A/N: I wrote from the moment Ben arrives on Exegol, the story remains the same, but explores more of what is going on in Ben and Rey's head as the battle plays out. I placed a marker to tell where the real alternative ending begins so you may jump ahead if you please. 

Ben's POV

I arrive on Exegol landing next to a X-Wing that I know has to belong to Rey some how. I bolt running to where I know the Throne of the Sith, Palpatine, and hopefully Rey is. She is hard to find. 

Instead of using the force to help my way down peacefully, I jump from the platform, launching myself into a freefall. I land on a chain, slamming my head into the metal. "Ow." I groan to myself, but continue on knowing I don't have much time. 

The force moves darkly, but I have a clear path before me. My future has never been more clear, yet uncertain. I race forward knowing what I have to do. I have to get to her, I have to. I cannot let her face him alone. Any way Rey can thing of fighting Palpatine alone won't be good enough. 

This is my fault, if I hadn't had been so stubborn and had just gone with Rey before the Battle of Crait this wouldn't be happening. Maybe Luke would still even be alive. 

My feet carry me forward and my heart pounds demanding to be felt.

I round the corner and shoot down one of the Emperor's guards. A blast from behind passes me and I quickly aim my blaster back at him. With one shot each they have both fallen and my path remains clear. I slide along the dust and gravel as I round another corner and take off again. The presence of the Knights who I swore to lead takes me by surprise. Three come from the front and I turn to find the other three coming from the rear. 

My blaster at my side becomes useless as I know their armor is made to withstand more than my simple blaster. Even without the blaster, I am not weaponless for the Force is with me. 

I push forward sending a knight falling and the others spring forward raising their weapons. I duck to avoid the first swing, but take a hit to the face followed by another knight's assist as they slap my face the other direction with their own weapon. I'm stunned when an upper cut sends my head again in another direction, but the butt of another knight's weapon to my stomach sends me to my knees. I attempt to look up when the fifth and final knight who has yet to interact with me, hits me with another blow to the back of the head. 

I grunt in pain and I force myself to my feet again. They can't take me down so easily, I glance around to each of them as they re-position to hopefully have another successful attack. What they forget in there arrogance is I have trained with them and know each and every one of their strengths and weaknesses. 

As my determination fuels me I sense Rey's unease and feel her sorrow increase. 

I take a deep breathe and focus, reaching out to her with the force. 

And then she appears... in front of me. I stare past the knights and only to her. 

I am here Rey. I think to myself. I am here and I am with you. 

She stares back at me and blinks. A tear falling from her eye. 

I straighten up a little and nod to her. 

I watch as she slightly shifts into a stance and her facial expression changes. I can she her spirit and determination return. After a moment she raises the saber and I recognize her eyebrows furrow like she does when she is either mad or concentrated. 

It's in this moment I realize what she is doing and go along with the plan. 

I reach behind my head following her lead and I feel it there... 

As her hand comes forth empty, I reveal my family's lightsaber in my own hand, and she disappears, as the knights step back. 

I give a slight shrug, then take the moment to spring into action before another onslaught ensues. 

One by one I pick them off, dodging their acts, retaliating with my own. The force flows around us all and I trust in it and not fight with my anger. 

I stab my saber through the abdomen of a knight and the final knight stands. I take a step forward and he swings. I quickly flip through the air and grab his shoulder as I stab him from behind, defeating the Knights of Ren. 

I take a brief moment to breathe, then begin my pursuit to Rey again. 

The sight I see of red cloth flying through the air when I arrive is grand and I take down a single guard with the force as Rey looks in my direction. I approach her and her face is surprised, but I can feel the relief my presence brings her, as she takes a deep breathe and I do as well. With a slight nod she gives me, I know what we must do now. 

We must stand together as one united force to bring down the Emperor once and for all. 

Unanimously, we face him and bring our sabers up ready for battle, deciding on the same stance. 

"Stand together, die together." Emperor Palpatine states and reaches out with the force, removing our lightsabers from our grasp and bringing us to our knees before him. 

A power from us reacts fighting back rescinding his attack. 

He gasps and looks to his hands as they begin to restore themselves to normalcy. "The life force of your bond, a dyad in the force, a power like life itself." I notice his fingers grow to a complete full length as my body shakes from the hold he has on me. " Unseen for generations." He examines his hands. "And now, the power of two restores the one true emperor!" 

His hands reach out, not to directly attack, but to steal. 

I feel my strength leave me and pain rush through me, as the Emperor's hold steadily tightens on my body. 

I hear Rey cry out and I grind my teeth from the pain refusing to give in. 

The Emperor laughs and his once weak, fragile figure gains shape and more life, with his eyes turning yellow. 

Just when I feel my limits approaching, to my surprise he releases us, and our bodies collapse onto the stone floor beneath us. 

My eyes become heavy and I can't help, but fall under an unexpected sleep. 

. . . 

I hear chanting and my sore body begs me not to move, but I can feel the darkness surrounding myself and Rey's force energy. I make small movements, pushing myself to stand and face him. As I'm almost to my feet I'm lifted into the air once more and my instincts are shot awake. 

"As once I fell, so falls the last Skywalker." His force hits hard and I grunt in pain as I fly through the air. Just when I think I'm about to land back on the ground, part of my body hits the ground and I tumble into the planet's opened fault. 

Rey's POV

The familiar laugh of the Emperor awakens me and I notice Ben's presence isn't nearly as close as I last remember. 

I turn my body noticing his absence as I lay on my back. 

Lightning fills the sky as my body aches in pain to stay down. I watch as my friends fall from the sky and a tear slips down my face. I have to do something. I breathe in and recall my training with Leia. 

I stare to the sky and focus on all the destruction happening before me... because of me... 

I knew I couldn't do this alone, but even with the help of my friends it was not enough... I'm not enough. 

I breathe until I regain my focus and know I have one last option to try. 

"Be with me." I breathe out.  "Be with me." 

I feel myself relax as the pain slips away and I feel a new presence. "Be with me." I reach out. 

"These are your final steps, Rey," the voice replies, "rise and take them." 

More force energies come forward, "Rey," each calling out my name. "Rey." 

"Bring back the balance, Rey, as I did." A male speaks out. 

"In the night, find the light, Rey." A female encourages me. 

"You're not alone, Rey." Another voice speaks out. 

"Alone, never have you been."

The voices of the Jedi before me continue, each giving me strength and words of encouragement. 

"Every Jedi who has ever lived lives in you." 

"The force surrounds you." 

"Let it guide you." Another Jedi adds in.

"As it guided us." A female finishes. 

"Feel the force flowing through you, Rey." A strong voice reminds me. 

"Let it lift you." A male states. 

"Rise, Rey." A female encourages and I turn to my side. 

I place a hand to the ground to stabilize myself. "We stand behind you, Rey."

"Rey."

"Rise in the force." 

I grunt and bring my knee forward to help me up. "In the heart of the Jedi lies her strength." My foot comes forward lifting my body off the ground. 

"Rise." A voice encourages.

"Rise." Another adds in. 

"Rey." The familiar voice of Luke reaches out to me. I stare at the ground in disbelief. "The force will be with you." I take a deep breathe and strength surges throughout my body. "Always." 

I stand with all my might and command Leia's lightsaber to me igniting it the moment I grab it. 

My action distracts the Emperor as the lightning stops and he looks down to me. 

I breathe heavily as he stands, "let your death be the final word in the story of rebellion." 

His hands come up, but this time I am prepared. I bring the lightsaber up and block the fury of his lightning. 

I shake to hold my stance, but remain on my feet. One hand holds the lightsaber as steady as I can and the other behind my back and I lean forward to keep my balance. 

"You are nothing!" Palpatine tells me. "A scavenger girl is no match for the power in me." A wave of strength pushes me slightly back and I fight back with my own strength regaining my ground. "I am all the Sith!" 

I grunt as I use even more strength. "And I." I grind my teeth and continue using my strength just enough to withhold him. I pant as the force obeys me and my fingers extend, ready for the catch. 

The Skywalker lightsaber lands in my hand. I stare into his eyes, "I'm all the Jedi," I bring the lightsaber up to make a cross in a dual block. 

With both sabers blocking I am able to use more energy towards closing the space between us. 

With each step I take I feel his power fault and weaken. Worry takes over his face and I push with all my might and the lightning deflects back onto him. He groans out in pain, but doesn't stop. I push again and he begins to deteriorate. Another push and he is gone. 

His life force bursts and a wave of energy and lightning erupts. 

Screams of his disciples flood the air and I stand my ground stunned at what I am witnessing. Stone crushes the stadium and the cries slowly die down as they are drowned out by stone. 

---THIS IS WHERE IT VARIES FROM THE MOVIE---

Dust fills the air and I look around, stunned at the destruction, but finally at peace with my purpose fulfilled. I take a breath, then feel it. 

A small grunt echos and I turn to the noise. I stumble forward, my legs not feeling as strong as they once were, begging to relax a moment. 

I force myself forward to an opening in the ground and see his hand. 

I fall onto my knees and reach for him. 

His eyes lock with mine and Ben allows me to assist him out. 

Once he is safe I sit on the ground heavily breathing, finally letting my body rest. 

"You did it." He speaks softly. I look over and nod, then feel the world get hazy as my body weakens. 

Ben's POV

Rey looks dazed as she nods, then goes to fall beside me. I catch her with my arms, then bring her to my lap. Her eyes are closed and I feel her force energy slipping. 

I bring her close, hugging her body to mine. I feel her shallow breathing and feel her heart slowing. 

Her body falls back and I look at her face, finally at peace, no longer tense or in pain. 

"Rey? Can you hear me? Hold on." I whisper.

I place a hand on her abdomen and close my eyes. 

The force surrounds us moving with uncertain and I focus on Rey, transferring life force to her. 

I breathe and concentrate, waiting to either succeed or prepare to face the life of exile. 

Seconds feel like minutes and I can't let my fears take over me. 

A hand touches mine and my eyes shoot open, as I look at a hand over mine, then to her face.  

Her opened green eyes look at me, surprised once more that I am here. 

She shifts to straighten up to sit on her own without breaking eye contact. 

The force still moves uncertain and I can't help, but stare at her. Where do we go from here? What happens now? We were enemies, but now? 

I study her face trying to figure her out. 

"Ben?" She says softly, then smiles. 

A small smiles creeps onto my face and I admire the beauty in her genuine smile. 

Her hand comes up to caress my face and even though I've taken multiple hits to my face and head, I don't flinch or pull away. I don't even feel any pain. All the soreness and pain has left my body and all I can feel is the growing relief that she is alive. 

She looks down at my lips then closes her eyes and the space between us. 

The Galaxy slows as I pull her closer to me. The kiss is sweet and could never be long enough. 

She eases and I loosen up to allow her to pull away and look at me. Her smile remains and she searches my face for a reaction. 

I can't help, but fully smile... a genuine smile. A smile I cannot remember the last time I felt spread across my face, cheek to cheek. A small chuckle escapes, "as much as I am enjoying this moment, we need to leave, I don't care, as long as I am with you."

"Okay," she nods and we get to our feet.  

We make our way back to our ships and she looks at her x-wing, then back to me. "We both won't fit."

"I'll follow your lead." 

She gives a nod and looks down, then back to me. She turns away and I head to board my Tie. 

Rey's POV
I land the X-Wing and watch as Ben lands his Tie. I get out and some people greet me, some continue with their celebration, but what worries me is the reaction that I know is coming. 

The latch opens and he begins to climb out.

I walk over to stand by his side as people begin to notice his presence as to try and calm them down before an uprising begins. 

"You're here." I state and he gives a nod and looks around for a moment. "Let's go explain then celebrate." He nods once more to me. 

We walk through the crowd and more people notice and quiet down.  

I see Finn and Poe and my immediate reaction is relief, until I see their faces. 

Now I have some explaining to do. 

"Before you say anything, he saved my life."

"He also killed millions." Poe retaliates.

"And took away our rights." Finn chimes in.

"And what's your kill count?" I look to Poe. "And what about doing the right thing?" I glance to Finn. "We are all guilty on killing, lying, and doing bad things... but when the moment comes to do the right thing we all did. Each of us made a choice to fight for what was right. Some of us took longer than others, but we are all here celebrating a victory after one of the most intense battles of our life if not the most." I know just about everyone is listening to me now. "We have all done terrible things on behalf of orders from our higher ups, but everything we did, we did for our beliefs. Some for a better life for ourselves, or our family, friends, or future generations." There is some unease rising. "For the sake of future generations and to prevent force users from seeking us out. We shall go into hiding."

"What Rey?" Finn interrupts and takes a step forward.

"Finn." Poe stops him with a hand on his chest. "It's the right thing to do."

"Too much war has happened with force users used to play soldiers." I tell them. "Luke Skywalker saw this and now I see it."

"As do I." Ben speaks up finally. "For everyone's safety, it's best we go into hiding."

"You can still visit." I tell them and they nod.

"Where will you go?" Poe asks and the crowd begins to go back to their business knowing this does not concern them.

"Back to Jakku?" Finn suggests.

"I can't go back there." I shake my head.

"Tatoonie." Ben says and looks at me. "My family inherited a farm out there. It hasn't been used in years. We could fix it up. Start fresh."

"Works for me." I reply.

Chewbacca comes forward.

"Uncle Chewie." Ben looks at him. "I'm sorry... for everything."

Chewbacca groans then yanks Ben on for a hug.

I see Ben smile through the wookie fur.

. . .

"It's not too late to change your mind." I tell Chewie.

He roars about Han wanting his son to have it.

"You'll come visit right?" Ben asks and Chewbacca nods.

"Good." We say in unison.

Chewbacca laughs then speaks again.

"Yes, we will take care of each other." I tell him.

A happy beep interrupts us.

"BB." I greet and come down to their level.

"BB-8 has decided he wants to go with and I cant stop him." Poe tells us as he approaches with Finn.

BB beeps sad then more determinedly.

"Well I'm not going to stop you either." I smile.

BB beeps happily.

"I know you could be of help, you dont mind sand right?" Ben joins in.

. . .

We land on a Tatoonie and the blue sky has clouds scattered.

"Welcome home." Ben says then heads for a small clay dune. BB-8 and I follow him. He stands above a large opening in the ground. "Uncle Luke was raised here. His uncle and aunt were murdered by the Empire and so Luke left. No one has been here since."

I nod and glaze down, then spy a piece I could use to slide down. "Mind if we go look around?"

"You can go. I'll grab some of our things off the Falcon."

I nod and head over for the piece.

As I slide down, I feel a smile creep upon my face as I remember Jakku and what my old life was like.

Was this my destiny? I look around. To live on a dessert planet after facing my fears?

I look around and see a kitchen full of sand, like most areas of the home. I know there will be a lot of work ahead of us.

"Rey." Ben calls down to me. "Come on up." I climb back up the slope to see Ben with Luke's lightsaber. "I was thinking we should bury this... for safe keeping." I nod in agreement.

He pulls out a red cloth and folds the lightsaber up in it. I take a strand of leather and tie the cloth in place.

In unison we both crouch over the saber and open the ground before us, letting the saber sink in.

I feel the mutual sadness from both of us knowing we have both used the saber and have memories with it.

"We still have our own." I tell him.

"Let's see your new one." He slightly smiles.

I unclip it and stare at what I have finally finished. It's familiar, but new. My staff configured most of it and I put my own touch on it with leather.

I twist the ignition and the blade comes to life... yellow.

Ben pulls his mother's saber and glides his thumb over the gold detailing.

I deactivate as I feel someone approaching.

We both stand as the woman nears with a creature towering over her.  "There's been no one for so long... who are you?"

"I'm Rey."

"Ben."

"Ben and Rey who?"

I look down and take a breath. I can't say Palpatine.

Ben's POV
I look over at Rey who looks confused on what to say, but just past her I see someone... someones.

My mother smiles at me as she stands peaceful and proud next to my uncle who shares the same kind of smile.

That's when I know what to say, so our names won't be recognized, but those who need to find us will know.

I look to the woman and smile. "Ben and Rey Skywalker."

A/N: May the Fourth Be With You!  I hope you all enjoyed this. I believe this is the ending we all truly deserved, because Ben Solo deserved to live.

I love you all! May the force be with you. ALWAYS!

-Soph

PS: this chapter was 3703 words.