Ahsoka kept a smile on her face as her Master informed the Council of their latest mission. Once again, he got the credit for what was rightfully hers. Once again, she was just a Padawan.
After the briefing, she told her Master that she was going to wander around the Temple for awhile. Anakin frowned slightly at this. "You should probably stay at our quarters, Padawan. I'm surprised enough that we have time in between missions, and chances are that we'll be called out soon. I don't want you to be far away if we are. Anyway, don't you have friends you wish to see? I know we've been gone for quite a long time and all."
Again, she wore the fake smile. "Good idea, Master. I'll see if any of them are here. I have my com-link with me. Bye!"
She was aware that he would be confused by her abrupt departure, but for reasons beyond her she didn't want her Master to know that she didn't have any friends.
Outside, she breathed a breath of Coruscant air. Fresh couldn't describe it, but somehow the imperfect air seemed to be a metaphor for her. Not perfect, obviously. That much is clear. And yet, you never realize just how deep these imperfections run. Yes, Ahsoka thought with a harsh smile, the air and I are alike.
"I understand," whispered a voice. "I can help you."
She stopped, glad that she was alone. "Who are you?" she asked in a tone equal to the other voice's. Every instinct Ahsoka had ordered her to turn around, but she resisted.
"Give in," whispered the voice. "Turn around."
Normally, she would have resisted. But curiosity, perhaps something she shouldn't feel as a Jedi got the best of her.
And then she was not outside of the Temple anymore. Rather, she was in a small, dark, windowless chamber.
This time, when she turned around, she was not truly alone.
The hologram she was facing smiled at her. Before she could get out a defiant comment, it began to speak.
"I know what you need, oh Padawan of the Chosen One."
He smiled as she bristled at the comment. "You no longer wish to be known as that, do you? You are your own person. And you have emotions, Ahsoka. Emotions that I like. Tell me, what do you feel?"
She knew better than to answer, but did anyhow. "I feel… resentment, no, hatred, towards Master. I feel angry, because I am never granted proper credit. Angry, because I am held down. Because I am known not as myself, but as his Padawan."
"I like that. Now, release that emotion to the Force."
"I can't! It's not right! He deserves my hatred! He keeps secrets from me, but I cannot keep any from him. He breaks the Code, and tells me not to. He takes away who I am."
The figure smiled. "And how do you know all of this?"
She stared at him. "I don't…" Ahsoka fell to her knees, clutching her head. "I didn't know before, but I do now. And I'm glad I do."
Still smiling, the man- if he could really be called that- said, "So you give yourself to me?"
She did not hesitate. Pulling out her saber and laying it at the foot of the hologram, she murmured, "I, Ahsoka Tano, give myself to you, to be trained, as is the true Will of the Force."
Darth Sideous's smile widened. "Rise, Darth Verum."