Rey started to rouse from what seemed like the longest dream she'd ever experienced, yet she knew instantly that she wasn't actually awake.

"Maker what the hell is going on? What's happening to me?"

She was panting hard and erratically as if her lungs had forgotten how to function properly and her emotional state was in turmoil.

Instinct told her to stay still and calm herself. Therefore she chose to let her eyes remain closed so she might coherently gather her thoughts and pull herself together. She could sense through her clammy skin that her body was laid face down with limbs haphazardly splayed on a smooth and polished surface. It was not a comfortable or dignified position and she adjusted her body slowly so her legs and arms were straight.

She was aware that she'd been somewhere special where only luminous beings dwelled, but that she'd also been brutally wrenched away from that place of everlasting happiness!

Rey let out a silent wail of anguish at the sudden and overwhelming… loss.

Compounding the pain further was the realisation that this gap was quickly being refilled by the return of her previous memories… her scavenger upbringing, her pitiful existence living alone… and the relentless chase of an obsessive First Order monster who refused to give up his hunt for her.

Yet despite all this she had been permitted to keep one important memory.

"Don't give in to despair," he had told her.

"Grandfather…"

It was becoming difficult to remember his appearance now, but she recalled his name… her name… Kenobi! This long sought after knowledge was comforting as she struggled to come to terms with her recent ordeals.

Rey ran through well-rehearsed Jedi exercises within her head to focus her thoughts until she felt suitably ready. Her arms and legs felt stiff, but she managed to push herself up on her palms and eventually opened her eyes to take stock of where she was.

To her amazement she discovered she was located on the bridge of a star destroyer of all places! Her former days of scavenging these types of vessels were enough for her to identify that much. However something wasn't quite right about the situation. The air had a strange reddish haze to it and gravity seemed to be several gees stronger than one would expect on a ship sailing in space, this perhaps explained why her movement was so sluggish and difficult.

She stood up doggedly and swivelled her head to check for danger, but sensed nothing here which meant her any harm. However there was…something… a presence in the Force that disturbed her.

The assumption she had harboured earlier was correct, she was definitely not awake. In fact Rey was now certain she was undergoing a Force vision and similarly to her previous Force visions, she would most likely have to brave it out and let it run its course.

It was extremely dark on the bridge due to the main overhead lighting being disabled or maybe there had never been any to begin with. Some limited illumination was being emitted by a few active monitors, which displayed clouds of intermittent static. There were also blinking LED lights here and there, shining like coloured jewels in the shadows. This was just about enough for Rey to make out the numerous alcoves and computer consoles where dozens of crew members and droids would normally sit and run ship operations. Strangely there did not seem to be a single station manned.

The emptiness was extremely disconcerting. She could tell that this was a very large vessel, which would require many specialised officers to fly it safely. It was all very creepy and… wrong!

The entire bridge was as empty as any old Imperial derelict on Jakku, but this craft was not the same design as those ruined wrecks she'd picked over for scrap to trade at Niima Outpost.

After taking a closer inspection of the panels and technology used to run the navigation and defence systems, Rey had concluded that the parts and configuration were very advanced. She considered herself pretty savvy when it came to mechanics and engineering, but she had to admit that she didn't understand or recognise a significant amount of the equipment that had been implemented on this modern 'First Order' ship.

Apart from the whir of electronics and low rumblings of hyperdrive engines, silence hung over everything like a thick draping curtain. She was standing on the central aisle that spanned the entire length of the bridge. Rey knew that this is where officers surveyed and managed the crew with an iron fist. Compatriots in the resistance had once told her that First Order technicians and troops were expected to adhere to strictly enforced discipline and high performance expectations. Failure to do this could often result in instant execution.

"Wasteful," she thought sadly.

Rey began to ponder the meaning of this vision… was it trying to warn her that a new super-weapon had been developed by the enemies of the Republic? The scale and build of this vessel was certainly much larger than anything she'd seen before, even within the technical specifications she'd perused in the central archives of the grand library on Coruscant.

"This must be one enormous star destroyer," she thought with wonder.

"Of course it is, this is our flagship after all" said a familiar baritone.

Her heart thumped inside her chest at the sudden breaking of the quiet by the sensual male voice.

She may have forgotten where she'd travelled to after accidently weaving that mysterious Force energy on Hoth, but she clearly remembered him calling out to her. Was it that monster Kylo Ren who'd pulled her out of paradise!?

He'd sounded both menacing and desperate back then. "Probably because he thought I was going to escape from him permanently!" she thought angrily.

This time however, his tone was slightly different, content even… and much more self-assured.

Turning in the direction of the voice she now faced a large viewport situated at the front of the bridge. There was a tall figure of a man silhouetted against the star-filled backdrop of space that lay beyond the hull. He was indistinct as the gloom of this eerie vision seemed to thickly cover and swirl about him.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"You know who I am," he responded, sounding amused.

Why had she doubted even for a moment that it might have been someone else? The Master of the Knights of Ren was a dark wraith who haunted her steps, always watching her; always waiting for her in the darkness.

He did not move nor turn to toward her, he didn't need to, he knew he controlled this vision and Rey could feel the confidence coming off him in waves. She didn't need to see his princely face to know this.

"So you've arrived at last little scavenger, I've been waiting for you here since your clever 'stunt' on Hoth. I must admit that I once again underestimated just how powerful you really are Rey. Perhaps those stories about Grey Jedi have some credibility after all."

He was at some distance from her, but for some reason could still hear him speak. She decided she would stay rooted to the spot and avoid getting any closer. Ren must have sensed this rebellious inclination, because at that very moment he let out a low laugh.

"This vision is divine revelation Rey… come by my side and join me over here. I think you'll find the view is magnificent."

"No, I won't," she shouted defiantly.

"Yes, you will," he stated calmly.

Her legs started to move of their own accord, she was trapped by an external compulsion, yet it was not only the whim of Ren. Something else was insistently making her walk towards him… The Force itself!

"This isn't real! You have no real power over me," she mocked him.

"Reality is what we make of it," whispered Kylo Ren.

Instinctively Rey reached to her waist for a weapon, but neither lightsaber nor a blaster could be found. Instead her fingers skimmed over soft velvet and flowing silks. She clasped the materials in her hands in surprise.

She was wearing a long and elegant black dress trimmed in silver brocade and ermine. It swept perfectly over her shoulders and hugged her slim waist and narrow hips. The cut of the neckline was plunging and Rey blushed as she looked down at the hint of exposed cleavage. A silver pendant with a moon motif hung from a thin necklace around her throat and it bobbed lightly against her skin as she moved. There were also delicate silver bracelets clasped along her bare arms and wrists and they tinkled together prettily. Her hair was hanging loose and straight, rather than in her preferred bound style.

The hem of her gown made a swishing sound as she walked and she could see she her petite feet were wearing exquisitely worked black and silver shoes. The heels clicked against the hard surface of the aisle as she unwillingly approached the man waiting for her at the viewport.

She'd only seen such luxurious garments and jewellery being worn by important dignitaries and occasionally from images recorded within salvaged holocrons. This outfit was so elegant and feminine and a part of her liked how it looked on her. But… these fineries weren't meant for a common scavenger, nor were they fit for the spartan lifestyle of a Jedi Knight.

This didn't make sense… What had happened to the practical clothes she'd been wearing?"

"Didn't I tell you that black would suit you well?" Ren said with a hint of approval.

So the costume change was his doing!

"You're sick and deluded if you think you'll ever see me wearing anything this revealing in the waking world Ren!" she bit out with a snarl. Rey could see him lazily shrug off her objection.

"You're such an innocent girl… but it's true I've imagined many pleasures with you. Maybe you should be grateful that I'm restraining myself from dressing you in something from those fantasies that would truly be considered indecent?"

Rey scowled at his back as she came to halt a few metres behind him. The air was hot and dry and it hung in waves around them. The bridge of the ghostly star destroyer blurred, revealing it as the mirage she already knew it to be.

The large viewport at the front of the bridge was to the side of her position and Kylo Ren was simply looking outward through the glass, seemingly unconcerned with anything else. Rey followed his gaze with curiosity.

She could not help but be captivated by the vista below. The terrain of an orange desert planet dominated the view. Desolate rocky masses mingled with endless sand dunes. The arc of the atmosphere had a faint blue tinge as a hot sun started to come into view above the horizon. She recognised this world… it was Jakku. This was where she'd lived for most of her life after being abandoned there by her parents at a very young age. Rey could barely remember their faces anymore.

They had promised her they'd come back… but in the end they hadn't and she would probably never know why.

Helpless and alone she'd been forced into virtual slavery to a corrupt trader, toiling away for food portions that barely kept her alive and spending her days huddled in the rusting shell of an AT-AT Walker, wasting away her young life and counting down the days, living in both hope and denial.

Rey did not miss Jakku.

"I find it astonishing that I didn't detect your Force presence when I first landed on this backwater world," said Ren, shaking his head in disbelief.

"My original mission was to collect a map to Luke Skywalker from Lor San Tekka's camp of acolytes. If I'd known a precious angel like you was hidden away so nearby, I would have instead ordered my stormtrooper division to go and find you. They would have scoured the desert and brought you to me nicely bound and all this would have been so much easier. That damned map would have paled in significance compared to your early capture."

Kylo Ren now turned to face her. As always, he was dressed in black, but the robes were much more magnificent than anything she'd seen him wear before and he positively radiated power… unimaginable and terrifying power. He was unmasked and his flowing jet hair rested in layers over his shoulders. It was longer than she remembered and his evil beauty made her gut clench. She recognised him as an enemy of the resistance and the nemesis of the Jedi, yet there was a repressed and primal part of her that inexplicably wanted to succumb to his charms and bathe in his darkness... she kept this carnal desire under tight control, she could not afford to be weak when it came to Kylo Ren.

Rey examined her regal clothing once again, noting the similarity in style to Ren's and understanding clicked in her mind. This was a Force vision of the future!

He seemed to be reading her thoughts.

"That's correct Rey, this is a foretelling of events that are yet to pass… it's a vision which has visited me many times before now. I'm so glad that you are finally sharing it with me. Hopefully you'll come to understand that turning to the Dark Side and joining the First Order is the only choice for my future Empress.

"What?!" she sputtered.

"I've known for many years that it is my right by birth to rule this Galaxy as its Emperor. When the time is comes I will overthrow Snoke and take my rightful place as the sole leader of both Republic and First Order territories. I am the undisputed heir to Darth Vader and the Sith Empire and I will finish what my grandfather started. You and I Rey, the two most powerful Force users of our generation, will rule together as husband and wife."

"Never!" she exclaimed, "You're mad Ren! I won't ever be your consort… this future is just another delusion in your twisted imagination. I will not let it come to pass, you can be sure of that 'Emperor Solo'. The last word she bit off sarcastically.

Ren smirked at her attempt to insult him and Rey hated the self-satisfaction in his voice. The name Solo no longer has any meaning to me or to you. I am of the Skywalker line and someday soon you will join this illustrious family too… by marriage."

Rey was aghast at the prospect of being a slave to his desires and destiny. No wonder he chased after her so fervently. He was hell-bent on fulfilling his family legacy and making this Force vision come to fruition no matter what the cost.

But surely the future is not set? Rey knew it could be changed; she had witnessed this before if only on a very small scale.

Kylo Ren stared at her knowingly.

"You cannot fight the will of the Force Rey, you and I were meant to be together and nothing can stop that." His zeal was frightening in its intensity and it sent a chill down her spine.

"Don't you understand how much I love you Rey? You are constantly in my thoughts. The Force binds us in so many ways and this connection I feel towards you burns so hot that I fear your beautiful light will eventually drive me insane if we continue to be adversaries. I know you feel compassion for me too so don't fight me anymore… just love me!"

Turning away from his imploring gaze, Rey tried to ignore the honeyed words. His ardent declarations of love would not sway her. She didn't want to play any role in his evil Empire.

"You forget I know the longings of your heart little scavenger. I've seen your solitary island and felt your loneliness like no other lover ever could. I can give you everything you've ever wanted… companionship, loyalty, security and much more."

He gestured to a black octagonal font that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere in the shadow, and he immediately paced over to it. "Come and take a look at what could be yours if you pledge yourself to me."

The mysterious object looked similar to a container she'd seen in an interrogation chamber when he'd held her prisoner on Starkiller base. She recalled with disgust that it'd been full of the ashes of his slain foes. For some reason he'd slammed his chrome helmet into the ashes after removing it so he could reveal his unexpectedly handsome face to her. She'd been disdainful of his leering attentions back then and she was determined to fight him off again. Even now he was openly looking her up and down with appreciation and lust.

"There is no offer you can make that I will accept. I don't even want to see what you have in that thing," she told him defiantly.

Raising his arm, Ren curved his velvet-gloved hand inwards, beckoning her, never once breaking the gaze of his hypnotic black irises away from her. Once again Rey was being compelled by the Force to approach him. She curled her lip in frustration as she found herself standing uncomfortably close and personal to her arch-enemy and the vision seemed determined to hold her rigid for him, there was nowhere to run or hide.

Kylo Ren eagerly wrapped his long arms around both her shoulders and waist, pulling her body to embrace his own tightly. He held her head to his broad chest and the silk of his tunic brushed softly against her face and even though this was a mere vision, she could feel his villainous heart beating rapidly on the side of her cheek. He sighed contentedly and stroked his fingers over her long chestnut hair. "I've longed to hold you like this since the first time I saw you Rey. I could be such a generous lover to you if you'd only give me a chance to show you the ways of the Force."

His touch made her shiver but the frightening aspect about his caress was that it felt strangely… comforting. Nobody had ever held her like this before. One of her own hands reached up and rested on his chest, clutching at his robe and grabbing a handful of velvet tightly in her fist. She tried to convince herself that he was using the Force to make her do this… surely it was not her own will that caused her to respond this way?

He moved his hands up to her face and tilted her chin upward so he could get a better look at her and Rey in turn took the opportunity to scan over his angular features closely as well. Ren had the appearance of being more mature and dangerous since she'd clashed with him on Hoth. Rey was also certain she too now looked several years older than before. Rey wagered this Force vision was set perhaps three or four years in the future.

"There is still time to stop this" she thought.

He started to smile at her with those sinful full lips of his and the facial scar she had once bestowed upon his pale features seemed to glow red in the darkness.

"Now Rey, you will look at my offering to you"

He physically forced her to turn her head and look at the black font he had directed her to previously.

She could hear sounds coming from within… a soft crying that instantly tugged on something and made her ache inside her abdomen.

"No… it couldn't be!"

Peering down she didn't find the ashes or grotesque relics that she'd expected… Instead she found a small infant swaddled in high-quality black and red Ryloth linen. It was a beautiful baby boy with a crown of wispy dark hair, barely a few months old!

Rey inhaled sharply with shock…

The baby's muted cries stopped when his hazel-coloured eyes beheld her. He then gurgled happily as his tiny fingers reached up to her with recognition.

"This is our child Rey, yours and mine," said Ren softly.

"The family you have been searching for, the belonging you seek… I can give this to you! Never again will you spend a single night sleepless and alone. Never again will you be threatened by scumbag traders or used by thieves and traitors undeserving of your regard and friendship. I swear by the Force that you will always have us both to cherish and love you. Anyone who attempts to harm you or take you away from us will suffer the wrath of father and son alike."

Releasing his hold on her, Ren stepped to the edge of the font. He reached inside, gently lifting the baby out and then cradled it in his arms. The broad sleeves of his emperor's robes seemed to make the tiny boy look even smaller in contrast to the hulking form of his father.

Rey could say nothing, this moment was too surreal, she was looking at a child that had not been conceived yet, but it was her son nonetheless. This child would only exist if she submitted to his father… and Kylo Ren knew that all too well!

"I've seen his face so many times in my dreams," said Ren looking down at the bundle he held with such reverent care.

Rey was on the verge of breaking down with guilt and weeping. All the Jedi litanies that her master had taught her about serenity and selflessness seemed worthless and false. The truth was she wanted this! Rey had always craved love, passion and most of all… family.

"Don't be fooled…" she told herself. Ren might look upon this child with genuine fondness, yet at the same time he was also the murderer of his own father and he'd inflicted untold suffering to thousands of innocents from scores of star systems.

Behind the façade he'd adopted in this vision, she could still sense the obsession and ambition which blazed in the erratic aura of this man who believed the Force had willed him to be Emperor of the Galaxy! He was the Dark Side incarnate and Rey was ashamed and mortified at how attractive it was to her…

"Beware the temptations of the Dark Side Rey," she heard her inner guardian's voice warn her.

"He has your eyes," Ren said wonderingly. "We'll name him Anakin in honour of his great-grandfather. He will be very strong with the Force… a worthy heir to Darth Vader."

Something about this last statement caused Rey to break free from the numbing confusion that had taken over when she'd first looked into the font.

"No," she said flatly.

Frowning, Ren looked back to her. "No?"

"If I take a lover or marry it will be a man of my own choice and it won't be you my dear Emperor!" she almost screamed this at him and the baby started to cry again. "I'll not be the mother of a future dictator and if I choose to have children they will not be raised into the Dark Side!"

Ren's face twisted in anger and he returned the baby to the font which then promptly vanished back into the shadows from whence it came. The Dark Knight started clenching his fists slowly with quivering fingers. His black eyes started to glow with the yellow tinge of a rage-filled Sith.

"Why do you continue to fight destiny!?" he growled.

"My destiny is my own and this is your Force vision, not mine, so I've decided to end it!"

"Rey, please listen…" he began but Kylo Ren didn't get a chance to finish his sentence.