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'Star Wars 9' theory reveals the real reason Kylo seeks out Emperor Palpatine

Could Kylo be missing his Force connection with Rey?

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Ever since Kylo Ren killed Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, fans have wondered what the tortured First Order leader would do next. Currently, the most popular leak surrounding Kylo’s journey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker claims he’ll go looking Snoke’s power source, putting him on a collision course with Emperor Palpatine. However, a new theory offers an intriguing prediction about what Kylo’s really looking for, and it involves his Force bond with Rey.

Kylo and Rey’s Force connection was at full strength during The Last Jedi. Not only could they see each other, but they could also touch hands when linked. The strength of their Force bond inspired fan theories that their connection would evolve to include metaphysical capabilities, such as teleportation. Of course, Kylo used that connection to manipulate Rey to join him on the Dark side, so that link between them will remain closed for awhile.

Rey wasn't exactly pleased with Kylo in TLJ. He might force that connection once more.

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Still, it’s unlikely Kylo will have simply given up with getting Rey to join him, given how ardently he pursued it in The Last Jedi. So what does that have to do with Kylo’s eventual meeting with Palpatine? Now that he’s been shut out of Force bonding with Rey, perhaps he’s desperate to find a way to reopen their connection/

Redditor u/SenatorWhill definitely seems to think so. While leaks from Making Star Wars claim Kylo’s mission at the beginning of Episode IX involves the search for Snoke’s power source, this new theory instead argues that Kylo is searching for a way “to bridge the Force bond between himself and Rey.”

Snoke and Palpatine would still play a major role in this scenario. After all, Snoke enabled Kylo and Rey’s connection to become intensely powerful in The Last Jedi. Palpatine could exploit that connection to persuade Kylo to join him by promisng to restore their bond.

I get the feeling Palps doesn't care about Kylo and Rey's bond.

Lucasfilm

Additionally, this entire theory recalls a forgotten leak from the reputable JediPaxis. Back in April, they described a new character called “the Oracle” in extensive details. According to JediPaxis, the Oracle tells Kylo he’s in love with Rey and that’s why he wants to make amends. If this character is actually a factor in Episode IX, then Kylo’s pursuit of Snoke’s old powers makes a lot of sense. Gven his infatuation with Rey, it makes sense he might seek out a way to reopen their bond.

It’s hard to gauge whether Kylo will seek a way to reunite with Rey, or if he’s simply looking to consolidate power as the new Supreme Leader. He’ll cross paths with Palpatine regardless, and perhaps the discovery of Palps’ plans for galactic takeover will be the catalyst for Kylo and Rey’s eventual reunion.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.