A/N: Hello everybody and welcome back :) Now, chronologically the first "episode" of the second season of my story takes place at the same time as the 12th episode of the Star Wars the Clone Wars season 3 (in which we see the more grownup version of Ahsoka :3 ) I hope you all enjoy it as much if not more than the previous season. Enjoy! :D
Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 1 "The Knighthood – part 1"
Six months had passed since Deiven Virlo, Avelon Karkko and Zai'shira Kessen travelled to Arkania and fought the Sith Lords, Darth Sidious and Darth Plagueis, as well as the second Deiven, who turned out to be a clone just like the young ArchKnight.
After the defeat on the planet Geonosis and the brutal massacre on Mustafar, the Separatists Alliance was disbanded. The planets that once belonged to the Confederacy of the Independent Systems became neutral. A couple droid factories were still operational, but without someone to give the orders, they only existed without real purpose.
The Republic was able to bounce back after the tragic attack of the Dread Masters and the defeat by the hands of the Kingdom of the Force, but the democratic government have changed severely. With Coruscant in repairs and without the galactic senate, Jedi Master Mace Windu took over the seat of the Supreme Chancellor. Since in the older days many elected Chancellor were Jedi, he decided to restore that trend.
For half a year, the galaxy licked its wounds after the destruction of the Jedi Order and the end of the clone wars. While neutral planets enjoyed the peace, many of them suffered due to the lack of the defenders of justice. Without the Jedi to defend the weak and poor, their only option were the bounty hunters, for which the upcoming era seemed to be very fruitful.
While the crime syndicates rub their hands thinking about the countless possibilities of wealth, the Kingdom of the Force and the Dread Masters prepared their forces for the upcoming war in their own unique ways. As the ancient Sith Lords corrupted many planets through their nightmarish mind games and fallacious bargains, while the Kingdom trained its younglings and Squires to be ready for the horrors that lay ahead.
After harsh, tiring and realistic training under the eyes of their Masters, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano were ready to take their trails to become Knights of the Kingdom of the Force.
22 BBY - Yavin 4, Near The Ancient Massassi Temples.
Yavin 4 was one of three habitable moons orbiting the gas giant Yavin. It was mainly covered in jungle and rainforest. The moon was composed of a molten metallic core with a thick, immobile low-relief silicate crust. The surface was made up of four continents which accounted for sixty-seven percent of the moon's surface. These continents were mostly covered in large sprawling tropical jungles with tall canopies though there were also a few mountain ridges like the Yunteh Mountains, dominated by volcanoes such as the Nicolo and Borundi Peaks.
The moon also had six interconnected oceans which covered the remaining thirty-three percent of the moon. There was also a large landlocked sea on the moon. As a relatively young world, the tiny jungle moon experienced a considerable amount of geothermal activity. Large rivers flowed dramatically from volcanic heights and then followed a more meandering pace through the jungles.
Using his training technique, Deiven did a short jump back in time with Ahsoka. The two aliens teleported two years back, at the beginning of the clone wars. The first trial, the Trial of Self-Improvement was a battle againts an opponent which was chosen by the Squire. The opponent needed to be someone they already fought so that they could see how much they have grown in strength. The majority of Squires chose their comrades or teachers, that was suggested since the first trial shouldn't be dangerous.
Because of that, Ahsoka asked Deiven to fight Ventress one more time. She defeated her on Geonosis, but the assassin was wounded back then, so she wanted to fight Ventress in full health and beat her. It would be a proof that she became stronger. She knew that Anakin fought Ventress for the first time on Yavin 4 when he was still a Padawan. It was a good opportunity to test her progress and she wouldn't really die even if she did lose. The ArchKnight was more than happy to oblige.
"I think we're getting close to the place when they started fighting," stated Deiven as he and Ahsoka travelled through the lush jungle. The ArchKnight led the way for two reasons, first, he knew the way, and second, he preferred not to have the view of Ahsoka's rear end which would be really distracting.
The young Togruta was now sixteen years old and she really aged-up physically. Her slim, almost petite figure became curvier and she became even more attractive. Her orange skin became a shade darker, her lekku and montrals became longer as proof of her adolescence. She didn't change her attire, but now, her clothes hugged her curves very nicely.
She wasn't the only one though, being seventeen years of age Deiven also changed quite a bit. Aside from being taller, his muscles became bigger and his golden skin also slightly darkened. His horns became longer but for his luck and comfort, since their tips were pointed forward it wasn't bothering him that much. Ahsoka actually found them really nice and said that they gave him character.
Both Ahsoka's and Deiven's hormones were skyrocketing because of their age. It was especially hard for the young Firrerreo since his mixed DNA was enhanced by genes of the predator species. Not to mention after the innocent kiss, Ahsoka became a lot more bolder in her attempts to seduce him. It drove the ArchKnight crazy, but he couldn't allow himself to give in because of his 'condition'.
"Oh, I found something," Ahsoka said as she spotted an object that lay hidden in the tall grass. When she crouched and reached for it, they recognized a clone trooper helmet. "I guess we're heading the right way," Ahsoka stated with a smile.
A loud explosion echoed in the jungle not far from their location. When they turned to look, they spotted smoke and flames in the distance. "Yup," Deiven agreed. "Come on before they start fighting."
The two dashed towards the source of the explosion. After a short while, Deiven spotted Anakin and Ventress, dressed in dark cloaks, who were ready to fight each other. The assassin stood on a piece of the ship and the Padawan on the field not far from her. Both of them had their lightsabers ignited and ready. The two sensed someone and turned their heads towards Ahsoka and Deiven.
"Who are you?!" asked Anakin. Ahsoka noticed his Padawan brand and thought about her times as a Padawan, which made her smile a bit.
"Padawan Skywalker, Master Obi-Wan sent us to get you, he's also angry at you for this stunt you'd pulled," Deiven replied arching his eyebrows. He and Ahsoka approached the young human, who eyed them carefully. "You're ordered to return to Muunilist at once. My student will take care of this assassin."
Anakin looked curiously at the strange alien before him. He never saw anything like him, let alone one that was a Jedi, which actually raised another question. "You're a Jedi Knight?" he asked narrowing his blue eyes. "How come I've never seen you at the Temple?"
"I prefer to remain out of sight in order to not scare the younglings with my look," Deiven replied. He already learned to make many excuses and lies in such scenarios.
"Well, I can't return yet," Anakin stated turning his gaze back at Ventress. "I need to make her pay for the deaths of my men. Besides, she destroyed my starship."
"Then use hers," Deiven replied. "She won't be needing it anyway since she won't be leaving this planet alive."
Ahsoka reached for her lightsaber and began to walk towards Ventress. "Hey, wait!" Anakin tried to assist the young Togruta, but Deiven placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't, she needs to beat her alone. Watch and learn, young Padawan," said the Firrerreo. "This will be a very one-sided fight."
"We should her help her!" Anakin argued. "What if she gets injured or worse?"
"She doesn't need our help," assured the Firrerreo.
Anakin turned his head back at the Firrerreo and noticed his confident and reassuring smile. When the human looked back at Ahsoka and focused more, he sensed that she was strong in the Force. With a sigh, he deactivated his lightsaber. "Ehhh... fine," he said resignedly. "Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Ventress narrowed her eyes and glared at the young Togruta. With three opponents at once, she would have trouble, but if she was up against one Padawan, she knew she would win. "You or him, it doesn't matter, a Padawan is a Padawan," Ventress stated raising her twin, crimson lightsabers.
Ahsoka stretched her back and rolled her head. "Yeah, yeah, let's get on with it," the Squire said impatiently. It looked as if Ahsoka was bored but in reality, she was really excited. "It won't be a painless death, I can assure you."
Ventress leaped from the ship piece on which she stood and swung at Ahsoka, who dodged the blades. The young Togruta didn't activate her own lightsaber yet, instead, she focused on the Force to enhance her body. The assassin pursued her and attacked her with a flurry of strikes.
Anakin immediately opened his eyes and mouth in awe. While the assassin was fast, Ahsoka literally resembled a blur. The human felt not only admiration but also jealousy. "She's a Padawan?" he asked in disbelief.
"If she defeats her, she'll make the first step towards becoming a Knight," Deiven replied with a proud smile. Anakin only nodded slightly as he tried to follow Ahsoka's movement.
"Huh, so slow," Ahsoka thought to herself. Indeed, Ventress's strikes moved in slow motion for her. During her training with Deiven, she fought countless Jedi and Sith from the ancient times. She even sparred with Avelon and Grievous. In comparison to their level, this was child's play. Ahsoka would have countered many times already, but she needed to fully check her skills.
Lunging forward, Ahsoka ducked under the blades and straighten up centimetres in front of Ventress. With a smirk, she slapped her in the face and backflipped away. The assassin's eyes widened in shock as she stood there dumbfounded. She couldn't believe this Togrutan Padawan just slapped her. "Why you!" Ventress growled and lunged forward with an angry scream.
Ahsoka extended her arm and with the use of the Force, she grabbed Ventress's left leg and pulled her to the side. The Dathomirian lost her balance and fell over on the ground.
"Come on, at least make this a challenge," Ahsoka said with a chuckle. "I know! I'll turn my back to you." Just like she said, Ahsoka turned around.
Ventress gritted her teeth and got up. "You insolent brat!" she screamed and dashed towards the young Togruta.
With her montrals enhanced with the Force, Ventress could've easily said what she was about to do. Ahsoka dodged all lightsaber swings and thrusts without any effort. The more she dodged, the angrier Ventress got. "Stand still!"
Suddenly, Ahsoka turned around in an instant and punched the assassin in the side. Her whole body was jerked to the side with a loud crack, that signalized a broken rib. Ventress hissed and stumbled backward.
Anakin sensed something strange just when Ahsoka punched Ventress. The assassin also felt it and when she looked at the young Togruta, she noticed her yellow-coloured eyes. "What are you?!" she asked.
The young Togruta took a deep breath. "Better cover your ears," Deiven suggested. Before Anakin could ask why, Ahsoka released a powerful Force-scream. Ventress was blown away and hit one of the trees dropping one of her lightsabers in the process.
Anakin closed his eyes and raised his hands to cover his ears. "Ahh! What the hell was that?!" he asked. When he opened one of his eyes, he noticed that Ahsoka once again extended her hand towards Ventress. What happened next completely shocked Anakin. Lightning sparks began to dance between her fingers and shortly after, Force lightning erupted from her hand.
Ventress managed to raise her crimson blade in time to catch it, but just like Anakin, she was shocked. The assassin began to push forward while holding the lightning. "I won't be defeated by a mere Padawan!" Ventress stated loudly using the pain to increase her power. "I will be a Sith!" Ahsoka only smirked in response.
The sound of an activating blade and the agonizing pain were the next things Ventress experienced. The Squire ceased her lightning attack and raised one corner of her lips. The Dathomirian opened her mouth in a silent scream, dropped her second lightsaber and looked down at a red blade that was sticking out of her stomach.
Ahsoka used the Force and levitated Ventress's lightsaber, which she dropped earlier, towards her back and activated it, piercing the assassin from behind. Now, the young Togruta began to slowly and mercilessly pull the blade up. Just like she promised, she gave her a slow death. Ventress screamed as her own blade began to cut her in half. It reached her torso, then her neck and her head.
Anakin winced and almost puked as the dead body of the assassin sunk to its knees and the two uppers split parts slumped to opposite sides like a gory flower bud.
Ahsoka exhaled and her eyes returned to their crystal-blue color. She turned towards Deiven and Anakin and approached them. The human was still shocked by what he just witnessed, but he regained his composure and activated his lightsaber. "You're no Jedi!" he stated accusingly. "You're Sith!"
"Yes and no," Deiven replied. "Take care, Anakin." With those words, the alien pair vanished.
20 BBY – Zulio – The Third Moon of Shili, Temple of Balance, Deiven's Room.
"So," Deiven began after opening his eyes. As usual, they'd woken up in his room in a cross-legged position. "What do you think? Did you become stronger?"
"Yes, definitely," Ahsoka replied with a smile. "I would give Master Windu a hard time, but I think he would still beat me in a real fight."
"Why?" asked the ArchKnight.
"You can only use the dark side to kill, so I would have to use it against him, but his Vaapad would wreck me," Ahsoka replied.
Deiven smiled and nodded. "Very good," he praised his Squire. "You learned a lot and you passed the first trial flawlessly, I'm proud of you."
Ahsoka blushed and smiled. "It's because I have such a good teacher," she replied flirtatiously and bowed her head. "Thank you, Master."
The ArchKnight smiled and got up to his feet. "Before we start the second trial, let's check on Anakin and Avelon," he suggested approaching a nearby sofa and a pair of cloaks. "I wonder if Anakin passed his first trial."
Ahsoka got up as well and said. "With such teacher as Avelon, I'm sure he passed."
"Well, he wanted to fight Avelon in his trial," Deiven replied. He approached Ahsoka and gave her one of the cloaks as they headed to the door. "So I think his fight won't be as smooth as yours, but surely it will be an intense one."
Zulio – The Third Moon of Shili, Temple of Balance, Training Grounds.
Despite a rainy day and the lack of younglings on the training grounds because of it, Padmé was nervous. The picture of Anakin and Avelon standing in the same spot six months ago made her skin crawl and this time, they were even stronger. She could only imagine the damage that could be created.
Aritia, who stood next to the Queen, placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry," she said. "Avelon has everything under control and so does Anakin."
"I hope so," Padmé replied. "Many of their sparring sessions have ended with half of the training grounds being destroyed. I just hope he won't end in the same state as last time."
The sound of the rain was the only thing they heard as the ArchKnight and his Squire stared at each other in silence. Through the whole time as his Squire, Anakin learned to respect Avelon. The two developed a specific bond, created from two things: rivalry and friendship.
"You ready?" asked Avelon.
"Of course," Anakin replied. Both of them activated their lightsabers at the same time and took fighting stances. Anakin took his trademark Djem So stance, while Avelon did a Makashi salute. Both of them stood in silence like stone statues, that held ignited lightsabers on which the raindrops were turning into a steam with a sizzling sound. Anakin didn't charge forward like he was used to, he calmly observed his Master and waited for the right moment to attack. Slowly, he began to near himself to the Anzat.
Padmé and Aritia watched intensely but suddenly heard Ahsoka's voice which drew their attention. "Did we miss anything?" asked the young Togruta. The females turned their heads to see Deiven and Ahsoka approaching them at a fast pace.
"Not really, they barely began," Aritia replied.
Ahsoka looked at Anakin and Avelon and exhaled. She knew it would end either good or bad. There was no way it would be a normal spar.
After almost a minute, Anakin telegraphed an overhead swing but crouched and performed a leg sweep. He switched from Djem So to Ataru at the last moment. He knew very well that Avelon would simply use his Trakata technique to bypass his blocks and attacks so he needed to try a different approach.
The ArchKnight jumped backwards, avoiding Anakin's leg and shot Force-lightning in his direction. Anakin caught it with his blue lightsaber, the Anzat ceased his attack and dashed forward extending his hand and used a Force-push. Anakin replied with the same attack. Their hands stopped millimetres from each other. A crack began to appear between them and grew wider and wider. Anakin looked down and stopped before the crack could leave the circle. Eventually, he could overpower Avelon but not for the price of risking the safety of others.
Avelon thursted his red blade forward, which Anakin dodged and countered with a quick swing, which was deflected to the side.
When one attacked, the other countered. The exchanges became faster and faster. Padmé wasn't able to follow their moves anymore. Soon, it looked like the two were covered in a blue-red dome with wet sand flying in all directions in the circle. "So fast," the Queen commented.
"Indeed," Ahsoka agreed as she watched closely. She was able to see their movements, but just barely. Without the Force, she was more agile and faster than Anakin, however, the human had more Force power, which meant he could increase his natural speed to a greater degree. Being a child of the Force had its advantages.
Their exchange had come to an end when Anakin's blade was knocked out of his hand and a red blade was placed in front of his throat. Only after a moment, Padmé realized that it was over.
"Heh," Anakin smiled and closed his eyes. "And I lost, just like I had expected, but at least I managed to land one blow."
Avelon smirked and looked at his left shoulder. Anakin managed to nick it with his lightsaber. The ArchKnight also noticed earlier that he stopped their tug of war in which he could've won, but at the risk of hurting everyone around them.
"I think I've made a good amount of progress," Anakin stated. He wasn't angry that he lost the duel. One doesn't need to win to pass the first trial and he already dealt with the fact that beating Avelon, or any ArchKnight for that matter, is an inhuman feat which requires far more than simple brute force.
"Yes, you did," Avelon replied with a smile. "You passed the first trial."
Padmé exhaled with relief and smiled. She looked at Aritia who also had a big smile on her gold-skinned face. "I told you so," she stated with a wink.
When Anakin and Avelon left the circle and approached the group, Ahsoka smirked and gave Anakin a playful nug on the chest. "You had me worry there for a second, I thought you'd get angry and wreck the place again," she teased.
"Not this time Snips," Anakin replied with a cheeky smile. "With your smile, I guess you passed your first trial as well."
"Of course," Ahsoka replied coyly. "Afraid I might leave you behind?"
"Not in this life," Anakin arched an eyebrow.
"Alright you two," Avelon began. "The second and the last trial will begin shortly so go to the gardens."
Ahsoka and Anakin nodded. While the young Togruta left the training grounds with Deiven, Anakin looked at Padmé and Aritia. The two females looked at him and smiled, to which Anakin replied with a smile of his own.
"Come on, you coquet," Avelon said as he grabbed Anakin by the back of his shirt and pulled him towards the exit. "You can have all the fun in the world after you become a Knight."
Padmé chuckled and waved to Anakin. "May the Force be with you Ani," she whispered. Anakin really matured. Not only physically, but also mentally, and she was really happy because of it.
Please R&R ;)