Hello!

I'm back with the next chapter a little later than I planned. Life's gears started turning so I had less time to write. The support you give me is great though, keeps me going. Speaking of...

Reviews:

hunter139: You always ask questions or point stuff out that I really can't speak about. It's not a bad thing, I'm just bad with not showing my work.

6tailedninja: While your point on Barriss stands, Aayla Secura was mostly disliked by her own company (212th). This was because Felucia was a death trap of a planet for the clones, but Aayla was mostly unscathed in day-to-day operations. It's the main reason her death is so brutal when Order 66 happened.

fallenlegion: This is some serious catch up and feedback. I'll keep this short.

In canon the chips forced the clones to be entirely obedient to the Orders. A lot of clones would have suppressed what they did or retired. With removing the chip, Atlas would have been able to do scans to find it. Also, it's never explained how Rex, Wolf and Gregor removed their chips.

I love writing the scenes which allow characters to be normal. It's a whole lot easier to do because in ways I can relate. Unfortunately they don't always progress the plot.

Core is Bail Organa. He's really the only one who would be in proper contact with Ahsoka at this point, given how close he was to the Jedi.

Like I said to hunter, Aayla didn't necessarily treat her clones badly, but she didn't really accommodate them to the harsh climate of Felucia. That came back to bite her. Krell was simply a dick.

Also, with the visions, I am very deliberate with what I have put in. Especially the female voice. You might have an idea of who during the chapter.

So now, enjoy!

Jasper (Seventh Brother)

She was there. I did not need the Force to tell me that. The gunship was hesitating in the air. All I needed to do though, was be patient. And my patience rewarded me. A minute passed before the gunship settled down in the distance. My own fighter was hidden far away. I could not risk them finding it. I watched as they slowly filed out. Atlesian droids, followed by a soldier in red-trim armour. He was understandably on edge. I could feel his eyes on me behind the helmet. Next came the rather colourful Huntsmen. Most would have scoffed at sending children to fight them; but I knew their capabilities. Trainees or not.

Lastly, was Corlena. Dressed tidily in the same Jedi robe she had worn in the arena. A few weeks' recovery had been kind to her. Unlike my own injuries. One way or another, I would pay her back for the scar marring the left side of my face. But for now, I just grinned at her. Even when the droids had fanned out and surrounded me, I sat calmly on the weathered pillar beneath me. I was playing a dangerous game. My advantage, however, was that I knew my opponent well. But how well did she remember me? After all, I had changed. She had not.

I waited until all movement had ceased, surveying every spec of my vision before I spoke.

"A little overkill. Don't you agree?" The answer to my question came in the form of a golden-barrelled minigun pointed my way.

"No. This is overkill." Replied the beret-wearing girl bitterly. Mostly I saw anger in their eyes; with a little fear in the Faunus', and a wavering blank stare from my old friend.

I pursed my lips, then grinned. "Your threats are amusing." I turned my head to Corlena. "And what about you? No proper greeting for an old friend?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. Whether trying to figure me out, or just in disdain, I don't know.

"How'd you find this place?"

Not entirely surprised she dodged the question. I answered plainly. "With you holing yourself up at Beacon, I came across a generous amount of free time. So~?"

"So you did some research." I smiled at her deduction. Corlena still knew me and my habits.

Slipping off the pillar I sat on, I turned with arms open to face the temple. "And behold the fruits of my labour." All around me the air grew tense. None of them liked me moving. "The Temple dedicated to the God Brothers. The Force is strong in there – ancient, perhaps."

Again, her eyes narrowed. "Older than Coruscant?"

"Possibly." I gestured with an upturned palm. My eyes fixated on hers. "Shall we see?"

A loud snap-hiss, followed by piercing blue light caught my attention. Even Corlena's companions seemed uncertain of her aggression; except the one soldier, who I could tell was giving me an unwavering stare. He seemed familiar, but I chalked it up to how soldiers were all the same.

Blue, burning heat was pointed uncomfortably close to my face. Slight tingling on my burnt skin provided further discomfort. While pain was a source of power for me, I was not fond of receiving another injury. An awkward pause ensued between me and my old friend, my hands now cautiously raised in false surrender. Corlena did not have the heart to cut me down as I was. Only after a decisive battle would she ever consider ending me. Despite that, the 'surrender' made the Huntsmen Trainees lower their guard a little.

"After you." Verbally poked Corlena. It was my cue to start moving. Slowly I ascended the small steps leading to the door. At the monolithic door, I turned a little to face Corlena.

"Both of us must interact with this door. Only then will it open." Once she had deactivated her lightsaber, I turned back to the door. Placing a hand upon the smooth, cold stone, I waited for Corlena to do the same. She was hesitant, brushing her fingers over it first. Yet as soon as her whole palm connected, a shiver passed through me. In that moment, the Force that flowed through me linked with hers. We merged spiritually. It was… exceptional. Raw pain of her many emotions ran through me. Years of sadness, solitude, tailed by joy and… an emotion I had long since let die. Love. Hers was incomplete, but I saw the last piece in the corner of my eye. The Rabbit Faunus, her face now filled with worry as both myself and Corlena stumbled away from the door. I remained standing, barely. Sifting through my new understanding of Corlena.

Corlena crumpled to her knees. All her body strain to process what I had become. Three years of anger, hate, fear, compiled into mere seconds. Behind the sweat and heavy breathing, I saw eyes that scared me. Not angry, not afraid, but pitying. I knew her weaknesses now, and she knew mine. That scared me. Whatever was down in the depths of the temple. I hoped it would grant me power to best Corlena. If not, I had already lost.

Shrugging off any apparent weakness. I stood tall. "That was… enlightening."

The Rabbit Faunus was picking up Corlena as she spoke. "What did you do?!"

I looked to the door, finding it to have become nothing but rubble. "We opened the door. What else happened would take too long to explain so you could all understand." Insulting the Faunus was like playing with fire, but I could not hold back my contempt. To avoid further conflict, I began stepping over the rubble of the door.

Ignoring the protests and empty threats coming from behind me, I marvelled at the dark expanse laid before me. A possibly bottomless chasm blocked my path. In the distance, a threshold leading downwards was dimly lit. Jumping the gap was impossible, even for a Force Wielder. Fortunately for me, I could avoid this issue with my lightsaber. Clicking the rotating guard into place, my arm was raised over my head, prepared to ignite my lightsaber and fly over the chasm. At least, I would have. One tough grip on my shoulder stalled my lift-off. Add the rifle pressed to my spine and I was unable to leave. The soldier in red trim shook his head slowly at me, a clear message. Attempting to lower my arm tightened the grip on my shoulder. Stock still, I waited for the Jedi and her posse to catch up. Notably, the droids had been left outside.

"Nice job, Hex." Complimented the brunette gunner, who was taking great delight in my misfortune. Rather than make a comment myself, I let my contempt for her fester more. In the end, it would fuel my strength should a fight break out.

The shorter of the two boys whistled, peering over the edge of the chasm. I was sorely tempted to use my spare hand and shove him off the edge; if only to sate my disdain for the Huntsmen. That would have resulted in my spine being eviscerated. Which was not an image I savoured.

"How do we cross?" Rumbled the giant teen.

I provided the answer shaking my right hand, which held my unfolded lightsaber. "Perhaps I can help? I have faith my lightsaber can ferry myself and another."

"Then we'll go." Corlena stated, her eyes focused on me. "The rest of you will stand guard."

"Leaving you alone with him is a terrible idea." Finally spoke up the soldier. His voice was accented all too familiarly. I honestly was surprised to find our missing clone serving the enemy.

"Trust is a fickle bond, isn't it? You should know all about betrayal, CT-3152." Having the rifle jammed harder into my back was reward enough. Nerves had been touched.

'Hex' snarled in my ear, unheard by the others. "That's rich, coming from the ones who jammed control chips in our head."

I did not answer, allowing the previous exchanges settle with the kids in the proverbial room. Tension between the clone and the teens made my blood pump. Add in the fact they would be spending some time without Corlena to crack the whip, and I hoped some blood would be spilled.

Corlena did crack the whip here though. "Enough, Hex." The rifle was removed, a lightsaber hilt replacing it. "I trust you to protect them like you would me. Go cool off outside."

My face produced a rather proud grin. Partly because of the small mayhem I had caused, and the rest of how the girl I knew had matured. It seemed weird to be proud of a foe's growth, but it ultimately meant my victory would be even more satisfying. Nothing gave me more drive than crushing a strong opponent.

"Yes, Commander." Curtly responded the clone, his footsteps fading.

An arm snaked round my left shoulder, past my neck and gripped the far side. In any other situation, I would have thought it a sensual gesture or an attempt to choke the life from me. A lightsaber pressed to the small of my back denied that impression.

"Head back out. Lock the temple down. Don't aggravate Hex. I'll try not to be too long."

"Are you sure you'll be okay with him?" Asked the Faunus softly. The concern in her voice was quaint.

"Have some faith, Velvet. He wants me alive more than you'd think." I scoffed at her statement, but deep down it was true. If I had to, I would kill Corlena. Converting her to the Dark Side, or at least bringing her in alive, to me, was preferable. This is why I was afraid of what had happened at the door. "Let's go, Jasper."

I shivered at the use of my real name, activating my lightsaber and slowly ascending over the expanse. It took no more than ten seconds to cross, but each second was weighed with caution. Firm ground was a welcome relief, if not for the hilt still pressed into my spine. I shrunk both blades in as a sign of goodwill, taking cautious steps when my neck no longer had a strangle hold around it. A dark staircase into nothingness was laid before us, spurring me to make light of the exploration.

"Dark and entirely unknown. How romantic." A slight nudge of the hilt prompted me to continue walking. While taking the first careful steps, Corlena relieved me of my lightsaber. One blood red blade ignited, lighting our way down. She was refusing to let her guard down, so I decided to follow on from my jest.

"If only it were you and the rabbit girl – Velvet, was it? She would be clinging to you amorously as you intrepidly explored this fascinating temple. Oh… but what would the Masters think of such a relationship? You are trampling on the wise Master Yoda's lessons, no?"

My attempts to get under her skin failed mostly. I could sense her bristling at the mention of the girl's name, but ultimately my taunts went unanswered as we reached the bottom of the steps. In the tunnel before us I froze. A powerful wave of the Force crashed over me, rooting me in place. It was neither dark nor light. Simply, the Force, in balance.

"Why did you stop?" Her first words since we crossed the chasm.

I paused for a moment, taking in the humming of my lightsaber and the powerful calling of what lay before us. I turned my head enough to stare back at Corlena.

"Such power resides here. Can you not feel it?" The calling of the Force in here beckoned me closer. I had taken only another few steps when my blade was placed in front of me. Corlena had frozen just like I had.

"How old does this place have to be? To induce such a strong reaction in us."

"As I claimed: ancient. Exciting, isn't it?" I gave her a toothy grin, one responded to with a slight puff of air from her nose and the smallest of smiles.

"I suppose. This feeling is overwhelming."

My grin widened. "Onwards?

"After you." Her lightsaber prodded me again. And this time I took longer, eager strides. Step-by-step, the tunnel opened into a passage. Soon the passage opened into a wide room, lit by some natural light source pouring over the crude altar. Stepping through the threshold, I noticed an altar beyond the singular pillar that held up the crude rock. The lack of basic architecture only added to the likelihood the temple was ancient. For a while I stood in awe, silence in every corner of the room. I blinked, realising something was incredibly off. No lightsaber hilt was pressed into my back, and my own was not humming beside my head. Immediately I spun round.

Corlena was nowhere to be seen.

Hex

I was in deep shit if not for Corlena. The damn Inquisitor had spilled my identity to the Huntsmen kids, and now the only thing between me and them were the Commander's words. Coco, their gunner, was giving me some hateful looks. Perhaps hateful is too strong a word, but I guess it fit, since I was the enemy. Fox and Yatsuhashi were on guard, the former making sure to keep Coco away from me. For mine or her good, I didn't know. Velvet though… her glances were the worst. She pitied me. Pity was not something I enjoyed being directed at me. I was a damn fine soldier with the genes of the greatest Jedi killer before Lord Vader. But after all that's happened, I wasn't so sure.

Now I stood at the edge of the battered courtyard to the temple, rifle on my back and staring down at a small, clear pool of water. Slowly I pried the faceless helmet off. My black hair was a mess, having grown out a little from its short cut. Gently I placed the helmet down, still focused entirely on my reflection.

All you Jedi are traitors to the Republic. I have my orders, sir.

My head began to ache, remembering the look on the Jedi's face. A single shot was all it took. A burning hole over his heart. Without the chip in my head, I felt unstable. Guilty. Sure the control chips meant it wasn't really our fault, but I still believed it was. I kept on fighting long after the Jedi had been massacred. Regret was building up in me. Jedi fought and died for us, just as much as we did them. It took a great deal of willpower to turn away from studying myself. I left the helmet where it was, preferring the clean air that soothed my mind. Despite the stabbing glares that were most likely on my back, the area was peaceful enough.

A soft padding of footsteps meant someone was approaching. Rather than bother to turn around, I figured their identity through process of elimination. The big man was out, the footsteps too light. Whoever it was, said nothing as they approached, so it most likely wasn't Coco. Fox was glued to her as far as I knew, which left Velvet.

"Got a problem, kid?" It wasn't the best start to a conversation, but I didn't care much at this point.

"No- well yes but… not how you'd think." My guess was right as Velvet stammered out her words.

I sighed. "If you're worried about me stabbing you all in the back, don't be. I'm on a tight leash. Plus… I have a lot to make right with the Commander."

"It wasn't your fault, was it?" I seized up. How could she have known? Did the Jedi really trust her that much?

When I finally unfroze, I tapped the scar from where the chip had been removed. "How'd you know about… them. The Jedi tell you?"

Her ears twitched. "I'm a Faunus. Enhanced hearing is a trait of every one of us."

My eyes were drawn to her rabbit ears. "Huh, interesting. And I thought we were advanced."

She cocked her head questioningly. "We?"

"Me and my brothers. I'm a clone."

Her eyes lit up with realisation. "From the Clone War?"

"Yeah… Jedi killer and all." I mumbled my words, knowing that she heard them anyway.

She gave me a stern glare, one that almost challenged Coco's before it softened. "You were given no choice. Lena understands that. She's been trying to move on from all that for years. Honestly, I believed she had until the Inquisitors arrived. Perhaps… perhaps her trusting you is the first step."

"What are you getting at?"

"I'm saying, now that you are free. The past can haunt you, but it and they, can't control you. Just like how the history of the Faunus doesn't stop me from trying my hardest to become a Huntress. What I'm trying to say is: be like Lena, and will yourself to move on." She cast a glance over at her teammates. "I'm sure the rest of us will be there to help you eventually."

"Heh, not a bad speech kid. Maybe I'll give it a shot." I stretched out a hand as thanks, keeping my last opinion to myself. 'Once I've done the Galaxy a favour and got rid of those Inquisitors.' As we smiled and shook hands, another voice cut through the air, ruining the moment.

"Ah, how touching." My rifle was in my hands in a second, pointed at a pale man decked in a brown leather trench coat, a hand placed delicately over his heart. "Such camaraderie warms my heart." His smile turned sinister as his hand moved down, a lethal looking pair of blades on each hand snapping outwards.

"All the better to get my blood pumping for when I kill you!"

Corlena

"Such power resides here. Can you not feel it?"

Shaking off the sense of déjà-vu, I took two large paces to catch up with Jasper, who had begun walking forward of his own accord. The moment I stood where Jasper had been, I twisted his lightsaber to stop him advancing. I understood what he meant almost immediately. The Force, in its balanced form, called to me from further down the tunnel. Each second I remained in its influence, the more I believed Jasper's claims.

"How old does this place have to be? To induce such a reaction in us."

He grinned at me. He knew he was right and he could not help himself from giving me a triumphant, toothy grin. "As I claimed: ancient. Exciting, isn't it?"

I couldn't help my reaction. The smile I gave him may have been tiny, but to him it must have been enough to inflate his ego. My following words did not help:

"I suppose. This feeling is overwhelming."

His ego was growing with his grin. "Onwards?"

It felt wrong to be bantering like we used to. So, I corrected that with a slight prod of my lightsaber hilt. "After you."

Our pace increased. No doubt influenced by the eagerness to uncover the temple's secrets, and the powerful compulsion to head deeper into the temple. Thankfully our journey was contained no twists and turns. Only a long, expanding passage that ultimately opened wider and wider, like a river into an ocean. A threshold of steps lead to a singular pillar that held up the uncarved ceiling, with a familiar altar beyond. But despite the crude design, the temple held some tricks.

I blinked as Jasper stepped past the threshold. He vanished.

Instant panic filled me. I bolted down the steps, running to the left of the pillar and looking around in a panic. Without me keeping an eye on him, Jasper could cause unknown havoc. Lightsaber or no, he was still a threat. Deep breaths were what I needed. Each breath soothed my mind, and I pushed on. I deactivated his lightsaber. Jasper was a problem I would deal with when I saw him. Walking up the far steps, towards the altar, I noticed the back wall. Hidden behind the light that beamed down on the altar, it depicted the same carvings as on the front. Figures, one of light, one of dark. Except there was a change. Siblings were etched onto the stone, but not two brothers. There was a brother… and a sister. I slid past the recognisable altar, but in the process glided my hand along the smooth stone. It was brimming with the Force, and my touch made all the difference.

"A Child of the Force. Curious. I had much expected one more… knowledgeable of that which flows through all."

It was the female voice I heard during my vision. Having seen the altar, I expected her to speak. Every word that echoed calmed me to my core. Her voice was soft, caring beyond anyone I had heard before. It compelled me to instantly trust her.

"The other Child. He is equally blind. Balance will not be disturbed on this world. All will continue as we foresaw."

I do not know why I looked around, expecting someone to appear. No-one had.

"What is your name, Child of Ashla?"

"Corlena. Corlena Sho'ryn."

"I see much pain in you. Locked away like a dangerous animal. You have yet to understand that such pain is neither good, nor evil." Ozpin's private meeting with me sprang to mind. The Maidens. The Silver-Eyed Warriors. Neither's powers were distinctly biased. From experience, however, the Force was not a similar case.

Recalling my teachings allowed a response. "Raw emotions such as fear and anger lead only to the Dark Side."

"You fear the Darkness?" For so few words, her question cut deep into me.

"No! I…" Jasper flickered in my mind, the old and the new. "…Yes…"

"Balance sits within your grasp. Your arms restrained by doubt. Honesty shall free you."

I turned, leaning on the altar with my hands. "Allowing my emotions to run amok will only be my undoing." My voice was a whisper, but she heard.

"Emotions. All of them are dangerous. A double-edged blade. Perhaps you should master how to wield that blade?"

"And what would result of that?" I could feel myself getting frustrated. For such simply worded answers, the meaning was clouded.

"Many things. Peace within. Clarity of conscience." She paused slightly, letting it sink in before dealing me the final strike. "Love."

I tensed, gripping the altar tightly. "Who are you?"

"Something that has been with you your whole life, Corlena. Yet… merely a remnant of what I once was." Remnant. Her choice of words was not a coincidence. Whoever the voice was, she was incredibly important to this world.

Briefly I remembered the mural that was carved behind me. "Are you one of the God Siblings?"

"I am, and I am not. History twists the truth. A truth that I have not the time to tell." A cryptic answer. Thankfully I had patience.

"I have time to listen."

Her reply was stern, yet still convey kindness. "You do not child. Chaos ensues above ground. One who would disturb the balance hunts you."

"…Above ground…" My heart stopped. "Everyone up top! Velvet!" I wasted no time, vaulting the altar and sprinting back the way I came. I had to have faith in my friends and Hex, and in my own strength to get there in time. In my haste, I almost missed the faint whisper of her voice that followed me.

"May the Force be with you, young sentinel."

Jasper (Seventh Brother)

Being free of my captor, to use the term loosely, was both exciting and unnerving. Now I could do as I pleased, but I was at a disadvantage without my lightsaber should something attack me. Cautiously I descended. Step at a time I advanced. Nothing shifted. Still on my guard as I reached the bottom, I took the path round to the right of the pillar. Such silence and calm did not bode well with me as I ascended the far steps. The altar before me was crudely carved of stone, yet its top was smooth as marble. Irresistible, I brushed my fingers along its surface, watching every shadow for a possible trap. What I got, was no surprise attack.

"Is this all that those who wield the Force can muster?" The male voice was immediately condescending. It irritated me. "Disappointing. And yet - the other is equally… underwhelming."

I spun round, hoping to find the mocking voice. The concentrated volume of the Force by the altar prevented me from sensing the man.

"And a warrior without a weapon. Now this is truly pathetic."

I growled. "A lightsaber is not the only weapon I possess."

"Hmm, true. But said weapons are mere tools in your hands. Your understanding of the Force is quite limited. One cannot expect so much of a child though."

"Mocking me will get you nowhere, God of Darkness."

"God?" The male hummed. "I do like that word. It has been so long since someone referred to me as such."

Impatiently, I forced out an exasperated sigh. "Then what are you?"

"Ah, a complex question. One I would ask of you first. Perhaps with a name too."

"Jasper Moraes, Seventh Brother of the Imperial Inquisitors."

"I am aware of what you do, Betrayer." His voice carried no malignance, yetI bristled at the title. "I will ask again: What are you?"

"I… do not understand what you want from me. I am an Inquisitor."

"The young are so close-minded. What you are, is a warrior walking a path with no end. Soon your corpse shall litter it, along with the endless other fools who shared your desire."

Condescending words veiled in wisdom. They vexed me. "And what would you, have me do?"

"Find something worth fighting for. Power is but a stream compared to the ocean of life."

"Your advice is pointless. Power and power alone will complete my existence."

"At least you admit your hollowness. But power alone will not aid you. If you truly believe that, then I shall not give you what you seek."

An invisible wave of power began pushing against me. I was being forced slowly down the altar steps and back the way I came.

Struggling against it, I called out. "You will not deny me what I seek! The secrets here are mine!"

"Secrets that do not belong to a child. Be gone, Traitor!" His tone was deadly serious. The gravity of his voice crushing down on me while I pushed against his power. A bolt of lightning struck from nowhere, ripping a loud scream from me. Losing my footing I was flung from the room. Rolling onto my feet I attempted to surge forward with the pain empowering me, but I meet only a rock wall. I slammed my fists against the stone, ignoring the stinging pain. Finally, I roared in fury, pulling away from the wall and stalking back along the pitch-black cavern. Only one thing would alleviate my rage: killing something. Then I would return to discover the secrets of the temple.

Blindly I made my way out, a hand to the wall to guide me safely. I had made it to the lengthy stairs that ascended to the surface after a minute of fumbling around. My fuming thoughts were soon torn away by heavy breathing and fast footsteps. A calm blue light approached rapidly, meaning Corlena was on her way out. Despite the calm of the light I felt fear oozing off her. Something was happening above ground. I could not help myself from smiling as her figure became more and more clear. Then my anger surged again. She must have discovered something where I had not, or else we would have left at similar times. Enraged at my failure once more, I pulled harshly with the Force at the first object I found on her belt. Cold metal joined my hand, igniting into a brilliant golden blade.

Surging forward, our blades clashed hastily, locking us unsteadily on the steps. My anger was forced out with every word I lashed Corlena with.

"WHAT DID YOU FIND?! TELL ME!"

Fun fact: Fox isn't actually blind. His eyes are pure white, giving the impression of blindness. I only discovered this when reading up about Team CFVY.

So. Tell me what you though of the chapter in the reviews, and I'll see you next time!

Wardtortle, out!