"Don't forget to come back soon," yelled Dexter to the two teens as the late-night crowd came in.
"We will Dex!" said Taran. The two walked out into the Coruscant night air out into the bustling traffic and crowds clogging the streets.
"Seriously, you would think a battle didn't never happened here," said Ahsoka. She looked around to the see the damaged hulk of a Vulture droid embedded in a nearby building with droid crews cleaning up the mess. "Maybe I spoke to soon."
Taran laughed as they walked down the street. Ahsoka took his hand lacing her fingers through his. Taran smiled a little as they walked hand-in-hand down the street. It felt relieving to finally be free to do this, but then the guilt came back to him. It hit hard. He remembered the look on Anakin's face.
"I need to talk to Anakin," he said.
"Okay. He might be over at Padme's apartment. We'll see if he went there," said Ahsoka. They went over to a taxi speeder to hail for a ride. A female pink-skinned Zeltron driver with brown hair, glaring blue eyes and a figure that would make girls jealous saw them and waved them over. The two got in.
"Where to?"
"Senate Apartment Complex," said Ahsoka.
"Alrighty then," said the drive. The speeder car moved to a hover before it mingled in with the traffic of the street to head towards its destination. As the speeder went on Ahsoka put her head on Taran's shoulder.
"Cute couple," said the driver. "Don't really see Humans and Togruta together."
"We've been told," said Taran.
"Exotic. By your accent I'd say you were Elementian," said the driver.
"How did you know?" said Taran, both him and Ahsoka shocked.
"When you've been doing this job for awhile you pick things up. Mmm cute too. You have a nice catch right there girl, although I could say the same for you too," she said, winking at Ahsoka. Taran and Ahsoka both got the sinking feeling that the driver was hitting on them. Zeltrons were known to be...promiscuous.
"Ummm, thanks," said Ahsoka, trying to be friendly but still feeling very awkward.
"No problem," said the Zeltron. "Although I thought Jedi weren't allowed to be in relationships."
"Wow she sees everything. Wonder why she's not in an intelligence agency," Taran thought. "We aren't, just in rare cases."
"Ohhh taboo. That's so hot," said the Zeltron, licking her lips.
"How much longer?" Ahsoka said telepathically to Taran.
"Another four minutes..."
"And here we are. Senate Apartment Complex," said the Zeltron. "And early too
"Thanks for the ride," said Ahsoka, still keeping her voice polite. The last three minutes made the two feel sexually harassed. At one point she said that either of them could cop a feel on her, pulling down her shirt enough to show a large amount of cleavage.
"Anytime. I've seen some couples before, but you two had to be the cutest I've seen," said the Zeltron.
"Thank you," said Ahsoka, sincerely meaning it.
"And how much do we owe you?" said Taran.
"It's on the house. Most people either try to get out as fast as possible with me and toss me whatever money they have or tell me to shut up or we end up shagging in an alley somewhere, but you two were able to tolerate me the whole ride and keep it civil," said the Zeltron.
"Um wow. Thank you," said Taran.
"Hold on," she said, reaching in her glove compartment and taking out a piece of paper. Retrieving it she handed it to Taran.
"Call if you ever need a ride somewhere on the planet. Or if you want to get together for other things, that works too," she said, winking at them both as the speeder took off.
"You know besides the awkwardness, she was actually pretty interesting," said Taran.
"I've never felt so violated in my life," said Ahsoka.
"Cheer up. It means you're attractive to both sexes," said Taran. Ahsoka glared at him.
"Sorry," said Taran.
"So why are you keeping the card?" said Ahsoka.
"Could come in handy," said Taran.
"Taran..." said Ahsoka, her voice on the dangerous edge he knew meant she was annoyed/angry.
"Not like that Soka," said Taran, "like if we might need a quick getaway." Ahsoka glared at him before she sighed.
"Alright, but I swear if-"
"I promise. Besides why I would even think of her when I have you right beside me?" said Taran. Ahsoka smiled.
"You always know what to say," she said, cuddling close to him.
"Although I always wondered what a threesome was like," said Taran. Ahsoka punched him in the ribs.
"Ow kidding!" said Taran, rubbing his chest.
"You'd better," said Ahsoka pointedly as they walked up to the complex. They went inside and to the elevator, pushing the button for Padme's apartment. The elevator rose to her floor and the doors opened.
"Ah, Taran and Ahsoka. How good it is to see the two of you here again," said C-3PO.
"Hi 3PO," said Taran and Ahsoka.
"Mistress Padme?" said 3PO, going off to bring Padme over as Taran and Ahsoka walked in. Padme came out of her bedroom, still able to walk with grace despite her heavily pregnant form.
"Taran! Ahsoka! It's good to see you," said Padme, walking over to them. She hugged them both, well at least as best she could with her belly getting in the way.
"Hello Padme. Have you seen Anakin?" said Ahsoka.
"No. He told me he went to the opera with the Chancellor," said Padme. "Come, have a seat." The three of them sat down on the chairs in the dining room to converse.
"Is something wrong?" Padme continued.
"No and yes. Did Anakin tell you anything about the meeting today?" said Taran.
"He told me he was put onto the Council but he didn't become a Master," said Padme.
"What?" said Taran and Ahsoka.
"Is that even possible?" said Ahsoka.
"Well, Master Mundi was on the Council when he was a Knight," said Taran.
"Either way he wasn't happy about it, especially with what the Council wanted him to do next," said Padme.
"What would that be?" said Ahsoka.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone, and I mean anyone," said Padme. The two of them nodded.
"Anakin is suppose to spy on the Chancellor," said Padme.
"Spy? But why would they need to spy on him?" said Taran.
"I don't like it either, but the Jedi and some Senators including myself feel as if the Chancellor is up to something," said Padme.
"But why would he do anything? He's given me no personal reason to suspect him. He even put my starfighter design out there," said Taran.
"But look at all the measures of state he's taken," said Padme.
"But the Senate went along with it for the most part," said Taran. "Nothing illegal."
"True, but with all the power he has most people would continue to try and have it," said Padme.
"I understand, but I don't like what Anakin's doing," said Taran.
"Neither do I to be honest, but it does allow us to see what goes on behind the scenes with the Chancellor," said Padme.
"I take it he didn't like doing this either," said Ahsoka.
Padme shook her head. "He took it as a personal betrayal to him. He adores the man."
"So is he going along with it?" said Ahsoka.
"He is. He's probably in deep conversation with the Chancellor now," said Padme.
"Why would he converse with the Chancellor during an opera?" said Taran.
"We all know Anakin's not too fond of them," said Padme.
"True," said Taran and Ahsoka.
The Mon Calamari performance "Squid Lake" was in full swing as the audience attending it gazed in wonder at the sight they were witnessing on the stage of the Galaxies Opera House. While everyone else viewed from the public seating booths to marvel at the spectacle, in the Chancellor's private booth two men were talking to one another as the performance commenced. They were none other then Chancellor Palpatine himself and Anakin Skywalker.
"Remember back to your early teachings. 'All who gain power are afraid to lose it.' Even the Jedi," said Palpatine
"The Jedi use their power for good," said Anakin.
"Good is a point of view, Anakin. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power," said Palpatine
"The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves," said Anakin.
"And the Jedi don't?" said Palpatine. Anakin paused for awhile to think of how to answer the Chancellor's question.
"The Jedi are selfless... they only care about other," said Anakin. Palpatine seemed to be frustrated with his answer and turned back to look at the opera. As he gazed on an idea came to mind.
"Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?" he asked.
"No," said Anakin.
"I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you. It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith who lived many years ago. He was so powerful and so wise that he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life... He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying," said Palpatine
"He could do that? He could actually save people from death?" said Anakin. Palpatine smiled inwardly as he knew that now he had struck a chord with Anakin.
"The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural," said Palpatine.
"What happened to him" asked Anakin.
"He became so powerful... the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, and then one night, his apprentice killed him in his sleep. It's ironic that he could save others from death, but not himself," said Palpatine. He let what he said sink in to Anakin's thoughts and watched as Anakin played with the idea in his head.
"Is it possible to learn this power?" asked Anakin, now wondering if the power he sought was feasible to learn.
"Not from a Jedi," said Palpatine.
"I have him right where I want him," thought Palpatine.
"Thank you for the visit," Padme called out as Taran and Ahsoka prepared to leave.
"It was our pleasure Padme. Tell Anakin I need to talk to him when he gets the time," said Taran.
"I will. You two have a safe night," said Padme.
"We will, and take good care of yourself and the baby," said Ahsoka.
"I love having you both around," said Padme, smiling at the two of them. "I'll see you whenever I can, hopefully before the baby is born."
"Knowing our history, probably when he or she is about be born," said Taran. The three of them shared a small laugh as memories of their past adventures came to them: the three of them on Mon Calamari during the Separatist's Operation Leviathan, Ahsoka and her on the planet later during the civil war between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren, the Blue Shadow Virus, the attempt on her life, and other countless ones. It seemed so long ago, but they could remember each one as if it had happened yesterday.
"Take care Padme," said Taran. He and Ahsoka left the complex for the outside air of the planet. It was now fully dark outside, it being sunset when they arrived. Lights illuminated everything, the scars of the battle still seen all around.
"It's getting late," said Taran. "I think we should get back."
"Will they let me stay there?" said Ahsoka. "I don't want to overstay my welcome."
"I'm sure it will be fine. I just need to figure out everything that I'm going to do," said Taran. "And I'd love it if you were there beside me."
"I will. So how will we get back," said Ahsoka. Taran took out the card.
"Oh no..." she said.
"Sorry," said Taran.
"And that's why I'll never let a Hutt ride ever again," said the Zeltron. "By the way my name's Leila."
"Pleasure to formally acknowledge you," said Taran.
"And you two?" said Leila.
"Taran and Ahsoka," said Ahsoka, though she didn't look to thrilled about telling her.
"Good to know. I wasn't expecting another callback tonight from you guys," said Leila.
"Well we thought who else would take us and we thought of you," said Taran, while Ahsoka glared at him.
"How nice. Sense of loyalty you have. So Ahsoka, how were you able to get such a guy like him?" said Leila. Ahsoka didn't make a move to answer right away, taking her time to answer.
"We grew up together, and then one day after a battle we confessed to each other and we've been together ever since," said Ahsoka.
"That's romantic," said Leila.
"What's wrong?" said Taran telepathically.
"You know what's wrong," said Ahsoka.
"At least she's calmed down since the last time."
"She was checking me out again! And she's been flirting with you again!"
"But she's being polite to you. At least try to liven up a little." Ahsoka sighed.
"You two okay back there?" said Leila.
"Oh yes, we're good," said Ahsoka.
"Anyway we're here," she said, stopping at the foot of the Temple near the staircase.
"Once again, thanks Leila," said Taran.
"Anytime," said Leila. Taran handed her a 1000 credit note.
"Oh no this is too much," said Leila, visibly shocked by Taran's generous gesture.
"Keep it. Thanks for the ride," said Taran.
"Thank you so much," said Leila. "Ahsoka, can I talk to you for a moment?" Ahsoka looked like she didn't want to, but she walked over to her anyway.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I noticed your demeanor during the ride. I know you care about him a lot. It's just my nature," said Leila. "He's really lucky to have a girl like you." Ahsoka was speechless.
"Thanks Leila. I'm sorry I was so cold to you," said Ahsoka.
"It's alright, I understand. If I had the capacity to be monogamous I'd be the same way. Sadly, no such luck," said Leila. "Now go before I start up again."
"Don't have to tell me twice," said Ahsoka, smiling a little. Leila smiled and waved at the two of them.
"Nice ass on her," she thought as she watched Ahsoka go to Taran. "I'm so bad."
Taran sighed heavily again, burying his head in the pillow. He'd been like this for the past hour, now to the point that his decision was currently depressing him. Ahsoka sat beside him on the edge of the bed.
"Don't stress yourself too much Taran," said Ahsoka.
"I can't help it," said Taran into the pillow, shaking his head. "I truly don't know what to do. Any advice I get makes my mind feel like it's going to implode in on itself. I'm...torn. I don't know what to do and no one can help me understand." Suddenly, negative thoughts began forming in his head.
His body pierced by multiple blaster wounds as he stood surrounded by droids, falling to the ground with her name on his lips. His starfighter hit in a space battle, careening in an unending barrel roll before it blew apart in a fireball. Fighting multiple Magnaguards before their numbers overpowered him and began bludgeoning/electrocuting him to death with their electrostaffs. An artillery round exploding next to him, shrapnel traveling straight through his body at multiple points as his body hit the ground bleeding out profusely.
An older Ahsoka in a chair as she looked out, sadness apparent in her face as she gazed out the window. She sighed as she closed her eyes, rubbing them to keep from sleeping.
"When will you come back?" she said, tears running down her face as she stared out into the night sky as if trying to find him somewhere withing the blackness of space of the light of the numerous stars.
Taran turned his head to the side to look at Ahsoka. She rarely ever saw tears in his eyes, but this time she saw them forming.
"Taran," she said, worried.
"Would you still love me if I stayed?" he asked quietly, looking back into the pillow he was hugged into. Ahsoka's face was expressionless as she looked down at him. "I'd be gone for so long and you'd barely see me at all. I might even die before the war is over. How could I put you thr-"
"SHUT UP!" said Ahsoka as she grabbed him and flipped him over, pinning him under her as her hands clutched his shoulders. The look she gave him would have made a small child cry.
"Don't you EVER say that again! Do you know what you mean to me? Do you?! After everything we've been through since day one?! I LOVE you Taran and I always will if your either right beside all the time or a thousand parsecs away. We almost died countless times for each other, and you went above and beyond to get me out of a prison that nearly killed me. Don't ever ask me to throw that all away for an issue like that because that won't ever stop me from loving you," she said heatedly at him. Taran stared up at her in bewilderment and shock before he looked down, ashamed at himself.
"I really am clueless sometimes," he said softly. "It's sometimes amazing how you're able to put up with it." Ahsoka's harsh glare softened.
"You have other redeeming qualities," she said, nuzzling his nose with her own. She pulled back and smiled down at him.
"I love you Taran, always, but if you ever say that again I will hit you so hard not even the Order will find you." Taran nodded his head slowly before he laughed a little.
"I promise I won't," said Taran. "I always keep my promises."
"Good," said Ahsoka, kissing him lightly on his lips. Their eyes closed as the kiss deepened further, her arms around his neck while his were around her waist. Their lips stayed glued together as they focused on the pleasure signals coming the contact and their hearts as their kiss continued. Ahsoka pulled back, her hand playing with a lock of his hair.
"Feeling better?" Ahsoka asked.
"A bit," said Taran.
"Don't stress yourself about what you want to do. I'm here no matter what decision you make," said Ahsoka. A warm smile crossed Taran's face. She truly was his muse, the drive that kept him going. Everything was possible if she was right there by his side. They kissed each other more throughout the night, not daring to give in more to their desires inside the Temple. It didn't take too much longer before the two of them fell in sleep.
The Temple was burning around him. Fire was everywhere, the heat stifling him and the smoke and ash choking him. He could barely breathe through the fumes. He coughed violently as he looked at himself, his robes singed and every limb on his body bleeding. A stinging pain from the front of his face near his right eye had him reach his hand up to touch the source of the pain. He recoiled back as he felt a burn go down, making him clutch his eye closed despite the fact he could still see with it. He heard shouts and screams and the sounds of gunfire and explosions all around.
"What's going on?" he managed to choke out. A lone dark figure appeared in front of him. A blue lightsaber emerged from his folds, causing Taran to step back. The figure ran towards him, Taran dodging the slash aimed at him and doing his best to run. The being chased him through the smoke and flames. As Taran ran, the screams of dying people rang out all around him.
"Someone? Anyone?" said Taran as he continued to be pursued by the dark being. The being picked up the pace and slashed Taran's heel. Taran yelled in pain and fell to the ground. He couldn't move his right foot as he grit his teeth from the pain. Suddenly, all his limbs seized up and were pinned down to the ground by an unseen force. The being stood near him, the lightsaber poised above his chest. Taran struggled to free himself, but couldn't move. The lightsaber plunged into his chest directly at his heart. A grunt escaped his body as he felt he was literally dying.
"No. This is a dream. It's a dream," he thought as he slowly closed his eyes as the lightsaber burned through his chest. The last thing he saw was the being looking over him before he saw no more.
He awoke in a grass field that stretched on forever. He sat up as the sun set off in the distance.
"Troubled are you?" said an all-too familiar voice behind him. He turned to see the dark shadow that had haunted his dreams and thoughts standing directly next to him.
"You should know," said Taran.
"I'll admit I had hopes you'd try to consider the dark path, but now as I see it it will never be," it said.
"What do you want?" said Taran.
"It's not the matter of what I want. It's what you want," it said. It walked a few paces away as if looking into the distance.
"The Togruta girl you're in love with. Is she worth it?"
"Worth what?"
"Leaving the Jedi Order boy. Is she worth it?" said the shadow.
"Yes," said Taran.
"Then you'd better get a move on with it. The longer you hesitant the longer you're in danger," it said.
"Danger? From what?" said Taran.
"The future. Will you stay in the Order?" he asked. A translucent shade of Taran as an adult in full Jedi robes stood next to him looking at himself.
"Or leave?" Another shade appeared, this time with an adult Ahsoka standing next to him as the two held hands.
"It's up to you. The life of a Jedi, or the life you've always wanted?"
Taran's eyes show open. He looked at the time to see it was very early morning. Ahsoka lay asleep beside him breathing softly. Taran never told her this but she looked so cute and peaceful when she slept. He smiled to himself. His hand reached out to stroke down her cheek once. His look changed to one of a sudden realization from a past memory.
"Not a bad day," said Anakin as they stood over the fragments and pieces of a Separatist army on an unknown planet in the Outer Rim. They had been pinned down before calling an airstrike on the last of the Separatist forces on the planet.
"It could have been worse," said Obi-Wan. "Especially when their was an entire armored brigade."
"You worry too much Obi-Wan," said Anakin, sitting down on the hulk of an AAT.
"I don't think it was so bad," said Rex, plopping down next to them on the sand. He removed his helmet and took a deep breath. "Aw, the smell of victory."
"Victory smells like smoke and oil," said Ahsoka, sitting near a downed STAP.
"It's an acquired smell," said Taran, laying down on the ground beside them all and looking up at the sky.
"This may seem random, but what's something you've always desired more than anything?" said Taran.
"Hmm, good question kid. I always wanted...lead all the Republic forces," said Rex.
"Really Rex?" said Ahsoka, laughing a little as did everyone else.
"What, you all don't think it's a nice image? Commander-in-chief Rex! I can see it now," said Rex, musing to himself.
"Ok then Chancellor Rex," said Obi-Wan. "I always wanted to sing at a cantina." Everyone looked at him like the Jedi Master was insane.
"I'm just joking. I don't have a greatest desire," said Obi-Wan.
"As usual," said Anakin. "Mine is that I want to be the greatest pilot in the galaxy."
"You kind of already have that title sir," said Rex.
"Riiight," Ahsoka said sarcastically.
"Don't believe me Snips?" said Anakin.
"You could use some work," said Ahsoka. "I still remember that little maneuver you did on Nar Shadaa."
"That was experimenting," said Anakin trying to explain himself as everyone else laughed. "Oh knock it off all of you."
"We're just teasing you Master," said Ahsoka.
"So what's your greatest desire Ahsoka," said Anakin.
"I've...always wanted to fly," said Ahsoka.
"You do that enough already," said Anakin.
"Not just fly with a ship. I mean to truly fly as if I had wings on my own. Not relying on anything to get me anywhere, to just soar through the sky on my own whim," said Ahsoka.
"Sounds like a wonderful thought right there," said Obi-Wan.
"It's beautiful," said Taran as he gazed at her, which she returned.
"What about you kid? What have you always wanted?" said Rex. Taran's gaze turned to the sky as the sun began to set in the distance.
"I've always wanted..."
His words played out over and over again as he sat with his legs to his chest.
"I know what I must do."