"Tighten the leash...so tight you would choke on it..."

She gritted her teeth and felt more tears coming out of her eyes.

"…What if I choose the First Order’s leash ?"

His grip tightened and his expression darkened.

"You think you could stand up to General Hux…? You think you could disobey his demands ?" He asked and JR shivered at the sensation of his breath hitting the back of her neck.

"Could I yours ?" She retorted.

He paused before smirking.

"Yes. You could. And do you know why...?" His grip only tightened further.

"Because I would let you," He grunted. "I would let you disobey me...defy me..."

A cruel smile appeared on his face.

"You would hate it...I could make you hate it like nothing else..."

She frowned.

"…What do you mean ?"

"I would make you beg for forgiveness..." He whispered. "Beg me to forgive you for your disobedience..."

He paused for a few seconds, still grinning cruelly.

"And I would just laugh in your face..." He chuckled cruelly. "I would leave you to suffer under General Hux's wrath...I would take pleasure in making you suffer..."

She shivered.

"Then why would I choose YOUR leash ?"

Kylo Ren chuckled darkly.

"...General Hux is...unpredictable," He replied in a lower, darker tone, his grip tightened again. "Unlike me, he would simply...kill you...without a second thought. He would not care...he would barely give it a second thought. You would simply disappear...and the First Order would continue on without you."

JR’s eyes watered as she felt her air supply running thin.

"So why don’t you make yourself a favour and choose my leash instead...?" He chuckled quietly. "Because at least with me," He paused and let out a bitter laugh, "You could have some hope of surviving...."

His grip tightened on her once again.

"Although..." He remained silent for a few moments. "Perhaps I could just deliver you to General Hux instead..."

She started feeling the air coming in short supply in her lungs and her eyes prickling with tears.

"L-Lord Ren…You are hurting me. Let go." She said and tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her.

"I am not letting go..." He muttered, his grip growing even tighter. "Not anymore..."

His smile turned sinister as it became filled with rage.

"I do not care what you want. I do not care what you need...All I care about..." His voice became a cruel whisper. "...is that you are mine..."

JR felt his cold lips against the back of her neck and hissed as it felt like he was burning her…

"I will make you beg for air, JR..." He whispered cruelly. "I will make you beg simply to speak...to breathe…to live."

His grip only tightened further.

"But you won't care...Not really...because..." Another grin then spread across his face. "Because you’ll want me, just as much as I want you..."

And with that, JR felt herself slowly losing consciousness. He tightened his grip even more, and pulled her even closer. His breath was growing harsh and heavy too, but his grip remained tight and he did not loosen it.

"Don't faint..." He muttered. "Because if you faint, I'm going to get even angrier...And you DO NOT want that..."

She tried to stay awake as long as she could, but she couldn’t utter a sound…She was trapped. She could only cry and gasp. He felt her body starting to go limp, but he made no attempt to loosen his hold on her.

"That's right..." He muttered, his voice becoming even crueler. "That's it..." He said in a low voice, leaning in closer and whispering into her ear. "You are mine to do with as I please...aren’t you ?"

Just as she was about to pass out, the door to her hut opened and Skywalker entered. His eyes widened at the scene and he shouted authoritatively.

"NOOO !" He lifted his hand and pushed Kylo Ren back into his own body. Kylo Ren jolted away in his room and screamed out in rage.

"DAMN YOU, SKYWALKER !"

[charliedawn]

I’m not sure if you do these, or even these slashers butttttt~ It never hurts to ask, if you don’t go ahead and ignore or even delete!

I’ll be trying my best not to spoil! I’m really trying so hard! But your pages and slashers I get SO excited! Plus your au’s and writings etc!!

I mainly wanna know your take on the Sawyer’s and the Hewitt’s, are they one big family? Bubba and Tommy brothers like some headcannon? Rivalry neighbors?? Are the newer/remakes (like 2020’ redos) also different versions? Or older them?? How would they be at the hospital? And with our lil’/us as the Nurse?

Texas Chain Saw Massacre ≈ Bubba & the Sawyer’s

Texas Chainsaw Massacre ≈ Tommy/Thomas & the Hewitt’s

Or even Headcannons of other slasher/horror movies?? Like;

My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009) ≈ Harry Warden and/or Tom Hanniger

Barbarian (2022) ≈ Keith, Tess, “Bonnie”, The Mother, Frank??

Maybe more female slasher headcannons? Or legit give me ANY Slasher movies! Old, new, known, not known, I’d love to hear your suggestions!

I’m so sorry this is long I got really excited!

≈🇨🇦~That one annoying long anom~💚𝒯𝒽ℯℴ💚≈

Author: "They used to be part of the same family but, things got tense between family members and they had to split. Some say Thomas and Bubba might be extended cousins or something of the sort, but nothing could be proven as the split happened a long time ago. But something is for sure, both families never met or spoke to each other ever since the conflict and they hunt in very different areas. St Louis has tried many times to catch them. But they are both really smart and are constantly protected by the family circle—very much like the Hannibals. Cannibals stick together."

[charliedawn]

Artie Artie! I made us both sweaters! *holds up the sweaters proudly for him to see* Lookie it got your initial!

Arthur: "Aww…Thank you, sweetie. It fits me like a glove…"

[charliedawn]

I saw a trailer for the second Joker movie today and I gotta say. I was worried about Arthur’s progress since he sensed to be doing at least a little better in Saint Louis… then I remembered that that only happened here on your blog and had to walk away from the computer. Your blog is so good it should be canon.

Author: "Thank you, dear."

Arthur: "A movie ? About me ? "

Author: "Yes. You are quite the famous guy in my world, Arthur. Very much so. Here’s a sneak peek on your lil’ movie. Enjoy."

Arthur *watching his own movie* : "Ah ah…It’s…It’s…my life. It’s my life. And people see me ? They actually want to see me ?"

Author: "…They sure do, bud. They sure do."

[charliedawn]

DEFECTIVE GOOD

PART 15:

Warning: Emotional support cat mentioned 🤣

JR was looking at Rey training and smiled to herself. She had advanced quite a lot and by what she could see, she was rapidly becoming stronger and talented with wielding the Force. As days passed, so did JR’s dilemma as she kept glancing down at the transmitter around her wrist. She hadn’t contacted General Hux in weeks. What was she meant to do now ?

She knew he would probably not understand.

She sighed and then thought about Lord Kylo Ren. She had promised him to keep an eye on Rey, but she knew it was only a matter of time before she would have to come back to the life she had left. She wasn’t meant to be here. She wasn’t meant to be free…

She sighed before her eyes and ears captured a conversation between Rey and Luke.

"Ren failed you, but I will be better. I promise." Rey told Luke whose eyes widened as he sighed and replied with a shake of his head.

"I see the same power in you. The Force is not easy to control. Anyone can be swayed by it and turn to the Dark Side by fear or anger…"

JR listened carefully and she frowned slightly before thinking about it. Ren used to be Luke Skywalker’s apprentice…When had things started to get out of hand ? Lord Kylo Ren had confided in her that he had felt as if his voice didn’t matter…that someone had betrayed him. Could that someone be Luke Skywalker ?

She shook her head.

No. He wouldn’t do that. Luke was a hero and surely trained him well, but then…why ?

Suddenly, Luke spotted her and sighed before walking towards her and crossed her arms over her chest.

"A stormtrooper shouldn’t be eavesdropping." He warned and JR gulped.

"B—But I am not a stormtrooper. Not anymore."

Luke frowned before grabbing her arm and whispering.

"Aren’t you ? Really ?"

JR’s is eyes widened at the clear doubt and suspicion in Luke Skywalker’s voice and she couldn’t say anything. Luke huffed a mock laugh before shaking his head and releasing her.

"…As long as you won’t know who you are, you will never be able to see the path the Force has chosen for you, JR-6025." Luke said and JR’s eyes widened at his words. She had never told him her stormtrooper tag name before…

She stayed there—stunned. She then reluctantly walked away. When Rey’s training was finished for the day, JR came to her and asked:

"I heard you talk about Lord Ren. Tell me. Do you know what happened ?"

Rey sighed and shrugged before looking up at her.

"Ren was getting out of control and Luke had no choice but to stop him. Lord Ren then massacred all the other students at the Jedi Temple and…left." Rey turned her gaze away. "Ben betrayed him and became Lord Kylo Ren. And now, Luke sees him in me…"

JR looked at Rey before smiling.

"Then, he is wrong. Your power may be as great as his, but your heart is nothing like his."

Rey smiled back at her friend’s confidence before looking up at the sky.

"The sun is falling. We should go and get some rest."

JR nodded in agreement.

"You’re right. Goodnight, Rey."

Rey nodded in acknowledgment.

"Goodnight, JR."

As soon as Rey walked away, JR sighed heavily. So, Kylo Ren had betrayed Luke Skywalker, huh? She would never have guessed such a thing could have occurred.

However, she couldn't help but wonder what else Luke had not told her. There must have been more to the story. Why did Ren betray Luke in the first place? It couldn't be simply because he felt his voice didn't matter.

As she walked back to her room, JR couldn't shake off her fears and unanswered questions. She would have to find the answers by herself.

A few hours later:

JR-6025 was sitting nearby the fire—staring at it. She thought of her dream...of leading the galaxy to a better future—to get the war to stop. Was it really possible ? She buried her face in her arms and even though she had the urge to look out and ask the stars for guidance—she stopped herself. She had only ever wished to help...but now, the universe seemed to tell her that the only way to do so was to betray the First Order ? How could she kill Rey ? How could she steal the galaxy’s last hope ?

"JR-6025..." She heard her name and slowly raised her head—not expecting Kylo Ren to be standing there.

She immediately stood up and looked around in a panic. She hoped Rey or Luke wouldn’t sense his presence.

"Lord Ren. You shouldn't be here. You are going to blow my cover !"

He nodded.

"I know. I will not stay for long." He looked back—as if checking that he was truly alone-before turning back towards JR. "How far is Rey in her training ?"

She frowned.

"How do you know that I am with her ?"

He chuckled—as if the answer was obvious.

"Because I know that Hux asked you to spy on her. I also know that he asked you to kill her, but I can see that you've kept your promise. I am...grateful for it."

JR nodded understandingly before she replied.

"She is very skilled. Skywalker is training her well."

Kylo Ren nodded in return before looking around.

"Good. Can you see my surroundings ? I cannot see yours." He asked and she sighed before making sure the door was locked before answering him.

"No. I cannot." She confirmed before thinking about a change of subject. She then asked hesitantly.

"How is...the general ?"

Kylo Ren looked uneasy as he confessed.

"Hux is worried. He doesn't want people to know, but I know he is worried. His mind is troubled. You have gone silent for over a month and he thinks you might be dead. I decided to come and check for myself. I am glad to see that he is wrong."

He smiled and JR smiled back before looking away. JR felt guilty for worrying General Hux, but she knew she had no choice.

"I cannot talk to him. Not now." He confessed and thought Kylo would ask her why, but his answer surprised her.

"Then talk to me." He suggested and JR looked back at him with a small frown of confusion.

"Something is troubling you." He insisted. "Let me know what and maybe will I be able to help."

JR hesitated about sharing her dilemma with him. She opened her mouth, but quickly closed it. She couldn’t tell him. He didn’t care about her. He only cared about Rey. She wasn’t about to let him confuse her and trust him when she pertinently knew the risks.

On one hand, she was terrified of telling him too much and regretting it later. But on the other hand, she found herself compelled by his words and desire to help.

She finally shook her head.

"Lord Kylo Ren. Please. Leave." JR was exhausted and the thought alone of the days to come was enough to make her wish she had never tried to join or spy on the Resistance in the first place. Kylo Ren didn’t leave however and wordlessly sat down next to JR-6025. He then looked down at her and asked.

"What is it ?", he asked and JR-6025 knew she shouldn't be talking to him—especially now. But, he was the only one who seemed to have ever been honest with her. She took a deep breath before answering. She didn't want to be a burden, but she knew she could talk to him.

"I am lost, Lord Kylo Ren." Her eyes glistened as she stared into the flames.

"I am trying to make sense of the future—of what will come." She paused and then, without preamble, she blurted it out. "But I am starting to doubt. Am I meant to be here ? Pretending to be helping Rey ? Spying for Hux ? My life was always dictated by those above me, with no regard for me, my desires, or the life I wanted."

As she spoke, she was thinking of how she was never truly free. She was always told what to do, forced to do this or that. All in the name of a good cause.

And at the end ? What had it all led to ?

"I do not have control and..." Her voice quivered as she finally realized what she had spent her life running away from. "I am scared."

He frowned.

"Is it because of something Luke Skywalker said ?"

She shook her head negatively.

"No...It has nothing to do with him...I just..." She paused and took a deep breath. "...I just don't want to suffer...or make anyone I care about suffer."

Kylo huffed.

"And you believe staying by HIS side would keep you safe ? Would keep us safe ? You genuinely think HE is the best option ?"

"I think..." She paused again as she searched for the words. "I am scared. My entire life has been filled with bad options. Death and torture seem to be the only thing the Force wants out of me..."

The thought made her heart race and she shook her head as if to ward off the idea.

Kylo Ren’s eyes hardened.

"And yet, you still believe that you should stay with the man who decided to make all the worst decisions. The man who tried to KILL me."

Kylo stared at her.

"He will misguide you." Kylo Ren scoffed and looked away. "You think Skywalker knows better ? He knows nothing. The man is a liar. He will disappoint you…like he has disappointed me."

Kylo Ren watched as JR struggled to keep her composure. Her fear of the future and the uncertainty of her life was palpable. With each statement, he felt his own anger boiling inside him. The anger he had felt all those years, with Luke's betrayal.

"He isn't the hero you think he is…He lies to hide his true intentions. He's only acting in his own self-interest."

JR smiled sadly at him before gently holding his wrist and replying.

"Rey told Luke that you had failed him. But, I do not believe it. I believe that you were both scared. I believed that he saw things that the Force showed him…things of his past. And then, he couldn’t bear to face them again. I do not think that either of you were fautive, just afraid."

Kylo looked away and sighed.

"Do you really trust him ?"

She hesitated.

"I trust him to train Rey." She said and Kylo shook his head before he sneered. He couldn’t believe that she would trust Skywalker…

"You really think he is so great ? Then ask him about the WHITE GRAVEYARD." He said and JR’s brow furrowed in confusion.

"White Graveyard ? What are you talking about ?"

Kylo Ren stood up straight and glared at her.

"Ask him. And you will see." And with that Kylo Ren was gone. His spiritual manifestation was gone and all that was left was JR and her questions. The question left JR utterly lost...She had no clue what the "White Graveyard" meant. Was it a place ? Was it a metaphor for something else ?

What could it mean ?

JR was left in a daze of confusion. Her mind raced that night as she tried to make sense of what Kylo had said. Was the White Graveyard something important ? Did it mean something that she didn't know about ?

In her scramble for answers, she felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She was sick of being kept in the dark. She was determined to find the truth about the White Graveyard, and she would start with Luke Skywalker.

The next day, she got up early to find him and found him meditating. She stood before him and Luke frowned at her interruption of his well-deserved solitude…He was about to speak when she cut him to it.

"What is the White Graveyard ?" She asked and Luke’s eyes snapped open before looking back at her with a shocked expression.

"How…How do you know about that place ?"

JR remained silent and Luke sighed.

"HE told you, didn’t he ?"

Luke didn’t even need to ask—he already knew the answer.

"Follow me." Luke said quietly, gesturing for her to follow him. She hesitated before finally following him. He seemed to be walking towards the edge of the small island...

When they arrived at the edge, her eyes widened at the thousands of stormtroopers’ helmets gathered there. She gasped and took a step back. She was taken aback and looked at Skywalker for an explanation.

"...The past..." Luke murmured, still looking at the helmets. "...It always finds its way back..."

At the edge of the island, there were thousands of helmets on the ground...All stacked on top of each other...It reminded JR of a graveyard for soldiers.

"These helmets used to belong to soldiers in the Empire...Those who refused to give up on their beliefs and devotion towards the Empire after the war." Luke eventually explained, his voice low and somber...

"W—What happened to them ?" She asked—afraid of the answer.

"They died..." Luke said, in a soft voice. "...I came here because I thought that by isolating myself...I would be able to escape the cycle..." he said, his voice still low and somber. He pointed at some of the most recent helmets. "But they still found me..."

There was a hint of defeat in his voice...

"…Y—You killed them all ?" JR came to the horrifying conclusion and looked shocked at the sheer number of them.

He didn't answer her directly...

"...I made a choice..." he replied after a while. "I made a choice. And the stormtroopers suffered the consequences..."

She felt anger in her heart.

"…How many ?"

Luke closed his eyes.

"...Hundreds...Thousands..." he counted vaguely—unable to give her a precise number.

"You…I thought you were a hero." Her eyes started watering. "…You killed them. For what ?"

"I had my reasons." Luke stated. "...I was trying to save the galaxy, to bring to it peace..."

JR couldn’t believe her ears.

She thought Luke was so righteous and good, and now she was hearing about the White Graveyard, and how he had slaughtered hundreds—if not thousands—of people. Or her people. People like her. The anger inside her boiled, and the tears in her eyes began falling, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything for a while.

She gritted her teeth.

"DOES THAT LOOK LIKE PEACE TO YOU ?!"

She raised her voice as she picked up a helmet and shoved it against Skywalker’s chest. Luke was momentarily stunned when she raised her voice at him before he raised his voice as well—tired and frustrated by her accusation.

"WHAT ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO ?!" he yelled back. Luke grabbed the helmet and threw it to the ground. "IT WAS THE ONLY WAY ! THE ONLY WAY !"

"LIAR !" She screamed. "YOU HAD THE CHOICE ! THERE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE ! THEY DIDN’T !" She pointed at the helmets and Luke’s gaze hardened.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE REPUBLIC FELL ?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT LED TO ?! THE EMPIRE ?! THE FIRST ORDER ?!" He yelled, his voice becoming angrier with each spoken word. "THE RESISTANCE ?! THE RESISTANCE WAS LOSING ! I DID THE ONLY THING I COULD DO !"

She shook her head.

"YOU KILLED THEM ! AND THEN YOU HID ! YOU DESTROYED INSTEAD OF SAVING ! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAVE THEM !" She started crying. "You were supposed to save us…"

Luke was momentarily taken aback when he saw her crying, but he shook his head and his voice cracked as he tried to defend himself.

"I...I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO !" he yelled back—his voice trembling. "I MADE THE HARDEST CHOICE. IT HAD TO BE DONE !"

He felt guilty and hopeless and sad and desperate.

"I COULDN'T SAVE THEM ALL ! I COULDN'T ! I COULDN'T...NOT AFTER WHAT THE EMPIRE HAD DONE !"

JR looked at the helmet on the ground and her heart sunk, tears beginning to stream down her face. She suddenly felt so much. Anger. Sadness. Sorrow. She could feel it all building up inside of her.

"H—How did it get to this point...?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly. "How did we get to a point where someone like you had to take such a cruel decision...?"

She hit his chest and sobbed.

"How could you ?!"

Luke didn't react to the hit. He only looked at her with a sorrowful expression.

"...I-I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I am not the hero you were expecting. " He whispered to her. He couldn't stand seeing her like this. It was hard enough seeing all the helmets. But when he saw her crying. It caused him almost as much pain...

His heart was breaking...

"…Kylo Ren told me you had tried to kill Ben Solo. Is it true ?" She continued and Luke closed his eyes. Another mistake.

"...Yes..." He said, still not looking at her. But he said it in a much more quiet and resigned voice now. His shoulders slumped, and he finally looked away from the sea...But not directly at HER...He could see countless mistakes spread out before him. All his. JR stopped crying and wiped away the remaining tears.

"...Why...?" She asked with tears in her eyes. She wanted to know why the man she thought was the hero she could trust had failed so spectacularly when it really mattered to her. "Why didn't you try to save Ben Solo...? Why didn't you..."

Tears streamed down her face and she could barely muster her next couple of words...

"...I couldn't take the risk..." He confessed. "I knew what he could become...I had seen it...The darkness was too strong in him...And he hadn't shown a hint of change..."

Luke was staring at the sea, still avoiding eye contact with her.

"...So I did it...I made the choice..." He concluded and JR gritted her teeth in frustration.

"…He had goodness in him. You know that he could have been swayed." Her jaw twitched.

"...I saw that...I saw the goodness...But..." He was silent...And he looked as if he was struggling for words. "...It wasn't enough...He was too far gone...So I tried...I tried to kill him...In his sleep...I-I..."

"…If only you had just listened to him. Why is it that the Force doesn’t tell you to listen ? Listen to the hearts of those you love and those you hate ? Listen to their pain and sorrows and try to understand instead of destroying ? The Force is not a bless…but a curse." She took a step back and looked down at the helmets once more. "So many lives lost because nobody listened…"

Luke was silent. She was right, but it was too late now. He couldn’t take it back. He had been too blind to see it...Or maybe he had been too blinded by fear...Too busy trying to prevent a hypothetical catastrophe...He had forgotten the simple fact that the most powerful weapon in the whole galaxy was compassion.

"I am…sorry." He finally uttered again and JR’s eyes softened. She could hear that it was genuine. She sighed. She knew she couldn’t blame him for saving his own life. No. But, there was another reason behind her anger. She had always followed the First Order and its rules. And she knew that it could have been her down there. Both sides didn’t care about stormtroopers. Stormtroopers were simple side casualties.

And it scared her.

Her lips trembled as she heard him...Her own anger had melted away and she could barely think...He was right...She wanted to say something...Some words of forgiveness...

Some words of reassurance...

Something...Anything.

"I..." She started, though her voice sounded so choked and choked up that she couldn't even continue. All she did was look down at the helmets once more, taking in the sheer size of the graveyard...

Luke watched JR, noticing the anger in her slowly melt away as the weight of his confession sunk in. He was finally being honest with someone, and he felt relieved, but also guilty, considering the fact that the stormtroopers that laid there used to be just like her.

He watched as she looked down at the graveyard, watching as she looked at the helmets one by one. He noticed her lips beginning to tremble. He was scared that she would lash out at him again. That was why he had been avoiding eye contact in the first place.

"…I think I need to be alone for a while." She simply said.

Luke said nothing. He had been trying to avoid looking her in the eyes, but now, he couldn’t avoid it. He saw the sorrow on her face, he saw the hurt in her eyes, he saw the pain in her expression.

He stayed silent as she stated that she needed to be alone, and he didn’t try to stop her.

"Alright…" He said calmly, "I understand…Take as much time as you need…"

And with that, he was gone…She took a deep breath as her her eyes landed on the many white helmets. She took one and slowly put it back on her head. She then sat down and stared far ahead…She however soon felt a presence beside her and she didn’t need to look next to her to know who it was.

"…When I was still a student of Skywalker, he used to have the same kind of White Graveyard near the temple. It was to remember. Once I became Kylo Ren, we sent many stormtroopers across the galaxy to retrieve Skywalker. None of them came back and when we found their bodies—their helmets were missing…"

A deep sense of horror washed through JR as she heard the story about the lost stormtroopers.

She was a stormtrooper herself, one of the countless faceless soldiers that served the First Order without question. The thought that her fellow stormtroopers could be killed and left to die—without any regard for their lives—was a horrifying reality.

She continued to stare at the helmets, this time trying to imagine the faces of the stormtroopers that once wore them. She felt a sense of sorrow and regret wash over her as she thought about their death.

"I wanted you to see this. For you to see that the Force makes victims on both sides. You cannot win a war without casualties." Kylo Ren said.

She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"You have lost hope. And I am trying to keep it alive. To believe that one day I could live in a world without war."

"I cannot afford to have false hope..." He replied harshly. "You dream of a world that cannot exist."

He paused as he leaned back against a rock.

"It is far from reality. Sometimes...some people have to die for others to live. Sometimes...there isn't any hope. I am only acknowledging that fact."

"…Maybe so…" She mused. "But, I want to try."

"And perhaps you are just being naive..." Another silence. "Perhaps it is better not to hope than to hope to save everyone and...end up saving no one..."

He looked away. He was trying to convince himself. She seemed so...optimistic about things. Perhaps, too optimistic. He felt anger bubble inside him. They were on two different worlds...Two worlds that would be on a collision course soon...She was destined to pick the wrong side, and he knew it.

"Do you not see it...?" Kylo's voice was harsh—almost taunting. "You care about everyone...too much. You care about the general, Rey, and even me..."

He let that last word hang in the air.

"If it came down to you and any of us...Who would you decide to save ?" He asked cryptically and JR hesitated.

"…I would find another way. There is another way. There will always be another way." She insisted and Kylo huffed and shook his head.

"You didn't answer the question..." There was no doubt in his voice or gaze. "Answer the question."

"…Lord Ren. I…" She was stuck and she finally sighed in defeat. "I couldn’t choose between two sides of me. You or them. You are asking me to choose something I cannot poss decide upon…I would never choose to value a life over another. I just wish to build myself a better future."

"And what of my better future ?" His voice had hardened. "You only see one path...But, you cannot save everyone. Someone will have to be sacrificed. And somehow, you still haven't figured out that it will be you..."

She stayed silent and looked away. She knew he was right…If she persisted on trying to save everyone or not hurt any of them, she would probably end up destroying herself.

"There it is. You see what I mean, don’t you ?" His voice was triumphant as he spoke. "If you cannot choose between two sides...Then you will always be torn apart." He paused as he looked at her intensely. "You wish to make a difference in this war. To change the future. To change ME...But, you don't have the strength nor the skill for it. You have no idea which path is the correct one. You are only delaying the inevitable..."

She forced herself to remain calm. She couldn’t give in to anger. She couldn’t give in to despair. No matter how true she knew his words to be.

"Luke Skywalker managed to bring peace momentarily. Why can’t I do the same ? And make it last ?" She asked defiantly and Kylo Ren laughed. He laughed mockingly and JR’s heart dropped at the terrible sound. She had never heard him laugh before and that laugh made her shiver. It was such an ugly laugh, the kind that made your eyes water and your heart turn to stone…

"But, you are not Luke Skywalker."

There was finality to his words that made JR look away again. She knew she wasn’t him. And she wasn’t Rey. She wasn’t powerful. But, she also knew that she couldn’t give up. Not now.

"Luke Skywalker is a fool who tried to fight off fate itself..." This time there was a hint of disdain in Kylo Ren’s voice. "He didn't see things for what they were. And you are no different...You believe there is hope. You think that you can make a difference..."

He shook his head slightly in disbelief before huffing a little humourless laugh.

"It is admirable to see you fight for a change. But, your efforts will be in vain. Because, in the end, you will have to make a choice...And that choice will break you."

She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"…I won’t. I refuse. Why can’t you just let me believe ? Why does it matter to you if I hold on to hope ?" She retorted and looked up at him. She didn’t understand. Why did he have to be so cruel ? Try to bring her down ? Crash her dreams ?

That question seemed to take him aback for a moment.

Indeed. Why did it matter to him ? Why did it bother him so much that she held onto something as intangible as hope ? A stormtrooper ? One that didn’t matter ? One that little wishes would certainly never change the outcome of the war ?

"Because..." He sighed and clenched his fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Because I wish I could believe too."

He finally confessed and it took them both aback as the words left his lips. She stayed silent and then offered him her hand. He remained still for a moment as he stared at her extended hand. He wanted to refuse it...To keep going down this path of logic and disdain he had created for himself.

But...He took her hand with a gentle grasp. She smiled and squeezed it.

"You are right. I am not Luke Skywalker…" She agreed. "…but that doesn’t mean I cannot help you. It doesn’t mean I cannot listen and understand."

Kylo closed his eyes and retrieved his hand.

"You are not going to save everyone..." His tone was still sharp and a little harsher than before. "No one can save everyone. Someone always ends up hurt in the end. And when it is all over. I fear that person will be you."

She smiled at his words.

"Then so be it. I am but a stormtrooper anyway. I was born to be disposable. Remember ?" She said half-jokingly.

"Yet you are so much more than that..." He trailed off as he found her hand once more and his grip tightened slightly. "Your life matters."

"…To you ?" She asked as she squeezed his hand. He looked away, avoiding her gaze. He said nothing as he continued to avoid her gaze. The silence was too loud now. Too deafening.

"Yes. To me." He finally confessed and she smiled before chuckling.

"…Do not worry, Lord Ren. I intend to stay alive."

"Good. Because if it ever came down to it..." He hesitated for a moment as if debating himself internally. "...I would never let someone take your life from me..."

She tilted her head quizzically at him.

"…Because I decided to protect Rey as you asked ?"

He shook his head.

"Not just that. Because the thought of someone else having your life in their hands...It..." He paused. "...It does not sit well with me."

There was a moment of silence between them until Kylo spoke again.

"You have to stay alive." His voice was a mix of a soft, friendly tone and the harsh, cold tone he usually used. He needed to make sure she understood that that was the most important thing at the end of the day.

She chuckled and nodded.

"I will. But you better stay alive as well. You and General Hux."

He couldn't help but chuckle as well. She had the ability to make him laugh...To make him feel. And it scared him more than anything.

"We will. I have to go now. But..." He paused. "I will be back."

She smiled.

"I will be waiting…"

He nodded before disappearing.

She stayed silent and closed her eyes…

What was she to do now ?

———————————————————————

"Lord Ren."

Kylo looked over to the entrance to his meditation chamber, to see General Hux standing in the doorway. His expression darkened, the tension quickly returning to his body.

"What do you want, Hux ?" He uttered through clenched teeth, his voice bitter and cold.

General Hux seemed uncertain and uncomfortable as he approached.

"I…was wondering if…you had any news on stormtrooper JR-6025 ?"

Just the fact that he was asking made Armitage himself embarrassed. He didn’t want to seem worried, but JR-6025 hadn’t answered any of his calls in weeks…

"JR-6025 ?" Kylo repeated, his eyes narrowing in disdain. "No, I do not have any news of that...stormtrooper."

He paused, then added in a low voice. "Why do you ask ?"

"…I thought that maybe with the Force you could…" General Hux felt humiliated just asking for it and he closed his eyes as he forced himself to continue. "It has been a few weeks that I haven’t received any transmission from trooper JR-6025 and I thought that maybe you could…use the Force to locate her."

His jaw clenched tightly as he heard Hux's request. He was not sure whether it was because of his mention of the Force, or the fact that Hux would presume to ask him for such favors, but one thing was certain. His anger and his contempt were starting to rise once again.

"And just why should I waste my time doing that ?" He growled. "One stormtrooper. One singular trooper means nothing—they're all the same anyways. They are completely replaceable."

"I know." General Hux forced the words through gritted his teeth—swallowing his pride for now. "But that particular stormtrooper happened to be on a spying mission for me. She was supposed to infiltrate the Rebellion and become an ally to your BELOVED scavenger girl Rey. And so far, I’ve lost signal of my stormtrooper."

"Is that so ?" He retorted, his tone laced with contempt. "Well, if so, isn't it obvious that she's either dead...or has defected to the other side ?"

General Hux shuddered at the thought and shook his head negatively.

"Impossible."

Kylo raised a skeptical eyebrow at the general’s reaction before he sighed.

"The question remains…why would I ever do anything to convenience you ?"

General Hux turned white and his hands clutched into fists by his side.

"For the love of…FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, REN ! COULD YOU JUST PLEASE DO AS YOU’RE TOLD ?!"

Kylo Ren was taken aback by Hux's sudden eruption. His rage was rarely ever this openly displayed. His eyes narrowed in anger, his grip tightening around his lightsaber. Finally, after several seconds, General Hux's anger seemed to die down somewhat, his tone more subdued than before.

"I…apologise. But, this particular stormtrooper is of value to me as a spy who managed to successfully infiltrate the Rebellion."

Kylo Ren seemed to calm down as well as he lowered his hand from his lightsaber.

"And what should I do ? Waste my time searching the entire galaxy for one lone stormtrooper ?"

General Hux let out a small undignified snort.

"We lost time looking for your scavenger girl." General Hux reminded him. "Surely you could spare 30 seconds just locating one stormtrooper, yes ?"

Kylo Ren’s jaw clenched tightly at General Hux’s reply and sneered.

"The search for my scavenger girl was different," he spoke in a cool and collected tone. "She wasn't just a single stormtrooper...she was important."

"JR-6025 is important too." General Hux said mindlessly and immediately regretted it. He knew that Kylo Ren would take any opportunity to bring him down. He quickly corrected himself. "I mean for our plans. She is important…for Supreme Leader Snoke’s plans."

Kylo smirked knowingly, though he didn't call out General Hux's mistake. However, he saw an opportunity to dig the General deeper into his grave.

"For Supreme Leader Snoke’s plans ? Really ?" He repeated with hint of sarcasm. "But Supreme Leader Snoke isn’t aware that a stormtrooper is currently on a mission to spy on Rey...is he ?"

General Hux looked away and sighed. This had all been just a waste of time. Lord Ren would just keep ignoring him or playing with him…He knew asking him for his help was just going to be another one of his regrets…but he had to try.

"Just…could you tell me if she is alive, Ren ? Please." That last word tasted sour on General Hux’s tongue. But, he had lost all signal and even the transmitter seemed untraceable. Kylo paused for a long moment. He hadn’t expected General Hux to go to such lengths. The temptation to deny General Hux his request was strong.

Yet, despite his better senses urging him to refuse, something within him refused to allow it. General Hux seemed genuinely desperate and even though he seemed normal on the outside, something was truly different inside. There was something that seemed to be…missing. Or maybe troubled.

Kylo sighed.

"She's...alive," he finally responded. General Hux ticked at the news and he clenched his teeth.

"You already knew…didn’t you ?" General Hux glared up at him and Kylo Ren didn’t look him in the eyes.

"Where is she, Ren ?"

Kylo’s expression darkened slightly as he saw General Hux's irritation. He knew full well that this conversation was going to turn sour really quickly if he didn’t answer General Hux on her whereabouts, yet he remained silent.

"I am not obligated to tell you where the stormtrooper is." He responded, his tone remaining stoic and calm. General Hux took a few steps forward and narrowed his eyes at him.

"How long have you been communicating with her without my knowledge ?"

Kylo remained silent as he avoided General Hux's piercing blue eyes.

"Communication was not what I was doing with trooper JR-6025." He responded in a low voice, his tone growing slightly colder. "I was..."

He paused, trying to find the words.

"Helping her..." He murmured in a low whisper.

"…Helping her ?" Hux’s hands crossed behind his back. "How ?"

"She was having doubts, General. Doubts about her role within the First Order, about our methods..." A slight smile crossed his lips, though it was subtle. "So I decided to help her escape her doubts, help her see the larger purpose of our mission...You’re welcome."

General Hux rolled his eyes as he took a sharp breath.

"Ren. Tell me. Right now. Where is MY stormtrooper ?"

Kylo Ren sighed and shook his head.

"Trooper JR-6025 is thinking of defecting. To the other side." He responded in a low voice, his smile disappearing. "She is having doubts about the First Order. I am trying to remind her of her role and purpose."

General Hux’s eyes bulged out at the provocative words and it took extraordinary effort not to slap Kylo Ren right there and then.

"NO ! You are lying ! JR-6025 would never…!"

How dared he ?! Suggest that trooper JR-6025 would be thinking of defecting ?! Of betraying him ?!

"Am I now ?" Kylo Ren responded with a small smirk—finding amusement in General Hux’s disbelief. "I am sorry to disappoint you, General. But...she IS on the brink of defecting. She no longer believes in our mission. She no longer believes in the First Order."

He paused for effect, adding with an insufferable little mocking grin, "...or in you."

General Hux had had more than enough from the young Sith’s taunting and took Ren by the collar as he seethed.

"Careful about your words, Ren. JR-6025 has always been incredibly loyal to me. Why would she betray me now ?"

Kylo remained silent for a long moment, surprised by the sudden action and enjoying the look on General Hux's face as the latter tried to wrestle control of the situation back into his hands.

Finally, he smiled even wider than before.

"Loyalty isn't what's driving her away. It's doubt. Doubts about you and your mission. Doubts that I have encouraged her to embrace..."

"…She is MINE, Ren ! Or did you forget ?" General Hux tightened his hold on the Sith Lord as they were now face to face. "Supreme Leader Snoke gave her to ME."

"I am very aware of that fact." Kylo Ren responded coolly, his expression growing colder once more before continuing. "In fact, that is the very thing that has motivated me to help her escape from your grasp."

He paused for a moment, a slight smirk on his lips. "Trooper JR-6025 is not a toy that you can simply possess. She has her own mind, her own agency..."

"NO ! SHE IS A STORMTROOPER ! A STORMTROOPER ! SHE HAS NO MIND ! NO AGENCY ! SHE LIVES AND DIES FOR ME AND YOU WILL NOT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME !" General Hux finally burst out and his grip on Ren turned almost desperate as he desired the Sith Lord to be wrong and believed that JR-6025 would never betray him. She had told him time and time again how much she believed in him. He wouldn’t let Kylo Ren doubt his trooper.

His lips curled in a predatory smile as he observed General Hux's explosion.

"I would argue otherwise." He muttered. "Trooper JR-6025 is...unique. She is not like the others. And she is certainly not the plaything you believe her to be."

He paused, his eyebrows raising slightly.

"Would you like to know something interesting ?"

General Hux remained silent and Kylo Ren smirked at his silence.

"Trooper JR-6025 is more than capable of independent thought. In the few conversations that I've had with her, she has displayed emotions, feelings and opinions that...that are not typical of your typical stormtrooper. However, the most striking thing about her..." He paused for effect, smiling slightly. "...is her ability to care."

General Hux remained silent.

"She cares, General." He continued, a hint of amusement in his voice. "She cares deeply about her comrades and friends. She cares about her mission. And most importantly..."

He paused for effect, his smile growing slightly brighter still.

"...she cares about you."

"…Shut up." General Hux closed his eyes. "Shut up, Ren."

Kylo Ren ignored his words and chuckled darkly as he added:

"Can you believe that she asked me to protect you ? You ? Out of all people ? She asked me to protect you."

He found himself unable to resist an even broader smile as he watched General Hux wrestle with his emotions.

"Is that so ?" He whispered, suppressing a mocking chuckle. He paused for a long breath before continuing. "Preposterous."

Kylo Ren ignored his disbelief and looked up at General Hux…A weasel. A parasite. And yet...

"To think...this stormtrooper cares for you. For little old you...how charming."

General Hux restrained from lashing out as he released Ren and took a few staggering steps back.

"And what did you tell her ?"

He continued to smile, allowing his amusement to overtake his composure as he noticed General Hux's increasingly agitated state of mind.

"I told her," he uttered with a faint smirk. "That I would do what I could to keep you...safe..."

General Hux rolled his eyes. That little—!

"Tell me where she is…Tell me." General Hux said and Lord Ren huffed a mocking laugh.

"Oh my, General," he uttered teasingly, though a slight note of surprise entered into his tone as he noticed the sudden burst of rage. "If you claim to be such a fan of the stormtrooper's loyalty and devotion, then why don't you trust their commitment toward their own mission ?"

He remained silent for long moment as he watched General Hux's face, the latter's eyes narrowing sharply as the emotions within him continued to swirl. But Ren was not finished yet. This was still a game for him, a way to torment the General and make him suffer.

"Or perhaps...the stormtrooper you trust so much is not so loyal after all ?" He continued, his tone growing slightly sharper.

General Hux’s fists tightened by his side as he replied:

"…If she is indeed a traitor, then she will be punished accordingly."

"And just how will she be punished ?" Kylo responded, his tone becoming more taunting as he continued. "Surely you don't mean to kill such a prized stormtrooper for betraying you ? Surely you would not punish the stormtrooper you so greatly value ?"

General Hux looked away.

"…You and I both know what is the fate of traitors and deserters, Lord Ren." General Hux regained his composure before adding. "So, I do hope that you are wrong. For her sake and the sake of the First Order."

His smile vanished as he saw General Hux's shift in composure. General Hux closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Who else have you told ?"

General Hux's question surprised him.

"No one," He responded calmly.

"…Good. Don’t. Let me handle the situation. It would be better if…Supreme Leader Snoke wasn’t warned yet about her defection. It would only fall back on us…"

He remained silent for a long moment as he considered General Hux's words.

The latter had a point. If Supreme Leader Snoke was warned of the stormtrooper's defection, it could undoubtedly result in both of their demotion or even outright punishment.

"I won't speak of this to anyone." He offered after a moment, "but under one condition..."

"…Which one ?" General Hux tensed up.

He paused for a moment as he looked General Hux directly in the eyes.

"A simple favor." He responded calmly, smiling slightly as he did so. "A small request for this favor, if you will..."

"Out with it." Hux replied shortly—wishing to leave Kylo Ren’s presence at once.

"Since Supreme Leader Snoke does not need to know about this unfortunate development, I ask that I be allowed to keep contact with trooper JR-6025...that you do not warn him for now."

"…Fine." General Hux indulged. "But, her punishment is not of your choice. She is a stormtrooper. If she is a traitor , then she will be judged according to the First Order."

A faint smile crossed his lips as he nodded in agreement.

"So long as I am allowed to keep contact with her..." He murmured. "As for the punishment...I wouldn't dream of interjecting. She will receive whatever the First Order deems necessary."

"…And Ren ?"

He raised a brow, his tone becoming more inquisitive.

"Yes ?" He murmured.

"…Do you truly think that she…cares ? About us ?"

He remained silent for a moment as he thought about the question.

"I do," he replied after a few seconds. "There were moments when we spoke, where I could sense her...care for me and for the First Order. A devotion that superseded her programming."

"I see…" General Hux nodded curtly before walking away.

Ren nodded as General Hux walked away.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he observed General Hux's departure. He had not intended to be so cruel to the General.

But he had also not expected a stormtrooper to be so capable of caring.

He knew that he had made the right decision in choosing to help JR-6025 escape the First Order. And he was confident that, with some time and effort, he could show her that her loyalty was best placed in him instead...

Lord Ren looked up at the stars and then started wondering if JR-6025 would join him ? Would she be willing to leave her convictions behind and take the opportunity Rey had rejected over and over ?

His thoughts turned to JR-6025 as he considered the possibility that she would indeed join him. And he would welcome her with open arms, knowing that she would be a powerful asset at his side.

And if she was also willing and able to cast aside her devotion to General Hux and the First Order...

Well, then...this could be most promising.

He walked away with a smile on his lips.

Meanwhile with General Hux

General Hux entered his private quarters and once he was inside—he stopped. His gloved hand clenching and unclenching as he thought about JR-6025 betraying him…

He closed his eyes and took a long breath.

It was not an easy thing to accept, losing someone to the Resistance, someone who had shown such dedication to him and the First Order. But, if she did truly have doubts, then there was very little he could do to keep her in the First Order.

General Hux was determined to not let this get to him. After all, a stormtrooper was simply a tool. One that could be easily replaced...

He suddenly balled his hand into a fist and let out a scream of rage as his table went flying.

The First Order was supposed to be perfect. Its stormtroopers were supposed to be obedient, loyal, and free of doubt.

Yet, here he found himself...losing control.

And what for ? A simple stormtrooper.

General Hux paused for a moment before taking another few breaths to calm himself. He would be able to replace her. He had other stormtroopers at his disposal.

After all, all he needed to do was put in a simple order request...

Suddenly, he felt short-of-breath and started panting as something seemed to be bubbling inside of himself—an emotion that caught his throat and made him want to throw up.

He was losing his composure. He could no longer keep himself at bay. His emotions were running wild, a myriad of them clashing with one another.

Anger, fear, frustration...

He gritted his teeth, trying to force himself to regain control. But it was no use...General Hux had never felt so much raw, untamed emotion before. And the fact that a mere stormtrooper was capable of making him feel this way...He clutched his hands even tighter as his chest rose and fell rapidly. He closed his eyes, trying once more to regain control.

His eyes suddenly caught glimpse of an orange blur beside him and before he knew it, his cat Millicent was at his feet—staring at him. She let out a soft meow as her paw landed on the tip of his boot. General Hux paused for a moment as he noticed Millicent's presence.

The sight of the orange feline immediately managed to quell some of his raging emotions, making them slightly easier to handle. He chuckled slightly as the cat landed her paw on the tip of his boot.

"Millicent," he muttered softly as he crouched down to pet her.

General Hux sighed as he embraced the feline.

The cat's purrs and soft fur were immensely soothing. He had spent countless hours with her in his quarters, having gotten quite attached to her over time.

With her in his grasp, his racing heart slowly started to ease. He gently petted the cat with one hand as he simply remained kneeling and cradling her in his arms. He continued to cuddle the cat, its purrs helping to pacify the emotions that still raged inside of him.

His mind continued to swirl with thoughts, with doubts, with fears...

But every time his thoughts became too overwhelming, he would simply shift his focus back onto the feline. It was his anchor for the time being, allowing him to remain centered despite the turmoil that still simmered within him.

"My loyal pet…" He uttered in a whisper. "My most loyal friend. You are right. I shouldn’t let emotions dictate my decisions…"

He chuckled softly as he ran his hand through Millicent's fur. A cat could never betray him like that stormtrooper did. Cats had no need for deception, no need for loyalties, no need for anything other than food and affection.

They were truly loyal. More so than any other creature in the entire galaxy.

"You will never have to face such a problem, will you ?" He murmured, his voice taking on a teasing tone as he scratched the feline behind the ears.

Millicent happily purred in response to the gesture, making General Hux smile to himself.

The cat was indeed loyal. Unlike certain stormtroopers who were so easily swayed by their own emotions and doubts...If only more stormtroopers were like Millicent...then everything would be so much simpler.

"Do not worry, Millicent. Your master is going to find that…traitor. And he will make sure she understands what happens to disloyal pets…" He kept petting the cat. "You will see, Millicent. You will see…"

He looked far ahead and smirked ominously.

General Hux continued to stroke the feline as he nodded in agreement with his own words. Yes, he would find the traitor and make sure she was swiftly punished. That way, other stormtroopers would be deterred from experiencing the same doubts that JR-6025 had felt. And the First Order would once more be seen as powerful and unbeatable. As it should be.

She would see what happened to disloyal pets.

You will see, JR-6025…

[charliedawn]

DEFECTIVE GOOD PART 14

The next day, JR was woken up by the smell of food and opened her eyes to see Finn standing there with a plate. He smiled down at her before waving shyly.

"Hey. Hum…I just wanted to come and see how you were doing. Cause I know how strange it could be for a stormtrooper to come here and…Anyway." Finn rambled before putting the plate down next to her. "Breakfast."

JR stirred slightly, and opened her eyes.

"Morning..." She mumbled, smiling softly at Finn as she saw him. She sighed quietly, sitting up and stretching lightly.

"Thank you..." she murmured, picking up the plate and starting to eat...

Finn smiled.

"Yeah. No problem. Am just happy to have another…you know…'traitor' around." The way he emphasised on the word made JR frowned slightly.

"Traitor..." She muttered under her breath with a frown, taking a small bite of her food. It tasted bitter. "I thought the term was 'deserter'..."

Finn chuckled before patting her back.

"Yeah. Well…Not when Captain Phasma or General Hux say it." Finn grinned. "Are they still pissed about the whole 'taking an X-fighter and flying away' thing ?"

"...I should imagine so..." JR said with a small smile, taking a small sip of juice before continuing. "And what's your story anyway ? How did you manage to escape the First Order in the first place ? They didn’t exactly tell us how you did it. Just…that you did. And that you were a deserter."

Finn’s eyes widened slightly before chuckling awkwardly while massaging the back of his neck.

"Oh. Me ? Yeah. So hum…I kinda offered to help Poe escape if he also helped me and one thing led to another and here I am."

She blinked twice in front of his explanation, before chuckling.

"And that’s the story ? Just ‘one thing led to another’ ?"

Finn laughed and shrugged.

"Pretty much. Yeah. Listen. I am just glad to be alive."

JR smiled, taking another bite of her food before nodding in agreement.

"I can understand that..." she murmured, before taking another sip of her juice. Finn then looked around her tent.

"You got lucky. When I escaped the First Order, I ended up in quicksand on Jakku. You at least got a tent. By the way, how did you find out that the Resistance was on this planet ?"

"Oh..." She said, her tone softening as she heard this part. "That sounds rough..."

There was a slight pause, before she continued.

"Well...I was in a blizzard a couple of days ago...And I bumped into a Resistance soldier, who gave me directions to this base. Then...Well..." she took another sip of her juice. "Here I am..."

"A blizzard ?" Finn frowned. "On what planet ?"

"...The planet Coontra..." She stayed silent for a moment, realizing that she hadn’t really paid attention to the name of the planet Hux had given her and hoped she hadn’t mistaken. She shrugged dismissively. "But…Doesn't matter. What matters is that I survived..."

"Funny. Never heard about the planet Coontra…" Finn narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her and before JR could answer, Poe came in the tent with a smile. "Rey is back ! Come on."

They both looked at his excited face and JR nodded before returning her attention on Finn.

"Hey...Thanks for the food...We’ll talk later." she murmured, getting up from her place and walking over to meet Poe. Finn nodded. The three of them went outside to see people surrounding Rey’s ship getting back down. When she got off, she immediately smiled and went to hug Finn and Poe.

"I got it ! I know where Skywalker is ! And…" Rey stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed JR. "…Who’s that ?"

JR stayed silent for a moment, watching the small reunion, when Rey noticed her...Her entire being tensed up, and she stayed completely still. It wasn’t like she could hide from Rey. She could use the Force...So just remaining still and staying silent was her best bet. Poe grinned and wrapped an arm around JR.

"This is JR ! She’s the stormtrooper who helped us escape Starkiller Base, remember ?! Seems like she finally decided to come on our side ! Isn’t that good news ?"

JR stayed silent for a moment. She knew Poe was only trying to help. But she also knew full well that this was unlikely to go well...Rey couldn’t just be friendly to her, after all. She was a stormtrooper ! It didn’t matter to Rey that she was now a “deserter” or something...Rey was always going to view her with suspicious eyes. And this situation was only going to heighten that suspicion.

"...Right." Rey said after a few moments, her own expression shifting to one that was much more guarded. "I see...I remember you. You are the stormtrooper who talked to me when I was captured."

Poe took a step backwards, realizing that his attempt hadn't worked.

"...So ah...Yeah. It's good to have you back, Rey..." He muttered awkwardly, not knowing how to salvage the situation...JR tried to put on a smile on her face before extending her hand towards Rey.

"It’s nice to see you again, Rey."

Rey stared at her for a few moments, before slowly taking JR’s hand in her own...

"...You too..." She said with a soft voice...Not exactly the warmest response in the world, but it was still a positive one...Rey knew her from the day she had been captured. There was a silent understanding between them. Rey knew JR had tried to salvage the situation and end the war the only way she had known how…

JR nodded understandingly. Rey slowly let go of JR's hand and the trooper stayed completely still, her body still tensed. But...Rey wasn't outright suspicious of her. She was definitely cautious but, she was also giving JR a chance...That was something, at least. She felt grateful for it.

General Organa arrived just at that moment and smiled as she saw Rey.

"Ah. Rey. You are back. Good. I do hope you bring good news."

Rey turned towards General Organa, quickly returning the smile.

"Don't worry, I do. I have confirmation of the location of Luke Skywalker."

General Organa smiled.

"Ah ! Excellent. Let’s go talk in privacy…"

"Yes." Rey said with a nod. She took one last look at JR, before following after General Organa, with some people following along, including Finn. They left and JR hesitated before returning to her tent and pacing around. This could be big…Was she to warn the First Order ? Part of her wanted to stay loyal to the First Order, to tell them where Skywalker was, to tell them everything she new...But the other half of her...The one who remembered what it was like to be a stormtrooper...The one who felt guilty for all the things she had done while under the First Order. That half of her wanted to help the Resistance. For this nightmare to end. JR finally sighed in defeat before turning on her transmitter.

"General Hux ? Can you hear me ?"

A few moments passed, and then General Hux’s voice finally came through.

"Yes. I can hear you. What is it, JR-6025 ?"

She looked down. It had been a long time since she had heard his voice…It made her momentarily nervous.

"I…have news. It seems the scavenger girl got her hands on the final piece of the map to Skywalker."

"...The final piece...?" Hux muttered, slowly turning to look around, making sure he was in a private place before adding: "...How did she come across this piece ?"

"…I do not know, sir. I wasn’t authorised to participate in the meeting." JR told him and general Hux sighed. She knew he was disappointed…

"Understood." He then stayed silent for a few moments.

"Where is she now...?"

JR looked at the tent where they had disappeared in and replied promptly.

"Rey and General Organa as well as a couple of Resistance fighters are holding a meeting in the command centre right now."

"...A resistance meeting..." General Hux muttered and frowned at the news. That certainly didn’t sound good. "So ah...She is close to finding him."

He stayed silent, his fingers clenching and unclenching for a few moments.

"...When does the meeting end...?"

JR shook her head.

"I do not know, sir." She then waited a moment before asking. "Your directives if indeed the girl is planning on going to see Skywalker ?"

There was a moment of silence before general Hux spoke again.

"...The orders stay the same. She cannot reach Skywalker..." He stayed silent for a handful of moments as he thought about his next move. The scavenger girl could—under no circumstances—reach Skywalker and become more powerful than she already was. "...And...If she does ? She must not return from that place alive..."

"…Sir ?" JR was stunned. "…Do you mean…?"

General Hux closed his eyes and his jaw twitched. He knew that the mission would be hard for JR-6025, but he also knew of her undying loyalty to him.

"...If Rey manages to reach Skywalker..." His tone was flat. The words cold as he finally condemned out loud. "...She must not return...Understood, trooper ?"

JR’s heart hammered in her chest at his death sentence and she gulped. No…She couldn’t…kill her. She had made a promise to Kylo Ren. But at the same time, Rey was the last hope of the galaxy. She was the only wall standing between the First Order and total domination.

But, JR was still a stormtrooper.

"Sir. I…" She closed her eyes. "…Yes, sir. Understood."

There was a moment of silence, before he finally said: "...Good. Keep me informed...And get ready..."

There was another long moment of silence, before he finally added:

"...That is all for now..."

She remained with her eyes closed and replied.

"Yes, sir."

She ended the transmission and sighed before looking up at the ceiling…What was she supposed to do now ? She had to do something. She couldn’t possibly break her promise to Lord Kylo Ren. But, JR also could not stand by while Rey left to meet with Skywalker. It would crush the First Order and general Hux’s slim trust in her. Her inner conflict was becoming stronger...Part of her told herself: The First Order will be fine...The galaxy will be fine with them in charge... But the other part, the part born out of guilt and shame, told her: No...The galaxy will not...We have only brought destruction and pain, while the Resistance is fighting for peace...

She was starting to wonder what to do when she heard that the meeting had ended. She quickly got out and saw Rey enter a spaceship to leave.

Her eyes widened.

She was leaving—surely to meet with Skywalker.

She couldn’t let her go alone.

She was still struggling with these competing voices within her head...The First Order...The Resistance...Her promise to Lord Ren.

Who was she loyal to...?

She knew that if she revealed Skywalker’s location, the First Order would reach him first which would ultimately lead to Rey’s death which was what Hux wanted...and what Lord Ren dreaded. JR hesitated before suddenly racing towards the spaceship to get inside just as it was about to leave. JR raced aboard the spaceship—just as the door was closing.

JR took a few minutes to process all that was happening, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down...She stayed hidden until the spaceship had landed. She didn’t know where they were, but she knew that it must be on the planet where Luke Skywalker was…

The spaceship landed, and the doors started to open. Rey got out. JR was still hidden in the spaceship, and she could hear Rey stepping off in the distance...She waited a few minutes before finally getting out herself. She found herself on an island surrounded by waves. She took a deep breath. She had never seen an ocean before…

JR looked around her, taking in the scenery...

An ocean...The gentle waves...She breathed in the air...It made her think of Azterri—but so much wilder. There was a wild beauty to the island. She couldn't believe she had never seen something like this before and as much as she was torn between sides, as scared as her inner conflict made her...She couldn’t deny it.

This was beautiful.

She took a deep breath of the fresh seaside air and momentarily forgot where she was until she heard a voice coming from one of the caves. She frowned before following the voice and found an old man talking to himself.

"No. Not again. Never again am I going to train jedis. It's over." Luke Skywalker said and shook his head—memories of Kylo Ren haunting him. The ghost of Yoda shook his head next to Luke.

"Train them You must. The future They are."

Skywalker scoffed mockingly at his old master’s words before replying.

​​​​​​"Yeah well…You train them then !"

Yoda frowned before answering in a serious voice—hinted with disapproval.

​​​​​​"Skywalker's job It is. Let the galaxy down You must not…"

Luke frowned before sighing. He knew that the galaxy’s fate held in the balance and soon enough, there would be no place to hide.

​​​​​​"The galaxy never did me any good. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to train them. And that's my final answer." He said with finality in his tone and Yoda’s gaze softened as he saw the pain and sorrow in Luke’s eyes.

"Yoda’s role it is not To convince you. If you are to turn your back from the truth Then lost we will all be…" Yoda said with finality before slowly disappearing. JR’s eyes widened as the ghost’s eyes met hers. She held her breath. But, the ghost only smiled at her before disappearing completely—leaving Skywalker alone in the cave. Skywalker seemed adamant in his refusal to train Rey—noy that that it surprised her...But the ghost's words...about his “duty” to train the Jedi...something seemed to urge her to stay and convince Skywalker. If the ghost was right, then the balance would be broken…

She was about to step closer to hear more of the conversation when she slipped and suddenly tumbled inside the cave.

"….Ouch."

JR immediately froze...Her presence was no longer unknown to the person inside. JR stayed completely still and quiet, hoping that Luke hadn’t heard her. Wishful thinking. Suddenly, she saw a pair of shoes in front of her and slowly looked up to see Skywalker looking down at her—he didn’t seem pleased.

"Who are you and what are you doing on my island ?" He asked authoritatively and JR's mind was all over the place as she tried to think of an excuse...She shouldn't have been here, she shouldn't have gotten on the spaceship...But there was nothing she could do now...She quickly managed to calm herself down a little and she then replied with a soft voice:

"I'm...I'm a stormtrooper, sir."

Luke frowned and looked her up and down.

"Oh really ? Stormtroopers aren’t welcome on my island…" He raised his hand towards her and fear struck JR. She thought about trying to flee from the cave...But then another thought crossed her mind...Why not simply say the truth...

"I'm a deserter...I wasn’t sent by the First Order, sir. I come in peace." She hoped it would help her case, but Luke didn’t seem impressed at all.

"Oh yeah ? And I don’t care. Get off my island before I…"

"JR !" Rey arrived in the cave and frowned before helping her up. "What are you doing here ?!"

JR flinched as Rey spoke. She was still tense and anxious and she couldn't help but remain still as Rey helped her up...It looked like Rey was about to yell at her at any second, but she restrained herself.

"...I just came here because I wanted to help you." JR whispered.

"Wait…Did you sneak onto my ship ?" Rey didn’t seem pleased at all and she sighed and shook her head in disbelief. "I do not need your help. I need you to go."

JR stayed silent for a moment. She felt so ashamed of herself...Of what she had done...A stormtrooper, a deserter, sneaking into a Resistance ship...She knew it wasn't good...

"I am sorry. I…" She started, but was interrupted by Luke.

"Here’s an idea. How about you both get off my island ?!" Skywalker raised his arms in disbelief before JR turned towards him and replied.

"Alright. I will leave. But, please…Train Rey. She made it all this way for you to train her. She searched for you. For this place…" JR continued and tried to plead, but Skywalker interrupted her.

"I know." Skywalker muttered, sounding annoyed.

"Then, will you train her ? Please." JR insisted. "I know there must be a reason that you have decided to stay hidden for so long, but Rey needs your guidance."

JR could see the old Jedi Master slowly lowering his gaze, and she knew what she was doing was having an effect...Luke sighed, raising his gaze once more. He looked at Rey and frowned.

"...She will not become a Jedi..." he said, sounding resigned and JR frowned in incomprehension.

"Why ? Why are you so afraid ?" She asked and Luke’s eyes hardened as he glared at her.

"You do not understand. None of you do." He muttered, shaking his head slightly. "You don't know what happened..."

"No…Maybe not." She conceded. "But, I know that this war needs to end. And that Rey can put an end to it. So, please…Train her. I beg of you."

"...I...I can't...I cannot...The past..." Skywalker mumbled and shook his head. Luke was suddenly shaking and clutching his chest. "...Will come back...It always does."

"The past doesn’t need to repeat itself…" JR spoke up and Luke closed his eyes—a pained expression on his face.

"...But it does..." Luke muttered, his voice low and shaky. "...We...We always think we can be different..."

He then turned away, looking towards the darkness within his cave. "...But the galaxy has a way of repeating history..."

She looked at the darkness as well.

"…But, we can learn from past mistakes." Rey advanced and Luke huffed a mocking laugh.

"...Oh, we do learn...." He muttered to himself. "...And we think that we can be better because we have..."

He let out a sigh...

"...But history always has a way of repeating itself...The light and the dark...They balance each other..." A short pause followed. "...But every time there's too much light...The darkness rises...And every time there's too much darkness..."

There was a longer pause.

"...The light rises...It's a cycle..."

"A cycle can be broken !" JR claimed and Luke glared at her once more.

"But it shouldn't be." Luke looked at her, and JR noticed the sadness in the Jedi Master's eyes. "...The Force is supposed to be balanced. Neither too much light. Neither too much darkness..."

"But the cycle is going to be broken. Look at the galaxy. Listen to the Force. You know that if we let it happen, the First Order will destroy this cycle…" She countered and Luke nodded.

"Yes. And a new light and a new dark shall rise...It's the way things go...It's the way things always go..." His voice was low and solemn...But there was a hint of sadness there too. There was a hint of resignation there as well...

"Nothing changes. Nothing. When a cycle ends, another is born."

He turned his back on her and Rey’s eyes lowered. JR felt an urge within her begging to be let out. She couldn’t let him go. She knew her duty and the fact that Skywalker himself was set on staying out of trouble could only be good for the First Order. She should be happy. Rey wouldn’t be trained and her mission would be finished. She wouldn’t have to betray anyone or kill anyone.

But…

"Please !" JR surged forward and grabbed his arm. Luke hissed and turned towards JR with widened eyes. He groaned loudly in annoyance.

"What do you want from me ?!"

"I want you to train Rey !" JR pleaded and her eyes filled with tears. She hadn’t come so far and seen so much just to give up now. "Han Solo is dead…And who knows how many innocents will die before the end of the war ?!"

JR could see the sorrow in Luke's eyes at the mention of the death of his old friend, but he quickly shook his head.

"This war is endless. I already tried to end it years ago, but it didn't work. I'm sorry."

He didn’t look JR in the eyes, he couldn’t. But, she didn’t give up and took his hand in hers to force him to look at her, which he eventually did.

"Please..We need your help, master Luke. Help us." He opened his mouth, prepared to shut her down one last time, but she looked at him with such pleading eyes that he finally sighed in defeat and nodded.

"Fine. If you want to learn about the Force and be killed because of it, who am I to disagree ?! But, know that after that, there is no turning back to what you were. People will hunt you down for your knowledge, or just because you are different from them, are you ready to face the consequences ?" He turned towards Rey and he had a stern expression on his face. "Are you ?!"

Rey gulped, but nodded nonetheless.

​​​​​​"I am ready to do what must be done."

Luke looked into Rey’s eyes. She sounded resolute...Determined...She made him think of Han. The same stubbornness in their gaze. If Rey was to save the galaxy, he knew he had no choice but to train her.

"...Fine...Fine..." He muttered, and the sadness in his eyes grew even stronger...He would do as he was asked...But, there was alwa a price to pay for such knowledge. Both women smiled at each other and Rey took a step forward to give Luke his lightsaber back.

"Thank you, Master Luke."

Luke remained silent as he looked at the lightsaber in Rey’s hand and then he realized that the time had come...He couldn't refuse her. He slowly reached out to take the lightsaber from her.

"Do not thank me…Training will start tomorrow morning at the first rays of sunlight. Be ready."

Rey smiled and nodded in agreement. JR smiled weakly as she knew that Rey would be trained now and hope flared within her. Her mission was done. JR turned around, walking away. JR had managed to sway Skywalker—just in time. The next step was making sure that he trained Rey and that she fulfilled her goal...Whatever the price might be...

She looked down at the transmitter around her wrist and her smile dropped. She started thinking about General Hux. Her thumb rubbed around the wrist band. She was torn. If she was to communicate their location, then the First Order would win. They would come and kill Rey and Luke. It would be over. Finally. But…She couldn’t find the will to do so. Poe and Leia’s hope had succeeded in making her believe in something else than the First Order—something greater.

Everything will be alright. I will put an end to this war. And he will understand—eventually.

She took a deep breath before walking away. She returned to the ship where she knew Chewbacca was waiting. He would certainly bring her back to the Resistance and she could always invent an excuse to General Hux about not being able to know the location of Skywalker.

JR took a deep breath and was about to get on board when she heard a voice behind her.

"And where do you think you’re going ?"

JR turned around and saw that Skywalker was behind her. Her first instinct was to just keep walking, but she decided to turn and face the old Jedi Master...

"I'm going back to the Resistance camp..."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"You would leave your friend alone ?"

JR frowned in confusion before she realised he was talking about Rey and she sighed.

"She isn’t my friend. Or I cannot be hers. She would never trust a stormtrooper."

Luke hummed.

"I see…But, you still begged me to train her."

JR smiled to herself.

"Hope is contagious…Some people infected me with it."

Luke chuckled before walking forward to stand next to her.

"I see…Leia is still as convincing as she used to be. This is why she sent you both to me."

JR frowned and let out an awkward laugh.

"She only sent Rey. I simply sneaked myself in."

Luke raised both of his eyebrows at her and restrained a mocking huff.

"Oh really ? You—a stormtrooper—managed to sneak yourself aboard a Resistance ship, in the middle of a Resistance camp and without anyone seeing you or trying to stop you ? Impressive. Please. Teach me your ways." She could hear his sarcasm and her eyes widened at the realisation.

"…She knew." JR whispered and Luke smiled.

"Of course she knew. The woman has eyes behind her head. Nothing flies past her." He then looked at JR with a little mirth in his gaze. "You are exactly where you are meant to be. Your friend needs you—Rey needs you. Or, she will. Now, the only question that remains is…Will you stay and help or leave and flee from your own fears ?"

He extended a hand towards her and JR blinked twice in astonishment at the offer before hesitating. Was he right ? Would Rey need her ? And most importantly, would JR want to engage into something that would make her a true traitor of the First Order ?

She bit her lower lip—doubt plaguing her mind.

She finally closed her eyes and looked away.

"I…do not think Rey needs me. She has you. I would not help her by staying."

Luke humphed before replying.

"I do not know what conflict you seem to be having or why you wish to leave…but what I do know is that Leia is never wrong. And that if she let you come to me ? It is that you will have a role to play. And if I am to play the role of a teacher, then I will expect you to also take on the role that the Force has bestowed upon you."

He then started walking away.

"First lesson tomorrow. Do NOT be late."

And with that, he was gone.

JR sighed before looking at the spaceship before her. She knew she should go, but Luke’s words had left an impact on her. Was he right ? Did she really have a role to play in this future to be built ?

And if she had…

Which role would it be ?

She looked down at the transmitter around her wrist.

Was she to be a traitor ?

She looked back in the direction that Luke had taken.

Or was she to be a hero ?

She waited for a few minutes before taking her decision. She followed in Luke Skywalker’s footsteps and her eyes looked up at the sky where night was slowly falling.

…Maybe could she try to be someone else ? Just this once.

[charliedawn]

The first one is the one I did for the project, and the second is an old drawing I send you around a year ago on a alt account :3

Author: "Ah yes ! I remember you ! I loved your first drawing and the evolution is amazing. Great job !"

[charliedawn]

doctor strange I will appreciate brutal honesty how can one learn to better something if they don't know what to improve on

different view points are helpful and I aim to make quality not junk so yes bring the constructive criticism

and I often take a while to make something because I'm a bit of a perfectionist as well

Doctor Strange : "Fine. We shall see then. Do your best."

[charliedawn]

Would you like to see a pennywise drawing I did for an art project?

Author: "Of course. I would love to see it."

[charliedawn]

*walks into St.Louis, holding a bunch of tickets and ballons* Sup, everyone?! There's a Carnival in my town for entire month...Anyone interested in joining me?

Penny : "CARNIVAL !"

Pennywise : "Meh. Why not ?"

Brahms : "ME AND JASON WILL GO TOO !"

Jason *nervous*

Agent McCain : "I will accompany you as well for safety purposes."

[charliedawn]

doctor strange I would love a review when the cape is done it might be a bit got a job interview but I shall send pictures as I get pieces done and when it's finished the reason I asked you for an opinion was because you have a good sence of style

Doctor Strange : "I am a sorcerer—not a fashion designer. But, since you want me to judge your cape, I will. Be warned however. I can be brutally honest. And I am known to be a perfectionist. Be careful of your wishes."

[charliedawn]

I'm sorry I haven't been interacting for a while I've been busy with work I've also made some knitting projects and sold a few so I'm happy with that I hope your doing well .

Author: "I am amazing, dearie ! Thank you for asking. And I understand. I—myself—have been busy."

[charliedawn]

question for the jokers (including the valeskas if you don't mind)

Which one of you is the best Joker?

Joker (JR): "It is OBVIOUSLY m—" *gets shot in the head*

Joker (V1) : "Who invited that clown to our private party ?"

Joker (V2) : "Hang on. Seems like we have more guests attending."

J: "You better point that gun elsewhere, son. Or I will teach you a lesson on how to respect your elders."

Joker *sees Joker (JR)’s body on the floor* : "What a mess. But, not surprising. That’s a clown who made nobody laugh."

[charliedawn]

and as for charecter interaction

hello to you doctor strange I'm in the process of knitting my a mystical cape(not magical unfortunately) for someone for a Renaissance fair and wanted to know if I could get your opinion on it when it's done seeing as you have your own kick ass magic cape

Doctor Strange: "I could give you a review, but I didn’t MAKE my cape. It chose me. And I unfortunately haven’t found a way to get rid of it yet."

[charliedawn]

Hi, Charlie 👋☺️! Hope you're doing well?! I just have a quick question, if that's ok? I know requests are closed, but what about 'character interactions'? Just wanted to check...

Author: Character interaction is open. It is just the requests that are closed because they take a lot of time.