Meanwhile, in the abandoned city of Mustafar...

General Hux treaded through the halls of the charred ruins of the once great castle of Mustafar. He made his way towards the throne room at a brisk pace. He kept his hands folded behind his back, watching every guard he passed carefully as if he was inspecting them.

As he approached the guards would quickly stiffen and come to attention in an attempt to impress one of their commanders. But Hux was not an easy person to impress.

He slowed as he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He stopped and looked back to see Captain Phasma. She wore shiny armor made of steel and a black cape was draped over her shoulders. Her curly platinum blonde locks were chopped short and framed her strong beautiful face.

"How did your mission go?" Hux asked her, in a casual voice.

"Very well," she replied. "We've concurred the northern villages."

"Snoke will be pleased," he said offering her a small smile, but it quickly faded. "At least the good news of your success will soften the blow of the bad news that I have to deliver."

"What bad news?" Phasma asked, obviously concerned. Snoke had never taken bad news well.

"Kylo Ren was captured," Hux replied.

Phasma shrugged, as if it didn't matter. "I don't miss him."

"Me either," Hux replied. "But he was one of our best warriors. Snoke won't be pleased, especially when I tell him that he isn't being held against his will."

"They didn't put him in prison?" she asked.

Hux laughed. "No. Instead, they betrothed him to a servant girl."

"Well she must be a special girl to keep Ren at the castle. Otherwise he would have returned by now," she replied.

Hux shrugged. "Honestly I don't know if Ren was ever truly loyal to our cause. What good would Snoke overthrowing the king and queen be to him when he is the heir to the throne?"

"That's true," Phasma replied. "But he has always been loyal to Snoke."

Hux looked at her. "Only because he had to be."

"Can you blame him?" she whispered.

Hux was silent.

"On any account, I say he is a traitor now, " he said at last.

Phasma nodded. "Agreed. He was always disobeying Snoke's orders anyway. He was weak."

They reached the throne room doors and two guards pushed them open. Hux and Phasma entered the room to see Snoke sitting on the throne.

Snoke was in his late fifties. He had a bald head and dark eyes, he was strongly built and his face was slightly disfigured from his battle scars. The left side of his face and body were badly burned from a fire long ago. He had saved King Han's life, the King was eternally grateful and granted him the highest position next to himself, Queen Leia, and her brother Luke. But the power went to his head and he wanted more. He wanted to rule the kingdom. He believed that his reward for saving the king's life should be the throne. He had come to regret the day he had saved the king.

Hux and Phasma approached the throne, kneeling before him.

"I bring bad news, sire," Hux said, nervously.

Snoke growled. "What is it?"

"Kylo Ren was taken prisoner in battle," Hux replied, his voice breaking in fear.

Snoke slammed his fist on the armrest of the throne. "Are you sure?"

Hux nodded. "Bring him in."

At that two of Snoke's knights brought in a boy, fourteen years of age. His dark brown hair was messy and his brown eyes focused on the stone floor.

"What happened?" Smoke demanded. The boy was one of Ben's knights, Christopher.

"I was taken prisoner, Ben turned himself in, in exchange for my freedom, " the boy answered shamefully.

"It is just like Kylo to make such a foolish sentimental decision. I lose my best warrior in exchange for one, weak useless boy. I never should have given you to his care when you were a small child." Snoke turned to his knights. "Punish him, but make sure that you do not hurt him too badly. Do not scar him, if you do Kylo will most likely kill you all and me alike. He is very protective of this one."

His knights dragged the boy away.

Snoke turned back to look at Hux and Phasma. "We must organize a party to break him out of prison."

"He's not in prison, my lord," Hux replied.

"What?" Snoke asked, surprised.

"The king and queen have given him a second chance," Hux replied smugly.

"Hmmm. A weakness on their part, they shall soon regret it. This could work to our advantage," Snoke said. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. He began to write a quick note. "Give this to Ren. I'm willing to give him a second chance as well. He could be our greatest asset. If he earns his parents' trust, he could give us the vantage we need to take Alderaan."

"Do you really think he would betray his parents and his wife for us?" Phasma asked doubtfully.

"His wife?" Snoke asked confused.

"His parents arranged a marriage for him to the queen's handmaiden. It's all over the kingdom, she's an orphan girl who managed to survive our attack on the villages of Jakku, " Hux explained.

Snoke leaned in. "What is her name? How old is she? Do you know how she looks?"

"No, " Hux asked, not understanding the importance of some girl from the streets.

"Find out, " Snoke commanded. "As for your question Phasma, he will. If he does not it will be his knights that will pay for it. Now take this message to Kylo."

Hux came to his feet and cautiously stepped forward. He took the piece of parchment and scanned it quickly. "Yes, my lord," he said, folding the note.

Snoke looked over to the armor-clad maiden knelt before him. "Captain Phasma, any news?"

"Yes, my lord," said Phasma. "We have concurred the northern villages."

"Very good," Snoke replied. "Soon all of Alderaan will soon follow. And Ren may yet be the key to our victory."

(Art by LadyArwenEvenStar)

~*~

The next day, in Alderaan...

Ben paced back and forth as he waited for Rey to get ready. He didn't know why he was so nervous.

Rey emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a beautiful purple gown.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

She looked down a little shyly. "Are you ready to go?"

He nodded.

She turned to leave but he grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Rey, are you sure that God would want me in his house after what I've done?"

She looked up into his eyes. "Of course he would. God loves you Ben."

He nodded, taking a deep breath.

She offered him a small reassuring smile.

~*~

Rey and Ben followed Han and Leia into the church. Ben didn't know what to do, he hadn't been in church since he was really little and he barely remembered it. He watched Rey closely and tried his best to do what she did.

He was surprised when she reached over to take his hand as they prayed.

Ben listening carefully as the priest read the story of the prodigal son. It reminded him of how his parents had forgiven him and given him a second chance as if he had done nothing wrong. He looked over at his mother who sat next to him. He took her frail hand in his and gently massaged it with his thumb.

She looked over at him and smiled warmly at him. It seemed as though she knew exactly what he was feeling.

He smiled in return and she squeezed his hand.