Deception, Truths and Nightmares

Chapter Ten

Prisoners

A/N: Hello everyone! Here's chapter ten! I can see you people getting more impatient… very well; I'll make it longer (I hope). Things are getting hotter and hotter by the chapter, and rest assured – Anakin will return. I do hope my story has not deteriorated. I think it has... hmm. Oh well, I will try much harder in chapter eleven.

Ahsoka cracked open her eyes to see Darth Sidious standing over her with an anguished expression on his face. He was obviously unhappy about her failure to defeat Obi-Wan Kenobi, but she was relieved to know that she hadn't been able to kill him at all. She had never wanted to walk down the same path as Anakin, but the lies Sidious had fed her were so real, so convincing… until the point when Ahsoka had realized that Sidious had lied to her, she knew that she could not betray him now or risk dying by his blade.

When Sidious saw that she had awakened from her unconsciousness, he grimaced.

"You have failed me," he growled angrily. "But not to worry – I have taken care of Obi-Wan Kenobi." Ahsoka bit back her gasp and widened her eyes in terror and fear. Had Sidious managed to kill Obi-Wan instead of her? Her heart raced with apprehension and anxiety.

"He will be bait for the remaining Jedi. I will lure them here where I can kill them all," he finished. Ahsoka was relieved to know that Obi-Wan was alive, but a new fear had arisen in her. In using Obi-Wan, Sidious could easily exterminate the remaining Jedi in the galaxy, including Yoda. She sat up slowly, and realized that she was in the medical center aboard the Star Destroyer. Ahsoka looked away from Sidious, avoiding his eye contact. There would only be one chance for her to change everything for the Jedi, for the Republic, for Anakin.

"Tell me, young one," Sidious asked inquiringly, "What is on your mind?" Ahsoka merely shook her head and did not reply.

"Are you worried about Anakin?" he asked, with fake concern dripping in his voice. Without much hesitation, Ahsoka nodded. It was true, but Anakin was not the only one she was worried about. There were more important things than love in this war, and she had to put an end to it. She eyed Sidious again, and this time, she saw the difficulty and struggle in his eyes. She had become much more locked up after escaping with Sidious, and she was certain that the Emperor could not read her mind as easily again.

"I… think about him every now and then," Ahsoka said quietly. Sidious smiled slightly. "Do you want to see him?" he asked.

"No," she replied almost immediately. "I swore I'd kill Obi-Wan and Yoda first… Master."

Sidious smiled, satisfied at his apprentice's obedience and behavior. She was indeed desperate to see her beloved Anakin Skywalker again. Yet, a little more anger could not hurt her, could it?

"Have I ever told you that… Anakin has a wife?" asked Sidious. Ahsoka shook her head, but she had known it ever since Yoda had told her first. "The two met when Anakin was only a Padawan… much like you. He was at a vibrant age of nineteen, and Senator Amidala… twenty-four. Actually, the two met when Anakin was only a slave on the planet of Tatooine."

Ahsoka looked up, curious.

"On Tatooine?" she asked.

Sidious nodded. "Padme and Qui-Gon had taken refuge in Tatooine during the early days of the Republic – where there was no war. Anakin had met Padme in the shop which he worked, and from then on, he told me that he had strong feelings for her. Of course, I told him that the Jedi would have expelled him if they knew… but he persisted in his love…"

"Why are you telling me this, Master?" asked Ahsoka, feeling the jealousy in her.

"I don't know," Sidious said, sighing. "I do not want you to attach yourself to Anakin… it is not healthy."

"What do you mean?" she asked, annoyed.

"In seeing Anakin again, you will gain nothing, my apprentice. He misses Padme dearly… and he will not leave his wife for you, his former Padawan," Sidious said.

"He doesn't have to know," Ahsoka said firmly. "I don't need him to know."

"But you will be in pain… suffering… and you will love him even more…" Sidious said, persuading her to abandon her love for Anakin. Ahsoka knew what was going on, and she would not fall for his lies.

"I can handle it, Master." Ahsoka stared down at the floor again.

"How can you, really?" asked Sidious, with a hint of mockery in his tone.

Ahsoka smirked suddenly, surprising the Emperor. She got off the bed and walked towards the door and stopped abruptly, just a few feet in front of Sidious. The Emperor narrowed his eyes at his youngest apprentice yet, and tried to reach into her mind again. Nothing. He could not sense anything, or even detect any thoughts. Ahsoka Tano was completely locked. There was only one key to her heart and her mind.

Then suddenly, a whisper could be heard in his head. Now, Ahsoka had thought to herself. In a moment of vulnerability, Sidious had discovered what she was trying to do.

Ahsoka's green lightsaber slashed at Sidious, but her attack was surprisingly parried easily within a blink of an eye. How, Ahsoka thought, frustrated, How did he figure it out?

Sidious cackled.

"I feared you would betray me," he said, "when I could not read your mind."

"I have learnt a few lessons myself," Ahsoka retorted, now backing away from Sidious slowly. "I can kill you."

"No, you can't," Sidious mocked, "I'm much more powerful than you are my apprentice."

"I'm not your apprentice!" yelled Ahsoka. "I'm Anakin Skywalker's only Padawan!"

Sidious laughed loudly and jeeringly. "Do you really think he's going to care about you like he cares about Padme Amidala?" Sidious roared, not hesitating to hide his amusement and mockery in his voice and facial expression, angering Ahsoka greatly.

"His heart is only for Padme, and he will never love you!"

Ahsoka said no more, and charged towards Sidious once more, her green lightsaber at the ready. She struck down on Sidious aggressively, but her move was parried. Sidious used the Force to lift her off her feet and choke her. His yellow eyes met Ahsoka's bright blue ones, and he let out a small sigh. He flung her to the other side of the medical bay and watched the Clone Troopers rush in.

"Are you alright, my Lord?" asked the very same captain that had carried Obi-Wan Kenobi into the prisoners' cells.

Sidious nodded grimly. "Take her into Kenobi's cell. I will deal with them when the time comes," he growled.

"Yes, my Lord," replied the Clone Trooper.

-

Obi-Wan Kenobi sat in his cell, displeased and disappointed with Ahsoka. It was all Darth Sidious' fault – he had lied to her just like he had lied to Anakin, to lure them both to his side, to use them for his evil cause! Obi-Wan was so certain he could have turned Ahsoka back to the light… and yet, he had failed. Even if he had knocked Ahsoka out, he was not strong enough to defeat Darth Sidious. Looking up, Obi-Wan heard multiple footsteps approaching his holding cell. He felt himself tense up – could it already be his time to die?

The door slid open, and to Obi-Wan's horror, the Clone Troopers dumped Ahsoka's limp body into the cell he was in. He heard the Clone Troopers enter the code to lock the cell and left. He fell to the ground on his knees, and whispered, "Ahsoka, wake up! Can you hear me?"

The young Jedi did not stir.

Obi-Wan knew why Ahsoka was put in here with him. She had probably retaliated when she awoke, but Sidious had gotten the better of her and knocked her out cold easily. What was his plan now?

It was only after an hour or so until Ahsoka came to.

"Master…" Ahsoka murmured, opening her eyes slowly.

"Ahsoka, you're awake," Obi-Wan said quietly. "You hit your head pretty hard, didn't you?" She struggled to sit up against the wall and turned to Obi-Wan with a weak smile.

"I felt like I hit concrete wall…" she mumbled. Looking around, Ahsoka realized that she was in the prisoners' cell. "Sidious… Sidious wanted me to forget about Anakin!"

"But you can't," Obi-Wan said gently. "We must not panic."

"What about the other Jedi? Sidious said he wanted to use us to bait them here," Ahsoka said, evidently worried. Obi-Wan frowned. Sidious was getting much more cunning and sly by the minute.

"I know they won't just come here rashly," said the Jedi Master. "They will know it is a trap. And I am sure that they won't send everyone here at once."

"They can't come here," Ahsoka whispered. "They'll be killed!"

"We must find a way to escape," Obi-Wan said. "But there's no way to get out…"

"Do they give you food?" asked Ahsoka.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "We'll just have to play possum then," she said with the familiar, sneaky smile of hers.

"Pray tell, my young Jedi friend," Obi-Wan said, smiling.

Ahsoka shrugged.

"It's simple. Sidious needs us alive to bait the Jedi Masters here," Ahsoka explained, "We'll just pretend someone's dead in here and the Clone Troopers will have to check on us. That's when we strike, and then we'll go look for our lightsabers."

"It's a pretty lousy plan," Obi-Wan said, "and mediocre."

Ahsoka pouted. "Come on, Obi-Wan, it's probably the only way we'll get things done."

Obi-Wan laughed. "I was only kidding," he said, "I'll be the one who dies. You're pretty convincing."

"Okay. Lie down on the floor and die," Ahsoka said jokingly.

"Easier said than done," Obi-Wan grumbled. He got down on the floor and became still, sprawled on the ground. Perfect, Ahsoka thought.

"Help!" yelled Ahsoka loudly, "Obi-Wan's dead! Somebody help me!"

The door immediately slid open and in came four Clone Troopers, all of them staring at Obi-Wan's motionless body.

"Geez," said one of them, "We needed him alive… especially him!"

"Lord Sidious is going to be angry," said another.

"Everybody calm down!" shouted the tallest one. "How did he die?"

Ahsoka smiled and shrugged as soon as Obi-Wan stood up. "He didn't," she said simply, before Obi-Wan Force pushed them out of the cell. Two were knocked out, but the other two were easily handled by Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. The two Jedi took their blasters and headed out of the holding area.

"Now where do we go?" asked Obi-Wan. Ahsoka looked both ways before pointing to the left route.

"I think the Commander's quarters are that way," she said, and ran off in the chosen direction, with Obi-Wan following closely behind. Soon, they arrived at the only office left to them.

"Are you sure he holds our weapons?"

Ahsoka nodded.

"He always does," she said. "I saw him take mine before I really got knocked out."

The two entered the room to find no one there, but two of their lightsabers on the desk. Ahsoka took hers and handed Obi-Wan's lightsaber to him.

"Found your lightsabers, have you?" asked Sidious from behind. He was clutching his own lightsaber in his hand, ready for battle.

"You won't kill off the Jedi," Obi-Wan said. "We won't let you."

"I was beginning to think my new apprentice was loyal…" Sidious hissed, glaring at Ahsoka angrily.

"You thought wrong, Sidious," retorted Ahsoka.

Darth Sidious ignited his lightsaber, and so did Ahsoka and Obi-Wan.

"Predictable Jedi. Your lives stop here."

Anakin Skywalker looked at his grandson battling a training droid wielding a training saber. Anakin had to admit, young Solo was pretty good with a lightsaber. Anakin Solo twirled his lightsaber in his hand and slashed at the droid's abdomen quickly, slicing it into half. He smiled and waved to his Jedi Master, who was now walking over.

"How'd I do?" asked the Padawan.

"Perfect," replied Anakin. He ignited his lightsaber, surprising his grandson a little. "Now, let's have a slow training session. I'll be training your offensive saber attacks – because that's really the only way you can progress in a battle with the enemy."

Anakin Solo nodded, and swallowed hard. He swung hard at his Master, who blocked his attack easily.

"Let's go faster," suggested his mentor. "You won't hurt me."

Soon, the two were busy training – Anakin Skywalker was blocking his grandson's impressive strikes and slashes with ease, and felt that he could improve slowly if it keeps up. Anakin Solo began to take a more aggressive approach in his attacks, surprising his Jedi mentor slightly. He's using Djem So, thought Anakin, referring to the saber form he had once mastered himself.

Anakin Solo struck his grandfather left and right, but his attacks were still blocked easily. He was thrilled to train with his own grandfather, but being blocked so easily made him a little impatient. He knew he was better than this, and his offensive attacks were already on par with Jacen and Jaina's, as Han had once told him.

Suddenly, halfway through training, the older Anakin heard a distant voice calling in his mind. He stopped blocking immediately and jumped out of the way of his apprentice's attack and tried to listen in closer.

It was Obi-Wan's voice, but Anakin could not make out the words that his old mentor was shouting to him… probably.

The harder he listened, the softer Obi-Wan's voice got.

Then, suddenly, the voice of Ahsoka Tano sounded in his head.

Anakin! Skyguy! Help us, we need you! Ahsoka yelled in his head. Anakin felt a headache and sat down onto a nearby boulder. His Padawan ran over to him and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," replied Anakin. "I just… I'm hearing my friends… call for me."

"Why don't you go back?" suggested the Padawan. "You can go back, right?"

"I'm not sure if I can," he murmured.

Anakin, Obi-Wan called out to him, You must come back! Sidious is…

His Master's voice was gone. What was Sidious doing? Had he managed to kill off Ahsoka, and then Obi-Wan, resulting in them unable to contact him through their bond anymore? He was beginning to worry, and panic. He had to get back to his time no matter what, to help the Jedi in their mission to destroy Darth Sidious. But how could he go back? It was virtually impossible for Anakin right now, and he did not know how to even contact them again, or anyone else, for that matter!

"Master, I think you should get some rest."

He looked up at Anakin Solo and smiled weakly, and nodded. "I will, my Padawan," he assured the boy. "If I just disappear one day… will you take care of yourself, and your family for me?"

His grandson nodded earnestly, and Anakin ruffled through his coarse, blond hair with a wide grin.

-

That night, Anakin Skywalker fell into an uneasy sleep, plagued by images of terror and destruction caused by Sidious. He wanted to find Obi-Wan quickly, and Ahsoka as well, but he knew that he did not have the power to return to his own time. It was frustrating, and it left Anakin in a state of helplessness. He sat up immediately, and began to meditate again, as he always had before.

Anakin was beginning to feel more alert in the Force, and he could sense his Master and Padawan's bond with him still lingering, as well as the dark aura of Sidious near them as well. Something was not right.

Ani, whispered Padme. Anakin shuddered – it had felt as though Padme was right next to him.

Her voice was like heaven to him, even if it was only a whisper. It pleaded for him to come back, to return to her and her babies…

Anakin wanted to, but he couldn't.

Padme, he answered back, not sure whether she would hear it or not. To his happiness, she did.

Ani, please come back… Obi-Wan and Ahsoka need you! They're in terrible danger!

What happened?

Ahsoka turned to the Dark Side… and Obi-Wan went to save her… but we haven't heard from him since…

Anakin's heart skipped a beat. Ahsoka had turned to the Dark Side? But for what purpose?

I'll… find a way home… Padme. Even in his head, Anakin could tell that even he sounded hopeless to himself.

There was only one way left – to approach the current Grand Master of the Jedi Council and find a way back.

Finished! Phew. Review please.