Chapter 29 – Back on Onderon

I'm back with a new chapter. I'm finally done with my tests for now and I took a few days off. Now I'm back to writing.

I rewrote a part of this chapter after reading a few suggestions in the reviews. This will also have an effect on the next few chapters.

This story has reached over a hundred reviews! I'd like to thank everyone who read, reviewed and favorited this story. I'm glad that you enjoyed this story so far. I've mentioned it before, this story is far from over and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

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Ahsoka and Marina had just arrived on Onderon. The two of them were walking to the entrance of the palace were the meeting was going to take place. They were greeted shortly after by a surprised looking Lux Bonteri. "Senator Tano, Ahsoka, how nice to see both of you again. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to see you here Ahsoka." Lux said. "It's good to see you too Lux." Ahsoka replied. "Marina wanted me to come along so I could manipulate you into giving her a good deal." She said with a smile, causing a somewhat startled look on Lux' face. "That's not true!" Marina replied quickly. Both Ahsoka and Lux laughed for a moment at her panicked expression.

"Uh, Ahsoka? There's something you should know." Lux said as they were about to enter the palace. "What is it?" Ahsoka asked. "Well, there are several Jedi from the Order here as well." Lux replied. "What?" Ahsoka asked confused. "Why would they be here?" Marina asked as well. "You've no doubt heard the rumors about smaller meetings being targeted by the Separatists. They're here for additional protection and for a training mission for the younglings. They wanted to teach them something about politics and then do several exercises in the forest areas and king Dendup allowed them to." Lux explained. "Which Jedi are here?" Ahsoka asked, unsure what to make of this. "Master Shaak Ti of the Jedi Council, three padawans I don't know and a group of younglings." Lux replied. "I've heard some stories about Master Shaak Ti. She's quite the famous Togruta and rumored to be a strong Jedi." Marina said. "Yeah, that's true. But I haven't been very positive about the Jedi Council lately." Ahsoka replied. "Are you alright with being here sis?" Marina asked. "Yes, I'll be fine. But let's keep our relationship a secret from them." Ahsoka replied. "You and me as well Lux." She said. "Alright, but why?" Lux asked confused. Ahsoka sighed. "Well, you know how the Jedi feel about attachments. The last thing I need is them thinking that I might fall to the Dark Side now because of my relationships." She explained. "You really suppose that they'll think something like that?" Marina asked. "The Council has already made some stupid decisions before without much actual evidence, so I'd rather not risk it." Ahsoka replied. "Don't worry, I understand." Lux replied. "Thanks." Ahsoka replied softly.

They went inside the palace. "So how long are you two staying?" Lux asked. "I don't know, I hadn't really planned a long visit." Marina replied. "Well, you're both welcome to stay if you want. I have a few days off and I could show you around." Lux offered. "I'm sure we'd love to accept your invitation, but we have to return to Shili after this." Ahsoka explained. "Oh, I understand." Lux replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "You could come back with us to Shili. I'm sure Ahsoka wouldn't mind showing you around." Marina offered in return. Ahsoka chuckled a little at her sister's offer, silently hoping that Lux would accept. "Sure, that sounds great. I've heard that Shili is quite an amazing planet." Lux replied smiling. "It'd be my pleasure to show you around." Ahsoka said with smile. Marina looked at her sister with a teasing smile. "What?" Ahsoka asked. "I didn't say anything." Marina replied. Ahsoka sighed and shook her head.

;-

Ahsoka was wandering through the halls of the palace. Marina and Lux were having their meeting at the moment and there was enough palace security present, so Ahsoka decided to take a walk. In case something happened she would be able to get there pretty fast anyway. She had tucked away her new lightsaber in the robe she was wearing over her normal outfit, just to avoid any complications with the Jedi. Her other lightsaber still hung from her belt, ready in case something happened.

She sensed numerous Force presences in the courtyard. Her curiosity got the better of her so she decided to check it out. She was standing on the balcony above the courtyard looking down. She could see Master Shaak Ti sitting at one end of the courtyard with all of the younglings sitting in front of her. It was a larger group of younglings than they'd usually bring on one training mission. "Probably still a shortage of available masters because of the war." Ahsoka thought. She looked a little closer at the group of younglings. The younglings she had taken on the Gathering were there as well. A small smile appeared on her face as she recalled how excited they had been when they had departed Coruscant.

"Tano?! What are you doing here?" A voice suddenly called out to her. Ahsoka looked down slightly startled. "Oh great." She thought annoyed as she spotted the person the voice belonged to: a blonde human girl a little older than her. An irritated look spread across her face as she identified the girl. Jana Starr, a former initiate from a rivaling youngling clan. She had always considered Ahsoka her competitor for some reason. Jana had always been talking about how she'd become the apprentice of the Chosen One. When Ahsoka had been assigned to Anakin it had only given her more reason to hate Ahsoka. Master Ti and the other younglings looked up at the balcony and saw Ahsoka standing there.

Ahsoka sighed and leapt down from the balcony, landing softly in the courtyard with the assistance of the Force. Katooni, Petro and the other younglings looked somewhat happy to see her. The rest of the younglings looked curiously at the stranger with a lightsaber clipped to her belt. "I asked you a question Tano. What do you think you're doing here?" Jana asked again. "I don't see how that's any of your business." Ahsoka replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Considering the fact that we're here as additional security I'd say it's definitely our business. Now speak up or I'll consider you a threat. After all, we don't know who is involved with the Separatists." Jana said as she grabbed her lightsaber. Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest and smirked. "You're threatening me? Not such a wise decision." She replied. "Oh yeah? And why is that?" Jana asked in return. "Threatening an advisor of the Royal Family of Shili won't bode well with the people of Shili." Ahsoka countered. "Say what?" Jana asked slightly shocked. "You heard me." Ahsoka replied calmly. "I've made some great new friends." She said with a smile causing her old rival to stare angrily at her.

"It would seem that you are doing well for yourself Ahsoka." Shaak Ti said as she walked up to them. "Thank you Master Ti." Ahsoka replied. "Skywalker told us that you were doing well, but to see it for myself is quite a relief." Shaak Ti told her. "Uhm… Thanks." Ahsoka replied softly, unsure of how to respond. "Master Ti is a member of the Council, but she wasn't there when I was expelled." Ahsoka thought. "I don't know what to think right now." She sighed. "However, I'm quite curious as to what brings you here to Onderon." Shaak Ti said. "I came here with the Senator of Shili. I was asked to accompany her just in case something happened." Ahsoka replied. "I see." Shaak Ti said.

Ahsoka took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Master, but this is making me rather uncomfortable." She said. Shaak Ti nodded. "You still carry some resentment towards the Council, don't you?" She asked. "How can I not?" Ahsoka asked in return as she looked the elder Togruta in the eyes. "I served the Council faithfully for almost all of my life and that didn't mean anything to you. When the moment came that I needed your help you completely ignored my pleas. You had me hunted down like I was some common criminal! You didn't even bother listening to me! To my side of the story! You just immediately believed Tarkin and some soundless, illegible recording that wouldn't even have counted as real evidence in a normal trial." Ahsoka said angrily. "When I was arrested and brought into the Trial room I thought that you would give me a fair chance to explain myself, but you had already made your decision without even bothering to listen to me! You just expelled me from the Order, stripped me of everything and destroyed my life! You threw me aside like a simple piece of trash! And when you handed me over to the Republic you basically signed my death warrant! If Anakin hadn't believed me and fought so hard I would be dead right now! So how can I not resent the Council for everything you did to me?!" Ahsoka almost yelled at Shaak Ti. She was now breathing heavily, finally having the chance to speak her mind to one of the Council. Releasing the frustration that had been building up inside her ever since their 'apology' felt good, never mind if it was the proper Jedi way or not.

Shaak Ti sighed and nodded slowly. "I understand Ahsoka." Shaak Ti said, much to Ahsoka's surprise. "I don't have an answer for you nor will I try to make excuses. We made several great errors in our judgment. We've wronged you immensely and you almost paid with your life for our mistakes. I hope that one day you can move on and forgive us." Shaak Ti continued. Ahsoka stood silently for a moment, completely caught unaware by Shaak Ti's words. She hadn't expected any member of the Council to actually show a hint of regret or remorse. "Thank you Master Ti." Ahsoka replied as she nodded. Shaak Ti nodded back and Ahsoka turned around and left the courtyard.

;-

Shortly after leaving the courtyard Ahsoka's comlink beeped, an indication that Marina and Lux had finished their meeting. She smiled and started making her way back to the meeting room.

After a short walk Ahsoka was back at the room. Marina and Lux were still talking about some things inside. Ahsoka walked up to them. "Hey there sis." Marina greeted her. "Hey guys, so how did the meeting go?" Ahsoka asked. "It went quite well. Your sister is a lot more honest than other Senators I've had to deal with." Lux replied. "Thank you Lux." Marina said with a smile. "I'm just glad that the people of Shili will be able to get the supplies they need." Lux nodded. "That's exactly what I meant. You care more about your people than you do about money. Very few Senators are like that." Lux replied as he shook his head. "I know, it's a shame." Marina said with a sigh.

"So, Lux, are you still coming with us to Shili?" Marina asked. "Of course. It would be great to see Shili and meet the rest of your family." Lux replied with a smile. Ahsoka smiled as well. "That's great Lux. I'm sure that you'll like our family." She said. "I'm sure I will." Lux replied. "I'll meet the both of you at your ship later. I have to get some things from my house." He said to the two Togrutan sisters. "Okay, we'll see you later." Ahsoka replied. She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Lux blushed and smiled at her before he walked off. Marina and Ahsoka headed back to their ship.

;-

An hour or so later

Ahsoka sat on the ramp of their ship, waiting for Lux to return to them. Marina stood a little further of the ramp, looking out over the city. "Perhaps I'll come back here some other time, this looks like a great place. I'm sure Rosette would like it here as well." Marina said as she turned around and looked at Ahsoka. "You should, it's a great city. I had a great time here with Lux before I went to Shili to find all of you." Ahsoka replied. She got up and walked up to Marina. "There are a lot of beautiful places here on Onderon." Ahsoka said as she stared off into the distance. "Then I guess I will visit here again someday." Marina replied with a smile.

Ahsoka took a deep breath. "Do you think mom and dad will mind?" she asked. "What? Your boyfriend coming with us?" Marina asked in return. Ahsoka nodded slowly. "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be alright with it." Marina said. "They know how much you care about him, so they won't interfere with your relationship." She said to her younger sister. Ahsoka sighed relieved. "Thanks, I was kinda worried about that." She replied. "They will probably ask some embarrassing questions, but other than that it will be fine." Marina said with a teasing smile. Ahsoka chuckled a bit. "If I can deal with angry Separatists, little awkward questions shouldn't be a problem." She replied. Marina laughed a bit at her remark.

A short moment later Lux arrived carrying a backpack and two suitcases. "Sorry that took so long. Saw and a few of the others kept pestering me when I told them I was going to Shili with you." Lux explained to them when he reached them. Both sisters laughed for a moment. "That's exactly what I'd expect from Saw." Ahsoka replied. "Well, are you ready to go?" Marina asked. Lux nodded. "Yes, I'm ready." He replied. "Alright then, let's go." Ahsoka said and the three of them boarded the ship.

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That's it for this chapter.

I originally planned for Ahsoka to stay on Onderon for a few days. However, several reviews said that Lux should go back with them to Shili. I'll admit, that idea is pretty good so I changed a few things.

So in the next chapter they will arrive back on Shili and Lux will meet the rest of Ahsoka's family. How will that end? Expect a few awkward situations.

The character Jana is based on an OC from another story. That OC was a rival and bully to Ahsoka. I don't really remember which story the OC was from, but I don't claim full rights for this character. I just based my OC on that one because I could use such a character to fight and argue with Ahsoka. Jana will come back in later chapters as well. It will hopefully create some nice scenes.

My next update will be for either The Hidden Truth or Mysterious ways, probably the second one. I have a lot of inspiration for Mysterious ways. It won't be such a long story, maybe ten chapters or so. That's why I'll probably focus on finishing that one first.

Until next time.