V.E.: Technically, I could have put this story off for a little while, but I decided that I wanted to work on this one next. Thanks to all of you that have reviewed and followed this story, it seems as if my beginning into the Star Wars fan fiction universe has gotten off to a good start! This is a different story from my others, since this is the first story that won't have chapter titles. I cannot seem to be able to change chapter titles at all!
Still, my hopes are to update this story when I can. It surprised me how very few people used Ahsoka in item travel. Such a golden opportunity wasted.
Ah well, what was that saying? 'If the book you're looking for isn't out there, you have to write it.' I guess that can apply to fan fiction this time around.
Disclaimer: I am less likely to own Lucasfilm and Star Wars than for any one of you to win the lottery. And just for the record, you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than that.
Hot. Blazing heat bearing down on her.
That was the first thing Ahsoka Tano felt as she began to feel herself come out of the dark unconsciousness she currently was in.
Though her eyes weren't yet open, her fingers were stretching at the ground beneath her as it was her tactile feelings she had to rely on now. After a few moments, she deduced that she was lying on top of sand. It wasn't like some sand she had felt before, this was hard, as hot as the air, and coarse.
Slowly, she felt her eyelids begin to open her blue eyes so she could take a look at her surroundings.
Her assumptions of the heat was definitely founded well, since it seems as if she was in the middle of the desert. Hills of sand could be seen in the distance while she laid on the flat sand. She could even see mountains of dry rocks in the distance.
For a moment, the semi-conscious Togruta had to wonder exactly where she was. It was certainly no place she had recently. Then again, Daughter did say the Force would send her some place. Who was she to know? Perhaps it was some other dimension or something.
But even as she thought this, Ahsoka could feel that wasn't it, not at all. There was such a feeling of familiarity here. However long ago it might have been, she had definitely been to this place, and by extension this planet before.
She just wished she could recall exactly where that was.
I should get up and get moving.
A soon as she tried to do this, she found that her body just wouldn't move like it. Her strength seemed to be quite drained to what it used to be. Even moving her fingers were starting to become too much right now. The only thing she felt required little effort on her part was having her eyes look at her surroundings.
Seconds stretching into minutes into what seemed to be hours, nothing changed really in her surroundings. Now, even the heat was starting to really get to her as her eyes were wearily starting to close. She tried to keep awake, but it seemed as if she didn't even have strength enough to tell her brain that.
Just as she felt her eyelids about to close, she felt a sudden glint of steel to hold onto as she glimpsed a dark figure in the distance. Her blue eyes opened widely, trying to determine all she could about what was approaching. At this distance, she couldn't really tell what it was exactly; a person, a transport, an animal, there was no way of guessing.
As whatever it was came closer, the sudden burst of strength faded as Ahsoka felt her breathing even and her eyelids come down and pull her back into the bliss of darkness. And even though she couldn't see, she felt the briefest touch of a person touching her with caution and disbelief radiating from them.
When Ahsoka came to, she was first partially aware that she wasn't dead and no longer out in the hot and dry climate she was earlier.
Then she noticed she was currently seated on something like a cot, covered by a blanket woven with little adornment or color. Basically something that would be chosen more for practical use than actual fashion.
With a general wondering as to where she was, she turned her head to get a good look at her surroundings.
The walls seemed carved from stone, the cupboards and certain patterns; perhaps she was in a dwelling in a small cave. The whole atmosphere and arrangement of the items struck a familiar chord. It reminded Ahsoka of how most Jedi would style their quarters, less thought to the physical concerns of the body and more thought to the spiritual concerns.
At this reminder, Ahsoka sat up and her hands went to her sides. Sure enough, her light sabers were still there. She gave a mental sigh of relief at that. She did not want a repeat of what happened the last time she had lost her light sabers.
In particular, because she would be completely on her own in getting them back this time.
Those thoughts led to a couple of questions in her mind. Where was she exactly? Who was it who had brought her here, especially since they didn't steal from her.
She sighed at all. Patience was not her forte, but she got the feeling she was going to have to play along with that in order to get her answers.
Finally, a wise voice greeted her.
"So, I see you are awake."
Ahsoka turned to find a person covered in dark brown cloak similar to a Jedi, surveying her from across the room at what seemed to be the entrance to this humble abode.
She was ready to stand up, but the figure stopped her. She had briefly registered the voice was that of an older man.
"Oh no, don't get up right now. You need to save your strength."
Ahsoka bowed her head to him, grateful to his need.
"Thank you for your help. I am in your debt."
The cloaked figure shook his head as he removed the hood from it.
Ahsoka's first assumptions on her mysterious acquaintance were correct. He was man in his later years, as noted by the many wrinkles in his face. She now knew he was human, or that he had a white beard and hair. His arraignment was similar what she had seen several Jedi wear. Yet, there was something about him that struck Ahsoka as familiar. More familiar than where she had woken up.
"Oh no, my dear. It is you I should be thanking. You reminded me of a time, long gone by."
The young Togruta frowned at the choice of words and the tone. There was definitely something off, something familiar…..
"I'm sorry, but…..do I…know you? Granted, I'm not familiar with every Jedi in the Order and….you are a Jedi right?"
The man's snow white eyebrows raised in some alarm and curiosity, taking a few steps towards her.
"What makes you think I'm Jedi, youngling?"
Ahasoka shot him a very frank look, gesturing with her hands at the appropriate moments.
"You clothes, your home, you manner. And you called me youngling. So, tell me who you are and don't even think about lying."
For a moment, it seemed as if the old man was stunned to silence. Then, a round of laughter resounded through the tranquil atmosphere of the quaint home. He shot her a smile, shaking his head in a look of wonder.
"Oh my. You certainly don't change, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka tensed and threw her blanket to the side, her fingers itching to reach her sabers as she stood up.
"You didn't answer my question. Tell me who you are and how you know me or….!"
Suddenly, she stopped. It now occurred to her that this nameless Jedi had blue eyes, not that this was very strange(Jedi had no set physical characteristics). But those eyes were familiar, so calm and so patient. While Her Master's eyes always had a hint of rebelliousness and could be emotional at the appropriate moment, this Jedi's had an air of coolness under any situation yet calculating.
Ahsoka took a second look at the old man's face, seeing beyond the wrinkles, to a time when this man had been younger and immediately it struck her.
Her voice mirrored her disbelief.
"It can't be…..Master….Obi Wan?"
Obi Wan Kenobi's smile was brighter than it had been in years.
"It's good to see you again Ahsoka."
The former Jedi Padawan could hardly believe what was going on.
"But….you look so old!"
The Jedi Master quirked an eyebrow at the young Togruta.
"And you look so young. It's been over nineteen years, and you look exactly as you were the day you left the Order. Strange really."
Ahsoka felt confused at that, trying to put her thoughts together.
"Nineteen years?! Obi Wan, that was yesterday for me! It can't be.…is this what the Force really meant to do?"
Obi Wan cleared his throat, gaining the ex-Jedi's attention.
"I get the distinct impression that there is a very interesting explanation behind those words. Care to share?"
Ahsoka sighed as she walked towards the table and chairs to sit down.
"It's a long story and you probably won't believe me."
The older man did the same, a solemn expression on his face.
"Believe me my dear, I'm not going anywhere and I've been through a few adventures you would have a hard time believing, some of them with your former master. So by all means, go ahead."
XXX
To give Obi Wan his credit, he stood by and listened and patiently, nodding at the right points as Ahsoka went through the whole story. Given his history, he probably had to deal with these kind of situations when Anakin was his apprentice. Granted, he probably didn't have to deal with something like Anakin claiming to have come from the future or the past.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"Well, that's a story you don't hear every day. Though I must say, it does explain the disturbance in the Force that led me to you earlier."
Ahsoka didn't know what else to do, but look at the beverage in front of her that Obi Wan had gotten her. She felt like she didn't have the will to look up and ask the question straight on.
"So….what Daughter said. Is it true?"
The Jedi Master was silent for several moments that seemed like several minutes. Finally, he sighed.
"Unfortunately, I can't say it's not."
"What happened?"
Obi Wan seemed to be putting his thoughts together than he spoke.
"The Republic is no more, replaced by the Galactic Empire and our gracious Emperor. The Sith was within the Republic the whole time, manipulating the war. And now it is in control. The Rebellion fights against it, but it does look so good for them right now."
Ahsoka could look up then.
"And the Jedi? The Order?"
He shook his head.
"Gone, the galaxy considers us extinct with Order 66, almost every Jedi was killed throughout the galaxy. You and I are the last of a dying breed."
"But….how?"
It seemed like he wanted to change subject by the expression on his face.
"Another time, young Padawan. Let's focus on what's happening right now."
Ahsoka felt the need to speak at that.
"I'm not a Jedi anymore, remember?"
The old Jedi looked pensive at that.
"That may be true, but I don't think Anakin ever really believed otherwise."
She took a deep breath at that, still proud that her Master thought so well of her after everything. But then a certain dread settled within her as she realized what Obi Wan had said earlier.
"Obi Wan….."
Obi Wan inwardly cringed. He knew this was coming, but that didn't make it anymore pleasant.
"Ahsoka, this can wait for another time and…"
The young Togruta didn't seem like she was ready to let this go.
"Master Obi Wan, what happened to Anakin?"
In retrospect, Obi Wan knew that she wasn't going to let the subject be side track. It was one of those battles that had been lost before it had begun.
"Ahsoka…"
Ahsoka seemed to have at least guess that it wasn't good.
"No…Obi Wan, tell me it's not true…."
Obi Wan's look was tired as he looked her right in the eye.
"Ahsoka, Anakin is dead. He was murdered by the Emperor's apprentice, Darth Vader."
V.E.: This going to be weird using the Obi Wan form the original series with the Obi Wan Ahsoka has known. This is going to be a little difficult, but it'll be a challenge to work through. ,At least this is longer than last chapter.
Expect to see some Luke appearance next chapter! REVIEW!
