A Shot In The Heart : Chaos

14

Rey, Ben and you turn around to face Palpatine, who is staring at you with fury written across his features. At the same time you hold up your lightsabers and stand in unison.
"Stand together, die together."
Palpatine pushes Ben away, trying to force something out of you and Rey as you hit the ground- failing.
"The lifeforce of your bond... a dyad in the Force. A power like life itself. A true Jedi and their true Padawan. Unseen for generations. And now... the power of two restores the one, true Emperor."
In the span of a second, you put all your energy to protect Rey, trying to keep her alive as Palpatine sucks out your own. At a certain point, the light in front of you grows incredibly bright-
then there's darkness and uncertainty.
Did you live? Did you die? Is Rey doing fine? Did Ben survive? Where are you?
You think of the ones you love. Of BB-8, of Poe. Of everyone that has died. Luke, Leia, Han- of every Jedi that has lived before you. Their voices fill your head, getting louder and louder.
"You have to get up." "You have to help." "You have to fight for this."

A gasp leaves your lips as you stare at the bright sky, lightning shooting across it alongside all the ships and explosions. You force yourself upwards, shaking Rey's shoulder. She also wakes up, taking your hand. Ben was gone, you didn't know where he was. The both of you get up, supporting each other.
"In the heart of a Jedi lies their strength. Let the force guide you. Let every Jedi to have every lived support you like I do right now. Feel them next to us. You never knew them but you know their names like you have. They live in us. Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Master Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Plo Koon, Ahsoka Tano, Kit Fisto, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and everyone that came before and after them" with every single word your voice became clearer and louder, like it wasn't you speaking but something inside of you.
"Let your death be the final word in the story of the rebellion" Palpatine says after he gets up, the lightning jumping out of his fingers. Rey and you cross your lightsabers into a block. But as the lightning hits it, it's not just you blocking Palpatine's strike. It's everyone you've mentioned, every Jedi. Standing next to you and lending you their strength, spread out around Rey and you like a protective shield. Right with you are Luke and Leia, blocking the attack like you do directly. Their strength and experience rushes through you and Rey, helping you withstand his power.
"You are nothing! A scavenger girl and a weak, scared Jedi are no match for the power in me. I am all the Sith!" he screams at you. But this time, there was no fear. Because you knew who is behind you. "And we are all the Jedi" Rey replies coldly. You take the first step, forcing Palpatine's own attack onto him. With every step you take closer, Palpatine's scream becomes louder. He shakes himself around. Lightning rushes across his body. His flesh and hood melt away. Lastly, you gather all the power you have and take a last blow. Palpatine is destroyed. A huge bolt of lightning rushes through the room, the throne, the tribune and statues falling apart with a loud blow.
"Rey" you whisper, taking her hand and closing your eyes as your strength leaves you. "Tell... tell Poe- that I love him... please." You can't stop your tears as your fear confirms itself.
One person will lose their life tonight. And it will be you. "Master? Master!" Rey shouts, but you feel your life and soul already escape your body. You sink to the ground and close your eyes, accepting your fate. "A Jedi Master has to protect their Padawan, no?" you smile as your heart stops it's steady beat.
It wasn't a regretful death. It was an honorable one, deserving, someone might say.
But- something wasn't right, your body wasn't leaving the planet.

Your lungs suddenly fill with air and you breath heavily, feeling your heart beat again. You look around the room, Rey in front of you. "What- What happened?" you ask. Ben walks up behind you and you smile. "Ben? You've survived! I didn't think you were dead when we woke up again, but you weren't there. Right, Rey?..
Rey? Rey!" you frankly begin to shout, bending over her. Her eyes were closed and you put your ear against her mouth. No breathing. No pulse either. "Rey? No, no-" her body fades away in your arms, only her clothing left. You couldn't understand or realize what was happening, helplessy staring at Ben, who's silently watching you. A few tears drop down his face and he wipes them away. As you grab onto the clothing in front of you a silent scream escapes your lips and you hold Rey's remains tightly. Ben picks you up, you scream and kick him.
"I can't leave here there! She's my apprentice, Ben! Let me go! That's mine! She is my responsibility!" you yelp as he actually lets you go, hitting the ground hard. "She used to be. But she gave her life to you so you can survive and teach others. We have to leave this place, the fleet is falling down. Take her cloak and lightsaber, but leave with me. Now" he says firmly and helps you up by the shoulder. You limp your way towards your leftover TIE-fighter quickly, settling in and going into lightspeed immediately.

The green jungle of Ajar Kloss felt like coming back home as you land a little bit further away from others. The whole landing zone was full of ships and crew and droids, all running around and celebrating. Your heart drops as you can't find the person you are searching for most desperately, suddenly every single person that wasn't him felt unnecessary. "Poe? Poe!" you start screaming his name, leaving Ben and the ship behind as you frantically run and limp around the landing zone. A dark curled top of hair sticks out from the crowd and you hit the mans shoulder. "Poe?" you ask, but the person to turn around wasn't him. "Sorry! Do you know where Poe Dameron is?" "No, I haven't seem him. I lost contact to the others during the fight, I'm sorry. Though I'm sure he survived, he's a great pilot" the man replies and you gulp nodding. So, you continue your search. As everyone around you reunites and hugs and kisses, you are left in the middle of it all, alone. Stumbling, falling. Slowly, tears start falling down your face. All those smiles and loud noises from everyone around you makes you feel claustrophobic, like they're closing in on you. You put your arms around yourself tightly and wipe your face, turning and turning.
Until someone calls your name.
Poe calls your name.
There he was, standing across from you. In his orange jacket, tight black and curly hair, light beard. His arm was in a sling, his face slightly dirtied-
but not injured. Reading his expression, you assumed that you looked far worse.
All he did was stare at you in awe. It took you both a minute to realize that you were alive and well, just then you were able to walk, no jog, then run towards each other into a tight hug.

"I thought I lost you. My god, I love you so much, you know that?" Poe cries, and wipes your face. "My gosh, your face is totally bloody. And your body. What were you thinking running off? Just like that? You could've died. Died! Just- poof! Gone! I'm so glad you still have all your limbs! Be more careful, for fuck's sake!" Poe hit your arm lightly and you wince, making him apologize right away. Still, he could read the mourning off of your face.
"I only survived thanks to Rey. She saved me even when my heart already stopped beating" you say and he begins looking around.
"Right. Where is Rey?" he asks, watching something behind your shoulder like she will just pop out.
"I need to thank her for her heroic act for saving my better half!"
"Poe."
"Did she visit Finn first?"
"Poe."
"We will have to look for her then, come on."
"Poe!"
You grab his face with your hands and make him look at you. His eyebrows pull together as he reads your expression. "No, I don't believe it" he sighs. "She didn't make it. She sacrificed herself for me" you whisper and look down on your bloody hands.
"We- We can't leave Finn in the dark about this, right?"
"Yes, we have to tell him. But there is something else that you have to see" you say, taking his hand to lead him
to the ship.

As you arrive, Ben was sitting outside of it, playing with-
"BB-8!" you shout and kneel down, the droid immediately rolling into your arms. As you cuddle with BB-8, Poe makes acquaintances with Ben.
"And you are?" he asks, putting
out his hand.
"Ben Solo. Ben Skywalker-Solo. Son of Han Solo and Leia Skywalker, nephew of Luke Skywalker."
"Nice to have you in our ranks! Welcome to the Resistance."
"I am quite thankful to stay with you from now on."
"Hey, is that who I think it is?" you say and get up. "Chewie!" Chewie walked along the road, alongside a few others you recognize soon. R2-D2, C3PO, Rose, Armitage Hux, Maz and Finn all arrived soon, ending in a reunion for you at last.
"I honestly thought you died, Armitage" you grin at him and he rolls his eyes. "You are the one who actually died, you just came back to live again" he teases you and you pull everyone into a tight group hug.