AN: A pivotal episode, and my take on "Twilight of the Apprentice". Much will flow from here and the story will require a couple more chapters to get us fully aligned with "Ahsoka and the Rebellion."

Thanks to new followers: Goku275, hokiezacksmith

Chapter 31: I am no Jedi

Void Station, Dohlbani Sector, Southeastern Mid Rim, 2 BBY 11 months 27 days

Ahsoka Tano had decided to return to her familiar hangout on Void Station instead of pursuing the Malachor lead that Ezra had been given by Yoda. She explained to both Ezra and Kanan that she felt "strange" about going there at this time and that it was likely a trap. Confronting Vader now was something that she wanted to consider carefully, and it might be a good idea to discuss the matter with Master Shaak Ti before going forward. Contacting the Master could be accomplished via the "Fulcrum" network of clandestine relay satellites in various parts of the Galaxy. She decided to send the following message: Fulcrum to Voyager: contact me, re Malachor.

Shaak was able to receive the message in her home on Felucia, as she had set up the capability about a year earlier. She responded in turn: will meet Fulcrum at VS in two rotations.

Afterward, Shaak informed Maris and Varda of her plans, and that she would return in about four days. As she fired up the engines in her ship Intrepid IV, she thought about Ahsoka's seemingly strange request. Malachor? This is curious, what would she want to know about that place? Best to find out from her.

About eight hours later, Intrepid dropped from hyperspace and the Station soon appeared before her. Landing procedures were routine and Shaak recalled the early days of the Empire when things were more restricted and annoying practices such as "chain codes" were issued. Eventually she was able to create these on her own but wound up seldom needing them. Shaak began to conclude these were only needed for certain un-privileged people in the Galaxy, as the more prosperous worlds didn't want their commercial affairs hindered by bureaucratic practices.

Once safely on a landing platform, Shaak reached out to Ahsoka via the Force. It wasn't long before her fellow Togruta arrived and had come aboard the ship. As they settled in with herbal tea in the lounge, Shaak smiled and asked: "Malachor?"

"Yes," Ahsoka replied. "It's a strange request, I realize. And I wouldn't be bothering you over it, if not for a Force vision I had about five months ago on Lothal."

"Lothal? You mean the one with Vader and Anakin Skywalker."

"Yes, Master Shaak. We talked about it, and I had made plans to go to Malachor …"

"Why, exactly?"

"It was because of another Force vision Ezra had with Master Yoda, who told him the answers he was seeking would be there."

Shaak thought this over for a minute, then realized that Yoda understood the same things about Malachor that she had more recently learned – the Sith Temple and the knowledge she had gained from the holocrons she had recovered from it.

"Ezra? He's basically a youngling, is he not?"

"Master, I think he's become a true Padawan, thanks to Kanan Jarrus."

Shaak considered the one-time Padawan of Depa Billaba. "He was always a good student, an earnest young man who wanted to be a true Jedi."

"From what I've seen, he has become that. Master Shaak, we need all the help we can get. Kanan and Ezra deserve to be part of this."

"Ahsoka, do you consider them to be your apprentices … at this time?"

The younger Togruta mulled this over for a few seconds. "Maybe I do. I want them to be safe and if Anakin – as Vader – is looking for them, they are in grave danger."

"I agree with you, Padawan Tano. Are you looking for me to see you as a Knight now?"

Ahsoka started to shake her head, but then reconsidered. "Do you see me that way?"

"I do. You have been through many things in past 16 years. Your powers continued to grow, and you are serious about fighting the Sith and the evil they are bringing to the Galaxy. Of course, the old Jedi Council is gone now, but I was a member of it and I have also been in contact with Master Yoda. He agreed with me that you were ready. In fact, you were ready that day on Coruscant when you decided to walk away from us. Did you realize that then?"

Ahsoka nodded slowly. "Not then, but later. When I understood how few of us were left, I knew I had to be a leader. And yes, Kanan and Ezra can learn from me. So they were going to come with me to Malachor."

"But you did not go … yet. Why?"

"I began to feel I was not prepared to face Anakin directly."

"But you knew he would be there …"

"The Force told me he would."

Shaak then thought about her earlier encounter with Maul some four years earlier. He had enticed Maris to join him and was dearly hoping they could unite to take down Vader together. As they were leaving, she detected Vader and then attacked his TIEx1 ship, forcing it to land after she had disabled its hyperdrive. What did he learn when he was there? And who helped him get off the planet? These answers would somehow come to her, but that could wait.

"I see," Shaak said slowly. "Did your friends detect him as well?"

"I don't think so, but they have their reasons for going … as do I."

"And what might those be?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Master, but may I ask you something?"

"You may."

"What is your experience with Malachor?"

Shaak chuckled at this one. "I've been there. It is a place strong in the Dark Side."

She stopped, to take a sip of her tea. "I believe you will handle it, but the young man, Ezra, may be in some danger."

"I will protect him."

"So now you are ready to go?"

"I have to, now, Master. If I do not, I'm going to keep thinking about it."

"I see. Well, let me give you some things to think about. Ahsoka, you must be careful when dealing with Dark Side energy. I know you feel you have experience, but I think at this point, that experience is limited to avoidance. During the Wars, you never faced Palpatine."

"I never knew his true identity. He seemed a kindly man. Padmé liked him and so did Anakin." Ahsoka then took a sip of her beverage, then continued. "But Dooku, I knew he was evil. Somehow, I avoided him most of the time too, although I tangled with Ventress."

"Ahsoka, I'm going to tell you something, here. Dooku was once a Jedi Master. He was once my master."

"I never knew that … was he a good master, did you think?"

"I did think that. He taught me much, and put great trust in me. I became a Knight by my seventeenth year in the Order. We had great plans, but then he left. He wanted me to join him, telling me I could learn more from him that way."

"Did you want to do it?"

"I did, and at that time, I felt like I had failed the Order. Both of my Padawans had been killed and I did not save them."

Ahsoka stared at her. "I never knew. That sounds bad. How did you come to deal with it?"

"Dooku told me I had to let it go. He said I had learned the lessons I needed due to their deaths. I considered his offer to join him and leave the Jedi, but in the end, I decided not to."

Ahsoka thought this over. "Master, were you affected by my decision to leave?"

"I was, Ahsoka. I will be honest with you. As I mentioned before, I blamed myself for not standing by you. I suspected your innocence, but kept it to myself. I hope we've made amends for that."

"We have, Master. I don't blame you. I never did."

Shaak sighed, then smiled. She looked at Ahsoka, then reached across to touch her hand, but remained silent.

Ahsoka, feeling a touch awkward, wanted to break the silence.

"All right, then. I will wait a few months more before going to Malachor. The rebellion continues and I have to continue to do my part. Can I ask you something else?"

"Go ahead, my child."

"Have you tangled with any of the Inquisitors?"

Shaak shook her head, but was well aware of the group, and that both Maris and Ahsoka had already killed some of them.

"They are all servants of Vader, I can tell you that much. If you run into them, they will inform him, and I feel certain he will come. He has as much reason to see you as you do him."

Ahsoka nodded. "I agree, Master. We cannot avoid it any longer."

Shaak held out her hands again and Ahsoka took them, preparing for the surge of energy the master soon gave her. As this happened, Ahsoka soon realized she'd never had this feeling from anyone else, including the other Jedi. Something was different about Shaak – something new, something formidable and intriguing. She filed this away for the time being.

Lianna, the urban palace, 2 BBY, 11 months, 15 days, 23 hours

Valles Santhé was resting in her primary suite at the Urban Palace in the City. She'd had a typically busy day and was preparing to retire for the evening and had changed into typically elegant sleepwear, but had one last task she'd set for herself: a study session with the Santhé Family holocron that her grandfather had left her some 8 years earlier. Valles had explored it before and learned a few details of her family origins and rise to power on Lianna. Now she was more interested in the relationship they had with the Muun bankers in the days some forty years prior to the Empire.

Her grandfather's Force ability was far more advanced than he had ever told her, it seemed, but most likely it had faded greatly by the time his life had ended. To be a Santhé is more than just a name and a great fortune – this is a legacy, one that he expected me to fulfill. And now I have a better appreciation for that. Until this point, Valles had really been too busy to do much with the holocron beyond tracing her lineage back some 400 years on Lianna. But she learned that the original settlers of the planet were some 3000 years before that and they had migrated to the planet from the Core and Inner Rim regions. Beyond that, Valles really didn't grasp the significance of these migrations and how they fit in with Galactic history.

But one particular name came up in many contexts, that of Hego Damask, the shadowy Muun banker. Valles had told herself that she really should learn more about who this person really was, and what role he played in Galactic history. As she reached for the dark blue holocron via the Force, it flew obediently into her hands and she placed it on the vanity table in front of her in the suite's dressing area. This time, the holocron did something that Valles had not yet seen. Once she had activated the device, and the familiar menu of options was before her, something happened. She once again heard her grandfather's voice, seemingly emanating from the holocron.

My very dear granddaughter, now that you have done sufficient study, the question-and-answer feature is now activated. Ask anything you wish …

Valles then nodded and chuckled. "Well, then. I suppose this is as good a time as any … what can you tell me about Hego Damask?" Upon her asking, the menu before her cleared, to show an image of the tall Muun, and she began to read. About halfway down, it mentioned his alias – Darth Plagueis. She ran this over in her mind for a bit. This was the rumored predecessor to Palpatine, whom she knew was Darth Sidious. So, my grandfather's ally was a Sith lord. That can mean really only one thing. After a bit more research, it began to dawn on her that Kerred Santhé had more than a little of the Dark Side in him, and if so, it clearly was in her as well. But one thing puzzled her. If she inherited this energy, how much was it directing her life? She read further and discovered her grandfather's understanding and thoughts regarding the midichlorians, and how he and Plagueis had discovered the midichlorian enhancement abilities of the plant called bota. Valles realized that her friend Ry Kyver had stumbled onto something like a synthetic version of bota due to her experimentation – which of course had been transferred into her own body. Perhaps both Ry and Plagueis had reached their discoveries via differing methods, arriving at the concept of the "Aperion" – the oneness of all living energy in the Galaxy and perhaps other galaxies as well. How fascinating … But, unlike bota, Ry's transfusion had not faded in intensity though it had been almost four years since it was administered to her. Would it be possible – or desirable – to receive additional transfusions?

Valles realized that this might well be a dangerous course, but also knew well that Palpatine had already detected the strong Force activity going on within her. She hadn't quite deduced it at first, but it was now two years since their first meeting and on subsequent meetings, the Emperor's seeming affection for her was growing. What does he ultimately want from me? Such thoughts were starting to weigh on her and she figured this might be something to meditate on. At this moment, she also thought of the nearby ex-Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Just how advanced is her ability and understanding? Has she detected my own signature?

Valles had basically accomplished the tasks that Palpatine had set out for her, arriving at a workable administrative solution for the Outer Rim that concentrated on what she deemed to be "critical" worlds and systems and concentrating assets in these to hold the entire region together. This meant that some less-inhabited planets could be governed by local authorities and even the syndicates, so long as all of them paid tribute to the Empire and to her in particular. Palpatine did not seem terribly concerned about financial matters, but Valles – with the assistance of the Muuns – was soon able to knit together the various sectors and sub-regions into something of a whole, and she was now taking in a trillion credits on a daily basis, which she used to make Lianna and her more local "protectorate" worlds into progressively more advanced and civilized societies, all of them looking up to her. This enabled many employment opportunities as a rather ambitious construction schedule had been proposed. It seemed that this was also the time to lay the groundwork for her becoming Queen of Lianna and these protectorates, and thus to start a campaign toward her coronation by popular acclaim. The Liannese nobility, which was now fully and firmly in place – with herself as an informal "Grand Duchess" – had been created with just such a goal in mind.

She had also succeeded in driving the construction schedule on "the Project", with the completion of the battle station now less than three years away. Ry's genius had enabled Santhé Corp engineers to synthetically produce a substitute version of the doonium metal needed for hull fabrication. Valles mused over her longer-term plans regarding such battle stations. The informal name Death Star is not an ideal approach and the Empire should emphasize the positive aspects of such construction. Maybe a more adroit public relations term such as "peace keeper" would be more appropriate. But the truth is, I don't much like the overall design and construction that went into it from the start. This should never have taken twenty years. Modern methods, involving pre-fab sections that can be mass-produced in our yards, will be far more efficient.

Valles sighed and stretched her arms upward and outward, then closed the holocron, went to her bed to lie down, and soon fell into a blissful sleep.

Lianna, Valles's Office, 2 BBY, 8 months, 25 days, 9 hours

Valles checked her list of morning appointments and saw the name Thrawn on it. Chuckling to herself, she awaited the arrival of the Admiral, curious as to what he had been up to. It didn't take her long to realize that he was not the type to openly divulge his plans until he had finalized them in his mind. For his part, the Admiral also realized that Valles was a most formidable individual herself and had not only been granted power and importance by the Emperor, she had also done much with it – which was clearly the intention of the old man on Coruscant. So, gaining her confidence was crucial to his career success. If he could be the one that squelched the rebellion, it would go a long way toward doing that.

As he strolled into the office, Thrawn was careful to acknowledge the Lady and engage in the usual pleasantries, such as kissing her hand – a ritual most males were more than happy to comply with. Once that was over, he waited for her to take her seat in the lounge area before doing so himself.

"So what do you have for me, Admiral?" Valles chuckled, as she fluttered her eyelashes.

"We are making progress on finding the current rebel base. It's a tedious exercise but it has required removal of possibilities."

"How many remain, in your estimation?"

"We are down to 195, milady."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad …" she laughed. "But I would expect them to be rather nimble. And what if they have spies in the ranks?"

Thrawn quietly considered this possibility. "I suppose it would be most unwise to rule that out."

She laughed again, softer this time, and winked.

"My dear admiral, I'd like your input on some things. Someone in my position doesn't get here by taking anything for granted."

He nodded. "Whatever you need, milady."

She smiled. "What is your general opinion on my disposition of Imperial assets on the Outer Rim as I have currently constituted them?"

Thrawn wanted to give her the impression that he had thought about it carefully, so he took his time in responding. "My dear lady Valles, while I am in general agreement with your designation of the "critical worlds" from a strategic standpoint, it is also clear to me that any rebel forces may want to use some of the planets of lesser import. We may be overlooking something here."

"Indeed we may," she nodded. "Any candidates? I know you have mentioned Lothal before, and I want to use that world for weapons development, so I'd prefer to have it cleared. The locals there should see the benefit of being loyal to the Empire, and that happens when they have a chance to work in good-paying occupations."

"Lothal is certainly one planet that we have put some effort into more recently. It seems there remains much rebel sympathy among the locals."

"Admiral, I want it cleaned up. There must be nothing to interfere with our activities there, else I shall have to rethink the whole Lothal endeavor. I've committed only a few billion credits to it, so if I have to cut my losses, the sooner the better."

Valles then stared coldly at Thrawn and he felt a certain vibration coming from her but was unable to fully identify it.

"My Lady, I completely understand. We will see to it."

Somewhere in Galactic Group 25, 2 BBY 2 months, 10 days

On a barren world somewhere in the huge primary galaxy of Group 25, Su's apprentices – Lizza and Magnifica – were training and perfecting their Force skills. Lizza, being an ex-Jedi, had considerably more experience with lightsabres, but Magnifica, like she seemingly was in everything else, was a quick study. But she had one important question for her older "sister." They had stopped to rest and consume a nutritious liquid supplement that Su had fashioned. It was concentrated, yet tasty, and provided a full day's needed energy.

"Dear Sister," Magnifica respectfully addressed her fellow apprentice. "I'm having trouble understanding the need to become proficient with the lightsabre. It seems more useful to just use concentrated energy the way our mother has instructed us." She stood up and concentrated on a nearby boulder, sticking out both her palms and unleashing powerful blasts which blasted the rock and turned it into dust.

"True enough," Lizza smiled. "You've made more progress than I on this, but perhaps this might interest you." She stood and ignited her red-bladed sabre, which hummed as she took a couple of practice swipes. Turning to Magnifica, she smirked. "Try that blast again."

Magnifica chuckled. "Okie dokie …" she teased, then stuck out her palms again and aimed at her sister. Lizza deftly caught the blast with her sabre and deflected it into another nearby rock, causing its destruction.

"Not bad," the younger woman smiled and nodded. "I hadn't realized that was a possible use." She ignited her orange blade and then offered a challenge. "I need some more dueling practice with you."

"Sure thing," Lizza responded. The two then went at it, their blades humming and crackling as they made contact again and again. For about five minutes, the duel went on, with Magnifica showing much youthful energy and forcefulness, while Lizza demonstrated the skill she'd developed over her earlier years as a Jedi. They seemed evenly matched, but Lizza could tell that her "baby sister" was rapidly improving. When their session had ended about an hour later, Lizza looked on at Magnifica lovingly, seeing her as an ideal being in a number of ways, a projection of what Su often referred to in their own training and education periods together.

The two walked together for a bit, then stopped. Magnifica turned her back and Lizza came up behind her, then stroked the younger woman's golden hair gently, marveling at how soft and light it was. Lizza considered her own appearance – the olive-skinned Mirialan with a full head of raven locks and the distinctive diamond-shaped elements of her unique facial markings – and for a second, thought about Ahsoka and how she must be doing. A tear came to her eye for a second, but then Magnifica spun around and smiled. "Thank you," she said gently. "I like having a sister. I was so lonely."

They hugged for a minute, and then the Dark-Ship appeared overhead, casting a shadow on the ground before them, though it was several thousand kilometres away. It had stopped and soon both of them were transported aboard. They were in a dimly-lit seating area that resembled a nightclub but one with no patrons and without a visible bar. Lizza had never really grasped the full entirety of the Dark-Ship, and had little idea of everything that was contained within it, but as it was some 5000 km in diameter, it was truly like a smallish planet, with room for cities, oceans, and wooded areas – though none of those were actually present. Or weren't they? It was never obvious and Su liked it that way. Both Lizza and Magnifica adored the mysterious one they alternately addressed as Empress and as their mother, though Lizza was essentially adopted while Magnifica was created somehow and allowed to age like a normal human baby into young adulthood.

The past couple of years had seemed to pass quickly since that day on the Light-Ship when the sisters first met. Since that day they had spent much time together and had come to respect and care for each other, going between the Dark and Light-ships but never anywhere their "mother" didn't want them to go on either one. Lizza and Magnifica plopped down together on a comfortable leather-like seating area that was all white and stood out from the general dark backdrop of the large room they were in. They were somewhat tired and Magnifica felt like lying down and resting her head in Lizza's lap. She was about to doze off when Su appeared, wearing one of her normal multi-colored long gowns that covered the visible spectrum in various shades as it moved with her body, flashing various individual colors in turn but in no particular order.

"Good evening ... or might I say, good morning? Su cackled in a slightly malevolent tone, but otherwise seemed her normal pleasant self.

"Good evening, mother!" They both said at once.

"Have you been enjoying yourselves?"

They both nodded, obediently.

"Very good. Come."

Su continued to stand, as first Lizza, then Magnifica, came to her and stood on either side of her. The Empress looked up for a second, then her white hair descended in a cascade, touching the floor and extending another metre behind her. She then extended both arms and pulled each of them to her body. As she did that, the room they were in blurred and they found themselves seemingly outdoors on the surface of the ship – which had enough mass to hold an atmosphere – looking out at the stars. They were in range of a minor, satellite galaxy in Group 25 that orbited the primary galaxy, which was a truly colossal object, spanning over one million light years across and containing many advanced civilizations. From the ship's surface, they could view all of it.

Magnifica recognized it from earlier sessions. "The home of the Pontificates, mama, yes?"

"Correct, my dear."

Lizza rubbed her eyes for a second as she glimpsed the enormity of Group 25's main component. The galaxy now seemed to radiate various colors in the visible spectrum. "It's incredible, Empress Su … just incredible. Makes my home in Group 17 look pitiful in comparison."

"Bigger isn't always better," Su chuckled. "But in this case, you would be correct. At some point in the future, both of you will come to know this civilization and its many components."

Another teleportation and they were in a kind of control room, with many screens, each showing different aspects of Group 25. Su waved a hand and both of her apprentices went into a restful sleep state, then they were each transported to their assigned rooms on board the ship, which started on a journey to Group 17, one that took about 5 days.

Once they had arrived, Su then directed the Dark Ship into the system containing the planet Coruscant, but was several million kilometres away from it. She called for Magnifica and Lizza to join her on an observation platform that could zoom in on the planet, showing various surface detail.

"I know where we are," Lizza stated with triumph. "My one-time home, and location of the one-time Jedi Temple."

"Yes, my child, you are correct and you of course know that is not the purpose of the structure now."

"Of course, my queen. It's now the emperor's palace. Are we paying him a visit?"

At this, Magnifica perked up, anticipating a possible confrontation. She was eager to demonstrate her powers, but Su simply smiled.

"Not we … but I will be. In the meantime, we will inhabit the capital system."

"What if the Empire detects us," Lizza wondered aloud, although she believed she knew the answer.

"They won't," Su said quietly. "Only unless I want them to. To them, we are invisible and undetectable."

Lizza simply nodded at that, while Magnifica was carefully observing her. The latter then spoke up.

"What about this empire, my queen? We're only here to watch, and not interfere, like you said?"

Su smiled and proceeded to softly stroke Magnifica's long, light hair.

"Exactly, but I am here to deliver a message."

Void Station, Dohlbani Sector, Southeastern Mid Rim, 2 BBY, 0 months, 16 days

After seeing Shaak, Ahsoka spent the next ten months doing more work for rebel intel. She assigned missions to the Ghost crew and other cells, some of which were successful, while others were not. There was a showdown against the Inquisitors (Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister) at Hammertown on the planet Takobo where she helped Ezra and Kanan rescue a Force-sensitive Ithorian child that might have fallen prey to the Emperor. Ahsoka acquitted herself well in the match-up against both Inquisitors, but had to flee on the Ghost before Imperial forces showed up, later returning to Void Station on her ship Essence.

However, word of this incident got back to Darth Vader, and he wanted to set a trap for Ahsoka. It seems the Emperor was desirous of having her brought to Coruscant – perhaps she would make a more suitable apprentice – but these plans he did not share with his current one. Vader knew he had been unable to locate where Ahsoka was currently staying but he suspected she was playing some kind of role with the rebellion and would be likely to stay away from planets that were important to the Empire, such as Lianna. So he tasked the Inquisitors with finding the location of the Ghost crew and using it to draw Ahsoka in.

For her part, Ahsoka thought about young Ezra and his progress learning about the Force from Kanan Jarrus. Kanan's Jedi training and experience were far less than hers and she wanted to be a resource that they could draw on. Though at this time Ahsoka certainly no longer thought of herself as a Jedi in the formal sense, a part of her knew that anyone who encountered her would still see her that way. Indeed, the others in the rebellion likely did, but things were different with Barriss – now gone for about eight years – and with Shaak Ti. Did the Master see herself – still – as a Jedi? Barriss surely did not, as she was openly using the Force for her own personal gain, and though Ahsoka felt a bit uneasy about that, she nonetheless came to forgive the Mirialan for what had happened all those years ago, and saw her as a dear friend and hoped somehow that she was still alive, somewhere. And then there was Varda Wahi, another onetime Jedi Knight that had left the Order of her own volition, though Ahsoka wasn't exactly sure of the circumstances surrounding that.

The matter of the Inquisitors also intrigued her. Kanan had mentioned his encounter with the onetime Pau'an Grand Inquisitor, who had seemingly perished aboard the stricken ISD Sovereign some two years earlier, but then had appeared to him inside the old Jedi Temple on Lothal. The "GI" told him that he had once been a Jedi Knight himself and somehow performed a knighting ceremony on Jarrus. Ahsoka was a little dubious about that, but decided she had to recognize it for what it seemed to be, as Kanan took it seriously and realized his responsibility to Ezra had only grown. So why not assist in this? Both of them can learn from me.

After conducting more supply runs and serving in her rebel intelligence role as Fulcrum (along with Shaak as Voyager and Varda as Counselor, and their colleague – someone Ahsoka had yet to meet personally – as Ardency), Ahsoka decided to have the two Force-sensitive Ghost crew members accompany her on a mission against the Empire. The mission seemed simple enough, infiltrate a star destroyer and try to damage the reactor and hyperdrive. Hera had once told her about how her father Cham had pulled off such a mission some twelve years earlier and they had done it without any Force-sensitive individuals, and right under the noses of Vader and the Emperor. The three of them agreed they would use two ships, with Ahsoka's Essence taking the lead as it had a newly-installed cloaking capability and the Togruta's Force ability gave her the ability to confuse the Imperials. Once in the landing bay, she would distract them so that Kanan and Ezra could approach in the Phantom. The plan was to go to the reactor area and plant detonators that could be triggered from Ahsoka's ship.

However, it all went awry once they were on board the ISD, a ship named Hammer. They got as far as the main reactor and were able to plant a few detonators, but then Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother showed up – almost as if they knew they would be needed – and immediately put Ezra and Kanan in a compromised position. Ahsoka, who had gone to her ship to get it prepped for a quick exit, sensed they were in trouble. As she left Essence to assist, the Imperials were tipped off about the presence of the ship and they sent a battalion of stormtroopers to secure it. She was able to beat back the two Inquisitors, which allowed the Spectres to get away and they rushed back to the Phantom, which for some reason had not yet been disabled by the Imperials. Along the way, both Kanan and Ezra drew lightsabres and fought their way to the ship.

Ahsoka soon came running, with the Sister and Brother hot on her tail. Seeing her ship blocked off, Ahsoka had to think quick. She reached out with the Force and located Kanan and Ezra. They soon came out to help her and the three made their way onto the Phantom and were able to get away from the Hammer's landing deck. They soon had programmed it for the jump to hyperspace and were on their way to Atollon. Ahsoka knew her ship – which had faithfully served her for some fifteen years after it had been given to her by Bail Organa – was now lost to the Empire, and that the Imperials might learn a few things from the computer about flight plans and the like, but she had always taken care to scrub the data each time she had returned to Void Station. They won't learn about Dantooine, nor Anaxes, or the relay emplacements, but I won't be able to return to Void Station. My cover has been blown. She was soberly considering all of this as they traveled through hyperspace, and decided it would be better for the Spectres to know as little as possible of her knowledge and contacts in the rebellion – in particular, about Shaak Ti.

Lianna, Valles's Office, 2 BBY, 0 months, 15 days, 15 hours

Vader was on his way to Lianna for more consultation with Valles. As his TIEx1 docked on her landing platform, the Lady was waiting for him in an iridescent red dress, with her long raven mane fully descending to her lower back. Once he was in her office and had glimpsed her, he felt a rush of excitement, knowing he was once more in her presence.

"Good afternoon, Anakin," Valles greeted him in a gentle tone. "I suppose you're going to bring me up to date on mission Jedi Capture?"

Vader hung his head slightly, not wanting to disappoint her, and simply remarked, "the mission proceeds."

"Oh?" Valles snapped her head back, causing a rush of perfume to emanate from her hair. "So where, exactly, do we stand?"

She was not pleased to learn of what she discerned to be a failure on his part. About six weeks earlier, Vader had confided in her of his plan to capture Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra, and bring them to her on Lianna for questioning. The supposedly overwhelming Force ability of Vader and Valles combined would enable them to pull this off. The ISD Hammer would be something of a decoy and he leaked information about its plans in such a manner that the rebels intelligence network would pick it up and then they might plan some kind of attack if it was implied that the ship was in some state of disrepair.

"My Lady, they showed up on the Hammer as the plan commenced, and we had them where we wanted them. But Tano was too quick and they escaped. However, Tano had to abandon her ship."

"Oh really?" Valles feigned surprise. "Anything I should know here?"

"Unfortunately, she had scrubbed the memory of her computers, and all we could learn was her previous whereabouts – Void Station."

"Hmm … an unexpected place for a rebel to use as an address. What were you able to learn there?"

"Not very much, other than she had been staying there for the past six years or so. It seems she was working as a mechanic on the platform."

"Which likely brought her into contact with various people. I know that place fairly well, though I've not been there in recent years. It's a well-to-do establishment that has a number of clubs, places where Miss Tano could learn much of the comings and goings."

Vader pondered that for a few seconds. "It would be worth knowing what Ahsoka has learned about the Project."

Valles scoffed. "I doubt very much. She would have shared that with the rebels."

"You are correct, my lady," he nodded.

"Anyway," Valles murmured. "What is your next move?"

"My agents were able to put a tracker on the other rebel ship, a small craft that carries maybe four people. We should soon learn where they have been hiding."

"I hope you are correct. This rebel operation has been a thorn in our sides long enough. I want it squashed. Capturing Tano would be a significant blow to them."

In hyperspace aboard the Phantom, 2 BBY, 0 months, 15 days

As the Phantom traveled through hyperspace, Ahsoka brought up a good point.

"What if they put a tracker on this ship?"

Kanan nodded. "Yes, it would be something they would do. We can't go to Atollon, we'll give away the location of Chopper Base."

With that, they took the ship out of hyperspace and then contacted the Ghost and explained the situation. Hera agreed to meet them at another location, and they soon arrived and the ships re-docked. Once aboard the Ghost, they soon found the tracking device.

"Good thinking, Ahsoka," Hera noted. "now they won't be able to catch up to us."

Ghost soon returned to the Atollon base.

About two weeks later, Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra decided it was time to go to Malachor, which they explained to Hera. The Twi'lek captain agreed that she would keep Ghost in the vicinity after they left for the planet. The C1-10P droid ("Chopper") would go with them as a backup that could fly the ship should they need it.

Malachor, Chorlian Sector, NE Outer Rim, 2 BBY, 0 months, 3 days

As the Phantom approached Malachor, the three of them were most curious about the planet, which was always off-limits to Jedi, as Ahsoka had noted earlier, before she decided to postpone the journey, but now there was no turning back. If there was ever going to be a chance of finding out how to fight the Empire, Vader, and the Inquisitors, this seemed to be the place. After all, Ahsoka had always heeded Yoda's advice in the past, and now she felt enabled to take on the task. Somehow, the Force had informed her she would need a new level of strength and power for this journey, and she decided to use the last of the mysterious substance from the tiny white pyramid that had come to her over five years earlier.

Inhaling the substance usually gave her a rush of insight and some new-found ability of perception. There wasn't much of it, but Ahsoka felt this would be the time she would need it more than ever. Somehow the Force foretold this for her. A surge of energy came to her, similar to the exchanges she'd more recently had when meeting with Master Shaak. I can do it, Master. You have given me what I need.

Soon, the Phantom had touched down on the seemingly barren surface of Malachor, after they had completed a full orbit. Ahsoka told Kanan that she would know where they had to land, although she couldn't exactly explain why. He said he understood, while Ezra simply nodded. The younger Jedi, still very much a boy in some ways at age 17, had become a devoted follower of Ahsoka and was enthralled by her seeming wisdom and power. Kanan also seemed to defer to her, as she had considerably more experience.

The three of them left the ship and started walking, Ahsoka in the lead. As she sensed the way ahead, they soon came to a crater-like depression on the surface.

While this was taking place, Maul – who had remained on the planet, vainly awaiting the return of Maris Brood – soon detected them. It had been many years since his last encounter with Ahsoka Tano. She and the Clone Battalion 332 had taken him prisoner on Mandalore and were in flight en route to Coruscant so as to turn him over to the Republic authorities. But during the flight, Order 66 had been issued and the clones turned against Ahsoka due to the inhibitor chips that had been installed in them ever since their creation on Kamino. She decided to free Maul so he could create a diversion while she worked to remove the chip from her friend, the clone Captain Rex. This operation was ultimately a success, but Maul was able to use the only shuttle on board the cruiser to escape for parts unknown, despite Ahsoka's attempts to stop him. He didn't much care what happened to her and wasn't really sure that she would survive the cruiser's crash on the icy world of Denova. But now there were three Force presences suddenly detectable on the planet. Two of the signatures were new to him, but he knew the third … Ah, Lady Tano, what are you doing here? I was hoping for Lady Brood …

Because, before the arrival of the Phantom, Maul had already detected the signature of another one of the Inquisitors, this one a Terrelian called Eighth Brother. You've come for me? Having Maris would give him the upper hand because he knew this one would call for his cohorts in the Inquisitorium and together he and Maris could wipe them out due to Lady Brood's superior power. But Ahsoka? She would be unlikely to help … unless …

Ahsoka was studying the writing on one of the monoliths that extended up from the crater's surface. As she was about to decipher it, Ezra touched the stone and the three of them fell through the surface and into a cavern. When they saw many statues of what appeared to have once been warriors, Ahsoka recalled one of her history lessons from Varda and mentioned a battle where the Jedi attacked a Sith Temple. "This must be the one I heard about," she murmured. By this time, Eighth Brother had spotted them and then posed as one of the statues, waiting for the right moment to ambush the trio, whereupon he hurled explosives at them, which caused Ezra to fall through the ground beneath him and into another tunnel.

Ahsoka and Kanan, with Chopper's help, managed to catch up to and disarm Eighth Brother. As they were about to interrogate him, Ezra had been discovered by Maul underground. The Dathomiri at first concealed his true identity (as did Ezra) and referred to himself as "Old Master." He led Ezra into the Sith Temple, which he had painstakingly repaired from the damage done by Shaak Ti some four years prior. Maul quickly detected Ezra's Force signature and realized his abilities were still being formed. Perhaps another willing apprentice? Not as powerful as Lady Maris but he will do for now. Master Ti has taken all the holocrons from the Temple but left the most important one. Why did she do this? Well, no matter for now. Young Jedi here will fetch it for me.

For his part, Ezra was most curious. Could the "Old Master" be a former Jedi – one that Yoda knew lived on Malachor? He kept these thoughts to himself, as Maul led him to one portal after another and encouraged the boy's growing ability. Ezra found that lifting heavy doors (each perhaps weighing as much as a ton), one after another, was a skill he was developing and the feel of it was thrilling. And then they came to the holocron. There it was, across a ten-metre-wide chasm, in a clear case. It was approximately 15 cm in height and shaped as a square-based pyramid. Maul had carefully reconstructed the enclosure in the four years since Shaak had laid waste to it. He knew she didn't want anyone to get to the holocron, but curiously didn't take it for herself. But Maul had little time now to further ponder the mysterious Shaak Ti, the onetime Jedi Master that was now bent on something that approached much greater power and authority – at least that was either how he read her Force profile. Or was it merely what she wanted him to see at that particular moment? But in the person of young Ezra Bridger was an opportunity to gain a slice of the pie for himself and perhaps be able to start gaining the revenge he so craved.

For Maul needed an accomplice, one that could be easily led. There was but one obstacle here – the presence of Tano and the other Force user, someone he had not encountered before, but seemingly not terribly formidable. Tano presented a problem as her power was clearly evolving, and he had no desire to battle her again, after what took place sixteen years earlier on Mandalore. After Order 66, he and Ahsoka had to deal with the clones together, and he saw how formidable she was in action – and now she was considerably more experienced. Maul killed a couple dozen of the clones and escaped via the shuttle craft available. As he left, despite her attempting to stop him, he somehow knew she would find a way out of her predicament. As much as he disliked her, he still had a grudging respect. Tano always finds a way.

Ezra stared across at the holocron. It was like nothing he'd ever seen before, glowing in red with gleaming copper metallic edges, and in addition, it seemed to be calling to him. Maul helped Ezra retrieve the holocron and bring it back across the chasm. At this point, the temple began shaking.

"What's happening?" Ahsoka gasped.

"I don't know exactly, but I'm sure Ezra is involved somehow," Kanan replied.

Meanwhile, Seventh Sister and Fifth Brother soon showed up, having been earlier signaled by their cohort. Once they waded into the fight, Ahsoka had to step up her game in order for she and Kanan to prevail. The Sister addressed them in her usual mocking tone.

"Well, it's Ahsoka Tano … but this time, you are outnumbered."

"Oh, I don't think so," the Togruta chuckled.

With that, Ahsoka drew both of her white bladed sabres and stared the three Inquisitors down. Kanan then drew his – a blue-blade model – and soon the skirmish had begun. Ahsoka – showing a new level of aggressive power – slashed hard at the Sister and pushed her backward. The Fifth Brother attempted to aid his comrade but the Togruta drove him away too, while Kanan and the Eighth Brother were going at it.

Soon, Maul and Ezra joined them. Seeing the participants, Maul chuckled, "three of you – what fun!"

Seventh Sister then remarked, "the rumors of Darth Maul's survival are indeed true."

"Formerly Darth, now just Maul," he chuckled.

Ahsoka scowled as she recognized him, but said nothing.

"Ezra, you need to stay away from him." Kanan warned.

"No, he's on our side," the boy insisted.

Maul then lit his double red-bladed saber and engaged the Sister, who was quickly joined by her cohorts. Seeing this, Kanan and Ahsoka pitched in to help and the Inquisitors were overmatched. Sister called for a retreat and they pulled back and seemingly fled.

Finally, Ahsoka asked Maul, "what are you doing here, anyway?"

"The same as you, Lady Tano. Seeking the way to defeat the Sith."

Ahsoka looked at Kanan, who was clearly dubious.

"Vader is coming, it's only a matter of time," Maul pointed out. "We need to bring the holocron to the top of the Temple. Only then we will gain the knowledge to stop him."

Kanan then contacted Chopper, telling him they were going to stay a bit longer and to keep the Phantom out of sight. The four of them made their way to the top of the Temple. Meanwhile, the Inquisitors had sent a probe droid to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Seventh Sister then noted, "they have the holocron."

"We can't let them use it," Fifth Brother pointed out.

"I'll get it," responded Eighth Brother, who then used his spinning lightsabre to take him to the Temple, to hopefully thin out their opponents. When he arrived, the Brother tried to grab the holocron away from Ezra, but Ahsoka drove him back with her sabres. Maul then recommended they split up to better handle the Inquisitors and he and Ezra went off together. Kanan objected, but Ahsoka reminded him that Ezra would be alright because of Kanan's teachings.

As Maul and Ezra made their way to the top, Seventh Sister and her droids ambushed them, while the two Brothers battled Kanan and Ahsoka elsewhere. The droids were soon destroyed by Ezra and Maul, and the Sister was caught in a Force-choke by Maul and levitated in the air.

"Strike her down," he implored Ezra. "Use your power!"

But Ezra couldn't bring himself to do it, and Maul then threw his lightsabre at her, killing her. He then admonished Ezra that such hesitation in the future could cost him his life.

"Now, place the holocron in the obelisk at the top," Maul directed Ezra, before leaving to engage the other Inquisitors. As he arrived, Ahsoka then struck at Fifth Brother's sabre, damaging it and making it useless. Maul quickly finished him off, leaving only the Eighth Brother. Kanan was able to slightly damage that one's sabre, and when he tried to flee via the helicopter technique, the sabre broke apart, causing Eighth Brother to fall to his death.

The Inquisitors out of the way, Kanan demanded to know where Ezra went. Maul then claimed the boy was now his apprentice and then he struck Kanan with his lightsabre, causing him to be blinded. Ahsoka then defended Kanan and attacked Maul.

As they dueled, he informed her, "that temple will become a battle station once activated. The boy is on his way to do that. I will soon destroy all my enemies."

Ezra then was able to plant the holocron, and soon after, he heard the voice of Darth Traya for the first time, but only in his head. Knowledge is power, it said. The temple started to vibrate as its latent power began to increase.

Ahsoka started gaining the upper hand against Maul, which gave Kanan a chance to recover. He found a helmet and his lightsabre, then told Ahsoka to find Ezra.

"I'll deal with Maul!"

Using the Force, Kanan found a new sense of strength and rallied to push Maul off the cliff into the chasm below. He then was contacted by Chopper, who warned that another TIE ship was on its way. Kanan ordered the droid to bring the Phantom to pick them up.

But Darth Traya – as a Force Spirit, though whether dark or light was open to question – continued to speak to Ezra. The Temple gives you the power to destroy all life – is this not what you seek?

Ezra, now thoroughly horrified, protested. "No! Not at all!"

And the answer came: Perhaps our new guest might feel otherwise …

By this time, Ezra realized that he was in far over his head. He called to warn Kanan and Ahsoka, as he believed that Maul wanted the power. A few seconds later, the TIEx1 landed and Darth Vader emerged, his red sabre lit. Ezra stared at Vader, wide-eyed. This was the very presence he'd faced about a year earlier, back on Lothal. He felt the fear coursing through him. This time the Dark Lord was serious, deadly serious. Ezra drew his sabre and prepared to meet him.

Vader then said, "you have unlocked the secret of the Temple. How did you accomplish this?"

"You're smart, figure it out," Ezra replied flippantly.

They exchange a couple of blows, then Vader remarked, "no matter, the power within shall soon serve the Emperor."

"I don't fear you," Ezra replied, defiantly.

"Then you will die braver than most," Vader retorted.

A quick slash from the Dark Lord, and Ezra's sabre was split apart, while he was on his backside, looking up, cringing at the sight of Vader, about to finish him off.

"Perhaps I was wrong," the Sith said evenly. But as he raised his blade, another voice, one most familiar, spoke up.

"It wouldn't be the first time," Ahsoka said in a sharp tone.

Vader turned around to face her, at long last. How long I have waited for this. The Apprentice is now here.

"It was foretold that you would be here. Our long-awaited meeting has come at last."

"I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to," she answered, staring him down.

Realizing that her power had now become far more formidable than when he last saw her, Vader responded.

"We need not be adversaries … if you tell me where the remaining Jedi can be found."

"There are no Jedi," Ahsoka shouted, angrily, "You and your Inquisitors have seen to that."

Turning toward Ezra, Vader stated, "perhaps this child will confess what you will not."

Ahsoka continued. "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."

Vader knew what she was saying and part of it bothered him. "Anakin Skywalker was weak. I destroyed him."

Ahsoka winced, as she thought of Anakin and how close they had been, then lowered her tone.

"Then I will revenge his death."

"Revenge is not the Jedi Way," Vader simply stated, but he well understood where she was coming from.

Ahsoka half-snarled in retort. "I am no Jedi."

She didn't have time to fully consider this, as she knew it was about to get serious. They both drew their sabres. Ahsoka attacked first, going high and attempting to slash at his mask, but Vader parried. A couple more blows and Ahsoka gave him a strong Force push. Vader quickly recovered, but then looked up, as Ahsoka was descending onto him, ready to strike a vicious blow. He was able to hold her off, but she then retreated, doing a couple of back flips, while still maintaining a strong defensive posture.

As Ezra observed the battle, he noted, "I need a lot more training." He then realized he had to retrieve the holocron, else Vader might obtain it, which could be cataclysmic. His first attempt to reach into the obelisk failed, but then Kanan and Chopper appeared.

"It takes a master … and an apprentice," Kanan called out. Chopper was helping to guide his path, as he was still dealing with the loss of his eyesight. Ezra then helped him to get to where the holocron was.

"Where's Ahsoka?"

"With Vader," Ezra answered.

The two of them continued to battle on one of the pyramid levels, with the action being fairly even, Ahsoka giving as good as she got. But there was a slight break, and Vader took the opportunity to Force-push Ahsoka off the edge. He then looked up and detected Ezra and Kanan. Together, the two of them managed to yank the holocron out.

"The Temple's starting to collapse," Ezra shouted.

Below, Ahsoka had recovered from her fall. Ezra and Kanan started walking toward the Phantom, but Vader had arrived, and was now pulling at them with the Force, intent on getting the holocron. As Kanan and Ezra struggled to hold him off, Ahsoka came running up from behind. She yelled as she leaped into the air as she reached him, and then slashed hard at Vader's helmet. The Dark Lord grunted as he fell. Ezra called for Ahsoka to hurry and join them.

But then, Vader rose, and spoke her name, this time in a very different tone of voice, one considerably higher in pitch.

"Ahsoka." He turned to face her, then said her name once more. "Ahsoka."

She stopped, then gazed, wide-eyed. The Dark Lord's mask had been split open.

"Anakin …" she said softly.

At this moment, many thoughts were running through his mind. He thought about Valles, the only one that seemed to understand him, and then about the Emperor, the one that demanded he give himself fully to the Dark Side and there had been more than a few times when it seemed he would falter. Would this be one more?

Ezra and Kanan were almost back to the Phantom. Ezra stared at Ahsoka, wide eyed. He desperately wanted her to join them. But she stared at Vader – or was it really Anakin after all? – and shouted, firmly, "I won't leave you!" and then, more quietly, "not this time." She recalled how she had left the Jedi – and Anakin – all those years ago, and then the Force apparition, where he asked, "why did you leave me?"

But Vader was feeling many urges at this moment, and ultimately decided the die had been cast. He really had no choice. The Emperor held all the cards now and this was not the time to go soft. Besides, his new friend Valles would also expect this of him, he felt. So, after about a full minute, he turned back to his onetime apprentice, and said, softly, but bitterly, "Then you will die."

Again, the voice was that of Anakin, not Vader, but perhaps this was due to the mask being partly split open and his voice modulator being compromised. He lit his sabre and started toward her. She lit both of hers and Ezra approached, yelling her name. She was now deadly serious and turned toward Ezra, giving him a Force shove back toward the Phantom. As Vader came toward her, Kanan called, "Ezra! Let's go!"

Ezra ran back aboard the Phantom and Chopper piloted it away, leaving Vader and Ahsoka to continue their fight. As they lifted off and away from the surface of Malachor, they could see the Temple appearing to explode beneath them.

"There's nothing we can do now. It's over." Kanan told him. In his hands, Ezra cradled the Sith holocron. As they returned to Atollon, Hera, Sabine and Zeb awaited them as the Phantom landed. Seeing Kanan's blindfolded eyes, Hera knew something serious had happened.

But soon after, Maul (who was able to lift himself out of the chasm) had finally found his way off of Malachor after a four-year stay, thanks to the now-deceased Eighth Brother's TIEv1 ship. Meanwhile, Ahsoka and Vader battled on, both of them fighting seemingly to the death …

To be continued …