(Manipulation.)

Chapter twenty two:

Ben Solo looked at Rey. His Rey. His equal, his light in the dismal life he had since he joined Supreme Leader Snoke. His heart sank, slowly, until he couldn't feel it anymore.

Her warm brown eyes, always filled with charm and happiness, like caramel. Her eyes were gone. In their place were slickly yellow ones her grandfather had given her. They looked artificial on her face. Ben had to muster all his courage to keep from sobbing.

No. You didn't. Said Ben Solo.

Rey lifted her chin. I did. There was no one to stop me. I didn't intend there to be. Replied Empress Rey Palpatine.

Ben felt the Force constrict around his body, slithering around him as though it was a snake. Because it was who Rey was now, it was only fitting.

A snake. A murderous snake.

Ben Solo dropped to his knees. No. His Rey of light. He could have prevented this. Ben regrets all of his previous attempt's to turn her. To sculpt her into something she wasn't.

Rey rose from the throne. She walked down the steps, and Ben Solo could see Emperor Palpatine's essence above her. His gnarled hands were caressing her face above her, running them through her hair. For a moment, he seemed caring, like a grandfather.

But then Palpatine's hand. They were caked with blood. Her blood. His blood. His family line.

And Ben saw the string's attached to her arms. And her legs. And he saw the Emperor, with all of the Sith over his, controlling her.

The Rey Ben knew and loved was being controlled, like a marionette. The Sith were feeding her vicious desires, making her a feral beast. Injecting a poison into her soul that would rot the light away from her and give way for the beast to live.

Ben could here the Sith laughing as they engineered Rey.

Give her a cloak! A black one!

Make her bloodthirsty. She can never be satisfied!

Give her fangs!

Make her feel pain. Scar her!

The Jedi are dead! The Sith are reborn!

Yes! Give her a double bladed crimson red lightsaber. One as broken as she is.

Give her strength, power. And hunger for more!

Her precious Resistance is dead, Palpatine. Her body is ours. Ours! Said all of the Sith, all but Exar Kun.

Palpatine laughed, Rey laughed too, an infernal sound, that didn't feel like her at all. It was perfectly pitched to that of her grandfather.

Yes, friends. She is ours. She is mine. Said Emperor Palpatine.

Rey walked over to Ben and placed a hand on his face. Wisps of lightning crackled on her hands. Rey ran that hand along his face. Just the light touch burned and reopened the scar on Ben's face. It hurt, like a thousand tiny swords were ripping away his skin. Ben roared in agony. Rey only laughed at Ben's pain.

Rey's face crept to his, like she was about to kiss him, before whispering. Die, Jedi. Rey said the last word like acid on her tongue.

Rey drew her yellow lightsaber, and plunged it into Ben's chest.

The last thing Ben saw was Rey smiling, his blood on her face. Emperor Palpatine's laughter echoed in his ears.

Blood of my blood. Granddaughter, the galaxy is yours. You are mine. Said Emperor Palpatine.