(Realization.)

Chapter twenty three:

Empress Rey Palpatine laughed. Seeing Ben Solo die. It gave her lust and power. And Rey wanted more. Rey didn't know why, (not that she cared) all she heard was the wicked laughter.

She felt Emperor Palpatine's leathery hands on her shoulders, his spirit fingers trailing her cheeks. This is what family is, granddaughter. Said Emperor Palpatine. Rey smiled. She thought it was wonderful.

But as she stared into Ben's lifeless eyes, something pulled at her heart. She felt a horrible twist of deja vu. Did I do something wrong? Rey thought to herself.

Emperor Palpatine smiled. No, Empress. Completely the opposite. Let go Rey. The galaxy is yours now. You're still holding on. Let go. Emperor Palpatine told her.

Rey closed her eyes. Her grandfather's words felt reassuring, but she still felt that ache in her stomach. Something she felt deep inside. She felt it when Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker went to Heaven, but... she felt the chains of loneliness tighten.

No matter. It's mine now. Rey said to herself. Rey lifted her hand's. They felt so young, so agile. She brought them up to the three buns of her hair. Slowly she untied them, until her hair flowed into three tight ponytails.

Rey looked up at the battle above her. Such pitful things. I'll put them out of their misery. Said Empress Rey Palpatine. Rey opened up her hand's, and her Force Lightning crackled into the sky, hitting all of the Rebel ship's. Making them unstable, and making them vulnerable to the First Order. The Star Destroyers shot down the Rebel ship's with ease.

Empress Rey Palpatine laughed. It felt amazing, the blood that she had spilled. Such strength and power she had. To end life in one cruel stroke.

Rey strode out of the throne room, her black cloak billowing behind her. Ben Solo's blood still splattered on her face.

Walking out of the Sith temple, Rey saw Finn helping a injured Poe Dameron out of a crashed flaming X-wing. Upon seeing her, Finn ran to Rey, attempting to give her a hug, but Rey moved back, startled by the gesture.

Finn knit his eyebrows in confusion. Rey. What's going on? Finn asked her.

Empress Rey Palpatine looked at him and smiled. Finn stumbled back, startled by her appearance. She was dressed in a midnight black cloak, her three buns were gone and were replaced by three short ponytails, and her eyes were pale yellow, the color of poison. Her teeth were fanged and crooked.

Rey! What happened to you? What did you do? Finn asked her. Empress Rey Palpatine chuckled. Oh Finn. I've became everything I wanted to be. Powerful. And now I have a family. People who love me, Finn. Replied Empress Rey Palpatine.

No, Rey. It's not. Said Finn.

It is. It's who I am. It's what I am. My grandfather told me so. Replied Empress Rey Palpatine.

Poe Dameron staggered over to Finn. Grandfather... no. You can't. You... you're too good. Said Finn.

Empress Rey Palpatine whirled around. Oh, but I can be evil. No. It's what I was born to do. Empress Rey Palpatine said.

Poe Dameron gasped. You're his granddaughter. You're a Palpatine. Said Poe Dameron.

Empress Rey Palpatine laughed. This made both men stumble back. It didn't sound like Rey. This one, this evil woman. She wasn't Rey.

Yes, Poe. I am. I'm Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter. I am his heirless of darkness. You should be bowing to your new Empress. Said Empress Rey Palpatine.

No. We're not going to let you. Rey, this isn't you. You're wrong. Replied Finn.

At this, Empress Rey Palpatine lifted her hand, Force choking Finn. Rey then threw him to the side of the X-wing knocking Finn unconscious.

Poe Dameron screamed. Rey! Come to your senses! What the hell do you think you're doing? Poe Dameron asked her.

Empress Rey Palpatine just smiled at and threw Force Lightning on him, stunning Poe Dameron to the ground. Empress Rey Palpatine then knelt down to him and gave him a sugary smile.

Everything, Poe. Everything. You want to know why? It's all mine! Replied Empress Rey Palpatine.

Poe spat blood on her face. Witch. Said Poe Dameron.

Empress Rey Palpatine, Force choked him slamming him back and forth against the walls. His friend was gone. In her place was the wicked princess, the galaxy's Sith.

Rey was dead, and she would never be able to return.