Chapter 26 – A day of surprises
Here we go, the next chapter. Some surprises are in store for Ahsoka.
I've also updated the summary of this story. I think the new one is a little better than the old one.
For some reason the site deleted part of the summary. Every word before the dot at the end of the sentence was erased? I don't know. I hope it stays correct now.
Enjoy the chapter.
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"Ah, it's good to be back home again." Lilo said as she and her sisters walked out of the spaceport of Corvala. "Yeah, you're right. But still, Naboo was pretty amazing." Marina replied. "I had a feeling you'd both like the planet." Ahsoka said as she looked at her sisters. "So, where are mom and dad going to pick us up?" She asked as she looked around, trying to spot them. Marina and Lilo looked at her with a bit of surprise. "Oh right. I'm sorry, we forgot to tell you." Marina said. "Mom and dad had something important to take care of. They can't pick us up." She explained. "Okay, so how are we going to get back home?" Ahsoka asked. "They dropped of the speeder here at the spaceport parking. We can collect the keys at the information desk and head home." Marina continued. "That works for me." Ahsoka replied. Marina chuckled a little. "I think I'll fly." Lilo said to her sisters. Both Marina and Ahsoka gave her a questioning look. "You had a bit to drink Marina and it wouldn't be good for a Senator to drink and drive." Lilo explained as she looked at Marina. Marina looked like she wanted to protest but decided against it. Ahsoka laughed a bit at her oldest sister's expression. "So why can't I fly?" Ahsoka asked after she stopped laughing. "No way Ahsoka. Not after the things you told us about your reputation as a pilot." Marina replied quickly. Ahsoka looked a little offended and her sisters started laughing. She joined them a moment later. "Alright then, Lilo will fly." Ahsoka said. Her sisters nodded and they walked towards the parking area.
A couple of minutes later the three sisters were in their speeder on their way home. "What did mom and dad have to do exactly?" Ahsoka asked. "Uhm, I'm not really sure. But they'd be back later today." Marina replied with a hint of nervousness in her voice. Ahsoka raised an eyebrow marking and looked at her sister. Marina gave her a nervous smile and she could sense Lilo getting slightly nervous as well. "Is something wrong?" Ahsoka asked them a bit concerned. "No, everything's fine. Don't worry Ahsoka." Lilo replied. Ahsoka looked at Lilo and then Marina. "Something is definitely up…" She thought to herself. "Alright, if you say so." She replied as she shrugged. As she said this she could feel a sense of relief coming from her sisters. "Yeah, something is definitely up. I'll ask them again when we get home." Ahsoka thought.
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"Maybe we should've let Ahsoka fly after all. We'd gotten here a lot faster that way." Marina teased Lilo as they unloaded their bags from the speeder. "Very funny." Lilo replied as she tossed Marina one of the bags. Ahsoka smiled and caught the bad mid-air with the Force. Marina looked surprised at the bag floating in front of her face while Lilo glared at Ahsoka. "Nice catch sis." Marina commented as she picked the bag out of the air. "Thanks." Ahsoka replied. "Come on, let's go inside." Lilo said as she picked up her own bags and began to walk to the door. Marina and Ahsoka did the same.
They walked inside their house and Ahsoka noticed something strange. "Why is it so dark in here?" she asked. "I don't know." Marina replied. She and Lilo placed their bags on the ground and walked on. Ahsoka did the same and followed them, her right hand resting on her side, ready to grab her lightsaber in a moment's notice. The three of them walked into the living room. "Someone is in here." Ahsoka said quietly to her sisters when they walked in. "Are you sure?" Marina whispered back. "Yes." Ahsoka replied, her lightsaber now in her hand. Then, without warning the lights suddenly went on.
"Surprise!" A bunch of voices yelled. "What?!" Ahsoka replied shocked as she looked around the room. She saw her parents, Rosette, princess Zaa Vashee, Shaden from the H'Raani M'Kai and a few others she had met during the banquet. The room was decorated and a large cake stood on the table. Ahsoka looked at the smiling faces and instantly figured out what was going on. She looked at Marina and Lilo who were both smiling as well.
"Guess you can throw a surprise party for a Jedi after all." Marina said smiling. "Happy birthday Ahsoka." She said to a surprised looking Ahsoka. "You didn't…" she began. "Organize a surprise birthday party for you behind your back? Definitely." Lilo finished for her. "Oh, you guys…" Ahsoka said, her voice trembling a little. Her mother walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Happy birthday sweetheart." Yuae said as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Thanks mom." Ahsoka replied softly as her mother pulled back. Her father followed after her mother and congratulated her as well. "You didn't have to go through this trouble." She said a little bit embarrassed by the attention. "Nonsense dear, it's your birthday. You're turning seventeen and we're going to celebrate." Her mother replied as she placed her arm around her daughter's shoulder. Ahsoka smiled widely and nodded.
They sat down in the living room. Rosette practically jumped on Ahsoka's lap. "Happy birthday auntie 'Soka!" she said excitedly. "Thank you Rose." Ahsoka replied. "We made a cake for you! Look!" Rosette said as she pointed at the cake on the table. "I see. It looks great." Ahsoka replied, causing Rosette to giggle happily. Rosette then jumped off Ahsoka's lap and ran at Marina to tell her mother about the cake she helped make.
Princess Zaa Vashee walked up to Ahsoka and sat down next to her. "Happy birthday Ahsoka." She said with a smile. "Thanks milady. It's nice to see you again." Ahsoka replied. "Likewise, it's been a little while." Zaa said with a smile. "I tried to look you up before we left for Naboo but you were busy." Ahsoka told her. Zaa nodded. "Yes, my brother told me. So how do you like your new titles?" she asked. Ahsoka chuckled a little. "They're great, thank you. I already made use of them to get rid of some irritating sleemo." Ahsoka replied. "Oh really?" Zaa asked in return. "Yes really." Ahsoka replied as she began to tell about what had happened between her and admiral Tarkin. When she was finished a round of laughter was heard in the room. "Wow, that guy sounds like a massive jerk." Zaa said. "That's an understatement." Ahsoka replied. Everyone laughed again at her words. "Come on, it's time to cut the cake." Her mother said as she got up. A round of agreement was heard from the others.
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The party lasted for several hours. After that, the guests started leaving. Princess Zaa Vashee stayed for a while, but she and Shaden had to return to the palace when it started to get dark.
When all of the guests had left Ahsoka looked around the room. The living room was a bit of a mess right now. Several of the decorations were scattered around. Despite the mess, Ahsoka couldn't help but smile. This had been one of the largest birthday parties she ever had.
"Ahsoka?" her mother asked. Ahsoka turned around. "Yes?" she asked in return. "Are you alright? We didn't upset you with this, did we?" Her mother asked a little worried. Ahsoka shook her head. "No, this was great." Ahsoka replied, earning a smile from her mother. "I really wasn't expecting this, I'll give you that. We never really celebrated birthdays this big at the Temple." Ahsoka said with a smile. "Really? You don't?" her mother asked in surprise. Ahsoka shook her head again. "That's quite silly. Someone's birthday is a special occasion." Yuae said. Ahsoka shrugged. "Things are pretty different in the Jedi Order. I won't argue with the Jedi Council, but there are quite a few things that the Order could improve upon." Ahsoka replied. "But let's not talk about that any further." She told her mother. Yuae nodded. "Alright, it's your special day today. You only turn seventeen once, so let's make today a great day." She said to her daughter. Ahsoka smiled in return. "I won't argue with that idea either." She replied.
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The rest of the day went by rather quick. They mostly talked about the ball Ahsoka and her sisters had attended. Marina and Lilo had found great enjoyment in teasing Ahsoka about Lux. They also told their parents about the Senators they had met, but mostly they just teased Ahsoka.
Ahsoka was talking with her mother. Yuae wanted to ask her a few things about Lux. Ahsoka was a little embarrassed to talk about her relationship, but answered her mother's questions nevertheless. Suddenly she felt something rapidly approach her, so she took a step back. Rosette raced between Ahsoka and her mother, followed by a tired looking Marina. "I think she had too much sugar again." Her mother commented. Ahsoka laughed a bit as she watched Marina chase her daughter. "I think I'm going to bed. These past two days have really worn me out." Ahsoka said. Her mother nodded. "Alright dear. It might be a good idea if you don't exhaust yourself too much, just in case." Yuae replied. "I won't mom. Good night." Ahsoka said. "Good night Ahsoka." Her mother replied.
After saying good night to her father and Lilo, Ahsoka used the Force to lightly float Rosette in the air so Marina could catch her. "Thanks Ahsoka." Marina said with a tired smile. "I wanna fly again! That was fun!" Rosette said as she squirmed in Marina's arms. "I'm really tired now. Maybe tomorrow, if you behave like a good girl." Ahsoka told Rosette. "Okay, I will." She replied excitedly. "Good night girls." Ahsoka said. "Good night Ahsoka." Marina replied as she walked back with Rosette.
Several minutes later Ahsoka was lying in her bed, about to drift off to sleep and hoping for a quiet night.
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As Ahsoka was sleeping, a strange sensation came through the Force. It disturbed her peaceful sleep.
Ahsoka awoke and found herself in a strange area. She looked around the place. It looked like a large courtyard of sorts. She didn't know quite what to make of it. The place began to look incredibly familiar to her after a short moment. A nasty cold shiver ran down her spine as a memory flooded back into her mind.
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"Then you'll be forced to kill me." Dark Ahsoka stated as she called her lightsaber to her hand. Anakin watched in shock and horror as his padawan ignited her blade against him. Disbelief filled him as she glared at him and drew deeply on the Dark Side of the Force, letting it fill her completely. Charged by the dark energy, Dark Ahsoka leapt at him with her blade swinging to kill.
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Ahsoka shook her head wildly to rid herself of the dark memory of what had transpired on Mortis. That hadn't been her. It was the Son controlling her. He had infected her with his evil and force her to do things she hadn't wanted to.
She sighed and looked around the area. It looked incredibly similar to where she had fought Anakin and Obi-Wan under the Son's control. And yet, several things were different. The entire atmosphere of the place was…lighter. Instead of the dark tiles, bright white marble tiles made up the ground. The walls too were made of a similar white material with golden accents. In the middle of the area, instead of a single dead tree, stood a massive tree in full bloom surrounded by a wide variety of plants. "What is this place?" Ahsoka asked out loud. "This is, was, my house." A voice said behind her. Startled, Ahsoka turned around.
Underneath the large tree stood a figure she recognized very well. The being she had met when they first arrived on the world of Mortis. The same being who had sacrificed herself to save her own father and Ahsoka. Surrounded by a mysterious glow of light, stood the Daughter, the Force Wielder of Light.
"Hello Ahsoka, it's been a while." The Daughter greeted her. Ahsoka looked at her in surprise. "W-what is going on?" she asked shocked. "Your surprise is expected. After all, a lot has happened in a short while." The Daughter replied. She gestured for Ahsoka to move closer. Ahsoka nodded in confusion and walked up to her. "Why are you here? How are you here?" Ahsoka asked confused. The Daughter smiled at her. "Two very logical questions." She replied. "To answer your second question, as you well know, there is no death, there is the Force. I am a being of the Force and as such, I have always been more connected to the Force than others." The Daughter explained. "So, you're some kind of Force ghost?" Ahsoka asked as she recalled some of her lessons as a youngling. The Daughter nodded. "That is correct. However, because I am, or was, a being of the Force, I can appear more lively than other beings can." She replied. "Wow, I've only read about Force ghosts." Ahsoka said in amazement. The Daughter smiled. "Not many Force users believe in Force ghosts. Only a few have experienced a meeting with one." She explained. Ahsoka nodded. "A lot of the younglings I grew up with didn't believe that such a thing as Force ghosts could exist." She replied. "Only those who have experienced such a meeting will believe in it. Others will simply dismiss it." The Daughter said.
"Now I understand how you are here, but I still don't know why." Ahsoka stated. "A good observation." The Daughter replied. "A lot has happened to you in the past few days. I can sense that you have a lot of questions." She said. Ahsoka chuckled a little nervously. "That's quite an understatement." She replied. "I have done several things I didn't even know I could. The Force feels different to me when I meditate. I can sense things differently. But I don't understand why." Ahsoka continued. "Can you tell me?" she asked. The Daughter smiled at her. "I certainly can. It's why I am speaking with you in the first place." She replied.
"I'm sure that you recall this moment well." The Daughter said as she waved her hand. Some sort of white smoke flowed past Ahsoka. She turned around and saw the smoke shaping into a strange type of vision.
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Ahsoka's body lay silent on the ground, drained of all life. Left to be consumed by the Dark Side. Next to her lay the body of the Daughter, on the edge of life and death as well. Her body barely glowing. Anakin sat between the two with the Father behind him. "Then let my daughter's last act, be to breathe life into your friend." The Father said as he used the Force to guide Anakin through some mystic ritual. As soon as Anakin placed his finger on the foreheads of the two, bright light shone around them. Waves of light flew from the Daughter, through Anakin, to Ahsoka as the two of them were lifted into the air. A short moment later the light faded and they both fell to the ground again. Anakin panted heavily and looked at his padawan. Behind him the Daughter was no longer glowing. Ahsoka didn't move at first. Then her body cleared from the poison and corruption that is the Dark Side. She awoke in a fit of coughs and Anakin pulled her into a hug.
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Ahsoka didn't immediately say anything as the vision faded and the smoke evaporated. She sighed and slowly turned around to face the Daughter again. "Yes, I remember that well. These events had plagued me in my nightmares for quite some time." Ahsoka said. "Yes, I am aware of that." The Daughter replied. "What do you mean by that?" Ahsoka asked with a confused look on her face. "Do you understand what truly happened in that moment?" The Daughter asked in return. Ahsoka frowned at her question. "Eh… You gave me your life force or something like that and purged the curse the Son placed on me, right?" Ahsoka answered, her confusion only increasing. "That's only part of what I did." The Daughter replied. "Then, what else did you do?" Ahsoka asked with a hint of worry in her voice. "Did something else happen that I'm not aware off?" She asked herself. "Yes, something else did happen." The Daughter said, startling Ahsoka slightly. "How?" Ahsoka replied in confusion. The Daughter smiled at her. "Right, Force Wielder." Ahsoka said. "It is more than just me being a Force Wielder. The two of us now share a special connection." The Daughter replied. Hearing this confused Ahsoka even further. "I'm not sure I understand. What kind of connection?" She asked. The Daughter walked up to Ahsoka. "In that moment I gave you my life force to restore you. That is what you and the other Jedi know." The Daughter began to explain. Ahsoka nodded and let her continue. "However, I did more in that moment. Not only did I give you my life force, but my Force powers as well." Ahsoka went wide-eyed with shock as the Daughter said this. "Wha-what?" Ahsoka asked shocked. "I gifted you with my Force powers and abilities. I bestowed upon you the very essence of my being." The Daughter continued explaining. Ahsoka looked at the Daughter in disbelief. "I have her powers?" Ahsoka asked herself. "So, everything that happened in the past few weeks, the strange feelings I've been getting from the Force, the power I somehow used… All of that is because of you?" Ahsoka asked the Daughter. "That is correct. Those events are proof that the powers I gave you are beginning to awaken and in time, you will be reborn as a Force Wielder." The Daughter replied.
Hearing all of this shook Ahsoka up quite a bit. Her knees felt a little weak so she sat down on the edge of the small garden. "I understand that this is a lot to take in." The Daughter said. "That's quite an understatement." Ahsoka replied with a nervous chuckle. "So, because of your power I was able to do whatever I did at that construction site?" Ahsoka asked after a short moment. The Daughter nodded. "Yes, you sub-consciously tapped into the power you now wield." She replied. "Then why did I pass out afterwards and couldn't remember what I did?" Ahsoka asked. "Having power is one thing, knowing how to use that power is completely different." The Daughter began. "You are able to use my power, but right now, you aren't capable of controlling it. Your mind cannot comprehend the extent of my power and your body is not capable of sustaining that level of strength. Therefore, when you used my power before, you collapsed." The Daughter explained. Ahsoka nodded slowly. "The doctors at the hospital told me that I somehow overexerted myself. So that was because I can't handle your powers yet?" She asked. The Daughter nodded. "That's correct. Right now you aren't experienced enough." She replied. "Then, how will I gain enough experience to use this power? The last thing I need is somehow misusing this power and doing something awful." Ahsoka asked slightly worried about the fact that she now had such power without knowing how to use it. The Daughter smiled comfortingly at her. "I can help you with that." She replied.
Again, a great sense of confusion overtook Ahsoka. "How can you help me? Is that possible?" She asked as she stood up again and turned to face the Daughter. "I know your newfound power well, seeing as how it was once mine. I can teach you about the Force and how to harness your power without any negative effects." The Daughter replied with a smile. "Really? That would be great." Ahsoka replied. "But I still don't understand how." She said. "The same way we are speaking right now." The Daughter replied. "That part is still a little strange to me. I know you are a Force ghost, but how are we talking? Where exactly are we?" Ahsoka asked. "You are still in your bed in your family's home on Shili. You are merely dreaming." The Daughter answered. "Wait, I'm dreaming?" Ahsoka asked between confusion and surprise. The Daughter nodded. "It's possible to influence dreams with the Force?" Ahsoka asked. "Yes, that is possible." The Daughter answered. "Wow, that's quite something. The Masters at the Temple never mentioned anything about that…" Ahsoka replied astonished. "It is an ancient technique, not many still know of its existence. To be able to influence another's dreams, you require a strong bond. Sometimes the other knows about this bond and in other cases they do not." The Daughter explained. Ahsoka nodded, silently amazed with the fact that such a technique existed. It made her quite curious as to what kind of other techniques the Daughter might know about.
"So, what exactly is this place? It looks somewhat like the courtyard of the Son's palace on Mortis, but it also doesn't." Ahsoka asked as she looked around again. "Yes, my brother and I shared several tastes in numerous things. We both liked the same architecture, but each of us preferred a different atmosphere. I influenced your dream to look like the courtyard of my own house on Mortis." The Daughter explained. "I see. This place certainly is a lot nicer than your brother's house. It's a lot warmer and inviting." Ahsoka said. "Uhm… I guess I should apologize." She then said with a hint of shame. "What for Ahsoka?" The Daughter asked. "Well, because of me, Anakin and Obi-Wan, you and your family died and your home was destroyed." Ahsoka replied as she nervously rubbed her arm. "Do not worry about that Ahsoka. I do not blame you for that. The will of the Force is sometimes difficult to understand, but I follow it, no matter what happens." The Daughter said reassuring. Ahsoka sighed with relief. "Thank you, that has always kinda bugged me." She replied with a smile.
"There is another thing I'm curious about." Ahsoka said. "What would you like to know?" The Daughter asked. "I have had this power ever since we left Mortis, right?" Ahsoka asked in return. The Daughter nodded. "Then why are these powers just now developing and not sooner?" Ahsoka asked. "You are right about having these powers since then." The Daughter replied. "And as to why they are developing now. In what way have you changed now from the way you were in the Jedi Order?" The Daughter asked her. Ahsoka thought about her question for a moment. "How have I changed? I still use the Force like I was taught before. I still uphold most of the lessons and values I learned in the Temple. But now I'm not a part of the Order anymore... Hmm… Now I'm living with my family and I'm with Lux and I…" An idea popped in her head and she turned back to the Daughter. "I no longer prevent myself from feeling too much emotions or forming attachments." Ahsoka said. "You allow yourself to feel love." The Daughter added. "Does love really have such an effect?" Ahsoka asked curiously. The Daughter nodded. "If the Dark Side is born of and fuels itself with hatred, anger and rage, what do you think sustains the Light Side?" She asked Ahsoka. "Love?" Ahsoka replied. "That's right. The Jedi Order believes that compassion and kindness strengthen the Light Side." The Daughter said. "The Council wasn't exactly that kind to me." Ahsoka thought to herself. "They do have made some serious errors in their judgment lately." The Daughter commented. Ahsoka frowned at her. "But that belief is true, right?" She asked. "Yes, those feelings are part of what makes up the Light Side. In that case the Order is correct. However, love is the true nature of the Light Side. If you allow yourself to feel love and channel it through the Force, you can experience the full power and potential of the Light Side." The Daughter explained. Ahsoka nodded. "But what about what the Council describes to the dangers of attachment? The so-called trap of passion?" Ahsoka asked. "There is some truth to that as well. You must always be mindful of your feelings. But to completely ban attachments like the Order does is not the right way. They give themselves a great weakness and the Sith will never hesitate to exploit this." The Daughter answered.
Ahsoka nodded slowly. Everything the Daughter had told her seemed quite strange and surreal, but at the same time Ahsoka could sense that it was all true. "I can barely believe all of this." Ahsoka said with a sigh. "I understand it is difficult for you to take everything in right now. But you will come to comprehend everything in time. Just like you will master your new powers in time." The Daughter replied. Ahsoka nodded and smiled. "I know. I understand that some things take time and that you need some more patience sometimes. That's a lesson I learned a while back." She said. "A wise lesson indeed." The Daughter replied and Ahsoka was sure she could hear some mild amusement in the mighty being's voice.
"There's one thing that I'm still a little worried about." Ahsoka said. "What would that be?" The Daughter asked. "Well, the last time I used your powers I ended up unconscious in the hospital for three days. If we train in my dream, is there the possibility that my body will be drained again? Will I wake up normally?" Ahsoka asked in return. "There is no need to worry about that. I don't intend to force you past your limits. This way you will not experience such side effects again." The Daughter replied. Ahsoka sighed with relief. "Good. Because I'm pretty sure that my mother would have a heart attack if I don't wake up in the morning." She said. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that we can avoid such a situation." The Daughter replied.
Suddenly the world around them began to distort. Ahsoka looked around in shock. "What's going on?" she asked as she turned back to the Daughter. Ahsoka gasped in shock. Just like the world around her, the Daughter was fading as well. "Don't worry." The Daughter replied with a comforting smile. "You are waking up again. The dream is over. I will visit you in your dreams again tomorrow. Then I will begin teaching you." The Daughter explained. "O-okay…" Ahsoka replied somewhat bewildered. "Then… I guess I'll see you later." She said a little unsure of what to say. "Indeed. Good day Ahsoka." Ahsoka heard the Daughter say as everything faded around her.
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I'm going to end this chapter here.
Two nice surprises for Ahsoka. The birthday scene was a little short maybe, but I didn't really know what more to add there.
Ahsoka is becoming a Force Wielder. She inherited the Daughter's powers and will know learn how to use them from the Daughter herself.
I know there a several other stories out there with similar ideas (Ahsoka acquiring the Daughter's power), but I really like the idea myself. The whole adventure on Mortis was quite mysterious and it's not certain what the effects of it were. It leaves a wide array of possibilities for different types of stories.
For the Daughter's explanation about the Light Side, I looked a bit at daviddavies5851's story "A gift lost". It's quite an interesting story.
David, I just noticed that in my last chapter a part of your name was deleted when said thanks for your suggestion… I hope it doesn't erase it now.
I am going to use this element in other stories as well. Like I just said, there are a lot of possibilities with this.
In the next chapter Ahsoka will begin her night training with the Daughter. During the day, she will find another way to train herself physically. Any idea with who?
I wanted to write this story to this part so I wouldn't spoil the Force Wielder idea. Now, I'm going to start writing for my other stories as well. I'm not sure which one I'll update first. It all depends on the amount of inspiration and the amount of time I have.
Until next time.