Here's Chapter 4 of the series. This chapter is the turning point in my story. Up until now, I didn't know which way to take the story, but, well, just read and see. Enjoy.
Boba walked down the street, making his way through the crowds. But as he strode down the crowded walk way, he didn't pay attention to where he was going. He was thinking over the last few days of his life. So much had happened so fast, that he could hardly believe it had really happened. In a single night, he had gone from lonely bounty hunter with no one to care for and call friend or family to attracted to and even in love with a beautiful woman. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was for some one like Ashoka to care for a cold killer like him. He swore to himself then and there on his father's soul that if she choose him over the Jedi, he would do what ever she asked of him. He would do what ever she wanted or needed. He had spent his entire life without ever loving a women, and he doubted he would ever love another women ever again. Boba new from experience. He rarely felt anything at all. He hardly ever had any feelings. But when he did feel things, he felt them so strongly that he had to act upon him.
Suddenly he was brought out of his musings by the sound of yelling. He looked up and was surprised to see he was only a few yards from the Devin Darkness. As he looked at the entrance he saw a half a dozen of young males shouting at the bouncers, who while looking extremely pissed off, were still trying to talk to them calmly. As Boba watched, he sighed and shook his head. Ah, what the hell. He thought. I got nothing better to do and probably won't hear from Ashoka for a while. Might as well have a few drinks and have a good time.
Making his decision, he strode forward and as he approached he realized one of the bouncer's was Akiel. When Akiel saw him, he grinned evilly and nudged another bouncer and nodded at the approaching boy. When the other bouncers saw him walking up they all calmed down and began smiling as well. When the men saw the bouncers all calming down and grinning in an almost sadistic way they were slightly unnerved. As Boba reached them he smiled and said " Hi Akiel."
Akiel laughed and said happily. "Hey Boba, glad to see you. I have to say, every one was really impressed with you yesterday. I mean you took on 13 men at once and won. I doubt anyone's going to be dumb enough to mess with you again. By the way, all 13 are still in the medic center, all of them had to be carried there by a speeder since they could barely walk." At this point the men looked slightly nervous. "Oh, well, they were being loud and annoyed me. What happened to the other three guys?"
Akiel laughed and said. "Oh, you mean the three guys who drew blasters and you killed by throwing three knives at once and nailing each one right between the eyes?" Boba nodded and Akiel laughed and said. "Oh, we called the local police and had them dragged off." He paused before continuing with and innocent smile. "Unfortunately, there weren't any witnesses on who threw the knives, so there was no leads and the case was closed." At this point the men behind Boba were sweating and glancing all round fearfully. Just as Boba was about to say something one of them suddenly bolted, running as fast as he could in the opposite directs. A moment later the rest decided it wouldn't be a good idea to cross this kid and ran after their friend.
Boba watched them go before turning to Akiel who was laughing. Finally Akiel calmed down and said. "Thanks Boba, those guys have been making a scene for the last half hour. They were banned from the club a week ago and have been giving us trouble ever since." Boba nodded and grinned. Glad to help." He turned and began to walk towards the end of the line when Akiel grabbed his shoulder and said. " Hey Boba, don't bother with the line. That's the second night in a row that you've helped us bouncer's take out the trash. Here." He reached into his pocket and handed Boba a purple card hey. "This is a Devine Darkness VIP card. This will let you skip the line and go right in, it will also let you into the VIP lounge and it will allow you to order some of the more rare and hard to come by drinks and food."
Boba smiled and nodded his head. "Thanks." Akiel shrugged and said with a smile. "Don't mention it. You earned it. Who knows, you keep taking care of those punks for us and I might just give you a job." Boba laughed and as he walked through the door, he wondered what Ashoka was up to.
Ashoka's p.o.v
Ashoka walked quietly down the Hall's of the Jedi Temple. As she strode down the dimly lit hall ways, her mind was going over what she had to do. She had to make a choice, an impossible choice. As long as she could remember, she had had doubts about the Jedi Order and the Jedi Code. However, she had always loved the Force and didn't want to part ways with it, so she had suppressed those feelings of doubt and uncertainty. But the older she got, the more she came to question, until she had finally thought about leaving the Jedi Order. The only thing that had held her back was that the Jedi Order were the only family and friends she had. But now Boba was offering her everything she had ever wanted. He offered her a friend and loved one, a chance to free herself of a life she did not enjoy. She was taken from her family as a baby and raised as a Jedi. She didn't even remember her life before the Jedi Temple. But Boba, Boba offered her a chance to live her life the way she wanted to.
And then there was Boba himself. She didn't know why she was so drawn to him, but she was none the less. She was unable to figure out how or why, but she trusted him, was drawn to him, maybe even loved him. These feelings were all forbidden by the Jedi Code, but they never said why. Why couldn't Jedi fall in love? Why was it wrong? Ashoka felt like she needed to know. She needed to ask these questions before she made her choice.
As she walked down the hall she passed an open door and looked and in and stopped in mid step. The room was one of the thousands of meditation rooms that were littered throughout the Temple. The room was dark and filled with comfortable seats. On the wall were calming painting and in the center a small fountain. But what caught her interest was who was in it. There, not 10 feet from her, was none other than Mace Windu! Ashoka remembered what Boba had said about Windu and what he thought about the Jedi. And who better to answer her questions than a Jedi Master and a senior member of the Jedi Council?
Making up her mind she quietly walked over to the seat across from him and sat down, waiting for him to acknowledge her. She may have doubts about the Jedi, but she was still a member and would not disrespect a senior Jedi. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, relaxing and waiting. After some time she felt movement in the room and saw Mace Windu slowly open his eyes and look around before finally settling his gaze on her. She nodded her head in respect and he nodded back.
"Can I help you with something young one?" He asked in a calm yet strong voice. Ashoka breathed deeply, gathering her courage and spoke. "Forgive me for bothering you Master, but I deeply need you're help. I, I am in need of you're guidance." Windu paused before finally nodding. "Go on my child."
Ashoka paused again, searching for the right words. Finally she asked again cautiously. "Master, the Jedi follow the Code, which has been our Order's guide. But we also follow the will of the Force. I know different Jedi fell the Force in different ways, and I know many Jedi have different beliefs on how to follow the will of the Force." She paused again and Mace Windu nodded his head in encouragement, understanding that something was bothering her and she desperately needed to get something off her chest. " I can feel the Force clearly. I'm not trying to sound arrogant or brag, but I really do feel the Force clearly. I can sense it all around me, inside me. I can feel it's will and that will guides me in everything I do. What I'm trying to ask is this. What do you do when you when the force guides and wills you to do one thing, but the Code commands you to do the opposite?" There, she had said it. After she finished she felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Mace Windu sat up straighter and gazed at her intensely, his calm face concealing his shock. Out of all the things to come to him for guidance for, he hadn't expected this. He paused and thought carefully before speaking slowly, his voice calm yet caring. " I do not know from experience, for I have never faced such a problem. However, I believe in the Force. Every day I dedicate myself to serving the it's will. I train myself everyday to allow me to better serving it. If you can feel's the will of the Force, truly feel what it want's you to do, then you should follow it's guidance."
Ashoka was surprised by his answer, and felt compelled to ask. "Even if what it want's me to do will break one of the rules of the code?" Mace thought about that deeply before finally nodding his head. " The Code is just that, a code. A set of rules and guidelines we use to help steer our path through our life. How ever, above all else, above the code, above the rules and above our own personnel beliefs is the Force. The will of the Force is absolute. The Force is every where and in everything. Every living thing from the smallest plants the the greatest of living beings, it is everywhere. When the Force leads, Jedi follow. That rule is absolute. Even the Code acknowledges the will of the Force comes above all else. Does that answer you questions?"
Ashoka nodded and smiled. " Yes, yes it does. Thank you for you're time, master. You have been very helpful." She slowly stood up and walked to the door, before pausing. She looked back at him, remembering something Boba had told her. Mace felt her indecision and looked up at her. "Is there something else bothering you?" Ashoka paused before turning around and asked. "I was just wondering something. The code and the Jedi preach for peace and none violent methods. Yet we train every day to learn how to kill our enemies. We train with light sabers to kill all who stand in our way. Doesn't that seem a little hypocritical?"
Mace Windu's calm face hardened into a scowl. " I know we may train to fight, but we only do so we may better defend our selves. We are keepers of the peace, and must be able to enforce the peace. How ever we never strike some one down in cold blood, nor do we take the cowards path, such as taking people hostage to complete our mission. We fight, but we fight with honor."
As he said this, Ashoka grew angry and by the time he was finished she felt nothing but rage. That lying bastard! She thought viciously. I don't believe this. He's looking my in the eye and lying with a straight face. He's a Jedi Master and a senior member of the Jedi Council! He, he, THAT'S IT! I'VE MADE MY CHOICE! She was so angry she yelled out in a furious voice. "Oh really. So why did you take Boba Fett's father hostage? Why did you execute him and cut off his head? You took a man hostage and put a light saber to his throat right in front of his son who was only a child at the time. That sounds like cowardice to me! Or are Jedi masters above every one else, able to lie to some one while looking them in the eye. Are you just a bunch of lying filthy hypocrites?" By the time she was done she was screaming and panty heavily.
Windu starred at her in shock. He was stunned by what she had said and quickly stood up so that he towered over her. "Where did you hear that? I don't know who told you that, but it's a lie. It didn't happen like that." He asked in a quite voice, one that seemed to radiate power. Ashoka looked up at him, unafraid. " Oh really? It didn't happen like that?" She asked sarcastically. "Well for you're information I heard from some one who was there and watched the whole thing. Jango Fett's son, Boba. He watched the whole time as you took his father hostage like a coward and then cut him down in cold blood like a murderer."
Mace breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. " Where did you meet this man's son?" Ashoka said neutrally. "In a club in the lower district of the city. I didn't know who he was until, until well, until later that next day." Ashoka had stumbled mid sentence and had quickly skipped over her mistake. I can't believe I almost told Windu I spent the night with Boba! She thought with a blush.
Windu didn't respond right away. Finally he asked slowly. "I see. And do you know where the boy is now?" Ashoka paused before slowly nodding. "Yes, I know where he is. Why?" Windu didn't answer her question. He merely said. "Take me to him." It wasn't a request, and Ashoka was stunned by this request. She was about to refuse when she realized something. This could be a good thing. Boba clearly still has some problems from his father's death. Maybe this will get him some closure. She thought, trying to suppress a smile. Yes, this could work. I've made my choice, time for me to show it. She nodded and said. " One moment. Wait here please." She walked out the door and shut it behind her. A couple of minutes later she walked in. "He has agreed to meet me by his ship at the space port. He is on his way now. We should leave now as well." With that said she turned and walked out. Mace nodded and followed her.
The two of them left the Temple together and caught a air speeder to the space port. Ashoka lead the way to Boba's ship. They finally arrived and walked through the door and out onto the platform holding Boba's ship. The platform stretched off the edge of the build and was several hundred feet wide and twice as long. Standing next to a large fighter ship was a man covered head to foot in familiar looking Mandalorian armor. As Mace starred at the armor he realized it looked familiar because it was the same armor that belonged to the man he had killed. As he approached the man took off his helmet and glared at Mace. Mace was shocked to see how much the boy resembled Jango Fett. I guess Ashoka was right about this boy being that man's son. Mace thought to himself.
As the two Jedi approached the young man, Mace Windu stopped 10 feet from him. But Ashoka kept walking until she reached Boba's side, and to Mace's shock, wrapped her arms around the young man's neck and kissed him passionately. Boba wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, enjoying the feel of her lips against his, the feel of her body against his and the scent of her body making his heart pump. Finally he pulled back and grinned before whispering. " Good to see you again. That was one hell of a greeting." Ashoka blushed and smiled. "I was just glad to see you." She looked him in they eye and said quietly. "I've made my choice Boba." Boba gulped and asked nervously. "You have. I, I see. What, what have you decided." Ashoka grinned mischievously and leaned forward and whispered into his ear in a husky voice. "I choose you Boba. I will stand by you're side from hear on. I have always questioned the Jedi Order. They took me from my family, forced to me to live my life by their rules and standards. No more. You were right, I don't have to be a Jedi to follow the Force. I trust you and want to be with you, and the Force approves." Boba grinned and pulled her against him again, kissing her happily.
The two finally pulled back and smiled at each other before turning to Mace Windu. Ashoka smiled and said coldly. "Mace Windu, may I introduce you to Boba Fett, son of Jango Fett, the man you took hostage like a coward before killing in cold blood like a murderer."
Mace was shocked by the coldness in her voice. This was not the uncertain and confused girl he had watched grow up in the Temple. He noticed she was glaring at him, and all the uncertainty and timidness she had displayed up till then had vanished instantly, leaving only cold certainty. As she spoke she backed away from Boba who was glaring at the Jedi. "Hello murderer. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Today my father will be avenged. Today you die for what you did all those years ago." And with that he put his helmet on and drew his blasters.
Mace Windu looked at Ashoka and was stunned to see her leaning against the side of the ship, grinning savagely, looking at the two of them with obvious anticipation. "Ashoka?" He asked cautiously. "What is going on?" Ashoka grinned and said happily. "Oh, I've just made a choice, that's all." Mace was even more confused. "A choice?" He asked.
She nodded happily. "Yep, you see, I've always questioned the code and the teachings of the Jedi Order. When I met Boba, I was lonely and confused. But the Force led me to Boba, it drew me to him. And I faced a choice. Follow the Jedi Code and stay at the temple and live a miserable and unhappy life. Or join Boba and live my life how I want to. I choose Boba. As of now, I hear by resign from the Jedi Order. Oh, and don't worry about you being forgotten. I'll be sure to tell the Jedi Order you died in battle when I resign." She paused before grinning and continuing. "Of course, I'll have to edit the story. And maybe I'll take you're light saber for myself, along with you're personal tomb on how to master you're personnel fighting style, Vaapad. All my life I have enjoyed fighting and the thrill of battle, but have never been allowed to harness my power. You're style will help with that."
Now Mace Windu was extremely alarmed. Vaapad was a lightsaber style he had created. It was the closest fighting style to that of the dark side, because unlike all the other fighting styles the Jedi used, this one called upon the dark side. It called upon the wielder's enjoyment of the fight, using the joy and lust for battle to empower the fighter. If Ashoka really has turned against the Jedi, and get's her hand on that style, she'll fall to the dark side and become a Sith. Count Duku is already too powerful, and we don't even know who his master is. Not to mention Duku has his own dark Jedi, Ventress who is already very strong. But she is just a dark Jedi, not a true Sith. I, I can not allow Ashoka to fall to the Dark side. If she does, the Jedi could loose this war.
Windu watched as Ashoka turned to Boba and grinned. "He's all yours." Boba nodded and stepped forward. "Let's begin." He said. Mace starred at his opponent and frowned, knowing he had no choice he drew his lightsaber and activated it. " Very well. I will fight you and defeat you. And as for you, Ashoka, I can't allow to continue the path you now walk. The Jedi Council will be informed of you're actions." Ashoka merely smiled and said with a smile. "Not if Boba defeats you first."
And that's the end of this chapter. Please review. Hope you liked the chapter. I know Ashoka traditionally is a good hapy go lucky Jedi who loves the order, but well, THIS IS MY STORY! Besides, Ashoka would make such a great Dark Jedi. And that is why I love trail blazing. Next time, Boba faces Mace Windu. Ashoka faces the Jedi Council, and we find out just what those marks on their shoulder and the night they spent together mean!