Taran moved slowly towards them, his lightsaber humming from the movement of his walking pace. His steps were deliberate yet light on his feet as if mentally preparing for a fight.
"I'm only going to say this once: let her go!" said Taran, his voice deep and with sincerity yet a hint of darkness.
"You are in no position to make demands," said Palpatine.
He nodded towards the Guards guarding Ahsoka. Their pikes emitted red bars of energy from their hilts and they crossed them into an X in front of Ahsoka's neck. Taran stopped when they did. His hand on his lightsaber clenched hard.
"Now that we have your attention, it's time you start answering our questions," said Palpatine. Taran looked at Ahsoka, concern etched in his eyes before they met the Emperor's gaze.
"I'm listening," said Taran, an edge to his voice.
"Firstly: why did you go to the Temple?" said Palpatine.
Taran made no move to answer. The Emperor signaled to the Guards, who nodded and moved their lightsaber pikes closer to Ahsoka's neck. She felt the intense heat of the lightsabers draw closer, causing her neck to get uncomfortably hot and hold in her cry.
"We went to the Temple to pick up something that was lost," Taran managed to say.
"And what was that?" said Palpatine. Taran forced himself to answer.
"A holocron," said Taran.
"A holocron? Most of them were taken during the assault. Only a few managed to slip out," said Palpatine.
"There was one my master that he tried to take out of the Temple. He threw it over the side before I could stop him and was presumed lost when my men could not find it," said Vader.
"There must be more to this. Cyneran, tell us what became of the holocron," said Palpatine.
"It's just like he said. I threw it over the side," said Taran, keeping a straight face.
"Please don't see my bluff," he thought.
"Be that as it may, it still does not explain your group's determination to get back into the Temple. Would you like to know what I believe?" said Palpatine.
Taran did not answer.
"I believe there was a holocron hidden in the Temple and you went to retrieve it. My question is, where is it?" said Palpatine. "And try not to lie. The results of that would be..." said Palpatine, motioning the guards to get in closer with their pikes and cause Ahsoka to force her head back from the heat intensity, "fatal to Tano."
Taran clenched his teeth. He knew he had to tell the truth if he wanted to make sure Ahsoka wasn't harmed.
"Are you sure Palpatine. You won't like the answer," said Taran.
(A few hours ago)
"Taran, calm down!" yelled Barriss as she held Taran back from the door. The ship was speeding over the buildings, TIE fighters not too far behind but still outside their laser cannon range.
"Barriss, let me go!" yelled Taran, fighting to break free.
"You can't! Don't throw your life away! Ahsoka wouldn't want that," said Barriss.
"She IS my life!" said Taran.
He continued to struggle a bit more until finally he gave up struggling. Barriss hugged him to her as she felt his body convulsing as he fought to hold in his sobs while trying to remain calm.
"Barriss, I have to go back for her," said Taran.
"Taran, you can't. It's suicide," said Barriss.
"I have to try Barriss. You don't understand," said Taran, wiping his eyes. "I've been away from her too long. I'm not about to let that happen again."
"It's impossible," said Barriss.
"It's funny. They said that it was impossible the three of us could be alive," said Taran.
He began to walk over to the cockpit where Jaysh was piloting, Barriss close behind.
"Open the hatch," said Taran.
"Are you insane?" said Jaysh.
"Possibly, but please open it," said Taran.
The look in Taran's eyes told Jaysh that he was completely serious. The smuggler let out a sigh, shaking his head while he pressed the button for the hatch to open.
"Jaysh!" said Barriss, about to protest the action.
"Barriss, nothing will stop this guy from going. If he wants to go back and take on the Empire single-handedly, who am I to stop him? Knock down a few of those Imperials while you're down there," said Jaysh.
"Will do," said Taran.
Taran turned to leave, Barriss, blocking the hallway.
"I can't let you do this Taran. Don't throw your life away, please," said Barriss.
Taran reached into this jacket and took out the holocron. He tossed it to Barriss, who instinctively caught it.
"In case the worst should happen," said Taran.
This time when he walked towards the hatch, Barriss didn't stop him. Taran stopped as he watched the pursuing TIE fighters at the end of the ramp.
"Meet us in three days on Raxus Prime," said Taran. "If we're not there, assume to worst and protect the holocron." He turned back to Barriss.
"Thanks for everything you did Barriss. It means a lot to me," said Taran.
Without a further word, Taran jumped from the ramp, descending rapidly to the top of a building. His airbending cushioned his fall as he began to sprint on the top of the building. The TIE fighters passed by overhead, more focused on pursuing the escaping ship rather than the person who had just jumped from it. Taran jumped off the top of the building and down towards the traffic of the city. He focused on a single speeder, readying himself. His airbending kicked in yet again to ease the impact of when his hands hit the side of the speeder to grab onto a handhold. Grunting, he pulled himself over the top to the startled man driving.
"I'm going to need your speeder."
Rex sighed as he sat in a briefing room in the forward station of the Palace. The day's events came back to him as he sought to fathom it. Taran was alive, Ahsoka was alive, and Barriss was alive. Any other man would have been a writing mess as their brains fought to process it, but not Rex. He was tougher than that and could handle the most unlikely scenarios thrown at him. This one was by far the most startling of all of them. His head slumped onto his arms on the table.
"Everything alright sir?" said Kix, walking in to see Rex with his head bowed deep in thought.
"I'm fine Kix," said Rex.
"Jesse reported in the all clear. Seems that they've gone on and escaped the planet," said Kix.
Rex raised his head, his eyes gazing quizzically at Kix.
"Gone?" said Rex.
"The ship got past the fighters we managed to scramble and shot into hyperspace," said Kix.
"That's not what I meant. He wouldn't leave her like this," said Rex.
"Taran?" said Kix. Rex nodded.
"You and I were with them long enough to know what they're like. The kid and her are inseparable. Remember when he was captured? She went all the way to Raxus Prime by herself just to save him," said Rex.
"But this isn't a regular droid base. This is the Imperial Palace. Even he knows he can't do it by himself. Doing so is suicide," said Kix.
"You may be right Kix," said Rex.
At that moment Rex's transmitter beeped. He pressed the button to hail the incoming transmission.
"Rex here," said Rex.
"Sir, we have an incoming intruder on a speeder heading straight towards the main gate," said Jesse.
"Any identity on the driver?" said Rex.
"Hold on, getting a visual...no way," said Jesse.
"Jesse, what is it?" said Rex.
"It's...our former commander," said Jesse.
An image appeared on the screen overhead. A speeder crashed into the ground inside the plaza of the Imperial Palace past the main gate, a plume of fire and smoke heading skywards. From out of the smoke, a figure with a green lightsaber held in his left hand stepped out. He began walking calmly yet defiantly towards the main entrance where stormtroopers were gathering to contest him.
"Get any available men to the main hallway on the double!" yelled Rex, donning his helmet as Kix followed.
Outside, Taran saw the amassing stormtroopers and the alarms blaring all around him. He knew he didn't have much time. He had to find Ahsoka and get out as fast as he could. He stopped to momentarily survey the defenses of the entrance to the Palace. His fist clenched as he summoned the chi in his body to the area it needed to be. He got in his stance and readied himself. Once he felt the surge of power from the chi, he unleashed a massive fireball at the entrance. It hit the doors with such concussive force that they were pried asunder, clanging heavily on the walls. The stormtroopers there were thrown back by the concussive force, those not lucky enough to dodge the blast radius being incinerated or set on fire.
Taran rushed forward past the stunned troopers who were trying to collect themselves. The smoke obscured him from their eyes as he sped through the damaged entrance. The way ahead was clear for the most part. He sensed the presence of Ahsoka somewhere near the top. If he could find a way there, he would be a step closer to finding her and getting her out safely.
"Try to find an elevator," he thought. He quickly scanned for any possible location of an elevator before he continued running down the hall.
Up ahead, a squad of stormtroopers were heading straight towards him. They fired as they ran.. His lightsaber caught the bolts, aiming them back at his attackers. One stormtrooper fell, a bolt ricocheting back to his chest. The others stopped and laid down fire. Taran still headed towards them, sprinting as he caught the blaster fire. In no time at all he was within their ranks. His lightsaber moved swiftly and deadly as he cut them down one after the other. All twelve of them were dead in less than six seconds. As the last body fell to the floor, Taran continued running.
Another squad appeared up ahead, followed by more streaming in from behind.
Taran jumped in the air as they fired at him, each trooper trying to get a bead on him. It didn't work as he landed in their midst and a massive force of air sent them all spiraling in each and every direction, some even hitting the ceiling. Taran wasted no time in heading for the end of the hallway.
Meanwhile, Rex, Kix and other men of the 501st reached the main elevator to the Emperor's chambers. They looked to see Taran, still a distance away, heading straight towards them. Another squad of their comrades came from another adjacent hall to intercept him. As they fought, Rex readied the twenty men he had with him.
"You men, get in a firing line. I want sharpshooters on their flanks. He does NOT get through," ordered Rex.
"Yes sir!"
As one body the stormtroopers got into position, all looking down their sights as Taran massacred the storm trooper squad ahead of them. Jesse stood with the sharpshooters while Rex and Kix stood behind the firing line, waiting. Taran finished off the last stormtrooper, his head clattering to the ground. He looked towards the last men standing in his path, not knowing who they were.
"Fire!" yelled Rex.
Twenty blasters fired simultaneously, their owners continuing to pull the trigger to get off as many shots as they could. Taran deflected what he could before he was stopped in his tracks by the deadly and accurate firepower. He erected a small stone wall in front of him to give him cover.
"Throw a thermal in there now!" said Rex.
A stormtrooper obeyed within a second, hurling his thermal at such an angle that it fell behind the wall. Taran saw the thermal hit the ground near his feet. He cursed under his breath and proceeded to run up the wall. The stormtroopers' fire kept up with him, following in such a tight pattern that he had to keep going. He pushed down from the ceiling to shoot towards the firing line, deflecting the incoming rounds. Rex shouted for them to bring them down, knowing they stood little chance in close-quarters. Unfortunately, it was too late.
Taran's first slash cut through the chestplate of one, followed by a backhanded slash as he spun around to cut off the arm of another. Jesse took aim and fired at Taran's exposed back. Taran deflected it back at him without looking before he thrust his lightsaber into another. The bolt hit Jesse straight in his abdomen, sending him falling to the ground.
"Jesse!" yelled Kix.
He stepped forward and prepared to engage Taran as Taran cut down two men at the same time. Taran saw the rest of the stormtroopers aiming at him and quickly dove to the ground as they fired one shot. He then pushed up onto his hands and spun, airbending in a swipe that sent all of them into the walls. Rex hit the elevator door hard, slumping to the ground. He managed to regain himself to point his blaster at Taran, he rose to his feet and prepared to walk towards him.
"Hold it right there," said Rex.
Taran stopped, taking a few seconds to look at the stormtrooper in his path. The markings on the helmet seemed strikingly familiar, and the voice and presence were recognizable as well.
"Rex?" he said hesitantly.
Rex used his other hand to slowly take his helmet, tossing it to the floor as he kept his blaster trained on Taran. Taran could see the physical changes in Rex's face as they stared each other down. Memories came back to him, mostly of all the good experiences they had shared together. Yet, one memory stuck out the most. The shot that Rex had fired into his stomach would still ache whenever he thought about it. The small asterisk-shaped mark was still there. There were a thousand things he wanted to say, but he had a task to accomplish.
"Rex, let me pass," said Taran.
"I can't do that. I have orders to protect the Emperor," said Rex.
"Rex, why are you doing this? You know what he is, what they are," said Taran. "Do you not know the truth?"
"It's not that simple," said Rex.
"It's very simple! I thought we fought a war to stop the Sith?" said Taran. Rex did not answer.
"I don't want to fight you Rex, but I have to get in there," said Taran.
"I can't allow that," said Rex.
"Rex, please. You know what they'll do to her," said Taran. "I just reunited with her and I'm not about to lose her again."
Rex studied him. His blaster was still trained on him. He had sworn an oath to fight for the Republic, and now the Empire. He could not disobey. From out of the corner of his eye, Kix had a thermal detonator in his hand. He knew what he had to do.
"I'm sorry," said Rex. He fired.
Taran dodged the shot as Rex dove out of the way, opening the elevator door as he did. Kix tossed the detonator into the elevator as it was still opening. Taran's eyes widened before he jumped backwards out of the way. The detonator exploded, the explosion permanently disabling the elevator itself and causing it to fall down towards the underground levels.
Taran was about to run towards the elevator shaft when both Rex and Kix began firing at him. He deflected their combined blaster fire, trying to find a way to get to the shaft. Taran reflected a few shots at Rex, pinning him down from his own fire. He used the Force to lift Kix and fling him at Rex. He crashed into his commander, the two of them hitting the wall hard. Taran looked back to see squads o stormtroopers coming up the hall and wasted no time, deactivating his lightsaber and jumping into the damaged shaft, his hands gripping the metal of the shaft. His metalbending kicked in as he began to make the swift climb up to the Emperor's chambers.
On the ground floor, Rex and Kix stirred as more of their men rushed to them.
"Sir, are you alright?" said a stormtrooper.
"I'm fine. Come on Kix, up and at 'em," said Rex, helping the clone to his feet as he did the same.
"Orders?"
"Get some medics in here and see to the wounded. Get any additional squads to cover every area on the ground," said Rex. Kix went over to Jesse to check on his status, silently thanking whatever power he believed in when he felt his friend stir.
"Now what?" said Kix.
"Now we wait and see what happens," said Rex.
"Do you think he can take on both Emperor and Lord Vader?" said Kix.
"Anything is possible," said Rex, looking at the elevator shaft.
The Emperor glowered at Taran as he stood defiant before him. His mind seethed at the knowledge of another holocron, this one with potentially more insight into the Force, probably on the other side of the galaxy. His teeth grit as he thought of what to do with Taran, and to a lesser degree Ahsoka. They had to die, that little was certain.
"And why should I continue to let you live?" said Palpatine.
"You don't," Taran said bluntly. "And I know all you're going to do is cower behind your bodyguards and let them do your dirty work as you've always done."
"Such unkind words from a usually kind boy," said Palpatine in mock hurt.
"Oh I have more I'd like to say to you. How could anyone just sit back and watch billions of beings die from a war you started? Did you feel nothing from their cries, their screams as they died?" said Taran.
"It was a necessary sacrifice for the destruction of the Jedi. Now, see where I stand Cyneran. The galaxy is mine," said Palpatine.
Taran shook with anger. This man was essentially saying that all those who died in the war were meaningless. He thought of everything he had done in the war: how many he had killed, how many he had seen die in front of him. Most of all, the night of Order 66 replayed in his mind.
"You...bastard," he said, his teeth clenched as he began to see red.
"All must be risked in war. You know this to be true. Even I tried to have you killed when I saw the potential you had," said Palpatine.
"So when I was framed for killing the senator from Malastare, that was all your doing?" said Taran.
"Correct," said Palpatine.
Taran stared at him hard before he smirked. "And then you gave the go ahead for the Interceptors so as to keep my mind off of it and make sure that Dooku and Ceran took the full blame."
"Also correct," said Palpatine.
Taran shook his head. "You manipulated us all the whole time. To think that you were the Sith Lord, and we blindly followed."
"Such is the power of the dark side. All who try to fight it will fall to it. I am offering you a chance," said Palpatine. "Join us."
Taran stared at Palpatine coldly. His eyes seemed to burrow into him as if trying to look into his very soul.
"You think I would join you after everything you've put me through?" Taran said angrily. "My parents are dead on orders from Dooku, which YOU probably had something to do with. You caused a war that killed countless numbers of beings and used the Jedi to be your own shock troopers. What's more, you managed to kill almost everyone I cared about during your assault on the Temple. I can never go home because of you and Vader! I wouldn't join you even if I was tortured. Now, let Ahsoka go."
The Emperor and Vader gazed at him a for a few seconds.
"I will release her Cyneran, if you can prove your might," said Palpatine.
A few doors opened along the walls and ten more Emperor's Shadow Guards filed out quickly, their red lightsaber pikes igniting as they encircled Taran. Taran got into a defensive stance as Ahsoka could only watch in fear as the other two Guards still stood their position next to her. Taran readied himself as the first two Guards attacked him.
He blocked the first strike and sidestepped the thrust from the second one. His lightsaber caught the hilt of the first striker, cutting it in half. He used the Force to push him at another Guard in the circle as he blocked the second Guard. The Guard pressed his attacks, his pike whirling in a whirlwind pattern to try and offset his opponent. However, Taran saw right through it. The Guard thrust at his chest, which Taran dodged and brought his lightsaber in a downward slash down the Guard's body. He fell to the ground, dying quickly.
Two more Guards entered the fray, attacking in synchronization. Taran stood his ground, his legs adjusting to the attacks from the different angles. His focus was centered on them, as well as letting his other senses feel for any other incoming attackers. His senses kicked in when he felt the ground shift behind him as he brought his lightsaber above his head to block the strike from a third attacker. Now he was facing three.
Taran went on the defensive as he twisted and turned to meet each attack, his lightsaber never ceasing to stop its movements. Taran dodged one thrust while jumping over a slash to his legs and bringing his lightsaber down on another attacker, who blocked it. The three attacked him at the same time, stabbing at him. He airbent over the pikes and kicked in a circle with fire around his feet. His foot connected with all three of their heads in a single kick. The force of the kick knocked all three back onto their sides. The rest finally attacked as one, but Taran was not in his own element.
He unleashed a whirlwind of air that knocked all save two into the far walls of the chamber. The other two charged at him, their pikes raised. They slashed down at his head simultaneously, Taran halting their blows with a single block. He pushed them off and spun around in a circle, the slash cutting through both of their chestplates. Another one charged at him, his pike spinning to hit him at every possible angle. Taran used an advanced disarming technique, hooking the hilt around his wrist and pulling it out of the Guards grip, turning around and stabbing backwards through his gut. He kept in there for a few seconds as the Guard died, pulling it out as his body fell to the floor. Now only six were left.
Three more charged at him. One shot Force lightning directly at Taran, catching him by surprise. He stretched out his hand to catch the lightning in an orb of concentrated Force energy in the palm of his hand. Though it kept the Force lightning from hurting him, it left him wide open for attacks by the other two Guards. He jumped to the side as they stabbed at him with their pikes, letting some tendrils of lightning momentarily hit him for a few painful seconds before he got to his feet and charged at them. He attacked swiftly and with such precision that the two of them didn't even realize when he had cut through them both in one slash after knocking their pikes up away from their bodies. The third Guard in the group used the Force to push him back, hitting the wall with a THUD. He pressed forward, raising his pike and slashing down. Taran blocked the blow, his hand bending a fragment of rock on the wall into a spike in his hand. The Guard swung, Taran dodging it, reversing the spike in his hand, and driving it straight into a section of the Guard's neck unprotected by the armor. He fell to the ground, blood spurting from the wound.
The last three put some space between themselves, coming at him one at a time as the other two stood on the periphery for any weak spots he might show. Taran grappled with the Guard longer than he would have liked. He hated to admit it, but the Guard had superb skills. His last two comrades would engage at random intervals so that Taran could not develop a pattern to defeat them. Nevertheless, he was patient. His training with Obi-Wan in the ways of Soresu had given him patience in battle, no matter the circumstance.
The Guard aimed a thrust at his abdomen, which he blocked. He purposefully angled his lightsaber in a way that made it look like his flank was exposed. The other three wasted no time in attacking. Quick as a flash, Taran jumped back a foot as their edges barely missed him and swung in a arc that slashed through all three of their chests at the same time. They fell down to the floor at the same time. Taran breathed steadily, his lightsaber still held at the end of his swing.
The Emperor let out a small laugh, clasping his hands together.
"A fine showing of your power," said Palpatine.
Taran glared at him as he stepped over the bodies of the dead Guards to stand ten feet away from where was Ahsoka was still held. She had watched the fight, getting scared when Taran might have been hurt. She breathed a sigh of relief when he had dispatched the last three.
"Alright, a deals a deal. Let her go," said Taran, gripping his lightsaber tight in his hand.
"Not yet. A better test of your abilities is needed," said Palpatine.
He waved his hand and the doors opened once again. From out of them came the Dark Side Adepts Thalo, Yvan, Lothor and Dagor, along with Grand Inquisitor Tytos.
"This wasn't part of the agreement," Taran said angrily.
"You're in no position to dictate the terms of the agreement. Now prepare yourself," said Palpatine.
Taran immediately got into a defensive stance as the five of them circled around him. The odds were definitely not in his favor for this match.
"The last time we met Jedi, you escaped my grasp. You will not escape again," said Tytos, igniting his lightsaber. The rest of them followed.
"Then you better put action where your words are," said Taran.
"Gladly," said Tytos. He charged forward and he and Taran's lightsabers met.
All hell broke loose as the other four charged as well. A multitude of red collided with one lone green bar energy, it standing alone by itself. Taran found himself near overwhelmed by the show of force from the dark side users. He found he was attacked from every possible angle. All he could do was defend against the incoming strikes from them.
Thalo made feint towards his chest before bringing his lightsaber down along the top of Taran's thigh. Taran clenched his teeth as he felt the cut. Ahsoka gasped, seeing the cut from that angle. Taran spun in circle on the ground, sending air in all directions. The air wave pushed the dark siders back, giving Taran some breathing room. He immediately got back onto his feet, finding he could stand on his injured leg.
Tytos and Yvan attacked first. Taran blocked Yvan's strike before parrying Tytos' attack. The other three stayed back to give them breathing room to fight.
"Not getting tired are we?" Tytos taunted as he and Taran grappled.
"You wish," said Taran, maneuvering to Tytos' side and kicking him hard in the chest.
Tytos stumbled away from the fight as Yvan pressed forward. Taran made a feint to her left, which she responded to. Taran slashed across her arm along her bicep. She cried out from the pain as Taran kicked her backwards towards Ahsoka and the Guards. Tytos charged forward to attack him. His strikes were blocked by Taran as the lightsabers clashed fiercely. Thalo came in as well to assist the Inquisitor. He thrust towards Taran, which he sidestepped, and blocked Tytos' strike, elbowing the Inquisitor in the face. Blood gushed out of his nose as he stumbled back before he snarled and charged forward again.
Taran met the combined attacks from Thalo and Tytos with his lightsaber. His eyes shifted down to Tytos' belt to see Ahsoka's lightsaber attached to it.
"Perfect," he thought.
He pushed their lightsabers off him and went on the offensive. His speedy attacks kept them on edge, not expecting for their outnumbered opponent to be attacking them with such vigor. Tytos deflected an incoming slash and swung at his head. Taran ducked under the blow and hooked his arm around Tytos, his free hand grabbing Ahsoka's lightsaber on the belt. Thalo slashed towards him, only for his blade to meet the blade of Ahsoka's lightsaber.
Tytos slipped out of Taran's hold and prepared to slash down his back until he felt an airball hit him squarely in his stomach, doubling him over. Taran blocked Thalo's next strike and cut his unprotected leg. He yelled out and fell to the ground on his knees, Taran's foot kicking him in his chin to knock him out cold. Tytos charged again at Taran met his attack with both lightsabers, the energy crackling between them.
"This is over Jedi!" yelled Tytos.
"It is over," said Taran.
Tytos aimed a slash at Taran, which he caught with his lightsaber and used Ahsoka's to cut down his face. Tytos fell to the ground clutching his face, his lightsaber falling to the ground. Taran bent the metal floor in front of him and used a slab of it to hit Tytos full force into the wall. Immediately, Dagor and Lothor charged. Taran readied himself, feeling the chi flow within him. He ducked under Dagor's swing and dodged Lothor's downward slash by jumping midair between the slash and Dagor. His foot, with flames swirling around, connected with Lothor's face. The acolyte hit the wall, the left side of his face burned, while Taran swept Dagor's legs from under him. He fell to the ground and tried to stab up at Taran. Taran blocked the thrust with Ahsoka's lightsaber before h plunged his own into Dagor's chest. He kept it in there for a solid ten seconds as the acolyte died beneath him before he withdrew it.
He stood shakily on his legs, making sure not to place too much weight on the injured leg. Ahsoka had watched how Taran had killed Dagor without any hesitation. Though she knew he had killed in self-defense, the thought of how easily he had dealt the death blow unsettled her somewhat. Yvan crouched on one knee next to her, trying to catch her breath and nurse her injury. Palpatine looked even more pleased.
"Even now you are able to stand against four of our acolytes and our Grand Inquisitor. Your fighting prowess is quite formidable," said Palpatine.
"I'm done with your tests Palpatine. Now release her," said Taran, gritting his teeth.
"I will, after this next test," said Palpatine.
Taran had had enough. Without a further word, and before anyone else could react, Taran launched himself at the Emperor with his airbending into midair. His two lightsaber were ready to slash the Emperor into pieces. He prepared to swing as he neared him before he slashed with all his strength in both hands...
Only for Vader's lightsaber to intercept both blades. Taran fell down to his feet, the three lightsabers crackling with the amount of energy they were exchanging.
"Your last test is simple enough Cyneran: get past Lord Vader," said Palpatine.
Vader swung.
The ship reached the planet's surface, settling down behind a large pile of scrap metal and garbage. It stood there for a few minutes as its engines cooled, while the two occupants in its hold took a breather.
Barriss sighed as she recollected all that had happened that day. Her two friends were still stuck on Coruscant. They both could be dead for all she knew. She placed her hands on her face.
"You okay?" said Jaysh, coming to sit down on the table next to her.
Barriss shook her head. Jaysh sighed.
"You know we'll have to go if they don't get here in the appointed time," said Jaysh. Barriss nodded.
"Barriss, just talk to me," said Jaysh.
She took her head out of her hands to look at him.
"What do you want me to say Jaysh? That I'm okay with not knowing what they're going through? My answer is no! I'm not okay and I just don't know what I want to do," said Barriss, her mind on the holocron.
Jaysh didn't know how to alleviate her current condition. Of course he would have tried to make her laugh at this point, however he knew now wasn't the time or place for such things. Still, something had to work.
"Barriss...tell me about your life in the Order," said Jaysh.
"Jaysh, you know what I did," said Barriss.
"I wasn't asking about that; I'm asking you to tell me about your past," said Jaysh.
"Jaysh, at a time like this..."
"Barriss, just talk to me. You haven't really had a full conversation with me since that night," said Jaysh. Barriss looked away from him, telling him all he needed to know.
"Unless...you regret it ever happened," said Jaysh.
"Jaysh..."
"It's fine. I'll be in the cockpit," said Jaysh, getting up off the table and walking towards the cockpit.
Barriss sighed again. She truly wished she hadn't implied that feeling. Truth be told, that night was one of her most prominent memories. However, she was still unsure of what to think about Jaysh. Perhaps what she was afraid of most was letting someone in. The thought of abandonment was prevalent in her mind, as well as the thought that perhaps Jaysh was just using her.
"But he's willing to stay for Taran and Ahsoka to get back," she thought.
She was truly confused at herself on what to do.
"Barriss, it's okay to open up. Opening up is how we connect. If the person doesn't feel it, then we move on. We can't hang up on ourselves for the ones who don't want to come in. We live for the ones that want to," Ahsoka had told her once.
Jaysh was looking over the radar screen for any signals. Besides the crapping droids, no other life was around or heading towards them. Barriss came to sit down in the co-pilot seat next to him. She took a deep breath before she looked at him.
"I was around three when I came to the Temple..."
He hit the wall hard, pain shooting up his spine from the impact. He raised both lightsabers in an X in front of his face to block the red lightsaber barreling towards him. They stuck and crackled with the combined energy between them as their two wielders shook with their combined strength to offset the other. From the beginning, Taran had been on the defensive. Whereas he was tired from breaking into the Palace, fighting the Shadow Guards and the Dark Side Adepts, including the High Inquisitor, Vader was fresh. The fights had taken their toll on him, but he was determined to fight it out and rescue Ahsoka.
His lightsaber blocked a blow from Vader and he responded with a slash towards his legs. Vader deflected the slash and thrust towards his chest, causing Taran to fall back. Taran tried to go on the offensive, his lightsabers whirling to try and offset Vader as he pressed the attack. Vader deflected both twin strikes, pushing them back and using the Force to hurl Taran to the wall, which he collided with hard. He slumped to the floor, breathing hard as pain and exhaustion circulated through his body. Vader stood before him, more a dark shadow than a living man. His breath regulator echoed throughout the room, chilling him even more.
Taran slowly got to his feet, standing defiant as he tried to rest for however a short amount of time he had.
"Your skills have been sharpened since the last time we met Taran (breath) but it will not be enough to defeat me," said Vader.
"We'll see. You and I both know what I'm fully capable of," said Taran, readying his stance. "I promised myself I wouldn't hold back against you."
"Then fight," said Vader.
"Gladly," said Taran.
Air swirled around his feet as he launched himself at Vader. The lightsabers crackled as they hit with deadly force. Taran relentlessly attacked from all angles with his lightsabers. He was able to push Vader back from the fierceness of the attacks. He crossed his blades again and shot a gust of wind at Vader's torso, knocking him back a bit. Taran jumped up, fire swirling around his foot as he prepared to stamp down on him. Vader rolled to the side, narrowly missing the attack as flames scorched where Taran's foot connected with the floor. Vader used the Force to push him back, Taran bracing himself as his feet scraped the ground before skidding to a halt. Wasting no time, the two clashed again and again. The Emperor watched on with an air of a student learning a lesson in his first instruction, no part of his face moving.
They grappled again, their lightsabers dangerously close to their faces. They swayed to and fro as their collective strengths were put behind their blades. The glow from Taran's lightsabers made his seem to brighten more, like bright-green lamps. Vader's glow made it seem like there were red pits in his visor eyes, giving him the look of a demon out of the depths of hell.
Taran pushed off from him, standing only a few feet away as he tried to regulate his breathing.
"I can't believe you," said Taran. "I don't even believe that that's really you behind that mask."
"It is me Taran. It will always be me," said Vader.
"Quit the charade. I don't understand how it all meant nothing to you even now. How could Padme have not seen it?" said Taran. Vader noticeably stiffened from the mention of her name.
"Do not use her name," he said lowly.
"You can't tell me I can't use her name. She was my friend too, or have you forgotten that?" said Taran. "Did you even so much as shed a tear when she died?"
"Be quiet!" yelled Vader, Taran feeling his anger intensify.
Suddenly, the Emperor let out a cackle. Taran turned to face him, wondering why he would find this notion funny.
"What's so funny?" said Taran.
"To join the dark side, one must be willing to sacrifice. Do you know how Senator Amidala came to perish Cyneran?" said Palpatine.
"They said a Jedi did it, but anyone who knows what really happened know that it's not true. For all we know, YOU did it," said Taran.
"I would not have killed Senator Amidala. She may have been on the opposing spectrum of politics as far as the both of us were concerned, but she was never one who I would have wished to kill. If it wasn't for her, I'd dare say I wouldn't sit where I am now," said Palpatine.
Taran clutched his hand.
"So then if you didn't have anything to do with her death, then who did?" said Taran.
"It was my apprentice's final transformation, though he may not have wished it. His anger could not be controlled," said Palpatine.
"Master," said Vader, his voice on edge.
Taran and Ahsoka were trying to figure out exactly what he meant. Taran began to put two and two together. Palpatine's words, Vader's anger with him mentioning Padme's name and his tone towards Palpatine. Suddenly, the horrible truth donned on him. He froze up as the idea formed into his mind.
"You...didn't...couldn't have," said Taran, lowering his lightsabers down as he stared in panic at Vader. Ahsoka's eyes widened as well as she realized what he meant.
"Please, tell me you didn't," Taran said softly.
Vader made no movement at all, the only sounds coming from him being his breathing and the hum of his lightsaber.
"She...was your heart...," said Taran.
"Silence," said Vader.
"There's no way...you wouldn't have...n-no," said Taran, his eyes wild as his mind literally fought to comprehend. Anakin Skywalker had killed his own wife, and probably their child as well. The thought of it sent his mind swirling into a whirlpool of emotions. Suddenly, blinding rage began to consume him. His grip on the lightsabers tightened as he clenched his jaw, breathing harder and harder with each passing moment. Suddenly, before anyone else could react, he attacked Vader utilizing the air to move at a blinding speed. Their lightsabers clashed, but the force of the attack was so great that Vader and Taran were both hurled back into the elevator shaft. Ahsoka gasped as the two disappeared, straining against her bindings, but the Guards and Yvan held her down.
"You won't be going anywhere Jedi. Your friend will die in due time," said Yvan.
They fell down the shaft at a hurting speed, hitting the adjacent metal walls. Taran, farther down than Vader, reacted fast and plunged one lightsaber into the wall to slow down his descent. The melting metal glowed bright yellow-orange as he slid down the surface, but it did slow down his fall. However, he didn't count on Vader landing on him. The two tumbled down the shaft as Taran let go of the lightsaber due to the sudden force of Vader hitting him. Below them, the door to the main floor of the palace loomed. The doors were opened still from earlier. Thinking fast he airbent the two of them at a perfectly timed interval through the damaged doorway, catching his falling lightsaber along the way. He and Vader skidded across the floor as Rex and the other stormtroopers were startled by their sudden appearance.
Taran groaned as he made to get up. Suddenly, his sense went off of the immediate danger striking for him. He rolled to the side just as Vader's lightsaber left a black slash across the floor. Taran shot up to his feet and blocked the next strike before he began attacking in turn.
"You bastard!" yelled Taran, attacking Vader with lightning fast attacks the Sith Lord could barely defend against.
"She was your wife! And you KILLED HER!" he roared, jumping back from a swing to stand fifteen feet away. The stone at their feet broke off into sharp shingles and hurled themselves at Vader. Vader used the Force to stop them in their tracks and shot them back towards him. Taran bent them in various directions, causing the stormtroopers to dive down to avoid them. All but two avoided them.
"Do not speak of her to me!" Vader bellowed.
Taran charged again at Vader, launching quick strikes and counterattacks to offset Vader. The Sith Lord managed to defend himself adequately, countering his every move. Taran knew this fight was going to dragging out. Though he wanted nothing more then to end Vader right here, he knew that there was a real possibility he was going to slip up and get killed by him or the regrouping stormtroopers. Then Ahsoka would never be saved and probably be killed as well.
Vader launched another strike towards his head. Taran blocked it with one lightsaber. Taran realized that the strike had left him wide open. His lightsaber slashed the top of Vader's right kneecap, causing the Sith Lord to step quickly back. Taran dove to the ground at his feet under the next slash and kicked up with his foot with a gust of air that knocked Vader back into a pillar.
"Another day Vader. Hopefully never again," Taran thought as he rushed back for the elevator door. He quickly dodged past the stormtroopers as they prepared to fire and ran to the elevator shaft, sheathing the lightsabers.
Ahsoka was unsure of what was going on underneath, but she hoped that Taran was still alive. Him fighting Vader again on his own made her anxiety worsen as the memories of their last battle flooded her mind. She breathed heavily as she tried to think positive thoughts, but all that came back was Vader preparing to plunge his lightsaber through his body.
Suddenly, the sounds of someone climbing up the walls of the shaft alerted them all. The Guards moved away from her towards the elevator shaft, Yvan guarding her as she activated her own lightsaber and held it ready in hand. The sounds continued until suddenly they stopped. The Guards began to edge closer to the elevator, their pikes ready.
Suddenly, Taran jumped from the doorway. A simultaneous punch and kick of air from him sent them hitting the adjacent walls. Ahsoka saw her chance to escape was now. Willing her senses and clenching her teeth, she reeled her head back into Yvan's mouth. Yvan immediately let go of her, clutching her mouth as she tasted the blood from her cut lip.
"You Togruta bitch!" she yelled, preparing to strike Ahsoka down. Ahsoka braced for the attack.
Taran met the lightsaber with his own, his free hand making a pushing motion straight into Yvan's chest. The acolyte was thrown back violently from the Force push straight into the stairs at the Emperor's throne. She hit it hard, slumping down to the floor unconscious. Taran turned and slashed at the power coupling line tying down Ahsoka. Ahsoka got to her feet, rubbing her wrists.
"Are you okay?" said Taran. She nodded.
"Alright, let's get out of-where's Palpatine?" said Taran as he noted for the first time the absence of the Emperor on the throne.
"He was right there, I don't know where he could have g-Taran move!" yelled Ahsoka.
It was too late.
The Force lightning hit the two of them, flinging them down to the ground as they yelled from the sheer pain. It continued for a couple more seconds before it stopped. They breathed heavily as the Emperor cackled, moving out of the shadows.
"You've managed to beat every obstacle thrown at you, but it is not enough if you cannot even surpass me. I've not only managed to have the Order extinguished, but the most powerful bender in the galaxy," said Palpatine. His smile could curdle milk as he stepped to within ten feet of his victims.
"Farewell, Avatar Taran," said Palpatine, his hands charging with electricity again before he fired at the two.
Their yells echoed throughout the throne room. The arcs of lightning were so intense that their skeletal system could be seen. Ahsoka felt the electricity setting her body alight from the inside out. She knew the weren't going to last much longer is this continued. She tried to look at Taran, believing this would be their last moments together. She managed to see Taran doing something peculiar. The young Avatar was clenching his teeth with his eyes closed as if in concentration. It seemed he was making a great effort to move his hand towards his arm.
Taran focused the best he could through the roaring pain, remembering every instruction Obi-Wan had ever taught him on embracing pain. His hand slowly reached his wrist before it started to trace a path down his arm. Once he reached his shoulder he traced down to his stomach, being careful to avoid his chest. He managed to stand up as the electricity around the two of them surged to his hands instead. Palpatine's eyes widened as he realized what he was planning to do. Taran made it up to his feet as his concentration reached its zenith and he pointed his two fingers directly at Palpatine. The lightning shot directly at the Sith Lord, hitting him in his chest, the shockwave and impact of the attack shooting him to the wall. Ahsoka got up slowly, panting for breath as literally every part of her being hurt. Taran helped her to her feet, fighting off the pain the best he could.
Taran helped her to her feet.
"Let's get out of here," Taran said wearily.
"If we get out of this, I seriously need to come up with the best thank you I can," said Ahsoka.
Taran chuckled a little as he looked out the window. It would be a lot of ground to cover until they reached the city, but one good air jump could possibly do it.
"Get on my back," said Taran. Ahsoka hurriedly jumped on, locking her legs around his front as her arms held on by his shoulders.
"You trust me?" said Taran.
"Always," said Ahsoka.
"Hang on tight. I'm gonna get us as close as possible," said Taran.
He took a few steps back as he focused on his destination. He upper-kicked with his leg to shoot a fireball that shattered the window. He took a few breaths, trying to shake the exhaustion out of his system. The effects of the lightning were still fresh in his body, his body running now on willpower.
"Hold it right there," said Rex, his blaster trained on the two of them. Behind him, Kix and a few others were climbing up out of the damaged elevator shaft. Rex saw the damage around the throne room, dead and wounded Guards, one dead acolyte and the rest knocked out as well as the Emperor slumped on the wall.
"Rex, please don't do this. Just let us go," Ahsoka pleaded.
Taran knew what was already going to happen before it did. He launched an air swipe at them before he bolted with what strength, not knowing that Rex had prepared for the swipe and dove to the ground. Air swirled around their forms as he squatted, feeling the burn from his previous wound, and then jumped with everything he had. They were propelled out of the throne room just as Rex took aim and fired. The blaster bolt hit Taran at the side of his other thigh, causing him to cry out in midair. The pain stung him like a viper had just injected its teeth into his skin and pumped it full of venom. It also caused him to lose of their trajectory due to the sudden movement of his leg jerking to his body.
Ahsoka noticed this as they ascended into midair before they began to descend. Luckily his airbending had gotten them high enough for them to land in the city district. The buildings rushed up to meet them, Ahsoka determining that they would land on the roof of a flat-topped building near a high-rise apartment building. Timing it perfectly she used the Force to cushion their fall. Taran landed on his feet before the strain was too much and he fell to the roof. Ahsoka hastily got off and helped him up to kneel. she could clearly see that Taran didn't have much left in him. The fighting had taken its toll on him heavily.
"Hang on, we're almost out of this," said Ahsoka, helping him up so that they were both on their feet.
The sound of a TIE fighter overhead sent ice down their spines as three of them zoomed towards them. They fired their twin laser cannons at them. The explosions destroyed the roof of the building, as well as hurling both Taran and Ahsoka down to the lower levels below. The darkness swallowed them as they fell from sight, the TIEs passing by overhead.
In the throne room, Rex roused the Emperor to consciousness.
"My Lord," he said to coax him.
Palpatine's eyes shot open, Rex offering a hand to which he accepted.
"We're getting medics up here as fast as we can. Are you alright my Lord?" said Rex.
"I'm alright Commander Rex. Tell me, what of Lord Vader?" said Palpatine.
"He's alright, just a cut on his knee. He's currently taking command of several squads to find them," said Rex.
"Send out as many men as you can after them, even if it's the whole legion," said Palpatine.
"Yes sir. Right away sir," said Rex.
Rex headed over to his squad to give them orders to pass on to their subordinates. Palpatine surveyed the damage other stormtroopers were clearing up. The majority of the Shadow Guards were dead and the rest wounded. Only one of the Dark Side Adepts were killed, the rest wounded including Grand Inquisitor Tytos. Lothor and Dagor had already came to while Yvan was hovering over Thalo's body while the stormtroopers prepared to move it, staring down in deep sadness at his corpse.
"It seems I've underestimated them both. I shall not do such a thing again," Palpatine thought.
Their bodies lay on the ground in Coruscant's Orange District, the orange glow dousing them in an otherworldly manner. Their fall had been slowed by Ahsoka the best she could, but the shrapnel and debris from the explosions had wounded her as well. The two passed out when they hit the floor of the district, they're injuries sapping their strength.
From out of the shadows, a brown foot stepped out into the light. Whatever body it was connected to, it seemed to be studying them. More voices could be heard from all-around.
"What do we do with them?" said one in the darkness.
"Take them. He'll want to see them."
Hi reader. I am SO sorry it took me this long to do it. Dealing with demanding classes made hold off for two months and then writer's block hit hit me afterwards when I couldn't figure out how the action was going to be planned by a certain point. Thankfully this has passed so I should be able to write uninhibited from now on. Will update soon, probably a lot quicker.
P.S. I graduated from my undergrad year of college :)