Hyperspace enroute to Coruscant
" Ahsoka your getting slow at this what happened snips? Always watch your left side for an opening! "
" Yes Master.. I'm trying it's just sometimes difficult to remember.." Ahsoka panted heavily.
" I know " Anakin replied as he lunged in for a swipe at her right shoulder as Ahsoka parried with equal vigor. During their time in the ship Anakin had been working harder than ever to prepare for this upcoming mission. The stakes would be raised he knew but what challenge he could never tell with the old hag he used to call Master cooking things up from beyond the grave. Anakin felt a restless edge in the force nipping in the back of his mind lately and it hadn't gotten much better with the two and a two weeks they had been in hyperspace to get to the capital. Anakin was excited to see his young son and catch up on his progress regarding his training and life in general. He was even happy to see his daughter despite the agonizing feeling he had that she would hate seeing him after all he'd done. Sure Luke had told her about his transformation but Leia Skywalker ( for that would always be what he would call her) was as stubborn as he was and in some regards as much as it was good it was frustrating as well. Anakin knew he had much to discuss with his young princess but he didn't know where to begin to get Leia to see all he had went through. He could only or at to the force that his daughter had as much of Padme in her just as Luke when it came to her ability to forgive or this could be a long tense life between the two.
Ahsoka smiled at her Master as she shook him out of his musing. She used the force to quicken her speed and charge at his right knee which he blocked with ease. The battle grew heated as the two struck at each other with all they had. Not one letting up as Anakin switched into his teaching position. All during the time of their duel he kept watchful eye on his apprentice pressing her further and further past her limits and he in turn was surprised with the confidence and strength she displayed. As they moved in the ships training room both had a eager look in their eyes to see to become the victor of this particular fight. Ahsoka turned her blade in a full circle and pressed for the attack against her Master as White blade clashed against blue in blazing fury. Anakin leaped over Ahsoka and she was momentarily caught off guard as she regained composure and blocked his blow to her back with her double wielded blades forming an X. Anakin was pleased and Ahsoka felt it through their bond as he thought he would have her taken aback. Still the older Jedi had a few tricks up his sleeve. He kicked Ahsokas ankle to the side as she fell down and pointed his blade towards her orange throat.
" Do you yield? " Anakin asked with a smirk.
Ahsoka gathered the force in her hand and pushed her master back just enough to retrieve her weapon with her hand. Witha look of determination Ahsoka replied " Never"
Both brows had sweat pouring down by this point and Anakin Skywalker was ready to end this duel as he could see Ahsoka tiring. Before he would end it though he had a lesson to teach his eager and strong apprentice. As she ran to disarm his blade he quickly turned to the side grabbed her hand and pulled her down on the ground in a fluid motion. Ahsoka barely had time to comprehend what was going on as her mind was intent on finishing what she thought was the duel. Her master shook things up for her. Ahsoka looked around and went on the defensive in hand to hand kicking her Master from off her small back as he pinned her to the ground. Once up Anakin bowed towards his apprentice and smiled.
" You did good snips, I'm impressed you improved alot since last sparring session. I was looking for something else this time from you though"
Ahsoka looked around in thought replaying the battle they had. She didn't know what he meant. Anakin smirked knowing she was doing the exact same thing she used to as a youngling; tilting her head and scrunching her face in thought intent on figuring the puzzle out.
" Young one. Remember your footing, placement , and also never let your mind wander in battle no matter who your fighting. Your focus determines your reality. That's how I was able to shake things up for you in the last leg of the duel with hand to hand combat from saber dueling. "
Ahsoka nodded her head in understanding. Both went to wipe their heads clean from the sweat they accumulated during the mock duel when a ethereal blue figure appeared in the corner of the room. It's presence familiar all to well to Anakin but Ahsoka was intrigued as she only remembered it once in life on her way to Christophsis.
Qui-Gon Jinn stood calm in the corner and looked at the two knights breathing from their duel. When the silence suddenly can between them he picked the perfect moment to speak.
" Ani I seem to remember telling you the same thing a while back of I recall. Also that was a fairly great duel between the two of you and I must say I am impressed Ahsoka at how far you've come. "
Anakin glanced to his apprentice who looked baffled.
" Ah yes, let me introduce myself properly. I am Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master to who you may know as Obi Wan Kenobi , who also taught your master. So in a way we are a family line. Nice to meet you Ahsoka"
" Your pretty quiet snips. This is the master that helped me secure my freedom from Tatooine a long time ago. Without him I'd not be the Jedi I am today"
" Nonsense Ani you'd have found a way to fee yourself with or without my aid but it was my pleasure. "
Ahsoka smiled " Your the one that lead me to Christophsis aren't you ?"
Master Jinn smiled " I may have had something to do with that .. It was your destiny after all."
" Thank you Master"
" What brings you here Master Jinn?" Anakin spoke up.
" I came to give you some advice on your path ahead Anakin, for both you and Ahsoka. As you probably well know there is a trap brewing with the peace conference you will be partaking with. Your daughter had a ting of an idea that it's a trap but she ignores her instinct thinking something good can come of it."
Typical Skywalker running off into trouble even when its knowingly. Anakin thought.
" She isn't wrong Anakin but is confused as she doesn't know the implications of the trap ahead. Be on your guard especially when something feels uneasy. Never let your mind wander and remembe your focus young ones determines your realities. The empire will not succeed, I want you to know this and eventually it will fall even though it's taking a painstakingly long time. Don't give up Ani your doing well. Ahsoka I know I can count on you to have his back. "
Ahsoka smirked. She had that job down packed.
" Also Anakin and Ahsoka you will find Luke in the temple when you return he will be there waiting for you. I thought I would give you a heads up if you will on that as I recall it's been a while since either of you have entered in the grand building. Know this, your both no less than knights and your paths have made you stronger. The order is blessed to have warriors as you leading the way"
Leading the way... Anakin thought... I can't get involved like that again..Ahsoka was thinking along the similar lines as he could visibly see her tense at the mention of the order and the grand temple.
Qui-Gon Jinn began to fade and just before he disappeared looked at both solemnly " Your guilt will hold you back if you let it Team Skywalker/Tano."
As Anakin stood in place stroking his hand through his hair he recalled what his former master said referring to the team; Ahsoka was included. He would talk with her about all of this. As he looked back he saw that she was already gone and started for a shower.
...
Coruscant
Luke Skywalker was just getting up to the day on Coruscant and decided to hit his morning mediation ritual, shower and head over to the temple to uncover some of the orders secrets. He had been eager to find out all that was there in the old building. Even after all this time it's presence had given off an aura of strength, glory and power of the old republic he was confidant though however that it would be restored. He didn't know how but he just knew it to be true as if a confirmation in his very soul he would see the glory of the Jedi resurrected in its entirety.
Luke got into his speeder and sped off to the building about an hour later as the sun was hitting the sky lanes just so. When he finally got to the building he started to head up the stairs. He wa in awe of the beauty and majesty that was given off. He slowly headed up into the walkway and inside. The first thing he did was look around the building and in the force he felt ghosts from a time long before him. He closed his eyes and reached out into the force around him sensing the signatures of so many different Jedi that came before him. He heard younglings laughter and saw instructors teaching as he walked through the rooms. Thr force have him glimpses of classes that had went around with faces he didn't know but one of them was Master Yoda teaching bear clan lightsaber techniques with a younger Kenobi coming up into the room asking to help looking for a planet. Luke was taken back at how young old Ben had looked. His eyes started to water up a bit. He went by the mediation chambers and saw knights seated cross legged as they branched off into the living force around them drawing on its strength some of the faces he recognized from his reasearch such as a Jedi named Plo Koon and another named Aayla Secura.
As Luke walked through the corridor he came to the archives and saw the tattered room in shambles. All of the knowledge of old lying on the dusted floors of the building. As he stretched into the force Luke saw a glimpse of a young padawan no more then 14 years of standard age and she looked like Ahsoka too. She was walking with a older Jedi who she was reporting to for guard duty for holocrons. Ahsoka looked determined for the task and as she walked alongside the elder Jedi she exuded pride and strength that he didn't know could be instilled at that age. Not too much longer before that image came he saw a Jedi walk with Ahsoka to the archives. He had along gait but was structured and confident just as Ahsoka was. The two exchanged a conversation before he departed. Luke's spirit leaped as if he knew the man and he could only guess by looking at his face that it was his father. He displayed such a warrior Jedi look and had look in his eyes of seriousness yet underlined with compassion. He could only wonder what he was like back in this glorious age.
Looking up at the windows he could see it was getting late after wandering the halls and spending time immersed in the force he hadn't even seen it all in the temple yet he had been there for five standard hours. It was time for a lunch break, his chrono read 1500.
