Rex had come to see us off. He was concerned about Ahsoka going to Malachor, knowing the Jedi history of it.
"Once we drop out of hyper space, we'll be going dark." Ahsoka informs him.
"Are you sure about this?" Rex asks.
"Yes." Ahsoka replies.
"You don't have to go to Malachor alone, Ahsoka. I could be there in two rotations." Rex offers.
"I'm not alone, Rex." Ahsoka assures him.
"You know, I could have ordered you to take me along." Rex states.
"You don't exactly outrank me anymore." Ahsoka retorts cheerfully.
"In my book, experience outranks everything." Rex repeats his belief.
"Hmm, then I definitely outrank you." Ahsoka replies with a grin.
"May the Force be with you." Rex replies, embracing Ahsoka for what may be the last time. (Don't know if they see each other again after this in continuity. Hopefully, Disney will make it happen one day.)
"Why is Rex so worried? What does he know that I don't?" Ezra asks.
"Malachor has always been off-limits to Jedi." Kanan informs him.
"Why?" Ezra asks, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Because of the past. An ancient Jedi, Revan, used a superweapon on the planet to petrify all living things. In the process, a nearby planet, Malachor V, was destroyed." I inform him. "The Jedi say it's a legend, but the Force says it's more."
"There is always truth in legends." Ahsoka adds with a sigh.
"If Malachor is off-limits, why would he send us here?" Ezra then asks.
"Knowledge. That is what we seek." I answer cryptically. The Phantom lands on crusted earth, and we step foot upon it. Chopper informs us of a ship nearby.
"Get a fix on its location." Kanan orders the astromech, while Ezra is intrigued with the pillars.
"What are these things?" He asks.
"I don't know. It has been lost through time." I say.
"This writing – it's in the old tongue." Ahsoka notes.
"Can you read it?" Kanan asks.
"I can try." She replies with a sigh, and begins to translate it. Ezra, the Force calling to him, places his hand on the monolith-like stone. "No! Ezra, don't!" Ahsoka tries to warn, but too late, as we all fall through the top layer of the planet, landing in the remains of history. Ezra, who regains himself first, notices a large structure.
"What is that?" He asks in wonder.
"A Sith Temple." I inform him, as I help Ahsoka and Kanan get on their feet. "Master Yoda must have known the stories were more than legends." I mutter. Chopper then grumbles through the coms.
"Oh, we might fall through the surface? Thanks for the warning, Chop." Ezra retorts.
"Any fix on that ship yet?" Kanan asks, and is answered with an affirmative. "Well, he picked up the trail. This way." Kanan informs us, and we follow his lead. Along the way, Ezra asks for more detail.
"Ahsoka, you said we're here to find knowledge. What kind of knowledge?" He asks.
"The forbidden kind. To defeat your enemy, you have to understand them." She explains.
"No better place to learn about the Sith, I guess." Kanan remarks.
"There are better, but we would not return without having been corrupted." I correct. Kanan glares at me, before looking at the ground.
"The ground looks scorched." Kanan mutters.
"Whoa, Kanan! Look, a lightsaber." Ezra says, holding a cross guard hilt. He ignites the saber, for its green blade to emerge momentarily, before spluttering out, broken and no longer working. He puts the saber back on the ground.
"The Scourge of Malachor. This is what remains." I say, answering his unasked question. "The Jedi may have won, but they lost many of their own due to Revan activating the weapon."
"Hate to break up this history lesson, but we should keep moving." Kanan retorts, gaining our attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement, but ignore it.
"Well, if you ask me, this whole planet is a riddle." Ahsoka notes.
"So if it's a riddle, what's the question?" Kanan asks.
"Why is Kanan such a-" Ezra stops as he sees movement, and his instincts blare. "Get down!" He yells, as an Inquisitor, hiding in the remains, shows himself, his gyro-spinning lightsaber ignited.
"Four Jedi?" The Inquisitor wonders aloud, showing his surprise.
"An Inquisitor." Ezra notes. Said Inquisitor then leaps up, and fires small projectiles,
"Take cover!" I warn, the projectiles hitting the ground nearby, collapsing the floor, of which Ezra was still on, taking him down a level.
"Ezra! Ezra, can you hear me?" Kanan asks in worry.
"I'm okay." Ezra replies.
"He's getting away, let's go!" Ahsoka urges.
"Don't worry about me, I'll catch up!" Ezra assures us, and Kanan reluctantly catches up to Ahsoka.
"Tell your friend down there I owe him for his help." I say cryptically, before making my way to Ahsoka and Kanan.
"I've never had an Inquisitor run from me before." Kanan notes, as we give chase.
"Maybe it's because he's outnumbered." Ahsoka mused.
"No. He's hunting a shadow. One I know all too well." I correct them. "He was unprepared for us, as he is only after a single being, whom of which is far more capable than him."
"Then who is this shadow?" Kanan asks.
"You will have to wait and see." I answer. Chopper grumbles through the coms.
"You found the ship? Where?" Kanan asks, the response troubling him. "No, no. Forget it, no time! Get over there and find that ship. Do not let him take off!" Kanan orders, to which Chopper warbles in reply. "No, disobeying me is dangerous. Now get going!" He replies.
"I take it Chopper did not want to help?" I ask.
"The usual. But he knows by now that its not the Inquisitor he should be worried about." Kanan states, to which I smile. Once we reach Choppers beacon, he had already taken the ship and was using against the Inquisitor, allowing us to knock him out.
"Good job, Chopper." I praise the astromech, who whoops in satisfaction. Kanan bind the Inquisitor, and we begin to haul him towards the Temple. By the time we reach it, energy radiated through it.
"Why do I know Ezra is involved in this somehow?" Kanan asks rhetorically.
"Because he is." I answer. "Now, you are the fourth Inquisitor we have seen. How many of them are you?" I ask.
"More than enough for the likes of you." The Inquisitor retorts.
"So, considering we can kill you right here and now, along with the other two you have called here, as well as the Grand Inquisitor, the one Ahsoka has already killed as well, how many are left?" I ask, counting off each one killed or going to be killed that I know of. Fear and shock then radiates off him, answering my question. "Ah, the last three then. Good to know." I say, before Chopper interrupts through coms, warbling away in warning. "And there are your friends. They will not leave this planet alive." I chide, a smile across my face.
Whirring lightsabers gained my attention, as the Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister come flying in.
"Okay, that's irritating. They can fly." I note, a scowl on my face. The Inquisitor that was bound, suddenly calls his lightsaber to him, freeing himself, and joining the other Inquisitors.
"An excellent day's hunt." The Seventh Sister declares, before the Temple doors open, revealing Ezra, and the shadow.
"Guys! I brought help." He says, gesturing behind him. Ahsoka and Kanan look to him, shock on their face, while I simply smile.
"Maul." Ahsoka gasps.
"The Shadow." The newly discovered Inquisitor states.
"What fun." Maul states, before laughing maniacally. "What fun." He repeats.
"So, the rumours are true. Darth Maul lives." The Seventh Sister notes, spinning her lightsaber in interest.
"Formerly Darth, now just Maul." He corrects.
"Ezra, step away from him!" Kanan warns.
"Kanan, I swear he's on our side!" Ezra argues.
"Perhaps my actions will speak louder than words." Maul declares, detaching his lightsaber from his cane, and igniting it, before leaping into battle, effectively challenging all three Inquisitors with ease.
"What are we waiting for?" Ezra asks, igniting his saber. Maul then engages in a saber lock with the Seventh Sister.
"Why would you come here?" She asks.
"He knows of the artefact!" The Fifth Brother correctly assumes. He attempts to cut Maul down from the side, only for Kanan to block the strike. The Eighth Brother then attempts to strike from the other side, but is blocked by Ahsoka.
"The Holocron, do you have it?" The Eighth Brother asks.
"You will find out soon enough." Maul answers, and the Inquisitors break off from their blade locks.
"Fall back!" The Seventh Sister orders, and the three Inquisitors take flight, retreating. Ahsoka, Kanan and I then walk closer to Maul.
"Maul, what game are you playing?" Ahsoka asks.
"I am the enemy of your enemy now, and I have my own reasons for wanting the Empire to fall, but we have little time. The one they call Vader will be here soon." Maul warns.
"How do you know this?" Kanan asks.
"His dogs will tell him where we are. Two Jedi and a… part timer… and whatever you classify yourself as. He will not be able to resist us." Maul states.
"Okay, hold on, there is no 'us.' And dealing with Inquisitors is one thing, Vader is another. And I'm not convinced we're all on the same side anyway." Kanan argues.
"Kanan, we should trust him." Ezra defends Maul, taking out the Sith Holocron to show. "We took this from the Temple together! That's why we came here, right? To find out about the Sith. To find a way to beat them. Ahsoka, you said we came here for knowledge." He protests.
"Ezra. No Jedi can unlock a Sith Holocron. It is physically impossible." I inform him.
"But you may unlock the Temple itself." Maul offers.
"The Temple which caused all of this destruction? Maybe. But think of it this way, Maul. You will die as well, along with Vader, but the Emperor will still be alive, continuing his tyrannical hold on the Galaxy. He will find another Vader." I advise him.
"How? Tell me how?" Ezra asks, too eager.
"Ezra, stop. If you activate that Temple, the only knowledge you will gain is how we die." I warn.
"At the top of the Temple is a chamber. Connect the Holocron to the Obelisk within and you can unlock the ancient knowledge of the Sith." Maul entices him.
"Why are you working so hard to keep us here?" Ahsoka asks.
"I cannot defeat Vader alone." Maul admits.
"I say we stay with him." Ezra states, worry etching onto my face.
"Sadly, a lesson must be learned here, Kanan. We need to stay." I advise him sadly. "It may be the only way you can move forward after this." Kanan sighs, and informs Chopper of their extended stay.
"Oh, how exciting. We're all on the same side." Maul states half sarcastically.
"Actually, no, we are not. This is where I cannot join you in ascending the Temple. I must find my own way. The Rule of Two hinders me." I admit. "I will join you when I can, but be wary." I warn, before entering the shadows, one last comment from Maul is heard.
"Always was one to hide." He murmurs with distaste. While the four of them used the Force elevators, I began to scale the Temple, using the Force to aid my climb. It was too high for me to Force jump, and I had no ascension cable, so I had to free climb with the Force. One level away from the peak, the Temple shudders, pure power coursing through the structure, and I move faster. As I reach the top, I emerge from the shadows, and infront of me, Ahsoka looks face to face with Darth Vader.
"It was foretold that you would be here. Our long awaited meeting has come at last." Vader rumbles.
"I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to." Ahsoka remarks.
"We need not be adversaries. The Emperor will show you mercy, if you tell me where the remaining Jedi can be found." Vader offers, deactivating his lightsaber.
"There are no Jedi. You and your Inquisitors have seen to that." Ahsoka accuses.
"Perhaps this child, will confess what you will not." Vader threatens, looking to Ezra, who was on the floor, scared for his life, his lightsaber in pieces.
"I was beginning to believe I knew who you were, behind that mask. But it's impossible. My Master could never be as vile as you." Ahsoka spits.
"Anakin Skywalker was weak. I destroyed him." Vader corrects, at least in his eyes.
"Then I will avenge his death." Ahsoka answers, determination in her eyes.
"Revenge is not the Jedi way." Vader accuses.
"I am no Jedi." Ahsoka declares, igniting her pure white lightsabers, and engages Vader in a duel, while Ezra regains his composure. He attempts to take the Holocron, only to be thrown back by a pulse of energy.
"It takes a Master and an apprentice!" Kanan calls to him, as he makes his way to Ezra. They exchange some words, before removing the Holocron.
"The Temple's starting to collapse!" Ezra warns, the peak beginning to close. Chopper opens up the Phantom's door, urging the two to move faster. "We're coming as fast as we can! Just be ready to go- Whoa!" Ezra is cut off, as Vader begins to call the Holocron, and Ezra, who was holding it, towards him. "No, no, no, no, no! Kanan! It's him!" He cries out.
"I know! I got you!" Kanan assures him, holding his arm in an attempt to keep him still. Ahsoka, recovered from her fall, slashes at Vader, releasing the duo from the Force grip.
"Ahsoka! Come on, hurry!" Ezra calls in worry. Ahsoka begins to stand, only for Vader to call to her.
"Ahsoka." He calls, his voice half Vader's, half Anakin's. "Ahsoka." He repeats, looking at her, his damaged mask showing his scarred face.
"Anakin." Ahsoka gasps. They both stand up, and face each other. "I won't leave you. Not this time." She declares defiantly. Vader, or Anakin as he once was, takes a moment to think, before answering.
"Then you will die." He says, and ignites his lightsaber, approaching Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka!" Ezra calls, and attempts to get back in the temple, only for Ahsoka to push him back with the Force, before blocking a strike from Vader. "No! No!" Ezra is cut off from us.
"And now it begins. Ezra, when the time comes, you save her. Do you understand, you saver her!" I call out, knowing an older Ezra was watching. I then make my way to the Obelisk, and attempt to absorb as much of the pent up energy as possible. I scream in agony, as the overwhelming power. As Ahsoka is forced back, part of the roof shatters, and the energy build up becomes even more unstable. "Anakin! I kept my promise to you, and will continue to keep it, whether you try to stop me or not!" I yell to him, and Ahsoka pushes him back with the Force, before thrusting her sabers into the floor, causing it to crack. "EZRA! NOW!" I yell, and watch as Ahsoka is taken to the World Between Worlds, and Vader fall through the damaged floor. With one last defiant yell, I released the absorbed energy along with the Temple, the pure power shattering the peak, as darkness called me into its embrace.
Some time later.
Ahsoka had wandered through the Temple for some time, before she found the unconscious form of Vex. His left arm half shredded, and energy slowly replacing the damage. He had made sure she would live another day, risking his own, likely knowing that she would survive anyway. As she stroked his slightly charred hair.
"The things you do, and for a guarantee." She mutters.
"Still worth it." Vex croaks out, regaining consciousness. "Gonna hurt for a little while though."
"What would you expect?" Ahsoka asks him with a shake of her head.
"Nothing really different with the stunt I pulled. Anakin still has a purpose. I made sure the built up energy didn't still kill him. He will still bring balance." Vex says, groaning as I sit up-right.
"It really seems to be a re-enacting of Mortis. I seemingly died, to Ezra, yet really he saved me, taking the role of the Daughter." Ahsoka notes.
"That he does." He agrees. "But we will need to find him. The Space Whales have taken him somewhere in the Unknown Regions, and that is a lot of space to cover."
"Hmmm. What is the plan?" She asks.
"I'll have the Valkyrie send someone to pick us up. I still intend on helping the Rebellion in secret, little things they won't notice, but will help. But our main priority, is finding Ezra." He explains, signalling the Valkyrie for a pick up.
Vex saved several members of Blue Squadron during the Battle of Scarriff, listed as Blue Leader, Blue Two, Five, Six, Eight and Ten. They then joined his forces on the Valkyrie. He helped out Gold Squadron during the Battle of Yavin, but unfortunately, could only save Gold Five, Davish Krail. Eventually, the Father guided Vex, Ahsoka and Sabine, along with the crew of the Valkyrie, to a medieval era Earth, where, in secret, The crew helped build the Temple that Vex would one day find, hidden just deep enough to stay hidden even when homes would be built on top. Sabine and Ezra stay on planet and start a new life and family, their last name changing over the generations to that of Hunter. Vex, Ahsoka and the crew of the Valkyrie would disappear, appearing only in desperate times of need for the Galaxy. It is unknown as to whether Vex or Ahsoka are still alive, but they still watch over us in spirit.
A/N – Alright, that's it for book 1. I'm not sure what storyline Book 2 will be based on, but it will be written one day. Until then.
