"I don't want to die here. It's so dark and cold. I miss the sky," Solaria murmured, leaning against the cold wall in the cave. "I don't even know how long we've been in here. It feels like forever." She said tiredly.
"Well, I miss the sun. We'll get out, I promise! The first thing I will do is tell the sun hello and never go underground again. If I can help it." Ahsoka said as confidently as she could. She had her com on with her and hopefully Master and Rex would come and get them. Closing her eyes, she mentally reviewed all the events that transpired in the past day.
As they descended through Earth's atmosphere to the ground, a small sleek ship shot them out of the sky. Ahsoka performed a rather rough landing-she admitted-with the Vader's help and touched down in a valley surrounded by caverns. Woozy and shaken, Ahsoka helped Solaria out to meet Vader. They watched as a Zabrak appeared from the other ship and immediately engaged Master Vader. The man was far out of Ahsoka's weight class and she stood by as her Master fought. Just watching him, Ahsoka could tell he was as very physical fighter. He favored Form VII: Juyo a chaotic and erratic form of combat and Niman a hybrid martial art form. The alien bombarded Vader with blows of such power, it took her breath away but Vader wove around them, graceful and elusive as smoke on the wind. At these times when Master was truly tested, he shone as bright as a star, the Force radiating off of him blinded her. No movement was wasted nothing was superfluous. Vader led the Zabrak into a trap and imprisoned him in a cage of metal from the ship's hull.
Ahsoka made to run at him but her Master shouted, "Ahsoka, stop!" She skidded to a stop, Solaria running into her back. The metal enclosure shook the burst open with a shriek. The Zabrak jumped out over Master and onto the ship. Ahsoka grabbed Solaria's hand and started running into the caves. She had a bad feeling about this. She turned around and saw Master throw the ship's reactor into the air. He turned his head and for a split second, they locked eyes even through his mask and then-an ear deafening, bone breaking explosion threw them into the caves. The entrance shuddered and then started caving in. Ahsoka and Solaria ran deeper and deeper into the series of caves until the ground stopped rumbling and debris did not continue to rain down upon them.
"Why didn't you stay with Master?" Ahsoka asked once they had recovered their breath. "I'm holding him back. I don't want him always looking out for me." Solaria said with practiced ease. "I don't believe you," Ahsoka squinted. "What do you want me to say then?" Solaria asked with a touch of anger. Ahsoka stared at her. "You're running away. You're scared. You think that Master is a monster and now that he had cut you loose. You're running scared."
Solaria glared venomously at her. "I know you're scared," she grabbed Solaria's hands. "You're the one who convinced me that he still has good in him. You're the only one who can break the Emperor's hold on him. You need to be there for him." Solaria looked away, "He was so ready to kill everyone." Ahsoka moved to be directly in her line of sight and stared deeply at her. "You know him. He's not a monster. There's good in him, I know it. You know it. You gave him all this light and you can't just take it away. You'll leave him in the darkness and he will become a true monster."
Solaria opened her mouth, shut it and sighed. "I can't. I don't want any more people relying on me. I don't have all the answers. I don't want to be responsible and selfless forever. I'm tired."
Ahsoka glared at her. "No. You're being a coward. You have feelings for Master Vader, don't even try to deny it. You can't just keep running away. You're hurting people other than yourself. I know you're tired but this isn't the fate of the galaxy. It's you and Master. And by extension, me." Solaria gave her an exasperated smile. "Ahsoka, nothing is that simple." Ahsoka made a face and let the subject go but only for a moment.
"We need to go," an ominous rumbling filled the cave. A boulder fell causing both women to leap to their feet. "Go where?" a deep voice asked and Ahsoka spun to meet the unwanted visitor. A red blade ignited then another. In the bloody light, a Zabrak was illuminated, his tattoos blending into the shadows perfectly, making a part of the dark. Ahsoka and Solaria ran from him faster and faster, careening recklessly in the darkness. The hum of the double bladed saber urged them to run even faster. Ahsoka looked back, the demonic yellow and red eyes glared back at her. Terrified by their animal rage, Ahsoka grabbed Solaria's hand pulling her along. They ran blindly through the caves. Solaria gripped her hand firmly while Ahsoka did her best to lead. They haven't a hope of a prayer to outrun the mysterious attacker. He was keeping pace easily, if he wanted to he would have captured them by now. He laughed, a harsh barking sound that sent chills crawling on her lekku. It was time to stop running. Trusting the Force, she led Solaria on a path that seemed to go downhill, deeper underground. After a half dozen paces and a right turn, a blade of sunlight illuminated the exit. Ahsoka let of Solaria's hand.
"There's the exit, come on! I'll hold him back!" Ahsoka pushed Solaria ahead and ignited her light sabers, gripping them in damp hands.
"No, we go together!" Solaria tugged at her arm. "We're so close, I can see the light! You don't want to die here remember? You want to see the sun and stars again!" Ahsoka swallowed, there was no way they could outrun the Zabrak, he was too fast. He could have overrun them a long time ago but he was toying with her, seeing if she would make a stand. He stood there quietly, watching their exchange.
"Go now!" Ahsoka shouted when the Zabrak assassin turned on his blade. Blades. It was a single handed double sided light saber. Gritting her teeth, she brandished her sabers, holding them in her signature reverse grip. "What are you doing?! The exit is right there!" Solaria screamed at her.
"Go, I'll catch up!" Ahsoka lied, "I need to hold him back, trust me! Run! Run and don't look back!" Solaria's eyes darted from her to the exit and then to the ceiling where dust and pebbles rained down faster and faster. Solaria bit her lip but turned and sprinted to the exit.
They clashed, the blades whirled and Ahsoka had to use all of her training and natural athletic skill just to stay alive. She wasn't fighting to win, this man was far superior, only Master could face him and win. She was just buying time. She twisted, narrowly dodging a stab but was cut on the side. Pushing aside the pain, she was so grateful Master had forced her to train in the lava lakes of Mustafar, burns didn't bother her and made her study all forms of light saber combat until she was proficient in all. Still, she hated Juyo. Ahsoka knew that Form VII was incredibly taxing, opting instead to conserve energy and used Form II: Makashi and Form III: Soretsu-Master Obi Wan's preferred form- and try to outlast him. Staggering, she held up her light sabers once more. The Zabrak pushed an aggressive offensive. He was a blur of red and black, his blows gaining more and more power as she weakened. Ahsoka fended him off with tight blows and subtle dodges to provide herself with maximum defense coverage. Finding and opening, she darted in and managed to cut off one of his horns. His eyes narrowed and holding her still with the Force, he stabbed her in the side. Struggling, Ahsoka broke free and leapt backwards to Solaria who had returned.
Clutching her side, Ahsoka coughed weakly. She was done, that was clear. If the other Sith didn't kill her, her injuries would. Solaria was shouting something at her but the ringing in her ears blocked Solaria out.
"There are things worth dying for," Ahsoka smiled, her eyes welling with hot tears, she shoved Solaria away roughly. Raising her arms, she brought down the ceiling, separating herself and Solaria. Rocks and debris rained down forming a wall. A small gap let her see Solaria's stunned face. "Tell the sun I said hello," She smiled at Solaria's horror-stricken face. Cobalt clashed with molten sunshine. The last time I'll see the sun she thought vaguely. With one final effort, Ahsoka pushed Solaria away with the Force with all of her strength. "AHSOKA, NO!" Solaria reached back for her, fighting against the Force. Desperately outstretching her arm and fingers. She still couldn't leave Ahsoka behind. Tears filled her eyes and Ahsoka had to look away. Solaria's voice echoed in the chamber before an immense boulder fell into place with a deafening BOOM! , drowning out her voice and enclosing her into darkness. She had brought the ceiling down, blocking the exit. The Zabrak was stuck with her now.
The demonic yellow bloodshot eyes stared back from the darkness. Ahsoka's lips peeled back in a defiant snarl, showing her fangs. With a howl of fear and fury, she launched herself at those eyes. Ahsoka raged, she was NOT going to die in the dark at the hands of a monster more animal than man. Not without a fight. Holding her sabers in her signature reverse grip, she flew at him and let loose a barrage of strikes, going straight into Ataru. He swirled his double headed saber, deflecting them easily. Maul let out a predatory growled and lunged at her with the speed of a striking snake. Asoka was feeding off of the Force using it to staunch the bleeding and augment her power and speed. He was incredibly fast and immensely strong but with the Force flowing into her, she kept him at bay. Ahsoka vaulted over him and channel the momentum of her flight to bring down her blades upon his head. He flung her off easily but not before she landed a glancing blow on his shoulder.
He bared his teeth and advanced, his spinning saber preventing her from using her preferred Niman. "So, youngling. You were well taught but not nearly enough to defeat me!" He said. Using the Force, she flung rubble at him and while he batted it away, she jumped, kicking him in the throat and then launching herself off of his broad shoulders. In one fluid motion, she flipped letting her sabers lead cutting two deep parallel furrows onto his back and lopping off another horn. He fell forwards and Ahsoka dropped the ceiling on top of him. Breathing heavily Ahsoka grinned. That should hold him. She knew that he would be alive and madder than ever but she needed a reprieve. The pile of rubble rumbled and shot up. Ahsoka almost fell to her knees in exasperation. How did a cave in fail to stop him?! Maul staggered up, blood streaming from many cuts from the sharp rocks. He turned to he and his lips peeled back.
"Run, prey."
Ahsoka turned tail and ran. She tried to back track, tried to go the same path she and Solaria took but terror threatened to overcome her. She turned the corner and almost ran over Obi Wan.
"Master! You have to run, no time to explain!" She panted. She had no idea how he found her or why he was there but she was glad he was there. Sensing the danger, Obi Wan ignited his weapon and the Zabrak came into view. "Maul," Obi Wan hissed with distaste.
"Kenobi," Maul spat. Using the Force he threw Obi Wan into the darkness and rushed for Ahsoka instead. Evidently the loss of his horn took precedent over killing her former Master.
Maul snarled and slammed his head into hers, stunning her. Ahsoka instinctively backed away and held up her sabers to defend herself but with a kick that held appalling power to her side she dropped to her knees feeling her ribs shatter. Maul swung his saber trying to decapitate her but she blocked him and flung gravel into his face with the other hand again but prepared, he used the Force to stop the grit and fling it away. Things were happening too fast and she was getting scared. It felt like her time was running out faster and faster. Maul released his rage in a dizzying series of strikes that somehow she managed to block getting away with only minor burns. Ahsoka pressed back with a simple but effective defense, he was bringing her to her knees. Panting with exertion, she stood, her legs shaking with exhaustion, she fought back. Then, he slipped under her defense and with the last amount of energy she had Force pushed him away. It was too late she felt the searing burn of the light saber and the stench of burning flesh. She touched her abdomen with a shaking hand and it came away bloody. She fell to the ground, the world spinning. Distantly she heard Obi Wan scream her name but it was getting so dark and so cold. So cold.
