A/N: Here we are again, another day, another chapter, I made it a point to make this one a little bit longer than the others. So have fun and remember, reviews tell me if im doing horrible or excellent. Your feedback, unlike at most places, is very appreciated here.
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Meeting the Dark: Chapter 4
Ahsoka POV
Ahsoka practically sprinted through the Grand Halls of the Jedi Temple. She was trying to make her way to the Turbo-lift that would take her up to the council chambers where she was to meet her master. But two things happened that caused her current panic filled run. One: the Living Area where the apartments are kept is roughly a fifteen minute walk away from the Council Chamber. And two: She woke up five minutes before she was to meet her master.
Ahsoka cursed as she rounded a corner and ran into a cleaning droid, "Kriffing Kriff, watch where you're going." She grumbled to the droid. It responded with beeps and boops and a quick jet of soapy water to ahsoka's face, before it rolled off in the other direction in an angry fashion. She blinked several times, trying to get the soap out of her eyes. She mumbled that the next time she saw that droid she was going to dismantle it.
Standing up she ran her hands over her face in an attempt to dry herself, when she realized why she had ran into the droid in the first place. And as if the entire scene had never happened she resumed her breakneck pace in earnest. As she ran she began to come across other Jedi, all of which told her to slow down or watch out in a rather grumpy tone. But as it was she didn't overly care, she had next to time to get to the council on time. She didn't want a repeat of last time she was late to a council meeting. She shuddered at the thought of Master Windu's irritated glare.
She noticed that she close to the main tower turbo-lift, but she also noticed the six story tall staircase leading down to it was coming up. She didn't have the time or the patience to walk the steps so with an extra burst of speed she made a show of jumping over the balcony and twirling in the air for several seconds, before landing with force softened thud. She had a smirk on her face when she stood and she less than several feet away from the lift.
And with a slight strut she walked into the lift, noticing the gaping expressions of several other young padawans that she knew were around her age. When the door closed behind her and she pressed the button to begin her travel up, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Whew, that was close; I thought I was never going to make it." She thanked whatever Gods were out there that she woke up before it was too late. But then she remembered why she had fallen asleep in the first place. "Barriss." She said to herself.
The amount of relief and joy she had felt just before Barriss had arrived, coupled with the spout of anger caused by Barriss' prying had left ahsoka's already fatigued body even more tired. So when Barriss had left Ahsoka had stepped over to the couch, intending to sit and maybe read, had fallen face first into the cushioned surface and fell asleep in an instant. But unlike every other time she had tried to sleep there were no nightmares, nothing. Not even the slightest hint of antagonizing from her dreams. And it gave her mind and body wealth of rest that she had not felt in days.
She was still tired beyond belief though, but she now she could manage herself and not feel like a nervous wreck. As she stood there in the turbo-lift, roughly half way to the top; her thoughts drifted to a certain Mirialan Jedi. Looking back Ahsoka felt a bit bad for having snapped at Barriss the way she had. But she felt that some of the blame belonged to the Mirialan as well. "If she had just dropped the subject when I said too then none of that would have ever happened. I should probably apologize to her though." But then a hint of anger poked at her thoughts concerning the Mirialan. And she realized it was all Barriss' fault. "She was prying and I didn't feel like talking about it!" she half shouted. "Why couldn't she had just shut up!" anger that wasn't there before rushed to her, it was like a predator, hiding and waiting for the perfect moment to attack. And Ahsoka was set firmly within its jaws.
She didn't know why she was angry but she did know that it felt… good. Her fatigue had vanished and any thoughts of forgiveness crushed under a building rage. She slammed her fist into the wall of the lift as she thought back to Barriss barging into her room and seeing her naked. She felt her finger nails dig into her hands; sliding into the barely healed wounds from earlier. "How dare she just pop into my room like that and begin bombarding me with questions and false sympathy!"
Now she was really yelling, her thoughts having formed a tunnel that she could only see rage through. She felt the force swirling around her; it was building and building in strength. It was if it was being funneled to her, the anger, and the rage. It was almost palpable. She was so lost that she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the window of the turbo-lift crack. And in a moment's notice the storm of anger that surrounded her dissipated into nothingness. She felt light headed when all of her weariness returned full force; she had put a hand to the wall and shook her head to regain her bearings.
"What in the kriff was that? I, I've never felt anything like that before. It… it was so, Exhilarating." Ahsoka felt what she could only describe as a fire within her when she lost control just then. And it was fire she wanted to feel again, she wanted it to become a raging inferno within her once more. But then a nagging voice in the back of her head said that what she was feeling and thinking was wrong. That it wasn't the Jedi way. She silently agreed with the voice but she still harbored a small want for that flame.
She couldn't even begin to understand why the Jedi would ever want to stay away from what she just felt. It was power incarnate, and it was the single most glorious feeling she had ever felt. But it wasn't her own voice nagging at her this time, but her masters. An almost distant memory, 'Ahsoka, lesson one is to always avoid anger. Anger leads to losing focus and becoming reckless and stupid,' he said gesturing with his cybernetic arm. 'The first lesson I ever learned, that I didn't pay attention to but wish I had, was a lesson from master Yoda, he said to me when I just little kid, "Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, Hate leads to the Dark Side."
She had understood that lesson perfectly that day. The memory filled her with a sort of light when she focused on it, and she used that minuet light to shine through the dark that enveloping her. "I will rid myself of this darkness. I will not fall into my own self desires. I am Jedi." And with a deep breath she cast away any and all emotions she could, to try and get away from the darkness of her own heart. She stood straight and tall as she finally stepped out of the lift, it having just finally made its stop. She felt better, still tired and emotionally drained, but better nonetheless.
She was just about to the doors that would open up into the Council Chamber, when she heard the smallest and quietest voice speak, not from around her. But from within her. 'There is no light, which can defeat darkness.' And the ever so small light that she had used but a moment ago to shine through the dark and been engulfed and disappeared completely. And darkness returned and swirled around her heart. But not completely. Rays of light cast in between the dark; lending her some hope against the seemingly unstoppable plague; which surrounded her heart. Her head drooped with all the emotions she was feeling in just a few moments, she decided though; that she'd push on, ignore the darkness until she could deal with it. She had to be strong after all.
One last breath and she stepped through the imposing doors and into the Council Chambers.
She was greeted by not one, not two, not even three. But a grand total of nine of the Jedi Masters gave her a look of annoyance and impatience. She sighed inwardly, 'Yep, I knew I'd be late.' Even her master gave her an exasperated look. She stepped forward and bowed slowly, "I apologize greatly masters if I am late. I had every intention of making it here on time, but, well, there were umm complications?" She asked a sheepishly.
And almost as if they had practiced, they all sighed and shook their head at the same moment. She could have sworn she saw Master Obi-Wan hide a snicker, to which her master sent a glare to out the corner of his eye. She joined her master's side in the middle of the room as he whispered to her, "Where have you been? Your ten minutes late." Her shoulders slumped as she replied, "Sorry master, but as I said, there were, complications." And with that she turned her gaze to the old Jedi Masters surrounding her. Ready to talk about whatever it is they want to talk to her about.
It was Master Windu who spoke first, "Now that you have arrived we can get this meeting underway. Padawan Ahsoka, do you know why you are here?" he stared at her lamely with the question. She fought the incredible urge to roll her eyes at him. 'Of course I don't know what this about. I've been in my room the past couple days being tormented baldy.' So with the strength of a thousand rancor, she replied without any sarcasm. "No Master I do not."
Master Yoda was the next to speak, "Here you are, to tell us what happened in the gardens." His voice was neutral but it was accented with both curiosity and concern. 'Oh how fantastic. The one thing I don't want to talk about.' She was slightly confused though as to why they were asking her, it was to her knowledge that Anakin, her master; had already told them what had happened to her. She didn't feel like retelling the tale once more, she didn't want the memories to become more vivid than they already are.
She let her head fall so that she was staring at the ground. The very idea of talking about "that" depressed her greatly, and sent a shard of fear into her heart. But the voice of a certain Kel Dor master brought her head back up, "Young one, we understand that the experience must have been hard for you,"
'You have no idea.' She thought to herself.
"But we must know what happened to you, so that we can plot a course of action. We've already been told your story by your master here. But we need to hear this from you, you were the one who lived, and thus you are the one that needs to tell us."
Ahsoka felt a small smile tug at the ends of her lips, the old Jedi's words soothing. 'I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell them from my point of view. It does make a lot of sense in any case.' She breathed for a moment, steeling herself for what was to come, for she knew that she was going to have a hard time with this. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into the face of her master who was giving her a reassuring smile. That smile was enough for her.
She straightened herself and focused on master Yoda, "Of course masters. Where would you like for me to begin?"
Master Windu spoke first, "From the beginning if you will, tell us everything."
She nodded her head and began to retell her story.
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Yoda POV
Old green Jedi leaned forward and perked his ears as Ahsoka began telling her story. "Well it all started when me and master went to the gardens to meditate. I went to the far back corner where the grass is tallest and I began meditating. At first it was slow going, but then I started repeating the Jedi Code, to try and lose myself to the force." The old Jedi nodded with a ghost of a smile, he appreciated that his lessons didn't go un-used.
"And it was working," she said. "Almost a little too well; because I soon felt myself slipping further into the force. My conscience expanded over the entire temple and eventually over the entire planet itself. It was, beautiful." Yoda felt a sense of pride for the young padawan, 'So young she is, yet able to do that which even masters are unable to perform.' He thought to himself. It was incredibly impressive that she was able to connect with the force in such a way that she was able to expand herself so far.
Ahsoka continued to speak, but with a slight glaze in her eyes that the old Jedi was barely able to catch. "I continued to speak the code, each line burying me deeper in the force. Eventually I felt something else in the force, I felt and saw a presence in the force that dwarfed all others." At this Obi-Wan, who had been silent for the most part, had decided to speak up. He leaned forward and propped himself on his knees. Even Yoda paid slightly more attention. "And what was this presence Ahsoka?" The bearded Jedi asked with curiosity. Ahsoka grew slightly nervous and cut her eyes at her master a few times before answering.
"Well, it was… it was my master's presence. It was like he was giant star shining in the force." At that Yoda sat back and hummed in contemplation. The old Master Jedi looked around the room and observed the reactions of his fellow council members. Obi-Wan had sat back with a ghost of a smirk on his face and a glint of success in his eyes. Mace Windu's brow furrowed and his body tensed almost in agitation. He seemed to be fighting back a sigh. Many of the others held blank faces but Yoda could sense their feelings through the force. Most of them feeling surprise mixed with uncertainty, many of them still didn't believe Anakin to be the chosen one of prophecy. But he felt disbelief from more than a few.
His observations were cut short by Anakin suddenly speaking. "Pfft, don't be ridiculous Ahsoka, I'm strong in the force but I'm not that strong." Ahsoka looked up at him and replied in a defensive tone, "Master I know what I saw and felt, and what I saw and felt was you. You are like an ocean of power master, it was like looking at the force itself." At this several of the other masters that had kept their silence thus far had started talking; The first being Master Shaak-Ti. "Ha, now do you see Mace? He is the one. Obi-Wan has been right all along."
Master Ki-Adi-Mundi sat forward and began arguing the topic. "Now who's being ridiculous? There is no proof showing that he is the one. The description of power from an inexperienced padawan who merged with the force without any preparation is hardly evidence enough." And the many masters began arguing back and forth across the room, Yoda however, along with Obi-Wan, kept his silence. He looked upon the young padawan that was supposed to be the center of discussion and saw nothing but confusion on her face. But the look on Anakin's face read only frustration and exasperation. It wasn't the first time the various council members broke into arguments concerning him being The Chosen One of The Prophecy.
A moment of arguing later had Mace Windu at the end of his patience. "Enough!" he practically yelled. The arguing council members stopped talking and looked at him in forced silence. "This meeting is not for the discussion of the legitimacy of The Prophecy or it's Chosen One. That discussion is for another time, and when there are less ears to hear it." He said the last part while staring down Ahsoka. The council members mumbled in agreement. Ahsoka now had everyone's eyes back on her and Yoda saw the uneasiness written on her face. She looked to him and he smiled to her to try and reassure her.
"Continue please, if you will." He said, hoping to hear the rest of her story without any interruption. She nodded quickly to him and continued. "Well once I found that power radiating from master, I sort of attached myself to it. Let it flow into me and it gave me the ultimate boost. When I connected to his strength and finished the last line of the code; I was fully merged with the force. I felt everything on the planet, every single life. But I soon felt myself being pulled by the force; it was pulling me through the very galaxy itself. And it was dreadful, I felt so much death and pain and anguish. I felt War."
Yoda closed his eyes and nodded, he knew exactly what she was talking about, he too has felt the destruction and wounds caused by this war. It saddened him to see this galaxy torn apart in such a way; it was once peaceful and beautiful. And the truly saddening thing for him was that it was all instigated and controlled by a Sith Lord. 'Much like this war, the next shall be. Started and kept alive by darkness.' He thought to himself. He reopened his eyes and returned his focus to Ahsoka. She had just started talking about being in void of Dark Space.
"I was just, floating I guess, there for so long, I honestly lost any and all sense of time while I was there. It was horrible; I felt loneliness like you can't even believe. I felt like I was going crazy I had been there so long. At one point I… I lost control and just "screamed". It was then that I finally felt something; it was just a small disturbance at first. But it started growing, and growing, and eventually it was the only thing I could feel, and it was so… Dark."
'Ah, come to Teridonis at last we have.' The old Jedi thought to himself, he was more than curious about Ahsoka's personal experience with the Dark Lord.
"I was so, afraid," she said with a look shame. "It was so dark and so powerful, it, it swallowed me up with fear. And I guess it felt my fear because it started to laugh at me. It laughed in such a cruel voice; I questioned the very act feasible with just how evil it felt. It eventually started talking to me, I don't know how but it, he I mean, forced his way into my mind. He sounded so old, and so cold. He asked me if I was afraid."
"And what did you say?" Mace Windu asked, Yoda was almost certain he heard concern in the usually stoic and disgruntled Jedi master. He was not surprised though, Ahsoka was practically trembling as she spoke this part.
"I told him I wasn't afraid of him. I wasn't going to give him the pleasure of admitting to being afraid. But he just seemed amused by it, he laughed again and stared taunting me and, and, and he tried to seduce to the dark side." She had to force those last words out, and it brought a look of sadness to every member of the Jedi Council. But before any of them could say something to the young togruta, she began speaking in earnest.
"Dug his way deeper into my head, trying to say that I was filled with darkness, he tried tempting me but I resisted! I wasn't going to be turned, no not by him, not by anyone!" She half yelling, and Yoda felt something through the force, something dark was emanating from Ahsoka, but only just barely. But before he could investigate further by focusing on it, the others started talking again.
"Ahsoka calm down, it's okay, there's no need to get so worked up." Anakin had said to her, trying to comfort and calm her. Yoda noticed, with an almost broken heart, the single tear that rolled down Ahsoka's cheek when she looked up at her master. He surveyed the council again and their already saddened faces deepened with remorse at the sight of it. But to everyone's surprise the young Padawan simply kept going. "He was so enraged when I refused him, I could Taste his anger. He told me I was a fool to deny him, that he was the single greatest sith lord to have ever lived, and that he had even beaten mortality. He said he going to destroy everything I knew and loved." She starting to truly cry now, the tears were rolling down her cheeks like rivers.
"He said he would bring a war the likes of which have never been seen, that he would lead an extermination of The Republic, and, and *sobs*, and that he would "Forge a Holocaust for the Jedi." She had her arms crossed over her chest and was looking down at the ground; Anakin had his hand on her shoulder, his face a mixture of sadness and anger. Yoda was just about to call for the meeting to end, so that Ahsoka could stop and recover, he had heard enough and so did the other Council members, if they didn't believe her now than they were being blind. But Ahsoka stopped that from happening by speaking up one last time.
"And there's one last thing." Her voice filled with sadness and grief, "Just before I was sent back to my body; I had a vision." Yoda decided that he was to be the one to speak this time, he had been quiet most of the meeting, now was the time to speak. "See in this vision, what did you?" he asked, standing from his seat and walking over to traumatized padawan, grimer stick in hand. She looked down at him with red eyes and answered. "I saw War. I saw hundreds of thousands of Starships. I saw men and women, and children screaming out in agony. I saw The Temple burning and Corusant falling in on itself. Dozens of worlds were burning and in the middle of the flames, I saw… Him."
With that Yoda nodded and said, "Outside, go you may. Recover and calm you can, while discuss this we will. Call you when finished we will." Ahsoka nodded back to him, and walked out into the adjacent room with her master right behind her. Yoda watched as the doors slid closed and he turned to face the council. They all bore expressions of anxiety, worry and sadness. The old green Jedi straightened himself with a huff and tapped his walking stick on the floor to gather their attentions. "Another war coming, there is. No time have we to worry and wonder on what has been said. Sad it is that we must continue to fight. Sadder it will be if too long we wait. This new enemy, prepare for the inevitable we must. This Sith Lord, This Eternal Emperor, attack us and wage war upon us he will. To the Supreme Chancellor I will go, accompany me Anakin and Ahsoka will, to tell and warn of this new threat."
No one argued with what he said, they all simply nodded and a few said, "of course." Mace Windu called for the meeting to end and that several of the Masters meet him in the war room for details on what planet they would be going to next. Master Yoda however only stood there as the council filed out of the chamber, he was deep in thought as Mace Windu stopped next to him. Bending down he spoke to the old green master. "Are we ready for something like this? We are still at war with the Confederacy and we still have yet to locate the Sith Lord Sidious."
Yoda looked at him with tired old eyes, "Ready we will not be. Fight back we must though. Many trials ahead of us I fear there are." And with that he turned and left the council chamber and told Anakin and Ahsoka that they would be accompanying him to the Supreme chancellor. But as they made their way to the hangars, he couldn't help but feel that they were being watched by something, or someone.
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A/N: PLOT PROGRESSION AND EERIE WARNINGS!