V.E.:….

(Pulls something out of her pocket, unfolds a piece of paper and looks at a list titled "Things Not to Do if I Want to Do Well this Semester at College". At the bottom of which is, "Don't let your writing take precedence over any actual paper you may have to write for class.")

V.E.: But that Life History Paper is…and the others and….UGH, I can't even say it! (In case you haven't noticed, I began this when I shouldn't have been writing for pleasure.)

(Turns and notices her readers.)

V.E.: Oh, hi there! Yeah, this hiatus thing isn't working out as well as I wanted it to. Why is it I tend to write more when I have other stuff to be doing? Well, I guess there's something to be said for deadlines and pressure. Otherwise, I think I wouldn't want to write anything if I was completely absorbed in the Internet.

You might be noticing that I updated out of my usual cycle, with Paradox instead of Princess of Egypt. Well that's partly because I knew what I wanted to do with this chapter more than that other update. Unfortunately, I also had several different versions of how I wanted this to go down so this might be a little bit confusing. Well, let's hope I get to it.

Quote: "Self-discovery is above all the realization that we are alone: it is the opening of an impalpable, transparent wall - that of our consciousness - between the world and ourselves."- Octavio Paz

Jedi Temple – Grand Master Yoda's Quarters

Coruscant

About 20-19 BBY

Even as the rays of the sunset filtered through his blinds, Yoda felt no peace.

Perhaps if the little green alien was being truthful, he had not known true peace or rest for a very long time. At the very least, not since the Invasion of Naboo and the signs that the remnants of the Dark Side were not as gone as the Jedi had believed them to be.

And ever since his little journey, he had been even more unsettled. Add that on to recent events…

Ahsoka Tano's eyes rolling away from his gaze, her body slackening back and lifeless upon the floor of the Jedi Temple with the many other victims…

Trying to move his mind away from those thoughts, he centered himself back in the moment, trying to calm himself. Every day, after Council meetings, he would return to his quarters and meditate. He was trying to feel the Force, to see if some guidance could be gleaned from its presence, but most days it was utterly silent. Normally quiet was something a Jedi looked for and prized in an otherwise very loud lifetime, but this was a deafening silence that left one feeling alone, confused, and scared.

Focus. To come, I need answers to deal with what is.

Despite how much he tried not to, his mind turned back the journey he made; his talk with Qui Gon Jinn on Dagobah, meeting the Sages, facing his dark side, the visions of temptations, the home world of the Sith, and finally that last message…

"There is another….Skywalker."

So much he had been shown, and yet it felt as if much was still unclear. His knowledge was still incomplete and he could not act upon it until he understood.

The Grand Master sighed deeply.

"To do, what am I?"

"Yoda."

That got his attention as he spoke to the voice of his long gone friend.

"Qui Gon, more to teach me have you?"

"Not today, my old friend. I come to give you some clarity."

Yoda stilled at that, pausing a moment before asking.

"About Ahsoka Tano?"

"Yes."

"In the future, she is?"

"In a way."

That caught the little Jedi Master's attention as he probed further.

"Mean by that, what do you?"

"As any Jedi knows, the future is always in motion. Yet, there are times even the Force itself will step in if they believe that a possible future is likely to occur. Ahsoka has been sent forward to what might be."

"Why? And why her?"

"Just as you have gained knowledge on your journey, so she must learn and in so doing teach two other Jedi in that time. One of which has done well while the other has yet to begin their training. Though whether she will live to see it done or fall in the end to achieve her goal, has yet to be seen."

Yoda bowed his head, his expression grave.

"Any chance to return to this time, has she?"

"That also has yet to be determined. First, she must complete her mission. Then the choice is hers to make. As we are chatting, she is about to meet with yourself in that future. All you can do in this time is to protect the body she has left behind."

Yoda's eyes focused, alertness present in his eyes.

"In danger, is she?"

"Yes, in both the future and the present. Be careful, my old friend. As the Apprentice of the Chosen One and in whom dwells the remnants of a soul both ancient and power, she is the Force's last hope for the Jedi. And Sidious will go to great lengths to make sure his next attempt to capture her will not be another failure. Take care of her, Yoda."

And with that sentence, the presence of his old friend left him, leaving Yoda alone with the silence once more.

He took in a deep breath before he rose from his sitting position, summoning his cane to accompany him on the walk to the med bay where Ahsoka Tano's unconscious form slumbered on.

Now he had a clear goal at the moment and he was determined to uphold it. However, there was one thing that Qui Gon said that bothered him.

A soul both ancient and powerful within her, what means does he?

Dagobah

3 ABY

There were few times during a war (past) or rebellion (presently) that Ahsoka could say she had finally found some time to let herself relax. This was one of those few times. Admittedly, the idea of sleeping while traveling through space may have been to some utterly impossible to think off, but Ahsoka was used to it.

She didn't know how long, she had been asleep while Luke had been flying, hadn't been entirely sure of what she had dreamed of (she thought it might have had something to do with Master Yoda), she was sure she might have heard Luke say something to R2, but all in all she felt was rested and relaxed. Even as she was coming out of that sleep, a lingering feeling of that remained.

That all changed when the pod lurched violently, abruptly bringing her out of her peaceful rest.

Sitting up in her cockpit, she called out to her pilot.

"Luke, what's going on?!"

"We're breaking atmo! All the scopes are dead, I can't see a thing!"

Her reply to him was full of irritation.

"Didn't I tell you to wake me when we got here?"

Even though the Togruta couldn't see it physically, she could bet that he had an apologetic smile on his face.

"Sorry! Glad you're awake though. Just hang on, I'm going to start the landing cycle."

While Luke seemed to be trying his best to land them smoothly as he could, Ahsoka could hear the panicked beeps of the blue droid. She was a little puzzled as she saw the translated text on her screen.

"Wait, R2, what do you mean by 'the last time I came here'?"

Before the little droid could beep and the screen could translate to clarify, the cracking sound of something being broken through forced Ahsoka's attention away from the screen and brought her up to the screen.

It seemed like their ship had broken through some canopy of some sort of forest, considering the snapped bits of vine that they were passing by at a rather alarming rate. The fog around them was so thick (with only a few vines and tree limbs visible that were close to the ship) that the Togruta could barely see anything. She held on, bracing with her eyes closed for an impact that definitely wasn't going to be the smoothest. It didn't take too long to find out exactly how bad it was going to be.

SPLASH!

After the pod went down with a lurch and a bounce and the sound of hitting the water died away the ship seemed to come to a stop, Ahsoka finally opened her eyes as R2 D2 beeped out some noise as well as the call of some unfamiliar creature, finally seeing something other than the fog on this planet.

It seemed like the pair and their droid had landed their pod in the middle of a lake in some kind of swamp (though whether this was like the entire planet, the Togruta couldn't be sure without any further information). There didn't seem to be any natural light let through, giving off an eerie setting with all the fog around them. It seemed like such an ancient place, something that hadn't changed much in thousands, maybe millions of years.

And then there was the Force. Maybe it was due to her connection to Daughter, but Ahsoka was a lot more sensitive when it came to her surroundings and that was combined with her already acute senses as a Togruta and the ones that developed during her years at the Jedi Temple. This planet was just teeming with the Force's presence, stronger than she had ever felt it before. It reminded her of that astral plane where she and Daughter had talked before she had been sent into the future.

It was then Luke called out to her.

"You alright?"

She nodded, even though the young man couldn't see it.

"Mostly. Did you pick up any cities earlier?"

He shook his head.

"No cities, no technology. But there were some massive life forms, so there's definitely some things living here."

She answered knowingly.

"I know, I can feel it."

R2 D2 beeped quite a bit, checking on the state of the two, as both of their cockpits (luckily both of them managed to be above the water while the rest of the ship wasn't so lucky) opened to give them more of a view of the planet they had just landed on.

Luke took off his gloves, his face utterly exasperated on where they manged to land while his Jedi teacher had stood up to try and assess their surroundings better. It wasn't long before her student followed her in standing up and going near where the ship was submerged to see what might be done about it.

The little silver blue droid lifted itself out of its little cockpit, beeping at his pilot. Luke turned around a few times to glimpse his surroundings before calling back to the droid.

"No R2, you stay put. Ahsoka and I will have a look around."

Ahsoka cringed, feeling the unsteadiness of their ship as Luke took off his helmet.

"Actually Luke, all three of us should probably…"

The ship gave a sudden lurch at that, sending R2 about to go diving head first into the lake before Ahsoka reached out her hands and stopped the droid form falling with her Force powers.

She sighed as she warily moved herself down to where Luke was, holding R2 in midair.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I got R2, but I really think we should probably get off now."

Luke nodded, feeling the unsteadiness of where he was standing like she did.

"Good idea, Master."

She grimaced at the title, but kept her focus on keeping R2 up and out of the water.

"I'll get annoyed at you later when we're sure we're safe."

As soon as she got to him, they turned to face each other, Nodding in unison, both teacher and student jumped down into the shallower end of the lake. As both managed to climb up onto the high ground (mostly supported by one of the rather huge trees), Ahsoka noticed a strange sort of fin coming up out of the water. Whatever it belonged to, she was pretty sure she didn't want to find out and concentrated on moving R2 over to where they were.

Once the droid was on solid ground, it beeped frequently and happily.

Ahsoka gave a brief smile to the dear little droid.

"You're welcome, Artooie."

The droid beeped again, only this time the astromech sound a lot more nervous.

Luke answered the droid as the group went more to where real solid ground was, passing some noticeable roots and vines.

"You'll be fine R2, just stay close to us."

The two managed to go a little way before R2 beeped again with nervousness, Luke responding in kind.

"If you're saying coming here was a bad idea, I'm beginning to agree with you. Oh come on, what are we doing here?"

Ahsoka reminded him in a firm voice.

"We're here to find Master Yoda. And this was your idea, remember?"

He answered gruffly, his head slightly shaking.

"I know, I know! It's just…how are we going to find him here? What little tech we have is currently half sunk."

Ahsoka shrugged giving him the point as she looked around their swampy surroundings.

"I give you that. Then again knowing Master Yoda, he may just find us."

"You know, you never talk much about the other Jedi outside of Ben, my father, or that guy Plo Koon who brought you to Jedi Temple. What's Yoda like?"

A smile quirked on her face, amusement in her voice as she answered.

"I'd rather not spoil the surprise, so let's just say he's very different compared to what little you've seen of the Jedi so far."

That didn't seem to satisfy him as he turned his attention back to aged swamp.

"Still, this place…."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"It's like...something out of a dream, or...I don't know. Maybe I'm just going crazy."

The Togruta nodded slowly as she turned around in place at the same speed, the eeriness of the setting and the presence of the Force all around her.

"If you're going to crazy, I'm pretty sure I'm right behind you."

Just before Ahsoka came back to where she had started turning, she stooped in place as she caught a flurry of small lights in the distance.

Her student noticed the change, inquiring anxiously.

"Ahsoka, what's wrong?"

She heard him, but didn't respond as she stared as if trying to make sure what she saw had actually occurred. Then what startled and surprised her next wasn't what she saw, but what she heard.

"Come. Follow the lights."

Hearing Daughter's voice after several years of silence from her, was more than a little unsettling as she stepped back, taking a deep breath.

Luke got closer to her, worry clear on his face and in his tone of voice.

"Ahsoka, are you alright?!"

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down as heard the otherworld voice speak to her once again.

"Go alone."

For some reason, those words seemed to bring back her calmness as nodded to Luke.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

His expression made it clear he didn't fully believe her.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I'm going to take a better look around, try to see if there's anybody around that can help. You stay here with R2 and try to get some of the stuff out of the ship."

He didn't seem all that happy with the order.

"Ahsoka, you shouldn't go alone. Who knows what's around here?"

"I'm well aware of what the danger is. Do you trust me?"

His expression seemed indignant at the question.

"Of course I do!"

"Then trust that I can handle myself and that I will come back alright."

Luke opened his mouth as if ready to fight otherwise before stopping to really think. So many emotions filtered onto his face, Ahsoka wondered if Anakin had struggled with this more than she knew back when he was her Master while watching it happen with Luke.

Finally, the blonde young man spoke.

"You have your light sabers?"

Ahsoka almost scoffed, patting the two blades at her sides.

"Of course."

"Just….be careful."

She nodded to him.

"I'll contact you the minute I'm in trouble. And if you need me…"

Luke nodded to his teacher.

"I'll do the same."

Ahsoka smiled at him, looking at him one last time.

"I'll be back soon. And if you can, try to practice while I'm gone."

As she turned and began to walk away after that last order, Luke rolled his eyes away from her and at R2.

"Yes, Master."

"I heard that!"

Unable to see her student cringe before going with R2 back to where their ship was still partially sunk, she walked forward without looking at what was behind her. She was walking through unfamiliar territory, on planet that probably had ancient and hostile creatures inhabiting it, yet she felt no fear.

As a matter of fact, even though she was walking by herself, she didn't actually feel alone.

It was as she thought that that the flurry of lights form earlier passed through her, staying at a reachable distance as if guiding her on. She felt inclined to speak, even if she was by herself.

"It's been awhile, Daughter."

The voice of the long gone otherworldly woman seemed to echo around her.

"I know. Even so, as a part of you I am aware of everything you do, everything you feel."

"Then why are you speaking to me now? I thought you said…"

"This planet is strong with the Force. Stronger than any place you have come across in this time. You have also grown stronger over these past few years. Enough so that I can communicate with you, but now is not the time to discuss these things."

Ahsoka asked, her gaze still on the lights that was leading her as she stepped over several big roots and ducked beneath a very low vine.

"Why? Where is the light leading me?"

"I will tell you more when we arrive at our destination."

"That isn't an answer."

"Please, have faith."

Ahsoka sighed, stopping a minute before she resumed

"Alright, lead on then, balls of light."

The little flurry of lights leading her didn't respond, only continuing to guide the Togruta through the dark and shadowy terrain.

"So…this is it?"

Having finally come to her destination, Ahsoka looked upon where the lights had brought her to as they all scattered away and in different directions. It wasn't with disappointment or annoyance, just surprise with what she had been led to.

The Togruta stood in front of an unusual tree. Unlike everything else on this planet that seemed to be teeming with life, this was a huge, dead, black tree, its base surrounded by a few feet of water. Giant, twisted roots had grown up out of the ground and a small hole was there that Ahsoka thought probably led into a small cave. In retrospect, while it looked a little unusual it didn't look all that scary.

But she could also feel the Force, the menacing chill of the Dark side coming from the hole. Standing nearby it, gave her the chills. In fact, it was almost like it was getting stronger at the sense of her presence, beckoning her to answer it.

Daughter's voice replied, echoing around her louder than before.

"Yes, before you meet with Yoda, there is one more trial you must overcome."

At that, Ahsoka's gaze went to the opening.

"I take it I'm supposed to go in there?"

"Yes, there you will face your final trial."

Ahsoka drew closer to the entrance slowly. She took out her light sabers before Daughter spoke again.

"You will not need your weapons. The danger you face in there is not of the physical kind."

The Togruta glanced at her weapons before she sighed, placing them down near a rather noticeably large root to prop them up. She continued to slowly make her way over until she finally reached the hole. She angled her body so that she would able to get in better, entering as she held on to a few roots and then reaching out to bigger ones to finally put herself on solid ground.

She had barely taken a step before she heard the sound of a young girl's giggle. It startled her, but it seemed to die out as quickly as it had happened. She took a deep breath, steadying herself in this place of cold and death and proceeded onward.

She went further into the dark cave, surrounded by the roots of the dead tree. She managed to reach the part of the cave that didn't have roots hanging right in front of her as she heard the giggling again.

Ahsoka turned around, calling out.

"Who's there?"

There was no answer to her question, the otherwise silent cave putting her more on edge.

Then the giggling seemed to come from right behind her, louder than before. She turned around sharply.

There was nothing there. She took a deep breathe, closing her eyes as she tried to calm herself.

"Oh come on, is that what you're going to say to me after all this time?"

The Togruta froze where she stood, her heart feeling like it stopped completely at that chillingly familiar voice. She turned around slowly, her heart picking up faster as she faced the speaker.

Blue eyes met smoldering orange in outright disbelief and fear.

V.E.: I love it when I know how I want a chapter to end. It makes it easy when it comes to planning out chapters in general.

About 3800 words, not too shabby after that hiatus of mine. We're on Dagobah and next chapter we'll get to see Yoda in the future.

Wait a minute...(Checks the calendar on her computer) YES, I actually made my self-imposed deadline! I'm sorry, it's just I rarely do make it. Of course it may be awhile before I update my stories again, I've got two projects to do before the end of this semester.

Please make sure to review and I hope I'll see you around for the next chapter!