Alright, this is the most important scene in this project I feel so any feedback is greatly appreciated on this rough draft of the Ben and Anakin scene. For clarification, earlier in the novel Kylo says to himself that he will bring the snippet with him for the next time he sees Rey, so that’s why he has it.
Kylo Ren stood on the wreck of the Death Star, gazing out at the ocean. His body was still drenched. He had removed the japor snippet from his pocket, and was gripping it in his fist. He’d been standing there for a long time, watching the tide gradually recede. Physically, he felt better than he ever had been in his life.
But his mind was in turmoil. He hadn’t known such healing was possible, didn’t understand how it had been done. But that wasn’t the question that troubled him the most. Why had Rey healed him? Why would she do such a thing?
And why had his mother loved him right up until her last moment? Snoke had lied about that. Snoke had lied about all of it. All those voices in his head, torturing him throughout the years, they had promised him that a moment like this could never happen. They don’t care about you. Just their precious New Republic. And later, Just their precious Resistance.
All lies.
His mother had sacrificed herself to reach him. Then Rey had healed him, at great cost to herself. In spite of everything he’d done. All to receive approval from someone… like his grandfather.
“Ben,” said a young man’s voice behind him. He turned.
The young man had long, curly hair and a slight grin on his face. His entire person was partially transparent, gleaming with a blue light, and adorned in the robes of a Jedi.
“I’ve been wanting to speak with you,” he said.
Kylo blinked. He could hardly believe his eyes. “Grandfather?”
His smile grew wider. “Yes,” he said, striding toward him. “In my true form. Not the lie Palpatine wanted you to see.”
“You’re just a manifestation of Vader’s failure,” Kylo said.
“No,” said his grandfather, his eyes full of compassion. “Vader was my greatest failure.”
Kylo looked away from his eyes, gripping the snippet in his hand even tighter. Snoke had told him that Vader had suffered a moment of weakness when he chose to save his son over power. Another lie, of course.
“What’s that in your hand?” his grandfather asked.
Kylo had a feeling he already knew what it was. He opened his hand anyway, revealing the small trinket in his palm. Its leather strap was looped loosely around his gloved fingers.
“I’m being torn apart,” he muttered. “I want to be free of this pain.”
“Ben,” his grandfather said, his face suddenly grave. “If I had been selflessly devoted to those I loved, I would have avoided so much pain.”
“It’s too late.” It was something the voices in his head had always said. It’s too late for you. They’ll never take you back. But this time it was true, because: “She’s already gone.”
“Your mother’s gone. But Rey isn’t. Finish what I truly started. Save the one you love.”
He stared at his grandfather, afraid to believe his words. Afraid of what he was feeling. Domination was all Kylo Ren understood.
“I know what I have to do,” Kylo admitted, his voice tremulous. “But I don’t know if I have the strength to do it.”
“I believe in you,” his grandfather said. “And your father would, too.”
Kylo Ren turned, and launched his lightsaber into the air. It sailed in a high arc, far above the wreckage, and disappeared into a haze of ocean spray.
Ben Solo turned back around, and the ghost of his grandfather was gone. He was alone in the middle of the sea.
For the first time in more than a decade, Ben’s mind was clear. No longer did he desire conquest, only love. To give it to all others and receive it. He stuffed the japor snippet back into his pocket.